Blaine finds Kurt at his locker first thing in the morning.

“Hey,” he says, sidling up with a smile.

Kurt turns toward him, eyes wide in mute horror. His eyes narrow and he calmly closes his locker. “What do you want, Anderson?”

“Um.” Blaine frowns. “Just saying hi…”

“Hi.” Kurt smiles sugar-sweet and completely fake. “Now leave me alone.”

Kurt walks away. Blaine watches until he loses sight of him in the moving sea of bodies that fill the hallway.

Maybe Kurt is just tired. Or maybe Kurt is still worried that he’ll tell people. He decides to reassure Kurt so maybe he won’t be so rude from now on. He jogs to the vending machine and gets a bottle of Coke, stuffing it into his backpack.

He’s only a few minutes late to homeroom, but Mr. Abela never notices tardiness. Kurt is sitting in the back corner of the room and Blaine bypasses his usual seat, Rachel and Finn’s questioning looks following him as he slides into the desk next to Kurt. As quietly as possible, which isn’t very quiet at all, he scoots his desk next to Kurt’s.

“I brought you a present,” Blaine says, voice hushed, and pulls the Coke from his backpack, setting it on Kurt’s desk. He smiles encouragingly.

Kurt gapes at him. “You…” He ducks his head low and whispers, “Are you an idiot?”

Blaine’s eyebrows furrow. “You’re welcome?”

“What are you doing?” Kurt hisses, a red flush stealing up his neck.

“I was bringing you a Coke in case you’re tired!” Blaine whisper-yells.

“Blaine.” Kurt’s lips thin into a line and he looks like he is trying very hard to be patient. “We are not friends.”

Blaine taps his chin with his pen. “Yes we are. You said. Best friends.” He grins. And yeah, he knows Kurt was just messing around, but after last night he thinks they really should be friends. Blaine wants to know more about Kurt; the Kurt that doesn’t slushie people.

“Blaine,” Kurt growls and pauses. “Regardless of…last night. We’re at school.” At this he sounds less angry and more helpless than anything, and Blaine frowns.

“But—”

“Go, Blaine. I’m serious. You’re going to get us both in trouble,” Kurt says.

“None of your friends are even in here,” Blaine protests, pulling his backpack back onto his shoulder.

Kurt raises an eyebrow. “Quinn is friends with Santana, who occasionally sleeps with Puck.”

Blaine considers that. “I don’t understand, how does Santana get away with being in glee, but you can’t?”

Kurt snorts. “No one messes with Santana.”

He looks down at his text book, effectively dismissing Blaine.

Defeated, Blaine gets up and slinks back over to his usual desk. Everyone in his group is looking at him, Quinn included. Blaine sucks his lower lip into his mouth a moment. “I spilled his Coke yesterday in class. He told me I had to get him a new one or he’d…kick my ass or whatever,” he says, half-heartedly making something up.

Rachel looks positively scandalized. “Blaine!” She glares at Kurt, and Blaine looks over just in time to see that Kurt has seen it. Great, now Rachel will probably get slushied and it’s all his fault. “He’s such a jerk,” Rachel is saying, her attention back on Blaine. She takes his hand and leans her head on his shoulder a moment.

Blaine smiles a little at her attempt to console him. “It’s okay. I shook the bottle before I came in here,” he lies.

----

Blaine finds a note from Kurt taped to the inside of his Gym locker.

Thanks for the Coke, but that was a thoughtless move.

Meet me outside by the dumpster near the small basketball court at lunch.

- K

Blaine smiles and shoves the note in his pocket, hurrying off to his next class.

----

Blaine shows up to their meeting spot in a trenchcoat, bright pink fedora, and dark sunglasses. The look on Kurt’s face is well worth it.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Kurt asks.

Blaine grins. “I’m trying to stay incognito for our secret rendezvous.”

“Oh my god,” Kurt groans. “Must you be this dramatic?”

“Hey, I’m not the one who requires secrecy. I’m just trying to help you out.”

