Fic: Sparks Fly 5/12
Title: Sparks Fly 5/12
Author: gameboycolor
Pairing/Characters: Kurt Anderson/Blaine Hummel
Spoilers: none
(Overall) Warnings: Bullying, violence, homophobia
Rating: R overall (subject to change)
Length: ~1300 / 7900
Summary: Season 2 AU, Kurt/Blaine character swap. Written for this prompt on the GKM.
A/N: Thank you for your reviews and support. :)
Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five
Auditions for competitions are a customary practice, but Kurt has it on good authority that the council is looking to put him on the eleven o’clock number as well as the opening number. They even placed his audition piece in his hands: Grace Kelly by Mika.
Kurt had owned it, he knew he had. It was a dynamite number and their ticket to Sectionals victory this year. He was polished, enthusiastic, and an amazing leading man. He had been assured of all of these things countless times, by the Warblers themselves.
Blaine’s last minute audition had been a favor to Kurt. He had entered Dalton scared and unsure. The sling on his right arm had already left him open to questioning, and the least Kurt could do was make him a solid member of the Warblers. The Warblers held a certain place on the totem pole at Dalton, and Blaine deserved the comfort and safety of that place.
Kurt had intended for Blaine’s audition to serve as a much needed confidence booster. To make him feel like he belonged at Dalton.
He didn’t expect to find himself seated in front of the council while they discussed the setlist.
“Blaine’s audition was, well...” Wes looks to David and Thad for approval before he continues speaking. “He needs a little work, but we think his audition piece might be the sound we need to give us an edge at Sectionals. We loved it.”
“Sectionals,” Kurt echos. “Sectionals is next week. We’ve been working on these songs for months.”
“We would still keep Lights as the opening number, but we’re thinking of swapping Grace Kelly for I Just Haven’t Met You Yet,” Thad replies.
“I...” He swallows, and looks from Wes to David. Neither seem to be opposing. “This is ridiculous!” - is all he can come up with. He knows he’s being a brat, but it’s his solo. “I auditioned!”
“So did Blaine,” Wes is quick to point out. “I hope you understand--”
Kurt’s blood boils. This hadn’t been his intention. He had wanted Blaine to feel welcomed, comfortable - not like he was the leader of the pack.
He makes a snap decision.
“Well I hope you understand having to get a new soloist for your opening number,” Kurt replies cooly.
It’s childish, it’s immature. It still doesn’t stop him from crossing his arms and tilting his chin up. Make your move, gentlemen.
The looks on their faces show that they hadn’t been expecting Kurt to react this way. Kurt is the only Warbler with that kind of range. They know this.
“Well?”
-
Kurt leaves the practice room with a satisfied smile on his face. He’s so pleased with the result that he nearly knocks into Blaine as he turns the next corner.
Blaine has clearly been pacing in the hallway outside of the practice room since his audition.
“Well?” he asks. “What did they say?”
“I’m sorry, Blaine.” He pats his uninjured shoulder consolingly. “You weren’t what they were looking for this time around.”
He fails to mention the fact that Blaine was exactly what they were looking for, and he would have gotten the solo had it not been for Kurt’s threat to leave. He tries to ignore the way his stomach twists at Blaine’s hurt expression.
Kurt’s kindness only reaches so far.
“Well,” Blaine nods, and blinks a few times. “I guess I can understand that. Can’t expect to come in and be handed everything, you know?”
His skin feels like it’s crawling, because they would have. Blaine has the charisma and sound they were looking for, and if the Warblers fail to take home a win this time, it will Kurt they look to for an explanation.
“Maybe next year?”
“Maybe,” Kurt agrees. “Hey, wanna come back to my dorm? We could watch some trashy reality TV, get our minds off the real world.”
He feels like his smile is about to crack, like Blaine is about to see right through him.
But that’s the thing about Blaine. He insists on seeing the best in everyone. Reluctantly so. He’s nearly had it beaten out of him, but the glimmer of goodness persists.
Kurt is almost certain that he will never understand this about Blaine.
“Yeah,” Blaine smiles. “That sounds nice.”
-
They end up marathoning reruns of the Bachelorette - a fascinating study in human behavior and the lengths people are willing to go to be on national television.
The evening ends with Blaine tucked against Kurt’s side, and Kurt feeling more comfortable than he had in years. He lets himself laugh around Blaine, for real. Not the controlled chuckles, but the real ones that make his entire face scrunch up.
Blaine notices.
“I like your laugh.”
Kurt quickly schools his face to something more neutral. He feels exposed.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Blaine frowns.
“What?” he asks, even though he knows.
“Hide your smiles,” Blaine quickly explains. “They’re good smiles.”
