The next morning, Kurt woke up with Sebastian wrapped around him. God, he's snuggly. He smiled. He had never, ever envisioned Sebastian Smythe as a snuggler extraordinaire, but he was absolutely wrong. What surprised him in equal measure was just how much he loved to be snuggled by Sebastian.

Sebastian moved just a bit and opened his eyes. "What are you thinking about so intently?"

"You. Us."

"All good thoughts, I hope."

"Yes. Definitely."

"So, shall we snuggle more or get up?"

"What's on our agenda for today?"

"Pirate ship adventures. The Black Raven."

"And the fort and the pirate museum. I remember now. I think we have time for some snuggling, but we have to ride the bikes down to where we can catch the right bus to get to where we're going. We could rent a car for the whole day for less than a taxi IF we were old enough to rent a car. But we'll get a lot of exercise riding the bikes around."

"And the view is so nice when you ride in front," Sebastian teased.

"I'm sure." He pulled Sebastian's hand up to his lips and placed kisses along his knuckles. "Maybe we should get up and do some stretches to warm up for our long bike ride."

"Mmm. Snuggle or watch you stretch? You don't play fair."

"I suppose we could somehow snuggle and stretch."

"Show me."


When they came back that evening they opted for a simple dinner of spaghetti. The showered early and changed into pajamas and watched the first Pirates of the Caribbean move to finish off their day of pirate-related activities.

When the movie finished, they continued to lay snuggled up on the sectional in the living room.

"I had fun today," Kurt said. "I loved spending the day with you."

"Me too. We've only been able to do it a couple of times before coming here."

Kurt snuggled into Sebastian's chest. "Well, we should do it whenever we can. I really like talking to you and being goofy with you like we were on the pirate ship. That was so much fun. And another potential form of performing, except for the part where there are no pirate ships in New York City."

"Brr. Fun for three seasons a year. Probably the closest place would be Boston to work on a ship of any sort."

"We could get some swords and spar against each other. I'm going to miss that. I hadn't thought about it. I won't be able to go to the Stage Combat Club anymore."

"We'll look online and see what we can find to arm ourselves. Are you ready to go to sleep?"

"Yes, but that means I have to move." Kurt ran his fingers through Sebastian's hair and kissed him.

Sebastian chuckled. "You can pet me and kiss me in bed. Come on."


Friday morning they got up and went for a sunrise swim in the pool. Afterwards, they made breakfast and packed snacks and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to have for lunch. They spent the late morning and afternoon touring the oldest store, school, and one of the oldest houses in St. Augustine.

When they got back, they grilled some fresh seafood they had bought on the way home. They spent some time looking through the library after they ate and they each found a book to read. They curled up together on the sectional in the room to read.

Kurt lost his focus on the book in his hands and started of the top of it at Sebastian who was wearing his glasses and still reading intently, not noticing Kurt watching him. Kurt watched the corners up his mouth turn upwards in a slight smile and continued to read. It wasn't until then that Kurt actually looked at the book Sebastian had chosen. It was a murder mystery. He was surprised that it was humorous. When Sebastian finished the chapter, he glanced towards Kurt and caught him staring.

"Like what you see?" he asked with his usual bravado and brazenness.

"Oh, definitely. Very much so. You would make a gorgeous underwear model."

"Oh, really? How do you know? You've never seen me in my underwear."

"Well, I've seen you in your swim trunks, which is close enough to know."

"Mmm."

"You were smiling when you were reading. I didn't think murder mysteries were funny."

"I didn't think so either, but the back of the book said that it was, so I thought I'd give it a chance. It's a genre I've never given a chance before."

"And what's your verdict at this point?"

"Well, I'd give it a thumbs up for sure. The main character is the one who solves the mystery. And man about her age moves to town and he's there to help out with his mom's dress shop while she has to have surgery."

"Okay."

"And everyone in this small town thinks that he's gay because he's a tailor and running in the dressmaker's shop. So, the humor is in how his interactions with the main character are misinterpreted repeatedly because he's trying to ask her out, but everyone thinks he's gay. Plus, the main character's family members are hysterical."

