Mini drabble oneshot idea that came to me this morning. I should definitely be working on my two other incomplete fics, but I wanted this out the way, and to get kickstarted back into writing again. I'm a terrible terrible person for the wait on AAT and JLAMC. I admit it. Feel free to murder me.
This is a very basic, very quick drabble that is not to be taken seriously. It's AU, set anywhere you want really, seeing as Kurt never went to Dalton and NBK didn't happen. I haven't written in a while so it's very rough but I hope you enjoy it, or at least don't click the back button halfway through in disgust.
There were many things that Mercedes Jones knew she was good at. Singing (obviously), picking out outfits (despite the 'unmentionable technicolour zebra disaster' of '09), and of course being able to out-diva both Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel (he doesn't agree but that's irrelevant) to name a few, but consoling was another of her numerous talents. Right now that talent was needed above all. Or, it had been for the past two weeks.
Mercedes had been interrupted in her weekly manicure by her phone, which when answered turned out to be a tearful call from Kurt describing how he had caught his boyfriend cheating. Since then she had been employed trying to cheer up her best friend, holding him as he cried and making regular death threats towards this Nathan guy who she had never actually met before but hated automatically. Kurt seemed to be doing better now, but his self confidence had taken a huge dip since then, which was something she was planning on rectifying.
That was yet another talent of hers: matchmaking. Now, Mercedes knew she was the best person to do this for Kurt, knowing him better than anyone else, except perhaps for his father. Kurt had confided in her during their many sleepovers and shopping trips the sort of guy he'd like; musically inclined, well dressed, funny, good looking and intellectual. His dreams weren't dissimilar from hers or any other girls', but finding a gay version would be even more difficult. However, Mercedes was incredibly stubborn (in a good way, she told herself), and if the miserable, lonely face of her best friend wasn't motivation enough to keep looking, then she wasn't sure what was.
In an attempt to get Kurt out of his funk Mercedes had taken to dragging him to all sorts of places. Some they already visited often like the mall or the Lima Bean, but she wanted to look everywhere (it must be pointed out that Kurt had no idea that Mercedes was scouting around for a suitable match for him) and so insisted on going to different restaurants, shops, the bowling alley, different towns (there wasn't that many things you could do in Lima and the chances of finding another gay in the town were slim at best) anywhere that may offer some form of eye candy at least.
Her gaydar had gone off once or twice in the other towns although her inner Kurt told her not to listen to these seeing as her gaydar hadn't proved so reliable in the past. Kurt had had a broken windshield to testify to that. In fact, if Kurt knew what she was doing, he would have called her gaydar non-existent. Anyway, the two guys she'd thought to be gay weren't very good looking or just didn't seem to fit the standards Mercedes had set.
Honestly, she was starting to seriously worry about Kurt. He maintained that he was 'fine, Mercedes now please stop asking,' but aside from that he never really spoke much anymore. Of course he would answer direct questions with short, to the point answers but other than that he didn't really help to keep the conversation going. Luckily for both of them Mercedes talked a lot, and during Glee it didn't really matter if Kurt spoke because Rachel did enough talking for the whole club put together.
That day Mercedes had made Kurt go shopping with her, their staple activity. After a new pair of boots and some more Elizabeth Arden hand cream, Kurt seemed to be somewhat happier than earlier. Retail therapy worked better than any medication.
Whilst walking through the mall Mercedes caught sight of a baby blue store in the spot where some old sports shop used to be. As they drew closer she was able to make out the words 'Carter's Ice Cream Parlor'. The place looked like it had plucked from the middle of Grease or some other fiftie's-movie. Either side of the door were two pillars painted with red and white swirls like rock candy. A large ice cream shaped sign was placed just beside the door, listing specials and their prices.
She immediately turned to look at Kurt pleadingly, who glanced at the parlor and shook his head at once. "The calories, 'Cedes."
Mercedes ignored him and began to pull him towards the store. "Calories, schmalories, I'm tired and starving. Shopping with you is like a workout, Kurt. Come on." Kurt gave up trying to wrench his arm away, muttering under his breath. The words 'stubborn' and 'not even two hours' were distinguishable, but she pretended not to have heard them.
They entered the ice cream parlor, Kurt staring down at the black and white chequered floor sulkily. Mercedes just nudged him with her elbow and gestured towards the menu that was displayed above the counter on the wall.
"What do you want? I'm buying."
"It's fine, I can pay for mine."
"Nope. I gotta pay you back for that moisturiser. I'm buying, no arguing." Kurt rolled his eyes and glanced up for the first time at the menu, his eyes skimming quickly over the guy at the counter. Much too quickly, Mercedes thought, a thought which was emphasised when she got a good look at the guy. In a word? Gorgeous. She knew Kurt thought so too, judging by the faint pink that had risen on his cheeks as he now made absolutely sure not to look at the guy again.
"Fine, I'll get the lemon sorbet." He muttered, shifting nervously from foot to foot and fiddling with the handle of his shopping bag. Mercedes didn't argue with his boring order.
