Notes: Picking up right where the previous chapter left off. I think the chapter title says it all... :)

-x-x-x-

Chapter 29 - The Boyfriend

Kurt's heart beat so fast it felt like it would jump out of his chest. Blaine wanting them to be boyfriends was the dream he'd barely dared to dream. It was more than that. It was everything. Boyfriends. Real boyfriends. Kurt was about to ask Blaine one more time if he was sure, but he swallowed the question before it slipped out because this was not the time to doubt.

Blaine squeezed Kurt's hand lightly and Kurt looked up, into Blaine's eyes. Eyes that had taken on a worried look that seemed to say what do you say? Say something. Please. Kurt had been so happy, so preoccupied with his own thoughts, that he had forgotten to answer Blaine.

"Yes!" Kurt said. "Yes, yes, yes. More than anything I want to be your boyfriend." Kurt felt himself smile from ear to ear and soon Blaine mimicked that smile.

"Yes?"

"Yes, a million times yes!" As if there could be a different answer. As if Blaine had to ask. If Blaine said this was what he wanted, that he was ready, Kurt believed him.

They both moved in for the kiss at the same time, their lips touching for what felt like the first time in an eternity. Shivers went through Kurt's body and he parted his lips and inhaled sharply. Blaine's tongue was there to meet his, eager and wanting. Soft sounds escaped Blaine when their tongues connected, and heat rose on Kurt's cheeks as the kiss got deeper. It was electric and delicious, and Kurt had to move his hand to Blaine's cheek just to hold on. It didn't feel like he was in his own body anymore. It felt like he could get lost in Blaine forever and Kurt didn't know how, but he could and it was the best feeling.

Blaine tasted like mint and faintly of coffee, and Kurt couldn't get enough. Blaine kept making those soft, pleased sounds, and his hand was in Kurt's hair, tugging gently and it drove Kurt crazy with want. He pushed his lips firmer against Blaine's, possessively, and moaned into the kiss. Blaine responded by grazing his fingernails against Kurt's scalp and Kurt could barely breathe. Blaine was in all of his senses, everywhere around him, and the kiss was quickly evolving into something more than simply a kiss.

Which was why Kurt put his hand on Blaine's chest and pushed gently as he started to pull away. Blaine chased after him, but Kurt needed a break or he couldn't be held responsible for his actions. He was hard when he pulled away. All he wanted to do was to straddle Blaine, make Blaine feel what he did to him and make him feel the same way, which was exactly why he had to pull away.

"I love you, Blaine," Kurt whispered, catching his breath. "So, so much."

"I love you, too." Blaine leaned his forehead against Kurt's, his fingers lightly carding through Kurt's hair now. "I want to spend forever kissing you." Blaine moved his lips to Kurt's again, softly brushing and then nibbling on Kurt's lower lip.

"I want that, too," Kurt said while pulling away again, "but when you kiss me like you just did, my body wants other things too and I don't know what you're comfortable with."

Kurt could feel Blaine stiffen beside him, heard him sigh and watched as he leaned back against the couch with his eyes closed. Kurt felt a distance grow between them and he hated that he had to be the mood killer.

"I'm sorry, Blaine, but we should talk about this because I need to know. At Thanksgiving you said you didn't know if you'd ever be able to be intimate with someone again and I don't want to end up in a situation where I push it too far."

"I don't know what I'm comfortable with," Blaine responded with resignation in his voice. "I know I like to kiss you and be close to you, but as for more, I don't know... I know I feel safe with you and that I trust you, and I guess we'll have to try and see."

"But what if I push you too far, what if I can't stop?" Kurt had pushed Blaine too far in the past, before he knew about the dark side of Blaine's life, and it hadn't ended well. Kurt didn't want to end up doing that again.

"I just want you to be you, and do what you feel like doing," Blaine said after contemplating for a few seconds. "Don't worry about pushing me too far, I promise to let you know if something doesn't feel okay. That's my responsibility."

"It's mine too, Blaine. We're in a relationship now."

Blaine smiled a cheeky smile. "I know."

And like that, the tense air between them was gone. Kurt was sure they'd revisit the subject but for now he'd let it be. Instead, realization washed over him as he let his own words sink in. They were in a relationship. Boyfriends. Finally.

