Fic: Forever Home - Chapter 2 of 100
Title: Forever Home - Chapter 2
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Kadam (Kurt Hummel/Adam Crawford)
Rating: R (PG-13 for now)
Spoilers: None. Alternate Universe. If you’ve seen Kurt and Adam interact, you’re good.
Summary: Adam is bored, and realizes he needs a companion. He decides to adopt a hybrid human/cat.
Warning: Mentions of past abuse (non-sexual) from other canon Glee characters. This fic is not particularly kind to most canon Glee characters.
Length: About 3,200 words this chapter. About 6,700 words so far.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story; they're owned by Fox. Any non-Glee characters are my own invention.
A/N: This part is still PG-13, but getting closer to R.
Back to Chapter 1
CHAPTER 2
The cat regarded him with what seemed like sullen silence. Adam wasn’t stupid enough to try to out-wait a cat.
“Okay, let’s save some time here. If you have no interest in me possibly adopting you, just say so.”
Kurt blinked at him and sighed.
“Okay, poor choice of words,” Adam agreed. “How about this, if you want to get to know me, let me know.”
Kurt contemplated him for a bit, then stood up and slowly walked towards him. Adam leaned forward, as far as he could without falling out of the chair, and reached his hand out. When Kurt was about one inch past Adam’s reach, he stopped and sat down again.
“It’s like that, is it?” Adam chuckled. “Fine. Stay there.”
After a minute or so, Kurt stretched and leaned closer, sniffing Adam’s fingers. He took a couple of steps forward and rubbed his head against Adam’s hand, so he took the hint, and carefully stroked Kurt’s head. As he’d thought, the fur was fine, soft and thick. Kurt sat down, like he was contemplating staying a while.
When Adam didn’t get any sign of rejection, he scratched behind Kurt’s ears. That got a deep-throated purr out of him, along with closed eyes and a slowly thumping tail.
“You like that, hm?” Adam slowly moved his hand down the side of the cat’s face, and scratched under his chin. Kurt lifted his head to make it easier.
To Adam’s surprise, Kurt abruptly flopped down and rolled onto his back, all four limbs extended.
“You want your tummy scratched, or are you going to grab onto my hand and try to rip it off?” Adam asked warily.
He took the indignant expression as a reassurance that he wouldn’t be pulling back a stump. He scratched the cat’s chest and stomach, but avoided going any lower.
Adam slowly removed his hand and watched Kurt, who sighed and rolled back onto his front again.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Outside the visiting room, Emma watched through the window and gasped at the unprecedented access Adam was granted. She hurried to the front desk and confronted her husband.
“Will, come here and look at this!”
“Aw, honey, I’m busy.”
She looked around at the store, which was devoid of customers at the moment. Will appeared to be re-arranging the doggie treats in the display case.
“Come here, Will! Kurt is actually allowing someone to pet him!”
That got Will’s attention. “Really? This I gotta see.” He followed Emma down the hallway, ignoring the other pets in their cages.
Will and Emma watched the scenario in the visiting room continue to play out. They couldn’t hear what was being said, but they had a clear view of the young blond man sitting in the chair, and the cat on the floor.
The man was talking, and whatever he was saying, the cat appeared to be listening.
“He’s paying attention?” Will asked in astonishment. “He’s not washing his face or taking a nap while someone is trying to talk to him? That’s amazing!”
<><><><><><><><><><>
Adam knew they were being observed, but tried to ignore the indignity as best he could. He supposed it was safer for Kurt, and the other pets, that someone made sure they weren’t mistreated or hurt.
He had somehow been conned into a staring contest with Kurt, which he eventually lost. He blamed it on his contacts.
“I’m not sure what else -“
Before he could finish the sentence, the cat leaped up onto his lap, and proceeded to delicately knead a little nest for himself. His claws were retracted, and Adam could have sworn Kurt was trying to smooth out any wrinkles in his trousers.
When Kurt was comfortable, he settled his body down heavily on Adam’s lap, rested his head on Adam’s thigh, and closed his eyes. Within seconds, he was emitting the most adorable purring sound.
