Blaine woke slowly, blinking against the light that was streaming from the high windows directly onto his face. Opening his eyes wide, facing Kurt's bed, he noticed that Kurt was still sleeping peacefully which he guessed to be unusual and for a while he just watched. Kurt looked so peaceful with his mouth slightly open, his eyes fluttering that Blaine couldn't help but smile at how adorable he looked. He watched for a few minutes until it occurred to him that he was being creepy and he decided to make Kurt breakfast just like Kurt had done yesterday.

He tiptoed out of the bedroom, the first one up and put on his dressing gown over his monogrammed pyjamas. He started the coffee and the toast, searching through the cupboards for something interesting to add to breakfast for Kurt. It was only when he put his hand carelessly through his hair that he noticed. Through the spotless stainless steel sides in the kitchen he could see his reflection and he didn't look good. He was standing open mouthed at his reflection, just wondering how he could tame his wild curls while he was here when he could see Kurt approach behind him.

"You look fine," Kurt said laughing, "Don't worry." He came up to Blaine in the kitchen and smiled, trying to pull Blaine's hands out of his hair.

"It looks dreadful Kurt," he said, pulling a face, "Everyone's going to laugh."

"Who cares?" Kurt said shrugging his shoulders, "I think it looks cute."

Blaine blushed slightly at the compliment and suddenly felt miles better. Well if Kurt said he was cute...

"What are you making?"Kurt asked, his comment forgotten as he looked around the kitchen at the started breakfast.

"No it's a surprise," Blaine exclaimed as Kurt started touching the coffee mugs to help. "Your one instruction is to sit down there," he said indicating the kitchen stool, "And wait patiently. I wanted to make you breakfast." He smiled and Kurt felt like the luckiest guy on earth just to see that twinkle and those warm eyes directed at him. Woah where had that come from?

"Thanks again for yesterday," Kurt said after a while and when Blaine turned round looking confused, he continued. "With Nicola I mean."

"Oh don't be silly I told you not to mention it," he said nonchalantly, going back to making coffee. "She's not very nice is she?" he whispered as if the walls or cameras would betray his secret. Kurt shook his head in agreement and smiled that he had a confidant.

"I was worried I would be the only gay guy here," Kurt said.

"No, apart from a stupid kiss in high school, I am a gold star gay!" Blaine grinned.

"I'm actually pretty used to homophobes like Nicola, I shouldn't be surprised," Kurt said sadly.

"Yeah," Blaine said, suddenly thinking about his own past. "What do you think the rest will think? I mean maybe the general public won't like it either." He looked at the camera aware that he wouldn't know until he left the house.

"I think most people in the house won't care and I'm done with caring about what people think." Kurt said with a false confidence he didn't possess.

"Was high school tough?" Blaine asked.

"Yeah at the beginning but my glee club really helped. Singing was everything and the friends I made there are still around to this day. I was taunted quite a bit and tossed into dumpsters, even hate kissed once." Blaine raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yeah this jock had been giving me grief for months and when I confronted him he kissed me in the locker room, clearly angry with himself. He threatened to kill me but when I told the principal he was suspended and my friends stuck up for me when he came back. He never seemed to be an issue and then he left to complete his senior year at another school."

"I got beat up when I went to a Sadie Hawkins dance with another gay friend," Blaine said quietly. "It was tough coming out and being strong after that but I knew that if I didn't then I would hide for the rest of my life and I refuse to do that. We shouldn't have to apologise for who we are Kurt," Blaine said suddenly very close to Kurt in his earnestness.

"I agree," Kurt whispered, suddenly unable to breathe, mesmerised by those warm brown eyes and forgetting the point of the conversation. There was a moment, just a flicker of the eyes to each other's lips, then a murmur of someone else waking up and Blaine resumed making breakfast, the moment gone.

"Mmm that smells nice," El said as she walked in, unaware of the moment she had interrupted. "What you cooking?"

"Pancakes," Blaine said with exaggerated happiness, "Want some?"

"Mmm yes please."

