Chapter One

A picture's worth a thousand words: that's how the old saying goes. But has anyone ever stopped to think what the phrase even means? Wikipedia suggests it refers to the notion that a complex idea can be conveyed with a single still image. But is that really true? What if one of our interpretations is wrong? It is equally true that there are a thousand ways to misinterpret an image, to make it speak to you in the language you want. Without the ability for the picture to tell you its exact message, how is anyone to know? Perhaps this is how the whole idea of visual media has been thought up. Slap a few words on an image and presto: a message anyone could comprehend. But despite your best efforts, you could use all the photos in the world to point the observers in one direction, only for them to come out another.

In one particular corner of the world, two young men dressed in expensive and matching black tuxedos were standing before a sea of white flowers, waiting for another picture to come to life. As they awaited the camera man's final adjustments, both were thinking the same thing. How do you convey the desired message in a still image? How can you sell an ideal with the flash of a camera?

The taller of the two turned to look at his fellow photo subject, flashing him a weak smile. “How did our lives come to this, huh?” he asked with amusement.

“Beats me,” the shorter one replied.

“I keep thinking I've dreamed of this exact same scenario,” he began.

“I hear you… ever think life would turn out this way?”

“Not by a long shot.”

To understand what the pair is referring to, we need to cut back to the beginning. To a time before the men in question had ever met and reached this point. Back when both were total strangers with one common denominator. One that would thrust them together, for better or worse.
—————————————————————————————————————————
~Thirteen months earlier - Los Angeles, California~

“Have you ever considered becoming a model?”

No, Kurt Hummel hadn't considered becoming a model but that decision didn't stop the world from trying to suggest otherwise. There he was, a typical twenty-two year old openly gay man, trying his best like everyone else to simply beat the heat of a LA summer by drinking a slushie. From his current location, leaning against the metal railing of a building, he eyed the person who had asked him the question this time. It had become one he heard more frequently as time went on. As usual he tried to determine if this was a genuine job offer or a bad pick up line. For one thing the questioner was female and had at least ten plus years on him but that didn't mean anything.

“Not on your team I'm afraid…” Kurt warned. Or in your age group, he thought, keeping that last part to himself out of politeness.

In response, the woman shoved a professional looking business card right in front of Kurt's enviable cheekbones. “Oh, I'm very legit, and not about to pounce on you like a cougar,” she assured.

Kurt took the card and read her written credentials. Wow, Kurt had actually heard of this modeling agency. Getting discovered by them was the dream of many young aspiring models. The trouble was, it wasn't Kurt's dream, not exactly. So the few times when Kurt had been approached with the same offer, he had politely declined. A couple months and a number of piling up bills later, Kurt was beginning to think he'd have to change his tune or find himself out on the street. He knew was being a bit dramatic, but Kurt also knew his savings were depleting at an alarming rate. “Sorry… my mistake… I've actually heard of you,” Kurt answered.

“Good, then I want you to show up at this building at that time and show me what you got, sweet cheeks,” the woman replied as she wrote an address and time on a piece of paper, holding it out for Kurt to take. “You won't regret it, trust me. A face like that shouldn't be wasted.”

Kurt gave her a polite smile, taking the paper from her hands and folding it into his pocket. “I'll be there,” he confirmed.

“See that you do…” she began, making it obvious she was waiting for Kurt to say his name.

“Kurt Hummel, at your service,” he said.

“Holly Holliday, a pleasure. Now I need to run. I got people to manage and photo shoots to organize. Be there or let the countless others aiming for a break beat you to it,” Holly called out as she hailed a cab and was off without another word.

Kurt was surprised his current state of dress had caught her eye enough to make a job offer. With the uncomfortable heat Kurt was looking rather low key, dressed in a tank top and shorts, and sporting the largest pair of sunglasses his face could support. Kurt watched her go, drinking the last remnants of his slushie with a loud slurping noise. When both his cup was empty and Holly was gone, Kurt was left to deal with the new events. Sure he hadn't been scouted by a talent agent on the streets of Manhattan, where all his Broadway dreams would come true. Instead he was on a street in Pasadena, sweating under the blazing sun and left with an audition of sorts and a business card.

