Sitting opposite his boyfriend, Blaine wondered if he should bring up the matter of the somewhat insincere apologies given by New Directions earlier that day after the heinous book they had sent him. Some members of New Directions, like Santana had simply refused to apologise but he had accepted it was unlikely he would get apologies from some people. Mercedes had apologised but the words had sounded false to his ears, it was apparent that Mercedes didn’t trust him with Kurt. Blaine wouldn’t say so to Kurt because he knew how important the girl was to Kurt but he would watch to make sure she didn’t do anything that could affect his relationship with Kurt. Blaine completely understood their need to protect his love who had been hurt so much in the past but their actions were completely out of order. He just couldn’t understand how they could think their behaviour was acceptable.

Looking straight into his boyfriend’s eyes Kurt said seriously, “Blaine, I am so sorry about the terrible and admittedly unconvincing apologies from some of my so-called friends. I was serious when I said I wouldn’t talk to anyone who refused to apologise to you. Y... You are important to me and if they can’t see that or respect you for the amazing man you are then they don’t deserve to be involved in either of our lives. I will do everything I can to keep Rachel, Santana and Puck away from both of us. Since you accepted Finn’s non apology, I guess I should accept it as well. Don’t worry, I'm going to watch all of them to make sure they don’t hurt you again or try to sabotage our relationship.”

Kurt knew it would be hard at first but he had no choice but to cut Rachel and Santana from his life. He hoped that given time, the pair would realise just how grave their behaviour had been and would apologise to Blaine. As far as Puck went, Kurt wasn’t very close to him so it wouldn’t hurt as much to lose him as a friend.

Reaching across the table Blaine took Kurt’s hand in his, gently running his thumb over the back of Kurt’s hand. He loved that he could do this, that he could hold Kurt’s hand in his to give comfort and to reassure Kurt that he would always be there.

Blaine said gently, “You don’t have to do that, Kurt. I don’t want you to grow to hate me for costing you those friendships.”

Kurt smiled, “I could never hate you, Blaine. I just wish they could see what they are doing to you. It is sad really, that they will never see just how amazing you are and how much joy you bring to my life. I refuse to let their hate, fear and anger touch what we have.”

Blaine nodded in agreement; they had enough problems coming their way from strangers without having to find some way to validate their relationship in the eyes of those close to them. Blaine wished they didn’t have to steel themselves for negative reactions from the world at large but he knew they would probably encounter them. It wasn’t going to make him give up on their relationship. They hadn’t been dating for long but Blaine knew he would never feel this way about anyone but Kurt. Kurt was rapidly becoming his world and it felt perfect.

“So what do you recommend, Honey?” Kurt said with a small smile.

For all that, Blaine said he was clueless when it came to dating, Kurt couldn’t help but admire his talent for choosing perfect venues for their dates. It was their three week anniversary and Blaine seemed to find it as important as he did, plus they had just made it through a traumatic event that could have easily broken them up so they had plenty to celebrate. While some might think a one month anniversary was more important, Kurt didn’t feel the same simply because he had read somewhere that a relationship could easily survive for two weeks based on simple sexual attraction alone and because each day he found more and more things he loved about Blaine.

Kurt had made a list of things he loved about Blaine and had so far come up with twenty one. He had worried that using the word love would make Blaine feel uncomfortable so he had used the word admire instead. Kurt was certain he would never be able to say everything without being overtaken with emotion so he had placed the list inside the present he had made for Blaine. It was a simple present, photographs of them together, along with snippets of the conversations they had shared since the day they met.

“The Risotto aux champignons aux asperges is amazing and it’s healthy,” Blaine said with a small grin, knowing his boyfriend worried about what he ate.

Blaine was aware of Kurt’s body issues, for some reason his boyfriend seemed to think he had to be on some kind of diet. Blaine had no idea how Kurt could think that way because as far as he was concerned Kurt was perfect in every way. He had taken to checking Kurt ate properly, having noticed that Kurt would sometimes skip meals, one time he had noticed Kurt only had two meals in two days and he couldn’t let that happen again. A first, Kurt was angry, saying that he wasn’t some child who had to be watched to make sure he finished his meals and that he simply didn’t eat if he wasn’t hungry. It wasn’t until Blaine had broken down and said that he was terrified that Kurt would become ill that Kurt had said he would try to eat more. Since that day Kurt had been careful to eat regularly, even if he wasn’t particularly hungry.