"Openly?" Kurt asked. That was what Blaine had said, right?

"Yes, I'm done hiding in the closet." Blaine's hand found Kurt's again, fingers lacing together. "I love you and I don't care who knows."

Blaine told Kurt a story about a lady he'd met at the airport when he saw Kurt off at Thanksgiving and how he'd told her he was gay, how right and easy it had felt. He told how he after that had started to tell people at work and that it had been so much easier than he had thought. The words tumbled out of Blaine like bubbles in a soda pop, and Kurt loved seeing Blaine so happy about coming out. About being his true self.

"Tonight, I want to walk into David's party holding your hand," Blaine continued. "I want to show off my beautiful boyfriend to all of my friends."

"I will proudly hold your hand."

Blaine was possibly the most precious human being Kurt had ever met. He had always thought people would think he was weak if they knew he was gay, and to see him now, being proud of who he was, it made Kurt's heart swell over with all the emotions he felt for Blaine. Was it legal to be that happy he wondered? Kurt kissed Blaine again, a toe-curling, belly-flutter kind of kiss before he curled himself in next to Blaine's side. Blaine put his arm around Kurt and placed a kiss on Kurt's temple.

"I've made peace with Nick," Blaine told him.

Kurt leaned back a little and studied Blaine. This was news to him, as far as he knew Blaine refused to talk to Nick after what had happened between him and Kurt. Nick hadn't said anything about working things out with Blaine either.

"We've talked about what happened between you two, and I know he didn't do it to hurt to me and that he doesn't have any feelings for you. He said he'd been flirting with you because he found you attractive and I can't really blame him for that." There was a soft, loving tone in Blaine's voice. He placed another kiss on Kurt's temple and pulled him a little closer. "He said you both were drunk, that he doesn't remember much of what happened and I guess that's some sort of comfort."

"I don't remember much either," Kurt added, but Blaine didn't respond to that, only leaned his head against Kurt's. "Have you made peace with my part in this, too?" Kurt asked.

Blaine remained silent for a few seconds before he spoke. "I have. It took a while, but I'm not angry with you about it anymore. I understand that your action was a direct consequence of my action, and that if you hadn't seen me in that car you wouldn't have…" Blaine couldn't take the words in his mouth to finish the sentence. "Do I wish it had been with someone other than Nick? Yes, but that's not something I can do anything about. Everybody comes with baggage and I think my bag of mistakes is bigger than yours. If you can accept mine, I can surely accept yours. In the end it comes down to that I love you and that I don't want to be without you. Sometimes it's that simple."

Kurt had worried it would take much, much, longer for Blaine to accept and move on from his and Nick's drunken slip, and now he felt relief that Blaine was able to look past it.

"When you take my hand tonight and we walk into David's party together, I want you to know that I don't intend to let go," Kurt said and sneaked his hand into Blaine's. "Not tonight, not ever. I only want you. I've only wanted you since that day you walked into my diner."

Kurt had never wanted Nick, and he wanted Blaine to never doubt that. Nick had just conveniently been there. He was glad Blaine finally understood so they could put it in the past and focus on them. For the first time in their crooked relationship, things were simple. It was the two of them, being honest, not keeping secrets, being themselves. Kurt had faith that this time they would get it right.

"Blue-eyes," Blaine said fondly a few seconds later.

Kurt would never grow tired of that nickname, and he wondered if the name would always turn his insides into mush?

"Yes?"

"I don't want you to let go. Even if I know I can do this on my own, I don't want to do it without you."

Blaine kissed Kurt then, a simple yet beautiful kiss. Everything had finally fallen into place and Kurt felt light as a feather. In that moment Kurt understood Blaine was the one he'd share the rest of his life with. He might only be twenty, and he might have his prime dating years ahead of him, but why should he try to find happiness elsewhere when he already knew no one would make him feel the way Blaine did?

Blaine slowly pulled away from the kiss, making a content, humming sound, and wearing a cute smile on his lips. "Okay, maybe now I want you to let go." Blaine placed a final kiss on Kurt's lips. "I need to use the bathroom."

