Reviews:

MarciaChapter2: Thank you so much! So glad you liked it! Glad of be of service and introduce more music! I love that band. Finding new music through fics is one of my favorite things!

onyx115: thank you! I love that band and as soon as I heard it I knew I had to use it in a fic!

tomdarryecs: lol we never have written faberry so we wanted to give it a shot. A lot going on though! Thanks for reading!

Iris7124: Lol thanks! Yeah, we were thinking he basically was so hopeful for so long that he doesn't even consider the possibility anymore lol. But thank you and glad you are enjoying! Buckle up because when we said all the pining we meant it lol!

Hey everyone! First of all, thanks for all the lovely reviews and favorites on our stories! We are extremely grateful!

We officially know there will be ten chapters total in this story and we have ideas for a few one shots. If anyone has something they would like for a one shot that wasn't included in the story, mention it and we will do our best. Everyone always had such great ideas! Enjoy the chapter! Much love - A and K

Title: Overdosing, rollarcoasting, drink you down like whiskey

The next day-same week.

"Blaine? Kurt? All ready?"

Mr. Shuester had been the one to call them up to the stage. Kurt smiled nervously at him and they climbed up.

It was the day after the scavenger hunt. Honestly, Blaine would have been completely content to curl into a self-pitying ball and eat comfort food and cry, but Kurt insisted they had to go spy on Quinn and Rachel. While he was definitely nosy and wanted to know what was going on with them, he felt like having a pity party for himself instead. His crush was hopeless.

So he threw himself into practicing for this duet. Which involved Kurt trying to cheer him up. He was cracking jokes and giving him little snacks and just generally making Blaine fall for him harder. But he had to do this and sell the hell out of it. If Kurt got a lead, he wouldn't have as much time to spend with Blaine and therefore he could get over him faster. Then he could go make out with Kent and leave Blaine to wallow in sorrow.

Kurt took his mark, rolling his shoulders back and standing straight in perfect posture. He released his breath slowly and took Blaine's hand. Blaine relaxed too, putting this whole mess out of his mind. He had slipped up a few times yesterday, but he wouldn't blurt his feelings. So he would act them out in song. He could just say he was acting, right? Most of the campers watched from the chairs including Trent who had only sprained his ankle. He had been taken to a doctor yesterday and came back feeling much better with his ankle in a brace. Coach Sylvester and Mr. Shuester watched from their table. Blaine nodded slightly and the music began.

They were both nervous, but no one could tell as they gave it their all. The performance was still quite flirtatious, but Blaine decided against the crawling and Kurt seemed to agree without discussion. They sang and danced and Blaine caught Brittany doing some of the moves from her seat. They spun and Kurt sang Blaine had broken his heart and it was to late and Blaine pretended this was real. Kurt was telling him there was no chance, but he was slowly winning him back. He dance-chased Kurt around the stage, singing that he wanted to talk but Kurt refused. They were on fire. At the very end of the song, Kurt tried to spin Blaine away, but Blaine stopped himself early, twirled round behind Kurt, and caught him. He eased him into a deep dip, pausing before bringing Kurt back up. They panted, Kurt's arms still around Blaine's neck and his eyes slid to Blaine's lips. And Blaine almost kissed him. He was so close, but someone sneezed in the audience and he put his mask in place. He smiled charmingly at the audience before taking Kurt's hand and bowing. The others clapped, Brittany howling her approval. He didn't look at Kurt, he couldn't or he might burst into tears. When he turned to the judges, Mr. Shue was clapping politely while Sue just looked angry. Maybe she was still mad at him about the tape measure.

Kurt left the stage and Blaine followed until the got behind the curtain.

Then Kurt jumped into Blaine's arms and quietly squealed. "We did it! That was amazing!"

Blaine hugged him back tightly, his eyes burning a little. God, he was so emotional. "We did. They have to give you a lead now."

"You too! You were perfect!" He pulled back, holding onto Blaine's arms. "Thank you."

Blaine was about to say something, what he wasn't really sure, when Kent and Rachel stepped onto the stage. They took their places, Rachel pointing to where Kent should stand and she stood opposite him.

