I hoped to get this up before the new year, but it turned out to take much longer than I thought, and I ended up splitting the chapter in two. I'll post the next half in a week or so, I promise. I really enjoyed writing this chapter and we're getting so close (finally) to some actual kurtbastian. Who knew?

As always, thanks to my fabulous beta Lori and to everyone who enjoys this. Criticism and comments are highly welcomed because I always love hearing what you have to say.

Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year, wherever you are.


Sebastian woke up a few hours later to a knock on the door and Coach Beiste informing them through the door that they would be leaving in around an hour after the battery had been replaced.

He rubbed his hands over his face and stretched where he lay, turning his head to the bedside table to check what time it was. 7:30am. Sebastian sighed dramatically and pulled the covers back over his head when he realised there was something else on the table. Resting in front of the clock were two aspirin and a glass of water.

He picked up the two tiny white pills and inspected them, as if they would disappear from sight if he didn't. He furrowed his brow and looked to the right side of the room, where Kurt was currently stood in front of the mirror, spraying his hair to within an inch of its life.

"You're welcome." Kurt said, looking at Sebastian through the reflection of the mirror and fixing a few of the stray hairs that had fallen. When Sebastian still didn't say anything Kurt turned to face him, "come on, take the aspirin and get up already."

"And good morning to you too." Sebastian huffed.

"Are you always this cranky in a morning or are you going to blame the hangover?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Sebastian said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively before downing the pills with the water.

Kurt pursed his lips, unimpressed. "If you don't get out of bed right now I will pull you out myself."

"Bring it on." Sebastian encouraged.

Kurt placed his hand on his hip and raised his eyebrow, using his free hand to point the can of hairspray in Sebastian's direction. "Don't test me."

"What're you gonna do? Hairspray me to death?" He mock gasped.

"An acceptable option, yes." Kurt said, pushing out his bottom lip and nodding.

Sebastian rolled his eyes and then noticed the two Styrofoam cups of coffee sat on the kitchen counter, which were both empty.

"Jeez Kurt how long have you been up? We only fell asleep a few hours ago."

Kurt shrugged. "Your coffee was starting to go cold so I drank it for you. Plus, unlike you I'm not blessed with a naturally flawless exterior and I don't have the luxury of just rolling out of bed." He continued, gesturing towards Sebastian. He turned around to face the mirror again and frowned, staring back at his reflection intently. He started to pick at bits of stray hair and straightened his collar a few times. "This does not come naturally."

Sebastian would've taken more time to realise that Kurt hadn't only complimented him but had implied he was 'naturally flawless' if he wasn't so concerned about Kurt finding himself so unappealing.

"Kurt." He said.

Kurt paused for a second, his hand resting on one of the buttons of his shirt, his eyes flicked to meet Sebastian's in the mirror. "Forget it." He muttered, looking down and breaking eye contact.

Sebastian pulled aside the duvet and walked over to stand beside Kurt, holding eye contact in the mirror the entire time. He stopped only a step away from Kurt but didn't move to touch him. "Kurt." He repeated, softer, quieter. "You're-"

Kurt turned around quickly and placed a hand on Sebastian's chest, silencing him. "Stop." He uttered, his eyes looking up into Sebastian's and searching them almost desperately.

Sebastian opened his mouth to protest but Kurt shook his head.

"What are we doing?" Kurt whispered.

Sebastian searched back desperately. "I don't know."

Kurt's eyes slipped closed and he sighed. His hand closed into Sebastian's chest and he took a deep breath. Sebastian didn't really know what to do, he kind of felt a little nauseous. Not because Lady Hummel was now sober and standing less than a foot away with his hand resting on his chest but because Kurt was sober and standing less than a foot away with his hand resting on his chest.

After a moment Kurt seemed to shake himself out of whatever trance he had been in and took a large step back. Sebastian remained still. Kurt plastered a smile on his face and brushed down his shirt, rebuilding the armour.

"If you don't get dressed soon the bus is going to leave without you, you know. And I'm not coming back to pick you up." Kurt said nudging Sebastian's shoulder with the lightest of brushes.

Sebastian was deeply confused. "Yeah, I'm gonna go and, do that, then." He said, walking around Kurt to the bathroom and closing the door behind him. He leaned heavily against the door, trying to process what exactly had happened in the past twelve or so hours.

He wandered over to the bathroom mirror, leaning on the counter and groaned at how hung over he looked. No more than two seconds later there was a knock on the door, Sebastian pushed off from the counter and opened the door. "You're gonna need your bag, too." Kurt said, handing Sebastian the duffel with a smile.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Kurt replied and Sebastian slowly closed the door again.

When Sebastian exited the bathroom from his shower, he entered a near spotless room. Not that it was a mess to begin with, discounting all of the mould and grime and peeling wallpaper, but Sebastian's bed had been made with meticulous care and the twenty odd hair care products that had previously been littering the dresser were neatly packed away in the bag currently resting besides Sebastian's own in the doorway.

"Do you ever stop?" Sebastian asked.

"Breakfast is on the table, complete with fresh coffee." Kurt replied from across the room where he was wiping down the kitchen counter. The same kitchen counter than hadn't been touched once during their stay.

Sebastian crossed the room and looked at the sandwich Kurt had most likely picked up from the vending machine, noting that it was cheese and tomato with mayonnaise, he approved. There was also a bag of crisps and a small candy bar besides a large steaming cup of coffee. Of course, Sebastian went for that first.

