Chapter 23

"What are you doing here?" Blaine growls.

Sebastian turns to see Blaine glaring up at him.

"Saw your car in the lot, figured I'd come see if lady face was working," Sebastian says as if Blaine hadn't told him off not three days before.

"You're incredible, you know that," Blaine says, not even bothering to hide his disgust.

"Thanks, babe."

"I didn't mean it as a compliment."

Sebastian opens his mouth to reply, but his attention is drawn from the shorter boy's face when he hears the announcer say, "Let's give it up for Shades' very own innocent schoolboy … Dalton."

For a moment, Sebastian looks as if he's about to make a snide remark about the introduction, but when he turns toward the stage, his jaw drops. As the opening notes of "Baby One More Time" ring through the club, Kurt appears under the lights wearing an uncannily accurate approximation of a Dalton Academy uniform, complete with striped tie and navy blazer.

Blaine can't help himself. He's giggling at the scene in front of him, knowing he and Kurt are sharing the joke. Kurt planned this for Blaine. When they make eye contact, Kurt winks and Blaine sees the barest hint of a smirk on his face. He smiles back and feels a flush creep up his neck as he thinks of what just happened between them in the lounge.

"Looks like your boy has a thing for prep school boys," Sebastian says leaning in to Blaine, his eyes never leaving the stage.

Blaine rolls his eyes and shoves Sebastian out of his personal space.

"You seriously need to back off," Blaine hisses.

Kurt's expression falters just for a second as he takes in the scene, but he keeps dancing, his eyes only leaving the two boys standing near the bar when necessary.

By the time Kurt leaves the stage after his second number, he has made up his mind that he's quitting his job at Shades. Now he just needs a way to make his exit. But first he needs to find Blaine and get him the hell away from Sebastian.

On his way to the dressing room, Kurt runs into Nate, the club's owner, in the hallway.

"Kurt, we need to talk," Nate says.

"Can it wait?" he says without stopping his trek down the hallway. "Kind of in a hurry."

"No, it can't wait," he says, grabbing Kurt's arm. "Care to tell me what just happened in the private lounge?"

Kurt freezes, the bundle of clothes clutched to his chest threatening to fall to the floor.

"Uh, well….I, uh…."

Nate tilts his head in a gesture that says "I'm waiting" while Kurt tries desperately to find his words. He wants out of his deal with Nate, but he really doesn't want to get fired. As he's trying to find his words, Nate's eyes go wide, landing on Kurt's neck. He grips Kurt's chin lightly and pushes his head to one side, tilting him toward the dim light.

"And while we're at it, what's the club rule on dancing with fucking hickeys on you?"

Kurt yanks his head out of Nate's reach just as Mike and Vince appear behind his shoulder.

"Kurt," Vince says. "I think you should get out here."

"Vince, I'm chatting with 'Dalton' here about his future at Shades. Can it wait?"

"Nate, it's kind of important," Mike adds. "Two of Kurt's customers are having it out in the parking lot."

Mike looks utterly delighted at Kurt's discomfort, which is typical for Mike. But Kurt is completely confused as to why Mike would take such an interest in anything involving him, especially when it might mean that Kurt could get fired. Mike would certainly benefit from there being two more open slots on the weekends. Since when is this meathead so interested in Kurt's life? He hasn't been this invested since he accidentally set Sebastian on him a few weeks ago.

Kurt's eyes widen as the realization hits him. Sebastian. The two customers in the parking lot are Sebastian and Blaine. He pulls on his pants and shirt as quickly as he can while the other three men continue talking.

"Well, break it up!" Nate shouts at Vince.

"They've already left club property," Vince says with a shrug. "Not my area."

"Well then call the fucking cops!"

"They're just a couple of kids," Vince pleads. He turns to Kurt. "Kurt, you really should get out there. I don't think you want us calling the cops, and they might listen to you."

Before Vince finishes his last sentence, Kurt is already rushing through the back door and out into the night. Vince and Mike take off behind him.

"Fuck. And I thought running a gay strip club would be easier than dealing with fucking chicks," Nate says throwing his arms up dramatically before following his employees into the parking lot.

Kurt rounds the corner of the building just in time to see Blaine land a spectacularly hard punch to Sebastian's jaw. The taller boy stumbles backwards and rubs at his chin.

"Fuck, Blaine," he growls, spitting blood on the pavement. "I said I was kidding."

"And I told you to shut your stupid whore mouth!"

At the word whore, Sebastian's eyes flash bright and he lunges for Blaine, who ducks out of the way just in time to miss what looked like one hell of a sucker punch to the gut. Sebastian stumbles slightly as the momentum throws him forward into Blaine and both boys tumble to the ground in a heap.

"Blaine!" Kurt shouts. They both turn to face him.

