Blaine sees him on the stairs, not even trying to blend in, and watches for a moment. There’s no need to be nervous. So what if his own hands are shaking slightly and his heart in his ears sounds like it could drown out a marching band? He’s just excited to finally meet the person who is easily and rapidly becoming his best friend. Blaine straightens his shoulders and heads over. “Kurt? If this is your idea of spying, no wonder they caught you the first time.”

Kurt turns and gives him a slight smile. “Hi.” He pauses, looking over Blaine, then smiles bigger. “It’s part of my master plan, you know. I’m such a good spy that I’ve tricked you into thinking I’m bad at it, and now you’ve invited me back because you don’t feel threatened. Who’s the spymaster now?”

Blaine is a little winded. He’s just realized he never heard Kurt’s voice before. They hadn’t graduated to talking on the phone yet, though Blaine isn’t sure why, and Kurt hadn’t had a solo in the New Directions performance Blaine saw (that Kurt still doesn’t know about). His voice is beautiful, soft and ethereal. Blaine shakes his head to clear his mind.

“You’ve got me there.” He smiles back. “Well, since you’ve conned your way in, spymaster, you might as well catch the performance. Come on, I know a shortcut.” He takes Kurt’s hand before he even knows what he’s doing and leads him down a hallway that could, maybe possibly, be a shortcut.

(But really isn’t.)

As they enter the commons, Blaine lets go of Kurt’s hand and turns around. He can’t help but touch Kurt on the shoulder as he says, “If you’ll excuse me.” When he spins around to face the Warblers, he notices Wes giving him a raised eyebrow. Yeah, he knows he should dial it down, but the blinding smile on Kurt’s face is worth it.

* * * * * * * * *

It takes awhile to get Kurt away from the other Warblers who all want to say hello, especially Jeff. “Kurt! Can I hug you? I swear I’m a good hugger. I totally have references – tell him Nick.”

“Run, Kurt, run as fast as you can.”

“Rude.”

Eventually Blaine and Kurt are able to sit down alone. Dalton has a coffee bar, so they don’t have to go off-campus. They grab their drinks then find a table in a corner and sit down across from each other. Before Blaine can say anything, Kurt is already off and running, chattering nervously.

“This is kind of strange, right? I can’t be the only one who thinks this is strange. Somehow you’ve become a good, um.” Kurt shakes his head. “I mean, a really, uh, an important person in my life, and yet we’ve never even met before today. I’m glad you’re not really some psychopath who wants to throw me in a well and take my skin.”

Blaine smirks. “It rubs the lotion on it’s skin or else it gets the hose again.”

“Don’t!” Kurt’s eyes widen as he holds his hands up over his face. “I don’t like scary creepy horror things!”

“Sorry,” Blaine says, but he’s still grinning. “Well, we may never have met, but I have met your friends. I think that makes it safer, don’t you?”

“I suppose so.” He gives Blaine a closed-mouth smile and sips his mocha. “Wow. Coffee at McKinley is dishwater compared to this. I might start coming here instead of The Lima Bean.”

“So, speaking of school, how’s it going?”

Kurt rolls his eyes. “Blaine, we talk every day. You know how school is going.”

“No,” Blaine shakes his head before he continues, “I don’t. Anytime I ask you always change the subject to something Mercedes said or a pair of boots you bought or Lady Gaga’s newest fashion statement.” He leans forward in his chair. “I want to know how school is.”

Kurt looks down at his drink. “It’s, um. It’s better, especially now that more people are paying attention.”

“You mentioned earlier in the week that your glee friends are keeping tabs on you throughout the day?”

“Yeah, they are.” Kurt’s eyes are still downcast, not making eye contact. Blaine knows there’s more to the story.

“But…” Blaine prompts.

Kurt sighs heavily but looks back at Blaine. “But … there’s this Neanderthal who’s made it his mission to make my life a living hell. Having the glee guys around helps, and I really don’t want to sound ungrateful. But they can’t be there all the time. He – his name is Karofsky – still gets to me sometimes, especially between some classes. It only took him a couple of days to figure out when I’m still alone. Apparently he’s not as dumb as he looks.

