Fic: Tomorrow Belongs To Me - 2b/4
“No!” Kurt yelled into the phone. “I’m sorry, this interview is over.” Slamming the phone onto the counter he let out a huff and walked over to the couch, sitting down heavily.
“What was that all about?” asked Finn. He was sitting in the chair closest to Kurt.
All the boys were watching a game. They’d left the couch to Kurt, giving him his space, and he was grateful for it. But Finn was within reach for a brotherly touch. Sam was always in his line of vision on the opposite chair, and Puck sat on the floor at what would be the foot of the couch to Kurt. No one knew that Kurt had slept in Puck’s bed the night before. Nor that he planned to do the same tonight. He was just thankful for the silent support.
“Yeah, if the reporters are bothering you that much why do you bother to do interviews?” asked Sam.
“I’m a celebrity,” Kurt explained, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. “I have no misconceptions that I will be able to move on without anything becoming public. But I refuse to make up with Blaine just because my fans want to continue watching us live out their fanfiction.”
“What’s fanfiction?” asked Finn.
“Not the point, man,” said Puck, tossing a piece of popcorn at Finn, laughing when he caught it in his mouth.
Kurt grinned, feeling himself relax again. “I’m not getting back together with Blaine. I may need to forgive him, otherwise I won’t be able to act. But I’m not in any hurry.”
“Don’t you have to go back to work on Monday?” asked Finn.
“Jimmy gave me the week off. Of course, I have no idea what to do with all that free time and no boyfriend, but…” he left it hanging, his breath hitching. Dropping his head back, he punched the couch in frustration. “I don’t want to miss him. Everyone keeps reminding me of how good he was to me.”
“No he wasn’t, Kurt,” said Sam. “He hurt you. And that’s unforgivable.”
Just then the phone rang and Kurt sighed. “Should I answer it?”
“Well, think of what they’d say if you didn’t,” pointed out Finn.
Sighing, Kurt stood and answered the phone. As he heard the same questions he’d been asked so many times earlier in the day he answered half-heartedly while letting himself listen to his friends’ conversation.
“How did they get our number anyways?” Finn was asking. “I thought we only used the landline for emergencies.”
“Yeah. And Blaine happened to know that number,” answered Puck. “Damn it, I never liked that guy. He always just rubbed me the wrong way.”
“But it’s not about him. It’s about Kurt,” Sam reminded everyone.
Kurt grinned, barely listening to the reporter now on the other end of the phone.
“Right. And the paparazzi aren’t going to leave him alone until he either gets back with Blaine,” pointed out Finn, “Or does something else to attract their attention.”
“What? Like get a new boyfriend?” Sam didn’t sound like he liked the idea and Kurt had to agree. “There’s no way we can do that to him. Even if he wanted a new boyfriend, can you imagine how hard it would be to find someone who wasn’t interested in his popularity?”
“Well we like him for him. I could care less that he’s famous.”
Finn’s unwavering loyalty made Kurt laugh and he had to quickly shush the reporter so he could continue his eavesdropping.
“That’s a lie Finn and you know it,” said Sam, laughter in his voice.
“Okay, so I’d be bummed if he wasn’t famous, but that’s not why I like him.”
That pulled another laugh out of Kurt and this time when the reporter kept talking he just hung up. Staying in the kitchen, deciding to listen, unnoticed, a little longer.
“Do you think one of us should pretend to be his boyfriend?” asked Sam. “I mean, if he wants?”
“Well it can’t be me,” said Finn, “Everyone knows I’m his brother. That would probably cause a bigger problem for him.”
Biting his lip in amusement, Kurt stepped out. “I don’t know. I think we could have fun with that.”
“You really think you two could kiss in public?” asked Sam, tossing a handful of popcorn up into air and not catching a single one.
Kurt rolled his eyes, shoving Sam in the shoulder. “You’re cleaning that up before I go to bed.”
“I’ll do it.” All eyes turned to Puck in surprise. “What? Finn’s his brother and Sam’s got a girl.”
“What does that have to do with cleaning up popcorn?” asked Finn.
Ignoring his brother, Kurt reminded all of them, “I never said yes to a new boyfriend. Real or fake,” but there was no laughter in his voice. Puck had always been nice, making him feel like one of the guys, but he’d never been particularly close.
“You’re already annoyed by the paparazzi,” said Puck, gaze focused on his stretched out feet and not at Kurt. “It’s only going to get worse. At least I can act as a buffer sometimes. Especially when you go out. I know you’ll go crazy if you have to stay inside for a week.”
“Puck has a good point,” said Finn, staring at his best friend in confusion.
“I’ll think about it,” said Kurt, voice quiet. “Do you guys mind if I go to bed?”
“Sure thing,” said Sam, already working on cleaning up the popcorn he’d spilled earlier.
“But the game…”
“Finn.” Puck stopped the boy’s protests quickly.
Pouting a little, Finn turned off the tv and the three boys headed down the hallway to their bedrooms.
Kurt readied himself for bed before checking on the others. Once he heard the quiet sounds of Sam’s video game and the less quiet sounds of Finn’s snoring, he finally let himself go to Puck’s room.
He heard no reply to his quiet knock, but opened the door anyway. He wasn’t surprised to see Puck on his computer, reading glasses on and shirt off. Sighing quietly, Kurt walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, back to Puck.
“Don’t you think it’ll look like I was the one cheating on Blaine if I have another boyfriend so fast?”
“Well, people could pity me because I’m the rebound,” Puck pointed out. “I’ll do what needs to be done.”
Kurt glanced over his shoulder. “And what do you think needs to be done?”
Slowly, Puck set his computer aside, carefully placed his glasses on top, and moved closer, pulling Kurt to look him in the face. “What needs to be done is for you to get over Blaine enough so you can get on with your life and career. And you won’t be able to do that if the paparazzi are constantly asking you questions about it all and insisting you get back together.” Moving away, Puck gave his usual smirk, “Plus, he was holding you back. Now that you’re free of him you can move on to bigger things than a soap opera. Like prime time.”
Kurt just laughed and shook his head. “I’ll think about it,” he whispered. Then he turned off the lamp closest to him and lied down to sleep. He already knew Puck would stay quiet and as still as possible.
~*~
The next morning all the men left for their respective jobs, leaving Kurt to relax on the couch. However, after a few hours he was so bored that he was willing to read any magazine the boys got. So, deciding to brave the outside world, Kurt made his way to the mailroom. Maybe he’d be able to sweet talk the mailman and get their mail early.
He was surprised when he found a plastic shopping bag shoved into his arms seconds after his name left his mouth.
“I don’t know how they know you’re living here, but I sure hope it doesn’t get nationwide. I don’t have the ability to deal with that much mail.”
Kurt gave a sympathetic smile and promised to check in regularly, just in case.
An hour later, Kurt found himself staring at an assortment of letters to himself and to his character (how those people managed to figure out his address… he didn’t want to know). Nearly all of them begging him to forgive Blaine. A few had some very scathing comments towards the boy and Kurt made sure to save those for his own ammunition, towards Blaine or anyone else.
He could feel a headache coming on and fell back on the couch. There was no way these letters would stop. No matter how many times he told the public that he and Blaine were over for good.
Taking a deep breath, he let it out and pressed his fifth speed dial. “Meet me at Moonshadows at one o’clock.” Then he hung up. He refused to think about this. All he wanted to think about in that moment was what he would wear for such an event.
~*~
Part 3 -->