In white laced up boots, Kurt stepped into the streets, slipping his clanking keys into his pocket. Blaine had already left for a class at NYU, while Kurt was headed to NYADA. They were both students, but at different schools. Blaine was majoring in photography and Kurt in dance. The two had actually met on the campus of which Kurt was headed to. 

Blaine was with a friend, Tina, from school. It was their last spring break of high school and Tina had just gotten an acceptance letter to the prestigious fine arts school. She had quite the voice and later proved to be a laudable dance partner. But, Kurt was always faithful to Santana in the studio. The duo were touring the NYADA campus, when they stumbled into Kurt, a freshman looking forward to the next year and his off campus living rights. And of course Blaine had his camera with him constantly; he has this cute fascination with capturing everything. And when Kurt says they stumbled into each other, he really means collided and ricocheted off each other. Kurt fell on his ass, pricking himself with the tic he was trying to pin up a roommate sign with. Blaines friend managed to catch him, but his camera still took quite the tumble.

Shit. Blaine had grumbled, this is why I need to find my neck strap. He complained and thanked his friend for sparing him a broken ass. Then he saw Kurt, the college dipped borderline young adult scrambling over papers- the thick fancy kind that gives paper cuts like nothing else, but looks prestigious- and tacs, which had scattered across the floor.

The comical duo shot each other panicked glance, before kneeling down to help Kurt. Neither of them had spoken to a NYADA student, let alone body slammed one. They were apologizing profusely, but as a freshman Kurt was used to it and he was putting his hands up in surrender, insisting it was all him. And then Tina is full on panic mode, near tears when she realizes the red on the paper wasnt a printer glitch. Theres a tiny stream of blood oozing from Kurts punctured finger. Blaines wiping out band aids and tissues, like his pocket is an old ladys purse. And Tina is still apologizing. Kurts getting mighty uncomfortable as Blaine has Kurts hand in his, bandaging it, so Kurt does what he does. He makes bad jokes.

Hey, need a roommate? Cause I sure do, since I just killed my last one. Blaine laughed nervously. Kurt wasnt sure if it was the murder joke or the college kid grunge. Tina offered a meek, Twilight is cool. and a noncommittal kind of shrug. Kurt flinched at the vampire reference and thanked Blaine for the Buzz Lightyear band aid. Does it say intellectual chic? He joked and Blaine blushed, embarrassed by his childish band aids. Then they had an awkward, unspoken group stand, all rising to their upright position simultaneously. Kurt had all of his tacs and posters in tact and Blaine had his camera sort of in tact.

Oh god, look at your camera. Im so sorry, I feel like really responsible for that. Well, no shit, its my fault and I am so sorry." Kurt gushed when he saw the shattered lense. Blaine tried to shrug it off, hed been the one that ran into Kurt. But, the college boy was persistent. I dont know if I can really like pay for it, I dont really know how much cameras are. But, would dinner make up for it? On me? Kurt offered. He asked himself if it was creepy to be hinting at a date with a maybe gay high school student. He answered yes, but did it anyways.

Thank you, but its really not that big of a deal. He clearly missed the implied date. To Kurt subtlety was a gift and curse, a very tragic curse. Although, I will take one of these flyers and if you havent found anyone next year...Ill be a freshman at NYU and I dont really want to live on campus so...

Great, Kurt handed a particularly less bloody flyer. Call me next year and we can see.

Wait, Tina spoke up, what about me?

You said NYADA had a strict rule about freshman living off campus, didnt you?

Yeah, but what about the next year? Am I supposed to live alone?

Kurt had been watching the exchange and elected to interject. This isnt a life time contract or anything. You can move in when you can and move out when youre ready. Its nothing serious. Blaine and Tina argued a little, with Kurt awkwardly watching. Before Blaine said they had to go and thanked Kurt for the flyer. Sorry again about your camera. Kurt called after what he had believed at the time to be a kind of cute, border line awkward couple.

Kurt smiled at the memory as he passed the hallway. He was on his way to dance rehearsal, ballet shoes in hand. It seemed like a normal class, but he hadnt expected the exciting twist at the end.

Blaine sat in the middle row of his Analogy Methodology Photography class. He always chose the middle, because he was far back enough to not be called on, but close enough to still pay attention. The room was abuzz with theories of what their final would be. There was no lecture that day, just an overview of the expectations for their fall semester final.

