Dance on a Narrow Ledge

by nubianamy

"This one time, at music camp...?" Finn, Kurt, and Mike are roommates at B-W. Mike has questions, Finn has feelings, and Kurt takes care of it. What happens at music camp stays at music camp, or does it? Set in a future Donutverse, summer before senior year. Art by Emilywritescrap. Polyamory, Dom/sub, discipline, mild dubcon. Cowritten with knittycat99 for the Kurt-OT3 Big Bang.

6. July 2011, Week Four

Chapter Six: June 2011 - Week Four

Finn had to leave early after men's chorus to work on scenes with his harem of acting partners, so Kurt made sure to come pick up Mike so he wouldn't have to walk the gauntlet between class and lunch. It had gotten better for a while, but Mike and Finn had both relayed disturbing stories about other students harassing him. It had pissed Kurt off to the point that he'd gone to Toby about it, but Toby was surprisingly reluctant to do anything to stop it.

"Mike's dealing with this for the first time," he'd said. "On both fronts. He needs a chance to stand up for himself, sugar, or he's never going to believe he can handle it himself. You can't always be there to protect him."

Yes, I can, Kurt had thought stubbornly, but he hadn't said it. He'd just made a personal commitment to follow Mike around and make sure nobody messed with him. It was lucky he was there today, because he could hear them all the way down the hall, taunting him. Today, though, it wasn't about the dancing, or about Toby's supposed favoritism. They were going right for the heart of Mike's insecurity. Kurt realized his hands had curled into unconscious fists.

"Does your girlfriend know about your boyfriends?" The guy Kurt thought of as the ringleader was doggedly following Mike up the hall.

Kurt couldn't hear Mike's response, if there even was one. He hurried to catch up.

"Do your boyfriends know about your girlfriend?" another boy asked. "Did they pay you to do it, or something? I mean, three guys together? That's totally fucked up."

Mike stopped, then, and Kurt could see his hand clenched tight around the strap of his dance bag. "Don't-" Mike started to say, and the leader jumped in again.

"Oh, isn't that sweet? The baby gay defending his boyfriends." He stepped closer into Mike's space, and Kurt watched Mike flinch and clearly weigh his words.

"Seriously? You guys are worse than the girls in my glee club. First, I'm not gay, I'm bi. And what happens between me and my girlfriend isn't any of your business. Neither is what happens between Kurt, Finn, and me." Mike paused, and Kurt held his breath, scarcely able to predict what he was going to say next.

"As for three guys together, why do you care? It's not like it's hurting you. What, are you afraid you'll run out of choices for dates on Friday night?"

The ringleader scowled. "I'm no faggot. Or half-faggot, or whatever. You guys, you all wreck it for the rest of us. Everybody thinks we're all gay anyway, just because we're in choir. Why do you have to make it worse by being so weird?"

Mike just stared at the kid, and Kurt moved fast, busting through the group and grabbing Mike by the elbow. "Hey, Finn can't meet us for lunch because of that rehearsal, and we need to go now, if we want to eat." He steered Mike away from everyone else, but kept talking loudly until they were around the corner. "Do you have rehearsal for the recital this afternoon?"

"You know I do," Mike said, but Kurt didn't let him finish. He clapped a hand over Mike's mouth.

"Shhh." He took Mike's hand, and moved quickly and quietly down the hall to the stairs. "There have to be some practice rooms that aren't being used." He racked his brain trying to think about the little things Toby had told him about B-W, and a story Laurie told him once after she'd had a little too much wine at dinner, about nearly getting caught making out with Andi in an empty practice room. "Where was it?" he muttered under his breath. "Second floor or third?"

Mike tried to tear his arm away, but Kurt held him fast. He looked like he was about to protest, until Kurt's expression took away his words. He could only follow Kurt up the stairs and down the hall to the closed door in the corner.

"What are we -" Mike asked, but Kurt stopped his mouth with a hard kiss that drove him up against the door. He didn't turn the lights on.

"Don't talk," Kurt said, his voice coming out harsh and tense. "Take your shorts off."

Mike stared at him in the dim light filtering around the edges of the door, and moved slowly, unzipping his shorts and letting them drop to the ground next to the piano. Kurt barely gave him time to step out of them before he was shoving his boxers down and forcing him against the piano. Mike stumbled, catching himself on the cover with a muted jangle of keys.

"Kurt," he protested, and cried out when Kurt reached around him to stroke his cock, already hard. His other hand dug determinedly into his messenger bag, because he'd learned long ago it paid to be prepared. The little bottle of lube didn't have an expiration date.

"They can't talk to you that way," Kurt said, snapping the bottle open with shaking fingers. "They can't, because you're my boy, and I won't let them, all right?" He pressed his hand, slick with lube, between Mike's ass cheeks, bending him over the piano and pulling his hips tight against his. Mike cried out again. "Do you hear me?"

"Y-yes," Mike said, his voice trembling. "Yes... sir."

Kurt slipped a hand around Mike's mouth, holding his head fast. "You can tell me to stop," he said, which might have seemed at odds with the way he was keeping Mike from speaking, but he was beyond reason here. This was nothing but pure need, driving his actions, and Mike seemed to understand, because he shook his head emphatically. He didn't need words to respond: don't stop, please, don't stop.

"That's my good boy," Kurt whispered, and Mike shuddered as Kurt entered him. Mike's noises were muted by Kurt's hand, but he wasn't going to get him to be silent, not today. He had better uses for his hands.

"God, Kurt," he moaned, his voice coming out broken. Kurt slid both hands up to grasp his wrists and force them over his head, Mike's fingers splaying on top of the piano and his body going absolutely still.

"You're my boy," Kurt said hoarsely, "mine. And I'm going to take what I need, do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Mike said, and Kurt shuddered at the words.

"Mmmm," he hummed, nibbling lightly at the back of Mike's left shoulder. "That's my good, good boy. Such a fast learner, you make me so proud."

Kurt could feel Mike's defenses coming down with every word, every thrust, and when he dug his teeth into Mike's neck, Mike called out his name with a sob. Kurt clutched at him, holding him tight, feeling the energy coiling in his belly.

"You need this," Kurt said. "You need it as much as I do. Tell me."

"I- I-" Mike stammered, and shook his head. "I c-can't. I sh-shouldn't-"

"Tell me." Kurt felt Mike beginning to lose his grasp on his self-control. He impatiently shook the tears from his own eyes and dug his hands into Mike's wrists. "Tell. Me."

"Oh, god. I need this." The words were like a trigger, and Kurt felt him stagger at the release, crying in earnest now.

"That's right," Kurt urged, still slowly thrusting into Mike. "Let go, baby, just like that. Let me take it."

Mike shook his head. "C-can't. Scared."

"No, Mike." Kurt couldn't really think, but he grabbed onto one thing he remembered about Mike and his dancing. "Push through it, baby, just give it to me." Christ, he was so close, but he had to hold off until Mike came. He bit down again on Mike's neck, thrust hard and deep. "Give in," he growled, low, into Mike's ear, and Mike just went limp, suspended between the piano and Kurt's own body, coming and crying, and it only took Kurt two heartbeats to finish himself.

"That's it, I've got you," he said, sliding slowly out of Mike and easing them both to the floor. He wrapped his arms around Mike, smoothed his hair and kissed his cheek. "That's exactly right, my beautiful boy."

But Mike wasn't stopping. His cries became more frantic as he collapsed into Kurt's lap. "Kurt... I don't know how I can go back to school after this - how can I go back and pretend everything's the same, when I know - when I've had -"

"Shhh," Kurt said, letting Mike's wrists go, and pulling his arms tight against his chest, holding him tight as he shook. "We'll figure it out. I'm not going anywhere, you hear me? You'll have this, when you need it." He pressed his lips to Mike's neck, smelling his scent, feeling his own sobs caught just in his throat, ready to burst out. But Mike was falling apart in his arms, and he couldn't indulge himself now. He had to be there for his boy.

"But I won't," Mike insisted, grabbing at the security of Kurt's arms. "I won't have it - you'll be home with your family and I'll be - nobody would let me be there, nobody's going to understand -" His words were lost in his fear and despair. Kurt turned him around, let him bury his head into Kurt's chest, holding him the way Finn had always held him when he needed to let go, the way he'd held Puck and Blaine, when they'd needed it. He gazed down at Mike, feeling the rightness of holding him like this, but afraid he might have gone too far. What do I do now? came the question, and the answer followed quickly after. Finn. Finn will know what to do.

Kurt dug his phone out of his bag, still holding Mike with his other arm, and fired off a quick text, hoping desperately that Finn had his phone with him, and that he'd get the message. Mike is falling apart. He needs you. I need you too. Second floor practice room at the end.

Kurt kept on, rubbing one hand up and down Mike's back and whispering what he hoped were reassuring words into Mike's ear until his phone buzzed over five minutes later. on my way. I owe Delia a rehearsal later.

Kurt couldn't help himself, he had to smirk because he was pretty sure all Delia really wanted was an excuse to grill Finn further about what went on in their room every night.

"Finn is on his way, sweetheart," he said, and Mike mumbled m'kay into Kurt's chest. He didn't really want to move Mike out of his lap, but it would be worse to be discovered in the empty practice room with no shorts on, so he helped Mike get dressed, sacrificing his handkerchief in the interests of cleaning up the worst of the mess from their frenzied coupling. Mike just sort of stood there, watching while Kurt helped him into his shorts and zipped him back up. He looked so lost, and so unbelievably beautiful. Kurt stepped in front of him, put both hands on either side of Mike's jaw and held his gaze.

"Did -" Mike turned scarlet and swallowed on the words that stuck in his throat. "Did we really just... do that?"

