When the suit arrived, Kurt was awe struck.

From: Kurt
You amazing, wonderful, incredible man! How did you do it?

From: Blaine
Why, whatever do you mean, gorgeous?

From: Kurt
My design! How did you get it?

From: Blaine
I have my ways... ;)

From: Blaine
Do you like it?

From: Kurt
No.

From: Blaine
?

From: Kurt
I love it! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

From: Blaine
You're welcome :)

From: Kurt
...

From: Kurt
Does this mean I don't get to hang out with Nick?

From: Blaine
:/

Blaine did send Nick back down to San Diego to buy Kurt some shoes. Kurt had one decent pair of shoes, but they were over three years old, and showing some wear. He was grateful, if still a little uncomfortable. He didn't like Blaine spending so much money on him, but it was nice to hang out with Nick again. Picking out the perfect pair of shoes didn't take all too long, so they spent the rest of the afternoon at Stabucks gossiping. Kurt asked Nick about his boyfriend Jeff, which launched an almost hour long conversation with regard to exactly how in love Nick was with his own amazing, fantastic boyfriend.

As it turned out, Blaine, Jeff, and Nick had all been friends from way back. They attended the same school in Westerville. Kurt knew Blaine was from Ohio. He just never realized that he lived only two hours away from him. How did Kurt not know this? And Blaine had been in show choir. They probably competed against each other and never even realized it.

According to Nick, his boyfriend Jeff had been an amazing dancer. He'd even been accepted to the Joffrey his junior year. He would have taken his G.E.D. and left school about the same time Blaine left to join Sing, but Jeff dislocated his knee. The injury completely derailed his career. After spending months going to a physical therapist, Jeff found his real life's calling. Now, Jeff was the physical therapist to the stars. Kurt could tell how proud Nick was of his boyfriend. He looked so much in love.

Kurt wondered if he looked the same?

After that, the conversation switched to the subject of the scratches on Blaine's chest. Nick had caught a glimpse of them when he had helped fit Blaine for his tuxedo. Kurt found himself telling Nick nearly every sordid detail of his and Blaine's time in the dance room, minus only a couple of events. Kurt couldn't help it. It was hard to resist Nick's wide-eyed and rapt attention, the way he giggled in excitement, or stomped his feet under the table when something was particularly racy. It felt good to have a friend like Nick.

Nick kind of reminded Kurt of Rachel.

Kurt felt a little like Cinderella. The suit in the box was exquisite. Of course it was; it was his design. Wherever Blaine had sent the design to have it made had put it together perfectly. Thank goodness for Kurt's meticulous notes. The garment didn't need to be tailored in any way. Dave had tears in his eyes when Kurt modeled it for him, hands over his mouth, shaking his head slightly in disbelief. He remembered the many nights Kurt spent sketching it and altering it, changing details, picking out just the right fabric.

Kurt had considered this suit to be his magnum opus. Unfortunately, with money always so tight, Dave knew the suit would take forever to make, if at all. Seeing Kurt wear it now was like the realization of a dream.

Kurt relented and let Blaine send a limo to pick him up. It arrived a little after five, and a small congregation of neighbors gathered anxiously around to see who it was picking up.

Kurt kissed the children good bye.

"I'll be home first thing in the morning." Kurt looked at Dave, regarding him silently. Dave nodded with a sad smile, and Kurt was immediately filled with guilt. He didn't like the idea that he was rubbing his new found happiness in Dave's face, but they had talked about this, even before Kurt met Blaine, about how they would handle things if either of them ever decided to have a relationship, or fell in love. Kurt knew Dave was happy for him. He also knew why Dave was sad.

Kurt tried to push those thoughts aside as he waved good-bye to his family and embarked on this step of his journey - a journey closer to Blaine and farther away from his life as he knew it.

Blaine rented a suite in the same hotel where the gala was being held. He planned an extra special night with his boyfriend. Blaine vibrated with excitement. He couldn't sit still. Blaine started getting ready early for the event. He took a long, hot shower that may have been made longer due to some vivid masturbatory fantasies.

