Title: Catfish (03/?)
Pairing: Kurtbastian; Mike/Quinn; Tina/OC; Rachel/Finn (past Klaine; Kadam)
Rating: By chapter (so-far PG)
Summary: Catfish AU. At the age of 25, Kurt Hummel finds himself living in Boston, working in a job he's not sure of, and living the life he'd never imagine himself to be in. The only solace he takes comfort in is his mysterious chat mate, whom he'd met at a Group Chatroom, and now has been his best friend and confidante for almost 3 years. No Facebook profile. No photos. No webcam.
And now Kurt wants to meet him.
A/N: Okay! Here we go. I hope you guys could get along with the alternate POV change. Other than that, enjoy.
So it'll be like this:
1st POV: Kurt and then alternate with Sebastian (so Kurt-Sebastian-Kurt-Sebastian) etc.
2nd POV: chat!
P.S.S.: I made a mistake in the time conversion. So I changed things up a bit. Instead of beginning at 11 pm, they start at around 09 pm okay? Okay. Thanks! And sorry!
He had 13 minutes and 28 seconds left to be exact.
He was incredibly close to achieving his newly improved self-control. And not to mention boosting his patience meter. That was sure to be needed when it came to dealing with grouchy clients on a Monday morning.
So so close.
And yet he faltered.
In result, he failed.
Kurt Hummel failed to keep his resolve by not logging in earlier than the expected time. On one hand, it seemed to him that it should be some sort of reward. After all, he did his household chores, his homework (which he finished with utmost concentration), and even babysat his 26 year-old roommate. He deserved to do something he wanted, right?
But on the other hand, what if he (Mr. Mysterious) was doing something important and he interrupted him? What if, by going online early, he was pressuring for the other to go online early too? What if he made his cyber friend guilty for making him wait that he'd be earlier than him the next time therefore making Kurt guilty in return? And as a result, they'd have to spend most of their free time rushing to finish whatever agenda they had just so they could go online first than the other? What if it turned into a competition and one would say something that would go too far? What if because of that ridiculous tiff, neither one of them would be up to talk to each other anymore?
What if—
'i3philcollins: hey!'
Kurt grinned.
'Oh never mind.'
i3philcollins: hey!
tinydanceer: '"i3philcoollins"? really? *snorts*
tinydanceer: collins*
tinydanceer: and hi! :)
tinydanceer: okay. im ranting now. that's kind of really embarrassing for me.
tinydanceer: im not spamming you though! really. or so.
tinydanceer: i was just kind maybe sorta really excited and looking forward to this!
Last Message was received on 09/09/19 at 08: 56: 03 pm
tinydanceer: umm...hello?
Unconsciously, Sebastian was staring at his screen while grinning so wide his jaw began to hurt. It surprised him that his jaw hurting would result from other than the usual causes: a punch to the jaw, or a blowjob.
He shook his head and sat back down, Indian sit styled, and all thoughts of changing clothes and the comforting heat of his shower was forgotten.
Shoving the important folders related to the case to one side, he grabbed his laptop and then moved to the sofa.
Scanning the quickly appearing messages, he let out an amused chuckled. "You are fucking adorable", he grinned. Balancing the laptop on his left thigh, he leaned forward and grabbed the wine bottle and the glass with one hand.
He was pouring himself another glass when he heard a familiar sound.
'tinydanceer: oohhh...did i scare you off right now? i promise i don't bite. ;)'
A warm feeling settled in his stomach. It was a funny sensation. Clearly, something he wasn't used to.
Maybe it was the pasta with meatballs that Tina cooked for him.
