Kurt waited patiently as Sam and Dean stared at him, trying to form a response.

Bobby just pointed at them and laughed.

"You know we're together?" Sam asked slowly, obviously attempting to prevaricate for as long as possible.

Kurt frowned. "Was it a secret? If so, you two really need to up your game. I'm fairly certain aliens from the planet Zippotron know you're together. You make cow eyes at Dean all the time and every time you walk away from him, he leers at your ass and adjusts his package."

Dean and Sam continued to stare.

Flames. Flames on the sides of their faces...

"Does it bother you?" Dean asked.

"No," Kurt answered simply, shrugging. "I can't say that I understand your relationship, but I accept it. All that matters is that you love each other, which you obviously do. Anything else is your business."

"But we're brothers," Sam insisted, trying to provoke from Kurt a more passionate response.

Kurt nodded. "You're brothers. You're committing incest. I know these things. What is it you would like for me to say?"

"Aren't you grossed out?" Dean demanded.

"No. I would be disturbed if one of you were female and you weren't practicing safe sex, but you're both men. It's not as though you're going to knock each other up."

He paused. "My entire life I have been judged because of the fact that I'm gay. I never chose it, but neither am I ashamed of it. Two of my best friends are girls who are dating each other; Santana is a lesbian and Brittany is ... well ... Brittany. The boy who is soon to become my stepbrother is a homophobic straight guy who nevertheless insists on holding me as much as possible whenever we meet in the hall."

Dean's eyes darkened with jealousy.

"I know what desire is. I know what love is. You love each other. That's obvious to anyone who sees you together. I can't possibly imagine why that should ever be considered abnormal." He shrugged. "I'm also an atheist, so I don't care what some book written in a desert six thousand years ago has to say about modern life."

"You don't believe in God?" asked a surprised Sam.

"I don't believe in the popular Judeo-Christian conception of what god is. I do believe in the supernatural. I know for a fact that there is existence beyond death, though I don't believe that it's necessarily a reward or governed by an all-loving deity."

Sam nodded slowly. He could understand Kurt's point of view.

"I believe in balance," Kurt continued. "I believe that for every force, there is an equal opposing force. I believe that whatever energy you put out will come back to you. I believe that it's possible gods exist, by which I mean I believe in forces with incredible wells of power at their disposal, though I don't believe they have any particular love or even fondness for humanity."

Dean was depressed at how much sense Kurt was making. He would never describe himself as religious, but always in the back of his mind had lingered a slight belief that someone was watching and keeping score, that there was a point to all the bullshit people had to endure day after day. The idea that there might not be, that the universe was so chaotic and uninterested, that bad things happened to good people for no goddamn reason at all, didn't sit well with him.

"I'm not advocating atheism," Kurt added, as though reading their minds. "I don't even believe in atheism as an organized counterpoint to faith. I think you either have faith or you don't. If you don't, nothing and no one will ever convince you otherwise. If you do have faith, it's your responsibility to nurture it."

He was silent for a long moment. "There are moments I wish I had faith," he finally said, "but I never have. I was never molested by a priest. I didn't turn away from god when my mother died. I don't believe that my attack was resultant to my lack of faith. I just never believed. My friend Quinn is very devout, but she's devout to her belief of what god is to her, not some vengeful father figure who's going to come down and spank you for masturbating too much."

He sighed. "There are times I wish I could experience that kind of devotion. I imagine it's very peaceful and comforting. I know there are loving churches who foster amazing communities of fellowship and sometimes I wish I could be a part of that, but I can't.

"The bottom line is that your relationship isn't harming anyone. I can feel your love for one another and it's beautiful to see." He smiled and shyly ducked his head. "It gives me hope that I might have that for myself one day."

Bobby reached over and patted his nephew's hand.

"You could have that with us," Dean said, ignoring Sam and Bobby's squawks of protest.

Kurt cocked his head and stared at Dean for what felt like hours.

"I'm flattered by your interest," he said frankly. "When I was..." he trailed off, the light in his eyes dimming.

Dean swore under his breath while Sam silently cursed that pack of assholes who had done this to Kurt.

"I knew they had no interest in me. They didn't see me as a person, let alone as a sexual being. It was about power and control with sex as the weapon. It was about killing my spirit more than it was battering my body."

Bobby began trembling with barely-suppressed rage.

"I've never been wanted before," Kurt said in a small voice, "and while I have no problem admitting that you are both gorgeous - and you truly are; you are absolutely beautiful - I am in no way ready even to consider any kind of romantic relationship, let alone one with two men who are brothers and much older and more experienced than I am."

As far as Bobby was concerned, this issue was settled. Kurt wasn't ready and that was the end of it.

Sam was struggling for what to say and kicked Dean's ankle when his brother opened his mouth to speak. He was then stunned by Dean's words.

