Catalyst

Chapter 13

By Dani J.

Summary: Kurt and Blaine have decided to just be friends and the dapper boy realized he really missed Dalton Academy so he's gone back. No Klaine-bashing is intended, it just wouldn't have worked for this fic. However, Kurt has an admirer in a new kid… and Puck isn't happy at all but doesn't seem willing to step up.

Disclaimer: I own nothing whatsoever. Blame RM and company for this unfairly attractive and addictive group of characters. Well, except for my cute, original character, Kristopher.

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Last chapter: Mercedes had forgiven his little snit and as he put his phone away, Kurt smiled to himself. He had yet to show her his gift from Noah and he had a sneaking feeling that she would be happy with the latest development. Heck, he was pretty happy with the latest development himself.

Finally turning his full attention to the other students' mangling of his favorite foreign language, Kurt pushed the very pleasant problem of juggling two hot guys to the back of his mind.

Mercedes sighed with pleasure as she sank back into the whirlpool tub, the jets beating at her almost sensually. Between narrowed eyes she watched her boy settle himself as well and a smirk came slowly to her face.

She had negotiated Kurt up to a day at her favorite spa that she, her mom and her cousin loved to patronize. Kurt had only been there once before but she figured that he owed her big for his snotty behavior that week and she was not averse to having him pay through the nose. Actually, it wasn't that expensive because she did condescend to use a gift voucher she had from the last time she and her mom had been there.

Now she eyed Kurt's surprisingly fit body as he settled down near to her, holding his head back carefully so that the slices of cucumber wouldn't slide off of his masque-covered face. She always envied Kurt his beautiful skin and admired his willingness to look ridiculous during his skin-care regimen. She was not as disciplined as he and sometimes paid for it with an untimely zit or two on occasion.

Kurt felt his best friend staring at him and he twitched his full lips in a half smile as he murmured, "I know you are staring at me, you perv. Stop it!"

Mercedes' rich chuckles rolled through the steamy, fragrant air and she shook her head, careful to not dislodge the towels keeping her hair safe from the humidity of the hot tub.

"You know you fine, boo! I mean, you have two hot guys panting after you… I'm just evaluating the goods."

Kurt tried to suppress a giggle but it escaped anyway. "'The goods'. Ugh, girl, don't make it sound so cheap!"

They continued to banter back and forth for a little and then 'Cedes said, fairly seriously, "Still, I'd love to know who you're going to pick. You know you can tell me, your best girl."

The faintly wheedling tone made Kurt grin and he tipped his head back against the neck brace on the edge of the tub. While 'Cedes was, indeed, his best girl, he knew her penchant for gossip. She could not keep a secret if her life depended on it. He decided to go with a half-truth.

"Gosh, 'Cedes, I don't know who I'm going to pick! Really, do I have to choose just one, anyway?"

Mercedes gasped and lifted her head to stare wide-eyed at her best friend. His whole body was flushed – from the heat of the tub and the action of the whirlpool jets so she couldn't tell how he was really feeling.

"Kurt Hummel! Are you saying what I think you are saying?!"

Kurt shrugged carefully. "I'm saying that I don't think I have to choose – at least right away. Why should I? Can't I just enjoy dating both of them… at least for a little while?"

Though his voice was soft, 'Cedes heard some of the steel that had been present during the lunch room incident. Not wanting to get his back up because she knew her boo had a helluva temper, she said softly: "Yeah, you can date them both, I guess; as long as you don't lead them on, it's okay."

Kurt nodded once and then explained. "I just never had this before, you know. I always hated that Blaine sort of took me for granted. It's as if…" and he broke off, biting his lips and then sighing before continuing. "It's almost as if he thought that no one else would find me attractive but him and that I should be grateful."

"Oh, boo," 'Cedes murmured, at a loss for something else to say. She'd had no idea that Kurt had felt that insecure in his relationship with the Warbler. It was true that Blaine was gorgeous but he had always seemed a little clueless to her. She had been glad when Kurt's attraction had been returned and when they'd started dating, she had felt happy for them. She'd had no clue that things had not been perfect between them.