“Oh yes, FBI sunglasses, a pink fedora, and a trenchcoat is very inconspicuous. Where did you even get this ridiculous thing?” Kurt asks, touching the sleeve of his coat. “It’s like three sizes too big for you.”

“Drama club,” Blaine says, batting Kurt’s hand away. He probably wants to tailor it on Blaine where he stands.

“And you really thought you wouldn’t be teased at this school?” Kurt says, smirking almost fondly.

“Hey, I was very popular at Dalton. People appreciated my charm and humor.”

“Of course you they did, all-boys schools are full of sexually-repressed nerds.”

“Hey!”

“Anyway,” Kurt says. “I’m going to make this quick, though I really shouldn’t have to explain this to you in the first place.” He leans against the wall, arms crossed, voice gone serious. “I’ve built myself a certain reputation, as you’ll recall? And befriending you would destroy it. So please, it would benefit us both if you don’t approach me in public.”

Blaine frowns, watching the effortless way Kurt raises his walls back up around him. “Is it really worth it, Kurt?”

“Of course it is,” Kurt says immediately.

“But they aren’t your friends—”

“And neither are you,” Kurt snaps.

“Yes I am.”

“Blaine, you hardly know me.”

“And they do?” Blaine asks, pulling his sunglasses off. Kurt is watching him, an unreadable look in his eyes. “I know something about you. I know a few things.”

Kurt’s expression is thunderous. “You said you wouldn’t tell.”

“What? Of course I won’t. That wasn’t a threat, Kurt, it was a fact,” Blaine says, stepping closer. “I know…that. And I know that you care about your father. I know you take care of him.” I know about your mother. “I know that you’re saving up to buy an old car. I know you care about fashion, and music, even if you won’t admit it. I know you like Vonnegut and birds and Broadway.” Kurt hasn’t actually said as much about a few of those, but Blaine is observant and it’s all laid out in Kurt’s bedroom.

Kurt is staring at Blaine with wide eyes, clearly not having expected that. Blaine takes his silence as an opportunity to continue.

“Do they know that?” Blaine asks. “They probably don’t think you care about anything at all.” Kurt looks away. “And if they knew, what would they say? They would use it against you. But I think it’s great. I love music and Broadway and I try to dress nicely, and I’ve never read Vonnegut, but I bet it’s great. And I don’t care if you’re gay.”

Kurt’s gaze snaps back and his hand flies up, covering Blaine’s mouth. “Stop. Just stop.”

His blue eyes are piercing. Blaine simply looks back, letting out a breath through his nose.

Kurt slowly lowers his hand, looking away again. He drags the palm that had been on Blaine’s mouth over his sleeve, curling his fingers in the fabric. “You’re brave, Blaine. I’m just not.”

“That’s not true,” Blaine says, shaking his head.

Kurt looks at him. “Haven’t you ever been afraid of something?”

“The dark?” Blaine blurts out.

Kurt lets out a startled laugh. “The dark?”

“Hey, don’t make fun of me, it’s a legitimate fear,” Blaine huffs.

“Better than clowns, I suppose.”

Blaine feels uneasy. He isn’t such a fan of clowns, either.

“Look,” Kurt says. “I know they aren’t real friends. No one understands that better than me. I just want to finish High School, then I can make all the friends I need in New York.”

“New York?”

Kurt hesitates. “I want to go to Parsons. It’s a school for design—”

“I watch Project Runway,” Blaine says.

Kurt gives him a strange look. “…You do?”

Blaine blushes. “So? I think the clothes are cool!”

“Well. That’s what I’d like to do. Not go on Project Runway, but…be a designer.” Kurt’s cheeks have taken on that pink tinge again. His complexion is so pale it shows everything. It’s kind of endearing.

“That’s really great, Kurt,” Blaine says.

Kurt smiles softly. Blaine can tell it’s hard for him to open up like this and decides to lets him off the hook. “Can I have your phone number?” he asks.

Kurt looks at him suspiciously. “What for?”

“I dunno,” Blaine says, and shrugs. “Maybe I’ll want to tell you something, and then I won’t have to bother you and get slushied for it.”

