Kurt skipped dinner that night, claiming he wasn't feeling very well and needed to get some rest. He went for shower to try to clear his mind. He was thinking about what he said to Sebastian, about how he missed his bitchiness and claws but he was also angry at himself because he was the one hiding them.
When his mom died, Kurt didn't eat for almost a week. He refused to go to school or talk to Burt, just hid himself inside of his mother's closet. Kurt would just sit in the tiny space of the closet, smelling his mother's scent, touching her favourite dress and practically crying days and nights. And Kurt would scream and fight if Burt tried to pull him out there. It was about the fourth day, when Burt broke down crying sitting in front of the closet "Kurt please come out, I can't lose you too. You are all I have now..." Kurt realised he wasn't the only devastated, heart-broken one over the sudden loss. He stumbled out of the closet and fell into Burt's arm crying "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I love you, Daddy..." for about ten minutes. Burt held him close, kissing the top of Kurt's head and comforting him. Kurt had never seen his dad so sad. And it hit him; he needed to be strong to protect his dad. He needed to take care of his dad, this family, like his mother used to do.
He remembered what his mother once told him,"Kurt, you are different from the others. You need to be strong. Being strong will earn you amazing things." Kurt thought that his mother knew he was gay way before he knew he liked boys instead of girls.
So he stayed strong like his mother had told him. He was strong for his mother, his father, and himself; but it got harder every day. When people laughed at him, called him names and threw him into dumpsters; he held on to the words his mother told him. He felt he was going to break when Karofsky's bullying got worse. Then Blaine came into his life. Blaine was like the light in his darkest hour. So he held onto Blaine from the day he spied on Dalton. When Blaine confessed his feelings, he didn't think if that was really what he wanted or if Blaine really meant it; he jumped right into that relationship because he missed the feeling of being loved and cared for. He felt so tired of being the strong one, and that one moment of weakness got to him.
Though aside from what happened last week, Kurt was still grateful for the time being with Blaine. He thought that the relationship did make him better in a way. He learned what he wanted from a relationship. He wanted to do better now. Kurt thought that maybe next time, he would find his perfect other half.
By the middle of the week, Kurt was in fact too busy to have time to think about anything to do with relationships. Sue ran a stupid, horrible election campaign against his dad; and his own campaign for class president was… let's say it didn't seem to work at all. On the upside, he finally made up with Rachel. He really needed a friend right now when Mercedes pretty much cut him off, being in Troubletones.
Kurt and Blaine spent almost an hour explaining to the entire glee club (including The Troubletones) that their break up was a mutual agreement and forbade them to try to play matchmaker to get them back together whatsoever. (It required some serious death glares and threats. And a lot of comforting for Brittany: 'But I don't want to see my favourite dolphin being all alone...')
Thursday night, Kurt remembered he accepted Lucas and Sebastian's Facebook friend requests and the invitation to "Fabulous Little Princess Sisi's birthday party!"
Kurt sent a text to Sebastian.
[What's this birthday party about really? - K]
[You mean you clicked 'join' without knowing what it is? - S]
[No, Lucas sent me the invite; I think it's something to do with you both? - K]
[Awwww, are you suggesting a threesome? ;D -S]
[Gross, I'm not in the mood for sex jokes. Just answer the damn question. - K]
Kurt got an incoming call instead of text.
{What happened?} Sebastian asked the second Kurt picked up the call.
{Well, hello to you too.}
{It's my sister's birthday party.}
{You have a sister?} Kurt tried to imagine what Sebastian's sister looked like.
{She's only 3, well, 4 this weekend. Lucas has a feeling you like kid so he invited you and all the Warblers. Basically we like to show off our baby sister.}
{You sound happy talking about her.}
{Of course I am, you idiot.}
{Anyway, so there'll be a lot of kids in your house then?}
{Yes. It's Sisi's birthday after all, there'll be loads of people.}
{Okay...}
{Are you planning an outfit right now?}
{I have to look fabulous! And kids mean mess, I need to think about stain-proof clothes or something.}
Before Sebastian could say something: {Also! I need your help picking up birthday presents!}
{You don't have to...}
{Of course I have to! Do you have plans after school tomorrow?}
{Normally I have lacrosse practice but it got cancelled so-}
{Meet me at the mall in Lima, you're gonna help me pick out the present.}
{Awwww, trying to impress my family?}
{I impress people everywhere I go.}
Sebastian smiled and wanted to tell Kurt he was effortlessly fabulous in every way but he didn't say it.
