–
4
–
(Not A 'Team')
– High School –
Kurt sat flabbergasted by Blaine's performance. He didn't have a response to the lucidity of what he'd just laid down at his feet. This was coming from the guy who tried to serenade a guy with a song about sex toys and then later made out with a girl? A guy who was constantly flirting with anything that moved. The guy who'd mocked Sam for being a adult dancer, then tried to feel him up?
He told Sam that he had to be misreading the situation, that Blaine wasn't like that. He was a gentleman, dapper all the way through. The same dapper gentleman who had too much to drink and flirted too hard with the guys at the bar and let slip they were underage, making Kurt take him out of said bar. The same dapper gentleman who then tried to get frisky with Kurt in the back seat of his grandmother's station wagon. Then stormed off mad when Kurt told him no.
He hadn't pushed, he'd just been mad.
When Kurt was the one who had every right to be mad but was just put off by the timing instead.
The same boy he did eventually lose his virginity to was now singing a song accusing him of cheating.
Kurt had already said his piece, had told Blaine again and again that Chandler was nothing all they'd done was text each other.
"More like sext!" Blaine railed at him and Kurt just continued protesting the cheating aspect.
"Would you be happy if I blocked and deleted his number?" Kurt asked patiently.
"Yes." Blaine's response was mulish and Kurt did so where Blaine could see. "And delete the old texts. Both the ones he sent you and the ones you sent him."
Kurt rolled his eyes and did so. Blaine inspected his phone for any loopholes but they'd never called each other so there was no way Kurt could retrieve his number. Finally he was satisfied and Kurt thought that was the end of it. Though secretly he was wondering if that was all a bit much. He'd never even been interested in another guy and cheating was the last thought in his mind.
Then Blaine pulled this crap after the fact, throwing a ton of unwarranted emotion into it. They'd dealt with this already. Kurt had no responding song, nor comment even as all the eyes in the room turned to him and his slacked jaw as he stared at Blaine.
Blaine stormed out and Kurt wondered if he'd just wanted to sing it even though it was no longer relevant. He had probably 'worked too hard' to let it go to waste.
"I think I'm Team Chandler." Mercedes said sliding into the seat next to him, leaving Sam to do so.
Sam rested his chin on Kurt's shoulder. "Me too. Chandler was always m favorite in friends. Anyone with his name has to be cool."
"You two are nuts!" Rachel screeched. "It's Team Blaine all the way."
"Yep, Team Blaine for the win!" Tina agreed.
Kurt had only about 2 months left of school before he was heading off for New York, no matter what his letters said when they finally arrived. In the end though, it was neither Team Chandler nor Team Blaine. Just good old fashion Team Kurt.
He wasn't interested in Chandler like that, as he'd told them all repeatedly. And with Blaine's recent actions, he wasn't really fond of Blaine either. So he'd gotten up on that small podium next to the piano and belted out a song for them all to hear. He didn't even have to practice, he knew what he wanted to say in verse by the next Glee meeting.
I Knew Him So Well was the song he settled on and the meaning was clear. It was Blaine's turn to look hit out of left field. What did he think Kurt was going to sing instead? I Have Nothing? Well that was far from the truth. He may not have a backup boyfriend but he definitely had friends and a future and a life to live.
Blaine jumped to his feet. "What are you playing at Kurt?"
"You're just lucky I didn't sing Anymore." Kurt hissed. "I can't believe you sung a song about me cheating. I have never even flirted with another guy since meeting you!"
"Chandler-."
"Was a friend, we were just shooting each other famous lines from movies, musicals and TV shows. I know it looked like more but if you had for one second stopped and listened to me, you would have realized it too!" Kurt pushed Blaine with a finger on his chest. "This is over. I've been far too accommodating and forgiving of you after everything you've pulled. It ends now."
"I came to this school for you!"
"I know I teased you about it but you told me no and then showed up anyway. When I asked you if you did it just for me, you said no again. Then you've been throwing it in my face every time we've had arguments. Either you came for me or you didn't, but I'm sick of feeling guilty. It was your choice Blaine!"
"Whatever, if that's your feelings about it, then I'm going back to Dalton!" It was mid-semester and almost the end of the year. Kurt rolled his eyes and wished him luck.
He ended up staying at McKinley until his senior year, he wasn't allowed back mid-semester as Kurt had predicted.
Rachel had looked at him incredibly hurt and betrayed that Kurt would choose Chandler over Blaine. "But he doesn't even go to our school!" She complained.
"Rachel, I didn't!" But her ears weren't listening either. He sighed heavily and just let it drop. It was only a couple of months that he'd have to put up with her betrayed gaze.
– NYADA –
Rachel sighed dreamily as she wrapped her arms around Kurt's closest one. She rested her cheek against his shoulder. "Adam's so dreamy. It's just too bad that's he's unfortunately the leader of a college Glee Club."
