"What was that?" Kurt asked as the couple scurried away. Blaine just stood open-mouthed. "Blaine?"

"I can't believe they did that...." Blaine whispered, coming more to a realisation of what had just happened. "They were nobody, they didn't have to do that."

"And now they're going to sell the photos I'm sure," Kurt said ruefully as if he understood very well the state of the world. "Let's enjoy our last few hours because going back home will be a little different."

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious Blaine? They'll print them as pictures of a secret dalliance, I'll be another one of your conquests and no doubt they'll quote my television appearance as evidence that it was a quick affair or one where you took advantage."

Blaine looked a little shaken, his eyes wide as if he could visualise the photo spread and the captions before his very eyes.

"It doesn't worry you?" Blaine said, a little taken back at Kurt's nonchalance.

"Of course not, not in the long run anyway. Are you worried?"

"Well yeah, of course," Blaine said, then looked quickly at Kurt's face and made a quick effort to change how it had sounded. "I mean only for what people will think based on earlier pictures of Sebastian and I. Aren't you worried that people will warn you off me? Don't you think your dad will be a little shocked?"

Kurt gasped, his hand shooting to cover his mouth quickly. Blaine's expression softened.

"You didn't think of that?" Blaine continued, "Well we'll do a little damage control and appear nonchalant and confident at the airport tomorrow on our return. You can call your dad and I can call Nick and we can sort this out."

Blaine looked so masterful and in control that Kurt couldn't feel panicked anymore and he took Blaine's hand and squeezed it in his own.

"It means I need to ask you a question a lot earlier than I thought I would have to ask though Kurt," Blaine said hesitatingly, "I mean I always wanted it but I know what the business is like and I know what it gets like in the media and I wanted to spare you that.... I wanted - "

"Blaine just get to the point," Kurt interrupted and Blaine smiled.

"I wanted to ask whether you wanted to be out and proud with me, whether you minded if we were seen as exclusive and officially dating in the public eye and...." Kurt smiled slowly as he realised and interrupted Blaine with a kiss.

"You ramble far too much when you're nervous," Kurt said with such a sweet smile on his face as they parted that Blaine beamed. "Of course I want to be exclusive and out and proud and officially dating in the public eye. I want all that with you Blaine."

Kurt didn't think it was possible for Blaine's smile to get any bigger but it did. He looked perfectly happy and adorable in that one moment and Kurt looked for a few seconds until he couldn't resist pressing his lips against that adoring smile once more before they walked back to their villa.

As soon as they returned, Kurt and Blaine made their respective telephone calls like planned and went in separate rooms. Neither was looking forward to the conversations but after a glass of wine on the terrace to steady their nerves and enjoy the last of the night sky they did what was required.

"Dad?" Kurt asked as soon as he heard Burt's voice.

"Of course it's me Kurt," Burt said with a light chuckle, "What's wrong?"

"You can already tell something's wrong?" Kurt asked a little incredulously.

"Yep, you give it away every time," Burt said, "For a start you sound nervous and whenever you check it's me, I know you have something important to relate. Spit it out, then."

Kurt took a deep breath.

"I know I've been a little busy lately, Dad, I know I haven't rung recently but I've been seeing someone," Kurt began.

"Oh," Burt said sounding surprised, "Why do you sound so nervous then?" he laughed lightly, "You don't sound like you enjoy dating this guy whoever he is."

"It's not that Dad," Kurt said, "It's complicated."

"Look as long as he's treating you right.... He is a he isn't he?" he suddenly interjected and Kurt laughed, almost like a barking noise he was so surprised by the comment.

"Of course it's a guy Dad! I haven't turned straight in the last few months since I've seen you."

"Sorry, sorry," Burt said, "So I mean as long as he's treating you right and isn't a jerk like that Blaine guy you mentioned in that interview.... Anderson? Is that name? I mean he sounds like a guy you wouldn't want to meet at those parties that I hope you don't really get involved in...." Burt realised the other side had been very quiet for a little while.

"Kurt?"

"Sorry, still here," Kurt said.

"What is it you want to tell me son?" Burt said simply, leaving no room for Kurt to lie or conceal the truth.

"I may as well tell you," Kurt said, "You'll find out soon enough."

"Kurt?"

"I'm dating Blaine, dad," Kurt said confidently, sitting back on the sofa as Blaine came back into the room. "His last name is Anderson and he's a model but I was wrong about him. I don't 'hate his guts' like I said on national television but he can be a little obnoxious when frightened into a corner and he is incredibly sexy," he said smirking as Blaine realised he was being spoken about.

"Kurt have you seen the pictures of him and that other model? They were all over page 6 and before you mention that I don't usually read such rubbish, Carole had it in the house. I don't think this guy's good news Kurt."

Kurt's face fell a little and Blaine could guess what Burt was saying on the other line, though he couldn't hear it.

