I am ridiculously giddy with all the enthusiastic feedback I've gotten for this sequel so far! You guys are WONDERFUL!

This chapter is written with love to Stephen Gately, Cory Monteith, and all the other wonderful people that have left us too early.

Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or anything you may recognize.

With the new school year successfully launched, every boarder settled down in their dormitories, and classes running flowingly after that first week of introductions and information overload, it's time to get the party started. Or, the Warblers back on their feet, if you will. All the different student groups, extracurricular activities and teams were holding try-outs, opening meetings, elections and auditions by now.

The student president election had been a calm affair, without the over-the-top popularity contest-campaigns Tina had told Kurt about from McKinley (which would explain how Brittany of all could be their new student president). The candidates at Dalton had given their speeches, focusing on what cause would be on top of their agenda if they got elected, and Blaine had talked passionately and inspired. He'd talked warmly about the no bullying-policy, and how it could still be improved, and how he wanted other high schools in Ohio to be aware of and informed about it. He hoped other school administration would be inspired by it, and if not, he hoped school councillors would know about it if they had male students who needed a refuge. He also wanted to initiate cooperation with their sister school, to encourage they implement the same policy, thus creating a sanctuary for girls who needed their own Dalton.

Blaine had been on fire, and when he completed his speech by mentioning the anniversary their beloved school would be celebrating this year, and how his Dalton cultivated and took advantage of the best from its past to shape the gentlemen of the future, he received wilder applause than Kurt had ever seen in a school assembly at Dalton. It still was nothing compared to the mayhem after he performed Toxic with New Directions at McKinley, though.

Two candidates run against Blaine. An enthusiastic, optimistic, ambitious and naïve Freshman, with no proper knowledge about Dalton to justify being elected. Emilio had talked eagerly about Dalton taking the lead into the future, and using the next two years to modernize itself. The first thing which should go was the uniform. He's received his share of polite applause, but not even Kurt could imagine a Dalton without the blazer. And he wasn't able to share Emilio's view on Dalton as old-fashioned and outdated. Sure, it wasn't hypermodern, but who said the latest was always the best? Kurt may be fashion-forward and paying excruciating attention to the latest fashion trends. But he loves vintage, and he's become a master at taking old outfits and readjusting them, thus being able to reuse them as updated and unique outfits. He looks at Dalton the same way. And incidentally, his darling boyfriend also appreciated what had worked, and saw no reason to throw away something just because it had reached a certain age. Good things don't have an expiration date.

The third candidate was a Junior who Kurt really didn't know, but from what he understands, the boy was popular among the sports interested, and had made huge success last year as the Dalton lacrosse team's newest goalie, contributing a great deal to their many wins. Blaine had gushed about him when Eric's candidature had been revealed, so much that Kurt had grumbled something about finding his old kicker-uniform and help Blaine focus if he didn't stop talking about other boys. The argument and logic could have backfired, but fortunately Blaine simply pulled Kurt into a nearby bathroom and kissed him silent.

As a politician, they didn't know anything about Eric, though. He gave a powerful speech about how Dalton should take advantage of all the quality students among them, and be better at showcasing their success stories outside the school to attract more money, attention and students. If more people were aware of the glorious school in Westerville, it would lead to more students and the school would grow, and become even more successful. Eric suggested using both the lacrosse team and the Warblers to show off what kind of quality Dalton generates.

It was a speech that made great impact, and Kurt was sure a lot of the students would go for the blending idea of making Dalton bigger, stronger, better. Kurt and Blaine actually discussed it for a long time, because they needed to come up with counter arguments for the last debate before the election. There, Blaine described Dalton as a perfectly sized school, because it's big enough to give options and possibilities, to enable interesting and useful dynamics between the students. But it's also small enough to make sure each student is actually seen, instead of drowning in the masses. It's a school with room for the individual, despite of the homogenous appearance.

