'Coming ... coming ...' He sang out with frustration as the intercom buzzed again. He took a deep breath and tried to smile. 'Yeeeeesssss?'

'Special delivery for Mister Hummel.' Blaine's unmistakably cute voice announced, and Kurt's stomach flipped excitedly, instantly easing the tension he'd been feeling.

'Ooooh, goody. Come on up.' He purred into the speaker and pressed the door release. Looking around the room, he felt pleased with how everything looked. The lighting was soft, the table was elegantly set for dinner, and the aromatherapy candles he had lit earlier were filling the apartment with the delicate scent of winter jasmine, his very favourite flower. The kitchen was obviously a disaster area, but he hoped that his guest would look past that and simply be grateful for how hard he'd worked on their meal.

A gentle knock jolted Kurt out of his little room-appraising trance, and he brushed his hands down his apron, taking a couple of deep breaths before opening the door. And then all he could do was grin.

Blaine was standing in the hallway with his hands behind his back and a guitar case leaning against the wall beside him. He was wearing his trusty leather jacket zipped right up to the neck, a pair of slim-fitting dark green stonewashed jeans, brown canvas lace-ups and the sweetest smile Kurt had ever seen. It took all of the strength Kurt had in him not to throw himself at Blaine and shower him with kisses.

'Hey.' Blaine said, his eyes lighting up when they met with Kurt's. He still looked a little tired and drawn, but there was no mistaking the beautiful, animated face and soft shiny curls that filled Kurt with such adulation. Kurt couldn't help himself, and threw his arms around Blaine in a wordless, needy hug, burying his face into his neck and almost knocking the smaller man over as he did so. Blaine kept his hands behind his back and laughed as Kurt pulled away.

'Oh, shit!' Kurt exclaimed looking down at Blaine, his entire front now covered in flour. Even his cheek was caked in the stuff, so Kurt couldn't even bear to think what his own face must look like. Blaine let out a hysterical laugh and brushed himself off a little, revealing a small, shiny gift bag which he'd been hiding behind his back. Kurt couldn't help but stare at it for a moment before bringing himself back to the present.

'Oh god, Blaine - it's all over your face.'

'Hey, hey ... calm down. I don't mind a little mess if you don't.' He grinned, stepping forward and reaching out a floury hand to Kurt's cheek. He leaned in and placed a soft, slow, gentle kiss on Kurt's lips.

'Missed you.' Kurt muttered instinctively.

'But not with the flour, evidently.' Blaine laughed, brushing himself off a little more. Kurt paled a little and Blaine shoved his shoulder playfully, letting him know that he was kidding as ever.

'Hey, I've got something for you.' Blaine grinned, holding up the gift bag again and gesturing with his eyes for Kurt to take it.

'What for?' Kurt whined, flustered but undeniably touched by the thoughtfulness of his lovely friend.

'Just because. Consider it a 'thank you' for whatever magical feast you're preparing for us tonight.'

'Well, you shouldn't have - especially if the magical feast turns out to be as much of a disaster as most of the prep work has been.' Kurt shrugged and took the bag with a shy smile, looking around Blaine to his guitar case. 'Is that for me too?'

'Not exactly ... but I figured since you were providing the food, I could perhaps supply the entertainment.'

'Ah. I like this idea.' Kurt raised his eyebrows and nodded. Blaine picked up the guitar case and smiled back, rocking gently on his heels expectantly. Kurt suddenly realised why.

'Oh, god - come in, please!' He cried, holding the door wide and taking in a deep lungful of Blaine's heavenly scent as he passed him and entered the room.

Blaine set his guitar case down beside the couch and span around slowly, taking in the whole room. 'I didn't think this place could get any better, but it seems I was wrong.'

'Why, thank you.' Kurt said and gave a little curtsy. 'Not too sure about this part though.' He gestured to the kitchen countertops and frowned.

'Hey, you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. And whatever you're making, it smells unbelievable.'

'Hmmmm. Well, we'll see. It may be a little later than originally planned though ... you're not too starved are you?'

'Nah. I had a Reese's peanut butter cup at around four, so I'm good.'

'Blaine Anderson. You need to be eating better stuff than that ... stuff.'

'Hey, they're the best! And don't worry - I had soup for lunch ... and cereal for breakfast. And it was fibrous ... and somewhat fruity.'

Kurt grinned again. 'Well, good. Just - try to eat more of that, is all.'

'Yes, boss.'

Another lengthy, motionless stare passed between the two men.

'How're you feeling?' Kurt asked, breaking the silence and turning to tend to the stove, hoping to calm his quickening pulse in doing so.

'A little better, thanks. Sorry again that we couldn't go out somewhere.'

'Hey, I'm a homebody. Outside is highly overrated in my opinion.'

'Haha. Well, you can't blame me for wanting to show you off to the world.'

Kurt blushed as he stirred the sauce for his pasta dish. He could hear Blaine's footsteps crossing the room towards him. He span around, spoon in hand.' So, can I get you a ... shit!' The spoon smacked noisily into Blaine's chest, leaving a trail of tomato sauce in its wake.

Blaine burst out laughing as Kurt frantically handed him a cloth from the sink. 'Wow - you really didn't like my choice of outfit tonight, did you?'

Kurt realised that he hadn't actually seen what Blaine was wearing under his jacket until now, and what he saw made him want to cry. Blaine's lovely, taupe-coloured linen shirt was now emblazened with a very messy red stain across the left breast pocket.

'Jesus. I'm such an idiot.' Kurt raced to the sink and fumbled for a rag to give to Blaine.

