"You're shooting with Blaine Anderson?!" Sara squealed the next day as she was getting Kurt his lunch. Kurt took it quietly, almost wincing at her noise. He had a banging headache and this was just another day, a small shoot to update his headshots, another way to promote himself. He just wanted to crawl under his covers at home and not emerge until morning.

"Yes," he whispered, closing his eyes, "And you can only come along if you are quiet."

"When is it?" she bounced on her feet, quieter but just as excited as before.

"I don't know, it's got to be organised yet. They'll get in touch I'm sure," he said.

"You don't seem that excited," she said looking at him carefully. "I mean I know you 'hate' him," she said, indicating the quotation marks with her fingers, "But we both know that's not true. Why the hesitation to shoot with him?"

"He's an ass," he said, massaging his temples with his fingers, "He came waltzing up to me, claimed I neededhimto support and teachmewhen he's the one falling behind. He shook my hand so hard he nearly crushed my fingers and he smirked."

"Oh yes, clearly ass-like behaviour," Sara laughed to herself, reaching in her bag for pills.

"What?" he asked wearily, "What are you getting at?" he said, taking the offered pills desperately.

"I don't know," she said, shrugging, "I mean it seems a little silly to me. Surely it's all a joke, you don't really hate him?"

Kurt thought about it for a moment and then realised it made his head hurt.

"No I don't really hate him but he is annoying and arrogant," he said, "I just don't need him making my life more difficult when this job is stressful enough as it is."

"And don't you think he knows that?" she said quietly, "He might be just the friend you need, a model that sees the world just like you do."

"I don't think he is even capable of such profound thoughts on beauty, he probably just wants to get laid," he said closing his eyes in annoyance as he was called by the photographer yet again.

"Maybe that's what you need too?" she said as he walked towards the cameras and lights and he turned sharply in annoyance at the barely heard comment and scowled.

Blaine had barely finished his orgasm, just waited long enough for Sebastian to roll over and start to snore quietly before he got up and retrieved his screwed up outfit and shoes. Sneaking out to change in the hallway, making sure he had his phone, wallet and keys, he snuck out the door. He knew what it would look like to people walking along the sidewalk at this hour in the morning but he didn't care. The cool breeze hit his face as he started the long walk home, already sober, already feeling the shame creep along his face.

He didn't know why the ice-queen himself had crept so easily under his skin making him itch and crave him but he had. After the barbed comments and the easy competitive remarks, Blaine had wandered back to Sebastian who had seemed to understand exactly what Blaine needed and had given it so eagerly. There was an easy understanding between the two of them, a 'friends with benefits' type arrangement although Blaine knew he couldn't stand any sort of conversation with the guy. Any attempt at getting to know Blaine for real always left Sebastian wanting more, Blaine only wished he would shut up.

He walked quite quickly, knowing it would take a long time to get home to shower and wallow in self-pity in front of the television but right now he was just left with his thoughts. When he had signed his first modelling contract he had no idea it would lead to a life like this – shallow, beautiful and inconsequential. He hated himself.

He thought back to the photos adorning the hotel suite, the photos of Kurt, black and white, austere, porcelain, untouchable and it annoyed Blaine even more. Seeing him in the flesh had only made him think of how unattainable he was, how unworthy Blaine was even to be near him. It only made him crave him more.

He seemed so perfect and aloof and Blaine knew that he himself was so flawed, so beautifully empty that he just wanted to be filled up with Kurt and Kurt alone.

He dug in his pocket, finding the empty condom wrapper from earlier and felt a sinking feeling settle in his stomach, a feeling he knew would stay for the duration of the day, until he forced himself out of his stupor and carried on with life. The more he slept with models like Sebastian, the more he realised he was searching for something so beyond his grasp and it only made him feel more desperate. He thought back to flawless Hummel and knew that what had annoyed him the most amidst the arrogance that Kurt displayed, the supposed knowledge that he was the new 'in thing' was that it might be true. Blaine already felt jaded and he had only been in the business for a few years. It had already driven him to despise the job, hate the fake and deplore the beautiful. He knew it would fade, that if he was the favourite one day, he might not be the next and Kurt still didn't know that. He was so naïve, just like Blaine had been and Blaine just wanted to knock him from his pedestal and make him realise.

The one truth he realised as he continued to walk home was despite hating Kurt's beauty and what it represented about the life of a model, he only wanted to drown in him and take comfort; escape the world, burrow under the covers and only see Kurt.

Their photo shoot was scheduled for two weeks later and it seemed that work suddenly flooded in for Blaine, meaning he had no spare time until after their shoot together. He had two days with Vogue modelling suit after suit and he knew that Nick had done well to get that contract, which was followed by three days on a beach, wrapped only in a towel. He met Nick for a quick dinner after the final day and he had flown home.

