Hey Everyone!

I am SO sorry for the delay! I had to finish my legal professional finals before christmas which were HELL ON EARTH so I couldn't allow anything else to flood my brain, as much as these two TRIED to ;)
I am officially ON HOLIDAY for a month now so I have PLENTY of time to write and have a life - yey! :D Expect plenty of updates (if you guys still want them!)

Thank you SO much for those people who have STILL been commenting eventhough I haven't updated in a few days. I'm so pleased you like it and I have a lot of ideas for the remaining chapters, some of which are already written.

I can't POSSIBLY let go of fanon!Wes and David. NO! I am still clinging to the hope that Mr Murphy will make them more loveable but we'll see! Regardless, I choose for Wes to be cheeky and overbearing and David to be a bit frantic, dorky and a little ditsy in his own way...!

I also had to write Pavarotti into it cos damn, I am admitting it, I am a fan of this damn bird. Mainly because of the utter RIDICULOUSNESS that is FreePavarotti - I mean, it's both genius and insane. I like to see him as the fandom's mascot though and I can't really imagine a better one :D

Anyway, I hope you enjoy. I'm also starting a Christmas story with Blaine/Kurt leaving Dalton for Christmas their Christmas holiday because, well, Christmas is my favourite time of the year, and BICO was so quaint and beautiful that I now only associate these boys with crackling fireplaces, snowy nights and snuggly scenes. BEST ever, in my opinion :P

Please let me know if you still want me to carry on and thank you again :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kurt hadn't realised but his 'work' playlist had been on a loop for hours. It was his final exam before Christmas and time was dragging so slow that he was sure he'd jump out of the nearest fourth floor window given half the chance.

Pavarotti chirped close by and Kurt smiled. It was comforting watching the little bird hop mindlessly from one perch to another without a care in the world. It was procrastination at its very highest.

"Oi new kid, you want to study this garbage together?"

Kurt turned to find Wes in his doorway looking a little worse for wear. "When will I stop being the 'new kid'?"

"Never, new kid, now are you coming to study or not because David's already turned to making up songs to memorise his chemistry final and Blaine fell asleep with his face in his Lit book before. We need you, frankly."

Kurt smiled. He'd always worked hard at McKinley and his grades had been good but here the classes were harder and more of a challenge that Kurt was actually enjoying rising to.

"Sure, I can show you guys how it's done," he sang, snapping his book shut and piling up notepads. He'd opted for a more relaxed wardrobe since exams had hit and felt a little self conscious as he hadn't expected company. The plain slim jeans and slightly over-sized black fur jumper would have to do.

As Kurt stepped into Wes' room, he understood why a little of the 'Kurt Hummel' magic was needed. David had strewn all of his notes in a circle around him and was frantically tossing each aside with a face like thunder.

"Nothing answers anything, I mean nothing says what it should say or means what it should mean..."

Kurt rolled his eyes then let them fall on Blaine. He was sitting against the wall on Wes' bed with the same chunky knit sweater he'd worn when they'd drank hot chocolate and similar looser hair. He had his glasses on and Kurt could feel himself staring. He looked edible. It was the only word for it.

"So new kid, any tips?" Wes called out as he strode into the room, reclaiming his computer chair.

Blaine peered up from his book with wide eyes. "Kurt! Erm, hi!"

"Yes, I thought he could let us in on his secret. Hummel you're far too calm and composed. How do you do it?"

Kurt blushed, setting himself down on the rug beside David. "I don't know, probably a mixture of coffee, the dulcet tones of Ms Streisand and a bit of self control."

Blaine laughed, shuffling himself into the mattress and flicking through his book for what felt like the hundredth time. He wasn't sure how it was possible for someone to simply walk in the room and screw up your entire concentration and line of thought but Kurt did it, every single time. He wondered how on Earth he was going to understand Elizabeth Bennett and her sharp wit when all he could think about was how much he wanted to reach out to see if Kurt's sweater was as soft as it looked.

"Whatcha reading?" Kurt asked, as the mattress dipped beside Blaine.

"Pride and Prejudice. English Lit. My brain is fried," Blaine stuttered out.

Kurt smiled, his hands reaching to take the book from Blaine's lap. It was all Blaine could do to remain still and let himself be manhandled. It was little moments of confident Kurt that killed him.

"What are you confused about?" Kurt asked with a small smile. He was so close that Blaine was sure he could feel him like a force field.

