CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8

KURT

Five days into our official relationship, I had decided that Blaine was the sweetest man on the face of the planet.

After the party on Saturday, I dropped him off at his apartment – not without a fairly public make out session on his front stoop – and walked home. I probably should have taken a cab given the time of night and the fact that my apartment wasn't exactly close to his, but I had too much pent up energy to just sit idly in the back of a cab.

I, Kurt Hummel, had aboyfriend.Blainewas my boyfriend.

Okay, boyfriend seemed like a somewhat juvenile term given that I was 26-years-old, but what else should I call him?

I spent most of the walk back to my apartment that night practically radiating with happiness and by the time I made it home, Wes was on his way out and asked why I looked like I had been "puking rainbows" – his way of describing my probable lovesick expression.

Thankfully I didn't have to really answer his question since he was on his way out – on a date with Lauren, which I had learned of on Friday when Lauren and I partook in our Friday night post-show dinner ritual at the diner. I had gone to sleep that night with a smile on my face and a text from my boyfriend in my inbox.

I had planned on spending Sunday after the show running errands and parking myself in front of my TV, but when Blaine texted to ask what I was up to, I didn't want to turn down the chance to spend time with him. He and I ended up seeing a movie, a romantic comedy, and spent the entire time holding hands and laughing along with the shenanigans of the movie. We snuck kisses every now and then, but it didn't evolve past a simple smooch. Though we had made out a couple of times by now, we weren't teenagers who needed to spend $15 a piece in order to make out in the dark.

The rest of Sunday had been somewhat uneventful in terms of what most people would determine to be exciting, but I was happy to spend so much time with Blaine. After the movie we went out for coffee that turned into going out to dinner that turned into grabbing frozen yogurt together. Even though it was nearly freezing outside due to the early November frost that seemed to envelop New York, I didn't care that we had gotten froyo – I didn't want to relinquish my time with Blaine.

By the time we said goodbye that night, we made promises of at least one lunch date this week with plans to spend the day together again next Sunday. He'd joked about it becoming our routine to spend time together on Sundays after the matinee at my work, but I liked having this kind of routine with him.

Now it was Thursday and I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so incredibly happy for so many consecutive days. It seemed like Blaine turned me into a puddle of goo at every possible opportunity; sending me sweet texts, emailing things that made him think of me. It was nice and I appreciated the fact that he thought of me during his day. He took the time to make me feel appreciated and thought after – it was a sweetness I hadn't had before and I soaked it up like a sponge.

And I knew this week was going to be stressful for him. He said during our time on Sunday that he was going to start having time in the studio with the band he'd signed starting on Wednesday. I knew he was excited at the thought of going into the studio with the band – he'd admitted it himself – but I knew a lot rode on this band for him. Professionally, it could open doors for him and he could be a producer – a dream he'd had since he was in high school. Personally, he wanted to prove to himself that he could do it; he could help a band become chart toppers.

Even though I wasn't very familiar with the whole recording process, I knew it was a big deal for him. The timing wasn't great since we had just started spending more time together exclusively and he had to work a lot more hours, but I understood. Sometimes you can only plan for so much in life.

I wasn't surprised when the texts and emails had lessened in frequency yesterday and today, but he still made an effort and I still loved it.

"Yo, Hummel," a voice beckoned. I was getting ready for the evening show at work and apparently had been in a different headspace as Lauren was now impatiently looking at me from where she stood just outside of the changing area on the side stage.

"Oh, sorry Lauren, I wasn't paying attention."

She rolled her eyes. "Obviously. I haven't been able to talk to you much this week – how've you been?"

"Good," I replied noncommittally as I took the steamer to some of the costumes that needed a few wrinkles taken out.

"Uh huh," she said, clearly implying more than I was letting go. I laughed. "I know something happened with you and Blaine because Wes said that you haven't been around the apartment much or you're constantly on the phone when you are home."

I looked at her in panic. "Please tell me you didn't talk to him about Blaine."

She shook her head. "Of course not. You asked me not to talk to him about it – not that I understand why – but I am a woman of my word." I eased once she admitted that she hadn't spoken to my roommate about my boyfriend. "But you do realize that you'll have to talk to him about Blaine at some point, right? The fact that he keeps mentioning it to me means that it's bothering him a lot."

"I'm sure he's only saying that because you have an inside with me."

She shrugged. "Maybe. But I think some of it is that he thinks that you're hiding something – or, rather, someone – from him. I'm not trying to pressure you or anything, but is there a reason that you don't want to talk to Wes about Blaine?"

