"Kurt! I'm not going to tell you again! Get your ass out of bed. You'll be late."

Reluctantly, Kurt yawns and stretches, keeping his eyes closed as long as possible. "Your bed is like a cloud," he murmurs happily. "And you cuddle real good."

"Hmm. Whatever. Coffee's there."

Kurt sits, just in time to see Blaine walk back out of the bedroom. He's pleased to note he's just in a pair of training shorts, his chest bare- a sign that he's letting his guard down, maybe.

He returns, handing Kurt a bowl of fresh fruit, yogurt and granola, and then he sits on the bed with his own. "You're so lazy."

"No...you keep providing me with beds that are too comfy. What time is it, anyway?"

"Six thirty."

"Say what? No wonder I'm not awake! That's insane."

Blaine laughs. "I've been up since five. Worked out."

"You need to get laid more often."

Blaine laughs loudly, looks down at his bowl and then back up. "You offering?"

"Maybe."

They eat together, looking out at the early morning mist on the river, and though Kurt knows there's a long way to go, he also can't remember ever feeling this content since Logan died.

"Blaine, are you free Sunday?"

"Yes, why?"

"I've got the day off, and I wondered if I could take you out?"

"Sure. Where do you want to go? I can make a reservation at the Palm Court?"

"Blaine, you misheard me," Kurt says calmly. "I want to take you out."

"What? Why?"

"Because you give me the most amazing dates...but I'd like to return the favor and take you somewhere I enjoy. Show you another side of life, if you will."

"Ugh." He looks most annoyed, and he broods as he drinks his coffee, then huffs loudly and stands. "If you must."

"Great." Kurt grins brightly. "Come to my place at ten."

"It's an all day thing?"

"It is."

"How wonderful," he grouches, gathering their bowls. "If I hate it, I'll never forgive you."

"You won't."

"I'd better not, now go take a shower or you'll be late for work."

Kurt is pretty sure he looks completely crazy as he heads to the bathroom and sure enough, when he catches sight of himself in the large mirror, he is grinning like a madman.

The bathroom is all black marble and chrome, which must be a pain to keep clean, but somehow, Kurt doubts Blaine ever actually does his own cleaning. The shower is an enormous walk in affair, with complicated looking jets positioned all over and a control panel that looks like a spaceship launchpad.

"Blaine, how do I work this thing?"

"Push the green button."

So Kurt steps inside, pushes the button, and then screams. "I'm being attacked!" he yells as strong jets of water pummel him from all sides. "Blaine, your shower is violating me!"

Blaine appears, laughing loudly at the sight of Kurt cowering in a corner. "Just press the blue button and the side ones will go off."

"I'm still sleeping," Kurt moans as he does so. "That was not nice."

Suddenly Blaine is there with him, kissing his neck as water runs over them both. "Let me wake you up."

Kurt spins in his arms, covers his mouth with his own, and they pleasure each other once more before he very reluctantly leaves for work.

Anna and Meredith freak out to see Kurt pulling up in a chauffeured town car, darting inside to change before leaving again. Of course, when he returns from his shift they are waiting to quiz him about all that had taken place the night before.

"Is he a good lover?" Meredith asks, making Anna stick her fingers in her ears. "I'll bet he is. He looks like he would be."

"I think he will be incredible," Kurt says smugly, then he frowns. "But he's holding back. I get the impression he's never really cherished sex, you know? There's no romance there."

"The guy continually tells you he hates you, and he calls you an annoying brat," Anna huffs. "I'd say he wouldn't have the first clue about romance."

"He doesn't hate me," Kurt says confidently. "But no, he wouldn't know romance if it slapped him in the face. Still...guys can change."

"Not guys like Blaine Anderson," Anna says knowingly. "They don't change at all."

