Roommates
A/N: Quick, huh?
Chapter 20
Blaine lay crossways on his boyfriend's bed, staring at the television. He'd often shout at it when something happened that he didn't like, ignoring it when Kurt slapped him with a pillow reminding him to be quiet. The Bulls took a timeout and Blaine approved, saying they needed to get their shit together before they blew one of the most important games of the season. In the time that the coach took to talk to his players, Blaine looked at his Z-Gem, the birthday gift Kurt gave him, and checked on the Rangers score. Kurt rolled his eyes when he looked up from his laptop screen before focusing back on the content he was reading.
The 20 second timeout was over and Blaine put the device down to stare at his television screen once more. When Joakim Noah blew a hook shot to the basket off an inbound pass, Blaine face palmed and mumbled a few curse words into his hand.
"You know," Kurt began, peeking down to the foot of the bed where his sexy, shirtless boyfriend was looking between his birthday gift and the television screen, "I got you that thing so that I wouldn't have to be victim to your crazy 'shout-at-the-players-on-the-TV-who-can't-hear-me' ceremonies. I did not get it for you so that you would have the convenience of watching sports on it while simultaneously hogging the TV."
Blaine jumped up on the bed and lifted both hands in the air. "Three point play, Rip Hamilton! Wooo!"
Kurt rolled his eyes, "And he heard absolutely nothing I said."
A commercial came on the TV and Blaine finished his dance moves to lay down on top of his boyfriend, grinning as he pushed the laptop away.
"I get frisky when my team is kicking ass."
Kurt smiled into the kiss Blaine gave him before pushing him away roughly by the chest. "Leave me. I'm busy. Go watch your silly stinky men run around with hideous colored outfits on."
"What're you doing, gorgeous?" Blaine asked nosily, trying to peek at the computer screen when Kurt picked it back up.
"Just looking at the internship I've been dreaming of doing since I was fourteen. Once I'm in, I'd basically be the one to watch as an up and coming designer. It was my intention to see if I'd be ready for it come junior year, but that's damn near impossible." Kurt said with an accepting but still sad smile. "Only the legends can pull that off… the Tom Ford's, the Donatella Versace's, you know. People I aspire to be."
Blaine listened closely. He didn't know of this or of this internship at all, but it seemed like something he believed whole-heartedly his boyfriend could accomplish.
"But I'm not there yet," Kurt admitted, scrolling down the text on his screen. "I'll probably have to settle for applying senior year, but I'm looking at the requirements and everything and… I don't know. It's scary. I'm not even guaranteed a position then."
"What would prevent you from doing it your junior year?" Blaine questioned.
The basketball game came back on, and Kurt looked up expectantly, waiting for Blaine to roll back to his previous spot and continue to act like a maniac, but Blaine didn't seem to want anything to do with that idea. Instead, he kept his eyes glued on Kurt and continued their conversation.
It was safe to say this was the relationship Kurt always wanted. They could speak so easily, and always did just that.
"Well, my number of credits." Kurt answered softly. "The only way a person could get in without the required number of credits would be if they had an insurmountable amount of experience somewhere in the industry. Saks is great, don't get me wrong, and the possibility of a promotion would be amazing, but I doubt that would be enough for consideration."
Blaine nodded, taking in everything his boyfriend was saying. He glanced over to see Christian Dior was trying to wake up. How the cat stayed asleep in the midst of Blaine's barking at the television was a mystery to the couple, but he didn't even stir that evening until this point. And then he was drifting back to sleep.
Blaine considered what it would take for Kurt to get that internship. The only thing that continued to ring in his head was his mother's new magazine, but he quickly shot that idea down. He wasn't even sure if Linda wanted Kurt to work for him for the right reasons. As a matter of fact, he was sure it had something to do with trying to get back at him for not running off and bucking to her every demand. Eventually, he came back down to earth, away from his thoughts, and asked another question for an extremely-into-his-computer Kurt.
"How does it help you graduate a year earlier?"
Kurt looked to Blaine and smiled. "It wouldn't help me, because there's no way in hell I'd get it next year, but theoretically it'd help because the course credits I'd get from passing would be insane." Blaine nodded and settled closer next to him so that he could see the screen. Kurt ran a hand through his messy hair (it was a wild day in bed after getting in from work, okay?) and continued, "Maybe I'll apply anyway when they open up the applications in a few weeks. Get my name out there, you know." he considered thoughtfully.
Blaine smiled sadly as he considered something, but brushed it off. "I see. That sounds like a plan."
