AN: Thank you for the follows, faves, and reviews! I love em! I would like to note that because glee is all over the place with timelines, I will be diverging from cannon. I will be keeping some events and getting rid of others, but regardless I will be going on my own timeline (that will hopefully make more sense than the mess that is seasons 4 and 5 lol). But this is my warning that there will be some Klaine in this, but definitely Kurtbastian endgame.

Respond to pollysam: Yes! There will be some angst in the future as the story develops, especially when a certain someone starts to realize his feelings. But I want it to develop realistically obviously. The angst will probably be a bit more internal than external but there will definitely be some heated interactions.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

R&R please! :)

Chapter 3

"Do you wanna go back to my place?"

In a normal world, hearing those words from Sebastian Smythe would've made Kurt feel uncomfortable, but this wasn't a normal world. Kurt and Sebastian had slowly begun hanging out more and more and were slipping into a comfortable friendship. Sebastian was different than his high school self and even though Kurt used to hate him, he couldn't deny that something between them seemed to click when they spent time together. Their teasing was no longer hostile but friendly and Kurt liked it. He used to think that their attitudes clashed but he was wrong. Their witty banter flowed well between them and conversations were easy and light.

It was a good distraction, to have a new friendship to focus on. It kept his mind off of Blaine. But now Sebastian was suggesting they go hang out at his apartment for the first time and he couldn't help but feel awkward about the idea of being alone with another man in unfamiliar territory. But if this whole friendship thing was going to work then he had to ignore what high school Kurt would've labeled as a red flag.

"Yeah, sure. What do you want to do?" He replied.

"I don't know, maybe we could order a pizza and just watch some TV?" Sebastian looked so at ease, talking so casually about just chilling with Kurt, voluntarily spending time with one of his ex-rivals.

"Sounds good. I'm starving."

Sebastian raised his eyebrows and gave him an amused look. "Oh really? After you ate all my popcorn?"

"Oh hush, you were not going to eat that entire large popcorn all by yourself, you were practically begging me to help you out. I could see it in your eyes." He teased back. They had just gotten out of a movie screening of some rom-com that Kurt had chosen at random. It was a Friday night and since Kurt refused to go to a party and Sebastian apparently didn't mind sticking with Kurt instead of finding another friend to go out with him, they settled on seeing a movie. But one thing was made clear by Kurt. It was not a date.

They arrived at Sebastian's place after a few blocks of walking and Kurt was impressed. The décor was simple and sophisticated with clean lines and neutral colors. There were pictures of Sebastian and his friends, mostly from his Dalton years, and small decorations that tied the place together. It wasn't the bachelor pad Kurt was admittedly expecting but it was nice, it was a home.

"Do you approve?" Kurt looked up to see that Sebastian had noticed him taking in the place. "Well it'll have to do." He smirked.

"Good. I'll order us pizza."

After the pizza arrived and they were settled on the couch, Sebastian began flipping through channels on the TV for something to watch while Kurt messed around on his phone.

"Well there's always the good ol' HP marathon on ABC." Sebastian suggested. When Kurt didn't respond, he turned to see Kurt staring at something on his phone, his face in deep thought and his eyes looking a little glossy. "Hey. Everything ok?"

Kurt looked up, like he snapped out of a trance as he tore his eyes from the phone screen to look at Sebastian. "Wha-? Oh yeah um…" He sniffed. "Everything's fine."

Sebastian put down the remote and turned his body to face Kurt. "Well that's the biggest lie I've ever heard. Are you gonna make me push you into talking about your feelings to feel like I am a useful friend?" No response, Kurt just looked down. "Alright, that's it. No pizza unless you talk to me."

Kurt smiled at that. "Well that seems unreasonable." Sebastian stared at him expectantly. "Alright! It's- it's nothing. I was just on Facebook and saw that Blaine posted a picture of him and some members of the glee club after winning sectionals and he just looked so… happy." Kurt avoided Sebastian's eyes out of embarrassment for getting emotional over something so little. He was sure Sebastian probably thought he was overreacting.

Sebastian scrunched up his eyebrows trying to think of how to respond. "Ok number 1: you are not over Blaine, that's obvious. Number 2: you broke up with him and the asshole did something really bad to you and I don't think he even deserves your attention, but that's just me. Number 3: just because he's happy in a picture after winning a competition doesn't mean he's not hurting still on the inside." Kurt was not expecting all of that feedback from Sebastian, more of an 'unfriend him and get over it'. But he was happy that's not what he received.

Kurt sighed. "I know I shouldn't still be mulling over him and I shouldn't get upset every time I see his face but I love him and he hurt me. That's a really hard thing to just get over." His face looked dejected.

