Author's Note: Apparently, when I'm suffering from insomnia, I write very sleepy chapters, where Klaine take naps and drift off at a moment's notice. Wishful thinking on my part, but I'm glad Klaine at least are getting all the sleep they need. So, enjoy some pillow talk and sleepy cuddles, I guess :-)

Chapter 7: Nothing Better than the Real Thing

Kurt felt a soft warm hand caress his face and trace the contour of his body, and slowly stirred awake.

It was Blaine. Of course it was Blaine, they had been talking, but why was it so dark outside?

His muddled brain refused to work properly, but he did realize they'd have to get downstairs as soon as possible or his dad would think… Ugh, he didn't want him to think anything like that ever.

He had meant to help Carole make dinner, but it was already done. His stepmom didn't seem to mind, though, telling him a snowball fight and a nap after would cure that cold of his in a jiffy. And yes, he hadn't been coughing or sniffling half as much as the day before, that was definitely true. But he'd been exhausted from the emotion more than the exercise that came before.

Kurt glanced at Blaine, who gave him a look that felt like a hug. A look that said, "Your secrets are safe with me", and Kurt believed that was true.

As soon as they were all seated at the table, Blaine slipped his hand in Kurt's and squeezed it lightly, the message of support more than clear, and Kurt sent him a grateful smile.

He didn't fully cheer up until after dinner, when he got an invitation to Rachel's New Year's Eve party, but Finn nipped his joy about seeing his friends again in the bud by pointing out they'd all want to know everything about Blaine and how he and Kurt met.

Well. That was certainly true.

He saw Blaine's eyes widen, his hands tremble and his color fade.

Oh, sweetie… I'll make sure to keep you close at the party. I can bluff myself out of this. I'm good at improv. You have nothing to worry about.

But Blaine was truly rattled, and insisted on getting their story straight, so though it was still early, they both pleaded exhaustion and announced they were going to bed.

Burt fixed them with a stare. "If I let you sleep in the same bed, can I count on you behaving yourselves? No shenanigans!"

Blaine swallowed and nodded. "You have my word, sir… uhm, Burt."

"Kurt?"

"Ugh, you're embarrassing, Dad. But yes, I promise."

Carole squeezed Kurt's shoulder affectionately. "You do look beat. And no wonder, you're still fighting against a cold. Yes, go to bed, and I'll tell Finn to let you sleep in tomorrow. Do you need more lozenges for your throat?"

"No, I just drank about a gallon of chamomile tea, and my throat feels okay. Thanks, though. And goodnight."

They escaped without any more comments from Burt, and Kurt slipped into his en-suite to shower and change into his pajamas, telling Blaine he could use the main bathroom in the meantime.

Sure enough, when he emerged in his bedroom again after his skincare regimen, Blaine was sitting on the bed, wearing neatly pressed pajamas and smelling like raspberries and aftershave. He was also on the verge of a panic attack, it seemed, so Kurt hastened to hug him and whisper "It will be okay."

"Finn said…"

"I know what he said, and I'm sorry he got you so wound up. My friends are nosy, yes, but I can deal with them. We can deal with them. You'll be fine. I'll stay with you the whole night through, and when they're too annoying, I'll tell them to back off."

Blaine didn't look reassured. "I'd feel better if… If we had a story to tell them. About how we met."

"All right, honey. Do you mind if I get under the duvet? I'm a bit cold."

They both got under the covers, and Blaine wriggled until he was back in Kurt's arms, which made Kurt smile and his heart beat a bit faster.

"So… We met at the coffee shop where you work?" Kurt suggested. "And I liked the bowtie you were wearing and complimented you on it. Oh, that is… If you… Do you wear bowties while working?"

"Sometimes, yes."

"There you go! And you smiled at me, and I was smitten at once. You have such a lovely smile."

"Thank you."

Kurt continued, "So I kept coming back to your coffeeshop… Where is it, in fact? Somewhere near my school or where I live, I hope."

"Oh, it's near the Washington Square Park. It's called Stumptown Coffee Roasters."

Kurt perked up. "I've been there! They have the best chai lattes, I love those."

"It's the spices," Blaine explained. "We make our own blend."

"Well, brilliant. I've raved to Rachel about those chai lattes, so now I can tell her it wasn't just for the drinks I went to that coffeeshop."

"Okay. So then… what happened?"

"Hmm… We ran into each other somewhere outside the coffeeshop, and… You saved me and my quiff from a sudden rain squall by letting me shelter under your umbrella. I was so grateful I asked you out on the spot, and you said yes."

"Oh, I like that," said Blaine. "You're really good at this."

"Hours and hours of practice daydreaming. Might as well put it to good use for once."

"So… when did this happen, exactly?" Blaine wanted to know.

"Oh, just a few weeks ago. We've only gone on one date so far, because you're busy, and I'm busy. But then I went to the coffeeshop one last time before I'd be heading home to Ohio, and we got talking, as we always do, and you mentioned being all alone for Christmas, and I invited you home with me. It was a spur of the moment decision."

Blaine laughed. "Well, that's true enough!"

Kurt hummed in assent, and carded his fingers through Blaine's curls, gently massaging his head. "I can be impulsive, yes. But inviting you is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I don't regret it one bit."

"Me neither."

"Do you think we could…?"

"Keep in touch once we're back in New York? Yes. Yes, please."

Kurt was a bit taken aback by Blaine's quick reaction. He'd meant to ask Blaine out on a date, but this sounded like he was being friend-zoned.

Oh. Not quite on the same wavelength, then.

Kurt took his hands away from Blaine's hair, fake yawned and announced that he was about to fall asleep. He turned onto his side, said "Goodnight" and focused on making his breathing soft and slow and regular.

Next to him, he heard Blaine whisper "Goodnight, Kurt" and turn onto his side as well, taking away his body heat and making Kurt shiver a bit.

"Are you still cold?" Blaine asked.

"Mmm-hmm."

Blaine shuffled closer and spooned Kurt, his presence warm and comforting, and at once Kurt felt a million times sleepier.

"Much better than a boyfriend pillow," Kurt mumbled, tugging Blaine's arm snugly around him.

Blaine laughed. "Nothing better than the real thing, right?"

Kurt didn't answer. Seeing as they were only fake dating, there was no real thing. Or was there? Ugh, why had he made such a mess of things and allowed himself to catch feelings?

Behind him, he heard Blaine say "Sweet dreams", and he felt a slight fleeting pressure on his neck. Had Blaine just kissed him?

Kurt suppressed a sigh. This was getting more and more confusing, but he hoped it would sort itself out in the end. In the meantime, he was going to imagine this was really his boyfriend spooning him in bed and keeping him toasty warm. It felt like heaven, and he was going to enjoy the experience to the fullest.

I could get used to this…