“It’s just –“ His eyes are bright from the tears that start to fall down his cheeks. “God, I sound so unappreciative, but it’s like now that the guys are around, they think that’s enough. Like there’s no reason for the school to talk to the cretins responsible. Like there’s no need to discuss the larger issues of homophobia or safety.” Blaine takes out his handkerchief and hands it Kurt, who uses it to wipe his face. “I still don’t feel safe. I know I’m vulnerable if a teacher or one of the guys isn’t there.”

Blaine wants to help so badly, but he doesn’t quite know what to do. What he does know is that when he was going through something like this, what he needed more than anything was for someone to really understand. And that’s something he can offer Kurt. “Have I told you about my old school? The one before Dalton?” Kurt shakes his head. “Well…”

* * * * * * * * *

Kurt is on his way back to Lima, has been gone for almost an hour, when Wes knocks on Blaine’s open door. “Hey. How’d it go with Kurt?”

“Good, I think. Really good. We had an excellent conversation.” He knows what Wes is really asking, whether they talked about Finn as Blaine’s soulmate. He doesn’t want to tell Wes they didn’t get that far.

“So he took it okay? Finding out about Finn, I mean,” he asks, giving Blaine a shrewd look.

Why does Wes always know everything, damn him? “Well, I wasn’t able to tell him.” Wes opens his mouth to speak, so Blaine barrels on. “It’s just that he’s still having trouble with this one bully, even though his friends are helping out more. The administration won’t do anything about it, though, and Kurt’s pretty upset. I didn’t want to pile on, and I mean, it probably wouldn’t matter to him about Finn anyway.”

Wes studies Blaine for a few seconds, then moves over to sit on Blaine’s bed. “Okay. I see your point, but you should tell him soon.” Blaine nods. “So this guy, the bully – I won’t ask you to break Kurt’s confidence, but is there anything I can do?”

“I don’t think so,” Blaine sighs. “From what Kurt’s told me, he sounds like your run-of-the-mill ignorant, homophobic imbecile. Like I said, Kurt’s tried the school administration, but they aren’t interested in helping.”

“I just,” Wes says angrily, “I don’t understand people who sit back and refuse to do anything to help in situations like this. Cowards.” He looks up at the ceiling for a second before looking back at Blaine. “So what did you say to him?”

“I gave him the same advice my Dalton advisor gave me when I transferred here, that prejudice is just ignorance and that by standing up he has the opportunity to teach them something.”

There’s silence for a few moments until Wes speaks again. “Mr. Stottman gave you that advice after you transferred to a school with a zero-tolerance bullying policy?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t you think that at a school like McKinley there may be students who aren’t interested in being taught something, especially by the gay kid?”

* * * * * * * * *

The next day Kurt calls Blaine in tears. They stay on the phone for over three hours, talking about what happened (“he kissed you?!?”), options (“I’m absolutely not telling my dad, Blaine.”), and what they’re going to do.

Blaine cries for close to half an hour after they get off the phone. Kurt was assaulted because of his advice. Kurt doesn’t come out and say it that way, may not even think of it that way, but Blaine knows it’s true. And it kills him.

He’s in over his head and knows it, but Kurt refuses to tell anyone else. Blaine has no real expectation that confronting this guy, Karofsky, will work. What are the guidelines for this? Should he tell someone? Or should he respect Kurt’s wishes? What if Kurt’s right and finding out does cause his father to relapse? What would Blaine do then? He doesn’t know how to make it right, but the least he can do is be there when Kurt tries to face his attacker.

This could go very, very badly.

* * * * * * * * *

Surprisingly, it doesn’t. Their confrontation doesn’t go well, but all things considered it could be far worse. Karofsky is the one to back down (eventually), and Blaine’s feeling sort of okay about the whole thing until Kurt tells him that Karofsky’s kiss was his first “that counted.” The very least he can do (and why does it feel like that’s all he does lately?) is treat Kurt to lunch.

At the restaurant Kurt quietly thanks Blaine for listening, for helping, for coming over to support him. It makes Blaine want to scream and cry that Kurt is so unashamedly grateful, that there are so few people in Kurt’s life willing to do the same. He wonders if there would be more who would help if Kurt let them in. Blaine’s beginning to see that the number of people Kurt trusts is understandably low. The fact that Kurt would trust Blaine with this so quickly – it makes Blaine sad and proud and scared all at the same time.

