Author's Note. 3/25/23. In trying to get back to this story I felt like I needed to go back and do a quick revision of this chapter. I've altered a few interactions and details. Things that really kept me blocked from proceeding further because I couldn't make things going forward work. Changing a few small details in turn kind of lets me go down a different path that I think betters the story. For extra details see the notes at the end of the chapter. Also note that Sebastion and Kurt sing Turn by the Wombats. Cool tune imo. Check it out.
X
''I never thought I'd be saying this but it feels good to breathe in that disgusting Lima air,'' Santana said with a sniff.
Together Kurt and Santana stood on a semi-busy sidewalk on Lima's main street. The air was cold and crisp in February which found them back in Ohio for Mr. Schue's wedding to Ms. Pillsbury.
In truth though neither of them had been too thrilled with the idea of going back. Santana hadn't been too keen on revisiting her dinky hometown and only agreed to it because Brittany insisted on seeing the nuptials. When she realized the wedding gave her an opportunity to spend Valentine's day weekend with Brittany, who planned to fly in from LA, then Santana was quick to change her tune. Kurt however was conflicted about attending for a number of reasons.
Kurt was in a really secure place with himself but the last thing he wanted to do was show up to the wedding with no one on his arm. He had initially asked Elliott if he'd go with him simply for companionship because Kurt had the sneaking suspicion that once Santana and Brittany laid eyes on each other he'd be the odd man out. Showing up with a tall dark handsome man at his side was sure to impress, even if he and Elliott were just friends.
But then as luck would have it Elliott came down with a cold and couldn't be his fake date for the wedding. Then through a series of events Sebastian had learned of the situation and had volunteered himself to act as Kurt's date. Normally Santana would've ragged on both of them over the idea but she was too preoccupied with seeing Brittany to even object and Kurt, well Kurt didn't have a lot of options on such a short notice. Kurt told Sebastian he was only allowed to join them if he behaved himself. Sebastian promised scout's honor and even sweetened the deal by talking his parents into paying for some airline upgrades for them.
So Kurt, Santana and Sebastian flew in Friday morning bright and early. The wedding was taking place that Saturday but they had figured they could use some extra time to visit with their families. Sebastian had gone off to what he referred to as the Smythe estate while Kurt and Santana had made their rounds at both the Hummel and Lopez household to spend time with their folks.
After spending an adequate time with their families the two of them slinked off for a little rest and relaxation and spent the latter half of the afternoon pampering themselves. They had just gotten done with their last treatment. Kurt had witnessed Santana turn into a blubbery little bitch during a rather intense bikini wax. After getting all plucked and pampered they made their way into the Lima Bean and got in line for an afternoon snack.
''What do you think that's about?'' Kurt tilted his head, indicating a corner of the coffee shop. It appeared Rachel had already arrived for the wedding weekend as well and was meeting with Finn who appeared anxious as he sat across from her. The two looked to be in the middle of an important conversation.
''No idea,'' Santana said. ''But I hope it's not what I think it is.''
''And what might that be?''
"A reboot of the Finchel saga." Santana took a step forward as the order line began to move. ''Weddings screw with people's emotions, you know. Weddings also make people extra horny. They're like prime hookup opportunities. All those feelings and hormones can make people do stupid things all in the name of getting off.''
Kurt tapped on his chin. ''Like you did an hour ago, getting waxed within an inch of your life to impress Brittany?''
Santana balked. ''Hey, I'm not trying to impress Brittany. Brittany already knows how hot all of this is.'' Santana motioned to her fully clothed body, making a show of it like she was showing off a prize on a game show. ''I just wanted to do something special since it's been a minute since we've-'' She paused her speech to then make some pumpy hip movements.
Kurt wrinkled up his nose. She was humping the air in the middle of a busy Lima Bean. ''Can you not in public?''
''My point is weddings make people mondo horny. And Rachel? She's come so far without Finn anchoring her down, I just hope she doesn't undo all of that by falling into bed with him.''
''Yeah,'' he said.
''I hope you don't fall back into any old habits either.''
''What exactly are you implying?''
''Just that you've done a lot of amazing work on yourself, inside and out, and…''
''And what? Come on, out with it,'' he laughed nervously.
''I'd hate to see you share yourself with someone who doesn't deserve you just because you're surrounded by flowers and talk of holy matrimony.''
Kurt furrowed his brows. ''Please. I would hope you'd know me better than that. You don't have to worry about me and Blaine crossing paths like that. Even if it was just sex I don't think I could. How that all went down was...the most hurtful thing he could've done to me. Touching him after that? Not very appealing.''
''Good,'' she said with relief. ''Not that you should rule anything out. You never know. There might be a cute waiter at the reception or a hot ginger nephew in Emma's family.''
''I'm just here to support Mr. Schue and Ms. Pillsbury, maybe catch up with some old friends, that's it. However, just for the sake of it I did download a certain app."
"Tinder? Grindr? Bumble?"
"No, it's a new one: ManMeet."
"Oooo. Wanky. Look at you taking a walk on the wild side."
"I figured why not, ya know? I owe myself a little fun. I set my location to Lima and I matched with a guy this morning. We've been sending flirty DMs since I landed. I'm not looking for anything serious, I just want to have some company while I'm in town. I'm still feeling it out but we might meet up after the reception. Never mind me though. How are you doing with all this? Are you excited to see Brittany? Do you two have plans for Valentine's Day? Other than attending the wedding I mean.''
Santana smiled wide. ''Sort of.''
''Do I wanna know?''
''Not if you want this conversation to remain PG-13.''
''Right. Nevermind then because I could write a book about what I already know about your sex life so spare me the-''
"Brittany and I are going to roleplay…" Despite Kurt clearly wanting to be spared the details, Santana continued, unable to conceal her excitement over how she and Brittany planned to spend their Valentine's. "We're going to be stuck at a boring hetero wedding all day which means I can't sweep Brittany off her feet with a romantic outing of my own. But as Brittany told me that just means we have to be more creative and kinky.''
Kurt had to roll his eyes at that. ''You say that as if the two of you have a vanilla sex life.''
''Well sure, Britt and I have generally partook in some interesting and sometimes downright weird sex but this is different. Long distance is hard. We want to do something fun so we decided that later at the reception we're going to play a little game at the hotel bar."
"Do I even want to know?"
"We're going to pretend to be strangers and seduce each other. The reception is pretty much the perfect setting for it. We even made a bet about who would break character first. Last one to break gets the first orgasm. She doesn't know it yet but I even bought a new dress for the occasion, well, I bought it for her anyway." Santana pulled her phone out and gave Kurt a peek at what she'd be wearing at the ceremony.
''Red is most definitely your color.''
''Yeah well.'' Santana looked suddenly bashful for someone who had been talking orgasms two seconds ago. ''I just want to knock her socks off, ya know?''
