Did I do something wrong?

Please answer me. I thought things were fine... I don't understand why you just ran out like that.

Blaaaaaine.

Help! I'm trapped in a dumpster and i can't get out.

Okay, the last text message might have been extreme, but Kurt had to get Blaine's attention. He didn't understand why Blaine had torn out of the coffee shop the previous day. It wasn't like Kurt had said anything highly embarrassing, right? They were having a pretty normal conversation as far as he could tell. So why did Blaine run out, and why was he ignoring Kurt now?

After a few more strained moments, Blaine replied, We don't even have school today. Why would you be in a dumpster?

It got his attention, that was all that mattered. Why are you ignoring me?

Kurt slipped his phone in his pocket, grabbed a tray off the kitchen counter and made his way into the living room. "I've got popcorn, chips, drinks, and apple slices for us."

Mercedes glared at him, "Apple slices. Is that just so your dad can't whine about your health lectures, when you eat junk food all you want?"

Setting it on the coffee table in front of her, he flopped on to the couch and swung his legs on to her lap. "Possibly. It's not like I eat junk food all the time anyway. I take care of myself."

She smiled, "no, you're just a beast around me. You just do it so I won't feel bad."

He gave her thigh a gentle pat, "Mm, you know I love you." His phone buzzed and he pulled it out again. "It's Blaine," he smiled.

It's... complicated. Nothing against you. Just give me the weekend to think about stuff, okay? We'll reschedule our coffee date for Monday and talk then.

"Why are you blushing?" Mercedes smirked. "What did lover boy say?"

Quickly replying with, Seems fair. See you Monday! He turned to look at Mercedes and said, "you can't leave me alone, can you?" He told her everything, how much he liked Blaine, how easy it was to get along with Blaine, and Mercedes was happy that Kurt found someone he liked, even if it was someone he couldn't have. Blaine was nice to Kurt and it was a step in the right direction.

"Spill," Mercedes said, reaching over his legs for the bowl of popcorn.

Sitting up, Kurt said, "he wants to reschedule for Monday. He ran out on our coffee date yesterday and... jeez, I don't know. The fact that he called it a date makes me happy. I know that's not actually what he meant, like a real date, but I... like him, Mercedes, and I'm just happy I have someone to hang out with."

She was silent for a moment, before she grabbed one of the couch pillows and hit him with it, "what do I look like, the deer on the side of the road?"

"Huh?" he asked.

"Kurt, we hang out!" she reminded him.

Reaching over, he stole a few pieces of popcorn from her, "I know, and I love that. It's just nice to have more than one friend, you know? Sometimes you're busy, because you have other people to hang out with, and I'm left all alone. It's just... a nice change."

Mercedes smiled, "I know, it's fine. He's fine too, boy. I hope you do stand a chance with him, but if he's straight, don't blame me for taking him. I can't say no to a boy that cute. i mean, have you seen hm in those bowties? Adorable."

Kurt sat back against the couch and sighed, "well, I'm sure you have a better chance with him anyway. I'm pretty sure he's straight. If he's not, then he's still in the closet. I'm pretty sure he'd know he can come to me about it, since he knows I'm gay." he wouldn't mind that either. Blaine was adorable, and as much as he wanted Mercedes to be happy, he felt like he deserved to be happy too. just once.

She shook her head, "unless he's not that comfortable with you. I know you're friends and all, but that's a serious matter and he can obviously see how harsh he'd get treated if people knew that. Maybe he just doesn't trust that you'd keep his secret."

"I guess," he said.

Mercedes grabbed his hand, giving a squeeze. "don't you remember how long it took for you to tell me you were gay? You were scared. If Blaine is gay, it's going to take him time, just like it took you a while." The look in her eyes was enough for Kurt to see how sincere she was.

Kurt thought about what she said for a moment. She could be right, and maybe she was, but he doubted it. He was usually pretty good at figuring out when someone else played for his team. He had to keep his eyes open, right? Blaine just seemed too... straight to him. He didn't really know, and he probably couldn't get the answer out of Blaine. "I guess we'll find out in good time... What movie do you want to watch?" he had to change subject. Talking about it just made him feel like his entire love life seemed hopeless.

