"So I heard you went on a date with Sebastian," Tina says.

She's applying makeup to Adamo's neck and trying not to stare at where her assistant is applying sunless tanner to Mike's bared abs. If the little glances she's shooting his way every five seconds are any indication, she's losing that battle pretty epically.

"Um, sort of," Blaine says, flicking mindlessly through a tray of makeup brushes. He likes Tina; she's easy to talk to and she listens without offering up unsolicited advice. It's refreshing after dealing with Yvonne's incessant meddling. And Adamo, of course, barely understands a word they're saying.

"Sort of? Either it was a date or it wasn't." She shoots another glance in Mike's direction.

"Well, it was a date at first, but by the end of the night, I was pretty sure I didn't want it to be."

"Oh." She taps Adamo on the left shoulder and asks, "Can you turn to the left for me, sweetie?" He smiles at her, nodding blankly but not moving. "God, if this one knew five words of English, this would make my job so much easier." She nudges him into the position she wants. "At least he's stopped quoting The Princess Bride and Casablanca at me."

Blaine looks up questioningly.

"Earlier, every time I'd ask him a question he'd respond with 'as you wish' or 'here's looking at you, kid.' I thought I was going to pee my pants laughing."

Blaine looks at Adamo; he's smiling at Tina, completely enthralled, taking in every movement she makes and word she speaks. Tina is practically oblivious to his presence until he says "as you wish" again.

"See?" Tina giggles and Blaine can't help but join her.

"I think someone has a crush," he says.

"You're one to talk," Tina says, her eyes flitting over to Mike again. "Sebastian looks at you like he hasn't eaten a full meal in days and you're prime rib."

"Nice," Blaine says. "Compare me to a piece of meat."

"You know what I mean," she says, maneuvering around Adamo's long legs to get to his left side. His eyes follow her the whole time.

"Yeah, and actually it's a pretty accurate assessment of the situation," he says. "But it was just the one date, so if you don't mind, I'd rather it didn't get around."

"Well you probably should tell Sebastian that," she says.

Blaine stands up straighter, his full attention on Tina now as he asks, "What do you mean?"

"He's been bragging to anyone who will listen that you and he had a 'moment.'" The air quotes make it evident what he's been implying to their coworkers. Blaine is furious. He can't believe Sebastian would do that.

"God, that guy is infuriating," Blaine says. "Wait… everyone?"

"Just about," she says, glancing up at Blaine. "Why?"

"Jesus, Tina, I don't need the whole crew thinking I slept with him."

"So you didn't? She looks genuinely shocked.

"Of course not." He can't believe Tina would think that.

"Sorry," she says, her look of concern and remorse unmistakable. "I just thought... Well, sometimes things happen, Blaine. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Nothing happened."

Blaine returns his attention to the brushes, flicking through them more forcefully than he had before.

"Why not?" she asks, raising her eyebrows dramatically at Blaine's reaction. "He's cute."

Blaine rolls his eyes. "As if that's the only requirement for having sex."

"What about Kurt?" she asks quietly enough that only Blaine can hear.

"What about Kurt?"

He's not sure if Tina is asking about his relationship with Kurt or if she knows about his shameful past with Sebastian, but he doesn't get a chance to ask because Kurt walks in at that very moment.

"Yeah, what about me?"

Blaine's head whips around at the sound of Kurt's voice, his heart racing. He wants to crawl under the floorboards and hide.

"Kurt!" he says, a little too exuberantly. After his visit to Kurt's apartment, it hadn't even occurred to Blaine to tell Kurt he went out with Sebastian because it's not happening again. It was a one-time thing, but faced with the prospect, he's not sure if that's the right choice. He's not sure there is a right choice.

"Oh, we were just talking about the shoot," Tina says, barely looking up from her work on Adamo. "Blaine here–"

"Needs to go help Zach get set up," Blaine interrupts, grateful for the chance to escape that conversation. "See you out there, Kurt."

As Blaine leaves, he hears Tina artfully change the subject. He knew there was a reason he liked working with her.

"So, Kurt," she says. "I heard you booked another campaign, big client too."

"Maybe," he says. "I may not take it."

Kurt's voice fades as Blaine turns back to the open area of the loft. He is so busy straining to hear Tina and Kurt's conversation that he doesn't notice Sebastian heading his way until he's right on top of him.

"Hey, sexy," Sebastian says, running a hand up Blaine's arm.

Blaine shrugs it off, gritting his teeth as he asks, "What are you telling everyone about our date?"

"I didn't tell everyone," Sebastian says. "I only mentioned it to Zach. He asked me about my weekend."

