What the actual fuck? 

Kurt had never had much use for the phrase, cock tease.  If someone didnt want to have sex with you, there was usually a reason, and rejection was no reason to put hurtful labels on people.  Normal people didnt get off on getting you worked up and then just walking away.  Kurt had always believed that, but now he was starting to wonder. 

It wasnt Kurts imagination; Blaine had come onto him.  Even if the aloe rubbing was completely innocent--and, seriously, he could have just handed over the bottle--there was nothing innocent about Blaines hand on Kurts dick.  Blaine wasnt accidentally squeezing Kurts boys.  Nope.  This was sexual; it wasnt in Kurts head.  But every time Blaine pulled back at the last second.  Was that Blaines kink?  Did he like the torment? 

But maybe there was a simpler explanation. 

Of course.  Kurt didnt know why he hadnt seen it before:  Blaine had a boyfriend. 

It made total sense.  Kurt had met a bunch of guys like that in college.  They had boyfriends, but they still couldnt resist flirting, or even cheating, with other men.  Heck, he knew a bunch of straight guys like that in high school.  His friend, Puck, was one of those guys.  And it wasnt just guys.  His friend, Santana, was like that, too. 

Shit, clearly Adam was like that, as well. 

Kurt supposed it was a form of insecurity.  Even when in a relationship, these people didnt feel attractive enough unless they knew that other people wanted them.  Kurt knew he should feel sorry for them.  He should. 

They pissed him off. 

Well, at least Blaine had the decency to draw the line.  Technically, they hadnt kissed--except that one painful spot behind his ear.  Blaine had touched him, but only for a second and only through clothes.  And, yes, Kurt had seen Blaine naked, but that wasnt really Blaines fault. 

Still, Kurt didnt want to see the cheating rat bastard ever again.  Even if they hadnt technically done anything, Blaine had crossed the line.  And worse, now that Kurt knew exactly what kind of man Blaine really was, he no longer qualified as Kurts go to masturbation fantasy.  Now Kurt was going to have to flip through the latest copies of Out and start auditioning new fantasy men, and he had so many other things to do.  It wasnt fair.  

It was never fair. 

-s-

For four days Kurt saw neither hide nor hair of Blaine, and good riddance, he told himself.  Of course, Kurt didnt see much of anyone.  He spent those days mostly cloistered in his apartment, wearing the baggiest clothes he owned, and working on what was now an increasingly angry screenplay.  He went to the main house to eat with Burt and Carole, and he helped Carole cook and clean up, but otherwise, he was a monk. 

He was also on fire. 

Even with the aloe rub, the sunburn was painful.  Kurt laid in bed at night freezing and not daring to cover himself because it would hurt too much.  He berated himself for being such an idiot.  He knew he couldnt go out in the sun, but he threw caution to the wind because he was stupid enough to think that a gorgeous man liked him. 

And worse that the pain and the humiliation was how horrible he looked.  He was peeling.  It was so gross. 

By day five Kurts sunburn had largely subsided, the pain was gone and the worst of the peeling was over, thanks to an aggressive moisturizing routine. Kurts face actually looked attractively sun kissed.  Kurt had also added nearly a hundred pages to his screenplay, so when Carole and Burt declared that they should have lobster for dinner, he didnt even object to all the cholesterol. 

He helped Carole prepare and cook the lobster, and he tossed a leafy salad from local produce purchased at nearby Bartlett Farms.  Pouring glasses of a crisp Viognier, he set a beautiful table on the deck overlooking Hummock Pond, using seashells and beach rocks to make an impromptu festive table.  The three of them laughed and ate and made appreciative noises over the food as they watched a brilliant sunset. 

It was a lovely evening. 

And then he had to show up. 

Appearing from around the side of the house and looking devastatingly handsome, Blaine called a hello to the three of them. 

Burt, not noticing Kurts anemic wave, said, "Hi, kiddo.  What brings you around?"

"Hello, Mr. Hummel.  Mrs. Hummel.  A bunch of my friends are building a bonfire down on the beach.  I thought Id see if Kurt wanted to join us."

"Oh, that sounds like fun, Kurt," Carole enthused. "Fires on the beach are so romantic."

Kurt needed to nip this in the bud right now.  He looked at Blaine without smiling, "No, I dont think so," he paused, "but thank you.  Im just enjoying a nice evening in with my family."

"No, go ahead, son.  Ill help Carole with the dishes," Burt encouraged Kurt. 

"No, its okay, Dad.  Im enjoying being with you." 

"Cmon, Kurt," Burt rejoined, "Its a beautiful night.  Theres going to be a full moon and millions of stars.  Its a great night for a romantic evening with my beautiful bride."

"Burt," Carole smiled at him. 

Kurt loved his dad and stepmom, but they were hopeless at reading a situation.  Still, who was he to stand in the way of true love, and if Kurt was always going to fail at that, at least he could be happy for his dad, and not a giant cock block like some people.  

"Fine," he finally said, standing and putting his napkin on the table.  "Let me at least clear the table, first." 

"Ill help," Blaine offered, smiling that stupid, stupid perfect smile. 

They gathered up the dishes and took them into the kitchen, and then Kurt had no other choice but to follow Blaine back outside.  After saying their goodbyes to Burt and Carole, they struck out across the yard. 

"You might want a sweater.  It will probably get cold later," Blaine suggested, and Kurt agreed saying, "Stay here," a little more firmly than was strictly necessary before heading up to his apartment to retrieve one. 

While in his apartment, Kurt may have stopped by the bathroom to brush his teeth, check his hair, and critically examine his reflection.  He may have also put on the tiniest bit of cologne.  He may have changed his shirt.  Just because he didnt want anything to do with Blaine didnt mean he didnt want to look his best.  A man had to maintain standards. 

