Sorry for the delay! Crazy days back at home. My brother graduates, 2 of my best friends turn 21 this week, my godmother got married today and gosh, stuff and stuff over piles of other stuff.

Big announcement:

LOOKING FOR A BETA

NOT for Champion's Lullaby, The Big Purple Book or Learning to Live, but for some other projects of mine. There's more info on the author note at the end and on my tumblr blog. Make sure to read those as it explains a lot.

thebigpurplebook

.tumblr

.com

Enjoy!

IIIII

Chapter 18

Giraffe, Horse or Dinosaur?

"Mercedes texted me" Kurt said while starting to wash his face, rubbing gentle circles on the skin.

"What's the verdict?" asked Harry while toweling his hair dry.

He was only wearing his pants, having put them on to allow Kurt to use the bathroom while he finished getting ready for bed. Kurt would be a liar if he didn't admit he was distracted by the amount of skin available in close proximity. Not to mention the six pack, the defined V on his torso and the few scars Harry had, it all added up to a very nice view. He especially liked the scars, they gave him a very intriguing look, taking away the air of flawless perfection and nudging him into dark and dangerous instead. Kurt loved that about Harry.

More so because he had selfishly claimed flawless/perfect skin as his thing; it would be unfair for his boyfriend to have it when he didn't put a quarter of the effort Kurt devoted to skin care. Harry let the towel around his neck once he was satisfied that the excess of water was off and reached for the hairdryer. Kurt smirked, still not over the fact his boyfriend, his very manly boyfriend, threw a hissy fit of epic proportions if Blaine and Kurt didn't give him time to dry his hair in peace.

He hummed to himself as he moved to the second step of his routine, the sound drowned by the hair dryer. He pulled back the sleeve that had slipped over his shoulder in a gesture that was quite familiar by now. He smiled and internally gushed. He was wearing his boyfriend's clothes.

He repeated the statement in his mind. He was wearing his boyfriend's clothes, a t-shit and a pair of old shorts, both too big for him. It had slowly become customary for him to wear Harry's clothes to bed. It had started with him borrowing a shirt, then never really returning it until after it was washed, letting Harry use it one or two nights and taking it back. One shirt turned into two, so that he could still use one while Harry used the other, which of course turned into three and then Harry stopped pretending he had any power over his own closet and told him to help himself to whatever he wanted except the band shirts.

It didn't take long for Kurt to simply rummage around for sleeping wear there. Everything was soft, comfy and came with a lovely feeling of warmth. He knew if his friends from New Directions saw him so carefree about how silly he looked they would be shocked. But Kurt liked the way Harry's eyes lingered a little longer when he used his clothes, and he didn't mind if Blaine saw him like this. They were best friends after all.

Besides, Blaine had made the effort of not using hair gel around them at night. It was a big step for him, something Kurt completely understood. He wanted to show Blaine it was ok to lower his guards around them and hopefully, maybe, Harry would soon stop limiting himself to the role of protector and follow their example.

He got all the soap out of his face and took Harry's towel from his neck to dry himself without thinking about it. His boyfriend turned off the appliance, satisfied his hair was dry enough to not be a complete mess in the morning.

Harry reached over him to get his toothbrush and the paste. He moved both arms around his boyfriend to run the toothbrush under water and started brushing his teeth. Kurt grabbed his own toothbrush and leaned on Harry. Their eyes connected in the mirror. It was a very domestic picture thought Kurt, both of them with toothbrushes in their mouths, recently showered, with no care for their appearances or the outside world, getting ready for bed and looking at each other.

He absolutely adored doing these little things with Harry.

It was his favorite part of being in a relationship.

He was surprised how much he enjoyed being comfortable enough with somebody to let them see him without his layers, hair products and brushing his teeth. An activity that was so far from sexy it was ridiculous. He leaned over to rinse his mouth without thinking and Harry stopped breathing. He gave a look over his shoulder confused and realized exactly in which position they had landed. He blushed, but a sudden feeling of boldness rushed through his body and he pressed his ass further into Harry, who was staring at him with glazed eyes, his jaw tensed.

"Don't you have to spit?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Slowly to make sure that Kurt wasn't jumping into something by accident Harry started to lean over. He rinsed his mouth with water, while their bodies where perfectly angled together. Kurt started to move his backside slowly, tentatively.

"Kurt" softly whispered Harry against his neck.

"Mmm?" he asked starting to enter a power trip for having Harry in such a state. His hands moved to cover Harry's as he continued grinding against him.

One of Harry's arms shifted to grab his waist and stopped him. "What happened to slow?" he whispered, pressing his cheek against Kurt's. He was half hard already and this was rapidly getting out of control.

"We've been doing slow" he responded panting against Harry's ear, he wasn't sure why, but rubbing himself against Harry like this was incredibly arousing. Especially feeling how the movement affected his boyfriend. "But even going slow things do move along... I am not saying we are going to... you know, right now, but I would like to go further."

"Please tell me you're not doing this because any other reason" begged Harry, starting to place kisses on Kurt's neck.

"What other reason?"

"Your friend's comment" Harry muttered.

"Which friend?" asked Kurt putting some distance between them and turning around, still trapped by Harry's arms. The taller boy groaned and dropped his head against Kurt's shoulder.

"You know, one of the girls, not the blonds or Rachel and Mercedes, or Puck's not girlfriend either..."

"Santana?"

"Yeah that one" said Harry rubbing his cheek against Kurt's creamy neck, leaving the skin slightly red with his stubble.

Kurt silently laughed. "You didn't remember her name? She shares the name with a famous guitar player!"

Harry shrugged. "In my defense, there were a lot of them, and I'm not really putting a lot of thought into them right now. My blood isn't exactly being distributed fairly at the moment... I don't want you to be moving things because of what somebody else said."

"Oh Harry" Kurt smiled kissing him lightly on the lips. "To be honest, it is sort of thanks to how you responded to Santana and then what you said to Brittany. It was kind of amazing that you defended us in front of my friends... they loved you by the way, even Lauren likes you, and she doesn't like anybody. Then again she isn't my friend, but she's part of..."

