Fic: Great Romances of the 21st Century (College AU) (6/9b)
Title: Great Romances of the 21st Century (College AU) (6/9b)
Rating (overall): NC-17 (NC-17 for this chapter finally!)
Spoilers: Mentions up to 2x15
Warnings (overall): College AU, major Klaine, some Kurt/Warbler Nick, Jeff/Nick, strong language, sex, blow-jobs, dirty talk, masturbation, underage drinking, angst
Word Count for this chapter: 4,834
Summary: Kurt and Blaine have always just been friends. Now, they have graduated high school from McKinley and are roommates in college. When Kurt finds a new love interest (Nick), Blaine thinks he might now be falling in love with his best friend at the wrong time. What does he do? He starts writing a book entitled Great Romances of the 21st Century.
Chapter Summary: Rachel, Mercedes, and Jeff come to visit the boys. There's a party and drunkenness. Something bad happens between two people. Vague summary is vague.
A/N: Kind of a sequel to One-Eighty By Summer, but you don't need to read it to be able to understand this. That's just a slight background story for this one.
And a very special thanks to my beta, teaboytoaliens, who brightens my days and *insert amazing adjectives.*
Also, a great new welcome to star55 who has also decided to help make my grammar/ideas not suck! Lots of love to both of you bbs.
Songs to consider for this chapter:
"Liquor Love" by Jason Derulo for the party. (Don't judge.)
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5
Kurt really likes thinking about Nick.
He was just one of those "I really appreciate images of you circulating in my mind" kind of guys.
Like right now, Kurt's hips are bucking up off the bed as he thinks about Nick's cock deep inside of him. Just a normal day of masturbation.
Kurt's hand is skillfully wrapped around his own cock as he pumps his hand to the rhythm of Nick's thrusts in his head.
Of course, Nick is a lot gentler of a lover in real life, but Kurt was running out of time to jack-off. He needed to come quickly before--
"Kurt! Dinner's ready!"
--Before Finn called from the bottom of the stairs to tell him to come eat.
What. The. Fuck.
Kurt cursed under his breath, calling out as calmly as possible, "Be down in a second!"
He quickly sped up his motions, trying to re-account any sound or feeling that did him in the last time him and Nick had sex.
But they weren't together anymore. Kurt hated not being Nick's boyfriend. Or really, he hated not having someone to have sex with.
The last time he talked to Nick was before Thanksgiving break, and Nick had said that they were better off as friends until Kurt worked his business out with Blaine.
Oh, yeah. Blaine.
Sometimes, Kurt's mind hated him.
So much that it really liked to fuck with him or just really liked Kurt thinking about Blaine.
Far too much.
Blaine's dick. What did it look like? How thick was it? What would it feel like in Kurt's hand fully erect?
Kurt has seen Blaine's happy trail numerous times on account of how Blaine keeps his shirt off as much as he has it on.
And he likes the contrast with their bodies.
While Blaine has darker and warm skin, Kurt is smooth, pale, and creamy colored.
Kurt has barely any body hair, while Blaine's leg and arm hair could classify him as a member of the gorilla family.
Or whatever the proper classification term is, Blaine is it. Yes.
The point is that Kurt thinks Blaine is hot as fuck. His mind thinks so anyway. Kurt isn't sure why.
He isn't sure why an up-close image of Blaine's dick in his brain makes his cock twitch.
He isn't sure why imagining Blaine say, "Take it, baby," has him on edge.
Really, self? Unoriginal dirty talk is okay?
But somehow it's enough to make Kurt's back involuntarily arch off the bed and make him come all over his sheets and stomach.
Fuck dammit.
----
Kurt heads down the stairs after he has changed his pants that he'd kicked off in a hurry when his imagination had gotten intense.
By now he was sure his dad literally thought Kurt had taken him seriously by "waiting 'til you turn 30" to enjoy sex.
What his dad didn't know wouldn't hurt him though.
He sits down at the table, smiling awkwardly at his family.
What? They expected a sexually deprived teenage boy not to jack off before dinner on his second day of break? Yeah, right.
"How's Blaine? Are you two doin' okay not being roommates these last couple days?" Burt asks as he puts left-over mashed potatoes on his plate.
Kurt laughs politely, "Yeah, it's a little weird, but we're fine. I've seen enough of him these last few months anyway, ha ha..."
No, I haven't. I haven't seen his dick.
List of Things To Do: See Blaine's cock.
Fuck everything else.
----
So, they haven't talked since they finished packing for break on the Wednesday that Kurt had stormed out of the room.
He was still pissed at Blaine for deciding out of the blue that he wanted to be with him.
It didn't mean he didn't want him though.
But really, Blaine couldn't expect to have Kurt that easily. If he really liked him now, honestly wanted to fuck Kurt's brains out, then he needed to show him that he loved him. More.
~*~
"I don't know, Rachel, I kind of violated him. He only texted me back once the entire break."
It's a week later, and Rachel and Mercedes have come to visit Kurt and Blaine. Kurt is busy showing Mercedes around campus and main street, but Blaine has summoned Rachel to his dorm to talk about boys.
It's much needed.
Rachel is in a flower-patterned dress that would normally be ridiculous on any other person in late fall, but somehow Blaine thinks Rachel's flowery purple dress and black leggings works for her.
He's glad that Cali hasn't changed his friend's fashion sense yet.
"Well, would you like to know what I think, Blaine? You need to violate him more. Mhm. He'll come around, Kurt always was a bit like me."
"Are you saying that you'll eventually hook up with a guy if he creeps on you long enough?" Blaine says, folding his legs on his bed to comfortably sit down next to her.
Rachel rolls her eyes. "No. I'm just saying that you need to put yourself out there more! Show him you like him. He's been waiting an awful long time for this, Blaine, and you deciding out of the blue that you want him really isn't something Kurt can trust. Show him you mean it."
Blaine sighs, "yeah, I guess I will. So, anyway, how's UCLA? I would have asked Finn if Kurt would have invited me over his house over break, but you know..."
She smiles and Blaine can tell she's beaming. "We're great, actually, really great. About a week ago, I bumped into Jesse at a party, and he definitely wanted to know how I was, but I quickly let him know I was happy with Finn. It was great, Blaine. So great. And that's how you and Kurt should be!"
"Rubbing in our happiness to get back at ex-boyfriends?"
"Hey! And no, you two should be happy. Why not? You're best friends."
