A/N I contemplated for a long time to put this on FF. This is orginally written for the GKM, and is already finished since September - but I don't want it to be neglected because this story is an enormous baby to me.
So, to already stop a few people from getting mean:
This story envolves around Kurt - he never met Blaine in High School and never got in to NYADA. Instead he went to TISCH and met Cooper Anderson, who is gay in this AU. They will start dating and then Kurt meets Blaine.
Klaine = Endgame
There is NO sexual action between Kurt and Cooper, only some kisses and making out. GIVE COOPER A CHANCE PLEASE, he has won many many heart over since the beginning of this story.
Either way - I hope you enjoy
April 10 2013
Kurt nervously cracked his knuckles. Maybe it was a bad idea to skip school for this, - it was not like he wanted to know that Kurt was there, watching him - supporting him.
The last time he saw him back in March he seemed so broken, yet so relieved, that Kurt almost had given in straight away. But he couldn't. Because he wouldn't. But somehow today his feet had dragged him to this place to support his very own supporter. At first he made up the reason that he didn't want him to think that he was alone, but it turned out to be a crowded day and the entire 'friends and family'-area was completely filled. Not one seat was empty - and Kurt had expect nothing less, so his reason didn't make sense.
Kurt cracked his knuckles again. Perhaps he should leave. By all means: he was a big boy, a very talented man - he was going to make it. Kurt almost stood up to leave, but the soft sound of applause made him sit back down immediately.
He guessed he could stay then, mostly because he wanted to stay, and joined the soft clapping. The door in the back opened. Kurt's breath faltered as his frequent shoulder to cry own stepped into the room. There was no turning back now; Kurt would have to face the music.
September 5 2012
"Is it bad that I'm bored already?" Nancy didn't really make her statement a secret as it was practically yelled into Kurt's ear. A few heads in front of them actually turned around to see where the loud, accented voice had come from.
The entire lecture hall at the NYU Tisch building was filled to the nock with eager first-years. All begging and panting to start, waiting for further information. It was their official second day as Tisch students. Kurt had the pleasure of meeting Nancy during their first day. Not that he had been willing at first: Nancy simply jumped him, started to talk (of which Kurt barely understood half of it) and dragged him along campus, telling him her entire life-story ("Then my good old dad said: 'Nancy, you should be an actress.' Because 'ya know - I acted halfway through High School.")
And even though Nancy wasn't really Kurt's fancy to have as a first friend, at least he wasn't bored alone at the moment - because to be fair: he was.
Of course the thrills of a whole new school, a whole new city (holy hell, Hummel, you're in New York) and a whole lot of new people to meet were there, but in the end he really didn't want to sit through another boring lecture about the whims and ways of Tisch. If he ever had to sit and listen to the history-story of Tisch and that it was founded in 1965 again, he would gladly strap himself to Nancy and jump of the Brooklyn bridge as she proposed yesterday ("Seriously, nobody cares. I know I stopped caring the moment I walked in." and "Who the hell names their kid 'Preston'?"). Nancy reminded Kurt of Santana, which was probably the main reason why he decided to keep on tagging along with her. Plus she was way better company than Rachel probably would have been - don't think of that, Kurt squinted. Just because she got into NYADA does not make you lesser. Tisch is better known any way, by all means Idina freakin' Menzel graduated here.
"They promised yesterday we would get some excitement today," Kurt mumbled to a still fussing Nancy.
She let out an unflattering huff. "By excitement they probably mean a tour around campus, as if we're toddlers and unable to find our ways ourselves."
"We did get lost yesterday," Kurt reminded her. She furiously shook her head, letting it go that she meant for that to happen and 'what kind of guy can't read a map'. Kurt snickered. "You're just full of contradictions."
"And you love me already. But seriously Kurt, you need to stick around with me, because I have an impeccable gaydar."
"Nancy, we're doing the dramatic arts musical-program and although I've had issues with my own gaydar in the past." Finn, cough. Sam, cough (although Kurt was still undetermined on his part). "I'm pretty sure half of these people are playing my team." He scattered his looks around the, still filling, lecture room. It was hard to realize that all these young people shared Kurt's dream and that they were all talented. It was ridiculously intimidating. These are the people Kurt was going to battle with for roles upcoming plays and musicals, not just the half-and-half talented misfits of McKinley High in Lima, Ohio. This time he wasn't competing against Finn, Mike or Puck, who've never really shown passion to get the part of Tony in West Side Story in the first place - here he had to fight with equally vitalized people. But Kurt had learned one important thing of surviving his life so far: Bring. It. On. Nobody scared him anymore, nobody would toss him into lockers - Kurt Elizabeth Hummel was one fierce diva on a mission. Except he hadn't really shown that part of him yet to anyone since he came to New York. Nancy only seen bits and flavors of snarky Kurt and big eye 'Oh-my-God, we're lost'-bambi Kurt.
"You need to find yourself a boy, mate," Nancy said. Kurt couldn't help but stare at her in disbelief.
"Did you just quote Pirates of the Caribbean?"
"Yep, and I might add the question of the eunuch thingy -"
Fortunately for Kurt the hall dimmed its lights. Some students started an applause as the same woman from yesterday, head coordinator of the dramatic arts department, Miss Susan Dursey, walked upon stage with her usual condescending stroll. Sure she liked her fresh batch of new students, Kurt thought, but he saw the loathing and the 'simply not caring who you are'- look on her face. She used to be a big Broadway legacy, until she fractured her knee and her understudy nailed the part better than she did. Kurt couldn't help but shudder at thinking that if his career went wrong he would end up here - as a teacher or a janitor.
