1. The Puck Drop

Kurt isn't really sure when he agreed, or if he actually did agree, to go with Finn to see a hockey game in Columbus, but as soon as they pull up to Nationwide Arena, he's certain he will come to regret it.

"Kurt, dude, this is going to be the best night ever!" Finn shouts from the passenger seat. One of Kurt's stipulations as they left the house was that under absolutely no circumstances was Finn to get behind the wheel of any moving vehicle.

"I'm quivering with excitement, really," Kurt deadpans and curses a group of fans in hideous blue and red jerseys that cut him off as they cross the street.

"Do you think we'll be able to meet any of the players?" Finn asks, waving to a group of people walking past. "Oh! You gotta take a picture of my by the cannon!"

"Whatever you say, Finn." Kurt turns into a parking area and scoffs as the attendant tells him it will cost $10. He looks at Finn expectantly, but finds that Finn is ready to jump out of the car and isn't paying any attention to him.

Kurt forks over the cash reluctantly and finds an empty spot. Once he gets out of the car, he has to chase after Finn, since he had taken off just before Kurt put the car in park.

Once they join the growing crowd in front of the arena, Kurt starts to feel overwhelmed. He's surrounded by a sea of guys that looks disturbingly like the type to harass him, and it brings back memories of high school and mullets and slushies.

Finn grabs Kurt's arm and yanks him to the side, not stopping until they circle around the side of the building.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kurt yells, smoothing out the sleeve of his coat.

He glares at Finn, who seems to be off in his own ice-covered world of wonder.

"Finn Hudson! I did not come here to let you drag me around in the cold and - "

"Oh my god, Kurt! Look!" Finn cuts off Kurt's rant and points to a black truck that just pulled up to the curb a few feet away. Kurt watches as the door opens and a guy - an extremely attractive guy - gets out. He barely registers Finn talking next to him. " - Blaine Anderson, he's the best forward they got. He's tiny but he is so awesome and got, like, a million goals last year."

Finn keeps going, but Kurt has no idea what he was saying. Something about a magic trick, maybe. Kurt is too busy blatantly staring at Mr. Gorgeous-In-A-Well-Tailored-Suit as he drapes a large bag over his shoulder and starts walking toward the arena. Other fans must have noticed his arrival, too, because Kurt can vaguely hear people shouting and rushing over to where he and Finn are standing.

Kurt gasps as the guy - Brian? Bobby? Blake? - looks over toward the crowd and waves, flashing a brilliant smile that makes Kurt swoon. He is shaken out of his stupor by Finn, who is nudging Kurt's shoulder a little too hard for it to be comfortable.

"What?" Kurt asks angrily, looking up at Finn and putting a hand on his hip.

"Dude, I think Blaine Anderson just smiled at you."

Kurt glances to where the guy - Blaine - was standing, holding the door open for a couple people and very steadily looking in Kurt's direction. Kurt can feel his face heat up and it takes every ounce of willpower he has to turn away and refocus on Finn.

"Whatever you say. Let's go."

They walk through the arena toward their seats and Kurt looks around at the pictures of the current Columbus Blue Jackets team on the walls. He isn't looking for anyone in particular, of course not, but then - oh.

There he is.

The photo is in black and white and looks like it had been taken during a game, judging by the crowd in the seats. Kurt's mouth goes dry at the image of the man, Blaine Anderson, in full uniform, padded shoulders and strong legs, crouched down with his helmet off. Kurt takes in the curls matted to Blaine's forehead, wetness trickling down from his temples, and he's both turned on and slightly grossed out with himself for thinking that Blaine is unbelievably hot covered in sweat.

"Kurt, come on!" Finn shouts impatiently, balancing a tray of nachos and a hot pretzel in one hand and a large soda and a bag of popcorn in the other.

Kurt follows Finn down the aisle toward the ice and they take their seats, waiting for the game to start. Kurt still feels out of place, but every uneasy thought is quickly taken over by images of what Blaine might look like under his jersey.

The announcer starts to introduce the teams, and when Blaine Anderson is called, Kurt may or may not have made the effort to cheer loudly. He gets a questioning look from Finn, but shrugs it off. After all, he still hates hockey. Hockey players, however, are a whole other story.