Blaine's Dorm Room

...

Blaine walked into his room and dropped his duffel onto the bed, before walking over to look in the mirror. He ran his fingers through his rather curly hair, shocked at how different he looked without all that gel. He could only imagine how the other students would react if they saw him like this, especially Wes and David. Kurt, he wasn't so sure of. His new friend did have his own sense of style and how things should be done, which Blaine really liked deep down, even if he knew it wasn't exactly Warbler behavior.

He walked over to his closet and took his Warbler uniform off the hanger, turning back to go and lay it out on the bed. He pursed his lips as he looked it over. It really wasn't too terrible, but he much preferred his own form-fitting hooded sweatshirt for the moment. His room was still cold from the break, which he assumed they had turned off the heat during that time. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he thought about what Kurt had looked like before he had left for break, with all his fashionable clothing. Of course, Blaine had quite the variety of designer outfits himself, but he certainly wouldn't say no to a shopping trip with his friend, who he know could teach him a thing or two. The guy really did have a fabulous taste in clothing, and as much as Blaine had been disappointed in Kurt leaving his school and his problems there, it was still nice that they got to spend more time together here at Dalton and he was excited to see him again now that the break had ended.

After taking a deep calming breath and once again making sure he had his smile firmly in place, Kurt knocked on Blaine's door.

Blaine was snapped out of his thoughts from the sound of a knock on the door, and couldn't help but smile as he took a guess at who it could have been. He walked over and opened it, his grin only widening as he saw he had been right with his assumptions. "Kurt. Thought you might be back," he greeted warmly. "Come on it, I was just thinking about visiting you, actually." He took a step back and opened the door a bit wider, allowing Kurt to enter his dorm. "Good holiday, I hope?"

"It was absolutely fantastic!" Kurt exaggerated greatly as he stepped into the room. For a brief moment he considered pulling the other boy into a big welcoming hug, but then he thought better of it. He and Blaine were only friends and he didn't want to fall into the habit both Finn and his father had warned him about: being too pushy and assuming. "It was so good to see everyone again. And you? How did your King's Island performance go?", he asked, quickly diverting the conversation before he started getting too overly emotional about home again.

"Not bad. I was right, of course...About you being better than that girl. The audience seemed to like it enough though," he said with a simple shrug. "I'm glad your break went well. Mine was nothing special. Just Holidays with the family as usual." His eyes fell to the scarf around Kurt's neck and he smiled fondly at the accessory. "Christmas gift?" he asked curiously as his fingers reached up to lightly feel the soft fabric of the scarf. "It's nice," he commented, dropping his hand and letting it fall back to his side.

Kurt smiled shyly at the compliment, pleased that Blaine would make such an effort to praise him about it even after weeks had passed. His hand went absently to the cashmere scarf, reveling in the feel of the soft comforting wool. "Last season, from my father," he recalled fondly. "He finally learned how to interpret the circles and gold star stickers affixed to my wish list catelogs." he added, letting out a brief laugh as he thought of how hopeless his father's gift giving usually was. "I think Carole may have helped point him in the right direction." He smiled brightly at Blaine. His eyes widened as he really took in Blaine's appearance. He felt foolish as his breath caught. He couldn't help but reach up to touch the soft curls, though as soon as he realized what he was doing he snatched his hand back. "I love the new look," he gushed. His smile widened as he noticed the sweatshirt. Not exactly high fashion, but still...quite pleasing. "Have I ever mentioned how much I love a man not in uniform?" he quipped and immediately regretted it, feeling his face heating up with embarassment. Had he really just said that? He could practically see his father and Finn shaking their heads at his lack of subtlety. "In a friendly way, of course," he added hastily. "So tell me all about your holiday. I refuse to believe there was 'nothing special'."

