Finn pumped his fist up into the air. "Nationals, here we come!" before he got onto the school bus to head back to Lima.

"I can hardly believe it," Kurt said, as he checked the dates on his phone. "We're going to New York City in eight weeks. Eight!"

Dave was sitting next to him in the seat. "I can't believe that I am going to New York City to sing in a show choir competition."

Kurt elbowed him. "Hey, you said that you like being in Glee Club."

"I do, surprisingly. But it's certainly something that if you had to me I would be doing a year ago, I would have said you were high."

"Yeah." Kurt's enthusiasm dropped a bit. "I'm sure you would have."

"Hey. I'm sorry. Look, you know that I really do like being in the group. I didn't mean to be a downer. Actually, I meant it the opposite way. Things have changed so much for the better since last year. I hated myself back then, and I don't anymore."

Kurt elbowed him again and smiled. "I'm glad. Last year's version of you was a jackass. I like this year's upgrade to smartass."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

"Are you going to try out for baseball?"

Kurt raised an eyebrow and looked at Dave like he had lost his mind. "Me, in stirrup pants? No thank you."

Dave burst out laughing. "The pants would keep you from trying out?"

"That and the fact that baseball is even more boring than football."

"So, the truth comes out. You think football is boring."

"That has never been a secret and it's the truth."

"All of the guys on this bus are on the football team."

"I'll prove something." He stood up. "I want to take a poll," he said loud enough for all of the guys to hear. "Listen carefully. If football wasn't a multi-million dollar sport in America and being a football player didn't get you social status, would you still play?"

Puck said, "So, like, if being a football player wasn't cool?"

"Yeah, exactly. If playing football made you as popular as joining the chess club, meaning that it made you unpopular to play it. Would you still play?"

Puck was the first to answer, "Nah. No way, dude. No way. Practices take way too long, and just no."

Sam said, "You mean like no one comes to watch?"

"Zero people watch, except maybe your families and your girlfriend."

"I don't think so," Sam said.

"Hands up, if you love football enough to play it if it made you unpopular."

No hands went up.

Kurt sat down.

Finn spoke up. "I'd play basketball though, even if no one came to watch, but not if it made me super unpopular."

Puck said, "I'd play baseball still, even if no one watched."

"I'd just lift weights and do cardio training," Sam said. "I want to be in shape, but I wouldn't play a sport that made me unpopular."

Kurt stood up back up. "Yet, here we all are – part of a club that makes us unpopular. Proof that the power of music is stronger than peer pressure."

Santana chimed in. "Kurt's got a point. I wouldn't be a Cheerio if it didn't get me what I wanted."

Brittany said, "I would because I love to dance and be excited and make people happy."

Everyone began talking in small groups again.

Dave said, "You made your point. People play for other reasons than liking the sport they play. Here's another question. Would you go watch someone you were friends with play a sport you don't like?"

"Yeah, sure. I'd go to support a friend. I'd still be inclined to make fun of their stirrup pants if it was baseball they played, though."

Dave shook his head and chuckled. He leaned forward and propped his forehead on his hands.

Kurt matched his position.

"I really do have to wonder about whether you're gay or not if you're looking at the stirrups, though. Those pans leave very little to the imagination. I would have thought that fit jocks with nice asses in tight pants would have been right up your alley."

Kurt elbowed him, but not too hard.

"I'd have to say that those socks I've seen that go up to the thigh and then girls wear super short skirts with them… Those are as stupid looking as stirrup pants."

Kurt spoke very quietly so that no one else could possibly hear him. "I think you haven't put enough thought into why straight guys think they're hot."

Dave shook his head, obviously lost.

"Ease of access without requiring the girl to be undressed or cold."

"No way."

"I won't say who I overheard it from, but I did hear someone on this bus say it."

"Well, now that you've got me thinking about it, you'd look good in some of those with a short skirt instead of the long ones you wore last year."

Kurt moved swiftly and pushed Dave out of his seat into the aisle, where he barely managed to not land on his butt.

"What'd you say to him?" Puck asked, laughing at Dave.

Kurt spoke up. "He said that Finn and Rachel should sing 'Muskrat Love' for Nationals."

Rachel started in on the merits and downsides to choosing a love ballad from the '70s. "While it's an interesting suggestion, it's not a duet and I'd prefer something more in my typical range than a song sung by Toni Tennille, who while quite talented, was clearly an alto." She went on extolling the merits of several songs that she thought her voice was well suited for.

