My Whole Life Part 1
Title: My Whole Life
Author: gwennylou
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Kurtofsky, Heavy Mention of Klaine, mention of Finchel, Samcedes, Bike, Tartie, and Santana/OFC
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or anything associated with Glee
Warning: Mention of Character Death, Angst, M/M sex
A/N: This was written for the Kurtofsky ReBang, based on animus69's art of Dave modeling Kurt's new big and tall clothing for men.
Kurt sat at his desk, hunched over his sketchbook, only taking breaks to stretch his neck and drink his now cool caramel macchiato. He was supposed to be a party with Harris, one of the new models for his fashion house, but he had passed, far preferring to stay at home, eating some takeout and going to bed early.
Instead, he found himself thinking too much again, and that was always a bad idea, especially when there was a pint of coffee ice cream in his freezer, and a half of a bottle of Kahlua in his refrigerator.
That’s when he found himself driving to the fashion house where he was a designer, getting some coffee and settling in for a long Friday evening in Los Angeles, drawing designer evening gowns for celebrities who would probably never wear them.
To say Kurt was a loner would be unfair, he wasn’t a loner, so much as a person who, after one too many traumatic life events, shut himself off from the rest of the world. He hadn’t always been like this, cold, distant, and aloof. No, at one time, he had been the life of the party, full of vibrant passion, outgoing, and the person everyone could count on to make things interesting. That was seven years ago, the year he had graduated from college, left his roots in Ohio and set out west to make his dream of becoming a famous fashion designer a reality.
It was also the year his life had changed drastically and it was these life events that led him to shutting himself down.
Kurt couldn’t think about it anymore, it was always the same weekend every summer when he holed himself up for three days, drank himself into oblivion, and recalled what had taken place, but no more. It was in the past, and he was here now, doing the job he loved. He had a great apartment, a fancy car, and he had friends of all walks of life, in the fashion field, actresses, actors, singers, the whole gamut of celebrity was his playground, and he was definitely okay with this.
His thoughts wandered to Ohio, wondering how Finn and Rachel and his nieces were doing, whether or not Santana really was going to make her own life change and come out to Hollywood to try her hand at acting, and how Mr. Schuester was doing now that he and Miss Pillsbury had divorced.
His thoughts were broken by the sound of the elevator shaft.
He knew that it was either the night janitor, Hank, or his boss, and he was willing to bet good money it was Irene Hill, his boss and famous fashion designer, owner of Hill’s House of Fashion. Kurt had barely gotten into Los Angeles when he was getting coffee and he literally ran into Irene Hill and her assistant Morgan. As he was helping them pick up fabric swatches he commented on one of the designs that had fallen from Morgan’s hand.
You know, purple is really last season. Magenta and more pinkish colors would look better on that skirt.
Irene had raised an eyebrow, looked at the design,asked Kurt to show her which color and laid it over the skirt.
She grinned, handed it to Morgan, and clapped Kurt on the back.
So, who are you, and tell me you don’t work for one of my competitors.
I’m Kurt Hummel and I just arrived here from Ohio.
So, Kurt Hummel, how would you like to come to my office and audition.
What exactly am I auditioning for?
Well, Morgan here is wonderful, but I really need to find someone who can work with my models, make them feel special and tell them they are beautiful, amazing, spectacular.
So you want me to babysit a bunch of models?
Well that’s what you’d start out doing, but you clearly have an eye for fashion, as shown when you boldly told me my design sucked, and based on what you’re wearing right now.
Well, that is what I went to college for.
Really? Where did you attend?
I started out at NYADA, but I found my true love for fashion designing, and I ended up transferring to Parsons. I just graduated a few months ago.
Really? You graduated from Parsons?
I did.
Well, I’m impressed, that is a great college, some of my best interns went there, of course they all left for competitors or became famous fashion designers themselves, not that I’m bitter or anything. Anyway, are you interested in the job?
I am definitely interested.
Great, well, if you do a good job, I’d even be willing to look at a few of your sketches.
Kurt chuckled as he thought back to that fateful day seven years ago when he a brand new Ohio transplant in Los Angeles had met his boss and changed his life forever, simply by commenting on the color purple.
Irene stepped off the elevator,
“I should have known you would be here, Kurt.”
“Yeah, well, what are you doing here on a Friday night? Morgan told me you had a date.”