“Blaine?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry! I blanked out there for a second, didn’t I? What were you saying, Kurt?”

“Nothing important, really. I, um, I’m sorry if you need to head back to Dalton…”

“Absolutely not, Kurt, I swear. I didn’t mean to stop listening. I just got caught up in my head.”

“Feel like sharing?” Kurt’s face is so eager, like he desperately wants to know what Blaine is thinking, that he can’t say no.

Blaine fidgets with his fork before revealing, “I was just thinking about how you don’t seem to trust that easily, and yet you have with me. I guess I was just wondering why.”

Kurt obviously is taken aback and drops his gaze. “Oh, um, should … should I not have? I know I’ve been talking to you a lot, and I probably have been overdoing it and I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean –”

He’s cut off when Blaine reaches across to lay his hand on Kurt’s arm. “Kurt, please look at me.” It takes a moment, but he hesitantly raises his eyes from where he’s been staring at Blaine’s hand on his arm. “I promise you, I am happy to talk and listen and do anything I can to help.” Kurt doesn’t look convinced. “Plus, I like talking with you. I think we get along really well, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Kurt’s response is so quiet that at first Blaine isn’t sure he heard correctly.

“Let’s try this again. I was wondering why, out of all the people you could choose to trust and confide in, why I’m the one you chose. I’m flattered, and honestly, I’m grateful. I really do like hanging out with you and talking. I guess I’m just curious – why me?”

“Oh.” Kurt looks puzzled as he considers the question. “You stand up for me when few others will. You listen to me when most others don’t, and you respect my decisions. You understand things about me no one else does. And I hope I can do the same for you.” He looks Blaine directly in the eye. “Am I missing something about how friendship works?”

Blaine’s pretty sure his grin takes up half his face. “Do you want to go see Rent with me this Friday? It’s playing in Dayton.”

He thinks Kurt’s squeal is a yes.

* * * * * * * * *

Blaine, 3:25pm: Tickets for Rent are a go!

Kurt, 3:28pm: So next time you see Mercedes and she tells you that I started jumping up and down when I got your message about Rent – just know that she’s lying.

Blaine, 3:30pm: What reason do I have to doubt Mercedes? I know we’ve only met once, but she seems pretty trustworthy to me.

Kurt, 3:33pm: It’s a sham. She’s using you to gain access to Dalton’s tater tots because her very strange addiction has gotten completely out of hand.

Blaine, 3:35pm: I … have no idea what any of that means.

Kurt, 3:36pm: That’s okay. She knows.

Blaine, 3:38pm: Am I supposed to be able to follow what’s happening right now?
Blaine, 3:39pm: Wait. Okay, she’s sitting next to you and reading this. Technically you’re texting me but they’re really for her, right?

Kurt, 3:43pm: Not everything is about you, Blaine.

* * * * * * * * *

Friday evening Blaine finds himself at Wes’ door. “Help me.”

Wes looks up from his calculus notes to see Blaine in his doorway, looking pathetic. “Come in,” he sighs. Blaine goes straight for Wes’ bed and throws himself on it face first.

“That bad, huh?”

“Iunnowhaioin.”

Wes takes out his cell phone. If this is headed where he thinks it is, he’s going to need backup. “One more time, please, but with feeling.”

Blaine turns his head to one side. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Still Kurt?” Blaine’s silence is all Wes needs to know he’s right. “Okay, hang on.” He taps a few buttons on his phone.

“Who’re you calling?”

“Pop quiz. David is to Jeff, as Wes is to…”

“Nick.” Blaine scrunches his face up in thought. “Really?”

“I’m graduating this year, Blaine. I need to train someone to deal with all of you.” Wes grins as he hits send. “Hey, are you in the middle of something? … Could you come to my room for a few minutes? … No, it’s Blaine … Thanks.” He ends the call and puts his phone back in his pocket. “Nick will be here in a minute.”

“I don’t know why Nick gets to be your protégé. I could totally be your protégé.”

