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Shot 6

Snakebite Shot

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He wasn't required to be there. He was just the understudy and they had the day off while they ran lines and staging and even a costume rehearsal with the main cast. It would be the first time they ran through the whole thing from beginning to end. Up until now they'd just done bits and pieces.

His day would be tomorrow with the rest of the understudies. Many of them had several chances of being up on the stage. Some were just chorus people right now but were understudies to some of the secondary characters. Kurt as the lead's understudy couldn't be held up or entangled with another role having to be filled, pivotal or not. He was the lead's understudy and that was it. He would sit in the back and watch this show go on again and again and not hope but kind of hope that something would happen to the main lead so he'd have a chance to be seen on the stage, at least once. He did not have an understudy himself and many of the other characters had only a few lines and a few choices for replacement if something were to happen. Still, if someone in the chorus got hurt, they'd just fill in the gap with slightly different staging. He could at least fill in nightly for the chorus if there was a vacancy, right?

He was in the pamphlet but he wouldn't even get billing if he were on the stage. No one would really know his name. Was it better to be understudy to the most important role or in the chorus, nearly nameless and practically faceless but being on a Broadways show for at least one show, being able to claim it in truth rather than as a bench warmer in the wings? He could still claim it but it didn't feel truthful unless he disclosed the entire story. They trusted him to be able to carry the show but otherwise wasn't able to feel that excitement and energy for himself. The rest of the cast included him, he'd gone to school with many of them, they knew what he was capable, had told him countless times that he should be the one on that stage for every show.

The writer had been a friend, had told him he'd actually written the role with Kurt in mind. Kurt had influenced his writing a few times, the writer friend had admitted. Kurt felt pretty confident it wasn't a come-on, the man claimed to be a heterosexual male interested in females.

Yet, this was the closest he'd come to a big break since college.

Those were all ego boosts but the grueling, consistent denials were wearing. One wrong turn after another had Kurt wondering if he was in the right field. Then this role had come, the director had even liked him and said he would be a perfect fit and then all over again, it was offered to someone else with a pat on Kurt's head and a pity offer.

So now he stood with his back pressed against a pillar under the balcony level, hidden in shadows that even if the lights would be on would be difficult to see. In the dark and without the runners, he was nearly impossible to spot.

His thumb played with the cool metal on his left had, spinning it around and around, watching his successor fumble through his lines. He wasn't terrible but had obviously never been on that stage before, he didn't have the credits behind his name, didn't have any experience other than a small high school role without any speaking lines. He was so green. It would take awhile for him to get comfortable and actually just act rather than try to remember his steps and his words. They only had two weeks left before they officially opened. They'd be doing a soft release with previews in just a few days.

Kurt had many shows under his belt, he'd been on stages smaller than this one but nothing actually on Broadway and nothing where he had to be paid or hired on. The shows he'd been had all been school events, student directed and produced. Most weren't even famous plays, all student work and overlooked unless they were happened to be viewed by critics. Even then, critics were unwaveringly harsh unless it was outstanding and once on the Broadway stage, a little kinder but only positive when the audience spoke and the name behind it was big and proven, even if the play itself was a flop or the acting phoned in.

He didn't actually need to be here, he wasn't watching to get more practice in or to watch his competition do his thing so Kurt could recreate it or see how it was supposed to look. Kurt already completely understood how it was supposed to look. He could miss all of the run throughs and go on stage cold and still nail it. He could be given the script for a different part and asked to perform that night and he'd be able to do it with a single shortened practice through the morning of so he'd get an idea of where his marks where in relation to the stage size. He was trained and with so much practice beaten into him he was able to pick things up incredibly quickly now with just one pass through or showing and he'd get it right.

No, he was here to actually watch his competition and wonder how he had gotten the lead role and not Kurt. He would have understood if it was a big name or someone off the street who was good or just fit the part perfectly or something. The one they had the stage didn't match the description at all, and while diversity in casting was good, very good, this was just replacing one white guy with another. That's as close as this guy got to the description.