The applause faded as Miss Dursey told them to quit it. Kurt and Nancy hadn't even bothered to clap for her.
"Yes," the lady started after hoisting herself onto the higher platter with a microphone stand, "welcome back to the second day of this introductorily week at Tisch, NYU. I hope everybody has gathered their schedules for next week as the real courses will commence."
"Yay for that," Nancy cheered in a softer tone than before. "I hate introduction weeks, I remember those silly camps in order to get to know your classmates, as if I care."
"You don't seem to care about many things."
"See, one day and you already know me, that's all it takes."
Someone behind them shushed them and Nancy sneered something that sounded like: "Ass kissing.", "Suck ups." and "Nobody cares."
"- as for today," Miss Dursey continued, "we have some special guests - actually, today we will be showing you your future."
"Ah! We're going to be waiters for a day!" Nancy whispered.
"Today you will explore the grounds of campus and meet up with a few of our last year and some years before, graduated students." She gestured to the door behind her, which immediately was opened by one of the bystanders. "We have categorized you yesterday, you shall remain in that group and will follow one of these -" A young woman with frizzy ginger hair came out of the door, followed by an elder woman who was blind this morning while dressing, a skinny boy who seemed to have ran freshly out of the production of Billy Elliot, "And get a little master class from them. To give you the taste of your upcoming years here." Another boy stumbled out, this one looking more like Pinocchio. "And of course a taste of your future professional life-" The door closed, but a hand stopped it just in time.
"Oh my God," Nancy shrieked and Kurt jumped a little at her exclamation. He turned to her to find her staring open-mouthed at the stage - what has gone into her? The boys weren't that cute. Kurt looked around a bit more to find even more openhanging mouths, followed by soft murmuring. Miss Dursey had turned quiet and finally Kurt turned back to the stage; holy. shit. He repeated his thought out loud, bringing his hand subconsciously to his mouth to make him stop talking and he could feel his eyes widening.
"I think I just came," Nancy blurted, fanning herself.
Kurt didn't even cringe at the crude wording, because he could only quote his former school counselor: so this is what being turned on feels like. Next to Ginny Weasley, Grandma Yetta, Billy Elliot and Pinocchio on stage stood a Disney Prince come to life. Even from afar Kurt could make out very light eyes, searching the crowd - oh my God, don't look at me - and his hair was done spectacularly well (easy-looking with care). Of all the people on stage, including Miss Dursey and the weird professor who has been in the back scratching his head ever since they started, he had the most charisma and it was making Kurt's blood boil. He was tall, charming and handsome. He was -
"He's mine," Nancy claimed, still fanning. "You find yourself a different boy, mate. That man is mine."
"No, no - no," Kurt spluttered without realizing it. "You have an impeccable malfunctioning gaydar, hon', he plays for my team. He has to."
"In your dreams, pear hips. My gaydar screams straight as an arrow."
"My hips are not pear-shaped - they're -" Kurt stopped talking because people were standing up. In their heated whim they missed Miss Dursey announcing who needed to follow who. Group A was leaving with Ginny Weasley.
"Group B will be joining Miss Lucas." More students stood up.
"Kurt," Nancy hissed. "What group were we?"
"Uh," Kurt couldn't think straight and the panic started to fight the boiling blood.
"Group C with Mister Hayley," Miss Dursey continued.
"Group D." The memory of them being 'sorted' yesterday returned.
"Group D will be following Mr. Mertins." Shit. They got Pinocchio, not the Disney Prince. "And of course group E will join Mr. Anderson." Disney Prince smiled widely at hearing his name. "The rest of the day you will be rotating, so you'll meet everyone."
Nancy hoisted Kurt up to push him down the stairs toward the stage. "Fuck this Mertins, guy - we need to get close to Neo."
"Neo?" Kurt asked, almost missing a step on the staircase.
"Mr. Anderson, gah Kurt - don't you watch films? Matrix? Thought you wanted to become an actor -"
"Musical performer, Nance, can you name all best musical Tony-winners from the past two decades?" Kurt didn't even think Nancy heard him.
They blended in with the mass downstairs, gathering around Pinocchio and ignoring the tempting thought of swapping to Group E. Shamelessly Kurt feasted his eyes on the, even more impressive up close, man who was smiling widely at the flailing girls and boys of Group E. For a split second Mr. Anderson looked at him directly and Kurt felt his breath falter. The Prince's smile became even broader at seeing Kurt blushing. Quickly he looked away to focus on the wooden puppet without strings.
"Oh my God, he just totally winked at me," Nancy whispered. Kurt snapped up again.
"But he was -" looking at me.
"Let's go!" Pinocchio announced and started to make way toward the exit. Kurt turned around one last time to see Prince Charming woo his group - was it time to rotate yet?
Paul 'Pinocchio' Mertins was apparently working in some Off Broadway show not even Kurt had heard of. He had taken Group D to an empty rehearsal room and now they were sitting on the floor as some kind of prayer-circle.
"This is a waste of time," Nancy hissed in his ear. "This is seriously turning into the day of 'who gives a fuck'. Well - I know who I would like to give a fu-"
"Nance!" Kurt hushed, hoping she would shut up. "You are not making time go faster!"