"And the guy who runs the program, a Keith Faison, he'll be at Fashion Week NY. It just so happens that this hot bad boy I know got me tickets there for Christmas, so I'll be attending."
Blaine smirked, glancing up at his blue eyed, gorgeous boyfriend. "How hot is he?"
"Very hot," Kurt smirked in turn, leaning down to place a soft kiss to Blaine's accepting lips, his tongue poking out to trail along Blaine's lower one teasingly before pulling away and grinning.
"Mmm," Blaine hummed with a smile, nodding at the answer he got. "He must be a lucky bastard."
Kurt ignored him, sliding down in bed so that they were both more comfortable. He was careful to avoid his lazy kitten that was cuddled up with that adorable octopus.
"I decided to take Ashley. So she can drool over the models."
Blaine gave a hearty laugh that Kurt could tell was because the boy wasn't expecting to hear that. He switched tabs on the screen after a notification from Facebook popped up and Blaine, now quiet, but still pensive, looked over at the television.
"Tristian just invited us to a New Year's party via Facebook. Does he usually wait until the last minute?"
Blaine shook his head at his friend's actions. "He told me about it the other day but I said I wasn't feeling the whole thing. I'd be content here with you, champagne, no clothes, blind fold, some beads—"
"Blaine," Kurt laughed, poking him in the chest, "seriously. You can't just say things like that."
"Because you love the idea or…?"
Kurt read the invite again, choosing to ignore the question completely. "You know, just because we're together, that doesn't mean you can't go out to party with your friends anymore. I mean," he closed the laptop and put it aside, turning his body so that they were face to face, a few inches parting them, "you can't get insanely drunk and leave with someone of course, but I don't want you think I'm locking you down or anything."
Blaine laughed, wrapping his arm around Kurt and drawing him closer. "What if I just don't have the desire to party anymore?"
"Then I'd understand that, I guess."
"You want to go to the party?"
Kurt shrugged, their noses brushing together and a smile crossing his lips, "I wouldn't mind going. Meeting Jessica, she'll probably be there right?"
Blaine nodded. "If Tristian's dumbass is going he's either dragging her or me, and since he thinks I'm not showing up it must be her." Kurt smiled, and Blaine continued after brushing the boy's long brown locks out of his face, "he's smart though, inviting you on Facebook so that you'd make us go."
Kurt giggled and rolled his eyes. "I'm not making us go."
Blaine kissed him with a smile on his face. He was so far gone—so in love with Kurt Hummel. He'd do anything for him; go to stupid parties, go to the end of the earth, let him take a dumb job offer that, while he hated to admit it, if it'd come from anyone else, Blaine would be all for it right away. But it wasn't from anyone else, because Kurt didn't have those connections yet.
He did have connections with Magazine Mogul and Fashion Tycoon Linda Berry. And Blaine didn't know how he'd do it, but he would. If his mother wanted to take such interest in Kurt, interest that she didn't bother taking with himself or his older sister, then by all means, he'd let her go for it.
One thing he knew for sure was that Kurt was going to get whatever he needed to be successful if Blaine knew how to make it happen. If that took using his mother as a stepping stone, and making a deal with the devil, then that's what it took.
Kurt pulled back from their kiss a little breathless, his eyes a lusty shade of blue as he smiled at his stubbly boyfriend, who of course had 'forgotten' to shave. "Are you going to be my New Year's kiss?"
Blaine moved forward again, closing the space between them. He inhaled, taking in the scent of vanilla and moving his lips smoothly against Kurt's. The blush his boyfriend wore was simply adorable when he pulled away, and Blaine made sure their eyes were locked when he answered.
"I'll be your everyday kiss."
….
This wasn't so bad. Blaine pulled up to the corner of 5th Avenue and West 49th Street. The traffic driving through Manhattan wasn't nearly as bad as he imagined it to be when he decided he'd drive Kurt to work and home. He glanced across the street to the Starbucks as his boyfriend unplugged his iPhone from the car charger and put the cord in the glove compartment. He could see that fucker through the window, wiping down the table tops. Blaine shook his head, trying to control his anger. He felt Kurt lean over and kiss him on the cheek, instinctively relaxing as he turned to face his boyfriend.
"If looks could kill," Kurt whispered, smiling at the man he loved. Blaine took a deep breath and tried to relax, smiling a little as he leant in and kissed Kurt properly on the lips.
"He hasn't been bothering you right? He hasn't done anything shifty? Stopping in your store?"
"No," Kurt smiled. "I promise I'm good. He can't hurt me. Don't worry about me, baby. Go home and relax."
