'…and Nick and Jeff snuck in a bottle of tequila that they had purchased from this middle-aged guy that just moved in down our street and Nick had it straight up,' Trent said, gesturing excitedly from his dorm room. 'But then he felt ill and started throwing up, so Jeff had to take him to the nurse and all hell broke loose. They couldn't even confiscate the bottle because it was empty. He and Jeff have detention for two weeks straight. Nick swore he's never drinking again.'

Blaine chuckled and shook his head. 'Whatever happened to drinking in moderation?'

'I don't know, it seems to be lost on these two,' Trent replied. 'We all know how you are with alcohol. Remember last year's Christmas party?'

Blaine couldn't forget, especially as the Warblers liked to remind him whenever the topic of alcohol was discussed. The faculty had invited along former staff members of Dalton for a sit-down dinner, served by a handful of pupils. Champagne was offered, and while it was kept under lock and key and served only by the adult waiting staff, it still managed to find its way up to the dormitories, where the Dalton orphans were having a Christmas party of their own. It only took one tiny drop (by the other boys' standards) of the strong liquid for Blaine to wake up the next morning with no recollection of the previous night.

'That was a fun night,' Trent continued, his eyes shining in amusement. 'I especially like the part when you hopped up on the stereo system…'

'Trenttttttt…' Blaine groaned, placing his hands over his ears.

'…and you started dancing around and taking your blazer off very, very slowly…'

'No, stoppppp...'

'…and I mean, if the gentleman's club around the corner was seeking to hire a person of small stature, we'd know who to recommend…'

'And that's why I'm never touching alcohol again,' Blaine finished for him, frowning miserably. 'And at least I was entertaining!'

'We had no doubt about that,' Trent replied, taking delight in Blaine's obvious discomfort.

A flashing icon appearing on the screen indicated to Blaine that he needed to cut the conversation short. 'Trent, I've got another call coming through. Speak to you later?'

'Sure,' Trent replied. 'Speak to you then, tiny dancer.'

'Bye,' Blaine said, ending the video call and letting out an exasperated sigh before answering the phone call. 'Hello?'

'Hi Blaine! Finn gave me your number. Is he around?'

'No, I believe he's at a friend's house,' Blaine replied, remembering that Finn had mentioned something about going over to Puck's. 'How are you, Rachel?'

'Oh, you know. Finn and I seem to be talking at least, but I'm fine.' Her voice filled the quiet bedroom and even though he couldn't see her, he felt that she was in the room with him because the phone's speakers were loud and clear to his ears. 'I was meaning to talk to you alone actually, so this is perfect. I promise that I haven't told anyone else about your…little secret.'

Blaine wasn't so sure if Rachel was telling the truth. Kurt had informed him that Rachel was the type to go around and spread gossip to everybody, but assured him that even if Rachel did tell others at McKinley about his existence, there was a good chance that they wouldn't believe her.

'Thank-you. I really appreciate it, Rachel,' he said, trying to sound sincere.

'I'm not the type to go around and spread gossip to everybody,' Rachel continued matter-of-factually. 'And that's not the reason why I'm calling.'

'Okay,' Blaine replied. He shifted closer to the phone, suddenly curious.

'I, um…I wanted to ask you something…'

Kurt returned from the kitchen with two plates of homemade cheesecake (generous portions on one average-sized plate, one little) to find Blaine bouncing up and down on the comforter of his bed.

'Someone's in a happy mood,' Kurt remarked, placing the plates down on his desk.

'I sure am,' Blaine replied, bouncing over to Kurt as he sat down on the edge of his bed. He steadied himself on the soft surface and smiled up at him. 'Guess what day it is on Monday?'

Kurt didn't want to be reminded. It was his most detested date of the yearly calendar and he had only remembered because of the ads that were playing on TV with cuddling couples and the sickly-sweet heart decorations that he'd seen recently at the mall.

'Valentine's Day,' he answered, with little enthusiasm.

Blaine nodded, his eyes sparkling in delight. 'I have something special planned.'

'Really?' Kurt replied, a little more enthusiastic this time. He didn't want to admit it, but the day unexpectedly became somewhat appealing.

'Rachel just called and asked me out on a date. She's going to pick me up next Monday at 8 p.m. And on Valentine's Day, of all days!' Blaine said, bouncing again on the the spot. He steadied himself on the comforter, sitting down and placing his hands on both cheeks with a sigh. 'The most romantic day of the whole year.'

Kurt was stunned into silence. Thoughts of Rachel and date and why began swirling though his mind as he tried to come up with a response.

'But you're gay, Blaine,' he finally replied, staring down at Blaine with a frown on his face.

'Doesn't matter,' Blaine said, lying down on the bed with a sigh. 'It'll be my first ever date. And it can still be romantic.'

Looking down at Blaine's dreamy expression, Kurt couldn't find himself to burst his little bubble by showing his disapproval. Why did it matter to him, anyway? It wasn't as if he liked Valentine's Day or had asked Blaine out on a date himself. Why would he even ask Blaine out on a date? He couldn't sneak him out to a restaurant and chat to Blaine as the smaller boy ate his meal while hiding under a china cup. It would seem ludicrous.

