Blaine was completely exhausted on Wednesday morning; he had been woken up several times the night before by nightmares. They seemed to go on for hours, but he couldn’t remember much more than the pain of cold cement slamming into his face. Blaine could still feel the residual fear, putting him on edge and making him wary. 

The stress of his dreams began to fade as Blaine approached his locker and found a familiar figure in a letterman's jacket waiting for him. Kurt had a knowing grin on his face and two cups of coffee in his hands.

Blaine gaped at Kurt as he approached, eyes staring hungrily at the coffee. 

"Is that..." Blaine looked at Kurt hopefully, eyebrows raised.

"Mhmm." Kurt nodded, pressing one of the coffee cups into his hands. "Good morning."

"It is now," Blaine agreed, sipping at the hot drink, his eyes slipping closed with pleasure. When he opened them again, Kurt was looking at him with concern in his eyes, head tilted to the side.

"You OK?" Kurt asked, reaching out for Blaine's free hand and grabbing it.

The touch surprised Blaine, so it took him a moment to respond. "Just tired, I didn't sleep very well last night." He looked up at Kurt. "Um, nightmares."

Kurt frowned and considered Blaine for a moment before he hooked his arm around Blaine’s neck, pulling him in to a hug. It was a little awkward with both of them holding their coffee, but Blaine gripped at Kurt's jacket with his free hand and fell easily into Kurt’s embrace.

"I'm sorry," Kurt whispered in Blaine's ear.

Blaine took a long shaky breath, calming under Kurt's touch. He'd barely seen Kurt the day before, with Kurt at football practice all afternoon. It almost scared Blaine how quickly he was becoming dependent on Kurt’s friendship, but Kurt just made him so happy that he couldn't bring himself to care.

Drawing comfort from Kurt came so naturally to Blaine that he didn’t think to question it. The echo of his nightmares faded into distant memory, taking the fear and insecurity with it.

Kurt pulled back and Blaine had to physically stop himself from trying to burrow back into Kurt’s arms. Instead, he took a breath and smiled at Kurt.

“Thank you,” Blaine said, turning to open his locker and blushing a bit. He hoped Kurt couldn’t tell how strongly he had been affected.

“You’re welcome,” Kurt said softly, watching Blaine as he collected his things.

Kurt walked Blaine to class, just as he had for the last several days. Blaine listened quietly as Kurt rambled about his love of coffee, offering a few opinions of his own, but mainly just enjoying the sound of Kurt’s voice. When Kurt left him at his Calculous classroom he grabbed Blaine’s hand and squeezed it before he turned to walk away.

The first half of the day passed easily for Blaine. He was awake and focused in class, and in a much better mood then when he had woken up that morning. But the coffee started to fade after lunch, so as Glee practice was finally wrapping up he was feeling his lack of sleep creeping back in. He was considering going straight to bed when he got home as he packed his bag to leave.

Blaine covered his mouth as he yawned.

“Ok, you’re coming with me,” Kurt said, smiling at Blaine.

“Huh?” Blaine was too tired to sound intelligent, and he blinked at Kurt in confusion.

“Come on,” Kurt said, using a hand on Blaine’s back to steer him towards the door. “I’m kidnapping you.” 

“Um, alright.” Blaine didn’t know what to do other than go willingly. He was far too distracted by Kurt’s hand between his shoulder blades. 

Kurt’s hand dropped from Blaine’s back, but Blaine could feel the warmth where it had been all the way out to the parking lot.

“Do I get to know where you’re taking me?”

“Nope,” Kurt said with a grin. “It’s a surprise.”

“Well, I suppose I trust you,” Blaine said, pretending to look at Kurt with suspicion.

“I should hope so,” Kurt said, grinning back. “You should never get in a car with someone you don’t trust.”

Blaine guffawed a bit at that and rolled his eyes, but he smiled at Kurt anyway as he climbed into Kurt’s Navigator.

Kurt refused to tell Blaine where they were going, until he finally pulled into the parking lot of a coffee shop, the Lima Bean. Blaine raised an eyebrow at the name; he had to admit that it was clever.

