AN: A Christmas Gift for you guys! (Even if the holiday they're celebrating in this chapter is Thanksgiving, lol.) \_o_/
–
4
My Number
–
What laid beyond was anticlimactic.
All they saw when they entered through the sliding door separating the tenants from the hallway was Rachel sitting on the couch with her legs draped over Blaine's lap. They were whispering together despite being utterly alone in the room.
"Where's Kurt?" Santana asked, instantly looking for an out of spending any more time with Rachel than absolutely necessary.
"In the kitchen." Rachel waved airily in that direction and Santana bolted in that direction. "Except he's being a drama queen and kicking everyone out of his workspace while he worked on his masterpiece." With that kind of setup, Sebastian half expected Santana to be back out again nearly instantly but the seconds ticked by and she didn't return. Sebastian figured that RachelandBlaine were just in his way.
"Where's everyone else?" Sebastian asked, feeling a bit bereft at having to make conversation with these two. He didn't want to overwhelm Kurt by tripling the occupants in the kitchen so quickly.
"Kurt sent Adam for more wine and beer." Blaine answered. "I brought some but it wasn't the right type, I guess." Sebastian didn't doubt it. "I offered to go back but Kurt shot me down. I guess he feels guilty for being so picky and doesn't want me to feel bad by having to return to the store again and fear messing up."
"Right." Sebastian couldn't keep the dryness out of his tone but thankfully both were too oblivious to hear it or at least ignored it. He and Santana could have stopped, there was no need for Adam to make a separate trip out.
He supposed that's exactly what his father thought too when he found out what the hold up was with the rest of the guests. Kurt's family decided to take a car over here rather than let Kurt pick them up because there was no point in making a round trip, waiting forever in case of a delay, and wasting time that he could be spending on dinner and fretting over it the whole time he was away.
As the seconds ticked into minutes, Sebastian supposed the real reason that Adam went was because he volunteered to be out of the apartment for as long as possible without reinforcements or proper refreshments. Sebastian was ready for a stiff drink already. Maybe he'd figure out which liquor store Adam went to and go help him carry the beverages back. Anything to get away from Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. They were no longer whispering and while they directed their volume at Sebastian, they weren't exactly including him in their conversation.
Sebastian tugged at the collar of his shirt, Santana had forced him into this ridiculous button up and slim cut jeans. Blaine always dressed the same way and so he couldn't decide if he was overdressed, underdressed or appropriately attired. Rachel was difficult to judge by as well. Her clothing looked a bit more stylish and upscale than normal, a little more effort went into her looks. It could just be that Kurt had more time to spend on her this week. Or it could be that she actually put some effort into it because of the holiday. She had a certain image she had to project these days. Maybe it was the fact that someone from a fashion magazine was going to be there that caused her to dress up but attempt to appear as if she didn't put that much thought and effort into her outift and looks. It wouldn't surprise Sebastian if she was being her opportunistic little self. Though surely she'd have met Kurt's favorite boss by now?
He would have to see what Kurt was wearing to figure it out then. He extracted himself from the twins from different families. He stopped dead when he saw Kurt in probably the most laid back outfit he'd ever seen. He was wearing stretchy black pants which had seen better days and an old top and all of it was a bit splattered by food particles and liquid. He looked a little harangued but what got Sebastian was that Santana had an apron on that was clearly Kurt's and helping him out. She was following his directions without a fuss but wasn't given anything too exciting to do. Mostly it was just taking things and moving them around or out of Kurt's way as he put things in the oven or took them out. She covered one food dish to ensure it's heat and placed it into a basket to help with that task for even longer.
Sebastian smirked and leaned against the door jam to watch them. Kurt caught sight of Sebastian leaning there and didn't look startled or put out that he'd been caught in his current state of attire. "If you're going to be in the kitchen, you're going to be helping. I don't have time or the patience for dead weight. Deadweight can drift together out there." He waved toward where Sebastian had just come from and Sebastian knew exactly who Kurt meant.
"What can I do?" Sebastian rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward, ready and willing to do whatever Kurt needed. "You're cute like this, by the way." He swiped a chunk of flour off of Kurt's cheek in a teasing manner. He held back what he really wanted to do or say. Santana was already giving him a disapproving look.
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Comments like that can stay out of here too. It's just a distraction and time suck."
Sebastian chuckled and wiped the flour off on a towel nearby. "Honestly, I'm not all thumbs, I can help." He was given direction and he and Santana worked diligently and helped reduce the amount of time that it would have taken Kurt otherwise.
The sliding door was easy to hear even with other sounds covering it up and Kurt looked a little nonplus at the idea 'real' guests were here while the kitchen was a disaster, while he looked like one too.
"Hey, just me." Adam greeted coming into the kitchen and tipping Kurt's head up to plant a kiss on his mouth. Sebastian could see the residual tension draining out of Kurt. He'd slowly had less and less of it while Sebastian and Santana helped. The fact they were helping at all had put him at more ease and then when they hadn't messed everything up, he'd calmed down some more. Sebastian wished he could be Kurt's Xanax like Adam obviously was. Adam was just an air of calm cool collection and he passed that feeling onto anyone in his vicinity. Even Santana chilled considerably when Adam was around even if she would have flayed him up to be cooked over an open flame if he hadn't been dating Kurt. She thought he was too laid back normally and too nice but he was good for Kurt and so she didn't say a word. She discounted how he affected her as well. Sebastian ignored how Adam put him at ease too. It was hard to like Adam so much when he coveted the guy's boyfriend.
Adam put the beer into the fridge along with a couple of bottles of wine. Then he put the rest of the drinks he'd purchased in their correct spot. Then he hip-checked Kurt. "I've got this Love, go on, get ready for the guests and put on your best host of a party face." Adam winked and Kurt grinned. Before Kurt left, he leaned up to kiss Adam one more time.
"Thank you." He glanced to the other two in the room. "Thank you too. I couldn't have gotten this far without you." Then he disappeared from the kitchen and they didn't see him again for awhile.
No one mentioned the other two right next door while Kurt was gone. There was no point, they were all in agreement. This was also Rachel's party, also Rachel's guests coming over and they all knew she didn't lift a finger to help get anything ready. She might have refrained from getting things dirty or out of place. If Kurt wasn't here, she might have put a little more effort into it. The fact that she knew he was going to be around for the party though meant that she just let him do it all. How much of that was knowing that Kurt would have taken over, was unclear. However what was obviously clear, Rachel had stopped asking if she could help in any way. Kurt had obviously needed some kind of help and didn't appear too choosy the moment they walked in.
Maybe her job was actually to distract Blaine, keep him away from Kurt. In that, she was doing a really good job. Maybe she had volunteered to help and was shot down or shooed away. They couldn't fault her for not asking again with that sort of reaction. Sebastian had hesitated for only a brief second when faced with that version of Kurt. Except he'd seen it before, had known how to handle it after the first time and knew to keep volunteering whenever it looked overwhelming. Not too often to drive Kurt nuts, but enough to let him know that he wasn't in it alone. Sometimes just doing spoke louder to Kurt than asking.
Adam made small talk with the other two as he finished up what Kurt had started. Sebastian doubted what a British boy could do with food. Sebastian was a bit of a food snob and found very little up to his level of taste, not that he was willing to cook much himself. Kurt matched his standards in what he'd tried so far. He'd never tried anything Adam made but Kurt let him take over, so he probably wasn't terrible in the kitchen and had a deft hand. Still, Sebastian watched, he couldn't have a French Maman without learning a thing or two about appropriate movements in a kitchen with any given food item.
Adam plated food and placed it in servicing dishes and covered them all very effectively and efficiently.
