#fic: BA vs Valentine's Day

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day - Now Complete!

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge.

Hi everyone, my name is Sullivan and I'm a gay that can't math. Please enjoy this thirteen chapter Valentine fic delivered a day after Valentine's Day 🤦

But listen I did write a 12k fic in two weeks and that's something to be proud of. Thanks for all the wonderful cheerleaders that got me this far. I never would have made it without you.

Read here

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day (5/14)

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. Today's song is You're The Best Thing by The Style Council

This one's for @cerriddwenluna who has not only been a wonderful cheerleader for this fic but also inspired this chapter with our mutual Elliott love

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~~~~

Blaine wakes up with his phone pressed against his cheek. He'd stayed up so late talking to Kurt that he'd fallen asleep in the middle of typing out a sentence. He can barely believe how long they spent chatting. They just clicked so instantly that everything felt easy. The conversation meandered with the joyful flow of close friends, helped along by the huge amount they seem to have in common. 

Blaine is slightly suspicious he really did manage to manifest Kurt into being through pure wish power. He's that perfect. Or maybe he has some glaring flaw that has yet to reveal itself. Maybe he thinks that Katy Perry is overrated. 

Blaine flips open his DMs, not really expecting much, but is delighted to see a new message from Kurt. 

Kurt: Good morning, sunshine ☀️

It's a simple enough message but it tells Blaine two things. That Kurt isn't interested in playing games with him, which is nice after the mental gymnastics he occasionally went through with his exes. And that Kurt woke up thinking about him. Which means Blaine isn't alone.

Blaine: Good morning. I have to go to my real person job today 😔

Kurt: Same here. Catch you later though?

Blaine: Absolutely 

*

Blaine's Real Person Job is at his local record store but he barely considers it work. He just gets to talk to people about music all day. He also gets to hang out with his favourite colleague, Elliott, who always buys him a morning coffee without fail. Angels exist in the form of Elliott Gilbert. 

"Morning, Bee," Elliott greets him, pushing a Starbucks cup into his hand. He peers into Blaine's face. "You okay, skipper? You look tired."

"I was up most of the night," Blaine admits. 

"Lucky you." Elliott waggles his eyebrows and Blaine glares playfully.

"Not for that. Um… Sebastian and I broke up actually."

"Oh." Elliott frowns. "Is it too early to admit I never liked him? Or are we still in the 'mourning and pretending he was wonderful' stage?" 

Blaine laughs weakly. "Insult away. He cheated on me."

Elliott stiffens. "Where does he live, again?"

"No. You're not killing Sebastian."

"Not even like a little spook? Some casual threats of violence?"

"No."

"Fine," Elliott sighs. "But seriously, how are you holding up?"

Blaine thinks about it. Waking up with thoughts of Kurt had kept the grief at bay. And, if he's being really honest with himself, Sebastian was always more fun than Forever. They were never going to be picking out paint samples or arguing over who would pay for the Netflix account. He just wishes Sebastian had told him the expiry was up on their relationship and that they had parted amicably. Not that he had fucked a random from the gym. 

"I'm doing okay," he says honestly. "More pissed off that he cheated than about the relationship being over."

"Understandable."

"And…" Blaine hesitates, wondering if it's too early to start talking about Kurt. 

"And?" Elliott echoes curiously. 

"Well… And don't judge me. I kind of started talking to someone else."

"Blaine Anderson, you slut," Elliott gasps, sounding thrilled. "Tell me everything."

"Not like that. Just. A guy messaged me on Instagram."

"Oh my God."

"I know, I know. But honestly it's all been very wholesome. We talked all night. It was kind of wonderful actually."

"That is… incredibly boring but I'm thrilled for you, truly."

"Sorry you can't vicariously live your sex life through me," Blaine says tartly. "I hate to disappoint."

"That's ok. I'm used to disappointment."

Blaine flips him off and Elliott laughs.

"Just be careful, okay?" Elliott adds more seriously. "Not everyone is who they claim to be on the internet."

"I'm being careful," Blaine lies. "It's not like I'm planning to meet him anytime soon." The dinner reservation at Di Fara set for less than two weeks away  flashes like a beacon in his mind. He could so easily invite Kurt. He ignores the impulse. 

Elliott hums doubtfully. He knows Blaine far too well.

*

Blaine makes it a grand total of four hours before he messages Kurt again. Which is fine and normal and completely chill, actually. 

Blaine: I'm on lunch if you wish to be bothered

It takes Kurt fifteen minutes to respond and Blaine spends the time bouncing his knee anxiously and reminding himself that Kurt actually does have A Life and it's not all about him. Unfortunately.

