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2
(Not Just Another Guy in the Club)
AN: Not the original intention for this chapter's title, but worked well regardless. The other just seemed... cliché even though I'll still probably use the original idea elsewhere. The original, original title didn't have the not.
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Having just served the last patron looking for a drink, Sebastian chatted quietly with his bartending mate. Sometimes patrons wanted to talk but none of them were really in the mood just then. There were a few groups, a couple of couples but even for a Thursday, it was still quieter than normal. Maybe it would pick up, it wasn't that late yet. It was probably wise for his boss to not have staffed it more than just the two of them. Sebastian hadn't been in the field long enough to know the trends yet. Tomorrow there'd be at least double the staff.
Being a dance club they not only had a bouncer, but a cover charge. Perhaps it deterred people but in order to keep the staff and the patrons safe it was worth it. They'd rather ween out the fair weather attendants and keep the ones that were genuinely wanting to come in. There were other safety measures situated around the club but nothing that was easy to bump into by accident.
Someone came through the door but Sebastian didn't pay the newcomer much attention. At first with the slight but tall build he'd suspected it was a female who hadn't gotten the hint yet that this wasn't exactly a place that would try to pick her up. Well... maybe, he couldn't say that with a hundred percent certainty. Coming in further though, Sebastian noticed that he was wrong about the build, it was most definitely masculine on closer inspection. He was wearing his glasses so he could see the names on cards and IDs, just as a secondary measure if someone tried to slip through the cracks and he felt it to be the case. Faces were also sharper that way when they were next to the bar.
It blurred his vision at a distance though and he would have to take his glasses off to see them clearer. Without his glasses on, he'd see exactly what had caught his partner's attention. There was a small gasp from his coworker and he was already mixing up a drink.
Sebastian let him tend to the newcomer, he wouldn't try and horde in on his game. His partner for the night was an even bigger flirt than he was and something about the new guy had him moving in quickly. The build was kind of his type too but he thought Duncan went for bigger guys. Still, if he was interested, Sebastian wouldn't interfere.
Still, Duncan's words surprised him and had him turning back from loading the dishwasher despite himself. "On the house." Duncan never just gave drinks away without a little flirting first. He made guys work for it in other ways if they didn't want to pay. Usually with some ego stroking first.
"I didn't order anything yet." The voice was melodic and Sebastian was intrigued. The departure from the norm had Sebastian trying to figure out what was so special about this guy. He had to be super hot and for Duncan to find him that way, his face had to be perfect since his body type wasn't his preference.
Sebastian bit his bottom lip as he realized that he'd been going down an entirely wrong path with Duncan's actions.
"You looked like you needed it." Duncan reassured and pushed the glass toward the newcomer even further.
"I can pay." He reached for his wallet but Duncan shook his head.
"On the house." He repeated firmly.
It hadn't been lust driving the actions, but rather sympathy. Sebastian felt a great amount of it himself for this male that just joined them. They'd never seen him in there before and before Sebastian could say anything, many of the other patrons flocked to him. They didn't know him either but they had seen what Duncan had and were pampering him.
"Oh honey, these look so painful." One of the regulars stroked the guy's face with a tender touch, nearly sitting in his lap, but not quite. No one knew where it ended or began. There were still a lot of darkness to some of the bruises, especially around his left eye but the others were faded as if they were a couple of days old.
There were some cuts too, still bandaged while others were healed enough to remove the bandages. Sebastian's stomach tightened painfully as his eyes slipped over the face. Something bad had happened and he was probably going against all of his doctor's wishes by coming out tonight. It was too soon and too new... unless it wasn't new at all.
He was breathing a little heavier and the male hadn't even drank more than a sip out of the glass Duncan had passed to him. He shifted uncomfortably with all the attention.
"I'm ok." He offered a small smile. "Thank you though."
"Let me buy you a drink." One of the guys offered with a large hand on his shoulder.
The unknown guy flushed a little and shook his head. "It's ok, I didn't come in here looking for sympathy drinks. I kind of forgot about the bruises and cuts. I just needed a drink to unwind after today."
"Forgot?" There was a murmur in the crowd that had gathered around him and Sebastian was glad that it was so quiet. Any more people around the poor guy and he'd have probably have bolted. As it was, it was a touching outreach from the community.
The community... something niggled in the back of his brain, he'd just heard something about the community in the main news and... nope, he lost it. He tried not to pay a lot of attention to the news, it was too depressing and he'd hear about anything important from the others.
Duncan was looking at him with a thoughtful look now too, trying to pick something out of his own memories. He gave up with a shrug and went to fill other orders. Duncan kept one eye on the newcomer though at all times. The regulars were harmless or had always been so, but the guy's face had brought out all of their protective instincts.