Kurt tried not to give into the fear that struck him, hearing the horror and self-doubt creeping into Mike's voice. He stepped in, hugging him tight. "We did. And there's nothing wrong with wanting that, baby. I know it can feel scary, believe me, I remember. But there's nothing wrong with you." He took a deep breath, letting the exhale calm Mike's rapid heartbeat. "Or me. We're fine."

"Yeah?" Mike sounded unsure.

"Oh, yes." Kurt kept breathing, and he felt Mike relax a little more. "It's hard, sometimes, to hold onto that when you get overwhelmed or when things feel complicated, but believe me when I tell you that everything is okay. Finn and I aren't going anywhere, sweetheart."

The doorknob rattled, and Finn's anxious face appeared from behind the door, flooding the room with light from the hallway. He paused long enough for his eyes to adjust, then stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "I brought you some water," he said quietly, holding it out for Kurt.

"Thanks." Kurt took the water, and took a small sip before holding it out to Mike, who shook his head. Kurt just waited, the bottle outstretched, until Mike sighed and took it, drinking a little, and then a little more.

Finn stepped in behind Mike, putting a hand on his shoulder, and Kurt watched Mike relax a little more at his touch. Finn glanced at Kurt, a question on his face, but he didn't say anything for a few moments. He just slid his arms around the two of them, holding them, swaying a little, like they were dancing.

"You guys..." Finn paused, watching Kurt's face. "Something happened. Are you... is he okay with it?"

Mike shifted with a sigh. "I'm right here. You can just ask me."

Finn smothered a chuckle. "Sorry. Puck and Blaine both are usually pretty out of it for a little while, after. I didn't- I didn't mean to act like you couldn't answer for yourself. So... are you okay?"

"No," he whispered. "Not - not okay." He clutched for Finn's hand. "But not sorry, either."

"Talk to me, baby. Tell me what's going on in your head." Finn's voice was so tender, it made Kurt want to just collapse against him and cry, but he couldn't. He had to be strong for Mike, but he also knew that he needed to let Finn and Mike talk about everything. Kurt tugged on Mike a little, his arms around him, and drew him down to sit on the floor. Finn joined them, opening a second bottle of water.

"I've been watching you guys for so long," Mike said haltingly, his voice still blurred with tears. "Starting with that night Puck came home from Santa Fe. The three of you, in Mercedes' yard, in the snow. It was too much for me, then. I couldn't understand what it was making me feel, to see you like that."

"You'd never seen boys together, like that." Finn set his hand on Mike's knee. "That must have been really intense for you."

"I didn't know exactly what I was feeling, but... Tina saw something. She was there, too, and... I think that might have been the minute I started loving her. We'd known each other all our lives, and I didn't realize how amazing she was until right then." He turned to Kurt. "When you and Puck came out, I was kind of pissed at you. Because - what about Finn? Why couldn't he have that, too? I didn't get why you were hiding." He swallowed. "I think I get it now, though."

"It's never easy," Finn said softly, "not knowing who you can trust to keep the secret. Sometimes it's better not to say anything at all."

"Yeah. Exactly. You, the three of you... all of you." Mike shook his head. "I can't have that. My parents - they'd go ballistic. I don't think they would ever understand it. And what we - what we just did, Kurt... if they ever found out..."

"We know," Finn said in a grim tone. "We've seen it happen, with Puck and his Ma, and Blaine's father. And - Puck's dad." He hesitated, looking at Kurt. "Should I tell him?"

Kurt considered Mike, resting against the crook of his arm, shaken, but not broken. He nodded slowly. "I think he needs to hear it."

Finn nodded. "Mike... when Puck was in juvie. It - that wasn't really where he was. It was just a cover. At first, we didn't know where he was, and later... he didn't want anyone finding out what his dad did."

"What... did his dad do?" asked Mike. He looked horrified already. "What would be worse than going to juvie?"

Finn closed his eyes, and Kurt knew he was reliving that semester, when Blaine was hurting and alone, and Puck had disappeared. Kurt knew, too, that it hadn't been any easier for him, especially with his dad in the hospital. But none of them had been under more stress than Finn, struggling to take care of everything, in the midst of pretending at school that nothing was wrong.

"He took Puck away. To a... a place. A clinic, where they try to change you." He winced. "To make you stop... liking sex with guys."

"Oh, my god," Mike whispered, his eyes wide and shocked. "You're serious? I didn't think those places really existed."

Kurt sighed, heavy and sad. "They do exist. I'd heard about them for years, but I never knew anyone who'd been sent to one." He closed his eyes, thought about the kids he'd met in chat rooms before he'd come out, how everyone was always scared of being sent away, whether to one of those places or onto the streets. "But I think it's something lots of kids worry about."

"It was a long time before he could be with us again, the way he'd been." Finn gazed down at the floor, holding Mike's hand. "Lauren helped him, but it took... a lot of time. He's still dealing with it. We all are, him and Blaine especially." He smiled sadly. "Sorry. I guess this isn't helping much."

"No," Mike insisted. "It is. You guys, trusting me with that... it helps." He slid an arm around Finn's shoulder. "Makes me feel like I'm part of this, even in just a little way."

"You are a part of this," Finn said. "I know there's a lot to figure out, once we get home, but you're a part of us now, and that's not going to change."

Mike's face split in a sudden, shy smile, and Kurt watched Finn grin back helplessly. He's so gone, thought Kurt. It's the way Finn loves.

"I just can't believe it," he said. "But I'll try to trust you anyway."

0M0

Tina sat with her mom on the front porch, waiting for Blaine to pick her up. It was a two and a half hour drive, but she somehow thought she and Blaine wouldn't have any trouble finding plenty to talk about.

"Are you excited to see Mike?" Her mom sipped her coffee, and reached over to tuck a strand of purple hair behind Tina's ear. "I like the purple better than the pink."

"I like it better, too. And yes, I'm excited to see Mike." Excited and nervous, but Tina wasn't sure how to communicate that to her mom without giving away too much information.

"Has he been having a good summer?"

"He's been dancing a lot, so that's been really good for him. And singing, a little."

"Has he . . . did he meet anyone, there?" Her mother was always so gentle, when she asked things, and Tina sometimes just wished that she'd come right out and say what she really meant.

"Wh-what? How do you- um." Tina stammered, and felt her face turn red, and her mother laughed. Laughed! "Mom!"

"Oh, honey. I'm not blind. Mike is a lovely boy, and I know you love each other, but I did grow up with Uncle Alan. I know how to spot a boy who likes boys."

"Mike's not gay," Tina muttered. "But yes, he met . . . someone. It's more complicated than I can explain."

"You know I've never asked you to tell me details, Tina. It's your life." She smiled, resting her chin on her knees. "But you can talk to me, if you want to. I love Mike, too."

"I know, Mom." Tina leaned close, resting against the curve of her mother's body the way she had when she was a little girl. "Thank you. I think- when Mike gets home, he might need a lot of support."

"He always has a home here with us," her mother said, and Tina sighed.

"I don't tell you enough," she said, turning so she didn't get her mother's hair stuck in her lip gloss, "but I'm really lucky to have you as my mom."

"Oh, sweetie." Tina looked away as Blaine's car squeaked to a stop at the curb. "I'm lucky to have you as my daughter. Have a great time, and give Mike a hug and a kiss for me."

Tina hugged her mother, and was still in the process of standing when Blaine made it up the walk, a hand held out for her backpack. "Hi, T," he smiled, and leaned in for a hug. "Mrs. Cohen-Chang. We should hit the road, if we're going to make it in time."

"Have fun," Tina's mother called from the steps as Tina followed Blaine down the walk.

"Why the hurry?" she asked Blaine when he opened the car door for her. "The show isn't until tonight, and it's only a few hours to get there."

"Because," Blaine said, leaning on the doorframe. "You need time with Mike, and I need . . ." He trailed off, his eyes going a little clouded. "Well. I need lots of things, but I'm not going to get them all today, so."

Tina buckled her seatbelt and settled her backpack at her feet. "Yeah, about that. I have a lot of questions."

"Not before I have coffee, you don't. And it's a road trip, so we have to get donuts." Blaine flipped his sunglasses back over his eyes and closed her door before crossing in front of the car to climb into the driver's seat. "And if you listen to Kurt, no donuts-and-coffee run is complete without a little Mother Monster." He tapped his iPod and flooded the car with "Bad Kids". "I promise," he said, looking weary as he pulled into the street, "I'll answer all your questions. Just- not yet."

"You seem to know I'll have a lot of them," she said, stretching her legs and leaning back with a sigh. "So you must have heard something about what's going on with - everybody." She eyed him, hesitating. "Are you - is this okay with you?"

Blaine shrugged. "I had a lot of questions, too, in the beginning, and I had a lot of people who helped me figure stuff out. And yes, I know pretty much everything. Well, as much as the guys can tell me without betraying confidences, but we're pretty good at the honesty thing."

"Mike and I are good at it, too," she said, nodding. "He doesn't always say much, but when he does, he tends to make it count. And I don't think he would mind me talking to you, because... well, because you're part of the family."

Blaine signaled to turn into Pat's. "You know everything, don't you? The real truth?"

"As opposed to?" Tina fumbled in her pocket for the twenty her mom had shoved at her in the kitchen, buy lunch for the two of you, or something drifting across the table while Tina poked at her cereal.

"The story we've been telling everyone so my father doesn't- so I don't- so it's not like the fucking fall all over again."

She saw the tightness in Blaine's face, the tension he was holding onto, and she felt a pang of sympathy for him. "I think so," she said. "Kurt told me - a lot. He brought me to his house, before the summer, when I told him about Mike. He showed me your room." She paused, then added, "And later, about... the other stuff. About them taking care of you."