"He finally cracked this morning," Kurt said in Blaine's ear. He tried not to show the affect it had on him, want curling through him. "They're doing Rewrite the Stars from The Greatest Showman. He said Rachel told him I would try to sabotage them if he told me." He rolled his eyes as their music began. "As if I would do anything to hurt my boyfriend. Her maybe, but not Kent."

You know I want you

It's not a secret I try to hide

I know you want me

So don't keep saying our hands are tied

You claim it's not in the cards

And fate is pulling you miles away

And out of reach from me

But you're here in my heart

So who can stop me if I decide

That you're my destiny?

Kent sounded great, damnit. His voice was sexy and smooth. Then Blaine chided himself for thinking bad thoughts about him. He and Rachel weren't dancing, relying on vocals and emotion to impress Sue and Will. They all knew Kent didn't have the range Rachel had, but he was talented for sure. They sang the chorus together and then Rachel stepped closer, acting out the song. She circled him, Kent playing the the longing lover and Rachel sadly telling the they would never be. She stopped in front of him and seemed to look at him, but the angle was odd. If they weren't back stage, he thought he would have missed it.

You think it's easy

You think I don't wanna run to you

But there are mountains

And there are doors that we can't walk through

I know you're wondering why

Because we're able to be

Just you and me within these walls

But when we go outside

You're gonna wake up and see

That it was hopeless after all

No one can rewrite the stars

How can you say you'll be mine?

Everything keeps us apart

And I'm not the one you were meant to find

Kurt gasped beside him and nudged Blaine. "Look at Quinn!"

The girl was seated directly in front of where Rachel had stopped. She was trying to cry discreetly, but the tears poured down her face. Blaine's heart went out to her.

"Poor Quinn," Kurt mumbled with his fingertips touching his lips. "I bet Rachel is singing this to her. Look at how she's looking over Kent's shoulder.

And she was. A flare of anger went through Blaine at Rachel. Why would she do something like this so publicly? Could she have not spoken to Quinn in private?

"Rachel… What the hell are you thinking?" Kurt whispered.

She and Kent spun slowly, still singing to each other.

"We need to talk to her," Blaine said quietly. "Maybe if we tell her we know, she'll spill. She has to be told this isn't okay."

Kurt hummed. "Yeah or she will just clam up and be even more careful. Let's spy on them again tonight."

Blaine reluctantly agreed. Kurt would probably go without him if he didn't go and who knows what would happen to him then. Back on stage, Rachel was singing to Quinn again.

You know I want you

It's not a secret I try to hide

But I can't have you

We're bound to break and my hands are tied

Everyone applauded except for Quinn who got up and all but ran from the auditorium. Kurt shook his head as Rachel and Kent left the stage. Kent swept Kurt up in his arms and kissed him, clearly happy with how the audition went. Blaine felt a stab in his heart at how much Kurt seemed to enjoy it. He turned to Rachel who was smiling, but it seemed pained.

"Good job, Rach."

She turned to him. "Thanks."

He flashed a fake smile. "Interesting song choice. Any particular reason why?"

Her face remained carefully neutral. "Just seemed right for our ranges. Showed off our acting skills. If you'll excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom." She brushed by him and exited back stage.

The campers were all excused to go off to their makeup workshop while Coach Sylvester and Mr. Shue decided the final cast that afternoon. Depressed as he was, Blaine barely listened to the lecture about how to apply the stage makeup and little tips and tricks. He was thankful when he and Kurt got paired up so that he had someone who knew what they were doing.

Quinn had also made a reappearance and of course gotten paired with Rachel. The blonde seemed to have stopped crying and looked calm. Blank.

"Okay, I'm turning you into…" Kurt's tongue stuck out the corner of his mouth while he fished a scrap of paper from the hat and then unwrapped it. He passed it off to Brittany who was working on Sam. "And… of course it's a dog. Just a generic dog. Nothing more challenging? I was hoping for zombie, but by Santana's evil laugh I think she's turning poor Trent into a zombie." Kurt shrugged and began selecting his materials. He gave Blaine a cute little wink. "At least my job will be easy since you're basically already a puppy."

