Blaine’s voice sounded in the hallway through the closed door bedroom door. Blaine was speaking to someone on the phone. Kurt listened intently to Blaine’s end of the call, debating whether or not to slip his robe on as he sat up in bed.

“No, that’s great, thanks, Mr. Johnson,” Blaine finished, opening the door and walking into the bedroom while hanging up. He saw Kurt sitting there and smiled at him. “I was just coming to wake you.”

Kurt nodded, fiddling with the blankets.

“I was just confirming our appointment with the bank,” Blaine waved the phone, indicating that was who he’d been talking with. “We’re all set for this morning and I double-checked on everything we need to bring.”

“That’s good,” Kurt managed to find his voice.

“Carole left for work and said she’d meet us for dinner tonight at Olive Garden,” Blaine continued. “Then we’ll have the graduation ceremony and I’ll be officially moved in here.”

“How long before we leave?” Kurt asked.

“An hour or so,” Blaine replied. “You okay?” Kurt blushed again. He was embarrassed about the night before.

“I’m fine,” he answered softly. “Thank you for… last night,” he continued after a moment. Kurt shifted uncomfortably on the bed – he hated feeling vulnerable and Blaine had this way of getting passed all his defenses that had him thrown for a loop.

“It’s not a problem, Kurt,” Blaine said, sitting down on the edge of the bed, next to Kurt’s legs. “I’m just glad it worked.”

“I just… I don’t like that I can’t handle it myself,” Kurt whispered, a little surprised at his own honesty.

“Sometimes we all need help,” Blaine reminded him. “It’s okay.”

“I guess I should get ready,” Kurt mumbled.

“I’ll… be downstairs,” Blaine told him, looking like he felt a little awkward. He slipped out the door and Kurt breathed a sigh of relief.

He climbed out of bed and sighed again. Now he had to pick the perfect outfit that he could wear both to the bank and to Blaine’s graduation…

*

“Sign here,” Mr. Johnson direction. “And here.”

Blaine picked up the pen he’d been using one more time and signed where he was told. Kurt followed suit, signing his own name under Blaine’s.

Blaine found the whole thing kind of surreal. He was married and nothing sent that message home more than signing a bunch of paperwork. The bank manager, Mr. Johnson, had been helpful, as had Wes.

He met his friend’s gaze and smiled before looking away. Wes had done a lot for him and he needed to pay him back somehow – maybe a nice watch…

“And we’re all set, Mr. Anderson,” Mr. Johnson’s voice broke into his thoughts. “The first deposit for the interest will be made in two weeks, into the two accounts you’ve specified. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to give me a call.”

“We will,” Blaine assured him, shaking his hand. Kurt and Wes both shook hands with him as well and then the three of them found themselves outside the bank. Blaine couldn’t help it – he jumped a little in excitement, turning to Kurt. “We did it!”

He nearly leapt at Kurt, hugging him tightly. Kurt let out a squeaking sound but hugged him back after a moment. “So we did,” Kurt said as Blaine pulled back.

He turned to Wes and hugged his friend. “I couldn’t have done this without you,” Blaine told him. “I owe you.”

“Yes, you do,” Wes said with a smile.

“Anything,” Blaine promised.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Wes chuckled. “I gotta run and show my face at work before someone in the family sends out a search party.”

Then it was just him and Kurt. “You ready to head to Dalton?” Blaine asked. “We’ve got to get the last of my things and I have rehearsal.”

Kurt nodded. Blaine gave him a concerned glance. Kurt had been a little off all day and he hoped it wasn’t because he was still upset about the night before. Blaine had been more than happy to help and it had worked – Kurt had gotten a full night’s sleep.

He reached out and took Kurt’s hand, squeezing it gently. Kurt gave him a small smile and then two of them headed for Kurt’s Navigator. Maybe he was overreacting. Kurt was fine.

*

Kurt didn’t know what was wrong with him. All his problems were solved, the answers in the form of paperwork in a folder currently under the front seat of his SUV. He should be ecstatic. He should be jumping for joy.

Instead he felt exhausted (despite the sleep he’d had) and guilty. He’d actually married someone for their money. Hell, he’d let someone pay him to get married. Kurt thought he’d reconciled himself to it, but now that the money was actually a reality, he was having a hard time with it. He was trying not to let it bother him but he had a feeling he wasn’t fooling Blaine in slightest.

