Okay, first I would just like to apologize for taking so dang long to get this updated. Life unexpectedly got in the way of my writing for pleasure and it was kind of terrible. I didn't realize how much I liked writing until I simply did not have the time.

I had originally intended for things to move very slowly, but I have received quite a few emails indicating that an increase in pace wouldn't be remiss. So, duly noted and applied :P

Thank you for all your patience! I hope you enjoy ^_^

The teens had slept away the rest of the afternoon, only waking long enough to pop a new movie in the DVD player for some different background noise.

Blaine had startled awake around 3 o'clock in the morning and glanced around in confusion. He was disoriented, heart pounding from whatever had woken him. He finally glanced down and breathed a sigh of relief.

Kurt.

The slim boy had yanked the covers off Blaine, the most likely reason for causing him to wake. He smiled and rearranged the covers over Kurt before creeping out the door and into the hall. He made his way down the stairs for a glass of water and heard the low hum of a TV.

He peeked into the living room and saw Finn illuminated by the soft glow of the television, an infomercial for some kind of kitchen blender playing on mute. Blaine snagged the remote and turned off the TV, grabbing the blanket draped over the back of the recliner to toss it over the other boy's lanky form.

He finally made it into the kitchen and turned on the tap, grabbing a glass from the drying rack and filling it with the cool liquid. He sipped slowly, staring out the window and lost in thought.

"Hey," he heard behind him, causing him to nearly drop the glass in fright. He glanced behind him quickly and wanted to smack his forehead for his stupidity.

Finn hovered in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space. He was half hunched over in sleep and rubbing at his eyes blearily. "What's up, dude?"

Blaine shook his head and realized the other boy might not be able to see him. "Nothing," he said quietly. "Just woke up; needed a drink."

Finn nodded and slid into a chair, staring at the shorter teen intently. Blaine began to feel uncomfortable and gestured to his glass, merely for something to do. "Do you…want a drink?"

The other teen nodded and Blaine poured him a glass of water as well, bringing it to the round table and taking a seat across from him. He pushed the glass forward and Finn took a long sip before speaking. "Are you dating my brother?"

Blaine was glad he wasn't drinking because he surely would have choked. He swallowed thickly and shook his head. "Um, no?"

"Are you…not sure?" Finn asked, sounding strangely understanding. "Because I wasn't sure when I started dating Rachel, but Kurt seems like he would be much more clear with, you know, stuff like that. I think."

Blaine repressed a chuckle. He wasn't sure if it was because Rachel was so intense or Finn was so thick sometimes, but he could definitely see that. "No, nothing like that," he began. "I'm pretty sure it would be clear if your brother and I were together. I just…I think it's going there, but I'm not sure yet. We haven't talked about it."

He waited to see what Kurt's older brother would say. He knew that the boy's had their share of trouble in the beginning, but it seemed like things between them had really changed for the better. Finn just nodded slowly and shrugged. "Cool."

He downed the rest of the water and rose to all his considerable height, idly slapping Blaine on the shoulder as he walked past to rinsed out his glass before waving goodnight and making his way to his room.

"Well," Blaine said aloud. "That went better than I hoped." He only hoped that it would go over half as well with Kurt's parents, if they ever did get to that point in their relationship.

He finished his own drink before making his way up the steps. He went to his room, shivering at the temperature of his unused bed. The sheets were cool as he slid between them but he yawned tiredly nonetheless.

He grabbed his phone and checked the time, surprised he had only been awake a total of thirteen minutes. He set his alarm for around ten, doubting he would need it, but not wanting to sleep in.

He closed his eyes and imagined the pale boy in the room next to his, bundled up in his big four poster bed. He sighed wistfully and tiredly thought of ways for him to get the other boy alone tomorrow. Today. Whatever.

Kurt slowly swam towards wakefulness and stretched out over his comfortable bed. He frowned in confusion when he didn't encounter Blaine's form. He fumbled around blindly for a moment before cracking one eye open to discover he was nowhere to be found.

