Chapter 14

The near misses continue despite Blaine's insistence that he and Kurt keep their distance when they're not at his apartment. For the most part Blaine manages to avoid Kurt outside of class, but McKinley is only so big, and every now and again, they can't help running into each other at school.

One afternoon, just before sixth period, Blaine finds himself in a bathroom he rarely uses near the science wing. He'd had two extra cups of coffee that morning, so in addition to being jittery, his whole routine is off. He walks through the door, whistling to himself, and stops short when he sees Kurt, looking absolutely stunning in a corset-backed vest and Alexander McQueen pants and fixing his hair at the mirror. Blaine's about to say something to him when he notices two other students at the urinals. He makes his way across the room in silence.

He can feel Kurt's eyes on him and tries not to think about it as he pees. It's too much. His shoulders relax a little when, one-by-one, the other two boys head to the sinks. Soon he hears the taps running, towels being pulled from the dispensers. And then they're gone. He and Kurt are alone.

Kurt is still fixing his hair, or at least pretending to, and Blaine heads to the sinks to wash his hands. He takes the one to Kurt's left and glances over to see him trying to act nonchalant. Blaine smiles to himself as he soaps up his hands.

"Hi," Kurt says finally, grinning at Blaine's reflection in the mirror.

"Hey," Blaine replies, shaking the water from his hands. He leans to his left to reach for a towel and he stumbles when two warm hands are wrapped around him from behind.

"Kurt, not here," he says going stiff in his boyfriend's arms.

"I was just saying hello," Kurt says, his voice low and his breath ghosting across Blaine's ear. He shivers a little at the sensation and closes his eyes, leaning into Kurt's touch.

"You know we can't," he says, barely audible.

"Just for a second," Kurt pleads, tongue darting out to lick Blaine's ear.

"A nanosecond." Blaine sighs as he lets himself get lost in strong arms as Kurt squeezes him tighter, lips trailing along Blaine's neck near his collar.

A loud bang and the door swinging open startles them both out of the embrace, and Blaine fumbles with his hands as he tries to pull another towel from the dispenser.

"I just need to piss, man," Puck says as he saunters into the bathroom, followed closely by Finn. He makes his way to the urinals without acknowledging Kurt or Blaine.

"Hey Mr. A," Finn says, beaming. "Hey Kurt." He follows Puck to the far wall.

When their backs are to him, Blaine gives Kurt a harsh glare, as he finishes drying his hands and leaves the bathroom. They can't keep getting almost caught like that.

"See you boys at rehearsal," he calls out as he leaves.

The next time they're almost caught it's at the Lima Bean during their regularly scheduled Tuesday coffee, which wouldn't be problematic except Blaine has whipped cream on his nose. And Kurt can't resist wiping it off.

"You've got something on your…" Kurt trails off, gesturing to his face.

Blaine's tongue darts out to lick his lips, but he misses the spot by a mile. It sends Kurt into a fit of giggles.

"Here, let me," he says, reaching across the table to wipe at the spot with his index finger. He hooks it and swipes down the bridge of Blaine's nose. Blaine's eyes follow him, entranced, as Kurt brings his finger nearer to his lips. Kurt stops short when he hears a familiar voice.

"Hey Kurt," Mercedes says in a slow, teasing drawl.

Kurt tries desperately to wipe his finger on his napkin, but he fumbles and nearly spills his coffee. He hears Blaine snort back a laugh as he tries to hide his smirk behind his hand.

"Mercedes," Kurt says, more friendly and excited than is necessary. "And Sam! What brings you two out for caffeine on such a gloomy day?" He gestures outside to the swirling gray, late-season stormy mess that has settled in over Lima.

"Oh we're just trying to keep warm," Mercedes replies. "Looks like you and Mr. Anderson had the same idea." And she actually winks. Kurt feels his face flame hot at her words, and curses his fair skin because he knows it will show.

