Duets

(Disclaimer: No ownership to Glee unfortunately.)

"Psst," Kurt whispered to Mercedes as Mr. Schue was going on and on about their assignment for this week. Sam had just been introduced, and Kurt had his eyes on him. "He's on team gay. No straight boys dyes his hair to look like Linda Evangelista circa 1993."

"You're crazy, circa 2010," she joked, making Kurt laugh. He looked back to Mr. Schue feeling excited of some sort. He had been waiting for this. Waiting for the moment to meet another gay guy so he could do a duet with him. It was exhilarating.

When Mr. Schue told them to pair up and sing a duet, Kurt's eyes widened. Sam was his. He would simply ask him to sing a duet, and their relationship would blossom from there. Sure, he might be in the closet, but when he saw how great Kurt was, he'd want to show everyone how lucky he was. He felt his stomach turn with excitement. This was it. He'd finally get himself a boyfriend.

"Who are you going to sing with, Kurt?" Mercedes asked quietly while everyone else cheered in excitement for the reward at BreadStix.

He looked at her then back to the back of Sam's hair. He just had to work up enough courage to ask Sam to be his duet partner. When everyone got up, Mercedes turned to him. "So is that a 'Mercedes be my partner?'"

He smiled, but shook his head. "No, I'm going to ask Sam. Our connection will be too much for him and we will fall desperately in love. This is my chance at true love."

She smiled and walked into the hall with him. "Just be careful. I know that you fall for guys who are, well, who are not gay. Just be cautious going into this."

"Oh, I will," he promised smiling. They parted and Kurt turned to go to his locker when he saw the blonde hair. He took a deep breath and strode up to him. Sam turned just as Kurt walked up. "Hi. I'm Kurt Hummel."

He held out his hand for the boy to take, and Sam studied it slightly before taking it firmly. "Hey.

"I just wanted to personally welcome you to glee club," Kurt said friendly. He smiled at how nice he was being and how adorable the boy was. Not someone he pictured for himself, but he was good looking obviously.

"Thanks," Sam said as he smiled, and closed his locker. There was a few awkward seconds where they just stood there and smiled at each other.

"So," Kurt said breaking the silence finally. "Tell me." Sam looked confused. "Look, maybe at your old school you could get away with the whole 'I just stayed in the sun all summer' excuse, but I have three gifts: my voice, my ability to spot trends in men's fashion, and my ability to know when it comes from a bottle."

Sam bit his lip and shook his head no. "I don't dye my hair, dude."

Kurt just smiled at the denial. "Yes, you do, but it's just between friends…that's not natural."

"I'm going to go," Sam said awkwardly. "Cause your kinda freaking me out."

Kurt knew this was not how the conversation was supposed to go. He had to stop him. "Wait, wait. Maybe my instincts were a little off." He followed the boy down the hall. "Let me make it up to you. Team up with me for the duet competition. Listen, unless you want to team up with Rachel, I'm your best bet at winning."

"Aren't duets supposed to be like between a girl and a guy?" Sam asked curiously, looking to Kurt for the answer.

"Well Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor would protest," Kurt told him. When he got a blank stare, he elaborated, "'Make 'Em Laugh?'"

"Sorry," Sam said, smiling. And it was obvious he was absolutely clueless.

"'Singing In the Rain?'" Kurt asked him again, smiling fading. He still didn't know. "1952? Nothing? Okay, maybe you are straight."

"What?" Sam asked stopping suddenly.

"Nothing," Kurt continued. "Listen, rent it, and look up the menu for BreadStix online then call me, because we are going to win this." He smiled and then turned down the hall as the bell rang, moving to pass Finn. He was successful. They were going to do the duet together.

-1-

Blaine looked up when a group of loud boys came into the library. He went there to do his homework sometimes to get away from the Warblers. He frowned and shook his head. It was called the library, which meant shut your mouth so people could study. He sighed and tried to focus back on his homework, but he couldn't with the noise.

He looked up again. The boys were leaving, but one stayed behind. He didn't recognize the boy, but he was intriguing. He watched as the boy looked through the stack of books until he found the one he wanted. When he turned, Blaine's eyes widened as he caught full site of the boy. He was very cute.

The boy had brown curly hair that hung in his face and a smile on his lips. They locked eyes, and Blaine immediately looked down with a blush. He had just been caught checking a guy out. He couldn't help it; the guy's eyes were a pretty shade of green. He thought he was in the clear until he heard a throat being cleared. "Excuse me?"