He allowed himself to pout in the privacy of his own room and stared at his door forlornly. He had been hoping that Blaine would still be here when he woke up.

Last night, in between dozing off during the movies and subtly cuddling up to the other teen, he had decided that he had waited long enough. He had been planning to tell the other boy after they had both woken up.

Last night had been amazing. They hadn't done much talking, but he felt so comfortable with Blaine, so content. It had made him calm enough to want to confide in the other boy and share his feelings, since he was more and more certain that they were reciprocated.

He sighed and grumpily pushed his covers away before stumbling to the bathroom. He breezed through his morning shower, sniffing the air when the purveying scent of coffee wafted into the bathroom.

He grinned. His father must be the one making breakfast thing morning, with coffee strong enough to clean motor oil off a pair of jeans and put hair on your chest. So far it hadn't put any hair on his, but that didn't stop his father from trying.

He rinsed the last of the conditioner from his hair and turned off the taps, reaching blindly for the towel and bathrobe that was folded over the rack. He scrubbed the water from his body before pulling on the thick terrycloth robe and wrapped his head up like a turban, laughing and thinking of Miss Cleo.

He walked out into his room and peeked out his porch door, smiling when he saw that it was already quite sunny. He flicked on The Weather Channel while he dressed, just catching the weather on the 8's.

He slipped into a pair of jean shorts and a light grey tee, not feeling the need to do any more. He emerged from his closet and his eyes lingered on his messy bed. He sighed once more, reluctantly smoothing his blankets and grumbling under his breath.

There was a knock at the door that startling him from his quiet rumblings. He sucked in a sharp breath and looked up only to see Blaine's sheepish face. "Sorry for startling you."

Kurt cleared his throat and felt his face flushing. "N-no worries," he stammered. "I didn't think you were up yet."

Blaine shrugged. "I think I woke up when you were in the shower; it kinda sounded like there was running water, and it isn't raining."

Kurt chuckled. "How are your legs feeling?" he asked.

"Fine," the shorter teen assured testily. Kurt just chuckled and raised his hands in supplication.

Blaine eyed him shiftily before cracking a grin and winking. Kurt's heart gave one sluggish thump and he was reminded of his feelings for the other boy in a whirlwind of a moment. "So," he began breathlessly, wanting to fill the silence before he blurted out something foolish. "What did you want to do today?"

The curly haired boy ambled into the room and flopped onto his cheery colored couch. "We've been hanging around the house for a while; do you want to go back into town? Maybe see that movie?"

Kurt felt his stomach tangle in excitedly nervous knots at the thought of going to the tiny theatre to see Gone with the Wind. It was a Thursday, and no one would be there to see a matinee, so they would most likely be all alone.

He smiled and nodded, despite his internal turmoil. Blaine's absence had allowed him to become skittish about his feelings once more, but he was going to have to overcome it. "That sounds great, actually. We can have lunch at another place I wanted you to see. It serves some really great French food."

Blaine nodded in agreement. "Sounds good."

"I guess before we even think about lunch, we should have that breakfast I can smell," Kurt replied.

As if on cue, his father bellowed up to them that breakfast was ready. The pale boy rolled his eyes and gestured for Blaine to precede him out the door. "I'll be right down," he said. "I just need to brush my hair."

The other boy nodded and disappeared from sight, giving Kurt a moment to puff out a breath anxiously and melt onto the couch. He scrubbed at his eyes and mentally berated himself.

Get it together, Kurt! he scolded. The last thing you need is to alert your father to your unfortunate feelings for your best friend. You'll never hear the end of it.

He actually brushed his hair so as not to look suspicious and made his way to the breakfast table, steeling himself. He grinned as he walked into the kitchen, happy to see his entire ragtag family around the table, plus Blaine.

He sat next to his friend and beamed in response to the cup of coffee Blaine had fixed for him. "Thanks," he murmured, eyes falling onto the impressive spread on the table. Perhaps Carole had a hand in this after all.

