"Will you tell Kurt I still have his blue cashmere scarf?" Rachel asks, fixing her hair in the mirror over her vanity as she talks. "He left it at my house the other day."

Finn doesn't reply. Rachel pulls the phone away from her ear to make sure the call hasn't been dropped. She still sees her boyfriend's face smiling back at her from the screen. She flips her hair out of the way to put it back up to her ear just in time to hear Finn's reply.

"Kurt?" he asks.

"Yes, Kurt," Rachel says, losing patience. Really Finn can be dim, but this is excessive even for him. "Your brother?"

"Yeah, I know who he is, but I thought he was with you," Finn replies.

"With me?" she asks, wondering if Finn has finally fried his brain with all those absurd video games. "Why would he be with me if he's scheduled to work at the shop?"

"Kurt's not scheduled to work," Finn says, sounding even more confused. "He hasn't worked at the shop in about three months. Something about not having enough time to get oil stains out of silk and work on his solos."

Rachel's brain catches up long before Finn's. If Kurt hasn't been working at his dad's garage, he's been lying about where he's been for weeks. More importantly, Kurt has been hiding something from her. His best friend. That's completely unacceptable.

"Oh," she says, laughing it off. "Silly me, I must have misunderstood him. I bet he meant he was going to shop. I have been distracted lately working on selections for my NYADA callback. It's probably inevitable that I miss something inconsequential like that from time to time."

"I'm not sure what that all means, but do you want me to call Kurt?" he asks.

"No, sweetie," she says, taking on the tone she always uses when something has gone over Finn's head. "I'll call him. He's probably wondering where I am anyway if we were supposed to go shopping together. I don't want to subject you to his wrath. Talk to you tomorrow?"

"Sure," Finn replies.

Rachel hangs up before Finn has finished his goodbye. Something is up with Kurt, and she's dying to know what it is.

From Rachel (3:27 p.m.)
We need to talk.

From Kurt (3:28 p.m.)
Is it an emergency?

From Rachel (3:28 p.m.)
Not sure.

From Kurt (3:30 p.m.)
Fashion related? Personal? School?

From Rachel (3:30 p.m.)
Best friend related.

From Kurt (3:32 p.m.)
I thought I was your best friend.

From Rachel (3:32 p.m.)
You are.

From Kurt (3:33 p.m.)
?

From Rachel (3:34 p.m.)
Lima Bean….20 minutes?

From Kurt (3:35 p.m.)
Give me 30.

Kurt pockets his phone and looks at Blaine.

"Something wrong?" Blaine asks.

"Not sure," Kurt replies. "Rachel says she needs to talk to me about something."

"Did she say what?"

"No, but…" Kurt's eyes go wide as he stops mid sentence. "Oh my god!"

"What?" Blaine asks.

"I told her I was working until 6," he says.

"So?"

"So… I just told her I'd meet her for coffee in 30 minutes," he says, before looking down at his phone.

"Kurt, I'm not following here," Blaine says.

"Well, 30 minutes from now would be about two hours before my shift ends."

"Maybe she forgot," Blaine says, ever the optimist.

"Rachel never forgets details like that. Never. One time when I was worried I had worn the same hat two Tuesdays in a row, she reassured me by recounting what I'd worn every Tuesday for a month down to the accessories. No, I think she knows I lied about working today," Kurt says, patting his pockets for his keys. When he can't find them, he reaches between the couch cushions and runs his hand under the edge along the floor. "Where the fuck are my keys?" he asks.

Kurt feels something tighten in his chest as the panic starts to build.

"By the door," Blaine says, calmly pointing toward the table by the door and leaning his cheek on his other hand, elbow propped on the back of the sofa. He looks relaxed and completely adorable like that, and Kurt really doesn't want to leave. He bends down and kisses Blaine's full, pouty mouth.

"Do you have to go?" Blaine asks, pouting even more.

"No moping," Kurt says, tapping a playful finger to Blaine's bottom lip. "I won't be gone long."

"I know," Blaine says. "It's just school starts again Monday and we have to go back to normal. I don't want to waste a single moment of the time we've got left before reality smacks us in the face. Besides…" he leans forward to take Kurt's hand in his, stroking his fingers over his knuckles. "I'm sort of getting used to practically living with you."

