Chapter 4- Wedding Traditions
January passed by almost as quickly as Finn and Kurt had predicted it would at Christmas. Weeks of lectures and classes drifted into mid term preparations and by the time Valentine's Day rolled around, both Finn and Kurt were very excited to have a break.
Finn had continued to skype with Kurt on a weekly basis. Never a set time or day but whenever it suited their schedules, they chatted. Finn accompanied Burt to his radiation treatments at least once a week, always reporting back to Kurt on how their father was doing. Kurt sang with the Apples despite Rachel's insistence that it was vocal and career suicide. Kurt liked the Apples; they reminded him a little of the New Directions in that they seemed to be the misfits of NYADA. Kurt also found the Apples similar to the Warblers in that they were open and accepting to all. Kurt wasn't the only not straight person in the Apples, and he enjoyed the camaraderie that afforded him.
Adam finally asked Kurt out on a proper date near the end of January instead of the many coincidental coffee run ins, the dinners out with the Apples after rehearsal, and trips to Callbacks on Friday nights. Kurt's first kiss with Adam happened at the end of their first date. It was not like his first kiss with Blaine, or even his first kiss with Finn. Kurt wondered if it was because he hadn't had a slow, continual build up of feelings with Adam as he had had with Blaine, and especially with Finn.
Kurt had already fallen hard for Blaine by the time they shared their first kiss, and he undoubtedly loved Finn when they shared theirs. But Kurt couldn't deny that he was attracted to sweet, kind, gentle Adam. But if pressed to describe how he felt in words, Kurt simply liked Adam, he enjoyed his company. There wasn't even a level of want or desire that existed although Kurt was not foolish enough to believe that it meant there never could be.
So Kurt simply explained to Adam that he was still getting over his past relationship. His first relationship that has been almost unofficially two years and officially closer to nineteen months. Adam, the sweetheart that he was, agreed to go as slow as Kurt wanted. Kurt was grateful for not only a good friend in Adam but the potential of a patient boyfriend and lover.
In the meantime, Finn had not found a group to sing with or a band to play with although he and Puck would jam from time to time to the delight of most of his floormates. Finn also continued to help with the New Directions although he mostly sat back to listen and offer words of advice rather than sing himself. But once in a while Blaine, Sam or Tina especially would drag him up on the stage with them until he was harmonizing along with them. In those times, Finn missed Rachel, Puck and especially Kurt. Sometimes Finn even sat in on the drums, especially when Ryder sang.
Finn also indulged Puck in his prowling for college girls. Finn was always a friendly guy and mostly well liked by his peers, so the invitations to parties both on and off campus flowed freely. The first weekend in February found Puck, Finn and Travis at one of the campus fraternities 'Lonely Hearts' party.
000
Puck handed Finn a drink and sat down on one of the couches beside Finn. Travis was dancing with a couple of the girls they had met that night. "You're never going to get over Rachel moping around like a lovesick fool," Puck said.
Finn snorted his drink through his nose. "What makes you think I'm not getting over Rachel? And I'm not moping."
"You are moping! Party after party you just sit on the couch or a chair and yeah, I've seen you chat up a couple of hot girls if they sit down beside you. But I've not seen you dancing, kissing, grinding up on any of these lovely ladies." Puck glared at Finn. "I've not heard of a single hook up and how many of these girls that you have you talked to at these parties have called you later?"
"What makes you think that's what I'm looking for? Geeze Puck. Santana was a hook up for crying out loud, and it was probably the worst experience of my life and I've known her since middle school. How is a hook up with someone I've known for just a couple of hours going to make me feel?" Finn spat at his friend. He tried to push a whole host of feelings out of his head.
"You should be thankful that I'm not going to tell Santana what you said." Puck smirked at his friend. "She'd take your balls and turn them into a pair of earrings in spite. Tell me something. Do you even want to meet someone? If not, why do you keep coming out with me?"
Finn scoffed at Puck. "Of course I'd like to meet someone, get to know someone and see what happens. But I'm not interested in getting laid just for the sake of getting laid." Finn closed his eyes, but all he could see was a glimpse of the last time he had been in bed with someone. Finn shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I come out with you because I'm your wingman- your goddamn best friend and someone has to keep you out of trouble."
"What the hell did Rachel do to you?" Puck asked.
Finn stood up and glared at Puck. "This," he gestured wildly around, "has nothing to do with Rachel. You say I'm not getting over her, but I am. Believe me, I am so over Rachel Berry." Finn turned away from Puck as he felt his cheeks flush with color as he remembered the kiss he'd shared with Kurt.
"Prove it," Puck taunted. "Pick a girl here tonight. You don't have to sleep with her, but for fucks sake at least kiss her. You're strung tighter than a freaking telephone wire Finn."
Finn leaned down into Puck's face. "I'm only going to say this one time Puck. I. DON'T. WANT. TO. KISS. ANYBODY. Not anybody here at any rate."
Puck's eyes widened. "You are over Berry. You're mooning over someone new. Who is it? Where'd you meet her? How'd I not hear about her before?" he questioned.
"Drop it, Puck," Finn warned. "Please."
