Blaine Anderson (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
warblainer) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
choirroom2025-02-06 07:55 pm
warblainer) wrote in choirroom2025-02-06 07:55 pm
It was like a weird moralist tale where a fairy had come and granted him all his wishes, only for them to come true in the worst ways.
His father had remarried, had found someone he really loved and that Kurt liked a lot too. Only Carole wasn't his mom and he felt conflicted about liking her as much as he did and he knew she was trying to respect that and not push his boundaries and it really just made him feel like he had more emotional labour instead of having someone to help him through all that teenage angst he was feeling.
He had a sibling, like he'd always wanted, and his father liked him more than he liked Kurt. Of course he did, Finn was perfect, manly and loved sports, tall and all the girls swooned over him and he had that slight tinge of homophobia that was not enough to call him out on it but that ensured a distance between them and that Kurt could never let his guard down in his own home any more.
He was in New York, where he'd dreamt he'd end up one day, only he was still owed a growth spurt, he had no friends, he was stuck in high school surrounded with people just as bigoted and small-minded as they had been back in Ohio. Only it was worse somehow because there was no one there he knew, no one he could trust.
He had come out to his father and he had accepted it, only he was uneasy about Kurt being out and proud because he worried. And he knew that he was still hoping that Kurt would realise it was just a phase and boobs were great, actually.
Kurt was in New York, surrounded by people. Their place was significantly smaller and he shared his smaller room with Finn. He was literally never by himself any more. Yet he felt utterly alone and completely lost.
He had nowhere to go right now, really. He wasn't even sure where precisely he was at the moment, but he didn't want to go home. He didn't want to lie to Carole about how his day had been yet. He felt so drained. So he had been wandering through the streets, eventually pausing by a few stairs when he noticed people around him getting excited. What was going on, should he be worried? He looked around uncertainly, while everyone else seemed to know what was happening.
His father had remarried, had found someone he really loved and that Kurt liked a lot too. Only Carole wasn't his mom and he felt conflicted about liking her as much as he did and he knew she was trying to respect that and not push his boundaries and it really just made him feel like he had more emotional labour instead of having someone to help him through all that teenage angst he was feeling.
He had a sibling, like he'd always wanted, and his father liked him more than he liked Kurt. Of course he did, Finn was perfect, manly and loved sports, tall and all the girls swooned over him and he had that slight tinge of homophobia that was not enough to call him out on it but that ensured a distance between them and that Kurt could never let his guard down in his own home any more.
He was in New York, where he'd dreamt he'd end up one day, only he was still owed a growth spurt, he had no friends, he was stuck in high school surrounded with people just as bigoted and small-minded as they had been back in Ohio. Only it was worse somehow because there was no one there he knew, no one he could trust.
He had come out to his father and he had accepted it, only he was uneasy about Kurt being out and proud because he worried. And he knew that he was still hoping that Kurt would realise it was just a phase and boobs were great, actually.
Kurt was in New York, surrounded by people. Their place was significantly smaller and he shared his smaller room with Finn. He was literally never by himself any more. Yet he felt utterly alone and completely lost.
He had nowhere to go right now, really. He wasn't even sure where precisely he was at the moment, but he didn't want to go home. He didn't want to lie to Carole about how his day had been yet. He felt so drained. So he had been wandering through the streets, eventually pausing by a few stairs when he noticed people around him getting excited. What was going on, should he be worried? He looked around uncertainly, while everyone else seemed to know what was happening.
Blaine accidentally bumped into someone as he hurried down the stairs. He did a lot of PR for his busking. Very 'cops hate it so you should like it' sort of thing. He put up flyers with times and places and he played. Sometimes a lot of people came, sometimes a handful. It depended on word of mouth, time of day and the weather. Today was cold, it was always cold lately, but the sun was out and people seemed more energised.
Blaine caught himself against Kurt and turned around, smiling at him. He had his guitar slung over his shoulder and he was looking at Kurt with bright, excited eyes. "Oh man, I'm so sorry. Did you come for the show? Cause I heard, it's going to be a really good one. You wanna watch?"
Well, a cute boy was there and he never could help himself. Flirting was too easy and too fun sometimes.