Three days later, and Blaine obligingly turns up outside Kurt's building at ten. He doesn't ring the buzzer, just waits, which frustrates Kurt somewhat since he knows he's expecting him to rush downstairs to him. So he doesn't. He deliberately leaves him waiting ten minutes, then casually saunters outside into the spring sunshine. "Hey."

"You're late for your own date," Blaine huffs. "Get in the car."

"Uh-uh. You can send Roy home. This is my date, my way, and I don't use chauffeured driven town cars to get around."

"Except when you've been with me all night."

"I'd been attacked by the shower. I needed to be taken care of."

"And I did just that." Blaine grins smugly, then realizes Kurt is entirely serious about not using the car. "Oh fine," he says angrily, and taps on the window, telling Roy to go home.

It's only when he turns back that Kurt notices his clothes. Instead of the usual suit, Blaine is wearing navy pants, a red and gray plaid shirt, and a light gray woollen jacket. No tie, no stiff collar, and even his hair is more wavy than usual. Best of all though; he hasn't shaved, and Kurt's insides flutter when he imagines the feel of his stubble scratching over his skin.

"You look wonderful," he says sincerely, and Blaine looks down at his outfit and gives an embarrassed shrug.

"I wasn't sure...but I figured you'll be taking me to some kind of slum, so..."

Kurt laughs, unable to resist kissing his cheek. "Did you go shopping specially?"

"No." But both know that Kurt sees right through the lie.

They walk to the subway, and though Blaine looks entirely horrified, he says nothing, even when someone spits at his feet as they walk past.

Kurt leads him onto a train, but he won't sit. Instead, he stands in a corner, staring out into the black as Kurt wonders if he's pushed him too far out of his comfort zone this time.

His mood only seems to worsen when they arrive at Coney Island. It's the busy opening weekend of the amusement park, and crowds rush past them, swarming between this ride and that. It's the perfect day for it; clear blue skies and plenty of warmth in the sun, but Kurt can't relax.

"You hate it, don't you?"

"No I don't hate it, I actually used to come here a lot as a boy."

"You did?"

"My parents would bring us but then...I was twelve, and dad said I was too old." He stops, giving Kurt a pointed look. "I'm not a kid."

"Far from it," Kurt teases. "But that doesn't mean you can't have fun." He dares to lean in, kissing his lips until he feels his pout give way to a smile. "Come on."

They head to a ticket booth and from there, Kurt leads an extremely reluctant Blaine over to the flyer. "This is so great."

"That looks...quite high," he says, almost gulping in fear. "I remember this one. But I never went on it."

"Well now is a good time to try."

But Kurt wonders if he'll regret his persuasion when Blaine is seated next to him in the open chair. He looks completely white, and his knuckles grip the chains tightly as the ride starts to rise.

"Look at me," Kurt calls from next to him, his camera poised.

"Fuck off."

"You'll be fine."

"I swear to God, Kurt, I'm gonna hurt you if this makes me throw up."

"Aw baby, I'll make it all better for you," he says with a wink. Surprisingly, at this, Blaine smiles and shakes his head.

"Baby. Honestly."

"Here we go, sugar!"

"You're lucky I can't let go of these chains right now," Blaine says. "Because...oh...shit."

The ride starts, and Kurt grins, the familiar feeling of utter freedom settling over him as the chair swings out to the side and the ride whirls around. Next to him, Blaine screws his eyes shut and refuses to open them again, no matter how many times Kurt tells him to.

Though he feels slightly mean to have gotten Blaine on the ride to begin with, it's also quite intriguing to see him strongly affected by something.

"You enjoying it?"

"What the fuck do you think?" Blaine yells angrily. "Get me off!"

"Not here, baby. There's families present."

"Call me baby again, Kurt, and I swear..."

But then he shuts up. The ride slows and gradually descends, until they can hop out of the chair, only Blaine doesn't move, and it's up to Kurt to bring him to his feet.

"I hate you," Blaine groans as they walk away. "I really, really hate you."