Kurt was silent as he watched Blaine and El interact and laugh. Blaine continued to make pancakes, seemingly unaware that he had said he would surprise Kurt with breakfast. Kurt wondered as he watched Blaine's strong arms move as he flipped the pancakes. He knew there had been a moment, wondered how he had let himself be so easily moved by one person. He could hear Blaine and El's conversation about art work they admired, El majoring in art at college and explaining her specialism to Blaine, who looked enraptured. They started to eat and enjoy pleasant conversation until Nicola came in to annoy them and spoil the mood.

"Well if it isn't Mr Broccoli head and Lady Lips enjoying breakfast," she said sneering and helping herself to coffee. "I haven't thought of a name for you yet," she pointed at El with a sneer, "But when I do I'll let you know." She wandered to the sofa with her coffee, tucking her legs underneath and pretending to admire the view outside. El looked at Blaine then back to Nicola in silence, then walked closer to her and sat on the other sofa.

"Did something happen to you in your childhood to make you like this?" El said calmly looking at Nicola with an intense stare, as if she really wanted to know.

Nicola looked taken aback, clearly not expecting to be psychoanalysed. She much preferred snarky comments and bitchy stares, those she could deal with well, always ready with a comeback.

"What are you talking about?" she said, trying to stall for time.

"I mean no one is this rude naturally, something has to happen for people to act this way. I just wondered if we could help you with your problem while we're all trapped in this house together. We may have to spend a lot of time together and it might be easier if you acted a little like you wanted to be here." El said this so calmly, reason evident in her expression and voice that Nicola was still at a loss for words. Blaine and Kurt exchanged glances and smiled. They were winning.

"I am here for one thing only," Nicola said after a while, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her nerves. "I only want fame and to ensure I am famous I need to be seen and definitely heard. I think you'll find that the majority of America agrees with my opinions." She looked to one of the cameras as if it would agree with her verbally.

"Ok but I intend to be true to myself and be nice. I think you need to decide what you want to be famous for," El said, getting up and walking towards the kitchen to get her coffee.

Nicola seemed to be pondering El's words as she watched her retreating back but then the grimace returned.

"I've decided what I think I'll call you," she said standing up, "Elspeth. It's perfect for someone that is determined to be true to herself." She said sarcastically as El's cheeks flared pink. Nicola retreated to the bedroom to get ready for a shower.

"Don't worry," Kurt whispered in El's ear, "Remember she doesn't have make up for the duration of her stay and that is all that matters to her."

"I wonder if we're going to have a task today," Blaine asked, trying to change the subject. As they discussed possible tasks and things they had seen on similar reality shows, others came in from the bedroom looking for some kind of breakfast. The morning continued as leisurely as it started and just as Kurt was thinking of doing something to occupy his time, the eye blinked on the television screen in the room and asked that all the housemates assemble on the sofas for their next instructions.

"Good morning housemates," the voice said, only the blinking eye visible on the screen. "You will have no tasks today but we would like to introduce your new housemate." A few housemates looked worriedly at each other, already distrusting the idea of a new person coming in and ruining their experience.

"Your new housemate prefers to eat feed rather than toast and will live outside," the voice said, earning confused looks from the contestants. "Look outside now."

The housemates did as they were instructed and found a sudden chicken coop outside the French windows. As if on cue one of the chickens came out and started pecking the ground and everyone laughed.

"Your task this week is to feed and look after the chickens. We will provide feed and you can enjoy the eggs they produce but you will be required to clean their coop."

The eye blinked and disappeared and all the contestants walked to the windows to see the chickens for themselves.

"What are their names do you think?" Heidi asked.

"I think we should have a vote to name them. They're all hens right?" Anisa said and everyone looked at her as if she was mad. No cockerels were in sight.

"Yes," Ian said simply.

Much fun was had with the chickens until one escaped and was chased around the garden by a few members of the house. Anisa and Claire screamed and ran to different corners of the garden as the lads trapped the chicken blocking its path. After a chilled afternoon and a dinner made by Kurt, Claire and Faye, a few washed the dishes while some of the girls had a dip in the hot tub.