"Kurt" interrupted Harry amused and frustrated. "We were doing something that, no offense to your friends, was much more interesting."

"Blaine is with David" said Kurt, his hands moving to embrace Harry's neck. "Wes is home for the weekend and Thad is also away, since that means two prefects, they are having a gaming night with some other Warblers. He said he'd be returning late or staying there..."

"Perfect" grinned Harry and kissed Kurt slowly. "I need to know Kurt, how far do you want to go now?"

"What?" asked Kurt, having been previously enjoying a very mind blowing kiss.

"I need to know where are the limits" said Harry, brushing their noses together.

Kurt blushed deeply. "I... I don't know how to answer..."

"Ok, I'll ask and you only need to say honestly yes or no" Harry encouraged him. Kurt nodded still blushing. "Is this ok?" asked Harry starting to move in a similar manner to what they had been doing a moment ago, only front to front.

"Gaga" moaned Kurt, their members hardening with each slow trust. "Yes... definitely yes!"

Harry grabbed him by the waist, lifting him easily and encouraging Kurt to wrap his legs around him. He thought for a moment about putting Kurt over the sink, but decided against it, pressing him against a wall instead.

"Still ok?" he asked in a breathless voice, his thrust starting to become a little harder.

"Yeeees" said Kurt, his head resting against the wall lifelessly.

"I'm going to move my hands down" Harry told him, while doing just that, Kurt gave a long deep moan when they both settled on his ass.

"If you ask again I'll kill you" he said scratching him in warning when Harry opened his mouth. He received a chuckle in response. "Please" begged Kurt, prompting Harry to move.

All his nerves were on fire and maybe if his judgment wasn't clouded by hormones, Kurt would have been less than happy that the first step they were taking to become more intimate with each other was happening against the bathroom wall. He opened his eyes and they connected with Harry's.

Harry was staring at him with a look so full of feeling that the world seemed to disappear for a moment. Kurt closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against Harry's shoulder. He started to take in all the little details, like how his boyfriend smelled of clean soap and a slight masculine scent that was uniquely his.

The feeling of their clothed members rubbing against each other was driving Kurt crazy. And hell, he was enjoying this. It beat the hell out of a finger touch in any Broadway production.

"Harry!" he moaned, his hands grabbing onto his shoulders as he started to reciprocate the movement. The hands on his ass pressed them even further together and Kurt's eyes rolled to the back of his head.

He loved to need Harry like this, to physically need him to stay upright. One of Harry's hands moved slightly up, towards the line of the shorts and his thumb softly caressed the beginning of Kurt's ass. A shot ran though his spine and suddenly everything was too much.

He gave a high pitched moan and came, his vision turning white for a moment.

Accommodating to his oversensitivity, Harry continued grinding against him slowly, until his whole body tensed and the hands on Kurt's ass tightened. They panted against each other, coming down from their high. Harry turned them around and let himself slide against the wall, taking him down too.

"Wow" muttered Kurt, lazily opening his eyes and still high from the pleasure. "That was... wow"

"It gets better" promised Harry, rubbing his back and placing kisses on his exposed shoulder and the side of his neck. Kurt bumped his nose against his forehead, making him raise his head and they started a slow make out session, there was no rush and they were simply enjoying the feeling of proximity.

"We need another shower" mumbled Kurt starting to feel sleepy.

"Go ahead, I'll get you something else to wear, I'll have a quick shower too and we'll cuddle after" said Harry overwhelmed with the need to make Kurt feel comfortable and hold him as close as he could.

"Ok" agreed Kurt still not making a move. "I officially can't move. You broke me."

"Does that mean I have to buy you now?" asked Harry smirking.

"Take care of me" ordered Kurt, eyes drifting shut.

"Always" whispered Harry against his hair. Eyes closed and a peaceful smile on his face.

IIIII

Kurt had been a little apprehensive when Harry asked him if he wanted to go on a double date with Ron and Hermione. He knew how much his friends meant to Harry and he loved both of them, having become friends with them, but he was a little afraid.

"You're being ridiculous" said Blaine flipping through a magazine. "You met both of them, they are fun to hang out with and it's not like they are going to be judging you… by now they are full of preconceived notions you can't change" he grinned innocently when Kurt glared.

"This is going to sound stupid, but I don't want to be left out" said Kurt while bottoming his sweater. "I swear their friendship is on steroids and I just don't want to feel like an extra wheel… how lame is that? I am afraid of being the fourth wheel. Seriously, this is a new low…"

Blaine laughed. "Oh yeah, considering you've been riding cloud 9 lately, going out with your boyfriend and his friends is a new low, like cloud 8 low, how plebeian for you. I'll get you a paper bag to hide your face in..."

"Nice trick Blaine" Kurt said, voice dripping with sarcasm. Somebody had to teach him how to do it properly after all. "You open your mouth and 'sarcasm' comes out of it, it's like watching a puppy mewl."

"You're being mean to me" pouted Blaine.

"And there you are" said Kurt smiling at him teasingly. Blaine blushed. "I have to go now; don't go jumping on the furniture while we are away and no chewing on my pencils."

"It did it once. You are the one that left it on my desk, so I assumed it was mine" said Blaine crossing his arms.

"I'll start color coding everything in this room then" said Kurt rolling his eyes. "Dibs on purple!"

"What? No fair! Double dibs" said Blaine throwing a pillow at him and missing on purpose. He didn't have a death wish and messing his friend's hair once he had deemed it perfect was a sure way to die.

Kurt laughed and left the room without saying anything else. Blaine grabbed a pillow and put it over his head the moment the door closed. He had a crush on his best friend; his unavailable best friend, who was dating a cool guy.

Everything was easier when he thought Harry was a jerk.

Life sucked… he might as well go get coffee and hope to overdose on caffeine.

IIIII

Kurt nervously grabbed Harry's hand when they approached the restaurant. Just like Blaine said, it was silly to be afraid of Harry's friends now. They had welcomed him from the start and he was growing closer to them. However a tiny part of him acknowledged that Ron and Hermione intimidated him because they knew everything about Harry.

