As the holiday campaign starts to wrap up, and Price is gearing up to plan out One West's spring campaign, Blaine finds himself becoming friends with Sebastian. Well, as much as one can be friends with Sebastian Smythe. Mostly they just exchange the stray text and talk about life under the thumb of old money. Blaine got out; Sebastian's still trying.

Sebastian is also still trying to get Blaine to go out with him, although, with less intensity than before. Blaine politely declines his invitations, but he doesn't discourage the interaction. Maybe he feels a little guilty after being so nasty to him. Or maybe he just likes the attention. Blaine hasn't really decided yet.

"So, I was thinking," Sebastian says. "We should go to that club opening next week. I bet there will be some serious eye candy, and you and I could make quite a team."

Blaine is tying Sebastian's tie while Ben takes care of an issue with the sizing on Mike's shirt. The dry cleaners had lost a few of the samples — Blaine's pretty sure they ruined them and are lying — but Ben has to make do with what was in stock, and nothing fits.

"Sebastian, I'm not interested. I told you before–"

"I meant as friends," Sebastian says, stilling Blaine's movements by placing a hand on his wrist. "You can be my wing man."

The thing is, Blaine's not really looking to date, or even sleep around. He's interested in Kurt, still slightly in denial on the matter, but becoming increasingly aware of his feelings.

"Come on," Sebastian says. "It's one teensy little club opening. I'll get you home before sunrise." He tucks a hand under Blaine's chin and tilts his head up and pouts at him. "Please, I haven't gotten laid in two weeks."

Blaine laughs. Of course Sebastian would see that as the end of the world.

"Yeah, okay." Blaine says. "I'll go."

As it turns out, Blaine and Sebastian end up going out with a group — David, Mike, Tina, Adamo, and Kurt, who also brings along his two roommates: Santana, the feisty brunette who answered the door at Kurt's apartment, and Lauren, an indelible force of sarcasm and humor that Blaine instantly likes. For some reason, Tina thinks they should celebrate Blaine's birthday, even though it's been almost a month since it passed.

They get silly — not drunk really, but buzzed and just tipsy enough that it makes their good night even better. Everyone is dancing with everyone in different combinations. Santana finds an athletic-looking redhead and spends at least an hour making out with her on the dance floor.

Tina pulls out a couple of bottles of nail polish and dares Blaine to let her do his nails. He's in such a good mood, he doesn't even flinch as she starts painting his nails a deep purple. They're giggling and ridiculous and Sebastian isn't even really that bad, keeping close to Blaine's side but flirting with any guy who looks remotely interested.

And then there's Kurt. Blaine can sense it; he doesn't even need to see the raised eyebrows or tight lips to know that he's fuming.

"You want another drink, Kurt?" Lauren's out of her seat and leaning over the table to get his attention.

"No, thank you," he says, looking utterly miserable.

"Suit yourself," she says, before turning to Adamo and grabbing his hand. "Come on, stud. Let's get you another drink and see if you can teach me some Italian."

A shocked-looking Adamo just lets himself be dragged along and Blaine hears Tina giggle.

"What?" Blaine says, turning to her.

"I'm just glad she's taken an interest in Adamo. Mike was getting jealous." She looks over where Mike is standing at the bar, talking to David.

Blaine's eyebrows shoot up. Mike and Tina?

"Yeah, according to Adamo, I'm 'why cave men chiseled on walls,' Can you believe it?" She giggles. "Then Mike told him he was going to chisel his face if he didn't shut up and stop hitting on me. I don't think Adamo had a clue what Mike said to him, but I think he got the gist."

"So you and Mike…"

"He asked me to have dinner with him tomorrow," she says with a shrug and a hint of a knowing smile. "I said yes. Have you seen his abs?"

Blaine laughs. "You know I have."

"Well, then you know what I mean," she says, taking a sip of her gin and tonic. "I get all hot and bothered just thinking about it."

"God, doesn't anyone talk about anything other than sex and guys?" Kurt asks. He has his arms crossed over his chest, and a pout that might be funny if his behavior weren't stressing Blaine out.

"Sorry, Kurt," Tina says, looking sheepish. "Would you like to talk about something else?"

"No, I'm fine," he says, getting up. "I think I need another drink after all."

Tina and Blaine watch him make his way to the bar.

