Wow. Over 200 reviews. Thank you thank you thank you. I say it every time but some of the comments I've received have been so overwhelmingly LOVELY. Some people have even commented saying they joined up to for this story – I mean, way to make my day ;) Thanks a MILLION for being so kind. It's FAR too nice of you and I sincerely hope it continues to be worth it.

I had a really yucky day yesterday and as I'm usually SO busy and write on my Blackberry on trains etc, I had a quiet day and had nothing better to do (for once) than enjoy writing this and watching Christmas movies. You'll see in the next Chapter how watching Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby woo Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney for two hours, influences your writing ;)

I'm also glad you like Thomas, there's still a little more to mention of him as Kurt's still wary but I like the parallels between them :D

This Chapter was a BITCH to write! Seriously. I spent ages going over and over it and I'm not looking at it again because I'm just posting it! HA! It is much longer and covers quite a few things so I really wanted to get the sequence of events right... hope I did.

I am apologising NOW for any teeny speech/punctuation mistakes maybe – after looking at this for so long I'm sure I'm blind to them.

I really hope you enjoy this one! ;)

Kurt sighed contentedly and pushed himself further into the duvet and blankets. He wriggled his hand free and cracked open his eyes a fraction. He froze still, his breath catching in his throat. He'd forgotten where he was entirely and simply felt himself staring as Blaine breathed softly beside him. It was dark now, the corridors silent and only the sound of the heater whirring in the corner.

Blaine was curled on his side, pressed snug against Kurt's arm, his arm lazily draped across Kurt's chest. His breathing was steady and deep, meaning he was sound asleep. Kurt couldn't move and simply didn't want to so he found himself just watching Blaine, attempting to acquaint himself with being so close to another person. He felt child-like, almost cringing that at his age, mere closeness was still something so alien to him.

He felt as if his skin was on fire, blanketed warm by the heat from Blaine. It was obvious he had a temperature but he didn't seem distressed or feverish- simply under the weather. Kurt smiled as the other boy muffled something into the pillow, possibly dreaming, and reached out again feeling braver. He brushed a lock of hair from Blaine's temple and sat back with a dreamy smile. It felt incredible to lie so near someone and to feel as if they weren't going to snap any second or that you were kidding yourself that they wanted you so close. He knew Blaine cared and knew that he had drifted off to sleep easily with Kurt near so there wasn't any concern anymore, it felt simpler now. He felt sleep pull him under again, his head pressed back into the pillow by Blaine's.

-.-.-.-.

As Blaine woke, the first thing he felt were the fingers gentle looped around his arm. A small gesture to many but to Blaine it was monumental. He smiled as the world came back into focus, realising that Kurt was not only asleep but snuggled right into his chest on top of the duvet, his head slotting just under Blaine's chin and his left hand holding on faintly to his lower arm. Blaine wasn't about to move but managed to glance at the clock on his nightstand- four in the morning.

He had to admit, he felt better. His head was molten lava, hot and feverish but rested and fluid. His throat still scratched but as he shuffled a little, his joints didn't appear to ache as acutely as before.

Kurt seemed to sense his alertness and blinked awake gradually. Blaine watched, half amused, as Kurt unravelled himself and noted, with a skipping heart, the contented smile plastered all-over his face. Blaine was sure he wore the same smile but didn't care – it felt too nice.

"So, you plastering yourself to me again?"

Kurt blushed furiously, his hand covering his smile briefly. "I seem to be making a habit of it."

"Well," Blaine whispered, "you may have noticed that I don't seem to mind."

Kurt could barely deal with the way those words made him feel.

"Oh," was all he mustered, his heart so full and head reeling at how close and connected he felt. He peeled his hand from Blaine's arm, blushing again, and wriggled a centimetre back in an attempt to be able to breathe steadily once more.

"It's four am," Blaine added, "we must have been asleep for quite a while."

Kurt didn't speak. His mind was wandering, trying so hard to channel it into doing something about the butterflies in his tummy.