When the others slowly started to give him more space after talking to him for a while and did end up ordering him another couple of drinks despite his protests, Sebastian supplied them with a nod to those putting the bills down. Sebastian didn't say anything to the guy, he just went and filled more orders from the other end of the bar. There were more people who came in and looked over the one at the bar with the three drinks but didn't crowd him or say anything. They hadn't seen him come in and they didn't know much about the situation.
They actually made sure there was always a few seats between them and the loner. No one looked at him as if he were the culprit. If he were alone when they came in, they figured it's because he wanted to be and they respected his wishes. He looked like he felt bound to finish all the drinks in front of him and Sebastian took pity on him.
He leaned forward on the bar and slowly sliding the drink he hadn't exactly enjoyed from it's spot and toward the sink. He had favored the others, drinking from them evenly but had just taken one sip from that one and tried to hide his facial reaction and didn't touch it again. Maybe he was hoping it would taste better once his taste buds were anesthetized a little from the rest of the alcohol. "Ok if I toss this one?" Sebastian asked before he completely removed it, nobody else heard him.
Shockingly blue-green eyes locked on him. Sebastian couldn't speak for a moment and was glad he hadn't been required to. How had he missed that until now? "Please." The male's word was clear even if Sebastian couldn't hear him. He nodded and slipped it into the sink and poured it out.
Sebastian was tempted to just leave it at that and go back to working with others but Duncan had it handled and he'd created an in. Sebastian's eyes roved over the male's face again, he looked so young, younger still with the bruises and cuts. Still, if he was in this club with a green wrist band, he had to be older than Sebastian. Sebastian could serve alcohol but not drink it... yet. He was two weeks from not needing the oversight. If he weren't old enough, his wristband would have been red and no way would he nor Duncan would have allowed the regulars to give him a drink, even if he looked like he needed it, even away from the bar. "The fiance?"
Sebastian thought if his eyes weren't looking at this stranger with such compassion and caring the stranger might have dumped the drink in his hand all over Sebastian's head and accept getting kicked out gladly. Sebastian still moved back slightly to try and avoid all of that. He didn't think this stranger needed more hands on him any time soon, at least not like that. It did reassure Sebastian though that it wasn't the fiance.
The guy spoke, not quite stable even though he'd taken a beat. "W-why would you think that?"
Ok, so the fiance had done something to upset him. Fire built inside of him, what could the guy have done to him in this condition and he was positive that he hadn't deserved it. Sebastian couldn't put a finger on why knew that with such certainty, maybe it was the wobble in his voice, or the fact that he didn't toss the drink at him?
"I saw the ring." Sebastian said to try and sooth things over a little and keep the conversation open.
The guy covered his left hand, there were bruises and scrapes on both hands. "No.. he hasn't thrown a punch at me." He didn't deny attacking him though. Sebastian's lips twisted and found he needed a drink but he was on duty and underage. He would just have to wait until after work, he was sure Duncan would pour it for him too.
"But he did something else?" Sebastian shouldn't have said it, it wasn't any of his business, if his partner was abusing him and he admitted as much, all Sebastian was supposed to do was steer him in the direction of the police or the help hotline. That's where his duties as a bartender ended. It was not however, where human decency ended. Rules were not laws and he would willingly break them for the right reasons. He'd nearly broken them for the wrong reasons before too but he'd come a long way since then.
The guy in front of him let out a little huff and downed one of the drinks in one go. He grabbed the other two on the table in front of him, looking intent to leave the bar and find a table in the back. It wasn't the solution and Sebastian held up his hands in peace.
"Please don't go. It was inappropriate of me to ask, I just... well, it's nearly a family around here and we were are all concerned about someone who comes walking in while in your condition. Have you been to the police at least?"
"They came to the hospital." There was a helpless shrug. "Haven't heard any follow up though."
Sebastian nodded, unfortunately they hardly ever followed up for guys like them. "Were you jumped outside a club?"
The man's lips twisted and shook his head. "That's the explanation most people jump to, but no, I wasn't even the target. I just got myself involved. I couldn't walk away and let someone get ganged up upon." A small shudder went through his small frame and Sebastian was trying to fit the pieces together.
"You willingly went into a fight? You went in to defend someone?"
Those shoulders pulled back and he was glaring openly at Sebastian now. "Why? Because I'd be useless in a fight? Because I'm so small and a honorary girl?"
Sebastian held up his hands again, realizing he'd walked into a sore wound that had been festering for awhile and he'd just pushed on it. "My classmates at least believed me."
"The police didn't?"
"They think we both got jumped because we were making out in the wrong spot or something. I had never met the guy, still don't know what he really looks like. He ran after I got involved. Surprised they even believed me when I said there was someone else and wasn't just jumped because of what I was wearing."
It didn't seem to have stopped him from continuing to wear what he wanted, at least. "I believe you." Sebastian made another drink for this guy. "Thanks for your bravery, it's on the house."
