Nick didn't get his opportunity until two weeks later when August Man, Malaysia's definitive men's journal, hosted a party to celebrate the pictures of Kurt Hummel that adorned their front cover as well as a fashion spread inside. This month's publication was clearly iconic and the party, though officially to celebrate the male celebrities featured, was to highlight Kurt's rise to fame and his new popularity. He was the real star of that month's issue.

"You want me to go to a party in honour of Kurt Hummel and cosy up to him?" Blaine asked incredulously as he met Nick for coffee down town.

"Well that might make him a bit suspicious," Nick said smirking, "But yeah, that's basically what I'm suggesting."

"No," Blaine stated simply, looking out the window of the small coffee shop that they frequented often. He knew the owner but he looked so different with his three day stubble and beanie hat that no one would recognise him behind his shades.

"No?" Nick questioned, raising an eyebrow, "Blaine, we spoke about this."

"I'm not going to a party in his honour," Blaine said simply, looking back at Nick to make himself understood. "It'll look so obvious and he'll be suspicious."

"It's a party for models and the fashionable elite. You belong with this crowd Blaine," Nick said.

"It should be me," Blaine whispered, "Am I that much out of the loop?" He could barely look at Nick he felt so small and Nick felt a little sorry for him sitting there nursing his medium drip.

"Blaine you have an automatic invitation," Nick said, "I wouldn't call that being 'out of the loop'."

"It's a party for him," Blaine sulked, "I know he hates me."

"One comment, come on," Nick said smiling, "How can he bear a grudge when you look so sexy and cute?" He chuckled hoping to laugh Blaine out of his stupor. Blaine looked at him and smirked.

"You're sure you're not gay?"

"You know I love my Holly, right? But I wouldn't chuck you out of bed," he said nudging his elbow, making Blaine laugh a little. "So you'll go?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I guess," Blaine said, sipping his coffee once more, "If you think Hummel won't mind me disturbing his shine?"

"Oh I think he might need a little reminder of how hot and sexy Blaine Anderson really is," Nick winked, "Just in case he didn't know already."

---

As soon as Blaine entered the hotel he realised it had been a mistake to turn down Nick's offer to accompany him. Looking around, Blaine could see couples and groups of models, fashionable, beautiful and sexy as hell. They held their tall glasses of champagne and nibbled on the smallest appetisers, as if even those tiny morsels would fill them up and make them bloat. Blaine always felt alone amongst the crowd, always aware of how fake those relationships really were and he wished he had brought along his only real friend.

The hotel rooms were adorned with giant pictures of Kurt that featured in the publication, no wall left blank and everywhere Blaine turned he faced an impeccable face or Kurt in a Mick Jagger T-shirt, rolled slightly at the sleeves to accentuate his toned arms. His sunglasses and pose highlighted his chiselled cheekbones and full lips and Blaine felt himself stare slightly open-mouthed at the pictures at his every turn. He soon closed his mouth, realising he saw beauty every day so Kurt Hummel should be no exception, nothing special. He grabbed a glass of bubbly from a waiter as he turned again to see a better photo, obviously taken as a behind the scenes shot. Kurt was in his jacket and scarf from a later picture but in the middle of laughter at hearing something funny, Kurt was clasping his hands together, his face alive with laughter lines and amusement. Blaine suddenly realised that was so much more attractive than any other picture of Kurt that surrounded him in the hotel.

He glanced around, hoping to recognise another model, another sycophant and found only a smirking grin as Sebastian walked over.

"Well hello gorgeous," Sebastian said, holding his drink aloft in greeting and wearing his tailored outfit, his pose straight and correct. He knew perfectly well he was attractive, another model, another bright young thing and Blaine found himself glancing around to see if he could spot an escape.

"Hi Sebastian," he said, still searching.

"How have you been?" Sebastian asked, "I didn't think I'd see you here celebrating the wonder that is Kurt Hummel." Blaine laughed, slightly bitter and jealous and glanced around at the large photos surrounding them. "Not after what you said about him on television."

"Yes, well Hummel isn't the only perfect model here," Blaine said, glancing around hoping to see the model himself.

"I couldn't find him either," Sebastian said, "He appears to be quite allusive. He doesn't come to these events very often, probably worried about the pallor of his skin being affected by all the lights." Sebastian smirked.

"Yeah he is pretty precious," Blaine said without humour and he swallowed the bitterness as he wondered how early he could get away with leaving. He knew he couldn't leave without making his presence known or seeing the man himself but as he spotted people from runway projects he knew they were expecting much greater things from him. He was Blaine Anderson, someone that had made it, achieved everyone's idea of perfection but as he saw girls smile his way, he knew they knew nothing of him. The shell was easy to reveal and he was always worried that they'd spot the hollow emptiness underneath. The ideal of the perfect body, the perfect face left him feeling a little shallow and he longed for real life, wanted a real conversation. He turned to face Sebastian and realised he would never get that here.

"Maybe I should find some food," he said, leaving Sebastian hanging in search of a waiter and a tray of tiny food.

