AN: this is part of a personal challenge/project filling all the prompts of past Kadam weeks, and posting one every day from March 28 to May 8th, 7 prompts per year 5 previous rounds (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 last two managed by vcg73) the first week of May 2-8 will present to you the offering for the Kadam Week 2021 you can search for more on tumblr
This is the offering to Kadam Week 2014 prompt 6: Lies
Initially, Carole thought that she had never seen Kurt as happy as when he was with Blaine, sure the two of them weren't always on top of each other, but Burt had a tendency of preferring avoiding thinking of things like his baby boy been grown up enough to have sex...
And for quite a number of months, he had been right... it wasn't until almost the end of Kurt's senior year that her step son had actually come to her asking if she as a nurse had a suggestion about condom, just to be on the safe side, and because he really really didn't want to talk about that with his dad...
So it was safe to say that on certain aspect of Kurt's life, she was the one with a better understanding of what was going on, Burt might have the home field advantage of many years alone with his son, but like Burt bonded with Finn, she had formed a bond and a line of communication with Kurt...
Which was why when finally she encouraged Burt to put Kurt on a flight to New York with the reminder that he would always be welcome at home, he could return any time, but he probably wouldn't, because Lima was too small for someone like Kurt, he needed to have the room to grow, to spread his wings and fly as high as they all knew he could.
It wasn't until a couple of weeks after Kurt moved to New York and settle himself into a new place, and with a new job, even if it was just an internship, and thus a rather low pay but high potential kind of opportunity, that for the first time she started wondering if she had ever seen Kurt happy.
Because after the break up with Blaine, and she learnt from Finn the boy had cheated on Kurt, and Kurt had rightly broken up with him, when she looked into Kurt's eyes in their routine skyping session she saw in them the same light as when he was "happily" together with Blaine...
Oh, he was more openly sad and rather a mess to be honest, he told her exactly that things were difficult. But when she went and searched for pictures of Kurt through the years she noticed his eyes had the same light, the same expression... Until Carole managed to find an album of a time when Kurt's mom was still alive, a time that both Hummel men simply didn't talk about...
A time when Kurt's eyes weren't telling lies... When the light of happiness was authentic, and then she found at the very end of the album a picture of her in what looked like one of her final moments, and she had the same eyes as Kurt, that same appearance of happiness...
It was the face of a mother who wanted desperately to spare his son the pain of seeing her slowly succumb to the illness.
And Carole had heard enough times Burt saying how much Kurt resembled his mom, especially when he smiled...
And if she knew Kurt as well as she fancies herself to do, then he was clearly trying to emulate his mom in hope of bringing some joy back to his dad...
Or maybe he was actually doing it for himself, trying to keep a part of her alive... Carole didn't know for sure, but she guessed the former was more likely than the latter...
From what she knew of her son he was very much an enabler, willing to go an extra ten mile for those he cared about, but hopelessly unable to fight for even an inch of what he actually deserved...
So when all of sudden Kurt started to talk about a new potential man in his life, Carol cheered quietly.
Her support only growing, as he reported back that the older man was actually being very gallant and complimenting Kurt at any possible moment.
Without really demanding anything that made the handsome man pretty interesting news, one she was wondering why Kurt kept postponing to share with Burt...
For the first time since she had initially met Kurt, her step son was finally looking happy. and that made her happy, because her son both deserved a slice of happiness in their life, shining in their eyes...
When Burt had visited his kid last christmas, he was very glad that Carole arranged everything without telling him anything about it.
So when Blaine Anderson came to his door and begged to come to New York as well, claiming that Kurt would need the support of his best friend and his loved ones.
Then Burt could honestly say that his wife had arranged all the details, that it was going to be a family thing and last he heard Blaine and Kurt were not back together?
The fact the kid spluttered and saying something about him being a christmas present for Kurt, seemingly expecting Burt to pay for the tickets to get there… It made Burt wondering just what kind of bullet he had dodged.
But when he found himself in the company of his son, Burt got the chance to take a look at his boy, and while he looked devastated, even before he dropped the bomb that had required going in person.
Kurt's eyes had still the same light as always. which was rather daunting... Because once more Kurt claimed he was just fine, and not for the first time Burt wondered what was exactly his son's definition of fine, because this far it seemed mile and mile away from Burt's...
But Burt had admitted more than once that at times he totally couldn't understand his son, which was good anyway he didn't need to understand to love him...
But it made some things rather difficult like truly gauging how things were, when had his child started to keep his card so close to the chest that he as his father had lost the ability to understand or at least pick up when things were not so good?
When had the clear eyes soo reminiscent of his first wife stopped being a clear mirror of what his son felt? And like everything else in Kurt's appearance had become part of a front meant to keep an ironclad control on how much to show the world?
When did his eyes learn to lie that way? Or better yet when did Burt lost the ability to see the lies?
As for Kurt himself he simply took like in stride, one blow after the other, holding on the good and starting questioning his decision of sharing home with Rachel, but then Madame Tibideaux sprung that bomb on him, a cold audition, in what was a premium event...
And what did make him? A hopeful, technically already twice rejected, put on the spot like that, asked to stand and sing...
