Kurt continued following Blaine until they reached the bedroom, empty and bright with the lights appearing to centre on Blaine's double bed as if it signified so much more. Kurt blushed slightly at the knowledge he was fulfilling the producers' plot for romance by providing double beds. He didn't want to be a cliché and he certainly didn't want to be inappropriate while he was here. The thought of being on show, for displaying everything and being famous for completely the wrong reasons made him feel sick, not to mention the reaction of his dad watching at home. No, he had to make it quite clear that there would be no funny business under the covers that night or any night. Still holding hands with Blaine he suddenly stopped short of the bed and tugged Blaine's hand.

"What's wrong?" Blaine said as his eyes flickered over Kurt's flushed face.

"Before we go to bed, I just wanted to say," Kurt began and he swallowed nervously and before he could continue, Blaine seemed to understand and he smiled. The hand that was resting in Blaine's was squeezed in reassurance and as Blaine began to explain himself he stroked his thumb along the soft skin on Kurt's hand.

"Don't worry Kurt, I don't plan to seduce you in front of loads of cameras," he smiled sweetly but Kurt thought the butterflies from earlier had actually taken flight in his stomach and the only word he could hear over and over in his mind was seduce.

"We're just sleeping in the same bed right?" Blaine said and at Kurt's nod of agreement he started to strip off Kurt's shirt that he was wearing and handed it to an open mouthed Kurt, who realised he was still wearing Blaine's top.

"Oh yeah, right," Kurt said, coming out of his daze long enough to take his top off to hand to Blaine. As his eyes rose again, he gasped slightly at the sight and Blaine blushed as he realised he was so exposed again as his eyes took in the sight before him.

"Um," Kurt began and he turned thinking that actions would speak louder than words here as he seemed incapable of speaking a coherent sentence. He picked up his stuff and hastily went into the bathroom.

After a while, Blaine seemed to come out of his daze and he changed quickly and settled on the bed as he waited for Kurt. Kurt took a long time to get ready, longer than usual but what took the extra time was the staring in the mirror after he had finished his moisturising routine.

"Kurt you can do this," he said to his reflection, "You've spent loads of time with Blaine and he's a really nice guy and not scary at all. In fact you've had loads of sweet and intelligent conversations and he's really cute. No don't concentrate on that," he said shaking his head, "Just be sensible and careful and don't let your feelings show." He looked sternly at himself, schooling his face to show his best expression and then he seemed to realise that he was being watched and looked up to the camera in the corner and sank in on himself in an unconscious effort to hide.

Kurt came out all ready in his pyjamas and looking impossibly put-together and he smiled with a new found confidence which was completely shattered as the others started trickling into the room.

"Come on lady, get in the bed already," Nicola said as she came in and flounced to her bed. She changed quickly and without caring that everyone could see her exposed body, Kurt assuming that would add to her appeal after she left the house and pursued her 'career'. Kurt watched as the others came in, not really noticing that he was still standing by the bathroom so he walked to Blaine's bed and got in under the covers. Blaine immediately grabbed his hand in comfort and smiled. The girls came in after the guys had finished in the bathroom and all of them had happy faces at the two of them already snuggled under the covers. Faye walked past their bed slowly and smiled sweetly.

After a while the hubbub died down, everyone seemed to settle and Kurt looked at his watch to see that the time was nearly 5 o'clock in the morning. He turned around to find Blaine facing him, lying on his side and smiling.

"You ok?" Blaine whispered. Kurt waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness and he leant a little closer.

"Yeah I'm ok," Kurt whispered in return. "I'm sorry for assuming it wouldn't be, I didn't mean to imply, I mean..." Blaine stilled his rambling by squeezing his hand as it lay between them on the sheets.

"Kurt, it's fine," he said smiling, although Kurt could only see his teeth in the dim light and the whites of his eyes. "I get that we're on national television and you don't want to do anything stupid, I don't either."

"I think everyone else wants us to do something stupid," Kurt whispered his head resting on the pillow more comfortably.

"Well we'll just do what we want to do," he said and he stroked Kurt's hand in the silence afterwards. In all the rush and drunkenness of the night, where spending time on your own was unheard of and peace was hard to find, Kurt enjoyed the moment here with Blaine. Kurt decided to make it even better by whipping the duvet over their heads and making Blaine giggle slightly.

