Story: Dalton's point of view 2: Fit in
Series: Dalton’s point of view
Summary: Blaine tells Kurt to try an fit in more, but Kurt wants something a bit more constructive.
Title: Fit in
Pairing: Kurt/Flint
Beta: Thanks to The Other, all mistakes are mine
Disclaimer: Glee is not mine, unfortunately
Part 1: Scandals
Fit in
The door banged open, and Jeff looked up from where he was sitting on his bed, his laptop in front of him. As the door banged shut again, a clearly mad Kurt came storming in, throwing his bag on the floor. They hadn't been roomed together very long, but Jeff would say they were great friends - on the way to becoming best friends - and he had never seen Kurt mad before. Sure, Kurt was emotional - he had cried in front of Jeff several times already, talking about his dad's heart attack or his friends at McKinley, or when he was homesick.
Mad though, that was new. Jeff was a little unsure about what would be best to do, but if Kurt was anything like himself when he was mad, he would want to rant. So he put away the laptop, sat up and looked over at his roommate.
“You want to tell me why you're mad?”
It seemed like Kurt hadn't even realized that Jeff was there, and swirled around on the spot. He was clenching his jaw, and clearly trying to decide what to do, so Jeff just looked at him until he started talking.
“Yeah, you know what, I want to tell you.” Kurt started pacing back and forth, looking at Jeff and gesturing with his hands as he talked. “Blaine freaking Anderson wanted to tell me why I didn't go further with the solo audition. Which I wanted to know, to get some constructive criticisms, so that I can know what was wrong and what needed work.” Jeff nodded, and Kurt continued. “You know what he told me? Try to fit in better. That apparently I didn't get the solo because I didn't fit in enough. Which is really stupid, because having a solo is about standing out, not fitting in. Also, it's really rich, coming from the lead soloist who jumps on furniture when he sings! Argh!”
Jeff looked at his friend, a little bit confused. The council would never tell anyone that - they might say it whilst doing a routine where everyone has their part and they need to sync better, but never during an audition process.
“Are you saying that the council told Blaine to tell you to fit better in? Or that Blaine told you to fit better in? Because it's most likely the last one. I highly doubt the council would say anything like that.”
Kurt seemed to deflate a little, and sank down on his bed. “I don't know, I don't really remember. I just... I thought I was done being told I was too much, too loud, too...gay. I thought that even with the uniform I could be myself here, without being afraid of being beaten up.”
“You can, and you're not too much, you're not too loud, and you're definitely not too gay! Just... try to think about it like this, would any of your friends, Dalton friends and myself included be your friends if we didn't like who you are?” Kurt smiled at him and slowly shook his head. “I can think of no reason what so ever for the council to tell you this, but I can think of a reason why Blaine would.”
He looked at Jeff in confusion, so the blonde continued. “The competition. You are the first real competition he has for not only the solo's but also as lead soloist, and maybe he saw a chance at losing that competition all at once. Say he had succeeded in letting you believe you needed to tone down, then you would stop competing with him, and he would never had to worry again. What I think you need to do, is to go to Wes and talk with him, ask him for constructive criticisms. At least he'll be honest with you.”
Jeff could see Kurt getting ready to protest that Blaine wouldn't do that, before he stopped. Jeff didn’t know what made him stop, but maybe he realized that he hadn't known Blaine all that long yet.
“Yeah, I think I'll find him tomorrow, see if I can talk to him then.”
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
Wes was sitting in the senior common room, at the same desk he had used all year, working on his homework. He was currently writing a history paper, his laptop on the table in front of him and books from the library spread around him on various open pages. He was listening to classical music through two earplugs, as he found it easier to concentrate that way. He was reading over the last part he had written when someone tapped him on the shoulder. This was not unusual, as besides being the head of the Warbler council, he was also Head Boy, and students came to him throughout the day with different things.
He pulled one of the plugs out, and looked up at the face of the newest Warbler with a smile. “Yes, Kurt, how can I help you?” It was clear to Wes that Kurt was a little nervous about something, and before the other boy said anything, Wes pulled out the other earpiece, turned off the music, and closed the laptop, before turning more towards him.
At this, Kurt sat down on the couch next to him, and fidgeted a little with his blazer before he took a fortifying breath and started talking. “I don’t know how you usually do things, and I'm a little unsure as to what is the best way to do this, but I figured the only way I can become more certain is by asking.” Wes nodded at this, highly curious as to where this was going. “I wanted to know the reason why my song for the solo auditions was rejected, so that I can know what I need to work on.” It was clear that he did not find it easy to ask, and he looked extremely uncomfortable.
