Kurt looked out over the terrace. The beaming faces of his friends, co-workers and family looked back at him. It was an amazing feeling knowing they were all there to celebrate with them. Marc, Paul, Burt and Carole all sat together in the front. Just behind them sat Marc's ex wife Isabella and her husband. Kurt had been briefly introduced to them just moments before and he was looking forward to talking to them more later on. They hadn't made special seating arrangements, seeing as most of their friends were shared and (a joke Alex had left no opportunity unused to point out) both sides were "the groom's side".
Mercedes stood next to Kurt, her hair intricately braided into a high bun, and wearing a gorgeously cut pantsuit - with no bride in need of bridesmaids, she had agreed to be Kurt's 'best man' and they had gone outfit shopping together. She'd be wearing a dress for the party later on, but they'd agreed on this look for the ceremony simply because Mercedes looked good in just about anything.
On his other side stood Alex, looking very important. He gave Kurt a reassuring nod. Kurt smiled.
Sebastian stood just inside the apartment with Alice. He smoothed his hands down the front of his jacket whilst she ran a roller down his back and sides, collecting lint and dog hair.
"You look amazing," she said for what felt like the hundredth time. "I'm so happy for you, Seb."
Sebastian smiled at her. "Thanks," he said quietly.
"You ready?"
"Definitely."
Alice put down the roller and leant up to kiss his cheek. "Then let's get you married."
She hurried out on to the terrace to her seat next to Steph, waving excitedly at Brody who had joined Kurt, Alex and Mercedes in the front.
Sebastian took a deep breath and stepped out into the late afternoon sun.
The sight of Sebastian in his suit nearly took Kurt's breath away. He looked even better than he had at the Winter Showcase. This was everything Kurt had ever dreamed of since he found out marriage didn't have to involve marrying girls.
Kurt smiled, unable to keep his eyes off Sebastian as he came to the front. From the corner of his eye he saw Alex give Sebastian two thumbs up.
Sebastian had eyes for no one but Kurt. He could sense other people around him but it was like they didn't exist. Kurt looked amazing! Sebastian had heard Kurt talk about the suit Chase was making him, but the image he had pictured was nothing compared to the vision in front of him now.
He grinned at Kurt and it was the pull of his gaze that guided Sebastian down the aisle.
"You look so hot," Sebastian mouthed as he joined Kurt in front of Brody, their hands finding each other like magnets.
"I couldn't resist a splash of white," Kurt whispered back, nodding at the ombre fade on his jacket. "You make me feel shiny and new." He winked and squeezed Sebastian's hands.
Sebastian smirked.
Brody looked at them and after confirming they were both ready, started his speech.
"On behalf of this beautiful couple, I would like to welcome all of you here today, parents, friends, and co-workers. Thank you for being a part of this special day." Brody paused and smiled.
"Kurt. Sebastian, welcome to you too, of course. You both look amazing! The weather is perfect for an outside wedding, and what better location than right here in New York, where the two of you met and fell in love?"
Kurt nodded. They had discussed the location of their wedding at great lengths; Ohio, Paris or New York. In the end they had decided on New York, for all the reasons Brody had said. It felt right.
Brody directed his attention back to the gathering.
"I have the honour of standing here today, to make official what all of us already know to be true: that these two people love and belong to each other. And on a personal note, I would like to add that when I first met Sebastian, I already thought they were a couple...they tried to deny it, but even back then I knew that this day would happen eventually."
He winked at them and someone cheered in the audience. Laughter followed the noise and Kurt suspected Steph or Alive were the culprit, but he didn't turn to look. He was still captivated by Sebastian's eyes.
"Also, on that very same night," Brody continued, "I had the pleasure to meet the love of my life, Alice. We've been together ever since. It took Kurt and Sebastian a little longer to see the light..." He grinned.
Kurt rolled his eyes a little thinking about how silly that had been. 'Sebastian 'not the boyfriend' Smythe. Who had they been kidding, really? He squeezed Sebastian's hands softly.
