Kurt always managed to remain an individual – in the face of bullies, a disapproving society, and even a private school dress code – and he encouraged others around him to do the same. Blaine marveled at the way their classmates opened up to Kurt and found ways to come into themselves. More Warblers were trying out for solos and Blaine didn't even mind giving up some, as such the Warblers were gaining a new sense of camaraderie. All thanks to Kurt's encouraging presence.

Now it was Blaine's turn.

He wasn't going to make any big changes right away, but Blaine had decided that baby steps would be an excellent idea. Kurt had already seen him in a great deal of his wardrobe (and had even helped in filling up about half of it with new clothes after Blaine had left Dalton and actually needed everyday wear), but there was one aspect of Blaine that Kurt hadn't gotten to see yet. He had been laying in bed the night before, staring up at his ceiling in that state of semi-consciousness, when the idea hit him. Blaine wasn't going to wear gel in his hair.

Okay, so maybe his reasoning was a little more selfish than the idea that he wasn't going to live in a repressed little box anymore. He gelled his hair to appear more mature while at Dalton, and hadn't really kicked the habit after his transfer to McKinley, so Kurt hadn't seen his natural hair. Because Blaine actually had outrageous, wildly curly hair. When he and Kurt were making out, Kurt's hands usually stayed far away from his hair to avoid getting sticky.

So maybe Blaine had slightly less noble reasons for deciding not to style his hair. Sue him, if the anticipation didn't kill him first because tomorrow Blaine was picking up Kurt for an afternoon coffee date, and the big reveal.

XX

Blaine stood at the front door to the Hummel-Hudson home, staring at the door knob. He had long ago been informed that ringing the doorbell was unnecessary, as he was over so often that he may as well have lived there.

'This is it,' he told himself, trying not to be too nervous, 'You are about to show your boyfriend the real you.'

Steeling his nerves, Blaine reached up and opened the door, calling Kurt's name as he entered the house. He heard a pounding of footsteps over his head and suddenly there was his beautiful boyfriend descending the staircase. Kurt was, as per usual, dressed fantastically in what constituted casual wear for his standards. Knee-high lace up boots that made Blaine's brilliant hazel eyes travel up Kurt's legs to his abs and finally to his surprised blue eyes.

"Baby?" Kurt let a slow smile ease across his full lips, "Did you do something different with your hair?"

Suddenly self-conscious again, Blaine blushed and ran a hand through his hair. The fact that he could actually do that at all spoke volumes. He watched Kurt move towards him and reach for his hair. He closed his eyes as Kurt ran his fingers through his curly locks, enjoying the sensation until... Kurt giggled?

Blaine's eyes snapped open to take in Kurt's face. His boyfriend had his lower lip trapped between his teeth, but there was still a smile threatening to break out on his face. Blaine narrowed his eyes, "Are you laughing?"

"No!" Kurt to deny, but another giggle escaped him, "Oh hell, it's just... Wow."

"Good wow?" Blaine quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head. Kurt nodded, suppressing another giggle, "Oh you're gonna get it."

Kurt squeaked and tried to escape, but Blaine clamped his around him and tackled him to the ground. Pinning Kurt's arms above his head, Blaine smirked, "Still think it's funny?"

"Deadly serious," Kurt pouted, "It's so curly!"

XX

They arrived at the coffee shop after a steamy – if short lived – makeout session in the front foyer of Kurt's house, and stood in line holding hands. Blaine was bobbing his head back and forth to a rhythm only he could hear, and Kurt was studying him quietly.

Of course he understood one of Blaine's biggest motivations for leaving his hair free of gel (and Kurt was immensely thankful for it, which he would have to go about demonstrating when they were back in Kurt's bedroom). But Kurt could also see a subtle change in his boyfriend's demeanor with this one little adjustment to his appearance.

Obviously Blaine had to be a little more reserved in Dalton's environment, for it was a place to breed young gentlemen in a world full of rock heathens and modern hipsters, and his hair was definitely a testament to that ideal that Blaine had developed. His hair was a statement of control; his control over his emotions and his life. Coming to McKinley and leaving behind his friends, his uniform, his safety, made Kurt realize just how lucky he was to have Blaine in his life. Currently, the object of his thoughts was staring at him and Kurt realized that Blaine had asked him if he wanted anything besides his usual coffee. Kurt smiled, shook his head, and ducked down for a kiss when the barista had turned away to hand off their coffee cups – orders scribbled illegibly on the sides, and yet their orders would still come to them perfect. Blaine blushed and grinned shyly at him.

"What was that for?"

"I just love you," Kurt replied, barely above a whisper. Only for Blaine to hear.

His grin grew even wider, "I love you too."

'Oh yeah,' Blaine decided, 'No gel? Best decision ever.'