A/N: (I was previously boyscanlikeboystoo) Feel free to skip this…

First, I am so sorry for the huge ass wait. There are no excuses good enough, other than I had terrible writer's block and anything I would have written would have been forced and horrible to read. Actually, after I uploaded the second chapter I wrote two of the later chapters because I was in the angsty mood, but couldn't for the life of me write this chapter.

Second, we have actual Kurt and Blaine interaction this chapter!

Third, I started writing this over two weeks ago so it took me a while to write and edit only because I had so much work. Also, this turned into a massive 10 pager! I hope to update every couple of weeks then, but I have exams next month so I am very busy and I don't like to write short chapters :/

I'd also like to address Quinn's character in this. I have my own head canon for her in this story, and there is a reason why she isn't Queen Bitch, it's not me just changing her character (but honestly I am going to have to put some bitchy! Quinn in here, only because I love it)

For any of you who prefer 's layout, I'll be putting this story on there soon :)

Warnings: I don't have a beta. You have been warned

Anyway, thanks for reading this if you have. On to the story!

Chapter 2: Not the Only One

Kurt Hummel turned out to be the most peculiar boy Blaine had ever met. His high voice was uncommon for a 17 year old; his features were softer, paler than most boys Blaine knew. But they were strong, and there was strength in those eyes of his that astounded Blaine each time he looked into them. Maybe he was disconcerting the poor kid, trying to catch his eye every time he made his way to the Fabray estate, but he couldn't find the will to care. If he had found Kurt beautiful the day he met him, he now found him beyond stunning.

It should have scared Blaine. He should have worried that all he'd worked on by hiding who he was while living in this old town would be thrown away over a scruffy kid who worked on an estate. But he didn't care. Something about Kurt drew him in, and darn it all to hell, if he wasn't going to jump at the chance to get to him.

He'd taken visiting Quinn every day since the first day he'd gone that summer, linking an arm with her and enjoying the stroll down the gardens. And everyday he'd be there, grinning and laughing, talking to the horses, and filling up their troughs. And every time he'd notice them from a distance and wave. It'd had been a week now, and Blaine loved every minute of his time down at the stables. He felt happier than in a long time. Even though he wasn't sure if Kurt had liked him at first.

"You know," Kurt said the first day he came back over, "I didn't expect you to bring the fuddy-duddy over again, Quinn." He raked his eyes over Blaine, with a funny expression on his face, partially smirking, and slightly scowling.

"Excuse me?" Blaine asked, confused. Kurt rolled his eyes.

"You," he pointed out, "You're kind of old fashioned, Preppy," he said with a laugh. Blaine raised his eyebrows in shock at the way Kurt was talking to him. He'd always been taught proper speech, forced into lessons for proper pronunciation by his parents, and he and his sister were scolded for using disrespectful or slang terms. But the way Kurt's eyes shined and how he grinned, made what he said not seem so bad.

"I am not," he replied indignantly. Kurt threw back his head and laughed, before settling his eyes back on Blaine.

"Well, you're such a private school made gentleman, Preppy," Kurt said with that glint in his eyes again. Before Blaine could retort, Kurt had adopted a different tone of voice, more clipped tones, and said, "I mean you were ever so charming and such a darling yesterday, asking me about my job dressed in your fancy attire, flashing Miss. Fabray and I with your dashing smile." Quinn, next to him, had been giggling ecstatically, obviously finding it all very amusing. Blaine couldn't help but grin back; even he had just been insulted, in a roundabout way, because Kurt was grinning at him with a playful look.

Quinn was still laughing even as Kurt turned around to clean an area of the stable, but calmed herself as she looked over Blaine.

"Oh he means no harm," she chuckled, "It's just the way he talks. He's got a nasty bite to his humor most wouldn't like to be on the end of, but I think it's…" She trailed off trying to think of the right word, watching Kurt work. They stayed silent for a moment, until she seemed to shake herself out of her reverie. "Besides, he's got a pet name for you, Preppy," she said mischievously, "Means he likes you."

Blaine never wished harder in his life you could control when you blushed.