"It's not the end of the world, Rach." Kurt had been eying the poster when Adam had come up to introduce himself.
"You can't join." Rachel protested when Kurt continued to look at the poster after Adam left and she'd joined him. "It's social suicide."
"We're a school of performing arts, shouldn't we be supportive of any and all ways to perform?"
"Yeah but there's social hierarchy here too. Things you do and things you just don't do. You can do Adam for all you want, but just don't join his team." Her lips quirked up. "He's a good male leading role, you know, if you were looking." She said silkily and dragged him from the bulletin board to their next class.
Kurt had already pocketed the number on the sheet and Adam had given him his private number too. The blond was quite attractive, even under that beanie that was doing him no favors. "What makes you think so?" She hadn't even talked to him, Kurt had said more words to him than Rachel ever had.
"That British accent is to die for." She gave a delicious shudder.
"You don't even know if he's gay." And he was a senior.
"Oh, he's gay, his eyes were eating you up." Rachel caught onto that, had she? The two seconds he'd been finishing what he was saying before heading off, while she came up to join Kurt.
"You know, other than Finn, you and I have never been on the same page about anything?" Even musicals, each had their own favorite and they both thought they were Elphaba even if they could agree on the same musical to watch or attend.
"The trouble's been that we're too much alike." She countered, she couldn't even agree with him on how they couldn't agree.
Kurt shook his head, he let her think she won this conversation. He would always do his own thing in the end. He was better at not telling her everything or really anything until it was too late to get involved. He'd learned his lesson the hard way a few times, auditions for school plays, class presidency, Spotlight Cafe. The things he was most proud of and accomplished in, she'd have absolutely no involvement in at all, like Vogue, his audition for NYADA, a few other things he still didn't want to broadcast to one Rachel Berry.
He loved her but wanted her as far out of his personal life as possible when she could influence it for the worse. He would probably join Adam's Apples, she wasn't allowed, she was a female and it was an all male choir. He had liked being part of the Warblers even if it had been a little too stifling at times.
If he didn't like it, he could always drop out. Adam was a senior, it was likely to disband after this year anyway. Besides, what was a little harmless flirting with the Brit who was probably going to end up back overseas soon?
Rachel hugged his arm tighter. "Still, I'm on Team Adam."
"You know nothing about him." But he wouldn't tell her why her vote meant very little. He gave a small nod. "Look, there's Brody. I'm Team Brody." Kurt teased. He liked the guy, but he may not like him with Rachel so much but jury was still out on what would happen there.
–
"OMG, Elliot, please Kurt, tell me you're planning to get on that. Because if you don't, I might just have to. Might even have to switch teams again just to experience it."
"He's gay." Kurt pointed out.
"I know, which is why I'm giving you first pass." Santana teased. "Half the battle already won for you, right?"
He stared her down, she really had not just gone there, had she? Ok, so Finn and Sam were both straight and he'd had crushes momentarily on them. He was still betting on Sam having some bi-curious feelings, it was just kind of hard to accept that there wasn't anything like that there.
"It just makes it more of a challenge for me, but if you're not going to jump on it, I'll gladly take up the mantle. Because I wouldn't mind jumping on that." Santana reached out and pinched Kurt's cheat. "Besides, he's a lot like you, pretty in a feminine way while still being so male."
"Just because he wears eyeliner and glitter doesn't make it feminine." Kurt was tired of these arguments. Rachel was still harassing him to get together with Adam.
Adam hung out a lot, watching movies, over for dinner. He was just kind of lonely, he had been in America for four years but it was hard to make friends in New York, especially at their extremely competitive school. He was nice to Kurt and Kurt was nice back, both lost and lonely in some ways when they met. Kurt had a clear path he was forging though and his confidence had gained him admirers but only Adam could he consider a friend, at least from their school.
He found a friend in Dani at Spotlight Cafe and Elliot through their auditions for a band that Rachel still thankfully had no idea about. It had been hard to keep it from her when he had included two of their coworkers in it. Thankfully she didn't go on the same sites that Kurt did, ie the personal ads.
"Yeah... Adam's cute and all but Elliot's hot." Santana put her hands on his shoulders and turned him toward their band mate. "Get it boy."
"Santana, no." Kurt wiggled free. "I don't want to cross that line with him. I want this band to be successful."
"You're going to tire your voice out but for all the wrong reasons." Santana shook her head, Kurt was in the Adam's Apples Glee Club, their band and at least two singing courses at school. "At least make it go raw for the right reason at least once a week." She nudged him. "I'm all for Elliot, you know that. To perry Rachel's words, God help me, I'm Team Elliot."
"Santana." Kurt warned, knowing she would do something that would put them all in an awkward spot. "Please... just stay out of it."
