Blaine sat on the couch in Kurt’s apartment. Kurt moved to the kitchen to break off a piece of fresh aloe before sitting beside Blaine and applying the cool gel to the burns on his arm.

“Blaine,” he began, slowly searching for the right words. “I… honestly I don’t know what I’m doing… its been so long… I just… I just don’t know. I don’t know what I want. That’s probably not what you want to hear right now. But it’s the truth. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, Kurt. Really. I’m… I’m not expecting anything, right now. I don’t know what I’m doing either to be honest.”

“But do you know what you want?”

“I’ve always known,” Blaine replied quickly, eyes unwaveringly locked on Kurt’s. “And I know that I will wait for it. I’ll fight for it. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Then… then make me believe you,” Kurt whispered. “Make me believe.”

Blaine moved toward Kurt, who flinched, but Blaine didn’t stop until Kurt was in his arms, head on his shoulder. He circled his arms around Kurt’s waist and held him. Simply held him. After a few moments, Kurt relaxed into Blaine’s hold, his breath evening out, arms snaking their way around Blaine’s shoulders, fingers playing with the soft curls at the nape of Blaine’s neck.

The world continued to whirl around them, the sounds of the city faded until the only thing either of them could hear was the steady synced beating of two hearts. Neither knew how long they remained wrapped in each other, but it didn’t matter because, at that moment, Kurt didn’t feel so hopeless. And Blaine didn’t feel so lonely. And it was perfect.

But perfect moments pass.

A nearby car alarm startled the men out of their reverie. Kurt shifted in Blaine’s arms, leaning back to look into his captivatingly golden eyes.

“It’s late.”

“Yeah. I should—”

“You could stay? Only if you want, I mean. And on the couch. Or I could take the couch and you can have my bed…”

“Kurt—”

“Of course, you don’t have to stay! If you’re not comfortable. I just thought since you have to be back here in a few hours anyway—”

“Kurt!”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll sleep on the couch. Thanks for offering. It is an awful long walk back to my place.”

“Oh. You’re welcome…”

“So… are you gonna…”

“Hm?”

“You’re, uh, sitting on my bed.”

“Right! Um, let me get you a pillow. And a blanket. Or two. It can get chilly out here. And pajamas? Do you want pajamas?”

Blaine laughed at Kurt’s awkward rambling. “Sure.”

“I’ll be right back.”

When Blaine was finally outfitted in a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and covered in one too many blankets, Kurt still lingered.

“Blaine, I…” he paused, unsure of what he was even trying to say. He sighed. “Goodnight, Blaine.”

“’Night, Kurt.”

Morning came quickly, and Blaine woke to Kurt puttering around in the kitchen.

“Oh, you’re up. I was about to come get you,” Kurt said when Blaine entered the kitchen. “The bathroom’s down the hall. I’ve got to go open and get the pastries in the oven and the coffee started. As soon as you’re ready just come on down. You can start behind the counter today if you’d like.”

And with that, he was out the door. Blaine quickly showered and joined Kurt in the shop.

“Go on a date with me.”

“Blaine—”

“Come on. You kissed me two nights ago. You can’t really believe there’s nothing going on here. So just go on a FREAKIN’ DATE WITH ME!” Blaine’s voice had risen to a yell.

“OK! FINE!” Kurt shouted back.

“GREAT!”

“STOP YELLING AT ME!”

“Sunday. I’ll pick you up at 5.”

“Ok.”

“Ok.”

Sunday.

4:58.

Kurt sat on his couch tapping is foot. He was beginning to regret this. He wasn’t ready to date again. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t.

5:00

The buzzer. Damn that boy and his punctuality. Ok. He could do this. He could do this.

“Hey!” Blaine greeted him with an annoyingly adorable smile. Damn that smile.

“Alright, where are we going?”

“Uh, well dinner first. Then I have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

“Dude, do you know the definition of ‘surprise’?”

“Don’t call me ‘dude,’ dude.”

“Shall we?”

“I suppose.”