Blaine caught himself against Kurt and turned around, smiling at him. He had his guitar slung over his shoulder and he was looking at Kurt with bright, excited eyes. "Oh man, I'm so sorry. Did you come for the show? Cause I heard, it's going to be a really good one. You wanna watch?"
Well, a cute boy was there and he never could help himself. Flirting was too easy and too fun sometimes.
"Wh- What show?" Never in his life had Kurt struggled with proper diction, at least not since he had learned to speak, yet here he was now, stuttering. Because there was the most beautiful boy in the world, with artfully tousled hair that hang into his face in that certain way, with a smile that was making him weak in the knees and then there were the eyebrows, the eyes - damn, those eyes - and he had a guitar.
How was that fair? It felt like a dream. No wonder he could barely remember how to string sentences together. "I can watch."
If this boy was going, he was ready to go watch paint dry. Or football, same difference.
How was that fair? It felt like a dream. No wonder he could barely remember how to string sentences together. "I can watch."
If this boy was going, he was ready to go watch paint dry. Or football, same difference.
"Okay then come on!" Blaine took Kurt's hand and pulled him along, heading to the crowd and pushing them through the people so Kurt was right in front. Blaine then let go of Kurt's hand so he could drift into the middle of the group, immediately pulling his guitar around and strumming some notes. "Okay, okay! Ladies and gentlemen - I'm Blaine Warbler and I love NYC!"
There was a cheer and Blaine didn't waste any time launching into a fun little Katy Perry number. He had dropped a hat onto the floor to collect money and people were tossing coins as he walked up to different girls (and boys), serenading them with the beautiful lyrics of Teenage Dream.
Though he didn't linger on anyone long. Well, no one but Kurt. He just kept coming back to look at Kurt. He only looked away as he finished the song. "We're here, we're queer and we're not going to stay silent."
Judging by the noise, Blaine knew his audience well. Of course, Axel had helped distribute his flyers. Now he had the crowds attention and, of course, limited time before the cops broke it up, he took advantage and started another song.
A cover of something his brother wrote - Girls / Girls / Boys. Only he was not undressing for it. For multiple, many reasons.
There was a cheer and Blaine didn't waste any time launching into a fun little Katy Perry number. He had dropped a hat onto the floor to collect money and people were tossing coins as he walked up to different girls (and boys), serenading them with the beautiful lyrics of Teenage Dream.
Though he didn't linger on anyone long. Well, no one but Kurt. He just kept coming back to look at Kurt. He only looked away as he finished the song. "We're here, we're queer and we're not going to stay silent."
Judging by the noise, Blaine knew his audience well. Of course, Axel had helped distribute his flyers. Now he had the crowds attention and, of course, limited time before the cops broke it up, he took advantage and started another song.
A cover of something his brother wrote - Girls / Girls / Boys. Only he was not undressing for it. For multiple, many reasons.
All right. So this really was a teenage dream. The only thing that kept Kurt from entirely getting lost in the fantasy was just how on the nose the whole thing was. He almost felt as if there was a camera focused on him because of how targeted this was, but obviously that was a very egocentric way of looking at the whole thing.
Although he really hoped it wasn't just in his head that the cute boy looked at him more than anyone else. He certainly wasn't taking his eyes off of him for even a second.
And then he sang that other song and Kurt knew the song. Knew the video too, which might explain the sudden redness of his face. It was a difficult image to entirely dislodge as he watched Blaine gyrate his hips like that.
Yeah. Gay. He was gay all the way. If he had had even a shred of uncertainty, it was gone now. And when the number ended, the applause was enthusiastic coming from him.
Although he really hoped it wasn't just in his head that the cute boy looked at him more than anyone else. He certainly wasn't taking his eyes off of him for even a second.
And then he sang that other song and Kurt knew the song. Knew the video too, which might explain the sudden redness of his face. It was a difficult image to entirely dislodge as he watched Blaine gyrate his hips like that.
Yeah. Gay. He was gay all the way. If he had had even a shred of uncertainty, it was gone now. And when the number ended, the applause was enthusiastic coming from him.
There wasn't much time left so when Blaine was finished, he held his hands up to try and get some quiet from the people watching. "Okay, you like this? Come to Disco Inferno, see it with way more razzle dazzle on Friday. Oooh, don't tell me you guys have never heard of Disco Inferno? It's a gay bar that has open mic night. 1211 Myrtle Ave! TGIF."
