The morning started with the buzz, buzz, buzz of Blaine's and Kurt's phones. Blaine was still sleeping, but the noise was enough to wake Kurt. He read the message and immediately felt panic.

Elliott: I'm so sorry but I have to go back to New York. My roommate called, and a pipe burst in our building.

Elliott: Almost everything is ruined. I need to go home and deal with the damage. I'm sorry.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Kurt cursed, scrambling out of bed, waking Blaine in the process.

Blaine yawned and rubbed his eyes, stretching his arms slowly above his head. "What's wrong? Are you ok? What happened?"

"Elliott sent me a message. Actually, that could've been him texting your phone as well. I wasn't going to pry and read your messages." Kurt showed Blaine his phone, and then sprung from the bed, immediately pacing a worried path, back and forth, back and forth on the carpet below his slippered feet.

Blaine grabbed his phone from the headboard, and Kurt was correct. There were several messages from Elliott that he couldn't focus on reading because Kurt was in the middle of a full-on meltdown. "I need him to take this photo. It needs to happen today, and he's the only photographer we brought on the trip. We are so screwed," Kurt ranted, pacing nervously the carpet so furiously that it was surprising that there wasn't a path worn into the fabric beneath his feet.

"Kurt," Blaine said calmly and patted the mattress beside him. "Sit. Breathe. It'll be ok."

Kurt sat for a minute, but then he was up a few seconds later, once again wearing a long, haphazard path into the carpet. Blaine quickly read the messages that Elliott had sent him. The first two were identical to the ones Kurt had shown him. The next two weren't something that he'd show to Kurt. Ever.

Elliott: I know you've got the skills needed to get the shots you need for the ad so I know everything will be fine. Enjoy your trip.

Elliott: You're welcome.

Elliott: Do not come back single. ;)

That asshole! He'd have to make sure that he visited Elliott's apartment after he got back to New York for some fact-checking and to slap his friend upside his perfectly styled head. He quickly sent a text back to his friend.

Blaine: You better wear protective gear when you come back to work on Monday because there will be massive repercussions for this, asshole.

Elliott: I expect a fine bottle of wine and my favorite chocolates. Dove Special Dark. You know I allow only the finest things in my mouth.

Blaine: I call bullshit because I've seen some of the guys you've hooked up with. As for wine and chocolates or any other thing that might cross your lips, you might want to have someone else taste it first because there will be repercussions for this.

Elliott: Oh, whatever. You're about as intimidating as a newborn golden retriever. Stop texting me and calm Kurt. I haven't even begun reading the 17 texts that he's sent me in the last two minutes.

Blaine chuckled as he looked up and what Elliott had said was confirmed as Kurt furiously typed out message after message on his phone keyboard and punched the send button just to start typing another, all while pacing back and forth, back and forth.

Blaine stood up and stepped into Kurt's path, only to have Kurt slam into him because he wasn't paying attention. Kurt looked up as their chests collided, doe-eyed and shaking slightly. "Shit! Sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going."

Blaine nodded and chuckled. "Obviously. Sit. It's ok. I got this. Remember. I took photography classes. I know what to do. He left his equipment. He's not going to like what's on it when he develops the film because I will get even with his ass for bailing on us, but I will make sure that I get a few perfect shots first, ok." He took Kurt's trembling hands in his and took a deep breath, as if to say, relax. We've got this.

"Are you sure? Have you ever done professional-grade shots?"

"I'm the reason Elliott is still employed," Blaine laughed. "I've saved his ass more times than I can count. As you've noticed, Elliott sometimes flakes on these trips when he meets a new beau, but he always makes up for it one way or another. I'll grab Tina to help me stage everything, and you can help too because I trust your eye. Kurt, I can do this. I promise."

Kurt released a breath he had been holding in and blinked his eyes a few times. "They'll be there in less than an hour. Do we have time to set up the shoot? Elliott was going to do all of that this morning."

