Glee/Klaine AU (In Time): The year is 2189, and humans have been genetically engineered to stop aging at the age of 25. From then on, a clock controls their lives. They have the countdown engraved into their arm. Time is now the currency. They start with a year, and unless they get more time, they will die. Basically, the rich can live forever, and the poor die.

Kurt Hummel lives in Dayton, the poorest of the poor zones. When a rich man named Cooper Anderson gives him many years and a dying request, Kurt blindly runs away on a mission to find himself, his stepbrother, and a mysterious young man named Blaine.

(Inspired by the fact that Matt Bomer plays Henry Hamilton in In Time)

A Time and a Place

Chapter 1

The ticking burned in Kurt's ears. The green light from the numbers on his arm illuminated the room and interrupted his sleep. He rolled over and stuck his arm under the pillow in an attempt to block out the light, but it was no use. He sighed and looked at the numbers. 12 hours.

Kurt's mind wandered to his father. Burt. Kurt tried to keep a strong spirit around him as much as possible, but mostly it was no use. Burt knew the situation they were in. If some strike of luck didn't come to the family, they could both be dead by the end of the week.

This is Finn's fault, thought Kurt, but as soon as he thought it, he regretted it. After Kurt's stepmom, Carol, had timed out unexpectedly after being held-up by Minutemen, Kurt's stepbrother, Finn, had gone off to join the Timekeepers. It was good not having another mouth to feed, but Finn's company and income could probably have kept them going a bit longer.

Kurt kicked off the raggedy sheets and pulled on his traditional outfit. Black jeans, lace up boots, and a long sleeved gray shirt with a black vest. It wasn't his choice of fashion, but in Dayton it was best not to call any sort of attention to yourself. Kurt was 27 years old in real time, although he barely looked 18. He had a babyish face, but there was nothing to be done about that. He was frozen this way forever. He spent a few minutes fixing his hair and making it stick up the way he liked. He had to be careful, he was running very low on hair supplies and he couldn't risk a trip to the 99 Seconds store at this rate.

He walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Not to his surprise, there was nothing in it, and the air that shot out was hot rather than cold. Kurt felt a pang in his stomach at the thought of food, but he pushed it away when he heard footsteps behind him.

"Morning, Kurt."

"Hi, Dad." Kurt turned around and gave his father a one-armed hug.

"How much you got?"

Kurt pushed back his sleeve and gulped. "Eleven and forty."

Burt looked at his own arm. "Eight."

Kurt's eyes flooded with worry. He wouldn't have enough to make it through work. He extended his arm to give him some time. "Let me-"

"No," Burt cut him off firmly and pushed his arm away. "Work owes me overtime. I'll be okay."

Kurt could sense the worry in his voice, but he trusted his father. If he said he'd be okay, he'd be okay. Besides, Burt was too stubborn to take time unless he absolutely needed to.

"I'd better be going," Kurt said, ignoring the sinking feeling in his stomach. He gave his father's hand a squeeze. "See you tonight. I'll bring home dinner." As he walked out the door, he gave his father one last look. Please, he thought, not sure who he was talking to. Let him be okay.

Author's Note: Short chapter, but don't worry, more characters and plot next chapter!