Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson seen here enjoying their vacation by Lake Como in Italy. We are starting to wonder whether Kurt Hummel is really such the morally pristine model after all. Is Blaine Anderson following his usual pattern of bed and conquer?

Kurt and Blaine arrived at their airport in New York the following day and were greeted with the expected paparazzi as they left the terminal with their luggage. Nick was there to support Blaine like he had arranged over the telephone and he must have called Sara because she was there too. She quickly took Kurt's suitcase and wheeled it along behind her, obviously trying to be as helpful as she could. Nick shielded Blaine and Kurt, who had arrived hand in hand to show solidarity, from the snapping cameras and they were ushered out as quickly as possible.

It was only as they were about to leave the airport and enter the waiting car that Kurt noticed the headline and caption with the expected photo. He was about to take a paper when Nick pushed him as gently as possible into the car.

"I've got copies inside," he said quickly and he tucked Blaine's head into the car behind Kurt, giving the impression that Blaine was under arrest. He had no time to laugh before the car sped away with all its passengers.

"What the fuck was that?" Blaine exclaimed as they drove away.

"That my dear was the paparazzi, what were you expecting after the photo that was taken?"

"I don't know," he said a little more subdued, "I mean it was an innocent enough photo, I don't understand."

"They think Kurt is another Sebastian presumably," Sara said, "They want all the gossip."

Sara worked as a PA for a few models but enjoyed reading and catching up on gossip when she could and especially when it involved her 'charges' as she liked to call them. She looked over at Kurt and Blaine who sat opposite her in the car and felt sorry for them. They looked small and a little lost. This had taken them by surprise it seemed.

"It still seems a little too much," Blaine said, clearly annoyed, "I mean I was expecting the cameras but not the press of them. They were just coming closer and closer, no sense of personal space."

"Well I think we've got the publicity we always wanted for your career," Nick said laughing with no humour, like he had brought this upon himself.

"Can I see the photo?" Kurt asked, his hand out for the magazine. It was the first time he had spoken since leaving the airport and Blaine looked at him with concern. Kurt read quickly and then Blaine peered over his shoulder.

"It sounds a bit harsh," Kurt said sadly, "I guess Sara's right."

"No she's not," Blaine said, getting angry, "You're not just like Sebastian to me, you're not just a conquest."

The car was silent. Nick had never seen him look so adamant but at the same time simply misunderstood and lost.

"I know Blaine," Kurt said tenderly stroking his hand as it rested on his thigh. Blaine seemed to feel instantly at ease and he relaxed as Kurt's fingers wove over his hand. Nick and Sara took in the scene before them and smiled at each other.

"So this trip then?" Nick asked, causing Blaine and Kurt to look up in surprise, almost forgetting they were not alone. "Was it good?"

Blaine and Kurt smiled as they took in their tanned faces and happy grins.

"It was the best trip," Kurt said, "Just what I needed."

"Yeah, lovely and perfect," Blaine said then his face fell, "Until that stupid tourist ruined it."

"Well we can do damage control over that situation," Nick said finally understanding, "We'll sort it Blaine, don't worry."

"Thanks Nick," Blaine said, finally taking in Nick's kind smile and softened expression. "I never did get to properly apologise for all the crappy behaviour before," he said looking a little embarrassed.

"Don't mention it Blaine," Nick said, "I haven't really been there for you recently. I think I forgot my place as best friend over being an agent. I should have known better."

"But I should have treated you right and I'm sorry Nick," Blaine said, "I really am."

"It's ok Blaine, all's forgotten," and he smiled to show he meant it. Blaine looked relieved.

"Where are we off to guys?" the driver asked.

"My place," Kurt said confidently before anyone else had the chance to interject. He gave his address quickly.

Nick nodded in understanding and smiled. Maybe this Kurt was exactly what Blaine needed and he thought to himself he'd never seen his friend so relaxed and at peace. It was a welcome change.