He was horribly jealous of that.

They were having a casual lunch at a simple restaurant, and his nerves kind of melted away when he saw the couple in one of the boots. They were laughing and Hermione was leaning against his shoulder, one hand was clasped together above the table and they were talking in hushed whispers, similar smitten expressions on their face.

"The day after Valentine's they'll be officially dating for a year" whispered Harry to him fondly; like he didn't want his friends to hear him from the other side of the room.

"The day after?" queried Kurt.

"I'll let them tell you the story. They do the whole couples thing were they take turns to say different parts and have embellished everything."

"Gaga, please let's never do that" said Kurt grinning.

"It could be fun, but I wanna slay a dragon in the story" he said in good humor.

"Only if I get to wear a tiara" teased him Kurt.

"Only a tiara? I approve" leered Harry and Kurt blushed, pinching his arm in retaliation.

Hermione waved at them cheerfully with her free hand, finally spotting them. Kurt stopped for a millisecond to appreciate how in love they seemed. What with Ron looking at Hermione like she was the best thing in the world and she blushing prettily at the attention. It was easy to not notice on a daily basis because they bickered, huffed and rolled their eyes at each other constantly.

Seeing this side of them made Kurt wonder if they simply had built their defenses together; defenses that only came down when it was the two of them. He looked at Harry again, his open expression and relaxed smile and rephrased his statement. Maybe the barriers came down when it was the three of them and Harry bringing him here was less about putting Kurt in the spotlight, and more about welcoming him instead.

IIIII

"Oh my God, seriously?" asked Ron laughing. "You've never seen Harry… no, that's just a crime I swear."

"You are exaggerating aren't you?" asked Kurt puzzled, while Harry good naturally accepted the teasing.

"Ok, no this is unacceptable. No wonder you're so smitten" said Hermione and grabbed a napkin. She pulled a pen out of her purse and put both items in front of Harry with a stern look. "You have to; Kurt needs to see how much you suck at something."

Harry sighed and grabbed the napkin and pen. He hunched forwards putting all his concentration on the task in hand, while Hermione and Ron bit their lips trying not to laugh. Kurt patiently waited.

"There" said Harry putting the napkin in the middle.

Kurt stared at it. "It looks like a giraffe" he said hesitantly examining the poorly made doodle. He covered his mouth. It was a very, very crappy doodle.

Harry crossed his arms pouting. "It's not" he mumbled petulantly. Hermione and Ron were laughing and Kurt joined them. Harry sighed and sulked, but his eyes shined with happiness.

IIIII

"Blaine, what do you see here?" asked Kurt the moment they entered the room and ignoring Harry's protests.

Blaine raised his head from his laptop and looked at the napkin, then at Kurt confused. "It's a dinosaur."

The couple stared at him.

Harry suddenly smiled widely, his eyes excited and an expression of pure joy on his face. "Blaine I swear I could kiss you" said Harry gratefully and turned to Kurt smugly. "He guessed!"

"Wait, what?" asked Kurt looking at the drawing. "Where the hell are you two seeing the dinosaur? This thing is clearly a giraffe."

Harry snorted and Blaine frowned. "I don't see it" he said apologetically to Kurt and tried to still his racing heart.

When they went to bed that night, Blaine could have sworn Harry held onto him tighter and had been staring at him with a calculative expression.

Then again, he was an idiot when it came to these things.

IIIII

"So, Blaine could see the dinosaur" Harry said to Hermione the next day as a way of greeting, while she struggled to wrap Ron's gift and he paced.

"What dinosaur?" she asked confused and more focused on folding the paper right.

"The one in the napkin" said Harry exasperated.

"I am lost" mumbled Hermione frowning at the box.

"The dinosaur I drew yesterday in the napkin, he could see it ok?" said Harry slowly.

"Oh" Hermione said and looked at him. "So?"

Harry shrugged and sat down. "My head is a mess and I am confused, because things are getting strange… I think I need to distance myself from Blaine, because he's a little too under my skin and he's the first person to see the dinosaur."

"And that's a bad thing because?" encourage Hermione.

"Because… I can't see where the boundaries are supposed to be anymore. I mean, I know where they are, but I am so close I could accidentally step over them" Harry trailed off. "You know how I told Ron that it wouldn't be too difficult to fall in love with him if the circumstances were different? Well... if I am not careful, I could mess up everything" he said and stared at Hermione desperately. "I don't want to mess things up Hermione. I love Kurt and I can't lose him."

Hermione opened and closed her mouth. "You just said you love Kurt" she whispered and Harry tensed.

"I… I do of course" he said defensively.

"Hey, stand down. I am not judging. I am happy in fact" she said and reached over the box to grab his hand. Harry didn't relax or return the gesture. "I know it's hard for you to do the vulnerable thing, but I think you should tell Kurt everything. Not immediately, but you keep going as you are now and just talk to him ok? Don't close up."

"I guess" mumbled Harry playing with a piece of paper. "What should I do about the Blaine situation?"

"Look Harry, you're overreacting ok? He saw a dinosaur, I saw a horse and Kurt saw a giraffe. That napkin means nothing."

"Yeah, but I drew a dinosaur, not a horse or giraffe" pointed out Harry.

"Harry" Hermione said looking straight at him. "Can you please take a second to listen to yourself?"

He stopped and did just that. "In retrospective, it does sound a bit…"

"Stupid?"

"Irrelevant" corrected Harry.

She smiled benevolently. "Of course... as for Blaine, here's my view on things. There's a part of him that needs you, and your white knight complex and hormones are messing with your head" Harry snorted and she slapped his arm. "Let thing run their course. I think Blaine might surprise you and once he feels more comfortable and sure of things, he will be the one to start putting some distance… for now, my advice is to treat him like you treat us ok?"

"Thanks 'Mione" said Harry after mulling over her words. "I think I can do that… I gotta go. I promised Luna that I would talk to the caterers today. Thanks for the advice."

"Anytime Potter" she said winking at him. "Make sure they have those little sushi things I like!"

"Will do" laughed Harry.