"He's in a mood," Tina says.

"Yeah, I think it's because of Sebastian."

"He knew this was Sebastian's idea, though, right?"

"Yeah, I just don't think he likes seeing him all over other guys," Blaine says.

"Sebastian?"

Blaine nods.

"Blaine, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"What's going on with you and Kurt?"

"I told you; we're just friends."

"That may be your intention," she says, "but reality is another matter entirely."

Blaine doesn't get a chance to ask her for clarification, though, because Lauren and Kurt have returned from the bar with Adamo in tow.

"I would like to extend to you an invitation to the pants party," Adamo says, his thick accent stilting his words and making Tina giggle.

Lauren practically cackles laughing. "I've been teaching him new pick up lines," she says.

"So you chose Anchorman?" Tina asks, trying not to laugh.

Lauren shrugs and says, "Sixty percent of the time, it works one hundred percent of the time."

They laugh as Adamo looks at them in confusion, his permanently gracious smile plastered to his face. Blaine wonders what that's like, not understanding what's going on around you all the time. It takes balls.

"Will someone come dance with me before David realizes my date has gone home and tries to convince me I like dick?" Santana says, glowing and breathless from dancing.

Sebastian smirks at her. "I'm game. No chance of me trying to convert you."

"Stellar," she says. "Let's go, Neon Trees." She drags Sebastian by the wrist to the dance floor. For all their bickering and name calling, they actually make a good pair. Lauren and Adamo follow, leaving Tina, Blaine, and Kurt to save their table.

"Having fun, Kurt?" Blaine asks. Maybe he's poking the bear a little, but he just wants Kurt to cheer up. He doesn't understand what's wrong.

"Yeah, sure… a blast," he says, sneering over his glass.

"I'm going to see if I can find Mike," Tina says. "You two should talk."

Kurt glares at her, but doesn't say anything. Blaine watches him for a few seconds. Kurt is dressed to the nines, as per usual, but he's definitely not himself.

"Kurt, is everything alright? Is your dad okay? You seem tense."

"Just peachy," he says, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. My dad's fine. Everything's fine, Blaine. Just drop it."

Blaine has his mouth open to say something in response to Kurt, although he's not sure it would do any good, when Sebastian returns alone.

"Do you want to dance, Killer?" he asks, nodding in Blaine's direction. "Santana ditched me for some blonde in a mini skirt."

"Sounds like a typical Friday night for you," Kurt says.

"You know what, Princess, if you're having such a shit time, why are you here? You're making Blaine miserable, and the rest of us are just tolerating you."

"Sebastian," Blaine warns, shaking his head and turning to Kurt. "You're not making me miserable."

"Whatever." Kurt stands up and heads to the bathroom.

When he's out of earshot, Blaine turns to Sebastian. "Could you lay off? Something's up."

"Interesting choice of words," Sebastian says with a smirk. "Now are you going to dance with me, or not?"

"Not right now," Blaine says. His mind is still on Kurt. It's puzzling that he's in such a bad mood; he had been fine earlier at work. Hadn't he? "Maybe later."

As the night wears on, everyone has danced with everyone else in the group. Except Kurt. He's spent the night glaring at them from the table, insisting his new shoes aren't really made for dancing.

Blaine keeps turning down Sebastian's invitations to dance, figuring it's probably best if he keeps this outing on a platonic level, just in case. But he can't help but notice that Sebastian's exuberance is rubbing off on everyone. It's a great night, and Blaine is having fun in spite of Kurt's mood, which has grown progressively more sour with each drink.

Blaine returns from the dance floor with Tina, sweaty and energized. They're still singing along to the last song when the plop down at the table.

"I can't remember the last time I had this much fun," Tina says.

"Me neither," Blaine replies. "God, it's fucking hot in here."

"Feels fine to me," Kurt says.

"That's because you're not dancing," Blaine says. He stands up and grabs Kurt by the wrist. "Come on, dance with me." He smiles and waits for Kurt to get up.

"No thank you," he says through gritted teeth.

"Oh, come on… just one teensy little dance?" Blaine grins at him, trying to pull Kurt out of his mood. He doesn't like seeing him like this, and since he can't figure out what's wrong, he's just going to try to force him to have a good time.