The character was described as a willowy birch tree. Pale, pale skin stretched over taunt muscles on a very slim build and light brown hair, clean shaven with a youthful boyish face. The one on the stage reminded him of Blaine and not just because he took his role. He was short, athletically built, even more so than Blaine had ever been, broad-linebacker shoulders and thick calves and a fake orange tan and black hair. He even had a mustache that he refused to shave and looked very much like a man who had seen some time. He was attractive in his own way, sure, but nothing like the description or played into the whole point of the role.

Another body joined him against the pillar and Kurt glanced up to see the director looking out toward the stage as well. "He's tasty, isn't he?"

"Not my type." Kurt answered honestly. He wondered yet again if this is why the director had picked him, he wanted to bed him. That was obvious from all their interactions and the man acted like he had no idea and the director tried to pretend to be somewhat professional. Kurt thought a few times about walking because of his completely inappropriate intentions with the other actor and he didn't want to be part of something like that. But the allure of the role hung over him like a sword, he was one slip up, one cold, one missed subway connection from being on that stage front and center.

That, and he had too many people he knew and liked attached to this project to just abandon it with only suspicions in his pocket. He couldn't accuse every director of that kind of behavior and it wasn't even true for a majority of them. He just had no proof that sexual favors played a role in this and even then he didn't think it did, just the director wanting to bed the other actor.

This role was written for him, quite literally, by a friend. He couldn't leave without proof.

The man turned toward him, one hand on the wall, supporting him as he entered Kurt's space even more. Kurt shifted away, hoping to be subtle but nothing they did was all that subtle and all of it was a close study of character and reading body language. The director shifted again, keeping the space but also somewhat cutting Kurt off from going that way without brushing up against him if he didn't move out of the way. Kurt didn't budge, he was in his rights to be here, watching, he was part of the cast. The director shouldn't have even been able to spot him nor should he be here now, he should be watching the not-Blaine on the stage.

"No, your tastes tend to dip more into the... well-endowed, don't they?" He said it as if they were just talking about the weather but the implication was breath-stealing for a moment.

"What are you getting at?" Kurt knew but he wanted the man to say it.

"Just that you'd never waste your time with a struggling actor, it's not lucrative enough." The man smiled in a way he thought was charming but Kurt found sickeningly sleazy.

Kurt attempted to push away from the wall and walk out, he didn't have to listen to this but the man shifted again, trapping Kurt against the pillar between his arms and his body. "Move out of my way." The man wasn't touching him in anyway but Kurt wasn't appreciative of the new position. He hadn't known stories had gotten into these circles as well, he wondered if that's what had been holding him back. It hadn't been the whole or even the real story but he'd been convinced to let it lie, that it would blow over and things would get back to normal eventually. To discuss it any further would just keep it in the forefront of everyone's minds and he wouldn't be believed anyway.

That last bit turned out to be true. He thought Broadway would have an even shorter memory than most and they were known for looking the other way with these kinds of things. It was difficult to find a line to draw when everyone was always up close and personal and in intimate settings. Sometimes the line got blurred for both parties and they carried the imagined over into the real world or some found a perfectly innocent touch out of context as something far worse.

It hadn't happened to Kurt, but now it seemed he was getting his turn.

"I may not have the funds he has, but I do have more important connections. I can move you forward in this world if you play your cards right and keep me engaged."

Kurt stood to his full height at the blatant bribery. "Are you serious?" He hissed and hoped the guy would move out of his way on his own. The man didn't even flinch at Kurt's anger being directly in front of him. Instead, his hand moved from the wall and dropped onto Kurt's hip, pressing him back despite Kurt attempting to stay in the position he was in. Kurt's hand went to the director's wrist and attempted to shove the hand off of him, he had very little in terms of positive results.

"What's wrong Kurt? Is fame and top billing not enough draw for you? Or is it that you think money can buy everything for you? I can guarantee you, I cannot be bought." His eyes looked over Kurt's face and then dipped lower, there was still space between them thankfully. "At least not with threats or money. There's only one form of payment I'll accept and I know you're good at keeping your credit in good standing."

