Prom was coming up at McKinley High, and Carson was dreading it. The prom always sent the school into a kind of frenzy; with the girls having full-on battles for the title of Prom Queen.
Jacob Ben Israel kept reporting to Carson excitedly with 'stories' about the prom king and queen contestants, which were obviously not true. In all honesty, although Jacob was eager to please, Carson just didn't need his trashy stories.
It was eight o' clock, and the Hummel-Hudsons were at home.
"Carson, what are you doing?" Kurt asked, walking into Carson's room with a smile.
"Nothing, why?" Carson asked, spinning around in his chair.
"No reason!" Kurt said with a smile as he sat down on Carson's bed. "Just got me a date to the prom!"
"Oh, who?" Carson asked distractedly, as he swivelled back around to edit an article on his laptop.
"Oh, Azimio," Kurt said sarcastically. Carson whipped back around, looking at Kurt in disbelief. "Blaine, duh!" Kurt laughed.
"Whatever," Carson muttered. "Now buzz off, I'm busy."
"I'm not busy, and I'm bored," Kurt said, leaning over to poke Carson in the back of the head. "Are you coming to prom?"
"I don't know," Carson said. "I don't see the point, really, I haven't got a date or anything." Kurt suddenly leapt up, toppling straight back over again as he caught his foot on Carson's discarded hoodie. Carson snickered. "Ants in your pants?"
"No, I just have the perfect idea!" Kurt said, picking himself up from the floor and brushing himself off. Carson looked at him expectantly. "You like Brittany, don't you?" Kurt asked. Carson nodded. "Then you can go to prom with her! She doesn't have a date!"
"I guess we could give it a shot," Carson said with a smirk. "Now seriously, go away or I'll throw you out the window."
A few days later, Carson, Finn and Blaine were sitting in the living room of the Hummel-Hudson house. Kurt had told them to wait there so he could show them all his prom outfit.
There was a bit of stilted conversation until Burt came in. "Good news, boys! My buddy Enzo from the tux rental shop can get you half off!" He said. "So what are you going in?" Burt asked, looking at Blaine.
"I'm going simple. Black, thin-lapel collar. Very discreet." Blaine said, nodding proudly.
"You wanna know what I wore to my prom?" Burt asked, an eyebrow raised in a very Kurt-like fashion. "A powder-blue tux with a puffy shirt, with a big velour bow tie. I looked like Tony Orlando."
"Was that a designer?" Blaine asked, looking a little bit confused.
"No," Burt said, sitting down in his armchair with a newspaper.
"No need for half off my outfit!" Came Kurt's voice from the hall as he slid sideways into the doorway of the living room wearing his kilt.
"Because half of it is already off?" Burt joked, chuckling.
"My ensemble is an homage to the recent Royal Wedding. And the late Alexander McQueen." Kurt continued. Carson sort of tuned out as Kurt went through some of the details of his clothes, looking down his brother's figure with a critical eye.
"Dude, that rocks! It's like gay Braveheart or something!" Finn said, raising his glass of warm milk towards Kurt.
"Thank you, Finn!" Kurt said quietly as he twirled on the spot, his kilt flying out around him.
"I don't like it." Burt said, folding his newspaper and putting it on his lap.
"Well of course you don't like it, it's not finished yet!" Kurt said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He descended the steps into the living room. "I think it still needs a sash, or maybe some beads or something…"
Carson tuned out again as Burt reasoned with Kurt. He did take in Kurt's scandalised expression when Blaine agreed with Burt. He knew there would be some kind of drama. Then Kurt rounded on him. "Carson, what do you think?"
Carson had been trying to stay quiet, but he knew he'd have to say something at some point.
"Well, you look nice and everything, but…why do you need to dress this extravagantly?" Carson asked, leaning far back into the cushions of the sofa. "It's only a stupid event designed by the gods of teenage bitch-fights to cause trouble."
Kurt folded his arms. "I honestly don't know if that was a compliment or not." Kurt said indignantly, fixing his brother with a hard stare. Carson just sighed, leaning even further back.
That really tore it for Kurt. "I have done everything right." He said coldly. "Blaine. I understand that after what you've been through, you're worried." Carson tuned out again. He really needed to stop staying up late at night writing articles. Next thing he knew, though, Kurt was swanning out of the room with his head held high, leaving Finn, Burt and Carson completely flabbergasted.
