Good morning, Kurt!

If you wake up and I’m not around, I’m in the kitchen downstairs, making breakfast. I woke up earlier, but didn’t want to wake you up, considering how tired you were last night. I took my phone with me, so you can call me when you’re up.

- Blaine

After reading the note, Kurt folded it neatly and put in his bag. Maybe it was a weird thing to do, but something in this note with Blaine’s handwriting on it felt so personal, that Kurt couldn’t simply crumple it and throw away like any other piece of paper.

Finally getting up, Kurt decided to quickly take the shower. He looked through his bag and discovered with horror that he had forgotten to take his hair product. Kurt inwardly cursed himself. At least he remembered to take a clean shirt with him.

He went to the bathroom and placed his clothes next to the sink. He stepped into the shower and stood under the warm water for a moment to wake up completely. Only then Kurt remembered that he doesn’t have his shampoo, too. He saw that Blaine had left his on the shelf, but felt uncomfortable to simply take it without asking. He offered you to use the bathroom last night, he let you sleep in his room, now he is making you breakfast, can a shampoo really make this all even more awkward? Kurt decided that no, it can’t, and reached for the bottle.

After he got out of the shower Kurt quickly got dressed and looked in the mirror to see how terrible his hair was. He run his hands through them trying to somehow put his hair in their right place, but nothing seemed to work. Kurt sighed and left the bathroom, searching for his phone to finally call Blaine.

“Good morning, Kurt! Finally up?” Blaine answered the call cheerfully.

“Yeah, sorry for sleeping so long,” Kurt replied.

“Don’t be! Better come down to the kitchen and have a breakfast. Just go down the stairs and you’ll find it in the end of the hallway.”

“Okay, I’ll be down in the second.”

“Oh, Kurt! Don’t forget to lock the door. Key is on my desk; take it with you afterwards,” Blaine instructed him and hanged up.

Kurt looked to the table and immediately spotted the key. He took it and rushed out the door.

It wasn’t difficult to find the kitchen and, when Kurt walked through the door, he saw that Blaine’s alone.

“Hey,” Kurt said quietly.

“Hi, sleepyhead,” Blaine said turning around and smiling at Kurt adorably. “I didn’t know what you want for breakfast, so I made pancakes with apples,” he gestured to a plate on the table. “Oh, maybe you better wanted to go out to eat?” Blaine added in realization, seeing Kurt’s baffled expression.

“No, no!” Kurt corrected him hurriedly. Blaine had misunderstood the look on his face. Kurt was simply surprised by boy’s unexpected caring. “I didn’t expect you to make me breakfast at all, I didn’t want you to bother because of me. You went to sleep equally late and probably want to rest some more.”

“Oh, don’t be silly!” Blaine replied feeling relieved that Kurt wasn’t disappointed in him. “You’re my guest, besides I live cooking. Apple pancakes are my favourite. Coffee?” he offered Kurt a cup.

“May I have some tea, instead?” Kurt asked and Blaine simply nodded. “You don’t think you’re drinking too much coffee?” the younger boy asked. He never remembered seeing Blaine drink anything else. Like coffee was his source of life.

“Don’t be silly, Kurt, coffee is your friend!” Blaine answered over – cheerfully causing Kurt to laugh.

Both boys finally sat down at the table in front of each other and started to eat.

“Oh my God, Blaine, these pancakes are amazing!” Kurt exclaimed, putting some more on his plate.

“Thank you,” Blaine smiled politely. “When I was little I loved to help my mum in the kitchen, so I’ve learned quite a lot in that way. Living alone now allows me to improve my skills.”

“I like cooking too and just like you, I learned it all from my mother,” Kurt spoke.

“She’s probably very happy about that. Less cooking for her,” Blaine smiled.

Kurt looked down at the table. He had never told Blaine that his real mum was dead, so he couldn’t blame the boy for bringing her up. “No…hmm… my mum died when I was 8,” Kurt whispered.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Kurt! I didn’t know! I’m really sorry!” Blaine started to apologize looking at Kurt with horror in his eyes. Great start of the morning, Blaine, great start! He inwardly cursed himself.

“No, it’s okay. You didn’t know,” Kurt whispered. Suddenly he felt Blaine’s hand on his. That caused him to finally look up at the boy in front of him.

“I’m still sure she’s proud of you,” Blaine whispered just as quietly.