"Me too," Kurt says, smiling down at where their hands are intertwined. "It's been a great two weeks."

"It really has," Blaine says, golden eyes twinkling for a moment before he turns serious. "Do you think she knows…about us?"

Kurt rocks back onto his heels, pulling his hand away from Blaine. It's possible. Kurt thinks back over the last few days and the handful of brief conversations with Rachel. No, he'd been extra careful, making excuses about family obligations and that history paper, which he had actually finished before Christmas while playing footsy with Blaine. She may suspect something out of the ordinary, but there's no way she knows the full truth.

"No," Kurt says. "But she's definitely suspicious."

Blaine nods knowingly. He's all too familiar with Rachel's persistence. She won't give up if she suspects Kurt is hiding something.

"What are you going to tell her?" Blaine asks.

"I'm not sure," Kurt says with a shrug. "I'll think of something."

When he gets to the Lima Bean, Kurt sees Rachel already sitting at a table near the door. She sees him right away and waves him over, but he wants a few more moments to gather his thoughts before he approaches her. So he gestures in the direction of the counter and mimes drinking. She nods and smiles at him. Kurt thinks maybe he shouldn't be worried. If she has any real dirt, she would be accosting him while he waits for his mocha.

His relief only lasts until he gets about five feet from Rachel.

"What's his name?" she asks.

Kurt sets his coffee cup on the small table and looks at her wide-eyed. He hasn't even sat down yet, but Rachel never was one for mincing words or avoiding tough conversations.

"His name?" Kurt asks, dropping into the seat in an uncharacteristically clumsy fashion.

"The guy you've been sneaking around with," Rachel replies smugly. "That's it, isn't it? You're having some secret, torrid love affair and hiding it. Like me and Jesse during sophomore year." She smiles. "You shouldn't be ashamed Kurt. Not if it's love."

"Rachel, I…"

"A secret love affair, Kurt. It's just so dramatic. I can't believe you didn't tell me. I mean after you confessed your feelings for Mr. Anderson, I was worried you'd waste away pining over our teacher. But look at you. You're positively glowing."

"I am?" Kurt feels something burn brightly in his chest at that. He knows he's been smiling more lately. His dad had asked him about it at dinner earlier that week. And the truth is, he's wildly happy with Blaine. He's never felt so alive. So wanted. So loved.

Kurt feels a smile tugging at his mouth and can't resist its pull.

Rachel smiles and nods, taking Kurt's coy smile as confirmation. "So tell me about him."

"There's not much to tell," Kurt replies, fiddling with his coffee lid as his heart pounds wildly in his chest.

"Oh come on," Rachel says, playfully kicking her tiny foot against Kurt's boot under the table. "Tell me something. Like…where does he go to school? I assume he's not a student at McKinley."

She lifts her cup to her lips and raises an eyebrow in Kurt's direction.

"No, not a student at McKinley," Kurt answers truthfully.

"So where?"

"Dalton," Kurt replies. It's probably best sticking as close to the truth as he can.

"Oh, a private school boy," Rachel coos. "Is he cute?"

"Adorable," Kurt says with a sigh. He imagines Blaine's face as he'd kissed him goodbye not 15 minutes ago, and the feel of Blaine's tongue as it brushed his lips, teasing and offering an incentive to return later. "And sexy."

Rachel's laughter rings out brightly in the crowded coffee shop. "Well, I guess that means you've gotten over your crush on Mr. Anderson," she teases.

"I think it's safe to say my feelings have changed," Kurt says, staring down into his coffee. Of course, he'd gotten over his crush. He'd gotten over it the moment Blaine gave in to their attraction and had promptly fallen in love.

"How did you meet him?" she probes.

Kurt swallows so hard he nearly chokes on his coffee.

"Um, well," he says between coughs. "It was, um, after school."

"Ooh…I bet it was love at first sight! I remember when I first saw Finn…"

Kurt nods and lets Rachel speculate and ramble about Finn for a bit, occasionally nodding or making sounds of agreement. He's never been so grateful for her ability to have a conversation with herself in his life.

"Kurt, are you listening to me?"

