The Storm: Safe Harbor
Chapter Seventy
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.
Disclaimer: Messrs. Ryan, Falchuk, et al are the owners of my favourite boys. Only the OCs and situations belong to me, alas.
The following weeks flew by in a whirl of rehearsals, performances and wedding planning. Kurt, feeling as if he were stretched in several directions, nevertheless handled everything with equanimity, never once blowing up at anyone. Well, except maybe Cooper.
The singer was having a hard time sticking to the plan of reeling Cooper in, making him feel as if they were becoming friends and, possibly more. It wasn't easy for Kurt, despite the fact that he was the consummate actor. No, it was pretty damned hard and the only good that came from it was seeing the way Cooper's face fell whenever Kurt would bring David's name up in almost every conversation.
Sometimes he would allow Cooper to take him to lunch, one of his bodyguards hovering at a nearby table or they would sit together during rehearsals, again with one of his 'shadows' in the row behind. He knew it was frustrating the arrogant bastard but it amused Kurt to no end.
Cooper, on the other hand, was in a quiet frenzy of lust, being allowed only so close to Kurt and not being able to even stroke a hand or, more to his liking, a thigh. He felt like he was burning up sometimes when they'd sit together in the semi-dark of the theatre with Kurt in the very next seat and he would lean over and whisper something about the run-through they were watching.
Rex, observing the odd little dance that Kurt was conducting with the assistant AD, could only shake his head and wonder what the heck young people these days were about. He had no doubt that Kurt loved his fiancé and there was absolutely no doubt that Cooper Anderson was attracted to Kurt. Goodness, it was becoming a joke backstage about how long he could hold out before he 'exploded' all over the diva. There were probably a few pools running about how soon it would be before Kurt put him out of his misery.
Xavier and Julian who were privy to the diva and his fiancé's plan to reel Cooper in and then set him straight, permanently, nevertheless were not happy with the situation. It was hard to watch the snake coming onto their principal and not haul him back by the scruff of his pedigreed neck. Still, they were on hand just in case Kurt couldn't handle things – and there was no way in hell they were going to put it like that to him. They had their orders from both David and Puck and no matter what Kurt said, they would be there for him if needs be.
Now Kurt hummed to himself while Angie fiddled with his hair. He had got it trimmed back just slightly because he was starting to feel like an English sheepdog, he'd told Rex, and the AD had agreed reluctantly that he could have it tamed a bit. Angie was trying a new look for Oberon and while he worked on his tablet, sending occasional real time messages to Monica back in London, she tugged and combed and styled to her heart's content.
He was just approving some of the designs for the Nehru jackets for the wedding when a little knock came at the door and Cooper poked his head in. He smiled slightly as his eyes flicked to Angie's in the mirror and she took the hint, putting down the comb and leaving the two men alone in the dressing room.
Cooper barely acknowledged her as she passed, knowing that she had a tiny crush on him but not giving a hoot. The girl was useful sometimes in that she would pass on little tidbits of information about Kurt to Cooper but, apart from that, he had no use for her.
Kurt was very aware of Angie's activities but he didn't hold it against her, seeing it as one way to further his plot against his unwanted admirer. Now he turned to Cooper, crossing his legs in such a way that Oberon's diaphanous robes parted over one bare thigh. He held back a grin as he saw the way the man's eyes kept flicking helplessly down to his leg and then back up to Kurt's eyes.
"Hi, Coop, what can I do for you?" His kept his voice low, almost intimate and then took a sip from his glass of room-temperature pineapple juice. The fruit juice was perfect for keeping his mouth lubricated and, therefore, his vocal chords as well. He replaced the glass on his dressing table and gazed up softly at the hovering man.
Cooper cleared his throat and then smirked he supposed seductively at the singer, taking in the gleam of the alabaster skin of his long, bare throat. He felt himself throb as he watched Kurt swallow the juice and for one, long second he closed his eyes, picturing them in an altogether more intimate setting.