IIIII

"Tell me all about this guy" said Kurt excitedly; he linked arms with Blaine and dragged him away as soon as they entered the coffee shop. Blaine seemed to have met somebody he was interested in and he had let slip that fact around Kurt, who was now hounding his best friend for every single detail, leaving Harry to pay and order for them.

"Harry" said the barista with a sympathetic smile.

"Jenny, how's life? Our usual if you please" he asked pulling his wallet.

"Same old, same old" she replied, while starting to make their coffee orders. She motioned to Blaine and Kurt who were talking excitedly at their usual table. "What's up with them? They didn't even try to fight the right to pay this time."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Blaine has his eyes on somebody, Kurt is getting the scoop and I…" he sipped his tea and raised it as a toast "…get drinks."

"Same time tomorrow?" asked Jenny with a smirk.

"We'll see" he gave her a tired smile. "You know how my life's purpose is to bow to Kurt's every whim."

She laughed as he balanced all the drinks expertly.

"Brainstorm, we need to brainstorm" said Kurt, pulling a notebook out of his bag.

"What are we brainstorming about?" asked Harry placing their drinks in front of them and taking a seat next to Kurt. He put an arm around his shoulders in a subconscious gesture.

"Blaine is going to serenade somebody, we'll have to convince the Warblers to help, but I think we can do it, this is so exciting!" said Kurt scribbling ideas.

"I'm going to call an emergency meeting this afternoon" said Blaine with a shy grin. "I already have the perfect song."

"Do tell" said Kurt pen ready.

"When I Get You Alone" he said with an eager expression.

Kurt's face turned awkward. "Ok, not my first selection, but we can work with that… maybe edit some parts of the lyrics, but there's potential there."

"Where is all this taking place?" asked Harry raising an eyebrow.

"Well, he works in a Gap store, so…"

"Gap?" asked Kurt with a frown and stared at his notes. Harry stared at him hopefully. "That changes everything…"

Harry groaned and put his tea on the table.

"What?" Blaine asked confused.

"I'm going to have to be the voice of reason. I hate being the voice of reason" said Harry closing Kurt's notebook and leaning forwards. "Ok, let's start at the beginning, how do you know this guy?"

"He asked me to share a table with him once, because all the others were full and well… I saw him twice yesterday, once at the music store and the other at the coffee shop in the mall. He works there so that's why we kept bumping into each other. We sat together again even though the place was empty."

"How well do you know him?"

Blaine awkwardly held his coffee with both hands. "Not that well, I mean I know he's gay, but aren't dates supposed to be about that? Getting to know somebody?"

"Yes, but the thing is Blaine, when you ask a guy on a date, a gay guy at least, you have to take into consideration a whole lot of rules that straight people don't have to worry about." Blaine and Kurt stared at him with puzzled faces. Harry sighed. "Ok, first of all, is this guy out?"

Blaine blinked taken aback. "I don't… I don't really know."

"Exactly" said Harry triumphantly. "I admire that you and Kurt are proud of whom you are, and I don't care what people say about me. We have no problem dating openly, but that's not the case for everybody, especially in Ohio. Asking this guy with a grand public gesture, at his work place, when you don't even know if he will appreciate it isn't a great idea."

Blaine and Kurt stared at him in complete surprise, digesting all the information he had given them.

Harry shook his head. "Call him, ask him out, or wait until you meet him again for coffee if you want to do it in person. Grand gestures are great and all, but sometimes you just need to be straight with someone."

They stayed in silence for second before Kurt snorted. "I don't think straight will get him anywhere with a guy."

Blaine laughed. "I think it defeats the purpose."

"You couldn't let that go?" Harry asked with a smile. "I was pulling the profound and wise vibe of a worldly person."

Blaine and Kurt exchanged a look and turned to him.

"Nah" they started to giggle at their perfect timing.

Harry pouted and threw bags of sugar at them. "Be your own voices of reason then!" they smiled innocently. Harry rolled his eyes. "Anyways you smartasses, I have to dash, I am supposed to meet Ron to help him find Hermione's gift for their anniversary and then I have to let Luna abuse my credit card for a while."

Kurt clapped a few times thrilled; ignoring the Luna part and the way Blaine tensed for a second and looked around. "That's so romantic! What are their plans?"

"I got them reservations at a great restaurant as part of Ron's present, but he wants to give her something more personal on top of that and I've been sworn to secrecy as to what she bought him" he said and Kurt pouted.

"Please?" he asked batting his eyelashes. "You already kept a secret from me this week!"

"Nope, sorry, he used the magic words" said Harry with a grin.

"And those would be?" asked Blaine curious and ignoring the confusing feelings raging inside of him. He had to focus on Jeremiah and moving on. He wasn't going to ruin things for his two best friends.

"Please Harry, as my friend would you…" Harry said with a deadpan voice. "They know I can't say no when they ask like that!"

"What if I ask as your boyfriend?" asked Kurt with a teasing smile.

"I know you wouldn't abuse your powers like that" said Harry trustingly. "You know I already would do almost anything for you."

"Almost?" asked Kurt quirking an eyebrow.

"Yeah, anything from picking your dry cleaning to murder" said Harry seriously.

"What could possibly go after murder?" mused Blaine.

"Tea… I could never give up my tea, an organ for sure, but never my tea" said Harry cradling the cup closer. "It's my precious" he said in a low raspy voice and the other two boys snorted. His phone beeped. "That would be Ron, so I bid you farewell gentlemen" he said dramatically and stood up. In a serious tone he added. "Blaine, if you decide to ignore what I said, at least let the manager know or you can get him in trouble and kill your chances."

"Pick me up at 11, we are having lunch with my family" ordered Kurt, waving him off dismissively.

"Sir, yes sir" Harry said with a smirk, Kurt was going to scowl at him, but ended up smiling, when Harry leaned forwards to chastely kiss him. He waved at Blaine and walking backwards commented. "Oh and pick a different song… a more appropriate song. 'When I Get You Alone' gives the impression you're easy and desperate to get in his pants."

Blaine blushed, while Kurt unsuccessfully tried not to laugh.