"I don't think I stood a chance," Kurt whispered back, "it's just so warm and you have Egyptian cotton sheets. It was inevitable really." He kept his eyes on Blaine's.

"I didn't stand a chance, not with your fascination with my hair," Blaine teased, watching as Kurt's eyes widened at the mention of his baby step into affection.

"You have to tell me if I'm a little much," Kurt muttered, regretting it instantly.

Blaine sighed heavily. "Ok," he began, his face now kind but serious, "I want you to always presume that you can just be yourself. It's never stopped you before."

"Being myself," Kurt tentatively spoke, "has been a bit troublesome in the past that's all." Blaine simply raised his eyebrows as an invitation for Kurt to go on. "You know my brother Finn?," Blaine nodded, "well as you know, his mom married my dad and so we're kind of a new family. When the football team were giving me a hard time and making my life hell, Finn was the only who ever stuck up for me. He was the quarter back, tall, dark and kinda handsome so I was brainless and developed quite a big crush on him. He's obviously straight and he made a few comments about me being gay. Kind of closeted homophobia but we're good now. He's a good guy really and he's changed. He even made me dance at my dad's wedding and sang a song for me. It was all very touching. So that's my tragic story."

Blaine was silent, watching Kurt as he spoke. It was obvious that he was trivialising some of the emotions and making light of issues that were obviously very difficult but it was a step in the right direction.

"It's great that you're close now and it's all resolved. I do understand though. You're not the first gay person to get hung up on someone straight and you won't be the last. I've been there too."

"Really?" Kurt asked in wonderment. He had always craved conversations like this in order to just feel normal for once.

"Definitely," Blaine chuckled, "he was six foot and infinitely handsome. He looked like a Hungarian Prince or something, it was all very dreamy until he humiliated me in front of the entire school."

Kurt winced. "I'm sorry. That must have been horrible."

"Yeah but I guess everyone has to have a moment like that in high school. It keeps things interesting. You don't have to be gay to be treated that way I guess."

"True," Kurt mused, his head tilting affectionately.

"Look, I know you've had awful experiences in the past when it comes to guys. You have hardly been respected and treated with dignity and then on the other side you've had unfortunate feelings for someone. None of the awful treatment can ever be excused but the other stuff, it's all in the past."

"I know," Kurt mumbled quietly, "I just have no frame of reference." He felt himself recoil a little, self consciousness engulfing him.

"Well, you're doing just fine right now," Blaine whispered, dipping his head to catch Kurt's eyes with a smile, "you're not overwhelming me or freaking me out."

"You're different," Kurt said quietly.

"How am I so different?"

"You're..." Kurt began, feeling nervous to be so honest but found his confidence from somewhere and continued, "gentle and understanding."

Blaine sighed out, grinning slightly. "That's very kind of you to say."

"It's true," Kurt affirmed, not pouring his confidence into his words and slowly enjoying the honesty, "I don't feel scared around you."

"There's no need to be, ever." Kurt closed his eyes and lowered his head onto Blaine's shoulder. He just wanted to cuddle closer, to thank him, to never leave the moment and to cherish every second with Blaine. It was as if he was going to leave or be taken away or one day Kurt would wake up and realise that none of it was real. "I'm going to tell you something. You met Thomas at the Snow Ball?" Blaine murmured into Kurt's hair, unable to stop smiling, "Well when I came here, he was the only other gay student here. He'd had his fair share of troubles and he cared for me, looked out for me and helped me so much."

"So he was your you?" Kurt asked, amusement in his voice.

Blaine laughed genuinely. "I guess you could say that, kind of. He taught me that I didn't have to be frightened of who I was. I wasn't as confident as you Kurt, I wasn't as accepting of who I was then. My parents weren't thrilled about it all and I began to think that it wasn't healthy and that I was wrong somehow."

"You could never be wrong," Kurt whispered into Blaine's chest.

