A/N: Here is more! Sorry for the delay.
Title: Slight Variations
Chapter: 2/?
Author: Polyjuice Princess
Rating: T (for now)
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor make any profit from these works. All recognisable content belongs to Ryan Murphy and Fox.
Summary: A Summer Internship after graduation will change everything for Kurt. New friends, experiences and circumstances. A Season 4 AU. Rated T.
NOTE: There is established Klaine, as this does run (mostly) alongside season 4 and later season 5.
A MORE IMPORTANT NOTE: There is a massive TIME SKIP in this chapter. Many plot points will be featured in flashbacks and references further down the track. AND - most chapters from here on in, spare a few, will be relatively short, as this is really just a series of snapshots into the Variations of life, with Hunter and Kurt knowing each other.
Chapter 2 - The End?
Hunter had been different all week.
They'd usually be able to talk and joke together so easily, but this week, there had been an edge to Hunter. Kurt wasn't really sure what it was, but there was something different about him lately. There was only about two weeks left of summer, and he knew that it'd be different afterwards. They hadn't actually talked about what was happening next, they had just wanted to spend every available moment together, having fun.
The fact that they may be far apart after the next few weeks scared Kurt more than he'd like to admit.
He'd grown used to being around Hunter practically 24/7. Not having him around would make for a startling change, he was sure. Not knowing what would happen had made him anxious this last week as well. It wasn't as noticeable as whatever had been happening with Hunter, though.
He'd contemplated asking Isabelle what was up, but had a feeling that she would just tell him to talk to Hunter.
Currently though, he was making his way downstairs to his and Hunter's usually meeting place. Hunter hadn't come in to Vogue that day, texting him something about spending some time with Callum and meeting up later. He wouldn't begrudge him the time, knowing that having Hunter to himself was a bit selfish. But, the fact that Hunter found it important to get in some more time to see his brother had set off alarm bells in his head. It could only mean that Hunter would be leaving New York.
He wasn't avoiding Kurt, per se. He just didn't know how to break the news to him.
They only had two more weeks together. He had yet to tell Kurt his plans for after that, as it had become an unspoken agreement to not speak of the future and live in the now.
He'd spent the day hanging around Callum. He'd tried to ask for help, but all he'd gotten was a "Just tell him already" which, in retrospect, was probably the best advice, but all he could feel was anxious to see Kurt again. It felt like admitting that he wouldn't be around Kurt anymore made it so much more real. Only a week ago, Aunt Belle had asked him his opinion on Kurt wanting a job after the summer. Knowing that Kurt would say yes, she'd put the idea away and focused on his obviously downhearted thoughts of leaving Kurt.
The only advice she'd given him mirrored Callum's almost exactly. He'd almost thought the two were in cahoots; they had been talking more than usual…
Hunter checked the time - 4:08 - just as he entered the reception of Vogue. Right, he had two minutes before Kurt would come downstairs.
Seeing Hunter across the room was fascinating. You could pinpoint the time he realised Kurt had arrived, surprise then dread before settling on happiness. 'Well,' Kurt thought, 'whatever Hunter has to tell me is bad then…'
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Kurt suggested.
Hunter looked startled before nodding and leading the way through the workers milling near the entrance.
"Central Park, then?" Hunter gestured in the general direction of the place. Kurt had found it surprisingly close to the Vogue building in his first week. Glancing skywards, it seemed like a slightly cloudy day, but he was sure it wouldn't rain on them.
'Crap, what am I going to say! I can't believe I didn't think about this first!' Hunter's palms began to sweat. 'So, I'm leaving? No, that's terrible. Umm…'
They walked in silence for a few minutes as Hunter thought. Kurt on the other hand was mildly amused and more than a little worried. What was Hunter going to say?
They sat on a bench, watching the other pedestrians and avoiding the other's gaze.
"Okay, I'm just going to say it! I'm leaving…" Hunter faltered. Kurt had pinned him with his glasz eyes, flooded with the emotion he shut from his face. He nodded encouragingly.
"Oh, I've known that for weeks now. Where are you going?" His high voice was unusually soft, his voice cracking mid-sentence.
"Interstate. Ohio, to be specific." Kurt's eyebrows shot up. "Yeah, I know, that's where you're from. I thought I might meet some people you knew."
"Wow, alright. But Ohio's pretty big, so the chances of you seeing anyone I knew is slim."
"Well, from what you told me once, you'll definitely have met the people there. I'm going to Westerville. Dalton Academy for Boys. My parents wanted somewhere that was structured to the point of lunacy and somewhat out of the way." Kurt snorted at 'structured'. With all the impromptu performances and general craziness he'd witnessed while there, he could vouch that the 'structure' was just for snooty parents.
"Oh my gosh. I can't believe this. That's the same school!" Hunter's look said that he knew that, thanks. "Alright then… The guys there are all amazing. It's fun and crazy in all the best ways." Kurt's tone took on a reminiscent quality. His time at Dalton hadn't been as bad as he'd let people believe.
"Not that I'm very happy that you've got to leave, but at least it's somewhere as awesome as that. I get the feeling you'll get along with Sebastian," Kurt paused for thought, "and maybe Thad. Yeah, with your military background, definitely Thad."
