Another Angle – A Night of Neglect:

            There Kurt was; gorgeous as always as he distractively checked his phone at the end of the Warblers’ practice. Blaine couldn’t take his eyes of him; nor could he during the whole practice. Blaine had never felt this way about nobody his whole life and he was still amazed at how he could have stayed so close to Kurt for so long without noticing that Kurt was everything he ever wanted.

            Still mesmerized by the pale boy and letting all those thoughts about his best-friend take hold of him; Blaine’s courage overcame his insecurities and he got closer and squeezed Kurt’s hand.

            Kurt jumped surprised at the touch and looked around before properly holding Blaine’s hand and running his thumb at the back of it. Blaine looked from their linked hands to Kurt’s eyes and smiled:

            “Hi.”

            Kurt bit his lower lip in an adorable nervous way before smiling back:

            “Hi.”

            It was nothing like they haven’t seen each other all day long; they even had a class together. However, every little touch between them nowadays felt like a small adventure. Particularly when they were in public. Even thou Dalton had the zero tolerance policy against bulling; Kurt and Blaine had unconsciously agreed to be discrete.

            And there was something else; they haven’t had the chance yet to talk. No words such as ‘dating’, ‘boyfriend’ or ‘relationship’ had been exchanged between them. Blaine didn’t want to be with nobody else and he was pretty sure Kurt didn’t either. Anyway, theoretically they were just friends who kissed each other. Well, best-friends who kissed each other at whatever chance they got, who called each other every day and who texted each other almost every hour; but still…

            Blaine shook his head to wake from his daydream and found Kurt looking at him with the same goofy grin he was just wearing. He intertwined his fingers with Kurt’s to get his attention:

            “Are you free this afternoon? Want to grab a cup of coffee?”

            “I’d love too.”

            The glow emanating from Kurt’s eyes was too much for Blaine to handle and he stole a peck from Kurt’s lips after having made sure they were alone. Kurt’s cheeks immediately turned to an amazing share of red as Blaine guided him by the hand towards the parking lot.

*

            Kurt was living the best week of his life: Blaine was a dream come true. Every chance they got to be alone was used for kissing and admiring each other. There hadn’t been as many as Kurt would like; they were filled every day with more and more homework from the teachers at Dalton and never seemed to be much time left. Kurt didn’t know if Blaine was as shy as him or if he was just respecting Kurt; but they avoided public demonstrations of affection; which restrained their time to be together for just the time when they were alone.

            Kurt tried to tune it down at home as well. He knew his father was fine with him being gay; but he didn’t know how much of it applied to Kurt actually having a boyfriend. Besides, Kurt wasn’t even sure if Blaine was his boyfriend. They’ve made out and spent a lot of time just staring at each other, but they haven’t gone out just the two of them since their first kiss. Kurt didn’t know if Blaine counted getting coffee together as dates; well, he surely didn’t. Blaine didn’t had to do anything big or they didn’t need to wear each other’s watches; but Kurt wanted at least a word to know if he had a boyfriend or not.

            Kurt opened his Facebook with the childish hope that Blaine would have marked him as boyfriend. Nothing. It was actually good; Kurt didn’t want their relationship to start via Facebook. He just kept scrolling the page to try to distract himself from thinking about Blaine. He knew it was useless, but he had to try something.

             Suddenly, something caught Kurt’s eye: “First Annual New Directions Benefit Concert”. Kurt clicked on the invitation he had received from Rachel to check what it was. He learned that this concert, A Night of Neglect, would be a way of financing the New Directions’ trip to New York. This would be a perfect opportunity to see his friends perform and take Blaine to something date-y.

            Without a second thought, Kurt reached his phone and speed dialed Blaine. The phone didn’t have to ring twice before Kurt heard the melodic voice of his teenage dream:

            “Hi there.”

            Kurt couldn’t contain his smile:

            “Hey you.”

            He heard Blaine’s chuckle on the other side. Kurt’s heart did a flip-flop but he continued:

            “Are you free this Saturday evening?”

            “I think so; why?”

            Kurt rolled in his bed a little nervous now he was about to say it:

            “The New Directions are having a benefit concert and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me.”

            “Are you asking me on a date, Hummel?”