"Let's watch the Notebook."

Kurt sighed. 

Great.

Blaine found himself in the dumpster first thing Monday morning. 

He grudgingly pulled himself from it and went to change his clothes. He brought an extra pair with him every day, because he usually went through two outfits a day. It was a good thing his mom was gone before school most mornings, so she didn't see him come home in a different outfit than when he left.

When he opened the bathroom door, he found himself in an even more uncomfortable situation: Karofsky had Kurt pinned against the back wall, with two of his friends encouraging him to keep harassing Kurt. karofsky had a tight hold on him, and Kurt's eyes were wide with fear. He didn't even notice when Blaine stepped in.

At the sound of the door swinging shut, Karofsky let go of Kurt's shirt and turned around. When he noticed it was Blaine, he sighed in relief, thankful it wasn't a teacher. "What are you doing in here? I thought we left you in the dumpsters. wasn't it clear you weren't wanted here today?"

"Does it look like I care?" Blaine asked. When none of them said anything, Blaine added, "you know, I think Mr. Rochester was headed this way. You ought to be careful. You don't want him to catch you shoving a kid's head in a toilet."

Karofsky raised an eyebrow, "Huh. Well... you're lucky, Hummel, the bell's about to ring." he took off with his friends, laughing on their way out. He didn't fool Blaine, who saw the anxious look in his eyes at the mention of a teacher.

Kurt picked his bag up off the floor, "thanks," he mumbled, avoiding Blaine's gaze.

Blaine watched him walk toward the door. He moved slow and kept his head down. It was different for Kurt, who always walked tall and proud. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

Kurt nodded, "just tired of this."

Stepping closer, Blaine said, "maybe the warehouse sounds better than listening to Mrs. Keegan drag on for the next hour? I know you have her first period."

kurt stared at Blaine for a long moment, then a small smile appeared on his lips, "yeah... okay."

"I can't believe you actually brought a blanket with you," Kurt said, watching Blaine lay a thick, blue blanket on the roof of the warehouse.

Blaine stood up and smiled, "I told you I would." He motioned for Kurt to have a seat and he did. Blaine sat next to him and looked at him for a moment.

"What?" Kurt blushed. He hated the way Blaine watched him. Well, not hated, more like loved it so much, because Blaine seemed so fascinated with him, and Kurt had no idea what that meant. It drove him crazy. Looking into Blaine's gorgeous hazel eyes made him crazy. They were so perfect.

Blaine shrugged, "I just like that you're so concerned about your outfits. They're just clothes, Kurt. You can wash them." He smiled, a full smile, and it made Kurt's cheeks burn even more.

Trying to look offended, Kurt said, "never talk about clothes like that in front of me. Fashion is really important to me."

"How important?" Blaine raised a thick eyebrow. He turned his body to look at Kurt at a better angle. He was so close that Kurt felt the warmth from his body. His breath caught in his throat and he had to look away from Blaine to calm himself down.

Leaning back on his hands, Kurt sighed, "I've thought about applying for schools in New York for fashion, but... Rachel really wants me to apply at NYADA, and I would love to go there. Broadway's a huge dream of mine. I just don't feel like I'm... good enough for it." 

Following suit, Blaine leaned back against his palms and looked into Kurt's eyes, "I've never heard you sing. I mean, you have to be good, I saw New Directions perform last year. You're special, Kurt. I'm sure you're good enough."

Once again, Kurt blushed. He looked away from Blaine, hating how easy it was to melt around Blaine. "I'm not special, Blaine," his voice was barely above a whisper.

"What makes you say that?" Blaine asked.

Kurt quietly said, "I've never been special." He paused, looking out at the deep blue sky. "My mom used to tell me I was special. We used to sing songs together and she'd always drop out and just... listen to me sing." The memory was painful. he missed his mother so much. "She always told me I was destined to be a star... It's one of the reasons I want to make it at NYADA. I want to prove her right."

"I'm sure she is right," Blaine simply said, his eyes never left Kurt.

He turned back to Blaine, "was. She died a long time ago."

it seemed like Blaine didn't know what else to say other than, "I'm sorry." it was the one thing Kurt hated hearing people say. No one ever understood, no one ever knew how to respond to that, not even Blaine.