The circles and gold star stickers. Blaine smiled to himself as Kurt explained the gift. He had a feeling Kurt wasn't joking which only added to his natural charm. He was so different from all the other guys at Dalton in a way that Blaine found endearing and refreshing. His face softened as he felt Kurt's fingers in his hair, a feeling of disappointment flooding through him when the other boy pulled away, though it was quickly replaced with delight as his friend complimented his look. He had been right in thinking Kurt might appreciate the lack of a uniform. "Do you?" he asked, hiding the amusement at Kurt's flushed face from his voice. He cocked his head to the side as he took in Kurt's appearance. He really was adorable when he blushed like that, and Blaine could never keep from smiling whenever Kurt got all flustered. "Well, it looks like the mystery is destroyed. You're now one of the few people who know what the real Blaine Holcomb looks like outside of Dalton," he teased with a light, playful smile. "I'm glad you like what you see, though. Can't say the same for the others. I can only imagine some of their reactions when they caught a glimpse of this," he chuckled, gesturing to his hair as he ran his fingers through the dark curls. "Wouldn't you rather sit?" Before waiting for an answer, he took Kurt's hand in his own and led his friend over towards his bed where they could both sit down comfortably. "My holiday really wasn't that exciting. As much as I'd like to tell you I spent it backpacking through Europe and kayaking across the English Channel, it was really just a couple weeks with the family," he chuckled softly. "They always like listening to me sing and play the piano on Christmas," he told his friend, smiling fondly at the small holiday memory. "I told them a bit about you, as well. All good things, of course."

Kurt couldn't help the small ache that started to grow as Blaine joked about the 'real Blaine' away from Dalton. He was afraid his smile might have faltered a bit when casually Blaine talked about how the others would react if they saw him without his hair tamed by what Kurt now realized must be a large quantity of gel. It was disappointing to realize that Blaine was going to hide those beautiful curls away as soon as the other boys started returning to the dorms. No one at McKinley would have cared (except Kurt himself, who loved them) to let him wear them proudly. Surely the boys of Dalton wouldn't care.

Except even as he thought that, he pictured the other Warblers and his classmates. All with perfectly coifed hair. Blaine's curls would most definitely stand out. He still didn't understand why that had to be a bad thing, but he'd been at Dalton long enough to know that it was. Kurt swallowed the surge of sadness, forcing himself to keep smiling brightly. It was stupid to let himself get upset over something like hair...well, someone else's hair, anyway.

His heart fluttered as Blaine took his hand and it immediately became much easier to keep smiling. How many times had he longed to be able to do something so simple like holding hands with a boy he loved? He savored the feeling of his fingers interlacing with Blaine's as his friend guided him across the room. He knew he shouldn't let himself read too much into it, but...he couldn't help the way he felt whenever he was with the other boy. He hoped Blaine didn't mind when he 'forgot' to let go of the other boy's hand as they reached the bed.

"I told them a bit about you, as well. All good things, of course."

"Of course," Kurt repeated back as he playfully rolled his eyes skyward and jutted his chin up, striking a pose as though he was modeling for a few moments before letting out a small laugh. He swung their arms for a moment before glancing at the bed, recalling Blaine's offer of sitting down. On the bed. He could practically hear his father and Finn shouting warnings at him, but he quickly pushed those thoughts aside. There really weren't other seating options in the dorm rooms; it wasn't like Blaine was implying anything. In fact, the way he was so casually suggesting the bed really only meant that he did think of Kurt as just a friend. He really needed to stop *thinking* so much. Stop thinking, just relax and act natural. He swung their arms once before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I told all my friends horrible things about you," he teased, looking up at Blaine and squeezing his hand. "They all want to meet you anyway," he continued, his heart pounding as he made a quick decision. "There's a game coming up, so maybe...you'd want to come with me?" Kurt was sorry he'd suggested it the moment left his lips. He really hadn't thought this out at all. Of course he wanted to bring Blaine home to meet everybody, but...the game was at McKinley. Karofsky was at McKinley, and since he was on the team he'd be at the game for sure. Kurt felt all the fear he'd been battling all through the holidays creeping back up. And his confidence immediately waned at the idea that he'd sort of just asked Blaine out on what could be construed as a date. What if Blaine said no? Or laughed. Or possibly worst of all, what if he 'let Kurt down gently'? "A-as friends?" he amended, hoping he didn't come across as pathetic as he suddenly felt.