But inside, all Kurt felt was disappointment.

The feeling persisted as he watched Blaine pick out his wardrobe on Saturday while listening to the details of his upcoming date.

'Rachel said we're going to a screening of An Officer and a Gentleman, and she's going to dress up as one of the characters so I thought I should do the same. I've got a Halloween costume from two years ago which isn't the same as the Richard Gere's in the movie but it will have to do. Would you like to see it?'

'Sure,' Kurt replied, rubbing his nose with a tissue.

'I hope I haven't given you a cold,' Blaine called over his shoulder as he disappeared back into the dollhouse.

'No, I think this will clear up in a few days,' Kurt said, his throat feeling a little stuffy. He picked up another tissue from the box by his desk as he waited for Blaine to get changed.

'Okay, I'm ready!' Blaine called, stepping onto the terrace and walking over to the railing. Blaine was clad head to toe in a white uniform, with blue stripes on its sleeves and a large blue bow on the front collar. He wore a matching white cap with an embroidered anchor in its center.

'Sailor's uniform,' Kurt said, his lips parting slightly.

'I know, I kind of needed an officer's outfit,' Blaine replied, giving Kurt a quick twirl. 'But it's either that or my other Halloween costume, and I don't think there are any green aliens with felt antennae in the movie.' He placed his hands on his hips. 'Do you think Rachel would like it?'

Kurt paused. 'If she doesn't, then I'm never speaking to her again,' he said, a little too breathlessly. Blaine looked adorable.

The smaller boy laughed. 'You're right, I think she will like it. And I'm sure she will appreciate the rose I'm planning to give to her. You know how hard it is to grow things in miniature?'

'Excuse me,' Kurt said quickly, slipping off his bed and bringing a tissue up to his eyes.

He heard Blaine's worried voice call out behind him.

'Kurt, are you okay?'

'Yes! Yes, of course. My eyes have been stinging a little and now they're a little watery. You know what, I think I might be coming down with a cold after all.'

'Maybe if you wash them out with a pinch of salt, it might help,' Blaine called to him.

'I'll do that,' Kurt replied. 'Thanks.' He hurried out of his bedroom and hastened to the bathroom. After washing his eyes with cold water, he looked up to the mirror to find them tinged red and puffy.

It must be a cold, Kurt thought, staring wistfully at his reflection.

Eight o'clock on Monday night came too quickly for both Blaine and Kurt, the latter none too thrilled about being left alone with the family cat for company, but at least he had a marathon of reality TV for his viewing pleasure. Burt and Carole were going out for a late dinner, insisting that Kurt come along with them, but he politely refused. Finn was out with Puck, having a feast of takeaway and an X-Box tournament at his house (It's Valentines' Day? Dude, I totally forgot. I swear we aren't doing anything romantic! Finn had told him when he had learned about the significance of the day). And Blaine was going on his date with Rachel, though at that very moment he was pacing nervously by the front door as Kurt sat on the sofa in the living room, his eyes glued to the television screen.

'I hope the date goes well,' Blaine was saying, eyeing the small paper gift bag near him as he paced up and down. 'I spoke to Finn about it and he didn't mind. I mean, we're going out for a movie and I've prepared some topics about music to lead into conversation and…'

'You'll be fine, Blaine,' Kurt said half-heartedly from the sofa. He was watching one of the model contestants argue her case to stay on the show.

'Really?'

The uncertainty in Blaine's voice caught Kurt's attention. Blaine had stopped pacing. He was already pint-sized but the sailor's outfit and the apprehension in his wide eyes made him look like a small child.

Kurt sighed. 'Finn and Rachel aren't seeing each other right now. Rachel is very capable of conversation, as you know. And from what you've told me these past few days, your date should be wonderful.'

Kurt was rewarded with a smile that slowly spread across Blaine's face. 'Thanks, Kurt,' he replied, his cheerfulness immediately restored. Both boys looked over to the window as the glare from a car's headlights flashed into the living room.

'She's here,' Blaine said, taking a deep breath. 'Wish me luck.'

'Good luck,' Kurt said softly, turning back the television screen. Now the model and one of the judges were trading insults. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Blaine take a few steps forward before disappearing from view, stepping through a crevice by the door to meet Rachel outside.

When Blaine slipped under the front door at a quarter to midnight, he immediately found himself walking into white fur. He coughed and stepped backwards just as the owner of the fur shifted, only to be fixed with a pair of bright green eyes.

'Well, hello sailor,' Sebastian purred, eyeing Blaine with amusement. 'Don't we look absolutely delicious tonight.'

Blaine held up his finger in warning. 'I thought we agreed I wasn't for eating, Sebastian.'

Sebastian chuckled. 'Is that so? I may have to give myself a raincheck on that,' he replied smoothly, his tail swinging dangerously close.

Cheeky cat, Blaine thought to himself. His eyes caught the light of the television screen streaming from the living room.

'Is Kurt still up?' Blaine thought Kurt would have retired to bed by now.

