CHAPTER 2 – THE PERFECTEST DAY

Blaine smiled to himself as he lay next to Kurt in their spacious king-size bed – theirs! Moments like this were what had kept him alive during the lonely months of his senior year at McKinley. Kurt’s visits were always too short, but they’d managed to make the most of them. And when Kurt had returned to New York, he’d day dream, his mind wandering the rooms of the loft moving the two of them around like Ken and Barbie dolls, ultimately ending in this bed, tangled in each other’s bodies, in love.

He still couldn’t get over the fact that they’d been living together for the last six months. He loved this loft. It was so roomy, enough space for the four of them so that they weren’t always bumping into each other, each able to find privacy in their own bedrooms or the solarium as they jokingly called a room where the sun couldn’t reach even if it tried. It was actually more of a media room, but who cared what they called it? It was just another somewhere they could go to relax together or alone.

But being alone, except with each other, was not on the agenda today….today he and Kurt were celebrating their four-year anniversary! It seemed impossible that they’d been together, in love for that long. And thankfully, that year they’d spent in a long-distance relationship was finally over.

Laying down again, sinking into the warmth of his over-sized pillow, he tentatively rested his hand on Kurt’s arm, not wanting to awaken him, but needing to touch him, like a magnet that couldn’t resist the pull of its polar opposite. As Kurt’s eyes twitched beneath his eyelids chasing a dream, Blaine closed his own eyes, his mind once again traveling the road that led him back to Lima.

Of course they’d both been busy, very busy, with almost no time for anything but classes and a part-time job in Kurt’s case. And yet….every social occasion, especially for Blaine in the midst of the other members of Glee Club, had felt like it lacked something. Almost everybody was coupled up, Finn and Rachel, Brit and Santana, Sam and Mercedes, sort of on again, off again. He missed being half of a whole. So, now, when he looked at Kurt sleeping, his breathing even, seeming so calm and contented, all he wanted to do was make love to him. And why shouldn’t he? It was Saturday and they’d planned this day carefully making sure that they could truly have time to celebrate…just the two of them…no roommates, no friends, just them….alone.

Clay had intentionally made himself scarce this weekend. He and Rachel both knew about the anniversary and with purpose had found themselves somewhere else to be. They’d only returned to Lima once in the last six months, so using this weekend as a very good excuse, they’d asked Gene and Nick if they’d like to make a trip to New York for a week. It had been years since the two of them had visited New York and Nick’s birthday was coming up anyway. What better way to celebrate! So, Rachel and Clay had packed overnight bags, anxious to spend a weekend in a hotel. A swimming pool, meals in a 5-star restaurant, live entertainment….what a way to celebrate Kurt and Blaine’s anniversary, they’d laughed. And Clay needed the break, not just from work and the day-to-day routine, but maybe even more from Kurt and Blaine.

Six months of struggling to hide his infatuation with Kurt beneath a cloak of what he hoped was perceived as friendly but not too friendly was taking its toll. He’d done his best to avoid being alone with him, which wasn’t really that hard, but it was a struggle nonetheless. Even when they were all together he’d find himself trying not to glance at Kurt or engage him in too much conversation, never appearing overly interested in the topic.

It was obvious to him (to everyone!) that Kurt and Blaine were deeply in love, that they belonged together, and he wasn’t even thinking about interfering with that. By now, between bits and pieces of conversation and Rachel’s seeming need to tell Clay their backstory, he’d kept his distance. Why mess up other’s lives over what he stubbornly continued to refer to as an infatuation? Why ruin the good deal he had living with them and Rachel? It was the perfect setup, inexpensive by New York standards and large enough for six people, much less four.

He’d had a few dates…a hookup here and there. Having lived in New York for quite some time, he knew all the places to go, the hangouts…for the most part knowing what to expect wherever he chose to spend an evening. But none of the dates seemed to lead to a relationship that lasted past a month or so and hookups were….well, they were hookups, never intended to extend past a night, maybe two.