Oh he was able to do it, and he thought he even managed to not have his voice wavering too much on his presentation.
The applause started before he even reached the end, making his heartbeat so fast. And maybe it was the song he picked, what it meant to him. Maybe as Brody said, it was the emotion of standing on that stage, the perfect acoustic making every note sounding wonderfully pure, and with absolutely no place to hide should a mistake happen.
Which of course didn't happen to him, but still the nerves of having to walk up there, after all the red tape about the honourable guests present, Kurt had felt elated just sitting in the audience, watching those who were the best students, representation of what Nyada could offer the world.. And Rachel had been there, obviously, and won... Again nothing new…
But that he was being showcased as well, and without even being a student...
It took all he had to keep a professional looking appearance at least, despite the single tear that managed to fall.
Adam had been intrigued when a hopeful had been called to audition on what was a stage that promoted stars...
He wondered what was Madam T's goal, either she was fixing up something or set up the younger man to fail...
Then again the winter showcase was Madam's baby... It was not a case that most of the students performing during it were vocal majors...
It took very strong dancers, and even stronger actors, to actually get the chance to see a golden ticket, to perform in front of all the patrons and alumni who could help to make careers... He certainly never got one, not that it was a great consolation knowing that this showcase was featuring less than 5% of the student body... What was supposed the best of the best...
Kurt Hummel had just become a name no one would forget anytime soon, the question would be what crew he'd fall into… The first conclusion would be the mainstreamers, given that he seemed already in the fold of Weston and Berry.
Voice of an angel that had every right to be on that stage inside a room that would offer the best venue to carry on each note...
If it was a gamble, Madam T must have had the knowledge that the odds were in her favour, she wouldn't have jeopardised an event that was so crucial to milk more support and funds from the school's generous patrons...
Which begged the question, if she was so sure about Kurt, why hadn't he been admitted in the fall...?
He was a mystery, one that could sing and one who was very attractive... but only time would tell if it was only skin deep or if there was more, and Adam could not wait to find out
The first thing Adam figured out was that Kurt, despite being informally claimed by berry as part of her clique, he was more isolated than he appeared once it seemed clear he was really considering joining his Apples, Adam felt a thrill of excitement. He had dropped hints about the nature of his group the first time he heard Kurt wondering what it was.
And once Adam had actually the chance to get closer, he noticed how Kurt's eyes became large the first time Adam offered a compliment it was strange the first time it happened.
Adam had found Kurt working in the dancing studio as he was passing by, and he could see the effort and concentration Kurt was putting in getting through his form, so he spook up not really meaning to distract the younger man "Hey Kurt, nice pliè"
Only for Kurt to answer him with "Oh hi again, hmm no my ex boyfriend was more of a dancer in our relationship" the initial greeting back was good. The news of Kurt being single, and at least interested in guys as well was fantastic.
However the rest of it was absolute nonsense, and Adam wouldn't stand for it and he had to make Kurt understand.
So with a smile, he walked closer, leaning onto the bar and looking directly into Kurt's eyes through the mirror's reflection "Let's try this again. Hey Kurt, nice pliè"
Enunciating every word, and Adam could see a flicker of something shining in those eyes, other times it seemed more like incredulity at being complimented, but this time it wasn't just surprise...
There was maybe gratitude mixed with it. When Kurt finally turned to face Adam, and simply said what any other Nyada's student would already have had the confidence to say "Thank you"
And once they were face to face and Adam replied with a sincerely pleased smile and a "You're welcome."
The rest of the conversation after that flew easily, apparently Kurt hadn't had that much experience being complimented.
Adam could see in Kurt's eyes the shadow of insecurity, the wondering if there was a catch. And all Adam could do, was just letting the younger man know he was sincere and interested.
He was perfectly happy leaving all the moves in Kurt's hands, for one he still had another two years after graduation to stay around and see if there was a chance for him to make things with Kurt work… There was no need to overwhelm him while he was getting his footing balancing college and work...
Adam kept up his campaign of truthful compliments to Kurt until there were no more shadows in his eyes, just the light of appreciation.
Until one day Kurt surprised him, Adam had not made it a secret he thought about the other man even when he wasn't present. But if Adam was honest, he didn't really expect anything to come from it before spring break at the earliest, and he was ok with that.
So when Kurt asked him out for a drink or a coffee the first thing Adam noticed was the light of hope in Kurt's eyes. The offer was tentative, an indication that maybe the ex referred in passing had made a number on Kurt, or that the break up might have been more recent than Adam thought... Which opened up the chance of being just a rebound.
However it was a chance Adam could live with, the risk was well worth the possible result.
And if Adam's voice sounded a little breathless and surprised when he agreed and offered his number. It was perfectly okay, because it simply enhanced the twinkle in Kurt's eyes.
It was a gradual thing, one that Kurt barely noticed happening, but people around him saw the change as it happened, and they had noticed that it all started, after Valentine's weekend.
Kurt, unlike Rachel, had not the means nor the will to disregard a suggestion from his professors.
So instead of going back to Lima for Mr Schuester's wedding, he sent back a negative reply to the RSVP with an apology and pinched in for one of the wedding gifts.