Kurt had thought he'd heard it all but Santana and Brittany never ceased to amaze him. They were that couple and as eye roll worthy as he usually found their sexcapedes he also thought it was romantic in their own weird Santana and Brittany way. No matter where they were they would always find a way to make their couplings fun and exciting for each other. They never stopped trying or let things go stale. It was sweet.
They finally arrived at the register and bought their coffees and a couple of muffins. With beverages in hand they found an empty corner with a couple of plush chairs. They sat beneath cheap plastic valentine's decorations hanging from the ceiling.
"So have you been keeping up with the OG Glee Club group chat?" He asked. "Mercedes and Mike are supposed to be here tomorrow. It'll be nice to see them."
"Yeeeeah," Santana said, drawing out the word awkwardly. "About that. Wanna hear something wild?"
"More wild than you and Brittany sexy time roleplaying at Mr. Schue's wedding?"
"Quinn's in that same group chat, right, but she's been texting me on the side about this weekend, like, a lot lately."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, she wanted to know if I was going to be here."
Kurt didn't think much of this. "So. Maybe she wants to do an unholy trinity number at the reception."
"Yeah well that's what I thought until I got a text from her last night."
"And?"
"And she asked me if I wanted to show her why college girls experiment. Don't tell anyone I told you this but Fabray wants up on this." Santana made a wave to her body.
Kurt nearly choked on his muffin. "What?"
"I'm serious," Santana laughed. "She's been texting me all this ish lately about how she doesn't need a man or a bicycle and some weird ass stuff about wanting to be a fish or something."
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know exactly but I feel like it's some kind of booty call code she's trying to send me."
"Oh please."
"What's so unbelievable about that idea?"
"Quinn wants to have a one night stand with you? In what universe?"
"This universe," Santana said somewhat offended. "Look at me, have you seen me?"
"Yes, and yes you're very attractive. But Quinn? Quinn Fabray?"
"I'm telling you. I think she heard that Brittany moved to Cali and just assumed that meant we were on the rocks or something which is why she's making a play for me.''
Kurt's only response was to burst into shoulder shaking laughter. Leave it to Santana to think anyone and everyone was horny for her.
''Watch. She's gonna try it on me and I'll just be like holds up honey, I's taken."
"You're ridiculous. Eat your muffin."
Santana shrugged confidently. "I love eating muffins, I'm just hoping Quinn doesn't think I'm going to be eating hers this weekend."
X
"So how did it go with your parents? Were they happy to see you?"
"I suppose they were, it's hard to tell sometimes. The Smythe's are not what you would call emotionally available."
Kurt and Sebastian were laying in bed together. Well, they were laying in Santana's bed together.
They were hanging out in her hotel room later that evening and Sebastian was filling him in on what he'd been up to while Kurt and Santana were doing their beauty treatments. He had been with his parents,jumping through hoops to prove he was still on the straight and narrow.
Or the gay and narrow.
"They're just happy that I haven't gotten kicked out of school," Sebastian continued. He locked his fingers together and placed his hands behind his head.
"That's something I guess."
"They think hanging with a new set of friends has been a good influence on me."
"Why, Sebastian Smythe, are you telling your parents about me?" Kurt fake gasped.
"Shut up. I just told them that I'm not associating with any of those questionable people I had been hanging with last year. I might have mentioned you in passing, but don't flatter yourself."
Kurt was about to make a quip when Santana walked out of her bathroom. She was wearing a tank top and sleep shorts and her face was covered in a lime green mud mask.
She did a little hop into the air and plopped herself down in between them on her mattress.
"What are you ladies talking about?" she asked.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow in that sassy way of his. "About how pathetic you are of course."
Kurt threw a pillow at Sebastian from the other side of the bed. "Oh hush."
"What?" Sebastion laughed. "I mean it. Here I thought you were an unfeeling heartless asshole but Kurt told me you were ditching us at the wedding for Brittany. Such a baby ass bitch. I'm disappointed. I thought we were going to be Three Gay Amigos at the wedding."
Santana laughed, unbothered by the teasing. "You're just jealous."
"Unlikely," Sebastian scoffed.
"I used to think feelings were for suckers too," she said.
"What changed?"
Santana just smiled up at the ceiling. "Someone came along and showed me, with feelings it's better. I get it now. One day you meet someone who...who challenges you and makes you laugh and believes in you even when you don't believe in yourself and sees you fully and completely. You think you got it all figured out but you don't," Santana continued to speak dreamily as both Kurt and Sebastian studied her. "I'm not being conceited when I say I could've landed in New York and slept my way through half the female population, it would've been easy for me too, but the difference between you and I, Smythe, is I already found that thing, that someone, who's better than all of that. Because she sees me."
After a long moment Sebastian nodded. "Wow, Lopez. I didn't think it was possible but you've found a way to make orgasms sound utterly boring."
Kurt thought otherwise. "I think it's romantic."
"So don't get me wrong I'm glad you single boys are out there doing your thing and having fun but trust me, I wouldn't trade what I have for any amount of one night stands or awkward ass dates."
Sebastian wasn't too sure about that. "I just can't fathom wanting to go down on the same pussy for the rest of your life...then again I can't fathom wanting to go down on pussy, period. I can't imagine ever thinking to myself 'this is the dick I'm going to spend the rest of my life with' you know?"
"Because it's not about the dick you dick," Santana explained. "It's about the person. Once you meet your match, emotionally, intellectually, all of that stuff is going to translate to the physical too. You're going to be so in love with this person's mind and being that it doesn't matter if they have a scar or gray hair or a chipped tooth, because to you no matter what they'll be the most beautiful, most gorgeous thing you've ever seen."
Sebastian propped himself up on his elbow and peered down at her as he considered her words. "So you're saying you would love Brittany even if she was hideous?"
"I guess but lucky for me she's like a total babe, not to mention her tight dancer body. I lucked out in so many ways. I mean her ass is just-" Santana bit down on her bottom lip and held her hands out as if squeezing an invisible butt in front of her.
"Is that how it really feels?" Kurt asked with a look of wonder.
"Her butt?"
"No," Kurt said. "Being in love. Is that what being in love really feels like?"
Santana shook herself out of her daze to focus back on the subject of love and romance. "Yeah. At least that's what it feels like to me. I don't know, maybe I am a sap but if I am I wouldn't have it any other way." And with that she rose up from the bed and left for the bathroom again. "I gotta wash this mask off," she said in passing.
Once again Kurt and Sebastian were alone on the bed. They were left staring at the space Santana previously occupied which meant they were in essence staring at each other now.
"Do you believe in that stuff?" Sebastian asked though his tone had changed. His smirk from earlier had disappeared and he looked genuinely curious more than anything else. "The love stuff. You think it really exists?"
"I think it has to," Kurt said. "If it can turn Santana Lopez of all people into someone so thoughtful and loyal and lovesick, then it has to exist, right? And if it exists for her then it has to exist for all of us."