Harry took a deep breath once he was outside the coffee shop.

There, things were sorting themselves out just as Hermione predicted. So why didn't he feel better?

IIIII

Harry stretched, making his back pop before getting inside the bed. He cuddled Kurt and nuzzled his neck, placing a few kisses.

"What's Blaine doing?" asked Harry motioning to the hallway, were Blaine was talking on the phone.

"Asking Jeremiah out" answered Kurt with a yawn.

"Why are you so tired uh? I am the one that had to go shopping with Ron and Luna, drove to Lima, reassured your dad I'm not taking advantage of you, your step brother that I am not corrupting you, your step mom that I'm treating you right and drove back."

"Because all that is so exhausting" said Kurt with a roll of his eyes, threading his fingers in his boyfriend's messy hair. Harry towered over him momentarily, kissing him senseless.

Since yesterday and the whole bathroom incident, Kurt had been finding it progressively harder not to touch Harry in some way. And things that used to be so innocent had a whole different perspective now.

"It is mentally exhausting" mumbled Harry, starting to bite his ear gently. Kurt hummed in agreement to whatever Harry was saying. "Let's go out tomorrow" said Harry, placing kisses all over his face.

"As in a date?" asked Kurt excitedly.

"We haven't in a while, not just the two of us" Harry gave him a few Eskimo kisses, while Kurt giggled.

"Ok" said Kurt softly, staring into Harry's eyes.

"I love you" whispered Harry. Kurt stared at him in awe, mouth hanging slightly open, pulse rushing, he tried to say something, anything, but he was finding it impossible. "I've been meaning to tell, but we always get interrupted… or fall asleep, but I do Kurt, I love…"

"He said yes!" said Blaine entering the room and closing the door with a bang. Harry and Kurt exchanged a look, before Harry rolled over and they stared at Blaine grinning excitedly.

"What did you say? What did he say? Where are you going? What are you wearing? Tell me all about it" ordered Kurt while sitting up, grabbing Harry's hand and squeezing.

He should be annoyed at Blaine for interrupting his perfect moment. There was a huge list of acceptable emotions he should be feeling at the moment, and they all should be in some way or another related to the fact that his boyfriend had said the L word. But as he listened to Blaine go on and on about Jeremiah, Kurt was feeling something outside of that list, very, very outside of that list: Jealousy.

IIIII

Blaine stared at his desk contemplating. His back was pressed against Harry's side, an arm coming from under him and resting in front of him. It was proof of how far they had come that Blaine was hugging the arm unashamedly.

"Harry?" he whispered, hoping he was awake.

"Mmm?"

"Thanks for the advice. You were right. He's not completely out yet. He told his family not that long ago and a few of his friends, but he's still working on it."

He smiled. "I'm always right, that's why there's a song and everything" Blaine huffed. "All of my awesomeness aside. If he tries anything, you call me right away and I'll beat him up for you."

Blaine sighed. "Do you always resort to violence?"

"Only because Kurt enjoys assaulting people verbally and I couldn't take that away from him. You like to solve conflict with dialogue and all that, so that leaves me with the task of beating people when they don't listen" Harry moved slightly to find a more comfortable position for his arm and closed his eyes. "If it's any consolation, I could never hit you or Kurt."

"I'm not sure if that's sweet or offensive to me" muttered Blaine.

"It's a policy I apply only for close friends, family and people I date."

"You hit Ron once" said Blaine remembering the weeks of gossip that followed that incident. He still didn't know the details, other that they started yelling at each other until Harry punched Ron and walked away. It was very strange because they were seen together half an hour later, eating lunch like nothing had happened.

"And we became best friends after that, now I would never hit him again, unless he hurts Hermione, because then it would be required of me to do it."

Blaine snorted. "You are odd."

"I try."

They fell asleep after that.

IIIII

Kurt stared in disgust at all the pink and red decorating the small place that Harry had picked for dessert.

"Don't pout, it's hard not to kiss you when you do" Harry said with a smirk.

"I hate Valentine's Day" mumbled Kurt, letting Harry help him with his jacket. They both took a seat in one of the sofas, Kurt resting against Harry contently.

"Really? I didn't get it the first ten times you said it" Harry teased. "Does that mean I am not allowed to take you out on a date that day?"

"You had plans?" asked Kurt suspiciously.

"Sort of, we did a party last year and it was pretty good" said Harry with a shrug. "The twins convinced their parents to go celebrate Valentine's away and we are ironing the details to make another one this year. I was going to ask if you would like to go get dinner and then drop by or if you wanted to do something else."

Kurt thought about it for a moment. "Will the decoration at this party include heart shaped things?"

"Not really, Luna wouldn't allow it in a million years" smirked Harry. "You'll have to wait and see."

"Alright, but dinner better not be in a romantic restaurant"

"Deal" smiled Harry triumphantly. They ordered ice cream and a cake, the waiter sending them a carefully neutral look and disappearing as soon as he could. "Do you want to make him uncomfortable by making out?"

Kurt rolled his eyes, secretly thrilled that Harry's response was to shove their relationship in his face instead of putting some distance. "Nice try, back to that party, who else is going?"

"Football, fencing, tennis and swimming team from Dalton, plus Tyler and his band, and other random people we know. Then the Robins, the dance, volleyball, press and arts clubs from the girl's school. I was going to ask Blaine of course, maybe he would like to bring the guy he's interested in, and maybe you would like to invite people from New Directions, if not all of them, but I am not sure if it would be possible considering they live so far away."

"This is not just some small reunion is it?"

"Nah, it's a pretty awesome party. We don't usually mix all our clubs together. The only parties we do are celebratory for a team win or birthdays, and they tend to be focused on somebody and their circle of friends, but Valentine's we mash everything together. It was after the party last year that Hermione and Ron got together, so we want to celebrate that too."

"I think I will at least tell them about it, some of my friends would definitely like to have plans on the day" decided Kurt. "Is there somewhere they can stay nearby?"

"I'll check with the twins, but their house will probably be packed already" said Harry trying to figure out a solution. "I can rent them rooms somewhere close to the party, but I doubt their parents will be thrilled."