Mercedes is still under the impression that Kurt is crushing on Blaine. After revealing his love affair with "Mark" to Rachel, Kurt had begged her not to tell. And so far, it seems, she's kept up her end of the bargain.

"Hey, Mr. A," Sam says, sounding a bit awkward. "Mercedes and I were just going to grab some coffee. We didn't mean to interrupt."

Blaine smiles the warm way he does at all of his students. Kurt recognizes the "Mr. Anderson" mask now because he's seen Blaine's genuine smiles. This one is different. It's reserved, polite, respectful. There's none of the crinkle around his eyes or the way the feeling takes over his whole body when he really means it. No, he saves those smiles for Kurt these days.

"Oh don't worry about it," Blaine says, waving a dismissive hand. "I was grading, and then Kurt joined me. We were just discussing our set list for nationals. You two should join us. The more ideas the better."

Blaine shoots off their practiced cover story like a pro, even gesturing to his leather bag resting by his chair— with actual papers to grade shoved inside, just in case. He smiles again after he finishes speaking. Kurt follows his lead and gives Mercedes a tight smile.

"Yes, join us," he says. "I've been trying to convince Mr. Anderson that we should do a Whitney Houston tribute, but he says it's too risky. I told him it's because he hasn't heard you sing 'I Will Always Love You.' "

"He's right, Mr. A," Sam says. "It made me cry. Better than Whitney."

"Oh stop," Mercedes says, swatting playfully at Sam's arm.

"It's true," he says with a shrug.

"I'm sure it is," Blaine replies, smiling at Mercedes and then at Kurt. "But the risk is in sticking with just one artist. We can't box ourselves in like that. We need to play to our strengths — all our strengths. Ballads are great, but they don't show off the group's talents."

"I wish Mr. Schue would have thought like that," Mercedes said. "The last two years would have been a lot less tense without suffering through the Rachel Berry Show every day."

Kurt has to hide a laugh behind his hand because she's right. Even though Rachel is his best friend, her ambition, combined with Mr. Schue's blatant love affair with Rachel's voice and Finn's bumbling good guy-ness, made for a lot of one-sided arguments about who was getting solos. Kurt certainly would have never been featured in a competition performance during Will Schuester's reign.

Blaine maintains his composure, though.

"Well, if you'd like a shot at a solo, Mercedes, I hope you'll audition. You too, Sam."

"Oh you best believe I will," Mercedes says. She infuses her words with her trademark sass, but Kurt knows she's over-exaggerating to be funny. Sam laughs at the same time Kurt does. It suddenly occurs to Kurt how happy he is that they seem to fit together so well. Mercedes looks happy.

She turns to Sam. "Come on, boo. I need to caffeine up so we can get back to studying. Nice to see you, Mr. A…Kurt." She smirks at him before waving goodbye to Kurt and leading Sam to the counter.

"That was a close call," Kurt mutters once they're a safe distance away.

"Too close," Blaine says, something darkening his features. It reminds Kurt of the paranoia he'd felt those first few days back at school after Winter break.

"You okay?" he asks.

"Yeah, we just need to be more careful," Blaine replies. "First Tina, then Finn and Puck. Now this." He sighs. "It's just not good for us to be seen together so much."

"Okay, first of all, Tina knew I was getting my scarf. Second, Finn and Puck? You had to pee; I was fixing my hair. Hardly cause for alarm. And this," he says gesturing around the coffee shop, "is perfectly normal. For all anyone else knows or cares, we're just talking about glee. In fact, we have witnesses to that fact, one of whom will tell the entire glee club by tomorrow afternoon. We're safe."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"I usually am," Kurt replies, miming flipping his hair back with an air of fake confidence that makes Blaine laugh.

Kurt smiles.

"I do love making you laugh," he says.

"Kurt."

"What?" he says, taking a sip of his coffee. "It's sexy."

"Kurt stop it," Blaine says, his eyes darting around the coffee shop like the whole room has heard what Kurt just said. But when his eyes fall back on Kurt there's only affection there. "If you keep talking like that, I'm going to have to shut you up."

