Chapter 12 – The Funeral

A/N – I am SO sorry that I haven't updated all summer, it was my plan to already be half done with the sequel by now. I have no excuse for not updating. I really am sorry. So, here are the last two chapters

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Sebastian texts Kurt that night to tell him that the funeral will be on Friday at three.

Kurt uses this opportunity to go shopping for a new outfit. He texts Mercedes and they meet the next day in front of the mall.

"Hey, boo. How have you been?" She asks, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Ugh, you don't even want to know." He smiles softly and roles his eyes.

The two wander the mall, picking out a simple black button up and dark dress pants for Kurt (that of course he can re-purpose for later outfits).

"So, you and Sebastian." Mercedes says as they sit in the food court drinking smoothies as they people watch. She states this, she does not question. There is no judgment.

Kurt blushes, "I never said that."

"Boo, for one, you wouldn't be going to a funeral that involves Sebastian if you weren't some sort of together. And two, your blush just gave you away, honey." She smiled at him, laughing, "Is he a good kisser?"

Kurt blushes even harder and lets out a disbelieving scoff.

Mercedes lets it slide, "So, tell me all about it." They stand up and she leads him toward their cars.

"I like him, and he acts like he likes me too, but he's going through a lot with his dad and all. I don't want to add more stress or awkwardness between us. Besides, I'm going to New York in the fall and I don't know what he's doing. I don't want to start something and get too attached just to have it ripped away because of long distance. I'm worried it'll be a repeat of Blaine and I." Kurt says this last sentence quietly. "I don't know what to do."

Mercedes is quiet. After a moment of searching his face, she smiles and speaks, "I think that the fact that you're so worried over a boy who, three months ago, you couldn't stand says a lot. I think that you should talk to him. Although, I think your heart's already in it, Kurt."

Kurt hugs Mercedes close,whispering in her ear, "Thanks, 'cedes."

xxx

Friday comes too quickly for Sebastian. He stands in front of his mirror, buttoning up his white dress shirt, Kurt sitting behind him on the bed. They catch eyes in the mirror, "What?" Sebastian asks at the look on his boyfriend's (can he call him that?) face.

"You're holding up surprisingly well; I'm waiting for you to break down." Kurt says truthfully.

"Today is a good day. So far." Sebastian turns and holds out his arms, allowing Kurt to look over his outfit.

"Kurt looks over the boy slowly, making the blonde squirm, "Very handsome."

Sebastian walks over and takes Kurt's hand in his own, "you too."

Kurt looks as their clasped hands, "I love your ring, where'd you get it?" he asks, looking down at a think white gold band with an intricate swirl pattern laced around the middle.

"My dad got Maddie and I each one for Christmas last year; they match our parent's wedding bands." Sebastian twists the ring around his finger a few times thoughtfully, "I don't usually wear it."

Just then, Madeline pushes the door open slowly, "We're getting ready to head over, Sebby." She says quietly.

The two boys exchange a brief glance, Kurt squeezes Sebastian's hand gently before the three exit the room and make their way to a waiting car.

The ride is silent and tense. Madeline and Marie are sitting in the front, while Sebastian and Kurt sit side-by-side in the back, hands still clasped tightly together. Sebastian feels as though Kurt's hand in his is the only thing keeping him afloat; keeping him from sinking below the waves that are threatening to pull him under.

When they reach the church where the funeral is taking place, Sebastian takes a deep breath before stepping out of the car.

Kurt wraps an arm around the boy's waste, as if sensing that Sebastian needs physical support. The boys ignore the hostile looks that are directed at them from most of the Smythe family, as well as the other guests. (Sebastian had warned Kurt earlier that morning that even if his immediate family was okay with his being gay, a lot of the friends and extended family were not).

There was a brief introduction to Sebastian's grandmother, who hugged him tightly and thanked him for looking after the boy, before everyone takes their seats.

Sebastian leans against Kurt as he hears a whisper behind him, "Those fags are sinning in my church, it should be them in that coffin instead of that boy's father."

