Birds of a Feather

Disclaimer: Glee is totally Ryan Murphy's. If it were mine, it would probably be 'The Kurt Show';)

A/N: So, as promised, I managed to get this up faster than the last chapter. It was a stretch but woohoo, I did it:) I hope you'll enjoy this!

Chapter 3 – Multiple Choice

It's dark. It's always dark and there are shadows moving just on the verge of his sight. When they start gravitating to one place just on the very edge of the precipice, he feels cold fear sip into his body. He watches breathlessly as they start to merge into one terrifying shape…He starts running even though he knows there's no escape. Not from this. Not from him. He runs anyway because that is all he can do but he's too slow. Always too slow. Hands claw at him from behind, grabbing him...

"Kurt." A concerned voice broke through the shadows to reach his addled senses.

That never happens. He's always alone.

"Kurt!" The voice was stronger now, more forceful.

The hands slowly release their hold on him and he can breathe again.

Kurt slowly opened his eyes to meet a pair of green ones looking at him with worry. He stared transfixed at them as his brain slowly caught up to him. The terrible crick in his neck did the rest to assure him he wasn't dreaming anymore. He frowned and straightened up from his pillow of textbooks.

Blaine scanned his face, which was paler than usual and made the younger boy look almost translucent in the dying light of the fireplace. It was past midnight and he'd come down to the lounge to get his reading glasses when he heard soft whimpers from somewhere near the fireplace. To his dismay, he found Kurt in pajamas, splayed over a heap of textbooks, and obviously having a bad dream. Well, he was sleeping on calculus worksheets so that could explain it.

"Nightmare?" he asked sympathetically as Kurt continued to give him a confused, bleary-eyed look.

"It's nothing," Kurt finally mumbled plastering his brave face on and shaking off the remains of sleep.

"Does this happen a lot?" Blaine asked softly not falling for Kurt's front at all.

Kurt stared at him, once again amazed how easy it was for the other boy to see through him. The truth was, nightmares were so normal that he almost didn't remember what it was like to sleep without them. They came with losing your mother and being bullied and ostracized since you were six. They were part of the package.

"Sometimes," he lied avoiding the other boy's all too intense gaze. "It's no big deal," he tried to brush the other boy's concern off, his voice still faint and cracking from sleep.

"Sure it is and you know it." Blaine pushed.

Kurt sighed. Gah, he was beginning to appreciate how easy life with clueless Finn had been.

"If you keep feelings bottled up during the day, they will come to haunt you in the night," Blaine continued, leaning against the desk next to Kurt. "They won't just go away because you want them to. Believe me, I know, Kurt. I know what it's like."

Kurt leaned back on his chair, his hands crossed. "And what do you do about it, oh sage adviser?"

Blaine cracked a smile. "Usually I punch something," he said levelly.

"Really." Kurt raised an eyebrow at him. "You punch something. And it helps."

"No." Blaine shook his head. "But by the time I realize it doesn't, I'm already so worked up about my hurting hand that I forget all about it. And by the time my hand stops hurting, I'm sound asleep."

"That actually sounds like it could work," Kurt said with a nod staring into the dying fireplace. Then he looked back to Blaine. "In a totally you're-out-of-your-mind way," he added wryly.

"I'm not saying you should start punching people, Kurt," Blaine chuckled and made a mock serious face at him. "Though that might work, too." He sighed. "What I'm saying is, you shouldn't hold it all inside. You've been through some pretty heavy-weight stuff lately and you've got to find a way to let it out…but this mentoring session will have to wait," he added noticing Kurt's eyes were starting to get unfocused again. His eyelids were baggy and he was really pale. "You look tired."

Wide awake again, Kurt gasped and his hand wandered up to his bangs. "Not the look I was going for."

Blaine gave Kurt's yummy sushi pajamas a skeptical look. "What look were you going for exactly?"

"The 'it's really late so no one's gonna see me in my embarrassing yet comfortable flannel pajamas' look?"

"They're not embarrassing. They're…cute."

"Cute," Kurt repeated. "Really. Blaine, don't mess with me just because I'm half-conscious. I have a very good memory."

"Ok, no messing. And your secret's safe with me," Blaine said conspiratorially nudging him in the side. "I won't tell anyone you actually own anything flannel."

