A/N: I had originally intended the bus ride to be longer, but I'd much rather focus on the bus ride on the way back from Nationals.
Chapter 52
New York, Baby
It hadn't taken long to get the bus rolling, and the night had flown by. When Finn woke up, he could see that they were in fact in the city. He looked out the window quickly, its bright lights, the insane traffic… because they were actually moving pretty slow right now. He was about to get up, when he remembered where everyone was sleeping. Their idea to make the back into two sets of bunks had been a great idea. The bottoms were wider so if they needed too, two people could sleep on them…. Finn was proud to say, there was more sleeping spaces than people if they pulled everything out, the might have actually had room to keep the sink. He saw Artie was still conked out in the bottom bunk across from him, and by the sounds of it; Quinn and Rachel were still asleep in the top two.
Finn climbed out of his bed as quietly as possible and headed down the hall and passed the bathroom, and moved slowly passed the sink area stretch seat where Lauren slept on one side and Mercedes on the other. He stepped over where Brittany's feet hung off the table bed, Santana filled most of the space where Finn had remembered Kurt sleeping. He looked up at the front of the bus towards where the two back seats sat, they folded back, and rested next to two smaller ones on the side, where Finn saw Puck and Sam snoring… The two seats were rotated around to face each other…. Where Kurt and Dave sat awake playing on their DS games.
"Morning," yawned Finn, "We're in New York."
"Yeah, isn't it amazing," beamed Kurt, "Mr. Schue said we can go have lunch in time square… we're an hour early so we can't check in just yet."
"How long have you two been up?" asked Finn, sitting in the small pull out seat near the door.
"Since I heard a horn honk at us when we were over the bridge, I stared out the window as we got here," said Kurt.
"I've been up since Kurt forgot I was sleeping near the window too and accidently 'pile drive' me… he's says accident… I think he just wanted someone to freak out with," said Dave with a yawn.
"I did not intentionally wake you up, I really forgot you were sleeping there," said Kurt, Finn smirked at his brother's outraged look.
"Whatchya playing?" asked Finn, really wondering if Kurt would tell him where he'd put their sandwiches.
"We were playing Mario Kart until Kurt ditched me to frolic in a field and catch bugs," scoffed Dave, as he put his DS down.
"I like Animal Crossing, its peaceful," said Kurt, closing his.
"All you do is wonder around, collect bugs, get nasty letters, and god forbid you hit reset, or the mole will be pissed," said Dave, he trailed off.
"You have it for the Gamecube, don't you?" beamed Kurt, Dave flushed.
"No… my cousin does…. And that mole asked her to marry him… it was weird," said Dave.
"He doesn't…"
"If you reset it enough, he starts forming feelings for your character… its really strange," said Dave, Finn decided it would be best to find the food on his own.
.=.=.
Dave flopped on his bed, well his, Finn, and Puck's bed… and sighed, today had been eventful… the touring of the city… the singing and dancing.. New York was probably the one place someone could do that and people would just roll their eyes and keep walking. The room was empty save for him, and though it would have been and ideal time to write, Dave's mind drew a blank as it kept going back to what they guys were doing tonight. They'd asked him to join, but he hadn't been in the mood. In reality, he'd actually hoped to write, and he had… which sounded more like very bad nursery rhymes… but whatever. A knock came at the door and he groaned to answer it.
"Yeah?" He began as he opened the door, "Oh… hey Kurt."
"It's gotten violent in there, so I bailed and figured we could give a shot at song writing," smiled Kurt, holding up a notebook.
"Sure," beamed Dave, moving aside so Kurt could come in, but it turned into more of a laugh as he saw a few feathers in Kurt's hair, "Did a pillow fight go down?"
"Uh yeah… I think Tina started it, but I can't be sure… it was happening when I got out of the bathroom," said Kurt, brushing his hair quickly.
"You had a choice to bunk with us," smirked Dave.
"Oh, you know you thought about bunking with the girls too, until Finn called dibs on a bed with you and Puck," said Kurt, flopping on the bed.
"I couldn't just break his heart," said Dave with a shrug; he'd only thought about bunking in the girls room for some more time to talk to Kurt, but this worked too.
