After they finished talking with Nina and Art, they drove to Lima. They had eaten lightly at the early dinner they had with Nina and Art so that they would be able to have a late dinner with Burt and Carole as well. As they stepped inside, they could smell the amazing aromas that had made their way through the house. They took their bag to the guest room and washed up before they sat down at the table. Carole had everything ready for them. They passed the plates and bowls around.

"So, finals are soon, right?" Carole asked.

"They are," Kurt said. "It's hard to believe that tomorrow is December 1st. We have a week of classes and then a week of exams. A couple of my performances classes actually have our exams this week so that we can go in next week for our critiques."

"I bet those are nerve-racking," she said.

"They are for some people. I think Coach Sue scared my ability to be scared out of me. Maybe that's part of her M.O. – who knows with her? I think I've just be criticized enough that I'm good at not breaking down. Of course, every negative thing runs through my mind for ages afterwards, especially because we're given a copy of the exam video so we can review our issues and correct them, so I can sit and watch my mistakes over and over again and pick myself apart."

"You're your own worst critic," Sebastian said.

"I am. I know. I just want to be good enough and that means a lot of work perfecting basic moves so that they look as effortless as walking. The idea is that a choreographer will be able to give a combination of like ten moves and I'll just be able to do all ten of them in a row, accurately without needing 30 minutes of practice. The practicing is now. The perfecting is now. So that then, in the future, it will just be automatic."

"That makes sense," Burt said.

"Yeah, once you're up on the stage, there are people and props everywhere and the lighting can be super distracting. You just can't focus on only what you're doing. You have to focus on where the props are and where the people are because you have to be able to make abrupt changes that look like they were the original plan. And everyone else on the stage has to be able to as well. There's a lot of things going on at once. And if they're all done well, the whole thing looks nearly effortless. Live theater takes you to a place in your mind that the stage only suggests. If the performers aren't where they belong and the performance becomes choppy or sloppy, it pulls the audience out of the suspension of belief. Their minds move between reality and the story and it breaks the spell."

"That sounds like something you've been studying," Burt said.

"Yeah, we had to watch different performances of the same musicals or plays and compare and contrast a lot of different aspects of the shows. And what I found was that the extravagant sets and props were less important to keep me IN the experience than people knowing their lines well enough to be able to go on when someone messed up. You know, to be able to restart the conversation even if the other person completely missed their lines. Shows where the choreography was nearly flawlessly executed with the performers in minimal costuming were better at keeping me in the story than ones where the performers wore much nicer costumes, but didn't perform the dances as well. The same was true for the props and sets. Minimalism didn't bring me out of the story, but people being out of sync or missing their marks really did."

"I guess I never really gave a lot of thought to what you'd actually study in your classes. I just thought you did a lot of practicing different things."

"We study a lot of things. And we practice a lot. Then there are all of the regular college classes like English, math, science, history, like I took over the summer. I could have gone to one of the acting schools for a year or two if I didn't want to do the academic parts of getting a college degree."

"That makes sense," Burt said. "I picked up Deadliest Catch season 8 on DVD this afternoon. I thought we could sit down and watch a few episodes after we eat. I kept missing them and forgetting to TIVO them, so I decided to just get the DVDs."

Sebastian looked over at Kurt because he had no idea what Burt was referring to.

Kurt did his best to look unperturbed. "Sure, Dad."

Burt burst out laughing. "You still need some more acting classes, bud. You didn't quite manage to hide that look of utter despair." He kept laughing. "I picked up Red 2 as well."

Sebastian smiled. "We were talking about renting that at some point."

Burt nodded. "I just wanted to yank his chain a bit."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "I'm not as much of a self-centered brat as I used to be. I'd watch Deadliest Catch if you wanted."

"You weren't a brat. You were stubborn, though. It's good to know that you're more willing to do things other people like." He was still chuckling a bit.

The next morning, Kurt got up before dawn. He slipped out of bed, but Sebastian stirred.

"What time is it?" Sebastian asked, his voice a bit gravelly.

"Oh, it's 7:20. I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd go to the cemetery for a bit. You can sleep more if you want."

"May I go with you?"

"You want to?"

"Only if you want me too."

"Of course, but I didn't want to make you feel like you had to say yes, which I knew you would if I asked you."

He sat up and stretched. He turned so he could put his feet on the floor. "Kurt, babe. Come here." He patted the bed next to him.

Kurt walked around and sat down.

Sebastian took Kurt's hand in his. "If you asked me to go to the lawn care place to help you buy fertilizer with you, I would."

Kurt snorted.

"Do you know why?"

Kurt shrugged. "Feeling of obligation."

