"Are you kidding me?" Sebastian shouts, and Dave gestures for him to lower his voice.

"Curfew," he reminds him. "Neighbours," he adds, pointing at the thin dorm wall.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Sebastian repeats sadly, lowly, and sits down next to him. He folds his arms tightly around Dave's shoulders to comfort him, which is pretty ironic when Sebastian is the one most upset about this. So Dave wraps his arms around Sebastian's slender waist, and rests his face right above his collar bone.

They stay like this for a comfortably long silence.

"I just can't believe he took her back," Sebastian eventually mutters.

"She's his wife," Dave says patiently.

"And she's your homophobic mother," Sebastian growls immediately. "She literally makes you a son of a bitch."

Dave is tired from a long day with classes and football practice, he hasn't gotten enough sleep lately because his wall-to-wall neighbour is having loud nighttime-visitors, and he's exhausted from worrying about his family drama. So the sum of all of that probably explains why he cracks up in laugher at Sebastian's jab. It really isn't all that funny, but god does it feel good to laugh!

Sebastian looks at him judgmentally, until he stops him the most efficient way there is – by kissing him.

"I just don't understand why you're so calm about this," he sighs.

"As I said, Dad talked with me before Mom moved back in. He explained that he still loves me, he doesn't agree with her opinions, but he's willing to give her a chance. She said she's still trying to adjust to everything, so I guess it gives us all hope."

"You're too kind."

"Bas…" Dave whispers. "I've kind of depended on people being able to forgive me and give me second and third chances. After everything I did, I still get to be here, so happy, dating you, playing football, going to college… Letting my parents work this out, trying to not feel so hurt by Mom… It's the least I can do."

Sebastian cups his face with both hands, and looks at him intently

"You are amazing," he swallows, and kisses him tenderly. When he leans back, he looks almost embarrassed. He clears his throat, and looks briefly towards the window, so quickly that he can hardly have seen much. "It looks like it might snow. I don't know if I should drive in this weather."

Dave knows Sebastian is a good driver, and has a car with new winter tyres. But he isn't particularly eager to be alone tonight either, so he readily invites his boyfriend for a sleepover. He doesn't know what'll happen with his family, and he hasn't seen his mom since he came out to her. But right now he's content with getting ready for bed and fall asleep next to his lover.


Blaine smiles amusedly at himself, and clicks on the first link his Google search suggests. His history book is too old to be entirely precise, so he's doing some research to double check and update facts in his essay. His roommate Wes is sitting by his desk, looking in a book which he hasn't flipped to a new page for the last fifteen minutes. Blaine has felt his eyes on the back of his head several times, but ignored it. He knows Wes' tells, but if he wants to talk, he can initiate the conversation himself. Wes can be one of the most forward and unfiltered persons there is, but other times he can be evasive and hesitant. That's usually when he needs to talk about something emotional.

He has to stifle a giggle when he reads a message popping up on Facebook from Kurt. His boyfriend is clearly frustrated by his homework.

Courage, Blaine types back.

Kurt returns a cute animated kitten making heart eyes, and Blaine is pretty sure the cat would roll his eyes instead if Kurt could find one.

Philosophy is killing me, Kurt types. If there are no truths, what's the point in writing 12 pages on what existence means?

Blaine's lips turn upwards of themselves, and he looks at his own essay. He's been making good stride. Maybe a surprise visit to the room in the other end of the hall would benefit them both.

He's saving his document and applying lip balm when Wes finally opens his mouth.

"You disappeared quickly from rehearsal today," Wes says softly.

"Yeah, I had coffee with Kurt before, and what comes in must come out, sometimes suddenly," Blaine jokes. He swings his office chair around so he's facing Wes. He looks patiently at him, knowing he can't leave until his friend has gotten out whatever is on his mind.

"Kurt seems to pick up the choreography easily," Wes nods.

"He has experience with dancing, and he's so graceful," Blaine gushes. "His body control is just impressive! The things he can do with his legs, hips, arms…"

"I'm not sure if you're talking about sex now," Wes snorts, and Blaine blushes. He wasn't, but Wes does put thoughts to his mind. After their heart-to-heart, their sex life has improved drastically, and Blaine feels like a true teenager with how often they sneak off to… Well, get off. They've developed quite some techniques to take advantage of both shorter and longer breaks when they find themselves alone.