One hour. He needed to survive one hour with the 'I wish I was a real'-boy. After that hour they would rotate to Mr. Anderson. Kurt couldn't help but wonder what he was doing in the business. He looked like he belonged on the Wicked stage dancing through life, kissing green girls and turning brainless. He would do anything to see him in those tight crème trousers. Kurt casually placed the him as Elphaba-file into the 'ain't gonna happen'-folder. Pity that folder was already bursting out with dreams.
After the endless monologue about that the upcoming years will be the best and worst of your lives (quoting Grey's Anatomy? Seriously?), Paul begged his goodbye and sent them off to Mr. 'Fiyero' Anderson.
"If we get lost now I will castrate someone." Nancy was quivering like an excited Chihuahua. They were in luck that somehow they were categorized with some of the 'suck ups' from the introduction before and they already knew campus by heart. In a record time they arrived in another rehearsal-room.
Nancy started to cuss again as they were greeted by the very manly back (and bottoms) of Mr. Anderson, whom himself was staring at the whiteboard where a few scribbles were noticeable. He turned around at the murmuring sound of a new group of freshmen entering. He grinned widely (making several people gasp) and gestured everybody to form in front of him.
"Hi," he greeted and of course his voice perfectly matched the looks. "I'm Cooper. Cooper Anderson." Cooper. Cooper. Kurt and Coo- what, Hummel - shut up. Cooper paced sideways a bit, interpreting every face of the swooning crowd. He was talking about his school and career and the tough life of a struggling actor, searching for auditions.
"I would hire you," Nancy spoke up. Cooper seemed off guard for a second, raising his perfectly trimmed eyebrows (no straight guy in Kurt's life ever trimmed their eyebrows: team gay - one.).
"Well, thank you - I would too." Cooper grinned. "But I am not here to tell you guys my pathetic life story, no. I am here for a serious reason." For some reason he said 'serious' quite loud. "Look around you." Oh God, not another Grey's Anatomy reference, make it stop. "You are going to get to know these people on whole new levels upcoming years. Who knows who you are going to kiss during rehearsals, who knows who you will have to hold every performance. Now I understand that not everybody wants to know each other on that level - or maybe you do, just keep it safe -" Wink. " - but, this is Tisch! This is your dream, so let go of your comfortable zone and it's going to start right now." He pointed to the floor and paused for full dramatic effect. Quickly he snapped back up to his smile. "So pick a partner and get ready to feel each other up, get comfortable."
"I know who I would love to feel up," Nancy muttered as she pulled Kurt into her personal circle before anyone else could claim him. "But you'll do." She grinned mischievously. "Let's see if I need to ask my eunuch question after all."
"You keep your hands away from my junk and I am not touching your boobs."
"I know you want to."
"Oh! We're uneven!" Cooper suddenly interrupted before they could start. A girl was wandering alone between the formed couples. Nancy muttered something about not being open for a trio unless it was with Cooper and Cooper himself took the girl's hand. "Uhm." He seemed lost for a minute. Then his eyes struck Kurt. They flickered shortly between him and Nancy and before they could even consider taking a breath, he had already walked up to them. "Swap!" He took Kurt's hand (oh my God, oh my God), placed forever-alone girl in front of Nancy and dragged Kurt up front. "You practice on me."
Kurt could hear the spluttered "What?!" coming from Nancy's area, but Kurt was frozen on the spot - back straightened, hands clenched and eyes widened.
"Class," Cooper spoke up. "Drop your guards and just start at the face, okay? No groping other body parts." There were a few moans, freaking student hormones. Cooper turned back to Kurt with a wide smile. "Let's start." He brought up his hands, tentatively - almost unsure. Kurt wasn't moving at all. There was a taller, gorgeous-looking man in front of him and he was about to place his hands on Kurt's tomato-red face. His breath hitched and eyelids fluttered as soon as the fingertips touched his cheeks, full hands came up to cup his jaws and thumbs stroked his cheekbones. "Tut, tut, relax. You're going to have to touch a lot of people upcoming years and you will definitely see a lot of people in their Tarzan and Jane suits, so - be happy your first time is with me." Kurt opened his eyes again. Cooper's eyes were icy-blue. His first attempt on 'relaxing' was rewarded with a big toothy smile. "There we go, you know this exercise is kind of meant to be mutual, so feel free to touch my face." Swallowing down a big deal of fear and excitement, Kurt raised his jelly-feeling arms and cupped Cooper's face. He had a light, manly, stubble and Kurt felt the muscles under the skin move as Cooper smiled. "See? Not that bad, huh?"
No. Not bad at all.
Cooper's eyes schemed his entire face, deciding where to go next and his hands moved up a bit. Fingers touched the underside of Kurt's hair. Cooper quickly mumbled that he would try not to mess it up too much (team gay - two). Suddenly he let out a guff. "Gosh, here I am feeling you up and I don't even know your name."
"Kurt," he breathed and allowed his hands to wander too, dipping into the voluminous hair. It was too soft for a straight guy (team gay - three).
"Kurt," Cooper echoed. "Suits you just fine. Okay, class -" He turned to the group. Everybody was giggling whilst feeling faces. Nancy didn't seem amused in the least. "Move downwards." He put action straight to the words and let his hands move down to his neck. "So, - Kurt. Where're you from?"
"Ohio," Kurt squeaked, moving his hands to the broad shoulders. Cooper's face lit up at hearing the answer.
"Really? What a coincidence, I'm from Ohio too. Westerville to be exact, you?"