"This way they won't see us, it's the only chance of privacy we'll ever get," Kurt said.

"But they'll still hear us through our microphones."

"I know but it's a start and it's nice to think there'll be one thing they can't see," Kurt said.

"What do you not want them to see?" Blaine whispered as he visibly swallowed and he shifted closer.

"I suppose something I've wanted to do for quite a while," Kurt said, coming so close that Blaine could feel his breath ghost over his lips. "But I've been worried that I've just imagined it and that there's nothing here, just something in my head." Blaine wasn't sure what Kurt was saying and he barely understood but he whispered in return, his words falling on Kurt's lips.

"There is something." Blaine closed the gap, placing his lips on Kurt's and although Kurt was expecting it, his breath hitched and he seemed to gasp. Blaine parted slightly from Kurt, their lips just touching, no movement and Blaine frowned. Maybe he had read the signals wrong. Kurt searched his face in the darkness and saw only cute adoration and he decided to be brave and leant forward. Blaine smiled into the kiss, feeling the warmth of Kurt's lips as they moved against his own. Blaine tasted of warm alcohol and toothpaste and Kurt had only a second to wonder when Blaine had had time to brush his teeth before Blaine tentatively licked his way into Kurt's mouth and made him sigh in pleasure.

The kissing lasted a lot longer than either had hoped but they parted after a while and lay snuggled under the covers while all that could be heard was the gentle snoring and breathing of the other housemates as the rest of the country prepared to get up for work.

They were all rudely awakened the following day at exactly 12pm by a loud gong before someone announced that Michael and Ian were up for nomination and would be facing the public vote: one of them would be leaving that night. The guys barely lifted their head above their duvets in acknowledgement of what they had just heard and sought clarification from Heidi who seemed to be the only one vaguely awake.

"Yep, they said Michael and Ian were up for eviction," she said nodding her head in the direction of the various heads that had peeked up above the sheets. She smiled as Blaine rubbed his eyes adorably and Kurt rose above tugging him back towards him to snuggle, apparently forgetting he was surrounded by other people and watched by millions. A few minutes of dozing later, Kurt struggled awake to find Blaine watching him, a slow smile stretching his face beautifully and making Kurt smile in return.

"Good morning," Blaine said, his voice hoarse and he coughed to correct it, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, really well," Kurt said blushing, "I'm glad that we're not up for eviction."

Blaine nodded. "Yeah me too; it would be too soon." Blaine felt an indescribable nervous energy trickle from his fingers where they lay near Kurt's hand on the sheets, up his arm and along his legs. He wanted to edge closer to Kurt but in the light of day, out of their alcohol haze but thinking clearly, he knew they were on a television show, where millions could see them, including his family and friends. He didn't want to be one of those sleazy men that enacted a romance on screen. He tickled Kurt's skin with his fingers and edged closer, smiling nervously as Kurt blushed again.

"Last night was amazing," Blaine began but his expression of happiness faltered as Kurt looked his way with such expectation and hope he couldn't say what he wanted, he just stopped.

"But?" Kurt said, filling in the gap, his mind creating images of coldness.

"There's no but," Blaine said, "I just worry." And he looked around at the rustling covers from the beds nearby, the odd person deciding to try the bathroom or struggle to the kitchen. Everyone moved without caring what was happening with Kurt and Blaine and Kurt could only hope that that would be true of the people on the outside. "Maybe we should cool it a little," Blaine continued, "Just until we're on the outside." Kurt tensed slightly, his shoulders becoming stiff and Blaine panicked. "I want this," he said, tugging Kurt's arm closer, already missing his warmth, "I just don't want to ruin this, I don't want to mess it up." Kurt's face relaxed slightly at his admission.

"I get it Blaine," he said, "I know we can't be what we want to be while we're still inside. There's no pressure." Blaine could see the change in his demeanour almost straight away and to remain in the right frame of mind Kurt extricated his arm and got up.

"Coffee?" he asked Blaine with a rise of an eyebrow with his perfected expression of indifference and friendliness.

