I lie on the pull out bed, stewing in the thoughts I've been having about Kurt the past few days. What the fuck is going on with me? I think. I don't understand; why am I suddenly having all these thoughts? Next thing you know I'm gonna start fantasizing about him!

            I'm so caught up in my thoughts that I don't realize my cock is starting to harden, or hear the adjoining bathroom door open.

            After a particularly disturbing shower, during which I struggle to shove aside thoughts of Blaine joining me, I - regretfully - rush through my moisturizing routine before heading back into the bedroom. While I'm buttoning my shirt I hear a moan from across the room, so I glance up and a sight I never knew I craved meets my eyes: Blaine, lying on the pull out, hand wrapped around his hard cock and pumping lightly.

            I stand, transfixed, before I come to my senses and clear my throat, trying to ignore the fact that I'm half hard now, to gain Blaine's attention. His motions stop immediately and his eyes snap open and catch sight of me.

            "Fuck," he croaks, voice far deeper than usual and sending a shiver down my spine. He scrambles off the bed and rushes past me to the bathroom and slams the door without another word.

            "Well fuck if that wasn't hot," I think aloud.

For the rest of the night I struggle to ignore and avoid Kurt without raising any suspicions from mother or Cooper. (There's no need to worry about father, as he shuts himself in his study even through dinner.) Kurt, of course, has to make it torture for me; he keeps telling mother and Cooper anecdotes from work, butchering them so badly I'm practically forced to correct him, lest they get any wrong ideas about just how integral a part I play at the office.

"Then I walk into the office and there's this curly-haired monster, wearing clothes that don't fit him, answering to the name of Blaine," Kurt laughs.

I get defensive. "Hey, it's not my fault my alarm clock quit working so that I had no time to gel my hair, or that a mailroom guy ran into me so I had to switch clothes with Wes. And wait a minute," I stop and turn to Kurt to point an accusatory finger at him, "you said you like my hair without gel."

Kurt raises his hands in defeat. "That I did," he confesses. "Which is why I'm glad you've forgone the gel the past couple of days."

"I didn't have much choice," I grumble. "You and Coop seem to have hidden it all."

Cooper clears his throat. "Actually, we threw it all away while you were still sleeping this morning."

"What?" I exclaim. "That shit is expensive!"

Kurt rolls his eyes at me. "I don't understand why you felt the need to use it in the first place." Then he seems to recall this morning, when father ridiculed me for my unruly curls.

"I think you should just learn to use it in moderation darling," mother speaks up. "Use just enough so your hair isn't all over the place, but not too much so that you can still make out your curls."

"I'll keep that in mind," I mumble, getting tired of talking about myself.

The evening continues in much the same manner, until mother then Cooper announce they're off to bed, leaving Kurt and me alone in the study. We sit in silence, I still trying to ignore him. Eventually he can't seem to take the quiet much longer.

"About earlier," he speaks up, but I interrupt him.

"That was my fault; I should have used my head and remembered you were in the next room, but my senses got the best of me. I apologize for fact that you had to witness that."

"Well, uh, I hope your feet are okay," Kurt says awkwardly, forgoing a good transition.

"Oh, they're fine, just a little sore. Nothing I can't handle," I say quietly.

"Good, good," he replies. Then, after another moment of silence, Kurt gets up and starts walking toward the stairs without a single word of farewell.

Well that was awkward, to say the least, I think. Once he's gone I sigh and haul myself out of my chair and head over to the small bar in the corner. "I think I'll have that drink now," I say to myself.

By the next morning the weather has all cleared up and the party is rescheduled for that night. Patricia tries to force me to relax and just hang out with Cooper and Blaine, since I am her guest, but I don't think I could stand one more minute in the same room as Blaine. I don't know what it is but ever since yesterday afternoon, when we got back from the blizzard and Blaine undressed in front of me, I just can't get him out of my head, no matter what I do. Even the stories Patricia tells me while we prepare the food for this evening doesn't help. In fact, I think they just make it worse.

I shake my head for the millionth time after picturing Blaine and me, about ten years from now, playing with a little boy and girl in Central Park.

