is that an audiblesigh of relief ?? NO, of course not, not a chance. but it’s the mention of a DATE that recaptures keen attention. all too CRITICALhis gaze, unreadable behind glasses. blaine anderson would actually WANT to go on a DATE with him? is he MISREADING this??it’s something he’s BOUND to overthink later, but now… hands clasp together, throat CLEARED. a smile just hardly curves his lips, a RARE sight. keep it together. ❛ of course. ❜ FIGURE OF SPEECH.
❛ well, ah—– it’s at six, so is there a place i could pick you up ? ❜ it would be IMPOLITE not to accompany him, wouldn’t it ? maybe he should have brushed up on social etiquette beforehand.
Hinging on Hartley’s reaction, Blaine bit into his lip and squinted carefully hoping that he didn’t just overstep a boundary that would end up making this silence go from awkward to unbearable if Hartley changed his mind. All because of his lack of keeping his brain under control enough not to use a boldly presumptuous word like date. But then Hartley, a boy who rarely smiled, did exactly that and Blaine felt his stomach go from feeling like it’d been weighed down by a cinderblock to light as air. He laughed softly at himself, thankful for the pass he was just given. “Right. Totally. Figure of speech,” he choked when he heard his tongue tied voice echo back in his eardrums. Did he just ask where to pick him up? Oh God, he did. Shocked, he stammered a few bumbled attempts at actual words. “Um. My house. It’s close to the club and..we could drive together?” Success! He was talking! Hopefully this round wouldn’t end up with his shoe in his mouth. “Um. Thanks for agreeing to this. I don’t think I ever looked forward to one of these dinners before. First time for everything, I guess.”
it’s a funny story;; one he isn’t quite SURE how to relay. instead, hartley allows himself an IDLE moment to think, allow the whole amiable, good – natured BUDDY vibe to settle between them. just throw it out there, rathaway, what’s the WORST that could possibly happen?? ❛ WELL. as it just so happens, i have to go to this little country club charitydinner on friday and i’m short a plus one. ❜ significant, considering his parents have been concerned about his lack of PEERS as of late——–
❛ what do you say?? everything will be on ME. ❜
Did Hartley just ask him out on a date? Blaine blinked–eyes combing over Hartley’s for a moment as he sat his stirrer off to the side. A warm rush of heat spread over the bridge of his nose. “I–.” It was just a question. Simple enough to answer. Because–of course–his answer would be.. “Are you–? I’d love to. Of course. Yes.” He quickly pressed the edge of a fingernail into his palm in an effort to get the pitched tone of his voice under control. “I know how BORING those things can be without someone around to talk to. First hand experience. And it’s awful,” he grinned trying harder to hide how secretly excited he suddenly was at the idea. Though, of course, he had to burrow his brows together and blurt out something awkward to break the secret right after. “It’s a date,” he hummed before stopping mid-thought and lifting up a hand motioning like he was trying to erase the last three words before Hartley was offended or thought he read too much into it. “I mean–I didn’t–you know. Figure of speech? Um.. Yeah.”
❛ blaine. fancy seeing you here. ❜ as if it’s a TOTAL coincidence he’d waltzed into the SAME coffee shop about five minutes after blaine had. NONETHELESS, hartley gets perfectly comfortable in the seat across from him. now, it’s HARD for hartley to ever ask a favor of anyone, and blaine seems to be the type not to hold it AGAINST him. ❛ i was wondering though, ah—– are you BUSY friday night?? ❜
Hearing a voice–Blaine glances up from the coffee he busied himself stirring in hopes of getting it under the boiling hot temperature he burned his mouth with on the way to his chair. Yeah–let’s not repeat that mistake again. Hazel eyes met Hartley’s with a blink in surprise of the sudden appearance in the chair across from his. Lips curved into a warm, welcoming smile that was tugged a bit to the side in wonder. “Hello to you, too.” Curiosity sparked at the OUT OF THE BLUE question–causing Blaine’s head to tilt. His stirring paused. “No. Not really. Why?”
❛ For you, anytime. ❜ And it ( PROBABLY) wasn’t an exaggeration. ❛ I know how… distastefulspurned lovers can be. ❜
Anytime? Was it him or? –Nah..– “Lover. Oh! Nooo. Not quite. Spurned roommate with a flair for the dramatic. Even worse if you knew her. Trust me? Dramatic gets a new definition once you cross paths with an in-the-middle of a Valentine’s Day meltdown Rachel.”
“Get the dark chocolate— it has more serotonin, if you’re looking for that extra touch.”
“Hey? Thanks for the advice. Seeing as how this is to appease the angry roommate who got stood up on Valentine’s Day? I think you might’ve saved my life. Or my sanity.”
pianokeysandbowties 