Sebastian grinned at Kurt as if he could read his thoughts. He'd already had feelings for Kurt back then and had hoped it would happen. Despite it taking almost a year after that for anything to develop, Sebastian had no regrets.
"Kurt and Sebastian have decided to write their own vows for today, both feeling that no one else's words would be enough to explain how they feel."
Brody turned to Sebastian and continued. "Sebastian, as we discussed your plans for today, you said you would like to go first, giving Kurt - and I quote - 'the better performance slot'." Brody paused until the laughter quieted down. "When you're ready Sebastian, the floor is yours."
Sebastian grinned and nodded at Brody in thanks before redirecting his attention to Kurt. His heart beat in his throat, and he was certain his hands would have shook if Kurt hadn't been holding them.
"Kurt," he began. "For a man who reads many words...it was surprisingly difficult to decide on what I wanted to say today. There are not enough words in the English - or French - dictionaries that would be enough to sum up my feelings for you. Honestly, there was a time that I never thought this day would even happen. Finding one person to settle down with for the rest of my life was such a foreign concept to me. It never interested me in the slightest."
He grinned as the memory flashed in front of his eyes. "And then one random Tuesday evening you walked into Satire; sharp tongue, impeccable fashion and a smile that lit up the whole room, and my whole perspective changed. I didn't know it at the time, but it did. You challenged me to be a better person. You called me out on my bullshit and made me realise that I do deserve to be loved and happy."
Kurt smiled and nodded.
"I am a better man for knowing you, Kurt. Your love and compassion make me want to be the best version of myself." He swallowed. "It's not been easy. We've been through a lot this last year, and I still have a long way to go. But your love and strength is what gets me through. You stood by me through it all and proved to me that you'll love me no matter what," Sebastian felt the words catch in his throat and he added with a whisper, "even on the days that I can't love myself."
Kurt breathed in sharply and nodded, starting to feel overwhelmed by the images flashing in front of his eyes.
"You're incredible, Kurt," Sebastian continued, his voice thick with emotion. "And I want nothing more than to be yours. There isn't a single cell in my body that doesn't already belong to you and I feel so honoured to be standing here today, declaring it in front of our friends and family. And if you're really willing to do this with me, I will spend the rest of my life striving to be the man that you deserve."
Kurt laughed through the tears that had gathered in his eyes. "Of course I am," he whispered.
Brody gave them a moment and then drew the attention of their audience back to their vows.
"Thank you, Sebastian. That was beautiful." He paused and looked out at all of their friends.
"Now, Kurt wouldn't be Kurt if he didn't think of something special for his part," Brody introduced him, "and so he decided to write his vows in French."
Kurt blushed.
Sebastian looked at Kurt with wide eyes and felt the tears resurface.
Brody smirked and turned to look at Sebastian. "Of course, they are just for you and you speak French, but for those of us who need subtitles - myself included! - we prepared little flashcards with a translation. They're under everyone's seats." He waited until those who wanted had reached for the cards. Then, he nodded at Kurt. "The floor is yours, Kurt."
Kurt's hands on Sebastian's tightened. "Sebastian," he started. "Even long before I met you, I considered French the 'language of love'. Of course, whenever I heard it back then, I thought about Jean-Paul Gaultier, Paco Rabanne...maybe Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. It was a beautiful language for beautiful clothes, art and people."
He paused, allowing people to catch up with their reading. "I never expected it to become our language. From the moment we started using it for personal jokes, conversations, or to just be rude and judgemental about people without them noticing!"
Sebastian chuckled.
"I felt us growing closer and closer, even before we were together," Kurt continued. "It is a deep part of you and of who you are, and connecting with you on that level was something I had never shared with anyone else."
He smiled. "There is no better language to express how I feel for you. I love you, Sebastian, with all of my heart and soul. You showed me what it was like to be loved, really loved, for everything that I am - not despite of it - and, call me selfish, but that's what I want for the rest of my life! I want everything you promised me the first night we talked about us: including the ugly matching sweaters, the house, and the dogs. I want you, forever."