"I think we should get a dozen, don't you? We can share with everyone, when we get there." Blaine flicked his eyes at her, and shook his head slightly, almost like he was trying to tell her something, but Tina had no idea what. Later, maybe, or I can't, not yet. Or the thing Tina feared most, I don't have any more words for this than you do. Regardless, she stuck to discussions about donuts until they got back into the car.

She set the box of donuts on the back seat and the two coffees in the cupholders, then turned to him as she buckled back in. "Look, you're the only one I've talked to about this, except for Kurt. I - I need you to be straight with me. Mike's been gone for almost a whole month and talking on the phone, that's not nearly enough when I know he's going through so much. I need to know."

Blaine sighed, and he sounded frustrated. With me, or with himself? Tina wondered.

"I'm just not used to being the one answering these kinds of questions," Blaine finally said. "I don't even know if I can, but I'll try. And if I can't, then I'll hand you off to Kurt when we get there and he can do it, and Finn-" He shivered, and Tina just stared at him.

"What was that?" she demanded. He gazed at her with hollow eyes.

"That is me, when I've gone too long without getting what I need."

"What -" She stopped, licking her lips. "Okay. Maybe we should start at the beginning."

Blaine shifted into gear and backed the car out of the lot. "If you're sure you really want to know," he said. "I mean, what we do? It's not something that happens in your usual high school relationship."

Tina snorted. "I think those guys kicked usual out the window back when the three of them got together in the first place. Just tell me, Blaine."

"Okay." Blaine merged onto the highway and took a deep breath. "How much do you know about Dominance and submission?"

Tina's imagination was pretty fertile, and she thought she was pretty well educated about a lot of things, but on this subject, her understanding was hazy. "Um... is that like BDSM? Handcuffs, leather, that sort of thing?"

Blaine smiled faintly, like there were lots of good things pouring through his brain. "That's part of it. I like those parts of it. But for me, it's about giving control to somebody else. Letting them take care of me. It isn't even always about sex." He shook his head. "It wasn't about sex for a long time, actually. Not when- not when Finn and I first started."

She shook her head, amazed. "Kurt said that you and Finn, you knew each other way back last spring, before you and Kurt even met. And Puck, before that. How was that possible?"

"Puck and I met down in Dayton at this club, Masque? But it was just a one time thing. Finn and I met last January in Columbus, at an open mic at a coffeehouse. I had no idea there was any connection between the two of them at the time. I was pretty messed up, then." He shrugged. "Still am, most days. But Finn saw . . . something . . . in me, and thought he could help."

"Help how?" Tina ran a dozen scenarios over in her head, but she hadn't quite been expecting what Blaine finally said.

"By spanking me." His voice gave nothing away, but there was color high on his cheeks.

"Really? And does it? Help you?" She figured she should have been shocked, but it kind of made sense.

"Yeah. It does. I need it, and Finn- he needs to give me that."

"How does it . . . I mean, what does it feel like?" Tina blurted out, and Blaine smiled shyly at her.

"Curious, huh?" He raised an eyebrow in question.

"Um. Yes?" She felt like she was prying, but Blaine seemed willing to talk and she just needed to understand as much as she could..

"It's all about energy," he said, and ran a nervous hand through his hair. Tina thought he might have used a little less gel today than usual. "Like a give and take. The spanking balances me, but it's also a way to give Finn that control over me. It takes me out of myself, and when I give up to him I feel like I'm brand-new again."

Tina thought about that for a while. "I've heard about people doing that, but I always thought it was about sex. Like, it was a turn-on."

"Oh, it is," he assured her earnestly. "Now it really is. But in the beginning, at least with Finn and me, it was just about me letting go. I didn't even recognize it as sexual, at first."

"I think I see how it could be, though," she said. "Hurts so good and all that. I mean, I haven't - done anything like that. But I think I get it."

"It's not just the pain, though," Blaine said. "It's a way to connect, to get past all the crap. When I'm- um. When I'm down in subspace, it's like I'm the most real I've ever been. And I trust Finn, or Kurt, or Puck, to take care of me when I can't take care of myself."

"Wow." Tina gazed across the dashboard at the oncoming traffic. She felt almost jealous, hearing him describe it like that. Which was crazy, being jealous of somebody being spanked. "That sounds kind of... amazing."

"It is," he said. "But it's different, for everyone, and different with different people. Puck and I, that's pretty much all about sex, and it's been like that from the very beginning. With Finn it's really intense, and sometimes I can get halfway down just by the way he talks to me. But with Kurt, it's more like . . . romance, you know? I mean, he takes care of me in his own way, and he's got this crazy protective streak, and he's gay like I'm gay-"

"Wait." Tina held up a hand and giggled. "I thought all of you were gay."

"I'm pretty sure at least Puck's bi, and Finn's with Rachel, but that's kind of not the point. There's having sex with guys gay, and then there's the other stuff. Kurt calls it culturally gay? Fashion and theater and music and all those "gay things" that he and I both like. So we get to be gay with each other, and there's the romance. And when he came to Dalton I was pretty fucked up, so it's taken us a long time to get, well, here."

"And now you're here." She looked at him, trying to see all the things he was telling her about himself, with words and without. "What... are you guys going to do this year? Now that Kurt's back at McKinley..."

"Finn's the only one who knows, but I'm going to transfer. I can't- my dad-" he turned his head slightly to look out his window. "It's time for me to come home and live with my mom full time."

"You're coming to McKinley? I didn't even know you were from Lima!" Tina was starting to feel like everyone in her orbit was keeping secrets.

"Lima Heights, at least until my parents divorced. Did you know," he said, turning back to look at her, "that Santana and I were friends, when we were kids?"

"Huh. I didn't know, but she and I didn't meet until high school anyway. So, if you hadn't gone to Dalton, you'd have been in school with us?"

Blaine shook his head. "I went to Catholic, freshman year, but it wasn't a good place for me." He took another deep breath. "People don't realize, how much worse things could have been with D- with Karofsky. When I was 14 I went to the Sadie Hawkins dance with another boy, and we had the living crap beat out of us outside the gym."

Tina shivered. "Dalton was better for you, then. And it seemed to help Kurt, too. He's more confident than he was before. But maybe . . ." She bit at her lip and thought about how she wanted to phrase her next words. "Maybe it's taking care of you, that's helped him most of all?"

Blaine shrugged. "I honestly don't know. All I do know is that when I'm with him, I feel like he loves me with his whole heart, and I never have to pretend or hide or be ashamed about anything."

Tina thought about what Kurt had said to her about Mike. It's a lot less about the sex, and a lot more about... taking care of him. I think I know what Mike needs, and... giving him that, or making sure he gets it... that's what I need. "Kurt's a generous person," she said. "I can't imagine him wanting you to be anything or anyone other than who you are."

Blaine smiled at her. "Or Mike," he said. "He'll take care of him, too."

She didn't smile back. "I think he will. I think... god, Blaine. I'm just freaking out a little that Mike's getting something from Kurt and Finn that I can't give him, and he might - that we might not -"

Blaine held his hand out to her, and she grasped it, hard. "You gave him such a generous gift when you told him it was okay for him to figure this part of himself out," he said, and she could tell that his words were genuine. "I think- there are probably lots of layers to what Mike has learned this summer. At least, there were for me. But he's still holding on, with you. Clearly he still wants you, still loves you. Just keep trusting that, until you have a reason not to, okay?"

She closed her eyes, feeling the tears, and decided not to cry about it again. "I do know he loves me," she said. "And - I know, somehow, I can give him what he needs. I just don't know if he knows that."

"Then you have to figure out what your own limits are, and let him know. We'll all help, if you want. When I was just learning about everything, my friend Jeff gave me some really interesting books . . ."

Oh, my god, Tina thought, still holding tight to Blaine's hand over the gearshift. Welcome to my new reality.

0M0

Finn and Mike were both bundles of nerves all the next morning. By lunch Kurt was ready to just lock them in the room with instructions to fuck until they were ready to act like sane, rational people. But Toby had things for Mike to do before his call for warm-ups and costume and make-up, and Finn had a last-minute rehearsal with one of his scene partners before the theater department's festival the next morning, so Kurt was left alone to pace the stretch of sidewalk at the visitor's lot waiting for Tina and Blaine to arrive.

He'd given Blaine a heads up that Tina was probably going to want to talk on the drive up; he was almost more nervous about that than he was about Tina and Blaine being there, because if Tina wasn't going to be able to deal with the realities of their relationship, it was going to be a hard return to Lima, for Mike and for them.

He finally gave up on pacing, and was sitting carefully on the wooden beam of the fence when Blaine's car squeaked into the parking lot. Tina was halfway out the door before Blaine had even turned the engine off, and when she threw herself into his arms she whispered loudly in his ear.

"You haven't spanked my boyfriend, have you?"

Kurt spluttered. "Oh, god, did he really only talk about spanking?"

"No," Tina said, pulling away but keeping her voice low. "So. Did you?"

Kurt shook his head and fixed her with an evil grin. "I didn't. Why? Do you want to do it the first time?"

"Kurt!" Tina smacked him playfully on the arm, but he saw her blush, and her next words were an odd mixture of confident and uncertain. "Maybe?"

"I think- I think Mike might like that?" Kurt wished he could be more sure, himself, but they still hadn't really broached the subject with Mike, and he had no idea how far Mike was going to want to go with them, or with Tina.

Kurt could feel Blaine, hanging back, and all Kurt wanted to do was go back to the room and lose himself in Blaine's lips and hands for a while, but he wasn't going to abandon Tina. Instead, he lifted his arm and sighed happily as Blaine tucked himself into the crook of Kurt's arm.