I sighed. "Sort of." I paused, not wanting to go into detail about my entire dating history since that conversation didn't need to be had so soon before we both had to be on our A-game for work. "Long story short, Wes has seen me pick some real duds in my life when it came to guys I dated. Because of my string of Mr. Wrongs, Wes has taken on some sort of protector role and constantly scrutinizes every guy I've been interested in; badgering me with questions about the guy, one time he even asked if he wanted to run a background and credit check on this guy I admitted I had a crush on. I'm just afraid that he's going to do the same with Blaine."

"I don't see why him being protective of you is a bad thing," she admitted.

"It's not really that he's protective. I mean it is weird because he has no need to bethatinvolved in my love life. But it's more that by having him asking all of these questions and second-guessing the guys I date, it makes me do the same. It makes me paranoid that there's something inherently wrong with the guys, so I break up with them. I mean, usually thereissomething wrong with them - there has been every time so far. But that realization makes me think there's something wrong withmebecause I keep picking guys who aren't winners."

She stood, seeming like she was in thought, as I continued to steam the costumes on their hangers. "Do you think Blaine is a winner?"

"Yes? I mean, I think so. He's really nice, quite gentlemanly and very sweet and kind."

"Then why does it matter what Wes thinks?" she questions.

I sigh. "I don't know. I think it's just because he hasn't been wrong so far. Wes can read people like no one I've ever met. Perhaps it's why he'll make a great lawyer." She laughs a little, causing me to pull from my thoughts. "What?" I ask.

"You're kind of already dooming Blaine from the start. As someone who has met and is sort of friends with the guy, I can tell you that he's cut from a good crop. And the way he's been treating you so far – I mean, we all saw that cute basket he sent you," she added, making me blush. "He's different, Kurt. And the biggest thing about all of it is thatyou'redifferent, too. Honestly I don't think he'll have any issues with Blaine; Blaine is a great guy and you know my bullshit reader is better than most."

I laughed. It's true; Lauren also has an amazing ability to read people – minus the fact that she didn't realize that Blaine was gay. She may not have a great gaydar, but she does know how to tell whether or not someone is a good person.

"But I also think you need to trust yourself more. You've seen the type of guy you don't want and I'm assuming Blaine fits into the category of the type of guy you do want." I nod in agreement as she continues. "More than proving to Wes that Blaine is worthy, just remember that you think he's worthy too. If he wasn't, you probably wouldn't be acting the way you have been for the past few weeks."

I chuckled. Lauren was one of the few people I felt comfortable around and letting my guard down, but I didn't realize I'd let it down so much that I started acting differently around her since I started dating Blaine. "I guess I have been acting a bit strange lately, huh?"

"Understatement of the century! You walk around here like you're in a haze... it's certainly a change from how you were in high school." I tense as she broaches the subject, but soften at her touch on my shoulder. "Your judgment is great, Kurt. And if Wes gives you any problems, just tell him to come see me," she said with a wink.

I laughed. "Yes, because sending Wes your way is justsoawful."

She nudged me lightly with a smirk. "Whatever."

"Oh just say it," I goaded. "You like Wesley Montgomery! And you want to kiiiiiiiiiiss him and huuuuuuuuuuug him..."

"Don't you dare!" Lauren stated, trying to sound annoyed but failing miserably due to the telling smile on her face. "I'll tell Wes!"

"No you won't," I countered. "But don't worry, you don't have to worry about me giving Wes any form of approval on you – not that he asked anyway."

She chuckled. "Well it's because he knows I'm the shit, he doesn't need you to agree with him."

"So modest," I noted.

She laughed a bit more before slipping into a slightly more serious tone. "Whenever you do decide to give Wes full access to your lover boy, maybe we can set up a double date or something. It could be fun."

I looked at her, brow quirked with curiosity. "A double date? Are you and Wes moving into that kind of territory that you're willing to be seen with other couples?"

She blushed and held a small smile, as if a secret was behind her lips. "Yeah."

"Well, you and Mr. Montgomery shall be the first to know," I decided.

She beamed. "It'll be so fun!"

"I hardly consider any date with Wes fun, but whatever."

"You know you like him," she joked.

"That I do," I concurred. "But so do you."

I don't wait for her reply – the flushing of her cheeks and the way she slips out of the dressing area says enough; she's smitten with my roommate. And I couldn't be happier for her.

BLAINE

"One more time, Zach," I said through the microphone in the mixing booth to Zach in the recording room. "This time, can you try to lessen the vibrato at the end of the sentence? It makes you lose the power of the note. If you held it steady, you might be able to hold it longer."