Dave got back in the seat. "You didn't have to push me into the aisle."

"It's better than other things I thought of doing."

"Don't be so bitchy about it, Kurt. You have nice legs and you'd rock those long socks."

"Didn't I just shove you of this seat for that?"

"You did, and I'll be keeping my compliments to myself if they're just going to get me bruises from falling on my ass."

"You're not making fun of me for wearing the skirts?"

"Um, no?"

"Are you just trying to come up with whatever answer will keep me from pushing you out of the seat again?"

"Well, I don't want you to, but I'm not specifically trying say anything other than the truth."

"You think I have nice legs?"

"Duh."

"How very articulate of you, David."

"Why yes, dear, I think your legs are quite attractive," he snarked back. "Better?"

Kurt sat up straight and changed the subject. "I want to make serious plans for New York City. Knowing Mr. Schue, he won't plan anything. That is not going to cut it. I want to see things and go places."

Dave leaned back in the seat. "Of course. It would be a waste to spend several days there and see nothing but the inside of our hotel room."

X-X-X-X-X

Dave pulled the last pan of baked ziti out of the oven and put it on the stovetop. He kept his voice low and stepped closer to Kurt. "I think your idea of holding the PFLAG meetings in the Home Ec room was genius. We've lured half of our membership in here from the tantalizing aromas from the things you cooked wafting through the hallways and calling to people."

Kurt laughed, but responded quietly. "Well, it worked, so goal accomplished. It gave people who wanted to see what it was about a reason to come in without having to justify being here other than to eat whatever was being served."

Everyone else was working setting up desserts they had brought on one of the tables. Kurt turned to check on them. The whole Glee Club, Coach Beiste, Miss Pillsbury, and about 5 out of the usual 30 or so people who came were already there. It was their last meeting of the year, and once they ate, they were going to have one of the guys from COGLAHA, the gay hockey club in Columbus, was going to give a presentation.

Dave said, "I'm going to head out front and wait for Thomas to get here."

Kurt nodded. "I'll finish setting this up."

Sam came up behind him. "I'll help."

"Oh, great. Thanks, Sam."

"Sure. I managed to convince Rick to come."

"How did you do that?"

"Thomas played hockey for Rick's favorite college team. He was his favorite player, I guess. I saw him looking at the flyer on the main student bulletin board."

"That's amazing. Thanks. He's been nothing but a burr in my boot, as coach likes to put it."

Sam chuckled. "Maybe today will be the day he gives up hassling people who don't fit his criteria for masculinity."

"We can hope. Grab the stack of stiffer plates up in the right cabinet, will you?"

An hour later, after everyone else had had a chance to talk to him, Thomas was talking to Rick quietly. Everyone besides the Glee Club members and a few other people, had already left and they were ignoring the two of them and went about talking to each other about upcoming summer plans and going to New York City.

Quinn said, "I think we have the whole itinerary planned. We worked on it last night. We'll bring it to Glee Club tomorrow and we can make sure we're good to go. We need to get tickets ordered in advance to get the discounts."

Mercedes said, "We're being crammed into two hotel rooms with four beds each. So, we're going to work on bathroom schedules too. Two bathrooms and 14 people isn't going to be pretty."

"But it's New York City," Kurt said. "It's going to be amazing. And we'll just deal with the bathrooms, even me."

Rachel chimed in. "It's going to be amazing. I just know it. You're all going to love it there."

Puck said, "Hell, yeah. I've never been anywhere cool. It's gonna rock."

They began to clean up.

Kurt said, "Who wants to take home some ziti?"

"Count me in," Puck said. "I won't have to make Sarah dinner."

"Me too," Sam said. "Stevie and Stacey will love it."

"Why don't you bring them over? Stevie can play Mario or something while Sarah and Stacey play Barbies. And I'll help you with your math."

"Sure. They'd like that. And the math help would be great."

Everyone else cleared out until it was just Kurt, Dave, Coach Beiste, Rick, and Thomas.

Coach Beiste asked Dave to step out into the hall to give them some privacy. As the staff sponsor, she wasn't allowed to leave the room, but she moved to the corner diagonal from the other three. Kurt sat down a table with the other two.

Rick tripped over his words, "I, um… Look. I didn't know, okay?"