"You're disgusting. Get off of me." Kurt said but the man made no motion to move so Kurt pushed at him. The director only moved in closer, his nose tracing Kurt's jawline, his breath on his neck wigging Kurt out. Kurt closed his eyes not in pleasure, but in trying to center himself and figure out what to do next. He didn't think he'd be able to overpower him. The director was stronger than he looked and he didn't look all that weak.

"Oh come on now, don't play coy. I've let this farce go on long enough. I'm not willing to sink my show just for your false sense of honor. You've done it before, it should be easy enough to do it again. It's going to be pleasurable for all involved and no one has to know, just us. It'll be so easy, we're going to be off doing events together anyway, and it'll be a good cover for what else we get up to. Long late hours and all that are easy to explain away when doing promotions and late night shows."

There was always one tried and true method to get away from deranged disgusting pigs like this. He'd learned from the best after all, Santana had taught him exactly where that knee did the best damage and the force needed. She'd had him practice on an unsuspecting Puck. Puck had thought he was just going to be flipped or something and so hadn't minded helping out.

The director howled in pain and was loud enough for those on stage to stop and stare. They couldn't see them but their faces were at least in the right direction as the man on the ground was still making loud sounds. Kurt would have walked away but with the audience, he wanted to make it extremely clearly what had gone down. "I have not and nor will I ever subcom to such base and terrible suggestions of trading my body for a role. I told you no and you pushed and tried for more despite my clear denial of consent. I do not want to be associated with you, it makes me wonder how many other guys or women you've tried this on. I hope they come forward and we band together either sending you to jail for a time being or ruining your career." Kurt held back, but just barely, from spiting on him.

He walked away and there were cheers and claps from the stage. He knew who would still have his back, knew where the loyalty was. He'd still have opportunities for new roles, even as the man shouted profanities at him and vowing to ruin Kurt's career. Kurt nearly spun back toward him and told him what he could do with those threats, as he rightly pointed out, he had a very powerful, rich and influential backer. He had options.

He went home to the state of the art penthouse and let himself into his husband's office. He worked from home most of the time, but that was relative, there were things he had to attend to in person. He made sure there wasn't a video conference or that he was on the phone when he came in and then slid onto Sebastian's lap, his arms going around Sebastian's neck and just snuggling in.

Sebastian's arm came around his waist and didn't say anything for a moment, just held him and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. Kurt had seen the look he cast down to him but neither spoke and Sebastian didn't press. Then he was clicking on a few things and spoke to his secretary in French and then took off his headset and turned to give Kurt his undivided attention. "You are home early."

Kurt nodded against the curve between neck and shoulder but didn't say anything.

"Did something happen?" Sebastian ran a hand along Kurt's back, the movement warming Kurt, especially along his spine.

He hadn't felt warm since the other man decided to stand next to him. It should have been his first warning but some people just mimicked other's stances and chose to be near Kurt for any other reason but what it was for.

Kurt's lack of an answer was enough confirmation for Sebastian and he pulled back a little, trying to urge Kurt to sit back too. "What happened?"

"Nothing I didn't earn."

"I have a feeling there's a bit more too it than that. Are you completely smashed because of what happened on stage today? Is he far worse or somehow better than you?"

"Thank you for your unwavering confidence, seeing as how you've never seen me on stage, but I appreciate it." Sebastian opened his mouth and Kurt put a hand over it gently. "It's not a slight toward you, you've never had a chance to see me is all." Kurt's lips twisted and looked away. "Our dubious origins have made it to Broadway."

"You knew that was a possibility." Sebastian sounded pretty neutral about it. Of course he was, it didn't affect him. Kurt's scowl deepened and he made a move to get off. Sebastian caught him with surprisingly gentle fingers, one on his hip where that man's hand had been and the other caught Kurt's chin and tilted it back to Sebastian. "Why are you so bothered by it? We got through the media frenzy unscathed."

"It's been six months, and we're married now! It shouldn't still be affecting my life and I didn't do anything wrong!" Kurt was getting upset for the first time in a long time, even being crowded in against that pillar hadn't brought forth so much reaction, just a calculated response once he'd calmed his nerves.

"We both know that." Sebastian slid his hands so they were both resting on Kurt's waist. "Our families know it and those who maintained their friendships with us also know it." He waited for Kurt to look at him again. "The rest is just white noise."

