“Oh my god, Kurt, look at this!”

Rachel thrust something into Kurt's hands. He rolled his eyes as he took it. Going shopping with Rachel was an activity that required all of his patience.

His eye-rolling muted into a brilliant smile when he saw what Rachel had just given him. It was a cute little onesie with the words Daddy's Little Girl in big glittery letters and an adorable bow with polka dots affixed to one shoulder.

“Aw,” Kurt said, doing his best not to melt at the mere sight. “This is gorgeous, Rach. But I don't even know if the baby's a girl.”

“That's why there's this one, too!” Rachel exclaimed happily, giving him another onesie, this time blue with the inscription Daddy's Little Man and the most squeal-worthy bowtie he had ever seen. “You should totally buy them.”

Kurt went back to the eye-rolling. “Rachel…”

“No, come on,” she insisted, a lot more seriously than he expected. “You deserve this. You deserve to be happy and buy things for your baby and get ready to be a daddy. I know you are probably waiting for something awful to happen that will take this chance away from you because I know you, Kurt… but that's not going to happen. You're going to be a daddy. You're allowed to be happy about it, to make plans, to celebrate. So go ahead and do it…”

Kurt was a little shocked after Rachel's outburst. “What are you talking about? I have been celebrating and planning…”

“And freaking out. Which is completely normal,” Rachel turned to her stroller when Lilah extended her little arms towards her mother. “Look, I know being a parent is a very scary thing. Trust me, sometimes I jump out of bed in the middle of the night and run into her bedroom just to check she's breathing. I've been told it gets better once you have a second baby. But… I don't know, I feel like you're not giving yourself permission to fully enjoy this.”

Kurt sighed and thumbed the print on one of the onesies softly. “Of course I'm scared. I'm gonna be a gay single dad, Rachel. I'm pretty sure half of the population of New York will expect me to fuck it up within the first few days. And I can't allow myself to fuck it up.”

Rachel actually laughed at this. “Oh Kurt. You call me a drama queen, but you're worse than I am, sometimes. You're gonna be fine. You have tons of love to give to this baby, and you're a fantastic man. There's no reason why you can't be the best father ever. And you will be. I have plenty of faith in you. Just stop waiting for life to turn its back on you…”

Kurt shook his head fondly at her. “If someone had told me when I was fifteen that Rachel Berry would be the one keeping me sane in my twenties and thirties, I wouldn't have believed it.”

Looking down at the onesies still in his hands, Kurt couldn't bite back the smile that was blossoming on his face. Maybe Rachel was right – he was always very cautious, always waiting for things to go sour. Life had kicked his butt too many times, and he tended to expect the failures that eventually and unequivocally came his way. It had happened with every single relationship he had had; it had happened with his father's health, scaring him time and time again. His career on Broadway had died before it even began, and despite being more than happy with his current professional life, Kurt found all the failures and unexpected turns very exhausting. He wanted one thing – just one thing – to go the way he had planned it. And he hoped parenthood would be his one thing.

“Did you get everything you wanted for Lilah?” Kurt asked, and when Rachel nodded, he started his way towards the counter to pay for his new onesies. Rachel smiled as she followed him.

“Do you want to stop for coffee before we head back home?” She proposed once they were out of the store.

“I actually want to get a new outfit for myself,” Kurt replied, and then bit his lip anxiously before adding: “I have a date.”

Rachel squealed so loudly that she made her daughter cry, and they had to stop at a wooden bench and take a seat while she tried to calm her down.

“You have a date?” She said as she bounced her daughter up and down. “Why didn't you say something sooner? Who is he? When is this date? Where are you going?”

“How about you stop scaring your daughter and ask me one question at a time, huh?” Kurt proposed, arching an eyebrow sarcastically. Rachel rolled her eyes and simply stared at him expectantly. “Fine. It's Blaine.”

“Blaine?” Rachel repeated, eyes going wide. “You mean the Blaine you met at that wedding? The one who's incredibly gorgeous and turned your legs into jelly? The Blaine you found at that club when you were out with Santana and Dani and banged for the second time?”

