Kurt was psyching himself up for lunch with Blaine. He still felt extremely conflicted about lying to Adam, and conflicted about what his friendship with Blaine meant exactly. He planned to pick Blaine up at 2PM, and right up until 1:30 he was happy with his clothing choice. Something plain, purposely not anything tight or anything accentuating his assets. He didn't want to give the wrong impression, when he still wasn't sure what impression was the right one. He was wearing dark jeans in a relaxed fit, dark Converse sneakers, a white T shirt, and hoodie. He was sitting on his bed daydreaming about the previous night. Blaine's dark hair, his hazel eyes that lit up his entire face when he smiled, his singing voice that had some intangible magical quality that had given Kurt goosebumps.

He panicked, looking at himself in the mirror. He stripped to his underwear and frantically raided his closet for something that would make him look perfect. Still casual, but tighter, and with high black boots. And he gelled his hair into a style that would stay put, even if it was windy. Because they were going to be doing a lot of walking today.

Kurt texted Blaine to let him know he was coming over, and Blaine met him right outside.

"Hi Kurt. You look...really nice," Blaine said, his eyes involuntarily looking Kurt up and down slowly. He smiled without meaning to also. Blaine didn't seem to have a whole lot of control over what his face did around Kurt. He wondered what Dr. Sylvester would say about that. "So, you said you wanted to take me someplace. Where are we going?"

"I'm going to take you to a sandwich truck that I used to love in high school. It's right near a path by a brook, I thought we could go for a walk after we eat?"

Blaine smiled again. "Sure, lets do it."

They got into Kurt's car.

"So, Blaine, do you like RENT?"

"Duh."

On the ride over to the hiking path, they did two separate renditions of "Light My Candle" from RENT. First Kurt played Mimi, then Blaine did, and each insisted that the other would be better cast in that role.

The owner of the sandwich truck greeted Kurt like they were old friends.

"Hey Kurt! Fuck it has been a long time! No fucking way what the hell are you doing back in this shit hole?!" The tall, muscled man with olive skin and a buzz cut got out of the truck and gathered Kurt up in a hug.

Kurt grinned. "I'm good, Noah. Still living in New York, but I'm back visiting the family."

"Oh, and this must be Adam?" Noah said, looking at Blaine questioningly. "He looks a bit young, though."

"Oh, no no," Kurt corrected, "this is my friend Blaine. He lives across the street from my dad and Carole now. I thought I would show him the best lunch truck in town."

"Getting a little something on the side, ey?" Noah winked at Blaine, who blushed.

"Okay, okay, enough of that," Kurt said, his own cheeks somewhat pink too. "How about two maple turkeys on rye with the works, and two cokes." Kurt glanced over to Blaine, who nodded his approval.

A few awkward moments later, Noah handed the sandwiches over, winking again. "Have fun, boys..."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Take it easy, Noah."

Kurt turned to Blaine. "Lets eat by the brook, okay? It's about a 15 minute walk."

"Sure," Blaine agreed, very much wanting to put space between himself and Kurt's nosy old friend.

They walked in an amicable silence for a few minutes, admiring the trees and plants and the rocky incline to the water. But just like the night before, small sparks began to ignite between them each time their hands touched accidentally, or their eyes met. Ten minutes went by and Blaine was finding it unbearable. He was about to grab for Kurt's hand, when he slipped on something wet on the ground.

Before he realized what had happened, he was falling toward the incline, and he saw a large, very hard looking jagged rock racing toward his face and didn't seem to have the presence of mind or the time to throw his hands down to protect himself. He winced and closed his eyes, bracing for impact.

Then just as quickly, he was still and the rock was gone. Something solid and strong was holding him around the waist. He felt quick breaths on his neck, and opened his eyes. Kurt.

"Shit. Shit shit shit that could have been so bad, oh my God thank you!" Blaine turned around and hugged Kurt tightly, both their hearts beating very quickly. "Oh no, your sweater, it got stretched."

"I don't give a damn about my stupid sweater, jeez that was scary. You're okay, aren't you?" Blaine nodded. Kurt moved to take off his sweater, saying that it was too warm anyway. Blaine couldn't help but notice the "Bl" on Kurt's arm.

"Oh. You have my...when did that...I mean..." Blaine stumbled.

Sighing, Kurt replied, "Last night. Can we just maybe not talk about it today? I think that was enough excitement..."

Blaine's breathing slowly returned to normal. "I'm sorry Kurt, but I saw a candidate counselor this morning and she thinks that we should talk about it as soon as possible. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, I really don't."

"I guess that's the problem, Blaine. You don't make me uncomfortable. You make me feel like I'm at home, just being near you I feel the most comfortable and the most at ease as I have ever felt in my entire life. And we barely know each other. What does that even mean? I have a boyfriend, a serious boyfriend, who I love dearly. I will not be a cheater."

"So is that it then? You're not interested in pursuing me as a candidate?" Blaine couldn't help feeling a stab of rejection and letting it morph his face into a pained expression.

Kurt reached over and smoothed out the frown lines on Blaine's forehead. "That's what I had planned to say, I guess, yeah. But I can't. God, look at you. You're everything." Kurt leaned in slowly, never taking his eyes off of Blaine's, and slowly running his fingers along Blaine's cheek then his neck.

Blaine shivered as Kurt's lips brushed his softly, just for a second, then moved away, asking Blaine something with his eyes.

"Perfect," Blaine whispered. "How can you be so perfect?" Blaine felt the electricity from the tiny kiss burn his entire body. His blood and organs were on fire with want and with life. He was thrilled and elated and horny and Kurt had barely touched him. With difficulty, they looked away from each other and continued walking.

They had reached the brook, so sat down on some large rocks to eat their lunch.

"So..." Blaine began, not sure how to phrase it without sounding clingy and demanding.

"Yes, Blaine. I want us to be candidates. God help us both, this is going to be messy, but yes. You can come to dinner with me and my dad tomorrow, see how well you guys get along and all. I want to stay in New York, but for you I think I would be willing to negotiate just about anything. Oh my poor apartment..." Kurt sighed at the loss.

"But Kurt are you sure? Are you sure that I'm worth the trouble? I'm young and inexperienced with like, everything. And you know you love Adam, what if I destroy your relationship? I might not be worth it."

"Blaine you have already destroyed my relationship just by existing. I would be lying if I said I wasn't bitter and sad and annoyed and confused, and just about every other negative emotion you could come up with. They're all mixed up together in my heart right now like a poison soup. But I can't be sorry, Blaine. I can't be sorry that we met, because I think this could be something spectacular, you and I. Something people will write ballands about, you know? You ARE worth it."

Blaine let out a long breath he had been holding in. "So are you, Kurt."

They held hands tightly the entire way back, not noticing that someone was watching them.

Chatting with Noah by the lunch trunk, and staring angrily at their clasped hands, was Adam.