Blaine woke to the sound of the shower. He rolled on to his back, feeling tired but incredibly happy. Had that really all happened? It hadn't just been a vivid erotic fantasy like he'd been having for two months?

The shower stopped, and a couple minutes later, the door opened. Kurt stepped out, a towel around his waist and another around his head. "Morning," he said, with a bit of a shy smile.

"Morning," Blaine said back, happy that Kurt seemed to be taking this in stride. Not escaping at dawn to slink back to his cabin in shame.

"Hope you don't mind me using your shower," Kurt said, walking over to the mini fridge and taking out a couple bottles of water. He passed one to Blaine and took a big sip from his own.

Blaine was busy admiring the view. Even though he'd seen Kurt in swim trunks dozens of times, it felt different seeing him like this. After kissing across all that lovely skin. "Um, no," he finally said.

Kurt grinned at him and leaned down for a quick kiss. "Do you mind if I borrow some clean clothes?"

"No. Help yourself," Blaine said, waving towards his wardrobe.

Opening a couple drawers, Kurt pulled out a t-shirt. "Thanks," he murmured before slipping back into the washroom.

He came out fully dressed about ten minutes later. Blaine could tell he'd used some hair products to style his hair. It wasn't as tall as normal, but still off his face.

"Want to meet up for lunch later?" Kurt asked, folding his shirt up. "If you don't mind Carole teasing about us."

Us. It was a wonderful word. Blaine felt a warm glow deep inside at hearing it. "Um, no. It's fine."

Kurt named a time and place and leaned in for a kiss. A goodbye kiss.

"So, what are your plans after the cruise job is done?" Carole asked, buttering a roll.

Kurt shrugged a shoulder. "Back to New York. I have some savings put aside from this gig, so I have time to find another job."

"Auditions, all that," Carole nodded. "Well, feel free to pop out to Ohio whenever you want."

"And you are welcome to visit me too," Kurt replied.

"Next time you have a new show, I'll come out for opening night."

This was good, feeling closer than ever from this cruise. Just enjoying each other's company.

Blaine entered the restaurant and waved at them, before heading to the buffet to load up a plate.

"And Blaine is always welcome in Ohio too," Carole added, seeing how Kurt was still watching the other man.

Kurt jarred himself back to their conversation. "Hmmmm. Well, thanks for the offer, but I doubt that will happen. He usually on this ship or one of those smaller river ones."

"But- "

Carole stopped her comment as Blaine joined them, smiling at her, and then at Kurt. "So, any big plans for your last day, Carole?"

She shook her head. "You boys have kept me so well entertained this whole time. I swear I've seen every part of this ship. I think I want to take it easy today and go to your shows tonight."

Kurt got an idea. "You know, I've never been to the spa. Want to get a facial or a massage? The works?"

Carole cooed back at him. "That sounds like a perfect way to start the year." She glanced at Blaine. "Do you want to come too?"

They had been together, usually with a Kurt's other friends, often in the past month. But with last night, Blaine wondered if he should give Kurt some space. Some alone, quiet time with his stepmom.

"Ah, thanks, but I think you two need some time on your own. I'll play you a Billy Joel song at the bar later, OK?" Blaine said, and they moved on to other topics as they ate.

...

Carole treated them both to 'The Works' at the spa. There were body wraps, facials, and a deep tissue massage. Feeling great afterwards, they went to a small on-board seafood restaurant. Kurt left to get ready for work and felt good.

They went to Blaine's piano bar for his final set. When the massive fruity drink appeared, Kurt gave it to Carole, and glared at Blaine.

He was dressed in a deep red dress shirt that complimented his olive skin and dark hair, and Kurt found it far too easy to watch his effortless performance. Singing a wide repertoire of songs, pleasing everyone.

He was halfway through 'She's Got A Way', and Carole was beaming. She was occasionally dabbing a tissue against her damp eyes, but she seemed at a better place now. Thinking about Burt without breaking down.

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'...

Kurt reached over to take her hand. She squeezed it back.

She applauded hard when the song ended, and Blaine nodded at her with a fond smile.

"I'm a little tired. Would you give Blaine this for me?" Carole said, pulling out a small envelope. It was probably a thank you card.

"Sure," Kurt said, and kissed her cheek goodnight.

The piano bar wasn't as full now. Most people had partied long into the previous night and couldn't handle another night of heavy drinking.

Kurt nibbled on the fruit sticking out of Carole's drink, feeling happy and mellow. He kind of zoned out, taking this chance to watch Blaine.

Memories from last night came back, and Kurt took the time to review every moment. Hungry kisses. Touching each other everywhere. Blaine looking so good naked. He was muscular without being too bulky.

Blaine had been so thorough, taking his time to please Kurt. Just remembering those hands on his body was making Kurt feel a bit breathless. Would Blaine notice that his skin was even smoother now, from all the spa treatments?

Was it obvious what he was thinking? It seemed like Blaine was looking his way more often, lingering glances.

Kurt took a juicy chunk of passion fruit, and ate it slowly, and made a bit of a show of licking the juice off his fingers.

"Thanks for coming out tonight!" Blaine said at the end of the song, much to the surprise of Kurt and the bar staff.

Blaine didn't seem to care. He walked right over to Kurt. "Want to go?"

His gaze was heated, and Kurt felt an answering surge of pure want. "Yes," he said simply, and took Blaine's hand.

Grinning a bit too widely, Blaine waved goodbye to his manager and pulled Kurt out of the bar. "I know a shortcut," he whispered, tugging Kurt into a staff only hallway.

It was a hallway used by food service and housekeeping to move around the ship, the walls painted white like the crew levels. Blaine took them to the service elevators, and they weren't too busy this time of night.

The ride down to his level was fast, no stops along the way. They were still holding hands; Blaine's thumb moving back and forth against the back of his hand in a far too delicious way.

As soon as the door was locked behind them, Kurt was pushing Blaine back against it. His kisses tasted sweet from the fruit, and Blaine moaned as his hands pulled his shirt free from his pants.

"Want you so much. Been thinking about you all day," Blaine said, loving the way Kurt was already working on his shirt buttons.

"Me too," Kurt said, nuzzling into his neck to inhale his cologne. It was just as delicious as he remembered, and he kissed and nipped at the skin there.

Blaine had undone Kurt's pants, making them slip down his legs, and he was digging his hands under his boxer briefs to cup his ass. "Fuck, your skin feels amazing. I want to kiss you all over."

Kurt was just as eager for that, backing up to strip. Blaine watched with a dazed expression for a few heartbeats, before he started tearing off his own clothing.

They landed on the bed, mouths and hands greedy, and Blaine couldn't remember the last time he'd wanted someone this much. He was clear-headed, not tired and half-drunk like last night, able to absorb every second; the sounds Kurt made as he kissed down his chest, the taste of his skin, the feel of his hands digging into his curls. The sight of this beautiful man stretched out across his bed, aroused and arching against him, was almost too much to take in.

...

-'She's Got a Way' by Billy Joel, from his 1971 album Cold Spring Harbor. Such a simple, beautiful song...