A/N: Woo I made my target! So this chapter was meant to be about 3000 words but I got carried away and now it's over 5,200. Thank you so much for following / favouriting / reviewing / reading! I'd like to say I want to update this next Friday too but given that they seem to be growing in length I don't want to promise things I can't do. Enjoy!
Kurt had gone over to Blaine's house again the following evening, though this one was strictly no business, they'd had a tough couple of weeks at school and had decided to wind down with a night in. Blaine had surprised him that morning by leaving a handwritten note in his locker for him, telling him how happy he was for him and how excited he was to see Kurt become a huge star. This had Kurt smiling throughout his first two lessons until he met up with Blaine again during their first break, he still couldn't believe he'd actually managed to get a boyfriend as good as Blaine, he was pretty sure he was the luckiest guy in the whole country.
Blaine had filled him in on the situation at home before they got there, apparently Bryan was happier because he had one space filled but he was still anxious and irritable thanks to trying to find at least two more characters. He'd heard him having a discussion with Rocky in his office when they'd first got in but Blaine told him to ignore it and took him up to his bedroom. They'd just got a film started and had gotten comfortable when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Blaine said as he paused the TV, Bryan stuck his head around the door looking guilty for interrupting.
"Sorry to disturb your evening in, but I just wanted to let Kurt know that auditions for the other parts are being held on Monday, that means we should have cast the new characters quickly and we'll have you whisked away for fittings and other preparations. It's nothing for you to worry about just yet but I thought you might like to know." He told him, Kurt nodded as he listened; he still didn't quite have his head around the fact that he was going to be on TV.
"How's everything going with that, dad?" Blaine asked, he'd always had small talks with his dads about each other's days since they were little so it felt strange to not speak to him as soon as he got home.
"It's a bit hectic at the moment, obviously it's difficult trying to inconspicuously write off four characters without just ignoring them altogether, it's nicer having Rocky to help out now though." He said.
"That's cool; I guess it'll be quieter once everything's figured out?" He asked.
"Should be, it'll be less pressure on the writers anyway. So how was your day? Did anything exciting happen?" He asked, leaning up against the doorframe.
"Not really, I did better on that test than I thought I had but other than that it was pretty much the same as normal." Blaine replied.
"That's great news! Maybe we can celebrate at some point! Anyway, I'll leave you boys to it, and do you want your dinner brought up here tonight?" He asked, Blaine nodded, waving at him slightly as he left the room and shut the door behind him. They both sat there in silence after Bryan left until Kurt spoke up, wondering why Blaine hadn't pressed play on the TV. He looked over at him and found him looking straight back.
"What're you thinking about?" He asked, trying to figure out this change in mood.
"Nothing, I think it's just finally setting in that my boyfriend's about to be a huge star." He grinned as Kurt blushed.
"I still don't think It's sunk in properly, I mean it's actually happening! I'm going to be working alongside the people I've only ever dreamed of meeting before and I'll have my own character to develop and interpret, it's pretty overwhelming to be honest." He finished.
"About the whole character development thing," Blaine started, Kurt looked back up at him again, he didn't know what he was trying to tell him but from the tone of his voice it wasn't something he was happy about. "I think my dad's still pretty insistent that your character is going to get a partner..." He trailed off trying to read Kurt's face for any signs. Kurt just nodded as he processed this, really with the type of show that it was, there was an expectation all along that there'd be a partner involved somewhere along the line.
"Well, that's fine, I mean, it's pretty much what goes on in the show. It's inevitable that I get paired up with someone eventually." He thought.
"Yes but then you'd have to kiss them and possibly even make out with them, I just wanted to check with you if that would be okay... Not that it wouldn't be I mean- I just thought that maybe if you didn't feel comfortable doing that I could subtly tell Bryan and he could find something else for your character to do." Blaine stumbled over his words in an attempt to explain himself.
"I'm fine with that Blaine, it's just acting after all, it's not like it would mean anything. I wouldn't care if he made me make out with a girl, it's not like I'm trying to get enjoyment out of it, it's a role and I'm playing a character." Blaine nodded but didn't reply. "Wait, Blaine are you okay with all of this? I know this is moving fast and it's not just me that has to adjust to everything that's going on, I understand if you want to have your say with what you feel comfortable with. You're the one who has to put up with me at the end of the day." He smiled and Blaine chuckled a bit.