"Sorry, Rachel," he says. "I guess I'm just distracted."

"Thinking about Mr. Wonderful?" she coos.

Kurt nods as his phone buzzes in his pocket.

"So, does Mr. Wonderful have a name?" Rachel asks as Kurt thumbs over his screen.

From Blaine (4:12 p.m.)
How's it going?

From Kurt (4:12 p.m.)
It's going. I'll explain later.

From Blaine (4:13 p.m.)
Coming back soon? I miss you.

From Kurt (4:13 p.m.)
Leaving now.

"Uh, Rachel," Kurt says. "Can we finish this later? I have to go."

"Is something wrong?" she asks, looking concerned.

"No," he says. "I just need to go."

Rachel's disappointment is obvious, but Kurt really doesn't want to be interrogated further, and Blaine is waiting for him at home.

Home. That's an interesting thought.

Rachel looks at her friend, thoroughly distracted and completely in love. She's torn between bitter disappointment that he's abandoning her and elation that he's found someone.

"Any chance I could meet this mystery guy?" Rachel asks.

Something tenses in Kurt's face.

"Um, sure," he says, giving her a tight smile. "Eventually."

"I can't just let my best friend date anyone," she says. Not that Kurt needs her approval, but she does feel protective of him. She wants to make sure he's dating someone who treats him right.

"Yes, mom," Kurt teases, smiling a little more loosely as he taps her nose with his index finger. "Now, I've got to go."

"Bye, Kurt," she calls after her friend's retreating form.

She sits there alone for a while, swirling a wooden stirrer in her cup and wondering why Kurt was so elusive about his new love interest. It's not uncommon for Kurt to put up walls and keep things close to his heart, but he seemed to be genuinely happy. He usually likes to share good news. There must be something he doesn't want her to know. But Rachel can't even begin to guess what that might be.

She's so lost in her own thoughts she doesn't notice a tall, lanky boy approach. When he clears his throat loudly and she looks up, she doesn't recognize him right away, not without the blazer.

"Well, if it isn't Thumbelina," he drawls.

It's the nickname, rather than the face, that jogs her memory. Rachel stares wide-eyed for a moment, finding herself face to face with the gossip-mongering Warbler who said he saw Kurt make out with Mr. Anderson.

"Did you want something?" she asks, trying her best to channel Kurt's bitch face.

"Saw you with the twink," he says, gesturing toward the door with his head. "Is he still getting tail from the hot teacher?"

"There's nothing going on with Kurt and Mr. Anderson," she says, already annoyed with the conversation. "I'll have you know, Kurt has a boyfriend."

Sebastian tilts his head in inquiry, a slight smirk on his face.

"A boyfriend you say," he says, squinting his eyes. "Is he a real boy or did he just wish really, really hard until the blue fairy showed up?"

Rachel rolls her eyes. Is this guy for real? Why would Kurt make that up?

"He's real, Sebastian," Rachel says. "In fact, he goes to your school."

Sebastian's eyes go wide at that.

"Oh really?" he says. "And what is Mr. Perfect's name?"

"Well, I didn't get his name," Rachel says. "Kurt got interrupted, but he said he goes to Dalton, and I'm sure he's wonderful."

"Right," Sebastian says. And Rachel really wants to smack the smirk off his pointy little face.

She stands up, planning to leave when Sebastian grabs her arm. She looks down at the sudden contact and then looks back at him, unsure if he'd really harm her or not. The adrenalin coursing through her makes her lips quiver as she exhales. She squares her shoulders in an attempt to hide her fear.

"Listen, Smurfette," he says, leaning down to hover over her. "Back out of nationals or I'm going to report them to the school district and you'll have to forfeit anyway because your teacher will be fired."

Rachel is certain she can hear her own heart beat in her ears as her pulse begins to race. It doesn't matter what this obnoxious spoiled brat says or does, she will not let him see her terror.

"Life isn't a James Bond movie, Sebastian," she says, jerking her arm away. He lets it go. "The malicious villain routine is really tired. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a busy day ahead of me."

"I wouldn't cross me if I were you," he says to her retreating form. "I'm not joking around."

"You don't have any proof," she says twirling around.

