Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or the characters in Glee. I'm pretty sure if I did I wouldn't be worried about getting a job.
Kurt smiled at his reflection as he clasped the last button on his shirt. He had planned to really draw attention to himself tonight. He wasn't sure what kind of attention it would be, but as the saying of publicity goes, it still would be attention and right now he craved the protection he felt when he stood out fashion wise.
Clothing was his shield and he used it to hide any insecurities he had felt. Not that he didn't love fashion and the stereotypical likings of a gay male as according to the media. That he most indefinitely did. it was just that he could use the distraction of clothing and music to his advantage. It diverted their attention from his real feelings and real opinions. He could pretend that he was just the pretty face and loud mouth that people saw him as.
His insecurities had always run deep, there was no denying that, but after the many times Blaine had made him feel inferior he had a hard time putting up the false act of confidence that he frequently resorted to. It was as if Blaine had just zapped the little bit of ego that Kurt had left right out of him. The only way he knew how to over come this was to show up and act like he was okay. If everyone saw Kurt Hummel come to a party dressed outrageously nice, they would think that he was fine. Probably think he was better than that, even.
So he didn't think twice when he pulled out his solid light blue dress dress shirt. He left three buttons open, folded over the cuffs that came to the crook of his arms and let the black and white checkered insides of the shirt hang loosely over his elbows. The collar also had the checkered pattern on the inside and he paired the shirt with a charcoal jacket blazer, leaving the blazer's sleeves pulled up his forearms. He paired the blazer-dress shirt combo with a pair of black skinny jeans and a silver, studded belt. The belt had been unused until now, and he laughed at how it stood out against the contrast of the dressy clothing. Leaving the eight, large buttons undone on the blazer and the collar upwards, he used a comb to brush his hair back into a nice coil. It fell down slightly, only a few strands out of place. He decided to leave it as it was, hoping it would appear intentional.
The whole outfit gave Kurt this feeling of empowerment. He looked good, and even though part of him would beg to differ, he knew that people were going to notice his confidence. Maybe he didn't believe in it, but really it was no one else's business what he did and didn't believe in. Confidence included.
He strode down the stairs and flippantly smiled to Finn as he took in the new look.
"What is it, Finn?" he said with air of carelessness that he didn't really possess. Finn half smiled and tilted his head.
"Dude, I thought he broke up with you? Why do you look like you're about to go to a freaking club or something? I don't know much about clothes and all that, but you look plain.. classy." Finn said with a nod of approval. Kurt smiled slightly and nodded his head back to Finn.
"Thanks, I guess I just felt like doing something different for once. Fashion keeps me busy." he said as he went to tug on his black, lace-up ankle boots. I need busy right now, he thought as he stood back up from his leaning position. "So shall we?"
Finn nodded and followed Kurt out to the Navigator. Kurt climbed into the car and shrugged into his seat belt. After Finn got into the passenger side, he started the ignition and pulled away from the house. Finn gave him the address and he put it into his GPS. The two were silent for a good deal of time until they were maybe just a few minutes away from the party as according to the GPS.
Finn broke the silence with a question that sort of took Kurt by surprise.
"So what's up with you and Karofsky?"
Kurt pondered the question for at least half a minute. Wasn't it blatantly obvious there was nothing? Just a mutual niceness between two people. Kurt frowned somewhat.
"What do you mean?" Finn shrugged.
"I just mean, he's been all quiet lately and he's always with you taking you to class with the Bullywhips thing and all. I mean, do you think he's really changed? Or is it just an act?"
Oh, well that was a reasonable question.
"I'm pretty positive it's an actual change. I think he became tired of being the jerk that everyone had become accustomed to and that he really does want people to trust him. "
"Do you think he's, like, I don't know, safe now?"
"I think he's harmless. I think if someone provoked him, tried to make him upset and lash out, then yes, he more than likely would. Then again, wouldn't most of us if we were tested that far?"
"Yeah, that's true. You know, I used to be friends with him. Back in middle school. We were never really buddy buddy with each other, but we did hang out occasionally."
"Oh, really? Well that's.. interesting."
"Yeah. I'm not exactly sure why he changed. He used to be really nice, too. Like, super polite and shit." Kurt nodded at this matter of factly. Well, he knew that Dave seemed to be nice. He would just have to take Finn's word for it.
