Just Sebastian? Well that was a problem.

"But I thought you liked him? You always act so..." Kurt tried to think of the right thing to say.

"Shy? Yeah I know,"

"Then why?" Kurt wondered, watching as Blaine began to look vaguely sheepish.

"I don't know if you noticed but he's uh quite intimidating-"

Kurt could definitely see where he was coming from with that one.

"-and he's not really boyfriend material you know? I've never even considered it really and I know he hasn't,"

Kurt raised an eyebrow at the other boy, thinking of all the obvious signals that he had seen Sebastian send Blaine.

"No! Really!" Blaine was quick to grasp what Kurt meant. "He jokes around yeah but he doesn't mean anything by it. Some of the things he says just make me really uncomfortable but he's not really interested in me."

"Ah." Kurt said, feeling awkward.

"But aside from all the flirting and dirty jokes he's actually really cool, don't get me wrong" Blaine saw Kurt's incredulous expression and chuckled. "Really! He's surprisingly sensitive and intelligent. He has this obsession with old books and you should see his room, it's full of them."

"Really? Kurt didn't hide his shock.

"He is an actual person you know!" Blaine didn't sound annoyed, only amused. "He also plays lacrosse; he's really into sports and stuff."

"Can't say I'm surprised to hear that," Kurt grinned.

Blaine opened his mouth, apparently about to say something when he was interrupted by his phone beeping. With an apologetic smile at Kurt, he turned his attention to the flashing screen, allowing Kurt to observe Blaine without being noticed.

Blaine had to be the most oblivious person on the planet Kurt thought, gazing at said boy, trying to figure out what was going on inside his head. How could he not realise that Sebastian was hitting on him? From what Kurt had seen; Sebastian wasn't subtle…

"Wanna tell me your plans for regionals?" Blaine teased, placing his phone back in his pocket, interrupting Kurt's internal musings.

"No way, you're still competition and besides we haven't even decided on a set-list yet." Kurt pushed the Sebastian conversation from his mind, grateful for the subject change.

"Oh?" Blaine sounded intrigued and Kurt tensed as he realised he had given something away and that he was still talking to his competition. He opened his mouth to speak when Blaine laughed easily.

"Don't worry, you haven't given anything away. I'm not here to spy or anything."

Kurt resisted the urge to confess his own spying experience, reminding himself not to give anything away. He was really beginning to like Blaine and as nice as he was, he was sure that he wouldn't take kindly to finding out Kurt had spied on his competition. So instead he replied jokingly.

"Yeah well it doesn't matter what you find out, we'll still win."

"Not a chance Hummel," A voice said from behind Kurt

Kurt turned around to see Sebastian grinning cockily at him.

"You're late," Kurt accused, narrowing his eyes.

"Only ten minutes, you okay Blaine? He didn't scare you off did he?" Sebastian was still teasing but his tone had turned almost fond and this fact wasn't lost on Kurt. Kurt arched an eyebrow at Sebastian who merely grinned and sat down in between Kurt and Blaine.

"Hey Bastian," Although Blaine sounded a lot less comfortable then he had a minute ago, he seemed more relaxed than he had the last time Kurt had seen him interact with Sebastian. Kurt watched as Sebastian blushed slightly at the name and Kurt began to feel a little bit sorry for him, he knew what it was like to have someone who didn't return your feelings.

"Hi Blaine, Kurt," Sebastian sent a pointed look at Kurt before taking off his blazer.

"So why were you late?" Blaine asked. "Class run late?"

"Yeah, Ms Fauly kept us all in,"

"That sucks,"

"So do i, I could show you.." Sebastian said winking, making Blaine blush and Kurt grimace.

"Thank you for that Sebastian," Kurt said, shaking his head in disgust.

"So what did I miss?" Sebastian grinned at Kurt.

"Nothing much, we've only been here 10 minutes," said Blaine.

"Ah, that explains the angry barista…"

Both Kurt and Blaine looked towards the counter, where the barista was. He was in his late thirties and from where he was standing Kurt could see that he was wearing what appeared to be a cloud-patterned bowtie, he was also glaring at the three of them. Wrinkling his nose at the poor fashion choice he turned back to Sebastian.

"Aside from that god-awful bow tie, what's wrong with him?"

"Hey! I don't think it's that bad…" Blaine muttered defensively and both Kurt and Sebastian sniggered.

"Really Blaine?" Kurt shook his head in mock despair.