"And you felt the need to imply that something happened between us?"

"Well, it kind of did." He leans in and waggles his eyebrows at Blaine, trying to look flirtatious; it just looks ridiculous to Blaine, and he jabs a finger into Sebastian's chest.

"No, it kind of didn't, and I'd appreciate if you'd stop running your mouth about my personal life to my crew."

"Jesus," he says, backing away. "Sorry, Blaine. I was just joking around a little. You don't have to be so touchy. But maybe you should talk to your crew about not gossiping behind your back." He backs away from Blaine before heading into the back room for hair and makeup.

Blaine looks over Sebastian's shoulder into the room and sees Kurt staring at him, mouth agape. His eyes flit from Blaine to Sebastian and his eyes cloud over before his expression is completely closed off. Kurt has built up the wall between himself and Blaine all over again.

Blaine can't face it. He storms out of the room and tries to focus on his work. Fury propels him through the day and leaves him feeling like he's in a fog. It's like he's back to square one with the entire crew, not knowing what to say to anyone, especially Kurt. He's not really directing the models or helping Zach, but he can't help it; everything feels off. Only Sebastian remains unchanged, dropping innuendo and flirting blatantly.

The day gets stranger still when Kurt starts his own flirting. With Adamo. At first, Blaine isn't sure if it's actually happening or if he's imagining it, because it starts out pretty subtle. Kurt laughs at something Adamo says, a little too loudly considering Adamo barely speaks English. Later, he puts a hand on Adamo's knee when Tina touches up his makeup. He fails to notice the smitten look Adamo is shooting in Tina's direction.

"Adamo," Kurt says, running a hand along his arm after Tina walks away. "You should get me the number for your trainer."

Blaine rolls his eyes. This is getting ridiculous. Kurt's obviously trying to make a point to Sebastian, who's only standing two feet away, but Blaine knows he's not interested in Kurt, and he doesn't want to see him get hurt.

Despite his best efforts to get Kurt's attention, Blaine's only chance to talk to him is during their lunch break. As usual, most of the crew and the models are sitting around chatting and enjoying a few moments off their feet. Kurt is by himself, eyes glued to his phone. He doesn't even look up when Blaine approaches.

"Kurt, why are you doing this?"

"I have to get back to the agency about my next job," he says. "I didn't realize it was a crime to have lunch alone."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it," Blaine half whispers through gritted teeth.

Kurt's mouth curls up into a sneer, his jaw set. "I'm afraid you're going to have to spell it out for me," he says. "Us dumb models aren't really that quick, you know."

Blaine feels his frustration fading once he realizes he's obviously hit a nerve. He doesn't want to pick a fight with Kurt. He just wants to protect his friend from Sebastian. "Kurt, come on. You know I don't think that, and besides, I'm talking about the over-the-top flirting with Adamo."

"What do you care?"

"Well, he's straight for one," Blaine says. "And two, it's like you're hate flirting. Will you just tell me what's wrong?"

Kurt looks down at his hands, threading his fingers together and fidgeting. His furious expression from earlier begins to fade, but he doesn't look up.

When he doesn't answer, Blaine softens his tone and leans down into Kurt's eye line. "Is it because of Sebastian?"

Kurt looks up, his eyes flashing with what looks like shock and humiliation. His eyes start to well up, and Blaine sees his upper lip quiver slightly. Maybe he'd underestimated Kurt's feelings for Sebastian. He's clearly still hung up on the guy. Blaine needs to make this easier on him, let Kurt know that he knows.

"Sebastian doesn't mean anything to me," he says, reaching out to touch Kurt's shoulder. "And even if I were interested in him, I wouldn't go after someone a friend had feelings for."

Kurt jerks away. "Oh my god… really?"

"What?" Blaine has no idea what he's said. Kurt has to know how obvious his feelings are.

"I'm not interested in Sebastian!" he shouts. A few heads turn in their direction, and Kurt blushes. He grabs Blaine by the arm and drags him into the hair and makeup room.

"Kurt, I don't understand," Blaine says once Kurt has shut the door behind them. "If this isn't about Sebastian, what's going on?"

Kurt shuffles his feet, and looks at a spot over Blaine's head, fighting back tears.

"I know," he says.

"Know what?" Blaine asks. He has no idea what Kurt is talking about and he really wishes Kurt would just spit it out because he's starting to get a headache.

"I know that you went on a date with Sebastian."

"Oh."