"I have a feeling that it's all set up. I told you, this is not the first time that I've had to do this. He told me once that he'd prepare everything so perfectly that a monkey could take the shot, and all I'd have to do is make sure there's adequate lighting and press the button," Blaine laughed. "He's such an ass. Regardless, I know how to do a basic setup. I'm not an authority on it, but I can make it look good."

Kurt smiled for the first time since he had jumped out of bed. "I'm sure you can. We'll make it work. We'll get the perfect shot, and then we'll plan our sweet, sweet revenge."


Elliott: "BLAINE! I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU PUT UP TO THIS, BUT I WILL TOTALLY KICK YOUR ASS! I CAN'T EVEN GET INTO MY BEDROOM FOR ALL THE LUBE ON THE DOORKNOB!

Blaine laughed heartily as he typed a reply on his phone.

Blaine: So the apartment is intact? You aren't floating up to the ceiling with all of the water damage from that busted pipe?

Elliott: Most of the damage was minimal. I'm more concerned with how I'm going to get back into my bedroom. How much lube did you get Nick to use?"

Blaine : How do you know it was Nick?"

Elliott : Because who else would it be? Jeff is in Ohio with you. Although this is so something Santana could pull off. Hmmmm.

Elliott: I must devise a plan to figure out which one of them did this. It could've been a collaboration. Hmmmmm. It's quite a puzzle.

Elliott: Although, all I might have to do to figure this one out is to check their hands. There's no way they could wash all that slippery stuff off their hands.

Elliott: On a totally different note, the shot you got was perfect.

Blaine: I guess that makes me a monkey. :P

Elliott: A monkey wouldn't have been able to orchestrate that stunt you pulled.

Blaine: I had help. :)

Elliott: Tell Kurt that I'm going to kick his ass too. Speaking of asses, I hope that you both got your heads out of yours since I helped him see his feelings for you.

Blaine: Nothing happened this time. He wants to keep it professional. We're colleagues, although if we aren't careful, we won't be for long.

Elliott : Why?

Blaine : I talked him into joining me in the pitch today to their head designer, and she's smitten. She offered him a job multiple times, right in front of me.

Elliott: Oh hell! Does she still have her hair or did it fall out when you attempted to snatch it out for attempting to poach your Kurt right out from underneath you?

Blaine: He's not my Kurt.

Elliott: Are you still sharing a hotel room? You know that my room suddenly became vacant.

Blaine: I'm still sharing with him. I didn't think to ask about your room. But it's fine. He said we could be professional.

Elliott: And is he snuggling you like a koala while you type this, or is he currently pulling your pants down your hips?

Blaine : The first one. Shut up, ok. I'll take what I can get.

Elliott: Have you told him yet? About the transfer.

Blaine: Of course not. Nothing is set in stone.

Elliott: Mr. Berry announced his retirement today. You'll get it, Blaine. I know Rachel will try, but your father names his replacement, not Mr. Berry, and he's not a big fan of Rachel. He almost fired her again this morning. I think the only reason Hiram stayed as long as he did was so your dad wouldn't fire Rachel.

Blaine: Probably. So, do you think that I should tell Kurt?

Elliott: About how you love him?

Blaine: About the transfer.

Elliott : Are you two together? Or are you still in denial?

Elliott : I'm guessing not because you're texting me instead of putting those fingers to better use.

Blaine: Shut it, Gilbert. I'm gonna go now.

Elliott: Oooh! Tell Kurt I said good morning. ;)

Elliott: Better yet, kiss him senseless and get that bed rockin'

Elliott: I've deduced from your negligence to text back that you took my advice.

Elliott: Or you're back in bed, being titi monkeys, all cuddled up and shit.

Elliott: This is you two.

Blaine laughed as he looked at the two cuddly monkeys, with their hair all over each other and their limbs wrapped around one another. It was adorable.

Elliott: That's totally you two right now, isn't it? Sickeningly cute.

Blaine: No, Kurt and I were even cuter than those two. :P

Blaine's phone started ringing.

