Chapter 5- Nightfall
Dusk was growing upon him when Kurt realised that Steve wasn't returning to Stark Tower anytime soon. He was planning to wait to say goodbye, but Bucky had advised him to return home, making it clear that he had vastly enjoyed the former's company.
Kurt let Santana know that he was on his way home, ready to "spill everything" about his kind-of-sort-of-not-really date with Steve. The one that had pretty much spiralled into a date with Bucky Barnes instead. He liked Bucky a great deal already, but that wasn't the point.
Becoming acquainted with the Avengers was a tiring process and Kurt would be eternally grateful to JARVIS for calling a cab on his own initiative and noting that there were no expenses to be paid. Kurt was confused, considering cab drivers usually didn't take advance payments, but suspected that Tony Stark's reputation and fortune alone was enough to waiver the fee.
As he was waiting for the cab, he saw Pepper in the corner of his eye.
"You know it's rude to leave an establishment without saying goodbye to the owner."
Kurt faltered. "Oh, Pepper, I'm sorry. I just didn't know how long the cab would take and I didn't know where you were and—."
Pepper chuckled. "Kurt, it's fine, I'm messing with you. I hope you've enjoyed yourself here. I know how frustrating it can be when they're called away on Avengers business. I'm getting used to it with Tony but I imagine this is new to you."
Kurt chuckled jovially. "Pretty much. I've never dated a superhero before, especially not one who is almost a century old."
"I imagine that's unprecedented."
"It certainly is. I was so nervous when Steve said that he wanted to bring me here, but everyone is lovely."
"You're definitely welcome here anytime you're around. Even if Steve isn't here. I for one would love to see you more often. Your fashion tastes are rather exquisite and I must have the absolute best in my company."
Kurt appraised her immaculate outfit. "Actually, your current ensemble is giving me some ideas. I work at Vogue and I'm in the process of designing my own collection."
Pepper smiled widely. "That's awesome! I bet you're good."
Kurt bowed his head. "Oh, I'm excellent. Fashion and music are the two things I truly excel at. I appreciate the gifts I have every single day and I vow to use them anyway I can. Though there aren't a plethora of things one can do with those particular skills."
Pepper's eyes glinted. "I have something I think you could do."
Kurt grinned as he heard the proposition.
Oh, he was so on board.
Kurt slipped off his shoes and unwrapped his scarf as he entered the loft, making sure the door was locked. When Rachel had lived there, she hadn't bothered to acquire a lock. Santana, being wiser, had made sure that the place was secure before moving in. Kurt was grateful to her for that.
"My god, what a day!" Kurt groaned as he fell onto the couch. Santana was having a Buffy marathon and Kurt rolled his eyes at how tame the superhero-esque antics seemed compared to the seriousness of S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers.
Santana stroked his hair. "Is baby gay tired from all the hardcore fucking he was doing?"
Kurt snorted. "On our first real date? I love you Santana, but I don't want to be you."
Santana slapped him over the head, cursing. "You're a bitch."
"Pot, I have a message from kettle. You're black."
"Oh, how hilarious!" Santana crowed. "It's almost as if you're trying. Seriously though, how was your day?"
Kurt sighed loudly and draped his legs over Santana's lap, the Latina pausing her marathon to listen to his story.
"Well, I spent the day with the Avengers."
"Shut up, no you didn't."
Kurt eyed her pointedly. "Would you like me to tell you their real names?"
Santana waved her hand. "Oh, please. I know them. Steve, Tony, Thor, Bruce…and…um."
"Clint and Natasha," Kurt finished. "And they're actually really lovely. Not scary at all. I also think I'm going clothes shopping with Pepper Potts at a later date."
Santana gaped. "Oh, I'm so coming too. Even if I have to sleep with Gunther to get the day off."
"He's old and smelly," Kurt pointed out.
"It's fucking Pepper Potts, Kurt. I'd sleep with Rachel if I could go shopping with Pepper Potts."
Kurt chuckled and launched into a full explanation about his day, from the kiss to the conversation with Pepper. He left out the truth about Steve, unsure as to whether he was supposed to tell her. She was his best friend, but he didn't really want to betray his new boyfriend's trust so early on in their relationship. Santana didn't suspect anything, though. He explained about Bucky and told the short version of his story.
"What are you making of all of this?" Santana asked him.
Kurt frowned. "I don't know, really. I like Steve, I really like him. He's obviously gorgeous, but he's genuine. For a guy to be genuine in my life is rare and I want to hold onto him for as long as I can before he lets go."
"You don't know that he's going to do that. From what I hear, he seems pretty into you."
"Let's just see, shall we? Anyway, I have had the longest day in the world. Are you okay after this morning?"
"I'm from Lima Heights Adjacent, Kurt. It's on the wrong side of the tracks," she shrugged easily.
"Well, then, I'm going to bed. I have a first date to dream about."
"You mean a first date with Bucky Barnes."
"I hate you," Kurt pouted as he prepared for bed, enacting his moisturising routine until his skin was as flawless as always.
He lay in bed that night, not sleeping, but thinking about Steve. Pepper had texted him saying that they were all back from their mission and found himself breathing easier. He hadn't realised that he was having difficulty with it in the first place, but his huge sigh of relief had him surprised. Of course he was worried, but the Avengers were specialists in fighting.
As he thought about the next time he was going to see Steve, he phone buzzed loudly.
Frowning, but picking it up, he answered coolly. "Hello?"
"Kurt!" Pepper replied. "I know it's late, but you need to get to Stark Tower. Right now. Steve was hurt during his mission and we only just realised he was injured. He's asking for you and won't let us treat him until he sees you."
Kurt gaped and nodded until he realised that Pepper couldn't see him. "Of course! I'll drive over now. Be there in ten. Thanks, Pepper."
Kurt slid his skinny jeans on and threw on a loose jumper before darting past Santana, who was still watching Buffy. "Steve's in trouble. Be back soon," he panted, closing the loft door behind him.
Kurt raced down to the garage where he parked his car and found it empty. There was no cars in the lot and darkness swept over him. Rotating, he looked around for his car, but he couldn't find it anywhere he looked.
"Kurt Hummel," an unfamiliar voice breathed before Kurt's vision was impaired, blackness thick in front of his eyes. He felt ropes bind themselves tightly around his limbs and suddenly he was being lifted in the air, unable to speak or scream. It was Kurt's hell on earth; being taken with no means of letting anybody know where he was. He realised that he had told Santana that he was going to be back soon, so maybe she would realise that he was missing when he didn't.
Kurt heard unintelligible voices mumbling something as a car took him away from everything he knew and far away from Steve when he needed him. He was on his way to see the person he needed the most at this moment in time. Hopefully Pepper would grow concerned that he never made it to Stark Tower.
Either that, or Kurt would be dead.
As his body grew more tired, the latter seemed much more likely to Kurt. He felt his consciousness fading as he stopped thinking, the darkness sending him spiralling into nothing, all within the contents of his own mind.
He sent a rare thought into the Universe, hoping someone would understand it.
Steve, please help me, I need you!
Oh how he hoped someone would find him. The voices blurred into a dull rumble of noises as his mind flickered on and off. Eventually, he fell to sleep, his last waking thought of Steve's embrace, hoping he would feel it engulf him once again.