Blaine's smile didn't break as he sat down on the bed with Kurt, taking notice of their hands still intertwined. He wasn't sure what kind of signals he was sending off to Kurt. He didn't normally just hold hands with any guy, but how was Kurt supposed to know that? His eyes flickered down to their hands rested between them, a soft smile spreading across his face as he looked back up at Kurt. There was something about the other boy that Blaine had been attracted to from the start, but after everything with Karofsky and the bullying at McKinley, he had been worried about rushing Kurt into something
so soon.

"I told all my friends horrible things about you. They all want to meet you anyway."

"Well, I'm glad you're being honest with them," he retorted with another small laugh, his eyes glancing downward yet again as Kurt's hand tightened around his own. There was something about being Kurt that made Blaine more able to be himself, and as happy as he was for Kurt to be here at Dalton, he was worried that the atmosphere of the school would have a negative effect on Kurt's sparkling, unique personality. "I'm excited to meet them, as well. I doubt they're as fabulous as you, but if they're anywhere near as awesome as Mercedes was, then I'm sure we'll get along just fine."

His face lit up as Kurt asked him on...a date? Oh, or just as friends, as the other boy had so quickly added soon after suggesting the 'date.' Blaine was never really sure with Kurt. Part of him thought Kurt always seemed to add 'as friends' to everything to protect himself from rejection, though there was that small voice inside Blaine that told him that when Kurt said 'as friends,' it was because he was always interested in friendship, which Blaine understood after seeing what Kurt had been through at McKinley. It wasn't long ago that Blaine had gone through the same thing, after all. "I'd love to," he answered with a sincere joyfulness, knowing that even if this was just as friends, spending time with Kurt would be still be fun. "That sounds fun. I'd love to get a chance to meet all your friends. And hang out with you, of course. Never a dull moment there," he said softly, absentmindedly letting his thumb lightly trace circles on the back of Kurt's hand, until he realized what he was doing and quickly stopped, though he couldn't bring himself to break their hands apart yet. Not when the feeling it provided him with felt so... right and natural.

Kurt couldn't help but beam a little bit at the flattery Blaine kept lavishing on him, even if it was only meant in jest. He could feel the butterflies in his stomach and became mesmerized by the way Blaine was gently rubbing his hand. And he could oh-so-easily get lost in those beautiful brown eyes. It was rather disappointing when the other boy's stopped moving, but the blow was immediately softened at Blaine's words. Kurt let out an embarassing little squeal of joy as Blaine accepted the invitation. His mind immediately began racing as he began making plans. "Great! We can go shopping this weekend and find just the perfect..." he stopped himself, cursing inwardly as he imagined his father giving him *that look* again. Don't push. "I mean, I'm sure you already have the perfect outfit since you've actually gone to...sports shows like this before. And my friends will love you no matter what you wear. But you know me; any excuse to shop," he grinned self-consciously. "If you want to, of course," he gave the other boy an out, even while he flashed a hopeful look.

Blaine's face broke into a happy grin at Kurt's squeal, pleased to see how happy he had made the other boy by just agreeing to go with him to a game. It had been hard to watch Kurt settle in at Dalton, because as nice as people had been to the new kid, Blaine couldn't help but notice that Kurt had been missing his old school. So, seeing Kurt happy like this was something that Blaine hoped to see a lot more of in the future. "No, no! I'd love to go shopping with you. I mean, you should know that I do at least have better clothes than this," he assured Kurt, gesturing to his jacket with his free hand as he grinned somewhat sheepishly. It wasn't his most fashionable article of clothing, and he knew Kurt would definitely be able to pick out something more stylish for him to wear to a football game. "But I have no doubts that you'd be able to find me something to wear. I have to admit, it's kind of a shame we have these uniforms. I'd like to see more of these original outfits of yours. You really do have a knack for style," he commented, using the hand not holding Kurt's to reach over and feel the soft scarf again for a brief moment.

"I do," Kurt agreed, winking to let Blaine know he wasn't actually as cocky as he sounded. "And I'd love to dress you." He blinked. "Pick something out for you to dress in," he corrected himself. "But really...I should probably be asking you to help find something more appropriate for me to wear to one of these game things. The only one I've actually gone to I had to wear the whole uniform, pads and all," he wrinkled his nose at the memory. "Do you know how hard it is to get rid of helmet hair?" he griped.