Blaine dressed carefully. He straightened his jacket as he scrutinized his reflection in the mirror. He turned left and right, trying to get a look at the tuxedo from the rear. He frowned. One of the vents hadn't been cut properly. He picked up his iPhone and sent a text to Nick, asking him to come up to his suite immediately and fix it. Blaine needed everything to be perfect for tonight - not a hair out of place, or a stray string showing.

Nick had worked extra hard to try and find Blaine a tux that could stand up next to Kurt's amazing suit. Eventually Nick had to settle on a classic black Armani because a suit that could match Kurt Hummel's impeccable design just didn't exist. Nick had nearly fallen in love with Kurt as much as Blaine had. For the last three days, Kurt had been Nick's sole topic of conversation. Jeff was not amused. The evening before the gala, Jeff whisked Nick off to a suite of their own in the hopes of occupying his mouth with something other than talk of Blaine's amazing new boyfriend, Kurt Hummel.

From what Blaine could see of Jeff's wrists this morning at breakfast, his beautiful black swan had given Nick some pointers. Though Jeff didn't divulge any specific details, Blaine had never seen the man look happier in his life.

Blaine opened the door when he heard a knock, expecting to see Nick's bubbling smile and unending enthusiasm, preparing for another hour long conversation on how perfect Nick knew Kurt was. Blaine couldn't say that he minded.

Brad Lee stood in the doorway instead. He didn't wait to be invited in. He brushed by Blaine, with Mia in tow.

"Hello, Blaine," Brad drawled, looking Blaine up and down with narrow eyes. "That is an amazing tux. It's nice to see you putting more effort into your looks."

"I'm not sure I know exactly what you mean." Blaine straightened his posture defiantly underneath Brad's strange expression.

"It just seems to me," Brad explained, approaching Blaine and picking an invisible piece of lint off his lapel while he eyed the column of his neck overtly, "your accessories of late have been lacking. The bite marks, the scars on your wrists, and some low-class queer you have the gall to bring to my gala and pass off as your boyfriend."

Blaine went cold. He knew Sebastian probably wasn't as sincere as he had made himself out to be. When he had pulled out his cell phone in the line at food services that day Blaine had confessed his plan, Blaine suspected he would send out a mass text to everyone on the cast and crew, informing them all. Blaine had actually counted on it. He wanted things all out in the open as soon as possible. He was tired of hiding his relationship with Kurt. He also didn't want it to come as a surprise to everyone when he made his big announcement. Brad and the other producers at the show might need to head things off with the press. Blaine wanted them to have that opportunity.

In the end, Blaine didn't figure it would really matter to anyone. At least, not enough for Brad Lee to be standing in front of him right now, insulting him...possibly even threatening him.

"Pass off?" Blaine repeated. "He is my boyfriend. And he has a name. Kurt Hummel. He's here tonight because we're in love."

"Well," Brad scoffed, "as long as you're on my show, I say you're not. Especially not with that whore."

Mia smirked. Blaine had almost forgotten she was there.

"Don't call him that." Blaine's voice crackled with hate. He wanted to leave, just grab his things and go, call it quits. "I can do what I want with my life, and I want to spend it with Kurt."

Brad laughed.

"Do you really think you're life is your own?" Brad's narrow eyes became evil slits as he pressed uncomfortably close to Blaine. "You are a product, Blaine Anderson. A product I made. A product I own. You do what I say, or I ruin you. Simple."

"I have the right..." Blaine roared.

"You have a contract!" Brad interrupted. "Have you read it? Because I have. And my lawyers have. You're mine until I get tired of you and say otherwise."

Blaine's body trembled with rage, but he was resolute. What did he care about contracts and this stupid show? In fact, Brad was probably doing him a favor. Blaine would be off the show. Yeah, he'd probably have to pay some breach of contract fine, but he could afford it. Then he would be free. Free to pursue a life with Kurt.

"That's fine," Blaine said with a relieved sigh. "My lawyer will call your lawyer, and iron out the details."

"What details?" Brad looked amused.