This gorgeous (possibly gay) man was from Ohio? There was hope after all.
"Lima."
"Sounds familiar." Cooper was grinning fulltime now. The rest of the hour they continued to talk about their hometowns, the dreadfulness that was Ohio and of course - their hands were memorizing every inch of their bodies. Kurt had gotten so into the rant about High School bully-policies that he didn't even notice Cooper touching him anymore. The hour had ended sooner than Kurt ever wanted. He didn't want to go to Ginny or Yetta or Billy: he wanted to stay with Fiyero.
Everybody was gathering their belongings to leave and Nancy perked up next to Kurt while Cooper got distracted by a couple not stopping groping each other.
"Found any hidden piercings?" she whispered in his ear, "because I did."
"Oh my God, no." Kurt grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "I should introduce you to Santana, she'll allow you to find her hidden piercings."
"Oh shut up, you are not allowed to be grumpy, you got your mack on with fairy-pants. Another loss for the poor population of straight females..." Nancy sighed dramatically.
"Wait? What?" They started to walk toward the exit. "You think he's team gay?"
The noises following were impossible to describe, but Kurt could make out that his thoughts were an understatement. "He was practically drooling, or wagging his tail when you started to touch him - gah, you cute little inexperienced boy. Two days into college and you already have a man, it must be a record - oh wait I saw scrunch-face and bubble-butt make out yesterday, an image I would love to erase from my mind."
"It's not like I'm going to see him again -"
"Kurt!" The couple turned around at hearing the very silky voice of Cooper Anderson. He came up to them in a weird jogging pace. "Hey sorry, you just took off and -" Kurt mumbled an apology, but Cooper waved it away, "but I was wonder if maybe, we could - rehearse again? Practice? Maybe with some food involved?"
"You're asking me to touch you again?"
Cooper's eyes snapped big "Wha- no! No, no - unless you want to." Eyebrow waggle. "No, I can give you some... tips? On acting? Broadway? And show you the beauty of New York? I've been here longer than before and I know all the pretty places." His face was entranced with expectations Kurt didn't know how to answer.
Nancy started to laugh hysterically. Both men turned to her while she threw her hands up in despair.
"This is pathetic, Kurt - would you like to go on a date with Cooper?"
The anticipation grew in Cooper's facial expressions as he focused on Kurt. "Do you?"
"A- a date?" Kurt started to vividly blink, going through options and things, but then he remembered his motto: bring. it. on. "O-okay. Yes. Yes, I would like to go on a date with you."
"Okay." Cooper's shoulders relaxed even though Kurt didn't even notice them being tensed in the first place.
"OKAY!" Nancy declared, "Now swap spit or phone numbers - or both, just let me watch the spit-swapping."
They ended up only giving phone numbers (much to Nancy's chagrin).
There you go, Hummel - your first week in New York and you already have a date. Didn't we always agree that you would never find love in Ohio? Cooper might be from Ohio, but it will never happen there. And the fact that it had come true made Kurt Elizabeth Hummel the fierce diva he wanted to be.
Their date didn't happen until end September. Cooper had warned him through text that the first weeks of Tisch courses were going to become a pain in the ass - the teachers would use it to separate the wheat from the chaff and he revealed that the first impressions would land you either the lead-parts or villager number five in the background-parts.
Kurt blessed the cow that landed him in every class with Nancy, because as crazy and crude she could be - she was actually the most normal-shaped marble in the sack.
There was Jack with his weird mechanic noises while warming up ("It's like hearing Optimus Prime masturbate," Nancy had commented.), the British girl who had been in Les Misérables both Broadway and West End as Cosette (Kurt almost texted Rachel that, but then he remembered they were on non-speaking terms) and other people who all seemed to have way more experience than Kurt would ever get.
Nancy and he paired up for every assignment. Their first 'act-off' was acting out an improvised argument. Without even a minute of discussing their topic, Nancy had slapped him across the face and claimed that she saw him first. Apparently she was channeling her inner anger that Cooper had 'chosen' him and Kurt gladly took the subject of matter.
After the professor finally yelled cut, him and Nancy burst out in laughter. It had been hilarious seeing Nancy being jealous and they were praised for their obvious chemistry.
Kurt sat down against the mirror to watch his classmates do their act-off. He reached for his bag and took out his cell phone to find a text message from Cooper.
To: Kurt From: Cooper (02:27 PM)
Well hello there, what have you been up to?
To: Cooper From: Kurt (02:50 PM)
Being slapped by girls, the usual - no biggie
To: Kurt From: Cooper (02:52 PM)
Now THAT'S a story I would love to hear.
To: Cooper From: Kurt (02:53 PM)
I bet you do.
To: Kurt From: Cooper (02:55 PM)
So how about you do? Tell me? Tonight over dinner, maybe see a show?
Kurt's breath hitched. A familiar shoe poked his thigh and he looked up to see Nancy giving him a questionable look. He turned the phone toward her. Her eyes moved at the reading of the text, before her face opened up into excitement and she nodded frantically.
"Go get him, Kurt!" she whispered and the professor announced they were dismissed.
As they scrambled their stuff together Kurt quickly texted confirmation, shortly replied with:
To: Kurt From: Cooper (03:02 PM)
Yes! Meet me at the entrance of Tisch Hall, it's easy to walk from there, at six - can't wait. Xx
And Kurt tried not to interpret those 'xx's' as a promise for tonight, but failed miserably.