Travis showed up at that moment, slinging a friendly arm across Finn's shoulders. "Gentlemen, I believe are more appropriate places for the two of you to be having this discussion, hmmm?"
Finn visibly relaxed into Travis' space. His face softened, and he flashed him a half smile. "You're right Travis."
"Come dance Finn. You'll feel better."
"I might, but someone might get hurt." Finn said.
"I keep telling you, you're not that bad." Travis smiled.
"And I still say you are just being nice to me because you're my roommate."
000
In the end, Kurt, Rachel, and Santana all flew in for Mr. Schue's wedding together, and Finn was the one delegated to pick them all up from the airport in Dayton. Finn was glad he was at the airport to welcome Kurt home- there were many things he wanted to talk to Kurt about, things that a phone call or a Skype call just wouldn't cover. But Finn couldn't help but wish that Rachel and Santana were not there, as well.
Finn hadn't anticipated how difficult it would be not to pull Kurt into an embrace. Instead, he awkwardly hugged Rachel, put an arm around Santana and waited until Rachel chirped at him about not even hugging his brother before he finally held out his arms to Kurt. Kurt slid into the embrace easily and if they hugged longer than brothers normally would- well no one said anything about it.
Kurt claimed shotgun position by virtue of having the longest legs, leaving Santana and Rachel to climb into the backseat of Carole's Buick. Finn reached over and patted Kurt's knee, offering him a smile as they prepared to leave the airport parking lot. The drive from Dayton to Lima was long and loud, and Rachel and Santana fought for dominance over the conversation; relegating Finn with tales of all their New York adventures. Finn still found it difficult to imagine Rachel, Kurt, and Santana all living in that small space and not bodily injuring one another. Finn noticed Kurt was unusually quiet, his face turned, looking out the window as they drove.
Finn dropped off Santana first, rolling his eyes as he exited the car to the carry in her luggage. "Thanks Lurch!" she called as he closed her front door and walked quickly back to the car.
"You're up next Rach," Finn said as he backed out of the Lopez's driveway.
"Oh," Rachel's voice was full of disappointment. "I thought maybe you could drop Kurt and your mom's car off at the house and we could drive over to my place in your truck. You could come in and visit. I'm sure my dads would love to see you."
Finn panicked slightly and gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. He gave a quick glance to the rear view mirror which showed Rachel pouting in the dark. "It's kind of late Rachel and I have a bunch of things to get ready for tomorrow."
"But we haven't practiced a song yet Finn. Mr. Schue wants us to sing, and we haven't practiced," Rachel whined.
"It'll be fine Rach. I promise." Finn sighed and tried not to roll his eyes. He heard Kurt snort softly, and he turned and smirked at him.
Finn helped Rachel with her bags just as he had with Santana. When she stood on her tippy toes to reach up and kiss him, Finn turned his head slightly, so she ended up kissing his cheek. She giggled as she lowered the heels of her feet. "That was silly Finn."
"Don't you have a boyfriend Rach?" Finn asked.
"Well yes but..."
"No. You have a boyfriend. He isn't me." Finn sighed. "Good night Rachel. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight Finn," Rachel said sadly as she entered her house.
Finn got back into the Buick and turned to look at Kurt. "Do you have a sudden need to get home and see your dad right away or do you have time for a pit stop?"
"Um, maybe? It depends where you're taking me, Finn."
"Originally I was going to grab my suit tonight when I dropped you off and just meet Will at the hotel tomorrow and get dressed there. But I'm thinking maybe I should come sleep at home for old times sake while you're in town," Finn explained with a smile.
"Carole will be thrilled to have us all together for a couple of days." Kurt agreed, his blue eyes twinkling even in the dark of the car.
Finn started driving. "So it's okay if I swing by my dorm and put some stuff together. You can meet Travis if he's around too."
000
Finn pushed open the door and let Kurt enter first. "Trav must be out somewhere," he said, flipping on the light. Finn closed the door behind him and stood against it for a moment and watched while Kurt moved around his side of the room, taking in everything.
"Is that...our football?" Kurt asked. His eyes were wide and twinkling in the crappy fluorescent lighting of the dorm room.
Finn nodded. "The only game we won sophomore year."
Kurt looked at the photos and mementos tacked to Finn's bulletin board. Most were not surprising, but a framed photo of the two of them in their graduation caps and gowns was a little startling. Kurt shrugged out of his jacket and laid it over the back of Finn's desk chair. He turned to look at Finn. "Are you okay? You're acting kind of weird, and you haven't moved from that spot by the door since we got here."
Finn shook his head. "Sorry. I guess I kinda wish you hadn't flown in with Santana and Rachel for the wedding." He shrugged out his jacket and hung it up on the hook behind the door.
"What?!" Kurt exclaimed. "You didn't want me to come home?" He looked genuinely confused.
"Oh, shit! No, I mean, I wish you guys hadn't been on the same flight. So I wouldn't have to had picked them up too. And I could have done this at the airport without feeling weird," Finn said as he crossed the room and pulled Kurt into his arms.