Kurt reluctantly let him go, though he wouldn't have minded spending the rest of the afternoon on the couch kissing. Soon Kurt heard the shower running and as tempting as it was to join Blaine, Kurt lay down on the couch instead. He hugged a pillow and stared up at the ceiling with a stupid grin on his face. This was not how he thought his day would turn out when he woke up that morning, from boring inventories to now this - being in a relationship with the man he loved.

Blaine came back out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. He offered Kurt a smile and Kurt held his breath. This was a sight he had missed. Blaine went over to the backpack he'd dropped on the floor just inside the apartment door and pulled out some clean clothes. He was just as unbothered with being naked in front of Kurt as he'd been when Kurt first met him, and Kurt, well Kurt laid on the couch and enjoyed the view.

Blaine wasn't as toned as he'd been that summer. His muscles were still visible but living under Burt's roof with Carole's cooking had left traces on Blaine's body. It looked better now though, healthier, and less starved. Kurt liked what he saw.

After having put on underwear and a pair of black sweatpants, Blaine came back to the couch and hunched on the floor beside Kurt. Kurt sat up but kept the pillow in his lap (for obvious reasons). He still wasn't as unbothered as Blaine, but he'd work on that. Blaine leaned in and placed a kiss on Kurt's lips and Kurt held on tight to the pillow.

"You're making it really hard for me not to throw myself at you right now," Kurt said when Blaine sat back again.

"Do you want me to put on a shirt?" Blaine asked with a teasing smile.

"No, no. God, no," Kurt said quickly. "I like seeing this much of you."

Blaine's smile was once more a shade shy of mischievous, and Kurt was sure Blaine had a pretty good idea of what he was doing to him.

"Do you have something to eat?" Blaine asked. "I haven't really eaten since breakfast, I've been too nervous," he admitted.

"Did you really think I would say no to you?"

"I couldn't be sure, could I? I mean, I knew you said you loved me the last time we met and that you wanted to kiss me at the airport, but my mind kept making up reasons why what I had to offer wasn't what you wanted."

"Silly mind you've got there," Kurt said and kissed Blaine's forehead. "Okay, let's find something to eat."

Cooking together was a new experience, an intimate experience it turned out as neither of them could really keep their hands to themselves. There was just so much to discover in every new situation. Most of the food was eaten while cooking, both offering the other small bites to taste. Every once in a while, a fingertip or a thumb slipped into the other's mouth and was sucked clean, or a hand would rest on a shoulder or a waist. And in between more kisses were shared, sometimes featherlight and fleeting, sometimes deep and passionate. It was a wonder, really, that there was any food at all to put on the plates by the end of it.

After finishing eating and cleaning up, it was Kurt's turn to use the shower. With all the sexual energy going on between him and Blaine, Kurt got himself off in the shower. He didn't think he'd get through the night without jumping Blaine at some point otherwise. With Blaine's image on his mind, Kurt held back a moan when he brought himself to orgasm. One day it would be Blaine bringing him over the edge, but for now his hand would have to do.

Kurt left the bathroom semi-satisfied, with a towel wrapped around his waist. He figured he might as well start practicing being unbothered, and therefore left the door to his bedroom opened when he got dressed. Blaine gave him a minute, enough time for Kurt to put on underwear, before he followed Kurt into the room. He jumped up on Kurt's bed and laid down on his side, eyes glued on Kurt.

Kurt found that he liked being watched by Blaine, and even if Blaine made no comment about Kurt's state of undressed or about his body, Kurt still felt the appreciation in Blaine's eyes. Together they picked out Kurt's outfit for the night. Blaine marveled at how many shirts in different colors Kurt owned and Kurt made Blaine try out a few until they found the one Kurt thought was perfect for him.

Blaine looked a bit unsure about the green and white plaid, short sleeved shirt Kurt had picked out, said he could wear one of his black t-shirts instead. Kurt wouldn't hear of it, and in the end they agreed on a maroon colored shirt with small red dots instead. It was closer to black, but still not black. The shirt was long sleeved, so Kurt helped Blaine roll up the sleeves, rewarding him with a kiss at the end.

All of Kurt's pants were too long for Blaine so he couldn't do much about the black jeans Blaine would be wearing. At least he wasn't dressed in all black, which was progress according to Kurt. He made a secret promise to gradually add more color to Blaine's wardrobe.