He helped Blaine load what was left of his belongings into the Navigator and then followed along as Blaine led him toward the rehearsal room the Warblers used. Dalton was an impressive school and Kurt kept his attention focused on the d�cor as a way to distract himself.

The sound of voices singing echoed in the hallway and Kurt saw a smile spreading on Blaine’s face. He sped up his steps, taking Kurt’s hand and pulling him along. They stopped in the door way of yet another elegantly decorated room (Kurt was having severe envy about the state of their school versus McKinley’s less than aesthetically pleasing color scheme), and Blaine cleared his throat. The boys, clad in their navy and red blazers, stopped singing and turned to see who’d made the noise.

“Starting without me?” Blaine asked, stepping into the room. Kurt trailed behind him, feeling self-conscious. There was a chorus of excited “Blaine’s” in the air as the others realized they were there.

“No, man, we just hadn’t seen you in two days and didn’t know if you were coming,” one of the boys said.

“And you’re not alone…” another one pointed out. This one had a spiky hair do and smirk on his face that Kurt did not like in the slightest.

“Kurt, these are the Warblers,” Blaine said, going around and introducing the guys. Names flew passed him, but Kurt knew he’d never remember them all. “Everyone, this is Kurt… my husband.”

Blaine seemed quite proud to announce that and Kurt wondered how many of them actually knew the truth of why they’d gotten married. He had no idea if any of them did, but there was a rousing congratulations from all of them before the rehearsal got started.

Blaine settled Kurt onto one of the leather couches and Kurt smiled as they began to sing. Blaine was clearly in his element, even playing off Kurt during one of the songs and making him blush.

The Warblers were amazing – it was completely surprising that New Directions had beaten them at Regionals. Kurt wondered if Blaine was right, and it was because Blaine had been out injured. He made a mental note never to discuss that around Rachel.

Practice eventually ended and the boys all called goodbyes to each other as they headed out, knowing they’d all be back in a few hours for graduation. Blaine reached out a hand and Kurt took it, standing up.

“So, what’d you think?” Blaine asked.

“You guys were great,” Kurt enthused.

They turned to walk out and Kurt stopped short. One of the Warblers was standing in the doorway. It was the one with the meerkat face and the smirk.

“Do you need something, Sebastian?” Blaine gave the boy a hard look, which surprised Kurt a little.

“So this is him?” Sebastian countered, stepping into the room. “Your ‘husband for hire’?”

“I fail to see how that’s any of your business,” Blaine grit out. Kurt felt like he should jump in and say something, but he didn’t even know what to say. It was clear that so much more was going on here than just an introduction.

“Oh, come on now, Blaine,” Sebastian said, moving into the room. “Don’t be like that.”

“Like what?” Blaine snapped. “Upset? Why wouldn’t I be, after what happened?”

Things were slowly started to click into place for Kurt and he didn’t like the picture he was getting.

“Him?” Kurt interrupted before he could stop himself, looking at Blaine. “He’s the one your-"

“The one my parents caught me with, yes,” Blaine finished with a sigh.

“You told him about that?” Sebastian questioned, looking at Blaine. Kurt watched momentary surprise cross his face before disappearing behind a smooth mask, his expression once again self-assured.

“Blaine’s told me a lot of things,” was all Kurt replied, and if he implied with his tone that those things were insulting, well, that was Sebastian’s fault for antagonizing them.

“Well, the kitty does have claws,” Sebastian replied. “Fun.”

“Sebastian, I really don’t think you and I have anything left to say to each other,” Blaine said.

“Can we talk?” Sebastian asked. “Alone?” Kurt glanced at Blaine, who looked back with pleading eyes. Kurt didn’t want to leave him there with Sebastian – he didn’t want Blaine alone with the guy. He told himself it had nothing to do with the fact that Sebastian and Blaine had seen each other naked and probably had sex a bunch of times.

Nothing at all to do with that.

“I’ll wait in the hall,” Kurt murmured, turning and walking out.

The problem with Dalton was, as Kurt soon found out, that the acoustics were amazing. As such, Kurt could actually hear every word of the conversation going on in the room behind him.

“What is going on with you?” he heard Blaine ask.

“I miss you,” Sebastian spoke so quietly Kurt almost missed it. Blaine snorted.

