This is a companion piece to Model Behavior. It probably won't make any sense at all unless you're reading the story. It happens simultaneously with chapter 71, so read that one first, please.

There's a different convention here. In this story, regular text is Bentley and Trevor and italics indicate material that is quoted or adapted from Model Behavior.


"Wow! That's impressive. Our boy's done well for himself," Trevor said happily.

Bentley frowned and lashed his tail. "He's not exactly 'our boy', you know, Trevor. You didn't have anything to do with this."

"Don't get your tail in a knot, old man. I know he isn't mine any more. You were always jealous of me. I remember how mad you were when he first brought me home."

"I was mad because he wanted to change my name to Crookshanks. And then he got that insufferable owl!"

"At least he didn't get a rat. Whatever happened to Hedwig, anyway?"

"Don't ask me. I haven't heard from her in years. We went home about six months ago, and she wasn't anywhere I could see. Maybe she got lost in the move."

"We can hope," Trevor sighed. "They moved again?"

"Of course! That's what they do. At least Blaine's stayed put for a while. I hate moving."

"I imagine so. Remember that time in Texas when he dropped you on the ground and the neighbor's dog ran off with you?"

"That was awful. That stupid girl, telling Blaine her dog came home with me, but never offering to give me back. And she kept calling me a puppet. I've never been so insulted in my life. As if I needed someone to move my mouth and talk for me."

"What did he do?"

"I guess he didn't want to get off on the wrong foot with the neighbors, because he bought me. He actually gave that moron his birthday money to get me back."

"Sounds like maybe she wasn't as stupid as you think she was. And Blaine must have really loved you if he sacrificed his birthday money."

"You have a point," Bentley purred smugly. "So, what have you been doing for the last few years?"

"Do you want to hear about Wes, or just Kurt?"

"Just Kurt. I'm not too interested in Wes."

"Good, because I don't have a lot to say about him."

"Did he mistreat you?" Bentley's hackles were up and his tail was lashing again.

"No. He just didn't love me the way Blaine loved us. He loved me, but not for me. He only loved me because I came from Blaine."

"Blaine is special. We were lucky. Most kids give up their stuffed animals before they hit puberty. So tell me about Kurt."

"He's wonderful, Bentley. When Wes passed me along to him, I was insulted at first. I mean - didn't anyone think I was good enough? First Blaine gives me away, and now Wes. But after a few days, I realized that Blaine was right to give me to Wes, and Wes was right about Kurt. He really needed me. He's the bravest person I've ever met. He willingly went back into a bad situation because he wanted to face his problems head-on. He was scared, but he did it anyway."

"Blaine talks about him constantly. Half the time, he's euphoric because Kurt is so wonderful and perfect, and the rest of the time he's depressed because he's afraid Kurt will never love him back."

"I don't think he has to worry about that," Trevor laughed. "Kurt's pretty smitten with Blaine. I don't get it, though. First he tried to deny his feelings, then he admitted them and tried to talk himself out of them, and now he's just dealing with them and hoping they'll go away soon." The bedroom door opened. "Oh, look. There they are. Maybe we'll get to do something interesting now. I'm tired of being cooped up in this bedroom."

"Shhhhh. I want to hear what they're saying."

As Kurt was getting his clothing from the dresser, his eye fell on Trevor, who was sitting beside Bentley on the desk, looking for all the world as if they were deep in conversation. He nudged Blaine and pointed. "Those two look like they're sharing secrets, don't they?"

"Bentley!" Trevor hissed frantically. "They know about us!"

"Hush! I'm trying to listen. Besides, how could they know?"

"Oh, I hope not. Bentley's been my closest confidant since I was about three. My grandmother gave him to me. He's listened to lots of hopes and dreams and fears."

"See. I told you they don't know anything. They're both completely oblivious. Ha! He said I was his closest confidant."

"I heard him. I thought you were trying to listen. Stop talking all the time."

"The same grandmother that had the treasure box?"

"Yes, my mom's mom. Her name was Katie. Well, I guess it was probably Katherine, but Granddad called her 'Katie'. He made the treasure box for her by hand, and did all the carving himself. She gave it to my mom when she married my dad, and mom gave it to me. I wish you could see it. It's really beautiful. I guess I could bring it to work, but it's a little large to take on the subway and I wouldn't want anything to happen to it."

"He still has the treasure box?"

"Are you kidding? He loves that box."

"Oh, my God! The decoration on the top! Has he realized it yet?"

"Would it be a rule violation if you showed me a picture of it?"

Blaine thought for a moment. "I don't think so, but let me run it by Heidi first."

"Obviously not, if he's planning to show it to Kurt."