"Baby," Kurt said, leaning in and kissing Blaine softly. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Blaine said, but Kurt could feel him vibrating with tension. That was something Blaine needed Finn for.

Kurt did his best, though. He flattened his hand at the base of Blaine's spine and breathed slowly, and felt Blaine work to even his own breathing. "He's at rehearsal, but he'll be back at the room soon. I know, baby. Just hold on a little longer."

Blaine blinked at him, and Kurt could see he was already one foot into subspace, the way he often got just thinking about getting what he needed from Finn. "C'mon," Kurt tugged on Blaine's sleeve and nodded at Tina. "Toby's going to let you and Mike have his room tonight, but we're going to meet Finn back at our room. Then, you and I can talk while Finn and Blaine have some time together. Toby's got Mike busy all day. I guess it's good, because he's really nervous about his solo, even though he won't admit it."

"Kurt." Tina put her hand on his arm. Kurt stopped and blinked at her. "Stop babbling. Everything's going to be fine, okay?"

How can you be so sure? Kurt wanted to ask, but he knew that was just the brat in him, wanting to whine, and Tina didn't need to deal with that. So he just said, "Okay," and kept walking, leading Blaine and Tina to the dorm and up to the room. Delia was waiting for the elevator when it opened on the third floor.

"Kurt," she nodded at him, and he watched her taking in Tina and Blaine. "Orgy in your room tonight?"

"Oh, holy Christ, Delia. This is Mike's girlfriend, Tina, and my boyfriend Blaine."

She smirked. "Like I said. Orgy in your room."

"If there is, you're not invited," he snapped. Blaine looked at him in astonishment as Kurt tugged him past Delia into the hallway.

"What was that all about?" Blaine said, grinning. "You didn't tell me you guys were out to the whole camp."

"We're not," Kurt said. "I mean, not the whole camp. But there might have been drinking games, and I might have lost my filter, and the way the gossip travels here leaves Jacob ben Israel in the dust. So there's not a lot in the way of confirmation of anything out there, but everyone assumes that we're all sleeping together."

"But . . . you are." Blaine replied, looking puzzled. "So why were you bitchy at that girl?"

"Ah," Kurt said. "Yes. Delia. Well. Let's just say that she lacks limits, and she also knows about the other things we do, and she likes to poke at us because of it."

"You guys never tell anyone about that. How did she . . ."

Kurt held up his hand. "Drinking games. Lack of filters. It was so very, very bad."

Tina was giggling as she followed them down the hall. When Kurt opened the door to the room, he watched her focus on the messy pile of blankets on the three beds, pushed together in the corner. She paused a moment, but it didn't seem to faze her.

And then Kurt couldn't stand it anymore, and he and Blaine were kissing, their hands in one another's hair. Kurt didn't bother to restrain himself; Tina had seen two boys together before, and he knew she wasn't going to be offended by it. And god, he had missed Blaine.

"Baby," he whispered into Blaine's ear, feeling his quivering escalate. "You need something. I'm going to take care of it until Finn gets here, okay?"

"Okay," Blaine said, leaning into Kurt. "I thought I could wait for Finn, but- but- it's been so long."

He paused, giving Tina a meaningful glance. She looked confused, shaking her head, and Kurt decided he had to trust her. He turned back to Blaine, nuzzling his neck. "Did you bring your collar?"

"Yes, sir." Blaine's expression was trusting, even with Tina there, gaping at them.

"Such a good boy," Kurt praised, and smiled at Blaine's grateful reaction. "Go on and get it out of your bag and bring it back to me."

Tina was no longer looking confused. Now she was completely stunned. "He - he has a collar?" She dropped her voice, frowning at Kurt. "Isn't that a little demeaning?"

"No," Kurt said, keeping his eyes on Blaine as he handed Kurt his collar and set to work loosening his bow tie and unbuttoning his shirt. "It's a symbol to Blaine, that he belongs to Finn. It helps him remember that Finn will take care of him, that he's safe to let go with Finn."

He waited until Blaine was standing before him, head bowed and ready, before sliding the leather around Blaine's neck and fastening it with trembling hands; he'd only done this with Blaine a few times, and it still made him a little nervous. Blaine sighed, and Kurt felt some of the tension leave his body.

"He looks . . . different," Tina observed.

"He needs this," Kurt said, and his hands were aching to just touch Blaine, to breathe him and learn him again. Even after he'd left Dalton, he and Blaine had still seen each other more days a week than they hadn't, and the month apart had been harder than he'd wanted to admit.

"Do you- um." Tina was silent for a moment, watching Blaine, a little line appearing on her forehead as she wrestled with this. Finally, she asked, "Do you think Mike needs this?"

"I don't know if Mike needs this, exactly, but I do think that he needs some kind of situation like this." Kurt shrugged, and thought of Finn's words, at the very beginning. "People seem to have tendencies one way or another, and Mike, like Blaine, tends toward submission."

"What about you?" Tina asked, but Kurt held up a hand to stop her.

He tipped Blaine's head up, so they were eye to eye. "Did you bring cuffs, baby?"

"Yes, sir." Blaine's voice was soft.

"Go get them and bring them to me." Blaine moved swiftly, retrieving the cuffs and bringing them to Kurt. "Good boy. Come on, over here." Kurt nodded in approval at Blaine's gratitude, then led him to the bed and waited for him to sit and present his wrists.

"What do the cuffs do?" Tina asked in a whisper.

Kurt unbuttoned Blaine's shirt the rest of the way and slid it off his arms, trailed his fingers down the planes of Blaine's chest. "So beautiful," he whispered to Blaine. "Such a good boy. Finn is going to be so pleased."

He took one of the cuffs and worked swiftly to fasten the leather around Blaine's right wrist. "They're like the collar. Functional, to restrain him, and make him feel safe. He needs to know they're secure." He tugged on the carabiner that attached to the O-ring on the side of one cuff, smiling as Blaine let out a soft sigh of contentment. "And symbolic, because he belongs to Finn."

"Wow," Tina said, and when Kurt turned to look at her, he saw that she'd wrapped her arms around herself. He paused in preparing Blaine and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"I think so?" she answered, sounding shaky. "It's just... really intense."

Kurt flicked his eyes between her and Blaine. Blaine was clear-eyed and breathing calmly, but Tina was trembling and pale. He held Blaine's gaze for a moment. "You're such a good boy, Blaine. You're doing just fine. Wait right here for me, and I'll be back for you."

"Yes, sir," Blaine said with a slow smile. Kurt rose from the bed and grabbed a blanket. He wrapped it around Tina's shoulders and pulled her close for a hug.

"It's okay, if you need to leave," he said into her hair.

She took a shuddery breath, but shook her head against his shoulder. "No," she finally said. "I think- I think I need to see. If this turns out to be something Mike needs, I want to know about it."

"Okay," Kurt answered, pulling away and holding her shoulders. "I'm going to go get you something to drink, and I think you should sit down before you fall over."

"I'm not going to faint," she protested, but Kurt steered her to the lone chair in the room anyway.

"I'd rather you be safe. The energy . . . it can affect you in weird ways, even if you're not participating." He looked back at Blaine, and felt a pang of longing for what he knew was going to happen when Finn got back to the room. "I can't- um." He ran a hand through his hair. "I've got Blaine ready, but Finn's going to be the one to take care of him. Just- let me take care of you, okay?"

"Okay," Tina nodded. Her gaze was insightful. "You- you need to do this, don't you? Not just with me, or with Blaine. You- you need it with Mike, too."

Kurt nodded back. "It gives me something, to take care of him." He hesitated, then added, "But I need... what Mike and Blaine need, too. From Finn."

"I thought, maybe, it was like that." She tugged the edges of the blanket tighter around her body. "I don't know if I could let anybody do that to me."

"If it was the right person," Kurt said, "you could. Even Finn gets it from someone. He didn't think he wanted it, either, but when it felt right, we all could see it."

Tina nodded slowly, her eyes on Blaine's still form, kneeling on the floor across the room. "I have to think about this. And then Mike and I, we'll talk. Okay?"

"Of course," Kurt said, fishing in his pocket for the bills he'd shoved in there. "Coke or Sprite?"

"Coke, please," Tina said, and Kurt was reaching for the doorknob when the door flew open.

"Finn!" Kurt said, and Blaine stirred at the mention of his name.

"Hey, I saw Delia outside and she said-" Finn skidded to a stop three feet into the room before his body went completely still. "Oh." His eyes were locked on Blaine, collared and cuffed and already well down in subspace. Finn dropped his backpack and sunk to his knees next to the bed, put his hands on either side of Blaine's radiant face and kissed him deeply.

"Baby," Finn whispered, barely moving away from Blaine. "Oh, my boy." He managed to turn his head to glance at Kurt, and his eyes were full of tears. "You took care of him, got him ready for me. God, Kurt. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure," Kurt said, and he felt proud of himself for being able to do that, for Finn and for Blaine.

Finn beckoned Kurt over, and he took Kurt's hand and squeezed it. "You're incredible," he said, "and I'm so freaking happy you did this for us. Are you okay?"

"Yes," Kurt nodded. "I'm going to take Tina and show her around. We'll meet you for dinner before the recital?"

"Yeah," Finn said, but he was already distracted, his fingers playing over the cuffs on Blaine's wrists.

Kurt stepped away, and motioned for Tina to follow him into the hall. He closed the door gently behind them, and was startled to hear Tina sniffling.

"Hey," he said gently. "Tell me, what's going on?"

Tina swiped at her cheeks. "That was - I didn't know it was going to be like that."

