Wow. Thanks a MILLION for all of your reviews for the last Chapter and for those who have just found the story and are commenting on each Chapter – you made me smile ridiculously.

This is the final Snow Ball chapter. I REALLY hope you like it. I think I even swooned writing the end bit.

For those interested in Thomas still, he is in the next Chapter a little too. More is explained : )

Kurt was sure they danced for hours. The music turned from enchanting Christmas songs to the more cheesy party tunes usually found at festive parties and, amongst these songs, were classic sing along tunes designed to whip up any congregation into a lip syncing frenzy. Kurt could barely believe that Dalton Academy even allowed Queen let alone Cyndi Lauper. He was sure half of the older male faculty members had requested a particular Ms Lauper number specially, noting their bulging eyes as dozens of very pretty girls bopped and sashayed to the beat.

Blaine was definitely a terrible dancer though. Kurt was now sure of it. After his rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody accompanied by David on the air guitar, Kurt was sure he'd seen it all. Kurt simply watched and laughed till his cheeks ached and throat felt raw. Blaine was so different, much looser and a shadow of his more 'put together' self he displayed when required, however, nothing could mask his more upper class way of dancing and holding himself. It was singularly one of the most endearing aspects of Blaine's personality.

"So, I saw you two dancing," Wes said, sliding into the seat beside Kurt, his eyes also on Blaine and David on the dance floor.

"It was nice," Kurt lied, underplaying possibly one of the sweetest moments of his life to date.

Wes laughed, loud and haughty. "Nice!", he spat, "nice is tea with your Grandma Kurt."

Kurt flushed, taking his eyes off Blaine out of fear of his actions being misconstrued. "Just get to the point Wes."

"Well, Hummel," Wes spoke as he slotted his hands behind his head, leaning back in his chair, "I've seen how you two are together. You're both so ga-ga for each other that it's pretty sickening." Wes winked, nudging Kurt's shoulder with his own.

"Ga-ga?"

"Yes, Kurt. Don't even try and deny it."

"Blaine's incredible. There you go. Now you can gloat as much as you want."

Wes smiled, downing an abandoned glass of mulled wine in front of him. "So what are you going to do about it, new kid?"

It was all Kurt could do not to recoil from the conversation. If anyone was indiscrete, Wes was. "I'm not going to do anything Wesley, Blaine's my friend. We had a very pleasant evening and that's that."

"Kurt, Kurt, Kurt... I have to say I'm disappointed."

"Wes, I haven't been here long. I know Blaine asked me here tonight as his date and I'm so flattered and touched but it extends no further than that. I'm the 'new kid' as you keep reminding me. The last thing I'm going to do is make eyes at The Warbler's front man regardless of how lovely he is."

"Lovely?" Wes asked, his eyebrows so high they hit his hairline.

Kurt sighed dramatically. "Ok, dreamy. Oh Wes, please leave it. I don't want any drama here. I am not opposed to drama of the correct kind but I'm still learning where I fit here and I am not going to make Blaine feel uncomfortable."

Wes didn't push it. He simply watched as Kurt's head tipped ever so slightly to the side, his glazed eyes incapable of leaving the dance floor and a certain curly haired brunette. Lovely, he mentally scoffed, my ass.

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

Wes, it seemed later on, had made rounds of every table in the place at which the adults or faculty members sat and drank their mulled wine reserves.

"Jeez Wes, how much have you had?" Blaine asked, supporting his friend under his arm.

"Little teeny bit," Wes slurred slightly, his pupils dilated, "just a few teeny glasses. It's fine. I'm going to ask Melinda if she wants to dance."

"Woah tiger," Blaine warned, "you, my friend, have a rather pretty girlfriend who goes by the name of Kate. Melinda has a tattoo on her lower back which reads 'Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy'. You don't want to go there."

Wes groaned, patting Blaine away. "I want, I want."

Kurt just laughed, his eyes rolling in his sockets. It took them ten minutes to position Wes in the corner out of the line of sight of anyone who could potentially suspend Wes quicker than he would pounce on Melinda. David stayed with him and forced him to drink small sips of water. Kurt considered it a pretty adorable image.

"I sometimes wonder why I ever started hanging around with those two," Blaine groaned, a smirk teasing its way onto his face. He breathed out a laugh, lowering himself into one of the dining chairs by Kurt.

"They're crazy but they mean well."

"That's true. In all honesty I don't know what I would have done without them and Thomas. Definitely Thomas."

