It didn’t seem like his love was totally unrequited. It’s entirely possible he imagined it in his love struck haze, but Blaine seemed to spend more time idling around Kurt during class, choosing him to answer questions, or writing positive comments on his work. Even if those were things professors were expected to do… Kurt had shamelessly flirted with him every chance he got; at least Blaine didn’t seem completely put-off by his advances.

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Three weeks into his course, Kurt decided to work late in the studio on Wednesday night. Well, he guessed it was actually Thursday morning now. He planned to take advantage of the studios as much as he could while in college. He quickly found himself over his head, completely inexperienced with the lighting equipment. He immediately realized coming in early was a good idea. He'd asked Ben if he would model for him next week for their lighting class assignment. The actual assignment wasn't due for a few weeks but Kurt was eager to get things out of the way as soon as possible so he didn't fall behind with the more difficult assignments. Ben had asked if he could model topless so he could send the photo to his boyfriend back home. Kurt had blushed and agreed. He'd photographed Sam topless back in Lima so he knew how to effectively photograph a body somewhat, but the lights would be a challenge.

Kurt stood planted in the middle of his black background. He used a single light first, off to his right. He held a camera trigger in his hand on a timer so he was able to take a self-portrait without being behind the camera. He pulled his shirt over his head, leaving his black skinny jeans slung low over his hips with the band of his briefs peaking out over the waist. He'd spiked his hair forward slightly as well. Kurt may have spent a little time flipping through Calvin Klein promotional photos looking for inspiration. Music floated through the empty studio, which was being played from his Macbook. He shot tethered to his laptop so he could see the photos as he took them on the screen, so it made sense to play some music at the same time.

He clicked the remote in his hand and reached down to place it on the floor and out of frame. He posed himself and waited for the flash to fire. The first photo wasn't terrible; the light was too hot and not high enough so he moved to adjust. He’d tossed on a huge soft box over the light in order to reduce the harsh shadows. It took about a dozen tests to get the lighting setup to where he felt comfortable with it. He ended up changing his mind about the black background, so he rolled down the grey background overtop instead. He was so enveloped in what he was doing and humming along to the music that he didn't hear a door click shut and someone step down the stairs into the studio.

"Kurt?" A voice came from the entry way and Kurt nearly had a heart attack as he jumped and spun around. He immediately moved to wrap his arms around his chest to cover himself. His face flushed when he realized it was Mr. Anderson staring back at him.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry Kurt. I didn't mean to startle you! I heard the music from down the hall and I didn't think anyone would be in here this late so early in the year."

Kurt tightened the grip around his chest. "Is it alright if I'm in here? I mean I'm sure I doubled checked that it wasn't a problem. If it is, I can leave…"

"No no Kurt, it's absolutely fine that you're in here. I'm just surprised is all. Not many first year students would be so ambitious as to attempt to use studio lighting by themself already." Blaine looked impressed, but equally embarrassed for catching Kurt like this. "I actually find this time of night to be the perfect time to come in here. I'm kind of a night owl myself and not many students are in here at this time." Blaine smiled. Kurt grimaced awkwardly, completely embarrassed to be topless with his pants so low in front of his teacher (that he was very much attracted to).

"Sorry, I should leave you to it. It looks like you're working hard down here. I didn't mean to barge in like this." Blaine reached his hand back to scratch at the back of his head awkwardly and he made to leave the studio.

"Actually," Kurt started, his voice small. He saw this as an opportunity to get to know Mr. Anderson better. Blaine turned back around to him. "Are you busy right now? I could use some help, if you aren't doing anything that is." Kurt let his arms fall to his sides. The whole situation was brimming with awkwardness but Kurt didn't want to pass up the opportunity to be alone with Blaine.

Blaine practically beamed. Kurt must have imagined it.

"Sure Kurt, I'd be glad to assist. It is why I became a teacher after all."

