Kurt climbed the stairs to the loft, so glad to be home after his exhausting week. He opened the heavy front door and dropped his full messenger bag on the floor inside.
"Rachel?"
He called out. What he wouldn't give for some alone time right now.
"Kurt?"
No such luck. Rachel moved back her privacy curtain and came out of her room.
"Thank God it's Friday!" she chirped.
"Seriously."
Kurt accepted her air kiss on his cheek and her hug, and went to the living room. He took off his coat, tossing it on the couch next to him, and started to unlace his boots. He let out a contented sigh and put his feet up on the coffee table.
"Kurt there's something I need to tell you."
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than a knock was heard on the door.
"Santana just called me from Sal's Pizza." Rachel looked tense.
"Are you serious?!"
"Now don't get upset Kurt. She told me she wants to apologize, and I think you should hear her out."
"Why now?" Kurt groaned, reaching up to rub both temples with his fingers.
More knocking.
"Well I guess you'd better let her in," said Kurt.
Rachel opened the door and Santana came in.
"Hi Kurt," said Santana. "Hi Rachel. Thanks for letting me in. It's freezing out there."
"Just wait," said Kurt with a clipped tone. "We're supposed to get a blizzard on Sunday."
"Great," said Santana.
"So Santana," Kurt asked, "to what do we owe the displeasure?"
Santana looked down at her feet. "I feel really bad about what I said to you on Facebook and I wanted to apologize."
"Oh, you mean when you said I was 'hopping on every dick in the city' because I went dancing one night?"
"Yeah, that. I was a complete bitch to you. and I had no right to humiliate you like that."
Kurt's eyebrows rose in a surprised expression. "Thank you. Yeah, you were. My dad saw that you know."
"I'm sorry."
"And not that it's any of your business, but I did not sleep with Sebastian. Not that it would be any of your concern if I did."
"I know. I'm really sorry," she said earnestly. "I mean not that I think it would be a good idea if you did, after what that weasel did to you, but yeah. None of my business."
She pursed her lips tightly together, obviously finding being polite a challenge.
Kurt paused, watching Santana for a moment.
"Okay. Apology accepted. Did you really fly all the way to New York just to tell me that?"
"Well actually, I took a train. But that was part of why I came."
"Are you for real?"
"What can I say?" Santana shrugged nonchalantly, but there was sadness in her eyes. "As much as it pains me to say it, you're family to me. And right now," she said, her face clouding over, "I could use all the family I can get."
Kurt forehead creased with worry. "What do you mean?"
"I dropped out of school.
The other girls in my suite were horrible homophobes, the classes didn't mean anything to me, the football players were a bunch of big dumb bullies, and the other cheerleaders gave me the cold shoulder once they found out I'm a lesbian...
It was your basic nightmare."
"Let me get you a drink," said Rachel. "What would you like?"
Santana shrugged out of her winter jacket and tossed it on the couch next to Kurt's, where she joined him.
"Vodka?"
Rachel smiled and rolled her eyes. "We have tea, orange juice, diet Coke, water..."
"Tea, please. It's freezing out there. With skim milk if you have it. Thank you Rachel," she said gratefully.
"So where are you staying?" said Kurt.
She smiled nervously. "I was kind of hoping you'd let me stay here a while I figured that out?"
Kurt's chin dropped.
"I have money. I'll pay my own way. I'm an awesome cook, I'll clean up after myself...I'll do whatever you want. I'm going to look for a job first thing Monday morning. Just give me a chance.
I can't go back there. Not Kentucky, and not Ohio. There are bigger things waiting for me and I want to find them. And if I can't find them I'll create them myself."
"Spoken like a true New Yorker," said Kurt.
"Well I'm fine with you staying for the weekend, and then after that, we'll see," said Kurt. "I'm not sure all of us would get along long-term. What do you think Rachel?"
"Well I'm not going to throw you out into the snow," Rachel said cautiously, "but I'm not sure this is going to work out. If you fight with us too much, if you pick on us all the time, I'm going to ask you to leave."
"I'll be good. I promise."
"And no judging my new boyfriend," insisted Rachel. "Or Kurt's."
Santana whipped her head around to Kurt and raised her eyebrows.
"He's not my boyfriend," said Kurt. "Not yet, anyway. We're...getting there."
"Now this I need to hear about," said Santana.
"We're all going out tonight," said Rachel. "Well, I am, with my new guy Brody, and Kurt is."
"And your new boy toy Hummel?"
"He's working. But he'll be staying over tomorrow night."
"You guys need to catch me up. Tell you what. Dinner's on me. What's good around here?"
"Well..."said Kurt with a twinkle in his eye. "You were really rude to me. This is going to cost you Santana."
"But that's...oh, fine. Alright."
"Hey, it's cheaper than a hotel for the night!" said Rachel with a laugh.
"You've got me there, Rachel."
"Okay, let's go."
"I just got home Santana. Let me catch my breath!" said Kurt.
"Well I'm starving," said Santana. "Does anyone deliver around here?"