Quinn was right, of course. Kurt had affectionately named her "button" and Blaine was a mixture of certain words, somehow mocking his upper class status. None of the others, who passed through while he and Quinn were there talking to Kurt, weren't given names, though Kurt was pleasant enough to them.

After spending the past week down at the stables, he still didn't seem to know Kurt all that well, spending most of the time talking to Quinn, while Kurt worked. And when he was talking to Kurt, Quinn was always there too.

But he was sure Kurt had noticed the way he was looking at him, and returned a slick smile his way, that turned something in Blaine's stomach in the best way possible. And now, finally, a week later he got his chance to talk to Kurt alone, when one of the Evans kids ran in and asked Quinn for something, and she ran after them, mouthing a quick sorry to Blaine.

Blaine watched her disappear around the door, into the beating summer sun, and was thankful he got to stay in the shade.

"She's a pistol, that Fabray girl," Kurt said, right from behind Blaine, breath ghosting over his neck, making Blaine jump in shock. Kurt howled with laughter, and Blaine scowled.

"You gave me a fright," Blaine said, "I thought you were outside." He looked back over his shoulder to see if Quinn was returning.

"I was," Kurt smiled. "But you look so lonesome, preppy, thought I'd keep you company before that pretty gal of yours comes back." Blaine chortled, turning his head back to look at Kurt, but choked on the air he breathed in when he saw how close they were standing. He swallowed thickly, but didn't move.

"She's not my girl," Blaine said, not realizing how scratchy his voice had gotten before it was too late. "She's like my sister. Besides," he added, "I think she's taken a fancy to you."

Kurt's eyebrows shot up and Blaine tried to smile, but it probably had turned into a grimace, because, yes, he was definitely sure Quinn had fallen for the pretty pixie-like boy (as Blaine privately called him). And it made him squirm. Because she could get any boy she wanted, despite her previous history. And she could surely get Kurt as well, and it stirred something in Blaine.

Because he noticed something about Kurt and though he couldn't be sure, he felt as though he could be… be like him too. At least he hoped.

Was he such a bad person for wanting that?

"Well, she's sadly not my type," Kurt sighed. "As pretty as she is." Blaine gave him a calculating look.

"Really? Pretty, smart and funny girls aren't what you're into?" Blaine asked, a part of him hoping Kurt would step closer, whisper in his ear No, Blaine, girls aren't my type and then proceed to push him against the stable wall his hot breath covering his cheek, and neck, lips hovering over his pulse point.

He had to stop. Blaine had long since given up trying to change himself, but he couldn't allow thoughts like that while the boy in question was so close by.

"Well, I guess you can never go wrong with pretty, smart and funny," Kurt mused, looking at Blaine. "Why, you want me to take the girl on a date, prep?" Biting on the inside of his mouth before answering, Blaine willed himself to calm the stirring in his chest. No, he most definitely did not want that. If anything he wanted to remove Quinn as much as he possibly could from them so he could spend some time with Kurt by himself. Not to try anything, but he was entranced by this boy and something was pulling him to get to know him better. Blaine managed to let out a chuckle.

"You can't just take Quinn Fabray out on a date, Kurt," he laughed, "Her parents won't have her suited that way," he added pointedly. Kurt crossed his arms, and frowned.

"I didn't realize people were still married up like that," he said solemnly, something about him shifting as he pondered this. Maybe he really had wanted to take Quinn out.

"Yes, well, it happens, in families like Quinn's, and in my family," he added. "Not that they can force me to anyone," he said with a shrug when Kurt raised his eyebrows. "I won't let it happen."

Kurt had opened his mouth to speak, and sensing they were about to go deeper into a conversation that Blaine didn't feel like talking about, he cut across, suddenly changing the subject.

"So, how do you find Lima, Kurt?"

"In Ohio," Kurt muttered, a smile playing at his lips. Blaine frowned for a second, and then broke into a grin.

"Bet you think you're funny, don't you?"