Blaine pouted, but inside preened at being called adorable. Well, Kurt didn't really say that, but it was implied. He obediently tilted his head as Kurt began prepping his face. "I was thinking, when I talked to Quinn the other day and she said those weird things, it made sense she was talking about… that other person." Blaine glanced around to make sure they weren't being over heard. The closest to them was Kent who was responsible for turning Artie into a doll.

"Just relax Artie-party. I've never done this before and you are kind of suss since you keep flirting with me all the time, but we will make it through this together." Kent wielded a powderpuff like a weapon.

Artie stared back, terrified. "I'm sorry! You're just so handsome!"

Kent winked at him. "Thanks man! Now, I'd close my eyes and mouth if I were you."

Artie coughed and sputtered as he was attacked with the puff.

Blaine turned back to Kurt who was watching Quinn work on Rachel tensely. "You will have to keep an eye on them while I do this," Kurt said quietly.

Blaine nodded. "Sure." He watched the girls out of the corner of his eye, noting the tender way Quinn brushed Rachel's hair back. "So what kind of dog am I?"

Kurt swatched a few face paints on his arm and held them up to Blaine's face. He squinted at them before making some sort of choice. "Well, if you were a dog, I considered either a lab or a poodle, but those weren't quite right."

"Should I be offended?" Blaine asked as Kurt tested a few foundations on his jaw line. His skin tingled pleasantly at the touch.

Kurt shrugged, a playful smile playing at his soft pink lips. Blaine found himself staring at them and looked quickly away. "But neither of those seemed quite right. But then it hit me: you're an Irish Setter."

"Okay, I'm definitely offended. Why did you put so much thought into this?"

Kurt giggled. "It was fun! I read setters are playful, loyal, friendly to children, affectionate, lively, and companionable. And their fur is just beautiful."

"Are you calling me beautiful?" Blaine teased as he looked up into Kurt's eyes.

Kurt grabbed his chin and tilted it up. Blaine went willingly. He would have done anything Kurt asked. Something heated passed through his eyes as he studied Blaine's face. He stared so long, Blaine began squirming. He was about to the point he couldn't stand it any longer when Kurt laughed softly and looked away at the makeup brushes. "Of course you're beautiful. Now let's turn you into the most beautiful setter!"

He started to apply the paint, gently and evenly. Blaine couldn't help it, his eyes slipped closed at Kurt's ministrations, enjoying the feeling of Kurt's hands on him. He knew it was selfish and borderline creepy, but when would he have another chance to be this close to Kurt again?

"Are you falling asleep?" Kurt murmured around a brush held in his teeth.

Blaine reluctantly opened his eyes and started memorizing every new freckle that danced across Kurt's nose. The makeup felt heavy and wet, but he could stand it as long as he needed to. "It's just so relaxing."

Kurt snorted and held up a palette of colors next to Blaine's face. "You really are a puppy."

"Just wait until your turn…" he trailed off at the odd look Kurt was giving him. "What? Do I have something on my face?" he joked.

But Kurt didn't laugh. He seemed to breathe harder as he stared into Blaine's eyes. "I just… This red really brings out your eyes. You just look…"

They along with basically the whole room were startled by a clatter and they turned to see Quinn knelt on the ground gathering up makeup brushes. "Sorry! Butter fingers…"

Kurt narrowed his eyes, twirling an eyeliner pen in his fingers like a baton. "Suspicious. I wasn't paying attention to them. I wonder what happened…"

Blaine shrugged. "Maybe Rachel sang her another mean song."

Humming, Kurt focused back on Blaine, stepping back to assess his work. He tapped the pen to his lips, drawing Blaine's focus there. "I think you're ready for whiskers. How would you feel about washing the gel out of your hair and letting me fashion ears out of it?"

"Ha. No."

"Aw, come on!" Kurt pouted. "You would look so cute!"

Blaine tried to be strong, but Kurt begging made him crumble almost immediately. "I thought I was already cute?"

Kurt cocked an eyebrow at him, grinning widely. "I'm just saying—"

"Alright everyone!" The instructor interrupted. "Almost time to switch! Finish please and find a new partner!"