"I don't need any," he says, looking entirely too smug for Rachel's liking and stepping back into her personal space. "With the way the district's been cracking down on inappropriate friendships, all it takes is a whisper." He lowers his voice on the last word and flicks at an imaginary bit of lint on Rachel's coat. "Don't test me."

Rachel feels something hot and heavy settle in her chest and nearly drops her coffee.

"I'll be in touch," he says, and walks away leaving her standing in the middle of the Lima Bean feeling like the floor has just dropped out of the room.

"Blaine?" Kurt calls out as he enters Blaine's apartment.

"In the bedroom," Blaine replies. "How'd it go?" he asks as he rounds the corner into the living room.

"Well, the good news is she doesn't know about us," Kurt says, toeing off his shoes and dropping his keys on the table by the door.

"Is there bad news?" Blaine asks.

Kurt removes his coat and scarf and hangs them by the door. He turns to face Blaine, not sure how he will react.

"Well, she kind of guessed that I'm seeing someone," he says.

"So what did you tell her?" Blaine asks. He looks curious, but not angry or particularly worried. Kurt breathes deeply in relief. Blaine trusts him. He doesn't need to worry.

"That I have a gorgeous, sexy, and completely adorable boyfriend," Kurt says, walking over to Blaine and wrapping his arms around Blaine's waist.

"Does he have a name?" Blaine asks, tilting his head forward to kiss Kurt lightly.

Kurt loves that they can have serious conversations and tease each other at the same time. There's something so intimate about it, like there's extra meaning in every word and they inherently know what the other is thinking and feeling.

"Not yet."

"What are you going to tell her?" he asks, pulling back to look at Kurt.

"Don't know. I kind of implied that you go to Dalton, so it needs to be something fairly generic in case she decides to check it out."

"Do you think she'd do that?"

Kurt tilts his head to the side and raises his eyebrows.

"Yeah, it's Rachel," Blaine says. "Of course she would. Okay, so he needs a name like Mike or Chris…Justin?"

Kurt shakes his head.

"I don't think I could date a Justin. And Mike would be too confusing, given that there's a Mike in glee," Kurt says, looking thoughtful. "What about your college boyfriend? We could use his name."

"Mark?" Blaine asks, looking confused. "Why him?"

"Well, I figure it would be easier to remember, and it's fairly common."

"Fair point."

Kurt takes out his phone and sends Rachel a text.

From Kurt (5:14 p.m.)
His name is Mark.

From Rachel (5:14 p.m.)
:D

From Rachel (5:15 p.m.)
Kurt and Mark, sitting in a tree….

From Kurt (5:15 p.m.)
We'll talk tomorrow Rachel.

From Rachel (5:15 p.m.)
Are you with Mark now? ;)

From Kurt (5:16 p.m.
Goodbye Rachel

From Rachel (5:16 p.m.)
Spoil sport :(

Kurt rolls his eyes at his phone and pockets it. "At least she bought it," he says. "I'll probably have to do more damage control tomorrow, but I think we're in the clear."

"Good," Blaine says, stepping closer to Kurt.

"So, Mark," Kurt says, grinning at Blaine. "What do you say we get to know one another better?"

Blaine laughs and pulls Kurt toward him by his belt loops. "As long as you don't call me Mark," he says scrunching his nose. "Too creepy."

"Whatever you say, Mr. Anderson," he says, nipping at Blaine's lips. Kurt's discovered that a well-timed use of the formality can earn the most delicious reactions, and he uses it to his advantage more than is actually necessary. It works like a charm this time.

Blaine's hand grips the hair at the nape of Kurt's neck and pulls slightly. Kurt lets out a high-pitched moan as his head falls back. Blaine's mouth is on the tender skin near his ear instantly, tongue darting out to tickle the sensitive flesh, teeth grazing tendons as he goes. Kurt feels a rush of arousal at the sensation of Blaine's warm mouth worshipping over his skin.

When his hips stutter forward, Blaine's hardening cock brushes against his thigh, and he's instantly drunk with the sheer want of it. He rolls his hips again and Blaine moans.

"I want to do something for you," Blaine says, gasping between words. "Will you let me?"

