Operation: ASS was going as planned. Blaine's grades were going up and they got to spend more time together, getting to know one another, kissing, studying. Mostly kissing.

Blaine made sure that the camera was still not fixed by canceling the appointment for the technician to come in. When he didn't come, and the dean got confused, Blaine had destroyed all phone numbers on file for the repair service. They'd have to find another one, but the only place close that would do it would be booked for another month.

This gave Kurt a whole month to help Blaine get his grades up. Finally at the end of the month, Don, impressed by Blaine's improvement, approached him.

“Blaine, I'm so proud of you! Tony must really be working his magic with you.”

“Thanks, D. But I honestly haven't learned shit from Tony. We kind of just sit there and pretend the other doesn't exist until it's time for him to leave.”

Don was shocked, “So you- you've raised your grade all on your own?”

“Guess again, Donny boy. Kurt is responsible for this change, actually.”

Don sputtered, “Bu- wh- how? He hasn't been your tutor for over a month!”

Blaine shrugged, “I asked Wes if he could ask Kurt for some helpful tips and he's been giving me worksheets to help me along for a while now. Kurt's way of explaining things makes everything so clear.”

Don looked completely confounded. He stood there and said nothing; just staring at Blaine.

Blaine patted his arm, “Sorry for going behind your back and everything, but... you know. Gotta do what ya gotta do.”

Blaine turned, satisfied with his part of the plan. As he was walking away, Don called after him. Blaine smirked quickly before turning back around, his face now showing no emotion.

“Yes?”

“Maybe... maybe I was a bit hasty- with my decision to switch Kurt. If he- if you've been doing this well, and just from worksheets that he's given you. You could definitely benefit from having him as your tutor again.”

Blaine couldn't hide the smirk that crept onto his face. The plan worked! Kurt was back as his tutor and everything was right with the world.

“Are you saying that he can tutor me again?”

“Yes.” Don agreed, before adding, “But no funny business this time, Blaine. You need to keep your hands to yourself.”

“I'll be monk-like, I swear.” The grin was still there.

“Very well, then. I'll let Kurt know first thing tomorrow morning.”

Don turned to walk away, but Blaine's mind went into overdrive. Having Kurt as his tutor wasn't enough. He wanted more. One option came to mind.

“Don, wait!” The older man turned around, “I have... a request.”

“Blaine, oh my god!” Kurt's voice rang clear into Blaine's ear through the phone's earpiece, “It worked, I'm so proud of you and just everything is wonderful! Now we can see each other without worrying about getting caught and oh, I am so excited but I am going to stop talking now and-”

“I'm taking you out on a date.” Blaine interrupted Kurt's ramblings, unable to contain himself. His voice was steady despite the fact that he was nervous as hell.

“I- what?” Kurt's heart was racing. Did he just say date? But how and what?!

“This Saturday, after our study session. We're going out on a date.” He paused, “I mean. If you want to.” He added, a bit self conscious.

“Of course I want to, but how? I'm not letting you break out of Dalton, Blaine. So I hope you didn't plan on-”

“No.” Blaine chuckled, “We can leave campus. We have to request it and there'll be a chaperone, but... I asked Don and he said yes, so... a date.”

“Where are we going on this date?” Kurt asked, the smile on his face shown in his voice.

“You'll see.” Blaine smirked. “And we can make requests twice a month, so... if you enjoy the first date, there can be others.”

“Hmm...” Kurt hummed thoughtfully, “Let's not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Ouch!” Blaine laughed and there was a silence as they just listened to each other's breathing and stewed in their own excitement.

“So, Saturday then?” Blaine offered, just making sure they were both on the same page.

“It's a date.”

“I have a date.”

Mercedes' mouth dropped open as she stared at her best friend, “With who? Details, boy!”

Kurt's stomach clenched in fear. He remembered their conversation at the mall weeks before and how she joked at first but became much like a concerned mother when she found out that Kurt may actually have feelings for someone at a reform school. But Kurt was about to explode with the anticipation of his impending date with Blaine and he needed to tell someone.

“Remember that boy I was tutoring?” Kurt's hesitance was noticed by Mercedes.

“Oh, honey. Do not tell me you're dating a criminal.”

Anger bubbled up within Kurt. Mercedes didn't know anything about Blaine. Yes he was technically a criminal, but she only knew that one thing about him and already she had written him off as unfit? Kurt finally understood what Blaine kept going on about. The world around him always casting judgmental eyes and closed-minded comments onto him as if he just didn't even matter. Kurt's heart ached for that boy. For those boys at Dalton. They didn't deserve to be constantly shit on for things they'd done. Your past doesn't determine who you are.

“Mercedes, if you're going to disapprove of this, tell me now, because then I'll be sure to refrain from talking about it. But just know that Blaine is more than what you think of him as.”