"The details of me leaving the show." Blaine felt almost giddy. "I choose Kurt over this stupid show any day of the week."

Blaine turned to pack his bag. He wanted to get as far away from this train wreck as humanly possible.

"And what about Kurt?" Mia chimed in, probably chomping at the bit to make her presence known.

"What about Kurt?" Blaine stuffed items haphazardly into his toiletry bag. "He won't give a shit if I'm on this show or not. In fact, he'll probably be elated to know that I'm done with you."

"And his kids?"

Blaine felt his palms sweat. Why would Kurt's kids matter, unless...

Blaine turned slowly, a knot building in his stomach.

"What do they have to do with me being on the show?" Blaine's voice started to sound small, insecure.

"Blaine, have you ever been to Kurt's house?" Brad shook his head in mock disappointment.

Blaine hadn't. It never came up. Kurt preferred to meet Blaine wherever they went. Blaine figured it was a way of keeping the kids safe. He knew Kurt didn't want to bring anyone new into their lives until they were more prepared.

Blaine shook his head numbly.

"I haven't either, thank God, but I sure as hell looked it up on Google Earth, and I've got to tell you...it's not the kind of place kids should be brought up." Brad sighed dramatically, looking up at Blaine with sympathetic eyes, evil smirk still in place. "Look..." Brad enjoyed the look of blanket fear that had now clouded Blaine's face. "From what I hear your boy Kurt isn't doing too good - bank account in the red, house calls from child protective services. I'm not sure at this point that it would take too much more for the authorities to take Kurt's kids away."

"No." Blaine spoke without even thinking. "You can't do that."

Both Brad and Mia smiled like jackals.

Why didn't Kurt tell him, Blaine wondered. Why didn't he say anything? And how could his bank account be in the red if Blaine had just paid him? This had to be a trick, some made up story Brad was trying to use to get Blaine to do what he wanted.

Game or not, it was working.

"Leave the kids out of this." Blaine tried to sound more confident than he felt. Kurt said Blaine would make a good dominator. It had to be there inside of him somewhere. Why couldn't he tap into it?

Blaine felt defeated.

"What do you want me to do?" Blaine mumbled. In his chest, his heart stopped. He looked down at his shoes, not wanting to see the triumphant smiles on Brad and Mia's faces.

"It's simple, Blaine." Brad took both of Blaine's arms and shook him congenially. "You keep dating Mia here, we don't talk about Kurt ever again, and life goes on as usual."

Blaine snapped his head up, staring into Brad's eyes incredulously. He looked over Brad's shoulder to see Mia preening in the mirror.

"No," Blaine said. "I won't do it."

"I'm not saying that you have to give up your little trick," Brad cajoled. "You can stick your dick up his ass whenever you feel the need..." Blaine saw Mia glare at that remark. "Just don't be seen in public together...ever."

Kurt didn't deserve to be 'the other woman'. Blaine wanted to be out and proud with Kurt. He wanted to be the one person who never left Kurt in the lurch.

"Though, I'm not too sure how much time you're going to have together once we go on tour," Brad continued. "You probably won't even see him for, what is it, six months?"

Blaine felt like he was sinking into a deep hole. There had to be a way out - a light at the end of the tunnel. He just couldn't see it. He'd figure this out. He had promised Kurt he would. He had to keep that promise.

He just couldn't keep it right now.

"Fine," Blaine said, teeth clenched so tight he felt his head pounding. "I do this, and you leave Kurt and his family alone."

"Of course," Brad said, patting Blaine hard on the back. "Now, why don't you escort your beautiful girlfriend down to the gala, get all lovey-dovey, and we'll pretend like this little talk never happened, hmm?"

Mia slid up behind him and took his arm.

"Let's go, gorgeous," she said, kissing him on the cheek and leading him out the door. The trio brushed by Nick, standing in the hallway, watching with his mouth agape as they walked toward the main elevator.

Kurt's limo got stuck in traffic, so by the time he arrived to the hotel, the gala was already packed with people. Kurt's heart lodged in his throat. He peeked over the numerous heads and the multitudes of mingling couples, and looked for Blaine. He couldn't imagine what Blaine would think of him in his suit. He wanted Blaine to hold him so badly his skin itched all over.