"I guess so."
"So you've really never felt anything like that for anyone?"
"I've definitely had some hot nights and some of these flings have stretched out for a week or two but nothing like what Santana has with Brittany. You?"
"I've loved before, definitely. But when I really think about it, it wasn't that big sweeping kind that Santana talked about."
Sebastian swallowed, his adam's apple moving as he did so. "Who knows, maybe you'll meet the man of your dreams this Valentine's."
Kurt shook his head. "Maybe. Maybe you'll meet yours."
Santana walked back in. Her face clean and clear. She jumped back onto the bed and landed in between them once again.
"So what do you guys feel like doing?" she asked.
"Wanna order a pizza and watch a movie?" Kurt suggested.
"Fine," Santana agreed. "But only if I can pick the movie."
"And only if I can order the pizza," Kurt countered as he rolled off the bed and grabbed his cell from the dresser in the room
As Santana went about turning the tv on and clicking through the channels with the remote Kurt was up and casually walking back and forth along the length of the room.
"Breadstix, delivery," Kurt said as he paused in front of a mirror and admired his reflection. "Yeah I'd like to make an order…"
Sebastian however stayed put on the bed, staring at Kurt who was staring at himself.
He wasn't quite sure why he found himself doing that - staring at Kurt - more and more often and he wasn't sure he wanted to find out.
All this talk of love and romance had definitely made him think though. Sebastian had never really considered them much, if anything, he generally thought they were a joke. A ploy for companies to sell cards and candy. Love, in Sebastian Smythe's opinion, was for fools.
Which made him wonder why he had been so eager to hop on a plan in order to act as Kurt's fake date. He certainly didn't miss Lima and he certainly didn't miss his parents, and while Santana could be fun to bitch back and forth with he never sought out her one on one company, so it wasn't that. So why?
Deep down he knew the answer and deep down he hoped to never ever have to say it out loud.
X
It was the next morning, Saturday, and the three new New Yorkers had planned to meet in the hotel lobby before heading off to the church. Sebastian had been the first to arrive and he was soon joined by Santana who came strutting into the room in a tight form fitting red dress and a dark stole.
"Santana, you are smokin'," Sebastian said and then shook like he had been possessed by a demon. He smacked his mouth obnoxiously a few times like he had a bad taste in his mouth. "Ugh, I sounded like a straight frat boy for a second there, gross."
"I'll take that as a compliment," she said.
"You'll totally make Brittany's panties drop with this dress."
"You're not looking so bad yourself."
Sebastian grinned and adjusted his already perfect tie. "I know how to clean up."
"You're both okay," Kurt sassed as he strolled up to them looking immaculate in his suit and black bow tie. "But I'm clearly the prettiest one here."
Sebastian looked his friend up and down. "I've never seen you in a suit before. You look...you…"
As if sensing Sebastian was struggling for words Santana piped up. "Handsome. You look really handsome, Kurt."
"Yeah that," Sebastian said.
Santana looked at both of the men at her side in turn and then shook her head. She had much more important things on her mind than figuring those two out. "Listen I just ordered us an Uber but fair warning, you two will probably need to arrange your own rides back later."
"Right," Kurt said as they started for the front doors to wait for their transportation. "I'm sure you'll be too busy being buried in Brittany."
"Buried in Brittany? Wanky but also yes," Santana laughed.
X
So that whole wedding thing?
Yeah that was a total and complete disaster of an event.
Ms. Pillsbury had booked it, leaving Mr. Schue and their guests to scratch their heads. It was beyond awkward sitting in the pews when someone came out and announced there would be no ceremony. But then again Kurt and Santana really didn't give much thought to how humiliated Mr. Schue must have been when they were notified that while the wedding was off the reception was still going to take place.
It seemed Emma Pillsbury's parents were kind of happy about their daughter jilting Mr. Schue at the chapel and thought there was no better way to celebrate. No one really questioned it, not when there was a buffet, an open bar and a dance floor.
"How many mini cupcakes have you had?" Sebastian asked as Kurt bit into a delicious treat. They were sitting alone at a table in the corner.
"Four but they're mini, so I've only eaten an equivalent of one regular sized cupcake." Kurt reasoned he was allowed to indulge. "I'll hit the gym for an extra hour when we get back to New York."
"No judgment. I'm going to the bar for another drink. Want anything?"
Kurt licked his lips which were covered in frosting. "Can you ask if they have any milk?"
"Milk, right, I'll see."
Sebastian got up and made for the busy bar on the other side of the room. The second he was gone someone planted themselves in his seat.
"Tina," Kurt said in greeting and held up one of several mini cupcakes he had loaded up onto his plate. "Cupcake?"
"I don't like the way you treat Blaine. There I said it."
Kurt widened his eyes and spoke with his mouth comically half full. "I haven't even seen Blaine today."
"He decided not to come to the wedding or reception because he couldn't bear the thought of being in the same room as you."
"Well that was his decision not mine."
"Who even are you anymore, Kurt? You're in New York, you're here, you're at Vogue, you're at NYADA meanwhile Blaine is here lonely and yes he cheated but we're all human and we all deserve to be loved back Kurt! And what?! Now you show up with Sebastian Smythe of all people at your side? What even is that about? Like who are you, what are you?"
Kurt rolled his eyes at this. As much as he loved Tina he wasn't going to be guilt tripped into feeling like the bad guy because Tina was butthurt for some inexplicable reason. "Okay Tina with all due respect I think you need to turn the attitude down a notch or two."
Tina took a deep breath and nodded at that and seemed to cool her jets. She began talking again, this time in a more calm, reasonable tone. "Fine, yes, I might have come in a little too strong there but...I'm just looking out for Blaine."
"And that's very nice of you but he and I are over and haven't had contact with each for ages. I don't know where all of this is coming from…" Kurt paused and made a wave to Tina's face and body. "But I assure you it's misdirected."
"I'm sorry, I'm just - I'm sorry." Tina seemed to deflate in her chair.
"I know it seems like I went to New York and forgot about everything and everyone but I haven't. And you're right everyone deserves to be loved. Clearly my love wasn't good enough for him enough to not cheat on me."
Tina flinched at that, she didn't look too proud or confident in her words anymore.
"I probably shouldn't have butted my nose into your business," she admitted with a bow of her head.
"Probably not but...even though I'm sure Blaine only told you his side of the story...I'm glad he has you."
"You are?"
"I had Santana to lean on during the worst of it. She made it all a little more bearable. You're his Santana. His less fabulous Santana."
"Excuse you," she laughed and reached over to give him a playful swat to his arm. "I really am sorry Kurt. I didn't mean to sound that nasty or bitter. I was sorta out of line."
"Sorta?"
"Okay I was mega out of line."
"Tell you what, how about you make it up to me?" Kurt stood and dusted cupcake debris off of his suit.