"I'll offer, let them find their own solutions. I don't want you to spend your money like that, if they really want to come they can share or something" shrugged Kurt. He looked around to the tastelessly decorated cafe and found the whole thing wasn't as unbearable as usual when he was resting against Harry, arms secure around him.

IIIII

Kurt had been feeling stares on him all day. He turned to Blaine, who had been acting strange too for some reason. If he thought about it, he had been strange since the invitational. Maybe the whole Jeremiah thing was messing with his head. Gaga knew what he had been like when he was crushing on Finn and later Blaine. With Harry things had been surprisingly easy and straightforward; or as straightforward as they could be with his manipulative boyfriend.

"Do I have something on my face or my clothes…?"

"You're good" responded Blaine.

"Then why is everybody staring?" asked Kurt with a raised eyebrow.

"They are trying to figure out how to approach you and ask you about Valentine's" responded Blaine turning a page of his book.

"What about Valentine's? I mean, everybody knows I am with Harry…" he looked around once more in confusion.

"And that's why they want to ask" he looked at Kurt pointedly. "About the party… last year it was all people could talk about for weeks, and they stopped because they started talking about Ron's birthday. The twins are handing out the invitations…"

"Wait, invitations? I thought it was just an informal thing… Harry didn't make a big deal out of it…"

Blaine stared at him. "Kurt, the parties they throw are sort of like a big thing around here. They have the most connections with the girls from Crawford. I've never been to one, but from what I heard they are mind blowing."

"So they are looking at me, so that I invite them?"

"The twins, Ron and Harry are the ones that organize them, but everybody knows that Harry is funding it and the one who calls the shots."

"Gentlemen" saluted the twins in unison. They were dressed in ridiculous outfits, with helmets that had little wings on each side and a toga like uniform, the look was completed with messenger bags and sandals that also had wings on them.

"I get it" said Blaine suddenly. "You're dressed as Hermes, messenger of the Gods."

"Luna designed it" said one of the twins, puffing out and proudly staring off into the distance.

"She's wearing one too" said the other one grinning. "But she also put bells on her sandals, we took ours off."

"We've been sneak inviting people" added his brother with a proud smirk. "Anyhow…"

They both stood straighter and used deep voices.

"Our illustrious leader…"

"The most magnanimous…"

"The most noble…"

"The most charismatic…"

"The most courageous…"

"The most handsome…"

"The most British…"

"Get on with it" ordered Kurt with a roll of his eyes. "I am the one that has to deal with his inflated ego after your little speeches."

"The most patient too…" mumbled George.

"Has sent us today…"

"To give you…"

"Blaine Anderson…"

"The great and…"

"Unconceivable honor…"

"Of receiving a…"

"VIP invitation…"

"To the most amazing…

"Outrageous…"

"Valentine's…"

"Oh my Gaga, just give him the damn thing already and leave!" ordered Kurt with a dismissive wave.

"You Highness commands" said Fred, or he suspected it was Fred, while kneeling and taking out a golden enveloped from his bag.

"We obey" George took it and kneeling in front of Blaine offering the invitation. Kurt snatched it from them and gave it to Blaine, glaring at the twins.

"We're not worthy! We're not worthy!" they cried to Kurt and left bowing exaggeratedly with each step.

"Your Highness?" asked Blaine with a raised eyebrow as he opened the enveloped eagerly.

"Luna asked that if Harry was the Lord, wouldn't that give me the right for a title. Harry said to the twins that if they even thought about calling me a Lady, he would cut their funding for mayhem and declare war on them… so they went for something gender neutral" he muttered blushing. "It's ok when they do it in private, but in public… it's embarrassing to say the least. Harry thinks its poetic justice."

"I've got a plus one" Blaine commented.

"Yeah, Harry said you could bring Jeremiah if you wanted… you really didn't think Harry wouldn't invite you did you?" asked Kurt suspiciously.

Blaine flushed guiltily. "Maybe, since he didn't say anything this morning I assumed…"

"You're an idiot" said Kurt with a sigh. "Now, if this party is as amazing as you are making it sound, maybe I really should try to convince my friends to come and figure out where they can stay."

"Hello Kurt" said David while taking a seat in front of them. "Holy… Blaine is that a VIP invitation?"

"Yep" he said airing himself with it. "I have full access and all kinds of fancy privileges."

"Hey, I just realized I don't have an invitation…"

David and Blaine stared at Kurt patronizingly. "Kurt, you are dating the guy throwing the party, I assure you, all the bouncers, the staff and their mothers will know who you are. Speaking of which, think you can convince your lover boy to give me an invitation with a plus one? It would score me amazing points with Steph…"

"Wait, bouncers?" asked Kurt. "Just how big is this party?"

IIIII

By lunch time, the twins had delivered all the invitations. It seemed that the only topic of conversation was the party and who got invited. Harry had been suspiciously absent all day, Kurt was pissed and stabbing his salad angrily. Not only did he have to sit down during classes, ignoring all the pleading, but he also had to do it in the hallways, the cafeteria and anywhere he went.

It certainly didn't help that every time they passed him, the twins threw themselves at his feet, yelling 'Your Highness!' and left bowing and repeating a chorus of 'We're not worthy!' Blaine was enjoying the second hand attention. He was bragging about his VIP invitation to Wes and David when Harry walked straight towards his boyfriend, an apologetic smile on his face.

"Don't you try those puppy eyes on me Mister!" said Kurt with a scowl. "You could have warned me!"

"I've got something for you" Harry said dangling a big bag from his hand. "If you promise not to be mad anymore, I'll give it to you."

"You can't just buy me stuff and expect me to stop being angry!" Kurt said arms crossed and glaring. Blaine moved his chair away slightly. Wes and David followed his example.

"It's expensive" Harry said in a teasing voice. "And it's something you really, really want, you don't know it yet, but you do…"

"I don't care how… how expensive?" asked Kurt eyeing the bag.

