The bridge behind them, the water lapping along slowly by their side, Kurt and Blaine walked side by side, hands together. The silence was peaceful, the only sound the water rolling past but if thoughts could be heard Blaine's mind would only be a cacophony of noise.

The kiss had been beautiful, something Blaine had dreamt of and wished for but nothing had been said about their future and Adam hadn't been mentioned and Blaine always struggled to keep his thoughts calm and peaceful especially after a doubt started to creep in. Blaine could feel his heartbeat race as they walked to a coffee shop and the silence continued, Kurt basking in the new slightly calloused hand in his and thoughts of kisses. Blaine's mind conjured images of a maze, where at each corner was a question and he repeated the process several times before he inadvertently squeezed Kurt's hand in his panic and caused Kurt to stop along the road.

"What's wrong?" Kurt asked, stopping to look at Blaine's tense jaw and set expression.

Blaine's eyes flitted from side to side, taking in Kurt's worried expression and he took a deep breath.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to – I mean, it's nothing," Blaine stuttered.

Kurt looked at him carefully then carried on walking, this time a little quicker and they remained silent until they reached the coffee shop. Kurt bought coffees while Blaine found them a table. As Kurt approached he took in Blaine's tense sitting position, his eyes flicking from the counter, to the barista, back to the counter then to the sugar stand. He sat in front of Blaine and sighed, hoping to bring him back to the here and now.

The drinks set between them on the table, their bodies less than a metre apart, Kurt just watched him in silence, until Blaine's eyes landed on his expression and he knew he would have to speak.

"What's wrong?" Kurt asked again but his whisper betrayed his worry and nerves, "Do you regret it?" His voice trembled and Blaine seemed to forget repeated images and mazes and butterflies stirring in his stomach and he rushed to the other side of the sofa that Kurt was sitting on.

"God Kurt," he exclaimed, clutching Kurt's hands, "That's so far from what this is, I.... gosh I don't regret any of that," he breathed out and Kurt lips trembled into a smile.

"Then why do you look like you want to be sick and your mind is full of words that you're trying to read quickly."

Blaine laughed slightly at this. He had never known anyone to so beautifully describe what his face looked like when he panicked.

"I was just worried that I was reading too much into this whole situation, I mean what about Adam, what about us in the future, I - "

"Blaine," Kurt said, stilling his trembling hand again, "Adam is really just a friend," he said smiling. "We went on a few coffee dates, kissed once or twice but we're completely casual."

"Like us?" Blaine asked quietly and Kurt realised what he had said sounded like their relationship and he shook his head.

"No, not like us," Kurt said, "I wouldn't trivialise it like that. I don't want to rush things with you, you're special." Kurt had made it sound romantic and Blaine visibly relaxed as a weight lifted. "Do you want to date?" Kurt continued worrying his bottom lip slightly.

Blaine nodded, smiling sweetly. He couldn't put into words what he wanted with Kurt and he tried to calm the rushing tide of images of dates, weddings, babies and kittens.

"Then that's great, I'd love that too," Kurt said smiling, looking relieved, "We don't have to rush into anything, I'm right here." Blaine sighed slightly, making a conscious effort to calm his heartbeat.

"But Adam?" Blaine asked.

"Just a friend if you'd rather?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah, but I don't want to be controlling," Blaine muttered, suddenly looking at his coffee froth.

"Blaine," Kurt said, his tone begging Blaine to look his way, "We can definitely be exclusive, I like you," he said and Blaine smiled, "I like you a lot and Adam was really just one or two dates. I know this is strange, I know I probably sound a bit full on but...." Kurt's voice trailed away and Blaine realised he wasn't the only one who was nervous about this situation.

"I understand Kurt," he said, "I feel the same way," and smiles were exchanged over coffee cups, making both boys feel at ease.

"Well how about a proper date to even the score with Adam?" Kurt asked laughing.

"Yeah, I'd like that a lot," Blaine said smiling.

---

"A date?!" Robyn squealed the next day at school and Blaine looked around in panic that people might think they were crazy, "That's so exciting! What are you going to wear? What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, I hadn't thought that far ahead," Blaine muttered, forgetting his locker combination and starting again.

"Well you need to impress him if he's comparing you to Adam," Robyn said matter-of-factly and Blaine faced her again, giving up on his locker.