''How would I do that?''
"For the rest of the night let's not talk about Blaine or that relationship. That's not why I'm here. I came for Mr. Shue but I also came to see my friends. Just because I have a new life in New York doesn't mean I've forgotten about them. About you. So. Dance with me?"
"Really?" Tina looked stunned at how open and understanding Kurt was being. She had been more than a little rude coming at him that way but it appeared he was willing to shrug it off with a simple dance.
"Really." Kurt offered her his hand and with a smile Tina took it.
''I'm leading.''
''Naturally.''
X
"By any chance would you have any milk back there?"
Sebastian was at the bar getting drinks. The bartender gave him a funny look and told him he'd go and see if he could swipe some from the hotel kitchen.
Santana slid up next to him as he waited. "Did you just order milk at the bar?"
"It's for Kurt, shut up."
Santana paid him no mind and pulled an identification card out of her boobs to present to a different bartender nearby. "The name's Rosario Cruz, I might be related to Penelope."
The bartender barely inspected her card before shrugging and serving her champagne.
"Where have you been?" he asked. "Kurt and I have been looking for you and Brittany, we found mini cupcakes.''
"Yeah have fun with your cupcakes," Santana hummed. "I told you two that you're on your own, I'm busy."
She patted him on the back as she went, walking further down towards the end of the bar where a familiar blonde was sitting up on a high stool.
Brittany.
Santana took a deep breath and sat in the seat next to her.
Operation Open Bar was about to begin.
This wedding weekend was appealing to her and Brittany for a number of reasons and they thought they'd treat themselves to a little something special for the occasion. They weren't in New York or Los Angeles and they thought that the wedding would be the perfect setting to have a little fun with things.
It was an exercise in seduction and even though she and Brittany had done everything together ten times over there was something about this, about play acting as strangers at the bar that made Santana's heart skip a beat. It gave them both the opportunity to step outside of themselves. For one night they didn't have to think about bills or jobs or distance. They could pretend to be two carefree strangers in the night looking for a hot, warm body and now it was time.
Showtime.
"So, are you here for the bride or groom?" Santana asked as a means of greeting, her voice going to that low, sultry place she knew Brittany loved.
Brittany looked up and thought for a moment as she took in the sight of Santana. Her eyes went up and down and up again in appreciation of what she saw. "To be honest, I don't really know either that well. I just came for the free booze."
"A woman after my own heart.''
''How about you? Bride or groom?''
Santana bit the inside of her lip and pondered. Or pretended to ponder anyhow. She was playing the role of sexy, mysterious stranger, she reminded herself. ''Well if we're making confessions here, I don't know either. I've just always heard that weddings were the best place to pick up women.''
''Why is that?''
''I'm not sure,'' Santana said as she mused along in character. ''Maybe it's all the flowers and music and romance in the air.''
Brittany looked around the room. Everyone did seem to be enjoying themselves with all the free food and drink but this didn't exactly feel like some grand, romantic celebration of love. The wedding never even happened. ''Maybe you picked the wrong reception This one looks pretty sad compared to most.''
''Just my luck.''
''Well your bad luck is my good luck. Otherwise I'd be sitting here with no one else to talk to.''
Santana smirked at that. ''I doubt that.''
''Why?''
''I have a hunch that if I wasn't here there'd be a line of people just hoping to get to talk to you or buy you a drink.''
Brittany lifted a shoulder. "Well it's just as well seeing as I don't accept drinks from strangers."
"Is there anything you would do with a stranger?"
"That's a dangerous question. Depends."
"Yeah? On what?"
"On how sexy the stranger is. If the stranger was sexy enough…I'm sure I could be talked into just about anything."
Santana hummed. ''Mm. Is that so? Well then. For starters, how about a dance? Would you dance with a stranger?"
"I might."
"Well if I'm not being too forward here would you like to dance with me?"
Brittany took Santana's champagne flute from her hand and sipped from it. "Only if I can lead."
Santana nodded wordlessly and watched as Brittany finished off her drink. How she tilted her head back to get the very last sip and how sexy the long line of her neck looked. She also paid extra attention to the lipstick stains she left on the edge of the glass and couldn't help but wonder what else Brittany would paint with red later in the night.
This little game of theirs would definitely be a Valentine's Day they'd never forget.
''Lead the way,'' Santana said.
X
"I don't remember them, do you know them?"
Sebastian and Kurt were standing off to the side of the dance floor watching people wrap themselves up in each other. Sebastian pointed to a young looking couple dancing around with each other.
"I've not been properly introduced but from what I've seen from Artie's Facebook they're new members of my old glee club. Marley and Jake I think it was? They're cute."
"I give it a week."
"You're so pessimistic."
"I'm just being real, that's all."
"I guess Ms. Pillsbury running out on Mr. Schue really didn't help in restoring your faith in romance huh?"
"Nope."
From the sidelines Mike approached them. He gave a single, cordial nod to Sebastian but addressed Kurt.
"Hey Kurt. A bunch of us were going to have a go on stage. We're putting a little roster of everyone who wants in," he informed them. "Tina and Sam are going to duet next, then Artie and Mercedes, do you want to sing after?"
Kurt hadn't planned on it but he has never been one to turn down a song. "Why not? I'd love to."
"Fantastic, I'll tell 'em."
With that Mike hopped off towards the sound booth. "What are you going to sing?" Sebastian asked.
"Uhhh you mean what are we going to sing?"
"What the hell do you mean we? He asked you."
"Yeah well. No one's going to care."
"Half of your old friends have been giving me looks this entire time."
"So let them. Look if they're any kind of real friend they'll have to accept that I now regard you as one. Besides I'd normally ask Santana to be my duet partner but she and Brittany are in the middle of their... whatever that is."
Kurt pointed to his two friends on the dance floor who had their hands all over each other as they twirled around.
"Fine,'' Sebastian sighed. ''I pick the song though."
"Deal."
"Whistle by Flo Rida."
"I'm not singing a song about oral sex in front of these people."
"Just put your lips together and come real close."
"Pick another son, Smythe!"
"Alright, alright!"
X
Brittany and Santana had dipped and swayed through a few songs together. To any random wedding attendee they appeared to be just another couple on the dance floor but more than that they were playing a very intricate, delicate game with each other.
With this act of theirs it was like everything felt suddenly charged. Every brush of Brittany's hand against Santana's body, every squeeze Santana gave to Brittany's hip. They'd danced together a million times, touched each other's bodies a million times, but now it seemed like everything sizzled and snapped between them. It was electric and intense.
Their act was still firmly in play as they made their way off the dance floor and back to the bar where they were served new beverages.
''You're a really good dancer,'' Santana said, her chest slightly heaving as she came down. ''I could barely keep up.''
Brittany smiled proudly. ''But you look so good all sweaty and breathless. Don't worry, I'll let you recover before round two.'' She reached forward just a bit to observe the long, gold necklace hanging from around Santana's neck. She touched the long dangly pendent on the end.