"It's ridiculous really but I guess I just find it weird that any day now you're going to be off in this show, pretending to be someone's boyfriend, or have a girlfriend and that you might kiss them, I know it's just a role which is why it's so stupid because I shouldn't feel jealous but I can't help it." He vented, he still thought it sounded stupid as he said it but he felt better now that Kurt knew what his thoughts were.
"Oh, Blaine." He said and pulled him in close, "You know I'd never even consider leaving you for some actor person, I have everything I need from you. Besides, other than some fan boy obsession I don't actually feel anything real for any of that cast, not like I feel for you." He said, his eyes not moving from Blaine's once. Blaine let out a long breath and laughed, though the worry had only been a small niggling thought in his mind it still felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"God I've been such an idiot, I know you would never leave me for some actor, god I feel so stupid." He confessed, his cheeks heating up as he felt Kurt watch him.
"You haven't been an idiot, not at all. If I was in your position I'd be feeling just the same- if not more worried! Anyway, I find it kind of flattering." He told him, and started humming quietly to himself as Blaine gaped at him. How could Kurt possibly find this flattering?
"How on earth can that be flattering?" He asked, Kurt smiled.
"Because you're being all protective and cute." Blaine almost laughed at that.
"Did you just call me cute?" He asked, remembering how much fun Kurt had earlier when he found out that he'd called him cute, Blaine decided to have fun with it but Kurt had caught on.
"I do believe I did just call you cute, yes."
"I'll hold you to that you know." He winked and pressed play on the TV, ignoring the indecent thoughts consuming his mind all of a sudden. Kurt loved nights like these, where they would just snuggle up to each other. Of course he loved going out on proper dates too but this felt nicer at that moment; more private.
It turned out that the two fell asleep wrapped up in each other's arms, when they woke up the next morning they were still in the clothes they'd worn yesterday and the TV was on sleep mode. Blaine groaned, he just wanted another couple of hours to sleep, school had taken it out of him more than it usually did and he was definitely starting to feel the effects now. Kurt, on the other hand was quickly up from the bed and into the bathroom, Blaine heard the taps running followed by the sounds of Kurt's usual morning routine. After a huge yawn and stretch he got up and turned the TV off properly, opening the curtains afterwards and looking out at the neighbourhood for a while.
When Kurt returned from the bathroom the smell of his deodorant mixed with hairspray wafted out after him, Blaine took a few seconds to just take it in before he went and took his turn in the bathroom, thankfully his morning routine was shortened down considerably today since they didn't have school, only really doing the basics and using half as much gel as he did on schooldays. He'd come back into his bedroom to find Kurt looking at old family photos that he had lining his shelves and walls.
"Who's that?" He asked, pointing to one where his parents looked considerably younger and they were stood next to a girl that was heavily pregnant. The girl was smiling as she held a hand over the bump protruding from her stomach.
"That's Goldie; she was the surrogate mom. We used to hang out loads when I was younger, her daughter even used to babysit me when she got older but now we only see each other every few weeks or so, she's really great. She's also really good at making clothes come to think of it; maybe I should introduce you two." He laughed. "Do you want breakfast?" He offered, Kurt nodded and followed after him as they went to the kitchen. Bryan turned up halfway through the meal but they didn't talk to him at first since he was on the phone, when he hung up he had a huge smile on his face and was practically doing a happy dance.
"Good news then?" Blaine asked, Bryan went and sat opposite them on the table, his smile still glued in place.
"I just got the last spot filled for the sing auditions on Monday, which means that we can cast whoever it is quickly work them in without it looking too obvious what's happened, no doubt the fans have already heard anyway." He trailed off "I honestly don't know who these people are that keep leaking what's happening on set out to the fans but I definitely didn't authorise it. Not that it matters anyway, they actually seem to love all the spoilers." Blaine nodded but didn't say anything, up until recently Kurt had been one of those fans, hanging off every rumour and spoiler he could find.
"Does this mean that the new characters will begin filming soon then?" He asked, wondering when Kurt was going to get dragged away to the various places until he got started actually working on the show.
"I think we're getting there, we'll have screen tests and wardrobe fittings within the next few weeks, then we'll probably do a photo shoot soon after that. No doubt the photos will be leaked unless we release them straight away so that gives us enough time to build up hype before they get properly introduced. Don't worry about anything." He reassured Kurt, who was looking more worried by the minute, this was a lot of information to take in. "I'll keep you fully updated at every stage and if you want to calm it down a bit just say so." Kurt nodded and mumbled out thanks.
