A/N: bold-Kurt; italics-Finn
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'so, this is love'
chapter one:
no matter what they say
'To love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person.' -Eric Fromm
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Kurt Hummel was getting ready for his first date, and he was admittedly a tad bit nervous. He had always liked Finn, and definitely knew he was Kurt's knight in shinning armor. After the thorny issue of Rachel had resolved itself when the girl had aired out all of Quinn's dirty laundry, Kurt had begun to hope that perhaps there might be something for he and Finn after all.
His red shirt was plain, he didn't want to be seen as trying too hard, it was only a Sunday, after all. He knew that Finn was still heartbroken over losing his girlfriend, his best friend, and his not-baby all in the same hour, but Kurt was on the war path to make sure he enjoyed this. It was all he had ever prayed for, and he quickly ran to his car, not able to wait any longer.
Finn Hudson wasn't excited in the least bit to be singing yet another duet with a guy. All the others had girls for partners, but of course he got stuck with Kurt, who had a massive crush on him. Not that it really bothered him, but he didn't want to hurt Kurt. He didn't think he could handle losing anymore friends at this point.
The doorbell rang loudly, and he opened it before his mother could get off of their couch. She had been looking at him with pity for the entire last week, ever since Quinn had left to move back in with her parents. He was sick of it, and he was sick of everyone avoiding it. His heartbreak wouldn't be as bad if everyone didn't pretend it never happened. At least, that's what he figured.
He opened the door to find a smiling Kurt on the other side. He smiled effortlessly at the boy, even though he kind of wanted to scowl, but the sight of Kurt in jeans and a plain t shirt made him smile a little bit. He motioned for his friend to follow him in the house, and moved away from the door and unblocking the entrance.
"Hello, Mrs. Hudson." Kurt said to the woman sitting on the couch, she smiled brightly at him.
"Hi, you must be Kurt! Finn's told me so much about you. I'm so glad you guys will be partnered for your duet. The children's hospital really could use some cheering up." She smiled brightly, and Kurt grinned back at her.
"Yeah, I spent a lot of time there as a kid." He said softly, looking to Finn. The aforementioned boy's mother frowned in worry. "Oh dear, whatever for?" She asked.
"Oh, my mother had cancer, she liked to read to the kids when they had to stay there. She lived in the main hospital for a year." Kurt said gently, thinking back to his mother and her smile as she would read a fairytale.
"Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry. You see, I work there on evening shift." She said, patting Kurt's small hand with hers.
"Really? I had no idea. That's really great, though." Kurt said politely, even though he thought it was rather depressing.
"Yeah, mom, we're going to go practice now." Finn said, pulling Kurt behind him to the dark basement.
"So, what're we going to sing?" Finn asked as he flipped on the lights, revealing a piano in the large basement. Kurt smiled at Finn, "I had something in mind." Finn looked relieved.
"I don't know what I would do without you, Kurt. I would be even more lost." Kurt smiled gently at Finn, and took his hand slowly.
"I'd never let you be lost, Finn." He said, and felt Finn squeeze his small hand, sending a jolt of electricity throughout his entire body.
–
Six days later found Kurt and Finn looking nervously at the audience they were set to preform in front of in mere minutes. Both knew that they had their routine down, and that there wouldn't be any slip ups, but they were both still nervous. For Finn it was his confused feelings regarding the boy to his right, and for Kurt it was the hope he felt swallowing him.
"Alright guys, the first two set to preform are Finn Hudson and Kurt Hummel!" Mr. Schue said to the group of sick children, and Kurt and Finn walked out. Their jeans rustled in the silence before Kurt began.
"Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand, hold it tight"
Kurt sang, holding a hand out to Finn, who took it and spun the smaller boy around, a smiling playing on his lips.
"I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry"
Finn raised his mic now, not looking away from his partner as he opened his mouth to sing along with the familiar melody.
"For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry"
He sang evenly, watching Kurt spin around him, and all the kids eyes follow the set of boys. He grinned as they both came together to sing the chorus.
"'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always"
"Why can't they understand
the way we feel
They just don't trust
what they can't explain
I know we're different but,
deep inside us
We're not that different at all"
Finn began singing with more conviction as he watched Kurt dance next to him and leaned against the smaller boys back, hoping that he wasn't imagining the butterflies that formed in his stomach when he sang with Kurt now.
"And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more"
Finn's eyes refused to leave Kurt's as the small boy danced around the room, weaving in between the children that littered the floor.
"Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know
We need each other,
to have, to hold
They'll see in time
I know"
Kurt smiled brightly at Finn before running towards him, taking his hand once again, reveling in the feeling of the large warm hand in his smaller palm.
"When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together"
They quickly danced together, in a way Finn had only ever shared with Rachel. He could feel Kurt's heartbeat beneath his fingertips from where they rested on Kurt's chest.
"'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on,
Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart, always
Always"
They ended the song to happy applause from all of the kids sitting on the floor in front of them, and Kurt grinned brightly, his eyes locking with Finn's for another moment. Hope thick in the air all around them.