Wes was very surprised, not so much about the question really, but Wes thought Kurt should know already. Blaine had 'volunteered' to tell Kurt, saying that the countertenor didn't do well with criticisms, and it would be better if it came from a friend. Wes had though it weird, because their criticisms hadn't really been all that harsh.
“Well, Blaine said he would talk to you, hasn't he told you?”
“Yes, but what he said wasn't particularly constructive, and I can't really do much with his advice.”
Now Wes was even more confused. “Wait, what? What did he say to you?”
Kurt sat up straighter and looked Wes right in the eyes. “He told me that the Warbler's wore the uniform for a reason, and that I needed to try and fit in better, to stop being so 'loud'.” Kurt made quotations marks with his fingers, and continued talking before Wes could answer him. “I survived over two years at a homophobic public high school, and no matter how much they bullied me, I never let them change me. I will not let you do so. Even though it might not be actual slurs or physical, telling someone they have to change who they are is still bullying. If that is what it's going to be a Warbler, I’d rather not be one.”
As Kurt finished talking, Wes looked at him in shock. “We never told Blaine to tell you that. Blaine wanted to be the one to give you your feedback, talking about how you where sensitive to criticisms. What we told him, and I will tell you now, is that the reason the song didn't get any further is because we are simply unable to do it. As we are an acappella group, there will be certain songs that will be very difficult or impossible for us to do.” Wes shifted a little and took one of Kurt's hands in his. “Also, we would never tell anyone to change who they are. We want you in the Warblers for the person you are, loud and all. The only reason I can fathom for Blaine to tell you to tone it down is because he is afraid of some good competition. Besides, Blaine telling anyone to tone it down is a pot calling the kettle black. He's ridiculous sometimes.”
Wes could clearly see Kurt relax his stance, leaning a little more into the couch and giving him a smile. “I want you to talk to Flint, the tall gangly Warbler?” Wes waited for the nod from Kurt to show he knew who Flint was, “He's the one that makes the arrangements for the songs - his musical ear is insane. He can listen to a song and figure out the arrangements just by listening to it a few times. He can also tell if a song will be possible for you or not, based on which voices we have in the Warblers. When someone auditions for solo, we, the council, look at him, and if he shakes his head, the song won't go through, no matter how well it is sung. Talk to him, he can help you figure out what to listen for in a song to know it would be possible for us. Also, you did a great job with the song, it was flawless and beautiful.”
Kurt sent him a shy smile. “Thank you. I'll go talk to Flint. I didn't really think about that when I chose the song, and the dynamic in the Warblers are so different from what New Directions was. I'm trying to assimilate, and I think it's going better, but everything is just so different here.”
“Of course it is, it's two different worlds, but for the record, I think you're doing a good job. The fact alone that you are managing academically shows just how fast you have done it. When Blaine transferred, he almost failed several classes just because he wasn't used to how it worked.” Wes sighed before he continued. “Look, it's really not cool what Blaine did, but I'm not all that surprised really, and I'm thinking I should call him out on it. I'll handle it, but just so you know he will be punished, at least a little.”
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
Flint had been a little surprised when Kurt came to talk to him at first, as they hadn't really said anything much to each other, other than greetings, but when he explained the talk with Wes, Flint gladly helped him out. It turned out that Kurt knew a whole lot about musical management and theory, he just wasn't familiar with acappella at all, so they ended up talking for hours. Flint was really excited about it - no one else in the Warblers really knew or cared much about arranging music - but Flint loved it, and now he had someone he could talk about it with. The music talk somehow ended in movie talk, and when Flint found out that Kurt loved watching action movies, he invited him to the movie night he, Tristan and Caleb used to have whenever the mood struck. Kurt had accepted the invitation with a smile, and left Flint's room lot happier that when he had arrived.
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
At the next Warbler meeting, Wes had decided to implement his punishment on Blaine. He had talked to David and Thad, and they had both agreed, and neither were very happy about their lead soloist at the moment. One thing was that he might have removed a remarkable voice from them, but the anger came mostly from the fact that he was hurting one of theirs. Even if it had only been a few weeks, he was still one of theirs and deserved to be treated right.
Wes banged his gavel to gain everyone's attention. “Quite down, everyone, we have some important business to handle before we start rehearsing today.”
The boys all found a seat, and Wes noticed Kurt sitting between Flint and Caleb, on the other side of the room of Blaine (who was looking at the countertenor in confusion). “Some information reached the council this week, and as this would have affected the Warblers, we decided to do this in front of you all.” The boys were looking around, very curious now, though Wes could see Kurt look at him in shock, before giving way to a pleased smirk. Wes sent a short smirk back before he started talking again.