"What? Is that what you think he's doing?"

"No of course not," she said, realising her mistake, "But it wouldn't hurt to go way out on this one, really impress him."

"Oh gosh, this was what I was worried about," Blaine said, putting his hand through his hair and messing his gel causing Robyn's eyes to widen. She had never seen Blaine touch his hair that way.

"No need to worry, we'll plan together," Robyn said smiling widely, "I know a thing or two about romance. I am after all someone who has had all the time to dream and none of the experiences to match." Blaine started walking along the corridor and Robyn shared her ideas, linking her arm through Blaine's as he listened attentively.

---

Blaine approached their chosen meeting place, the subway station between both their locations, with trepidation, clutching the suggested flowers in his hands. Kurt was already there and seeing Blaine he beamed and started to laugh. He was holding flowers too.

"They're lovely," Kurt gushed as they swapped flowers and Blaine looked at the flowers he had just taken from Kurt and laughed too.

"These are beautiful Kurt," Blaine said, still looking at the red and yellow flowers in his hand, "I wasn't expecting these."

"Good I like to defy expectations," Kurt said laughing. He linked arms with Blaine and came closer to whisper near his ear. "Am I going to find out where we're going and why you have a big rucksack on your back?" Blaine looked at him and laughed again, feeling completely at ease. With all the worry he felt about the date, the panic that everything wouldn't go to plan, he looked at Kurt, his eyes twinkling with hope and mischief and he knew that however he spent the evening, whatever they did, it would be magical.

"No, you'll just have to wait," he said winking and Blaine felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up at Kurt's continued proximity and his adorable pout.

They got on the subway and travelled to the Broadway stop in Queens. Blaine discussed his day at school while Kurt complained about the situation at home.

"Santana has finally discovered that Rachel's boyfriend Brody is a gigolo," he said matter-of-factly, and Blaine's eyes widened in surprise, "And now Brody has left and Rachel doesn't know the reason why. She has an audition coming up and I don't think it would be good for her to know yet, she's had a tough time recently." Blaine nodded in understanding. "You should totally meet them all by the way," Kurt continued, "They'd love you but Rachel can be a bit too much sometimes, although she's fantastic when you get to know her and Santana is fiercely loyal but one hell of a bitch sometimes." Blaine chuckled.

"They sound fabulous," Blaine said still laughing.

"Oh they totally are," Kurt said, "I don't know what I'd do without them really. It can be really lonely in New York."

"Yeah," Blaine said quietly, "It can be sometimes."

"But that's the great thing," Kurt said, picking up on the sadness, "People understand that here and although everything goes so fast, people are here when you need them to be and life comes right at you and makes you come alive. It gives you no choice – you have to live otherwise you get left behind. Robyn has always sounded really nice," he continued, "I mean it sounds like you've made a friend for life there, I'd like to meet her."

It all sounded so strange to Blaine's ears, so used to flitting from one place to another, never settled that even in high school he only wanted friends, only wanted to feel important in someone's life. Now he had Robyn and Kurt, which meant so much to him now. Life was good.

They soon arrived at Blaine's chosen destination and as the sky was still light they walked around the park until Kurt realised he had no idea where he was.

"What is this place?" Kurt asked, looking around at the strange sculptures.

"Socrates Sculpture Park," Blaine said, smiling, "I loved this place when I was a kid and we travelled to New York. Even when my dad moved us, we always seemed to come back to New York. It was a deal that my mum had with him I think." Blaine had never spoken so casually about his mum and although tears appeared in his eyes at the thought of his mother, he smiled at the blurry image of Kurt next to him and gripped his hand.

"I love hearing about your mum," Kurt said, squeezing his hand gently.

"There's plenty more lovely memories that I don't let out very often," Blaine whispered, looking at his feet as they continued to walk, "But I'm sure you'll get to hear more of them."

"I'd like that," Kurt whispered a little closer to Blaine as he rested his cheek on his shoulder.

They passed strange and cool sculptures, one that appeared to be a yellow brick road, winding and curled; one with a car on top of a giant trophy, almost like the glee nationals trophy that Kurt had won in his senior year. They passed a giant caged cube and an archway full of plastic bricks. Blaine seemed particularly fascinated by an uprooted tree with a collection of plastic white roots underneath that strangely resembled spider's legs, which caused Kurt to back away slightly. There was a twisted rainbow loop that seemed to show DNA and boats and used bicycle wheels in a pile. They all seemed to have a message and used creative energy beautifully, making Kurt and Blaine admire the handiwork and comment on the crazy thoughts whizzing through artists' minds.