Kurt rejoined Blaine, and Kurt tried to ignore the small pleasure that rippled through him when Blaine said a breathy, "Wow, Kurt, you look great."  Then Blaine chatted happily to Kurt all the way to the beach, and he didnt seem to notice that Kurts replies were mostly grunts. 

When they crested the last dune, Kurt saw a brilliant bonfire with a handful of people scattered around.  Under the starlight, the fire and the crashing waves were heartbreakingly beautiful.  It was, as Carole had said, the most romantic setting possible.  

Kurt thought now might be a good time to slit his wrists.  

As Blaine introduced Kurt to his friends, Kurt suddenly shouted, "Elliott!" 

"You know Elliott?" asked Blaine.

"Oh my gosh, Kurt," exclaimed Elliott, wrapping Kurt in an enthusiastic hug.  Elliott Gilbert was one of Kurts best friends and a member of a band that Kurt formed when he was a freshman at NYADA.  He was drop dead gorgeous and made even more interesting by an asymetrical hair cut and the liberal use of guy liner.  Kurt was a little surprised that he never developed a crush on the yummy and talented musician, but it just never evolved that way, which was probably just as well, as Kurt had seen Elliott date and discard a whole slew of men over the years.  

"I thought you were on a yoga retreat all summer," Kurt asked, suffused with happiness at seeing his old friend. 

"I was, but it turns out you can only take so much meditation and coconut water, so I was visiting my folks on the Cape, and when my buddy, Blaine, called me, I thought Id come over.  I had no idea you were here.  Did you bring the crazy woman?"

"Rachel?  No.  I invited her, but she was in rehearsals." 

"You know Elliott?"  Blaine repeated.  "How do you know Elliott?" 

For a brief moment, Kurt wondered if Blaine was Elliotts latest boyfriend, and a coldness flashed in his stomach.  Then he realized that Elliott had been single before he left for his retreat, and if he had just started dating Blaine, he would have been all over him--he was always very handsy at first--so Elliott was clearly not Blaines mystery guy.

Kurt had heard Blaines question (twice) but he wasnt really speaking to him, so Elliott answered for Kurt, "Kurts a close friend.  He formed a band about four years ago, and I auditioned.  Thats how we met.  Weve been in a band together for a while.  Its awesome, although its more of a hobby than something we actively pursue.  Still, were good.  You should come hear us some time." 

"Wow, thats great.  Id love to," Blaine replied enthusiastically, sounding so sincere that Kurt wanted to barf. 

Despite his best efforts at giving Blaine the silent treatment, Kurts curiosity got the best of him, "And how you know Elliott?"  Kurt asked, trying to sound like he didnt really care much at all. 

"We were in college together.  At Tisch," Blaine explained, "I mean, Im still in college.  I have one more year on a recorded music BFA, and Elliotts already graduated in the same program, but we met when I was a freshman and he was a junior.  We just hit it off." 

"You should have seen this guy, Kurt.  He wore bowties to every class and had his hair all gelled back.  The fact that he carried a violin around everywhere he went just added to the hipster doofus vibe." 

"Ive seen the look," Kurt said a little too sharply, and Elliott eyed him curiously. 

"Well," Blaine said, clapping his hands together and seemingly oblivious to Kurts tone, "Lets have some fun.  I assume you brought your Taylor," he said to Elliott. 

Elliott nodded, and soon the whole group was gathered around the fire, Elliott and Blaine taking turns playing the guitar and the whole group singing.  As hard as Kurt tried to not enjoy himself, he loved singing, and he had a great time.  Blaines friends were interesting and nice, and everyone could sing.  It turned out that they were all friends from Tisch, but even with that connection, each one made a point of including Kurt in their conversation, and they collectively seemed a little awed that Kurt was at NYADA, which they had all applied for but been rejected at some point in their lives. 

Kurt was a little stunned to realize that Blaine and he had both been in New York City for three years.  Of course, New York is a huge place, and you were unlikely to accidentally run into some one.  Still, Blaine was going to school on Broadway, and Kurt was constantly going to auditions in that area.  The whole situation made Kurt feel a strange longing for reasons he couldnt define. 

As the evening wore down, couples were wrapped up together in blankets.  One of Blaines friends was asleep, his head resting on a log.  Kurt was sitting on another log, and Elliott was sitting at his feet, his head resting in Kurts lap.  Blaine was staring pensively into the fire, seemingly lost in thought.  

Then Blaine grabbed the guitar and began strumming his own take on an old Don Henley tune.  It was a haunting melody and perfect for the beach, but Kurt could have sworn that Blaine looked right at Kurt when he sang:

I never will forget those nights

I wonder if it was a dream

Remember how you made me crazy?

Remember how I made you scream

Now I dont understand what happened to our love

But babe, when I get you back

Im gonna show you want Im made of

It was a break-up song.  A song of regret and longing.  But Kurt and Blaine hadnt broken up.  They didnt have anything to break.  Except maybe Kurts heart, but that was his own stupid fault for holding a torch for six years for some guy he knew almost nothing about.  Still a tiny shiver ran down Kurts spine when Blaine pinned him with his eyes, glowing honey in the firelight, and sang the final chorus:

I can see you-your brown skin shinin in the sun

You got your hair slicked back and those Wayfarers on, baby

I can tell you my love for you will still be strong

After the boys of summer have gone

As the last strains of the guitar died out, Kurt stood.  "It was great meeting everyone," he said to the group, "but I think Im going to take off." 

Blaine rose to accompany Kurt, but Kurt waived him off.  "Stay," he said, and it might have been a trick of the light, but Blaine looked a little crestfallen when he nodded slowly.