Danny was already at the bar unloading dishwasher trays when Sebastian came in. The club was still empty, and they didn't expect a big crowd tonight. Only the main bar was open and it was just Danny and Sebastian on shift. Last year, such a configuration would have had a predictable end - the two bartenders would close up early and go home together. Danny had the feeling that things were going to change now. He'd seen the way Sebastian looked at Kurt, and his actions the past week spoke volumes; he would literally drop anything for that boy.

Nonetheless, he threw Sebastian a smile and held open the small wooden gate to the bar to let him in, and handed him a fresh apron.

"Hey."

Sebastian smiled at Danny and accepted the apron.

"Hey," he replied. "Thanks."

"Everything okay? How's Kurt?" Danny asked.

Sebastian nodded as he wrapped the apron around his waist.

"As well as can be expected," he replied solemnly. "He's staying with me for a while, until he figures things out." Sebastian paused. "How are you? I'm sorry about the other night..."

Danny shrugged it off. "Don't be. It was just sex, Seb. Your friends should always come first, especially when they turn up in a state like that." Just to test the waters, he added: "We can have a raincheck any time, right?"

Sebastian bit his lip. Technically, he knew that they could. He was still single, he wasn't even sure if Kurt and Blaine were officially broken up and even if they were, it was going to be a long time before Kurt was ready for something else.

But there was something about seeing Kurt finally owning what was happening, and standing up for himself and what he wanted, that made Sebastian think. Kurt cared so deeply. Even if he was in pain now, it meant he felt all of that passion for another person.

Sebastian wanted that too. He didn't want to screw around any more. Even if his arrangement with Danny was convenient and Danny was a nice (hot) guy, it didn't make him feel anything. There was no passion.

He wanted it to mean something.

"I don't think I can..." Sebastian started. "I...I think I want more. I want to find something more than just sex." He shook his head. "I'm fucking terrified, but it's true."

Danny smiled fondly. Sebastian had it bad.

"That's ok, Seb. I gotta admit, as much as I like you, I'm not ready to pick out curtains with anyone yet," he teased. "So I understand if you want to look elsewhere for that."

He clapped Sebastian's shoulder. "You'll be alright. And hey, if not, I'll let you skip the queue, ok?" He winked.

Sebastian grinned and shrugged his shoulder. "You're lucky you know...without me as competition you might stand a chance at getting some real game." He winked.

"Hey, watch it!" Danny replied sharply, pointing his finger at Sebastian. Then he chuckled. "I never thought you'd settle down before I did," he mumbled fondly. "That kid must really be something special. But then I knew that when you gave up the chance to get up on this -" He swivelled his hips, "twice in one week."

Sebastian grinned. "It is definitely a good ride," he said, his eyes sweeping over his friend's body.

"I don't know what it is about him," Sebastian said, sobering up. "I never thought I could feel this way and I can't even explain what it is . All I know is that it's him ."

"Then I hope you get him," Danny said, meaning it. The way he saw it, if Seb was the one Kurt went to at a time like this, they were already pretty close. "And in the meanwhile, you can forward all your candidates to my side of the bar...Danny will take care of them!" He winked again.

Sebastian laughed and threw a cloth at him. "Doctor Danny available for house calls."

"That's right, open up wide and say aaah," Danny replied, catching the towel and slapping it against the bar. He grinned as Sebastian laughed. He was glad Sebastian was a good sport about it and didn't go sanctimonious on him. Some guys had, after settling down. Suddenly hooking up was cheap and dirty to them, and so was everyone who did it. He knew Sebastian wouldn't treat him differently now.

"Showtime!" he said, nodding at the entrance. The first patrons were coming in. They were open for business.