"What made you want to come here for our date?" Kurt asked smiling, as they slowed down and walked towards a crowd that was gathering at one end of the park.

"I feel like you've been reminding me ever since I met you of something that I'd forgotten long ago," Blaine began, "And I wanted to show you that I knew all along, I had just forgotten."

"Forgotten what?" Kurt asked, slightly confused.

"I'd forgotten that life was wonderful and special and should be treasured," he said and Blaine thought back to his struggles, to how he felt lost and guilty and marked but as he looked at Kurt's beautiful face as the sun began to set, he realised that not only was the world a pretty wonderful place, but this boy in front of him was beautiful too. He leaned in slowly, Kurt's eyes flickering with want and need and as they fluttered closed, Blaine kissed him as they stood still. The world carried on but time seem to pause just slightly until they parted and shared a blush as they continued to walk towards the lights projected over the park.

"What is this?" Kurt asked as Blaine stopped in a slightly secluded area with a good view of the big screen in front of them.

"This is the outdoor cinema and the reason I have a big rucksack on my shoulder," Blaine said laughing at Kurt's gaping face. Blaine took out the picnic blanket and laid it out in front of Kurt. He stretched out his hand to suggest that he sit down and Kurt laughed.

"This is amazing," Kurt said, looking around at the gathered couples and groups of friends who were all eating picnics or popcorn they had bought, as Blaine unpacked all the food and drink. The screen was blank but the lights stretched out over the crowd in front of it. To one side the lights of the sunset was the perfect background.

"Oh...." Kurt gasped, as he noticed, "Look at that."

And Blaine did. He sat next to Kurt, their legs touching accidentally and Kurt looked down at Blaine's awkward body next to him and he touched his hand that rested on Blaine's knee. The shades of purple and pink that lit the sky behind the screen seemed to swirl and blend as Blaine looked down at the hand on top of his own. Kurt's touch felt warm to his cold skin and he trembled slightly. He glanced up at Kurt to find Kurt gazing at him, no longer admiring the sunset.

"Your eyes are beautiful in this light Blaine," Kurt whispered and Blaine didn't want to blink, so mesmerised by the swirls of blue, green and grey in the eyes that stared at his own. Kurt leant closer, capturing Blaine's lips in a kiss, starting slow, just a whisper of pressure between them, then more fervent as their lips moved together. Blaine tentatively felt his way into Kurt's mouth, feeling, exploring and Kurt sighed into the kiss. Moments passed, and Blaine never wanted it to end but he suddenly needed air and the screen sprang to life with the start of Singing in the Rain.

"Oh I love this film," Kurt began after shaking his head out of its beautiful daze. "I used to watch this with my mum when I was sick."

"What was she like?" Blaine asked timidly, knowing how painful it was to talk about his own mother.

Kurt shared his stories as they ate their chicken legs and quiche, drinking sparkling apple and watching the film. They ended up singing the songs along with the crowd and the cast of the film on the big screen, Blaine resting his arm around Kurt's waist and touching his shoulder with his cheek. As the film finished, Blaine suddenly didn't want the night to end and as Kurt stood to start packing away the picnic food, Blaine took his hand and spun him to face him.

"Don't hurry," Blaine said breathless, despite the fact that they had stayed still for hours. "Do you ever just want to stop the clocks?" Blaine whispered, still holding Kurt's hand in his but pulling him closer so their chests were flush together.

"I do now," Kurt whispered, "It's like that song.... 'I wanna stop the clocks tonight, I I wanna tear the hands right off, I I wanna stop the world from turning and stay right here for good."

"I I hope the sun forgets to rise," Blaine continued, knowing the Leona Lewis song well and starting to dance with Kurt, not caring that people were packing away and leaving the screening. "I I won't ever leave your side, I I wanna stop the clocks tonight and stay right here for good."

I'd rather spend my life
Motionless with you
Than dancing with another

I wanna cry until I laugh and laugh until I cry
Don't wanna let a single moment of you pass me by
If only I could freeze the frame
You know that I would stay right here for good