"Maybe I'll read it next. This one isn't really holding my attention. I usually like biographies, but this one is just kind of falling flat. I think I'll try a different book."

"Or we could go ahead down to the beach and watch Casablanca like I suggested earlier."

"You'd give up your humorous and possibly romantic murder mystery?" Kurt thought about how he had watched it with Blaine and that's what had made him balk when Sebastian had suggested it in the first place, but he didn't want to give Blaine any control over his future and they had watched a lot of movies together. If Kurt never rewatched any of them, he'd miss out on a lot of movies he loved.

"To go watch a movie with you at the beach? Any time, babe." He ran his hand slowly along Kurt's calf, caressing his skin gently.

"Mmm. You petting me like that makes me want to go find it on Netflix or something and watch it here."

"I can pet you at the beach, too."

"You've won me over. Let's change."

Sebastian picked his phone up from the cushion next to him to check the time. "We have at least 15 minutes before we have to go, so there's time for kissing before we leave."

"Kissing, you say?" Kurt put the book he had been reading off to the side and repositioned himself so that he was straddling Sebastian's lap. "Like this?"

Sebastian let his hands slide down Kurt's back to rest on his waist. "I definitely like this."

After a few minutes, they slowed down to catch their breath.

"We need to change," Kurt said, his forehead pressed to Sebastian's.

It took all of Sebastian's willpower to let go of Kurt. He wanted to take Kurt into their room and forget the movie existed, but he also wanted to give Kurt the kinds of things he wanted like watching old movies together, and how could he get anymore fun than doing it at the beach. He pecked Kurt on the lips, still breathing a little heavy. He brought his hands up and cupped Kurt's face gently. "I love you." And he was absolutely certain of it because otherwise, he would just follow his libido into the bedroom and forget the romance. But he knew that wasn't what he wanted. He wanted Kurt and he was finding that he was better at romance than he thought he was once he let his walls down and admitted to himself how much Kurt meant to him. He looked Kurt in the eyes and kissed him gently.

"I love you too."

They changed back into their swim trunks and put on the sun shirts they had bought and rode the bikes down to the beach. They found a good place to put their towels down and settled in to watch the movie. Kurt sat back against Sebastian's chest.

After a few minutes, Sebastian slipped his hands up under the front of Kurt's shirt and softly ran his fingers along Kurt's abdomen. Kurt ran his fingers along Sebastian's calves, varying the amount of pressure he used, from very light to lightly massaging. It was an intoxicating experience to be so bold with their physical affection in a public setting.


Saturday, they spent the morning relaxing around the house and working on making necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, some for themselves and some to give to Jillian and Alexis once they arrived.

That afternoon, they went out to the more touristy area and looked through some of the shops. They worked their way towards the area where Uptown Saturday Night was held and they looked through the antique stores and the interesting and unique stores in the area. They enjoyed the free musical entertainment and refreshments. It reminded Kurt a bit of a couple of gallery openings he had been to in New York the previous fall before he started working so much that he never had time to enjoy the City he wanted to live in so desperately.

Later that evening they went to a pipe organ concert at St. Augustine Basilica that was part of the Annual St. Augustine Music Festival. It was Kurt's first. Both of them loved every minute of it.


Sunday morning, they lay snuggling in bed after they woke up. Sebastian ran his fingers along Kurt's bare arm while placing gentle kisses along his shoulder and up his neck. "I know we had talked about staying home today until this evening, but I saw a place in one of those 'Visit St. Augustine' brochures last night."

"What kind of place?"

"Can it be a surprise?"

"Sure, Bas. You know I'd go anywhere with you."

Sebastian did know, but hearing it made his heart skip a beat.

"Except a strip club. You know that doesn't interest me."

"I do know that. It's not a strip club. It doesn't open until noon. It's not even usually open on Sundays, but it is because it's the weekend before a holiday and there's lots of tourists here."

"So, we can still enjoy our Sunday morning snuggles?"

"We can, but I'm really thirsty. I'm going to go to the bathroom and go bring us a drink back from the kitchen."

While he was gone, Kurt went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He was sitting up in bed when Sebastian game back with two glasses of water and what was left of their fresh orange juice.