"So, I've tried a few scribbles, but most of them seem a little too outlandish… I can write a musical no problem… but a ballad," sighed Kurt, "It turns into mush… it's almost as bad as My Headband."
"That's Brittany's favorite song you know," said Dave, recalling her outburst a while back.
"What about you? Any ideas?" asked Kurt, hopefully.
"Nothing… earlier I got bored and wrote what sounds like a poem about cheese," shrugged Dave, looking out the window, an idea popped in his head.
"I'm beginning to think we all need to stop procrastinating…." Dave cut Kurt off.
"Let's go out," said Dave, he saw Kurt's eyes widen, "See the city… you know, at night."
"Oh… out? Ohm, okay," said Kurt with a small smile, "Where too?"
"I don't know… get something to eat, watch people get mugged in the park," said Dave, he saw Kurt looked horrified, "I was joking about the last part…. Really."
"Okay… I'll have to go change…" Dave's nose curled as he stood up and then smiled.
"You look perfect, now let's go before Mr. Schue shows up out of nowhere and puts us all on lockdown," said Dave, he thought for a moment and then grabbed Kurt's wrist and headed for the door.
.=.=.
Finn looked at the bouquet of flowers in his hand, hoping Rachel would like them. He looked at his watch and looked towards where the hotel was and felt that familiar shiver as he saw Rachel passing pedestrians, she was like a vision, Wow. Finn smiled as she finally reached them, remembering how Artie and Mike had helped him word this. A work date… that way she wouldn't be scared off, she accepted it, thanks god.
"You look beautiful," smiled Finn as they walked to the restaurant.
"You already said that three times, Finn," smiled Rachel as they walked together. Finn smiled.
"Maybe I just like to tell you how amazing you are," said Finn, this earned a blush from Rachel and knocked out some of his nerves.
.=.=.
"So, is your dad back from his work trip?" asked Kurt, Dave blanched and looked up from his ice cream, "I mean… do you know for sure he's… well… not supportive."
"I don't know, I've tried calling a couple of times… but nothing… I honestly hoped he would…. I mean his brother's gay and they still talk… but I guess there's a difference," said Dave, he felt his eyes burn, he shook his head, "Any plans for this summer?"
"The garage, shopping… planning for school mostly," said Kurt, Dave nodded, "I also want to spend some time with all my friends, because next year is going to be chaos with prepping for college and graduation…. What are your plans."
"…. Not sure yet… well anymore. I had planned on going to Ohio State…. Maybe, but now it's only if I can figure out a way to get a scholarship…. Or I'll probably just go to a community college," shrugged Dave, he hated the fact his future was riding on souly this, he smiled at Kurt, "What are your epic plans."
"Here," smiled Kurt, Dave watched his eyes become dreamy, "I want to come back here… study the arts and music."
"I figured as much, you're so amazing, your good at everything you do," smiled Dave, it was true, Kurt was talented, he noticed Kurt's flush.
"You should go for public speaking," smiled Kurt, "When you don't have your head in your ass, you're really good with words."
"Nah, I'm not…. I just think it through a lot more lately…. But I guarantee if I tried another bat at arguing with you, I'd give up in like three minutes and walk off," chuckled Dave, he smirked, "And I thought you only said I'd do good managing a rendering plant?"
"That was before I got to know the real you," said Kurt, leaning on his arm, Dave's face felt hot.
"Ohm, let's head towards the shops," said Dave, it was getting hard to concentrate with their unmoving closeness.
"Stores… shops are tiny little places where you get vintage clothes and questionable silverware… stores are new and amazing," beamed Kurt, who jumped up from the bench, yanking Dave up with him.
The walked towards the louder traffic, Dave glancing over at Kurt frequently, and a couple times he made eye contact with Kurt and smiled. They could just walk in silence and it felt…. Normal. Dave felt Kurt's hand drift passed his a few times and the urge to grab it was overwhelming, instead he shoved his hands in his pockets to restrain himself. They walked a large building covered in dark glass, though that fit most of the city of New York, but Dave recognized the sign.
"There's a Y in the middle of the city?" asked Dave, stopping slightly.
"There are gyms all through New York, I prefer to work out at home, but I guess it's a social thing here," smiled Kurt, Dave looked at it and smiled, if there was one thing he was get at, it was skating…. And he knew they Y had that year round.