Sebastian grinned and felt the tears escape his eyes and roll down his face as he listened to Kurt's words.
"Anything you want baby, I'm yours," he whispered in French, not caring in that moment that the other people couldn't understand. His reply was, obviously, not on the flashcards.
"I think he just said yes," Brody joked cheekily. Kurt nodded so hard his hair wobbled. People laughed and applauded.
"Then, in the presence of all of your family and friends as witnesses, you may make it official and 'put a ring on it'," Brody declared.
Mercedes stepped forward and handed Kurt a white gold ring, a thin line of tiny sapphires set into the metal. Kurt took it and waited for Sebastian to hold out his hand.
Sebastian watched as Kurt slid the ring down his finger and something warm and heavy settled inside him. He squeezed Kurt's hand before reaching for the nearly identical ring (Kurt's had emeralds instead) in the box and reaching for Kurt's left hand.
Kurt felt like he was in a fairy tale. From the corner of his eye, he saw people rise to their feet and take pictures, and Carole had taken a handkerchief from her purse to give to Burt, but it was all scenery. Their hands matched, and Kurt entwined his fingers with Sebastian, pulling him closer to kiss his lips. Loud cheers went up all around them.
Sebastian smiled into the kiss and stepped closer, bringing his free hand up to cup around the back of Kurt's neck to draw him in. They kissed like they had a thousand times already, and yet it was new - their first kiss as husbands.
Kurt wasn't sure how long it lasted, but no one interrupted them. It was hard to stop, but at some point, they broke the kiss and pulled apart a little. "I think our guests are waiting for champagne," Kurt whispered.
"And those chocolate croissant thingies," Alex helpfully supplied from the side.
"No one's eating anything till they're done," Mercedes said sternly.
Kurt didn't see Alex' face, but the lack of argument painted an amusing picture. He stole one more quick kiss, and then turned to face the gathering. Feeling a little light-headed and, most of all, victorious, he raised their linked hands into the air in celebration.
Sebastian laughed, happiness swelling inside him. The congregation stood up and applauded as they stepped away from the archway, walking hand in hand back into the apartment.
Their parents and friends would now change the terrace around so that tables and chairs replaced the rows of chairs, a space being left clear for a dance floor. And Sebastian, well, he really wanted a moment alone with his husband.
He led Kurt into Paul's study and shut the door.
"Someone's eager..." Kurt teased. "But I'm not sure your dad would approve if we consummate our marriage on his desk."
Sebastian laughed and turned to face him, holding his arms out to draw Kurt into them.
"No time for that, babe," he said pressing their foreheads together. "There's a lot of people here and I just want you to myself for a moment."
He ran his hands down Kurt's back. "You look incredible!"
"So do you...husband," Kurt said, basking in Sebastian's admiring looks and his caress.
Sebastian closed his eyes and felt a flutter in his chest. "Mmm, say that again," he whispered.
"Husband," Kurt repeated. "My husband, Mr Sebastian Hummel." He felt his heart swell with pride.
Sebastian sighed happily and opened his eyes. Kurt's eyes were staring back at him, wide and shining with happiness. "I love you," he whispered. "Husband." He grinned. "We're married."
"I know!" Kurt squeaked, his voice rising a few octaves. He hopped on his heels. "It's amazing!"
"It is!" Sebastian looked down at his left hand and saw the band sitting on his finger. Engraved on the inside of each band was the other's name. What an incredible twenty four hours he had had.
"I've got something to tell you, too," he said, calming down a little. "It's about adoption-"
Kurt frowned. "We've literally only been married for minutes- adoption?"
Sebastian laughed lightly. "What? No! God, no, not for us! I want us to be married for a while before we consider that! I still have a year of school left!"
Kurt huffed out a laugh. "Okay! Good!" He schooled his expression into something more serious. "Then what about it?"