“You sound so thrilled, really. Calm down.”

“Shut up.”

Blaine laughed heartily, and Kurt decided he really like the sound of that laugh. So maybe he could do this.

“Do you like Thai?”

“Yeah, actually.”

“Awesome! ‘Cause here we are! Yum Yum Bangkok. Best Pad Thai in the city.”

They sat in the dim restaurant making small talk as they ate. Kurt was grateful Blaine didn’t push to discuss the nature of their relationship, though he knew they would have to have that conversation eventually. Since their kiss, part of him had come to like the idea of being in a relationship with Blaine. But a bigger part kept reminding him that it was too fast, too soon, too much risk of getting hurt again.

“Favorite Broadway musical,” Blaine asked over their fried banana dessert.

“Hmm, ok, do you have an hour?” Kurt laughed. “Actually I’ve never seen a show on Broadway. We used to do the lottery, but never won. Though when I was in high school, my dad took me to see Cats when it came to Columbus. It was magical. But I know the soundtracks to quite a few, and I’ve seen a lot of pirated recordings on Youtube. So I’m going to say… Wicked. Yes, Wicked is my favorite.”

Blaine smiled and glanced at his watch as they finished the dessert. “Right on time! Ready for your surprise?”

“I suppose,” Kurt grinned at Blaine’s excitement; it was contagious. Blaine paid the bill, insisting that it was his treat because he had asked Kurt out, not the other way around.

“I’m gonna hold your hand,” Blaine stated as they stepped out into the cool night air. Without waiting for a response, he took Kurt’s hand, entwining their fingers and leading the way down the street. Kurt could only grin.

They had only walked a few blocks when Blaine stopped.

“Here we are.”

Kurt looked up. Stretched across the marquee was a sign that read ‘One night only! Wicked – 25th Anniversary Revival.’

“Blaine! You can’t be serious!”

“Well I am! Here’s your ticket. Row C. Would you like seat 11 or 12?”

Kurt was speechless. He just stood there gaping at the tickets Blaine was holding in front of his face.

“Kurt?”

“How did you.. why… I don’t…”

“Complete sentences, sweetheart.”

“I’m absolutely overwhelmed right now, Blaine, I can’t believe it!”

“Believe it, babe. And do it quick. Show starts in 10.”

Kurt could think of no other response but to kiss him, so that’s what he did. When he pulled away, he took one of the tickets from Blaine’s hand and entwined their fingers once more.

“You are amazing,” he whispered, then tugged Blaine through the open theater door.

“So, did you enjoy it?”

“Is that a rhetorical question?”

“No,” Blaine grinned.

“It was…” Kurt searched for adequate words. “It was magical. I’d never thought I’d get to experience something like that. I still can’t believe you… How did you? Really, Blaine. How did you manage to get tickets, THOSE tickets? I mean, those seats were incredible!”

“Oh I know a guy. And I sold a piece of my liver. No big deal,” Blaine joked. “It was worth it. Seeing you happy. You’re so beautiful, Kurt, especially when you smile.”

Kurt blushed. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this happy, this elated… Not since… not since his dad was alive.

And he never had anything like this with Sam. Sam never made any grand gestures. Kurt did, or tried. He would save for weeks and plan a special date to a fancy restaurant, maybe catch a movie. And they would have fun. He loved doing things for Sam, but Sam was just as content with Chinese takeout and a quick fuck.

Now, in hindsight, Kurt could see just how one-sided their relationship was. Kurt gave 100 percent all the time; Sam gave maybe 40 on a good day. And Kurt was blinded to that, because a beautiful boy wanted to share a bed with him. It was more than he ever had before. And so Kurt continued to believe that they were stable, that they would last.

Maybe, in the months before it was over, Kurt could sense their foundation crumbling. Maybe he thought he could save them, with grand gestures. So he bought the ring, planned the anniversary date, began the proposal… went to bed fiancé-less, boyfriend-less, Sam-less. Because not even a grand gesture, a declaration of forever, could keep together two people running in opposite directions.

