Part One
After Kurt and Sebastian say their goodbyes, they exchange numbers and Kurt insists on just one more hug before they leave. Sebastian pretends to be hesitant, for appearance's sake, but he's secretly giddy that Kurt seems to be just as excited as he is.
As he returns to his mustang, he immediately calls his mom and tells her about seeing Kurt and begs her—while still managing to maintain as much dignity as only a Smythe can when practically groveling at someone else's feet—to make plans to have dinner at the Hummels. Honestly, he knows it's a moot point even before he asks, so he's not that disappointed when she ultimately declares it too last minute.
"Tell Kurt I'm more than happy that we all have the chance to finally reunite, but invite him over here instead! The house will be completed and ready for us to move into in just a few days." She says. "Tell him it'll be like a private housewarming party!" So, Sebastian texts him and Kurt reluctantly agrees to wait and have the dinner at the Smythes instead.
Now, exactly three days later, the day has come; and, in usual Katherine Smythe fashion, Sebastian's mother is in complete disarray over absolutely nothing.
"Mom, please! Just… shush for a second, God!" Sebastian pleads from where he sits in the Smythes' extravagant new kitchen. His hands are pressed to his temples, massaging gently, because his mother is giving him a vicious headache.
"I just want to be sure that everything will be positively perfect for our reunion with the Hummels. There can't be a single thing out of place!" Mrs. Smythe reiterates, meticulously cleaning the counters.
"But, Mom, you know how the Hummels are. They're the only people that have never prejudged our family and expected us to be perfect because of our money and last name. They just like us for us," Sebastian reminds her, reclining his feet on the bar stools that are aligned by the island.
"Put your feet down, Sebastian," She tells him sternly, causing him to roll his eyes and do just that, before she continues her pointless rant. "And I know, I know, but that doesn't mean I don't want to make a great impression. We haven't seen them in so long; we wouldn't want them to be disappointed."
Sebastian sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "You just completely missed the point of what I said."
The Parisian native frowns. "Look, I just want them to feel comfortable, alright?"
"No, you just want them to be impressed," He deadpans, hopping off the bar stool and heading upstairs to change before his mother can lie to him again. On his way up the stairs, Sebastian's phone buzzes in his pants pocket, signaling that he'd received a text message. He smiles as he sees it's from Kurt, opening it and reading the words on the bright grey screen.
To Sebastian (5:46 pm): Hey Bas! Dinner at your place starts at 7… right?
To Kurt (5:47pm): Hey Kurtie. Yup, 7 it is.
To Sebastian (5:49pm): Oh thank goodness! My stepmom was worrying me that you'd said 6.
To Kurt (5:50pm): Stepmom?
To Sebastian (5:52pm): Oh right! I didn't get a chance to tell you that. Dad remarried.
To Kurt (5:53pm): Really? Wow. Is she nice? Do you like her? Am I gonna like her?
To Sebastian (5:54pm):She's lovely. I adore her, so you probably will too. Oh, she also has a son.
To Kurt (5:56pm):Really? You always wanted a brother! What's his name? Do you get along? Is he hot?
To Sebastian (5:57pm):His name is Finn. Most of the time we do, yes. Well… yes, I think he is. But he's as straight as straight can be, believe me.
To Kurt (5:58pm): Don't underestimate my skills, Kurtie.
To Sebastian (5:59pm): Do NOT hit on my stepbrother, Sebastian.
To Kurt (6:00pm): Whoa, caps lock. I'm terrified.
To Sebastian (6:01pm): I mean it!
To Kurt (6:03pm): We'll see. Asking me not to hit on a hot guy is like asking me not to breathe.
To Sebastian (6:04pm): Ugh. -.-
To Kurt (6:05pm): Love you!
To Sebastian (6:06pm): Love you too. Unfortunately.
To Kurt (6:07pm): Ouch!
To Sebastian (6:08pm): ;P
About a half hour later, Sebastian receives a picture message from Kurt. In the picture, Kurt is wearing an expensive looking black waistcoat with brass, gold buttons on it, along with what looks like his initials embroidered on the breast pocket. You can see a white dress shirt and the beginnings of a black, satin tie where the collar of the vest dips below; and, to top it all off, are a pair of black slacks and some fancy looking black shoes that Sebastian later recognizes are by Jimmy Choo. He chooses not to ask how the hell Kurt afforded those, since he'd just heard his mom raving about Choo's new shoes for the summer season.
To Kurt (6:39pm): Two things. One: goddamn, you're gorgeous. Two: mighty fancy outfit there, Kurtie.
