I don't know when
I don't know how
But I know something's starting right now
Watch and you'll see
Some day I'll be
Part of your world

Blaine licked his lip and rested the phone against a textbook in his locker. The map he had been using for the past 3 days was crumpled and torn but it would do. He was horrible with directions on a good day. He held it up and sighed his smile droppig slightly, it looked like the choir room was at the other end of the school. He hoped he could figure out his way there, he hadn't gotten a chance to explore that wing of the school yet.

He heard the phone vibrate beside him and jumped two feet in the air, pulling him out of his concentration.

Before Blaine could even grab for his phone he heard musical laughter from beside him. "I didn't peg you as the skittish type" Kurt mused, leaning against the locker next to his.

"Didn't peg you as a stalker" Blaine countered with a shake of his head, his playful smile back on his face. He grabbed the phone, not bothering to check it before closing his locker. "How did you even know where my locker is?"

Kurt shrugged "Maybe I did sell my soul to the Sea Witch." He said with a shrug. "You'll never know." He joked with a slight smirk.

Blaine could feel himself almost getting high off of the interaction. The ease of the banter, as if they were back to three weeks ago. He was calm and relaxing. Then it was over, he saw something flicker in Kurt's eyes.

Kurt's body tensed as he stopped leaning on the locker and straightened up, pulling his vest back down into place. All flirtation was gone from his tone. "I didn't know if you knew where the choir room was. Rachel gets very snappy when people are late. Wouldn't want you to be subjected to her wrath on your first day. We should save that for next week." Kurt said, his eyes wandering everywhere other then Blaine's face.

Blaine sighed heavily at the change in demeanor. It was progress though, these glimpses of the playful Kurt he just knew was buried under the fashionable exterior. They gave him hope, if he could draw them out, even rarely, he was reminded they they were in there.

"How kind of you. I think I'll avoid her wrath for as long as possible. Yours as well…" he said with a smile. He wasn't going to push his luck just yet. No point in losing all the ground he had covered.

"Smart boy." Kurt said and motioned down the hell "Let's go. We only have five minutes" With that, he turned around and walked down the hall.

Blaine shook his head, his eyes closing for a moment. He didn't realize why he was so drawn to Kurt, why he wanted to fight through all his mood swings and sarcasm. All he knew is that he had to. Kurt wasn't the only one who believed in Fate.

What was I doing? Kurt mentally shouted at himself as he rocketed through the halls, barely glancing back to make sure Blaine was following him. Just be his friend, help him out. That's all I was supposed to do.

That wasn't going to happen though. Why did this boy have to make everything so damn hard? Did Kurt want to break down and just pretend that Blaine was every bit as amazing as he had imagined? Fuck yes. That was all he wanted to do, but he couldn't.

Life wasn't Broadway. It wasn't a book or a fantasy. Things didn't end with a happy song and a chaste kiss. They ended in tears and being screwed over and being left broken alone in you're room. Kurt did not believe in happy endings. At least not in high school. Maybe he had a shot in university, when he was in New York. In Lima, Ohio? Not a chance in hell. The only functional gay couple Kurt had every met was the Berry's, but they had met far away in some state with a thriving gay community.

Blaine was so charming and showed such an interest that Kurt caught himself second guessing everything he had believed about romance. Sure, he had had a huge crush on Finn for years, and there was the incident with his gaydar being broken with Sam last year, but those just proved his point. Romance didn't work out for Kurt Hummel.

Then there was the incident with Karofsky, one he never liked to dwell on or think about at all. After that had happened he had decided to just accept that he wasn't going to find love in Lima. He was okay with that. He could wait. Especially after he met Blaine and he got a glimpse into what might be, years down the line and hundreds of miles away.

Now his mind had no idea what was going on, his perception of reality was challenged and his stomach was pulling him towards Blaine but his mind was running in the opposite direction and the commotion was making Kurt want to be sick.

When he finally arrived at the choir room door he smiled to see that Blaine had kept up, even if he did look a tad flustered. Kurt nodded to him and walked into the room, finding his usual seat and dropping down into it with an exhausted thud.

He tried not to, but he was distinctly aware when Blaine found a spare seat right behind him and one to his right. He could feel Blaine's eyes on him. He slid down into his chair, posture be damned. He was too busy trying to sort out his mind to even bother worrying about developing a hump like Quasimodo.

"Good afternoon!" Shuester said chipperly as he practically skipped into the room as he did every day.

