A/N: I was on vacation in Europe the past 2 weeks and I'm busy preparing for my senior year as well—hence the late update. Sorry! Thanks again for all the support and I'll try to update ASAP again! :)

Chapter 8:: Night Sky

125 West 26th Street, between 6th and 7th.

That was the address of the place Santana was driving the two men to.

Kurt watched with wide eyes as the Lincoln Town Car pulled up in front of a fancy French restaurant, momentarily forgetting that Blaine hadn't let go of his hand during the entire ride. It was one of those restaurants that Kurt had been dying to dine in but with his secretary-based salary, he chose to spend his hard-earned money on clothes and paying bills instead of blowing it all off for just one expensive meal.

"La Gavroche," he whispered, shock laced in his tone. "We're having dinner here?"

"You didn't exactly strike me as someone who'd settle for just a burger", Blaine replied nervously. "Plus, I recalled clearly that you've always had soft side for French cuisine."

He knows me so well.

La Gavroche was one of the top French restaurants in Manhattan and Kurt was worried that all this was too much. After all, this is their first date!

"It'd be nice if you two would actually get inside the restaurant anytime now..." Both men heard Santana's cheeky sigh and laughed.

"Alright alright," Kurt smiled as he opened the door and after standing out, he bent and helped Blaine out, mindful as the blind man carefully exited the car.

"Thanks," he said. Kurt, as always, was baffled by how humble Blaine was. The fact that going into a state-of-the-art restaurant that he'd always wanted to dine in was normal for Blaine stunned him. When Santana drove off—Kurt felt guilty for not thanking her enough—he helped escort Blaine inside and his eyes bulged a tad bit when Blaine cleared his throat by the time they arrived at the entrance.

"Hello, I'm Blaine Anderson and I've a reservation under my name for tonight." He spoke confidently. Before long, they were led by the same leggy hostess and hastily seated comfortably. Kurt noticed the way the woman seemed to leer at Blaine's figure and his eyes narrowed—Bitch, back off. He's mine and he can't even see you! Giving her the signature Hummel death glare that he always used when he was shopping, the woman realized her mistake and left them with their menus.

Blaine's soothing voice brought Kurt back to Earth. "Choose anything you want, Kurt. It's all on me."

"What?" The assistant gasped, his eyes staring at the massive figures on the menu. "This is all too expensive—"

"Hey, you were there for me when I was hurt and afraid." He cut in. "Let me have this. Please."

Kurt sighed, "Okay. Um...do you already know what you want to order?"

"I used to come here often before the accident," he explained, setting his unused menu on the table. "I know my order by heart already even though I know next to nothing about French cuisine."

"Really? Nothing?" And you identify yourself as a gay man?

"Does watching Hairspray count?"

The floodgates opened as Kurt burst into a huge fit of laughter before he had to calm himself down when he received weird looks from several people in the restaurant, Blaine chuckling as well. "You're so adorable, you know that?"

"I try," he shrugged.

After giving him a quick lesson on French food and discussing their meal choices, a gentle, soft-hearted old man arrived and took their orders. Blaine was amazed at Kurt's French when he naturally ordered for them and he had to smile in order to admire him. He really wished he could see him right now, he wanted to just unashamedly lean forward and kiss him so badly but with his lack of sight, he didn't want to risk anything embarrassing. It was only when Kurt asked him a question that distracted him from his frustration. "I'm sorry?"

"I was wondering when we're going to start working on the novel again?" Kurt restated his question. "What, with everything that's been happening the past few days...?"

The novel? Great, just another reminder that in 2 months, Kurt's going to leave once the novel's finished.

"We can start again tomorrow," he muttered. "I can't believe that we've been making so much progress with it. Without you, I wouldn't know how to finish it on time."

Kurt smiled before hesitating. It was clear that Blaine was still hurting after Jeremy's visit and he just needed to announce the elephant in the room. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"About wh-what?" Blaine stuttered, Kurt's heart breaking when he saw how he looked down with a resigned sigh.

"Blaine..." he began.