"I've been told I'm a real gas," Kurt replied with a sly wink, and Blaine felt something stutter in his chest region, and he took a breath and forced a grin on to his face. Kurt unfolded his arms, still looking at Blaine, smiling.

"Seriously, preppy, I don't really know. I haven't had any time to go around town. I remember it a bit from when I was little but," he shrugged, with a slight toss of the head, trying to say he was indifferent to how the town had changed.

"You should see the town," Blaine said adamantly, "For… nostalgia? There isn't much of course, but I can show you around. If you'd like," he added quickly at the confused look on Kurt's face. Maybe Kurt didn't want to see Lima… maybe he didn't want to spend time with Blaine.

"You'd take me out?" Kurt asked, sounding mildly surprised. "With Quinn?"

"Actually, maybe, just us?" Blaine suggested timidly. "I mean… um… I just think her parents would want a supervisor to come with us if Quinn is going to town with two boys." Blaine shrugged trying to look indifferent but hoping Kurt would still want to spend some time with him. "And I'd like to show you around. You know as a friendly gesture."

"Oh?" Kurt laughed, apparently amused by the whole situation. "Well, preppy, you're far friendlier than I'd have thought." Blaine assumed this was a compliment so smiled slightly, although a little forced. "I guess it's be a good way to waste my day off. I'm off Saturday afternoons and Sundays."

"Well, I could pick you up after church on Sunday," Blaine suggested. "And show you around, and get you home well in time for lunch probably," he laughed. "Honestly there is not much in Lima."

Kurt was looking at him under slightly lidded eyes, as if trying to figure him out, his mouth turned upwards as he observed him.

"You're more interesting than you give yourself credit for," Kurt mused. Blaine opened his mouth, and closed it again, unable to think of something to say. Kurt grinned. "Well I guess I'll meet you outside your church. Do you go to the same one as Quinn?" Blaine nodded. "I'll meet up with you there then."

"Brilliant!" Blaine said a little too enthusiastically. Kurt raised his eyebrows again. "I mean, it'd be nice to go out to town for a while. Out of the stables?"

"Definitely," Kurt laughed. "And with that, I should probably get back to actually working."

"Yeah of course," Blaine nodded, putting his hands in his pockets, not missing the way Kurt's eyes glanced over him, before turning around to go back outside. Blaine watched after him, hoping in some way that this would be easy like if Kurt was a girl, if Blaine himself liked girls. There would be none of the trying to figure Kurt out, whether he was like himself or now. And even if Kurt was, what if he was denying it or thought he was sick? If one of them was a girl, there would be no worrying over spilling a secret that took everything to keep, through constant worrying someone would find out, hiding it behind cowardice and lies.

Things would be easier.

If Kurt Hummel wasn't involved.

His parents were partially confused, and delighted, that he was spending so much time at the Fabray's. Russell and Judy Fabray, however, were not so. Quinn had told him as they walked back to the house the day he had asked Kurt to join him in town that it would be best if he didn't come around for the next couple of days.

"As much as their pleased we're spending more time together, they think you're spending too much time with me," she explained, looking quickly back at their supervisor, who walked slightly behind them.

"I guess that's fair," Blaine said, slightly dejected, realizing now he could not see Kurt until Sunday. I should have invited him out on Saturday, instead, he thought bitterly. As he made his way out of the front door, and bid Quinn goodbye, he added to her, "That Kurt Hummel is something isn't he?" Quinn broke into a huge grin, and spoke a little breathlessly as she answered.

"Oh, he is, isn't he? And he's," she paused, looking around to make sure they were out of earshot, "He's gorgeous too!" she giggled with a glint in her eye.

And as Blaine, got into his car, and turned on his engine, it was only then he realized this probably had less to do with Russell and Judy, and more to do with Quinn herself.

It looked like he wasn't the only one trying to have Kurt for himself.

Sunday couldn't come fast enough. The rest of the week passed by slowly, with long days walking around the garden, daydreaming and thinking about the end of the week. He couldn't help the bubble of excitement that rose in his chest expand no matter how much he tried. He could imagine walking through the slightly crowded streets, he and Kurt forced to walk close by, hands grazing across each other, an exchange of timid looks, before looking back to the ground.