They sat there in silence for a long time, because Kurt never knew how to respond to the "I'm sorry" card. And then he decided to change subject, "why did you walk out on me the other day?"

Blaine didn't reply. He continued to stay quiet for a long moment, before he looked at Kurt and said, "I like being your friend, Kurt."

"I like being your friend too," he replied, confused. Was Baine avoiding the question? If so, why was he?

Giving a heavy sigh, Blaine continued, "I don't want to ruin that, because you're all I have anymore, and I like you." He hesiated, his fingers running along the edge of the blanket. "I just... really noticed how much people are judging our friendship."

"Everyone knows I'm gay. I'm not ashamed of that," Kurt said, his breath catching in his throat. He knew where this conversation was going, and he wasn't sure he  wanted to know what else Blaine had to say, "You weren't comfortable with what happened the other day, were you? I mean, what I said..." he thought about that day in the bathroom. Nothing seemed to bother Blaine that much, but he could have been hiding it.

Blaine shook his head, "Kurt, I told you I was fine with it. I don't care that you're gay. I like you, Kurt. I do. I'm just... afraid of what others will think."

"Why?"

Studying Blaine's features, Kurt noticed the way Blaine's eyes narrowed and he bit his bottom lip. He felt like Blaine wanted to hide from this question, like he wanted to crawl in a shell and disappear. Blaine continued to ignore the question, but when he did speak again, his voice was low and rough, "i was bullied to the point of hospital trips, Kurt. It... it scarred me for life, you know? I just can't deal with that again."

Kurt continued to study Blaine's troubled face, his eyes were so full of sorrow. Kurt understood how horrible it was to be bullied. He knew that it scarred a person. Blaine had obviously been through a lot. "why were you bullied so bad, Blaine?" he knew Blaine would hate the question, but he had to ask.

"I... because.." Blaine moved closer, making Kurt's heart beat quickly in his chest. Blaine took a deep shaky breath, "I was bullied because..." He leaned forward, gently pressing his warm lips to Kurt's. His hand came up, cupping Kurt's cheek.

Surprised, Kurt pulled back. He stared into Blaine's hazel eyes, they were no longer full of sorrow. They were full of desire. Kurt felt himself melt, leaning toward Blaine again, Kurt deepened the kiss. Blaine moaned, as Kurt grabbed his waist.

Blaine sat up, positioning himself better. His thumb stroked Kurt's cheek, making him shiver. He had never been kissed like that before and it just felt so good.

When they broke apart, their eyes stayed locked, and they continued to breathe heavily. Kurt's hands were shaking, and he felt like he couldn't catch his breath. It was the last thing he expected. Luck couldn't be on his side, not something like this. He had hoped for it, but never actually saw it happening.

When Kurt finally found the strength to speak, he whispered, "I didn't know."  

"Now you do," Blaine said quietly. Lying down on the blanket, he closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing.

Kurt watched him for a long moment. His breathing became more even, and he continued to lay there, almost like he forgot Kurt was there. He looked so vulnerable, so beautiful. 

"Blaine," Kurt said after such a long time. he wasn't even sure Blaine was awake anymore. But when Blaine opened his eyes and looked at him, Kurt said, "are you... still in the closet?"

Blaine shook his head, "no... at least not to most people. I was out at my first school and Dalton. My family knows. I just thought I could get through this year without people knowing." He sighed, rolling over on his side. "I guess I am at Mckinley." He propped his arm up, resting his head on his hand. "is that wrong to do?"

Kurt shook his head, "no. I'm sure it's hard for you. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."

"I don't want that to change things between us." Blaine took a deep breath, "I just panicked the other day. When I saw how much everyone was judging us. I just... didn't want people to start talking. I still don't, but I don't want to ruin things with you."

Kurt smiled, "I don't see why it would. I really like you, Blaine." it was the truth. Blaine had been a good friend to him, and that was all Kurt had wanted: a friend. Why did it matter if his friend was gay or straight? 

"I like you too," Blaine ran a hand over his hair.

"Then..." Kurt decided to lay back next to him. He rolled on to his side, mirroring Blaine. "I don't see why it has to. You can trust me, Blaine. I don't believe in outting anyone. Ever. I didn't do it for David, I wouldn't do it for..." he stopped,  clapping a hand to his mouth.