Kurt: Bother away 

Kurt: How's real life going?

Blaine: Extremely boring

Kurt: Mine too. No cute, half naked guys in my Insta feed today 😔

Blaine: Listen

"What are you smiling about so much?" Elliott interjects, wandering into the break room and stealing a bite of Blaine's sandwich. He looks at the phone in Blaine's hand. "Oh my God. Are you talking to your Instagram man right now? Your Insta-man?"

"Shut up."

"That's not a no."

"I thought this was a safe space," Blaine complains and Elliott cackles. 

"I'm not judging. You're adorable. "

"You say you're not judging but your tone says otherwise."

"Don't leave him on read," Elliott urges, waving him away and grabbing a magazine. "God forbid I get in the way of 'true love.'"

"I can hear the quotation marks," Blaine mutters but he glances back at his phone. 

Kurt: I'm listening intently 

Blaine: Sorry. My friend interrupted my flow to ask me why I was smiling so much

Kurt: Oh? And why ARE you smiling so much

Blaine: I've made a horrible mistake

Kurt: 😂

Blaine: I'm being bullied from all sides today

Kurt: No. I've been smiling all day too. Because of you, to be clear.

Kurt: It's going to be very awkward if you weren't smiling because of me now 

Blaine laughs, ignoring Elliott's pointed cough. 

Blaine: Don't worry.

Blaine: It was definitely because of you

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. I'm gonna write this daily so chapters will probably be short and sweet. Today's song is Lovely Day by Bill Withers.

Warnings: Drunken decision making, unsolicited dick pics

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~~~~~

The Instagram post is obviously a mistake. But in Blaine's defence he was:

very drunk

unwilling to give up a reservation at Di Fara, a booking he'd made nine months previously to guarantee a table for Valentine's Day, and 

clearly losing his mind because of very justifiable reasons and therefore found the whole thing hilarious. At the time. 

It probably would have been fine except Blaine has, at this point, gathered quite a respectable following with his reels of genre bending interpretations of popular songs. There reaches a point where one becomes an actual Influencer and posting dumb shit on the internet stops being a joke between friends and starts being an example of youth culture going off the rails. Or something. He's not even a youth. He's in his late twenties. 

He winces through his hangover as he looks at the post again. He'd gotten Sam, who is an enabler more than anything, to take it. He's shirtless, posing like a total fuck boy with his hair artfully tousled and giving the camera his best sultry expression. An expression that he would never willingly admit to practising in the mirror. It's so cringey he can barely breathe. 

Which is nothing compared to the caption. 

Wanted: Valentine's Day Date

I have reservations for two at Di Fara, but SEBASTIAN decided he was more interested in fucking some guy from the gym than eating the best Italian food in New York. I thought it was weird that he couldn't even pick me up with all the time he was spending at the gym. Your loss SEBASTIAN, I would hate to waste such an amazing dining experience on a rat face LIAR. 

Offering: This hot body. A fully paid meal comprised of aforementioned excellent Italian food. Salvation from a Valentine's Day evening spent Sad and Alone. 

Seeking: A man that is not Sebastian. 

The comment section is flooded of course. There's well over four hundred, a massive number for him, and probably includes some non followers. If he knew it was this easy to manufacture engagement on his posts, he would have done it a long time ago. A quick skim indicates a range of reactions. From sorrow for his break up with Sebastian - who was once a regular on his feed - to hilarity at the nature of the post, to quite sincere sales pitches as to why they should be the one to get the date. 

sebsational94 my name is sebastian but I am not THE sebastian. I would never play you like that boo. can I still qualify? 😇

boooomers Can't believe this is the way we get to see Blaine Anderson shirtless. I am UNWELL

wlfricbea brooo you really be callin out ur man like this omg. rip king seb u will be missed 

cherycool When you say you are offering your hot body, what are we talking here? 👀

tinbd @ cherycool Right? Is Blaine Anderson a Slut? 

sofee.bailey Alexa, play Lovely Day by Bill Withers. Because it's always a lovely day when people take out the TRASH

musicallymotivatedd … still waiting for this cough syrup cover you keep promising 🙄

Blaine's phone buzzes in his hand and he almost drops it out of pure fear. But it's just a message from Tina laughing at him. And then demanding to know why he didn't just ask her to a fancy dinner. Which is a valid point. Blaine has several single friends he could have a fun evening with. But he was drunk on Peach Schnapps, not making functional decisions. He really is a slutty drunk and he literally never learns.