"Bowties are a very good choice if-"

"Ladies, ladies. Let's keep the fashion debate for later okay?" Sebastian was obviously trying to sound annoyed but Kurt could tell he was trying to hold back a smile. "The reason he's glaring at us is because you haven't ordered any coffee yet."

Kurt looked down at the table and realised that was Sebastian had said was true.

"Sorry, I guess we forgot," Blaine grinned. "I'll go get some. Sebastian, I'll get you the usual?"

"Sure, sure,"

"Kurt, what do you want?" Blaine looked towards Kurt expectantly.

"Um… I'll get the Grande low-fat mocha thanks," He threw Blaine a grateful smile.

"Of course you'd get the low fat option," Kurt heard Sebastian mutter as Blaine walked away.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing…" Sebastian said, grinning at him and Kurt scowled back. "So how are things going with Blaine? You haven't fallen in love with him have you?"

Sebastian's cocky expression remained the same but Kurt could hear genuine curiosity in his voice. Making a hasty decision, Kurt decided not to tell Sebastian of Blaine's early words. Not only had he promised Blaine he wouldn't tell Sebastian, he didn't really know how he would even tell Sebastian, Kurt was feeling increasingly out of his depth already and he didn't need to add Sebastian's problems to the long list of his own.

"No way, he's all yours," He saw a small, relieved smile flit across Sebastian's face and Kurt almost began to feel sorry for the other boy until…

"Oh we both know who would win Blaine if it came down to it. Hummel, you just don't have the same level of sex appeal as I do, not mention I'm pretty sure you're wearing a girl's sweater…" Sebastian eyed Kurt with an air of morbid fascination and Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Fashion has no gender."

"Huh, I'll think you find it does princess…"

"Shut your little meerkat face. I look fantastic and you know it." Kurt preened, ignoring the other boy's snigger.

"You don't look half bad," Sebastian allowed and Kurt's eyes widened, was that a compliment?

"But a meerkat? Really? Sebastian questioned, wrinkling his nose.

"You can't help the face you're born with." Kurt said, smirking.

"You'd know all about that, gay face,"

Kurt felt the blood drain from his face, memories from the last few days resurfacing.

"Fag!"

"Lady-boy!"

"Abomination!"

Before he could say anything he heard Blaine call out Sebastian's name in shock.

"Sebastian!" He was standing behind Kurt holding their coffees and Kurt hadn't even realised he was there.

"What? I was just teasing…Kurt's knows that." Sebastian glanced over at Kurt who nodded.

"Yeah, it's fine Blaine," Kurt tried to smile convincingly but Blaine was apparently thinking about his and Kurt's earlier conversation and he continued to speak as he sat down, giving each boy his coffee.

"No it's not fine," He took a breath and looked at Kurt, slightly apologetically. "Sebastian, Kurt's being bullied at school."

Kurt sighed heavily as Sebastian turned his eyes on him, an unreadable expression on his face.

"He's being pushed around physically and being called names, just like you just did," Blaine said, his face grave.

"No Blaine, Sebastian just meant it as a joke, it's fine," Kurt said reassuringly, wishing this conversation was over.

"I'm sorry," Sebastian actually sounded sincere and Kurt turned to look at him, trying to keep his feeling of disbelief from showing on his face.

"Not for calling you names, you know I didn't mean it, not really," Blaine opened his mouth in protest but Sebastian held up hand to silence him. "But for the bullying, you shouldn't have to put up with that, it's not fair."

Both Kurt and Blaine were staring at him, their faces identical masks of shock and Sebastian laughed wryly when he saw them.

"What? I have a heart you know…"

"Huh, sure," Kurt snorted and the two exchanged grins.

"This isn't a joke Sebastian! We need to help Kurt," Blaine said firmly.

"Blaine, I really appreciate it but there's nothing-"

"No," To Kurt's surprise Sebastian was the one who interrupted him. "You can't just do nothing about this."

He's right," Blaine sounded as surprised as Kurt felt. "You should confront him, call him out-"

"No," Sebastian butted in.

"No?" Blaine sounded a little insulted.

"No," said Sebastian firmly. "You shouldn't confront him Kurt, that'll only make him angry and when people get angry they make rash, crazy decisions. You'll get hurt if he gets fired up."

Kurt cocked his head to the side and considered Sebastian's words.

"That makes sense…"

"Of course it does," Sebastian grinned at Kurt.

"Well he can't just sit here and do nothing; it's just going to get worse…" Blaine accused, taking a deep mouthful of his coffee.

"I'm not saying that, I'm just saying that instead of taking a really aggressive approach, maybe he should try and take a more defensive one," Sebastian spoke with authority and Kurt was surprised at how logical his suggestion was.