Ugh, why does that picture seem so perfect and welcoming? I think with as much disgust as I can muster. I don't even like Blaine, let alone love him!

Finally Patricia succeeds in shooing me from the kitchen, telling me I need to go relax and leave the rest to her. So I head up to the attic and flop gracelessly headfirst onto the bed, smothering my scream of frustration at these sudden, and most definitely unwanted, thoughts and feelings into my pillow. Once I feel cleansed and calm - well moreso than when I came up here - I flip back over and think on what I should wear tonight.

            "Blaine Anderson," a voice I hadn't heard in a long time says from behind Kurt and me. "Now isn't this a sight for sore eyes?"

            I turn around with a huge grin to give her a hug. "Rachel Berry, I thought you told me your dads were visiting you in the city for the holidays this year?"

            Rachel shrugs. "Daddy couldn't get out of the office long enough, so I offered to come back out here again," she explains. "Plus it gives me the chance to see you and Cooper again." She gives Kurt her winning smile, and offers a hand. "I don't believe we've met! I'm Rachel Berry."

            Kurt takes the proffered handshake. "The Rachel Berry who is taking over the role of Elphaba after the first of the year?" he asks with, if I didn't know better, excitement.

            Rachel's grin grows wider and more genuine. "The one and the same! There's only one Rachel Berry," she says conspiratorially.

            Kurt laughs. "I must say, from what I've heard of your voice, I honestly cannot wait to see and hear you in action."

            "Well of course you can't; Rachel's an act you should never miss out on seeing," another childhood friend says to my left.

            "Quinn!" I exclaim as I spin and give her a big hug. "I haven't seen you in ages! How have you been?"

            "It's great to see you Blaine," she laughs as she pulls back. "I'm doing pretty well. How about you?"

            "Cooper said you finally found a man!" Rachel speaks up, never being one to be left out of the conversation.

            I smirk somewhat self-consciously and rub at the back of my neck. "I, uh, I did," I say, subtly motioning Kurt to stand next to me so I can wrap my arm around his waist. To, you know, keep up appearances. "In fact, this is he."

            Kurt stiffens slightly when my arm first winds around him, but then he relaxes and speaks up. "Hi, my name's Kurt Hummel," he says with an easy smile.

            "Wait..." Quinn says. "Aren't you Blaine's boss?"

            Kurt laughs, by now used to this question. "I am, but not for long; Blaine's getting promoted to design partner after the first of the year."

            Rachel squeals in excitement and Quinn crushes me in another hug. "That's great!" they gush at the same time, after which they glance shyly at each other before backing away again.

            Have they finally pulled their heads out of their asses and gotten together? I think hopefully. Only one way to find out. With that I motion between the two of them and ask, "Hey, what's with that little look there? Is there something you're not telling me?"

            "Of course not Blaine!" Quinn says immediately. "What makes you say that?"

            I snort sarcastically. "Oh, I don't know, just the fact that, all through high school and college, you two have been whining to me about how much you are in love with the other but you were too scared to do anything and get rejected."

            Rachel clutches Quinn's hand desperately. "Oh please Quinnie, can we just tell him? Blaine's one of our best friends!" Quinn sighs before acquiescing. Rachel claps excited. "Why yes Blaine, you are correct; Quinn and I have finally gotten together. In fact..." she starts, glancing significantly at Quinn.

            Quinn sighs lightly again, but her huge smile gives her away. "I proposed last night, and she said yes," she says, all dreamy-eyed.

            "Congratulations!" I can't help but shout happily, drawing quite a few curious looks throughout the room.

            "What a coincidence," Kurt speaks up, "Blaine and I are engaged as well!"

            "Really?!" Rachel squeals. "Oh my god, this is too perfect! We should start planning immediately." With that she drags Kurt away, trying to convince him he should design her and Quinn's wedding dresses.

When I turn back around to face Quinn again she has a knowing grin plastered on her face.

            "What?"

            "You really love him, don't you?"