Blaine then sang the address playfully as the crowd started to dissipate, sensing the show was over. Short and sweet was best or the cops would confiscate his cash.
Speaking of, Blaine slung the guitar behind him now so he could grab the hat and swiftly pocket the money inside. Oh man, he saw a ten dollar bill. He could afford dinner today! "They're loose with ID checks, people. Don't let it scare you off."
Blaine looked up from what he was doing and saw Kurt, still there, smiling at him. Blaine smiled back. Well, may as well get some feedback. "So, uh, did you like it?"
Blaine then sang the address playfully as the crowd started to dissipate, sensing the show was over. Short and sweet was best or the cops would confiscate his cash.
Speaking of, Blaine slung the guitar behind him now so he could grab the hat and swiftly pocket the money inside. Oh man, he saw a ten dollar bill. He could afford dinner today! "They're loose with ID checks, people. Don't let it scare you off."
Blaine looked up from what he was doing and saw Kurt, still there, smiling at him. Blaine smiled back. Well, may as well get some feedback. "So, uh, did you like it?"
"Yes," Kurt said, because he didn't feel it was very romantic to say 'duh'. He got his wallet out, clammy hands - he had been walking around too long, definitely - grabbing the twenty he had stashed there. He handed it to Blaine, feeling bashful. Not surprising, but incredibly inconvenient. He didn't know how bashful, awkward gay teen could ever get from daydreaming to action.
He supposed he'd have to at least try to be daring. "You are amazing," he gushed, realising that he must be told that all the time. Whatever, who didn't like to hear that?
"Your version of Teenage Dream beats the original. Easily. You're... I don't know, you're like some kind of mirage that appears to someone in the desert. Only gay."
He cleared his throat, clarifying. "Which makes it better."
He supposed he'd have to at least try to be daring. "You are amazing," he gushed, realising that he must be told that all the time. Whatever, who didn't like to hear that?
"Your version of Teenage Dream beats the original. Easily. You're... I don't know, you're like some kind of mirage that appears to someone in the desert. Only gay."
He cleared his throat, clarifying. "Which makes it better."
"Woah, are you serious?" Blaine held onto the twenty and looked at it in awe before pocketing it. Well, he had no shame, he needed to make a living and his shoes seriously needed replacing. He tried to make the duct-tape look deliberate, and it sort of worked, but the rainy days were a nightmare. "Thanks, wow, you really know how to flatter a guy."
He was almost blushing now but he hoped it could be mistaken for the chilly wind getting to him. He had to learn a while back that anything like blushing, bowties, softness and being nice would get his ass kicked. Hard. Now he knew what he had to do. It had to be all persona until he got home.
"I think Katy Perry's version is still awesome but I'm glad to know I'm adding my spin to it. I like to take good songs and gay them up." Blaine shrugged and then started to walk. "We can keep talking, by the way, I just shouldn't linger in case someone called the cops."
They knew him by name these days. Yikes.
He was almost blushing now but he hoped it could be mistaken for the chilly wind getting to him. He had to learn a while back that anything like blushing, bowties, softness and being nice would get his ass kicked. Hard. Now he knew what he had to do. It had to be all persona until he got home.
"I think Katy Perry's version is still awesome but I'm glad to know I'm adding my spin to it. I like to take good songs and gay them up." Blaine shrugged and then started to walk. "We can keep talking, by the way, I just shouldn't linger in case someone called the cops."
They knew him by name these days. Yikes.
"Do you-- Do you want to get coffee?" When would he be talking in proper full sentences again? This was ridiculous. But at least he had done it, he had asked the cute boy for coffee. "My treat."
He should clarify that. "My name is Kurt Hummel and I'd love to keep talking somewhere I won't freeze my delicate little butt off."
The cold was getting to him, not very Elsa-like, because it had been a while by now. He had left school and just started walking instead of waiting for Finn to finish training as he was supposed to. He could take care of himself, far away from any jock. Seemed safer, honestly.
He should clarify that. "My name is Kurt Hummel and I'd love to keep talking somewhere I won't freeze my delicate little butt off."