Santana beat him to the comment. "Maybe you should be the one who made Thanksgiving dinner today, not Kurt." He definitely seemed a lot calmer in the kitchen.
"Bite your tongue, that's blasphemy around here." Adam scolded her with a spatula in her face, then he grinned and handed it to her to lick off. He was done with it. She took it with a smirk of her own, they all knew not to step on Kurt's toes in the kitchen.
"He's probably glad that he can rely on you to cook when he's not feeling it."
"Cook, not bake." Adam agreed with a grin tossed Sebastian's way. He really had no idea or ill feelings toward Sebastian. "Though I have to say he taught me pretty everything I know in the kitchen. I thought I knew about food but he taught me that I was overcooking pretty much everything or undercooking it in some cases. Baking is still his forte, there are a few dishes that require years of experience and knowledge and skill that I just won't be able to master even with the same amount of time."
"So you cook and he bakes. Sounds like a fair trade."
"I'd rather someone in this relationship likes to clean." Kurt said coming back in and wrapping an arm around Adam's waist.
"You like to clean." Sebastian pointed out.
"I like a clean house, there's a difference." Kurt tossed back. "I don't like doing the dishes the most for some reason." He glanced around the kitchen. "I wish I knew where I could add a dishwasher. I'd totally pay for it."
Sebastian placed that knowledge firmly in a folder marked 'future'. He didn't know what he'd do with that yet, but knew it would be important again.
"This place has never had a single dust mite on any surface." Santana added, she knew because she snooped and had been shocked at just how squeaky clean everything was around here, even Rachel's room. Where did either of them have the time?
Sebastian had heard all about it and he'd chastened her for snooping. He couldn't help but agree with her though. He'd noticed that himself the few times he'd been over. Santana and him liked a tidy apartment but they weren't neurotics about cleaning, there were definitely areas they could improve on. Rachel despite her lack of help today must also be a clean freak. Blaine was a complete slob though, he'd learned that about Blaine back in high school. He had no idea about Adam. There wasn't much that Sebastian could point to and know it was Adam's or had to do with him. Hell, Blaine had more stuff here and more things marked with his personality around the premise.
"I'll do the dishes later." Adam promised with a press of his lips on top of Kurt's head.
Kurt shook his head. "You're a guest."
"I'm the boyfriend." Adam corrected. "Guest went out the door a long time ago. And you did all of this for us, someone else should step in for help with cleanup."
"Rachel will, she's just distracted by Blaine right now. When he's not here she's actually pretty good about getting things put together and cleaned up afterward. We're always the two cleaning up houses when the party's over. We've always done that together." There was an affectionate smile gracing Kurt's lips and for the first time Sebastian could start to understand what power Rachel had over Kurt and why they were friends at all to begin with, much less still friends. It was nice to learn that it wasn't all purely because they knew each other in the past and they were just clinging onto that. It was even nicer to learn that it wasn't just a one sided friendship and that Rachel pulled her weight sometimes.
Sebastian shook his head at how protective he was being of Kurt. Kurt was strong and independent, yet still people were just naturally protective of him. Maybe it's because they all just cared about him so much. People were protective of those they cared about and as long as they cared, they were protective no matter how much they could handle things themselves. It's just what you did. Santana was another prime example of someone who could more than handle herself and yet Sebastian was protective of her and didn't see that ever changing.
Kurt sighed, drawing Sebastian's attention. "Food's done, now we're just waiting on everyone to arrive. Isabelle had to cancel, an emergency popped up at work. She said it was unlikely that she could swing by after, it looked like it was going to take awhile and that I should not come help."
Sebastian supposed that didn't help with his anxiety, a quick change in seating arrangements and guests and worrying about Isabelle and what was happening at Vogue.
Kurt changed the oven's temperature to keep the food warm and moved a few dishes that were at risk of cooling off too quickly back into it. He bunched up the rest of them to help them keep heat by being near the others.
"Let's start opening up drinks." Adam suggested and Sebastian agreed with him, hoping it would help take the edge off. Rachel and Blaine were already drinking.
"Ok." Kurt took another deep breath and reminded himself internally that things would go ok and according to plan. It was easy to see those thoughts run right through Kurt's entire being before he accepted the proffered drink. "The red should have some time to breathe anyway." He took a sip as Santana took it upon herself to be the one opening the red he pointed out. She wanted to be helpful in some way.
The four of them headed back into the main room, the table was already set and looked gorgeous. He didn't know they could get that many people in here around a table. He counted the spaces and counted them again. Rachel's dads were coming, Kurt's dad, his wife and her son and two tag-alongs from back home and the 6 of them. That was 13 spots needed but there were 15, even if it hadn't been changed to account for Isabelle, the number was still off.
"Who else is coming?" Sebastian asked, more didn't really make a huge difference to him but he just wasn't expecting it.
"Dani and Elliott." Santana answered for Kurt and Sebastian's head snapped toward her. "Kurt asked if it was ok, they had nowhere else to go. I don't mind, you don't either." Santana held his eyes firmly and he sighed.
"Yeah, I don't mind." Sebastian mumbled and went to perch on the arm of a chair that Santana sank into. "As long as you really don't mind."
"She and I had a rough breakup but we're doing ok now. We share custody of Kurt and we're working on being amicable to ensure he doesn't have to choose between us."
"Who's Elliott?" Sebastian side-stepped that dicey situation.
"Their newest find." Santana answered with a bemused smile. "He's like a puppy in some ways. He answered their ad for a lead vocalist who just wants to mess around at dive bars."
"Please tell me that's not how they worded it." Sebastian was suddenly very concerned for Kurt and Dani's safety.
"Close enough." Rachel rolled her eyes, catching on to what they were talking about. "Don't worry, I've vetted him, he's cool and totally not a creep."
"I'm very reassured by your assessment, Rachel." Sebastian's eyes slid to her seatmate and let it hang there. She was completely oblivious to what he meant. Though, he supposed calling Blaine a creep was a little too far. Blaine was just an attention hog and clingy. If you looked up narcissist in the online dictionary, Sebastian would post Blaine's picture next to it if he could find it in himself to bother going through the hassle.
Adam cleared his throat. "No, he's cool. He's like Kurt but on steroids."
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Wow, everyone, don't trip over yourselves in patting yourselves on the back with having the best opinion. Nor believe that I know what I'm doing and can read people enough to know whether or not they're safe or ask me for my thoughts on the matter since he's now my band mate."
A few strangled chuckles went through the room as they were properly put in their place for talking for him like that.
Dani and Elliott arrived together a few minutes later. She had a bashful smile on her face when she walked in, unsure how everyone would view her arrival. She brought Elliott because he didn't know where they lived but it was more as a cover so she didn't have to come in alone. She and Kurt hugged each other and chatted animatedly for a few seconds before she linked arms with him and they introduced Elliott to the group.
Sebastian just stared as the taller boy greeted everyone. Sebastian was somewhere between salivating over him and annoyed all the way down to his bones. It was instantly clear to him why everyone was saying that he was just Kurt cranked up to the max and yet Kurt wasn't a pale version of this guy. The ways they mimicked each other were only a small part of each of them.
Sebastian nearly snickered at himself for that thought, because Kurt was always going to be a pale version of someone else. Elliott was working on being viewed as a pale character too but his was just because of lack of sun, he'd probably develop a deep tan if he spent significant time out there. Kurt would just burn.
Sebastian soaked in as much as he could about Elliott. He was soft spoken and honestly a bit shy and awkward even though he presented himself as confident and bold. It was a refreshing mix. He wasn't afraid to go after what he wanted but he wasn't sure how to interact with it beyond what he'd pre-scripted when he did finally have it. Kurt was never at a loss for words or how to maneuver through a situation. Sometimes he got so angry it took him a moment or was shocked but he'd always find his voice again and know exactly what he wanted to say, whether or not he meant it or should say it.