Kurt felt a quiver of unease. "Like what?"

Tina smiled through her tears. "Is it - is it always so beautiful?"

"It's always different, but it all comes from a place of love." It was the best Kurt could do, because he didn't know how to explain what it was like when the need was driving him, when he felt out of control with it. Even when he'd had Mike up against the piano, his every thought had been for Mike. It hadn't exactly felt gentle, but it had definitely been positive - and he hadn't had a shred of doubt that he'd been giving Mike exactly what he needed.

She nodded, sniffing. "I thought it would be scary, but - it's not, is it? It's good."

Kurt pulled his handkerchief out of his back pocket and handed it to Tina. "Yes, it's good. Here, dry your tears and we'll go get that soda. And then you can ask me whatever you want."

Tina dabbed at her eyes and gave the soft, monogrammed square of fabric back to Kurt. "I don't know if I have questions as much as things to talk about."

Kurt thought about the way she'd reacted to seeing Blaine collared and cuffed. I bet you do, he thought with a soft smile, and he followed Tina up the hall. This web is about to get so much more complicated.

0M0

Kurt settled into his seat in the auditorium, experiencing a mild case of déjà vu. "I can't help but get the sense we're back at sectionals, sophomore year," he murmured to Finn, "and the girls from Jane Addams Academy are about to poach our songs from us."

Finn laughed, his hand firmly in Blaine's, seated between them. Finn had hardly let Blaine out of his sight since the two of them had emerged from the room, and Blaine didn't look like he was complaining. But Finn had kept their interactions public since they'd all converged for dinner, limiting his touch to socially acceptable hugs and a guiding hand on Blaine's back. Kurt smiled at Blaine, at the calm expression on his face and the relaxed posture of his body, and he felt the perfect shiver inside at Blaine's answering smile. He's with us again, where he belongs.

They hadn't even seen Mike for more than a few minutes today at all, because Toby had been keeping him busy with preparations for the recital. Kurt would never question Toby's motives, but he wondered if part of that had been to give him and Finn time to reconnect with Blaine without Mike there. For all he professed to be 100% vanilla, Toby seemed to understand a lot about both their poly and their kinky selves. He'd even found Tina a seat right in the front row.

"What's Mike doing for the recital?" Blaine asked, craning his neck to see what was happening backstage.

"The ballet variation he and Toby were working on at the end of the spring," Finn said. Blaine looked surprised.

"Ballet? I didn't even know Mike could do ballet."

"He can now," Kurt said, smiling. "Just wait until you see what he can do."

Blaine kept his eyes on Kurt as the orchestra stood for the conductor's entrance. Kurt felt him watching. "What?" he asked eventually.

"You," whispered Blaine. "You, with Mike. It's... well. It's interesting to see."

Kurt nodded, trying not to avoid his insightful gaze. "Does it bother you at all? What we're doing, he and I?"

Blaine smiled and shook his head, taking Kurt's hand to mirror the way he held Finn's. "I like Mike. And I trust you."

Jared and Danielle performed their routines before Mike took his turn. Danielle was flawless, but seemed a little cold to Kurt. It reminded him too much of how Blaine had been on stage after his father sent him back to Dalton, alone. Jared, on the other hand, was loose and jubilant, his face conveying layers of emotion even from across the auditorium.

"He's good," said Finn, grinning at Kurt, who nodded in agreement.

Kurt felt a surge of anticipation as he caught sight of Mike in the wings. "There he is," he hissed. Finn's hand tightened on Blaine's.

Mike was bare-chested, his long legs encased in harem style pants, and his expression was almost cold when he took his opening pose. Finn grabbed at Kurt's hand, and Kurt could feel anticipation coursing through the three of them as the music started.

Mike launched into his first set of jumps, flying almost weightlessly through the air and landing with little sound. He looked lithe and graceful, and when he moved to the center of the stage for a series of turns his face had relaxed into a slight smile. Kurt wasn't sure anyone else in the audience noticed, but as Mike prepared to step into the turn sequence that always gave him trouble his breathing caught and he closed his eyes for half a second.

"C'mon, man," Finn whispered next to Kurt. "Just dance it."

Kurt held his breath and gripped Finn's hand tighter. "He can do this, right?"

"Yeah, he can," Finn said, and they both watched in awe as Mike threw himself into the turns, moving low and fast in a large circle on the stage. He repeated the sequence three times before spinning into a string of chaîne turns and ending with a long arabesque before gliding off into the wings.

The audience gave Mike a generous round of applause, but Kurt felt like he was going to float away with pride. My boy, he thought in a dizzy haze. My boy can dance.

As soon as the house lights came up, Finn was out of his seat and hurrying to the front of the auditorium, mounting the stairs on the side of the stage three at a time. Mike saw him, startled, and barely had time to give him a smile before Finn had him in his arms, kissing him.

"Uh," said Blaine in a hushed tone, gazing at them with wide eyes. "... Wow. If Finn wasn't out before, I think he might be now."

Kurt laughed. "I guess it's good we're going home tomorrow. I think a lot of things are out, now."

"Mike was so good," Blaine said with a little shiver. "You must be so proud of him."

"I am," Kurt answered. He pulled Blaine tight against him. "Are you sure you're okay with all of this? I know it can be hard, when there's someone new."

"I'm fine," Blaine insisted. "Really. If Mike decides he wants this, I'll be happy for him, because I know how good it feels to have what I need."

Kurt kissed the top of Blaine's head. "You're amazing, you know that?"

Blaine just shrugged. "It feels right, bringing Mike into this. Besides, I think I'd like having someone else like me around. You don't need to worry about me." He nodded to the steps to the wings, where Tina was standing and clutching a small bouquet of flowers. "She's the one who's going to need some time and attention while we all figure this out."

"Yeah," Kurt said. He took Blaine's hand and snaked through the crowd to reach Tina.

"T." He put a hand on her shoulder, and she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"I knew he was good, Kurt. But this? This was incredible!" She was smiling, and Kurt could feel anxiety and excitement pouring off her in waves. "I'm so proud of him!"

"Me, too," Kurt said softly. He wanted to just bolt through to Mike the same way Finn had, but he held back because he didn't want to intrude on Tina's time with Mike. "Go," he told her with a gentle push on her back. "Go ahead, you need to see him, and he needs to see you."

She shot him a grateful look, and he held Blaine close while she made her way to Mike and held out the flowers for him. He watched while Mike leaned over and kissed her, and said something to her.

"I know what you're doing," Blaine said from his side. "It's sweet of you, but you're forgetting something."

"What?" Kurt felt the snap in his words, and he shook his head at Blaine, sighing. "Sorry, I'm not upset, not at you."

"I know," Blaine soothed. "You're forgetting that he needs you, too. And you need him."

"I don't want to be in the way." Kurt gazed at Mike. "His life is already getting so complicated."

"Like things were with me, or you guys and Adam, or Finn and Carl? You deserve it as much as any of us do." Blaine snaked an arm around Kurt's waist with a knowing smile. "What are you so scared of?"

Kurt could have given him a whole list. He knew Blaine would have listened, and understood, and responded with insight and caring, because that was how Blaine always was with Kurt, at least when he wasn't lost in his own difficulties. When Blaine was like this, his best self - which he always was after Finn took care of him - Kurt thought there might not be a better person in the whole world.

He took Blaine in his arms and hugged him tight. "I'll tell you what I'm scared of," he murmured. "But not right now. Now, I'm going to go tell Mike what a fantastic job he did." He kissed Blaine on the cheek and let him go, squeezing his hand. "And you're still amazing."

0M0

"Are you sure Toby doesn't mind giving up his room for a night?" Tina said, settling in against the wall, her feet stretched out across the three-frame acre of bed that Finn, Kurt and Mike had created in their room. "I could just throw a sleeping bag on the floor in here. I feel kind of weird making him find another place to stay."

Kurt snorted at her. "It's no hardship, believe me. He's staying with our friend Darius, and I suspect that they're sometimes more than friends."

Finn almost dropped his cell phone. "He - what? What makes you think that?"

"I have eyes?" Kurt reached over, slipped the phone out Finn's hand and dialed for him before handing it back. "Put it on speaker."

"Yes, sir," Finn said. He dodged Kurt's shove and grinned wickedly. "Hey, what? It's our last night here. Don't I get to say that just one more time?"

"Finn, we really don't need another brat in this room," Kurt growled, holding out a hand like he was going to swat him.

That prompted a round of mock-scared ooooh's from Finn and Blaine. Finn propped himself against the wall next to Tina as he waited with the phone to his ear, pulling Blaine down to lie between his legs as though Finn were an enormous, lanky easy chair. Blaine didn't resist at all, just settling in with a happy sigh.

"Enjoy being in charge while you can," Finn said, his smile taking any of the sting out of his words. He reached out a hand and stroked Kurt's face. "I think maybe you - hey!" His voice and his smile changed as he focused on the voice coming from the phone. "Man, everybody's here. You ready to hear all of us at once?" He stabbed the speakerphone button and laid the phone on Blaine's lap.

"Everybody who?" came Puck's voice from the phone, and Mike laughed. "Hey, I recognize that one. Dude, Mike, I've been telling everybody for years what good fucks my boyfriends are. Am I right, or what?"

Mike blushed scarlet, and opened his mouth and closed it three times before just shaking his head.

"I think you broke him," Blaine murmured, touching the phone with one finger, like he was stroking Puck's skin. "Hey."

"Hey, baby," came Puck's tender reply. "I bet you're glad to see everybody, huh?"

"Almost everybody," Blaine said. "Still missing you. But yeah, it's been a long summer, and... I really needed this."