"Oh," Kurt squeaked as Finn wrapped him up in his arms. Kurt hooked his own arms over Finn's shoulders, linking them behind Finn's neck. "Well hello Finn Hudson," he said with a husky voice.
"Hi ya Kurt," Finn whispered. "Welcome home. Is this okay?"
Kurt murmured in agreement. "This sure does feel like home."
Finn ran his hands up and cupped Kurt's face, tilting it slightly up to him. "I've missed you." He leaned in and pressed a kiss to Kurt's forehead. "Sorry," he shook his head, closing his eyes.
Kurt pulled away first, running his hands over Finn's shoulders and down his chest before patting it lightly. "Let's get your stuff together and we can go home."
"Ok," Finn said. "Sit, it won't take me long." Finn gestured to the bed as he pulled a duffle bag out of his closet and started putting stuff in it.
Kurt sat down on the bed and then leaned back, laying down but keeping his feet, still in his winter boots, dangling off the edge of the bed. "I was kind of looking forward to meeting your roommate."
"I'll text him later and we'll plan a time while you're still here." Finn opened a drawer to his desk and pulled out a rectangular box wrapped in red heart motif paper and shoved it into his bag.
"What was that Finn?" Kurt asked. "Was that a valentine's present?"
Finn turned to look at Kurt, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. "Uh, kind of?"
"That's so sweet, you getting something for you mom."
Finn ducked his head to hide further embarrassment. He put a couple more items in his duffle bag before picking a couple of items off his dresser. "All done," he announced as he turned around. He put his bag down and walked over to the bed. "You look pretty comfortable there on my bed Kurt."
Kurt hummed in agreement. "I am. Consider it payback for the amount of time you spent in my bed in New York."
Finn tilted his head and smirked at Kurt. "Fair enough," he said before he flopped down onto the bed beside Kurt, his long legs and feet also dangling off the edge. "Hi."
"Hi," Kurt said as he turned his head and looked at Finn.
"Would it be ok if I…," and the rest of what Finn was going to say was cut off by the sound of keys in the lock and the door opening.
Finn rolled off the bed and stood up, attempting to brush away any signs of what he had just been considering.
Kurt pushed himself up onto his elbows and looked towards the door.
"Hey, Travis."
"Oh, hey, Finn." Travis looked over and saw someone on Finn's bed and grinned. "Hey, Kurt. Good to see you in person. How was your flight?"
000
"I guess I'm all ready," Will said. He stood in a hotel room with Finn and Kurt, dressed in his tux. He rubbed his hands together and looked at Finn. "You have the rings?"
Finn nodded. "Already in my jacket pocket."
"The key card for the suite?"
"It should be ready for me to pick up when we leave for the church," Finn said.
"All you need to do now is relax," Kurt said. He brushed an imaginary piece of lint off Mr. Schue's shoulder. "Thanks for letting me tag along with Finn today."
Will looked at Kurt and smiled. "Not a problem. I just can't believe how many of you kids came back for the wedding. Emma and I feel so lucky." Will looked at Finn and Kurt. "The two of you need to finish getting ready. I'm going to go down and check in with the set up in the ballroom."
"Oh, here's Emma's list of things to verify in the ballroom," Finn said. He walked over to his messenger bag and pulled out a folder and shuffled through some papers, then he handed Will a couple of sheets of paper.
"That's my soon-to-be-wife, the perfectionist," Will said with a smile.
Finn looked over at Kurt who was trying not to laugh as Will left the room.
"I'm going to grab the bathroom and get changed," Kurt said as he pulled his garment bag from the closet by the door. He slipped into the bathroom before Finn could respond.
Finn sat down on the bed and began to get undressed. Kurt emerged from the bathroom a little later, and hung his tuxedo jacket in the closet. His bowtie hung untied around his neck and the top two shirt buttons were undone.
"Wow, a real bow tie," Finn said, obviously impressed.
Kurt shrugged. "I know how to tie them. I mean, how many bow ties have you seen Blaine or I wear?" He leaned up against the wall, crossing one leg in front of the other.
"Millions," Finn scoffed, his eyes twinkling with mirth. He leaned down and tied the laces of his dress shoes.
Kurt shook his head. "I doubt either of us have that many, although Blaine may be dangerously close."
"I think he might need an intervention," Finn said solemnly.
"He needs something alright," Kurt agreed.
"Hey, I have something for you." Finn stood up and went to his bag. "And it's not a Valentines gift or anything really. Cause you're not my Valentine. Unless you want to be." Finn shook his head. "It's a just because gift but the only wrapping paper I could find was Valentines Day or birthday and it's not your birthday but it is Valentines Day. So, here."
Kurt took the wrapped object from Finn. It was the same present Kurt had seen in Finn's dorm. "I thought this was for Carole."
Finn shook his head. "No, it was always for you."
Kurt smiled and began unwrapping the rectangular box. As soon as he could tell what it was, Kurt looked up at Finn. "Oh Finn," he sighed.
Finn sat down on the bed beside Kurt again. "I remember you told me a couple of years ago how you'd sneak in and smell her perfume on her old broken dresser. And when we moved in, you begged Burt to move that dresser into your room. I know you have nothing like that in New York, so I asked your dad if he remembered the name of the perfume. You could spray it on something in the loft." Finn looked down at his shoes. "I know it's not the same. But I thought it might help. Especially with everything going on."