That was true. Why was Kurt still mad at him? All he did was want him now. They should make-up.
He looks over at the dark brunette sitting across from him and shakes his hand on her foot in excitement. "Tonight we have to be awesome!"
~*~
Nick is done with Kurt. He doesn't need to smile over his texts or wish he could kiss him when he sees him anymore.
No, it really sucks. Nick really wishes he didn't still like Kurt. It doesn't do himself any good to think about a guy that isn't thinking about him back.
Nick is such a heartthrob. Since when did he have to be the one to pine? And fuck, it's cold!
However, then he remembers why he's freezing in the parking lot nearest to the campus dorms on this late November afternoon. Jeff is supposed to be here any minute to see him.
His bromantic-best friend that probably still has a small crush on him.
Nick can't wait to see the goofy smiling blond haired boy and spend time with him for the next two nights. They used to only be able to talk about Warbler business and whatever episode of South Park was on the night before, but their friendship had taken a turn for the better in their last year of Dalton.
Jeff had built up the strength to tell Nick that he thought he liked him more than just a friend, but to Jeff's shock, Nick had then come out to Jeff without saying he felt the same way.
He just didn't like Jeff like that. He was his best friend.
And Nick didn't understand why everyone made his sexuality such a big deal. They went to Dalton--a place of acceptance. He didn't think he had to tell anybody he was gay; he was there for school. What he did on his own time was his business unless he wanted to tell someone close to him, right?
He thought it was weird when Kurt acted baffled for days after finding out Nick was gay.
"Why didn't you try to hang out with Blaine and I ever? We could have you know... been your support system or something."
Why the hell would he say that? Nick didn't need a support system. He had friends and his family loved him no matter what. Sure, his parents didn't like that he was going to school to be a professional photographer, but Nick had the money. He could afford to fuck up and change career paths later in life if he wanted to.
Maybe it just sucked that life really did feel that easy for him.
He'd gone to good schools, gotten the boys that he wanted, and even had the opportunity to go to college for something he loved.
It bothered him now that he didn't have Kurt right now.
Though it had been his decision to break it off.
If Nick were to be honest with himself right now, he'd know that he only let Kurt go because he saw Kurt was going to break up with him in the near future. And Nick Owens would never be the one to be dumped. He liked to be right and to be in control.
He liked having it easy, and the fact that Kurt Hummel was on his mind 24/7 didn't help him any. Maybe Jeff would help.
----
Nick first spots Jeff's blond hair walking between rows of cars. Soon he feels his phone vibrating in his pocket, and he smiles to see Jeff's name on the caller ID.
"Yo, dude, I see you, just keep walking towards the flag posts."
Jeff's dressed in a white three-quarter length sleeved baseball shirt with blue sleeves. He's taller than he was at the end of summer, possibly even taller than Nick now.
Nick's not sure if he likes that. He likes being taller than the boys he fucks.
Even though Kurt's taller.
That's okay though, because Kurt's body is perfect, but now he can't worship it, and that's possibly why Nick feels so bitter at the moment.
But that's okay. He's got Jeff. His best friend.
Indeed.
Any jealous thoughts of Jeff's growth spurt are erased when Nick sees that familiar goofy grin on the floppy-haired boys face, getting immediately squeezed into a big hug.
He watches as Jeff steps back to let him breathe and then grins back at him, using a hand to ruffle Jeff's hair like he was so fond of doing all summer. I missed this.
Jeff smiles and adjusts his backpack strap that is hanging off only one of his shoulders. He asks Nick if they can go inside since it's really cold out, so they do.
"So, how's it with Kurt?" Jeff asks, standing by Nick's bedroom door, looking over at Nick on his bed.
"I broke up with him last Wednesday. We're still good, but just friends."
Jeff would be lying terribly if he said that the news didn't make his heart dance happily in circles for a few moments. He was really just happy to know that Nick was single doing alright. Yeppers peppers.
Nick smiles and pats his bed down for Jeff to sit down next to him, causing the lighter haired boy to blush slightly.
He sees Jeff smiling and trying to act like sitting on Nick's bed is nothing, but of course it does mean something to him.
Nick just wishes he could see Jeff that way, but he can't yet.
Jeff's his cute friend but just his friend.
"Hey, why don't you sleep? You just drove like three hours, dude. We'll party later tonight."
As Jeff naps, Nick goes to find Blaine. He needs to convince himself that Blaine is right for Kurt more than Nick is.
----
He texts Blaine, asking to meet him in the workout center of the campus gym.
"Hey," Blaine says unenthusiastically when he gets there, wearing a dark blue hoodie and black basketball shorts.
Comfy and casual, Blaine Anderson. I see what you're doing.
He gets right into the conversation, not wanting to leave Jeff alone for too long. He's like a puppy. He'll cry if he wakes up and you're not there to pet him.
"Did you and Kurt talk yet?"
Blaine stares at him, but then just shrugs off whatever annoyed thoughts he may have had. "No, he still likes you, I think."
Yeah, because that's obviously the truth...
Both boys recognize the tension and just let small talk guide them through a few minutes of conversation. Finally, realizing Blaine isn't going to help him if he doesn't push him, Nick asks:
"What made you start liking him?"
"Kurt?"
"No, Brad Pitt."
Blaine smirks, acting more relaxed. "Oh, well, obviously Fight Club did it for me. I'm also a big Edward Norton fan. They compliment each other well in that movie, don'tcha think?"
He breathes in slowly though, letting Nick know he's actually going to answer his question soon.
Blaine sighs. "He's my best friend. There are a million things I could tell you about Kurt that make me continue to love him on a daily basis, but really, I don't know. We just got to college, and then it was around the time that he started liking you that I realized how nice it would be to actually be with him. Sorry about the timing, but like, I really do love him. The only difference now is that I want him. A lot. Sorry."
No "he has the prettiest eyes I've ever seen?" No "the Earth shook, but I stood still as he crossed my path?"
Yeah, really great, Blaine. You're so articulate. Kurt's going to be swooned so hard by your fucking basketball shorts.
Jerk.
"Oh, I see. That's cool. See you tonight."
Dammit.
~*~
As usual, hanging out in the workout room has its perks since Nick has managed to find out about this weekend's cool parties. They're at a frat house that's a few blocks from the campus, but there's enough people not from the frat that Blaine, Kurt, Mercedes, Rachel, and Jeff can feel comfortable.