I'm in love with the shape of you

We push and pull like a magnet do

Although my heart is falling too

I'm in love with your body

Oh-I-oh-I-oh-I-oh-I

"Blaine, your phone's buzzing again," Kurt yawned as he rolled over. "Shit, I'm sorry. Apparently, I'm a cuddle monkey," Kurt giggled as he yawned, stretching his arms out high above his head so that his pajama top revealed the skin right below his belly button.

Blaine hit the end call button."It's just Elliott. Although, he was just texting me, and he thinks you're a cuddle monkey too." He showed the picture to Kurt, causing a humongous grin to spread across his face. "Is there something you aren't telling me?" Blaine said with a chuckle.

Kurt shook his head. "He's such an ass. I cuddled with him one time because I was confused about that night, with you. But, normally, no. I'm not a big cuddler. My ex, Adam used to complain about that. It got to the point where I stopped staying over because he would just smother me."

"You don't talk about him much. This Adam guy. How long were you together?"

"There's nothing to say. We were together for two years. I met him in college. He was handsome, British. Everything I thought I wanted, but when he told me he was moving back to London, I have to admit that I wasn't really that sad. He was sweet, but we weren't made for each other. He's actually engaged to a guy now. I'm happy for him," Kurt answered.

"I'm glad that you two were able to remain friends after such a long relationship," Blaine said as he stretched his arms into the air and then rolled out of bed. "I don't really know what that's like."

"Because you're the office playboy who never had steady relationships, Mr. I limp into meetings with giant ass hickeys on my neck," Kurt laughed.

Kurt was immediately hit across the face with a pillow. "Shut it, Hummel. I am not now nor was I ever the office playboy. Is that what everyone says?" Blaine sighed, plopping down on the mattress, his head hung in shame and sadness.

Kurt grabbed the pillow out of Blaine's hand and sat down beside him. "No. It was a joke, but I can tell that I hit a nerve. I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"

Blaine shook his head no. "Not really. I guess I'm kind of to blame for the interoffice dating policy, or partly, although it was Nick and Jeff that got it firmly established after my dad walked into Jeff's office to find Nick on his knees, both of their asses bare and Jeff's dick in Nick's mouth. Tina and Mike didn't help the situation, but neither did I. Sebastian didn't work there long, and he's the only guy from work that I ever actually hooked up with. Actually, what made it so bad is that's all it was. A bunch of random hookups. I'm not proud of it."

Kurt nodded. "We all have a hookup experience that we aren't particularly proud of. Mine was with a guy I met my senior year in high school. Chandler. He was closeted. I always felt so dirty after I was with him 'though I didn't really understand why. I thought we were boyfriends, but he made it very clear that he was too afraid to come out. I guess that's the reason that I said I'd never put up with being hidden again. I don't want to be with someone that would be ashamed to be with me."

"Kurt, I- Um, I need to tell you. I put in for a transfer. For the music department. I don't know anything about when or if it would ever happen. You know how my father is, but he said he'd consider it when Mr. Berry retired.

"Oh God, shield your eyes because Rachel will scratch them right out," Kurt laughed. "Wait, do you not want to work with us anymore? Is it me?"

"I've always wanted the music department, but that's not it. Besides, we both know fashion is not where I excel. I like it, but it's not my expertise like it is for you. Besides," Blaine hesitated. "If I was in a separate department, we would be at liberty to date. And I would want to try, Kurt. I think you and I could work out."

"Blaine, I told you. It was a one-time thing. And it was just blowjobs. We just needed to get it out of our systems," Kurt said, his hands flailing around haphazardly.

"It's not out of my system. You will never be out of my system because you flipped that system on its head that night. I have never felt a connection like that ever. Not with anyone." Blaine blurted.

Kurt stood up and started pacing the floor."I'm sorry, Blaine, we can't. I can't. I can't risk it. I need this job, and you don't know if the transfer will go through. And you'll be running the company one day. Then what will people say? That I only got where I am because I slept with the boss."

