Chapter 4
It had been a few days since Kurt's arrival in France and the squabble he had witnessed in the café had been long pushed back to the back of his mind. The good-looking young man had not come into his mind since then.
Today Aunt Jeannie had planned to take him to visit the largest square in Paris, Place de la Concorde.
"Are you ready to leave, Kurtie?" came a shout from down the stairs.
"Yeah, I'm done!" Kurt checked his appearance one last time in the vanity mirror and nodding to himself in satisfaction, he then shouldered his Marc Jacobs messenger bag and walked out of his room.
g-l-e-e
After yesterday's fallout at the café, Sebastian had decided to hit Paris' most popular gay club – Scream – later that night. He had sat at the bar all night and watched as people streamed in and out of the club, and guys grinding against each other on the dance floor for any potential hook-ups. But no one had caught his eyes after a few hours of sitting by the bar while nursing a bottle of beer so he decided to leave and head home.
The thought of home brought no comfort to him. His father had left for the States for the second time this month and his mother had decided to accompany his father so only the butler and servants working there are occupying the big house. The huge mansion he was living in was nothing but a lavish and fancy empty shell encasing the highest luxuries a house can possess. It lacked the single most important thing a house should contain – warmth of a home.
When he arrived home, he did not even bother taking a shower before crashing onto his bed. As he lay sprawled out on his mulberry silk linen bed, he stared blankly up at the ceiling. Lately he had been feeling empty. Even though he was living in opulence, he felt something was amiss from his life. It was like there was a missing piece in the puzzle of his life yet he did not know what it was. His materialistic needs were fulfilled already and he can practically do whatever the hell he wanted. The more his mind dwelled on the matter, the more confused and frustrated he got. Deciding to think no more of the matter, he pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and closed his eyes commanding for sleep to take him.
Not five minutes later, his mind slipped into darkness.
When he woke up the next morning, lights from the sun were already streaming into the room through the veranda door glass. One of the maids must have came in earlier and pulled back the curtains. He winced and cursed softly as he was temporarily blinded by the bright sunlight. It must be near noon already if the sun sitting high in the sky in all its glory wa s any sign.
He grunted softly when he sat up and stretched his body, popping a few bones. Blanching at the state of his dress, he quickly took off his clothes and threw them into the hamper as he made his way to the bathroom.
After he made quick work of washing his hair and scrubbing his body clean, he got out of the shower while rubbing his hair dry with a towel before tossing it into the hamper. Then he moved to his walk-in closet, picking a V-neck jumper in chalk cashmere from Hermès and a pair of dark blue jeans from Versace before donning them on.
Moving back to the bathroom he took the hairdryer and blew his hair for a while before carefully styling it. Satisfied with his appearance, he proceeded to make his way down the grand staircase and then to the dining room. His house butler, Thomas, opened the dining room door for him before closing it softly after he entered.
He sat himself at the head of the table while a maid walked in and placed a plate of crepes served with a thin layer of strawberry jam inside as well as banana slices, whipped cream and strawberries as garnish.
"Café ou thé, monsieur? (Coffee or tea, sir?)"
"Café. (Coffee.)"
As he ate his breakfast with grace that only an elite upper class could possess, his mind began to wonder to what he could do for the day. Perhaps he could go take a walk somewhere for a change. He needed to clear his mind anyway.
"Thomas. Ask the chauffeur to get ready. I want to take a walk at the Concorde square."
"Yes, young master Smythe."
g-l-e-e
Kurt was absolutely in awe at the sight of the enormous square bustling with activities. Groups of tourists scattered across the open land, mostly taking photos as they gestured animatedly about the area.
Place de la Concorde is a beautiful eight hectare square on the riverbank between the Tuileries Garden and the Champs-Elysées. In the middle of the square was an obelisk, covered in hieroglyphs, standing at 75 feet.
"That is the Obélisque de Luxor. It was given to the French by the viceroy of Egypt, Mehemet Ali, in 1829. And the Ferris wheel behind the obelisk is known as La Grande Roue, it offers you a wonderful view of Paris aside from the Eiffel Tower. The view at night is just gorgeous!" Jeanette said excitedly while pointing out each respective landmarks as the Duponts and the young Hummel strolled at a leisurely pace along the square.