"I won't say, but I will say that you want it more than anything on your Vogue magazines…" Kurt snatched the bag out of Harry's hand and stared at the inside, with trembling fingers he got a box out. "This is not… right? It can't… you wouldn't…"

"Open it to find out"

Kurt slowly took the top of the box off and placed it on the side. He removed the paper and stared. Then he stared some more, an excited squeak came out of his mouth and he grabbed the jacket. Rubbing his face against the material unashamedly, he moaned.

"Oh dear sweat glorious Alexander McQueen… Oh Harry, I can't accept, I just… oh this wow" he smelled the jacket and rubbed himself against it some more. "Harry, I can't it's too much, oh wow you have to feel it… but seriously Harry, I just can't take it…"

"Your words would probably have more impact if you weren't taking your blazer off to try it on" responded Harry with great amusement and he stared at Kurt practically ripping his Dalton's blazer off.

"Shush, I just want to once, and then you are going to return… oh… it's so… wow… oh… forget I say anything, I have to be buried in this, as a matter of fact, kill me now in a way that won't stain" Kurt continued to smell, rub and touch the jacket in obscene ways to the amusement of Harry and the rest of the occupants in the table.

"Does it fit right?" asked Harry finally.

"Like it was made for me…" mumbled Kurt in a half catatonic state.

"Well, it would make sense, since it's been tailored for you" responded Harry with a smirk. "Luna got your measures and rummaged through your closet and magazines to make a very insight character analysis of what you would like, then she sent her investigation and after a very rigorous vetoing process, we picked…"

Kurt leaped over the table, crashing his mouth desperately against Harry's, uncaring that he was making a spectacle out of himself, or that he was leaning in an awkward angle to be able to reach Harry.

"Room, now" he ordered and grabbed Harry's hand, rushing out of the cafeteria with Harry in tow.

"So... jackets are gay people's cat nip?" asked Wes turning to Blaine who was frowning.

"I think it is only for…" started to say Blaine while grabbing the box to check the label. "Oooh, I get it now. It's an original Alexander McQueen pre-death, so you know, the real deal."

"Are you going to be rubbing yourself against Kurt's jacket too?" asked David with a smirk. Blaine blushed.

"If he lets me" he mumbled.

IIIII

"Why?" asked Kurt after having carefully hung the jacket in his closet and pushed Harry against the lower bunk bed, straddling him.

"You said I couldn't get you anything for Valentine's" managed to get out Harry as Kurt kissed and bit his neck eagerly. I wanted to give you something special, so I figured if I gave it to you early it wouldn't count."

"Best preset ever" responded Kurt, grinding against Harry forcefully. "I feel I need to repay you…"

"Kurt" moaned Harry. "I am very close to letting you repay me like this, but I want it clear that this is not where I thought the jacket would lead us to."

"Shut up" growled Kurt biting his neck, his hands moving to Harry's back, under his shirt and scratching. "It's not like it's one sided… make me come Harry… please…"

Kurt wasn't sure how what he said translated into Harry flipping them over, and proceeding to hump his brains out. . He didn't care enough to try to understand. He panted. He wanted more, he needed more dammit! With uncoordinated hands he started pulling Harry's shirt, getting more impatient when it wasn't working.

"Get it off, get it off" he ordered desperately, while starting to pull his own. Harry chuckled, but complied, helping Kurt out of his own shirt too. Some of the desperation had toned itself down, which made the moment their chests met all the more perfect.

Kurt's eyes rolled to the back of his head. They weren't doing much yet, only pressed against each other. Harry breathed over his shoulder, while Kurt's nails found themselves attached to Harry's back.

"Take my pants off" muttered Kurt with difficulty. "And yours"

Harry tensed in response, separating to see his face and trying to gauge how much he meant those words. "And?"

"And nothing else" decided Kurt, because he did want to be able to feel Harry closer, but they were not there yet and the more they experimented, the more comfortable he felt stating his limits.

"Sounds good to me" said Harry, relieved that Kurt was not simply jumping farther than he was willing to. If he was making demands, then he was thinking.

He moved off of Kurt, standing on the side of the bed. Staring at him as he slowly started to work on his boyfriend's pants. Kurt blushed, but didn't break eye contact. Harry drank in the sight of his boyfriend's body.

"God you're perfect" he whispered and with a quick motion got rid of his own pants. He started placing kisses on Kurt's ankle and moved up.

"Harry!" moaned Kurt closing his eyes as his boyfriend sucked on his nipple. "Gaga, wow… Haaa…" who would have thought that nipples were so sensitive?

Soon they were kissing again, Harry's hands roaming across his body in feather like touches that drove Kurt insane. He started corresponding, his hands enjoying Harry's strong frame and tracing the scars he found so attractive. Then Harry thrust against him and Kurt gasped, his eyes rolling to the back of his head for a second time.

"Keep doing that!" ordered Kurt, moving his hips up, looking for the same friction.

"Give me a second" whispered his boyfriend giving him a quick kiss.

Harry positioned himself so that their members were perfectly aligned. He got both arms at each side of Kurt, passing them just under his shoulders and his closed fists resting each at a side of the smaller boy's face. He pressed their lips together slowly barely moving them, until Kurt shyly opened his mouth and gently captured Harry's lower lip.

"What are you doing?" asked Kurt impatiently.

"This" said Harry and started moving.

The position meant that their bodies were completely flushed together, making every thrust all the more intense. Kurt's legs surrounded Harry's waist and he threw his head back, allowing him access to his neck. His moans started to turn more and more incoherent, until he didn't have enough air to do anything but breathe heavily. Kurt finished first, with a long moan and digging his nails over Harry's back. His boyfriend moved against him three more times before following.

Kurt cuddled against Harry in a state of complete peace. He couldn't find it in himself to care about anything other than the amazing guy lazily drawing figures on his back.

"I regret saying this, but we should probably shower" mumbled Harry after a few minutes of basking in the afterglow. He gave a glance at his phone. "You have fifteen minutes before rehearsal, and I have fencing. You can go first, I don't mind being late."

"Harry?" asked Kurt suddenly feeling very self-conscious.

"Yes love?"

Kurt smiled, tracing a circle on Harry's chest. "Would you like sharing the shower? And please don't ask if I am sure, it will totally kill the mood."