Sebastian's smile softened. "Marc and Paul..." And he explained about them finding Jade through the hospital and then looking into if it would be possible for them to adopt him too.
"Apparently, all they needed was my consent and so we signed the papers this morning and that's it, once the paperwork is approved - officially they're my parents."
"Oh my god!" Kurt let out. He put his arms around Sebastian and hugged him tightly.
Legal practicalities aside, he knew why Marc and Paul had done this. It was for the same reason that Kurt had asked Sebastian to marry him. They wanted to show Sebastian that they really, really wanted him in their life - to show Sebastian they were different from the family that had cast him aside. He already knew that, of course, but if a piece of paper or a ring made that more obvious, all the better.
"And you're getting a sister, too?"
"I know, right!" Sebastian smiled and buried his face in Kurt's neck, holding him close. They stood like that for a while as Kurt tried to process it all.
"I am so happy for you," Kurt whispered, his voice a little rough with emotion.
"Thank you," Sebastian replied, pulling back a little so he could look into Kurt's eyes. "And I'm happy for you too...they're legally your fathers and sister in law now." He grinned.
"I'm a brother again," Kurt said, slightly in awe, as it sank in.
Sebastian shook his head. "You never stopped," he reminded him gently.
Kurt nodded, swallowing against the lump in his throat.
"I promised Marc and Paul we'd bring her something from Paris," Sebastian said, offering Kurt a little distraction. "Because we'll be doing a lot of shopping, right?"
Kurt took a deep breath and nodded again, smiling. "We will," he said, his voice a little rough. "I should ask Marc and Paul for a picture of Jade in case we see something for her to wear. Don't want it to clash with her hair or her eyes…"
Sebastian looked at him with soft eyes. Jade was going to love him. Whether she liked pink or not was still to be determined, but she already had her personal stylist. "I'm so proud to be your husband, Kurt. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Well, you don't have to wait any longer," Kurt said, his emotions sorted and put back into place for later. "It starts now. And I believe there's a party about to get started outside in our honour. Shall we go and see...before Alex eats all the petit pains?"
Sebastian smiled and nodded, closing the gap to kiss Kurt softly. After a few moments he pulled away and took Kurt's hand.
"C'mon husband," he said happily. "Let's go party!"
As soon as they came back out onto the balcony, Alex hurried up to them. "Do you wanna do it now?" he asked Sebastian.
Sebastian nodded. He had told Alex he wanted to speak to all of them after the ceremony, as he wanted them to be the first to hear about his adoption.
Eagerly, Alex went to round up their friends, even going so far as to take Alice's arm when he felt she wasn't walking fast enough.
They grinned at the indignant look on Alice's face from being man-handled by Alex.
"You didn't have to drag me, Alex. I can walk perfectly fine on my own!" She straightened her dress and pushed up her corsage a little.
Sebastian chuckled.
"Watch it, Hummel," Alice said, pointing a finger at him.
For a brief moment, Kurt was confused and wondered what he had done - and then an intoxicating warmth spread inside of him, making him almost light-headed. Kurt and Sebastian Hummel.
Sebastian couldn't help the grin that spread over his face. He looked at Kurt and saw the same dazed, happy look on his husband's (husband!) face that he knew must be on his too. They continued to stare at each other until Brody cleared his throat.
"Um guys...Alex said there was something you wanted to tell us?"
Kurt and Sebastian wrenched their eyes away from each other to look at their friends.
"Right, yes," Sebastian stammered. "Um well...basically, as of this morning Marc and Paul have officially adopted me, and I'm getting a sister."
Their friends just stared at them for a moment.
"Um...what?" Alice said finally.
Sebastian took Kurt's hand and started explaining everything, bringing them up to date with what he had told Kurt - and what he himself had only found out about the day before. As he talked, all of their faces lit up.
"Oh my god, Seb, that's amazing!" Steph let out, stepping up to hug him tightly. As soon as she let go, Alice engulfed him in a hug.
