“I’m impressed,” Chris smiled. “I was kind of expecting you to be incapable of dancing as much as you were trying to get out of this.”
“I’ll have you know, McKinley makes sure all of its students learn to dance in PE, freshman year,” Blaine paused, blushing slightly. “Of course, they always made me dance with a girl, so this is my first time with a guy.”
“I’m glad the gender-swap didn’t throw you off your game,” he grinned.

No I don’t wanna mess this thing up
I don’t want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I’ve been waiting on my whole life

“So, are you here with anyone?” Blaine asked and then flushed. “I mean, did you come with your parents or something?”
“Yeah, uh, my dad’s here. And my sister,” he replied. “Why wouldn’t your parents let you come?”
“Well, they basically gave me a whole bunch of chores for the day and told me that the princess would never want to be near a fag like me.”
Chris froze, staring at him in shock. “They said that to you?!”
“Oh, I’m sorry, language, I get so used to hearing it, I just don’t think about other people being sensitive to it,” Blaine apologized. “Forget I said it, please.”
They started dancing again, silent as they listened to the music, neither sure what to say as their minds raced.
I can’t believe I just told him that. He’s going to want nothing to do with me because of my homophobic family by the end of the evening.
I can’t believe anyone would call him that! And to his face! On a regular basis!
“They shouldn’t talk to you like that,” Chris finally whispered. “No one should.”
“I’ve only got a couple more months ‘til graduation. It’s not a big deal. I’m used to it,” Blaine shrugged, uncomfortable. I can’t believe I’ve known him all of five minutes and he already knows about my crazy homophobic family. I don’t tell people that. Of course, then again, I don’t tell anyone I’m gay usually either, but who wouldn’t go for a gorgeous guy like him?
They had gotten quiet again, swaying to the music as the band started another song. Blaine blushed to himself as he noticed how comforting it was to be this close to Chris. In fact, he’d never felt so comfortable around someone in his entire life.

If I could
I would dare
Feed your dreams
And starve your fears
If I could
Light the world
We could sit
And watch it burn
We could fall asleep inside the glow

“So, what do you like to do?” Kurt asked, clearing the way to a comfortable topic.
“I like art and I love music. I’d be in glee club if I could,” Blaine replied. “What about you?”
“I’m really into fashion, clothing…design…that kind of thing. An art of its own, I suppose.”
“Is that what you’re going to college for? Make a career out of it?”
“No, I’m kind of, uh, shackled to the, uh, family business. It’s been passed down for generations, so I can’t really veto it.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. I hope it’s at least something you enjoy?”
“Yeah, I mean, I’ve been being trained for it my whole life. There’s days I’m not looking forward to it, but most of the time I’m excited to be able to help people through it. What are you doing after you graduate?”
“I’m not sure yet, I’ve got a scholarship to the local university, so I guess I’ll go there and live in the dorms or move in with Wes.”
“You two seem close, when did you meet?”
“Oh, we met freshman year and he’s pretty much my only friend, so he puts up with a lot. I’ve never quite figured out why he’s ever wanted anything to do with me.”
“You don’t have any other friends?” Kurt asked, surprised.
“No, I mean, I talk to people in class, but I’m not really allowed to go anywhere other than school and therapy unless I sneak out, so it’s kind of hard to have friends,” Blaine explained. “Plus my step-brothers kind of keep people from talking to me.”
Why do these people hate him so much? He seems like such a nice guy. Is it really all just because he’s gay? How is that even possible?
“So, Wes just deals with it?”
“Pretty much…his dad’s a karate instructor, so Wes’s a black-belt. That kind of keeps people away from him, but he’s kind of popular in the nerd world, too. He’s in a ton of clubs.”
“And your parents allow you to be friends with him?” Kurt asked.
“They’re slightly unaware, but they do know that he gives me rides once in a while,” Blaine paused. “How ‘bout we talk about you? I feel like I’m complaining to you.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I guess I’ve just been pretty sheltered, I’ve never had to face as many homophobic jerks in my life as you.” Because my father’s king and he won’t let anyone say anything bad in front of me, much less to me.
“Your family must be pretty great.”
“They are. They’re the best!” Kurt said just as his phone began to ring. “Speaking of which…” he reached into his jacket for his phone. It was a text from his dad: Where did you go? Security hasn’t seen you for over ten minutes. You’ve got two minutes before I send them searching. “Sorry, my dad’s looking for me,” Kurt told Blaine as he quickly replied: Sorry, coming. “Do you mind if we go back in?” he asked, gesturing towards the door.
“Yeah, that’s fine,” Blaine replied, glancing down at his own phone to check the time. “I should probably find Wes, we’re supposed to leave soon.”
“But you just got here!” Kurt exclaimed, stopping and turning to him at the door. And I haven’t worked up the guts to tell you who I really am.
“I know,” Blaine sighed. “But I have to make sure I get back before the family or I’ll be dead-meat.”
Kurt’s phone rang again. Another text from his father: Your sister would appreciate a dance with her brother…
Kurt groaned, frustrated. “My dad wants me to get a dance with the princess,” he looked up to tell Blaine, grabbing his hand. “Please don’t leave without saying goodbye?”
“Yeah, sure, of course,” Blaine grinned, squeezing his hand. “Don’t have too much fun.”
Impulsively, Kurt leaned over and kissed Blaine on the cheek before turning to go find his sister. Blaine stood frozen behind him as Kurt walked away.