"Yeah sure," Blaine stammered, surprised by the sudden coldness in the bed and the image of Kurt, just reachable but so far away. Kurt quickly exited the bedroom, leaving Blaine to stare at the ceiling.

The afternoon went by quite swiftly and soon preparations were made for the first official time on television. Queues were made for the showers and outfits chosen. Blaine commented that it seemed a little silly to get so dolled up when they were constantly being scrutinised and seen on television screens but he went along with the idea and got ready too.

Kurt seemed to be avoiding him. Although he made it appear accidental, Blaine knew that he had hurt him and he was desperate to make amends. Kurt deliberately spoke to Ian and Ed and on occasion Claire and Anisa – people he didn't normally speak to, reaching out to Ian who didn't seem that perplexed by the thought of his eviction that night.

"No, I'd expected it really," Ian said as he sat on the couch with a coffee Kurt had made. "I'm not what they wanted outside and I probably haven't made an effort inside the house either." He shrugged his shoulders accepting the inevitable. Michael seemed more anxious, eyeing people in the house as if to silently ask if they had nominated him. No one was saying and he stuck to Bradley and made an extra special effort to please others in the house.

As soon as Blaine would come closer, perhaps hover by the sofa area or walk towards him as he was washing the dishes in the kitchen, Kurt would suddenly think of an excuse to move away or talk to someone else. He laughed with others, appeared happy and carefree but by the end of the evening Blaine was desperate to get him alone again. It was suddenly time for the public to see them for the official announcement and the television screen, for the first time since they arrived in the house, no longer showed just a blinking eye. This time the gathered crowd outside the house was visible and the young presenters with their big microphones and beaming faces appeared on the screen. Kurt wasn't up for eviction but he was suddenly nervous and he gulped.

"Good evening housemates," the young woman presenter said, smiling, "We're live on television so please don't swear." She laughed nervously and El giggled. As far as she knew they barely swore and the warning seemed really unnecessary.

"Michael and Ian as you know have been up for the public vote, facing the first eviction of your time there. The votes have been counted and verified and the decision has been made." There was a dramatic pause and Blaine wanted it over and done with already.

"The person that received the most votes and therefore out of the competition is...." Blaine's eyes flickered towards Ian who rolled his in exasperation, causing Blaine to smile slightly.

"Ian."

The crowd roared in approval and Ian nodded his head in understanding. Michael heaved a sigh of relief and looked around the room as if to say that he wouldn't be taken down that easily. Unbeknownst to the housemates, the audience at home secretly loved to hate Michael and watching him being picked on and tortured with dares the night before had swayed the votes in his favour.

In all the hustle of the vote being decided and declared, Ian soon prepared his stuff with a few of the girls following to help and to pretend they would miss him. Kurt chanced a glance in Blaine's direction, who had decided to do the same, and as their eyes met, blushes creeping along faces and shoulders sinking, they exchanged smiles before Kurt followed the girls to the bedroom to help.

"How are you feeling Ian?" Kurt asked as he lay sideways on his bed. Ian was preparing his stuff as Faye, Heidi and Anisa were folding some of his clothes.

"I'm ok," Ian said, "It'd be nice to get back to my friends. No offense," he quickly added, scanning the room, "But I knew it wasn't my thing being stuck in here and I'm not exciting enough." Kurt suddenly worried that he wasn't exciting enough either and would soon be out of the house. He thought back to the heated kiss he had shared under the covers the night before and he swallowed. How would the public react? Maybe he was too exciting. How would everyone he knew react? He could feel sudden panic rise in chest at his inappropriate behaviour and scanned the room to find Faye looking at him curiously. He tried a smile but failed and he quickly made an excuse to go to the bathroom.

As soon as he reached the big sink, he held on tightly, his arms straight, his shoulders tense and he breathed in deeply. The problem with living with so many students was the smell – a mix of shower gel and old water and he suddenly longed for his own bathroom he shared with Rachel and Santana, despite the lack of privacy and space.

"What's wrong?" Faye's sudden voice sounded by the door and Kurt turned abruptly in surprise.

"Faye, I thought the door was locked."

"No locks here," she said calmly and Kurt figured. "What's wrong?" She repeated.