"I am so happy for you," she whispered.
"Congratulations," Brody said, clapping his shoulder as soon as Alice let go. "And you too, Kurt. New dads-in-law, huh?"
"I know," Kurt said still a little dazed, but grinning. "They're the best."
"Wait...does this mean you're gonna own this place?" Alex asked, looking around at the terrace and back towards the apartment in awe.
Sebastian looked around and shrugged. "Maybe, I dunno. Honestly I don't really care about that kind of thing."
Alex shook his head. "Best man or not, I really don't understand you," he teased. "But hey, now that we're all gathered here, I have an announcement too!"
Steph glanced at him, biting her lip a little. Alex caught her eye and subtly shook his head. He straightened his back and looked at his friends. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce, that...wait for it...I, Alex Hartline, have chosen a major."
"WHAT!?" Kurt shouted, clapping his hands together in front of his mouth. "You did?"
"I sure did," Alex said proudly.
"Well fuck me!" Sebastian said, his eyes wide. "What did you pick?"
"Psychology," Alex announced.
"But...why?" Alice was staring at him. "That doesn't match your other classes...You'd have to start all over. You don't even-"
"I want to help people," Alex cut her off. "And yeah, I'll have to start over. But this time, I know what I want." He exchanged a glance with Sebastian. "I want to make a difference, and there's a shortage of people in that field."
"I think it's wonderful," Steph added. "And I know he can do it." She took his hand. "So anyone with dumb jokes answers to me."
"We wouldn't," Kurt assured her. "I think it's great!"
Sebastian smiled at his friend, feeling pride fill his chest. "I think you're going to be amazing!" he said honestly. "You're right, there aren't enough people in the field, and, they need more people like you. I know from personal experience that you have the right skills."
"Thanks, man," Alex said softly, almost looking a bit shy.
"So, if this is like, Announcement Hour," Brody jumped in as a distraction so Alex could pull himself together, "I have some news too. I got cast for the chorus of Wicked. Just a Munchkin, but...it's Broadway."
"What!" Kurt's jaw dropped. "I didn't even know you auditioned!"
"Yeah, I kinda kept the callback under wraps because I didn't want to jinx it," Brody said. "You know how it is, Kurt..."
"I do, actually," Kurt replied. "Because I got cast as well. Palace Guard!"
Sebastian beamed with pride and wrapped his arm around Kurt. They had already had a little private celebration when Kurt found out, but they had decided to keep it to themselves until after the wedding.
"Oh my god! That's amazing!" Steph said jumping up and down. "Congratulations to you both!"
Brody grinned at Kurt and shook his hand. "It will be great working with you, man."
Kurt and Brody had their moment, telling the others about the gruelling process of auditioning and the nerve-wracking callbacks, but as their story went on, Alice noticed Steph and Alex had started up a private conversation on the side.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Come on," Alex urged Steph, ignoring Alice. "Please? You heard Brody. It's Announcement Hour..."
"That's not even a real thing- oh, alright," Steph agreed. She turned towards the group, looking a bit nervous.
Alice gasped. She quickly shhh-ed the men and hopped on the balls of her feet.
"Okay, so," Steph started, "I have some news as well." She paused. "I'm pregnant."
Alice and Kurt both squeaked, and it was hard to say which of them reached the highest note. They both dove forward and hugged Steph tightly, talking over each other excitedly.
"Oh my god, I am going to be an auntie!" Alice said happily. "I need to learn how to knit!"
"Forget knitting, I'm getting it little Vogue outfits!" Kurt countered, "it'll be the best-dressed baby in town!"
Sebastian and Brody looked at Alex. He was watching Steph with such adoration that it felt like they were intruding on something private. He felt their eyes on him and blushed, turning to look at them.
"A dad, huh?" Sebastian said. Alex's face flushed with happiness and he nodded.
"Congratulations," Brody said clapping him on the shoulder.