Well that's what Blaine hoped for.

Church was almost painful to get through. Blaine usually enjoyed the weekly sermons, though less so in the most recent years, but enjoyed the atmosphere, the togetherness church brought. He looked idly round at where people were sitting, spotting the Fabrays instantly, and the Hudsons a few pews back from them. But Kurt and his father were nowhere near them. Blaine assumed they were somewhere he couldn't see, and tried to focus on the blurry words of the minister. He willed the man to speak faster, and did the choir always set up so slowly? When Blaine exited the church after the sermon had finished, and he glanced up at the clock. Scowling at how only 1 and a half hours had passed when surely he'd been held there an eternity, he turned his head to look around.

His worries Kurt wouldn't be coming dissolved immediately as he saw him sat on the low wall around the church grounds, his feet just touching the ground. He was looking up towards the trees, paying particular attention to something stirring in the leaves.

"Hello," Blaine said, as he reached Kurt, breaking him from his daydream trance. Kurt turned and looked at him, a wide grin stretching across his face.

"Hey," he said smoothly, pushing himself off the wall to stand. "Church a drag?"

"Um... well, you know, it took its time," Blaine said, standing up straighter, not liking the height difference. "I didn't see you in there." Kurt gave a hollow laugh, and opened his mouth to say something, but before he could someone had cut across them.

"Blaine, Dad told me that you'll be driving me home," Sarah said slightly huffily, as she pulled her hat further down her eyes to shield them from the sun. Kurt was looking at her with a mix of confusion and annoyance, but it was soon gone, replaced with a knowing look as he glanced from Blaine to Sarah, taking in their matching curly, black hair. Blaine never put grease in his hair on Sundays, as it was so stifling in the church; it caused the grease to run down his face and neck.

"I can't, Sarah. I'm taking a friend out," he said, gesturing to Kurt. Kurt smiled at Sarah and she looked him over, before turning back to Blaine.

"I guess I'll have to force myself in his car then. They only didn't want me in there because they probably want to talk business again," she sighed, throwing a pitying look at Blaine, who looked back slightly confused. "I don't think they like having me there while they plan marrying you off to Quinn," she explained. "I guess I'll be off then." She turned around on the spot, and marched off towards their parents, still looking slightly affronted. Sighing, Blaine turned back to Kurt.

"Sorry about my sister," he said, gesturing for Kurt to follow him to his car, not missing the calculating look that Kurt was giving him at that moment. He tried to ignore it, as they reached his car and he opened the door for Kurt to get in, and then made his way in himself.

"Nice car," Kurt commented, finally tearing his eyes off of Blaine, ceasing the uncomfortable staring Blaine felt he was under, and instead scrutinizing the interior of the car.

"Thanks," Blaine said, attempting to be cheery, raking through every thought he had as he put the key in the ignition to think of a topic to talk about. It was Kurt who spoke first though, as they pulled out of the lot and into the road.

"So, you neglected to mention," he started, almost awkwardly, which was strange for Kurt, "About you and Quinn." Furrowing his eyebrows, Blaine chanced a look at Kurt, who was leaning against the door, looking right at him.

"What about Quinn and I?" He heard Kurt scoff.

"What that girl... your sister. What she said about you being married off to her?" Maybe Blaine was imagining it, but there was a slight tone of worry in Kurt's voice. But Blaine couldn't help let out a bark of laughter.

"Oh God, and wouldn't that be a disaster!" They'd reached an area in town to park, so Blaine pulled up, and made his way out, Kurt following.

"Oh? It would?" Kurt wondered. Again, perhaps Blaine was imagining it, but he thought there was a slight hopefulness in Kurt's question. But then if Blaine wasn't imagining it, it may well be due to Kurt being hopeful Quinn was free.

"Quinn is a sister to me," Blaine explained for what felt like the hundredth time, "And besides she's not the right..." Blaine thought for a moment, about how to put it, without giving too much away, "...person for me." He said it carefully, and he didn't miss how Kurt's eyebrows shot up, but he didn't say anything in reply.