The cold was getting to him, not very Elsa-like, because it had been a while by now. He had left school and just started walking instead of waiting for Finn to finish training as he was supposed to. He could take care of himself, far away from any jock. Seemed safer, honestly.
"I would love to have coffee with you. I know a really good place not far from here. Come on, let's go." Blaine jerked his head in the direction they had to walk and kept in step with Kurt, happy to just have some time to hang out with a cute gay boy about his age. At least, he assumed he was gay. He literally had to be, right? "Do you go to school here?"
Blaine had to assume he was in high school. Blaine weirdly missed school, he wasn't sure why but he just did. It was a nice piece of normalcy that he wanted back. He felt robbed.
Blaine had to assume he was in high school. Blaine weirdly missed school, he wasn't sure why but he just did. It was a nice piece of normalcy that he wanted back. He felt robbed.
Kurt wondered how it could be that his hand felt cold and empty ever since Blaine had let go of it before. Probably because he was desperately lonely and pathetically hoping for the love story that everyone but him always seemed to get. Probably that.
"I go to school here, yeah. A few subway stops away. I didn't feel like going home today. I don't know why, must have been a siren's call." He laughed at his own ridiculous joke then cringed at how awful his laugh sounded. Damn, he needed to get a grip. "Do you go to school nearby?"
"I go to school here, yeah. A few subway stops away. I didn't feel like going home today. I don't know why, must have been a siren's call." He laughed at his own ridiculous joke then cringed at how awful his laugh sounded. Damn, he needed to get a grip. "Do you go to school nearby?"
"Aww, you're cute. I hope me dragging you away from normalcy is worth it. I would assure you I'm not crazy like half of New York is but like, you know, what even is crazy any more?" He felt like anyone living outside of the norm was called crazy but some people weren't allowed to live in the norm. How was that fair? Blaine stuck his hands deeper into his jacket and used his shoulders to gently nudge Kurt left towards the coffee shop.
"Uh, yeah, I go--" What schools did he know the name of? "Bushwick High School." Whatever. He assumed Bushwick had a high school, the names were never super imaginative. "But I'm almost done so I don't have to attend much now."
"Uh, yeah, I go--" What schools did he know the name of? "Bushwick High School." Whatever. He assumed Bushwick had a high school, the names were never super imaginative. "But I'm almost done so I don't have to attend much now."
"The further away from normalcy the better," Kurt said, meaning every syllable. He opened the door when they reached the coffee shop, going inside with Blaine. He approached the counter, getting in line and preparing his order. "So you're a senior? I'm a junior right now. We just moved here. I came all the way from Ohio to still be the only out gay kid at a school."
How ridiculous was that? He had really though New York would be different, but the kids were as bigoted here as they had been back home.
How ridiculous was that? He had really though New York would be different, but the kids were as bigoted here as they had been back home.
"Yeah, well, if you want to avoid that then you need to go to like a performing arts school or something. New York sounds accepting but honestly, it's very up and down. If you go to a rougher school, it's like nothing else. Or so I heard. I knew someone who went to public school in Brooklyn. He said knife and gun crimes were not uncommon." And some of them were caused by said friend. Blaine hoped Kurt was at least going to a good school and not a public school in a bad area. It didn't bode well.
He didn't comment on the senior thing - why correct him? He'd probably never see him again. As they approached the counter, Blaine ordered. "Medium drip please and I'm hoping I can talk this cute boy into splitting a cookie with me." He turned and gave Kurt a pleading, puppy dog look.
He didn't comment on the senior thing - why correct him? He'd probably never see him again. As they approached the counter, Blaine ordered. "Medium drip please and I'm hoping I can talk this cute boy into splitting a cookie with me." He turned and gave Kurt a pleading, puppy dog look.
"I wanted to go do a performing arts school but my dad thought it'd be better if I went to the same school as my brother. Who is a 6'3'' quarterback so you can imagine how we run in very similar circles at school." Kurt said it drily and then he paused because they reached the counter. "A grande mocha with almond milk and we'll have that cookie, please."
He didn't stand a chance against those puppy dog eyes, even if there had been a chance in hell that he'd not have wanted to split literally everything in the world with Blaine. They waited for their order to be done and Kurt cleared his throat, somewhat awkward. "You are gay, right? Just... Just making sure."