Kurt nodded, intending to encourage Rick to keep talking.

"All I've ever been told my whole life was that being gay was a sinful life choice. Like killing people and getting a divorce. You're the only gay guy besides Mr. Ryerson that I've ever met or at least knew was gay. And he's so weird and creepy. I just thought you would grow up and be creepy like him."

Kurt shivered at the thought of being like Mr. Ryerson in any way whatsoever.

"You both dress freaky. I mean you wore skirts to school before."

"I have. That's true. And I agree with you that my fashion choices are not usual for a teen guy in Ohio, but whether you believe me or not, they are actually fashionable, unlike Mr. Ryerson who… I don't even know where he buys his clothes. He's free to wear whatever he wants and to like whatever he wants, but just so you know, what he wears is not considered fashionable anywhere in the world right now. I'm not sure that it ever has been."

Rick laughed. "And honest to God, he's a creeper. He would leer at all of the good-looking guys like he wanted to pull them into his classroom and well… you know."

"I do." Kurt shivered again.

"So, seriously, I just thought that's how gay guys were."

Thomas interrupted. "I don't know who Mr. Ryerson is, and from what you've said I don't want to, but I just wanted to point out that being a creeper is an issue regardless of sexual orientation. If this Mr. Ryerson is a pedophile, he should be reported."

"He was," Kurt responded. "He was let go, but the school let him back at one point. He's not here now, though. I don't think he was actually prosecuted, but I'm not sure. But Thomas is right. Pedophiles are messed up and it doesn't have to do with whether they're gay or straight."

"I get that now. It's just when the only gay adult all of us have ever met seems like a pervert, it just made all of us think that all gay guys are like that. Meeting Thomas is, like, just really making me think."

Thomas said, "I think part of the issue too is that guys are used to being the predators in a way. Just hear me out before you argue."

Rick nodded.

"Locker room talk. We've all heard it. They talk about girls in ways that aren't they way they'd talk about their sisters. They have a big double standard when it comes to the way women and girls are talked about. When the girl is the object of their desire, they can be very predatory, and the talk even borders on rape. And men get off on being the one in control, the one calling the shots, the one doing the action." Thomas was weighing his words carefully. "But when they think of being the object of another man's desire, they don't want to be on the receiving end of all of that predatory behavior. They don't want to be the one leered at or the one whose physical attributes are discussed in a sexual way, the one being on the receiving end of that action. It's very self-revelatory. If you think about it, Rick, how many things have you said about a girl that you wouldn't want said about you by a gay guy? I won't give specifics because you're a minor, but you know what I'm talking about. I believe that a lot of the homophobia in the locker room is because men are afraid of being on the other end of a man's desire. They know what men think about and do to women. And they don't want that for themselves."

"I'll think about that." He turned to Kurt. "Look, I'm not ready to be a rainbow-flag-carrying gay ally, but I'll back off. I just didn't know that normal regular guys like jocks who wear normal clothes and act normal could be gay. I have a lot to think about, but I won't hassle you because you're gay anymore. But dressing stupid is still a reason to call you out, just so you know."

"I can live with that. How I dress IS a choice. You don't have to like it. I think your haircut is dumb looking. But it's your hair, and you should wear it however you like it."

"Yeah, I'll do that. I like my hair."

"Fair point. I like my clothes."

"So, anyway. I don't know anything else to say. Thomas said he's going to send Coach Beiste some links and stuff for me to read. He says he can't contact me directly, but I'm going to go to that gay hockey club and talk to the other guys. I just want to hear it from more people. It's hard when my whole family and like everyone around here says one thing and just you and Thomas say something different."

"I get that. For what it's worth, I think it's really brave of you to step outside your comfort zone and learn new things," Kurt said. "I'm glad you came today. I saved you a plate of desserts since you were busy talking. I covered it in foil. It's over by the stove."

"That was cool of you. Thanks."

"You're welcome." Kurt stood up. "I'll let you two continue talking. I have to get to work."

X-X-X-X-X

All 14 Glee Club members began the dance routine again, dancing along to a recording they had made of themselves singing, saving their voices for later in the day when they'd get a chance to rehearse on stage. They ran through all three of their songs.

"Much better than the first time," Mr. Schue said. "You can all take a break. I know you have plans for this afternoon. Coach Beiste and Miss Pillsbury will be accompanying you to Times Square. Be back by 5:00."