"Come on," said Dave, "I got a pass… it should work here, too."
"Why? What?" asked Kurt, following him hesitantly.
A few minutes later, the two were in the elevator headed upwards, this had confused Dave a lot, but he decided to go with it, he smirked at Kurt's confusion. Then the confusion leave his face as the doors opened, and a grin spread across the other teens face. He looks so comical, Dave couldn't help but find the wide eyes irresistible. He followed Kurt's gaze and suddenly felt his face go similar. It was an ice rink all right, and there was no people in the large area… but that wasn't what had gotten most of their attention. The rink was surrounded by safe bars and a barrier, but beyond the rink itself the whole area was huge glass windows looking over a good portion of New York.
"This is gorgeous," beamed Kurt, running along the barrier to look out the windows, "Oh my god… there's our hotel…"
"Come on, we can look later," laughed Dave, tying on the skates he'd gotten from the wall, he saw Kurt's nervous glance.
"I haven't skated since I was nine," said Kurt.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun. Please?" asked Dave, holding out a pair to Kurt.
"Okay, but if I fall, I will hold you personally responsible," said Kurt with a sigh as he grabbed the skates.
"I won't let you fall," said Dave, watching Kurt lace up the boots.
He hadn't either. A few minutes on the ice and Dave realized, ice was not Kurt's element. He could have ditched the skating idea, but there was something about helping Kurt skate around the ice that made him feel… well he still wasn't good at labeling this shit, but it felt great, though he was worried he may be invading Kurt's space a little too much as he skated barely and inch from him, his hands firmly on Kurt's waist.
"Okay… okay, I think I got it," smiled Kurt, and Dave reluctantly let his hands fall away from Kurt, "This is actually really fun."
"Yeah, it's pretty relaxing," said Dave, still skating near Kurt in case he was about to stumble or fall.
"Maybe I'll pick it up as a hobby, it would be amazing to learn some of those stunts off of the Olympic figure skating," beamed Kurt, "But I think I… OH MY GOD!"
"What, you said you wanted to learn some," said Dave, spinning them around, his hands firmly locked on Kurt's.
"I meant like in ten years… oh god," Dave slowed their spinning a little as Kurt cringed, the last think he wanted to do was scare him, "Do you actually know any of them?"
"Uh… a couple… I can do the spins… it's not hard to lift people either," Dave noticed Kurt's curious look, "When I wanted to join hockey in fifth grade, I was shit on the ice, so my mom's friend Jenny taught me… she'd been skating in competitions for years, so she knew mostly tricks… but it got me on the ice and when nobody's watching… I still like to do a few tricks… mostly back spinning though… it's boring by yourself."
"You are a man of many mysteries Dave Karofsky," chuckled Kurt, "Oh, wow… what's with the lights."
Dave smirked at Kurt's amazed looked. It was getting dark out now, but the sky lights in the rink hadn't picked up on that yet, so the only light was the glowing of the rink itself and dimming lights outside. Dave looked at Kurt again, he caught his eyes again, and the small smile playing on the countertenors face. Dave bit his lip and wondered he could get away with spinning Kurt again, he didn't want to scare him… but he really wanted to skate with Kurt. He took a deep breath as Kurt turned to look out the windows again and began skating around the rink. Dave bit his lip and wondered he could get away with spinning Kurt again, he didn't want to scare him… but he really wanted to skate with Kurt. He took a deep breath as Kurt turned to look out the windows again and began skating around the rink. Dave turned and went the opposite, skating passed Kurt a few times. Dave watched his feet, resisting the urge to grab Kurt when he went by. I don't want to scare him.. I just want… Dave sighed, who was he kidding, he was lucky Kurt was even his friend at this point.
"Oof!" Dave's thoughts were cut off as Kurt flew into him, it wasn't enough to knock him off his feet, but definitely throw him off his thoughts.
"Sorry, lost my footing," smiled Kurt.