The average professor would have rubrics by the door for the students to pickup as they filed in. Then, the professor would proceed to meticulatily express the rubric, verbatim. Blaine found it rather pointless for them to reiterate what he had already read, or was going to read eventually.

Alas, Prf. Novik was not average and certainly not pointless. The students were seated without a rubric or a clue as to what was going on. Until the middle aged instructor rose from her chair and took her sweet time, strolling up to her podium.

"Hello, class." The calmness in her voice drove the students nuts, the way she was drawing out every second they lived without their assignment. And the smirk she was trying to hide was proof that she knew exactly what she was doing. "Im sure you are all wondering what your final is. And you will find out...soon." The room was silent, but the way everyones posture sunk a little was like an eternal internal groan from every student. "First, I need a few volunteers to help pass something out." Volunteers? Passing out papers? What was going? When does that ever happen in college. It was so elementary. But, a few students did raise their hands sheepishly. Blaine assumed they were just tired of waiting for someone else to step ou and do it.

They were brightly colored envelopes, Blaine saw as they were distributed. And from the way the few looked around, handing certain envelopes to certain people, Blaine guessed the contents were personalized. The lavendar envelope placed on Blaines desk made him giddy. On the front was his name scrolled in cursive and on the back, a little birds stuck to seal it closed. More envelopes were distributed, then Prf. Novik spoke again.

"Soon, you will be opening your envelope, or maybe you already have," she shot a look to a kid in front, left corner. Blaine knew him as James. "Dont ask me why you got impatience." She warned him. "Anyways, inside each envelope is a slip of paper. On that slip of paper is a word chosen specifically for you individually. Youre welcome. It wasnt easy." Blaine looked at the small square in his hands, then at the classmates around him. They were all opening theirs, why shouldnt Blaine open his? While his professor began relating their project-creating a portfolio of photos adhering to the theme on your card- Blaine opened the envelope, being sure to save the little birdie sticker on the back of his phone.

Whimsy

Six letters written on a sheet of paper. A black W-H-I-M-S-Y starred back at Blaine. And there was nothing wrong with the word, per se. Just the tiny detail that Blaine could barely define it, let alone make a portfolio based off it. He elected to stay after class and possibly get his word changed.

"Blaine, its nearly been a semester now. Although, you probably know yourself better than anybody, I still feel like Ive gotten your gist. Youre a thinker, a worker, maybe a fighter. You love a challenge. So, stop looking for something to challenge you and start challenging yourself." She explained to him.

Blaine sighed, "What if Im sick of challenges and just want a good grade? Cant I do something I know?"

His professor chuckled, "you dont even know what you know. Youre a big fan of beauty, is that right? Some might say a collecter?" Blaine nodded. How much did she learn from two months of pictures? "Well then, Mr. Collector, dont you agree that whimsy is just an element of beauty. Im simply daring you to look closer. None of this stuff should be new. I know you can do it."

"Youre right, thanks Professor." Blaine flattened, slinging his bag on one shoulder and heading out.

"Wait, there is another word I could give you." Blaine turned with intruige. Prf. Novik scribbled something on notebook paper and tossed it to Blaine, crumpled in a ball.

Careful to not tear it, Blaine unravled the paper. 

U-G-L-Y

"If you really want a challenge." She explained.

"Thanks, but I think Ill stick with whimsy." Blaine smiled, heading out, a little more confident with his word.

Kurt cavorted through the apartment door, shaking free of his jacket and boots. The apartment air was a warm welcome for Kurt, defrosting him rapidly. "I have exciting news!" He announced to his roommate. Blaine was tucked on the couch, with a large quilt blanket snuggled around himself. He was peering over his glasses at the screen of his laptop.

"Yes, that is exciting. Mazel Tov." Blaine spoke passively without a glance in Kurts direction.

Kurt sighed. "I havent said what it is yet."

"Right, right." Blaine mumbled, taking his glasses off and biting the tip of the arms. "Whats whimsy?"

"To me? I dont know, the bare nessecities?"

"That makes no sense." Blaine muttered, still looking at his screen.

"Yes it does, think about it. But, Blaine," Kurt crawled on the couch, grabbing at his roommates shoulder for attention. "Its Nutcracker auditions!" Blaine mumbled another uninterested comment, fingers clacking on his keyboard. Kurt saw on the screen multiple dictionary searches for the same word. "Blaine, what is with you and whimsy?"