Kurt stopped joking around and finished Blaine's makeup. It was done right before the timer went off and he showed Blaine his work. He did look like an Irish setter, minus the ears of course. He was a little peeved at how much sense it made.

"Looks nice, Kurt. Should I start barking now?"

Kurt laughed as the instructor called time and everyone traded partners. Blaine was about to suggest they just switch when Kent approached covered in face paint everywhere but his face and white powder.

"Ka-Blaine-o! Paint me brother!"

Kurt grimaced and made the sign of the cross. "I guess I get Artie." He tossed Blaine an apologetic look and went towards creepy doll Artie.

"Not a word," the boy said.

Kurt sucked in his lips. "I said nothing."

Blaine sighed as Kent plopped into the chair he had just vacated. He wiggled back and forth in the chair. It squeaked obnoxiously. "What am I gonna be?"

Blaine took the hat and drew a scrap of paper, nodding at what he read on his. Clown. "Okay. Easy."

Kent wiggled in the chair. "Lay it on me! What am I gonna be? Oh! Should it be a surprise? I love surprises!"

Blaine shook his head at how cute and excited Kent got. He remembered why he had a crush on him. "Sure, surprise it is."

Kent whooped and spun a full circle in his chair as Blaine selected his supplies. After wetting his lips, he bent and began painting Kent's face. Much to his annoyed amusement, Kent was extremely ticklish and kept jerking away every time Blaine used a soft brush.

"Kent, I need you to hold still if you don't want to look like your face has been melted."

"Sorry, bro. It just tickles!"

Blaine hissed as Kent twitched away again. He grabbed the back of Kent's head and held him in place so he could draw on his lips.

"I had a dream like this once," Kent suddenly said.

Blaine quirked up a brow, but didn't stop drawing. "Oh? You had a dream I was painting your face?"

"Nah. I had a dream a puppy was licking my face and when I saw my reflection, I turned into a puppy too!"

"I'm not licking your face."

Kent full belly laughed and Blaine saw Kurt look at them in amusement out of the corner of his eye. "Dude, you're so funny. No wonder why you and Kurt are friends."

"Best friends," Blaine corrected through gritted teeth.

"Best friends," Kent acknowledged. "How in the world do you not have a boo?"

Blaine faltered as he was filling in Kent's lips and accidentally turned him into The Joker. He hurriedly grabbed a towel and fixed it carefully. "I… Well, I guess I just haven't found the right one."

"I get that," Kent replied. "Well, don't worry! You'll find your Kurt."

It shouldn't have hurt as much as it did. Blaine tried not to show it, to laugh it off, but Kent was so sincere. He said it while staring happily at Kurt like he was his whole world. He could never compete with someone like Kent. He should be the one in the clown makeup.

"Maybe I've already found mine," Blaine said quietly as he dabbed at Kent's face.

Kent's mouth screwed up in confusion, but a smile dawned. "Bro! You should be with him then!"

Blaine laughed. It was hollow and bitter. "Yeah, I can't. He's with someone else. And happy." He had no idea where this courage was coming from. He was basically confessing his feeling to the boyfriend of the boy he loved. A guy who could squash him like a bug if he wasn't the cuddliest, nicest squish in the world. Blaine hoped he was dumb enough to not put two and two together.

"Bummer, my dude. Guess you'll have to find someone else."

"But what if we're meant to be?" Why couldn't he just drop this? He was in danger of blurting. He needed to shut the hell up.

Kent squinted at him. "Don't you think of your Kurt is with someone, they should be left alone?"

Blaine shrugged. "Maybe. But I think people can make their own choices."

Kent shrugged and frowned. "I dunno man. I've been the guy on the other end of that and it's not a Baja blast. But thankfully I found my Kurt."

"He's my best friend. I know how amazing he is."

Kent turned to watch Kurt with Artie. He saw them both looking at him and mouthed, help me. It looked like Artie was turning him into a piece of cheese.

"He is always so nice to me. He doesn't care if I say dumb things or how much I can bench press. He just likes me."

