PART THREE
Kurt Hummel stood in the basement gaping. Maybe he didn't believe in God, but if there was ever a heaven that could bring him to his knees, he was standing in front of it right now. For years, he had heard the rumors. Even in middle school there had been whispers, speculation. Some said it never existed. Others said if it had been real once, everything would be dust by now. But here it was, his own personal El Dorado laid open before him in a lush buffet of sequined dresses and feather boas.
McKinley High's costume archives.
Sam broke into a smug grin. He had spent long, sweaty hours replacing light bulbs, clearing away cobwebs, sweeping the dust covered concrete floor. Every hour was worth this one moment of Kurt turning shining eyes to his. "Happy?"
"Orgasmic with joy!" Kurt exhaled breathlessly.
Sam nuzzled his neck. "Who has the best boyfriend in the world? Say it. Say it!" He tickled Kurt's sides sending him into a very undignified giggling fit.
"I do." Kurt danced into the room and spun around, laughing. "Oh, I most definitely do!"
Sam followed as Kurt explored the aisles, enjoying the delighted gasps and startled exclamations he made as something new caught his eye. They rounded a corner and Kurt made a strangled sound. Fedoras and matching vests.
"I think they did 'Guys and Dolls' once."
"Uh-huh." Kurt answered as he set one of the hats on his head and grabbed two more in his hands. He looked at Sam expectantly. "If there's not a mirror down here, I may have to break up with you."
"Would I disappoint?" He nudged Kurt towards a cleared space in the middle of the room while he grabbed the matching vests. "Coach Beiste wants to make this into a weight room. That way she won't have to fight Sue and the Cheerios for the equipment."
He met up with Kurt, busy admiring himself and his newly acquired fedora in the full length mirror. "It could take weeks—months even—to go through all of this."
"Coach said I could have someone help. Think Finn would-?"
"I think not!" Kurt playfully slapped him, pretending to be appalled at the idea.
Sam helped Kurt slip into a vest. "She said I could sell the costumes and keep the money." Sam rested his hands on Kurt's shoulders, studying their reflections. "Anything I make, I want you to have."
Kurt turned around in surprise.
"Your dad's medicine costs a lot, Kermie." Kurt opened his mouth to protest the frog reference but Sam laid a finger on his lips to silence him. "You've been selling your Marc Jacobs on eBay." Kurt flushed, embarrassed. "You really think I didn't know?" Sam kissed him. "Let me do this for you."
Kurt closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again, Sam noticed the obstinate look in his eyes and the determined set of his chin. Kurt laid a palm against Sam's cheek.
"My dad would have loved you."
"Your dad will love me. Once he's back to being himself. He just needs more time to recover."
Kurt smiled sadly, unconvinced.
"But-?" Sam prompted.
Kurt slid his fingers to Sam's turtleneck and tugged the material down. Neither of them needed to look in the mirror to see the fingerprint shaped bruises on his neck.
"You have to get away from your dad." Kurt wrapped his arm around his boyfriend's waist and laid his head on Sam's shoulder. " Use the money for court, Sam. You can file a request for emancipation."
"I can't get emancipated unless I prove I can support myself. I can't support myself without a job." Sam looked around the room. "A real job." He leaned down to kiss Kurt again. "Take the money." Sam deepened his kiss. "Say yes." His hands slid around Kurt's waist, pulling him closer. "Say it."
"...yes..."