Kurt sighed and then murmured: "D'you know he once said I was cute, like a baby penguin? Basically, he didn't think I had any sex appeal. Later when he said he'd fallen in love with me – oh, 'Cedes, it felt like I'd been waiting forever for someone to say that to me. Still," he shrugged and moved his hands in the water, gliding them through it in what was probably a soothing way. "I didn't always feel as if he found me really sexy."

She hummed in a sort of noncommittal way and then asked, "So, what, you're just kind of enjoying that Puck and Kris are both dying to get into your pants?"

Kurt felt his face heating up beneath the mask but he nodded. "Yeah, kinda… I guess it's just a new feeling."

She thought about that and had to admit that it wasn't so wrong for him to be enjoying this new situation. She hoped that he didn't get hurt, though, because she just had a feeling that he was kidding himself. The tension between him and Puckerman was definitely more than just the novelty of a hot boy lusting after him. There were layers to Puck that she herself was aware of and she knew Kurt was no slouch at reading others. Kris, on the other hand, seemed all about the game, the chase, the conquest and while that wasn't bad per se, it might not necessarily be what her boo needed in the end.

Turning her head to watch Kurt's body language she finally asked the question that had been on her mind. "So, what was that gift you got?"

Her eyebrows twitched in surprise when she saw the slight flinch that he controlled almost immediately. Straightening up in the hot tub she looked at him more closely. That was strange because it definitely looked as if he were trying to repress a smile. She didn't call him on it; she simply waited for his answer, still watching him carefully.

Kurt cleared his throat and bit his lip. It still gave him a warm feeling in his stomach when he thought of the little pin. "Ah, it was a brooch, actually."

One eyebrow went up her forehead as she waited for him to elaborate and when he didn't, she prompted impatiently, "And…"

Kurt decided to play with her a bit. Knitting his eyebrows together – which was kind of difficult considering the drying green goop on his face – he turned his head in her direction and asked vaguely, "And?"

Mercedes caught on and she grinned at him. "Kurt Hummel, you think you're so cute, don't you? What kind of brooch did Kris get you?"

Kurt straightened up quickly but the smile simply widened as he said: "Kris got me a brooch, too?"

'Cedes' eyes widened as she took in her friend's puzzling question. "What the_! Kurt, are you lightheaded from the heat? The damn brooch – what was it?"

Kurt grinned and swirled his hands again in the bubbling water, enjoying the feel of it and the chance to tease his best girl. "Oh, the brooch I got – well, it was an angel, actually."

Mercedes grinned and nodded. That sounded really cute… but what did he mean before? "Hold up," she said, sounding remarkably like Artie. "What did you mean, 'Kris got me a brooch, too?' Whadaya mean, too?"

Kurt didn't answer immediately because he knew she was getting curiouser and curiouser. Finally he giggled and said, "Well, it's just that the gift wasn't from Kris – even though I assumed it had been."

The little silence stretched… and stretched… while Mercedes tried to figure it out. And then – damn, it must really be the heat making her slow because suddenly she got it.

Laughing out loud, she looked over at Kurt and exclaimed: "Wow, so Mohawk is stepping up his game! Good for him!" and she laughed again, ignoring the pout from Kurt.

"'Stepping up his game! I think you've been dating too many jocks, girl!" Kurt knew the whole topic of Shane and Sam was a little touchy but he meant what he said … only in a nice way.

Mercedes chuckled some more and relaxed against the tub, feeling quite proud of Puckerman. Maybe there was hope for him after all, she thought, and promised herself to talk to the jock later.

Saturday was here again and once again, Kurt was standing in his closet, dithering more than usual. Noah had said not to dress up too much but he was Kurt Hummel! He would die if he had to go out looking like he did two years ago in his dad's flannel and the ugliest pair of jeans he could find.