They walked away from the car, and Blaine showed Kurt down the right path that would lead to the usually busy streets of Lima Town Centre. Being a Sunday, however, it was certainly quieter than usual, with most people there being their age, or early twenties.

"Everyone's at home, enjoying their day off after a lovely time at church," Kurt said, with a twinge of sarcasm.

"Do you not like Church?" Kurt turned back to look at him instead of the streets around them, as they made their way down the sidewalk, and grinned a little grimly.

"I don't go... don't look so surprised! You didn't see me in Church, where did you think I was?" Kurt laughed.

"It's a busy church," Blaine countered, and Kurt frowned.

"Yes, I know. Everyone so desperate to have the Lord accept them, repent their sins and all that," Kurt shrugged. "Think I'll give it a miss." Blaine was sure he must have looked shocked from the way Kurt kept looking at him. "Not everyone believes in God, Blaine."

"Yes, but not everyone admits it so readily," Blaine argued, and Kurt took this in, looking thoughtful, glancing quickly around the square they were walking in.

"I suppose not," he sighed, "People are always so quick to judge." They walked around the edge, quickly looking in the windows of all the (closed) shops. Blaine hesitated, not knowing whether it was his place to ask, but his curiosity consumed him, or rather; his want of knowing if the reason Kurt didn't believe in God was what he suspected.

"Is there a... um... a reason? You know," Blaine tried to ask, "Why you don't believe in... Him?" Blaine didn't miss the way Kurt stopped walking for a split second, or the way Kurt drew in on himself, but decided to ignore it. Inhaling, Kurt carried on walking and shrugged, and Blaine left it at that.

They continued down the street in silence until they reached a busier area of town, where some shops remained open for the high demand of people whose only days off were Sundays. Once they reached here, even the most offhand comments from Blaine about the people passing them piqued Kurt's interest.

"Oh, there's Sam Evans, you'll know him- he lives on the Fabray estate too. It looks like he's taking his brother and sister out."

"Oh and, you see that pretty girl with the older woman over there? Ms. Lopez works for my family- as a maid. They live in Lima Heights..."

"I wonder what Brittany is doing. She looks lost."

Everything seemed a little busier in this end of town, though most shops still were closed; some always remained open to make extra money from those who worked all week but Sunday enjoying the day off. The little record shop in the corner always stayed open, and this is straight where Kurt headed when it caught his eye. Blaine hurried after him, struggling to keep up with his suddenly long strides.

Kurt was in the shop faster than Blaine could keep up, and found him by the Broadway soundtracks, eyes hungrily scanning the back of one he was holding at that moment.

"You... you like Broadway?" Blaine asked, trying to keep the hopefulness out of his voice. Kurt's head shot up to look at Blaine, and he momentarily looked embarrassed, before Blaine smiled tentatively at him, and he let his guard down slightly.

"Um... I guess so. I mean I've only ever listened to the soundtracks... in shops," he paused a second, turning the record over in his hands. "I mean, I never had a record player before we moved to the Fabrays so I had to... you know... listen to them in the store." Kurt smiled sadly, still turning the record over in his hand. Blaine caught a glimpse of the name and grinned.

"Oh my God! Oklahoma! I love that one!" Kurt grinned at him, and Blaine was appreciative of the fact that his cool facade seemed to be dissipating in the shadow of all these records. That for some reason Kurt looked a lot younger right now, and less like the over powering, tall stable worker Blaine knew from the Fabray estate.

"Oh, I do too," Kurt said. "It's completely shook up what Broadway musicals should be like. I've listened to this one so many times back in Westerville..."

"Wait," Blaine cut through. "Do you not own it?" Kurt shook his head, standing a bit taller, that cool exterior building back up around him. Blaine realized he must have touched a sore spot; perhaps Kurt was ashamed of his own lack of money. "I'm sorry," Blaine said quickly, "I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to buy you something. And if you don't own it..."