Above all, what Kurt currently was, was nearly late for work. He snapped to action and got on the correct bus just in the nick of time. Of course there were no free seats during the peak hours of the day, leaving him no choice but to stand on the crowded bus and try to keep from touching anyone. “Modeling could still lead you to bigger and better things, Kurt…” he muttered to himself.

“You say something, hot stuff?” a smooth talking male voice asked beside Kurt.

Kurt looked up to see a young man eyeing him and there was no confusion about what he was hoping for. Kurt wasn't in the mood, not that he normally was anyway. Kurt knew the type; they were all talk and had little sway over his aversion to one night stands. “Talking to myself,” he said flatly. Kurt didn't bother to look his way to see what the answer might cause. He brought out his phone and called up someone he knew who would talk some sense into him. “Mercedes… you won't believe what just happened to me,” he started.
__________________________________________________________________________

Blaine Anderson warily eyed the card that had been pushed across the table he was sitting at. Yes the name on the card, ‘Provision Models', was certainly impressive. But Blaine wasn't about to give the person who had presented him with the card the reaction he wanted. Not when the culprit was none other than his older brother, Cooper, and this wasn't the first time he'd tried to coax his younger brother to go in this particular direction.

“Modeling again? What part of ‘I'm not interested' do you not understand, Coop?” Blaine muttered in annoyance.

“How can you say that? This is a top modeling agency here in LA! Think of the opportunities that could come your way,” Cooper argued as he pointed at his little brother.

Blaine rolled his eyes. He wasn't in the mood to deal with his brother right now. Not when he had been trying to go over his finances and see how'd he make his savings stretch for the next month. Blaine quickly realized his brother had intentionally come to him now when he'd be very aware how badly Blaine needed a steady cash flow. Even when you were living with your older brother who had broken into showbiz from starring in a string of commercials, living in LA was hardly easy, or affordable for that matter. “I dunno… I mean how could they even be interested in me? I'm way too short to be a model!” Blaine pointed out.

“That's the whole beauty of this job, Blaine! The type of guy they're looking for needs to be completely realistic. So they're not looking for the usual tall, beautiful people this time. What they want is you,” Cooper explained.

Blaine almost looked offended by the comment. Sure, he wasn't some 6'4 heartthrob, but being 5'8 didn't mean he was a shrimp, either. Many times Blaine had been described as dreamy and the countless phone numbers he'd gotten proved he was attractive to both sexes — although he was only interested in one. “What is the job offer, exactly?” Blaine asked.

“It's right up your alley, Blaine. They're looking for two young men for a long term ad campaign. It's for a cause I know you fully believe in - gay marriage! In light of all the politics for prop 8 and everything, one group is upping their game and turning to visual warfare!” Cooper explained with sheer excitement.

“If you're so gung-ho about it, why didn't you apply?” Blaine joked. His brother was straight but he doubted that sexual preference was an actual prerequisite to get the job.

“Alas, I missed my chance by about ten years… they want a younger man for the job. To show the young and in love, probably to strike a chord with the same age demographic. Since it will be your generation's job to make the issue of marriage equality become a reality,” Cooper explained.

Cooper had his brother's interest now and like he said, it was a subject Blaine believed in. He was an out man himself, so he believed everyone should have the right to marry whomever they wanted. Love was love, and gender shouldn't even be an issue. That being said, Blaine was a little reluctant to take a job with such a high bar to live up to. “It sounds like a pretty heavy job… and I'm hardly model material,” Blaine said, his reluctance showing in his voice.

Cooper came to stand behind his brother, rubbing his shoulders to give Blaine some much needed encouragement. “Blainey… don't you trust your big brother at all? Before I got the audition for you I looked into the job. You're exactly what they want. You're good looking, thanks to our shared genetics, but not in some fake forced kind of way. You're very real, Blaine, you've never been one to mislead. That's why you were never in the closet for long. You just accepted you were gay and that was that. I know you're set on being an actor or some sort of performer. But you're fresh out of college, so you need to take any chance you can get. Plenty of guys would love to be in your well cared for and stylish shoes, Blaine.”