To Sebastian (6:42pm): One: shhhh. Two: I dress to impress, my dear friend.
To Kurt (6:43pm):Why should I shhhh? Because you're blushing? And your ambitions aren't far-fetched.
To Sebastian (6:44pm):No! And thank you.
To Kurt (6:45pm): Liar, liar. And you're welcome. ;)
To Sebastian (6:47pm): Just hush. See you soon.
To Kurt (6:48pm):See you, Kurtie.
After closing his phone, Sebastian puts the finishing touches on his own outfit. Despite the fact that he knows the rest of his family will surely be dressed extravagantly, Sebastian will still be settling for dressy casual. He wears a gray dress shirt, black skinny jeans, and black loafers. His hair is coiffed to perfection, but still manages to look as if he hasn't put much effort into it. He's ready.
He stops by his sister's room first where he finds her in front of her vanity, curling her hair. "Hey sis."
"Oh, hi Sebby!" She chimes, smiling at him through the glass of the mirror. "You ready?"
"Don't I look ready?" He asks, gesturing to his outfit.
"No, silly!" She rolls her eyes as If that was the most ridiculous thing she's ever heard. "I mean emotionally ready."
"Emotionally ready?" Sebastian repeats slowly, arching his eyebrows.
"Yeah! For your destiny!" She replies, now starting to apply her make up.
"My des—what the hell are you talking about, Sylvie?" Sebastian asks. Her cryptic, nonsensical answers are starting to irritate him.
"With Kurt, of course," She answers, turning her head to glance at him for a moment before looking back at the mirror.
"Huh?" Sebastian is still exponentially confused.
"Haven't I mentioned this already?" She quips, giving him a signature Smythe face. When it's obvious he still isn't getting it, she sighs and continues.
"You and Kurt are meant to be together! Tonight is just the first step!" She finishes her makeup and turns to face him, grinning ear to ear. "Well, second, if you count seeing him at the Lima Bean."
He sighs dramatically and rolls his eyes. "First of all, who says I want to live happily ever after with Kurt? Second, he has a boyfriend. Third, where are you even getting your information from?"
"First, you may not think you do, but sooner or later, your feelings are gonna slap you right in the face!" She exclaims, loudly clapping her hands for a sound effect, and successfully scaring the hell out of her big brother. "Second… well…" Apparently, this point stumps her, at least for a few seconds. "His boyfriend isn't his soul mate! You are! Third, romance movies, of course! Best friends always fall in love!"
Sebastian stares at her for a moment, and then speaks to Sylvie in a calm, steady voice. "With every 'point' you just made, the more I questioned your sanity, baby sister."
"I mean it!" Sylvie reiterates, looking determined and passionate.
"Uh huh. You were barely five when we left Lima. How can you be so sure that we're made for each other when you probably barely remember how we were together?" He inquires, quirking an eyebrow.
"That's neither here nor there. It's just history, Sebby. More than that, it's the way your face lights up just at the mention of his name," She retorts.
"It does not!" Sebastian pointedly denies.
"Kurt," She says; and, sure enough, his face spreads into a wide grin, launching Sylvie into a fit of giggles.
"Shut up!" Sebastian commands, leaving her room. "That doesn't mean anything!"
"Sure it doesn't!" She replies, still giggling.
Naturally, Sebastian ignores that and keeps walking down the stairs, being greeted with the entrance of his father just returning home from work.
"Oh hey, papa," The youngest Smythe boy says, shooting him a two-finger salute before he strolls past him into the kitchen to take a peek at what his mother is cooking. He hears a distant "Hey, son," as his father goes directly upstairs to freshen up.
As much as Sebastian hates to admit it, even just to himself, by the time he and Sylvie finish helping his mother set the table, he's illuminated with excitement. His hands are trembling just slightly and he feels kind of jittery—as if at any moment he could start to bounce on his heels like an excited child. But, of course, he refrains because Sebastian Smythe would never do such a thing, certainly not in public.
But come on, he's not completely void of emotion. His best friend of thirteen years who, up until three days ago, had been totally absent from his life for almost ten years is coming over for dinner: just like it used to be before. Anyone with a pulse would be a little amped, okay? And Sebastian is willing to owe this behavior to the little sneak peek of Kurt's outfit that he'd received an hour earlier and to ignore the delighted looks he receives from Sylvie every time she catches him smiling at nothing.
When the doorbell rings, the sound nearly jolts Sebastian out of his skin, causing both of the women in his life to giggle teasingly. Surprisingly, his mother comments before Sylvie does. "Someone's excited."