Blaine nodded. "You have a great day, gorgeous. I love you."
"I love you, too."
They kissed again and Blaine gave a closed lip smile when the blue eyed teen pulled back, grabbing his things and hopping out of the car. Kurt waved and walked through the doors, smiling at Blaine's wink.
Before he could pull off, a text message came through on his phone. He sighed, hoping it wasn't Santana again, and pulled it out his pocket. It wasn't. But he might've preferred her, to be honest.
It was his mother.
I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow. Meet me for lunch at Antibes Bistro. –Mom
Blaine spent a good couple minutes staring at the text before he realized a police officer was eyeing his vehicle. He remembered this was a no standing zone and quickly put the phone down so that he could drive off. It would be just his luck for a cop to come over and discover Tristian left a stash of weed in his car somewhere.
He pulled onto a side block and double parked so that he could respond. Was it odd that his mother, better known as the woman who hadn't made any real attempt to contact him after being separated for what was about six years, suddenly wanted to see him for lunch? Yes. But he recalled speaking to his father, and Hunter mentioning that he'd give the woman a call. Maybe this last minute meeting was a result of her fulfilling on a promise she made to her husband to pretend to show interest in their lowlife of a son.
Either way, he needed to speak with her.
Blaine picked up the phone, smiling at Kurt's text of 'I miss you already!' and replying with a kissy face, before answering the text message from his mother.
Address and time? –Blaine
She must've been on the phone (of course), because she replied rather quickly.
112 Suffolk Street. 12 –Mom
Blaine nodded as if the woman could see and placed the phone back down, putting his BMW in drive and pulling off.
….
He got home about twenty minutes later, having took a one way street all the way down instead of busy 5th Avenue. Blaine took the time to change into something that wouldn't completely offend his mother's taste, not wanting to be any more of an embarrassment than he already was, and ended up changing Christian Dior's litter box. The cat looked like he was smiling at him and Blaine rolled his eyes.
Santana had texted him before he could get out of the door. He laughed at the message and replied.
If you can find the time to stop humping Hummel into oblivion, I'd really appreciate your help moving my things. –Santana
That sounds impossible but I'll let you know. –Blaine
Blaine ended up walking to the restaurant. It was cold out, yes, but the time was just what Blaine needed to figure out if he was making the right decision. All he could do was think of how freaking crazy the idea was, but it had to work.
Kurt was born for greatness.
The place was nothing short of beautiful. Blaine could appreciate it. The wood furnishing and brick interior reminded him of the places they ate as a child while visiting the South of France. It was somewhere that Kurt would more than likely enjoy a hell of a lot more, because the cuisine wasn't something Blaine was crazy about, but he couldn't deny the restaurant's beauty.
A young man smiled at him while he entered, apparently already filled in that he'd be there.
"Blaine Anderberry?" he questioned in a smooth voice, green eyes piercing and entire demeanor groomed to perfection. Blaine shook his head no at the surname.
"Anderson. I'm supposed to be meeting Linda Berry."
The man nodded, giving Blaine a strange look at the different name but gesturing for him to follow. "Your mother is waiting."
Linda was on the phone as they approached, mouth running at a mile a minute from everything concerning advertising to editing, to photography and giveaways. Blaine thanked the man who pulled out his seat with a wink, and then rolled his eyes at how he strolled away, purposely rocking his hips.
Linda smiled once she noticed, motioning for her son to join her. Blaine did, easing the seat in behind him and looking at the woman expectantly. She didn't show any intention of hanging up the phone until looking up and finding Blaine's eyes boring through her skull.
"Okay… Tiffany… yes… yes, I'll speak with you before I board tonight. Busy day, yes, yes… goodbye."
She hung up and placed the phone down beside her, smiling at her son in a way that looked incredibly forced. Blaine took a moment to look at her, hoping it didn't come off discourteous, but not caring if it had afterwards.
Her bangs were neatly trimmed, brown hair flowing, not a wrinkle in sight for someone who spent so much time working… all their time working, really. Her eyes were still a shiny copper color as she adjusted the band around her finger, glancing back up to her son quickly.
"Hello."
Blaine nodded as a greeting, and the woman frowned to show her disapproval of his action. Not that Blaine wasn't used to her disapproval or anything.
"Greet your mother, Blaine Alexander."
Blaine picked up a menu from the table and cleared his throat, grazing over the appetizers. "Hello mom."
Linda did the same, mumbling to herself as she went over choices. A minute later, she placed hers down and glanced across the table to see if Blaine was ready.
