XX

Summer. Hot, humid Ohio summer. The sun blazed down relentlessly on the population of Lima. Those who worked outside were soon dark and savaged by the rays of sunlight streaming down on their heads. People were ducking indoors as quickly as possibly and didn't emerge until dusk.

It was no matter to two small groups called the McKinley High New Directions and the Dalton Academy Warblers. They spent their days lazing about the house, having water fights and pool parties, working long hours at menial jobs (Puck had expanded his pool cleaning business to almost all of the Warblers' families, though he actually cleaned their pools because those Warbler dudes were actually pretty cool so doing a Warbler mom was not kosher). Kurt marveled at the difference in summer vacation now that he had friends. Once, he would spend his summers indoors reading, or at the shop. He might bike around town to get some air, but this was a different experience even from last summer when the tension in New Directions was tighter than the bonds formed amongst them.

Now Kurt's days were spent shopping with the girls (and occasionally the guys who probably needed his help much more desperately), at the park enjoying the day and goofing off, and with his boyfriend. Lots of Kurt's time was spent with Blaine, and neither would ask for anything different. Days by the lake, riding bikes together, discovering one of the last drive-in movie theaters, Kurt filled his time with new adventures with a boyfriend.

The days may have been filled with dates and adventures and time with their friends, but the nights were an entirely different story. Kurt spent nights at Blaine's house, or in the back of one of their vehicles, exploring. There were many fascinating facets of Blaine that Kurt could marvel over: the way Kurt could feel his heart beat faster when he kissed his wrist, how soft his guitar-roughened hands could be on Kurt's skin, or how time didn't pass when they were this close. Though perhaps the most incredible thing that Kurt had discovered was that this boy was his. And perhaps this was something the Blaine had discovered too. This beautiful, loving boy gave his heart freely, and in return received the heart of a brave and open boy.

On his way to Blaine's house Kurt mulled over his memory of another day, when he had gone to Blaine's and found him in the back yard. Blaine was fast asleep and looked so peaceful in the hammock in his back yard. Kurt hadn't even taken the time to fully look at the book that dangled from his boyfriend's fingertips, simply taking it and setting it aside with the bookmark in place. He'd chosen instead to climb into the hammock with Blaine and cuddle close for a nap in the shade.

When he'd woken, Blaine was coming back with two water bottles and a sweet smile reserved only for Kurt. He'd climbed back into Kurt's arms and the matter of his novel was quickly forgotten.

Now, Kurt was remembering the novel he had taken from Blaine's hand. He couldn't be certain, but he was sure of what he'd seen.

He pulled his Navigator into Blaine's driveway and fired off a text before stepping out of the car. By the time he got to the front door, Blaine was pulling it open, practically vibrating with happiness and excitement. Blaine grabbed the skinny tie that hung around Kurt's slender neck and pulled him inside. Blaine slammed the door shut by pressing their bodies against it and feverishly attacked Kurt's mouth. Kurt sank into his kiss and allowed himself to refamiliarize himself with Blaine's mouth. After a moment Blaine pulled away and Eskimo kissed Kurt with his nose.

"I just saw you yesterday," Kurt chuckled, "And you wrinkled my tie."

Blaine laughed too, "A day is too long. And I hate that tie anyways."

If it had been anyone else, Kurt probably would have murdered him with a tire iron. But this was Blaine. Blaine, who Kurt was in love with; Blaine, who was utterly adorable when he tried to insult Kurt's clothes just to have an excuse to mess up his appearance; Blaine, who-

"You're not even ready!" Kurt exclaimed, scandalized.

"I'll be quick!" Blaine promised, "Come on, you can wait in my room."

Kurt found himself dragged upstairs and parked on Blaine's bed. Blaine was grabbing a spare set of clothes and disappearing into the hall and the bathroom next door in the next instant, and the shower was running by the time Kurt had processed everything. He blinked owlishly at Blaine's forest green walls. Then it sank in.

Blaine was naked. Next door. In the shower.