"I'm not saying you have to get over him yet. Just- you need to understand that he isn't worth it. If you are thinking about him so much then I bet that means you're thinking about being with him again and forgiving him. And that is unacceptable." Sebastian's voice was stern and Kurt was surprised by this change. Since when did he actually care about Kurt's actions regarding his relationship? He thought he'd just been trying to be nice every time he would tell him that what Blaine did was wrong. But he seemed adamant that he wouldn't let Kurt think about getting back together with Blaine. Which was definitely a change of pace in Kurt's world. Usually all his friends were secretly or even not so secretly wishing they'd get back together.

"Why are you so set against Blaine all of a sudden? I appreciate the support, I do, and I know that bashing on exes is likely in the 'how to be a friend' rulebook but… why?"

"Because." Sebastian looked down at the throw that was lying over his legs as if it was much more interesting than it was. "I've been on multiple sides of cases of cheating and I know what a fucked up thing it is to do. When you cheat on someone, it's like you are taking all the trust and respect they've put into you and stomping all over it."

Kurt had to ask. "By multiple sides… did you mean-"

"No, I've never cheated." He looked almost affronted by the accusation, finally looking back up at Kurt. "But I've been cheated on and I've been the cheatee- without my knowledge though! I hooked up with someone once at Scandals just to find out that they had a boyfriend after the fact and felt disgusted."

"But you always used to tell Blaine that it didn't matter if he had a boyfriend when trying to make a move on him." This was new information for Kurt. He definitely had thought of Sebastian as someone who just wanted some action and didn't care where he got it. At least in his high school years, he never would've thought that this was something Sebastian cared about.

Sebastian looked ashamed but determined to set Kurt right and he raised his voice in slight frustration. "That was just- some stupid act, Kurt. Don't you get it? I tried to build myself up to prove to everyone that I was better than them, more confident and more experienced, but I never would've actually gone through with it."

"I'm sorry that I… assumed." He avoided Sebastian's eyes, now feeling bad for putting a label on the boy.

"No. It's fine. I was a shitty person. Still probably am." Sebastian really did understand why Kurt thought that way. And it was a big part of the reason that Sebastian wanted to change his ways.

"Ok no, that is a lie. You are not a shitty person Sebastian. Just- shitty things have happened to you."

Sebastian was silent for a moment, then a grin reached his face and he started chuckling while Kurt looked at him confused, his eyebrow raised. "… You sound like Sirius Black."

"What?"

He smirked, adjusted his posture and changed his voice to quote the movie that had been left playing on the TV. "'You're not a bad person. You're a very good person, who bad things have happened to.'"

Kurt raised his eyebrows again as he pretended to be judging Sebastian. "I can't believe you are comparing yourself to Harry Potter right now."

"Hey, you started it!" Sebastian threw the pillow sitting next to him in Kurt's direction.

He ducked narrowly missing the object flying at his face. "Did not!" He was giggling now but then stopped and looked more seriously at Sebastian. "But thank you."

He gave him a questioning look. "What for?"

"For actually caring about my situation, and my side of things. And for distracting me." Kurt was genuinely happy that he had this new friendship, as weird as it may be, blossoming. Sebastian provided Kurt with a different perspective from the friends that had grown accustomed to him and Blaine being an item. And he found the nights like these that they spent just hanging out rather enjoyable.

"Oh so that's what I am to you? Just a distraction. I see." Sebastian feigned disappointment.

"Shut up you and eat your damn pizza, asshole, before it gets cold." Kurt said as he reached for his own plate and stole a slice from the box sitting on the coffee table.

Sebastian grinned but complied. "So hostile."

They spent the rest of the night watching two more full Harry Potter movies, neither one of them wanting to change the channel. When Kurt looked at the clock a few hours later and realized it was 12:30, he reluctantly stated he needed to head home and thanked Sebastian for the pizza. Sebastian walked him down to the street and they said their goodbyes and "see you later"s.

xx

A week later, Kurt was lying on his bed in his loft reading a magazine and enjoying his time relaxing. That is, until Rachel came home.

"Kuuuurt?" her voice traveled through the loft.

"In here!"

She entered Kurt's sectioned off bedroom area with Brody quietly at her tail. "Kurt. Get dressed."

"Um… why?" He thought he'd be able to just have a relaxing night in but obviously Rachel was set on changing his plans.

"Because we are going out, all of us. Brody's friend from high school is throwing a party and you have to come! I feel like we don't spend much time together anymore so you have no choice in the matter." She wandered around Kurt's room looking for something for Kurt to wear, which of course he knew he would never agree to if she was the one picking it out.

