A/N - And another chapter! Again, quite short.


Title: Slight Variations

Chapter: 4/?

Author: Polyjuice Princess

Rating: T (for now)

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor make any profit from these works. All recognisable content belongs to Ryan Murphy and Fox.

Summary: A Summer Internship after graduation will change everything for Kurt. New friends, experiences and circumstances. A Season 4 AU. Rated T.

NOTE: There is established Klaine, as this does run (mostly) alongside season 4 and later season 5.


Chapter 4 – The Apartments


The sun shone through one of the many windows lining their new apartment. Kurt and Rachel had begun to unpack their clothes and the small amount of furniture they had. They'd found a place relatively quickly considering how unsure Kurt had been about where he wanted to go after school, even after the Vogue work.

Sitting on his bed, Kurt had looked at the empty walls surrounding him, remembering the abstract distraction that used to sit in front of him. 'Maybe I'll go visit the Base again…' he thought. At that moment, he could hear Rachel clashing around in the kitchen, probably trying to find places for all their cookware. Bouncing off his bed, he made his way through the unfamiliar halls towards the noise.

He found his new flatmate standing in a maze of pots and utensils. He thought about laughing at her situation, but knew that it would only end in a stony glare. Instead, he stood next to her and observed the cupboards. There was a particularly large one under the stove. He began to pack in the pots, stopping every now and then to look back at Rachel, who had stopped and perched herself on the island in the middle of the kitchen.

"You're welcome," he said, turning to go and finish his original task of unpacking his clothes.

"Wait!" Kurt pivoted mid-step, turning with an air of expectance.

"Let's make cookies!"


Twenty minutes later and the pair were finally putting the cookies into the oven. Running his hand through his hair, Kurt pulled out plumps of chocolate, flour and egg. Their baking had quickly turned into a food fight and the kitchen had been truly christened.

Chiming rang through the flat as Kurt remembered that he'd asked Sarah over to catch up and so she could meet Rachel. Too late did he realise how horrible he must look. Sarah had seen him this messy before, but it was hardly a good environment for a first meeting.

He didn't bother to clean up anything before jogging to their big, wooden front door. With more effort than he thought it would take, he slid the door to the left. Standing there was an impeccably dressed (as always) Sarah. He watched her face as she took in the sight before her: him with wrecked clothes, hair full of ingredients and a face caked in flour. Rachel in the background, probably having realised they had a guest, was cleaning herself up hurriedly. Yes, it must've looked quite funny.

And after Sarah left, and the kitchen was cleaned up, Kurt sat with Rachel on the couch, watching Phantom of the Opera, and realised that now, this was home.