“Excuse me if I have a hard time believing that.”

“What did you expect, B?” Sebastian replied, sounding angry. Kurt was tempted to turn around and peer into the room but he talked himself out of it. “Your parents caught us in bed together.”

“You were my boyfriend and I needed you,” Blaine told him. “I thought, foolishly, that you’d care enough to stick around and support me through one of the most trying times of my life. I was outed to my parents in a horrible way, Sebastian.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Sebastian murmured. “I am. I can barely deal with my father, Blaine. You didn’t need me mucking up your life even more.” Kurt bit his lip. He shouldn’t be listening to this but he couldn’t make himself move either.

“I was in trouble, Sebastian,” Blaine reminded him. “I was going to be broke and homeless.”

“I didn’t know that at the time. I didn’t know it until I saw that stupid ad in the paper and asked David about it,” Sebastian said, his voice low. “He told me what you were planning, but it was too late for me to anything about it. You were on your way to Canada. Looks like you landed on your feet without me.”

“I’m sorry,” Blaine spoke quietly. Again, Kurt had the urge to take a look, but he held back. He didn’t think he could stand to see them touching each other. “If I’d thought for one second that you would help me, I’d have come to you.”

Well that wasn’t a punch to the gut or anything. Kurt took a deep breath and steeled himself. He repeated over and over the reminder that just because he and Blaine were married, it didn’t mean that Blaine was his.

“I wish you had,” Sebastian replied. “What say you ditch the wife and come have some fun with me?” he asked. “We always did have a lot of fun.”

Kurt’s heart plummeted. He didn’t know what to do. He felt like he should just leave and make the decision easier for Blaine. The knot in his stomach pulled so tight he thought he might be sick, and he headed for the car without listening to hear Blaine’s answer.

*

Blaine stared at Sebastian in shock.

“Last week I might have taken you up on that,” Blaine told Sebastian. “Even after the way you hurt me.” He paused. “I’m married. Kurt and I might not have married for love but I do like him and I promised certain things during my vows that I intend to keep.”

“How noble of you,” Sebastian drawled.

“It’s not noble to be a decent person,” Blaine told him. “I was so blind while we were going out. I guess I’m seeing the real you now.”

With that, Blaine turned and walked out into the hall. He expected Kurt to be waiting for him, but his husband was nowhere to be found. He glanced around the nearby halls, looking to see if Kurt was maybe taking a walk or something, but he still didn’t see him.

Slightly worried, Blaine headed out to the car, hoping that Kurt would be there.

He breathed a sigh of relief as the SUV came into sight and Kurt was indeed inside, in the driver’s seat.

“I thought you were going to wait for me,” Blaine said, climbing inside. Kurt shrugged.

“You didn’t want to spend time with Sebastian?”

Blaine stared at Kurt in surprise, noting that Kurt’s voice shook a little.

“No,” Blaine replied. “He and I are done.”

“This is a marriage in name only, Blaine,” Kurt told him. “If you want… to see other people, you can. I won’t stop you.”

Blaine didn’t know what to say to that. “Is that… what you want?” he finally forced out.

Kurt gave a bitter laugh. “I’d have to find someone who’d want me first.”

“Kurt, you’re amazing,” Blaine replied. “Maybe you can’t see it, but you are. When we get to New York, there’s going to be guys lined up for you.”

He nearly had to choke the words out. That was the last thing he wanted. Stop it. Kurt is your husband in name only and you two are not some kind of star crossed lovers or something.

“I doubt it,” Kurt said, “But thank you.”

“Maybe… just to make things simpler… we shouldn’t date other people or anything like that,” Blaine offered up after a moment. “I mean, we’re supposed to be in love and it’s going to be hard to fool our friends and family if we’re dating other people, even in New York.”

“That’s true,” Kurt agreed after a moment. “But if one of us finds someone…”

“Then we’ll talk,” Blaine promised. He knew that if Kurt came to him and asked him to be let out of his promise early, he’d do it. They’d go their separate ways and finalize the paperwork after the year was up.

“We should probably go meet Carole for dinner,” Kurt spoke up, checking his watch. Blaine nodded, silent as Kurt started the car and put it in reverse. He hoped the matter was settled between him and Kurt, but as he watched Kurt drive toward the restaurant, he had a feeling it wasn’t.