Kurt didn’t know what to answer, so he simply nodded. All his brain could process was that Blaine held his hand again and was looking into his eyes. Oh, lord, how gorgeous his eyes were, Kurt thought and mentally slapped himself at the same moment.

After a couple seconds of awkward silence, Blaine withdrew his hand back. “Are you done eating or you would like to have some more?” he asked happily as if nothing had happened before.

“I’m done, thank you,” Kurt replied. He was standing up to wash his plate, but Blaine took them from him.

“You’re a guest! Sit back and enjoy your morning!” Blaine said glaring at Kurt, making the younger boy laugh again.

“I never thought that all boy school would have a kitchen,” Kurt said, trying to restart some conversation.

“Yeah, this isn’t a very popular place. We have a canteen in the Dalton which mostly everyone uses. I go there on school days, but I prefer cooking myself when I have free time. I enjoy it, as I already said,” Blaine explained, while washing the dishes. “So, what are your plans for today?”

“Probably heading back to Lima,” Kurt answered unsurely. “Since the school break started, I don’t have to plan my time so much anymore.”

“I was planning to go back to Lima today, too. Can’t really stay here on Christmas,” Blaine shrugged. “Anyway, maybe you would like to come over to my house? If you don’t have any other plans?” he offered. “As far as I know my parents are in town, but dad is at work and my mum won’t mind. Not that she would say anything even if she did.”

“I don’t know, Blaine,” Kurt started carefully.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to. We’ve already hanged out yesterday, you’re probably sick of me,” Blaine mumbled.

“No, Blaine!” Kurt rushed to stop his words. “I would love to hang out with you more!” With that Blaine’s eyes lit up and he looked at Kurt. “I was just nervous about your mother. I don’t want to cause some problems or anything,” he stumbled.

Blaine sighed, “I scared you with them, didn’t I? They’re not bad people, Kurt. They just have problems with coming to terms with the fact that their son is gay. They won’t say anything to you! I promise.” He stepped closer to the Kurt trying to catch his eyes, as the younger boy was stubbornly looking at the floor.

“Then I would love to visit you,” Kurt finally answered feeling ashamed with his previous comments.

They went back to Blaine’s room to take all their stuff. Kurt looked in the mirror one more time and complained about how his hair looked.

“I hope I still have a hat in my car. I can’t walk around with this on my head,” he whined pointing at his hair that were now dried and falling on both sides.

“I think your hair looks adorable,” Blaine added, making Kurt blush. “They look so soft and I can’t resist doing this,” he said reaching out and ruffled Kurt’s hair.

“Hey!” Kurt protested.

“If this is such a big issue for you, why didn’t you simply take my hair gel?” Blaine asked, throwing some of his books in a box.

“It’s yours. I didn’t know if I can take it,” Kurt replied quietly.

“Oh my God, Kurt, it’s just a hair gel!” Blaine laughed handing the boy a little jar.

“Thanks,” Kurt said, disappearing in the bath room. When he came out, his hair was perfectly styled.

“Aww, now I can’t ruffle them anymore,” Blaine pouted, but Kurt just shook his head. How a boy, who was older than he, could act like such a child? An adorable child, at that.

“So, you’re ready to go?” Blaine asked, sliding a strap of a bag on his shoulder. Kurt nodded and picked up his own stuff.

Once in the car park Kurt helped Blaine put his box and bag in the car. Since they both had their own cars, boys had to drive separately. Kurt didn’t know where exactly in Lima Blaine’s family lived, so he was driving behind and following his friend’s car.

As it turned out, Blaine’s house was located in a posh neighborhood on the outskirts of Lima, about 30 minute walk from Kurt’s home. Just by the way the house looked you could tell that Andersons didn’t simply had money, they were rich. It was a two –story brown brick house, driveway and garage. Something in this house to Kurt reminded Dalton Academy’s building, except here wasn’t the heavy, metallic gate. Blaine’s house didn’t have any fence at all.

When they pulled over at Blaine’s driveway, Kurt waited for Blaine to get out of the car first and only then followed the boy. He didn’t want to admit that, but deep inside he was very nervous about going to Blaine’s house. The luxury of this neighborhood intimidated Kurt.

“Ready to go?” Blaine asked and Kurt nodded.