No, dress might be casual but he could still be stylish. Having decided that, he chose a pair of indigo-wash jeans that he'd worn only once before and a grey graphic silk tee that had cost quite a bit because it was by Alexander McQueen. Then he paused to study the rack that held his jackets and decided on a simple retro jeans one that was redeemed by the brass studs down the front and on the cuffs.

It was an outfit that he had not worn to school and while it was downplaying it a bit – especially when he finished it off with his workman boots – he still managed to look as if he had just come off the catwalk. He smirked to himself after he got dressed and stared at his hair. Hmmm, maybe he should do something different… Ah, yes, he grinned as, with just a few smears of product on his fingertips, he teased the top of his hair into tousled strands. Yeah, windblown and sexy was still a good look and he kind of thought that Noah would like it.

Finally satisfied with his overall appearance, he grabbed his wallet and slipped it into his back pocket. Taking the stairs two at a time, he refused to admit that he was more intrigued about this date than he'd been when he was going out with Kris the weekend before. He put it all down to the fact that Noah would not tell him where they were going, just that he thought he would like it.

Kurt grinned at the slightly stunned look on his dad's and Finn's faces when he strode into the hallway and headed for the front door. What? He could dress like the average American teenage boy if he wanted to, couldn't he? He felt he pulled off the look a damn sight better than most kids, he preened to himself.

Calling out a quick 'bye!', he dashed out the front door when he heard the sound of the truck's engine. Noah was just pulling up to the curb so he trotted down the two front steps and held back a grin when the tanned jock got out and came around the front of the truck.

"Hey, Kurt," Noah murmured as he stared at the boy walking – no, strutting – towards him. How had he never realized how sexy Kurt's walk was? He swallowed and wiped his hands down the side of his own jeans even as he took in the relaxed fit of Kurt's pants. He was so accustomed to seeing Kurt in those super-tight skinny tight jeans, it never occurred to him that he might own others. These jeans made Kurt look as if he'd just stepped out of a billboard advertising Levi's – and it was a damn good look!

"Hey, Noah," Kurt said breathily, quite pleased with the look in the other boy's eyes. He was more than happy with dressing down if this was the way Noah would always react. The jock barely seemed to register that Kurt had stopped in front of him and when he cleared his throat softly, the other boy's amber eyes flew up to his, startled.

"Oh, yeah, hi – uhm, ready?"

Kurt almost giggled at the sight of a flustered Noah Puckerman. It gave him this surge of pride that he was almost ashamed to admit. God, he'd never felt this powerful and sexy before… and all because of the way a teenage boy was reacting to him.

"Yes, I'm ready."

Their eyes held for a long moment and they were only jerked out of it when Kurt's dad's voice called out loudly, "You boys get going now!" Kurt grinned and shook his head as Noah turned quickly to open the passenger door for him. Kurt rolled his eyes because, seriously, he was not a girl but he knew Noah had just acted on reflex.

He jumped into the cab of the truck and fastened his seat belt before waving to his dad and Finn who were both standing in the doorway watching them. Kurt could make out the slightly puzzled look on Finn's face and he grinned to himself. He didn't care if Finn still felt that Kurt could 'flip' straight guys. In a way, it was a back-handed compliment, even if Kurt hadn't realized it when Finn had first freaked out.

Noah slid behind the wheel of his truck and, with a toot to the two watching them, he pulled away from the curb carefully. It was only then that he threw a glance at Kurt which the other teen intercepted and then they both chuckled for no apparent reason.

Kurt smiled, happy with the day so far and with the way Noah himself looked. The other boy was wearing a pale green Henley this time but his jeans were black and in a reverse of Kurt's own attire, were tighter than usual. Kurt openly admired the muscular thighs on display and when he finally looked up he noticed the streak of red on Noah's cheek. With a little giggle, Kurt turned his attention to the road, feeling satisfied with himself.

"So, where are we going with you looking all hot and sophisticated," he asked teasingly. He intercepted the incredulous look Noah threw him and then laughed aloud. "What, I can admire a good-looking guy, can't I? Especially when said guy is my date?"