Kurt had been fantasizing about dating for the last three years now. Imagining some handsome, courteous man would sweep him of his feet and drag him across all the romantic spots of whatever city they were.
Holding hands, stealing kisses as their relationship would grow. But never in his teenage dreams the guy he'd been fantasizing about would look like someone like Cooper.
Funny Cooper, who had been texting him with warnings about certain teachers (Professor Gaffrey had a serious problem.). Sweet Cooper, wishing him luck when he had another assignment due. They weren't even officially dating yet, but Kurt felt abnormally comfortable with the sweet texts and phonecalls.
It was perfect that there were a few weeks between their first and second meeting - mainly because of one reason: Kurt hadn't gone over the fact yet that Cooper was too handsome to be real.
Kurt had to remind himself that Cooper was also the guy who had sent him puppy-pictures after his first encounter with his dance-instructor (Nancy had actually gotten defensive about her comment on Kurt's stiffness, telling Ms. Shannen that Kurt was more flexible than her husband would ever be).
He mentally said 'puppy-pictures' as a mantra when Cooper appeared in his eyesight that night. Unfortunately puppy-pictures turned mushy and all Kurt saw was the face of world's most gorgeous man.
"H-hi," Kurt stuttered as Cooper came close to greet him. The shock grew even more when Cooper slung his arms around him and pulled him into a hug. Kurt had never gotten used to physical affection with someone other than his girls - especially not with guys. His goodbye with Finn had gone into the records of most awkward moments ever, mostly because Rachel was standing a few feet from them and Kurt had refused to talk to her.
"Hi, hi yourself," Cooper mumbled as he leaned back. They gave each other a moment to gaze at the other. Cooper didn't let his smile falter once. He checked Kurt's outfit, face and hair and shook his head in wonder. "Still as fabulous as day one, seriously - after my first month I looked like a strangled deer."
"How lovely," Kurt snickered, blushing at the compliment. "You're not looking so shabby yourself tonight." He gave an appreciating look at the overall stylish - yet clean - look.
Cooper looked down to his denim coat. "Well, yeah. I couldn't outshine you even if I wanted to on that area." Puppy-pictures, puppy-pictures. "Ready to go?"
"Absolutely." Now what? Do they hold hands? Arms? Awkwardly walking next to each other with the sexual tension lurking in between them? Woah, Kurt - you just thought sexual without hesitating.
Cooper pulled him out of his daydreams by slinging his arm around Kurt's waist. Kurt couldn't help but blush at the heated feeling of Cooper's hand on his side just above the hip. He was definitely more experienced than Kurt on these kind of areas. Well of course he was - they had an age-difference, but Cooper had the intend to act younger than he really was.
And Kurt couldn't help but wonder: is it always supposed to be this easy?
Kurt's wondering grew as Cooper was proving that it really was easy. They chatted casually while walking to the little restaurant Cooper picked.
Inside everything seemed so - so right. It wasn't too fancy, but not slob either. The atmosphere made Kurt relax even though it was his first date ever.
"So," Cooper started as they took seat at their table in a corner, "tell me about wonderful Lima, Ohio."
"What makes you think it was wonderful?" Kurt smiled and ordered a water. Cooper did the same before answering.
"Well, mostly because you lived there -"
It had to be the oldest pick up line the book. It had to be. Then why did it work? Kurt could just feel the redness creep down his throat - thank the world for awful restaurant lightning.
"W-Well, I uh, I lived with my dad -" Kurt started to tell his story about his father and stepmother. Even Finn entered briefly before Cooper interrupted.
"Cool, so you have a stepbrother." He was looking way too comfortable, Kurt stated. "I have a little brother myself, still in High School."
"How sweet," Kurt commented, imaging a younger Cooper running down school-halls.
"Yeah, little talented bastard." Cooper grinned. "So, how is Tisch so far?"
It was incredible how uncomplicated Kurt could talk with Cooper. It was until Cooper asked about his Tisch audition when he turned silent. Cooper sensed the sensitive topic and immediately started to talk about his own, hilarious, audition.
"- and so this woman was completely in trance. She had this whole heart eyes thing going on -"
"Oh, God."
"And I don't even know if she heard my lines, but afterwards she was drooling."
"I can't believe you let this poor woman believe you liked her."
"Hey!" Cooper gave him a friendly slap on the arm. "I was auditioning for an acting education, so why not start at the very beginning with acting?"
"Did you ever see her again?" Kurt had seen the people who where there with his audition plenty of times the past month.
"Yeah," Cooper started to laugh again, "trust me when I say it wasn't pretty." He raised his arm to check the time. "We should be going, a friend of mine has left us tickets. One of the big plusses of knowing other actors, they're always playing some part somewhere!"
Cooper paid for the lovely dinner. Kurt had always thought this part was going to be awkward (because, who pays?), but Cooper didn't even questioned it - and Kurt was also convinced he flirted off at least twenty dollars of their bill. Somehow he didn't mind that.
They ended up seeing a play Kurt hadn't heard off.
"New York is full of secrets like these," Cooper mumbled as they got their tickets, "Luckily there's an underground newspaper who tells about these."
"I should subscribe to it."
"I'll sign you up." Cooper grinned and took his jacket together with Kurt's to give to wardrobe. For a second Kurt was standing alone in the dingy theatre. A dinner and a show - a perfect Hummel date, Kurt decided. An arm was slung over his shoulder again and with a shy smile Kurt looked up to the other half of the perfect date: Cooper.