He hummed deeply in satisfaction at the first sip despite the coffee being flavourless and cheap, it was better than nothing. Probably.

"Wow, Sebastian. I didn't take you as the kinda guy that liked cheap coffee." Kurt teased.

"Anything to get rid of the taste of alcohol and nausea, right?" He tipped his cup towards Kurt.

Kurt tipped his half-drunk coffee in return and then they both took a long gulp.

"Oh no that really is awful." Kurt said, practically spitting the drink back out. Sebastian laughed loudly when there was a knock on the door.

"We're leaving in five, boys. Don't keep us waiting." Coach Beiste said through the door.

"Are you ready to go?" Kurt asked.

"You packed all my stuff already so, yeah. It looks like it." Sebastian joked. "Man, I'm gonna miss this place, so many memories."

"You're such a dork." Kurt said, shaking his head in disbelief and slinging his satchel over his shoulder and heading out of the room. "Let's go."

The bus ride back was relatively uneventful given everything that had happened the previous night, Sebastian even slept for part of the journey and was certain from the face that Kurt pulled when he woke up, that Kurt had done something that would make Sebastian regret that.

They arrived at McKinley at around 9:00am thanks to the morning's traffic and were unfortunately not given the rest of the day off to recover from their overnight stay.

They soldiered through the rest of the day and Sebastian fell asleep twice more, including at the back of the choir room in the final Glee rehearsal of the week, much to Rachel's dismay. Kurt took a photo of him and then bought him a coffee from the cafeteria to make up for it.

"Need a ride?" Sebastian asked as he pulled up alongside Kurt, who was walking across the parking lot.

Kurt held up a set of keys in response before pointing in the direction of his car. "Got my car back."

"Shame."

"I think I've spent long enough trapped in a confined space with you for one day, don't you?"

"Technically it was one whole night but-"

"'Bastian." Kurt warned.

"Of course, absolutely."

"See you tomorrow." Kurt replied, moving to walk away. And if Sebastian didn't know any better, he'd think he heard something like fondness returning in Kurt's voice.

"But tomorrow is Saturday."

"I know."

"But-" Sebastian began.

Kurt shot him a look and Sebastian closed his mouth. Usually on Saturdays they 'bumped' into each other at the Lima Bean and 'ended up' sitting together for an hour or two or most likely five, and it struck Sebastian then that maybe Kurt was expecting it to happen, and more than that, he wanted it to.

Sebastian nodded and uttered an 'okay' and rolled up his window and began the drive home, receiving another wave from Kurt as he turned the corner.

Maybe things were looking up after all.

Just after two o'clock the next afternoon Sebastian pushed the door to the Lima Bean aside and spotted Kurt sat at their usual table, with two drinks in front of him. Kurt had his nose practically buried behind his laptop, his brows knitted together whilst he typed furiously, it was adorable. Sebastian couldn't help the enormous smile that lit up his face as he crossed the room, pulled out the chair opposite and sat down without even asking permission.

Kurt didn't look up as Sebastian leaned forward and grabbed the coffee cup closest to him and drank, it was still the perfect temperature. He also didn't remove his attention from his laptop as he answered the question that hadn't yet left Sebastian's lips. "I saw you park your car outside, figured I'd get a refill."

"I-"

"You're welcome." Kurt finally drew his focus away from the screen, pushing the laptop aside and closing the lid, smiling widely at Sebastian.

"I don't deserve you." Sebastian uttered fondly before realising the implications of what he said. His eyes widened and he hurried to take a long drink of his coffee to cover the blush he felt colouring his face.

"No, you really don't." Kurt either didn't notice or wanted to avoid that area just as much, Sebastian was silently grateful.

"So what are you so furiously working on?"

"Hm?"

"On your computer? What's giving you that I-hate-the-world look?"

Kurt laughed. "Oh, I'm working on an… article."

"An article? We have to write an article? For what class? I don't remember this." Sebastian sat forward, his eyes wide.

"Relax, dummy. It's for my blog." Kurt smiled fondly, taking a sip of his drink.

"You have a blog?" Sebastian raised his eyebrows.

"Duh."

"Can I see?" He sat even further forward and tried to peak at Kurt's notes.

"No. No way in hell." Kurt grabbed the papers and pulled them closer towards him.

"Why not?" Sebastian pouted.

"Because I'll never hear the end of it."

"It can't be that bad."

"No, no it's not bad, it's actually really influential in certain circles of the blogger sphere and I have quite a large following. But I know you, and I'm not telling."

"It hurts that you don't trust me." Sebastian said in mock offence.

"Yeah well it hurts that for half the time I've known you, you referred to me as a girl." Kurt said it offhandedly, yet there was something about the tightening of his smile that suggested there were undertones of old wounds that still hadn't healed.

"Kurt." Sebastian said softly.

"I'm so over it." Kurt said with a brush of his hand. "But you do know that mis-gendering people and implying that women are inferior is literally the grossest thing a person can do, right?"

Sebastian didn't reply.

"I'm sorry. We're past that I know, I'm just having a terrible week. You're not that guy anymore."

"Says who?" Sebastian smirked.

"Says me." They shared a moment that was so confusingly intimidate that Sebastian almost forgot how to breathe entirely. "Drink your coffee."