If I could
Take you in
Feeling you deep
Beneath my skin
Then I could
Slip away
With you as a poison
In my veins
I don’t wanna fall asleep alone
And wake up knowing that I died without the one

After standing in shock with a goofy grin on his face for a few minutes, hours, days, Blaine wasn’t really sure how long he stood there, his stomach growled, beckoning him over to the table piled with food. Blaine made himself a small plate of fruit and found a table in the corner to sit at as he kept an eye out for Wes, wondering if he’d gotten to dance with the princess like he had wanted.

So tell me what I gotta do to win you over
You’ll never have to wonder if you need another
You’ll never have to wonder if I understand
And every time you reach for me you’ll find a hand

“Hey, what happened to your dream guy?” Wes asked a few minutes later, appearing with two drinks in his hands, joining Blaine at the table.

Sometimes late at night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She’s lost in peaceful dreams so I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark

“May I have this dance?” Kurt bowed his head slightly to his sister to remind her that he wasn’t ‘prince’ tonight.
Santana grinned, “Yes, I’d love to dance,” she replied, leaving the small group of people she had been talking with and following her brother towards the dance floor. After they’d gotten out of earshot she spoke again, “I understand you wanting to blend in, I haven’t met but a few genuine people all night.” They had reached the dance floor and started to dance. “People have been asking where you are, though.”
“And what have you been telling them?”
“That you aren’t feeling well, but may come down at some point.”
“That’s very vague,” he smiled.
“I try. Dad’s been telling them the same thing when he can’t avoid the questioning.”
They continued to sway in silence for a few moments.

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way
To show her every day
That she’s my only one

“I found him,” Kurt grinned.
“What’s he like?” Santana asked, excited for him.
“He’s really sweet and I dunno, I felt like we clicked and he’s really easy to talk to and…” he paused, biting his lip nervously.
“And?” his sister prompted.
“He doesn’t know who I am. I told him my name was Chris and he’s kind of messed up. I mean, he has this crazy homophobic family that sends him to therapy to ‘cure the gay’ and yet he still seems to be this wonderful genuinely nice guy.”
“Just get to know him some more before you tell him who you are. Take him on a couple dates. Make sure he likes you for you.”
“I feel like I’m lying to him, though,” Kurt mumbled guiltily.
“He’ll understand. Everybody treats you different when they know you’re royalty. They tiptoe around you. You don’t want that do you?”
“No…”

So I made a promise to myself
To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance
Where there’s no second chance
To tell her how I feel

“So where is he?” she asked, glancing around.
Kurt looked around for a moment before he spotted him over in the corner. “He’s over at that table in the corner with the plain black mask.”
“What’s his name?”
“Blaine.”
“I’m gonna go ask him to dance.”
“Santana, no—“ and before he had a chance to stop her, she was halfway across the dance floor, striding purposefully in Blaine’s direction. Kurt moved to disappear into the crowd and watch.

