There was no sleep for the whole weekend. Maybe a nap or two, but other than that, Blaine's eyes stayed open almost all the time.

He just couldn't stop thinking about Friday night. He just could not help himself. It wasn't like he was doing it on purpose, but the events that took place that night kept replaying on the inside of Blaine's head, like a movie that never ended. Every time Blaine tried to read a book, or close his eyes and sleep, or even try and do his homework, all he could think of was Kurt.

Kurt. Everything reminded him of Kurt. The problem was, Blaine had no clue how to ask someone like Kurt out. Blaine was afraid that he might mess up and stammer while asking the question, or take somewhere Kurt might not like if he said yes. Kurt liked romance, Blaine knew that, but he didn't know what kind.

If Kurt said no, Blaine would be very disappointed and upset, of course. Doesn't everyone get that way when they get rejected? But he'd respect Kurt's decision. He knew Kurt had never had a boyfriend before, or at least, not from what Blaine could tell. And neither had he, for that matter. Hopefully if he said yes, it would be a new experience they could learn together.

On Sunday night, after Blaine had vaguely finished his English papers, he crawled into bed and stared out the window, dark clouds the color of the ocean at night covering the moon, but still casting a light blue down on Blaine's room. Everything in Blaine's room, including him and the sheets, glowed with blue. He didn't bother to get up and close the window; it wasn't like he'd be sleeping anyway.

Blaine wasn't exactly stressing when the night came. Yes, he still couldn't sleep, but everything was quieter and he enjoyed tangling himself in the cool sheets on the early spring nights. It helped him to steady, to focus.

The thought of Kurt singing like a bird gave him chills so often that Blaine once even had to arch his back off the bed and flip over. He could feel the warm blush on his cheeks constantly; his heart beats picking up, his mind drifting off to somewhere else. He'd never felt this way before. The closest he'd come to this feeling was 2 years ago when he finished writing his first song, but even that couldn't compare to the feel of love.

Even though Blaine could hear his sister and mom laughing at some movie they were watching, even though Tracy was usually tapping away on her laptop, talking to her teenage friends. Normally, Blaine would have groaned and pulled the pillow over his head to keep out the noise, but now, he didn't have a care in the world.

Because tomorrow was the day he would ask Kurt Hummel a question that would hopefully change both of their lives.

THE NEXT DAY

School was a long, long day.

Blaine didn't get to see Kurt a lot during that day. Whenever he did, talking to his glee club friends or walking in the hallway right past him, he'd chicken out and try not to go anywhere near him. He was so nervous, more nervous than he'd been on the night of the spring musical. He didn't see Kurt as his friend anymore. He saw him as something much, much more.

Kurt even walked by him once, and came very close to turning around, where Blaine was standing. Blaine pretty much dove into the corner where Kurt didn't even notice. Blaine ended up bumping into a very scared ninth-grade girl who shrieked when an odd, curly haired senior almost jumped on her.

"Sorry," Blaine said, embarrassed as the girl started to walk away, clutching her books to her chest. Blaine swore he could hear the girl mutter, "Creep."

As the day came to an end, Blaine sighed with disappointment. Why was he being such a baby? He'd talked to Kurt a million times before. It's not like he was meeting the president or a celebrity or anything. Of course, Blaine thought of Kurt as a much higher status than them. He wanted so badly to be near Kurt, couldn't be near him when he was around.

The bell to the last class rang, echoing in the classrooms and halls and Blaine sadly gathered his things together, cursing himself in his head.

You just wasted your whole weekend and day! Great work. Maybe I can try again tomorrow.

Blaine would keep trying to ask until he was finally brave enough to look the blue-eyed boy in the eyes and ask one question. Maybe it was a good thing he wasn't doing this today, Blaine thought to himself as he walked down the hallway and to his locker. Maybe it will give me more time to know what to say.

Blaine was worried that now; his mind was really not going to shut up tonight. But again, Blaine never got tired if it involved Kurt. After Blaine finished putting some books away at his locker, he closed it shut, zipped up his bag and began to walk down the hallway towards the exit, his hands stuffed into his pockets. Just as Blaine was about to leave, he heard a muffled shouting noise from down the hallway, down the corner. He paused, listening closely to the noise. It seemed to be getting louder and more violent sounding. There were loud bangs and thumps, and the sound of voices. Blaine turned around and started to walk down the hallway, assuming that it was a teacher carrying a heavy box of supplies, trying to get into a room or something. Blaine decided to help.

However, a teacher carrying a heavy box of supplies trying to get into a room was not what he found at all.

Instead, he hid behind the corner as soon as he caught sight of Kurt. There were two tall football players, each wearing their red, McKinley letterman jackets. They were bugging Kurt, calling him names and laughing at him. Blaine recognized one of the football players to be Azimio, but the other one, he couldn't tell. He knew it wasn't Karofksy, another football player who harassed Kurt almost everyday last year, because he knew for a fact that Karofksy lay of Kurt and apologized for being a threat. All he knew was that this football player was as fat as the moon.