He circled the ballroom about five times before he caught sight of Blaine, walking arm in arm with Mia, talking with the press and taking pictures. Kurt felt a little twinge in his chest when he saw them together, laughing, holding each other, Mia pecking him on the cheek. Kurt tried to rationalize what he was seeing. This was a gala to celebrate the tour for the show. He supposed Blaine had to make a good show of things. Blaine was probably just waiting for him to show up.

Kurt caught Blaine's gaze and smiled, waving his arm so that Blaine could see him. Blaine's reaction filled Kurt's veins with ice. Blaine looked at Kurt pointedly, almost angrily, shaking his head from side to side, before returning to the interviewer he was talking to, smile firmly in place. Mia followed Blaine's gaze and saw Kurt. She smiled and laughed, with a devious glint in her eye. She leaned over and kissed Blaine's cheek, holding his shoulders in a tight embrace. Blaine put a hand over her hand and rubbed it gently.

Kurt's heart broke. There had to be some sort of explanation, but he couldn't think of one. He pulled his phone out of his pocket, to see if Blaine had sent him a text, something, some explanation, but he saw nothing.

Kurt looked around for Nick, hoping maybe he could give him an idea what was going on. Kurt made his way to the bar and ordered a white wine. He figured he would sit for a moment and wait. Eventually everything would be explained, he was sure of it.

Sebastian came up behind him, putting his hands possessively on Kurt's shoulders.

"May I buy you a drink?" he asked. Kurt raised his glass with a smirk.

"A dance?" Sebastian sat beside Kurt.

"No." Kurt didn't meet his gaze.

"How about sleeping with me then?" Sebastian whispered.

Kurt laughed humorlessly.

"Never in a million years. I told you, I'm not a prostitute." Kurt took a bigger sip than he meant to, feeling the alcohol go straight to his head. "Besides, I'm taken." Kurt wished that last remark could have sounded bitchier, but he didn't seem to have it in him.

"I have no intention of making you a whore." Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Not like some people..."

Kurt sipped his white wine, the fruity notes turning bitter on his tongue.

"No," Sebastian continued, "I'm talking about a legitimate business transaction. A spot of healthy domination..." Sebastian rubbed Kurt's shoulders. "...and maybe afterward, you'll let me take care of you."

Kurt turned, resolved to sweep past Sebastian and leave when he saw them - Blaine dancing with Mia in his arms, laughing, gazing into each others' eyes. Blaine's fingers traced soft circles across the exposed skin of her shoulders. Kurt's skin tingled recalling the same feeling.

"He's never going to leave her," Sebastian whispered, his voice surprisingly sympathetic. "I've had to come to terms with it. So should you."

Kurt's heart stuttered as he watched them, letting Sebastian's words seep into his consciousness.

"But, he... he said he was never with her." Kurt didn't know why he said it, why he would admit it to Sebastian, of all people. "He said the studio made it all up."

"I'm sorry, Kurt." Sebastian sighed. "It seems like Blaine's a better actor than you think."

"But, why?" Kurt turned to Sebastian, begging him with his eyes to explain why his heart was breaking.

Sebastian shrugged.

"She found out about the two of you. Gave him an ultimatum. He chose her."

Kurt's mind whirled. It didn't make any sense. No, he believed Blaine. He believed that Blaine loved him and that this was all an act. But, if it was, why wouldn't Blaine take a moment and talk to him? Why not send him a text explaining? Why send him this gorgeous suit and invite him here, just to break his heart?

Kurt sighed, his resolve fading. All his hopes and dreams dissolved with every laugh, every gaze, every turn on the dance floor.

Sebastian squeezed Kurt's shoulders, standing from his stool to press his chest against Kurt's back. Sebastian ran his nose down the column of Kurt's neck, inhaling the sweet scent of vanilla.

"I promise... you'll enjoy it."

Kurt turned an icy glare at Sebastian.