He seemed kind and Sebastian didn't realize how much of an attractive quality that was until now.
Santana dug her nails into his thigh when she noticed him watching Elliott. "Not today, please."
Sebastian glanced down at her and saw that she was looking away from Dani whenever she came into sight. So not as ok with it as she said she was. He never did get the details of the break up, he'd just assumed Santana had gotten bored. It probably didn't help that Dani hadn't strayed far from Kurt's side since arriving.
"Ok." Sebastian squeezed her hand. He could do that for her. He thought Blaine would latch onto Elliott instantly but Sebastian's eyes widened when he realized Blaine was glaring daggers at the newcomer."Have they met before?"
"No idea." Santana shrugged and attempted to find a way to start a different conversation without appearing rude. She didn't want to include half of the occupants but would have to put up with their input whether she wanted to or not. It wasn't usually this difficult.
"There's no reason for him to be so upset."
"Bas, babe, you're not the only one with long lasting designs on Kurt. Blaine thinks he's in love with Kurt and until he has the opportunity to share those feelings where Kurt's in a position to respond freely, he's going to harbor them and feed them until their fat and disfigured."
Sebastian nearly gagged at the image. "I'm not doing that, am I?"
Santana shook her head. "Not like that. You don't behave like a possessive jealous asshat because another boy shares Kurt's time or attention."
A perfectly reasonable description for Blaine. "Even more of a reason to turn his attention onto Elliott." He certainly had in some ways. For one, Elliott was available and reminded everyone of Kurt in some ways. He wanted to see how far those similarities ran because he already could discount a lot of ways they just appeared similar but in truth were far from the same. For as much as he had a similar personality to Kurt, his looks were far different and wouldn't encourage comparisons.
The fact that he was tall and gorgeous didn't hurt either. And that he was out and proud to be out also fit some of what Sebastian had been looking for recently.
He was trying to think of a way to start a discussion with Elliott without it coming out too strong. He could see that it wouldn't work with Elliott, and especially not in this crowd. He also knew Santana would flay him if he attempted to hook up with the tall dark haired chap. He smirked as he envisioned her trying. Still though, he was friends with Kurt and he had to be careful there.
Any plans to engage in conversation with Elliott were derailed when suddenly the door opened and three male bodies toppled through followed by a warm but stern looking middle-aged woman and a portly balding man also in middle-age. Then two distinguished older gentlemen followed behind.
He already figured out the dynamics before Rachel squealed and launched herself across the room at the older men. They hugged her with a strange mix of warmth and remoteness, almost as if they were fighting their instincts to appear a certain way even though no one around here were even close to their caliber, except maybe Kurt but Kurt was in a stratosphere of his own. Sebastian supposed he knew others like them but they wouldn't even feign warmth much less try to tap it down.
Kurt disentangled himself from Dani and moved quickly across the room to greet his tangle of family members. He looked like he was zeroing in on his father when he was surrounded by arms. Sebastian nearly choked with trying to contain his laughter as it looked like Kurt was about swallowed up. He glanced over at Adam who only watched with affection. Blaine looked like a child that had his favorite toy put on a high shelf and told not to play with it. Elliott looked mostly curious but also a hint of worry flickered through as he was swamped by a gaggle of boys so much bigger than Kurt.
No one though moved to Kurt's rescue. Eventually though the portly man reached into the fray and pulled him into his own arms for a proper hello. Kurt hugged him back tightly and Sebastian couldn't keep the smile off his face at the sight. He was glad there was such a strong relationship between child and parent and he was a little sad that he was missing it himself today.
Kurt reached out an arm from his embrace to wave toward them and Sebastian nearly stood up to join them but Santana's hand reminded him that it wasn't his place. Adam moved toward them at a fair pace, trying not to look overeager but also not disconnected or disinterested. Kurt hugged the sole woman of the group and then wrapped his arm around Adam's waist and introduced him to his family. The woman hugged Adam, Kurt's father held out his hand and they shook and the other boys eyed him up, weighing him against what they expected for Kurt. Sebastian hoped they found him lacking.
Now that they weren't in a heap together, Sebastian could see them more clearly as individuals. One of the boys looked particularly tough in his leather jacket and shaved head. Sebastian half expected a Mohawk, overplayed and childish on a twenty-something year old. It was so dated and it would have made him look less intimidating. As it was, the tattoo on his neck, starting at his jaw and sliding along the side of his neck until it disappeared across his shoulder and under his jacket was drawn into question. At this distance and with part of it covered up, Sebastian wasn't sure what it was. What it was may or may not sway the jury of one.
No matter what it was though, in 40 years, that would be outdated too and he'd just look somewhat dumb.
This one seemed the most reticent about Adam's presence in Kurt's life. He looked Adam over blatantly and crossed his arms over his chest when Adam reached out to shake his hand. The giant next to him elbowed him in the side and gestured toward the two of them. The 'bad boy' of the group looked at the giant and then to Kurt and his shoulders slumped and he shook Adam's hand.
Sebastian couldn't hear what was being said but knew what was being communicated from just watching them. Then the boy grabbed Kurt and hauled him in for a hug which seemed kind of opposed to his perceived personality. He held Kurt in that hug for a good long while while squeezing him tight. Sebastian almost said something along the lines that this boy was trying to squeeze the life out of Kurt.
Meanwhile both the giant and the blond made their introductions. Kurt extracted himself from the tough looking guy and linked his hand with Adam's and gestured to the rest of them.
The group made their way over and met the New York crew. Sebastian was a little stumped by this mismatched rag-team. The tough looking one, that Sebastian learned was named Puck instantly started hitting on Santana. He would prove that hints and direct explanation of why it wouldn't work in his favor would go over his head all night. It had to be that he blatantly didn't care or was trying to prove her wrong. Sebastian might have had an issue with that if Santana hadn't flirted right back with him all night, encouraging him to stroke her ego since nothing else would be.
He even sat next to her at dinner, which gave Sebastian an in to sit next to Elliott. Blaine didn't priss out on the rest of the guests like he had earlier. He sidled up next to the blond – Sam – and flirted with him all night long. The blond looked a tad uncomfortable but flattered too. Sebastian thought about warning Sam but Kurt had only glanced at the two, rolled his eyes and chatted animatedly with those nearest him.
Sebastian tried hard to focus on Elliott. He wanted to find out what he looked like naked and then some. His eyes kept flickering back over to Kurt though. He'd seen Kurt excited before but never quite this alive. He really liked his family and even Rachel was a bit more docile than normal as her fathers kept her more ostentatious behavior in check.
His eyes weren't the only ones that slid over to Kurt whenever they could. Sebastian kept having to stamp down his irrational reactions to Elliott also liking Kurt. He didn't know it for sure even though it seemed like a pretty strong bet. Elliott was different from guys he'd met before. It took a few tries but eventually he'd won Elliott's attention and kept it. His attention was captured in return without him even realizing it for a very long time.
Dinner passed without incident and was actually very, very nice. Everyone got along and nobody was in a hurry to move away from the dinner table. Eventually they started shifting and stretching their legs and moving toward the living room. They shared the load of picking up the dishes and leftovers and boxing them up. Kurt eventually shooed most out of the kitchen and Sebastian noticed he wasn't alone in starting to roll or push up sleeves to help with the dishes.
Carole put a hand on both his and Elliott's arms and nodded toward the living room. "This is my turf, boys, out." Neither of them moved, unsure and still wanting to help Kurt out. However, when Carole went up to the sink she hip checked Kurt over to drying duty and the two shared a look and a laugh and blocked the world out. They understood it now, this was an activity those two did together, a way for step-family to bond and the warmth and love shared between them showed that it had obviously worked.