Noah felt almost as if he were in the Twilight Zone and had to clear his throat before replying, "Uhm, thanks? I want to take you to a place a little outside of town. I like the folks there."

Kurt angled his body towards him and then nodded. "Okay, that sounds good. Do they have music?" It was heading up to six o'clock and he knew they were going to eat. He also wondered if Noah was into live music because he could definitely get behind that.

Noah relaxed now that they were on a slightly less personal tangent. "Yeah, there's live music most weekends. I work there a couple of hours each week, especially during the winter months."

Kurt raised an interested eyebrow. "Oh, why only in the winter months?"

Noah smirked at him but kept his eyes on the highway. "Well, there's the pool-cleaning business during the warmer months…"

He watched as Kurt's mouth rounded in a little 'o'. Noah just knew that Kurt was wondering about the 'other' side of that business; his reputation as a stud to lonely, older women had followed him throughout the years.

Kurt turned to look out of his window, a petulant frown on his forehead but he cleared it before turning back. "Oh, yes, that." He cleared his throat and then asked, "So what, is it like a little honky-tonk place where everyone wears cowboy boots and hats?"

He kept his voice light so as not to sound snooty and watched as Noah grinned. He stared at him and realized for maybe the first time that he liked the way the jock looked when he smiled. In fact, he pretty much liked everything about the way Noah looked and wondered now why he'd never really acknowledged that before, even to himself.

Noah chuckled but shook his head. "No, there's a mix of folks who stop by. The food's better than people expect so most of them come from out of town to eat there. The music is kind of a wide range but, yeah, there's a lot of country music. Sorry if that's not your thing."

Kurt shook his head and grinned at him. "Hey, you know Burt Hummel, right? Believe me, Mellencamp wasn't the only music I was exposed to growing up with him."

Noah nodded his head. "Okay, that's cool, then. I think you'll like it and… we should be there in about 15 minutes." He threw a glance over at Kurt's smiling countenance and hoped Kurt really liked the place.

Quiet descended in the truck as they drove the last couple of miles and Noah's mind wandered to the boy beside him who was humming quietly to the music from the radio. While it wasn't smart or cool to judge a book by its cover, Kurt could never be seen as anything other than gay. Even with him dressed down slightly from his usual flamboyant and sometimes fairly camp look, there was just something very slightly effeminate about him. If he were being honest with himself, Noah had to admit that that 'something' turned him on… a lot.

Kurt reminded him of those snooty cats who always looked as if they owned their human rather than the other way around. He always looked clean and well put together; his skin was a delicious pale, creamy color and when he blushed, his cheeks were this rosy color that made Noah's fingers twitch to find out how smooth and warm they were.

As to Kurt's body; maybe it was a cliché but because he himself was quite muscular, he found Kurt's tall, willowy body to be fascinating. Now that he thought about it, Kurt in that Cheerios uniform was one of the hottest things to grace McKinley's halls. The way he walked with his head up and hips swaying, you'd think he was the Head Cheerleader.

Most of all, though, Kurt's spirit was what appealed to Noah. In spite of all the crap he'd had to deal with over the years, Kurt never let anyone get to him… at least not for long. In fact, Kurt was pretty badass in his own way and with that, Noah decided that they were a perfect match. He himself was a badass in a lot of ways… some not so good… so the fact that Kurt was not a wimp really intrigued him.

Kurt straightened up when he realized Noah was right; in less than fifteen minutes they were turning into the dusty forecourt of a low, rambling building. There were far more pick-up trucks than sedans in the parking lot but Kurt wasn't really surprised. They were surrounded by farming communities and small towns so it was to be expected. Kurt just hoped that the food was more than just steak and potatoes but he didn't say that to Noah.

'If there's sawdust on the floor and a band with a fiddler, I'm going to fall over laughing,' Kurt promised himself, smiling as he waited for Noah to lock up the truck.

