The Monday back at work was the busiest Blaine had been in a long time, he was trying to play catch up with all of his clients who had to have their appointments rescheduled after his absence last week, whilst trying to fit in his clients that were booked for that day. The first chance he got to sit down was when he took his lunch break at one thirty.

"Kurt, kill me," Blaine sighed down the phone when Kurt picked up.

"What's wrong?" Kurt asked.

"This is the craziest day. Right now is the first chance I've had to stop and take a breath,"

"I'm sorry,"

"Kurt, how many times have I told you that it's not your fault, you know that I wouldn't have let you go alone back to Ohio last week,"

"I know, but I still feel bad that you're rushed off your feet,"

"Actually it's my neck and hands that feel rushed off,"

"Are you busy tonight?"

"No,"

"Ok, I'll meet you after you finish wok and we'll go out for dinner and then you can come back to my place and I'll make your hands and neck feel better. Sound good?" Blaine hummed in agreement.

"Sounds amazing,"

"Ok, I'll leave you to have some peace and quiet and I'll see you later,"

"See you later," Blaine finished as he hung up. Not three seconds later his phone was ringing again, "Hello mother,"

"Blaine, your father and I have decided that you and Kurt shall come over for dinner tomorrow night at seven,"

"Yes mother," that was all the confirmation Mrs. Anderson needed before she hung up. Blaine sighed again as he pulled the lid off of his lunch container and began eating the leftover meatballs that he had saved from dinner last night. Before he knew it he was back out on the salon floor again, greeting Mrs. Johnson, a regular client of his.

"Hi Mrs. Johnson, how are you? I'm sorry for mucking you around last week, something urgent came up and I had to leave the state," Mrs. Johnson smiled at Blaine as she sat down in his chair.

"Blaine, how many times have I told you to call me Angela," he smiled back at her shaking his head as he fastened a cape around her neck, "And I hope everything is alright?" Blaine nodded.

"Everything's fine. My boyfriend's father fell ill and was admitted to the hospital so we both flew out to Ohio, but he was released the following day,"

"Well that's good to hear, now tell me about this boyfriend. You've never mentioned him before," Blaine smiled again, trying to hide to blush rising up his neck as he filled Angela in on the details. He liked it when clients didn't mind that he was gay, although it was almost expected given the male hairdresser stereo type, but he still liked it when they were interested in his love life, and he really loved to talk about Kurt. Three hours later and Blaine was finally saying goodbye to his final client of the day.

"Hey Blaine, there's someone here to see you," Kelly, one of the assistants called out. Blaine turned around from wiping down his bench and saw Kurt standing next to reception desk, looking as gorgeous as ever.

"Hey you," he smiled as Blaine walked towards him.

"Hey," Blaine spoke quietly as he placed a hand on the side of Kurt's neck and pulled him in for a quick kiss.

"You ready to go?" Kurt asked, Blaine nodded.

"Just let me get my jacket and I'm good," Kurt nodded and waited for Blaine to return back from the staffroom, "I'll see you ladies tomorrow," Blaine called goodbye to the women left in the salon. They were met with a chorus of ‘Bye Blaine' as they both waved and left the salon, Blaine taking Kurt's hand in his.

"So how did the rest of the day finish up?" Kurt asked as he and Blaine began walking down the street.

"It was good. I got to talk about you," Blaine grinned as he looked over at Kurt.

"Me?" Kurt asked sounding surprised.

"Yes. This afternoon I had a couple of my regular clients and they were all asking where I was last week, so I told them I had to fly out to Ohio with my boyfriend for a family emergency of his,"

"And what did they say?" Kurt asked, sounding apprehensive.

"They were all very excited and happy for me. I've never talked about a boyfriend before, so they were after all of the juicy details,"

"And what did you tell them," Kurt grinned, bumping his shoulder with Blaine's.

"That I am currently dating the most amazing man in all of New York," Kurt hung his head, trying to hide his growing smile, "What, it's true," Blaine smiled, bumping his shoulder back against Kurt's. Kurt shook his head again as he moved to press a kiss to Blaine's cheek. Just as Kurt was pulling away he felt a hand grip his shoulder and pull him backwards.

