Nick watched as Kurt quickly pecked Blaine on the cheek, causing the shorter boy to grin widely. Nick hummed louder and continued walking to his locker, making his presence known to the two boys.

"Morning," Nick said joyfully and Kurt and Blaine smiled.

"Morning Nick," they greeted in unison.

"You're in a good mood," Kurt commented.

"Double art this morning, Kurt," Nick beamed. "What's not to love?"

"Double history," Blaine grinned.

"Oh before I forget," Kurt said, turning to Blaine. "Will you come shopping with me this afternoon? I need to get dad a present for his birthday."

"Of course," Blaine agreed. "While we're there, maybe we could get Pav some more bird seed?"

"Good idea," Kurt nodded. "I'll make a list."

"A list?" Blaine echoed. "It's going to be a long shopping trip, isn't it?"

Kurt grinned wickedly. "If you're good, I'll share one of those obnoxiously large chocolate sundaes with you without complaining."

"Deal!"

Nick beamed and chuckled at the two of them.

"What's so funny?" Jeff asked, coming up to the group, looking confused.

"Just watching Blaine and Kurt negotiate," Nick explained.

"Last time we spent five hours in the mall," Blaine groaned.

"You loved it," Kurt huffed and rolled his eyes. "Ok, maybe you didn't but I bought you some nice things."

"Which I appreciate," Blaine smiled adoringly at his boyfriend.

Jeff and Nick smiled at the two, unconsciously drifting closer to each other. The bell suddenly rang and the boys jumped slightly.

"I'll see you later," Blaine grinned at Kurt and his boyfriend smiled back.

"Bye Nick," Jeff beamed and headed off with Blaine. Kurt and Nick headed in the opposite direction to the art room.

"How did you know?" Nick asked suddenly and Kurt gave him a confused look. "That you liked Blaine and he liked you," he elaborated.

"I didn't know Blaine liked me," Kurt mused as they walked. "I talked to Annie about liking a boy and she knew instantly that I liked Blaine." Nick chuckled as Kurt blushed. "I wasn't very good at hiding it and Blaine can be oblivious sometimes."

"What did you do?" Nick asked.

"I asked him out," Kurt said simply. "Of course he mistook it for me wanting to go out to a movie or for dinner until I clarified that I meant I wanted to be boyfriends and I kissed him."

"And now you're together," Nick smiled.

"Don't get me wrong, telling him was terrifying," Kurt shook his head, "but Blaine and I have been best friends and even if he had said no, we would still have remained in each other's lives."

The two boys stepped inside the art room and took their seats. "So you took a chance?" Nick asked, taking out his things.

"Yes and it paid off," Kurt smiled. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I just – uh – haveacrushonsomeone," Nick mumbled.

"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that," Kurt sniggered, amused.

Nick took a deep breath. "I have a crush on someone."

"Jeff?" Kurt guessed and Nick's eyes widened.

"How did you know?" He squawked.

Kurt chuckled. "Because you stare at Jeff the way I stared at Blaine before we started dating."

Nick laughed lightly. "I really like him."

"Well, judging by the way Jeff looks at you when you don't notice, he likes you too," Kurt smiled encouragingly.

"You think?" Nick asked, looking up at him hopefully.

"I do," Kurt nodded. "But you'll have to ask him to find out."

Nick blushed and ducked his head. "I'm too shy."

"I could help – if you like," Kurt offered.

"Yeah, that would be good," Nick let out a heavy breath of relief and Kurt grinned.

The teacher called for attention and gave them an assignment to work on. Today, they would be experimenting with water colours.

Nick and Kurt shared a pallet and begun their work. There was a lot of the chatter around the room and unfortunately one student wasn't paying attention. He was walking back to his chair, mucking around with a fellow pupil and he tripped, the water and paint flying out of his hands and hitting Kurt.

Kurt froze, limbs locking painfully and his breath leaving him.

"Oops," the boy sniggered and Kurt's breathing grew laboured, his mind flashing back to Westerville High.

Kurt was sitting alone at the front of the art room as usual, distancing himself from his fellow class mates and silently counting down the seconds until his could see Blaine again. He was working on a painting on his easel and he could hear sniggers around the classroom but ignored them. He moved his hand in long fluid movements, smiling at the art he was producing. Maybe he would give it to Blaine or his dad.

The room fell silent and Kurt frowned, turning to look over his shoulder. Two burley boys grinned and the taller one pushed the other boy, sending his weight flying into Kurt, knocking him off his stool. Kurt crashed to the floor, breaking his easel as he fell and he felt cool liquid running over him. The boy had 'dropped' his paint all over Kurt. The class erupted into laughter and Kurt's face flooded red with embarrassment. The teacher just looked on and rolled his eyes.

"Alright settle down," he called in a tired voice. "Mr Hummel, clean this up and then go change."
Kurt eyes burned but he blinked back the tears, not wanting to give his classmates the satisfaction.

"Kurt?" Nick's voice was close to his ear and Kurt breathing became harsher.

"Mr Hummel?" Mrs Willow's voice sounded on his other side. Kurt took in a deep wheezing breath, his whole body shaking.

"I think he's having a panic attack," Nick said, his voice shaky. "Kurt, can you hear me?"