As the trio continued to walk, Jeanette and Francois took turns explaining the history behind each construction and building to Kurt while Kurt continuously snapped pictures of the sights with his camera. Francois also helped to take photos of him and his wife posing in front of significant landmarks. There was an undisguisable twinkle reflected in the boy's glasz eyes as he acquisitively took in the historical edifices all over the big square.
Nephew and aunt were posing silly for the camera by the fountain when Jeanette suggested to Kurt to get a portrait of his own done, as she gestured to one of the painters donning a typical beret, set up a few feet away from them. After pondering on it awhile, Kurt agreed and they moved towards the painter.
"Hi, can you paint a picture of my nephew here?" Jeanette asked politely as they stood in front of the painter's easel.
"Of course, of course! Come sit, young boy!" The elderly painter patted the wooden stool before him with earnest.
Kurt moved, with a little hesitance, to sit on the stool a little stiffly. Noting his rigid posture, the artist urged the countertenor to relax while correcting Kurt's position until he deemed it satisfactory.
"Just sit tight and I won't take too long." The French painter said as he began to work on Kurt's portrait.
"All right." Kurt replied breathily, frozen in his stance.
g-l-e-e
Sebastian had been idly strolling around the square since his chauffeur dropped him off 15 minutes prior and already he felt tremendously relieved, away from the smothering air in the Smythe Manor. It was a good day today, the sun sat gloriously in its throne of ragged linen flowing in the sky while its shafts of lights were outstretched across the blue like the wings of an archangel encompassing everything and everyone in its warm glow.
He watched absent-mindedly at the assorted activities going on at the open area; tourists snapping photos, street performers at various point of the large site, a painter painting a portrait. It was as his eyes were roving over the elderly painter nearby the fountain when something – or rather someone – halted his gaze.
From the spot he was sitting at, he could only view the side profile of the person but he could still make out the person's features. Body clad in designer's labels, legs fitted in a tight pair of purple skinny jeans and feet tucked in a pair Dr. Martens's Ramsey (he recognised the shoes from a fashion show he once attended). It was the fashionably dressed young man he had seen a few days ago at the café during the altercation.
How could he forget a face with such angelic features? Thick and shiny dark brown hair styled up in a high coif and eyes that changed colour and sparkled like the Alexandrite gemstone under the gleaming sunlight. His ivory complexion emanated a luminous quality about him akin to a celestial being.
Although this boy is completely unlike any boys Sebastian had gone after, he is somehow entranced by him. He must find a way to get closer to the beautiful boy.
Looks like Sebastian Smythe had found his new target.
g-l-e-e
"I'll be fine, Aunt Jeannie. I can just ride the la Grande Roue by myself. You just go do whatever it is you need to do." Kurt said in an appeasing tone, patting his aunt's arm.
"Oh alright. Be careful then Kurtie!" Jeanette relented although her voice is still laced with worry.
Kurt's aunt had received a phone call just as they were going to take a ride on the Ferris Wheel, something about an important document that required Jeanette's personal approval and signature or somewhere along that line. Jeanette would be meeting her personal assistant at a café situated close by to the square area because her PA would be meeting the person who required the signed documents. The teenage boy suggested to his aunt to have Francois take her there in his car, which would be faster than going by foot.
"I will."
g-l-e-e
Kurt was the last to enter the passenger car of the Ferris Wheel, along with another man standing behind him. He carefully stepped into the hanging structure and took a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe at the seats before settling down on it. His eyes looked out the bars in wonder, taking no notice of the man that entered after him.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" A voice spoke up and Kurt was brought out of his reverie as he looked at the man sitting opposite him.
He felt like his tongue had tied itself up into various forms of tight knots as he looked at the incredibly good looking man before him.
"I-It's… Yes. I-I mean it's beautiful. The view that is." The teenage boy from smalltown Lima, Ohio felt like digging a hole and hiding his face like an ostrich would as he sputtered like a fool in front of the man. He could just feel the blood rushing to his pale face in embarrassment.
