Later on that evening nominations were asked and one by one the housemates went into the diary room to speak. Kurt went in nervously and watched as people left, not sure what to make of it all and wondering what people were saying behind his back.

"I nominate Heidi," Ed said, leaning back in the big red chair, "Not because I dislike her, just I don't know her as well and she doesn't really seem to bring much to the house," he shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn't his fault. "My second nomination is Michael purely because he seems to be an idiot," he said matter-of-factly, "He doesn't look out for anyone in the house and he ate all the cereal this morning." Ed left the diary room as quickly as he entered.

"I nominate Michael," Anisa began in her broad Scottish accent, "I don't really know him very well apart from his over-eating and leering when we get into the hot tub. My second nomination is Claire. I get on really well with her but I think she'd be happier out of the house. I think she's kind of been the principal and it's starting to irritate."

"I think I'll nominate Ian," El said when she entered; "I guess that he doesn't seem to fit in here and I don't think he cares for our company. Nicola just seems a spiteful bitch so she's my second nomination."

Kurt and Blaine both nominated Michael and Ian stating that they just knew them the least, not sure if they had much in common. Seven people voted for Michael, mainly for reasons relating to hygiene and selfish housemate behaviour. Although Nicola was a close second, Ian just beat her with his number of nominations, mainly related to his age and lack of interest in the house. Most thought he would be happier out of the house. They wouldn't hear who was up for eviction until the following day when it was to go to the public vote and the person with the most votes would be evicted.

The dancing continued, the gong going off in the middle of the night and annoying everyone who was catching up on sleep. Michael nearly didn't make it but Bradley dragged him to the stage and everyone danced with less vigour than usual. They found out the next morning that they had won the task and would be allowed to plan a party, with extra money for food and drink for Claire's birthday.

Anisa and Heidi got to planning the perfect party and as the day wore on, decorations up, drinks started, the atmosphere changed. Boredom had started to settle over the house in the last few days but the night proved to be one of excitement. Even Ed and Ian who seemed to believe they were above such trivial things started to loosen up with a few drinks.

"I just feel so happy," Heidi said as she poured another drink and tried to pass the bottle around to refill everyone's drinks but managed to spill some without realising.

"Urgh, Heidi," Anisa said as she wiped it away and she started giggling. Blaine was giggling with Bradley seemingly finding everything he said hilarious and Kurt looked at him from the kitchen and smiled. Blaine obviously couldn't handle his drink much.

"Are you not drinking?" Faye asked as she stepped behind the counter to get a snack.

"No not really, I don't like to drink too much," Kurt said, still looking at Blaine. Blaine had tipped his head back and laughed loudly at whatever Bradley was saying, causing Bradley to smile at him as if he was aware of how funny he was. Kurt wasn't sure he liked drunk Blaine all that much.

"Are you not drinking?" he asked Faye.

"Yeah I've had a few," Faye said smiling, "But it's interesting to see who still cares about their reputation and who doesn't give a shit." Kurt's eyes widened. He had never heard Faye swear and at seeing his shocked expression, Faye giggled.

"Yep Christians can swear too," she said and she went to collar Heidi for another drink.

"So what's up lady lips?" Nicola purred as she came to get a mixer for her drink.

"I'm fine thanks," Kurt said through gritted teeth.

"You don't look fine," she said, pouring her drink, "You need to relax, he's never going to be into you if you don't let go and live a little."

"What do you mean?" Kurt said standing tall and affronted. He hadn't been that obvious had he?

"You've been staring at him all night, I would have to be stupid not to know. I think he's completely oblivious though, so what does that tell you about him?" She smirked and poured a shot.

"Here," she said handing it to Kurt, "Down the hatch."

"Oh no, I'm ok thanks," Kurt said shaking his head.

"Parties are way more fun when you're drunk, believe me," she said, "Blaine looks like he's having fun, why don't you?"

Kurt looked over at Blaine who had moved to talk to Heidi who was probably the worst out of all, her dress ripped and her mascara running. She was a happy drunk and Blaine seemed to gravitate towards her infectious laughter. She kept forgetting she wore make-up and would rub her happy laughter tears down her face and continue to laugh. Ed by this time was chatting happily to Anisa, who suddenly thought Ed was the most sexy and intelligent man alive and Bradley was arm wrestling Michael. Kurt looked fleetingly at the camera and back to the shot glass in Nicola's hand. He took it slowly and looked at its noxious looking colour and gulped.

"Bottom's up," Nicola quipped and downed her own as Kurt did the same.

---

The night suddenly became much more interesting. Music banging and drinks sloshed, laughter sounding and conversation flowing. Someone at some point had decided karaoke would be a good idea and Blaine, bolstered by alcohol and Anisa saying he would be brill, took to the stage and sang 80s classics until Nicola shouted him off. He wobbled off the stage and laid on the grass as Kurt handed him another drink.

