AN: Here you have chapter 3. We're back with Kurt for this one (the chapters switch between the two). Glee and it's characters are still not mine... Enjoy!
Chapter 3 - When Old Friends Come to Town
Be true to yourself. Fashion have a way of trying to dictate rights and wrongs. I, myself, am very guilty of adhering to the guru that is Vogue, and judging people on their appearances. But then I see someone who gets what fashion is really about. Like the violinist in his tight fitting black polo shirt and somewhat defiant deep red bow tie. Looking at someone like him, I am reminded that fashion is not about following the trends and copying the designers most of us can't afford to buy. Fashion, to me, is about knowing who you are, and not being afraid to show it.
- VonTrappChild
Kurt left his desk at 5 as usual that Wednesday in mid December. He stopped, as he always did, at the desk by the front entrance to greet the cute though very straight, very married security guard, before making his way into the slowly falling snow. It wasn't any normal Wednesday though. He wasn't headed home to watch his reality series while eating, before finishing his work and heading to bed early. Instead he was rushing through the door, heading straight for the bedroom where a carefully chosen outfit awaited him.
Half an hour later, as he was doing touch ups on his hair, there was a knock on the door. He felt an unfamiliar smile creep onto his face as he opened the door for an absolutely beaming Mercedes. He barely got out his hello before he was captured in a tight hug.
"Hi, White Boy. It's been too long." she said in his ear before letting go of him. He just smiled and nodded. It had been about half a year since the two friends had been in the same room, though they skyped at least once a week.
"Let me see the ring" Kurt gushed after having waved Mercedes and her luggage into his living room. She didn't hesitate in proudly showing of the ring clad hand. About three weeks prior Kurt had gotten the big news that his dear friend was getting married in the spring. He had of course asked all the right questions and had seen the ring through the screen on more than one occasion since, but that wasn't the same as seeing it for real. "Oh Mercedes, it's gorgeous!" he gushed as he examined the small diamond set in silver.
"I know, I still can't stop looking at it and be so happy. I'm so happy, Kurt!" she exclaimed, pulling him in for another hug. He laughed and hugged her back.
"You'll have to tell me about it on the way, though, or we'll be late." he said before pushing her towards the door. Mercedes had decided to come to New York a few days before their annual New Direction Almost Christmas Festive Weekend because a friend of her fiancee was playing at a concert, and she had a favour to ask of him. She had invited Kurt with her, and despite himself he was actually looking forward to it. It was an end-of-semester concert at Juilliard and it had been some time since Kurt had treated himself to some live music.
From he had entered the stage about 5 minutes before the concert Kurt's eyes had been drawn to a charming dark haired violinist. For the first half of the concert he had been seated among the other violins and had almost successfully blended in with the rest of the small chamber orchestra. But after the intermezzo the unnamed man was sorting through some sheets on one of the soloist note stands in front of the orchestra.
The conductor of the evening briefly introduced the second half of the concert starting with Corelli's Christmas Concerto Grosso. From the moment the violin was on the man's shoulder everything but the man and the music drifted from Kurt's mind. The man, though eye-catchingly handsome before, was now breathtakingly beautiful. There was no doubt in Kurt's mind that he was born to play the violin. The way he and the instrument melted together, his bow flying over the strings and the gentle caresses of his fingers against the neck of his instrument had Kurt captured. The music was beautiful, filled with peace, serenity and hope. Once it ended and the dark haired took his bows, Kurt felt as if he was pulled from some wondrous dream. Ignoring Mercedes curious glance, he applauded the man and the other musicians, whom he had hardly noticed, enthusiastically.
"So, do you wanna come or stay here?" Mercedes asked as the last applause faded away. He replied that he would rather stay, and watched as Mercedes made her way towards the stage and disappear through the same door as the musicians. Kurt was left to ponder on the music and the violinist.
"I like it when you smile." Mercedes words broke the comfortable silence that had been between the two of them for the past half hour. They had made it back to Kurt's flat through the snow, and were now settled on the couch with steaming mugs of tea. Kurt was startled from his thoughts of handsome violinists, and send his guest a questioning look. "You were smiling," she explained, "I like to see you smile."