"One detail I will tell you is that it does not involve water in any way, so you can dress however you'd like."

"Okay." He took the glass of water and drank it.

Sebastian drank his water and then split the orange juice between them. He took the glasses and the bottle into the bathroom.

When he came back, he crawled up the bed and pulled Kurt down a bit, so his head was on his pillow and kissed him. He sat straddling Kurt. "Can I?"

"Yes, whatever you want."

"I want… to touch your skin everywhere." He ran his hands down Kurt's upper arms. "You're… just beautiful. So beautiful."

A few tears formed in Kurt's eyes. He closed them to try to refrain from letting them fall.

"Can you open your eyes? I want you to look at me. To know it's me who loves touching you like this."

"You're the only one. I know it's you because you're the only one to ever do this. But I'll keep my eyes open. I want to remember this. If I close my eyes it might feel like a dream." Kurt reached up and ran his hands down Sebastian's arms. "I want to touch you too."

"We'll switch in a bit, okay?"

"Yeah. Kiss me too?"

"Mmm hmm," he mumbled as he leaned down and kissed Kurt. He sat back up and went back to his thorough exploration.


As soon as they got close enough to see the sign, Kurt's face lit up. "A classic car museum?"

"Yep."

"This isn't something that would interest you."

"But I love you and it interests you. Let's go. He sped up his pace and headed towards the building.

They spent three hours of Kurt ooh-ing and ahh-ing over hundreds of cars.

"I helped my dad rebuild one of these when I was 15. We finished not long before he bought my baby from a flood sale for pennies on the dollar. We rebuilt it next." He sighed. "Selling her was hard. But I needed to fund my great escape to New York City. I don't want to live in Lima, so having my dad keep her for four years made no sense and a huge vehicle in the city just makes no sense. She was freedom. I could leave the house and just go for a drive and go out to different lakes or nearby towns where no one knew me and just be. And when she couldn't be my freedom around Lima anymore, she gave the money to pursue being free in New York. I miss working in the shop with my dad. My senior year when Blaine came back from Six Flags, I really cut back on my hours to the point where he teasingly accused me of only hanging around the shop when I wanted money, which was mostly true. I had quit going to the shop just to spend time with him. And then he won the election and he was gone more than he was home during the week. I still worked part-time, but it wasn't the same without him there."

Sebastian squeezed his hand and followed him around and listened to him go on and on about the magnificence of various cars and their engine configurations.

Later that evening, they had changed and headed down to the beach area. They stopped by the restaurant they had eaten breakfast at the first morning they were there and ordered two icy fruity drinks made with real fruit. Sebastian showed a fake ID to get his with alcohol in it. Sebastian grabbed Kurt's and handed it to him, took his hand, and they walked towards the beach.

"I wasn't sure you'd want to come back for one. You didn't seem thrilled with the idea that day," Sebastian said.

"Oh, that was just me flashing back to other times I've been around people who've been drinking. I've developed a dislike for being around drunk people."

"I do like alcohol, but I don't drink until I'm drunk. When I was in France, my aunt and uncle taught me how to drink and gauge my level of coherence. I won't get drunk and freak you out. I promise."

Kurt nodded, hoping he was able to keep that promise.

"Is that why you don't drink?"

"I've been known to have wine occasionally. I don't like hard alcohol. I'm sure wine coolers are fine and probably that drink you ordered. I just don't like the out of control feeling. The one time I've been drunk, sophomore year, I threw up on Miss Pillsbury and she had to go to the ER for three decontamination showers because I triggered her OCD so badly."

"Oh, that's terrible – for her I mean."

"It was. She managed to lie to the school nurse and take me home on her way to the hospital. She and I had a long talk the next day about why I had been drinking at school. She was the only teacher that ever really seemed to care. She didn't tell my dad because I promised her it wouldn't happen again."

"How did you get alcohol? I've seen pictures of you from then. You hadn't really hit puberty and you looked like you were 14."

"An adult gave it to me and told me that it would help me be courageous."

"Stupid adult. Sounds like setting you up to become an alcoholic."

"She was an alcoholic."