"Isn't he?" Sylvie cosigns; and she's already halfway towards the door, looking over her shoulder.
"So cute," She mouths so that only Sebastian can see. He makes a cut it out gesture and she pokes her tongue out between her teeth, reaching for the door handle.
"Wait!" Their mother shouts.
"What?" Sylvie asks, sounding almost exasperated, and it takes all Sebastian's power not to chime in on his little sister's impatience. Instead, he hovers by the dining room table, attempting to look casual and preoccupied.
"Your father's still upstairs! We can't answer the door without your father here to greet them!" Katherine answers, earning twin looks of bewilderment from her youngest children.
"Mom," Sebastian groans, no longer able to contain his annoyance.
Sylvie is also about to stake her claim when their father appears at the head of the staircase, his booming voice capturing every one's attention.
"Stop your bickering, I'm here," He announces, straightening his tie as he walks down the stairs. He looks to his beloved wife with a fond, amused smile. "What were you going to do, honey? Leave them stranded on the doorstep?"
That floors her like only David Smythe can. Yet, she still persists. God forbid that stubbornness will be the Smythe family's fatal flaw. "Well, I… well, of course not, but I-" she stammers.
The states' attorney just grins and silences her with a kiss on the cheek, causing her to blush and lean close to him, nuzzling his nose.
"Ew," Sebastian drawls childishly, dragging out the monosyllabic word.
"Open the door, Sylvia," Mr. Smythe says instead of regarding his son with a response.
Mrs. Smythe, however, is not as passive as her husband is; and, she gives her son a sassy remark in French, igniting a war of foreign swear words between them that leaves them both laughing until their faces are painted red. It isn't until Sebastian hears the click of his best friend's Jimmy Choo's on the floor that he remembers the reason his family is congregated in the foyer.
The Hummels are here.
His head snaps around to see Kurt in the flesh. His arms are crossed, his eyebrow is quirked, and the smallest of smiles on his lips. "It just so happens that I am fluent in French and it seems to me that you two have rather dirty mouths," He says to them in faultless French.
Silence falls around the large foyer. Beside Sebastian, his parents and his sister are sharing identical looks of astonishment. But if there is anything that Kurt has always been famous for: it's exceeding expectation. Thus, Sebastian isn't all that surprised.
He looks at his best friend affectionately, a smirk playing on his lips and when the silence goes on for far too long, he speaks, breaking the tension. "Well played, Kurtie. Well played."
It's then that Sebastian takes it upon himself to give the boy a long, appreciate once-over and isn't even ashamed to admit he's doing it. Before Kurt even gets a chance to address it, his mother notices his leering and hits him upside the head.
"Ow," The brunette complains, turning his head slowly in his mother's direction as Sylvie suppresses laughter from across the semi-circle they've made.
"That is not how we look at our friends!" She austerely asserts, pointing a finger at him.
"It's how I look at my friends," Sebastian retorts, earning himself another hard thunk on the head.
"Ow!" He shouts, louder than the first time.
Kurt giggles, smiling widely at the two of them and the moment is so eerily reminiscent of their past that Sebastian nearly mistakes it for déjà vu. "Oh Ms. Katherine," He says sweetly. "I've really missed you."
That puts a bright smile on his mother's face and she scurries over to Kurt, embracing him in a tight hug. "I've missed you, too, Kurt," She croons, kissing both his cheeks.
Sebastian audibly gags at his mother's sappiness and it earns him a subtle nudge from his dad.
"I am terribly sorry to interrupt this love fest, but is anyone else wondering where the rest of Kurt's family is?" Mr. Smythe interjects, successfully grabbing everyone's attention.
"Oh, yes!" Katherine agrees, finally letting Kurt go. "Where are your father and stepmother?"
"And your brother," Sebastian adds.
Kurt's skin pinks just slightly, causing all the Smythes to look curiously at him. "I… honestly, they're probably still outside marveling at your cars in the driveway," He tells them, laughing nervously.
Sebastian's parents laugh heartily at that, making their way out of the door as they reflect on the various conversations they all had about cars before the Smythes' move. Meanwhile, Kurt trails a little behind the pack, still looking embarrassed.
Sebastian takes this opportunity to sneak up beside Kurt, hugging his side and kissing him on the forehead. "Relax, will you? We're still the same Smythes we were ten years ago, Kurtie," He murmurs as he links arms with his old friend and walks outside with their families.
"I know…" Kurt says back, offering him a small smile.
It's not very convincing, but Sebastian lets it go for now.