Blaine wasn't sure what to say. He got the novel, he liked it, he understood most of it but it was the way Darcy behaved and the way Elizabeth responded that he never quite grasped. The nuances of the characters were a little lost on him. Blaine didn't like not understanding, he didn't like asking for help a lot of the time – the boarding school mentality had taught him to always be ahead of the game – but with Kurt it was different, he was entirely non-judgemental. Yes, he's shoot a look equivalent to daggers at anyone who wronged another or would turn his tiny nose up at something disgusting but friends... well, Blaine could see Kurt's smile and the way he softened immediately when around those he cared for. Being a part of that group was beginning to mean a hell of a lot to Blaine.

"Elizabeth's feisty and independent, as much as someone of her stance could be. Darcy's pretentious and dismissive and completely judgemental. How is that ever going to work?" Blaine asked eventually, his brain working independently despite his inner monologue.

Kurt didn't answer for a few second, simply watching as Blaine's forehead crinkled slightly with confusion, his eyes searching only for Kurt's and lingering there. He'd never shared simple moments like this with someone ... just helping someone and being a study aid. He loved talking about literature, culture, art, fashion, music, theatre... anything that required thought, and here, Blaine was seeking his advice and was actually interested in what he had to say. He'd never discussed this kind of thing with Finn as usually the look he'd receive would be as blank as paper and well, this was just exactly what he craved... someone to spark off.

"Well, Elizabeth's her own person. She's individual. She's never going to settle for less even if that means she has to miss out. She wouldn't take any guy... only one she, erm... loves," Kurt breathed out, realising he wasn't talking to Blaine's eyes but a small curl of hair that refused to stay with the rest. The air seemed thicker, claustrophobic, in a way he felt he could get used to. It was like a bubble had formed around them and held there indefinitely. "Darcy's not dismissive and pretentious, not really. Yes, he's judgemental and stuffy but that's a product of his environment. He's scared and vulnerable just the same way Elizabeth is. She masks her insecurities with her wit. It's all very... I dunno, I guess I could be wrong."

Blaine couldn't look away. He liked this. Wes would often be very serious about The Warblers and the Student Council but other things, well Call of Duty was his main topic of conversation of late. Blaine missed having an intellectual conversation with someone. Kurt was so smart and seemed to have an opinion about anything and everything.

"That's genius," Blaine replied, breaking the fused silence, "when Darcy insults her to Bingley, maybe he was just scared of how much of an impression she'd made in such a short space of time, maybe he wasn't sure how to feel those things he was feeling. Maybe his environment has stifled him so he can't act normally like others would... he's learning all over again because of ... her." It was all sounding a little too close to home and making a little too much sense.

Kurt nodded, passing Blaine the book once again. "Think you're fine Blaine, channel your inner Darcy and you'll ace it." Kurt let his mind wander for a second ... knee high riding boots, tail coat, Blaine in a top hat...

Wes kicked David's arm sneakily as he kept his eyes on the two boys on his bed. David blinked up, about to protest at being assaulted until he realised what Wes was gesturing towards. Kurt was smiling, his lips pouty and eyes wide and alive as Blaine nodded, biting his lip and nudging Kurt's shoulder in a way which screamed 'aw shucks'.

"Sickening," Wes mumbled with a smirk as David shook his head with a smile too.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Blaine was used to being composed. He wasn't one for coming unhinged and letting himself crumple – Blaine Thornton didn't do that kind of thing. Seeing Kurt in this setting was just unfortunately making it a little difficult. He knew that he was a creature of circumstance, someone who adapted to their current situation and ran with it regardless. He'd spent too long in a rut with the same rules and regulations governing his every move. Leaving state school wasn't a step, it was a giant moon leap and he'd had to fit in, work hard, and persevere. He was a performer, something non-conducive to blending in, he was a closet geek, something that didn't allow him to fit in unless he found kindred spirits and well- it had been a struggle.

Kurt was different. Blaine knew it and felt it whenever he was in his presence. It was unsettling, only in the sense that it shook Blaine up inside so much that it was almost becoming addictive. Kurt was so fun to be around, so temptingly adorable and likeable that even when his catty comments or badly timed jokes seemed inappropriate, Blaine felt himself smile, relishing in the awkwardness and spontaneity. Kurt was real, he was fresh and he made Blaine feel things he'd forgotten possible.