“I'll have that then. Did you manage to find the essay you wrote for Latin class?” Kurt said wanting to get back to the normal.

Blaine said sheepishly, “It had somehow gotten mixed in with my sheet music.”

“That’s great. I wouldn’t want to get on Madame Richard’s bad side. I only got a 97 in the test and she looked pretty disappointed with me.”

“She’s disappointed with everyone that doesn’t get a 100, Beautiful.” Blaine earnestly, not wanting Kurt to worry.

Blushing yet again at Blaine’s pet name for him Kurt giggled, “That makes me feel better!”

“Good,” Blaine said smiling as he gently squeezed Kurt’s hand, delighting in the way Kurt’s breathing hitched.

The waiter came over and smiled at their joined hands on the table before saying, “Good evening gentlemen, my name is Joseph. Are you ready to order?”

Kurt nodded saying, “Yes. I'll have the Risotto aux champignons aux asperges and a sparkling water.”

“I'll have the Penne Primavera and a club soda with a twist of lime,” Blaine said with politely.

Writing down the order the waiter asked, “Anything else, gentlemen?”

“No, thank you.” Blaine said with a smile.

The waiter nodded before leaving the table, thinking how cute it was to see two gay teenagers on a date. It wasn’t a typical sight in Ohio which he always found disappointing, if he had been unable to take his girlfriend out on fancy dates as a teenager he would have felt so guilty and angry.

Blaine looked at his boyfriend and wondered if it was too early to give Kurt the anniversary present he had spend days worrying over. He had no experience when it came to dating so he wasn’t sure what present to buy that didn’t make him seem desperate. He wasn’t sure if Kurt would be comfortable with having such a public display of affection since Kurt seemed to worry about what could happen if they had overt displays. Blaine knew it was probably a result of the harassment Kurt had been subjected to, Blaine knew that he had been protected to an extent by Dalton. No, he would wait until they were on their walk through the park to give Kurt his present, it would be more romantic.

Still amazed by how lucky he was to have such an amazing boyfriend Kurt said, “This place is wonderful for someone who professes to be bad at dating, you chose a perfect restaurant.”

Blaine said tenderly, “I wanted it to be special because you are special to me.”

“I feel the same about you,” Kurt said with a blush.

A comfortable silence descended as they soaked in each other’s soothing presence, each one feeling they would never find someone who made them feel so comfortable. Even with his friends Kurt didn’t have such a relationship, feeling like he couldn’t express just how lost and sad at times because they would not understand. Blaine on the other hand had a carefully constructed persona he used around people, confident to the extent that it might be construed as arrogance. With his friends Blaine showed a few more vulnerabilities but it was only Kurt that got to see him completely unmasked. He didn’t mind if Kurt saw him crying, knowing Kurt wouldn’t think any less of him for it and would listen to him when he voiced his feelings.

The food quickly arrived and the pair ate in silence, darting looks at each other and hoping the other would like their anniversary present. Kurt couldn’t help but worry that something would happen to ruin their date because that was typical of his luck but looking at Blaine, he couldn’t help but think their surroundings were perfect. When he was with Blaine, Kurt felt like he could withstand any abuse be it verbal or physical because just being around Blaine made him feel safe and strong.

Once they finished, Blaine gestured for their bill and prepared himself for Kurt’s inevitable protests about him paying for the meal. They seemed to argue about it whenever they went out, Blaine would happily pay for every date but he knew Kurt wouldn’t let him.

Kurt insisted, “Blaine, you don’t have to pay for me. I have my own money.”

“Beautiful, I know you are capable of paying for yourself but I want to pay. This wonderful date was my idea, you can pay for the next date, Kurt.”

Seeing he wasn’t going to win, Kurt nodded in acceptance. It was a common disagreement since he didn’t want Blaine to feel like he had to pay for everything, he didn’t need someone to take care of him financially and he didn’t want Blaine to feel he had to do so.

After paying for their meal Blaine asked, “Do you want to go for a walk around the park, Beautiful?”