“Well that date turned out to be someone pitching the idea for designer crotchless panties. It lasted all of five minutes before I simply stood up and walked away. Too bad though, because he was hot and I haven’t been laid in so long.”
“I have told you plenty of times before, if you want to have sex, then have sex. You don’t need to do dates and relationships to get that.”
“I’m sorry, Kurt, but not all of us can shut our hearts down. I want to have sex with someone I love and that loves me. I just didn’t think it would be this hard to find someone willing to put up with the long hours, and demands that comes with me having to work so much.”
Irene put down her bag of food on one of the work tables and looked out the window.
Kurt knew she was thinking about her ex-husband, who left her after she had left the design house she had worked for to start her own fashion house. The stress of the long hours, and financial worries had caused him to leave her and since then she had tried valiantly to date and move on with her life, but guy after guy wandered through, and Kurt knew she was getting desperate because she wanted to be married and have a family and at the age of thirty seven, she was sure that those days of opportunity were fast coming to a close.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
“Just thinking about him again, wondering if he’s enjoying his new life with his new schoolteacher girlfriend.”
“Are you stalking him now?”
“No, Kara was on Facebook the other day and told me he changed his relationship status to “in a relationship. She’s the one who went and found out that her name is Heather and she’s a special education teacher.”
“Can you please explain to me why your sister is still friends with your ex-husband?”
“They were friends even before we started da ting. They knew each other from college, and he came home randomly one weekend, which he later admitted was to get into her pants, and we met, and it was like fate.”
“So Kara and Matt had a thing?’
“No, Kara was with Stewart, Matt had a thing for her, but he claims after he met me, he knew instantly that I was the one. Of course, seeing as he left me three years after we were married, because I decided my life and needs were more important than his, I’m pretty sure that was a lie.”
Kurt tried to quell the bitterness he felt bubbling in his chest, because he loved Irene, he really did, but right now her woe is me attitude did little to cease the raging torrid that had been building and swirling in him all day.
“Well at least you got three years with him. That’s more than I got.”
“Kurt…”
“I’m sorry, Irene, that was uncalled for.”
“You don’t have to apologize, Kurt. I know what this weekend is and I’m sorry I was being insensitive.”
“It’s been seven years, why can’t I let it go?”
“Because our situations are completely different, Kurt. “
Kurt just sighed and dropped his pencil.
“Well, another design done that no one will probably ever wear.”
“Have you ever thought of expanding and trying something new?”
“Like what?”
“Like maybe designing a men’s line, or a maternity line. Something that will push you to become better.”
“I have no interest in designing clothing for men. The clothes that the common man buys you can get any large chain department store, and I don’t wish to have my name associated with that.”
Irene just chuckled and finished eating her sandwich.
“So what are your plans for the rest of the night?’
“I don’t know. Harris invited me to a party, but I think I’m just going to go back eat my ice cream, drink some alcohol and fall into a stupor until Monday.”
“As lovely as that sounds, you really should go to that party. We are paying Harris a half million dollars for our newest ad campaign, and I really would like him to stay sober and out of trouble while we’re working with him.”
“I really hate that you still have me babysitting childish models.”
“But you are so good at it, Kurt, plus Harris is good looking, and I know he’s been eyeing you since he got here. Go have fun, aren’t you the one who said sex was supposed to be just fun, without strings attached?”
“Fine, but only because I don’t want to lose my job or cost the company that much money.”
Kurt threw his coffee in the trash, kissed Irene’s cheek on the way out the door and called a cab to take him to the beach party.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Irene watched as Kurt left and sighed, she felt terrible for Kurt. He had been working for her for barely a month, before he bounded into the fashion house with a large coffee for her and some great news.
His boyfriend, Blaine Anderson, the love of his life, the apple of his eye, and extremely talented singer, was coming to visit him. Blaine was in between his junior and senior year at NYADA, and had agreed to an impromptu vacation, where he’d visit Los Angeles, hang out with his hot and newly employed fashion designer boyfriend, and they’d have an entire week to themselves in Blaine’s fancy hotel room, courtesy of Irene and her hopeless romantic heart.
She had been sitting in her office watching some soap operas, creating a dress for Jessica Alba to wear to an awards ceremony, when the news broke in to say that there had been an accident, a plane carrying 150 passengers from LaGuardia to LAX had crashed on take off, killing all 150 on board.
