A/N: First of all, HUGE apologies for the delay. Jeez, my life couldn't have gotten any busier in the past couple weeks. I had just enough time to write the first chapter of my new story Daybreakers—I wanted to get it written before I forgot the whole thing—so at least that's good, but other than that, I've barely written anything.

Anyway, this chapter picks up a few days later—by this point Kurt has had enough time to get readjusted, so it won't be so angsty.

"I can't wait! It's going to be absolutely perfect!" Rachel squealed, waving her fists excitedly in the air as Kurt rolled his eyes. "It's so romantic, Kurt. I don't even know where I'm going tonight because he wanted the restaurant to be a surprise. Oh, I just have a feeling there's going to be candles and roses and soft, tasteful music in the background, and maybe even dancing if Finn doesn't step on me in the process," she sighed in a love struck way, twirling her god-awful wool skirt along with her as they made their way to the back lot of the school. Kurt had been left alone with her by an unavoidable bout of bad luck, and ever since then she had felt the need to describe the upcoming date in detail, even though she had no idea what was to come.

Kurt still remembered why he and Blaine threw their party in the first place; they wanted in on reviving the Finchel pairing. They were so close, too, until life got in the way and the Kurt landed in the hospital. By that time, Kurt had assumed that Finn and Rachel's date had already passed or had simply collapsed in the heap of everything else that was happening at the time. What he didn't expect was for Finn to delay it for his sake. Kurt grimaced to himself as his step-brother's words reverberated in his head for the hundredth time in the same desperate, pleading tone.

"Dude, I need your help. I'm totally freaking out right now about the dinner with Rachel and I have no clue what to do and I just know that she's expecting this crazy, sappy night, but you're really good at all this so I figured that maybe you might want to help plan it, maybe? I swear, I won't tell Rachel you were in on it; I just need help from someone who's good at all this. Please? You wouldn't turn a bro down, would you?"

No, he couldn't turn his 'bro' down. But, unfortunately, Finn's idea of extra help meant dumping all of the planning responsibilities onto Kurt so he could sit back and wait for the final product. Not that Kurt had much to complain about; he truly did love planning. The only thing that irked him was the lack of credit on his part. Normally the satisfaction of planning came from the glory afterwards. Once that was taken away from him, Kurt had nothing to enjoy but his own approval which, like in most situations, failed to make him happy.

Now he was stuck listening to Rachel prattle on about an event that Finn had no hand in construing.

"What if he spontaneously bursts into song? Oh, that would be so amazing of him, don't you think, Kurt?"

"Mmhm." Kurt grunted, heaving a deep breath. They were outside finally and Kurt could see his car from where they were walking on the sidewalk. Salvation, thank god…

"Ooh, and you know what would make it the best night ever?"

"Hm?"

"What if he took me by the hands, like a true gentleman, and kissed me under the stars?"

Kurt nodded noncommittally, his eyes locked on the driver's side door handle of his car and his right hand clamped around his keys, the correct one already selected and held between his thumb and forefinger for easy access.

"Kurt?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't you think that would make it the best night ever?"

Kurt sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, reminding himself that he was, in fact, talking with Rachel, one of the most demanding, irrational people he'd ever met. There was a certain amount of consideration you had to take when communicating with her in comparison to speaking with someone sane.

"Look, Rachel, there's something I think you're forgetting here."

Her expressive face contorted with confusion.

"What's that?"

"This is Finn we're talking about." Kurt emphasized. "It doesn't matter how nice the place is where he takes you or how fancy the food is or whether or not a string quartet pops out of nowhere in the background to play you two love songs." He smirked lightly at the hopeful glint in Rachel's eyes, but continued nonetheless. "You still need to brace yourself for the romantically inept buffoon that is Finn Hudson." A frown pulled at his lips as he considered this himself, the possibility that his impeccably planned night would be ruined because his step-brother could not execute it properly. He reminded himself that before Finn left, he would need to give him some tips on dating etiquette.

Rachel seemed to consider this seriously for once, and her bottom lip pushed out into a pout.

"I guess…I guess you're right. I mean, what am I thinking...?" she let out one sad, humorless laugh. "This is Finn. I can't expect a fairytale night. I have to be reasonable. I can't…I just can't expect that much."