But Kurt just laughs, and offers his hand, pleased when Blaine takes it and kisses the back of it. "I don't think you do, Mr Anderson."

"No," he says with an enormous sigh. "I don't."

"Let's find a ride that's not too terrifying for you then. Mermaid Parade?"

"Yes."

"I was joking."

"I don't care. I want to."

Like some switch has been flipped, Blaine tugs Kurt over to the ride and they cram together in a child sized boat which takes them around a gaudy, noisy, fake lagoon with models of mermaids. Nestled snugly between Blaine's legs, Kurt snaps selfies of the two of them as they go around. He's astounded that Blaine pulls goofy faces for a couple and then raises his sunglasses, kisses Kurt's cheek and instructs him to smile nicely.

"Then send it to me. I can use it as my screensaver."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, yeah. Read whatever you want into that. You will anyway."

Elated, Kurt lets Blaine help him from the ride and pull him eagerly over to the spinning teacups. From there, they go through every child-orientated ride and with each one, Blaine relaxes more and more, and Kurt gets happier and happier.

"Hot dogs?" he asks after nearly three hours of funfair rides.

"Oh my god. I haven't eaten hot dogs in forever."

"No?"

"Yes!"

They walk to the beach with their food, sitting side by side on the sand, watching the surf crash into the shore. It's colder, and Blaine draws Kurt close to his side while he eats two chili cheese dogs in record time and then stares out at the water.

"I'm really enjoying myself."

Kurt rests his head onto his shoulder, lacing their fingers together. "I'm glad. I was worried you'd hate every second."

"I think... If you'd told me beforehand, I'd have refused to come. But I'm so glad I did. I feel...free. Happy."

"I like that."

"You make me happy, Kurt."

They kiss lovingly, and Kurt feels as though he could burst with the amount of feelings that are rushing through him right now. These seemingly small admittances from Blaine mean so much, because he knows how hard it is for him to make each and every one.

The cruel, hard rejection shown from his parents and brother has left Blaine feeling like money is the only answer, and that shutting yourself off from any emotion is the only way to ensure you can live a peaceful life. But Kurt knows this isn't true. He knows that losing Logan was hard; he felt, and still does feel, like a massive part of him died too. He can remember the raw pain of sudden grief, and the later agony of deep loss that cuts like a knife into the soul. Despite it all though, he also knows he would rather have suffered losing Logan than never have had him at all. Kurt loves his family, his family loves him back, and that makes him happy. He wishes Blaine had the same.

"What are you thinking about?"

"My dad," Kurt answers honestly. "I miss him."

"You should go visit."

"I will soon. Just need to work a bit more."

"I'll pay."

"No, Blaine, that wasn't what I..."

"I know that. But I want to. It's...like you buying me an ice cream, or something. That sounds arrogant, doesn't it?"

"It does," Kurt agrees, "but I know what you mean."

"Please let me. I know it's hard for you to accept me buying you stuff, but I think you know that I wouldn't if I didn't want to."

"My dad doesn't know about you."

"Woah, I wasn't suggesting I come with," Blaine says quickly. "Just that I'll pay for your flight, that's all."

"Okay," Kurt says with a nod. "That would be wonderful, thank you. I'll buy you an ice cream."

They walk along the sand, not talking, just holding hands and appreciating the moment, the beautiful scenery, and each other. When Blaine stops them, Kurt finds himself drawn into the most tender of kisses, and then into a strong, warm hug, which he can still feel long after they've resumed walking back toward the fairground once more.

"Do you think you can manage a couple more rides?"

Blaine gives Kurt a side glance, then looks toward the park, biting his lip. "Mermaid Parade?" he asks hopefully.

"I was thinking more like Wild River and the Steeplechase?"

"What are you doing to me?" Blaine groans. "You're not in my will, so quit trying to kill me."

Despite his protests, Blaine does enjoy the Wild River ride, and laughs until tears roll down his cheeks when Kurt gets thoroughly soaked from the wave. He's not so happy about the Steeplechase, and would quite happily leave right there and then, but Kurt has one more ride in mind.