Blaine went over to the doors and opened them, letting Kurt step inside first. There he saw a vast room that was painted in soft pastel colours. Standing by the door, Kurt saw a fireplace with a sofa and armchairs around it. On the left, at the far end of the room was another sofa, wide - screen TV and other furniture. On the right Kurt saw big, decorated staircase that led to the second floor. There was also a smaller staircase that seemed to go downstairs.

“You can leave your coat here,” Blaine indicated to a tall wardrobe with many clothe hangers in it. Kurt did as he was told and waited for Blaine to do the same. He used this time to admire the interior one more time.

“Elise, is that you?” a woman’s voice called. Soon after that Kurt saw her coming out from the room on the left. She was tall, with dark curly hair that reached her shoulders and dressed very elegantly. Kurt couldn’t deny that her taste was impeccable.

“Oh, it’s you, Blaine,” Mrs. Anderson smiled politely.

“Hi, mum,” Blaine replied, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other.

“I see we have guests,” she looked at Kurt still trying to smile as politely as she possibly could.

“Hello, Mr. Anderson, I’m Kurt,” the younger boy introduced himself.

“I’m Maria, Blaine’s mother. As I understand, you’re Blaine’s… “ it looked like she couldn’t force herself to say the word she was thinking off.

“Kurt’s my friend, mum,” Blaine finished the sentence in her place. “He’s my friend.”

“That’s nice, Blaine,” Maria continued to smile. “Do you want something? Something to eat or drink?”

“No, thanks mum,” Blaine answered and Kurt shook his head. “We’ll just go upstairs to my room.” And with that the older boy led his friend up the stairs.

“That’s how she greets her son, who returns home after 5 months,” Blaine simply said, once getting in his room. The walls in Blaine’s room were purple and also decorated with some photos. Everything there was in perfect order. Of course, one of the reasons was the fact that nobody’s been living there for a long time, but Kurt was sure that Blaine’s room was always neat. In the middle of the room was a double bed. Its covers matched the colour of the walls, the same as the curtains. There were small nightstands on both sides of the bed. In front of it stood a TV and a music centre, as well as small shelf with DVD next to it. On the left side of the room, there were a desk with a lamp on it and two bookshelves, one shelf in them dedicated to Blaine’s CD’s collection. Looking to the right, Kurt saw a wardrobe with a mirror next to it. But in the very corner stood light brown acoustic guitar.

“Make yourself at home!” Blaine said, inviting Kurt to sit down on the bed. Younger boy sat down, still looking all around him.

“You have a very nice room,” Kurt commented in awe.

“Thanks,” Blaine laughed. “There isn’t really much use of it, considering how rare I’m here and that after graduation I’m moving away, but it’s nice to have a place for myself in this house,” he replied and Kurt noticed the sadness in his voice.

“How often do you come home?” Kurt asked. They had reached that point in their friendship, where they felt comfortable to ask each other almost anything. Maybe it was too soon, taking into account that both boys knew each other for only a month, but since the very beginning there had been this strange feeling of security and comfort, whenever they were together. There was no need to build up walls of protection and hide behind clumsy excuses. And even of some things still had left unsaid, they had both been more open with each other than with anyone before.

“Christmas and part of the summer. I leave Dalton only at the end of June, staying almost the last one in dorms, and return to school in August as soon as dorms are open again.”

“Don’t you miss home not even a little bit?” Kurt was a bit surprised. He couldn’t imagine being away from home for such a long time; away from his dad and Carole, and even Finn.

“I miss Elise, but she comes to visit as much as she can. Sometimes I come here on the week – ends, when my dad is on one of his countless business trips and mum always goes with him.”

Kurt was looking at the floor, not knowing what to say. His dad and step – mother were always so supporting and he couldn’t imagine his life without them. Sometimes he felt guilty about his decision to go to Now York after graduation, but Burt had once told him to not be silly and follow his dreams.

“I know you think this isn’t normal,” Blaine interrupted Kurt’s thoughts, “but I just… I can’t be here, Kurt. You saw yourself how my mum acted today. She couldn’t even finish a damn sentence in fear that you might be my boyfriend. They don’t know how to act around me, like I wasn’t their son anymore!” Blaine’s voice was slightly rising as he spoke. “I’m the same person that I was two years ago, the same Blaine. Why can’t they see it? I don’t need only their money, I want my parents, too!” he exclaimed despairingly.

