Although Kurt preferred rooming with the girls over the guys, there was something to be said for not waking up to Rachel, or her voice, or her demands that they stay on some kind of itinerary. It was also surprisingly a little jarring until he opened his eyes and remembered he'd fallen asleep hanging out with Blaine. He shifted, looking over to see three more sleeping figures. Glancing at the middle table the clock said three minutes passed eight in the morning.

He sighed, knowing he'd have to get up soon. Breakfast ended at nine and he was not lovely without at least a little food and some coffee in his system. Blaine was still fast asleep, and Kurt smiled softly to himself. Last night had been...complicated. But positive. He carefully shifted out from under Blaine's arm and leaned over, kissing his cheek before climbing out of bed and finding his clothes. He put on the tank. He could return the pants later. Before he left he found the hotel notepad and a pen.

Yesterday was perfect. We can talk later.

He put the note on the pillow and left quietly, not seeing anyone on his way back to his floor. Rachel was already gone when he made it back to his room, Tina and Mercedes were sitting on the bed.

"Oh, boo. Don't you look like the morning after." Mercedes teased, grinning as she took in his appearance.

"I showered there and fell asleep without fixing my hair." Kurt said, shaking his head. "I ended up crashing there."

"You would leave a rave with a cute guy and have the night be innocent." Tina teased.

Kurt blushed, pulling out his suitcase. Mercedes didn't miss the flush, and paused, eyes going wide.

"Spill."

…...

Waking up to a note had been odd, but Blaine could understand it. He grinned at the first three words, quickly pocketing it when Jeff and Nick stirred. He contemplated telling them, and he more than likely would. It was just a matter of when. They had one more day before ceremonies. There were a few things they could do around the city provided that the weather cooperated.

Speaking of weather, Blaine looked at the window, surprised for a moment to see the curtains open. He remembered Kurt opening them last night, but the room was still so dark, he was surprised there wasn't more light coming in. He blinked and focused, looking at the sky. It was a dark grey, thick storm clouds, stuffed into every visible part of the sky. Tourist things did not look on the menu today. Still they had to get up sooner or later, and breakfast was gonna be ending soon if they didn't get a move on.

It took a bit more coaxing than usual with the dreary weather making it tempting to get back into bed and be lazy for the day, but food was a must. Coffee was a half must, half bonus. Depended on who you asked. Blaine was finally starting to feel awake when they arrived at the entrance of the food area only to cross paths with a furious Kurt, swiping at tears as he bolted for the elevator.

Blaine froze, unsure of what was happening. Why was Kurt angry? And crying? Who hurt Kurt here? He was away from bullies he should be having breakfast with his...

"God Rachel, he deals with enough names and abuse from those guys back in Lima. He doesn't need it from you too." Finn said, walking after Kurt.

All eyes turned to Rachel who looked a mix of mortified and angry.

…...

(30 minutes earlier)

Kurt admitted to Mercedes and Tina what had happened as he found a new outfit for the day and fixed his hair into something acceptable. He also swore them to secrecy about the kiss. He didn't want it to be the latest gossip, especially before he and Blaine had a chance to talk and figure out what it was. Yeah they were still best friends, but would Blaine expect it to progress? How was he supposed to have a long distance relationship on top of everything else going on in his life?

The trio made their way to breakfast where most of the New Directions were gathered at a couple of tables. Rachel looked irked about something, arms crossed, and empty cup and plate meaning she'd already had time to eat and then just sit there and stew. The fact that she wasn't already talking about it at top voice should have been Kurt's first big red flag. Because it meant that the person of her annoyance was not here yet, or someone had told her to shut up already. Considering only a few members were absent, it weighed possible in either direction.

Kurt got his coffee, sipping it while his omelet cooked in the little machine. He was able to make his second cup before it finished and grabbed some fruit, taking his coffee and breakfast to one of the empty seats at the table. Unfortunately this was directly across from Rachel. Seeing as she was steadfastly stewing, he decided not to risk breaking it and miss the chance for breakfast. He nodded to the table as a whole before starting to eat. She lasted about ten bites, which in hindsight was impressive for Rachel.

"So you've decided to join us." she said.

Kurt paused a moment, glancing over at her in confusion.

"If that's directed at me, then it's a bit delayed." he said.

Rachel shot him an annoyed glare and he put down his coffee, looking back at her seriously. Who had pissed in her Cheerios?

"Of course it's directed at you. But I wanted to make sure you were actually joining us and not just dining and dashing." she said.

"We always have breakfast here, why would that change?" Kurt asked.

"Well seeing as everything else changed with you, I figured this would be just one more thing." Rachel said, voice light, but Kurt wasn't fooled.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? What's changed?" Kurt asked, just getting more annoyed at the fact she was making no sense.