"Have you decided?"
The teen shook his head, letting the menu fall against the table. "Doubt I'll get anything."
She wasn't surprised. "You know your father called a couple days ago. He wasn't happy with me."
Blaine rolled his eyes. "Was he ever happy with you?"
Linda laughed at this. Her jewels clashed together as she placed a hand on her chest and laughed, as if she hadn't found anything that amusing in a long time. Blaine watched and thought about all the things their conversation might entail, feeling nervous about it. He still wasn't sure how his boyfriend would react to it, if Linda, as expected, went through with everything.
"How was Ohio, dear?" she questioned, distracting her son from his wandering thoughts. Blaine looked at her and answered genuinely.
"Too perfect, to be completely honest."
"In what respects?"
It wasn't obvious?, Blaine thought, shaking his head and responding. "It felt the way that Christmas should've always felt. With people I was just meeting. Part of me doesn't understand that because… why am I even explaining this to you?" Blaine asked with a smile. Linda looked intrigued, to say the least. "You don't give a damn."
"Nonsense," she answered, "I'm happy that you got to enjoy yourself. Your father was very pleased at the news. It would've been nice to have you home—"
"Don't bullshit me—"
"Watch your tone with me young man."
Blaine scoffed, looking around to see a few Wall St guys entering, followed by businesswomen he assumed were their mistresses, being lead to the table by the host that directed Blaine, who just happened to smile flirtatiously again. Linda raised an eyebrow.
"Someone has a crush, huh?"
Blaine looked up at her not amused. Linda read his face clearly and gave a warm smile, nodding and starting a new topic. "I hear you're doing great with your courses in school. How is Lehman, academically, I mean?"
"It's a great school." Blaine answered shortly, wondering what in the hell she was getting at.
She nodded in response, smiling at the young man some more. Blaine could easily say he felt uncomfortable about all of this.
"What's this about? You haven't asked to do anything for you yet, and with you being self-centered and obnoxiously egotistical, I find it odd."
"I just wanted to say hello, I reckon. See your face." Linda replied, ignoring Blaine's snide comments about her. So they weren't the closest of family, a bush could see that. "Everyone else is getting to be in you and Rachel's life. Why not I?"
A group of people gathered up outside of the window and Blaine turned to look, grimacing when they started snapping pictures of him with his mother. He knew this was something he didn't want… the whole paparazzi after him and knowing he had any ties to his parents.
Linda only looked away uninterested, used to this type of treatment. "It'll become second nature. A whole lot of that is in your boyfriend's future, you know. Might as well get some practice shots in."
Blaine glared at the photographers before turning his focus to his mother. The mention of Kurt's name had brought him back to their conversation.
The waitress approached and greeted them both in French. Blaine didn't remember much of the language and only made out a little of what she said, but his mother was fluent and responded right away. The waitress smiled and looked towards him.
"What will you be having?"
"Just a coffee please." He explained how he liked it and she nodded with a smile, writing everything down.
"And for you, Madame?"
"I'll have the pan seared tuna and a Lolita." Linda answered, handing her and Blaine's menus over. "Merci."
The lady walked off and Blaine watched the paparazzi leave after being satisfied with what they had. His mother tended to something on her phone and placed it back down, looking over at Blaine. She glanced at the navy blue cardigan he wore and wondered if Kurt inspired his outfit.
"So I'm guessing Kurt told you that I happened to run into him at Saks."
Blaine smirked, slouching down in the seat. "You happened to run into him? I'm sure that's the opposite of what happened."
"So he told you. You two amaze me."
"What do you mean?"
The waitress brought over Blaine's coffee and he smiled gratefully.
"I mean that I'm amazed at the dynamics of your relationship so early in the game. You must tell each other everything."
Blaine only looked at her as he picked the china up.
Linda smiled. "I'm happy you found someone you're crazy about. Cooper still brings these skanks over, you know." Blaine allowed himself to smile at this. "He says they're nice girls, and that it's different this time, but I know better. I meet a new 'the one' every other week."
Blaine took a warm, welcoming sip and allowed the warm liquid to slide down his throat. "That's Coop."
"But you're happy. That's what matters. I'm going to be honest," she began, glancing out the window to the snowy city, "we aren't the closest of mother son relationships, but that doesn't matter. What's done is done. We both have made our decisions, and we both have said things that I'm sure we'll regret. All that matters at the end of the day is that you did what you felt was right. Being with Kurt and going to Lehman is what makes you feel right, and you're doing it."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Your father asked me a question when he called." Linda began, ignoring the ringing of her phone. "He asked me if someone came and wanted to do a biography of us right now, what would I list as my shortcomings. Of course, your mother is vain as you know. I have none, was my answer."
