This update has been long in the making. Sorry for the long wait. None of my friends know I'm writing this and it's difficult to write when you don't have someone to bounce ideas off of, who cheers you on or says what you wrote there is utter bullshit and could you please re-write this section, thank you.

But at least I know now where I want to go with this story. Now I only have to write it.

Thanks to everyone who's (still) reading. You're awesome!


Part 9/?

Kurt was gone before Blaine had even had the time to get his wits together. His mind was still occupied trying to process what would have happened if they hadn't been interrupted by the cameraman and sound technician. Kurt had gotten so close to him. Would he have kissed Blaine? Didn't matter. Aside from the fact that it totally did, because Blaine's mind reeled at the mere idea. It alone was enough to start an entire movie before his inner eye. Blaine was so busy replaying it in his head and watching the door behind which Kurt had disappeared, he'd forgotten he wasn't alone in the room and didn't even notice that the sound guy was asking him questions. Blaine furiously hoped he hadn't been drooling and tried to concentrate on forming appropriate answers.

"What were you and Kurt talking about, Blaine?" the guy was asking him while checking the shotgun microphone on the portable camera. "Was he telling you about his date? Were you disappointed that he didn't chose you?"

Blaine had successfully dodged their inquisitive questions and provocative implications the entire day; which was easy to do with about 20 other guys around. It was only day 2 and already they were starting to annoy Blaine. But he'd known what he was getting himself into when he signed up and got accept to the show. He'd just never expected to fall in love with the celebrity bachelor the moment he saw him. Also, he'd never known himself to be a jealous guy, but Kurt seemed to bring out this side of him.

"Do you think you stand a chance at tonight's roses ceremony? Do you think you've made enough of an impression on Kurt in the last few days?"

Blaine's first impulse, an impulse that was very foreign to him, was to snipe at the man, but at the last moment he took a deep breath and from somewhere within him pulled a smile up and onto his face, winking into the camera.

"I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out," he flirted with the camera, giving it a wide smile.

"You sound confident," the guy commented.

Blaine was feeling anything but. The longer he thought about it, the more he was convinced that he'd overstepped some boundaries in confronting Kurt like that. But he answered, "I have to be. Otherwise I have no business being here, now do I?"

He turned away to the chuckles of both men. At least he managed to convince them.

Because tonight Kurt would end the evening with a roses ceremony again, all contestants were expected to join the cocktail party beforehand. So Blaine went straight up to his room to change and get ready. His stomach squeezed uncomfortably at the thought of having to spend an evening pretending to be cheerful and making smalltalk. Then his thoughts wandered to Sebastian and Blaine didn't even try to hold the groan inside. He briefly entertained the idea of clueing Kurt in on Sebastian's flirty nature and dishonest attitude, but he didn't want to be that kind of person. Besides, he hoped Kurt would figure it out for himself sooner or later. Blaine wasn't sure how much of his and Sebastian's so-called conversation at the pool was picked up by the cameras and if or what of it reached Kurt's eyes and ears, but even if Kurt never heard a word of it, he'd still have enough people smarts to realize Sebastian's game for an act. Right? Blaine sighed, wanting to believe his own reasoning, but all the while reminding himself that he didn't yet know Kurt well enough to make assumptions about his knowledge of human nature. Though it definitely felt like he did.

When Blaine descended the stairs, he found most of his fellow contestants already there, Kurt among them. Unlike this morning, Kurt looked up the moment Blaine stepped into the room and for a brief, but very private moment, their eyes met which made the butterflies in Blaine's stomach go crazy.

During the entire evening Blaine tried to enjoy the party, but he couldn't help but follow Kurt with his eyes, no matter where he went or whom he was talking to. And each one of Kurt's laughs that Blaine couldn't give himself credit for made him feel more and more insecure. By the time the roses ceremony drew near, Blaine had convinced himself he'd be the one to leave the group tonight.

Blaine tried to put up a cool front, but on the inside he was berating himself for what he'd said to Kurt earlier. He'd acted as though he had a right to Kurt's attention or time; as though Kurt owed him an explanation. He probably scared Kurt away; freaked him out completely. If it wasn't for the many witnesses, Blaine would have liked to punch himself for fucking this up.

When Kurt took place beside the stand where the roses for the ceremony were placed, Blaine was a perfect nut case. His palms were sweaty, his breathing flat and irregular. He hadn't been this nervous in a very long time, certainly more than a decade ago.

Thankfully, Blaine was spared further contemplations when Kurt picked up the first rose and got straight to business.

Kurt glanced down at the rose in his hand briefly before looking up and fixing his eyes right on Blaine. Blaine would have sworn his heart missed a beat.

"Blaine? Will you accept this rose?"

It took Blaine a while before his mind translated the answer to the question into movement and he stepped forward.