It occurred to Blaine in that moment that the whole time he had known of Mummel, he had been viewing Kent as someone in his way or the nice guy who stole Kurt from him. But Kent was a person with feelings who would be really hurt if Blaine tried to get in between them. Kent was just a boy who liked another boy and started dating that boy. He felt really shitty in that moment because he wanted to be with Kurt, felt like they were meant to be, but he didn't want to hurt Kent.

Blaine stepped back and checked his work. Kent made a passable clown.

"Look, I can't help if he picks me…"

Kent continued to watch Kurt. Artie tried to set his makeup, but only ended up making Kurt have a sneezing fit. "I know. And if he doesn't want to be with me, that's fine." He smiled rakishly at Blaine. "But I'll do what I can to keep him." He flexed, causing Artie and Kurt to both drool a little.

"I swear I'm straight…" Artie mumbled.

"Stop lusting after my boyfriend!" Kurt swatted at Artie.

"I'm sorry!"

"You need to be focusing on how I look more like a sponge than a giraffe!"

"Everyone's a critic..."

Blaine was well matched. It would occur to him later that he had no idea when Kent realized they were both talking about Kurt. He was smarter than people gave him credit for.

Kent reached for a hand mirror. "Okie dokie. What have you transformed—" Kent's eyes went wide as saucers and he dropped the mirror. "Bro, level with me. Did you make me a clown?"

"Uh, yeah? Why?"

Kent screamed, scaring the daylights out of everyone in the room. "I am fucking terrified of clowns! Oh my god, it's like my worst nightmare! Blaine, bro, please get this off of me!" He was anxiously scrubbing at his face with a towel.

"Wait! At least let me get a picture!"

"Screw your picture! This is going to haunt my dreams!"

"I'm pretty sure my ass has fallen asleep," Kurt complained as they hid in the bushes next to the girl cabins.

They were currently watching the cabin Quinn shared with Santana and Brittany, but it had been dark for about an hour with no sign of activity. Kurt tossed down the binoculars they had borrowed from Artie in annoyance. The moon wasn't as bright, but Blaine's eyes had adjusted to the dark enough to see him. Never missing an opportunity for fashion, Kurt had dressed in what he called his spy suit, an all black outfit. Unfortunately for Blaine, it fit him perfectly in all the right places and he had a hard time keeping his eyes to himself. Kent's face flashed in his mind, guilt gnawing at him.

After their makeup workshop, they had taken pictures and then washed off their makeup. Kent had already done his. While Blaine felt kind of bad about scaring him, it was kind of funny how freaked out he got. The laughter died when Kurt had to hug Kent for no less than thirty minutes to calm him down. Kent seemed to enjoy that.

Next Sue made them workout again before dinner. Kurt had approached him in line for food and hissed in his ear that they would sneak out after Artie and Sam fell asleep to spy on Quinn. That hadn't taken long since they were all exhausted. Then he and Kurt slipped out into the night.

"Maybe they are meeting during the day," Blaine suggested. He picked up the binoculars.

"Maybe." Kurt sighed. "Maybe we should just talk to them."

"It might be— Hey, isn't that Coach Sylvester?" He pointed off at the end of the path. Coach Sylvester was carrying a large box and heading down towards the lake.

"Let's follow her!" Kurt said and they carefully snuck through the woods, always keeping her in sight.

She stopped suddenly and turned as if she could feel their eyes on her. Blaine grabbed Kurt and pulled him behind a tree, hiding them from her sight. He was so focused on hiding that he didn't realize he was still holding Kurt against his body until he turned and came face to face with him.

"Uh…" Blaine swallowed hard, certain Kurt could heart his heart hammering in his chest.

Kurt was staring at him, eyes searching his. His hands were on Blaine's chest while Blaine's were still wrapped around Kurt's waist. Kurt licked his lips. "Yeah…"

Blaine laughed nervously and reluctantly let Kurt go. "Should we…?" He hooked a thumb over his shoulder.

Kurt smiled oddly. "Yeah. I think she's gone."

Sue had definitely gone, for how long, Blaine wasn't sure, but they inspected the edge of the lake she had stopped at. Kurt called him over.

