Kurt didn't want to be in love with Blaine.

It was too distracting. Even with something as trivial as watching a movie. They'd met up in the lounge room at five with snacks and drinks - a pile of movies awaiting them.

But Kurt couldn't concentrate. He found himself constantly staring at Blaine, especially when he swallowed. What he'd give to run his mouth over his jaw, down his neck…

Kurt immediately glanced at the TV.

Those weren't the best thoughts to be having right now.

Not when they were half cuddled together under a blanket.

And especially not with Blaine being his co-worker... his co-worker/love interest, who just so happened to be an important part of his play. After three months of rehearsals, that wasn't a risk he was willing to take.

He had to talk to him, to tell him the truth, no matter what might happen. It was better to do it now, then in six months when he couldn't help himself, and Blaine could walk out. Kurt sighed, and Blaine glanced over from where he was sitting, sneaking glances at Kurt when he thought the other man wouldn't notice.

"Blaine…" Kurt mumbled, his heart hammering in his chest.

"Mm?" Blaine mumbled.

"Can I tell you a story? I promise it's relevant…"

Blaine nodded curiously, pausing the movie and turning to face Kurt.

"Back when I first left high school, I had these dreams to become a performer. So…I graduated and got accepted into this place at Lima…"

Blaine nodded, listening intently.

"I was learning for a few years, when this talent scout came to the school, looking for people. He found me, and he took me to England. We performed on the West End together, and I fell in love with him." He sighed, glancing at his fingers, the ceiling, the floor – anything that wasn't Blaine. "We were together, as boyfriends in England, and when the production ended, I had these big dreams to settle down somewhere and get married."

"What happened?" Blaine prompted, when Kurt didn't speak.

"He had different views. Apparently…he was under the impression I was only around for…for sex." He said softly. "And that as soon as the show ended, so did we. He left right after the after-party and I haven't seen him since. He didn't answer his phone, and he'd moved. I was…his seasonal boyfriend."

Kurt swallowed hard, and Blaine didn't want to interrupt this time. His eyebrows were furrowed in shock and disbelief.

"So I married my work, and I came to New York to forget about him…I promised myself I wouldn't ever fall in love again. That I wouldn't get myself into that position…." He paused. "But I did. I fell in love." He glanced up at Blaine. "With you."

Blaine's mouth fell open, and Kurt shook his head.

"But…Blaine…I'm sorry." He whispered. "I'm sorry it has to be like this. I'm sorry I'm in love with you…and-"

Blaine's lips were suddenly on Kurt's, and Kurt reared back in shock. Blaine blushed.

"Sorry!" he whispered. "That works better in movies."

Kurt shuffled backwards, his fingers held to his lips.

"No…Blaine…I just…I'm sorry." Kurt sighed, looking away. "I mean…I really like you."

"I like you too!" Blaine said earnestly, but Kurt shook his head.

"Blaine, I can't! You're…what if we break up?" Kurt said softly. "What's going to happen to my play?"

Blaine shook his head. "It's…it's different, Kurt. I mean…it's just like when I was stripping." Kurt made a face, and Blaine chuckled in spite of himself. "That's not what I meant. It's like…whenever we had to go and seduce someone…or give them a lap-dance, it didn't matter who they were, because it was all professional. So…while we're performing and rehearsing…we'll be completely professional."

"Blaine…" Kurt whispered. "I…I know you…mean well…"

"Kurt…please…" Blaine pressed another kiss to his lips, but this time Kurt didn't protest. "Can we…can we just try? And if it doesn't work…we can…we can break up on good terms…and be friends…" he grinned brightly. "I promise that I won't walk out on the show – I'm not that guy."

"Blaine…"

Blaine took a breath and moved back. "I'm sorry…"

Kurt shook his head, blushing and glaring at the ground. "I don't want you to leave me. I don't want us to break up. That's…that's why I don't want to try this…because I don't want to get hurt again."

Blaine didn't know how to react to that. He froze for a minute or so, then crushed the other man to his chest gently, hugging him as tightly as he dared. "I'd never hurt you, Kurt. You're too special."

Kurt took a deep breath.

"I'm still not sure I'm ready for this." he murmured into Blaine's shoulder, clinging to him.

"We'll take it slow." Blaine promised.

^.^

Derek and Ian arrived home to find them fast asleep on the couch, curled contentedly in each other's arms, title screen of the movie playing, forgotten in the background.

They exchanged glances, smiling slightly as they tiptoed past them, switching the TV off, and pulling a blanket up over them.

"I believe that's twenty bucks." Derek whispered, and Ian rolled his eyes, fishing in his wallet for the cash.

Blaine stirred gently, his arms curling around Kurt's waist tighter. Kurt hummed appreciatively, snuggling further, before his eyes opened slowly. Derek and Ian stared at him with knowing grins, and he went scarlet.

"Oh." He mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "Morning."

Derek grinned. "Friendly, are we?"

Kurt turned his head, glancing up at Blaine – who was still asleep – and smiling sheepishly. "He's perfect."

Ian hesitated. "And you're sure this is okay?"

Kurt gave the tiniest shake of his head. "No…" he whispered. "I'm worried, and I'm hesitant…but he seems genuine, and I think…" he took a deep breath. "We'll work it out."

Ian nodded. He trusted Kurt and he trusted his judgement – so as long as Kurt was happy, so was he. Derek was almost ecstatic, perching on another couch and grinning eagerly.

"How did it happen? Was it you or him?" he asked.

Kurt sat up, and Blaine made a small whine of protest, but didn't wake up. Kurt sat in front of him, a hand on his sleep-warm torso as the boy rolled onto his back.

"It was me." Kurt started. "I had to…tell him, like you said." They both nodded. "And I did, and I told him my concerns…and he didn't care. He said he liked me and he kissed me…" Kurt blushed at that. "And tried to reassure me…"

"And then?" Derek was beaming.

Kurt laughed. "And then he hugged me and we talked about everything – what could go wrong, why it could go wrong…and then he told me all that could go right, and why it would go right…and then he asked me out properly…"

"And you said yes?" Ian prompted.

"Obviously." Came a sleepy voice from behind Kurt, and the three men laughed.

Blaine sat up – his hair a mess of curls and flaking gel – a goofy, sleepy grin on his face.

Kurt automatically scooted closer to him, and Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist, his chin resting on Kurt's shoulder.

"I promise." He looked at Derek and Ian. "That I won't hurt him – and I promise that no matter what happens, this play is going to be amazing."

Kurt laughed, turning his head and pressing his lips against Blaine's jaw.

"We believe you." Derek said, speaking for Ian as well. "And thank god you're here. I was beginning to think Kurt was serious when he said he'd never love again."

Kurt blushed. "Shut up."

Blaine just grinned, tightening his grip.

"I'm glad I'm here too."