Walking into the hotel, as a couple, was harder than they thought.
All eyes were on the door, looking at the various couples coming in. When Kurt and Blaine walked in, hand in hand, conversations seems to come to a grinding halt. Kurt looked at Blaine. He wanted to retreat, Blaine thought, but he was not going to allow that to happen. This was their night, and as Blaine walked forward, Kurt fell into step with him. They didn't get very far before a wall of New Directions barreled towards them.
"There's my favorite couple," said Rachel. "You both look amazing!" She ran her fingers down the length of Kurt's sleeve, nodding approvingly at the material.
While they were all content to have formed a circle around Blaine and Kurt, Blaine suggested they go to their tables so that Kurt would be more comfortable instead of feeling like the center of attention. He pulled out his date's chair, and once everyone was seated the chatter began anew.
Not waiting for a break in the conversation, Blaine leaned in to whisper into Kurt's ear. "Dance with me?" He placed his hand on Kurt's knee, then intertwined their fingers. Although Kurt had been waiting for their first slow dance, he was concerned about the stares. Normally, Kurt Hummel cared nothing about what anyone said. But this was different. This was one of the "firsts" that Blaine talked about, and he did not want anything to ruin this moment.
Blaine tilted his head slightly, questioning. "what's wrong"?
"I don't want people staring at us like we're wearing white after Labor Day or something…"
"Let them", Blaine said quietly. "You know they will be just showing their green eyed monster, right? I mean, come on, Kurt. Look at you. You are amazing. They're going to wonder how a guy like me was able to get a dish like you". This made Kurt chuckle just a bit.
Blaine's smile made Kurt feel more at ease. Of course, he was being less than truthful. When Kurt thought about Blaine—about a million times a day—it was hard for him to comprehend sometimes that this dark haired, hazel-eyed man with the smile that made him melt would want only him. No one ever said it to him, of course. But the way that women—and men-looked at his boyfriend always gave him pause.
He often had this argument in his head. Jeremiah from the GAP. Rachel, for crying out loud. It had been so easy for Blaine to make advances with other people, but not with him. Poor Pavarotti. If it were not for the loss of him, things might still be at a standstill. Kurt's feathered friend's last act was to play matchmaker, and for that he will be eternally grateful.
"Come on, boyfriend" Blaine said, and with that he led Kurt to the dance floor. As the lights dimmed, what would become "their" song started to play.
"I haven't heard this since that episode of "I Love The 80's was on" said Kurt, as "I Want To Know What Love Is" filled the room. Blaine pulled Kurt close, and rested his head on the taller boys chest. They moved slowly, as the song said everything about their feelings for each other.
"I want to know what love is…. I want you to show me…."
Kurt's head was spinning. He had never thought, after months of being the sidekick, that he would find himself in the arms of Blaine Anderson. How he has longed for him, wanting to hold his hand, brush his hair back, let him know with his touch what he means to him.
Kurt's thoughts were interrupted by Blaine pulling him in tighter, so that Kurt could feel Blaine's warm breath on the side of his face. He smelled so good, reminding Kurt of cotton candy. This brought a smile to Kurt's face.
"I love being here with you, Kurt". Blaine moved his head so that he was looking up into those beautiful blue eyes. Kurt moved so that his lips brushed against Blaine's, and he felt his knees weaken. It was not a deep kiss, something scandalous to be talked about when the lights had gone down on this evening. It was more than that. It was the two of them knowing how important it is to take things slowly, and savor each touch, each gentle kiss, as if it was their last.
As the song came to an end, and another began, Mercedes came over and asked if she could cut in and dance with Kurt. Blaine, ever the gentleman, placed Kurt's hand in that of Mercedes told Kurt he would meet him back at their table, which they were sharing with Mercedes, Finn and Rachel.
"He's loves you, you know" Mercedes said as she and Kurt danced. "It's all over his face".
Kurt and Blaine have not said those words to each other. Sometimes Kurt felt like it was going to happen, and then the moment was over. But he felt it, in the soft way that Blaine talked to him, how he ran his hand over his while they watched TV, and how he didn't care what anyone said about their public displays of affection.
Back at the table, Finn grilled Blaine, half jokingly, about his "intentions" towards his brother. Blaine looked at him and said, "Why Burt, whatever do you mean?" Of course the reference to Kurt's dad broke the tension. The whole of New Directions were protective of Kurt, and Finn was speaking for the group when he said, "We all just want him to be happy. He deserves it. It took me a while to realize just how amazing he is. I'm glad it didn't take you as long"
"I adore him, Finn. No worries". At that moment, Kurt and Mercedes returned to the table, holding hands and laughing at some inside joke. "My boy here can dance", said Mercedes.
The conversation was full of "Remember when's" and Kurt blushed as Tina and Brittany recalled how the three of them were trying to recreate the "Single Ladies" video in the Hummel basement, how Kurt joined the football team, and their too randy performance of "Push It" for the school.
"I auditioned for the team. There is a difference," Kurt reminded them. Blaine loved this. He was listening to the history of Kurt Hummel. Things have not always been easy for Kurt, but it appears that no matter what; he was always true to himself. The thought of anyone ever hurting his boyfriend brought heaviness to his heart, and Blaine shrugged away these thoughts while looking at the animated face of Kurt when his friends surrounded him. The move back to McKinley had made it harder for them to see each other daily, but Kurt was in his element here. And if it meant not being together all of the time to keep that smile on his face, so be it.
A few hours and several slow dances later, the evening was winding down. Most of the GLEE kids were heading to Rachel's place to hang out in her award shows worthy basement. Her Dad's were out of town, but had given her permission for her friends to come over and stay the night if necessary.
Blaine asked Kurt if he wanted to go, but secretly hoped he didn't. The last time he was there, Blaine made a bit of a spectacle of himself. Spin the bottle. What was he thinking? And the song he did with Rachel after one too many drinks? Kurt must have been dying inside. The only positive thing to come out of that situation was Blaine's realization that he is, in fact, gay. He supposed he knew it all along, but his "moment" with Rachel sealed the deal.
Heading towards the door, Blaine stopped to take Kurt's hand.
"Did you have a good time at your first formal?"
Kurt smiled in that way that sends shivers down Blaine's spine. "I had a good time being at my first formal with you. I never thought it would happen."
"That what would happen"?
"That you would finally settle for me."
"Settle for you? Are you kidding me, Kurt? Blaine was saddened by the way that Kurt said this. "The only thing that you need to understand is that in no way was my indecisiveness a reflection on my feelings for you. I have always wanted to be with you…".
Tears welled up in Kurt's eyes as he put his hand gently on Blaine's face.
"Come on", Blaine said, with a sense of urgency, his heart beginning to race. He took Kurt's hand and moved quickly through the door towards his car.
"Where are we …" Kurt's words were halted by Blaine's lips on his, not so chaste this time around.
"In the car with you…we need to be alone."
END OF CHAPTER TWO