"What do you think you're doing," Jackson spat at Kurt once he had forcefully pulled him away from Blaine.

"Hey, don't you touch him," Blaine demanded, trying to move in between Kurt and his ex.

"Oh, you're still here," Jackson sneered.

"Leave me alone Jackson," Kurt spoke, his voice taking a harsh tone, "We broke up almost two months ago. It's over,"

"So what, you're with him now," Jackson said as he gestured to Blaine, "Just like that?"

"Yes, just like that,"

"So I meant nothing to you," he snapped, pushing Kurt again. Blaine moved forwards pushing Jackson back.

"You haven't meant anything to me for a long time," Kurt spoke over Blaine's shoulder, his gaze directed at Jackson.

"What, so you're happy with this little fag of a hairdresser,"

"Don't you talk about him like that," Kurt  snapped, his chest heaving with the heavy breaths he was taking.

"Don't you tell me how to talk," Jackson lifted his fist, aiming for Kurt, but was caught off guard by Blaine catching his fist in mid-punch.

"I said, don't you dare touch him," Blaine seethed through his teeth, "He's not with you anymore, and even when he was with you, you had no right to treat him the way you did," Kurt's breathing began to soften at the way Blaine was speaking, "Kurt is the kindest person I have ever met and you are lucky that we are in a crowded place or I would hurt you for you did him. You lost the right to talk to him when you broke his heart," Blaine pushed Jackson's fist back towards him, "Now leave before I really make a scene," Blaine spat. Jackson shot one last glare at Kurt before he turned and disappeared back into the crowd, "Are you ok Kurt?" Blaine asked, his voice softening as he quickly turned and placed both hands on Kurt's shoulders, helping to keep him steady. Kurt nodded and swallowed hard.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little shaken is all," Blaine nodded and placed his hand on Kurt's chest, feeling his heart beat race underneath his palm.

"Just take a couple of deep breaths ok, you're ok," Blaine spoke, still keeping eye contact with Kurt. After a few deep breaths Kurt's heart was still racing, "Deep breaths Kurt," Blaine repeated softly.

"Actually," Kurt cleared his throat, "I don't think Jackson is the reason for my heart racing," a small smile spread across Kurt's face as he looked down at Blaine's hand, still resting on his chest. Blaine grinned when Kurt looked back up.

"Well I'm glad I'm the cause of that this time," he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Kurt's lips.

"Blaine, do you mind if we skip dinner and just go back to my place and order in. I know it's not what we planned, but I don't really feel like being out here anymore," Blaine's grip on Kurt's shoulder tightened as he nodded.

"Ordering in sounds good. Chinese or Thai?"

"Chinese, the place just around the corner from my building does the best fried rice I've ever tasted,"

"Chinese it is," Blaine leaned forward to kiss Kurt again before he took his hand and they headed off back in the direction of Kurt's building. The air was beginning to cool as they exited the Chinese place with their bag of food and they were grateful that Kurt's building was just around the corner. Fall was beginning to set in.

 Once back in Kurt's apartment, Rachel was away for the night with some theatre friends, they spread the boxes of food out on the coffee table in front of the couch and settled in watching trashy reality TV, eating straight from the cartons with chopsticks, not bothering with plates.

Once dinner was finished they both moved closer to each other on the couch, Blaine's leg resting over Kurt's and Kurt's head resting against Blaine's shoulder, their hands intertwined between them.

"Thank you for earlier," Kurt whispered, "With Jackson. I don't know what I would have done if I was by myself," Kurt turned his head slightly and press a kiss against Blaine's jaw before Blaine turned his head to look at Kurt.

"I'm glad you weren't alone. I don't want to think about what he could have done if you were by yourself," he pressed a kiss against Kurt's forehead. Kurt moved his head again so he could reach Blaine's lips, bringing his free hand up to cup the side of Blaine's head, digging his fingers into Blaine's hair and running his thumb along Blaine's jaw. Blaine moved his head to the left, creating a better angle and deepening the kiss. Kurt moaned and moved so he was sitting on Blaine's thighs, his right hand coming up to mirror his left, his thumb rubbing over Blaine's stubble.

