A/N: This chapter is up faster then I was expecting! We're getting close to the end now, so I'm not expecting too many more updates before I can mark this fic as completed. I've started the next chapter, and I have another planned for after that, but unless I think of something else in the mean time... that might be it. It feels weird to say, but they're starting to settle into their relationship and get used to each other, and the story I wanted to tell is coming to an end, so it doesn't make sense to continue the fic beyond that. Anyway, thank you for reading, and please enjoy this chapter!

"I can't believe your dad was fine with this," Sebastian says, leaning back against the counter as he watches Kurt chopping an onion.

"He trusts me," Kurt says, not pausing to look over as he responds, eyes still fixed on the knife as it slices through the onion's layers. It's not a lie; his dad does trust him. Maybe not enough to permit him to have his boyfriend spend the night in the house with nobody else home, but... he does trust him.

And he should trust him. Maybe most boys his age would be taking full advantage of this situation, but Kurt doesn't even want that. Or rather... it's not that he doesn't want it, because he very much does, it's more that he's not ready for it. Not yet, anyway. He's getting close, he thinks. He feels comfortable and safe around his boyfriend, and he's sure Sebastian must be getting anxious for more. He's not an idiot, and he knows Sebastian wants to do things differently with him, but there's no way the other boy isn't ready. There's no way his boyfriend doesn't want more, right? And he'd be lying if he didn't admit that he is a bit nervous about this evening, a bit scared of what Sebastian might expect from him, all alone in this house tonight, all alone in his bed.

"Bullshit."

Kurt stops chopping, snaps his head to look at Sebastian whose eyes are narrowed at him. "What?"

"You didn't tell him, did you?" Sebastian asks, hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I-" Kurt starts, flustered as he searches for a way out of this, but he knows he's already taken too long when Sebastian's smile spreads a little wider. "No, I didn't," he admits with a sigh.

Sebastian is full-on grinning now. "Look at that, my boyfriend is a real bad boy," he says with a wink, and Kurt feels the flush break out on his face, because he is so very much not a bad boy.

"Don't worry," Sebastian says, pushing off the counter to approach Kurt, grabbing him by the hips and pulling him closer, "I think it's hot."

Sebastian brings his lips down to Kurt's then, kisses him slow and tender, and then Kurt isn't thinking about what tonight could mean for them, not thinking about the things his boyfriend may or may not be expecting from him, just loses himself in the feeling of Sebastian's lips on his.

But then the moment is over, and Kurt pulls away, cheeks still warm as he grins and swats at Sebastian, because it's just like his boyfriend to get sidetracked like this when there are things to be done. "If you don't let me finish this then we won't be eating till midnight. Behave or leave," he scolds teasingly, because as nice as kissing Sebastian is, he would like to eat tonight.

Sebastian huffs a sigh, rolls his eyes. "Fine," he agrees, planting another quick kiss on Kurt's lips before letting him go and settling back against the counter. "But it better be worth it."

"My cooking is always worth it," Kurt says with a haughty smirk.

It's the epitome of a romantic date night, complete with mood lighting and candles and music, dinner that looks and tastes absolutely delicious if he does say so himself, and it's everything he could have hoped for tonight.

"You're staring," Kurt says as he places his fork down on the now-empty plate in front of him.

"Sorry. Can't help it," his boyfriend says with a smirk as he pops the last bite of dessert into his mouth, and Kurt tries to fight the flush he feels in his cheeks, because he really should be used to Sebastian's comments by now. "This was delicious, Kurt. Thank you," Sebastian continues, and he can tell he means it.

"Thank you," Kurt replies, a little more in his element now. "My dad's a lousy cook, and after my mom died, well... he tried," he adds with an amused grimace. "I've had a lot of practice."

"Well, it paid off," Sebastian says.

Kurt can see in his eyes that Sebastian isn't quite sure what to say. He's used to it, everyone's mild discomfort any time the topic of his mother comes up. He still misses her, of course he does, he'll never not miss her, but it's not as sharp a hurt as it used to be. Sometimes it's nice to talk about her, just to acknowledge that she existed, that she hasn't been forgotten.

But, he supposes, maybe now isn't the time.

"I guess it did," he agrees finally. "I was thinking we could put a movie on?" he asks, a little hesitant, a little nervous now, because he was nervous before but now it's really starting to sink in that he has a boy here. In his house. All alone, all night. And he's not really sure how to handle that, exactly, because he's not ready for that, hasn't even hinted at it, but does Sebastian know that? Does Sebastian consider this a hint? They're home alone, they'll be sleeping in the same bed, Sebastian will be expecting something from him, won't he? Does Sebastian expect him to be ready for that by now? Because he should be, by now, right?

