Nick sat on his own in a small coffee shop that he’d stumbled into one afternoon during a heavy downpour. It’d been about a month since he lost his job and Nick was having no luck trying to find another one, it was as if someone had gone and spoken to every gallery in the city about him and told them not to hire him. Nick knew that he could go to Blaine – and he might even have to if he couldn’t find something in another month – and get a job through him, but he didn’t want to admit to Blaine that he’d lost his job over something so stupid, or even admit that his life was falling apart and had been from the moment he moved out.

It’d been okay at first, or Nick had convinced himself as much. He’d had a plan, started working more as well as painting and drawing more to vent his frustration over it all, but after a while nothing he did could stop the pain and so he’d started writing again.

Someone coughed from behind him.

“Yes?”

“Sorry,” the man said, “I couldn’t help but come over, because it really must be fate that I found you and I hope you know I’m not a stalker or anything…but, um, okay, my name’s Jeff and I work for Knopf, and a mutual friend gave me a page from your book. It needs a lot of work, I mean it’s all over the place, but I’d love to help you get it published.”

Nick stared at him. Jeff was tall, taller than he was and he was definitely handsome. He walked around to sit down and then smiled at Nick.

“No one’s ever had anything like it. Lisa gave me an overview of the things you have on them and it’d be amazing to get something like that out there.”

Nick started to shake his head. It was bad enough that this guy that worked at a publishing company even knew about it.

“I’m not looking to publish,” Nick said, “that is just my…it’s a journal, if you will, nothing more.”

“But you have the inside scoop. Do you know how much money you’d make from this? Do you have any idea what anyone would pay to even just interview you, even if you didn’t write the book. You’ve been there, you know them personally. This is…”

“Wrong,” Nick finished for him, “it’s wrong. I may not like the Hummels and I might very well hate Kurt Hummel, but I would not stoop so low,”

Jeff frowned at him and then in a move that was a bit forward, he grabbed Nick’s hand. Nick felt his skin tingle at the touch. He’d never felt anything like this when it wasn’t Blaine.

“They hurt you,” Jeff said, “you’re still heartbroken now, and wouldn’t this just be the perfect pay back for everything?”

Nick pulled away and he stood up. “I have a daughter, Jeff, and doing this would be a step towards estranging her from me and it’s not something I’m willing to do.”

He was gathering his things when Jeff spoke again. “You could do it anonymously.”

That made him stop. But he shook his head. No, he couldn’t do this, he couldn’t go and betray all the trust that Blaine had had in him by just giving out all of this information, just like that, even if he did need the money.

“No, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t do that.”

Jeff extended out his hand, holding out a business card towards him. For a moment Nick considered not taking it, but then he did.

“If you change your mind, call me any time,” he said, and then winked, “but you can call me any time otherwise too.”

“I…”

Jeff smiled at him, “I know it’s a bit forward, but I like you and…we could be friends?”

Nick decided to not respond before he walked away. If Jeff really was interested, he’d get his phone number somehow, from Lisa probably.

His search for a job sent him walking around the city, but most galleries weren’t hiring, and art museums wouldn’t match his previous salary and most weren’t looking for anyone either.

When he got back home, he couldn’t help but pull out the notebook that held most of his nonsensical ramblings. He couldn’t deny that he hadn’t thought about it before Jeff brought it up, but Nick had never imagined that someone would offer to help him get it published. He dropped the notebook back down. No. He couldn’t do it. It would be his last possible option. He still had hope of getting a job and if he couldn’t then he’d move back home with his parents and figure something out. He could try and sell his art, put it online or something.

- - -

Kurt woke up wrapped up in Blaine's arms. They were in his bed, light pouring in past a window that had not been covered by a curtain. This was the first time they'd actually fallen asleep together intentionally in his room and Kurt was happy to feel Blaine warm behind him, steady breaths brushing over his neck.

Kurt closed his eyes.

There had been many men in this bed before and only two that had actually stayed the entire night to his displeasure. Blaine being there, though, was different from anything else, maybe because Blaine just seemed to belong there and because Kurt wanted Blaine there.