"God, Blaine," Nick had gasped as he sat down opposite him in the restaurant, already showing the prints he had been emailed. "Look at you." Nick thrust the pics in his face as Blaine slowly took the menu. His flight home had been long and tiring and he knew he had to work again the following day. He did not want to be reminded of what he had been spending the last three days doing.

"Ok Nick," he said, pushing the photos away, "I was there, remember? I've seen them." He looked over his menu, not noticing Nick's careful glance as he put the pictures away. Blaine quickly decided what he wanted and started looking around for a waiter. He hadn't had time to go home properly, just dropped off his bags and he just wanted a shower and a sleep. He caught someone's eyes, who then indicated he would be right over and Blaine finally looked at Nick, who was eyeing him with a conflicted expression on his face.

"What?" Blaine asked, feeling under scrutiny, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Nick didn't get a chance to answer straight away, the waiter taking their orders and then disappearing.

"Well?" Blaine asked when they were finally alone, "What is it?"

"Nothing," Nick said, shrugging, rearranging his napkin and cutlery.

"Look Nick, I'm tired, it's been a long few days and I just want to sleep," Blaine said.

"I get it Blaine," Nick said, smiling in understanding, "Don't worry."

There was an awkward silence as they waited for their orders and Blaine found himself looking around the restaurant, watching people eat and chat happily to their companions. He felt suddenly alone and he looked at Nick who was smiling encouragingly.

"I want that," Blaine whispered, not meeting Nick's questioning gaze, "I want pleasant conversation, I want relationships and love and easy happiness."

"And you can't have that?" Nick asked quietly and Blaine finally looked at him.

"I don't think so," Blaine said shaking his head, "All I seem to get is cheap fucks and sycophants wanting more and more from me, expecting beautiful things from me all the time and it's tiring."

Nick finally noticed that Blaine was shattered, tired definitely but something beyond that. His eyes were mere shadows surrounded by purpling hollows and his nose was shiny. His hair, normally so tamed and styled, was now ruffled and curling. He looked so exhausted that Nick felt guilty.

"I'm sorry Blaine," he said, "Go home, get some sleep, we don't have to meet. I just wanted to catch up but we can definitely do that another time."

Blaine looked at him gratefully and smiled.

"Thanks Nick," he said standing, "I'll see you soon?" Nick nodded and Blaine waved slightly as he left, leaving Nick pondering on Blaine's statement of loneliness.

"I want pleasant conversation, I want relationships and love and easy happiness."

The shoot with OUT magazine over, Blaine finally managed to get nearly twelve hours of sleep the night before the GQ shoot with Kurt, so upon approaching the building they were to shoot in, he looked comfortable and well-rested. He was dressed casually, knowing that the crew would soon spruce him up, clothe him in something appropriate so his tight jeans and jacket would soon be removed, along with his hat and sunglasses. Kurt was talking in the corner with the blonde girl he had seen with him at the party, who Blaine assumed was his assistant but he glanced over at Blaine as he entered. Blaine smiled, trying to appear cocky but it faltered as he took in Kurt's pristine appearance. Wearing a tight waistcoat over a white shirt and blue jeans, he looked casual but perfect and Blaine swallowed, already feeling like he was at a loss.

He grabbed a coffee from the catering table and a girl approached him, ushering him to the make-up stand. She barely said two words to him as she placed a gown on him and started preparing his hair and discussing his make-up with someone next to her. Blaine could see them discussing him in the mirror completely oblivious to him and he sighed but he could see Kurt who happened to be in his eye line in the mirror. Kurt looked over Blaine and glanced at the girls and smiled slightly and there was a hint of something else. Kurt knew. Kurt knew exactly what Blaine was feeling and he understood. Blaine could feel a blush creep along his cheeks but he held Kurt's gaze until Kurt was called away by the photographer.

Kurt was soon ushered to the same make-up table as Blaine and they found themselves next to each other and staring into the mirror. There was a comfortable silence for a while, as if they both knew that it was golden and not to be underappreciated. Sara handed Kurt a few magazines and said she was going to get more coffee and check their emails.

He flicked through the magazine not really looking at the photos but he soon saw some pictures of the party he had attended for August journal two weeks ago. There were pictures of Kurt and a few other models sipping champagne and he nearly turned the page until he saw the photo in the corner of the article. It was a photo of Blaine coming out of the hotel in the early hours of the morning after, with the caption: 'What was the superhot model Blaine Anderson doing leaving so early in the morning?' His suit looked decidedly more rumpled and he clearly hadn't seen the camera lurking in front of him, suggesting he didn't know he was being papped. He looked a little closer at the pictures and Kurt wondered why he hadn't seen these before. He chanced a glance at Blaine in the mirror over the magazine and accidentally caught his eye, when Blaine smirked right at him.

