Monday morning came at last, after a weekend spent restless with worry for his teammate and possible crush. Honestly, he had no idea how to deal with his feelings for Blaine, or what they even were. He didn't know how to explain the hurt he felt when he left him Friday night, how to explain his butterflies every time he walked into the room or the race of his heart every time he uttered some silly Italian phrase.

Or the inexplicable worry he felt all weekend, thinking of Blaine. Or his sudden bout with insomnia as he lay awake all night in his new dormitory – he had requested a change in dorms the second he got back from the hospital. He didn't even know how to be around Jeff any longer.

So after a sleepless weekend, it was with dreary eyes that Kurt wandered into his period 1 Italian class. He had skipped breakfast, simply opting to get one of his roommates to bring him coffee – he had struck up a deal with one of them (Tim); he didn't tell the teachers he was smoking in the bathrooms if he brought him coffee. It was a surprisingly successful compromise. Kurt couldn't help but feel that he had gotten the better stick, though. Tim was twice his size, he could easily just beat him up.

He wasn't complaining though.

As he walked into the class his eyes (out of habit) scanned the class for Blaine, hoping to find a darkly handsome Warbler amongst the sea of navy blazers that he had become so accustomed to.

With a regretful sigh he realised that no such boy was present (not including Thad) and slumped down in his seat, opening his book and assembling his materials, preparing for a class that he didn't even understand without even the bright light of Blaine's expressive eyes to keep him company.

Or so he thought.

The teacher was just beginning the class when there was a rap on the door. Kurt's eyes flickered uninterestedly to the door, starting when he caught sight of the one and only Blaine Anderson, leaning on the door way frame easily, his trademark smirk in place as he ran a hand through the curly locks that fell across his face, disguising his lightly disfigured features.

"Mancato?" he drawled, his flawless accent caressing the simple phrase in a way that sent a familiar shiver down Kurt's spine. Almost as if he could sense it, Blaine's gaze settled on Kurt's.

Kurt sometimes wondered what Blaine thought when he looked at him. He knew a lot of people instantly judged him for his looks, or his voice or the way he dressed or what they heard about him. He'd seen a lot of disgusted looks – annoyed ones too. He'd seen a few rare friendly smiles from his closest friends and even admiration on one or two occasions.

But he'd never seen the expression on Blaine's face before.

His eyes when they settled on Kurt's became just a bit brighter. They caught with the light on occasions, (like now) and Kurt was dazed by their beauty. He had initially thought that he was amused by him. That when he was hitting on him it was all a joke, a ploy to manipulate the new kid, in the way that after a while he believed he had done to Jeff.

But now he wondered if there was something different in that golden gaze… something bigger than just amusement. After hearing a glimpse of his past from Puck and his own revelation to his intentions to Jeff (or at least, a brief – albeit angry- summary), Kurt didn't think that that was what it was at all.

But he could only wonder.

He heard distantly the sound of their teacher's rebuke for Blaine's tardiness, and the glimpse of a dry reply (in perfect Italian of course), but he was too distacted by his flood of relief.

Blaine was okay.

"Buongiorno belle," Blaine winked as he slipped into the seat next to Kurt. Inspired by a flash of momentary wisdom, Kurt replayed the saying in his head before whipping out his phone under his desk and accessing google translate, attempting to phrase his words.

Good morning beautiful.

Kurt smiled down at his phone as the simple phrase blinked back at him. He looked up and met Blaine's gaze, which was still on him.

"Yes," Kurt uttered quietly, holding Blaine's gaze intently, "it is, isn't it."

~.~

After Italian class, Kurt was walking to his science class when he heard the somehow familiar tune of Blaine's lyrical footsteps, moving to their own beat. Was it strange that out of all things, Kurt had memorised the sound of his walk. It made much more sense than a heartbeat, being more audible of course, and was somehow much less creepy than memorising something truly absurd such as his pattern of blinking or even the steady flow of his breath.

But his footsteps were easy, always the same. He took short steps, his small legs unable to reach Kurt's lengthy strides, but to match his pace, he walked quicker. There was an almost bounce to his walk. Despite everything Blaine had been through he somehow managed to maintain the bright bounce in his walk that reminded Kurt of an eager child. Kurt wondered absently what Blaine had been like as a child before he remembered that present!Blaine was right at his side and he turned his attention to him.

"Can I help you?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow in question.

"I heard you switched rooms," Blaine said conversationally, walking in step with Kurt although Kurt knew for a fact (no, he was not a stalker) that he had English class right now which was down the other end of campus.

"You heard correct," Kurt confirmed, unsure of Blaine's angle. "What of it?"

Blaine tilted his head to the side with a smile that flickered with amusement (yes, this much was amusement, Kurt was sure). "And your new roommates are?"

"Why do you ask?" Kurt asked quickly, still trying to figure Blaine out.

Blaine's smile only broadened. "Well," he began, "as lead Warbler soloist, it's part of my duty to look out for fellow Warblers. I'm well aware of your primary intention of joining Warblers."

Kurt raised an eyebrow. What was he talking about.

"Protection," Blaine finished simply.

Oh.

"It's okay," Kurt assured him, "I'm with Tim-"

"Stoner Tim?" Blaine asked, his brow furrowed.

Kurt nodded. "He's okay though. He brings me coffee if I don't dob him in for smoking."

Blaine let out a laugh of disbelief and he shook his head. "Only you, Kurt Hummel, could get Stoner Tim to fucking bring you coffee."

Kurt shrugged. "It's a talent," he quipped sassily. Blaine laughed again and Kurt's heart fluttered. He had a nice, musical laugh that Kurt thought he'd like to listen to for a while longer…

But his pleasant thoughts were suddenly interfered by a worrisome thought.

"Wait," Kurt said slowly, "why are you looking out for me? I'm-I'm not a Warbler. I never completed the initiation."

Realisation dawned on Blaine's face. "Oh," he said blankly, clearly not having considered this. "I guess not then…"

"But," Kurt ventured carefully, "what if I completed it… I mean, I know I said no, but-"

Blaine's expression was seized by a sudden grin, larger than Kurt had ever seen on his face. Kurt had scarcely seen Blaine smile since his arrival. Sure, he'd seen plenty of smirks, but pretty much never actual genuine happy smiles. And this was more than a smile. He was fully-fleged grinning at him, all bright and messy and teeth and lips and perfect. Kurt wanted to sink into his sunshine forever.

"I'll pick you up at eight," Blaine said, accompanied by a wink. He left Kurt then, sauntering back down the hall, leaving Kurt overly flustered at the door of his science class.

Fuck.

He had a date with Blaine Anderson.

What had he gotten himself into?