He slid the drink to the guy and he looked at the drink for a long moment before looking up at Sebastian again. "That's what I should be saying to you- thanks... and thank you, for not just believing me but also for the drink."
"What happened next?" Sebastian made sure to keep his question polite inquiry, he was curious and he didn't want this guy to think that he was making assumptions.
"A couple of them ran too because they'd gotten caught by a bystander. A few stayed and decided that I made a better target. I think if they'd all stayed the story would have ended up differently. As it were, the rest ran off when they heard the sirens." The guy thought about it for a moment. "Maybe the guy I rescued paid me back in turn and called the police. It was probably the wiser action but again, if he kept getting hit and kicked by the whole group, he probably would have had a different story told about him. He did look pretty rough as he ran. Part of me thought the guys running off were running him down to finish the job." He shook his head and looked back down at the drink morosely.
"And then what?" Sebastian found himself sitting on the edge of his seat, already knowing that he came out of it mostly ok, but still... he found himself invested in the story.
"I woke up after about 7 hours of unconsciousness to see my dad by my bed and my fiance sobbing on my knees, vowing something about never letting it happen again. Considering he wasn't there, it was a pretty pointless promise. Never thought he would try to make it so I was never without him again."
"Wait, what?" Sebastian wasn't sure he heard that correctly.
"He switched all of his classes to be with me, has been trying to get a job where I work, has been trying to join my band and basically has been tailing me the rest of the time." This guy sounded less than pleased and Sebastian could understand why, he seemed pretty independent. "He's a year younger and I should have known he'd have done this, it shouldn't have been a surprise. He switched schools for me though told me it wasn't for me. He ended up in a lot of my classes there too... somehow. Probably because he'd gone to an elite boarding school before and could switch into an upper level easily."
Sebastian frowned, he'd heard a similar story once upon a time. "Kind of stalker behavior."
"He lives with me too." The guy shrugged. "He couldn't get much closer if he tried."
"This doesn't seem to be what's really eating at you though." Sebastian commented calmly, knowing this behavior would have driven him to an entirely different extreme in response. He'd nearly done so at one point.
The man's nose wrinkled and while at another time it might have been adorable, it looked like it was pulling on the cut along the bridge. He didn't let out that it caused any pain though and Sebastian wondered again if he was used to injuries. "No, that was all minor annoyances in the grand scheme of things." He gave a small shoulder shrug. "It all is, isn't it though?" He paused and collected his breath. "We were practicing in class and one would think the logical reaction to my facing off with guys with sticks charging me would be to try and defend me. Instead he joined in and went too hard. The others stopped but he kept going, almost pissed off at me. It certainly felt that way and afterward when I deflected all of his attacks and managed to land a couple of blows onto him- none that would leave bruises, he stormed off in anger. I haven't seen him since and I decided to take myself for a drink. I haven't had one since my 21st birthday, seeing as how he can't legally drink yet and trying to be considerate of that fact." He was most definitely not pleased by that kind of behavior.
Sebastian wasn't either. He made another drink and set it in front of the guy who was slowly becoming less of a stranger. "To replace the one I tossed." He cut him off when he started to protest all the free drinks. Sebastian was already starting to see the kinds of drinks he preferred.
Sullen but polite, the guy nodded. "Thank you." He was definitely looking to drown himself in the alcohol tonight. With the way he was looking, Sebastian knew he'd be cutting him off before it got bad. He needed his wits with him when he headed home, his appearance would either be a deterrent or an invitation.
"Sebastian." He supplied seemingly out of nowhere.
"What?" The guy looked confused, his thoughts obviously elsewhere.
"That's my name, Sebastian." Sebastian repeated patiently for him. He didn't know what he was up to, he'd gone home with other guys at the bar before, but they were usually the ones seeking Sebastian out, not the other way around. He wasn't looking to tempt this guy into his bed though, not at the moment at least. He was Sebastian's usual type though and if he was single and in a better mood, Sebastian would have been open to a flirtation and end of night activities.
Right now, it looked like he just needed a sympathetic ear and perhaps a friend. Why hadn't he gone to one of his friends' houses? Or at least out with one of them? Then the answered dawned on Sebastian, this fiance had been inserting himself into all parts of this guy's life. Obviously, any friend he might have turned to would have been easily been reached by the fiance. He'd already seen this guy turn his phone off after it rang a few times.
"Kurt." The guy gave out reluctantly and Sebastian felt like he'd won the ultimate prize, even if it was just a name. He had come to this bar because he needed to find a place that his fiance couldn't reach him at, didn't know about and couldn't follow him to.
"Well, relationship woes can be left at the door, you're free to do whatever you want in here and nobody will judge you." Sebastian told him honestly. "It's a safe place."
"Thank you." There seemed to be a weigh lifted off his shoulders at the response. He straightened up and tried to force himself out of his bad mood. Sebastian found that commendable.