"I should've known that Jeremy never really cared for me," he fiddled nervously with his fingers. "But ironically, I have to thank him."

"For what?" Now that made Kurt frown.

"For allowing me to realize how much I really feel about you," he faced forward, his blue eyes harbouring a sense of hope. "I want you to know that I...I like you too. A lot and I've had deep, genuine feelings for you for a long while now. I thought that I could ignore them but...when you kissed me...I just couldn't pretend anymore."

Kurt stared at him for a moment, feeling a sense of happiness. He still couldn't wrap his head around it all. That Blaine actually likes him and even though they were only in the middle of their first date, he already 'got' him. It was more than Chandler ever did.

This must be a dream.

"I really wanted to let you know how I felt about you when we were out camping back then," Blaine bit his lip. "When you allowed me to feel your face, I almost...I almost kissed you and—"

"Why do you hesitate with your feelings, Blaine?" Kurt questioned. "From what you've been telling me, you always say that you and I won't work—"

"I don't deserve you," the answer finally made Kurt's heart stop. "Throughout the years, my friends and family left me...but Santana stayed. Ever since we met in college, she was always there for me and after the accident, she decided to stay with me and take care of me. But I've become cold and rude towards everyone by then. I let my wealth and career get to me and before I knew it, I've become a monster and that's why I'm so alone these days." He paused. "Until I met you."

Kurt softly reached out to take Blaine's hands in his and he gave them a gentle squeeze.

"I remember the day you arrived in my house. And I remember hating it when you finally came because I rarely allow strangers in. But eventually, I realized that I couldn't be cold towards you. You were just so gentle and kind with me and...that's when I started to have feelings for you."

"Blaine—"

"People still think I'm the same cold, cruel man but ever since you came into my life, I feel like I can change, ya'know? I want to be better. I need to."

"I'll always here by your side," Kurt said, meaning every single word. By then, Blaine took a deep breath and bit his lip.

"Really?" He dared to ask.

"Really," he echoed in reply.

"I mean...I've done some bad things, Kurt." Blaine cherished how Kurt hadn't let his hands go. "I've hurt people, good and bad. I even fell for a guy who only cared about being on the cover of People Magazine. The last thing I deserve is someone as pure and amazing as you—"

"What are you trying to say?" Kurt said softly.

"That you need to end this now before you do something you regret. I don't want to burden you with my blindness."

"I've been hurt throughout my life. I lost my mother when I was eight, I had to console my dad afterwards, I've been bullied and tormented relentlessly in high school, I've felt so alone throughout my teenage life...If I survived all that, I think I can handle you."

Blaine managed a weak smile and he tightened their embrace. "Okay," he whispered.

"I mean...I'm effeminate, gay and in need of someone to always be there for me too. I'm kind of a specific type. Not many want to be around me just because of that. I've given my heart to people before got nothing in return. I'm just waiting for the right moment, ya'know?"

"Well, you don't have to wait anymore," Blaine whispered.

Their first date was wonderful.

There were neither awkward pauses nor any forced small-talk. They genuinely spoke and chatted about gay-related subjects as well as clothes, movies, TV, theatre, favourites and so on. The fact that Kurt continued to be understanding towards him made Blaine fall even harder for him and he knew that there was no way to recover from that.

By then, it was already getting late and Santana had already retreated to her own bedroom and Kurt decided to lead his boyfriend to his own bedroom first—

Boyfriend? Kurt thought about that word. Since they already had a first date and pretty much kissed several times now, does that make them boyfriends? Kurt made it a point to talk to Blaine about it soon.

"In you go," Kurt murmured softly when he pulled the blanket over Blaine's tired body once the man climbed in.

"M'not a baby, Kurt." Blaine deadpanned although secretly he loved how Kurt still took care of him.

"Shut up and go to sleep," Kurt rolled his eyes before sitting by the edge of the bed and watching his boyfriend get comfortable in his bed.

"If you need me, I'll just be at my bedroom, okay?" Kurt rested a gentle hand over Blaine's cheek and his heart skipped when Blaine leaned into his touch with a smile.