Elliott nodded toward the living room and Sebastian grabbed the bottle of red that he and Elliott had enjoyed the most and went out to join the rest of the party. Adam had spent most of dinner sitting next to Kurt and talking to Finn across from him. Now Adam and Burt were trying to find something to connect over. Sebastian nearly snickered at the two and thought about going over to be their intermediary or interpreter.
Deciding against it, that was Kurt's job, he guided Elliott over to a little more private nook. Sam joined up with the other boys he came with and Santana was in her element as Sam joined in an attempt to flirt with her. She winked at Sebastian when she caught his eye and played into it. Dani looked a little lost, she was not going to join any of the groups that had formed, except maybe Burt and Adam's or maybe even Sebastian and Elliott but knew it wasn't her place to join any of them at the moment. They all had clear goals in mind and everyone else around them respected them.
She disappeared back into the kitchen to help put the dishes away, Sebastian supposed as he watched her slip in. She probably wouldn't ruin anything in there, maybe bond a bit with Carole too. It was probably the wisest choice.
Sebastian did his best to ignore Blaine's renewed prissy attitude as he glared at him and Elliott getting cozier. Why was Blaine annoyed at them getting together? His sights were set on Kurt, right? Or was he still harboring some feelings for Sebastian? He'd certainly hadn't felt that way when he thought Sam was a possible contender. Maybe he was interested in Elliott too and he was just annoyed that he had to choose which boy to chase rather than have them all fall at his feet?
Sebastian topped Elliott's glass off and tried to block out the others around them, especially Burt and Adam's conversation. It was going as well as he had suspected and he felt a little guilty for not helping to smooth things over. Dani hadn't belonged there but he wouldn't have felt at odd joining them and it probably wouldn't have been.
Those two would probably get on amazingly well if they could find a way to communicate. Adam was a really chill, laid back guy who was plain spoken and went out to find opportunities to succeed but didn't chase it with a single-minded determination. He just felt like the right things would fall in his lap when he showed them what he could. He didn't fight or try to convince in other ways, just relying on his talent. He complimented those he felt like deserved it without hesitation and he complimented Kurt rightfully often. He really cared for Burt's son.
The small amount he'd seen Burt today told him that would be the biggest selling factor for Burt. Burt was also simple and plain spoken but didn't speak all that much in the grand scheme of things. Burt cared about family, his shop and football and in that order.
There was something niggling at the back of Sebastian's brain because that wasn't completely right. There was something he was missing or forgetting.
Elliott cleared his throat and added more wine to Sebastian's glass as well, catching Sebastian's gaze on the two men alone across the room. There was nothing to be concerned or jealous about, he probably had no idea why Sebastian was looking that way. "He's pretty amazing, isn't he?"
"Adam?" Sebastian regarded Elliott with new eyes, wondering if it had been Adam, Elliott's eyes had lingered on during dinner.
Elliott laughed and shook his head. "I mean, I'm sure he's quite someone too, but I was actually talking about Mr. Hummel senior."
"Why do you say that?" Sebastian's confusion was clear on his face because he didn't do anything to school it.
"Really?" Elliott's eyes grew and looked Sebastian over with new regard in return. "I thought you were from Ohio."
"Unfortunately for all too long in my formative years, yes." Sebastian scowled at the memory of being shucked off to the armpit of America after living it up for his middle years in Paris but at least the private school had been fun. "Then an unfortunate boarding school for a year." That had been less fun. For an all boys' school, it was ridiculously low on gay boys or ones who wanted to experiment.
"You really don't recognize the name Burt Hummel?"
"Other than as Kurt's father, no, why?" That wasn't entirely true, it did ring a chord but he wasn't sure why.
"Congressman Hummel." Elliott stated plainly, hoping that would trigger something and Sebastian's eyes widened.
"How have I known Kurt for as long as I have and have not registered that?" Elliott shrugged helplessly when Sebastian started putting the pieces together. "How long have you known?"
Elliott looked a bit embarrassed by the question and Sebastian's eyes sharpened on Elliott's face, wondering if that was why Elliott spent time with Kurt. Defensive feelings started to overcome Sebastian, ready to kick Elliott out and convince Kurt to never associate with him. He tried to calm himself down, Elliott hadn't even spoken with Burt yet. He was probably jumping to conclusions.
It did put a new light on all sorts of things though. Sebastian felt his gut roll, which didn't feel so good after all the delicious food he ate, more than he'd planned. Kurt lived here as the congressman's son, this place suddenly seemed a hundred times more seedy. Why didn't Kurt have a bodyguard or better living conditions? Kurt was working three jobs while attending school. Couldn't Burt help out at all? Though he supposed he appeared to have 4 other people he supported, though Carole helped with that too.
"I've known for awhile." Elliott finally answered. "It's not what drew me to him, his ad did that. I only wanted to be part of his band, it sounded unique and fun." Elliott tried to smile but it fell quickly unsure how Sebastian was feeling at the moment. "I only figured it out after I met him at the diner and we'd already agreed to give our trio a try."
"Hmm..." It was new information that Sebastian would have to consider carefully. In the meantime he turned the charm back on. His plans for Elliott hadn't changed, not in that base sense at any rate.
He wondered if anyone else knew Kurt was a congressman's son in their group that had met since coming to New York.
Eventually, Rachel's dads made their way over to join Adam and Burt. Adam looked grateful to have an excuse to slip away and also disappeared into the kitchen. They were spending a lot of time in there. Sebastian was starting to get worried and spied their empty bottle as a perfect excuse to snoop. He tossed Elliott a reassuring sexy smile and headed off with plans to return as soon as he got some answers.
"What happened to Brody?" Carole asked as Sebastian stepped up to the doorway.
"Rachel drove him away." Dani snickered. "It was only a matter of time."
Sebastian slipped into the kitchen so Elliott wouldn't wonder what he was doing but tried not to get noticed by the others. "That's not what happened." Kurt shook his head. "I think those two would have gone the distance, actually."
Sebastian assessed the four in the kitchen. Adam and Dani had both known Brody but Carole had known of him at least but today was the first time Adam was meeting Kurt's family? It didn't exactly make sense. Sebastian had known of Kurt's existence for about a year now and Adam and he had been dating since before then. Did they not come up last year or did Adam not get an invite? It would be really weird if they met Brody but not Adam.
"How naïve." Dani scoffed. "I expected something like that out of Adam, not you."
"I know Rachel pretty well, better than you. I'd gotten to know Brody well too." Kurt gave a small shake of his shoulders. "We kind of bonded quickly, you know? Things like that will do that. I'm not sure what drove Brody away but it wasn't Rachel. She was heartbroken and I was gutted. He broke everything off with all of us without much of a reason and then it was complete radio silence from him and after he graduated he moved away. Such a waste."
Sebastian had never thought about how Santana's actions with the gigolo would have effected Kurt. And had her outing him really caused him to give up his dreams that he was selling himself for? There had to be more to that part of the story. This was New York, they'd forgive so much worse than that.
"I wouldn't feel too badly for him." Dani had definitely picked up some of Santana's cynicism. She'd been kind of hard yet sweet before but a lot of that softness was chipping away. Maybe it was just the situation they were in, being confronted by her ex and her getting a lot of male attention. Though she had to have known Santana would be here. "He moved to California and is doing pretty well for himself out there."
Sebastian grabbed a bottle of red once he realized they were out of his personal preference and slipped away quietly. He had his curiosity satisfied, they were hanging out in the kitchen to chat privately. There was nothing wrong, they were just chilling after finishing with the work. They'd probably be out soon. Still, the answers he'd gotten only led to more questions. What had Kurt and Brody bonded over so quickly?