"And after we go shopping maybe you can teach me more about the game?" he suggested coyly, leaning over briefly to bump his shoulder against Blaine's. Sure he'd been on the team, but nobody had really bothered to make sure he knew anything other than where he needed to kick the ball at the appropriate time. He knew a few basics, but had never found reason to learn beyond that. But Blaine enjoyed games and Kurt wanted to see if maybe he could learn to love them, too.

Blaine raised an eyebrow in amusement at how Kurt had first phrased his suggestion, then smiled happily at his correction. He had understood what Kurt had meant the first time, but he found it charming that he felt the need to correct himself nonetheless. "Wait- Kurt Hummel, are you telling me you used to be on the football team? Impressive," he grinned, finding the image of Kurt in a football uniform rather amusing. "Well, I'm sure you'll have no problem picking out something to wear to a game, but I'll offer my services all the same."

He chuckled as Kurt bumped into him, returning the gesture by lightly bumping his shoulder against Kurt's. "Sure. I could enlighten you with my brilliant football expertise," he said in a mock overly sophisticated voice. "It's really not too difficult of a sport once you have someone explain it to you. And you seem like a fast learner, so I'm sure you'll make an excellent student."

He glanced up at Kurt's hair, still thinking about that comment he had just made about having helmet hair. "You know, I can't really imagine your hair anything less than perfect, so seeing you with helmet hair isn't exactly the easiest mental image," he commented with a soft smile. "Though, you definetly seem like the type of guy that would not like it if I were to..." He trailed off and instead of telling Kurt, he decided to show him by reaching over to playfully ruffle Kurt's hair, only getting a few strands of the other boy's locks out of place.

Kurt instinctively tensed as Blaine's hand flicked suddenly toward his face. It took a moment for him to register what was happening and another for him to get past the initial shock and let his body relax again. He wasn't used to anyone physically teasing him without malicious intent. But it was clear that Blaine meant him no harm and once Kurt was conscious of that, the small physical contact was kind of nice. In fact, and he caught himself momentarily leaning into it. Even if it was messing up his hair.

That realization brought him back to his senses. He squawked with mock outrage, lightly batted Blaine's hand away and smoothed his hair back into place. "You do know that this means war, right?" he asked slyly as he reached over to mess Blaine's hair. Not that he could actually tell, he admitted after taking a swipe. Blaine's unruly hair looked exactly the same as it had before. Kurt's shoulders shook with laughter. "I fear you may have an unfair advantage here." It didn't stop him from making another attempt, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of running his fingers through the other boy's curls.

Blaine laughed at Kurt's failed attempt to mess up his hair, though he did find his eyes closing for a brief moment as he reveled in the way Kurt's fingers felt in his hair. Of course with the gel, it would have been difficult for Kurt to do that, but now with his hair in its natural curliness, it felt kind of nice...And calming. As he opened his eyes, he smiled over at his friend, still chuckling lightly at the hair attack. "Looks like I do, though I'm not sure you'd have better luck when my hair is in its usual gelled-up state. You probably would have broken your hand, I kid you not," he teased. "By the end of the day, all that gel turns my hair into a naturally hard helmet. You wouldn't believe how long it takes to rinse it all out," he chuckled.

Kurt couldn't help but make a little bit of a face as he listened to the way Blaine described his normal style. It wasn't that Blaine didn't look absolutely divine with his hair styled but the idea of running his hand through all that guck was not all that appealing. And perhaps impossible. Not, he imagined, that he'd really have many excuses to run his fingers through Blaine's hair.

"Just think how much time you would save each day if you just kept your hair like this," Kurt suggested, raising an eyebrow in challenge as he absently wrapped a curl around his finger and let it spring.

Blaine's lips twitched into what could almost be called a smirk as he looked back at Kurt. "Something's telling me that a certain someone prefers my hair like this," he replied, smiling slyly back at his friend. "I don't know," he shrugged. "It's just so...So everywhere." He laughed as he ran his fingers through his own curly hair. "Maybe one day I'll go out there looking like this. Probably going to give the others a heart attack, which in that case I'll just blame you for stealing my hair gel," he teased as he gently nudged Kurt's arm.