“No. Nick is the most levelheaded out of everyone in your year. I need him on the council next year with David and Thad to help balance things out. Besides, if you were on the council you’d have to give up your position as lead soloist. You can’t do both.”

“Still not fair,” Blaine huffs. “And since when did you get to decide what the council looks like next year even if you aren’t here?” Wes gives him a pointed glare. “Fine, fine. Nick is on the council.”

“Well, not yet,” Nick says as he enters the door Blaine left ajar, “but maybe one day.” He walks over and sits at the end of the bed. “How was Rent?”

Wes jumps in before Blaine can say anything that might sidetrack the conversation. “Good, you’re here. Blaine, how much does Nick know about what’s going on with Kurt?”

“You mean the fact that he’s got a big, fat, hairy crush on the world’s worst spy? That I know.” Blaine chokes and starts coughing. “Oh,” Nick continues, loud enough to be heard over the coughing, “and will you please ask Kurt to visit soon? Jeff is driving me up the wall wondering when they’re going to do a movie marathon.”

“Blaine,” Wes says, “talk.”

“I, well, I’m not sure where to begin.” He sits up on the bed and rolls his back, trying to get comfortable. “I sort of maybe am a little interested in Kurt.” He ignores Nick’s snort. “I’m trying to let it go. I know I should focus on Finn, but the more time I spend with Kurt, the more I want to spend time with Kurt. Which is probably the exact opposite of what I should be doing.

“But here’s the thing, there’s some bad stuff going on at his school, and what Kurt really needs is a friend. I can do that. I can be that. I want to be that for him and for me, because I like having Kurt as a friend. But it’s getting harder to separate my friendship feelings from other possible ones.”

He shakes his head. “So there’s the school stuff, which incidentally has gotten worse because of me.” Wes’ face goes from amused to concerned. “And the Finnthing.” Nick nods. “And I – I just don’t know how to deal any of this, but I know I need to keep Kurt as just a friend while I figure it all out.”

“Does Kurt know about the Finn thing?” Nick asks.

“No. I was going to tell him, I swear. Then this other stuff happened, and it just wasn’t a good time.” He throws himself backwards on the bed, so that he’s now sprawled out on it. “So I’m right, aren’t I? About keeping this strictly a friendship?”

Wes looks to Nick for his reaction. After thinking for a minute, Nick answers, “I think you’re making too many assumptions. For starters, you haven’t been honest with Kurt about Finn. You’ve got to do that if you guys are going to have any kind of relationship, including a friendship. And you don’t know what Kurt would think about that. Or if he’s even interested in you. You could be worrying over nothing.”

“I know! I don’t want to bring it up though if it won’t go anywhere. What kind of jerk would that make me? ‘Hey Kurt, do you see our friendship going any further? You do? Great, I think we should just be friends because one of your friends is my soulmate.’ He’d hate me and with good reason.”

“Okay. So what about Finn? Is he your romantic soulmate? Or is this platonic? If it’s platonic, do you want to try dating Kurt, if he’d be okay with that? And if Finn is your romantic soulmate, do you want to be with him? You can still date Kurt, you know, even if Finn is gay or bi. Not all romantic soulmates end up together. And even if you and Finn do end up together down the line, it doesn’t mean you can’t still date other people now.”

Blaine covers his eyes with his hands. He digs the heels of his hands into his eyes as if that will help him figure things out. “I don’t know! I don’t know the answers to any of those questions! That’s why I’m asking you for help!”

Nick is surprised, but covers it quickly. “Oh. Well, I don’t think I can answer those questions. I think it’s up to you to figure them out. Have you tried talking with Finn or gotten to know him any better?”

“No.” Blaine turns to Wes. “Your protégé needs work. I feel worse than when I came in here.”

“Sometimes the job of a confidant is to ask questions, not provide answers.” Wes smiles at Nick and leans over to pat him on the leg. “Don’t listen to Blaine. You’re doing very well.”

“Uh, thanks, I think?” Nick looks between the other two. “Am I Wes’ protégé?”

“Yes.” Blaine stands up and heads for the door to leave. “But neither of you is helpful right now.”

“Does this mean I get a gavel?”

“Baby steps. You have to work up to the gavel.”

Blaine walks out into the hallway but is stopped by Wes’ voice. “Blaine?”