Kurt still didn't get the connection there but didn't pry- part of him worried about the answer he'd be given.

"So, the Snow Ball is incredible," Kurt mused, glancing sideways at Blaine who was tugging at his bow tie.

Blaine's hands dropped as his eyes me Kurt's. He was sure he'd never seen Kurt look more spectacular. His hair and clothes were still immaculate but, knowing Kurt the amount he did, he didn't think he ever changed in that department. The one thing that bowled Blaine over was Kurt's eyes. They were, without a doubt, the windows to his soul. Blaine had been party to minute changes in them even mid sentence which gave away even the tiniest switch in emotion. It was fascinating to watch.

"Well, it's your first Dalton tradition so I am so happy it has your stamp of approval. I hope you feel a little better about everything." Blaine ensured his eyes followed the nuances on Kurt's as he spoke.

"I do," Kurt replied, his face softening, "I am so pleased I came. If anything, I got to see your memorable rendition of a Freddy Mercury classic."

Blaine hid his face in his hands. "Oh blame David. He's a bit of a Queen fan."

"Oh and you weren't into it at all," Kurt taunted mischievously.

The sound of Blaine's laugh made his heart soar. He was used to being the sarcastic one, the one who offered the quick witted replies and colder retorts but usually nobody responded – certainly never with genuine laughter.

"Ok, I loved it. Happy now?"

"Very," Kurt nodded. His eyes flickering to behind Blaine.

"Thornton, I'm off. We need to do something next week, ok?" Thomas asked, his hand resting low on Blaine's back as he stood. They hugged, Kurt taking in Thomas's arms and the way they squeezed Blaine affectionately. He watched as they spoke for a while. Blaine was obviously very comfortable in Thomas' presence, his eyes lighting up as he spoke to him and gestured wildly. It wasn't composed Blaine anymore, it was Blaine in full flow and entirely ensconced in another person.

Something inside Kurt hurt. It wasn't as if he believed he had a true shot with Blaine but he definitely had let his mind consider it – one or twice (hourly). Thomas was tall, muscular, tanned and the stereotypical model type. He was also gay, charming and blatantly loaded. He was sure Kurt had to be a rower as his arms were wider than both of Kurt's legs put together, not to mention his strong shoulders. He was impossible and pointless to compete against. It was plain for all to see how much Blaine liked him, his smile was enormous as they hugged once more and waved to each other as Thomas reached the door. Kurt watched as Blaine straightened out his jacket and sank back into his chair again.

"Sorry about that, I hardly get to see him."

Kurt faked a smile, tight and forced. "He's a nice guy," he attempted, meaning it but wishing he didn't.

Blaine grinned widely. "Really? You think so?"

Kurt wanted to die. Was he really almost supporting and encouraging this? "He was very sweet earlier."

Blaine was noticeably happy. Kurt couldn't lie and pretend like Thomas had been anything other than admirable, but his own disappointment tugged awkwardly inside regardless.

"He's great. Always has been," Blaine gushed, obviously animated, noticing Kurt attempt to hide a yawn, "anyway, people seem to be drifting home and it's pretty late. You want to go up?"

Kurt offered a little smile. "Yea, that sounds good," he agreed, "although I think Wes may need carrying upstairs." His attempt at a joke cause Blaine to smile all lopsided and goofy. Kurt felt his stomach drop a thousand feet. As they walked towards Wes, he only wanted one thing – to get out of his suit and ramble to Pavarotti for a while. There was too much happening, too many feelings, too much conflicting inside of his head that he simply wanted space and silence.

-.-.-.-.-.

"Blaine, seriously though, Blaine you're such a good friend," Wes slurred out as they walked, slowly and gradually, up to the dorms.

"I know Wesley, I love you too," Blaine replied, ruffling his friend's hair and rolling his hazel eyes at David who was mercilessly dragging Wes's heavy arm around his neck.

"Yes there's a lot of love in Dalton tonight but Wes less talking, more walking," David commanded.

"I think I may have had...champagne too. Melinda swiped a bottle. Not good for me."

Kurt watched as Blaine groaned, closing his eyes. "Great Wes, you risked getting kicked out for tattoo girl and now we have to carry you to bed. Thank you. Thank you very much."

"Awwwwww," Wes crooned, "you are all so nice. David you're my best friend. Dave, man, you're awesome. Blaine, dude, I do love you. You know that? David loves you, I love you, Kurt definitely loves you."

Kurt's eyes flashed open, secretly screaming a mental prayer that Wes would stop talking.

