Chapter 26: Compromise

The question broadsided Nigel. Yeah, Nigel, why? Why do you think that you can make that kind of decision, but Kurt can't? Because of a few drunken one night stands and a half-assed relationship in second year that lasted all of three months? He blinked up at Kurt. "You're right." He stood, and stared down at Kurt. "You're right."

"Don't sound so surprised!"

Nigel sank back onto the couch beside Kurt. "I'm sorry, I didn't think of it like that. That's not right, is it? Your feelings are every bit as legitimate as mine. Just because you were a virgin when we met, doesn't mean you don't know your own mind." He grinned at Kurt, teasing. "Okay, you don't have to sleep with anyone else, if you don't want to."

Kurt snorted. "I don't know. It's starting to sound very appealing."

Nigel laughed, and twisted about on the couch till he was lying on his back, his head in Kurt's lap. He played with Kurt's fingers as he talked. "Look, I'm not trying to tell you what to do, or how to feel. Just know that you are free to do 'anything' next year, and it won't change how I feel about you. The only way you're ever getting rid of me, Hummel, is if you tell me you don't want me."

The room was silent for a while, as they each pursued their own thoughts. Nigel still needed to get Kurt to agree to different cities next year. Kurt mulled over the open relationship concept.

"I don't think I can do that for you, Nigel. I can't even think about you with someone else!"

"Ah, the only child syndrome. Don't worry, Kurt, I know you don't like to share your toys."

Kurt leaned down, smiling, and Nigel tipped his head back. Kurt's hand curled around Nigel's chin. Nigel's hand covered the back of Kurt's head. The kiss expressed all the fervor of the last few minutes, their lips and tongues clinging to each other. Kurt pulled away, and laughed down at Nigel. "Smart ass!"

Nigel smiled and sat up, facing Kurt on the couch. "Recreational sex aside, I still think it's important for you to have a few years to grow into yourself without me. I want you to go to NYADA Kurt, and let me go to Boston."

Kurt could see the determination in Nigel's eyes; he wasn't going to give up on this. "One year, Nigel. One year, and then you transfer to New York or I transfer to Boston."

"One year, and we renegotiate the terms for the second year."

Kurt sighed and nodded. "Fine."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I'll go to New York, you'll go to Boston, and next year we'll have this discussion again. I don't like it, but if you think it's that important then I'll do this for you." Kurt fluttered his eyelashes, and licked his bottom lip suggestively. "Plus, there are a lot of guys in New York."

Nigel's eyes went round with disbelief, and then he was tackling Kurt. The couch was too narrow for the ensuing wrestling match, so they ended up on the floor.

"You staying the night?"

Nigel took small bites out of Kurt's neck. "No, I've got an early class." He smiled down at Kurt. "But I don't have to leave right away."

Kurt wrapped his arms around Nigel's neck, and turned, rolling them over until he was on top. "Good, because I never got around to giving you that private audition, something avant garde?"

Nigel spread his legs, and Kurt settled between them. Nigel rocked his pelvis up, against Kurt. "Something naked?"

Kurt grinned down at his boyfriend. "Oh, I think so!"

Carole knocked on Kurt's door at the top of the stairs. "Kurt, do you have a minute?"

"Sure." Kurt turned from his laptop. When he saw Carole coming down the stairs, carrying a tray, he got up to help her.

"Hot chocolate and your favourite cookies, where …?" Carole looked around. "Couch?"

Kurt put the tray down on the center cushion, and sat on one side of it, while Carole took the other side. "This is a surprise."

Carole handed Kurt one of the mugs. "I thought you might want to talk."

Kurt took a cookie and tried to play dumb. "About what?"

"Kurt, you've barely said a word since you got home from school. What's bothering you?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

Carole smiled at her step-son. "Kurt, yesterday you were a whirlwind of energy; talking, laughing. Today, you're acting like your best friend just died. I don't have to be Kreskin to know that something's wrong."

Maybe Carole was exactly the right person to talk to. "Nigel got a job offer. He's moving to Boston. I wanted to apply to a school there and move in with him but he thinks I should go to NYADA."

Carole sipped her hot chocolate. "Did he say why?"

Kurt wiped a few stray crumbs off his shirt, and sighed. "Yeah, he says I need time on my own to grow …" Kurt rolled his eyes. "…to experience new people, to enjoy being a freshman. I said I could do all that and still be with him." Kurt shook his head. "He said it wouldn't be the same if I didn't live on campus."

"You probably don't want to hear this, but Nigel's right about that." Carole put her mug down on the tray. "My family couldn't afford both tuition and residence, so I commuted. I missed out on a lot of the fun stuff, the last minute, just-kind-of-happened-when-we-were-hanging-out stuff. I graduated, but I didn't get the whole college experience, you know."

Kurt didn't say anything, and Carole watched as her step-son picked at a loose thread on his jeans. "It sounds like he's just trying to make sure you get the most out of college. Are you thinking that there's some other reason, that maybe he doesn't want you around?"

"No, no I'm pretty sure he cares about me."

"Then what is it? Why are you suddenly monosyllabic and morose?"

Kurt smiled at Carole's word play. "Nice!" He ran his hands through his hair, and finally admitted. "I feel so guilty."

"Why?"

"I offered to find a school in Boston, to live with Nigel." Kurt looked at Carole shame faced. "When he said no, I was actually a little relieved. I really do want to go to NYADA." Kurt looked down avoiding Carole's eyes. "I must be the worst boyfriend in the world."

"Loving someone means you try to help them fulfill their dreams. It doesn't mean that you give up your dreams for theirs." Carole touched Kurt's hair, at his temple. "Sounds like you both have that covered."

Kurt managed a shaky smile. "You think so?"

"Kurt!" Nigel's footsteps sped down the staircase. "Kurt, I forgot to …" Nigel stopped abruptly. "Oh, hi Carole, I didn't know you were down here."

Carole stood up, and picked up the tray. "I was just leaving." She smiled at Nigel. "We've eaten all the cookies."

"No, no." Nigel took the tray and put it down on Kurt's desk. "Stay. Kurt's going to need to talk to you and Burt about this anyway." Nigel pulled Kurt's desk chair over to the couch, and sat down facing Kurt and Carole. "Kurt told you about the job offer?"

Carole nodded. "Yes. Congratulations, Nigel."

"Thanks." Nigel turned to Kurt. "With everything we talked about last night, I forgot to tell you that the job starts in May."

"May?" Kurt was dismayed. He'd thought they would have longer than that.

"Yeah, I have my last exam in April. I have to be in Boston May 1st." Nigel took Kurt's hand in his. "You finish at the end of June. I want you to come and stay with me for the summer." Nigel looked at Carole. "If that's okay with you and Burt?"

Kurt flew at Nigel, almost knocking the OSU student off his chair. "Yes!" He locked Nigel's head between his hands and crushed his mouth with his own. Nigel disentangled himself, a little flushed. They weren't usually this enthusiastic in front of Kurt's parents. "Ummm, Kurt?" Nigel nodded towards Carole.

"Carole!" Kurt hugged his step-mother. "Isn't this fantastic?"

"Do you think Burt will be okay with this?" Nigel looked worried. Both boys turned to Carole, wearing the same beseeching look.

Carole laughed. "What do you think I am; a miracle worker?"