When Blaine began to stir some fifteen minutes later, his arms pulled Kurt closer and his face nuzzled into his neck. Kurt smiled. He ran a hand over Blaine's arm, fingers gently grazing him, bringing goose bumps to his skin.

"Morning, you," Kurt whispered.

"I like this, waking up next to you."
Kurt nodded in agreement.

It had been years since he did truly enjoy having another person with him like this in the morning. With Steve it had been a parody of the thing, and Kurt had never felt even remotely okay during the entirety of that even though right at the start he'd tried to be.

"What time does Mia usually wake up?"

Blaine shrugged, "Probably around ten today considering last night."

Kurt grinned and turned in Blaine's arms awkwardly. "Well," he said, "that gives us almost two hours."

"Hmm, does it?"

Kurt nodded seriously and leaned closer.

They kissed gently at first, chaste kisses with two parties so comfortable that neither cared about things like morning breath or how their hair was mussed up – Blaine’s in particular going in all directions.

The kisses got harder after a while, more passionate. Blaine pulled Kurt flush against him, one hand buried in Kurt's hair. It was all tongue and teeth and lack of air. Kurt gasped against him.

So far they had been keeping their relationship slow, not going farther than making out and on one occasion had gotten carried away and wound up half naked with each other before deciding to cool off. They hadn't really talked about it afterwards, and Kurt wasn't afraid to admit that he was really nervous about going to that step. For so long he'd used sex as something to try and make himself feel and it had never left him more than angry and numb. With Blaine it had to mean more and even though he knew that it would he was... ...scared witless that it might not feel like it had all those years ago. It was irrational, kind of insane even, and thrilling in a way to know that only Blaine could make him that nervous, nervous like he hadn't felt since their first time.

Kurt reached for Blaine's hand and twined their fingers together, and gathered up his courage.

"Do you...um..."

He coughed.

Blaine smiled encouragingly at him, "yes?"

Kurt couldn't find the words. He could only faintly remember a time when he'd been so hesitant to make an innuendo or hint at what he wanted. He remembered he and Blaine both red faced and giggling, barely able to meet each other's eyes.

"Do you want to..."

Kurt made a motion.

“Kurt, are you blushing.”

They were the exact same words Blaine had said to him the first time. He buried his face in Blaine’s neck and could feel Blaine laughing.

“I hate you,” he muttered.

“No you don’t,” Blaine said and pulled back to stare at him “to answer you, yes. Of course, yes, but not here. Not now, like this. We’re not teenagers anymore, Kurt.”

That set Kurt off because although they might not be, but they were sure acting like it.

“I mean, we don’t have to sneak around.”

They got up after that, going into Kurt’s bathroom together to brush their teeth. Kurt took the first shower because he was going to take longer with his morning routine, and then Blaine went in while Kurt finished off moisturizing before he picked out clothes.

Blaine was still in the bathroom when he heard a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in!”

Kurt was suddenly grateful that they had gotten up instead of getting into something that might have taken longer than they actually had. He thought his cheeks were still a little pink.

The door was pushed open slowly and it creaked. Mia entered, still in her pajamas, a pretty set depicting many different Disney characters. Her hair was a mess, probably tangled in places, and her eyes still looked heavy with sleep, but she had never looked more beautiful. He wanted to just gather her in his arms and cuddle her forever.

“Kurtie!” she cried, “is my daddy here?” She made an attempt at a demanding face she must have seen Rachel make.

“He’s taking a shower, sweetheart, but I can help you if you need something?”

She shook her head and then without saying much else she scrambled onto his bed and got right into the middle of it the covers under her until she wriggled under. She looked precious. Kurt reached for his phone at once and unlocked it quickly, getting the camera on before he took a quick picture. He stared it for a moment, before he saved it and set his phone down to show Blaine later.

Sometimes he would still look at her and wish that he hadn’t missed those precious first years of her life. He would do anything in his power to never miss anything again.

Rather than start fixing his still damp hair, he walked to the bed and sat down next to her.

“And what would you like to do today? You know your daddy has to go work, but it could be a day for the two of us to do something alone.”