The class mumbled a response but was quickly cut off by Rachel. "Mr. Shuester! We have a new prospective member!" She said standing and looking over at Blaine. "We all met him at lunch! I think he will be a wonderful addiction to Glee! As long as he's not a spy…" She trailed off then shook her head "He was the lead vocalist from the Warblers!" She said and sat back down. She was vibrating with excitement.

Kurt knew Rachel loved Finn, loved singing with him. But from the look in Rach's eyes he could tell she was dying to sing a duet with the ex-warbler. The thought twisted Kurt's stomach. If anyone is going to be singing with him it's me. He thought jealously.

Shocking himself with his thoughts he shook his head and bit his lip. No. That was no way to be thinking. Rachel was his best friend, and the lead female vocalist. She had every right to sing with Blaine. And Kurt didn't want to anyways. Keep telling yourself that. The voice deep in the back of his mind mumbled.

He was pulled out of his thoughts as Shuester started talking again. "Thank you for the introduction Rachel. Welcome to Glee…?" he trailed off

"Blaine. Blaine Anderson. Thank you sir. I'm really excited to be here." He heard Blaine speak from behind him and his heart clenched. Every time he heard that voice he got the same reaction. One he desperately wished he could ignore.

Shue laughed and shook his head, holding his hands up "Please, Call me Mr. Shuester, Shue works too. None of that Sir business. We're all friends here." He said and Kurt could just imagine the bright smile on Blaine's face.

"Usually everyone has to audition. Its not a big deal or anything, you could be really, really bad and we would still welcome you in. As the lead vocalist from a different choir though, I don't think it will be an issue. If you have something ready you can sing now, or in the next week or so. Really its just a bonding exercise in trust." Will said as he sat down on a stool in the middle of the room.

Kurt didn't think it was necessary to get Blaine to sing, they already knew he could and just seemed like a waste of time. That, or Kurt was just terrified that Blaine's voice would drive him to his breaking point.

On further examination Kurt was sure it was the second option. Blaine singing solo in front of him could do nothing good for his resistance.

Kurt heard the chair behind him scrape against the riser as Blaine stood up. "Actually Mr. Shuester, I think I do have something I'd like to sing. It's nothing serious, and just pulled out of my reserve. But I'd be happy to give it a go." Kurt could hear the excitement dripping from Blaine's voice, could feel the stands shaking every so slightly as he Blaine, he imagined, lightly bounced on the balls of his feet.

Shue nodded and got off of his stool, motioning for Blaine to take his place as he sat on the chairs with the students. "Brad should probably know what you're wanting. He knows everything" Will said smiling over at the pianist they all took overwhelming advantage over.

Blaine nodded and whispered in Brads ear, his face glowing when he was told Brad knew.

He walked to the center of the room and looked at everyone, eyes lingering on Kurt's. Why must that gaze send a thrill through his spine every time? Blaine really had to stop being like electricity to Kurt.

"Well, I'm a bit of a nerd. My go to songs are basically all Katy Perry and Disney." He laughed awkwardly, exhaling and relaxing as he saw the smiles and laughter come back at him.

"I think this one is my favorite though." He said and his eyes locked with Kurt's.

Kurt felt his breath catch at the intensity of the look Blaine gave him. But then it was gone and Blaine's gaze was once again traveling from face to face as the music started and Kurt's heart ended up in a puddle beneath him. There was no way he was actually doing this to him. A smile crept its way onto his lips as he shook his head lightly

Then Blaine started singing and everything fell away.

Look at this stuff
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl
The girl who has everything?

Kurt was right, Blaine singing was doing nothing for his self-control. He giggled lightly as Blaine refused to change the gender to suit himself. He was singing with such emotion and even though it was quite the sad song, you could see how happy Blaine was singing it.

Look at this trove
Treasures untold
How many wonders can one cavern hold?
Looking around here you think
Sure, she's got everything

As Blaine sang he moved around the front of the room, his hands expressing the emotion as he sang.

I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty
I've got whozits and whatzits galore
You want thingamabobs?
I've got twenty!

He grabbed odd different instruments from around the room as he sang, looking at them as if they were the most foreign thing in the world to him, so magical and new.

But who cares?
No big deal
I want more

I wanna be where the people are
I wanna see, wanna see them dancin'
Walking around on those - what do you call 'em?
Oh - feet!

Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far
Legs are required for jumping, dancing
Strolling along down a - what's that word again?
Street

Up where they walk, up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free - wish I could be
Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters?
What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?
Bet'cha on land they understand
That they don't reprimand their daughters
Proper women sick of swimmin'
Ready to stand

And ready to know what the people know
Ask 'em my questions and get some answers
What's a fire and why does it - what's the word?
Burn?