He ducks his head back in the room. “Yeah?”

“You can’t keep ignoring this. Being in denial is only going to make things worse for everyone, and at some point you’re going to have to face the fact that Finn isyour soulmate. Regardless of what this means for the two of you, it’s going to be with you for the rest of your life. If you like Kurt, that’s great, but it won’t change anything about Finn. You can’t keep asking yourself the same questions over and over and then not do anything about it.”

Blaine sort of nods his head and walks out, closing the door behind him.

* * * * * * * * *

The next time Blaine and Kurt meet for coffee, Blaine has decided to lay it all out there for Kurt and see what happens. He wants to tell Kurt about all of it, including Finn as his soulmate, the possible 2% stuff, and how badly his meeting with Finn went. He and Kurt have become really good friends in the couple of weeks they’ve known each other. Surely they can talk about this, right?

He arrives at Sweet Aromas in Bellefontaine a few minutes early. Blaine considers whether or not to order for Kurt – he almost always orders a non-fat mocha when they meet – but decides against it. Maybe Kurt wants something different today.

Just after Blaine picks up his order and sits down, Kurt enters with a big smile on his face that Blaine can’t help but match. He sees Blaine and waves, rushing over and greeting Blaine with a bright, “Hi!” as he sits down. “I have some very, very big news to share. It actually happened yesterday, but I didn’t say anything because I knew it I’d see you today.”

“Well, please do go on, Mr. Hummel!”

“My dad and Carole are getting married!” Blaine’s jaw drops in shock, but Kurt doesn’t notice because he’s off and running. “Isn’t that great? I’m so happy for them! I knew my dad was getting serious, but I had no idea he was this serious. He proposed in the classroom where they met. Have I told you that story yet? They met at parent-teacher conferences. I can’t believe Dad planned a proposal without me! And picked out a ring! I’d be furious except that they made me the wedding planner! I’m planning their wedding, Blaine! Oh! And I’ve already talked to the glee club about providing music for the ceremony and the reception. It’s going to magical!”

“Wow! Um, wow, Kurt, that’s great. Really great! Congratulations.” Blaine’s stomach feels a little strange.

“Thank you! I’m just so thrilled for them. Carole is an absolute treasure, and we get along so well! And Finn will be my stepbrother. You know, he really has gotten better about things lately. We have our differences, but I think being stepbrothers will be a good thing for both of us.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I know I’m rambling, but I can’t help it! But okay, I’m going to go get something to drink and when I get back we’ll talk about you, okay?”

“Absolutely, Kurt. I’m glad you’re so excited about this.”

Kurt stands up and claps his hands together; he looks like he can barely keep himself from breaking into song. “I really, really am!” He starts toward the counter. “Be right back!”

Blaine watches Kurt as he walks over and orders his drink. He’s happy for Kurt; he meant that. He can’t help but feel disappointed, though. Now Kurt and Finn will be stepbrothers. Kurt will be the stepbrother of Blaine’s soulmate. So that sound echoing in Blaine’s ears is the door closing on any possible romantic relationship between them.

Then again, maybe this is a good thing, something to snap Blaine out of whatever he’s been feeling lately and help him focus on Finn.

This would be so much easier if Finn weren’t my soulmate. He looks up at Kurt, still at the coffee counter. Why couldn’t I have ended up with someone like Kurt instead?

* * * * * * * * *

Over the next couple of weeks, Blaine doesn’t see or talk to Kurt that much. There are decisions to be made on a cake and a dress and flowers and décor and music and doves and “oh my God, Blaine, how hard is it to find a cognac napkin? Not chestnut, not dark topaz. Cognac!” Blaine had no idea so much went into a wedding, and Kurt is somehow pulling off in two weeks what others do in as many years.

The only conversation they have that isn’t about the wedding is the phone call when David Karofsky is expelled. It’s just a couple of days before the wedding, so Kurt can’t talk long, but the relief and joy in his voice are so real that Blaine is surprised they aren’t tangible. They promise to talk about it more fully next week when the wedding craziness is over, and then Kurt has to go harangue the caterer.