Blaine won the election, quite easily, which is all kinds of neat. He really wanted to make a change, and believed in his vision. And he got to keep his single room. They made sure to take advantage of that and celebrate his victory, spending the night up until curfew making out, hands roaming on skin under clothes above the waist, and Kurt teasingly calling Blaine "Mr. President" and "Commander in Chief". Blaine was mortified by how much he liked the names, unable to prevent himself from blushing and moaning against Kurt's lips.

"I'm proud of you, Blaine," Devon says, his voice warm even through the phone speaker.

"Th-thank you," Blaine chokes. He'd called his dad to tell him he was elected student president. When he did so a year ago, the first time he was elected, he'd gotten a neutral "well done, son" in response, and not much else. It proves how much closer they've grown during these 12 months.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Son, it'll look good on your college applications. But most of all I see your passion and willingness to make a change, and I'm glad you have found and gotten a possibility to do exactly that."

"I'm honoured the students have this much faith in me," Blaine murmurs, arm wrapped around his middle section as he paces in circles in his room, phone tucked to his ear.

"You must have proven yourself throughout the last year, then, to be re-elected."

"Yeah… I'm Obama!" Blaine giggles, and he can hear his dad chuckle on the phone too. "Speaking of which, how is everything going with Mr. Hummel and his campaign?"

Devon launches a thorough update on status quo and the plans for the next less than three months until the election.

"So how are the Warblers doing?" Devon asks, and it's a welcomed change that he asks about the things that are dear to Blaine without necessarily having great importance in the bigger picture of life.

"Auditions are next week, so Kurt and I are constantly looking for those perfect pieces to perform."

"You have to audition? Aren't you their lead singer?"

"Everyone is treated equally," Blaine explains calmly. "They only have 14 spots, and it wouldn't be fair to talented singers among the Freshmen to put them last in line, simply because they are younger. Although, I did manage to convince the Council make an exception for Kurt, when he transferred mid-semester. He got to audition, and was our 15th and bonus member."

"So are the two of you going to audition together?"

"You mean with a duet?" Blaine asks confused. He hasn't even thought about it as a possibility. His dad hums an affirmative. "I'd have to ask the Council if that's doable, and check with Kurt if he wants to."

"You think your boyfriend doesn't want to sing with you?"

Butterflies stretch lazy wings in Blaine's stomach. He still isn't used to being told he has a boyfriend, and coming from his dad it means so much more. He didn't even hesitate when he said the b-word.

"Kurt is an amazing singer, and he deserves to shine and show his potential as a lead singer for the Warblers," Blaine shrugs. "I don't want to take that away from him by suggesting a duet. He might feel obligated to say yes to me."

He can hear his father inhale audibly.

"Blaine, I'm not going to pretend I know Kurt as well as you do. But to me he doesn't seem… What do you kids say these days? Whipped?"

Blaine snorts, and then giggles, because that is such a Kurt-thing to do.

"No, most definitely not whipped. He's opinionated, strong minded, stubborn, sometimes unreasonably so…"

"Then I think you can safely ask him, if a duet is something you'd want to do. You've sounded great together when I've heard you this summer, at least, and that's only been out in the garden or in your room."

"I'll think about it," Blaine promises, song candidates already swirling around in his mind.

"Good, good. Could you promise me one more thing?"

"What's that, Dad?"

"Could you call Cooper about your audition and tell him you need guidance? He'd be so disappointed if he found out about it afterwards."

"I will. But if my audition ends up being a duet with Kurt, I refuse to follow his advice about actively avoiding looking at my partner on stage."

"Did I tell you to follow his pointers? Heaven knows how he lands the parts he does, because even I can tell that the private acting classes he gave you this summer were nonsense."

David is pretty sure that he's Steven Tyler in this operation. He's cool, he's not afraid to go against the other two's comments, he always appreciates the effort, and he knows the coolest adjectives to describe the performances given to them. He even sometimes makes them up on the go.

