He never actually believed this would happen. If you asked Kurt ten years ago what he saw for himself in his future, this would not be it. In his dreams, he would have married Blaine, finished NYADA top of his class and gone straight to Broadway to star in sold out shows.

Alas, the future doesn't always turn out how one plans it, life has a way of charging in and generally being a bitch.

He had married Blaine, and they were happy-ish for a couple of years before they broke it off. It was a mutual decision, and they still kept in touch now four years after their divorce. NYADA has also happened. For a while, at least. Truth is, when he compared how miserable he was at school versus how much he enjoyed working with Isabelle at Vogue, the choice to quit was an easy one to make. She had been more than happy to have him as her personal assistant - full pay finally, no more of that intern-business – and he loved working with her. Yes with her, not for her. It hadn't taken her long to see his full potential when he put all his effort into something, and he rapidly rose through the ranks and was now one of top editors.

The thing was, he never quite let go of his dreams of being a star. He refused to give up on singing when he quit NYADA, and was an active member at his local café on open mic nights. And of course his shower, as well as the rest of his apartement, was an avid audience to his daily vocal excersizes.

So when his dad jokingly said he should try being a contestant on The Voice, the thought never quite left his mind. He was of course a faithful fan of the series, both for the music and the chance to admire Adam Levines handsome face. But could he really do it? What if no one turned around?

Well, he was about to find out.

«Kurt Hummel,» he heard a voice say, and looked up to one of the technicians. «You're up next. Just stand at the centre of the stage and the music'll start at your que,» the tech guy said.

«Go blow them away, bud,» Burt whispered into his sons hair as he gave him a last hug for good luck.

Kurt breathed in deep and held it for a moment before he let it out and walked on the stage.

It was showtime.

Sebastian Smythe was slouched back in his chair, glancing out into the audience before looking back at his notes. God, would there even be anyone decent today? Well, he had to concede with himself, they were in New York, a cultural mekkah of talent, so there probably would be a few at least. But would any of them pick him, is the question. He was no Blake or Adam, after all. At least he had better connections and abilities to help their artists than Christina.

This was his second season of being a coach on The Voice. After the release of his second album, he got into some issues with his manager and his record label, so he decided a break from the music making would do him some good, maybe help him find his sound again. So as his last act as Sebastians manager, Trent had managed to get him to be the last coach at The Voice, as Pharrell was making a new album and had to turn down that season. Sebastian agreed, thinking it would be nice to have something to do as well as get some good publicity, because even if he had grow up since high school, he was still himself. In other words, his publicist was happy that he had so much to do with the show that he didn't have time to end up on the internet with a new guy in his arms each night. He had had a really great time last season, and coached some great artists he hoped would reach far, and when asked to do a second season he immediatly said yes.

A sharp cough from Adam made him snap out of his musings as the audience quieted down and footsteps were heard from the stage.

High violin and pluckings on a harp was heard as the beginning of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables started playing.

«Oh, wow,» he heard Christina mutter as she was surprised by the sound choice. Sebastian was to, but he was in for a shock when the person on stage started singing.

That voice… No. It can't be, surely…

«He is young, he's afraid. Let him rest, heaven blessed.» Sebastian didn't even let him finish before he slammed his button. He had to know, but he was almost scared to raise his eyes and see as his chair turned. He knew he would be dissapointed.

But there he was. Kurt Hummel stood before him on the stage, singing a song from his favorite musical. And fuck did he look good.

The years had only been kind to Kurt. He had matured, and now at 26 he was stunning. Sebastian could admit to himself that Kurt had always been pretty, now that he was not in high school and no longer a petty little fucker, but now… His hair was the same brown it always been, with highlights in the longer hair on top, coiffed up as it always used to be. But it wasn't so neat, it was messy and fresh. Like he's been rubbing his hands through it. Or like he's been fucked into the mattress. Sebastian blinked the thought away as he let Kurt's voice wash over him. He couldn't tear his eyes away.

He dragged his gaze down Kurt's body. He was wearing a plain light purple shirt with a black satin vest over it, skinny black pants and shiny black dress shoes. The shirt was form fitting, showing off his slim torso, and the open vest made him look slimmer. His pants fit him extremely well, showing off his powerfull thighs and long legs. Sebastian thought he looked amazing.

The other coaches had turned around as well, Blake sitting with his head leaning on his hand, rubbing his chin, while Adam were sitting in a squat in his chair, clearly having stood up sometime during Kurt's performance. Christina was staring at Kurt, wide eyed in awe that such a voice could come from a man like that. Cause Sebastian might have called Kurt a girl back in the day, but that up there was all man.

«Bring him home!» Kurt finished with a long highnote to a standing ovation from the entire crowd and all judges except one. He had opened his eyes a few times during his song, and now he held a hand in front of his mouth as he couldn't contain his smile, tears shining in his eyes.

The applause died down and only then did Sebastian find his voice again.

«Kurt freaking Hummel.»

The apparent awe and surprise and strangely enough pride in that voice made Kurt lock eyes with Sebastian. He had of course halfway known that Sebastian would be there, as he knew he had coached last season and Pharrell was on tour, but seeing him for the first time in seven years was still strange. The animosity between them had mostly dissappeared the first year after Kurt graduated, and Sebastian had even been to Blaine and Kurt's wedding, but that didn't mean they kept in touch.

«Yeah, hi Sebastian,» Kurt said with a smile. He could feel the audience's eyes on him, wondering what his connection to Sebastian was. Adam looked between them and spoke up;

«Wait, you guys know each other?»