Truth be told, he misses Kurt. Even though they haven’t been friends for long, Blaine has come to rely on Kurt for so much – advice, entertainment, friendship. But Blaine reminds himself that this is a good thing. He needs time to separate himself and the possibility of “what if” with Kurt. Being forced on the backburner in Kurt’s life just makes it easier.

* * * * * * * * *

Saturday nights in Blaine’s dorm mean movie marathons in the lounge downstairs. Residents make recommendations, and the residence hall committee decides what movies to show. No one usually sticks around for the whole thing; the doors just stay propped open as guys come in and out from dates or studying or other plans. Blaine arrives in time for the monkey brains in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He plans to stick around through Last Crusade because that’s his favorite, but he’ll leave before Crystal Skull. No one needs to see that.

Blaine feels his phone vibrate and digs it out of his pocket to see a text from Kurt.

Kurt, 7:54pm: Where are you?

Blaine, 7:55pm: Watching a grossed out Kate Capshaw. Why?

Kurt, 7:57pm: What? I’m confused.

Blaine, 7:58pm: It’s an Indiana Jones movie marathon in the dorm.

Kurt, 8:00pm: You’re not at the wedding?

Was Blaine supposed to be at the wedding? He thinks back, trying to remember when Kurt invited him. He knows he zoned out a couple of times when Kurt was talking about slipcovers, but surely he didn’t miss something like an invitation. He’s just about to apologize to Kurt when another text comes through.

Kurt, 8:03pm: OMG I DIDN’T ACTUALLY INVITE YOU!!! I’m so sorry, Blaine. I didn’t have to invite any of my other friends because they’re all singing, and it didn’t even occur to me to think of you separately. I just assumed you’d know. I am so so sorry.

Well, then. He feels okay about not being invited now. Blaine really wasn’t upset, but knowing that Kurt actually did mean to ask him makes him feel warm. It’s nice.

Blaine, 8:05pm: It’s okay, Kurt. :) Honestly, I never expected to be invited in the first place. We haven’t been friends very long. I promise I’m not offended.

Kurt, 8:06pm: Maybe we haven’t known each other long, but you’re still one of my closest friends already. I’m sorry. I wanted you to be here.

Blaine, 8:07pm: How about you make it up to me with coffee and cookies Tuesday afternoon? Bring pictures and you can tell me all about the wedding.

Kurt, 8:07pm: Deal. Thanks, Blaine.

Blaine, 8:08pm: Have fun, Kurt. And congratulations again to you and your new family!

* * * * * * * * *

They don’t have a chance to talk again for a couple of days. Blaine assumes Kurt is exhausted after the wedding, so he’s happy Monday afternoon when he gets a text from Kurt – until he reads it.

Kurt, 3:22pm: Have to cancel coffee tomorrow. Will call tonight to explain. Sorry.

The disappointment Blaine feels is probably wildly out of proportion to what he should be feeling.

Blaine, 3:25pm: Of course, if you have to. Is something wrong? Anything I can do?

The reply takes longer than Blaine wants, but finally –

Kurt, 3:41pm: Karofsky’s explusion overturned. Not staying at McKinley. Likely transferring to Dalton. I promise I’ll call tonight.

Blaine stares dumbstruck at his phone for several minutes. He doesn’t know what he’s feeling. There are too many emotions and thoughts happening at once. He wants to punch Karofsky and sing for joy because Kurt is coming to Dalton and scream at the people who would let Karofsky back into that school. He looks up when he hears a knock at his door.

“Hey!” Jeff is all happy smiles and sunny disposition. “Are you headed to Warblers practice?” Blaine has to shake his head a little to unstick the jumble of his thoughts.

“I am, in just a second. Will you wait?”

“Yeah, of course.” He takes a couple of steps back out of the room, and Blaine thinks he hears a conversation with Nick on the other side of the open door.

Blaine, 3:49pm: Kurt!!?!! Okay, I’ll be here whenever you call, I swear. Do whatever you need to do, and I’ll talk to you soon. I’m here.

Blaine grabs his music folder and sprints to through the door, locking it behind him. “Guys. I have some potentially amazing and frustrating and fantastic news, and I have to talk to the council about a possible new member.”

Kurt, 4:02pm: Thanks, Blaine.