He's equally sure that Wes is Simon Cowell. Nobody is good enough, in the boy's opinion, everybody has faults, and he always stresses the improvement potential before focusing on what works. His manic disposition to his gavel is as ingrained and never-wavering as Cowell's pissy mood. Wes likes to see himself as the brain in this operation, and David and Thad merely his minions. Which isn't true at all, they are equals in this Council, they just operate differently, and Wes in position is a natural… pushover. David would hate him if he didn't love him.

Now Thad, he isn't so sure how or who to pin him down as. He considered JLo for a while, but Thad is much smarter than she is, and is able to separate a soul-filled performance from a technically good audition (they want both, but an acappela group needs the latter, they can't afford to have off-pitch voices in their limited midst). David had also considered Nicki Minaj for a while, but no, she's too cutting edge and ahead of herself for Thad. He has more vintage style and class. And David always, always understands what Thad says, opposed to Nicki Minaj. So Thad is Randy Jackson.

Of course, they don't give any comments to the Warblers-auditioners, except for "whenever you're ready" and "thank you for coming". But they are making notes they compare later for the final cut. A new Council will be elected as soon as this year's Warblers have been selected, but until then last year's Council is responsible for the auditions, and as a thank you for being a Council member last year, they are guaranteed a place among the limited ranks of the Warblers this year. So they have 11 spots to fill.

David thinks maybe they should be somewhat more lenient on the numbers of singers they accept. If they have quality in surplus, why not take advantage of it? But he understands Wes' argument that they are used to arranging their numbers for 14 voices. David thinks 15 or 16 members would be easier when it comes to splitting up for choreography, though. 14 can really only be split in seven, and 13 is a fucking useless number if they want to do something with those singing back up to their lead singer. Considering how their preferred lead singer is superstitious and doesn't enjoy being backed up by 13 young men, it's no wonder he bloomed as a performer when Kurt was added to the ranks. 15 and 16 gives them possibilities.

But Thad and Wes firmly believe their forte is their harmonies, and they really don't have any knowledge about advanced choreography. So they stick to 14. David doesn't know why, except that the show choir competition regulations states you need 12 members, and with 14 you always have two to spare in case of emergency. Although, it has to be a matter of life or death for a Warbler to abandon the brotherhood when a competition is at stake.

The Warblers have been stuck with number 14 for many a decade. Except until Blaine talked them into making an exception for Kurt. David may not be too thrilled over the power their lead singer (who has yet to audition, and he'll audition like everybody else, but David isn't kidding anyone – Blaine is a shoe-in) has over them, but Kurt's voice turned out to be a wet dream of Wes'.

He skims through the thick folder. They have at least 30 boys who want to audition, and it'll be late before they're done. They've informed the boys about their expected time slots, inviting six boys every hour. Even though they began right after last class was over, it'll take hours. But they need to do a thorough job to secure the quality of the Warblers. It's a huge responsibility. Neither in the Council has done this before. A year ago, the Council consisted of three Seniors, who came back after the summer break to organize the auditions, but then left for college again. Wes, David and Thad were good friends, had been members of the Warblers for two years, and knew they cooperated well from group projects in their classes, so they agreed to step in as the Council. But this year, it is a spoken goal to have wider age-representation in the Council, to secure continuity and better working conditions for later years.

When Blaine sought out Kurt to suggest auditioning with a duet, Kurt had immediately jumped aboard. Maybe he was overly cocky, but the Council already knew their voices, ranges, techniques and skills. He wasn't concerned about showcasing that for their audition. No, by singing a duet he hoped to give the Council ideas. 90 per cent of their performances were with a lead and his backups. It wouldn't hurt the Council to think about more duets as a valid option for them. Duets gave them more to play with both in harmonies, choreography, song selections and showmanship, and made for some interesting performances. So Kurt was very pro duets.

The problem was to find the song they both wanted to audition with, and made them both look and sound good. P!nk's Perfect is their song, and they often sing it together, or to each other, snippets of it or the whole song. But because it's theirs, it's something private, and they don't want to use it for such an occasion. Kurt was all kinds of madly in love with how they didn't even have to voice that concern, they'd just silently rejected it as a candidate, smiling secretively at each other.

