I've finished writing this story 3 (it's 6 chapters long), and I have three Glee wips I can now concentrate on: a Harry Potter/Glee crossover, a Kurtbastian and a Kurt/OC. Which one would you like to see first? Comment on this fic or go to my profile for the poll ^^

The accomplished feeling had, sadly, not lasted long at all. Nothing better than Sue Sylvester's training regime to bring one's spirits down, and cause a lot of aches in places that shouldn't ache. The only thing he could think about as he parked his navigator in his house's driveway was to get out of the sweaty Cheerio uniform and eat.

As he risked starving to death because he dedicated a few minutes to an abridged after-shower skin-care routine before getting something to eat, he reflected that it was still worth it to clean up properly in his bathroom rather than the one at school. Male cheerleaders had to use the sports teams' facilities, and Kurt had seen what went on after practices and games, and ewww.

At peace with his choice, he looked through the fridge in his bathrobe and slippers, only to be confronted with an even harder dilemma: he was terribly tempted to order some takeaway. Maybe from that Chinese place… Gaga, he could feel his mouth watering just thinking about it.

His hand was reaching for the cordless when he heard his dad's car pull in right outside. He sighed and opened the freezer to look for the already-seasoned chicken to throw in the instant pot. He could not be bothered doing anything more, but his dad's health was more important than his laziness.

They had already caught each other up on their days and were when on their way to polishing off the last of the chicken before Burt cleared his throat,

"So. How are you doing?" Kurt stopped making a dent in his plate (cheerleading was hard work!), to raise an eyebrow at his parent. The time they had to spend alone had been lacking recently, what with Carol and Finn around, so this must be a prime opportunity to have a little chat.

"Blaine sang me a song. In Glee. I don't think I told you." Burt choked on air.

"What?! Wait, no, I don't know why I'm surprised, you and your friends have always worked that way." Kurt snorted,

"It was awkward, but I've moved on. He will too."

"Good to know, buddy."

"Then, of course, there's prom, the letter from NYADA and not one, but two Nationals. Frankly, I'm thinking I'm handling everything well, but I'll be glad when it'll be over."

"Oh, that I get. I'm proud of you, Kurt. You've always been mature and responsible. I'm sure everything will go great."

Kurt ducked his head as warm feelings coursed through his chest. Yeah, he liked their little chats.

…

But he had honestly not thought they would have another one quite so soon.

Usually, more than a few days went by between one and the next, it was understandable that he'd be surprised when interrupted as he made a mess of his er, reorganized a section of his wardrobe with the explicit goal of making a particular top easier to find.

"Soo, there's gonna be a skirt around here soon?"

"Dad." He dropped his hands and fixed him with a disappointed look, "First, it was a kilt, second, I don't repeat outfits." He messed around with the clothes on his bed and brought up a black vest. "This year's theme is going to be Creative Black Tie. For me, at least. Someone will go dressed as a caveman, or a dinosaur, and I'll pay no attention to it."

"That's great, buddy," Burt passed a hand on his scalp, ignoring the crazy like he'd learned to do when his son had joined Glee club, "But maybe what I'm really trying to ask is if it's you're gonna be ok during prom."

Kurt paused a moment, then left everything down and went to hug his dad.

"Don't worry about me, going stag to a party has never killed anyone. I'll sing and dance with the other Gleeks, because Figgins has refused to pay a band for the second year running, and hope I do not get elected prom queen for the second time in a row!" He stepped back from his dad's warm embrace and went back to his task.

"Frankly, it's a bit of a relief as well. I won't get half as stressed if I'm not trying to coordinate two outfits or spend enough time with my date, the other couples, and my friends. I may just be getting the hang of being single." He said flippantly as he restarted sorting his clothes. Thinking that in just a few months he would be in a completely different situation was crazy. He was already working out which clothes he could sell or donate by the end of the summer. He had tried to push himself to focus on the now, but in a part of his mind, he was already living in New York.

Burt hummed, not convinced by the nonchalant attitude but willing to play along. Kurt smiled at him.

And then it was time.

He submitted to having photos taken with them, but categorically refused to share a car with Finn and Rachel. Kurt took his navigator and was on his way. He met up with a few Glee members by the door who had just gotten there themselves, and they entered together.

Kurt managed to stop from gaping at the sight only by reminding himself how unflattering that would be, and his clothes fit his newly trim figure (thanks cheerleading) too damn well for him to ruin the ensemble. He fixed an aplomb look on his face and went near the punch bowl to mingle after telling his fellow Gleeks that they would catch up later.

Most of his friends were in Glee, but Arianne was both a Cheerio and one of the few people taking AP English with him that actually followed the lesson. That was enough to start a conversation and both were relieved to not be under one of those dinosaur masks that Brittany had conned some of the other Cheerios into wearing. Arianne also happened to tell him that the family of snakes someone from the AV club had snuck in and proceeded to lose all traces of a few weeks back shouldn't be a problem anymore. They laughed, he danced a little as he listened to the other Glee guys and girls sing, then Principal Figgins climbed up the stage and the moment he feared most arrived. He joined all the nominees in front of the band, ready to crown this year's prom royalty - hoping he wouldn't end up Queen for the second time in two years.

As Figgins read Rachel's name, after a completely unnecessary pause that sent his heart to his throat, shock and relief battled inside him. He chose discretion as the better part of valor and restricted himself to smile lightly as he crowned Rachel. McKinley was a strange place.

Mostly, he was just happy he would never have to go through such a nerve-wracking, embarrassment-waiting-to-happen thing again.

High School was almost over and Kurt Hummel was ready for the world.

It was that energy that he brought along as he sang with his Glee friends, feeling freer than he had in a while. Even duetting with Mercedes didn't feel as awkward as it could have been. Regardless of the strangeness of their relationship lately, he and Mercedes had always connected best through singing and fashion.

He was happy they hadn't lost that.