AN: This chapter follows 4.10 "Glee Actually". Please read and review!
Chapter 3
Sebastian and Kurt had made plans for Sebastian to come visit the week leading up to Christmas. Dalton had a longer winter break than most schools because it was a boarding school, and they wanted their students to be able to spend quality time at home. It was the day he was supposed to leave, and Sebastian was practically bouncing with excitement. Things between him and Kurt seemed to be headed somewhere, and for the first time he really wanted to try and make something work with someone. Kurt was special, and Sebastian didn't want to miss his chance. He just wasn't sure if Kurt was ready to start anything so soon after the break up with Blaine.
For his part Kurt was cleaning the loft for what seemed to Rachel like the hundredth time that week. She was in the kitchen area studying while Kurt adjusted the throw pillows on their couch again. "You're going to fluff the fill out of them if you don't stop soon," Rachel said, not even looking up from her textbook. "I can't help it," Kurt replied, "I just want everything to be perfect." Rachel closed her book and walked to the couch, "you must really like him to be this worked up about it," she teased.
Kurt froze. He had feelings for Sebastian freaking Smythe. If you had told him this would happen last year he would have laughed so hard he could have fallen down. "Oh my god," Kurt whispered, "you're right I do like him." It should have freaked Kurt out. Should have caused him to panic, but instead he was kind of excited. Rachel laughed. She probably should have been more worried about it, but everything she knew of their friendship now pointed to things working out. "Just don't have too much fun here alone with him while I'm home for Hanukkah," she teased.
Sebastian was flying into New York that night, and the three of them would be at the loft together for 2 days and then Rachel would be flying to Lime for the end of Hanukkah with her dads. She also knew that Puck would be spending the holiday in Lima, trying to introduce his new brother to their little sister and work out some of the kinks with their new family.
Sebastian's first night in New York had been casual. Rachel had class in the morning and went to bed early, leaving Kurt and Sebastian alone in the main room. "I really am glad you could come visit," Kurt said. Sebastian smiled, "I am too. Sometimes I still can't believe we're friends. I never would have seen this coming." "Me either," Kurt added. The two spent the night watching old Friends reruns and discussing worst Warbler performances.
Two days later Kurt and Sebastian were returning to the loft after dropping Rachel off at the airport. They had decided they wanted to go out that night and had found a dance club not too far from the loft that sounded fun. When they got there, it was clear Sebastian was in his element, but he made sure Kurt didn't fall behind. He took his hand and pulled him towards the bar. Kurt ordered a vodka cranberry and Sebastian had a gin and tonic.
Finally, they decided to hit the dance floor. Sebastian had never thought dancing with a hot guy could be torture, until he danced with Kurt. Kurt looked amazing and it was everything in Sebastian not to touch him. Kurt handled that problem for him though when he grabbed Sebastian's waist and pulled them together. They danced together for the rest of the night.
Back in Lima the Berries had been reunited and Rachel was on her way to Hummel Tires and Lube to meet Puck. Her dads had told her that Noah had moved back from LA to be closer to his mother and sister, but Rachel had a gut feeling that this was more about the brother no one had known about.
When Rachel arrived, Puck was finishing his shift, so she was sitting in the waiting area when Burt came out of his office. "Hi Mr. Hummel," Rachel greeted. Burt smiled at the girl. He had always had a soft spot for Rachel, "Hi Rachel, I was hoping I would see you in New York this week. I'm going to head up and surprise Kurt." Rachel knew Kurt would love to see his dad, but also that maybe she should prepare him for Sebastian. "I'm sure he would love to see you. Sebastian is visiting this week as well, getting a feel for the city before he moves there in the fall." She decided it was best to make sure he knew Kurt wasn't alone without giving Burt too much information, when she wasn't even sure something was going on between them.
Burt knew that Kurt had made a friend out of Sebastian but didn't realize they were close enough for him to visit or stay with his son. He had been planning on surprising Kurt by taking Blaine along, but if Sebastian was there that might not be a very good idea.
After Burt had walked away Puck came out to meet Rachel. He had suggested they go somewhere and so they found themselves at a diner in town. Rachel was drinking coffee while Puck had ordered a burger with fries that he was pretending Rachel wasn't stealing off his plate. They were talking about Puck's move back to Lima from LA. "There's nothing wrong with coming back home Noah. It doesn't make you a failure," Rachel said. Puck looked at her for a long time before responding, "you can't tell me that if you had to come home after being in New York you wouldn't feel like a Lima loser." "I might," Rachel conceded, "but if I was coming back for the right reasons, which you are, I would come back regardless of how it made me feel. And, just because things didn't work out in LA that doesn't mean you have to stay in Lima."
Puck stared at Rachel like she was an alien, "Rach I don't even know what I would do. At least in Lima I can clean pools, work in cars, and be the bad ass sex shark I am." Rachel rolled her eyes, seeing through his excuse immediately, "Noah Puckerman you did not spend all that time after juvie working to pass you classes and be a better man, so you could regress. I simply refuse to believe that pools and sex are all you're good for. And I believe you have two younger siblings, not to mention Beth, who would agree with me. If you are unsure what you should pursue then take this time to figure things out. And I will be here every step of the way to help," Rachel continued, "after all we are both a couple of hot Jews." Puck laughed, appreciating what she had said, "Damn right, my hot little Jewish American princess."