Kurt leaned in and pressed his lips to Finn's cheek. Finn closed his eyes and brought one of his hands up to cradle the side of Kurt's face against his.
"Thank you, for that Finn," Kurt said. "Come on, let's finish getting ready."
Finn watched as Kurt effortlessly tied his bow tie and then got into his jacket. Finn pulled on his and did up the buttons before retrieving the boutonnieres from the mini fridge.
"Let me do that before you poke yourself in the finger," Kurt said, taking the flower and pin from Finn's hand. "Did you know Blaine is bringing Tina as his date to the wedding?" Kurt used finger quotes around the word date.
Finn nodded. "I did know that. Did I not tell you about the Sadies Hawkins serenade?"
"No, you did. Seriously, what was Tina thinking?" Kurt huffed out a frustrated breath as he pinned the flower to Finn's lapel. "Serenading Blaine, in the boys locker room, to ask him to Sadie Hawkins dance. Does she not know him at all?"
"I was probably the last one to catch on, other than Blaine because I mean, either he's got a really good poker face or he really was clueless," Finn said. "We all felt pretty bad for Tee though."
Kurt's eyes widened as he arranged and then rearranged the flower in Finn's lapel. "Everyone felt bad for Tina? What about for Blaine?" Kurt rolled his eyes. "Blaine's poker face is not that good, and when it comes to himself being the object of someone's affections, Blaine is deaf, dumb and blind." Kurt patted Finn's lapels. "All done, now just need to do mine." Kurt turned to study his reflection in the mirror before he began the process on his own lapels.
"Are you dating Adam?" Finn asked.
Kurt looked up and met Finn's eyes above his in the reflection of the mirror. "We've been on a couple of dates. It's not exclusive or serious."
"Have you kissed him?" Finn asked.
Kurt's cheeks pinkened as Finn studied his reflection. "Why does it matter Finn?" Kurt asked.
Finn nodded. "You have. Are you sleeping with him?"
Kurt ducked his head and moved away from the mirror, keeping his back to Finn. "I'm not discussing this with you Finn. My personal, romantic life does not need to be any of your business."
Finn heard Kurt exhaling a couple of deep breaths before he turned around to look at him again. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to push, just curious is all," Finn said.
Kurt waved Finn's apology off.
"You look good Kurt. You always do," Finn said softly.
"Thanks," Kurt replied as he turned around. "I've always thought you've looked good in a suit too. As evidenced right now." Kurt brushed off the tops of Finn's shoulders, running his hands down Finn's arms. He adjusted Finn's bowtie a final time before moving out of Finn's space.
"Can I hug you?" Finn asked. "Or will it wrinkle the fabric?"
Kurt held his arms open to Finn as he sighed. "I would never turn down a hug from you."
000
When he sat down and thought about it later, Kurt wasn't surprised that Ms. Pillsbury left Mr. Schue at the alter. Sure, they seemed to make each other happy, but based on what Finn had told him, Mr. Schue has been in Washington and Kurt knew first hand how much long distance relationships can suck. Finn also had explained to Kurt that it seemed as if Ms. P's OCD was getting more and more out of control the closer the wedding got, or the longer Mr. Schue was away; Kurt was not sure which one was triggering the OCD or if it was both.
After Coach Sylvester had shown up at the church and delivered the news that there would be no wedding, Mr. Schue had looked absolutely heartbroken as he encouraged everyone in attendance to go and enjoy the reception anyway. Kurt had taken it upon himself (and he'd enlisted Puck's help) to get everyone out of the church and headed over to the reception. Although Blaine had wanted Kurt to tag along with he and Tina, Kurt had insisted he stay with Finn and Will for the time being.
However, when he entered the church again, only Finn was still there; still standing at the alter with his back to Kurt. It was almost like something out of Kurt's own dreams and for a second, Kurt had to put a hand out and steady himself against one of the benches. It was at that moment that Finn turned around; he smiled when he spotted Kurt near the back of the church.
Kurt walked on unsteady legs towards the front of the church. "Where's Mr Schue?" he asked softly.
"Hey," Finn whispered. He reached his arm out and pulled Kurt against him. "He went home or to try to find Emma. I'm not really sure. He told me to stay, or rather to go to the reception." Finn sighed. "To be there because he can't. To make sure everyone is having a good time." Finn turned to Kurt. "Do you remember sectionals sophomore year?"
Kurt nodded. "We were all so excited. We had a great set list. And then things started falling apart."
"It was Mr. Schue that convinced me to come back to glee club. He told me I had to go be the leader because he wasn't able to. When I asked him why I had to be the bigger man in that whole mess with Quinn and Puck, he told me that we can't always get what we want." Finn laughed lightly. "That was where my song idea came from."
"It was a good one." Kurt smiled. "Seeing you walk into that room, with your red letterman jacket on and a fistful of sheet music, it was like superman had arrived."