“More coffee?” Blaine asked with a small laugh.

“Not just any coffee,” Kurt said, pretending to be affronted. “The best coffee in all of Lima.”

Blaine smiled as he followed Kurt into the coffee shop. It was an adorable little cafe, with a welcoming atmosphere. And it smelled amazing.

When they reached the counter Blaine ordered a medium drip, while Kurt ordered a white mocha.

“My treat,” Kurt said as he pulled out his debit card.

“You just bought me coffee this morning,” Blaine objected.

“I’m buying because I want to,” Kurt said with a smile, putting a hand on Blaine’s arm to stop him from reaching for his wallet. “You’re not paying.”

Blaine thought about objecting again, but the look on Kurt’s face stopped him. Kurt’s expression was kind, yet firm, and Blaine suddenly had no desire to protest. He found himself nodding and putting his wallet away, stepping aside to let Kurt pay.

The guilt that Blaine had felt faded quickly, leaving only a content feeling of security. Blaine was so used to being on his own, he had forgotten how nice it could be to let someone else take care of him. 

A wave of calm happiness settled over Blaine as he watched Kurt add a couple biscotti to the order and pay for all of it. Once they had their coffee, the two of them found a booth in the corner and took a seat. 

They both enjoyed their coffee and biscotti, and conversation was just as easy as it always was for Kurt and Blaine. They ended up talking about football, debating the Buckeyes chances in the new season. Blaine was rather optimistic, whereas Kurt was a little more skeptical, but they were both grinning as they debated the odds.

Kurt’s hands were very expressive when he spoke, and Blaine found himself watching them. The more the conversation went on, the more Blaine wished to just reach out and grab Kurt’s hands. They were both strong and elegant, and the simplest touch always left Blaine feeling warm and happy for hours. 

Blaine was so fixated that didn’t even realize he’d let the conversation stop.

“Blaine?”

Kurt reached across and put a hand on Blaine’s arm, making Blaine’s breath catch in his throat. Blaine couldn’t understand how such a simple touch made him feel both calm and excited at the same time.

It had been years. Blaine could count the number of times his parents had touched him in the last two years on one hand. 

Blaine had one friend at his old school, but the other boy had never touched him, not even when they danced together at Sadie Hawkins. He had been too afraid of what people would do or say if they thought they were together. Not that it had protected either of them in the end.

There had been other touches. The doctors had been clinical and brief. And there were the shoves, kicks and punches. Not just at the dance, but spread throughout the previous school year.

“Blaine?” Kurt was suddenly looking at him with concern, and he started to pull his hand back. “I’m sorry, I-”

“No!” Blaine grabbed Kurt’s hand in his own, holding it in place. He then blushed when he realized how bizarre that must look and he let go, pulling away from Kurt and retreating to his side of the booth. Blaine knew it wasn’t his place to dictate Kurt’s actions, he really shouldn’t have done that.

“I’m sorry,” Kurt said, frowning. “I’ll try not to do that again.”

“No, no it’s not that,” Blaine said, shaking his head quickly. “I don’t mind being touched.” 

“But you flinch, every time,” Kurt said, confusion clear on his face.

“It doesn’t bother me, I promise,” Blaine said, desperate for Kurt to understand. He would be devastated if he had to go back to the horrible isolation of the past two years.

“Then what is it?” Kurt asked with an insistent tone. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

Blaine cleared his throat, hesitating for a moment. He didn’t even know where to begin, but Kurt was looking at him with an expression that made his intentions very clear. Kurt needed to understand, and he wouldn’t back down until Blaine explained his reactions. 

“It’s just...” Blaine really didn’t know how to say this. “When you’re gay, nobody really wants to touch you. As if I’m contagious.” Blaine frowned. “My own mother won’t touch me because she thinks she made me gay by hugging me too much as a child.” Blaine’s throat was starting to constrict, and his voice was a little thick. “With the exception of bullies, you’re the first person to touch me in a very long time.” 

