The hope turned into crippling fear of Burt's possible reaction when they turned back into the driveway, still holding hands and giggling every other step as soon as they made eye contact. They probably looked really silly right now but Blaine couldn't care less with the way his heart raced and butterflies swarmed into every last part of his body whenever he gazed over at his boyfriend. The word alone made warmth curl in his chest and rise to his cheeks, not to mention the effect the sentiment behind it had on him. If it hadn't been for Burt very likely waiting for their return and watching the driveway through the kitchen windows with hawk eyes, Blaine could have pulled Kurt back into his arms and danced through his garden with him for hours, riding on the high this weekend had given him so far.

Sensing his anxiety, Kurt tightened his hold on Blaine's hand as they got to the porch (where Burt couldn't really watch them thanks to the - for him - unfortunate angle), resting his head on Blaine's shoulder and looking up at him through his eyelashes.

"Relax a bit, Blaine. Dad likes you, he won't kill you for making it official. I think he might even prefer it that way, given what he walked in on earlier," Kurt teased, a sly smirk on his face that made Blaine want to pull him into another kiss. He loved it when Kurt was being sarcastic or snarky or a tease around him in that playful way because that meant he wasn't putting on a mask to please anyone but was just being himself. The wonderful, amazing boy bitching about people dressing tastelessly who sometimes was quite judgemental but always gave people a second chance. The boy Blaine had fallen madly in love with, who had purred his way right into his heart.

"You're amazing," Blaine breathed, holding onto Kurt's hand and giving him an adoring look. ‘I love you, so much' was what he really wanted to say in that moment but he figured that would be a bit early. He'd already broken his own rules with practically every move he'd made ever since he'd entered the Hummel household for a supposedly harmless and just friendly Friday night dinner. Not that he minded the outcome in the least, he'd known that he wouldn't be able to keep the necessary distance to the line that divided ‘platonic' from ‘boyfriends' for much longer, anyway. He'd crossed it by way more than a hair's breadth often enough in the past weeks. But he had also meant it when he'd said he wanted to know all about Kurt without restrictions and Blaine was pretty sure he was far, far away from knowing all or even very much about Kurt Hummel after only a month.

Squirming a little under the praise, Kurt just blushed and smiled back, unable to completely keep the preening out of his expression. "Thanks," he whispered, his free hand coming up to pull one of Blaine's wild curls in front of his eyes, watching it spring back with a delighted giggle. "You're not half bad yourself."

Laughing, Blaine shoved him playfully before pulling him back into his arms, pressing a quick peck to his cheek before nuzzling there. "Blaine, your hair! That tickles!" Kurt positively shrieked with laughter, trying to squirm his way out of Blaine's hold.

"You wanted the Afro, you get the Afro!" Blaine laughed, not letting go and nuzzling further until Kurt giggled breathlessly into his ear, his laugh sounding more and more like a hyperventilating dolphin as he ran out of oxygen and his stomach started to hurt with it. Blaine could even feel a few tears of mirth catching in his curls. Kurt kept trying to twist away from Blaine and when his movements got too jerky, Blaine simply lifted him off of the porch. "Blaine!" Kurt squeaked when his feet left the ground, his arms instinctively coming up around Blaine's neck to keep from being dropped. "Blaine, let me down!"

"Never!" Blaine cried with a laugh, tightening his hold around Kurt's waist and twirling him around. He almost stumbled over his own feet, exhausted from his own laughter and Kurt's additional weight, but caught himself just in time. In a moment of shock Kurt had wrapped his legs around Blaine's waist, ears flat to his head and tail flicking, his sharp little nails digging into Blaine's neck where they had pushed his scarf aside in a desperate attempt to keep from falling.

"Blaine Anderson!" he hissed, baring his teeth and narrowing his eyes at him. "Never, I repeat, neverdo that again!"

"Okay," Blaine smiled up at him, catching his breath and raising one of his hands up to Kurt's ear, gently stroking it with his fingertips until it wasn't lying flat to his head anymore. "I promise I won't ever let you fall."