He filled his plate to the brim and dug in heartily (yet politely). He had a confession to plan.

The boys ended up in town just before eleven. They had ridden up in the old truck and Blaine was seriously considering trading in his Mini for a pickup. His mother would be beside herself in horror, but his father would definitely get a kick out of it.

Kurt led him around the town again, walking off the truly impressive amount of food they had managed to put away. Despite the sunny skies, it was unseasonably cool. Kurt said they had the rain to thank for that, but Blaine was wishing for the warmth that the South was noted for.

He had followed Kurt's lead and donned a pair of shorts but found that he was sorely missing his jeans. He hated shorts. Sure, his pants were always cuffed a little high, but all this air on his shins was making him oddly aware of his vertically challenged nature.

Where Kurt look lean and slim and perfect, Blaine felt he looked stocky; like a toddler that had suddenly had a growth spurt and had to borrow big brother's shorts until they made it to the store for him.

He put it out of his mind and tried to focus on more important things; like the way Kurt's shoulders looked in his shirt, or how it fell against the small of his back. He supposed it was odd to be riveted by another person's shoulders, but it was true.

His eyes lingered on the dimples he could see low on Kurt's back, even through his thin shirt, accidentally missing what Kurt had been saying to him.

"Blaine?" he questioned.

He cleared his throat and laughed at being caught. "Sorry. What were you saying? I got distracted."

Kurt looked at him thoughtfully before pointing to a food cart. "I asked if you wanted a drink. I'm getting kind of thirsty."

Blaine nodded enthusiastically. Apparently he needed something else to focus on. Kurt (unsurprisingly) ordered a sweet tea while the other boy ordered a peach lemonade. He was delighted to see there were actual peach slices floating in his cup, sipping the sour-sweet beverage slowly.

"I'm so jealous you get to live here," he said eventually. "Ohio sucks compared to this. Actually, maybe it just sucks in general; I wasn't that attached before I got here."

Kurt laughed and sat on the edge of a water fountain. "It is great," he agreed. "But I think I'd miss Ohio. At least, until after college."

Blaine frowned. "That's strangely specific. Any particular reason?" Kurt sighed in response and put his tea next to him, lacing his fingers together in a serious way. "You don't have to tell me," he rushed to say. "Not if it makes you upset."

Kurt waved him off. "No," he said falteringly. "It's not that it makes me upset. It's just…weird."

Blaine nodded in understanding and waited for the taller boy to open up. "I…didn't really have friends until I moved to Ohio," he admitted.

"What?" Blaine asked in disbelief.

Kurt shook his head and shrugged. "I had people I called friends, but they really weren't. In the South, things like heritage and family names are important. Like I said, the Abel's are a powerful bunch. My family owns a lot, so my 'friends' were all really like social obligations. No one knew me or my family in Ohio, so that's something I would miss; real friends."

"Wow," the tanned boy intoned. "People down here must not be that bright if they didn't just want to be friends with you. You're, like, the most amazing person I know."

Kurt flushed and nudged at Blaine's shoulder bashfully. "Hush," he commanded lightly. "Flattery will get you everywhere, and I'd like to preserve my honor." For now.

Blaine laughed, as intended, and took a long sip of his drink. He smacked his lips at the tart bite of the lemonade and gobbled down a peach slice. He licked his fingers unabashedly as Kurt clucked his tongue and held out a cloth handkerchief.

"You are so cute," Blaine said boldly, heart hammering in his chest despite his cool demeanor. He grinned when a flush blossomed over Kurt's cheek and handed his handkerchief back to him.

Kurt was sufficiently flustered and didn't know how to respond, sipping his tea instead. Blaine watched as he blushed and took that as thanks enough.

The slender teen slapped his hands against his thighs and stood. "We should check the matinee times," he said without preamble.

Blaine hid his pleased grin behind his cup and allowed himself to be led to the tiny theatre. They had about an hour and a half until the next showing began and Kurt dragged him down a side street. Blaine looked around and laughed.