He didn't stand a chance against those puppy dog eyes, even if there had been a chance in hell that he'd not have wanted to split literally everything in the world with Blaine. They waited for their order to be done and Kurt cleared his throat, somewhat awkward. "You are gay, right? Just... Just making sure."
"Oh yeah, 100% gay. I'm fully out too, I don't care who knows it." He raised his hand to show off the pride band he had around his wrist. It wasn't much but if he was living this life, he had to just be proud and keep moving forward. If he looked back... he didn't even know what he'd do. He didn't want to. He was here and queer. "New York might be a nightmare but diversity is kind of the name of the game. You got a lot of gay bars, there's a pretty cool queer youth center and the community is super friendly."
Without that community, he had no idea what he'd be doing. Originally, he'd just come here to try and find Ed but that wasn't a realistic plan, given he had no address or anything. He was just playing his brother's music, hoping that one day someone would recognise it and give him some advise where Eddie was.
He just got lucky that he'd found people to help him. "Have you met many gay kids or am I your first?"
Without that community, he had no idea what he'd be doing. Originally, he'd just come here to try and find Ed but that wasn't a realistic plan, given he had no address or anything. He was just playing his brother's music, hoping that one day someone would recognise it and give him some advise where Eddie was.
He just got lucky that he'd found people to help him. "Have you met many gay kids or am I your first?"
"You are my first." Then he realised how that sounded, blushed a deep scarlet and was glad to be interrupted by them getting their order. He took his coffee and walked over to the nearest empty table, sitting down and hoping Blaine would forget about just how embarrassing this had been.
"I got bullied at my last school. I'm getting bullied now. I assume anyone else who is gay and in school isn't about to come out. I didn't really-- I guess people always knew, with me." He gestured at himself to indicate his entire person. "I'm a walking pride flag."
"I got bullied at my last school. I'm getting bullied now. I assume anyone else who is gay and in school isn't about to come out. I didn't really-- I guess people always knew, with me." He gestured at himself to indicate his entire person. "I'm a walking pride flag."
He really did think Kurt was cute. The way he blushed, how he asked questions, he little, awkward smile. He was pretty too and man, he smelled so good. He was almost disappointed that he couldn't dress up a bit fancier for someone like him. With great posture and elegant movements. A prince, really. He didn't care how much he had or what his economic state was - he was a prince.
"I like that about you though. I admire it too." Blaine confessed as he sipped his coffee and leaned over, snapping the cookie in half. He gave Kurt the bigger half - he was a gentleman. "I'm sorry you're dealing with bullies. I've been there. I used to have a lot of issues with that. Really pissed me off. Nobody really cares about us, we disrupt their world view and they expect us to suffer. It's normal, right?"
It wasn't fair. Not one bit. "I was never really brave, I used to hide it but... I'm glad I'm out and I'll tell anyone I meet. You just have to have courage and try not to let them get you down."
"I like that about you though. I admire it too." Blaine confessed as he sipped his coffee and leaned over, snapping the cookie in half. He gave Kurt the bigger half - he was a gentleman. "I'm sorry you're dealing with bullies. I've been there. I used to have a lot of issues with that. Really pissed me off. Nobody really cares about us, we disrupt their world view and they expect us to suffer. It's normal, right?"
It wasn't fair. Not one bit. "I was never really brave, I used to hide it but... I'm glad I'm out and I'll tell anyone I meet. You just have to have courage and try not to let them get you down."
"I try to have courage. I don't want those ignoramuses to win." Kurt used the word and tried not to think about how it was a word for a middle schooler, at best. He just couldn't bring himself to say those harsher words, he was fairly sure they'd sound even more ridiculous coming from him.
He sipped the coffee and tried to relax, which seemed nothing short of impossible given the circumstances. Sitting opposite this boy, who was so suave and who might actually honestly be interested. Who got what it meant to be out in an unforgiving world. "It's so amazing, the way you live. I suppose once you become a true teenage dream, bullies aren't an issue any more. I hope I can find that courage one day."
He sipped the coffee and tried to relax, which seemed nothing short of impossible given the circumstances. Sitting opposite this boy, who was so suave and who might actually honestly be interested. Who got what it meant to be out in an unforgiving world. "It's so amazing, the way you live. I suppose once you become a true teenage dream, bullies aren't an issue any more. I hope I can find that courage one day."