After a moment to psych himself up, he flips to his DMs, which are much worse. He's not particularly stringent with his privacy settings and his inbox is full of chat requests and a LOT of dick pics. As if he's going to pick a date based on the shape of someone's dick. It's exhausting. 

He taps out a message to Tina. 

Blaine: I've never seen so many dicks in my life

Queen T: Sorry can't relate 

She's useless.

Blaine: This isn't funny. I'm in an ocean of dick

Queen T: A sea of penis. A sea-nis if you will

Blaine: I won't

Queen T: Aw Blainey Days. Are you traumatised? I can come and make you some breakfast 

Blaine: Yes please 🥺

Queen T: OMW

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day (7-9/14)

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. Individual songs are listed on AO3. Yeah we're back, baby. Three new chapters. Get 'em while they're hot :)

Read on AO3

~~~~~

Five days before Valentine's Day and Blaine still hasn't gathered himself enough to ask Kurt out. Clearly, it's time for reinforcements. 

"So let me get this straight," Tina says, pacing around Blaine's couch. "You really like this guy and he really likes you. You talk every day. You met because you were asking for a Valentine's Day date. And yet, neither of you have asked the other out?"

Blaine nods slowly as he processes. "Yeah. Pretty much."

Sam frowns. "When you said you were busy with a guy I thought you meant…" Sam makes a vague gesture that could literally mean anything. Blaine doesn't ask for elaboration. 

"I was busy. Talking. And spiralling."

"For over a week?" Sam asks incredulously.

"I don't really understand what's so difficult about this," Blaine grumbles. 

Continue on AO3

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day (6/14)

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. Today's song is Words of Love by The Beatles

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~~~~~

Queen T: You haven't texted me in five days so I have to assume a horrible illness has befallen you. Or you're dead. So which is it?

Blaine: Sorry, T. I've just been busy. 

Queen T: With what exactly? After all, I am your entire reason for living

Blaine: You remember that hummelbrag guy? I've kind of been talking to him non stop. It should probably be embarrassing. But it's not. 

Blaine: For me at least. Elliott finds it mortifying 

Queen T: HOW DID YOU TELL ELLIOTT ABOUT THIS BEFORE ME???

Queen T: CALL ME RIGHT NOW

~~

Sam: Hey bro, where you at? It's been a while.

Blaine: Sorry. I realize I'm kind of The Worst. I met someone. He's been keeping me busy 🙈

Sam: Busy getting busy. Nice. 

Blaine: Oh God 

~~

Blaine: Why does following someone on Instagram feel like a marriage proposal if you're like... stupidly into them?

Elliott: Because you're a freak?

Blaine: Rude. But valid.

Blaine: Fuck it I'm doing it. I'm popping the question

Blaine: And by that I mean I'm following him. Not proposing. That would be crazy.

Elliott: I'll buy a hat 

~~

Kurt: You've followed me

Kurt: Are you sure we're ready for this level of commitment? 

Blaine: You know I thought about it long and hard. But there's a moment when you just say to yourself, "Oh, there you are. I've been looking for you forever."

Blaine: And that's how I feel about those bowties you make. I need them on my feed. They're truly majestic. 

Kurt: Came for my ability to pick you up, stayed for the fashion

Kurt: Honestly, I'm glad it happened this way 

Blaine: It's still all just talk that you can pick me up, you know? Pure conjecture. 

Kurt: Well. 

Kurt: Maybe we'll have to test it. Prove a theory.

~~

"Hey, folks," Blaine says into the camera. "It's obviously Valentine's Day in a week and The Beatles never fail to be relevant for any occasion. Which is why I'm bringing you Words of Love by The Beatles." He pauses for effect. "Punk Rock version." 

He's already recorded and edited the actual song so he just splices the videos together and posts. It's a song that's been on his mind a lot over the last week. He's not lying when he makes claims that The Beatles bear the same cultural relevance today than they did in the sixties. But there's something about this song particularly. Let me hear you say the words I long to hear.

He and Kurt have been talking every day and flirting shamelessly back and forth. But there's still a carefulness about it. A reluctance to really lay it all out there. Which, Blaine thinks indignantly, is really what Valentine's Day should all be about. 

The fact that he could be the one to do the putting it out there isn't lost on him. And usually he would be bounding in headfirst without a care. But there's something holding him back. Not doubt about how Kurt feels exactly. But doubt about how to make an internet flirtation into something… real. Something lasting. 

And it's almost terrifying how much he wants it to become something lasting. 

He really just needs a step in the right direction. A sign. A Valentine's Day miracle. Which is obviously a thing. And a powerful thing at that. Or maybe he just needs a new Wish Journal.

