Blaine Anderson was huddling under his winter coat on the way to the hotel from practise. He regretted instantly within walking 5 minutes down the road at not having taken Jeff's offer to ride him home. Blaine didn't have a car and he was in the middle of New York's worst storms. It was snowing heavily and the wind was chilly. It was blowing Blaine's scarf all over the place.

He was going to take the subway back to their hotel, but he had to go through Hyde park to get there. Blaine was thankful though that he had his gloves and scarf which was giving him some sort of warmth.

He stopped in his tracks however when he saw a boy with barely anything on him struggling to keep to a blanket on a bench with the wind making it a hard mission to keep in place. He had pale features, his face was really white, and eyes that remained fierce but also withdrawn at the same time was looking down at his feet poking out from the blanket on the bench he was laying on. The boy moved the blanket back over his bare feet but as he did that, the part that was covering his chest slid down. The blanket wasn't big enough.

Blaine's heart went out to the stranger as the boy coughed and shivered looking exhausted. Eventually he watched the boy give up in trying to sleep and he just sat up wrapping the blanket around him like a cocoon.

He was drawn to the boy who couldn't be much older than him. He looked so young.

“Hey,” He muttered as he came towards the stranger. The stranger looked at him in utter confusion “I'm sorry, don't beat me up, please I'll get out of your way if you give me a minute,” The boy hurried to get up but Blaine reached him in time and reached out for his arm to stop him “No, you misunderstand me, I'm not going to beat you up, I just wanted to know what you're doing out here? Do you need money for a train ride? I'm heading to the subway now if you do?”

Blaine's eyes travelled over the boy's thin body and his eyes widened when he realised he had no shoes at all. He had been looking for them under the bench. Snow was all around them. The wind was chilly as ice as the sky was darkening. Only the street lights were giving them the ability to see each other.

“You must be freezing,” Blaine sympathised softly as the boy looked at his gloves longingly.

Blaine saw him staring and started to take his gloves of “Here…”

The stranger held out his hand as though the act alone would push him away, shaking his head furiously “No I don't want your pity, thank you sir,”

“My name's Blaine, and please take it, it's the worst snow storm in decades you can't be out here in just that, or else I'll worry,”

“I've been in worse situations,” The boy muttered “Please keep your gloves, they look good on you,”

The boy's head dropped and he looked uncomfortable at having Blaine look down on  him which is why Blaine suggested his next request “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

The boy's eyes searched his as though trying to figure him out, he appeared to be hesitating as he stared at Blaine but eventually he gave a slight shrug. He didn't fully answer but Blaine took that shrug as a yes and he sat down next to the boy.

“We we're supposed to be performing tonight, The Warblers I mean, but they said Nationals was forwarded another two hours later, it's really bad out, we got to the venue and they said oh sorry we forgot to inform all the contestants that the judges flight were delayed, so you'll be on at 10pm instead of 7. I mean how stupid could you be? You'd think they would let us know before making the journey all the way from Westerville to New York wouldn't you? We could have woke up later and not stressed so much about getting there on time. We left at 4 in the morning just to get here, it takes 8 hours overall without stops that is,”

Blaine sighed and noticed Kurt was paying attention but looked slightly lost when he mentioned Nationals so he added “We're a show choir, we sing at our school, I don't suppose you heard of Dalton Academy Warblers?”

The pale boy shook his head and Blaine continued “It's a great school, and we love singing, we just hate moments like these when we have to do something during the day to kill time. We were singing all the way here, were so ready,” He smiled his most winning smile and it earned a shy half smile in return from the stranger who was looking at him sideways.

“What's your name? I'm sorry, I don't believe we got to that part yet,” Blaine held out his hand and the boy stared at it.

He made no move to take it so Blaine awkwardly put it back feeling like he offended him. “Sorry, it also occurred to me you might not be comfortable talking to a complete stranger,” He added.

The boy shook his head “Don't apologise, I'm just surprised you want to talk to me at all...my name's Kurt,”

“Kurt,” Blaine tried the name aloud. It had a nice ring to it. It was definitely an unusual name.

“May I ask what you're doing out here Kurt? I dont mean to snoop or appear snobbish but anywhere is better than being at a park surely?” Blaine asked looking concerned as the wind began to pick up. It was getting even colder by the minute.

