The next day at school was surprisingly tense. Kurt had spoken very little, but Blaine was overwhelmingly aware of everything that he did and started overanalysing all of his own actions. What was the appropriate distance to sit from Kurt? What facial expression was he pulling right now? How long was it deemed acceptable to look Kurt straight in the eyes?

At lunch, rather than their (somewhat) regular habit of going to cafeteria or the memorial garden, Blaine headed to the Warblers' hall. He needed some time to think things through, and was fairly sure that – despite Wes' meticulous rehearsal schedule – the council wasn't quite prepared to demand people's lunch break.

Blaine pushed the door open, standing in the half-light coming from a semi-open curtain. Feeling that his need for clarity required it, he threw open the rest of the curtain (and windows for good measure) before carefully snapping the door shut and taking a deep breath.

No-one would be outside in this weather: the news had predicted snow, but it was only grey and freezing cold. The incoming wind wrapped itself round Blaine and gave him goosebumps, but he felt alert.

After a moment, he walked slowly to the piano and sat down, looking slowly over the keys and resting his hands on the carefully. He closed his eyes and breathed through his nose, and then realised he had no idea what to play. Blaine paused, frowning and feeling cheated. He'd always known what to sing before – it was what he prided himself on above anything else, even if he wouldn't admit it – and he felt the need for music, but he couldn't bring himself to play anything.

I guess there aren't any songs called 'I might have a thing for my friend but I'm not sure and I have no idea whether or not he likes me back because I am awful at interpreting signals and don't want to ruin my friendship with him', Blaine thought disappointedly. He allowed his fingers to press down on the keys, but felt even more uninspired than before. Groaning, he rested his forehead on the piano keys and heard the painful discord.

"Blaine?"

Blaine paused. He'd been so distracted that he hadn't recognised the voice calling his name. He raised his head slowly.

Trent was leaning in through the window. He smiled nervously when he saw Blaine. "Are you –?" he began, before falling through the open window into the room. Blaine instinctively rushed over to his friend and helped him up. "Thanks," Trent nodded sheepishly. He brushed himself down and looked at Blaine again. "Are you alright?"

Blaine tried a smile and shrug. "Course," he responded quickly, moving back to the piano. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Trent frowned. "Well, Kurt says you've been acting a bit weird and, frankly, I panicked." He raised his eyebrows apologetically, before asking, "why are you sitting in here in the dark?"

It was true: despite letting in as much daylight as possible, the layout of the room meant it was still quite dark. Blaine laughed nervously, trying to think of a viable reason. "I just... wanted somewhere to think," he explained eventually.

"Nervous for Sectionals?" Trent asked knowingly, to which Blaine shrugged. "I get that, Blaine." He nodded. "But you promised you'd teach Kurt his part – and the choreography –"

"There really isn't that much choreography –"

" – and I'm just saying, maybe try to keep focus." Trent shrugged, and walked to the door. "If I see Kurt, I'll let him know you're in here," he said finally, before leaving Blaine in the dark silence.

He sat back down on the seat. This hadn't been what he'd meant to happen at all. "Kurt says you've been acting weird..." he frowned, stroking his hand along the wood of the piano contemplatively. He needed to get out of his own head; it was throwing him off. And, although, he wasn't sure he could make sense of his feelings, surely he could just try to put them out of his mind? Yes, he decided. That was the best thing to try to do.

Blaine wasn't really sure whether he was trying to 'move on', but it did help clear his mind. Maybe it was partially his nerves about Sectionals getting the better of him, he thought. He smiled, proud of himself, and began to play the first melody that came into his head.

You would not believe your eyes

If ten million fireflies

Lit up the world as I fell asleep.

Cos they'd fill the open air

And leave teardrops everywhere

You'd think me rude but I would just stand and stare.

Blaine grinned, letting the rhythm of the music wash over him and feeling the beat in his bones. He took a great breath and began to belt the song at the top of his lungs.

I'd like to make myself believe

That planet Earth turns slowly

It's hard to say that I'd rather stay

Awake when I'm asleep

Cos everything is never as it seems

When I fall asleep.

He was feeling one hell of a lot better. There was something about the magic of singing that always lifted his spirits, and he let it take him now as he continued.

Cos I'd get a thousand hugs

From ten thousand lightning bugs

As they tried to teach me how to dance.

A foxtrot above head

A sock hop beneath my bed

A disco ball that's just hanging by a thread.

There was a quick knock on the door, bringing Blaine unwillingly back to reality. It opened to reveal Kurt, hovering uncertainly. Blaine remembered his promise to himself and smiled, motioning for Kurt to come in. Kurt looked relieved. "You missed your cue," he said softly, nodding at the piano.

Blaine shrugged and continued to play. "I'll just wait til the next one," he said lightly, swallowing back the tide of feelings he could sense were brewing in his stomach. He forced another smile. "Care to join?"

Kurt raised his eyebrows as if to say, 'well, if you insist...' and leaned on the side of the piano, looking at Blaine.

Leave my door open just a crack (Please take me away from here)

Cos I feel like such an insomniac (Please take me away from here)

Why do I tire of counting sheep (Please take me away from here)

When I'm far too tired to fall asleep?

The two boys made eye contact for a moment, before Blaine hastily looked back down at the piano. His playing faltered for a second.

To ten million fireflies

I'm weird cos I hate goodbyes

I got misty eyes as they said farewell

But I'll know where several are

If my dreams get real bizarre

Cos I saved a few and I keep them in a jar.

Kurt grabbed Blaine's hands, stopping him playing. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, eyes wide with concern

Blaine frowned, confused, but didn't answer.

"Because I know you keep saying you're fine, but you seem... different." Kurt was maintaining eye contact with him and Blaine was growing more comfortable looking at him.

Blaine paused for a moment, considering his answer. "I hope you'll appreciate, Kurt," he said finally, "that there are some things I can't tell you. That I can't tell anyone. And I hope that you'll let me just... muddle this through on my own."

Kurt nodded, seemed to understand. "Well, I'm always here if you need me to be." He smiled, and leaned down to hug Blaine. It was a long hug with both boys holding tightly.

When they released each other, Kurt smiled. "I actually came in here to ask about my part for Sectionals...?"

"Oh, yeah, of course!" Blaine shook himself and walked over to the bookshelf to find the music. "Let's get started."