"Cyclone?" Blaine shrieks. "No! It'll collapse."

"Well it's not collapsed since nineteen twenty seven," Kurt says calmly. "And neither of us are exactly overweight."

"I can't." Blaine's voice is firm and commanding, and Kurt knows he won't be swayed. "Thank you for a great date, but I can't go on that Cyclone, I'm sorry."

"No worries. Let's head to the subway instead."

But they've only walked for a couple of minutes when Blaine spins Kurt around on the spot, and marches him back to the park. "If I die, I will haunt you for all of eternity, and I will never, ever let you have any peace."

"Fine by me!" Kurt cries happily, and they board the roller coaster, with Blaine hiding his face in Kurt's shoulder throughout, giving muffled cries of desperation.

They're still laughing about it together when they leave the subway station and walk back to Kurt's building, and Blaine makes a light mention once again about how free he felt, how much fun it had been to let go.

"You want tol... No."

"What?"

"I was going to ask if you want to come up, since the girls will be gone, but I don't have a view of the Hudson, or a marble kitchen. My bed isn't a cloud, and my shower just runs water, not vicious attacks."

Blaine's eyes darken almost instantly and it thrills Kurt to know how much he is wanted. "Your apartment has you," Blaine whispers into his ear. "And I want you. Lead the way."

Kurt feels like he could giggle as they run up the narrow staircase and he fumbles with the lock on the door. He is completely euphoric, but he pulls up when he sees Blaine step inside and do a double take.

"I know it's not much, but..."

"It's tiny."

Kurt looks around. The main living area is one room; the kitchen along the back wall, a table and chairs center and then two flea market couches nearer to the windows. Four doors lead off; two on one side leading to Anna and Meredith's rooms, and two on the other to his room and a bathroom. Blaine is right; it's tiny, but it's his home, and he bristles slightly.

"Compact and bijou."

"How do you live in this?"

"You've lived in worse."

"Where's your room?"

"Here." Kurt opens the door, somewhat reluctant now, his mood killed. The bed takes up most of the room, with a small nightstand on the right, which has to be moved each time for Kurt to access the closet. A chest of drawers stands at the end of the bed, meaning nobody can get past and Blaine takes all this in, then frowns. "Oh my god."

"Must you always be so honest?"

"You want me to lie and say it's wonderful? I didn't come here for the place, anyway. I came here for you."

"Well I don't feel like giving myself to you right now," he says primly, and he sits on the bed and folds his arms.

"Oh baby," Blaine teases, sitting next to him. "Don't be like that."

"Don't call me baby."

"Sorry sugar, but you reap what you sow."

Kurt smiles in spite of himself, and lets Blaine lie him back against the pillows, kissing him over and over until they're making out with raw passion.

It becomes a battle for dominance as they tear at each other's clothing. Kurt is determined to make Blaine come undone completely, but Blaine will not give in. Each time Kurt seems to get somewhere, like pinning him down on the bed to kiss the inside of his thighs, Blaine either flips them, or pulls Kurt back up to kiss him.

"Just stay still," Kurt orders when he does it again, and he pulls Blaine's underwear off before he can protest, taking him into his mouth. The tight grip Blaine keeps on his hair is the only evidence that he is enjoying the moment, for once again, he is completely silent. Kurt relaxes his throat, breathes in sharply, and takes him as deep as he can.

"Oh..."

That one utterance makes Kurt even more determined, but it seems to be a red flag to Blaine, who roughly orders Kurt to turn around.

He pulls off, breathing hard, his cheeks pink. "But..."

"Do it."

He can't help that those words go right to his cock, making desire flare strongly inside of him. He'd love to fight this out but when all's said and done, he wants to feel Blaine's lips on him, his tongue working over him...he wants to come into his mouth.