They shared a cab back to Burt’s.

“Hey, do you want coffee?” Kurt asked, not quite ready to say goodbye.

“Sure!” Blaine looked a little relieved; he harbored a faint hope Kurt would offer that. And he really didn’t want this night to end, either.

While Kurt set a pot to brew, Blaine sat on a couch near the counter. Kurt soon joined him with two steaming mugs.

“I really don’t know how to thank you for tonight. No one’s ever done anything like that for me before.”

“It was my pleasure, Kurt, really. I hope you’ll let me take you out again soon,” Blaine smiled hopefully.

“Well, no. Because next time will be my treat. I’m taking you out, ok?”

A huge grin spread across Blaine’s face. “Deal!”

They were silent for a few moments, enjoying each other’s presence. But the need for full disclosure weighed heavily on Kurt’s mind. Just get it all out there, he thought. The worst he can do is leave.

“Blaine,” he began with a sigh, his face serious, eyes downcast. “I really like you. But… but I’m scared. I’m scared because of how fast this is happening and how amazing you are and how much I like you.

“With my ex, Sam, we just kind of fell into a relationship because it was easy and it was there and we were willing. And don’t get me wrong—I loved him. Really, really loved him. Blaine, I bought a damn ring. And then he was gone. And I was devastated.

“So I guess what I’m trying to say is… if you’re not serious… if you’re just trying to get in my pants, then just stop. Don’t waste your time. I’m being completely honest when I say I want more than sex. I don’t throw myself around anymore. I did, before Sam. And I hated myself for it. That’s where I stand, Blaine. Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it!” Blaine exclaimed, enthusiastically grabbing Kurt’s hand. “You matter to me, Kurt. And I am very, very serious about you. I’ve dated around, fallen in love, had my heart broken, had meaningless sex with guys I’ve never seen since, but I’ve also grown up. I’ve learned from my mistakes. I’m not gonna promise you sunshine and rainbows for the rest of your life because life sucks a lot of the time and there’s nothing we can do about it.

“Right now I can’t even promise that we will always be together, but I promise that’s what I want. And I promise I’m gonna fight for you. I won’t let you go easy, you can count on that.”

Blaine scooted closer to Kurt and looked straight into his eyes. Kurt could see the honesty, the sincerity in Blaine’s eyes. He believed him.

“Kurt, I want to date you. I want to know everything about you. I want to learn you inside out. I want to kiss you whenever I want and to hold your hand when we walk down the street. And when you’re ready, Kurt, I want to make love to you and cherish you and feel you and taste you and hold you close and fall asleep in your arms. That is where I stand. I’m in this. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Kurt couldn’t stop the tear that rolled down his cheek, though it wasn’t sad. For the first time in a very long time, his tears were caused by an overwhelming happiness.

“I trust you, Blaine,” he whispered leaning over to place a kiss on his cheek. “And I want you to hold my hand when we go out,” he kissed his other cheek. “And I want you to kiss me whenever you want,” Kurt breathed before capturing Blaine’s lips with his own, letting Blaine kiss him slowly, deeply, passionately. Their lips danced for long, blissful minutes.

Blaine drew back, dizzy and breathless. “It’s late.”

“Mmhmm,” Kurt pulled Blaine back in. Blaine moaned softly before breaking the kiss again.

“I’ve gotta go get some sleep so I’m not late for work tomorrow.”

“Mmm, yeah, I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble with your boss. You could get fired.”

Blaine chuckled, placing a chaste but lingering kiss on Kurt’s lips. “Oh I don’t think he’ll fire me. I can be pretty persuasive!” He waggled his eyebrows.

Kurt laughed and playfully swatted his arm. “Go! Before I kiss you again!”

“I fail to see how that’d be a bad thing.”

“See you in the morning, Blaine.”

Blaine blew him a kiss as he walked out the door. As Kurt locked up behind him, he couldn’t wipe the silly grin off his face—he didn’t want to, either. He had never been more eager for the morning to come.