“Warbler Blaine, you are hereby being called out in front of the council and your fellow Warblers. Please come to the front of the room.”
Wes secretly enjoyed the absolute shock on Blaine's face as the short male stood and walked to the front of the desk. The shock was changing into confusion, and it was clear Blaine had no idea what he had done wrong. Most of the boys were gaping, though Wes could see both Jeff and Nick looking at Kurt with pleased expressions.
“What...” Blaine didn't get any further before Wes help up his hand.
“Warbler Blaine, you willfully lied to the council as well as to fellow Warbler Kurt about Warbler business, and you walked a very fine line, being only a hairsbreadth from bullying. These lies, if Warbler Kurt had not gone to the council to question them, would have not only possibly deprived the Warblers of a talented countertenor, but would also have given Warbler Kurt the idea that he needed to change to be one of us. All this was done, as far as we understand it, to eliminate the competition for the spotlight. What do you have to say for yourself?”
The room was deadly quiet, every Warbler seemingly holding their breath. Wes looked around the room, seeing many angry faces, as well as several annoyed ones. He knew that there were several Warblers who didn't like Blaine, from long before Kurt showed up, and most of them seemed to be very pleased that the lead singer was called out in front of everyone.
“I...I...” Blaine faltered, and Wes couldn't blame him. What could he possibly say that would help?
“The council has decided to give you a warning, and if you show such bad showmanship again, you will be removed from the lead. Also, any powers you had over the song choices and performances are hereby revoked.” Wes banged his gavel in the quiet room. “Please sit down again.”
The meeting continued, though it was clear no one managed to concentrate like they should. When the meeting was finished, the Warblers split in three; those that asked Kurt what had happened, those that badgered Blaine about it, and a select few that came to the council to ask.
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
Throughout the weeks that followed, Kurt would avoid Blaine the best he could, until the shorter male stopped trying to follow him. He didn't want friends that lied to him, and there were plenty of good prospects for friends in the Warblers. He had several classes with Tristan and Flint, as they were both in his year, and they were both very friendly and accepted him into their life with open arms. He started having lunch with them, and as they sat with several non-Warblers from their year, this in turn helped him make more friends.
As the weeks progressed, Flint and Kurt could be seen in each other’s company more and more, and when their Facebook status’ changed a month and a half after they started talking, no one was surprised.
KURT HUMMEL
Summary: Blaine tells Kurt to try an fit in more, but Kurt wants something a bit more constructive.
Title: Fit in
Pairing: Kurt/Flint
Beta: Thanks to The Other, all mistakes are mine
Disclaimer: Glee is not mine, unfortunately
Part 1: Scandals
Fit in
The door banged open, and Jeff looked up from where he was sitting on his bed, his laptop in front of him. As the door banged shut again, a clearly mad Kurt came storming in, throwing his bag on the floor. They hadn't been roomed together very long, but Jeff would say they were great friends - on the way to becoming best friends - and he had never seen Kurt mad before. Sure, Kurt was emotional - he had cried in front of Jeff several times already, talking about his dad's heart attack or his friends at McKinley, or when he was homesick.
Mad though, that was new. Jeff was a little unsure about what would be best to do, but if Kurt was anything like himself when he was mad, he would want to rant. So he put away the laptop, sat up and looked over at his roommate.
“You want to tell me why you're mad?”
It seemed like Kurt hadn't even realized that Jeff was there, and swirled around on the spot. He was clenching his jaw, and clearly trying to decide what to do, so Jeff just looked at him until he started talking.
“Yeah, you know what, I want to tell you.” Kurt started pacing back and forth, looking at Jeff and gesturing with his hands as he talked. “Blaine freaking Anderson wanted to tell me why I didn't go further with the solo audition. Which I wanted to know, to get some constructive criticisms, so that I can know what was wrong and what needed work.” Jeff nodded, and Kurt continued. “You know what he told me? Try to fit in better. That apparently I didn't get the solo because I didn't fit in enough. Which is really stupid, because having a solo is about standing out, not fitting in. Also, it's really rich, coming from the lead soloist who jumps on furniture when he sings! Argh!”
Jeff looked at his friend, a little bit confused. The council would never tell anyone that - they might say it whilst doing a routine where everyone has their part and they need to sync better, but never during an audition process.
“Are you saying that the council told Blaine to tell you to fit better in? Or that Blaine told you to fit better in? Because it's most likely the last one. I highly doubt the council would say anything like that.”
Kurt seemed to deflate a little, and sank down on his bed. “I don't know, I don't really remember. I just... I thought I was done being told I was too much, too loud, too...gay. I thought that even with the uniform I could be myself here, without being afraid of being beaten up.”