"People often change, Finn. Sometimes things just happen that make you a different person."
Finn glanced at Kurt and remained silent for a moment.
"Do you think something might of happened to him to change him?"
Kurt felt his stomach twist a little. He always worried about outing Dave when he would speak to people about him. Just one little wrong word and he could accidentally ruin someone's life. Maybe not ruin, exactly, but definitely mess with it greatly.
"Everyone has their demons, I guess. Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?" he said in reply to Finn. "All I know is that he and I are better now and he hasn't bullied me in quite some time. I honestly feel no threat from him any longer. I think the two of us are definitely on better terms now." Finn was quiet for a moment, then nodded.
"Huh, yeah, I guess you're right. If you think he's cool, I guess I do, too." Finn said, a look of understanding upon his features. Kurt smiled subtly and turned toward the driveway of what must have been Azimio's house. He parked along an open sided field that other cars had been parked at.
Of course, it would be hard to figure out it was a house at all, considering the size of it. Kurt wasn't entirely sure that he hadn't set the address wrong when Finn began to get out of the car. Upon following him, he was shocked by how much money the football player must have had, because he was positive this was more of a mansion rather than a house. A house implied normalcy, a place much like everyone else's own home; this building was nothing like the houses of anyone Kurt knew. It was only outweighed in it's largeness by the beauty and landscaping of it. The mansion stood against an amazing backdrop of forest trees and fields of flowers on both sides, detailed iron fences lining it's side into a cascading backyard that must of held an actual maze of some sort. It was gorgeous.
Kurt and Finn walked toward the front door and were just about to knock when an excited Rachel opened it, as if she had somehow sensed their presence. Kurt did a double take as he took in the excited and exasperated tiny diva. She was wearing a slick black, leather dress with an "u" shaped collar, her hair was up in a loose bun and she wore high heeled shoes that had the appearance of flats. Even with the odd shoes of Rachel normality, she still looked stunning and different in her outfit. Kurt smiled at her as she began her rambling.
"Oh my God guys! You do not realize how many people are here! It's already becoming crazy! I think I saw someone hanging from a chandelier! This is perfect experience to use for reference during future performances of party songs." Kurt and Finn side stepped her and walked into the gigantic house. The entire place was filled to the brim with students from McKinley. Some people were gathered in groups, laughing and drinking, others danced sporadically in front of a DJ, a small stage set in front of him. There was the aroma of alcohol and. what Kurt assumed was, drugs through out the hallway as they walked to a large room with the glee club spread out on three sofas. Everyone was laughing and tossing back drinks from small shot glasses. "Oh, c'mon you two! The whole club is over this way!"
Finn followed behind his girlfriend as Kurt turned away silently and slipped down the corridor. He began to search for the bar. No matter what happened, tonight was going to be a long night. Kurt was sure of it.
"So then I was like, that's not a pencil in my pocket, baby!" said one of the many jocks that Dave didn't give a fuck about. He sort of just stood there awkwardly as the other jocks high fived and laughed at the lame excuse of a joke he had just said. Dave scooted his way past the huddle of jocks and closer to the bar before pouring himself a glass of punch from the bowl that hadn't been spiked.
"The fuck is the fairy looking in here for?"
Dave turned around and saw Kurt walking in, his face falling as he heard the same jock mock him. Dave looked at the idiot and scowled.
"Shut the fuck up, Derek. Don't fucking call him that."
Kurt smiled slightly at his words and walked over to the bar where Dave was standing. Dave tried to ignore the flutter in his stomach as he took in the boy's appearance. God, he was beautiful. Why would anyone ever mock someone so perfect?
But then again, hadn't Dave done the exact same thing just a few months ago? He tried to shake the thought and smiled at the smaller boy. He heard Azimio elbow Derek and huff.
"If Dave ain't got no beef with Hummel, neither do we. Keep yo' comments to yourself." he said, causing Derek to frown and roll his eyes. Dave smirked at how amazing his best friend was and turned back to Kurt, seeing Kurt smile himself at Azimio's words.
"Hey, you made it." Dave said.
"Yeah, almost didn't make it to the bar because of Rachel, though. I had to sneak away." he said with a light laugh. "Do you think you could suggest me something to drink? I honestly don't know much about any alcoholic beverages."