Suddenly he was hit with a sense of familiarity as he gazed a moment longer at the handsome features. He had seen this man before. That was when it hit him. He remembered the scene from the café from a few days ago. The man before him was the exact same one who had a beverage tossed at his face!
g-l-e-e
Sebastian had been eyeing the boy discreetly as he leaned against one of the many statues littering the square. After the painter had finish a portrait of the beautiful boy, the heir to the Smythe fortune noticed the woman gesturing towards the direction of la Grande Roue. As the trio walked towards where the Ferris Wheel is with oblivious, the playboy trailed after them in a relaxed stroll.
He watched as the woman took a phone call and frowned as she listened to whatever the person at the other end of the phone was telling her. Then she was turning towards the boy and was telling him something with concern in her expression. It seemed like the boy was placating her when she finally nodded in agreement to whatever it was he was saying. Finally the man and woman walked away, leaving the boy by himself.
Sebastian smirked as he followed after the breathtakingly beautiful boy incospicuously towards the steadily dwindling line of people waiting for their turn with the Ferris Wheel. This was a golden opportunity. It was just his luck that they were the last persons in line too.
'Perfect.'
g-l-e-e
As he stood behind the shorter boy, Sebastian could not keep his eyes from roaming the boy's back. From the top, down to his round and pert ass and further south to the pair of sexy legs clad in skinny jeans which left nothing to the imagination. Oh, he definitely appreciated the view. He could easily imagine the legs wrapping around his waist as he took the boy against the wall. An utmost delicious picture.
He followed after the boy into the passenger car and was amused to see him taking a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping it across the bench before sitting down primly on it. Just by observing his target from earlier, Sebastian got a gist of the kind of guy the boy was. He sat down on the opposite sit and crossed his legs as he watched the boy looking around with mirth. It was then he decided to speak up.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" 'You're beautiful' was what he wanted to say but the last thing he want was to freak the boy out. He didn't think the cute boy would appreciate his too-forwardedness.
The fashionably clad boy looked startled for a flit second before he immediately regained his composure. But when he opened his mouth to speak, he stuttered a little bit. Sebastian found that to be rather adorable though, he particularly enjoyed the way the red flush traveled from his neck up to his face. He wondered if the boy's body would blush just as prettily if he were to have his way with him. Well, he would find out… soon enough.
Then he saw recognition donning the other boy's face. He must have realised who he was.
"I'm sorry if this offends you but… are you the guy who got thrown in the face with a glass of drink?"
"I'm not offended at all and to answer your question, yes I am that guy. You must think I'm some kind of douche right? To warrant that kind of treatment."
"U-uh… umm no! I didn't think that! It's…just that…umm…tha-." The boy fumbled with his words as he spoke with a breathy quality.
"Hey, you don't have to explain yourself. I believe you. I just wish we could have meet each other for the first time under a different circumstances. God, I feel embarrassed now." Sebastian said smoothly, chuckling softly at the end.
"You don't have to be. I'm not judging you. Anyway, where is my manners? Hi, I'm Kurt. Nice to meet you." The boy smiled reassuringly at the tall man albeit a little nervously as he put out his right hand.
"And I'm Sebastian. Pleased to make your acquantaince, Kurt." The wealthy heir took the offered hand and softly brushed his lips against the other boy's knuckles, all the while beguiling Kurt with his charming gaze.
g-l-e-e
The brisk electric shock that passed through him when Sebastian took his hand had Kurt barely holding back a shiver, however when Sebastian pressed the gentlest of kisses against his knuckles he could not help the soft audible gasp that escaped past his lips.
He blushed heavily at the tender and intimate gesture, quickly pulling back his hand as if he had been electrocuted. Holding said hand to his chest, he promptly turned away from the gorgeous man and looked out the passenger car just as the Ferris Wheel started its circular motion. He tried to will the blushes away, attempting to be calm while avoiding the other's gaze.
No other guys had ever made him feel like this. Not even Blaine. When he looked into Sebastian's emerald orbs, he felt like drowning in them. Trapped in his captivating gaze. He could hear his heart pounding with exhilaration, his breaths coming a little faster than usual. And the way Sebastian muttered his name, he cannot even begin to describe it but he most definitely like the way it rolls off his tongue so fluidly.
He was pretty sure no other person had ever spoken his name like that. Like he just wanted to devour him whole, and not in the literal form, just by saying his name alone. It sent a pleasurable tingle down his spine.
