"Non-fat mocha," Sam said, sitting the cup in front of Kurt.

Kurt looked up, surprised. "You know my coffee order?"

Sam chuckled. "Of course, dummy. Haven't we been doing this for two weeks now?"

"Oh. Yeah, I guess we have. I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know your order," Kurt admitted, blushing a bit.

"Probably because I never get the same drink. I'm also usually the one ordering since you always have your nose buried in these books," Sam said, bumping the ever present Art History book.

"Well, mid-terms are coming up and I'm kind of freaking out. Aren't you?" Kurt asked, sipping the coffee and sighing as the heat hit his stomach.

"Not really. I mean I've studied, but you can only do so much, right?" he said casually.

"I guess," Kurt repeated. "I can't just stop, though. I feel like I have to try and shove as much information into my brain as possible in the hopes I'll remember it for the exams."

"Well, how about you use me as an excuse to take a break. That way you can let your brain breathe, so it doesn't drown in dates and names," Sam teased.

Kurt slammed his book shut with a smile. "I can't argue with that. So, how are things?"

"Life is pretty good. I'm looking forward to the end of mid-terms, obviously. There's a great party this Friday to celebrate the end of exams," he replied.

"Which dorm?" Kurt asked, remembering he didn't have such great luck at parties, or after parties.

"The Kappa frat, actually. There are only a couple frats around and these guys tend to throw parties all the time," Sam said, biting into a muffin.

"Ah, the Kappa's. Also known as the dorm that brought us the 'Somebody-Sneezed Party,' and the 'Day that Ends in Y Party.' They tend to party pretty hard, don't they?" Kurt asked. He'd heard plenty about that particular frat and after his experience, he was nervous to go to any parties.

"Yeah, but isn't that the point?" Sam asked, grinning.

Kurt giggled lightly and reached over to brush the muffin crumbs from Sam's chin. "You're a messy eater. And yeah, I guess hard partying is the point. I just haven't had the best of luck at these things."

Sam's green eyes darkened at Kurt's touch. He'd been trying to concentrate on just being a friend and had even let up on the majority of his flirting. But he couldn't deny that he was still attracted to Kurt. That small, innocent touch had sent shivers through his body, like an electric shock. Could there be something there for Kurt as well?

"What happened at the parties you've been to?" Sam asked, choosing to not respond to the touch.

"We're friends right?" Kurt asked, his voice hesitant.

Sam tilted his head. "Yeah, we are. Why?"

"Well, if I tell you something, I need to know it won't go any further than this table," Kurt said quietly, staring at his coffee cup.

Sam reached over and laid his hand gently on Kurt's, ignoring the instant reaction in his body. "Kurt, you can trust me. Nothing you say will go any further than me, even if you confessed to a murder," he said with a smile.

Kurt just about spit out his coffee at that last comment. Sam had no way of knowing, of course, but it was too ironic. "Well, at the first party I went to, I was attacked. The second party I went to, I was attacked after I left. So, I'm not too inclined to go to any social gatherings," Kurt admitted.

Sam sat there, shocked. "Oh my god, Kurt, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

Kurt waved his words away. "I am now. It took a while, but I'm good now."

"Who did this to you? I mean, did you call the cops?" Sam felt the need for revenge. Who would dare attack this beautiful man?

"Um. Actually, it was the same guy both times. He, uh, ended up OD'ing on heroin a while back," Kurt replied.

"Well, I can't say I'm sorry to hear that," Sam said, his words slightly twanging from his southern accent. Kurt noticed the accent came out more when he was excited or upset about something. It was odd, knowing these personal things about someone. Especially because Kurt could tell Sam still found him attractive.

"What if we went as a group?" Sam offered. "We could get Colton, Jason, Wes, David, Puck, all those guys. We could go together." What he really wanted was to ask Kurt to be his date, but he knew Kurt would say no. Blaine was still very much in the picture, even if they were split up right now.