{Fine, I'll see you then.}
{Don't tell Lucas what we're buying. I have a feeling he will spoil the surprise.}
{You're right.}
And they fell into silence, it wasn't exactly awkward, it was like an understanding between them that Sebastian was waiting for what Kurt needed to say.
{It's so hard...}Kurt said in a very sad tone.
Sebastian didn't say anything. He knew Kurt needed to let it out. So Kurt told him a simpler version of the gigantic drama that happened in just few days. {...and I still have one more day at school. God knows what can happen. And if I got suspended I can't go to sectionals, my hopes for NYADA are this thin already I might just start having other plans now.}
{Are you just gonna apply NYADA?}
{No of course not. I mean NYADA is my ultimate first choice, but I plan to apply for other school in New York as well. The focus point is . . .Lima.}
{Got it.}
{What about you?}
{NYU. I want to write.}
The answer surprised Kurt but then he remembered all those books in Sebastian's room. {Right, you seemed to like reading a lot.}
{Stalking me now aren't you?} Sebastian chuckled a little and so did Kurt.
{I know you're gonna say I'm being sappy or something but I'm really happy we are friends now. I haven't talked to someone like this for a long time.' Cedes is still kinda ignoring me, Rachel and I just back on good terms, and most of the time her control issues scare me. I think some things are better hidden from her.}
Sebastian felt a warm fuzzy feeling around his stomach. It was weird. It seemed happen a lot whenever he was thinking about or talking to Kurt. It was also kind of scary to him. It was almost like having feelings for someone and he didn't know how to handle it. On top of that, he liked this feeling. He liked feeling warmth from Kurt's voice. It was somehow comforting.
{I like what we are right now. I feel maybe I can tell you things.}
{Maybe?}
{Well, I'm sure you'd listen. I'm just not sure if I'm ready to talk about it.}
{When you told me it's okay to be weak sometime, you sounded so sad… is it something-}
{Not now.} It came out harsher than he thought and Sebastian mentally cursed himself.
{Sorry...}
{No, it's okay, I just...not now, not yet. I will tell you someday I promise.}
{Okay.}
Kurt couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He told Sebastian so many things, he realised he must trust him. He wanted Sebastian to trust him too; but he didn't push it, because Sebastian promised. And Kurt learned to never rush things, so he would wait until Sebastian trusted him enough to tell what happened to him. Maybe it was the reason why he was such a jerk all the time, at least as his present himself. Kurt wanted to know what was behind that mask.
Friday afternoon, Sebastian was sitting in a coffee shop when Kurt arrived at the mall. Sebastian texted him about waiting him in the café, so Kurt went straight to the cafe and easily spotted Sebastian sitting like a freaking model with his sleeves rolled up to his elbow, tie loosened, hanging around the collar and that annoying CW hair.
"My dad won." Was the first thing Kurt said when he sat down across from Sebastian.
"I'm sorry?"
"My dad won the election." Kurt smiled happily, he was so proud of his dad.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you. I'm just really happy my dad made it. I had to share."
"It's cool." Sebastian smiled as well because Kurt just looked so happy.
"What are you drinking" Kurt looked at Sebastian's drink curiously. "You didn't ask for alcohol in there right?"
Sebastian placed his hand over his chest "How dare you think about me like that, Kurt. I'm a good student. I would never do such thing."
They both laughed and Kurt rolled his eyes at Sebastian.
"It's a triple shot latte. Here, try it." He pushed the cup towards Kurt.
Kurt wanted to say that he could go get his own coffee, but honestly, the coffee smelled so nice and he kinda felt too lazy to get up again after sitting on this comfortable sofa. So, he took the cup and sipped it gingerly because, despite Kurt loving coffee, he hadn't had anything more than a double shot.
"Oh my god this is sooooo good!" Sebastian chuckled at Kurt's reaction.
"What? It's good. I really needed good coffee after such a dramatic week"
"It's not just that. You just have...something" Sebastian reached over the table and swiped the little bit of foam from the latte from the corner of Kurt's mouth. Kurt tensed up a little in surprise and Sebastian also just realised this action made them too much like a couple, so he awkwardly pulled his hand away.
"Umm, shall we go...shopping then?" Kurt asked after a moment of awkward silence.
"Sure...let's go."
"What does she like?" Kurt asked when they both walked into a children's toys shop.
"Just the really girly stuff, Disney princesses, pink, bow, flower and lace..." Sebastian pulled out his phone and showed Kurt a picture of Sienna.
"Awww she's so cute! Look she has green eyes just like you and Lucas, and her hair is perfect, she's gonna be so pretty when she grows up."
"I hope she wouldn't still dress like a Barbie 'cause it's only cute when you're 5, not if you're 15."