Kurt grumbled in reply, but he still leaned into the touch and started purring ever so faintly. "How am I supposed to stay angry with you when you resort to dirty means?"

"Like scratching your ears?" Blaine smirked, deliberately scratching his nails over where Kurt's ear met his scalp a few times before letting his hand trail down to catch the last few tears of laughter just starting to freeze on Kurt's cheek.

"Like scratching my ears," Kurt confirmed breathlessly and before either of them had time to realize what was about to happen, their lips already met in a sweet kiss. Blaine got so lost in the feeling of Kurt's lips moving against his that he didn't even notice what Kurt was doing until he pulled away with a smirk on his face, letting another curl spring in front of his face with a giggle.

"You just enjoy playing with the curls, don't you," he whined, unable to suppress a grin. The way Kurt's face lit up when he started playing with them like a kitten was way too adorable to focus on his embarrassment over the bush on top of his head. Kurt hummed his agreement, already gently tugging at another curl.

They didn't notice Burt standing in the doorway until they got too cold to stay outside any longer and Kurt was finally back on his own two feet.

"Dad!" Kurt cried out, blushing bright red and stumbling back into Blaine as he caught sight of his father. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," Burt laughed, pulling his hands out of his pockets. "So I guess you decided to make it official now?" Within seconds, Kurt's face went from mortified to the biggest possible grin, eyes sparkling with excitement. Grabbing Blaine's hand, he pulled him over to Burt.

"Dad, meet my boyfriend, Blaine Devon Anderson," he preened and Blaine just blushed, giving him an adoring look while half-rolling his eyes at him.

"I believe we've met," Burt chuckled, stepping aside to let them in.

And apart from that not much else was said about that development in their relationship. It was as if Burt had expected nothing else from the moment Blaine had stepped through his door (and well, who wouldn't have, in all honesty). So they just made themselves comfortable in the living room for a bit before Kurt jumped up to get started on lunch. This time Burt and Blaine followed him into the kitchen, every now and then getting assigned tasks like cutting or peeling vegetables while keeping up conversation just as they had done over dinner the night before. Blaine felt actually pretty much at home and not half as awkward as he would have expected. It wasn't until they were halfway through lunch that Burt even mentioned anything concerning their brand-new relationship.

"So, did you have anything planned for the rest of the weekend?" he asked, munching a bite of pasta.

"Dad, don't talk while you eat," Kurt admonished, turning to Blaine with a questioning look. "We didn't really plan anything just yet. What do you say to watching a movie? We're far too well-dressed to just sit around at home all day and it could be our first official date!"

Blaine smiled at Kurt's enthusiasm. "Of course. Anything you want." They shared a look that might have lasted a bit longer than intended since neither of them managed to look away until Burt cleared his throat rather loudly and, smirking, reminded them that there was lunch on the table that would eventually get cold if they didn't eat it.

The rest of the afternoon passed rather quickly, the both of them just lying on Kurt's bed (door open, of course) and talking about everything and nothing at the same time, giggling and cuddling and mock-arguing about whether they should watch a rom-com, no matter how clichéd that would be, or rather something else just to break the first date stereotype.

"Actually," Kurt said, inching even closer to Blaine and looking at him bashfully. "I want to see a horror film. I know it's not much less of a cliché but it would be nice to go see one with someone other than my dad for a change."

"What, so you can cuddle into my shoulder?" Blaine chuckled. "Because I have to warn you, that might end backfiring. I'll probably be the one to hide my face in your shoulder."

"Good," Kurt smirked. "I don't get scared easily. I'm sure I can be strong for both of us."

"Hm, I think I can live with that option," Blaine hummed, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, deliberately brushing the soft fur there with his fingertips. "Did you have anything in particular in mind?"

"Yes," Kurt said, arching into the touch and purring faintly. "I've been dying to watch Paranormal Activity 4 but it's been a bit difficult to convince Dad to go into that one after the first three and watching it alone probably isn't the best idea."