"You can't pay me enough to enjoy it," Kurt said. He downed the rest of his drink, and with one last glance at Blaine and Mia, said, "Lead the way."

Blaine finally managed to pry himself away from Mia and her sticky fingers. He couldn't wait to get Kurt upstairs and have a moment alone. He was sure just a few minutes in the shower with his boyfriend would be enough to wash this feeling of filth he had on him away. He needed to talk to Kurt. He needed to explain.

He saw Kurt when he entered the ballroom - his bright smile, his perfect hair, and that amazing suit. Blaine was so proud to call him his boyfriend. His first instinct was to take the man in his arms and kiss him breathless, but he couldn't. Blaine felt shackled. He had made Kurt a promise, and now he needed to break it. Kurt deserved to know why.

Blaine would have texted Kurt, but he wanted to tell him in person. He managed to keep an eye on him while he went to the bar and ordered a drink. Blaine wondered for a moment if he had gotten himself a tequila or a Shirley Temple. One kiss would tell him soon enough.

Blaine looked down at his phone, and was surprised to see a text message from Sebastian.

From: Sebastian
Look, I know you're in some trouble with the man, so I took Hummel off your hands for a bit. You can square this away with him later. Go hob nob...you're welcome.

Blaine wasn't sure how he felt about Kurt alone with Sebastian. When they last spoke, he didn't think they were still really friends. Why would he do this for him? He didn't have time to contemplate it further when Mia swept him up again, and shuffled him off, arm in arm, to have their photograph taken by the press for an article entitled America's Cutest Couple. Blaine wondered whose idea that was. He bit his lip. He had imagined this press conference a dozen times, someone entirely different hanging from his arm. Had it gone the way he had wanted, the smile on his face would have been much bigger...and much more genuine.

It was getting near midnight when the party started to wind down, and Blaine hadn't seen head or tail of Kurt or Sebastian in over two hours. Blaine was more than a little drunk. Spending so much time pretending he was Mia's boyfriend often did that to him. He was disgusted - at her, and his job, but mostly at himself.

Blaine stumbled down the hallway. He knew that Sebastian had a suite here. He always got one at these events, inevitably hooking up with a groupie or another. He vaguely remembered hearing him mention that his suite number started with a 17-something. Oh well. He would just go to that floor and knock on all the doors. That made sense, didn't it?

Blaine nearly fell out of the elevator. He looked down the corridor at what seemed to be a never ending row of doors. The suites, like on his floor above, were situated at the far end. Holding onto the wall, he felt his way down the hall. As he neared the end, he could hear faint moaning. He smiled as his cock twitched in his pants. He knew that sound. Someone was getting busy. He crept forward, and heard a particularly long, low moan in a voice that he recognized.

'Sebastian,' he smirked. Blaine had been topping Sebastian for long enough that he knew all of his moans.

Blaine figured if Sebastian was having sex in his suite, Kurt had to be elsewhere. He turned unsteadily to leave. Three steps away he heard a sound that had his cock standing at full attention. Another light, airy moan mixed with Sebastian's own gruffer voice. It was glorious. It was sinful. It was delicious. It was...familiar.

'No!' Blaine screamed in his head. But it couldn't be. There was no way.

Sebastian moaned louder now.

Blaine crept up to the door. It was open a crack. He pushed it open a bit and stepped quietly inside.

Before he could get anywhere near the bed, he stopped and waited. The thought of finding Kurt with Sebastian made Blaine sick. Then another thought cropped up, and Blaine nearly heaved.

He'd been set up.

Sebastian had texted Blaine to tell him that Kurt would be with him. He knew Blaine would come looking for Kurt. He left the God damned door open. Sebastian wanted Blaine to see this. Blaine felt so played, so betrayed, by a man he should have been smarter than to trust with the most important person in his life.

On the other hand, Kurt had agreed to come up here. That was the twist to the knife in his heart.

Blaine heard Sebastian moan again, followed by an airy giggle. He didn't want to, but he needed to see. He stumbled in and saw Sebastian tied to the bed. Blue eyes stared into hazel, wide and filled with shock.

"Blaine!"