"Nope. I'd go because I love you. I like spending time with you."

"You are super sappy when you're tired."

"That may be true. I don't have anyone else's opinion on that to compare yours with. It doesn't change what I said though. I don't want you think I'd go with you somewhere just because I feel like I have to. I'd go with you anywhere you asked me to because I want to. Sometimes I might have to say no because I have a prior commitment, but I'm pretty sure that this bed will not be upset with me."

Kurt snorted again. "I love you. Fair warning, I usually cry a lot."

"I figured. I would too. I probably will. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to go with you."

Kurt stood back up. "Then come on. I usually go at sunrise."

Kurt pulled a blanket in a plastic zipper case out from under the bed.

When they got there, he took the blanket out of the bag and took it with them. They sat down together, with Kurt in front. He sat near the front of the blanket so Sebastian could pull it up over his shoulders and wrap it around both of them.

He sat quietly for a few minutes, "I was always an early riser and my mom would wrap me up and we'd go out back and watch the sunrise together." Kurt scooted back and leaned into Sebastian's chest. "That day you went with me to Central Park – you're the first person I watched it with since then."

"I had no idea."

"I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

Sebastian tipped his head down and pressed his forehead into Kurt's shoulder. His voice was muffled by his position. "I'm glad you let me be part of something so special to you."

"I know what happened is still in the forefront of you mind, but I need you to know that I do not in anyway consider that you kissed any of those guys."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you were kissed non-consensually. That's not kissing someone. Kissing someone is a voluntary act, something you choose to do. That's like saying that getting rear-ended at a red light is the same as you causing a car accident. You didn't solicit 'surprise kisses' like the ad said. You didn't walk up to those guys and say, 'Hey, will you kiss me?' So, you didn't kiss them. They kissed you and that's completely different. I talked about this when I went to counseling when I was talking about David and Blaine. Although I had liked Blaine, by the time he kissed me, my crush had waned quite a bit, but that rush brought it back. But the kiss was no more consensual than the one with David had been. Blaine didn't ask me out. He didn't tell me that he liked me in a romantic way. He just told me that 'I moved him.' when I sang 'Blackbird'. And then he stood up from his and leaned forward and just kissed me. Not that I didn't enjoy kissing Blaine or that you didn't enjoy kissing Jean. But my first kiss with someone that was consensual to start with was with you. It was amazing. I asked you if I could kiss you and you said 'yes'. It was sweet and gentle and electrifying and perfect."

"I agree with you on our first kiss. And thinking about it, I do agree with what you said about the fact that I didn't consent to being kissed or to kissing those three guys. I didn't kiss back. I pulled back or pushed them away."

"I know you did, sweetie. I know. And I wish I could kiss you right now, but we'll have to make do with snuggling and watching the sunrise."

Sebastian squeezed Kurt just a bit and let out a long sigh. "I'm just so mad that someone did this to me, to us."

"I know, but we're strong." He started to hum "The Bones". And then, he started to sing.

Sebastian joined in on the second verse and they sang through it and the chorus together.

No, it won't always go the way we planned it.
But the wolves came and went and we're still standing.

When the bones are good, the rest don't matter.

The paint could peel. The glass could shatter.

Let it rain 'cause you and I remain the same.

When there ain't a crack in the foundation,

Babe, I know any storm we're facing,

Will blow right over while we stay put.

The house don't fall when the bones are good.

Kurt was the one to break the silence after the stopped singing. "Sebastian, I love you. I'm not going to hold what they did to you against you. I know you wouldn't blame me either. We're fine. We're strong. I love you and I know you love me."

"Mmm hmm. I'll stop thinking about that aspect of it. I believe you and I trust you to tell me the truth about how you feel. We've been together for almost six months."

The sun finally came up over the horizon. Kurt leaned back into Sebastian. "We have."

After about ten more minutes, they packed up and headed back to the house so they wouldn't be late for breakfast with Burt and Carole.

Kurt and Sebastian returned to New York late Sunday afternoon after spending time with Burt and Carole Saturday evening and during the day on Sunday. They made it back in time for an evening rehearsal.

Santana and Dani stayed back as everyone else left.

"Okay, I miss the two of you being gross," she teased. "It was like this little proof that there are happy people in the world."

"Yeah, we're not upset with each other, but we're far from happy right now," Sebastian said. He explained what they found out when they went to the doctor.

"Oh, I had never even considered that. I was a lucky bitch back in high school. Dani and I went for an STI screening at her insistence before we, well, back when we first started dating. I came up negative for everything. I had never even considered catching an STI from kissing someone. No one ever brought that up in sex ed. We got the typical small-town 'Don't do it.' sex ed. And we were told about all of the terrible STIs we could get if we had unprotected sex."

