Sebastian looked down on his fiancé. Kurt was already sleeping, but Sebastian's mind was too active to join him. Where did they go from here?

After the first euphoria of their reunion had faded, it had become clear that they couldn't just pick up where they had left. Several weeks had passed, and even though they were now back in New York, in the place that held so much history for the both of them and their love, too much had happened. Kurt had changed- not just in his appearance but inside, and he didn't seem to be able to take up the role of himself again and be the Kurt that he had been. It was like a part of him was still on the run.

Burt had noticed it too, and had insisted on staying with them, in hopes of offering Kurt something like his old life again. He and Kurt had been sharing a place before the explosion, after Burt had sold the tire shop to be closer to Kurt and have a shorter commute to D.C. Not having a home of their own to return to, the two of them had moved into Sebastian's apartment. Other arrangements could have been made- there were funds to replace livelihoods and accomodations in these cases- but for now, it was clear that Kurt needed both his dad and his fiancé, wanting to be close to them almost as if letting them out of his sight would mean they'd disappear.

It was a small space for three people, but Sebastian did the best he could to give them the space they needed.

In truth, he needed space as well. For all of his life, Sebastian had chosen to ignore his family's business, pretending sometimes that they were really into real estate, and the conferences were just awkwardly formal family meetings. He couldn't ignore what they were anymore now - and the insights into the Andersons family had made him reevaluate everything he thought he knew about his parents, his brother and himself too.

Would Kurt still love him once he realised the Smythes were a part of the power system that had led to his mother's death?

A FEW WEEKS EARLIER

"I gotta tell you, Seb, this is one big fucking mess," Marcus said, turning his seat to face his younger brother while the family was filtering out of the conference room. Their parents were at the far side of the long table, talking quietly.

"I know," Sebastian admitted.

"I mean, you getting married before me ? Do you have any idea how far mom's gonna jump down my throat to settle down now? Thanks a lot, man!" Marcus continued indignantly.

Sebastian gaped at him for a moment, then laughed. He didn't think he ever would again- but somehow the immediate and unwavering support of his family made him feel like maybe it was all going to be alright. The sound of his laughter made his mother look up and muster him for a moment, shooting a small grateful smile at Marcus before turning back to her husband.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner," Sebastian said quietly. "I was going to, but-"

Marcus grinned and punched his brother's arm. "Sneaky bastard. You'd better make me best man, is all I'm saying."

When Sebastian looked at him, lost for words and with a lump in his throat, Marcus gave him a serious look. "We'll find him," he said, echoing his father. "And make the Andersons pay."

"I want in," Sebastian said, without thinking about it.

Marcus took a deep breath, frowned, then shook his head. "Seb-"

"I do!" Sebastian insisted. "He's my fiancé! They killed my mother-in-law, Marcus. I have a right to be in!"

Marcus sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "Look, I understand, but...I may need to do some pretty messed-up stuff to get the intel we need, and I don't want-"

"Messed-up how ?" Sebastian asked sharply. He had never asked any questions, never got involved, but now? He had to.

His brother shrugged uncomfortably. "Remember how I said their weakest link is Blaine? Um. He's gay, and I... may have planted some pawns around him to keep an eye out. He's pretty much susceptible to anyone who pays any attention to him, so if I went in now and have the guys back up my story, I'm pretty sure that after a few drinks, I could get him to spill his family secrets."

Sebastian just stared. "You're gonna hit on him?" he asked incredulously.

Marcus shrugged. "Not for real," he mumbled, looking a little embarrassed. "It's a low blow and I wouldn't do it if there was any other way but his family is almost impossible to approach-"

"I can do it," Sebastian said. "I can. I mean, at least I'm actually gay."

"No. No, Seb-" Marcus said immediately. "If he suspects anything- No! You've never done this before, and-"

"And you have?" Sebastian asked, suddenly looking at his brother in a different light.

"Well, not with a guy," his brother backed down, "but I'm sure it's just-"

"Okay, I'm doing it," Sebastian decided. "And we'll find out who is responsible and put them behind bars so Kurt can come home."

A WEEK LATER

Marcus checked his phone again. No messages. No messages for hours , and he was beginning to panic.

He should not have let Sebastian go in. His mother would kill him if anything happened to her youngest son! They were supposed to get the best of both worlds- a son to take over the family business, and one to have a legit career, to secure their social standing and the grandbabies. Well, Marcus thought to himself with a smirk, he'd known for a while that Seb was never exactly gonna go on the straight and narrow, all puns intended, but they had always tried to keep him out of family business. Ignorance, in this case, wasn't just bliss. It was protection, both for him and the family. What he didn't know couldn't be blackmailed- or tortured- out of him.