"No dad, I guess I know him a little better than that now and I know that's not him," he said, "But he has had the time to show me the real him."

"Well I should meet this Blaine then," Burt said after a while, "Sounds like he's made quite an impression."

"Oh, sure that'll be great," Kurt said breathing easier now he knew Burt was coming round.

"Just take care Kurt," he said quietly, "I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I know Dad," Kurt said kindly, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too buddy."

"You should know they'll be pictures of us in the papers," Kurt said.

"What?" Burt exclaimed, "Please tell me it's not like those other photos Kurt? We spoke about this, about not throwing yourself around..."

"No Dad, they're not like that," Kurt said quickly, as Blaine joined him on the bed, stroking his knee slowly, methodically. "We were kissing on the beach and some tourist took a snap."

"Which beach?"

"In Italy," Kurt whispered, hoping to go unheard.

"Italy? You went on holiday with this guy?"

"Dad, I'm ok, I know him more than you think. I know it's rushed but it's fine."

Blaine smiled sadly that Kurt was having this conversation. He knew he was sounding like the bad influence that he was worried about, probably Burt's worst nightmare for a future son-in-law – woah where did that thought come from?

"Dad, I should go," Kurt was saying, "We're catching an early flight tomorrow but I promise I'll see you soon Dad and it's all ok."

"Ok kiddo," Burt said sounding as if he would rather stay on the line but understanding his son was now an adult. "I think sometimes you had to grow up too soon Kurt," he said sadly.

"I know Dad," Kurt said slowly, "But I had the best example, I promise."

Burt nodded his head, feeling a little choked and glad for the fact they were separated by so many miles. He realised Kurt couldn't see him though and he made some kind of sound in the affirmative.

"I'll be seeing you kid," Burt said after a while and they exchanged goodbyes.

"You ok?" Blaine asked as soon as the conversation ended.

"Yeah, he's worried about your pictures but I think he trusts me and my judgement." Blaine nodded sadly. "But he wants to meet you soon, Blaine, that's a good sign."

"I'll have to prove to him that I can do it, that I can make you proud."

"You can and you do Blaine, don't worry." It was now Kurt's turn to stroke the soft tanned skin on Blaine's hand as it rested on Kurt's thigh.

"How did it go with Nick?"

"Not so good," Blaine said, almost forgetting the conversation he had had in the other room. "He did this rueful annoyed laugh when I first told him about the pictures, as if I'd got myself into another mess. He was quite surprised it was you though."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, we've had arguments about you before."

"Why?"

"Nick thought it would be a good idea if I tried to emulate your career and your sudden rise to fame. It was actually his idea to model together. He thought if we were seen more in the public eye than I would rise in the modelling ranks."

"That's ridiculous Blaine," Kurt said, "I mean you're already there, everyone wants to be you, every model wants your contracts, wants your body and eyes. You look amazing."

Kurt had let his enthusiasm for Blaine overflow a little too much but it only caused Blaine to smile sweetly, a light tinge of pink on his cheeks.

"Wow, thanks," Blaine said, his head a little lower, "I guess I always thought I was on the way out, needed a little more to get back to the top. Nick was convinced it was you."

"But that's the nature of the job Blaine," Kurt said kindly as if he had worked it out months ago. "We'll continue to get contracts for a while but our looks will fade and we'll have to do something else. Only the lucky few get to do this forever or those that have work done. That won't be us, Blaine."

"What do I do then?" Blaine asked, and he looked so small on the bed, despite Kurt only having an inch atop of him.

"You become you Blaine - who you were really meant to be," Kurt said taking Blaine's hand in his more earnestly.

"I don't know who that is."

"Well I know," Kurt said simply, "And that will be enough for both of us at the moment."

Blaine looked up at Kurt slightly from his position against the headboard where he had slipped slightly and kissed him. He wasn't sure when it had happened but Kurt had quickly become the most important person in Blaine's life and he couldn't let him go.

Sebastian saw the pictures and the captions way before Blaine and Kurt in the end who had to wait the following day to see them as they arrived at the airport. Having a friend in magazines was really a god-send to Sebastian who could pick and choose what he wanted printed.

"You need to change the caption," Sebastian said simply.

"What do you mean?" Gerry asked, "What's wrong with: 'Modelling love-birds found enjoying Lake Como'?"

"Apart from the tacky and corny phrasing?" Sebastian said laughing ruefully, "You need something else. You need to push another story."

"There is no other story," Gerry was saying, though Sebastian looked like he was ignoring him and visualising the caption himself.

"You should caption it with: 'Kurt Hummel – not such the pristine little model after all. Blaine Anderson – the model extraordinaire following similar patterns.'"

"Ouch," Gerry said, quickly writing down what Sebastian had said, "You really don't like either guy, do you?"

"You could say, I have a thing against Hummel but it really wouldn't be worth printing that."

Gerry merely nodded and walked away.