3. The Face-Off

"This is insane! You don't know anything about this guy!"

Blaine winces and holds the phone away from his ear. His brother, Cooper - who lives in LA and is an Assistant Equipment Manager for the Kings while trying to start an acting career - had called just as Blaine was trying to pick out an outfit for his date with Kurt. Cooper had always been protective of Blaine, as well as his greatest support. Blaine's parents may have went to his games, but Cooper actually watched him play.

Their relationship had its ups and downs over the years, especially once Blaine became the one all the scouts were interested in. Cooper's talent as a player was never quite what they were looking for, and as a result, there were a few arguments and awkward holidays over the years. Despite all that, when Blaine signed with an agent at 17, Cooper had been the one to make sure Blaine didn't get screwed over.

"He doesn't know anything about me, either, Coop," Blaine argues, pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing deeply. He is beginning to regret telling Cooper about his date. "Just trust me, okay? If he seems shady, I'll politely bow out."

"I just don't want you to get hurt again, Squirt." Cooper sounds more sad than angry, and Blaine can understand why. Blaine doesn't exactly have a great track record when it comes to dating. Most of the time, he's too busy with traveling for games, going to practices, and attending charity events to date anyone at all. The few times that he had met someone that he thought really liked him, it always turned out the same, with the other guy only being in it because Blaine had money and growing fame.

"I know. I don't want that either, believe me," Blaine says softly, his irritation now reduced to a low simmer by the worried tone in Cooper's voice. "Like I said, trust me on this one. Kurt's different."

"You don't know that. You talked to him for, what, ten seconds?"

"Look, I gotta finish getting ready. I'll call you later, okay?" Blaine knows the conversation is far from over, but he only has an hour before he has to leave, and he needs enough time for a shower and a pre-date freak out.

"Fine. Just be careful, alright?" Cooper warns. Blaine mumbles out ‘I will' and hangs up, returning to the task at hand: making himself look good enough to impress his date. Kurt had seen him in his street clothes, and if he recalls correctly, Kurt also saw him in his pre-game suit. Blaine smiles to himself, remembering the way Kurt had blushed when their eyes first met. He wonders if Kurt has any idea of how dazed Blaine felt after seeing him for the first time, or how much Blaine had hoped to see him again.

Kurt had agreed to meet him at an Italian restaurant half way between Lima and Westerville. The whole date is extremely cliché, but Blaine knows the owners and values their discretion. Blaine isn't a huge celebrity by any means, but chances are high that at least a couple people will recognize him, especially since they would be relatively close to Columbus.

Blaine has always tried to keep his personal life as private as possible. It isn't so much because of his sexuality. That issue is old news; Blaine never did hide who he was. He also followed in the footsteps of a handful of other players that came out over the past couple years. Blaine just figures relationships are hard enough without the added scrutiny of the media, and really, it isn't any of their business.

Once he manages to get dressed - he only changed four times, which he is quite proud of - Blaine grabs his keys and starts the drive, singing along with the radio on the way to try and tame the million butterflies flying around in his stomach. Cooper was right in that Blaine doesn't know much about Kurt, but that's what the date is for. Blaine wants to know Kurt. He just hopes that Kurt won't find him to be dull or obnoxious, or think that he's pathetic for pursuing a career where he plays games all the time.

Blaine hates having to explain that hockey is, in fact, a real job that requires an endless amount of physical and emotional exertion, and that he really loves what he does. He can remember one guy he dated who assumed that Blaine was just in it for the money, and yeah, that part is nice, but Blaine isn't someone who can do something solely for a good paycheck. He isn't one of those guys who only continues to play because he happens to be good at it. He plays because he loves the game and the travel, meeting new people, and constantly improving himself. He loves the energy of the crowds and the moments when he finds that perfect shot. Blaine honestly can't imagine doing anything else.

He arrives at the restaurant much faster than he anticipated and looks around the parking lot anxiously to see if Kurt is there, only to realize that he has no idea what kind of car Kurt drives. After one last check in the mirror, Blaine locks the doors and heads inside. He's about to check in with the hostess when he feels a hand on his arm and hears a soft ‘Hey' from behind him. Blaine spins around and almost forgets to breathe.

"Hey," Blaine replies, clearing his throat to scold it for making his voice sound so high-pitched that he thinks it might crack. "It's good to see you. Again, I mean."

Kurt smiles and Blaine wants to kiss all over the blush in his cheeks. Kurt looks stunning. He's dressed impeccably and holds himself with unabashed confidence. As much as Blaine is afraid that he will come off as agonizingly boring, he is certain that Kurt is the most interesting man in all of Ohio.

"Likewise," Kurt agrees, unwrapping his scarf and revealing his strong, pale neck. Blaine realizes quickly that he should have worn looser pants, because getting aroused by someone who was practically a stranger is entirely inappropriate. "Shall we?"

"Yeah, sure," Blaine says, still a little dazed, and suddenly remembers where they are and that there are other people in line behind them. He turns back to the hostess and checks them in, and then gestures for Kurt to lead the way in following her to their table.

"So, Blaine, have you always lived in Ohio?" Kurt asks, taking a sip of water. Blaine chuckles, because good god, Kurt is adorable. "Sorry, I guess I'm not really sure to say. Please forgive me for resorting to superficial small talk."

"It's fine. Good, actually. We should try to get to know each other," Blaine offers, giving himself a mental high five for obviously saying the right thing. Kurt looks more relaxed and his smile seems a little easier. "And yes, I was born and raised in Ohio. How about you? You're in New York now, right?"