''So there's going to be a round two?'' Santana asked.
''If you can keep up.'' Brittany had a twinkle in her eye as she continued to toy with Santana's necklace. ''Unless you wanted to find another dance partner…someone a little more…slow paced?''
Santana laughed. "Well my initial plan was to find and hook up with the hottest bridesmaid at the wedding but that fell through."
"How?"
Santana took a drink and let the bubbles settle down within her. "I'm not into redheads." She then motioned with her head to indicate a table on the other side of the room. It was occupied with Emma's wedding party which consisted of Ms. Pillsbury's cousins. ''It's a total ginger convention up in here.''
"So what are you into then?" Brittany asked, knowing full well what Santana's response would be. ''If I'm not being too forward that is.''
''I like forward. Forward is sexy. But to answer your question: blondes. I'm really into blondes. Tall, leggy...flexible. It's probably really cliche but there's just something about them that makes me turn my head."
"We do have more fun as they say."
Brittany turned and surveyed the room of dancing bodies before them. Mike, Tina, Sam and Mercedes as well as the new baby Glee clubbers were amongst the party goers.
"So you don't have your eye on anyone?" Brittany asked.
"Out there? No, unfortunately. No one's caught my eye so far."
"Such a shame."
"So I'm definitely up for round two on the dance floor, even if it does leave me breathless.''
''Good.'' Brittany finally dropped Santana's necklace and took a step back. ''Then while I give you a minute to recover I'm going to freshen up in the ladies room.''
Santana nodded. Sure she was supposed to be playing a sexy, mysterious stranger but she was almost certain she was really giving super eager to please puppy dog vibes instead. ''Of course. I'll be here waiting.''
She watched Brittany slip through the crowds until she disappeared and then immediately turned around to the bar to order another drink. She definitely needed a little more liquid encouragement to keep this game rolling. The bartender had just slid her another glass as she felt a presence beside her.
''Hey, Santana,'' Quinn greeted.
''Q-Quinn,'' Santana stumbled with her words. She had been so preoccupied with Brittany and their game that she totally forgot about Quinn's mondo weirdness towards her. ''Hey.''
''Hey yourself,'' Quinn replied as she took in Santana's outfit, head to toe ''I have to say, you are killing it in that dress.''
Santana shrugged. ''It's how I do.''
''So how have you been? You haven't replied to my last few texts…''
Santana raised an eyebrow. Quinn's recent texts to her had the potential to veer into some dangerous territory because she was pretty sure that her old classmate was lonely and desperate and horny and seemed to think Santana was a viable option. There was a definite reason Santana had left Quinn on read.
''I've been busy. Work. Life. Brittany.''
''Of course.'' Quinn nodded and smiled with what looked like disappointment. ''Judging by the way you've both been tearing up the dance floor, it looks like the two of you are doing really well. When I heard through the grapevine that Britt left New York for LA I thought you guys might have taken a break or-''
''She just had to do what was best for her career. She's working and taking classes and…doing amazing things.''
''And you're both happy?''
''With being long distance? I wouldn't say we're happy but we're making it work. I love her and she loves me and that gets us through.''
Quinn bowed her head with a sort of sad acceptance. It wasn't the answer she was probably wanting but she seemed to take it in stride. ''I'm glad for you then. The both of you.''
''I'll be sure to tell her that.''
Quinn turned to look out at the dance floor. ''I just spotted Mercedes…I think I'm going to go say hi to her and Mike. Maybe steal Mike for a dance or two. I'll see you on the dance floor later?''
''For sure.''
''Later, Santana.''
''Later Q.''
Santana exhaled when her friend eventually walked away from their conversation and she had to chuckle at the absurdity. Deep down she loved Quinn, after all they were two ends of the bitch goddess spectrum. Santana was passion and fire, Quinn was calculated and icy. But in no way would they ever make sense, not in a relationship and not in bed.
Santana didn't even want to think about how drunk and sad she'd ever have to be to consider falling into bed with Quinn freaking Fabray.
X
Sebastian and Kurt were prepping for their duet behind the stage curtain. Kurt was nonplussed but Sebastian was jittery as he peeked through the drape to look at the crowd.
It had been awhile since he had properly performed like this in front of a crowd. It made him anxious knowing Kurt's old friends were going to be witness to it as well. He knew many of them thought he was still of questionable character.
"Will you relax," Kurt said, patting him on his upper arm. "It's just a wedding reception. I'm pretty sure most of the crowd is drunk already."
Sebastian swallowed dryly. "Ugh I need a drink." He found an abandoned tray of champagne flutes and downed one, then two, in a couple of quick gulps.
"You're good?"
"I'm fine. I'm good."
"Just go out there and have some fun with me. Don't worry about anyone in the crowd liking you or not. What is it they say to do when you're nervous in front of a crowd? Imagine them all naked."
"Yeah I know they're your old friends and all but I really don't want to imagine any former New Directions member naked," he laughed but then paused and gave it some thought. "Except that Mike guy, maybe. Maybe Sam too. Puck wouldn't be that bad either if I just imagined a paper bag over his face."
"That's the spirit and if that doesn't work then forget about that trick and just like…look at me."
"Look at you. You mean imagine you naked?"
Kurt flinched. ''Oh-ugh-what?! No! I just mean if you can't focus on the audience, then focus on me."
Artie and Mercedes walked behind the curtains having just finished their duet. They smiled at Kurt and much like Mike did earlier in the night, they simply nodded at Sebastian in greeting, unsure on how to interact with him.
They handed Kurt both mics and moved past them, down a small ramp and around a corner to head back towards the dance floor. Kurt held out one of the provided mics to Sebastian.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
They walked on the small stage and with the backing band having already been keyed in on their song choice launched into the tune. It began with a trippy little guitar part before Sebastian stepped forward and opened his mouth.
"I jump from thought to thought like a flea jumps to a light
You could give an aspirin the headache of its life
Maybe it's the crazy that I'd miss"
Kurt was dancing and bobbing around like a ridiculous muppet. Sebastian had to laugh through the lyrics, he was just so ridiculous and silly and...cute?
"...It won't get better than this
I like the way your brain works, I like the way you try
To run with the wolf pack when your legs are tired
I like the way you turn me inside and out
I like the way you turn
I like the way your brain works
I like the way your brain works"
Kurt had leapt into the song at the chorus along with him and added in the falsetto "oooo oooo oooo"s in the background to fill out the vocal space. It was really hard for Sebastian to even focus on the crowd in front of him. Not with Kurt literally dancing in circles around him, obviously goofing it up on stage, not just for the crowd but for him as well. Sebastian's nerves couldn't get the best of him when he was watching Kurt's over the top gyrations. Thankfully that in turn encouraged Sebastian to let loose and have fun with it. Kurt winked at him as he did another adorable spin around him.