Blaine was beginning to be persuaded into accepting the job, as Cooper knew exactly how to manipulate his brother. At least this time it was truly for his benefit. Blaine picked up the card and ran it through his fingers. Why was he so against going to see if he could get the job? He did trust Cooper when it came to work related issues. There were just so many other hopeful youths in this city, everyone sharing the same dream in getting their big break. “Do I deserve the chance though? I only got the job offer because of you…” Blaine pointed out.

Cooper slammed his hands down on the table without warning, causing Blaine to flinch. “So what? Connections are how you make it here, Blaine. Besides, you put up with me on a daily basis, so you've struggled enough to earn it. Go to the audition, sport. Show them what you got and when you take the job … you give them your usual charming smile and thank me,” Cooper ordered.

“Fine, I'll go,” Blaine gave in.

“Excellent! Come on, let's go work on your modeling skills… let's strike a pose!” Cooper chimed as he sprinted off to retrieve his camera.

Blaine slumped down on the table, letting his chin come to rest on its surface. At least getting a steady job meant he'd be too busy to be tortured by his brother's ways so much. “Oh lord… what have I gotten myself into?” he groaned.
____________________________________________________________________________

Just because Kurt was nearly broke didn't mean he didn't have places to be. Like anyone trying to make it in Hollywood, Kurt had a day job that just barely paid the bills. No glamorous life of cocktail parties and movie premiers for him. Nope, just wearing an apron at a local coffee bar where he took drink orders.

Today his mind was preoccupied. When were they going to call? By Kurt's judgement his ‘audition' had gone rather well. The photographer had liked what he'd seen, and Kurt showed he was a natural in front of the camera. His clothing choice had wowed the Provision team, proving he knew what he was doing. Armed with Kurt's flawless handling of his sexuality, where it was an ever present part of him but did not need to be constantly broadcast, Kurt knew he had them. Or Kurt thought he did, and now he was left to wait for the important phone call, which was proving to be quite the challenge. It was only the third day and Kurt knew they had a lot of people to go through. He had tried not to get hopeful but the second he learned the job would be for an ad campaign promoting marriage equality and gay rights he had wanted it. The idea that Kurt could earn enough money to make ends meet and get a chance to be noticed in the media promoting a cause he was very passionate about seemed too good to be true. For now what Kurt really needed was a good distraction and the customers at work just weren't cutting it. Then in walked his saviour in the form of his best friend and roommate, Mercedes Jones, and he instantly perked up. “Mercedes!” he called, waving to her.

Mercedes simply shook her head at Kurt's enthusiastic response to her arrival and watched her friend bounce over. “Did you sneak a couple of cups of espresso during your shift or something?” she accused, albeit playfully.

Throwing his apron off onto a nearby chair, Kurt grabbed onto his bestie's arm and urged her to sit down next to him. “No … my current jumpiness is all due to nerves. I swear if Holly Holliday doesn't call me soon I'm going to keel right over in this coffee bar!” Kurt exclaimed.

“I thought you kept saying modeling was beneath your talents?” Mercedes reminded him.

“Shh! Someone could hear you!” Kurt hissed through clenched teeth. When Holly Holliday didn't pop out of thin air to chide him, Kurt let out a breath of relief. Good thing he was on a much needed break and didn't have to wait tables for a bit. He'd end up breaking so many coffee mugs his whole daily wage would go down the drain pretty quick.

“Seriously what's gotten into you, Kurt?” Mercedes asked.

“I just really want the job, Mercedes. The meeting went so well. I could tell that this ad agency isn't doing it just for the money…” Kurt began to explain.

“You sure? Because Hollywood and fake go hand-in-hand, not to mention all of the politics,” Mercedes interjected.

Kurt rolled his eyes, “Oh please!” he began to scoff. “Marriage equality is only becoming a political issue because we've been left with no other alternatives. We've got to change things right at the root of the problem. I fully intend to walk down with my future hubby-to-be and hold my head up high.”

“Maybe you should've followed your dad's footsteps and gone into politics, Kurt.”

“Tease all you want Mercedes, but I'm very serious,” he warned.