"Yeah, bullies aren't really my biggest problem these days. Life is. But that's just life outside of high school, you know?" He supposed he still had bullies but he didn't think of them like that. They were dangerous, unsettling adults who wouldn't hesitate to hit him for looking at them funny or just walking past them on the stairwell. He lived with so many unpredictable weirdos that he was starting to get a bit desensitised to it all.
"I just wanted to be myself and find my own way. Music is about the only thing that makes me feel alive and excited. So it's sort of my passion. I'd like to be a performer some day but it's tough out there." Especially for a sixteen year old with no education and no cash.
"I just wanted to be myself and find my own way. Music is about the only thing that makes me feel alive and excited. So it's sort of my passion. I'd like to be a performer some day but it's tough out there." Especially for a sixteen year old with no education and no cash.
"Maybe it's tough out there but you aren't just talented. You are breath-taking. You sang both of those songs I heard better than the original version." Granted, he wasn't the biggest Katy Perry fan, though now he was reconsidering that opinion. If Blaine liked her, perhaps he should give her a second chance. "I'm not surprised everyone was watching you like you're a rock star. You are one."
It felt incredible that he actually got to sit here with the boy who had performed like that. "I've always wanted to perform. It's just... My dad thinks it's safer if I just practise at home. You know. Not make myself more of a target."
It felt incredible that he actually got to sit here with the boy who had performed like that. "I've always wanted to perform. It's just... My dad thinks it's safer if I just practise at home. You know. Not make myself more of a target."
"That's bullshit! Come on, you can't listen to him. If you've got a voice and you want to sing then sing. I know it's an impossible ask but I do perform every Friday at Disco Inferno. It's not all disco, it's like an old ass club but it's real nice. You could come by, sing with me." Blaine suggested, not sure if Kurt could even sing but he liked him and it could be fun to sing with him. He didn't often get to duet with guys. Besides, he was bored and wanted to shake things up musically. It might inspire something in him.
"They don't really check ID. Like, you know, they won't let kids in but... it's a refuge, I guess? Everyone has to find somewhere to belong. You can't drink but you can sing, dance, perform - whatever!" And clearly, he was very excited by this idea, given his wild gesturing.
"They don't really check ID. Like, you know, they won't let kids in but... it's a refuge, I guess? Everyone has to find somewhere to belong. You can't drink but you can sing, dance, perform - whatever!" And clearly, he was very excited by this idea, given his wild gesturing.
"...yes. I'll be there." He had no idea how to convince his dad to let him go to some club in the city on a Friday night but right now his plan was just a vague idea of 'not tell him'. Luckily he had gathered a lot of trust over the years, why not blow all of that for a chance of actually performing with the boy who had become the boy of his dreams so quickly? "What time should I come?"
He might have to sneak out, but whatever. He might also have to bribe Finn into not telling on him, hopefully that wouldn't turn out too pricey. Maybe he could just call on the bro code or some other symptom of toxic masculinity.
He might have to sneak out, but whatever. He might also have to bribe Finn into not telling on him, hopefully that wouldn't turn out too pricey. Maybe he could just call on the bro code or some other symptom of toxic masculinity.
"Erm, like, 8pm? Do you know the Ralph Avenue station? It's only a few stops on the subway from there. We could meet underground and go together. If you're down." Blaine didn't know if he should push him but being alone with all of this, being bullied every day, he felt like Kurt needed an outlet. One crazy, fun night to remind him of all the good the future could bring him.
"We could meet at 7:30?" Blaine ate the rest of his cookie and looked at Kurt, smiling. "It'll be really fun. I promise. I won't let you down."
"We could meet at 7:30?" Blaine ate the rest of his cookie and looked at Kurt, smiling. "It'll be really fun. I promise. I won't let you down."
"7:30. Okay. I'll see you there." He was looking into Blaine's eyes. Why was he doing that? How was he supposed to stop doing that? They were beautiful and seemed to hold all the answers he could ever seek. The answer to the question of why he bothered with any of this. What made life worth living. He hadn't known a few minutes ago and here he was now. As if the Earth had moved just for him. For once he wasn't just the lonely gay kid watching life go by. "Is there a dress code?"
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