"I was sure you'd be sending me home," Blaine sheepishly whispered as he accepted the flower.

"What?! Why?" Kurt's eyes grew wide with surprise. "How… No, I…Why…? I'd never…" He then paused, smiled an excuse and tried anew, "Why would you think that? Didn't you… back in the kitchen… I thought we…" Kurt shrugged a one-shouldered shrug. "I thought there was a connection."

"There was," Blaine hurried to assure him, both parts relieved and elated that he hadn't imagined it. "Oh, god, yes, there was."

Kurt smiled, clearly pleased, and tried to hide it by looking down. The he looked up and bit his lower lip which to Blaine looked adorable. "Great. I mean, I'm glad."

Kurt glanced over Blaine's shoulder and Blaine turned to see what the matter was. An executive was motioning for him to move on to the next candidate. But instead Kurt turned back to Blaine and, with a side glance to the camera over his shoulder, said, "I hope you don't have anything planned for tomorrow."

Blaine's brain was still running on endorphins mostly so it took him a moment to understand. "Does it mean what I think it means?"

"I've no idea what the producers have planned for tomorrow," Kurt explained, "but whatever it is, I hope you'll join me?"

"Yes!" Blaine exclaimed and immediately tried to crank down on his too obvious enthusiasm. "Absolutely."

"Even if it turns out to be a group knitting course?"

Blaine grinned harder. "Especially if it turns out to be a knitting course."

Kurt playfully groaned. "Don't tell me you knit."

"Hey," Blaine protested, "don't diss my hobby. Men who knit are sexy. Google it."

"I'm sure some men who knit are sexy."

Blaine bit down on his lower lip and looked down to hide his blush.

Blaine was barely able to sleep all night. From time to time he experienced moments where he feared that Kurt would change his mind come morning. But most of the time was spent hoping that the date the executives came up with would give him and Kurt some alone time to talk. And, Blaine hoped, maybe even more? Was it too early in the game to wish for a one-on-one date? And how far was Blaine willing to go on camera; or Kurt for that matter? Would Kurt actually kiss him while the cameras were running? Would Blaine want him to? Blaine finally fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning when his mind was too exhausted fantasizing about what the next day would bring.

Blaine missed breakfast the next morning, he slept so late. He startled awake, confused for a moment what jarred him awake. then he heard the sound again - a knock on his door.

"Mr. Anderson?" a production assistant called through the closed door, then more tentatively, "Blaine?"

"Yeah?" Blaine mumbled and rubbed his eyes.

"Are you alright?" the uncertain voice asked him.

"Ehm, I think so." Blaine scrambled for his phone on the nightstand to check the time. It was almost midday. Kurt would be there in mere minutes to choose his date for today's outing.

"Are you sure? You haven't come down for breakfast. Do you feel okay?"

Blaine was already on his feet and headed to the bathroom, calling in the direction of the door, "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just overslept. I'll be downstairs in 10 minutes."

He didn't wait for a reply.

He was the last to arrive in the salon downstairs. A few of the men threw annoyed or sour looks and Blaine knew that the film crew had been waiting for him to join the candidates before starting the filming. He smiled apologetically and took a seat in one of the chairs scattered in the back.

After a few overview shots the cameras finally turned their focus on the entryway and seconds later - though to Blaine they'd seemed like endless hours - Kurt stepped through the doors.

He looked stunning as usual. Only, this time, it was impossible to tell from his outfit where the date would take them.

"Hello, everyone," Kurt greeted them all and then let his eyes wander. When they came to rest on Blaine's face, he smiled a different kind of smile - one that Blaine felt was reserved only for him. He couldn't help but grin back, feeling again like a hormonal teenager in love.

They held eye contact for a moment before Kurt swiped the room again and continued, "For today's activity I thought we'd take advantage of the beautiful nature of this island and go hiking through the Black River Gorges Park."

There was some sporadic whooping and cheering, but most remained silent, nervous to hear who would be chosen to accompany Kurt on this adventure.

"I am going to invite two of you to join me," Kurt said and the tension grew. Most were hoping that at least 3 people were going to be invited. "Blaine? How does hiking sound?" Kurt asked, turning with a smile to the man in question.

Blaine grinned happily. "Sounds fantastic. I'm in."

They shared another private smile before Kurt broke the contact. His eyes fixated on someone behind the nearest camera, but Blaine couldn't see on whom exactly. There seemed to be a tiny moment of hesitation for Kurt, but Blaine might have imagined it, he was so excited to spend the day with Kurt.

"And the second person I want to invite on this date is… Sebastian. Would you like to join in?"

Blaine's smile immediately slipped from his face. He turned to follow the jealous stares and saw Sebastian smirking at him with a smug expression.