Shit. No one was supposed to know about that.

Blaine's eyes were as wide as saucers. "Karofsky?" he said, biting his lip to hold back a laugh.  "Are you telling me - "

"You didn't hear anything from me," Kurt said quickly. He knew it was too late, damage had been done. Now he just had to hope Karofsky didn't find out he said anything.

"How could you possibly know that?" Blaine asked, his face becoming serious. "I'm pretty sure if anyone knew, he'd go from school bully to school bulied."

Heart hammering against his chest, Kurt didn't have the guts to tell Blaine how it happened. He was already dead if Karofsky found out Blaine even knew about it. "Long story," he simply said.

Blaine's arm collapsed and he rolled over on his back, "man, if people knew..."

Kurt sat up too quickly. He groaned at the pain that shot through his neck. "Blaine, you can't! No one's supposed to know. I'm not even supposed to know." 

Tugging on his shirt, forcing Kurt back down, Blaine said, "calm down, it's okay. I'm not going to say anything."

Kurt glared at him, "do you promise?" He had to know that he could trust Blaine with this. Blaine didn't understand what kind of situation this put him in.

Grinning, Blaine said, "only if you kiss me again."

He gaped at him. Did he really just ask that? "You're unbelievable," Kurt whispered. He sat up enough to hover over Blaine. bending down, he kissed him. His left hand crossed over Blaine to rest on the opposite side of him, to hold him steady. Blaine's fingers entwined with his right hand and Kurt squeezed in response. He shifted his weight, leaning into Blaine, who moaned. "Don't stop," he barely croaked when Kurt broke away.

"Unbelievable," Kurt said again, leaning back in for a kiss.

Blaine's free hand grabbed Kurt by the waist and pulled him closer. He continued to hold Kurt close to him tightly, like he was afraid to let him go.

Eventually, Kurt pulled his face away from Blaine's, panting. He felt his cheeks burning but didn't bother hiding it.

Blaine pulled Kurt down, making him collapse on top of him. He stroked Kurt's hair gently and said, "I love how easy it is to make you blush."

Kurt sighed, with hardly any energy left in him "shut up."

Licking his lips, lust in his eyes, Blaine said, "you know what could get me to shut up?"

The smile Blaine gave him was enough to break him and he went back to kissing Blaine.  

Gently stroking Kurt's hair, Blaine stared up at the night sky, once again, trying to count stars. Kurt's head was resting on his chest, he insisted on listening to Blaine's heart beat. They had stayed in that position for so long, Blaine lost track of time. He felt so peaceful, he never wanted that moment to end.

Kurt shifted, his head moving lower down Blaine's torso. He turned his head to look at Blaine properly. 'I should get home soon," he mumbled. The sound of his voice surprised Blaine. He hadn't spoken in so long, Blaine wasn't sure if he was still awake.

"Why?" He didn't want Kurt to leave. He had planned on staying there all night. He didn't mind the company.

"My dad will worry," Kurt said, locking eyes with Blaine. "I should have been home from school hours ago, and he usually likes when I tell him where I am."

As if on cue, Kurt's phone buzzed. "shit," he sat up, pulling his phone out of his pocket. "Hello?" He sat there for a minute, listening. "I'm with Blaine," he waited again. His eyes went wide and he said, "no, dad. it's not like that. just... yeah, we're working on homework. He needed help and... Okay, sure. I'll be home in a little while... Love you too." He hung up and sighed heavily. "I told you.".

"Worried?" Blaine asked, tucking one hand behind his head for support.

Kurt nodded, "he usually wants me to call. He worries too much." Giving another sigh, Kurt added, "I can't blame him though. He's had plenty of reason to worry. He just..." Kurt stopped and a long silence followed this. Blaine wasn't sure how long he sat there, but when Kurt spoke again, Blaine noticed something seemed off in his voice. "This is stupid."

"Kurt?" Blaine moved closer to him.

Kurt turned to look at him, he had tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said hoarsely, wiping his face with his shirt sleeve. 

"Why are you sorry?" Blaine asked, confused. The tears came out of nowhere, and Blaine didn't know what could have possibly upset him.