"We would never pressure you," Dean said gently. "We would never take advantage of you or demand things from you. We understand that you're not ready for a sexual relationship and, as much as we want you, we're not ready for one either. We know you have a lot to work through, Kurt, and we just want to help you. We want to be there for you. Yeah, we'd like more. Eventually. But not right now and not until you're ready. We just..."

"We want to be with you," Sam whispered.

"Why?" Kurt asked. "I'm not a wounded bird. I'm not a fallen hero. I'm not a victim."

"We know that," Dean said, "and we respect how strong you are."

Kurt grunted and looked away. "You don't know me. You don't know what I'm like. I'm a good person, but I'm not a particularly nice one. I'm cold and aloof. I'm arrogant and self-centered. I'm intellectually superior to many people and use it to my advantage. I have no qualms about manipulating people to suit my own ends. I'm cruel with my words and I enjoy it.

"I don't enjoy physical affection. I don't like being touched; I was that way long before the attack and I don't see it changing any time soon. I've never been particularly interested in sex. I have no interest in hunting. I cannot and will not live out of a car. I have plans for my life."

Finally, he shrugged and looked back to them. "It's obvious to me how deeply you're in love with each other. There's no room for me. I have nothing to offer you."

Sam was appalled. "Why do you think we're only interested in you for sex?"

Kurt stared in confusion. "Why else would you be?"

Bobby mumbled under his breath and stood up to get a beer.

Milk, rather. He'd wait for the beer until after Kurt went to bed. He just wasn't up for another well-intentioned lecture.

"It's been made clear to me that I'm not useful for more than that," Kurt continued. "No boy has ever actually liked me. The only interest I've ever garnered is from closeted teachers and jocks who want a side piece who gives blowjobs when their girlfriends have headaches."

"Listing what you think are your faults isn't going to scare us off, Kurt," Dean said quietly as he clenched his fists under the table. He was going to find those assholes who had harassed Kurt and punish them.

Kurt's frown deepened. "I can't do anything for you. I don't even understand why this is an issue." He sighed. "Look, it's sweet that you want protect me. You look at me and see Bobby's abused nephew and want to make things better for me. That's lovely and I appreciate your concern, but I don't need your pity. I may look delicate but I'm a strong person. I'm proud of that strength. I'll get through what those guys did to me. I've been rescuing myself for a long time now. I don't need help."

Dean couldn't believe this shit. Did Kurt really not know how hot he was? Hadn't he ever looked in a mirror? Kurt was cute and sexy. His body was awesome and was only going to get better in the next few years. His utterly perfect ass should be declared a national treasure.

And Kurt was smart. Not just with the books, but with life. He understood people and their motivations. He saw through bullshit with ease. He knew his own mind and made swift choices and judgments. He didn't apologize for his thoughts and feelings. He didn't care what you thought of them or of him.

He was funny. He was acerbic, sarcastic, and extremely quick-witted. He was also kind and gentle and loving.

And that voice. That absolutely gorgeous voice.

Kurt offered an unconvincing yawn and stood up, stretching his arms. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to retire for the evening. There's a book I want to finish and I need to check in with Santana before she decides to storm the gates."

Bobby shuddered at the mention of that she-demon's name.

Kurt nodded at Dean and gave Sam a soft smile. "Thank you for thinking of me. If this were a different time, if certain things hadn't..." he trailed off, shaking his head. "Regardless, I want you both to know that I've enjoyed spending time with you. You're wonderful people and you've given me hope that maybe one day, I can find the kind of love you two share."

He leaned down and kissed Bobby's cheek. "Good night."

"Good night, buddy," Bobby whispered.

As soon as Kurt disappeared, Bobby stood, grabbed a beer, and hurried out the back door, sniffling once and clearing his throat. "See you tomorrow, boys," he said gruffly.

Sam shook his head. "What just happened?"

Dean sighed. "A lot more than what those footballers tried to do to him at the mall. He's been made to feel that he's ugly and unwanted. He doesn't understand how we could possibly have feelings for him, real feelings that don't just revolve around sex."

Sam looked down at the table. "It's not just about protecting him, right? Because it's not only that. Not for me. I love him, Dean, and not just as Bobby's nephew."

Dean forcefully quieted the voice in the back of his head which insisted that Kurt was a better choice for Sam, that Dean should bow out and let them find happiness with each other. Because he couldn't help but feel that it was him to whom Kurt objected. He'd probably flirted too much, made Kurt too uncomfortable, reminded him of those who just wanted to use him.

Sam was Kurt's intellectual equal. They got each other on levels Dean would never understand. It had been pretty obvious these past weeks that Kurt gravitated toward Sam much more than he did Dean. Kurt was defensive and sarcastic with Dean; with Sam, Kurt was quiet and gave gentle smiles.