Seeing she had almost crossed a line, Mercedes backtracked and tried to be there for her troubled friend. She and Kurt had become very close over the years. They had moved out to LA together, gone to the same university and now were roommates. She knew better than anyone how determined Kurt was about making all his dreams come true. His biggest dream might be to become a star, but another was to get married someday, to be in love and want to celebrate that union with a legally binding contract, not merely with a commitment ceremony. Sure, the gesture wouldn't mean less but for Kurt, he wanted that piece of paper. He wanted a husband one day, even if right now he was single. Kurt wanted what he felt everyone deserved. How dare anyone try to tell him that his sexual orientation was wrong, was a choice? To think that anyone would actually choose to be a social outcast, judged and ridiculed. Kurt had been born gay and he didn't regret it. But up until now he had never seen a way he could have an impact on the fight for his right to marry.

“I've never wanted anything so much in my life,” Kurt added.

“It's only been three days, Kurt.” Mercedes told him.

“I know… it's just… really hard to want something so badly, that you worked so hard for… and it still might not be enough,” Kurt said with a tired sigh.

“Just keep giving it your all. That's all any of us can do,” Mercedes commented. ____________________________________________________________________________

“I got it!” Blaine shouted into his phone. Since getting that wondrous call from Holly Holliday that morning during his job as an extra for a TV pilot, this was the first moment that Blaine had been able to make a phone call. Now he finally got to tell the person who had made it all possible and he didn't feel like holding back anymore.

“Sorry Blaine, what did you say? The set's pretty loud right now,” Cooper asked, but he was already grinning from ear to ear. He just wanted to hear those three words again.

“I got through the first round and I've just got the call back for the final one!” Blaine explained.

“What's this about a final round? You mean you haven't even got the job yet?” Cooper sputtered.

“Coop, they're really wanting to make sure they find the right models for the ad campaign. It's down to four other models including myself. They've got someone in mind to pair me with as my potential groom … for in front of the camera, anyway. So they called me to set up a photo shoot with us together to see how we'd fare. It's still great news Cooper, and I have a very good feeling about this,” Blaine explained.

“Blaine, I'm glad you're so on board for this job and I hope it works out the way you want it to. People can face a lot of let down when it comes to making it out here…” Cooper began to warn.

Blaine was touched that his brother had always looked out for him ever since he had moved out to California for college. “I know Coop, thanks… but nothing's going to happen if I don't try. You've taught me that. I mean, sure, I'm not landing lead roles in films or television yet. But I've still gotten lucky enough to get a couple of roles.”

“Very minor guest roles, most of which had no lines or any names on the credits. You're basically nothing more than a nameless extra,” Cooper argued.

“Hey I spoke in the last one! I got to say ‘excuse me'. Okay, maybe I'm just an extra as opposed to the star of the show, but you gotta start somewhere,” Blaine muttered.

"There are no small parts, Blaine. Only small actors and you are a very small actor.”

“Are you kidding around here or trying to be serious?”

Cooper gave Blaine his serious face, which really looked more dramatic. “Oh I'm not joking, I really meant it. You need to be careful here… sometimes your naive optimism can hinder your judgement,” he warned.

Blaine made a face. Living with his brother for the past five years hadn't helped him figure out Cooper's ways yet. He always zigzagged, going from one extreme to another and usually Blaine just muddled his way through. Not this time. He wanted to know why Cooper seemed to be jumping ship on Blaine's career all of a sudden. “Why are you doing this now? First you almost force me into trying for the job saying I'm a shoo-in. Now it sounds like you're trying to talk me out of it? What gives, Coop?” Blaine demanded.

Cooper let out a sigh. Whether it was a pause for a dramatic effect or a moment to collect his thoughts, Blaine wasn't sure. “Blaine … above all I want you to excel. When you have as much talent as you do… that says something.”

“Well whatever it says, I have no clue. Please enlighten me,” Blaine urged.

“I guess when I heard you hadn't gotten the job yet I started to backtrack… thinking I pushed you too much, only to face rejection. I didn't want this to be a deal breaker for you. It's my job to keep you driven,” Cooper explained.

“Cooper… you're my brother and I love you, but no it's not. You did enough in setting up the try out. You need to have faith in me and know I'll be okay… just like I know you're in my corner,” Blaine said.

