Chapter Twenty-Four: Date and Diary

Kurt was sitting on the sofa enjoying the latest Vogue when his phone rang.

"Hey, babe."

"Hi, Noah. How's school?"

"Don't get me started. I know I need to graduate, that's the only reason I'm here, but it doesn't mean I have to enjoy it." Kurt giggled at that, "Anyway, I'm not calling to talk about my day. Firstly, how're you and Smidge?"

"We're good." Kurt rolled his eyes and rubbing his now rapidly growing stomach – since his last check up he felt like he'd been growing outwards every day, it was getting harder and harder to find clothes in his wardrobe that felt comfortable. "Resting. I was just about to start on my English coursework." He white-lied with a small grin.

"Hmm... you're reading that Vogue again, aren't you." It was a statement more than a question and Kurt knew he'd been caught.

"Yeah..." He sighed, "I'll start on the coursework in a bit, I just wanted to relax, was all."

"I know, babe. I'm not having a go." Noah was grinning at the other end of the line. "Right. With that out of the way: how about a date?"

"What?"

"Kurt, do you wanna go on a date? Tonight? It's a Friday, so I figured we could take our time."

"That'd be lovely."

"Good." Kurt smiled as he pictured Noah grinning to himself, "Look, babe, I gotta go, it's history next, but I'll pick you up at six."

"Ok, bye, Noah."

"See you later, babe."

"Kurt, please, please, sit down." Finn begged as he watched Kurt pace back and forth. "You're stressing me out."

"Where are we gonna go, Finn? Everyone in Lima knows our situation so that strikes out his usual haunts – though I gotta admit I'm a little pleased about that. What if people recognise us? What if they start asking questions? What if they call the papers? What if -"

"What if a meteorite hits the Earth and we all burst into flames?" Burt asked, chuckling, "Kurt, you're worrying about nothing."

"But, Dad -"

"No." Burt stopped him and patted the arm of his chair. Kurt sat down, looking troubled. "Puck will have thought about it. I'm sure he'll have considered all this, so you don't need to worry. Just trust in him. He doesn't want to make you stressed either."

Kurt smiled down at his dad and kissed the top of his head, "You're right, Dad. I'm just being silly. I know how much we mean to Noah." Finn gave Kurt an odd look. "What?"

"It's nothing." Finn said, mouthing that they'd talk 'some other time' when Burt was distracted by Carole walking in and Kurt nodded.

"Oh, Kurt, sweetie, you look lovely – not that I would expect any less." Carole gave her step-son a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks, Carole. It's getting hard to find fashionable clothes to wear around Smidge now." She smiled sympathetically, "After the last shopping trip, though, I've been trawling the internet for men's maternity wear, and while there are some stockists it's limited. I'm going to buy a few bits and pieces but I think I may have to make a new wardrobe myself – none of it is very me." He let out a frustrated sigh, "To be honest, I'm considering just spending the rest of my pregnancy in sweats, seeing as I'll be transforming into a hermit anyway."

"Oh, Kurt, don't be daft. You're fashion sense is a part of you."

"Didn't you say you were looking at Fashion-design colleges?" Finn asked.

"Yeah..."

"Well, if you make a new wardrobe, Kurt, couldn't you just add that to your portfolio-thing? Along with all the stuff you've made for Glee, of course. You could even make it big designing male-maternity."

Kurt stared at his step-brother in shock for a few moments. "Sometimes, Finn, you scare me. That is absolute genius. It'll kill two birds with one stone. It's perfect."

"You're welcome, dude." Finn grinned, just as the doorbell sounded and suddenly Kurt was a nervous ball of energy again springing to his feet and rushing to the door.

He took a moment to compose himself – running his hands over his clothing and hair anxiously – and opened the door with a welcoming smile.

"Hey, Princess." Noah greeted, leaning forward to steal a quick kiss, "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you." Kurt replied with a blush, "You look... well, incredible."

He gave Kurt a little spin – an overly camp spin – and a wink, "Why thank you, daaaarling."

Kurt giggled and led him to the living from where Finn and Burt were trying their best to appear intimidating, but their barely contained chuckling at Noah's antics gave them away.

"Stop it, you two, you're not very convincing." Carole said, laughing a little herself. "So where are you off to?"

"It's kind of a surprise." Puck said, looking a little embarrassed, but smiling, "But I think it's gonna be something Kurt'll enjoy."

Kurt smiled prettily and unwittingly leaned towards Noah. The more Burt and Carole saw of the two of them, the more they were struck by the way they seemed to gravitate towards one another. It was plain to anyone how deep the bond ran between them – anyone except the other, apparently.

Noah glanced at his watch. "We better go. Kinda on a schedule." He took Kurt's hand and nodded at Burt, "I can't offer a promised time to have him home by tonight, Mr. H, but I'll get him home in one piece."

Burt glared, but relented with a nod and a smile. He stood and hugged his son before letting them disappear into the crisp evening air, clapping Noah on the shoulder as he stepped over the threshold.