He groaned. "Rachel, you know I don't like parties. Do you remember how hung over I was last time? I need my beauty sleep. And alcohol does not agree with beauty sleep."

"Please Kurt?" She looked like she was begging now as she stuck out her bottom lip. "I miss you!"

"I literally live with you."

"You know what I mean." She hopped onto the bed next to Kurt. Brody was still awkwardly standing in the entrance of Kurt's bedroom area and Kurt felt bad that he had to put up with this.

Brody spoke up though. "Maybe you could ask your friend Sebastian to come with. That way you feel a little more comfortable." Kurt thought this was a marvelous idea but Rachel turned her head to Brody with daggers in her eyes and he raised his arms in apology.

"Yeah, Brody, that is a wonderful idea!" He knew this would get to Rachel who was still suspicious of Kurt and Sebastian's new friendship.

"Kurt, I-" But he cut her off.

"Nope, I am only going if Sebastian can come with." He crossed his arms as his eyes dared her to challenge him. Rachel was hesitant.

"Fine. Call Sebastian." She did not pretend to be happy about what she was saying.

Kurt called Sebastian (who was very excited that Kurt was going to go to a college party) and invited him to come along as Rachel went up to Brody, still giving him a look like he was a dog who chewed up her new shoes. This was going to be good, Kurt thought. He and Sebastian had been saying that they needed to show his friends that their friendship was a good thing. Maybe this was their opportunity. Then he'd have Rachel off of his back. He hung up the phone. "He can come!"

xx

The group arrived at the party to find it was much classier than the last party Kurt went to. Well, as classy as a college party could get. This one was in an actual apartment rather than multiple small dorm rooms. Brody greeted his friend in a bro hug and Rachel followed him like a lost puppy.

"Now this isn't so bad is it?" Sebastian mocked. He knew Kurt had been avoiding going to another party since the last one where he reunited with Sebastian.

"Yeah sure, its fine." Kurt admitted reluctantly as they entered the apartment and he looked around, taking the place in. He was just happy to have Sebastian there with him, something he never thought he would feel. Of course Rachel had to go and ruin that sense of happiness though with her death glares aimed at Sebastian every 5 minutes.

"Wow, Berry really doesn't like me, does she?" Turned out Sebastian noticed these as well. He pulled Kurt over to the kitchen where he started pouring them drinks.

"Um, no… not really. I mean let's be honest here. She doesn't know the version of you that I have recently discovered."

"And what version is that?" Sebastian asked, amused.

"The real version of you that isn't covering up his true feelings with rude insults or photo shopped pictures of her boyfriend." He took the drink Sebastian handed him, eyeing it cautiously.

Sebastian pretended to be offended. "Hey I apologized for that! The troll will never have to worry about Finn's micro penis being unleashed upon the world."

"I don't know, maybe she's right in disliking you." Sebastian gave him a look of confusion. "I mean, don't even get me started on what you did to my boyfriend." Kurt smirked. He was only joking. Yes, it did still seem crazy to him that he could ever be friends with the person who nearly blinded his boyfriend… ex-boyfriend… who he claimed he wanted to see turning on a spit, but a lot of things had changed and one of those things were his opinion on Sebastian. He had hated him. But he just felt like he never got to know the real Sebastian and that, even though high school Sebastian did a lot of shitty things, there was something genuine hidden underneath trying to escape. And he was starting to tap into that.

There was something small that flashed in Sebastian's eyes that Kurt didn't quite catch before he put on a fake evil glare. "Don't remind me." But then Kurt smiled in return and that little emotion that flared up disappeared completely.

They took their drinks and wandered around the party, mingling and dancing a bit. Kurt made Sebastian promise that they would only allow themselves to have one drink because Kurt was not ready for a repeat. So after they finished their first drinks, they filled their solo cups with sodas instead. However, Rachel obviously was doing the opposite. Kurt heard her unmistakable laugh and turned to see her on the ground, a not so sober Brody trying to help her back up. "Oh boy."

"Well this is wonderful blackmail material." Sebastian chuckled as he took out his phone to record her and Kurt elbowed him in the side.

"Let's play truth or dare!" And of course Rachel had succeeded in gathering up enough drunken people to start a game.

"C'mon Kurt." Sebastian took Kurt's arm and started dragging them over to where a group started sitting in a circle.

"Oh god no Sebastian, why?" Kurt groaned but allowed himself to be pushed into sitting position on the floor, Sebastian plopping down next to him. Different people he didn't know started asking each other "truth or dare" and giving lame questions and tasks. One person dared Brody to chug a beer while in an odd dance position and then he asked Rachel to share an embarrassing moment. Sebastian was very disappointed in the quality of this game so far, but what could you expect from a group of drunken college students? Then Rachel turned to him. "Sebasssstian!"