Next it was time to fix Blaine's hair. Blaine claimed it didn't need fixing, but Kurt suggested that a little product to tame the wildest of curls wouldn't hurt. Blaine agreed to try with a promise from Kurt he could wash it out if he didn't like it.

Blaine watched himself in the mirror for a long time before he spoke. "You're right, this is actually better. What else do you have planned for me?"

"Maybe some eyeliner?" Kurt suggested cautiously. It would look hot on Blaine, Kurt just knew it.

"Okay, no. That's a little too much."

"Okay, no eyeliner then," Kurt agreed.

"But maybe… some nail polish…?" Blaine said tentatively, like he was almost embarrassed to suggest it. Like it was some kind of fantasy he didn't quite dare to tell.

"Which color?" Kurt merely asked. If this was something Blaine wanted to explore, something he'd wanted but never dared in case someone would accuse him of being gay, Kurt was all for it.

"Black," Blaine answered as if it was obvious.

"Well, I don't have any black nail polish," Kurt admitted.

"What color do you have?"

"I don't have any," Kurt said. Nail polish wasn't his thing. "But I'm sure the pharmacy down the road sells some. Come, let's go."

"Do we have enough time? Because I don't have to…" Blaine hesitated.

"There's time," Kurt smiled and grabbed Blaine's hand. Being openly gay was new to Blaine and perhaps a bit scary at times, and Kurt would do anything to help him embrace it.

At the pharmacy, Blaine picked out a black nail polish and after having looked at all the colors for several minutes he hesitantly added a blue one as well. Kurt's heart swelled when he saw the shyness in Blaine's eyes, but he made no comment about it, only smiled reassuringly.

Back in the apartment Kurt painted Blaine's fingernails black. He'd painted his girl friend's nails numerous times in high school, and was quite the expert. Blaine studied his nails when Kurt was finished and Kurt could tell Blaine liked what he saw. A new piece was added to the puzzle Blaine was still figuring out.

"Ready to meet your friends?" Kurt asked.

"Excited actually, and a little bit scared. I haven't seen them since this summer and though we have talked it's not the same as seeing each other face to face."

"Any second guessing about walking in holding my hand?" Kurt had to ask, give Blaine the chance to back out. All steps weren't needed to be taken at once. "It's okay if we don't, you know."

"Pff," Blaine uttered and took Kurt's hand in his. "They already know I'm gay and I think that they are secretly rooting for us. Holding your hand and watching the look on their faces is what I'm looking forward to tonight. I just don't want to relive any of those moments when I last saw them. I wasn't exactly at my finest then and tonight I just want to have fun with you by my side. I'm proud of us and what we have."

"But it won't only be your friends there. There will be friends of friends and people you only know casually. They might not know that your gay."

"You're cute when you worry about me, do you know that?" Blaine said and placed a kiss on the back of Kurt's hand. "I just said I'm proud of us and that I don't care who knows or what they think about it. Stop worrying now and let's get going."

Hand in hand they left Kurt's apartment building behind and walked down the street to the nearest bus stop. They would have to make a change downtown but had still decided to take the bus to Adamville where David lived. Blaine seemed relaxed and it made Kurt let go of his worries for Blaine's sake. Tonight was all about having fun.

When they had changed buses, Blaine became quiet though and stared out the window. Kurt wondered if it was the name 'Adamville' printed in big letters on the front of the bus that had caused the change. Or perhaps it was being downtown?

"How do you feel about being back in the city?" Kurt asked when Blaine had stared out the window for a long time. Blaine had been desperate to get away from the city, scared of the harbormaster and scared of the men that had used him. The harbormaster was gone, but the other men were probably still out there somewhere.

"I don't know…"

"It's understandable if it makes you feel uneasy. It would be completely normal. But remember, they can't touch you now. They have no hold on you."

"I know… but the idea of seeing one of them… I don't know how I would react. I questioned flying down here so many times because I might run into them and I'm scared of what it will do to me…"

Kurt ached for Blaine. He couldn't imagine how it felt, the prospect of running into one of these men, and his instincts to protect Blaine kicked in.

"But I can't hide in Ohio forever," Blaine continued. "You live here, my friends live here. I want to be able to come back when I want to. So I had to make this trip now. I had to confront this fear. I could have told David I couldn't make it and I could have waited to tell you until you came home for Christmas, but I don't want to let them or my fear of what will happen if I see one of them control my life and the choices I make. So here I am, scared but at the same time happy."