"This is serious, Blaine. If Finn found out, I wouldn't hear the end of it."

The black-haired boy shook his head. "My mouth's shut." He looked back up at Kurt who actually had to stop his head from dropping to his chest with a decided shake.

"And now let's get you to bed, sleeping beauty," he commanded.

"I'm not sleepy," Kurt protested though it might have carried more clout if his voice wasn't a bit slurry. "I have to…"

"Kurt, you were sleeping on a calculus book," he said wryly, cutting him off. "With your spine bent at an angle I never even thought possible. You're going to bed."

"Yes, dad," Kurt rolled his eyes though the drowsiness was back with a vengeance, making it increasingly hard to keep his eyes open.

He tried to get to his feet but he wobbled a little, his right leg giving in after it had fallen asleep because of his uncomfortable sleeping position.

"Careful," Blaine warned hovering over him. "Go slow."

Kurt nodded and began gathering his things.

"Leave your stuff, I'll come back for it later."

"No way." Kurt shook his head. "Last time I left my history book here, I found a cartoon with a very…busty lady scribbled on the pages. It was signed Des and Wavid. I swear, those two have the combined emotional maturity of a tea cup."

Blaine chuckled. "They just really like you."

Kurt shot him a sideways look. "Wow, how lucky am I?"

"You have no idea. My first semester here, they smeared shoe polish on the rims of my glasses. I looked like a raccoon for a week before it came off. As a thank you, I strewed their clothes with itching powder. It was the most entertaining chemistry class I've ever had." Blaine chuckled. "We've been best friends ever since."

Kurt smiled sleepily. "So your advice for me is, buy a batch of itching powder and punch people."

"That pretty much sums it up, yes." Blaine grinned. "Now, we're walking you to bed."

"Can't I just stay here?" Kurt whined.

"Do you want Wes and David find you here in the morning? I've seen them buy a new set of perma-ink markers today. You might wake up with a moustache."

With a resigned grimace, Kurt left his things and went for the door, Blaine at his side. Kurt thought he was doing pretty well considering his leg was still kinda dead and his eyes seemed to close of their own accord every second step. They were almost at the top of the stairs when he stumbled hitting his toes on the step painfully.

Blaine's hand shot out to steady him and the younger boy all but tumbled into his arms.

"Whoa there, graceful," Blaine said softly and helped him stand straight, trying not think too hard that this was the closest he had been to him so far. "A couple more steps."

By then, Kurt was wide awake and blushing magnificently. He tried to mumble some kind of apology but the words just wouldn't come out of his mouth. Deciding his brain and tongue were totally useless, he shut up and they got to his room in silence.

Blaine watched Kurt fall onto the bed with a relieved sigh and he chuckled under his breath.

"Good night, Kurt," he said when he was sure the other boy was settled and went to the door.

"Blaine?" Kurt's voice stopped him on the threshold.

He turned around and looked at the other boy, his face half-hidden in the darkness.

"Can I ask you for something?"

There was such vulnerability and hesitation in his voice that Blaine's heart could hardly stand it. He knew he'd get him a puppy, and a car and hell, jump out of the window, if that was what Kurt asked.

"Sure," he said tightly.

"I know it's stupid and childish…but could you sing to me? My mom always did when I was little and had a nightmare."

Blaine paused, unable to think of a response that would be mentor-appropriate, failed, and sighed. "Sure," he said and went back to his bed, sitting on the edge.

Kurt looked at Blaine hesitantly, fearing he'd get rebuked and teased. Instead, he was met with a gorgeous, warm smile.

"It's not stupid," he whispered. "My mom sang to me, too."

Kurt let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thank you," he mumbled and offered Blaine a smile so genuine that the older boy felt his heart flutter in his chest, something he hadn't felt in a long, long time.

"Any preferences?" he asked.

"No, I trust you."

Blaine smiled and his hand wandered to Kurt's forehead to brush off a stray curl. Kurt sighed contentedly under his touch and Blaine felt warmth build around his heart. There was one song he felt like singing right now.