Yet, he found himself longing for a relationship. He’d loved Angelo and, despite the way things had ended, he still missed him. He loved the companionship, the joy he’d brought to his life. And their lives together had been so free. It had been an open relationship. He wasn’t sure monogamy was something he’d ever want, but he couldn’t help but wonder when he thought about their past relationship if Kurt would ever be interested in an open relationship. Just as it was painfully clear that they belonged together, it was equally clear that he and Blaine were monogamous. And then he’d stop himself, reprimanding his brain. Kurt is not available! it would state emphatically for what seemed like the millionth time.

So, when Rachel had brought up the idea of their dads making a trip to the Big Apple, he’d welcomed it almost too eagerly! But Gene hadn’t had to wonder why he seemed almost ecstatic about their upcoming visit. He knew it wasn’t because he missed his dear old dads THAT much.

He and Clay were very comfortable discussing their personal lives with each other. He knew all too well how Angelo’s departure from Clay’s life had broken his heart. His son liked to pretend he was tough and untouchable when it came to matters of the heart, but there was a softness to Clay that he admired. And the irony of his current situation regarding Kurt wasn’t lost on him. Clay had never said, but Gene wasn’t blind or deaf!

When he’d been in Lima during the summers, Gene had been anything but oblivious to his clandestine affairs, one summer with Sebastian, the next summer with Jamie and on and on until he’d met Angelo at a Glee Club competition in New York when he was 17.

Of course, Clay, the teenager, believed Gene was clueless. But Gene had been forever thankful to Kurt that first summer. It didn’t take him any time at all to realize something was up with Sebastian and he could clearly see Kurt’s crush on Clay. At first, Gene wanted to step in and give his son some fatherly advice, but had changed his mind. Would he have listened to his dad at 14….about anything? They’d had the safe sex talk a long time ago. And besides, he didn’t want to embarrass Kurt. The poor kid was doing his best to be Clay’s friend and he’d succeeded at the expense of his own very real feelings! So many times he’d wanted to apologize to Kurt for Clay’s behavior, but again, he didn’t want to embarrass him…and at that age everything seemed to embarrass them….and besides, they were kids. He assumed Kurt would easily get over Clay or so he’d hoped.

“Kurt….” Blaine half whispered, forgetting for a moment that they were the only ones in the loft. “Kurt…” he whispered again, playfully taking his earlobe between his lips and draping his arm over Kurt’s chest. Kurt slowly awakened and rolled toward him, snuggling in close, “Mmmmm……good morning…..” he said, a bit hoarse. He sighed contentedly and opened his eyes as he cuddled into Blaine’s sturdy shoulder, “we’re all alone, aren’t we?”

Blaine nodded, “All weekend, babe. Nobody but us and nothing but time…..happy anniversary!” Blaine placed a finger underneath Kurt’s stubbly chin drawing him upwards to his wanting lips, kissing him softly. There was no need to rush. He could feel Kurt smile against his lips, kissing him back, not in any hurry himself. They laid there surrounded by silence, listening to each other breath, soaking in the warmth of their love.

“What’s for breakfast?” Kurt finally asked. “You?” Blaine questioned mischievously. “Oh! I’d love to be your eggs and bacon, your pancakes, blueberry of course, your toast and jelly…” “Oh, shut up….” Blaine laughed as he conquered Kurt’s lips again, this time speaking much more urgently than the previous good-morning kiss.

“Do you know how much I love you?” Blaine murmured as he nibbled his way along Kurt’s jawline. “More than football?” he sighed, turning his head to give Blaine better access, “More than singing? Hmmmm….” he mumbled, his eyes closed. “More than Cronuts?” he half-giggled. Blaine halted his seductive march, “Stop it, Kurt,” he almost giggled himself. “Yes, even more than Cronuts, although Cronuts never needed a shave,” he said, returning to Kurt’s lips, “I guess there’s only one way to keep you quiet enough so I can savor you…..just like a Cronut….maybe dip you in some hot coffee….” And with that Kurt took Blaine’s face into his hands, locking eyes, then drawing him down so their lips were barely touching. “Oh I’m sure we can find something much hotter than coffee….”