Cooper took the lead by piloting them to a sitting area. He talked about the show and how it was going to have a cast-change in a few weeks. "I'm thinking about auditioning, so it's nice to know what the show looks like for full character research."
"Remind me when the audition is so I can wish you luck," Kurt said and for the first time that night Cooper let his smile down, turning his face into a soft expression - emotional even.
"Thanks," he mumbled, "I will."
The soft sound of doors opening told them they could take their seats. Kurt stood up and waited for Cooper to follow, but Cooper took his hand (oh my God) and guided him inside. This was just turning better and better.
In the end the show wasn't the best play Kurt had ever seen. It lacked of dept and the whole idea didn't work, but it was fine - because Cooper couldn't stop talking afterwards.
"I think it was the missing chemistry, so I need to focus on that -" he chatted, arm around Kurt's shoulder, keeping him close. "I really think I'll have a shot - you know?"
"I completely agree."
Cooper looked down at him as they walked to Kurt's dorm in the surprisingly quiet night of New York.
"You are so amazing," Cooper whispered and leaned in closer than he had been that evening. Kurt didn't know what to do, he never had gotten this far - heck this was his first date ever. He wanted a kiss, of course he wanted a kiss - but what if Cooper didn't just want a kiss, he was older - mature (scratch that) - but still, older.
"C-cooper," Kurt squealed and regretted it because Cooper pulled back again, "I - uhm. I've never done something like this, ever, before."
"You - never... dated?" Cooper's face was a whirlpool of confusion. "I barely believe that."
"Well, it's true." Kurt was biting his lip in frustration, why was he ruining this? "And, uh, I don't know your - expectations. B-but, I like to take things... slow."
After a short silence, Cooper nodded.
"Okay," he answered. "I can take things slow, of course," Kurt felt him acting off a little bit of disappointment. "I understand, completely and I really don't want to screw things up, so - yeah, okay."
"Really?" Kurt whispered and Cooper came back closer, his breath caressing Kurt's skin.
"Really," and he pecked a kiss on his cheek. The heat of it spread from that particular spot all the way through his body.
"Th-thank you, really. I mean it."
"It's alright, Kurt," Cooper mumbled and pulled back. "But I'm afraid I need to leave you then." He gestured to the building behind them: Kurt's dormitory.
"Y-yes, thank you. I mean: yes, I should. So - uhm, I'll see you... again?" Kurt's tone didn't lack of hope.
Cooper smiled broadly, touched Kurt's cheek and hair. "You bet you will."
"O-okay." Kurt's body drowned in relaxation and adrenaline. "Text me when you get home."
After a small promise he would, Cooper let go of him and let him enter the building. "Bye, Kurt," he said before Kurt could be gone completely.
"See you, Cooper," and away he was.
Inside the building Kurt was floating on clouds. His insides were dancing a foxtrot and never had he felt this happy or lucky. He ran through the corridors, too hyper to walk normally and was going through words in his head to text Nancy about his perfect date. She would probably reply with questions about hidden tattoos and whether he filled his pants or not - but he didn't care: Kurt was over the moon.
He basked through the door of his single dorm-room and started to free himself from his clothing. One month in New York, one month, and he had a perfect date. Screw High School sweethearts, college was Kurt's place to find love.
After a shower, where he promptly annoyed his neighbor by singing, and his skincare regime, he checked his phone to see if Cooper texted yet - only to find three texts from an unknown number.
From: Unknown To: Kurt (9:30 PM)
Wow, Kurt - good job! *
From: Unknown To: Kurt (9:46 PM)
I hope this is still your number - otherwise it's weird. But really Kurt, if that's the standard of men at Tisch. Wow! *
From: Unknown To: Kurt (9:57 PM)
Hey Kurt, can we maybe get coffee? Together? For old times' sake? txt me
Kurt flipped his phone so the screen faced his nightstand. Apparently just deleting her number wasn't enough - the little star at the end of the texts would always indicate that Rachel was there somewhere. And apparently she was in the same theatre at the same time as him and Cooper. Kurt couldn't be happier that Rachel toned down in her personality otherwise she would have probably jumped Cooper and questioned his gayness.
"No." he said to himself and jumped on his bed. He wasn't ready to face Rachel yet. He frustrated himself by letting this ruin his perfect night, but luckily for him he managed to fall asleep with Cooper's smile as the last thing he saw.
"I hate you." It was the seventh time Nancy had told Kurt that the following days. This time during their walk from theatre history to improv. "Stop smiling like that, gosh - I hate you."
"Be happy we're not in High School, if we were, I would probably be singing some mash up of two hideous love songs that would make everybody feel awkward," Kurt snickered.
"Yes, thank God for that, but I can see in your very annoying face that you really want to sing a stupid love song."
"Can't argue with that," Kurt muttered.
"And why is that?" Nancy sighed as they reached their destination.
"Because all love songs suddenly make sense." Kurt did a little skip before entering the room. Nancy growled.
"See! This is why I don't befriend people who are in love."
This startled Kurt, giving her an odd look before sitting down. "What do you mean? I thought you wanted me to 'get him'?" Nancy made a face that was somewhere between 'I know' and 'Forget it'.
"I was hoping you would interpret it as getting naked, do the dirty, and add a new experience to your resume." She licked her lips in hesitation. "I'm sorry," she finally said, "I'm happy for you, it's just - somehow always people around me tend to fall in love and I end up being, I don't know - Nancy, I guess."
