Tears stung Josh's eyes as he stalked out of the building. He wrapped his arms around himself to ward off the damp chill coming off the lake, and he hiked towards the dorms with his head down. It had been warm and cozy in the basement, and a feeling of joy and belonging had grown in his chest, but the farther he walked from the main building the more that feeling faded.

He opened the front door and crossed the entryway to the staircase, deep in thought, when a voice from the corner stilled his heart and froze him in his tracks.

“Hold it right there,” Jessica said. “Where the hell have you been? You know it's against the rules to be out after lights-out.”

Adrenaline surged through Josh's veins, and he somehow was able to think clearly and try to evade her question. “I'm very sorry, Jessica, it won't happen again, I'm going right to bed now.” He resisted the urge to run up the stairs, steadying his walk and turning his back on the blonde's livid expression to climb the steps calmly.

“Don't think you're getting off that easy.” Jessica said, halting Josh in his tracks three steps up the staircase. “I asked you a question, Josh. Where were you? What were you doing? Answer me, now!” She barked.

“D.. d... dancing,” Josh blurted, his mind struggling to spin the truth into a more innocuous form. “In the basement. Just practicing what we learned earlier.”

“'We?'” Jessica said, quirking an eyebrow. “Who's we? You were with that little faggot Kurt, weren't you?”

“He was helping me, he's a really good dancer,” Josh squeaked desperately. “It's not the way you make it sound, at all.” His voice gained a bitter edge on the last words.

“Was that Blaine boy there too?” Jessica said with a hard look at Josh. She had him on this point and she knew it. Josh looked at the floor. “I thought so. Those two have something going on, and you only wish you did. You're not the one I need to worry about.”

Josh flushed and felt sick to his stomach. Hearing it out loud made it sound so much worse. The sudden pain in his chest twisted into anger. Anger at Blaine for being so perfect, and at Kurt for being so damned intriguing.

Anger at himself for being weak, forgetting his struggle long enough to enjoy himself for one night and suddenly making everything worse. It built up to a vicious hum in his head, like a swarm of insects.

“They're always sneaking off together, to the basement, or the lake.” He spat. “They ditch meals and worship. It's like they think that they're in love or something. It's sick and they need help.”

As soon as the words were off of his tongue he wanted to take them back, but it was too late. Jessica had a look of triumph on her face. “Go to bed, Josh,” she smirked.

Josh took the steps two at a time, tears threatening to fall before he could make it to his room.

* * * * *

Kurt and Blaine returned the computer speakers to the office together, then climbed the stairs to the main floor, still holding hands. After spending so much time together, the thought of breaking their connection and going to separate rooms for the entire night was almost physically painful.

As they turned around the end of the bannister, through the main entryway, Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist and pulled him in for one last, lingering kiss goodnight. Kurt thrilled at the press of Blaine's lips on his, opening his mouth to brush their tongues together with a soft moan.

Kurt regained his senses and pulled back. “Anyone could walk through that door,” he said.

“Let 'em,” Blaine chuckled, capturing Kurt's lips once again.

“Mmm... we should go, though.” Kurt said, wriggling partially out of Blaine's grasp, then pausing when he noticed the serious look on Blaine's face. “What?”

“I want to take you out on a date, Kurt,” Blaine said. “As much of a proper date as I can manage in this place.” Kurt beamed in response.

“Are you going to give me an answer?” Blaine asked, quirking a triangular eyebrow.

Kurt bounced in his arms and giggled. “Yes, of course yes!”

“Tomorrow, then. I'm looking forward to it. Goodnight, Kurt.” Blaine said, brushing his thumb against Kurt's cheekbone and pecking him on the lips before turning down the hall towards his own room.

Kurt practically floated up the stairs.

* * * * *

Kurt hesitated as he turned the doorknob carefully. He hadn't noticed Josh leaving the basement until he was already gone, but he had a feeling he knew why it had happened and wasn't looking forward to the aftermath.

The room was silent. Maybe Josh was already asleep.

Kurt opened the door to see Josh lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling with his arms folded under his head. The only light in the room came from the small lamp on Josh's bedside table. Kurt stepped inside and shut the door gently behind him.

“Hi Josh,” Kurt said quietly, taking off his jacket and hanging it up. He noticed that Josh looked like he'd been crying. Kurt decided not to push things.

Josh sighed. “Did you have a good time?”

“I did, yes,” Kurt replied. “I thought you were having a good time too, but then you left.”

“I wasn't feeling well,” Josh said, his voice tinged with angst.

Kurt ignored the tone. “Well, you were missed. I was looking forward to teaching you more about Broadway. Perhaps another time.” Kurt finished with a tight smile.

“You really like him, don't you?” Josh said.

Kurt sat on his bed, hands resting on his knees. He smiled to himself, looking off to the side. “I really, really do,” he said after a pause, his smile spreading to fill his entire face.

“Are you two, like, a couple now?” Josh asked haltingly. Kurt blinked, feeling awkward at being asked this question, by Josh of all people, when he had been trying to avoid it in his own mind.

“I don't know,” Kurt admitted. He decided to be honest with Josh, making an effort at this friendship thing they had agreed on. “He asked me out tonight, on a proper date. Whatever that means under the circumstances. I think he has something planned.”

Josh covered his face with his hands for a long time. Kurt watched him, concerned and unable to gauge his reaction. Kurt went to the bathroom to change into pajamas, and when he came back Josh was lying on his side, facing the wall.

“Well, goodnight, Josh.” Kurt said, switching off the bedside lamp. “We should get some rest, it's late. What's on the schedule for the morning?”

“Canoeing, with the Butterflies,” Josh replied.

“Oh my god,” Kurt muttered, “All that wind. I'm going to need to break into my emergency stash of hair products.” He listened for Josh's reply, hoping that he lightened the mood in the room, even a little bit.

“Goodnight, Kurt.” Josh replied, his tone inscrutable.