The Storm: Reconciliation
Chapter Thirty-Four
By Gayforkurt
Summary: Kurt and Dave have come to terms with the past but can they battle the envy and jealousy of others to make a future for themselves? This is rated M.
A/N 1: Please, read and review, guys. Feedback is always welcome so let me know what you like, what you don't and what you'd like to see, 'kay?
Disclaimer: Messrs. Ryan, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favorite boys. Only the OCs and situations belong to me, alas.
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KHDK
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Mercedes smiled as she relaxed beside Kurt on the couch, her eyes shining as she took in the glow on her friend's face. She looked over at David who was chatting with the two 'associates', Ian and Devon; the man was certainly a hunk but there was something very familiar about him, but she couldn't pin it down as yet.
Kurt grabbed her hand and squeezed it, his happiness obvious to all as he looked at his one-time best friend. Truthfully, she was probably his only best friend because he was known for not getting very close to people. He wasn't exactly stand-offish but his past had made him wary of getting too close to just any and everybody. Now he smiled at how much slimmer and confident his lovely friend looked, her hair in a shorter, sassier style than when they were in school.
"So, 'Cedes, spill! What's been happening all this time…" and he leaned over to whisper: "in the love department."
She giggled as she looked down at their clasped hands, a little shy in all this company, but she lowered her voice and her head to whisper back: "Nothing as exciting as your love life, obviously!"
Kurt straightened up and narrowed his eyes at her playfully. "Oh, come on," he said quietly. "You can't tell me such a gorgeous specimen of femininity has remained single all this time?"
She shook her head, her hair tousling but falling back into place neatly. "Oh no, I'm dating occasionally, but it's all good."
Mercedes was truly happy for Kurt's success, in both his professional and personal lives. If anyone deserved such good fortune it was her beautiful, compassionate friend. Even when Kurt had been bullied beyond belief he never took the opportunity to retaliate, a situation that had often frustrated her to no end. She couldn't imagine, even though she had been brought up in church, not paying back some of those wastes of space for the things they managed to get away with.
Now she looked around the room, her gaze landing on David and then she gasped, her eyes widening as she turned back to Kurt. One hand came up to cover her mouth but she managed to gasp out: "Oh, my goodness, Kurt Hummel. I thought I recognized his face from somewhere!"
Kurt smirked; he had been wondering when it would register who David was. He nodded now but his eyes held a faint warning. "Yeah, yeah, but please don't make a big deal of it, pleeease?"
She stared at him for a moment before her eyes flicked to the big, handsome man on the other side of the room chatting so calmly, so relaxed, with his friends. She looked back at Kurt and finally calmed down, smiling as she patted his slender hand.
"Hey, I get it. I won't say a thing but one day we have to meet up for coffee and you will tell me everything, white boy!"
They giggled together as her words brought back their school days when they used to spend what felt like hours giggling, gossiping and exchanging secrets. Kurt suddenly leaned forward and hugged his friend tightly. It was so good to have her back in his life; he could kick himself for waiting so long to contact her.
The night continued in this fashion, Kurt and Mercedes continuing to reminisce even after David excused himself to make some calls to the other side of the world. The business world didn't slow down even when billionaires went on vacation and there were just some things he didn't want to leave solely to his managers and partners.
Ian and Devon also made their excuses, the men going to different parts of the house rather than hanging out together. Devon, to be fair, wasn't good company for anyone for he was missing Puck terribly. He hadn't heard from his lover that day and wondered where in the world the man was currently. Puck had planned on making a quick stop in the islands just to see for himself how well Julian was getting on. He got almost daily calls from Xavier but he was a pretty hands-on kind of manager and now he was setting up his own company, he was going to become even more so.
Now Devon settled himself on the bed, his earphones in place as he listened to his favorite world beat music, his head bobbing and his feet tapping out various beats. He closed his eyes, a beatific expression on his face as he sank into the primal rhythms vibrating into his ears. He could fall asleep like this but he wasn't really ready for bed yet; he would just sink into a meditative state for now.