“I'm glad one of us knows what he's doing,” Cooper joked.

“Anderson! They need you back on set!” A voice from the AD called out to Blaine.

“I gotta get back. Just think good thoughts for me, bro. Let's hope this guy and I look good together on camera,” Blaine said quickly before ending the call.
____________________________________________________________________________

Kurt bounded through the front door of the apartment he shared with Mercedes, flinging his shopping bags of clothes on the floor as he did. Kurt's disregard for his purchases proved how big the news he was dying to tell Mercedes was. Kurt looked up to find Puck, Kurt and Mercedes' friend from high school, and Anthony, Mercedes' boyfriend, sitting in their living room. “Oh, hey there guys… I have great news! I got the call back for the modeling job! My second meeting is this Thursday!” Kurt sung out.

“You're a model now, Kurt?” Puck asked as he threw another chip into his opened mouth.

If it weren't for Puck going to high school with Kurt and Mercedes and then moving out to LA around the same time, they most likely wouldn't continue to hang out on a regular basis.

“Did you ingest pool cleaning chemicals while on the job or something, Puck? If you had been listening at all this week you would know I got scouted to be a model… now I just hope I nail the second call-back and blow everyone else out of the water!” Kurt exclaimed. He saw his three friends begin to snicker at the word blow and rolled his eyes. “Oh, grow up, you three,” he muttered. Kurt's good mood was beginning to fall and turn to frustration, so he went back to his discarded shopping bags.

“Got any idea what will happen at the call back?” Anthony asked.

Kurt smiled at the query. “I'm so glad you're dating someone civilized, Mercedes. Very good question, Anthony. It seems there's one other potential model that the agency thinks I'd look good with… so they want us to take some photos together to be sure. Hopefully we'll be a photogenic match made in heaven and both get the job!” Kurt chimed as he joined his friends in the living room and sat beside Puck on the couch.

“What's with all the bags?” Mercedes asked, pointing to the noticeable pile on the kitchen table.

“I need to put the right outfit together, obviously,” Kurt scoffed.

“Just watch out, you haven't got the job yet, so don't go spending money like you have,” Mercedes warned.

“The next few days can't come quickly enough! I need to distract myself… what are you watching anyway? Oh no! Anything but sports!” Kurt groaned.
_________________________________________________________________________

Kurt found himself in a very odd situation once more, standing as still as possible while he was attacked from all sides, being fussed over until he looked perfect. Decked out in a perfectly tailored wedding tuxedo that must have cost thousands, Kurt kept his composure and just waited it out. He was used to the make-up chair, getting his hair done and above all, standing in one spot for long periods of time. Getting jobs as an extra for films and TV shows had at least helped him in that department, just not on this scale. Kurt reminded himself he was only getting prepped for a test photo shoot that most likely would never been seen by the masses. When Kurt was done getting primped and all the necessary wardrobe adjustments were made, Kurt was handed off to an AD and shown where he needed to go.

“So the photo equipment and back drop are still being set up. You'll be waiting here until they're ready for you. There are drinks available while you wait… oh and the guy you're doing the shoot with should be there too by now,” the AD told Kurt. She was a spunky young woman with clearly too much on her plate and not enough time to do it.

Kurt just nodded as he tried to keep up with her fast pace and not begin to sweat through his suit. Kurt was deposited at a door and told to head inside. He took a deep breath. He'd do this and show his worth, since he wanted the job and now it was time to prove why he deserved it. Opening the door, Kurt stepped inside the room to come face-to-face with an equally well-dressed man already sitting inside. Taken aback, Kurt gave the occupant a shy smile. His surprise wasn't due to finding him there, since had just been warned. No, his less than subtle reaction was all to do with how obviously attractive the man in question was. It was like the modeling agency had reached into Kurt's mind and found the exact physical representation of what his type was and made him real. Dreamy didn't begin to describe him; Kurt didn't know where to begin except to keep on drinking in the living splendour with his eyes. Should Kurt start with how good he looked in that tux, or how his black hair was the perfect combination of curl and product? Kurt didn't even want to comment on how handsome his face was, or how appealing the body attached to it might be under that suit. No wonder they thought the pair would photograph well together. “Oh… hello there,” Kurt piped up finally.