She brought her hand to her face and placed a finger on her chin, “hmm, can we have cookies?”

Kurt laughed and then he knew just what he would do with Mia. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d baked anything. He hadn’t had a need to, or the time to do it.

“How would you like to make some?”

Her widened and then she launched herself at him. “Can we, Kurtie? Can we?”

Blaine choose that moment to exit the bathroom, with only Kurt’s spare robe on. “Oh, hey, munchin, you’re up.”

She detached herself from Kurt only to face her father. “We’re making cookies today, Daddy.”

“Chocolate Chip?”

Kurt didn’t know who was more excited, Blaine or Mia. He nodded. “Of course. Your favorite.”

- - -

Three weeks later

Blaine sat in Burt’s office shocked. Burt had slowly been allowed back to his old routine, though he arrived at the office later and left earlier. He also had a whole exercise routine going and he was following a slightly better diet than the one he’d had before. But he was almost back to what he’d been like before.

“What do you mean though? He’s had this written for a while?”

Burt shrugged. “I don’t know, Blaine, but someone tipped one of our people off. I don’t know if anything is ever for sure right now, but it’s happening and your ex is behind it.”

That a book like this was being written came as no surprise to Blaine. What did surprise him was that it was Nick who was writing it. He didn’t know how far he could trust this unnamed source, but he knew that Nick had the information. And for something like this it wasn’t facts with proof that were needed.

“What do we do, then?”

Burt shrugged. “Nothing yet. It’s an unofficial book on the family, there are tons out there and this one might actually have real facts in it – it’s a problem we’ll have to deal with delicately. Maybe you can even stop it from being published. Talk to him.”

Blaine didn’t want to talk to Nick. He didn’t even want to lay eyes on him, mostly because of how betrayed he felt. When he’d told Nick those things it had been with the confidence that Nick would keep them to himself and after the break up he hadn’t expected that he could just betray him like that.

“I don’t think I can,” Blaine said, “and I am so sorry for sharing so much with him…I never thought…”

“He lost his job, Blaine,” Burt said, “that’s what my source said, “that’s why he’s doing this.”

He sighed. It wasn’t an excuse. Nick could have done something else. He could have told him and asked for help that Blaine was willing to give.

“That doesn’t matter.”

Burt nodded. “You still have to talk to him. I’m sorry, and I know it’s going to be awkward what with everything…but he might listen to you.”

Blaine sighed and nodded. It was true, if there was anyone that Nick might listen to, it was him. He didn’t like it, and he really didn’t want to have to go talk to Nick, but it would probably be better coming from him than someone else in the family even if he did want to sic Rachel or Amie on him.

“I’ll talk to him,” he told Burt, “he wouldn’t have done this without good reason.”

“Money, Blaine,” Burt said, “it’s…everyone has always said it is the root of all evil, and sometimes I’m right there believing in all that.”

Blaine grunted, but he knew there was something to that philosophy. When he was younger he might have been more ready to agree with it. Money did great things, it was a tool for amazing things, but there was such a desire for it – just like this whole mess with Steve and Sebastian – that Blaine could see how easy it was to just view it as this thing that corrupted men.

“I’ll talk to him,” he repeated, “is there anything else?”

Burt shook his head and he stood up from behind his desk. He hugged Blaine, “thank you,” he said, “I know it’s going to be hard, but we don’t need a scandal right now – not when things are calming down.”

And they really were calming down. Finn was slowly doing well with AA meetings and not slipping into taking a drink at a party or function. Rachel was working on another musical, this time as the lead and producer. It was something new that she claimed was going to be the next Wicked. Kurt had scoffed at her. And of course Kurt’s fashion line was finally going to premiere on the runway in the next few weeks.

He’d done an anonymous show for a bunch of designers, giving them a preview first and it had been a hit. Although Kurt had hosted, no one had actually guessed they were his designs and Blaine had no doubt that he was going to be successful. A slight on his name now would be the bad publicity that he didn’t need.

“Nick has perfect timing, doesn’t he?”