Blaine and Kurt were undisturbed as they entered Kurt's apartment, paparazzi obviously nowhere to be seen and Rachel was simply making tea.

"You're home," she said happily but her expression remained fixed when she saw Blaine too.

"Yeah home and nearly safe and sound," Kurt said a little tired, "I'd love a cup of tea."

"Sure, bad trip?" she asked. She had seen pictures that morning and knew that there was more to the story.

"Not really," Kurt said, his eyes closed as he rested his head on the back of the sofa, "Just a tourist took a picture of us kissing and now the magazines think I've been conquered like second world war Poland."

Blaine nervously sat down next to Kurt on the sofa after taking his own shoes off and said nothing.

"Oh just that," Rachel said, a hint of a laugh in her voice that Kurt could hear with his eyes closed.

"You saw?" Kurt said, his eyes now open.

"Sorry," she said, shrugging her shoulders apologetically, "The pic looked sweet if that's any consolation?"

"I guess it is actually," he said smiling, closing his eyes again.

"I'm off out after my tea," she said, taking a seat opposite the sofa, "So you'll have the place to yourself. I've been invited to sing at a concert at NYADA again."

"Really?" Kurt asked, sitting up and looking interested. It was times like these he envied Rachel her success at NYADA.

"Yeah you're welcome to come along," she said.

"I don't know..." Kurt said looking at Blaine worriedly. He knew going out might encourage people to take photos again, especially if he was with Blaine.

"We can go later if you like?" Blaine offered, the first time he'd spoken since he'd entered the apartment.

"Cool, I'll save you seats near the back," she said getting up and finishing her tea. "I should get ready."

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Kurt whispered, as soon as she had left.

"I want to Kurt," Blaine said emphatically, "We'll sort ourselves out here, get changed and washed and join her later. Maybe a few drinks at a bar? We shouldn't have to hide away and so what if someone takes another photo? It'll show them that you're not the simple conquest I whisked away on holiday after all."

Kurt smirked.

"I wouldn't mind being a simple conquest you know," he said jokingly, "I mean it sounds like one of your conquests would get some amazing sex."

"Oh no honey," Blaine said hotly in Kurt's ear as he leant closer, "My amazing sex is only reserved for one person now and I simply have to say: fottutamente bello and it gets pretty steamy."

Kurt shivered slightly at the sound and wondered what it was about those words, those Italian dirty words that got him so hot and bothered. He felt himself go instantly hard.

"Fuck Blaine," he whispered, "You can't say things like that if we want to go out later."

"Keep those thoughts for later my darling," Blaine continued to whisper, taking his time to kiss that sweet spot just below Kurt's ear. "Bath time?" Kurt laughed.

"That sounds so clean and sensible," Kurt said smiling as Blaine went to his bag to rummage inside for a towel and washing items.

"Not the way I do it beautiful," Blaine said and he took his time to get up and walk away to the room he hoped housed Kurt's bath. He turned and winked, hoping that Kurt would follow. He of course nearly ran towards him.

They were nestled together after a while, Kurt leaning on Blaine's chest on one side of the tub. The soapy suds nearly overflowed and Blaine was still rhythmically circling little areas on Kurt's chest despite the fact that they were now completely clean. Blaine and Kurt had taken it in turns to wash each other, massaging scalps with shampoo and cleaning sensitive areas. Blaine felt like he'd been hard for hours and although he knew Kurt was also hard and would often sigh in pleasure against his chest, Blaine did nothing about his erection until now. He adjusted his position slightly so he knew it could be felt against the lower part of Kurt's back and Kurt's eyes widened in pleasure.

"You know you're awesome don't you?" Blaine whispered against his neck as he nibbled along the skin there. Kurt sighed. Blaine could never get enough of how perfectly beautiful Kurt was. He looked down at Kurt's chest, at the firm muscles beneath his fingertips and couldn't understand how someone like Kurt ended up with someone like Blaine, but he decided not to focus too much on that point. Kurt was murmuring something incoherently.