Kurt seems reluctant, and it’s a moment before he answers. “Well, alright. Give me your phone, then.”

Blaine hands him his Android, which Kurt takes delicately. He enters his info into it and returns it with a nod. “I can’t imagine what you’d need to tell me, but there.”

“Thanks.” Blaine beams, pocketing his phone. “So, I guess we should get back to lunch before it’s over.”

“Mm. I’ll go first. You wait a few minutes so it doesn’t look like I’m being stalked by the Pink Panther.” Kurt smiles a little and taps the rim of his fedora.

Blaine grins, lopsided. “Yes, sir.”

Kurt turns to leave when Blaine remembers something. “Kurt, wait—”

Kurt looks over his shoulder, eyebrows arched in question.

“In homeroom…I saw the way you looked when Rachel was, um…looking at you.” He takes a breath. “Don’t slushie her, okay? She’s a nice girl. She doesn’t deserve it.”

Kurt’s eyes go cold, mouth in a grim line. Blaine hadn’t expected him to get angry at his request, and he suddenly wishes he hadn't mentioned it. “You think you can tell me what to do now?” he finally asks.

“No. I’m just asking you not to,” Blaine says, frustrated. “If you have to slushie somebody to keep Karofsky and the rest off your back, slushie me instead, okay?”

“God, you’re a moron,” Kurt hisses, and stalks away.

----

Kurt still seems pissed off in French class, and since chewing on his pen cap and staring at the back of Kurt’s head isn’t conducive to anything, Blaine texts him.

B: my middle name is KURT not FART

Kurt’s phone vibrates and he turns in his seat to glare at Blaine a moment. Blaine looks back, wide-eyed. How did he know?

K: Excuse me?

Blaine grins and texts back under his desk, hoping Kurt has turned his phone to silent mode.

B: don’t you watch the office?

K: No

B: fail

K: This is textual harassment and I’ll have you know it’s a punishable offense.

B: are you still mad at me??

K: You are like a 5 yr old child. No.

B: thanks for not slushing rachel

K: It’s been a half hour, Blaine.

B: i’m thanking you in advance!

K: How do you know I won’t?

B: because you love me :)

K: You aren’t my type.

B: it’s a friendship love…….. a bromance!

K: No thank you.

B: you want it to be something more? i’m not ready for the next step kurt

K: I’m going to block you.

B: :(

B: :(

B: :(

K: >:(

B: :@

K: What exactly is that supposed to be?

B: a cow :)

Several minutes pass before Kurt finally texts back.

K: :V

B: a duck?

K: You.

B: that isn’t very nice

K: Guilty as charged.

B: you won’t slushy rachel?

K: Dear god, this again? No, I won’t. But this is a real hardship for me, Rachel Berry is insufferable.

B: no it’s not i know you don’t like being mean like that. and she is not, she’s sweet

K: You’ll both have lovely hobbit children, I’m sure.

B: so rude!!! we aren’t dating. she likes finn

There is another long pause.

K: Typical.

B: except he’s dating quinn

K: I don’t want to hear your glee club gossip.

B: i can tell you a joke instead. ………….a priest and a little boy walk into the woods together. “i’m scared,” says the little boy. “what are you scared of?” says the priest, “you aren’t the one that has to walk out of here alone”

Blaine doesn’t hear Kurt laugh, but he does see him smile, chin rested on his palm so he can hide his mouth behind his fingers.

K: Disturbing, yet funny. I’m surprised. Sois attentif en classe, sinon tu couleras.

Leave it to Kurt to send him a text message in French. Blaine is pretty sure it says to pay attention or he’ll fail.

B: d’accord. je serai sage. au revoir :)

K: Cretin.

----

The next day, at lunch, Blaine texts Kurt again.

B: are you eating the macaroni? i think the cheese is mixed with rubber cement

K: I make a point not to eat anything with a face.

B: ?? it was chicken patties yesterday and i know u got one

K: Yes, and did you see a face?

Blaine is about to reply, when Kurt sends him a picture of the macaroni on his plate shaped into a face. “Oh my god,” Blaine says out loud, grinning at the absurdity of it.