For a second or two, Kurt looks like he might say yes, even leans forward a little, and then Sebastian says, "I'll dance with you." He's standing behind Blaine, his timing excellent as always. "That is if Hummel doesn't mind?"

"Why would I mind?" Kurt says, tugging his arm from Blaine's hand.

"Well, that's settled then," Sebastian says, taking Blaine's hand.

Blaine holds up a finger. "Hang on a second," he says. "Are you sure you don't mind?" he asks Kurt.

"Dance with whoever you want, Blaine. Fuck." Kurt nearly knocks his chair backwards with how forcefully he throws himself back, but he recovers quickly, slouching down against the worn wood and crossing his arms while he glares almost petulantly at his drink. "God, I can't believe I let Ben convince me to be nice to you."

"Ben?"

"Nevermind, just go dance with Sebastian," he says, nearly spitting out the words.

"I don't even like this song," Blaine lies. He doesn't need Kurt to know that he's refusing to dance with Sebastian because of him.

As if on cue, the song changes.

"Perfect," Sebastian says. He smiles at Blaine and looks to Kurt. "I promise I'll bring him back in one piece."

The look Kurt gives him could cut glass, but Sebastian seems unfazed. He tugs on Blaine's hand and leads them to the dance floor.

Blaine reluctantly follows Sebastian through the crowd, trying not to think about the last time they had danced together. He positions himself as far away from Sebastian as he can and still be dancing with him while angling his body so that he can make out Kurt's hunched shoulders where he's now sitting with Tina.

When he catches Blaine looking at him, he turns his eyes back to Tina like he's suddenly very interested in something she's saying.

"He'll be alright for a couple of songs," Sebastian says, leaning into Blaine's ear to be heard over the music.

"Who?" Blaine tries to act like he hadn't just been staring at Kurt. Sebastian's raised eyebrow probably means Blaine's a really shitty actor. "I'm just worried about him."

"He'll be fine," Sebastian insists. "Now can we please dance?"

"We are dancing," Blaine says.

"You're awfully far away," he says, wrapping an arm around Blaine's waist and pulling him closer. "See, that's better."

Sebastian begins moving his hips with the beat, and Blaine finds himself following suit. He loves to dance, and the buzz of the alcohol and the music and atmosphere have put him in the mood. Still, he can't help but notice Kurt's presence. The colored lights and strobes on the dance floor make it difficult to see his expression, but Blaine keeps glancing over to make sure he's still there.

Kurt's hunched over a little, studying his own hands; Tina isn't sitting next to him anymore and he's alone for the moment. He looks up and catches Blaine's eye. Something about it tugs at Blaine's heart. He wants to fix whatever pain Kurt is feeling, but he doesn't know how. Kurt won't tell him what's wrong, and everything he's tried tonight has failed. And now, here he is, dancing with Sebastian, when he'd rather just be talking to Kurt.

"Christ, Blaine, just go fuck him already," Sebastian says, twirling Blaine out of his arms and disappearing into the mass of bodies gyrating around them.

Blaine keeps dancing, though, because when he looks up, Kurt is smiling at him. He gets silly, shaking his ass in Kurt's direction, spinning around and laughing. He motions for Kurt to join him, but Kurt just shakes his head, lifting his straw to his lips and taking a drink. He mimes a toast in Blaine's direction.

He shrugs, continuing to dance and spin, winking playfully at Kurt, who's hiding a laugh behind his hand. Finally, Blaine thinks. He starts to feel lighter, like the room has suddenly brightened, the sun coming out after a storm, and then he feels an arm wrap around his waist.

Sebastian leans in close to his ear and says, "Now that's more like it."

As soon as he realizes what's going on, Blaine's eyes shoot over to Kurt, but he's up and heading toward the bathroom. As Blaine follows, he hears Sebastian call out, "Go get him, Killer!"

When Blaine finally winds his way through the throng on the dance floor to find Kurt, he finds him standing outside the bathroom door, his head tilted back against the wall as he blinks back tears.

"Someone in there?" he asks as gently and nonchalantly as he can. It's as good a thing to say as anything.

Kurt lets out a humorless laugh, his features immediately twisting back into the same glare he's been aiming at Blaine for most of the night, and Blaine just sees red. He grabs Kurt by his shoulders and shoves him back against the wall, invading Kurt's personal space with his entire body—all five feet, eight inches of him—and pinning Kurt's arms back as he struggles to free himself from Blaine's grip.