"I see. McKinley was a seriously messed up school."

"That I can definitely agree with."

They walked along through the surf and found more shells that they gathered before they went home.


Besides visiting a chocolatier and taking a tour on Monday, they spent the rest of their time at the house relaxing, reading, swimming, and cooking together.


Tuesday, they visited a special Picasso exhibit of painting, many of which had never had a public viewing. Before they headed home, they went shopping and got what they needed for a couple of days when the rest of Sebastian's family would arrive.


Wednesday morning, after their early morning swim, they straightened up the few things they had left lying around. They did some laundry and worked together to make four different pasta sauces and a large chopped salad for dinner that evening when the rest of Sebastian's family would be eating with them. They ate sandwiches while they prepared everything.

Everyone showed up a little before noon. They had stopped and grabbed fast food after they picked up the SUV they had rented. They dropped their stuff off and Kurt and Sebastian climbed in the backseat with his cousins. They drove straight to El Galeón to tour the ship that was docked for the week. It was an amazing tour to see the interior of all of the parts of a working ship that encompassed five decks and took 28 crewmen to run. They spent the whole afternoon wandering through the different areas, talking to the crew, and each other as they all learned a lot about history and sailing the way people did for centuries.

When they got back, Kurt and Sebastian headed into the kitchen and cooked four different types of pasta, warmed up the sauces they had made earlier, and put out all of the salad ingredients along the counter. Nina finished unpacking the quickest and came out to help get the plates and bowls out. She set the table with silverware and napkins.

When everyone else came out, dinner was ready. Everyone went through like a buffet line and took their plates to the dining room and sat down.

Kurt was pleased, but still surprised when he realized that Sebastian had been right. Everyone in his family just went on like he had always been a part of the family and there was no standoffish behavior whatsoever. Jillian sat down between him and Isabelle and talked to both of them during the meal.

After dinner, Jillian and Alexis helped Kurt and Sebastian with the clean up, which didn't take long. The adults sat out in the sunroom talking. They joined the adults and brought charades out with them, which she had packed in her suitcase. After they finished, they played some other games that Kurt and Sebastian had found in the library.


When the other three were putting the games away, Kurt went into their room and brought out the necklaces and bracelets that he and Sebastian had made for them.

Kurt laid them on the desk in the room.

Alexis picked hers up. "You made these for us?"

"Well, we picked the shells out at the beach, but we drilled holes in them and strung them and tied them and put the clasps on."

"Can you teach us? I want to make a bracelet for Calista and Maeve. They're my best friends."

"Sure. When we go to the beach tomorrow, just take some snack ziptop bags and some paper towels so you can keep them in good shape. I can show you how to do it with some of the leftover shells we have. That way you can do it when we're gone."

Kurt left and went to get the tools they had used and the leftover shells they weren't keeping for themselves to take back with them. Sebastian grabbed a few paper sacks from the kitchen.

When Victoria heard the drill in the library, she went to see what they were doing. "Oh, wow. Those are really pretty. I'd like one too. I'll have to pick some shells I like when we go tomorrow."

"Want one what?" Isabelle asked when she looked into the room.

"A shell bracelet. Or maybe an anklet," Victoria answered.

Isabelle stepped inside the room. Alexis and Jillian showed her their necklaces and bracelets. She scooted closer to the desk to see what Kurt and Sebastian were doing.

"That's really pretty too. Maybe you'd let your dear old Aunt Izzie have that one."

Sebastian smiled at her. "Of course. I didn't know that homemade shell bracelets were allowed to be worn by Vogue employees," he teased.

"Oh, but see handmade jewelry by said employee's nephew is definitely allowed. Family loyalty and all that," she teased. "It will look good with my tan that I'm going to show off."

Sebastian nodded and smiled. "Step closer and show me which one of these you want to be in the center, and then hold your wrist out so I put the right number of small shells on so it's the right length."

Kurt continued to show Jillian and Alexis how to drill holes in the shells carefully while Sebastian worked on creating Isabelle's bracelet. Once he finished hers, Victoria and his mom wanted one too. He used the shells that Kurt had been using to teach the girls and the ones the girls had drilled holes in to make bracelets for his mom and aunt.


