"We shouldn't stay out here too long," Kurt said, pulling his coat a bit tighter around him as they walked. "It's pretty cold."
"It's exactly right for clearing the head and numbing the limbs before our self-assigned torture."
Kurt laughed, the air condensing before him. "We really better win after all of this. Finn's amazed by how hard we're working so far, and frankly, amazed that we've increased the number of practices we're having."
"There's five days to the competition," Jeff said, shrugging, "we really do need to step up the ante. But I'll admit that I didn't expect it to be this hard. And, unfortunately we can't complain during practice."
"The drawback of being the Council," Kurt murmured.
"It didn't help that we stupidly made the flipping distance George was after. We may need those long sleeved shirts after all. These bruises probably won't garner any audience approval."
Kurt shuddered at the remembrance of the number of falls, misses or tumbles they had taken over the last few practices. He was a bit used to it given his time on the Cheerios and the extremes that could be demanded of him, but George took it to a different level. Oh, he was a genius; he would freely admit to that. Somehow he had recreated the venue's layout using a few beams from the gymnasium and a compilation of (thankfully sturdy) wooden crates. That genius however, meant that Kurt, Jeff, George and five others were tasked with flipping gracefully onto the beams and then somehow relaunch into singing within a few seconds. It was crazy dangerous - the bruises and scratches they both sported was proof enough of it.
Kurt himself had a rather disturbing bruise on his right hand that had worried Carole the moment she had seen it. He hadn't even noticed it at first, but, pressing hard on it did elicit some discomfort so Kurt was certain that had he had feeling it would be quite painful. Trent had told them that they could pull out if they really wanted - George could find a way to still make it look balanced, but really, Kurt was curious to see if he could do it. If he managed it with his one-armed self...it would be a monumental occasion for him.
"At least we're landing on the bar half the time now," he said eventually.
"It's the other fifty percent I'm worried about. But it's a nice distraction."
"It is," Kurt agreed, not probing deeper into it. The wind picked up a bit and he shuddered, smiling when Jeff pulled him close, his arm comfortable around him. "I'm sorry," he said, "let's turn back. It's a good ten minute walk back from here. Thanks for putting up with my selfishness."
"Hey no, I wanted to come with you," Kurt said reassuringly. "I'm just so looking forward to Spring. This winter seems worse than usual for some reason."
"Mother nature hates us is why," he declared. "We should have a snow fight the next time its deep enough."
Kurt snorted at the quick change in tone, but nodded. "I'll referee," he promised. "We also need to ensure that everyone is on time for that final fitting tomorrow. Trent is right, we should do at least one dry run in uniform to ensure everything is okay."
"We should," Jeff agreed, "it's going to be a bit awkward for you isn't it?"
"What is?" he asked, looking at him. "Oh, you mean the competition?"
"Yup."
"Not that much," he decided after a moment. "I've officially been a Warbler longer than a member of the New Directions at this point, and well, time has dulled my emotional attachment to them. I care for them, but it's not the same. I rooted for them before because I wanted Finn to be happy, but collectively, my time in New Directions pales in comparison to this. So yes, they're my former team, but that's not going to deter me from wanting to win."
He felt Jeff's eyes on him as his words drifted off. "What are you thinking?"
Kurt sighed, shaking himself to rid the unpleasant thoughts that floated to the surface. "Glee club helped me a lot," he told him honestly, "you're not the only one with a tough middle school life. During your summer of debauchery, I actually contemplated suicide."
Jeff's steps faltered. "What?"
"The bullying wasn't a new thing. Lima is small enough that most of us were in school together at one point, and all of the bullies were in my middle school with me. Finn was there too but we weren't much of anything back then even though our parents started dating midway through our final year. I was alone and bullied and I sort of figured that dad and Carole were in it for the long haul, so even if I wasn't around anymore, he'd still have a son – a better one – in Finn.
"I was wandering about once that summer and ended up in some sort of fair at the mall the community group set up. I guess I was a bit too fascinated by the pamphlets on suicide and this awkward redhead woman there noticed me. She tried to talk to me, but I got spooked and ran away. I never did manage to hurt myself that summer and guess what? That woman turned out to be my high school guidance councillor and the minute she realised who I was she called in my dad and told him her fears. His solution was to limit my alone time and demanded I join a club. Glee saved my life, I'll say that plainly, but also...it was so disheartening at times.
"Rachel was the star, Finn with her, and Mr. Shue always favoured them. My voice may be something special here in an all male choir, but in a mixed one? I just had to shut up or try to blend in where I could. My range is better than it was now, but I rarely got anything besides scorn whenever I used my lower register. Whenever I did the guys snickered and asked if I was trying to force puberty. When I worked on my higher range most of the girls asked if I even had balls. Mr. Shuester never did anything to stop that and he even pulled me out for my dancing at times, and trust me, if you've seen Finn freestyle, you'll agree that I wasn't the worst dancer back then yet he always insulted me for it without trying you know...to help me in any way. Cheerleading helped with that a lot and now, well having to relearn balance gave me a bit more awareness of my body, so I'm a lot better at dancing now.