"Of course, sure," Blaine murmured, somehow keeping his voice steady and only swallowing hard when Kurt closed his eyes and leaned even further into his hand where it was by now scratching his ear. "Anything you want."

Kurt practically jumped up and down the bed in excitement and that was how Blaine ended up in front of the local movie theater two hours later with his hands stuffed in his pockets, trying not to let his anxiety show as Kurt excitedly bounced towards the entrance next to him.

"Oh, this is going to be so good," he grinned, practically dancing around Blaine as they finally made it inside where at least the lighting was decidedly better than in the pitch-black parking lot. Blaine was faintly asking himself whether he'd survive crossing it once they'd emerge from the movie.

It wasn't until they had their tickets in hand - Blaine trying desperately to hide how sweaty his palms were with the mere thought that there was no backing out now - and Kurt offered to go get the popcorn that Blaine noticed that this was their first real date and he'd come without flowers. The only thing he'd done so far was pay for the tickets but now Kurt would be paying for the popcorn and as much as he wanted them to be equals Blaine felt like he should do something to make the evening more special. Especially since he'd probably have a nervous breakdown in less than an hour, anyway. Looking around he was thankfully struck with an idea.

Less than five minutes later, Kurt turned around from where he'd just received their bag of popcorn and their drinks to almost walk into Blaine holding out a plush toy rose in a really obnoxious pink color. Kurt's breath hitched in his throat as he looked up from it to Blaine's face, hazel eyes wide and sincere.

"I noticed I didn't really buy you flowers and I think that's something a first date should have, so, um, well... Here." Blaine blushed bright scarlet, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.

"Well," Kurt smiled, eyes a bit wet at the sweet gesture. "I would love to take your atrociously colored sweet gift but my arms are sort of stuffed."

Blaine hurried to take the drinks and the popcorn from him and Kurt thoughtfully turned the rose between his fingers, smiling down at it as they started to walk towards the right theater. "How did you even get this?"

"Oh, there was a grabber machine in the back," Blaine muttered, still looking a bit sheepish. "My older brother, Cooper, taught me how to work them so I'd always get what I want when we were on fairs and carnivals," he explained when Kurt just gave him an incredulous look.

"Oh well," Kurt mumbled. "Thank you."
"Anything for you." Blaine grinned at him and Kurt grinned back and they were still smiling dumbly to themselves when they settled into their seats, the popcorn placed between them and Kurt's head on Blaine's shoulder as they watched the audience stroll in. As the lights went out and Kurt cuddled even closer, the blue light from the screen reflecting beautifully in his eyes, Blaine thought that maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

Almost two hours later, Blaine reluctantly climbed down from where he'd been practically curled up on Kurt's lap for most of the movie with shaking limbs, thankful that the light was finally on again. Next to him, Kurt gathered their stuff together chuckling, trying not to look as if he was laughing at him. Blaine was pretty sure that thinking watching Paranormal Activity 4 - even when Kurt was with him - would under any circumstances be ‘not so bad' was the most naïve thing that had ever crossed his mind. He got creeped out watching Dracula, for goodness' sake, what did he expect?

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked him after he'd gotten rid of their trash. Blaine just shook his head no, not sure he was able to speak again just yet. "Poor honey," Kurt cooed, gently petting his curls and pulling him closer into his side. "Anything I can do?"

Blaine just cuddled even closer in lieu of a response, burying his head into Kurt's neck and basically more clinging to him than he was actually walking. The minute they left the well-lit foyer he started whimpering pitifully despite Kurt rubbing soothing circles into his back.

"Blaine," Kurt tried to shake him out of it. "Blaine, come on, you'll have to let go of me for a bit or we'll take even longer to get back to the car." Blaine just shook his head, burying himself even further into Kurt's side and tightening his hold on him, refusing to let go even the slightest bit.

"Oh well, fine," Kurt finally huffed, casting a quick glance around to check if anyone was watching them before he pressed Blaine up against the closest wall and started kissing him fiercely. Blaine's whimpers were soon enough shut up and he was responding eagerly, chasing Kurt's lips when he pulled away with a grin. "To give you something else to think about on the way," he winked, before pulling a still dazed Blaine with him to the car.