'tinydanceer: :( :( :('
"Oh shit, right", Sebastian almost spilled the wine unto his screen in his haste to reply.
i3philcollins: hi back! :) :) :)
i3philcollins: sorry if i wasnt replying. i was thinking of showering and then you showed
i3philcollins: up and showrering doesnt seem important
i3philcollins: anymore :) :) :) :)
tinydanceer: awwww :D
i3philcollins: id pick u over showering any time babe :x
i3philcollins: ikr this is my favorite part of the
3philcollins: day! 3 the best part is comign home to talk to you (heart)
tinydanceer: awwwww :D well arent you a smooth talker? (giggle)
i3philcollins: just telling the truth babe :x
i3philcollins: and more importantly we
i3philcollins: should talk about your issue with phil collins
tinydanceer: i dont have any issues with him im just surprised
i3philcollins: says tiny dancer
tinydanceer: meaaan :p plus, elton john's really cool you know
i3philcollins: i know. :D phil collins just way cooler.
tinydanceer: whatever you say
i3philcollins: :D
tinydanceer: :)
tinydanceer: i miss you. :)
i3philcollins: i miss you more. :
tinydanceer: :" :" :" :" :" :"
i3philcollins: :* :*
tinydanceer: oh my. :"
i3philcollins: whaaaaat? :( no kisses yet?
tinydanceer: not until the second date.
i3philcollins: :( :( /3
i3philcollins: you do realize we've been on like 1000000000 dates now right?
tinydanceer: i think you're just sleepy dum-dum
tinydanceer: what time is it there anyway?
i3philcollins: around 3 am
"Oh shit", Kurt slapped his forehead. "Oh fuck, right. I forgot." He did a quick mental time conversion of the difference between Boston and Budapest.
"It is 09 PM over here and 3 AM over there which means", he glanced at his desk clock, "he's 6 hours advanced than I am."
A hollow feeling settled as a heavy weight on his shoulders. There was no other word for it. He was guilty. He was being selfish. He only thought of his own excitement to see him. And Kurt had been insisting that they meet this late because the company he was working for had yet another semestral job rotation and he was tasked to be part of the team of reviewing and assigning the employees from the divisions included.
But 3 AM?
Not to mention the stress from the work he might have had...
Was he sleeping well? Was he even eating properly? He spoke something about wanting to shower. And Kurt, who was fully familiar with the darkness that was commonly known as paperwork, should understand the confusion of which necessity to satisfy first.
'i3philcollins: you're thinking loudly. i can hear it.'
Kurt glanced at the clock.
He bit his lip.
i3philcollins: i'm fine you know. my friend left me some food
i3philcollins: it was spaghetti with meatballs yum
tinydanceer: i think it's time for you to go to sleep
i3philcollins: i don't want to mom :p
tinydanceer: no im serious here. you should get some sleep
tinydanceer: instead of staying up and talking to me
Sebastian felt his hackles rise.
Maybe it was the fact that he was 3 AM. Or maybe it was the fact that he had yet another long day tomorrow—later—which he was so not looking forward to. Maybe it was the fact that he relied on this—this—nameless person to keep his secrets and actually be the haven he sought for in a person.
Because whoever this person was, to Sebastian, this person might not be real.
He was talking to an idea. A form of a mirage during his insomnia-riddled nights and stressed-filled days, he was talking to a person who he would be worrying about if he actually exists.
And for that idea, for his sanctuary to tell him what to do-
No. Just...no.
His fingers were rapidly blurting out the thoughts he was trying to bury in his head.
i3philcollins: dont fucking tell me what to do man
i3philcollins: im fucking too old for a fucking babysitter
Last Message was received on 09/10/19 on 09: 19: 38 PM
i3philcollins: shit...come on K...
Last Message was received on 09/10/19 on 09: 24: 38 PM
Kurt froze in his seat, hands poised to type out a response.
But his eyes were glued to the admittedly rather harsh clipped retorts to him.
He knew "Nate" had some tendency to lash out whenever he wasn't in the right mood. It was safe to say that their founding...whatever of a relationship this was was founded on that tendency. He could par with the biting words the other says. He could dodge the bullets and heal the shallow cuts from such words.
But then again, he had his own bad days.
"Kurt?" A voice called out from the dark living room. Kurt hadn't even noticed that Mike was done with his 'Therapeutic-Monday-Session' with the guys.