Dave laughed and shook his head, turning back to the bar.
"Well, what kind of drink do you want?" he said with a smirk. Kurt thought for a moment.
"Something sweet. Something that'll give me the effects of alcohol and taste good. I don't know exactly what that is, but if you could find me something like that, it would be fantastic." he said. Dave tried to remember any of the drinks his mom made. She often times would let him actually have some of the really sweet ones when it was just the two of them. There was one he remembered liking that he thought he saw the ingredients for at Azimio's bar.
He reached for the sweetest brand of tequila he could find and then walked over to Az's kitchen, coming back with some grenadine and orange juice. He always loved the way that tequila sunrises looked when they're put together. He poured the drink together in a glass and handed it to Kurt with a small smile.
"This is a tequila sunrise. It's pretty sweet. It's one of my mom's favorite drinks."
Kurt looked at the drink before taking it from Dave and eyeing it cautiously. He sipped at it and then drunk some of it.
"It's not too bad. Thanks." he said with a smile. Dave licked his lips out of habit. "So why aren't you drinking, David?"
Dave shrugged his shoulders and bit at his lip.
"I don't want to risk both of us being drunk at a party. Couldn't really keep an eye on you if I can't see straight, right?" he said. Kurt nodded as his mouth fell into a little "o".
There are other reasons I don't want to be at a party drunk with you, he thought to himself as he walked to Kurt's side.
"So, game room?" Kurt smiled and followed behind Dave as he walked through the crowd of people in the hallway.
"Game room." he replied in a low voice that was barely audible over the constant, rhythmic beat of the music. He side stepped a drunken couple that were stumbling into the wall opposite the door to the game room. He looked to Kurt and nodded his head at the door. Just as he was about to open the door to the down stairs room, he felt slender arms embracing him and the faint scent of perfume.
"Kiss me, they're watching." the Latina girl whispered into his ear. Dave looked back to Santana with an incredulous look, then begrudgingly kissed her lightly on the lips. They both smiled despite their selves and he turned back to the door. "They were saying you were going to a room alone with Lady Face and were becoming suspicious. I didn't want your dumb ass to screw up our cover. Sorry we both had to have icky hetero kisses." She gave him a mock disgusted face and smirked. "So where are you two going?"
Dave shrugged and aimed his thumb in the direction of the door.
"Game room. Didn't really want to stay around everyone else." he said. "I mean, then I'd have to have even more icky hetero kisses, Tana, and neither of us want that, right?" He grinned and she rolled her eyes playfully.
"Dear God no. It's bad enough I have to hold your hand around em'. Kissing? That's a whole new level of no." she said. "Anyways, you mind if Britt and I join you? I don't exactly want to be around all of these idiots either. I don't get to kiss my girl around them." She looked at him with a mischievous grin. "Unless you already had something planned to do down there."
Dave's felt his face heat up immediately. He knew that telling Santana about his feelings for Kurt had been a bad idea. Ever since the day she had asked him about Kurt, she's used the information to embarrass the hell out of him. She didn't belittle his feelings, just taunted him with them. He loved the girl, even if she had in fact black mailed him, but sometimes Lopez really scared him. He trusted she wouldn't tell Kurt, but he knew that didn't mean she wouldn't use every opportunity to embarrass him to do so. The girl had really worked her way into being his friend, and as much as he wished he could be angry at her for that, he couldn't. They both understood each other too much to give up on each other.
"Um, no, Lopez. I was just going down stairs with Kurt to get away from the masses. Thanks for your concern, though. Go get your girlfriend." he said reluctantly. No use in arguing with Santana.
Dave looked over to Kurt as the girl sauntered away.
"I think I'm going to go get a second drink." Kurt said.
"Do you know how to make it?" Dave asked with a confused look.
"I get the gist of it after watching you. Pretty simple, really. Just wait here, I guess. I'll be back in a few."
Before Dave could object, Kurt had turned and began down the hallway back to the bar. Dave just slouched against the game room door and fiddled with his shirt hem. He soon felt a little impatient and began to worry that Kurt had gotten lost or, worse, that the jocks had done something to him, when suddenly he looked up to see a smiling, straw sipping Kurt in front of him.