He distracts himself by looking through his comments instead. His followers are frequently unhinged but that's why he loves them and, probably, why they love him. As much as anyone can love anyone in this parasocial world they're living in. Which brings him dangerously close to thinking about Kurt again. Damn it.

boooomers This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. I'm in love with it actually

HarleyQuinnWasFramed bro you can't fuck with the beatles. that's like fucking with jesus

pericleanford blaine anderson marry me challenge

hummelbrag For all the singles out there, this is our year ❤️

Blaine smiles. His distraction tactics totally failed but he can't be mad about it. He clicks through to Kurt's profile just so he can look at his face like the completely hopeless sap that he is. Kurt's definitely on to something. It could be their year.

But hopefully it won't take as long as that. 

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs. Valentine's Day (3/14)

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. Today's song is We're All Alone by Rita Coolidge

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~~~~

But Blaine doesn't forget about it. Even after Tina is gone and he’s dragged himself through a shower and eaten enough carbs to push his hangover headache to a mostly ignorable twinge. 

He deletes the original post and shares a sincere apology - mostly for any hate he inadvertently sent Sebastian's way. Sebastian definitely deserves it but it doesn't mean Blaine shouldn't be responsible with his platform. And more than that, he doesn’t want to deal with whatever Sebastian’s retaliation might be. He can be both creative and quite vicious when the mood strikes him. 

He retreats to the corner of his room that serves as a studio to work on the arrangement for his latest cover but his phone is a constant distracting series of chimes and vibrations, notifying him of engagement on his new post. Maybe he's not cut out for this influencer stuff. It can't be normal to suffer through this level of anxiety every time he has a minor screw up. If simultaneously calling out your ex whilst also drunkenly trying to get laid on Valentine's Day can be considered minor. 

He vaguely thinks about going for a walk to clear his head but a glance out the window shows that it's started to rain in that persistent drizzle kind of way that seems like it's never going to stop. 

So he picks up his phone.

icepix it's ok, bestie. you were clearly having a lot of feelings 

sofee.bailey Cheaters don't deserve protection. Get his ass 

cherycool you drunk posting looking for a date is the most interesting I've ever found you tbh.

hummelbrag Well if you're still looking for someone to spend Valentine's Day evening with, I am available and I fulfil all your criteria of *checks notes* not Sebastian.

hummelbrag @ hummelbrag Also I’m pretty sure I could pick you up 😉 justwanky @ hummelbrag fuckin get it hummel

Blaine feels the colour rush to his face at the last comments from Kurt. He’s now faced with an irresistible and very clear image of one of the most gorgeous men he’s ever set eyes on holding him up against the wall and all the possibilities that could entail. The comments are literally only a minute old. Which means Kurt might still be online. Which means…

Whatever further thought process there might have been flies out of his mind as moves over to his DMs and hits Accept on the chat from Kurt. He then proceeds to panic for a full minute as he tries to think of something intelligent to say. Something witty and charming and smooth. 

Blaine: Hi

Fuck.

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs. Valentine's Day (4/14)

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. Today's song is I'll Never Not Love You by Michael Bublé

Be sure to also check out the collection on AO3 and Stick Season by @blurglesmurfklaine I'm finding it so fun to write as part of a community event. Seeing other people post theirs really keeps me on track. And all the lovely comments of course!

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~~~

He can't just leave it like that. Hi. What was he thinking? He quickly taps out a follow up without letting himself doubt it too hard. 

Blaine: Bold tactic to assume that poem would get my attention and not just end up being deleted

He immediately throws his phone face down on his bed and paces around the room several times, trying to breathe. He can do this. He can talk to other humans. Even ridiculously gorgeous ones that for some reason seem interested in him. 

Barely a minute passes before his phone chimes and he tries to tell himself to be chill and not answer straight away but the anticipation is killing him. He grabs his phone. 

Kurt: And yet here you are. Interesting. 

God. He actually answered. And he's so cool . It's going to take him less than thirty seconds to realise how lame Blaine is. Blaine doesn't have game. He doesn't usually even realise when people are into him. He's fallen into every relationship he's had so far fully because the other person has spelled it out to him. 

This was clearly a mistake. A horny error in judgement. He's half tempted to just delete the app right now and pretend this never happened. The Philippines is nice this time of year.  