Opening his mouth the speak, he noticed that his throat was a bit constricted. He coughed a bit. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" Mike appeared in his line of vision now. Clad in his tank top and his loose boxers, it was clear that he was already prepared for bed.
"I'm", he cleared his throat again, "I'm fine."
The breathy soft tone indicated otherwise.
Frowning, Mike leaned away for a moment and grabbed something from the open window which acted as a divisor between the foyer and the living room. The warm, flowery scent of bergamot tea immediately filled the room. Making grabby hands for the mug, Kurt completely ignored the amused look Mike gave him.
"Mmm", he hummed contentedly, each of his features relaxing. "Thanks Mike."
Mike saluted him. "Don't wrinkle your face for some asshole of a guy you haven't even met."
Kurt could only give him a small smile in response. He bid him another 'thank you' and a 'goodnight, Mike'.
"Goodnight Kurt", Mike nodded at him. "And if this guy makes you cry, well. I'm the leader of an internet gang."
That got a chuckle out of the fragile figure, currently hunched in front of the monitor.
A series of 'dings', which he had not heard that past moment, alerted him of a spam of messages.
His eyes widened as he tried to set his mug down to calm his trembling hands.
i3philcollins: fuck Keith. Look im sorry
i3philcollins: im being an A+ douchebag rn
i3philcollins: Keith?
Last Message was received on 09/10/19 on 09: 59: 01 PM
i3philcollins: keith? babe? look im sorry im sorry im really sorry
i3philcollins: please answer come on dude
i3philcollins: you told me that you've been wiaitng for this
i3philcollins: the whole fucking day why arent you answering
i3philcollins: whatever im going to spam you with messages
i3philcollins: im pretty damn persistent ill have u kno
i3philcollins: you're really fucking testing me arent you
i3philcollins: dude look im really sorry okay
i3philcollins: it was...its just been a long day
i3philcollins: and you know why i even went to a fucking chatroom
i3philcollins: in the first place right?
i3philcollins: and okay fuck
i3philcollins: since we've started...talking
i3philcollins: i can't...
i3philcollins: ...it's just i...i can't...
Last Message was received on 09/10/19 on 10: 31: 24 PM
Sebastian waited in bated breath.
God, he thought, I hope this works.
He wasn't going to be another asshole who'd intentionally hurt another person just because they were having an off day.
No, not anymore. He graduated from that already.
Plus...'Keith'...He'd been there for a long time already.
Come to think of it, they've been talking for two and a half years.
'tinydanceer: "i can't..." what?'
A triumphant grin soon curled on his lips.
Hook. Line. Sinker.
i3philcollins: HA! got you
tinydanceer: fuck you nate if youre going to be an asshole abotu this
tinydanceer: it'd be better if i just went offline now wouldnt it
i3philcollins: look okay okay
i3philcollins: im sorry im really really sorry K
tinydanceer: u think this is fucking funny
tinydanceer: you think this is all some
tinydanceer: joke to you is it
i3philcollins: no no babe okay fuck shit
i3philcollins: im the worlds douchiest asshole jerk okay? im fucking sorry
Last Message was received on 09/10/19 on 11: 23: 00 PM
i3philcollins: babe?
i3philcollins: ur still OL i could see you
tinydanceer: sure
Last Message was received on 09/10/19 on 11: 25: 40 PM
i3philcollins: oh shit youre actually crying arent you
i3philcollins: keith?
tinydanceer: youre making me hate phil collins now you asshole
i3philcollins: :))
tinydanceer: stop laughing this isnt funny you prick
i3philcollins: (hug)
tinydanceer: im still mad at you
i3philcollins: i know
i3philcollins: and im sorry
i3philcollins: and i was going to say that...
i3philcollins: i cant go to sleep not until
i3philcollins: ive talked to you
tinydanceer: nice to know im a very stimulating person to talk to
i3philcollins: dammit keith stop twisting my words
i3philcollins: i can here the sarcasm three thousand miles away
i3philcollins: hear* goddamned typo
i3philcollins: i want to talk to you before i sleep
i3philcollins: because i want you to be the last person i think about
i3philcollins: so i end up dreaming of you
i3philcollins: there i fucking said it
i3philcollins: i wont ever repeat it again
i3philcollins: god that was sappy *shivers*
3philcollins: i need crying babies and violent movies to flush
i3philcollins: that one out
For the second time that night, Kurt froze.