'Hey, don't do that. It happens.' Blaine said, taking the rag and watching Kurt's shoulders slump, a crestfallen look on his face. Blaine ran his fingers under Kurt's chin and lifted it gently to meet his gaze. 'I really don't care about the shirt ... Kurt.' He scrunched up his face, and and was rewarded with a gentle laugh.

'Would you like a drink?' Kurt breathed, trying not to drown in the pools of Blaine's eyes.

'Love one.' Blaine smiled and began dabbing at the stain resting over his left pec. Kurt tried to get the image of assisting Blaine by cleaning it off with his tongue out of his head as quickly as it had arrived there.

'Wine OK?'

'Perfect.'

Kurt crossed to the fridge and produced a bottle of cabernet sauvignon, opening it and filling the two wine glasses already set out on the table. He handed one of them to Blaine and took hold of the other. 'Cheers, m'dear.'

'Salute.'

Oh, that's it Blaine. Start speaking Italian and kill me before I've even served the food.

Blaine smiled, and clinked his glass against Kurt's before taking a large swallow of the pale golden liquid. 'Oooh - good wine.'

'Yeah. It's my favourite.'

'Ah, your taste knows no bounds, Mister Hummel.'

Kurt smiled shyly again and moved back to the stove, plunging his homemade ravioli pieces into a pan of now-boiling water. 'Dinner won't be long now.'

'Cool. I'll just go wash my hands.'

Kurt watched Blaine slip to the bathroom, admiring the rear view as he walked away. He looked across as a flash of silver caught his eye on the counter, and realised that he was yet to open the gift bag that Blaine had given him. He decided to do that now while he was alone, just in case whatever he found inside made him cringe, or burst into tears or something.

Kurt untaped the top of the bag and pulled out a small, square parcel of blue tissue paper. The parcel was slightly heavy in his hands, and he delicately unwrapped the paper with shaky fingers, finally revealing Blaine's thoughtful gift. Kurt stared down at his hand with his mouth open.

'You like it?'

Kurt almost jumped out of his skin, and fumbled to keep the gift in his hand. He clutched it to his chest, glancing up at Blaine for a second and then quickly looking away. 'My god, you scared the crap out of me!'

'Haha - sorry.' Blaine began to cross the room. 'Listen, the gift isn't much, and you absolutely don't have to wear it, or use it ... or even like it for that matter ...'

'Blaine.' Kurt interrupted. 'I love it.'

Kurt sighed down at his hand again. Laid amongst the pretty blue tissue paper was a small silver brooch in the shape of a songbird - it was vintage in design, and the delicate markings which had been carved into the metal caught the light as Kurt gently turned it around in his hand.

'I saw that you have some really ornate pins and stuff on your messenger bag, and I kind-of thought this would be a nice addition. Or not - totally up to you.' Blaine was now directly in front of Kurt again, just inches away with a big old watery stain on his shirt and his hands in his pockets, and he joined Kurt in staring down at the brooch. 'I've had it for a quite a while, and I've been looking for a reason to make use of it. I guess I just thought you might like it.' He said modestly.

Kurt breath hitched in his throat and he gave a demure smile, a single tear falling down his cheek.

'Oh, Kurt.' Blaine frowned, wrapping his arms around Kurt and giving his a gentle squeeze. He rubbed his back and Kurt let out a faint sob on his shoulder. 'I didn't mean to make you cry.' He whispered.

'I know. I just ... I don't think I've ever been given such a thoughtful gift before.' Kurt gulped and pulled out of the hug to look into Blaine's eyes again. 'Thank you.' He breathed, almost inaudibly.

'Well, you're welcome. I'm glad you like it.' Blaine reached up and wiped Kurt's tear-stained cheek with his thumb. Kurt's felt his heart begin to race and he parted his lips, his chest rising and falling against Blaine's arm. Blaine's eyes drifted down to Kurt's mouth and he ran his thumb lightly over Kurt's lips, feeling his hot breath against his skin before laying his hand on Kurt's chest. 'Your heart's going crazy.'

'Tell me about it.' Kurt gasped, and before he knew what he was doing, his hand had reached around to the back of Blaine's head, pulling him into a passionate clinch. His entire body tingled as he raked his fingers through the soft curls on Blaine's neck, his lips buzzing gently as Blaine gave a tiny moan against them. Their mouths moved together in easy, carefree harmony as they soaked up the warmth and comfort of the other's caress; Blaine's hand clutched against Kurt's chest, and Kurt's slung around Blaine's neck, still holding tightly to his pretty new pin.

Kurt pulled away for a second and rested his head on Blaine's shoulder. 'Where did you learn to kiss like that?' He asked breathlessly. Blaine responded with a tender nuzzle to his neck which sent a ripple of excitement to the pit of his stomach.

'Finn taught me.' He mumbled, the hint of a smirk in his voice.

Kurt pulled away with an exaggerated frown, shoving Blaine's chest playfully with his one empty hand. He grabbed for the material as it threatened to move out of reach and dragged Blaine back towards him. 'He did not.' He whispered.

'Nah.' Blaine smirked again, hovering just a fraction from Kurt's delicate mouth and narrowing his eyes. 'I taught him.'

Kurt giggled and eased into another needy kiss, glad of the countertop behind him to steady his shaking legs. He'd forgotten how amazing it felt to be unashamedly romantic with someone he truly cared about, and he didn't want this moment to end. And that's when Blaine's mouth pulled away.

'Do you smell burning, Kurt?'

'Oh, FUCK! The garlic bread!'

***