Kurt turned Blaine onto his back never releasing the beginnings of the kiss, snacking on Blaine’s full lips ever so slightly, then a little harder, as he listened for Blaine’s quiet moan, the increase in his breathing, eagerly opening his mouth as Kurt gently pried his lips open with the point of his tongue. Kurt slowly swept his tongue along Blaine’s gumline, loving the way his embrace tightened, drawing their near naked bodies together.

When his exploring tongue had completed its sensual journey, Blaine caught it between his teeth, first, holding it captive for a few seconds, then sucking it slowly, as Kurt melted against him, his hand moving along Blaine’s neck, stroking it, then roaming over the expanse of his chest.

Blaine tried focusing on Kurt’s hand and their tongues all at the same time, but it was impossible. He could tell Kurt was in the mood to play, no morning quicky, this.

His hand made its way slowly along one arm, up and down, until he slid the roaming hand between Blaine’s muscled arm and armpit. And Blaine willingly raised it above his head as Kurt caressed the sensitive skin of his underarm, tugging slightly at the hair. Blaine sighed, releasing Kurt’s tongue, but pulling him even closer with an arm around his neck, opening his eyes for just a second. That messy ginger hair…..he loved it….he loved running his fingers through it, grasping it just enough to hurt a little…..closing his eyes again, he used his tongue to stroke the sensitive upper palate of Kurt’s mouth.

Kurt could have stopped right then and there, the desire rising slowly to a fever pitch….definitely hotter than coffee..but he wanted to take his time. His fingers moved from Blaine’s underarm tiptoeing across the expanse of his chest again, circling his taut nipples, but not touching them, then circling his navel…but not touching it, and then moving his hand over Blaine’s thighs, as far as he could reach, leaving the erogenous zones beneath his waist hungry…..unsatisfied…..

As his hand caressed Blaine’s smooth skin, his body begging Kurt to pinch his nipples….or insert a wet finger into his navel…or touch his obvious hard-on, his back arched involuntarily. Breaking the kiss, he almost gasped, “Kurt…..stop teasing….god you’re driving me crazy!” Kurt caught his hazel eyes with his own glasz eyes, reflecting wickedness back at Blaine, “In due time, my pretty,” he croaked, imitating the Wicked Witch of the West from Oz, “in due time.”

And now with his lips free, he made a repeat trek over Blaine’s body, sometimes including a wet finger with his tongue, Blaine attempting to relax into the foreplay, but all he wanted was for Kurt to touch the highly sensitive places he was purposefully avoiding.

Finally….and with great effort on Blaine’s part as….Kurt lowered his lips to one of his nipples pretending….or maybe not….to reach for the other nipple with his fingers….he decided to turn the tables on his teasing boyfriend.

Catching Kurt off guard, he sat up, pushing him firmly onto his back on the bed, again staring back into those kaleidoscope eyes. They were flashing a deep blue as if daring him to continue. Sitting on Kurt’s belly, he could see the slow smile move across Kurt’s lips as he noted the challenge in Blaine’s eyes.

“You want to play?….Okay, let’s play, my pretty,” he emphasized the last two words mockingly. Following Kurt’s lead, he began with his earlobes and the sensitive area underneath just below them on his neck. Then, he moved to his porcelain-skinned chest, again, taking a page from Kurt’s playbook, but instead, as he made the first tour of his body, he barely bit one of Kurt’s nipples….savoring Kurt’s gasp….and then moved on. Spreading Kurt’s belly taut with his hands, opening his navel just a little wider, he lightly inserted his tongue, just barely a tickle, until Kurt began to moan unable to keep his abdomen still. Yet forced to because of Blaine’s weight.

“So, my pretty,” he said again, lingering on the word “pretty,” whispering, “You want to play….” licking a finger he pulled down the pajama bottoms that he’d never been able to get Kurt to abandon. He barely drew his moist finger over the head of his swollen cock, sliding it around the rim, then stopping, wetting his finger again, moving his hands down Kurt’s thighs, just as he had done to Blaine.

Kurt could barely control his desire, but he liked the turn this was taking, so waiting for the moment he could catch Blaine unprepared, it finally arrived. Kurt pushed Blaine onto his side, then quickly onto his back, as Blaine struggled to release himself from Kurt’s firm grip.