"Is this for real?" he asked, looking at the magic/costume shop in incredulity. Kurt chuckled and nodded.

He pushed open the door and smothered a laughed at the mooing sound that greeted them in place of a bell. "Strangely, there are a lot of costume parties in my neck of the woods," he explained. "It keeps this place in business, and lets the owner indulge in some of his quirkier interests. I figured we could kill time in here."

Blaine laughed in excitement. "Uh, definitely."

He rubbed his hands together gleefully, not knowing where to start. Kurt giggled and disappeared behind a stack of hats piled as high as the ceiling.

"This is…ridiculous!" Blaine exclaimed with a laugh. "Oh my God, look at this hat!"

The curly haired boy fiddled with the precariously pile and managed to wiggle out a top hat covered in a purple and gold paisley, shining to match the bold ribbon wrapped around where the hat met the rim. What was most striking was the insane amount of plumage sticking out, like the hats' of Robin Hood and Captain Hook had the most fabulous baby ever.

He put it on his head and searched for a mirror with childish with giddy anticipation. He finally found one and barked a short laughed when he saw his already ridiculous visage reflected back at him in amazing proportions, having looked into a carnival mirror.

Behind him he heard a giggle and saw Kurt behind him, the most elaborate champagne colored boa he'd ever seen making him look like a caricature of an old Hollywood movie starlet. Not only was it wrapped around his neck, but it trailed down his arms and legs, wrapped around his waist and was still long enough to twirl the ends.

"I can barely see you," Blaine said around a laugh. "You have to get that."

"Only if you get the hat," Kurt bargained. "It suits you."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "I'm sure. Now show me what else is in this crazy place."

Kurt flashed him a quick grin and dashed away, sending Blaine after him. He found him admiring a massive collection of costume jewelry, from pieces that were truly beautiful, to some that were downright hideous.

"Some of this stuff reminds me of my grandma," Blaine said quietly.

Kurt nodded in acknowledgment. "I think that some of this stuff was my grandmother's. I know they buy things, if you have something that interests them."

Blaine nodded. "Well, you have one interesting town if even a third of this stuff was donated or sold or whatever. Seriously, I can just imagine costume balls or parties here, and I am incredibly bitter that my parents have never had a party where I could wear… a glamour pig mask," he finished, gesturing at one of the elaborate full-face masks in the shop.

"Yeah," Kurt said. "The owner's from Louisiana. Mardi Gras is kind of a big deal for him, hence all the masks and Mardi Gras paraphernalia."

"So cool."

Kurt nodded in agreement and the two of them wandered through the stack and shelves, commenting when they saw something of interest, which was often. Eventually, Blaine looked around, puzzled. "Where is the owner? Or like, shopkeeper? We've been in here for like, an hour."

The pale boy hummed vaguely. "He's here."

Blaine looked around wildly. "Where?" he hissed, suddenly concerned he hadn't seen hide nor hair of this man.

"Around," Kurt said around a laugh. "Didn't I mention he was eccentric?"

"Um, yes, but unless 'eccentric' means 'ghost' in this case, I don't really see how he's around without being, you know, around."

The other teen couldn't resist and let out a full-throated laugh, warm and rich. "Haven't you noticed the cameras?"

Blaine looked up and noticed the little black recorders place periodically all over the shop. He narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"And did you notice that the building was two stories before we came inside?"

"Oh," Blaine said, it suddenly dawning on him. "Does he, like, just watch from upstairs?"

Kurt nodded. "Or his nephew; they'll come down if we go to the counter."

"That's…not creepy at all," he said skeptically.

The taller teen laughed. "It's just because they have an online business as well. They fill orders and stuff upstairs."

"Okay, that is less creepy," Blaine admitted.

Kurt just nodded and unwrapped a piece of gum, making Blaine's breath catch as he watched the slender boy lick the minty powder off his fingers. "Gum?" Kurt asked, holding out the packet.

"Thanks," Blaine said, reaching for the proffered stick only to yank back after touching it and receiving an electric shock. Kurt shrieked with happy laughter and dropped the trick pack, scurrying out of arm's reach.