"If Rachel gets to invite Adam over to freeload on food and movies and our AC then I get to have Elliot over. You just need equal exposure to them in different environments."
"Rachel can't find out yet, we're not fully prepared for our first show. You know she'll want to get in on it." Kurt argued, hoping that would dissuade Santana for at least a little while.
"Hmm... ok." That was far too easy and Kurt should have known Santana wouldn't give up like that. "Still, Adam may have a sexy British speaking voice, but Elliot's got a bone melting, boner arousing singing voice."
Kurt closed his eyes, he really hadn't needed Santana to get so graphic. "Please, San, just don't."
"You just need to get laid again, you've become too much of a prude." Santana nudged him with her hip. "Either guy is fine, I have my preference but it's time to sack up again. Blaine is so far in your past."
"I-"
"Kurt?" Elliot called from the stage where he and Dani were working on something. "Do you mind giving us your opinion on this?" His eyes were for Kurt alone.
"See, he's so into you too." Santana pushed him forward and steered him until he was right in front of Elliot, nearly giddy with how Elliot played practically just for Kurt.
Dani caught Kurt's eye, knowing exactly what he was thinking as he'd confided in her more than anyone else recently. She winked and then played her part, looking at Santana as she did so.
Oh, there was a romance going down in this band, but Kurt was trying to make sure it wasn't him and Elliot. He did not need that.
–
Santana had invited both Kurt and Elliot out to coffee and then she never showed up. Kurt took a deep breath, reeling in his anger with his high school friend. He didn't have to force the smile too hard when he greeted Elliot. He'd gotten a text the second he'd arrived at the cafe. He was positive Santana was probably playing detective and hidden out somewhere around here, watching them.
Elliot was his friend. "Hey Kurt." He greeted warmly and gestured to the table he'd picked out. "I haven't ordered drinks. Did you want to look at the menu?"
"Not disappointed that Santana's not joining us?" Kurt checked.
"Nah, she sounded pretty sick on the phone, I'm just glad she didn't spread those contagious germs onto us." Elliot sounded fooled and having not grown up with the likes of the McKinley student body, he could see why Elliot would be easily accepting.
Still, a brow went up as Kurt wondered why Elliot would assume that Kurt was germ free, he lived with her after all. "Yeah, super sick." He agreed dryly. "She's going to be bedridden for quite some time."
Elliot didn't catch the barb, it wasn't intended at him anyway but entirely at Santana. She would stay out of his hair for a good long time if she knew what was good for her. She'd probably too busy with Dani anyway. He should have known Santana would flake on them for her new girlfriend.
He loved Dani and he loved Santana and they were a good experiment for each to learn from but he didn't think they were lifers. He would be happy to be proven wrong.
"So... Santana sent these to me in the mail." Elliot said after their drinks arrived and the waitress walked away. "I thought maybe she held onto the third ticket but maybe she only intended for there to be two all along." He pulled out Contact Sport, a Musical! tickets and Kurt swallowed, he couldn't believe she'd done that! "I've been wanting to see this actually."
"Yeah... it does look really good." It was a highly sexually charged play from what he'd heard. It would have been fine if he'd gone with Rachel or Santana or both or even a really good male friend that he'd known for awhile and they'd be able to just discuss it frankly. It was not something you sent two gay guys who'd only known each other for a few short months to, especially if it wasn't a date.
"They're for today." Elliot smiled a little awkwardly, he knew what it was too.
Tamping down hard on his anger for one of his oldest friends, he mustered up a believable smile. He was an actor, and he would not let Elliot feel uncomfortable because of Santana's prank. So like always, Kurt was the one to soothe things over. "Why waste them?"
Elliot smiled broadly, both relief and happiness in the look. Kurt was glad he hadn't backed out. He knew what Santana was planning and he would face it head on.
They planned an activity for after the mid-afternoon musical just to take the edge off. They were able to discuss the musical like two buddies without any of the awkwardness. They were discussing it just before they entered the guitar shop and Kurt switched gears a little. "I've wanted an electric guitar for awhile, I just haven't had anyone who could help me pick out the best one." Elliot opened the door for Kurt and let him walk though first. "I'm pretty excited."
He trusted Elliot's opinion on the guitars and it wasn't that he didn't trust the shop's but their sole goal was just to get him to walk out with one in hand. Most people didn't return it if it wasn't right, just let it collect dust in the back of their closet. Kurt didn't want to go through the hassle only to have to return it, but he would return it if it wasn't right. He may not replace it with another one though if he had to go through all that trouble.
"Girl guitars are in the back." The guy at the front desk didn't even look up from his crossword as he pointed with the eraser toward the location he'd mentioned.
"Uh, no, thanks." Kurt mouthed at Elliot 'girl guitars'? Was that even a thing. Elliot shrugged, he didn't have an answer, he hadn't known there was a difference. Maybe just in the size? Nor did he get what this guy's problem was.