Kurt kept quiet all the time through Blaine’s monologue. This was the first time he saw the boy so desperate and lost, so Kurt did the only thing that came in his mind. He moved closer to Blaine and wrapped his arms around him, locking the boy in thigh hug. At first Blaine was surprised by such affection, but feeling Kurt so close to him gave a feeling of comfort and he returned the hug, burying his head in the crook of Kurt’s neck.

“Thank you,” he whispered, pulling away.

At first moment after their contact was broken both boys felt somehow uneasy.

“Oh, you have to meet Paul!” Blaine suddenly cried out cheerfully.

Kurt looked at him completely baffled, but he didn’t have time to say anything, because Blaine grabbed his hand and literally pulled out of the room. He dragged Kurt into the room, which was right in front of his own. It was painted green and the decorations clearly proved that it belonged to a girl.
“What are we doing in Elise’s room?” Kurt asked.

“Look,” Blaine happily gestured to a round aquarium on the nightstand next to Elisa’s bed. “This is Paul,” he announced excitedly.

Kurt eyed Blaine, suddenly questioning his friend’s sanity. He leaned in to look closer and noticed a small gold fish swimming in the bowl. The bottom of the bowl was decorated with colourful stones. It also had a tiny bush of seaweed and a miniature brick house in it. Kurt kept looking at Blaine, not really understanding why the boy was so excited.

“Paul, this is Kurt,” Blaine told the gold fish, who didn’t look interested at all. It kept swimming around the seaweed bush and hiding in them.

“Paul is my pet,” he explained Kurt still smiling like a child. “I was never allowed to have a dog or cat at home when I was little, because mum thought it will make a lot of mess. But I’ve always wanted one so much. So two years ago Elise gave me this gold fish for my birthday. You may think that a fish isn’t the most exciting animal, but for me Paul is the most awesome pet in the world. When I transferred to Dalton, I couldn’t take Paul with me; they don’t allow any pets, not even a fish. And Elise promised to care about him while I’m away.”

Kurt looked at Blaine again, slowly starting to understand this little fish’s significance in boy’s life.

“Nice to meet you, Paul,” Kurt decided to play along. He decided that seeing Blaine so happy was worth everything, even talking to a gold fish. This boy was already dealing with so much crap in his life.

“Let’s take him to my room,” Blaine suggested and took the round aquarium in his hands.

Once they returned to boy’s room, he set the fish bowl on the right nightstand carefully.

“When I’ll move to New York, I’ll take Paul with me,” Blaine said, his voice full of determination. “I don’t know how to transport him in a plane, but I still have time to figure that out,” he smiled.

Kurt sat on Blaine’s bed while the older boy kept observing the little fish, his eyes shining in excitement. Kurt couldn’t take his eyes away from the boy next to him. Less than 10 minutes ago he was almost crying, because of the lack of parental love, but now he was playing with a gold fish named Paul like a 5 years old child. But even if he seemed like the happiest person in the world, Kurt knew that somewhere deep down all the hurt was still there, hidden behind his joyful posture. He just didn’t understood why Blaine was locking him away like that. Did he think he might scare Kurt away?

“I remember Warblers saying something about you and Katy Perry, care to explain?” Kurt asked trying to break the silence.

“Oh, God, you really remember that?” Blaine growled looking a bit embarrassed.

Kurt simply smirked at him and gestured towards the guitar in the corner, “Let me hear something?”

“Katy Perry? You’re sure?”

“Absolutely,” Kurt grinned at Blaine.

“Okay, but then we need to head downstairs. It sounds so much better on the piano,” Blaine said getting up from the bed and Kurt followed his lead.

They went down the stairs right at the moment when Mrs. Anderson came out of the kitchen.

“Blaine, is your friend staying for dinner?” she asked.

“His name’s Kurt and you better ask that to him,” Blaine replied looking straight at his mother. She turned her eyes to Kurt and just looked at him exactingly, not saying a single word.

“No, thank you, I’ll go home soon, I’m sure my parents will start to worry if I come home too late,” Kurt replied politely. Maria simply nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Blaine just shook his head and invited Kurt to follow him down the smaller stairs that led to the basement. Now they found themselves in a small, white room. In the middle of it Kurt saw black and shiny grand piano with a small stool behind them. This room wasn’t as decorated as others in this house. There were only a small, black loveseat on the right from the piano and a shelf, which was full with papers. After a closer observation Kurt noticed that they’re all sheet music.

“You can sit there,” Blaine gestured to the loveseat. Then he went to the shelf and started looking through the papers.