He turns, and together they are silent apart from their ragged breathing. Kurt feels as if he reaches his orgasm a lot quicker than he should, and certainly Blaine keeps going for a long time afterward, but when he does come, it is glorious; his hands roughly squeezing Kurt's thighs, his pelvis lifting, and the softest groan of satisfaction as he spills right to the back of Kurt's throat.

"Good, huh?" Kurt asks, rolling onto one side and grinning up at the ceiling.

"Hmm."

"Is that it?"

"Is what it?" Blaine asks. "Oh, you want a cuddle? Get up here then."

That wasn't what Kurt had meant, but if Blaine is offering affection, he'll take it, and he curls happily into his side. He knows Blaine doesn't realize it, but he holds him just right, and it makes him feel entirely content and complete.

He's nearly asleep, when Blaine gently brushes his hair from his eyes, kisses his forehead, and smiles. "I really enjoyed today."

"Me too. Can I take you out again sometime?"

"Maybe," he teases. "But it's my turn next."

"Of course." Shifting around, Kurt rests his chin onto Blaine's chest and they lie there, watching each other, Blaine's fingers tracing idle patterns over his back. "You know, when we first met...I remember telling Meredith that you were stupidly good looking."

"Ha!" Blaine grins, his white teeth standing out in sharp contrast to the dark stubble on his face. "And now I'm not?"

"You still are...but I remember I said you couldn't be beautiful because you weren't a nice person. I think I really misjudged you, Blaine, and I'm sorry. You are beautiful...and...don't squirm and get all weird about it," he says when he feels him stiffen beneath him. "Hear me out. Underneath the intensely annoying exterior, you're really lovely, and I'm glad you railroaded me into dinner that time, because I'm having so much fun."

Blaine smiles, gently playing with his hair. "I only flew to London for you," he admits, looking him in the eye. "I didn't need to review the show there, or any other shows for that matter. I just wanted to see you."

Kurt is just about to reply, when the sound of a key in the front door makes Blaine leap up and immediately begin reaching for his clothes.

"Hey, you don't need to go," Kurt says, stilling his hand. "It's just the girls."

"Yeah, no, I have work," he says, pulling his shirt on. "I'm writing this new column now as well as reviews...rumored castings, show closures, that kind of thing."

"I'll look out for it." Kurt watches him finish dressing, feeling more than a little downhearted. "Why don't you stay for a little bit? We could get takeout for dinner?"

"That's okay." He leans in, kissing Kurt's lips. "I'll call you."

Realizing he won't get his own way this time, Kurt pulls on his robe and stands. "I'll walk you out."

"Because, Anna, being a vegan is just dumb," Meredith is saying when Kurt opens his bedroom door. "Nobody likes tofu, and if they say they do, then they're lying."

"I like being a vegan, and I like tofu!" Anna protests.

"You're lying."

"I am not! I..." She stops when she sees Kurt and Blaine, and smacks Meredith's arm to make her turn around. They lean against the kitchen counter together, staring, as Blaine squares his shoulders and nods politely.

"Ladies."

He strides to the front door, pulls it open and then suddenly turns back to Kurt, grabbing the belt of his robe and pulling him out into the hallway. "I have the gala opening of Cats tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Would you like to be my plus one?"

What hits Kurt first is that he actually asked rather than told, and then the words gala opening and Cats all register too. "Broadway? And you want me to be your date?"

"Yeah. You can meet some people...directors...casting agents."

"I'd love to."

"You have a tux?"

"No, but that's okay. I finish work at three, and there's this rental place..."

"Or...since Saks have your measurements...I could get one sent over to my place and you could come there right from work? Stay over?"

Kurt would love to protest, but the fact is, Blaine is sweeping him clean off his feet and he swoons, biting his lip before breaking out in an enormous grin. "That would be amazing. Thank you."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow." He kisses Kurt's cheek quickly, and is gone, leaving him to float back into his apartment on a cloud of total happiness.