"I was more than happy to be the quarterback and the leader of the football team, but I never wanted to be the leader in glee club," Finn admitted. "In the beginning I didn't even want to be there, but Mr Schue was blackmailing me. And then I kind of liked it but I couldn't admit it out loud, but you guys still looked to me as your leader. Even when Rachel was always there, willing and able to be our leader." Finn shook his head. "I never really understood it."
"You were the leader of the football team because you were the quarterback. Look at the team? Were you really leading them? All of them?" Kurt asked. "It wasn't that we wanted you as a leader, but we needed you as one. You do realize that we wouldn't have been half as successful as we were if Rachel was our leader."
"I always mess things up Kurt," Finn said softly.
"No one expects you to be perfect Finn. You're only human. It's one of the things that makes you a great leader."
"Then let's go, so I can do this leader stuff and make sure everyone has a good time," Finn said with a sad sort of smile.
000
The reception itself was very fun. There was lots of singing and dancing, and Finn felt a bizarre sense of pride as he watched his friends and fellow members of New Directions mix with the current and new members of the same group. Sometimes it was weird, to lead a group that consisted of people like Tina, Artie, Brittany, Sam and Blaine. Tina and Artie had been members of the New Directions longer than he had and now he was not just their peer leader, but their coach; their teacher. Finn and Brittany had gone to school together since Kindergarten. Sam had lived with the Hudson-Hummels for most of Finn and Kurt's senior year after Finn and Rachel had gone and brought him back to Lima. And Blaine Anderson was the guy that Finn, and almost everyone else, figured would be his brother-in-law one day.
Finn had enjoyed watching the whole group pair up in duos, trios and groups and sing, entertaining the crowd. Blaine and Kurt had sung together and it was like stepping back in a time machine. Their chemistry together was tangible and Finn found it hard to believe they were not actually still involved romantically.
Singing with Rachel had a similar feeling for Finn. He was reminded of that very first time he had sang with her in glee club. A intense and somewhat scary feeling but one that also felt right. There was something about singing that just felt like coming home to Finn.
As he sang with Rachel, Finn couldn't help but watch her. The way she absorbed the spotlight and shone even brighter than ever. She was equally as comfortable on the stage and he felt strangely at peace with the choices he had made concerning their relationship. While he looked out at the crowd, listening to them, swaying along to the music and lyrics, his eyes found Kurt. He was dancing with Blaine, their bodies wrapped around each other in familiarity. Blaine was on his tip toes, whispering something into Kurt's ear and Kurt was nodding along with whatever Blaine was saying. Blaine turned his head and both he and Kurt looked over at Rachel and Finn.
When Sam and Brittany stepped up to the stage to duet together with another love song, Finn watched as Blaine grabbed Kurt by the hand and dragged him back out to the dance floor. Finn asked Tina to dance and maneuvered them around the dance floor until they were swaying alongside Blaine and Kurt. "Sorry, Tee," Finn apologized, "I haven't even had a chance to dance with Kurt yet. So I'm going to cut in."
"Sure," Tina smiled.
Finn tapped Blaine on the shoulder. "Sorry, Dude," he said to Blaine. "I just realized I haven't had a chance to dance with Kurt yet, and since I was dancing over here with your date, it seems like as good a time as any."
Blaine looked up at Finn. "Oh, sure, Yeah." He smiled at Tina. "Shall we, Lady T?"
"Of course." She laughed as Blaine led her away.
Finn grabbed Kurt's hand and pulled him in close, his other hand gripping Kurt's hip almost possessively. "Are you upset you're not Blaine's date to the wedding?" Finn asked as Kurt wrapped an arm around Finn's shoulder and leaned in against his shoulder.
Kurt shook his head. "No. Not really. It might send the wrong message, you know. I'm glad we're talking and I want to be friends. But I just don't know if I can go back to being Kurt and Blaine with him again."
"But you sang with him tonight," Finn said.
"And you sang with Rachel," Kurt said, with a pointed look.
"Fair point," Finn said, trying not to laugh. "Maybe we should sing together too,"
"You want to?" Kurt asked. He tilted his head up to look at Finn. "What would we sing?"
"I don't know," Finn admitted.
000
"I'm not saying this because I wanted to be his date to the wedding, but Blaine really should not have asked Tina as his date," Kurt said as he walked into the room behind Finn.
Finn flopped back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. "I saw you and Tina yelling at each other. What was that all about?"
"Did Blaine have a cold recently? He said he had a cold. And Tina took care of him. And then she helped herself to him," Kurt explained as he paced back and forth.
"What?!" Finn sat up straight.
"He passed out, because of the cold meds, and she took it upon herself to rub vapo-rub into his chest. She undid his shirt and rubbed his chest. While he was sleeping." Kurt flopped down on the bed beside Finn. "Blaine thinks it was sweet. That she helped him get better. It's crazy-stalker crazy."
Finn was about to say something when a knock sounded at the door. He looked over at Kurt and shrugged as he stood up and went to open the door.
Kurt reached over and grabbed the remote control for the TV and turned it on, beginning to flip through the measly offerings.
"Dude, you got a room?" Puck said when Finn opened the door.