"That's sweet of you to say. I was a mess and Thomas was the best. He is so solid and strong that I felt myself leaning on him so much and turning to him. He was someone I looked up to and respected so vehemently. We spent so much time together and would go on trips, go to the movies, dine out and he asked me to the Snow Ball. Every single day, I became a little stronger and gradually he taught me to respect myself. We argued one night and I remember it being so trivial. I think I cried myself to sleep or something equally as tragic but it affected me so badly that I went to apologise and hugged the life out of him. When he left we vowed we'd always be friends and stay close. He's so important to me. I told you that you can see me, the real me, and it was the same with Tom, he just understood me. I suppose there are those special people that come along every so often and it just so happens that I found Tom here when I needed him most. I'm happy because he helped me realise I could be."

Kurt leaned back to look at Blaine, their noses almost touching. "He sounds special," he said, feeling his heart lighten by the second. So Thomas was Blaine's best friend besides Wes and David and Thomas was to Blaine what Blaine was becoming for Kurt.

"He is."

Kurt fell silent for a second, thinking. "Did you two ever... I mean, the way you talk about him..." He felt embarrassed for even asking such a question but felt so desperate to know the answer, to see if all Blaine saw him as was a student, a project... a friend.

"You know, one night I did question it. He's quite an affectionate guy and he'd held my hand. It felt nice and I found myself wondering. I quickly realised that we really were only destined to be friends and good ones. Neither of us felt that way for each other. He even told me yesterday that he thinks of me as a brother."

Kurt was sure his enormous sigh was as obvious and as plain as day.

"You're lucky to have him."

"I am."

They lay in silence for a long while, both at ease with each other, until they fell asleep once more.

-.-.-.-.

Blaine woke as the sun spiked his eyes. He felt his dry throat and pulsing temples but felt rested. The ache in his limbs had subsided leaving him weary. He glanced at the spot where Kurt had been and realised it was empty, the blankets still ruffled from where he'd been lying.

There was a moment of concern. Had he said something to cause Kurt to feel uncomfortable? Was it the serious nature of their conversation that had thrown him? Was it all just a little intense? It'd always been his problem, over-thinking, over-analysing and then acting or resisting too early or too late depending upon well reasoned decisions. It was all learned and conditioned into him from a family of deep thinkers, all alike in their serious manner and lack of free spirit. Blaine had learned from so many people about how to cut loose and relax (bringing to mind one of Wes' favourite quotes "chill the fuck out"- Blaine didn't swear much but it worked every time) and was beginning to get better at it but he was starting to wonder if he was possibly worrying too much about the situation he found himself in.

It felt indescribable to be so close to someone and to feel that connection he wasn't sure he'd ever felt before. Kurt was his polar opposite in so many respects and that was exactly the thing – he had no frame of reference either. He just had to simply try and do the best he could with what little knowledge he had. He was more experienced in the world of relationships but matters of the heart... the true and passionate tie to another person was something he knew very little of. He was as confused and as desperate to learn as any other and simply had an edge on Kurt. It wasn't much but he felt the responsibility. His father had always taught him to be the responsible one and to always work hard to carve out a name and position from himself. This notion was borne from years of military servicemen in his family, ending with his father – an accountant and a very good one at that. His mother, a writer, was the passionate one with the heart and drive and concentrated fierceness in her emotions. She always fought and believed and adored and clutched to her dreams.

A product of both, Blaine was sure he was doomed to be infinitely serious and determined throughout life with an underlying spark of emotion so inherent in his core that he could care and love strongly. It was his parent's fault. Those feelings conflicted inside so fiercely that there was no doubting that he was always doomed to be misconstrued at times or to walk the line and tip the balance in favour of either trait. He felt the need to think one step ahead of the entire friendship he'd developed with Kurt, always planning and considering instead of simply doing. Yes, he knew that Kurt's experiences required a companion who would be understanding and respectful and Blaine couldn't even consider being anything different; the only problem was that he ran the risk of scaring Kurt away, of coming across too serious. It was always a concern and one which he had been insecure about since teenage years hit.

