DAY 10

"Holly, I need to talk to you about my article."

Holly looked up at him briefly before tipping her head back to the notes on her desk. "Fire away."

"I can't write it." He saw her shoulders tense, but he stumbled on. "I've spent ten days with this guy and while that may not seem like a long time, I've gotten to know him. We've gotten to know each other and I'm not sure that I can go through with this."

Holly sighed. She dropped her pen and leaned back in her chair, looking up at him. "Look behind you."

Blaine did, catching sight of the oversized mock-up of that month's front cover. His title was right there on the front page.

"It's already on there, Blaine, and even if it wasn't, I wouldn't let you drop this. You're a great writer, but you're new. You're not invincible yet. You need to write this just as much as I need you to. I told you at the start, if you can't do it then… well, you don't really have many options." She sighed again and crossed her legs. "Look, he sounds like a great guy, and I'm sorry for that, but there are plenty of great guys in New York. You're one of them. I want that article on my desk by the end of tomorrow. I'm not even going to tell you what will happen if it's not because you do not have another option."

Blaine stared down at her desk for a moment longer. He pressed his lips together and nodded. "Okay. End of tomorrow."

"End of tomorrow."

He nodded, and excused himself from her office.

~o~

"Accessories!" Santana jumped to her feet. "Kurt, accessories."

"Shit." He shoved the garment bag into Brittany's arms as reverently as he could and dashed into the office. "Shit, shit, shit." He pulled out all the boxes on the shelf which would be even vaguely relevant and started rifling through them. Santana appeared at his side, pulling out things which looked appropriate. "How did I forget accessories?"

"You don't need that many, it's not that kind of piece. Here." She shoved a bangle into his hand and he grabbed it, kissing her on the cheek.

"I love you." He swiped a pair of earrings and dashed back into the workroom where Brittany was standing in exactly the same position, holding the garment bag like the dress inside would shatter if she so much as breathed too deeply.

Kurt paused in the middle of the room. He shoulders slumped. "It's all wrong. Santana, the whole dress is wrong. What have I done? I can't show that to a roomful of people, Santana, oh my god, what have I done?"

She slapped the back of his head. "Snap the fuck out of it. That dress," she pointed viciously at where Brittany was still imitating a statue, "is fantastic. It is one of the most beautiful things you have ever made and that roomful of overdressed penguins is lucky to get even a glimpse of it. Now pull your head out of your ass before I have to come over and do it for you."

Kurt stared at her, then his face cracked into an enormous grin. He pulled her into his arms. "Thank you. For everything."

Brittany's arms curled around the pair of them. Kurt smiled and closed his eyes for a moment. He thought about everything he had achieved in the past two years and, just for that fragment of time, he let himself feel just how proud he was of how far he had come.

Santana broke them apart, taking the garment bag off the hook Brittany had slung it on. "Enough vagina time. Let's get this on your model and then you can go pick up your loverboy."

~o~

Kurt stepped out of the car, straightening his jacket and taking a deep breath. He looked up and felt the air catch in his throat.

Blaine turned full circle on the top step, showing off every part of his suit. He stopped when he was facing Kurt again, smiling down at him. His curls were held back with gel, giving him the air of a movie star from another era, when people fell in love in black and white. The light from the lobby and streetlights sparkled off his eyes, warming them to molten honey. Kurt's eyes roved over his perfectly fitted suit, down to his mirror-shine shoes.

"You look beautiful," he said, voice cracking on the last word.

Blaine's grin slipped into a soft expression. He descended the few steps and stopped in front of him. He stroked his fingertips down Kurt's arm. "Not as beautiful as you."

Kurt breath rushed out of him all at once and he darted forwards to capture Blaine's lips with his. When he pulled back, Blaine looked at him with hazed eyes.

"Here." Kurt lifted the boutonnière he was holding, matching his, and slipped it into Blaine's lapel. His hands lingered, palms against Blaine's chest as he just stared at him, feeling a painfully wonderful clench around his heart at the sight of him. Blaine didn't look away. Kurt felt something building in the silence until he thought he was about to be overwhelmed. "You ready to go?" he whispered.

"With you, always."

