mikechangjr:

“Yeah, sure sure,” Mike said mischievously as he walked around to the other side of the car. He slid into the seat and was momentarily grateful that Blaine’s family had the money for such a comfortable car, the air-conditioning was wonderful.  He breathed in the cool air and leaned his head back on the seat, closing his eyes to rest a little from the days exertions. “You and Brit have become pretty good friends huh?” Mike asked, his eyes still closed. “That’s good. Brit needs other people to hang around besides Santana, though Santana doesn’t seem particularly pleased with your friendship,” he shrugged a little and twisted his mouth up in thought. “She’s having a pretty hard time with the idea of leaving Brittany behind I think.”

“Brittany is a wonderful addition to my inner circle,” Blaine commented as they drove around, smiling to himself as he enjoyed the cool breeze and being next to his favorite person in the world. “…and as for Santana… yeahh… We haven’t exactly made up since the Valentine’s Dance.” Blaine shivered; the temperature dropped for him. He didn’t want to think what the girl’s perception of him was. All he knew was they were at a standstill and this was alright. Of course he would have longed for them to become better friends but sometimes it was easier said than done. Little steps were needed for something as crucial as the Blaine-Santana friendship.

“Oh? Oh, right. Brittany didn’t get to… graduate.” Blaine remembered somberly how Brittany was down as well. She had tried her best to mask it but Blaine noticed the tiny bit of reservation in her usual springy step. “I’m sure it’ll be hard, but they will probably talk about it. You and I did.” Blaine slowed the car next to the shop’s parking lot and turned off the engine. 

thatmakesmebrittanyspierce:

Brittany took a moment to separate the jumble of words Blaine had just come out with, before nodding her head in agreement. They needed to do something different, that was for sure.

”Well, party games, for one thing!” she started, listing ideas on her fingers, ”Spin the bottle and that kind of thing. That always makes it interesting!” she grinned. ”And um… Birthday cake?” she suggested weakly. 

She nodded seriously at Blaine’s suggestion. ”You know, that’s a really good idea, Blaine!” she smiled widely, excited now. ”Yeah, totally, it’d be so funny! Imagine the look on Kurt’s face.” she laughed.

She peered around at the many clothes shops surrounding them. She didn’t know where to begin. ”I don’t know… I don’t think I can risk it.” she shrugged, she wasn’t best known for her style. ”I was thinking maybe I could get him like, a hamster? Or a cat?” she mimicked Blaine’s pose, trying not to laugh as she balanced her fists on her hips, foot popped out.

Blaine shook his head. “I don’t think it’ll be a good idea to get Kurt a pet, Brittany. I think he might have a fur allergy the last I checked. Although the gesture is nice, it kind of sucks when the recipient is allergic to the gift you got them.” Blaine sighed as well, now crossing his arms. Gift-giving to one of their most cultured friends was indeed difficult and so lost in his thoughts was Blaine that he didn’t manage to tell Brittany he was honestly joking about the male strippers.

“We could get him one of those really avant-garde books from Taschen? The ones where it’s basically high-resolution photos stuffed into a hardcover bound book for the socially intelligent? You could get him one about fashion? Perhaps Malcolm McQueen’s works?” Blaine suggested, eyeing the map for the nearest book store.

iloveitwhenyoucallmelegs:

Kurt laughed as well. He didn’t approve of Blaine’s rolled up jeans too much, but, well, he had sneaked tanning lotion in his moisturizer when they were dating, so he considered it even if he didn’t criticize it too often or harshly. Most importantly it was Blaine’s personal style, and above all else Kurt was for honoring personal style.

If there was one thing Kurt appreciated about Blaine, it was that he knew how to treat him. Others would’ve been pitiful and that made him feel horrible, but Blaine just offered helpful advice. He laughed quietly and nodded, “Thank you, I’ll think about it. I just kind of like the idea of helping people choose clothes. I’m trying not to offer advice to my friends because I think I offend them when I tell them they look like the ‘before’ in What Not to Wear.” Kurt shrugged; if he ever looked less than fabulous, Kurt would want others to tell him. But he never looked less than his best.

“I know,” Kurt said with a teasing smile. “I’m going to try them on,” he said, “Want to try on your orange pants, too?” He walked over to the dressing room, got placed, and quickly changed into the jeans (he was an expert at changing into skinny jeans and didn’t understand why people found them so hard to maneuver). Kurt went into the main area of the dressing rooms to examine himself in the three mirror set up, turning towards his back and examining his ass. Had to frame the assets, of course, and those jeans were definitely framing his best asset.