He could only try and attempt to be a normal kid instead of one who acts entirely way too far beyond his years. His grandmother had always said he was an old soul in more ways than one but he'd never truly understood what she meant until Dalton. Most guys wanted to rebel and tease and fight and hustle ... Blaine had been a rabbit in headlights. His up-bringing was free from raucousness or triviality – things were always done for a reason and executed with precision and devotion. Meeting Wes and David, Thomas and his cohort and the legions of other guys had simply shown him that the guy who'd lived inside his bedroom and never shown the world was able to show himself.

He was proud now, comfortable in his own skin after years of relearning. He was happy and knew exactly what he enjoyed and what he didn't, never failing to be able to tell people his opinion. He'd reached lead in The Warbler's most important performances and was considered a well respected and liked student. It was all a little too perfect, he was aware of that, but it was everything he'd worked for, everything he'd striven to achieve to retain this life he knew. It was all he knew. Still, nothing was messy or uncertain, he still shared his ingrained need to succeed and plan and achieve but he was able to do so with an air of himself and his own character. Plus, he simply liked to kick back and wear a damn pair of jeans every now and then. Plus, you got away with a hell of a lot more when you were the best friend of the Principal's son and the Isla, the cook, had declared that if she ever had a son she'd wish for one similar. The perks were a definite plus.

He laughed to himself until he remembered that he still had no idea why Kurt wasn't still curled up beside him. As he checked the clock on his nightstand, his heart lurched in his chest. He had four hours before his train to Vermont. He swore loudly, relishing in his ability to do so as always, flung back the covers, ignored the reeling sensation as he stood, and marched into the shower.

-.-.-.-.-

"Pavi? You like it?" Kurt sang as he folded what felt like his hundredth pair of trousers. He had a very specific system of packing and he'd been at it for hours, keeping a running (and very one-sided) conversation with Pavarotti throughout.

The bird chirped back, bobbing up and down. Kurt smiled, admiring the second new glittery perch. The bird needed a bit of life in that drab cage, Kurt mused, it's about time he learned there was more to life and, if Kurt knew anything about that, he'd learned the same lesson at Dalton Academy.

Kurt felt himself glance around his room. He let himself breathe and think. The days had rolled into one, all melding together to form one huge and very vibrant learning curve. It hadn't all been 'moons and dunes and fairytales' ala Joni Mitchell, it'd been magical in parts, tough, emotional, awkward, surprising, nerve-wracking, irritating, hilarious, stifling ... the world flowed freely, each as conflicting as the next. Kurt wasn't sure which place was better for him – McKinley or Dalton. Both so different in nature, they provided very unique atmospheres with ethos' so polar that they could barely be compared. McKinley was where his heart lay fully. His time there had been all encapsulating and sparkling at best and dark, so very dark and lonely at its worst. However, Dalton did have a small list of offerings that McKinley did not have: no Karovsky, a challenge and Blaine.

Blaine.

He'd changed Kurt's life in only a very short time. It was outstanding how he'd managed such a feat but it was miraculous and true. Kurt let his mind flood with the snapshots of glowing memories they'd shared and the new friendships he had with Wes and David and a few of the other guys too. He was still so new and hadn't even begun to make his stamp on Dalton but he knew he was capable. He'd have a solo with The Warbler's- it was only a matter of time. After Sectionals, they'd made firm plans and attended practises as scheduled but Kurt knew that after Christmas was his time to shine. He could do it.

There were downsides to the Blaine situation however. Kurt was sure Blaine saw him purely as a friend, regardless of how much he cared. Any potential embarrassing admission on Kurt's part could, no would, shatter their important friendship and break a fundamental part of Kurt's new life and break his heart entirely. The prospect wasn't an easy one to accept. The thought of Blaine muttering, awkwardly, that he did not feel anything for him was a nightmare and one which Kurt was sure his inexperienced heart could not deal with at all. The plus side, however, was that Blaine was not attached, Thomas was not some potential boy friend but simply a cherished old friend and they were so close now and so in sync that everything appeared to be aligned and waiting for something to shake it up.

