Austin also held Kurt's hand all through the movie, occasionally kissing his knuckles and let Kurt lay his head on his shoulder. It was surprisingly intimate, and Kurt knew that if Blaine hadn't ever waltzed back into his life, he could have gotten used to this. Austin could have been his boyfriend in another life. But that obviously wasn't an option now. Kurt knew his heart would never belong to anybody but Blaine.

They took the scenic route back to Long Island. As Kurt drove, he felt his heart picking up pace the closer he got to the little beach town he now called home, knowing that Blaine was there and deathly curious about what was to unfold from all this. The sun was already beginning to set in the west, so it was highly likely that he and James would be out on the town after picking rings out together. It made Kurt suddenly struck with panic, hoping Blaine hadn't suddenly skipped town to get married on a whim. Kurt would be too late.

"Hey you okay," Austin asked, breaking the silence in the car, turning down the radio a bit. "You seem a bit distracted."

"Yeah," Kurt responded, quickly composing himself after shaking the image of Blaine's guilt-ridden eyes earlier. "I was thinking about asking you if you wanted to go drink at the Corner Bar with me and my friends tonight?"

"Of course babe," Austin said with a grin, and Kurt couldn't help but grin as well; it was infectious. Kurt momentarily lost all thoughts of Blaine once Austin started stroking his leg in a tantalizing manner, sending tingles of arousal to Kurt's crotch.

A few minutes later, Kurt was pulled over onto the side of the darkening, narrow road with Austin sucking him off, head bobbing and lips slurping around his length. Kurt knew it was nearly impossible to come down his throat and drive at the same time without killing them both, but he appreciated the sentiment all the same. He wound his fingers in Austin's loose hair and thrust up until his orgasm crested.

They pulled into town not much later, and Rachel was already crowding Kurt's car with a somewhat creepy expression on her face. She pounded on Kurt's tinted windows, her light yellow sundress blowing in the breeze.

"Well, well, well," Rachel announced when the two men stepped out of the car, placing a hand on her hip. Kurt rolled his eyes, but Austin seemed enthused by her energy. He pulled Rachel into a hug before saying, "Isn't it great that not only is Kurt letting me stay the night with him for once, but now I get to meet his other friends. I call this progress."

Rachel gave Kurt a knowing look before linking her arm around Austin's heading in the direction of the beach down by the bay to watch cars cross the bridge into New Haven. "Let's watch the sun set before we go drink," she offered lightly. Kurt glared at her because she shot him another despairing look before turning to make idle chatter with Austin.

The three of them and Rachel's giggly friend Laura hung out their toes in the sand, eating sandwiches Laura's dad made with meat from his deli until a cool sea breeze brushed through, the sun almost completely gone beyond the horizon. Boats set sail for nighttime fishing, their spotlights glistening off the disturbed water, hoots of laughter to be heard along with humming engines.

Rachel swallowed hugely with the last bite of her sandwich and then coughed, nudging Kurt's arm. "Look who it is," she whispered lowly. Kurt glanced over his shoulder with a slight frown, his heart quickening its pace. He could already tell who she was referring to.

Simply enough, Kurt's sight fell upon none other than Blaine and James, who appeared to be having a conversation with one of the more wealthy yacht owners in town. He patted Blaine on the shoulder and James laughed loudly. Kurt turned back around to face Rachel and shrugged. She mimicked his expression. Neither of them knew what to make of it.

"Who is it," Austin asked, not missing a beat. Kurt had to resist the urge to knock Rachel out cold with her big mouth because she instantly divulged, "Kurt's ex and his fiancee are right over there."

Rachel pointed and Austin appraised them before he made a little 'ooh' noise in his throat, yanking Kurt over by the waist and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on his mouth. Kurt pulled away, blushing and wiped his lips with the back of his sleeve. "What was that for?" Kurt hissed. Austin just grinned in return, looking extremely satisfied with himself. "They were looking over, and it felt right to do it."

Kurt felt a smile stretch across his face despite himself, his heart beginning to flutter with excitement. Making Blaine jealous might be easier than I thought Kurt realized. He chanced another glance over his shoulder and was somewhat pleased and a bit nervous to see that they were making their way over now. James seemed to be talking heatedly and Blaine looked to be calming him.

"So which one's your ex," Austin whispered conspiratorially as they descended on their little group huddles on the beach. "Tall and handsome or short and compact?"

"Blaine," Kurt greeted in a strained voice, laughing uncomfortably, not answering Austin's question. "Fancy seeing you here."

"I-yeah um, I guess," Blaine stammered in response, avoiding Kurt's gaze by instead boring into Austin's. "What are you guys up to?"

"Oh nothing," Rachel responded in a sing-song voice. "We were about to go drinking, care to join us?"

Blaine looked up at James for confirmation, who wrapped his arms around Blaine's waist and whispered in his ear. It made Kurt want to set everything around them on fire. James then nodded once, his glasses shining off the last of the setting sun and Blaine nodded. "We'd love to."