Kurt felt a blush creep up his neck and flush his fair face. Sure, they had been intimate and close, but they hadn't gone that far yet. Thinking about Blaine's sinewy, strong arms, and his amazing abs (despite the ridiculous amount of junk food he consumed), made Kurt's heart beat faster. He let out a frustrated groan and collapsed back onto Blaine's bed. The summer had been spent passing quite a few milestones in their relationship, but Kurt was pretty sure that he wasn't ready for that yet. As far as he knew, Blaine wasn't ready for that either.

Kurt leaped to his feet. A distraction would be an excellent idea, he decided. He wandered around the room, looking at Blaine's trophies and pictures. He groaned with embarrassment at the school picture Blaine had insisted on having; he'd argued that if Kurt could have Blaine's picture up in his locker it was only fair to have a picture of Kurt for his room. Then a thought occurred to Kurt, and he began to scour Blaine's book shelf.

Kurt eyeballed some familiar books, passing by Blaine's music books and journals, and chuckling at the weird taste in books his boyfriend had. He was almost ready to give up and go back to looking at Blaine's pictures when something caught his eye behind Blaine's well worn set of Harry Potter books. Kurt's eyes sparked with interest and he gently pried the middle few books off the shelf. There, he saw what he was sure he'd seen that day under the hammock.

Kurt's thoughts were interrupted by Blaine re-entering the room. He was dressed to go for coffee and gently scrunching his hair with a towel. Kurt quickly put the books back and turned to face Blaine with a smile.

"Ready to go babe?"

Seeing Blaine's face light up at the simple use of a pet name made Kurt's heart happy, "Yeah, let's get going."

XX

The pair climbed into Kurt's Navigator. Kurt kept glancing at Blaine out of the corner of his eye. He waited until Blaine was taking a drink from a bottle of Gatorade he'd grabbed:

"So..." Kurt began, pulling out of Blaine's driveway, "Nora Roberts huh?"

The look on Blaine's face was comical as he swallowed his drink down the wrong pipe and had to turn away from Kurt to clear his throat. When he looked back at his terrible boyfriend, Blaine was glaring. Unfortunately for him, that just made Kurt laugh harder.

"How did you?" Blaine shook his head, "You know what? I should know by now you're practically a mind-reader."

Kurt laughed, "Nah, you just wear your emotions on your face. It's a good thing. I was snooping, although I wouldn't really call it that when I know/i> you've been in my dresser drawers. But why would you think you have to hide that?"

Blaine blushed, "Okay first, I was leaving you presents. Second, I don't really like to advertise the fact that I read romance novels."

"Why not?" Kurt frowned. Blaine caught Kurt's expression and reached to gently smooth away the frown with his thumb.

"Well... I guess it's not such a big deal at Dalton, but it's such a habit now that I don't really think about it. Back at Westerville High I was already being picked on being gay... I didn't want to add the fact that I like romance novels to their fire. And I figured that if my dad didn't see them, he would treat me more like a guy," Blaine shrugged, staring out the window the entire time he was speaking. He laced his fingers through Kurt's and squeezed.

"I always loved romance novels because they're about falling in love against all odds. And there's always a happy ending. Even when things seem to be in total despair, I know that I just have to keep reading and everything will be okay. I read romance novels because that was how I reminded myself that things had to get better.

And then I met you. You showed me how to be strong, even when you thought I was telling you about courage. You showed me that it gets better. I always thought love was a fantasy, some story for the future. I always wished for a romance like I had always read about, and then you came along and even my wildest imagination couldn't have prepared me for what it actually feels like to be in love. And you love me back. I'm yours and you're mine, and that's the most incredible thing in the world. I hide my romance novels because the real thing is so much better, and this" - he lifted their hands - "this is something that I'll never be ashamed of. I'll never hide you."

It was quiet in the car, and Blaine simply thought Kurt was digesting everything he's just spilled out until he heard a tiny sniffle from the driver's seat. He looked over and saw the tear tracks on Kurt's cheeks. Blaine let out a surprised laugh, but went quiet immediately when Kurt turned an indignant look his way.

"Are you crying?" Blaine asked, bringing their clasped hands up to press a kiss to Kurt's knuckles.

"Shut up!" Kurt cried, "You're so sweet, and then you're surprised when you make me cry?"

"Impossible man," Blaine leaned over to press another kiss, this time to one of the tear tracks on Kurt's cheek, "You are my romance novel."