"Not very thorough," Dani said.

Kurt and Santana snorted.

"Puck and I watched porn and figured it out."

"Alright. New topic," Kurt said.

"You don't want to hear about Puckzilla?" she teased.

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Not at all, but thanks for offering."

"Hard pass," Dani said.

"Puck's the guy with the mohawk, right?"

"Yep," Kurt said.

"Got it." He wrapped his arms around Kurt from behind and propped his chin on Kurt's shoulder. He realized that Santana was still staring at him. "Oh, not interested. Just trying to place who Puck was. I'm completely satisfied. I'm 100% certain that Kurt is a better lover."

Kurt's face flushed.

"You two are gross."

"We know," Kurt said. "You tell us at least twice a week. Usually more. You just said you missed us being all lovey-dovey."

"I changed my mind." She changed the subject quickly. "Is your dad making any progress with the information I gave him?

"Not that I know of yet. The guy who's going to help him – he's meeting with him tomorrow to give him all of the stuff."

"Hopefully, it will move quickly. Sebastian's not comfortable with being alone on campus and he can't afford to miss class tomorrow morning and neither can I."

"I can go with you in the morning," Dani said. "We can just grab some stuff and come spend the night at your place. That way I can just leave with you in the morning."

"You're sure?" Sebastian asked.

"Yeah. I don't think you need a body guard. I honestly don't think anyone will bother you because Santana answered the ad this time. I think you just need to not be left alone just in case they got another offer. If I stick to your side like I'm your girlfriend, I don't think anyone will have the nerve to try to approach you."

"Probably true."

"Let's get going. Sebastian and I have laundry to do. We haven't even unpacked from being in Ohio."

They headed out of the building together.

Roger Latham, the cyber specialist that Art knew called Santana Monday morning nad asked her to send another message to the person who posted the ad asking how long she had to provide the photo so he could track the reply once the person was hopefully back in New York. She got a quick response back that said that Wednesday was the deadline. She forwarded the response to Roger.

Sebastian skipped his afternoon class, and asked Jace to take notes for him. He figured that once the culprit was caught, he could supply his professor with official documents about what had gone on. He sat on the sofa and got out the snuggle blanket that Kurt had made for them and climbed inside it by himself. He wrapped it around himself and threw himself a pity party.

His phone pinged with a text.

-I'm letting myself in. Don't scream.

Santana slipped her shoes off as she came in and hung her coat up in the closet. A minute later she was standing at the end of the wall in the kitchen. "You look terrible."

"Thanks Tana. It's good to see you too."

She saw him wrapped up in a blanket and went into the spare room closet and pulled out a blanket for herself. "Shut up, you smartass."

"It takes one to know one."

"What are you six?"

She lay down perpendicular to Sebastian and laid her head on his lap. He held the book he was reading with one hand and reached down and began to run his fingers through her hair.

"No. I'm trying to convince myself that I don't feel sick. I hate this. He's not mad a me about being kissed, but what if he leaves me if I have an STI?"

"Ok, look, Sebastian. Kurt loves you for whatever reason."

"I can't even–."

"Just tell me. We've been friends for, like, five months now. It's sad, but I think you're probably my best friend besides Dani."

"You need to branch out," Sebastian teased.

"Were you going to say.'Fuck him?"

"I prefer it the other way, but yeah, basically."

"You have heard of condoms, right? I mean our sex ed was pretty bad in Ohio, but you did live in Paris for a while."

He rolled eyes. "Of course, we use condoms, but I won't be able to kiss him for who knows how long. I can't stand the taste of latex. Sex without kissing?" He sighed loudly.

"He's not going to break up with you, even if you don't kiss him, or anything else, for six months."

"Six months? That's even worse than I was thinking."

"I'm new at the friendship thing. Baby steps." She poked him in the leg. "You're tough enough not to be bothered by my sandpaper personality."

"You're nicer than you give yourself credit for, usually. You and Dani stayed over so she could babysit me all morning."

"You can't tell anyone."

"Who would I tell? You're friends with everyone I'm friends with, except Jillian and Marley. Elliott, Chandler, Jace, and Landon only know the nice version of you. And Sam is in penitent mode still. He's not really feeling like he can throw stones, you know, glass house and all. You'll like Jillian and you already know Marley."

"She's nice, and not at all like me."

"You'd be surprised. She's Kurt's best friend. He's nurtured her sassy side for eight months. She can throw shade with the best these days."

Santana laughed.

"They're coming here next weekend. Just the two of them. You have to come and stay over and get to know them. You and Dani can sleep in our bed. Kurt and I can take the sofa."