"I'm so proud of you, do you know that? Of what you have accomplished, of your determination and of how far you've come. You don't shy away from your problems or try ro sweep them under the rug, you face them head on and I think that's admirable. But let me know if you see one of them so that I can kick their asses."

Blaine let out a laugh. "I love you so much, Kurt Hummel."

As the bus drove into the center of Adamville, Blaine held on to Kurt's hand a little harder but other than that there was no way to tell that Blaine was apprehensive about being there. Fortunately, David lived in the opposite direction of the Marina from the bus station, and the more steps they put between them and the Marina the looser Blaine's grip on Kurt's hand became.

Music was already pumping out through the windows when they arrived at the house. Laughter and loud talking could be heard between songs and it seemed the party was already in full bloom. The house and front lawn was fully decked out in Christmas decorations, with several reindeer and Rudolf, snowmen, Santana Claus and his elves, a Christmas tree on the balcony, and all sorts of colorful lightning. David's family was for sure fans of Christmas.

Kurt stopped on the path to the front door and pulled Blaine close. "Still okay with doing this?" he asked and held up their linked hands.

"Yes. But I'm beginning to question if you are," Blaine said with a fond, teasing tone letting Kurt know he'd asked that question too many times now. Then he kissed Kurt and pulled him towards the door.

There was no use to knock on the door, no one would hear the knock over the loud music, so they walked right into the party. The house was just as decorated inside as it was outside. It was a grand house with a huge staircase leading to the second floor and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling to match. People Kurt had never seen before filled the place, some talking and some dancing.

"Blaine! Kurt!" Thad was the first one to notice them. "David, look who's here!"

David, with a plastic cup containing beer in his hand, came towards them. "Blaine! You made it!"

"Happy birthday, man!"

"Thanks, dude!" David went to hug Blaine but stopped mid-step. "Hold on, hold on. No way! Is this for real?!" David had noticed their joined hands and beamed excitedly. "Nick! Wes! Guys! Come here!"

Soon they were surrounded by all of Blaine's friends, asking questions and congratulating them. All of them seemed genuinely happy for their sake.

"When did this happen?"

"Finally!"

"How long have you kept this a secret from us?"

"You guys! You are so cute together!"

"I love your nails!"

The last comment came from Thad and for some reason it was the comment that made Blaine smile the most.

It warmed Kurt's heart to see the joy and excitement among their friends, especially the hug exchanged between Blaine and Nick. There were no hard feelings between them any longer. Order was restored, perhaps for the first since those guys were seventeen.

Throughout the night Kurt noticed how attentive Blaine was. He introduced Kurt to people Kurt didn't know, made sure Kurt always had something to drink, and was always there by his side offering him smiles and a hand to hold. Never once did it seem like Blaine wanted to hide the fact that he and Kurt were boyfriends. Kurt had never seen that side of Blaine before. Never really seen him around other people as they'd spent most of their time on their own. Kurt liked it. It made him happy and hopeful for their future.

Later, much later, when Blaine for some reason had slipped out of Kurt's hand and Kurt perhaps had had one beer too many, Nick sought him out. Kurt was sitting outside in a lounge chair watching people jumping into the pool. For once the warm weather in December didn't bother him, he actually enjoyed being able to sit outside without freezing his balls off.

Nick slumped down in the chair next to Kurt's. "I'm so fucking happy for you guys," he beamed, not completely sober either. "This is the best news in like ever!"

"You're not mad at me then, for snatching Blaine from you?" The music was still loud and they had to shout for the other to hear.

"Pff." Nick waved his hand dismissively. "Blaine was never mine, he never looked at me the way he looks at you. Besides, I've moved on. I've found someone else."

"Who?" Kurt wanted to know. He sat up and looked at Nick with eager eyes.

"Well… it's still too new and it might not lead somewhere, so I think I'll keep it to myself for now."

"Come on! Is it someone I know? Is he here tonight?"

"He's here, but I don't think you know him. But you and Blaine, man! Blaine is beaming tonight. It's been a long time since I've seen him like actually beam."