Blaine's eyes are dark, his tone seductive. Kurt takes a ragged breath and flicks his tongue out to moisten his lips. He bites down sharply on his bottom lip and narrows his eyes at Blaine. "What did you have in mind?" he asks.

"Do you trust me?" Blaine asks.

"Always," Kurt says without hesitation.

"Okay," Blaine says, eyes wide as he nods. "If I do anything you don't like, you just say the word, and I'll stop, okay?"

Kurt is unable to form a coherent response, unsure of what Blaine has in mind, so he just nods. Blaine kisses the tip of his nose, and Kurt almost laughs at the innocence of it, especially compared to the way they had been kissing only moments before. But the thought only half forms before he realizes that Blaine's fingers are working his fly open, trailing down the zipper slowly.

"Blaine?" he murmurs.

Blaine's fingers still and his eyes are on Kurt's in an instant. "Is this okay?" he asks.

"Um…yes?" Kurt doesn't mean for it to come out sounding like a question, but his brain doesn't seem to be working properly anymore, and it's all he can manage.

Blaine's hands are cradling his face and bright, amber eyes are boring through him.

"Remember when I said we don't have to do anything you don't want to? That still applies."

"No, it's good," Kurt says. "Just caught me by surprise. I'm fine."

Blaine smiles. A hint of mischief sparkles in his eyes.

"Good," he says. "Because I've been fantasizing about doing this to you for weeks now, and I don't think I can wait any longer."

"Do what?" Kurt says.

"This," Blaine says, dropping to his knees in front of Kurt and tugging his pants down. He glances up at Kurt briefly, eyes asking permission. Kurt drags his hand through Blaine's curls, giving his consent without saying a word.

Blaine smiles at him, a playful gleam in his eyes, and Kurt is lost to the moment. He knows he will let Blaine do whatever he wants. He knows it down to his bones. Whatever this man wants, Kurt will give him, freely and completely. And, oh god, does he want it.

Blaine's mouth is trailing searing kisses down his abdomen, warm fingertips grazing the waistband of his underwear. Every touch feels like fire, leaving Kurt's skin heated and oversensitive in its wake.

For a moment, Kurt feels as if he can't get a full breath, but he really can't be bothered to care because the most beautiful man he's ever seen is on his knees in front of him. And he's going to…oh god.

Kurt's brain won't let him finish the thought because all the blood in his body has rushed to the one area where Blaine is now focusing all of his attention. He palms Kurt's cock through his tight, grey briefs, pulling a moan from somewhere deep in Kurt's chest. His hips jerk forward on instinct, almost hitting Blaine on the chin.

"Sorry," he breathes out.

"You're fine, Kurt. Relax," Blaine says, trailing soothing hands down his back and resting them just above the curve of his ass.

Kurt exhales long and slow. He looks down at Blaine, who grips Kurt's ass firmly and smiles up at him as he squeezes. Blaine's dark eyelashes seem even longer and fuller at this angle, a mix of innocence and seduction that Kurt finds intoxicating.

"God, you're gorgeous," he says, only half realizing that he's uttered the words out loud.

"No, Kurt," Blaine insists, working Kurt's briefs down over his fully erect cock as he speaks. "You have me beat by a mile. I promise." Then he looks up at Kurt and holds eye contact with him as he takes Kurt into his mouth, engulfing him in warmth. The intensity of the gaze distracts Kurt for a split second until he gasps at the feeling of Blaine's mouth, wet and perfect, working him over.

Blaine simply watches Kurt as he slides along his entire length, sucking and dragging his tongue as he goes. Kurt's eyes roll back in his head for a second while he allows himself to get lost in the sensation.

"Oh my god, Blaine," he gasps. "That is the most amazing…"

He breaks off mid sentence when he feels Blaine's tongue flick the underside of the head. The sensation of everything is so heightened, down to the feeling of Blaine's breath ghosting over his bare skin every time he takes Kurt in fully, that he's no longer capable of forming words.

Blaine pulls off for a moment. Under any other circumstance, Kurt might be embarrassed at the low whine that escapes his throat.

"You have no idea how much I've wanted to do this," Blaine says, continuing to stroke Kurt with his hand. "How much I want to do everything with you."