The reality was that they were leaving each other, separating for a short while. Kurt was sure he was going to suffer and ache in places he didn't even think possible at walking away from Blaine but he knew it was inevitable. He also knew that the beginning of the new term would mean a new start for them and that he had to end things well and with enough meaning. He had to do something to change things. His mind flickered back to the day he'd sang Rose's Turn. He'd felt incredible, able to defy the odds and fight back against anyone and anything. He had the power within him to withstand years of being downtrodden and name called, therefore, he sure as hell had the power to hint to the sweetest guy he knew that he could barely function when in the same room as him through the strength of his feelings.

He sang to himself as he shimmied Pavi's curtain over his cage. The room looked a little emptier now but Kurt, much to his surprise, felt a hint of excitement. He'd kept in touch with most of his special McKinley friends and phoned his family most nights but he was actually going home again. He wondered if he'd feel different.

"New kid you weren't going to leave without saying goodbye were you?" Wes chimed from the doorway. Kurt turned to see him in hat, scarf and dark brown coat, smiling widely with red cheeks.

"Damn I hoped I'd slip away and spare you the agony of a painful goodbye Wesley," Kurt quipped. He liked Wes, he really did. Oddly, he could be a little more of himself with Wes. He could exercise his rapier wit without the concern of hurting the other boy's feelings and without any mind-mangling attraction getting in the way.

"Well, as tearful as it's going to be Hummel, I'm afraid it's inevitable."

Kurt mimed 'dammit' and smiled genuinely. "So you're off now I guess?"

"Yep, Dad's in the car no doubt cursing me for taking too long. I told him I'd be ten minutes but David kept me talking for forty. I think he's going to miss me. He gets a little protective come holiday time."

It was apparent from the look in Wes' eyes that he didn't like leaving Dalton much either. It had seemed strange to Kurt upon arrival there but now, well now he could see how the Dalton bubble was addictive and once inside, it felt safe and familiar. The camaraderie was nice, possibly except when Dalton exercised its more stuffy rules, and Kurt felt for those who maybe considered Dalton to be much more of a home than their own. He was beginning to feel that way but Burt would always signal home for Kurt.

"Well Wesley it seems it's about that time," Kurt cooed, standing by the door now with a smirk.

"It's been a pleasure new kid, happy holidays."

Much to Kurt's surprise, Wes reached out and hugged him lightly.

As Wes began to leave, a little softer now, Kurt found himself laughing. "Um Wes," he called, "you think when we get back, I could be promoted from new kid to erm..."

"Ok, it's plain 'kid' post-Christmas. I promise," Wes cut in, winking and waving before disappearing off down the corridor.

Kurt skipped back into his room feeling almost giddy. It felt nice to feel a connection to the hallowed halls of Dalton Academy at last.

As he piled his bags by the door, stacked neatly and packed to perfection, Kurt peeked at Pavarotti under his curtain. He was resting quietly, his feathers ruffled and his head leaning slightly on the bars of the cage. Kurt stroked a gentle finger down his pale lemon feathers and whispered, "Sleep well Tweetiepie, thank you for being there. I'll be back soon."

He checked his watch- he had approximately twenty five minutes to say goodbye to Blaine.

-.-.-.-.

"So you're alive," Wes shouted, walking into the senior commons where Blaine sat at the piano.

"I wondered when you'd appear," he retorted with a sarcastic grin, "you off then?"

"Dad's outside. Gotta be quick, so um no tongues ok?"

Blaine's eyes rolled as he laughed and gave Wes a tight hug. "Have a great Christmas and say hi to your parents for me."

Wes groaned. "No because it'll start them off with their 'oh isn't Blaine such a lovely young man' speech and frankly dude, it makes me look bad."

Blaine chuckled a little uncontrollably as Wes headed for the door. "Have fun in Vermont and um, don't leave it too long to go pay the new kid a visit. He's alone in his room." He winked and left.

Blaine sat for a second smiling, realising how much he'd miss his friends before his mind turned to Kurt – alone in his room. It wasn't going to be nice saying goodbye to him, not when he knew that Kurt was heading back home to haunted memories and potential bad incidents. In truth though, Blaine just knew he'd miss him. A lot.

-.-.-.-.