No matter how much he got to know Kurt, there always seemed to be more stories he hadn't heard. He tried to push it to the back of his thoughts or out of his mind completely. He had a seduction to commence. It wouldn't usually take him this long but he had to be careful in this setting and Elliott wasn't exactly going to fall for the same tricks.
Blaine was sitting in Sebastian's seat before he came out of the kitchen. Sebastian scowled a little as Elliott laughed at something Blaine said. Yeah, that answered a few questions. Blaine didn't like someone else getting the male attention he thought he deserved. It was so simple but Sebastian was secretly glad it wasn't something else.
Elliott made room for Sebastian when he saw him return, a grateful smile crossing his lips. Oh, so Elliott had only been humoring Blaine. That was good to know.
Blaine stayed and kept trying to compete with Sebastian for Elliott's attention but it soon became obvious who was better equipped at doing so subtly. Elliott even turned his back on Blaine at one point to talk more with Sebastian.
Carole came out with Kurt while Dani and Adam stayed back in the kitchen for a little while longer. Soon though everyone was in the living room and Adam had his arm around Kurt again. Sebastian eyed them from the corner of his eye, taking note that they never really did a lot more than that in public. It was always an arm around the back of Kurt's chair or his shoulders or waist and maybe a chase kiss on the cheek, top of head or lips to lips but nothing ever passionate or claiming. They were short several chairs and Carole sat on Burt's knee, waving away the suggestion that she have someone else's spot. Burt looked entirely too comfortable with their old person cuddles as he kept her anchored with an arm around her hips.
Santana was draped over Sam's lap while Puck looked putout and Sam looked pleased to have gotten the final attention of the girl that was basically unattainable. Puck offered Dani his lap and she turned her nose up at him, choosing instead to sit on the floor. Kurt and Adam joined her on the floor but they didn't snuggle or indicate they were much of a couple at all, much less an intimate one for the last year to two.
Sebastian would have had Kurt between his legs at the very least. Kurt's back would have rested on his chest and his arm wrapped low on Kurt's waist or into hip region. They'd act as each other's support. Or if they didn't want to be that obvious or wanted to move around a bit, then back to back. Maybe Kurt on his lap or sitting sideways across his thighs. Maybe even knee to knee whether looking at each other dead on or next to each other. Kurt and Adam weren't even touching as they sat cross-legged on the ground with Dani. It appeared more like Dani was between them rather than in a mini-circle.
Even Rachel appeared far more in a relationship with Blaine as she sank to the ground in front of his legs and used them as a back support. Sebastian imagined all the different positions he could be in with Kurt if the roles were changed.
Elliott shifted at his side to give Rachel a bit more room, or maybe a wider berth, and that pushed his thigh up against the length of Sebastian's. It reminded Sebastian that he shouldn't be worrying about what he would do if he were with Kurt when he had a very warm body next to him. A body that was putting out a lot more vibes to the room for Sebastian than the actual couple hosting.
"Let's play a game!" Finn tossed into the room and it was greeted with silence for a very long hanging moment.
It was Elliott who had the heart to give him what he wanted. "What kind of game?" He glanced at the older couples in the room, trying to remind Finn subtly that they had a mixed group.
Finn suggested a few ice breaker games that were quite fun. It included having someone answer at the same time as someone else who the card reader put together and see how similar their answers were. They got points for the exact same answers.
Sebastian watched Burt watch the room, paying particularly close attention to whenever Kurt was paired up with someone else. There were some obvious ones that got a few items the same as Kurt but varied widely with some topics. It didn't seem to matter how long they'd known each other. Even Burt and Kurt and Rachel's dads didn't answer the same for all questions lobbied at them.
Burt and Carole did pretty well, they were on very similar pages. Elliott and Kurt got a few of the same answers. Sebastian and Elliott got about the same number as Elliott and Kurt but it wasn't exactly a great showing. Elliot and Blaine only got one point between them. Santana and Kurt got nearly a perfect score.
Annoyingly the only perfect score was Kurt and Blaine. He did well with a few others, but that had been the best of the night. They were perfectly in sync.
Adam frowned a little as he also picked up on that.
It visually annoyed Santana that her best pairing had been with Puck. They'd gotten the most answers the same of all the people either had been paired up with. They were far too much on the same wavelength. They didn't necessarily have answers that made sense to anyone else but they said the same thing the other one did on the spot without any time to think about it. One time they were asked who was a first lady in the last century and they both said Jessica Simpson. They were asked about why they said that and both admitted they were thinking of first wives. It still counted. It counted because they said the same thing even if it was completely wrong.
Sebastian and Blaine did not get many of the same answers, thankfully. When he and Santana got paired together they gamed the system which disqualified them as a partnership, answering every question with the same rehearsed answer. They probably would have done very well together but it was so inline with their personalities and with them being together on it that it also fit.
Adam got paired up with Burt and they didn't have a single matching answer. It was a fact that nobody missed but really shouldn't have mattered. They were all quick to move on. Puck and Finn did well together, obviously. Sam and Carole matched on a lot of answers too. A few people that had just met today but hadn't a chance to talk much yet also had a mixed amount of answers similar. Some things were just timeless and expected for the other to know/like. LeRoy and Blaine just didn't jive at all but LeRoy and Elliott did a lot better together while Hiram and Blaine had a bit more in common but they were pretty low on similar answers.
Sebastian was watching and listening and learning what kind of keyed everyone in to their answers, whether they were paying some kind attention or not or way too much attention. He was learning what words would tick boxes in people's heads and was prepared to win the most similar answers as others. He'd know that it wasn't true, that he was just good at reading people. Maybe he could even match every answer with Kurt and show him- Sebastian stopped that thought as Elliott said something that was funny. It was a quiet laugh to match the quiet observation. His efforts were directed towards another guy and he was pretty witty in an understated way.
They didn't get a chance to pair everyone up with everyone else at least once. There were a lot of remaining combination that were promising to be fascinating. Some of the dissimilar answers were more interesting than the similar ones. Rachel and Santana just crashed and burned and started arguing over why their answers were the right answers and how the other one was just dumb.
The game ended there.
Sebastian wondered how Kurt and his 'brother' would have done paired up together. Puck and Kurt hadn't been as dissimilar as he thought they'd be, getting about half the questions the same. They didn't see how Sam paired up with Kurt either. Sebastian had a feeling that would be a sleeper hit.
Rachel being one of the most enthusiastic theater majors of the group clapped her hands when things settled down again. She suggested doing a different kind of exercise which had them basically popcorning into new parts of the room and with new people, people they might not have gone out of their way to talk to. They all humored her, even Sebastian and Santana since everyone else was.
Puck rolled his eyes and said something to Finn who laughed loudly but no one else was in on the joke. It was easy to make assumptions though on what it could be about and the kindness attached to them. It was probably close enough to how he and Santana felt.
It's how he ended up talking to Puck and Sebastian closed his eyes at the most inane 4 minutes of his life. Puck spoke about his motorcycle and it was so cliché that Sebastian tuned everything else he was rambling out. The bad boy had a motorcycle, wow, so original.
Blaine and Burt seemed to be getting on well. He caught Adam looking over at them with a frown. It was never good for the stalker of the boy you were dating to get on so well with said boy's dad while you didn't. Adam pulled his shoulders back and was determined to try even harder. Sebastian watched the play of emotions cross Adam's face and rolled his own eyes. It was the wrong move. Kurt wasn't overly concerned about getting the two on the same page, he didn't like Blaine, not even a little. He only tolerated Blaine because he was such good friends with Rachel, his own self-proclaimed bestie. He was being sidelined a lot for him though.