"Hey." Kurt took her hand and ignored the weird looks they were getting from fellow classmates. "It - it was one date. We didn't even kiss and it was just to get to know each other. To be honest I have no idea what to do, I mean he asked me the first time, is it my turn now?"
Nancy barked out a laugh. "You really are hopeless."
"And that's why I need you." Kurt squeezed her hand. "To knock some sense into me."
If it wasn't for Nancy, Kurt would have probably turned deranged and anti-social. She was his boulder.
"Yes, you definitely need some sense -" With her free hand she gave him a little slap on the head.
"Ow, what is with you and slapping me?" Kurt let go of her hand to reach for the sore spot.
"That was for not kissing him, I would have stuck my tongue into that beautiful mouth within seconds." There was his Nancy.
"Class, please -" The teacher said in order to calm everyone down. Which is a hard thing to do when your class includes only dramatic art-students, but Kurt gave the man a rest and turned quiet. He gave Nancy one last look, happy she was smiling back, and focused on the course - debating what to do with Cooper next.
"Just, just try it again." Kurt was lying on his back on his bed, back in his room. Not ten minutes ago Nancy had frantically almost smashed a hole in his door by knocking and ran in, raging over her private vocal lessons with Mr. Bardem.
Somehow Nancy had convinced Kurt that he would be the perfect person to help her improve her vocal abilities and after a heated discussion they agreed upon that Kurt would help her with her singing if she would let him do a make-over. ("I need my crack.")
"I don't know, Kurt." Nancy sighed after her seventh time trying to do the challenging vocal ladder. "Singing isn't my key point. I'm no triple threat like Piper with her awesome baked scones which she refused to share by the way - bitch."
"Piper is a triple threat because her parents sent her to some magical drama arts Hogwarts when she was two or something, try it again."
She started again and halfway through Kurt got up. Like a true vocal teacher he walked around her while he gestured her to continue. All of a sudden Kurt placed his thumb and index finger on Nancy's nose and squeezed her nose shut.
The noise coming out of Nancy's throat suddenly stopped. Her eyes turned wide and she slapped away Kurt's hand after the power it had to stop her singing.
"There's your problem, you sing with your nose - and your nose only, talk to Mr. Bardem about that."
"I do not sing through my nose!"
"Hate to break it, but you do." Kurt smiled and randomly reorganized some things in his cupboard. "Now when are we going to do your make-over?"
"Someday my prince will come. Someday we'll meet again. And away to his castle we'll go. To be happy forever I know..."
"There's a Disney movie going off in your pants." Nancy rolled her eyes at predicting who that could be. She turned around to face Kurt's wall of pictures and Kurt spotted an appreciating look at the picture of the New Directions, his former Glee-club, and she traced the figure that looked like Noah Puckerman with her finger. Kurt snickered a little before picking up.
"Hello?"
"Oh hey, you sound like you were having fun. How are you?" Cooper's voice sparked a fire in Kurt's stomach.
"I'm fine, thank you, trying to tell Nancy that she's singing through her nose."
"I do NOT."
"Haha, tell her that it's not that bad." Cooper's laugh turned the fire into a bonfire that in ancient times people used to sacrifice things and virgins. "Anyway, considering you're already helping one person with things, or so it would seem - I was wondering if you could help me... run some lines?"
"Uh, uhm sure - is it for your audition?"
"Maybe. Perhaps. Sort of, but would you like to help me? I mean, I like my mirror reflection and all, but he sucks at saying his own lines."
"Oh dear, your poor mirror reflection. I can't imagine your wrath on him when he misses his cues." Kurt smacked Nancy's hands away as she was poking him.
"Hey now, I try to be mad, but then he gets al mega charming and winks."
"Oh, those deadly winks. They turn your brain mushy." They did with Kurt anyway.
Cooper laughed again. "I'll keep that in mind, so - five-ish?" Cooper explained the way to his apartment again even though Kurt already had it written down on several papers, using codewords in case Nancy would find them and stalk Cooper.
With Nancy still strutting ladders, Kurt changed a total of five times before he found the perfect mix of fabulous and casual.
"I bet he's gonna let you recite a love scene." Nancy said and threw herself onto his bed with a random magazine. "You mark my words."
Kurt gave her a look, but didn't respond. Because Kurt was hoping too much that Cooper would actually let him say lines from a romantic scene - just to know what it feels like.
"You are aware that you need to leave my room when I do."
"Nhaw!" Nancy whined. "Pretend that I'm your cat, you can leave your cat alone in your room - I might scratch your closet, but that's it."
"Pets aren't allowed."
"Fine, I know when I'm unwanted." She hoisted herself up with a series of muttering and threw the magazine back on the bed. Kurt watched her straightening her outfit with an amused look. Finally she looked up. "I'll go hangout with my other bestie, then, Chandler is -"
Kurt started laughing. "Chandler is on vitamin D, I haven't seen anyone that hyper since my sophomore year." Thinking about the tiny elf kicking and jumping through dancing rehearsals.
"Oh, God, you're right. Dammit, I was hoping to make you jealous." Nancy fake snapped her failure. Before she completely disappeared through the door she turned around: "Thanks, Kurt."
"For vocal torture?" He raised his eyebrow with a cocky smile.
"That, and just - for being here." She left with a small smile before Kurt could respond. A shudder spread through his veins. It had been a long time since a friend was so appreciative of him, and it felt amazing. Quickly he sent Cooper a text that he was on his way.
