Challenge #21: Practical Jokes

(Suggested by Boris Yeltsin)

[Kurt/Rachel friendship]

Kurt had always been a fan of practical jokes. Many would think he would say they were juvenile, but they were clearly wrong. For him it was just one of those things, something that seemed like it wouldn't mesh but fit perfectly into his personality. There were a select few people that knew about his secret love, mainly people who had fallen victim to his little jokes. When he was younger, it used to be gags he found in magazines or on the TV. As he got older, he got more creative with them, and he let his imagination expand to endless bounds whenever he got the chance to prank someone.

Rachel found out about this love even before she became friends with Kurt. As his new stepbrother, Finn had become the ideal target. Besides, Kurt figured he wasn't quick-witted enough to find out it was him anyway. Finn would always complain to Rachel about the pranks, saying they were childish and annoying, and asking her to help him find ways to get back at Kurt. She could tell he secretly took pride in the newfound prank war, though, and helped him as much as she could. When she and Kurt became friends, though, things got a little more complicated.

"You need to help me figure out a way to get back at Finn." Kurt was pacing around her room in a state of panic. He fixed his already perfect hair and sighed, collapsing on her floor in a state of defeat.

"What's going on with you two now?"

"Still the same old prank war. But he's getting better and it's making me nervous. I need to have the last word in this, Rachel. It's all I've got to entertain myself now that Blaine's on vacation and Project Runway is over." Rachel bit her lip and didn't respond, laying back on her bed and looking up at the ceiling. "Rachel, is there something you need to tell me?"

"Well…" She sat up now, and Kurt sat next to her. "I've sort of been helping Finn with the pranks. But in my defense I didn't know they were against you at first. He was just so upset and needed a confidence boost. He's not the most self-confident person, you know."

"Rachel!"

"What?"

"I can't even believe this right now. You can't be best friends with me and dating my step brother while choosing sides in our prank war." He was a bit angrier than he should've been, but he composed himself and kept the volume down. It wasn't Rachel's fault anyway, really. She was just trying to help Finn. It pleased Kurt to know that Finn hadn't just grown suddenly clever. If he could pull Rachel away from aiding Finn, he would win for sure.

It turns out that Kurt never really needed to stop Rachel from helping Finn. He didn't know much about their breakup because Finn refused to talk about it and Rachel wouldn't stop crying long enough for him to get the whole story. Rachel was still Kurt's friend though, but she would only go to Kurt's when Finn wasn't there. It was too hard for her to walk by Finn's room when she knew Quinn could be there with him.

It was early spring the day Kurt got Rachel in on the fun. They were sitting in the kitchen on a chilly Saturday morning, drinking coffee and watching YouTube videos of their favorite Broadway idols, when they heard his car pull into the driveway. He came into the house with his usual wide gait, but it was accompanied by a smaller one. The blonde was attached to his arm and laughing, and as they passed the two in the kitchen she shot the tiny brunette a malicious look as Finn led her up the stairs, avoiding eye contact with either of them. Kurt put his arm gently on her shoulder and she looked up at him, brown eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Hidden in them were something else, and she wiped them fiercely and ran into the living room, returning with a pad of paper and two pens. She sat back down at the island and moved their stuff to clear room for the paper.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to help you get Finn back in the worst way possible." Kurt smirked and patted her on the shoulder, grabbing the extra pen from her grasp.

"That's my girl." Rachel laughed and began talking a mile a minute, smiling whenever she'd come up with something new. Kurt really did know how to make her feel better.

As usual, reviews and suggestions are loved, and thank all of you who have been reviewing and sending me nice thoughts through all of this. Oh, and welcome to all of the new followers of this little drabble adventure. Nice to have you guys supporting these random little things that come from my mind. Sending you all nice thoughts! :)

-Hollywood