"She threw this box in the water." He dragged it out and together they started searching through the contents. "Keys, sheet music, and… a picture of Miss Pillsbury?" Kurt held up a framed photo of the guidance counselor.

Blaine arched an eyebrow. "What is all of this?"

Kurt shook his head. Then he stopped and pulled out a can of hair mousse. "Wait, I'm pretty sure this is Mr. Shue's stuff." He sniffed the container, wrinkling his nose. "Yup. It's his."

"Well, thankfully we got to it before everything got all wet. Why would she do this?"

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Because she's evil and will literally do anything to screw over Mr. Shue." He had frozen again as he reached the bottom of the box. Picking up a piece of paper, his eyes scanned it before he started laughing hysterically.

"What?" Blaine took the paper when Kurt offered it.

It was a scrap of notebook paper that had gotten a little wet so some of the ink was smudged. He could just make out his name which was alarming, but the rest of it was a journal entry. "Dear journal," Blaine read. "I have infiltrated the camp in my efforts to destroy the Glee club and that obnoxious excuse for a teacher, but I'm so bored! How was I to know that the whole club wouldn't be here in the place they shot Deliverance??? I was kind of hoping I could just leave them all here with no food or water and the problem would take care of itself. But this is actually a camp and not an excuse for an orgy! Who would have guessed? Anyway, I have decided to just try to annoy Shuester. Although… there is the possibility that I could have some fun with that little Anderson kid and—"

Blaine glanced up at Kurt, eyebrows to his hairline. "Oh no! What's she going to do to me?"

Kurt was still bent over laughing. "She's such a weirdo! I swear, you can't make this stuff up!" He wiped his eyes.

"Kurt! I'm in danger!"

"Oh, you're not in danger." He piled everything back into the box except for the journal entry which he threw away. "And if she tries anything, I'll protect you."

That didn't really help Blaine's anxiety, but it did make him feel warm and fuzzy inside to think of Kurt being his knight in shining armor. They took the box to Mr. Schue's cabin and quietly left it by the door before making their way back to their own cabin. But Blaine wasn't sleepy. Too much was happening and he knew if he tried to go to bed, he'd lay awake for hours. He took one look at Kurt and it was like they communicated wordlessly.

"To our spot?"

"To our spot."

Kurt sat on the swing and pulled his legs up, tucking his knees under his chin and wrapping his arms around them. Blaine sat in the other side and gently pushed them back and forth. The crescent moon had shown itself after the dark clouds drifted away and displayed a clear sky dotted with stars. He stared up at them for awhile while Kurt seemed to stare at the water.

"I'm going to miss this place," Kurt said quietly. Blaine looked over to him and he was staring back sadly. "It always feels like a second home. It's a little scary thinking I won't be here next summer."

Blaine's heart sank at the thought of that. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you. Artie and Sam will still be here, but it won't be the same." Blaine knew he shouldn't, but he held his hand out to Kurt. His best friend didn't hesitate, but took it immediately. "I met you my first day. You remember?"

"Of course," Kurt said softly, his mouth curling up in the corner. "I was so excited to come here but I was terrified because none of my friends were here. I walked in to our cabin and you were singing Katy Perry… shaking your butt…"

Blaine snorted. "I wasn't shaking my butt."

"Yes you were." Kurt started absentmindedly stroking Blaine's knuckles with his thumb. "And when you turned around and saw me you made me dance and sing with you instead of introducing yourself like a normal person."

Blaine relaxed at Kurt's touch. He tried to be very still so that Kurt wouldn't stop. "But you joined me, didn't you? And we became best friends."

Kurt smiled warmly at him. "We did. And…" He stared down at their joined hands. "We will always be best friends. Right?"

"Always," Blaine said with a squeeze.

"Even when I move to New York?" Kurt's eyes had gone grey in the dark. They were big and hopeful. With a pang, Blaine recognized it from all the times Kurt was trying to confess his feelings. He didn't hesitate now.

"Even when you move to New York. Don't forget I'll follow you after I graduate."

They had talked about their future plans numerous times, both excited they would be moving to New York. Blaine wondered if he and Kurt would both be single by then.