"Yes, night troll?" He replied. Kurt snickered and Rachel looked offended.

"Alright tough guy! Truth or dare?" She had an evil grin on her face and Kurt was suddenly worried about what would happen. However Sebastian was all for whatever challenge she wanted to throw his way.

"Dare." Apparently that was the answer Rachel was hoping for as her grin widened.

"I dare youuu…" Kurt held his breath hoping she wouldn't do something to scare away his newfound friend. "To kiss Kurt!" Too late.

"Hey that's not fair, that involves me! What if I don't give consent?" Kurt was flustered and he didn't know why.

"Oh come on Kurtsie you have to! It's just a game!" And with that Kurt decided he was going to smother Rachel in her sleep tonight. Then Sebastian turned himself in his direction.

"It's alright. I don't back out of a dare. Let's do this 'Kurtsie'." And yep, he was going to smother Sebastian too.

Kurt sighed as he resigned himself to face Sebastian as the other boy leaned in. Plenty of the onlookers were giggling and making obscene comments around them, but Kurt was only focused on getting this job done and over with. Sebastian closed the distance between them as his lips lightly met Kurt's. It wasn't long and it wasn't passionate or anything. Just a short a simple kiss before they broke apart and Rachel clapped her hands and cheered as though she had succeeded in torturing the pair.

"See? Not so bad. Besides I'm a pro so you should be honored." Sebastian said to Kurt while their faces were still not far from each other's and he punctuated it with a wink. Both boys ignored the weird feeling they had gotten in their stomachs and blamed it on the one drink they had.

"Ok Sebastian it's your turn!" Rachel called out and brought the boys attention back to the party.

He shuffled a little further away from Kurt and back to his original spot. "Right. Hmm let's see… I wonder who I'll- Kurt! Truth or dare, my dear friend?"

How did he not know that Sebastian would pick him? "Uhhh… dare?" He was admittedly nervous about what Sebastian would make him do. Sebastian just stared at him with a smirk.

"Perform your Single Ladies dance for us."

Kurt stared at him with his mouth open. "Wait, what? How- how do you know that I can do that dance?"

"The internet, killer." Kurt was taken aback as to why Sebastian had been searching him on the internet in the first place but decided to just put on his best diva face and go with it. This wasn't that bad. "I already have the song on my phone. Let's see it." Ok why was he so prepared? Kurt took a deep breath rolled his eyes, muttered "I hate you," and stood up. He really wanted to wipe that smirk off of Sebastian's face.

"Alright, let's get this over with. Sebastian, start the music." Everyone started cheering and Sebastian hit play.

He danced like no one was watching. It was sort of easy because most of his audience were drunk and probably wouldn't remember this performance in the morning. But then there was Sebastian. Who was definitely sober and definitely enjoying this.

What Kurt didn't see was the few times that Sebastian's smirked faltered every time Kurt moved his hips a certain way.

The dance ended and everyone applauded while Kurt curtsied. He heard Rachel give a cat call. The game continued on and the rest of the party was relaxed and chill. Sebastian told stories of the last party that Kurt went to which received a bunch of laughs, even from Rachel.

"Ya know Kurt, maybe I was wrong." Rachel said as she stumbled over to where he was sitting on a bar stool.

"About what?" He asked as he helped steady her with amusement.

"You and Sebastian. You guys are super cute together. You'd be a hot couple." She said in the worst stage whisper he had ever heard. Sebastian, who was sitting next to him, started laughing.

"Rachel, please stop talking." He said as he tried to shush her.

"I didn't like the evil warbler because he was mean and annoying and conniving but he's actually funny and looks at you all cute and stuff and when you guys kissed it was hot. I thought you and Blaine were soulmates but now I don't know, evil warblers getting all cozy with you." Kurt felt like his face was on fire and desperately wanted to put a bag over Rachel's head to keep her drunken mouth from talking.

"Rachel! I will tell you for the hundredth time. Sebastian and I are just friends!" Luckily, Brody came around and pulled Rachel away as she giggled and Kurt sighed in relief. Sebastian however was still laughing.

"Wow, little Streisand's hilarious when she's drunk. At least it makes her like me!" He said in a sing song tone and Kurt gave him his bitchiest glare. "And you are hilarious when you try to be intimidating."

Kurt stuck out his tongue and slid off the bar stool. "Come on Mr. Meerkat, let's round up the children and head home."