"You can look all you want Hummel," he said laughing, "Don't mind me, I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet."

The remark appeared casual but Kurt knew he was again trying to mess with him and he swallowed. He wasn't going to mention the magazine but now...

"Oh I should think peace and quiet was definitely your scene," Kurt said with a new smirk on his face and Blaine looked at him through the mirror in surprise. "From what I can see here anyway you look like that's all you wanted and you thought you'd got away with sneaking out." Kurt thrust the photo in Blaine's face who stared at it for a good minute before looking at Kurt who was silently laughing and took the magazine from him.

"Where did you get this Hummel?" he asked looking carefully at the picture and its caption.

"It's just lying around," Kurt said smiling, "So who was the lucky guy? Anyone I know?"

Blaine blushed, still staring at the picture but remaining silent.

"So it is someone I know," Kurt said, "Well you can spill to me, I won't tell anyone." He laughed and Blaine couldn't stand it anymore. He stood abruptly and shook off the gown covering his shoulders, surprising the make-up assistant. He walked outside to the hotel balcony, suddenly desperate for a cigarette, despite giving up three months ago. Kurt looked surprised but didn't say anything and continued to watch himself in the mirror as the preening continued.

Blaine could feel his hands shaking slightly as he tried to light the cigarette, the magazine already discarded on the patio table next to him. He was alone, the only other person just finishing their cigarette as Blaine entered. He glanced down at the crumpled photo and leant back on the glass behind him. It wasn't the scandal, it wasn't the implication of relations with other people, it was the idea that people could see the real him there on the page. Behind the glossy photos and the perfect body, there was Blaine Anderson, looking down and guilty, his whole life a façade. He couldn't bear the idea that everyone would see this, that he had revealed something of himself and that Kurt Hummel had been the one to discover it and throw it in his face. He took a steady drag on his cigarette, determined to calm his frayed nerves and remain poised. It took a few minutes and more heady puffs on his cigarette before he felt calm enough to return to the shoot, to explain himself slightly and really show Kurt Hummel who he was dealing with.

As he returned, Kurt had clearly finished his make-up and hair and was being led away to the costume department, appearing deep in conversation with someone who was to dress him appropriately. He saw Blaine come in but said nothing and Blaine walked over to finish his make-up. The make-up assistant looked worried that she had upset Blaine and he softened at her expression.

"Don't worry, it was nothing you did, I just needed a cigarette," he said, shrugging his shoulders as if to say he was trying to kick the habit but couldn't. She smiled.

"Oh that's ok, me too," she said, "I've given up twice now, both times unsuccessfully."

Blaine was soon rushed to costume as Kurt was busy chatting to the shoot director, Blaine already aware that he was off to a shaky start. They no doubt thought Blaine was a typical diva model, unapproachable and hard to work with. He would need to work harder to prove them wrong. Once he was changed he noticed they had fitted both Kurt and himself in tailored outfits, tight and debonair. Kurt was in a dark green jacket with a tie while Blaine was in a dark green striped suit that he knew accentuated his eyes and a black skinny tie. Blaine had to admit, as he walked towards Kurt and the shoot director, they both looked good.

"Hi, where do you want me?" he asked politely and Kurt looked at him carefully, hoping to see something else behind the façade.

"Oh, hi," the guy said surprised at finally seeing Blaine, "Let's have a think." They were led to the centre of a room with big windows and a large cream sofa in the middle. "I'm thinking that Kurt you would look fabulous against the light and almost looking down at Blaine here as he lies on the sofa. What do you think?" he asked the photographer, who was moving both Blaine and Kurt to match the idea. Kurt looked at Blaine as he was moved and prodded and Blaine knew. Kurt's annoyance wasn't obvious but Blaine could tell he hated being moved just as much as Blaine did.

They were soon aligned the way the photographer wanted and cameras popped, lights flashing. Blaine and Kurt didn't flinch, so used to the glare and the lights. They were asked to move one way, then the next, movements suggested, until Kurt was finally asked to go on the sofa too and sit next to Blaine. Arms were draped over each other, again movements made for them as if they were mannequins and the close proximity made Kurt slightly uncomfortable. So many photos were taken that talking was almost encouraged to give unusual photos that just might be the 'one shot they wanted'. Kurt found himself whispering to Blaine, who was now opposite Kurt, their legs together as they faced each other on the sofa.

"Sorry about earlier," Kurt said, trying to maintain the intense stare the photographer wanted. "I probably pushed too far."

Blaine was surprised. He quickly schooled his face to remain poised and his eyebrows sank back to their normal place on his face.