His mug was on his table, a few inches away from the monitor. It was already cold, obviously forgotten. Around two to three unfinished folders to go through were stacked inside an organizing file holder.
Kurt read the lines repeatedly. He was making sure that none of those were the figments of his imagination.
Huh. They were real.
Lightly touching the screen with his fingertips, he slowly dragged his index finger to trace each word that 'Nate' told him.
He felt his heart stutter at the thought.
'i3philcollins: you okay cheesecake?'
Kurt smiled.
tinydanceer: too late. already screencaptured that bit
i3philcollins: u little minx
tinydanceer: ;)
tinydanceer: ill have it framed and put it on my wall
tinydanceer: for good luck of course
i3philcollins: :) you dont need good luck
tinydanceer: oh? and whys that?
i3philcollins: because you *are* good luck
i3philcollins: duh
i3philcollins: :) :) :)
Sebastian wanted to hit his head against the brick wall repeatedly.
What the fuck was he saying anyway? Was it the wine? Sebastian glanced at the wine bottle. It had been 3/4 empty for awhile now. He had been too lazy to finish the whole bottle. And he knew that it was practically the ninth circle for him to go to work without any sleep, and with a hangover to boot.
The fire dying out was his first clue. The second one was the slowly filling of the light in the room. It did not help at all that he had huge window panes.
He glanced at the computer clock.
05: 38 AM
"Shit."
tinydanceer: smooth talker. 3
i3philcollins: shut up
tinydanceer: u should go get some sleep now...if you want
tinydanceer: i just dont want you overexerting yourself
tinydanceer: and falling dead on your feet
i3philcollins: woah hey there slow down cowboy
tinydanceer: because of me
i3philcollins: but i wanted to talk to you
tinydanceer: not at your health's expense
i3philcollins: *pouts*
tinydanceer: oh fine you big baby
tinydanceer: i guess we should compromise the time instead
tinydanceer: ill just email you xx
i3philcollins: what thats it?
Kurt was grinning widely, ignoring the insisting ache on his jaw.
That was until he noticed the shadow looming over him.
He jumped right out of his seat, like a fish out of water. Panicking, he grabbed something nearest to him, the mug, which was thankfully empty, as he aimed at the—
"Jesus Christ Kurt", the floor lamp was switched on, "it's only me."
Mike's face appeared, revealing his defensive stance and his raised hands a gesture to calm Kurt down.
"Oh god Mike", he placed his hand over his chest. "You scared me."
Mike snorted, like it was the understatement of the century.
"What're you doing here?" Kurt warily asked as he placed the mug back down the table. He sat down the office chair and rearranged his glasses, which had been skewed.
He gestured at the computer with his head. "I was going to the bathroom when I saw that there was a blue light coming from the foyer. Figured you were still up."
"Sorry about that", he hated being a bother. Really, he did.
"Don't you still have the job rotation thing and the second batch screening tomorrow morning?"
"Oh shit, you're right—"
'i3philcollins: helllooooooooooo'
Mike snickered. Kurt glared at him.
"Okay, I'm out of here...Before you get the idea to throw stuff at me again."
tinydanceer: sorry about that roommate scared me to death
tinydanceer: almost threw my mug at him
i3philcollins: him?
tinydanceer: really? thats all your getting at?
tinydanceer: im so unimpressed.
i3philcollins: sorry sorry
tinydanceer: boys and their one tracked mind honestly
i3philcollins: sing me a lullaby and ill shut up and go to sleep
tinydanceer: i would :) but i dont have your number
i3philcollins: webcam?
tinydanceer: not ready for that jelly.
tinydanceer: baby steps
i3philcollins: point. well
i3pilcollins: what would you sing to me if you would...