Sebastian did as he was told for lack of his brain being able to function to do anything else and they slipped into a mainly comfortable silence. Kurt wrote a few more notes on the papers set beside his laptop, scrawls and scribbles that Sebastian was sure only really made sense to Kurt. At the bottom of the pile he glimpsed flashes of colour, photographs perhaps, along with a few rough sketches that intrigued him even further.

Sebastian reached for his own laptop after a minute or two when Kurt reopened his, typing rapidly again as he copied his notes onto whatever document he was working on, Sebastian was desperate to know. He typed in the password once the computer had woken up, staring at Kurt whilst his desktop loaded properly.

Which is why he failed to immediately notice the unfortunately explicit website opened full screen on his laptop from his previous session which was definitely not safe for work. He slammed the lid with more force than necessary, drawing the startled looks from several of the other patrons sat around, including Kurt. He didn't say anything, just narrowed his eyes until Sebastian shrugged, then he returned to working on his blog post.

Sebastian knew he was blushing furiously and he resisted the urge to hide his head in shame. Sebastian Smythe was not the kind of guy who would be embarrassed about being caught surfing a gay porn website in front of twenty mortified coffee addicts in central Lima, yet here he was.

He exhaled upwards, flicking a stray hair aside and attempted to open his laptop for the second time, slowly. He retyped his password with the lid still half closed and blindly navigated the trackpad to the top right where he could minimize the screen. Of course, this backfired on him hugely.

Sebastian's face became impossibly redder as the low tones that could only be described as erotic began to drift from Sebastian's computer. He could see Kurt look slowly towards Sebastian, his eyes wide and his mouth partly hanging open.

"Please do not tell me that is what I think it is." Kurt whispered rapidly, his eyes darting to either side, conscious of the amount of people looking their way. Sebastian didn't need to look to know that it was pretty much the entire shop, including the staff.

Sebastian tried to downplay the situation, opening the lid more fully so he could actually see it and hitting the mute button as if his life depended on it. He closed the tab after that and took a deep breath. "No. No absolutely not." He said, shaking his head furiously but still unable to even glance towards Kurt.

Kurt narrowed his eyes, considering his reply. He didn't believe for one second that whatever tab Sebastian had open wasn't in fact something that lurks in the darkest corners of the internet. He didn't really know how to react, after all he shouldn't really be surprised to hear those kinds of noises coming from Sebastian or something that belonged to him. Now that he considered it, Sebastian had toned down his sexual innuendos and topics of that nature a lot, lately. Like, a lot a lot.

The harder he tried the less he could recall the last time Sebastian had said something crude around or about Kurt, and two nights ago they had got drunk out of their minds, practically shared a bed together and almost kissed. Kurt's stomach flip flopped at the thought and he internally berated himself.

It took him a moment to catch up with his external reaction, which was laughing. Laughing really loudly. He tried to school his features into something more appropriate but one glance at Sebastian's horrified face set him off once again. Everything about the situation was hilarious, really. And beyond that, the fact that Sebastian was embarrassed by it was enough to make Kurt for the foreseeable future. That particular slice of information made Kurt laugh so hard he began to clutch at his sides and his cheeks began to hurt.

Sebastian continued to stare at the table, jaw clenched tight, his palm resting on the table and looking very much like he wanted to disappear in the ground, or punch Kurt square in the face. It was impossible to tell.

"Are you done?" Sebastian muttered.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry it's- it's just-" Kurt spoke between chuckles.

"Hilarious. I know." Sebastian said monotonously.

"Oh come on, Seb. You don't think there is anything ironically hilarious about this?" Kurt cooed, pursing his lips.

"I think you find it funny enough for the both of us."

"Consider it karma, then. Or a lesson to learn about your shameful habits."

"Fuck off." Sebastian said, flipping his middle finger at Kurt for extra effect. Kurt laughed louder at Sebastian's irritability. "I'm going to the restroom." Sebastian announced as he stood and crossed The Bean, a dozen pairs of eyes following him.

"Great idea." Kurt called after him. "Head straight for the men's room right after you've publically exposed your addiction to pornography. No conclusions will be jumped to, I can guarantee." Sebastian halted for a second, cursing under his breath but continued towards the restroom at double the pace.

He locked himself in the bathroom for at least fifteen minutes, maybe more, maybe less, he wasn't keeping track of the time. Kurt might have left by now, too embarrassed by Sebastian's public humiliation to stay. He hoped he was still here, he didn't want Kurt to leave without saying goodbye.

He shook his head, thinking about how pathetic he felt. He could walk back out there right now with his head held high, the trademark smirk on his face and the confidence deeply embedded into even the way he walked, except he can't. Because he's kind of, sort of, absolutely terrified of what Kurt will say. Which again, is totally ridiculous because Kurt knows Sebastian is – or was, he hadn't been to Scandals in nineteen days, not that he was counting or anything - a sex obsessed asshole and they still managed to form whatever the hell this was.

He liked to tell himself it was because Scandals had become unbearably boring and that he'd pretty much slept with every regular in there at one point or another, and whilst neither of these points were untrue, he knew that wasn't really the reason. The thing was, that's not who he really is, at least not anymore. And it's certainly not who he wants to be. Spending so much time around Kurt had unintentionally released a kinder, deeper, more real side of himself he never really knew he had. Or was too afraid of showing because he thought it would make him vulnerable. And fit there was Sebastian was afraid of it was showing his weaknesses.

Yet Kurt just naturally brought that side out of him, without even really trying to, completely unknowingly to both of them, until it was too late for him to pretend he wasn't actually, genuinely happy with who he was becoming for the first time in forever. He wasn't afraid because actually, he was overwhelmingly relieved.

