Hey everybody!
Thanks for taking time to read my story. I ship Blaine and Kurt hardcore, I think that they are simply adorable, so this is my little homage to them.
Please feel free to send me con-crit and review this! I want to hear what you think and if you want me to continue or not!
Thank you for all the positive feedback from Chapter 1 …
Thanks so much guys! :3
Chapter Two - It's Cold Outside
Blaine had been right: life at Dalton definitely got easier with time. Kurt found that he was indeed getting in a routine that helped him deal with the insane schedule that was his life now. He woke up early to allow him time to get his facial done and style his hair, then usually had lunch with Blaine and his friends (Blaine was also right there, Wes and David had gotten much friendlier), proceeding to Warbler practice three of the five days and then homework. Since Blaine was a year older, he unfortunately did not have courses with him, so Kurt made do with the hour long lunch instead.
However, this routine did not make him miss Lima any less. He had not been able to go home the first weekend; Carol and his father were taking their honeymoon weekend then, leaving Finn to hang out with Rachel. He had wanted to go and see Mercedes but she was working with Brittany and Artie for a new competition created by Mr. Shue.
This brought more pangs of homesickness. When in New Directions, Kurt reflected, he had always been challenged. He had to fight Rachel tooth and nail for solos and Mr. Shuester always tried to give them new ways to express themselves and push the boundaries . . . even though he was stuck in to '80s. The Warblers seemed to be much more homogenous than New Directions had been and this left Kurt feeling somewhat stifled. He could not see himself doing Le Jazz Hot, for instance, as an assignment for the Warblers, and a duets assignment at that!True, he was not getting slushied anymore, but neither did he feel that he was shining as brightly in the dampening uniform.
"You're just bitter you aren't having a diva off every week," Kurt muttered to himself, tying his tie, and felt a little better.
He was about to reach for his scarf to wear when he remembered his Spanish teacher had scolded him, in a nice as way as possible, that it was not a part of the uniform. People paid to come to Dalton and the uniform and, therefore, conformity was part of that deal. Kurt sighed and stared longingly at his silk scarf. When else would he now wear it?
After stuffing his books into his backpack, Kurt left his room, ready to face another day at Dalton.
Blaine leaned against a wall by the main entrance of his residence building. His iPhone was positioned in front of him so others would think that he was texting someone or on the internet. He was actually using the reflective screen on the phone as a mirror, watching out for Kurt to come down the hallway so he could 'bump' into him and head towards class with him.
Kurt had seemed to be doing much better, but he noticed every night, after he went to his room to call his father or his friend Mercedes, he always came back to the common room slightly down. He knew that speaking to his friends and family made Kurt compare his two worlds, and he probably could not help but compare the positive from McKinley to what he was unhappy with at Dalton.
Blaine's goal was now to make sure that Kurt was doing well and was happy, that he was not feeling miserable and regretting coming to Dalton Academy. He would not act upon his attraction to him; that would only mess Kurt up more. He was already struggling to come to terms with the move to a new school and meeting new people, he did not need to paw off the advances of the first gay friend he had. He would be his mentor and friend, nothing more. Not that Kurt wanted him to be anything more, it seemed. And why would he?
Just because I am was the first gay teen Kurt has been friends with does not mean that I am going to be Kurt's type, Blaine rationalized to himself, Things do not happen so easily. Not for me.
Blaine checked the screen for what felt the millionth time and this time was rewarded with a lithe figure with stellar hair making his way towards him. Kurt seemed wrapped up in something and oblivious to all around him. Putting the phone slowly in his pocket, Blaine picked up his bag and slowly headed for the door. If he had timed it right, Kurt should be right behind him.
True to form, Kurt, who was walking with his head down and listening to his iPod, bumped right into Blaine.
"Oh my gosh," he breathed, looking up, "I am so sorry! I was just so into this Streisand song that I didn't even notice you!" Kurt's cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink as he yanked his ear buds out.
Blaine bumped him playfully. "There!" he exclaimed, "Now we're even. What were you listening to, anyways?"
"Putting It Together, from the Broadway Album. I love that rendition specifically," Kurt shyly replied, unsure if Blaine would know what he was talking about or thinking he was silly. He continued awkwardly, "I've been listening to it a lot; I want to try it one day at Warbler practice."