Kurt smirks at him. "Ooh, do tell," he says, sitting up taller in his seat. "I like where this is going."

"Later," Blaine says, leaning in and lowering his voice. "My place?"

"I'll call my dad and tell him I'll be late for dinner."

Neither of them sees Mercedes watching them from behind a travel mug display.

"Kurt, don't you think it's a little odd that we've never met Mark?" Rachel asks one day toward the end of glee rehearsal while they're marking some choreography.

"Um, well...he's really busy, Rachel," Kurt says. "And he lives in Westerville. You know that."

They've been over this a million times. At least it feels that way. Rachel's persistent questions about the elusive Mark had begun the first day back at school and had continued every day since. Kurt dodges when he can, but mostly gives her just enough information to keep her satisfied, but not enough detail to give up his ruse.

"Yes, I do. You've made that abundantly clear over the last month and a half," she says. "But I'm your best friend, and I'm starting to wonder if he even exists."

Kurt snaps his head to glare at her.

"Why would I make something like that up?" Kurt says. "Do you really think I'm that desperate?"

"No, Kurt…no. Nothing like that. It's just…"

"What?"

"Kurt, okay," she says, lowering her voice so only Kurt can hear her. The rest of the group is focused on Mike trying to teach Sam and Finn some choreography. "I'm going to tell you something that I probably should have told you weeks ago, but I didn't' want you to worry, and I thought I could handle it if we all could just meet Mark. But it's been weeks, Kurt…weeks. And I'm really worried Sebastian is going to say something to Figgins or the school board, and I don't want your name dragged through the mud."

She's on the verge of tears by this point, but Kurt has no idea what she's talking about.

"Wait…Rachel, slow down," he says. "Sebastian? The school board? I don't follow."

"Shit," she says, and then slaps her hand over her mouth. Rachel never swears. This must be serious.

"Want to go somewhere quieter?" Kurt asks looking around to get Blaine's attention. When he makes eye contact, he gestures to Rachel and then the hallway. Blaine nods. It's times like this it really helps to be dating the teacher.

Kurt pulls an arm around Rachel's shoulders and ushers her into the hallway. They instinctively head for the auditorium; it's a place they both feel comfortable. When they're seated side-by-side at the piano on the stage, Kurt speaks.

"Okay, now do you want to tell me what's got you so worked up?"

He smiles at her encouragingly, brushing her hair back off her shoulder, but Rachel still looks like she's about to cry.

"Oh, Kurt," she sobs. "We're going to have to drop out of nationals."

"What? Why?" he asks, completely lost. Rachel's not making any sense.

Rachel stares at her hands and picks at her nails while she searches for words. Finally, she takes a deep breath.

"Remember when I told you at regionals about that Warbler spreading lies about you and Mr. Anderson?" she asks.

Kurt nods slowly.

"Well, I ran into him that Saturday after we had coffee and you told me about Mark."

"So?" Kurt asks, still not quite following.

"So," she says, sighing heavily and dropping her hands to her lap. "He threatened to tell the school board about what he saw unless we drop out of nationals."

"He what?" Kurt feels like his blood has gone cold.

"And I thought I could come up with something to keep him off our backs, so I told him about you and Mark…"

"You what?!" he shouts, reeling back so sharply he nearly falls off the piano bench.

"Well, I thought if he knew you had a boyfriend he'd know it was all a lie and he'd leave me alone, but he didn't believe me and he said he'd tell anyway." She pauses to take in a ragged breath. "So now we've got to drop out of nationals…otherwise, he'll get Mr. Anderson fired, and we'll still be disqualified."

"Oh god," Kurt says. This is bad. Very, very bad. He needs to tell Blaine, but Rachel is still talking and she doesn't know how bad this all is. He needs to get her off his back. He needs to tell her…something.

"It's true," he says, the words out before he can think.

"What?"