Outside in the family room the two old friends sipped coffee and continued their long overdue catching up. Kurt learned that Mercedes had had her agency for nearly five years now and things were just so-so, she said. The housing market was just resurging, nothing as big as back in the earlier part of the century but she was breaking even.
Kurt watched her as she talked about her life and how she sometimes wished she could travel the world. She had no one serious that she would consider marrying but she seemed fairly contented with how her life had turned out. At one point she hinted about a crush she had had on one of their former schoolmates but she laughingly refused to divulge his name. Still, she had dated quite regularly if not very often and she had nothing to complain about. The big 3-0 was coming up for both her and Kurt but, unlike him, she had no one lined up and she still wasn't worried about it.
They were just reminiscing about their school and the teachers who had made an impression on them when Kurt heard a car pulling into the driveway. He turned his head, got up and headed to the foyer and looked out the side glass with its frosted design of palm leaves. He let out a little laugh, opened the door quickly and then stepped back.
"Hmmm, I wondered when you'd turn up," his cheeky phrase was belied by the huge grin that spread across his face. He was pulled into a quick one-armed hug as a tanned, muscular man stepped into the foyer.
"Hey, princess, everything good?" Puck dropped his bags and shrugged out of his long, woolen coat revealing a tight-fitting dark grey sweater and tight black jeans. The man was always a treat for the eyes no matter what he was wearing, Kurt thought as he headed back into the family room.
Mercedes turned her head and, her eyes widening in recognition, she leapt to her feet. Her voice was a little cautious though when she spoke. "Noah, Noah Puckerman?"
Puck looked at the dark-skinned woman, a slight frown in his dark grey eyes. He nodded, though, and looked at Kurt. "Yeah, that's me, but_"
Mercedes smiled a little when she answered. "Oh, you don't know me but you went to McKinley High and I recognized you from your yearbook photo."
Kurt looked at her, puzzled. "You did – but why? I don't remember the yearbook photos…"
A rich chuckle burst from her. "It's just that he had this mohawk that used to fascinate me and he was voted 'Most Likely to end up in Prison'."
Puck nodded proudly, a smirk on his good-looking face. He sprawled on the couch beside her and helped himself to some coffee without asking. Kurt rolled his eyes and took a seat in the chair across from them.
"That's right, but not prison, the army. It was pretty cool; loved all the fighting and killing." He chuckled evilly at her gasp and he winked at Kurt unrepentantly.
Kurt decided to help Mercedes out. "He has his own security company and he consults for David now. He also happens to be a good friend. Noah, cut it out!"
The tanned man was giving Mercedes a hard-eyed stare, trying to creep her out but at Kurt's admonition, he laughed and got up.
"Hey, it was nice meeting you, Mercedes. I hope we'll see you around. I guess you'll be good distraction when David has work to do and this one," he tilted his head towards a frowning Kurt, "is at loose ends."
Mercedes only laughed at the two of them, shaking her head as Puck swaggered out of the room. He retrieved his bags and headed down a corridor and the last the two saw of him was a hand waving nonchalantly at them above his head.
Kurt watched him until he disappeared, all the while shaking his head fondly and then turned back to mock-whisper to Mercedes. "I don't think he told Devon he was coming back tonight!"
Mercedes' eyes widened as she gasped. "You mean… he's… oh man, it's so not fair!" Kurt laughed at her whining tone but nodded knowingly.
"I know, it seems all the hot ones are gay, right?" He continued to laugh at her faintly disgruntled expression but he patted her hand consolingly. "Hey, we'll find some hot, hunky straight guy for you if it's the last thing we do!"
Mercedes laughed aloud at his promise but she hugged him nonetheless. "You're so cute, and I'm seriously happy that you and Dave are together. Guess what, though; I have to go – work tomorrow and all that."