“Wow, Rachel, you really needed to go through the entire list?” He exclaimed, a little irritated. When she just continued to watch him without saying a word, he sighed, exasperated. “Yes, Rachel. That's the one. The only Blaine we know.”

“Well, I'm sorry… I just didn't know you were still seeing him,” Rachel commented, finally quiet enough not to scare her poor child. “I thought he was just a one-night-stand. Twice.”

“He… was, but he actually showed up at my place the other night with flowers, and asked me out. He said he couldn't stop thinking about me,” Kurt answered, proud when he managed not to blush too much.

“Oh my god, Kurt!” Rachel slapped his shoulder in excitement and Kurt frowned as he tried to get away from her. She was stronger than she looked. “That is so sweet!”

“I know. That's why I said yes… plus, he's insanely attractive. I would be an idiot not to,” Kurt shrugged and extended his arms, silently asking to hold Lilah, who immediately reached for him.

“Do you think this could be serious?” She asked, leaning back against the bench and watching them.

Kurt planted a noisy kiss on Lilah's chubby cheek. “I don't know. I mean… I barely know him. If I have to be honest… I'm just following Santana's advice, which is odd enough. I'm just having a good time.”

“There's definitely nothing wrong with that,” Rachel said with a smile. “As long as you're happy…”

Kurt hummed noncommittally and flashed her a grin of his own.

*

Later that week, just as Kurt was leaving one of the venues with one of his clients, his phone vibrated in his pocket. With a quick goodbye and a promise to see them the next day to go over the menu options, Kurt waved and started his way down the street as he fished his phone out. He found a message from Blaine.

From Blaine:

Can I pick you up at 7.30 on Saturday? I'm making dinner reservations at 8.

Feeling a little giddy at the prospect, Kurt bit a squeal off as he tapped the screen to reply to the message. But then he cursed when he remembered he had agreed to a last minute meeting on Saturday with a couple who had a scheduling conflict.

To Blaine:

Dinner at 8 sounds amazing, but do you mind if we meet at the restaurant? I need to meet with a client and I don't know if I'll make it back home in time.

Kurt spotted a Starbucks just down the block and decided to make a quick stop to recharge his caffeine before he moved onto the next thing on his to do list. He ordered his non-fat mocha and moved down the counter to wait for his drink, just as his phone went off again.

From Blaine:

No problem! I'll see you at 8, then. I made a reservation at Barbounia, at Park Ave and 20th st. Can't wait.

“Non-fat mocha for Kurt!” The barista called.

Kurt snapped from the little daze he had slipped into after reading the text and realized he was smiling down at his phone like an idiot. He cleared his throat and straightened his back, giving the barista a quick grin as he grabbed his drink and turned to leave. He shot Blaine one last text before he rejoined the buzzing of New York City.

To Blaine:

Me too. See you there!

*

On Saturday, it rained. Kurt had trouble finding a cab, and cursed under his breath as he waited under the awning of a closed winery. It had been very sunny and warm when he had left his apartment a few hours ago, but now it was pouring steadily, and he looked down at his carefully selected outfit, hoping it wouldn't get ruined. He glanced at his reflection on the store's window to check his hair, but it was still standing proudly and flawless, so that made him feel a little better.

He finally saw a vacant cab approaching and hurried to stop it, climbing into the back seat and telling the driver the address of the restaurant Blaine had chosen. He spent the ride fixing his outfit until it was perfect – the red neckerchief just right above the collar of his white shirt, the sleeves of the shirt rolled at his elbows, and the red pants tucked perfectly into his black ankle boots. He searched through his bag until he found a little bottle of cologne, and added some to his wrists and neck.

The driver pulled at the curb in front of the restaurant, and Kurt fished some money out of the wallet to pay him. He climbed out of the cab and practically ran inside.

He scanned the restaurant. It was a really lovely place with a great vibe, a huge painting of Marilyn Monroe taking up one of the walls, and an artistic black and white picture on another one, accentuating the beige walls. There were two arches that separated the dining area from the bar, and Kurt immediately found Blaine sitting on one of the stools there.