Adam sighed quietly, and gently stroked Kurt’s neck, back and sides. Kurt curled his tail around himself, trapping Adam’s fingers between the side of his body and tail.
Well, if that wasn’t a perfect metaphor…but Adam still needed to know more about him.
“If you think you’re going to take a nap now, Kurt, you’ve got another think coming,” he warned, letting the humor seep into his voice.
Kurt yawned.
“If you’re really tired, I can come back another day,” Adam suggested.
Kurt heard that as the threat it was meant to be. He stretched and leaped gracefully off Adam’s lap and onto the floor. He turned to face Adam and sat down again.
“You’re perfectly adorable as a cat, and you know it. You’re gorgeous, and graceful, as well as stubborn and manipulative.”
Kurt didn’t seem inclined to deny any of this.
“But I’d really like the chance to talk to you as a human, and get to know you. This is a big decision for me, and for you. I want to know we’re both going to be happy before I consider adopting a pet.”
Before he’d quite finished speaking, Kurt had transformed. Adam had seen it happen a few times, with other people’s pets, but it was still startling how quickly it happened. And how convenient that they transformed from animal form to human, as fully dressed as they were before the change to animal. Adam was very aware of how tightly the black shirt fit, and the ridiculous gold pants, that somehow looked incredible on Kurt. Not to mention the dress shoes.
Kurt immediately looked around for something, and was obviously frustrated. He checked his hair with his hands, but the look of annoyance was almost comical.
Adam bit his tongue, hard, and forced himself not to smile. Kurt looked too adorable for words, but it would be most unkind to tell him that.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a mirror or a comb on me, but you look just fine, Kurt. Stunning, in fact.”
It didn’t look as though Kurt entirely trusted his words, but he did put his hands down.
“Make yourself comfortable. Would you like to sit down here?” Adam indicated the chair next to him.
Kurt shook his head rapidly and widened his eyes almost comically. “No! Vis - That’s for visitors. Clients,” he amended.
“All right, that’s fine.” Adam supposed it gave most clients a psychological advantage to be able to look down on their pets, and force them to look up.
Kurt got to his knees, and settled down, his bum resting on his heels, his hands on his knees. He lowered his eyes so he wasn’t looking directly at Adam.
“Are you comfortable like that, Kurt?”
“I’m fine,” Kurt mumbled. “Sir,” he added quickly.
“Let’s try this again. Are you comfortable?” Adam emphasized the last word.
Kurt looked up at him in curiosity, then looked down again quickly. He’d probably been trained to not look clients directly in the eye unless told to do so.
Adam wondered how much untraining he’d have to do, to end up with the pet he wanted. He waited patiently.
“Um…I’m fine, sir, like this.”
“If you would be more comfortable sitting some other way, or standing, please do so. I would imagine we’ll be talking for a little while, and I don’t want you to be in pain, or even discomfort.”
Kurt’s ears seemed to twitch slightly, and his eyes widened. Adam really fought grinning at the resemblance between Kurt-the-human and Kurt-the-cat.
Slowly, cautiously, not taking his eyes off Adam, Kurt sat on the floor with his legs crossed in front of him, his arms resting across his knees.
“Better?” Adam asked.
“Better,” Kurt acknowledged. “Thank you, sir.”
“Now, please look at me. I really prefer to talk to someone while looking into their eyes. It will help both of us to see if our words are getting through.”
Kurt slowly lifted his chin and raised his eyes. Adam wasn’t sure yet if he liked that little bit of defiance or not. It was clear, no matter how much they’d tried to train it out of him, Kurt did not like being told what to do. It would be wise to keep that in mind, though he knew there were times Kurt would simply have to obey him. There would be time enough to figure that out, though.
Adam rested his arms along his thighs, and resisted the urge to grasp his knees. There was no point in showing Kurt quite how nervous he was.
“All right. Let’s start with a couple of things about me, and then I want to know about you. I live alone, and my family is back in England. So you won’t have to get used to anyone else being around on a regular basis.