Kurt sat back in his chair again, unable to stop smiling himself. The fact that Nick had deftly changed focus from his relationship back to Kurt's went unnoticed by Kurt because the fact that he was making Blaine that happy and that others could tell was a little intoxicating.

"I just fucking love him! He's so special and precious and complicated and so, so sexy, I mean come on! and… I just love him, Nick."

Nick laughed at him then, at his delirious rambling, but Kurt didn't care. He was happy. Life was good and right now nothing else mattered.

"What's so funny?" Blaine sat down on Kurt's lounge chair, lifting Kurt's legs and placing them in his lap.

"I love you," Kurt said with emphasis.

"And that's funny?" For some reason he was almost sober, he had stuck to water most of the night and now he looked at Kurt with something fond in his eyes.

"No, but I do."

"I love you, too." Blaine leaned in then and Kurt greedily pushed his lips against Blaine's, slipping his tongue inside.

"Okay, that's my cue to leave," Nick said and attempted to get up.

"No, no, stay," Blaine insisted, and Kurt thought the kiss was far too short. "We'll behave."

"Oh!," Kurt exclaimed as if he just thought of something. "Did you know, Nick has a boyfriend!" Kurt was excited to share the news.

"I know," Blaine said, just as excited.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Nick exclaimed. "Not yet. It's still too new."

"Maybe we can help," Kurt suggested helpfully. "Where is he?"

"Yes, we want to help," Blaine teased. "Is it him over there? He's checking you out."

"Who?" Kurt asked and looked around, dying to know who this mysterious man was. But when he couldn't see who Blaine meant, he turned back to Nick. "We're kind of experts on this area, you know, so we've got lots of helpful tips."

"Yeah, like if you want tips on kissing, we can show you that." Blaine placed his lips on Kurt's again, deliberately using too much tongue.

"You guys are impossible," Nick laughed. "Goodbye." He got up and left them then, and the sloppy kiss turned into something intimate instead, leaving Kurt breathless and turned on.

"What do you say we ditch this party and return to your place?" Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear. Kurt swallowed hard and nodded. He definitely wanted that.

Somehow they found David among all the people there and said goodbye. Blaine called a cab and when it arrived, Kurt sat close to Blaine in the backseat, leaning his head on Blaine's shoulder. It was quiet there. The only sound was the faint music from the driver's radio and Blaine's soft breathing. Blaine was nice and warm next to him, gently running his thumb across Kurt's fingers and Kurt felt all of the impressions from the day wash over him. He was happy but exhausted and his eyelids felt so very heavy.

Blaine woke him with a gentle nudge when the cab parked next to Kurt's building. "We're here, sleepyhead. Let's get you inside."

Kurt let Blaine lead him to the building entrance and up the stairs to his apartment. He was still tired and there was a vague pounding in his head.

"Let's get you something to drink and something to eat, and maybe then you'll feel better," Blaine said softly as he guided Kurt through the door.

Did he look as bad as he felt? Or did Blaine already know him that well? Either way, Kurt willingly sat down on the chair Blaine offered him. From there he watched Blaine make them some sandwiches which he served with a tall glass of cold water. It was nice, being taken care of, and though Kurt couldn't eat much of the sandwich the water was heavenly.

"Thank you," Kurt felt better now, less drunk and more like himself. He tried to stifle a yawn but didn't do a very good job at it.

"You're tired. We should get some sleep, we can talk more tomorrow." Blaine's voice was soft and soothing.

Kurt wanted to stay up and talk but sleeping sounded so tempting. "You can sleep in my bed and I'll make up the couch for me."

"No, I-" Blaine started but Kurt cut him off.

"If you think I'm going to let you sleep on the couch you're sadly mistaken. You're my guest."

Blaine smiled at him and put away a lock of hair that had fallen down on Kurt's forehead. His fingertips were gentle against Kurt's skin and Kurt leaned into the touch.

"I'm also your boyfriend," Blaine said, "and I was thinking maybe we could sleep in the same bed together? If you want to?"

It was all Kurt wanted, but he hadn't been sure Blaine was ready. Blaine had promised to let Kurt know if something didn't feel right though, and Kurt had to trust him with that. "That sounds much better than sleeping on the couch."

