"Whats the room number?"

"206!" Blaine called as he trampled up the stairs. His dormitory at the Pok�mon University. His home for the next five years. He beamed and hurried after his older brother.

"Hurry up and open the door, Squirt," Cooper called from behind his armful of Blaines possessions.

Blaine charged forward, bag swinging around his hips, and pulled his brand new student ID out of his pocket. He slid it into the little silver lock on the door and it flashed green. Cooper toppled inside and Blaine hurried after him, letting the door slam closed.

He was finally here, after years of hoping and waiting to see if hed be accepted. Even Cooper hadnt been accepted to Pok�mon University like their father, but Blaine had done his absolute best in school since his first day. Hed been a model student, kind and caring and encouraging, acing every test right up to the end of his public school education. Now, at fourteen, he was ready to begin his real study of Pok�mon and, in another week or two, hed have his very own Pok�mon to befriend.

"Its not a bad size for a dorm," Cooper said as he relieved himself of Blaines boxes on one of the bare beds. "Lets get you set up before your roommate gets here. Whats his name again?"

Blaine pulled the information card from his pocket. "Kurt Hummel, but hes not coming in until tomorrow. Todays A through G."

"Awesome. I can crash with you tonight then." Cooper ruffled his head of curls and darted towards the door. "Race you back to the lobby!"

Kurt huffed as he stomped up the stairs to his dormitory. It was his first day at Pok�mon University and his dad was babying him. He glowered at the broad, flannel back in front of him as they stopped at the second floor.

"This is the floor," Burt said, looking through the door at the long hallway. "206 should be–"

"Its right in front of you, Dad, honestly."

Kurt shouldered past him and started to dig his card out to open the rooms door. The handle jiggled and suddenly a boy his age and a little taller was standing in front of him. From the little of his face Kurt could see, he looked handsome behind his curtain of dark curls.

"Oh, hi! You must be Kurt!"

The boy stepped back against the little sink and mirror lining the entry way as Kurt stumbled through and dumped his bags on the floor.

"Do you need any help?"

Kurt looked at the eager face and tried his best to smile. It wasnt something he was used to doing. Back in their small town all the kids made fun of him; for his dream, his voice, his clothing. Nobody was ever nice to him for long. In another week, this boy would be his academic competitor. He wouldnt be so smiley then.

"Sure," Kurt said, eyeing his roommate suspiciously. But the boy only beamed and helped him carry his bags into the rectangular room they would share. It was slightly bigger than his room at home, and Kurt knew all of his clothes would never fit with only a small wooden wardrobe and a squat dresser. Hed have to visit home and change them out with the seasons.

"I hope you dont mind," Blaine was saying as he hoisted Kurts shoes bag onto the bare bed. "My brothers still here. He stayed the night to help me get settled and, well, sort of slept on your mattress."

Kurt looked at the mattress and shrugged after a moment. Countless other boys had slept there over the years. "Its fine."

His dad shuffled in and set down a few bags hed carried upstairs. "Looks like youve gotten all set up," he said to Blaine. Kurt looked at the other side of the room, too. The bedding was a soft vanilla with hues of red; several posters were on the walls of evolution schemes and maps of the world; a thread rug was at the foot of the bed and his desk was already set up with different books and pictures. It wasnt much but it would go well with what Kurt had planned. At least this boy had good tastes.

"My names Blaine, by the way."

"Kurt, but you already knew that."

"Right, yeah," Blaine said. He twisted his hands behind his back and continued smiling. "I, um, I can go for a little while if you want. I had all of that time to set up by myself, so–"

"If you want," Kurt said.

"Okay," Blaine said, shuffling past them towards the door. But then he darted back and scooped up the lanyard on the desk. "Forgot my card, sorry. Bye. It was nice to meet you, sir. Ill see you later, Kurt!"

Kurt stared after him, feeling annoyed. Of course he had to get a perky roommate, one that no doubt had some hidden scheme to destroy his academic career and get him removed from the Trainer Academy within the University.

"He seems nice," Burt said as they started unpacking his bags. "Looks like his decorating wont upset you too much."

Kurt glowered at his dad and rolled his eyes. "Hes competition, Dad. For the next five years hes going to be the enemy."

Burt sighed and sat down in his desk chair. "This boy is going to be your roommate, Kurt. You two are sharing this room for five years. And I know youre here on a scholarship and you have to do well, but that doesnt mean you cant make friends. At least try, even if its only with him. He could make your life hell if you do the same to him."

Instead of answering, Kurt hoisted his bag of shoes off the bag and started lining them up under the head of his bed.

An hour after hed said goodbye to his father, Blaine and an older man returned to the room. Kurt stayed at his desk, scrolling through his brand new Pok�Dex and flipping through his old journals and books on all the various Pok�mon in the world. Classes didnt start for another week, and he had yet to pick his schedule, but he wanted to brush up on his knowledge as much as possible.