Blaine wasn't surprised in the slightest.
"But he asked what happens when they start to involve the people around us. What would they say? I knew he was talking about how much we screwed up with you kids. I don't want the world to see me as that person. Or Hunter… and I don't know… I could admit that while my whole life was blinded by the dollar sign, and by Hollywood, and by things that didn't matter at all, it isn't too late to teach an old dog new tricks."
Blaine looked at her trying to decipher if the woman was being honest. It was hard to tell. He hadn't really seen genuineness from his mother ever. Linda continued to talk, and he tuned back in.
"So yes. It's a work in progress. But you're giving Hunter a chance. He told me about the football game, and that's amazing. I wish I could do something like that for you and Rachel, after the hell I put everyone through. Hunter, Cooper, you two. I want to say it wasn't my fault… I was neglected coming up for other things that seemed more appealing to my parents, I assume… alcohol abuse, gambling… I don't know why I'm telling you all of this. I know you thought the world of them and I would've liked for it to have stayed that way, but that's what I was taught. With me though, I thought it was okay. I strived for the attention they never gave me, and gave you the materialistic things I never had, forgetting I wasn't giving you the important things I never had."
Blaine sat up in his seat, everything he was hearing too much for him. If Ashton Kutcher jumped out he swore he was going to beat the living shit out of that man.
"So, eventually with time, we'll trust one another again. Believe me. I'll make it up to you all someday, one way or another."
Her phone rang as Blaine shook his head in disbelief. "Let me get this."
He nodded, watching the waitress put his mother's things on the table.
"Yes, Smythe."
Blaine cringed at the name.
"3:00 sharp! If they are late they get no interview. Plain and simple."
She hung up a short time later and shook her head. "He's going to have to take some classes while I'm away. Apparently street smarts don't get you everywhere."
"What are you interviewing for?" Blaine asked, taking another sip of coffee.
Linda smiled at the question. "I need writers. My main man never called me…" she joked, talking about Kurt. "And another developer for the site."
"Kurt can do it."
Linda froze, fork in hand with food on it, halfway to her lips before giving her son a confused look. "Come again?"
"He'll do it."
Linda began to smile, placing the food down. "Forgive me if I don't understand… a few days ago he rejected me because he knew you'd behave like an imbecile, and now you expect me to believe that you want him to work with me?"
Blaine placed the coffee down and sat back, considering this. If she was sincere with her apology, why not? She wanted to make things right? She could do so by helping Kurt. Blaine sure as hell didn't need anything from her. The things he did need he missed out on, so fuck it.
"He starts his junior year next September, and there's this internship—"
Linda smiled, interrupting, "Is it The Black Ticket Program that Faison runs? "
Blaine nodded. "I think so."
"That's the big shebang. I got in my senior year at Cornell, which was damn near impossible because of course at an Ivy League school there was no fashion program. But my business degree and experience working with different designers helped tremendously. Getting in his junior year, though? He's a trip," she smiled, shaking her head and taking a bite.
"He can do it." Blaine said, more sure of his words than he had been about anything really, except for when he told Kurt he loved him.
His mother took a handkerchief and dabbed her lips. "So I let him write for me so that he can get into an amazing program and quit a few months later? If I hire someone, Blaine, it's an investment."
Blaine took a deep breath. "You said you'd be willing to change things between us?"
She smiled, catching on to where her son was going. "Of course. But—"
"Kurt deserves this. I don't want a thing."
"You don't understand," his mother silenced her phone and made sure they were eye to eye when she spoke. "I admit to wanting Kurt before for the wrong reasons. If he happened to work for me, and work for Tiffany Goldberg, and go to school, you'd be one lonely ass young man."
Blaine smirked.
"And then, you'd be single, because knowing you, you'd get tired and roam around… just rumors I've heard." Blaine continued to look at her, "And with you single and broken hearted, you'd be more than willing to do as I initially asked, at least I hoped."
"That wouldn't happen."
Linda laughed. "I realize that now, but the fact remains the same. Kurt won't have time for you. For this internship to fall through, I'd have to take him under my wing. He needs to know everything. Writing, yes, but it's a business thing. Kurt needs to be well experienced in every aspect of the business."
Blaine was quiet.
"The same thing for senior year. If he does wait, which I'm sure is his other option, there's still a great chance that he won't be getting in. You want in that program; you don't have relationships with anything but hard work."