Blaine took Kurt's hand and led him to the bathroom where they brushed their teeth and got ready for bed. Kurt pulled out a spare pillow from his closet while Blaine stepped out of his jeans and shirt. Only wearing his underwear, he accepted the pillow and got into bed.

"Do you want me to look away while you undress," Blaine asked softly with a hint of teasing in his voice. Blaine was lying on his side, eyes on Kurt.

Kurt wanted to come up with a clever comeback, but he was too tired to make jokes. Instead he merely shook his head and took off his clothes. Blaine held up the cover for him, and Kurt laid down next to him. He faced Blaine but left some space between them, nervous to get too close now that they were almost naked. He wanted to do everything right and if it was possible, he wanted to make sure Blaine never felt uncomfortable around him.

"Tonight was fun," Blaine said and found Kurt's hand under the cover.

"I had a great time and I'm glad I got to spend it with you." It was strange how natural it had felt to show up at the party with Blaine's hand in his, like it had always been the two of them even if their relationship was very new. It was strange how natural it felt to hold Blaine's hand in bed now. Like their hands were meant to hold each other.

"No one as much as batted an eye when they saw us together." There was relief there, mixed in together with happiness.

"And why would they? Love is love and I think to the people at the party that's what they saw - two people in love."

"I do love you." Blaine moved a little closer and tangled his feet with Kurt's. "You know, coming out is electric. It's great! I feel so me."

"It is great," Kurt agreed. "You are great, and I love you, too."

Kurt erased the distance between their lips then, kissing Blaine slowly and tenderly. His leg slid up Blaine's and Blaine's leg slipped in between his. It had been a long day, and this was the ending Kurt wanted. Legs tangled, lips moving together and hands holding each other. There was peacefulness at heart and skin touching almost everywhere. It was warm and charged, and Kurt let Blaine decide the pace.

Blaine slid his leg up between Kurt's legs but stopped and slid it back down before it reached too high. It still affected Kurt though, but he didn't let on. Didn't want to trigger Blaine or fool his body that it would lead somewhere.

Blaine was the one who broke the kiss first, ending it too soon when Kurt wanted more. He'd never felt this close to anyone and he just wanted it to go on because if it stopped, he didn't know what to do with all the emotions he was feeling. Kissing Blaine was just one way of expressing them, but right then it was the only way.

"You're tired, we should sleep." Blaine touched his cheek, slowly trailed his fingers across his face.

Kurt wanted to protest, to find a way to express the words he couldn't voice, but Blaine didn't give him the chance.

"Will you hold me?" Blaine asked.

Kurt had never been able to deny Blaine that request. Even when things were rocky and uncertain between them and Kurt didn't know if his heart could manage being that close to Blaine without coming out a little bit more shattered because of it, he had agreed. Because not giving in to Blaine when he needed him had never been an option.

Tonight was different though. Tonight Blaine wanted to be held for different reasons. Tonight they were two people finally on the same page. Tonight there was no worry for what would happen next.

Kurt replied by placing a final tender kiss on Blaine's lips. Blaine turned around in Kurt's arms and snuggled in close to him, his back against Kurt's chest. Kurt snuck his arm around Blaine and rested his hand on Blaine's chest. Blaine hummed contentedly and pressed closer to Kurt. Kurt's cock was hard and obvious between them, so obvious Blaine must feel it.

"I'm sorry, I can't do anything about it," Kurt apologized in a whisper. "Being this close to you does this to me. Just ignore me."

Blaine rubbed a little against Kurt. "I like it," he admitted into the darkness.

Kurt didn't know what to say or do. This was new territory for them and he didn't want to make the moment too big or say the wrong thing, so when Blaine pushed back again Kurt only laced his legs with Blaine's and placed a soft kiss on the back of his neck.

The kiss seemed to spark something in Blaine. He hummed contentedly and begged Kurt to do it again. Kurt complied, trailing small kisses on the bare skin just below Blaine's hairline and up to where his ear began. Blaine pushed back again, and Kurt had to choke back a moan, the small movement so much more intense than it should be. Heat was already pooling low and aching in his hips and Kurt wanted Blaine in ways he couldn't have him, not yet. But he could have this. He could have Blaine in his arms, in his bed, making him feel like the world consisted of only that moment.