Burt grinned. “I think that’s always been the case, even with you.”

Blaine rolled his eyes.

He called Nick on his way out of the office and it took Nick a few rings before he answered.

“So, I guess you’ve heard,” he said.

“About the book? Yes. When are you free, we need to talk about this.”

Nick answered almost at once, “there’s nothing that we need to discuss. I’m not supposed to talk to family lawyers.”

“Oh don’t give me that, Nick, this isn’t you, and I don’t believe for one minute that you did this out of your own accord. So what happened? And why didn’t you come to me when you needed help?”

Nick didn’t respond as readily and Blaine waited. The Nick he knew would have never thought to do something like this. The need for money was of course a reason for it, but Blaine couldn’t wrap his mind around Nick not coming to him first before taking this option.

“I don’t want your help, Blaine.”

Blaine sighed. “I wouldn’t think less of you for asking for help, but doing this…that disappoints me. I trusted you.”

“Yeah, well, I thought we were going to get married. Things change.”

- - -

“Seriously though, Finn, stop calling me. I’m busy. I’ll…”

“Kurt,” Steve said, “it’s not your brother.”

Steve sat on a Central Park bench, legs crossed, his phone pressed to his ear. He almost chuckled when he heard Kurt curse.

“Okay, um, what do you want? Should I even be talking to you? I should hang up…I should definitely hang up…”

Steve knew that he wouldn’t though. He waited and then when Kurt didn’t hang up, he spoke, “I realized what happened,” Steve said, “what you did.”

“Took you long enough, I expected you to notice earlier. It was never about the fuel Steve, not even for you even though I have no idea why you were so willing to give it away. All I wanted was what was taken from my mother. Do you even know the whole story? Do you care?”

Steve couldn’t say that he knew the whole story. He couldn’t say that he actually cared, either. An injustice had been done to his father and they deserved to get their revenge. He didn’t understand the whole point of the swan or why his father had insisted he take it with him, but he’d never expected for it to be more precious then the fuel.

“I seriously don’t know what you’re still trying to achieve here, Steve, you had my father in the hospital, I obviously saw through you, and seriously you and your brother had nothing anymore. I don’t know what you’re trying to do…and really I have better things to do than to keep outsmarting you.”

Steve scoffed. “I had you,” he said, “and had it not been for whatever you were doing with the family lawyer behind his fianc�’s back then everything would have worked out for me.”

He uncrossed his legs and stood up, walking in the direction of the nearest street. The park was slowly changing as autumn came upon them, not every tree had begun to transition into a different color, but some had. Steve had always loved fall.

“If you’re so smart, then why haven’t you taken the fuel then?” Kurt asked, “why hasn’t it been marketed? I did look into it. My father didn’t want it, we wanted the swan more, but I’ve been wondering for a while why you’re wasting your time trying to get my family to be destroyed at your hands and yet you can’t work on rebuilding your family name with in a constructive way.”

Steve didn’t want to admit that he’d forgotten about the fuel that technically wasn’t even his or Sebastian’s invention but a man that their father had met in China’s. Still, that man was long dead and the fuel had been in their hands, a piece of bait for Burt Hummel. He wondered why Sebastian hadn’t thought to go ahead with the production of it.

“Anyway, listen, I have no idea what you wanted, but don’t call me again and just…I don’t know, get a life or something.”

Kurt was about to hang up. “Wait!”

“What?”

Kurt’s curiosity really wasn’t the best of his qualities.

“Your boyfriend’s ex is writing a book about your family and there is quite the story in there about you.”

Steve hung up before Kurt could react and he continued walking in the direction of his apartment. This was the last thing he would do for Sebastian. Kurt was right, this was a waste of his time. He’d have the fuel and he could go to California or some other more obscure state and patent it. It’d be something he did for once – never mind that the idea had been stolen. But, he’d had enough of everything with the Hummels even this whole thing with the book. It wasn’t going to work. There was no way it would. Sebastian was grasping at straws hoping to somehow hurt them, but the book wouldn’t touch them, not really.

He headed directly to the safe and checked to see the phial was there, and then he began to pack.