It had become steadily colder as the night wore on, the snow that had threatened to fall all week deciding now was the time to land on the ground and settle amidst the peace and quiet inside this New York apartment. It was at least ten years since Blaine had been hugged asleep and he woke just before dawn to find himself still enveloped within Kurt's arms and resting his head in between Kurt's neck and shoulder. Kurt let out little puffs of air as he slept so his chest rose and fell gently and Blaine could hear his steady heart beat underneath his ear. Blaine lifted his head slowly so he wouldn't wake Kurt and as he placed his cheek on the pillow he could see Kurt fully. His cheeks looked sleep warm and with his mouth slightly open he looked so beautifully peaceful that Blaine knew he could watch him for hours. Blaine had slept so well last night he was almost a little surprised that he had woken so early. His body was so used to sleeping lightly and he had managed to cope with so little sleep over the last two years that he was amazed he had slept so deeply, completely unaware of any dreams or disturbances. He looked at the man lying next to him on the bed, his chestnut hair resting on the pillow, and knew that Kurt had caused it all, that just his peaceful presence had made a difference.

He had spent the last few weeks nervous, constantly doubting Kurt's genuine friendship. He worried that Kurt pitied him and might not be a true friend if his problems were removed but watching him now, his porcelain face so honest and true he knew that Kurt was there when he needed him and bolstered his confidence when he doubted. He made a conscious decision as he watched Kurt sleep that no matter what happened in life that he would always try to keep Kurt near and appreciate him for all that he did and all that he is.

Blaine returned to lying on his back so Kurt wouldn't catch him looking at him as he slept but he would occasionally stroke the hand that lay between them on the bed. It didn't take long for Kurt to wake up and Blaine watched as his blue eyes opened and his nose twitched.

"Good morning," Blaine said sweetly and to be greeted so nicely Kurt smiled.

"Good morning," Kurt said, "Have you been up for long?"

"Not for too long," Blaine said, turning fully on his side so he faced Kurt, "I slept beautifully." He beamed, his eyes twinkling and Kurt could do nothing but mirror his expression.

"No nightmares?" Kurt asked his eyes wide.

"Nope," Blaine said smiling, "You must be my lucky charm but I won't make you sleep with me every night if you sleep over again." Blaine laughed as he spoke and sat up and Kurt had a sudden urge to stop him and to keep him close. He touched his wrist lightly and Blaine turned.

"I slept really well too," Kurt whispered, his eyes betraying his fear, desperate to be understood and not rejected. "Stay."

Blaine's eyes widened at the admission but his face instantly softened as he noticed Kurt's thumb circling on the bone of his wrist as he looked down. He lowered his body to lie facing Kurt again and smiled.

"I like it here," Kurt said as his eyes flickered over Blaine's face then the room they were in. Kurt started to stroke along Blaine's arm without noticing what he was doing and Blaine found himself listening to Kurt quietly speak and feeling his eyes droop with tiredness again. Kurt was speaking so melodiously about the snow falling and his childhood memories of snowmen and snow angels that Blaine started smiling peacefully and hummed to show he was still listening.

"That feels really nice," Blaine said, as Kurt continued to stroke his arm, "My mum used to stroke my arm and then my hair when I couldn't sleep when I was little." Blaine's eyes remained closed so he couldn't see Kurt's smile and slight hesitation as his hand crept closer to his shoulder then his cheek then his hair. At the intimate touch Blaine's breath hitched but he smiled and leant in closer feeling more drowsy.

"I don't know why I'm so tired," he whispered, "I slept so well."

"Well maybe your body is catching up on all the hours you missed. It's still early, go back to sleep if you like," Kurt said.

"Mmm," Blaine said, melting into the touch, "Will you sing to me?" Kurt smiled.

"I will sing you morning lullabies," Kurt began, "You are beautiful and peaceful this way. I know you have to close your eyes on everyone. Let me help you, I'll sing you to sleep with morning lullabies." He continued until Blaine's face relaxed and his breathing became slower and Kurt smiled at Blaine's expression of utter peace and thought he had never seen anything so beautiful.