"Oh," he whispered, "Thanks."

They were moved again, this time Kurt was asked to lie on the sofa as Blaine posed facing away from Kurt but leaning on the opposite arm rest. Kurt could admire his strong back from his stance and again he was asked to look one way then another. The last pose in this outfit was to be more intimate and as the photographer suggested Kurt suddenly realised why he preferred to shoot alone. They were asked to sit together facing each other on the sofa, their legs up and entwined, Kurt practically in Blaine's lap. He blushed slightly as he could feel Blaine's strong legs beneath his own and Blaine looked down as the photographer moved them until he was happy.

"Now rest your head back Kurt," the photographer said, "Great," he said as Kurt exposed the creamy skin of his neck and Blaine swallowed fiercely, thinking instantly of the kisses he could plant on that perfect skin.

"Now laugh," the photographer said and Kurt did, though no sound left his mouth and Blaine almost smirked at the absurdity of it all. He really was a consummate professional and Blaine suddenly realised he had judged this Kurt Hummel, new supermodel in the making, far too harshly and far too soon.

"Great Blaine," they were saying, "Keep that expression." And Blaine was grateful that Kurt couldn't see his face from his position looking at the ceiling; he dreaded to think what his face showed. "Right," they were saying, "Let's change."

They were given new outfits and asked to change in the little room behind them, just one room, just one place to change.

"Oh," Kurt said looking around in panic, "I think I've found the reason I don't normally shoot with other models," he laughed with a sudden nervous energy and Blaine smiled too.

"I really don't think you have anything to worry about Hummel," he said, the smirk had returned and Kurt instantly felt the hairs on the back of his neck bristle in annoyance. "Unless of course you're worried I again might outshine you."

"Urgh," Kurt grimaced, "Why do you have to be such an ass?"

He really wanted to know and Blaine was slightly taken aback.

"Because," Blaine started but couldn't finish. He had no idea why he was being such as ass.

"I look great and I know it," Kurt said smiling with a confidence he didn't feel. He started to take off the jacket and unbutton his shirt. "I get paid to look great, I get told constantly that I look great, I believe I look great."

"Ok, ok, no need to rub it in," Blaine said, starting to undress himself, "I get told the same things, I believe I'm great too."

"But there's no harm in a little humility sometimes," Kurt said, finally unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his undershirt beneath. Blaine was slightly disappointed.

"You should listen to your own advice," Blaine said, his shirt completely gone now too, revealing his toned and tanned chest underneath. Kurt couldn't help it, his eyes roved over his body quickly then looked down. The look hadn't been lost on Blaine.

"Look all you like Hummel," he said, chuckling, "I didn't get the show but you can sure enjoy mine."

"Urgh," Kurt moaned and turned away to find his next outfit. He could hear Blaine continue to chuckle behind him. "You may think you're confident and sexy but you really are not. Of course the guy you spent the night with after the party probably thought otherwise." He didn't see Blaine's surprised and hurt expression, his cocky façade slipping slightly, Kurt still looking for his new shirt and accessories. "I take it he was a model that had that pleasure, someone I knew," Kurt continued and laughed, finally picking up his shirt and looking towards Blaine, who was notably silent.

"Laugh all you want Hummel, at least I get some," Blaine said deadly serious, picking up his new shirt too and dressing himself again. His expression was of steely determination and Kurt realised he had gone too far with his own barbed comment. He soon reasoned that Blaine had it coming and continued.

"Oh I get some," Kurt said confidently, despite it being a lie, "I just don't like shagging other models - so arrogant, so perfectly beautiful, so stupid." Blaine had suddenly come much closer and Kurt could see the browns and greens of his glittery eyes and wondered what Blaine was going to say next.

"We're not all like that Hummel," Blaine said, "Unless you're tarnishing your own reputation with that statement." Kurt smiled slightly.

"I speak as I find," Kurt said, a slight tremor to his voice that Blaine noticed. "Apart from a few exceptions," Kurt said, indicating himself, "Models are generally egotistical and so consumed with their own beauty that they don't care about furthering their minds and developing an opinion."

Blaine looked carefully at Kurt, so close that he could count his eyelashes. He suddenly wanted to kiss away his smirk, to see him come undone at his hands but the desire to prove him wrong slightly overtook the desire to feel him underneath him. He looked at the blues of his eyes, preparing a witty comeback then sighed.

"Of course you're right," he said and Kurt quirked an eyebrow in surprise, "I've found the same."

Blaine avoided Kurt's curious gaze as he continued to change and he left the changing room to speak to the photographer, thinking of his own ideas and wishing to be heard. Kurt was left to wonder at the exchange and consider perhaps there was more to this Blaine Anderson than he had at first assumed.