"White noise." Kurt repeated, seeming to agree with Sebastian. "I'll be around more now again while I look for a new production to get even the scraps. Maybe I better get rid of this fantastical idea altogether and change fields. Though I don't know what would take me on, this field is the most scandal ridden and accepting and even I am not accepted in it." Kurt shook his head at the hypocrisy of it, his 'scandal' wasn't true and even if it was, wasn't that big of a deal compared to others. He pulled off of Sebastian's lap as he spoke, heading toward the kitchen to cook something to calm his nerves.

Sebastian followed him. "What does that mean?"

"It means that if I didn't quit the current show I was working on, then I probably would have been fired and maybe banned. That might still be in the works." He opened the fridge door and was leaning toward it when Sebastian's hand firmly closed it and he was in Kurt's space.

"Stop talking in riddles. Just tell me."

"I don't want you going off the deep end." Kurt admitted reluctantly, Sebastian was dangerous when he wanted to be. He'd apologized and improved himself but Kurt didn't want him to backslide into that territory. They'd gone a few years without injuring someone who'd done Kurt very wrong now. The ironic thing was those occasions, Sebastian hadn't even been defending Kurt, happening too far after the fact.

"I'm not going to. I haven't despite all the crap some people have put you through." Sebastian pointed out as if that would improve Kurt's mood or make it better somehow. Kurt frowned at him and Sebastian wrapped his arms around Kurt. "Come on..." He coaxed. "Tell me."

Kurt sighed and dropped his arms, letting Sebastian draw him in even further against his chest. "It's just someone thought that they could attempt to get me into bed by using power and influence. I was propositioned today and I kneed him where it hurts the most, shouted at him and walked out after quitting. They're not going to be expecting me back and I have to start over again." He had been so close to being up on that stage.

"Hmm." Sebastian buried his face into Kurt's hair and was surprised when Sebastian started laughing. "Good for you, I wish I was there to see it."

"You can experience it for yourself if you don't stop laughing." Kurt grumbled into Sebastian's chest.

"No thanks, I've already become acquainted with that knee when I did the same thing. I suppose it is for the best that I didn't see it, I might have felt a little remembered pain and felt a bit of sympathy for him. He doesn't deserve any sympathy and neither did I. I am however eternally grateful that you didn't hold it against me for too long."

"You were an asshat to everyone, it was just your genetic code." Kurt gave a small shrug. "Then I saw you turning your life around and fighting against your nature. You had put the work in first."

"Right, and now we go to our lawyer." Sebastian pulled away, arm still wrapped around Kurt's waist but he was reaching for his cellphone.

"What? Sebastian, you just said that you had done the same thing."

"No, we were similar but definitely not the same thing. I offered you money and a lifestyle and you didn't take me up on it. I still got you here in the end but through a real relationship. The difference is that he's someone you work under and it's completely illegal to do what he just did. He offered you a better position in the company if you slept with him. Not to mention all the PR nightmare we're going to have to navigate again and if we don't get ahead of it then he controls the narrative, no matter how many people heard you and know the truth. He's opened himself up to a lawsuit."

Kurt held up his hands and let Sebastian handle all that. Sebastian walked away as he called the lawyers, he was going to be pacing the penthouse while he sorted out all the details. Kurt's own phone buzzed and he reached for it, looking at the screen before clicking on the message.

Sebastian was instantly by his side, fingers gently around his wrist almost to stop him but Kurt shook his head. It wasn't the director. It was his writer friend. His jaw dropped open as he read it and showed the message to Sebastian.

They'd fired the director and wanted him to come back as lead. Sebastian took a picture of his message and sent it to his lawyer as well. Even more proof against the director. Sebastian wasn't even phased by who ended up being the culprit. It had been pretty easy to connect those dots.

Sebastian's green eyes gleamed as he hunted his prey with the help of a legal team this time. He went over to the center island and picked up a red apple, taking a bite out of it and sharing a triumphant look with Kurt. Kurt's former director would learn that Kurt and Sebastian weren't just a couple of garter snakes, when pushed to bite, they had venom.