"Why do you want to buy me something?" Kurt said sharply. "I work, preppy, I can afford some luxuries-" Blaine inwardly winced at the return of the preppy nickname, and how he had obviously hurt Kurt's pride.

"I thought... I thought that's what friends do," Blaine said, suddenly feeling awful and rather small again. Although after he said this, he saw Kurt's stance change dramatically, his mouth forming a little "o" shape, in realization.

"We're friends?" he asked.

"Well, I'm not spending time with you for my health," Blaine laughed, a little forcibly, still feeling horribly awkward. He countered with the biting remark, hoping Kurt would appreciate the dry sense of humor he seemed so fond of. And he did, as the small smile on his lips, grew slightly wider and his eyes lit up.

Realizing he was staring at Kurt's lips, Blaine jumped a little and tried to focus on Kurt's eyes. Eye contact, Blaine, eye contact. Kurt was looking at Blaine bemusedly, and Blaine thought that for a second (or he hoped) he saw Kurt's eyes flicker to his own lips before returning them to his eyes, abruptly.

And Blaine couldn't help the burning sensation in his stomach as he paid at the till when Kurt's hand brushed against his when he passed him the record (despite Kurt's initial refusal, Blaine had managed to get him to let him pay for it). And he definitely couldn't help it when Kurt looked at him with that grin and he felt his heart pumping rapidly in his suddenly too tight chest. But there was no way, absolutely no way, he could prevent his airways constricting, his breath becoming shallow when Kurt leaned into him, laughing as they talked and whispered about how original, how groundbreaking Roger and Hammerstein were as Broadway composers.

"They've set a new standard for Broadway composers everywhere," Kurt breathed, frightfully close to Blaine's cheek. "It's not just about the composing anymore; it's about using those songs as a portrayal of the show's storyline and the drama itself!"

The way Kurt had gotten so excited, so thrilled talking about the record clamped in his hands, the way he was grinning so hard his eyes crinkled and his nose scrunched up; the fact this was because of something Blaine had done; made Blaine feel slightly overwhelmed, slightly dizzy. And of all things, Blaine could not prevent the silly grin he was sporting because seeing Kurt like this, well that was the best feeling possible.

They slowed down as the emerged from the bustle of the busier part of town and walked down the more silent streets. They came to a stop as Kurt's shoe lace came loose and they had to stop for him to re-tie it.

"I've never met another boy who likes Broadway before," Kurt said happily as he stood up. "It's quite nice to know I'm not the only one!" He laughed although it seemed slightly forced.

"Nor have I," Blaine agreed, "Most boys around here- they're not interested in singing and dancing. It's why," he paused for a second, wondering whether it was safe to talk to Kurt about this. Catching the eager look in Kurt's eye, he continued boldly. "It's why I spend more time with girls. I find I have more common interests with them." Kurt's eyebrows rose and his smiled widened a flash of something bright in those cool blue eyes.

"You do? I thought I was the only one like that," Kurt said softly.

"It looks like we share strange interests with each other, doesn't it?" Blaine laughed, and Kurt smiled at him, gripping the record closer to his chest. They stood silently for a moment, not taking their eyes off one another, and Blaine wondered, for half a second, that if he just took a step closer, would Kurt back away?

Before he finished registering this thought, however, he heard a sharp call from down the street and he jumped in his skin, almost scared that the person calling could see what he had been thinking.

"Blaine! Blaine!" he heard the girl's voice call again. He turned and saw Rachel Berry sprinting excitedly towards the two of them, her skirt of her dress blowing out a little as she ran.

"Rachel!" Blaine waved back, smiling.

"Blaine, I'm glad I found you! I wanted to ask... oh hello!" Rachel gasped, catching her breath, as she noticed Kurt standing next to Blaine. He was glancing down over her, taking her in, a small scowl appearing on his face as his eyes passed over her dress. Rachel smiled at him, and stuck out her hand.

"My name is Rachel Berry, star of the McKinley High Glee Club and a friend of Blaine's!" she flashed him her show smile, waiting patiently for him to shake her hand.

