Kurt sat in the back seat of his parents rental car on the way back from Giovannis, chatting animatedly about his plans for his time off this summer and telling them about his plans to go to New York to visit Rachel. He tried his hardest to ignore the obvious glances Burt and Carole exchanged in their silence, but he knew the topic was coming all too soon, seeing as they hadnt said anything the day before other than the fact that they thought Blaine was very sweet and they liked him very much.

Eventually he trailed off into silence, waiting for one of them to speak up. He knew there was no use putting off the inevitable.

"So, you want to tell me whats actually going on between you and Blaine?" His father had asked. Okay, so straight to the point, then. Kurt should have known, there really was no beating around the bush with his father.

"Dad," he said exaggeratedly, "I told you, were friends, thats it. We only met a few weeks ago."

"And why does that matter?" Burt asked.

"Because were only just getting to know each other." Kurt shrugged as if it were obvious. "You saw how Blaine is, Dad. Hes really shy and doesnt talk to people much."

"What I just saw was someone singing about how much he loves you." Burt argued, but not angrily.

"Im not going to scare him off; I want to be friends with him. Hes really sweet and genuine and I dont want to make him uncomfortable." Kurt said, knowing hed have to use the best of his acting skills to fool his dad.

"I dont know what it is about him, but hes had it rough, I know he has. And hes too shy to say anything, but he deserves to be noticed, Dad. Hes more talented than anyone I know and it shouldnt go to waste, you saw him up there tonight. I know for a fact that the both of you loved to watch him play. I wasnt lying when I said he knows how to capture an audience. He deserves a chance, and I want to help him get to at least that point." He stopped for a moment, looking from his dad to Carole, judging their reactions. They were relatively quiet, but not in a negative way. He figured he was doing okay so far.

"He has such big potential, I can see it." Kurt continued. "I think I can help him come out of his shell. Yesterday at dinner was the first time Ive ever seen him so shy; hes always so open around me that I never see how shy he actually is."

"Theres a reason for that, you know." Carole chimed in with a knowing smile.

"Maybe..." Kurt started to say.

"What do you mean, maybe?" Burt quipped from the drives seat. "I know you, Kurt. I saw the way you looked at him, the way you two looked at each other. He may be shy, but definitely not when youre around. And Caroles right. There is a reason for that." His dad shot him a pointed glance in the rear view mirror, but Kurt ignored it and internally relaxed. Maybe Blaine was a better actor than he originally thought. Or it really was something else.

"Dad, I really like Blaine, but for right now, were just friends and Im perfectly happy with that. If it turns into something else—"

"It will." Burt interrupted, but Kurt pretended to ignore him.

"—if it turns into something else, then great, but if friendship is all we have to offer each other... Id be okay with that." Kurt said, feeling more genuine and sincere than he had meant to.

"You just wait, kiddo," was all Burt said in reply.

"So does your dad hate me?" Blaine asked Kurt through the phone two mornings later as he waited for his coffee to finish brewing. Kurts parents had left a few hours prior to Kurt calling him.

"Why would he hate you?" Kurts voice sounded like he was genuinely curious.

"Well when I first met him I barely even spoke, and then the other night I made that lovely and spontaneous speech before the last song I played..." Blaine trailed off and ran a hand through his hair.

"Its not a crime that youre shy, Blaine." Kurt chuckled. "And as for the other night—"

"Im sorry," Blaine cut in. "I just wanted your dad to see that I actually care about you and Im not just using you for your fame. I shouldnt have done that, I overstepped too much. I just wanted him to have a better impression of me but that probably didnt help at all..." Blaine sighed and poured his coffee.

"Its okay, Blaine, really. It actually helped, I think." Kurt soothed. "He uh... we talked about you after the show. Trust me, he doesnt hate you."

"What did you guys talk about?" Blaine was still worried even though Kurt was trying to reassure him that everything was fine.

"Your show. He thought the same things I did when I first saw you play. He really liked to watch you perform for the same reasons I do. And Carole adored you of course." Kurt added in a light voice.

"That makes me feel a little better," Blaine huffed and took a sip of his coffee. "Did he comment on what I said?"

"Before your last song? Yeah... he gave me a good speech to go with it." Kurt chuckled and Blaines face drained of its color.

"Should I be worried?" Blaine asked nervously.

"No, he just commented on how we acted around each other. He gave me the standard: ‘you wouldnt have brought him around to meet us if he werent important and ‘I see the way you two look at each other speeches. He just wants us to be careful but more than anything he wants us to be happy. He does like you though, I think watching you perform helped with that since he got a better glimpse of who you are." Blaine could hear the smile in Kurts voice.

"Good," Blaine relaxed immediately. "One less thing for me to worry about."

"Well if we can fool my dad, fooling the press wont be too hard. My dad can usually tell when somethings up with me or if Im not telling him something. Everyone else is easier for me to trick. If you can keep it up like you did Thursday night, well be fine with this." Kurt assured. Blaine was relieved once again. Maybe this wouldnt be too terribly difficult.