"It's true," he repeats. "All of it. The making out…Mr. Anderson….me. Sebastian wasn't lying. He really did see us at regionals."

"Kurt?" Rachel's eyes are wide in disbelief. "But no…you said. What about Mark?"

"I made him up," Kurt says. "It was Blaine's idea."

"Blaine?"

"Mr. Anderson…whatever," Kurt says, waving his hand dismissively.

"I don't know what to say," Rachel says, standing up and slowly backing away from Kurt.

"Rachel, please…"

"I can't believe…" she stops mid sentence and her expression changes. She looks hurt. "How long?"

Kurt looks down at his hands. No matter how much he knows he had to keep it a secret, he knows Rachel is hurt that he didn't trust her. Might as well come clean now.

"We've only been officially together since the start of winter break, but we'd been dancing around it for months. Our first kiss was right after sectionals. But it was completely one-sided; he didn't want to act on his feelings."

Rachel's brown eyes are wide, and her smile is more like a grimace.

"Since sectionals?" she asks, looking more stunned by the moment.

"Not exactly," Kurt says. "Blaine wanted to keep his distance. So we did. And it worked for a while, but eventually we just couldn't stay apart anymore. We're being really careful now."

"Now?" she says, eyes wide. "So what Sebastian said about regionals…is that true?"

"Yes, we kissed back stage….before we performed. We ran into you right after," Kurt says, not even really looking at Rachel as he rambles. "God that was awkward."

"Oh my god."

"Rachel…"

"I can't believe you didn't tell me," she says, interrupting.

Kurt jumps to his feet.

"I couldn't," he insists. "Do you know what it would mean for Blaine if anyone found out?"

"But I'm your best friend." Her pout is almost comical. Kurt doesn't laugh, though. He knows how hurt she is.

"We couldn't risk it," he says, knowing it's not enough of any explanation, but hoping Rachel accepts it. He figures full-disclosure is the best policy at this point.

"He makes me happy, Rachel. Please, you can't tell anyone. Promise me you won't."

"Kurt, I…"

She stops mid sentence and turns to face off stage. Kurt's gaze follows hers to see Blaine standing in the back of the auditorium. How long had he been there?

"There you two are," Blaine calls out. His tone is casual. Maybe he hadn't heard. "We need to run through the mash-up again. Come on." He gestures for them to leave the stage. Rachel moves first.

She doesn't make eye contact with either of them as she heads out of the auditorium. Kurt tries to catch up to her, but is stopped by Blaine's hand on his arm.

"What's going on?" he asks.

Kurt meets Blaine's eyes, and fights the urge to collapse into his boyfriend's arms.

"She knows."

Blaine's face falls as his hand drops from Kurt's arm. He sways on his feet and grabs the back of a seat for support.

"How did she find out?" Blaine asks, wondering why Kurt doesn't seem to be as worried as he is. Worried is an understatement, actually. Blaine feels like the floor has disappeared and he's hanging on to the back of an auditorium seat like it's a life preserver. Maybe it is.

Kurt looks scared, pulling in on himself, like he's scared of Blaine's reaction. When he speaks it's barely above a whisper.

"I told her."

"What?" Blaine asks, unsure for a second that he heard correctly. He thinks Kurt just said he told Rachel about them, but that can't be because Kurt promised he wouldn't tell anyone. Not even Rachel. He starts to say so, but Kurt is speaking again.

"That stupid Warbler," Kurt says.

"What?" Blaine knows he's being repetitive, but it's the only word he can make come out of his stupid, student-kissing mouth.

"The one from regionals," Kurt continues. "He threatened to tell the school board about us unless New Directions drops out of nationals."

"What does that have to do with you telling Rachel about us?"

Kurt swallows; it's audible and heavy.

"She wanted to meet 'Mark.' " Kurt uses the air quotes and laughs. "She actually thought if she could meet him, if others saw me with him, that would stop any rumors."