They pre-gamed at Nick's dorm, Rachel and Blaine being the easiest to get drunk.
Kurt and Mercedes share a fifth that Mercedes got from her cousin before coming down to see Kurt.
Jeff had bro-chilled with Nick's roommate enough in the previous hour to get two mixed drinks for free.
An hour passes and Kurt's leaning on Rachel, trying to get to the wall so he can stand up straight.
"I DON'T WANT TO GET DRUNK, RACHEL. I DON'T WANT TO GET ANY MORE DRUNK."
Blaine's a little buzzed, but he's trying to take his time in getting drunk. Right now, he and Mercedes are the undisputed champions of beer pong (having won 4 times in a row so far).
He hugs her, knowing that in the past he and Mercedes have had some tension (what with Blaine technically stealing her role as Kurt's best friend.)
She leans into him, smiling like the happy drunk she is. "Why aren't you trying to mack on my boy right now?"
Blaine giggles and leans his head on her shoulder as they wait for the defeated team to switch with their fifth competitors. "I can't afford to get too sloppy! I'm still trying to impress him!"
Mercedes rolls her eyes and tells Blaine she's going to go talk to the "blond Warbler boy that should have had all the solos instead of your dapper butt."
As the drunkenness wears on, Rachel drunk dials Finn to tell him how much she loves him, Mercedes keeps telling Jeff how precious all the Warblers were, and in the midst of the crowd, Kurt sees Blaine and has had enough with waiting to talk.
He's drunk. Let's party.
"Blaine," Kurt says as composed as possible. His insides feels like they're buzzing and when he goes to rest his hand on Blaine's arm, his skin feels tingly all over.
Sex. Me. You. Now. I'm drunk.
"Hey," Blaine's breathe hitches as he watches Kurt's hand drift from his arm to his hip. The guy that Blaine was talking to walks away, obviously not occupying any part of Blaine's attention anymore.
Kurt laughs a little, inwardly congratulating himself for making Blaine look so interested in him all of the sudden. His fingers play with the fringe on Blaine's shirt, lightly feeling Blaine's stomach underneath the fabric.
"Come talk with me, we neeeed to talk..."
Kurt can't help but smirk wildly as he guides Blaine over to an empty couch in the corner of the frat house, the rest of the crowd dancing or too busy trying to take advantage of the free keg.
I'm going to finally make out with you, and it will be me who's in control and not you. For once.
Nick sees Blaine sit on the couch followed by a drunken Kurt straddling his waist.
He'd be lying if he said it didn't suck to see Kurt enjoying another guy. Even if it was Blaine, and apparently Blaine was his Romeo.
Kurt's short knight in shining armor didn't worship Kurt's body as much as Nick had planned to. Blaine fucking doesn't know how much Nick liked him. This fucking sucks.
He notices Jeff standing off by the beer pong table, but smirks when Jeff instinctively turns around when he feels Nick staring at him. He smiles a little shyly and gives him an exaggerated "Yeahhh! We're at a college party!" face.
Fuck it. I'm doing it.
He goes over and quickly grabs Jeff's hand, letting the alcohol and boyish urges drag Jeff to the wall and kisses him gently on the lips.
He wants to kiss him hard, but no. Evil Nick knows that Jeff would know something was up if he randomly decided to start grinding on him and kissing him hard on the mouth. He needs to play this just right.
Jeff pulls back, looking at Nick with what looks like concern for a few moments. When Nick smiles and leans in close again, Jeff just ducks his head down and blushes. Then he stares back at his best friend.
"Nick, what's this?" He's smiling, trying not to lean into him anymore than he is.
Nick smells really good. He always does.
And Jeff's heart is beating extremely fast, and he can no longer hear the music. All of his senses are relying on Nick to explain or talk or kiss me again, please, please, please! I'm ready this time, I think!
Nick smirks and pulls Jeff closer to him. "Hey, I think tonight's a great night to talk about us. Do you want to follow me back to my room right now?"
Death is an understatement for Jeff.
He really can't believe this is happening. Nick is actually considering him as something more than a friend, and holy-shit-his-lips-were-better-than-he-thought-they'd-be.
It would be sad to anyone that knew Evil Nick's intentions, but Nick is drunk. And Kurt is making out with someone that isn't Nick.
And Jeff is cute and nice and his best friend.
And Kurt is making out with someone that isn't Nick.
And Nick wants sex--wants to take something that he probably shouldn't.
Wants to regret something that he'll really regret.
And Kurt's making out with Blaine.
Jeff is here.
"There's something 'bout that liquor love."
~*~
Blaine is so sexy right now.
Both Kurt and Blaine claim to be obliterated (in reality they're both maybe only a little tipsy still).
Kurt's grinding down on him, his fingers gently finding their stay in Blaine's curls. They kissed once when Kurt first straddled his thighs, but now they're just staring at each other in a slightly drunken haze.
Kurt presses himself down further on the boy beneath him, leaning his mouth to Blaine's ear and tightening his grip on his hair. He smirks softly when he feels Blaine's hand rest on his lower back, dangerously close to grabbing his ass.
He starts sucking on Blaine's ear lightly, laughing inwardly. "Mmmm, I want you to fuck me tonight, okay, baby?"
Blaine moans softly and pulls Kurt's face back to kiss him hard on the mouth, sucking in Kurt's bottom lip.
Kurt's almost one-hundred percent serious now about letting Blaine do anything he wants to him tonight, but Blaine's still a virgin, and even a drunk Kurt knows that things should not go down that way. Not for his best friend.
His best friend that is grinding up on him and making his lips deliciously red and numb. It's so cool.
----
Rachel and Mercedes had previously crashed out on the floor around 3am along with most of the party, but after Kurt has managed to make Blaine semi-hard on the couch, they get up in search of their friends.
They wake the girls since they know they'd feel bad leaving them there in case some random douches tried to take advantage of them.
The initial plan is to get Rachel and Mercedes to sleep in Blaine's bed so Kurt and Blaine can experiment in Kurt's, but then the girls complain, insisting that "WE WANT OUR BOYS. WARBLER BLAINE, YOU COME CUDDLE ME NOW OR ELSE. MERCEDES WANTS YOU, TOO, KURT."
Mission Epic Cock-Block is a go. Fuck drunk bitches.
After Mercedes has passed out (it doesn't take too long), Kurt texts Blaine something he considers to be quite suggestive.