"So, what I'm trying to say under all this rambling is that I was a member of the team, but I never belonged there, not in the way I belong here. You guys took me in from day one, even before I was a real member and you've never let me feel inadequate. You guys always ensure that there was something I could do in the routines, or adapted it to me. You could have easily nixed me performing that duet with Blaine, saying that it wasn't worth the risk of me getting stage fright, but you didn't. Hell you guys even let me on the council, me, a nobody from Lima. That's why I want us to win so much. It may be selfish of me, but it'd also be a way for me to stand there and say that see New Directions, you guys treated me like I wasn't anything, and look, I beat you. It's horrible I know, but, deep down, that's how I feel."
Kurt hadn't even realised that they had stopped walking, but he did feel it when Jeff reached out and pulled off a frozen tear drop. Kurt offered him a weak smile, not really certain where that deluge of speech had come from, but boy, did he feel a bit better for having said it. He didn't protest when Jeff hugged him tightly for a moment, before slinging his arm back around him and tugging them back into walking.
"We're going to double our efforts over the next few days Kurtsie," he told him softly.
"Why?"
"Because I really really want to kick their asses now more than ever."
Kurt could only emit a watery laugh at that, resting his head on Jeff's shoulder as they finally, thankfully came in sight of the building.
"You guys are crazy!"
They both looked up, hearing Trent's voice carrying on the wind.
"You love us," Jeff shouted back while Kurt settled for just laughing as Phillip's head popped out of the window next to Trent's.
"I'll have tea ready by the time you guys get up here."
"You're my favourite Phil!"
"That made his day," Kurt said happily as he took in the boy's beaming smile before he pulled back.
"He likes you."
"And you are still delusional," Kurt muttered, as they happily re-entered the warm, welcoming embrace of the recreation building.
Kurt was exhausted, sweaty and re-assessing all of his life choices that had led him to this level of tiredness.
"We should have stayed outside in the cold," Jeff lamented from his spot on the floor behind him.
Kurt didn't bother to respond; his breathing was still too harsh to facilitate that. He was heartened though to see that he was not the only one tired. Unlike George and his dancers (who were now Satan and the Pips in Kurt's mind), the majority of the Warblers were in a similar state of fatigue, many shirtless on the floor or else guzzling down water rapidly. They had worked hard today, so hard, and the heat and sweat of the room was proof enough of that.
"Do you guys think you can go another round?" George asked, walking over to where they were with far too much cheer.
Kurt's eyes widened comically even as Jeff groaned and rolled over.
"I'm just joking," he said, laughing, before dropping down a towel onto Kurt's chest. "You guys did well," he told them sincerely.
"Thanks," Kurt managed, "That means a lot."
"You were mildly acceptable as well Sterling," he added, nudging Jeff's back with a toe.
"I am ignoring you."
George snorted but walked away, probably to restore the morale of some of the other Warblers. When he was certain he had gone, Jeff rolled over, groaning as he sat up. He motioned to Trent to officially end the session before flopping back down, Kurt's breath escaping him as he landed partially on his torso. He closed his eyes, occasionally offering something resembling a goodbye whenever he heard his name.
"You all are not helping the situation," Trent told them wryly a few minutes later.
It took considerable effort, but Kurt managed to peel his eyes open while Jeff, who had by this time made Kurt's stomach into his own personal pillow grunted in acknowledgement of his words.
"What situation?" Kurt inquired, as Trent dropped down beside them, crossing his legs.
Trent eyed them for a moment. "You guys are aware of the rumours right?"
"My awesomeness is not mere rumour," Jeff declared loftily, spoiling the effect slightly by yawning.
Kurt tapped his head lightly. "What rumours?"
Trent pointedly let his eyes move from one council member to the other.
"Oh," Kurt said after a second.
"Oh what? Edify me Kurtsie."
"People think we're dating, aren't they?" Kurt asked, a hint of wryness entering his tone.
"Bingo," Trent confirmed. "There're a few variations of it, but that's the gist of it."
"Who's the top?"
"Jeff," Kurt scolded.
"Hey, I'm taller. Doesn't that make me the top?"
"This isn't a manga story," Kurt retorted.
"But it could be," he singsonged in return, finally opening his eyes and sitting up so that he could face Trent. Rather reluctantly, because he was still quite tired, Kurt mimicked him.
"So, are Jeff and I living in sin?"
"Nothing so drastic," Trent answered, chuckling at the joke. "The main rumour has you two and Blaine in a polyamorous relationship."