"Rumors don't work like that," Blaine mumbles. Suddenly every fear he's had about the talk at McKinley hits him like a slushy to the face. The rumors have already started. And they're about him. He drops onto the step he's standing on, dropping his head in his hands.

"It just came out," Kurt says, his voice pitching higher. He drops to his knees at Blaine's side, trying to catch his gaze. "She won't say anything."

Blaine laughs.

"She won't," Kurt says, but even Blaine can tell he doesn't believe it.

"What am I going to do?" Blaine says. The question is rhetorical, but Kurt answers it anyway.

"I need to go talk to her. I can make her understand." Kurt leans forward into Blaine's line of sight. "Please. I'll make this right," he says.

Blaine feels Kurt's hand on his shoulder. Long, elegant fingers are rubbing tense muscles, but it doesn't have the desired effect. Blaine only feels more tense.

"We should get back to rehearsal," Blaine says, standing and brushing off his pants. He doesn't acknowledge Kurt's gesture or the whimper that escapes him when Blaine brushes his hand away. He glances down to see Kurt's eyes have begun to tear up, but he doesn't attempt to soothe him. He just walks away.

Coward.

He returns to the choir room and it's almost surreal because the atmosphere hasn't changed from when he left to find Rachel and Kurt. Brittany and Mike are running through the choreography with the rest of the group; everyone is laughing as they try to keep up. Only Rachel's expression mirrors what Blaine is feeling. She looks shocked and confused but determined to get through rehearsal.

When Kurt joins them two minutes later, Blaine can't make eye contact. Instead, he puts on his best show face and calls out "From the top!"

For the remainder of rehearsal, Rachel ignores Blaine except to acknowledge his instructions. She leaves without talking to him or Kurt.

But then again, Blaine leaves without talking to Kurt. He's not proud of it, but he can't face him right now. It's not that he's angry, not really. He's just scared. Scared of losing his job, yes, but even more scared of losing Kurt.

Blaine drives around Lima for close to an hour before pulling over into a strip mall parking lot to call Wes.

"Blaine Warbler, to what do I owe this honor?"

"I think I screwed up," Blaine says, forgoing the usual pleasantries in favor of cutting to the chase.

"You mean more than just dating one of your students?" Wes teases.

Blaine fights back tears, trying to keep the shuddering out of his voice. He exhales and he knows it sounds ragged and choked.

"Oh shit, man," Wes says. "You're really not okay. Did something happen?"

"Another student knows," he says.

"About you and Kurt?"

"We're fucking screwed, Wes."

Wes is quiet for a second. He's probably thinking, weighing the options like he always does. Blaine's mind flashes back to a younger Wes, holding a gavel and presiding over the Warblers council as they debated whether they should perform a Queen medley or Rio by Duran Duran for sectionals.

"Friend or foe?" he says finally.

"What?"

"This student," he says. "Friend…or foe?"

"Mostly friend," Blaine says, thinking of how Rachel had been quiet the rest of rehearsal. "She's actually Kurt's best friend, but she's kind of a loose canon sometimes."

"Can you reason with her?"

Blaine considers that for a moment. Rachel is Kurt's friend, but she's also ambitious. If she thinks his and Kurt's relationship could get in the way of New Directions winning nationals, she might sell them out. She's also 18 and human, and could just as easily let something slip by accident. Blaine knows she wouldn't want to hurt anyone, though, not intentionally anyway. Rachel Berry is a lot of things — ambitious, selfish, intense — but she's not a cruel person.

"Probably," he says. "Kurt can, anyway."

"Then stop panicking and take care of it," Wes says. He pauses. Blaine can hear him take in a slow, deep breath. "And worst-case scenario, you lose your job and you can stop all this sneaking around. I mean, it's not ideal, but it's not like you'll go to jail."

Blaine almost laughs at the practicality of Wes' statement. Blaine knows his friend still isn't too keen on him dating Kurt, but he'd long ago given up on trying to talk Blaine out of it. Now he's just trying his best to be supportive.