---

They woke two hours later when Kurt had to catch a lift with Mr Anderson and his alarm went off. Kurt had fallen back to sleep soon after Blaine, slowly finding his way back to his arms but he startled awake when the alarm binged to life.

"Oh sorry," Blaine mumbled when he realised that Kurt was tangled with his arms and had been trying to get up.

"It's ok," Kurt said laughing, "I just need to get up for classes." He started to get up then noticed the stream of white light coming from outside through the curtains. He opened them slightly and laughed again.

"I don't think classes will be on today," Kurt said, "The snow came down pretty fast and hard last night."

And to confirm the point Will knocked on the door and called in without opening.

"Boys I won't be going into work today, my school is closed. I'd check to see if your schools are shut too if I were you. I'll make coffee."

"Thanks dad," Blaine called out as they could hear him walking away and he sat up in bed, his hair messy and adorable. Kurt grinned.

"You look adorable," he said laughing and Blaine blushed. Kurt started to get his stuff to take to the bathroom but as he reached for the door Blaine stopped him.

"Thanks for last night Kurt," he whispered, "I don't normally sleep all over people but I think I really needed the sleep. I haven't slept like that in a really long time and..." He really didn't know how to express his gratitude; sleep was such a normal thing and it was expected that everyone slept well. Blaine didn't take it for granted.

"You're very welcome," Kurt said his smile sweet, "I haven't slept so peacefully for a very long time either. It was nice." Kurt suddenly blushed and started looking around for his clothes when he realised he would need to borrow a few things.

"Oh yeah sorry," Blaine said when he realised, "You can borrow some boxers and help yourself to anything in the bathroom," to which Kurt looked relieved.

As Kurt went into the bathroom to change, Blaine lay back on the bed and stared for a while at his white ceiling. He closed his eyes in a slight panic as he realised what had been painfully obvious all night. He had feelings for Kurt – beautiful Kurt who had helped him with so much, who had been there through the worst and knew so much. Kurt was meant to be a friend but thinking back to last night, to the light touches and hugs, Blaine realised he had it bad and he wanted so much more. He swallowed nervously then forced himself to get dressed so he could be presentable to Kurt when he came out of the bathroom. He wasn't sure if Kurt would ever feel that way about Blaine but he determined as he waited for Kurt to finish that he wouldn't make it awkward for him, wouldn't declare his feelings just yet.

---

It turned out Blaine's school was closed and NYADA was only open to teachers and students that could walk there, so Kurt wasn't required to go in. Kurt looked outside and started to prepare to try his luck on the subway when Will laughed.

"You won't get on a train today," he said, "Why don't you stay here with us and watch movies? I plan to catch up on school work so I can get a good night's sleep for once and not worry."

Kurt looked outside again and faced Blaine who was eager for him to stay, his eyes hopeful and wide.

"Ok if you don't mind?" he said and Blaine nodded happily. They ate breakfast and drank their coffee while Blaine and Kurt swapped stories of their childhoods in the snow. Blaine was slightly apprehensive to start with, eyeing his dad to catch his response but Will only smiled at the memories and joined in, describing times Blaine had forgotten.

"Right, I need to do some work today so I'll be in my study if you boys need me," Will said and while Kurt's back was turned he winked conspiratorially at Blaine who blushed slightly, feeling the pressure build slightly.

"Fancy a movie?" Kurt asked. Blaine nodded and went to his DVD collection but nothing jumped out at him as a movie he hadn't seen countless times. His eyes alighted on a box pushed to the back of his collection and his hand stilled.

"Blaine?" Kurt said as he noticed.

"My Disney collection," Blaine stated, his eyes never leaving the box, "I haven't seen any of them in quite a while." He could feel the lump rise in his throat and he swallowed against the sudden feeling of nausea. Kurt came to kneel beside him and rested his hand on his knee.

"We don't have to watch any now," Kurt said but Blaine nodded.

"I'd like to," he said turning to face Kurt with force bravery, "Would you mind?"