Blaine stood as well and stepped in front of Kurt's path, stopping Kurt in his tracks."I didn't think that you even wanted to be in advertising forever. Hell, you got a job offer yesterday. You were brilliant. I think Emily wanted you to sign a contract right there when she saw that shaper you designed. I didn't even realize that you brought it."

"Of course I brought it. I almost wore it, but then I thought that she might want to see it close up, and that could've gotten awkward pretty quickly," Kurt chuckled. "And no, I don't want to be in Advertising forever, but I want to be in New York. I know that Ohio has a pretty decent fashion world of its own, but it's not New York, with the stages and the lights and the fashion on every street, where people truly can be themselves. I love it here. Body Formations would be a step back from my dream because my dream is New York. You understand that because your dream is to be in New York too, making music."

"Actually, my dreams have changed lately. In them, the background doesn't matter. All that matters is you. You're in every single one of them. That's the reason I booked a hotel in the wrong freakin' state. I was daydreamin' of you when I should've been payin' attention."

"Blaine, we- can't-"

"Yeah, I know we can't, but I can't either," Blaine sighed in frustration. I can't pretend that I don't feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest every time our eyes meet. I can't pretend that I don't have to remind myself to breathe every time that you walk into the room. I can't pretend that I wouldn't give every bit of it up just for the chance to be with you. I-"

Blaine was cut off by Kurt's lips crashing into his, almost knocking him off-center, but he quickly recovered, grabbing Kurt's face in his hands and holding on tightly.

"Blaine, we -kiss- have a -kiss- meeting- kiss- in less than a- kiss- hour."

"If memory serves me correctly, we can both be quick," Blaine responded, and dropped to his knees, taking Kurt's pajama pants down to the floor with him. "Tell me. What do you want?"

"Your mouth. Please, Blaine," Kurt panted as Blaine wasted no time in taking his whole length in his mouth and sucking as if his life depended on it. Kurt gripped his hands into Blaine's hair and pulled, probably harder than he meant to, but he couldn't help it with the way Blaine was taking care of him. It was just so hot and forceful, yet so passionate and amazing the way that Blaine had the pads of his fingers pressing into his skin, so roughly that there would be bruises there. He caressed his balls, cradling them tenderly one moment, just to nip and suck at them the next. It was crazy how talented Blaine was at taking him apart even though he had only experienced it once before. "So close, Blaine," Kurt gasped.

"Cum for me, Kurt. Please. I need to see you, taste you," Blaine immediately took Kurt back into his mouth, and the timing was perfect, because he came suddenly, hot liquid spilling down Blaine's throat.

"Damn, Blaine! That was over way too quickly," Kurt laughed as he pulled on the waistband of Blaine's boxers. "I need a shower. Care to join me? Seems I have a favor to return, and we have a meeting to get to."

Blaine didn't need to be asked twice.


Blaine only thought that he saw Kurt on fire in the meeting the day before with the lead designer, but now Kurt had a spark in his eye and a passion that radiated from him each time that he asked a question or brought up a suggestion. He just spoke with such a knowledge and understanding of the product that the whole team was mesmerized by his charms, even though Kurt was suggesting that they redesign their body shaper to appeal to athletes who had to wear them all day and move nimbly in them. He had even brought the shaper that he had designed himself and explained the reason that he, as a dancer in college, had tried and failed to find something much like what he had designed.

"When you have rehearsals for hours at a time, your clothes have got to be comfortable. It has to be breathable and move with you, but it can't ride or slip, and I know a few of you said yesterday that one of your concerns with this particular shaper is that the bottom rides and even chafes. A dancer can not wear something like that, and so this leotard as-is will not appeal to them or gymnasts, ice skaters, yoga instructors, or other athletes that have to wear form-fitting gear for their craft. Therefore, even if we can acquire a customer by having an attractive product, they won't purchase more because the one that they purchased isn't feasible to wear day in, day out to work in."