Sebastian took that as his que to sit up properly and answer, «Yeah, we met in high school when I was trying to get into his boyfriend's pants,» with a smirk aimed at Kurt, who answered back with a grin and a «He didn't get into his pants, by the way,» to the rest of the audience who laughed back at him.

«Well, other than the fact that you apparently one-upped Sebastian here, tell us a little more about you,» Christina said, clasping her hands together and leaning back in her chair.

Kurt gave a little laugh, «Well, I am Kurt Hummel, 26 years old originally from Ohio but I have lived the last eight years here in the city. I am divorced, and I spend my days working as an editor at » Kurt smiled at Sebastian as his eyes turned sad at the divorced part. «In my teenage years, which Sebastian can confirm, my dream was to be a Broadway star, but when I took an internship at Vogue after high school I found the place I belonged. I got halfway through my degree at NYADA before I decided to put all my efforts into fashion instead of the stage, but the dream to be a singer has always kept with me.» The audience clapped at this, and Blake took his turn to speak.

«Well, I gotta say I'm glad you kept that dream in mind, as I don't think I have ever heard a better counter tenor pass through the show all these season the show has been on air,» he said with a smile, «and I would be proud to call myself your coach if you choose me.»

Adam chimed in, «Blake's right, you truly have such talent, such power in your voice,» he looked at the other artists in the chairs beside him, «I wonder, is your voice always that high or can you go lower?» he asked and looked up at Kurt again.

Kurt gave a chuckle and went down to his lower register, «Well my voice is naturally that high but I can go lower if that's needed,» and he blushed a little when the crowd cheered and someone whistled at him.

God damn. Sebastian didn't know Kurt could go low like that! The deep voice sent a shivver down his spine, and he stared up at Kurt as Adam exclaimed.

«Wow! Now that's a versatile voice right there!» He smiled brightly at Kurt and continued, «Look Kurt, I know I have what it takes to make you win this thing, your voice is a gift and it should be on my team,» Adam concluded with a wink at Kurt, whose blush flared up again. Curse my fair skin! OMG Adam winked at me! Kurt's mind was in a right state after that so he didn't really pay attention to what Christina said, but he was sure it was something about wanting him on her team as well. He already knew he wouldn't pick her. He snapped to again when Sebastian started to speak, his eyes locking with those green orbs again.

«Well damn Kurt, I mean I knew you were something special back in high school, even if I didn't show it then, but now,» he took a pause and just stared at Kurt for a second.

Kurt couldn't help but let his eyes trace down Sebastians body, thinking about how well his tee fit him and that the rips in his jeans showed too little thigh, even as spread out as they were. One of the reasons Kurt had been so intimidated by Sebastian in high school was because the boy was hot and he knew it. Yes he was arrogant, snarky and a bit of an ass, but to be fair so was Kurt. He had secretely enjoyed the sparring between the two of them, even if sometimes it went to far. He had loved that Sebastian could keep up with him, and brought out his bitch. In hindsight he was actually kind of impressed that Blaine held out and managed not to cheat with Sebastian, because Kurt wasn't sure he would have been able to had Sebastians affections been aimed at him.

«You're so much more confident now,» Sebastian continued after his break. The other judges looked between them, they knew where this was going. «You look so much more at ease in your body, you're not trying so hard, and it's really attractive.» Sebastian smirked up at Kurt as his widened a little bit but he could see the smirk Kurt was hiding. «Your voice as well, it is even more beautiful and clear than it was back then, which I find really impressing. NYADA clearly left it's mark on you in that departement, and you've held up quite nice, but I think that with some more coaching and a more rigorous training, you could be something even more special. And I want to make that happen,» Sebastian said as he laid back in his chair, watching Kurt think.

«We've said our bits, now it's up to you, Kurt.» Blake raised his hand and was pointing at himself, Adam held his hands together in front of his face as if he was praying, and Christina was holding out her clasped hands as if to make him choose her.

Kurt's eyes strayed to Sebastian again, as he was leaning back in his chair with his arms over his head clasping the chair, trying to look nonchalant but Kurt could see the unsurity in his eyes.

Go with your gut Kurt. You know what you want. Kurt smiled and raised his mic to his lips.

«I choose Sebastian,» he smiled as Sebastian threw his hands into the air and lept out of his chair. The audience cheered as they watched Sebastian walk up to meet Kurt halfway where he put his arms around Kurt's back and pulled him into a hug. Kurt's arms went up around his shoulders, and he laughed into the hug as he and Sebastian swayed side to side for a bit.

«Thank you, Princess,» Sebastian whispered into Kurts hair before he pulled back a little to walk back to his chair. «Do you have anywhere to be tonight or do you wanna catch up?» Kurt smiled and pressed a kiss to Sebastians cheek. «I'll text you my adress and we'll get some take out, alright?» They pulled away from each other, rather reluctantly from both sides, and Kurt smiled up at Sebastian. «It's a date,» Sebastian said with a wink before he walked back to his chair, big smirk the whole time.

Adam gave him a high five, «You lucky son of a bitch,» he said with a smirk as he saw the matching one on Sebastians face. «You know it,» he answered back before he turned and watched Kurt walk off the stage, his eyes glued to his ass. Lucky indeed.

Kurt walked off the stage, maybe swaying his hips a little bit to make sure Sebastian (and Adam, cause god damn) were watching. It only lasted untill he saw his dad holding his arms open next to a crying Carole, before he ran into his arms chanting thank you the whole time.

When they finally made it out of the building they headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch as it was only around three pm and he knew Sebastian wouldn't be done until late that night. He smiled thinking about his one-time rival, now turned coach and pulled out his phone and sending Sebastian a message with his address.

See you later tonight, coach.
K xx

Kurt couldn't wait.