AN: Sorry for the wait, unfortunately life always gets in the way. Have some fluffy fluff :)
Thanks to Nightingale63 who added to my headcanon of Blaine singing to his kids. And as always, all the thanks to my beta, itsjustalittlemakeup
Every second Thursday, Kurt had the lesson before lunch free and whilst he usually attempted to diminish his ever-growing pile of work, today was different. He was too tired to even consider reading the drivel some of his students handed in, so instead he set off in search of caffeine. It wasn't until he heard the soft sounds of a guitar and a beautiful, strangely familiar voice that he realised his feet had taken a detour.
Somehow he'd ended up in the elementary part of the school, right outside Blaine's classroom. Most afternoons he would drop by before leaving, ducking inside for a quick kiss goodbye that tided him over until they texted into the night. Today, though, he hadn't really intended to visit, at least not during class time. Yet here he was, lurking in the corridor. He knew he should turn around and make a beeline to the staffroom for a much-needed cup of coffee, but he hadn't heard Blaine sing before, and frankly, he was captivated.
It wasn't that he had thought Blaine would be bad, he just hadn't expected he'd be this good.
Even though he couldn't see into the classroom, the well-placed tremors and quakes in Blaine's voice were enough to confirm he wasn't just singing, he was performing, a song Kurt had never viewed as emotional before. How he could make Disney sound so deep and utterly engaging was beyond him.
Without another thought, Kurt's feet were moving forward, acting on their own accord for the second time today and suddenly he was standing in the doorway, peering into the room.
Blaine's usually gelled-to-an-inch-of-his-life curls were lightly mussed and his face was pink as he strummed away, singing to twenty enchanted first-graders. A wide smile crept onto Kurt's face as he watched, his heart tugging, stretching and filling.
Wouldn't I love, love to explore that shore up above?
Out of the sea, wish I could be part of your world
The second the room fell silent Kurt found himself replacing the noise, clapping before he could stop himself. Blaine's head snapped to the door, his eyes widening and then warming as he saw who was standing there.
"Bravo," Kurt mouthed, grinning as he waved to twenty pairs of curious eyes.
A few kids craned their necks to get a better look and Blaine grinned too. "Class, could you say good afternoon to Mr Hummel?"
A chorus of voices, some enthusiastic and some small, rang out and Blaine told them to talk amongst themselves for a minute before he walked over to Kurt.
Each day it got harder to repress the urge to plant a kiss on Blaine's ridiculously adorable smile whilst in their workplace and right now, the urge had never been stronger. Kurt wanted to kiss him in greeting, for being so effortlessly cute, for being so talented, for being him. Instead, he settled for squeezing Blaine's arm.
"You're really good," Kurt complimented, the echoes of Blaine's last few notes ringing in his ears. "Your kids seem to agree, they couldn't look away."
Blaine's cheeks began to heat up but he looked undeniably delighted at the praise. "Thank-you. I sing to them most days, just after recess. It helps them calm down and focus after running around for a half hour."
"That's a really good idea," Kurt said honestly, "I'm pretty tempted to creepily listen outside your classroom more often."
Blaine chuckled, "Good to see I have a fan."
"Of the most avid kind," Kurt quipped, grinning again and Blaine ached to reach for his hand.
"That reminds me, remember when you talked about pursuing your dream if your Dad hadn't gotten sick? It was on our first date."
Kurt nodded, intrigued by the abrupt change in topic.
"Well, you sort of inspired me," Blaine said shyly, "I was thinking that whilst I can't do anything in the music industry, nothing's stopping me from performing. So I saw an ad for a fortnightly Sunday afternoon gig at a local coffee shop. It's not much, mostly mellow background music, but it sounded perfect so I enquired and guess who's singing this Sunday?"
Kurt covered a squeal and pulled Blaine into a hug, blushing when he remembered their whereabouts.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Kurt apologised, biting his lip.
Blaine smiled, "No, but I'm glad you did. Anyway I was gonna tell you at lunch, but I was wondering if you wanted to come see me? Just for my first one, you don't have to come every time I sing or anything, but I would really appreciate it if you considered - "
"Of course I'll come! Don't be silly."
"Oh." Blaine grinned dumbly and Kurt swore to himself there and then that he'd make it to every show, to support the person who'd given him nothing but the same in return. "Okay. I'll tell you more at lunch."
"Sounds fantastic," Kurt said genuinely and it made Blaine's stomach flip, "Now tell me, really quickly, what are you doing tomorrow night?"
"You interrupted my class to ask me out on a date?" Blaine asked, his tone teasing and Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Maybe? Are you free?"
"Free as a bird," Blaine sang, unable to hide his excitement at the prospect of another night spent in Kurt's company, "What did you have in mind?"
Kurt shrugged. He'd thought it over as he got ready this morning, swooping his hair to its usual height. The last two Fridays they'd gone out to dinner and Kurt had decided he was in the mood for a more casual evening. "Maybe a movie? There's this new rom-com that's caught my eye."
"Sounds perfect." Blaine smiled then tilted his head to the side, making sure his students hadn't killed each other in his brief absence. As expected, they were chatting loudly but still cross-legged on the floor. He faced Kurt again, a bright smile still stuck to his face as he nodded towards the kids. "I better go, I'll see you at lunch."