“I have some friends who come over now and then, and once a month I get together with some of my mates from college, and we sing, just for fun. We take turns at different people’s homes. The next one is scheduled to be at my place, and if I adopt you, you’re welcome to listen to us, and join us in singing, if you like.”
Kurt looked so shocked, yet hopeful, Adam’s heart ached.
“Really? You - you want me - to sing? With you? And - and your friends?”
He wondered why Kurt thought the idea so unlikely.
“Of course. I’ve only heard a little bit of your singing, but what little I heard was lovely.” Inspiration struck, and Adam leaned a bit closer. “Would you like to sing for me again? Now?”
Kurt opened and closed his mouth a few times, blinking rapidly.
“I don’t mean to upset you or push you. If you don’t want to, you certainly don’t have to. But I love music, and if you’re going to live with me, you’re going to have to put up with my singing, and sometimes my friends. I’d like you to feel free to sing, as well.”
Kurt inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
Adam waited for him to calm himself.
“You don’t think your friends would mind me joining you?”
“Of course not. Why would they?”
“But I’m a hybrid. I’m not - they’re not - they might think I’m trying to get above myself, to be something I’m not.”
“What? I’m sorry, what do you mean?”
“They might think I’m trying to be too human. That’s what - why Mr. Will couldn’t - people didn’t want to hear us, they didn’t like the idea. The audience, they laughed at us, threw things at us - rotten fruit, all kinds of things. It was horrible.”
Adam felt tears welling in his eyes, and didn’t try to stop them.
“I’m so sorry, Kurt, that those people didn’t appreciate you or your friends.”
Kurt shook his head, which Adam took to mean the others weren’t really his friends.
“Well, if it’s any consolation, my singing group in college used to get booed by people at almost every performance. Some people loved us, and got us, and let us be who were are. Others were always angry that we didn’t conform to who they wanted us to be.”
Kurt’s eyes were wide again, his attention fully focused on Adam.
“Really? But why? I mean, you’re human, like them, what was their problem?”
Adam smiled, a trifle bitterly. “I don’t know, Kurt. There are always going to be some people who won’t like you, or what you do, or what you stand for, and they don’t have any problem letting you know. Others will be more open-minded and appreciate what you’re trying to do, even if they don’t fully understand it. Some will just get it, and enjoy it. They might not even get it the same way we do, but they enjoy it. They like what they’re perceiving, even if it’s not quite the same as what we’re presenting.”
He paused and looked at Kurt, who was frowning in concentration.
“Does that make sense?”
“You’re asking me?” Kurt seemed startled that anyone wanted his opinion. “I mean, yes, I guess so. Sometimes I think what I hear, or read, or - or understand, isn’t the same as what was there in the first place. I figured it’s because I’m a hybrid, and since it was written or sung by a human, it’s not going to mean the same thing, but I can still get something out of it, almost as if it relates to me, too, even if it doesn’t.”
Adam had to exert his utmost patience. It seemed Kurt’s life was even more complicated than he’d imagined. He supposed he’d have to overcome a lot of misconceptions, his own, as well as Kurt’s.
<><><><><><><><><><>
In the hallway, Will and Emma were still talking.
“I can’t believe they seem to be having an actual conversation,” Will marveled. “I mean, when I was working with them before, Kurt was always very opinionated, but I figured that was because his father was so ridiculously lenient with him. But at other times you couldn’t get him to say a word, even if it was obvious he wanted to. But what could he and this client -“
“Adam,” Emma corrected, having taken the time to learn his name.
“Whatever, Adam, it doesn’t look like the usual interview.”
Emma glared at her husband. “You mean because it looks like they’re discussing more than the house rules, and where the pet will be sleeping, and which family members he’ll be expected to -“
“Emma, shhh! Not here!” Will was very aware that a lot of the other pets were nearby and could probably hear them. “It just seems to be going on for a long time, and Kurt actually looks engaged in the discussion for a change.”
“Well, I take that as a good sign that we may have finally found a good home for him.”