"Sure. Do you wanna go grab a table and I'll order for us." At this Kurt nodded and wandered over to a table by the window, settling into the booth and immediately pulling out his iPhone. Mercedes sighed, knowing exactly what he was doing. Even though he'd dumped him, Kurt still couldn't stop himself checking for any messages from Nathan. She wasn't sure why, not wanting to ask. Her best guess was that he at least wanted an apology, or an explanation, even an excuse. They hadn't spoken since Kurt had caught him in bed with some guy. They hadn't even officially broken up, although it was pretty obvious they weren't together.
The family in front of Mercedes moved away to sit down and she found herself at the front of the queue. The boy at the counter smiled warmly at her.
"Welcome to Carter's, what can I get for you today?" As he was speaking she took the opportunity to examine his features closely. The boy looked like the living incarnation of that prince guy from the Little Mermaid. That was her first impression. He had curly black hair, caramel coloured skin and light hazel eyes. His eyebrows were freaking triangles, but he had a strong jaw and beautiful smile. All in all, she definitely approved.
"I'll have a double scoop of mint chocolate chip, and a lemon sorbet please." The boy smiled and started scooping the ice cream (Mercedes surreptitiously checked out his arms as he did so. Lean, but muscular.) The Question was out of her mouth before she could stop it though. "Are you gay?"
He paused and Mercedes clapped a hand over her mouth, though talking hurriedly. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-" she stopped as she realised he was nodding.
"Your friend is too, isn't he?" At Mercedes' quizzical look the boy glanced over her shoulder. "I saw the two of you come in. I assumed..."
"Yeah, he is. But he's miserable at the moment. Caught his boyfriend cheating a couple of weeks ago and his self-esteem is pretty shot right now. I've been trying to cheer him up but-" Mercedes ceased her venting as she realised just what she was doing. "Sorry."
The boy was back to making up her order and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I like hearing about people's problems. Not that I'm referring to your friend as a problem or anything. He just looks so unhappy. I get these automatic urges to cheer people up, strangers or friends. I'm told I'm too happy for my own good." His eyes wandered back over towards Kurt who was now staring out the window, back poker straight, hands playing nervously with his iPhone.
Mercedes turned to see the queue building up again behind her. "I'll bring these to your table, you can sit down if you like." The boy offered and she nodded. At this point Mercedes was too happy to protest. He's cute, he's gay, he's nice. The words repeated themselves over and over again in her head as she smiled at the boy before joined Kurt at their table.
"What took you?" He asked. His voice was so quiet Mercedes strained to hear him.
"Just, talking to the ice cream guy." She said as nonchalantly as possible, eyes flicking up to watch Kurt as he looked back at the counter briefly. The telltale blush was back, to her internal joy. It was hard not to keep the smile of her face or to restrain the 'Aww' but she pushed it down.
"What about?" Mercedes' mind reeled as she tried desperately to think of a topic.
"Hm? Oh...we were talking about ice cream." She answered as she saw the large blown up pictures of ice cream all around the store. Kurt raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to comment when Mercedes spotted Ice Cream Guy heading towards them carrying two dishes.
"One double scoop mint chocolate chip," He put one of the dishes down in front of Mercedes, "one lemon sorbet," the other dish was set in front of Kurt, "and one pick-me-up." And without missing a beat, he leaned down and captured Kurt's lips in a quick kiss. Kurt froze and stared, eyes wide and glassy as the boy smiled at him and then Mercedes. "Enjoy." He said, gesturing to the dishes, but Mercedes got the impression he wasn't just talking about ice cream.
The boy headed back to the counter, leaving Kurt still frozen in the same position he had been when he had been kissed, except his mouth was opening and closing, though no sound came out. "Did that just happen?" He finally looked up at Mercedes who now didn't bother restraining her grin, or her 'Aww'.
"Yep. A gorgeous guy just kissed you. You're lucky he's gay and interested in you, otherwise I would be tearing his clothes off with my teeth right now." She leaned forward in her seat, taking a bite of her ice cream before continuing. "And if you just let this opportunity slip I will never speak to you again."
"But-"
"But nothing, Kurt. Forget the douchebag Nathan. That guy is totally into you, he's openly flirted with you, gone further than that even, and is probably anxiously waiting for some form of response. Don't make him suffer." With that she stretched over and shoved him out of his seat. "Now go get 'im tiger."
She then sat back and watched as Kurt approached the counter. There were no customers waiting to be served so the boy came over to him at once. Mercedes had to clap her hand over her mouth yet again as the boy said something, causing Kurt to blush even more and hand over his iPhone. A few seconds later, he gave it back to Kurt. Finally their conversation ended and Kurt started to return to their table, but as she watched a funny look came over his face, and Kurt turned back to the counter, leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to the surprised boy's cheek.
He hurried away from the counter, unaware that the boy had a hand held to his cheek where he'd been kissed, his face lit up in the biggest smile Mercedes had ever seen.