"I guess I'd better go and see him," Blaine said, hopping up the stairs.
"What are you wearing to prom?" Finn asked Carson.
"Just a normal tux, unlike some people." Carson said, tipping his head in the general direction of Kurt's room.
"Carson." Burt said, a warning tone in his voice.
"That's cool too, you and Kurt will be like yin and yang or something!" Finn said, an unsuspecting smile on his face. Carson just raised his chin in acknowledgement, beginning to wonder why he'd signed up to this 'prom' thing.
The night arrived. Kurt spent hours in his room before it was time for him and Blaine to drive to McKinley: showering, moisturizing, doing his hair, getting his outfit absolutely perfect.
Carson just put some gel in his hair and pulled on his suit, before sauntering down the stairs to join Finn, who was getting ready to go and pick Quinn up. When he arrived at the bottom of the stairs, he met Carole, who had to do a double take before giving him a hug.
"Carson!" She said, rubbing her thumb against his shoulder blades. "You look gorgeous, honey." She said, stepping back and putting her hands on his shoulders to survey him.
"Thanks, Carole!" Carson said with a smile. "I guess this night could be okay."
"You'll have fun, I'm sure of it!" She said, squeezing his shoulders gently as Burt walked in.
"You look good, kid!" Burt said, putting an arm around Carson's shoulders.
"Thanks, dad!" Carson said. "By the way, what do I do with this corsage? Do I just give it to her?" He asked, holding up the yellow band of flowers that he was told would go nicely with Brittany's dress.
"Give it to her when she first see her, she'll wear it for the rest of the night." Burt said, squeezing Carson's shoulders.
"Okay, I guess I'd better get going!" Carson said, stepping towards the door.
"Not so fast!" Carole cried, picking up her camera from the table. "Photos!"
Carole positioned Carson and Finn in the living room and snapped a few shots of them, before they heard a creak as Kurt descended the stairs. Despite doubting the outfit at first, Carson did have to admit that Kurt knew how to dress himself for an occasion. And he could totally pull off wearing Doc Martens to a prom.
After getting hugs from Carole and Burt, Kurt was ushered over to stand in between Carson and Finn for more photographs, until Finn had to go and get Quinn. Carson took his car to meet Brittany, and Kurt stayed and waited for Blaine.
At prom, the atmosphere was fantastic. The music, provided by the New Directions, was great; the whole school was jumping and dancing in time to the music. A highlight of the night for Carson and Kurt was when Finn and Jesse had a bit of a sissy-fight in the middle of the hall.
Both twins had been left partner-less, as Brittany was accompanying Blaine as he sung the lead in a song. The boys looked on with identical smirks as Jesse and Finn shoved at each other's chests, before Sue Sylvester appeared to break it up.
No matter how annoying both boys could be, the twins thought it was somewhat unfair that Finn got banned from the prom for such a pathetic fight.
And poor Quinn.
Before anyone knew it, it was time to announce the Prom King and Queen. Principal Figgins took to the stage, as all the candidates lined up behind him: the prom kings looking as if they were trying to seem as manly as possible, the prom queens looking as if they wanted to tear each other's eyes out.
"This year's junior prom queen is…David Karofsky!"
Principal Figgins announced Karofsky's name with a smile, and an over-triumphant punch of the air. Never mind favouritism, it was clear that Figgins liked Karofsky a lot since he and Santana started the Bully-Whips.
Nobody missed Santana's triumphant, frenzied words to Quinn as she applauded Karofsky. Nobody really doubted that she would become Prom Queen.
Everyone chuckled as Karofsky good-naturedly accepted his crown and stick - everyone except for Carson, who still didn't trust Karofsky as far as he could throw him. The New Directions looked as if they were caught between applauding and just standing still.
The tension in the air was palpable as Figgins opened the envelope containing the Prom Queen. He babbled a little bit as he read over the sheet of paper, trying to find the real winner. "And the 2011 McKinley High Prom Queen…with an overwhelming number of votes…" There was confusion as all of the students took in the look of disappointment on his face.
"Kurt Hummel."
There was silence in the room.
A spotlight was moved quickly over to where Kurt was standing beside Blaine. Carson turned to look at him, as did everybody else in the hall. Kurt looked sickly pale; his eyes huge and doe-like in his shock as he swayed on the spot slightly.