"Can't – breath," Kurt whimpered, clutching his paint brush tightly in his hands, his vision blurry.

"It's OK," Nick assured him. "Just listen to my voice."

Kurt tried but he couldn't get the vision out of his head, the whole class laughing at him. He whimpered and panted harshly.

"Easy," Nick said. "I'm going to remove the paint brush from your hand." Kurt watched as Nick tugged the paint brush out of his death grip and choked out a sob. "Kurt, breathe."

Breathe, he needed to breathe. He could breathe. Regulate your breathing. Blaine's voice filled his mind, murmuring instructions. What would Blaine do? Kurt reached out blindly for Nick and placed his hands on his chest, feeling for his breath. Nick realized that Kurt was trying to copy his breathing and took deep steadying breaths. Kurt wheezed but complied.

"Do you think you can walk to the nurse's office?" Mrs Willow asked, the classes watching in silence with wide eyes.

Kurt nodded shakily and Nick helped him up, wrapping an arm around his waist and placing Kurt's arm around his shoulder. They walked slowly, Kurt still breathing heavily.

"Just keep following my breathing," Nick instructed, his voice shaky and Kurt nodded.

They made it to the nurse's office and Kurt was immediately taken to a cot to lie down. He curled up and Nick sat on the edge of the bed.

"Thanks," Kurt wheezed. Nick nodded, throat tightening with emotion. Kurt was paler than usual and he looked so small and fragile.

They sat in silence; the only sound was of Kurt breathing. He was slowly starting to regulate his breathing. The nurse came with a towel and Kurt took it with shaky hands, cleaning himself up. Nick tried to help, making small talk.

"Do you think I should sing Jeff a song?" He asked.

"You should just talk to him," Kurt coughed.

"Alright, I will," Nick smiled.

The bell rang, signalling their first break and Kurt closed his eyes, exhausted. His breathing had nearly evened out and Nick rubbed his back.

"Feeling better now?" He asked.

"A bit," Kurt said quietly, eyes closed.

Nick heard pounding footsteps and the nurse's shout. He looked up to see Blaine come tumbling in, Jeff right behind him with Wes and David.

"Kurt!" Blaine yelped. Nick quickly vacated the bed and Blaine took his spot, gently rubbing Kurt's back. "Someone told me something happened to you in art."

"Someone accidently spilt paint on me," Kurt murmured, opening his eyes and gazing up at Blaine. "I had a panic attack."

"Are you OK now?" Blaine asked, gently stroking Kurt's cheek.

"Tired," Kurt mumbled and Blaine gently kissed his cheek. "Nick helped me."

Blaine turned to Nick and smiled at him, his eyes suspiciously bright. "Thank you, Nick," Blaine said sincerely.

"It was nothing," Nick shrugged. Jeff shot Nick a concerned look.

"We'll let you rest," Wes said and Kurt's eyes slipped closed again, Blaine continuing to rub his back gently. Wes and David headed out and Jeff and Nick followed a slower pace. Jeff pulled Nick off to one side and Nick looked at him with wary eyes.

"Are you OK?" Jeff asked.

"I don't think I've ever been that terrified," Nick said hoarsely. "He went so pale and he couldn't breathe and he started shaking."

Nick trembled and Jeff quickly pulled him into a hug. Nick buried his head in Jeff's shoulder, trying to control his emotions. Jeff patted Nick's back, unable to help but notice how right it felt with Nick in his arms. "He'll be OK," Jeff assured him. "You did really well, Nick. I wouldn't have been able to do it."

"Yes you could have," Nick protested, pulling back. Jeff blushed and Nick's breath hitched as he realized how close they were. "Jeff?" Nick asked.

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to go on a date with me?" Nick blurted out, blushing slightly.

Jeff grinned brightly. "Is tomorrow night good for you?" He asked.

Nick nodded, smiling brightly. Jeff swooped in and kissed his cheek, grinning brightly.

In the nurse's office Kurt curled himself closer to Blaine, who kissed his cheek softly. "Do you want me to call Burt?" He asked quietly.

"Yes," Kurt whispered.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Blaine inquired as Kurt buried his head into the pillow.

"Embarrassed," came Kurt's muffled reply.

"Don't be," Blaine urged. "It's perfectly normal." Kurt lifted his head and shot Blaine a glare. "Don't give me that look. You shouldn't be ashamed."

"Because everyone else has been so understanding in the past," Kurt replied sarcastically and Blaine frowned.

"Don't be like that. Dalton's different," Blaine said.

"I know," Kurt sighed, "I'm sorry."

"You flashed back to Westerville High didn't you?" Blaine guessed. "Where everyone laughed at you in class and the teacher made you clean up the mess in front of them all?"

Kurt bit his lip and nodded. Gently, Blaine used his thumb to release Kurt's bottom lip from his teeth. "What if they laugh?" Kurt whispered.

"Then they aren't our friends and we are better off without them," Blaine said fiercely, "but they've proved that they aren't like that. If they want to be our friends they have to know that we come with baggage."

Kurt took Blaine's hand and squeezed it tightly. "You amaze me," Kurt smiled. Blaine grinned and gently kissed Kurt.

"I'll go get the nurse to ring Burt so he can take you home," Blaine said softly. Kurt nodded and his eyes slipped closed again, exhaustion taking over him