"Come on up!" the speaker box downstairs the building cracked and a buzzing noise indicated that the door was open.
Cooper didn't live that far from Tisch and the dormitories. It was one subway and a short walk away, giving Kurt enough time to calm his nerves. He was going to be alone with Cooper - not in public, but in his apartment. The place where Cooper slept, changed his clothes - probably had a basket where he dumped dirty underwear (Kurt, - the hell! Why are you thinking about his underwear?), where he took his showers (naked) and where he annoyed his neighbors with singing (Oh God, I hope he does that too).
The door of apartment D22 already opened before Kurt could knock properly, being greeted by a broad smiling Cooper, who was wearing way too comfortable clothing (worn-out jeans with a blue shirt that clinged on all the right positions).
"Hey, Kurt." Cooper seemed energetic, maybe even hyperactive. It surprised Kurt that some older people could actually act so young. But maybe that was just another think Kurt liked about Cooper. Not only that he was so handsome, also because he was real, sweet and funny.
Maybe they could make each other happy.
Kurt followed Cooper into the small two-room apartment, well - it was quite big for a New York apartment. Compared to his own dorm-room, this was a palace. It didn't seem well-lived, though. There was still a spark of new to it, as if it was still a house and not a home. But maybe it was home to Cooper. The walls were stylish white and the overall theme was minimalism - Kurt liked it very much.
"You want something to drink?" Cooper asked to break the silence.
"A glass of water would be nice."
For a short moment they chitchatted on Cooper's dark brown sofa. Kurt tried not to notice it, but Cooper was getting closer every thirty seconds, nervously shifting his weight.
"I- I think we should practice, let me just get you -" He stood up from the couch to retrieve a little script book. After flipping a few pages he held it out to Kurt. "I already know my lines, they're the highlighted ones, so if you could just - okay."
Kurt nodded, feeling the crisp book in his hands and watched Cooper cross his legs on the sofa. His icy eyes were completely focused on Kurt. He was waiting for the first line and Kurt quickly stuttered the first one:
"S-seems like we keep on meeting like this." a character named 'Jan' was supposed to say. Kurt switched his attention from the script book to Cooper.
"Well, it's not like I can do something about it." Cooper whispered, completely in character (if that's what the character 'Joel' was). Kurt returned to his line.
"I thought we agreed on not taking this road. On you not taking this road."
They continued like that, evenly trade lines and it was turning into a quite heated scene as Cooper became louder and closer, and back soft - still closer and closer.
Kurt started to splutter his lines, unable to say them properly because of the handsome, manly smell of Cooper taking over his senses. Cooper himself maintained saying his lines with a gorgeous diction, reaching his hand up and eventually cupped Kurt's cheek.
"Look at me," he whispered. Kurt was still staring down the script, reading that that wasn't a line Cooper was supposed to say. He was about to look up and correct him when two hard lips were pressed down his.
Kurt let out a huffing noise as the reality that he was having his first real, counting kiss was not kicking in.
"Gah, I've been wanting to that," Cooper mumbled against his lips as he kissed again. Kurt still wasn't responding and Cooper pulled back with a questioning face. "Shit. Too fast? It's just you - you look so amazing-hmpf." Kurt rushed down his lips back on Cooper in an instant. Nancy was so right: he should've stuck in his tongue into that beautiful mouth way earlier.
"How long," Kurt gasped between kisses.
"Mhwat?"
"How long have you been wanting to do this?" Kurt pulled back, breathing happy. Cooper's weight was pleasant on top of him. It was new - definitely - but very pleasant.
"Oh, goh, Kurt - since I saw you in that damned hall at Tisch." Cooper's face was also incredibly pleasant to Kurt. Cheeks flushed, lips swollen - Kurt couldn't believe he was responsible for that. "And then that stupid master class, I was tricked into doing that - you know. But I really need to send Will a thank you note for tricking me. Gosh, and I was begging heavens for the group to be uneven - I don't care who would have been left alone, although I was hoping it was you in the first place, but I was just hoping my authority was tolerated enough to switch you. Not just to feel you up," Cooper grinned, "I mean - that was nice." Wink. "But, I just wanted to talk to you. Get to know you."
Kurt couldn't help but smile. This was surreal, amazing - magical.
"I like you, Kurt," Cooper breathed. "I like you very, very, much."
"I think I like you too," Kurt answered.
"You think?" Cooper raised his eyebrows, but not in despair - more in amusement.
"Okay, okay - I like you very, very much too." They shared a laugh, a kiss and Kurt opened his mouth to let in Cooper's tongue. Arms slung around his waist to pull him onto the warm body that was Cooper's. Hands tracing the familiar path it had felt before. They parted again to breathe. Kurt didn't know what to do from here.
"So-"
"So..." Cooper copied with a lazy smile across his face.
"Now what?"
"S'many questions." He muttered as he pulled Kurt back into kissing. Which was nice, of course - Kurt definitely liked kissing, especially kissing Cooper, but Kurt couldn't help to be distracted by the major elephant in the room: what were they?
"Cooper?" Kurt's voice sounded like it had never sounded before - sexy. Cooper groaned at hearing it saying his name, shifting above him. "Cooper? I don't really know the policy, but -"
"Hm?"
"But - uh, boyfriends?" Kurt felt the embarrassment fight the arousal of the moment. Cooper just lifted one eyebrow before his face crept into the confident grin it never seemed to lose.
"Absolutely."
And they kissed again.