"A sleepover? Is Kurt in charge?"

"Why does that matter?"

"Because I want a makeover and I know for certain that you can't give me one. You can be our chef while he glams us up or whatever."

Sebastian quit playing with her hair for a few seconds.

"You let him don't you?"

"Of course."

"God, you're such a loser. You're totally in love with him."

"I am, but I'm definitely the winner. He's amazing."

"Enough of this grossness. I can only be mushy for, like, ten minutes before I break out in hives. I want to watch something before they get here."

"Suit yourself. You know where everything is."

She reached over to the ottoman and grabbed the remote.

"Did you change the DVD?"

"Nope."

She just held the remote in her hand, pressing the buttons while avoiding the power button. "You know, Britt always said that Kurt was the best boy kisser."

"Don't remind me. I was just bemoaning my lack of kisses and throwing myself a pity party when you got here."

"She tried to get him to let her do more than kiss, but he stood his ground. She was disappointed."

"As well, she should be."

"So Blaine fucked up?"

"Big time. I mean really big time."

"You're awful."

"You're the one being nosy."

"How does he manage all of those skinny jeans?"

"Nope. He said if I ever told, I'd have to wear skinny jeans for a month."

"You're no fun."

"I could quit playing with your hair." He pulled his hand back.

"Put your hand back where it was."

Kurt had come in the door just in time to hear that. "You two always sound so kinky."

"It's an art form," Santana said, in her most haughty tone. "You're too pure sounding. I always figured that you're as horny as the rest of us, but you just manage to look regal and ignore it somehow."

"You're in my spot, Tana."

"Nope. There's room behind me. You can fit."

"You want me to snuggle you?"

"Isn't that what I just said?"

"Is that what you two do while I'm at work on Mondays?"

"Usually," she said.

He went in their room and changed into sweats. He climbed in behind her and lay down. He wrapped his arm around her. "What's up?"

"Being gay sucks sometimes."

"I'd have to disagree. I love being gay. The way other people treat us because we're gay sucks sometimes."

"My abuela hosted Thanksgiving and made sure to let my parents know that I was not on the invitation list. They went without me."

"Did you want them to boycott?"

"Fuck, yes. They say they support me, but then they go and don't seem to be bothered by the fact that I wasn't allowed to attend. I got mad and said some things I shouldn't have. Now, I have to be a grown up and call them back and apologize for being an ass. Being an adult sucks too."

"Again, I'd disagree, but I can see why you feel like that right now."

"You're hosting a slumber party this weekend. I want one of those masks like you did at Britt's house at our sleepover after graduation. And I want my nails done. It has to be pale pink so it won't show from the stage."

Kurt said, "Not this weekend as in five days from now. Next weekend. They'll be here on the 13th. They're staying for the whole week and flying back to Ohio on the 20th."

"Got it. I do have some good news."

"What's that?" Sebastian asked.

"Rachel came to me yesterday before the show and we went to the box office and found a day that there were actually more than two tickets available for, and then cleared that day with Mr. Green. It's going to be December 17th."

"That's week after next," Kurt said.

"Yep. In 16 days, I make my Broadway debut and my abuela won't come watch me. I even offered to pay for a plane ticket and a hotel room."

"That just so mean," Kurt said.

"Tell me about it. She was like my third parent. I spent more time with her than either of my parents. Before I was old enough to go to school, she watched me while they worked. My parents used her address to enroll me in school. They dropped me off there before school so I could ride the bus to school, and I stayed there every afternoon until one of them came to pick me up until I started middle school."

"We'll be there," Sebastian said. "Well, provided that you could get us tickets."

"Of course. They're in my bag. I'll get them when we get up. Now, you both need to be quiet so I can watch this old-timey soap opera. Kurt said the next season comes out in four weeks. I refuse to be the only one who doesn't know what's going on."

"I have some reading I have to do before we go to Vibes." Kurt pushed himself up and climbed over Santana.

"Spoilsport."

"Tell that to my Shakespeare professor."

"I would."

"I know."

After Dani arrived, they all got ready and headed to Vibes to let all of their frustrations out through music.

Late Wednesday morning, Art called and spoke with Sebastian between classes.

"I'm afraid that you're not going to like the results of my investigation."

"Just tell me."

"You know the people."

"Alright. It's already been a crappy morning. I got the STI test result back that we could have done. I haven't talked to Kurt yet."

"I'll be at your place in about an hour. I'm picking Kurt up there and we'll meet you on campus. I'll text you the details."

"What about the police?"

"You can decide that later. We'll definitely be bringing them to pay your three assailants a visit later this afternoon. The police are getting warrants right now."