“Yeah, sure.” Blaine agreed as they both headed to the dressing rooms and changed promptly, pulling the pants over his legs and fastening the button. They fit well, Blaine thought as he checked his reflection in the mirror. He was still on the fence and needed a second person’s opinion. He stepped out of his booth and looked around for Kurt’s, examining the feet of the small space under the door. Blaine blushed as he did so, feeling slightly like a creeper.

“Kurt!” He whispered out, alerting his friend.  ”You almost done yet?” 

iloveitwhenyoucallmelegs:

“Is that why you roll up your jeans? Because they don’t have capris in your size? I never knew that,” Kurt said, not sure himself if he was teasing or being serious. Fashion was always a thin line between those two for him.

He shrugged, “Getting a different job where I’m not hired from nepotism or from the sheer fact that I had nothing else to do from the time I was 13-16 would be beneficial for future jobs. It can show that my dad isn’t the only one who will deal with me in a work situation. And maybe I can find work in an H&M in New York if I get a job here. I’m trying to think long term.” At the mention of scholarships he frowned, “It’s really competitive just to get into the school, Blaine, there aren’t too many scholarships being handed out, and most of them are for need, and while we’re not insanely rich, we’re not really in need of money, either. Not by NYADA’s standards, at least. It’s a pickle.”

He should’ve thought more about scholarships over the school year, it was pretty clear to him at that point. His dad didn’t go to college and neither had Carole, so he had no parental advice on college applications. And he didn’t talk it over with Miss Pillsbury, either. Suddenly he felt slight nausea in his stomach. His dad would afford it somehow, he was sure, but he should’ve tried to make it easier on him.

Kurt put back the yellow pants and picked out a pair of jeans he assumed would be cheaper. He might as well start saving, right?

“No, I roll them up because shh.” Blaine laughed, he actually liked the fashion faux pas that was rolled-up jeans. Even though it was condemned, he thought it looked nice on him so what mattered? Fashion was looping and maybe one day they would be back in style? All Blaine had to do was wait patiently and that was that. He went in front of a mirror to place the pants in front of him, judging the color and how it matched his skin. Orange was becoming a good look for him, Blaine concluded. 

Blaine felt for Kurt and turned, offering a pat of sorts but stopped mid-air. Kurt disliked pity, he remembered and tried to instead help his friend think of a solution. “Have you tried other things to earn money? You don’t exactly need to clock in hours for a person of your caliber. You could try entering competitions? There’s quite a reward for some of them out there,” Blaine suggested. “It doesn’t have to be singing, either. There’s writing and other subjects. That could be a good asset to your resume too, show them you’ve got a booming voice as well as shaped mind. Brainy is the new sexy.” Blaine finished, discarding the purple. He had good feeling about orange.

“Those jeans would look nice on you,” Blaine commented, noting his friend’s actions. 

mikechangjr:

Mike side-eyed Blaine after his comment about Mike not being able to lift him. He knew that he could do it if he tried, Blaine was pretty light and Mike knew that he was strong enough to carry him. He ran every morning, lifted weights in the school gym every other day, and danced as much as he possibly could. Lifting Blaine up would be almost too easy. A scheme hatched in his mind as he followed Blaine out of the field and into the parking lot, but he remained silent until Blaine’s car was in view.

He jogged a little bit until he was ahead of Blaine and then quickly, without warning, turned around to wrap his arms around Blaine torso and heaved. Just as he suspected, it was easy. With a victorious laugh Mike pushed Blaine over his shoulder and grinned. “Told you I could carry you,” Mike called back to Blaine, who’s head was now behind Mike. He walked casually over to Blaine’s car and set him down in front of the drivers side with a smug smile on his face.

He hadn’t suspected a thing, too intent on getting close to frozen confectionery, when suddenly the sky was the floor and he was off-balance. After spluttering an indignant sound did Blaine realize he hadn’t rolled and fallen down the hill but was secured over Mike’s shoulder in a position that was entirely silly. He flopped his arms, peeved as Mike was right. “I just said that so I didn’t have to walk is all,” he lied as he was placed upright on the ground. He unlocked his car and slid into the driver’s seat, gesturing for Mike to take the front passenger.