Blaine looked up and was met with bright green eyes as they studied him. "Hi, is this seat taken?" He pointed to the seat across from Blaine.

"Um, no, go ahead." He went back to his homework before looking back up. "I'm Blaine, by the way. Are you new? I've never seen you before. I know pretty much everyone."

"Yeah," the boy said nodding. "I'm Conner. I transferred at the beginning of the year. I've seen you around though. Just the other day you were singing in the hall with the Warblers, right?"

"Yep, I'm the lead soloist. I see you've made some friends though. I'm not sure your friends know that a library is supposed to be quiet though. It's hard to get work done when people like them come in. The librarian will skin them if they are caught."

Conner laughed, but nodded. "We're not really great friends, but they are company at a school. It's critical to make buddies here, right?" Blaine smiled, but turned back to his homework. "I'm sorry, but you are so small. How old are you?"

He looked up, not being able to stop the blush that was forming he at his words. "Um, I have to agree. I am tiny, but I'm sixteen. I'm a sophomore."

"Ah, I thought you were like a super smart fourteen-year-old," he admitted, and they both laughed together. Blaine wasn't sure if he was flirting or not, so he went with it.

"Not everyone can be a giant like you, Conner. How old are you? Thirty?" He smirked at the boy who smiled in return.

"Touché Blaine, touché. But I'm seventeen." He opened his book and started on his homework as well. They spent the time talking as their homework got finished. It was really nice. When Blaine noticed it was time for dinner, he stood and Conner followed his suit.

"We should do this again," Blaine suggested. "It was nice having someone to study with. It's not so lonely with you here to talk to me."

"Definitely," Conner agreed. "It was really nice meet you, Blaine. It's nice to actually be able to talk with someone and have an actual conversation. The guys I hang out with, you can't do that."

Blaine blushed again as they reached the dining hall. "Well, I'll see you around. What do you say tomorrow at the same time?"

"Sounds like a plan," the older boy said. He smiled and squeezed Blaine's shoulders before disappearing through the crowd.

Blaine stared after him for a little while, not trying to stop his goofy smile. Maybe all his waiting would pay off? Maybe Conner was his chance at having someone to date? He could only hope he would finally have his chance.

-2-

Kurt couldn't stop thinking about what Finn had said the day before. Was it really a bad idea to sing a duet with Sam? Was he really going to get Sam bullied his whole high school life? He knew how it felt though. Was he really going to let sweet, innocent Sam take a slushie to the face everyday just because of him?

Questions from his discussion he had with his dad earlier flashed back up in his mind. Why can't I walk hand in hand down the hall with the person I like? Why can't I slow dance at my prom? Why couldn't he have those things? Sure his dad said he would have to wait, but maybe this duet with Sam could change that?

Or maybe Sam really was straight. He was staring at Quinn earlier. He was just setting himself up for the disappointment all over again. He would have to be alone the rest of his life he just knew it. He'd have Mercedes, but that's it.

He wiped away a stray tear and focused back on his homework. He needed the distraction. He needed to get away from this town. He needed a lot of things, but nothing would change. He'd be alone the rest of his life, and he was beginning to accept that. He realized that he jumped to conclusions. Maybe doing the duet with Sam was a bad idea, like Finn said. Maybe he should do it with someone else, but who?

He thought about it all night and the next morning. Who was good enough to do the duet with? Rachel? Yes, but she was probably doing a duet with Finn. Mercedes, but she already did one with Santana. Brittany? God no. There was no one…but there was a light at the end of the tunnel. He had a brilliant idea.

Why couldn't he do the duet by himself? He was the most talented person in glee. He smiled because he knew the greatest song to perform. He started to look for Sam after that because he cared about the boy in the end.

He found Sam after gym in the locker room showers. He never usually went in because the other boys would beat him up, but it was just Sam, and he made sure his eyes stayed above his waist. He walked up to him and cleared his throat, making the boy turn to him. "Don't worry, I'm not going to go all Shawshank on you."

Kurt looked away, but he noticed his friend's nice body. Sam finally spoke, "This is kinda weird, guys don't talk to each other in here."

Kurt's gaze flickered back up to the boy. "Well this can't wait. I'm setting you free. You can do your duet with someone else in glee. Someone that the world deems more appropriate."

"Did I do something to offend you?" Sam asked confused.

