Kurt shuffled through his closet, he couldn't decide what to wear for the life of him. Not because he didn't have anything- perhaps because he had too many choices- and Kurt Hummel was always immaculately dressed, especially at parties. Besides, most of his encounters with Blaine had been on the beach, where Kurt couldn't take his finest garments. Eventually he settled on a pair of skin-tight grey jeans, a long black sweater, and red boots.

"You can't wear that sweater," Rachel said playfully and she ducked her head into Kurt's room, startling the dressing boy.

"Rachel!"

Kurt hurried to finish tugging on the sweater, before pausing,

"Wait. Why? This is one of my best sweaters."

Rachel stepped in, looking into the hallway for Liam, and closed the door behind her,

"First of all, no one wears sweaters in LA-"

"-It's an evening party, and everyone loves a good sweater-"

"-AND, it's covering your ass, Kurt."

Kurt eyed Rachel. Besides the no-sweaters-in-LA comment, she did have a point.

Rachel pushed past Kurt, eliciting a sharp glare from the boy, and pulled down a dark blue deep V-neck. Kurt had to admit, it was perfect. It was a dusky blue with a shredded V-neck so there were still straps of fabric clinging to the opening that would dip down just mid-chest. It wasn't so tight he'd be guilty of wearing two too-tight pieces- you have to mix it up, you know- but still fitting enough it'd stretch across his chest nicely when he moved. Clearly, Rachel knew she'd picked the one when she smugly pushed the garment into his chest and stepped backwards to the door,

"Have fun tonight, Kurtie."

With that, she exited, leaving him to change. She'd been giddy all day after Kurt had told her his plans for the evening, and at this rate he wouldn't be surprised if Liam found out. She had, however, just helped him pick an outfit so he let it pass. Switching his boots for a black pair, he rushed to the mirror to coif- there were only two hours before he'd be expected at Blaine's address, and looking impeccably coiffed takes time.

--

Blaine tugged off his white polo and added it to the pile of clothing on his floor.

"Just pick one, man."

"Wes, it's not that easy."

Wes rolled his eyes. Blaine had been at it for longer than he had patience for, and seriously, the dude looked good in anything,

"It is. Just get on with it."

Blaine was about to tell Wes that, no, he can't just get on with it, and unlike others, he doesn't find it satisfying to wear a navy polo with red piping every. single. day. but before he could, he was interrupted by David flying through the door.

"Thank god, please tell Wes to stop rushing me."

David laughed,

"Please, you've been in here for, like, half an hour, man! Just pick something and get downstairs."

Blaine started to respond but Thad pushed in as well,

"Bro, who cares if it's getting ripped off anyway!"

Wes and Thad high-fived while David whooo!!'d into his fist. Blaine rolled his eyes. He clearly needed more gay friends. Ones with whom he could appreciate good fashion and the art of bow tying.

After pulling on a deep red polo he knew hugged his arms oh-so-nicely on and tucking it into his dark jeans, he pushed all the guys downstairs to make some drinks before people started arriving.

I'll be back for you later, buddy, he thought to the little white bowtie on his dresser.

--

Kurt waited until he was fashionably late, but not late enough to be rude, before knocking on the door. Really, he just didn't want to arrive awkwardly early, and he didn't know what Blaine's friends knew about him- or if they knew he existed at all. While he waited for someone to come to the door, he took time to admire the beautiful modern A-frame with tall windows. The door swung open and before Kurt could process anything, he was being dragged in by some Asian man in a navy and red polo,

"Blaine! Your boy's here!"

Kurt blushed- apparently Blaine's friends did know who he was. They wove their way past the kitchen, and Kurt had to stop himself from drooling at all the seemingly unused cookware. The Asian man stopped abruptly,

"You are Kurt right?"

"Um, yeah."

The Asian man looked proud of himself,

"Just making sure, I thought so though, the elegant chestnut hair and pretty-sparkly blue eyes-"

"Fuck off, Wes," Blaine interrupted, removing his friend's grip on Kurt's arm and pecking Kurt on the cheek.

"...Pretty-sparkly?"

Blaine coughed and grabbed Kurt's hand, leading him into the main part of the house. It was a huge, open room, already filled with people,

"Sorry there are so many people here, David and Thad- you'll meet them later- invited 'a few guests' and you know how that goes."

Kurt nodded, though no, he didn't really know because he didn't drink much and never really partied.

They pushed past a group of people, Blaine mumbled a few excuse-me's, and grabbed a couple of pre-filled shots in pink shot-glasses. Before Kurt could tell Blaine he wasn't intending on drinking, Blaine downed his and looked at Kurt expectantly.

Kurt wasn't sure what to do, but, not wanting to seem lame, attempted to follow suit. Instead, he ended up coughing on Blaine with red, teary eyes. That went well, he kicked himself.

"Kurt? Hey, um, let me get you a chaser, okay?"

Blaine disappeared behind the bar, digging for a soda and leaving Kurt to flounder in embarrassment.

"I take you don't drink very often," Blaine laughed as handed Kurt a can and the man promptly chugged his ginger ale.

Pink rose on Kurt's cheeks.

"I- I'm sorry. That's fine, I just, you're not supposed to inhale," Blaine chuckled and kissed him gently, "Let me introduce you to my friends then."

--

Kurt sighed and leaned into Blaine's shoulder. He'd enjoyed meeting all of Blaine's friends. He'd enjoyed seeing Blaine in his natural environment. Strangely, he'd enjoyed watching Blaine joke around with the guys; it was kind of fratty-hot. Definitely not something Kurt thought he'd be attracted to.

The cool ocean breeze swept through his hair. A few couples shared the view with them, exchanging whispers and giggles. While the party was fun, he enjoyed the quiet of the deck much more, a quiet interrupted by the sound of his phone. Blaine looked at him expectantly, so Kurt checked the caller i.d.

All the loveliness of the atmosphere came crashing down around Kurt as it read exactly as he'd expected it to- Liam. He picked up and mouthed "One second," to Blaine before turning away,

"What? – I thought you weren't even talking to me. – What do you care? – I'm with a friend. – Rachel's always giggly, I don't see your point."

He rolled his eyes at Blaine and whispered,

"Sorry..."

Blaine bit his lip when he heard the tantrum on the other end of the call and realized Kurt would probably be a while on the phone. A couple curious eyes landed on the pair,

"If you wanna talk in private, my room's the first on the right up the stairs."

"Thanks," Kurt mimed before squeezing Blaine's hand and heading back inside.

--

A couple minutes later, Blaine finished downing another beer. Kurt was still upstairs, undoubtedly trying to appease his stupid boyfriend when he was at Blaine's party as Blaine's date. Blaine supposed he shouldn't be this pissed, because technically he was the "other man," but he couldn't really be bothered with details.

Before he could stop himself, he was pushing through the bedroom door.

"Just. Stop! – Can you listen for one second, I swear... - You know what? FINE. I'll be home soon, babe --"

Kurt hadn't even noticed Blaine's entrance, and jumped when Blaine pushed the phone a couple of inches away from his ear gently,

"Don't," Blaine breathed into the opposite ear.

Kurt blushed, but pulled away and scolded Blaine with a hushed whisper,

"I can't. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

Blaine pulled Kurt in closer by the belt loops and leant his head against Kurt's cheek, ignoring the cursing from the phone. He pressed his lips to Kurt's neck, and exhaled sharply. He could feel Kurt fist his polo- it was really all he needed. Before Kurt could stop him, he'd grabbed the phone,

"Kurt's busy."

He clicked "end" and tossed it aside, muting Kurt's protest with a searing kiss.