"What? How'd you know I was here?" Finn asked as Puck pushed past him and into the room.
"Oh, hey Kurt," Puck said as he sat down in the chair near the desk. "Jake was up scoping out rooms, trying to swipe a key card for he and Marley. Said he thought he saw you. What's up with the room?"
"It's where Will, Kurt and I all got ready for the wedding today. We're just kind of hanging out right now," Finn said.
"Hiding out from crazy exes," Kurt clarified. "Did you see the way Rachel's been salivating over Finn tonight?" he shuddered.
"Actually I came up here hoping he hadn't brought her up," Puck said. He nodded at Kurt. "You think you can keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid?"
"I've got it Noah," Kurt said.
"You do realize I am right here and I am not going to do anything stupid. I told you a couple of weeks ago Puck. I'm over Rachel." Finn protested.
Puck stood up and walked towards the door, clapping Finn on the shoulder as he passed by. "Well, I've yet to meet this new girl, so call me Mr. Skeptical. Later, guys."
Finn shook his head as he sat back down on the bed.
"New girl?" Kurt said as he looked over at Finn. "You haven't mentioned that you're seeing anyone new."
Finn rolled his eyes. "It's because she doesn't exist other than in Puck's imagination. Now back to this Tina and Blaine situation. That really doesn't sound like Tina," Finn mused. "She probably thought she was helping."
"Just imagine if I had done that to you. Everyone would have freaked out," Kurt explained. "It's the same thing."
Finn closed his eyes and swallowed as he tried not to think about Kurt straddling him and rubbing anything over his chest. Instead he tried to think back to how that would have made him feel sophomore year instead. He shook his head. "No, I guess you are right. Even if they are a lot closer friends than we were."
"It just goes back to what I said earlier. When it is directed at him, Blaine is oblivious with the flirting." Kurt looked over to Finn. "You knew when I was flirting with you- even before I came out."
Finn smiled and shook his head. "I don't know how you thought we didn't all know. Maybe I've just always known you somehow." He felt his cheeks get warm.
"Maybe," Kurt agreed. "Although Mercedes was my best friend at the time and she swore she didn't know. She was even crushing on me."
"I didn't know that," Finn said with a soft smile. "You and Mercedes would have been a really cute couple. You know, if you liked girls."
"Do you not remember when she threw that rock through the windshield of the Nav?" Kurt asked just as a knock sounded at the door again.
Finn rolled his eyes.
"What do you want, Noah?" Kurt called as he pushed himself up off the bed and walked to the door, opening it to reveal a startled Blaine.
"Kurt, I've been looking everywhere for you," Blaine said with a smile. "I thought we were going to dance some more, maybe sing again."
"I, uh, well…" Kurt stammered.
"Sorry to steal him away, Blaine," Finn said apologetically, in a low voice, his hand covering the mouthpiece of his cell phone. "We're trying to help Mr. Schue."
"Oh, right," Blaine blinked a couple of times. "Of course. It's so good of you to help out Finn and Mr. Schue." Blaine rubbed Kurt's arm affectionately a couple of times. "Maybe I'll see you later?" he asked.
"Maybe," Kurt agreed as he shut the door. He walked back over to the bed and flopped down and groaned in frustration.
"Ok. Now that Mr. Bowties is gone. Tell me more about Mercedes and the rock. Did she do that because you told her you were gay?" Finn asked.
Kurt chuckled. "No. I told her I didn't like her that way and tried to let her down easy without coming out. But she caught me looking at someone else. She thought I was mooning over Rachel, if you can believe it."
"Rachel?" Finn asked incredulously. "You guys would kill each other." Finn tilted his head and looked at Kurt. "So if you weren't mooning over Rachel, who were...oh. Oh. Okay, yeah that makes more sense now."
Kurt nodded his head. "It was always you. Until it was Blaine. And even then, sometimes it was still you." Kurt smiled sheepishly at Finn.
Finn opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a knock on the door. "Grand fucking Central Station here..." he mumbled as he walked to the door and opened it. "Rachel!" He exclaimed when he opened the door.
"Finn," she said as she brushed past him. "I heard from Blaine that you and Kurt are up here talking to Mr. Schue and trying to help him out and I just wanted to lend my assistance in anyway I can."
"Well, uh, that's sweet of you Rach. But I think we have it covered," Finn said as he pushed his hands into his suit jacket pocket; his fingers grazed something unexpected inside. "Uh, in fact, we were just getting ready to leave. We're going to go pick up some pizza and have a guys night." Finn put a hand on Rachel's shoulder and she looked up at him with wide eyes. "He really does want everyone to have a good time tonight though, I mean it's all paid for already and everything. So you should go downstairs and make sure everyone has a good time. Can you that for me? For Mr. Schue?"
"Of course Finn." Rachel beamed.
000
"The honeymoon suite?" Kurt asked incredulously as he stepped through the open door, depositing his bag on the sofa.
"No one is going to come looking for us here. And it's not like Mr. Schue or Ms. P will need it tonight," Finn said. He put his bag next to Kurt's.
"And we're going to need it?" Kurt asked, his eyebrows raised at Finn.