"How would you feel about doing a live TV interview a couple of months into your filming? He asked him, Kurt's deer in the headlights look was back and he sat there speechless not knowing what to say.
"Do you think that's a good idea, dad? Blaine asked him after seeing how scared Kurt looked about that.
"You don't have to, it's completely optional if you don't want to but people usually like seeing the actor and knowing he's not some idiot." Bryan smiled; he got up to get a bottle of water from the fridge.
"I'm just scared I'll mess it all up and say something stupid." Kurt confessed, he knew if he made the wrong first impression on the audience it could affect the whole show and not just him.
"I wouldn't worry about that, you're still so young the audience would probably put it down to your age, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't mess up anyway. You just have to be yourself, you've shown me how much of a genuine person you are so you just have to show the audience that too. Why don't you think about it, don't give me an answer until you're sure about what you want to do." He said and left them to it, in favour of returning to his office and finalising new things.
"It's not that bad you know." Blaine told him "He had an actor just a few years older than you on before and he was absolutely terrified, kept stuttering through any interview rehearsals he did with us and was almost in tears backstage but he pulled it off just fine." He said, Kurt looked back down at his breakfast, the thought of a real interview was both exciting and horrifying at the same time. He knew he'd come round and do one eventually though, whether it was in a few months in or a year down the line he wouldn't hide forever.
"I should get going soon." Kurt said as he finished his breakfast and stood up to grab everything from Blaine's room "I promised my dad I would help out in the shop today." He explained.
Kurt was doing homework half-heartedly in his room - putting more attention into texting Blaine - two weeks later. Bryan had phoned him a couple of days previously to let him know that the additions to the cast had been selected and that the characters were just being perfected, though Kurt had almost demanded details Bryan didn't give him any, he wanted Kurt's character to be a surprise. He wasn't too concerned, he knew he'd have to go in for a screen test with the other actors at some point but even that might not give him much of an idea about who he was going to be playing.
The phone rang on his desk as he was working through one of the simpler equations in the book, he smiled thinking it was Blaine searching for a distraction from his own work and picked it up. When he did pick it up his stomach did a funny jolt, it wasn't Blaine it was Bryan and the fact that he was calling him could only mean a few things; one being that it was time for a screen test. He pressed answer and put it on speaker under the pretence of carrying on with his work.
"Hey Bryan" He answered.
"Hi Kurt, how's it going?" He asked casually, Kurt suspected he was actually interested in chatting away with Kurt, they'd done that a few times after the few conversations they'd had at his house but it was never just out of the blue on a school night like this.
"Fine, I was just doing some homework actually." He replied, twirling his pencil about in his fingers.
"Blaine's just doing his too." Bryan replied, Kurt could hear the sound of David talking in the background and wondered what was happening "We got roped into helping, apparently maths isn't all that easy anymore." He replied light-heartedly, Kurt could sympathise.
"So why did you call anyway? Was it just for a chat?" Kurt asked, knowing that if it was just for a chat he should probably hang up and carry on working.
"Well that, but I also have some exciting news for you." He told him, Kurt smiled, he could hear the excitement in Bryan's voice and it just made him want to know even more.
"Do tell." Kurt said, trying to get it out of him as soon as possible.
"Okay, so the new characters have been cast but we haven't yet finalised them, we need to screen test them with you and the rest of the cast before we can do that." Kurt almost jumped around in happiness, whilst he was incredibly nervous for the screen test since he'd have to try and act around some of his idols, he was also eager to start as soon as possible.
"When will that happen?" He asked, "Obviously I have school for the rest of the week and I think my dad would prefer it if we stayed out of school time as much as possible." Kurt explained.
"That's not a problem." He told him. "We can fit it in around school, if we have someone come and pick you up after school tomorrow as it'll be Friday, they can bring you to us and we can tell the other actors to be there at that time too, that way we'll get this stage out of the way as soon as possible." Kurt nodded before he realised he was on the phone and told him that was good, even though he'd been waiting for it, the fact that everything was now moving so fast terrified him a bit. He'd been telling himself not to get excited because it was ages away but now here it was, it was happening at last and he had little time to prepare.
They both talked for another couple of minutes before Kurt told him he had homework to complete and they said their goodbyes, he now had to focus on whatever dull thing he was expected to do for class.
It wasn't long before he gave up and closed his text book, opting to pace around his room and try to remember every acting technique he'd ever learnt. He was still pacing and muttering things to himself when Burt walked into his room an hour later.
"What's got you so worked up?" he asked, taking a seat on his bed and watching him with a worried face as he continued his pacing.