The reason was Kurt, on every single level. And that was fucking terrifying.

He unlocked the stall door and turn on the nearest faucet, splashing his face with the icy water. Then he stared at his reflection for an unacceptable long time until the door opened and a middle aged man walked in. After Sebastian had stopped having a total identity crisis in the restroom of The Lima Bean, he pulled himself together, checked his quiff and walked back outside. He didn't realise he was holding his breath until he spotted Kurt, still typing away in the exact spot he'd abandoned him in as if he'd never been there in the first place.

He stood for an extra few seconds, feeling like a complete creepy, but enjoying being able to see how Kurt behaved when he thought no one was watching. Except, the longer Sebastian observed him, the more he realised that Kurt always behaved as if he was being watched. He was sat with his back straight against the chair, his jaw tight, eyes wide and half his attention on the laptop in front of him and half on his surroundings. It was almost as if he was hyper aware of everything around him and it wasn't conceivable to let go.

Maybe that was the way he was raised or maybe it was due to years of bullying creating an unbreakable wall that only comes off in the safety of home, Sebastian knew plenty about that. Or maybe he was just reading too much into the situation and the chair was uncomfortable.

He crossed the floor in a few quick steps, pulling out his chair quietly enough so as to not draw too much attention to himself but also loudly enough to announce his return to Kurt. When Kurt still hadn't paid him any attention after a few moments, Sebastian cleared his throat and said, "So you're not gonna say anything? Make a joke? Ask me why? Laugh in my face some more?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Kurt replied with a smile, meeting Sebastian's eyes for the first time since he'd sat down.

"Yeah fucking righ-" And then it clicked and he realised that Kurt was letting it go for Sebastian's sake. He was giving him a chance to put the whole thing behind them and to save further embarrassment and Sebastian didn't think he'd ever felt so grateful in his life. Well. "Oh."

"Yes, oh." Kurt smirked. He glanced towards his watch. "I'm going to get a refill and a Panini from the counter, do you want anything?" He asked as he leaned back to find his wallet which was resting in the pocket of his jacket on the back of his chair.

"No, no. I'll get it." Sebastian said, standing up abruptly and reaching for the wallet in his back pocket. "You got the last round, so it's my turn." Sebastian added when he saw the confusion on Kurt's face.

"Alright, if you insist." Kurt let go of his jacket and glanced towards the menu board above the counter. "Get me my regular coffee order and a…" He clicked his tongue as he considered before pausing and turning back to Sebastian, a grin on his face. "Actually, you know what, surprise me."

"You got it." Sebastian replied and headed to join the back of the queue. Part of him felt like this was some kind of a test and that if he didn't get it right that would be the end of their coffee 'dates'. And Sebastian didn't think he wanted to go back to a life without them now he knew how amazing they were.

The queue was short and Sebastian returned to their table not five minutes later with a tray in hand, he placed it in between their laptops and ran across the room to fetch some napkins and cutlery, ignoring the voice in the back of his head that was telling him it wasn't a date over and over, so stop trying so damn hard. He pushed Kurt's plate towards him so he knew which one was his before sitting down.

"One classic Italian Panini for you with extra salad on the side complete with a Grande non-fat mocha." Sebastian said, placing a knife and fork beside the plate. Kurt hummed, impressed. "You're welcome."

Sebastian started on his own food, the slightly less healthy Italian melt and they fell into silence again. The only sounds apart from idle background chatter and the hum of the coffee machine was Kurt's hands flying across the keyboard. Sebastian wanted to make a comment about not eating whilst working with technology since he figured Kurt knew better than that, but he didn't.

"Okay." Kurt blurted out once Sebastian had nearly finished his sandwich.

"Okay what?" Sebastian asked, confused.

"I'm done, with my article." Kurt said, shoving the last bite of bread into his mouth and reaching for a napkin to wipe his hands on.

Sebastian hesitated for a moment, unsure of what that had to do with him. "And?" He replied mid-chew.

"And," Kurt began, pushing the laptop slightly away from himself, "I thought you might wanna take a look." Kurt spoke it as a statement, but there were clear undertones of uncertainty in his voice.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I don't see why not." Kurt shrugged. Sebastian opened his mouth to reply but Kurt continued. "Actually no I do see the problem, many problems. I'm not-"

"Kurt. Just pass me the damn computer." Sebastian interrupted his rambling.

"Okay." Kurt said, biting his lip but pushing the laptop across the table in an invitation.

Sebastian leaned forward and grabbed it, turning it the rest of the way in one smooth motion. He clicked his tongue as he focused on the tab already open in front of him, presented neatly and tastefully coloured, he was impressed so far. His eyes settled main text as he began to read the article, hyper aware of how Kurt had pretty much stopped breathing by this point and thought about how if he had gotten the chance to make Kurt squirm this way not three months ago, he would've done everything in his power to make it excruciatingly worse for him. Now, however, he found himself keeping his expression open and considerate before he could accurately collate all of his thoughts.

The article was about fashion trends for next season or something, Sebastian wasn't really certain. As Kurt had pointed out on more than one occasion, Sebastian didn't care much for fashion, or at all, and sometimes he had literally got dressed in the dark. Sebastian laughed to himself about the frequency with which Kurt pulled a face akin to devastation when Sebastian showed up to school wearing something he called 'a crime against fashion'. He quickly glanced down to see what he'd ended up wearing today – designer jeans and an simple white tee – and deemed it 'not too bad', if not incredibly boring.