But then his phone chimes again and Blaine grins stupidly as he reads the message. 

Kurt: It was a gamble. I'm happy it paid off. 

Blaine: Well. It was helped by the fact that I am very interested in these claims that you can pick me up. 

Kurt: Oh no. That was my roommate's suggestion. She's going to be insufferable now. 

Blaine: Your secret's safe with me

Kurt: Thanks. But she's also much cooler than me if I'm being honest. I may prove to be a disappointment. Flirting with strangers on the internet is all fun and games until they actually reply 😅

Blaine blinks. He hadn't thought about it that hard, but if he had, he would have assumed that this was going to turn into sexting, getting off, and then mutually agreeing to never speak of it again. Or at least he assumes that's the way this sort of thing goes. He doesn't really know. 

But maybe that isn't what this is. Interesting.

Blaine: And do you make a habit of flirting with strangers on the internet?

Kurt: I want to be really smooth and be like 'only the cute ones 😉' but fuck it. No I don't usually. I'm like an honest to God Broadway romantic. I need at least dinner before I can consider getting my dick out. 

Kurt: And I realise a simple no would have sufficed 

Blaine huffs out a laugh. Okay. Definitely not sexting then. He's kind of relieved. It would have just been a way to let off steam after the emotional bomb that was Sebastian's betrayal. He hasn't really had time to sort out his feelings about Sebastian yet. Sam's solution to the problem was to get him spectacularly drunk and there's been little time for introspection since then. And that's mostly been on purpose.

He knows if he starts to think about it, it will bring every scrap of his hard earned self worth under a magnifying glass. He'll sort through all his insecurities for the reasons why Sebastian might have cheated and probably invent some new ones just for fun. He doesn't want to be terrified to love again. He doesn't want to lose his ability to love quickly and generously and all in. He doesn't want this to break him. 

And right now that means chatting to a cute guy that doesn't want to just get off with him. And regardless of anything else, it will be a funny story to tell Tina later. 

Blaine: Ah yes that well known Broadway hit, "Dinner for dick." We all know it

Kurt: Say what you like about Barrett Wilbert Weed but she smashed that one

Kurt: Listen you don't have to keep talking to me. I understand my mouth was putting out checks that my ass can't cash. Literally. 

Blaine: I want to keep talking to you. A gorgeous guy that's into Broadway and fashion? Maybe that wish journal I kept when I was thirteen really did have magical powers after all

Blaine: Although I'm still not a superhero so perhaps not 

Kurt: I never had a wish journal but I did have a hope chest. I cut up magazine pictures to compile my perfect man and it obviously looked outlandish and not like you at all

Kurt: But I am pretty sure I made my perfect man a musician 

Blaine: Well thank God I have that going for me at least

Kurt: You have a lot more going for you than that

Blaine: And I thought you said you didn't flirt with strangers on the internet 😉

Kurt: You're right

Blaine gets a jolt in his stomach, terrified that Kurt is about to promise to cut out the flirting or even stop talking to him all together. But then the next message comes through.

Kurt: Maybe we should become not-strangers so I can flirt with you without fear 

Blaine bites his lip against a smile, feeling the flush creep all the way to his ears. Who even is this guy?

Hopefully he's going to find out. 

Blaine: Sounds perfect 

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day (2/14)

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. Today's song is You're My Inspiration by Chicago

Warnings: Google Translate (me not the boys)

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tina is true to her word. She comes and makes him pancakes and wraps him in a blanket and coos at him before immediately confiscating his phone. She apparently knows his pin because she unlocks it without asking. Blaine makes a token noise of protest. 

"Don't worry. I'll handle this," Tina says. 

Blaine is worried. "I can't expose you to all that, T," he says sincerely. "People are disgusting."

"Blaine. I'm a twenty seven year old woman that has spent a non zero amount of time on dating sites. I promise you it will be nothing I haven't seen before." She glances at the screen. "Oh, Jesus Christ."

"I told you!" Blaine cries, exasperated. 

"It's not that." Tina glares at him. "I can't believe you still have the post up." She waves the phone at him and Blaine gets a glimpse of himself, bedroom eyes and all. Tina looks at it too. "You actually look really good in this picture."

"Thank you?"

"But you need to delete it. I hate Sebastian but you can't set your tweenage fans on him. He'll probably go crazy and do something absolutely wild. And then you'll end up in one of those stupid articles like on Buzzfeed. 'Guy Makes Post Begging For Valentine's Date And You Won't BELIEVE What Happens Next'."