God, he's so cute like that, Dave most definitely didn't think.
"You ready?" he asked as he reached for the door handle. Kurt nodded and he began down the stairs. He soon heard a second and third pair of feet behind himself and Kurt. A soft voice asking if they were 'going into a scary cave filled with those human eater things like in that movie with the hot girls', confirmed his suspicion of it being Santana and Brittany. He chuckled lightly to himself and flipped on the light switch as he reached the bottom steps. "So, uh, there are like two sofas and then a pool table, foosball table, and Xbox 360. You guys just want to sit around and chill for a bit, or do anything?"
Kurt sat down idly on the sofa to the left in the room and Dave cautiously stood to in front of the other seat, waiting to see if the boy made any objections. Kurt simply smiled up at him, so he sat down beside him. Santana, pulling Brittany along side here, sat in the sofa opposite them and smiled.
"Or, you guys could sit around and chill, while I make out with my amazingly gorgeous girlfriend." she said as she turned to look at Brittany with lustful eyes. Dave huffed and rolled his eyes.
"Or you could, you know, not do that. I kind of came down here partially to get away from that sort of shit, so-"
"Oh, don't get your rainbow colored panties in a bunch, Davey. I won't have yucky girl on girl action with my woman in front of you. Calm your tits." she said with a huff and a small glare. She obviously wasn't really mad, just disappointed that she wouldn't be getting to completely cut loose around David.
Dave sipped at his punch nonchalantly as the room became a little too quiet, the only noise booming from upstairs muffled by the walls and floor above head. Brittany sighed dreamily and leaned against Santana as they both leaned back onto the sofa's arm rest.
"It's so awesome that both of my unicorns are getting along now." Brittany said in a happy voice, a blissful smile on her face. Kurt looked up at the girl with a confused expression.
"But Santana and I haven't been fighting, Brittany?" he said. Brittany laughed and shook her head.
"No, Kurtsy, I meant you and Dave." she said with a giggle. Dave began to choke on his sip of drink and looked up at Brittany with wide eyes. Then he looked to Santana and glared, but was surprised to see the other girl looking just as confused.
"How did.. how did you know I was gay, Britt?" he said in a suddenly very small voice. She just smiled and stared at him innocently.
"Well it was easy. I just knew."
"But, how?"
"I saw the way you always look at Kurtsy. It's like the way Edward looks at Bella in Twilight. Like you want to jump him and bite his neck but also break cars for him. Then I realized you had to be a unicorn. You just hide your horn from everyone." she said without hesitation. Dave's eyes widened considerably and he heard Kurt giggle beside him. His whole face felt on fire. "That's why I now name you the official unicorn protector. Treat him well, young fellow unicorn. He's got the brightest horn I've ever seen. You should feel honored that I give you this royal title. It's very prestigious."
Kurt full on laughed and began to grip his sides. Dave just imagined what it would feel like if the world would magically just swallow him whole right then.
"Thank you, Brittany. I'm sure David here will take good care of me." Kurt said between fits of giggles. Dave tried to ignore the way his heart felt bigger when Kurt played along. At least he didn't think it was weird that Dave stared at him like Edward Cullen. "But, on a more serious note, you can't let anyone know about David. Just let's keep the fact that he's a unicorn between the four of us, alright?"
Brittany nodded and smiled.
"Well, yeah, else wise he wouldn't be hiding his horn." she said. "Besides, we wouldn't want any other unicorns to get jealous. Some people might want Davey to be their protector and then Kurt would be sad."
Kurt slowly stopped laughing and began to blush. Dave took this as his chance to laugh. Kurt playfully hit him and then turned back to sipping his drink, already half way through with the colorful liquid.
"So why exactly are you drinking, Lady Face?" Santana said, her hands playfully twining through Brittany's hair. "I mean, you're always such a prude. I haven't seen you drink since April Rhodes made you puke all of over Ms. Pillsbury's feet."
Dave laughed loudly.
"What?" he said in a choked voice. Kurt just huffed and rolled his eyes.
"I had a hang over and puked all over Ms. Pillsbury's feet. Didn't she just say what happened? I mean, really David? It isn't that funny." he said in a pissy tone. "Stop laughing David!" he said with a laugh of his own.