"Mmm, okay, Night Sky."

The nickname caused Kurt to frown with a confused smile. Blaine can't help but grin as he thought about how perfect that nickname was for Kurt: after all, since he's blind, all he could see was pure darkness but with Kurt's soothing voice, he felt like he was on a path now. A path to recovery from all the hatred, coldness and loneliness he once harboured.

"Did you just come up with that...or is there a story behind it?" Kurt chuckled, the faint urban noises of Manhattan was only faint now.

"Oh there absolutely is a story behind it," Blaine blushed and he went on to tell how Kurt's presence makes him more confident and be able to achieve the impossible.

"You're so corny," Kurt joked while observing how Blaine's hands captured his hand over his cheek and the blind man brought his hand down over to his chest, Blaine's thumb gently caressing his palm.

"So is the nickname okay?"

"Night Sky? Oh it's fine." Kurt's smile was nearly contagious as he watched Blaine sigh with gratitude.

"Before you go, I just want to say thanks. For everything you've done for me," Blaine whispered.

"You're welcome, Blaine." He nodded wholeheartedly. "Goodnight," he declared as he leaned down to kiss his cheek and he stood up to walk off, the blind man missing his warmth already.

"Goodnight," he replied.

I want your love, and I want your revenge

You and me could write a bad romance.

Jamming to the Lady Gaga hit on his iPod, Kurt was so high that he felt like he could grab a top hat, a bowtie and an umbrella and practically just start a Broadway musical down on the streets of Manhattan and no, not high as in on drugs but high as in everything that's happened recently was just too much to handle. But he was overjoyed and just hearing Blaine say 'Good Morning' then did wonders to his heart.

But Kurt pouted when Blaine said he was to visit MountCrest Publishing to meet Graham Woods, the publishing manager and a dear close friend there, and so Kurt went to visit his old apartment and Rachel as well.

Having still memorized the way back, Kurt felt his heart rate quicken when he fished out his key and unlocked his old apartment door. He hadn't been back in just over a month so why the hell was he worrying so much—oh wait, this is Rachel we're dealing with here. Kurt, being the worst liar in the world, knew that he and Blaine were getting serious so he felt it imperative to break the news to Rachel that he's in fact dating Blaine Anderson.

And Rachel being the chatterbox she is, Kurt didn't know what to expect.

"KURT!" The first thing Kurt knew was that his ears almost split when the woman bolted towards him with a scream and a tight bear hug.

"Heyyyy Racchhelll..." Kurt struggled to breathe and when she let go, Kurt stood back to look around the apartment, not surprised that it still looked the same.

"How's it going? How's working with Blaine Anderson? Is he really a Meaner Hitler as they say in the press—"

"Hey, he's not like that!" Kurt came off a little too defensive there but he didn't care. He was falling for the blind man after all. "He's a great guy and we're really getting along these past few weeks."

Raising an eyebrow, Rachel led him to the kitchen where she fixed them both some coffee and cookies and when they sat by the table, she listened attentively as Kurt babbled on about his time at Long Island and with the handsome author. Eventually, he knew that it was time to tell his best friend the truth and judging from the suspicious looks being thrown his way, he knew that Rachel knew.

Classic Rachel, he thought.

"You seem very fond of him," she remarked with a sip of her coffee. "Too fond if you ask me."

"Point being?" Kurt frowned.

"You like him, don't you?" She narrowed those annoying eyes of hers. Then, her eyes bulged when Kurt blushed. "You do like him!"

"Well, he's good-looking and all but—" He tried to delay the truth but she truly was on the prowl for the real story. And she never stops until she gets the details.

"Denial," she scoffed.

"Okay, fine! FINE! I like him, okay? I like him, I think he's a great guy who really is decent and kind with me despite what the tabloids say about him so please, for God's sake, wipe that stupid grin off your face, Berry! Stop grinning at me!"

"Sorry!" She raised her hands in surrender before humming, "There's more..."

"We kissed."

"WHAT?!" Rachel almost fell off her chair. "And you were gonna tell me when?"