"So, what makes your design different? You said you rehearsed in it. Were you able to practice in it for long spells?" Emily questioned. "It looks well, made," she said, inspecting it closely.

Kurt nodded."Yes. I was in a few stage productions, and some days I was on stage for eight to ten hours, and I was able to move comfortably in it that whole time. Some of the actors and dancers brought extra clothing because sometimes, after strenuous rehearsals, we'd want to shower and change because we feel gross. Honestly, I did the same until I created this one. The material sweeps the sweat off your body, and because it's breathable, I wasn't soaked like some of my fellow stage mates."

"We used neoprene. What is your shaper made with? "A Body Formations rep asked.

"I use a spandex cotton blend on most of mine, but I have worked with neoprene as well."

"I thought you were opposed to neoprene?" she asked, puzzled.

"Don't get me wrong. Neoprene is great for some athletes, those who do strenuous workout regimens and want to sweat more to increase weight loss. However, stage performers are under very bright and hot lights, and we already sweat a lot up there. I think the neoprene shapers have a market. I'm just saying you can have a larger customer base if you offer a variety of products, designed with specific consumers in mind. You already have created an incredible product for a variety of consumers, including some athletes. This would just broaden your field so that you would have appeal to both people who don't exercise on a regular basis to those that do strenuous activity. You would have a product for anybody and everybody who starts searching your website or exploring your brand," Kurt explained.

"Fabulous, young lad! Fabulous!" Emily exclaimed. "I told you that this young man is brilliant. However, to create that many individual products take time, money, and resources. Tell me that you have a plan for how we can structure and market this."

"But of course we do," Kurt replied. "But for that, I'm going to hand the floor over to my partner, the man behind this project. Blaine Anderson. Mr. Anderson, you're up."


"Oh my God, Blaine! Oh My God! They went for the entire plan. We did it!" He exclaimed, bouncing excitedly up and down. As soon as they stepped out of the conference room and into the elevator, Kurt launched himself into Blaine's arms.

Blaine hugged him back fiercely. "I say that this calls for a celebration. Do you want to go to a club? A fancy dinner? A shopping spree?"

Kurt leaned in and kissed Blaine passionately, although it ended a little too soon for Blaine's tastes. "No. I want to go back to the hotel. To our room." Kurt said, locking eyes with him.

"OK,"


They barely made it through the door before their clothes were shed on the floor. Kurt wasted no time in removing Blaine's shirt and tank, as Blaine clumsily fiddled with Kurt's buttons. Kurt laughed as he took over the task, nimbly and gracefully, even remembering not to toss his beloved garments on the carpet, and instead tossing them aside on the uncomfortable, broken recliner. Then he removed his pants so that all he was wearing was his body shaper.

Blaine popped the button of his own pants and started to remove his boxers when Kurt's hand stopped him. "Nuh-uh. My job," Kurt said, kissing him firmly on the lips. Kurt broke the kiss, Blaine chasing Kurt to continue where they left off, but Kurt took Blaine's hand and put it at the hem of his compression undershirt. "Help me take this off first," Kurt begged.

"With pleasure, but do I just lift or are there hooks or something?"

"No, not on this one. It's two separate pieces.

"Oh, that's cool. I thought it might be combined because they fit together so seamlessly."

"Blaine, are you going to analyze my intimate apparel or are you going to fuck me?"

"Damn, Kurt, I'm gonna go with option two. But I want to take the opportunity to slow it down and tell you that you're amazingly beautiful, with or without shaping products. I'm not gonna just tell you how gorgeous you are. I want to show you, if you'll let me."

Kurt nodded. "Ok. But how do you-?"

His words were cut off by a searing kiss from Blaine, which ignited what felt like fireworks exploding throughout his entire body. Blaine slowly and tenderly lifted the compression shirt over Kurt's head and immediately started kissing his bare neck and chest, while his fingers caressed and explored every inch of beautiful pale skin that was currently exposed. He pushed Kurt's shoulders as if to signal, "Let's move this to the bed." Kurt allowed himself to be pushed back on the mattress, Blaine following close behind, so that he was hovering over Kurt.

