Blaine and Kurt walked through the heavy wooden doors after Warbler rehearsal into the massive atrium. Their footsteps echoed as they met the large, diamond-patterned wood-tile floor. Sun shone through the old glass windows, making interestingly irregular rounded patterns everywhere.

Normally, Kurt only had eyes for Blaine; but as things seemed to be more comfortable and close between them lately, he had begun to let his eyes appreciate the classic beauty of the school a bit.

"Have you ever stopped to look at the gorgeous artwork in these halls?" he asked. "I mean, look at the striking Chiaroscuro in that piece, there. The shade in contrast to the light." He stopped and took a deep breath through his nose, hugging himself and giving a shiver of delight, his eyes closed. "Magnificent."

When he opened his eyes, Blaine was standing there smiling down at him and chuckling. "You? Are so adorable."

Kurt turned and started to walk, giving him a glance over his shoulder, but there was just a hint of a smile on his face. "That's not at all patronizing."

Blaine hurried to catch up with him and nudged him with his elbow. "C'mon....It was a compliment!"

Kurt turned a full smile toward him, then. "For a puppy, maybe."

Blaine laughed, then poked fingers at Kurt, saying in an overly sweet voice, "Who's da cute wittle puppy? Who's da cutest wittle puppy in da whole wild world?"

Kurt squeaked and pulled away, trotting across the atrium, saying, "Stop that!" but he was laughing, too.

"THAT," Blaine said through his laughter, "was patronizing."

Fanning himself and attempting to recover from his laughter as he leaned against a plush velvet chair, Kurt said with a nod, "Okay. Point taken."

Blaine walked up to him. "So, am I forgiven?"

"Oh, but I thought you were paying me a compliment."

Blaine stuttered for a few seconds. "I was! I just--You were all offended, so I thought I should ask...."

Kurt gave a dismissive swipe of his hand. "No need."

Blaine shook his head, leaning on the chair beside Kurt. "You sure can be confusing."

Kurt made a noise of protest. "Oh, and you came with an instruction manual, I suppose?"

"Yeah, I wish! I'd be the first one to read it!"

They shared a laugh, then Blaine gave Kurt's thigh a pat. "C'mon, let's go grab a couple coffees."

THE BEGINNING OF A NEVER-ENDING RELATIONSHIP (in my happy little world)