"Nothing, I...." Kurt began but Faye gave him an incredulous look and he gave a small smile.

"I just panicked," he said, "Blaine and I..."

"Kissed?" she said, not bothering to hide her excitement as she bounced up and down. Kurt nodded with a small indulgent smile. "So what's wrong?"

"This place," he said, gesturing around the room at the cameras, the lack of a lock, the lack of anything remotely private. "How can I possibly start a relationship with someone here? It's impossible."

"No it's not," she said kindly, "Ok, you don't want to have a relationship so publicly, I get that but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy spending time with him here. Surely that's the perk of having so much time on your hands?"

"But sometimes I look at him and I...." Kurt couldn't form his words but he didn't have to as there was a sudden knock on the door and Blaine entered cautiously, as if he thought he might be shot for entering.

"Sorry, I heard your voices and I...." he looked so small and worried that Faye immediately gestured for him to enter and beamed. The bathroom was set apart from the individual toilets which were the only tiny rooms in the house that had no cameras.

"Kurt are you ok?" Blaine asked, taking in Kurt's tense stance by the sink and wanting to come closer.

"Yeah, sorry," he muttered.

"I'll leave you two alone," Faye said smiling as she walked swiftly to the door. Blaine and Kurt barely noticed.

"Listen, I'm sorry for earlier," Blaine began but Kurt came forward and touched his arm.

"No don't Blaine, I really do get it," he said smiling, "I just panicked, thinking you weren't interested...." He looked down at his hands still touching Blaine's arm.

"That is so far from the truth," Blaine began, watching how Kurt's fingers were making patterns on his arm, "You don't know what I have to do to stop myself from kissing you, from touching you..." His voice trailed away and Kurt suddenly felt the heat rise. His eyes rose slowly to Blaine's face and he leaned in and smiled. Kurt gently touched Blaine's lips with his own and Blaine sighed.

"Everything's going to be ok," Blaine said as they parted.

"How do you know?" Kurt asked timidly.

"Because you're here with me," he said, squeezing his hand in reassurance.

Unbeknownst to Blaine and Kurt, the producers of the show had been watching their growing romance with anticipation. They watched as they gradually came closer, heard their kisses in the dead of night and their nervous reaction the following morning. Blaine and Kurt made it look all so easy and one bright idea came to someone who was watching all the footage.

"Why don't we introduce some drama into the house?" they asked the group of producers that had gathered to look at viewing figures. "I mean the housemates seem to get along a little too well, it all seems a little easy."

"What did you have in mind?"

"What about that contestant we interviewed? The cocky gay guy who wants the limelight and attention? He could throw the situation and change everything."

He looked around at the beaming producers' faces, their eyes glittering with the thoughts of excitement and drama entering the house.

"Sounds like a plan."

Ian's hour was soon up and his bags packed, all the housemates sat around the living area chatting and laughing. Ian suddenly thought he might start missing the company and the laughs but as the television screen came back to life again, the loud crowd could be heard and Ian was nervous again. The thought of leaving to face the public was scary, the house a safe cocoon from the outside world.

"Good evening housemates," the young male presenter beamed, "Ian you must now leave the house. Say goodbye."

Ian stood, shook hands and hugged his fellow housemates, people he had lived with only for one week and wished Ed good luck. With a final wave, he left the house, walking the long white corridor to the world outside.

Kurt looked to Blaine with a nervous smile, both knowing what the other was thinking. There was a sudden silence and the house felt eerie. Everyone remained standing, the television screen blank, not giving anything away. They were all about to find their seats again when the screen came back to life – just the eye as if it had never left and was always watching.

"Good evening housemates," the calm voice said, "As Ian has now left the house we are introducing a new housemate that has been very eager to meet you all and join in on the fun."

Panic seemed to rise on everyone's face, the thought of someone entering and destroying the peace evident in their expressions. Would they want to take over? Would they be argumentative and rude? They all silently agreed they would stand together, distrust evident on their faces.

The screen went black again and they waited as the door to the house slowly opened to reveal a guy dressed well in fitted pants and a nice shirt, with coiffed hair and Kurt instantly felt nervous at his cocky expression and meercat face.

"Hello everyone," the guy said, "I'm Sebastian, you're new housemate."