He snapped out of his thoughts when Sam rested his hand on his shoulder. "What do we do? I don't want this to be the end. We haven't even had a chance to begin with him."

Dean sighed. "Sammy, you're better for him than I am."

Sam flinched. "Shut up."

"It's true and you know it."

"I don't. My feelings for Kurt aside, I love you, Dean. I want to be with you until the day I die and for whatever comes after that. I love Kurt, yeah, and I'd like to be a part of his life - I know that you do, too - but I can live without him. I don't necessarily want to, but I can. I can't live without you."

Dean ran his tongue over his lower lip, stood up, and grabbed Sam, throwing him against the wall. He raced toward his brother and pinned him to where he stood before burying his face in Sam's neck.

Sam's head fell back and he groaned with desire as his eyes closed. "Dean," he murmured.

"I want you so fucking much, Sammy. I want you all the time."

Sam bit his lip, his even white teeth gleaming underneath the fluorescent lights of the kitchen. "Then take me."

Dean pulled back, chest heaving, breath coming in short spurts. "Don't start something you won't finish, Sam," he growled.

Sam smirked, reached out, and ripped Dean's shirt open before reaching for his brother belt. "It's my turn. I'm already prepared."

Dean's eyes darkened with lust. "What do you want me to do, Sammy? What do you need?"

Sam's eyes darkened in tandem. "I want you to fuck me against this wall. I want it to vibrate with every thrust. I want you to fuck me until I lose all coherency and am unable to do anything but babble your name. That's what I want. That's what I need."

Dean grunted, spun Sam around and yanked down his jeans, before quickly pushing himself inside. They both groaned at the sudden invasion, Sam hissing his pleasure as Dean established a frenetic rhythm before reaching around to fist Sam's cock in time with his thrusts.

"Oh, fuck," Sam moaned. "Do it quick, Dean, before Bobby comes back. Do it fast and hard. Make me feel every inch."

"Jesus, Sammy," Dean muttered. "I fucking love it when you curse."

Sam smirked and looked over his shoulder. "Oh, yeah? Then how's this? As soon as you shoot your hot load in my tight ass, I'm going to take you upstairs and blow you until your lose consciousness. Then I'll wake you up by fucking you into oblivion."

Dean groaned and increased his speed. "Promises, promises." He shuddered. "Christ, Sam, you're so fucking tight. How are you always so tight? You feel so good." He reached forward with his other hand, grabbing Sam's own and intertwining their fingers. He rested his forehead on Sam's shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Sam replied with no hesitation. "I'm so close, Dean, so fucking close. Faster. Please?"

Dean moaned at how fucking wreaked Sam sounded. "Almost there. I'm almost there, baby, and then you can return the favor," he panted into Sam's ear.

"Don't lower your voice on my account," Sam whispered. "I want Kurt to hear us."

"W-What?"

"Don't let on, but he's watching us."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. He's scared, but he's interested. So let's show him that sex can be animalistic and still loving. Let's give him something to think about."

Dean abruptly withdrew, turned Sam around, and pressed him closer against the wall. Sam kicked off his jeans and wrapped his legs around Dean's waist.

"I need you back inside me," Sam begged.

Dean immediately complied and they both groaned with pleasure. He placed his forehead against Sam's own. "I love you, Sam. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," Sam said. He leaned down and captured Dean's mouth with his own.

Kissing Dean was one of his most favorite things, even more than the sex. Dean's mouth was so amazing and while Sam was always happy to keep it occupied, the kissing ... that's when Dean's feelings came through loud and clear. Their sex was usually hurried and ungentle; their need to be satiated was always so desperate. They liked it quick and dirty more than they did slow and loving, though they enjoyed that, as well.

But the kissing ...

Dean could really kiss, and when he did, he poured his heart and soul into it. Sam could come just from Dean's kisses alone.

Now all they needed to do was engineer an opportunity for Dean to kiss Kurt. Sam was pretty sure that, after that, Kurt would take care of the rest.

Kurt stood just outside the kitchen door in a sliver of shadow, jaws agape.

He had backtracked to grab a bottle of water, but the moment Uncle Bobby had stepped outside, Sam and Dean were just all over each other.

He leaned his head against the jamb. They were beautiful. They were so beautiful, and even more so together. They loved each other so much it was obvious just from a glance, but to see them like this...

Kurt tried to ignore the stirring in his pants. He knew it was wrong to be watching them like this. No matter what they might have felt for him, he hadn't been invited to witness their intimacy.

But Dean's panting and Sam's whimpers and the frantic coupling and the languid kissing ...

He wanted that for himself one day. He wanted it so badly.

And no matter what he had said, no matter how he had tried to convince himself otherwise, he wanted it with Sam and Dean.