Sebastian nodded and then gave him some space too. He went down the bar to attend to a few more customers and then leaned against the back bar, talking with Duncan again. Out of the corner of both of their eyes, they still watched Kurt. He seemed to be in better spirits though.
"I need to buy him a drink." Duncan suddenly said, the one on the house was an entirely different situation and Sebastian lifted a brow. He was so not Duncan's type. "I was trying to place why he seemed familiar. He rescued Tyler from a gang of homophobes who came down from Upstate to help 'clean up this city'. Tyler showed me the article and there was a picture with it of him prior to injury. The timing is right. Tyler wished he'd done more and reached out to him in thanks but he's not listed. There was an Ohio number but it was disconnected."
"He was the one who stepped in to help Tyler out?" Sebastian's esteem went skyrocketing up. "Didn't he say that he thought there were about 10 guys following him before he was jumped?"
"Yeah." The number fluctuated but it was always more than 10. They'd caught 8 of them and so Sebastian and Duncan knew he wasn't far off. There was a CCTV camera at the entrance of alley that Tyler had been pulled into. They matched the faces of the guys the police were already after after another young man was killed a few weeks prior.
"He has no idea that any of that happened afterward." Sebastian didn't know how to tell him that. He was partially surprised that no one else had told him.
"Think you can wiggle out his number?" Duncan asked glancing over Sebastian, he looked especially good tonight.
"I don't, he might be upset right now with him but he's got a fiance. I don't think this is one that will cheat, no matter how angry." Sebastian shook his head. "Best we can hope for is that he'll show up here again some night." Sebastian sighed. "I don't think another drink right now is the answer either."
"Yeah, probably best to leave him in peace. He appears to be dealing with something and if either of us push, the likelihood that he'll come back will dwindle." Duncan sighed. "Too bad though."
Tyler was Duncan's little brother and also worked here some nights. Anyone who protected his little brother was instantly someone he was going to be looking after as well, no matter how well they'd known each other before. Sebastian wouldn't put it passed Duncan to want to reward Kurt in other ways too if he were up to it.
Kurt left a hefty tip as he left and the group called out a goodbye which visibly surprised Kurt. He spun around and gave a little wave of thanks before leaving.
Sebastian wondered if he'd ever see him again.
–
Another night, another shift and Sebastian came in from the back, carrying a bucket of ice and nearly didn't recognize the face standing at the bar. There was a forced levity on his face as he ordered a drink. Neither Duncan nor Tyler were there and he'd have to tell them that the hero showed up again, definitely not knowing the connection.
He ordered his drink, paid for it then scurried over to a table far away from the bar. Sebastian wondered if Kurt was avoiding him, but if he were, he'd gone to the wrong bar to do so. Sebastian decided that he wasn't a factor and continued working.
About an hour later, a voice he'd only heard once before was asking him for his attention. Sebastian turned from restocking the frozocohols to look up at the face leaning over the bar with a more relaxed and genuine smile. Whatever had upset him earlier had obviously bled away with the atmosphere tonight. "Ah, I thought that was you."
Sebastian stood up, a ready smile for him in return. "Caught. What can I do for you?"
"I really liked that drink you gave me the last time I was here. I have no idea what it was, do you remember what you made?" He really did seem so much more relaxed this time.
Sebastian thought about it, he made a lot of drinks and actually a few for Kurt too then he remembered and nodded. "It was a Back Up Booty Call." Sebastian gave a small shrug at Kurt's face. "Sex and alcohol go hand and hand."
"Oh, ok. Then I'd like one of those if you wouldn't mind?"
Sebastian noted that Kurt was incredibly polite, even last time, he forced himself to say the words and not take it out on anyone else. He'd been uncomfortable and upset and he'd thanked all of them and deescalated the situation with the concerned onlookers.
Sebastian gave another nod. "One Back Up Booty Call coming up." He nearly sniggered but managed to keep Kurt from seeing it as he turned for the appropriate ingredients."
Kurt paid and tipped and stayed awhile to chat. The bar was not too busy and Sebastian kept their conversation up even as he served the others. They didn't talk about anything deep, just kept it light and Sebastian asked questions that would clarify a few of the things that Kurt talked about last time without bringing up the last time at all.
He found out that Kurt attended NYADA and worked at both a famous cafe and Vogue, though only the cafe paid, poorly. It was worth it for the practice with a real audience of Broadway fanatics and exposure if there happened to be anyone in attendance that could move their career along. No surprise that Kurt wanted to be on Broadway once he found out where he went to school and where he worked.
Sebastian did warn him to maybe not spill all of that with strangers in the future. Kurt looked startled and realized how much he'd shared with Sebastian, a stranger. Sebastian held up his hands. "I'm like a therapist, your secrets are safe with me." He winked and Kurt relaxed. Then he went into why they were even more safe with him – how he was also a student working two jobs, thankfully both paid, even if the other one didn't pay well, at least he got college credit for it too. He told Kurt about his own plans for the future – he wanted to be an architect. It meant a lot of schooling though.