Sebastian bristles at the words. Just as he is about to turn around and tell the man kindly to fuck off, his sister is whipping around and telling the man unkindly that he needs to leave, "My brother and his boyfriend have done nothing wrong. This is my father's funeral and I know that he loved my brother for who he is. He didn't care who my brother loves. And I know that my father would adore Kurt. If you can't accept that, and you want to disgrace your friendship with this family, then you can get the fuck out of my father's funeral."

The man huffs, but gets up and moves to the back most pew. "Thanks, sis. Could'a handled that though." The siblings look fondly at one another until the minister begins to speak.

Sebastian sits numbly for the entire ceremony; not hearing anything. Kurt sits dutifully at his side, one hand on his thigh, the other clasping his hand, playing absently with his ring.

Sebastian watched Kurt twirl the ring around and around his finger. Sebastian laughs quietly – harshly – at how the spinning of his ring fits perfectly with how he is feeling; as though his world is spinning slowly out of control. That's when Kurt is squeezing his hand reassuringly. Sebastian looks up from his lap, into those beautiful blue-grey eyes. The eyes look back at him, they are not full of sympathy, like Sebastian has seen so often lately. Instead, the eyes are full pf understanding. For that, Sebastian is eternally grateful.

When the reception is over, Sebastian stands and speaks quietly to his mother, "bathroom", before wandering away. When he reaches the bathroom, he steps inside and locks the door behind him. He steps to the sink and looks at himself in the mirror, really looks at himself. His skin is pale and sickly, his eyes a faded green, his hair dull and limp. He notices that his suit fits loosely; he's lost weight.

It's at that moment that things truly begin to sink in. Sebastian falls to the floor and begins to shake with silent sobs.

After a few minutes, he hears a knock on the door, "Open the door, Seb. I know you're in there."

Sebastian debates leaving Kurt in the hall so he can throw a pity party for one. After a second's thought, he reaches up and unlatches the door. Kurt relocks the door after he has entered, and drops to the floor beside Sebastian.

"Your pants will get wrecked." Sebastian sniffles at Kurt. Kurt pulls him to him, and Sebastian buries his face in his chest.

"I'm more concerned about you right now."

After a few minutes, Sebastian's tears begin to subside. Kurt speaks again, "Do you want to go o the after thing?"

"Can we just...go home?" Sebastian asks.

"Of course we can, sweetie, of course." Kurt kisses the teary eyed boy's cheek, "You go wait in the car, and I'll tell Maddie and your mom."

Sebastian heads out to the car and sits with his face against the steering wheel, breathing deeply.

When Kurt comes, he opens the driver's door, "Get out, I'll drive."

Sebastian doesn't fight, just does what he's told, "How're mom and Madds getting home?"

"With your grandmother; don't worry, they said it was okay." Kurt begins the drive to Sebastian's house.

When they get to the blonde's house, Sebastian leads Kurt to his bedroom where he lays down. Kurt searches through the boy's dresser until he finds a pair of well worn Dalton sweat pants and a soft tee shirt. He passes them to Sebastian who changes quickly; Kurt turns his back as he does.

When Kurt feels a hand on his back, he turns. Sebastian crashes their lips together without warning. Kurt sighs and leans into the kiss, opening his mouth under Sebastian's soft lips before pulling away, "You look exhausted, you should sleep." Kurt lets himself be lead over the large bed.

The two boys lay together for a long time. Kurt thinks that Sebastian is sleeping, when he speaks, "Thank you."

Kurt startles, "For what?"

"For just being here." Sebastian says sleepily.

Kurt plants a gentle kiss to the boy's forehead. "Of course."

Sebastian makes a pleased noise.

The two drift off together in the rays of the setting sun.

xxx

A/N: The next chapter should be up tonight or tomorrow (I promise!) I'm not sure about a sequel at this point, but I might write little one-shots, like first I love you, and things like that. Once I go away for school I have a feeling I'll only really have time for one-shots. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!