Interspersed with the text were images, some hand drawn and coloured, some digitally crafted and some a mixture of both, but all were beautifully innovative. Sebastian's hand actually froze where it was currently hovering over the trackpad and his eyes widened. He leaned closer to the screen to take in the artwork more closely and saw Kurt react nervously in his peripheral vision, wringing his hands tightly.

"Are those your own designs?" Sebastian said, unable to keep the shock and awe out of his voice.

"Um, yes?"

"Kurt, these are amazing." Sebastian enthused, his gaze going from the screen to Kurt and back again.

Kurt huffed.

"No, seriously. They are really impressive. The use of colour, the style, the originality and the depth of your concept. You should really consider applying for Vogue or some shit like that." Sebastian gushed, scrolling down further to read the older posts, making a mental note of the blog URL.

"Please, it's incredibly basic. I only do it for my own enjoyment really." Kurt shrugged.

"Well I think you should seriously consider it." Sebastian said, looking at Kurt properly now.

"Careful, you're starting to sound a little bit supportive there. Someone might actually mistake you with having a soul." He deflected.

"Oh har har."

"And since when were you an expert on fashion design?" Kurt asked, sipping his coffee.

"Me? Are you kidding? I'm not. Look at what I'm wearing." He gestured to himself. Kurt looked him up and down before tilting his head in agreement. "Exactly. But, I am quite fond of art and literature, and I know talent when I see it."

"You never cease to find a way to surprise me every single day." Kurt said, shaking his head.

"I'm just getting started."

Kurt didn't know what to say. Which was okay for the time being, because Edward Smythe just walked through the door, making a beeline for Sebastian as soon as he saw him sat with another boy, grinning at him like he hung the damn moon.

"Hey buddy." Edward announced loudly, clapping Sebastian on the shoulder and grinning widely at Kurt who was looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Dad! Hey, what are you doing here?" Sebastian said with undertones of irritation in his voice, looking up to his father and trying to silently communicate some kind of warning to him.

Edward ignored the question and turned his attention fully to Kurt, extending his hand. "Who's this handsome young fella?"

"Dad please." Sebastian was honest-to-God blushing.

"I'm Kurt." He interjected, accepting the handshake.

"Edward Smythe, it's a pleasure to meet you." He clasped Kurt's hand firmly.

"Likewise."

"Oh he's pretty, you sure do know how to pick 'em." Edward staged whispered to Sebastian and Kurt blushed furiously and tried to ignore the comment. "So, how do you know Sebastian?" Edward asked, addressing Kurt directly as he pulled up a chair in between the two of them, ignoring Sebastian's protests.

"We go to school together." Kurt answered, glancing from Sebastian to his father, both of whom were staring at him intently.

"He's educated, already a step up from your last four conquests. Perhaps a little out of your league?" Edward laughed, nudging Sebastian's shoulder. He glared in return.

"Oh I'm not- we're not-" Kurt stumbled, gesturing between them wildly.

"He's taken." Sebastian finished and something about the way he said it drew Kurt's gaze sharply to him.

"Oh I see, well that's a downright shame." Edward shook his head.

"Thank you?" Kurt asked, unsure how to read the statement, there seemed to be an extra layer Edward was attempting to communicate with his son. Sebastian rolled his eyes at his father.

"Please leave, dad." Sebastian said bluntly.

"Where have your manners gone, young man?" He admonished.

"He has manners?" Kurt piped up from across the table, all fake shock and gasps.

"And he's hilarious too." Edward laughed loudly, turning once more towards Kurt. "You know, he was the sweetest little angel when he was younger. He'd dote on little Anna who lived next door like a true gentleman, following her absolutely everywhere. He'd hold open doors, bring her gifts, he even wrote her letters to tell her how beautiful she was, they were so sweet."

"Dad!" Sebastian practically shouted. Sebastian's glare refocused on Kurt when he heard muffled laughter which turned into an awkward cough under the intensity.

"Oh lighten up Sebby." His father nudged him on the shoulder. "We were only teasing." He added, pinching his cheeks.

"Oh piss off." Sebastian grunted, pushing his father away with his arm.

"Is somebody all grumpy and ashamed of their old man?" He pouted. When Sebastian didn't answer he laughed again and pushed away from the table, standing up. "Sorry I interrupted your little coffee date." He winked at Kurt, his hands gesturing between the two of them and then he walked away towards the doors.

"Not a date." Sebastian called, not even turning in his chair to watch his father walk away, his eyes firmly fixed on his hands which were clasped tightly together. He was afraid to look at Kurt. "Well, that's my father." He laughed awkwardly.

He heard Kurt chuckle and looked up, his eyes were bright and he was smiling and he didn't at all look offended, annoyed or like he wanted to disown Sebastian. Which was good.

"Everything is so clear to me now." Kurt mused.

"What?" Sebastian's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Why you are who you are. It all makes sense now." Kurt teased.

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably. He loved his father, he did, he was passionate and understanding and for the most part lenient, he wanted the best for his son and he accepted him even with his worst traits and admittedly they did have a fair bit in common. But that didn't mean that in any universe he would be okay to be seen in public with him, especially around his friends, because it brought out the ugliest side of his father. The side that wanted nothing more than to bring out the baby photos and humiliate his son until he literally crumble into ash on the ground.

