I wish you all a Merry Christmas, or other appropriate season greetings!

This is another alternative first meeting.

Prompt December 2nd: Balance

He may not be a New Yorker, but after living for a year in the city, he likes to think he's pretty damn close. Everything was new and different in the beginning, but now he moves around in the city with an expertise that speaks of experience and familiarity.

While the boy standing next to him in the subway reveals how he's the new kid in town, with how he's clutching to the pole and trying to force his body to move against the rhythm of the train.

It's rush hour, if there can be said to be more hectic times of the day on the subway. Not a seat is free, and most people have that "just got off work and it sucked my soul out"-expression on their faces.

On the next station, among the crowd embarking the train is a pregnant woman. She's probably late in her second trimester, Kurt guesses by comparing her to what he remembers of Quinn's pregnancy. She's sufficiently pregnant to look tired, but not enough for anyone to offer her their seat. So the boy next to Kurt softly addresses the woman (doesn't he know that strangers don't talk to each other on the subway?), and offers her his pole. Like an amateur gentleman, he gives her the entire pole. Two people could easily have held on to it, but he lets go completely, stepping closer to Kurt go give her space. It's something entirely endearing about the gesture, a random act of kindness not often displayed in public.

The train starts moving with a jerk, and Kurt lets his body sway with the motion, having broken that code months ago. But the NKOTB-gentleman isn't prepared, and stumbles backwards. Without thinking, Kurt catches him, and brackets his arms around his body, holding him against his chest.

"Thank you," the boy whispers flustered, and pats one of Kurt's hands to signal he can let go. He turns around, and there are only two thoughts present in Kurt's mind.

This is the hottest guy he's ever put his hands on.

He wants to do it again, but preferably with less clothes.

Moving to New York meant a new beginning, and at least it's been an improvement to Lima, with dating Adam for a couple of months until it didn't work out, a couple of blind dates organized by his two roommates, and also a few dates he was asked out to himself, but never lead to more than heated kissing and some dancing he'd rather not do in front of his parents.

Screw it, he thinks, after all; he talked to the pregnant lady, even if she was a stranger.

"My pleasure," Kurt murmurs, trying to make it sound as loaded as he wants it to be.

The boy blushes, but extends a hand, and oh, what a polite and charming stranger, not like anyone Kurt's ever met.

"Blaine Anderson," he introduces himself with a soft voice, looking him shyly in his eyes, and Kurt willingly gives him his name too. "I guess I lost my balance there," he mutters, and rolls his eyes self-deprecatingly, blush still staining his cheeks.

"It happens to the best," Kurt says, although it's been some time since he's been among those. Channeling his inner bold and flirtatious Puck, he continues: "May I buy you a coffee? It does wonders to restore equilibrium."

Blaine looks at him, obviously surprised, but also pleased judging by the smile growing slowly across his face.

"Yes, you may."