“You can, and you're not too much, you're not too loud, and you're definitely not too gay! Just... try to think about it like this, would any of your friends, Dalton friends and myself included be your friends if we didn't like who you are?” Kurt smiled at him and slowly shook his head. “I can think of no reason what so ever for the council to tell you this, but I can think of a reason why Blaine would.”
He looked at Jeff in confusion, so the blonde continued. “The competition. You are the first real competition he has for not only the solo's but also as lead soloist, and maybe he saw a chance at losing that competition all at once. Say he had succeeded in letting you believe you needed to tone down, then you would stop competing with him, and he would never had to worry again. What I think you need to do, is to go to Wes and talk with him, ask him for constructive criticisms. At least he'll be honest with you.”
Jeff could see Kurt getting ready to protest that Blaine wouldn't do that, before he stopped. Jeff didn’t know what made him stop, but maybe he realized that he hadn't known Blaine all that long yet.
“Yeah, I think I'll find him tomorrow, see if I can talk to him then.”
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
Wes was sitting in the senior common room, at the same desk he had used all year, working on his homework. He was currently writing a history paper, his laptop on the table in front of him and books from the library spread around him on various open pages. He was listening to classical music through two earplugs, as he found it easier to concentrate that way. He was reading over the last part he had written when someone tapped him on the shoulder. This was not unusual, as besides being the head of the Warbler council, he was also Head Boy, and students came to him throughout the day with different things.
He pulled one of the plugs out, and looked up at the face of the newest Warbler with a smile. “Yes, Kurt, how can I help you?” It was clear to Wes that Kurt was a little nervous about something, and before the other boy said anything, Wes pulled out the other earpiece, turned off the music, and closed the laptop, before turning more towards him.
At this, Kurt sat down on the couch next to him, and fidgeted a little with his blazer before he took a fortifying breath and started talking. “I don’t know how you usually do things, and I'm a little unsure as to what is the best way to do this, but I figured the only way I can become more certain is by asking.” Wes nodded at this, highly curious as to where this was going. “I wanted to know the reason why my song for the solo auditions was rejected, so that I can know what I need to work on.” It was clear that he did not find it easy to ask, and he looked extremely uncomfortable.
Wes was very surprised, not so much about the question really, but Wes thought Kurt should know already. Blaine had 'volunteered' to tell Kurt, saying that the countertenor didn't do well with criticisms, and it would be better if it came from a friend. Wes had though it weird, because their criticisms hadn't really been all that harsh.
“Well, Blaine said he would talk to you, hasn't he told you?”
“Yes, but what he said wasn't particularly constructive, and I can't really do much with his advice.”
Now Wes was even more confused. “Wait, what? What did he say to you?”
Kurt sat up straighter and looked Wes right in the eyes. “He told me that the Warbler's wore the uniform for a reason, and that I needed to try and fit in better, to stop being so 'loud'.” Kurt made quotations marks with his fingers, and continued talking before Wes could answer him. “I survived over two years at a homophobic public high school, and no matter how much they bullied me, I never let them change me. I will not let you do so. Even though it might not be actual slurs or physical, telling someone they have to change who they are is still bullying. If that is what it's going to be a Warbler, I’d rather not be one.”
As Kurt finished talking, Wes looked at him in shock. “We never told Blaine to tell you that. Blaine wanted to be the one to give you your feedback, talking about how you where sensitive to criticisms. What we told him, and I will tell you now, is that the reason the song didn't get any further is because we are simply unable to do it. As we are an acappella group, there will be certain songs that will be very difficult or impossible for us to do.” Wes shifted a little and took one of Kurt's hands in his. “Also, we would never tell anyone to change who they are. We want you in the Warblers for the person you are, loud and all. The only reason I can fathom for Blaine to tell you to tone it down is because he is afraid of some good competition. Besides, Blaine telling anyone to tone it down is a pot calling the kettle black. He's ridiculous sometimes.”
Wes could clearly see Kurt relax his stance, leaning a little more into the couch and giving him a smile. “I want you to talk to Flint, the tall gangly Warbler?” Wes waited for the nod from Kurt to show he knew who Flint was, “He's the one that makes the arrangements for the songs - his musical ear is insane. He can listen to a song and figure out the arrangements just by listening to it a few times. He can also tell if a song will be possible for you or not, based on which voices we have in the Warblers. When someone auditions for solo, we, the council, look at him, and if he shakes his head, the song won't go through, no matter how well it is sung. Talk to him, he can help you figure out what to listen for in a song to know it would be possible for us. Also, you did a great job with the song, it was flawless and beautiful.”