“That sounds wonderful,” Kurt answered with a wide smile as Blaine’s hand gripped his.
*******
When they pulled to a stop at the park, Kurt gently placed a hand on Blaine’s arm to stop the younger teen from getting out of the car. He wanted to give Blaine the scrapbook before the butterflies in his stomach made him ill.

Holding Blaine’s hand Kurt said earnestly, “Blaine, I know I haven’t said it before but every day I spent with you makes me feel happier than the day before and I look forward to spending many more days together.”

“As I look forward to spending my days with you, Kurt.”

Kurt said sincerely, “Blaine, I want you to know just how I feel so I made this for you. I will understand completely if you don’t like it but I couldn’t think of any other way to express my feelings.”

Taking the book from his ever present bag, he gently placed it in Blaine’s hand and carefully watched his boyfriend as he opened the gift.

Blaine looked at the book felt his heart ready to burst with love, affection and need for Kurt. He had never thought he would meet someone as amazing as Kurt. Soon he would tell Kurt he loved him, although he felt the words were paltry and hollow because they would never express his depth of feeling. He had told the Kurt the truth three weeks ago, he had been waiting for Kurt all his life and couldn’t imagine being without him. Blaine read each word Kurt and written for him and felt his heart race, how he wished he could put down his words on paper.

What I Admire About You

1.Your stunning, expressive eyes, I could get lost them forever.
2.The way you hold my hand, gentle yet comforting.
3.How you ask and value my opinion, even if it is completely different to yours.
4.The comfortable silence we can share.
5.Your beautiful smile and soft lips.
6.Your strength, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
7.Your courage.
8.Your determination.
9.The way you are always there when I need you, even at three a.m. on a Monday morning.
10.Your laughter and sense of humour.
11.The graceful way you move as though floating on air.
12.Your kind heart.
13.Your intelligence.
14.The respect you give me and my personal boundaries.
15. You let me see your weaknesses and faults and accept my own.
16.Your passionate nature.
17.You respect my family.
18.You are generous in every way.
19.You help me grow as a person.
20.Your steadfast belief in me.
21.Your beautiful singing.

“This is so beautiful,” Blaine said awed.

Blaine pulled Kurt to him, capturing his boyfriend’s beautiful, soft lips with his own. He kissed Kurt deeply, trying to express through his touch just how much he cared for Kurt and how he never wanted them be apart. He felt Kurt was going to be the great love of his life, not that he would say so yet because he didn’t want Kurt to feel uncomfortable.

Breaking the kiss with a whimper, Kurt couldn’t help but pant as he felt Blaine breath on his skin. His whole body wanted to feel Blaine’s touch but Kurt knew he wasn’t ready for that. He didn’t want to make a mistake and make love with Blaine until they were both truly felt ready for it.

Blaine said tenderly “Kurt, I never thought I would find someone like you, someone who truly cares about me. You care about the real me and I want to be someone you want to be with. I couldn’t think of a way to express how I feel so I turned to the one thing that will always connect us, music.” Blaine said placing the disc he had hidden in his jacket into Kurt’s hand.

Kurt looked at the disc, smiling widely at the front of the CD case which showed a picture of them together that had been taken by Nick one day after rehearsals. Turning the box over, Kurt read each song and felt butterflies in his stomach as he just how much Blaine cared about him.

Track 1: Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
Track 2: The Only One by Darren Hayes
Track 3: Us Against The World by Westlife
Track 4: No One Else Comes Close by Backstreet Boys
Track 5: Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Track 6: Is It Really Me by Esther Ofarim
Track 7: Your Song by Elton John
Track 8: You've Got A Way by Shania Twain
Track 9: When I'm With You by Westlife
Track 10: You'll Still Be There For Me by Russell Watson
Track 11: First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Stereophonics
Track 12: Catch My Breath by Westlife
Track 13: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Track 14: I’d Come For You by Nickelback
Track 15: Crash and Burn by Savage Garden
Track 16: I Miss You by Darren Hayes
Track 17: You Are So Beautiful by Russell Watson
Track 18: Any Time at All by The Beatles
Track 19: Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel
Track 20: Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
Track 21: You're My Best Friend by Queen

“It’s amazing, can we put it on?” Kurt said with a smile.