"Uhm, I was wondering if you'd thought anymore about my invitation to dinner." He held up his hand and grinned pleasantly, his handsome features set to charm level 10. "I know, I know – you're busy with the wedding plans," he could barely hold back a sneer but he managed.
Kurt nodded but said nothing, shifting a bit and allowing the robe to part further up his leg, dangerously close to the shadow at his lap. He suppressed a smile as Cooper's eyes flickered down again.
"Uhm, uh, yes, you're busy but don't you think you could use a break? You've been working so hard!" A tender light shone in his light blue eyes, his eyebrows furrowing in attractive concern.
Kurt affected a sigh and, turning to place his tablet on the dressing table, rose smoothly to stand less than a foot away from the lusting fool. He nodded, allowing his lashes to fall against his cheeks and sighed again, his voice a little wistful as he answered, "True, who knew wedding planning could be this… tedious."
He flicked his eyes up at Cooper just in time to see a glint of satisfaction appear within them. It would seem to the man from Kurt's phrasing that he was getting a little weary of it all. He turned slightly away, giving Cooper a good view down the front of the sumptuous robes and then gave him his back as he leaned towards the mirror to check his makeup. He would be on in less than half an hour and he wanted to get his 'plot' moving before he had to go onstage.
As if he couldn't help himself, Cooper found his hand moving to Kurt's curvy backside, realizing that the singer had yet to put on the tights that were a part of his costume. He knew from a conversation he'd overheard from Kurt's understudy that the tights were not an original part of the costume but because of Kurt's modesty, he'd insisted that they be included. Now he hadn't put them on as yet and Cooper's heart rate sped up at the thought that there was nothing between his hand and Kurt's skin but the heavy robes.
He was thwarted, however, as Kurt straightened quickly and he stepped back when the singer gasped softly in surprise at how close Cooper had been standing behind him. He saw Kurt's blue-green eyes widen and then the singer's eyes fell to his lips. His cock throbbed as Kurt gazed up at him but didn't move and they held that position for what felt like minutes but in actuality was probably just a couple of seconds.
Cooper never knew if he would have been allowed a kiss because even as he was lowering his head, a brisk rap came at the door and Angie stepped inside immediately. He flinched back and turned his head to stare angrily at the girl, gritting his teeth as Kurt slipped around him.
Kurt schooled his face to appear a little discomfited at having been 'caught' in what could have been a compromising position. He giggled inside as he watched Angie's eyes dart between him and Cooper who was grinding his teeth behind him and he moved towards the girl.
Angie stared at him grimly and then held out the envelope that Kurt had noticed in her hand. "This was waiting for you at the front desk, hand-delivered they said."
Kurt took it and thanked her, turning away from both of them as he ripped it open. It was another invitation from the Casellis and he chuckled, turning to Cooper with an air of intimacy that he knew irked the girl.
"Oh, it's the Casellis again. They've invited me to dinner tomorrow. Are you going, too?" He knew Cooper had received an invitation because Rex had told him. A number of the members of the company had been invited at different times to dine with the Casellis who loved to entertain. Kurt had been fascinated by their beautiful home and the Casellis had been equally fascinated with him.
Cooper moved up beside him now, staring down at the invitation and touching his hand in a tiny, intimate gesture. "Yes, they're nice people, not quite on the verge of doddering, and quite wealthy, too."
Kurt bit his lip as his eyes fell, Cooper's condescension riling him but he hid it as he smiled softly up into the idiot's eyes again. He nodded and moved away to take a seat on the couch and sighed softly before looking up beseechingly at the man hovering over him.
"Oh, do you mind, Coop? I have to meditate a bit before I go on… it's a habit I fell into years ago."
Cooper stared down at the beautiful singer, his eyes roving lecherously over the long, lithe body but he nodded. He seemed to have made a little headway with Kurt and he didn't want to lose any ground by forcing anything now, especially not in front of the silently watching girl.
"Oh, okay, well, I'll see you afterwards then."