"I love how you feel under my fingers, how perfectly angelic you look but then I know I get to see you come undone and change and feel and love and I fall in love with you all over again," he was placing open mouthed kisses and nibbling where he could along Kurt's shoulder and neck. Blaine had started to rut slightly up and down against the small of Kurt's back causing Kurt to moan in pleasure. He suddenly moved so Blaine's dick slipped in the water between his cheeks and Kurt groaned so loudly it made Blaine impossibly harder.

"Oh fuck Kurt, the sounds you make...." Blaine murmured against his skin as his moans joined in with Kurt's. He rutted harder.

"Blaine....." Kurt whined, his eyes closed, just concentrating on the pleasure, the intense sensations with the warm water over his skin and Blaine's mouth on his neck and now his hand so confidently placed exactly where Kurt had needed it. He bucked up into Blaine's hand.

"So eager," Blaine murmured against his neck. He rutted harder and faster.

"Fuck Blaine..... so good," Kurt moaned again, continuing to buck into his hand shamelessly.

"You're so gloriously perfect Kurt, so fucking gorgeous, I just...." Blaine continued to rut, loving the feeling of the slide between his cheeks, the wetness and ignoring the splash of water over the side. He loved to watch the movement of Kurt's stomach as he moved upwards, the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed heavily, the glorious look of intense pleasure on his face as he closed his eyes. Kurt was so perfect, so normally unobtainable and here he was, in Blaine's hand, on Blaine's lap and it was all too much, all too perfect. Blaine came with one final thrust upwards into that perfect wet space. A few seconds later, Kurt came too with a shout of Blaine's name and a final sigh of immense pleasure.

"Now that was awesome," Kurt said, still coming down from his high but wiping the come from his stomach.

"It was," Blaine said sighing, "Now I suppose we have to join the real world again."

"No we don't have to if you don't want to Blaine," Kurt said, swivelling around in the water to face him, "Rachel will understand."

"No I want to Kurt, I do," Blaine said, "I just worry what will happen to us. It's nice in here."

"No one can touch us Blaine, and what we have," Kurt said quietly, his eyes so intensely boring into Blaine's that he could only stare.

"I sometimes think I don't deserve you Kurt," Blaine said, his eyes suddenly filling with tears. Kurt looked a little taken aback and he came closer to cup Blaine's cheek in his hand and hold him closer.

"You do deserve me Blaine," Kurt said sincerely, "Never doubt that. They don't know you, they just know the model Blaine and any intelligent person knows not to believe what you read in the papers."

"But Nick had started to believe it, I could tell."

"Not by the end," Kurt said, "He knew the mistake he had made and I don't think he'll make it again. Don't worry what people think Blaine, it really isn't worth it."

Blaine nodded and blinked away the tears.

"We really should leave if we don't want to look like prunes at this place tonight," Kurt said and he kissed Blaine tenderly before getting up out of the bath and grabbing a towel. Blaine took one look at Kurt's lithe body and looked down at his own. He had a tiny layer of fat over his stomach that hadn't been there before the vacation and he noticed he was a lot hairier than Kurt. He made a mental note to visit the gym tomorrow and make an appointment with the hair removal lady at the spa. Kurt noticed the look but grabbed a towel for Blaine and started drying him, not speaking a word as he rubbed the towel in circular patterns that soothed and protected Blaine from so much more than he could ever know.

Rachel was just about to start when they appeared and although they had missed the first song they weren't so late that they had made a scene. Rachel, true to her word, had saved them seats at the back so they could slip in unnoticed.

She sang beautifully and looked perfect in her floaty pink dress, tight until it cascaded down from her hips. Kurt and Blaine had dressed in a suit and tie for the event and they looked crisp and poised sitting together. Blaine, looking tense as he watched, instantly relaxed as Kurt stroked the soft skin on the top of his hand as it rested on his thigh. Blaine looked over at Kurt's angelic face, watching and feeling as Rachel sang, his blue eyes twinkling. Blaine reflected that no matter what happened, nothing seemed to faze Kurt and he looked so powerful and amazing sitting there in the half-light that Blaine's breath hitched. He may look like the perfect model but I get to see him like this every day, Blaine thought.