Something in Rachel's tone made Kurt look back over at her, and he was surprised to see the excitement completely drained from her formerly sparkling eyes and replaced with a dull sort of acceptance. A heavy guilt washed through him though he tried to fight against it, his conscience pushing against the resistance with an effort that would be futile to challenge. He felt like a parent who just told his toddler they would never be the president and instead would most likely end up in a dead end desk job. Before he had time to stop himself, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Well, hold on a second Rachel. Just because it is Finn doesn't mean it's hopeless. There is a chance that the night will be perfect, even though you might not expect it to be. You know what?" he asked, his face set with determination. "I'm going to promise you something, Rachel. I'm going to promise that tonight will be the best date you have ever experienced in your short little life. It's going to be so wonderful that no other date will ever come close in comparison."

Rachel looked puzzled but in higher spirits, slightly confused by Kurt's sudden change in attitude.

"Okay…"

"I promise." Kurt smiled at her one last time before turning to his car, climbing in behind the wheel with a strange, sudden resolve. He had approximately four more hours until Finn picked Rachel up at her house, and he had a lot of work to do.

"I don't get it though. What's the point in getting out of the car and walking all the way to her door to pick her up when I could just honk the horn?"

Kurt let out an exasperated scoff. "You've got to be kidding me, right? Seriously, Finn? Please tell me you're joking."

Finn waved his hands around in clueless, frustrated gestures. "I'm not joking, it's an honest question!"

"Of all things to mess up on, especially in the very beginning…" Kurt dragged his hands down his face in an aggravated, exhausted manner, pausing to compose himself before he slapped the quarterback upside his head. "I cannot begin to impress upon you how important it is to pick her up at the door. If you sit in your car and refuse to make the effort to appear somewhat of a gentleman, her parents will hate you forever. They'll think you're an asshole, Finn. Do you want them to think you're an asshole?"

"N…no…? Is this a trick question?"

"What? No! Finn, listen to me. Put all your focus into the words coming out of my mouth. Tonight is all about her. Not you. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. As far as I'm concerned, you're not even a necessary variable. I could replace you with a robot or a monkey. It honestly wouldn't matter. Do you know why it wouldn't matter?" Kurt paused for a moment as Finn sat silently with a slack jaw. "It wouldn't matter because as long as that robot or that monkey shows her a good time, she'll be happy. Really, Finn, it doesn't take a genius to impress a girl on a date. Yes, they expect sappy, stereotypical romance and they expect it in abundance, but other than that, you're basically set. Understand?" Kurt asked, though he didn't give Finn much of a chance to answer seeing as how he continued with his monologue with a heavier sense of importance. "But, if you mess that up, you're done. You are finished. You are screwed. You are royally f—"

"Okay, Kurt, I think he gets it."

Kurt turned to face Blaine who was splayed comfortably across his couch.

"I'm just trying to make my point clear."

"I know," Blaine replied, a small smile playing across his lips. "But you might be making him more nervous than anything."

"As far as I'm concerned, he needs to be nervous. You can't face Rachel Berry unprepared. That's basically a death sentence."

Blaine chuckled lightly and ran his hands through his freshly freed, dampened locks. "Just try not to scare him too much. No date goes perfectly. My first date with you went horribly and look," he said, gesturing to Kurt, "you're still here. If Rachel really likes him enough, she'll stay with him regardless of the quality of a silly little date."

Kurt raised his eyebrow at his boyfriend, placing his hands on his hips and cocking his head to the side. "What are you talking about? That night was perfect."

Blaine laughed and gazed at Kurt sweetly as if his disbelief was the most endearing thing he'd ever seen. "Really, now? Kurt I can't believe you think so; oh my lord, I was so mortified afterwards when I got home. I thought for a little while it had gone so awfully you might never call me or speak to me again."

Kurt pursed his lips and stared, unable to comprehend. Blaine just kept laughing and continued on, his smile stretching from ear to ear. "Do you really not remember? I screwed up our dinner reservation at Clyde's, so instead we had to order takeout."

"But…but it was so nice though. You rented a rowboat and we ate lo mien in the middle of the lake with the waves lapping up against the side…and you could see the reflection of the moon on the water; it was beautiful."

"And then I spilled sweet and sour sauce on my tux because the bug lantern fell into the water so we couldn't see anything."

"It was cute, though."

"It was embarrassing."

Kurt smiled again and ambled over to Blaine, sitting down on the cushion next to him and taking his hand. "I don't care what you think. That date was perfect. It just made me love you more than I already did."