Stars shining bright above you…

Recognizing the song immediately, Kurt felt his heart do a flip inside his chest. Surely, there was more to the choice than just coincidence? It had to be…Could there really be? Or was this just Blaine's flirty way of setting his mind at ease…or maybe…Then Blaine's voice drifted back to him and soothed his frantic thoughts…

Night breezes seem to whisper 'I love you'

Birds singin' in the sycamore trees

Dream a little dream of…

Suddenly a well-aimed pillow hit Blaine straight in the face.

"Stop the noise," came a whine from the other side of the room where Ian, Kurt's roommate, was apparently sleeping. Had been. "Or the next thing I'll throw will be something bigger. And harder. Like a hammer."

Blaine turned to him. "You keep a hammer in your bed?"

"Right next to my gun," came the muffled reply and Blaine cracked a smile. "So don't push it, Blaine. I know where your room is."

"Sorry," Blaine held back a snigger. He turned to Kurt. "Kurt, Ian needs his beauty sleep so I'm gonna…" he stopped short seeing the other boy was asleep, finally a peaceful expression on his face.

He looked even younger than normally, and somehow smaller. Blaine tucked him in and smoothed his hair. He stood over him a moment longer, deep in thought. Looking at Kurt was like looking at himself two years ago…haunted by nightmares, frustrated, traumatized…and at the same time it wasn't. Kurt was so far ahead of gay guys his age, so proud, so exceptional, so honest about who he was. Blaine wished he had had that kind of confidence and honesty in expression when he was sixteen. It was impressive…and intoxicating.

He slowly made it out of the room, his eyes never leaving Kurt's sleeping form.

XxXxXxX

Kurt always went back to Lima with a feeling of happy anticipation to see his dad, the girls, Carole and Finn…of course then Finn opened his mouth and the enthusiasm he'd worked up over the week would turn into murdering rage but that didn't stop the two of them from having great time together. Plus, there was a shopping trip with the girls on Sunday and that always set his temper at ease after a whole Saturday with Finn.

As he drove to Lima this time, though, it wasn't his family, or his goofy stepbrother, or even shopping, that was on his mind. He had some gaps from last night but he did remember it was Blaine-centric. As were his dreams. How couldn't they? Blaine had sung him to sleep. He didn't rebuke him or make fun of him but smiled that brilliant smile and sung Dream a Little Dream of Me, no less. That weighed on his mind the most, causing butterflies in his stomach and confusion in his mind.

Kurt cursed himself that he fell asleep half-way through the first verse. He hadn't seen Blaine since and it really didn't help that the other boy didn't give him any sign of life, too.

His thoughts of Blaine had to take a backseat, though, as soon as he drove up to the Hudmel house. Finn practically burst through the door and had him in a hug as soon as he got out of the car.

"I missed you! Don't go away again!"

"I've been away for a week, Finn. Like every other week. And I was at McKinley on Wednesday, remember?"

"It seems longer."

"Carole made you do the laundry and clean up the bathroom, didn't she?"

"Maybe."

"Well, it's great to know you at least appreciate my house-cleaning skills."

"You know that's not why I missed you!" Finn said in a hurt tone.

"Ok, ok, I was kidding."

"No, you weren't."

Kurt smiled at him. "I missed you, too, you dimwit."

Finn chuckled and his hand shot out to ruffle his hair…only to stop half-way under Kurt's death glare. Finn shook his head and backtracked, deciding to keep a safe distance and going to the trunk to take Kurt's bag out. As they went to the house, he started into the recount of the last couple of days at McKinley, the newest routine they were doing at Glee and how Mr. Schue had found out about the Mika number and made them all sing the song a capella, one by one.

"I don't know how you do those high notes. My throat still hurts and I swear I almost made my own eardrums explode."

Kurt chuckled, wishing he'd been there to see that. Or not. Finn singing a high F in vibratto was not something he would want to endure. Ever. The very thought made his ears hurt.

"Kurt, you're home!" came Carole's voice from the threshold. "The dinner's almost ready and after that we're having a James Bond marathon!"

"Don't argue," Finn whispered. "I already tried but mom threatened to take my Xbox away. And we're going with Roger Moore." Kurt made a face. "I know but resistance is futile. There's no telling what mom could do to your car. Or your shiny head thingies."

"My tiara collection?"

"Mom found it in your trunk yesterday."