"Yeah… oh," Kurt says, looking defeated. "God, I feel so stupid. He was going on and on about how you went back to his place and that he can't wait to take you out again and how great your ass is…"

"He said all that?"

Kurt rolls his eyes as he finally makes eye contact with Blaine. There's something Blaine's not understanding about this, but he can't quite read between the lines. He decides honesty is the best policy at this point.

"Kurt, I'm really not interested in him. We went on one date. That's all. I swear."

"Why couldn't you just tell me that then?! I had to hear about it from fucking Sebastian of all people! Talking about you like you were some sort of prize he'd won!"

"I think I can handle a little gossip," Blaine says, trying to reassure Kurt.

"But it's Sebastian," Kurt says, as if that explains everything.

"Look, I didn't know about your past with him until the other night," he says. "I just wanted to go out and have a good time."

"Well, Sebastian has no problem showing anyone a good time," Kurt scoffs.

"I know he's a prick, but give the guy a break," Blaine says. "I don't think he knows how to have a boyfriend."

"Well that's abundantly clear," he scoffs. "So what, you thought you'd just get an easy fuck out of him and go back to being my friend?"

"Jesus, Kurt, I didn't fuck him. I was lonely; he asked me to dinner, and I said yes. What was I supposed to do? I've been so busy trying to be your friend that I've blown off all my other friends, and I spent my fucking birthday alone!"

"How is that my fault?" Kurt shrieks.

"You could have at least texted me!"

Kurt reels back, and Blaine instantly regrets his words. There's no way Kurt knew Blaine was alone on his birthday, and it's not his job to make sure Blaine stays entertained.

"I didn't even know it was your birthday!" he says. "And besides…"

"Besides what?"

Kurt opens his mouth as if he's got something else to say, but he clamps it shut just as quickly. He throws his head back in exasperation.

Kurt sighs. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then tell me." Blaine doesn't even try to conceal the pleading tone in his voice. When he makes eye contact with Kurt, he smiles, willing Kurt to go on. He hates to see him in such pain. There's obviously something else going on; he just wishes he knew what it was. "I'm your friend, remember?" he says after a moment. Kurt's face falls.

"Just forget it," Kurt says, waving him off. "Our lunch break is almost over. Let's get back to work."

"Hey," Blaine says, grabbing his arm gently. "I'm the art director… I think everyone will understand. Now talk to me."

"You're right," Kurt says, jerking his chin up. "You're the art director." He tugs his arm out of Blaine's tentative grip and wheels around on him. "You know, you wouldn't even have this stupid job if it wasn't for me!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Blaine knows his success with Kurt at the first shoot was largely thanks to Kurt's ability to know his angles, but he'd directed that shoot and edited the photos. It's not like Kurt did all the work.

"Nothing. It means nothing," Kurt says, sounding calmer now. "I hope you enjoy dating Sebastian." He gives Blaine a forced smile, and then he's gone.

"But I'm not dating Sebastian," Blaine says to the empty room.

He stands there for a few moments, wondering what vital piece of information he's missed. There's something he's not seeing because Kurt's behavior doesn't match his words, and Blaine is more confused than ever.

Not only that, he thought they'd made some significant strides at Kurt's apartment the other day, but now Blaine's not so sure. Kurt had confided in him about his father, and Blaine had reassured him that he cared about him.

He'd kept his true feelings well hidden so that he could keep his burgeoning friendship with Kurt in tact, and he'd failed at every turn. Kurt's feeling betrayed and who can blame him? Blaine went out with a guy who hurt him and whom he still has feelings for. Blaine's certain of that fact, no matter what Kurt says.

He's just going to have to learn to live with the fact that he's falling in love with someone who's still in love with someone else.

Sebastian.

Why does it have to be Sebastian of all people? Even though Blaine thinks that, deep down, Sebastian's probably not as bad as everyone suspects, he knows that Sebastian has broken Kurt's heart once already, and now Blaine has gone and wounded his pride. Some friend.

Blaine takes a few deep breaths to calm his overwrought nerves, and opens the door to the loft. He hears a shrill voice call out, "Where in god's name is the fucking art director?"

He'd know that voice anywhere. It's Jan West. What is the client doing on set? He ducks behind a support beam and grabs his phone to call Lorelei.

"Hello, Ms. West, I'm Kurt Hummel." Blaine can just barely make out Kurt's voice from where he's standing, okay hiding. He leans forward to get a better look without stepping fully into the room.

"You're Hummel?" she says, a perfectly arched eyebrow raised in question.

"Yes."

"You're too short," she says curtly, dismissing him with a single wave. "Would someone please tell me where the fucking art director is?"