Hunter was just glad Kurt hadn't taken it too badly.
Two weeks later and they were standing at the airport. After tearful goodbyes to Sarah and Jake and many other interns the day before, with many promises to keep contact, Kurt and Hunter were waiting for the same plane to Columbus, Ohio. It was ironic really, as Kurt had thought the last he'd see Hunter was going to be days ago. Isabelle had mentioned something vague about him coming back one day (which, to everyone but Kurt, was very soon). But Kurt had wanted to visit everyone before starting any jobs or courses. As Hunter was flying out as well, they'd resolved to go together and spend the maximum amount of time together before inevitably parting.
The procedure at Dalton was that all the boarders could move in a week before school actually started. An idea that became a blessing for some with more unfortunate family situations. Or if they were just bored as the end of holidays grew dauntingly close. It was an especially good thing for new students (mainly freshmen) so that they could become familiar with the school and the daily life of a boarder. As Kurt was staying for just over a week, he'd promise to help Hunter move in. And it was a chance to see all his old friends again (like most of the Warblers, hell, even Sebastian). And for Kurt, it was a beautiful opportunity to see his family, the people he'd only contacted through emails, texts and short but lively phone calls.
Hunter and Kurt had just finished setting up Hunter's somehow single dorm when a yell from down the hallway halted their walk to the entrance hall.
"Kurtie!"
Said boy's eyes widened, "Oh no."
He was quickly tackled to the ground and squeezed within an inch of his life by an enthusiastic blond. "Jeff! How's my favourite ball of energy?" He was happy to see him, even though his hair was messed up.
"Get off him, 6."
"Aw, fine."
Nick had stood back to watch the spectacle fondly. He too hugged Kurt, once he was upright. "Good to see you, little bird."
Jeff interrupted the moment, "Wait, why are you here?" As eyebrows were raised, he backpedalled, "I mean aren't you graduated and in the large fishbowl of life, where you have to fend for yourself and live off of-"
"Jeff." Before the blond could go off on a tangent about the adventure of 'after-Dalton' life, Nick had cut him off.
Kurt cleared his throat. "I'm actually here to help someone else move in to the dorms. Jeff, Nick, meet Hunter Clarington. Hunter, meet Jeff '6' Sterling and Nick '3' Duval."
"Wait, was that Sebastian?"
They'd been lounging in one of the many common rooms, catching Hunter up on all the drama and background necessary for Dalton, when a small group of boys passed by the door.
They paused their conversation as Kurt leapt to his feet. "I need to talk to him!" He rushed after him, calling out as he went further down he corridor.
Hunter tilted his head to the side, "Hold on, Sebastian as in 'The Meerkat-faced CW-haired Sebastian'?"
The two boys traded looks before grinning and turning back to Hunter. "Yeah, that one."
Fifteen minutes later and the three boys were feeling a bit apprehensive. They hadn't seen Kurt and Sebastian for a while and were beginning to think something bad had happening. Especially considering their background.
They searched out Kurt's favourite spots, underneath one of the many trees in the Dalton 'forest' (which was really just a small garden with a few trees). Kurt's favourite tree was the one that shaded Pavarotti's grave. The two boys were sitting shoulder to shoulder on a stone bench, heads bent together as though they could only just hear each other.
The three watched in silence.
"Thanks for talking to me…"
"I owe you this much. I have changed you know."
"You don't owe me anything." When a disbelieving look was sent his way, he put on a determined face. "Really! You've redeemed yourself, in everyone's eyes… Even Blaine, even if Blaine can have demented standards sometimes." Kurt muttered the last part, mind cast back to the Whitney Week Incident.
"I feel like there's a story there, but I won't ask 'cause it sounds like it hurt."
Kurt huffed a small laugh. "You're right." They were silent for a while. "Who'd have thought, two years ago, that we'd be sitting here, all friendly like?"
"We're friends." Sebastian said it with a kind of certainty that made Kurt smile one of his rarer smiles, the ones he reserved for Hunter and his dad. "Also, I knew. That we'd end up here. From the moment I saw you, I knew we'd end up together, even if it was just on this bench."
They chuckled together for a moment before basking in the sun. "No you didn't, you doofus."
Kurt leaned into Sebastian's side, causing Sebastian to look down at him. Kurt admitted something that had been haunting him since they'd gotten on good terms the year before, "You know… If it wasn't for Blaine, I'd definitely be going after you."
Sebastian furrowed his eyebrows, mind reeling. "I wouldn't be good for you."
"Not then, no. But now… It could've worked."
"But Blaine." It was a reason loud and clear. They stared at each other for a while.
"Yeah."
There was a small rustling from the entrance of the garden. Sebastian spied three figures out of the corner of his eye. "They're here. Probably checking on you." He paused. "Wait, who's that cute one, on the right?"
Kurt smirked, "That, my meerkat-like friend, is Hunter Clarington. He's new. We met in New York. I was actually thinking that you guys would get along well, what with you being a flirt and him being a steel wall to come-ons."
"Ha. Challenge accepted, my coiffed porcelain doll."
A/N: There we go, another chapter! Next one will feature Kurt back in New York and the inner workings of Vogue.
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