"What happens next is that my best friend is mean to me," Blaine says petulantly. "And there's no point deleting it. It's already Out There. Probably already been screen shotted and shared on Twitter and had someone doing like body language analysis of my picture on Tik Tok. The wheels are off."

Tina sighs. "Maybe you can pass it off as satire? A statement about the commercialization of Valentine's Day and how it's perfectly fine to be alone actually." 

Blaine's head is throbbing. He’s way too hungover for this. "Of course it's fine to be alone. Coffee?" 

"Yeah," Tina says absently, tapping away. Blaine feels real fear for about the fourth time that day but he leaves her to it. He's probably already going to have to delete his entire account and move to The Philippines. His mother's family will take him in. He loves his cousins. He could do it. 

He makes a pot of coffee and by the time he's taken a few fortifying sips, he feels strong enough to peek over Tina's shoulder again. She seems to have abandoned the idea of damage control, which is probably lucky because the uncharitable side of him suspects she would only make it significantly worse. Instead she’s working through his DMs, deleting anything with penis in it without even flinching. Blaine feels a pang of real fondness for her. 

"You're an angel," Blaine sighs. “The meaning in my life. My inspiration.”

“Alright, calm down,” Tina says but she smiles. “Dumbass.”

Blaine gratefully closes his eyes. As much as he and Tina mock each other, he doesn't honestly know what he'd do without her. And she's probably right about one thing. He should delete the post. He'll just do a standard Instagram apology acknowledging fault, ask his fans not to harass Sebastian, and wait for it to all blow over. 

Tina laughs beside him and Blaine cracks an eyelid. "What is it? A weird one?"

"Nah," she says, passing him his phone. "A good one."

hummelbrag wants to send you a message

Roses are often red

'Di Fara' means 'To Do'

I've double checked my personal list

And all that's on it is you 

Now that I have your attention with that work of honest artistry, I just wanted to say sorry about Sebastian. But also good riddance. He gave the impression of being a gay Trump supporter and you don't need that kind of negative energy in your life. 

Regardless, being cheated on absolutely sucks and as much as Valentine's Day is overdone, it's a particularly shitty time of year to have it happen (speaking as someone who will be Sad and Alone this Valentine's Day) . Good for you for calling him out and good for us to get that picture of you 😉. Dreamy AND talented. You will find someone more worthy in no time.

Blaine reads it twice. In all the noise of the last day or two, he’s kind of put his feelings about Sebastian’s infidelity aside. But it’s good to have someone acknowledge how horrible it actually is. And it’s all mixed with the ego boost of being blatantly flirted with. He barely knows what to think. He glances at Tina.

"He wants to do you," she points out helpfully. 

"Yes I got that. But I think that's a joke," Blaine says. “To get my attention apparently."

“It looks like it’s worked,” Tina teases.

“Hmm.”

"He did also say you're dreamy." 

"He did," Blaine admits. He looks at the message a third time. It's kind of funny and sweet all at once. He's quite clearly learned nothing from any of this because a very large part of him wants to respond. "I should probably have my social media powers taken away from me."

Tina makes a non committal noise and pours herself some coffee. Blaine takes the moment to click through to hummelbrag's profile and his jaw quite literally drops. The profile claims the name Kurt Hummel and that Kurt is an assistant editor at Vogue, both of which Blaine registers dimly, but also pales in comparison to just how gorgeous the guy is. 

Kurt's pictures are more posed than Blaine's. He clearly works hard on angles and lighting to best show off the clothes he's talking about. And the result is that he looks completely stunning in all of them. 

"He must be a catfish," Blaine says. "No one this attractive would be flirting with me through Instagram DMs. That's just not my life." 

Tina grabs his phone and whistles through her teeth. "Yeah, he's pretty hot. But he's got too many followers to be some random catfish. Maybe you should reply to him."

"I would love friends that didn't actively encourage awful decision making," Blaine grumbles, thinking about how on board Sam had been about the original post. Which was clearly terrible. 

"If he's a freak you can just block him," Tina points out. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"A phrase that obviously only precedes the best things," Blaine says drily. He slides his phone back into his pocket. "Thanks, T but let's watch a movie or something. I just want to forget about it for a while."

[rockitmans]

Blaine Anderson Vs Valentine's Day (10/14)

Summary: Blaine drunk posts on his Instagram asking for a date for Valentine's Day. He gets one.

Notes: Written for the @klaineccfanficlibrary Valentine Challenge. Song: Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce.

Read on AO3 or below