Rachel twined her fingers with Laura, blabbing incessantly about god knows what, Kurt wasn't exactly sure. All he could focus on was the stiff way he was walking and the proximity Austin was giving him, not sure what do about it as Blaine and James trailed behind them.

Kurt side-eyed Austin quickly and discovered that he was smiling mischievously in Kurt's direction, his eyes glinting. Kurt turned away to stare at his feet but Austin was on him in a second, fingers digging into his sides in attempt to tickle him. Kurt cried out, his peal of laughter loud and slightly embarrassing. He smacked Austin's hands away, but he refused to let go, his cheek pressing into Kurt's hair.

Blaine cleared his throat jogging forward to fall into step beside Austin, James not much further behind. "Hi, I don't believe we met?" Ever the gentleman, Kurt thought bitterly. Still have no fucking idea why he's with stoic and mute over here.

Austin pulled away to make polite eye-contact with Blaine, but his palm remained on the small of Kurt's back. Kurt's hair was standing on end, immensely engaged in the exchange beginning to unfold. "This is-" Kurt began when there was a moment of hesitation, but Austin cut in.

"Hi I'm Austin," he informed genially, extending a hand for Blaine to shake. "Great to meet you! I'm Kurt's boyfriend from NYADA."

Blaine's hand twitched but fell, his mouth falling open. "I - what? I thought Kurt didn't have a b-boyfriend, or at least he didn't tell me." James frowned at Blaine's tone and probably the fact he didn't introduce himself like a proper human being.

Kurt couldn't blame James, despite the fact that he was trying to hide a grin. This was going perfectly. It would seem that Kurt would never want to hurt Blaine, but sometimes it was so wonderful to see him squirm, especially after running out on him this morning after fucking. Kurt wasn't entirely sure why this was happening but he was thankful. James continued to look disapproving once Blaine finally shook Austin's hand, the veins popping out in his forearms from the force.

"Oh well excuse me," Austin said with feigned innocence, pulling Kurt closer. "We're more like fuck buddies and good friends. We actually went on our first date today though, but I know how Kurt feels about the word boyfriend."

Blaine looked like he didn't know what to say as he spluttered for a minute and Austin took the opportunity to send a wink Kurt's way. It was then Kurt realized Austin knew exactly what was going on, and Kurt should have given more credit in the past.

"Will you excuse us?" Kurt asked abruptly once they reached their destination, yanking Austin to the side, a tight grip on his shirt sleeve. "We'll only be a moment, wait for us in the bar?"

Austin giggled and blushed, which was totally uncharacteristic of himself before he whispered to Blaine, "Looks like he wants a little somethin' somethin' earlier than I thought!"

Blaine looked absolutely furious, but was ushered into the bar along with James, Rachel and Laura. Kurt waited until they were completely inside, the sound of idle chatter and the clinking of glasses audible over the evening breeze.

Kurt placed a hand on his jutting hip, staring Austin down. "What are you doing?"

"I'm helping you out," Austin said seriously. "I had a good time today, but the second I saw that look on your face when you saw him, I knew why you asked me out today."

"I'm sorry," Kurt deflated immediately, his lip pouting. "I wasn't trying to use you-"

"Oh I think you were," Austin pointed out, and Kurt fumbled in shame. "But don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be used for the sake of love." Kurt's eyes widened. "I like you Kurt, but I know true love when I see it."

Kurt smiled, not really sure what to say. Austin was a lot more soft at heart than he was previously aware. It was nice. Kurt really was in for some surprises today wasn't he?

"So," Austin continued. "If you don't tell people that I'm sort of a sap, I'll help you get your ex back."

Kurt scrunched up his face. "You make it sound like it will be easy or something."

"Oh trust me," Austin implored. "Did you see his face? His fiancee doesn't stand a chance against you, and I think he knows that. Not that he's willing to admit it."

Kurt bit his lip, suddenly wanting to divulge all his secrets. So he did so, recklessly. "Blaine and I had sex earlier today," Kurt blurted and Austin's eyes widened. "But he still is planning on marrying that guy. It was all basically just pent up energy."

Austin snorted. "You've got this in the bag, he just needs to sort out his priorities before he realizes what an idiot he's being."

"I still can't believe you want to help me," Kurt murmured in awe. "Like, it makes me seem like an asshole."

"Hey," Austin waved it off. "I like you Kurt, like I said. You're awesome. But I always knew something was missing whenever we were fucking. I mean cool, if we get to do it more before you finally get with this guy, I'm totally game. Do you not remember what I said yesterday? I like a challenge."

Kurt deliberated, tapping his chin.

"So we really going to do this?" Kurt finally asked, his heart lifting. This was all very exciting, and oh so wrong in the right ways. "You're going to be my pretend boyfriend to make my ex-boyfriend jealous?"

"Oh yeah," Austin pushed out his fist for Kurt to pound. Kurt delightedly did so.

"Let's do this."