“Yes, I would actually.” Nick said, holding his original pose. Kurt left Blaine’s side and walked to stand next to Nick.

“I’ll tell you all about it later.” Kurt whispered in his ear. Nick looked at him and nodded.

“Have you guys been to dinner yet?” Blaine asked as he went to the bathroom.

“No,” Jeff said, getting up from his bed and straightened out his robes. “We were waiting for you two.” He walked towards the door.

“Alright, hold on a minute.” Blaine called from inside the bathroom.

“We’ll meet you in the common room, okay?” Kurt said back. He, Nick and Jeff walked downstairs. Big mistake.

“So Kurtsie,” Jeff asked him, with a wicked glint in his eye. “What are you and Blainers up to?” Kurt looked around, looking for something that could distract Jeff, but there was nothing moving or shiny around.

“Do you give nicknames to everyone?” Kurt asked anxiously. ‘What am I supposed to say? We acted like a couple all day long, but maybe Blaine was being overly friendly? I think he’s amazing and gorgeous and perfect, but I have no idea how he feels about me? No way. That would give Jeff too much amo.’

“Avoiding the subject.” Jeff said in a sing song voice.

“Whatever, Jeff.” Kurt said.

“Oh, and now he’s getting defensive. I do believe that is a sign of a crush.” Jeff said. Kurt blushed and Jeff was about to press again when Nick stepped in.

“Jeff, leave Kurt alone or I’ll tell him all about how you acted towards me for three months.” Jeff immediately closed his mouth and looked down at his feet. Kurt mouthed a silent ‘Thank you’ to Nick as he chuckled at Jeff’s reaction.

“It was great Kurt,” Blaine said as he came down the stairs and into the common room. “You should have seen it. He was always...”

“Stop right there Anderson.” Jeff said, glaring at his best friend.

“What are you going to do about it Sterling? Both boys crouched and moved from side to side. Jeff grabbed a pillow from the couch behind him and threw it at Blaine. While he was distracted by the pillow, Jeff tackled Blaine to the ground. The two rolled around on the ground, trying to gain the upper hand over the other. Kurt looked shocked.

“What are you two idiots doing?” Kurt said as he moved to break up the scuffle between the two Gryffindors.

“Just let them go.” Kurt stopped and looked at Nick. “This happens at least once a week.” The two sane teenagers looked at the still wrestling boys and back at each other. “Want to go to dinner? They’ll catch up eventually.” Nick held out his arm for Kurt. Kurt accepted the arm and the two boys strolled out through the portrait towards the Great Hall. Halfway there, the questioning began. “So does this count as being later?” Nick asked.

“I suppose it does.” Kurt responded. They slowed their pace and lowered their voices.

“So, where were you guys all day?” Nick asked, curiosity very evident in his tone.

“I woke up on his chest.” Kurt said. Nick looked surprised. “It felt so right and when he woke up we just looked at each other. But not in a creepy way. More like admiring, or at least I hope that’s what he was doing. He wanted to talk, so we went down to this little dock on a deserted part of the lake. We just talked for hours and hours. It was like we could talk forever.” Kurt sighed dreamily. Nick squeezed his arm and smiled. He decided not to mention the nightmare. Nick didn’t need to worry about it. “After awhile, we headed back up to the castle, but when we got close to the Great Hall he asked if I wanted to keep walking. I didn’t want any of it to end so we kept walking. Eventually we ended up in front of the Room of Requirement.” Nick’s grin grew wider.

“What did it turn into for you guys?” Nick asked.

“A little hideaway for two. It was beautiful with a window seat and glowing orb lights on the walls. Small kitchen was off to the side and a working fireplace.” Kurt thought back to the perfect room. “It was perfect for me at least. I don’t know about Blaine.”

“The room adds what everyone looks for in a room into what it transforms into. Balancing it to create exactly what both people need.” Kurt looked at Nick questioningly. “I’ve read a lot about Hogwarts’s history.” Nick said, shrugging.

“It was perfect. We sat on the window seat reading DADA and Charms books. I leaned against his chest and it was just incredible. When the light outside the window started getting darker we came back to the common room and the rest you know.” Kurt said. He then realized how much he had been talking. He was never able to open up to anyone like this back home, now he had so many new people he felt safe with. The most important one being Blaine, but Nick was an amazing listener.

“You two came back to the common room holding hands.” Nick reminded Kurt. “Do you know where you want to go with it.”

“I have no idea how he feels.” Kurt said. Nick shook his head.

“I didn’t ask about Blaine. Do you want things go further?” Kurt blushed. The two of them stopped in the hallway just outside the Great Hall and sat on one of the window sills.

“I really like him.” Kurt said quietly. “He makes me feel safe and cared for. I haven’t felt that way with anyone outside of my family. Ever. And there’s just something about him that makes me feel... I don’t even know how to describe it.”