"Sure thing," Zach spoke into the microphone. As the playback comes through the speakers in the booth as well as the headphones on Zach's ears, I sat back and sighed.

This workweek had been crazy due to the work we had started in the studio, but I could hardly tell. I had spent most of the past few days thinking about Kurt and texting myboyfriendevery chance I could.

I was afraid that it would come off too strong since I wanted to make sure to talk to him in some form at least once a day, but I got the unofficial green light when Kurt started replying to each text and sometimes even initiating conversations on his own.

One thing I had discovered since Kurt became my boyfriend was how great he was at offering encouragement. He had known that this week would be stressful for me, but he had gone out of his way to ask about how his 'celebrity record producer boyfriend' was doing now that he was recording and I couldn't help but beam at his compliment – both for thinking so highly of me and for seeming proud that I was his boyfriend.

He would call me every night on his way home from work, admitting that he had decided to walk rather than take the subway but wanted company for his journey. I knew the walk took him more than twice as long as the subway ride, but I wasn't going to complain about the fact that I was getting one-on-one phone time with Kurt.

Our conversations were usually about our work and what we'd been up to that day or something else somewhat mundane. But it never felt boring; it just felt comfortable. We would usually continue our talk until he had made it safely into his apartment where we'd then say our goodbyes, but I found myself spending time before bed each night thinking about Kurt.

Was it crazy to think about him as much as I did? Maybe. But the little indications that Kurt had shared showed that he was probably thinking about me, too.

During our phone call last night, Kurt had talked about a New Year's party he'd been invited to last year while he was still on tour with the touring company of Bring It On! in LA and wondered if they did something similar with the New York cast. He had said, "if they do, I'll have to let you know. We'll need to plan our outfits accordingly."

We.

Kurt had used 'we' in a context for an event in the future – and not even the near future! Sure, New Year's was only two months away, but he was giving us a future of some kind. I couldn't help but cling to that small hope that Kurt had thought about a future with me and I just ran with it.

Which consequently meant that all day today, I was thinking of things we could do together over the coming months; Christmas shopping together for our respective families, Valentine's Day dinner dates, summer vacations planned together.

Yes, the things I was considering were much further in the future, but that didn't mean that we couldn't still be together by then. I certainly wanted to be.

"How was that?" Zach asked once the track had cut off.

"Oh, uh, let me play it back," I uttered quickly, trying not to let Zach know that I hadn't been paying attention to my work. Clearly this was not the way to get a promotion.

Satisfied with the recording, I sent Zach a thumbs up. "Sounds great. I think we'll wrap for today now that it's nearly 8. I'll see you and the rest of the guys tomorrow at 11."

"Cool," he said taking off the headphones. I messed around with the levels as I replayed the initial recording of one of the songs I wanted Jeremy to consider for the album, but soon heard the slight smack of the soundproofed door from the recording booth open and close.

"What're you up to for the rest of the night? Me and some of the guys were going to grab a bite if you're interested," he said.

I shook my head. "Thanks, but I can't tonight. Maybe next time."

"Sure thing," he said as he grabbed his backpack off the lounge chair by the door. "See ya tomorrow," he said.

"Later," I replied as he sent me a small wave and left the booth. With Jeremy coming in on Monday to listen to the demos for the tracks we wanted to have included on the album, I wanted to make sure they were just right. Well, as best as I could anyway.

I didn't have much experience behind the soundboard, but I had learned enough to record a decent sample of the songs the guys wanted to record and had solicited the help of one of my friends at the recording studio to help show me the ropes. Jeremy would teach me more once he came in, but I wanted to have at least a basic grasp of the board before he got here so I wouldn't be floundering.

"Knock, knock," I heard a voice say at the doorway. I looked up to see Santana leaning against the doorjamb. "How's it going?"

"Fine," I replied. "Just trying to lay a few things down before Jeremy gets here on Monday."

She laughed. "I didn't just mean with work," she joked. "I meant with your boyfriend, you doof."

I rolled my eyes but smiled at her question. I had admitted to Santana early Monday morning that Kurt and I had gotten together officially over the weekend and she practically had sent my coffee cup flying as she grabbed me around my shoulders and tried to swing me around. Thankfully her heels had prevented her from succeeding, but she insisted that we go out to lunch so I could tell her everything.