“Let’s head by the ice cream shop close by here. I went with Brittany once, it’s good.” Blaine chatted idly as he started his car, quickly turning on the air conditioning. The first breaths of air were dusty and hot but soon changed chilly and comforting in the heat. “Ahh, that’s nice.” Blaine murmured, finding a handkerchief in the front compartment to wipe at his neck and cheeks. “I haven’t sweat this much since ever.” 

thatmakesmebrittanyspierce:

Brittany failed to hide her confusion as a guy who totally looked like Blaine, but wasn’t Blaine, answered the door. She stared at him in puzzlement for a moment before remembering.

”Oh! You’re Blaine’s brother,Cooper.” she exclaimed. She had a hard time keeping from blushing at his cheesy lines, giggling in a high-pitched voice. She twirled a piece of loose hair in between her fingers lightly, batting her eyelids.

”You know I’m a pretty cool actor, you should totally introduce me to your agent.” She gave Blaine a fleeting smile as he appeared at the door, waving a hand dismissively as she turned back to Cooper. ”Nah, it’s okay. Ready to go, Squirt?” A glint forming in her eye. She reminded herself to save that one for future reference. 

She took Blaine’s helping hand and allowed herself to be hoisted upwards, stumbling a little as she got to her feet. She breezed down the garden path, turning around to as she reached the gate to yell, ”I’m willing to do nude!” back at the closing door.

Her attention now fully on Blaine, she leaned in and gave him a hug. ”How’s it goin’, Squirt?” she winked. They set off down the sidewalk. Although it was only a short walk to the mall from Blaine’s house, the sun made it difficult, and she squinted into the sun, wishing she’d remembered her glasses.

As they reached the mall entrance she remembered the reason they had come. She allowed herself a moment of bliss as she cooled off in the air conditioned center, before turning to Blaine at her side. 

”Okay, so, presents.” she hummed thoughtfully. ”I’m assuming you’ve already got his, Mr. Organized… I was thinking part of his gift could maybe be a surprise party at my house? He’s been kinda stressed lately, he could do with getting drunk.” she laughed lightly. ”What do you think?”

Oh God, no. Cooper managed to worm his way into his friend’s heart. Blaine tried not to show irritation as his older brother leaned back on the door’s frame, hands snug in his jean pockets as he examined Brittany. “You could definitely play a decapitated hooker, y’see I’m doing a new series, first foray out of commercial business, and it’s a crime sh—”

“Bye, Cooper.” Blaine interrupted as he spun around, guiding Brittany away from his zealous brother who was pointing dramatically at them. 

“Go easy on him! Still a virgin! Don’t traumatize him too much!” Cooper bellowed and Blaine turned back to yell another loud goodbye. He shook his head as he heard his brother’s mirthful laughter as the door was closed, along with Brittany’s insistence of willingness to do nudity. He groaned at the adopted nickname. “Please don’t call me that, it’s only tolerable when it’s one person.” Blaine sighed and let it go, telling himself to enjoy the good weather instead.

They had arrived at the mall and Brittany already unfolded her plans. A surprise birthday party for his friend did sound fun, but there was a way to also make it memorable, was there not? “Yeah, that’s alright but we are going to have to out-do ourselves to differentiate it from a regular drunken disarray.” Blaine joked, “Why not male strippers?” He walked up to the mall’s shop guide and looked at the map, pointing to the music store.

“We could get him music? Or do you prefer clothes shopping? To be honest, I am hesitant in dressing Kurt Hummel, like everyone else should.” He chuckled and placed his hands on his hips.

thatmakesmebrittanyspierce:

Brittany texted Blaine to let him know she’d be at his house in ten minutes. His house was only a couple of blocks away, and the mall was a short walk from there, so she figured seeing as the weather was so nice they could walk it. She shrugged a hooded jacket over her shoulders and stepped out the door. The humid heat knocked her back a little. She took a couple steps back inside, almost stumbling over the door frame, and abandoned her coat, closing the door as she left.

The weather was nice enough to put her in a good mood as she half-walked, half-skipped down the footpath, however the beating sun wore her out quickly, and by the time she arrived at Blaine’s house she was open-mouthed and panting.

She rang the doorbell three times in quick procession and sat down on the front door step. She wiped a hand across her forehead dramatically, wiping away a non-existent layer of sweat and waited for Blaine to arrive, almost hoping she’d have a minute or so to regain her energy before he was ready.