Kurt didn't answer. He looked tired, almost defeated and he still had defensive walls built up around him. Blaine had seen that look before, he had been there…and he was determined to find out why this boy was out here in the middle of New York's most horrific weather. They were talking about cancelling the show.

“How about I get you a hot chocolate? Please…if you won't take my gloves, at least let me do that for you,” 

Kurt considered his offer but looked around at his stuff “I can't leave this here,” He whispered. Blaine looked at the large blanket, and the scruffy pillow and the broken backpack that was nearby with a cap on top of it.

“Someone will steal it, and they'd know what I am,” He added and looked at Blaine sorrowfully who looked immensely confused “At the cafe place I mean. Look Blaine, you're too polite to say anything, and I thank you for your kindness, I really do. It gives me faith in humanity, but I'm homeless…and I have too much pride to let you help me,”

Blaine didn't flinch, he didn't move and get angry or swear or look at him with more pity like he was used to, and instead he just smiled sadly at him. “That's a nice try in an attempt to stop me getting you hot chocolate, but I'm sorry you have failed,”

Kurt looked at him with a bit of anger in his face “I don't want your help Blaine, what part of that can't you understand” He hissed.

It still didn't scare Blaine off like it usually did to kind people, and it annoyed Kurt. Kurts battles were his alone. He didnt want pity.

Kurt could see this handsome stranger with the black long coat, warm green looking scarf and brown gloves was more stubborn than he may possibly be.

“And I just want to be your friend, what part of that can't you understand Kurt?”

“People don't just become friends with strangers!” Kurt shouted looking agitated. Blaine could see Kurt shaking and he ached to hug him. He appeared too exhausted and too distraught to even know what to do anymore. Blaine put a hand on Kurt's knee and murmuring lovely words to help ease the tension.

“You don't have to be alone either Kurt, you have options. I'm giving you the option now to be in my company, but if you honestly don't want that, I'll go away,”

Kurt stiffened but Blaine saw a hint of hope in the boy's eyes though that might have been his imagination. "No thank you.." Blaine sighed. Kurt refused to talk anymore at that point no matter how hard he attempted to engage Kurt back into conversation. The boy was stubborn.

"I best get going then," Blaine looked like he didnt want to go and Kurt honestly enjoyed his company. "Bye, take care Kurt," Blaine added. He planned to go get Kurt a warmer blanket or at least a jacket that would be suitable for this cold weather. The park was on its way to the venue anyway so he had to come back this way. He hoped the boy didnt move from his spot.

 “Alright,” Kurt shouted as Blaine was making his way down the path exiting the park. Blaine turned back and looked at Kurt with surprise and patience. "Alright?" Blaine repeated and Kurt sighed. "Alright you can buy me hot chocolate, if...you still have time of course,"

Blaine smiled. "I still have time, come on then do you want me to hold your bag?" He gestured with his hand for Kurt to follow him but Kurt continued talking

"Thank you but no I have to carry my bag, or else it'll fall apart, it needs to be held in a certain way,” Kurt bent down to grab his backpack and Blaine felt like giving a little happy dance.

When his own phone rang

“Hello?” He answered it was Jeff calling.

“Where are you man? Everyone's worried about you, Wes was about to call the New York Police station if you didn't turn up, where at Scandals didn't you get the message?”

“Yes and tell him to calm down…I was just meeting a friend,”

“In New York?” Jeff asked obviously the Warblers knew him better than anyone and they knew Blaine didn't have any friends outside of Ohio.

“I know what you're thinking, and yes you're right, I didn't originally have friends here, I just met him and I said I'd buy him a hot chocolate,”

“A him? Well that explains it…” Jeff mumbled loudly and Blaine could hear him teasing something to the Warblers about him and Kurt, and he looked at Kurt embarrassed who was obviously able to hear whatever Jeff was saying since he had him automatically on loud speaker out of habit.

“It's not what you guys think! He's a friend, lay off guys,”

“Is he handsome?”

“JEFF, not the point,”

“Alright, alright!  Can't a guy be curious? Just make sure your back in time for the competition, we only have another 2 hours to kill before we start!”

“So long as you guys do the same, and dont give Wes a hard time, youre all big boys, and hes only one chaperone,” Blaine nodded and forgot that Jeff couldn't actually see him. Jeff and Nick were Blaine's room-mates in the hotel they had rented, so Blaine could see Jeff thought it was his responsibility to check up on him.

