Kurt started making his way across the practice room towards Blaine. He only made it halfway across the room, however, when Wes stopped him.

"Warbler Kurt!" Ever formal, thought Kurt.

"Hey, Wes."

"So glad you could make it! As you can see, these celebrations are a time for us Warblers to let our hair down—"

"Literally in Blaine's case!" David bounded up to the two boys, shirtless, with a plastic cup in each hand. "I see he's left his hair gel at home tonight!"

Kurt had also noticed the change in Blaine's hair, and the curls free of their gel, coupled with the 5 o'clock shadow on the boy's chin, was doing funny things to his stomach.

"Anyways, Kurt, I got you a drink," Said David, pushing one of the cups into Kurt's hand. "It's so great to see you, we weren't sure if you were gonna make it."

"Well here I am!" Kurt replied. The boys saying they were glad to see him was like a swelling balloon of happiness in his chest. They did want him. He knew it. He should just forget about Brian. "Has this got alcohol in it?" He said, pointing to the cup.

"Of course! Warbler Punch, made by yours truly"

"Oh… I…" Kurt hadn't drunk since the notorious incident with Miss Pillsbury's shoes back at McKinley, and he didn't know if now was the time to start again.

"Don't feel you have to drink, Warbler Kurt," Wes said, seeing the look on Kurt's face. "I, for one, never drink and I still manage to have more than enough fun."

David rolled his eyes. "Wes, stop calling everyone Warbler. We're at a party. Relax. And Kurt, I'm not going to force you if you don't want to, but trust me, one drink is not going to hurt."

Kurt looked up at David. He was right. It was only one drink and besides, he was going to need some Dutch courage if anything was going to happen with Blaine. He knocked his cup against David's, called "To the Warblers." And downed his drink in one, wincing at the slight burn he felt as it went smoothly down his throat.

Kurt had been chatting to David and Wes for about ten minutes, and the Warbler Punch was starting to kick in. He wasn't drunk by any stretch of the imagination, but he was definitely feeling more jolly than usual and there was one person he wanted to talk to, more than any one else at the party. If he was being honest, he was slightly surprised, and a bit hurt that Blaine hadn't already come over to say hello but, he reminded himself sharply, it's not like they were dating. Blaine had no obligation to come over and greet him. Baring this in mind, he decided it was time to take matters into his own hands and, saying something vague about needing a refill, he moved away from David and Wes, and towards Blaine. He was still in the same corner, talking to Trent now, who had finally gotten off the sofa and was chugging deeply from a Budweiser bottle. Sofa dancing was obviously thirsty work.

Blaine looked up as Kurt approached and, finally noticing him, gave a smile that turned Kurt's knees to jelly. Trent looked between the two of them and raised his eyebrows in a jovial manner. "I'll be talking to Jeff if you need me, Blaine." He said, but Blaine didn't seem to hear. Trent just chuckled to himself and walked off, nodding to Kurt as he left. Kurt attempted to return Blaine's smile in an equally as dazzling way, but felt sure he probably looked like he had gas pains again. Blaine didn't think so though. When Kurt smiled like that, Blaine temporarily lost the ability to think coherent thoughts and was glad he was next to the c.d. rack, as he surreptitiously caught hold of it to steady himself. His knees were just as wobbly as Kurt's.

Regaining his senses, he said "Kurt! You came!"

"I said I would, didn't I?" Kurt replied, closing the gap between them in two steps. Before he realized what he was doing, he had pulled Blaine into a hug. Damn, maybe the punch was affecting him more than he thought. So much for playing it cool. Blaine, however, did not seem phased and returned the hug, squeezing Kurt tight. They broke apart, both smiling awkwardly. Kurt noticed Blaine blushing slightly and smiled wider, he hadn't realised he had that effect on him, and was pleased.

Kurt cast around for something to say. "Not drinking, Blaine?" He said, noticing the can of ginger ale in the other boy's hand.

"No. I thought after the whole Rachel incident, I was better off keeping a straight head tonight."

Kurt began to laugh and Blaine looked offended. "What? What's funny about that?"

Kurt tried to regain composure. "A straight head? Isn't that what you had during the whole 'Rachel incident'?"

Blaine shook his head and giggled. "I'll give you that one, but you know what I mean. Dummy." He said, sticking his tongue out playfully.

The two boys considered each other for a while, not saying a word. As Kurt stared into the deep pools of hazel that were Blaine's eyes, he thought he saw something change in them. It was a look that Kurt recognized, but could not place. He certainly did not think anyone had ever looked at him that way before.

Suddenly, the music became much quieter and they heard a rallying cry of "TRUTH OR DARE, BITCHES!" issuing from Thad's, normally reserved, mouth. "Come on, lovebirds!" He said, coming over to them. He grabbed Kurt's arm and pulled him over to the growing circle in the middle of the room. Blaine followed, shaking his head as if he was trying to get water out of his ears. The real reason for these odd movements, however, was that this stupid, soppy grin that had spread all over his face would just not leave. He felt as if his face was splitting in half. Even Jeremiah had not made him feel like this. That look he had just shared with Kurt had meant something. He could feel it.