There are plenty of duets in the world to pick from. Hell, more than half of the Broadway numbers they both enjoy are duets. But Broadway isn't the typical brand the Warblers perform, so they'd tabled that – for now. Kurt still believes the Warblers could kill Razzle Dazzle or Send In The Clowns, though. Inspired by Mr. Schue's traditional strategy, Kurt had suggested a mash up. But it really didn't sound all that good with only two voices, and Kurt thought it would be difficult to make Katy Perry and Lady Gaga work like that. Which had prompted Blaine to look for videos online, and they'd spent almost an hour giggling and awing appropriately at the various videos he found. A mash up of Rolling in the Deep and Toxic, really? Or Fireworks and Edge of Glory mashed up to the melody of Viva La Vida. Yeah, also cool. But not exactly anything they could perform.

In the end, they decided to do a low key duet, which would show off their voices and abilities to harmonize with each other, and would sound good with just the two of them and no music nor an entire choir in the background.

Kurt, Blaine and four other boys had been scheduled for auditions between eight and nine, and the fourth boy is with the Council now, meaning Kurt and Blaine are waiting alone in the hallway outside of the Warblers' room. Blaine is sitting on a table. Of course. If he isn't jumping on it, why not sit on it? And Kurt is standing in front of him, between his parted knees.

"Are you nervous?" Blaine murmurs, hands resting on Kurt's elbows. Kurt has wrapped his arms around Blaine's waist, and is awkwardly slumped against him.

"No. I feel overly confident about this, and that worries me."

"There are no guarantees," Blaine agrees. "But unless you made a fool of yourself last year, you should be fine. And, you didn't. You've proven yourself in rehearsals, you had a competition solo for Sectionals, you've been a profiled singer during other performances. You'll do great."

"Then why do we have to audition again?" Kurt sulks against Blaine's shirt.

"It's mostly a formality. The main issue is to replace the Seniors that graduated. But it gives the Council an opportunity to make other changes without having to obviously kick someone out. If someone isn't pulling his weight, or doesn't have the skills and voice we need to make a complete whole of harmonies and beats, then the Council can make adjustments."

"Well, I know Wes is drooling over my range," Kurt says dryly.

"Exactly," Blaine laughs, and his chest moves under Kurt's cheek.

"And they should plead temporarily insanity if they don't pick your ridiculously talented package," he continues, nuzzling against his boyfriend.

Blaine's laughter rumbles in his chest, tickling Kurt's ear.

"Hey Kurt?"

Kurt looks up to meet Blaine's eyes, commandeered by the softness and almost vulnerability to his voice. Blaine locks eyes with him, and it's so intense. He smiles with slightly parted lips, and Kurt waits expectantly for what he has to say. Blaine exhales deeply, wets his lips, but nothing comes out. He blinks, and shakes his head.

"May I kiss you?" he says.

"Always," Kurt answers, and leans in to meet him. The kiss is tender, sweet, and all the more intense when Blaine cups his face with both hands, leaning up to properly reach his lips. Kurt's arms flail uselessly for a while, until resting on Blaine's elbows.

"…up…" Kurt eventually mumbles against Blaine's lips.

"Hmm?"

Kurt forces himself to let go, and leans back sufficiently to be able to speak.

"We need to do some more warm up. Before our audition."

Blaine just smiles at him fondly, that smile Kurt has understood means Blaine finds him a tad ridiculous, but won't stop him.

"Okay. Guide us through it," Blaine says calmly, but his eyes are twinkling with mirth.

So Kurt does, until they are interrupted by Thad.

They walk in with respectable distance, because they know what a sucker for manners and courteous behaviour Wes is. Even though he's walked in on them making out several times, when Blaine's forgot to lock his door yet again, and he usually throws rolls of toilet paper on them until they acknowledge him.

"It's quite unusual to audition together like this," Wes says calmly, looking steadily at them.

Blaine looks at Kurt, and Kurt takes it as his key to answer.

