Looking around the room, though, he realized that he was still in the palace's chambers, in a comfortable bed that actually kept him warm, unlike the one he had back home. Kurt told himself not to get too used to it, but dug himself deeper into the mattress, covering his face with the blanket.

As he was about to fall back asleep, he heard the knock on his door again. He had almost forgotten that he had heard it in the first place. He sprung from the bed, tripping over the blankets that fell to his ankles. Landing with a thud, he looked up to find someone's legs in front of him.

"Are you alright?" A familiar voiced asked him. Kurt lifted himself to his knees and finally got a better look at the figure in front of him.

"Yes, yes I'm alri-" Kurt began, but his words caught in his throat when he saw the prince's eyes shining down upon him with worry.

"Here, please, let me help you up," Blaine offered as he took Kurt's hand into his. He wasn't sure if it was his own hand shaking, or Kurt's, but the moment they touched, Blaine had definitely felt a jolt run through his veins.

"Thank you, your highness," Kurt muttered shyly, bowing once he had finally risen to his feet. His cheeks began to feel warm as he blushed from embarrassment.

"I'm sorry to wake you. I don't know what came over me, but I found myself rising from my own bed and now I'm here," Blaine explained as he moved to sit on the bed. He patted the spot next to him, as he glanced over at Kurt. "Please, sit with me."

Kurt flushed to an even brighter shade of red, and timidly crossed the floor to sit with the prince. As he sat, he looked over at Blaine, who was smiling at him with a questioning look in his eyes. Those eyes that Kurt could look into forever if he could... Shaking himself from his thoughts, he realized that Blaine had been speaking to him.

"... wondering what exactly happened to your father?" Blaine finished, looking intently at Kurt.

"Well, he always had problems with his health, but it's never heightened to this degree. My father is my whole world, and seeing him so weak... It broke my heart. I knew that I had to do whatever I could to save him..."

"So is your mother with him? I mean, taking care of him now?" Kurt froze. He stared down at his feet, making sure to look anywhere but Blaine's eyes.

"N-no. She died when I was six years old. Ever since then, my father has taken care of me, and I have taken care of him. Right now, though, he is under the care of my friend Rachel." As Kurt spoke, he began wringing his hands together nervously, determined not to start crying in front of a man he had just met.

"Oh, Kurt! I'm so sorry to bring it up," Blaine spoke frantically. Kurt was surprised. Why was Prince Blaine even speaking to him? And, more importantly, why did he seem to actually care what had happened so many years ago?

"You know," Blaine began again, softer, "You're actually very lucky, Kurt. It sounds like you have a father who loves you very much. I wish I were that lucky. Being a prince... you just have so many responsibilities. Never has my father treated me as a son. Everything to him is political."

Kurt saw that Blaine's eyes were shining with unshed tears, and he didn't know what to do. It would have been incredibly inappropriate of him to move to comfort the prince. Instead, Kurt spoke.

"But you have so many opportunities in your life, sire. Excuse me if I'm out of line, but you have a life that many people envy. And I'm sure the King and Queen love you, they just may not have opportunities to show you..."

Blaine chuckled darkly, moving his body closer to Kurt's without even realizing it.

"You would think that, but I know differently. All my parents want from me is to marry Princess Jessamine from the neighboring Kingdom. Everything is politics. But what if I don't want to marry her? I'm only 18, for goodness sake! What if, instead, I just want to meet someone that I can fall in love with?"

"Sire, I-"

"Please... Just-just call me Blaine."

"Blaine then... Well, Blaine, I think that it is completely unfair of the King and Queen to force you into marriage. Maybe if you found another girl, one that you truly do love, they might see it your way?"

Blaine laughed, shaking his head. "But Kurt, I don't want just another girl. I want to find someone charming. Someone who actually makes me feel like a person, not just like Prince of Westerville. I don't know, I just want someone like... like you!"

