Note: Thanks to all who read - I really appreciate it, and hope you enjoyed the story.

Sam's Summer Ending

This...was not his style, but both Mercedes and Tina assured him that Kurt would think it was awesome. Still, he was taking his time getting to the Hummels' front door. They were hosting a 4th of July party, and all had agreed that "the outfit" was perfect for this event. Sam took a deep breath before he rang the doorbell. "For Kurt."

Kurt stood by the fence with Rachel, holding a sparkler in one hand and a special (non-alcoholic, of course) mixed beverage courtesy of himself. Everything was going well at their fourth extravaganza. He checked out his dad to make sure he wasn't sneaking more burgers or steaks than he needed – but then he realized that Carole was on that one. He was still getting used to someone else looking after his father.

He and Rachel were arguing the merits of going to college versus jumping right into professional auditioning when Rachel's head turned sharply to his back door and one small hand covered her mouth. Others seemed to be in a state as well – Finn looked pale. Artie, Puck and Mike were laughing. The only reason Santana wasn't sniping was because Brittany's hand covered her mouth. Kurt swiveled his head to look at this late guest, and his mouth dropped open.

Naturally, he recognized the expense of craftsmanship of the pieces. He'd been eyeing that bright red feathered bolero jacket for weeks now, and the tank top beneath it was his Urban Outfitters USA tank top – still patriotic chic. The pants that clung to Sam's lower body were hundreds of dollars, as were the buckled boots. Kurt licked his lips. Those boots were divine – white leather with black buckles and loops. He wondered if he and Sam wore the same shoe size as Sam walked stiffly towards him.

"Hey." Kurt watched without word as Sam tried in vain to put his hands in his pants' pockets. He gave up, blushing, and waved a hand over his outfit as Rachel backed away with a suspiciously pleased grin on her face. In fact, Tina and Mercedes seemed to be wearing the same grin. "What do you think?"

Kurt's eyelids fluttered. Sam was looking at him with that face. Tell me I did good, it said. Tell me you like it. Tell me you like me. Please. He imagined that that face had once belonged to Quinn. Maybe even Santana. He thought it was currently Mercedes', but with the grin on his girl's face, maybe not. It was doing odd things to his own circulatory system. And Sam's outfit was doing equally odd things to his eyes.

"You look like a fashion abomination." Sam's face fell. "My advice? Never try to mix designers if you're a beginner. And never let Mercedes dress you." Kurt put a hand on Sam's bicep so that he'd look him in the eye. "What ever possessed you to dress like this?"

Sam looked at everyone else, including Kurt's parents. He gulped and continued to look helpless. Kurt knew he was looking for the right thing to say, and he sighed.

"Sam, I know I've given you a lot of advice and you're probably tired of hearing it, but if breaking up with Blaine has taught me anything, it's that all you can do is be yourself. You're wonderful. We all know that – well, maybe not all, but a lot of us do. You don't need to change who you are to get someone's attention. I'm going to assume that this change in fashion has something to do with me. So what is it this time? Are you trying to cheer me up? Make me laugh? What's going on?"

You're wonderful. Sam latched onto those words, a glimmer of hope rising from his sorrow and humiliation. Be yourself. In front of everyone? He looked at them all. Quinn, hair newly shorn, sitting quietly beside Lauren. He never would have thought they'd be friends in a million years, but Quinn had turned a new leaf since New York. He had to admit that he liked the new Quinn better – or perhaps this had been the real Quinn all along. And Santana. Sam hadn't known, but she and Brittany were now officially together. Santana was still a monster, but a lot tamer and much happier. He was happy for both of them, and he wanted to achieve what they both had. The guys would probably freak out. Mike was one of his best friends in the club, and his relationship with Finn was still healing – he didn't want to jeopardize that. But they'd all stood up for Kurt. They might tease him, but he was a part of their group and they wouldn't turn their backs on him for being what he was.

Sam saw that he still didn't quite fit in. Maybe he never would. But he could be happy – with comic books and laser tag and glee club. With Kurt.

He reached for Kurt's hands, careful of the sparkler that he held. Rachel took away Kurt's drink, giving both boys a thumbs up as she stepped back and watched everything unfold.

"Yeah, I look ridiculous. I only dressed up like this because Mercedes thought you might notice me if I dressed the way you like."

Kurt frowned. "Notice you? Sam-"
"Like me," Sam corrected. "She thought you might like me. Because I really like you. As more than a friend."

Kurt was once again gaping, eyes wide. "But-" Sam shrugged. "Can we talk about all that later? I'll explain, I promise. Right now, I just want to know if you'd go out with me." Kurt couldn't respond. He thought he ought to pinch himself to make sure that he wasn't daydreaming. He'd been trying to suppress these kinds of thoughts ever since he and Blaine broke up and he started seeing his own reactions to Sam. Blaine had been right. A text or call from Sam sent Kurt's entire being dancing. When they hung out, Kurt would catch himself flirting and giving Sam those adoring glances that he used to give Finn and Blaine. He didn't want to go through this again.

"I don't know, Sam."

"So, you don't like me?" Sam's mouth drooped, and he almost let go of Kurt's hands. Kurt gripped his, shaking his head.

"No! Of course I like you. We're friends."

"But...you're not attracted to me or something?"

"Oh, no." Kurt glanced at his dad and the rest of the crowd, lowering his voice to murmur, "you know I'm attracted to you. You're very attractive."

Sam gave his adorable half smile that sent Kurt's heart rate through the roof. "This is – I just need to get used to this."

Sam's smile widened. It wasn't a no. He stepped closer to Kurt, leaning in with his eyes decidedly on Kurt's mouth.

"Anything I can do to speed up the process?" Kurt's lips parted. He drifted closer, toe to toe with Sam and so very near Sam's perfect grin...but then Burt cleared his throat, and Kurt remembered that they had an audience. He shook his head and hopped back, looking around the yard.

"I'm not-"

Burt's arms were crossed, and he was frowning in confusion as Carole rubbed his back. Artie was nodding, a knowing smile on his face, and he and Puck shared a high five. Rachel, Mercedes and Tina were huddled together, pride glowing in all of their smiles- three mother hens.

Kurt flushed and dragged Sam to the side of the house, away from everyone. He heard the familiar footsteps of his father coming after him, but they stopped. He thanked Carole for existing before turning his focus back to Sam. "I'm not a fan of PDA."

"Got it. I'll remember." Sam searched his face. "So...can I kiss you now?"

Kurt fidgeted, nodding. Sam took him by the shoulders to steady him, and all the sounds of the summer night heightened as Sam's lips came forward to kiss him. Then they all faded away. Kurt smiled against Sam's lips, and he thought, maybe I'm already used to this. He pressed himself forward, letting the kiss deepen. There was plenty of time for them to find out.

THE END.