Kurt and Sebastian were lounging on the double chaise when Isabelle came out for an early morning swim.

"Good morning, you two. You're up early."

"We've not been sleeping in while we're here," Sebastian answered.

"I don't 'sleep in' well, is what he really means. My internal alarm clock goes off and I'm up for the day, enough sleep or not."

She sat down and relaxed back in one of the other chaises. "I'm going to warm up a bit in the sun before I get in.

Kurt's phone pinged. He picked it up off the small table next to the chaise.

-You haven't returned any of my texts for months, but I'm assuming that you're still getting them. I sent the set list for the duets for the party tonight about a week ago. I hope you've been practicing.

Kurt rolled his eyes and showed the text to Sebastian. "I'm going to respond. She's obviously not gotten the message from me ignoring her texts."

"Whatever you think will work."

"I don't think anything will, but I'm going to give it one last try." He began composing a long text to send back to Rachel.

-I responded to the very first text you sent to me informing me of the party at your place today. My response is that I would not be in attendance. Perhaps my response slipped past when you got responses from other people, but more than likely you ignored it. To make myself clear, I will not be at the party. I am not in New York. I will not be in New York today or tomorrow. I am on vacation with my boyfriend. I am going to kindly ask you to refrain from contacting me again about the party.

He sent the text. He wondered how long it would take for her to spread the gossip to the whole group. She responded with lightning quick speed.

-Boyfriend? You and Blaine are perfect for each other. How could you have moved on so quickly and already have another boyfriend? Is it Adam? Who will Blaine perform with this evening?

-Adam is in England. We're still good friends. Stop digging for information. Stop trying to get me and Blaine back together. That is not going to happen. He cheated. I don't trust him. Relationships are built on trust. You were there when it all happened. Blaine can sing with you this evening. You always enjoyed that. You don't need me. You really don't. It's a tragedy that he's not bi. You're perfect for each other. Leave me out of your matchmaking. I'm happy now.

-Who is it?

-None of your concern.

-It's your fault that he's going to Oberlin and not NYADA.

-Not even remotely possible.

-Your dad called his dad and showed him the video from the engagement.

-Still not my doing.

Sebastian asked Kurt, "May I?" He reached out for Kurt's phone.

"As long as I can see it before you hit send."

"Of course."

Kurt handed his phone to Sebastian, who took down Rachel's number and texted her himself.

Isabelle sat down next to them. "What's all the furious texting about?" she asked nosily.

"Rachel's being a pain," Kurt said.

She chuckled. "That's nothing new. Tell her I said 'Hi! and good luck Sunday.'" She got up, walked over the to pool, and got in.

Sebastian finished typing the text.

-This is from Kurt's boyfriend. You need to just stop. We're here on vacation in Florida with my parents, aunts, uncle, and cousins. You're interrupting our holiday. He's been too kind to block you, but that's still a possibility. If you still want to maintain any type of contact with him, let this drop. I hope you enjoy your party, but Kurt won't be there. Oh, and Aunt Izzie (Isabelle Wright) says to say, 'Hi! and good luck Sunday.'

He showed it to Kurt, who shrugged. "If you send that, by 10 minutes from now, everyone in the New Directions will know that we're dating."

Sebastian leaned closer and kissed him. "Makes no difference to me. They all hate me anyway. Well, except Santana. I'm assuming that Sam is neutral at least."

"He's fine with it. You know that he said that you are far from the only 17-year-old to do stupid things." Kurt thought about it for a minute. "Let me send my dad a text telling him that if he has an emergency to call your phone." He quickly sent the text. "Instead of you sending that text, I'm going to send a very similar one." Kurt composed a text to send before he shut his phone off.

-You just need to stop. We're on vacation in Florida with my boyfriend's parents, aunts, uncle, and cousins. You're interrupting our holiday. I haven't blocked you yet, but that's still a possibility. If you still want to be able to contact me, let this drop. My boyfriend's Aunt Izzie (Isabelle Wright) says to say 'Hi! and good luck Sunday.'

It was less than a minute before his phone buzzed again.