Kurt lifted his eyebrows but simply nodded; he knew that Cooper was making it sound as if they had a rendezvous planned for later. He knew it was for Angie's benefit as Cooper's pride was taking a hit in the scuttlebutt around the theatre. Everyone knew by this that he was hot for Kurt and that the diva was keeping him at arm's length.
Cooper moved away with one last little smile at Kurt who had already leaned back and closed his eyes. He stalked past the girl with a little smirk, certain that she would spread it about that he'd been alone with Kurt in his dressing room and they'd looked pretty close when she interrupted them.
Angie stared after him and when he left the room she turned her gaze upon Kurt who was reclining with his eyes closed and taking deep, calming breaths. Her anger at both men was a simmering thing; Kurt had everything she could ever want and Cooper treated her as if she were dirt beneath his feet.
She moved to straighten up the dresser and every now and then her eyes flickered to Kurt's reflection in the mirror. The singer was always, unfailingly, kind to her but she couldn't help resenting him a little. Now, even though he was engaged to that billionaire, he also had the hottest man in the place fawning all over him. It wasn't fair and she could scream sometimes because of it. She would be so happy if Kurt could be taken down a peg or two, she thought, she would feel better then.
He was so high and mighty, talking about faithfulness and all that rot and here he was, flirting with Cooper and leading him on. She didn't believe for a minute that the singer was actually interested in the assistant AD; no, if you had a billionaire on a string, why would you want anything less?
No, she knew Kurt was just toying with Cooper and the fool was too arrogant to see it. He kept talking about his parents, his parents' money and their famous friends and his one-time career as an actor. He didn't see how people laughed at him behind his back as he pursued the beautiful singer and all the time she cared for him but he didn't notice her. Well, only when she brought him some little worthless information now and again. Then he was all sweet smiles and charm but, apart from that, he hardly acknowledged her.
She turned to watch Kurt who, unknown to her as she'd been fuming inwardly, had been watching her. Now she called to him, telling him he only had a few minutes and he needed to finish dressing. She couldn't help the little smile, though, as he opened his eyes and smiled sweetly at her, thanking her in that lovely voice of his.
"Thank you, Angie; you know, I almost fell asleep there!" He chuckled as he got up and between the two of them he was dressed and ready by the time his call came. As he headed towards the wings to await his cue, quietly humming the first bars of his aria, he put Cooper, Angie and silly plots out of his head.
The sound of the music and the quiet backstage bustle, even the sight of the other performers scurrying around in controlled chaos lifted him to the level he needed where only the performance mattered. He closed his eyes and rolled his head on his neck, loosening up his shoulders. He was sinking into his role and the outside world faded away gradually as, with a regal step and lordly air, he moved out into the spotlight.
It might be a different one but right now, the play was the thing and for the next three hours, that was his world.
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KHDK
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Cooper was certain he was making headway with Kurt and although Signora Caselli kept casting the evil eye on him, he was comfortable where he was seated. Kurt, strangely enough, didn't look too happy, though, but he hadn't complained.
Kurt shifted on the love seat and ignored Cooper as well as he could under the circumstances. Rex, across the room chatting with Signor Caselli about Italian art, kept throwing glances back their way. He tried to focus on sweet Signora Caselli who kept asking him about his wedding plans and how far along they were.
As he elaborated on the difficulties of coordinating a wedding long-distance, he shifted again, trying to put a little more space between his thigh and Cooper's. He didn't want his hostess to realize he was not happy sitting beside Cooper as he was really averse to creating a scene; that would be a poor way to repay their hosts' kindness.
Now he leaned forward eagerly to answer the Signora. "I do have the help of David's excellent P.R. officer and a wonderful wedding planning firm. In fact, I'm to meet with them in a couple of days to go over some things." He beamed at her, genuinely happy to be talking about how well things were falling into place. "It's going to be simply wonderful and I was wondering – would you and Signor Caselli do me the honour of attending my wedding?"
The little woman gasped, smiling widely all the time as she stared at the young countertenor. "Oh, my yes! Gianni, Gianni, come over here, please!" She waved to her husband who had just lifted two stunning little replicas of the Bronzi di Riaci; he quickly replaced them and turned to his ecstatic wife.
