“A roommate,” Kurt scoffed, irritated, for probably the tenth time that day.

“Kurt,” Burt said firmly. “I know you’re not happy about this, but that’s how college works. You go to school, you live with a roommate. You learn how to share your space. It’s a life experience. Does anyone know how to use a dang crosswalk here?”

Kurt sighed. He looked out the window and observed the Manhattan traffic around them. He knew he should be excited - he was, after all, finally in New York. To stay. It was moving day for incoming NYU students.

“I know, Dad,” Kurt said woefully. “But what if my roommate is someone like…” Kurt trailed off.

“Like what?” Burt asked.

“Like Finn?” Kurt blurted out. “I’ve been through that experience once. I don’t need to share my space with that again.”

Burt was clearly trying to hide a smile. “Kurt, you’ll be fine.”

Kurt harrumphed, crossing his arms. He wished he could just get his own apartment, but he knew there was no way he could pay for that. Dorms were expensive enough.

Kurt just couldn’t stand the idea of having to live with someone for a whole year, someone who might be messy, or rude, or excessively sexually active, or - god forbid - homophobic. He knew he was in New York, but he still had his guard up. Again, he didn’t want a repeat of the Finn incident.

Finally they arrived at the dorms, and they started loading Kurt’s luggage out of the car. Kurt took two bags and went inside, his father following closely behind. They started up the stairs to the third floor, where Kurt had been told his room would be. As he trudged up the spiraling stairs, terrible scenarios kept playing out in Kurt’s head - what if his roommate made fun of his array of skin and hair products? What if his roommate stole his skin and hair products? They weren’t cheap. What if his roommate was straight and brought girls to their room all the time? God, what if he was gay and brought guys to their room all the time - that might be even worse. What if he was a slob? What if he was a total control freak? The horrifying possibilities were endless.

They reached the third floor and made their way to 328, Kurt’s room. Bracing himself, he unlocked the door and pushed it open.

He’d been hoping that the room would be empty, so that he could stake his claim on the better half. Unfortunately, it looked like his roommate had beaten him there. There was a duffel bag on one bed, two large, black suitcases standing at its foot. And standing in the center of the room, there was a boy. Kurt’s roommate.

The boy looked up when the door opened. He met Kurt’s eye, and Kurt froze.

Of all the things he’d considered about his roommate, he’d never taken into account the fact that he might be extremely attractive.

He had olive skin and golden honey eyes, with perfectly smooth, gelled black hair. He had broad shoulders and a strong jaw and, as he smiled hesitantly at Kurt, pearly white teeth.

“Hi,” the boy said, standing up from where he’d been leaning over a box. “Are you my roommate?”

Kurt gulped. “I guess so.”

The boy strode forward, sticking out his hand. “I’m Blaine.”

Kurt stared at his hand, then set down one of the bags he was carrying to shake it. “Kurt.”

Blaine grinned widely, showing off his perfect teeth. “Nice to meet you. Let me help with that,” he said, reaching for Kurt’s discarded bag.

“Oh, no-“ Kurt began, but Blaine was already carrying it into the room.

“Kurt, are you going to stand in the doorway all day?” Burt asked from behind him.

Kurt startled. He’d forgotten that his father was with him. He’d basically forgotten about the rest of the world for a few seconds there. He stepped forward, letting his dad come in and drop off his luggage.

Burt nodded to Blaine. “Hi, I’m Kurt’s dad.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” Blaine said.

“Come on, Kurt,” Burt said, patting him on the shoulder as he passed him. “Let’s get the rest of your stuff.”

Kurt reluctantly followed, but was treated to the sight of Blaine's back flexing as he lifted one of his own suitcases before Kurt left the room.

Kurt may not have considered having a hot roommate, but now he knew that it was the worst fate of all. Living in the same room as Blaine the Greek God was going to be torture.

Eventually, all of Kurt’s things were out of the car and into his room. He said goodbye to his father in the parking lot, his eyes becoming tearful as he watched the car drive away. With a deep sigh and a subtle wipe at his wet cheeks, Kurt headed back up to his room.

Blaine was lying on his bed, which now had sheets on it, looking at his phone. He looked up when Kurt walked in.

“Hey,” Blaine said, sounding slightly nervous. “I, um, I hope it’s okay I picked this side of the room, before you got here. I mean, we can switch if you want to.”

Kurt smiled. “No, it’s fine,” he said, surprised at Blaine’s blind generosity. “I like this side anyway.”

“Okay, but if you change your mind…” Blaine shrugged. “I’m fine with either.”

Kurt bit his lip, turning away and picking up the suitcase where he had his bedding. “So…did your parents leave already?”

Blaine coughed slightly. “They, um, didn’t come with me, actually.”

Kurt turned around, perplexed. “You came here by yourself?”

Blaine nodded. “Yeah,” he said rubbing his arm. “They figured I could handle it.”

Kurt was mystified. What kind of parents would just let their kid go off to college, without even helping them or coming to say goodbye? “Do you live around here?” Kurt asked, thinking that maybe Blaine was local.

However, Blaine shook his head. “I’m from Ohio, actually.”

“Me too!” Kurt exclaimed. “I’m from Lima.”

Blaine smiled, sitting up. “Westerville,” he said. “Maybe that’s why they roomed us together.”

“Maybe,” Kurt answered. He sat down on his own bed, giving up on unpacking for now. He had an attractive boy to talk to, after all. “Have you visited New York before this?”

Blaine nodded. “Just twice, looking at colleges. Before and after I was accepted.”

Kurt grinned. “I just came here once for a performance. I totally fell in love.”

Blaine nodded, clearly thinking the same way as Kurt. “Yeah. I got accepted other places, but…I just wanted to live here, really badly.”

Kurt swung his legs, his shoes brushing the carpet. He steeled himself. It was his first real day in New York. He needed to start acting like he belonged here. He needed to stop being afraid and start embracing everything that was Kurt Hummel. He took a deep breath, and then asked Blaine, “Are you going to unpack anymore?”

Blaine glanced around at his open-but-still-full suitcases. “Probably not right now,” he said, grinning sheepishly.

“I saw a coffee shop on the drive here,” Kurt said nervously. “Do you want to go…explore?”

Blaine blinked, and then smiled. “I’d love to.”

They got up and headed for the door, Blaine locking it behind them. Kurt began down the hallway towards the stairs.

“Wait,” Blaine said, grabbing Kurt’s wrist to stop him. Kurt looked at him, surprised.

“I know a shortcut,” Blaine told him, his eyes sparkling.

And then Kurt was pulled along, hand-in-hand with a beautiful boy, on his first day in New York.