Kurt opens his mouth to respond, but the words escape him when he feels Blaine's mouth close around him again. Blaine's left hand rests on the small of Kurt's back, and Kurt is vaguely aware that he can't feel Blaine's right hand anywhere on him. He glances down to try to see where his hand has gone, but gets distracted at the sight of Blaine's full lips stretched around his erection. He hears a zipper and can see Blaine's elbow out of the corner of his eye, and it occurs to Kurt that Blaine is working himself over while sucking his cock and that's all it takes.

"I can't…oh god, Blaine, I'm …"

Kurt expects Blaine to pull off, but instead he sucks harder and moves faster until Kurt is writhing and swaying on his feet. When his orgasm hits, it feels like a wave crashing over him. It takes everything he has to remain upright as Blaine's grip tightens on his back and Kurt shudders as he comes. Kurt leans forward into Blaine and tries to catch his breath.

Blaine's head is resting on Kurt's thigh and his breath tickles Kurt's skin as it becomes more rapid and irregular. Kurt is vaguely aware that Blaine is stroking himself, but in his blissed-out state, can't bring himself to move. Blaine's body suddenly goes rigid and Kurt hears a muffled "fuck" as Blaine's body tremors against his. When the movement stops, Kurt bends his knees and falls to the floor beside Blaine.

"That was … I mean … wow," Kurt says.

"Only a wow?" Blaine replies, still slightly out of breath.

"You expect me to form complete sentences after that?" Kurt asks.

"So it was good?"

"There are no words," Kurt says, smiling. He leans in to kiss Blaine's red, swollen lips. The taste is different and he belatedly realizes it's his own come he's tasting. He wonders if he should be grossed out, but then Blaine's tongue swipes across his and the thought is erased. Nothing about this could be wrong.

Kurt nuzzles his face into Blaine's neck and they just lean against each other for a moment, holding the other one up with their own body weight. When their breathing calms and Kurt feels like he can stand, Blaine leads them to the bathroom to clean up.

School starts again Monday, and Blaine is on edge. The confrontation with Sue on Christmas Eve is still weighing heavily on his mind, even though nothing has yet come of it. He hasn't even told Kurt because he doesn't want to worry him. But he can't help that he feels like everyone's eyes are on him even when they're not. He purposefully avoids Kurt's gaze during first period as they'd planned, but it does little to calm his nerves.

As the days wear on, Blaine gets more and more paranoid. Every closed-door conversation is about him; every student whispering in class is talking about Kurt. Except that they're not.

For every time Blaine feels his heart race when he thinks he's finally found out, there's a logical explanation. Eventually he's able to smile at Kurt during class without feeling like everyone's judging him. He can even watch Kurt perform in glee without worrying that they all know he spent the weekend mapping out Kurt's freckles with his tongue.

It gets so comfortable that by the end of January, he's almost completely forgotten about Sue and he's feeling relaxed. He and Kurt have found a routine: coffee after school on Tuesdays, Friday nights at Blaine's, Saturdays and Sundays spent like a real couple, domestic and quiet, sometimes heading to Columbus whenever they can sneak away for a date. It's perfect.

And then the rumors start.

At first it's a look, then it's a comment under someone's breath. Next it's a disapproving shake of someone's head. By the time Blaine hears the rumor he knows is about him and Kurt, no one is certain where they heard it or what teacher and student it's about.

"I heard it's a freshman and she's actually living with him," one of the history teachers says as he walks past Blaine, Coach Bieste, and Miss Holiday in the teachers' lounge.

"I heard it's a junior and he's trading sexual favors for better grades," Holly calls after the unidentified history teacher. Jim Harper, Hooper, Horner….Blaine can't remember.

Blaine looks at Holly with narrowed eyes. "Why would you say that?"

"What?" she says, spearing a piece of lettuce with her fork. "If we're spreading rumors, I might as well make it a good one."

"Or we could just mind our own bees wax," Coach Bieste says.

"I'm with Shannon," Blaine says, eager to change the subject. "I don't understand this obsession with this rumor anyway. It's not likely any of it's true."

"Well, after what happened with Schuester, everyone's kind of on edge," Shannon says.