By this point Blaine's mouth was partially hanging open as he gaped at the new arrival. ‘Wow he's gorgeous', was what came to mind instantly. He was what Blaine pictured a model should look like, with a willowy but well-toned body, enviable long legs, arms that were well-muscled but not too bulked up, and a delicate neck that Blaine already wanted to explore with his lips. He had smooth, pale skin that seemed impossible to have in California. Defined and chiseled cheek bones, small nose and pleasing mouth, the real killer being the most stunning pair of blue eyes Blaine had ever seen. So rich and deep in colour that even from this distance, Blaine swore they turned to green at the base of the iris. Blaine didn't miss the perfectly styled hair and how well the suit fit his body, and all Blaine could do during his observation was try to be discreet, to little avail. “Hi…” Blaine breathed back. It was all he could manage to say.

Was Kurt imagining things or was the other model giving him a good look over as well — and possibly liked what he saw? Kurt wasn't a stranger to getting nods of approval, or being hit on, as it happened from time to time. At first when Kurt had arrived in Cali he could hardly believe it. Now after living there for the last four and half years it was something he had come to terms with. It was never easy though when, like now, the rare occurrence of Kurt being equally interested happened. Kurt didn't consider himself to be vain, but experience had taught him that many guys who approached him were only looking for one thing. “I guess by your state of dress you're my partner…” Kurt began, then blushed at his use of words. “For this photo shoot I mean!” he blurted out.

“My name's Blaine… Blaine Anderson,” he stammered.

“Kurt Hummel. I guess now we wait,” Kurt muttered awkwardly. He wondered to himself if Blaine felt as nervous as he did.

It was the weirdest thing either young man had faced lately, sitting next to a total stranger, looking like they were two odd wedding cake toppers. The oddness of the situation left them both feeling a bit nervous and more than a little flustered as their mutual attraction took hold.

On the third glance at Kurt out of the corner of his eye, Blaine noticed something, which made him pipe up and push any bashfulness aside. “Wait… you're nervous… aren't you?” Blaine asked in surprise.

“Is it that obvious?” Kurt replied, frowning at his inability to keep his internal worry off his face.

“It's not a big deal. I just thought you'd be a pro at this.”

“You think I'm a model?”

“Aren't you?”

Kurt laughed, shaking his head. “Far from it… getting this opportunity was just dumb luck. Just between the two of us… I never gave modeling much thought up until this point.” Kurt whispered as he leaned over in his chair and shifted closer to Blaine.

“Same goes for me, which I doubt is hard to guess when you take my… stature into account.”

Blaine heard Kurt laugh at his attempt at humour and he soon joined in. He hadn't expected to hit it off so quickly with someone at this point in the process. He knew any chemistry they discovered would only enhance their joined audition and their chemistry would make it seem real. But right now, all he was focused on was trying to talk to Kurt and not come off as a complete idiot. That and not to become overly familiar, no matter how much it seemed like he wanted to flirt.

“They want real people though, so you have as good a chance as I do. I really want this job and it's not just about the money or the exposure. Marriage equality is something I truly believe in, my own personal reasons aside,” Kurt added, not being able to stop himself, but dropping a tiny hint to his sexual orientation. He was curious about Blaine and was hoping he would take the bait.

That hint was noticed and Blaine found Kurt's honesty very refreshing. Coming out had led to countless awkward scenarios in his life, either with family, friends or complete strangers. Being gay always seemed to be the big question and Blaine was tired of that game now. He just wanted to get on with his life, it had been long enough. “Well, personally speaking… since we seem to hold similar values and preferences…”

Kurt smiled at the confirmation and Blaine's heart began to race. Feeling bold, Blaine wanted to continue but he hesitated.

While it wasn't the first time he had spoken with a fellow gay person that was his age, Blaine still worried about revealing too much about his feelings. Being a hopeless romantic didn't mean when the actual moment arose, you would believe and recognize what was happening. That the person sitting to the side could be your one and only, your soul-mate. Sometimes pretty words were nothing but that, an idea, a dream that would never come true. How could you tell when to believe or not? Did the universe need to send a big sign? If it had, then could a sign be as simple as two boys meeting and finding much in common, when they had just met?

