Kurt stared at Blaine with wide eyes, his eyebrows furrowed in complete confusion.

“W-what?” he stuttered.

“You’re the reason everyone at McKinley likes me.” Blaine smiled, causing Kurt’s heart to skip a beat.

“OK. I really don’t understand you at all!” Kurt leaned back into his chair, taking another sip of his coffee.

“It’s not hard to understand, Kurt” Blaine whispered. Kurt sighed unconsciously, hating himself for loving the way Blaine whispered his name. “Everyone likes me because of you. You didn’t realise?”

“No…I did not, because that makes no sense! I mean, why would everyone else like you because of me? I’m not going to lie to you Blaine; I’m not particularly fond of you. So why would that make everyone else like you?”

Blaine lowered his gaze to his coffee cup, a little heartbroken at Kurt’s statement about not being “particularly fond” of him. He’ll have to make sure that opinion changes soon, he’ll make sure of it.

“I don’t think that’s the reason everyone likes me, Kurt.”

“Then why?” Kurt hissed.

Blaine sighed, locking his eyes back onto Kurt’s hard expression. He began his explanation softly, trying to be as sincere as he could possibly be.

“Kurt, you are one of the bravest people I have ever met. Like you said, you worked hard for 3 years. You’ve dealt with bullies, slushies, and ignorant teachers. Yet, you always came out on top. You’ve proved that nothing can break you, no matter how hard anyone tries; it’s just not possible to break you. So much so, that everyone has just decided to give up trying to change you and accept you for who you are.”

“What’s that got to do w-“

“Let me finish” Blaine interrupted. Kurt huffed and gestured for him to continue. “Kurt, you and I are a lot alike; we’re both gay, we both have incredible fashion sense, and both of us are in Glee Club. All those things put together are all things that label us as targets for the student body. In other schools, kids like us are tormented everyday, every moment, for 4 years, and they can’t do anything about it. So, they take extreme measures to try and change themselves, or even hurt themselves because they feel that’s better to endure than the torture they get at school.

“Yet, at McKinley, people like us. People are generous, understanding and accepting. You think they got like that overnight? No, they’re like that because of you Kurt. You taught them that kids like us aren’t any different than other kids. That we are still human beings, not animals ready to be slaughtered. Thanks to you Kurt, I’m accepted at McKinley. And I really, really admire you for that, Kurt.”

Kurt couldn’t help but give Blaine a small smile, tiny in fact, as he didn’t want Blaine thinking that just because Blaine was good with his words, that Kurt would automatically fall for him. Because that would never happen.

Well, maybe it would happen just a little.

“Well,” Kurt began “thank you for that little speech. But…I am curious.”

“About?”

“Oh, nothing, it doesn’t matter…”

Blaine leaned over and took hold of Kurt’s hand that rested closely to his own. He wanted to pull away, this was way too close for comfort for Kurt, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t help but love the way Blaine’s hand fit perfectly in his own, the warmth from his fingers covering him, his hand gently caressing Kurt’s palm.

“You know you can talk to me, Kurt.”

“I was just wondering…why did your ex stop defending you?”

Blaine was taken aback slightly by the question, but answered it calmly and rather quietly.

“He – um – h-he got tired of my whining, and complaining about the bullies and teachers. After I left the school I met him at, he became more and more distant. Ignoring my calls, deleting my texts. The usual. Said he couldn’t handle all of my “baggage”, so just stopped trying.”

Kurt couldn’t believe Blaine was even with this douchebag for so long, which brought him on to his next question.

“So, what school did you meet him at?”

“North Adams High School. Only a few hours from here.”

Kurt knew the school; he distinctly remembered their tragic performance at Nationals last year. How they managed to get to Nationals, he had no idea.

“Right.” Kurt mumbled. “I hope you don’t mind me asking this…”

“Shoot” Blaine smiled, squeezing Kurt’s hand slightly.

“W-why were you with him for so long if he stopped caring about you after you left?”

Blaine looked deeply into Kurt’s crystal blue eyes, wondering how the hell someone could have such distinctly bright eyes in a place with such dim lighting.

“Because, when you love someone, you’re there for them, no matter what. I mean, he transferred after the bullies got too much for him, meaning we were back at the same school for a little while again, until my dad got a new job here in Lima.”

“So, you guys became close again?”

“Not exactly. He remained just as distant as when I left North Adams. It was, different, I guess.”

Kurt nodded. “What school did you guys reunite at?”

“Dalton Academy for Boys. It wasn’t bad there, the classes were harder but the kids were kinder. Unfortunately, my parents couldn’t afford to keep me there, so when my dad got a new job, I transferred to McKinley.”