"I'd love to" Harry said instead and without any warnings stood up, taking Kurt in his arms.

"I could get used to this" Kurt said with a giggle, pressing a kiss to Harry's jaw.

"Would you like me to carry you everywhere from now on?" asked Harry with a grin, stopping at the entrance of the bathroom and giving him a loving smile.

"Mmmm, tempting, my shoes would last longer" mused Kurt, arms coming around Harry's neck. "It will also be easier to do this" he pulled his boyfriend in a chaste kiss. "But alas, it would wrinkle my clothes…"

"And we all know anything that wrinkles your clothes is a no-no" said Harry entering the bathroom and letting him stand on his own.

"Good" Kurt said pulling him into another chaste kiss. "You can be trained, there's hope for you yet"

Kurt paused for a second, suddenly unsure. Harry allowed him to sort himself out and decide how to go from there. Happy to go with whatever Kurt wanted.

"I've never seen a guy naked before" said Kurt with a blush. "Not like this"

Harry kissed his forehead to reassure him, misinterpreting the comment. In a bold move Kurt took his underwear off.

"Going to join me Potter?" he asked looking over his shoulder with a smirk and entering the shower.

"God yes" whispered Harry, taking in Kurt's gorgeous naked form.

Their shower turned into an excuse to explore each other's bodies without layers for the first time. Kurt had a permanent blush, but was happy to note just how pleased Harry was for the small step they had taken. It amused Kurt to no end how Harry was having a hard time, no pun intended, with his roaming hands. He was constantly pulling his hands back when he was close to crossing a line, but it was clear he was making a conscious effort. It made Kurt feel safe in this new phase in their relationship.

Thankfully, Kurt had no such qualms. He allowed himself the luxury to explore as much of Harry as possible. He always knew his boyfriend was hot, but having him naked, wet and allowing him to touch and explore to his heart's content was a very different experience.

By mutual agreement they wrapped their hands around each other, and stroked themselves quickly, desperate for release and vaguely keeping in mind they didn't have much time. One thing was for sure mused Kurt once they were getting dressed, unashamedly stealing glances at each other. He was gay, very, very gay.

IIIII

Kurt entered rehearsal in a dazzled state. He slumped inelegantly next to Blaine and smiled at him dreamingly.

"Kurt?" asked Blaine with a raised eyebrow, taking in his wet hair.

"Hi" Kurt giggled. "Isn't it a wonderful day?"

"Uh… sure… are you… are you ok?"

"Wonderfully, never been better" responded Kurt with another giggle, starting to play with his hair.

"Okeeey" said Blaine staring at his odd behavior. "Is there something you would like to tell me?"

"Mmm?" asked Kurt looking at him for the first time. "Nothing I am aware of."

Blaine gave a quick surveillance to the room. Besides Wes and David discussing in a corner they were the only ones in. "Did you and Harry…"

Some recognition entered Kurt's eyes and he cast his own look around the choir room. He blushed, but smiled brightly. "Not all the way… I mean, we've started getting more physical lately, today was just another step..." at Blaine's honest and curious expression Kurt blushed further and leaned closer. "We still had our underwear on, but Harry… I mean wow, it was pretty intense."

"How did it… OH MY GOD! Please tell me this did not happen in our bed!" he begged. He was Kurt's best friend. Best friends talked about things like this.

"Of course we didn't! I mean… that would be weird…" Kurt said. "Bunk bed" he added to appease Blaine.

"That's what's weird?" whispered David to Wes, who was massaging his temples. "Not the fact they share a bed?"

"They'll get there" responded Wes with a sigh. "Hopefully before things get messy and we have to get involved."

"I just know this is a formula for disaster, somebody really needs to talk to those two… and Potter."

"Hey Kurt" started Blaine staring at his hands, both oblivious to the two other teens. "I'm not intruding am I? I mean, your relationship is moving forwards, and I don't want to be dragging you two somehow."

It stung a little to have to listen to Kurt, but he wanted to be a good friend to him. He wanted to be supportive and just because he had a tiny, tiny crush didn't mean things had to change. It was easier to just suck it up and power through than to pull away. He wasn't strong enough to pull away on his own, but he had to offer, just in case. He felt nervous, unsure what he would do if Kurt did ask for space.

"Blaine Anderson" stated Kurt in that dangerous tone of voice of his. "You are my best friend and Harry thinks of you along the same lines, we care for you and you will never, ever, be in the way" in a softer tone he added. "I don't think I could be with Harry if he was the kind of guy that would push you aside because our relationship is growing."

"Kurt I…" started Blaine staring at him with teary eyes. "Thank you." Kurt smiled at him and squeezed his shoulder.

"So, are you taking Jeremiah to the party?"

"Yeah, I think I will…" started to speak Blaine, grateful for the change of topic. By the end of practice almost all the Warblers had subtlety asked Kurt for an invite to the party. Jeff already had an invitation with a plus one, being the only one on friendly terms with Harry of the lot. He wasn't shy about it either and had even called a girl after the rehearsal to ask her to be his plus one. Nick had pouted and sulked, but his friend had been unmoving. After all, Nick had a tendency to scare away any girl he liked because they weren't 'good enough'.

IIIII

- End Chapter 18 -

LOOKING FOR A BETA

It's not for Champion's Lullaby, The Big Purple Book or Learning to Live. It's for some other projects of mine.

So, I need somebody who is interested in BOTH of the following fandoms (plus Harry Potter, as they will be crossovers):

Criminal Minds and Bones.

If you only like one, please let me know too. If I can't find somebody interested in both of those, I'll get one person for each fandom/crossover.

If interested, send me a private message (not a review) and I'll add you to the list. I will get in touch with people on Monday or Tuesday to start the application process. I know this feels a bit formal (I swear it couldn't be further away from my way of work) but this fics are quite long as you can imagine and want to make sure the person is a good fit with me and my current beta.

For more info, please go to

thebigpurplebook

.tumblr

.com and read the 'Beta Needed' post, hard to miss.

Many thanks!

SweetCaroline91