So we did. We went to lunch and I told her about the conversation he and I had in the back of the cab, how he was an amazing kisser, the way we spent our Sunday afternoon and evening together, and just generally talked about how cute she thought it was that I was with her high school friend. She tried to make fun of my antics since I knew I was probably acting like a teenage girl, but the small smile she wore during the whole conversation led me to believe that she was happy - for the both of us.

"Things are good. Great, actually," I admitted.

She beamed. "I figured as much. I think you've used your Twitter so much in the past few days that it has nearly doubled your amount of tweets. And I'm guessing all of those cat videos were not things you found on your own."

"Whatever, I like cats."

"But Kurt likes them more. And I'm betting he sent them to you."

I shrugged. "Well, I thought other people might want to see them too."

She laughed. "At least you aren't declaring your love for him on there yet. I'm just waiting for the day that you start tweeting about things you're doing with Kurt all the time. Oh wait, you kind of already did that."

I blushed. I had been tweeting more to my Twitter account and writing about the things I had been up to over the past few days, but nearly all of the activities I had tweeted about had involved Kurt. I never explicitly said so, but Santana knew better. She knew I only used Twitter when I was really excited about something and wanted to share it with the world. I grumbled.

"Anyway, I wanted to see if you and your boy toy wanted to maybe have dinner with me and Britt on Sunday night. You guys can come to our place and we'll cook."

"Let me check with him first. He'll probably agree, but I want to ask him."

"Already having to ask the boyfriend for permission?" she retorted.

"I'm not asking for permission," I snipped. "Kurt and I like to spend Sunday afternoons together since our schedules are fairly opposite during the week."

She faked a groan. "God, you guys already have a date night. Be cuter."

"You're just jealous."

"Hardly," she said with a chuckle. "Well, ask your precious boyfriend and we'll set it up, okay?"

"Sure thing," I said. I had been talking with her and messing with the board at the same time. I fiddled around with some of the levels as I played back the bassline on the track I had just finished recording with Zach before I felt my phone buzz from my pocket. A text from Kurt greeted me as I unlocked my phone screen.

What are you up to? -K

I hastened to type an answer.

Just finishing up a few things at the studio then heading home. How are things at the theater? –B

I only waited for a few seconds before he replied.

In the usual pre-show scurry. But I wanted to let you know I can't call you after the show tonight. They're having a going away party for one of the swings. But I'll make it up to you. :) -K

I was slightly disappointed that I wouldn't get to talk with Kurt before I went to sleep tonight, but was eager to know what he was planning to do to make it up to me. If it were anything involving Kurt I would adore it. If it were anything involving kissing him, then I'd freaking love the hell out of it.

It's okay. I'm intrigued to see how you'll make it up to me. You know I'm not one for surprises. ;) –B

"Who's that?" Santana asked as she wiggled her eyebrows.

"Kurt," I replied sharply before putting my phone in my lap.

"Figures," she said as my phone buzzed in my lap. I quickly brought the phone up to read and Santana laughed; clearly I looked eager to see what he had to say. "Tell Kurt I said hi."

You'll just have to wait and see. And one of these days, you'll learn to love surprises. –K

I chuckled. Kurt sure had delivered when it came to surprises thus far.

Whatever you say. Oh, and Santana says hi. –B

I could feel Santana watching me with bated breath and I willed myself to focus on the screen of my phone rather than the malicious smirk I'm sure my best friend had on her face.

I'm right – you'll see. And tell Santana I said hello! But I need to get back to work, but I'm sure we'll talk tomorrow. –K

Okay, have a great night. Bye! –B

I typed in my last message and shoved my phone in my pocket, still feeling Santana's glare on me. "You don't have to be here, you know," I thought aloud.

God, she was driving me crazy. "Considering I live down the street and Brittany is at rehearsal, I figured I could stop by. It's not like you're doing anything exciting at the moment."

"Iamworking, San."

"Fine, fine," she uttered. "I'll leave you alone. But see if I ever come by again while you're working late." She turned on her heel and walked out of the room.

"Bye Santana," I shouted after her as I heard her heels click down the hallway before the door shut with a thud. With Santana out of the room, I sat back in my chair again and relaxed against the leather. Things were going so great with Kurt and I couldn't wait to see what else was to come.

Especially how he planned to "make up" our call tonight.

And for the first time in a long time, I went to bed that night with anticipation, joy, and excitement radiating through my core as I pondered about what surprise Kurt had in mind. It was the first time I'd ever been so excited for a surprise since I was a kid at Christmas.

Then again, being with Kurt made me feel like a kid at Christmas. And damn, I was one lucky kid.