Kurt was tempted to pout; he had only just found her again and now she had to leave. He did understand, though, and she did have a bit of a drive back. He tilted his head and looked at her, an idea almost popping into view – light bulb-like – above his head.
"Uhm, 'Cedes, it is kind of late. Wouldn't you rather stay over and leave early in the morning?" He looked hopefully at her but he knew it was a long shot.
Of course, she shook her head but there was real regret in her large, dark eyes. "I know, that seems like a good idea but I don't have my stuff with me and there are meds that I take at night for my cholesterol. Another time, maybe?"
Kurt got up as she did and hugged her, his head coming down to rest briefly on her sturdy shoulder. They stood like that for a while, determined to hold back the hovering tears, and then they separated. He kissed her cheek and hugged her again before stepping back.
"It's so great seeing you again. I hurt myself more than I knew when I distanced myself but I'm back now… at least for a while." His smile was as watery as hers but she nodded and squeezed his hand.
"I'm sorry, too, that I didn't make more of an effort after high school. That's been one of my greatest regrets but, we'll just move on now, okay?" Her face was shining with all the affection she held for him.
He nodded as he walked her to the front door, helping her with her coat, and then released her into the night, their goodbyes lingering as she hurried to her car. He watched her hop in and buckle up before he stepped back, closing the door when he heard her drive off.
When he shut the door, he leaned his head against it and drew a deep breath. He really had missed her, his only best friend and he'd been a fool to let their friendship lie dormant for so long. Finally he straightened up and headed for the office where he knew David was still working, despite the hour.
He planned to roust him out; after all, they were on vacation and the Karofsky empire was not going to collapse if David took a night off to make love with his fiancé. A soft smile played about his lips as he hummed one of his favorite melodies. When he got to the office, however, David wasn't there.
Kurt turned and headed to the back of the house where the rec room was and heard the sound of piano music. He smiled, loving the fact that the love of his life was as musical as he was. Speaking of that, he'd yet to hear David sing and promised himself that one day he would coax him into performing for him.
Meanwhile, Puck had walked stealthily down the corridor towards the bedrooms, remembering what Dev had told him on the phone, and stopped outside the second door. He turned the knob ever so slowly, stepping into the room and putting down his bags quietly. Devon was lying on top of the bedspread, his eyes closed but his feet bopping to the sounds of whatever he was listening to so intently.
Puck crept up to the side of the bed and stood looking down at his adorable lover, his long auburn curls spreading across his pillow as his head nodded slightly. Suddenly, the bright blue eyes opened and Devon stared, startled, up at his grinning lover.
Without a word he held up his arms, inviting Puck to fall into them, and the two men kissed, soft and slow, before pulling back. Puck settled himself more onto the bed rather than on the smaller man and leaned in again for another soft kiss. Devon's arms tightened, pulling his gorgeous lover closer to him.
He sighed when their lips parted and smiled up at Puck. "Hi."
Puck dropped a kiss on his lover's snub nose and then nuzzled his own into the fragrant, abundant hair. "Beautiful…" he whispered, and smiled when he felt Devon's cheek warm from the compliment. He pulled back to gaze down into the smiling blue gaze.
"Were you really surprised I came earlier than planned?" Puck smiled at the little pout making its appearance. Devon nodded abruptly but he lifted one leg to wrap around Puck's hip, showing he wasn't really annoyed at all.
"Yes, but I wanted you to join us soon anyway, so I was more happy than surprised, I guess." He stroked a slender hand over Puck's head and brought his hand down to cup his lover's face. The two men kissed again, this time more heatedly, their tongues twisting and tangling in a lover's dance.
Puck's hand came down to slide around to Dev's ass, grasping and kneading the firm muscle and causing the smaller man to gasp and then moan into his mouth. Puck swallowed the gasp and deepened the kiss even further. He felt as if he were starving for this man that had captured his heart and he wanted nothing more than to sink into the hot, welcoming body and not come back up.
