Chapter 6: Getting Ready

The rest of the week passed in a blissful blur for Kurt. Before he knew it, he was giving Finn a ride home from school on Friday and it suddenly hit him. I am going on a date with Blaine. Tonight. The nerves he had managed to evade hit him full force and he began to freak out. This frightened Finn, who (as usual) was completely clueless as to his stepbrother's thought process and was afraid Kurt may be sick or possibly possessed. They get home and before Finn can ask Kurt what's wrong, Kurt's already out of the car and rushing to his room. He shuts the door behind him and tosses his bag on the floor before collapsing on his back on the bed and rubbing his hands over his face. He had a date. An actual date. With a boy. A nice, sexy, talented gay boy. He could not screw this up. What should I wear? Do I need money or would Blaine pay? What do I talk about? Will it be awkward? What if he wants to kiss me goodnight? I don't know how to kiss! What if— Kurt's mental freak-out was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He groaned as he lifted himself from the bed and grabbed his phone from his bag.

"Hello," he answered.

"Kurt?" he heard Blaine's nervous voice ask timidly.

"Yes?"

"Hi!"

"Hello."

"Um...it's Blaine."

Kurt giggled. "I know it's you, Blaine, I know what your voice sounds like."

"Oh...really?" 

"Yes, really. Also, ever heard of this nifty thing called caller ID?"

Kurt swore he could hear Blaine blush over the phone. "Oh! Right. I...um...I forgot. I feel really stupid, sorry. I'm just nervous." Kurt smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, feeling at least a bit more relaxed because he wasn't the only one who was nervous and also because hearing Blaine's voice was oddly soothing. "You aren't alone. I am, too. I guess we'll be nervous together."

"Yeah, I guess so. But hopefully not for too long, I'd like to think we'll get past it."

"Somehow I think we will." There was a pause. "Blaine?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you just call me to tell me you're nervous or was there some other reason?"

"Oh! Right! Sorry! I just wanted to ask you something."

"Ask away, then."

"Would you mind a minor change of plans?"

Kurt's heart dropped. Did Blaine not want to go on the date? "I'm not sure. What kind of change are you proposing?"

"It's fine if you don't want to, but I was thinking that, you know, we could get the food to go and have a picnic instead of eating at the restaurant? Only if you want, though. You know what, nevermind, it was a stupid idea, I never should've let Coop—"

"Blaine!" Kurt interjected, "It isn't a stupid idea. It sounds great, actually."

"Really?"

"Definitely." Kurt paused briefly before adding, "Who's Coop?"

"He's just my older brother. He's...it's...I'll tell you more about him later, okay? I should probably let you go get ready now, and I have some things to do as well, so I'll see you at seven?"

"You will, indeed."

"Wait! Kurt! Don't hang up!" 

"I'm here. What now?"

"What do you want? To eat, you know, so I can order it and pick it up for our picnic? And, is there anything you're really opposed to having? Do you have any allergies?"

"I don't have allergies and I don't know what to get. I trust you to order food that tastes good. Don't let me down."

"I hope I don't."

"Also, where will this picnic be?"

"That, dearest, is a surprise."

"I don't like surprises."

"You'll like this one. At least, I hope you will. Feel free to slap me or something if you don't."

"That's a dangerous thing to say, Blaine."

"I'm aware. Well, I've gotta go. I really will hang up this time, I promise."

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, then. Bye, Blaine."

"Bye Kurt."

Kurt hung up his phone with a huge grin, then tossed it onto the bed. Then, he began to squeal and bounce up and down, unable to contain his excitement. He heard Finn's thundering footsteps as he fumbled down the stairs and crashed into Kurt's room.

"Dude! Are you okay?"

"I'm wonderful," Kurt responded dreamily.

Finn took a step back, obviously puzzled. "Sorry, I thought I heard you scream or something."

"Nope. Everything is positively perfect in every way," Kurt singsonged.

"Alright, dude. You sure? You've just been acting kinda weird today and, like—"

"Finn, your concern is touching, really, but I'm fine. Don't worry."

"Just let me know if you wanna talk or something, alright?"

"I will. Now, go. Be gone. Play video games or stuff your face with food, I have work to do."

Once Finn was safely outside his room with the door shut behind him, Kurt proceeded to twirl about his room, singing under his breath as he set about preparing for his date.

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Blaine gulped as he stood on Kurt's doorstep, trying to calm his nerves enough to gain some composure before ringing the doorbell. He was startled when the door opened without warning to reveal a tall, slightly intimidating man wearing sneakers, jeans and an ill-fitting flannel shirt. Blaine wondered briefly how someone related to Kurt could dress like that before remembering how terrified he was. He must have looked quite startled, as the man in the doorway seemed somewhat amused.