"That hurt!" he exclaimed, rushing after him. "I'm going to tickle you so bad."

Kurt just laughed and dodged Blaine's grasp. "No!" he said defiantly. "No no!"

"Too late," Blaine said, mock threateningly, capturing him against the soft pine door of an antique wardrobe.

"Don't don't!" Kurt begged, already laughing, even though Blaine had yet to tickle him.

Blaine just grinned devilishly. "Shoulda thought of that before you shocked me." And then his fingers were dancing over Kurt's sides, eliciting shrieks from the slender boy.

"Stop!" he begged, face flushed and out of breath. "I'm sorry, I promise!"

Blaine just gentled his tickling, dodging Kurt's flailing limbs with ease. "I don't think you are."

"I am, I am!" he swore.

The dark haired boy slowed his questing fingers to a halt, running a soothing hand over the other boy's squirming sides. Blaine grinned at Kurt's flushed face and relieved grin.

Kurt let out a few shaky breaths and looked at Blaine's triumphant face. "You win," he whispered.

Blaine raised his eyebrow in question. "What do I win?"

"I don't know," he breathed. "I felt like I should say it."

Blaine's face sobered as he brushed back Kurt's rumpled hair with callused fingers. "How about this?" he asked softly, leaning forward with great care.

He paused before pressing their lips together, staring into Kurt's eyes and looking for a shred of hesitance. When he saw none he surged forward and sealed their lips together in a soft yet passionate kiss.

Kurt felt like he was the one being shocked, the adrenaline from being tickled still rushing through his limbs. He thought he was already feeling lightheaded, but now he was positively floating. It took a moment before he could control his shaking limbs, but he managed to convince them to wrap around Blaine's shoulders.

His fingers tightened in the curls at the base of his neck, murmuring happily under the onslaught. Kurt was the happiest boy in the Delta, until Blaine suddenly pulled away.

"Sorry sorry," he said thickly, resting his forehead against Kurt's. The other boy's heart plummeted into his stomach. "I didn't mean to do that—I mean I meant to do it—just… not yet. Not until…"

Kurt's heart started again, rising hopefully in his chest. "Not until what?"

Blaine pulled back and bit his lips. "Not until I told you how I feel."

Kurt smiled briefly, the expression flashing across his face like summer lightning. "How do you feel?" he whispered.

Blaine huffed a nervous laughed and pulled back, hands curling and uncurling on Kurt's chest. "I am ridiculously and stupidly in love with you, and I don't think it's going to get any better anytime soon," he said slowly, words heavy and heartfelt.

Kurt cursed himself as he laughed tearfully; his damn emotions. He blamed being tickled on his fragile emotional state. "God," he said roughly, grasping at Blaine's hands. "How could I not love you?"

And then the tension was cut, Blaine breaking off into a boyish grin. "Really?" he said, smugness creeping into his tone.

Kurt rolled his eyes, yanking the hat he the shorter teen was still wearing over his eyes. "Yes," he said, heart soaring. He ambled over to the counter and looked back at the other boy coyly. "And now, if you're done sweeping me off my feet, I believe he have a movie to catch."

Blaine rearranged the hat on his head and strolled over with an exaggerated swagger befitting a comical pirate. He wrapped his arm around Kurt's shoulders and tapped the bell once, getting out his wallet with his free hand. "I believe we do."

Tada! Chapter seven, rather later than promised.

Also, OH MY GOD! I am so sorry for the delay. Life kind of just got in the way, and then my computer with all my stories on it died, and it's just been a catastrophe. Just wanted to reiterate how sorry I am :(

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I decided to slip the kiss into this chapter, since I'd like for it not to seem like the hop into bed with one another immediately. Another not, if anyone couldn't tell, I've kind of become obsessed with the show Oddities, featuring a shop kind of like the one in this chapter. I've obviously embellished and changed, but it kind of inspired it :)

Let me know what you think!

Hugs!

-E. Claire