"We'd make it work. I'd help with the workload."
"You'd help with something to do with fashion?"
Blaine nodded. "I'm not losing him to a stupid job. We complement each other. We're going to be great together. His dreams are my dreams, there's no one or the other."
Linda smiled. "Adorable, Blaine—"
"Don't mock me."
"Your tone, young man," Linda warned. "You need to work on how you speak to me."
"Are you helping or not?"
Linda sighed, taking a sip of her champagne. Blaine looked at her expectantly and she began to speak. "I like the kid. He's everything you and Rachel aren't and can't be," she took another sip as he looked at her, "It seems harsh, but it's true. Now it's better that I snatch the guy up before other employers do. A naïve, almost 20 year old trying to find his way… he'd get chewed up and spit out before he graduated NYU. And he's family, so he deserves that much."
"I'm willing to sacrifice our time for him. He deserves everything after what he's dealt with."
"Don't say that until you know what you have to deal with," Linda warned. "Now I have a feeling he doesn't know we're here having this conversation at all."
Blaine felt guilty as he shook his head no. "He doesn't."
"What I'll do is let you talk to him. My flight leaves tonight. If he's not at my hotel room ready to sign a contract before I go, I'll just hire one of the rejects Sebastian brings in for an interview. Kurt doesn't really need one. We spoke in Philadelphia over tea. His knowledge surpasses his years."
Blaine listened carefully. He knew Kurt would be skeptical with everything they dealt with on this particular topic, but it didn't matter. This wasn't about Blaine; it was about Kurt, he felt.
"So if he decides to come, I'll show him the ropes. Have him look at the blog that we're working from right now until publication is set up. I offered him per-diem but if he wants to be ready for The Black Ticket, he needs to be prepared to work a little harder, okay?"
"Yes."
"Well," Linda took another bite, "I asked your sister to join us here but she never replied. I guess something more important came up."
Blaine thought about it and realized she wasn't at home. "I don't know."
"It's fine. Go home and relax. You look a wreck."
"Thanks," Blaine replied sarcastically, finishing off his coffee and grabbing his coat. "I guess I'll call if Kurt says no."
Linda nodded. "That'd be nice. Be good."
Blaine walked away; past the host who gave him cast him another flirty look. "Bye, Mr. Anderson."
Blaine rolled his eyes and exited, entering the cold city.
….
Kurt exited the elevator and quickly tried to get back to his previous department. Just his luck, Debra was walking over to him with a scowl. She never once smiled at him, ever, and it killed him to have to look at such an unpleasant face and walk away professionally. How could he go deal with customers after experiences with her?
"I asked for you to take down the winter line on the second floor, did I not?"
Kurt stopped walking and nodded. "I know, I started, but Renee needed me on third and I'm on my way back right now."
Debra glared at him, sighing in what seemed to be annoyance. "If you can't handle the simple task I ask of you then say so. I understand that Linda Berry isn't here to help you, but I can have Becka do it instead."
Kurt tried to remain unaffected, and not acknowledge that she was bringing up what he knew she believed—that he got things handed to him. Calmly, he replied, "I can do it."
Debra smiled. "We'll see."
….
Kurt kissed a nervous Blaine after climbing into his boyfriend's car. It was a long day and a kiss was just what the doctor ordered. Blaine seemed distracted as Kurt pulled away and he smiled at him oddly before saying hello.
"Hey, babe."
"How was work?" Blaine asked, watching his boyfriend strap in.
"Debra's a bitch," Kurt answered simply, smiling when he heard his boyfriend laugh. "I can't wait to get home. Maybe take a nice bath. Maybe have you join me…"
"That sounds amazing."
Kurt frowned, turning towards his boyfriend. "What's wrong with you? Usually your tongue is rolling out of your mouth at times like this."
Blaine smiled, but it seemed forced. He drove off and towards their place. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "You might have to shower instead so we can rush back out."
"Why?" Kurt questioned, "I'm exhausted. We should just lay back and enjoy. I'm off tomorrow—"
"You have an interview."
Kurt stopped speaking and suspiciously looked over to his boyfriend.
"Well not an interview. A contract to sign. The job is pretty much yours…"
"What?"
"So you can do the internship quicker. Your junior year." Blaine indicated and made a left.
"I'm not following, babe."
"I had lunch with my mom and she leaves for Paris in a few hours."
Kurt sat back in his seat, not understanding anything his boyfriend was rambling about, but not wanting to either. "What does this have to do with me and the internship?"
