Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

When Kurt's eyes fluttered open on Tuesday morning, a slow smile spread across his face as he realized what day it was. Today's the day. I'm going to meet my secret admirer, whether he knows it or not. He giggled mischievously to himself as he sat up in bed and stretched. Whether or not he got a message from his admirer asking him to meet, he had a feeling he'd know where to find the big ape, anyway.

Kurt breezed through his shower, singing happily to himself all the while as he readied himself for this important day. He dressed in a cozy sweater, his cherished vertically-striped pants and one of his many pairs of Doc Martens. Finn trailed sleepily out the door behind Kurt, the latter being coiffed to perfection and having had a healthy breakfast. The taller boy, however, was still looking a bit mussed, and chomping on a bagel as they drove off to school.

"All ready to sweep your lady off her feet, dear brother of mine?" Kurt asked with a raised eyebrow.

Finn swallowed a bite of bagel. "Think so" he grumbled. "Thanks for your help, bro."

Kurt grinned even wider- he swore he hadn't stopped smiling since he woke up. "Don't mention it. I was trying to spare myself a Rachel Berry meltdown if you didn't deliver."

"Hey! That's my future wifey you're talking about!" Finn's mouth retorted, while his eyes looked frightened at the mention of a Rachel Berry meltdown.

His brother giggled and turned up the Backstreet Boys playlist which he'd never admit to creating- and which Finn would surely never admit to jamming to on the way to school that day.

Upon entering McKinley, they were met with the almost-too-sweet sight of The Changs, Tina literally being swept off her feet by a beaming Mike. She held a mixed bouquet of flowers and a bag of jelly beans. Her boyfriend placed her down gently and took off his backpack. "Wait, there's more!" He produced from his bag a small stuffed panda.

Tina accepted the gift and playfully swatted Mike on his nose. "You're so Asian!" she laughed. "You couldn't just get me an ordinary bear?"

Mike shook his head and wrapped his arms around her. "Nope. 'Cause you're an extra-ordinary girlfriend. Now, give me an Asian kiss!" They rubbed noses and smacked their smiling lips together affectionately.

Kurt and Finn watched the exchange, chuckling. The couple pulled apart slightly as the brothers passed by.

"Hey, Kurt!" Tina greeted him as Finn and Mike exchanged a manly fist bump. "You've gotta check out your locker!"

"My locker?" he repeated, glancing down the hall in its direction. "Why?"

"You'll see. Go look!" Tina pushed him gently. His heart hammering faster and faster with each step, Kurt made his way down the hallway.

"Rachel!" he distantly heard his brother say. "Happy Valentine's Day, babe." Kurt turned to witness Finn offering his fiancée a stuffed rabbit holding a carrot. "I thought you'd like this, you know, 'cause you like animals and...vegetables."

Rachel giggled and kissed him. "It's sweet, Finn." She turned to Kurt and offered a hug. "Happy Valentine's Day, Kurt. I'm guessing you haven't seen your locker yet?"

Seriously, what is on my locker? "No, I was just-" Kurt was cut off before he could finish.

"Go!" Rachel pushed him, considerably harder than Tina had. He rolled his eyes at his clearly insane friend and continued down the hall. He passed Santana and Brittany, the blonde cradling an enormous stuffed owl. The dark-haired girl smirked at Kurt as he strode by.

"You've got quite a Valentine, Princess" she called out, her eyes flicking in the direction of his locker.

Kurt finally stopped, and stared. Taped to his locker was a single red rose, and a heart-shaped box of chocolates with a card attached. Practically vibrating with nerves, he pulled off both items and lifted the flower to his nose to sniff. So romantic. Whoever this guy was, he was definitely making Kurt's fairy-tale dreams come true.

Holding the rose carefully under his arm, Kurt opened the card.

Dear Kurt,

Tonight we can finally meet. If you would join me at seven 'o clock at Breadstix, I promise you the best Valentine's Day ever.

From, Your Secret Admirer

"Gaga, how many times is he going to make me cry this week?" Kurt laughed, wiping his eyes. You silly boy. You've already given me the best week of my life. I'm glad I won't have to resort to Plan B to find you tonight, anyhow. But Breadstix, in front of everyone? That's...a big step.

School that day passed by in a blur. Kurt wasn't sure many of them learned anything, as love was definitely in the air. He saw much more Schuester-Pillsbury kissing than he would've liked to, but was very touched by Coach Beiste's husband turning up to bring her flowers. Artie wheeled by him with Sugar in his lap, which made him kind of sad for Rory.

Kurt caught up with Mercedes during lunch. "Hi sweetie, how are you doing?"

She smiled, bigger than he'd seen in a few days. "I'm good." She leaned in to whisper. "I think I'm gonna give Sam a chance. Not, like, right away or anything, I still need some time. But I told him if he'd wait for me, I'll be there soon."

The two besties embraced. "That's great, Mercedes" he told her. "It's obvious he really cares for you.

"I know. So, I heard there was another surprise on your locker this morning."

"It's true. My admirer wants to meet at Breadstix tonight." Kurt joined Mercedes in a little squeal and jump.

"Wow" she sighed. "You're actually going to meet him!"

"I really am. I can't wait!"