"All right, Squirt," the man said. "Its time for me to get going. Cerulean City is a long trip."

Despite himself, Kurt found his eyes drawn to the doorway. This man was way too young and attractive to be Blaines father, surely. He looked at most ten years old than them.

Blaine flung himself against the other man, his curls barely peeking over his shoulder. "I love you, Coop," Kurt heard him mumble. "Youll visit and write, wont you?"

"Did I or did I not save up all year to get us those fancy laptops so that we could email and video chat?"

Blaine stepped back and rubbed his eyes. "Uh huh."

"And do I or do I not know how to write letters to my favorite little brother?"

"Im your only little brother."

"Come here," Coop said as Kurt set his Pok�Dex down and watched the tender exchange. "You are going to be amazing here, okay?" he hugged Blaine tight and kissed his curls. "Mom and Dad would be so proud of you getting in here on a scholarship. And I know they love you as much as I do."

The two brothers embraced for several minutes, finally pulling away so that Coop could head out. "Ill see you soon, Blaine! Study hard and make friends!"

"I will!"

For the next hour, Blaine shuffled around behind Kurt while he continued memorizing and studying. Kurt hoped it would stay like that. Soon enough Blaine would meet the rest of their hall and have friends to go run off with. Then Kurt could spend all of his time in the room, studying and being the best Pok�mon trainer in the world. Blaine suddenly appear a few feet to his left, right by Kurts newly made bed.

"Your comforters really beautiful," Blaine said. "They didnt have anything like that in Cerulean. Im from there. Well, my parents grew up in Lavender Town, but me and my brother moved there when they died a few years ago."

Kurt clenched his jaw as Blaine leaned against his bed post.

"A- are you from around here?"

"Vermilion," Kurt bit out.

"Oh, thats not that far, right?"

Kurt shrugged and clicked a few buttons on his Pok�Dex. If he seemed disinterested, then Blaine would leave him alone.

"Do you know which Pok�mon will be your starter?"

Another shrug.

"Or the cafeteria here," Blaine pressed. "Ive heard the food is pretty awful."

Kurt made a noise somewhere between a snort and a grunt.

"Have you looked at the class list yet?" Blaine continued, smiling brightly. "There was one – its an upper level class, so we cant take it yet – but its about Pok�mon in Queer and Feminist theory and it sounded really–"

"Do you mind? Im trying to study," Kurt snapped, setting his Pok�Dex down.

A hurt look crumbled Blaines grin and Kurt felt a twist of guilt in his belly. His dad would be so disappointed if he could see him right now. "Oh, right, sorry," Blaine said quietly. "I just– classes dont start until next week, and I just thought we could get to know each other. Be friends or something."

When Kurt only looked at him, Blaine bit his lip and shuffled back to his desk. "Sorry."

For several minutes Kurt stared at his desk, at the picture of himself and his dad, and the one tucked just behind it of his mother and himself at eight. It couldnt hurt to have one friend. At least then hed have someone to talk to about classes, to help him if he didnt understand something, and to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with.

"Charmander," Kurt said. "I think I want to start with a Charmander. I like fire Pok�mon."

Blaine suddenly vaulted onto Kurts bed and leaned down over the desk, hanging right in front of Kurts face. "Im going to start with Eevee. Theyre positively cute!"

Kurt leaned back in alarm and stared up at his roommate. This boy was hyper and possibly insane.

"Is that your mom?" Blaine tilted the picture of Kurt and Burt back to see it. "Wow, shes beautiful. You look just like her. I look like my mom, too. Except the eyes. And the eyebrows." Blaine raised his eyebrows and the little triangles turned into sharp points on his forehead. "Theyre like little boomerangs."

Kurt grinned and laughed a little at the adept descriptions. "So what other classes are there? I know theres certain ones were required to take for the first three years. Like languages and Pok�mon anatomy courses."

"Theres all sorts," Blaine said, setting the picture back down. "Theres psychology and history and labs, and then theres training courses. Im in the Trainer Academy, but I know this one girl down the hall is in the Evolution Academy. I think her name was Quinn. Anyway–"

As Blaine babbled on, Kurt listened and eventually took a seat on his bed next to Blaine, flipping through the thick course catalogue and deciding what they should take for their first semester.

By then end of his first semester, Kurt was Blaines best friend. They spent all of their free time together, at meals, studying in the library, and their little Pok�mon they were given at the start of their second semester, spent most of the day curled up in the little bed theyd made for them. Blaine loved being at the University, and when it came time to return home for the summer he was miserable. All summer he prattled on about Kurt. How Kurt loved this or how Kurt had said that, until Cooper was quite glad to send him back.