“I’ll just call my dad and tell him where I am, he’s probably already worried,” Kurt said pulling out his phone and dealing Burt’s number. His dad picked up almost immediately.

“Hey dad, I’m sorry for not calling earlier. I sort of forgot,” Kurt added awkwardly.

“I was waiting your call since morning, Kurt. I wanted to call myself, but Carole didn’t let me, saying you need to have fun,” Burt sounded more relieved than angry, which Kurt was thankful for.

“I didn’t want to upset you, dad, I’m sorry. You don’t have to worry anymore. I’m in Lima, at Blaine’s house. I promise to be home until dinner.”

Kurt heard his dad sighing, “Okay, kid! I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Just be safe.”

“I will, dad, bye!” Kurt rolled his eyes and ended the call. He glanced over to Blaine, who was already sitting by the piano.

“You’re not in trouble because of me, are you?” he asked worryingly. “If so, I can explain your dad that it’s my fault. I was the one who invited you.”

“Relax, Blaine! I’m not in trouble,” Kurt laughed gently shaking his head. This boy was incredible. “Dad was just worried that I didn’t call earlier. That’s all. I was simply having too much of a good time to remember to call.”

Blaine simply nodded, “Your dad sounds great.”

“He is,” Kurt smiled. Blaine was looking at the sheet music in his hands.

“Did you really have fun at Dalton?” he asked a few seconds later.

“Of course I did! And I’m still having fun,” Kurt reassured Blaine smiling at the boy. Sometimes he absolutely forgot that Blaine was, in fact, a year older than him.

The other boy nodded again and turned to piano, “I’m sure you know this one. I just rearranged the melody a bit. I think it sounds better this way.” With that Blaine started playing.

You think I'm pretty without any make-up on
You think I'm funny when I tell the punch line wrong
I know you get me so I let my walls come down
Down...

Before you met me I was alright
But things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life
Now every February you'll be my Valentine,
Valentine...

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I, we'll be young forever

You make me feel like
I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep, let's run away
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

We drove to Cali and got drunk on the beach
Got a motel and built a fort out of sheets
I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece
I'm complete

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love
We can dance until we die
You and I, we'll be young forever

You make me feel like
I'm living a teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep, let's run away
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch, now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

I might get your heart racing in my skin-tights jeans
Be your Teenage Dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your Teenage Dream tonight

You make me, feel like
I'm livin' a teenage dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep, let's run away
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back
No...

My heart stops when you look at me
Just one touch now baby I believe
This is real, so take a chance
And don't ever look back
Don't ever look back

I might get your heart racing in my skin tights jeans
Be your Teenage Dream tonight
Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans
Be your Teenage Dream tonight

Somewhere in the middle of the song Blaine’s eyes found Kurt’s. And for a minute the younger boy let himself believe that Blaine was singing to him. The look in his eyes just seemed so sincere and full with emotions that Kurt didn’t understood. He only knew that his own heart indeed stopped, when Blaine was singing those last lines and looking directly in Kurt’s eyes.

“That was beautiful, Blaine,” Kurt admitted as soon as the older boy finished singing.

“Thank you,” he answered thankfully. “Actually, you’re the first one who’s ever heard my version of Teenage Dream. In Warblers we performed it like the original.”

“Really?!” Kurt asked surprised. Blaine just nodded. “Then it was an honor to be the first one,” he smiled. There was a short, silent pause again until Kurt spoke once again.

“I think I should go home,” he said and noticed that Blaine’s eyes immediately lost their spark. “I promised my dad to be home for dinner and I don’t want to be late for that.”

“Sure,” Blaine nodded and started to get up. “I’ll guide you to your car.”

They went up the stairs and Kurt went to say goodbye to Mrs. Anderson. He knew that he wasn’t her favourite person at this moment, but he still wanted to be polite. Maybe that’s how he could earn her liking. Or at least a tiny bit of it. Then he took his coat and let Blaine lead him outside and to his car.

“Thank you for inviting me, Blaine. I really had fun,” Kurt said standing outside his car.

“I’m glad you came,” the other boy answered sincerely. “By the way, merry Christmas, Kurt,” he smiled.

“Merry Christmas to you too, Blaine,” Kurt replied. “And greet Paul from me,” he added, making Blaine laugh.

“Will do! Bye, Kurt.”

“Bye!” With that Kurt got into his car and drove away from the Anderson residence, leaving Blaine standing on the driveway.