~~~~

"Morning, Valentine," Kurt's happy voice chirps down the phone. 

"Mmm, morning," Blaine mumbles, still half asleep. "I could get used to waking up to your voice."

Kurt hums his agreement. "Sorry it's so early, I moved my hours so I would have time to get ready later. It's a trek from Bushwick."

Blaine thinks about their date tonight. Elliott has taken the edges off his anxiety, and this morning's call from Kurt has basically smoothed them completely. "I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to see you . I'll be the one looking fabulous."

"I know what you look like," Blaine points out, smiling. 

"I know. Just want you to be adequately prepared for how dazzling I am so you can react accordingly."

Blaine laughs. "Nothing could prepare me for that." 

Kurt makes a sweetly pleased noise. “Anyway, I just wanted to say good morning, I’ll let you go back to sleep.”

“Kurt, wait a sec.” Blaine sits up, blinking himself more awake. “This is probably going to sound crazy.”

"Oh no," Kurt says but he sounds more amused than worried. "Do tell."

"I know my original post came across kind  of horny but… I want it to be clear that this isn't just a hookup for me. I want it to be more than that."

There’s a breath and a pause at the other end of the line and Blaine gets seized by a dread so fierce that he nearly hangs up out of pure denial. But then, “It’s not crazy,” Kurt’s voice is kind. “But I would have thought that goes without saying at this point. However, in case it doesn’t. This is nothing close to a hookup for me. I’m in try-hard dating mode. Prepare to have your life irrevocably changed.”

Blaine laughs, relief making it slightly shaky. “Wow. I better up my game.”

“You better, Blaine Anderson.” Kurt’s voice softens. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah,” Blaine says, beaming like an idiot. “Soon.”

~~~

Blaine is in a ridiculously good mood all day. Even though the store is heaving with last minute panic buyers looking for The Ultimate Love collection. Even though it’s raining and his hair is a frizzy mess, probably beyond help. Even though there’s a guy buying two identical gifts for two separate women that likely don’t know about the other. Blaine is immune to it all. He wishes everyone a wonderful, love filled day and hums along to every song that comes out of the store speakers. 

“You’re so right, Jim Croce, there never is enough time to do the things you want to do,” Blaine declares cheerfully to no one in particular, and Elliott groans. 

“You are beyond obnoxious right now.”

“Oh come on, Elliott. You’re so happy that two of your favorite people found each other, remember?”

“So many regrets,” Elliott moans, burying his face in his hands. But he’s smiling when he re-emerges. “It’s nice to see you’ve gotten over your anxiety.”

“Oh yeah. I'm going to romance Kurt so hard he won’t know what hit him.”

Blaine manages to slide away early to get ready, mostly thanks to the kindness of Elliott, who basically shoves him out the door when it looks like he’s going to get entangled in a lengthy interaction with a customer. He grabs flowers on the way home and has the very real desire to climb onto a streetlamp and start singing as the rain continues to hammer down. Sometimes life just calls for a musical moment. Kurt probably understands that. He resists the urge, more out of a desire to protect the flowers than any deep seated sense of personal shame. That ship has long sailed. 

Once home, he takes his time in the shower, letting the drum of hot water soothe some of his anticipation. There's just something about the way he clicked with Kurt. Something that promises forever. If he can just not fuck it up. With that in mind he dresses in the outfit Elliott suggested and uses the barest amount of product on his hair, leaving it to fall in loose curls. He takes a quick picture of himself and sends it to Tina for approval. After a moment's hesitation, he also throws it onto his Instagram. That’s where it all started after all. 

Queen T: 🔥😍🥵

Queen T: I can't reply because I'm too busy swooning 

Blaine smiles and taps out a quick thanks. His phone is flicking instagram notifications as people start to comment on his photo. Mostly just thirst comments, which Blaine is somewhat used to at this point.  There’s some teasing about how quickly he’s moved on and a lot of people wishing him luck. And then a comment from Kurt catches his eyes. 

hummelbrag Wow. Your new man is very lucky. 

Blaine draws in a shaky breath, pink creeping into his cheeks. He’s the lucky one. And Kurt is waiting for him. 

~~~

Blaine gets to the restaurant before Kurt, at least ten minutes early and is freshly reminded of one of his completely valid fears. Di Fara is stuffy. Expensive in a way that wants to appear wealthy rather than stylish or comfortable. Blaine is pretty sure there are more people having business meetings here than dates, even on a night supposedly put aside for love. It’s a very Sebastian sort of place. There’s also a lot of men wearing suits. Blaine determinedly doesn’t think about his jeans. He looks hot, that's all that matters. 