"Um, Blaine, you can take the rest off if you'd-"

Blaine nodded, but then he put a finger to Kurt's mouth, cutting off the rest of his words. "Shhhhh. We already know we can do this surprisingly quick, but I have other skills, which include bringing you to the edge over and over until you beg me to let you cum. Do you not want that?"

Kurt bit his lip and nodded, "Yes, please," he gasped.

And so Blaine did exactly what Kurt had begged for him to do. He took his time, kissing and licking his way down Kurt's chest, stopping when he reached Kurt's peaked nipples. He sucked one into his mouth and he pinched the other, and then alternated from one to the other, sucking and playing with them as Kurt thrashed underneath him.

"Blaine! Tickles," Kurt giggled as Blaine trailed down his chest to his stomach, swirling his tongue into Kurt's belly button. "Stop," Kurt laughed when Blaine dipped his tongue in again, laughing at Kurt, who was obviously not lying about it tickling his skin.

"Stop? I guess I can if you really want me to," Blaine teased, trailing his way to the top of the other half of the shaper. "I really wanted to help you out with that uncomfortable issue in your much too tight pants, but if you insist, I don't-"

Blaine completely lost his train of thought when Kurt took his hand and put it on his groin, signaling to Blaine, that playtime is over. I want you. "Please, Blaine. Take this off."

Blaine slid the bottoms gently off of Kurt's hips as Kurt lifted his ass off the bed to ease Blaine's task. Kurt's cock sprang free. Blaine shook his head in surprise. "No briefs?"

"Those are briefs. Are you disappointed that I'm not wearing underwear?"

"Hell no!" Blaine said, taking Kurt's dick in his hand. "Lube?"

"Side table. Condoms too."

"Why Mr. Hummel, so prepared. Were you planning this little affair?"

"I'm nothing if not safe. I didn't bring them last time, and it turned out that I should have. And I hoped," Kurt admitted as Blaine grabbed the supplies from the drawer and immediately slicked up his fingers.

"So, just so we're on the same page, you want me to top, right?"

"Oh God, I didn't ask. Are you solely a bottom? I assumed that you were a switch like me."

"I am, and I want to. I just wanted to make sure. How do you want me? Front, behind, or do you want to ride me?"

"Damn, all three sound pretty hot, but I'm kinda in the mood for you to just take me. Then, maybe, afterward, you can ride me," Kurt said, rolling over and presenting his ass for Blaine.

"Shit, Kurt. You can't just say things like to me or I might cum before we even get started," Blaine laughed.

"Then, you better get to it, then," Kurt laughed as he twisted his neck so that he could kiss Blaine hard on the mouth. Blaine took his now slicked-up fingers and slid them between Kurt's cheeks, circling his finger around Kurt's puckered rim. He pushed one finger into Kurt's tight heat as he kissed Kurt's cheeks, first one, then the other. He kissed up Kurt's spine as he continued to work his finger in and out, quickening in pace just a little as Kurt squirmed beneath him.

"Want another. Please, Blaine," Kurt begged.

"Nuh-uh. I told you. I'm taking my time with you," Blaine said, placing a kiss on Kurt's shoulder. "So beautiful," he said, crooking his finger a little, searching for that spot that he knew would make Kurt crazy.

"So 'mazing," Kurt panted while Blaine inserted a second finger and began scissoring his fingers so Kurt was prepared for what was to come.

Blaine wasn't sure that he was ready though. He inserted a third finger, and thrust them in and out, adding lube as needed, all while stroking Kurt's cock. He crooked his fingers as he pushed them inside Kurt again, hoping that he could find Kurt's prostate. It didn't take long before Kurt was chanting his name like a mantra and coming over both of them.