Being in the car seemed to help the situation a bit, though Blaine was still shaking and jumping in the air at every tiny little noise. Kurt kept talking to him about the latest issue of Vogue and how they should definitely do a genderbent version of Wicked someday so he could finally play Guylinda to keep him distracted and for the most part it seemed to work. He wasn't sure if it were the actual topics of conversation he'd chosen or just the sound of his voice but as soon as he stopped talking Blaine seemed to get more anxious again so he just kept going.

Even when they were back at Kurt's house Blaine still seemed haunted by the movie, merely offering Burt a shaky nod when he asked them how it went. Burt just grinned and let them occupy the couch again as he switched to some kind of sports channel Kurt couldn't care less about. He wasn't paying attention to the screen, anyway, as Blaine was back to sitting practically in his lap the second they sat down, still shivering occasionally. Kurt just kept petting him soothingly and let him listen to his heartbeat, the noise of the TV and Burt's occasional yelling washing over them.

Things weren't actually all that bad - until Blaine started falling asleep on Kurt and Burt insisted that they should go to bed. Which meant Blaine sleeping on the couch on his own and Kurt going upstairs. All pleading with his father didn't help their case.

"No exceptions, Kurt," Burt repeated sternly. "You're officially dating now - not that I'd have been over the moon about you two sleeping in one bed even if you weren't - and you know the rules in this house, Kurt. Your boyfriend is not sleeping in the same bed as you and that's that."

Thankfully, Blaine was already too out of it to hear any of it and Kurt was thanking his lucky stars that maybe he could get out of this without drama as Blaine was still half-asleep when he got the sheets and the pillows ready and took off his bowtie to prevent him from accidentally choking himself. Nothing happened when he stepped away from the couch and went upstairs to change in his pajamas. Everything was fine when he slipped under his own sheets, thoughts still with Blaine and feeling more than a little guilty that he'd dragged him into the movie. It just got complicated when someone shook him awake at three am, that someone being his ghostly pale boyfriend shaking with anxiety.

Kurt had to muffle a scream of his own into his pillows at being woken like that before he could focus on him.

"Blaine? What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry," Blaine murmured, still shaking like a leaf. "I woke up on the couch and I swear, I really tried to stay there but I just- I jump at every little noise and whenever I try to close my eyes I just see those- and I know your dad is probably going to be mad at us and I don't want you to get into trouble but I just can't sleep on my own tonight, Kurt. I really can't. I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's okay," Kurt whispered, hoping they wouldn't wake up his father because while Burt Hummel was anything but heartless he'd surely send Blaine back down to the couch if he caught them. Gently, he held his hand out for Blaine and pulled him on the bed once he'd taken it. "I'm here," he whispered into Blaine's hair, caressing his back and pressing a kiss to his head as he rocked them back and forth.

"Please, can I stay here? Just being close to you helps," Blaine mumbled into his shoulder, taking a deep breath as if he tried to inhale Kurt's scent until he'd never smell anything else ever again.

"Of course you can," Kurt assured him, pulling him even closer and holding up the sheets with his free hand so Blaine could slip under them with him. "I'm sorry I made you go into that movie with me, Blaine," he said when they were both comfortably curled around each other.

"It's not your fault," Blaine yawned, cuddling closer until he could put his ear to Kurt's chest and listen to his breathing and heartbeat. "I should have said something. I know I'm getting really paranoid after horror movies but that admittedly was a lot more emotionally scarring than I expected."

"Sorry," Kurt chuckled, burying his nose in Blaine's curls, his tail curling around them and gently flicking against Blaine's waist until he hummed contently into Kurt's skin. "I probably should have warned you about that when you sort of said you weren't the greatest with them."

"It's okay," Blaine mumbled, already half asleep again. "I was with you and it made you happy so I'm all good."

Kurt smiled down at him, inching even closer and slowly drifting off to sleep as well with a warm, needy Blaine in his arms.