"Sorry it's all just happening so fast now and last night, we went on our first date—"

"WHAT?!"

"Look, he's smart, he's clearly talented, he's handsome and he's definitely charming." Kurt tried to stay calm although Rachel was on the verge of spasming. "We're slowly getting serious and last night, I even kissed him goodnight."

Recovering, Rachel awws, nudging him with her elbow and smiles. "He must really like you."

Kurt shrugs, taking a sip. All the signs definitely pointed towards Blaine liking him a lot...what kind of guy would bring him into a fancy five-star French restaurant in Lower Manhattan and not have feelings for him?

"Hope he doesn't see you as a gold digger though," she admitted.

"Oh no, Blaine knows that I like him for who he is, not what he has."

"Wow, if I was gay, I'd be raging jealous right now."

Kurt sensed something was off when Rachel looked down, "What is it?"

"I don't want to see you get hurt again, Kurt. After the whole Chandler thing, I just don't want Blaine to end up as another asshole who'll abandon you..."

"He's nothing like Chandler, I promise you. I-I just know," he told her. "Blaine's also been hurt before by his ex and that's why he wants to be better and turn over a new leaf. With me by his side."

"You sure you can handle him being blind?"

"Absolutely."

"Then, go for him. He's a keeper," she placed a hand over Kurt's on the table, eyes misty and heart thumping when Kurt looked down with a smile. "Have you told your dad about him yet?"

"Soon, I'll tell him. But right now, I just want to focus on growing closer with him and who knows what'll happen in the future."

"Well, I'm happy for you! You deserve genuine romance in your life and he really is easy on the eyes." Rachel's voice soars higher in happiness and Kurt blushes even redder. "Oh, remember how I told you before that someone moved in with me recently?"

"Yes...?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.

"It's Brittany!" She announced. "She's out now at the restaurant she's working at but can't you believe it? What a small world!"

"Wait, as in Brittany...Pierce? The girl who thought that the square root of 4 is rainbows?"

"Yup! You have to meet her later when she gets back!"

"Alright, I'll stay to meet her." He nodded. "So I guess you approve of me being with Blaine?"

"I told you I'm happy for you," she winked. "Now that you're back, we need to go shopping!"

Suddenly, Kurt's phone buzzes—Blaine's name appears on the lock screen—and his heart flipped. Being blind, Blaine managed to get an expensive handicap-friendly cellphone that only uses a speaking voice, similar to Siri on an iPhone, to help guide him to perform basic functions of a regular phone like calling, texting, setting an alarm and so forth.

Answering, Kurt was in no way prepared for what happened next.

"Blaine, what's wrong? Is everything okay?" Blaine sounded genuinely upset and he could hear that the man was clearly on the verge of tears on the other line. And it pained him to not be there with him at that moment.

"Are you free right now? I-I...I need you. Santana's trying to calm me down but I can't—not without you here with me."

"I-I guess I'm free right now," Kurt stuttered, concern laced his tone, and Rachel stared at him in confusion. Standing up, he went to grab his things and the voice of Blaine's shaky voice made him freeze.

"Meet me back at the penthouse," his superior breathed. "As soon as you can, Night Sky."

Fuck. Kurt winced as his heart broke. His boyfriend needed him. "Hang on, alright? I'm on my way."

Hanging up, Kurt was at the door when Rachel stopped him. "Guess that Brittany will have to wait?"

"Sorry, I gotta go. Blaine sounded really upset—"

"Go," She stepped forward, smiling. "Your man needs you."

"I love you, Rachel." He says, tears welling up in his eyes. He's scared, more than ever, but he's also grateful to have such an understanding and supportive friend. Everything's changing and he knows that he owes her so much.

"Love you too, Kurt." She said, thick with emotion, and she waved him off, the man rushing off down the hall to the elevator.

But as he punched the elevator's button, he can't help but think how he'd almost said I love you right before he hung up...

A/N: Uh-oh, something's wrong with Blaine *gasps*. Let me know how you feel about this and sorry again for the late update!