Kurt grinned, "Can't wait."
The coffee shop was bigger than Kurt had imagined, with quirky furniture that provided a cosy feel. He unwound the scarf around his neck as he waited in line to order a drink, his skin tingly at the thought of hearing Blaine sing again. His eyes flickered to the makeshift stage, seeking out a familiar face instantly. Blaine was busy setting up, flitting around the place, fixing the mic, tuning his guitar. It took only a few moments for Kurt to realise something wasn't right.
Blaine looked nervous.
Maybe not to any average onlooker, but Kurt had gotten to know him pretty well the past few weeks and he could tell that something was wrong. He wondered if Blaine just had stage fright, but with his love for performing and his earlier excitement that seemed unlikely.
Whatever it was, he hoped it wouldn't hinder Blaine. He deserved this moment to shine.
"You came," Blaine said breathlessly minutes later, rushing from the stage to where Kurt was seated, right near the front. He leant down for a kiss, pressing his lips to Kurt's in a silent thank-you for not running when Blaine needed him the most. He squeaked in surprise when Kurt deepened the kiss, teasing his lower lip before pulling away slowly, drawing the kiss out for as long as possible.
"Biscotti?" Kurt offered nonchalantly as if he hadn't just made his boyfriend's eyes turn two shades darker. It had been a good luck of sorts, to let Blaine know that Kurt was proud of him no matter how today turned out. He hoped it got his sentiments across exactly.
"But you don't like biscotti?" Blaine questioned, his brows quirking as he reached for a piece.
"That is correct, but you do."
A small smile tugged at Blaine's lips and he hastened to swallow his bite before it turned into a full-fledged grin, "You didn't have to do that."
"Mmm, just being world's best boyfriend," Kurt joked, the word falling from his mouth easily but the face he was met with made him want to shove it back in.
"Boyfriend?" Blaine echoed.
"I'm sorry, it just slipped out -"
"No, I like it," Blaine assured, a dopey grin forming on his face, "You just haven't said it before. But I like it a lot."
Kurt grinned, "Okay, boyfriend. Go show us what you've got."
After another quick kiss and an uncharacteristic thumbs up from Kurt, Blaine took to the stage. His steps were big but slightly shaky and he told himself to pull it together.
He could do this.
There was no reason to be nervous.
It was just Kurt, Kurt who had called him his boyfriend only moments before.
He could do this.
With a smile that was surer than he felt, Blaine faced the audience that had gathered there, some waiting in line, others sipping coffee with their seats turned towards him. His eyes sought out Kurt's and the reassuring smile he received gave him the extra nudge he needed. He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans once and took a deep breath before taking to the mic.
"Hi everyone, my name's Blaine and I'll be singing for you this afternoon. Hopefully I won't bomb so badly that you never return again." A few chuckles, one distinctly Kurt's, filled the shop and Blaine began to relax. "I have someone special here today and without sounding like every cliché ever, this first song's for him."
Kurt's eyebrows shot up and his heart stuttered in his chest as Blaine began to play, fingers plucking at strings to form a surprisingly familiar tune that made Kurt's heart beat even faster.
I don't know but I think I may be fallin' for you, dropping so quickly…
The first few lines were the hardest but now they were out there, Blaine's feelings were out there and he felt himself step away from the worries that had dominated his mind all morning and lose himself in the melody.
He tried his best not to look at Kurt too much, though he failed spectacularly, his eyes finding his favourite smile more often than not. It didn't falter once, only seeming to grow in size and Blaine took that as a positive.
Once Kurt got over the initial shock that Blaine was singing this to him which must mean he was falling for him and ohmygod I'm having a stroke, he could appreciate the smoothness to Blaine's voice and the effortless way in which he sung. Within the first few bars the entire coffee shop fell silent, a few impressed whispers here and there but mostly just intent listeners.
It was indicative of his talent and Kurt felt his chest swell with pride.
The song ended much too soon and as Blaine sung the last line, his eyes bored into Kurt's so there was no mistaking the lyrics for empty words.
Oooh, I'm fallin' for you
It had been years since Blaine had performed properly and he'd forgotten how good the sound of applause could feel. Kurt was clapping and whooping loudly but he wasn't the only one and Blaine almost preened.
He went on to sing a few classics acoustically, spurred on by the crowd that was forming and their undivided attention. He loved teaching but God had he missed singing for more than a class full of children. The adrenaline was indescribable and the thought that he'd experience it once a fortnight practically gave him chills.
The second Blaine thanked everyone for listening and was packing up his guitar, Kurt was at his side, hooking his arms around Blaine's waist. "Interesting first song choice."
Blaine grinned, his arms resting atop Kurt's, "I thought it was appropriate."
"I'm falling for you too, Blaine," Kurt said plainly, no preamble and he smiled into the kiss Blaine was quick to pull him into. There were butterflies in his stomach at finally saying the words aloud, the reality of the situation making them both grin. The smell of coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the low rumble of chatter and for once, Kurt appreciated the easy things in life.
The songs Blaine sang were Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid and Fallin' For You by Colbie Caillat. Reviews make me happy so please leave your thoughts :) X