When it came to bodily strength they were pretty much equally matched, and they were both just competitive enough to enjoy this sort of tussle even in bed….maybe especially in bed.

Again their eyes met, and behind the challenge and the determination mixed with a bit of laughter, they saw the yearning. This was going to be fun!

Kurt had Blaine pinned by his shoulders, but Blaine’s hands were still free and his upper body strength enough to overtake Kurt if he wanted or so he believed. Pretending to reach for Kurt’s face with his hands for a passionate kiss, he pulled Kurt down on top of him, almost bumping chins as he rolled Kurt onto his side again. Kurt was unbalanced by the fact that his pajama bottoms entangled his legs, and he quickly kicked them off with a touch of irritation. Now they were both totally naked, free to wrestle….and free to do anything they wanted to each other.

“See? Sleeping in the nude has its advantages,” Blaine crowed, pulling Kurt’s face in for another kiss, only to be upended as Kurt wrapped one leg over Blaine’s waist, Blaine finding himself on his back again. “You’re gonna have to find some new moves….my pretty,” his laugh was evil.

His knees on either side of Blaine’s body, Kurt took a moment to catch his breath and then, with some resistance from Blaine, he rolled him over so that Blaine was above him, Kurt’s legs locked behind Blaine’s back. Gazing down the length of Blaine’s body, his eyes settled on his hard cock …….right in his line of vision. Raising his gaze to look at Blaine again, he murmured, “My, don’t you look yummy…and all this wrestling has given me quite an appetite,” he laughed, as Blaine’s eyes seemed to melt into a deeper shade of hazel-brown.

Releasing the grip of his legs around Blaine, not knowing if he’d continue the horseplay or do what his words indicated, Kurt slid down the bed until his eyes were almost level with Blaine’s rigid prick.

“You look…..delicious….,” he saturated a finger with saliva, moving it to slide along his taint as he tongued the head of his cock, using his wet finger to rim his asshole. Blaine groaned, feeling like he might collapse, but once Kurt got his rhythm, Blaine let his body absorb every ounce of pleasure. They’d tried this many different ways in the time they’d been together, but this was slightly different because it was so spontaneous…..and hotter than hell!

Saturating his finger again, Kurt resumed the rimming, as he slowly took Blaine into his mouth. He loved this angle for two reasons, it was a challenge and even without the rimming, it drove Blaine wild. He could feel Blaine’s arms quivering….even his legs…. as he continued to slip Blaine’s cock into his mouth towards his throat. He used the tip of his finger to stroke the sentient nerve endings around his asshole, holding his cock in place with his other hand helping to guide Blaine completely towards his throat with some foreplay along the way, licking, sucking, providing his own moans and sighs. Poised for the moment when he knew that Blaine was going to come, he slid his fingers around the base of his cock again, pushing his balls downward and taut….and Blaine’s body shuddered as he came. Kurt had taken his cock as deeply as he could ending at the tight hollow of his throat.

Blaine literally collapsed backwards onto his haunches, his breathing ragged. “My god, Kurt….” he managed between breaths. As his prick shrunk and Kurt disentangled himself, he asked Blaine to sit up a little so he could slide back up and over the covers, and Blaine laid down beside him, so they were facing each other.

Neither spoke as Blaine’s breathing slowed, Blaine resting his hand on Kurt’s prick, stroking it until it was hard again. Should he mirror Kurt’s award-winning performance or should he try something else? “The floor,” he murmured, watching Kurt’s eyes for a response. Kurt had no clue what Blaine had planned for them on the floor, but there was no doubt he’d enjoy it.

Grabbing the bottle of lube they kept beside the bed, Blaine said, “On your knees,” Kurt almost laughed, “Geez, you don’t have to sound like a drill sergeant.” “Maybe I want to sound like a drill sergeant, on. your. knees,” he repeated sternly. Kurt wanted to say, “You mean assume the position?” but he didn’t. Why ruin Blaine’s fun when it was going to be Kurt’s fun, too?