It seemed their days were for lounging, eating and resting and it was already driving Blaine a little crazy. Used to overachieving, always working towards a goal or dream, always perfecting his craft, to suddenly be in a place where he couldn't sing or do anything worthwhile was already taking its toll. Kurt was talking easily with the girls and Blaine could only watch on the sidelines for a while, sitting on the edge of the sofa. It gave him some time to think about what had occurred between him and Kurt before they were interrupted by El earlier.

There was no doubt he had thought Kurt was attractive when he first entered the house, but finding out he was gay and so easy to talk to, with similar interests was just that little bit extra. He found himself looking at Kurt as he spoke animatedly about some designer that Blaine couldn't remember the name of, watching his lips lift up in a smile and his eyes twinkling. He realised that Kurt would look like that on stage and wondered if one day he would get to see that. Kurt's pose was easy, one of his legs up in front of him as he hugged it closer and he always looked at the person he was speaking to as if they had his whole attention. He had made Blaine feel so at ease about his hair and had done so many nice things, just knowing that Kurt was here during his time in the house was enough to make this a show to remember. He knew it was silly to think of dating while he was in here but he wondered if Kurt was dating anyone and decided he would try to find out soon.

As the girls trickled out to join the others by the hot tub, some venturing in beside Nicola and Anisa who had toned and tanned bodies drooled over by Bradley and Michael, Kurt was starting to make a cup of tea when he noticed Blaine sitting on his own on the edge of the sofa.

"Hey, anything wrong?" he asked him.

"Oh no I'm fine," Blaine said breaking out of his reverie, "Just thinking." And he nodded to Kurt's offer of tea.

"Anything you want to talk about?" Kurt asked.

Blaine looked at Kurt, so sincere and kind that he wanted to discuss so many things, his past, his fears, his hopes for the future but he knew he'd have plenty of time for that and Blaine always was someone who blurted.

"Are you dating anyone at the moment?"

"What?" Kurt said, clearly taken aback, his eyes wide.

"Oh gosh sorry that came out much quicker than I thought it would," Blaine said, head in hands, "I mean you don't have to tell me, it's none of my business."

"No its fine," Kurt said smiling, "I don't mind, I'm not dating anyone. Are you?"

"No I'm not," Blaine said and Kurt nodded, clearly taking in the information but not sure what else to say. Luckily Ian and Ed came in from the bedroom, both carrying books and clearly deciding not to join the others by the hot tub.

"I think I might die of boredom here," Ed complained, closing his eyes as he sat on the sofa. Ian just laughed.

They soon got to talking though as there really was nothing else to do and Blaine found out what they were studying. Kurt discussed politics with Ed not noticing when Ian and Blaine went to bed quietly and soon another day began.

---

The following morning was interesting. Lulled into a false sense of security with their lack of tasks and finding it easy to talk about rubbish with just about anyone, the contestants made breakfast and sipped coffee all morning completely unaware that something was coming. The eye blinked and warned everyone to sit in the lounge area, this time sounding solemn and important.

"Good morning housemates," the eye said as everyone blinked at the screen, "We have another task for you to complete. This one will test your patience and your ability to talk. If everyone completes the task successfully we will double your food allowance for next week." A whoop was heard. "If anyone lets down the rest of the team, the whole team will have a forfeit." This was followed by a groan. "Your task is to sit handcuffed to a housemate of our choosing and speak to them nicely for four hours. Nothing derogatory will be allowed to pass your lips and sarcasm will be noted and understood. Anyone that sits in silence will be disqualified. You have ten minutes to ensure you have visited the bathroom." There was a sudden mad dash to the toilet while others discussed who they thought they might be paired with. Kurt was secretly hoping it was Blaine as he watched him rush to the toilet with some of the others.

There was soon another announcement about pairings and Blaine knew it was to be a long four hours as they all found out.

"Faye and Bradley. Ed and Blaine. Claire and Michael. Ian and Heidi. El and Anisa." Most looked at their future partner in disgust, El and Anisa actually the only pair happily surprised. Kurt looked at Nicola, knowing they were the only pair left and a feeling of dread washed over him as he realised he would be chained to this evil bitch for four hours and forced to engage in polite conversation.

"Kurt and Nicola."