"Blaine, get inside me please," Kurt demanded, and who was Blaine to say no. He removed his fingers and lined himself up with Kurt's hole. He pushed in slowly, taking Kurt's pleasurable moans as a signal to continue. He pushed until he was fully seated inside Kurt, connected in the most intimate way. He placed a kiss on Kurt's neck. "Tell me when you are ready."

"Please move," Kurt panted. "I want you so much."

"Ok," Blaine said simply. "I want you too. Are you ok?"

"I'm perfectly imperfect," Kurt replied.

"What do you mean?" Blaine asked, pausing his movements.

"I promise I'll explain it afterward, but you're killing me here. Fuck me please."

"If you insist," Blaine said, pulling almost all the way out only to slam in, his skin slapping against Kurt's in the most incredible way.

"I love-" Blaine caught what he was about to blurt out. "Your skin. It's beautiful. You're beautiful."

"You're beautiful too, but I won't break. Take me, Blaine. I'm yours. Let loose."

That was what Blaine needed to hear. He pulled almost all the way out once more, but this time he slid his hands down Kurt's back, signaling for him to arch his back so that the angle would change. Blaine slammed in.

"Oh my God, Blaine! Right there! Yes!" Kurt shouted. It wasn't a moment later that Kurt was spilling into the condom that Blaine had thought to put on him (for the mess). Blaine wasn't far behind. Two more thrusts and Blaine was filling up his own condom. He collapsed beside Kurt, who removed his and Blaine's condoms and tied them both off. He threw them into the waste can. Blaine got up quickly and returned with a damp washcloth, cleaning them both off so that they could sleep.

"Good night, Blaine," Kurt said, rolling over so that Blaine could hold him.

"No, not yet. What did you mean when you said you were perfectly imperfect."

"Well, it's like the ad campaign."

"Care to elaborate," Blaine chuckled, a sated smile on his face.

"If I must," Kurt giggled. "So, I wouldn't say that everything is perfect, because if it were, you and I would be a couple, and not sneaking around. However, what we just did, even though it was awkward, and some guy talked too much, it was perfect. I think I prefer that more than what I could've imagined, because it's more intimate that way. Real. It's not some scene in a movie. We're letting each other see the cracks, the imperfections, and that, within itself, is perfect."

"I think I understand," Blaine nodded, kissing Kurt tenderly, following that with a yawn.

"Are you ok?" Kurt asked, caressing Blaine's cheek, which now had a small tear sliding down from the corner.

"Yeah. I'm perfectly imperfect."


When Blaine opened his eyes the next morning, the sheets on Kurt's side were no longer warm. Blaine searched the room, wondering if he had ventured down to the cafeteria to get them coffee like he had done the previous day. He noticed that Kurt's bags were all by the door, packed and ready to go, since they had to leave for the airport as soon as they checked out. He needed to pack up himself so that he wasn't doing it frantically at the last minute. He stretched his arms above his head and rolled out of bed, stooping to gather the clothing he had haphazardly abandoned on the floor the previous evening. He put them in a small laundry bag and added them to one of his suitcases. He was latching the case when he heard the door close.

"Good morning, sleepyhead. I went ahead and got you a medium drip since I thought you might need some extra sleep. You weren't kidding when you said you wanted to take your time with me. Next time, we need to go to bed before dawn if we have a flight early the next day," Kurt giggled.

Blaine sat his coffee cup down on the counter and sat down on the bed. "Kurt, what is this? What we're doing? This wasn't like the last time. You brought supplies. You asked me to stay. What are we?"

"We're friends, colleagues, who hook up sometimes when we're out of town. Kinda like friends with benefits when we're away from the office," Kurt replied calmly with a shrug.

"I don't think that's what I want," Blaine said softly. "I want more."

"And I told you that I can't risk that. I know that a few people already know about us. Hell, I told Elliott, but he won't say anything."

"Nick and Jeff know," Blaine added.

"You told them?" Kurt's voice cracked.