Now on all fours, Kurt closed his eyes, waiting….waiting…waiting…..his mind impatiently shouting come on, Blaine! until….oh my god…..he groaned. Blaine’s lubed fingers and hand were playing his body from behind like a stringed instrument. Just as Kurt had done, he used a lubed finger to rim Kurt’s asshole, causing him to collapse onto his elbows, which only served to give Blaine greater access…..and then when he slid his other slippery hand over his balls and down the length of his cock, he almost lost it! “I guess you like that,” Blaine asked mischievously. Kurt didn’t even realize he was only nodding in response, until Blaine lowered the timbre of his voice, “Tell me, Kurt…..tell me how much you like it…..tell me where you like it….maybe you like it better if I do this…” he slid just the tip of his finger into his asshole, using his thumb to continue massaging all of those sensitive nerve endings along the rim. “Do you like that?” he asked as Kurt barely rasped out, “Yes….oh god yes….” “And how about this?” Blaine asked, stroking his cock with his other hand, his fingertip still buried in Kurt’s asshole. “Show me, Kurt….show me….” Blaine whispered, grasping one of Kurt’s hands, making sure he was steady on the other elbow.

Placing Kurt’s hand over his rock-hard cock, he covered Kurt’s hand, both of them slowly stroking until Blaine sensed Kurt had his tempo. Then, he slid his fingers over Kurt’s balls, cradling them in his fingers as his thumb and first finger firmly held the base of his cock. “More, Kurt?” Blaine murmured, wiggling the finger in his asshole. “How about…..this?” he repeated as again he moved the finger just a little deeper while massaging the rim with his thumb, “I’m coming…” Kurt gasped, “I’m coming…..oh god….” he moaned as he came, sliding to the floor himself.

Neither moved as they recovered from their morning romp, Kurt still slightly out of breath. Blaine lay atop his body, feather kissing his back in the quiet. Kurt finally rolled over onto his back, opening his arms to Blaine, holding him tight, “Blaine….wow! Just wow….” was all he could manage. After awhile Kurt reminisced “Remember our first time?”

“No….would you care to refresh my memory?” Blaine chortled. “Geez, Kurt, of course I remember it. I’m still surprised we never got caught, although at the time it seemed impossible to us that we would be. I remember the dreams I had afterwards, not just about what we did, but I kept dreaming my mom would walk through the door or my dad would somehow get home, find me gone and call my mom.” Kurt chuckled, “Yeah, and then all the times on the back porch….sometimes it was like playing that game freeze tag. We’d hear the slightest noise and just freeze, waiting for someone to walk through that door. And then there were the times when we’d hear the knock praying that whoever it was wouldn’t wander over to where we were. No one ever did, but we were sure they would some day.”

“Oh! And the day Finn asked us if we needed a place to ‘you know’ as he put it? And we spent a good half-hour insisting we weren’t ‘doing that’ until finally he said, “Here,” and handed us a key to the guest house behind Puck’s? I always wondered where he and Quinn and then he and Rachel went, but didn’t want to ask. Come to find out almost everyone knew about it but us!”

“Yeah, I always wondered how Puck’s mom never found out. I mean his dad was out of the picture, but his mom? How could she not know? But then Puck seemed to be raising himself. And I know she had to travel for her job. Maybe she just didn’t care. And we actually had that calendar list so no one would show up when they shouldn’t.”

“I’m starving!” Kurt said, abandoning the subject of their past, “we can reminisce all weekend if we want!” Sitting up, he questioned, “a shower or breakfast first?” “Definitely, breakfast!” They said at the same time. “Who’s cooking?” Blaine asked. “How about both of us, I’ll do the eggs and bacon and you can do the pancakes,” Kurt said taking his hand, then turning to face him for a minute, “Blaine, I wish there was some more imaginative way to say this, but four years with you has been my dream come true. I never thought I’d find someone even close to you. I never expected to feel this way about anyone,” he stopped, wrapping his arms around Blaine’s naked body, murmuring against his neck, “I love you so much.” Blaine nodded against his shoulder, “Do I dare say me too?” Referring to the phrase they’d used for months because neither was ready to say, I love you. At that, Kurt chuckled, “Come on! Breakfast awaits!”