“I think you should go for it. Tell him how you feel and see what happens.” Nick said. He was going to keep talking, but Kurt looked at him with wide eyes and shook his head.

“I can’t do that. It would ruin everything if he doesn’t feel the same way and I can’t lose him as a friend.” Kurt looked away. ‘Way to sound pathetic. But I must be really pathetic to know it to be true. Blaine’s been the first person who really get’s me.’

“He does like you in the same way.” Nick insisted.

“You don’t know that for sure.” Kurt said. Nick was just about to respond when two boys stopped in front of them.

“So kind of you two to wait for us.” Jeff said. He quickly stopped when he saw the looks on both Nick and Kurt’s faces. Nick looked like he was pleading and a little frustrated, while Kurt looked broken down and nervous. “Are you two okay?” He asked.

“Yeah, we’re fine.” Kurt stood up and Nick looked at him with a knowing look. As if to say ‘Yeah, sure you are’. “Are we going to go get something to eat or what?” Kurt started to walk towards the open doors to the Great Hall. The other three boys quickly caught up to him. The Gryffindor’s walked to their table and sat like they normally did. Blaine and Kurt sitting next to each other on one side and Nick and Jeff the same way, but on the opposite side of the table. A normal conversation started to pick up within the group. Even more so when Wes and David came to join them. Blaine was still worried about Kurt after seeing him and Nick talking outside the Great Hall.

“Are you sure you’re okay.” Blaine whispered to Kurt.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” Kurt whispered back, but Blaine could tell something was different.

“You just seemed nervous when Jeff and I showed up.” Blaine looked at Kurt, concerned.

“Really, I’m okay.” Kurt responded. “I’m just a little stressed about this parchment I’m supposed to finish for Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Blaine perked up.

“I can help you with that right after dinner if you want.” He said smiling. Kurt couldn’t help but smile back.

“That would be great.”

*****

Nick and Kurt had just left the common room when Jeff pinned Blaine to the floor.

“So tell me Blaine.” Jeff said. “When are you going to tell Kurt that you like him?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Blaine grunted as he tried to free his arms from Jeff’s grip, but Jeff held tight.

“Sure you don’t. If you two were in a cartoon little hearts would surround you two whenever you were near to each other.” Jeff said. He got up, off of Blaine, and sat next to him. “You can tell by the way you two act around each other that you like each other.”

“I don’t know.” Blaine started. “There are times when I think he likes me, but sometimes he just becomes quiet and seems to shut down.”

“What do you mean?” Jeff asked, looking confused.

“I can just tell that something’s holding him back. Like he's scared to really open up to someone. Nick might know more about if something is bothering him.”

“Then why don’t you ask Nick if something is making Kurt nervous?” Jeff thought it was a simple enough solution.

“No.” Blaine said, looking at his hands. “No. I want Kurt to tell me himself when he’s ready. I don’t want to push him into something he isn’t ready for. It would just hurt him more.” Blaine looked up at his friend, who was nodding understandingly.

“Sounds like a good plan man.” Jeff said. He stood up and held out a hand for Blaine to take. Blaine smiled and let Jeff pull him to his feet. “Now lets go find those two. I’m starving.” Both boys walked out through the portrait. While walking, Blaine couldn’t help but think to himself.

‘Kurt may not be able to open up fully, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like me the way I like him. Maybe I should just tell him.’

*****

(Back in the Great Hall)

Dessert had just ended and the Gryffindors got up to leave with the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Kurt and Blaine parted ways with the others to head towards the library. They were almost there when a few second years came rushing down the hallway. Blaine quickly grabbed Kurt’s hand and pulled him out of the way so he wouldn’t be run over by the excited bunch. After the group had passed, they started walking again and Kurt looked down at their hands. Flicking his eyes up to Blaine’s face, he was surprised to see the other boy watching him. Kurt blushed furiously and looked ahead as they strolled down the corridor, missing at how Blaine’s smile grew wider when he saw Kurt blush. Their hands stayed linked until the door to the library, where Blaine let go and opened the door for Kurt.

“After you.” Blaine said with a thousand watt smile. Kurt blushed again and quickly went inside. Only a few other students were sitting working at the desks. Madam White smiled at the two boys before returning to reading her book.

“C’mon. I’ll show you where I like to study.” Blaine whispered to Kurt. Kurt followed Blaine to the back of the library, where nobody ever really visited, and to the left side. A small opening between two bookcases led to a small corner with a desk and two chairs. An ornate window above the dark wood table looked out over the Black Lake.

“How did you find this place?” Kurt asked, as he looked out the window at the large moon reflecting on the lake.