Noah joined Kurt and unconsciously placed a large hand at the small of the other boy's back, the two of them staring at the front of the building. Kurt's gaze was more of curiosity than anything more critical. Noah's gaze was more introspective; he was actually wondering what Kurt saw when he looked at the building that could have been on the set of a western.

Kurt spoke suddenly and Noah's head jerked at the coincidence. "Wow, this place looks like it's right out of a Roy Rogers movie. This is great!"

Noah smiled to himself in self-congratulation. "Oh, yeah, I always thought so, too. I can tell you, though, no six-shooters are allowed in the door!"

They both laughed as they mounted the slightly sagging front steps and Kurt realized he was looking forward to this date. He even wondered if the night would include dancing – even if it was of the line-dancing variety, going by the look of the place.

When they entered the building, the first thing they saw was the long bar to the left and a stand behind which a young lady in western attire was talking to an older couple. She turned and gestured and another staff member hurried up to show the couple to their table and Kurt turned to Noah with a grin.

"Okay, not what I was expecting!"

Noah twitched an eyebrow at him as they sauntered up to the maître d' who greeted them with a wide but professional-looking smile.

"What were you expecting – sawdust on the floor?" He laughed out loud when Kurt's eyes widened and he shook his head before turning to the young lady and greeting her. "Hey, Sienna, busy tonight?"

"Hi, Noah," Sienna greeted with a big grin, her eyes flickering all over Kurt before she nodded to him in greeting. "Table for two under Puckerman, right?"

Her eyes twinkled at them as Noah nodded and she took two menus before indicating they should follow her. "Oh, it's not been bad so far; it's going to get busy later on, though."

Noah ushered Kurt ahead of him and they followed her to a table for two on the other side of the room. Kurt figured there were about seven couples already there and one large family grouping and wondered how much more crowded it would get. Clearly Saturday night was a big night out for most people; he had always thought Friday night was the standard date night.

As they seated themselves, Kurt suddenly realized that – given the décor of the place with its booths and huge potted cactus plants – he and Noah had a fairly intimate spot in the room. He wondered if the jock had requested it but, judging from the realization slowly dawning on his tanned face, Kurt guessed no.

He smiled as he pretended to read his menu. "So, this is a nice secluded spot we have here."

Noah cleared his throat and stared at Kurt before stuttering, "Uh, yeah," and broke off when he saw the gleam of humor in Kurt's bright eyes. He let out a breath and smiled back at the other boy. "Yeah, I guess Sienna picked up that this was a special night for me." He smirked at the faint wash of color on Kurt's cheeks and then dropped his eyes back to his own menu.

Kurt felt good and he almost wriggled in his seat. He just stopped himself though because it wouldn't do to look too eager. He almost couldn't believe that the boy opposite him was the one who, just two weeks ago, would have been the recipient of his most acerbic comments. Noah and he had never been really close even though, since the jock joined the Glee club, he had never bullied him again.

He flicked his eyes surreptitiously to take in the way Noah's thick lashes fanned his cheeks as he studied the menu intently. Kurt grinned at the sight and then asked, "Since you've eaten here before, what do you recommend?"

Noah's eyes flew up to his, held them and then flickered back down to the page before him. "Ah, well, to start, I'm kinda partial to the Artichoke Dip but I also like the Fresh Guacamole Dip. The tortilla chips are really good with either of those." He smirked as the tip of Kurt's pink tongue flickered over his lips. "But then again, maybe you'd like one of the wings appetizers?"

Kurt shook his head rapidly. "No, no! The Fresh Guacamole Dip sounds great! Uhm, let's have both dips and then we can share them."

Noah nodded and hid a grin behind the large menu. Just as he was about to ask Kurt what else he wanted, a server came up to them, introduced himself as Ray while his eyes roved all up and down what he could see of Noah and asked if they wanted a drink while their appetizers were being prepared.

Both boys went with soda although Kurt's was the diet version and then Ray told Noah he'd be right back with their orders. His ass twitched in his black pants as Kurt watched him walk away before sliding his eyes back to Noah.

