The Life and Times of Kurt Hummel
Season 5, Episode 1: THE RIGHT PATH
1/13- Kurt and Blaine return home from their travels to start a new working year. Kurt immediately settles back into Vogue and dedicates himself to his dream of working in fashion. Meanwhile, Blaine auditions for NYADA.
Kurt and Blaine walked out of the taxi that stopped outside of the apartment and smiled at each other. While they had loved their holiday together and savoured every second of being together, they both had to admit they'd missed New York and their friends, so were glad to be back. Kurt paid the driver as Blaine took their huge bags out of the boot and handed the lightest one to Kurt with a smile.
"Ready?" Kurt asked.
"Oh, yeah." Blaine replied. The two boys kissed and headed inside.
-THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KURT HUMMEL-
As soon as Kurt slid open the apartment door, the boys were greeted with loud booming music, balloons and banners reading 'WELCOME HOME' all over the place. Scattered across the room were Rachel, Santana and Sam, who waved and cheered at the sight of their friends. Burt, Carole and Brittany were also sat on the couch and smiled while Dani was preparing drinks for everyone.
"WELCOME BACK!" Rachel exclaimed and hugged the boys in turn as Sam took their cases to their rooms for them. Kurt and Blaine greeted, hugged and kissed everyone, touched that they all gathered together to welcome them home.
"How was it?" Dani asked.
"Oh, it was INCREDIBLE. We loved every single second, but we are glad to come home. I have a new job to sink my teeth into and my gorgeous boyfriend here has a last-minute NYADA audition to ace!" Kurt explained and grinned at Blaine. Burt watched the boys intently, aiming most of his attention to Kurt's hands, where he noticed there was not an engagement ring to be seen.
...
Blaine was in his and Kurt's room unpacking everyone's gifts while Kurt was talking to everyone else in the living area.
"London was crazy busy ALL THE TIME, just like here, so we kinda loved that! We saw Big Ben and went on the London Eye. We went to all the big museums and the aquarium and an open top bus tour! My hat blew away never to be seen again but it was worth it! Paris was romantic as hell, of course. The Eiffel Tower was amazing; we've got some great pictures. The food? Not so good, but we got by. Greece was boiling every minute of every day so we spent a lot of time having fun on the beach, scuba diving for turtles and all that. Plus, we went to Olympia and saw all those statues and whatever. I've never taken so many photos; I can't wait to show you all! I've got this adorable one of Blaine copying one of the statues' pose as my screensaver!" Kurt said excitedly.
"That's a lot of information that I didn't care about." Santana said bluntly.
"I'd love to do all that stuff but I'm against the idea of statues, so...oh well." Brittany said, leaving everyone confused.
"I WANNA SEE THE PHOTOS!" Rachel shouted, making Sam chuckle.
"...OKAY!" Kurt squealed and took the camera out of the small bag wrapped around his neck. Everyone gathered round while Burt snuck off to Kurt and Blaine's room, where he watched Blaine unpack for a moment.
"So, did you have a good time?" Burt asked. Blaine faced Burt.
"Oh yeah, best few weeks of my life. I loved every moment. Oh, the memories!" Blaine smiled.
"...And you didn't...?"
"...Propose? No. Look, I thought about it time and time again and there were plenty of right times, but...we'd just gotten back together and I don't wanna add any pressure where it's not needed. Getting engaged right now isn't the right path for us. Thank you for the ring, and I will use it one day, I promise, but just not yet. But it is beautiful." Blaine said.
"It really is. And obviously you have my permission to propose." Burt smiled and hugged Blaine.
"It's good to see you." Burt whispered.
"You too." Blaine smiled.
...
Two days later, Kurt and Blaine woke up and were extremely nervous. Kurt was starting at Vogue full-time, while Blaine had his NYADA audition that would see him enrolled immediately the following week.
They both forced down breakfast, during which Blaine noticed Kurt was by far the most nervous of the two. He decided he needed to get Kurt sorted before worrying about himself.
"You're gonna be fine." Blaine said as Rachel, Sam and Santana joined them at the table.