"Ah that was awesome," Blaine said, laying back on his elbows, his face to the sky, his pink sunglasses perched precariously on his head. He had closed his eyes and had such an adorable blissed out expression on his face that Kurt had to laugh.

"Having fun?" Kurt asked, smiling.

"Oh yeah definitely," Blaine said, broken out of his reverie and looking sincerely at Kurt as if he had asked a most profound question. "I think it would be perfect just to live here forever, make art or something and just not have to worry about jobs and money. We could be a perfect little community here no one would need to bother us." He had sat up, facing Kurt looking earnest and eager to be understood.

"Would you want to be here with me Kurt?" he asked, completely sincere and looking slightly worried he would be rejected.

"Yeah of course," Kurt said smiling, "I sometimes think you're the only reason I stay, the only reason I enjoy it here."

"Really?" Blaine asked, beaming, his face open and inviting and Kurt again fought the urge to kiss his face repeatedly, he just looked so adorable.

"Yeah, you're a real friend right?" Kurt asked tentatively, "I mean I'll see you afterwards, on the outside?"

"Definitely Kurt," Blaine said, nodding solemnly, "I told you, you're awesome and beautiful and gosh when you wore those red pants the other day and..." His voice trailed away and he gazed in the distance as if he was imagining those very pants. Kurt blushed slightly.

"You're funny when you're drunk Blaine," Kurt said laughing, trying to settle the crazy butterflies in his stomach with reason.

"No I'm really serious," Blaine said, gripping Kurt's wrist gently. Kurt just smiled. Blaine's eyes flitted over Kurt's face, taking it all in and Kurt knew it was another moment. They had been on the cusp of something for days, a mention, a declaration, a kiss but looking over Blaine's warm hazel eyes twinkling in the glimmer from the outdoor lights, Kurt knew nothing would happen unless he took a chance. He inched closer and Blaine's breath hitched and time seemed to stand still but there was nothing. Kurt smiled nervously and Blaine didn't close the gap. After a while Kurt moved back slightly and Blaine looked hurt.

"I think I need another drink," Kurt said abruptly and he stood, Blaine gazing up at him from the grass, his eyes wide, his expression hurt.

"Oh ok," he said.

Kurt couldn't walk quickly enough. He reached the counter in the kitchen, amidst the empty bottles and crisp bags, gripping it tightly and heaving a breath. He barely noticed Faye coming up beside him until she placed her hand on his shoulder. She looked flush and merry, her nerves gone but at seeing Kurt she looked sober and sensible.

"Are you ok?" she asked and Kurt looked at her carefully and smiled slowly. She was always there, always caring, even though he knew he was struggling in here where the rules were different and there was no privacy.

"Yeah," he said shakily, "I guess I just needed a moment alone."

"That's hard to find here," she said sadly, "I mean even the diary room isn't free. They're everywhere." She looked around the room and sounded completely paranoid before Kurt realised she was right.

"Is it about Blaine?" she said. Kurt looked up, his eyes wide. "I've seen you together," she said, "I mean you get on really well and you're both gay. I see the way you look at each other. You have plenty of time to get to know each other while you're here."

"That's the trouble," he said, almost whining, "The rules don't apply here and if I'm completely honest I'm not very good at these situations. I mean I've dated a little at college but nothing's lasted and no one seems a good fit. I guess I've kept it casual because I'm afraid," he whispered.

"Afraid of what?" Faye whispered back, leaning in close.

"Rejection, being inadequate, never finding 'the one', loads of things," he said, lifting his hands in the air to rest them again on the counter. "I give up."

"No," she said suddenly, her eyes wide and fierce. "That's what they want," and Kurt wasn't sure who she was referring to now. "You can't give up on love, just enjoy it all, that's what life is all about really."

"What about this show? The cameras? The outside?" Kurt asked.

"They'll be there when you leave, you only have right now," she said gripping his arm. Kurt's eyes alighted on Blaine coming from outside and he spotted Kurt and smiled.

"Sing," Faye said from somewhere beside him and Kurt heard it only as a faded whisper, a hovering idea and he took it. He walked to the 'karaoke station' which was an iPod dock and selected his song. Blaine smiled by the door and walked closer, seemingly unaware of his actions as Kurt heard the music begin.

I am colorblind
Coffee black and egg white
Pull me out from inside
I am ready

I am ready

I am ready

Blaine came closer still, leaning on the back of the sofa and watching, completely mesmerised by Kurt, by him standing there and singing. He had never heard anything so beautiful and he wanted to come closer but felt the material underneath his fingers and felt barred from walking.

I am taffy stuck and tongue tied
Stutter-shook and uptight
Pull me out from inside
I am ready

I am ready

I am ready

I am fine

Blaine wondered if he was singing to him and although others came into the room wondering why the living area was suddenly so quiet, Blaine felt them all melt away and there was only him.