He blinked more tears out of his eyes as he said, "because I'm crying. I just..." He took a deep breath, trying to steady his shaky voice. "I wish my first kiss had been like that kiss today, not forced..." He stood up, wiping the back of his pants. "I like spending time with you, and today was a nice break from reality. I'm just afraid that this is too good to be true."

Blaine gave a small laugh, "me too." He already knew it was too good to be true. He knew that before anything had happened between them.

Kurt's bright eyes widened, "are you afraid because you don't want people to know?"

If he was going to be honest with himself, that probably was exactly why he was afraid it was too good to be true. Liking someone had never turned out well for him so far. How would this be any different, when he didn't want anyone to know in the first place? "Where does that leave us?" he asked, dreading the answer.

Kurt shrugged, "I don't know... I don't do well with... romance. I mean, I've never even had anyone like me before." He stood up, "I don't know what I'm doing, and I've always said that I want to be like everyone else, walking down the hall holding my lover's hand, not carig what people thing, but..."

"I'm ruining that for you," Blaine replied softly. if he hadn't been so afraid of what people thought, Kurt could get what he wanted.

"Are we even like... a thing? I mean... just because we made out on a rooftop?" Kurt asked. 

Looking at his tired face, Blaine knew what he wanted, he just didn't know how he wanted it, without ruining everything he planned for that school year. He bit his lip, "I guess I don't know, Kurt."

"You did run off over a cup of coffee," Kurt reminded him.

Blaine stood up, rolling up the blanket and tucked it under his arm. He turned back to Kurt and said, "was this a mistake?"

Kurt shook his head, "I don't want it to be." He moved toward the edge of the building and stood there for a moment. When he turned back to Blaine, he said, "just... think things through, okay? I don't want to walk away from every kiss I have with regret." With that, he disappeared, leaving Blaine alone on the rooftop.

Blaine didn't hear from Kurt for days. he didn't show up to school until the following Wednesday. Blaine didn't bother texting him, because he wasn't sure if Kurt was angry with him or not. If Kurt was avoiding him by skipping school, then Blaine knew it was best to leave him alone.

It wasn't until Wednesday morning that Blaine confronted him.

He stopped in front of Kurt's locker and said, "hi."

Without a glance at him, Kurt quietly said, "hey."

Blainee wanted to keep the mood light. he didn't want to make it obvious that he was uncomfortable with the conversation. he didn't know how to start, so he simply said, "Did you, uh, get stuck in a dumpster? You've been absent the last couple days."

Kurt slammed his locker door shut, his blue eyes piercing through Blaine like daggers, "you know, Anderson, it's funny. you're so afraid of getting bullied, but you can make fun of me all you want. Is it a joke to you that I get tossed in dumpsters? that's awfully low for a victim like you." He turned on his heel and stormed down the hall.

Blaine gaped at him, before he pulled himself together and followed him, "hey, wait a minute.' Kurt continued to ignore him. Blaine grabbed his arm to stop him. "Kurt, I'm talking to you. You know it's not like that."

Spinning around to face him, Kurt almost shouted, "it's not like that? Then what is it, Blaine? Because all I see is that you're a coward, and you can make jokes about me."

"I never thought you minded that," Blaine protested.

"I didn't until now." Kurt said. "You take me out and make me feel special for a day, just to ignore me for days. You didn't text, you didn't call."

"Because I knew you were upset!" Blaine retorted. "I didn't know what you wanted me to do. You told me to figure things out, and I haven't really had much of a chance, Kurt."

"You're a coward. You're just afraid of what people will do to you. You're living in your past," kurt pulled away from him, threatening to walk away.

Blaine knew he was right, but he had to convince him that he deserved a chance. "Kurt, please, it's not even like that." 

At that moment, Karofsky and another jock slid out of a classroom and shoved Kurt back into a row of lockers. Blaine paused, watching. "Hey, Hummel, haven't see you in a few days. Been hiding?" He smirked, "welcome back," He tossed a slushie in his face and walked away.

Wiping slushie out of his eyes, Kurt was silent for a minute. When he pulled hismelf together, he looked at Blaine and said, "actually, it is like that." He walked away without another word.