But the moment he arrived the day before classes and said hi to Kurt, his best friend was furious with him.

"Kurt, what–"

Kurt ducked around him and dropped down at his desk. Charmander scuttled over and hugged Blaines calf tightly while his Eevee stayed curled around his neck. That was her favorite place to lay, and Blaine loved her all the more for it.

"Did I do something wrong?" Blaine cleared his throat as his voice squeaked. It had started doing that only days after hed gotten home, and was now a nice, solid tenor except for a few cracks. "Kurt?"

"I– your voice," Kurt finally snapped. He twisted around in his chair and glared at Blaine. "It changed."

"So?" Blaine said in puzzlement. "Were fifteen. That kind of things happens. Wait, are you mad at me because my voice changed?"

"Thats not– you sound stupid!"

"I do not!"

"Yes, you do," Kurt snarled. His face was burning red as he tugged Charmander away from Blaines legs. "It sounds nasally and stupid and awful."

"Just because mine dropped over the summer and yours didnt doesnt mean you have to be so rude," Blaine shouted. He stamped his foot, snatched up his bag and huffed loudly. "Fine, just fine. Ill go read the articles for tomorrow in the library. You just wait and see if I bring you back a coffee!"

Blaine stormed out, Eevee barely clinging around his neck as he stamped down the stairs.

It was their first, and most ridiculous, fight.

"Danny, stop– no, I have to go. Ive got to study, okay? Yeah, Ill see you for dinner tomorrow."

Kurt gritted his teeth as Eevee leapt from Blaines neck and snarled at the boy currently tugging Blaine in for, what Kurt considered, a gross kiss.

"Eevee, dont be so mean!" Blaine scolded as he shut their room door after his boyfriend. "Dannys a great guy."

Eevee scampered over to Kurt and dropped down in his lap. "Eevee!" she screeched at Blaine.

"Duh, hes a boy," Blaine replied. He rolled his eyes and took his bag off. "So am I. So is Kurt and you adore him!"

Eevee glowered at Blaine and curled herself around Kurts neck.

Blaine huffed and started digging his books out of his bag. "Will you talk some sense into her?"

"Why would I do that?" Kurt asked. "Shes smarter than you. I mean, why would anyone want to date a guy who kisses with his tongue?"

"I– oh my god," Blaine said in disbelief. "Thats– nevermind. If you dont know yet, youll figure it out."

"Vee vee!" Eevee squealed as Blaine dragged his chair over.

"Danny is not gross!"

By the end of the week, Blaine and Danny broke up. Kurt wasnt sure why he was so relieved, but he was glad to have dinner with Blaine again.

Half way through their third year, Charmander and Kurt decided he was ready for his first evolution. Blaine, unlike the rest of their year, had opted out of evolving Eevee, and when Kurt found out how rebellious and obnoxious Charmander was as Charmeleon, he wished hed opted out, too.

"Would you stop setting my pillow on fire?" Kurt flung the charred remains at Charmeleon, who gave a little roar and darted towards the bathroom. "Youre such a teenager!"

Blaine shuffled in cautiously, Eevees furry head poking out of his zipped up jacket. "How safe is it?"

"Hes a monster!"

"So was Ray," Blaine said sadly. "I went to meet him for our date, right? He was cozied up in a booth with that floozy Shirley. Can you believe him? He asked me out!"

"And you wonder why I dont try to date the people around here," Kurt said. He planted his hands on his hips and snarled again. "Ugh, hes destroyed half my wardrobe. I am never getting another fire Pok�mon again!"

"You should get an Eevee when we get our second ones next month," Blaine said. He flopped down on his bed and cuddled up with little Eevee. "Shes the sweetest, most perfect little creature in the world. Yes, you are, Eevee!"

Eevee preened and rubbed her head against Blaines chin.

From the bathroom, their suite-mate screamed and Charmeleon came charging out, nostrils pouring smoke.

"Would you keep that thing in a Pok�Ball, Hummel? Id like to keep my body as is if you dont mind!"

"Sorry!"

Charmeleon ducked under Kurts newly fire-proofed bed frame as Blaine slammed the bathroom door shut and turned their new fan on. Kurt propped the window open to let out the smoke pouring out from under his bed.

"Hell get better once hes more used to his strength," Blaine said as Eevee jumped across to Kurts bed and hung her head down to look underneath. "Eevees going to wait a few more years, I think. Theres so many options for her after all. I dont want to rush her."

"You should think about doing the same with your dating life," Kurt said before he could stop himself. "Theres been a long parade of losers past our doorway recently."

"Oh, shut up," Blaine snapped. "I just– I want romance. I cant have that if I dont look. Besides, kissing is fun if the other guy doesnt slobber all over your chin."