Kurt sent him a shy smile. “Thank you. I'll go talk to Flint. I didn't really think about that when I chose the song, and the dynamic in the Warblers are so different from what New Directions was. I'm trying to assimilate, and I think it's going better, but everything is just so different here.”
“Of course it is, it's two different worlds, but for the record, I think you're doing a good job. The fact alone that you are managing academically shows just how fast you have done it. When Blaine transferred, he almost failed several classes just because he wasn't used to how it worked.” Wes sighed before he continued. “Look, it's really not cool what Blaine did, but I'm not all that surprised really, and I'm thinking I should call him out on it. I'll handle it, but just so you know he will be punished, at least a little.”
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
Flint had been a little surprised when Kurt came to talk to him at first, as they hadn't really said anything much to each other, other than greetings, but when he explained the talk with Wes, Flint gladly helped him out. It turned out that Kurt knew a whole lot about musical management and theory, he just wasn't familiar with acappella at all, so they ended up talking for hours. Flint was really excited about it - no one else in the Warblers really knew or cared much about arranging music - but Flint loved it, and now he had someone he could talk about it with. The music talk somehow ended in movie talk, and when Flint found out that Kurt loved watching action movies, he invited him to the movie night he, Tristan and Caleb used to have whenever the mood struck. Kurt had accepted the invitation with a smile, and left Flint's room lot happier that when he had arrived.
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
At the next Warbler meeting, Wes had decided to implement his punishment on Blaine. He had talked to David and Thad, and they had both agreed, and neither were very happy about their lead soloist at the moment. One thing was that he might have removed a remarkable voice from them, but the anger came mostly from the fact that he was hurting one of theirs. Even if it had only been a few weeks, he was still one of theirs and deserved to be treated right.
Wes banged his gavel to gain everyone's attention. “Quite down, everyone, we have some important business to handle before we start rehearsing today.”
The boys all found a seat, and Wes noticed Kurt sitting between Flint and Caleb, on the other side of the room of Blaine (who was looking at the countertenor in confusion). “Some information reached the council this week, and as this would have affected the Warblers, we decided to do this in front of you all.” The boys were looking around, very curious now, though Wes could see Kurt look at him in shock, before giving way to a pleased smirk. Wes sent a short smirk back before he started talking again.
“Warbler Blaine, you are hereby being called out in front of the council and your fellow Warblers. Please come to the front of the room.”
Wes secretly enjoyed the absolute shock on Blaine's face as the short male stood and walked to the front of the desk. The shock was changing into confusion, and it was clear Blaine had no idea what he had done wrong. Most of the boys were gaping, though Wes could see both Jeff and Nick looking at Kurt with pleased expressions.
“What...” Blaine didn't get any further before Wes help up his hand.
“Warbler Blaine, you willfully lied to the council as well as to fellow Warbler Kurt about Warbler business, and you walked a very fine line, being only a hairsbreadth from bullying. These lies, if Warbler Kurt had not gone to the council to question them, would have not only possibly deprived the Warblers of a talented countertenor, but would also have given Warbler Kurt the idea that he needed to change to be one of us. All this was done, as far as we understand it, to eliminate the competition for the spotlight. What do you have to say for yourself?”
The room was deadly quiet, every Warbler seemingly holding their breath. Wes looked around the room, seeing many angry faces, as well as several annoyed ones. He knew that there were several Warblers who didn't like Blaine, from long before Kurt showed up, and most of them seemed to be very pleased that the lead singer was called out in front of everyone.
“I...I...” Blaine faltered, and Wes couldn't blame him. What could he possibly say that would help?
“The council has decided to give you a warning, and if you show such bad showmanship again, you will be removed from the lead. Also, any powers you had over the song choices and performances are hereby revoked.” Wes banged his gavel in the quiet room. “Please sit down again.”
The meeting continued, though it was clear no one managed to concentrate like they should. When the meeting was finished, the Warblers split in three; those that asked Kurt what had happened, those that badgered Blaine about it, and a select few that came to the council to ask.
K*W*K*W*K*W*K*W
Throughout the weeks that followed, Kurt would avoid Blaine the best he could, until the shorter male stopped trying to follow him. He didn't want friends that lied to him, and there were plenty of good prospects for friends in the Warblers. He had several classes with Tristan and Flint, as they were both in his year, and they were both very friendly and accepted him into their life with open arms. He started having lunch with them, and as they sat with several non-Warblers from their year, this in turn helped him make more friends.
As the weeks progressed, Flint and Kurt could be seen in each other’s company more and more, and when their Facebook status’ changed a month and a half after they started talking, no one was surprised.
KURT HUMMEL