Blaine's mouth actually dropped. Every practice, a few people got to sing a solo, for practice and to bring new ideas and energy to the group. No one had ever attempted Streisand, let along 'Putting It Together.' He had confidence in Kurt and knew that he would blow that song out of the water.
Kurt misinterpreted the look. "You don't think I should do it? I should stick to something less . . . flashy? I know you said that I don't have to try so hard, but I'm really not, Blaine. Really! This . . . this is just me." He shrugged, saying 'take me or leave me.'
"No, no, Kurt, you don't understand. I think it's phenomenal. If you could pull it off, and maybe keep the hand gestures to a minimum," he cheekily said, referring to Kurt's movements during his solo audition of 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina', "then . . . you will not have a problem for solos, lets say. You can be my second solo . . . maybe even take lead from me."
Blaine winked and Kurt felts his knees go weak; somehow he managed to not skip a step and kept walking.
He mustered up the courage to say, "We should do a duet. At least for fun if not for the Warblers." He looked at Blaine from under his long lashes.
A slow smile spread over Blaine's face. "That's a brilliant idea! Lets stay behind after practice today and we'll do one, deal?"
"A most positive yes!"
With that, Blaine headed towards his Calculus with uncharacteristic cheer and good will.
Kurt sat by the window texting Mercedes as Blaine talked to Wes after Warblers practice. Apparently, Mr. Shue was getting New Directions to sing Christmas carols since Christmas was looming just around the corner. Shue apparently wanted New Directions to perform for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program in order to fully immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit.
The Warblers were definitely not singing for any organization this holiday season. Kurt had suggested doing one or two carols today in Warbler practice, but the committee had declined, saying that they had to focus on more 'serious' and 'challenging' songs.
Kurt, you would die if you had to wear our outfits. Red tacky Christmas sweaters with snowflakes on them and polyester green scarves! You're lucky you have to wear that hot blazer! - M
read Kurt the text and giggled. He imagined himself in a polyester scarf and shuddered. Not that he was getting much use out of his own silk scarves and pashminas. He started texting back when he heard a 'thud.' Looking up, he saw that Blaine had placed an iPod in a dock down. The room was now empty except for the two of them. A thrilled tingle ran down Kurt's spine as he realized this.
"What's this?" he motioned to the iPod.
"Well, I was thinking that since you wanted to do a Christmas carol and get to duet with me," insert killer smile here, "I could bring the two together for you. If you want to still, that is."
"Of course! Anything to keep me away from Charlemagne," Kurt laughed softly, referring to the impeding homework he had to tackle.
"Very good then. I got a gig singing 'Baby It's cold outside' in the 'King Islands Christmas Spectacular'. Would you mind singing that?"
"Ah, personal favourite." gushed Kurt, "Too bad they'd never let us sing it together." Seeing Blaine's slightly cocked eyebrow and piercing eyes settle on him from that comment, he felt his cheeks flush, "I mean as two . . . artists," he quickly concluded, trying to cover up.
Blaine pressed play on the iPod and motioned to Kurt that he may begin.
I really can't stay.
But baby, it's cold outside.
I've got to go away
But baby, it's cold outside
This evening has been
Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice
I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice . . .
To Kurt, the room seemed packed with tension. He did not know how he made it through the number. Blaine was so delightful and, whenever their bodies touched, a current raced through Kurt. Was Blaine being flirtatious or was it just hopeful thinking on his part?
Blaine, meanwhile, had to fight every fibre of his being not to kiss Kurt. His eyes kept drifting towards Kurt's lush lips, as they moved to form the words of the song, as they smiled playfully at him. Probably unbeknownst to himself, Kurt was being a total tease. He was leaning in towards him, looking at him under his lashes, being incredibly playful. Blaine's heart soared higher than ever before due to a new-found hope.
When they fell into the couch at the end of the song, their bodies leaned into each other with ease and naturalness. Blaine had to look away in order to become master of his own feelings again and not do something rash.
A little awkwardly, Kurt said, "I think you're ready!"
Blaine looked to his left, taking Kurt in from such close proximity. He wondered yet again how this doe-eyed boy had managed to captivate him so quickly and without even trying.