"Hey ladyboy," Sebastian says through a bloody grin, stumbling awkwardly to his feet. His long limbs struggle to untangle from Blaine's shorter, but more muscular legs. "We were just talking about you."

Blaine is on his feet in a flash, and he lunges forward to get at Sebastian, looking like he might kill him for daring to even speak to Kurt again, but before he can close the short distance between them, he feels solid arms restraining him. He looks up to meet Vince's grey eyes, reassuring but filled with warning.

"Just breathe, kid. Breathe," he says just loud enough for Blaine to hear. Then louder, "You hit him again, and I'm gonna have to call the cops."

"Fucking call the cops," Sebastian says. "He attacked me."

"Sebastian, you fucking hypocrite," Blaine retorts, struggling futilely against Vince's gigantic arms. "You damn near sexually assaulted Kurt!"

Vince holds up a hand between them, effectively shutting down the conversation. Kurt is standing off to the side, hugging his arms to his chest, watching the scene unfold. He looks as if he's either going to cry or scream. He hasn't decided yet which would make him feel better.

"Would someone please tell me what the FUCK is going on around here?" Nate shouts from behind them.

Blaine and Sebastian are still locked in a heated stare. Mike is standing next to Kurt slack-jawed and Vince is still trying to keep Blaine from attacking Sebastian. Kurt for his part has gone from stunned to raging angry. His fists are clenched at his sides as his mind races with possibility. The stress and confusion of the past few weeks hits him all at once and washes over him, leaving him feeling resolute.

Fuck it. I'm done.

"Nate, I've been dating a customer," Kurt blurts suddenly.

"What?"

Everyone goes quiet. Sebastian is still breathing heavily and Mike is taking in the scene in a way that would give most fish a run for their money.

"It's true," Blaine replies, shoving against Vince, trying to loosen the bouncer's grip. "He gave me a private on my birthday and we've been together ever since."

"Right," Nate says looking back to Kurt.

"No really," Kurt protests. "Vince, tell him."

"Tell him what?" Vince asks. He'd been mostly concerned with quelling the fight; his attention wasn't fully on Kurt at that point.

"Tell Nate that Blaine paid for a private with me a few weeks ago."

"Oh, yeah…that's true," Vince says, releasing Blaine from his grip once he was sure he wasn't going after Sebastian any more. He places himself between the two boys, just in case.

And this is where Kurt's brain really kicks in.

"I also went on a date with him," Kurt says pointing to Sebastian. "He paid for a private too."

"That true?" Nate asks Vince.

"It is," Sebastian says smugly.

"Oh fuck off," Kurt says. "You had to bribe me to get me to do it, you smug bastard."

"So you weren't shoving your tongue down my throat on that dance floor the other night?"

Kurt's breath catches in his throat as his eyes dart over to Blaine. To his credit, he doesn't look angry or hurt, just shocked and perhaps a little confused. It gives Kurt the brush of confidence he needs to continue.

"I was depressed and drunk, which lets face it, is probably the norm for you. Don't think for a second I would have done that under normal circumstances."

"I didn't hear you complaining when I put those marks all over your pasty neck," Sebastian scoffs.

Kurt's hands fly up to his neck on reflex and his eyes search the group of men surrounding him. None of them are looking at him like they're judging. Mike looks impressed and Vince looks as if he's deciding whether to kill Sebastian or let Blaine handle it. Nate just looks bored.

When Kurt's eyes land on Blaine, he exhales harshly, allowing his shoulders to sag. He tries to tell his boyfriend with his eyes that he's sorry. Oh god, are they still boyfriends? Kurt won't let his mind go there. He needs to fix this now. Finish this stupid charade once and for all.

"Listen, Sebastian….you've had your fun. Now why don't you hop back on your broomstick and join the rest of your gay harpies and leave us the fuck alone!"

Sebastian looks for a moment like he might spit out another harsh retort, but he must see Vince moving toward him because he closes his mouth abruptly and when he speaks, his voice is clipped.

"Jeez, cupcake…no need to be so fucking dramatic," he says. "I'm leaving. This dump was getting boring anyway."

"Glad you think so," Vince says. "Because you're not allowed back here again. You set one toe on our property and I'll have you arrested."

"Fucking drama queens," Sebastian mutters under his breath before heading to his car and driving off.

Kurt is suddenly acutely aware that he's standing outside in his tear away prep school uniform, barefoot and red-faced, and he's feeling kind of ridiculous. He looks over at Blaine and feels an uncomfortable clench in his chest when he sees the sadness in his boyfriend's rich, amber eyes.

Before Kurt can say anything to Blaine, Nate is talking.

"Mike, Vince, don't you two have somewhere to be?"

Mike looks at Nate as if he's just noticing his boss is there and mumbles something Kurt can't quite make out before shuffling back inside. Vince looks to Kurt and then to Blaine and back at Nate.