“What?” Kurt exclaimed, clearly shocked. “Blaine... That’s terrible!” Kurt reached across the table to take Blaine’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together. Kurt looked at Blaine’s hand with a pensive expression, trying to understand what it would be like to go without contact as long as Blaine had. 

Blaine was also staring at his hand in Kurt’s, reveling in the warmth and happiness that seemed to almost radiate from the point of contact.

“Thank you,” Blaine whispered, meaning it with full sincerity.

Kurt didn’t say anything for a long moment, before he finally let go of Blaine’s hand. Blaine’s heart dropped, but Kurt surprised him by standing up and moving to sit next to Blaine, rather than across from him.

Blaine looked at Kurt with wide eyes, and Kurt just smiled at him kindly and pressed in close until they were touching, shoulder to shoulder. Blaine let out a breath and sagged into Kurt.

“No one should be denied basic human contact,” Kurt finally said, reaching out to take Blaine’s hand again.

Blaine could think of so many clichés to describe how it felt to hold Kurt’s hand. Sight for the blind, food for the starving, water for the parched. But none of it really captured the way his whole body was thrumming with energy. There was nothing else like it in the world, Blaine was sure of it.

“So, as I was saying, the Buckeyes are looking strong this season, but I don’t really think their offense is quite where it needs to be,” Kurt said, continuing their conversation as if their seating arrangement was completely normal.

Blaine just blinked at Kurt for a moment, before he remembered to speak. “Um, I still disagree, I think it’s strong enough.” Blaine could barely remember any of his carefully constructed arguments, he was so overwhelmed by what Kurt was doing for him.

Kurt was giving Blaine touch. Kurt could see what Blaine needed so desperately, and he was offering it to Blaine and asking for nothing in return.

Their conversation continued, transitioning from football to Glee, with Kurt explaining the origins of New Directions and how it had been founded. The entire time Kurt leaned into Blaine’s shoulder, intermittently bringing his other hand over to touch Blaine’s arm or shoulder to punctuate a point.

When they finally had to go home, Kurt drove Blaine back to McKinley so he could retrieve his car. Before Kurt let him go, he pulled Blaine into a tight hug. Kurt’s arms wrapped him up and Blaine couldn’t remember ever feeling more secure in his life. 

As Blaine drove home he was both filled with happiness and already aching to be touched again.

--

Kurt waited for Blaine at the front door to the school on Thursday morning. He had been texting with the boy all night and most of the morning, but he was quite anxious to see him in person. 

Blaine finally appeared, weaving through the parked cars. He seemed so small and vulnerable to Kurt's eyes, but at the same time he looked a little more relaxed than he had the day before. And definitely well rested.

Blaine noticed Kurt as he approached, and he blushed faintly, but smiled. When he reached Kurt's side, Kurt immediately wrapped an arm around Blaine's shoulders and steered him into the school. 

"You and I are going to kill with our duet today," Kurt said, by way of greeting.

Blaine chuckled. "Good morning to you, too."

"I'm serious," Kurt insisted as they reached Blaine's locker. "We've basically already won."

Blaine laughed and Kurt was pretty sure he had never heard a more beautiful sound. He kept his arm around Blaine's shoulders as the boy pulled his books from his locker, watching him closely. He brought his free hand around and started to trail his fingertips up and down Blaine's arm, making Blaine go still and his eyes drop shut.

"Any nightmares last night?" Kurt asked gently, fingers tracing invisible patterns in Blaine's skin.

"No," Blaine whispered, shaking his head without opening his eyes. He leaned in closer to Kurt.

"Good," Kurt breathed, and he could feel the tension draining from Blaine's body.

"Good morning, boys!" Santana said loudly as she walked past them, effectively breaking the moment.

"Good morning, San," Kurt replied, rolling his eyes at her.

Blaine closed his locker, blushing brightly, and god Kurt loved seeing his cheeks so red. It tempted Kurt to make him blush even harder.

Instead, Kurt just kept his arm wrapped around Blaine's shoulders as he walked Blaine to his first period class.

--

Blaine was starting to think he was addicted to Kurt, because the longer he went without the other boy’s touch, the more anxious he got. So by the time lunch came around, he felt irritable and stressed.

