"Q. Go teach Kurt the routine!" Sue snaps at Quinn.

"Sure, coach." Quinn replies, leaving the group with Kurt trailing behind her.

"So. How's Blaine?" she asks, doing the steps in slow motion so that Kurt can mirror her.

"Why ask me? You could ask him yourself. He IS in glee with us. And I'm sure you have a class with him." She sighs and rolls her eyes.

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Yes, but I chose to ignore it. A) because it doesn't matter what you think and B) because, as a matter of fact, nothing is happening between Blaine and I. We're friends. Big whoop. Sorry I couldn't provide you with gossip." He says, ending the sentence in a way that says 'don't push it'.

"Sorry, you're just the third person to ask me and I'm sick of having people pry because I've made a new friend all of a sudden. Doesn't that happen? Oh, no, I forgot; I'm openly gay. So no, apparently it doesn't."

For once, Quinn is silent. She spends the rest of practice half teaching Kurt, half listening to Sue's instructions.

***** 

Blaine's phone rings later that evening. Kurt's name flashes on the screen.

"Hey." Blaine answers happily. Kurt makes an indescribably upset noise.

"Now I remember why I quit Cheerios in the first place. Damn gossiping bitches."

"Hah. Kurt? They're cheerleaders, what did you expect?" Kurt sighs.

"I don't know. And I can't quit this time. I don't want Coach Sylvester mad at me again. What are you doing this weekend?"

"Um. My brother is coming over. I think we're going to the arcade on Saturday. You can come if you want." Blaine invites.

"Sure. Should I meet you there?"

"We can pick you up at your house. Around 2:00ish?"

"Okay."

Saturday. 1:45.

"Dad, have you seen my red plaid scarf?" Kurt hollers, jogging up from his room.

"In the kitchen. Don't ask me why, though." Burt replies once he reaches the living room.

"I honestly don't care why. Although it is a bit odd." He chuckles, draping the scarf around his neck and heading back to his room.

"Where are you going again?"

"I told you. I'm going with Blaine and his brother to the arcade." Kurt repeats himself.

"Okay. Well, have fun. Do you have any idea when you'll be home?"

"None."

"Then call me at seven if you're still out and every hour after that, okay?"

"Awesome. Thanks, dad."

Kurt looks down at his phone. 1:54. He runs downstairs, rearranges his scarf, and fixes a few hairs before checking his phone again. 1:59. He stares at it as it changes to 2:00.

DING DONG!!

The doorbell rings shrilly and Kurt jumps before running upstairs and answering it.

"Well aren't you punctual?" He asks Blaine when he opens the door.

"I'm nothing If not reliable." Blaine answers with a smirk. Kurt assesses his outfit. He's ditched his bowtie temporarily and replaced it with a hoodie that says 'Dalton' across the front. He's also wearing skinny jeans and a pair of converse.

"So you DO own casual clothes. I was beginning to wonder."

"Oh yeah. Lots of casual stuff. I just prefer to look presentable in public. I know you understand that." At that, Blaine's eyes rake down Kurt's outfit and back up to his eyes. Kurt blushes a bit and changes the topic.

"Thank you. Shall we go?"

"Yep." They walk quickly to the waiting car.

"Kurt," Blaine says once they're seated comfortably. "This is my brother Cooper. Cooper, my friend Kurt." He introduces with a wave of his hand.

"Hey." Kurt says almost shyly.

"Hi, Kurt." Cooper grins at him from his place behind the steering wheel. Kurt's phone buzzes and he looks down. Cooper gives Blaine an approving look while Kurt's attention is elsewhere. 'shut up.' Blaine mouths at him. Cooper chuckles and starts the car, driving them to their destination. Once they get there, Blaine practically skips to the door.

"Calm down, short stack." Cooper admonishes. Kurt attempts to hold back laughter, but doesn't last more than a few seconds.

"Oh shut up, the both of you." Blaine replies, laughing.

"Too bad you can't turn the other cheek and be the bigger man, Blaine." Cooper winks and Kurt laughs again. Blaine watches his eyes sparkle but hides his gawking with a glare.

"Don't make me regret inviting you." Blaine warns pointedly at Kurt, who shuts up quickly.

After nearly two hours at the arcade, they end up back in Cooper’s car.

“So, where to now? And I forgot to ask earlier, Kurt; is there a specific time you need to be home?”

“Nope.”

“Awesome. We should go to the mall, there’re good restaurants near malls.”

“Is everything about food to you, Coop?” Blaine wonders.

“You’d do well to follow my eating habits, at least I’m taller than four feet.” Cooper smiles down at him fondly.

“I’m five eight, thank you very much.” Blaine pouts.

“Yes, it’s average… If you’re female.” Kurt interjects.

“Actually, I’m pretty sure average female height is 5’6”. And YOU are only a little bit taller than me, so you can’t talk.”

“I’m 5’10” and a half. So I’m perfectly average. What about you Coop?” Kurt asks.

“5’11” and a half. One inch taller than you.” A victorious grin spreads across his face.

“You two and your halves. I don’t even care. Short people live longer. That’s a fact.” Blaine nods to himself.

“Aw, how cute, he’s jealous.” Coop laughs as he pulls into the mall parking lot.