Finn felt his whole face flush red. "I need something," he said softly as he walked over to where a bottle of champagne was already sitting in a bucket of ice. "Do you want some? It's practically a wedding tradition for us." Finn held out a champagne flute in Kurt's direction.
"I didn't realize we had 'wedding traditions'," Kurt joked.
"Sure, we go to weddings and we have a glass or two of champagne, just like at Mom and Burt's wedding."
"That hardly makes it a tradition," Kurt said. "And technically, there was no wedding this time." Kurt took off his jacket and hung it up in the closet.
"Ok, I'm going to pour both glasses. You are welcome to drink one of them. If not, maybe I'll drink them both," Finn said. He unwrapped the foil and popped the cork out of bottle, proceeding to get some over his hands and onto the carpet.
"Well don't waste it all," Kurt said as he stepped over to Finn and grabbed the flutes, filling them with the effervescing liquid. He handed one to Finn.
Finn put the bottle back in the ice bucket before accepting the flute from Kurt. He licked and sucked at the excess champagne on his hand. "Thanks. Let's toast to something. I think I read once before that it's bad luck to drink champagne and not toast."
"Ok, what do we toast to then?" Kurt used the hand not holding the champagne flute to loosen his bow tie.
"I don't know," Finn said as he walked to the bathroom. He rinsed and dried his hands, bringing the hand towel with him to soak up the champagne on the floor. "Can we drink to us?"
"To us?" Kurt asked.
"To us," Finn repeated. "To our new academic beginnings."
"I'll drink to that," Kurt said. He smiled as he clinked his glass with Finn's.
Finn downed the whole flute of champagne in one gulp and put it back on the table. He took off his jacket and hung it in the closet next to Kurt's. He unhooked his bow tie and jammed it into the jacket pocket. "There's another wedding tradition we're missing out on," Finn said as he took his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through the screens.
"I'm sure there are many," Kurt said. He finished his glass of champagne and put the flute on the table next to Finn's. Music began to drift out of Finn's phone, and he smiled. "Oh, yes. We did miss out on this one. But we did dance."
"Not to this song though. Not our song," Finn said, his eyes twinkling as he smiled at Kurt. He tipped his head at Kurt. "Can I have this dance?"
"I feel like I can hardly begrudge you a dance to our song, now can I." Kurt smiled as he stepped into Finn's arms.
"We might as well just let everyone know now; all future New Directions weddings must include this song at the reception so I can dance with you," Finn said.
Kurt laughed as he rested his head against Finn's shoulder. "Ok."
When the song ended, Kurt moved out of Finn's arms. Finn went over to his phone and turned down the volume of music, letting it play softly in the background. "More?" Finn asked as he tilted his head at the bottle of champagne.
Kurt shrugged as he sat on the bed and kicked off his dress shoes. "Sure, why not." He curled his legs underneath himself. Kurt unbuttoned the top two buttons on his dress shirt and his cuffs, rolling them up past his elbows.
Finn poured more champagne into the flutes and carried them over to the bed holding one out to Kurt. He toed off his shoes and sat down on the bed. He put his glass of champagne on the bedside table. Finn also unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt. He reached for the champagne and swallowed a mouthful before putting it back again.
Finn stretched out on top of the bed, laying on his side, with his head pillowed on his arm. He nudged Kurt with one of his legs until Kurt turned to look at him. "I remember, what you said in January. About how I need to be aware of my actions. How you don't want to feel like you did before. About me." Finn flopped over onto his back, resting his hands across his chest as he looked up to the ceiling. "But what if that isn't what I want?" Finn whispered as he closed his eyes. He could feel Kurt's eyes burning through him.
Kurt laid back against the bed, turning onto his side, facing Finn. He reached over with one hand and put it on Finn's hands on top of his chest. "What do you want?"
Finn opened his eyes and looked over at Kurt. "You, I think," he chuckled. "I want you."
"Me?" Kurt squeaked. Kurt stared at Finn, wide-eyed and unbelieving.
"I know I have no right to feel like this or to think you could do this again," Finn said. "But what I'd really like right now though, is to kiss you." Finn leaned up and pressed his lips to Kurt's. He brought one hand up to cup the side of Kurt's face, while the other moved to the back of his head and ran through his hair. Finn moved his lips against Kurt's, for the first time, truly kissing him. He nipped slightly at Kurt's bottom lip before ending the kiss. "Is this okay?" he asked as he pulled away, turning onto his back again, looking at Kurt.
Kurt nodded. "It's very okay," he murmured as the fingers of one hand stroked the side of Finn's face. "But, why now? What's going on here?" Kurt asked, staring deeply into Finn's eyes.
Finn shook his head as he pulled Kurt's chest down flush against his own. "I don't know. Honestly, I'm trying not to think about it too much, I'm trying to just go with what I'm feeling. Maybe that is why I'm not freaking out or anything. I just don't know," Finn admitted. He kissed Kurt again. "Is that okay? Is it okay for me to not know?" he asked.
Finn felt Kurt nod in agreement against his chest. "What are you feeling then?" Kurt asked.