~o~

The gala could only be described as magnificent. The women glittered with more jewels than Blaine had ever seen, the light arcing off them in shimmers. The dresses swept the floor in beautiful silks and extravagance curled in every coiffed hairstyle. The men's shirts were crisply starched with studs in many button holes and alma mater cuff links hanging from each wrist. It was grandeur and luxury milling delicately under a carved stone dome.

Kurt pressed a hand to the small of his back. "I'm going to get us some drinks. There are some photos of last year's show over there if you want to have a look."

Blaine nodded, letting Kurt pull away into the crowd. He drifted in the direction Kurt had pointed, pausing in front of the photographs. He appraised each of them, feeling a great sense of pride that next year, Kurt's design would be displayed just like these ones.

"Blainers, fancy seeing you here."

Blaine faltered, not wanting to see the person he knew that voice was attached to. Sebastian stepped in front of him and Blaine had to hold back a flinch. Of course he would be here. He was a designer, after all.

"What's a little rag writer like you doing in a place like this?"

"I'm here with someone," Blaine replied tightly.

"Oh, yes, the pesky boyfriend. Thought you might have given him up by now. Fancy sneaking off to the bathroom and getting reacquainted?"

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Let me get you a drink at least."

"I've already dealt with that, Sebastian." Kurt pressed a glass into Blaine's hand and slipped an arm around his waist. Blaine tried not to melt into him too overtly.

"Kurt." Sebastian's eyes sparkled. "I never realise how much I've missed you until I see you again."

"You two know each other?" Blaine asked, placing his hand over Kurt's on his waist.

"Fashion school," Kurt explained. "Unfortunately."

Sebastian just smirked.

"Blaine, why don't you go and find our seats?"

Blaine nodded and slipped out of Kurt's hold, disappearing into the crowd under the dome. Kurt levelled Sebastian with a glare. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I was just curious. He's very innocent, isn't he?"

"Shut up. Don't speak to him anymore."

"Oh, Kurt." Sebastian stepped into his personal space. "Worried the Big Bad Wolf is going to take your toy away?"

Kurt scoffed at him, stepping back. "Goodbye, Sebastian. I'll look out for you when I'm on the stage, accepting my victory." He turned and let the dazzling gentry of New York tide him away before Sebastian could say another word.

~o~

B. Anderson

Blaine picked up the place name, smiled at the curling gold script, and set it back on the table. Nothing had been spared in this wonderland.

"Hello."

He turned to the woman who had appeared at his side. She was in a sweeping dress of deep mauve, a few tendrils of her hair pinned at the back of her head, the rest curling around her shoulders and down her back. With one glance, Blaine could tell this was a woman of effortless style and impeccable taste.

She offered him her hand, which he took. "I'm Shelby Corcoran. I taught Kurt at Parsons. I'm on the committee for this show. You're Blaine, yes?"

Blaine nodded. "Yes. I'm here with Kurt."

Shelby smiled at him. "I must compliment you on that positively delectable suit you are wearing." Blaine blushed. "It only adds to your glow."

"Sorry?"

Shelby laughed – a tinkling sound that curled around Blaine. "The subtle glow of a man in love, of course."

Blaine looked at the floor, knowing that a bashful smile was spreading across his face.

"Oh, you don't deny it?"

He caught her eye again, finding it to be positively sparkling. "I… I know it hasn't been long, but Kurt. Kurt makes me feel things I've never felt with another person. I've tried to shy away from it, but 'love' is the only word to describe how I feel about him."

Shelby's smile widened. She placed a hand on his arm. "I am glad to hear that. Kurt is very dear to me, always has been – although don't tell him I said that." She laughed again. "But I am glad he has someone like you to care of him. I wish you both the best."

"Thank you."

She nodded and started to turn from him.

"Miss Corcoran," he called out, stopping her. "Please don't tell Kurt. It's something I need to do myself."

Shelby nodded at him. "Don't worry: I won't breathe a word."

~o~

Kurt gripped Blaine's hand tightly as the announcer climbed up on stage. His eyes flicked around the room briefly, catching Sebastian's. He smirked and raised his eyebrows. Kurt just shook his head and looked away. Sebastian thought he had won. Kurt let his eyes fall on Blaine, who turned to him.

"How are you feeling?" Blaine asked, reaching up to stroke the backs of his knuckles over Kurt's cheekbone. Kurt wasn't convinced Sebastian should be so sure of himself.