“I dunno,” Will sighed. “Kurt can be so frustrating, and so disobedient! This guy might get annoyed, and return him, and then we’ll have to give most of the money back, and -“
“Will, we haven’t even gotten any money yet, so we haven’t lost it yet, either. Just relax. Why don’t you go back to - counting the dog treats or whatever, and I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things.”
Will scratched his head and sighed heavily. “Well, somebody has to get back to the important things around here,” he agreed. “Holler if there’s a problem, or you need anything.”
Emma nodded, not really paying that much attention. It looked like Kurt was perfectly safe with Adam, but still, it was a good idea to make sure someone was watching, just in case.
<><><><><><><><><><>
Adam asked again.
“Would you like to sing for me now, Kurt, or would you rather not? I’ll respect your decision either way.”
“You really want to hear me sing? Everybody hates my voice.”
“Everybody?” Based on the little he’d heard, Adam couldn’t believe it.
“Well, Mr. Will didn’t want to let me sing by myself. He wanted me in the background. He pretty much let Rachel sing every song, with everyone else singing backup, till Blaine came along. Then they did all these duets, and Blaine did most of the solos, and the rest of us were still in the background. So I guess we weren’t as good as them.”
Adam saw the shininess in Kurt’s eyes that indicated he was getting tearful. Time to put a stop to this nonsense now.
“Kurt. Listen to me.” He waited until Kurt was looking at him again. “I do want to hear your voice. In my group, even though I’m technically the leader, everybody sings. Not everyone wants a solo, but those that do, get their chance. Sometimes there are duets or trios, based on who wants to sing together. When we were in school, because it was a performing arts college and other people were listening to us, we would base it on whose voices sounded best together, or fit the song best that we’d chosen to sing.
“You’ll get a chance to sing with my group, Adam’s Apples, if you want. But you can sing any time you want when we’re at home. If I do adopt you,” he remembered to add.
Kurt nodded, and looked more hopeful.
“So, do you have something in particular you’d like to sing? Something that will perhaps tell me a bit more about you?”
Kurt nodded, his mind obviously already made up.
“This is a song I really wanted to sing, but nobody wanted to hear a boy sing it, especially a boy cat.”
“Well, I want to hear it,” Adam encouraged.
Kurt closed his eyes a few moments, then opened them, along with his mouth, and began singing for Adam. His voice was clear and strong, in the same range as the original. Adam would know, as he’d seen the musical several times and had the soundtrack memorized.
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Kurt glanced over to the window where Emma was watching, then he turned his head back to Adam, dismissing her.
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!
It's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
And you won’t bring me down!
I'm through accepting limits
‘cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
He sang a couple more verses, then stopped.
Adam noticed he hadn’t sung the entire song, just the lyrics most important to him.
Kurt opened his eyes and looked at him, half-defiant and half-apprehensive.
“Kurt, that was breathtaking. You were able to hit the highest notes with no problem. Do you have any idea how unusual that is, for a male, for someone your age?”
Adam thought he’d conveyed the enthusiasm and awe he’d felt, but Kurt’s words indicated he’d heard something else.
“Yes, I’ve been told a number of times, that song is not suited to me, my gender, age, or anything else! Sir.” His eyes flashed green fire.
If he’d still been in cat form, Adam would have wanted to gather him in his arms, to pet and soothe him till he’d calmed down. That wouldn’t work now.
“What I’m trying to say, and maybe I’m not making it clear, is that I am so impressed with your abilities, Kurt. You’re incredible. Nobody should be holding you back, or telling you your limits, and I know you understand that. I don’t care that you’re male, or a hybrid, or young, you own those lyrics.”
Kurt blinked several times and sniffed. “Thank you.”
“How old are you, Kurt?”
“Eighteen.”
He looked younger, but he didn’t show any indication that he was lying. Adam was willing to believe him.
“And how long have you been here?”
“Since I turned 13.” Kurt seemed puzzled about the question, and Adam remembered hearing that 13 was the legal age when pets could be adopted.
He had so many more questions, and wasn’t sure which were appropriate. Maybe he’d be better to ask Emma about some of them.
A/N Lyrics from "Defying Gravity", by Stephen Schwartz, from the musical "Wicked."
Next - Chapter 3