"I thought you were telling the truth when you said they were just being friendly and that you and Blaine were on the path of soul mates-"

"You said that, not me." Kurt interrupted.

"But now I see the truth, and it's horrible, and although our fellow glee club members are abstaining from involvement, I still feel an intervention is best." Rachel continued after a short glare at his burst.

"Intervention? Rachel, either spit it out or knock off this holier than thou rage." Kurt huffed.

"You said that the Warblers were nothing like Vocal Adrenaline and I agree." Rachel said.

"Okay..." Kurt said.

"They're much lower and more despicable." Rachel added.

"What?" Kurt snapped, looking shocked.

"At least with Vocal Adrenaline they showed their true colors and tried to take us down like true enemies. Even when they employed Jesse as a trap we knew where we stood with them." Rachel said.

"What are you talking about?" Kurt asked.

"The Warblers are stringing you along, Kurt, and they're using Blaine as the perfect friend. They're bribing you with niceness and empty acceptance in order to steal you away from us. I had my suspicions in Regionals, but this has only confirmed it. They're making it seem like a Utopia to get to you because they're desperate for a countertenor and without a twelfth member, we would be unable to continue competing." Rachel explained.

"You're absolutely insane!" Kurt said, leaning back in his chair as he stared at her. "They haven't been bribing me away! They've been my friends. Friendly competition, remember?"

"I don't remember Mr. Shue explaining friendly competition as spending all your time away from your own club in order to be buddy buddy with another team." Rachel said, tone sharp.

"I spend time with you all the time. I never get to see them in person. Is it so wrong of me to want to share this experience with them after all they've done to help us get here?" Kurt asked.

"They've blinded you with kindness. They gave us resources because you're their honorary member. How could you be in two teams? That's not right. We're your family." Rachel said. "They're trying to steal you away!"

"Rachel enough." Kurt said.

"No!" Rachel said. "You are being gullible to their tactics, and falling for their charming games, but I won't allow it. You're being seduced by their cheap tricks because of your tender state after Sue's tyrannical ruling and the bullying. Next they'll be telling Blaine to romance you all in the name of winning you over."

There was a group gasp, and shift of discomfort from the others.

"Rachel." Mercedes breathed, eyes wide in warning.

Kurt stood, looking at Rachel coldly.

"You know nothing. You're only concerned about keeping a glee club together. What do you know about family? You stomp on any of us who gets in your way and can't have anything less than your grand vision. You can't stop for two seconds and believe that they're nice to me because they actually like me, or that they see me as a person. As something more than a gay freak with a wide vocal range. You don't know them. You just see them as the enemy. But I see them as people. I've met their girlfriends, and talked about their families and futures outside of school, outside of this stupid competition. You don't know a god damn thing. You're just jealous and spiteful and you can't stand losing someone's attention for even five minutes." he snapped.

"Don't turn this around on me! I'm doing this for you!" Rachel said, standing.

"Doing what? Making me feel like I should be sorry that people like me? That I matter to someone like Blaine?" Kurt countered.

"You shouldn't believe them! It's a trick." Rachel said, stomping her foot.

Kurt froze, looking at her in disbelief and horror.

"That's it...You don't believe they could care about me. You don't think they should. You think I'm not..." he choked on the last word.

"Kurt...I didn't..." Rachel suddenly flushed.

"Fuck you, Rachel Berry." Kurt seethed. "Fuck you."

His throat was tight and he felt hot shame in his chest at the realization of what she meant. He forced himself to leave, determined to make it at least to the elevators before breaking down. He swiped at a few tears that threatened to come down early, dodging passed people coming in for last call on breakfast.

He made it into the elevator, facing the back wall and listened to the doors close as the tears started to fall. He made it to the boys room before he realized he didn't have the key for it and gave up, sliding down the wall beside the door and pulling his knees up to his chest, hiding his face in his folded arms. He sniffled as quietly as possible, trying not to draw any attention to himself. He heard footsteps, but didn't look.

Finn slid down beside him after a couple minutes. He didn't say anything right away. Kurt could smell his body spray, not bothering to look. There weren't any other footsteps so he guessed Finn came alone. Everyone else was probably trying to keep a wide berth. Angry Kurt was never fun to be around. Especially after knowing first hand why he was angry.

"Not everyone thinks that." Finn said. "I don't think Rachel thinks that. She's just...super crazy sometimes. Her paranoia and stuff, like mom said one time."

Kurt stayed silent, sniffling softly.

"I don't think they're tricking you. I mean, that would be a lot of work, which doesn't make sense. I mean, wouldn't it be easier just to be mean to you if they didn't like you or whatever? Plus, they've got private school codes and stuff, they said so." Finn said.