"Actually, we're working for a 6 string." Kurt decided to be brave, he had never let anyone talk down to him and he wasn't going to start now, even if the guy had thrown him off at first.
The guy lifted his head. "Yeah, there's 6 strings in the- oh." He looked surprised by Kurt and Kurt tried not to let the old reactions out. So the guy had assumed based on his voice, had he? Well he wasn't the first and Kurt never got anywhere by putting someone in their place. It felt good for the entire time he let it out but then the other person was less likely to help him out.
He was learning and maturing and he learned it was sometimes better to put them in their place by not calling them out on it directly. He was a paying customer and the guy would just have to respect him and his choices when Elliot and him tested out the merchandise and came up with their best option. Money talked louder than Kurt could anyway.
People didn't learn by being shouted at. He had certainly never changed when people attempted that with him.
Living his life the way he saw fit was so much more powerful anyway. Just keep plugging at it, doing what he was doing and not letting anyone sway him away from his goals. More results with honey than vinegar and all that, and Kurt was naturally not a fighter. He was a lover and a caregiver and he was passionate about what he thought and wanted and change, but he hadn't attended any of the rallies. He probably should, probably would now that he was living in New York with Santana and knew people like Dani. They'd drag him and Elliot, who also was not a fighter, whether they wanted to go or not. He'd rather go to Pride and listen to the stories and cry and cheer at the appropriate moments.
The one thing neither Elliot nor Kurt would do though was leave without trying out the instruments. They would not be shamed out of the store. They may leave without an instrument either because they didn't have what they were looking for or choosing not to spend money at an establishment based on moral code. That was a decision they'd come to once they looked their fill.
Elliot walked to a wall of guitars and picked one out, spun it around in his hands and then presented it to Kurt. The guy behind the counter straightened up and Kurt caught the look on his face in the mirror. It was not disgust as he'd first thought, but intrigue. Apparently Elliot had picked out a good guitar on first try.
Kurt strummed a few chords. Sam had taught him the basics and some trickier fingering after he'd come back from Kentucky to live with them. He had more time to devote to it after he broke up with Blaine. He had more time to work and save money too after his time wasn't hogged by a needy boyfriend.
Adam had taught him a few more things on the guitar but the guitar was not his instrument of choice. Kurt had already known a lot about sheet music from both singing and playing the piano. Elliot watched him strum a few song refrains, switching from one to the next easily. He'd taught him a few more tricks over the last few months of band practice. If he brought this home, Rachel would definitely know something was up. Maybe he'd ask if he could store it at Elliot's and practice there?
There were plenty of people who would be more than happy to let him store it and practice at their places. He just knew Elliot would take good care of it if Kurt couldn't get to it consistently and was on his way to their practice hall from both NYADA and his apartment.
He just didn't always come from that direction. He smirked to himself as he thought that, going through even more songs. Settling on one that was kind of personal for himself and then switching to something a little more common.
"What was that song?" Elliot asked, catching it and calling Kurt out on it.
"Oh, just something I was working on." Kurt rubbed his upper arm. "Nothing fleshed out yet."
"Hmm... it sounded good."
"Thanks, it was based on someone I know."
"Lucky devil." Elliot smiled though, taking the sting out of it. "It was really good, I would love for someone to write a song for me."
"Maybe someday someone will." Kurt smiled back, trying to be encouraging.
"So... are you going to buy it?" The guy at the counter asked and Kurt looked over to Elliot, it'd sounded good to him, but he wasn't the expert.
"No." Elliot took it from Kurt and spun it before putting it back on the wall where he'd taken it from. "It is way overpriced and labeled wrong. Come on, let's go find a place that actually knows what they're doing."
Kurt laughed after they exited. "I can't believe you did that!"
"It was the truth. Besides, we want to support the right people." Elliot bumped into Kurt's shoulder. "I will find the right place and we'll test it out there too."
"Sounds great!" It would take them three more outings and four more stores before they found what Elliot was looking for at the right place. Kurt did end up storing it at Elliot's small studio apartment but they had some jam sessions and Elliot taught Kurt far more intricate finger work at those visits. It was a lot more one on one and they had time to get into the finer details.
Kurt learned far more than just how to improve his guitar playing at those visits.
–
"Elliot."
"Adam."
"Elliot." Santana stressed, getting heated.
"Adam!" Rachel shouted, getting annoyed while knowing she was right.
"Elliot!" Santana shouted back.
Kurt sat on the couch and propped his feet up onto the coffee table to watch the two of them argue back and forth. He was kind of amused and he just sat there, completely relaxed as he watched the two main females of his life duke it out. He supposed that wasn't fair to Mercedes or Carole but he hadn't lived with either of them over the last four years. He and Dani were still really good friends even though Dani had ended up leaving the band after she broke things off with Santana. It had lasted longer than Kurt had predicted. The band had dissolved not too long after. Rachel tried to take Dani's place but nobody had wanted that.