Kurt couldn’t believe Blaine would do such a moving thing for him, he knew it wasn’t something he would do simply because he would worry about choosing songs that Blaine didn’t like or seemed too sweet and cloying.

Blaine nodded, taking the disc from Kurt’s slightly shaking hands and putting it into the CD player. He took Kurt’s hand in his and debated if he should ask Kurt to dance with him. they didn’t have to go far from the car so they would be able to escape if someone came to harassment.

“Will you dance with me?” Blaine asked nervously.

Kurt nodded with a soft smile this was turning out to be the best night of his life. Kurt smoothly got out of the car as Blaine turned the volume up slightly so they would be able to dance, changing the disc to track five.

Blaine moved quickly and took Kurt’s hand in his, pulling him closer and hoping he would be able to calm his inevitable physical reaction to Kurt’s presence. He didn’t want Kurt to think he was pressurising him for something they both weren’t ready for. Unsure if he was moving too quickly, Blaine hesitantly placed an arm around Kurt’s waist, relieved when Kurt smiled at him. Holding Kurt in his arms was something Blaine would never get tired of, whenever he felt lonely or sad, all he had to do was remember how it felt to hold Kurt and everything seemed brighter.

Together Kurt and Blaine danced, breathing in the scent of each other. Kurt had never felt so content in his life, just being able to hold Blaine and to see Blaine’s wide smile directed at him. All too soon the song finished, Kurt looked up at Blaine and their lips met in a soft, loving kiss.

Breaking the kiss Kurt said gently, “You amaze me, Blaine Anderson and I am so happy to be your boyfriend.”

“I'm happy to be your boyfriend. We better head back to your house, I don’t want to risk your dad grounding you.”

“Yeah. You’d think he had never been a teenager,” Kurt said sighing.

Blaine said dryly, “I think he remembers it all too clearly and worries we are going to do something we regret.”

Thinking back to the embarrassing speech his dad had given him about sex, Kurt nodded in agreement. He was slightly disappointed his dad seemed to think he was unable to control himself and have sex without thinking about it but he supposed it was his dad’s way of showing he cared.

*******
When the car pulled up to a stop outside his house, Kurt looked over at his boyfriend and gave him a quick kiss. He couldn’t help but smile when Blaine broke the kiss and quickly got out of the car to hold the door open. Kurt found it charming that Blaine had such great manners and knew it was yet another way by which Blaine showed that he cared for him.

Taking Kurt’s hand in his, Blaine escorted his boyfriend to the front door of the Hummel-Hudson house. He gently placed a kiss on Kurt’s cheek, knowing Burt Hummel would be watching to make sure he didn’t do something to upset Kurt. Blaine didn’t want to be caught by Burt in the middle of a heated kiss

“I'll see tomorrow, Beautiful.” Blaine said breathlessly.

“See you tomorrow, Darling,” Kurt said softly.

Letting go of Kurt’s soft hand, Blaine watched him walk inside the house and ignored the part of him that wished he could be there, not only to be with Kurt but to be part of a family. It was slow going but Blaine felt that Burt had accepted him a little since the man now called him by his name instead of Kid.

Blaine got into his car and started the drive back to Dalton, already anticipating the interrogation from Wes and David about his date. Sometimes he thought the pair had far too much invested in his relationship with Kurt, but at least his friends supported their relationship unlike some of Kurt’s friends. It still hurt him that they didn’t trust or like him but he knew there was nothing more he could do but hope they would change their attitudes after the earlier confrontation.

Blaine resolved to find a way to speak to his fellow Warblers to find out just what they had written in the book that had so incensed New Directions, the best bet would be to ask for an emergency council meeting. Blaine knew it would be good for Kurt to hear their friends supported their relationship because he knew Kurt had been angry and hurt by the actions of New Directions. Blaine knew whatever had been written in the book would have been positive since every member of the Warblers seemed to approve of his relationship with Kurt. Some of the Warblers had made comments that it was about time they started dating and that they had been prepared to stage an intervention after Regionals. Tomorrow he would talk to Kurt and together they would find a way to speak to their fellow Warblers about the book.