"Yeah, of course," said Kurt. "The take out menus are on the bulletin board in the kitchen. I vote Japanese."
"I totally agree," said Rachel, "They deliver fast, their avocado roll is delicious and their miso soup is to die for."
"They're my favorite too,"said Kurt, and then he got a dreamy far away look remembering his lunch date with Adam at another Japanese place near the art museum.
Santana smirked at him. "Earth to Kurt!" she said, snapping her fingers in his face.
"The Thai is also excellent." said Kurt, quickly changing the subject. "And that pizza place you called us from is good too."
"I'm getting in the shower," said Kurt. "I had dinner with some friends already, but I didn't eat much. Rachel knows what I like."
"All right Kurt," said Santana. "Come on Berry. Let's do this. But first let me get my suitcases out of the hallway, if no one's already stolen them."
"How many do you have?" shrieked Rachel.
Kurt headed for the shower.
"Kurt! KurtKurtKurtKuuuurt!"
Erin threw herself into Kurt's arms as soon he walked into Callbacks, nearly knocking Santana down behind him in the process.
"Oh God, I'm sorry," Erin said to Santana. "I'm celebrating!"
Kurt put an arm around Erin to stabilize her a bit.
"Erin here just got one of the leads in our spring play," explained Kurt.
"Well next time watch where you're going," muttered Santana quietly.
"Who's your cranky friend?" slurred Erin.
"Erin, my dear, this is my friend from high school, Santana Lopez. Santana, this is Erin McGowan. And you, Erin, need a chair. C'mon."
Rob and Joey waved to Kurt from their table. Kurt led Erin over to it. Santana joined Kurt, and Rachel and Brody found chairs at the table next to them.
Joey stood up and said "I need to hug her too! Congratulations, your majesty!"
"My queen," added Rob, standing up and bowing low before her.
Erin was beaming. "Thanks guys." Turning to Kurt, she asked him, "Isn't Adam coming?"
"No he's working, remember?"
"Oh, right. Bummer," she said. "We should harass him by text."
Kurt laughed. "We should."
"Hey, what are friends for?" said Erin. "Oh, hi," she said, noticing Rachel and Brody at the next table. "Hi Brody. And aren't you Rachel Berry?"
"Yes I am," said Rachel a bit stiffly. "How do you know me?"
"How don't I know you! Midnight Madness? Winter Showcase? Your voice is wonderful."
Rachel's defensive expression softened a bit. "Thank you. That's very nice of you. Why is everyone calling you the queen?"
"I just got cast as Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Rachel looked blank.
"Queen of the Fairies?"
"Oh right! Congratulations!
Kurt, how did your audition turn out?" asked Rachel.
"Ensemble," he sighed.
Rachel nodded.
"And understudy for Puck!"
"Oh Kurt! That's wonderful! You'd be perfect for that part!"
"Thanks Rachel."
"And I'm the understudy for Oberon," said Rob. "So that means you and I are going to be rehearsing together a lot Kurt!"
"Oh! Great!" said Kurt. "So what happens to the Apples during those weeks?"
"We still hold the meetings, but some people won't be there," explained Rob. "Joey will lead when Adam has rehearsals."
"Okay Kurt, what are we going to sing?" interrupted Rachel.
"Umm..."
"Well first, we are all going to sing Royals," insisted Joey, "and Erin will be on lead. Because she's the queen!"
"Kurt you need to help me do backup," said Erin.
"I..." Kurt turned and looked at Rachel.
"And Rachel too of course!"
"That song's not for me," said Rachel, wrinkling her nose. "But you go ahead Kurt!"
"Suit yourself," shrugged Rob, his curls bouncing as he ran toward the stage, a grin lighting up his face.
"I love this song," said Kurt to Erin.
"Me too!" she answered. They took their places on stage and Erin began to sing.
I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
Kurt swayed his hips, waiting to join in on the harmony.
we don't care
we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams
Kurt's high voice and Rob's blended perfectly with Erin's lower alto, while Joey, well, Joey was so wasted he just sounded silly, but this was all about having fun.
No one was being graded.
Let me be your ruler
you can call me queen bee
and baby I'll rule
Erin tossed an arm around Kurt and Rob on each side, and Joey came up and held Rob on the other side.
Rachel cheered when Kurt and the other boys joined in on the high harmonies.
Kurt was having a blast.
Rob sang Hair by Lady Gaga next, and Kurt got to hear Rob's rich, beautiful voice by itself.
I just want to be myself and I want you love me for who I am
If there was any justice in this world, Rob would be getting a recording contract.
I just want to be free, I just want to be me
And I want lots of friends that invite me to their parties
Kurt complimented him when he sat back down. "Rob. You're amazing. Your voice is gorgeous."
"Thank you so much!"
Joey barely let Rob sit down before he was coaxing him back up on stage. "Come on. We need to do Weather With You."
"Oh yeah, you're right", said Rob.
Erin got up to follow them. "You coming Kurt?"