"I like the way you turn me inside and out
I like the way you turn
I like the way your brain works
I like the way your brain works"
Sebastian licked his lips and grinned back at Kurtwho was now fanning his face.
"Baby, it's the crazy I like
I think I saw the world turn in your eyes
Baby, it's the crazy I like
And maybe it's the bull I'd miss
Screaming at the moon in black lipstick
Maybe it's the bull I'd miss
It won't get better than this"
The crowd was moving, getting down to the fast paced song as the mirrorball swirled above them all. Maybe he didn't quite believe in romance in the traditional sense but as he and Kurt moved together under the spotlight Sebastian has to admit he finally began to believe in a kind of chemistry. The reactive kind. The kind that woke you up and kept you on your toes.
The kind he felt spark to life inside of himself when he was around Kurt. It was like someone put his batteries in when he was with Kurt. Every time they spent time together it felt charged.
He was suddenly overcome with all these gross, disgusting thoughts, thoughts about how much he looked forward to seeing Kurt everyday. Whether they were bickering over clothes or teasing Santana together or stealing food off of each other's dinner plate or singing a silly ass duet, whatever the occasion, no matter how small or insignificant they were these tiny moments had somehow become his most favorite part of his days.
Now he had answers to some of the tiny niggling questions that he had been eating at him, especially over the last few days. Like why he felt weirdly compelled to always invite himself along when Kurt and Santana had a night out or why he was so keen to attend this bomb of a wedding as Kurt's fake date, or why he was so stupidly quick to run off to find Kurt milk at a freaking wedding reception or even why there on stage under neon lights, Sebastian couldn't keep his eyes off Kurt. Not for the first time either.
With this sudden realization, Sebastian Smythe knew he was fucked.
But then maybe that was appropriate. It was Valentine's Day after all.
X
Meanwhile out on the dance floor Santana was trying her hardest to get Brittany to be the first one to break. She had never heard Kurt and Sebastian's song before but it definitely got her and Brittany cranking it up a notch.
"I like the way your brain works,
I like the way your brain works"
Santana had even pulled out her secret weapon: her lazy stripper dance move where she lifted both arms in the air and started waving them around in a circular motion. Alas, Brittany's only response was to turn herself around and dance her ass back against Santana.
Fucking game on.
"Do you always dance with strangers at weddings like this?" She asked, her lips grazing the shell of Brittany's ear.
"No."
"Mm." Santana let her hands fall to land on Brittany's hips and she guided her to turn back around so they were facing each other. "Lucky me then."
And so they danced the night away together just like that. Laughing and flirting and teasing and pushing each other's buttons in the most tantalizing charged way. They both knew where their night would end but it was still fun playing with each other like this. The game lasted for a good few hours but eventually as the other guests began to depart and the bartender started serving really watered down drinks, it seemed like it was time for them to move things along. The reception area was started to look sad and empty. Still playing their parts as sexy strangers they made their way out of the hall and further into the hotel and Santana walked Brittany past the main lobby to the bank of elevators.
''So,'' Santana started. ''I guess this is it?''
Brittany pressed the button for her floor and turned around to lean back against the panel. ''I guess so.''
''From one wedding crasher to another, the pleasure has been all mine.''
''It certainly has.''
''You know I'd be happy to walk you up to your hotel room.''
''You would now?'' Brittany knew where this was going and god was she ready for it.
Santana moistened her lips and smirked the smirk she knew Brittany loved so much. ''It would be rude of me to let you take that long, lonely walk all by yourself.''
"Are you sure you're just not trying to get me up to my room alone to seduce me?"
"Hey now, I'm a woman of honor."
"Damn, here I was hoping for otherwise."
Santana hummed. "I mean that can be arranged too."
Ten minutes later Santana, the woman of honor that she was, was confidently leading Brittany into the hotel elevator.
This game was definitely about to escalate. Everything up until this point has been fun and flirty but this, whisking Brittany out of the reception and down corridors until they arrived at an elevator, felt so much more heavy.
"I've never done this before," Brittany said, still in character.
Santana panted and peppered slow kisses along Brittany's neck. "I can go slow and gentle if you need."
"And if I don't?"
"I can go fast and rough too." Santana picked one of Brittany's legs up and placed it around her hip to make room for herself against the blonde's body. It was then she kissed Brittany, hard and deep, pushing her back into the elevator wall with a light thud.
"Santana," Brittany hummed, enjoying the slight display of dominance by her girlfriend.
"I thought we agreed, no names?" Santana teased, delighted in having gotten Brittany to break first.
"I know, I know," Brittany said. "I'm just so ready for you. God, you're so - ugh yeah."
Santana snaked one of her hands under Brittany's dress to come in contact with a warm, smooth thigh. She inched up and paused for a moment when her fingers felt her skin turn slippery.
"No underwear," Santana gulped. "This whole time, at the bar, on the dance floor?"
"In my defense it took you longer than I thought it would to get me up here. I didn't think I'd have this dress on for as long as I did."
Santana went back in for another kiss as one of her hands continued to play with Brittany under her dress, teasing without actually giving Brittany any relief.
And that's when they heard the elevator bell ding.
Brittany took it as an opportunity to get the upper hand and assert herself a little. She nudged Santana back and out from under her dress, grabbed her hand and ran, out of the elevator and down the long hotel hallway. Santana ran after her, stumbling occasionally in her heels to keep up.
"You got the thing?" Brittany asked when they arrived at the room.
Santana pulled the key card out of her tits and held it up in front of Brittany's face.
Brittany swiped it with a dirty smile and turned around to let them in. Santana did her lazy stripper dance move one more time before following her in and letting the door shut behind her.
But once the lock clicked shut they didn't rush into each other's arms and tear off the other's clothes. They didn't dissolve into a heap of tangled naked limbs. No.
Brittany walked over to Santana and let her hands slowly and carefully reacquaint themselves with her girlfriend, traveling up to Santana's neck and cheek. Brittany was excited yes but she also marveled as her fingertips moved over Santana's features. Caressing her chin, stroking over her dimple, tracing along her bottom lip, until she allowed her hands to move and sink into Santana's thick dark hair. Brittany let her fingers tangle in it and gently scratched her scalp.
Her touch was soft and knowing.
Santana leaned into the touch. "Are we still playing the game?"
"I don't think so," Brittany answered. "I don't want to go to bed with a stranger, I want to make love to my girlfriend."
The lust in Santana's brain cleared just a tad at Brittany's request. ''So who won?''
''I don't think it even matters.''
The game downstairs had been fun for a moment and it had definitely helped rile them both up in anticipation but they didn't need it, they just needed each other and this connection. If Brittany wanted Santana to make love to her then that's exactly what she was going to do.
Brittany's traveling hands eventually found their way to the zipper on Santana's dress. "Can I?"