Kurt laughs. "I can give her makeover"
"God no. Not you too! My mom is on a mission of weekly fashion shows for her already. She even brings Sisi to work sometimes so her whole team can play dress up with her." Sebastian made a horrified face.
"What does your mother do?"
"Fashion PR. Her head office is in LA but she is the CEO, so she can handle most of the paper work at home and only flies over there once a month. Sometimes she flies over to New York and Europe for fashion weeks as well..."
Sebastian paused because Kurt was looking at him with wide eyes in excitement. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Your mom works in fashion..."
"So...?"
"Sebastian Smythe, you don't get how fashion affects people's life."
"It's just clothes."
"It's just clothes?" Kurt let out a defected sigh, simply shook his head a little and mumbled 'hopeless' under his breath.
Sebastian smirked in amusement. He had a feeling tomorrow would be the funniest birthday party ever, or worst, he couldn't imagine what if his mom and Kurt start talking about 'fashion'.
In the end, Kurt chose a fluffy white cat stuffed toy with a lace pink ribbon and a silver bell around its neck. Kurt thought about buying her a little dress but Sebastian was strongly against the idea. (She really got enough dresses, me and Lou bought her so much already, and mum keeps bringing in designer childrens wear.) When Sebastian mentioned Sisi liked cats but their mother was allergic so they can't have one, Kurt just jumped on the idea of giving her a cat stuffed toy. All kids liked stuff toys anyway. It really couldn't go wrong.
Saturday afternoon, Kurt arrived at the Smythe mansion again. Kurt pressed the doorbell with a slightly shaky hand. He somehow felt nervous. Was it because he was going to meet Sebastian's parents and his precious sister? His thoughts were cut off by the front door swinging open.
"Hello." A young woman opened the door and smiled brightly.
"Hi, I'm Kurt-"
"Ah! You're the one Lucas won't shut up about! Come on it! I'm Charlotte by the way, but everyone call me Lola." Lola guided Kurt into the house "They are all in the living room right now. Edith is dying to see you!"
"Edith?"
"The mother of the Smythe monsters. Don't tell them I said that." Lola made a zipping motion across her lips.
"Your secret is safe with me." Kurt laughed. "Oh, presents, should I-"
"I will put it in the presents pile for you."
"Thank you."
They walked into the living room and found Jeff and Nick chasing some kids around the room, while Sebastian was sitting on the end of the sofa shaking his head in disapproval. Lucas was holding Sienna, who Kurt recognized from the photo Sebastian had shown him yesterday. A woman with brunette hair was sitting gracefully next to Sebastian, talking to him.
"Hey boys, Kurt's here! Lucas, I can see why you're so fond of him." Lola called out and then disappeared into the kitchen.
Lucas snapped his head up. "Kurt! Come over here!" He waved his hand in excitement.
"Sisi, this is Kurt. Kurt, this is Sisi"
"Hello and Happy Birthday! You look absolutely beautiful." Kurt gestured to the little tiara and the pink chiffon dress she was wearing. From the quality and look of the material, Kurt was sure that they were designer.
Sienna looked at Kurt in awe just like Lucas had when he met Kurt the first time "Are you an angel?"
Kurt laughed lightly. "No honey, I'm not."
"Then you must be a prince. Only prince or angel is pretty like you" Sienna said 'prince' in French.
"Sorry, we were staying in France before so she speaks in French sometimes." The women with brunette hair said, now Kurt was sure that must be their mother, because Sisi looked just like her. She reached out to shake Kurt's hand. "I'm Edith, call me Edie."
"Nice to meet you, Edie, and it's okay because I understand French. Sienna is lovely." Kurt smiled.
Jeff and Nick sat down on the couch next to Kurt. "Kurtie you're here!"
"I see that you two are busy making new friends." Kurt's head pointed to the girls and boys running towards kitchen.
"I feel like I've just been to gym. This is insane." Jeff was breathing heavily.
"Boys are worse. I know 'cause I was my mom's nightmare." Nick laughed.
"You have no idea." Edie smiled and ruffled Lucas' hair "Right Lou?"
"Momma!" Lucas pouted "What about Seb? He must be worse than me!"
"Actually no, I'm the straight A student and school star for winning every game I've played in." Sebastian said proudly "I'm smart! Right, Sisi?"
Sienna giggled and held her thumbs up "Smart!"
Kurt lightly patted Sienna's hair "She's adorable."
Sienna jumped off Lucas's lap and climbed onto Kurt's lap "Will you be my prince?"
"Why do you think I'm your prince honey?" Kurt asked in soft voice.