Clueless as ever when it came to matters of the heart, Blaine chose to keep the big questions from his mind for now. Instead he decided not to waste a good opportunity to keep talking with Kurt, who he hoped would be someone he'd get the chance to know better over the course of the next twelve glorious months. He would use this time to stretch his flirting muscles, which had become a bit stiff due to lack of use since his last relationship had ended. “I don't see why allowing same sex marriages to be legal could be a threat to anyone, or their way of life,” Blaine admitted.

Without realizing it, Blaine had opened a door to a topic Kurt was very passionate about. Kurt rarely bothered to hold back and this time it was no different. If anything the look of interest and bemusement Blaine was projecting only made him more willing to spill. “Exactly! Gender shouldn't matter, just like race or social class!” Kurt exclaimed.

“Right! If marriage is so sacred then they should just ban divorce,” Blaine remarked.

“What are the naysayers so afraid of anyway? That gay marriage might prove how many heterosexual marriages do end in divorce?”

“Really there should be no need to even compare, marriage is marriage… why does it have to be heterosexual vs. homosexual at all?” Blaine asked.

When the conversation risked becoming too emotional for his liking, Kurt pulled back a little. He didn't want to go off and ramble so much that he said something stupid, or uncalled for.

Blaine notice a less than subtle reaction in Kurt to his comment and when Kurt made no immediate response he feared he had gone too far. “Sorry, I tend to get really emotional about this topic,” Blaine apologized. He certainly didn't want to ruin any first impressions Kurt had of him, since he really hoped he and Kurt would be working together on a regular basis.

“It's alright, I do it too,” Kurt assured.

Trying to take things down a peg or two and not sputter off once more, the two allowed a welcome silence to fall between them. Kurt cleared his throat at one point and Blaine began to idly twiddle his thumbs as he thought of something appropriate to say.

What in the world could Blaine say? ‘You look nice' when they had both been dressed up by professionals could hardly be taken as a compliment. ‘Lovely weather today?' Get real. It was the summer so LA was always blazing hot. ‘You come here often?' God no, he didn't want to sound like some guy in a bar using cheesy pick-up lines. Throughout his life, Blaine's cheery outlook on life, full of humorous moments, had gotten him to this point. Trying to put a stopper on his bottled up excitement only had the opposite effect, like when you shook up a bottle of soda, the pressure building. Only Blaine didn't literally explode when he reached his breaking point, he simply let go of control. He was still polite and proper, but his filter was quickly eroding. He thought he was reading Kurt's signals correctly, but chose to test the waters a bit before diving in. “Kurt, can I dare to be a little… goofy? Or should I quit while I'm ahead?” Blaine asked, a bashful smile blooming on his face.

Unsure if he should be amused or unnerved, all it took was looking at Blaine's adorable smile and Kurt couldn't say no. “Why not? You're doing quite well so far, so why stop?” Kurt replied, with a bashful smile of his own.

Blaine nodded in agreement, standing up from his chair and smoothing his suit down to try to keep it in pristine condition for the shoot. Getting down on one knee in front of Kurt, Blaine held out his hand to him and, feeling surprisingly nervous, tried to go through with his plan. “Kurt Hummel… will you… do me the honour of becoming my fake husband in this mock wedding photo shoot?” he asked with the most adoring smile he could conjure.

Not exactly the proposal Kurt was hoping to get by the age of twenty-two, but he still smirked at Blaine's effort. Kurt sure felt like swooning and a part of him wanted to leap into his arms. He was a romantic at heart, who loved big emotional gestures, ones that were epic and theatrical and never happened to him. Blaine was an odd one to be sure, but Kurt found him and his pleasant outlook on life very infectious. Not to mention how Blaine looked at him like he was the most significant person in the world. Kurt took Blaine's hand in his, fully diving into the role thrust upon him by fate and a lot of luck. “Yes Blaine, I will… for better or worse, as long as the shoot takes,” Kurt replied with a smile.

Blaine grinned back at Kurt, standing but still holding onto Kurt's soft hand. “'Til the camera lens is put back on.”