Blaine looked touched, his hands reaching out to frame Kurt's face so he could stroke his thumbs across the boy's cheekbones. "Well it's good to know that you think my clumsiness is adorable," he said sarcastically, but his smile dulled the edge in the remark.

"You're always adorable, no matter how clumsy and uncoordinated you are."

"Oh, well gee, thanks."

"No problem." Kurt giggled, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his boyfriend's lips, one hand resting on Blaine's chest and the other brushing against the fluff of tangled hair at the nape of his neck.

"Um…hey guys?"

Kurt glanced up at the sound of Finn's voice, turning his head to catch his step- brother's awkward face. Finn was wringing his hands together uncomfortably; he was obviously the third wheel.

"It's great that you love each other and stuff, but I still kinda need help."

Kurt rolled his eyes, leaning down to squeeze in one more quick kiss before jumping off the couch, leaving Blaine alone with his yearning, puppy dog eyes. Kurt crossed his arms at him comically. "Oh stop complaining, you. Just wait till later after Finn leaves—"

"Dude!"

"Shut up Finn," Kurt quipped, turning to him and giving him a quick glare. "Okay, next…whenever you approach a door with Rachel, you do what?"

"Uh…open it?"

"Yes, but open it how?"

"…I pull on the handle?"

Kurt sighed. "Okay, I don't think we're on the same page. Whenever you approach a door, you always hold the door open for the lady to go through first. It's called chivalry, Finn, which is a very important element in a date."

"But…she can open a door herself. Wouldn't it be sort of insulting to do it for her?"

"Wait, what? No, no it's not…ugh…Finn I know she's perfectly capable of opening a door, it's just more gentlemanlike to do it for her."

"Oh…uh, okay…"

"This includes the car, too. So whenever she enters or exits the car, it's your job to open her door."

Finn eyes bugged incredulously. "Ugh, that's so much work…"

Kurt rolled his eyes for the umpteenth time, but ignored him. "Next up is table manners. Pop quiz, Finn: Pretend you're looking at a set table. Which fork do you use for your salad, the one on the left or the one on the right?"

"Uh…um…the, uh, right one?"

"Wrong, the one on the left."

"Wait, how was I supposed to know that?"

"Here's a tip for silverware," Kurt started, disregarding Finn's complaint. "Over the course of your dinner, you are going to work your way in. Use the outermost utensils first for the soups or salads and then move on to the inner utensils for the main course."

"Am I supposed to be taking notes or something?"

"If it helps you, go ahead."

"Oh my god…" Finn groaned, throwing his head back. "I'm so not ready for this."

"I couldn't agree more."

"Kurt," Blaine called from the couch. "Go easy on him."

"Okay, okay, fine." Kurt complied. "Anyway, let's do a few more. Where does your napkin go?"

"In your lap." Finn replied instantaneously.

"Good, at least you know that one. Here's another easy one; your elbows should not be where?"

"On the table."

"And when you chew, your mouth stays…?"

"Closed."

Kurt clapped his hands approvingly. "Well, look at you! Maybe you're not totally hopeless after all."

"Kurt…" Blaine warned.

"Yeah, yeah…" Kurt waved him off. "Okay let's see, how much time do we have before you need to leave?" He muttered, more to himself, looking down to check his Givenchy watch. "About half an hour, which means you need to get dressed. So, go put on something nice and brush your teeth and all that and we'll be set." Kurt announced with a triumphant smile. Finn looked at him like he was crazy.

"W-wait…you expect me to dress myself?"

"Um Finn, unless I'm mistaken, haven't you been doing that since you were six?"

Finn gave him a humorless, stony stare. "Duh, I know how to dress for school, I'm not stupid. I just need your help picking out a dress shirt and tie and stuff. Last time I tried to dress up I looked like a complete moron."

Kurt fought against a grin. "Was that the time you wore a pinstripe suit with a muscle t-shirt and a plaid tie? Oh dear god, Finn that was horrid."

"Just…shut it," he said flatly. "Can you please just help me?"

Kurt grumbled to himself. "Yeah, I guess. C'mon lets go." He sighed, leading the way up the stairs.

Fifteen minutes later, Kurt skipped back downstairs with an extra spring in his step, his face lit up with cheery satisfaction.

"Oh Blaine!" He called, spinning around the bottom banister. "Come get a look at my little friend!"

Kurt saw Blaine's head pop out above the top of the couch, a small smile on his lips from seeing Kurt so happy.

