"Are you OK?" Jeff asked and Blaine just looked away.

"Blaine," Kurt prompted, ducking his head to catch Blaine's eyes.

"M'K," Blaine mumbled. "I promise."

Kurt turned, gently putting his good hand on the small of Blaine's back and pushing him forward – effectively getting the group to move again. Nobody said anything as they headed to their next class. When they entered the classroom, they were surprised when Blaine and Kurt quickly took two free seats up the back. Kurt leant in close and whispered something in the other boy's ear. Blaine mumbled something back that they couldn't quite hear. They quickly took their seats in front of the two new boys, effectively placing themselves within earshot.

"It was just an accident," Blaine murmured. "I promise I'm fine, Kurt."

"OK," Kurt conceded. "Sorry. I overreacted."

Blaine shook his head. "We both did. It'll take some time to adjust."

The two fell silent as the class begun and didn't speak again until the end, obviously well practised in the art of staying beneath the social radar. Blaine helped Kurt pack his things into his bag again and carried it for him as they followed Wes, David, Jeff and Nick back out into the busy corridors.

"We have one more period and then lunch," Wes explained.

Kurt and Blaine both glanced at their timetable and then back up at each other. "I have History," Blaine said.

"Art," Kurt replied sadly.

"You have that with me," Nick beamed. Kurt smiled back shyly and Blaine handed over his bag.

"I'll see you at lunch," Blaine promised. Kurt nodded, nervous to be without Blaine but pleased that he was left with Nick. Out of all of the boys, he'd warmed to Nick the most.

"You and Kurt are really close, aren't you," David commented as they headed to History.

"He's my best friend," Blaine replied, smiling, "has been since we were five."

"Like Wes and I," David grinned, throwing an around Wes's shoulder casually. "But we only met when we were ten."

Blaine smiled at the two and noticed that nobody commented on the fact that two boys were touching.

"Jeff and Nick and best friends too," Wes said and Jeff grinned. "Though we have our suspicions that there's something more going on."

"For the last time, Nick and I aren't dating," Jeff sighed, rolling his eyes. "Two gay boys can be friends, you know."

"You're gay?" Blaine echoed, eyebrows shooting up into his hairline in surprise. Wes and David turned to him, looking disappointed.

"Yeah, I am," Jeff told him proudly.

"Zero-tolerance bullying," Wes reminded Blaine. "Everyone can be who they are and nobody will discriminate."

"What? No, I don't care. I'm gay, too," Blaine assured them hurriedly. "So is Kurt."

The three boys relaxed and smiled at Blaine. "That's cool. Nobody here will mind."

"Are you sure?" Blaine asked, biting his lip.

"I take it you had trouble at your old school," Jeff said as they walked. "I did too."

"Kurt and I were the only people out at our school," Blaine explained quietly.

"Wait – you didn't get that bruise from your school did you?" David asked, indicating to the fading bruise along Blaine's jawline.

"Yes," Blaine said, clearing his throat, looking uncomfortable.

"Sorry," David winced.

"It's fine," Blaine replied and they slipped into their class room.

Kurt and Nick walked through the halls and Kurt couldn't help the shiver that passed through him. He was thankful that there were no stairs on the way to the art room, scared that he would slip into a panic attack if he was faced with them.

"Mrs. Willow is really nice," Nick explained as they walked. "She's one of the best teachers and always gives us great projects to do."

"Good," Kurt smiled shyly.

"In here," Nick gestured and walked through the door to their left. It was a large, spacious room and Kurt sat down next to Nick at one of the many tables. Nick grabbed his bag off him and helped him to retrieve his sketch book and art supplies.

"Thank you," Kurt said, surprise evident in his tone.

"Don't worry about it," Nick grinned easily. "I really like how you decorated your cast."

"Blaine helped," Kurt admitted, smiling and looking down at his cast. Sometimes, the most beautiful things came from the ugliest situations.

"You guys are close, huh?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. He's my best friend," Kurt smiled. He didn't tell Nick that they were also boyfriends; unsure of how he would react.

"That's cool," Nick beamed. "It's nice to have someone you know when you transfer."

"You were a transfer student?" Kurt asked.

"Couple of years ago," Nick told him. "Public school can be cruel."

"I know," Kurt agreed quietly.

"Alright everyone," Mrs Willow called out from the front of the room. "We are continuing on with our animal drawings today."

"We're learning to draw animals," Nick explained as everyone opened their sketch books. Nick glanced at Kurt's cast and grinned. "Something tells me you won't need much help."

Kurt chuckled and pulled out his pencils. "Any particular animal?" He asked.

"Your favourite animal," Nick said. "I'm drawing a panther."

Kurt looked over at Nick's sketch and saw a panther lying on a thick tree trunk, tail hanging down into the realms of paper that had yet to been drawn on. "That's beautiful," Kurt breathed in awe.