"We believe doing a duet will give the Council an idea of other ways to arrange our performance numbers. We also believe a duet better shows our abilities as show choir singers than a simple solo."

"We also wanted to do something more… emotional," Blaine says. "Show you a different side to us."

"We're ready when you are," Wes says shortly, leaning on his elbow on the back of his chair, and Kurt rolls his eyes at that. Of course Wes would impersonate Simon Cowell.

Kurt and Blaine step apart, turning halfway towards each other. Blaine taps his foot soundlessly on the floor, giving them a visual of the rhythm, before he begins to sing.

"Our love has changed, it's not the same. And the only way to say it is say it, it's better." Blaine's velvet tenor embraces the song, and no matter how much of a professional Kurt thinks he is, he can feel his knees weaken.

"I can't conceal this way I feel. For all the times we spend together, Forever just gets better." Kurt sings, and he makes sure to look at the Council, but he's mostly drowning in Blaine's eyes.

They've arranged the chorus so that they both sing it, Blaine the melody and Kurt the harmonies the first time, and alternating later on.

"Seem what I'm try to say is," they sing, turning towards each other. "You make things better. And no matter what the day is, With you here it's better."

Blaine takes Kurt's hands in his. It's not exactly choreographed, but Kurt is still glad. It feels so wrong to sing this to Blaine without touching him, and if he doesn't, he'll float off. Blaine's touch is grounding him.

"I stand by you if you stand by me," Blaine sings, and steps closer to Kurt. Kurt can feel the puffs of breath against his face as Blaine sings, Kurt softly humming a harmony to Blaine's melody. "I think it's time that I reveal it. 'Cause I believe it, it's better."

Blaine wraps an arm around his waist, and Kurt rests his hand on Blaine's bicep, feeling it shift under his fingers. Blaine takes his other hand in his, resting the interlaced fingers over his heart, and waltz them together as they harmonize the chorus again.

"Seem what I'm try to say is, You make things better. And no matter what the day is, If you're here it's better."

"Oh, the more I talk to you, I'm falling in love with everything you do!" Blaine is singing so intensely and passionately, Kurt is unable to keep up with his part, and he's just gawking at the emotional eyes Blaine is giving him, being spun around by him.

They get to the climax of the song, putting even more heart, soul and passion to the last chorus. Blaine is singing back up by following the melody, while Kurt is singing on the higher range, pouring his heart out to the Council. Scratch that, he's singing to nobody but Blaine now.

"Seem what I'm try to say is," they sing, turning toward each other. "You make things better. And no matter what the day is, With you here it's better."

"Our love has changed," Blaine sings.

"It's not the same," Kurt replies.

"And the only way to say it is say it, it's better," they sing together, standing completely still, so close their chests are touching.

Kurt thinks he must be vibrating for the entire Council to see. The intensity in Blaine's eyes, his proximity, and how intense this is without even touching each other, it's overwhelming him, and it feels as if his heart is beating out of his body, and it feels as if his skin is too tight over bones and muscles. Looking at Blaine, he seems affected as well. They had rehearsed this, of course, but it hadn't been as overwhelming and emotionally bared as it had felt now. Kurt really needs to hold his boyfriend, but if he touches him even with a tiny pinkie, it won't be enough and he knows he won't be able to suffice with that. And he's not going to make out with his boyfriend in front of the Council during their audition. But if they aren't dismissed soon, Kurt might just explode.

"That isn't a typical song the Warblers would do," Thad says softly.

Kurt's fists are clenched by his sides, and his eyes are trained on the wall behind the trio, blinking furiously to prevent tears from escaping. He isn't even remotely sad. He's just… Emotionally overwhelmed, and stupidly happy.

"It isn't an audition for Sectionals," Blaine finally says after clearing his voice repeatedly. His voice still sounds rough. "We wanted to show you a side to us you may not have seen the last year."

"It's appreciated," Thad nods. "You'll hear from us. Thank you for coming," he murmurs.

The two boys turn towards the double oak door taking them out of the room, and Blaine takes Kurt's hand, clutching to it, literally. They're not running, but they are walking determinedly in a fast pace towards the dormitory building.