That had left him free on Valentine day, he and Adam were still dating and there had not been any talk about the status of their relationship.
And Kurt was a little apprehensive about the expectation for such day, and maybe Adam knew that already because mid week he came to Kurt smiling and asked cheerfully "Hey Kurt, just the man I was searching for, I have an important question for you..."
Kurt had been a little scared about the setup but he still smiled and asked back "What's that?" Adam smiled brightly "oh it's pretty simple and there's no judgement here, but what's your favourite baked goodies?" Kurt chuckled softly "Well depends on what we're talking about sweet or savoury, and to what end if I might ask?"
Adam shrugged lightly and smiled sheepishly "It's a tradition I started with the Apples, the first practice after valentine day there're baked goodies for everyone to celebrate together… It helped cheer up after some ill timed breakups on the first year, and later on it simply stuck... Though that also means a whole weekend of baking, once I have the complete list of the requests and desires, because part of the tradition had become having enough for everyone to taste everyone's favourites..."
While Kurt had not yet settled on whether he would like to put himself under the pressure of a date on valentine day the thought of not seeing Adam at all was surprisingly saddening… And his face probably fell a little at the discovery of Adam's unavailability.
Adam though offered a neat solution "No pressure to agree, but if you want to, you'd be welcome to join me... There will be a lot of baking, but I can offer music, company. And I'll even turn my back if you want to steal freshly baked delicious treats from the window shelf as they cool"
The offer was clearly a spontaneous invitation, pretty much a spur of the moment decision. And Kurt didn't know where it came from but he quipped automatically "Why Mr Crawford are you inviting me into your home for a sleepover with the promise of freshly baked treats?"
In an impulsive way, he hadn't done since the beginning of junior year… It was refreshing and familiar, it made him feel more like himself than he had in a long time. And for a second, just for a millisecond, he could be himself.
Kurt saw that Adam was surprised and for the first time, he saw a light in his eyes that he had not noticed before, a small hopeful smile graced Adam's face before he answered quickly "I sadly can't claim this level of planning. I would have been happy with just a few hours shared in my kitchen. But should you wish to make a whole weekend with a spontaneous sleepover you are more than welcome in my humble ado. And no worries I'm a gentleman. In the case of an overnight staying I can offer you many choices as possible sleeping arrangements. Without any expectations and actual home cooked meals on top of the baked snacks..."
Kurt blushed a little thinking about the sleeping arrangements but grinned "Is your kitchen big enough to have us working in it? I don't think I'll be able to simply sit and look pretty."
Adam hummed as he nodded "it might be a little on the side of close quarters but it's big enough to host two and allow enough space to work without stepping on each other's feet... I cannot promise though to have enough fires or oven space to do things in parallel. But in the years I've become rather good, at planning the order of what needs to be cooked first and optimise the use of the oven."
Kurt smiled at the enthusiasm, "Then I guess it's a date... I'll get the grocery friday after school and then come at yours on saturday morning, does that work?"
Kurt observed how Adam's eyes shined with a mischievous hopeful twinkle as his smile turned into a cheeky grin and he said "Counteroffer, instead of carrying grocery all around for two days we could make it a long weekend, stop for grocery friday afternoon after classes on the way to my place, and use friday's night for dinner and a movie?"
At the end of those three days together their relationship had grown stronger and steadier. They defined exactly where they were standing with each other. They talked about what each of them knew he needed and what both of them wanted for the future.
Coming spring break the couple went to Lima, Adam's additional tickets courtesy of Burt's frequent flyer's miles due to all the travelling to DC.
Finn was happy to see his brother, and Adam, the new guy he took home was very cool and nice, even with him. After Finn realised exactly how rare it was to see Kurt relaxed, even at home, it came as a surprise that Kurt stepped out of the plane willing wearing the kind of clothes he had once deemed acceptable only at the garage or at home behind closed doors…
It took a little bit to figure out what was so different, well clothes aside, Finn could see something a small detail that was making a world of difference.
Something that Finn had never seen being present that way, it looked familiar and it felt like it was on the tip of his tongue figuring it all out…
He passed the drive home and the rest of the evening watching them both.
It wasn't until the all family was taking their places around the tv for movie night, then it dawned on Finn what it was, and as soon as it happened he blurted out awed "It's happiness…"
Burt hummed questioning, not really getting what Finn was referring to, Carole on the other hand had noticed Finn looking a Kurt and Adam.
Looking again at the couple through that new piece of information made Adam even dearer to her heart.
Because Kurt had never looked like this when he was with Blaine. In fact, for as long as Carole had been in Kurt's life he had never looked like this.
Both Adam and Kurt looked up at Carole hoping for an explanation since Finn was simply smiling and had shrugged happily focusing on the rest of the evening now that he had figured it out.
Carole smiled at the couple and said softly "It's the happiness that lies in your eyes, it's a good look on you."
Both Adam and Kurt chuckled at what probably was a private joke after saying as one "Thank you" in answer to Carole's compliment.
Finn didn't get it, but he reasoned that since everyone in the room was smiling it was ok, so he turned his attention to Adam raising five dvds and asked "So big brother, what's your pick?"