He spent a lot of time with Elliot and Adam both in this apartment and out. He watched these two volley the two names back and forth with a small smile. He wondered when they'd tire out.
"Team Adam, duh."
"No, Team Elliot, it's so obvious!" Santana flung back. "He's so good for Kurt."
"Adam's good for Kurt!"
"What has Adam ever done for Kurt?"
"He's bolstered Kurt's confidence, he's always full of positive praise and encouragement. At school it's helped him be more confident and self-assured, he's improved amazingly well over the last four years with Adam's tutelage. It's far more than Elliot has ever given Kurt."
"Ellliot is full of positive praise and encouragement too. Without Elliot, Kurt wouldn't have gone back to expressing himself through fashion. He's been a peer in his corner and they spend so much time together doing things together. All Adam does is come over and mooch off of us!"
"Adam's got plays that he's given us tickets for."
"Elliot's got shows he's sold out and still had tickets for us."
"It's Adam!"
"No, it's Elliot!"
"KURT!" Both of them turned and looked at him as one and he jumped, not expecting to get involved. He thought they'd make a decision but they agreed on things even less often than he and Rachel did.
"Yes?" He asked innocently, blinking coyly and maybe just a hint of sarcasm in it too.
The three of them had gone to a haunted house, Kurt had ended up being the one they both clung to. When they got back though, all they could focus on was the ring on his left second to last digit.
"Who put that ring on your finger?" They asked in unison and Kurt chuckled.
"You really want to know?" He played with it now, it was a recent addition and meant more than they were even aware of. He'd asked for one last outing with the girls before he told them the whole story. It came up a little sooner than he'd been planning.
"It was Elliot, wasn't it?" Santana was looking positively manic.
Rachel was shaking her head. "No way, it was Adam."
"I suppose I should be happy that all of these 'teams' you've decided for me throughout the years have been to to determine who gets to end up with me. Who's best for me. I'm the center of this little story, and I'm thankful for your concern and attention over the years when it comes to my love life." He sighed and rested his hand against his chest. "That's why I kept you all from it. I didn't want you interfering, this is my romantic relationship and I didn't need either of you adding your opinions, 'helping out' or trying to convince me I was wrong. I love the two of you and I value your opinions in all but my love life. Now it's too late to mess with it."
"Who is it?" Rachel groaned clearly not getting it but Santana had caught on.
"It's neither of the boys we've been shoving in your face for years, is it?" Santana asked and Kurt smiled broadly at her. "You still could have introduced us to him! We would have supported you."
"Honey, I've seen the kind of support you two give." He patted the seat next to him. "In fact though, you have met him, several times."
Santana joined him on the couch, feet beneath her and knees pressing lightly against Kurt's thigh. Rachel perched on the other side on the arm. "We have?" Rachel asked. "Obviously we didn't think he was good enough for you if we never saw him as a romantic interest."
"Or you were afraid of what we would think, knowing he wasn't right or good for you?" Santana lifted a brow.
"No, it's because the two of you got so caught up with the idea that everyone had to reside in one camp or the other. You never even thought that there was a possibility of someone completely outside of the two choices that would make me happy until one of those two choices disappointed you." Kurt explained gently. "Even when I've tried telling you again and again that I wasn't interested in either of them. Mainly because I had already found someone I liked. I've brought him around many times."
They were quickly trying to figure out which of Kurt's guy friends they had overlooked. "If you had just told us you liked someone-."
"You have tried to get rid of him because he wasn't one of your choices." He squeezed both their knees. "I get that you were trying to look out for me but you kept it too narrow of a view. It had to be someone you vetted or it wasn't a possibility."
"We didn't do that with Blaine or Chandler." Rachel argued and Kurt laughed as that's exactly what she'd done.
"No more camps, no more 'teams'. This is the person I love and have chosen to marry. It's all him, all in and nothing else."
"Just spill already!" Santana rocked forward onto her knees and put both hands on Kurt's thigh. "Who is it?"
"Sebastian Smythe." Kurt answered, a secretive smile crossing his lips briefly, followed quickly by one of pure warmth.
"Who?" Rachel really was oblivious, she only paid attention if it was someone who she viewed as competition, someone to aspire to be or someone who could raise her status. She couldn't tell you who anyone was in Glee Club that wasn't in this room or still in the music industry of some sort outside of Artie, Sam and Finn. Artie because he might affect her acting progress if she went into movies. Sam because he was hot and a model and attractive. And Finn... she may still forget him, given enough time and distance.
Any of the others, she'd be very hard pressed to tell you their name. She had been in so many clubs in school and could tell you all the clubs she belonged to but none of the names of the other members. Even those who slushied her and tormented her, she couldn't remember the names of, not even Jacob Ben Israel's.