"Ugh, do they actually do that?" Kurt made a face as he turned away from his homework.

"That Brian guy did," Blaine said. He grimaced. "He wasnt very nice anyway. But some of them are good kissers. Taylor was fantastic. And then Roger did this one thing with his tongue that just–"

"Whats it feel like?" Kurt asked suddenly. Blaine paused and stared at him. "Kissing, like, it just looks so… wet. And gross. Everyone on campus is just slobbering all over each other."

"Its really nice if you do it right," Blaine said quietly. He hopped up and tugged Kurt to his bed. "Here, Ill show you!"

"What?" Kurt squawked loudly as Blaine sat down beside him.

"Well, the best way to know is by experiencing it," Blaine deduced. "And, I mean, I think Im an okay kisser and I promise not to slobber all over you or anything." He stared down at Kurts lips like he was sizing up an Onix. "Your lips look ready."

"What?" Kurt repeated. His already high voice squealed up an octave as Blaine tilted his head and kept staring at his mouth.

"They arent chapped or anything," Blaine explained. "Theyre actually really nice looking. Kind of plump and soft."

Kurt only stared at Blaine. It felt like his eyes were about to roll out of their sockets and onto the floor. "I–well–I take good care of myself. S- skin care is important."

"So can I show you?" Blaine asked. "I mean, just as friends. But if you wont date and you want to know, well…"

"O- okay," Kurt found his voice saying and then Blaines lips were pressed against his. It was a warm, dry pressure at first. Blaines mouth was somehow soft but firm and felt nothing like how it looked on every stairwell around campus. Kurt barely remembered to shut his eyes as Blaines lips moved, tentatively at first and then stronger, puckering out to let them breathe, and then pressing back in just once for a second, soft kiss.

"Well?" Blaine breathed as he leaned back. "H- how was that?"

"I–well–" Kurt stared at Blaine in disbelief, his stomach leaping and his head full of fluff. Beside him, Blaines eyes were dark, his face surprised, but by what Kurt couldnt be sure. "You, um, y- you kind of caught me off guard," Kurt finally said. "Im not sure what to think."

"Oh," Blaine said, looking disappointed. Then he brightened a little and scooted in closer. "Maybe I should kiss you again. With warning, of course. So you can access all the different parts of it this time."

Kurt blushed but played along. "Yeah, I think so. And I dont think I can have a full understanding if I dont at least try that tongue thing everyones so fond of. Okay?"

Blaine smiled as he leaned back in and pecked him on the lips. "Okay."

"I cant believe were graduating," Blaine said as they curled up after their last training exam.

"I cant believe we survived Charmeleons teenage blues," Kurt mumbled against his neck.

From under the bed, Charmeleon roared softly in protest.

"Oh, shut up, you big baby," Kurt called down to him. "You know you were. Youll be just as bad when you evolve into Charizard when were out of the road."

"Im so glad Jolteon skipped that phase," Blaine teased. Across the room, Jolteon preened softly in her sleep while two little Eevees curled up against her belly. "Theyre so cute together. Like a little Eevee family."

"Thats because you have a serious Eevee problem," Kurt reminded him. " I caught a Vulpix and a Caterpie unlike some people."

"Hey!" Blaine said, sitting up and frowning at him. "Its Eeveelution! We took an entire course on it!"

"Which is why I never want to hear that word again," Kurt cut in.

"I love my Eevee babies and Im going to have one each of their final forms. I think Eeveen wants to be Umbreon, but Im not sure about Eeveeon. I think hes still too young to know where he wants to go."

"Oh my god, youre ridiculous," Kurt said. He sat up, too, and looked around their room at the boxes and bags and the belts of Pok�Balls waiting for them. "Im going to find all of them someday. You can stick to your Eevee horde."

"I will," Blaine said brightly. "And maybe a Jigglypuff. Theyre pretty adorable, too. Oh, and a Pikachu! Remember that one we got to take care of for that Disease and Treatment class? He was precious."

Kurt shook his head fondly and shut his boyfriend up with a kiss.

"Do you think were ready?" Blaine asked as they settled back down together. "I mean, were just going to wander and battle and train and find Pok�mon until we have bad knees."

"Or kids," Kurt reminded him. "Were still having at least two."

"But no more than five," Blaine finished. He smiled at Kurt and kissed him on the cheek. "As long as I can have lots of Eevees, I think well be okay."

"Im limiting you to seven," Kurt said. "One of each final form and thats it."

Blaines face fell. "You mean I cant have all the final forms and cute little Eevee who doesnt evolve? But Kurt–"

"Okay, fine," Kurt relented. "I mean, Im finding all of the Pok�mon in the known world, so I guess you can fill our house with eight Eevees. The kidsll love them."

"As much as I love you?"

"Not possible."