coffee, clefs, and composition

RACHEL: She accepted her cup, though his attitude did absolutely nothing to convince her he was alright, especially since he didn't actually answer the question. She couldn't recall a time he'd been evasive like this. "I've been...fine," Rachel said carefully. She let that hag there for a moment or two, then sighed and approached him. "Blaine." Rachel hesitated, then placed her hands over his gently. "You're scaring me. What's going on?"

[PRIVATE]

Sounds like something an almost-celebrity would do. Good. And people say I’m not funny. I looked him up after you mentioned him and he’s definitely pretty, but I wouldn’t call him famous. What happened a month ago?

You should stop apologizing so much. It’s so much better to just own being an asshole. 

[PRIVATE]

You can be funny, it’s just a different type or different level of humor. Not everyone can appreciate it. He has a pretty devoted fanbase though, he doesn’t need to be mega famous. He has people who practically worship him so to him that is famous enough. Up until last month Cooper and I just didn’t mesh well. It was always about him and I guess it might be still be that way, but he at least showed me that he is capable of being a decent human. 

Right. Well, this is me owning the fact that I’m an asshole. 

I’m unsure what you’re asking, as I’ve always been this way. I know nothing else. A lot of people need to learn it, as well. They would benefit from it, too. 

I’m glad you know and hopefully you know what to do in the future if that situation ever happens again.

Oh, it was sort of rhetorical, like I’m not prepared for everything and anything so I wonder what it’s like. Nevermind. I'm not sure how someone goes about learning how to be that level of prepared.

It’s a good Blaine. Does he have any upcoming plans/ideas to keep that optimism going? 

No prob, figure I gotta pay it forward. That, and my next suggestion would’ve been A Latte Fun and I wouldn’t wanna drag you into the barista business. Thank you for saying that. It’s less nerves than last year being a newbie, but also a little more since I’ll be starting. But I’ve missed being out on the field.

Not too many plans. I didn’t do much for Valentine’s Day, just stayed in and indulged in Oreos and hot chocolate and watched some Netflix. That’s not too sad, is it? Oh but I do have a showcase coming up at the end of the month, but that’s about it. 

I don’t know if I could be a barista and be around coffee that much without turning into an actual coffee bean at that point. I’m still doing my best to cut down on coffee and drink tea. You’ve got to let me know when the first game is, I don’t want to miss it!

RACHEL: She raised her eyebrows as Blaine opened the door and greeted her with a rambling offering of various liquids; she just shook her head. "Tea is fine, thank you," Rachel said, stepping into the apartment. It was strange to be here now. Not because she'd spent so much time here before, when they were different - the lack of things like that had been part of the problem. Just because it was...well, it was different. Blaine was as dapper as ever, as handsome as ever, as Blaine as ever, but the patter-patter her heart used to give was gone. She almost missed it, except that she knew it hadn't disappeared, just relocated its reaction. Rachel looked back to Blaine and tilted her head. "Blaine...is everything okay?" Maybe it was breaking some sort of post-break-up rule to ask the person who broke up with you if they were okay, but Blaine was being so...so un-Blaine-ish, that Rachel was almost nervous.

What’s the use of a “famous” brother no one knows about if you don’t get stuff out of it?

I don’t even know what you’re apologizing for, honestly. 

[PRIVATE]

Because up until a month ago I liked to pretend I didn’t have a brother, because he only came around when he needed something like to fan his ego. And I appreciate the “ “, it actually made me laugh. 

Everything? Being an asshole pretty much every step of the way. 

Well, speak for yourself. I’m always prepared for everything and anything. But in the very rare occasion that I’m not, I simply handle it.

It was out of line, yes. A situation that you created by doing what you did to begin with.

What’s that like? I envy you, I should learn to be like that. 

It had been a long day and it was only Wednesday, the second half of the week was yet to go. With midterms drawing steadily closer, Blaine needed to do a little extra work to keep on track. It didn’t help that Kurt was a new distraction. A distraction that Blaine welcomed but with consequences. He used to be at least a chapter a head in each of his classes, with time to spare for violin practice and glee club. There were two classes he was actually a chapter behind and needed to devote some time to work on getting caught up. 

In order to prevent any other distractions his apartment might offer, Blaine took to studying in the library for a few hours after his final afternoon class. It was dull, no outbursts of Mr. Brightside this time around but he managed to get himself caught up and half way through the next chapter. It was getting dangerously close to five and Blaine had to be ready for his date with Kurt at seven. He rushed back to his apartment to get ready only to be greeted by balloons and a stuffed puppy. 

Blaine set his things down and beamed as he walked over to the gift. He stretched his neck around to see if there were traces of Kurt elsewhere but he found none. Kurt must have dropped him off and left to get ready. Blaine picked up the note and gave a soft chuckle. What a goof. Blaine picked up the puppy and removed the bowtie from around its neck. Of course Kurt would have at least some part in Blaine’s wardrobe for tonight. And as the bowtie didn’t go with the original outfit he picked out he would have to shower quickly in order to find a new look to go with the bowtie Kurt had chosen. Blaine headed to his bedroom, puppy in hand, and gave the toy a gentle squeeze before he rested it carefully in front of his pillow.

 The sun was just barely shining through his window when Blaine’s alarm went off. He would have to remember to not schedule a class at 9am on Mondays next fall. On the bright side he was done with his classes after two today. Although, he would have to set time to practice his violin for the showcase he had at the end of the month, and then go to drama club around seven. Just thinking about it all made Blaine want to roll over and hide under his comforter. He reached out searching for Kurt, but he wasn’t there. 