Kurt didn't rain on his dreams, it was nearly as unachievable as his own except for a select few. Considering that Kurt was in NYADA, he was already on his way to achieving them. He definitely had a leg up on the competition. They didn't talk about the fiance or what had happened leading up or after Kurt's arrival the last time.
Kurt glanced at his watch and sighed. He paid the end of his tab and hopped off the barstool. He had drank responsibility and Sebastian didn't see any wobbling as Kurt left with a warm goodbye.
Sebastian doubted he'd see Kurt again, which was a shame; he could see the two of them being friends. There were very similar in age and had a lot of similar interests even if they were also in a lot of ways very different. He'd learned a lot about Kurt tonight.
–
Sebastian promised his best friend breakfast to celebrate getting into his internship of his dreams and it was his choice where they went.
He had not expected his oldest friend from the US to choose this restaurant of all of them. He should have known though, his friend was a sucker for music and what better than to have music and breakfast together?
He entered the Spotlight Cafe hoping that Kurt wasn't working today. He didn't know how he would explain his presence here. He hadn't seen Kurt again after the last time. It had been two months since his first visit and 6 weeks since the second.
Kurt was talking with a girl with dark hair and purple streaks and he was laughing even as he turned to go back to his area. His eyes grew wide and Sebastian nearly asked his friend to choose a different place or a different day. Then Kurt smiled broadly and ushered them to a table in his section. "Welcome to Spotlight, where I am Kurt, your dutiful usher for today's performances and dining experience." He said loudly and brightly and then whispered the rest of what he had to say. "They make me say that." Then he spoke loudly again. "What can I start you off with? Coffee? Water? Something a little stronger?" He glanced at Sebastian with a quirk to his lips when he said it.
"Kurt... as in Kurt Hummel?" Kurt turned his attention to Sebastian's companion and he tipped his head to the side.
"Uh... yeah, but do I know you?" He was slowly starting to take a step away, hoping that Sebastian and this guy weren't actually stalkers in truth, Sebastian could read it all over his body language. He had learned the guy's last name, but only because Tyler had shown him the article. He had no idea his friend had also known him.
"Trent Aldine." He held out his hand. "We went to Dalton together for about 5 months."
"Uh... Trent..." Kurt was clearly racking his memory for the boy. "Didn't you transfer?"
"Yes, after you did." Trent was impressed that Kurt remembered him afterall. Even though he acted as if they knew each other well, he was still glad Kurt had pulled something out on his own.
Sebastian didn't quite follow. "You went to school together?"
"Yes! I didn't know for sure if Kurt would remember. He was a star, I was just in the background."
"I was hardly a star." Kurt scratched his neck. "I thought maybe I was the villain of Dalton's stories."
"Maybe, I didn't stick around long enough to hear them." Trent shrugged. "My parents moved every couple of years and wanted me within a 3 hour radius. I transferred to Boston the next year. Where we met." Trent included Sebastian now into the conversation.
"It all makes more sense now. I thought your story sounded somewhat familiar, turns out it was the same story. Please sit, join us." Sebastian waved to the other side of the booth and Kurt shook his head.
"Maybe after I get your order started. I can't take my break quite yet." He looked over his shoulder, glad that his boss had gone into the back to work on some of the paperwork now. "Let me at least get the drinks while you decide what you want. I'll be back momentarily and I do want to catch up. You look so different than the boy in my memory."
"Better I hope?" Trent asked softly, his self-esteem sometimes faltered and Kurt smiled kindly.
"You looked good then too, you just look different. Very attractive then and now." He probably hadn't had to go that far, but Sebastian was glad he had. Trent sat up straighter for the rest of their time in the diner, very proud of himself now.
"I told you, you're a catch." Sebastian knocked shoulders with Trent. Trent was straight and a teddy-bear, he'd lost the baby fat and grown even taller and more muscular but was still not quite sure of himself. Sebastian had been trying for years to bolster his confidence but Trent obviously put great stock into Kurt's opinion. Why not? Kurt had taste.
Kurt called out for an Intermission and slid in with them after he delivered the drinks and had a glass of water for himself. "So you two met in Boston."
"Yeah." Trent launched into the story and Kurt's eyes kept sliding over to Sebastian for his additions. Sebastian couldn't help but supply the stuff he didn't normally share. His earlier theory was right, he could definitely see the two of them being friends. Now with Trent's involvement, it was looking more and more plausible.
The three of them exchanged numbers and Kurt spent a little longer at their table with deliveries than normal but the restaurant was fairly quiet. Someone put a tip into the jar and a different girl with long dark hair called out to him. "You're up chicken legs!" A brunette laughed off to the side but didn't add to it.