            "Well yeah, we wouldn't be getting married if I didn't -"

            "Oh none of that," Quinn interrupts. "Don't forget Blaine Anderson, I know you. When you asked Jeremiah to marry you a few years ago, you didn't look at him with near as much love as you do with Kurt."

            I scuff my oxfords on the carpet, not wanting to think about Jeremiah. "Yeah well Jeremiah was a big mistake; I see that now..." I mutter.

            "I may have just met him, but I can tell he's good for you Blaine," Quinn says.

            "Oh you don't know him like I do Quinn," I say. "He is so infuriating! He's bitchy and snide and rude, and I never do anything right. I've told you what kind of a boss he is."

            She smirks. "Yes you have and, honestly, he sounds just like Rachel."

            "I seriously think he's just the male version of Rachel," I say. "Which is a tad worrying..."

            She laughs. "I couldn't agree more with that, but there's no denying it Blainers - you two are perfect together. I mean, the way you look at each other when the other isn't looking."

            I furrow my brow, confused. "Wait, what do you mean? How does Kurt look at me?"

            "The way Rachel looks at me," Quinn says dreamily. "Like you're the only thing in this world, like you're the most perfectly imperfect being he's ever seen."

            I shake my head in denial immediately. "No, you're wrong. He can't stand me."

            Quinn frowns. "Wait, if you think he can't stand you then why -"

            Luckily, Cooper saves me before Quinn finishes her question, dragging me off somewhere across the room.

            "Why does Rachel know about your engagement?" he asks. "I thought you were waiting for the perfect moment to announce it to everyone."

            "I was, but Kurt just burst out and told her and Quinn after they said they were engaged as well -"

            "Wait, Rachel and Quinn are engaged?" he demands. "Oh sweet lord this is perfect!"

            "What d'you mean perfect?" I start to ask.

            Cooper shoves me toward the center of the room. "You should announce your engagement now, before Rachel tells everyone in her excitement."

            "What? I can't do this now!"

            "Here," he says, shoving his whiskey into my hand, "liquid courage. Now go!"

            I fidget slightly. Cooper motions encouragingly. I clear my throat to gain everyone's attention. "Excuse me everyone," I say in a voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear over the din of conversation. "I have an announcement to make. Last week I became engaged to Kurt, who you've all met this evening." I motion to Kurt, who has a look on his face like a deer caught in headlights. When he reaches me I twine our fingers together to keep him next me. He shoots me a look that clearly says what the fuck are you doing?

            I knew when I told everybody I wouldn't get the happiest response - this is Ohio after all - but surprisingly they all seem more than happy for me. I mean they're all applauding and shouting congratulations.

Maybe mother invited only those that have no problem with the fact I'm gay... I contemplate.

Then one of the former Warblers present speaks up.

            "So how'd you do it Blainers?" Thad shouts, gaining noises of curiosity from everyone else.

            Shit, I didn't think about that, I panic.

            So, with an evil smirk, I turn to Kurt and say, "Kurt should tell this story; he really enjoys it." His answering glare tells me I will pay for this later, but I just chuckle lightly and nod for him to gone on ahead.

            "It's really quite sweet," he starts. "I mean, you all know Blaine - you know how much of a romantic sap he really is." There are noises of agreement throughout the crowd, much to my chagrin. "Well Friday night I come home, my door unlocked, and a piano sounding from my bedroom. Now, mind you, I don't have a piano in my apartment so that, along with the door, immediately sets me on edge. So I cautiously head down the hallway -"

            "Armed only with a McQueen umbrella," I interrupt, eliciting laughter.

            Kurt shoots another glare at me for interrupting his tale. "So I head down the hall with my umbrella and, when I open my bedroom door, I find Blaine kneeling on my bed - which is covered in rose petals - singing along with a pre-recording instrumental of ‘I Can't Help Falling in Love with You' playing from his keyboard in the corner." Aww's sound all around the room at this.`

            Funny, I think. I never pegged him for an Elvis Presley fan.