Blaine walked Kurt through the process of setting up a second light to fill in the shadows cast by the main light. They briefly went over lighting ratios (which would be taught in next weeks class) and Kurt stood back against the background for a few test shots.

"You know what Kurt, you should be the one behind the camera." Blaine said, standing up straight from behind the tripod. "Here, let's switch." Before Kurt could even agree, Blaine was pulling his t-shirt over his head and tossing it to the ground, working his way to stand in front of the background. Kurt thought he might just pass out. Blaine was beautiful. His chest and arms were incredibly toned, his waist was so small, the dark hair across his pectorals that dipped down into a fine line across his belly and down under the waistband of his pants... Kurt swallowed thickly and tried not to think about what was underneath that waistband. Kurt's eyes flicked back up, noticing Blaine's nipples peak due to the cold temperature of the studios. This is definitely not how he imagined spending his night.

Kurt moved behind the camera without complaint and began snapping photos. Blaine seemed to know exactly how to pose to show off his... assets. They reviewed the photos on Kurt's laptop and critiqued them, moving to adjust lights and try again. He made a bold move, stepping towards Blaine and positing Blaine's body with his hands. Blaine looked surprised but obliged, sliding his hand farther down his hip and tilting his head up. Kurt silently admired the tendons in Blaine's neck and his strong jawline.

"Thank you for helping me with this, Mr. Anderson. I'm sorry to keep you here so late."

"I don't mind Kurt. And it's Blaine, I've told you that before." Blaine smirked.

"If you don't mind me asking, what made you want to pursue teaching lighting of all things? I mean I've seen your portfolio; you're a nature photographer at heart. I imagine being in a studio is the last place you'd want to be."

"Well, before I was interested in photography I did always want to be a teacher. This way I can do both, the best of both worlds, as you will. I only teach September through April so I have the rest of the year to travel. It's not a bad gig. Pays the bills. I like the hands on process of studio work. It can be really tedious but it's kind of the opposite of nature shooting where you normally have to wait long hours for a single picture."

"I never thought of it like that. I'm interested in fashion work myself, so I'll be spending a lot of time in here." Kurt smiled and Blaine chuckled.

"Yes, you will be. But if you love it, you'll never work a day in your life."

There was a kind of uneasy silence between them when neither of them really knew what to say. Kurt piped up.

"Will we be going over posing at all in class? That's something I'd definitely like to work on, and you seem to know exactly what you're doing." Kurt blushed, again, avoiding eye contact. He really needed to work on his flirting skills.

"Yes, we will." Blaine waved his hand. "Come over here for a second." Kurt walked back around to stand in front of the background. "To be honest, male posing is incredibly simple. Most male models just stand there, maybe a hand in a belt loop if we're being fancy. It's really all about confidence. Especially in the shoulders and the face." Blaine straightened his back and pushed out his shoulders. Kurt had immediately felt attraction towards Blaine from day one, but him standing there, posed, the light scruff on his face, the way his curls bounced slightly as Blaine angled his chin, Kurt immediately understood the confidence required. Whether or not he'd be able to get the hang of that kind of confidence, he wasn't sure. "Why don't you try it?"

Kurt looked at Blaine sheepishly, but tried the pose anyways. He arched his back too far forward and the expression on his face almost looked pained. Blaine laughed at him. "You're trying too hard Kurt, you just look douchey like that." Kurt chucked but felt the blush creeping up his chest. Kurt never imaged his professor would be so… hip? He knew Blaine couldn’t be that old, but still.

"Here, let me…" Blaine leaned forward, placing a hand on Kurt's stomach and another on Kurt's back, pivoting his body straighter. Kurt nearly stopped breathing and his entire body tensed. Blaine removed his hands so quickly; Kurt's body might as well have been made of hot lava.

"God, I'm sorry Kurt. That was inappropriate." Blaine muttered under his breath, stepping back.

"No no, it's alright.” No, it's fine. Put your hands back on me. “I was just surprised is all. Come on, show me again. I want to get this right."