David opens one of the big drawers in the heavy pine table, and between music sheets, pencils, two dusty pitch pens and a metronome, he finds a package of handkerchiefs. He silently places it on the table in front of Wes.

Wes sniffs loudly, and rips the package open violently to get out a paper.

"Our baby is growing up," he whispers hoarsely. "He's fallen in love."

"They both have," David murmurs.

"That's the most fucking mind-consuming, impassioned, tear-jerking performance I've ever seen," Thad shakes his head.

Wes and David turn to stare at him. Thad never cusses.

"Blaine!" Kurt sobs breathlessly as soon as they are on the right side of the door to Blaine's room.

He all but falls towards Blaine, and Blaine catches him in his strong arms, holding him tightly. Not even sheet music could fit between their torsos at this point. They stand like that until their hearts aren't beating as forcefully, and their knees seem stronger. When Kurt lifts his head from Blaine's shoulder, they both blindly seek out the other's lips.

"That was…"

"Yeah, it was," they murmur against lips.

"Blaine?" Kurt eventually asks, after an unknown amount of time kissing, bodies flushed against each other, with Blaine pinning him to the door.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

Kurt's heart stutters at the endearment.

"Your door handle," he sighs, leaning forward and putting more weight on Blaine's torso.

"Oh my God, Kurt, I'm so sorry!" Blaine frantically apologizes, pulling Kurt away from the door.

Kurt cups his cheek and kisses him to shut him up.

"There's nothing in your bed that will poke me," Kurt says sweetly.

Blaine stills in his arms, forehead resting on his shoulder. He's trembling from suppressed laughter, Kurt realizes.

"Blaine!" Kurt moans mortified.

"Not helping, Kurt!" Blaine giggles.

"Keep that up, and there will never be any poking between the two of us," Kurt scolds, proud of how firm his voice is despite of his scarlet hue.

Blaine inhales shakily, as if he's trying to tame his compulsive laughter, and leans away from Kurt enough so that they both stand solidly on their own feet. He's fisting the lapels of Kurt's blazer, and Kurt is considering telling him off for doing so, when Blaine's hands wander down to the buttons.

"Let's get comfortable," he says and nods towards the bed behind him.

Kurt nods, and starts loosening Blaine's tie as Blaine unbuttons Kurt's blazer. They're not as desperately wound and affected by their audition anymore. The unyielding desire to crawl under the other's skin is replaced by a pleasant buzzing need to simply be close and cuddle.

They get out of blazers and ties, toe of their polished shoes, unbutton the top of their shirt, and walk hand in hand to Blaine's bed. There's no music, but Kurt's glad. He doesn't want any other sound to replace the memory of their duet.

He doesn't know what it means, and he doesn't know if Blaine experienced the same or if there's another reason for his reaction, but Kurt has never felt so strongly for Blaine as he did during that song. He's toying with different words that can explain, toying with naming the emotion, but he's keeping it to himself for now. He doesn't want to jump to conclusions, he doesn't want to scare Blaine off in case Kurt is the only one feeling that way, and he really doesn't want to consider if maybe Blaine isn't feeling as strongly about him as he feels about Blaine. And right now, he doesn't care about what it's called. He just needs to feel, in his heart and on his skin.

They crawl on their knees onto the bed, and scoots around to get comfortable, ending on their sides. Kurt is resting one hand on Blaine's heart, and the other on his upper arm, fingers running aimlessly over his defined muscle, as Blaine flexes his arm to cup Kurt's elbow and pull him even closer. The other arm is under Kurt body, with his hand resting on Kurt's lower back under the shirt. With their feet in a loose knot, they can hardly get any closer than this.

There are no other sounds in the room than their breathing, and for a long time they only stare into each other's eyes. It's a little bit difficult to breathe. Kissing lazily doesn't exactly help on that matter, but he won't give it up for anything in the world. He won't give up Blaine for anything in the world.

Lyrics from:
Boyzone - Better