            I take up the story from there. "And by the time I'm finished singing Kurt here is practically bawling his eyes out so he can't utter a single word - thank god." The last part I mutter so only Kurt can hear me. "So then I motion him over, hold him close, and ask him to marry me." Wait hold on, I think as I'm saying that. I thought I interrupted so I could say something to embarrass him, not tell them how I'd like my proposal to go! Shit...

            Kurt turns and gives me a funny look, like he can't believe I just described our fake proposal in such a romantically sweet way either.

            Then, a voice that sounds suspiciously like David shouts, "Kiss him!" causing all of my and Cooper's old high school friends to start up a chant while the older folk clink their glasses.

            I raise my brows, asking a silent question as to what we should do. He shrugs slightly, which I take to mean we should just go with it, so I lean forward and we peck each other on the lips, making a dramatic mwah sound as we pull back.

            "Boo!" Rachel yells. "A real kiss, you pansy!"

            I shake my head at Rachel's word choice. Then, when all I do is stand and stare at Kurt in question, he takes the initiative and grabs my face, pulling me into a rough, dry kiss that lasts longer than I'd like, yet ends far too quickly. When we step away from each other I swear Kurt's eyes are glazed, pupils once again dilated, before he blinks rapidly, causing them to clear.

            I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. What the hell was that? I demand of myself. Did I just... enjoy kissing Kurt? Did he enjoy kissing me?

            I shake myself, drain the whiskey Cooper handed me, then march over to him and steal and drain the new glass in his hand, ignoring his protests. I spend the rest of the party downing glass after glass of Jack Daniel's, wanting to smother these accursed feelings for Kurt, but at the same time just wanting to understand them.

            "Oh my god, you two are so cute together!" Rachel gushes at me, clutching my hands. "And that kiss! Very nice," she adds with a wink.

            I sigh. "Rachel..." I stop, unsure as to whether I should say anything. I mean I just met the girl; should I really tell her the truth? On the other hand I already feel so comfortable with her, more so than with anyone else. It's like we were meant to become best friends, which is just a silly notion. Aww fuck it, I think. I need to confide in someone.

            She cocks her head at me during my inner monologue, waiting for me to finish what I was about to say. "Yes?"

            I fidget, glancing around the room to make sure everyone is occupied before I take hold of Rachel's elbow and lead her to another room on the other side of the house. When we stop I let go of her arm and she stares at me, shaking with anticipation.

            I take a deep breath and let it out before starting. "Okay you have to promise me you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you," I say in all seriousness. "Not even Quinn." She nods emphatically. "Okay... Blaine and I aren't really engaged; we're just saying that so I don't get deported."

            "What?" Rachel practically screams. I rush to cover her mouth to muffle the sound, and don't take it away until she seems calm enough not to shout again. "What do you mean you're not engaged?" she stage whispers.

            "I mean just what I said," I reply. "My visa is up, and I don't want to get sent back to France, so Blaine and I struck a deal where he gets promoted if everything works out well."

            Rachel frowns. "But... how can you guys not be together? You're perfect together!"

            I snort derisively. "We can't even stand each other; all we ever do is bicker."

            "Well I believe the bickering part," she concedes, sort of affectionately, "but I don't believe for a minute that you guys don't have feelings for each other."

            I raise my brows, curious yet skeptical. "What makes you say that?"

            "The way you guys look at each other!" she says. "It's the exact same way Quinnie looks at me - like the other means the world, and there's nothing that could keep you apart."

            I chuckle condescendingly, but a part of me can't help but consider what Rachel just said. Now that I think about it Blaine has been looking at me weird the past couple days... I think. And there was yesterday afternoon... And just now - why did I kiss him like that?

            "No," I say aloud, shaking my head. "You're wrong; there's nothing between Blaine and me besides contempt."

            Rachel glares at me. "You are in serious denial," she says. "Worse than I thought..." Then her face transforms, and I get the feeling she just came to an epiphany.

            I cross my arms over my chest. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I demand as she continues to stare.

            She grins mischievously. "Nothing, nothing at all," she says as she leaves the room, an odd pep in her step.

            "Oh god," I groan. "Why do I feel like I'm going to regret telling her?"