Kurt smiled slowly and nodded. "That would be nice." Blaine breathed out and opened the box staring at the sides displaying their names. He picked out 'The Little Mermaid' and got the blanket ready after placing it in the DVD player. Kurt settled near him and reached out to hold Blaine's hand as the credits started rolling. They watched in silence for a while Blaine closing his eyes as the seagulls and dolphins played on the screen just before the sea crew started singing the opening song. He could remember his excitement when he was little when the film started and his mum would bring out the popcorn she had made.

"We always watched this when I was ill and off from school," Blaine said after a while, "I remember going up to my mum, dad and Cooper when I was really little and saying I could sing like Ariel too. I sang the few notes she sang to Ursula and I was so proud of myself that I could sound just like her. She's beautiful."

"I always loved this film. I watched it with my mum too and I always thought she looked a little like her and she would joke that she had a secret mermaid tail when she went into water. I believed her for a while and whenever we went swimming I would check underwater to see if it was true," Kurt said laughing.

Blaine looked at him and knew, right then, that Kurt was perfect and if there was ever any way he could feel the same he would have to take that chance. But he looked at Kurt who smiled in return and suddenly felt the panic rise and he couldn't speak, couldn't say what he was dying to say so he turned to continue watching the film.

After a while they started singing quietly to the songs and came closer on the sofa, snuggled into each other's side, heads resting together. They didn't notice Will stand in the doorway to watch a few scenes of the film, or how he noticed their closeness. His eyes filled with tears at the memory of one day long ago when Blaine was ill and he had returned from work to find him snuggled against her side. She had smiled up at Will, knowing she couldn't move in case she disturbed a sleeping Blaine and he had joined them as the film finished and carried Blaine to bed a little later. He was glad that Blaine could finally enjoy these films again, knowing full well they hadn't been seen since his wife had died and he snuck out of the room, determined not to disturb the peace.

After it finished Kurt stretched and smiled, reaching for his phone.

"I guess I better tell Rachel that I'm staying here for the day, she'll worry otherwise."

Blaine made them a quick lunch while Kurt text and as Kurt finished he joined him in the kitchen.

"Rachel says she's stuck with Santana who is trying to convince her that her boyfriend Brody is a drug dealer," Kurt said laughing and upon seeing Blaine's eyes widen he waved slightly. "I'll fill you in another time, that's a very long story," he said laughing. "I suppose I better text Adam, I was supposed to meet him for a coffee today." Kurt was suddenly engrossed in his phone so he didn't notice Blaine's expression of hurt at the mention of another guy. Determined to sound casual as soon as he composed his face again he asked who Adam was.

"Oh he's a senior at NYADA," Kurt said still texting on his phone, "We've been on a couple of date, we're not exclusive." Kurt relayed the information like it was nothing but so engrossed in his phone he didn't see Blaine swallow repeatedly against the tide of emotion threatening to envelop him and ruin the perfect day. He looked up at Blaine's sudden silence and some emotion flickered across his face at seeing Blaine's expression. He smiled and Blaine realised and smiled without feeling in return. Of course Kurt wasn't single, Blaine reminded himself. Just one look at beautiful, composed, musically talented Kurt anyone could tell he would be dating and probably had many offers. Blaine who he believed was mentally challenged, nervous and anxious and with a past that haunted him, well he knew he didn't stand a chance. Blaine continued to make lunch and drinks as Kurt played with his phone, reprimanding himself for dreaming, for wishing. He wanted Kurt in his life, needed him near and he had quickly become his closest friend so he realised he would have to swallow his newly discovered feelings and carry on as if nothing had happened, nothing had changed. Kurt soon placed his phone down on the kitchen surface, Adam suddenly forgotten and he smiled warmly at Blaine.

"So what do you want to watch this afternoon?" Kurt asked smiling, "I've got the perfect idea if you have it." And he suddenly walked to the living room to check Blaine's collection. He seemed to find the one he wanted as he came into the kitchen again brandishing the DVD.

"Moulin Rouge," Kurt said waving it from side to side as he cocked his hip with mock swagger, "We love those dancing hoes." Blaine laughed and walked with Kurt to the living room carrying their drinks. If he couldn't have him in that way, Blaine could at least have movie time under a blanket with the greatest friend he had ever had.