She did however ask what song he was requested to sing. It saved Kurt from having to do so himself at least.
"Gravity." The dark haired girl said with a wicked look on her features sent toward the brunette.
"WHAT? That's my song!"
"Kurt's always sung it better than you, so shut your mouth."
"Santana!" Kurt called out, trying to keep the peace and sent a quick look toward the back. The boss would obviously disapprove. "Rachel can sing it if she wants."
"Nope, this says you and only you." Santana waved the piece of paper around and Rachel snatched it out of her hand and read it for herself.
Her shoulders deflated and looked at Kurt with a disappointed smile but still trying to be supportive. "Yeah, it does. You'll kill it, you always do."
Trent was frowning and Sebastian felt an echoing one on his face, those girls weren't the nicest to Kurt. It was definitely not professional behavior, even for a place like this, maybe especially for a place like this. "What is it?"
"Those names..." Trent sighed. "They sound like some of the names Kurt mentioned once upon a time from his old school. He had transferred back, never thought any of them would still be people he hung around with." Trent shook his head. "Though he always said nice things about them when he talked about them. Said they were some of the best friends he ever had, even if they were wearing blinders until he left and were trying everything they could to make it up to him and make it safe for him to come back."
Sebastian had so many follow up questions.
Kurt went up onto the stage and adjusted the microphone to his height. Then Sebastian lost track of all thoughts he had about anything and everyone else. He could only focus on Kurt and his amazing singing voice and performance on stage.
Before they left, Sebastian and Trent congratulated and praised Kurt on his abilities so many times that they had Kurt blushing and practically pushing them out the door. Sebastian and Trent made sure to exchange numbers with Kurt and made plans for Friday night. Kurt mentioned someone named Blaine and Trent shook his head.
"I am not interested in hanging out with him just yet. Can it be just the three of us for now? We can add more people later. I really just want to catch up with you." Trent said with probably a bit too much force and Kurt hesitated, glancing at Sebastian.
"I don't have to go if that's all you want, Trent." Sebastian slipped in there, disappointed himself that he couldn't see Kurt again but Trent was already shaking his head.
"No, no, you two know each other. You're both part of my past and I want you to get to know each other too." Although Kurt and Trent had never been good friends or even all that close but he could see Kurt felt almost obligated.
"Just think of us as friends that are separate from everything else for now." Sebastian attempted and Kurt mulled it over.
"Ok. For now." He gave a small nod and then while it was obvious he was making himself do it, he hadn't had to and he had wanted to in the same stroke as he hugged Trent and then turned to Sebastian, debating on whether or not he should hug him too. Sebastian opened his arms to make the choice entirely Kurt's.
Kurt gave a small smile and hugged him too. Sebastian's arms closed around his smaller frame and knew it was a mistake instantly. Friendship was not something that would be easy to obtain with Kurt... he knew he would have to fight his instincts that wanted more. He should have known better, Kurt had walked in that first time completely Sebastian's type in the physical form and as he'd gotten to know him had been his type in other ways too.
Still, friendship would be all he would strive for. They could be good friends honestly. He would lock the rest of that away. He'd been attracted to his friends in the past and still made it work. He had friends he still found attractive and some of them did more than just hang out and didn't let it affect the friendship.
This would be no different.
–
He tried, he really, really did. Except it ended up being very different. He wouldn't end the friendship because of his growing feelings. He would just funnel them into something more productive and squash the rest and not let them interfere.
They hung out in increasing frequency over the next 3 months. He saw the relationship with Blaine disintegrating before his eyes and whenever Kurt stopped in at the bar, he never mentioned his fiance. They did talk about him otherwise, but when Kurt was at the bar, Blaine did not exist.
Trent was not a fan of Blaine and Kurt had known that before Sebastian had and the reasons why. So for Trent the villain of Dalton hadn't been Kurt who had seduced and enticed Blaine away from his team to help his old school win at Nationals. No, for Trent the villain was Blaine, the guy who hogged the spotlight and manipulated everything behind the scenes. Trent never outright told Kurt how Blaine manipulated Kurt but did go into other examples while Trent had been there both before and after Kurt joined.
Trent had transferred before he knew Blaine did the same, but it wouldn't have stopped his own transfer from happening. He'd heard about it through the Glee blogs though.
They hung out the three of them at times, just Kurt and Trent and just Sebastian and Kurt. Of course Trent and Sebastian hung out just the two of them a lot too.
They all just decided that Blaine and Dalton and the girls from McKinley that had followed him to New York were all just to be left out of conversations when they got together. He did defend them one last time though, they had their faults but they had his back still. That and Dani, the girl he'd been laughing with when they entered was dating Santana.