To play the jealous card now would be such a mistake. Sebastian looked away, he wasn't going to interrupt that particular trainwreck.
Sebastian did wonder though about what Blaine was saying to Burt to get him to smile and laugh like that. Burt warmed up so much to Blaine that it was a mind puzzle. He did not think those two would get on at all. All indicators pointed that way.
Their four minutes were up, why four minutes? Sebastian didn't know, it was Rachel's crackpot idea. They moved around the room again in the way Rachel instructed and ended up in new corners with new partners. Sam was at least hot in a way Sebastian appreciated. Puck had his charms and everything but he could see why Santana had picked Sam over Puck. His impressions were horrible but at least he tried to be funny and switch things up. It wasn't exactly the most entertaining but it was certainly different. Sebastian's attention only started waning about three minutes in.
Rachel's way of moving about the room got increasingly insane and Sebastian drew a line as everyone started walking bent over with arms swinging wide. Santana perched on a seat next to him while everyone else seemed to still be humoring her. He could see the cracks forming, especially as they saw others refuse to do so. Puck started to walk like that but then ended up halfway through calling in the towel and went to sag down into one of the chairs, stretching out as if he were the cool trend setter that didn't care about anyone else's opinions. He obviously cared and it was a bit too late to try and show otherwise.
He grabbed the back of Kurt's shirt and pulled him onto his leg when Kurt walked by. Santana stepped forward, knowing that Kurt was going to cut Puck into ribbons and then Puck would likely physically swing back. Except Kurt just laughed and settled in, chatting silently with Puck while the others paired off again. He did chasten Puck for potentially damaging his clothing but both rolled with it and laughed it off.
Santana settled but glared at the shaved head. Kurt had known him for awhile, it was incredibly clear and they had a rapport no one had expected. Kurt liked him enough to let him come to New York for Thanksgiving and into his sacred space. They should have known better.
The 'adults' tapped out next, their bodies not used to contorting in such ways for long, then Finn and Elliott. All that remained for a brief moment before they realized they were alone were the theater majors. Then they gave it a rest too after having a mini-battle amongst themselves to see who could get themselves into the weirdest poses. There was a sound of humor from them and then they split off into two groups.
Adam brushed his hand along Kurt's back as he passed by. He had no interest in interrupting Kurt's conversation with Puck. He angled himself toward Finn and Sam, hoping to form allies.
Burt and Carole stopped next to Santana and Sebastian. Burt cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly. How was this man a congressman with social skills like this? Maybe if he had a platform to defend he was all charm? "So... how do you know Kurt? Do you work with him at Vogue dot com?"
"In what capacity?" Santana batted her lashes at Burt which somehow worked, she secured pretty quickly a wry humorous spot in his heart. He warmed to her quickly and they bantered back and forth. Sebastian supposed it was the pretty face but Santana was also quick and witty and a charmer when she wanted to be.
"I was thinking as one of the models?" Burt looked unsure when he responded and she grinned broadly.
Sebastian also felt a little touched if he meant that they both looked like models. Santana certainly could be in some ways but she was too short, way too short.
"I actually worked with him at the diner for awhile." Santana explained. "I quit some time ago."
"It's not the best place to work." Burt nodded his approval for her move. "Some of the things that Kurt's said goes on there- yikes. You were smart to quit." Burt looked toward Kurt with those words, lifting a brow to contradict him, or better- to announce that he'd also quit. Kurt, Puck and several others moved in to join them and made a fairly big group. Only Rachel's dads, Rachel, Blaine and Elliott stayed off to the side in a different conversation.
"I get to sing there, dad." Kurt reminded his father. "And it's about the only time that I get to spend with Rachel on a consistent basis."
"You live with Rachel and are in a band with Dani and... um..." Burt frowned for a second, he'd met a lot of people tonight and this one was new in his life. Sebastian wondered if Kurt had ever mentioned him to his dad before. "Elliott." He found the name on his own and Sebastian was mildly impressed that he had, there was that politician that Elliott had mentioned finally shining through. "Besides, you do that karaoke thing with Adam, Blaine and Rachel like once a week."
"Callbacks, yeah, but that's their school's bar. I'm just humored as the amateur having fun when everyone knows everyone else is serious and looking for work in the field."
"How many people, honestly, have gotten work through Callbacks or at Spotlight Diner?" Burt asked.
Kurt shrugged. "Don't know, but then again, I'm not actually looking for work and the polyester uniform is so not my thing, and I'd be embarrassed if anyone from Vogue Dot Com saw me in it. At least I make it work and look good in it while doing so. If it was any worse, I'd have quit on the spot, but the colors and the blocking aren't terrible. It's an income."
"You're spending whatever money you make on the band that you also have no plans to take anywhere. Honestly, what are you doing, Kurt? I'd be all support if I knew you were going after a music career of some sort, but you're going to school for fashion."
This sounded like an argument they'd had many times and Burt probably hadn't intended to bring it up today of all days but with those surrounding him couldn't keep it from his thoughts and out of his mouth. Sebastian saw even more similarities between the two the longer he spent time with them. Good intentions only lasted so long when confronted with what they were worried about.
Adam stepped in to defend Kurt. Sebastian watched, thinking this would blow up in his face too. "It's a hobby, sir. Kurt is interested in a lot of different things and wants to keep up those interests for as long as he can. It's also something he can do with the rest of us. Everyone here is musically inclined and it's something we all connect with."
There was a lot of truth to that, Sebastian glanced around their group again with a bit of surprise in his eyes, he'd never thought of it that way. He'd put aside his musical abilities and inclinations when he got here, not wanting to be a trope. It hadn't been his main passion, just something he'd enjoyed while in high school. He still sang occasionally but with everyone else always trying to outdo each other, he didn't bother showing off and showing them up. He'd put that part of him away for the most part. He'd never thought of encouraging Kurt to do the same. He liked how diverse Kurt was, even if they were cliché 'gay' things to be interested in.
"I guess I hadn't thought of it that way." Burt said gruffly, giving Adam some credit for a solid argument. Kurt smiled in thanks towards his boyfriend. "That doesn't bother the two of you?" He looked toward Dani.
"Not really. We're not in it for the money and we've always agreed that if someone wants to poach any of us, we'd be happy for the poached." Dani shrugged. "It's a laid-back, low-stressed, fun way to get exposure. Going into it with the understanding that it's just that reduces the strain on the friendships. We sometimes even get paid in tips and whatnot and in the end it evens out with whatever we spent to be there. Elliot, Kurt and I aren't music majors or theater majors. This is a side fun thing for all of us."
"Like a group of 40 year olds that decide to start a garage or basement band." Carole teased Burt who chuckled. Sebastian didn't get the joke though most of the others in the group that were from Lima did. It took Sam a minute and then he was laughing too.
"I'm sorry kid." Burt slung his arm around Kurt's shoulders. "I just wanted the best for you. If this is what you're passionate in, then you can go for it. I just haven't heard much about what you're doing to further your actual career path."
"I'm going to school and working at Vogue." Kurt frowned at his dad. "What more do you want me to do? I'll be dedicating far more time to it when it's my career and spending 80 hours a week on projects."
"80 hours a week?" Puck nearly choked on his drink. "Why would you work that hard, man?"
The New Yorkers all shared a look, they might be in different fields but they were all in the creative fields for the most part and they all knew that art took a lot of time, no matter the form it took. None of them really pointed it out to Puck though as Kurt just shrugged again.
"That's not entirely true either, Mr. Hummel." Elliott said, having joined them when they started talking about fashion. Rachel, her dads and Blaine came over too so they were all now one giant group talking. "Kurt makes our outfits for out performances."
Dani nodded in agreement to that statement. "Once in awhile he'll gift someone with a clothing item too that he made." She gestured at her gauchos and Burt's eyebrow rose as he assessed the bottoms in more scrutiny.