Blaine didn't see Kurt when he walked into the cafeteria, so he got in line to buy his food. But then he felt a strong shoulder press up against his, and he immediately relaxed into Kurt with a sigh.

He didn't even notice when Kurt dished up food for both of them; he was far too busy enjoying the simple contact with Kurt that he had missed all morning. Kurt dropped a hand to the small of Blaine's back as they walked over to their table, and Blaine leaned into the touch. As soon as they sat down, Kurt took Blaine's hand in his and laced their fingers together. Their joined hands rested on Kurt's thigh.

"How was your morning?" Kurt asked him, eyes bright with real interest.

"It was good," Blaine said quietly, shrugging slightly.

Kurt raised an eyebrow. "That doesn’t sound like the whole story," he said, voice kind, yet firm. "Tell me. How was your morning?"

Blaine looked at Kurt with wide eyes, a confession bubbling out of him. He was so embarrassed, but he couldn't bear to do anything other than exactly what Kurt asked of him.

"I missed you," Blaine whispered, face burning hotly. His eyes dropped low, unable to maintain eye contact. "I just- I... I needed this..." Blaine squeezed Kurt's hand tightly, hoping he would understand. He started to stutter, "I- I hope that's OK, I-"

"Hey, shhh," Kurt soothed, leaning in close to Blaine’s ear. "It's OK to need this," he whispered, breath hot on the side of his face.

”OK.” Blaine nodded, dropping his head. 

Blaine didn’t understand his strange friendship with Kurt. The only thing he knew was the peace that filled his mind and the warmth that filled his heart. Blaine needed this, and he was so grateful that Kurt was willing to give it to him.

When Blaine lifted his head, he realized that everyone at the table was staring at him with curiosity. Blaine's face flushed, and he ducked his head again and focused intently on his lunch.

Kurt didn’t let go of Blaine’s hand.

--

That afternoon, Kurt took the long way between each of his classes. He made sure to time it just right so that he could catch Blaine in the hall, and he managed it during both passing periods.

The first time, Blaine had looked at him with wide and confused eyes, but had seemed more than happy to be pulled into a warm hug. Kurt had stood in the middle of the crowded hall with his arms wrapped around Blaine, and he hadn't let go until well after he felt the familiar droop of Blaine's shoulders.

The second time, Blaine's eyes had been relieved, and he'd fallen into Kurt's embrace without being prompted. Blaine just buried his face in Kurt's shoulder with a sigh, his hands clutching at Kurt's jacket, and Kurt's arms wrapped tightly around Blaine's waist.

Kurt was glad that Blaine couldn't see Rick when he walked past him and sneered in disgust at the pair of them. Kurt just flipped Rick the bird with a glare.

When Kurt caught up with Blaine in the halls on the way to Glee that afternoon and dropped his hand on the small of Blaine's back, Blaine greeted him with a warm and relaxed smile. It was a stark contrast to the tension Blaine had been weighed down with at lunch.

"Ready to kick some ass?" Kurt asked, waggling his eyebrows. His hand was absently rubbing a circle on Blaine's lower back.

"Absolutely," Blaine grinned, cheeks a little pink.

Kurt just hooked his hand around Blaine's waist and pulled him flush against his side as they walked through the doors to the choir room. He could admit that the move was rather possessive, but it was well worth it for the way Blaine's face flushed to a full red blush.

When they sang their duet that afternoon, it felt as if it was only for the two of them. The song flowed easily between them, both of them naturally comfortable together on stage.

"The whole world's scared, so I swallow the fear. The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer." Blaine looked to Kurt, and his face was vulnerable and open. "So cool in line and we try, try, try. But we try too hard, and it's a waste of my time."

As they sang, Kurt could only feel entirely grateful that Blaine had come into his life. Taking care of Blaine made him feel whole in a way he never thought possible. The way Blaine trusted him and opened up to him inspired Kurt to be a better man.

As the song ended, Kurt met Blaine’s eyes with complete sincerity.

"You are perfect, to me."