"Yes Jenny, yes ok I'll make sure I get your ticket tomorrow. Yes, I know. Yes. Ok. Sleep well, ok, yes I will I promise," David stuttered out as Wes rolled his eyes dramatically, signalling a whisper towards Kurt.

"Under the thumb," he said as Kurt giggled low in his throat, trying to mask it.

Blaine smiled too, his eyes still on his book. "David's girlfriend's what you'd call 'demanding'," Blaine explained as Kurt laughed again, clearly amused by the length of time it was taking David to end his phone conversation.

"My ear, I can't feel my ear," David groaned, falling backwards onto the rug and lying there, his phone discarded by his side, "she just spent twenty minutes telling me I had to make sure I got her ticket to the Snow Ball as she has a dress and she has told all of her friends."

"Aha, and this, my friend, is why I've spoken nothing of this blessed event," Wes sang with a superior grin, "not your finest move David."

Kurt was confused. "What's the Snow Ball?" he asked, his eyes finding Blaine's.

Blaine smiled warmly, shuffling slightly as he placed his book down to his side. "It's our annual Christmas event when Dalton comes together with St Jude's Academy for Girls. It's all very grand and it's pretty exclusive."

Kurt's eyes widened in intrigue. "Wow, when is it?"

"Next Saturday," David mumbled into his hands, "and I need to find one of those flower things for Jenny's wrist or I have a feeling I'll lose a pretty vital organ. She likes tradition you see."

Kurt laughed. Blaine couldn't help but smile. He hadn't had anyone else but David and Wes, for a long time, to banter with and share moments like this with. Yes, they had the other Warblers and Dalton guys who they got on with but they'd always been a three, always stuck together regardless of how different they were. It was nice to find someone to share even a knowing look with.

"Why don't you want to go?" Kurt asked, "it sounds amazing."

Blaine could see Kurt's eyes twinkling. He knew he was mentally creating an outfit. "He's just being melodramatic, ignore him," Blaine explained, "it's a beautiful event. By the way these two are acting you'd think it was torture but it's not. The Heads of Dalton always make sure it's a classy evening."

Kurt smiled as he listened intently, his thoughts lingering on some of Blaine's words and phrases. He always sounded older than is years or simply refined – Kurt approved, he definitely liked refinement.

"So, are you going?" Kurt asked, his eyes dropping back to his lap where they stayed out of worry of seeming too forward.

"Oh our Blaine's a staple at the Snow Ball, Professor Winchester always asks him to perform something festive at the event and of course, he has the St Jude's girls fawning all over them. It's a highlight of my year watching their faces fall as I explain that they're missing a vital body part which means the dashing Blaine unfortunately wouldn't look twice at them," Wes replied, laughing animatedly as he spoke, "and of course, only naturally, every year a few girls still try to turn him. It's painful to watch but I can't say I discourage it. It's too entertaining."

Kurt was laughing so much now he was sure he'd snort any second. "Does that really happen?" he asked, watching as Blaine shot daggers at his best friend.

Blaine sighed, smirking a little. "Ok yes it does, but that means nothing, it's only because I perform. I draw attention to myself."

Kurt watched as Blaine's cheeked washed slightly pink and he shook his head in bewilderment. Kurt was still smiling, a huge grin plastered on his face from the tiny insight into the world of Blaine Thornton. He let his mind wander, thinking about Blaine, on the Dalton Academy Grand Stage in a dinner suit perhaps, crooning out something beautiful and festive, his voice all warm and smooth like chocolate ...

"Kurt?"

He blinked back to Blaine, caught daydreaming. "Oh sorry, was miles away."

"See Blaine, not only the girls you're going to have to worry about," Wes teased, kicking Blaine's foot on the bed.

Blaine shook his head, his eyes wide and accusing, shooting down Wes' next words as a warning. "Shut up Wesley and actually do some of that work before you flunk Bio for the third time this semester." Wes simply scowled with a mischevious smirk.

Kurt was silent. He simply watched Blaine's face flicker with a hundred different emotions then return to composure within seconds, a talent Kurt was sure had been cultivated over time and perfected with practice. It bothered him a little that someone as clearly expressive and in-depth as Blaine felt the need to mask himself, but in a way it was a challenge, one he was damn sure he would undertake once he found the right courage.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Their exams flew by before their eyes, Kurt feeling content and confident he'd managed to perform well for his first set of very different exams. They were no McKinley High. No jock flicked bubblegum in his hair from the row behind and nobody found themselves staying behind after school to work with a brush and soap to scrub off the obscene drawings they'd doodled out of boredom during a particularly tedious Biology paper.