Kurt smiled at Blaine, and took his final sip from his coffee.

“Wow, look at that. I practically just told you my life story, yet I originally invited you for coffee to find out more about you.”

Kurt’s smile widened. “Look’s like you’ll just have to wait until next time.”

“Next time?”

Shit. Kurt thought. Did I just say that out loud?

Kurt looked up to find Blaine’s bright expression staring at him, making him feel a little tingle in his chest. He had made Blaine smile countless times just by being an ass. If that’s all it takes to make him smile that gorgeous smile, Kurt should be an ass all the time.

Kurt stood, throwing his bag over his shoulder. Blaine stood also, never taking his eyes off of Kurt as he walked him to his car. When they arrived, Kurt felt awkward. He didn’t want to show Blaine that his opinion of him had changed slightly, but he wanted to thank him for being so kind as to buy him a coffee and tell him all those sweet things he did.

Before Kurt could decide how to repay Blaine for his kindness, Blaine gently took Kurt’s hand and leaned in close to Kurt’s shoulder. And in one quick motion, he pecked Kurt sweetly on his rosy cheek, making Kurt gasp quietly at how fantastic it felt to have Blaine’s lips anywhere near him.

“Thanks for a great afternoon, Kurt.”

“Y-yeah…you too.” Kurt mumbled, still trying to regain some sort of composure. Blaine smiled at him one final time before turning and heading towards his own car. Before Kurt could stop himself, he yelled after Blaine.

“I-I heard you, by the way!”

Blaine turned, confused by Kurt’s random shout. He stared at him curiously, prompting Kurt to explain.

“Earlier, in the choir room. Playing the piano…”

Blaine blushed, which Kurt decided was one of the most adorable things he had ever seen.

“…It was beautiful.”

Blaine looked down and then up at Kurt again, looking incredibly embarrassed.

“Thanks.”

And with that, Blaine disappeared into his car and drove off, leaving Kurt standing alone by his own car, slightly bewildered.

What the hell just happened?

Kurt drove home with his mind fully on repeat of the afternoon he just endured. But mostly, his mind was full of Blaine. His gorgeous eyes, his beautiful black locks, his sweet personality. Maybe hating Blaine was wrong all along?

But, but, but.

He didn’t know what to think anymore, so switched on the radio and let himself sing his heart out, taking his mind off of all doubts and buts in his head.

Strolling through the front door, he came to find Burt, Carole and Finn sitting in the front room watching a football game. Carole was the first to acknowledge Kurt’s arrival, which didn’t surprise him. When a football game’s on, Burt and Finn wouldn’t notice their surroundings even if the house was on fire.

“You’re home late, honey” Carole smiled, “where have you been?”

“Went for coffee with a friend.” Kurt shrugged. Wow, he just addressed Blaine as a friend. That’s new.

“What friend?” Burt asked, turning his attention away from the TV. “’Cause I know it wasn’t Mercedes or Rachel, because Rachel just left here, and Mercedes hasn’t stopped calling the house since Finn got home.”

Kurt wondered if he should mention that it was Blaine he had gone for coffee with, seeing as Finn knows how much Kurt dislikes him. Still, Burt and Carole probably had no idea who Blaine was, so he might as well tell them the truth.

“Blaine Anderson.”

“You went for coffee with Blaine?” Finn asked, puzzled “I thought you hated that guy?”

Maybe, but not anymore, Finn. Kurt thought.

“Blaine Anderson?” Carole whispered, “Isn’t he the charming young boy who’s in Glee Club with you boys?”

Kurt raised an eyebrow at Carole’s memory. Sectionals had just passed, of course Burt and Carole would have met Blaine. How could he forget?

“Yeah” Finn nodded “he’s awesome! Like, seriously!”

Kurt smiled to himself.

Yes. Yes he is.

Kurt let Finn tell his dad all about Blaine whilst he began to make his way down to his bedroom. That is, until his phone began to jingle notifying him that he had a text message.

From Blaine.

Same time next week? – B.

In an instant, Kurt texted him back, the smile never leaving his face.

Sure. But, could we meet tomorrow? At lunch? We didn’t actually discuss the Glee Club assignment. – K.

Shit, that wasn’t too forward, was it?

Kurt’s phone jingled once again.

Absolutely. I’ll meet you in the choir room. It’s a date. – B.

Kurt giggled a little at the last comment. A date? Really? They were only meeting to discuss what duet they were going to perform in Glee next week.

Still, it’s Blaine Anderson; sweet, charming, adorable and ever so talented.

God. Kurt thought. What the hell is wrong with me?