Santana on the other hand never once forgot a name or face or any grievances she had against them. "Holy shit, no way!" She yelled. "No! No! I forbid it!"
Kurt turned his head to her in confusion at her reaction. "Who?" Rachel asked again.
"You don't remember that snarky, too good looking to be true sexist?" Santana stared at Rachel as if she had lost her mind. "He called you Galinda and me Jugs the Clown at Easter, don't you remember?"
"He called me what? I am not Galinda! I am obviously Elphaba."
Kurt groaned and dropped his head back against the couch, it hit with a dull thud, there wasn't that much padding on it. He had told Sebastian about the Elphaba debate one night when he'd had a bit too much to drink over a year ago. Obviously Sebastian hadn't forgotten.
"That's what you're upset about?" Santana asked dryly. "He isn't a nice person, Kurt!"
Kurt peeked one eye open toward her. "Nice isn't exactly what I've been looking for, you know?" There had been a lot of 'nice' people in his life and they'd all been a big flop. "And other than your teams, who has stayed in my life that can fit that term anyway?"
Santana opened her mouth and her lips moved but nothing came out and then she closed her mouth again. "Point taken." She finally said, blushing slightly as she really got what he meant. "He owes me an apology though."
"And me!"
"You didn't even hear the insult or remember it. You don't get one." Santana waved her off. "Seriously, Sebastian?"
Kurt played with the ring again. "Yeah, seriously. He only called you two that because you were acting horribly and he could see how much stress you were causing me." He tipped his head. "After that, you helped, didn't you?"
Santana tried to remember what was going on beyond the name calling. She settled into the seat next to Kurt as she tried to remember back a few months and through an alcohol state. Only Santana had been religious but it had given them a reason to party. Kurt had cooked everything – of course. He'd also done the decorations and set up the plates and all of that. Sebastian had brought wine but by the time he came, she and Rachel were already pretty drunk.
The two of them had disappeared into the kitchen for a little while and then came out with a glass of red each and an opened bottle. "It was after dinner, wasn't it?"
"Bingo." They'd had a full house, a lot of Kurt's work friends were there from Vogue and Santana was hitting on Isabelle but Kurt had said something about dishes and trash. Rachel had been sitting on the couch trying to entertain three guys with her wit but wasn't doing well. They listened out of politeness.
"You wanted someone to collect the empties." Santana rubbed her eyebrow. "It was getting to be a lot of them hanging about and you didn't want to have to be on clean up duty in the morning if you could cut it off at the pass."
"You also wanted someone to change the music, it had gone into a different playlist and you didn't think it was something very appropriate for that group at that time." Rachel added, there were a lot of other people there and someone had gotten a hold of the music. People had been growing uncomfortable with the volume and song choices. Santana couldn't remember what was playing.
"You were doing the dishes and putting the food away. Sebastian was helping you..." Santana frowned. "What were Adam and Elliot doing?"
"Adam was still eating whatever was sitting out and both he and Elliot were flirting with some of the models." Kurt answered, running a hand down his throat in remembrance. "I was all for people having fun and relaxing. I never expected those two to help, but since it was our apartment and it was a party you wanted, Santana, I expected some kind of help from you two. Sebastian came to my defense and told you two off in private about how I shouldn't have to do everything, I'm not a live-in servant. I work hard and am extremely busy and it was my day off to have fun and relax too. Neither of you started moving until he started calling you names." Kurt laughed. "I never saw either of you move faster than you did that day."
"Sorry." Both said at once, and Santana was surprised either had listened to Sebastian and not fought him back. Perhaps even in their drunken state they realized how correct Sebastian was about how hard Kurt worked and how he deserved some time too.
"Still..." Santana whined. "He's... him? You're going to marry him?"
A small quiver of Kurt's lips preceded his next words. "He's insanely hot and has a delicious accent." He tossed at Rachel.
"But he's nothing like us!" Rachel had no idea who this guy was, but if she didn't remember him, it had to be true.
Kurt laughed really hard at that. "Oh, I think if you put aside you're assumptions you'll realize he's far more like us than you realize. He was lead singer for a Louisiana Show Choir that always got to Nationals when he was part of them." He looked from Rachel to Santana. "He's from France originally and is strangely religious even though religion doesn't deserve either of you." He smiled widely. "You already know he's able to give as good as either of us, San. And he cares deeply about me."
"We're going to hold out judgment. You need to bring him around and introduce him as your boyfriend this time." Santana was frowning, she didn't like that he'd kept it from them, but the signs were all there, if they'd looked passed their own noses and egos.
Kurt had disappeared with Sebastian during that party but they hadn't known where they'd gone or why. They came in with another open bottle of wine when they came back though and they figured they'd just gone for more down the street.