"A movie sounds great," Sebastian offers with a warm smile.

"Great," Kurt says, smiling a little easier now that they have a plan for at least the next couple hours. "I'll just clear these dishes and then we can head into the living room."

The boys busy themselves with bringing the dishes to the sink, not bothering to wash them because, really, that can wait, and then they make their way to the living room. Kurt pops a DVD in and they settle into the couch, thighs pressed together under the blanket they're sharing, and Sebastian rests his arm across the top of the couch, invites Kurt to curl into him because he's trying and god Kurt loves him for it, but... if Sebastian is trying, if Sebastian is putting this effort in to do the things that Kurt wants... is he expecting something in return? He gives Sebastian a small, nervous smile before leaning into his side, settling in with his head on the other boy's chest and a hand on his thigh as the movie starts to play.

He tries to calm himself, let himself just be in Sebastian's arms, because this is so good, this is progress and he should be happy in this moment, should enjoy it for what it is and leave it at that, but he just can't.

Because this is great now, but...

But.

He may be inexperienced, but he likes to think he's not naïve. His boyfriend is staying the night, his father isn't home, they have the house to themselves– of course Sebastian is expecting this to lead somewhere. Anyone would be, right?

Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe he shouldn't have invited Sebastian tonight. He'd wanted to spend a romantic evening together, an evening without interruptions where they could just be them and be together, but now all he can think about is the expectations and how he's just not ready and how is he supposed to say that to his boyfriend? His boyfriend who has nothing but understanding and patient and–

"Kurt?"

Sebastian's voice is soft and cautious, and the sound pulls him from his thoughts.

"Yeah?" he asks, tipping his head up to meet Sebastian's eyes.

"Everything okay?"

Kurt hesitates a moment before he responds, "Yeah, everything's fine," in a voice he hopes is calm, and then looks back toward the television.

Everything is not fine, but Sebastian doesn't need to know that.

A moment passes, Kurt trying too hard to stare at the television despite the gaze he can feel on him, until Sebastian speaks again.

"Kurt," he says, firm but gentle, shifting slightly on the couch to sit more upright.

Kurt shifts, too, leans away from Sebastian and sits up straight, looks at him in what he hopes is casual enough of an expression to get his boyfriend to just drop it.

"What?" Kurt asks, fidgeting a little nervously with the edge of the blanket over his lap. He can't help it.

"What's wrong?" Sebastian asks, more plainly this time.

"Nothing's wrong," Kurt insists.

"Bullshit," Sebastian says, for the second time tonight. Kurt really did think he was a better liar than this.

"Excuse me?"

"What happened to talking?" Sebastian asks pointedly.

Kurt feels his face flush, glances away nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Kurt, seriously," Sebastian tries again, "what is it? Did I do something?"

"What? No," Kurt denies quickly, because that's not it at all. Sebastian's hasn't done a thing. "No, of course not."

"Then what's wrong?"

He sits there for a long minute, soaking in the silence between them, debating with himself whether he should say something or not, but... Sebastian's right. If this is going to work between them, they need to talk to each other... and he can't expect his boyfriend to talk to him if he's not willing to do the same.

"It's stupid," he says softly.

"Try me," Sebastian challenges with a soft smile.

Kurt looks at him uncertainly for a moment before averting his eyes again. "I don't know if I'm ready to... do things."

He can hear the frown in Sebastian's voice when he replies, "You're going to have to elaborate on that just a bit."

"You know," Kurt continues, still fidgeting, "those things. Together. Tonight."

He knows his face is flushed red now, and he just stares down at his hands, not able to look up at the other boy.

"Okay," Sebastian says slowly, and he almost sounds confused. "That's fine. We don't have to do anything you're not ready for."

Kurt looks back up, locks his eyes onto Sebastian's, surprised at how simple that seemed. "Really?"

"Really, I– Kurt, you know I don't want to do anything you're not ready for. I'm not... where is this coming from?"

Kurt looks back down again. "I just thought... with supper, and my dad's not here, we're alone, and... I thought maybe you would want to... I don't want you to be disappointed."

Sebastian's frown deepens. "I'm not– Kurt, of course I'm not disappointed, I didn't– why would I be disappointed? I know I have a... well, a past, but you know that's not... there's no pressure. Seriously, I swear."