Santana's response was to turn around and let Brittany pull it down, exposing her back which Brittany began to kiss as Santana worked to slowly shimmy out of the tight red dress, giving Brittany more skin to explore. And then she was standing there half nude in front of Brittany who just stared in awe for a long minute.
"Wow," Brittany said in a whisper, almost shuttering at the sight before her.
"What?"
"You're just so beautiful. I don't think I'll ever be over how beautiful you are."
"I prefer sexy-"
"You are, you're sexy and hot and all of those things too but most of all, you're beautiful Santana."
Quietly moved, Santana took a breath before moving to the bed in the room. She placed herself down in the middle of it and propped herself up with her hands, waiting.
Without being told Brittany knew what Santana wanted. Brittany swallowed and began to remove her own form fitting dress. Santana watched with admiration, even sometimes reaching out to touch Brittany's exposed stomach, drawing invisible patterns on her freckles.
Yes their game had been fun but it could never compare to this quietness, this closeness.
They crawled further up onto the bed and peeled the last remaining articles of clothing off of each other until they were both bare but neither of them were in any hurry to get under the sheets. No, they stayed like that, wanting to see every inch of each other, drinking in the sight of their bodies entwining.
This was better than any fast and frenzied one night stand. This was romance, intimacy, and maybe Santana was a sucker for it now but she had to admit as Brittany moved to slide on top of her, she would gladly be a sucker for love than a fool for not believing in it.
X
Meanwhile Kurt danced the night away with his old friends. After he and Sebastian had shared the stage the former Warbler had coughed out something about needing to be somewhere urgently and excused himself.
Kurt didn't give it much thought. He figured Sebastian probably went off to make out with some rando waiter in the coat check room or something. He looked at it as an opportunity to have a few spins around the dance floor with Mercedes, Tina and even Rachel.
"So tell us everything," Mercedes said later on as they all found an empty table to sit at. "How's life in New York? Rachel's talked our ears off about her life in the city. Give us the deets on what you have going on."
"I mean there's not much to tell," Kurt said, loosening his tie and undoing a button so he could relax. "I work, I go to school, trust me, it's not that exciting."
"Okay then," Tina began. "Then answer us this, how is it that you showed up here with Sebastian Smythe?"
"I thought you two couldn't stand each other," Mercedes remembered.
"We couldn't, back then anyway," Kurt said. "It's a long story. Let's just say he's becoming a better person... slowly. He's just here as a friend."
"So you haven't been dating any lately?" Mercedes asked.
"I mean…" Kurt smiled and shrugged but held his head high. "A little. Nothing serious, not yet anyway. I'm enjoying being single and as much as I love romance I am not ready for another relationship. I'm figuring out what I like and what I want and New York doesn't exactly have a shortage of gay single men."
The girls hummed in understanding. Kurt was relishing his new found freedom and wasn't looking to tie himself down to anyone or anything as he enjoyed his youth and new found hunkyness.
"What about you Rachel?" Kurt turned the tables on his friend.
"What about me?"
"Well," Kurt said. "I know you were dating that hot latin guy at NYADA for a second. You wouldn't shut up about how he taught you how to roll your tongue."
"Gross," Tina whispered inwardly to herself.
"But yesterday I saw you and Finn at the Lima Bean," Kurt added with a raised eyebrow.
"So…" Rachel twisted uncomfortably in her seat. "Two old friends can't meet for coffee while they're both in town?"
"Just tell us, are we due for another season of The Rachel & Finn Comedy Hour? Cause that relationship? Was a joke." Mercedes took a sip of her drink with a sassy shake of her head.
"Damn Mercedes," laughed Kurt.
Rachel held her hands up in defense. "No. Finn and I met for coffee and had a nice long talk about the past. I think we needed to sort some stuff out but that's over...we left things in a good place. We've both accepted the fact that we each want different things. Like Kurt I'm not trying to anchor myself to anyone right now. I'm focused on me. In the meantime I'm having fun-"
"Learning how to roll your tongue?" Mercedes cracked up, making the whole table erupt in laughter.
X
"That was amazing," Brittany said as she rolled off of Santana, gasping between each word as her chest heaved.
"Mmmm," Santana hummed. "Best Valentine's Day ever."
They laughed together as they both stared up at the ceiling.
"Thank you," Santana said.
"For what?"
"Just…. being you." She turned her head and placed a kiss on Brittany's slightly sweaty cheek. "You're so good to me and I'll never understand why."
"You don't have to understand it, you just have to accept it."
Brittany reached over to run her thumb across Santana's cheek, tracing the dimple with her fingertip. Struck by a sudden wave of deep affection she pulled herself up from the bed stark naked and made her way across the room. She pulled an envelope out of her bag and walked back to kneel in front of Santana who had since sat up.
"What's this?"
Brittany was beaming. "My valentine's gift to you. Or us. Open it."
Santana gently took the envelope in hand, excited but cautious. Brittany's gifts were always a little left of center. For all she knew Brittany had adopted a pig in her name.
"Tickets?"
Brittany squealed in excitement. "Three months from now you and I are gonna be standing in line to meet all of your favorite queens at the LA convention center for the first ever RuPaul's DragCon."
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"
"How many times are you gonna scream that tonight," Brittany teased and wiggled her brows.
"There's been rumors all over the internet that an official con was happening! I didn't know they set an official date! Brittany!" Santana laughed as she pulled the vouchers out.
Brittany nodded eagerly. "I've been doing really well, like really-really well and I wanted to treat you to a weekend you'll never forget so - are you crying?"
Santana blinked back a couple of tears. "This is the best gift anyone has ever given me."
"Baby, it's okay." Brittany went to give her a sweet peck. "I figured this Valentine's weekend was going to be a drag since we're back in Lima so I'd make it up to you by giving you an even better weekend to look forward to. I don't know if you noticed but there were three tickets in that envelope. I really wanted to give this to you but I also knew how much it would mean to you to experience it with Kurt. Had to get him one too. Did I do good?"
"Oh my god, Britt, you did amazing. This is amazing. You are amazing." Santana tossed the envelope aside to attack Brittany with kisses, planting them all over her face, causing Brittany to giggle as Santana jumped all over her like a happy little puppy. "Thank you, thank you for giving me a Valentine's I'll never forget."
Soon Santana was pushing her down and situating herself between her legs, spreading them out to make room for herself.
"Now it's my turn to give something to you," Santana whispered and stroked Brittany's thigh before disappearing beneath the bottom half of their bed sheet.
X
Sebastian sat alone at the hotel's indoor swimming pool. He was at the edge and had tossed his shoes and rolled up his dress pants in order to let his legs dangle into the water. It was night and the room had a deep blue tint to it. It was quiet with the music from the reception sounding far off in the distance.
He had escaped here to get away from the noise and think.
After singing on stage with Kurt he had to flee. He had made up some excuse to Kurt and scrammed out of there before he could question it.