"Nervous."

Blaine squeezed his hand. "I believe in you."

The man was speaking into the microphone now, and Kurt had to pull himself away from Blaine's gaze, although he would rather do anything else.

"And now," said the man, grasping the microphone in one hand, "I can announce the up and coming designer who is lucky enough to get a slot in this show." Kurt stopped breathing. "And that lucky man is… Kurt Hummel!"

Kurt heard a cheer rise around his table and across the room. He felt Blaine jump beside him and grip his hand so tightly he was going to lose sensation in his fingers, but none of it was really registering. He turned his head slowly to Blaine, staring at him. He'd won the slot and that meant… That meant that Blaine loved him. Blaine loved him.

The world came back in an explosion of sound and bright lights and the tight clutch of Blaine's hand around his and Blaine's beautiful eyes staring at him full of love. Kurt pulled Blaine to him and kissed him. He closed his eyes and let everything fall away, because it couldn't be anything but the two of them right now. Blaine's lips were warm against his, tingling with the taste of champagne and grinning through the kiss.

Kurt broke away breathless. He beamed, brushing Blaine's hair off his forehead. "I did it," he whispered to him, the words hitting Blaine's lips in a gust of air.

Blaine shook his head, eyes bright. "I'm so proud to be with you."

Kurt laughed, blinking back the tears in his eyes, and suddenly he was being swept away. People were congratulating him and he only got one more look with Blaine, a smile and a squeeze to his hand, before he was out of his seat and being passed around, Shelby guiding him with one of the few genuine smiles Kurt had ever seen on her face.

~o~

Blaine watched Kurt shaking hands with another circle of people, Shelby introducing him with a hand on his back. He smiled when they all laughed at something Kurt had said.

"Suits him, doesn't it?" Blaine jumped and Sebastian chuckled in his ear, sliding to Blaine's other side. "The way you look at him, Blainers. You should see yourself."

"He's my boyfriend. I can look at him however I want."

"You stare at him like you're totally in love."

Blaine turned his head and stared straight at him. "I am."

Sebastian raised his eyebrows and cocked his head. Then he smirked and the sight made Blaine's stomach drop. "Fun." He stepped a little closer, voice low so only Blaine could hear. "Let me tell you a story, Blaine."

"I don't want your mind tricks, Sebastian."

Sebastian raised a finger to Blaine's lips and shushed him. He pressed himself against Blaine's back and held onto his chin, guiding it so he was staring at Kurt. "Just listen." He patted Blaine's cheek. "There was once an ambitious designer who wanted to get a slot in an amazing show. He was competing with another designer, someone he hated, and he would do anything to get that opportunity."

"Sebastian—"

"I told you to be quiet." He prowled to Blaine's right, sliding a hand down to rest on his back. "The ambitious designer made a deal with his old teacher: be someone's Prince Charming, make them fall in love, and he can have exactly what he wants. But that wasn't enough for our little designer. There was something else he wanted.

"So he struck a bargain with his competitor." He moved stand in front of Blaine, blocking his view of Kurt. "If he won, do you know what he'd get?"

Blaine stared at him for a moment, feeling like he was in a trance, then shook his head when he realised he had been asked a question.

"Him. The guy he hated. The one thing he truly desired." Sebastian was gone, behind Blaine again, speaking beside his ear. Blaine could see Kurt now, being congratulated and toasted, Shelby by his side. "So he did it. And he won, Blaine. He gets everything he ever wanted." He leaned in, pressed right against Blaine, breath tickling his ear. "You think he loves you?" he whispered. Then he chuckled. "You're nothing to him."

He was gone. Blaine took in a shuddering breath, as if Sebastian's presence had been constricting his lungs. Kurt looked over at him and waved, smiling brightly, then turned back to the woman he had been talking to. Blaine's knees almost gave out, but he managed to stumble to his table, sinking into his seat.

It all made sense. Everything. It slotted into place and Blaine could see Kurt's surprised expression when his name had been announced, the way he turned to Blaine in triumph and kissed him.

Blaine touched his lips and shuddered.

He was nothing. Nothing at all.

~o~

Everyone was being called to their seats for the preview. Kurt broke out of conversation with an apology and started to make his way to where he and Blaine had been assigned seats. He never made it there.