"I can't do that, San." Kurt replied gently.
"Fiance then." Rachel shook his head. "Still can't believe you pulled that one on us. We should have veto power." She complained.
"Uh, nope, not that either and that's why I didn't outright tell you. Sebastian and I were pretty sure of ourselves right out of the gate but we did have a few rocky moments and I knew the two of you would have tried to convince me in those spaces that he wasn't right for me. We got through them but others being involved might have delayed us getting there." Kurt lifted his hand and turned it around for them to see it in the light. "Not fiance either, husband."
"What?" Santana was the one to shriek this time. "When did that happen?"
"We weren't invited?" Rachel sounded so crushed and Kurt wrapped an arm around her. She tried to break free, upset with him.
"Nobody but Dani was there." Kurt pressed a kiss to the top of her hair. "It was kind of a spur of the moment thing but also kind of planned." They each had a wedding ring on their hands. "We're going to have a big party and another ceremony, Sebastian says it's not fully a wedding until we get married by a man of the cloth, not just city hall." Kurt rolled his eyes. "I said it was the other way around actually but he wants the big shindig. You can both be my bridesmaids."
"I don't want to be if he stole you out from under us." Rachel said moodily.
"It is kind of a shitty thing to do, Kurt. I thought we were your friends." Santana agreed with Rachel for probably the first time.
"Want to go down that path?" Kurt questioned eying both of them each in turn. They'd done a lot of reckless last minute things that they hadn't discussed with him. They'd done a lot of preplanned things too that they also hadn't shared with him. They'd kept so much from him and each other even though they were roommates.
"When did you even have time for him? You were so busy with Elliot and Adam." Santana switched topics slightly.
"I would have done the same anyway." Kurt shrugged. "You didn't have me microchipped for all the hours of the day."
The girls looked at each other guiltily, they'd also disappeared for hours or days and Kurt never gave them grief.
"Where'd you even meet?"
"Coffee shop." Kurt answered. "He drew an Eiffel Tower into my foam."
"He works as a barista? Kurt that's worse than a bartender."
"Ugh, we're waiters at a Broadway Memorabilia Cafe." Kurt shook his head in disgust at the judgment. "We're not just our day jobs."
"Rachel, enough." Santana spoke firmly. "Let's meet him."
"What's this going to do to Elliot and Adam?" Rachel asked suddenly worried about them.
"Nothing, they knew I was dating Sebastian since the beginning. I introduced them the first time I brought him to the apartment and they were here, and they've seen him out and about with us too." Kurt frowned at both of them. "You seriously had no idea?"
"No?" Santana and Rachel shared a look. "You never called him boyfriend."
"I introduced the three of you and always sat with him and held his hand. We've hugged and I've sat on his lap at several occasions or him on mine."
"Yeah, but no PDA otherwise. You've hugged and been close with other guys." Rachel admitted.
Kurt shook his head, short of making out with Sebastian, he hadn't exactly been shy with his boyfriend. His best girlfriends in New York were just super oblivious. That was on them, he just hadn't brought Sebastian up with either of them because he didn't want to discuss his relationship with them, he wanted to keep it a bit more private after the very public relationship he had with Blaine. They didn't bring Sebastian up either and he thought they were just following his lead or didn't care. It's why he got a bit offended that they kept pushing other boys at him at times, but then they kept doing it and he thought it was a running joke. He never thought they were actually serious.
Even how he announced it had only been a bit of a joke. Even his dad knew about Sebastian, had met him and given his approval of the relationship.
"Did you really need me to sit you both down and spell it out for you?"
He supposed these were the same people who believed he was flirting with Chandler despite all of his protests because that's the narrative they wanted to hear. They'd probably be less pleased with him moving out in the next few days.
–
The jade green eyes of one Sebastian Smythe were filled with mischief and humor but when he looked at Kurt, there were only two deep pools of love. He was wickedly intelligent and he bantered with all three of them, his tone softening when he spoke with Kurt. Once in awhile it got sharper and more cutting when Rachel said something out of bounds or off putting, especially if it was something at the expense of Kurt.
Rachel would fall into line and Santana was really enjoying having someone else that could control her more erratic behaviors. Santana found herself straightening up and apologizing to Kurt and blinked, Sebastian had done that, hadn't he? Kurt did deserve the apology though.
If Sebastian disagreed with Kurt and tried to use it on him, she didn't see it. He never changed from warm and supportive when he talked to Kurt. The remarks they shared were teasing and he did make his point but he never cut Kurt off or told him he was wrong and often it was Sebastian conceding to Kurt, but not always, sometimes he kept firm in his opinion. Sometimes they even agreed to have different opinions on a matter and left it at that.
They'd never seen Kurt so relaxed with anyone before. He was constantly touching Sebastian and if he was seeking Sebastian out, Sebastian was already reaching for him, on the same wavelength. Sebastian seemed to always have one hand on Kurt too.