i3philcollins: you know?
tinydanceer: Hold me closer tiny dancer...
i3philcollins: no way fuckng seriously?
tinydanceer: and you should sing You'll Be In My Heart to me
i3philcollins: out of all his songs
i3philcollins: why that one?
tinydanceer: i love Tarzan
i3philcollins: seriously?
tinydanceer: i love me some wild man
i3philcollins: ?
tinydanceer: i just like it wtf do you want some profound answer
tinydanceer: do you want me to say that my mom used to
tinydanceer: sing that to me whenever i was sad
tinydanceer: especially when i get scared during thunderstorms?
tinydanceer: and that i still listen to it today?
tinydanceer: was that the kind of answer you were looking for?
Sebastian frowned at his computer.
Seriously, after a week of short chatting, and barely responded e-mails, in a span of 4 hours he had managed to get the person he's talking to to want to rip his head off and feed it to the dogs for about a grand total of three times now.
It was some kind of sick sadistic yet simultaneously masochistic hobby.
i3philcollins: im sorry (hug) i suck rn im so sorry
tinydanceer: no sorry its the stress
i3philcollins: you too huh?
tinydanceer: yeah busy day tomorrow
tinydanceer: i mean later
i3philcollins: try going to work at 07: 30 AM later
tinydanceer: you should sleep now then! you
tinydanceer: have still some time to rest! come on!
i3philcollins: fine mail me later?
i3philcollins: let me know how your day goes okay?
i3philcollins: and im really sorry for being a stupid jerk okay
tinydanceer: yes yes
tinydanceer: idont think we'd be chatting anytime soon
tinydanceer: use your free time to sleep okay?
tinydanceer: take care of yourself
tinydanceer: im worried about you
i3philcollins: goodnight
tinydanceer: goodnight
i3philcollins: goodmorning! :D
tinydanceer: goodmorning! xx
i3philcollins: going offline now
i3philcollins: i'll miss you
tinydanceer: ill miss you too
tinydanceer: sweet dreams
i3philcollins: only if youre in it
tinydanceer: :" xx
'i3philcollins is OFFLINE.'
Kurt couldn't help but smile as he exited his Skype messenger. He briefly scanned through his e-mails if there were any new developments. Seeing as there were none, he automatically logged off and turned off the computer. Leaning back the office chair, he tiredly removed his eyeglasses and threw it on the table.
Exhausted, he glanced at the time.
12: 38 AM
He was needed at the office as early as 06:00 AM sharp to help finalize the second screening for the job applicants. In the afternoon, he would be working on the finalization of the new employees that were picked for the semestral job rotation.
Despite that he would have less than 4 hours of sleep, Kurt couldn't stop the grin from taking over his face.
Sebastian woke to the sound of ringing.
It was then that he only realized that it was the alarm, which he had set up a few minutes ago, blaring from his phone. Groaning against the armrest, he uncomfortably shifted to his stomach to lazily get the damn phone.
Firmly pressing a button, the alarm finally stopped.
Only, Sebastian was completely awake.
He let out a loud grunt, thankfully muffled by the couch pillow. Sluggishly, he raised his phone to check the time.
06: 45 AM
Great. A fucking 15-minute power nap.
But he had to get up. Carpool was coming around at exactly 07: 15 AM. In which it had clearly meant that he would have approximately 30 minutes to clean himself up, at least put the fucking trash away, and then finish reading the rest of the folders in the period between travelling from home to work.
He had two meetings to sit-in today. There was a court hearing in which he needed to go to assist his Senior Partner (as apparently this was a big case). And there was the deadline of passing the documents for the pro bono case he was working on right now.
It was his 5th case.
Not that he enjoyed solving cases without any monetary exchange.
Not that he needed said money.
Shit.
He wasn't going to survive today, was he?
A/N: that was long omg well not really long but the chat parts took a lot of time. Next part would be up sometime this week. And...I'm trying to keep this fic as realistic as possible so if that bores you out then, I apologize.