"You're Kurt Hummel!"

He smiled. "Yes."

"Well, congratulations." She shook his hand. "I'm Holly Holliday, editor of Haute. I'm a big fan of your designs."

"Thank you. I'm sorry." He gestured to Blaine, who was sitting at their table, staring into nothing. He didn't know any of these people. He was probably lonely. Kurt suddenly felt guilty for leaving him alone. "There's a lovely man in a tuxedo I have to get to."

"Oh, Blaine. Yes, he's mine."

Kurt paused. "I'm sorry?"

"Best kept secret in the business. Great writer, but he's in the wrong place for his gender. You know Blair Anderson's column?"

"I – yes, she's Blaine's cousin."

"Cousin?" Holly snorted. "She's his alter ego. Don't tell anyone I said this, because it was my idea to keep him under wraps. Getting advice from a guy never goes down as well with girls as it does from a fellow woman, so he's better off this way. His articles, though." She grabbed Kurt's arm. "I'm ridiculously proud of him, you know. The one he's writing now is going to be a bestseller, I can just tell. 'How to…" She paused, hands raised for dramatic effect. "Lose a Guy in Ten Days'. The research is the best bit. He picked a guy and he's been driving him away using all the mistakes girls make without realising. He's needy, whiney, hysterical, intrusive—"

"Bi-polar, too much too fast, tells you you've got erectile dysfunction when you won't let him blow you," Kurt said, staring at Blaine. "Yeah, I think I know what you mean."

Holly looked like she was about to launch back in, then she paused. "You… you're…"

"I'm Kurt Hummel. I'm Blaine Anderson's boyfriend." Kurt held out his hand with a cold smile. "Nice to meet you."

Holly gaped at him. "Shit."

"Kurt." Shelby was suddenly there, tugging on his elbow. "Come on, stage in one minute!"

Kurt let himself be tugged, leaving Holly Holliday staring after him with her face still frozen in a state of shock. He crossed the room and climbed onto the stage in a blur, then there were camera flashes and hundreds of faces staring up at him from the tables and his model was strutting down the small runway. He forced a smile onto his face and began to speak, explaining his vision, churning out all the things he'd memorised while his eyes scanned the room. He saw a flurry of movement near the back and, looking closer, he saw Blaine running out. He almost faltered, but he managed to rush out a final sentence and practically leap off the stage before the audience had finished applauding. Shelby tried to grab him again, but he pushed her off, running after Blaine.

He reached the top of the front steps just as Blaine got to the bottom. "Blaine!" Blaine paused, turning to look up as Kurt jogged down to him. "Is it true?" Kurt asked when he reached him.

Blaine felt the tears building up in his eyes and his hands were starting to shake. "Is what true?" he croaked.

"Am I just your little guinea pig? I'm just your research project? You drove me damn near insanejust so you could write a fucking article?"

"You made me fall in love with you so you could fuck Sebastian."

Kurt stopped, looking like the wind had been knocked out of him. "Did… did he tell you that?"

"Does it matter? Tell me it was a lie, Kurt. Please."

"Tell me you're not Blair Anderson."

Blaine shook his head, tears spilling onto his cheeks. "Why him, Kurt? Why would you do that?" He pushed past Kurt.

"Blaine! Blaine, you don't get to run away from this." Kurt grabbed his arm, spinning him around. "You played me."

"Oh, and you didn't?"

"You made my life hellfor nothing!"

"And you broke my heart so you could fuck someone else!" Kurt flinched, but his eyes were still blazing with anger. "Congratulations," Blaine said, throwing his hands up. "You got your precious slot. You achieved your goal, Prince Charming. You can go let Smythe suck your dick now."

"Well done to you, too, Blaine. Good work. You wanted to lose a guy in ten days? Done. You just. Lost him." Kurt turned from him, but Blaine's retort stopped him.

"No I didn't, Kurt. 'Cause you can't lose something you never had." Blaine pulled the flower from his lapel and dropped it onto the street. Kurt watched him walk away. He almost ran after him, but then Shelby was there, pulling on his arm and telling him he needed to speak to the sponsor. He followed her up the steps and into the hall. He made it through the conversation and another round of toasts before he escaped to the bathroom, curling up on the floor and starting to cry.