Kurt could hear the random piano notes from six doors up the long hallway. He smiled, knowing it had to be Blaine. As he reached the door, he watched as the other boy tapped skilfully at the keys, stringing together a haphazard tune that sounded almost poetic. He was normal Blaine, his hair much neater and dressed in smarter clothes – Kurt presumed his grandmother expected such.

He cleared his throat with a smile.

Blaine all but jumped off the stool. "God Kurt! Scared me."

"I'm sorry," Kurt replied lightly, leaving his sentence hanging, a little lost for words or where to begin.

"What time are you flying the nest new kid?" he asked with the hint of a cheeky grin.

"I'm walking straight out of here without so much as a goodbye if you call me that again," he snapped but he was smiling. In fact he was smiling so much he wasn't sure he could stop.

"Ok ok. So I'd say the mandatory 'have a happy holiday' but I guess it's too cliché right?"

"No," Kurt teased, "you can say it, we're not beyond niceties." Blaine chuckled.

"Well, Kurt," he emphasised, "Happy Holidays and have an awesome break."

Blaine stood up from his stool and walked towards Kurt, his heart now causing his brain to short circuit. It was ok when they were playful, it was easy and fun to joke around but this was a month without seeing each other... it seemed so serious.

"Thank you, and you too. I hope Vermont is suitably snowy," Kurt replied, his eyes now wider and expectant.

Kurt felt the nerves now. Something had to be said or done to drop the tone a little.

"Look, Kurt, I want you to know that if anything happens over the holidays and you, um, well, you need someone ... I know you have your family and friends back at McKinley but if you need anyone else then I'm only on the other end of a phone line and I have a car."

Kurt felt his heart sigh. He knew his eyes had fallen into dreamy mode and he didn't care one bit. "I have no idea what I would have done without you this semester."

He knew the words weren't enough but he didn't know how else to express his feelings in a more neutral way without jeopardising what existed between them.

"You're tough, you could have done it without me but... you're welcome," Blaine added with a tiny smile.

There was silence for a moment. Kurt felt himself gaze at his shoes and even noticed a small scuff mark. It was at this moment that Blaine sighed so hard it was audible and ran his hand through his hair.

"What's wrong?" Kurt asked, genuinely unsure what it meant.

Blaine fixed his eyes forward and almost forgot to blink. He felt desperate for his brain to work and think of anything acceptable to say or do in the moment – something safe but meaningful.

"I'm just going to miss you," he mumbled, taking a much needed breath, "a lot."

Kurt wasn't prepared to keep any distance between them any longer so he curled his arms around Blaine's neck and hugged the life out of him. Blaine seemed to laugh with an 'oof' as he felt Kurt's weight hit him.

"I will miss you so much," Kurt whispered into Blaine's neck causing the other boy to noticeably shiver. As Kurt peeled himself away, his eyes showing a sign of sheepishness, he stayed close and left his hand on Blaine's shoulder.

"Ok we need to just say goodbye and leave because this is ridiculous," Blaine rushed out, his cheeks turning a little pink. Kurt caught it and felt himself startle in shock. Blaine was nervous?

Blaine wanted to kiss him. No other moment was more fitting for a goodbye kiss, just a small baby kiss would suffice, even on the cheek again, he'd done that before so he could do it again. He kept his eyes on Kurt and tried to wish him to leave because Blaine knew he was dangerously close to crossing a boundary that would redefine their relationship and potentially ruin it. He didn't.

Kurt realised he hadn't breathed out and felt himself tense, ache, swoon and a million and one other emotions all flooding through him, desperate to escape. He simply wanted to scream 'I'm going to miss you because I'm crazy about you and I want you to kiss me. I want you to be my first kiss because you're amazing and perfect and handsome and caring and funny and talented and your hair... don't even get me started on your hair...' but he didn't. Instead, he watched as Blaine's eyes flickered nervously, an uncharacteristic trait signalling that he was feeling something, and felt himself breathe deeply. He knew he only had to reach up and close the space between them but his heart was beating almost out of time with apprehension. He silenced it and felt the warmth of Blaine even from half a metre away soothe him and remind him that it was Blaine... nobody scary. He stepped closer and lifted his hand daintily, feeling it shake a little, to the side of Blaine's neck, his hair tickling it slightly. He smiled then, realising that Blaine's eyes weren't dancing anymore, they were solid and warm and the prettiest colour Kurt was sure he'd ever seen.