It was that stupid song. That stupid duet. And stupid Kurt. With his stupid face. And his stupid perfect hair. And his new stupid sculpted body. And the stupid way he challenged all of Sebastian's crap.
Sebastian felt like slapping himself, it seemed so out of his own character. He didn't catch feelings. Never had, never would.
And yet. Ugh.
There was no way in hell that he, Sebastian Smythe, had a crush on Kurt Hummel and if he did have one by some gross weird twist of the universe then he planned to punch it down until it didn't exist anymore. He was going to start this process of course by getting hammered and he was on his way there. He was on his fifth bottle of beer and he was going to keep drinking until these weird feelings for Kurt went away.
"What are you doing here?"
Surprised to hear Kurt's voice behind him, Sebastian almost spit a mouthful of beer into the pool, instead though he ended up dribbling it down into the front of his shirt.
"That's flattering," Kurt said dryly as he went to sit next to Sebastian at the edge. He crossed his legs instead of putting them in the water.
Sebastian pathetically patted the wet spots on his shirt, succeeding in doing absolutely nothing to it. He did however undo his tie and the top few buttons of his shirt in order to let his skin breathe.
"Is this where you've been for the past two hours?" Kurt asked and nodded down at the empty discarded bottles Sebastian seemed to be collecting nearby.
"Yeah, I had to get some air," Sebastian said, covering for himself. "Obviously my vocals are the sex but uhh when all of your straight Glee club friends started grinding and getting down on the dance floor, I had to jet. You know heterosexuality triggers me."
"Right."
"Is it over?"
"The reception? No, it's still going strong. Artie said he's going to go up again and sing Thong Song."
Sebastian made an airy dry heave.
"I actually came to find you because I needed to tell you something," Kurt said in a serious and sincere tone. "I've been trying to figure out how to say this all night because I don't want you to get the wrong idea."
Sebastian felt ill. Seriously and intensely ill. This couldn't be happening, there was no way, there was absolutely no way Kurt was about to confess that he had feelings for him too.
Sebastian was confused. He didn't want this, he didn't even want to feel his own feelings, he didn't need Kurt, he didn't want Kurt, he didn't want any of this.
He felt sweat run down the back of his neck and he swallowed so thickly he was sure Kurt had to hear it.
"Are you okay on your own for the rest of the night? I have a date." Kurt finished.
Sebastian smiled a forced and twisted smile. "A date?"
Kurt dipped his head and lifted a shoulder almost bashfully. "A date might be the wrong word," he chuckled. "I'm meeting someone I matched with on ManMeet, that hookup app. We've been messaging all day on and off and we're going to meet for drinks and then...ya know."
"Oh."
"He seems nice and if his pics are anything to go by…" Kurt let out a puff of air as if his breath had been taken away.
"That hot huh?"
"Seriously the hottest guy I've ever seen. He's a dental hygienist and you know what they say about dental hygienists."
"What?"
"Clean mouths."
Sebastian had to laugh.
"I just thought since I'm in town for the weekend I could have a little fun. I have you to thank for that you know? You're always telling me to stop living by 'Live, Laugh, Love' and start living by 'Live, Laugh, Nut' and for once I'm finally hearing it. It's because of you I realized that I couldn't wait on the sidelines of life, I had to go out there and grab life by the balls. Now look at me, I'm meeting up with a hot sexy guy who said he could hook me up with free teeth whitening trays."
"Wild," Sebastian said unenthusiastically.
"Anyhow, you wouldn't mind if I sneak out of here would you?"
"To hook up?"
"I know you came as my sort of date which I totally appreciate by the way but I don't want you to be pissed if I take off."
"No, no, totally not," Sebastian practically croaked out.
Kurt was spreading his wings and enjoying his freedom and having fun meeting other gay men and isn't that everything Sebastian had been encouraging him to do recently?
He couldn't be mad at that. But he did feel something inside of himself. It was like some kind of twisty feeling in his gut.
"You go have fun, have some drinks, get laid. Live, Laugh, Nut. I'll be fine on my own. I'm good."
Kurt squinted. "You sure?"
"Yeah I'm just gonna finish this up," Sebastian paused and then made his drink dance at his side. "Then I'm gonna head up to my room and pass out."
"Fantastic." Kurt clapped his hands, stood up and began dusting his immaculate suit of any debris. "How do I look?"
With a sigh and with a new appreciation for his friend he smiled. What had been so hard for him to say earlier at the beginning of the morning now seemed as clear as day to him.
"You look really handsome Kurt."
Kurt beamed and then gave Sebastian a friendly swat on his shoulder before retreating for the exit. "And don't you worry, I'll be sure to give you all the steamy details tomorrow morning."
Sebastian lifted his bottle up into the air and nodded as if that's exactly what he wanted. But when Kurt danced his way through the door and it slammed behind him Sebastian's face turned sour.
"Hell," he sighed to himself.
Putting all of these feelings for Kurt in a box was going to be harder than he thought.
X
Santana had needed a break from her little marathon with Brittany and the two of them had spent the last half hour cuddling under the pure white sheets talking and caressing each other.
Brittany ran her fingers up and down Santana's upper arm. "So what did you think of today? Mr. Schue's non wedding I mean?"
"I usually don't feel very many emotions for other people but witnessing that." Santana sucked her teeth. "That had to be the most second hand embarrassment I've ever felt for anyone."
"I feel bad for Emma, is that weird?"
"I don't know. Maybe?" Santana wasn't sure and she didn't seem too bothered either way. "She's always been an anxious person. Maybe something set her off."
"According to Tina and Artie, Mr. Schue dumped a lot of the planning on her when he went to D.C. for some arts funding thing he was a part of."
"Well that would do it. Whatever she was feeling must've been heavy if it made her run away from her own wedding, the day of."
"You know when we finally take the plunge I don't want any of this."
Santana gulped, unsure if Brittany just said what she thought she just said.
"What?"
Brittany just smiled and booped Santana's nose with her finger. "I said when we decide to say I do, I don't need a church or bridesmaids or a band or a spectacle. I just want it to be us. You and me and rings."
"You sound really confident that we're going to get there," Santana laughed. "How are you so sure I'm gonna pop the question one day?"
"How are you so sure I'm not going to be the one to pop the question to you?" Brittany quieted Santana with a kiss.
X
X
X
A/N, Part two: So as you can tell, nothing too drastic has changed except for the inclusion of the DragCon tickets. Originally I had Britt and Santana going on a Vegas trip and getting into a few hijinks while Kurt stays back in NY and begins to sense weirdness in his friendship with a suddenly skittish Sebastian. Things got too complicated and I couldn't make any of that work so I've decided to scrap the Vegas trip and have Santana, Brittany and Kurt do DragCon and address the Sebastian stuff later. It just makes more sense - I mean can you imagine Santana acting a straight up fool at DragCon? I can.