He decides to wait in the lobby rather than be seated because he wants to be the first thing Kurt sees. He can't stop shifting his weight, checking his phone restlessly as the clock ticks towards their agreed meeting time. Somehow being early is worse than being late. The anticipation is killing him.

And then Kurt walks through the door. Blaine has heard of hearts skipping beats but he’s not sure he’s ever fully experienced it until now. Kurt is just that stunning, his coat flapping open to reveal a gorgeous yellow shirt and blue scarf. He’s wearing jeans too. Light grey and so tight that Blaine struggles to tear his eyes away from Kurt’s legs. 

“Hi!” Kurt greets him brightly, eyes lighting up at the sight of him. 

“Kurt. Wow. You’re so… cute. I mean like dirty cute.”

Blaine immediately cringes and Kurt raises a confused eyebrow. “What?”

“Sorry. I panicked. Even though you warned me. I still wasn’t prepared.”

Kurt laughs and leans in to wrap Blaine in a hug. “Speechless adoration is also acceptable.”

Blaine melts against him, getting a lungful of sweet shampoo. “You look incredible,” he murmurs close to his ear, a lot more normally. He can do this. Just the most beautiful human in the world hugging him. Perfectly average Tuesday. 

“So do you,” Kurt says and Blaine can hear the smile in his voice as they draw apart. “Are those for me?” he adds, eyeing the flowers. 

“Oh. Yes. To celebrate us finally meeting. Or at least it feels like Finally. Even though it’s not been that long, it also kind of feels like forever. And I know red roses are kind of cliche but…”

Kurt’s eyes soften as he takes them. “They’re not cliche, they’re classic. And beautiful. Thank you.”

Blaine just nods, slightly overwhelmed.  "Shall we?" He offers his arm. 

Kurt takes it. "We shall."

[rockitmans]

Gone fishin'

I'm taking a lil break from tumblr. I'm still intending to write each day but I'm going to post the rest of my fic all in one go. Hopefully on Valentine's Day.

Much love to everyone that's been going on this journey with me but the daily posting is just hard to manage on top of life stuff atm!

[rockitmans]

Thanks for the tag, @cerriddwenluna

Rules: List your "top 10" (or up to 10 if you haven't written that many) fics ranked by kudos on AO3. Are you surprised by what's most popular to your readers? Then, under a cut, provide your ranking of your personal top 10 fics (with explanations if you want!), and then tag a few fellow writers!

Spinning Out, 56k

Blaine Anderson Vs. Valentine's Day, 12k

No Take Backs, 10k

Witch Wanted, 24k

Ellipsis, 1k

#1 absolutely makes sense. Spinning Out was a labor of love and the fic that made me confident enough to start sharing my work. The Valentine's Day one being second is a little weird to me because I felt like a duck with my feet frantically paddling beneath to get it finished and I guess I'm surprised it came out well enough to be second, especially as it's also my most recent (bar Ellipsis).

No Take Backs is not my usual sort of story at all but I'm proud of how it came out. Quality wise I would argue it's better that #2 but less fun so not surprised it's third. Which takes us to Witch Wanted. My baby. Such a personal story that wasn't going to work for everyone. And clearly Did Not 😅. Still it's a niche set of tropes to begin with and the ending was... controversial so the ranking makes sense.

And Ellipsis is just a lil ficlet I wrote in a few hours and posted yesterday and has already been around Tumblr once so no question of being lowest.

My ranking:

Spinning Out

Witch Wanted

No Take Backs

Blaine Anderson vs Valentine's Day

Ellipsis

Ellipsis being bottom doesn't really reflect how I feel about it. I'm actually really proud of it but also it is just something short and sweet and didn't require the same level of effort as the other fics.

Otherwise my ranking reflects my personal enjoyment mixed with how well written I think they are. Witch Wanted is very special to me. I even got a lovely message from someone saying how it really helped them realise and challenge some of their own ableist views and I think that's absolutely the kind of stories should help with. As well as being enjoyable of course!

It could almost be first in the list but Spinning Out is also tied up in the feeling of finding this community and meeting some wonderful people like none of that would have happened if I hadn't just impulsively posted Spinning Out one day. Also I genuinely love it, it's the one I'm most likely to reread though I haven't currently reread any of my own fics.

And I think I've kind of covered my thoughts on the other two! No Take Backs is better written and a more emotional and thoughtful story but BA vs Valentine's Day is infinitely more fun and silly and joyful so it depends on the mood of the day.

Tagging: @bitbybitwrites @ericdooley @heartsmadeofbooks @hkvoyage if you want/haven't been tagged already