"They giving you what you need?" Puck asked. Tina gave an embarrassed cough.

"You might want to know that I'm part of the everybody tonight, Puck," she said, "before you say something you really didn't mean to say in front of me."

"Dude. Since when do I worry about what I'm gonna say in front of anybody? And hi, Tina. Welcome to the fucking mess that is the Hudson-Hummel household, on the road." Puck sounded amused. They heard a faint babbling, and the word papa as clear as day. "Hang on a sec. I think somebody else wants to say hi."

"Babygirl," Blaine cooed, leaning closer to the phone. "Can you hear me?"

"Bwaine," Beth said, matter-of-fact. Hearing her voice, Kurt felt that ridiculous pride that seemed to be triggered only by this fifteen-month-old creature. It made him want to say, see? She's a genius about every little thing she did.

"She stacked the cups all by herself today," Puck said. "Even the littlest one, and she didn't knock them over. It was fucking awesome."

"Dude," Finn interjected. "Language around the midget."

"Sorry," Puck said, not sounding at all sorry. "Seriously, Shelby's got a worse mouth than I do. I think Beth's next word might be dickhead."

"Head!" Beth squealed through the phone, making everybody crack up. Blaine practically had a conniption right in Finn's lap. He finally had to pass the phone to Mike, he was giggling so hard, who held it gingerly in one hand like it might suddenly jump up and bite him. They could all hear Puck laughing.

"Oh, man," he said, when he could manage a breath. "The lady at the Brooklyn library storytime makes them sing that stupid head-shoulders song, and now she's trying to do the motions, but she can never find her shoulders!"

"Okay, this is officially both the cutest and the most depraved group speakerphone call I've ever heard," Tina said, snuggling against Mike's chest.

"You should come over when we're trying to put her to bed sometime," Finn said, rolling his eyes. "It's like a three-ring circus. My mom is the worst - no, wait, I think Kurt's dad is."

"Say hi to Daddy, babygirl," Puck prompted. "Finn, she's totally trying to eat the phone."

"Daddy," she crowed, and Finn broke out in a stupid smile.

"Hey, Bethie. You being good for your papa?" Puck snorted, and Finn amended, "Okay, are you being one and a half for your papa?"

"That's about more her speed," Puck agreed. "But I still haven't heard from everybody. Kurt, you there, or have you lost your Voice? And where's your boy? He never answered my question about how awesome you guys are in the sack. You're not holding out on him, are you?"

"No," Kurt said. He couldn't help feel slightly uneasy with Puck's playful tone. Even if he knew it was only because Puck hadn't been getting any discipline for the weeks he'd been gone to Shelby's, he was pretty sure Mike wouldn't know that. He didn't want the teasing to push Mike away. "Not holding out." He shot an appealing glance at Finn.

"Puck." Finn's voice came low and sharp, and there was a sudden silence in the room as three boys held their breath at his tone. "Pull it together. Now."

There was a rustling sound, and some indistinct babbling from Beth. "Uh, sorry, Mike." He sounded sheepish. "It's been a long summer for me, too."

"It's okay," Mike said, his voice soft. He interlaced his fingers with Tina's. "I can- um. I can imagine."

"Yeah, I bet you can." Kurt could hear the strain more clearly in his voice now. "Next week, I'll be back, and you and me, we can talk. I think I know how you're feeling, too. Speaking of that, Adam's coming to New York on Tuesday."

"Who's Adam?" Tina whispered, and Kurt waved a hand at her.

"Complicated," he whispered back. "Later." Then, louder: "You hang in there until Tuesday, sweetheart. We'll be heading home tomorrow. When you talk to him tonight, tell Adam I'll call him tomorrow."

"Will do," said Puck. "Babygirl, say good night to Izzy."

"Night, Izzy," said Beth's breathy voice. Kurt's heart did a little two-step when he heard her pet name for him. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed her until he'd heard her speak. Part time parenting is harder on the squadron of grown-ups taking care of her than it is on Beth, he thought. Luckily for her.

"Night night, babygirl. We'd better all say good night, actually. We've got a lot of talking to do, and somebody's probably pretty tired from dancing the hell out of his variation."

"Dude, what was that about language? Fuck it. I miss you guys like anything. Blaine, baby, you be a good boy for Finn. Tina, don't let Kurt give you any shit. And Kurt -"

Finn smiled faintly, thumbing off the speakerphone and putting it to his ear, sighing, "Somebody's been saving it up all summer." Into the phone, he said, "I'm pretty sure you've reached your limit." He paused, listening. "Yeah, that's better. I'll take care of you, if I have to tell Kurt to use that lexan Adam sent. The one you didn't tell me about." Another pause, this one a little more tense. "I'm not mad, dude. I know how it is. Trust me, I get it. Long summer. But still, not an excuse. You'll get what you need." He held the phone up to the room. "Everybody say good night."

"Good night," they all chorused, even Tina. Blaine added a soft, "We love you."

Finn tossed the phone down on the bed with a sigh. "God, it's good to be together again. Being at B-W's been awesome, but... I'm glad to be going home."

Kurt didn't miss Mike's unhappy expression, but he didn't do more than put a hand on Mike's ankle. He knew Mike would talk when he was ready. "That's what we're here to discuss, partly, isn't it? We're going back to Lima tomorrow, and... things are different now."

"You're telling me," Tina said, squeezing Mike around the shoulder. "All I suggested was for you to explore these feelings you were having. I didn't really expect..." She made an expansive gesture at the pile of boys on the three beds. "This."

"None of us did," Kurt agreed. "It just sort of . . . happened."

Finn dropped his head back against the wall with a groan. "Things always just sort of happen to us. Seriously, we've got to stop adding people. There's no more room at the house!"

Mike stiffened. "I don't want to be a problem," he said. It made Kurt's heart break just a little bit.

"Sweetheart, you're not a problem." Kurt reached over to take his hand and hold it between both of his own. "We want this, with you. Finn and I, we want you to be a part of it."

Mike stared at him, a challenge in his eyes. "Then why are you scared?"

Kurt sucked in his breath. "How do you - I tried not to-" he stammered. He felt his calm façade crumbling.

"Just talk, Kurt," Blaine said calmly from Finn's lap. "We're all listening. I think we all understand."

Kurt shook his head and sat in silence for several heartbeats, while everyone else waited for him to say something, to lead. "I'm - I'm the Top," he blurted finally."That means I have to be strong."

He heard Finn sigh, and Finn's hand was warm and strong on his neck. "Baby, you don't have to be perfect. None of us need that. We just need you to be you. You give every one of us what we need, just by doing that."

"Even me, when I was freaking out," Tina said.

Blaine shifted toward Kurt, brushing their legs together. "You think we need you to be like Tess or something? That's not you, Kurt. And, really, even she probably needs to have somebody else take care of her sometimes."

"It's not about being perfect," Kurt protested. "Please. It's not like I haven't learned anything since we started doing this. It's just-" he looked from Mike to Tina, and sighed.

"Just what?" Finn pushed a little with his hand, and Kurt let the familiar feeling of warmth and security drift through him.

"I know what I want," Kurt said with wavering confidence. "I just- I don't know what you want." Again, he shifted his gaze from Mike to Tina and back to Mike.

Mike shook his head and looked at his hands. When he spoke, he seemed almost angry. "Again with the talking around things. God, I thought you were all about the communication and the honesty, but I still don't have a freaking clue what you're saying."

"I can't-" Kurt shifted and tried to climb off the bed because his heart was pounding in his ears and his skin was starting to crawl, but Finn was already moving to hold him tight, keep him safe.

"Yes, you can," Blaine said, moving to be next to them and brushing his hand on Kurt's leg. "He's not going to run."

"He might," Kurt said, low, into Finn's shoulder.

"No," Blaine insisted. "He won't."

"And everyone is still talking about me as though I weren't here!" Mike pushed himself to the edge of the bed and stood, looking around for something. When he found his keys, he jammed them into his pocket. "This is all BS. I gotta- I can't deal with this. I gotta get out of here."

"Mike-" Tina pleaded, but Mike just shook his head.

"Sorry, T. Until someone starts actually telling me things, I can't sit here and listen. It's all I've been doing the whole damn summer, and it's making me crazy." But he didn't leave. He just stood there, breathing hard, arms slack and eyes downcast.

Kurt was still cocooned tightly in Finn's arms, but he spoke quickly and with as much of his Voice as he could muster. "Michael!"

Mike lifted his head, his eyes wide. "What?" he snapped. "Is that just for show, or are you going to actually talk to me?"

"Sweetheart," Kurt soothed, and motioned to the bed. "Come sit."

"No." Mike stood his ground, crossing his arms and glaring at Kurt. "And don't 'sweetheart' me. It's not fair when you do that."

"Why?" Blaine said softly, his gaze keen on Mike. "What does that do to you, when Kurt calls you that?"

Mike backed up against the door and slid down it to the floor. "It's like... he says that, and I can't breathe, and I just want to give in. But I can't do that."

Kurt watched as Blaine rose from the bed and crossed the room to sit next to Mike, touching his shoulder. "Why not? What's wrong with giving in?"

Mike shrugged. "Nothing, I guess. I just don't know what I'm giving in to."

Tina had been watching and listening in stoic silence, and Kurt was almost shocked when she spoke up. "Would it help if I told you what Kurt and Blaine and Finn showed me this afternoon?"

"I guess," Mike muttered. Kurt relaxed a little as he watched Blaine take his hand, and Mike didn't pull away.

"You need to understand, first," Blaine said gently, "that I belong to Finn, and what you need or want may not look the same as it does for me. But I think you're a lot like me, and you need to know there's nothing wrong with wanting these kinds of things."