"Thanks, it's still early days...we weren't sure we were going to tell people yet you know?" Alex shrugged awkwardly. "With her mother's medical background...But you guys are family...and we wanted you to be a part of it." He hesitated. "So if it doesn't-"
"It will," Brody assured him, but Alex shook his head.
"Yeah, I know, but, realistically it's too early to assume...And if it doesn't work out...We could really use your support. I already love this baby so damn much!" Alex let out, tearing up a little. "I'm afraid that if-"
Wordlessly, Sebastian wrapped his arms around his best man and held him tightly. "We'll be there either way," he whispered. "Okay?"
Alex nodded, holding on to him a little longer.
"Don't get snot on my suit," Sebastian teased him, and he felt Alex crack up. A moment later, he was ready to let go.
Alex cleared his throat and turned to Alice. "You know, it's your turn now, Al."
Alice blinked. "For what? I don't- ...I'm not...we-" She gave Brody a questioning look.
"I mean for Announcement Hour!" Alex explained, chuckling a little at how flustered he had made her.
Alice frowned. "I don't really have anything new..." she said hesitantly. "Oh! Maybe I do, but-" She shook her head. "No, forget it."
"What? What is it?" Kurt asked. "You can tell us."
"But it's nothing compared to you guys- adoption, Broadway, a baby...!"
"We want to know anyway," Steph assured her.
"Our local supermarket now stocks Bionade," Alice said, blushing.
They all laughed and cheered jovially, causing Alice to blush even harder. Brody wrapped his arm around her and kissed her bright red face.
"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen." The sound of Paul's voice rang through the PA system they'd rigged around the terrace. "If they can tear themselves away from their friends," he continued teasingly. "I'd like to call the newly-weds forward to the dance floor for their first dance."
Everyone around them started clapping, and Kurt felt that warm feeling bubble up again. The newly weds. That was them! He had a feeling it would not get old for a while yet. He extended his hand to Sebastian, aware of the sunlight catching his ring, and asked: "Mr Hummel, will you do me the honour?"
Sebastian grinned and took Kurt's hand. "Yes, Mr Hummel, I will."
"Are they gonna be calling each other that all day?" Alex whispered to Steph, and she just nodded.
They walked through the pathway the group around the dance floor had made for them. The music started playing softly around them and they pulled each other close. Sebastian placed one hand on Kurt's shoulder, the other clasping his husband's hand tightly. Kurt's free hand settled in the dip of Sebastian's lower back.
I am colour blind, coffee black and eggs white...
Kurt rested the side of his face against Sebastian's shoulder and closed his eyes. He knew everyone was watching, but he felt no pressure to perform. He didn't need to worry about his face showing the appropriate emotions or showing off his steps. He was there, in the middle of all of his friends and family, close to the man he wanted to be with. It was easy.
Pull me out from inside - I am ready, I am ready, I am ready I am...
Sebastian closed his eyes and pressed his temple against the top of Kurt's head, drinking in the warmth of his partner. He couldn't believe they'd done it, they'd actually gotten married. He couldn't keep the grin off his face at the thought. He pressed a kiss to Kurt's head.
"I love you," he whispered in French. "I can't believe we did it."
"Believe it," Kurt said, smiling. "You're stuck with me now." He raised his head and looked at his husband. "I love you too, Bas."
"You know," Burt's voice sounded over the microphone, "I don't wanna be the old guy here, but in my time, people spent more time in the moment and less time on their phones recording it."
Kurt snorted. He knew people had been filming their dance, as he would have too. He knew his dad was just trying to get the party started, but he was also glad he'd have plenty of videos and pictures of this moment.
Around them, people put their phones away and started taking to the dance floor. Kurt and Sebastian's parents lead the way. Kurt looked at Marc and Paul, wrapped up in their own moment in each other's arms.