David clutched his sides and covered his face with one hand and tried to stop his laughing. Kurt tried his hardest not to laugh.
"Anyways, Santana, I'm drinking because I felt like it. And because I'm pissed off about being dumped for someone else." he said. Dave's laughing came to a slow stop and he looked over to see Kurt. Kurt wore a some what hurt, some what pissed expression. At least he wasn't crying. Dave could hardly hold himself back from hugging the smaller boy earlier in the locker room.
"Hobbit broke up with you? Why the fuck did he do that?" Santana replied in an angry tone.
That's my girl, Dave thought to himself with a smirk.
"He's a total douche bag, Kurt. Don't worry about his sorry ass. There are way better guys out there for you." she said, glancing to Dave for only long enough for the larger boy to catch it. "Besides, I never liked him anyways. Don't let him get to you. I bet his new little twink boyfriend is just as much of an idiot as him."
"Can't say much about twinks when I am one, Santana." he said with a sigh. "Besides, we're still friends. I think. He just said he didn't feel anything for me. He was trying his hardest to be a gentlemen about it. I can't help if I'm a little bitter, though. I mean.. it's not like Lima is crawling with willing and available gay guys."
Nope. Just one. And he used to scare the shit out of you because he was a dumb ass. Now all he wants is to beg for your forgiveness and to kiss you senseless, Dave thought to himself with a small sigh. He knew Kurt deserved better than him. He wasn't going to even suggest anything between the two. That would be low even for him.
"Anyways, I think I'll be fine. I just need to get my mind off of my love life for a little while." he said as he sucked down the last bit of his drink. "Besides, this drink is pretty damn good. I'm happy that I'm not being my apparently prudish self."
"Speaking of drinks, I think I'm going to go with Britt to get some beers." she replied as she sat up with Brittany, then made her way over to the steps. "You want anything?"
"Another one of these, please. Just use the orange juice, tequila, and grenadine."
"Sure thing. You want anything, Dave?" He shook his head and Santana made her way up the stairs beside Brittany. "Your loss." she shouted over her shoulder.
Dave turned back to Kurt and sighed.
"Don't drink so fast, Kurt. You'll get way drunk way too quickly and you'll have the biggest hangover ever tomorrow." he said. Kurt smiled appreciatively and rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to be fine, David. It's sweet that you're trying to watch out for me, but I'm fine." he said. Then his face softened as he looked into Dave's eyes. "So is it true what Brittany said? Do you look at me like that?"
Dave blushed but sighed.
"I'm on the Bullywhips. Of course I'd look at you like you need protection. Kind of comes with the job." he said. He forced his cheeks to stop blushing and took a sip of his punch. "Are you sure you should be drinking? You're already starting to be more straight forward about things. I'm kind of scared that you'll go crazy if you drink too much."
"Oh, Dave. Nothing would make me too straight forward. You're being a drama queen. I'm fine." Kurt replied. He leaned back into the sofa and sighed as he pushed a couple stray hairs out of his face. "I'm sure I might become buzzed, but I'll make sure I don't do anything too stupid." Then he looked back to Dave with a smirk and swiveled his head. "Besides, you said you wouldn't let me do anything stupid, either. I trust you'll stand by your word, David."
David blushed again and let out a breath.
"Yeah, yeah. You're safe with me."
He looked over to the steps to see Santana, a look of annoyance on her face, walk in with a beer, a drink for Kurt, and apparently the hockey team.
Well, fuck, Dave thought to himself. Looked like they weren't going to get away from the jocks any longer. Maybe this was a bad idea after all.
A/N: So if I sound really stupid when talking about drinking and alcohol, it's because I know nothing about drinking. I go to my cousin for her advice and based my knowledge of drinks from online and from what drink I knew my mom liked. If it sounds idiotic, just give me some advice. Or really give me advice on anything in particular you think I need advice on. I'd like to thank everyone for the sweet reviews so far. Please keep em' coming! Any spelling or grammar errors, just let me know and I'll be sure to try to fix them. I'm still pretty new to this whole writing and publishing thing. I usually only write stuff that no one else sees. I'd like to personally thank kurtofsky4eva for the advice on my other chapter. Anyways, reviews are loved. The next chapter will be probably up in a day or two, depending on my school work load and my free time.