Kurt sat and thought for a moment. He couldn't let the fear of what happened color his life forever. Sebastian had been the perpetrator both times and he was gone. A feeling of gratitude swept through him. That had been happening a lot lately. Knowing that the person who wanted to hurt him could never come back; it comforted him. Blaine had removed something that would have haunted him the rest of his life. He'd taken away someone who could hurt him again. Was that his motivation, like he'd said? Could Kurt forgive that? But what if it happened again? Shaking his head, he realized he still hadn't answered Sam.

"You know what? Sure. As long as it's that big of a group, I'll give it a shot," Kurt said, trying to be brave.

"Good for you," Sam said, patting his hand again. Dammit, he needed to stop touching him or he was going to get a hard-on. Just being near this unearthly creature drove him wild. He would never admit to anyone that he thought about Kurt when he was naked in the shower. Never admit that he thought about those beautiful blue-green eyes as he stroked himself. Never admit that it was Kurt's name he moaned as he came. Focus, you pervert, he chastised himself. Focus.

"Okay, cool. I'll talk to the guys and we'll plan it," Sam said, excited at the prospect of perhaps getting a dance with Kurt.

"Excellent," Kurt said, trying to feel some sort of excitement. He wished Blaine would go. He'd truly feel safe if Blaine were there, issues or not.

"Can I ask you another question since we're being open?" Sam asked.

"Sure, I guess," Kurt replied, looking at him curiously.

"What happened with you and Blaine? From what I've heard, you two were engaged and the next day you were broken up," Sam said gently. Kurt seemed the completely loyal type, not one to walk away from someone for no good reason.

"Well, I can't get into the actual details. Let's just say he lied to me about some things, some very serious things and I need time to think about all of it," Kurt said, playing with the sleeve from his coffee cup.

"I'm sorry," Sam said quietly. The anguish on Kurt's face was so raw, it hurt just to look at him. "So what exams do you have tomorrow?" he asked, hoping to quickly change the subject.

Kurt smiled at him gratefully and began telling him about the mid-terms he was facing in the upcoming days. Sam really was a good guy, he thought. He was glad to have him.

. . . . .

"We did it! Can you believe it's done? Over? Kaput?" Colton cheered, jumping up and down between Kurt and Jason.

"I know, I'm so relieved," Kurt said with a smile.

"Mid-terms are always a bitch," Jason said, rubbing Colton's back. "I'm a junior and these damn exams can still make me quiver like a naked baby."

"Quiver like a naked baby?" Kurt repeated. "What kind of sad, pathetic comparison is that?"

"Shut up, Diva. My brain is empty. I'll return to my clever repartee on Monday. So. Party tonight. Are we ready?" Jason asked.

"Hell yeah! There's a beer somewhere with my name on it," Colton said, his crystal blue eyes sparkling.

"Yeah. Party," Kurt said, his stomach in knots over the idea.

"Hey. Don't even worry about a thing," Jason said, putting his hand on Kurt's shoulder. "We have a large group going. We all know what happened and someone will be with you at all times."

"I'm so pathetic," Kurt mourned. "All of you are having to give up your party time to babysit my dumb ass."

"You aren't pathetic and nobody is giving up any party time. We'll all be there, we'll all be partying. We're just doing it together," Colton pointed out. "No worries."

"Well," Jason said hesitantly. "There may be one worry."

"What's that?" Kurt asked warily.

"Um. Blaine's going to be there. I told him you'd be going with us and he insisted on going to, just to be an extra set of eyes for you. He said he wouldn't bug you or anything. He just worries, Kurt," Jason told him.

Kurt closed his eyes against the tears that were suddenly threatening to fall. Blaine was still watching out for him. He'd seen him every so often, just observing, never pushing Kurt. He continued to drop off money at the apartment, though Kurt had more than enough money left from the original envelope. If he was honest with himself, he felt safer knowing Blaine would be there tonight.