"You remembered that," Kurt says with an air of disbelief that is so strange to Blaine. Kurt could explain the fundamentals of quantum physics to him and Blaine would remember every detail and provide a PowerPoint presentation. "Um, yes, I live in New York now, but I grew up in Lima. Small town boy trying to make it in the big city and all that."

"Actor? Singer? Both?" Blaine wants to know everything they could possibly fit into one dinner date.

"Trying to be." Kurt takes another sip of water. "How about you? Was hockey always your dream?"

"I think so," Blaine starts, fiddling with his napkin in his lap. "My brother played - he's a few years older than me - and I remember begging him to teach me how to skate, and how to hold a stick and handle a puck. I guess I just fell in love with it and haven't looked back."

Kurt nodded, smiling somewhat warily, and Blaine worried that he was already boring Kurt to tears. He was going to say so - played off as a joke, of course, because self-depreciation is so not sexy - when Kurt spoke again.

"I think that's kind of amazing. Being so sure of what you want and actually getting it. It's... inspiring." Kurt reaches over the table and squeezes Blaine's arm gently, letting go after a too-short second. "I've always wanted to perform, but being in the city surrounded by so many people that are better and brighter than me has made me question myself, I think."

"Oh, I doubt there's anyone brighter than you," Blaine says and his words make Kurt giggle. "Oh god. That was cheesy wasn't it?"

"It was. I don't think I minded, though."

They continue to talk about anything that comes to mind. Blaine finds it extremely refreshing to be so comfortable and open with Kurt. He doesn't seem to care at all that Blaine is a professional athlete. The topic barely even comes up, which is definitely new to Blaine. It's generally the only thing that his previous boyfriends and past dates were interested in. Kurt, Blaine realizes, knows next to nothing about the sport. For the brief few minutes when Blaine did talk about it, Kurt's eyes had actually glazed over a bit, not because he didn't care, but because he was completely lost. Blaine had to fight the urge to kick his feet under the table in excitement in adoration.

Kurt is witty and smart, with so much life in him that Blaine is completely enthralled at every word he says. They discuss their families, sharing anecdotes and fears for the future. Blaine learns that Burt Hummel is probably one of the greatest fathers ever, and Kurt learns that Cooper is the closest thing to a father that Blaine has. They weave between laughter and seriousness, Blaine asking for more information as often as he can just so he can keep listening to Kurt's voice.

Kurt is an amazing listener as well, and actually pays attention to everything - minus the hockey stuff, which was less not paying attention and more blatant confusion - that Blaine says. Sometime after their entrees and before dessert, their hands meet in the middle of the table and stay there until their mutual love for cheesecake forces them apart.

Too soon, their plates are cleared away and Blaine isn't ready for the night to end. When the check comes, they both reach for it. Again, Blaine gets caught up in how wonderfully new and unusual the whole situation is. Kurt really is different, and Blaine can't wait to rub it in Cooper's face. Blaine insists on paying and eventually wins that argument, pointing out that he was the one to invite Kurt out. Kurt agrees with a heavy sigh and Blaine feels giddy when Kurt says that it would be on him next time, because Kurt wants a next time.

"I'm really glad you came," Blaine says, standing with Kurt in the parking lot. He had walked to Kurt's car with him, trying to milk every second of their time together. "I had a really, really good time."

"So did I. You're not what I expected, Blaine Anderson."

"You're more amazing than I expected, Kurt Hummel."

Kurt huffs out a laugh and bites his lip, looking away from Blaine for a second. Blaine wants to move closer, but doesn't want to seem too eager. He settles for grabbing Kurt's hand and gripping it tightly. Kurt smiles at him, leaning in to kiss Blaine's cheek. As he starts to pull away, Blaine brings a hand to Kurt's shoulder to keep him close. He doesn't know when he will see Kurt again and is determined to end their night properly.

Blaine watches Kurt's eyes flutter shut before he allows his own to close, just as their lips meet for the first time. It isn't deep or desperate, and their noses bump together awkwardly until they get the angle right, but it's perfect. Kurt's lips are just as soft as they look, dry and tasting like cherry cheesecake. Kurt presses in with just enough pressure for Blaine to feel it in his fingers and toes.

He moves his hand up to Kurt's face, cups his cheek and holds him there, and if it was up to Blaine, he would never want to end the sweetest kiss he's ever tasted. Kurt's hand slides around his waist and pulls him in closer, and Blaine goes willingly, wanting any amount of contact Kurt is willing to give him. Kurt's lips part slightly before closing again around Blaine's bottom lip, and Blaine can't get enough of it.

It's over too quickly, leaving both of them breathless and blushing. The space between them is charged with nervous energy and filled with blushing smiles and shining eyes. Blaine swallows and takes a deep breath to steady himself.

"So, I'll see you again?" Blaine whispers, his thumb stroking over Kurt's cheek. Kurt's mouth, wet and slightly swollen, stretches into a wide grin that Blaine can't help but match.

"Definitely," Kurt replies and leans forward to brush his lips lightly against Blaine's. He pulls away and gets into his car before Blaine can stop him, wanting just a little more time. Blaine waves as Kurt drives off and ignores the judgmental looks he gets from the people who watch him bounce back to his car, pumping his fist with a ‘whoop' because Kurt is incredible and interested in him, the real him, and the night could not have gone any better.