She waved him over and he and Rex came, smiling at her excitement. "Young Kurt has invited us to his wedding, my dear; isn't he wonderful?" She smiled at Kurt while grasping her husband's hand.
Signor Caselli turned his little smile on a blushing Kurt and bowing said gravely: "It would be a pleasure to attend your nuptials, my dear. Will we be seeing your fiancé again before you leave Italy?"
He took a seat beside his wife while Rex, a bemused expression on his face, sat in one of the overstuffed armchairs closer to Kurt and Cooper. He noticed that his assistant's expression was a little on the sour side but he felt no sympathy for him.
Kurt nodded at the Casellis now. "Oh, he is very busy but we talk all the time. I do hope, though, that he will come for my birthday in May. We could probably have dinner together then, yes?"
Signora Caselli nodded rapidly, looking at her husband and then back at Kurt. "That would be lovely and I will look forward to it!"
Conversation turned then to the theatre and the upcoming performances that will replace Rex's group on their departure. A maid came in shortly after to say dinner was ready and they all went through to the lovely, spacious dining room Kurt swore could seat 30.
He was having a really lovely time with the elderly couple and Rex but having Cooper there with them reduced his enjoyment a tiny bit. The man insisted on being solicitous of him, probably hoping to impress everyone with his urbanity but Kurt simply found it tedious.
Finally they had returned to the drawing room to look through the Casellis' huge photo albums and listen to some of Signor Caselli's ancient music collection. It was a pleasant evening but when Rex, looking a little fatigued, suggested that they ought to take their leave, Kurt was actually quite relieved. Well, he would have been if Cooper hadn't used the opportunity of helping Kurt on with his coat to 'accidentally' touch him repeatedly.
Kurt got his hug from the affectionate Signora Caselli and when they'd exchanged their final farewells, he stalked out to the waiting limousine quite gladly. He couldn't wait to see the last of Cooper for that night and slid into the back of the long car without the man's ready assistance.
Rex planted himself beside Kurt, forcing Cooper to take the opposite seat with poor grace and Kurt ignored him the whole way back into the city.
Cooper knew that Rex suspected he was interested in Kurt because no matter how he manoeuvred schedules and arrangements, he could never seem to find Kurt alone or find the time to get Kurt alone. Not to mention the damn bodyguards who looked at him as if he were one of America's Most Wanted. Yet, Kurt seemed to be coming around to his way of thinking – well, at least sometimes.
He eyed the singer now whose beautiful features were striated by the passing street lights and were absolutely fascinating to him. The serenity of Kurt's eyes and gently smiling lips completely belied the sparkling personality and the volcanic temper he had witnessed a couple of times. He smiled to himself as he wondered how the singer's temperament translated into sexual activities. He would bet his mother's heirloom ruby and diamond necklace – which she never wore but occasionally displayed – that Kurt would be very satisfactory between the sheets.
Rex glanced between the two younger men and barely held back a snort of amusement. Kurt was obviously aware of Cooper's heated scrutiny but seemed determined to ignore him and Rex congratulated him in his head. Kurt was playing a very expert game of keeping Cooper dangling with just enough of a tug on the line to keep him interested; there wasn't enough of a give to make the assistant AD think, though, that he would get anywhere with the singer soon.
When the limousine eventually pulled up to the hotel, Cooper stepped out after Kurt, telling Rex that he would see Kurt to his suite. Rex watched as Kurt smiled his cool, enigmatic little smile, looking at Cooper from beneath his lashes and he had to admire that Kurt was, indeed, a master of the game.
The two glided up the steps and into the hotel's foyer, Kurt murmuring in his pleasing tones about how much he had enjoyed his time with the Casellis and Cooper letting off little noncommittal sounds. They made it to the doors of the lift and had to wait, as usual, and by this time Cooper had his hand supporting Kurt's elbow. Kurt scoffed to himself: 'Does he think I'm some delicate girl?', but he made no effort to move his arm from Cooper's grasp.