Blaine didn't seem too distracted. "Well it's good to know. Now it's time for you to sleep. Can you do that?" he asked as they reached Wes' door.

"I will try my friend, I will, I promise."

David took over and seemed to be able to deal with the drunken mess himself. Kurt smiled, suppressing a giggle as the door closed, the final image being of Wes slumped messily over David's back.

Now they were alone.

Kurt felt the silence. His ears pulsed and heart raced as Blaine turned to him, still amused by the thought of what was occurring on the other side of Wes' door. They started walking along to their section of the corridor.

Kurt needed to speak, he needed to break the quiet. The halls were nearly creepy in the dark, the moonless expanses of dorms stretching out before them before Blaine switched the wall scones on.

Blaine didn't seem to be affected by the fact they were alone in a deserted part of the building. Kurt was sure, there and then that it was because he had eyes for Thomas, he only saw Kurt as a friend, one that he didn't mind taking on a date and escorting back to his room. As flattering as it was, Kurt felt his heart wane again as he remembered how he felt as they'd danced and laughed together.

"So, new kid," Blaine smiled as they reached Kurt's door first, "it's been a pleasure."

New kid. Those words that had once been a term of endearment now hung in the air like evil reminders of Kurt's inability to find someone who could stand as a potential, someone he could give his heart to.

Kurt sighed, looking hesitantly into Blaine's bright eyes. They shone in the lamplight. "Thank you for inviting me and for the dance and for making me feel so welcome."

Blaine grinned again. Kurt could feel the onset of coronary failure again but scorned himself for his eagerness to feel things. He was foolish with emotions.

"I just wanted to say something," Blaine started, "I am proud of you." Kurt felt actual tears prickle. This wasn't happening. Blaine was not being this nice.

"Oh," was all he could say.

Blaine went on. "What I mean is that I really struggled last year and I felt awful. I had the worst night and ended up in my dorm complaining to Pavarotti about how much my night sucked and how I hated Dalton. You... well you're fearless. You embraced tonight and I was so happy that you agreed to go with me."

"Blaine, I'm not fearless," Kurt whispered, suddenly wishing for the other side of the door. Blaine was flawless in his kindness, unfalteringly generous in his compliments and so very handsome when he was honest. None of which was helping.

The other boy shook his head violently. "You don't see yourself the way others do. Believe me. Anyway, enough of me going on. I better let you get to sleep before I bore you into it. I just wanted you to know that."

Kurt had to smile. His emotions got the better of him as his eyes tracked Blaine's face taking in his piercing eyes and warm smile in turn. Blaine just looked. He could see it, the flicker of awkwardness in Kurt's eyes, the hint of him feeling uncomfortable. He had to take it away.

"Thank you again for inviting me, you were ever the gentleman," Kurt whispered again, his confidence diminished a little.

Blaine's eyes never left Kurt's. It was as if he needed him to feel how much he wanted Kurt to be happy and at ease. "You really don't need to thank me. I had the best fun tonight and that was pretty much down to you so..."

Kurt glanced down at his feet then back up slowly. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow and before we leave for Christmas break?"

Blaine smiled contentedly. "Definitely, we have a Warbler tradition for after the Snow Ball that I think you'll love but I'll keep it a surprise."

Kurt all but swooned. Blaine's finger extended tentatively to touch Kurt's hand by his side. It was a tiny gesture, probably without any significant meaning, but Kurt felt the sparks run through his entire body and cursed himself for being so damn emotional.

"I can't wait," he said softly.

That's what did it. Blaine could barely stand to see the look in the other boy's eyes. So vulnerable and gentle in the half light compared to his usual sparky glint. He hooked his finger to Kurt's, his spine shivering as he did so, and ever so slightly pulled. Kurt stepped half an inch forward, his eyes widening as Blaine's leaned up to press a warm and tender kiss to his cheek. He lingered more than he knew he should, feeling the cool of Kurt's skin and closing his eyes momentarily. It took every inch of resolve for Kurt to stay upright. He knew he'd turned pink and knew his eyes gave away much more than he intended but he hardly cared at all. He went to speak but nothing came out.

"Goodnight then," Blaine sighed out dreamily as he smiled, "Sleep well."

With that, Blaine turned and disappeared down the darker end of the corridor towards his own room. Kurt watched until he disappeared, his heart beating so fast that he could feel it in his fingertips. He could barely breathe. He closed his eyes, his hand finding his cheek and slowly but surely turned the handle to his door.