"Blaine," Kurt breathed, "When was the last time you shaved?"

"Friday," Blaine whispered as he moved so he was now mouthing down Kurt's neck, "Why? I thought you liked my stubble?"

"I do," Kurt moaned as Blaine rubbed his unshaven cheek across the sensitive skin on Kurt's neck that he had previously just been sucking on, "I really do, but right now it's scratching. I think it's gotten a bit too long," Kurt panted, still enjoying the way Blaine's mouth was moving up his neck.

"I can't go home and shave right now Kurt," Blaine mumbled against the underside of Kurt's jaw.

"I could do it for you?"

"Shave me?" Blaine asked, his head coming back up to look at Kurt, "That sounds kind of hot," he replied as he raised an eyebrow. Kurt smiled and playfully smacked his chest.

"You make it sound so dirty, but yes, I could shave you," Blaine nodded and he kissed Kurt again.

"Ok, lead the way," he smiled up at Kurt as Kurt stood and held out his hand for Blaine to take, "This feels strangely familiar," Blaine joked as Kurt lead him into his bathroom.

"Sadly I don't have a fancy barber's chair like yourself though," he turned and smiled at Blaine.

"Where do you want me?" Blaine asked, looking around Kurt's bathroom.

"If you could sit on the counter, that'll give me the best angle to work with,"

"You thought about this haven't you Mr. Hummel?" Blaine teased, his smiled widening when he noticed Kurt's cheeks reddening.

"Maybe once or twice," Kurt replied quietly. Blaine pulled him close before Kurt had a chance to retrieve any pieces of equipment.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about Kurt. You're allowed to think about me that way if you want to," Blaine smiled softly and pressed another kiss against Kurt's lips. Kurt nodded, his eyes not meeting Blaine's, and turned to fetch his things from the second drawer in his bathroom counter. He knew that he was allowed to think about Blaine in a sexual way, but he still felt nervous about it, still unsure if it was ok. He took a silent but steadying breath and told himself that he was free of Jackson now, he could think and act how he wanted. He stood back up and placed a new razor and his can of shaving foam on the counter next to Blaine before taking a clean facecloth from his shelf and switching on the hot water, placing the plug in and filling the sink, "Oh, I get the fancy foam do I?" Blaine winked as he picked up the can of shaving foam to look at the label.

"Of course," Kurt smiled as he replied, still waiting for the sink to fill, "Who would I be if I carried a cheap brand of shaving foam,"

"Now I'm really excited," Kurt laughed softly as he switched off the tap and placed the facecloth in water, rolling up his shirt sleeves whilst completely soaking the cloth before pulling it back out and ringing out the excess water, "Chin up please," he asked Blaine quietly. Blaine did as he was told and lifted his head slightly so Kurt could press the hot facecloth against his face and neck. Blaine let out an audible sigh at the feeling of the hot fabric being held against his face.

"It's not too hot is it?" Kurt asked, moving to press it against his cheeks. Blaine just shook his head lightly, letting Kurt know it was fine. Once Kurt was satisfied that the hairs on Blaine's face and neck were soft enough, he placed the cloth back in the hot water and took the can of foam and he squeezed the foam out onto his hand and began rubbing it over Blaine's stubble; making sure he covered every hair. When he was satisfied he washed his hands off and picked up his razor, taking off the safety cap and placing it just below Blaine's sideburn. He proceeded to drag it slowly down, taking away the stubble in its path, leaving Blaine's cheek smooth. Kurt rinsed the razor in the sink and moved back to make another pass downwards, parallel to his previous stroke. Blaine kept his eyes on him the entire time. His heart beat speeding up at the look of concentration Kurt was wearing on his face.

"Stop staring at me, you're making me nervous," Kurt whispered, his eyes still focused on his hand controlling the razor. Blaine waited until he had finished the stroke and moved his hand away to speak.

"Why are you nervous?" he asked, just as quietly. Kurt turned back to stand in front of him, his eyes finally meeting Blaine's.