The rest of it was fair game though and while Kurt didn't gossip about anyone, he did share information and stories and positives his other friends accomplished. Like Mercedes signing on for back up singing for an up and coming artist while she worked on her own album. Song writing was a new challenge for Mercedes, having seen Rachel and Finn do it successfully. She'd dabbled in it but until she was out on her own, she hadn't felt like she had anything to write about. Now ideas were just flowing through her and she was working on how to get them down in a meaningful way. She'd asked Kurt to work on the music to her lyrics if she ever got anything in order.
Kurt said he would take a look but that wasn't exactly his forte either. He just dabbled on the piano. He had suggested Blaine but that had been stomped on quickly by not only Mercedes but by Trent too the second he started to tell this part of the story. They said the same thing, Blaine would try to take all the credit.
He backed off from suggesting such a thing again. Then he mentioned Puck had done a little of that too but nothing for the competitions. Mercedes had taken that under consideration.
"I do a lot of that too, actually." Trent mentioned casually. "I have melodies but no lyrics."
"Oh." Kurt hadn't known that and said as much. "I'll give her your name and number too."
"Why not Finn or Rachel if they've had success in the past?" Sebastian asked and thought maybe he stuck his foot into it for a moment.
"Rachel and Mercedes... they're not friends." Kurt left it there, there were a myriad of reasons why that Sebastian would learn about in time and would agree that it was probably best not to have them work on a project together without a lot of other people involved. "And Finn's dead."
"Oh. I'm so sorry, Kurt." Sebastian hadn't known he'd moved but he pulled Kurt into his arms and the embrace unlocked something in Kurt who started sobbing as if he hadn't been allowed to let it out before then. Sebastian just held him through the tears and pushed water and a tissue into his hand when they neared to a stop. He stroked Kurt's back and somehow got away with stroking his hair once he was no longer in his arms. Trent had tried patting Kurt on the back while he cried but hadn't been much help.
He caught Trent's eyes over the top of Kurt's head and shook his own. Trent was looking at him with dawning in his eyes. This was not something they needed to discuss any time soon, it wasn't going to be a problem. There was a slight frown around Trent's lips but he forced it away to try and be more helpful now with Kurt. Sebastian knew that wasn't going to be the last of that particular topic with Trent.
In the end all three of the boys had laid down tracks for Mercedes and each of them had their names attached to a different song. There was a second one that Kurt helped out with had more attached to it than the others. His said special thanks for music and lyrics by Kurt Hummel, performed by Mercedes Jones with backup vocals supplied by Kurt Hummel.
Sebastian downloaded both the songs Kurt had collaborated on the day they dropped. He actually paid for them too. They quickly became his most played songs in his library. He regretted not recording Kurt at the diner.
–
Sebastian didn't push, didn't speak ill against the fiance he never met. He did let Kurt talk about whatever he wanted to talk about and as long as it wasn't the fiance, he weighed in. He didn't give his advice, he purposefully kept himself out of it whenever Kurt asked. His other friends and family weren't quite as quiet about their opinions, hardly anyone understood why he was still with him.
The only hold out was Rachel but even she was acknowledging that it wasn't probably the best relationship, especially at their age. Her motives were a bit more selfish- she was single so too should Kurt. She claimed it was for their craft but it was just loneliness really driving her words.
Still, Sebastian didn't chime in. He didn't share his growing feelings, he tried his best to be the best friend he could for Kurt without going over any lines. He also didn't put forth just his best self in hopes that Kurt would like him back, he was real with him in everything but his whole range feelings for him.
He also didn't hide himself or break off the friendship in some attempt to get Kurt to miss him. He was first and foremost a friend and he would remain that for Kurt. Kurt quickly became one of, if not his best friend. Sebastian felt he could tell Kurt anything and did for the most part. He found himself doing a lot of other activities with Kurt too.
Then one day Kurt announced he'd broken things off with Blaine.
And Sebastian didn't sweep in and share his feelings then and there. He held back, he didn't want to be a rebound and he didn't put himself in any position where things could get confusing. He went with Kurt as a group to a club and let Trent and Santana try to get him to lose his one-night stand virginity. Sebastian spent most of the night flirting with another guy but never took him home and went home eventually on his own. Trent might have seemed cruel, knowing Sebastian's feelings, but he was doing it for Sebastian in the end. If he could get Kurt over Blaine faster then he could start trying to set Kurt and Sebastian up, despite Sebastian's firm denial of wanting him to do so.
He teased Kurt about his own proclivities the next day. Kurt blushed and shook his head, he hadn't been able to go through with it. It hadn't worked out with Blaine but he was a romantic at heart and he wasn't ever going to just go home and sleep with a stranger. He had only played the game so he could get Santana and Trent off his back.
Sebastian apologized for not realizing that the night before and Kurt waved him off. "How could you have known? I'm a theater major, I'm good at playing a part."