"True. You always know how to talk a guy off a ledge. Thanks, Wes."

"Hey, what are Warblers for?" Wes replies.

Blaine laughs and says his goodbyes. He feels lighter somehow. Now he just needs to talk to Kurt.

From Blaine (5:57 p.m.)
I'm sorry I ran off. Can we talk?

From Blaine (6:07 p.m.)
Please don't be angry... I'm not.

It's starting to get dark, and Blaine doesn't want to camp out in a parking lot waiting for Kurt to call. He sends another text and then heads home.

From Blaine (6:12 p.m.)
OK then. I'm headed home. Come by or call later if you can.

When Blaine gets home, he unlocks his door and drops his keys on the table. He toes off his shoes and hangs up his coat, but he doesn't turn the lights on. Blaine walks to the kitchen, opens the fridge and pulls out a beer. He pops the cap off the bottle and takes a long pull, throwing the cap in the sink.

"I'm sorry too."

Blaine jumps at the sound, sloshing beer down his front and almost dropping the bottle on the floor. He fumbles for the light switch, and when he finds it, light floods the room. He squints as his eyes adjust. Kurt is sitting at the kitchen table, his posture slack and he's twirling the pepper shaker in his right hand.

"Jesus Christ, Kurt! You damn near gave me a heart attack."

"I'm sorry," he says, not looking up from the table. Blaine can see the worry in his features. He feels guilty for putting it there. Kurt takes a few long, purposeful breaths before he speaks again. "You just looked so defeated. I don't know what to say."

"I'm not."

"You're not what?" Kurt asks, finally making eye contact.

"Defeated. Scared maybe, but not defeated."

"Oh…good." He pauses. "Scared of what?"

"Losing you."

Kurt looks back down at the pepper shaker in his hand, and places it back on the table next to the salt. He folds his hands together in his lap and stares down at them.

"You're not going to lose me," he says. "I thought you might break up with me."

"Not a chance," Blaine says. "You can't get rid of me that easily, you know."

Kurt laughs. It doesn't reach his eyes.

"So Rachel knows?" Blaine asks. Like it or not, they need to have this conversation.

"I don't think she'll say anything," Kurt says, looking up at Blaine. "I'll talk to her."

Blaine sets his beer down on the counter and walks over to Kurt, taking the chair next to him and turning it so that they're facing each other.

"We can both talk to her if you want. We're in this together, you know."

Blaine reaches for Kurt's hand, intertwining their fingers and running his thumb over Kurt's wrist. Kurt's mouth turns up into a small smile. This time, it reaches his eyes.

"I'd like that," he says.

Kurt's eyes fall to their joined hands, and he just watches it for a minute. When he speaks again, his voice is sure and reverent.

"I like the sound of that," he says.

"Sound of what?"

"Together," Kurt replies. "It's nice."

"It is," Blaine says, leaning forward to kiss him.

Rachel is beyond angry at Kurt. He had no right to keep a secret that big from her, especially one that could seriously harm their chances of going to nationals, or even competing at all. And he lied. Flat out lied. That is unacceptable.

And Mr. Anderson, an educator, keeping a secret like that. What else is he hiding? Rachel considers Googling him, but decides it's not worth the wasted time. She has a mountain of homework to do and she wants to get to bed early.

So she spends the evening on geometry problems while avoiding Kurt's phone calls and texts. She's not ready to talk to him yet. She feels betrayed and confused, and worst of all, unprepared for her solo audition the next day. Normally she likes to go to bed early the night before a call back, having worked out earlier in the day and chosen her outfit carefully. But tonight she's having trouble sleeping and she still hasn't decided what she wants to wear.

The next day at school, Kurt keeps trying to get her to talk, but she tells him she's resting her vocal chords for her audition. He looks disappointed, but respects her wishes. Mr. Anderson acts completely normal during glee, even complimenting her harmonies on a duet with Finn from the day before. And when it comes time for her to sing, she feels like she really kills it.