"Because I've never done this to anyone but myself before, and I don't want to hurt you," Blaine smiled and shook his head.

"I trust you Kurt," Kurt nodded as he swallowed and moved his hand back to Blaine's cheek, his left hand resting above the line of shaving foam, helping to pull Blaine's skin tight while his other hand dragged the razor downwards again. Blaine's left cheek was now clean and Kurt took a deep breath, leaning forward to press a light kiss to it, lingering for a moment longer than he thought he would. Blaine hummed softly at the feeling, smiling at Kurt when he pulled away.

Kurt moved and began to repeat the process on Blaine's right side, taking care when he moved the razor over Blaine's upper lip, and being careful to not nick his chin. He placed his hand on Blaine's cheek again and pulled the skin tighter, resulting in a closer shave, and Blaine's skin now feeling smooth as he pressed another kiss, this time, to Blaine's right cheek.

"I need you to lift your chin for me sweetie," Kurt spoke softly, placing his fingers under Blaine's chin and raising it.

"I like that,"

"Like what?" Kurt asked after he'd rinsed the razor again, moving to make the first pass over Blaine's neck.

"When you call me sweetie," Blaine whispered, his head lowering back down to look Kurt in the eye, "Don't blush," he said, just as softly, bringing his hand up and gently rubbing his thumb over Kurt's cheek, "I like it," he repeated, reassuring Kurt. He moved and pressed a light kiss against Kurt's forehead, careful not to get shaving foam on his nose. Kurt nodded at Blaine's words, and smiled at him, letting Blaine know that he wasn't embarrassed anymore.

He placed his fingers back on Blaine's chin and guided his head up again, giving him better access to his neck. Kurt began making small, gentle strokes along the underside of Blaine's jaw and neck, slowly removing the last of his stubble. He lowered Blaine's head again and rinsed off his razor for the final time, before picking up the now lukewarm facecloth from out of the sink and carefully moving it over the pieces of Blaine's face that he had just shaved, Blaine's eyes still trained on him. He opened another drawer and took out his after shave lotion and placed a very small amount in his hands, rubbing them together before massaging it into Blaine's cheeks, chin and neck. Soothing the sensitive skin, Blaine's eye still watching him. He'd finished applying the lotion but kept his hands resting on each of Blaine's cheeks, just looking into his eyes, silently asking if it was ok to move in and kiss him. He could almost see Blaine's eyes telling him that he didn't need to ask. He moved forwards and placed his lips against Blaine's, moving his head to the left, whimpering softly when Blaine's tongue moved over his bottom lip, asking to deepen the kiss. Kurt obliged and his breath hitched as their tongues lightly brushed, every nerve ending in his mouth was tingling with every touch Blaine's tongue made. Blaine wasn't forceful or hard with his kiss, his tongue barely moving passed Kurt's, but still felt his knee beginning to shake with every touch. After a few minutes he pulled away, resting their foreheads together, still with his hands on either side of Blaine's face, Blaine's hands now sitting under his arms and resting against Kurt's shoulder blades, each man just taking a second to regain themselves and look at each other.

"I love you," Kurt breathed softly, his eyes slowly raising to meet Blaine's, knowing that he was ready to say it, knowing that he truly felt it. He heard Blaine's breath catch in his throat, a small smile starting to cross his lips as he kissed Kurt softly.

"I love you too," he replied, moving back to look at Kurt, his smile caused Kurt to smile back, as they moved in to kiss each other again.

Kurt knew he had made the right decision; telling Blaine, he laughed softly into the kiss, finally feeling the last of the weight lift from his shoulders, he felt Blaine smile into the kiss.

Blaine felt comfortable in replying to Kurt, he knew that he had wanted Kurt to say it first. He wanted Kurt to take control and call the shots in the relationship, letting Blaine know when he was ready to move on, ready to take the next step. He was proud of Kurt for letting go and being honest, both with himself and with Blaine. And Blaine was looking forward to when Kurt would be ready to let Blaine know that he wanted to take the next step.

But first, they had to get through dinner with Blaine's parents.