"Tell me about Trevor. Were you his original owner, or did you buy him for Wes?"

"Shhhh. They're talking about me!" Trevor puffed up with pride.

"He was mine. I bet you can guess what book I was reading when I got him. I was eight, and Mom and I were reading it together. Funny thing - even from the very first book, she said there was more to Snape than met the eye, and he would turn out to be a double agent. Anyway, I didn't take him to Dalton with me. I didn't take Bentley either, but I sure was glad when I discovered that Mom had packed him."

Bentley stuck out his tongue. "He likes me better than you," he sing-songed. "I knew I was his favorite."

"He's just loved you longer. It doesn't mean he loves you more."

"Your mom sounds like a very smart lady."

"She is. I hope you get to meet her someday. She watches the show, so she knows who you are. What was I saying?"

"But I'm not the one he gave away."

"Hmph." Trevor's bottom lip trembled and a tear rolled down his face. "You're mean, Bentley."

Bentley shifted uncomfortably and gave the toad a lick on his forehead. "Oh, stop it, Trevor. He probably would have given me away instead, except that I was too ratty-looking. At least he got you when he was old enough to know how to take care of you properly. Now be quiet and listen."

"How Wes ended up with Trevor."

"Right. When Wes was a freshman, he was very homesick, and I let him borrow Bentley for the first few nights. Every morning, Wes would show up at my door to return him, but every evening he'd be back, asking to borrow him for one more night. I finally decided I needed to do something if I was ever going to see Bentley again, so I had Mom send Trevor. Three or four weeks later, Wes had made friends and settled in, and he tried to give Trevor back, but I told him to hang on to him until someone else needed a little comfort. He swore up and down that he would find the perfect person for Trevor, someone who really deserved him. I guess he did."

"Well, that's true. Kurt really loves me, and I'm very happy with him."

"Well, he can go back home with you now," Kurt said briskly. "I'm sure he's missed you all this time."

"Really? Really, Kurt? You don't want me, either? I can't believe this. Oh, well. At least I'll be back with Blaine, and you and I will be together again."

"Yeah, great," Bentley said, pretending to be disgusted.

Blaine's face fell. "Okay," he said quietly. "Maybe I can find someone at the shelter who would like to have him, since you don't want him."

"The shelter? Oh, come on. This really isn't fair." More tears rolled down Trevor's face, and even Bentley's eyes looked a little blurred.

"Hey! I never said I didn't want him," Kurt protested. "I'm just trying to do the right thing here, even though I'll really miss him. He meant a lot to me because Wes gave him to me and he means even more because he was yours. He helped me get through some scary times, and I told him things I could never tell my dad or any of my friends, things I've only ever told you, in fact. If you're just going to give him away, then I rescind the offer." He picked up Trevor, wrapped him protectively in his arms and glared at Blaine. "We can buy some stuffed animals for the shelter if you want, but Trevor's staying with me."

"Damn right, I'm staying with you!" Trevor said firmly, snuggling into Kurt's arms.

"Aren't you blokes ready yet?" Annie's voice came through the bedroom door. "How long does it take to put on a pair of pajamas? We're getting ready to start the movie without you."

"Who was that?" Bentley asked, hackles rising. "Are there women here? The only woman I know is Mom."

"That's just Annie. She's okay. Are they having a fight? Kurt looks angry."

"Sorry, Annie," Kurt called back. "We got to talking about Dalton and our mutual friend. We'll be out in a minute." He grabbed his pajamas and turned to Blaine. "You can have the bathroom. I'll dress out here," he said coldly. "I'll probably finish before you, but warn me before you come out, okay?"

Blaine disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door.

"Yes, it looks like it. Blaine didn't look happy at all."

"What do we do, Bentley? I don't want them to be unhappy."

"Just wait, Trevor. Let's see if they work it out. If they're still mad when they go to sleep, we'll take care of it then."

Kurt removed his shirt, and stood for a moment, lost in thought. He approached the bathroom door. "Blaine?" he called softly.

Blaine threw open the door immediately, heedless of his current state of undress. Kurt's eyes darkened as he took in the gorgeous man standing in front of him. "I, uh ... I thought we would talk through the door," he breathed. "I didn't expect you to come out."

"Ooh, look at his face. Kurt likes that," Trevor said happily. "Now he won't be mad."

"Blaine likes it, too. Look how big his eyes got," Bentley laughed.

Blaine laughed and blushed. "I guess I'm losing my inhibitions around you. There's something about standing around in my underwear in a room full of people that completely destroys my sense of modesty. Besides, as you pointed out in the workroom, I'd have on much less than this if we went swimming. At least this time, we're equally naked."