I am covered in skin
No one gets to come in
Pull me out from inside
I am folded and unfolded and unfolding

Blaine knew then that he wanted Kurt, needed Kurt, wanted to sneak in under his skin and have Kurt do the same. He felt the warmth run through his body, felt the alcohol course through his bloodstream and he smiled as tears formed in his eyes. He blinked the strange emotions away and kept looking as Kurt smiled in his direction.

I am colorblind
Coffee black and egg white
Pull me out from inside
I am ready

I am ready

I am ready

I am fine

The last line was whispered, trailed away and repeated as the music ended and Kurt stood there awkwardly as the others watched him. No one knew what to say but most smiled in his direction, feeling he was someone special. El finally walked closer to Kurt and patted him on the arm.

"That was really good," she said quietly to Kurt, "Really good," she insisted. Kurt looked over at Blaine who he could see was swallowing and Kurt bit his lip in worry. Faye noticed and hollered which made everyone jump slightly especially when they found out the origin of the statement.

"We should play spin the bottle!" she yelled and Ed and Ian cringed, while Claire laughed as only a grown up can after hearing a silly suggestion.

"What are we fifteen?" Nicola sneered, "I've got a better idea – truth or dare!"

"Yay!" Anisa said as Heidi jiggled happily on the spot. They all gathered around the seating area bringing drinks and bumping into the large L-shaped sofas.

"So how does this kind of thing start then?" Claire asked, looking at the expectant faces around the sofa.

---

Blaine couldn't remember how it started, just that somehow he had ended up sitting next to Kurt, so close in fact that he could feel the warmth of his leg next to his own. Somehow the drinks kept being handed out, although Kurt didn't really remember taking anymore, he always seemed to have a drink in hand. Ian and Michael had been dared to kiss and as Michael leant in with a screwed up expression, the girls catcalled. Ian seemed indifferent to the action but the dare was considered a success as Michael drank more to rid his mouth of the taste of boy. Blaine looked at Kurt and licked his lips, hoping to get that taste a little later.

Anisa was dared to remain in her bikini for the rest of the evening and Claire was asked a truth: 'where is the strangest place you have had sex?'

Claire went wide eyed at the question but thinking about the answer, she smirked.

"Airport bathroom," she said and Anisa looked at her with a new found respect.

"Blaine hasn't had a go yet," Michael said as if this was the most unfair thing to happen in the house and Blaine looked around as if waiting to be ambushed suddenly.

"Truth or dare?" Anisa asked. Blaine asked for a dare with a mischievous wink.

"I've got a good one," El said after a while, "You have to swap an item of clothing with the person next to you."

At this he looked straight at Kurt to find his eyes swirling with many shades of blue and directed at Blaine. Blaine seemed to speak without words, begging to swap with Kurt, who nodded minutely. He stood and everyone wolf whistled at the slow way Kurt removed his many layers and Blaine laughed nervously as he watched him. Kurt was pale underneath but so toned and the dusting of hair on his lower stomach made Blaine lick his lips. Kurt looked expectantly at Blaine when he stood there topless and Blaine gulped as he realised he would have to remove his clothing. Shaking his head he stood too and took off his shirt quickly and gave it to Kurt, who stood open mouthed at the toned and lightly tanned torso in front of him. Heidi gave a pleased girly shriek at the sight of two gorgeous guys half-naked, Anisa looking to Claire as if to say what she could do if these two guys weren't gay. Claire smirked again.

Kurt and Blaine quickly swapped tops and donned the other's clothing promptly sitting down. The night continued, the usual dares swapped and mostly to entertain, they picked on Michael, giving him dares such as streaking naked in the garden and petting the chickens when he was secretly afraid they would attack him. As the game seemed to be winding down, the alcohol making most sleepy and cuddly, Faye suddenly turned to Kurt who had managed to get away pretty much unscathed all evening.

"Its Kurt's turn!" Faye said and Claire looked in her direction, a smile on her face at her sudden excitement and confidence. Kurt looked at his hands, shaking his head. He really didn't want a truth or dare but Blaine nudged his arm and smiled in reassurance.

"Ok a dare," Kurt said wondering what Faye would suggest. Surely Faye would be kind and considerate?

"I dare you and Blaine to share a bed tonight," she said simply and without any drama. She smiled sweetly at Kurt as if she knew what she was doing and the alcohol had merely bolstered her confidence to share her ideas. Kurt looked to Blaine who had gone from surprised at her bold move to happy at the sudden turn of events. He stood and stretched his hand to invite Kurt to place his hand in his warmth. Kurt smiled and followed Blaine like a puppy, thinking he owed Faye a big bunch of flowers as soon as he left the house.