Rachel looks over, curious. “Someone’s happy.”

“Uh…” Blaine can’t stop smiling. It’s just so funny. “It’s nothing.”

Mercedes is looking at him like she doesn’t believe a word of it, and Blaine tries to school his expression. He texts back.

B: that’s a masterpiece. you should show it to mr. bishop

K: He wouldn’t appreciate it.

B: so many artists go unappreciated until they die….

K: Are you trying to tell me something, Blaine?

B: yes, don’t be an artist

K: LOL. Shoo now, my tablemates keep trying to see my texts.

B: bye :)

Rachel is still watching him, eyebrows drawn up in worry. Blaine doesn’t understand.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

She sits a little straighter and her expression goes back to normal. “I- It’s nothing. I’m just…concerned. That you aren’t prepared for your solo at the pep assembly. I, for one, think it would benefit you to practice with someone experienced. I am very familiar with the stage and the best ways to tilt your face against bad lighting.” She smooths the skirt of her dress. “No one at this school seems to understand how to properly direct the lights during a performance.”

By the end, Blaine isn’t sure how this conversation even started. “Uh, sure, Rach. We can work on it.”

“Really?” Her smile is brilliant. “Tomorrow, after school?”

“Sure, I’ll meet you at your locker.”

Rachel, still smiling, goes back to eating and listening in on Mercedes and Tina talking about whatever. Blaine looks back to his phone, wishing it’d light up with a new message.

----

On Thursday, during Government, it’s Kurt who texts him first.

K: Can I copy your notes from Bio today? I can’t find my notebook. Went back and looked but it wasn’t there.

Blaine is so surprised and stupidly excited to get the text he nearly forgets to hide his phone while replying.

B: that sucks!!! hope you don’t have anything personal in there

K: Yes, I keep a diary and bring it to school. That would be smart of me. Now can I or not?

B: ask nicely

Almost ten minutes pass before Kurt replies.

K: May I copy your notes, please?

And because Blaine is sometimes kind of a dick (though in a harmless way!)…

B: what’s the magic word?

K: I won’t dump a slushie over your head?

B: wrong

K: Fine. I already said please, so I don’t know. Pretty please?

B: are you calling me pretty?

K: Never.

B: wrong

K: I’ll get them from someone else.

B: who?

K: Anyone.

B: the magic word is ALOHAMORA

K: That’s to open doors.

B: you read harry potter?????????????????????????????

K: I am a fully functioning oxygen-breathing bipedal homosapien. Yes, I’ve read Harry Potter.

B: are you in pottermore!?!?

K: Maybe.

B: what house!?!?

K: Slytherin.

B: LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

K: Let me guess, you’re a Hufflepuff.

B: how did you know??

K: I’m psychic.

B: what’s your username? i’m PixieDust23

K: Wow. You do know there are like five names to choose from, right?

B: pixies are cute! :) :)

K: My username is BronzeCentaur90

B: i’m adding you right now!! i’m going to sneak into your dorm and put itching powder in your bed

K: And I’m going to magic you to the Forbidden Forest because Fluffy’s hungry.

B: i’ll put him to sleep with my flute

K: Keep your pornographic thoughts to yourself, please.

B: wow you have a lot of house points

K: So, about those notes…

B: sure but then you owe me

K: Thank you.

B: bye bronze centaur….. lol

K: Sigh.

----

So maybe their friendship is now mostly via text message, but it’s better than nothing. Not that Blaine can, if asked, explain why exactly it is that he wants to be friends with Kurt in the first place. He just…does. Kurt is funny, and smart. Blaine thinks he’s lonely, too, which is something he understands.

Blaine sends Kurt a text on Friday morning during Calculus.

B: so……about that favor you owe me. i want you to sit somewhere at the assembly where you’ll be able to see. don’t skip, don’t sit in the way back. i want you to see me.

K: I see enough of you as it is. Three classes together, it’s like they’re trying to torture me or something.

B: funny. i’m serious. i want you to see me perform!

K: If you want to embarrass yourself, fine by me.

B: :)