"No, no that's not it," Kurt argues, eyes flickering up to Sebastian's in alarm, because that is not what he was trying to say at all. "It's just that, before, when we– when Blaine and I, um, did this...," he trails off, because he's not even sure what he's trying to say, he just needs Sebastian to know that it's not him.

That was apparently the wrong thing to say, too, because he sees the flare of anger crossing Sebastian's face at the mention of Blaine, and god why is he such an idiot tonight?

"No, he didn't– nothing ever happened, he didn't make me do anything, it's not like that, it's fine, it's just–"

"No, Kurt, it's not fine," Sebastian cuts him off heatedly, and Kurt's mouth snaps shut as he stares back at Sebastian, wide-eyed. "Sorry, I mean, it's... sorry. You... I'm sorry that he... was like that."

Kurt watches Sebastian carefully, sees him set his jaw to stop himself from saying all of the things he surely wants to say, and they really have come pretty far, haven't they? As much of a mess as he feels at the moment, if this were a couple months ago Sebastian would probably be storming out of the house already, and he can't help but appreciate the progress they've made together.

"I'm not... I don't expect anything from you, okay? I promise," Sebastian finishes, voice a little softer now.

Kurt gives him a tight smile and a small nod, then a quiet, "Okay."

"Seriously, Kurt. Even if there were things you never wanted to do, that would be okay," he adds, sincerely, like he really needs Kurt to understand this.

Kurt scoffs a little, rolls his eyes, because he has a hard time believing that; not because it's Sebastian, but just... nobody could mean that, right? "Yeah, right."

"Yeah, right," Sebastian insists. "I'm not kidding. I never want to pressure you into anything. Okay?"

Kurt studies him for a moment, really looks at him, before smiling more softly, a little more genuinely, because... maybe he really does mean it.

"Okay. Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Sebastian says, corner of his mouth tugging up in a grin. "Now, should we rewind this a bit? I have no idea what just happened."

Kurt laughs a little, agrees, then leans forward to grab the remote from the coffee table and rewind several minutes. When he settles back in to Sebastian's side, he's feeling much more relaxed, and oddly at peace with them. Because they're talking, and he's doing this, they're doing this, they'll be okay. They can do this.

"Seb?" Kurt asks, several minutes of silence later, voice quiet, wrapped in the blanket with Sebastian's arm against his side.

"Hmm?"

"I love you," he says, quiet but sure.

He hears the slight intake of breath at his words, but Sebastian doesn't respond.

They're in Kurt's bed, lying side by side under the blankets in the dark, an awkward air hovering over them since Kurt's admission earlier and Sebastian's notable silence.

It shouldn't be so awkward. He told Sebastian he loves him because he does, it's true and he wants his boyfriend to know it, but... Sebastian doesn't have to love him back. Not yet, anyway. Someday, and hopefully soon, but this whole relationship thing is still new to Sebastian, and Kurt hadn't meant to pressure him, and oh god is he pressuring him?

Maybe he shouldn't have said anything. Should have waiting for Sebastian to say it first, or just not said it at all. It had just felt right in the moment, they were communicating and he meant it so why not say it he'd thought, but clearly he hadn't thought because now everything feels wrong because Sebastian hadn't said it back and he's not sure what to do with that.

But, he hadn't run away, either.

He'd just sat there, silent and unmoving at the movie played on, almost as though Kurt hadn't even spoken, except he had, and they both know it, both know what he said because if they didn't then it wouldn't be so damn awkward and he's never wished he could take back his words as much as he does now, which is ridiculous because he shouldn't regret telling his boyfriend that he loves him.

"Kurt?"

Sebastian's voice is soft and delicate in the quiet darkness of the room.

"Yeah?" Kurt asks.

"Um," he stammers a little, and Kurt shifts onto his side to look at him, equally worried that he'll bring up Kurt's earlier admission and that he won't bring it up.

"I love you, too," he says, finally, a gentle flush colouring his cheeks, barely visible in the soft light of the streetlights streaming in through the window.

"Oh," Kurt breathes, heart skipping a beat, because that was certainly not what he expected, but even if he had been expecting it he couldn't have prepared himself for the feeling that hits him with Sebastian's words.

Kurt's can't help the smile that spreads across his face, and he leans over to plant a short, sweet kiss on Sebastian's lips.

"I love you," he murmurs into the darkness as he pulls back, smile widening as he continues to watch Sebastian, and his boyfriend smiles back.

On second thought, maybe he doesn't regret it.