A/N: This is an almost unforgivably short chapter, however, it gets the last of the setup out of the way, so now we can get into the real story. I got a review saying that this story is very fluffy, and yeah, it definitely is. I'm not saying there's not going to be any angst at all, but it will predominantly be fluff. I do already have plans for another fic which will definitely be a bit more angsty, but maybe I shouldn't get ahead of myself...

Enjoy!

Performing with the Warblers had, as usual, left Blaine feeling ecstatic, an unbridled energy coursing through him which hadn't quite managed to transform itself into dancing on furniture - this time. Blaine realised that he had enjoyed it even more than usual because it was the first time they had performed officially together since before summer. He'd missed it, even more than he'd missed everything else about Dalton, which was saying something. As he exchanged high fives and backslaps with the rest of the Warblers, Blaine realised he had enjoyed it for an entirely new reason, too. Having an audience had always thrilled him, but having Sam watch him perform had been something new entirely. Those big green eyes had seemed to drink in every detail of the performance, and when they met Blaine's own hazel eyes, something had clicked within him. From that moment, Blaine had struggled to keep going, caught up in Sam. He had managed pretty well, if the reactions of the audience and his fellow Warblers was anything to go by, so Blaine was fairly certain that nobody had noticed that he had sang directly to Sam for most of the song. He silently chastised himself - if there was a way to make Sam uncomfortable in front of more people than that performance could have, Blaine couldn't think of one.

As they rejoined Sam at the table, Blaine realised his worries were unfounded, and found himself grinning, and unfortunately, blushing, at Sam's praise. He couldn't resist teasing him again about auditioning, and their playful banter continued as the other four boys joined in. Between them, they manage to find out a little bit more about the mystery that was Sam Evans.

He told them proudly of his two younger siblings, Stacy and Stevie, expression and voice tinged with an obvious affection. 'They're the main thing i'm going to miss when i'm cooped up here, but at least i'll see them most weekends. Little monsters…' He shakes his head ruefully, eyes miles away. Blaine can't quite relate - his relationship with Cooper has never been great, and now they were lucky to speak on the phone more than once every few months - but he still can't help smiling as Sam describes his brother and sister.

Sam admits, looking slightly bashful, that he is a total comic-book geek, and when he sees that Blaine and the others don't think it's sad, it's like a floodgate has opened. Suddenly he's telling them about his favourite issue of X-men, why Star Wars is better than Star Trek, and that he can speak Na'vi. When Nick splutters and barely holds back laughter, Sam looks indignant, before launching into a tirade in what Blaine can only assume to be Na'vi. As the others laugh at a bewildered Nick, Blaine can't help wondering if Sam knows exactly how cute and endearing he is.

When Jeff jokingly asks Sam what his kryptonite is, Sam very seriously tells them that his kryptonite is a share bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. 'I have self-control like no other when it comes to junk food, but put a bag of those anywhere near me and I totally lose it.' He pouts slightly, and Blaine is caught in a very detailed study of the curve of his ripe lips as the others laugh. Blaine's favourite are Tangy Cheese, but he thinks for Sam, he'll make an exception any day.

Sam tells them about his dyslexia, and the conversation is suddenly more serious, a terse atmosphere replacing the light and jokes from before. Wes and David exchange glances as Sam explains how the letters swim on the page before him, how he sometimes struggles in class. He's caught off-guard by their collective reaction, biting his lip and leaning back slightly, and Blaine rushes to reassure him. 'Don't worry about it. It's just, the classes here are difficult, you know? But you'll get the support you need Sam, i'm sure of it. And you know, if you need help with anything, I could always…' He trails off as he catches the amused looks flitting between Wes and David, groaning internally. 'And Wes and David too, obviously. We're all here for you.' Thankfully, Wes and David relent, both nodding. Sam visibly relaxes then, a small smile returning to his features, and Blaine thinks that it suits him much more than his previous frown. Blaine thinks he would do almost anything to keep Sam smiling.

Nick, in an attempt to lighten the mood, asks Sam about his love life. Blaine loves Nick like a brother, he truly does, but right then he could have happily killed him. Sam laughs though, and Blaine can't really be expected to fully concentrate on murdering Nick when a laugh that cute exists, can he? As Sam tells them with a wink that nobody back home holds his heart, Blaine can't help but feel relieved, before Sam goes on. 'I mean, I had a girlfriend, Lucy, up until a few months ago, but it didn't work out.'

David pats him on the shoulder sympathetically, already telling him about the mixers Dalton sometimes has with their sister school, Crawford Country Day, but Blaine barely hears him. It was stupid, he knew, to let himself think that Sam would be anything but straight, but it still hurt to hear the proof. Wes and David were forever warning him about this, but what could Blaine really be expected to do when faced with someone as amazing as Sam Evans? Wes caches his eye and cocks his head slightly to the side. He gets it, he's saying, but Blaine needs to be less obvious. Mentally shaking himself, Blaine tries to join in the conversation and act normally, for Sam's sake if nothing else.

Later, when the impending threat of the coming school day has forced them all to their respective dorm rooms, Blaine is trying his best not to sulk. He's failing miserably, however, as Wes is all to happy to point out.

'Come on, Blaineykins, stop being sullen. I know you're basically in love with the guy,' Blaine, in his haste to say that he is most definitely not in love with Sam, can only splutter before Wes continues over him regardless, 'but you heard him talking about his ex-girlfriend.'

Blaine's only response is to groan and pull his pillow down to cover his head, in an attempt to drown out Wes and his frustratingly accurate words.

You've known the guy for like, six hours. You really do need to stop falling for people this quickly, Blaine.'

'Thanks, Wes, really. I appreciate your concern. Can we not do this?'

'Sorry, what was that? I couldn't quite hear, your voice is muffled…' Wes trails off, and Blaine is relieved that his friend has decided to leave it alone. His reprieve is momentary, however, as there's a sudden weight on the bed next to him, the mattress dipping slightly as Wes jumps on and begins to assault him. Blaine's howling with sudden laughter as Wes' hands seek out the sensitive areas of his body, tickling his ribs and sides and chest, and he curses the fact that his best friend knows him so well.

'Get off, Wes. Oh my God, quit it!' Blaine, breathless and red-faced, holds his pillow between himself and Wes to ward off another attack.

'Fine, but only because you're not moping around anymore!' Blaine sticks his tongue out at his roommate, and Wes laughs, and he's missed this more than he knew.

When they're both in their respective beds, the lights just turned off, Blaine stares at the ceiling, knowing that sleep will be a long time coming. He thinks of Sam, and his sudden appearance in his life, and how, effortlessly, the blonde has changed everything. Blaine laughs to himself, knowing that he's being slightly dramatic, but the things that he's feeling for the other boy have come on faster and stronger than anything he has experienced before.

'Blaine?' Wes' voice is heavy with sleep.

Blaine sighs. 'Yeah?'

'Maybe he's bi.'

'Shut up, Wes. Goodnight.'

A/N: I'll have the next chapter up by the end of this weekend. Reviews are appreciated!