The morning of his birthday (he was 20 now, when did that happen?) Blaine was nervous, but also fairly confident. His plan was set and he was fairly sure it would work. He trusted, at the very least, that Kurt loved him enough not to take off running.

If nothing else came of this, after tonight it would be out there. No more secrets.

They spent their morning at the zoo. Blaine picked it because zoos are something both he and Kurt have enjoyed in the past, but they hadn't had the opportunity to visit one since moving to New York. The February weather had him worried, but it was a warmer day for winter, and with the sun shining and both of them bundled in their coats, they soon forgot it was cold. Kurt was happy and carefree in a way that he hadn't been in quite some time, constantly reminding Blaine to slow down, we have all day, and Blaine could only smile because they did.

They finished up at the zoo faster than Blaine had expected and bought lunch from a street vendor that looked questionable but turned out to have fantastic food. After eating, the rest of the afternoon was spent browsing the nearby neighborhoods. They returned to the apartment to change, then went to dinner at Blaine's favorite Italian restaurant. Everything was perfect and simple and fun, and Blaine almost forgot their evening plans until the last bite of tiramisu was melting in his mouth. Kurt's fork clattered loudly against his plate, now empty of cheesecake.

"What's next?" Kurt asked easily, and Blaine could feel his nerves returning to settle in his stomach as he forced a smile.

"Remember what I told you I wanted for my birthday?" he returned, hoping the words came out as confident and suggestive as he'd intended.

"Yes," Kurt said, sounding breathless and looking more than a little wanton. This was good.

Then Kurt smiled, too big and too cocky, and pulled a box from his coat pocket, pushing it across the table. "I got you this."

Blaine wondered how he'd missed it, as it was large enough that it couldn't possibly have been hidden completely from view. He had an inkling of what it might be.

Carefully unfolding the wrapping and pulling off the lid, he peered into the box to find... a black scarf. It was silk, and generously adorned with brightly-colored flowers. It wasn't exactly what Blaine had pictured, but it was close enough. He felt his stomach twist with something entirely different than the anxiety he'd felt mere moments before.

Kurt was watching him, still smiling, eyes glittering.

"It'll look gorgeous on you," Blaine said honestly, enjoying the way Kurt's eyes widened slightly at his words. "Let's get out of here."

And they went.