The Andersons had chosen another route. Their eldest son was an airhead- handsome and eager, but essentially useless- so they had chosen to induce their youngest. They took him to all the meetings, introduced him to the important players, made sure everyone knew he was the heir to the family business. But Blaine was a loose cannon, easily enraged, gullible, jealous. He was not satisfied with the family's cover business - the import and export of exotic fruits - and longed for something high-profile and flashy. In his mind, he imagined himself as a rockstar drug lord. Giving into his every whim, his family had bought him a place at NYADA, one of the most prestigious musical theatre educations in the country, but after realizing this entailed actual hard work, Blaine's enthusiasm had wavered, and all he had done with it so far was use it as a platform to peddle small-time drugs and pick up boys. His morals made him an easy target, but his history of violence was what worried Marcus now.

He checked his phone again. "Come on, Seb," he muttered. "Just give it up if he won't budge…"

Suddenly, several cars came speeding down the street only to stop in front of the bar. Several men and women dressed in dark clothes and bulletproof vests got out. They were heavily armed, and Marcus felt his stomach turn to lead. Had Blaine called them in? Had Sebastian's cover been blown? Marcus trusted his pawn men with his life, but Sebastian was inexperienced and had too much of a personal interest in this case. Fuck . No license plates either. Who were these guys? Things were easier in the movies, where the good guys were always identifiable on sight.

Marcus pressed himself back into his car seat and sent Sebastian a text, waited a few seconds, then tried calling. There was no answer. The group of darkly clad people kicked in the back door and started to file in. Marcus took his gun from under his seat, but kept it out of sight against his chest. Fuck fuck fuck, Seb, come on, come on...

Bar patrons began streaming out of the emergency exit, looking harassed and agitated, but unwounded. Marcus got out of the car, his eyes searching. Before he could push his way in against the stream, the men and women in black were coming out, pulling a struggling and cursing Blaine Anderson between them. One of them got to the cars first and pulled out a blue light to place on the roof. They pushed Blaine into the back of the car and sped off.

Marcus breathed out and shook his head. A police raid then. Their allegiance with the 'good guys' was often debatable, but in the case of the Andersons, they were the lesser evil.

In the door opening, bracketed by the yellow lights of the bar, stood Sebastian, and looked down the street where the police cars were retreating. Marcus sped towards him

"Are you okay?" Marcus asked urgently, taking in the sight of his brother. He looked grim, but appeared to be unharmed.

Sebastian nodded. "It was him, Marcus," he said, his voice low. "He didn't physically place the explosives but his parents let him make the call."

Marcus swallowed. "How did you get him to tell you?"

Sebastian shook his head. "You were right. He's incredibly susceptible to praise...and guys acting like he is god's gift to gay men."

/

"You know, I do sort of have a boyfriend," Blaine drawled.

"That doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you," Sebastian said easily, and he could see Blaine's eyes light up.

/

He twisted his lips. "We flirted a bit, I took him to this place, bought him some drinks...then I started telling him how much I loved The Godfather . He couldn't wait to tell me. It was ridiculous! God, he wanted me to think he's Michael so badly he didn't even realise he's the Fredo."

"And you didn't have to...?" Marcus asked carefully.

Sebastian faked a shudder. "Please, I have a fiancé."

Marcus clapped his shoulder. "Good. You had me worried for a bit."

Sebastian smiled a thin-lipped smile. There had been a time where he would have welcomed such an easy lay, but Kurt had changed everything. Even if they never got to see each other again, he would not betray his memory like that.

"Any news on the Hummels?" he asked, trying not to sound too childishly hopeful in front of his big brother.

Marcus shook his head. "Soon, I'm sure," he offered. "And then you can tell him you got the bastard."

Sebastian frowned and shook his head. "I don't want him to know it was me. Or how. "

Marcus studied him for a moment and wondered if Sebastian had been completely honest with him about the boy Anderson. Something in his eyes had changed. Marcus left it uncommented. It couldn't be helped anyway, and it had been his choice.

"Then he won't know," he agreed.

Kurt moaned softly in his sleep, and Sebastian reached out to caress his face. Kurt sighed against his touch, his brow relaxing, and Sebastian leaned in to place a featherlight kiss on his forehead. He settled down next to Kurt. It was no use going over the same worries all night. Maybe the morning would bring some answers.