"Finn, get down here!" Kurt called sharply up the stairs. He turned back to Blaine with a cocky grin. "I'm a genius. I'm a total genius. This could not have turned out more awesome," he bragged.

Blaine watched curiously as Finn made his way to the main floor. The poor boy was beet red and self conscious, but Blaine had to give Kurt credit, he looked more put-together than he'd ever seen him. The navy blue sports coat was casual, but tasteful, and the silver tie complemented the sky blue dress shirt perfectly. Finn's hair was even styled with gel, lightly textured to add some flair but not enough to draw any special attention.

Below the waist sat the matching dress pants and black, polished Italian shoes that looked like they'd never been worn before, which, probably, was the case.

"Wow, Finn, looking sharp there. Kurt, I give you my compliments, the outfit looks great."

"Thank you. Finally, someone appreciates my work," he said, giving Finn a dark glare.

"Don't look at me like that," Finn shot back, his brow set angrily. He mellowed after a few moments, looking down at his clothing with dread. "I feel so…weird…"

"But you look handsome, which is what's most important."

"Whatever…"

"Okay now, let's review. When you pick Rachel up at the door," he held Finn's gaze pointedly. "You say…?"

Finn exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed. "Hello Mr. and Mr. Berry, My name is Finn Hudson, and I'm here to pick up your daughter."

"Perfect. And if they ask you anything, how do you reply?"

"With 'yes' or 'no, sir'"

Kurt looked proudly upon his step brother with an unashamed smile. "I believe I have reached success," he declared, standing still for a minute before breaking his composure and pumping his fist Tiger-Wood's-style. Blaine chuckled behind him and Kurt turned around to face his boyfriend, rushing over to the couch and plopping down next to him.

"Okay Finn," he called to his brother who was now pacing the kitchen nervously. "Showtime."

Finn glanced up at them, anxiety plain on his features for once, unmasked by frustration or annoyance. Kurt softened a bit and leaned over the back of the couch. "Hey, don't worry too much, okay? I know I made it sound like a lot, but…Blaine was right. No date is perfect. If it doesn't turn out the way you thought it would, just go with the flow. Be yourself. She'll love you the way you are, anyways. Trust me."

Finn nodded numbly, though he seemed to relax a little, and he took a deep breath. "O-okay…okay. I can do this," he mumbled, his eyebrows pulling together determinedly. He looked back up at Kurt and Blaine, a new fire in his eyes, and squared his shoulders. "Thanks for your help, Kurt. I'll see you guys later."

Finn nodded to himself once more and then turned on his heels, marching out the front door resolutely. Kurt waited until the sound of his car faded into the distance before facing his boyfriend again. Blaine was gazing at him tenderly, and his lips pulled up faintly in content.

"He's grown up so much," Kurt sighed jokingly, snuggling into Blaine's side and pressing a light kiss into the crook of his neck. "Ugh, now I'm almost nervous for him. Why do I always care way too much about my work?"

He felt Blaine's chest shake against him with silent laughter.

"I wouldn't be so nervous. I think, thanks to you, he's too scared to make a mistake."

Kurt stuck his tongue out and shoved him lightly, scowling as Blaine broke into a fit of laughter and leaned up to press his lips to Kurt's temple.

"You're lucky you're so hot." Kurt grumbled as he felt Blaine smile against his forehead. Blaine pulled back a bit, leaving only an inch between their faces, and Kurt noticed his eyes darkening.

"Am I, now?" Blaine breathed, his hands sliding down Kurt's torso possessively. "Prove it."

Kurt stared for a few seconds, his sight wandering over his boyfriend's features, the way Blaine's lips were parted ever so slightly, the way the remaining light from outside danced across the curvatures of his face with a mixture of orange and violet, how the muscles in his forearms bulged against the tight fabric of his shirt.

He closed the distance, crushing their lips together feverishly, his nails scratching up and down the length of Blaine's back.

Blaine hummed deeply in his throat, clutching one hand to Kurt's hips and the other fisting around his hair. He pushed Kurt firmly down into the couch cushions, pressing their chests flush against one another's and sighing at the heat. His tongue traced along Kurt's lower lip, delving into his boyfriend's mouth after Kurt allowed the intrusion, and he ran his fingers across the taller boy's scalp. Kurt groaned quietly at the different, but good sensations, and wriggled his body from underneath Blaine's weight, gasping at the wonderful friction.