Blaine could let him go. Kurt's not going to run, but Blaine has reached his breaking point, and he's done with Kurt's fluctuating mood and confusing behavior. This has gone on long enough. They're having this out and they're clearing the air once and for all.

"What is your problem tonight? You've been a total dick to everyone, especially me, and I thought we were friends."

"Well you're here with that asshole Sebastian for one," Kurt grits out through clenched teeth. He struggles against Blaine's hold again, but Blaine only grips him tighter.

"Sebas– ?" Blaine stutters. How is this still an issue? He can almost feel the blood rushing hotter through his veins as his anger flares up. "I told you, I'm not dating Sebastian. And what does that have to do with you being such a bitch tonight?"

Kurt is glaring at Blaine, nostrils flared and jaw tense. But he doesn't speak, which only makes Blaine more angry. He pushes into Kurt more, pressing him harder against the wall.

"I said, what's your problem with me, Kurt?"

Kurt stares at him for a moment, panting, not quite making eye contact.

"I heard you making plans with him," Kurt says, his teeth clenched and his lips tight. "He said he hadn't gotten laid in weeks and you said okay."

Blaine laughs. He can't help it. Kurt's eyes flash in anger and he tries to pull away again, but Blaine remains perfectly still, pressing Kurt flush against the wall.

"Kurt, stop," he says. "Just stop. He asked me to be his wing man, and I said yes. Nothing more."

Kurt's face relaxes a little, but he still looks unsure.

"Why are you so upset about it anyway?" Blaine asks. He needs to know. He can't keep doing this.

Kurt's breathing picks up again, and Blaine thinks he's going to answer, but in a split second, everything shifts. Kurt's lips are on his, firm and possessive. It only takes Blaine a moment to realize what's happening, and when he does, he responds with his entire body. This is everything he's wanted since he first met Kurt. His hands find the back of Kurt's neck easily as he pulls Kurt in closer, and when Kurt's lips part in a gasp, Blaine presses his tongue in, desperate for more. Kurt's response is immediate; he pushes back and takes control of the kiss, pulling Blaine up on his tiptoes as he grips the back of Blaine's sweater tightly.

They're kissing. They're pressed up against a wall near a unisex bathroom in a dirty, smoke-filled bar, kissing like they'll never get another chance. It's perfect.

Blaine pauses when he hears a giggle to his left — a petite blonde pressing her face into the shoulder of her friend. He and Kurt are blocking the way back to the bar, and the girls are obviously tipsy. Kurt shoves him off, and Blaine steps back to let the girls pass, giggling the entire time.

Blaine can't help but laugh himself from sheer delight, but when he turns back to Kurt, his face is drawn; he looks pale and panicked.

"We should get back," he says, and races past Blaine and out into the noisy bar.

Blaine doesn't move for a moment, trying to catch his breath as he comes to terms with what just happened. Kurt kissed him; he kissed Kurt. They kissed.

He actually giggles to himself standing in the small hallway outside the bathroom, his hand clamped over his mouth as his heart races.

Of course, he's vaguely aware that Kurt ran off — and they've got to talk about this — but he's not letting his mind go there just yet because Kurt kissed him.

God, he feels ridiculous being this giddy over a kiss, but he doesn't care. That kiss had been everything, and Blaine's been around the block enough to know that not all kisses are the same. Some kisses are just lips and tongues and saliva, a simple matter of putting your face near someone else's and closing the distance between, but other kisses — the kind that you feel in every cell of your body; the ones that make you think you might be the first person in the history of mankind to be kissed; the kind that make you want to write songs in your head while it's happening because if you don't the feeling might fade and you'll forget the adjectives you wanted to use; the kind of kiss he just had with Kurt — well, those kisses are the beginning, the middle, and the end. It's the kind of chemistry, romance, and passion that people search their whole lives for, and it just happened to Blaine. He's kind of not sure what to do with that revelation.

Instead of trying to figure it out, he returns to the table. Kurt is chatting amiably with Lauren like nothing happened, and Blaine just wants to drag him out back and kiss him until they can't breathe. How can he not be reacting to that kiss? Didn't it knock him on his ass too?

"Blaine, are you alright?" Tina asks. "You look white as a sheet."