Everyone headed up to their rooms to grab what they needed and met back in the lobby. They took the bus from the hotel to Times Square. When they got there, Coach Beiste stepped to the front of the group.

"I know we set this up as a time to look around the Times Square, but I have a surprise. Miss Pillsbury spoke to the Gershwin Theater and we're going to get to go inside and see the Wicked set."

"Oh, my God," Kurt said.

"It's fantastic!" Rachel said, excitedly.

The rest of the group wasn't nearly as enthusiastic, but followed along. They walked from the bus stop to the theater, where they were met at the door and led inside the auditorium area. The orchestra was in the pit rehearsing.

Their guide said, "It's your lucky day. A few of the musicians got food poisoning last night and their replacements are here practicing."

They moved closer to the stage and stood and listened.

When the song stopped, the conductor turned around. "Do any of you know 'For Good'?"

Kurt and Rachel raised their hands.

"Well come on down and get up on the stage. Let's hear you."

Kurt and Rachel moved into position center stage. Someone in the lighting booth saw them and turned on the projection for the song. Several people pulled their phones out and recorded them.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe that I've been changed for the better.
And because I knew you, (Kurt only)
Because I knew you. (Rachel only)

Because I knew you

I have been changed
For good.

When the music stopped, Kurt took Rachel's hand and they bowed together. Everyone clapped for them.

The conductor spoke again. "That was terrific, you two. I was told that your group is here for the Show Choir Nationals. It sounds to me like you have a good chance if the rest of your group can sing as well."

Kurt smiled. "They can all sing."

The rest of the group joined them on the stage for the tour. They got to see the backstage area and the dressing rooms, all while they could still hear the orchestra practicing, which gave the whole thing a fantasy feeling. When they finished the tour, they thanked their guide. He took a photo of the whole group in the foyer before they left.

"Oh, my God, that was amazing!" Rachel exclaimed once they got outside. "I am coming back here for college. I have to. I've known forever this is what I wanted to do, but now I'm 1000% sure."

"I'm coming here at some point," Kurt said. "I'll have to look into colleges and start planning."

"Listen up!"

Everyone stopped talking and looked at Coach Beiste.

"This here's 7th Avenue and 50th Street. We're all meetin' at 4:30 at 7th Avenue and 43rd Street in front of the Hard Rock Café. Don't be late. Make sure your phones are on. 4:30. Got it? We're not eatin' dinner until 7:00, so I'd suggest you all eat somethin' between now and 4:30."

Everyone nodded and began to walk down 7th Avenue. They resumed their original plan of breaking into small groups and exploring the area for a couple of hours before they met back to return to the hotel.

Mercedes, Artie, Sam, and Quinn headed off together. Santana and Brittany stayed together. Rachel and Finn went their own way, as did Tina and Mike. Lauren and Puck hung back and stayed with Kurt and Dave for a while. The four of them headed into the Hershey's store together.

X-X-X-X-X

Lauren managed to get Kurt alone. "You know I used to think you were really badass, walking around the school dressed any way you wanted, treating the losers like they didn't matter at all, but you're being a punk these days."

Kurt was confused. "Oh, really? In what way?"

"Yes, really. You and Dave."

"Me and Dave?"

"Don't play stupid with me, Hummel. You two are practically joined at the hip. Beiste assigned you two to spend two lunch periods a week together last October or whatever. And a month later you were friendly. By Christmas, you were friends. By Regionals, you were best friends. How all that happened is beyond me. But I know what I see. You and me got a lot in common. We get ignored a lot. It gives us the ability to watch and observe. You like Dave."

Kurt sighed, but said nothing.

"I get it. He's not out. I won't say a thing to anyone, but Puck figured it out too. He's over there giving Dave a pep talk about how everyone in Glee will have his back when he decides to come out." She pointed to a display of chocolate. "Which kind of this dark chocolate tastes the best?"

Kurt pointed.

She picked up a bar of it. "Puck and I will hang around with the two of you the rest of the trip, like we do at school a lot of the time. We can be a buffer. We're in a place where very few people care about two guys together. Take advantage of it, or don't. Your choice. Just wanted you to know that we've got your back, if you decide to tell him while we're here. Thanks for the tip on the chocolate." She walked off before he had time to respond.

X-X-X-X-X

Puck walked up next to Dave and started looking at the different things on the shelves. "You should tell him."

