Blaine’s refusal to do the show lasted until the end of dinner. Somehow, between Kurt’s enthusiasm and Cooper’s charm, he had found himself somehow talked into the idea. The money was good which Kurt and Cooper had been quick to point out. He could save it away to help with bills and rent while trying to get Broadway jobs. It would also pad his resume and, though it was a long shot, he could actually fall in love with someone. He was doubtful about that last one, but he guessed it could happen.

“I’ve already got eight guys lined up,” Kurt told him as he paid the bill, wrapping up their discussion.

“Filming starts Monday,” he said, handing Blaine a contract that would need signing. Blaine promised he’d have it done by then and then shook hands with Kurt a second time. Their eyes met and it was almost like the air became charged. Kurt licked his lips and Blaine couldn’t help but be drawn to look at them, wondering what it would be like to kiss them.

Cooper came up behind them, booming voice filled with excitement. Kurt jerked back, pulling his hand away as Cooper put an arm around each of them. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?”



Monday morning found Blaine standing in front of a veritable mansion, suitcase in hand. He’d just stepped out of the limo sent for him. There were several people running around – Blaine assumed they were part of the crew since they had equipment and radios and earpieces and, in one case, a tray of coffees which was being handed out to various people. Blaine wondered what his chances of getting one himself were, but then figured he was nervous enough so the caffeine probably wasn't a good idea. He was a little lost but decided to go inside and see if he could find anyone who could tell him where he needed to be.

Blaine went into the main room, staring at the d�cor. It was gorgeous. He saw Kurt off to one side, talking with people he didn’t know. He must have caught Kurt’s eye because Kurt waved him over. “Blaine, you’re here and early too.”

“I try,” Blaine mumbled. Kurt introduced him to the men he’d been talking to – Bill, the director, and Gustave, who was apparently going to be Blaine’s personal camera man.

“So basically, for now, we’re going to get shots of you unpacking and maybe walking the grounds a little,” Bill explained. “Then we’re going to get some shots of the guys as they arrive – you can do whatever you want as long as none of the guys see you and you don’t interrupt filming.”

Blaine nodded, tightening his grip on his suitcase. He had a few more bags in the car and he need to get those too.

“We’ll send someone from hair and makeup over in a few minutes,” Bill continued. “And then we’ll begin.”

Kurt gave him an encouraging smile as Bill walked off to talk to someone else. “Nervous?” he asked.

“Yes and no,” Blaine answered. “I honestly didn’t expect to see you here. Aren’t you a little hands on for a development producer?”

Kurt let out a little laugh. “Technically, I’m the Executive Assistant to a development producer, but this show is my shot at a promotion. I’ve managed to clear my desk so I can oversee filming. Nothing is getting in the way of me getting this job.”

“Good luck,” Blaine told him. “I hope it does well then.”

Kurt nodded.

“Hi, Blaine, I’m Cindy,” a perky blonde said, approaching them. “I’m going to be doing your hair and your makeup.”

“Okay,” Blaine replied, giving Kurt a little wave as he was led away. She eyed his hair critically as they went to one of the rooms upstairs.

“Have you ever considered not gelling your hair?”

Blaine sighed and hoped she knew what she was doing.

Hair and makeup only took a few minutes and Blaine knew she’d done well by the expression on Kurt’s face when he came back.

“Your hair is curly,” Kurt practically gasped.

“Cindy apparently knows how to get it cooperate,” Blaine replied. “I never can, hence the gel.”

“It looks good,” Kurt told him. He reached out a hand and Blaine’s breath caught in his throat as Kurt gently touched one of the curls artfully draped over his forehead.

“All right, let’s get this show on the road,” Bill said, coming back over.

Filming was weird. Bill said “action” and Blaine had to try to pretend there weren’t cameras filming him as he walked from the car into the house and then up the stairs. Then he was filmed unpacking his clothes, with the instruction to “look deep in thought”.

He was glad when it was over and he was able to escape from everyone for lunch.



Kurt was grinning from ear to ear when Cooper arrived from hair and makeup, wearing a suit and looking absolutely devastating. He was going to have the best looking brothers in primetime on his show.

“How’s it going so far?” Cooper asked.

“It’s good,” Kurt replied. “Blaine’s a little nervous I think, but it works on camera well.”

“Wait until the two of us are on together – it’ll be magic,” Cooper promised. Kurt didn’t doubt that – they were both incredibly attractive and charismatic. Cindy had done wonders for Blaine and it was shocking how much a change in his hairstyle had made him go from adorably good looking to sexy as hell.

“So we’ve decided to go ahead and confirm that you guys are related – there’s really no way for us to hide that information,” Kurt told him. “And we think it’ll help with ratings and make Blaine even more relatable.” Cooper nodded. “The guys are going to arrive any time now and Blaine’s in another part of the house while they’re filming. Then tonight we’re going to have the meet-and-greet ceremony, which you’ll be hosting.”

Cooper grinned his mega-watt smile and Kurt went a little weak in the knees. He wasn’t sure which Anderson brother was going to do him in first.



Blaine was just coming back from the pool, towel around his waist and water still dripping on his skin when he ran into Kurt. Gustave was on his heels, because even though Blaine had been “freed from filming”, that meant Gustave was still required to follow him around and film things.