Blaine pushed himself up a little and opened his eyes to see the other side of his bed was empty. He frowned a little. Kurt must have left just before Blaine’s first alarm. How disappointing. His second alarm rang, and Blaine reluctantly turned it off and climbed out of bed and groggily headed to the bathroom. After taking a shower, gelling his hair into his signature style, and finished getting dressed, Blaine made his way toward the kitchen and only then noticed the rose petals.

A curious grin slowly spread as he followed the trail down his little hallway and into the kitchen. A soft chuckle falling from his lips when he saw the new flowers, the coffee, and a note. Blaine sat down at the table, pulling the coffee close to him and examining the note. He felt his cheeks heat up and he could tell he was blushing without even having to look.

Next weekend?

What’s next—Valentine’s Day. 

Blaine had very nearly forgot. Oh god, he needed to Kurt something for Valentine’s Day. Panic quickly started to set in. He was going to have to rack his brain for the perfect gift idea. Blaine didn’t know if they were getting each other gifts for Valentine’s Day or if they were celebrating it since they were sleeping together. Were they in a relationship? It wasn’t something that was discussed. Blaine had asked Kurt out on an official date once, and yes, they had been sleeping together since December but defining their relationship was never something they discussed.

Kurt obviously wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Blaine, and from the sound of it had something planned. His heart started to race. Calm down, Anderson. You have time and you know Kurt. This should be easy.

His eyes scanned over the note again, this time falling on the PS. Blaine grinned a little further and his panic started to fade. Kurt made him breakfast before leaving. It was easy being with Kurt. Always easy. There was nothing to panic about, he would like anything Blaine got him. He set the note carefully up against the flowers and went to retrieve the pancakes, taking his cardigan off just in case.  

[PRIVATE]

And that pretty Hollywood brother of yours can’t hook you up with anything? 

Stop. Apologies make me nauseous. 

[PRIVATE]

He probably could but it doesn’t mean he would, or that I’d go to him and ask for anything. 

Okay. I said what I wanted to anyway, but I’ll avoid it in the future. 

Possibly. Superstitions are tricky, some make sense but others like not letting a black cat cross you just seems a bit silly. Please do and let me know if you learn anything cool about why exactly we listen to a groundhog whose name I can’t pronounce. Same! This decade is gonna be my 20s and I plan to enjoy them for as long as I possible can so I need time to take a huge chill pill.

I’ll be sure to let you know what I find out. Oh wow, yeah it’ll be my twenties too. If time could slow down, just a little, that’d be great. How are you classes going so far?

Yeah…you can’t dedicate every second to something either way. You need time to chill. 

I was talking with Lauren, I don’t know if you know her or not, anyway she’s a friend of mine and she suggested I check the library as like a desk clerk or something. She said it was a pretty chill job and even found time at work to get some homework done. I think I’m going to look into that and see how flexible they will be with hours.

I always have a point. Personal reasons are much different than simply not liking the weather but, still, I stand by what I said. The only reason people dread things is because they’re not prepared for them. Well, I do like the fall. But actually fall, not September fall where it’s still summer.

That it was; it’s too bad you didn’t get the chance experience it. I bet you were. Thank you.

I think it’s fair to say that you can’t be prepared for everything, as much as we like to think that we can or that we are. So it’s understandable for someone to dread something every once in a while at the very least. 

Right, October and November fall not the fake one in September. 

Same! I still feel like 2008 was a few years ago not over a decade ago. Time is so fake. I feel like whoever decided any of this was a little bit high. Because, honestly, no sober person came up with the idea to listen to a groundhog about weather. 

I think it stems from some old superstition, not sure what culture, I’d have to look it up. Like how did it start, why, and for what reason are we still following these rules and traditions? I just hope this next decade doesn’t go by as fast as the last one. 

To me, it’s the evenings in spring. When you can take a nice, long walk without having to be covered in four layers, and it’s still light when you get back from it - and also all of the branches on the trees aren’t naked any longer, and the leaves are green; that’s nice too. We totally should! Like, a murder mystery-themed one! Or, Atlantis-themed!

I agree those are perfect too. Really, I am just a huge fan of spring and fall all around. The summer and winter are just too extreme either way for me. 

Either of those choices are pretty great but murder mystery, while hard work to put together, would be pretty awesome. And unique. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a murder mystery birthday party or murder mystery anything. It could be like Clue! We’d have to get started on planning this right away. 

Midterms are a problem for future!Blaine. February!Blaine can just enjoy the semester as is, and coast on his optimism.

Flexible hours, nothing too time-consuming? There might be some front desk jobs left at the library. I did that freshman year and it’s super easy. Mostly checking out books, shelving books, and pointing out where the bathrooms are ‘cause everyone always gets lost. I usually knocked out my homework on my shifts. But sure, I’ll let you know. Our first game is in a few weeks, actually. Which is awesome but kinda nerve-wracking. 

I like the sound of February!Blaine. I’m going to do my best to be him, I’d like to coast on my optimism. 

Huh, that does sound pretty easy and the library isn’t too far from my apartment. And if like you said, you were able to get some homework done at the same time that would be perfect. Thank Lo, I’ll take a look into that. Oh yeah? I bet you’re all going to be great. I understand the nerves, but I’m sure you’re going to kick ass. 

[PRIVATE]

Why don’t you? Don’t your parents have money? I’m good at a lot of things.

I really don’t care about him. He doesn’t talk to me and I don’t think about him. It’s a beautiful thing.

[PRIVATE] 

Money that they willing want to give me? No. Especially after what happened at Thanksgiving, the little bit they did give me is probably cut off now. 

I am sorry for everything I did and how I treated you before. I acted like an asshole. I know I’ve done this song and dance before but it’s really been bothering me and I swear I won’t bring it up again or apologize again after this, I just want you to know I really mean it.