"Its for school." Blaine shrugged off Kurts pestering. "Can you get off me?"

Kurt released Blaines shoulder, with a begrudging sigh. "Fine, whatever, Blaine. Im leaving."

"Wait!" Kurt stopped halfway to the door, thinking Blaine mightve changed his tune. "Can you bring back food?" 

Kurt scoffed, shrugging back on his jacket and boots. "No. Im going to find someone who actually cares about what I have to say."

Blaine rolled his eyes to the ceiling, "youre over reacting! Its just auditions." Kurt, too, rolled his eyes. "Sorry, Im busy and hungry." Blaine called.

Kurt walked the two blocks to the bar, where he worked. It wasnt his shift, but he was hoping to find Santana or maybe Sebastian there. He had no such luck, but he did stumble upon Adam. The tan Australian was someone Kurt had met on campus last year and he was glad to listen to Kurts excited rambling.

"Well, I am sure youll ace your audition. And when you do, expect to see me in the audience cheering you on."

"Thank you. And youre a music major, right?" Kurt asked, sipping from the drink hed ordered.

"Ah, was. I actually graduated last year." Adam explained, a little pride fully.

"Oh, Im impressed. So, I suppose the proper question is hows life as an official person, now that youre more than just another student."

"Liberating, exhilarating. A lot less stressful, at least in academic terms." Adam nodded. "But, I will admit that I miss paying the student rate for everything in a ten mile radius."

Kurt grinned, "being a student does have its perks."

"Indeed." Adam smiled back.

"What about work? Where has your BFA taken you?" Kurt inquired.

Adam shrugged, "not far, but hey, its New York. This city has a million BFAs. I mean, I do alright. I have a job at the record store two blocks over and I get an occasional gig every now and again. What about you?"

"Me? Oh, I just do part time here. Usually weekends, you should swing by sometime." Kurt hinted, with flirty undertones.

"I definitely will, and if you ever need a record or anything..."

"Ill know who to go to." Kurt finished.

"Exactly." Adam glanced at his watch. "I really must be going. I just came here to get a quick drink. But, I have plans tonight that wont prepare themselves. Ill see you around, Kurt and good luck with your audition."

"Thanks, bye Adam." After his friends departure, Kurt, too, elected to leave. He ended up stopping at a small bakery and getting himself a muffin and Blaines favorite chicken noodle soup.

The college freshman was sprawled out on the couch, his lap top precariously resting on his belly while he slept. As Kurt strutted past, on his way to the kitchen, he tapped Blaines foot with his own.

"Get up, I brought food." Kurt placed the boxes on their impossibly tiny table and turned to the still snoozing Blaine. With a sigh, Kurt paced back to the old couch. He put Blaines laptop on the coffee table, where it would be safe, then grabbed the ends of the blanket Blaine was sleeping on. With a swift yank, Blaine was tumbling off the couch and crash landing on the floor.

"Ow, fuck." He muttered, rubbing his head. "What the hell?" He groggily blinked at Kurt.

"Good morning, love, I brought you some soup." Kurt smiled, looking innocent.

Blaine stuck out his hand, to be helped up. "What kind of soup?" He asked as Kurt hauled him to his feet.

"Chicken noodle from that bakery that youre so fond of."

The young students face lit up, "SoMays?" Kurt nodded and the short boy was hurrying into the kitchen, scrambling to grab one of their many ceramic bowls and a bent spoon.

Kurt smiled and rolled his eyes, "I take it youre hungry." He got the soup out and handed it to Blaine with a ladle. Then, he grabbed two wine glasses, filling one with water and the other with a dark wine.

The two boys ate their small dinner at their small table having small talk. Blaine reluctantly listened to Kurt chatter about his exciting news across from the old car chair, which Kurt had styled into a dining seat. Leaning back in his old wooden chair, Blaine ood and ahd and nodded in agreement, when Kurt said the Nutcracker was totally his thing, and no one else. He practically hums waltz of the flowers daily, but Blaine knows thats far less than innocent.

"So, are you gonna tell me how long youve been obsessed with whimsy or would you feel more comfortable with a professional?" Kurt asked, their knees bumping as he shifted in his seat.