Something about it being a father's favourite pastime or some other bullshit.

"Shut up." Sebastian muttered.

"Well I think he's great." Kurt smiled and Sebastian found himself returning it despite his embarrassment. "So, Anna, huh? I wanna hear all about her, spare me no details." He winked, Sebastian's smile fell flat and he groaned loudly.

Sunday morning found Sebastian awake unusually earlier, which he figured is what happens when he doesn't spend all night out partying and then nursing a killer hangover, it was kind of nice to feel so well rested for once. He woke in a particularly good mood, which no amount of denial could convince anyone wasn't because of Kurt.

He thought back to their conversation in the Lima Bean yesterday and how despite not getting laid, drunk or even touching anyone in a fashion that wasn't appropriate for public display, it was still one of the best days his had all year. Getting to know 'the real Kurt' over a few cups of coffee a few nights a week, teasing each other mercilessly or even working companionably in silence was fast becoming preferable to literally any other activity he would usually otherwise occupy himself with. And that would frighten him more if he wasn't more and more enamoured with Kurt with each passing second.

He didn't do much during the day, using his day off to wash his car, catch up on the weeks The Colbert Report and make a lunch that was fit for the gods. By the time his father showed up in his doorway in the late afternoon, he was lounging in his bedroom by the windowsill.

"Hey kiddo." Sebastian's father said, leaning casually against the doorframe that Sebastian didn't remember leaving open.

"Hey dad." He replied, not even bothering to look up from the book he was currently engrossed in.

"How are you doing, son?"

Sebastian sighed and placed the book down, marking his page before he did so. "What do you want?"

Edward shrugged and took two steps into the room. "Nothing."

"You only make small talk when you want something, or you want to apologize."

"Not all the time." His father protested, hands on his hips.

"Yes all the time, now get on with it. I'm busy." Sebastian said, moving to pick up his book as if to emphasis his point.

"No need to be rude when I come bearing such great news." His father practically beamed.

Sebastian considered whether to play along for a moment, deciding it would probably get his father to leave him alone sooner if he did. "You have my attention." He placed the book down again and adjusted his position so he was fully facing the doorway. Edward crossed the room and sat on the opposite side of the window sill by Sebastian's feet.

His father smiled impossibly wider. "I was wondering how you'd feel about going back to Dalton." He drew the sentence out slowly as if he was telling a small child he was going to Disneyland for the holidays.

"You can't be serious." Sebastian replied, his expression not one of joy like his father had anticipated, but of confusion and utter disbelief.

"As a heart attack." His father's smile did not drop a fraction. Sebastian broke into laughter, he laughed so hard that he cried. His father remained confused, after a moment he continued. "I mean I thought you'd be happy but is it really that important to you?"

"No. No, it's not that it's just-" Sebastian was cut off after another fit of laughter.

"What?"

"I cannot believe you sometimes."

When it seemed as though Sebastian wasn't going to offer any further elaboration, Edward continued. "I've spoken with your mother and she agrees that you've made more progress than we were ever expecting in the month you've been at that school and that you deserve to finish you're education at Dalton after all."

"Dad, graduation is in two months."

"Exactly! Plus, you're not sneaking out as much or coming home drunk and you seem, dare I say it, happier."

"How do you know I just haven't got really really good at sneaking out?"

"Son, there hasn't been one time where you could crawl back through that window of yours without waking up the whole damn house. Or Cas, at least, who then wakes up the whole house." Cas looked up from his spot at the foot of Sebastian's bed, his ears tilted forward at the sound of his name.

Sebastian leaned down to pet him, smiling fondly but returning to deadpan when he leaned back up to reply to his father. "Whatever, you can't just mess around with my life like that. It's not fair."

Edward paused for a moment, looking his son up and down as if trying to read into his very soul. Sebastian flinched under his gaze, sitting impossibly straighter against the window in an attempt to shut his father out. Though that only made him more transparent because it was obvious he was trying to hide something.

"I know what this is really about." Edward said, tapping his own nose as if he was in on the secret.

"What? No you don't. It's not about anything." Sebastian defended, huffing and turning his gaze to the large garden outside his window.

"Does this have something to do with that boy?" His father said in a condescending tone.

"What boy? Blaine? Dad, come on that's just insulting." Sebastian said, screwing up his face in offence.

"No. No, that boy I saw you with yesterday at the Lima Bean?"

"Absolutely not." Sebastian turned to face his father, his mouth dropped open almost in disbelief.

"You're blushing, Sebby." Edward teased.

Sebastian knew he wasn't, not really. Even though he could feel his cheeks heating, he knew his face didn't colour as easy as say, Kurt's did. No, stop thinking about Kurt. "It's nothing, he's a- friend. That's all." Sebastian muttered, trying and failing to hold eye contact.

"It sure looked like that." Edward pushed.

"Oh please. He hates me." Sebastian rolled his eyes, trying his hardest to act casual.

"Umhum."

"Well I most certainly hate him." That was the most unconvincing lie he'd ever told.

"Ah yes, the way you couldn't take your eyes off him for one moment really gave that one away." He teased.

Sebastian bit his lip to prevent himself from getting worked up, that's what he wanted. So he settled for deflection, "you're embarrassing yourself."

"Your schoolgirl crush is the only embarrassing thing here."

"I don't have a crush on Kurt." Nope, that was the most unconvincing lie he'd ever told.