They made their way up to Kurt's immense suite and as he turned at the door to tell Cooper good night, the man leaned in and pressed a light kiss to the corner of Kurt's mouth. Taking Kurt's surprised little gasp as invitation, he moved in again to cover the singer's mouth with his when Kurt's hand slammed painfully into his chest.
In opposition to the hard hand forcing his chest back, Kurt's eyes were deceptively soft. His lips were in a firm, straight line though when he said quietly, shaking his head: "Oh, Cooper, that wasn't well done of you…"
Cooper grinned unrepentantly, turning up the charm and grasped Kurt's hand to hold it firmly in his. "Come on, Kurt; don't you find me even a tiny bit attractive?"
He raised his eyebrows, his eyes gleaming and the pupils slightly dilated. He licked his lips as he watched Kurt studying his face and he made sure that the singer could see how much he wanted him. He crowed inwardly when Kurt finally smiled and took a step forward, his lashes fluttering as he looked back up at him.
"You know very well how attractive you are," he said now, not actually answering the question. He ducked his head and looked up from beneath his long lashes, and made his voice softer, huskier. "I-I just can't understand why you would want me…"
Cooper felt his head growing light as it seemed as if Kurt was another step along the path that led to Cooper's bed. He took a deep breath and releasing Kurt's hand, tilted the singer's chin up so that he could stare deeply into the blue-green eyes.
Shaking his head, his eyes dropped to Kurt's soft-looking mouth and answered seriously: "You have no idea what a prize you are, do you? Maybe you've been neglected…" he murmured, his head lowering slowly.
While he had been staring seductively at Kurt and already planning his next move in the game, Kurt had slid his passkey against the door's electronic lock and at Cooper's question, he turned swiftly as he pushed the door open.
Now he stood with one hand against the door and smiled sweetly out at the startled man who had to suddenly try to catch his balance. "Oh, Cooper, I'm the one who has found a prize… in David. Good night!" and with that he shut the door firmly in the man's disgruntled face.
Cooper stared disbelievingly at the elegant door, its silent gold-trimmed cream panels seeming to mock him. Holding back a growl he spun on his heels, only to see the door to the next suite standing open and the dark-skinned agent staring impassively at him. Cooper's eyes widened and then they narrowed in fury that the man had witnessed the way Kurt had left him standing there.
Without acknowledging the agent's presence, he stalked back to the lift, stabbing the call button as if it had offended him. Beneath his ire he was still somewhat turned on by the prospect of almost getting to first base with Kurt and now he had to go back down to the limousine and pretend in front of Rex that he was fine.
He wasn't fine, dammit, and Kurt was going to pay one day for toying with him. He knew what everyone was saying behind his back and he didn't give a rat's ass for their opinion. All he wanted was to have that pale-skinned, blue-eyed boy on his back beneath him where he belonged.
As he stepped into the lift he glared back at the agent who was still watching him. There had to be a way to separate Kurt from his watchers. It even seemed like Rex was in on the whole thing, he was always hovering. They didn't know the kind of man he was, though, because he always got what he set out after… well, almost always. Still, Kurt wasn't so different from all those others he'd enjoyed and one day he would give in. It would just be a matter of time.
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KHDK
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Xavier strode over to Kurt's door and knocked, a double rap followed by a single that he'd trained Kurt to recognize and the door opened quickly. He stepped in and turned when Kurt closed the door, his eyes roaming the singer as if checking him for injuries.
Kurt rolled his eyes and went over to the bar, lifting the decanter that he'd obviously had out before to pour himself a drink. Xavier shook his head but took a seat, his face a little less grim than when he'd been staring down Cooper out in the hallway.
"So, did you and Julian have a good evening?" Kurt's light voice settled something in Xavier's mind and he watched the singer take a seat before him.
He nodded now before letting out a little sigh. "Yeah, we're good; it's just that we don't like when we're not with you. You understand, yeah?"
Kurt swallowed the sip of wine and nodded quickly, his eyes showing a faint apology. "Yes, I really do understand but I was safe with Rex, you know that."