"When did you meet?" Rachel finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity anymore.
Kurt and Sebastian shared a look. "My first week in New York." Kurt answered. "I stopped at a coffee shop on my way back from my Vogue interview and Sebastian was there, apron and all. I don't know if it was the Eiffel or his smile but I had to come back to finish our conversation the next day."
"I don't think we've ever finished that conversation." Sebastian pointed out.
"I don't ever want to finish it either." Kurt teased. "I want it to go on and on for the rest of our lives."
"It's worked for us so far, you keep coming back every day." Sebastian leaned forward, resting his forehead against Kurt's. "Got you to marry me even."
Rachel wanted to break up this romantic interlude. "Kurt said you'd had problems, what were they?"
"Rachel." Santana groaned. "This is exactly why he didn't tell us about them."
"No, it's ok." Sebastian pressed a kiss to Kurt's cheek and pulled his head away to look at Rachel and Santana. "I had issues with my visa. I had to go back to France for a few months while it got sorted out."
"So you only married Kurt for a Green card?"
"I already had a Green card." Sebastian's voice got a little rougher, a bit offended by her assumption. "I applied for citizenship and started the process even before I turned 18. The visa was necessary for me to stay while it went through but because there were two things in the works, I had to go back to France so only one was processed instead of confusing the system. It was only for 3 months."
"We didn't get married until after he had the card in his hand." Kurt added. "I knew that would be an issue for other people and I wanted to take it off the table as a conversation point." He looked to Sebastian. "I did warn you this was something we'd have to defend."
"I didn't realize your friends were part of those naysayers that we'd have to explain ourselves to." Sebastian grumbled. "My friends are so much more accepting."
"They also knew your story as it unfolded."
"Have you met Mercedes yet?" Rachel asked, sitting forward a little and Santana moved away from her. She didn't want to be associated with Rachel, she was the big problem that Kurt had been prepping Sebastian for.
"Yes." Sebastian answered. "She's happy for Kurt and I, gave me one of her early copies of her newest release."
Both girls stared at Sebastian in surprise. "Why didn't you ever say anything?" Santana asked Sebastian.
"I was there the day Kurt introduced us. You barely spared me a glance before you were both trying to get him to dance and talk to Adam and Elliot. You wouldn't have heard even if we had it stamped to our foreheads and we shouted it on a megaphone." He hesitated. "I'm sorry neither one of you the bragging rights of throwing your support behind the guy Kurt was going to marry. That's all this nonexistent prize was, right? Bragging rights? Or did you have an actual trophy if he got together with one of your 'teams'?"
Santana nodded while Rachel shrugged, they'd been caught out, it was the truth. "Just bragging rights as the one who called it and helped push them together. We really just thought Kurt was being stubborn and shy."
"Will you stop pushing him at other boys now? Will you stop rooting for him to choose one guy over another?"
"Kind of have to now." Rachel's lips twisted in annoyance and disappointment. "Who are we going to root for now or argue about which is better?"
"I've got an idea..." Kurt leaned forward to share his thoughts.
–
"Sebastian for the win!" Rachel laughed, dropping back against the couch. It was just too funny.
"I think Kurt got that point and thus the game." Santana argued.
"Sebastian!"
"Kurt!"
Kurt glanced at Sebastian, they were both holding as many books as they could without them falling. They had to recite a general idea or line from each book that was added. "I think you won." Kurt admitted, he hated losing but he was a good sport and fair. They had graduated that week each and the girls had thought it would be funny to put their knowledge to the test. The girls continued arguing, not hearing Kurt concede. "So much for them to be all in with you and not divide things into teams."
"At least there aren't two teams vying for your love this time." Sebastian carefully slid his books onto the table and helped Kurt put his down too without them landing on either of their feet.
"No, this time they're pitting us against each other."
"But they know that I'm the only choice for you, so they can finally start adding you to the conversation rather than just about you or around you." Sebastian slid a hand along Kurt's jaw and tilted his husband's head back slightly.
Kurt's nose wrinkled as he acknowledged that it was nice to finally hear his name associated to another guy's rather than just having two names shouted at him. Kurt slid his arms around Sebastian's neck and pulled him closer. "Doesn't matter though, I already decided years ago that it was all my decision and I only had one clear choice and no contenders. It's always been and always will be you that I choose."
"As I only had eyes for you too." Sebastian agreed and let Kurt pull him that last scant distance from his lips.
"Ew, enough PDA!" Santana teased and Kurt threw a pillow at her but it hit Rachel instead. Rachel screeched and threw a pillow in retaliation and it hit the back of Sebastian's head. The boys grinned at each other, it was on. Sebastian and Kurt had one last team, their team, Kurtbastian against Rachel and Santana in the war of pillows to end all pillow wars.