As they milled about at the end of the evening, no one referred to the pictures of Kurt and Blaine and when anyone asked what they did for a living they seemed terribly interested but this world was set apart from the sordid affairs of the B-list celebrity and they were free. Blaine was suddenly very grateful that they had come out after all.

Rachel had agreed to change so they could go out afterwards and Blaine and Kurt took their ties off and unbuttoned the top button on their shirts to look more casual.

"Callbacks?" Rachel asked as soon as she was ready. Blaine nodded in happiness at the thought of going back there like before and Kurt smiled.

The place was full and heaving with students but it felt like such a place of acceptance and bustling ambition that Blaine didn't mind. They quickly grabbed a table at the back and Kurt bought them drinks as Rachel and Blaine settled to watch two girls singing by the piano. They were so lost to the music; they seemed to be purely singing for pleasure. Rachel looked at Blaine.

"Blaine?" she said, sounding a little worried. Blaine had closed his eyes and his expression suddenly looked a little pained.

"Do you sometimes wish you could change the past with a click of your fingers?" he asked, keeping his eyes closed. Rachel murmured that she would. "I think sometimes, when I look at Kurt and how perfect he is, I just wish that I could erase all my mistakes, take everything and put it in a box that I could destroy and never return to. I would be the best I could be.... for him."

Rachel was a little worried at Blaine's statement and paused for a while before she answered, determined to give him the best response she could.

"I don't think Kurt would like that," she said quietly so in the loudness of the bar, only Blaine could hear her. Blaine opened his eyes to catch her meaning. "I think he loves you just the way you are and that includes your past and your mistakes." She looked so sincere and kind, Blaine felt tears appear in his eyes for the second time that day.

"Do you really think so?" he whispered, so quietly that Rachel could only lip read.

"I know so," Rachel said, "I know because we've all made mistakes and Kurt never judges, never asks anything from us. He's loyal and loving and so perfect but he always forgives and sees the good. I know that he loves you, I can tell when he looks at you and it's not pity and it's not regret that fills his eyes. It's only love."

Blaine looked at Rachel, his eyes still filling but he left the tears where they were and refused to blink until Kurt suddenly appeared with their drinks and laughed at them.

"You both look so serious," Kurt was saying as he sat down and he nearly didn't notice Blaine hastily wipe tears away that had fallen on his cheeks when Kurt had appeared.

"Blaine?" Kurt said, worry changing his voice.

"I'm fine," Blaine said hastily and attempted a smile. "I think maybe I need to sing."

"Well Pascal looks like he has his work cut out for him tonight," Kurt said trying to lighten the mood, "I'd get in there quick with a song choice."

When Blaine left to add his name to the list, Kurt quickly turned to face Rachel with an accusing glare.

"Rachel what did you say to make him so upset?"

"I didn't Kurt," she said defensively and she quickly summed up what she had said. Kurt looked even more confused.

"But what's wrong?" he asked, not really expecting Rachel to give an answer.

"I think he's feeling a little burdened by his mistakes, his past, whatever he did."

"But I know what he was like, how model Blaine is so different from what he's really like. It doesn't bother me."

"Well maybe it bothers Blaine," Rachel said simply.

"I think there must be something more," Kurt said, more to himself, his mind racing to figure out what it might be when Blaine returned.

They watched for a while in silence as more and more people sang, conversation limited because of the loudness of the bar. It was soon Blaine's turn. He nervously approached the microphone and smiled as he introduced himself and explained his song choice.

"I'm dedicating this song to Kurt," he said smiling, "Who I'm starting to realise might just see me for who I really am and although it scares me, I think I'm just about ready to let it all go." He physically relaxed as he sat by the piano, almost as if he was shaking it out, letting it all go and he looked up at Kurt and smiled.