Except Sebastian had never felt like Kurt played a role with him. He always seemed very real. The times Kurt had pretended in front of him, he'd seen through it. Last night there had been hints, but Sebastian had thought that was just because Kurt was nervous but willing to go through with it.
Kurt remained single for a couple of months, flirting occasionally with a boy and sharing the rare dates with Sebastian, but nothing ever seemed to come of them.
–
Sebastian was bartending again and Kurt came in with Trent. Trent split off for a table and Kurt came up to the bar to order for them. "Back Up Booty Call and a Mai Tai?" He asked, how Trent kept the fat off with always drinking super sugary drinks was fascinating to Sebastian. He knew Kurt spent a lot of time at the gym, dancing and working on his performances; it's how he stayed so cut and trim.
"Mai Tai, yes." Kurt agreed and looked over the menu with a frown rather than take his typical drink. "What I want isn't on the menu."
"Oh? What is it? Maybe I can make it for you anyway."
"I don't think this is something you can just pour into a glass." Kurt looked at him very seriously. "And you can't look it up on the internet, well... I don't think you can. I never tried myself."
"Something new then, just for you?" Sebastian was laughing as he made Trent's drink. He had no idea what Kurt was up to, but he was enjoying the game and trying to figure it out.
"Yes but it's not something you can make here." Kurt traced his finger on the tabletop.
"Ok Kurt, you've got me. What are you talking about?" Sebastian leaned forward and was surprised when Kurt wrapped his hand around the back of his head but he only brought Sebastian closer. Maybe he didn't want to be overheard for his request.
Kurt was more than a regular and so nobody moved to intervene. "You, dummy" Then his mouth was on Sebastian's.
Sebastian hesitated for only a second before the drink he was making was left unattended and his hands came over the bar to pull Kurt even closer, one wrapping around the back of Kurt's neck and the other between his shoulder blades.
A cheer went through the club and Duncan didn't do anything to interrupt, just picked up Sebastian's slack. The kiss went on for forever. Eventually it was Trent who came up and cleared his throat. "I'm getting very thirsty. Watching the two of you isn't helping. Aren't you getting thirsty?"
They pulled away at Trent's familiar voice and both shared embarrassed but incredibly pleased looks. That might not have been exactly how Kurt had planned for things to go but he was ok with the improv, more than ok, especially as Sebastian was into it too.
"Parched." Kurt said.
"Extremely parched." Sebastian agreed and nodded toward the end of the bar. Kurt followed his thoughts and met him at the end at nearly the same time and they headed into the staff area together.
"What about my drink?" Trent called after them but as Duncan appeared, they shared a laugh, Trent was not actually worried about the drink.
Once in the staff room, they drew together but before they could kiss or do more than kiss, Sebastian held Kurt back. "Wait, what's going on? Where is this coming from?" Kurt hadn't seemed like he and Trent had been drinking prior to arrival.
"I was shopping with Trent-"
"Are we really sure he's straight?"
Kurt smiled and shook his head so he could continue what he was saying. "And he said something totally off the cuff and it stopped me in my tracks. I couldn't tell you what he said, just something with your name involved with it and I realized... I'm incredibly dense. People should write 'dunce' on my forehead. Not only had it taken me forever to realize how poisonous Blaine was but to see you and your actions and my feelings and hoping and praying that yours matched them. I know I probably shouldn't have just sprung that kiss on you, it could have very easily have ruined our friendship. It didn't- did it?"
Kurt was spiraling now, coming up with the worst scenarios, fearing the worst outcomes. Sebastian caught him and kissed him once more, but controlling it a little better this time. "No, you haven't. I have had feelings for you for ages. I didn't want to ruin our friendship or scare you away so I locked them away. I could only find a glass jar, so I could still see them and would have to add to it often, but I wasn't going to let them out without you taking off the lid yourself."
"Oh." Kurt looked up at Sebastian, hands resting on Sebastian's chest. "Well, good."
Sebastian could only grin in response to that very Kurt-like response. "So... now what?"
"I guess we try dating?"
"Yeah, ok. I'd like to try this kissing thing with you a bit more first though."
"Sebastian, kissing before the 3rd date? How scandalous."
"Hey, don't blame me, blame the guy who came into the bar and just planted one on me even without a single date first!" They both laughed and moved into each other's space even more. Sebastian bent to place his lips over Kurt's, less surprising but not less intense. The kiss gradually morphed from a basic exploration to a deeper one.
Duncan knocked on the door. "Sorry to interrupt, but you are still on the clock." He was laughing though and both of them in the staff room sighed sadly.
"To be continued." Sebastian promised.
And it was later that night and then later still that night. Trent went home at some point and Kurt and Sebastian ended up on Sebastian's couch. They didn't do much but kiss for a long time that night, content to just that be it for the first night.
One night rolled into more and the kisses never stopped even as the nights became years.