Blaine saw him before he could approach him, and stood up with a smile. He looked gorgeous, dressed in tight white jeans that did wonders to his thighs and a black polo that hugged the muscles in his arms way too perfectly. His dark hair was styled with gel and away from his face, and his eyes sparkled when they settled on Kurt.

“Kurt, hi,” he said, and for a moment neither knew whether to move in for a hug or shake each other's hands. Both seemed silly, so Blaine chuckled and simply leaned in to kiss Kurt's cheek lightly. “How are you?”

“I'm great, thank you. I'm sorry if I kept you waiting,” Kurt replied. “You look wonderful, by the way.”

“Thank you. You look… well, breathtaking,” Blaine said, and oh god, his smile was already turning Kurt's knees into two wobbling, useless things. “And no, I haven't been here for long, so don't worry.”

Kurt joined Blaine at the bar while they waited for their table to be ready and ordered a glass of white wine.

“This place is beautiful,” Kurt commented, after taking a sip. “I've been meaning to come for a while now, but never found the time. I'm glad you chose it.”

“And I'm glad you like it,” Blaine grinned, playing with his own glass. “I wasn't sure what kind of food you liked, but I thought this place would have plenty of options.”

Before they could say anything else, a waiter appeared behind Blaine's shoulder. “Mr. Anderson? Your table is ready, sir.”

He guided them to a little table near the window. Blaine nodded in thanks when the waiter said he would be back with the menus, and then pulled Kurt's chair, earning a bright smile. Who knew that under that stoic exterior Kurt had seen in him during Cooper's wedding he would find an actual gentleman?

“So you mentioned you had a meeting today,” Blaine said once they were seated and studying the menus. “I hope it went well?”

“Oh yeah, it was fine,” Kurt replied as he tried to decide what he wanted to eat. He was starving, since he hadn't had time to stop for bite since breakfast. “I have to adapt to some of my client's busy schedules sometimes. This afternoon was the only time he had available for his suit fitting, and his fiancé wanted me there. He's a disaster when it comes to clothes, apparently.”

“Well, I'm honored that you could fit me into your schedule tonight,” Blaine said warmly.

Kurt smiled at him for a moment, just enjoying the moment and how easy it felt. But before he could say anything else, the waiter returned to take the orders.

“I'll have the lobster and squash risotto, please,” Kurt said. “It sounds heavenly.”

“And I'll have the Greek salad,” Blaine said, handing his menu to the waiter. “Would you like another glass of wine, Kurt?” When Kurt nodded, Blaine added, “then another glass of white wine for him, and I'd like some water, please.”

“Coming right up, sir,” the waiter said and then left them alone again.

“So, Blaine Anderson…” Kurt started with a teasing grin, leaning his chin on his hand and looking at Blaine across the table. “I know practically nothing about you. Care to fix that?”

Blaine chuckled and mirrored his position. “Why, Kurt Hummel, what would you like to know?”

“Everything,” Kurt said playfully. “But why don't you start with the basics?”

“Okay…” Blaine muttered, thoughtfully. “Well, I'm twenty nine. I live in Chelsea in a little apartment. I moved to New York a couple of years after high school, from Ohio…”

“Shut up, I'm from Ohio too!” Kurt exclaimed.

“It's a small world, it seems,” Blaine said, surprised.

“It looks like it. Did you come to New York for college?”

“No, I actually decided to skip the whole college thing. It didn't seem like the right thing to do back then,” Blaine shrugged and he looked a little self-conscious, as if he was waiting for Kurt to reject him because he hadn't gotten a college degree.

“That's fine. Not everyone needs college to succeed in life,” Kurt said, and smiled at the waiter when he quietly stopped by to leave their drinks. “So what do you do?”

“I'm a boxer,” Blaine replied. “I compete sometimes, but I mostly work as a coach.”