Sebastian had to admit, they fit her perfectly in all ways. It was a nice touch to bring to the Thanksgiving meal and show off whether or not anyone but the two of them knew it. They looked good, top end designer and yet not showy in the wrong ways for Dani. She was more street-style chic than designer brand and it combined both perfectly.
Sebastian felt a little left out, he'd never gotten anything from Kurt like that. Rachel had an entire wardrobe overhaul but he hadn't made her clothes as far as he knew. Now though, maybe everything she wore was made by him. They were all perfectly tailored after all.
Santana's fingers played with her collar as if wanting to say something and his eyes narrowed. She looked at him a little guiltily and admitted it to him and the others. "He made this top for me." Santana always looked good, always showed off her body in perfectly tailored lines and this was no different but it was a slightly higher class than she typically wore even though she only wore top end name designer brands. Top names didn't always equate to classy and yet it was still sexy. "I was asked three times last week when I wore it who the designer was or where I bought it and I had to tell them it was a one of a kind piece and the man in question wasn't yet ready to sell any of his pieces. Also to keep their eye and ear out for him because his name will be big, up there if not higher than all the famous ones." Santana tossed a grin at a blushing Kurt. "You've already got a following. I've gotten 18 messages on whether or not you'll design something for them since I spoke with them. I started a website with some of the items you've made for me and you should see the accolades already pouring in. The fanbase keeps growing and they keep asking when you'll be producing. I even created some cards with the website and your name printed prettily on it. There are people on there since the first time I rocked one of your pieces and realized how big of a hit you'd be. I might be racking in some of the royalties."
"That..." Kurt gasped in horror. "Santana!"
Burt looked between the two of them. They all knew that Kurt was appalled and insanely pleased at the same time. "What are you saying?"
"Some of the fans on that website are from over a year ago." Santana shrugged. "They haven't left, they keep waiting for you to want to meet them and take their measurements."
"What if someone saw his pieces online and decided to recreate them? Fast-fashion is known for stealing designer sketches or finished products and reproducing them at a much quicker pace-."
"Down Bas." Santana waved him off. "It's a private membership that charges a fee every month to continue, and at this point it is just an appreciation of Kurt's works. Even if someone were to steal his designs, they wouldn't have access to his skillset or attention to detail. That's what most of the members on there are there for. They are impressed with his abilities and aesthetic."
"Are you promising them things- because Santana-." Kurt was flustered and a bit upset with his friend.
"No. They know that it's basically a membership to just look at pictures for the most part."
"For the most part?" Kurt pressed. "What's the rest of it?"
"I dunno, I don't promise anything. I just upload pictures of your clothes when I know they're yours. They don't seem to mind which gender it's designed for nor that there aren't any faces to the bodies wearing the clothes or lack of bodies when I get the chance to shoot the clothing item on it's own. They have asked for a discussion board feature and there's a lot of chatter but I don't monitor it. I kind of ignore the messages directly to me too."
"Santana..." Kurt held out his hand. "I want to see the website." Sebastian was curious too but let Kurt handle this. Burt was looking delighted and Santana had only grown in his esteem for fostering a place for Kurt to flourish. He was insanely proud of his son too.
Santana pulled it up on her phone and handed it over without a single moment of reluctance, she was pleased in herself for creating this website and a little cash on the side too. Kurt flickered through the website while Sebastian eyed the others around them, wondering who else had gotten clothing and when. Santana had gotten clothes since basically first meeting Kurt and Sebastian hadn't even gotten as much as a tie.
Sebastian would insist on seeing the website when they got home. He wanted to make sure Kurt wasn't being exposed unnecessarily or unintentionally ripped off. Mostly he wanted to see if he recognized any of the pieces on the site and who was wearing them. Elliott had already as much as admitted Kurt had given him clothes, and not just a piece or two. Dani as well. They were both in his band and so had gotten probably a fair amount of pieces.
He was sure that Adam probably had a closet full of clothing items made especially by one Kurt Hummel. It kind of ticked him off that he was left out of this. It made him realize that he was just a hanger-abouter for Kurt, he was Santana's friend and that was all. The time they spent together was just to placate Sebastian so he could keep the peace with Santana.
If that was the way that he wanted to be, then Sebastian wouldn't hold him back anymore. Kurt didn't have to sit with him for coffee and studying anymore. That was about the only time they spent together anyway. He had no idea they all went to Callbacks together. Though it made sense that he wasn't part of it since it was Rachel, Blaine, likely Brody when he was in the picture, Adam and the one they all had a personal connection with outside of their school – Kurt.
Even his invitation today was probably just a plus one to Santana's. He wasn't bereft of choices. He could have spent his Thanksgiving many places, he didn't need to be a charity case here. Kurt had never even sought him out today to talk to him. He thanked him but it was in a blanket thanks with Santana and Adam and that was only after Sebastian went to him. No potential sex was enough to make him feel this way about himself. He was Sebastian Smythe, he did not feel lesser or unwanted.
Sebastian slipped back in the crowd until he was next to Elliott and turned on a charming smile for the tall brunette. Elliott smiled back, a little awkwardly, obviously not used to this kind of attention and unsure what to do with it.
He decided not to leave with Elliott's presence and for Santana's sake. He avoided Kurt the rest of the night. He didn't want to cause Kurt to feel obliged to talk to him. Even that scene months ago out on the street had to be because of his relationship with Santana, nothing more.
He flirted hard with Elliott who he coaxed out of his shell and got flirting with him in return. He was still a bit awkward with it but he was trying now. Sebastian didn't push him into dirty talk or double entendres, knowing it would just scare him off.
Somehow though he ended up talking with Burt again. It happened when Sebastian went to find a third bottle of wine to share with Elliott. Neither were acting tipsy and Sebastian wasn't feeling drunk or even all that buzzed. The food must have soaked up all the alcohol but he was feeling pretty relaxed again. He was less relaxed when he saw that Burt had come in after him, heading for the fridge and the beer that Adam had picked up specifically for him. It was just another reminder of why Sebastian needed to get over his weird infatuation with Kurt. Kurt was with Adam who was so good for him and with him and made these special considerations for Kurt's family and friends.
They made small talk for a bit as Sebastian opened the bottle and thought about getting more delivered. "You never did say how you know Kurt."
"I guess I haven't." Sebastian tossed the cork into the pile of wine corks that Kurt was saving since moving to New York. He had no idea what Kurt was going to do with them.
"So?"
"I met him through Santana." Sebastian answered finally when Burt subtly blocked his exit. "I've been best friends with Santana since I moved back to the US." He hoped that would be enough for Burt and for him to move out of his way without Sebastian having to ask.
Sebastian heard the subtle music that had been playing all night increase in volume and went from soft classical pieces to something more robust. Soon the art kids would all be singing or competing to sing if they didn't find something they could all join in on. Sebastian settled into his place, he didn't want to be part of that mess. He was not a group singer. He had been the lead singer of a team, it was a very different thing.
Burt nodded to himself and looked down at the bottled beer in his hand. For some reason Sebastian would have assumed a can was more Burt's speed but it didn't look off either. "That tracks."
Sebastian frowned. "What does that mean?"
Burt's eyes flickered over Sebastian but he didn't say what he was thinking. Sebastian felt his hackles rise, wondering if it was just the fact that it was Thanksgiving that kept Burt from voicing his thoughts. Burt tried to break the tension in the room and he gave a little chuckle. "You and Santana seem close is all."
Sebastian didn't buy that it was all Burt was going to say on the matter. He seemed relieved that Kurt and Sebastian hadn't known each other through other ways. Sebastian didn't let it sit. "There's more."