This sucvks. You knnow whaqt I wish I could suck rigtht now?
Wht? My face?
mmmmm maybe. maaybe something more exciiting? sometghing i've nevr seen befroe?
That's a shame. We shuold chaneg that. Obviously you're more drunk than me tho. We can tmrrw.
"Okay..." Kurt whispers across the room.
Blaine smiles, putting his phone back on his night stand, feeling Rachel hit him in her sleep.
Tomorrow is going to beat all morrows.
~*~
They act normal and friendly, pretending to not be planning anything for after Rachel and Mercedes leave.
Turns out alcohol did have them a bit under the influence. They're both feeling a little awkward, not sure how they should talk about the night before.
So, like any great gentlemen would, they'll ignore what they said and erase their texts from their inboxes and memories until they are by themselves. Emotional aspects be damned until then.
After Rachel and Mercedes leave and hugs and kisses are exchanged, Kurt and Blaine quickly make it back up to their dorm to talk.
As soon as the door shuts, they stare at each for a moment before they both burst out into an awkward laugh.
"So, you're okay with me liking you now?" Blaine asks, not sure how else to word his thoughts.
Kurt's kind of bummed that his "tease him until he cries" routine didn't fall through, but he honestly could not deny Blaine any longer than right at this moment.
He thinks he can have him for real this time. It's a strange and new thought, but all the more thrilling.
Kurt nods. "I think we should just get right to it and then back track. Let's make this clear now: I want you to take me on a nice fucking date, and I'm still bitter for you waiting this long to finally like me, and I'm sure I have some other insecurities building up around that, but right now, I want to see your cock, and I want to suck it. Are we clear?"
Omgomgcool. "Yes. Crystal."
Kurt smiles nervously now, dragging his best friend over to Blaine's bed since "I am NOT getting any of your man juice on my comforter. You've got to be fucking nuts."
They were going to have Blaine rest his back against the headboard, but then both boys decided it'd be easier if Blaine just sat at the edge of his bed and had Kurt kneel on the ground.
Kurt would have felt like he was in a porno if it weren't for both of them awkwardly saying dirty things to each other to lighten up the very real situation that Kurt fucking Hummel was about to suck his asshole of a best friend's dick. Finally.
----
Looking at it for the first time is weird yet absolutely astounding to Kurt.
Here is Blaine's cock, hard and throbbing, all up in Kurt's hand and face, and then there's Blaine--his best friend, his partner in crime for all these years, the guy he liked, the guy he fucking loved, that he now had moaning softly above him and encouraging Kurt to affect him in such pleasurable ways.
Hot Weird. So hot.
Kurt was going to tell Blaine not to touch his hair, but he decides now that he wants to know how Blaine acts when he's extremely turned on. How will he handle everything when left to his own rules and urges?
He kisses the tip of Blaine's cock, enjoying the way it causes the boy above him to stiffen a little and lean forward. He takes him into his mouth slowly, already remembering that he wants to remember how Blaine feels in his mouth and how he tastes. Kurt rubs his thigh with one hand and uses the other to steady his mouth further onto Blaine's cock, feeling the boy above him getting harder.
Kurt smirks to himself when he sees Blaine's hands clutching the edges of the comforter from the corner of his eyes. Kurt's pretty sure Blaine's knuckles are white, and he's surprised to not be hearing any noises from the boy yet.
He swirls his tongue around the head, taking him in his mouth as far as he can and using his hand to pump the rest. Even though Nick said he shouldn't try to moan when he's sucking cock "because I think you're trying to talk to me, and then I'm curious as to what you're saying," Kurt believes that Blaine will understand better than Nick. He should anyway.
Blaine feels the vibration of Kurt's soft moan around his cock and it feels great, and he wants to come in his mouth, wants Kurt to taste him and look up at him with lust-filled eyes so he knows they can do this again and again.
He has this wild idea suddenly that Kurt actually likes getting his hair pulled on, so he wraps the fingers from one hand and forces Kurt's mouth almost all the way off his cock.
At this point, Kurt is forced to look up at Blaine and holyfuckingshit runs through Kurt's head when he sees Blaine staring down at him with large, lust-filled eyes that Kurt didn't even know he had.
Blaine moans softly as Kurt continues to suck on the head of his cock, acting like he wants his hair to be released so he can finish what he started.
Blaine forces Kurt's mouth back down on him and in a few minutes sees white light behind closed eyelids and feels his body tighten and then slowly relax.
I expect mine in the morning, jackass.
I mean, Blaine.
Not jackass anymore.
...Maybe.
~*~
The next morning, Blaine had to get up early to help some kid fix his film project, the mother fucker doesn't want to take turns, and Kurt decides that he should just try to catch Jeff before he leaves then.
He really liked the cute blond boy. He knew that Jeff liked Nick so it was a little awkward possibly, but he wanted to at least say goodbye.
When he gets to the parking lot he sees Nick already kissing Jeff goodbye.
Wait, WHAT?
Jeff's back is leaning against his car as Nick's hand is placed to the side of Jeff's head, Nick's body pressing itself lightly on Jeff's.
Kurt can see even from this distance that the blond haired boy is blushing and smiling, trying to playfully open his door, but Nick won't let him just yet.
Nick finally opens the car door for Jeff and closes it when Jeff's inside, motioning for him to open the window so Nick can kiss him goodbye one last time.
Kurt doesn't feel jealous, he just knows he kind of is.
Though, he likes what he and Blaine are up to. He feels good about it. As long as Blaine doesn't become a chicken shit and ask to go back to being 5 in order to show a boy that he likes him by chasing him around the playground.
"So, you guys are together now, hmm?" Kurt says curiously as Nick walks over to him after Jeff has left.
Kurt notices that the brunette boy isn't smiling, in fact, his face is kind of expressionless compared to what it was a minute ago when Jeff was still in his car.
Nick stops in front of Kurt, staring at him blankly. "No. But I took his virginity."
Kurt furrows his eyebrows and tilts his head to the side, giving Nick a very confused look that is quickly forming into something close to being considered anger.
"Why? What the fuck? Why'd you do that then?"
"Because I could."
Chapter 7a
----
DUN DUN DUN.
But shameless Niff promotion in chaptered Klaine-centric fic is shameless.
So, as you may have noticed, there are only three chapters left. I've added in a few of the suggestions that you guys have asked for, so do not fret! It's not over yet :) (And I haven't written them yet, but all the outlines are done, so I'll try to have the next one up sooner than the last!)