Jeff and Nick had decided to stay with the others and do late night shopping but Blaine had wanted to head to the hotel early feeling a little tired from the long trip and planned to look up tourist destinations before going back to the competition later. He heard Sebastian interrupt their conversation he frowned  “Next time just let us know where you are killer, so we don't go into panic mode okay? You had everyone scared shitless, and curfew is 9pm, the trains don't run past that here,”

“Who are you my mother? Also I want you guys sober for the competition, no alcohol” Blaine replied rolling his eyes at Kurt which rewarded him with a half smile. Kurt was rolling up his blanket delicately, and he noticed Kurt grabbed a photo from underneath his pillow that was on the bench and put it in his pocket.

“Relax buzzkill were just going out for a dance,”

Blaine held the phone away from his ears and whispered to Kurt “My friends are a bunch of mother hens sorry, let's get going”

Kurt nodded holding his backpack protectively. While Blaine had been on the phone Kurt had been organising his things and did manage to just squeeze everything into the bag but Blaine was worried the bag handle would fall off.

“HAVE FUN,” Nick shouted. The guys were apparently at a bar and had offered Blaine and his friend to come.

“Nah were good, thanks guys. Okay I'm hanging up now, I'll see you guys at the venue,”

“Call me when you get back! Bring him along if you have to!” Wes took over the phone and Blaine laughed “Yes Mother, will you relax Wes? We're in New York,”

“With you guys I can't relax,” Wes commented and Blaine chuckled. Kurt was silent as he held his backpack and walked with Blaine down the park. He was shivering. “Bye Wes” Blaine hung up on his friend and looked to the taller but paler boy on his right.

“You cold?” Blaine asked and Kurt didn't respond.

“It's not far from here,” Blaine pointed to where there was a street light down the road “Just past there about 5 steps is the café me and my friends went to this morning, they have good coffee and hot chocolate, depends on what you feel like,” He promised.

“Hot chocolate is fine,” Kurt whispered and quietly moved closer to Blaine as some guys walked in the park and was eyeing Blaine suspiciously.

“This will sound stupid but can I hold your hand?” Kurt had leaned over to whisper and now looked at him almost pleadingly and Blaine could not say no to that face. He looked small and delicate as he held onto his bag with his right hand and appeared frightened by the people now moving into the park.

Blaine just took Kurt's unoccupied left hand with his right gloved hand without a word he kept his eyes forward so Kurt could relax and feel comfortable. He could feel Kurt's icy fingertips through his gloves and began rubbing soothing circles over his knuckles. The men looked down at their hands and he raised his eyebrow at them as though giving them a challenge. The men scolded at him with looks when he tugged Kurt a little closer to his side and they went the opposite direction. He felt Kurt then try and tug his hand back out but he held onto it tighter and squeezed his cold hand in his warm one.

“Don't be afraid Kurt,” He whispered squeezing Kurt's hand again he added “We're here now,”

They could see from the open window at the front that the coffee shop had soft greenish colour to its walls and cute old fashioned brown tables throughout the small area. The sound of coffee being banged filled the air along with the smell of chestnut and cinnamon. Kurt took one look inside before looking to Blaine and shook his head “This wasn't a good idea… I'm sorry Blaine but I don't belong here,”

Kurt looked worried. Yes he might of smelt a little bad, and walking in such a place with no shoes was going to cause trouble for sure, and he definitely didn't look like he had any money on him but Blaine would be damned if he let anyone stop him from buying him a drink and to feels safe for a little while.

Blaine frowned and looked over at Kurt. He had been smiling until Kurt spoke his fears and now he wanted to reassure the boy that not all humans were mean-spirited.

“Come on, if anybody says anything they can deal with me,” Blaine tugged his hand and walked Kurt inside the warm coffee place.

He heard a happy sigh come from Kurt as he walked them up to the counter and the heat began to kick into their skin, still not letting go of his hand. He didn't question why Kurt had wanted to hold his hand in the first place, but he had a feeling it was something to do with those strangers at the park.

They hadn't looked like friendly New Yorkers. They even looked like they had known Kurt as one of them he had noticed; had stared at Kurt's scar and gave him a smirk which is when Kurt had asked if he could hold onto his hand.

“Can I have two large hot chocolates and 2 of those cupid cookies please?”

“Blaine,” Kurt hissed.

“Yes Kurt?” Blaine said innocently as he looked to Kurt quickly before giving the lady at the counter his and Kurt's name for the cups. Kurt didn't want to have to remind Blaine of his situation in front of this woman.