"Well, for the record," Blaine sighed, getting up, "You are much better than that girl is going to be!" He gathered his iPod and deck and left the room as an older guy with short, tightly curled dark blonde hair walked in hugging his jacket.
"Mr. Shuester!" Blaine heard Kurt exclaim happily as he left the room.
He turned and saw the two embracing fondly, none of the awkwardness Kurt sometimes displayed around him emerging now. He quickly realized that this was Kurt's glee club teacher, but that did not stop a pang of jealousy from entering his heart.
"Good to see you, Kurt! Someone special?" he heard Mr. Shue ask.
Blaine reddened as he realized this most likely meant him. He briskly started walking away, not wanting to hear the answer, in case it shattered his heart.
"No, just a friend," was all he heard of the answer as he sped-walked down the hall, trying hard to keep up the collected and cool Blaine exterior he had perfected so well since coming to Dalton.
The truth was that there was no King's Island Christmas show; the theme park had had its last Christmas show in 1992 and had not been open during the winter since then either. He had just wanted a reason to sing with Blaine and, if the song proved to be sappy and full of innuendos, then so be it. He really was performing at a cafe, but it was probably nowhere near as fabulous as his King's Island show implication had been.
Blaine's good mood had evaporated.
Reaching his room, he slammed the door shut and threw himself on his bed. Being a prefect in his dorm, Blaine had the privilege of having a single room, attached with its own private bathroom. He was glad of this fact, especially now, when he could sulk in privacy. He knew he was being silly, getting so upset. He hated the he was so smitten by this boy and he had expected that Kurt would not like him like that. Yet here he was, being an angst-ridden teenager and hating himself for it.
A soft knock on his door.
Blaine hopefully looked up, thinking, hoping, that it would be Kurt. "Yes?"
The door opened and Wes walked in. Sighing dejectedly, Blaine flopped back on his bed and hugged his pillow tightly. He heard the click as the door shut behind Wes then felt his friend sit at the foot of his bed. They sat in silence for a while, comfortable enough with each other to not need to speak. His friend's presence was enough momentarily for Blaine.
Wes was patient. He knew that prodding Blaine would end up with poor results; he would just clam up more. Blaine would talk and confide in him when he was ready. At long last, Blaine sat up and had such a dejected look on his face that Wes was caught off guard. He had never seen his best friend looking so . . . alone. When he had come to Dalton he had been scared and messed up and quiet, but, even then, this expression of solidarity had not shadowed his features.
"I really like him," Blaine whispered.
Wes did not have to ask who him was. He only nodded, indicating he knew. This may be the first time Blaine was admitting it to him, but he had seen the way that his friend interacted with Kurt, the way his eyes lingered on him longer than anyone else in a group and the way his lips always curled up in a smile when Kurt entered a room.
"I've never felt this way about . . . about anyone before.I thought I had loved Mike, but now I realize that I was young and impressionable and infatuated with an older boy paying attention to me. When he broke up with me, I was strangely okay with it," Blaine paused, "But to hear Kurt say that I am just a friend," he almost spat out the phrase, "It's more than I can stand."
"When did he tell you this?" Wes asked carefully. He could not picture polite and friendly Kurt viciously hurling those words at Blaine.
"He didn't," Blaine said simply, "I knew. I always just knew and deceived myself into thinking that we could be more. His old teacher came to see him just now and, as I was leaving, I heard Kurt telling him that."
Wes did not want to point out that eavesdropping on people's conversation often resulted in disastrous ends. Either one ended up hearing something that crushed them, or they misheard, or did not hear all, of a conversation. It was quite a gamble to take to gain more information. However, lecturing would do nothing; it would have the adverse effect intended on Blaine.
"I cannot believe that," Wes said, and he truly could not wrap his mind around the fact that Kurt had no romantic feelings for Blaine. The way that kid looked at Blaine, such adoration in his eyes. "And he would have to be blind to not see how amazing you are."
Blaine smiled feebly. "Thanks, Wes, but apparently I am not his type of amazing."
A heavy silence fell. Wes was no good at this, his girlfriend would be much better in this situation. He decided that since he could not fix anything, he might as well try to distract him. So he started recanting stories about what had happened at dinner and, soon, Blaine was laughing along, if only half-heartedly.