            Kurt was taken aback by Blaine’s comment and was glad the other couldn’t see him blushing:

            “Maybe I am, Anderson…”

            “Such a tease! Well, if you are asking me out on a date my answer is yes. Yes, Kurt, I’d love to.”

            “It’s settled then; I’ll pick you up at six this Saturday, okay?”

            “Perfect! See you!”

            Kurt hung up the phone and allowed his head to fall on the pillows: dreaming about him and Blaine was now his favorite activity. On second thought, one of his favorite activities…

*

            Blaine let out an angry groan as the intermission began and he heard the hundredth malicious comment from a group of people that appeared to have come to the concert simply to heckle it. Kurt kindly touched his shoulder:

            “Come on; let’s go drink some water.”

            Blaine saw the concern in his eyes and tried to easy things out for Kurt:

            “It’s fine. Don’t you want to go talk to your friends?”

            This was something else that was bothering Blaine; he knew how much Kurt missed McKinley but seeing the longing in his eyes made Blaine very jealous. Kurt smiled in a way that told Blaine he wasn’t fooled:

            “Nah, they must be busy now. I’ll talk to them lather. Let’s go for a walk; we have time.”

            “I’m okay…”

            Kurt interrupted him and got up:

            “Better then; we’ll just go for a walk.”

            Blaine wondered if Kurt knew how irresistible he could be; probably not, otherwise Blaine would be like a puppy following him around all day long. He sighed and followed Kurt.

            As soon as they got in the hallway; Kurt tried to break the ice with small talk:

            “Are you enjoying so far?”

            “Well, the performances are really good but I wished we could properly hear it. Poor Tina; didn’t even have the chance to finish her song.”

            Kurt looked down and Blaine could tell he was uncomfortable. He answered Blaine with a resigned face:

            “That’s McKinley…”

            Blaine hated the hurt look on Kurt’s eyes; he then took the other’s hand forcing him to make eye contact:

            “But you are safe now.”

            Kurt just nodded and Blaine went on:

            “I know how you miss your friends and your teachers; but even our brief encounter with that monster Karofsky confirmed me that you are were you should be.”

            Kurt’s reaction got Blaine by surprise: he was laughing. Kurt timidly touched Blaine’s cheek:

            “You really hate Karofsky, don’t you?”

            “Yeah! Don’t you?”

            Kurt adjusted his hand to touch more of Blaine’s face:

            “No. I told you once; I pity him.”

            Blaine leaned closer to Kurt as he whispered:

            “I think you are the kindest person I’ve ever met.”

            In that moment, they heard footsteps at the end of the corridor and walked away from each other without having the chance to kiss. They shared a sorry smile and walked back for the second half of the concert.

*

            The concert ended in a much lighter mood as the hecklers had left and the rest of the New Directions had joined them at the audience. Kurt could tell that Blaine was now having a great time; he could even swear he saw a furtive tear escape Blaine during Mercedes’ performance. They said their good-byes to his friends that were going back to the choir room and Kurt and Blaine found themselves alone in the desert hallway.

            Kurt wished more than anything to grab Blaine’s hand but he was afraid of Blaine’s reaction. Truth be told; Kurt expected them to be more lovey-dovey during the presentation, but Blaine hadn’t even held his hand. Maybe Kurt was imagining things and getting ahead of himself as usual. Maybe Blaine didn’t want them to get more serious in their relationship.

            Kurt’s fears were drawn away when he felt Blaine’s fingers searching for his. He looked at Blaine who was grinning as he spoke:

            “I was dying to hold your hand, but you can’t blame me for being scared of the bullies around here.”

            Kurt rewarded him with a peck on the cheek. It wasn’t imagination: he and Blaine were something more than friends. He gathered all his courage to ask Blaine what was bugging him:

            “Blaine? We… what… ehm… do you want to go grab something to eat?”

            “Sure.”

            Kurt chickened out and didn’t ask Blaine what he really wanted to know. At least he has gained himself some time.

*

            Blaine held the door of BreadStix open for Kurt. He noticed that his friend seemed as nervous as he was for this dinner. They had had dinner together a million times, but this was supposed to be their first date. Things at McKinley haven’t gone as smooth as Blaine had planned; but dinner at BreadStix was the perfect environment to be romantic.

