Group date number three was at a karaoke bar. When Bill and Kurt had announced it at breakfast that morning, Blaine had actually shouted with excitement. He loved performing and he’d missed it since filming had begun. They were coming to the end of their second week, they were down two guys so far, and Blaine wasn’t sure who he was sending home this time.

Aaron was at the top of his list at the moment. It was weird – since Chandler had gone, Aaron had found excuses to end up alone with Blaine, touching him casually and just giving off an undertone that made Blaine uncomfortable. He thought he might be overreacting though; Aaron hadn’t actually done anything that Blaine considered out of line.

He was beside himself as they headed into the city, to a karaoke bar that Kurt used to perform at in college. Blaine was already excited but finding out that tidbit of knowledge (he’d overheard Bill and Kurt discussing it), just made it even more amazing. He was finally going to find out more about Kurt – something personal. Their relationship often felt unbalanced on Blaine’s end – Kurt knew so much about him because of the nature of the show and he really didn’t know anything about Kurt.

He knew the important things though – that Kurt was smart and funny and kind with gorgeous eyes and legs that went on for miles… Blaine shook his head, trying to clear all thoughts of Kurt from his brain as the limo cruised through the streets of New York City. Kurt was waiting when the limo pulled up, opening the door instead of the driver. He had a clipboard in his hands and looked stressed.

“Okay, everyone out,” he said. The guys slid out one by one, Blaine exiting the vehicle last. “Inside, let’s go.”

They walked into the dimly lit bar and Blaine grinned, seeing a piano across the room next to the stage. Bill joined them once they were inside. The bar was deserted but Blaine figured they wanted it that way.

“Okay, this is how it’s going to go,” Bill began. “Everyone is going to sing once – including you, Blaine.” Blaine nodded. He’d wondered if he’d actually get to sing, since the guys were supposed to be impressing him with their performance skills.

“This is a list of all the songs we were able to get the rights to,” Kurt added, holding out the clipboard. “Search the list, pick a song and let Pascal over there,” Kurt pointed to a guy over near the bar that waved, “know what you want to sing. He’ll play it for you.”

“We need to do some work with the lighting, so make yourselves comfortable, order a drink, and we’ll get started in a few,” Bill added. “Oh, and we will have an audience – they’ll be letting them in just before filming.”

There was a mad scramble for the clipboard, Jeff and Nick nearly knocking each other out of the way in a fit of giggles for it.

Kurt followed after Bill as Blaine watched. He supposed he should join the other guys and find a song, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Kurt. Kurt must have sensed his stare, because he glanced up and their eyes locked. Blaine’s breath hitched and then Kurt was gesturing him over with the crook of his finger.

He swallowed hard and moved across the bar to where Kurt was standing with Bill. “What’s up?”

“We need someone to get up and sing something so we can get the lighting right,” Kurt said. “I figured you might want to go twice.”

Blaine grinned. “Absolutely,” he agreed and then he had an idea. “But only if you sing with me.”

“What?” Kurt replied. “This isn’t about me, Blaine.”

“So?” Blaine countered. “I heard you tell Bill you used to sing here.”

Kurt’s cheeks flushed. “It’s been a long time since I performed.”

“Don’t you miss it?” Blaine encouraged. “Come on…”

“Oh… fine,” Kurt muttered. Blaine bounced on his toes, grinning.

“And I know just the song.”



Kurt bit his lip as he took the stage alongside Blaine. Blaine whispered something to Pascal, who nodded and then Blaine moved up to the microphone next to Kurt’s. Blaine hadn’t told him what song it was (“You’ll know it, I promise”) and Kurt’s heart beat a little faster as he saw the other guys and even some of the crew were watching them now. Pascal began to play and Kurt shot Blaine an incredulous look as he recognized the song.

It was “We’ve Got Tonight,” and Kurt couldn’t believe the song choice. Was Blaine really picking out a song about a one night stand to sing with him?

Blaine was staring at him, a smile playing on the edge of his lips. His eyes were like warm honey and Kurt lost himself for a second, forgetting for a moment that Blaine wasn’t really singing to him. He let himself enjoy the moment of being serenaded by an amazing guy.

Kurt came in on cue, trying not to let it show how much the lyrics of the song and Blaine’s amber eyes were getting under his skin. It was enough to make him think about what ifs and maybes and that was dangerous.
Their voices joined together and Kurt tried really hard not to make it sound like he was pleading with Blaine while he sang – they couldn’t be anything more than friends. They were working on the show together – there were contracts and legalities and Kurt’s job to think about, all which seemed to go right out the window when Kurt looked into Blaine’s eyes.

He couldn’t help it – it was like the entire room disappeared when Blaine looked at him – like it was just them, singing to each other and the outside world didn’t matter.

The song wound down, their voices soft and slow as it came to a close. There was a silence and then the guys and the crew all burst into applause. Kurt blushed to the roots of his hair and fumbled with the microphone, getting off the stage as fast as he could. He could feel Blaine’s eyes on him, but he didn’t look back.



Blaine could hardly pay attention the rest of the night. Cooper played up his host role, introducing the guys and getting the audience riled up for them. Blaine tried to make sure to participate and clap at all the right place, but mostly he found himself thinking about Kurt, their duet, and the look in Kurt’s eyes when they sang.
It was time he stopped fighting it – he was falling for Kurt and falling hard and he had no idea what to do about it.