Kurt glared at Jeff who looked away while pursing his lips. "I can safely say we know where that one came from."
Trent laughed outright this time. "Jeff you are ridiculous."
"Any other interesting ones?"
"That's the most ludicrous one," Trent confirmed.
"Meh, we must teach the gentlemen of Dalton true gossiping skills."
"How about we not encourage this," Kurt stated, before rolling his eyes as Jeff pointedly dropped his head onto his shoulder, nuzzling his skin.
"Jeff needs his cuddles."
"Jeff needs a time out."
"Kinky!"
"You are ridiculous," Kurt declared.
"You both are," Trent amended, because, even as he scolded the blonde, Kurt's hand had automatically started stroking through his hair.
"He's jealous."
"Do you want cuddles Trent?" Kurt asked him, playing along.
"Do not encourage him Hummel."
"He does what I say Trent."
"Who's being kinky now?"
"Touché."
"I am hitting the showers," Trent said, rising.
"I think we've chased him away Kurtsie."
"We'll make it up to him Jeffie."
"Both of you fail at life," Trent shot at them, before leaving the room.
They waved him away, and, once the door behind him closed, Kurt asked, "Do the rumours bother you?"
"No. You?"
"No."
"Good. Then let's nap for a bit," Jeff said, reclining onto the floor once more. Kurt murmured in agreement before joining him for well deserved rest.
"Hang on a moment, Blaine," Kurt bid, opening Finn's bedroom door. "Ready to lose chump?" he asked.
Finn looked up from his laptop, an amused expression on his face. "Ready to loose a can of whoop ass on some canaries tomorrow? Why yes little brother, I am indeed ready."
"Keep dreaming chump."
"Who taught you chump?" Finn returned, amused.
"Jeff did."
"Jeff needs some schooling on street slang."
"Blaine, Finn is being mean to me," Kurt whined.
"You started it, sweetheart," Blaine pointed out, with a rather indulgent tone, "don't be upset that he finished it."
"Blaine I hope you remembered to mail Kurt some handkerchiefs to wipe his tears tomorrow," Finn said loudly so that his voice could carry to the Bluetooth headset Kurt was wearing.
Kurt listened for a moment, before pursing his lips. "Blaine said to leave him out of this."
"Smart man," Finn stated, approvingly, "now go away little bro. I got forty minutes to finish this online quiz."
"I hope you fail."
"I hope you realise that unlike Blaine, I can respond to sass immediately."
Kurt squeaked and quickly exited the room, Finn's laughter drifting behind him.
"You were completely unhelpful," Kurt scolded, flopping down onto his bed.
"My apologies sweetheart," he returned. "Jeff wants me to convince you to join Facebook by the way."
"Jeff wants to make us Facebook official," Kurt explained.
Blaine laughed ruefully. "I figure there was some sort of angle to his request."
"He said that if you asked politely he'd allow you to be listed as a family member."
Blaine snorted. "It seems like there are two sassy Dalton boys I now have to deal with."
"No tickles!"
"That's not going to save you."
"I ought to hang up on you," Kurt grumbled.
"You're welcomed to try but that'd just double your sentence instantly."
"You drive a hard bargain Anderson."
"I love you too," he responded pertly. "Are you prepared for tomorrow?"
"I have no choice but to be," Kurt answered. "We have the routine down now...for the most part, and our vocals are pretty good as well. Trent's demanded that we all go to bed by ten tonight. I think he's actually going to do dorm checks."
"Wes tried that once," Blaine said musingly. "We locked him in a closet."
"Blaine!"
"Supernatural was on," he replied defensively, something that caused Kurt to laugh.
"He is right though, you need sleep tonight."
"I'll go to bed early," he promised.
"There's my good boy," Blaine cooed and Kurt found his cheeks heating up at the warm tone.
"Your mother called me earlier. She's sending her team to film everything."
"She would do that. I swear she loves you more than me at times."
"Because I am absolutely adorable."
"Undeniably so."
Kurt was about to say something but stilled as he heard a metallic sound coming from Blaine's end of the line.
"Is that a train?" he asked. "You have an eight to ten lecture don't you?"
"Mmmhmm, I do," Blaine answered quickly. "One of the girls from my study group wasn't feeling too well so I offered to bring her here."
"That's nice of you," Kurt told him. "But you'll be late for class."
"I'll sneak in the back," Blaine said, in a reassuring tone, "it's a huge hall, the lecturer won't notice."
"Don't let your chivalry pave the path to delinquency," Kurt warned him.
Blaine's response was muffled by the sound of a next train and Kurt wasn't entirely certain but he thought that that was Wes' voice he heard briefly. He shrugged it off though.
"I'm going to help Carole with dinner," he said instead. "I'll text you before I go to sleep?"
"Of course. Call me in the morning okay?"
"I definitely will."