Rating (overall): NC-17 (NC-17 for this chapter finally!)
Spoilers: Mentions up to 2x15
Warnings (overall): College AU, major Klaine, some Kurt/Warbler Nick, Jeff/Nick, strong language, sex, blow-jobs, dirty talk, masturbation, underage drinking, angst
Word Count for this chapter: 4,834
Summary: Kurt and Blaine have always just been friends. Now, they have graduated high school from McKinley and are roommates in college. When Kurt finds a new love interest (Nick), Blaine thinks he might now be falling in love with his best friend at the wrong time. What does he do? He starts writing a book entitled Great Romances of the 21st Century.
Chapter Summary: Rachel, Mercedes, and Jeff come to visit the boys. There's a party and drunkenness. Something bad happens between two people. Vague summary is vague.
A/N: Kind of a sequel to One-Eighty By Summer, but you don't need to read it to be able to understand this. That's just a slight background story for this one.
And a very special thanks to my beta, teaboytoaliens, who brightens my days and *insert amazing adjectives.*
Also, a great new welcome to star55 who has also decided to help make my grammar/ideas not suck! Lots of love to both of you bbs.
Songs to consider for this chapter:
"Liquor Love" by Jason Derulo for the party. (Don't judge.)
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5
Kurt really likes thinking about Nick.
He was just one of those "I really appreciate images of you circulating in my mind" kind of guys.
Like right now, Kurt's hips are bucking up off the bed as he thinks about Nick's cock deep inside of him. Just a normal day of masturbation.
Kurt's hand is skillfully wrapped around his own cock as he pumps his hand to the rhythm of Nick's thrusts in his head.
Of course, Nick is a lot gentler of a lover in real life, but Kurt was running out of time to jack-off. He needed to come quickly before--
"Kurt! Dinner's ready!"
--Before Finn called from the bottom of the stairs to tell him to come eat.
What. The. Fuck.
Kurt cursed under his breath, calling out as calmly as possible, "Be down in a second!"
He quickly sped up his motions, trying to re-account any sound or feeling that did him in the last time him and Nick had sex.
But they weren't together anymore. Kurt hated not being Nick's boyfriend. Or really, he hated not having someone to have sex with.
The last time he talked to Nick was before Thanksgiving break, and Nick had said that they were better off as friends until Kurt worked his business out with Blaine.
Oh, yeah. Blaine.
Sometimes, Kurt's mind hated him.
So much that it really liked to fuck with him or just really liked Kurt thinking about Blaine.
Far too much.
Blaine's dick. What did it look like? How thick was it? What would it feel like in Kurt's hand fully erect?
Kurt has seen Blaine's happy trail numerous times on account of how Blaine keeps his shirt off as much as he has it on.
And he likes the contrast with their bodies.
While Blaine has darker and warm skin, Kurt is smooth, pale, and creamy colored.
Kurt has barely any body hair, while Blaine's leg and arm hair could classify him as a member of the gorilla family.
Or whatever the proper classification term is, Blaine is it. Yes.
The point is that Kurt thinks Blaine is hot as fuck. His mind thinks so anyway. Kurt isn't sure why.
He isn't sure why an up-close image of Blaine's dick in his brain makes his cock twitch.
He isn't sure why imagining Blaine say, "Take it, baby," has him on edge.
Really, self? Unoriginal dirty talk is okay?
But somehow it's enough to make Kurt's back involuntarily arch off the bed and make him come all over his sheets and stomach.
Fuck dammit.
----
Kurt heads down the stairs after he has changed his pants that he'd kicked off in a hurry when his imagination had gotten intense.
By now he was sure his dad literally thought Kurt had taken him seriously by "waiting 'til you turn 30" to enjoy sex.
What his dad didn't know wouldn't hurt him though.
He sits down at the table, smiling awkwardly at his family.
What? They expected a sexually deprived teenage boy not to jack off before dinner on his second day of break? Yeah, right.
"How's Blaine? Are you two doin' okay not being roommates these last couple days?" Burt asks as he puts left-over mashed potatoes on his plate.
Kurt laughs politely, "Yeah, it's a little weird, but we're fine. I've seen enough of him these last few months anyway, ha ha..."
No, I haven't. I haven't seen his dick.
List of Things To Do: See Blaine's cock.
Fuck everything else.
----
So, they haven't talked since they finished packing for break on the Wednesday that Kurt had stormed out of the room.
He was still pissed at Blaine for deciding out of the blue that he wanted to be with him.
It didn't mean he didn't want him though.
But really, Blaine couldn't expect to have Kurt that easily. If he really liked him now, honestly wanted to fuck Kurt's brains out, then he needed to show him that he loved him. More.
~*~
"I don't know, Rachel, I kind of violated him. He only texted me back once the entire break."
It's a week later, and Rachel and Mercedes have come to visit Kurt and Blaine. Kurt is busy showing Mercedes around campus and main street, but Blaine has summoned Rachel to his dorm to talk about boys.
It's much needed.
Rachel is in a flower-patterned dress that would normally be ridiculous on any other person in late fall, but somehow Blaine thinks Rachel's flowery purple dress and black leggings works for her.
He's glad that Cali hasn't changed his friend's fashion sense yet.
"Well, would you like to know what I think, Blaine? You need to violate him more. Mhm. He'll come around, Kurt always was a bit like me."
"Are you saying that you'll eventually hook up with a guy if he creeps on you long enough?" Blaine says, folding his legs on his bed to comfortably sit down next to her.
Rachel rolls her eyes. "No. I'm just saying that you need to put yourself out there more! Show him you like him. He's been waiting an awful long time for this, Blaine, and you deciding out of the blue that you want him really isn't something Kurt can trust. Show him you mean it."
Blaine sighs, "yeah, I guess I will. So, anyway, how's UCLA? I would have asked Finn if Kurt would have invited me over his house over break, but you know..."
She smiles and Blaine can tell she's beaming. "We're great, actually, really great. About a week ago, I bumped into Jesse at a party, and he definitely wanted to know how I was, but I quickly let him know I was happy with Finn. It was great, Blaine. So great. And that's how you and Kurt should be!"
"Rubbing in our happiness to get back at ex-boyfriends?"
"Hey! And no, you two should be happy. Why not? You're best friends."
That was true. Why was Kurt still mad at him? All he did was want him now. They should make-up.