Kurt was completely enthralled by Blaine's performance. He was so dynamic in his movements and facial expressions and Kurt could have watched him perform for the rest of his life and never get board. Everything in the room didn't matter, it was like it all blacked out as he concentrated on watching every little move Blaine made.

Kurt knew it was self-destructive but he couldn't stop. He knew his resolve was breaking with every note but he couldn't look away. And he couldn't breathe either, as Blaine turned to him, his eyes boring into Kurt's as he finished the song.

When's it my turn?
Wouldn't I love, love to explore that world up above?
Out of the sea
Wish I could be
Part of that world

Kurt sat paralyzed as Blaine finished, his breath caught in his throat, a smirk playing across Blaine's mouth as he observed Kurt's struggles, only broken when he broke eye contact to bow for the group.

Kurt didn't even register the sound of applause and encouragement as he blinked a few times and tried to sort out why his mind had short-circuited on him. This was not good. But, at the same time it was the most amazing feeling ever.

"San! San! Can we keep him? Please San?" Brittany whined as she bounced in her chair, holding Santana's hands in hers, giving the biggest puppy dog eyes she could.

Santana laughed and shook her head, an amused smile covering her face, making her eyes sparkle "He's not a dog Brittany."

The blonde nodded enthusiastically "I know that San! He's a hobbit! Those make even better pets! Please San! I'll do that thing you like tonight!"

Santana's eyes got wide with shock, but brushed it off, trying to not look anyone in the eyes as she laughed "Sure, we can keep him Britts."

Later that evening Kurt sat, his legs crossed at the ankle reading a book while music blared in his basement. Anything to keep out the thoughts of Blaine. He just needed a break. Sometime to not think about that situation. To get lost in a fictional world were it was someone else's issues not his.

He heard a knock on his door through the music and pressed the pause button as the door creaked open, and a few seconds later Rachel walked down the stairs. "Hey Kurt!" She said in her usual sing-song voice she used when she wanted to know some thing.

Kurt knew full well what this was about and resigned to the fact that he wasn't going to be able to get away from it this time. "Hey Rach. What's up? Finn bore you?" he drawled as he put his book down on his nightstand and sat up, crossing his legs.

Rachel laughed and shook her head as she made herself comfy on his bed as she had many times before. Sometimes Kurt forgot that even through their competitive moments Rachel was really his best friend. "No, I could tell though he was itching to play some video game where he tried to kill people." She shook her head and rolled her eyes "And I was itching to come have some girl talk so I decided it was best for us to part ways for the evening." She said with a sweet smile.

Rachel put a hand on Kurt's knee and looked at him in the eyes, her head slightly tilted, hair swooping down, only to be pushed back behind her ear. "Come on, tell me about him. I know you want to." She said and Kurt could feel her excitement.

He sighed heavily, in fact he actually really did not want to talk about it but he knew his friend well enough to know he was going to have to anyways. He could never keep anything from her. Well no one could, but he didn't even want to. "Would you be angry if I told you I may have known him a little bit before he transferred? Like not a lot. It's not like he transferred for me or anything. It was just one night." He said and took a breath before realizing how that sounded, and judging by the look of shock on Rachel's face, it sounded just like he thought. "oh God! No! Not one night like that!" he said holding his hands up and blushing a deep crimson.

Rachel took in a deep breath then started to laugh "oh my god! You had me to scared! I was going to beat you over the head! But wait, you knew him? From when? Why was I not informed of this? Aren't I your best friend?" She asked sounding hurt by the end of her rant.

Kurt took her hand in his and squeezed it. "Of course you are my best friend! It was just at that concert Puck dragged me to a few weeks back! Not a big deal. He kinda saved me from the mosh pit and we talked for the rest of the concert. He definitely left an impression but I never thought I'd see him again!" he said and flopped back against his headboard with a frustrated groan.

"And now he goes to McKinley! Kurt! This is amazing! It is so fated to be so! Oh god this is so cute! That is the most amazing story!" Rachel started to flail and giggle "So what? Are you two together now that you were reunited by fate!" she asked as excited as a preteen girl about her first kiss. Which Kurt still hadn't had. Well, not a proper one.

He shook his head rapidly. "No! We barely know each other! And anyways when I went to that concert, Puck dressed me up like I was some punk God. I looked hot, but I had a fake eyebrow ring in and eyeliner! So many studs! And he gave me this vodka drink! So I was all confident and badass! I'm not that guy Rachel! That's why I can't be anywhere near Blaine! I'm probably such a disappointment! If the guy I was at that concert is his type then I'm definitely not it!" Finally Kurt broke down and just let out everything he had been fearing. He could almost feel the tears welling in his eyes. This wasn't' fair. "And things don't work out in high school Rach."