Kurt swallowed. Roger Moore it was. He followed Finn inside, smiling despite the imminent torture that was watching a Bond movie without Daniel Craig in it. It was good to be home. Even if he wanted, he wouldn't be able to be confused and mopey about Blaine. With his crazy family, he just wouldn't have the time. And maybe that was what he needed to set his mind straight.

XxXxXxX

"Finn, you ate a whole three-course dinner a couple of hours ago," Kurt said looking on as his step-brother piled left-overs on a plate.

He couldn't sleep and came down for some water to find he wasn't the only one up at this hour. He stayed, not able to tear his eyes away from the copious amounts of food Finn was shoving into his mouth.

"So? I got hungry again."

"At midnight?"

"Yeah." Finn shrugged. "And it wasn't three courses!" he exclaimed. "Those bread things you did-"

"Bruschetta with olive oil and prosciutto."

"Right, whatever. It was good but there was barely enough for one bite!"

"It's not my fault your bite is like a bear's!" Kurt scoffed. Sometimes he wondered if Finn's jaw wasn't like a snake's, able to detach itself from the rest of his face to make even bigger bites.

"Hey, that would be kinda cool." Finn grinned munching on some meatloaf.

Kurt shook his head and absent-mindedly checked his phone. Still nothing from Blaine. Not that he was expecting anything anymore. It wasn't like Blaine didn't have a busy social life at Dalton and spent all his waking hours pining after him when he wasn't there. Kurt doubted he even noticed he went away. He probably had a million more interesting things to do and people to socialize with than some Lima transferee he barely knew, Kurt thought self-deprecatingly. He sighed.

"You've got it really bad, dude."

Kurt's eyes shot up to his brother, who had finished the meatloaf and was observing him over a pack of Doritos. Kurt flinched. Finn had to have a stomach made of steel.

"What are you talking about?" he snapped.

"Blaine. You're so into him."

"I…he's…we're not…" after the third trial, he let it go, to Finn's chuckle. He scowled. "I hate you."

"Hey, I'm just stating the obvious here!"

"Fine, I'll treat it as an act of innocence. It might help with the non-throttling."

"Kurt, I really don't get you. Not that I usually do but this time you're making my head spin," Finn continued, not fazed in the least by Kurt's withering glare. "You weren't afraid to make a move on me even though you knew I was straight and had a girlfriend. Here you've got a free, gay dude who you like and you're suddenly all shy and proper. That's so not your thing."

"What was in that meatloaf?" Kurt asked, bewildered by his brother's sudden bout of insightfulness.

Finn grinned. "Want some?"

Kurt chuckled.

"So…you think I should make a move?" he asked after a moment.

"I mean, why not? You're a guy."

"Thanks for pointing that out," Kurt quipped with an eye roll. "What would I do without you?"

"Hey, don't get all sarcasmy on me! You asked me! Next time go to Mercedes-" Kurt shot him a sideways look. "Never dated, ok, bad choice. Quinn! Um, even worse…Rachel…let's not go there. Ok, we all really suck at dating. But I still think you should do something if you like him. And I know you do."

Kurt took in a rapid breath. "Is it that obvious?"

"Sorry, bro, but it kinda is."

"To everyone but Blaine," Kurt huffed.

"No way," Finn objected. "He's totally into you. And he's gay."

Kurt's head snapped up. "That doesn't necessarily mean he's into me. Do you like every girl you meet, Finn?"

"Of course not."

"Well, it's the same with gay guys," he said, aiming for patiently benevolent, but ending up with somewhat irritated. "Just because Blaine's…inclined to like me, doesn't automatically mean he does."

"But why wouldn't he? I mean, you're a great guy – you're witty and well-dressed and clean…"

"Clean?"

"Um, you know – you brush your teeth, always have clean clothes, you smell nice…what guy wouldn't fall for you?" Finn blushed fumbling to come up with an explanation. "If he were gay, I mean."

Kurt shot him an exasperated look.

Finn sighed. "I'm not gonna tell you you're cute, even though you kinda are, because you're a dude and my brother and that would be just weird but I really think you don't have to worry if he likes you."

Kurt wasn't convinced. "If he did, he'd have said something."