Kurt shook his head. "I don't know this one."
Joey tossed an arm around Kurt's neck and said in a loud whisper, "by the way we are totally rooting for you and Adam. You two are adorable."
"You really are," said Rob. "But no pressure!"
"Right, no pressure!" said Joey. "But you totally should get together."
Kurt laughed.
Joey let go of Kurt and reached over to Rob, running his hand through Rob's curls. "Your hair, man. It's magical."
Rob glared at Joey. "Okay, that's it. You're cut off."
"Come on, let's go sing. Kurt you should come sleep over tonight!" said Joey.
"Not tonight," said Kurt. "But thanks."
After Joey, Rob and Erin finished Weather With You, Rachel asked Rob if he knew If I Fell.
"Oh yeah! I know some great harmonies for that one. "
Rachel's face lit up. "Do you want to sing it with me?"
"YES!" He said. "Let's do it!"
The pair took their places on stage and began.
if I fell in love with you
would you promise to be true
and help me understand
Their voices were absolutely beautiful together, and the song was haunting.
if I give my heart to you
I must be sure
from the very start
Kurt shivered and picked up his phone.
Kurt: hey hot stuff, how's it going
Adam: Hey! Work is work.
Kurt: I miss you.
Adam: miss you too
Adam: This place smells like vomit and beer. I have to go do the rounds and see if anyone is passed out in the hallway.
Kurt laughed.
Kurt: Charming.
Kurt: I try.
Kurt: I wish I was sitting in your lap right now.
Adam: !
Adam: so do I!
Adam: XO
Kurt: XOXO
Kurt looked up to see Santana on stage with Rob.
wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
Again with the killer harmonies. Was there anyone Rob didn't sound good with?
like a river flows surely to the sea
darling so it goes
some things are meant to be
Kurt: You didn't text me back
Adam: Sorry. Someone was puking in one of the showers on my floor. He required some attention.
Kurt: A true gentleman. Which shower?
Adam: The one nearest the windows. Why?
Kurt: I have a story to tell you some time about that shower.
Adam: Oh really
Kurt: And what I did in it the night you were in Philadelphia.
Adam: ...
Kurt: hint: it was a lot more fun than being sick
Adam: You didn't!
Kurt: I'll tell you all about it tomorrow
Adam: you naughty boy
Kurt: I'll tell you when we're in MY shower after the show
Kurt: I'll SHOW you
Adam: I hate you
Kurt laughed into his hand.
Kurt: No you don't
Adam: No, I don't
Out of the corner of his eye Kurt saw Rachel heading up to the stage alone.
Kurt: Rachel's solo is next and I must be suitably attentive when she sings.
Adam: Yes, you must. Sigh.
Kurt: XO
Adam: XOXO
Kurt: XOXOXOXO
Rachel was belting out Don't Rain on my Parade, and everyone loved her. Brody was cheering loudly for her when Kurt's phone vibrated again.
But it wasn't Adam.
Blaine: I miss you Kurt
Blaine: you are so so beautifull and you mak me sooooo hot
Shit.
Not now. Not when he was feeling so good.
No way.
Kurt deleted Blaine's texts and marched up to the stage.
"I need to sing a good, cathartic breakup song," he told the audience, "and I think this one will do the job nicely. This is for my ex."
Guess I just lost my husband, I don't know where he went
So I'm gonna drink my money, I'm not gonna pay his rent
I've got a brand new attitude and I'm gonna wear it tonight
Kurt strutted around the stage. He owned it. His voice was powerful. He hit all the notes cleanly.
So, so what, I'm still a rock star
I've got my rock moves
and I don't need you
Everyone in the club was on their feet. His friends were yelling his name.
and guess what, I'm having more fun
and now that we're done
I'm gonna show you tonight
I'm all right
I'm just fine
and you're a tool, so what?
There was no way Blaine was bringing him down tonight.
I gave you life, I gave my all, you weren't there, you let me fall
Kurt held the last note, long and clear.
Singing really did make almost anything feel better.
Kurt: I'm home in bed now
Adam: What a coincidence
Kurt: can't wait to see you tomorrow
Adam: you are so sweet
Kurt: salty too
Adam: you drive me crazy
Kurt: the feeling is mutual my hot British stud muffin
Adam: stud muffin?
Kurt: stud muffin
Adam: lol
Kurt: goodnight stud muffin
Adam: goodnight gorgeous. What time should I come over?
Kurt: now
Kurt: I mean when ever you want Haha
Adam: don't tempt me
Kurt: I want to sleep late and I have some work to do. How about 4:00 ish?
Adam: sounds good
Adam: you hang up first
Kurt: NO YOU HANG UP FIRST
Kurt: just kidding I need to sleep now
Adam: sweet dreams love
Kurt: bye XO
songs: Royals (Lorde), Hair (Lady Gaga), Weather With You (Crowded House), If I Fell (Beatles), Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley), Don't Rain on my Parade (Barbra Streisand, from the musical Funny Girl), So What (Pink)