"You're right," Blaine said a little incredulously.

"Your surprise is insulting," Sebastian drawled, blowing on his coffee. Kurt laughed softly as Blaine flushed a little.

"What do you think I should do then?"

Both Sebastian and Blaine paused for a moment and surprisingly it was Sebastian who spoke first.

"You should get some of the tall guys in your glee club to help, are you friendly with them?"

"Yeah, we're friends but I'm not going to get them to guard me or anything," said Kurt firmly.

"That's not what he's saying Kurt," Blaine said earnestly. "There's strength in numbers, if the jerk at your school knows that your glee guys have your back he might back off."

"I don't know…" Kurt said. He had only known Sebastian for a couple of weeks and Blaine even less and here he was, confessing all his problems and getting advice from them.

"Kurt even just having your friends support is going to make you feel better." Blaine sounded completely certain. "Am I right when I guess that you haven't really told them how bad it's getting?"

Kurt didn't say anything and Blaine sighed.

"Kurt?"

"You're right," Kurt admitted begrudgingly. "I just don't want to bother them…"

"That's stupid Kurt and you know it," Sebastian said sharply. "Just tell them and get them to look out for you."

"Please do it Kurt, if the guy sees that you're not alone he's going to be less inclined to try and get to you. Trust me, I know,"

Kurt looked at Blaine's beseeching eyes and sighed.

"Kurt just do it," Sebastian said, his voice uncharacteristically serious and without arrogance.

"I'll do it," Kurt finally said and Blaine sighed in relief. "But I don't know if it'll change anything…."

"It'll change everything," Blaine promised. "Knowing you're not alone can make a world of difference. You have your friends and you have us, don't forget that."

"Thanks," Kurt smiled at Blaine who returned the smile.

"No problem,"

"You too Sebastian, thank you," Kurt felt slightly awkward thanking the taller boy. He was still a little surprised at all the advice Sebastian had given and today had only made it harder for Kurt to figure him out.

"You're welcome," Sebastian smiled at Kurt, a real smile and Kurt felt his insides warm at the sight of it. When Sebastian was being arrogant or sarcastic Kurt couldn't really appreciate how good looking he was but at that moment Kurt could definitely see why Sebastian was so full of himself, he was gorgeous…

"Besides, giving back to the needy is good for my image you know?" Sebastian added, leaning back in his chair smirking.

Kurt rolled his eyes, thankful that Sebastian had returned to being himself and that his momentary appreciation of the other boy had passed, another unrequited crush was not what he needed at the moment, especially if it was on Sebastian, the almost-but–not-quite asshole.

"It would take a lot more than a bit of community service to save your image, Sebastian," Kurt eyed the other boy with mock distaste.

"At least I have an image, Hummel," Sebastian shot back.

They grinned at each other for a moment before Blaine interrupted.

"Do you guys do this all the time? Can we please have some normal conversation?" He sounded exasperated and Kurt gave him an apologetic look.

"Sorry, of course we can. Did you see the latest vogue?" Kurt questioned, drinking from his coffee.

Before Blaine could answer, Sebastian cut in scathingly. "Just because we're gay doesn't mean we-"

"Sebastian!" Blaine chastised him before answering Kurt. "Yeah I did actually; I can't believe she actually fit in that dress…"

"I heard they had to sew part of it directly on her," Kurt whispered conspiratorially.

"Oh heaven help me," Sebastian muttered dramatically, looking towards the ceiling. "Somebody save me."

Despite Sebastian's grumblings, the three of them had managed to spend a good hour discussing fashion, glee and at one stage for Sebastian's benefit, sports. Kurt was surprised at how comfortable he felt around the two of them, even with Sebastian's teasing and as he drove home, he pondered over the Blaine and Sebastian's suggestion about Karofsky. It did sound logical to tell his friends and having Sam, Puck and Finn back him up would be helpful, he knew that much. He already felt better about the situation thanks to Blaine and Sebastian and he supposed it wouldn't hurt if he followed their advice. Things were getting better for once and Kurt could scarcely believe his luck.

As he walked to his door he felt his phone vibrate and taking it out of his pocket, he saw the name Sebastian Smythe flash up on the screen. Wondering what on earth Sebastian was texting him about, he unlocked his phone.

Tomorrow night, you, B and me are going to a bar in columbus. Make sure you have an alibi, we'll be gone most of the night. Pick you up from the lima bean at 5. Sebastian
P.S come or I'll tell B about your little visit to Dalton

Crap.