Back in New York, Sebastian and Kurt had woken up after their night dancing in the club. They were in the kitchen area of the loft, Kurt standing cooking breakfast and Sebastian sitting at the table drinking his coffee. Both were feeling a bit awkward about starting a conversation about how they felt about each other. Kurt had just gotten out of a very serious relationship with the only man he had ever been with, and Sebastian had never had any interest in being with one person before. How he felt about Kurt was completely new for him, and he was nervous about doing or saying the wrong thing, especially because they lived in different states.
Finally, Kurt broke the ice, "we need to talk about last night," he started. "I know we have been talking almost every day, and clearly after the club we are both attracted to each other, but I just got out of a relationship." "I completely understand, I am attracted to you Kurt," Sebastian jumped in, "and I like you. A lot. You're sexy and driven and fuck can you dance." Kurt rolled his eyes at this but allowed Sebastian to keep going. "I've never really been in a relationship. I don't want what's between us to be just sex, but I don't know how to be anyone's boyfriend," Sebastian finished.
"I think we should give this time, and as much as I don't want to we should take it slow," Kurt responded. "I just broke up with a guy who cheated on me because we lived to far away, and I'm not saying you would cheat, but I am a little gun shy." Sebastian nodded in understanding, "I agree, but can I try something?" Kurt nodded, and Sebastian stood from his seat at the kitchen table and walked to Kurt. He placed his hands on his hips and looked Kurt in the eye silently seeking permission. Kurt gave him a slight nod, and Sebastian leaned down to kiss him. The kiss was slow and warm and full of emotions that neither was ready to fully express. Kurt had reached up and placed his hand on the back of Sebastian's neck holding him where he was. When they parted both were short of breath and smiling. Sebastian chuckled and said, "Kurt Hummel, you are going to be the death of me."
The two decided to spend the day walking around Columbia, seeing the building Sebastian could be taking classes in the during the upcoming school year. They walked holding hands, but in accordance with taking things slow didn't do anything more. They arrived back at the loft to spend the night in and have a quiet dinner. While Kurt was cooking a knock came to the door and Sebastian went to answer it. He was very surprised to find Burt on the other side. The quiet dinner for two became a dinner for three where Burt got to know more about Sebastian, and Sebastian had a chance to make a new first impression with Burt.
Burt had to admit the kid was impressive. Sebastian had been granted early acceptance to an Ivy League school but the city and wanted to study law to carry on his father's history of helping people. He was fluent in French like Kurt and his mother had been. He was also captain of his school's lacrosse team and enjoyed sports but was very good at keeping Kurt involved in the conversation when the topic came up. Burt had expected to hate him, if only for his behavior during the previous year, but the kid seemed to have learned from his mistakes and grown up.
Sebastian had told Kurt and his dad to go out the next day and spend some time together. He had school assignments to do and didn't mind having the loft to himself to get some work done. Kurt took Burt on a tour of the city, showing him where he worked a Vouge, the restaurants he and Rachel liked, NYADA, and finally Central Park. Burt decided this was the best time to tell Kurt his news. "Hey bud, you mind if we stop for a sec. I actually had something I wanted to talk to you about," Burt started. Kurt immediately knew something was wrong. The pair sat in a nearby bench and Burt decided it would be easier to just tell Kurt right out. "I went to the doctor last week, and some of my tests came back irregular. After some blood work and a few scans, the doctors told me I have prostate cancer."
Kurt could hear the blood rushing through his ears. He felt just like he did when his dad had had a heart attack two years ago. His mind was working overtime thinking about moving back to Lima to take care of him and how quickly he could find a new roommate for Rachel in the loft. Burt could see all of this on Kurt's face and immediately tried to calm his son. "This is not as big of a deal as it sounds. The doctors caught it early and are more than confident that I will be fine." Kurt nodded along letting his dad know he was hearing him. "Carol is going to take great car of me and Finn is around if I need a ride to the hospital or anything like that. You don't need to change anything about what you are doing. I want you to go to NYADA next semester and blow them away, I am going to be fine." Kurt nodded again, hearing his dad, "I think we should head back to the loft."
Burt and Kurt returned with an understanding silence surrounding them. Sebastian was sitting at the kitchen table working on a paper for his AP European History class and looked up in time to see Kurt rush behind his curtain. Burt sat on the couch and turned on the tv finding a game to watch, knowing his son just needed some time. Sebastian stood and followed Kurt behind the curtain to make sure he was okay.
Sebastian found Kurt curled in a ball on one side of the bed and laid down on the other. Without touching him to give him the space he seemed to want he just laid there quietly. After a few minutes Kurt rolled over into Sebastian and let him hold him. Finally, he spoke, "my dad has cancer." Sebastian hummed to acknowledge what Kurt had said but didn't speak knowing he had more to say. "He says he will be fine. That he has Carol and Finn to take care of him at home but he's my dad. I should be there. But he wants me to stay in New York."
Sebastian had on hand stroking Kurt's back and took his hand in the other when he spoke, "I think that's a good thing. If your dad was letting you move home and needed you to take care of him it would mean it's more serious. And even if you don't move home you can still visit and go to doctors' appointments when you can. You can still help take care of your dad." Kurt didn't respond but he knew this moment made him like Sebastian even more than he already did.