I woke up this morning
With this feeling inside me that I can’t explain
Like a weight that I’ve carried
Been carried away, away
But I know something is coming
I don’t know what it is
But I know it’s amazing, can save me
My time is coming
And I’ll find my way out of this longest drought

“Did you get a dance with the princess?” Blaine asked Wes, looking around, trying to spot where Chris had gone. He thought he saw him on the far side of the room, but he disappeared a moment later into the crowd. He thought about going after him, but his thoughts were interrupted by a beautiful girl in a red dress coming up to their table.
“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of dancing with you,” she said, looking at Blaine who suddenly realized it was the princess speaking.
“Oh, I’m sorry—I just—“ he stuttered.
“How ‘bout right now?” she asked, offering her hand. Blaine quickly stood and took her hand, following her to the dance floor.

It feels like today I know
It feels like today I’m sure
It’s the one thing that’s missin’
The one thing I’m wishin’
The last sacred blessin’
It feels like today
Feels like today

“You look really beautiful tonight,” Blaine told her after a few awkward moments of looking anywhere but at her.
“Thank you, you’re looking pretty snazzy yourself,” she smiled. “How’re you enjoying the evening?”
“Oh, it’s great, the food, the music, it’s all great.”
They danced for a few moments in silence.

So while this storm is breaking
While there’s light at the end of the tunnel
Keep running towards it
Releasing the pressure, that’s my heartache
Soon this dam will break

“Where do you go to school?” she asked.
“McKinley,” he answered, not sure what else to say. He’d never met royalty before!
“It’s usually expected for one to talk while dancing,” she commented, teasing.
Blaine blushed. “Sorry, I’m just not sure what appropriate conversation with royalty is. I’m a little star-struck.”
“Forget I’m royalty then. Just for the rest of the song. Why didn’t you come ask me to dance?”
“Well,” Blaine hesitated. “You had plenty of others to dance with and I’m not really supposed to be here and you draw a lot of attention.”
“You had to sneak out to go to a ball that you’re supposed to be at?”
“My family doesn’t really like me to go anywhere,” he explained. “I have a lot of chores and stuff that I’m expected to do.”
“What are you? Cinderella?” she smiled.
“If that were true, I’d meet the prince tonight and escape away to the palace and live happily ever after,” Blaine blushed. “I mean—“
“No, no, you finally forgot I was princess for a second. I like it.”
“I didn’t mean to insinuate that the prince is gay.”
“You haven’t met your prince tonight then?” she asked, ignoring his apology.
“I thought the prince wasn’t here?”
“Oh, no, I meant a prince in general. Not the prince. You know?”
“Oh, well, I did meet this guy—“
“You like him! Maybe he’ll turn out to be your prince and rescue you from the evil step-family!”
“If only my life were a fairy tale…”
“If only any of our lives were! You’re the nicest guy I’ve met tonight and you’re gay, just my luck.”
“Sorry,” Blaine apologized.
“No, it’s fine, just a little disappointing.”
“Excuse me,” Wes suddenly appeared. “Sorry, princess, but Blaine, we’ve gotta go! Now!”
Blaine looked around quickly, searching for Chris in the crowd. He was standing against a wall to his left. “I’m sorry, Princess, I’ve gotta go, it was wonderful meeting you.”
“I hope to see you again, Blaine,” she said in farewell as they started walking away.
“We’ve gotta go now, Blaine. We should’ve left already.”
“Hold on, I’ve gotta say bye to Chris. Do you have a pen?”
“I don’t, but here,” he said, grabbing a pen off a table as they passed and shoving it into his hand. “Hurry!”
“I’ll be right back! Meet me at the door!” Blaine quickly made his way to Chris.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he told the man standing next to Chris. “Hey, I’ve gotta go,” he said, grabbing Chris’s hand and scribbling his phone number into it. “Call me? Text me? Anything? I’ve gotta go,” and he turned and quickly jogged to the door where Wes was waiting.
“Wait,” he heard Chris call behind him as they walked out the door.
“Sorry, I’m late,” he called behind him as he and Wes started running to the car.