"I'm going even if I don't get into NYADA. I still haven't heard anything." Kurt stared off into the distance.

Blaine scooted closer to Kurt. "You will." Although this mind was screaming at him to stop, he wrapped his arm around Kurt's shoulders. His best friend needed comfort. "And if they are dumb enough to not let you in, you'll find something better. You always do."

"Thanks."

He wondered if Kurt knew he was talking about much more than school. But he let himself have this moment since he might not get it ever again.

"What about Kent?" he heard himself ask. He had to know. The thought had been driving him mad.

Kurt snapped his head to Blaine. He looked down at their hands, gasped, and pulled it away quickly. "What do you mean?"

Blaine's heart cracked at the loss of Kurt's hand in his. Still, he had to press on. "I mean, when you go to college. Have you guys talked about it?"

Kurt pulled his legs back into himself. Protectively. "I… No, but he knows my plans and my dreams. He doesn't even know if he wants to go to college. His step— never mind. The point is, we might want different things."

The shattered pieces of Blaine's heart began to mend back together. Maybe there was still hope. But he was being selfish only thinking about himself. "And how will you feel if you guys end up breaking up?"

Kurt fidgeted. "I don't know. Let's talk about something else. Like, hey, who's your secret crush?"

The complete deflection and change of subject took Blaine by surprise. "I— You can't—Hey! We were talking about you!"

Kurt sucked in a huge breath and exhaled loudly. "Fine. We said we would be honest with each other, right? Breaking up with Kent would suck, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. I really like him, but I'm not in love with him or anything. If you're worried I'd give up my dreams for him, I won't and I wouldn't expect him to either." He looked at Blaine, something bright and searching on his face. "It might make me a shitty boyfriend, but losing Kent would suck. But it wouldn't be like losing you."

Blaine almost kissed him then. He even leaned in, but aborted the movement quickly. Luckily, Kurt didn't seem to notice as he went on.

"Losing you would be like losing a piece of me. That's why I didn't tell you about my feelings for so long. I was afraid of you not liking me back, but also because I need you, Blaine. And I'm not saying I wouldn't care of Kent and I broke up, because I would. It would hurt a lot. I'm just saying it's not the same."

"Kurt…" So many thoughts and feelings rushed through him. It was hard to land on just one. "I never want you to be afraid to tell me things. Seriously, there's not anything that would make me not want to be your friend." He paused to try to articulate his thoughts. "As far as before when… you had a crush on me, I can only say I'm sorry. I know I'm oblivious. I'm just not used to being the guy others have a crush on. Everyone I've ever liked has never liked me back. At least not the way I wanted them too. I had this picture in my head of what falling in love would be and then it wasn't." He had to look away from Kurt to his folded hands in his lap. "It's like at Dalton. I somehow became a leader there. They fucking call me the prince of Dalton. But this whole time, I just wanted to belong. Dad and Cooper talked about Dalton all the time. They loved being there and it was just another thing that put Cooper in the spotlight." He had of course told Kurt of his difficult relationship with his brother, how he loved him dearly but also felt like they were in constant competition. He knew his parents loved and accepted him, but Cooper was just so easy to love that he always felt the pressure. "So when I started going, I was so focused on fitting in and having experiences I could share with my dad that Cooper didn't get that I didn't realize how hard I was trying. The guys all think I'm perfect and put together and this mentor or something, but I'm just as big of a mess as them. I just wanted to be someone Dad could be proud of and have the reputation to live up to Cooper. So that's how they see me. God, I don't even know if this is making sense."

Kurt had been listening without interruption, but put a hand on Blaine's arm when he put his face in his hands. "I think I understand. You get so focused on one thing that you kind of miss everything else going on around you. You do that all the time."

Blaine nodded, grateful Kurt understood him so well.

Kurt smiled warmly at him. "Well, maybe don't put so much pressure on yourself. To fit in or fall in love. Just relax and be yourself because I know Blaine Anderson and he's worth it. Slow down, otherwise you might miss something really good."

