The auditorium was silent.

It was four in the afternoon on a Tuesday, so the glee club was in the choir room and the rest of the students had gone home for the day.

Blaine stepped out all the way into the large room and carefully closed the door behind him. He took a cautious look around before quickly making his way down the stairs and to the stage. As Blaine pulled himself up onto the stage the sheet music in his nervous hands slipped and fluttered to the floor. He quickly gathered them all up and scurried over to the piano.

"Baby, Its Cold Outside," Blaine read aloud as he got comfortable on the piano bench.

This would mark the first time hed even touched a piano in years. Unfortunately, he only had a few weeks until the Kings Island Christmas Spectacular. He had to get this right. A quick and dirty practice session in the school auditorium where anyone could see wasnt the ideal situation, but after having spent the last few days singing A Capella in his living room he needed the real deal. He needed instrumental accompaniment. He needed a stage. The one at the school just happened to be mostly unused and there for the taking, so it so happened to work out that way.

It had been a long time since hed been underneath the sweltering heat of stage lighting. Blaine tugged nervously at his cardigan and swiped at the sweat beading down from underneath the fedora he was dawning. It had also been a long time since hed worn such ridiculous clothes. The thought of anyone seeing him in this ridiculous attire was mortifying to say the least. They werent even his clothes... they belonged to Kurt. Whilst getting dressed that morning, he had found them amongst his laundry and gotten this crazy idea that if he dressed like his old self, he might be more motivated and inspired to try singing again. Not that he had a choice considering he had a contract with Kings Island Company and no understudy. Perhaps he had chosen to participate in the show this year for nostalgic reasons or simply to earn some spare cash, but as the date grew closer, he slowly lost that spark that got him thought the audition in the first place.

Blaine shoved those thoughts out of his head. He had work to do.

A quick glance at his watch told him that he had thirty minutes. He had to be quick. The glee club got out of practice at four-thirty today and there was no telling who would slip into the auditorium for an emotional ballad session (Blaine had been scouting out the territory the past week and thus far had borne witness to Rachel, Quinn, and Finn.)

"Baby, its cold - " His voice faltered on the last note, making him groan.

This would be a long half hour for him.

* * *

It took a few tries to get back into the right headspace, but Blaine managed it eventually. Of course, this particular song was a bit awkward seeing as it was a duet, so that was something he had to work around. However, within ten minutes Blaine was singing his little heart out. It was like being himself again. It felt powerful.

After he ran through the song all the way through without messing up, he started right back at the beginning and did it all over again. Time began to quickly slip by after that. Everything except the piano and his own voice faded, and Blaine was in his own world. He didnt even notice that he wasnt alone, that he hadnt been for a time...

Suddenly, a round of slow, deliberate claps resounded throughout the auditorium and snapped Blaine back into reality.

Frightened, Blaine twisted around and zeroed in on the intruder. Whoever it was stood in the direct line of bright light that illuminated the stage, making them impossible to make out. With his hand shielding his eyes, Blaine stood and looked to the stages edge. As he did so, the person began slowly walking toward him.

Blaines initial fear was that it was Mr. Shue, who was known to spy on people singing, or perhaps Finn Hudson, who was also no stranger creeping on people (That is, if Rick the Stick wasnt lying about catching Finn spying on Sam in the shower).

However, as the intruder made their way out of the light, it was revealed to be Kurt.

Blaine let out a breath of relief and plopped back down on the piano bench. He tried his best to ignore the smug little grin Kurt displayed as he began plucking at the keys once more.

Kurt stopped finally stopped his slow clap and pulled himself up onto the stage. He didnt take a seat on the bench, as Blaine had expected, but instead draped himself over the piano in typical Kurt fashion.

"I should have known you were a closeted stage junkie." He said wryly.

Blaine rolled his eyes. "You know, not every gay man can sing, Hummel."

"I know," Kurt shrugged. He played with his hands for a moment, and when he looked back at the other boy, he looked thoughtful. Blaine expected him to say something profound, but all he got was, "Youre just so theatrically dramatic. It makes sense."

"I am not." Blaine retorted childishly.

Kurt smirked, but let it go. "You never told me you could sing."