Watching them go, Burt was almost overcome with overwhelming sadness. He sniffed as he wandered back into the living room, smiling when Carole brought some tissues and as he noticed Finn staring out of the front window watching Noah drive off with Kurt.

"I hate that he's growing up so quick," Burt said, "but I'm glad those two are finally getting it together. They're both lonely in their own way, but maybe they'll find a place they belong with each other." Carole smiled at her husband and rubbed a soothing hand on his back, "It's just so hard to see him grow up."

"I know, honey." Carole murmured, pressing a kiss to his head, "But it's our job to see them on their way. Once they're out in the world, that's it. We will always be their parent's, but there will come a point when they need us less. Kurt's is just coming faster than expected – then again it's never been Kurt to do things by the book." She chuckled. "They're good for each other though, which is more than most high school romances."

"Yeah." Burt whispered hoarsely, not noticing the knowing look Finn cast towards the adults before heading to the kitchen.

On the car journey, Kurt noticed the nervous energy rolling off Noah. His fingers tapped relentlessly on the steering wheel and his unoccupied leg bouncing up and down. He'd fumbled on changing gears a couple of times, over reaching and grabbing Kurt's leg; he would quickly mutter an apology and manage to change gear, but his face would be tinged pink.

As they pulled into a parking lot of a restaurant in Westerville, Kurt reached out and took Noah's hand. Noah smiled and rubbed a thumb over Kurt's palm.

"Calm down. I'm sure tonight's gonna be wonderful."

"I hope so. I've been planning this for a while now."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Kurt, you... I mean... well, you mean a lot to me."

Kurt smiled brightly and rubbed his free hand over his stomach. "I know." Noah smirked and placed his own hand over Kurt's.

"How far along are you now? Seventeen weeks?" The countertenor nodded and Noah's smirk became full out grin. "Finn was telling me that it won't be long until you're feeling Smidge move."

"I know," Kurt whispered, leaning closer to Noah over the controls, "scary, huh?"

"I was thinking exciting." Puck replied, kissing Kurt's mouth softly and touching their foreheads together. They stayed that way for a few moments, breathing gently and exchanging tender kisses. Noah was the first to pull away, "As much as I'm loving this, babe, we need to go eat."

"Okay. What kinda food do they do here?" The smaller boy asked as he unbuckled his seatbelt and Noah stepped out of the car to open his door.

"I'm not entirely sure, but the online menu said something about chocolate sauce." Kurt slapped him good-naturedly on the arm offering a smile as he stepped down from the truck. They shared a kiss and made their way into the restaurant.

Noah opened the door for Kurt and walked to the maitre-d's table where there was a beautiful redheaded woman. She smiled at Puck seductively and, in a way so surreptitious Kurt almost missed it, puffed her chest out a little to enhance her breasts.

"Reservation for Noah Puckerman." Puck announced, hand reaching for the ex-Cheerio's. Kurt took it and smiled spitefully at the hostess – it wasn't everyday that Kurt snatched a 'hotty' from under such a beautiful woman's nose..

"Ah, yes," she said, her smile slipping when she noticed their entwined hands, "right this way."

They followed the woman to a table in the corner – cosy but not enough to set off Noah's claustrophobia – and Kurt had to admit that the redhead knew how to dress for her figure. Bitch.

"Babe." Kurt looked to the footballer, "Stop glaring. I'm not interested in her."

"Shut-up. I know that." Kurt sat down when Noah pulled a chair out for him. "I can't help it." He muttered. Looking at what's mine. His glasz eyes widened unaware of his own possessive streak.

"If it's any consolation, I'm considering bashing that waiter's head in." Puck murmured, nodding at a young blonde waiter standing two tables away. Although he was nicely built and certainly Kurt's type, his open staring was unnerving and the countertenor shifted awkwardly in his seat. "Bastard."

Kurt smiled at Noah and opened the menu. "Your green-eyed monster is showing."

"Can you blame me? Damn, babe, you're sexy."

"Stop it." Kurt hissed with little venom and a grin.

Noah smiled and glanced through the menu, quickly settling on the 8oz steak with cream-pepper sauce for his main and the chocolate gateaux for dessert.

"Would you like to have a sharing starter...?"

"That'd be lovely. I think I'll have the sweet chilli salmon on rice, and the lemon sorbet..." Kurt looked a little embarrassed as he trailed off.

"I'll ask for the chocolate sauce. I'm going for the gateaux anyway so they'll just assume I'm opting for a coronary."

"Thank you, Noah." Kurt whispered, shutting his menu and reaching across the table to grasp Noah's hand. "For all of this."

"Anytime, babe."

When they left the restaurant – full and smiling – the temperature had dropped and Puck graciously gave up his jacket to Kurt. The smaller boy smiled and wrapped the extra warmth more tightly around himself, grinning as Noah's scent enveloped him.

"So," Kurt started as he buckled his seatbelt and Noah started the truck, "what's next on tonight's agenda?"

"I can't tell you." Puck grinned widely when Kurt harrumphed and pouted, "And in about fifteen minutes I'm going to have to blindfold you." He waggled his eyebrows before pulling out of the parking lot and hitting the highway.