"I smile." Kurt said, well on his way to be offended.
"Not very often, boo, and not like that. Since your father, you know, since then, you've been... Distant." Kurt looked into the depths of his tea mug as she talked, not quite certain what to say to that. "We worry about you, Kurt." He sighed at that, knowing she meant it.
"I know Merce. I'm sorry. It's just. It's been hard you know?" He looked at her with sincere eyes, and she smiled back gently. "I don't mean for you to worry." He said in a small voice. She put her arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer to her.
"We do. But that is what friends are for, so. Just be sure to let us know if there's something we can do for you. Like telling that editors of yours to shut it, or help set up a date with whoever it was you saw earlier," at that last comment, Kurt send his friend his world famous 'bitch glare', though a small smile was lurking in the corner of his mouth.
"I didn't 'see someone' earlier!" He said leaning against her shoulder. She just hummed in reply. "I'm sure I could get David's friend to help me set you up." She mussed.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he told her solemnly.
"Sure you do. That little smile betrays you, Hummel." Her just shook his head at her and got up to put on the kettle again. "We'd be happy for you, you know. Your dad would, too." Kurt knew she had followed him to the kitchen, but didn't turn to face her.
"I know." He said after a few deep breaths. With that they turned to the somewhat safer topic of his boss.
Friday came sooner than Kurt would have liked. He was enjoying his alone time with his best friend, and found the prospect of the entire New Directions fairly daunting. They had all agreed to meet outside the theater, where Rachel's musical was playing on Friday night, so Kurt and Mercedes set of together. Puck was the first to spot them, and before he knew it, Kurt was pulled into a bear hug of epic proportions.
"I missed you too, Puckerman," he quipped, once he was safely back on the ground. He had hardly left the circle of Puck's arms, before another pair was circling him from behind.
"It's good to see you, Kurt," Tina's soft voice sounded in his ears. A half smile crept onto his face, and he returned the sentiment. The half hour before the show was set to begin was spend greeting New Directioners as they arrived.
Despite himself Kurt found that he could actually relax enough to enjoy seeing his friends again. The New Direction twice annual weekends had started the year Kurt's father died, and he knew they were created for his sake. His friends had been spread about the country, and it had been hard for them to be there for him as much as they had wanted. That the weekends gave everyone a chance to catch up was an added bonus. The 'Festive Weekend of Festivities' were held the second weekend before the holidays in New York, and was always without spouses, which meant that Santana and Brittany - the only surviving ND pairing - was the only couple Kurt had to deal with.
Since his father died Kurt hadn't even been on a date, to afraid to get attached only to suffer another loss. He wasn't quite strong enough for that yet. As the group of no-longer-teenagers began making their way to their seats, someone caught Kurt's eye. He stopped in his tracks and stared at the curly haired man taking his seats next to another, vaguely familiar, elder man. Kurt instantly recognized the violinist from the concert the other night, and he had to fight against that oh-so-telling smile. He hadn't even spoken to the man, so where was this... attraction coming from?
"Kurt, what is it?" Tina, who had been walking behind him, asked.
"Nothing," he replied quickly, "just thought I saw someone from the magazine." He hurriedly made his way to his own seat, and sank into it, gratefully.
Kurt had already seen the show three times - having been dragged by Rachel who wanted his praise - and found himself being distracted by his own thoughts. He spend some time on the violinist, but resolutely pushed those thoughts away in favor of planning his next blog entry, and considering where to find that cover one of the blogs had recommended.
AN: So, there you have it. Chapter 4 later today, where we will return to Blaine and a special guest... The Corelli piece mentioned is widely available on YouTube, though, being an early baroque piece, interpretations of it is quite various. It can be found as the Christmas Concerto, but is also his op. 6, no 8 Concerto Grosso in G minor. (I'm imagining Blaine playing the violin 2 solo.) I also just wanted to say that my knowledge of fashion mainly come from Project Runway, so any inaccuracies or strange opinions are caused by this. Feel free to let me know what you think... See you later...