In short order they were down to mostly skin, Devon's hands roaming all over Puck's muscular back and sliding down to slip the black boxer-briefs off his lover's ass. Puck in turn eased up so he could work Devon's briefs down his well-muscled legs.
Finally they flung themselves into each other's arms, their soft moans and grunts accompanying the escalating sounds of skin against skin. Puck wasted no time in lubing and prepping his eager lover and soon, yes, soon, his aching flesh was buried in the tight, hot haven of Devon's clenching passage.
No words were needed, just frenzied action pushing the lovers towards the fastest climax they'd ever experienced. Puck grunted as his balls tightened painfully, almost matching the pain of Devon's fingernails scoring frantic lines down Puck's back. The smaller man writhed, throwing his head back against the pillows, his hair whipping wildly as he climbed towards his peak, his mouth opening soundlessly.
And yes, oh yes, there it was! The men shuddered and cried out as Puck slammed in once, twice and again, his balls emptying themselves gratefully within the hot, smooth passage and Devon clutched him with both arms and legs to keep Puck within him. He moaned as his semen caused his cock to slip smoothly against Puck's treasure trail, adding another level of sensation to his overheated body and mind.
Ever so slowly they calmed, their breaths hot against each other's face, Puck smoothing some of Devon's hair from his sweaty forehead as he kissed him. He sucked on his lover's tongue, enjoying the way Dev shuddered and panted beneath him. He pulled back to gaze into glazed blue eyes and made up his mind.
"I love you…" the whisper came and Devon, his eyes widening slightly, gasped and then smiled blindingly up at Puck.
"I love you…" and they laughed together, glad that that was finally out in the open. Puck rested his forehead against Devon's, nuzzling him and breathing a sigh of relief that he refused to admit to. Devon simply continued to smile, his hands rubbing soothingly up Puck's damp back.
The lovers stayed entwined like that, simply basking in each other's presence and letting the words they had just spoken soak in. They didn't think the quiet confession would change anything; they had been heading towards it for some time, after all. Still, it was momentous and more words were simply unnecessary.
At the back of the house, the other lovers were sitting together on the piano bench. Kurt sang 'Leading With Your Heart' softly for his love as he played.
Once upon a time I was afraid of letting go, letting someone in;
my feelings stayed behind a door that had no key,
leading with my heart never was for me.
Living in my mind, running away
'til someone's arms caught me by surprise.
I never knew the power of love that I suppose
deep in every heart there's a part that knows.
Listen to its voice for it whispers what your dreams are made of
so why be afraid of what you know is true.
Every day you learn leading with your heart
can lift you higher where your heart's desire
will be waiting for you.
Follow what you feel, feelings are wise;
believe your heart as you believe your eyes,
and like a child who's wandered off and lost its way
you can find a place where your soul believes
that you're home to stay.
Follow what you feel anywhere it goes,
believe your heart trusting that it knows;
as the dark of night will always find the light of day,
listening with your heart you will hear it say…
leading with your heart, you will find your way…
Kurt's voice lingered on the last, pure high note and David sighed, his fingers eventually coming to a stop, still resting on the piano keys. He turned to look at Kurt, a smile in his eyes.
"Is that one of your favorites from Barbra? I know you did it on an album some years ago."
Kurt leaned away in mock surprise that David knew that but then he chuckled and nodded. "Oh, yes, that and a number of songs she's done over the decades. I wish I could meet her but, then again, I'd probably turn into a tongue-tied mess."
Dave nudged him with his shoulder and then dropped a soft kiss on the smooth forehead. "I don't think you'd turn into a fan-boy; you'd just be your usual, cool, elegant self and she wouldn't be able to do anything but love you."
Kurt scoffed but snuggled into David, slipping both hands around the man's impressive bicep and leaning his head against his shoulder. David was his biggest fan, he knew that now, and it was a wonderful feeling to know someone was a hundred per cent in his corner.