"Belong to Finn?" Mike echoed, tasting the words. He paused, staring at his hands. "Kurt called me- um. His boy. Is that- is that like you and Finn?"

"In many ways," Blaine said, and glanced at Tina.

Tina's voice was soft but certain, and Kurt could see the calming effect it had on Mike. "Blaine has a collar, Mike. He wears it when he's with Finn. Kurt said that it helps him remember that he has Finn to take care of him, that he's loved and safe, and that he can let go of the things that are hard for him." Kurt felt a little burst of admiration in his chest that Tina seemed to be rolling with the tide of things fairly easily.

Mike shook his head. "I don't know . . . I don't know if I want that. I mean, I like it when Kurt takes care of me, and that day in the practice room-" He raised his eyes and met Kurt's gaze. Kurt saw the heat there, felt the spark between them. "That was- god, Kurt. I've never felt anything like that before, and it wasn't just about, um... sex."

"Was that the first time you gave in, gave it all up?" Blaine kept his hold on Mike's hand, but didn't look at Mike at all, almost like he knew that too many eyes on him would shut Mike down.

"I- I guess so?" Mike shrugged, unsure. "I mean, Kurt just took what he needed, and he said all these things, and I couldn't think about anything except what he was telling me."

"Mmmm," Blaine hummed happily. "Subspace. It's so good, being there."

Now Mike looked really baffled. "What-space?"

"Subspace," Blaine repeated. "When you're just there, ready to serve your Top, to do or be whatever he - or she - needs you to be."

"It was so beautiful, Mike," Tina added. "Kurt put the collar on Blaine, and the cuffs-"

"Cuffs?" Mike's eyes were wide, and there was fear there, but Kurt could see that he was intrigued, too.

Blaine circled his fingers around Mike's wrist. "Here, on my wrists. I like them a little tight."

Mike stilled and his breath caught. "I don't think I understand," he protested, but Kurt could tell that he really did, and was just afraid to admit it.

Blaine shook his head reproachfully. "Didn't you guys tell him anything? God. No wonder he doesn't know what's going on."

Mike waved his hand aimlessly in the air. "Hi, still in the room." Tina laughed, but Kurt couldn't quite find it inside himself to laugh along. "And for the last time, will someone just tell me what I am and how I fit?"

Blaine looked at the three of them on the bed expectantly. Kurt wanted to do it, wanted so much to gather Mike in his arms and call him my good boy and explain everything, but his words were stuck in his throat. He shook his head, and Blaine sighed before turning back to Mike. Kurt felt his disappointment like a knife. So much for courage.

"Oh, honey," Blaine told him, still speaking gently. "You're a submissive, like me. And right now, at least, Kurt's your Top. And you could fight it, but it's kind of no use. You need each other."

"I don't think I want it!" Mike was panicked. "A collar? Cuffs? I'm pretty sure I don't want to deal with all that - "

Kurt didn't even realize he was off the bed until he was crouched on the floor in front of Mike. "No, no, baby. We don't have to do that. Those things, they're not necessary, and I know it's all still new for you. We can go slowly." He put a hand on Mike's cheek, drawing his gaze to face him. Mike's eyes were troubled, but he searched Kurt's, seeking hungrily for something. "But I need to know- please, Mike." He tightened his grip on the side of Mike's neck, and Mike pressed into it, gasping a little. "I need to know if you want to be my boy? It's okay if you don't, but I need you to be honest with me."

Mike's mouth twisted bitterly. "Like you've been honest with me? You've been thinking about this a long time. It's been on your mind practically all summer. Haven't you?"

Kurt swallowed hard, but he had to be honest. "Yes."

"Then why didn't you just say something?" Kurt had to back away as Mike got to his feet, pacing anxiously in the center of the room. "I would have listened, if you'd laid it all out. I've been walking around every day scared that this was going to end tomorrow, terrified that I'd never be able to feel these things again. I needed you, and you held out on me. And now you want me to trust you with everything?"

"I was scared that if you knew everything, all the things I wanted, it would push you away. And I can't- god, Mike. I don't think I can let you go. If that's what you want, I'll accept it. But I don't think that's really what you want." Kurt wanted to reach out, grab Mike and pull him close, to soothe him with touch and words, but he held back, giving Mike the space he needed to try to process everything.

"I don't want you to let me go," Mike whispered, after a minute of silence. Kurt heard a little shuddering sigh, and realized after a moment that it had come from himself. Mike went on, glancing across the room to Tina on the bed. "But I don't know how to be your- your boy, and still be Tina's boyfriend. I mean, I don't think- this thing,being a- a submissive?" He shook his head, sinking down onto the edge of the bed next to her. "I don't think I can turn that off, T."

"I don't want you to turn it off, Mike," she insisted. "I don't know if I can give you what Kurt does..." She blushed a little and smiled. "At least not yet. But after seeing you guys, today?" She gestured to Finn and Blaine, and to Kurt. "I want to try."

"I have all those books," Blaine piped up from where he was still sitting, back against the door and his knees tucked under his chin. "I know, I know," he said at Finn's twisted up face. "Not everyone likes reading books, but they were helpful when I was new and confused."

"I'll take the books," Mike and Tina said in unison, and they laughed together.

"We could read them together," she said to Mike. "That might be kind of hot."

Mike's energy felt a little less volatile, so Kurt took up the sliver of empty space on his left. He put his hand on the back of Mike's neck, just as Finn had done with him a few minutes ago, and felt Mike's body relax.

"You want this?" he asked, voice low, and watched Mike shiver. "You want to keep this going, however we manage to make it happen, once we get home?"

"Y-yes," Mike stammered. "But- I don't see how? I mean, once we're home... it won't just be like it was here. At home there are all of us, plus more people. And you guys already keep so many secrets. I don't want to be the burden of one more secret you need to hold onto."

"Dude," Finn chuckled, sliding into the space behind Mike and wrapping him up in his arms and legs. "You're not a burden. We want this. We want you, and Tina, to be a part of our lives, in whatever way you want. And you don't have to worry about keeping secrets, man. That's Kurt's job now, to take care of you." He nudged Tina on the shoulder. "And Tina's, I think, when she's ready."

Mike relaxed further against Finn's body, but he was shaking his head. "But it's going to have to be a secret. If my parents found out - god, it would be so bad. They're already adamant that I only apply to Ivy League schools, and they don't want to hear about my dancing. They don't approve of anything in my life except my grades."

"Oh, sweetheart," Kurt sighed. "You don't have to tell them. There's no timeline for coming out, either about your sexuality or the kink or polyamory. Lots of poly people, or people in the scene, they never come out publicly."

"I just want them to be proud of me," Mike said sadly, "but I don't think that's possible. After what happened this summer, I know that I can't give up on my dancing. It's too important, and I think I could really be good at it."

Kurt broke into a sudden smile as he hugged Mike. "That's my boy. Finally."

"Finally what?" Mike asked.

"You're finally starting to see what the rest of us see in you, baby," he said, pushing up to his knees and leaning in to kiss the side of Mike's neck. "I'm so proud of you."

Mike turned his head and kissed Kurt back, full on the lips.

"Oh, god," Tina squealed from Mike's other side. "That's really hot."

Mike turned beet-red and made a noise of protest into Kurt's mouth, but Kurt just laughed, letting Mike squirm away. "Tina!" Mike exclaimed.

"Sorry," she said, a hand on her mouth, looking flushed herself. "I didn't mean to say that, it just... came out?"

"One of the benefits of this kind of relationship," Finn told her in a mock-whisper. He patted her on the back. "Definitely no crime in enjoying it."

"Mike, it's okay," she insisted, as he scooted away from Kurt. "You and Kurt and Finn... it's just, seeing it for the first time, I think, is a little surprising. But it's not bad."

"I know you don't think it's bad, Miss Two Boys Together is So Hot. God, you've only been telling me that since this all started." Mike sounded annoyed, but Kurt watched him lift a corner of his mouth to smile at Tina.

"Mike," she said again, flushing. "It's not about me. So what if I think it's hot that my boyfriend is kissing another guy. This is about you, getting what you need. I want that for you."

Mike reached out for her hand. "Are you really sure? Because I don't want - I don't want to try this and then have you decide that it's too much, because I don't think . . ." he trailed off, and looked around the room at Kurt, and Finn, at Blaine still sitting in front of the door. "I don't think I can let any of you go."

"Dude," Finn said softly. He reached out a hand and touched Mike's arm with two fingers. "For a guy who barely talks at school, I think you've been doing a pretty amazing job telling us what you need these last couple weeks. And believe me, the last thing I want - the last thing me or Kurt wants - is to let you go."

Tina squeezed at Mike's hand. "And I love you too much to let you go."

"Yeah?" Mike asked, softly.

"Yeah," Tina said. "If something happens and I'm not okay, I'll say something. I'm not a scared freshman with a fake stutter anymore."

"No," Mike said, staring at Tina with such tenderness that Kurt's heart skipped a beat. "You're definitely not that girl anymore."

"See?" Finn's fingers traced a line up Mike's arm along his wrist, and Kurt watched Mike's eyes glaze over a little as he shuddered. "You've got all sorts of people watching out for you."

Mike chuckled. "You, too, huh?"

"Nah," Finn said, grinning back. His fingers grazed Mike's neck. "I'm just watching you."

He glanced over at Tina just once before pulling Mike into a kiss, just inches from her face. This time she didn't exclaim, but Kurt could see her swallow hard, looking a little faint. It might not be bad, he thought, but that doesn't make it any less intense to see somebody else kiss your boyfriend. Kurt took her hand quickly, squeezing it.