"Kurt, hey. I might invite this Kurt around for dinner, since you seem so taken with him. Get a good chance to interrogate him and find out if he's worthy of my most precious son. What do you think?"

"I think that he's got a very annoying and pretentious hobbit of a boyfriend and you should back the hell down." Sebastian clenched his jaw, willing and praying to every god that his father wouldn't follow through on such a ridiculous idea.

"Jealousy doesn't suit you Seb." Edward winked, nudging Sebastian once more.

"Whatever." Sebastian was so over this conversation.

"I've never once known you to not go after what you want. The unavailable status has never stopped you before, right?" This was the most bizarre pep talk his father had ever attempted to give him. Usually he was all about 'staying in school' and how 'abstinence is good for the soul'. He didn't understand his angle at all.

"This is different." Sebastian shrugged, picking at a stray piece of cotton on his shirt.

"So you do have feelings for him?" He pushed.

"That's not what I said."

"Would you like me to go get your mother?"

"No!" He hated that his father knew which buttons to push and how hard to get the reaction he wanted. Well, Sebastian did learn from the best.

"Then spill."

Sebastian huffed loudly. "Leave me alone."

Edward considered this for a long moment, he stood up, patted Sebastian on the shoulder and walked out of the room, throwing a 'dinners in half an hour' over his shoulder. Edward never gave up that easily so Sebastian had a feeling in the very pit of his stomach that his father had a plan, and that he wasn't going to like said plan.

He did not like the plan.

Around two hours later, after the Smythe's had finished their dinner and Sebastian was back in his room, he received a text from Kurt.

From Kurt: (9:02pm) What do I wear tomorrow?

From Sebastian: (9:03pm) what does that have to do with me?

From Kurt: (9:05pm) Your dad invited me round for dinner tomorrow night?

Sebastian pulled a look of absolute horror at his phone as he tapped out his reply.

From Sebastian: (9:05pm) and you accepted?!

He thought he might actually throw up the night's dinner from the rage and horror he felt. He practically ran from his room to the bannister of the staircase and shouted his father's name where he was sitting with his wife downstairs.

His father called back a moment later, all polite tones and innocence and Sebastian decided that this is the reaction he wanted, it would make matters ten times worse if he tried to talk his father out of it. In fact, he'd probably invite Kurt over for dinner for an entire week just to spite him.

"I am going to fucking end you." He called.

"Language, boy." Edward called in return.

Sebastian heard his phone buzz from where he'd left it on his bed, and he turned and walked back into his bedroom, picking it up with a sigh.

From Kurt: (9:06pm) I thought it would piss you off so of course I did, silly.

Sebastian didn't know who he was more pissed at, his father for going behind his back or Kurt for playing along. The fact that they were both doing it to piss him off was absolutely not hilarious.

From Sebastian: (9:08pm) you have to cancel right now.

From Kurt: (9:09pm) No way. Your father is way frightening and I only spoke to him over the phone.

From Sebastian: (9:10pm) how the fuck did he get your number anyway?

From Kurt: (9:12pm) Hell if I know. He called my dad's phone.

From Sebastian: (9:15pm) okay. what are we going to do about this?

From Kurt: (9:18pm) Not my problem.

From Sebastian: (9:19pm) is it so your problem, Kurt

From Sebastian: (9:22pm) kurt?

Kurt didn't reply straight away after that, and in the end his reply was incredibly frustrating and not at all helpful.

From Kurt: (9:28pm) I'll see you tomorrow, 'Bastian.

From Kurt: (9:24pm) In school, I mean. ;)

From Kurt: (9:24pm) xx

As Sebastian sat there staring at the last few texts he thought about why he was upset in the first place. Because his father had gone behind his back? Because he didn't want Kurt to embarrass him in front of his parents? Because he didn't want his parents to embarrass him in front of Kurt?

Sebastian knew it was a very real possibility that if- no, when Kurt turned up for dinner, his father would interrogate the shit out of Kurt and that whatever thing they've got going on that both of them refuse to acknowledge, will very likely never be the same again.

Monday morning arrived too quickly and Sebastian considered skipping his classes for the day so he wouldn't have to drive Kurt over in the evening, but he figured that Kurt would find a way to turn up at his house anyway, so he reluctantly got out of bed to start the day. And if he put any extra effort into his outfit or his morning routine than it was absolutely coincidental.

The day passed quickly, too quickly for Sebastian and his nerves increased. He'd never felt nervous to have someone over for dinner before. But that was probably nobody had ever come over for dinner before.

At lunch, Kurt waited until Blaine had swanned off elsewhere to take a hair gel shower or something equally bizarre before bombarding Sebastian with questions about that evening. They were outside in the courtyard, now their regular hangout during school hours since the weather was getting consistently warmer. Sebastian sat on the top of the bench whilst Kurt opted to use the actual table to get his work done.

They had thankfully managed to escape most of the rest of the group, only Finn and Rachel led on the grass beside their bench, their sides together with their hands entwined. Their eyes were closed and they were sharing earphones so Kurt wasn't worried about them overhearing.

"Is this outfit okay? I have a change of clothes in my locker if not." Kurt said, shifting so Sebastian could see him more clearly.

"You look amazing, Kurt." Sebastian replied without even lifting his gaze.

"You're not even looking." Kurt complained.

"Don't you think I would have pointed out any issues when I saw you this morning?"

Kurt stammered for a moment so Sebastian looked up.

"Are you sure? I'm not too underdressed?" Kurt worried his bottom lip.