“I found it last year when I was trying to study, but Jeff and Nick were being annoying. I had to find a quiet place where no one else really ever was.” Blaine said, as he sat across from Kurt. “So tell me about what else you have to do for your half parchment on counter jinxes.” Kurt raised his wand and summoned his paper, along with a quill and ink. “Wow.” Blaine said.

“What?” Kurt looked at him confused.

“Summoning doesn’t always work for me when I try to do it and you did it without even saying the spell.” Blaine said.

“It takes a lot of practice. I used to stay after school a lot back home and practice. It was safer that way.” Kurt stopped talking suddenly and looked down at his scroll. ‘Why did you bring up McKinley, you idiot?’ Kurt scolded himself. ‘Are you trying to rehash all those memories?’ Kurt winced as a few started coming into his mind before he could stop them. The feeling of a hand on his made him jump. Fear flashed in his eyes as he looked up to see a concerned Blaine. “Sorry.” Kurt apologized. “I forgot you were there.” Tears started collecting in his eyes.

“Hey,” Blaine said in a soothing tone. “It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it.”

“I’m still sorry.” Kurt said quietly.

“For what?” Blaine looked baffled.

“For being such a burden. I’m always spacing out or crying. I’m just inconvenient.” Kurt said. All his walls going up as he waited for Blaine to agree with what he had said.

“You are not a burden, Kurt.” Blaine said with a sad look as Kurt looked at him surprised. “You’re amazing to be perfectly honest. You’re smart and witty and caring. I consider myself lucky for even knowing you.” Kurt blushed at what Blaine said. The two sat at the table in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Just enjoying the others presence. Kurt finally broke the silence with a cough.

“So,” he started. “About that counter jinxes paper.”

“Right.” Blaine said. “Well first we’ll start with Flipendo.”

*****

It was almost eleven when Madam White found the two boys working in the hideaway.

“What are you two still doing here so late?” She asked, surprised that any student would still be working at the late hour.

“Sorry, Madam White.” Blaine said. “I was just helping Kurt finish his paper. We’re done now if you need us to leave.” Kurt vanished the quill and ink and sent his parchment back to his side table in Gryffindor Tower.

“That would be for the best dearies. I’ll give you a pass so you don’t get in trouble with Filch or the prefects for being out after curfew.” Madam White wrote notes for them both and sent them on their way. Kurt had never seen the castle so empty or so late at night. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the Grey Lady floated by.

“You’re okay.” Blaine said quietly to him. “Nothing's going to happen to you. I promise.”

“Thanks.” Kurt said and smiled when Blaine took his hand. As they walked, Kurt remembered something. “So now that my paper is done,” Kurt said and looked Blaine in the eyes. “Are you going to tell me what the condition is for your help?” Blaine led Kurt through the portrait and into the common room, in front of the crackling fire. He stopped and turned to face Kurt. Taking both of the other boys hands in his own.

“Yes, I will.” Blaine said and then took a deep breath.

‘What could he possibly want that would make him this nervous?’ Kurt thought to himself. Blaine looked at Kurt again and Kurt almost gasped at the bright look of determination in the honey hazel eyes.

“In a couple of weeks there is a Hogsmeade visit on the second Saturday of October.” Blaine said and Kurt nodded. He was looking forward to seeing the town that many students talked about. He didn’t know where Blaine was going with this though. “I was hoping that maybe we could go together?” Blaine said in a rush. Kurt looked at him confused.

“I thought we were already going together with Nick, Jeff, Rachel, Finn, and Mercedes.” Kurt said, trying to piece together what Blaine was saying.

“No Kurt. Well yes, but...” Blaine stopped and took another deep breath. “I mean. I was wondering if you would like to go to Hogsmeade with me. On a date.”

‘Oh My God!’ Kurt’s heart and head screamed. ‘Did he just...? Really? Am I dreaming? Say something to him!’ Kurt thought, he tried to make his mouth move but couldn’t get passed being stunned silent. Blaine’s face fell when Kurt didn’t answer and looked at him stunned.

“I’m sorry.” Blaine said quickly. “I thought-. I didn’t mean-. I’m sor-.” Blaine stammered before he was cut off by Kurt throwing his arms around Blaine’s neck and hugged him close. Kurt was smiling from ear to ear when he said,

“I would love to.” in Blaine’s ear. He felt Blaine’s arms circle around his torso and they hugged closely. They embraced for a few minutes before releasing each other except for one of their hands. Both had matching smiles as they walked up the stairs to their dorm. They both tiptoed around the room as they got ready for bed, shooting smiles at each other every once and awhile in the dark. Kurt finally slipped under his covers, after his full regime, and slid his drapes closed. A muffled ‘Goodnight Kurt’ came from Blaine’s direction on the other side of the fabric. “Goodnight Blaine.” Kurt said back before closing his eyes and slipping into the unconscious with a smile on his face. He slept without nightmares that night.