Kurt's eyes widened a little. He had never been a sports fan, but he definitely didn't like those that included violence. His father used to say that it wasn't about violence, about hurting anyone, but Kurt still couldn't understand why anyone would get into a ring and let someone else beat them for whatever many rounds the fight lasted.

“That… explains why you're in such great shape, I guess,” he commented, floundering for something polite to say.

Blaine frowned a bit. “Yeah… well. I've been boxing since I was fourteen. It just felt like the obvious thing to do, when I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. The gym I started training at when I moved to the city had an opening for a new coach, and I decided to take it.”

“Do you compete often?” Kurt asked, trying not to be weird about it.

“Every few months or so. Nothing big, I never went strictly professional… but sometimes my gym organizes a few events, so I fight,” Blaine explained. “What about you? Did you always want to be a wedding planner?”

Kurt didn't know if the change of topic was deliberate or not, but he was grateful anyway. “Not really. I actually wanted to be a Broadway star, but things didn't work out…”

Blaine's hand stopped abruptly, halfway to his glass. He recovered quickly, but Kurt was sure he could see the tension in his shoulders, and he had no idea what he had said to make Blaine react that way.

Kurt decided to just keep talking until Blaine felt at ease again. “But I've always liked wedding planning. I planned my dad's wedding when I was in high school, and discovered I was really good at it. When I realized I needed a new plan, this just… I don't know, it made sense.”

Their food arrived then, and that was a good excuse to let the tension dissipate some more. When the waiter left again, things were back to normal, and Blaine wanted to know more about Kurt's dad's wedding, so Kurt told him, and then they shifted naturally to talk about Kurt's family. Kurt was about to ask about Blaine's but remembered how bitter Blaine had been during Cooper's wedding, so he decided against it. Blaine seemed to realize what Kurt was doing when he commented on the food instead, and smiled at him gratefully.

Kurt had a bad history with violence and couldn't help disapproving of what Blaine did for a living – but he also couldn't stop noticing just how sweet, funny and kind Blaine was, how charming his smile was, soft around the edges and always so easy to slip onto his lips, like a smile was his natural response to everything. Kurt hadn't come into this date with any expectations and wasn't looking for anything serious, not with how his life was about to change, but he couldn't find a reason not to stay and have a lovely evening with this handsome man who somehow seemed to really, really like him. And Kurt hadn't felt liked and wanted like this in such a long time…

He took another bite of his risotto and hummed happily around the fork. “This is so, so good…” He glanced at Blaine, and suddenly felt daring and bold. He gathered more risotto onto his fork and held it up for Blaine. “Come on, try it…”

There was something dark, hungry and seductive in Blaine's eyes then, as he leaned very slowly and caught the fork between his lips. Kurt felt his mouth going dry at the sight, but couldn't tear his eyes away from Blaine long enough to reach for his glass of wine.

“You're right. It's delicious,” Blaine agreed once he pulled away.

“Do you want some more?” Kurt offered. He looked down at Blaine's salad. “Your food looks great, but you're going to be hungry again in an hour…”

Blaine sipped his water before answering. “I'm on a very strict diet, so I only rarely splurge. I need to be very careful I don't go into the next weight category.”

“It must be a very demanding life style,” Kurt observed. “What's your category?”

“I'm a welterweight,” Blaine said. He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “But enough about my work! What's your favorite movie?”

It was so unbelievably easy to talk to Blaine. They jumped from topic to topic smoothly, learning more about each other with every passing second. Soon the food was gone, but they didn't even notice, too busy trying to agree on what was the best Meryl Streep movie (Kurt leaned towards Devil Wears Prada, but Blaine said he had enjoyed Kramer vs. Kramer more. Kurt couldn't argue when people went vintage).

When they finally realized how long they had been there, they both seemed surprised, and Blaine called the waiter and asked for the check. They did the awkward dance of trying to reach for it at the same time, but Blaine simply smiled at Kurt and said he would pay, because he had asked Kurt out, after all.

“Maybe you can get the next one?” He asked, sweet and hesitant, and oh, Kurt melted a little bit inside at that.