They say life is a battlefield
I say bring it on
If you wanna know how I feel
Live it till it's gone
I'm just saying that what don't kill, only makes you strong
If you don't recognize what is real
Then forever is a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time

He looked so fierce and powerful up there, so different from how he had approached the piano that Kurt's mouth opened in awe. Maybe he truly was now free.

Some things never change here we go again
Feel like I'm losing my mind
Shake it off, let it go, I don't care anymore
Just go numb
You never know until you let go
Let's go numb
I can feel you now

Keep on doing the same old thing
And you expecting change
Well is that really insanity
Or just a losers' game?
I only trust in the things I feel
Some may say that's strange
You better recognize what is real
Cause forever is a long, long, long, long, long, long, long, long time

Some things never change, here we go again
Feel like I'm losing my mind
Shake it off, let it go, I don't care anymore
Let's go numb
You never know until you let go
We all go numb
I can feel you now

Can you feel it?

He looked directly at Kurt as if he was asking him the question and Kurt nodded so Blaine could see. Blaine smiled widely and left the little stage to a glorious applause.

"I've never heard that song sung like that before - as an acoustic," Kurt said as way of introducing the topic as they walked to the subway. Rachel stayed behind to talk to a few of her friends from NYADA and was happy to see them later.

"Yeah I tried it a while ago, just singing in the shower and I guess I could play it when I got up there," Blaine said shrugging his shoulders as if everyone had that talent.

"That's amazing Blaine," Kurt said stopping in the street to emphasise his point. "I can't believe you have that talent.... Well I can but I mean, it's an awesome talent. You should sing more often, show off."

"Oh I don't know," Blaine said nonchalantly.

"Blaine," Kurt said, gripping Blaine's arm, "It's amazing. It really is." Kurt's blue eyes were so wide and honest that Blaine kissed him sweetly, not wanting to see such purity ahead of him.

"Blaine, you're avoiding what I just said."

"Sorry," he said, "I mean I know I can play and sing. I suppose it's never been that big of a deal before."

"But it is a big deal," Kurt said getting a little exasperated. An idea suddenly occurred to him. "Blaine, I've got it, that's what you are, that's what you can do when you don't want to model anymore."

"What do you mean?" Blaine asked a little confused.

"When you asked me on holiday what you could do when everything faded, that's it, that's what you can do. Sing."

Blaine looked at Kurt like he was mad.

"You think I'm good enough?"

"Of course you are Blaine, you sound fantastic."

Blaine thought it over, not realising that they had stayed still on the street and people occasionally passed them as they walked home. The idea had never occurred to him, never thinking about what he actually liked to do he suddenly realised that it was that all along. Whenever he was sad as a kid or teenager he had played the piano or sung songs and it had filled the lonely hours, made him feel better. Belonging to the Warblers had made feel like he belonged; like he was part of a team and that he was special. He hadn't felt like that in a long time. Not without Kurt by his side anyway. He looked at Kurt again and smiled.

"You really think I could make a career out of it?" he asked.

"Blaine, you could do anything you put your mind to," Kurt said kissing his cheek tenderly, "But yes I think you could. I mean it Blaine, you sound perfect when you sing, and more importantly you look like you come alive. That's when the real Blaine shines."

No one had believed in Blaine so much, not his parents or his friends in a very long time and he looked at Kurt as if he had sprouted wings. Kurt looked utterly beautiful in the light of the stars and the full moon, his eyes twinkling with hope and love and promise and Blaine could only scoop him up in his arms and spin him around until he was breathless, placing kisses on his cheeks repeatedly. He put him down eventually.

"What was that for?" Kurt said giggling and breathing heavily from being squished.

"For loving me and believing in me and being perfect," Blaine said and he had the sudden urge to laugh and cry at the same time. "I love you Kurt."

Kurt had never seen someone embody love so easily, it just seemed to ooze out of Blaine and he smiled.

"I love you too Blaine."