“You can find us a seat if you like and I'll get the order,” Blaine suggested. Kurt sighed and obeyed knowing he wasn't going to win this debate. “Okay,”

He was just walking towards one the seats near the back so other customers wouldn't stare at them when a man in a uniform stepped out from a door near what must have been the back of house.

He took one look at Kurt and down at his bag “Can I help you sir?”

“No thank you. I'm just going to take a seat,” Kurt pointed to the back to a table with two seats near a fireplace and the man frowned as he looked at his bare feet and unkempt bag “Unless you order something, I advise that you go elsewhere,”

“Is there a problem?” Blaine's voice appeared behind Kurt and he almost jumped out of his skin.

Kurt looked to Blaine who was holding the two cups in a cardboard tray and the cookies in a bag in the other hand. He looked at the man with a stern- unafraid glance.

“I hope it isn't too late for customers,” Blaine added “We just got our order now…it's rather cold outside isn't it?” He glanced at Kurt with a smile and Kurt smiled back hesitantly cautious that the man was staring at him still obviously contemplating on being harsh.

The man finally turned to Blaine who still had on his charming smile and put an arm on Kurt's shoulder “No we don't close till midnight. They say it's the worst storm of the decade, I better get back to work, enjoy your beverage gentlemen,”

“Will do,” Blaine smiled again and let Kurt take a seat first who sat down gratefully with a sigh.

“You didn't have to do that,” Kurt added quietly when the man was out of sight. Blaine handed Kurt his coffee and one of the biscuits.

“And let him kick you out?” Blaine said and shook his head “The guy was a jerk, I could hear him from the counter,”

Blaine couldn't help but smile as Kurt nibbled on his biscuit.

“So what kind of things do you like?” Blaine asked curiosity getting the better at him as Kurt stared at the hot chocolate in front of him like it was offending him.

Kurt blinked as he lifted his cup when seeing Blaine doing the same thing and took a sip of his hot chocolate, moaning softly and appreciatively “I like hot chocolate,”

Blaine laughed “I can see that, but what other things? Music? Passions?”

Kurt looked pensive long and hard as he took more sips taking his time to enjoy the hot beverage as Blaine watched him in fascination the way his eyes lit up at every sip and the way his hands held the cup with such care.

“I used to really like fashion,” Kurt finally answered after Blaine asked if he was okay.

Blaine's eyebrows raised and then beamed “Really? Do you like vogue by chance?”

Kurt stopped drinking for a moment, he put the cup down and stared at Blaine like he was some sort of god “You know vogue?”

“Are you kidding? I got every issue of vogue since I was first able to read,”

Kurt mouth opened in shock “Your parents allowed that?”

Blaine looked confused “What do you mean? It's just a magazine…”

“Of course it is,” Kurt said looking disturbed his eyes avoiding him and his walls building back over himself again he took another sip of his hot chocolate to escape talking. Blaine could sense there was more to the story but didn't pressure Kurt in fear he'd not want anything to do with him.

“I also liked singing…” Kurt looked unsure as he mentioned it and waited for Blaine's reaction.

Blaine shone in excitement. “What do you like to sing?”

“Oh …”

“I won't judge, I've been known to sing charts from the 70s,” Blaine added proudly as he watched Kurt struggle to answer.

Kurt relaxed a little bit as he waited patiently before answering. He was playing with the sugar that was on the table while doing so.

“I…I like showtunes,”

“So not Katy Perry?” Blaine pouted which caused a little laugh out of Kurt who smirked at him “Really? Katy Perry?”

“She's legendary, don't get me wrong, I love show tunes and musicals but I don't think they'd appreciate it as much at the competish,”

Kurt dared to look up at Blaine who smiled even wider “But you must have good taste if you like showtunes,” Blaine added warmly as Kurt nibbled on his biscuit.

“Yeah, back where I used to live…I used to sing showtunes in glee,”

“You were in show choir too?” Blaine looked overly pleased and Kurt smiled. “Yeah, I kind of miss it,”

“You should come to watch us at Nationals!” Blaine blurted and then lowered his voice as he saw Kurt look around to see if anyone was staring at them.