He looks over at the dark brunette sitting across from him and shakes his hand on her foot in excitement. "Tonight we have to be awesome!"
~*~
Nick is done with Kurt. He doesn't need to smile over his texts or wish he could kiss him when he sees him anymore.
No, it really sucks. Nick really wishes he didn't still like Kurt. It doesn't do himself any good to think about a guy that isn't thinking about him back.
Nick is such a heartthrob. Since when did he have to be the one to pine? And fuck, it's cold!
However, then he remembers why he's freezing in the parking lot nearest to the campus dorms on this late November afternoon. Jeff is supposed to be here any minute to see him.
His bromantic-best friend that probably still has a small crush on him.
Nick can't wait to see the goofy smiling blond haired boy and spend time with him for the next two nights. They used to only be able to talk about Warbler business and whatever episode of South Park was on the night before, but their friendship had taken a turn for the better in their last year of Dalton.
Jeff had built up the strength to tell Nick that he thought he liked him more than just a friend, but to Jeff's shock, Nick had then come out to Jeff without saying he felt the same way.
He just didn't like Jeff like that. He was his best friend.
And Nick didn't understand why everyone made his sexuality such a big deal. They went to Dalton--a place of acceptance. He didn't think he had to tell anybody he was gay; he was there for school. What he did on his own time was his business unless he wanted to tell someone close to him, right?
He thought it was weird when Kurt acted baffled for days after finding out Nick was gay.
"Why didn't you try to hang out with Blaine and I ever? We could have you know... been your support system or something."
Why the hell would he say that? Nick didn't need a support system. He had friends and his family loved him no matter what. Sure, his parents didn't like that he was going to school to be a professional photographer, but Nick had the money. He could afford to fuck up and change career paths later in life if he wanted to.
Maybe it just sucked that life really did feel that easy for him.
He'd gone to good schools, gotten the boys that he wanted, and even had the opportunity to go to college for something he loved.
It bothered him now that he didn't have Kurt right now.
Though it had been his decision to break it off.
If Nick were to be honest with himself right now, he'd know that he only let Kurt go because he saw Kurt was going to break up with him in the near future. And Nick Owens would never be the one to be dumped. He liked to be right and to be in control.
He liked having it easy, and the fact that Kurt Hummel was on his mind 24/7 didn't help him any. Maybe Jeff would help.
----
Nick first spots Jeff's blond hair walking between rows of cars. Soon he feels his phone vibrating in his pocket, and he smiles to see Jeff's name on the caller ID.
"Yo, dude, I see you, just keep walking towards the flag posts."
Jeff's dressed in a white three-quarter length sleeved baseball shirt with blue sleeves. He's taller than he was at the end of summer, possibly even taller than Nick now.
Nick's not sure if he likes that. He likes being taller than the boys he fucks.
Even though Kurt's taller.
That's okay though, because Kurt's body is perfect, but now he can't worship it, and that's possibly why Nick feels so bitter at the moment.
But that's okay. He's got Jeff. His best friend.
Indeed.
Any jealous thoughts of Jeff's growth spurt are erased when Nick sees that familiar goofy grin on the floppy-haired boys face, getting immediately squeezed into a big hug.
He watches as Jeff steps back to let him breathe and then grins back at him, using a hand to ruffle Jeff's hair like he was so fond of doing all summer. I missed this.
Jeff smiles and adjusts his backpack strap that is hanging off only one of his shoulders. He asks Nick if they can go inside since it's really cold out, so they do.
"So, how's it with Kurt?" Jeff asks, standing by Nick's bedroom door, looking over at Nick on his bed.
"I broke up with him last Wednesday. We're still good, but just friends."
Jeff would be lying terribly if he said that the news didn't make his heart dance happily in circles for a few moments. He was really just happy to know that Nick was single doing alright. Yeppers peppers.
Nick smiles and pats his bed down for Jeff to sit down next to him, causing the lighter haired boy to blush slightly.
He sees Jeff smiling and trying to act like sitting on Nick's bed is nothing, but of course it does mean something to him.
Nick just wishes he could see Jeff that way, but he can't yet.
Jeff's his cute friend but just his friend.
"Hey, why don't you sleep? You just drove like three hours, dude. We'll party later tonight."
As Jeff naps, Nick goes to find Blaine. He needs to convince himself that Blaine is right for Kurt more than Nick is.
----
He texts Blaine, asking to meet him in the workout center of the campus gym.
"Hey," Blaine says unenthusiastically when he gets there, wearing a dark blue hoodie and black basketball shorts.
Comfy and casual, Blaine Anderson. I see what you're doing.
He gets right into the conversation, not wanting to leave Jeff alone for too long. He's like a puppy. He'll cry if he wakes up and you're not there to pet him.
"Did you and Kurt talk yet?"
Blaine stares at him, but then just shrugs off whatever annoyed thoughts he may have had. "No, he still likes you, I think."
Yeah, because that's obviously the truth...
Both boys recognize the tension and just let small talk guide them through a few minutes of conversation. Finally, realizing Blaine isn't going to help him if he doesn't push him, Nick asks:
"What made you start liking him?"
"Kurt?"
"No, Brad Pitt."
Blaine smirks, acting more relaxed. "Oh, well, obviously Fight Club did it for me. I'm also a big Edward Norton fan. They compliment each other well in that movie, don'tcha think?"
He breathes in slowly though, letting Nick know he's actually going to answer his question soon.
Blaine sighs. "He's my best friend. There are a million things I could tell you about Kurt that make me continue to love him on a daily basis, but really, I don't know. We just got to college, and then it was around the time that he started liking you that I realized how nice it would be to actually be with him. Sorry about the timing, but like, I really do love him. The only difference now is that I want him. A lot. Sorry."
No "he has the prettiest eyes I've ever seen?" No "the Earth shook, but I stood still as he crossed my path?"
Yeah, really great, Blaine. You're so articulate. Kurt's going to be swooned so hard by your fucking basketball shorts.
Jerk.
"Oh, I see. That's cool. See you tonight."
Dammit.
~*~
As usual, hanging out in the workout room has its perks since Nick has managed to find out about this weekend's cool parties. They're at a frat house that's a few blocks from the campus, but there's enough people not from the frat that Blaine, Kurt, Mercedes, Rachel, and Jeff can feel comfortable.
They pre-gamed at Nick's dorm, Rachel and Blaine being the easiest to get drunk.