'Hasn't moved an inch all night. He's been sitting there like a lump,' Sebastian replied. He wrinkled his nose at the solo figure slumped on the sofa. 'When he's in one of his moods, I find it best to keep my distance.' He began to trot away to the kitchen, calling out over his shoulder. 'Maybe you should do the same.'

Blaine decided not to heed Sebastian's advice and instead walked into the living room. He glanced up at the boy on the sofa. He was indeed awake, but his eyelids were drooping slightly.

'Hey, Kurt.'

Kurt blinked and looked down at the carpet.

'Hey,' he answered, smiling faintly. 'How was your date?'

'Honestly?' Blaine said, clasping his hands together. 'It was…the best! Rachel and I were the only ones to dress up in character but she told me she really liked my sailor outfit, despite it looking nothing like the uniforms in the movie. And I'd never seen the movie before, but I thought it was great – even if I did spend most of it watching it from her purse while she passed me the small pieces of her popcorn. And afterwards she took me to her favorite spot at the park where she used to go with Finn. We sang along to the movie soundtrack in her car as she drove me home. She just dropped me off at the front door a few minutes ago and thanked me for spending time with her.'

'Was it…romantic?'

'I don't know,' Blaine replied, thinking back over the night. 'She talked about Finn a lot. And I guess the fact that there were a lot of other couples in the movie theatre did make it feel that way.'

He saw the other boy nod before hearing him exhale quietly. 'Do you have feelings for her?'

Blaine shook his head. 'Rachel is lovely, but I don't like her in that way. I'm gay, remember?'

'Of-of course,' Kurt said, a little shakily. 'I suppose it must be nice to go out with someone and swap gifts and celebrate romance at least once in the year.'

Blaine frowned. 'But I thought you didn't care about Valentine's Day.'

'I don't,' Kurt replied, avoiding his gaze.

'He needs to get some ass!' Sebastian called out from the kitchen. Blaine pointedly ignored him. He observed Kurt's bowed head quietly for a moment before deciding to climb up the sofa. He sat down on the armrest where Kurt's left hand lay.

'What's wrong, Kurt?' Blaine asked gently.

The other boy sniffed and raised his head slightly. He could see that his eyes were watery again. They didn't look like eyes that had been affected by a cold. They looked like tears.

'I just thought…' Kurt said, letting out a shaky laugh. 'I just thought that…that if you were ever going to go on a date, that the person you would go with…' He swallowed. 'Would be me.'

Blaine felt his breath catch. Why hadn't he recognized Kurt's misery before? He knew that Kurt had never been on a date. Maybe he should have asked Kurt out first. They had more in common with each other than Blaine had with Rachel. The thought just…never crossed his mind.

Kurt's voice pulled him out of his musings. 'God, I'm pathetic, aren't I?'

'No!' Blaine said, shuffling closer to Kurt. 'I don't think you're pathetic, Kurt. Not at all.'

Kurt still wasn't looking at him. Blaine's eyes fell on Kurt's fingers which were only millimeters from where he sat. Carefully, he reached out his hand to stroke the soft skin at the base of Kurt's thumb, hoping that the touch would be enough to gain Kurt's attention or at least glance his way.

It was. Kurt sniffed again and stared down at him as Blaine continued to gingerly rub his hand against his thumb, a small movement that may have only felt like a feather-like touch to Kurt, but all that mattered to Blaine was that he could feel it. The sad smile Blaine received in return confirmed that he had felt something.

'Oh.'

Blaine tore his gaze away from Kurt to look behind him. Sebastian was watching them from the doorway of the living room and Blaine braced himself for the insults that were sure to come. But Sebastian fixed Blaine with an uneasy gaze.

'He's really upset, isn't he?' Sebastian asked, glancing from Blaine to Kurt.

Blaine nodded, watching Sebastian curiously. Sebastian shook his head, dismissing Blaine's gesture. He began to paw at the carpet.

'No, not like that,' he continued, pawing at a particular loose thread. 'He was just moody before. Now it feels like he's in some sort of…pain.'

Blaine stared at the cat. Sebastian was acting strangely and he sensed that he was somewhat distressed with Kurt's behavior. Before a minute had passed, Sebastian had stopped and made a hesitant gesture to move from the doorway. He sighed out the word dammit and quietly trotted over to the sofa, opposite to the side where Blaine was seated. He hopped up on to the armrest and approached Kurt slowly.

'Sebastian,' Blaine whispered, careful not to attract Kurt's attention, who was staring down at the thumb that Blaine was stroking. 'What-'

He stopped talking when Sebastian climbed over one of Kurt's thighs to settle in his lap. Kurt tensed up in surprise and peered down at his lap silently. He paused before placing his free hand over Sebastian's back and began to stroke his fur, sniffing every now and then. Blaine watched in amazement as Sebastian's eyes drifted closed and he yawned, giving himself over to the gentle ministrations of Kurt's hand.

After feeling Blaine's eyes on him for a minute, Sebastian's own quickly shot open.

'Shut up,' Sebastian said lazily, fixing Blaine with a glare that had no malice behind it.

'I haven't said a word,' Blaine whispered back, watching with a little smile as the cat's eyes drifted shut again.