"How—ah—how's that for proving it?" Kurt managed to push past his clenched teeth. His eyes squeezed shut as Blaine ground down his hips.

"Not bad." Blaine growled, tilting his head so he could latch his teeth into the soft flesh just underneath Kurt's jaw.

"Oh!" Kurt yelped in surprise, his exclamation lowering pitch into a low moan as Blaine sucked hard on the skin.

"B-Blaine, that's…ugh…that's going to leave a m-mark…"

Blaine chuckled darkly and continued to form the bruise, twitching his hips forward and pitching Kurt into an incoherent, babbling mess.

After he pulled his mouth back from his work, Blaine was immediately yanked forward as Kurt met his lips in sloppy, open mouthed kisses, their breaths colliding hotly against their cheeks. Kurt grasped the back of Blaine's neck, holding him there as he moved against him, his tongue running along the back of his boyfriend's teeth.

Blaine's arms moved out from under Kurt, and the taller boy let out a short whimper of complaint before Blaine braced himself against the sides of the couch and ground his hips down with excessive force. Kurt let out a shout, his vision blurring over for a split second before returning to normal, his eyes wide from shock at the feeling and his chest heaving.

In that moment of silence, Kurt's phone blared suddenly from the coffee table, the boy's jumping in their position as The Beatles', 'Blackbird' rattled against the wood.

"Shiiiit…" Kurt groaned, his head tilting back in annoyance. Blaine sighed and slumped down against him, resting his forehead on Kurt's shoulder. Kurt reached over to check the caller ID, cursing to himself when he saw it was Finn. He considered letting it go to voicemail, but then he realized he wasn't that cruel.

"H-hello?" He said, still somewhat breathless.

"Uh, hey, I have a question—"

"Finn, this better be freaking important."

"It is, it is…why do you sound all winded…?"

There was a small pause as Kurt waited for Finn to piece it together

"Dude, seriously? It's been like, five minutes since I left!"

"Get over it." Kurt replied shortly. "What's your question?"

"How much do I tip the waiters after dinner?"

Kurt stopped to think for a moment, but he found it difficult as Blaine started to work his lips across his skin again, sucking and nipping along his shoulder.

"U-uh, give him twenty p-percent." Kurt fumbled, struggling to keep his breath steady.

"But…isn't that a lot? Isn't it usually like fifteen or eighteen?"

"F-Finn just…trust me on this—" Kurt stuck his hand over the receiver for a moment as Blaine jerked his hips again. "Blaine ohmygod stop!" he gasped, clenching his teeth.

"Hello? Kurt, are you there? Hellooo?"

Kurt brought the phone back to his lips again. "Sorry, uh, interference— it's twenty percent, Finn, because—b-because you're going to a nicer restaurant…and you are getting better s-service…so you tip them slightly—ah!—more."

"Oh, okay." Finn replied uncomfortably. "Er…thanks then, um…I'll just…go…"

Kurt heard a resounding click as the call ended, and he let his phone drop from his hand. "Blaine…" he growled, glaring at his boyfriend's devious smile. "You're insane. Do you know how much you scared my step-brother just now? He might never sit on this couch again."

Blaine's eyes narrowed in a mock-sadistic manner. "Good. Then we'll have this thing reserved."

Kurt rolled his eyes dramatically, though his body was quivering from the lack of motion.

"What's wrong, love?" Blaine asked airily, widening his eyes in the epitome of innocence. Kurt gave him a dead-panned stare in return, attempting to cross his arms but failing in his current position. A few seconds of silence passed before Blaine's realized Kurt's seriousness and he stuck out his lower lip, flashing his best kicked-puppy gaze.

"Oh, stop it." Kurt scoffed, though he fought against a smile at his boyfriend's expression.

"Are you mad at me now?" Blaine asked, the pout still prominent on his features.

Kurt huffed in exasperation, but gave him a small, tender grin. "No…I suppose not."

The response came so quickly, it was almost comical. Blaine's face lit up and he leaned down deliver an overly-enthusiastic kiss, leaving Kurt's hair rumpled and his cheeks flushed. He ran his calloused fingers down the buttons on Kurt's shirt and along the thin strip of skin where the garment had come un-tucked, creeping up below the fabric to scratch lightly at the skin of his chest.

"Good," he breathed, his sultry inflection causing Kurt to shiver. "Then come here, you."