Chapter 12

Kurt arrived at Blaines door at seven exactly.

After Kurt had left Blaines apartment earlier that day, instead of going home he walked (not skipped) to the nearest flower shop where he could buy Blaine a large bouquet. He called and made reservations for dinner as he walked, and then rushed home, bouquet in hand without the slightest hint of embarrassment at the large display. On arriving home, he planned his outfit meticulously, hopped in the shower, and styled his hair to perfection. He was dressed and ready, bouquet in hand, and about to step out of the door when he checked the time on his cell phone display.

It was five thirty.

He replaced the flowers in their water, and flopped onto the couch to wait. He sat in silence for a few moments, then absent mindedly flicked on the television, but the rerun playing could not hold his attention, and flicking through the channels seemed like too much effort. He picked up his phone, and made to type out a message to Blaine, but stopped himself. He could manage like an adult and wait to see him, but the excitement of finally getting a date with Blaine made Kurt want to squeal in an embarrassing way, and he reveled in the feeling.

He sat impatiently as the time dragged by, and when he knocked on Blaines door later, he was exactly on time.

Blaine opened the door, and Kurt was once again struck by that giddiness. He looked amazing. He had obviously taken time in choosing his outfit, something that Blaine had told him was becoming more and more difficult to manage while remaining somewhat fashionable, as his supply of clothes became more limited and his bump harder to accommodate. But he looked amazing in a dark blue dress shirt covered by a lighter colored vest over the top. Blaine had taken the time to gel his hair, something he had been doing less and less as his pregnancy progressed and sapped his energy from him. He smiled broadly as he saw Kurt, almost hidden by the large display of flowers.

"Hi," Blaine said, pausing in his doorway.

"Hi," Kurt returned. "These are for you," he added, thrusting the flowers at Blaine, who took them with a sound of appreciation.

"Theyre so beautiful; you didnt have to do that." He moved back into the apartment, and started looking for a vase for them, leaving the door open for Kurt to follow him inside.

It was strange; Kurt had been inside Blaines apartment so many times that despite the new layer of complexity to their relationship, it was so ordinary and comforting. Like they were simply hanging out in Blaines kitchen like they always did.

It made it easier when Blaine asked about his day as he filled the vase with water, as if Kurt had come over after work as usual.

They chatted until Blaines flowers were in their water and placed on the kitchen table. Then Blaine raised an inquiring eyebrow, and Kurt said, "Shall we?"

They strolled towards the restaurant without hurry, and Kurt was pleased to note that  the conversation flowed as smoothly as it always did, despite the newness of the atmosphere surrounding them. Kurt was overly conscious of the space between their hands as they walked side by side, but tried to ignore it. 

When they arrived at the restaurant, Kurt gave his name to the hostess for their reservation and she gestured for them to follow her.

When they were seated, Blaine picked up his menu and began looking through the options. Kurt suddenly felt slightly nervous at the formality of the situation, and briefly entertained the idea that he should have picked an extreme date idea. One that a man half way through his second trimester of pregnancy could participate in, of course, but something that would give him an excuse for the adrenaline running through his body.

He mimicked Blaines actions, and skimmed through his own menu.

The silence was broken by a waitress who took their drink orders before leaving them again.

"Its weird," Blaine said, after a moment. "By now we should have started on the typical first date conversation, but you already know so much about me."

"Yeah," Kurt agreed. "What do you do for a living? and then, ‘Where are you from?"

"And if youre lucky," Blaine added, grinning now, "They have enough to say on that to get you through dinner. Then if it goes well, during dessert you can ask the oh, so important, ‘What are your aspirations for the future?"

Kurt let out a snort. "Thats a much better way of phrasing it. One time I got, ‘So, where do you see yourself in ten years? I felt like I was at a job interview."

Blaine laughed, and shook his head. "Maybe its better we got that out of the way before now. Now we can get to know each other in different ways."

"Like how?" Kurt asked, tilting his head.

Blaine thought for just a second before asking, "Favorite color?"

"Purple," Kurt answered, catching on immediately.

"Green," Blaine said.

"Favorite flavor ice cream?" Kurt asked.

"Before I got pregnant it was strawberry, but now I only want chocolate cookie. You?"

"Salted caramel, unless its a bad day and then I eat a whole tub of plain chocolate."

"Favorite breed of dog?" Blaine asked, but Kurt started laughing, breaking their pace.

"No ones ever asked me that before; I dont know."

Blaine looked outraged. "No, Kurt, you need to have a favorite type of dog! You can tell a lot about a person by what type of dogs they like!"

"What about cat people?" Kurt asked delicately.

"Kuuurt. Play the game."

"Okay," Kurt thought for a moment and then said, "A spaniel, like Lady from Lady and the Tramp. Very sophisticated. You?"

Blaine responded immediately, "Any dog as long as I can get a dog."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "If you want a dog, why dont you get one?"

"Connor was allergic, and Im worried about a new dog around the baby. Maybe when he gets a bit older, and I get a place with more space." Blaine looked wistful, and Kurt couldnt help the smile that took over his face.

They were interrupted by their waitress coming to take their orders, but the conversation rolled on immediately after her departure.

During dessert, Blaine asked, with a curious expression on his face, "Do you actually know my aspirations for the future?"  

Kurt dropped his fork, and ticked off on his fingers, "Start a music program for your students, learn to bake cheesecake, be a great dad," after a moment he added, "Get a dog."

Blaine looked dazed for a moment, but then returned to his dessert with a small smile on his face.

As they walked back towards their apartment, Kurt didnt hesitate and laced his fingers through Blaines and, with a soft smile when Blaine caught his eye, he gave it a squeeze. When they reached the hallway between their apartments, Blaine gave him a look.

"Do you want to do the traditional goodnight now? Because its actually quite early, and youre normally over much later than this anyway. So... come in?"

Kurt gave a laugh and said, "Yes, that sounds better."

Blaine unlocked the door and added, "I wasnt really ready for this to end just yet."

Kurt felt as if he could run a marathon.

Blaine offered to make them both something to drink, but before Kurt could take his usual seat at the kitchen table, Blaine was ushering him into the living room to pick out a movie that they could watch.

He picked out a random romantic comedy, and put it on while he waited, the starting menu playing on a loop. His nerves returned a bit as he sat on the couch, and when Blaine joined him he was happy for the distraction of the movie.

Blaine reached out a few minutes into the movie and took Kurts hand in his, and though their eyes never left the screen, Blaines thumb traced faint patterns on the back of Kurts hand. Kurts heart was pounding all the while.

When the movie ended, Blaine walked Kurt to the door, their hands still intertwined. Kurt was too distracted to think of anything besides how happy he felt at that moment, but apparently Blaine was not, because he said, "When I woke up this morning I really had no idea that this would happen. That we would end up here." He was grinning as he said it, and Kurt had to suppress a laugh as he added, "Me neither."

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Blaine asked as he opened the door.

"Coming over?" Kurt answered, and he was sure that Blaine knew he would anyway. They had been spending their weekends together for a while now regardless.

Blaine smiled, and then he was saying, "Goodnight, Kurt."

Kurt tilted his head down, bringing his free hand to cup Blaines cheek and pressed their lips together. He intended it to be a quick goodnight kiss, but Blaine sighed into the pressure, his lips parted, and Kurt took that as an invitation to deepen their kiss.

He could feel electricity running through his veins, the skin of his lips somehow more sensitive than they ever were before and when they pulled apart, Kurt could feel a flush on his cheeks.

He took a steadying breath and said, "Goodnight, Blaine."

When he reached his own apartment, he did not even attempt to stop the huge smile that covered his face.