Dave tried to keep his face neutral. "Tell him what?"

"Don't play stupid. We both know you're not. Tell Kurt you like him."

"He knows."

"Oh." Puck was stunned silent for a few seconds. "So are you two, like, dating on the DL?"

"Nope. We're just friends."

"Because he's not interested?"

"I wouldn't know. I've never asked him. I would never ask him to be my 'dirty little secret' or whatever you want to call it. He deserves someone who is proud to be with him. I don't know how you figured it out, but I'm not ready for people to know."

"I get that. I won't say anything. But me and Lauren would have your back if you came out. And the rest of the Glee Club too."

"I appreciate that, but my mom won't feel the same."

"Oh."

"She'd be a thousand times happier if I told her I knocked up a Cheerio than if I told her that I'm, you know."

"That sucks, especially given my ma's reaction."

"Yeah, exactly." Dave moved down the aisle.

"So, you're just gonna to stay in the closet until after high school?"

"I'm not sure. I turn 18 the beginning of August. I want to go to college, but if I try to get a sports scholarship, I'm looking at staying in the closet until I graduate from college. I guess that wouldn't be that bad. I just don't know. I can't afford to go any place decent on my own and I've looked into it enough to know that my parents make enough money to make me ineligible for grants."

"I haven't started looking into anything." He groaned. "I've been such a screw up until recently that I never really considered what would happen when I was an adult. I need to start. Maybe we could persuade Coach Beiste to help us."

"She'd do it, but it seems like Miss P's job. Can't hurt to ask though."

"So, you're just not going to do anything about how you feel about Kurt?"

"What else is there to do? He knows. He's never said anything to let me know he feels the same, so there's nothing to do. He's my best friend. That's the best I can have. At least for now."

"Man, that sucks."

"Yeah."

X-X-X-X-X

Kurt followed Lauren. "It's not as easy as you think, you know? It's not just about what people at school might say. I've never actually met his mom. She's homophobic. All she knows is that Dave spends time at Finn's place, which also happens to be my place, but she doesn't know that. Finn's mom isn't friends with the other moms of the guys on the football team. She's kept her old friends from Toledo. She drives up there to do things with them. Her sister lives there too. So his mom doesn't know that Finn's mom is my stepmother."

"Well, that sucks that his mom is a homophobe."

"It does, but it's the reality of things. I can't put him in an even harder situation."

"You could just see each other on the DL at your house."

"Yeah, my dad's not big into me dating. He's a good guy, but he's not ready for that."

"Well, he needs to put his big boy pants on and get over himself. Isn't your 18th birthday in like three weeks?"

"It is."

"Well, then it's time for papa bear to realize that you aren't a child anymore."

"Why don't you tell him that?"

Lauren laughed. "Don't tempt me. I might just do it."

"Better you than me. Who's the dark chocolate for? Obviously, you don't care for it."

"I thought I'd give it a try. We're in New York, why not branch out?"

"I'd suggest buying what you like. I'm pretty sure you won't care for that."

"You're probably right." She went back to the rack she had taken it from and chose something different.

Puck and Dave came around the end of the row. Puck wrapped his arms around Lauren from the back. "Hey, sweetness."

She rolled her eyes, but let him kiss her on the cheek. "Kurt convinced me to go with something I'd have more of a chance of liking."

"Good deal. I like these. Let's get it and share it. We need some real food too." He kissed her on the cheek again and grabbed for her hand and led her away from the other two.

X-X-X-X-X

As they stood in line at Famous Original Ray's Pizza, they kept bumping into each other as the line moved forward. Every time, Dave's arm brushed against Kurt's, Kurt struggled to not just take Dave's hand. He closed his eyes and willed himself not to, all the while enjoying what contact there was, committing the electrified feeling to memory.

X-X-X-X-X

"And in third place, The New Directions from Lima, Ohio."

They all started jumping up and down and hugging one another. Dave turned and hugged Quinn, who was standing to his left, who let go of Kurt to hug him. He stepped forward just a bit and pulled Kurt into a hug next.

The faint lingering smell of Kurt's cologne on his clothes drove him crazy until he could change a half-hour later, but when it came time to actually take the shirt off, he balked, not wanting to lose the memory of holding Kurt, however briefly it had been.