"So, were you planning on standing out there all night?"

"No, sir, I was just here to—"

"Pick my son up to take him on his first date, I know. He told me." The man, Kurt's father, seemed to be examining Blaine, making Blaine squirm under his scrutinizing gaze. Seemingly satisfied, he spoke again.

"So...Blaine, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Don't 'sir' me, kid. Call me Burt. Would you like to wait inside until Kurt's ready? He shouldn't be much longer now. He wouldn't abandon you with me too long," Burt said, cracking a smile.

Blaine smiled back nervously. Kurt's dad seemed like a good man, and he hadn't threatened to shoot him yet, so Blaine felt that things were going pretty well thus far. "Thank you, Burt," he said as he stepped inside. Once inside, he tensed up. What should he do now? Should he sit? Or stand? If he did sit, where should he sit? 

"Relax, Blaine. Take a seat on the couch. You have no reason to be scared of me." Blaine relaxed a bit. "Not yet, at least." Blaine tensed again. "We'll be fine as long as you're good to Kurt and as long as I think you're good for Kurt. If you seem to be a bad influence, though, or hurt him in any way, then you'll have good reason to worry." Blaine gulped. He could tell Burt was completely serious. It was good Kurt had him, but it was also terrifying, to a certain extent. While Blaine had absolutely no plans to hurt Kurt, he knew he wasn't perfect and might screw up and he really didn't want to die. Blaine's face brightened and he stood as he saw Kurt descending the stairs with an effortless grace Blaine himself couldn't achieve even if he tried. He was beautiful, as he always was, clad in black leather ankle-boots, dark-wash skintight jeans, blue scarf, and what seemed to be gray button-up shirt peeking out from underneath his double-breasted black jacket with silver buttons. 

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Burt turned from his place to see what Blaine was looking at and smiled at the sight of his son. He felt as if he was being tackled by all the emotions and thoughts in his head. My son is about to go on his first date. Elizabeth would have been so happy to see this. Damn, how did he grow up so fast? Burt turned back to Blaine to find the boy's face painted with a dopey smile, eyes full of wonder and adoration, and he felt some of the uneasiness about letting his son go on a date subside. He smiled a little wider. He liked this Blaine kid. He was polite and seemed pretty decent and sincere and he quite obviously adored Kurt, so Burt felt some of his apprehension fade. Kurt seemed like he was going to say something when he reached the bottom of the stairs, but was cut off as Burt tackled him in a bear hug. He couldn't help it. His little boy was growing up. As much as he loved seeing how much Kurt has grown and as much as he loves watching Kurt develop as a person, part of him wished he could keep Kurt with him forever. 

"Dad, you're embarrassing me," grumbled Kurt as he squirmed, attempting to maneuver his way out of his father's strong grasp.

"Sorry, kiddo. You're just growin' up so fast." Burt gave Kurt one last squeeze before releasing him. "Alright, bud, I'll let you get going now." 

Blaine and Kurt walked to each other, shifting awkwardly for a minute until settling on a hug. They exchanged a few words, laughed a little, and started walking to the door. "Blaine" The boy looked back at him. "Make sure to have Kurt home by 10:30 at the latest."

"I will."

"Alright. Have a good time." They turned to leave, Burt watching them as they walked to the car. "And no funny business!" he called out as they neared the vehicle.

"Dad!" Kurt yelped, blushing, irritated, and indignant.

Burt chuckled. "Okay, okay. Bye."

"Bye dad!"

"Goodbye, Mr. Hummel. I mean, uh, Burt."

Burt watched as Blaine opened Kurt's door, watched as both boys got in the car and buckled their seatbelts, and kept watching as they drove away until the car was out of sight, then sighed. There he goes, thought Burt wistfully as he stepped back inside and closed the door behind him. He then strode into the kitchen to where Finn kept all his junk food. Well, Burt thought, Might as well take advantage of Kurt's absence, right? He opened the cupboard and grabbed a bag of chips, but stopped when he saw a note attached to it. 

Dear Dad,

I know I'm not at home right now, but just because I'm on a date doesn't mean you can pig out. Really, I'm careful about what I let you eat for your own good. Someone in science did some project of the science involved in cooking and brought cookies, so I saved you one. I hid it at the fruit bowl so Finn wouldn't get to it. It won't be as good as mine, but consider it a consolation prize. I love you and I'll see you when I get home.

Love, Kurt

Burt smiled and shook his head. My son is unbelievable, he thought to himself as he dug through the fruit bowl for the cookie. And fantastic, he added as he took a bite.