Kurt felt his face heating up again as Blaine correctly guessed his motive. Reluctantly he removed his hand from Blaine's hair and returned it to his side. Friends didn't usually play with each others' hair...unless it was for a makeover. So...he really needed to stop before he let himself start hoping too much. "I suppose it just wouldn't do to give others heart attacks. Though it really would be a shame if your gel were to disappear some morning," he played along.

"And to answer your earlier question. Not only was I on the football team, I just happened to score the winning goal kick thing. First game McKinley had won in years, I'll have you know," he boasted, mainly to cover his growing embarassment for how not subtle he could be. His dad and Finn were so right. And he really just needed to sit back and let Blaine make the first move if they were ever to be anything more than friends.

Blaine couldn't help but feel disappointed when Kurt pulled his hand away, but he did his best not to show it. He had never really thought about what he wanted in a boyfriend, but if he had then it would basically be just about everything Kurt was. He just didn't want to ruin anything by rushing into something, though he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to hold back from leaving the friend zone with Kurt. Even now most people wouldn't think of them as just friends with the way they acted together. One day, he thought to himself. Karofsky had ruined Kurt's first real kiss, so if Blaine was ever going to do anything he'd want to make up for Kurt's first experience by making the second kiss perfect.

"You're joking!" he exclaimed in surprise, grinning at Kurt. The other boy never ceased to surprise him with new information. "Huh. Well," he pursed his lips as he glanced down at Kurt's feet. "I can see that. You do sort of have quite the set legs and feet down there, after all," he laughed softly. "Well, I can honestly say I'm impressed. You perform, you give expert hair and fashion advice, and apparently you're quite the football start. Tell me, is there anything you can't do, Kurt Hummel?"

Get a boyfriend. Get a solo. Stop Neanderthals from kissing me or from stealing my things. Stand up for myself and have the strength or courage to back it up...Kurt though bitterly, but kept that list to himself, though, not wanting to destroy the good mood that he'd managed to maintain since coming to Blaine's room. "Not that I've found yet," he replied with a feigned cockiness. "You're not exactly a slouch yourself, Mr. Lead Warbler and White Knight extraordinaire," he added demurely. "I...really don't know how I would've gotten through these past couple months without you," he admitted, sobering as he glance shyly down at their still entwined hands. "And I'm sorry...I'm such a sap sometimes. I just really wanted to say how much it's meant having you for a friend." I just hope someday we can be even more, he silently added, keeping his head down but looking back up at Blaine through his eyelashes.

Blaine smiled softly, listening intently as Kurt confessed to him about their friendship. He wasn't sure why Kurt looked up to him so much. He understood that he had helped Kurt a lot, but sometimes he wished that he could at least feel worthy of his 'White Knight' title. Sure, he found it easy to tell Kurt what to do and that he should stand up to his bullies, yet when Blaine had faced the same situation, he fled rather than take his own advice.

"I'm glad I can be here for you, Kurt. And you know you can always talk to me about anything. My door's always open," he assured him, not really caring that his hand had begun to lightly trace circles on the back of Kurt's again. He didn't want to stop this time, so why should he? He smiled at the other boy, who looked more attractive than usual with that look he was giving Blaine, but he couldn't really see that sweet, innocent face of his, sadly. He took his free hand and touched a finger to Kurt's chin. lightly lifting his head to look him in the eyes. "I mean that, you know. I like it when you visit, so don't ever feel like you're a burden. And...If you visit more often, I promise you'll get to see more of my hair-- without the gel," he said with a teasing look in his eyes, before realizing his hand was still on Kurt's chin and dropping it to rest on the other boy's knee instead. "You're a lot braver than you think," he added, his face turning serious again. "Braver than me anyway. Even if you don't believe it."

Kurt swore he was completely melting as Blaine started rubbing his hand again and saying such soothing and comforting things. His heart began to race as Blaine urged his chin up so that their eyes met. For a few moments he was certain that Blaine was going to kiss him. And he wanted it to happen. So badly, in fact, that he nearly lurched forward to initiate it himself. Especially when Blaine teased him again about his fondness for the other boy's curls. Clearly Blaine had to know just how totally head over heels Kurt was for him.