It was as he took a bite of a tiny sausage that he finally saw the man of the hour. He wore a dark jacket from his August Man shoot, the white shirt open at the neck and Blaine's eyes flashed to the blown up image of his black and white face, his blue eyes clear and haunting. He looked like a debonair Buster Keaton and as he walked into the room next to a young blonde girl, Blaine wondered what power this guy had that even the voices in the room would quieten in his presence. Blaine couldn't even feel jealousy, only admiration at the gentle power this man had and he wanted to get closer but held back. He stood in the shadows slightly, thought he was unnoticed until someone squealed slightly at spotting Blaine, causing Kurt to glance in his direction.

"There you are," she said, "I've been waiting for you to arrive, this party's been dull dull dull without you." She winked and came closer and only because he knew her so well, Blaine let her link her arm with his as he was squeezed closer.

"Tabitha darling," he cooed and kissed her on the cheek, "It's been too long."

"Yeah, yeah," she said, waving his attempt at platitudes aside, "What trouble have you got yourself into? Or do you plan on making some?" She winked again and Blaine smirked.

"No trouble, I've been good," he said smiling cheekily.

"Any good gossip?" she asked, leaning impossibly closer.

"None," he said and she looked disappointed, "How's GQ been getting on without me?" Tabitha was the editor of the magazine and had given Blaine his first big opportunity. He had her to thank for a lot of his subsequent contracts and he loved her like a wicked older sister. She could be brutal when in the boardroom but her manicured nails and long legs hid her gentle charm and quiet sense of humour.

"We need another shoot soon," she said suddenly serious, "It's been far too long and I mean that Blaine. I love your look you know that. Just set a date and time and we'll get the best. In fact, we've got a new line coming in that I know will be dying to snap you up."

"Definitely," he said nodding, "Just ring Nick."

"Good," she said, "Now business is over, what are you doing here? I didn't think this kind of event was your thing?"

"It's not really but Nick had this idea," he started and he looked down at their arms linked, then found himself glancing at Hummel again to find the chestnut haired beauty surrounded by sycophants but looking in his direction. They locked eyes for a second before Tabitha seemed to notice and she tugged him to look back at her.

"An idea?"

"Yeah, Nick is impressed with Kurt and wants me to capitalise on it; thinks we should do a photo shoot together or something." He shrugged his shoulders in nonchalance but the thought of spending time alone with him sent a little thrill down his back.

Tabitha paused, looking at Blaine carefully before glancing at Kurt and Blaine could see her cogs working.

"But that's an excellent idea," she whispered, glancing at the both of them, her mind already conjuring images of them together. "Of course, I can see it now...."

"I don't know, I know he's kind of got that porcelain thing going on, too precious for the real work," he said smiling.

"But you should meet," she said suddenly, untangling her arm from Blaine's and gripping his arm to lead the way towards Kurt who was still surrounded by other beautiful people. He noticed Blaine and Tabitha coming closer and his eyes widened slightly in apparent panic.

"Kurt darling," she cooed as she came closer, "You know Blaine don't you?" she asked nonchalantly, slightly waving him away as if to suggest that of course Kurt knew Blaine. Blaine loved her a little more in that moment.

"Yes I think so," Kurt said, a little shocked at being addressed like that.

"No we've never met," Blaine said stretching out his hand in greeting, which Kurt took in surprise, "But I've heard of you of course," he said smiling.

"Of course," Kurt said smirking. He didn't want to give anything away, didn't want Blaine to know his silly words had affected him in anyway.

"I seem to recall someone referring to you at a party I attended once," Blaine smirked knowingly and Kurt blushed. Blaine knew he knew.

"I never did get my pants back," Kurt said confidently, "How much did you get for them?" If Kurt was going to be messed with he wanted the ball to be in his court.

"Oh not as much as I'd hoped," Blaine said laughing.

"So," Tabitha said, trying to inch herself closer to get in on the conversation, "Blaine and I were discussing a great idea of his," she started and Blaine pinched her slightly.

"Ow," she said removing her arm, "What are you doing Blaine?" She was completely oblivious and Blaine let her plough on. "You two should shoot together. You'd be great." She beamed, waiting patiently for her idea to be accepted. Kurt looked at Blaine after a while, who could feel a slight blush grace his own cheeks and Blaine attempted to smile. He knew that he must appear desperate to garner favour with the next new thing and he hated that he would be indebted to Hummel in anyway.

"This was your idea?" Kurt asked Blaine, smirking slightly.

"Only so you'd learn from the best Hummel," Blaine quipped quickly, "I don't think you've been in the business that long, you don't know the pitfalls." Kurt set his jaw and swallowed. He loathed the idea that Blaine thought he knew more, thought he was better.

"I think I'm doing fine without your help actually," Kurt said laughing lightly and glancing at the photos of his shoot all around the room as evidence. "I'll consider helping you out though," he said.

"Oh I don't think I need any help from you," Blaine laughed, "Have you seen my body? Only in your dreams I imagine."

"Oh god...." Kurt said laughing at the arrogance and shaking his head. "Bring it Anderson," he said simply.

"So we have a photo shoot?" Tabitha asked, looking from Blaine to Kurt with a confused expression.

"Yeah we have a photo shoot," Blaine said, "Let's give Hummel a chance to catch up," and he leant in to whisper the next part to Kurt, whose breath hitched at the close proximity and the glittering brown eyes.

"Maybe you can earn your pants back," he said, catching a whiff of Kurt's cologne and he breathed him in.