"That's fine. Of course. I wouldn't stop him from going to a party," Kurt reassured his friends. "So, what kind of party is this? Basic 'let's get drunk and run around the streets naked'? Or is it themed in some way?"

"Actually, yeah," Colton said, his excitement returning. "It's a mask party. Not costume or anything. Everyone is just going to be wearing masks. Any kind. Creepy, scary, pretty, whatever. I was going to ask you if you wanted to go to the costume shop with me. Jason has some creepy old man mask he's going to wear. I want something flashier."

If it had to do with shopping, Kurt was all for it. "Absolutely. Let's go!"

. . . . .

Four hours later, Kurt was standing in front of the mirror in Jason's room. It felt strange to be back in the room where he'd tried to kill himself. But it was so different with Colton's belongings that it wasn't a bad experience.

"How do I look?" he asked, turning and spinning for his friends. He'd found a perfect mask. It was plain white and was like the Phantom of the Opera mask, only it took up the entire top half of his face. It made him look eerie, but not scary. He'd gone with a plain black Henley, black jeans, and boots. To add a splash of color, he'd slipped a blue scarf through his belt loops.

"You look hot," Jason said with a wink.

"You really do," Colton agreed. He'd gone with a Mardi Gras-esque mask with bright feathers and glitter all over it.

"You really don't," Kurt said to Jason. The creepy man mask was just that, creepy. Kurt and Colton had picked up a plain black half mask for him just in case, but he'd turned them down. Colton said he was going to bring it along. Dancing in a full rubber mask was not going to be pleasant once he got hot.

They went downstairs and met the rest of the group that was going. Most of them were Warblers, along with some of their dates. Everyone had a mask on, from silly to scary, to simple and plain. Sam wore a green half mask that had antennae sticking up from it.

"An alien mask? Really?" Kurt commented as they began the walk to the frat house. It was close enough that nobody had to drive, which gave them less to worry about when people wanted to drink. As usual, Kurt would be catching a cab back to the apartment. Alone.

"Why not? It's green. Doesn't it bring out the green in my eyes?" Sam said, leaning over and batting his eyelashes.

"Well, if it wasn't pitch black out here and your face covered in shadows, I might be able to tell. I'll just take your word for it," Kurt grinned.

As they walked, Kurt made sure to make small talk with all the party goers. They all knew what he'd been through and had agreed to go together. He was grateful for their small sacrifices, for their obvious caring. He would stick close and make sure he was as small a pain as possible.

They entered the loud frat house, given the normal glow sticks, and offered beers. Kurt took one, but only sipped on it. He didn't want to get out of control. He couldn't risk something bad happening. Again.

Colton immediately dragged him out to dance and Kurt danced stiffly next to him.

"Let loose, Kurt, it's okay, you're safe," a warm voice said from behind him.

He turned with a start and saw Sam standing there. For a minute, he'd thought...

"I don't see you dancing," he said lightly.

"I wasn't invited," Sam returned.

"Oh for crying out loud, just dance with us," Colton grumbled.

Sam and Kurt laughed and began dancing. Before long Jason, Puck, Wes, David, and a couple girls they'd brought along, joined in. They were a laughing, bumbling circle and Kurt found he was having a truly good time. "Single Ladies" started playing and Kurt groaned. Jason and Colton knew Kurt's history regarding the song and started chanting for him to do the dance. Warmed by the small bit of alcohol he had, Kurt shrugged and stepped into the middle of the circle and began the familiar steps, swiveling his hips and throwing his head back.