And didn't he fucking know it. A breeze blew off the lake and played with the soft swirl of Kurt's hair. He looked so sweet and sincere in that moment that a confession was on the tip of his tongue. But then his mother's words rang through his head. And Kent's face when he looked at Kurt. He probably should have said something there and then, but he didn't. Instead, he smiled back gratefully and let his heart break all over again.

"Thank you. I'm so lucky to have a best friend like you."

The answer was to get a little space from Kurt. They bunked together and he couldn't change without explaining himself. (His dad's reminder about changing cabins resurfaced. Blaine would be having lots of words with his dad when he got the chance.) They had all the same friends, so they hung out together. And then there was the play. Maybe Rachel and Kent had been better and would get the leads so that Blaine wouldn't have to torture himself with every scene.

So it was with bated breath that he gathered with the other campers the next morning, watching Mr. Shue tack up the cast list. He stepped away, mumbling under his breath about how someone had cleared out his office. Kurt and Blaine shared a look.

Once they elbowed their way through the crowd, Blaine scanned the sheet for his name.

Kurt gasped beside him. "What the hell?"

Carlotta: Santana Lopez

Richard Firmin: Sam Evans

Armand Moncharmin: Artie Abrams

Daroga of Mazenderan: Trent Nixon

Madame Giry: Brittany Pierce

Meg Giry: Quinn Fabray

Viscount Raoul de Chagny: Kent Morris

Christine Daaé: Rachel Berry

Erik (The Phantom): Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson

Blaine gasped as well when he finally found his name. "What does that mean?"

Kurt didn't look happy. "It means they've double cast us."

"Why?"

Kurt shook his head.

Rachel was celebrating as was most of their other friends. Kurt should have been celebrating too, but was instead standing there looking extremely irritated. Blaine would give the role up in a heartbeat if it's what Kurt wanted. He still had another year whereas Kurt didn't.

"Maybe they mean for me to be the understudy?" Blaine tried.

Kurt set his jaw. "No. They would have said that." He looked the direction Mr. Shuester had gone. "Come on. We are getting to the bottom of this."

Later, they were seated in the directors office with Mr. Shue standing off to the side. Coach Sylvester was relaxed back in her chair.

"Yes, you have been double cast," she said quietly.

Kurt seethed beside him. "Why? We are both very talented! We shouldn't have to share a role."

"I'd be completely fine with Kurt having—" Blaine started, but Kurt held up his hand.

"No, this isn't fair! Blaine deserves a role too! We both do."

The coach watched them for a moment, twirling her glasses. Her eyes flicked up to the choir director. "I think you should explain since this was your idea."

Mr. Shue glared at her, arms folded. "We thought—"

"You thought."

"I thought that you both would enjoy sharing the role since you're friends," Mr. Shue explained.

"I wanted you to play the romantic leads," Coach Sylvester said. "I think you could do it. But Mr. Shue said it had to go to Berry."

"She's the best fit for the part!" Will reasoned.

Kurt rolled his eyes. "So what exactly would we do? Each take a turn? I do one of the parent nights and Blaine does the other?"

Mr. Shue nodded. "That's fine if that's the way you want to do it."

"What I want is my own part," Kurt muttered.

"Or you can do half the play and Blaine can do the other half. You can decide together."

"Perfect." Kurt stood suddenly and Blaine hurried to follow. His tone didn't sound like he thought it was perfect. "When do we need to decide?"

Sue put her glasses back on. "Yesterday. We need to get started asap."

"Well, it's not my fault you two acted like children and caused a delay," Kurt snapped.

"Hey, easy Kurt." Mr. Shue cautioned. "We have tried to make the best decision here."

Kurt just rolled his eyes and stormed out. Blaine followed, wringing his hands. He knew Kurt was upset and angry, but he wasn't sure if it was partially at him.

"Kurt?" He stopped him from stomping away down the path. "Are you mad at me?"

"I'm going to need a minute," Kurt answered with a stormy look in his eyes. "I'm just really fucking pissed over this."

"Oh. Um, okay." Blaine backed away. "I'll be here—"

Kurt took off, away from him. Blaine had no idea where he was going, but he wanted to follow. He stayed where he was.

"—if you want to talk…"