"I'm sure." Sebastian said with an eye roll, returning his attention to the work that was due next period.

"Overdressed?" Kurt said, placing his hands over Sebastian's work so he would be forced to pay attention to him. His fingers brushed Sebastian's.

"You're fine." Sebastian replied, trying to keep his voice level.

"Fine isn't good, Sebastian." Kurt admonished, withdrawing his hands. He pouted before adding; "You're driving us straight there, right?"

"Yes." Sebastian huffed.

"Will I have to make small talk with your parents before dinner?" He sounded genuinely concerned, as if he was planning on scripted the whole evening so he wouldn't get anything wrong. He wondered if Kurt acted this way when he was meeting anyone's parents or if this was a special occasion. Knowing Kurt, it was probably nothing new.

"Probably." The mental image of Kurt trying to keep up with his father's character earned a chuckle from him. Kurt didn't seem to notice.

"Are we eating anything fancy?"

"Probably."

"Will there be dessert?"

"Of the classiest kind." Sebastian answered with as much enthusiasm as he could find. Which was practically none.

"Am I pissing you off?" There was humour in his tone but also actual concern.

"A little." Sebastian looked up from his work of which he hadn't written a single word since they sat down and winked.

"Sorry, I've nervous." Kurt smiled.

"Sucks to be you." Sebastian shrugged, chuckling in an attempt to disguise his own nerves. He assumed it worked because Kurt returned to doodling on his notebook lazily and the only thing they talked about in class was, for the first time ever, their coursework.

As the bell rang they looked to each other slowly, each swapped awkward smiles. Sebastian got up and silently gestured for Kurt to follow him towards his car, hopefully without running into Blaine. Kurt hadn't explicitly told him but he knew it was getting more difficult for him to explain to Blaine the amount of time he was now spending with Sebastian instead of him. Well, when Blaine actually noticed.

They reached the parking lot and Sebastian climbed into his car, briefly considering locking Kurt out for the sheer thrills but decided he'd save that for a later date. Perhaps when it was raining.

Once he had ensured that Kurt was securely buckled up, he pulled out of the space and they began to drive with the low tones of the radio in the background. The journey followed the same quickened pace as the rest of the day, filled with more idle small talk and a new game they invited which involved making up the conversation or scenario of the people in the car next to them at the traffic lights.

With Kurt's bitchy comments and ability to read people and Sebastian's god awful inappropriate, sarcastic and filthy mind, they made the perfect team. By the third set of lights they were now laughing loudly and genuinely and had been imitating the conversation of the couple in the Renault on the right which ended up involving a discussion about which sex toys to buy each other for their anniversary, but couldn't seem to find one they didn't already own.

Kurt knew a surprising amount of detail about sex toys. Sebastian filed that information away for further use as blackmail or revenge. Or maybe even for future Christmas gift ideas.

Soon after, Sebastian pulled up to the driveway and switched off the engine, and they fell into silence as the nervous tension that had dissipated with the traffic light game returned as they both looked up towards the house, the only sound was the engine ticking as it cooled.

"So, this is it." Sebastian announced as if he was presenting the main prize on a game show.

"It's gorgeous." Kurt breathed.

Sebastian laughed nervously.

"Really it is."

Sebastian shrugged offhandedly in an attempt to hide his nerves, worried that Kurt's opinion of the house was really the make or break factor of the evening. "It's just a house really."

"Just a house." Kurt scoffed. "You are never coming over to my place."

"I'm sure your house is as perfectly charming as you." Sebastian rolled his eyes.

Kurt blushed.

"Come on, let's get this over with. You've still got to see the inside, did I tell you my mom is an interior designer?" Sebastian said, tapping his hand against the steering wheel before abruptly exiting the car before Kurt had a chance to respond.

Kurt took a deep breath and then followed. He couldn't shift the feeling that he was 'meeting the parents', complete with all the dread, anticipation and desperation for approval that accompanied it.

Sebastian led Kurt up the gravelled driveway and entered the house without knocking, holding the large, white door open and telling Kurt to wipe his common feet at on the mat first. He called out to his parents that they were home and heard movement in the room over to the left. Kurt's eyes travelled slowly around every inch of the space in front of him, of which there was a lot, his mouth slightly open in awe.

Sebastian shuffled awkwardly next to him, wanting to make a witty comment but not wanting to invite criticism and shatter the mood that was for once quite harmonious.

Kurt was still admiring the detailed carvings of the staircase and the complexly beautiful chandelier when Sebastian saw his parent's enter the hallway from the left where the kitchen was. Sebastian stiffened unconsciously, placing his hand on Kurt's shoulder to get his attention and ignoring his father's wink at the action.

He turned Kurt towards his parents who were now a few steps away. Kurt looked like he had swallowed a bunch of thumb tacks and they were stuck in his throat so Sebastian squeezed his shoulder reassuringly before letting go.

"Kurt, you've already met my father, Edward Smythe." He gestured between the two who shook hands again. "And this is my mom, Amelié. Mom, this is Kurt Hummel." Sebastian added as she leaned in to kiss Kurt on each cheek. "It's a French thing."

Kurt smiled at her. "You have a beautiful name. And such a beautiful house, you must be so proud to live here."

"Ah, merci." Amelié smiled warmly.

"Dinner is in half an hour, son. Want to give Kurt a tour of the house until then?" Edward asked.

"Sure." Sebastian replied, looking down at his shoes. "Follow me, Kurt."