X-X-X-X-X

"I can't believe school is starting again in three weeks. Seniors. If you think about it, I had a pretty good year." Kurt said, as he sat in Dave's passenger seat holding the cup of iced coffee he had gotten the Lima Bean.

Dave turned and smiled at him as he looked to his right to pull out of the lot.

"I flew in an airplane the first time when we went to Hawaii for the honeymoon. Finn started acting like a decent human being after we started the PFLAG group and he actually learned some stuff about being gay. He and I had a good time in Hawaii. Carole's an amazing mom. We won the football state championship. We placed 3rd at Nationals, which was pretty good considering our competition. Prom was fun. Puck and Lauren as King and Queen was a surprise."

Dave nodded.

"You were even more of a surprise. Who'd have thunk, huh? You're my best friend now." When Dave turned in the opposite direction of his house, he asked, "Where are we going?"

"Close your eyes. I'll tell you when to open them."

"Alright."

They continued to talk about their junior year, and about ten minutes later, Dave pulled into a driveway and cut the engine. He nodded as Puck handed him the key when he stepped out of his truck. Puck jogged off to jump into his own truck. Dave went around to Kurt's side and opened the door to let him out. "Just put your hand on my shoulder and let me guide you."

Kurt did. Dave closed his door and locked the truck. He led Kurt through a privacy fence and up to the side door and unlocked it. He stepped inside and closed the door behind them.

"Okay. Open your eyes."

Kurt stepped into the kitchen. "Wait, what? That's all of the stuff I had at my house to surprise you for your birthday dinner."

Dave laughed as he followed Kurt into the kitchen. "No wonder Puck was so willing to help out. He was supposed to order a pizza and have it delivered so we could eat when we got here."

"Well, he knew about my plans for you. Everyone's in Toledo, so I was going to surprise you later. Whose place is this?"

"That's part of the surprise. It's mine. You knew my grandpa died – my dad's dad."

"Yeah."

"Well, he left this place to my dad and me. It's got two small bedrooms. I'm going to have to come up with the money for the utilities and stuff, so I'll have to get a job. I moved all of my stuff over here this past weekend when my parents were out of town. I swapped out my bed for one my grandpa had and left it in my old room at home. I don't think my parents will notice."

Kurt chuckled. "Let's put the lasagna in the oven to warm it up." He grabbed the dish and turned the oven on and put it in. "So you moved in this weekend. That's why you were busy all day Sunday."

"It is. Puck helped me with the bed. I brought everything else here myself and went back home Sunday night to wait for them to get back. I told my mom that I was gay. It went the way I had figured it would. She kicked me out. I told my dad last weekend. He's the one that helped me get the utilities and stuff in my name earlier today. That's why I was busy when you called earlier."

"I had hoped you were wrong about your mom."

"Yeah, I didn't have any hope about it. But it's done. She knows. No more weight on my shoulders about being sent somewhere to be cured."

Kurt picked up the cheesecake he had made and put it in the fridge. "Is this place still in McKinley's district?"

"No, but my dad isn't going to change my address at the school."

"Well, that's good. I'm not actually sure where we are, but it seemed like we drove north for a while before you started making turns."

"I did. It's in North Lima district. I'll just drive every day like I always do. Let's go sit in the living room while we wait for the food to warm up."

Kurt followed him out the kitchen door, into the short entry hall, and into the living room. "This is nice."

"It is. I feel comfortable here. I spent a lot of time here growing up. My dad and his dad were close. My grandma died when I was about 10, so he'd been living here alone for quite a while. He and I played chess a lot."

Kurt noted the small bistro-style table in the corner with two chairs pushed up to it and a chessboard sitting on top. He sat down on the couch.

Dave sat down as well. "We were talking about our junior year. It started out pretty bad for me, but it made a pretty quick turn around when you put me in my place in the locker room that day. I remember what you said. You wanted someone willing to take you out to dinner and who wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with you."

Kurt blushed.

"I know this isn't going out, but I'm out now and I'd never be embarrassed to be seen with you. But if you don't like me that way, I still want to be friends."

Kurt scooted closer. "You still like me?"

"Well, duh."

"How very articulate of you, David." Kurt mock punched Dave in the upper arm.

"Yes, your majesty," he smarted off. "I had a crush on you for ages. And after we became friends, it became more than a crush. I would have never asked you to be my secret boyfriend, but I also couldn't risk being outed until I couldn't be sent off to be cured."