Dave's arms were once again around Kurt's waist to help him stand back on his feet. Dave raised an eyebrow as he wondered if maybe Kurt was winded, as he didn't seem to be attempting any footing on his own. Dave knew he was probably smiling like an idiot, the thought of Kurt needing his help was adorable. It was pretty easy to pull Kurt back to his feet, but Dave couldn't bring himself to pull away from Kurt, and left his arms around Kurt's waist. He went to loosen them after an awkward second, but found that Kurt's arms were still around his neck. Dave assessed the situation and then let his mind go off. Here he was… in a secluded ice rink… overlooking New York City… with Kurt. Kurt's who's arms seemed to tighten rather than loosen their hold on Dave. Kurt who had yet to complain or say one thing about Dave's hand's hugging around his middle. Kurt who's smile seemed more playful. Kurt who seemed pretty balanced in his 'winded' footing now…. Dave blinked a few times, realizing his face was very close to Kurt's. He watched Kurt's eyes slowly began to close. The lights flickered on, breaking the spell. Dave was inches from Kurt's face before Kurt's eyes shot wide and he pushed away, his face flushed a brilliant pink. Dave felt his emotions barreling and cleared his head before he did something stupid, like trying to kiss Kurt, when he'd obviously changed his mind. Kurt was shaking head as if telling himself no, for some reason that motion hurt Dave more than the rejection of the potential kiss. Dave scoffed and skate to the rink end; he needed to get the hell out of here.
"Dave?" asked Kurt's voice, but Dave just gave a faltering smile at him, he didn't really trust himself to speak right now; he knew why Kurt had changed his mind… he still held some fear towards him, not that he could blame him.
"It's late, we have to get back," said Dave, not meeting Kurt's eyes, he couldn't… not here.
"David, I'm sorry… it's nothing to do with…" Kurt's voice was a bit higher frequency.
"Kurt. It's fine, can we just go, please," said Dave, slipping on his sneakers.
"David, please don't…" Dave wanted him to shut up, he just wanted to go, quietly.
"I'm sorry, now can we go… I just… I want to get back to the hotel and get some sleep, okay Kurt," said Dave, letting out a long sigh, "Really, that's all."
.=.=.
"Dude, I'm sorry," said Puck as he and the others followed being Finn.
"Yeah man… also…our bad for continuing playing after she left… one of us should have notified the others," said Artie glancing at Sam.
"I thought she was coming back, okay," said Sam, crossing his arms.
"It's fine guys… I'm just gonna catch the elevator and meet you in the room," said Finn, he saw Kurt headed towards the elevator and sped up his walk, he really needed someone to talk too who hadn't been there tonight.
"Hey Finn," sighed Kurt, as they both got in the elevator, "Bad night?"
"I tried to tell Rachel I loved her, you know… we went out to dinner, met some Lebo person… and it was all romantic and like of those movies you guys like," groaned Finn, it was nice having someone understanding to talk too, "And I went to kiss her and she was about too before she said she couldn't…. I mean… that fucking sucked."
"Well," said Kurt, and Finn noticed the red in his brother's eyes and was about to ask when Kurt went off, angrily, "Did you maybe think she didn't kiss you for a reason?"
"What…"
"Maybe she has no intentions of sticking around Lima and she's afraid that you guys won't last and doesn't want to risk hurting you… ever thing about that? Or are you so set in your own little tiff that you didn't think about that. Huh Finn?" yelled Kurt, Finn's eyes shot open at Kurt's tears as the door opened, "Try thinking how she feels!"
"Ohm… what?" asked Finn, his brow raised.
.=.=.
Dave walked through the hotel lobby on the verge of a breakdown. His mind was racing through emotions… primarily rejection at the point, but with an overcasting of anger and isolation. He walked passed the bar where he saw the guys still trying to score a drink. He heard Puck call out his name and glanced.
"Yo, Dave? Come hang!" yelled Puck, Dave waved them off as he saw Rachel headed into an elevator, finally someone sane to talk too.
"Hello David," sighed Rachel, and before Dave could say anything she was ranting, "What was he thinking… Finn knows I'm planning on coming here after high school and he's set on trying to romance and kiss me… what is he thinking… I'll be coming here, and he'll be in Ohio… it would never work…"
"Really?" asked Dave, his anger overtook his sorrow, "How about him, huh… Maybe he was trying to show you he's supportive, but he wants to be a part of it… Ever think that he thinks your worth it… maybe he just wants a chance to show you that taking a risk might be okay… Try thinking about how he feels, huh!"
"Wait… what?" asked Rachel, eyes wide as Dave stormed out of the elevator.
TBC
