Kurt texted Blaine from New York to let him know they hadn't made the finals, but he left the details for the coffee date they were planning for the morning after he got back.
Finally, at their favourite coffee place, Kurt was excitedly filling Blaine in on everything that had happened and Blaine was gazing back at him with an adorable, lovesick expression.
Then, out of nowhere, Blaine said "I love you."
Shocked, Kurt tried to figure out if he had really heard that correctly. Had Blaine really just said what he thought he had said? Blaine was just sitting there gazing at him patiently with that same loving expression.
Kurt figured he had better say something soon and quickly replied "I love you too."
After Sam and Mercedes had left, Blaine continued to talk about songs for his audition, while Kurt sat there dazed. He thought he should be paying attention to what his boyfriend was saying, but all he could think was "I think he just said he loved me."
When they had finished their coffees and were heading out the door, Blaine asked "What time do you have to be at school today?"
"Not until after lunch. Most of my classes are done. I just have a math review this afternoon, then our last glee meeting."
"Good, then we'll have lots of time to look at music."
They spent awhile looking at music. Kurt was still distracted and wasn't being particularly helpful, but luckily Blaine seemed to have a pretty good idea what he wanted, and quickly picked out a couple of options.
They drove the short way back to Kurt's house, Blaine still debating the merits of the various songs.
Once he'd parked in Kurt's driveway, Blaine was half way to the house before he realized that Kurt was still sitting in the car. Kurt seemed to realize this at the same time and jumped to get out and join Blaine.
Although Blaine could be pretty clueless sometimes, it seemed to him that Kurt wasn't acting quite like himself. "What's up?" he asked, as Kurt unlocked the door and let them in.
"Did you...did you really say you loved me?"
"I'm sorry, I know it wasn't a very romantic way to say it. I didn't plan to say it then. I was thinking it, and it just sort of came out. You probably would have preferred a romantic supper or a moonlit walk, or..."
Kurt cuts him off, smiling at Blaine's worried expression "Don't worry, spontaneity is pretty romantic."
"Is it?"
"Absolutely."
"I meant it," Blaine said softly, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. " I love you Kurt Hummel." He kissed Kurt passionately, then pulled back to ask "Is that really so hard to believe?"
"Only because I've loved you for ages, and for the longest time, I thought you would never feel the same way."
"How long, Kurt? When did you first realize it?"
"I'm not sure exactly when," Kurt says thoughtfully. I remember when Mr. Shuester came and visited me before Christmas, he asked me about you, and I told him I was in love with you. That was the first time I actually said it, but as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew it was the truth."
"Wow, that's a long time. I'm sorry I was clueless for so long."
"Well, at least you figured it out eventually. I was afraid you never would."
"Forgive me?"
"Of course I forgive you. I love you." Kurt kissed him, and to Blaine's surprise, instead of backing off like he usually did whenever things started to heat up, Kurt was shyly slipping his tongue between Blaine's open lips.
Blaine responded, matching Kurt's movements with his own tongue, his arms locked tight around Kurt's waist, until they both pulled back, gasping.
Kurt led Blaine to the couch and pushed him down gently on it, lying on top of him to continue kissing where they'd left off. Kurt moved to kiss Blaine's neck, his earlobe, the top of his shoulder, enjoying the little gasps from his boyfriend whenever his lips found a new spot.
"Hey, Kurt, have you seen my...oh, sorry," Finn said, embarrassed, as Kurt sighed and reluctantly climbed off his boyfriend. "Never mind." He turned and headed back upstairs.
"I should probably get back to studying so I have time to work on my audition later. I can't wait until exams are over and I can spend every spare minute with you."
"Am I going to get to hear your potential audition songs?" asked Kurt as they headed towards the door.
"So, you were paying attention after all. I thought you'd never ask. I'll call you tonight after I've had a chance to practice, and sing them for you." He kissed Kurt softly and said "Goodbye, Love."
"Bye, Blaine," Kurt said, closing the door. He turned around to sink down on the floor. "Blaine Anderson just called me Love," he said to himself. He was going to be in a dazed state for the rest of the day now.