Their after-school Glee practice consisted of Finn serenading Rachel with "I'll be the One"- it seemed he'd been inspired by the Backstreet Boys playlist which definitely did not exist. Kurt found the performance, aided by the other jocks, extremely cheesy for an engaged couple. Rachel, however, looked practically moved to tears.

Immediately after arriving home, Kurt set about getting ready for his date. He changed into his pre-selected outfit, re-styled his hair and re-moisturized his skin. His stomach, though it was full of butterflies, growled at him for not having eaten since lunch. You hush up. I'll be having dinner with a handsome suitor tonight.

When he descended the stairs, he found his family ready for their dinner with the Berrys.

"Hey, Kurt. Sure you don't wanna come with us?" his father asked.

Kurt shook his head. "I know it's family thing, guys, but...I really want to meet this guy."

Burt smiled. "I'd like to meet him too, if it comes to that. I'd like to shake the hand of the young man who's made my kid so happy."

Kurt hugged his father tightly, then Carole, then Finn. "Have a good time, okay? I won't be home late."

Finn winked at his brother when their parents' backs were turned. "Good luck, bro."

"Thanks, Finn. But I don't think I'll need it."

Kurt entered Breadstix sort of cautiously, adrenaline coursing through him. This was it. He was finally going to meet the man who had made this whole week feel like a fairy tale. He fidgeted nervously with his outfit, wondering if he was too dressed up or not dressed up enough, scanning the restaurant to see if he recognized anyone...

"FYI, we've got a private party tonight, hun" Waitress Sandy told him as she passed by.

"Oh, I know" Kurt replied. "I'm, um, I'm early. Well, according to this..." He glanced down at the card in his hands. "I'm early. I'm...supposed to be meeting someone here, but um, I guess he's not here yet..."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that." Sandy's eyes flicked to the doors...through which the Valentine Gorilla had just entered.

Feeling light-headed, Kurt stepped closer to the masked man. "It's you" he breathed. The gorilla held out what appeared to be yet another gift. "Oh! See's Candies" Kurt commented, opening the card.

'Dear Kurt,

Happy Valentine's Day.

I think I love you.'"

Glasz eyes snapped up to the ape's face, pink lips parted in surprise. Not that he hadn't guessed how deep his admirer's feelings were, but to see them written down made it so...real.

"You...you think you love me?" he asked softly.

A large, furry paw raised to the bottom edge of the mask. Kurt wondered if he was watching the scene in slow motion somehow, as the gorilla facade was lifted off to reveal, at long last, his devoted admirer.

Who, Kurt realized with a quiet gasp, was none other than a shyly smiling David Karofsky.

"David!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around the costumed boy and squeezing tightly. "I knew it was you." This was confessed in a whisper into David's fur-covered shoulder.

The taller boy froze in shock, taking in Kurt's expression of joy, and then his warm embrace. He couldn't help but return the hug, if a little hesitantly. For all Dave knew, this was simply another blissful, unrealistic dream from which he would soon awaken. At the hushed revelation, however, he pulled back slightly and met the eyes that haunted him nightly.

"Kurt" he rasped. "You..you knew? I'm sorry, I, um, wanted to surprise you, uh..." Dave's heart felt as though it would burst from his chest any minute. The already stifling costume was becoming even more sweltering. Oh God- Kurt hates sweaty guys!

"You did surprise me" Kurt responded, smiling through the tears that were threatening to spring forth. His hands, still resting on Dave's wrists, slowly slid up the fuzzy arms of the gorilla suit. "I never would have thought, in a million years, that the guy to sweep me off my feet would be...you, David."

Hazel eyes searched his face, full of apprehension. Kurt stroked Dave's freshly-shaven cheeks gently before leaning in and placing a delicate kiss on his lips. Dave tried desperately not to fall over in shock, instead kissing back timidly and willing his breathing to return to normal.

Kurt smiled dreamily up at his visibly shaken admirer. "Yes, David. I'll be your Valentine."

The muscular boy looked ready to burst with relief and happiness. "Oh, you..you will? Really?" Kurt giggled, unable to resist kissing the adorably flushed Dave once more. "Thank you, Kurt, you..you've made me so happy! Let's,um, can..can I buy you dinner?"

"Haven't you bought me enough?" Kurt teased. "Come on, I'm paying. Don't even argue!" he scolded, when Dave opened his mouth to protest.

Kurt sat down in the nearest booth, as Dave quickly stripped off his costume to reveal a polo and jeans. He set the gorilla suit in the corner of the seat before sliding in across from his Valentine.

Slim fingers opened the newest box of candies and selected one before offering them to David. The taller boy reached for Kurt's unoccupied hand and held it in a gentle grip. "I'm so glad you've given me this chance, Kurt" he sighed, his eyes full of adoration. "I've wanted to call you since that night at Scandals."

"You should have" Kurt remarked, licking the chocolate from his lips. "That night was..eye-opening, I guess you could say. I realized I wasn't with the right guy...that there must be someone else out there for me. Someone who would make me feel special." He smiled brightly. "You did that, this past week."

"I'm so happy right now" Dave admitted. Kurt clutched Dave's hand tighter. "Me too, David. Me too."

Just then, Waitress Sandy came over to take their order. "Looks like you two found each other" she observed with a warm smile. Kurt looked fondly at their joined hands. "Looks like we did."