"Blaine…" The low moan escaped unbidden from Kurt's lips and he thrusted against Blaine's ass even though he didn't mean to. Blaine had always turned him on. He'd always wanted Blaine like this, tonight was no different, and now he was already so close, just needing that extra friction to get there. "Tell me to stop."

Kurt would if Blaine asked him to, he would because nothing was worth risking Blaine's trust and Blaine's heart, but, God, he hoped Blaine wouldn't.

Blaine didn't say anything. He didn't tell Kurt to stop. Instead, he took Kurt's hand and guided it down between his own legs. Blaine was just as hard as Kurt and feeling him like that shot jolts of electricity through Kurt's body. It was almost enough to make him come.

Kurt stroked Blaine's cock above his underwear before slipping his hand inside, trusting Blaine would stop him if it became too much. Kurt had seen Blaine naked before but he had actually never touched him like that. Blaine's cock was warm and smooth and leaked pre-cum and was the most glorious thing Kurt had ever felt in his hand.

"Kurt…" Blaine's breathing was coming fast and he slid his hand above Kurt's. Not to stop him, but to feel what Kurt was feeling.

Everything in that moment, every sensation, Blaine moaning his name, the feeling of Blaine in his hand, the taste of Blaine's skin on his lips, Blaine's ass rubbing against him, everything, made Kurt's body spasm as he came, pressed against Blaine with his hand working on Blaine's cock. He closed his hand tighter around Blaine, pressed his lips harder to Blaine's neck and moaned as pleasure consumed his body.

"Fuck…" Blaine whined, the word followed by needy little moans. Kurt moved his hand faster up and down Blaine's length, wanting him to feel just as good as he'd made Kurt feel, and then Blaine came, too, wet and obvious in Kurt's hand. Kurt stroked him through it while pressing his body close to Blaine's.

They lay like that, tangled together, quietly, for moments afterwards, their breathing slowly coming back to normal. Thoughts were swirling in Kurt's head when the rush of the orgasm settled down. Was it too soon for this? How was Blaine feeling? Why was he so quiet? What was he thinking? Had they just taken several steps backwards instead of moving forward?

No, that couldn't be the case, Kurt wouldn't let it be. Blaine would have stopped them if he didn't want this to happen.

"I can't believe you made me come in my underwear again," Kurt finally said.

A small chuckle escaped Blaine and the knot in Kurt's belly untangled. Blaine wasn't freaked out.

"At least this time there's a shower nearby." Blaine turned around then, his head resting on Kurt's pillow and his face close to Kurt's. His eyes looked happy, a shade of golden hazel glowing in the dark.

"Are you okay?" Kurt asked. "Was this…?" He was still worried it was too much even if Blaine seemed calm.

"I'm okay, blue-eyes, I wanted this," Blaine reassured. "I needed this. I feel… lighter somehow."

"An orgasm can do that," Kurt teased.

"You know what I mean." Blaine nudged him playfully. "I wasn't sure how I'd react when we ended up in this situation, because I knew we would, but I wanted you to touch me. And, wow. That felt so good."

Kurt traced a fingertip featherlight on Blaine's forehead and down his cheek. Then he held Blaine's chin between his thumb and index finger and leaned in and kissed him. Kurt felt lighter, too, and perhaps relieved that there was no backlash, that they could have moments like this. There was no stepping backwards, only a promising future.

"Do you want to join me in the shower?" Kurt asked when he let go of Blaine. Blaine nodded and Kurt took his hand in his.

Kurt felt how tired he was when he got out of bed, like it all washed over him then; Blaine coming to visit, becoming his boyfriend, the party, the drinking and lastly the orgasm. He leaned against Blaine in the shower, letting Blaine wash him with gentle hands. It was intimate but nothing close to sexual, just hands sliding across bodies.

They left their underwear in a discarded pile on the bathroom floor and slipped naked back into bed. Blaine turned around in Kurt's arms again and Kurt laid a protective arm around Blaine, lazily kissing his neck because he wanted to. Because he could.

Because he was in love.

Within seconds after saying good night, Kurt was asleep, assured that Blaine would still be there, loving him, in the morning.

-x-x-x-

Notes: I hope I did their reunion the way they deserved it. Next up the boys are going back to Lima to celebrate Christmas in the final chapter before the epilogue. Thank you for reading along so far!