"I have my screen tests with the other actors tomorrow dad, I have to try and do my best acting in front of my idols." He explained when it was clear that Burt still didn't understand his sudden anxiety.
"But that's what you wanted isn't it? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts after all this?" He asked. Kurt quite pacing and stared at him with his hands on his hips.
"Of course I'm not, dad." He said as though talking to an idiot "It's just that I really want to make a good impression, you know. I don't want anybody to think that I'm only on the show because I know Bryan, I want them to think I have talent too." He said, now biting his finger nails, something he hadn't done in a while.
"You'll be fine. You know how I know?" Burt said, Kurt looked at him, requesting an explanation. "Because you always used to threat about this sort of thing when you were younger and it always went your way." He smiled, Kurt sat down next to him on the bed and sighed, he knew Burt would be right, he had to be.
"What do you think mum would say if she were here now." Kurt asked after a long silence stretched out between them, he was still looking down at his hands as he waited for Burt's reply.
"I bet she'd be cheering you on right now, giving you all sorts of tips for tomorrow and reassuring you that you're better than any of those kids on that show." Burt told him and tried to ignore the lump in his throat, he wrung his baseball hat in his hands as he spoke."I think she's be incredibly proud of you now even if you can't see her, she's proud of everything you've done and achieved, so damn proud. I'm proud of you too buddy, look at you, you've had all sorts of crap thrown at you throughout your life and you never once retaliated, you just rose above it all and showed them who's boss, that takes strength, not many people would have been able to do what you've done. And look how it's paid off, you're dream's finally coming true. You're getting everything you've ever wanted and it just makes all of the struggles so worth it! Make the most of it." He said, the tears in his eyes were threatening to spill over so he clapped one hand on Kurt's shoulder and stood up. "You'll be great tomorrow, I know you will." He said and headed towards the door.
"Thanks dad," He said, Burt turned slightly before he left completely "It means a lot... what you said. He told him.
"I love you too kiddo, don't stay up too late, you have a busy day tomorrow." And with that he left. Kurt tried not to cry, he knew he shouldn't get emotional over something like that and even though his dad had always reassured him of it, it still felt nice to know that his mum would be proud of him. He sat on his bed staring at the wall opposite him for a good ten minutes, just taking in everything that had happened in that evening alone and also preparing himself for what lay ahead. Eventually he got up, knowing his homework could wait until another day he quickly got ready for bed and sunk down into the warmth of his covers. He was soon asleep in what must have been record timing, all of the news he'd received today had taken his energy and what his dad had just told him meant his thoughts consumed by memories of his mum as he drifted off.
Kurt's school day dragged on longer than any ever had, the fact that he was nervous and waiting for the end of the day, coupled with the most boring day of lessons on his timetable meant the day was almost unbearable. He might have actually lost his mind if he didn't have Blaine in certain lessons to take his mind off things, he didn't actually know what had happened in most of his lessons as his mind was so preoccupied but he gathered if it was so important he could just borrow some notes.
They were sat at lunch in the canteen when Blaine finally got him to relax, Kurt had been getting more and more worked up all day and being in that state definitely wouldn't help him this afternoon, so after forcing him to eat something and concentrate on school for the time being they went their separate ways for their last lessons.
At the end of the day Kurt realised he wasn't sure where the car that was picking him up would be meeting him or even what it would look like, he figured the parking lot was the best place to search so he strode through the halls and out there in record speed, not willing to be held back today. His fear about recognising the car vanished as soon as he got out there, among the herds of dirty, abused student cars the pristine black car looked horribly out of place, especially with the driver standing next to it, leaning up against his door. Kurt walked over to him, wondering if he would need proof that it was him.
"Hi, Kurt Hummel, I think you're giving me a lift?" He started, hoping this was in fact the right guy. It turned out that he didn't need proof at all, the driver simply nodded and held opened his door for him as he clambered into the back. The ride over was silent, Kurt had never had a driver before and was unsure of whether he should make conversation or not, in the end he settled for listening to the radio and watching the world go by out of his window.
The butterflies in his stomach returned in full force when they finally arrived, Kurt's door was opened for him and he stepped out into the lot after muttering a quick thank you to the driver. Once out a man ran towards him, he was carrying a clipboard and had a head-set on so Kurt presumed he was a member of the crew.
"Kurt Hummel?" He asked hopefully.
"Y-yes." Kurt stammered out, cursing inwardly and trying to get a hold of his nerves.