Kurt sits up and puts a good inch or two of space between him and Blaine. He brushes off his dress shirt, looking to straighten out any non-existent wrinkles. His blazer is folded neatly over his desk chair.
“My smile are better saved for a rainy day,” he tries to joke. “Or Christmas.”
Blaine shrugs and his cheeks darken. “I just think they’re nice.”
Kurt’s not used to such specific compliments. He’s used to people telling him he did a great job at the most recent Warblers’ not-so-impromptu performance, or that they’re jealous of the beemer he got for his sweet sixteen.
The compliments are never really about him.
“Thank you,” Kurt replies stiffly. “You know... it’s getting a bit late. Wouldn’t want you oversleeping during your first week of classes.”
“Right,” Blaine is quick to agree. “Might make you look bad.”
He knows Blaine is trying to joke, but it makes Kurt feel terrible. Especially after today. “No, no. It’s not that Blaine. I just... really want you to like it here.”
What he doesn’t say is - I need you to like it here. Something good has to come out of this.
-
Kurt is proud of the way Blaine has gone out of his way to fit in at Dalton. He wears his blazer with pride. In fact, Kurt hardly notices the sling, with the way Blaine’s smiles seem to light up the room.
He’s enthusiastic, willing to listen to input. A wonderful addition to the Warblers, and all thanks to Kurt. The Warblers should be thanking him.
“Hey, Kurt!” Jeff calls out shortly before falling in step beside him. “Mind if I bug you for a second?”
He’s on his way to lunch, where he promised he would meet Blaine, but he supposes he can spare a moment. “Sure, Jeff. What’s up?”
“So, I had a question about your boyfriend, Blaine.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Kurt says quickly. “I don’t know what gave you that idea.”
“Perfect,” Jeff grins. “Thanks, Kurt!”
After Jeff runs off, he hears a shout of - “Told you so! Pay up, bitches.”
Jeff has always been one to get right to the point. Normally, Kurt would respect this quality, but his personal life is none of the Warblers’ business.
The idea of them discussing him in that capacity makes him feel uncomfortable. It’s as if they’re okay with him, until he flaunts it in some way.
Kurt pauses mid-step and looks back over to where his teammates are laughing near the water fountains. The looks on their faces aren’t of disgust, or even of malice. In fact, it looks like they might have moved on to the next topic of discussion.
But the feeling of discomfort refuses to fade.
Author: gameboycolor
Pairing/Characters: Kurt Anderson/Blaine Hummel
Spoilers: none
(Overall) Warnings: Bullying, violence, homophobia
Rating: R overall (subject to change)
Length: ~1300 / 7900
Summary: Season 2 AU, Kurt/Blaine character swap. Written for this prompt on the GKM.
A/N: Thank you for your reviews and support. :)
Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five
Auditions for competitions are a customary practice, but Kurt has it on good authority that the council is looking to put him on the eleven o’clock number as well as the opening number. They even placed his audition piece in his hands: Grace Kelly by Mika.
Kurt had owned it, he knew he had. It was a dynamite number and their ticket to Sectionals victory this year. He was polished, enthusiastic, and an amazing leading man. He had been assured of all of these things countless times, by the Warblers themselves.
Blaine’s last minute audition had been a favor to Kurt. He had entered Dalton scared and unsure. The sling on his right arm had already left him open to questioning, and the least Kurt could do was make him a solid member of the Warblers. The Warblers held a certain place on the totem pole at Dalton, and Blaine deserved the comfort and safety of that place.
Kurt had intended for Blaine’s audition to serve as a much needed confidence booster. To make him feel like he belonged at Dalton.
He didn’t expect to find himself seated in front of the council while they discussed the setlist.
“Blaine’s audition was, well...” Wes looks to David and Thad for approval before he continues speaking. “He needs a little work, but we think his audition piece might be the sound we need to give us an edge at Sectionals. We loved it.”
“Sectionals,” Kurt echos. “Sectionals is next week. We’ve been working on these songs for months.”
“We would still keep Lights as the opening number, but we’re thinking of swapping Grace Kelly for I Just Haven’t Met You Yet,” Thad replies.
“I...” He swallows, and looks from Wes to David. Neither seem to be opposing. “This is ridiculous!” - is all he can come up with. He knows he’s being a brat, but it’s his solo. “I auditioned!”
“So did Blaine,” Wes is quick to point out. “I hope you understand--”
Kurt’s blood boils. This hadn’t been his intention. He had wanted Blaine to feel welcomed, comfortable - not like he was the leader of the pack.
He makes a snap decision.
“Well I hope you understand having to get a new soloist for your opening number,” Kurt replies cooly.