Kurt remembered the first time he had slow-danced with a boy. When he and Blaine danced at prom, it had been a provocation; defiance of the norm, a protest rather than a dance - and as much as he had wanted to enjoy it, he had been very aware of the fact that they could have been torn apart at any moment, their prom outfits slushied, their hair pelted with gum. And yet he had been grateful, thinking it was still better than not dancing at all.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined there would come a day where he could enjoy a dance for what it was, in the company of his loved ones, without having to be afraid.
Men danced with men, women with women, women danced with men - some of their friends danced by themselves, in groups or three, and others didn't dance at all. And importantly, the DJ wasn't trying to make them - at their party, everyone should do what they are most comfortable with.
The music changed around them, and some of the pairs changed partners. Kurt didn't want to let Sebastian go just yet. He'd dance with his mom and Mercedes and all of the others later. For now, this was still too new.
Something caught his eye and hid his face in Sebastian's shoulder to stifle a laugh. "Oh my god, look," he whispered.
As per tradition, the in laws had switched partners - Marc was now dancing with Carole, both beaming and chatting animatedly, and Paul, with a very serious expression, had asked Burt to dance and was letting him lead.
Sebastian grinned as Burt twirled Paul around the dance floor and chuckled, thinking back to when he had first met Burt. Kurt had told him about their little talk concerning gender roles and how confused it had made Burt to see Sebastian cooking- or to hear him enjoy Kurt's lovemaking. He had come a long way. Seeing Burt confidentiality and unashamedly lead Paul around the dance floor (albeit a very simple two step), made his heart swell and he held Kurt closer.
"I'm proud of him," Sebastian said nodding at them.
"Me too," Kurt replied. Then he smiled. "Finn would have danced with you too. I taught him." He squeezed Sebastian tighter. "Our family is the best," he said softly, and in his heart he felt it included everyone on the terrace, and a few that would have been there if they could.
"They really are," Sebastian said. "And so are you."
Kurt looked up into his eyes and Sebastian smiled at him. He let go of Kurt's hand and slid it around the back of his neck, drawing him into a kiss.
Cheers went up around them as Kurt let himself be dipped back, accentuating the move by lifting one of his knees and hooking his leg around Sebastian's. He broke the kiss laughing as he heard the DJ smoothly mixing in a song from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Clearly he wanted to see more of that kind of action on the dance floor.
As the dancers took the hint and turned things up a notch, Kurt spotted his dad trying to be be inconspicuous about switching back to Carole. Paul let him go good-naturedly and reeled his husband in close.
Kurt looked up at Sebastian, who was watching them too. Sebastian rolled his eyes in a 'our parents are so lame' kind of way, but Kurt could tell he was pleased.
He saw something pull Sebastian's focus and turned to follow his gaze. Kurt grinned. Dani, in a very snazzy tuxedo, had just asked Joe's daughter Kate to dance. Kate, blushing profusely, accepted and the two of them waltzed onto the dance floor. The party had started!
Kurt sat back in his seat. Their flight to Paris had taken off on time and they were now at cruising altitude. The sun had gone down just as they breached the clouds, and for a while, he and Sebastian had just enjoyed the view. Now, with a glass on champagne in front of him, Kurt leisurely went over the events of the day in his mind's eye.
"Isa did a great job on the cake," he mused. "I almost ate all of it myself."
"Alex wouldn't have let you," Sebastian replied. "But you're right. It was absolutely delicious."
"I can't wait to see the pictures of the party," Kurt said, smirking. "I wonder whose idea it was to get those hats? And where did those feather boas come from?"
"I think Nick and Jeff brought them," Sebastian replied. He grinned at the thought. "At least I didn't see them before their Elton John medley."
Kurt nodded. "Oh, right. That was amazing!"
With so many of their friends in the arts, it hadn't come as a surprise that there were a few planned (and spontaneous) performances at the party. Elliott's in particular had been fabulous, and when Kurt had talked to him later on, Elliott told him that Joe had approached him for a Queen Tribute Night at Satire.
"I can't believe they are moving in together," Kurt mused, thinking of Elliott and Danny.