"I think I can keep it up. Its just talking to the press that may make things difficult..." Blaine laughed nervously but Kurt just brushed it off.

"Well get there. Speaking of the press!" Kurts tone changed like he had some news, so Blaine listened carefully. "Someone took a picture of me at your show on Thursday. I was in an article on OK!s website this morning."

"OK?" Blaine questioned.

"Have you ever read a tabloid magazine, Blaine?" Kurt chuckled.

"I dont really pay much attention to that kind of stuff, should I?" Blaine brought his coffee over to where his laptop was open on the couch and started searching for OK!s website.

"Well you may want to start searching around because youll probably be in them soon. Theres not much in the article, just a caption of me saying I was out ‘enjoying an evening at Giovannis with my parents. They havent said anything about you, but when were seen together more, they will." Kurt explained as Blaine found the article. He skimmed through it and nodded to himself.

"I found it. I guess I should keep tabs on you so I can see what everyones saying about me..." Blaine said thoughtfully. He had to be ready for this sooner or later. Right now it didnt seem so bad anyway.

"Well now that weve tackled my dad, are you ready to go public, Blaine Anderson?" Kurt asked quizzically and Blaine smiled at the tone.

"I suppose I am!" Blaine answered just as formally. "Shall we start with a coffee date?"

"Well we have to start somewhere, right?" Kurt laughed. "Ill look for somewhere we can go thats kind of remote but will have enough people to notice that its me there and that Im with someone. We dont want to make it look like a publicity stunt." Kurt responded. "So would you like to meet me for coffee on Tuesday?"

"Id love to," Blaine said cheekily. He and Kurt continued their conversation for another half hour or so before bidding each other goodbye. Blaine felt like he should be doing something to prepare himself for Tuesday, but what could he do, really? It wasnt likely that many people would notice him after one date. He just supposed he shouldnt be surprised with how fast or slow things go. He just needed to let this take its own course.

"I have to say, I was kind of surprised when you told me to meet you here," Blaine remarked as he held the door open for Kurt. They were at the coffee shop they had met at the first time, just a few blocks away from Blaines work.

"Well it wasnt terribly crowded the first time we came here, but it wasnt completely off the map either. Plus they have excellent coffee." Kurt smiled. Blaine nodded his agreement as they made their way towards the counter. There were a few people in the shop, but no one really seemed to notice the two of them as they entered.

"Can I get a grande non-fat mocha and a... medium drip, right?" Kurt turned to Blaine to confirm his order. Blaine couldnt stop the smile that broke from his lips as he answered yes. "And a plate of biscotti, please."

"You like biscotti?" Blaine asked.

"Who doesnt like biscotti with coffee? Its a fundamental. Strawberries and champagne, red wine and dark chocolate, coffee and biscotti." Kurt stated matter-of-factly.

"What kind do you like best?"

"Im drinking a mocha, what do you think?" Kurt replied with a smirk.

"Ill keep that in mind."

Once they got their orders, they sat at a small table towards the back, still in plain view, but not too obvious.

"So how was the rest of your weekend with your parents?" Blaine asked.

"Far too short, as usual. I always miss my dad." Kurt shrugged. "Ill visit him again soon, though. Im probably going to go to New York by the time summers over, so I might make a stop along the way... well see."

"New York for vacation or are you guys filming there?"

"No, we dont pick back up until about mid August. Rachel wants me to see her show again, and who am I to pass up a trip to New York?" Kurt chuckled.

"Do you like it better there? Rather than L.A.?" Blaine wondered.

"Its... I dont know. They both have such different vibes. I love my job though, I dont regret coming out here one bit, but I absolutely love New York. I love going to visit every chance I can." Kurts eyes lit up as he talked about it. Blaine knew that Kurt had his sights set on New York back when he was in high school, so the city would always be special for him.

"Ive never been to New York City," Blaine commented. "Ive always wanted to go, but I never really had a chance once I came out here."

"Youve never been to New York? That is a tragedy!" Kurt mocked sounding appalled. "Well luckily for you, sir, I just happen to have a best friend who just happens to be playing Eva Perón in the amazing revival of Evita and can get us tickets to her show in a heartbeat."

"W-what?" Blaine spluttered. Was Kurt really asking him to go to New York with him?

"We could go for a long weekend and you can meet Rachel, because lord knows shes going to be pestering me about you as soon as word gets out..." Kurt paused and saw Blaines expression of mixed surprise and worry. "Only if you want to! I know that would be a lot. Rachel is a lot to handle. Well just... never mind well talk about this another time." Kurt quickly sipped his coffee and Blaines face softened into a gentle grin.

"It always makes me so relieved when you get uneasy," Blaine smirked. He glanced around before he reached across the table and gave Kurts hand a squeeze. "Going to New York would be a blast," He stated, because it was one hundred percent true. Even if he was nervous, going to New York with Kurt sounded like it would be more fun than hed had in a long time.