Blaine watched him and felt a strange sense of déja vu. He'd been here before, watching Kurt and his magnetic hips. Only now he wasn't allowed to touch him. Only now he had to watch that asshole Sam dancing next to him, trying to copy his moves. He had to watch Kurt laugh and slap at the other man playfully. And he had to resist walking over and snapping the man's neck. Sam had turned out to be a friend for Kurt. He had a guy following Kurt to keep him safe and the guy also reported who he hung out with and Blaine knew they spent time together every day. He was jealous. Horribly, stinking jealous. And there was not a damn thing he could do about it. Checking his phone for messages, he saw there were none, which was a good sign. His father was healing quickly and was at home doing well. Blaine had finally talked to him and told him everything. Like his guy had told him, his father understood. He'd done similar things in the past. It had been the best talk he'd ever had with his dad. It was like since he'd used his father's men for nefarious reasons, his father finally saw him as his son. As messed up as that was, Blaine was happy to be able to call and talk to both his parent's whenever he wanted to. And he knew they'd answer the phone instead of always letting it go to voice mail.

Kurt danced, drank, and danced some more. He was having the best time. Watching his friends, he could tell when a couple wanted to dance alone and he'd casually dance over to one of the other people in their group.

Colton was dancing with Sam, so Kurt danced with Jason, who had finally caved and put on the lighter mask. Jason just did the step touch dance, so Kurt just swayed next to him. They were laughing at Sam's antics when Jason's smile froze.

"Warning," he said between clenched teeth.

Kurt stiffened and felt a tap on his shoulder.

He turned around and nearly lost his breath. A hand was being held out to him. "May I have this dance, please?"

Blaine's eyes were golden against the black of his mask. Like Kurt, he'd dressed in all black. But with his black hair and the mask, he was a stunning picture of sensuality.

Kurt tried to think but couldn't. "Um, sure." He put his hand into Blaine's and sighed as those strong fingers closed around his.

Blaine led them to a more deserted corner, like they had at that first party. The song changed to a slow song, the rhythm hypnotic. Staring deep into each other's eyes, Kurt stepped into him and wrapped his arms loosely around Blaine's neck. Blaine put his hands around Kurt's waist, drawing him in closer. The woman's started singing and the intense beat pulsed around them.

You make me feel like a sticky pistol

Leaning into her stamen.

You make me feel like Mr. Sunshine himself.

You make me feel like splendor in the grass where we're rolling

Dance with me baby

You make me feel like the Amazon's running between my thighs.

You make me feel love, love, love, love, love....

You make me feel love, love, love, love, love....

Love, love...

Blaine couldn't believe he had his arms wrapped around Kurt again. He felt amazing and with the song and the motion of his hips, Blaine was getting hard fast. Subtly, he slotted a leg between Kurt's and brought their hips closer together. They began swaying, undulating against one another, breathing heavily. No words were spoken; they let their bodies speak for them.

You make me feel like a candy apple all red and horny

You make me feel like I want to be a dumb blonde

In a centerfold, the girl next door.

And I would open the door and I'd be all wet

With my tits soaking through this tiny little t-shirt that I'm wearing

And you would open the door and tie me up to the bed.

You make me feel love, love, love, love, love....

You make me feel love, love, love, love, love....

Love, love...

Kurt tucked his head into Blaine's neck, breathing him in. Dear god, he'd missed his masculine scent. Blaine's strong arms around him, his body so close, Kurt wanted to cry out at the intense pleasure. As it was, he allowed his hips more motion, swirling and thrusting against Blaine. At the sharp intake of breath, he knew Blaine was feeling the same as him.

Lover, I don't know who I am.

Am I Barry White - am I Isis?

Lover I'm laced with your unconscious,

I will be your Desdemona

Take your time

You make me feel, ohhh

You make me feel, ahhh

You make me feel, oh, oh, ah, ah, oh, oh...

The music thumped through the room, mesmerizing them. Blaine slowly slid his hands down until he was cupping Kurt's ass. Kurt's breath shuddered against his neck. Kurt let his hands glide up and down Blaine's wide shoulders. Both of them were re-exploring each other's bodies, going slow so it didn't seem as sudden and animalistic as they wanted it to be.