Dave looked down at him, his hands still tinkling the piano keys in a random pattern. "What else do you feel like singing? Something from your schooldays, maybe, that you and Mercedes used to sing?"
Kurt thought for a while and then straightened up. "Okay, this isn't something from school but do you know 'Better'?"
Dave laughed aloud before nodding. "I can do you one better; I can sing it with you." He laughed at the delighted look on his fiancé's beautiful face. He began playing the intro and Kurt wriggled happily. "Oh, sweetie, you start it off then!"
And Dave started to sing, a faint blush on his cheeks because he didn't do this sort of thing. His lover was looking at him now, though, as if he'd hung the sun and moon just for him and he was going to do his best to put his heart and soul in the song.
Dave: Our love has changed
It's not the same
And the only way to say it
Is say it, it's better
I can't conceal
This way I feel
For all the times we spend together
Forever just gets better
Dave & Kurt: Seem what I'm trying to say is
You make things better
And no matter what the day is
With you here it's better
Kurt: I stand by you
If you stand by me
I think it's time that I reveal it
Cause I believe it
It's better
Kurt & Dave: Seem what I'm try to say is
You make things better
And no matter what the day is
If you're here it's better
Dave: Ooh, the more I write songs to you
I fall in love with everything you do
Oh
(Dave played the instrumental portion of the song with quiet passion and Kurt's eyes were bright and sparkling as he watched him.)
Dave & Kurt: Seem what I'm trying to say is
You make things better
And no matter what the day is
With you here it's better.
Dave: Our love has changed
It's not the same
And the only way to say it
Is say it, it's better.
Dave stopped playing and, for about a second or two, neither man moved or spoke. Then David turned and Kurt was in his arms, his lips pressed to David's and tears on his face. Dave held his love to him and the two kissed as if for the first time.
When Kurt pulled back, he stared into David's golden eyes, seeing nothing but love and acceptance in them. He wanted to be with this man for the rest of his hopefully very long life.
He absolutely did not care what stupidity in the form of envy or hatred would come their way; he was going to love this man no matter what he would have to do. A small smile appeared at this odd thought and Dave leaned back to study his fascinating lover.
"What? You look pretty devilish right now." He smiled as Kurt chuckled and leaned his head against his shoulder again.
"Oh, no, just thinking about what I'd do if anyone got between us. I'm very possessive, you know, so beware."
Dave chuckled, feeling a little tickle of warmth at the thought of what lengths Kurt would go to for him. It might be odd but he rather liked the idea of someone being possessive of him.
The two men sat together for a while before deciding it was more than time to retire for the night. If Dave was any expert on Kurt Hummel's moods, he knew he was in for a humdinger tonight, and he couldn't wait.
They locked up the house, turning off all but the security lights, and made their way upstairs, Kurt just remembering to tell David that Puck had turned up. They laughed softly as they both thought of what the security chief and his lover were probably doing at that moment. It was what they were going to be doing in less than half hour from now, if Dave was any good at deciphering that glint in Kurt's blue-green eyes.
As soon as they were in their suite, Kurt slammed Dave up against the doors with a surprising show of strength and plastered his body against his lover's. Dave moaned as Kurt's tongue plunged into his mouth and he sucked on it avidly. Clearly the singer was in an alpha mood tonight and Dave's libido crowed happily. He would be worn out the next morning but, seriously, who cared?
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KHDK
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Mercedes pulled up into the driveway of Kurt and Dave's house in Westerville, her mind buzzing with all the things they were going to talk about today. Well, that Kurt was going to talk about, especially how he came to meet and fall in love with the reclusive billionaire David Karofsky.
She was still blown away by that as, seriously, how many people's closest friend fell into the kind of lifestyle most people only read about. She was as interested as most everyone else about how 'the other half' – or one per cent – lived and she couldn't wait to start interrogating her friend.
The sound of her car must have alerted Kurt because, before she could even ring the doorbell, the door was flung open and Kurt was beckoning her inside.