"I know how you people are and what you do to new kids. In this school, ones singing voice is a secret to be guarded at all costs."

"I wouldnt have pushed you to join glee club, trust me - "

Blaine had to stifle a laugh at that point. He gave Kurt a very pointed look.

"Okay. Fine, I would have dragged you into that choir room by the hair." He chuckled. "But, you know, I have a reputation to uphold too. Being seen singing with you might damage that."

Blaine shook his head at the boys gal. "Oh, is that so? Who says I would want to sing with you?"

"Everyone wants to sing with me. Havent you heard? Im practically a star."

"Careful." Blaine warned. "Doesnt Rachel have like, a copyright on that?"

"Itll be our secret," Kurt said. "And Ill also keep your little secret away from the likes of Mr. Shue."

Blaine smiled appreciatively.

"But," Of course there was a catch. "Id like to know what youre doing in here."

"Practicing." Blaine answered in an attempt to keep things vague.

"For?" Kurt pressed.

"A thing." Blaine said, beginning to feel annoyed. "You know, youre really nosy"

Kurt huffed. "Fine, keep your secrets."

Blaine smiled. "I will."

"I guess Ill go then. But first," He gave Blaine a stern look and held out his hand. "Surrender the hat, Anderson."

Blaine looked up at him through his lashes, looking very much like guilty puppy. He slowly pulled it off and placed it in Kurts waiting hand. Kurt put the fedora under his arm and began walking toward the exit.

"And Blaine," Kurt froze just short of the door.

Blaine looked up quizzically. The mild annoyance was gone from Kurts voice, and instead replaced by something softer.

"Keep the cardigan - it suits you." Although Kurt was facing the other direction, the blush tinting his ears bright red was still very obvious. He pushed the door open and was gone. Bright light briefly filled the auditorium followed by a feint thud that reverberated as the heavy door clicked shut, and then the room was once again filled with semi-darkness.

Blaine lightly tugged at the sleeve of Kurts - his cardigan, as a small smile spread across his lips. He glanced back up at where Kurt had just been and started where he left off before the interruption. Once again, the bubbly tune filled the auditorium, and Blaine sang quietly.

"Ill take your hat; your hair looks swell - "

It was around midnight when Kurt was woken up by his phone buzzing.

Will you help me? - unknown

Kurt huffed and groggily shot back a reply.

Who is this? - Kurt

It took a few minutes for a reply.

I landed a job doing the Kings Island Christmas Spectacular in a few weeks. I have to sing Baby Its Cold. - unknown

His sleep deprived brain flashed him back to watching Blaine parade around the stage earlier and he made the connection -

Blaine? - Kurt

Yes dummy - Blaine

How did you get my number? - Kurt

Sam. - Blaine

Where did sam get my number? - Kurt

Honestly, since when did Sam have his number? Sam always asked Finn to pass on messages, why did he never text him?

?? - Blaine

Kurt huffed.

why do you need help? u sounded just fine when earlier. amazing even. - Kurt

Seriously Kurt. Please? - Blaine

Kurt was honestly about to say no just on principle . . . but he couldnt. Blaine knew just how to make him do what he wanted.

Meet me in the choir room thirty minutes after last period. - Kurt

He didnt bother to wait for a reply. Kurt dropped his phone back onto the nightstand and rolled back over.

* * *

The next day they met in the choir room as planned.

Although a bit annoying, Kurt couldnt deny that there were certainly worse ways to spend his time than singing with Blaine. In a few of his daydreams, Blaine having a terrible voice was always a huge detriment to their fake-relationship, so in a way this worked.

Kurt started out their practice session by running through some simple scales and a few other vocal exercises. Two days ago, Kurt would have been utterly shocked by Blaines near perfect pitch, but having heard him sing so beautifully the day before, the exercises only served to prove his suspicions - Blaine had received some sort of lessons previously. He was too good. Blaine knew how to sight read and his range was quite impressive. Of course, it had nothing on Kurts, but Kurt wasnt going to mention that - at least not yet anyways.

After they finished warming up, Kurt looked Blaine over appraisingly.