As promised, Noah pulled over fifteen minutes later and gently wrapped a scarf around Kurt's eyes. He stole a kiss, smiling when Kurt leaned forward for more, before continuing on their way.

He was quiet when asking for the tickets, though he was almost certain Kurt had heard. And pulled into a parking space, reversing so that they could sit in the bed of his truck. He grabbed a few blankets.

"Wait here a second, babe."

Kurt was bouncing excitedly in his seat. He had no idea where he was – something he would ordinarily find terrifying – but he knew, from Noah's secretive attitude, that wherever he was and whatever they were doing he would find it enjoyable.

Noah returned quickly and guided him out of the truck and into the back. He was sat on something soft and Noah kissed his cheek as he removed the blindfold just as the opening credits rolled and the music started.

"Oh, Noah..." Tears gathered in his eyes unwillingly and he leaned into the footballer. "This is the best surprise I've ever had." Puck grinned and pulled Kurt closer so they were snuggling before pulling a blanket over them. "I didn't even know that they were showing Singing in the Rain anywhere."

"I just happened to stumble across an advert about it in the paper." Noah said, looking a little pink in the cheeks. "I knew that it was something you liked, so I figured, you know..."

Kurt pressed a sweet kiss to Noah's jaw, whispering now as the movie got going, "You're cute."

"I'm badass." Noah argued, pouting, "But if you think I'm cute, I'll deal with it." He peppered Kurt's face with kisses before they both settled down and watched the film.

It was late when they arrived back at Kurt's. Noah had texted Burt to let him know that they were on their way back – he didn't want to risk angering him – and he'd left the porch light on but the rest of the house was dark.

"Looks like everyone's in bed." Kurt said, smiling and in the porch light he looked ethereal. "Do you wanna come in?"

"Okay, but no funny business."

"Who'd have ever thought Noah Puckerman would say no to 'funny business'." Kurt smirked, unlocking the door. "I feel as though I should be looking for flying pigs."

"I really don't wanna get on your dad's 'Kill-list', babe. Having sex is gonna do that – besides I was thought that sex was more of a third date thing."

"Haha! Like that stopped you before." Stepping into the kitchen Kurt set about making a couple of cups of cocoa.

"And I don't wanna fuck up what we have right now." Puck added shyly, looking down at his feet. Kurt looked over at him for a further explanation, leaning against the counter; Noah sighed and ran a hand over his face, stepping closer to Kurt and slipping his index fingers into the smaller boys belt loops, "This thing we have, it's the closest I've ever been to someone and... I just don't wanna ruin it."

Kurt reached up and ran his hands over Noah's face gently, staring into hazel eyes, "You won't ruin anything, Noah." He whispered. Initiating a kiss, their tongues duelling for dominance, Kurt moaned and leaned into Noah as he knees went weak. Puck lifted Kurt by his thighs onto the counter-top.

Passion consumed them as they let their hands roam one another's bodies, Noah's large hands rubbing and massaging Kurt's thighs and Kurt's soft hand running through Noah's hair and down his back.

"Want you." Kurt panted between kisses and Puck moaned.

"Want you too, babe, but-"

"I know. Having Dad in the house isn't exactly a turn on." Kurt giggled and they pulled away resting their foreheads against one another. The countertenor sighed "Why don't we drink our cocoa and head downstairs? No funny business. Just... I wanna be close to you." Kurt blushed and Noah pecked him on the lips.

"Sounds good, babe. It'll be easier to get to the garage tomorrow too."

"Yeah."

While waiting for Kurt to finish in the bathroom, Noah settled himself in the bed having completed his ablutions earlier.

He took a few moments to take in Kurt's room in order to distract himself from what had happened upstairs. Always clean – opposite to Noah's – and well organised. His eyes roamed and a notebook, open on Kurt's bedside table caught his attention. He looked back at the bathroom door before sliding over to have a closer look.

It was Kurt's journal. Guilt rose in Noah until he spied his name. Curiosity got the better of his and he read the new passage – the footballer assumed it had been written when he was in the bathroom.

Noah took me on a date tonight. It was beautiful and romantic and everything I could have dreamed. I don't know what to do. Should I tell him or not?

Noah's breath caught as he read on.

I don't want to bind him to me anymore than I have, but it's getting harder and harder not to say the words especially when he keeps surprising me like he did tonight.

I love him.

Really love him.

It like he's my Don Lockwood. And doesn't that sound stupid.

Puck ran his finger over the words. "Not at all." He whispered snatching up a pen and adding his own little note to it, hoping that Kurt wouldn't see it until after he had gone to the garage in the morning.

He had put the diary away before Kurt returned and the boy was almost sleeping standing up. He patted the bed and wrapped them in a duvet cocoon, spooning the smaller boy. He rested a hand on Kurt's abdomen and rubbed soothing circle on his back with the other.

"Night, Noah." Kurt murmured sleepily.

"Night, Kurt."

In the diary, Noah's words, written in his messy scrawl, were waiting to be discovered: I guess that makes you my Kathy Selden, then. I love you, Kurt.