"Really? I didnt just scare you off there?" Kurt looked worried.

"Not at all. We should probably wait a few weeks though, just until this," he gestured between the two of them, "gets out." Kurt nodded and responded.

"Oh! I wanted to talk to you about that!" Kurt glanced around and then lowered his voice a bit. "I talked to my publicist about you..." He watched Blaine for a moment, then continued on. "I basically told her the truth, well part of it. Dont worry she wont tell a soul." He added when Blaines face fell. "But she can help us out as far as getting appropriate publicity and making sure it doesnt look like a publicity stunt, since, well it pretty much is."

"I feel like this is going to back fire." Blaine rubbed his eyes worriedly.

"Trust me, Emily is the best. She understood the second I told her, and she knows I want to help you out." Kurt reassured him by taking his hand.

"So, what did she say?" Blaine questioned hesitantly.

"Well for one, she thinks this could work if we play our cards right, so far we have the right idea. We just cant make it too obvious. But in order to make this official, so people know for sure who you are, were going to have to announce it out to the press, preferably at some event." Kurt whispered that last bit so no one would hear him. Blaine noticed that a few people across the coffee shop kept glancing in their direction, but he ignored them for the time being.

"Event like what? Did she have something in mind?" Blaine twiddled his thumbs as he waited.

"Well, at the end of July theres a press party for Far From the End. We figured that gives us roughly six weeks to give the pot a stir and you know how fast gossip travels in this town..." Kurt laughed and rolled his eyes as he sipped his mocha. "But if you would do me the honor of going as my date, then we can get your name out there and spread the word about how talented you are." Again, Kurts words were not above a low murmur, but Blaine got the message.

"Okay... so July?" Blaine asked.

"Are you saying yes to my date proposal?" Kurt asked giddily.

"Yes," Blaine laughed as Kurt clapped his hands in excitement. "Though why you would settle for me when you could have nearly any guy in L.A. is beyond me."

"Who says Im settling?" Kurt quipped as he sipped his coffee with a raised eyebrow. Blaine smiled and glanced away, noting once more that some of the other coffee shop patrons had taken more notice to them.

"I think people are starting to recognize you," Blaine leaned in and whispered. Kurt just smirked and sipped his mocha.

"Eh, let ‘em stare. Thats the point right?" Kurt inquired. Blaine smiled and drank his coffee as well, ignoring the curious gazes of the people around him. "So whens your next show at Giovannis? I thought you were going to keep me posted on that," he teased.

"Tomorrow night, if youd like to come." Blaine answered. "Can you make it?"

"Of course! Is it annoying to have me at every one of your shows?" Kurt gave him an uneasy smile.

"No, its nice. Whether youre backstage or out front, its nice having you there." Blaine blushed slightly at his own words, but he smiled anyway, which was returned by Kurt.

"Good, because I like going. What are you playing tomorrow?" Kurt kept questioning Blaine, but it didnt bother him in the slightest. He raised an eyebrow, silently asking Kurt if he really wanted him to ruin the surprise. In response, Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Am I going to have to beg?" He sighed dramatically.

"Well that would be a sight. What a show for these lovely coffee shop patrons: Kurt Hummel begging a nobody restaurant singer to tell him his set list for the night." Blaine joked.

"Fine. Can I make a request, then?"

"And that would be...?"

"Nothing specific," Kurt said as he finally drained his coffee. "Play me an original, Ive heard a lot of covers lately."

"Ive tried to balance it, but people recognize and respond to the covers more... but Ill see what I can do," Blaine replied bashfully as he finished his coffee as well.

"Good, I love your originals. I mean, I love your covers, too, but words coming from your own heart are more powerful." Blaine blushed a deep crimson but he did his best to ignore it.

"Thanks..." He said quietly. He glanced around once more and finally noticed that people were openly staring as more people came in for a quick stop during their lunch breaks. "Should we... do you think we should go before it gets too crowded?" He asked in a low voice. Kurt looked around as well, then sighed.

"Yeah we should probably get out while we can. Come on," Kurt pushed himself out of his chair and waited for Blaine to do the same. They threw away their empty coffee cups and walked out beside each other. Blaine swore he saw the flash of a camera reflect on the glass windows, but he ignored it. That was the purpose, after all.

"That went well," Kurt said as he walked with Blaine down the block towards the studio.

"Im glad you think so... I was so nervous this morning." Blaine confessed with a forced laugh.

"About what?" Kurt tilted his head in curiosity.

"I dont know; I figured Id do something stupid. Like tripping and spilling coffee on you, or something." He shrugged.

"Well, you were perfectly fine." They stopped just before the corner, and turned towards each other. "Ill see you tomorrow night?" Kurt asked hopefully.

"Yeah," Blaine ensured. "Are you going to be in the back again?"

"More than likely," Kurt squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek. "Have fun at work!" He smiled.

"See you," Blaine laughed as he walked the opposite way, feeling uplifted.