"Anyway," Wes continues, pulling Blaine out of his excited bubble. "I was just curious if the two of you have thought about the Council's proposal…" He lets the sentence drift off, as if he's sharing a random thought. But Blaine knows him, and understands that he'd like a reply as soon as possible, so that the Council can continue their plans for Regionals. But he also suspects that neither in that particular trio is keen on pushing Blaine and Kurt into an answer before they're ready.

"We haven't really had the time to talk about it," Blaine admits. It's only been a week since the Council held them back after rehearsal.

"Take your time," Wes nods quickly. "No rush, we still have time," he nods again.

"I'm on my way to Kurt now. Maybe I know more tonight," Blaine promises, because he doesn't like to keep his friends waiting, but he likes even less having to rush an answer out of his boyfriend.

"Good, that's good. Thank you," Wes nods again, and Blaine hates it when his friend is being so formal and strained around him. He can understand this is difficult for him to ask when he knows how scared Blaine is. But it isn't made easier for Blaine when Wes is being all weird. He gives his roommate one finale smile, before he leaves in search of his boyfriend.

"Buonasera, luce dei miei occhi," Blaine murmurs, and purposefully leans up to kiss Kurt's lips sweetly.

"Buonasera," Kurt sighs against his lips, and presses his body against Blaine's until he can feel the door behind him firm against his shoulder blades and butt.

Blaine knows he plays dirty tonight, greeting Kurt like that. He is perfectly aware of what it does to Kurt when Blaine speaks his mother's tongue to him, and he's deduced that Kurt likes being taller than Blaine. He hasn't asked him straight out, not wanting to embarrass him, but Blaine assumes it makes Kurt for once feel strong. And Blaine most definitely does not mind pressing his body flushed against Kurt's to get closer for a kiss. The height difference isn't much, but it's enough.

"How's the philosophy going?" Blaine asks politely, because he shouldn't distract his boyfriend's academic efforts. His hands, however, are unaware of this, and have snaked their way into Kurt's back pockets, cupping the firm flesh and pulling him closer.

"I found the answer to everything," Kurt pants, and kisses down along Blaine's throat while nimble fingers remove his bowtie and unbutton his shirt.

"42?" Blaine moans, and rocks his hips against Kurt's, with his head tilted to the side to grant Kurt better access.

"What?" Kurt exclaims confused, and stops his ministrations of Blaine's sensitive skin for a moment. "42? No, don't explain," he interrupts, and slots a thigh between Blaine's legs. "It's you, idiot, you're my answer."

"Tu sei la mia vita," Blaine whispers, and with a low groan Kurt pulls him by the bowtie ends towards his bed.

It's a rushed adventure, with clothes only half off, too much spit in their eagerness, noses bumping awkwardly until they find the right angle, legs trembling to avoid kicking the other in the head, and a fleeting thought of if socks should have been removed first, but in the end they manage to fulfil an entirely different meaningful number than 42.

"Did we get lucky again?" Blaine murmurs drowsily, and tugs the covers further up on their torsos.

"I believe we did," Kurt snorts, and Blaine shoves him with one hand, but holds him with the other arm so he won't push him out of bed.

"Smartass. I was thinking about Jeff."

"It's really not a compliment to my bed skills that you thought about my roommate," Kurt smirks.

"Obtuseness doesn't look good on you," Blaine harrumphs, but there's no bite to his voice, and his eyes are shining.

"You're unable to even fake anger right after sex," Kurt giggles, and runs a hand through Blaine's bed head. "And I'm not entirely sure where Jeff is, but I locked the door."

"It was mortifying the last time he walked in on us," Blaine sighs, and hides his face on Kurt's chest, as if the memory is enough to embarrass him.

"It's not my favourite to walk in on them either," Kurt says shyly.

They lie in silence for a while, Blaine's ear pressed to Kurt's chest. He loves listening to his boyfriend's heartbeat. It's mostly in the background, but sometimes Blaine remembers how they met, and what Kurt had been through. What if he had succeeded? What if he hadn't survived? What if Blaine had never met him? The steady beat of his heart is comforting, reassuring. Even if Blaine didn't know Kurt when he was at his lowest and tried to end it, he doesn't want to think about losing him like that ever again.