Mercedes seemed to mull Kurt's words over in her head. “No, Kurt. You're my best friend. I want to know, but... just... I'm just trying to look out for you. I'm not judging you or anything. I just don't want to see you get hurt.”

Kurt sighed, “You may not be judging me, but judging the guy I choose to date is a hair away from that. You don't know Blaine. I don't know him all that well either yet, but I do know that he's better than what people think of him. I'm going on this date because I want to know him more and honestly, being around him makes me really happy.”

“If he makes you happy, then there's nothing else to say, is there?” Mercedes smiled at Kurt who quickly returned the gesture. “But if this boy hurts you, I will not be afraid to go all diva-smack-down on him.”

“I want you two to know that you'll be under close watch and while you are in that room, studying should be the only thing that you are doing.” Don instructed as they stood outside of the study room on Saturday morning.

Kurt nodded vigorously and Blaine rolled his eyes.

“I'm serious, Blaine. If you don't behave, Kurt will no longer be your tutor and I will have no choice but to ban him from the premises. You won't see him again.”

Kurt swallowed nervously.

“Got it, Don. Can we get onto this now, I've got a date with a really hot guy later.”

Kurt blushed as Blaine sent him a wink.

“Yes, well... your date won't be until your required four hours of study time are completed. Speaking of, when you are ready to leave, let Andy know. He'll be your chaperone.” Don explained.

“K.” Blaine replied, “Now open the door. J'ai besoin d'�tudier.”

Kurt recognized the phrase (I need to study.) and smiled, impressed by Blaine's improvement.

Wordlessly, Don unlocked the door and let the two boys into the room.

“Be good.” He parted with those final words.

“So...” Blaine spoke as the door slammed shut.

Kurt chuckled, “Sit down, Blaine. We can study for a bit and then we'll talk.”

Blaine followed Kurt's instructions and they worked on compound ions and formulas for about an hour before Blaine couldn't take it anymore.

“Kurt, can we stop for like ten minutes?”

Kurt placed the paper he was using as a guide into the page they were stopped on in the book and closed it.

“Sure. What is it?”

Blaine stared into Kurt's eyes, trying to convey his feelings through them. He really didn't enjoy talking about feelings, especially his own.

He sighed, “It's just. I've never... done this, you know? I don't... I don't want to disappoint you.”

“This is my first date, Blaine.” Kurt spoke softly, his admission making him blush a bit, “I don't have much to compare it to, and just the fact that you're making an effort is enough for me. You're not going to disappoint me. Just being able to be with you out of the confines of this place... that'll be relieving won't it?” He laughed, “But really, any date, as long as it's with you, is bound to amaze me. You amaze me, and you don't even have to try.”

Blaine seemed more relaxed after Kurt's spiel and they resigned themselves to finish their session.

When the hours passed, Kurt gathered their materials and Blaine rang the bell next to the door. The guard let them out of the room and Blaine told Kurt to go to the rec room and wait for him because he had to go to his room first.

When Kurt got to the rec room, Andy spotted him and smiled slyly, advancing toward him.

“Big date, huh?” He winked as he reached Kurt.

Kurt chuckled nervously, “Yeah...”

“Ey! Look who it is! Blaine won't shut up about tonight.” Ralph chimed in.

God. How many people knew about this?

“Where is Blaine?” Andy looked around in confusion.

“He had to go to his room really quick before we leave.”

“Probably rubbing one out so he doesn't try anything on you while Andy's watching.” Wes spoke, appearing beside him.

Kurt swallowed hard. He did not need that image in his head right now. This was their first date. But what if that were true? It's definitely something that Blaine would do and- fuck. Images of Blaine with his hand wrapped tightly around his cock, pumping frantically, his shirt rucked up, panting heavily as he approaches his release.

No. He can't think like that. The pants he was wearing were too tight to begin with, they did not need any further restrictions.

Voices around him droned on but he hadn't been listening and finally he heard the familiar voice that made his chest tighten.

“Kurt?” He felt a hand graze his shoulder from behind him.

When he turned around, he saw Blaine like he'd never seen him before.

His hair was combed and lightly gelled, only enough to tame it a bit. He was wearing tight black jeans and a nicely fitting dark blue button-down shirt.

Kurt's jaw dropped slightly at the sight in front of him. Blaine nervously rubbed at the back of his neck with one hand and held the other behind his back.

“Blaine, you look...”

“Oh god. It was too much, wasn't it? I'll go change again, just-”

“No. You look great, Blaine. Seriously. Amazing.”

Blaine smiled sheepishly back, “I- uh... had Don buy these for me, earlier. For you.” Blaine pulled his other hand out from behind his back to reveal a bouquet of daisies, all different, vibrant colors.

“I don't know if that's like... weird or whatever, I just... here.” He pushed them closer to Kurt who smiled as he took them.

“Thank you, Blaine. They're beautiful.” He raised them to his nose to take in their aroma.