"Well, do you already know Ray? The way he was devouring you, I think he'd love to get to know you," Kurt sniped softly, not really annoyed. He enjoyed watching Noah squirm though and bit back a giggle.

Noah's eyes widened as he looked over his shoulder at the departing waiter and then back at a faintly smirking Kurt. "No, he must be a new hire since the last time I worked." He didn't want Kurt to think he was overly friendly with all and sundry even while he was trying to woo him. Woo? What the heck? His mind gibbered at him to not get ahead of himself even as he tried to look innocently back at Kurt.

Kurt eyed him with narrowed eyes and then chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, well, I guess those are the hazards of being unfairly attractive to both sexes," and he picked up his menu to peruse the entrees.

Noah stared at him, slightly puzzled. That was the second time since picking Kurt up that he had mentioned Noah's attractiveness. His heartbeat sped up and he realized that he had no idea how to handle a flirtatious Kurt. In fact, he had never thought of Kurt as being flirtatious before because he had only ever seen him swooning over Finn in their sophomore year and then dating Blaine in their junior year.

Unwilling to admit he was a little out of his depth with this version of Kurt, he simply ducked his face down and stared unseeing at the glossy menu. Damn, Kurt was hot when he was in this mood but he had no idea how to respond. Should he flirt back … and if he did, would Kurt find it cheesy? Would his usual lines work on Kurt?

As he waffled instead of making his menu selections, Ray returned with their drinks and their appetizers. Kurt smirked as the good-looking waiter eyed Noah again but when he looked at him as he set his diet Pepsi before him, Kurt narrowed his eyes at him and asked, "Do you flirt with all the handsome patrons or is my date special?"

Ray's eyes grew large as he took in the superior look on Kurt's face. He flicked a quick glance at the hot guy who was looking just as surprised and stuttered out, "No…" and then took a deep breath to try and look more professional. "Uhm, have you decided what you would like for your entrees?"

Kurt raised one eyebrow before looking away to Noah who was still looking at him as if he'd never seen him before and he smiled softly. "Will you order for me… since you are familiar with what's good?"

Noah nodded and cleared his throat before making their selections fairly quickly. Kurt nodded as it all sounded mouth-watering and when Ray quickly collected their menus and scurried off, he smirked at Noah.

"You think I'm terrible, don't you?"

Noah shook his head so rapidly it almost looked comical and Kurt bit back a laugh. "No, no, not really! Uhm, you're just a lot more assertive, I guess, than I expected."

Kurt held Noah's gaze for a long moment before saying softly yet with a hint of steel, "I'm not the same boy I was last year." As Noah blinked at that statement that seemed to come out of the blue, Kurt continued. "Just as you have realized that there's more to you yourself than anyone expected, I've discovered that I have a very wide… possessive streak."

Noah gulped as Kurt held his gaze and he felt as if he were pinned in place by Kurt's blue, blue eyes. "I'm an only child – despite the current situation – and I never learned to share my toys."

If that was not a warning, Noah didn't know what was and he felt himself flush as Kurt stared into his eyes. Damn if he wasn't getting turned on by Kurt's dominance. Who knew he, badass Noah Puckerman, had that kind of kink? He felt a lightness flow through him as he returned the look Kurt was giving him and, as a little test, he allowed his tongue to flicker over his lips.

Yes! Kurt's eyes flicked down to his mouth and then back up to his eyes, the pupils enlarging as Noah watched, fascinated. He nodded as Kurt tilted his chin in a definitely interrogative move and he swallowed before saying, "Yes, I'm cool with that."

Kurt nodded once before taking up his glass to sip from the ice-loaded drink. When Noah had also taken a sip of his drink, Kurt indicated the almost forgotten dips and then asked, "Which do I try first?"

After that the conversation stayed mainly in a general area that included the food, the décor of the place, Noah's part-time job there and, naturally for them, music. Kurt found himself relaxing and enjoying himself with Noah, his natural sarcastic wit finding an appreciative audience and match in Noah's more ribald humor. They laughed a lot and flirted subtly and by the time their entrees arrived, Kurt knew he was definitely going to give Noah a chance.