Xavier nodded and then narrowed his eyes at his principal. "I saw Anderson just now, when you came in. He didn't look a happy man."
Kurt grinned, a smug look taking up residence in his bright aquamarine eyes. "Pfft, Cooper thinks he's Casanova, y'know; such an idiot. Why he would think I'd want him over David, I have no idea."
Xavier stood and looked down at Kurt seriously. "I don't know why, either, but I still think you should be careful. Who knows, he could snap one day when we aren't close by. Think about it, okay, when you're busy playing cat and mouse."
Kurt's mouth dropped open; he hadn't ever been addressed so seriously by this agent before and he realized he didn't like it. He placed his wine glass down carefully and stood, taking one step towards Xavier.
"Look, Xavier, I know how you and Julian feel," he nodded when the agent raised one eyebrow sardonically. "Yes, I do, but Cooper is not a criminal; he's just a man who's used to getting whatever he goes after. I can handle him, alright?"
They stared each other down until Xavier finally sighed and nodded. "Yeah, whatever; I still don't like it but we'll give you your space. Just know that the minute something seems dodgy, we're going to be all over him. That's a promise."
Kurt frowned. "Sounds more like a threat," he declared, tilting his head to the side as if sizing up how serious the other man was. "What, don't you think I can take care of myself?"
Xavier shoved his hands into his pockets and shook his head, pausing before replying to the upset singer. "It's not that we think you can't take care of yourself; it's just that you shouldn't have to when you have us."
They stared at each other a bit before Kurt relaxed and smiled. "I think you just want a chance to kick Cooper Anderson's ass, don't you?"
He giggled when Xavier couldn't hold back a chuckle and then he continued, his eyes soft with gratitude. "I do appreciate you guys being here; what you don't understand is that I feel confident playing Cooper like this simply because I know you guys have my back!"
Xavier stared at him and then shook his head resignedly. "Okay, but please, please, just be careful. If you tease an animal enough, all the confidence in the world won't stop it from trying to maul you. Understand?"
He moved towards the door with Kurt following him and, after one quick look at the singer, he said a quiet good night and left the suite.
Kurt stood staring at the door for a little while, a slight smile on his face and then he shook his head, going back to his wine and finishing it in one draught. He really liked his team and liked that they weren't just employees to him anymore. From the start they had all hit it off, despite Ian's taciturn nature and Julian's crush. He wouldn't want any other team to be his enforcers or bodyguards, really.
He changed and got ready for bed, his mind going over the conversation with Xavier as he went through his skincare regimen. The man always told it like it is, although his default setting seemed to be humour at all costs but Kurt trusted him and what he'd told him was absolutely true.
He toyed with Cooper because of what David had told the man and because he'd agreed that maybe that was the only way to set him straight. Cooper wasn't going to take a simple 'no' for an answer. Like training a dog, one had to let the animal know who the alpha was in all situations. One couldn't show any signs of weakness and his coy displays only served to make Cooper underestimate him.
Kurt finished up and moved to the huge bed, smiling as he remembered his and David's lovemaking, sliding quickly between the sheets. He settled down and sighed contentedly, thinking about his lover, and then chuckled in the darkened room.
He was going to take Cooper down and do it hard; whether he did it in public or private was the only consideration left and Kurt didn't really care either way. Maybe having a witness would be good, from a legal standpoint.
Sighing into the firm, cool pillow beneath his head, Kurt's mind turned to David and what he was doing. Was he thinking about Kurt as he settled into bed? Was he working late into the night as he suspected he did more often than not? Kurt rubbed a finger over his engagement ring as he started to doze off and in his mind he whispered a soft goodnight to his absent lover.
Kurt, having been patient with Cooper for long enough now, promised himself to take care of the situation soon so he could turn more of his attention to his wedding preparations.
He was going to stomp Cooper beneath his designer boot and ensure that nothing else served to distract him from his future. He'd just try not to get blood over everything, he chuckled as he finally faded into sleep.
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TBC