The Prom Queens on the stage looked completely taken by surprise; Santana having the decency to look ashamed at her previous outburst towards Quinn.
Before anyone had the chance to register it, Kurt was running out of the hall, one hand outstretched, the other one covering his face. As Blaine ran after Kurt calling his name, and the heavy door slammed behind him, everyone in the hall heard a stifled sob and fading footsteps.
From beside Carson, Brittany covered her mouth in shock.
Principal Figgins cleared his throat into the microphone.
"I am very disappointed in you all." He said shortly, before exiting the stage. Karofsky looked very awkward sitting on the Prom Royalty throne.
Without needing any prompt, the New Directions gathered, all except for Santana, Brittany, Quinn, Rachel (surprisingly enough), and, of course, Kurt.
"Oh my god…" Tina muttered, a hand on the side of her face. "I feel so bad for him." She muttered. Mercedes was silent as she stood beside Sam. The atmosphere had become extremely awkward in the hall as Quinn, Brittany, Santana and Rachel returned.
Carson had become very quiet. Despite trying to keep calm, he was really beginning to worry about Kurt. Fair enough he had Blaine to look after him, but Carson knew Kurt better than anyone. Well, he was probably on a par with Burt.
There was a moment of quiet as everybody heard one of the heavy gym doors open, and fall shut again. Blaine appeared at Carson's side, looking dishevelled and worried. Carson nudged him, giving him a tired smile. This was why he avoided proms.
Everybody went completely silent as Kurt walked onto the stage. There was even more silence – if that was possible – as Figgins handed him the shiny, golden stick and placed the plastic golden crown on Kurt's head, being as careful as he could not to mess up his hair.
Kurt stepped up to the microphone. For a horrible moment, Carson thought that Kurt was going to do a Mean Girls and start breaking the crown up, but his twin just swept his startling glasz eyes over the audience, before taking a deep breath.
"Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton." He said, a smile gracing his pale face. Someone, Carson thought it was Rachel, began applauding, causing something of a chain reaction as everyone began to clap and cheer.
This applause died down as everybody realised that Kurt and Karofsky had to dance. It was prom tradition that the Prom King and Queen had to dance together. The two of them made their way off the stage as the crowd parted like the red sea to let them through.
They were talking quietly; Kurt still looked a bit shell-shocked, and Karofsky looked conflicted.
The music started: Dancing Queen. Perfect. Santana and Mercedes looked nervous as they sung, glancing down at Kurt every few moments.
Before anybody could fully react, Karofsky had disappeared, leaving Kurt all alone in the middle of everybody. He looked completely lost; as if he was going to burst into tears at any moment.
Carson noticed movement at his side. He looked sideways to see Blaine checking his suit for any wrinkles, before he took a deep breath. "Excuse me!" Blaine said, stepping onto the cleared area of the hall. "May I have this dance?" He asked, stretching his hand out towards Kurt.
"Yes," Kurt said, beginning to smile hesitantly. "Yes you may!" He said with a smile so wide it was practically splitting his face in half, allowing Blaine to take one of his hands and put his other hand around Kurt's waist. Kurt placed his free hand on Blaine's arm as they swayed to the music.
Carson smiled as Blaine made Kurt sway; Kurt was probably thinking something about how much of a dork Blaine was, but that he loved him nonetheless. Other students began joining in. Before Carson knew it, Puck had appeared, dragging him by the arm to do some 'guy-dancing' with him and Sam while Artie and Brittany had a dance.
Every so often, Carson glanced at Kurt, who finally looked happy as balloons rained down from the roof on he and Blaine as they danced. He thought back to the time when Kurt had asked why he couldn't 'slow dance at his prom' during a bit of a freak-out. He smiled, winking at Kurt when he looked his way. He knew that Kurt and Blaine's prom photo would be one of the ones gracing the front cover of the school newspaper.
A/N
Prom prom prom.
All the Klaineson feels! (Basically any ship name involving Carson is an existing ship (or someone's name) with '-son' on the end)
Hope you laaaike, thank you for the reviews and favourites and alerts!
Update: I re-wrote some scenes, just adding in more bits and making it more clear who is talking etc etc., and now the dialogue is actually right! And I edited a couple of other tiny things! Hope you enjoy!