"No! No," Kurt said, pausing to come up with the right words. "It's not you, it's me. You've been honorable, actually. And I wish you the best, but I've realized that I need to singing with someone that matches my passion and talent level."

"Who's that?" Sam asked smiling.

Avoiding the question, Kurt decided to switch the subject, "You know they make special shampoo for color treated hair." He smirked before turning to walk away.

"I don't dye my hair," Sam yelled after him.

"Uh-huh," Kurt muttered before smiling to himself too. He was proud of what he did. He thought of others before he thought about himself. He went to get his costume for his new duet. He was excited to show everyone, and he was pretty certain they all loved it by the standing ovation he got.

-3-

Blaine was happy and giggly the next couple days. He had hung out with Conner in the library everyday after Warbler practice. They had flirted shamelessly, and Blaine was beginning to really like the boy. He found himself humming brightly in his room Thursday night.

"What's go you all smiley?" Nick asked, looking up from his homework. "Actually, you've been like this for the past couple nights. What haven't you been telling me?" He shut his books and turned to Blaine.

"I just," Blaine said turning when he was done getting dressed for bed. "I met this guy, and I'm really starting to like him. He's so nice and sweet."

Nick's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "YES! My Blainey has a crush and it might be a potential love interest. Wait until Jeff, David, and Wes find out."

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. "I am really happy, you don't even know. He makes my insides flutter whenever I'm around him. He's so confident and funny."

"All right," Nick said looking to him. "I need to know when you met him. How you met him. What he looks like. What's his name?"

"God, I feel like we are teenage girls, but I guess I could tell you some details. It was Monday night. I was studying in the library and this loud obnoxious group of guys came in. When they left, one stayed and we sorta locked eyes. He came over soon after and sat down. We talked and we just connected."

He paused to take a deep breath. "He's really, really cute. I love his curly, brown hair. I have to stop myself from running my fingers through it. His green eyes are great to look at, and he's probably a foot taller than me. Oh, and his name is Conner."

Nick's smile faded almost instantly. "Whoa wait." Nick held up his hands. "Conner Williams? He's in my history class."

"Yeah," he sighed breathlessly. "That's him. Isn't he dreamy? I mean if you were gay, wouldn't you go after him?"

Nick still wasn't smiling, and Blaine tilted his head in confusion. "I need to ask you something, Blaine. Did Conner ever tell you he was gay?"

Blaine thought about it for a couple seconds before realizing that he never did say it. "Um, no actually. I just kinda assumed it. He always flirts with me. Why?"

"Because I know for a fact that Conner has a girlfriend. He sits next to me, and he was going on and on about her. I even saw a picture. I hate to break it to you, Blaine, but Conner is straight."

Blaine frowned and felt like his world was ending. "Are you sure?" He felt his eyes stinging with tears. "Why can't I catch a break? I give up on men!"

Nick laughed, but looked sympathetic. "Just ask him tomorrow or whenever you see him again. Maybe he is just in the closet, but I know my straight guys."

"I will," Blaine said, getting into his bed. He was disappointed with himself and with the world. Nothing could ever go right now could it? He managed to fall asleep pretty quickly.

-4-

Kurt smiled as he stood up after his duet with Rachel. Everyone told them how much they loved it before they were dismissed. "Thank you, Rachel for doing this. I really needed it."

"Of course, Kurt," Rachel said smiling. She opened her arms and Kurt debated a minute before hugging her. "I know what it's like to be so lonely. You know that I'm here if you want to talk about anything."

"I know," he admitted as they turned to walk out of the room. "I really do. I just, everything has been happening so fast. My dad had a heart attack one day and the next I'm so desperate that I tell the new kid he's dong a duet with me. I need to just take a breather."

"I definitely agree. You have been so caught up in drama that you need to chill out. Now how about a slumber party at my house? I think it would be good for you and me to bond a little."

"You know that before today I couldn't stand to be in your presence, right?" he asked, turning to the girl as they walked to his car. Finn was there waiting.

"Yeah I know, but what could it hurt? You can come over, and we can gossip and do our hair. I need a manicure like ASAP. Pretty please with cherries on top?"

Kurt sighed and debated his options. He could go home and do nothing all night, or he could go to Rachel Berry's house and do her nails and hair. "I guess I'll be over later with my stuff. It shouldn't be that bad, but no Finn."

"Of course not," Rachel said brightly. She was jumping up and down in excitement. "I'm so excited, Kurt. I'll be waiting with musicals and treats. You won't regret it." She kissed him on the cheek before hurrying to Finn.