            The restaurant was almost empty and they were guided by a bay in the corner; fortunately hidden from all the other occupied tables. Kurt was pondering something as he took his seat and accepted the menu from the waitress. They already knew what to order and were left alone before Blaine had anticipated.

            Kurt was thinking something very hard as he sipped his ice-tea. Blaine admired him for a while before clearing his throat to get his attention:

            “Kurt? Can we talk?”

            Kurt blinked a few times while processing the information:

            “Sure. Anything important?”

            Blaine smiled and extended his hand towards Kurt to ease the tension:

            “It’s important but nothing to worry about.”

            Kurt smiled and grabbed the hand extended to him:

            “Go on…”

            Blaine took a deep breath and took courage in Kurt’s thumb rubbing his hand to say it once and for all:

            “Kurt, it’s all wonderful between us and I don’t want anything to get on the way. I was so nervous of your reaction that I’ve been holding it for a while now. But it’s eating me alive and I need to know. Are we dating?”

            “I think we are…”

            Blaine shook his head:

            “I don’t think I put it right. Let me try again; Kurt, would you be my boyfriend?”

            Kurt’s grin was the best reward Blaine could have asked for.

            “Blaine, I think we both have been scared little bunnies because I was willing to ask you the exact same question and not knowing how. Yes Blaine! I want more than anything to be your boyfriend.”

*

            Kurt entered home and was surprised to see his dad waiting for him at the living-room. Burt’s expression was not serious but Kurt knew better that there was something more than could meet the eyes:

            “Dad? Anything wrong?”

            Burt gave him a little smile:

            “Not exactly wrong, but I was worried about you. Finn has been home for a while now and you both said you’d be going to the same place…”

            “Come on dad; it’s not even that late and it’s not a school night. I gave Blaine a ride after…”

            Burt nodded an “oh” nonchalantly. Kurt bit his lips nervously before speaking:

            “Since you are up; can we talk?”

            Burt clapped his hands and looked at Kurt with a triumphant expression:

            “I knew it! There’s something going on and you weren’t telling me. I know you pretty well, kiddo.”

            Kurt blushed and Burt punched playfully on his shoulder:

            “Now spill it out! I’m curious of what is making my son so happy.”

            “I didn’t know you were noticing… Well dad; I kind of have a boyfriend now.”

            To Kurt’s astonishment, Burt laughed and hugged him:

            “It’s Blaine, isn’t it? I was always suspicious of the way he stared at you…”

            “Dad, I’m shocked! I knew you were okay with me being gay but I assumed that you would freak out when I told you I was dating someone. Yes, it’s Blaine of course.”

            Burt chuckled:

            “As I told you; I knew something was going on for quite a while now. I had a hitch and it turned out right. Let’s just say I got some time to get used to the idea. Carole helped a lot in that department. Anyway, if someone can make me kid as happy as you were the past couple of days; I can do nothing else but be thankful to them.”

            Kurt had moist eyes as he hugged his father:

            “I love you so much dad.”

            “I love you more, kiddo.”

*

            Blaine got home and saw his mother turning the lamp on with a serious expression:

            “Blaine, we need to talk.”

            Blaine swallowed hard and nodded. She approached him and put a hand on his shoulder:

            “I saw it, Blaine. I saw that guy bringing you home and I saw when you two kissed inside his car.”

            “Mom, that boy is Kurt, I already introduced him to you, and he is now my boyfriend. You know I’m gay and you must have seen this coming. Did you expect me to be single forever?”

            She took a deep breath before looking deeply into his eyes:

            “I didn’t Blaine; but you know I’m afraid of the consequences. It’s a cruel world out there; specially were we live. I don’t need to remember you the Sadie Hawking’s incident, right?”

            Blaine shook his head with tears in his eyes:

            “No, mom. Don’t worry; we are being cautious. He’s really important for me.”

            She gave him a small smile:

             “Just be cautious. Anyway, someone has to tell your father before he finds out like I did and it aren’t going to be me.”

            He nodded. Her whole reaction was better than Blaine could expect. He knew things with his father would be way more complicated. His mother was beginning to climb the stairs when he called her:

            “Mom? Could you hug me?”

            She held him in her arms and for a moment Blaine felt the love he always wondered if it would be there. He hoped his voice wouldn’t crack as he spoke:

            “I love you mom.”

            “I love you too sweetheart; that’s why I worry.”