Kurt gave a small, choked laugh at that. Finn took it as positive progress.

"You're my brother, you know, we look out for each other. Or at least, we try really hard. And I wasn't gonna tell you, but I talked to the Wes dude. He's like their leader or one of them, right?" Finn asked.

Kurt lifted his head from hiding and nodded.

"Right, so I told him, like you've been through heavy stuff, and while friends are always cool, we have been burned pretty bad. I just wanted to make sure he was in a good place, you know? But he was totally okay with me being protective of you, and he said that they were supporting Blaine, because you were important to Blaine. That was back at Regionals. When I talked to him a couple days ago, he said he got why we were so protective. He said you were special and a cool dude. Which I told him I already knew." Finn said, shrugging.

Kurt gave a watery smile and leaned over, shoulder bumping him. Finn smiled widely for a second and nodded.

"But seriously, they said some of them besides Blaine got to really get to know you, and see why Blaine digs you so much. They don't know why Lima is so dumb about who you are, and I told them it's just how some people are there. If we could change it, we would, but it never seems to last." Finn sighed. "Lima's just not your place, man. You've always known that. And if you find people in other places who see you for you, then we're just as dumb as other Lima people for holding you back. And this week has been cool because we've got to see them too. And they're alright dudes. And I get why you're excited to see them. You've only seen Blaine like a few times. But you see us at least five days a week. Every week. We're happy that you're finally super happy again. You need it."

"Thanks." Kurt said softly, clearing his throat.

"Don't worry about Rachel, she'll figure herself out eventually. But you probably should find Blaine at some point, he did not look happy at Rachel." Finn said.

"Wait, what? Blaine was there?" Kurt asked, looking at Finn.

"Yeah, he and three other dudes were coming to breakfast when you bolted. He looked ready to go after you, but I told him this was a brother thing." Finn nodded.

"Oh." Kurt said, he hadn't even realized who he'd passed, he'd been so upset. "Thank you, Finn. You're a really good brother sometimes."

"Yeah, dude, we're Furt. We're gonna stick together. I made you a promise." Finn grinned.

Kurt gave a weak laugh and nodded, slumping to the side to be shoulder to shoulder with Finn.

"Yeah, we're Furt." he said.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Finn asked.

"I'm gonna be okay, Finn. I'll just, keep away from Rachel until the ceremonies are over and then we can all go back home." Kurt said. "I honestly thought she liked the Warblers. I don't know what's gotten into her."

"I think she does, but she also knows they've treated you really good, and you've become cool with a bunch of them fast, in comparison to how long it took you two to become close. She's comparing the two when it's not even a fair comparison. She just needs time. It'll work out." Finn said, standing up. "I should go find her and make sure she doesn't pick any more fights. If you need me, just send a text or something."

"Okay. Thanks, Finn." Kurt said, giving a small smile.

"Any time, dude." Finn nodded, taking his leave.

…...

"What are you looking at?"

Blaine had nearly let the situation go, when Rachel snapped at him, making him tense. Nick and Jeff both reached out and put hands on either his arm or shoulder, a silent warning that it might not be a good idea to let her pick a fight.

"What is your problem?" Blaine asked.

"You."

That wasn't what he was expecting. But before he could ask, the petite brunette was in front of him, staring at him angrily.

"Do you care about Kurt?" she asked.

"Of course." Blaine said at once.

"I mean it." Rachel said.

Blaine paused, eyes narrowing as he stared at her.

"So do I." he said seriously. "And if you hurt Kurt by implying anything otherwise, then I'm not the problem. You are."

"Let's just get breakfast." Jeff said. "Rachel, I think you should take some time to cool off."

Rachel stepped back, clearly not getting the fight she wanted. But Jeff wasn't finished.

"I'm disappointed that you would use the Warblers in any way to hurt Kurt. We cherish him as a friend. He's the only person I've ever met who doesn't care about where I come from financially, or who I know. He bakes me cookies, and gives me hugs, and let me be his friend even when I was just a friend of his pen pal. He gave me advice when I didn't know how to admit my feelings to Nicky. He's so much more than just a countertenor, or another gay guy. Don't you think he is too?"

"I...of course I do..." Rachel faltered.

"He's our friend. I thought he was yours too." Jeff said.

"He is." Rachel argued.

"I hope he still is, for your sake." Jeff said, before walking to the food options.

Blaine looked at Rachel for a moment before shaking his head and following Jeff. Halfway through their breakfast Finn came back and leaned over and whispered something in Blaine's ear. They nodded, and Finn went back to his group, refusing to say anything more on the matter.