The song ended, but they didn't seem to notice. Neither wanted to be the first to move away. Another song started, one with a faster beat. But they kept moving against one another, breathing heavily, their bodies trying to make love through their clothes. Kurt was hard as rock and he could feel that Blaine was too.

To complete the feeling of déja vu, Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear. "Let me make you feel good, baby. No sex. I just want to make you come."

Kurt didn't bother thinking. "Yes," he breathed.

They stopped dancing slowly, somehow not wanting the movements to stop. Finally, Blaine took Kurt's hand and led him back into the house. Like before, he found an empty room and pulled Kurt inside.

He gently pushed Kurt up against the wall and pulled both of their masks off.

"Please let me kiss you," Blaine murmured.

Kurt answered by slanting his mouth over Blaine's. They both cried out as they tasted each other. It felt like it had been an eternity since they'd kissed. Blaine gently ran his tongue over Kurt's lower lip before slipping inside his mouth. He gave a guttural moan as their tongues connected and writhed against one another. Kurt sucked gently on his tongue, making his cock pulse in his pants. Turning his attention to Blaine's neck, Kurt began licking and sucking gently on his skin.

Shuddering from the delicious feelings, Blaine pulled him closer. "You want it like that first time, baby? Up against the wall?"

Kurt pulled back and looked at him, his eyes blown almost black with lust. "No. No clothes, on the bed. But no sex," he breathed.

Blaine could only nod. Within a minute they were nude, looking at each other nervously. Kurt walked to the bed and laid down, holding his hand out to Blaine. Blaine came to him and slowly knelt over his body, before allowing himself to slide down completely against Kurt. Moans filled the room as their hot flesh connected, at once erotic and comforting. Kurt refused to cry or grasp Blaine close to him because he'd missed him. He wanted the orgasm he was so desperately close to. Moving his hips against Blaine, he let his body tell Blaine what he wanted. Blaine licked his hand and stroked himself with it then stroked Kurt, both of them crying out. Once they were both slick, Blaine moved back over Kurt and began thrusting his hips into Kurt's. Pants and mewls of pleasure filled the air, though they couldn't tell from who. They imitated what they'd done on the dance floor, twisting, pushing, circling their hips together, letting their cocks rub against each other. Kurt arched up as Blaine pressed down, sliding together. Blaine began thrusting his hips down harder, pushing and gliding until he heard the telltale whimpers come from Kurt's throat. He leaned down and sucked hard at Kurt's collar bone, knowing it would drive him over the edge. He was right. Kurt came with a shout, the orgasm going on and on as they moved together. Blaine felt the pulsing of Kurt's cock and growled as he came, his come mixing with Kurt's on their stomachs and chests.

They lay there against each other, breathing hard. Silently, Blaine got up and went to the connecting bathroom and brought back a warm washcloth. Lovingly, he cleaned Kurt up before wiping himself clean. He went to put the rag in the bathroom and came back to see Kurt getting dressed. He did the same, wondering if he should say anything. After tasting him for the first time in so long, he just wanted to take him in his arms and never let go. But he'd told himself he'd let Kurt make the moves, so he was stuck.

Kurt dressed quickly, his mind too full to process any thoughts clearly. Once he was fully dressed, mask in place, he looked at Blaine, his eyes sad. He offered him a small smile and left the room. Grabbing a beer, he chugged it down and rejoined Jason and Colton on the dance floor. They didn't ask where he'd been or if he was okay, they simply welcomed him back, comforting him with hugs and pats on the back.

Throughout the rest of the party, Kurt saw Blaine standing there at the edge of the dance floor, his golden eyes ever watchful.

. . . . .

Later, in his empty apartment, Kurt curled up and cried. He sniffed at himself, trying to see if there was any hint of Blaine left with him. Over and over, he went through the happenings of the night, trying to experience it all over again. The touches, the kisses, the intensity of being held by Blaine again. But try as he might, he couldn't get the feeling back. He was alone and that was all he felt.