"So, is that your round about way of asking me out, David?"

"No. This is me asking you out." He turned to face him. "Kurt Hummel, will you go out with me?"

Kurt responded coyly. "I don't know." He sighed. "It's a little less than I was hoping for. I was going to ask you to be my boyfriend once you came out to your mom."

His eyes flashed at first, but then he relaxed. "You scared me, you smartass. What's the difference?"

"Well, if you're going to call me names, I'm not sure if I want to be your boyfriend." Kurt winked at him and turned his nose up feigning haughtiness.

"You're a fancy smartass with your designer-inspired clothes and your smart mouth. That's not calling you names. It's the truth. And I'm pretty sure you remember me saying that you bitching at me gets me hot under the collar, so you know that's not an insult. But I don't get your distinction between going out with me and being your boyfriend."

"Well, someone can go out with any number of people in a non-exclusive dating arrangement. And being my boyfriend makes us exclusively dating each other."

"To-may-to, to-mah-to. Same difference since you know I would never date anyone besides you, even if there were a hundred other guys to chose from. You, on the other hand, might have your eye on some of those Warblers or one of the gay guys in Vocal Adrenaline."

"Pfft." Kurt rolled his eyes. "None of them knows my coffee order or my favorite dessert or my favorite book or TV show or how to cheer me up when I'm down. Only you do. Plus, if I bitched at one of them, they'd get their feelings hurt."

Dave laughed. "So, is that a yes?"

"Yes, that's a yes." Kurt reached out and took Dave's hand. "We can go out to dinner another time since I've made your favorite lasagna for tonight."

"It smells good already." Dave's stomach growled.

"Why don't you take me on a tour of your house to distract yourself from being so hungry?" He stood up without letting go of Dave's hand and pulled him to standing.

"Um, sure." He stared at their linked hands and smiled. Once he was standing, he led Kurt back out into the entryway hall. "There's a half-bath here under the stairs." He pointed to a closed door. "You saw the kitchen." He squeezed Kurt's hand gently before he let go and walked up the stairs. He waited at the top and shyly reached out for Kurt's hand.

"I left something out my 'Ode to Junior Year' earlier."

"What's that?"

"How my appreciation for stirrup pants grew this spring watching you play baseball."

Dave blushed. He tried to refocus their conversation. "Um, there are two bedrooms, like I said. They're basically the same." He pointed to the doorway on each side of the landing. "The bathroom is here in the middle."

"Which room is yours?"

"I took this one," he motioned to Kurt's right. "I like blue and the walls in here are already painted blue. It was my dad's room growing up." He stepped closer so Kurt could look in.

Kurt stepped inside, with Dave following close behind since he didn't want to let go of Dave's hand. "It's nice. I like how light it is, with windows on the front and the back." He stepped closer to Dave. "Can I kiss you?"

"Yes," Dave's choked out, barely able to contain his emotion.

Kurt let go of his hand and stepped even closer, closing the distance between them completely. He reached up and wrapped his right hand behind Dave's neck and placed his left hand on his shoulder. Kurt looked him in the eyes and saw the overwhelming emotions he felt reflected in Dave's eyes.

Dave put his hands on Kurt's waist and leaned down just slight and pressed his forehead against Kurt's. "You're sure?"

"Yes, David. I'm sure." Kurt tipped his head and to the side just a bit and pressed his lips to Dave's. He pulled back after the brief contact. He looked at Dave, who had a shy smile on his face. Kurt slipped his fingers into Dave's hair at the base of his neck and pulled himself closer and pressed in for another kiss. And another. And so many that he lost count by the time he heard the timer on the oven beeping. He pecked him on the lips once more and stepped back. "Let's go pull it out so it doesn't burn. We can kiss in the kitchen while it cools enough that we can serve it."

When they got downstairs, Kurt pulled the pan out, put it on top of the stove, and closed the oven door. When he turned around, Dave wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist and pulled him close.

"Impatient, are we?"

"I waited years for that kiss. I almost blew it being stupid, and I'm never letting that happen again." He tipped his head down just slightly and kissed Kurt. "Thank you for giving me a chance to show you the real me."

"Surprisingly enough, the real you is amazingly sweet. And very kissable." He rotated them and hopped up the counter. He pulled Dave closer, making room for him between his knees, and kissed him again and again.