Kurt and Mercedes share a fifth that Mercedes got from her cousin before coming down to see Kurt.
Jeff had bro-chilled with Nick's roommate enough in the previous hour to get two mixed drinks for free.
An hour passes and Kurt's leaning on Rachel, trying to get to the wall so he can stand up straight.
"I DON'T WANT TO GET DRUNK, RACHEL. I DON'T WANT TO GET ANY MORE DRUNK."
Blaine's a little buzzed, but he's trying to take his time in getting drunk. Right now, he and Mercedes are the undisputed champions of beer pong (having won 4 times in a row so far).
He hugs her, knowing that in the past he and Mercedes have had some tension (what with Blaine technically stealing her role as Kurt's best friend.)
She leans into him, smiling like the happy drunk she is. "Why aren't you trying to mack on my boy right now?"
Blaine giggles and leans his head on her shoulder as they wait for the defeated team to switch with their fifth competitors. "I can't afford to get too sloppy! I'm still trying to impress him!"
Mercedes rolls her eyes and tells Blaine she's going to go talk to the "blond Warbler boy that should have had all the solos instead of your dapper butt."
As the drunkenness wears on, Rachel drunk dials Finn to tell him how much she loves him, Mercedes keeps telling Jeff how precious all the Warblers were, and in the midst of the crowd, Kurt sees Blaine and has had enough with waiting to talk.
He's drunk. Let's party.
"Blaine," Kurt says as composed as possible. His insides feels like they're buzzing and when he goes to rest his hand on Blaine's arm, his skin feels tingly all over.
Sex. Me. You. Now. I'm drunk.
"Hey," Blaine's breathe hitches as he watches Kurt's hand drift from his arm to his hip. The guy that Blaine was talking to walks away, obviously not occupying any part of Blaine's attention anymore.
Kurt laughs a little, inwardly congratulating himself for making Blaine look so interested in him all of the sudden. His fingers play with the fringe on Blaine's shirt, lightly feeling Blaine's stomach underneath the fabric.
"Come talk with me, we neeeed to talk..."
Kurt can't help but smirk wildly as he guides Blaine over to an empty couch in the corner of the frat house, the rest of the crowd dancing or too busy trying to take advantage of the free keg.
I'm going to finally make out with you, and it will be me who's in control and not you. For once.
Nick sees Blaine sit on the couch followed by a drunken Kurt straddling his waist.
He'd be lying if he said it didn't suck to see Kurt enjoying another guy. Even if it was Blaine, and apparently Blaine was his Romeo.
Kurt's short knight in shining armor didn't worship Kurt's body as much as Nick had planned to. Blaine fucking doesn't know how much Nick liked him. This fucking sucks.
He notices Jeff standing off by the beer pong table, but smirks when Jeff instinctively turns around when he feels Nick staring at him. He smiles a little shyly and gives him an exaggerated "Yeahhh! We're at a college party!" face.
Fuck it. I'm doing it.
He goes over and quickly grabs Jeff's hand, letting the alcohol and boyish urges drag Jeff to the wall and kisses him gently on the lips.
He wants to kiss him hard, but no. Evil Nick knows that Jeff would know something was up if he randomly decided to start grinding on him and kissing him hard on the mouth. He needs to play this just right.
Jeff pulls back, looking at Nick with what looks like concern for a few moments. When Nick smiles and leans in close again, Jeff just ducks his head down and blushes. Then he stares back at his best friend.
"Nick, what's this?" He's smiling, trying not to lean into him anymore than he is.
Nick smells really good. He always does.
And Jeff's heart is beating extremely fast, and he can no longer hear the music. All of his senses are relying on Nick to explain or talk or kiss me again, please, please, please! I'm ready this time, I think!
Nick smirks and pulls Jeff closer to him. "Hey, I think tonight's a great night to talk about us. Do you want to follow me back to my room right now?"
Death is an understatement for Jeff.
He really can't believe this is happening. Nick is actually considering him as something more than a friend, and holy-shit-his-lips-were-better-than-he-thought-they'd-be.
It would be sad to anyone that knew Evil Nick's intentions, but Nick is drunk. And Kurt is making out with someone that isn't Nick.
And Jeff is cute and nice and his best friend.
And Kurt is making out with someone that isn't Nick.
And Nick wants sex--wants to take something that he probably shouldn't.
Wants to regret something that he'll really regret.
And Kurt's making out with Blaine.
Jeff is here.
"There's something 'bout that liquor love."
~*~
Blaine is so sexy right now.
Both Kurt and Blaine claim to be obliterated (in reality they're both maybe only a little tipsy still).
Kurt's grinding down on him, his fingers gently finding their stay in Blaine's curls. They kissed once when Kurt first straddled his thighs, but now they're just staring at each other in a slightly drunken haze.
Kurt presses himself down further on the boy beneath him, leaning his mouth to Blaine's ear and tightening his grip on his hair. He smirks softly when he feels Blaine's hand rest on his lower back, dangerously close to grabbing his ass.
He starts sucking on Blaine's ear lightly, laughing inwardly. "Mmmm, I want you to fuck me tonight, okay, baby?"
Blaine moans softly and pulls Kurt's face back to kiss him hard on the mouth, sucking in Kurt's bottom lip.
Kurt's almost one-hundred percent serious now about letting Blaine do anything he wants to him tonight, but Blaine's still a virgin, and even a drunk Kurt knows that things should not go down that way. Not for his best friend.
His best friend that is grinding up on him and making his lips deliciously red and numb. It's so cool.
----
Rachel and Mercedes had previously crashed out on the floor around 3am along with most of the party, but after Kurt has managed to make Blaine semi-hard on the couch, they get up in search of their friends.
They wake the girls since they know they'd feel bad leaving them there in case some random douches tried to take advantage of them.
The initial plan is to get Rachel and Mercedes to sleep in Blaine's bed so Kurt and Blaine can experiment in Kurt's, but then the girls complain, insisting that "WE WANT OUR BOYS. WARBLER BLAINE, YOU COME CUDDLE ME NOW OR ELSE. MERCEDES WANTS YOU, TOO, KURT."
Mission Epic Cock-Block is a go. Fuck drunk bitches.
After Mercedes has passed out (it doesn't take too long), Kurt texts Blaine something he considers to be quite suggestive.
This sucvks. You knnow whaqt I wish I could suck rigtht now?