Blaine looked into Kurt's eyes. Kurt thought he saw something dark flash there and heat rose in his chest. Was it inappropriate to ask Blaine to touch him? Yes, yes it definitely was. But Blaine was stepping back towards him. He slid his arm back around Kurt's stomach, his large palm flat against Kurt's skin. Kurt inhaled slowly, relishing the feeling of Blaine's warm hand against him. Blaine pushed the hand on Kurt's back, angling his hipbones forward, making them more prominent. It was kind of a reverse slouch.

"You just kind of…" Blaine's voice trailed off. It sounded so far away.

"Blaine?" Kurt questioned, turning his head to look at Blaine. Blaine swallowed nervously, not trusting himself. Blaine's eyes looked so dark and the heat flared up inside Kurt again. Kurt gently pulled his lower lip into his mouth and Blaine let out a choked sigh.

Kurt moved his hand overtop of Blaine's comfortingly, tentatively stroking at the hairs on his forearm.

“I-“ Whatever Blaine was going to say got stuck in his throat.

"It's okay," Kurt whispered. When did he become so confident? How was he not completely melting under Blaine's touch right now? How as he even still alive? He met Blaine's eyes again over his shoulder. Blaine was so full of hesitation it was almost painful to watch. "I want you to."

Blaine inched forward slowly and pressed his lips to the back of Kurt's neck. Kurt moaned softly at the feeling and felt his knees buckle. Blaine curled his arms around Kurt's stomach and pulled them flush together. His arms felt so strong and secure around Kurt's body. It was the most intense and sensual embrace he’d ever experienced. He could feel Blaine’s chest hair scratching gently along the curve of his spine. He slowly ducked his head farther, allowing Blaine's lips more room to kiss up behind his ear. Kurt felt his entire body shiver. Blaine's lips were so soft against this skin, almost caressing the tendon in his neck.

"Blaine…" Kurt moaned, pushing backwards into Blaine's embrace and feeling Blaine grind forward instinctually. Kurt gasped, leaning back to rest his head on Blaine's shoulder. It was too much, entirely too much. Being touched this way, being touched by Blaine. Kurt coiled his right arm back around Blaine's back, feeling his sweat slick skin under his fingertips. How did it get so hot all of the sudden? He grabbed gently at the flesh of Blaine's back and pushed him forward, rocking himself back again and Blaine moaned into his ear.

"Kurt…" A simple mutter of his name crept into Kurt's ear, as Blaine held tight to his stomach and pushed himself up into Kurt's ass. Kurt squeezed at Blaine's back harder, lolling his head along Blaine's shoulder until Blaine stopped.

Blaine rested his cheek on Kurt's shoulder and sighed.

"Kurt, we shouldn't be doing this. This isn't right." He backed up slightly, not moving his arms from around Kurt but putting some distance between them. Kurt turned around in Blaine's embrace, wrapping his arms around Blaine's shoulders and looking into his eyes.

“I want it.” Kurt whispered, leaning in close to Blaine’s face.

“Kurt, you’re not even 20. You’re still so young, you don’t know what you want. I’m taking advantage of you.” Blaine moved to peel Kurt’s arms off his shoulders but Kurt didn’t budge.

“Don’t you dare treat me like a child, Mr. Anderson.” It wasn’t hostile, quite the opposite even. Kurt was too aroused by the prospect of what could happen to really believe anything Blaine was saying. “I’ve told you twice now, I want this. I’ve wanted it since the moment I saw you.” Again, when did he get so brave? Certainly he must be running on hormones right now. He leaned in close again, brushing his nose against Blaine’s but giving Blaine the decision to move forward from there. Their lips were so close; it would be easy to kiss Blaine.

“Are you trying to tell me you don’t want me, Mr. Anderson?” Kurt pouted (not so innocently) and heard Blaine mutter a swear under his breath.

“I shouldn’t want you.” Blaine whimpered, leaning his forehead against Kurt’s. “But I do. I want you, Kurt. I want you so bad.”