"Kurt Hummel," he said shortly, holding his hand out and shaking hers briefly. "Also a friend of Blaine's." Rachel didn't seem deterred by the short handshake, merely keeping her smile plastered on her face.

"You were saying, Rachel?" Blaine probed, trying to break the icy silence falling down on what seemed like a staring contest between Kurt and Rachel.

"Oh, yes!" She said, looking at Blaine, "I was wondering if you would like to come to our house for dinner tomorrow night. My mother is coming to visit and she'd love to see you again, Blaine. Oh, and Kurt, you should come too!" She added, as though she'd known Kurt forever, and that he would want to meet Rachel's mother. Kurt looked shocked for a long moment. "The more the merrier after all! And I am sure Shelby- that's my mom- would hunt me down if I didn't bring along someone with such good bone structure!" Kurt was looking at Rachel now in complete bewilderment, his mouth hanging slightly open, looking completely shocked that a stranger had just invited him over for dinner because of his bone structure.

"Anyway," Rachel rambled on, "Dad is waiting so I best be off! So can you two come tomorrow night? Six?"

Blaine nodded and Kurt gave a shrug and said quietly, "I suppose so" to Rachel's delight who waved them goodbye, and ran off again. Blaine turned back to Kurt.

"I am so sorry. That is not what I imagined introducing Rachel to you would be like! She's very..."

"Odd?" Kurt offered at Blaine's pause. Blaine laughed.

"I guess you could say that. But... she's very determined," he saw Kurt roll his eyes slightly. "She's a good person though, really. She's my best friend and she likes Broadway and music like us too. You'd get on well with her."

"I feel like we'd clash," Kurt said, offhandedly, as he stared in the direction she'd disappeared into. "Is there a reason her mom would be interested in my bone structure?"

"Oh God!" Blaine choked, covering his mouth with his hand to muffle his own laughter. "That must have sounded so strange to you! Rachel's mom works for a company who look for models for pin ups and such. Rachel probably thought you'd make... good model material." And he was trying to contain his laughter again, his side aching as he tried to stop himself.

"Well I have to say," Kurt said, his face completely serious, "That has got to be the strangest reason I have been invited for dinner, ever."

"Oh, you will get used to Rachel- and her parents. Her mom used to be a show choir director actually but took up this modeling job last year."

Blaine glanced at the time on his pocket watch, and sighed.

"It's nearly lunch. We best be getting home," he said, sadly. "My parents will be getting bored of planning my nonexistent marriage soon so I should be home by that time." This gained a smile from Kurt, whose grip on the record was still as tight as when he'd first held it. "Would you like me to take you back home?"

Kurt shook his head. "I think I'll walk. I could do with some exercise, and I can find my way home easily enough." Blaine nodded, suppressing a twinge of disappointment

"Well, thank you, Blaine," he said. "I've had a wonderful time- if only for a couple of hours." He paused a second and then continued, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"

Blaine nodded. "I guess so." Another long pause held between the two of them. And Kurt was looking at Blaine rather expectantly.

"Well... um," he started. "I don't know where Rachel's house is exactly?"

"Oh! Of course! No worry... I'll pick you up from the Fabrays? Quarter to six?" Kurt nodded.

"Yes. Yes that sounds good. Good plan." The silence between them hung for far too long, neither knowing exactly what to do with themselves. Until Kurt held his hand out.

"Well, goodbye, Blaine," he smiled. Blaine took a couple of steps closer, and took Kurt's hand in his own to shake. No sooner had he held it though, shots ran through his skin and his fingers prickled, feeling incredibly warm surrounding by Kurt's hand. He felt his eyes dart down straight to Kurt's lips, so much closer than before, and when he looked up, Kurt was looking down at his too.

They sprung away, quickly, pulling their hands away from each other, and Blaine wondered if Kurt felt that jolt of something up his arm too.

"Well, goodbye, Kurt."

"Blaine." Kurt nodded curtly, and they both shot off in opposite directions, to make their way home.

Blaine tried to ignore the fact he was meant to be heading in the same direction as Kurt to get to his car in the first place.