As they ate the Hungry-man meal they’d prepared complete with orange juice and blueberry syrup to match the pancakes, Blaine kept stealing glances at Kurt. So far their living arrangement had worked extraordinarily well. Who didn’t want to wake up with the love of your life….or go to sleep cuddled in each other’s arms? Four years! Some marriages didn’t last that long these days, his mind quickly drawing away from the thought of his own parents’ divorce.

He and Kurt had planned to eat out tonight, saving their money just for that purpose. The restaurant they’d set their sights on was Mastro’s Steakhouse well known for its mouthwatering selection of steaks or seafood if your dietary choice didn’t include red meat. Fortunately, Blaine’s dad was still footing the bill for college and unlike the other three he didn’t have to work, but he was careful with his allowance. And his dad had taken him to Mastro’s so he could vouch for the excellent cuisine. He didn’t really want to think about his dad right now either….not any more than he did his parents’ divorce. So, he offered to do the dishes while Kurt made the bed. Domesticity! Who knew it could be so much fun!

The sun was shining, winter was nearing an end, the grungy snow melting but not quite there, clinging to the hope that winter would never end. Both of them had been constantly on the go with classes and work and they hadn’t had the time or energy to see many of the sights since Blaine had arrived. One of Kurt’s favorite places was the Metropolitan Museum of Art and he wanted to share it with Blaine. And right now an exhibition he’d been waiting for forever since arriving in New York was finally on display. The Costume Institute College of Fashion Design had an exhibit covering over 150 years of fashion. He’d tentatively asked Blaine if he’d like to go knowing that he wasn’t nearly as interested in fashion as Kurt, but he’d replied positively, reasoning that there was much more to see there than a fashion exhibit.

“So, have you thought any more about California?” Blaine ventured as they walked briskly along the crowded sidewalks to the museum. It was sort of a game they played, tossing ideas and thoughts back and forth about where their futures might lie. Having lived through yet another bitter cold and wet winter, Kurt absolutely knew living in New York or anywhere in the Midwest wasn’t even an option. He loved almost everything about New York but the weather.

“Yeah, off and on, you know…I mean California sounds great if all I think about is the warm weather and beaches, but living in LA? I’m not sure about that. I mean we’d be exchanging one big dirty city for another, right?” Like they hadn’t had this conversation a thousand times before, Blaine said, “We can always live in Los Feliz or Silver Lake or even Highland Park….until I make it big and then we’ll move to Malibu!” Kurt took his hand as they rounded the corner, heading for the museum’s front doors, “Well, we have plenty of time to contemplate that and even though I have every reason to believe you’ll make it big as soon as they see you in Hollywood, a plan would be a very good thing to have.” Kurt said, as he almost always did. If Kurt ever made a split-second decision Blaine hadn’t known about it. Impulsive? Spur of the moment? not words in his vocabulary. If either of them was apt to be any of those things, it was Blaine. He smiled to himself; he hadn’t asked that question again simply for the sake of idle chatter. Kurt didn’t know it yet, but Blaine definitely had a plan.

“Almost ready!” Kurt yelled from the bathroom as Blaine waited slightly impatiently on the couch. Mastro’s had a dress code, not necessarily coat and tie, but not polo shirt and jeans either. Blaine had bought a new button-down black shirt for the occasion and he got up to look at himself in the mirror one more time. He knew he wasn’t making a fashion statement, unlike his colorful boyfriend, but he thought he cleaned up very nicely.

“You like?” he heard Kurt’s excited voice behind him. There he stood, also in black. But his shirt was of a heavier material. It looked like moleskin….and there was a tasteful plastic stripe across the front giving it some sparkle. Add the black paisley kerchief around his neck and a black onyx earring in one ear? Blaine almost always liked whatever Kurt wore.

Kurt was a clothes horse if ever there was one. So, he knew this was going to be one of those nights when wherever they went heads would turn, women and men, and Blaine as handsome as he was would be more like another of Kurt’s accessories. Not once had it occurred to him that they made such a striking couple that people couldn’t help but stop what they were doing just to gaze at them…not just Kurt. But tonight he didn’t mind, he could laugh it off because he knew Kurt was his, all his….and by the end of the evening….no better not to think about that.