Kurt’s cheeks turned pink as he stared at Blaine and Blaine felt a little self-conscious. “I was down at the pool,” was all he could think of to say.

“I see that,” Kurt murmured. “Meet-and-greet ceremony starts in an hour, followed by dinner.” Blaine nodded. “I’ll send Cindy up.”

Blaine chose a black suit and Cindy went to work on his hair. He tied his bowtie around his neck (pretty much the only wardrobe staple he told would be required given the title of the show; Blaine was thankful he owned tons of them) and looked at himself in the mirror.

“You look amazing,” Cindy gushed. “Those boys won’t know what hit ‘em.”

“Let’s hope,” Blaine smiled and then headed for the door.



Kurt stood on the sidelines, watching as Cooper filmed his speech, the eight guys settled on furniture around him. Cooper himself stood in front of a fireplace, complete with roaring fire.

“And now, I present to you, Blaine Anderson.”

Blaine walked in when Cooper called his name and a murmur went through the group. Kurt smiled, hoping that translated well to TV.

“Let the introductions begin!” Cooper continued, pointing at several of the guys.



Blaine tried to be relaxed and open when meeting the guys they’d picked but it was difficult. He hated being set up. It felt like he was being put on the spot, like he had no say in the decision – and he often felt like he disappointed whoever was playing matchmaker when it inevitably didn’t work out.

This was a million times worse than that.

The first two that he met were Evan and Aaron, twins from Minnesota. Then Nick from Texas and Jeff from California. Eli was from Maine and Adam from someplace in England that Blaine forgot the moment Adam said it, because he was distracted by his amazing accent. Chandler was from Ohio, and so was the last guy.

“Sebastian Smythe,” Blaine heard him say. He looked up, startled.

“Oh, my God,” Blaine exclaimed, reaching out and hugging Sebastian. Sebastian laughed.

“Long time, no see, killer,” he said. Blaine blushed, pulling away. He was immediately taken back six years ago, to when Sebastian had transferred to Dalton Academy their junior year of high school. Sebastian had always wanted more out of their relationship back then, but Blaine had never been interested.

“I can’t believe this,” Blaine replied.

“Cut!” the director called. Blaine turned to see Bill and Kurt standing there.

“You two know each other?” Kurt asked.

“Yeah,” Blaine answered. “We went to high school together.” Kurt and Bill seemed to be having a conversation with their eyes and then Bill shrugged.

“Okay,” Kurt told them. “It’s a twist the audience won’t see coming.” He stepped back out of the frame and Bill called out again.

Cooper smiled into the camera. “Well, how about that? Small world, isn’t it Blaine?”

“I guess it is,” Blaine agreed.

“Now that the guys and Blaine have officially met, they’ll be getting to know each other over the next few weeks. With luck and lady Fate on our side, Blaine will choose one lucky guy to propose to at the end of our time together here. That lucky guy will go on to win a million dollars. If Blaine is lucky enough to find love, he and his dream man will get a televised wedding special this summer. Make sure to join us next week, on Bowties of Love.”



Dinner was decidedly less formal, everyone electing to go upstairs and change before coming back down to eat. When Blaine came back down, the kitchen was full, the guys all milling around and talking, clearly waiting for him. The cameras were rolling in full force, making him feel even more self-conscious. The room quieted down the moment he walked in, all eyes on him.

“Hi,” he said softly, not sure what else to do.

“So, killer,” Sebastian spoke up, moving next to Blaine and putting an arm around him. “We were just discussing what we should do for dinner.”

“Whatever’s fine with me,” Blaine replied. “Everyone should just have what they want.”

That seemed enough to send the room into activity, Blaine scoping out the fridge and deciding that a salad with trimmings sounded good. He set about making it while the guys all seemed bent on getting his attention, asking him questions.

He finished his salad and the questions (his favorite color, favorite food, favorite music and so on), sitting down at the large table. The others joined him slowly as their meals were ready. Sebastian ended up on his left and Adam on his right. The twins were at one end of the table and Nick and Jeff at the other, with Chandler and Eli across from him.

Blaine took that time to observe the interactions around him. The twins talked quietly but intently with each other, occasionally looking at Blaine or commenting when the conversation required it. Nick and Jeff seemed lost in their own little world, barely speaking to anyone but each other. Chandler couldn’t sit still and Eli managed to dominate the conversation with his passion for lighthouses.

“Blaine,” Adam finally interrupted Eli. “Why don’t you tell us what you’re looking for in a guy?”

The conversation stopped and once again all eyes were on him. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and then looked down. He hated this – this was one of the things he hated most about being set up – trying to figure out if there was anything in common with a guy that was supposedly “perfect” for him.

“I guess I want someone who’s honest and caring,” he began. “Someone who can make me laugh and who loves to sing. Someone who’ll understand that performing is a big part of who I am and that my dream is to be on Broadway and how that would affect our life together. Someone kind and brave, unafraid to stand out.”

“And what about looks?” Chandler asked. Blaine could tell it was something he was worried about. It wasn’t that Chandler was unattractive, but he wasn’t what society would refer to as conventionally good looking.

“Looks don’t matter,” Blaine replied. “It’s clich� but it’s true – what matters is who a person is, not what they look like.”

There were more questions like that throughout the meal and Blaine was extremely thankful when the meal was finally over and he could escape to his room. His head hit the pillow and he groaned.

He was going to have to do it all again tomorrow.