A/N: Hi everyone. It's been a tough week for everyone in the Glee fandom. I hope everyone's well. RIP Cory. 3
Kurt numbly walked to his side of the room. He took a seat, and began arranging his papers and pens in the proper order—anything to distract him from Blaine, who was sitting calmly in his seat. It figured that the first cute boy to hold his hand was his opponent. Not that meant that Kurt was going to go easy on Blaine; oh no. Blaine would get a taste of Kurt Hummel's debate skills very soon.
Still… it wouldn't hurt to take a better look. Just to gauge his opponent. The fact that said opponent was absolutely gorgeous was just a bonus. Right.
Kurt cut his eyes to his right. Blaine was looking straight at him. Shit. Kurt was just about to avert his gaze when Blaine gave him a wink. Or what looked like a wink. Whatever it was, it was charming as hell. Kurt felt his ears heating up.
"Are you both ready to start?" The judge's voice cut through Kurt's thoughts like a knife. Kurt briefly chastised himself for getting distracted. Dreamy or not, Blaine Anderson was the enemy, and he needed to be taken down so Kurt could be declared champion of this tournament.
Blaine stepped to the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen, or rather, gentlemen, it is an honor to stand here today. We are here to debate the resolution, 'Resolved: Rehabilitation ought to be valued above retribution in the United States criminal justice system.' As the affirmative, I will be arguing in favor of the resolution. My first contention is…"
Kurt quickly scribbled down Blaine's arguments. He could do this; Blaine's points, while delivered confidently and amazingly, were fairly generic. Blaine wouldn't know what hit him.
Once Blaine finished reading his case, Kurt stood up for cross-examination. "In your case, you stated that 'Rehabilitation provides society with reformed members who have more potential to contribute,' correct?"
"Correct."
"Would you still think that if you had access to statistics showing that the opposite is true?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if I give you proof that the retribution system has not worked in the past, and is unlikely to work in the future? The US has a system in which two thirds of prisoners are re-offending within two years."
Blaine looked amused. "First of all, Kurt… may I call you Kurt?"
Kurt mumbled something under his breath.
"I'll… take that as a yes. Kurt, you need to get your facts straight."
Kurt made a gesture to speak, but Blaine swiftly cut him off.
"What you said was correct, that the US has a system in which two-thirds of prisoners reoffend. What you neglected to mention is that this system is based on retribution. A poor return, given that we spend billions on it per year."
Kurt opened his mouth again, but Blaine just continued.
"Based on what I just said, don't you think it's time for our system to change into one that values rehabilitation? I mean, how much worse must it get before we decide to reform it?"
At that very moment, the timer went off. Kurt was fuming.
Kurt would like to think that he redeemed himself in the later stages of the debate, but he didn't. Though he made a valiant effort, the cross-examination in which Blaine thoroughly debauched his points was too much to overcome. Kurt was hardly surprised when the judge declared Blaine the winner. It hurt, but the decision was fair. If only Kurt could look at Blaine in the eyes after…
Blaine, of course, had no such trouble.
"Kurt… Kurt! Wait up!"
Kurt turned, and saw Blaine sprinting up to him in the middle of the corridor. He skidded to a halt.
"Hey… good round."
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Good for you, you mean."
Blaine looked startled for a split second, then laughed delightedly.
"I promise you, I'm not just saying that. You were great up there."
Kurt squinted at him. Blaine seemed sincere enough, but anyone would look sincere with those big, gorgeous eyes and that warm, effusive smile.
"Thanks, but you were a lot better." Kurt couldn't help but return the smile. It was contagious.
Blaine looked down bashfully. It was almost like he was embarrassed by the compliment. Kurt couldn't help but notice the way his dark eyelashes fanned out on his cheeks. "Thanks, Kurt. For a minute there during cross-ex, I thought you were mad at me."
Kurt laughed. "Not going to lie—I was pretty mad when you kept interrupting. But it's legal in a round, so…"
"Good."
They both stared at each other, smiling, before Blaine cleared his throat. "So… listen. If you're free this week, then maybe…"
Unfortunately, Kurt didn't get to hear what Blaine had to say before Tina Cohen-Chang was hurdling toward them at the speed of a bullet.
"Kurt! KURT! I did it! I beat that smug guy's ass to the ground! Ugh, all those Warblers are so…" She trailed off when she noticed Blaine. "Who's your friend?"
"This is my opponent Blaine. Blaine, Tina. Tina, Blaine."
"Nice to meet you Blaine." Tina batted her eyelashes. Kurt resisted the urge to shove his face into his hands and groan.
"Likewise. So… Kurt. I'm going to have to meet up with my teammates, but maybe I'll see you later? I hear that the Warblers and the New Directions are going out to dinner after this. You know, in the spirit of friendly camaraderie and all that." Blaine grinned. Kurt felt his knees give way.
"Sure," Kurt said breathlessly. It suddenly felt like there was no air left in the hallway. "I'll see you there, I guess."
"See you, Kurt." Blaine's smile, if possible, grew larger and even more impossibly compelling. "Oh, and you too, Tina."
Blaine then turned and walked away. In tandem, Kurt and Tina both turned and watched. Once Blaine was out of earshot, Tina sighed appreciably. "Now that is one ass I would like to tap."
"Tina!"
"What? Even you can't deny that his ass is delicious and baked to perfection by a master's chef."
Kurt huffed, but didn't make a move to deny it. Why deny the truth, after all?