"Kurt, you sure you'll be alright?" he asks.

"Vince, he's fine. You need to get back inside," Nate says firmly.

Vince reluctantly heads back into the club, looking over his shoulder a few times in concern for Kurt. When he's gone, Nate turns to face his remaining employee.

"So I guess that's it," Kurt says.

"Pardon?" Nate says. The nicety sounds odd coming from someone who normally uses four-letter words like he gets paid per profanity.

"Well, I assume I'm out…dating two customers and all," Kurt says.

"Oh, that," Nate replies. "I think we both know I'm not going to fire you, Kurt."

Kurt's mouth falls open and he raises an eyebrow. Nate just laughs.

"Dalton's my biggest draw," he says plainly. "I'm not giving that up because you got your rocks off with some hot piece of ass in the lounge and went clubbing with a J. Crew model. Christ, Mike got caught giving a blow job to a senator in the bathroom, and I only suspended him. And that was mostly to teach him a fucking lesson about charging more for public figures because they'll pay you to keep their secrets."

Blaine and Kurt exchange a quick glance, and Kurt can't be sure, but he thinks he saw a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of Blaine's mouth. The whole situation is ridiculous and he knows Blaine would agree with him. Still, he's unsure of what to say next. Should he just quit? Nate's likely to make him buy out his remaining schedule. It's not uncommon, even though he doesn't have a contract, per se. He is on the schedule for the next two weeks and Nate will take a loss without him working. Still, it's worth a shot.

"I want out," Kurt says, looking over to meet Blaine's eyes. Blaine smiles at him, and it pushes Kurt to stand his ground. "I'm done."

Kurt turns to face Nate, whose teeth and fists are clenched. He breathes harshly through his nose.

"You….what?" he mutters. "Did you just say…?"

"I said, I'm done," Kurt replies. "I don't want to work here anymore."

"But you bring in a ton of money, Kurt. You don't want to give that up." He's smiling at Kurt now, and laughing a little actually. His posture relaxes a bit. Kurt can't be serious. Why would an 18-year-old kid want to give up the kind of money Kurt has been making every week at the club? Hell, Nate doesn't want to give up that kind of money. Some nights, he gets more from his cut from "Dalton's" performances than all of his other dancers combined. No fucking way he's going to let this kid go without a fight.

"I'll give you a headlining slot," Nate offers. "Just one dance a night. And I'll tip the bartenders and bouncers for you. The only thing that will come out of your tips is my cut."

Kurt hesitates for a moment. That would mean he'd get to keep nearly everything he made, but he'd work a lot less. Not to mention the stroke to his ego. Headlining is still headlining, even if it's in a strip club in Lima, Ohio.

Suddenly, Blaine clears his throat.

"I'm … uh, I guess…I'm gonna just go," he mumbles. Blaine points a thumb over his shoulder and gestures toward his car. He stumbles backwards a few steps before turning in the direction he's pointing.

"Wait!" Kurt half shouts. "Please don't go."

Blaine freezes and turns back to Kurt.

"Nate, I'm done," Kurt says. "Really and truly done. I'm sorry if that means I'm going to miss out on a ton of money, but it's just not who I am." He pauses and looks back at Blaine. "I'm not Dalton; I'm just Kurt. And I'm in high school and want to get the fuck out of Lima. This isn't my future."

Somehow saying it out loud and looking into Blaine's expressive golden eyes finally makes it real. Kurt realizes he's been afraid that if he doesn't get into NYADA that all his hopes and dreams are dashed. But it's really not that cut and dry. So what if he doesn't get into some stupid performing arts school? He can still go to New York. He'll figure it out, but he's not staying in Lima to work at a disgusting strip club. He's gotten all the experience he needs out of this shit hole. And he's got Blaine.

Blaine, who is now looking at Kurt in complete adoration and smiling at him like Kurt is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.

Somewhere in the middle of Kurt's epiphany, Kurt hears Nate sigh.

"I can't keep you here, Kurt," he says sounding resigned. "I just wish you'd reconsider."

Kurt turns to Nate, giving him an incredulous look. His face breaks into a huge grin as he launches himself at the club owner. Nate grunts as Kurt's arms wrap around his stout frame.

Nate pulls away sharply, fidgeting a little and rubbing his hand over his face. "Just get the hell out of here before I change my mind and figure out a way to keep you."

And with that he walks back toward the club, leaving Kurt and Blaine gaping at each other in the parking lot.

Blaine grins at Kurt and the two burst into a fit of laughter until Blaine is clutching his sides and Kurt is trying to catch his breath.

"I need to go get my stuff," Kurt says. "Will you wait here?"

"Sure," Blaine says. As Kurt walks away, Blaine leans on his car and sighs heavily. "What a night," he says into the darkness.