"Okay, guys," Mr. Anderson says after the applause from Rachel's performance dies down and he's finished jotting his notes. "Now that everyone has had an opportunity to audition for our competition solos, I'd like to announce our featured performers."

There's a murmur of excitement around the room. Rachel sits up taller in her chair and flips her hair over her shoulder, confident she'll have a spot in the competition.

"First, I want to say that everyone who tried out was outstanding. This was a difficult decision, but I'm sure everyone will agree that this is a strong lineup." Mr. Anderson looks down at the clipboard in his hands and smiles. "First up," he says. "Mercedes Jones."

There's a round of applause, and an enthusiastic whoop from Sam. Mercedes and Kurt exchange some secret handshake looking thing. Rachel smiles and turns around in her chair.

"Congratulations, Mercedes," she says, always happy to be a team player. And Mercedes' audition had been really good, even though it couldn't compare to Rachel's flawless one.

"Who else, Mr. A?" Finn asks.

"Our second finalist is … Santana Lopez."

Another round of applause. Rachel congratulates Santana, who just gives her a smirk.

"Thank you, thank you," Santana says. "I promise I'll remember you all as the losers you are when I'm famous." She stands and takes a small bow.

Rachel turns back to the front and rolls her eyes. Mr. Anderson must be saving her name for last because she was the best.

"Don't you think we should continue, Mr. Anderson?" she asks. "So we can get started with the set list."

"Yes, of course, Rachel," he replies. "Our last featured performer is…."

Rachel sits up taller and wriggles in her seat, ready to stand and bow when her name is announced. Maybe she'll even give a short speech. She smiles broadly at Mr. Anderson.

"…Kurt Hummel."

Rachel's face feels numb. Her mouth hangs open as she tries to remember how to breathe. Is this what an aneurism feels like?

Everyone is congratulating Kurt and applauding, and Kurt is smiling and curtsying. Rachel feels like she might throw up. But it's Finn patting Kurt on the back that stirs her from silence.

"This is completely unacceptable!" Rachel shouts.

"Rachel!" Mr. Anderson scolds.

"No," she says. "My audition was flawless. I demand a recount."

"There's nothing to recount, Rachel," Mr. Anderson says calmly. "My decision is final."

"But it's Kurt," she says, defeated. She looks around the room for support. Everyone is looking at her in confusion.

"I'm with Berry," Santana says. "What if Hummel chokes again?"

"I have faith in my boy Kurt," Puck says, hitting Kurt on the back so hard he stumbles a little.

"Me too," adds Tina. "Rachel's just bitter because she didn't get a solo for once. Now you know how the rest of us felt for the last two years."

"This is absolutely preposterous," Rachel says, getting out of her chair and turning to face the group. "I won't stand for it."

She storms out of the choir room in a way that she perfected years ago, her brown loafers tapping loudly on the tile. She heads for the girls' bathroom flinging her tiny fists into one of the stall doors just to hear it slam.

"Easy there, Hobbit, you'll hurt yourself."

"Santana," Rachel says, trying to bite back tears. "I'm not really up for talking right now."

"Oh can it," she says. "I'm on your side. I don't really think Hummel should get another solo. We almost lost regionals because of him. And as much as I'm loathe to admit it, you're our strongest performer."

"God, it's just so stupid. I mean everyone knows I'm a much better singer than Kurt. He forgot lyrics in a competition, for crying out loud," Rachel rants as she paces back and forth in the bathroom. "It's completely ridiculous to give him a second chance. And you know what's really crazy in all this? He probably only gave him that solo because they're dating and he's trying to get in Kurt's pants."

As soon as the sentence is out, Rachel slaps a hand over her mouth. Santana's usually disinterested expression turns into a gleeful smile, and she looks positively predatory.

"Are you serious?" she asks, eyes wide.

"Oh god, Santana, you can't say anything," Rachel begs.