"Thanks," Nick smiled proudly, twirling his pencil around his finger as he considered how to finish the sketch.

Kurt picked up his pencil and thought of his favourite animal. He began sketching, losing himself in his work, as he often did when it came to art. There was chatter around him but he ignored it, used to having to drown out his class mates. He jumped when the sound of the lunch time bell rang through the room and looked down at his page. There was small bunny hidden in long grass.

"That's cute," Nick commented, smiling encouragingly at Kurt.

"Thank you," Kurt gave a shy smile and started picking up his pencils. Nick helped him put his things back into his satchel and placed it on his shoulder with a grin.

"Lunch time," Nick told him. "I'll help you find your locker, too."

Kurt just stared at him, shocked at how nice Nick was being despite the fact that they had only just met. He followed Nick out and the boy helped him find his locker. He smiled in relief when he saw that his boyfriend was only a few lockers down. Blaine looked up and grinned at him, closing his locker gently and hurrying over to Kurt.

"How was art?" Blaine asked.

"Good. Fun," Kurt smiled. "How was history?"

"It was actually interesting and we learnt something," Blaine grinned. "No more horrifying divorce stories."

Kurt chuckled. "I'm glad," he fumbled with the lock on the door, eventually managing to open his locker and Blaine helped him put his books inside.

Wes, David and Jeff joined them, all wearing large smiles. "Ready to go to lunch?" Wes asked and they nodded. Kurt shut his locker and they followed them to the cafeteria.

It was crowded and loud and Kurt automatically stepped closer to his boyfriend. "Blaine," Kurt whispered, swallowing nervously and glancing around. "I don't – I don't think I can do this."

"We'll take our food outside," Blaine murmured. Kurt nodded and followed the boys to grab their lunch. Blaine grabbed himself a chicken sandwich and a salad for Kurt before hurrying with Kurt out into the halls of Dalton. They wandered around until they found their way outside and sat down on one of the stone benches. "Here," Blaine said, opening the plastic lid on Kurt's salad and placing it on his boyfriend's lap carefully.

"Thank you," Kurt smiled and picked up a fork that was inside the packet.

Blaine un-wrapped his sandwich and took a bite. "Everyone's so nice," he said quietly and Kurt turned to see his head bowed. "Really nice."

"I know," Kurt agreed, turning his body to face Blaine. The boy sniffed and Kurt saw a stray tear roll down his cheek. "Hey," he said softly. "Don't cry - please."

"I'm not," Blaine wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his blazer absentmindedly. "It's just – it's always been the two of us. Nobody gave a damn about us at our other school; nobody even talked to us. We haven't even been here for a whole day and those guys have already showed more kindness than anyone ever has."

"I know," Kurt said quietly, taking Blaine's hand.

"What if it's just a sick joke?" Blaine asked, starting to get worked up. "They've done that before. What if this is all an elaborate scheme to pull a prank on us or something?"

Blaine breathing was getting shorter and more laboured and Kurt recognized that panic look in his eyes. "Hey, breathe," Kurt instructed, gently cupping his cheek, "calm down baby, just breathe." Kurt blushed. It was the first time he had called Blaine a pet name, though it had rolled off his tongue without a second thought.

Blaine breathing eased and his eyes locked with Kurt's. "You called me baby," he panted and Kurt's flush darkened.

"I – yeah. Sorry."

"Don't be," Blaine said quickly. "I liked it."

Kurt smiled and Blaine grinned back at him. "You OK now?" Kurt asked and he nodded. "I don't know what this school will be like, but I know that we can get through it because I have you."

"Together," Blaine smiled adoringly at Kurt.

"Just like always," Kurt said firmly. "We made it though primary school and we can make it through high school."

Kurt had gotten back that passionate glint in his eyes that Blaine loved so much. Blaine grinned at him and glanced around, realising that they were alone and he quickly leant in and placed a kiss on Kurt's lips. The boy gasped into Blaine's mouth but before he could return the kiss, Blaine had pulled away. They didn't normally indulge in PDA, not wanting to tempt their peers.

"I couldn't resist," Blaine smiled. "You are so beautiful."

Kurt blushed. "It's OK."

Blaine grinned and nudged Kurt's legs. He picked up his fork and continued to eat. When they finished their lunch, they were content just to sit with each other but they were quickly joined by Wes, David, Jeff and Nick.

"There you guys are," Jeff grinned. "We are heading to the oval, want to come?"

Blaine and Kurt spared each other a glance before nodding. "Yeah, OK," Blaine agreed and they both stood. They followed the boys, surprised but pleased that none of them were commenting on the fact that they had disappeared.

Wes, David, Nick and Jeff all saw that the boys needed time. If their conversation in their first class was anything to go by, they still had a lot to adjust to at Dalton and were both scarred by their experience at their previous school. Those wounds would take time to heal and the boys were willing to give Kurt and Blaine as much time as they needed.