"Its for my AMP semester final project." Blaine explained.

"AMP?" Kurt quirked his eyebrow in confusion.

"Analogy Methodolgy Photography."

"Oh, the class with the big words." Kurt grinned. "Right, so what do you have to do for this project?"

"Take pictures of whimsy and then explain them and put them together in a whimsical way."

"Sounds fun."

"Hardly. I dont know why I stress out over that class so much." Blaine sighed. "Like, what even is whimsy?"

Kirt shrugged, then proceeded to hum Bare Necessities, nonchalantly looking out the window. His foot was tapping on Blaines the rhythm of the song. Blaine smiled at him, watching his profile in their dim light of two exposed bulbs and the setting sun. Kurts chin was titled up, his pink lips pressed in a smirk and ocean eyes gazing lightly past the clean glass. His jaw was definite and his cheeks had a faint rose color to them. Blaine mesmerized.

"Dont move." He commanded.

"What?" Kurt giggled, throwing a glance at Blaine. He was running to disappear in his room. Moments later, he returned with a camera. "Oh, no. No pictures." Kurt put his hands up to guard his face.

"Damn it, you moved." Blaine pouted.

"Im sorry, but I so dont do pictures."

"Fine. Ill just fail the semester." Blaine sighed, falling back into his chair and twirling his spoon in the puddle of soup that remained. "Then, Ill get kicked out and have to move back home. And Kurt Hummels never ending search for the perfect roommate willow renewed."

"I dont know if it ever ended. Perfect is a big word, Mr. Anderson."

"I know. Am I not worth it?"

Kurt shrugged, "I dont know...maybe. Close enough to keep around for at least a little while longer, I suppose." Kurt sighed and struck his previous pose. "Get your picture."

Blaine grinned and held up his lens. His finger was over the smooth button, ready to press down when a ringing interrupted him. Blaine contemplated snapping the picture quickly, before answering the phone. But, hes a strong believer in give an artist their time. An old teacher of his used to say, "do not rush the brush." Even though Blaine wasnt a painter, he figured it still applied. 

Blaine put down his camera and walked to the phone. Kurt watched him with intrigue. A moment after picking up,  Blaine face lit up in a way that was familiar to Kurt. He got a slight blush in his cheeks, throwing a glance in Kurts direction, before speaking into the phone.

"Okay, Ill be there. Just give me like two minutes." There was a pause while the other person spoke. "Bye. Ill see you in a few." And then he hung up and turned to Kurt. "Do you mind?" He asked, knowing Kurt knew what he meant.

"Not at all." Kurt told him.

"Are you sure? Cause you went out and got-"

"Soup, Blaine. I went and got soup, not our wedding cake. I wont fall into a fit of despair if you leave. Go hang out with your lover." Kurt winked.

"Oh, it isnt..." Blaine bushed, looking at his socked feet.

"We both know it is. Now go!" Kurt waved him off.

Blaine smiled, setting to work on slipping on his shoes and hoodie. "Thanks, Kurt." He was almost gone, but he popped back in and grabbed his camera, then vanished behind the closed door.

Kurt sometimes wondered what Blaines special friend was like. Hes actually pretty private about his social life. The only friend he brings around is Tina and sometimes he talks about a select number of friends from his high school. High school is another factor of Blaine that Kurt is in the dark about. He doesnt even know what state Blaine is from.

Kurt collects the dishes from the table and takes them to the sink. He tells himself hes doing dishes, but really hes looking out the window, searching for Blaines unmistakeable red coat. He follows it with his eyes, hoping it will lead to some clue about Blaines girlfriend. Or boyfriend; Kurt has absolutely no idea. Blaine gives off so many different vibes, that Kurt sometimes needs to be assured that Blaine is human. He really shouldve done better roommate screening.

Blaine stops in front of a girl with black hair and a knit hat. He thinks thats it, thats Blaines girl. But then Blaine is pointing down the sidewalk and the girl is looking and nodding and then walking away. She mustve been looking for directions. Kurt watches as Blaine continues. He walks inside a building alone. Kurt reads the sign above it, Rock and Eve Records with a little apple tree next to it. Then Kurt cant help but think back to Adam, who probably isnt working right now. Hes out doing his big plans that he prepared for. Kurt makes a mental note to go visit him one day when hes not having big plans.