It’s childish, it’s immature. It still doesn’t stop him from crossing his arms and tilting his chin up. Make your move, gentlemen.
The looks on their faces show that they hadn’t been expecting Kurt to react this way. Kurt is the only Warbler with that kind of range. They know this.
“Well?”
-
Kurt leaves the practice room with a satisfied smile on his face. He’s so pleased with the result that he nearly knocks into Blaine as he turns the next corner.
Blaine has clearly been pacing in the hallway outside of the practice room since his audition.
“Well?” he asks. “What did they say?”
“I’m sorry, Blaine.” He pats his uninjured shoulder consolingly. “You weren’t what they were looking for this time around.”
He fails to mention the fact that Blaine was exactly what they were looking for, and he would have gotten the solo had it not been for Kurt’s threat to leave. He tries to ignore the way his stomach twists at Blaine’s hurt expression.
Kurt’s kindness only reaches so far.
“Well,” Blaine nods, and blinks a few times. “I guess I can understand that. Can’t expect to come in and be handed everything, you know?”
His skin feels like it’s crawling, because they would have. Blaine has the charisma and sound they were looking for, and if the Warblers fail to take home a win this time, it will Kurt they look to for an explanation.
“Maybe next year?”
“Maybe,” Kurt agrees. “Hey, wanna come back to my dorm? We could watch some trashy reality TV, get our minds off the real world.”
He feels like his smile is about to crack, like Blaine is about to see right through him.
But that’s the thing about Blaine. He insists on seeing the best in everyone. Reluctantly so. He’s nearly had it beaten out of him, but the glimmer of goodness persists.
Kurt is almost certain that he will never understand this about Blaine.
“Yeah,” Blaine smiles. “That sounds nice.”
-
They end up marathoning reruns of the Bachelorette - a fascinating study in human behavior and the lengths people are willing to go to be on national television.
The evening ends with Blaine tucked against Kurt’s side, and Kurt feeling more comfortable than he had in years. He lets himself laugh around Blaine, for real. Not the controlled chuckles, but the real ones that make his entire face scrunch up.
Blaine notices.
“I like your laugh.”
Kurt quickly schools his face to something more neutral. He feels exposed.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Blaine frowns.
“What?” he asks, even though he knows.
“Hide your smiles,” Blaine quickly explains. “They’re good smiles.”
Kurt sits up and puts a good inch or two of space between him and Blaine. He brushes off his dress shirt, looking to straighten out any non-existent wrinkles. His blazer is folded neatly over his desk chair.
“My smile are better saved for a rainy day,” he tries to joke. “Or Christmas.”
Blaine shrugs and his cheeks darken. “I just think they’re nice.”
Kurt’s not used to such specific compliments. He’s used to people telling him he did a great job at the most recent Warblers’ not-so-impromptu performance, or that they’re jealous of the beemer he got for his sweet sixteen.
The compliments are never really about him.
“Thank you,” Kurt replies stiffly. “You know... it’s getting a bit late. Wouldn’t want you oversleeping during your first week of classes.”
“Right,” Blaine is quick to agree. “Might make you look bad.”
He knows Blaine is trying to joke, but it makes Kurt feel terrible. Especially after today. “No, no. It’s not that Blaine. I just... really want you to like it here.”
What he doesn’t say is - I need you to like it here. Something good has to come out of this.
-
Kurt is proud of the way Blaine has gone out of his way to fit in at Dalton. He wears his blazer with pride. In fact, Kurt hardly notices the sling, with the way Blaine’s smiles seem to light up the room.
He’s enthusiastic, willing to listen to input. A wonderful addition to the Warblers, and all thanks to Kurt. The Warblers should be thanking him.
“Hey, Kurt!” Jeff calls out shortly before falling in step beside him. “Mind if I bug you for a second?”
He’s on his way to lunch, where he promised he would meet Blaine, but he supposes he can spare a moment. “Sure, Jeff. What’s up?”
“So, I had a question about your boyfriend, Blaine.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Kurt says quickly. “I don’t know what gave you that idea.”
“Perfect,” Jeff grins. “Thanks, Kurt!”
After Jeff runs off, he hears a shout of - “Told you so! Pay up, bitches.”
Jeff has always been one to get right to the point. Normally, Kurt would respect this quality, but his personal life is none of the Warblers’ business.
The idea of them discussing him in that capacity makes him feel uncomfortable. It’s as if they’re okay with him, until he flaunts it in some way.
Kurt pauses mid-step and looks back over to where his teammates are laughing near the water fountains. The looks on their faces aren’t of disgust, or even of malice. In fact, it looks like they might have moved on to the next topic of discussion.
But the feeling of discomfort refuses to fade.