Maybe he was just paranoid.

He got home, made small talk with his parents and then crashed after talking with Blaine, knowing he'd have to go to school the next morning. His dad had been okay with missing one day after Kurt had explained what 'coming out' as a couple at the Emmys would entail, but that was it. He was firm that Kurt not miss any more school than necessary, regardless of the fact that he was dating a TV star.

The next morning was Kurt's first clue that things were going to be different, now that he and Blaine were ‘out.’

He first noticed them when he went to get into his Navigator and head off to school, Finn on his heels.

Then again when he stopped for gas.

And again when he and Finn ducked into the Lima Bean for a quick cup of coffee before school.

Paparazzi.

There were actual photographers following him.

He didn't know what to do with it at first. They couldn't come onto school property, of course, and they were pretty good about not taking pictures of him when he was inside his house (though he now kept his blinds shut all the time, just in case), but any other time he seemed to be free game.

Kurt started making sure he was dressed in his best outfits (Blaine took great delight in teasing him about it too).

The kids at school didn't seem to realize it was happening, but Kurt had a whole different set of problems with them. There were the “fangirls” he'd suddenly developed – girls who suddenly couldn't wait to be his best friend, who took every moment they could to ask him about Blaine, Dalton or other cast members. It was pretty easy to avoid most of them, once he knew who to look out for.

The jocks, however, had different ideas. It was apparently one thing for Kurt to be out and proud, but completely another thing for him to have a boyfriend (even if said boyfriend didn't go to McKinley).

Kurt ended up in the dumpster twice that week (his non-Cheerio days).

So he put plans into motion. He brought a backpack with changes of clothes – he kept one in his locker, and two in his car. He let his family know that the photographers were out there (his father was not happy), and he made sure to butter up the paparazzi so they'd always get his good side.

“Good morning!” Kurt chirped to the small cluster of photographers standing near the entrance to the McKinley parking lot. They all seemed surprised to see him approaching them. They greeted him back, and Kurt smiled. “Thought you guys could use some help staying warm,” he told them, handing over a tray stacked with coffees from the Lima Bean. “Enjoy.”

With that, he flounced off, a little smile on his face.

He hoped they got a good shot of his ass.

*

Blaine tossed down his script with a sigh. It was hard to go back to normal now that Kurt had gone home. Neither of them were sure when the next time they'd see each other would be and it had been over a week since the Emmys. “What did that script ever do to you?” Nick asked, picking up the papers and sitting down. Blaine took the script back.

“Nothing, I just...”

“You miss Kurt,” Nick answered for him.

Blaine nodded. “I do. All this talk of Toby transferring to Dalton for James just makes it hit home about how far away Kurt and I really are.”

“Awww, Blainers. You're such a sap when you're in love,” Nick teased.

“Shut up,” Blaine wadded up a napkin from his lunch and tossed it at Nick. Its aim was true, and he couldn't help cracking up as the napkin bounced off Nick's forehead.

Suddenly, a copy of People magazine dropped into his lap. Blaine looked up to see Jeff standing there, grinning.

“What's this?”

“Your boy's on page twenty,” Jeff answered. Surprised, Blaine flipped open the magazine. There was Kurt, under the “Sightings” headline in the sidebar of the page. Blaine read his tag aloud. “Kurt Hummel, boyfriend of Dalton star Blaine Anderson, seen wearing the latest from Marc Jacobs' fall collection.”

Blaine laughed again. It was too good to be true. He took a picture with his phone and sent it off to Kurt with a text.

Looks like you've made it. :)

Kurt's response took a few minutes. Blaine figured he was probably in class.

OMG. Carole's probably going to buy every copy at the grocery store.

A moment later Kurt send another one.

Blaine. Blaine. I just checked Tumblr. That picture is circulating and… I have an ass appreciation blog. There are people out there appreciating my ass.

Blaine couldn't stop laughing. He barely managed to reply back in between the tears blurring his vision and his gasps for air.

I appreciate your ass daily. ;)

He snorted when Kurt texted back, and then took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

Blaine Anderson. You can't say things like that.

He checked his watch. He had time for one more.

Why not?

It took a couple of minutes for Kurt to get back to him and Blaine worried he'd miss it.

Because I'm not there to do anything about it.

Blaine groaned, his pants growing tighter. He sent one last message.

You and me. Skype date tonight. Clothing optional.

You read my mind.

A thrill shot down Blaine's spine and he closed his eyes. He needed to get himself under control – there was no way he could walk onto the set in this condition, and pretend to be in love with Toby while all he could think about were the delicious things Kurt could do with his mouth.

“Dude,” Nick's voice broke into his thoughts. “Look how red his face is!” He and Jeff laughed.

“You and Kurt are keeping it PG, right?” Jeff asked.

“Both of you shut up,” Blaine said, knowing he was still bright red.

“Our little Blaine is a man now,” Jeff teased, looking at Nick.

“They grow up so fast,” Nick agree with mock sadness in his voice. He pantomimed a tear trailing down his cheek. “Tear.”

“I hate you both,” Blaine muttered.

“You wish,” Nick laughed, darting away from Blaine's playing swing at him as they walked back to the set.

“Keep it up, you'll regret it,” Blaine threatened.

“Just for that,” Jeff said. “I won't give you the link to your boyfriend’s ass appreciation blog on Tumblr.”

Blaine groaned. It was going to be a really long afternoon.