"Yeah, I know. I don't know why I'm this nervous. I feel like I'm under so much pressure to do well. Did I make the right choice? Is this really the right path for me?" Kurt questioned. Everyone nodded.
"Of course it is; you were born to do this fashion stuff." Sam said.
"Trouty Mouth's right, Hummel. Let's be honest, there isn't much you are good at, but you excel at anything to do with clothing. Well, that's what Vogue say. I think most of your clothes look like reindeer and unicorn crap." Santana said.
"...Thank you, Santana..."
"ANYWAY, ignore her! Kurt, you were meant to work at Vogue; it's time to fulfil your destiny. This is the right path for you to go down, and however much you may doubt it just know we're all here for you." Rachel said.
"You're not alone. Ever." Blaine added.
"...And we're gonna prove it." Rachel said and closed her eyes, obviously preparing to sing. Sam sat down to listen as Santana rolled her eyes and walked off. Rachel started to sing.
"Mother cannot guide you
Now you're on your own
Only me beside you
Still, you're not alone
No one is alone, truly
No one is alone."
Blaine joined in with Rachel.
"Sometimes people leave you
Halfway through the wood
Others may deceive you
You decide what's good
You decide alone
But no one is alone
(I wish)
I know...
Mother isn't here now
(Wrong things, right things)
Who knows what she'd say?
(Who can say what's true?)
Nothing's quite so clear now
(Do things, fight things)
Feel you've lost your way?
(You decide, but)
You are not alone
Believe me
No one is alone (No one is alone)
Believe me
Truly."
Kurt smiled slightly as he joined in with Blaine singing with him.
"You move just a finger
Say the slightest word
(Something's bound to linger
Be heard)
No one acts alone
(Careful)
No one is alone."
The three all sang together.
"People make mistakes
Fathers
Mothers
People make mistakes
Holding to (their own)
Thinking (they're alone)
Honor their mistakes (Fight for their mistakes)
Everybody makes
One another's terrible mistakes
Witches can be right
Giants can be good
You decide what's right
You decide what's good
Just remember (Just remember)
Someone is on your side (Our side) (Our side)
Someone else is not
Someone else is not
While we're seeing our side
Maybe we forgot
They are not alone (They are not alone)
No one is alone (No one is alone)."
Kurt sang.
"Hard to see the light now..."
Rachel sang.
"Just don't let it go..."
The three sang together again.
"Things will come out right now
We can make it so..."
Rachel sang with Blaine backing her up as the song ended.
"Someone is on your side (Someone is on your side)
No one is alone."
Kurt smiled at his best friend and boyfriend and held them both tight.
"I love you guys."
...
Kurt sat in his new office and couldn't stop smiling as he looked around.
This is MINE.
Isabelle walked in and smiled at him.
"How's my favourite colleague on his first day as a full-time worker?" She asked.
"I'm just signing off some designs from people applying for apprenticeships. I have a say in who we select; I'm replacing myself! I can't believe how far I've come here in a few years." Kurt said.
"Well, you've worked hard and found a clear path of what you wanted to do with your life. You followed it and you made the right choice. All of this, everything you see around you...you've earned it, honey. And it seems things with Blaine are going well." Isabelle said.
"Why would you say that?" Kurt asked.
"Your eyes. You're happier than I've ever seen you." Isabelle replied.
"Well, for once, everything's going right. Nothing is holding me back or worrying me in this moment. I'm sure I'll get stressed at the workload and angry at people who forget to do something for me and explode after a hard week...but I know I'll never stop loving being here. I'll never stop loving here and now, and that's what important. That's how I know this is my path. And I'm just starting walking along it." Kurt explained.
"Well, have a good walk." Isabelle smiled and walked out with a little wave. Kurt spun himself around and around in his chair with a little chuckle before returning to the work on his desk.
This is my WORK. I WORK here. I love this.
Kurt knew Vogue was the right path for him, and he was determined to have one hell of a journey down it.
...
Blaine waited outside one of NYADA's many rooms nervously waiting for Carmen to summon him in for his audition. His phone buzzed and he smiled at the various texts he'd received.