"Breathe, baby," he whispered into her ear. "And it's okay for you to get turned on."

She dropped her head sideways onto his shoulder. "Will I ever be as relaxed about this as you guys are?"

"It'll take time," he assured her, nudging her flushed face back to watch Finn and Mike, wrapping up in one another. Blaine had moved to the side to make room for Mike, looking completely sanguine, and Kurt reached for his hand. "But yes, I think you will."

Blaine's eyes twinkled at Tina. "Make sure he knows this is okay," he murmured, nodding at Finn and Mike.

She gave a nervous, breathy laugh, eying the two boys. "He looks like he's doing just fine," she said. "I don't think he's thinking about me right now."

"Oh, he is." Blaine sighed. "He's always thinking about you. All he wants to do is be a good boy, for you. You and Kurt, you have to tell him he's good."

"Really?" Her eyes were wide. Blaine nodded solemnly.

"Really. And tonight, he needs it to be you, doing the telling."

"Okay," Tina nodded. Kurt held his breath, felt Blaine squeeze his hand, and they watched together as Tina leaned in and carefully kissed the side of Mike's neck.

Mike groaned, and pulled away from Finn's mouth and hands. "God, T, that feels-"

"Good?" she asked, low and gentle.

"Y-yeah," Mike said, taking a shaky breath.

"It should feel good, Mike. I want you to feel good. I want you to be happy. Do you hear me?"

"I hear you," Mike whispered, and Tina slid a hand to the back of his neck. She shot Kurt a questioning glance, like she wanted to make sure she was doing something right. He nodded at her.

"She's a natural," Blaine murmured.

"Yeah," Kurt said, and he felt kind of proud at Tina's courage.

"I want-" Tina started to say to Mike, and then jumped at the sound of a knock on the door.

Kurt rose, hesitating to interrupt the dynamic of the room, but the knock came again. He approached, putting a hand on the knob. "Who is it?"

"It's Toby," they heard, and Kurt relaxed, smiling. He opened the door wide enough to let Toby see who was in the room, but not wide enough for it to look like an invitation. Toby's eyebrows went right up to his forehead and stayed there, but he didn't comment.

"I'm just checkin' to see if you'll still be needin' my room?" he asked. "It's no skin off my nose either way, but it's getting late."

Kurt glanced at Tina, and she hesitated before making a barely perceptible shake of her head. "I don't think so," Kurt told Toby, watching Mike's shoulders relax at the words. "I think we'll all be just fine here."

"Got it," he replied easily. Then he ducked his head into the room, pushing past Kurt far enough to make eye contact with Mike. "Great job tonight. You got the timing just right. I knew you could do it."

"Thanks," he said softly, smiling at Toby. "That means a lot to me."

He smiled back, then patted Kurt on the shoulder. "If I don't see you guys before you head home tomorrow, drive safe. Maybe you - uh, that is, your whole -" He hesitated, with one more sweep of his eyes over the motley crew arrayed on the bed, before plowing on. "- y'all can come join me and Darius for some barbecue before school starts."

The door closed behind him, and Kurt turned to face the four of them, assessing the size of the three beds. "I'm not sure if we can actually all fit up here," he admitted, "but -"

"But it would be better than splitting us up, tonight," Tina said. She held tight to Mike's hand. "I don't think he should be away from you, Kurt."

"Or you," he agreed. He gazed at Blaine, who'd moved back to sit beside Finn. He knew he didn't have to ask if it was okay with Finn if Mike stayed with them, but Blaine... "I might still be able to catch Toby and tell him we want his room, if you guys want to be alone."

"Kurt," Blaine said, shaking his head and smiling. "It's good. We had all afternoon. Finn wants to be here. We talked about it already. I wouldn't take him away from Mike on your last night together."

Mike's face was still flushed from Tina's kiss, but he glanced, bewildered, between Kurt and Finn. "You really think... this is okay?"

"Yes," they said in unison. Blaine nodded, and Mike looked long and hard at Tina.

"And you're sure, too?" he asked her again.

She kneeled in front of Mike, her hand firm on the back of his neck like it had been before Toby's knock, and pulled their mouths together. They kissed for a few short seconds before Tina pulled away, both of them breathing heavy. "I'm sure," she said, her voice rough. "You're so good, to worry about me, and I'm telling you that I want you to have this. Are you listening?"

Mike swallowed and nodded. "Yes."

"Good . . ." She shot a slightly panicked look to Kurt, but it was Blaine who smiled and mouthed a silent go ahead to her. "You're... a good boy," she finally whispered, and Mike went boneless into her arms.

"Oh, god, Tina," he whispered into her shoulder. "Thank you."

"Shhh," she hushed him, and tightened her arms around him. He didn't quite cry, but she felt him shaking a little, and he clutched at her shirt until she took his hands and held them in her own. "Did that feel... really, you liked that?"

"He really did," Blaine whispered, when Mike just looked at her helplessly.

"I- I-" Mike stammered, and blinked. Kurt could see that he looked a little dazed, but he felt rooted to the bed, unable to do anything.

Instead it was Blaine who moved again, a tentative hand on Mike's shoulder. "Hey," Blaine said softly. "You've had a really big day. C'mon, let's go get ready for bed." He tugged Mike off the bed, and rooted around in his own bag for a moment before turning a sheepish grin on Mike and waving his toothbrush in the air. "I forgot my toothpaste. Can I use yours?"

Mike shivered, but seemed to settle back into himself a little bit. "Only if you don't care that it's not organic or whatever."

Blaine shrugged. "Toothpaste is toothpaste," he said, and strode to the bathroom, Mike trailing behind.

Tina sat on the edge of the bed, looking a little dazed. "I can't believe I just did that. And he didn't... I don't know. Freak out? Slap me?"

"He won't, because he needs it. He just doesn't always know that, yet." Kurt put his arms around Tina and hugged her hard. "You did everything just right."

Finn stood, pulling the sheets down on the bed. "You guys are all exhausted," he said.

Kurt shot him a look. "And you aren't? I mean, I can only guess what you two did this afternoon."

"Hey, I wasn't the one dancing today. I was just... uh." He glanced at the bathroom with a fond grin. "Okay, maybe I'm a little tired."

Kurt could hear Blaine's voice, unintelligible over the running water, and Mike's easy laugh in response. "I was a little worried about how Blaine would take this," he said to Finn. "This is new for him, too, but he's doing so well."

"This year made him strong, baby." Finn blinked around the tears that always seemed to hit him when they tried to talk about the previous fall. "It's all gonna be fine, I just know it. I think it'll be good, for both of them to have each other. Like, I dunno. Brothers, or something."

Kurt leaned into Finn and sighed happily. "Brothers or something," he repeated.

Tina reached out and touched Kurt's arm. "Family," she said softly.

"Yeah, man. Family. It's like, the most important thing," Finn said, holding Tina's gaze. "And you guys are a part of it now."

"Part of what?" Blaine asked, Mike on his heels as they came back into the room.

"Family," Finn said, patting the bed. "C'mere, you guys. It's been a long day."

Blaine smiled, but Mike didn't seem to really hear. He stumbled a little as Kurt opened his top drawer and pulled out a clean pair of boxers and a t-shirt, passing them to Mike.

"As much as I hate the idea of asking you to wear anything to bed," he said, smiling, "you might want to put these on, if we're going to get any sleep. And if you don't want me shocking your girlfriend too terribly."

"I think she'd like to watch," Mike said, "but she's too nervous to tell you that." He paused, and shook his head. "Did I just actually say that?"

"Yeah," Tina said, turning crimson. "Yeah, you did. Now I have no secrets left!"

"There're still a couple, I'm sure, like-"

"Mike!" Tina interrupted him. "Stop talking! You're too tired to have any filter right now, jeez."

Mike fumbled with the clothes Kurt had handed him, finally just giving up on the shirt and tossing it aside before sliding under the covers. "You're right. Tired. Need to stop talking."

Finn leaned over and gave him a kiss. "Good plan. You'll get your words back in the morning."

"'Night," Mike mumbled, tucking his arms under his pillow with a sleepy sigh.

Tina wriggled out of her shorts and took up the space between Mike and the edge of the bed with a grin. "It's a good thing I'm tiny," she said. "But if I get pushed out of the bed in the middle of the night I'm going to go all vampire on whoever gets pushy."

Kurt laughed. "We could just put you back in that bubble dress. At least then there'd be some padding between you and the floor?"

"Bubble dress? I think I'm missing something here?" Blaine looked back and forth between Kurt and Tina, and Finn, who was holding in silent laughter and muttering shower curtain over and over.

"I'll tell you all about it on the drive back to Lima tomorrow," Tina said, resting an arm over Mike's still form. "Who's going to be the other side of the sandwich?"

Kurt hesitated, because he didn't want Finn to feel left out, but Finn was right there urging him on.

"Go ahead, man. That way Blaine can be the middle spoon," he said, lying on his side with his back against the wall. "And I don't have to worry about rolling out of bed!"

There was a lot of wriggling and tussling before all five of them found an equilibrium, but it felt surprisingly comfortable to Kurt. In the dim light from the window, he could see Mike's face, relaxed in sleep. He leaned in to kiss his cheek at the same time Tina did. Their heads collided, and she made a quiet exclamation. "Sorry," she whispered.

"It's okay," he said, rubbing his forehead, grinning. "But... honestly, I don't see us butting heads too often over this one."

"Are you calling me a butthead?" she giggled. She stroked Mike's face, and watched him sigh and shift toward Kurt. "I think you're right, though. I trust you with him. Maybe even more, now."

"Thank you," Kurt said. "That means a lot to me. I promise, I'll take good care of him. We all will."