He never let his eyes falter. They spurred him on as he rested ever so lightly against Blaine's chest. He felt his fingers move of their own accord and stroke lines into the crook of Blaine's neck, his entire body trembling in the sweetest way. It was then that he pressed his lips faintly against Blaine's, his eyes falling closed.

It was like he was completed. The touch of another person so achingly close was like magic. He barely knew what to do but simply pressed a little harder and felt his fingers slide down from Blaine's neck to rest against the wool of his sweater. He felt his lips gradually lift and he stepped back, opening his eyes. His heart was beating in his ears, his palms so hot and skin on fire that he almost turned and ran. He watched, scared of Blaine's reaction, until he saw the corner of his mouth turn into a tiny smile. He was shocked and stunned, that was obviously, but he hadn't recoiled in horror. Kurt felt his hear soar and a desperate wish to say something witty and articulate to diffuse the tension but it was too necessary, too delicious, that he didn't. He just let the smallest and most modest of smiles paint his lips and glanced up demurely under his eyelashes.

Blaine breathed out for what felt like the first time in years, and struggled to remember what words were as he felt every single part of him that Kurt touched. He physically craved the feeling of Kurt's lips again.

"I, um..." Kurt began, shocking himself at his bravery but fully aware he was blushing deeply, "I will really miss you."

"Come with me to Vermont," Blaine rushed out, all too quickly and all too frantically because not only did he want that more than anything, the thought of not seeing Kurt for a month now felt like millennia. His brain fumbled with his own realisation and slowly slotted into place as it dawned upon him that his worries were potentially so unfounded- Kurt kissed him. Kurt kissed him.

"Blaine-" Kurt begen, a crinkle in his forehead, "it's my first family Christmas. I don't think I can leave my dad. I'm so sorry." He panicked inside, worrying he'd just ruined the most perfectly charge and blissful moment of his life.

"Oh god Kurt, of course," Blaine replied, so quick that the words almost run into one another. He felt so un-glued and it was both terrifying and wonderful at once.

"I don't-" Kurt started again, his mind racing to find a decent reply.

"Come after Christmas. I'm not coming back here for New Year. My Grandmother has allowed me to keep the cottage for a few days." He realised as he spoke, the magnitude of the offer and the sheer volume of questions he was asking Kurt but none of seemed to matter. He simply wanted Kurt close.

Kurt felt himself laugh a little, his face alight with the most brilliant happiness. "I've never seen you struggle for words before."

Blaine smiled, a smidgen bashful and a whole lot amused. "Kurt, I mean you... you...". Blaine couldn't do it, he couldn't put into words what was happening or how he felt or even what had just happened.

"I'd love to come," Kurt answered, his stomach fluttering. Blaine nodded. An enormous grin spread on his face and still no words.

Kurt beamed back and bounced a little on the spot, suddenly high on life and euphoria. He almost gracefully bowed, nodding in Blaine's direction and, without speaking, walked out of the common room.

As he reached the end of the corridor out of sight, he stopped. He covered his smiling face with his hands and breathed slowly and methodically, regulating it, before laughing to himself. His cheeks hurt and he was even sure his eyes watered a little but he didn't care. He sighed out, releasing a lifetime of pent up feeling and all but ran to Pavarotti and his stack of cases to head back home.

So yes, I guess I put those people out of their misery a little. This is NOT their first proper kiss. I mean, when I wrote it, I don't see Blaine even really kissing back because the poor boy's too stunned, however, BELIEVE ME when I tell you that I am not chickening out here with a little kiss and leaving it there. There's so much more to come – this was just to clear that up incase people were a little disappointed by it being so tiny :P

I REALLY hope you liked it. Was a little worried about this chapter so please let me know what you thought :D xx