'Break a leg! –Sam'
'Remember: breathe, focus, cry. Works every time xx –Rachel'
'Good luck. Don't faint. If you do, make sure someone films it. x –Santana'
'Remembered it was your audition today. Break a leg, Anderson! Xx –Mercedes'
'Break a leg today, Blainey days! xxx –Tina'
'Good luck, kiddo. You'll be amazing. –Burt'
'Smash it, old chap! –Adam'
'Santana, I'm lost. Come and get me! –Brittany'
'Rock it, dude! Break a leg. –Artie'
'Break a leg, sweetie. Be amazing as always; love you to the moon and back! K xxx'
"Blaine Anderson." A woman said as she opened the door by Blaine. He took a deep breath and walked in. He saw Carmen sat on a desk before him as the other woman left the room.
"I've been waiting all day for this, Mr Anderson. You have quite the story." Carmen said.
"...I guess I do." Blaine said.
"You've applied and successfully got in before, but...personal issues got in the way. I've been briefed on everything that you went through and I must say...you have a lot of respect from me to pick yourself back up so magnificently." Carmen smiled.
"Wow. Thank you, Miss Tibedeux." Blaine smiled.
"And you're song choice interests me. It's not commonly done, despite it being a Queen song. Why did you choose it?" Carmen questioned.
"Well, I'm a huge Queen fan and this is one of my favourite songs of theirs. Plus, after everything I've been through I want to honour my friends. I know I wouldn't still be here without them; I love them all. And my boyfriend, of course. I owe my life to all of them." Blaine said. Carmen nodded.
"Yes, Mr Hummel did have a lot of nice things to say about you. Well, good luck...whenever you're ready..." Carmen initiated. Blaine took another breath before turning to the band next to him and nodding. The song started and Blaine began to sing.
"Ooh you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all I see
Ooh you make me live now honey
Ooh you make me live...
Oh you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh you're my best friend
Ooh you make me live
Ooh I've been wandering round
Back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Ooh you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh you make me live now honey
Ooh you make me live
Oh, you're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooo you make me live, live, live, live...
I'm happy...
You're my best friend, oh
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh you make me live
Ooh, you're my best friend
Oh, oh,
Oh, oh,
Oh, oh, you make me live!"
As the song ended, Carmen smiled.
...
Blaine returned home to find Kurt and the others staring at him.
"Hi." Blaine said.
"Well?" Sam asked. Blaine put is bag down and grinned.
"Say hello to NYADA's latest student, starting next week." Blaine said. Everyone stood up and cheered as Kurt hugged him.
"I'm so proud of you." Kurt whispered to him. Rachel approached him next.
"Did you breathe?" Rachel asked.
"Yes."
"Did you focus?"
"Yes."
"Did you cry?"
"...A little bit, yeah."
Rachel paused before opening her arms and hugged Blaine.
"I have nothing more to teach you." She said emotionally. Blaine laughed; knowing that NYADA was the right path for him to take now his life was back on track and better than ever.
...
That night, Kurt and Blaine snuggled up in bed, both happy with how their days had gone.
"So, was Vogue good?" Blaine asked.
"Oh yeah; I made the right choice. This is my path." Kurt smiled.
"NYADA is mine." Blaine added.
"And our paths are running alongside each other again after so many years, and one day they'll merge into one. You're stuck with me, Anderson." Kurt chuckled.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Blaine smiled as Kurt kissed him and turned off the light.
...
NEXT TIME…
"Funny Girl is returning to Broadway...with open auditions."
Kurt had never been so ill before.
"Oh, won't you stay with me? 'Cause you're all I need."
It was the first time Blaine had wanted to kill Kurt.
...
A/N: Hey guys! Season 5 is here! BIG things are happening this season, including the 100th episode (CRAZY!) and more! I can't wait for you to see what happens in this and the upcoming sixth season. The sixth season, just like Glee (*sob*) will be the last. I've LOVED writing this series and I hope you've loved reading it, but all good things come to end. Plus, this time next year I should be going to university so I want to wrap up the stories of these glorious characters. Thank you for sticking with the story! Big love to you all :D