Luckily, Blaine had brought an umbrella with him, because it was still raining steadily. They huddled together under it, with the sound of the raindrops falling around them and the ever-present New York traffic as their soundtrack. They were staring at each other's eyes, the air charged with possibilities, and Kurt held his breath. This was the perfect time for a kiss, and he knew it.

A cab's horn echoed angrily from the street, startling them both. Blaine looked away and then chuckled, a faint pink blush overtaking his cheeks.

“I don't want to say goodnight to you yet,” Blaine muttered in a low voice, private, as if he just wanted to speak to Kurt and Kurt alone, keeping the world away. “Would you like to walk with me for a while?”

Kurt bit his lip and looked around. “It's raining.”

“I love rainy weather,” Blaine shrugged and reached for his hand. “Come on.”

They didn't talk much. It was like a silent agreement that they simply walk together, their hands intertwined between them and their shoulders pressed together so they wouldn't get drenched. Kurt was very aware of the warmth of Blaine's hand in his, and his heart was beating so loudly he thought it might drown out the sound of the city.

Sometimes Kurt was so caught up in his life that he forgot to take a look around. When he had first come into this city, he had taken all the time in the world to get to know New York and fall irrevocably in love with it. But then life got busier and he grew up, and the city was just a city that he took for granted every day. Now, with Blaine by his side and the shelter of the umbrella over them, New York was new and stunning all over again. The endless city lights kept darkness away, and every street, every corner was familiar and comforting, like a hug from an old friend that would never leave him alone.

They stopped at a corner to wait for the red light, and Blaine turned to face him. His big, beautiful hazel eyes wandered over Kurt's face, as if he wanted to commit every single detail of him to memory.

“I can't tell you how glad I am that you agreed to go out with me tonight,” Blaine murmured softly.

Kurt squeezed his hand. “I am, too. I had a lovely time. I am having a lovely time, actually.”

Blaine raised their tangle hands up to his face and kissed Kurt's knuckles. “Please tell me this won't be the last time I'll see you. Tell me we can do this again.”

Kurt smiled and pressed his free hand against Blaine's chest. “Well, how could I possibly say no when you ask like that?”

Blaine looked down for a moment, with his lips pressed to Kurt's knuckles, and Kurt could see him try to bite back a big smile. “You know, you're making it awfully hard for me not to kiss you right now…”

Kurt arched an eyebrow and cupped Blaine's face, making him look up again. “It would be terribly rude of me to deny you a little kiss now, wouldn't it?” He teased.

Blaine seemed to be having trouble holding back his laughter. “Oh yes, it would be completely unacceptable…”

“In that case…” Kurt murmured, and leaned in.

It wasn't anything like the desperate kisses they had shared before. There wasn't a feeling of urgency this time, a prelude to something else. They weren't tearing each other's clothes and trying to get to the bed. They were kissing because there wasn't a reason not to. They were kissing because it felt right. They were kissing because their lips had been tingling in anticipation all night long.

Their mouths slid together wetly, lips parted and breaths mingling, as Blaine wrapped his free arm around Kurt's waist to tug him closer. Kurt lifted both of his to surround Blaine's neck and then tilted his head to the side just right, looking for the perfect angle. He could feel the tip of Blaine's tongue hovering near his lips, a little hesitant, so he touched it with his, until he could drive it into his own mouth, sucking lightly on it and earning a low, needy moan from Blaine.

Kurt's eyes fluttered open for a moment, and he was hypnotized by how beautiful Blaine looked right then. Then he vaguely saw something out of the corner of his eye. “The light's red…”

Blaine caught his lower lip between his and grazed it with his teeth, sending shivers down Kurt's spine. “There will be plenty of red lights.”

Kurt smiled into the next kiss. The rain continued to fall around them and New York City didn't stop its usual hectic Saturday night pace. But to Blaine and Kurt, there was only the tantalizing slide of lips and the soft puffs of breath as they continued to kiss each other for many more red lights.

*