Wht? My face?
mmmmm maybe. maaybe something more exciiting? sometghing i've nevr seen befroe?
That's a shame. We shuold chaneg that. Obviously you're more drunk than me tho. We can tmrrw.
"Okay..." Kurt whispers across the room.
Blaine smiles, putting his phone back on his night stand, feeling Rachel hit him in her sleep.
Tomorrow is going to beat all morrows.
~*~
They act normal and friendly, pretending to not be planning anything for after Rachel and Mercedes leave.
Turns out alcohol did have them a bit under the influence. They're both feeling a little awkward, not sure how they should talk about the night before.
So, like any great gentlemen would, they'll ignore what they said and erase their texts from their inboxes and memories until they are by themselves. Emotional aspects be damned until then.
After Rachel and Mercedes leave and hugs and kisses are exchanged, Kurt and Blaine quickly make it back up to their dorm to talk.
As soon as the door shuts, they stare at each for a moment before they both burst out into an awkward laugh.
"So, you're okay with me liking you now?" Blaine asks, not sure how else to word his thoughts.
Kurt's kind of bummed that his "tease him until he cries" routine didn't fall through, but he honestly could not deny Blaine any longer than right at this moment.
He thinks he can have him for real this time. It's a strange and new thought, but all the more thrilling.
Kurt nods. "I think we should just get right to it and then back track. Let's make this clear now: I want you to take me on a nice fucking date, and I'm still bitter for you waiting this long to finally like me, and I'm sure I have some other insecurities building up around that, but right now, I want to see your cock, and I want to suck it. Are we clear?"
Omgomgcool. "Yes. Crystal."
Kurt smiles nervously now, dragging his best friend over to Blaine's bed since "I am NOT getting any of your man juice on my comforter. You've got to be fucking nuts."
They were going to have Blaine rest his back against the headboard, but then both boys decided it'd be easier if Blaine just sat at the edge of his bed and had Kurt kneel on the ground.
Kurt would have felt like he was in a porno if it weren't for both of them awkwardly saying dirty things to each other to lighten up the very real situation that Kurt fucking Hummel was about to suck his asshole of a best friend's dick. Finally.
----
Looking at it for the first time is weird yet absolutely astounding to Kurt.
Here is Blaine's cock, hard and throbbing, all up in Kurt's hand and face, and then there's Blaine--his best friend, his partner in crime for all these years, the guy he liked, the guy he fucking loved, that he now had moaning softly above him and encouraging Kurt to affect him in such pleasurable ways.
Hot Weird. So hot.
Kurt was going to tell Blaine not to touch his hair, but he decides now that he wants to know how Blaine acts when he's extremely turned on. How will he handle everything when left to his own rules and urges?
He kisses the tip of Blaine's cock, enjoying the way it causes the boy above him to stiffen a little and lean forward. He takes him into his mouth slowly, already remembering that he wants to remember how Blaine feels in his mouth and how he tastes. Kurt rubs his thigh with one hand and uses the other to steady his mouth further onto Blaine's cock, feeling the boy above him getting harder.
Kurt smirks to himself when he sees Blaine's hands clutching the edges of the comforter from the corner of his eyes. Kurt's pretty sure Blaine's knuckles are white, and he's surprised to not be hearing any noises from the boy yet.
He swirls his tongue around the head, taking him in his mouth as far as he can and using his hand to pump the rest. Even though Nick said he shouldn't try to moan when he's sucking cock "because I think you're trying to talk to me, and then I'm curious as to what you're saying," Kurt believes that Blaine will understand better than Nick. He should anyway.
Blaine feels the vibration of Kurt's soft moan around his cock and it feels great, and he wants to come in his mouth, wants Kurt to taste him and look up at him with lust-filled eyes so he knows they can do this again and again.
He has this wild idea suddenly that Kurt actually likes getting his hair pulled on, so he wraps the fingers from one hand and forces Kurt's mouth almost all the way off his cock.
At this point, Kurt is forced to look up at Blaine and holyfuckingshit runs through Kurt's head when he sees Blaine staring down at him with large, lust-filled eyes that Kurt didn't even know he had.
Blaine moans softly as Kurt continues to suck on the head of his cock, acting like he wants his hair to be released so he can finish what he started.
Blaine forces Kurt's mouth back down on him and in a few minutes sees white light behind closed eyelids and feels his body tighten and then slowly relax.
I expect mine in the morning, jackass.
I mean, Blaine.
Not jackass anymore.
...Maybe.
~*~
The next morning, Blaine had to get up early to help some kid fix his film project, the mother fucker doesn't want to take turns, and Kurt decides that he should just try to catch Jeff before he leaves then.
He really liked the cute blond boy. He knew that Jeff liked Nick so it was a little awkward possibly, but he wanted to at least say goodbye.
When he gets to the parking lot he sees Nick already kissing Jeff goodbye.
Wait, WHAT?
Jeff's back is leaning against his car as Nick's hand is placed to the side of Jeff's head, Nick's body pressing itself lightly on Jeff's.
Kurt can see even from this distance that the blond haired boy is blushing and smiling, trying to playfully open his door, but Nick won't let him just yet.
Nick finally opens the car door for Jeff and closes it when Jeff's inside, motioning for him to open the window so Nick can kiss him goodbye one last time.
Kurt doesn't feel jealous, he just knows he kind of is.
Though, he likes what he and Blaine are up to. He feels good about it. As long as Blaine doesn't become a chicken shit and ask to go back to being 5 in order to show a boy that he likes him by chasing him around the playground.
"So, you guys are together now, hmm?" Kurt says curiously as Nick walks over to him after Jeff has left.
Kurt notices that the brunette boy isn't smiling, in fact, his face is kind of expressionless compared to what it was a minute ago when Jeff was still in his car.
Nick stops in front of Kurt, staring at him blankly. "No. But I took his virginity."
Kurt furrows his eyebrows and tilts his head to the side, giving Nick a very confused look that is quickly forming into something close to being considered anger.
"Why? What the fuck? Why'd you do that then?"
"Because I could."
Chapter 7a
----
DUN DUN DUN.
But shameless Niff promotion in chaptered Klaine-centric fic is shameless.
So, as you may have noticed, there are only three chapters left. I've added in a few of the suggestions that you guys have asked for, so do not fret! It's not over yet :) (And I haven't written them yet, but all the outlines are done, so I'll try to have the next one up sooner than the last!)