But then Blaine started talking about how brave he thought Kurt was and his heart sank. He knew Blaine meant well, but he felt like such a fraud. Especially when Blaine said that he was the braver one of them, which was completely untrue. He suddenly really wanted to tell Blaine just how scared he'd been the entire time he'd been home for the holidays. How he'd seen all his friends only because they'd been willing to come over to his house to spend time or he'd talked them into inviting him to their homes. He had let his fear stop him from doing so many things that he'd wanted to do. He wanted to tell Blaine everything...but he couldn't. He knew it was selfish, but he didn't want Blaine to ever figure out just how wrong he was about Kurt. He couldn't know that even though he'd invited Blaine back to Lima to go to the game, Kurt wasn't sure that he could even go there himself. And he really didn't want to let Blaine know just how much he'd already let Karofsky get away with. Blaine knew it hadn't stopped after the kiss, but he hadn't told him everything, either. Especially not about the whole thing that happened before his father and Carole's wedding.

He wasn't brave. He was scared half to death! And if he didn't get out of here fast, he was bound to lose it, and that would probably scare Blaine away faster than him being pushy would. Nobody would want a boyfriend who was a complete emotional wreck half the time. He was going to have to get over his fear of Karofsky and hanging out in Lima before the game and without Blaine knowing about it.

With a plan forming in his mind, he smiled back at Blaine. "Thanks, but I think you're the one who's braver than you think," he replied honestly. "I should probably get back to my room and let you unpack and everything." He rose to his feet, even though he really didn't want to leave. And he still didn't want to let go of Blaine's hand. "But don't forget--this weekend we shop. I get to pick out something astoundingly fashionable for you, you get to pick out something sport-chic for me," he insisted with a flourishing grin.

Blaine smiled sadly as Kurt stood up, not really wanting him to go though he knew they'd see plenty more of each other. He stood up with Kurt, still holding his hand, of course, because he really wasn't ready to let go just yet. "How could I forget? I'm looking forward to it. I'll even be sure to 'forget' my gel that day, just for you," he said with a wink as he led Kurt over to the door.

When they reached the door, Blaine reached out to open it, but kept his fingers intertwined with Kurt's even after the door was open for him to leave. He glanced back at Kurt, smiling at the other boy as he stood in the doorway. It was rather quiet now that most of the other students were busy settling into their own dorms. "Guess I'll see you later, then," he said softly, his mind still wandering back to just moments ago when they were sitting on the bed together. Blaine couldn't help but notice that for a second, when he had his hand on Kurt's face the other boy seemed to have this look in his eye. The look. Like he wanted Blaine to do the very thing he wanted to do, but for some reason didn't. Maybe it was because he didn't want to rush Kurt. Whatever it was, Blaine could tell there was certainly something between the two of them, and he didn't want to sit around and do nothing about it. All he needed was the right moment.

He reluctantly pulled his hand away from Kurt's slowly, knowing that the other boy obviously couldn't leave with their hands still interlocked. But did he really want to end their first talk after not seeing each other for the past two weeks at a 'See you later?' Absolutely not. He wrapped his arms around Kurt and hugged him close, making sure the embrace was nice and long, before finally pulling away, though he knew he didn't want to. Who in their right mind would want to end a hug that felt so perfect? "Nice talking to you, Kurt," he murmured softly, wishing he had a better way of showing just how much he enjoyed talking to the other boy. "Like I said, stop by anytime."

Kurt was pleasantly surprised as Blaine pulled him into a tight hug. He quickly wrapped his arms around the other boy and let himself melt into the embrace. He closed his eyes and for a few moments it felt like there was nothing else in the world but the two of them. He reveled in the boy's warmth and felt and safe and loved...even if it was just in friendship. He dropped his head so he could rest his chin on Blaine's shoulder.

Though Kurt knew that their hug lasted far longer than what was typical for 'just friends' it was still disappointing when Blaine finally released him. He nodded at Blaine's offer to come see him. "I really missed you the past couple weeks..." His eyes drifted briefly to Blaine's lips and he thought for just a split second that it would be so easy to just lean in and...he chickened out. Brave? Not so much. "You can knock on my door anytime, too," he echoed Blaine's offer. And then he did give into his impulse and did lean forward, though he only brushed his lips ever so briefly across Blaine's cheek. Then he turned and practically fled down the hall to his own room.