Kurt froze, his eyes wide. Blaine realized what he said and quickly slapped his hand against his mouth. They stared at one another a long time, barely moving.

"K-Kurt I'm so sorry... That was inappropriate of me-" Blaine began, but he stopped short when he noticed Kurt shaking his head and smiling. A light blush rose to Kurt's cheeks, and Blaine couldn't stop himself from muttering the word beautiful. The boys' eyes locked and Blaine noticed Kurt's eyes dart to his lips every few seconds, licking his own, unconsciously.

Slowly, Blaine moved closer to Kurt, placing his hand on Kurt's knee. The boys stayed still for a brief moment, their faces only inches apart. Blue eyes connected with hazel, and suddenly their lips met in a kiss, soft and brief. When the two parted, Blaine looked to Kurt for confirmation that he had not scared him off. He found Kurt smiling, his eyes gleaming, and moved to press his lips against Kurt's again. This time, the kiss was much harder. Their lips pushed together as Kurt moved his hand to caress Blaine's cheek. Blaine's tongue licked across Kurt's bottom lip, begging for access. As Kurt's lips parted, the boys' tongues began to fight for dominance, and Blaine brought his hand up to curl into the back of Kurt's hair.

Minutes passed, but Kurt felt like it was only seconds before they parted. They were both short of breath, and they began to laugh. Suddenly, Kurt moved to lay down on the bed, pulling Blaine flush against his body, silently begging him to do the same. Their lips met again, and their breaths were hot against one another. Blaine moved from Kurt's lips to attach to his neck, just above his clavicle. Kurt laced his fingers through Blaine's hair as Blaine sucked wetly against Kurt's flesh. Blaine licked his way up to Kurt's ear and began to toy with the lobe between his teeth. Kurt began writhing underneath Blaine as he sucked the spot behind his lobe. Kurt grabbed Blaine's face and moved their lips back together, tongues sliding against each other.

As time passed, the kisses grew calmer and the boys detached themselves from one another. Blaine lay next to Kurt, his cheek resting against Kurt's shoulder. He pushed aside the hair that had fallen in front of Kurt's eyes and smiled up at him. He listened to Kurt's breathing as it regained a normal pace.

"Kurt... Thank you. That was absolutely perfect." Kurt stroked his thumb against Blaine's jaw and looked at him intently for a moment.

"Shh. I think you should go back to your chambers before anyone notices you have gone missing." Blaine worried for a moment, thinking that Kurt was kicking him out, until Kurt smiled to him and placed a light kiss on his lips once more.

Blaine stood and kissed Kurt once again before moving to the door. Chancing one last glance at Kurt and finding him still smiling, Blaine sighed happily and shut the door.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Once he was back in his own bed, Blaine slept soundly. He woke hours later to his manservant, David, bringing him breakfast.

"David, could you please get Kurt for me?" Blaine asked, smiling brightly.

"Sire," David said gently, "He left...hours ago." Blaine stared, unsure of whether he had heard David correctly. "But, he asked me to give you this when you awoke." David placed a sealed letter on Blaine's tray before leaving the room to allow Blaine time to himself. Blaine set his tray aside, opening the letter quickly and seeing Kurt's elegant script on the paper.

Dearest Blaine,
Thank you for everything that you have done for me. From escorting me through the citadel, paying for my father's medicine, and especially for last night. I know that it probably meant so much more to me than it did for you, but I just want to thank you for it. Even if you believe it was a mistake, know that because you have shown me kindness, I am smiling. I never would have thought in a million years that a poor villager like me would ever keep company with a prince. I hope all goes well for you in life. Never forget to listen to your heart. It is truly your greatest asset.
Best wishes,
Kurt

Blaine re-read the letter at least five times. A mistake? Blaine would never believe that being with Kurt could ever be a mistake. The boy had opened his eyes to a world of possibilities without even trying. He was the spark that Blaine needed to set his soul on fire, and Blaine was absolutely not giving up on Kurt just yet.