"So those rumors are true…and it's about our very own resident gay." Santana pauses and smiles to herself. "Way to go Hummel. Bagging the gay dream boat teacher. I'm actually impressed."

Rachel reaches out for Santana's arm. She glares down at it and shirks Rachel's touch.

"Please," Rachel says.

"Calm your tits, Berry. I won't say anything."

"You won't?"

"No," she says, looking earnest. "If Anderson gets fired, we can't compete. And I really want to win at nationals, especially now that I have a solo."

Santana throws an arm around Rachel's shoulders.

"Now let's head back to practice so we can get ready to kick some ass in New York. Maybe we can figure out how to use this situation to our advantage to get you a solo."

Rachel smiles at her and allows herself to be led back to the choir room. She doesn't see Santana take out her phone to send a text.

"I don't want to do the solo," Kurt says, dropping down next to Blaine on the sofa.

"Don't be silly," Blaine says, turning to face him. "You'll be great. Regionals was a fluke; you know that."

"It's not that," Kurt says.

"Then what?"

"Rachel."

"She'll get over it," Blaine says. He runs a hand along Kurt's cheek, trailing along his neck and down to his collar. He cups Kurt's neck and pulls him in for a kiss, soft and sweet.

Kurt lets himself get lost in the silkiness of Blaine's lips for a moment. The warm, firm touch of Blaine's kiss pushes away his negative thoughts and fills him up with desire. When Blaine pulls away, though, reality comes crashing back in. Kurt rests his head on Blaine's shoulder just to feel his presence.

"She finally responded to one of my texts," Kurt murmurs into Blaine's neck. "Said she won't tell anyone. I just don't want to give her any reason to be angry with me. I don't want to do the solo."

"Whatever you want," Blaine replies. "I think you should do it, but I can't make you. Even if your audition was the best."

"I think you might be biased, Mr. Anderson," Kurt teases.

"About other things maybe," he says, tilting Kurt's head up to kiss him. "But not about this. You were the best. Period."

"Other things you say?" Kurt asks feeling Blaine's smirk against his cheek. "Do tell."

"Well, your lips for one." Blaine leans down to kiss him. "Best lips in glee club."

"Just my lips?"

"No," he says. "Your eyes. Your nose. Your smile. And, of course your perfectly delectable ass."

Blaine squeezes it for extra emphasis. Kurt lets out a startled squeak.

"Is that all?" Kurt asks, leaning into him and running a hand along his thigh. He senses the turn this conversation is about to take, and it sends blood rushing south. He nips at Blaine's neck and presses kisses into his warm skin.

"All but my favorite part," Blaine says, letting his voice dip into a lower register.

"And what part would that be?" Kurt flicks his tongue out to Blaine's ear, inching forward so he's practically in Blaine's lap.

"Your heart."

Kurt gasps and lifts his head to see Blaine's expression. His eyes are big and open, glowing a deep amber, with flecks of green sparkling underneath. Kurt feels something clench in his chest.

"My heart?"

"You're the most caring person I've ever met, Kurt. Giving up a solo so you don't hurt your friend, or get me fired. Not many people would do that."

"You would," Kurt says.

"Maybe. But not for the same reasons."

Kurt laughs at that, realizing his boyfriend doesn't understand how wonderful he is. How lucky Kurt feels to be with him. How much he just feels all the time. And suddenly Kurt needs to tell him. He looks up at Blaine — gorgeous, stunning, perfect Blaine — and smiles.

"I love you, you know," he says before he loses his nerve.

Blaine's face tightens ever so slightly, and for a terrifying second Kurt thinks maybe he's said the wrong thing. But then Blaine's expression softens and he breaks into a warm smile, eyes crinkling at the corners it's so big.

"I love you too," Blaine replies. "So much."

He takes Kurt's face in his hands and pulls him in for a kiss. It isn't a perfect kiss. In fact it's kind of messy and maybe a little wet because someone is crying. But it's an absolutely perfect moment. And for now, that's enough. They can deal with everything else later.