Then he heard gentle chuckles coming from opposite him and snapped his head forward to look at the other guy, he felt his face and neck heating up again. Gaga, he felt like such a fool.
"I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you, so don't be embarrassed. I just think you're really cute." Sebastian said apologetically, mirth still twinkling in his eyes.
Kurt was caught by surprise at the compliment since one could say it was a rare occurrence for another guy to say he was cute. He mentally reprimanded himself for easily losing his sassy composure before he cleared his throat.
"Do you say that to everyone you just met?" Kurt retorted haughtily in an attempt to regain his lost pride, the crimson flush still adorning his cheeks. He was reminded of the scene in the café a few days ago and wondered what could Sebastian possibly have done to anger the man who had a stomp out that could even rivaled Rachel's.
He wondered if perhaps… just maybe Sebastian had an ulterior motive with his flirting. He could not help but be somewhat suspicious. Especially after what happened with Blaine. He would have to tread on this carefully.
"Maybe. Really, it just depends."
"On what? Pray tell."
"Whether they're cute…or interesting enough to hold my attention." Was Sebastian's reply.
"And which category do I fall in?" the countertenor asked with a raised eyebrow, his bashfulness almost gone by now.
"I'd say… both." Sebastian drawled out with an amused smile on his face.
At that, Kurt was blushing again.
"So are you just here visiting?" Sebastian continued speaking as if he didn't notice the beet red face of one Kurt Hummel.
Clearing his throat, Kurt nodded and explained, "Yes. I'm actually visiting my aunt and uncle. Just kind of taking a break from everything back at home."
"Ah, how come you are alone then?" Not wanting to pry, at least not yet, he didn't ask any more about what he meant by taking a break.
"I wasn't but my aunt sort of have to attend to an urgent matter but she and my uncle should be back by the end of this ride." He said.
"Hmm. Anyway mind if I ask where is home?"
"Not at all. Lima, Ohio. And what about you? Where are you from?" Kurt questioned back, looking at Sebastian with unconcealed curiousity.
"I'm living in Paris at the moment. I was born and raised in Ohio actually. Westerville to be exact."
Kurt couldn't hide his shock at that. Well isn't this a coincidence.
g-l-e-e
"Oh the ride is coming to an end." Kurt pointed out as he looked out the bars. He felt a pang of disappointment. He wished the ride didn't end this soon.
"Well this is too bad." Sebastian said, his lips quirked upwards in an amused state.
"Yeah, why are you smiling though?" the pale boy furrowed his brows in confusion.
"You seem really disappointed. Are you gonna miss me after we get off the Ferris Wheel?"
"I am not!" Kurt meekly defended, even though the expression on his face proved otherwise.
"Whatever you say, beautiful."Sebastian smirked with triumph and then he proceeded to pull out a pen with a White Star logo which Kurt recognised as a Mont Blanc pen and then grabbed one of Kurt's hand.
The shorter boy was about to protest and pull his hand back but was interrupted when Sebastian wrote something on his palm. He tried to contain his giggle as he felt the sensation of the tip of the pen moving against his skin.
Sebastian looked amused at him after he was done writing. Kurt muttered and averted the other's while blushing for the umpteenth time, "It tickled." He then looked down at his palm and saw a series of numbers written on it. He looked questioningly up at Sebastian.
"It's my number. Call me or hit me up when you're feeling lonely." The young Smythe winked at Kurt.
Just then the rotating Ferris Wheel came to a halt and Sebastian made to exit the car, leaving behind a stunned boy in his wake.
"Bye beautiful."
TBC
A/N: I apologise for the extremely late update. I'm very sorry guys! I was stuck on how I was gonna get Kurt and Sebastian to meet for the first time. Still, I'm not quite satisfied with what I've written here but I didn't want you guys to wait any longer. So do review and tell me what you think about this chapter or how you think they should've met. But I hope you guys do like this chap. I'm open to any ideas or suggestions that you guys have for the upcoming chapter. I may use them if I'm stuck on writing again. On another note, I'll most likely be slow on updates as I started my new course not too long ago and we have so many assignments and homeworks to do every week.
Also thanks for all the reviews and alerts. It makes me smile to read your thoughts on this so I hope you can keep them coming. Please do R+R!
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