"Speaking of which, I guess we should get dressed," Kurt sighs. "Jeff doesn't need to see more of my ass than strictly necessary."

"I like your ass," Blaine hums, but lets go of Kurt so he can roll out of bed. He can see his blush down his chest. He kind of likes that Kurt can be so sexy and confident, but also still shy and vulnerable in the best ways. Without really thinking, he cups an ass cheek as Kurt climbs out, startling his boyfriend. He stops moving, standing on his knees and hands, while Blaine slowly caresses the soft skin and firm flesh.

"This is really, really precious to me," Blaine says lowly. "I love you so much."

Kurt looks at him over his shoulder, and Blaine isn't sure if he's about to cry or not. He can see his throat working as Kurt swallows heavily.

"Ti amo anch'io..."

He can feel his smile split his own face in two, and the hand on Kurt's ass runs down his thigh and further, until he squeezes Kurt's foot.

"Clothes?"

"Clothes," Kurt agrees.

They take turns using the ensuite bathroom and getting dressed. Then they sit down next to each other in Kurt's bed.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" Kurt offers, and nods at his laptop on his desk.

"Only if you want to."

"Are you being weird?" Kurt looks at him with narrowed eyes.

"Maybe a little," Blaine admits. "I've been thinking about the Council's proposition."

"Ah." Kurt folds his legs under himself, and wraps Blaine's arm around his shoulders. "I'm sure there's plenty of Warblers who'd duet with you, if you're interested."

"If I can't duet with you, then I won't do it with anyone."

Kurt raises an eyebrow at him. "Did you phrase that wordplay deliberately, or are you simply born this cheesy?" Blaine merely smiles impishly at him. "And I won't do that duet. I can't."

"I understand," Blaine nods, and chews on his lower lip.

"You're disappointed."

"No, not in you. I think it's something we could have had fun doing together, I think we could do something really good. But only if you want to."

"I'm sorry, Blaine," Kurt whispers.

"Hey, no," Blaine objects, and lifts Kurt's head by his chin with two fingers to make sure he listens. "You never have to feel sorry for how you feel. I respect you. All of you."

Kurt blinks several times, and Blaine can feel his chin shiver between his fingers.

"Will you be honest with me?" he asks Blaine, looking at him through his lashes, and it does something in Blaine's stomach.

"Haven't we promised each other to always be just that?" he says tenderly, and moves his fingers to cup Kurt's cheek instead.

"Why do you want to do that duet with me?" he asks determinedly, but blinks repeatedly.

Blaine's fingers run down along Kurt's neck, shoulder, arm, until they intertwine with his fingers. Kurt squeezes gently when they are connected.

"Well, singing with you would give us a valid reason to spend more time together, in between our busy schedules. I wouldn't mind that," Blaine smiles impishly. "But there's also a bigger reason. I know we both have our challenges, I know it would be difficult. But you make me want to be brave. You make me want to at least try. It would be such a victory, if we dared to take that stage."

"Oh Blaine…"

Gently, Blaine leans in and kisses away a few tears down Kurt's temple.

"But I want you to be comfortable," he adds. "That's what's the most important to me."

"I wish I were as brave as you are," Kurt sniffs, and untangles their fingers.

"Are you crazy?" Blaine takes his hands back in his, and waits until Kurt looks at him before he continues. "You are the single toughest kid in all of Ohio, if not all of the States. You can do so much, and you prove yourself every day. A performance at Regionals won't change how I feel about you."

"But it might change how I feel about myself…"

"I support any decision you make about this."

"Does Wes need an answer tonight?"

"I know it'll pain him, but he can work on his patience skills."

Kurt chuckles soundlessly.

"I love you, you know?"

"I do know, but the reminder is appreciated. And the sentiment is mutual."

"You are the dorkiest boyfriend I've ever had!" Kurt grins.

"I thought I was your first boyfriend?"

"You are, but nobody compares to you in that regard."

"I'm not sure if I should be offended or flattered," Blaine laughs.

"With me as your boyfriend? You should get used to being both," Kurt smirks.


Translation from Italian:

Buonasera, luce dei miei occhi – good evening, light of my eyes
Tu sei la mia vita – you are my life
Ti amo anch'io – I love you too

Thank you to SofiaKaiEleutheria who helped me with the Italian.