I have no idea if I'll be able to write every day of Advent, but at least this word spoke to me and prompted this little scene. It follows canon, except Kurt and Blaine never met - but otherwise Kurt began NYADA a semester after Rachel did, and Blaine begins after summer when he's graduated from Dalton.
This is a one-shot, unless future word prompts inspire me.
Kurt's body tingles from the resonance of that perfect note. He messed up the breathing during the end of the second chorus, and he needs cleaner pronunciation during that rapid sequence building up to the first chorus. But at least he ended the song on a perfect high, without running out of air, and still sufficiently strong and pitched.
He wipes his forehead, grimaces at the sweat, and turns towards his bag for his towel and a bottle of water.
That's when he sees him: The ridiculously talented, charming and sweet eyecandy of a Freshman. It's been impossible not to notice him, and it's been impossible to find a moment to talk with him without having a big audience witnessing Kurt's awful attempts at flirting. Being in different years, their paths don't always cross during the day, and the schedule is busy enough to prevent Kurt from loitering around in the hopes of catching him.
But somehow – and Kurt knows that the first semester isn't much calmer than the second semester, this boy has found time to stop in the door opening to watch the last of Kurt's performance. Whereas when Kurt was still new, he'd been running frantically to dance rehearsal, stage combat, history of ballet, or vocal training, in a big building with too many rooms he by then still didn't know where to find. NYADA is his dream, but it can also be a nightmare.
Kurt quickly glances at one of the mirrors behind him, to check that his faced isn't too flushed or his hair too much of a mess, before he takes a few steps towards the boy, who is smiling brilliantly at him.
"I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but when I realized what you were singing I just had to witness it. You're spectacular!" the boy gushes, and Kurt preens. He is good, he knows he is, and he wouldn't be at NYADA if he was only decent. But it's always nice to be told so by others, and especially by devastatingly cute boys wearing colour-coordinated blazer and bowtie.
"Not a problem," Kurt grins with that lopsided smile that comes out when he isn't entirely relaxed, trying a bit too hard to be something, something clever or smart or laidback. "I think performing for an audience is part of the deal if you want the Broadway-dream."
"True," the other boy chuckles, and ducks his head in the most adorable way, and scratches the back of his neck.
"Kurt Hummel," Kurt says boldly, and closes the distance to extend his hand.
"I know. I'm Blaine Anderson," the other boy says, catching Kurt's hand in a warm, gentle, but firm grip which Kurt can feel all the way down to his toes. "So now that I've witnessed this," he says and gestures both at Kurt and the entire room, "I have to ask: Why have you lined up all of Cassandra's mirrors like that?"
"I sang to them," Kurt says, as if it's the most obvious answer. "I'm working on a solo piece, and they are helping me improve," Kurt explains. "Wow. Saying it out loud like that, I realize I sound absolutely crazy. I promise I'm fairly normal. No, I'm not," Kurt corrects himself. "But I like to lean towards the side of crazy keeping me out of an asylum."
"Don't we all," Blaine smiles genuinely. "So, you sing to the mirrors, pretending they're your audience?" he asks, and takes a few steps further into the room.
"You're going to think I'm insane," Kurt groans, and regrets not closing and locking the door earlier.
"Kurt, I think everyone attending NYADA has done something less than mainstream before coming here, and then takes it up a notch or ten. I don't know if you've noticed, but most NYADA-students tend to be pretty eccentric," Blaine whispers dramatically.
"Really?" Kurt says in a tone he hopes is closer to flirting than judgment. "And what is your backstory?
"Who said it's just the one?" Blaine giggles, and jumps closer to the first mirror. He brushes some dust off the frame, and then adjusts his perfectly aligned bowtie. Kurt follows him slowly, and lifts one of the mirrors to mount back on the wall before Miss July eviscerates him.
"I was ranting to my Dad about how much I have to do, telling him about all the stress and expectations, and how frustrating it is to know that I can so much better, but it just won't sound like it in class, you know?"
Blaine nods silently, and follows him with a mirror.
"So my dad reminded me how I'm my own worst enemy. And I figured that if I sang to myself, I'd gain some unique feedback on potential for improvement."
"That's amazing!" Blaine flails, and almost drops the mirror. Kurt hurries to help him – Broadway is difficult enough, without starting your education with a seven years curse on your shoulders. "Oh my god, they were totally right."
"Who were right about what?"
"I talked with some Seniors, and they mentioned how you are the most interesting kid in all of NYADA. So of course I had to introduce myself to someone like you, and figure out if it would be possible to get some advice for a poor Freshman in exchange for coffee and biscotti?"
"Umm…" Kurt says dumbly. "There are so many crazily talented students here, you included. I saw the flashmob you lead in the dining hall a few weeks ago," he adds when Blaine looks confused.
"That was a bet," Blaine murmurs.
"It sounds like something I'd like to hear more about," Kurt tries to smile both charmingly and teasingly.
"So you wouldn't be opposed to coffee sometime?"
"There's no time like the present, Kurt says boldly, and gets a wide smile in return.