Chapter 10: Only In Your Dreams
"O.K. That's all for today. Cheryl, Kurt excellent. Jeremy, watch your blocking, when you move out of position you lose your lighting." Richard waved his hands, dismissing the cast. "Same time tomorrow, everyone."
Kurt changed out of his period costume, and scrubbed off the stage make-up. On his way out, he stuck his head into Cheryl's dressing room. "Feeling better?"
"As long as I don't think about next week, I'm good."
"Yeah, let's not go there." Kurt mimed trembling in fear, and Cheryl laughed. "See you tomorrow."
Kurt stopped backstage, and watched Jeremy pace the stage, working on his blocking. Kurt whistled. "By George, I think you've got it!"
Jeremy looked up, grinning. "You think?"
Kurt nodded. "Yeah, looks good. See you tomorrow."
Walking home, Kurt was dissecting a tricky piece of dialogue when he felt his phone vibrate. He hit the message icon to find a text from Puck.
When's the grand opening?
You mean Opening Night?
Whatever…when and where?
Orpheum Theatre, 126 2nd Ave, 8 PM.
I'm booking plane tickets for me and Aretha. Break a leg!
Slipping his phone into his back pocket, Kurt smiled. He was thrilled and touched that his friends were making the effort to be here for him. He was lucky to have so many people in his life. He had talked to Blaine on Skype last week. His ex was cutting a record in Nashville, but he'd be here for opening night. Almost everyone was coming, except Rachel who was on tour, and Josh. Kurt's smile dimmed and died. He really wished Josh could be there.
Kurt added marinara sauce to his pasta, and waved the plate in front of his favourite apparition. "Want some?"
Josh sniffed, and pretended indifference. "Shouldn't you be watching the carbs?"
Kurt curled into his corner of the couch, plate of pasta in his lap. "Are you kidding? With all the dancing I'm doing, I'm withering away to nothing."
As Kurt raised the plate, and took a bite, Josh's gaze zeroed in on his crotch. "You look pretty substantial to me."
Kurt knew exactly where Josh was looking. He grinned. "Thanks, Casper. I'll take that as a compliment."
Josh smirked at him. He raised a hand towards the TV, trolling for something worth watching, while Kurt finished dinner.
"I heard from Puck today. He and Mercedes are coming for opening night."
Josh stopped scanning channels, and looked at Kurt. "So, everyone will be there."
"Yeah."
Kurt stared into Josh's eyes. Not everyone would be there be, and they both knew it.
Kurt was restless tonight. Josh smiled, and moved closer. A restless Kurt meant a talkative Kurt, and Josh didn't want to miss a word. He sat near the top of the bed, his hip beside Kurt's shoulder. He rested one arm along the back of the couch, and curled over the sleeping beauty. He moved one hand over Kurt, traced his body, always just quite not touching. He didn't want to see the flickering. He didn't need any reminders of how impossible this was.
Kurt's lips opened and provocative words whispered on the air. "Now, Josh."
Josh's lips twisted in pain. He moved his hand over Kurt's face, along his jaw and up, over his temple. That's when he felt it, a small electric charge. Josh's fingers twitched in response. He moved his hand over Kurt's scalp, and felt it again, at the back of his head. Kurt was definitely dreaming, his breathing and heart rate were both up, and his eyes were moving under closed lids. This was REM sleep, and Josh knew that meant increased brain activity. Thank you, Discovery Channel!
Josh held his hand over Kurt's temple; the tiny shocks were strongest there. Brain chemistry, Josh had heard the term; but he had never expected to experience it. He could feel his own energy bursting at his fingertips. Kurt whispered Josh's name again, and need flashed across Josh's face. This was killing him. He had to do something.
Josh leaned closer and gently touched two fingers to Kurt's temple. He gasped as a spark leapt from his fingers, and sank into Kurt's skin. Josh's energy poured into Kurt, and just like that, he was in Kurt's mind, in Kurt's dream. Kurt was over him, and in him, and Josh felt it all, as if it was real. Don't wake up. Please, God, don't let him wake up!