"Yeah, if you're the one spreading the rumor, probably means it's not about you," Holly adds.

"I just don't like gossiping," Blaine says. "Someone always gets hurt."

They all glance over at Miss Pillsbury, sitting by herself just like she has every day since Will had gotten fired. The rumors about Schue had hit her hardest of all. They had been talking about getting married when rumors started circulating about Will and one of the Cheerios. Then there was talk about a girl in his fourth period Spanish class. When Emma broke up with him two months later, the rumors kept getting worse until the pressure from the school board forced Figgins to let him go.

Emma gathers up the remains of her mostly uneaten lunch and walks out of the room, her shoulders sagging, the bright fuchsia of her sweater a sharp contrast to her dejected posture.

It's that stupid sweater that forces Blaine to make a conscious choice not to tell Kurt about the rumors. He never wants to see Kurt walking around McKinley like that if he can help it. They just need to be more careful.

Kurt watches from the doorway to the choir room as Blaine gathers up sheet music and stacks chairs. It's a Wednesday in late February, and glee rehearsal has just finished. They'd been really careful since school started back up in January. So Kurt never hangs back after class. They never have private conversations at school unless it's related to Shakespeare or glee. They have rules now.

So Kurt had left with everyone else when rehearsal ended, just like he does every day. But today, he excused himself to retrieve his scarf … that he'd conveniently left on the back of his chair. A thick, oatmeal-colored, cable-knit scarf that Blaine is currently running his fingers over reverently.

Blaine picks it up and holds it to his face, inhaling deeply.

"You know, if you were planning on tracking me by scent, you don't have to go very far," he says.

Blaine doesn't turn toward him or open his eyes. He just smiles. "I can't help it. I love the way you smell," he says quietly.

"Ditto."

"You left it on purpose, didn't you?" Blaine says, trying to sound stern, but there's a hint of flirtation in his voice.

"Maybe," Kurt replies, making his way across the room slowly.

"Kurt," Blaine says, his voice dropping low. "You can't do things like that."

"Says the man smelling my scarf," Kurt says, stepping into Blaine's personal space.

"You know what I mean," he says, stepping back. "We shouldn't be alone together."

"No one's here," Kurt says, pouting a little. "I checked."

Blaine inhales sharply and closes his eyes. "Kurt."

"Just for a minute," Kurt says, voice low and seductive. He places a hand on Blaine's chest next to his loosened tie and trails his fingers along a seam. He grazes the edge of the striped silk tie and watches Blaine's lips. "I just don't think I can wait until Friday to kiss you."

"You have absolutely no will power," Blaine whispers. But his eyes betray him as they dart to Kurt's lips.

"Neither do you," Kurt says, twining his fingers in Blaine's striped tie and turning his wrist. He tugs gently, forcing Blaine forward. When their lips meet, Kurt hears a soft grunt from the back of Blaine's throat. It's quite possibly the most erotic moment in his entire life.

Kurt opens his mouth to suck on Blaine's bottom lip and he feels Blaine's hands come up to rest on his hips. Blaine's still gripping the scarf in his left hand, and Kurt feels it brush against his thigh. The sensation feels heightened in the quiet room and he suddenly has the urge to take Blaine somewhere with a lock on the door. He hungrily works his tongue into Blaine's mouth.

"I want you so bad," Kurt says between kisses.

"Yeah?" Blaine says, gasping. His eyes are wide and burning. "We could maybe go…"

"Kurt!" a voice calls out from the hallway.

Blaine pulls back from Kurt abruptly as Tina bounces through the door.

"There you are," she says glancing back and forth between them. "Are we going for coffee, or…?"

"Yeah. Sure." He turns to Blaine, noticing his tie is crooked. Shit. "Thanks for finding my scarf, Mr. Anderson," Kurt says, taking it from Blaine's hands.

"No problem, Kurt. See you tomorrow." Blaine's voice barely wavers, but it's more gravely than normal.

Kurt hopes it's not enough to raise Tina's suspicions as he follows her out of the choir room. He turns back at the doorway and meets Blaine's gaze. He looks like he's itching to tell Kurt, "I told you so." So Kurt mouths, "I know…I'll call you later," and rushes to catch up to Tina.