"Good, come with me," he said, Kurt tried to follow him whilst walking normally but had to half jog every few steps just to keep up.
"Most of them are already here but we still have some to turn up." Kurt didn't say anything as he was lead through the building and up a set of stairs to a large room, there were only a few people in the room, it had a large table on one side that everyone was sat around and there was a circle of chairs on the other side, Bryan and Rocky were there and then three people that he could only presume were writers.
"Hi." He said, slightly breathless from practically running through the building.
"Hey Kurt, have a seat." Bryan gestured to a chair near him. "I know you've only just got here but we're going to be getting started quite soon. I mainly want to see you with the group you'll be working with most, there's one guy in particular that we just cast, I don't want to give it away but it's vital for me to see how you two play off each other." He explained. Kurt nodded; he tried not to jump to any conclusions but if what Blaine had said was right than he was a very possible love interest for Kurt's character.
After another few minutes had passed with light conversation the same guy that had showed Kurt up here came back into the room.
"Everyone that you need for the first slot is here now, should I show them in?" He asked, Bryan nodded and opened up his notebook.
"Thanks, Charlie." He said as Charlie left, he came back not a minute later and a line of people shuffled in.
"Okay, now that everybody's here." Bryan said standing up. "I'd like to get things started straight away, we have a lot to get through today and the sooner it's all finished the sooner shooting can resume." He told the group. They were sat round in a circle of chairs and one of the writers passed out a couple of pages of script.
"The script that you've been given is a rough draft of something that could be used in an episode, it doesn't have your character names on just yet so just read from your names. Feel free to add any character to the lines that you feel works and don't worry if you don't like the way a particular line came off, this isn't the final shot, I'm not looking for perfection, I just want to see what you're all like together." He said, they all read over their lines quickly, some of them seemed to have huge paragraphs to read off whilst some had only a few words, Kurt had a few short lines and a couple of big chunks so he assumed he'd have a medium role, not too big or too little.
As they started reading Kurt knew why they'd all gotten through this far, even the ones with only a few words had managed to add their own little twist to them, he looked back down at his lines, knowing his part was coming up and it clicked in his brain, he knew exactly the kind of persona he'd put behind this. It was very similar to how he acted in real life and he vaguely wondered if that had been done on purpose, he didn't get time to think about it though as his character had joined in now.
At the end of the three pages everyone looked up expectantly at Bryan and saw he was smiling, it was as though the whole group shared a silent sigh of relief.
"That was absolutely wonderful." Bryan told them "You all work together brilliantly and it's so great to see you all reacting with each other so well this early on." He smiled at everyone "I'm going to ask you all to wait outside again for a bit except Kurt and Brad." He said, Kurt followed his line of vision to see who Brad was and found it was a guy his age with blonde hair, he was well built and had a playful look about him. Brad looked over at him at the same time and both of them seemed to realise why they'd been asked to stay back, they were going to have something on the show, whether it was just a romance or they became a couple.
"Right." Bryan said as he shut the door after the last person to leave. "So as you two know I said there could possibly be a love interest for your characters and we've been throwing around the idea of your characters. You probably know we had a gay couple on the show before until one of them turned away, they had a good fan base and always got a positive reaction so we're hoping you'll get a similar response." He explained whilst a new script was passed out to them, this one was a similar length but it was just two people instead of one.
"In your own time." He said, they both took a minute or two to read through the lines before Brad started tem off. The script was obviously not form an early point in their relationship as it seemed intimate but in a romantic way, Kurt was already growing fond of whatever these two had and by the end of the last page he thought their relationship was quite a cute one. Brad had been good too, he seemed really believable with it and his character had a vulnerable side that made his heart warm, in a way these characters reminded Kurt a lot of him and Blaine.
"That was brilliant you two, I know I shouldn't have to ask this but there have been issues before and even though you're both gay I just wanted to check that you'd be fine if your characters had to kiss or do a make out scene. Both boys nodded without too much thought, Kurt didn't really think about it at all, he was just thinking about everything he'd done this afternoon and it really started sinking in that this would be his life pretty soon.
They had one more group read through but this time with a different group before Kurt was back in the car and being driven home. It had been an incredibly long and tiring day, good and exciting but tiring nonetheless.
He pulled out his phone when he saw that they still had quite a long way to drive and dialled Blaine.
A/N: I hope you liked that, and I hope I'll see you in a week or so! Please review and tell me if you liked it / didn't like it or what you'd like to see happen in the future. See you soon.