Burt frowned, not wanting to be pushed on saying anything else and thought hard about the best way to be tactful in what he had to say. Whatever he said, Sebastian knew it was the sugar-coated version and he would forever be wondering what the blunt response was. "I guess I thought maybe you and Kurt met through Vogue." That didn't sound like a compliment even though in some ways it should have been.
Sebastian was not one that was afraid to push boundaries or demand answers. Often times he cut people to the quick and a short banter was enough to tell each other exactly where they both stood. It was different with Burt, and not because he was Kurt's dad but because he wouldn't play in the same way that Sebastian was used to. Wouldn't, but more likely couldn't. Sebastian had no idea how Kurt came about from someone so simple as Burt. It was a wonder that Burt seemed so chill surrounded by so many homosexual people. He was probably reeling inside and judging them all.
Kurt pulled open the kitchen door and stopped in surprise at seeing his dad alone with Sebastian. He quickly covered up his reaction and beamed at the two of them. "This is where you went! I've been looking all over for you." Sebastian suspected he was talking to his dad but Kurt's hand wrapped around Sebastian's elbow and Burt's eyes narrowed at the action. "Come on, we haven't spent any time together today. I'm so sorry, it's just that there's so many people and I haven't seen most of them for ages. I'm going to dedicate the next twenty minutes to you, ignoring all interruptions." Kurt pulled a flabbergasted Sebastian out of the kitchen and passed Burt on the way out. He'd moved out the way to allow Kurt in and now had to stay out of the way to let the two back out.
"You want to spend time with me when your family's here?" And not to mention Adam, his boyfriend.
Kurt frowned at him, not understanding where Sebastian was coming from at all. "Of course, you're my friend too and it would be rude if I didn't at least talk to you once tonight one on one. I am so grateful for your help earlier too, that wasn't something you had to do and I'm so thankful you helped out. It greatly reduced my stress, you have no idea what your presence in the kitchen did for me."
It was Adam who had melted his stiff back and soothed his anxieties, but maybe it was only possible because Sebastian and Santana had already taken a lot of the burden off his shoulders. It was definitely nice to hear from Kurt the exact things that he'd been double guessing tonight and was shown to be wrong in where his thoughts had gone. Kurt didn't even need to be clued in that Sebastian was feeling that way. He just got it.
In some ways, Sebastian hated that Kurt was such a generous and warm soul that knew how to gut him. It kept him from moving on, however unintentionally. Kurt didn't even know that Sebastian had those kinds of feelings and so couldn't be keeping him on a hook. He was just this good of a friend to all those he considered friends. Sebastian hated him a little for that too. Yet all those things made Sebastian like Kurt even more. It was illogical and no matter what he'd thought in anger, he couldn't walk away from Kurt.
Still, he could try to get beyond those feelings and just be friends. The best and only way he really knew how to do that, was by getting together with someone else and hope the time and connection with someone else would help things fade with Kurt. He didn't want to lose the friendship, but he wanted to lose the pesky other feelings.
Really, the best way to put those feelings to bed wasn't available to him. Kurt would never cheat, even to help Sebastian out with his problem. Kurt was a good friend but he wasn't that good of a friend. It was also something that intrigued Sebastian, he hadn't met too many guys who wouldn't cheat, not for any reason.
He didn't even know what they talked about but neither of them were ever short on words. Yet at the same time their time together wasn't always just filled with words. The silence they shared together was some of Sebastian's favorite moments. They were quiet but they were still in it together. Some people had to fill every moment of quiet with words even if it wasn't needed. It was fine for one sometimes but awkward for another but the words ruined the peace. With Kurt it never felt that way.
Others respected that subtle shield they put up around them as they spent time together tonight. It could have been twenty minutes or an hour, Sebastian didn't know. Neither glanced at the time to see how long it really was. Sebastian felt acknowledged and seen and people started to impede on their time together. Both allowed it since they'd gotten what they needed.
They split apart to mingle with others.
By the time he and Santana wished goodnight to everyone and headed home, he felt like he had a pretty good understanding of who everyone was. He wondered if they'd figured out who he was or only took him at face value. There were a few in the building he knew saw him but most probably bought into the way he presented himself. The way most people viewed him, even when he was on his best behavior and not trying to present that version of himself.
He and Elliott exchanged numbers. He would have invited Elliott back with him and Santana if it were for two facts, 1. He'd promised Santana and 2. He didn't think Elliott would go for it. He might even block Sebastian's number if Sebastian came on that strong that quickly. He had to play it a little more chill for longer. Elliott was the type who needed to be wooed.
Sebastian thought that would be a fun change to his typical conquests. Landon was good practice, even if it was somewhat fake. He hadn't seen the guy since they 'broke up' but that was ok. He didn't expect anything different, he was basically Landon's rebound. The sex was worth it though for the time being.
Sebastian wished he had that number to call upon tonight, he was keyed up and wondering why he'd agreed to Santana's request. Though he was too full to achieve his best anyway, so he supposed it was a wash. It was a few hours after he went to bed that he realized Santana hadn't followed his lead. She was definitely having sex and it sounded like she was enjoying herself. He chuckled and turned in bed, wondering if he'd wake up early enough to kick her 'date' out for the day and supply Santana with a coffee. He doubted it. That was more her annoyingly chipper self, even after a night of heavy drinking, she was always the first up and about. Though chipper might be the wrong adjective. She always seemed so much more with it in the morning and annoying and a smug face.
–
Sebastian woke up to Santana canoodling her midnight booty call. It had to be a desperately sad and lonely sap who would answer Santana's call so late on Thanksgiving. They hadn't even gotten home until 2 in the morning.
When they came up for a breath, he was somewhat surprised to see Dani on the couch. Somewhat, but whatever bad blood was between them, neither seemed to be totally over the other. He was going to leave them to go get a coffee and breakfast but he cursed before he even got to the closet to put his shoes and jacket on. It was Black Friday, the streets would be packed.
"The shop should be fine." Santana pointed out, leaning back on the couch to look at him with a bit of a smirk. "They're all interested in the shops not breakfast. Around brunch or lunch time you might have a bit of a different story."
"Will you two be done by then?" Sebastian asked suspiciously, thinking about grabbing his books and using the time to study. Maybe if he camped out in the shop and ordered something every half hour then they wouldn't try to boot him out.
"Dunno." Santana answered with a bit of cheek and Dani gave him a little wave. Yeah, he wasn't pleased with Dani no matter what she did. She never reached out to him and spent all that time with Kurt. She wasn't going to be fast friends with him again. He still felt kind of ambushed by her presence yesterday even if Santana had known and was 'cool with it'. He had barely spoken to her yesterday.
Sebastian turned and went back into his bedroom to grab everything he could possibly need for the next several hours. Maybe he'd come back and drop his stuff off and go for a run in a less busy part of town. It wasn't that cold that he would go to the gym. Although the school had a good track too... Nah, he'd be spending a fair amount of time in there when it was too cold to do much but shuffle from building to building as fast as possible.
He settled in and his good intentions went to the wayside when about two hours later he got a text from Elliott wishing him good morning. He flirted and bantered with Elliott for the next hour. Ignoring, pressing on and instantly closing the snaps that popped up of Kurt out shopping with Adam. Then later there were pictures of Kurt with his family and Adam. Blaine threw in some pictures too of his shopping excursion with Rachel and her dads.
Sebastian hadn't seen Blaine with anyone or any pictures of him with anyone or heard anything about him getting serious with anyone since they broke up. He was basically a pseudo boyfriend for Rachel and vice-versa. Sebastian pushed those thoughts out of his brain, that was gag inducing if he spent any time really thinking about it.
He had Elliott's number and he was going to see where this went.