"Get in here, it's cold out!" Mercedes laughed as she took in her friend's appearance. Kurt obviously wasn't ready to leave as he was still barefoot, in a robe and she could swear that was a lock of hair out of place!
Kurt grabbed her arm and hauled her upstairs, babbling about waking up later than he'd planned and being on the phone and other stuff she had no hope of figuring out. They hurried along the upstairs corridor and her eyes darted inquisitively into the open doors she passed. Wait, how many bedrooms were in this place, she wondered dazedly.
Kurt smirked as if he could read her mind. "It's only five bedrooms but they are all suites, hence the spaciousness. This is mine," and he pushed the doors open, stepping back to let her enter first.
She gaped at the huge room and gasped when her eyes landed on the massive four-poster bed. She turned to stare at Kurt who was now laughing at her reaction. "Oh my god, Kurt Hummel, this is fa-bu-lous!"
Her hand came out to stroke the heavy brocade bedspread in cream and gold, her fingers lingering on the gold tassels and she lowered herself to the padded bench at the foot of the bed. "No, seriously, Kurt; wow!"
Kurt moved around his old friend and sat at the dressing table, swiping at his face with cleansing wipes before beginning to apply moisturizer. "It is rather breathtaking, isn't it? The agency did a really good job in the time they had."
Mercedes' eyes stared at the canopy above the bed and then she laughed before turning to look at Kurt. "Do you feel like royalty when you're lying in this monstrosity?"
Kurt gaped at her and then burst out laughing. "Believe me, sweetie, that's the furthest thing from my mind when we are in this bed."
Mercedes dropped her gaze shyly but she giggled as she replied: "Well, yes, after seeing your fiancé, I can very well believe that!"
The two friends laughed at and with each other a bit and then Kurt, finishing with his face and hair, moved over to the walk-in closet. He hadn't yet decided what he was wearing, still in his pajama and matching robe, and stood for a while, pondering.
Mercedes got up to join him in the cavernous space, her eyes roaming over the stunning array of clothing and the racks with shoes, boots, sandals, all kinds of footwear imaginable.
"Good gosh, Kurt, you're still such a fashionista!" And she moved over to pluck a cherry red silk shirt from a padded hanger. She looked around for a bit and then pounced on a pair of close-fitting black trousers. Kurt took the clothes from her, grabbed a suitable belt, smiled in thanks and then turned back to the bedroom to get dressed. He left her in the closet to decide what boots to pick for the ensemble.
"Here, we'll be doing a bit of walking so take these," and she handed him a pair of low-heeled, comfortable, ankle-high boots. He smiled because it was one of his favorites. She turned back to another section and her hand hovered over a selection of coats.
When she came out she had a soft, white silk fringed scarf in one hand and in the other was the Bill Blass coat that Kurt had got the day in London when Emma had made an attempt to hurt him with acid.
Kurt frowned but he took the coat; it was a gorgeous garment and he wasn't going to let the memory of one madwoman's antics taint his pleasure in wearing it.
When he was completely dressed, Mercedes looked at his slender, lightly muscled body displayed to perfection in the clothes she'd chosen and said: "You know if you hadn't been gay I'd have been all up in that, right?"
Kurt's eyes widened and then he burst out laughing, his melodic voice turning the sound into something musical. Dave entered the bedroom just as Kurt was calming down and, nodding a 'hi, Mercedes' to the younger woman, proceeded to kiss his lover in greeting.
She dropped her eyes to give them some semblance of privacy but at the sound of Kurt's soft little moan she had to look.
Kurt had his hand up in Dave's hair, just at the nape, and Dave's hands were grasping Kurt's hips tightly to his larger body. Their mouths were glued together and from that angle, thank goodness, she couldn't see any tongue but she knew what was going on there.
She looked away just as Dave relinquished Kurt's mouth; the man eyed Kurt's swollen pink lips in satisfaction and then stepped back. "Okay, good, that should hold you until later."