Watching these pricks pick on Kurt made Blaine so incredibly angry. His fists clenched around the straps on his backpack, the skin on his knuckles almost going white.

"Hey, fag," Azimio chuckled darkly, "We're talking to you. Don't ignore us. We heard you sang a girl's song on Friday night at the little freak fest. Everyone is talking about it."

"Leave me alone, you wouldn't know art if it smacked you in the face," Kurt snapped, rolling his eyes and turning back to his locker, which was fully open.

The fat jock pushed Kurt into it and said, "Didn't you hear us, lady boy? We're speaking to you!"

Kurt stumbled a little bit as he tried to turn around to face them again. "Didn't you hear me? I said leave me alone. Don't you two gorilla's have somewhere else to be? Like running around like animals on the field?"

Azimio and the fat one pretended to "ooooo" like they heard a big insult.

"I wouldn't talk to us if I were you, faggot," Azimio laughed. He shoved Kurt into the locker again.

"Stop it!" Kurt shoved Azimio back, clearly annoyed and tired of this. He did realize that he was defending himself, however he did not realize that he made a huge mistake.

Azimio became very angry, sending a punch right back into Kurt's right shoulder. Kurt'd been shoved, pushed, called names, thrown into dumpsters and given nasty looks, but never in his life had he been punched. And it was a hard, full punch, too. Fear gleamed in Kurt's eyes, for this was the first time he really feared the bullies. He knew he was going to get beat up now that he crossed the line. There was a throbbing pain in Kurt's shoulder as his back hit the lockers, and Blaine, still watching from behind the wall, watched in agony.

Blaine couldn't stand still anymore. A wave of panic and the feeling of adrenaline pulsed through him. How dare they hit him?

"HEY!" Blaine yelled, causing all three heads to turn in his direction. He stepped out from behind the corner, angry and worried. He rushed over to Kurt's side, who was struggling to sit up. His face read, what the hell are you doing, Blaine? You're going to get hurt!

"Leave him alone," Blaine growled sternly.

Azimio and the fat jock laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. "And what are you gonna do about it, dick licker? Protect your precious princess?"

Blaine stood in front of Kurt, who was still sitting on the floor, trying to block him from the jocks.

"Look, I don't know what your problems are, but I suggest you both leave right now before I kick the crap out of both your asses."

The fat one snorted. "You, beat us up? That's funny. I'm pretty sure you're just as queer as him."

"Maybe," Blaine spat, "But at least we're not dumb and dumber here. I'd appreciate it if you'd shut your fat ass before I kick it so hard it rolls down a hill."

The fat one was about to throw a punch when Azimio stopped him and said, "Forget it, man. They're not worth it. The hell with both of you fairies."

"Let's get out of here," the fat one said, "I think their disease is contagious, I wouldn't wanna catch it."

Azimio shoved Blaine in the arm before the both of them walked down the hallway out of sight. Blaine was trying to keep his breathing under control. There was still red hot anger pounding in his head. He couldn't believe them. How could they allow such assholes in the school? Blaine kept clenching and unclenching his fists. He usually did this when he was mad, it helped keep him from hitting things.

Blaine's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a whimpering Kurt from behind him. Blaine turned and took one look at Kurt, who was clutching at his hurt shoulder, and every trace of anger flee from his body as it was replaced with heartbreak.

Blaine crouched down in front of Kurt, placing on hand on his fore arm and the other rubbing at his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Kurt winced on the spot where Blaine's fingers brushed his wound. "I-yeah. I'll be fine."

"Is it broken? Do you need me to take you anywhere?" Blaine asked frantically, making sure not to rub too hard on Kurt's shoulder.

Kurt smiled and shook his head. "No, it's just a little sore. But I'm okay."

"Here," Blaine volunteered, "Let me take a look at it. Is that alright?"

Slowly but certain, Kurt nodded and shrugged out of his tan cardigan. Blaine gently tugged at the material of Kurt's short sleeve, white t-shirt with a picture of a bow tie printed at the neck line until only one, curvy, white shoulder was exposed. Blaine almost stopped breathing, because shoulders weren't supposed to be sexy, but somehow, Kurt's most definitely were.

His neck was so long and flawless, only a few freckles scattered on his shoulder. A tiny bit of his collarbone was peeking out from the thin material as well, a pale, brown birthmark the shape of a little heart right underneath it. Kurt's cheeks began to turn pink when he noticed Blaine's eyes scanning the dark purple bruise that already started to form when Azimio punched him.

Blaine licked his lips, but blinked himself awake, tearing his eyes away from the flawlessness of Kurt Hummel. "Um- I'm going to apply pressure to it. Tell me if it hurts, and I'll stop, alright?"

Kurt nodded, and Blaine took hold of Kurt's shoulder, pressing his thumb to the soft flesh. Kurt gulped, but he didn't say anything. Blaine looked him in the eyes, as if asking for permission to go further. Kurt nodded once more, and Blaine pressed a little deeper. Kurt hissed in pain, and as quick as lightning, Blaine took his hand away from the bruise, apologizing. Without realizing, he leaned down and planted a very light kiss to the bruise.