Sebastian stepped down from the stage among whistles and cheers from the crowd, having just sang a very suggestive version of “Glad You Came,” a song they’d done in high school during a competition. Sebastian met Blaine’s gaze and wriggled his eyebrows at him, making Blaine laugh.

“Next up is Aaron,” Cooper announced. “Everyone give Aaron a hand.”

Aaron got up, heading for the stage, shaking his head. He said something to Cooper who shrugged and then he spoke into the microphone. “I’m sorry, but I think this is stupid. I can’t sing and I’m not about to start now.”

A murmur went through the crowd and Blaine sighed.

Well, at least he knew who he was going to send home.



Kurt almost left the club – he’d had his coat on, was at the door, and then he’d stopped. He couldn’t run away from this – he was better than that. He was a Hummel. So what if he had feelings for Blaine – he couldn’t let them get in the way of his job. He’d slid his coat off and taken up at a place in the back, out of the way.

He’d almost interfered when Aaron had refused to sing (after all, the others had already gone and it was only fair), but Bill had gestured to keep rolling. Kurt supposed it would make for good TV, if nothing else.

Then it was time for Blaine to take the stage – a real performance this time, for the cameras. He didn’t look nervous at all. He said something Pascal, who got up and Blaine slid onto the piano bench. Kurt’s breath caught in this throat – he had no idea what Blaine was going to do.

Blaine began to play, a familiar song from Kurt’s high school days, only this time he’d slowed it down and made it into a ballad.

Blaine found him in the crowd and their eyes locked. Kurt felt breathless, as he often did around Blaine, especially because of the suggestive song lyrics (though the song came over like a love song). His cheeks turned pink and his mouth fell open just a little. Blaine smirked and Kurt knew this performance was just for him, regardless of what everyone else thought.

He couldn’t do this. He had to get out. He told one of the girls he wasn’t feeling well and to let Bill know, grabbed his coat and slipped out. He hoped that Blaine would know better than to ask him about it later.



Blaine found himself once again in the “ceremony room,” surrounding by the remaining guys. Cooper was standing in his usual spot near the fire place, a fire lit to give the room a glow.

The producers and Kurt hadn’t fought him on his decision to send Aaron home for which he was thankful. Blaine just wanted to get through the ceremony and think about what Kurt’s abrupt exit from the bar earlier meant. He hadn’t had a chance to talk about it with Kurt yet and it was clear that they needed to talk.

They couldn’t keep dancing around each other like this.

He went through the motions of the ceremony, calling up each of the guys by name, offering them a bowtie and kissing them on the cheek, until Aaron was the last one standing in front of him.

“I’m really sorry, Aaron,” Blaine said to him. “I know you didn’t want to perform this week and that’s okay, but performing is such a huge part of my life that I can’t see myself with someone who isn’t willing to try and have fun with it, even if they aren’t any good at it.”

Aaron nodded and then stepped away, moving to leave the room, when he suddenly stopped. “This is bullshit,” he shouted. Blaine jumped – he’d always had a problem with raised voices startling him after his bashing. “Screw you all!” Aaron continued. “I gave up weeks of my life and a good job for this,” he swore again. “And I’m not even gay!”

With that, he pushed over what Blaine hoped was not a very expensive vase and stomped (there was no other word for it) out of the room.

The room was stunned into silence and finally Bill called for them to cut.

“Well,” Kurt spoke up, staring at the doorway. “I guess I’m going to have to up my background checking skills.”



“Kurt, could I talk to you for a minute?”

Kurt froze, inches away from his escape. He’d just put on his coat and was about to head off to the hotel.

“Sure,” he said softly, knowing it was probably a terrible idea. He let Blaine lead him into the conference room they used for their meetings with the other producers. “What’s up?” he asked, once they’re inside the room. Blaine cracked the door and then turned around, looking at him.

“I thought we should talk about this,” Blaine told him, gesturing between Kurt and himself.

“Talk about what?” Kurt replied, playing dumb. He couldn’t give away that he was feeling something for Blaine. He just couldn’t. It would ruin everything.

“You know what, Kurt,” Blaine countered. “The way we feel about each other.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Blaine,” Kurt snapped, trying to move around him. Blaine grabbed his arm and Kurt stared at it, Blaine’s hand feeling as if it was searing his skin through the fabric of his coat.

“You can’t pretend like you aren’t feeling something here too, Kurt,” Blaine paused just before he said Kurt’s name and Kurt had to fight the shiver going down his spine. “I know you’re feeling the same things I am.”

“I am not!” Kurt exclaimed. “If this is what you wanted to talk to me about then I’m just going to go.” He jerked his arm out of Blaine’s grasp and moved for the door.

Blaine slid in between him and the door and Kurt stopped short, his heart beating frantically. He couldn’t believe Blaine was forcing this. Didn’t he know what would happen if they acted on this?

Kurt couldn’t let that happen.

“If there’s nothing between us then prove it,” Blaine challenged, his amber eyes flashing.

“I just did,” Kurt pointed out.

“I don’t believe you,” Blaine insisted.

“What would it take to convince you?” Kurt wanted to know. “Really, Blaine.”

“Kiss me,” Blaine demanded. “Kiss me and prove that you don’t feel something for me.”