They were rigid, structured and silent. Every student equipped fully and prepared to the point of combustion. Kurt felt the need, after the week was up, to do something insane, something ridiculous. His mind swam with potential ideas, each involving just shaking the hell loose and getting out of starched clothing. He missed cashmere, silk, denim and the multitude of colours that usually fitted together into what Kurt considered a perfect ensemble.

"Hey stranger," Blaine called into Kurt's room, appearing around his door with a smile, "how'd French go?"

"Exceptionally, thank you," Kurt replied with a wink, "and how was Lit?"

Blaine smiled widely. "Pretty good I'd say, although I did have a rather first rate tutor," he replied, over egging his vocab to tease.

"So we're free..."

"As a bird," Blaine muttered, his finger reaching out to stroke Pavarotti mindlessly as he settled himself on Kurt's bed. It was becoming a habit, their easy moments, sitting together just talking, feeling comfortable with walking into the other's room without fear of being unwanted or a burden.

Kurt watched Blaine play. He looked so confident and assured but so inherently child-like in those moments, idly mesmerised by something as his mind wandered elsewhere. Kurt only wished he could crawl inside his head and learn all there is to know.

"He's looking healthy," Blaine said eventually, breaking the silence as Pavarotti pecked gently at his fingers.

Kurt saw it then, a flicker of nerves behind the other boy's eyes. "He's getting noisier," Kurt laughed out, "I think sometimes he tries to compete with me when I sing so maybe we challenge each other."

Blaine's smile shone bright making Kurt's tummy clench in the most addictive way. It was way more intense now, like a tight feeling of comfort mixed with tension, enough to drive Kurt insane in the middle of the night.

"He was always so quiet with me," Blaine muttered then fell silent with a tiny final smile. Kurt felt himself drawn to Blaine's side. It was obvious he wanted to say something and that his visit wasn't purely out of habit. Blaine felt Kurt sit to his right. He turned, smiling as he did so, to sit cross legged on Kurt's bed making them align opposite each other. "I erm, can I ask you something?" Kurt nodded feeling his skin tingle. "Last week when we were in Wes' room studying and I told you about the Snow Ball... I meant to ask you then but I guessed that Wes and David would make my life a living hell so I decided to do it a little more privately..." Kurt could feel his hand growing clammy, his stomach twisting up and a tiny bubble of panic floating somewhere in his throat. "Do you think it'd be something you'd like to go to?" Blaine asked, his eyes resolutely on Kurt's – unwavering.

It was all Kurt could do to not crumple out of sheer intensity. Blaine had no idea the strength of his gaze. He had to speak and say something as the silence, although not uncomfortable, was loud and uncalled for. Kurt wanted to go, desperately, especially as he'd already decided upon a full outfit and beauty regime to prepare himself for it. What he didn't expect was to attend with anyone imparticular.

"Well, I wondered, seeing as it's your first year here and your first Ball, if you'd want to go and I wanted to know if you wanted to go with me?"

That was all it took. Kurt could barely move. He'd never been asked out to the mall by a guy before nevermind to a ball, and a Grand Ball at that. He felt the pink blush rise in his cheeks, his palms now very warm and chest so full of his own held breath that it was overwhelming.

"I'd love to," he said, all too quickly, the words all running into one.

Blaine's face flickered from worry to adulation within seconds. "Really? You sure, I mean I didn't know if anyone else had asked you or if I was overstepping because-"

Kurt smiled, his inability to exercise adequate self control finally taking over as he reached for Blaine's arm. Touching it lightly, he smiled. "Nobody has asked me, and even if they had, I'd still be only saying yes to you."

He hadn't meant for the words to come out quite like that but it was natural and totally from the heart. Blaine's face softened as he glanced up under his eyelashes. "I wish I'd asked you earlier," he whispered.

"Why?"

"Because now you've only got two days to prepare for it," Blaine explained, his eyes regretful but still shining brightly- playfully.

Kurt laughed, shaking his head. "You underestimate my power of creativity Blaine Thornton."

As the other boy smiled, his eyes sparkling again, Kurt wasn't all too sure he knew what the invitation meant but he felt lucky, relishing in the moment... the first time he'd been asked to an event by a boy, someone who actually liked his company and who, despite his mental urges to stop obsessing over them, had the most beautiful hazel eyes he'd ever seen.