Really, he would have to be an idiot to pass up what Noah was so interested in offering Kurt. As they tucked into the divinely delicious meal – Kurt's Asiago Cracked-Peppercorn Sirloin was perfectly seasoned and flavored with Parmesan cream sauce and shaved Asiago cheese – he couldn't remember a date he had enjoyed so well.

Noah was more fascinated by the sounds Kurt was making, even while he himself was enjoying his own Black Fire New York Strip – a premium cut that was blackened and seared to juicy perfection. He held back a chuckle as Kurt moaned around a mouthful of steak and Parmesan cheese. If this was the way Kurt sounded with food, damn, life was about to get pretty interesting for one Noah Puckerman, lucky bastard.

They shared a couple of the restaurant's twelve side dishes – the White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and their crunchy Steamed Broccoli. Noah wasn't a fan of vegetables but the broccoli was cooked to perfection, not soggy like his ma would have made.

When they finally sat back, sipping the last of their soda, Noah eyed Kurt before leaning forward to whisper conspiratorially, "I won't tell if you won't but I still have room for dessert!"

Kurt laughed, delighted and then mirrored Noah's action. "Yeah, how about we take it to go and eat it somewhere less – crowded?"

Noah's jaw dropped but his heart did a little happy skip and he nodded quickly, replying breathlessly, "Uh, ah, yes, yes, I think that's a great idea!"

Yes! His mind was doing a happy dance even as he signaled for Ray who grabbed two dessert menus and hurried over to them. This time Ray was careful to spend the same amount of time looking at both diners because being called out for flirting with a patron would not look good to his bosses.

Kurt thanked him quite politely while suppressing a grin and looked through the selections. He barely restrained himself from licking his lips because, seriously, schoolchildren in England knew of his love for all things dessert.

After a moment he looked up at Noah and grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Would tiramisu be too greedy of me or should I just go for an éclair?"

Noah was torn because, while he loved tiramisu, he also wanted to see Kurt's lips wrapped around an éclair. "Ugh, why not go with both – if you really want them?"

Kurt tilted his head and Noah could swear it was as if Kurt could read his pervy mind. Still, he nodded in agreement and then asked, "What are you having?"

Noah folded the menu closed and declared, "I'm going to go crazy and have the Chocolate Explosion."

Kurt's eyes widened and he grabbed up back the menu to read the description. His jaw dropped and then he grinned. "You, sir, are one very brave soul… or you're just crazy for chocolate!"

They laughed as they gave Ray their order and then chatted while they waited. When Ray returned with the three boxes in a large bag and the check, they got up and strolled towards the front desk. While Noah paid Sienna who apparently was doubling up on duties because the place had, indeed, filled up, Kurt gazed about.

He did have a nice time here with Noah and he looked forward to coming again when it was a weekend for live music. He turned as he heard Noah coming up behind him and smiled happily, oblivious to the stunned expression taking over Noah's face. Kurt led the way outside before stopping to gaze up at the starry sky.

Noah watched him, slightly dazed by the way Kurt had looked at him a moment before, enjoying the pale wash of light on his upturned face. Kurt, wondering at Noah's silence, turned to see him staring and quirked an eyebrow at him. "What?"

Noah simply shook his head and then led the way to truck, unlocking it and stowing the bag with their dessert behind the front seats. Kurt walked around to the passenger side and hopped in, still smiling at the memory of the wonderful food and the relaxed ambience of the restaurant. Noah, too, had been surprisingly good company and Kurt basked in his own good mood.

As Noah got into the truck, he turned the engine on, letting it run for a bit before he reached for the knob of the radio. Suddenly Kurt's hand was on his and as Noah looked up, surprised, a pair of warm, soft lips landed on his.

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TBC

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A/N: This was getting so long, longer than expected, that I felt this was a good place to take a break. Reviews are lovely and make me feel like writing more. Let me know what you think; do you like a pushy Kurt?