"Maybe he's waiting for you to say something? I mean, he knows how much crap you've been through lately and maybe he thinks you need your space and he doesn't want to push?"

"That…kinda makes sense," Kurt said with furrowed eyebrows. "Maybe I should have some of that meatloaf."

Finn grinned. "So, you're going to do something about this?"

"You really think I should?"

"Totally. If he makes you happy – and he does, I've seen you two together – then I don't see why not. Just remember, if he tries anything funny or hurts you, I'll cut him. Like, up into pieces."

Kurt chewed on his lower lip, not really registering the end of Finn's speech. A decision was crystallizing in his head.

"So, you wanna go blow up some zombies?" Finn asked when he was done with the Doritos.

Kurt looked up at him. That kinda made for a solid plan. Kill zombies, spend the Sunday shopping with the girls, get his confidence meter up and forget all about a certain black-haired tenor. And when he went back to Dalton, maybe he would have enough courage to finally talk to him.

XxXxXxX

"Would you…I'm really…" Blaine mumbled to himself trying to find the right words. "I think we…Idiot!" He glared at his phone and cursed himself under his breath.

There was a loud thud behind him as Wes closed his book and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. It was Sunday morning and they were having a study session before dinner. Finals were approaching really fast. Which did nothing to lift Blaine's mood. Ever since Kurt left on Friday without talking to him, his focus was non-existent and his mood foul.

"Working on your pick-up lines?"

Blaine put the phone away and gave Wes a withering look.

"Just so you know, being called an idiot usually puts people off the dating mood," the other boy continued with a wide grin despite Blaine's glare.

David turned around to them from his desk. "Why? It turns me on."

Wes and Blaine both stared at him.

"I fear you," Wes said.

"It all depends on the person," David shrugged unfazed. "Take Kurt - you could totally call him an idiot and he would still agree to give half his liver for you let alone go out with you."

Blaine smiled despite himself.

"Oh, this is so not good," Wes said to David. "He's got the goofy dreamy smile on."

Blaine forced himself to drop the smile. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sign number two: denial," Wes continued. "This is serious."

"Classic," David added, watching Blaine wide-eyed.

"Guys, quit it," Blaine objected feeling warmth creep up his cheeks at the mention of Kurt nonetheless. "There's no dreamy smile and no denial because there's nothing to deny."

"That's it," Wes said with finality. "Sign number three: the blush. We need an intervention."

they both jumped up from their seats. David grabbed Blaine's phone as Wes held him down. He scanned through it with an amused expression.

"You've got Kurt on speed dial. Before your mom," David said pointedly as Wes let Blaine go. "Now call him. Because I swear if you don't call and profess your undying love for him, I will."

"You love Kurt?" Blaine frowned trying to hide a smirk. "With an undying love?"

David's hand shot out and ruffled Blaine's hair roughly. He jumped up and shook the other boy's hand away.

"Dammit, what was that for?"

"For being a smart-ass," David said with a smile. "And it's better that way. You look less like a smarm ball and more like a dork. Believe me, it's an improvement. I'm sure Kurt will appreciate it."

Blaine glared at them. Then he sighed pushing a hand through his dark locks. "We're only friends, guys."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Listen, he's been through a lot this year and it really got to him. He's never been in a relationship before or kissed anyone. I don't want to force him into anything just because I like him. That would be selfish."

"So you'd rather be miserable?"

"I won't do anything that makes life any harder for him."

"Sweet Mother Theresa of Calcutta, we've got ourselves a martyr!" Wes threw his hands in the air. "Blaine, you deserve to be in a happy relationship and there's nothing selfish about that."

"Not if the cost is Kurt's well being. I'll wait for him to make a move. When he's ready and if he's interested. And now could we go back to talking about liver transplants? Because your touchy-feely side is totally freaking me out. I prefer you being your usual callous and strange selves."

"Fine," David sighed. "But if Kurt goes on winter break and comes back with a tanned pool boy called Mario in tow and you're left alone, don't come running to us."

"As I said – callous and strange. Far better." Blaine chuckled but on the inside, he was on the verge of making a decision, probably one that would change his life. He hoped so.

So, I hope you liked this, I'm going back to my studying now...my finals are also coming:/ Please review before you go!