In one of the very few moments Rachel was silent. She thought for a few minutes before she spoke. It was a first. "Kurt… Blaine looks at you like you're the sun and the moon. I really don't blame him, you're an amazing guy. He probably saw right through your badboy look and saw exactly who you really are. And that's who he likes. He likes Kurt. Some clothes and little bit of booze doesn't change who you are." She said looking at him in the eyes. "Sometimes you just need to trust that some things are just meant to be." She spoke softly and stroked the back of his hand in a comforting manner. "I get that its fast, and you're terrified, but you can't run from this. He's not going anywhere Kurt."

Kurt took some time to digest what she was saying, her points. She did make an awful lot of sense. He shook his head "But Rachel, this can't end well. What the point? It's high school! It's just going to end in me getting my heart broken. No high school relationships last!" he argued, though it was a weak argument. It was all he had left, the last little bit of resistance he had left.

In a stunning event Rachel was quiet for a few more moments before she pulled her necklace out of her top. She took it off and handed it to him silently.

Kurt looked at the ring around the chain and couldn't understand what it meant. "Kurt, sometimes high school things do work out…" She took a deep breath "Finn asked me to marry him. I said yes."
Kurt felt fury grow him his stomach, all thoughts of Blaine gone. This was absurd.

Rachel lifted her hand up in defense and continued before he could explode at her. "Look, we aren't getting married now. In fact we probably won't until I'm done with university. But it's a promise. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with Finn. I know I want to be you're sister in law. This is the life I want. I didn't tell you this for you to get angry, or to make it about me, which I know I tend to do. I just want you to know that sometimes good things do just happen. Yes, they rake work. But that doesn't mean its not worth the fight. Or the risk." She finished and leaned forward, took the necklace back, kissed Kurt on the forehead and god up.

"I'm going to leave you with your thoughts now Kurt. I think you already know what's going to happen. You just need to come to terms with it." And with that Rachel was gone and Kurt was left alone in his silent room.

The sound of an incoming Skype call filled Blaine's room and he pounced on the answer button, he was greeted with a camera filled with boys in casual clothes gathered around what he assumed to be Nick's laptop.

"Hey guys!" he almost shouted as he twirled in his chair like a five year old.

"Let us skip the intro and you tell us what that text to Jeff was about because I would like to know like right now" Trent spoke up from the back, his eyebrows moving comically "And it better be good. We have absolutely nothing worth reporting here since you left Mr. Anderson"

Blaine laughed loudly and basked in the feeling of being around his boys again. He missed them more then he thought he would. The Warblers were a family and he felt like his wings had been left behind at Dalton.

"Well" Blaine said drawing out the word "Since you asked so nicely Trent. I think I got him!" He said excitedly, clapping his hands "I don't think we are going to start dating tomorrow or anything. But I got him flirting with me! It was over text, but still!" he said biting his lip. "And then he kinda withdrew a bit… but then I sang Part of Your World to him and he looked like he was melting, I think I caught him not breathing… that's a good sign right?" He asked hopefully as he started playing with a nearby pencil.

The boys all looked at each other then back at Blaine. Nick spoke up first "Well, I'd call that progress! Just don't get too ahead of yourself Blainers. From what you've told us this Kurt kid sounds kinda skittish at this whole thing. I don't know… Blaine, we were talking…" Nick finished, shifting slightly uncomfortably.

Jeff nodded at Nick and rubbed his boyfriends back lightly "Blaine, it's just, He kinda gives us the feeling, at least from what you have told us, that he may have been through something. An abusive relationship? We don't know, but how you keep saying he opens up then seems to catch himself as closes right back… It, it just sounds like he's a bit more scared then he should be…"

Trent nodded "We aren't saying that's what happened! Or that anything happened, we are just saying that it sort of sounds like it could have and we don't want you to scare him off. You really care about him B, we can see that. Just be careful…"

Blaine had never even considered that before. Did Kurt give off that vibe? Did he seem like he'd been hurt? Blaine had always just chalked it up to being cynical and afraid of commitment. But what they were saying made sense…

Blaine nodded as he thought about his friends words. "Guys, I'll talk to you later. I gotta go, have some homework to do. Talk to you later" Without waiting for a response he clicked the end call button and wandered to his bed.

The more he thought about the possibility the more it made sense, but instead of wanting to back off and let Kurt have some space, he felt like he needed to show Kurt that he wasn't going to hurt him. The new theory didn't do anything but make him more determined.

So someone had stolen Kurt's voice. And Blaine was going to be the one to give it back.