Kurt touched his fingers to his lips, his eyes glued to David's and his color high. At the sound of Mercedes' little laugh, he shook himself from his daze and looked at his sniggering friend.
"Yes, uh, well, we'll just go now, right?" He patted his hair back into place and, without looking back at David's smug expression or at his traitor/friend, he marched out of the bedroom, leaving the door open.
Dave and Mercedes looked at each other and then laughed anew. Mercedes looked at the large man appreciatively. "Wow, you distracted him so much – he forgot his scarf!"
Dave nodded, a proud and happy gleam in his eye. "Yep, I live to distract that man. It's only fair; I love him to distraction, after all."
Mercedes simply shook her head and hurried after her friend, throwing a smiling 'later!' over her shoulder. Kurt was down in the foyer waiting impatiently by the front door while Ian hovered nearby.
When she joined him, her eyes wandered to the silent man as she handed over the scarf to her friend. Kurt looked over at Ian and smiled before shaking his head.
"I'll be driving around with Mercedes today, Ian. You can chill out for a while, at least, or until David decides to head out today."
Ian nodded politely and headed towards Dave's office, his silent demeanor engendering nothing but curiosity in Mercedes. Kurt smiled at her, opened the front door and ushered her into the cold, bright morning air.
"Ian is actually a security agent, sweetie, or – in other words – a bodyguard." He laughed at her wide eyes and they settled themselves in the vehicle before she started it up. She turned to him, a slight frown between her well-groomed eyebrows.
"I get that Dave would have security agents because he's who he is but, why was he waiting to go with you?"
"Ah, sweetie," Kurt sighed as he patted her leg. "That is a long, looong story that can only be shared over expensive coffee and light, airy pastries. Know anywhere like that?"
With a chuckle she started up the vehicle, threw it into gear and headed down the driveway. They were going to Lima to look at their old stomping grounds but she knew that there would definitely be one or two stops for them to re-fuel and she was dying to hear his story.
As they sped off, Kurt settled into the comfortable leather seat, his face holding that lovely, serene look that had always made him stand out from the horde at McKinley. In her opinion, Kurt Hummel had been like that one flower growing out of a crack in the concrete of a city sidewalk. She was extremely glad that her friend was happy with his life and his hot fiancé.
Kurt reached to fiddle with the car stereo, grimacing as he heard some of what passed for music on that state's airwaves and then settled onto a satellite radio station. Just as he sat back his phone went off; taking it out he stared uncomprehendingly at the strange number. He flicked it on, however, and then he smiled widely.
"Well, hi there! I thought you'd have called before this!"
Mercedes stared at him as much as her driving would allow and indicated that he should tell her who it was. Kurt pretended to ignore her, a little smirk on his face and then he said: "You won't guess who I'm sitting beside, heading down the highway with right this minute, actually."
He listened for a second or two and then chuckled. "No… no… okay, it's Mercedes!"
Mercedes tried to nudge him with a hand but he shuffled over against the door, evading her. He laughed into the phone, told the caller, "Okay, I'll call when we get there," and slid the phone closed.
Mercedes couldn't help the little growl that came out. "Kurt Hummel, who in heaven's name was that?"
Kurt laughed, a high, mischievous sound and then stared at her unrepentantly. "You will find out later, Ms. Jones. Suffice it to say that he's tall and handsome… and blond."
Mercedes heart stuttered as her mind immediately conjured up the one person she knew who fit that description perfectly. She laughed as she batted at her crazy friend. "Oh, no, no, no! Kurt Hummel, you did not just…!"
Kurt continued to laugh at her and, as the car sped down the highway towards Lima, he hoped that the reunion he was heading towards would be a happy one all around. He knew that Mercedes used to like Sam but so many years had passed that surely that high school crush would have died. Wouldn't it?
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TBC
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A/N: 'Leading With Your Heart' is credited to Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch. My favorite version of 'Better' by Samuel Semple and Tom Baxter is Boyzone's performance.