"I'm feeling stupid for not realizing how amazing you were before. It's like maybe you loved me more than anyone ever has. I sort of feel like I'm lost without you." Finn felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I think I could be falling for you."
Finn watched as Kurt's mouth formed a delicate 'o' shape and his clear, blue eyes widened. He could feel Kurt's heart beating, it's pace increasing slightly.
"Is it too weird for you, because of what we talked about before? Is that what this is? Just say the word and I'll," Finn stumbled over the words, "I'll, I don't know, try to act more normal? I'll act like a real brother should." Finn chuckled darkly.
Kurt shook his head. "I'm just afraid Finn," Kurt mumbled softly, looking up into Finn's brown eyes. "It would be easy- too easy, for me to fall for you again. Over Christmas, just even those ten days, Finn, ten days and I felt like I was falling apart when you left."
"I promise. I'm not going to let you fall apart Kurt. And I don't want to hurt you," Finn explained. "I would never be able to forgive myself if I ruined what we have right now, as brothers, as best friends. That's really important to me."
"Me too," Kurt agreed.
They laid there for several minutes, just holding onto each other, and processing. "But I think this could be really important too," Finn said before he began kissing Kurt in earnest again. When he felt Kurt's tongue running the seam of his lips, he parted them willingly, allowing Kurt's tongue to slide into his mouth.
Finn moaned into the kiss as he felt Kurt's perfect little teeth nipping at his lower lip. Kurt's lips left his, but trailed over his jaw, down his neck and settled along his collar bones, leaving a trail of deliciously wet, cool kisses in their wake. Finn's fingers raked through Kurt's hair, and while he thought Kurt might get upset at him for messing it up, Kurt seemed to not care at all. Finn tugged at the sides of Kurt's head, to pull him back up into a kiss.
Finn thrust his tongue into Kurt's mouth this time; exploring, stroking, pulling needy little whines from Kurt's throat. He pushed his body up off the bed and rolled them so Kurt was now laying back against the bed, Finn hovering above him. Kurt bent his left leg, placing his foot flat against the bed. Finn's right hand came down to grip at his hip, his fingers splaying against the back of Kurt's upper thigh while his thumb stroked back and forth over the juncture of his leg and hip.
Kurt pulled his lips from Finn's and pressed his head back into the pillows, arching his neck and back. His other leg, sandwiched between both of Finn's, brushed lightly against Finn as Finn began to kiss down his neck. Finn groaned at the contact. Kurt wrapped the bent leg around Finn's waist, encouraging Finn to drop his hips into contact with Kurt again. "Uh, careful Finn," Kurt moaned. "My skin marks easy. You should, ah, oh, move lower, and yeah, keep doing that."
Finn moved his hand from Kurt's hip and began undoing the next buttons on Kurt's shirt as he pressed a line of closed mouth kisses down his chest. He moved his hips, rutting against Kurt again as he pulled himself up and attacked Kurt's mouth again; kissing him fast and dirty. "Fuck Kurt."
Kurt put his hands on Finn's chest and pushed lightly. "We need to stop," he said softly.
Finn's eyes were wide and dark. "What?" he asked as he pushed up onto his knees and sat back on his legs.
"I mean, I'd rather not do this in my suit," Kurt explained pushing himself up on his elbows. "Let me up, and I'll go change. You should too."
Finn grinned down at Kurt. "Or I could just do this." Finn reached down and pulled Kurt's shirt out of his pants, slowly undoing the buttons and pushing it off his shoulders. "God, you're beautiful," he whispered reverently. "Oops, sorry about that." Finn's fingers skated over the discoloration that had blossomed in the hollow of Kurt's collarbone.
Kurt's eyes flicked down to where Finn was touching him and he shrugged. "It's low enough. I should be able to keep it covered easily."
Finn leaned in and kissed Kurt gently. "Can I?" he asked, as he broke the kiss and moved his hands to Kurt's belt.
Kurt nodded, biting down on his lower lip. He reached for Finn's shirt and started undoing the buttons. Finn shrugged out of his shirt after he opened Kurt's belt and his pants. Kurt's hands moved to the belt and fly of Finn's pants. The back of his knuckles brushed gently against Finn. Finn closed his eyes and dropped his head back, moaning slightly.
Finn shifted off of Kurt, standing beside the bed and pushing his pants off his hips and allowing them and his shirt to fall to the floor. He stepped out of them and bent down to pick them up. Wearing nothing but his black boxer briefs and socks, Finn held out his arm to Kurt, who draped his own shirt over Finn's arm. Kurt arched his back, pushing his hips and legs off the bed as he pushed his dress pants down his hips. Finn grinned as he grabbed at the legs of Kurt's pants and tugged them off, leaving Kurt in a similar state of undress. He hung the clothes over the back of the desk chair before returning to sit beside Kurt on the bed.
Kurt reached up and cupped the side of Finn's face. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Finn smiled as he cupped Kurt's cheek. "I am. This is great, amazing. You're amazing Kurt."
Finn laughed as Kurt's cheeks colored and it ran down his neck and shoulders and partially down his chest. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Kurt's, shuffling onto the bed and blanketing Kurt's body with his own.