Blaine sighed. Kurt was going to kick his ass. "I told her that you would work for her so you can make the internship in September—"
"No."
Blaine pulled to a stop at a red light and looked at his boyfriend. "Listen, babe—"
"No. Why would you even tell her something like that? Your mother? Linda Berry?"
"I was trying to help, Kurt."
Kurt laughed in disbelief. He looked to see if Ashton Kutcher would jump out from behind a dumpster or something. "This is going to blow up in our faces. How can I trust her? You don't trust her."
"It's different… we talked, I mean my dad talked some sense into her and I convinced her that you could handle the workload to get into that internship."
Kurt didn't answer. He only looked furious.
"She likes you and I want this for you so bad, honey. You don't have to go," Blaine said. "I just thought, seeing you dreaming last night like that, I thought maybe you could benefit from it. She's not going to fuck up her own name, anyway. She wants to pay you to make her look good, Kurt. There's no way her money is going near anyone who doesn't know what the fuck they're doing."
He took advantage of continuing when Kurt remained quiet.
"But if you don't want to do it, and you're mad at me, gorgeous, I understand." Blaine pulled off, focusing on the road, sincerity flooding him. "We'll go home and cool off. Unwind. Okay? I'll let her know you opted against it, since the online magazine will be starting after the New Year." Kurt glanced over and shook his head, not understanding anything going on right then.
"You want me to work with Linda?"
"Yes. If it helps you, yes. I love you, shit, Kurt. If it means something to you it means everything to me."
Kurt closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "How did she make it work so fast?"
"Most of her workers and developers are from her current magazine until she hires everyone, at least that's what she explained to me."
Blaine tapped his steering wheel patiently, waiting for an old lady to cross the street. Kurt opened his eyes. "So. You sat down at lunch with your mother…"
"She apologized. My dad… I don't know but he must be a miracle worker or something."
Kurt smiled. "This is… I was getting used to never having her around. Like at graduations or our kids' birthday parties. But now, I guess I should—"
"Kids?" Blaine cut in, eyes still on the road. Kurt snapped his head up and looked at Blaine.
"Um… I said…"
Blaine smiled. "I remember that conversation we had going to the mall. When we sang Perfect in the car… I know we want kids, babe."
Kurt smiled as well, realizing just how crazy in love he was.
"So I guess I can ask you to think about it, but, there isn't much time as you know. It's up to you. Maybe I overstepped my boundaries. You can do things your own way."
"I'll do it." Kurt answered, and for some reason he didn't feel like he'd regret it.
Blaine nodded. "We're in this together. Remember that."
….
"Just so you don't think I'm scamming you and out to ruin you and Blaine like I admitted to trying to accomplish this afternoon at lunch, there isn't an ounce of fine print on that contract. Everything is in plain sight. I'd offer to let you take it home and read it but I'd like to set up payroll right away, and the quicker you're on the books, the more qualified you are for Faison's program."
Kurt smiled, looking down at it. "Thanks. I understand. I'll read it here."
Linda glanced at herself in the mirror. "Okay. I'll have the hotel office make you some copies for your records after you sign, dear."
Kurt continued to read the contract. It still said per-diem for the writing, because Linda explained that she wasn't fond of starting him out at a part-time position. Then he'd barely have time for school. But, working as her 'right hand man' as she put it, was going to be necessary. Just attending events, learning the ups and downs, breathing in the game. While it was everything he wanted, she brought up the point that he wouldn't be seeing Blaine as much during certain weeks, and that he should take advantage of whatever time they did have.
Sebastian came into the hotel room as Kurt went over the contract, and he rolled his eyes at the flirty wink the teen sent him. "Hi Kurt."
"Leave him be." Linda said, throwing a scarf around her shoulders. "All set up?"
"Yes," Sebastian answered. "It's going to be lonely in that apartment, though. I miss Coop already."
"Work and school will keep you busy." Linda mused. The teenager frowned and Kurt smirked, looking back at the paper in his hand.
"And I need some wheels."
"You have the buses, trains…"
"Mrs. Berry," Sebastian almost whined. "I'm relocating to help you because someone wouldn't," he smirked at the scowl on Kurt's face when he referenced Blaine and Rachel. "The least I could get is a nice car."
Linda went over to join Kurt, ignoring the boy's annoying whine. "You're being paid. I bought you a place. You buy you a car. Or you better speak to Hunter when he gets here."
Kurt smiled at that. Hunter coming to spend time with Blaine was going to be the best thing for him. Some fatherly attention was just what he needed.
"Okay," Sebastian said, "the driver is ready. I'll take your things."