"I'm sorry I got angry with you, Blaine. Although I didn't mean to, I think I hurt your feelings. I didn't mean to imply that I didn't want Trevor or didn't value him. He's very special to me, and that's why I thought I should return him to you."

"See, Trevor. Kurt loves you," Bentley said softly.

"He is special to me," Blaine said softly, "although he's no Bentley. That's why I wanted you to have him. I know it's silly, but it did hurt my feelings to think you didn't want to keep him, at least for now."

"Blaine loves me, too," Trevor sighed, "but not as much as he loves you. 'He's no Bentley' indeed! It's okay, though. He should love you better."

"As long as you don't think he'll miss Bentley too much," Kurt joked, "I'd be honored to have him."

"The very idea! As if I'd miss you, you scruffy old toad."

"I missed you," Trevor said accusingly.

"They had all day together, and maybe we can arrange a playdate for them later."

"A playdate?" Bentley groused, tail lashing again. "What are we, five?"

"Reality check, Blaine. You know they don't need a playdate, right?"

"What does he mean by that? I don't think he's taking us very seriously, Trevor. You need to have a talk with your boy."

Blaine stuck his lower lip out in a mock-pout. "Fine, spoil my fun. They don't need a playdate."

"After all, they're both adults," Kurt said with a giggle. "They can just go for coffee or something."

"That's more like it," Bentley said with satisfaction. "Would you join me for coffee, Trevor?"

"I'd be delighted," Trevor replied grandly, although the effect was somewhat spoiled when he dissolved into giggles.

Blaine rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling as he did the math. "No, I don't think either of them is an adult yet, but you're right - they're too old for a playdate."

"Funny how they always assume that we were born the day they got us. Could you not tell I've been an adult the entire time, Blaine? Do I look like a kitten to you?"

"Shhhhh!" Trevor hissed urgently. "I want to hear them. I can talk to you any time. Do you think they'll kiss?"

"If you want to hear them, stop talking!And why do you think they'll kiss? For some insane reason, Blaine wants Kurt to think he's straight, and kissing him would certainly let the proverbial cat out of the bag."

"Were you in a bag? What do you mean 'proverbial'? You know what - never mind. I want to see them kiss and make up. That's the expression, right? You're supposed to kiss when you make up after a fight."

Bentley rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything. "I forgot how silly that toad can be," he muttered to himself.

"So are we good now? No hurt feelings?"

"I heard that, Bentley, but I'm ignoring you."

"No, we're good. I should apologize, too. I didn't tell you what I was thinking. I just shut down instead. Next time I'll communicate."

"I'll work on that, too." Kurt smiled and opened his arms in invitation. "How about a hug?"

Blaine stepped into the hug, closing his eyes and reveling in the skin-to-skin contact.

"Oh, he really likes that," Bentley chortled. "He's been dreaming about something like this for weeks."

"Kurt, too! Oh, he's so cute when he gets all red like that."

Kurt gasped. Blaine was gently rubbing his back, making small circles with his fingertips. He tightened the hug briefly, then stepped away, face flaming, heart racing. He gave a shaky laugh. "The girls are gonna wonder what happened to us."

"Are you okay, Kurt?" Blaine asked.

"Just embarrassed," Kurt laughed. "I sorta forgot we weren't dressed. At least you had pants on this time."

"Why do they make such a big deal about clothing and skin and being dressed? I don't get it," Trevor complained.

"They don't have fur. You'd be more worried about it if you just had skin, like a real toad."

"I am a real toad!"

"You still owe me for that hug. You promised I would get one later, and I never did."

Kurt stuck his tongue out. "Put a shirt on and go appease the girls before Annie comes back again. I'll be there as soon as I get changed."

"I guess they aren't fighting any more," Trevor said happily after Kurt got his pajamas on and left the bedroom. "We won't have to work on them tonight. Why aren't they going out? It's obvious that they like each other, and they'd be great together."

"Obvious to everyone except them," Bentley snorted. "I think we need to give them a little push."

"The whisper thing? In his ear when he's asleep?" Trevor asked eagerly. "What do I say?"

"Something simple, and easy to remember. Haven't you done this before?"

"Yeah, but I used 'courage', just like you used to do when Blaine was scared. That doesn't really apply here."

Bentley sighed, almost a hiss, but secretly he was pleased that Trevor wanted his advice. "How about if we both say 'tell him'? That's simple, so they're more likely to retain it when they wake up, and it covers a lot."

"Brilliant!" Trevor agreed. "Communication is important. I hope this works. I want Kurt to be happy. Both of them, actually. I want both of them to be happy."

"Me, too," Bentley agreed fervently. "Me, too."