“I mean, that is if you want to,” Blaine tried not to look too optimistic and it just caused a fond look his way from Kurt before it changed into a sad expression. Kurt sighed. “You have to pay entries for those competitions, they're about $15. That's a meal on it's own, and I don't have that kind of money…”

Blaine looked at Kurt apologetically “Well technically if you're a friend of one of the clubs you only have to pay $8, and I'm happy to buy you a ticket. I'd like you to be there, you can be our mascot,”

“Why?” Kurt asked finally.

“Why what?” Blaine took a sip of his hot chocolate which was starting to become a cold hot chocolate.

The doorbell dinged and they watched as an elderly couple walked shaking the snow of their unbrellas.

Kurt adverted his eyes from the door.

“Your friends won't mind?” Kurt paused.

“Nope,” Blaine shook his head and gave Kurt his biscuit who had already finished his own.

“I don't suppose you like RENT?” Kurt said shyly when the conversation died down and Kurt agreed to come along and Blaine looked at him like he found a puppy.

“I love RENT!” Blaine put his hot chocolate down too and grinned at Kurt. Kurt laughed at Blaine's reaction “Seasons of love? I think that's the best song” Blaine took a bite of his cookie then.

“No I personally think ‘I'll Cover You' is the best song, that or ‘Another Day'” Kurt debated.

“True, there's a lot of emotion behind both those songs, but Season of love, if you see the actual ending they were going to put in at the end will have you bawling in no time, why they cut it out I'd never understand,” Blaine commented.

“I didn't know they had an alternative ending,” Kurt looked pleasantly surprised.

“I'll show you,” Blaine said getting out his phone. He had it saved to his videos and was proud to show it off when he had a chance. Blaine changed his seats so he was sitting right next to Kurt and gave the boy one of his ear pieces.

“Did you want to watch all the deleted scenes it goes for about 10 minutes?” Blaine added looking at his watch “We still have another hour to go before we have to head back,” and Kurt nodded looking at his phone like it was god's greatest treasure. Blaine smiled. “Okay, here goes,”

He clicked on the video ‘Deleted Scenes from RENT movie' “Sorry about the quality, I got it from Youtube,” Kurt just shrugged “I don't mind,”

Blaine had seen this video plenty of times to know how it goes. When his favourite scenes came on, like when Marks started singing “Halloween” he watched Kurt's face stare in amazement. Obviously he wasn't aware they had this scene as well.

Blaine continued to watch in fascination the way Kurt's face changed in emotions. His eyes lighting up during songs…his eyes tearing up in emotional scenes yet trying to stray strong at the same time and the way he leaned in whenever things got really intense was his favourite reaction.

Kurt was so moved by something that hardly mattered to a lot of people.

When it finished playing, Kurt sighed and looked at Blaine with sparkling greenish-blue eyes and a tear in his eye threatening to escape. “Can we watch it again?”

Blaine laughed.

“If we're going to watch it again…I'm getting a coffee, do you drink coffee?”

“I only drink mochas,” Kurt confessed with a shy smile “But you don't have to-”

Blaine was already hurrying to the counter before Kurt could finish his sentence. The other boy rolled his eyes.

“One medium-drip and a mocha please, also can I order two of the tuna subs?”

“Blaine!!” Kurt called dismayed and Blaine shrugged.

“I'm hungry!” Blaine called back and Kurt looked at him with a ‘I don't believe you' expression cocking his head to the side and folding his arms looking adorable to Blaine.

 “Sure…so you order two subs?” He responded in a sarcastic tone.

“I'm really hungry?” Blaine rephrased and he heard the girl at the counter snicker at him she leaned over the counter “I'll get you another two cookies on the house, just don't tell my manager he's kind of a douche, promise me you'll give one to cute-face over there,” She nodded over to Kurt.

Blaine grinned and nodded in agreement “It's a deal,”

“What did she say?” Kurt called from the seat.

“Nothing! She said she really likes your scarf!” Blaine called from the counter. Kurt raised his eyebrow.

“But I don't have a…” Kurt looked on his lap where Blaine had looked and noticed Blaine's green scarf was there.

Blaine laughed as Kurt shook his hand in a fist at him.

“It's too long on me anyway, it'd be perfect for you,” Blaine commented as he brought their order over.

“How did I not see you leave this here?” Kurt was running his fingers over the material looking at it longingly.

“You can keep it, I got several at home,”

“Blaine…”

“I'm not taking no for an answer Kurt, either you keep it or I give it to Lucy over there,” He pointed to the girl who was happily pretending not to take any notice, but Kurt had seen her watching them.