Blaine shifted under his watch. His hand automatically came up to his face and rubbed at it. "Did I forget to shave again?" Kurt watched as Blaine comically attempted to look down at his face, and could no longer contain his laughter when he went cross-eyed. Kurt shook his head and pulled Blaines hand off his cheek.

Kurt sat down against the piano and crossed his arms." I dont get it."

Blaine stood up and mirrored Kurts position, waiting for him to continue.

"You seem very capable and you obviously know youre stuff. Hell, you could probably teach me some things. You want my opinion?" Blaine tilted his head, and Kurt continued. "You said its been awhile since youve done any singing, but honestly youre probably up there with Rachel Berry." He couldnt help but laugh at the image of Blaine Anderson usurping Rachel from her golden spot on the podium.

Blaine lifted his eyebrows, having not expected that response.

Kurt narrowed his eyes. "Of course, if you tell her I said that Ill deny it."

Blaine rolled his eyes and pretended to seal his lips.

* * *

According to Blaine his show ended up going well. He never elaborated on it, but that may have been because Kurt laughed at him when he mentioned how much of a diva his partner had been.

"You really have entered show business." Kurt had chided him.

It had been a week since then. Kurt was out making his rounds and handing out the Christmas presents he had gotten for everyone. Hed already visited everyone else Blaine was the last on the list.

As Kurt walked up the driveway a young man appeared from inside.

"Blaine, buddy! Youre next appointments here!" The guy called merrily.

Directly following this, an empty can flew through the open door and missed the both of them by inches. Kurt stumbled backward in surprise and the guy just smirked.

"Have fun, dude." The guy didnt stick around for an answer and walked off laughing.

After that little display it was a small miracle that Kurt didnt turn tail. The only thing keeping there at the moment was really his guilty conscious. Of course, he didnt know exactly what he was meant to be feeling guilty about - in fact, he was quite sure he hadnt done anything. However, with the mind he had, hed already thought this through logically for the past several hours to assuage the guilt - only to remember how sad Blaine looked earlier and go back to feeling guilty. In any case, Kurt wasnt one to leave a friend alone on Christmas Eve, so here he was. Putting on his metaphorical big-boy pants, Kurt silenced the part of himself that wanted to back away from this challenge and stepped inside, albeit cautiously.

The unmistakable sounds of retching and coughing led him straight to the bathroom where he found Blaine slumped on the ground. It was a pitiful sight to behold: Blaine had his face resting on the bare toilet and was facing away from the door, so he wasnt aware of present company.

"So," Kurt crossed his arms and leaned back on the sink. "Should I even bother asking who that guy was?"

"Matt." Blaine mumbled. "Hes my cousin and hes -" He couldnt even finish speaking before he started the retching again. The force of it caused Blaine to launch his head into the toilet bowl. Beads of sweat slid down his face and he moaned weakly, and then he moved his face back onto cool porcelain until the cycle repeated again. His curly hair, which hadnt been cut since the beginning of school when he buzzed it all off, flopped onto his forehead and into his eyes.

Kurt sighed deeply and then sat down on the tub and pushed Blaines hair out of his face. The putrid scent of vomit permeating throughout the room, but Kurt dutifully remained by his friends side until the episode ended.

"You should try to get in bed and drink some water." Kurt insisted, stroking Blaines damp hair gently.

Blaine reluctantly agreed and, with Kurts help, managed to stand up. He swayed for a moment, steadied himself, and then shuffled into the living room where he plopped down onto the couch.

Kurt stopped in the kitchen to get him a glass of water and by the time he got back Blaine appeared to have passed out. He grabbed a nearby blanket and threw it over Blaine, then sat down at his feet.

The living room looked so bare. There were no decorations, no trees, no lights - absolutely nothing to suggest it was the holidays in any religion or language.

It once again occurred to Kurt that Blaine was all alone. Obviously he knew about his familys history, but hed assumed that they would have either worked things out by now or at least set them aside for Christmas. After all, Christmas was a time for family. It was a solid fact in Kurts mind, and he never questioned it or took it for granted.

Kurt ended up staying over that night - if anything to make sure Blaine didnt roll over and drown in his own vomit. He figured his parents would understand and friends were just as important.