"I'll be down."
After the meerkat left, Kurt focused more on what he was doing.
"Just so you know," Linda said, "you can exit the contract whenever you'd like. If this is too much for you, let me know."
Kurt nodded. "I see that written here, I appreciate it."
Linda smiled, noticing how uncomfortable the young man was. "I'm just thankful to have you on board. I wish it was blood, but it'll look just as great in the fashion history books that my son's husband oversees my business, along with whatever it is that you do for yourself." She smiled imagining it, but that image seemed impossible to Kurt. Not the husband part, but the him having something to do with her part. This would take some getting used to.
"But back to what we were discussing, first there is NY's Fashion Week, and then in March we head out to Miami for a few days, the runways will be on fire, and you need to be around the designers there, and about June, at least you'll be out of school by then, we head out to Paris."
Kurt looked up. "P-P-Paris? P-Paris? What?"
Linda laughed, and it even sounded like Rachel's. It was creepy how much they resembled one another. "Paris. Blaine'll be done with school then too, if you want to drag him along. I don't care. Just know that I could give this opportunity to anyone, and I chose you. Well, your boyfriend did, but hey, I wanted you. Now,"
She stood up and glanced out the large suite's window. "This weekend, I need you somewhere. Are you working?"
Kurt shook his head, signing his name on the line, and then dating it. This was it, he was employed for the woman he admired growing up that turned into the woman he feared then had no respect for, then loathed, and now… he had no opinion of her any more. He quit trying to figure out what he felt for this woman. "I'm off this weekend, pretty much all weekends. I only work Saks mornings before school at night, while school is running."
"Okay. Overlook something with Sebastian and Sterling for me… Chris Sterling is my home away from home. He handles everything, and right now we're in the process of hiring models for a few ads. To the right is the information on where you should meet them, and a few files so you can study up on the guys and gals."
Kurt placed the contract down and accepted his first assignment. "Okay."
"Now. I need to be on a plane. I'll call Blaine when I get there, and then we'll speak briefly, okay? Just to get you caught up. And I'm trying to turn over a new leaf with that young man."
"I'm proud of you."
Linda gave a proud smile herself. "No too little, too lates?"
"No. Better late than never, Mrs. Berry."
She nodded, understanding. "It's Linda. And I suppose you're right."
They were quiet for a while and Kurt picked up all the things. "Um… I signed it."
She smiled. "Well let's get out of here and get you a couple copies. Send one to the parents. They'll be proud." They walked towards the door and she opened it. "Welcome to my insanity, young man."
….
Blaine sat down on the couch next to Rachel. Kurt put the files down on the coffee table (the brand new coffee table) and began to go over his contract. None of this had clicked yet.
He overheard Blaine asking Rachel where she was, and the girl said looking at an art school nearby. Kurt smiled, proud of her.
"What's all of this?" Rachel looked at the files and glanced up to her boys with a curious face.
"Kurt works for mom." Blaine said, snatching the remote from her and leaning back. "Are you going to that party tomorrow for New Years?"
"Mom who?" Rachel questioned. Kurt understood that reaction completely.
"Our mother. He needs the experience and she's willing to help."
Rachel just stared at her brother, no words really leaving her parted lips.
"So those are the models' folders?" Blaine went to grab them. "I see in the note here it says they're cutting people. They must have headshots in there, I'll help you choose."
Kurt smiled, leaning back in the recliner and hugging Christian Dior who ran up to jump on him.
"Atlas, J." he read aloud, "let's see."
He opened the folder and shrugged, showing Rachel. "She's okay…"
Rachel smiled. "She kind of looks like Heidi Klum."
"Sure. Good thing you didn't have to work for mom, she'd fire you."
Kurt laughed as the girl slapped her brother and took back the remote. Blaine continued to go through folders.
"Babe, don't mix anything up. I'm already stressed about going through those and I haven't even started my tenure yet."
"Aurora, M." he read, "He's kind of hot. Has worked for Abercrombie in the past. What pretty face in the industry hasn't, right?"
Rachel was ignoring him and Kurt seemed to be engrossed in playing patty cake with his pet. All until Blaine read the next name.
"Birmingham, C."
A/N: Hope that last line didn't go over anyone's head. Also hope you didn't despise this. Also hope you read my new Wemma fics. Also hope you know I'm joking.
Also hope you all know what you mean to me :)
Thoughts? Comments? Constructive feedback? Every little bit helps.
-Janelle
You should read Four Layers if you haven't. I published it yesterday and people like it. You may too. :)