Oh my god. Why the hell did I just do that?

Blaine slowly looked up in horror to a wide eyed, red-cheeked Kurt. Kurt's heart was beating unbelievably fast. Warmth had spread all over his body when he felt the pair of lips on his shoulder.

Blaine opened and closed his mouth, like he wanted to say something but he was scratching out the words in his head and throwing them away into an imaginary trash can. Blaine had never been this embarrassed in his life.

"I-uh… I'm sorry," Blaine got out, "I wasn't thinking. I thought I hurt you."

Kurt gave a shy smile, taking Blaine's breath away. "It's alright," he said, "It felt nice."

Blaine stared at Kurt for a very long time, or at least, that's what it felt like. He then cleared his throat and pinched the fabric of Kurt's sleeve, pulling it back up into place to cover the mark.

Blaine stood up and offered Kurt a hand. "Let's go get you some ice."

Smiling and nodding, Kurt took it and hoisted himself up. The two walked down the hallway, walking to the cafeteria where they would find ice kept in plastic bags in the freezer. They weren't supposed to be in there because school was now over, however, Blaine really wanted to be near Kurt for the first time today. He didn't think he realized it, but so did Kurt.

When they got to the cafeteria, no one was in sight, which was good. Kurt waited patiently at one of the deserted tables, rubbing at his shoulder and wincing occasionally.

"Don't rub at it," Blaine told him when he came back from the other room, a small plastic bag full of cold ice in his hand. "You might make it worse."

He sat down next to Kurt and pressed the cold, solid substance to Kurt's shoulder from on top of his shirt. He gave a little shiver, and Blaine laughed.

"I forgot to tell you," Kurt said, "I thought you were amazing on Friday. I was really proud of you."

Blaine shrugged, but he was smiling. "Well, I owe it all to you. You were really good, too."

"I was?"

"Yeah. Like, really good. That song was beautiful. I'm surprised not more people gave you a standing ovation or something. I would have."

His eyes were wide. "Really? Do you really think that?"

"Of course I do."

These words had never been spoken to Kurt before. He suddenly felt very honoured and special, someone totally different than a guy who'd almost had the crap beaten out of him.

"Thank you," Kurt told Blaine, "For everything. For, you know, saving my ass from death by jocks."

Blaine giggled and placed a hand on Kurt's arm again, rubbing in soothingly while a trail of goosebumps followed behind. Blaine was completely alone with Kurt now, which was what he wanted since Friday night. Now that he finally go it, he decided to play the role of the confident guy. All he wanted was one date with Kurt, only one. And whatever came after that would e fine, too. But now was his chance to say it, to ask. It was to late to leave or hide now.

"Kurt?" Blaine asked softly. Kurt looked up from the hand caressing his arm.

"Yeah?"

"Can I, um, can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Kurt smiled.

"I was wondering," Blaine began, "Do you… maybe want to…go out, you know, with me sometime?"

Kurt's mouth dropped slightly. He'd never been asked out before.

"Like, on a date? With you?"

The curly haired boy gulped, his hand freezing on Kurt's arm. "Yes. A date…with me."

He was relieved when Kurt's mouth curved into a shy smile. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, the Ohio spring carnival is on Friday, and it's only in town for two weeks. Would you like to go there?"

Really, Blaine? That's your idea of romantic? A carnival?

But instead, Kurt smiled, his eyes lighting up like a child. "That sounds like a lot of fun. I'd love to go."

Blaine almost chocked. "Seriously?"

"Mhm," Kurt said slowly, unsure of why Blaine was so surprised. "Yeah. I haven't been to a carnival in like, ten years."

"Well then, allow me to escort you back to childhood," Blaine did a grand bow in his seat, which made Kurt chortle with laughter.

They made plans for Blaine to pick up Kurt at his house (Kurt insisted on driving, but Blaine wouldn't let him) at 7:00 pm. He couldn't actually believe that Kurt said yes, he was scared that this was all a dream and he would wake up to find himself lying in bed. But no, he wasn't waking up. He really said yes and wanted to go with Blaine. On a real live date.

"Take care of your shoulder, okay?" Blaine told Kurt when they were outside in the parking lot.

"I will," he replied. "Thank you again. It meant a lot to me."

"You're welcome" Blaine gave a warm smile, "Any time."

Kurt leaned and gave Blaine a firm hug, wrapping his uninjured arm around his back. Blaine felt like he was going to explode when he felt himself hugging back, pressing his cheek to the side of Kurt's neck, feeling his pulse and smelling his hair. It smelt like strawberry shampoo, but Blaine wasn't sure.

When they parted, they gave each other one last smile before heading off in different directions. When Kurt was out of sight, he almost squealed until the sky shook. And when Blaine was out of sight, he ran a hand through his curly hair, closing his eyes as he laughed to himself.

I'm going on a date with Kurt, Blaine sang to himself in his head, I'm going on a date with Kurt Hummel.

Who ever thought that one little bruise could bring two people together?

Awww man, I hate how this turned out, but I'm not writing it again cause it took forever. I felt really embarrassed writing this much fluff, hahaha.