"Huh? Oh… yeah," Blaine says. "I think just maybe… too much dancing?"

"Well sit down and catch your breath," she says, patting the chair between her and Kurt. "Lauren was just telling us about the other phrases she's been teaching Adamo."

Blaine sits down and tries to act normal, but he's hyper aware of Kurt's presence: the way his hair is curling slightly near his ear; the barest hint of stubble along his jaw; how his fingers curl and flex with his movements; how close and full his lips look. Blaine is dying to talk to him about what just happened. Or maybe not talk at all. He just wants to be alone with him, but it seems that Kurt is definitely not having the same problem.

"Can you please teach him that line from As Good As It Gets?" Kurt asks Lauren. "I'm dying to hear him impersonate Jack Nicholson with that gorgeous Italian accent of his."

"Which line?"

"You know, when he finally confesses his love to Helen Hunt and he tells her 'You make me want to be a better man.' "

"God, that's a good line," Tina says.

"I know, right?" Kurt says.

"Oooh, or 'You had me at hello' from Jerry Maguire," Tina says. "I love that line."

"That's such an unromantic movie, though," Kurt replies. "I mean, it's Tom Cruise."

"What's wrong with Tom Cruise?"

"Just no," Kurt says, shaking his head firmly. "No way."

"Blaine, what about you?" Tina asks. "What romantic movie line do you wish some guy would use on you?"

Blaine doesn't even have to think about it. Not really. It's just the first thing that pops into his head.

"You should be kissed and often and by someone who knows how," he says. "It's from–"

"Gone With the Wind," Tina says. "Clark Gable says it to Vivien Leigh, and it's probably one of the most romantic movie moments ever. I love that movie so much. Good one, Blaine." She sighs fondly and then smiles.

"Yeah, Kurt and I just went and saw that at the Trocadero," Blaine says. "Remember, Kurt?"

Kurt smiles at him and nods, but doesn't expand on it.

"What about Casablanca?" Kurt asks.

"No," Lauren says. "This started because he wouldn't stop trying to talk like Humphrey Bogart. We want him speaking English, not sounding like a film noir character."

"Yeah, I never understood the draw of Bogart," Sebastian says. "Don't get me wrong, I love Casablanca, but how was he ever a sex symbol?"

"This coming from a walking cliché," Kurt quips.

"I thought you'd put the claws away, Pepe Le Pew."

"He was the skunk, you halfwit," Kurt says, but there's no venom; his mood is lighter. Blaine smiles.

"He's got a point," Blaine says.

Sebastian raises an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything, and the conversation continues around them. Blaine looks over at Kurt, but he's engrossed in whatever Mike is saying. Everything is normal.

Blaine starts to wonder if he made the whole thing up. He's fantasized about Kurt so much at this point that maybe his mind went into overdrive and he created the entire kiss in his head.

No, that's impossible. Blaine might be a bit of a dreamer by nature, but this was too real to deny. He's never had a kiss that good; he couldn't have dreamt that kiss. Even his subconscious couldn't come up with something so life-changing, so perfect. But then why is Kurt so blasé about it? It obviously hasn't affected him in the same way. He's laughing at everyone's jokes and now he's standing up waving at Adamo and telling Lauren to make sure Santana gets home in one piece.

"You're leaving?" Blaine says.

"I have an early call time in the morning," Kurt says.

"I'll walk you out." Blaine pushes his chair out and is halfway to standing when he feels Kurt's hand on his shoulder.

"No, it's fine. I called a cab," he says. "Stay… have fun." His voice is gentle, steady; he's the picture of composure. How is he so calm?

Blaine's heart sinks at Kurt's reaction, but he sits back down anyway and looks forlornly up at him. This feels wrong. Blaine wants to say something, but his mind is blank, and words won't come.

Kurt offers him a small smile and says, "Coffee Tuesday morning?"

Blaine nods slowly and watches Kurt leave, his head spinning from the alcohol and the confusion over Kurt's nonchalance. He glances over to Tina to see her watching him suspiciously. He lifts his glass and takes a sip, smiling at her in what he hopes is a convincing way, though whether he's trying to convince Tina or himself, he isn't entirely sure.

Check out the great cover art buckeyegrrl made me! PDF/ebook forthcoming once the fic is complete.