"I know!" Sebastian replied. "I guess Dan's finally found someone to pick out curtains with." He chuckled to himself. "But the best performance of the night was your dad doing Beyoncé!" he added, shaking his head. "That hip action. Now I know where you get it from!"
Kurt laughed. "Yes! Oh my god! And he's gotten so much better since high school..."
At Sebastian's incredulous look, Kurt laughed even harder. "Welcome to the Hummel family, baby," he said. "We have hidden depths." He waggled his eyebrows. "Though I have to say, your dad needs a bit of practise being a Single Lady," Kurt added teasingly. "But he gets points for enthusiasm."
Sebastian grinned and covered his face with his hands at the image of Paul donning a gold sparkly blazer and joining Burt in the middle of the dance floor. "I don't understand how a man who loves listening to Jazz and soul music has no rhythm?" He groaned.
"Yeah, you'd think that a surgeon would have better eye-hand coordination," Kurt said, chuckling. "His speech was very moving, though."
Sebastian stopped laughing and his smile turned fond. "Yes," he said softly. "It was...so was your dad's."
"Alex's speech was...very Alex," Kurt said. "I'm so happy for him. He'll be a great dad."
Sebastian turned to look out of the window for a moment and let out a happy smile. "Yeah, he will be."
He turned back to Kurt and took his hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing the spot over his ring.
"I think we will too, someday...We have some good role models." He thought about his dream the first night they'd spent together. One day, they might need three tickets to fly to Paris...
Kurt smiled. "And we can totally let Alex and Steph figure out what doesn't work before we do it," he joked.
He sat back and looked at the clouds. They sat in silence for a while, both consumed with thoughts and memories from the day. As the sun set along the horizon, Kurt thought back to the start of the day and the conversation he'd had with his dad. He turned back to Sebastian.
"Hey...what did you have for breakfast?"
Sebastian looked at him with a raised eyebrow, the hint of a smirk in the corners of his mouth at the random question. "Waffles," he said. "Paul made me breakfast in bed...why?"
Kurt rested his head against his seat and trailed his fingers up Sebastian's sleeve. "Just wondered..." he said softly. "I thought of you when I was having mine..." He yawned.
Sebastian smiled and leant forward to kiss Kurt's forehead. "Sleep babe, I'll wake you up if you have a nightmare."
Kurt paused. It was the promise he made to Sebastian every night they went to sleep. "Okay," he said softly, making himself comfortable against Sebastian's shoulder. "I know I'll be safe, then."
Sebastian nodded and kissed Kurt's forehead again. He looked out of the window over his husband's head. The sky was getting darker and stars were starting to appear. Sebastian thought back over the song lyrics that had become a fundamental part of their story. A song he had sung so long ago in a different climate, now resonated through him. It was their song, their story.
The sun goes down, the stars come out;
And all that counts is here and now.
My universe will never be the same,
I'm glad you came...
They had been through so much, more than two people should ever have to. But amongst the hurt, they had found each other and held each other up. And the universe, their universe, would never be the same.
THE END
Authors' Note: This is it. We've arrived. It has been an emotional ride. As we started posting GUS, several of our long-time readers told us they had to opt out of this instalment due to its themes. We fully understood this, but decided to share the story anyway, with trigger warnings along every part of the way. The response has been overwhelming, and personal. Readers shared their own heart-breaking stories with us in PMs and comments, and the thing we heard the most was 'this hits home' and 'your approach is very realistic'. Taking this theme seriously was our nr 1 goal up till the end- and yet realism in fiction can only take us so far. Realistically/statistically speaking, Sebastian's attackers would probably not have been found (or convicted). We felt we owed it to him anyway- and to all of you, to give them a happy end.
Thank you for reading, and all of your feedback! We shall be taking a short break and then sift through our drafts / cut scenes to see which of them might be fun to post as extras. After that, we'll be done with this universe for now…but not to worry, we still have more stories to tell!
If you liked this series, please give us a rec / share / reblog...the more we feel appreciated, the more we are inspired to write ;)