Blaine had just finished his hair, perfectly tamed to his liking, when his phone beeped. Checking the text, he discovered Brittany was already on his way. They had planned to buy Kurt a gift at the mall, but Blaine decided to tag along while Brittany searched. He had already purchased something online for his best friend and was awaiting delivery. Figuring that he could give some advice to the girl if she asked for suggestions, thus alleviating any misconceptions at the end if Brittany ended up getting an inappropriate gift for Kurt, he was stoked to spend the day with her. 

He heard the doorbell ring just as he finished tying his bowtie-du-jour. Scampering downstairs and dodging his older brother on the way who was back from his shoot, he gave Cooper a quick, “Going out with a friend see you later!” but his older brother managed to get to the door before he did. 

“Well, hello there. A blonde beauty on my doorstep, funny, I think I filmed a scene like this.” Cooper voiced as he opened the door, minding not as Blaine shoved through the purposefully tiny space between Cooper and the doorframe. “Hope you weren’t waiting long for this squirt.”

Blaine rolled his eyes and offered Brittany a hand up. “Hi, ready to go?” He asked, aware of how Cooper was hiding a smile behind his hand. 

mikechangjr:

“Either a squid or a Octopus with a deformation?” He laughed and leaned his head closer to Blaine’s. “Don’t tell Joe that he looks like a squid though,” Mike let out a single laugh in response to his own little joke. After a moment of silence Mike decided to sit up and smile over at Blaine. “So? Ice cream? Unless you’re too tired and I should just carry you to your car or something?” He grinned and nudged Blaine a little.

“Can you even carry me? You’d drop me the second you picked me up,” Blaine teased as he sat up and stretched. The sun was blistering by then and Blaine grew enchanted to ice cream. “Yes, please. Let’s go get some.” He said, smacking his now dry lips together. He longed for a coffee flavored one… maybe he could get two scoops, something inside craved Cherry Garcia.  

Blaine got up, wiping his hands on the sides of his shorts. It was something he seldom did but as his pants were stained, he thought it wasn’t too bad. He picked up the abandoned football and nudged Mike back. “We can take my car, let’s go!”

iloveitwhenyoucallmelegs:

“Please, like I’d ever set foot inside of an Abercrombie store; even the half naked men aren’t worth it,” Kurt agreed. He gave Blaine a small smile and said nothing, not wanting to make him blush anymore. He wasn’t that cruel. When Blaine commented on the chairs, Kurt laughed, “Maybe. I see them more as ways to make us stay in Lima. They just make you stay there and stay there until, poof, you’re 30 and you’re stuck in a dead end job.”

As soon as they got into H&M they traveled to the men’s clothing section. While smaller than the female section (as per usual for most department stores), it had some pretty great jeans. Jeans, of course, were something Kurt would buy at department stores if need be, shirts, however, were something he was much pickier about and rarely bought out of a fashion label. “Jeans,” Kurt replied, pulling out his size in a skinny cut of black denim. “I may not buy, but I could always use more pants.”

His eyes were drawn after that to a bright yellow pair of pants and, with a soft oo, he went to them. “These are fantastic.” He picked out his size and put it over his arm with the skill of an experienced shopper. “Now this would be the best clothing store in Lima to work at; it’s easily the most fashionable,” Kurt said, walking back towards Blaine. “I’m thinking of looking into working somewhere besides the shop this summer to work on money for New York,” he explained. “So, are you looking for anything in particular, Mr. Anderson?”

“Mr. Anderson is deciding whether or not to buy pants as well because these cardigans are out.” Blaine said, leafing through some pants as well. “They never have capris my size.” He pulled up one pair of bright orange and another of a dark purple. He was considering the orange one, but knew if he wore it wrong he could look like a carton of OJ. Clothes were difficult. Blaine kind of wished it was winter again so he could cover up with a greatcoat and a scarf. Easy style.

He quirked his head over at Kurt’s choice, a canary yellow pair of pants, and then replied, “You want to work here? I thought you part-timed at your dad’s garage? Or is that only Finn?” He could swear that he had once visited the Hummels randomly and saw his friend decked out in overalls, but maybe he had imagined it? Kurt wasn’t the type to fancy overalls. “And besides, with a scholarship, it’ll be smooth sailing, right? Did you apply for any?” Blaine’s parents (mostly his mom, no scratch that, all of it was his mother) had already lectured the importance of scholarships when Blaine barely started middle school. All that lecturing turned out pretty handy as Blaine had a good grasp of which grants to apply for as his own graduation was coming up in a year.