“Yeah, well...” Blaine shuffled awkwardly in his place.

“You two love birds ready to get this show on the road?” Andy spoke up.

Blaine glared at him and Kurt grabbed his hand, stroking it with his thumb soothingly.

“Yes, Andy. Please, lead the way.”

“Is the blindfold absolutely necessary?” Kurt huffed as his eyes strained to open against the cloth in front of them. The flowers Blaine had given him, sitting in the front passenger's seat beside Andy.

“It's a surprise, so yes: the blindfold is a crucial accessory to the plan, Kurt. Just relax and enjoy the ride.” Blaine reached out to grab Kurt's hand in his own.

Upon contact Kurt drew his hand back immediately, crossing his arms across his torso. “I don't understand why I'm being punished right now.”

Blaine chuckled, “How are you being punished? You just have a blindfold on.”

Kurt unwrapped his arms, feeling the air between him and Blaine with one of them until he felt the warmth of skin. Kurt tugged on Blaine's bicep, pulling him close to him before leaning into this body.

“I just want to be able to look at you.” He whispered into what he hoped was Blaine's ear.

He felt Blaine shiver before smirking broadly, proud of himself for being the assertive one for once.

“Soon, babe. I promise.” Kurt felt Blaine's breath, hot against his ear and neck, “For now, I'll just admire you.” A roaming arm smoothed its way up into the hair at the base of Kurt's neck.

“You best be keeping it PG back there, boys. You'll have plenty of time to shove your tongues down each other's throats when we get there.” Andy spoke from the driver's seat.

Kurt felt blood rush to his cheeks instantly.

“Shut up, Andy.” Blaine mumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment.

“I'm just saying; I've got no problem with you two getting your mack on, but you should at least wait until we arrive at our destination. Then you can carry on with your sweet, sweet boy kisses.”

“You've made your point, Drew. Now shove your foot in your mouth before I do it for you.”

There was a pause before, “I don't think that's physically possible Blaine, but you can go ahead and try.” Andy grinned teasingly at Blaine through the rear-view mirror.

“You suck.”

“Ouch.” Andy hissed jokingly, “That was a low blow. You sling such hateful words at me.”

Kurt couldn't contain a giggle at that and Blaine's head snapped to look at him.

“You're laughing at my misfortune.”

“Well, Blaine, in my defense... you blindfolded me and won't tell me where we're going, so... I think I'm suffering just a little bit more than your poor, lightly bruised ego.”

Andrew barked with laughter, “Ooh, Blaine. You've met your match with this one. Finally someone who isn't going to take your shit.”

“Andy, do I need to climb into the front seat and shove my fist down your throat or would you like to willingly shut. the. fuck. up?”

Andrew seemed to consider his options thoughtfully, “You know, I did have a big lunch today. Pretty full. And if you were to shove your hand down my throat, I can only imagine you'd end up covered in regurgitated roast beef and french fries. But it's your call, really.”

Blaine groaned in frustration and Kurt tried to contain his laughter by biting his lip. His amusement didn't go unnoticed by Blaine though, who harrumphed and slumped down into the seat.

Regaining his composure, Kurt patted his hand across the seat between them until he found Blaine's thigh.

“Blaine...” Kurt requested vaguely, turning his hand, palm up and flexing his fingers.

Blaine surveyed Kurt then. His eyes raked over him carefully, unbeknownst to Kurt.

Starting at his perfectly coiffed hair and slowly venturing down his jawline, his neck, his shoulder, bicep, forearm, and there it was; the hand, eagerly awaiting contact from Blaine, restlessly on Blaine' right thigh.

Blaine's hand moved almost involuntarily until it was resting on top of Kurt's. Immediately, Kurt laced their fingers together. Blaine fought off thoughts of security and safety because as much as he wanted to completely let go, he knew better than to trust someone with his entire being.

He trusted Kurt; sure. He would admit that he trusted Kurt more than anyone. But he'd been screwed over in the past and he was very cautious now.

Blaine was his own, independent being. He didn't need anyone else. He was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. But he let himself want. He had desired, of course, but he never had needs. Needing was weak and it let his defenses down. If he had needs and they weren't fulfilled, that was problematic. Whereas he could have copious amounts of unfulfilled desires and it wouldn't cause any trouble because he didn't need them to survive.

But Kurt... if Blaine wasn't careful, Kurt could be very dangerous to Blaine. He noticed himself starting to see things differently than he had been seeing them for the past few years. He could feel the walls he worked so hard to build starting to crumble around him. Kurt was becoming more than a want; more than a desire; more than Blaine ever had expected.

This usually would scare the crap out of Blaine. It did, sometimes. But then he'd look at Kurt and stare into his eyes; set his gaze onto those soft lips that feel absolutely blissful against his own... and he'd stop feeling so scared. Despite himself, Blaine was falling hard for this boy.

But maybe it wasn't such a bad thing.