Blaine shook his head. "I didn't have to. They guessed. They've been through this. Actually, I blame them partly for that damn policy in the first place. My dad walked into Jeff's office when he was in our department, and caught them both with their pants down. He almost fired them both, but they are both great at what they do, so he let Jeff transfer and warned the entire office that if team members hook up on company time, they are fired, no exceptions."

"And that's why I can't risk more. We really shouldn't do this at all, because I can't lose this job. I need the paycheck. I need the experience," Kurt said, taking Blaine's hand in his and squeezing it gently. "I really like you. You're intelligent, stupidly talented, compassionate, gorgeous, and you're mindblowing in bed. I've never had anyone take me apart the way you did last night, Blaine."

Blaine bit his lip. "But?"

Kurt sighed and dropped Blaine's hand. "But you're the boss's son, the future CEO. If your father caught us together, I'd be fired before I even knew what was happening, and you know it. I heard about Brittany. Santana told me the whole story behind it. She was good at what she did, too, and your dad fired her without hesitation."

"That's because Brittany has slept with most of the men and women in the office. She had been warned about the policy, and this was her third time violating it. It wasn't the other girl's first violation either," Blaine explained. "And I don't want to be CEO. I never have. My dad knows this."

"He knows that you're gay too, but he still tried to set you up with that girl last month, which you obliged and went on said date," Kurt said with an exasperated sigh.

"Sunshine is a friend of the family, and our parents have been trying to get us together for ages because we're both Filipino," Blaine explained.

"He's trying to set you up with a woman because he doesn't accept who you are or what you've chosen for your own life. It doesn't matter that you've told him that you don't want his company, and you didn't want to major in business or work in the fashion department. If he treats you that way, how do you think he'll treat me if he finds out that I'm involved with you?"

"Then, we make sure that he doesn't find out," Blaine said simply.

Kurt threw his hands up in frustration. "He won't find out because it won't happen. I refuse to be a shameful secret. I've played that role before, and I was miserable. The only way I could be in an actual relationship with you is if it wasn't forbidden."

"I told you that I put in for a transfer to the music department," Blaine admitted. "My dad said that he'd consider it."

"Come on, Blaine! He'll consider it like he'd consider letting someone nail his feet to the floor," Kurt said, rolling his eyes.

"Do you want me to quit? To tell him to go to hell? Because I would."

Kurt shook his head and sat back down beside Blaine. "You would. And he'd ignore it, blacklist you, and he'd fire me if he knew you were quitting for me."

Blaine hung his head. "I'd be quitting for me too, you know. Because I want this, Kurt. I want you."

Kurt squeezed his hand. " I want you too, but I can't let you do that, and I can't lose this job. I'm sorry, Blaine, but this was a bad idea."

"So what are you saying?" Blaine asked, his voice cracking a little, his lip quivering, even though he was trying to conceal the fact that Kurt's words were shattering his heart, piece by piece right now.

"That we can't do this. I thought if we could keep it casual, keep our emotions out of it, then we could have something, but you want more than I'm able to give. I'm sorry, Blaine. But we can't do this again. Maybe we could stay at different hotels or stagger trips or something, but-"

Blaine stood up from the bed, his fists balled up and started shouting. "This was you, Kurt! I tried to reserve a different room! You insisted! You made a move on me! I told you what I wanted from the beginning, and now you-"

Suddenly, Kurt's phone started ringing.

Yeah, I, tell you something. I think you'll understand. When I tell you something, I wanna hold your hand.

"It's my dad. I gotta take this," Kurt said, grabbing his phone, ignoring Blaine for the moment. "Hey dad, How's it- Carole? What's wrong? I can hear it in your voice. Tell me," Kurt was white as a sheet, gripping the phone so tightly that his fingers were turning red.

"Kurt?" Blaine said. "What wrong?"

"It's my dad. He's had a heart attack," Kurt said, and then immediately collapsed into Blaine's arms.

Author's Note: Please leave a review. I thrive off feedback. Next chapter coming soon.