The change between the New Directions and the Warblers was obvious now: it had been different watching them perform, but there was clearly a hierarchy.
And I'm at the bottom of it, Kurt thought glumly. After his initial welcome to group, he could see that the council held nearly all the power, and Blaine had the rest. Worst of all was that no-one seemed to realise. Back at McKinley, if someone felt ignored, they'd start a fight or sing something angry or storm out, but here... everyone just accepted it. It was going to take a while to get used to.
But he'd got a chance at a solo. It was clear that, despite their disapproval at his suggestions, they were prepared to award contributions. Maybe he had been a little hasty with the set list suggestions; after all, they already had the parts and choreography for 'Hey, Soul Sister' down.
"Kurt! There you are." Kurt looked up and smiled as Blaine came to join him on the bench. He'd been sitting in the memorial garden for half an hour. "Where were you at lunch?"
"I wasn't hungry." Kurt turned to Blaine. "Two auditions in as many days... has to be some kind of record, right?"
Blaine nodded, and said, "ah."
"Ah?" Kurt raised an eyebrow expectantly.
An arm around his shoulders, warm in the cool air. "Well, you've only just got into the Warblers, and you're nervous about singing in front of everyone. Not to mention that if you get solo, you'll personally be going up against your old school. And I could tell that you and the council weren't exactly... seeing eye to eye." Blaine looked Kurt in the eyes, and Kurt's heart fluttered. "But it'll be fine," he assured him. "Because you're a Warbler now: Warblers, however much it may not seem like it, look out for their own."
Kurt had got distracted by Blaine's mouth as he talked, but he blinked and reshuffled in his seat. "Good to know." He pondered about asking Blaine's advice on song choice for his audition, but decided against it. "So, do I have any competition for tomorrow?" he asked eventually, risking leaning his head on Blaine's shoulder.
Blaine didn't seem to mind. "Jeff's auditioning," he responded. Not knowing Jeff, Kurt just nodded. "And... Nick, I think." Kurt felt Blaine's jaw as he leaned on Kurt's head, and felt his own heart racing. Could Blaine really be seeing this as platonic? Or was he just trying to be some support for Kurt? He tried to put the thoughts out of his head and just enjoy the moment while it lasted.