He sighed, but smiled as he got in and drove home. He was happy that he had someone else who wanted to be with him apart from Mercedes. Rachel wasn't that bad when she wasn't trying to hog up the spotlight. When he got home, he walked in to find his dad on the couch as usual. "Hi Dad."

"Hey Kurt," the older man said. "How was school? Did you find out if that kid was for your team yet?"

The younger boy frowned. "Yeah, he is dating Quinn, so not for my team at all. I guess that I'm meant to be alone for my whole high school career, but I've realized that with everything going on here, I don't need a boyfriend right now at least. Maybe later."

"That's my boy," Burt smiled. "You don't need anybody right now, but trust me. You will find him, and it will be a breath of fresh air. That's how it was when I met your mom and Carole."

Kurt smiled. "I know, but can I go out tonight?"

"Yes, go. You need to get out of this house with some friends. Where are you going, and when will you be home?"

"Rachel wants me to come over and spend the night. Is that okay? Because if you need me to stay, I'll stay. I don't want you to be alone if you are going to need anything."

"Please," he said rolling his eyes. "Go Kurt. I'll call Carole and have her come take care of me. She'll jump at the chance. She told me yesterday that you were hogging me up."

A laugh escaped Kurt's lips. "Okay, I'm going to go pack. You should call Carole while I'm downstairs." He left his dad and headed downstairs. He heard his dad talking soon after.

He put a couple things in his bags apart from the clothes: his nail kit, lotions and a couple DVDs. He checked his hair and changed his silver suit before heading back up. "All right, love you too. See you in a bit."

"So I take it she can come?" He asked looking at his dad as he hung up the phone. He nodded and Kurt smiled. "That's great. I'm about to go, do you need anything before I leave?"

Burt shook his head no, "I'm all set. I'll call you later, or you can call me? Be safe and just give me a hug before you go."

"Of course," Kurt whispered, wrapping his arms around his father. Ever since the incident they didn't waste any time hugging each other goodbye. It was scary how fast things could change. "Love you."

"Love you too," his dad said as Kurt let go and walked to the door. They said goodbye before he left for Rachel's. This might be the best night of his life, or the worst. No one could be quite certain until it happened. It was Rachel after all.

-5-

Blaine found himself in the library once again on Friday night. He was hoping that his workload would slow down after this week because he couldn't handle it. He finished his math before he heard someone sit down across from him. "Hey."

Blaine looked up and saw Conner. He felt his stomach flip with excitement, but it stopped immediately because he remembered his discussion with Nick. "Hey."

"So I was thinking that you are too good in school and you should stop studying. I'm having an Xbox marathon going on, and I wanted you to come. Will you stop working and come with me?"

"I actually have to finish this all before tomorrow so no," he declined nicely, focusing back on his homework. He didn't want to say no, but he really had no choice. He didn't want his hopes shattered.

"Are you mad at me?" Conner asked leaning forward to try and get the smaller boy's attention. "I'm sorry if I did something to upset you."

Blaine sighed and sat back to focus on the boy across from him. "Why didn't you tell me that you had a girlfriend? My friend said that you were talking about her in history."

He looked taken back, frowning for a minute. "I didn't think that it really mattered. You never really asked about her."

He laughed bitterly. "Yeah, well when you are flirting with me and sending me wrong messages, I do think it matters a lot. I was actually falling for you, Conner."

"Wait, you're gay?" he asked shocked. "I had no clue, Blaine. I really didn't mean to lead you on. Damn, I feel horrible."

Blaine stared at him for a moment before realizing that he was telling the truth. "So to get this out in the open, you are straight?"

Conner laughed and nodded. "Definitely. Look, I'm so sorry that you fell for me? I am a flirty guy. I don't really notice if I am doing it. My friends laugh at me because I even flirt with them."

Blaine found himself smiling. "It's all right. I just was upset for my luck in picking guys, but that's not your fault. I really do have to do this homework though. I would join you for your marathon."

"That's fine, Blaine. Just keep me in mind when you need a study partner, all right?" Blaine nodded. "I'll see you later."

"See you," Blaine said, nodding then he was alone. He finished within the hour then sat back. Was he that desperate that he made up relationships in his head? He needed to just not try anymore. He stood and made a decision as he started walking down the hallway. He was going to focus on other things and just forget about the love part of his life. It was the best thing he could do to survive his sophomore year without getting hurt. It sounded like a good plan.