"Lou-lou said a princess always marries a prince, and princesses and princes are the prettiest. You are the prettiest boy I've ever seen. You must be a prince."
Kurt giggled "Oh honey. Thank you but I don't think I'm your prince. You are still so young. Don't you want to find a prince your age?"
"But you are the prettiest. You can marry me when I'm older." Sienna snuggled into Kurt's arms.
"What's with you Smythe kids all crushing on our Kurtie?" Jeff raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Oh, all? Is that means you have a crush on Kurt as well, Bas?" Edie smirked.
"What? Why are you draging me into this?"
"Kurt is beautiful, and obviously has impeccable fashion sense! Look at his outfit!" Edie stated.
"Thank you Edie. It's hard to find people that understand fashion in Ohio."
"Oh god no. Don't start talking about clothes." Lucas and Sebastian whined at the same time and everyone laughed.
David, Trent and Thad just arrived at that exact moment.
"Hey boys." Sebastian gave them a causal wave.
"Hi! Hello Mrs Smythe."
"Call me Edie." Edie smiled and ushered them to take a seat "You boys have fun. I'll go check on the cake and stuff."
"Is that the little princess?" Trent asked looking at Sienna in Kurt's arms.
Sienna giggled and hugged Kurt's arm closer.
"Looks like your sister likes Kurt better." David teased the Smythe boys.
"I think everyone here likes Kurtie better" Jeff laughed.
"Because Kurt is so beautiful." Lucas said matter-of-factly.
Kurt blushed and hid his face in Sisi's hair.
"Kids are so forward nowadays, openly flirting with a senior. No wonder girls like Justin Bieber. We're like boring old men already" Jeff smirked.
Lucas only grinned even bigger at Kurt. Sebastian cleared his throat. "Sisi, do you wanna go check out your birthday cake?"
"Cake! Is it strawberry? Or Chocolate?" Sienna's eyes lit up.
"Why don't we go and ask Momma?"
"Kurtie, do you wanna go with us?" Sienna clutched at Kurt's arm.
"Of course honey, let's see the cake!" Kurt held her close in his arms.
The other boys followed them to the open kitchen area. The other kids were surrounding the big table already, having some snacks and juice. Apparently Lola was really good with kids.
When all the kids (include the Dalton big kids), settled down around the big table. Lola started bringing in all the food. Kurt tried to help but she refused and Sisi was asking for hugs from Kurt all the time so he gave up and just has fun with the toddler.
Sebastian and Lucas were sitting on either side of Kurt with Sisi bouncing happily about the cakes on Kurt's lap "Bas, I want strawberry cake!"
"Alright princess, but you have to blow your candles and make your wish first."
Sisi clapped her little hands "Cake cake!" But then she looked up around the room and asked "Lou-lou, where's Daddy?"
Kurt could sense Sebastian stiffen up suddenly next to him, even Lucas looked caught off guard. "Umm, I think he's just running late..."
Sisi pouted "But I want Daddy here."
As if on cue, Jonathan Smythe walked in with a small red bag in hand. "Where's my baby girl?"
"Daddy! Daddy! Here! I'm here!" Sisi excitedly reached for the man. She got off of Kurt's lap and ran to her father.
Jonathan held her up in his arms "Give daddy a kiss." Sisi giggled and kissed him on the cheek.
"I'm going to make a wish. I don't want you to miss it!"
"Sorry sweetie I'm late because I was picking up your present!"
Edie gestured them towards the table "Let's not let everyone wait for the cake anymore; I'm sure Sisi wants have some too. Right my baby?"
"Yes! Cake! Make wish! Lou-lou light the candle!"
Lucas lit the candle. "Come on Sisi, make your wish!"
Jonathan helped Sisi stand on the seat. Sebastian pulled Kurt few steps away from them and ushered Kurt to stand behind him.
Kurt looked over Sebastian's shoulder, Sisi made her wish and blew out her candle. Everyone clapped happily and Lola started getting everyone a piece of cake. Everyone was smiling happily except Sebastian and Lucas.
Sebastian's hands were clenching into fists, his smile looked forced, and Kurt could feel that the air around the Smythe boys and the men was awkward. Lucas was better, but he was biting his bottom lips nervously as well. Edie watched them with worried, sad eyes but she tried to hide it the best she could.
Jonathan flashed the boys a weak smile with guilt in his eyes.
Sebastian mumbled 'I need air' before he walked out from the back door, to the garden. Kurt was worried and confused. What happened with their father to cause such a situation and this awkward atmosphere on this big day for their family?
A/N: Okay so this must be the longest I've written so far. yay.
Thank you for reading and reviewing, I think we're having Team Bas & Team Lucas right now.
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