Laughing as they walked the short hallway back to the loft, Blaine remembered one of the many reasons why he loved the fact that no one else lived on this floor. It had been such a wonderful day and the meal they’d just had way beyond heavenly. As Kurt took out his keychain, reaching for the front door key, Blaine put a hand on his and said, “Let’s sit for a minute; I don’t want this day to end yet.”

“It doesn’t have to end just because we’re at home again,” Kurt said, “in fact, we could pick up where we left off this morning,” he said with meaning, that spark showing in his eyes again. Blaine gave him a small smile and said, “Let’s sit, just for a minute, okay?” “Sure,” Kurt replied as he took a seat beside Blaine on the park bench they’d bought at an auction.

“This has been the perfectest day ever,” Blaine said with a smile in his voice. “Perfectest, huh? You must not have had Mrs. McCall for grammar!” Kurt kidded. “Well, as a matter of fact I did, Mr. Hummel. She was always saying something like “stay away from that Kurt Hummel, he can’t put a sentence together correctly to save his life, and he forgets everything I try to teach him from one day to the next. How can a person forget i before e, except after c, for Pete’s sake? Yes, she really said that!” he continued, “and speaking of forgetting, I think you forgot something in your jacket pocket….”

“What?” Kurt gave him a puzzled look. Not only was this a very strange conversation, but Blaine knew he never used his jacket pockets for fear he might tear the lining and whatever might be there would fall out. “Humor me, Mr. Hummel,” Blaine urged.

“Okay, sure, I guess…” Kurt replied, still puzzled, fishing around in his right jacket pocket, surprised when he encountered what felt like a gift-wrapped box. He glanced up at Blaine, drawing the item from his pocket.

“Remember the day I moved in and you picked me up and carried me over the threshold?” Of course Kurt remembered! The look on Blaine’s face had been priceless! “And you said, what are you doing? And I started laughing so hard I thought I was going to drop you!” “And then you said something like, this is our first home, married or not.” He’d never forget hustling Blaine into their bedroom. He’d changed the decor to suit both of their personalities. He’d decorated the bed with red rose petals and laid a chocolate on each pillow. In the middle of the bed had been a gaily wrapped box complete with a bow that looked like a bowtie and inside? An assortment of sex toys and lubes.

“A little small for sex toys, doncha think?” Kurt looked up at Blaine from underneath his impossibly long eyelashes, not even realizing he was stalling.

Blaine shook his head, smiling. “Go on, Kurt, open it! I promise it won’t bite.” Kurt slowly unwrapped the gift, careful with the paper as always, and inside was a box covered in blue velvet, obviously hiding jewelry. Kurt peeked at Blaine again unsure of his feelings.

Trying to hold Kurt’s gaze hoping his eyes were conveying every ounce of love he felt for him, he said, “Kurt,” Blaine hesitated, “I’m asking you to….um….” “Marry you?,” the words ending on an upward squeak, “Blaine,” he coughed, trying to regain his composure, “I don’t know what to say….,” his voice trailed off. Blaine in his nervousness tried to take that as a positive sign, he hadn’t said no, right? It wasn’t like they’d never talked about it! Along with moving to California, it was one of their favorite topics!

“Open it, Kurt. When I saw it all I could think was that it was so you. It practically had your name written on it!” he tried to remain upbeat as he saw Kurt’s facial expression change from puzzled to uncertain to confused, “And….well…and I know you weren’t expecting this, but..”

Kurt barely heard Blaine’s rambling as he slowly lifted the lid revealing a ring….and Blaine was right, he loved it, it was definitely him. But….

“I mean we don’t have to get married right away….not now….but like we’ve always talked about after we graduate?” he was losing his voice. He knew Kurt wasn’t big on surprises, but he didn’t want his proposal all planned with Kurt knowing every word he was going to say ending in “will you marry me?” Kurt nodded slowly as if contemplating every word Blaine was saying…and now he was…and Blaine was right he guessed….why wait to get engaged?

Holding the ring box in one hand, he took Blaine’s other hand into his own, those glasz eyes staring earnestly into Blaine’s….and as their eyes met and held for what seemed like hours, Kurt finally took a deep breath and said, “Blaine, I……” still not sure of how to complete this all important sentence.