Irene instantly checked the itinerary for that day and blanched when she realized Blaine had been or was supposed to be on that flight.
She called Kurt instantly into her office and told him to sit down. He watched the news and fell out of the chair on his knees.
He trembled as his fingers fumbled for the keys, trying to see through his tears.
He called Blaine’s roommate, who confirmed he had gotten on his flight, and he promptly started wailing.
William, his roommate, asked what was wrong and Irene took the phone from Kurt’s fingers.
“Hello, William, this is Irene Hill from Hill’s House of Fashion. I’m Kurt’s boss. I’m so sorry to have interrupted your day like this. We just found out via the news that the airplane Blaine was on, crashed into the Mississippi River, and no one aboard survived. Yes of course, I understand, yes I will do that. Thank you.”
Irene sank to the floor next to Kurt and held him.
“William said he’d inform Blaine’s parents and that he’s so sorry. If you need anything he’ll be waiting by the phone.”
Kurt sat in silence staring blankly at the wall.
“You know the walls are really dingy in here, you should ask your cleaning people to clean them.”
“Kurt…”
Kurt shrugged her off and stood up,
“I’ve got to go.”
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know, I just can’t stay here right now.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, I really don’t.”
Kurt spit the words out like they were venom on his tongue.
Irene simply nodded and got up as well,
“If you need me to do anything just let me know, Kurt.”
“Really? So you’d be willing to call Blaine’s parents and tell them that their son is dead and that I’m the reason, because I insisted he come to Los Angeles for a week to see me? Or maybe you can call my parents and friends and explain that hey, your son Kurt was responsible for the death of the man he loved.”
“You are not responsible for Blaine’s death, Kurt. Accidents happen, this was an accident.”
“I don’t want to hear that right now, okay? The man I had hoped I would spend the rest of my life with, right now is somewhere in the Mississippi River, dead. “
“Kurt, please.”
“Please, what? I can’t deal with you right now, Irene. I can’t deal with anything. I just want to go back to Ohio and turn back the clock and none of this happened. I would give up everything just to have Blaine alive and well. That’s what I need from you, and you can’t give me that. So forgive me if I feel the need to be alone right now. At least in the silence I can think about Blaine and the memories we shared, instead of listening to incessant chattering from people trying to tell me it’s not my fault or cheer me up. I don’t fucking want that. I just want to be left alone, okay?’
“Fine. “
Kurt turned around and stormed out of the fashion house.
Irene and Morgan both sat in her office and cried as they knew Kurt was hurting and that there was nothing either of them could or say to make it any better.
That was the day that had changed everything for Kurt and even for Irene. It wasn’t even two months later that Matt had left her, and there they were Kurt and Irene, both grieving. It solidified their friendship and helped them through the most difficult times in their lives.
Irene picked up her phone and called the one person she knew could help Kurt out his funk. His sister-in-law slash best friend slash mortal enemy, Rachel Berry Hudson.
“Hello, darling. How is Los Angeles?”
“Hello, Rachel. Los Angeles is the same as it always is in June. Hot, smoggy, and filled with tourists.”
“So what do I owe this pleasure to, isn’t it almost eleven p.m. there?”
“Kurt.”
“I should’ve known. So what has he done now?”
“Nothing, and that worries me. He’s so wrapped up in himself and the anniversary of Blaine’s death, and I’m worried about him. Rachel, he hasn’t been on an actual date since he died, and he claims his relationship with Scotty, is just physical, but I don’t think Scotty sees it that way.”
“I know. He hasn’t been back here since the funeral, and everytime Finn or I suggest visiting and seeing his nieces, he just shuts down.”
“But what about Carole and Burt?”
“Kurt has this notion in his head that if he doesn’t ever go back to Lima, he’ll never see Blaine’s grave, and if he never sees his grave, it means he’s not really gone.”
“That cannot be healthy.”
“I know, but this is Kurt we’re talking about. In high school he refused to acknowledge that Elizabeth Taylor died, so that she would always stay alive.”
“Kurt cannot stay in Los Angeles the rest of his life, he needs to take a break.”
“What do you suggest?”
“I don’t know, something to get his mind off Blaine and get him living life again.”
Rachel sighed,
“I swear to God that finding dress pants to fit Finn is like trying to find a unicorn. They are either way too big and the right length, or way too short, but fit right.”
“Oh my God, Rachel Berry. Has anyone ever told you that you’re amazing?”
“Yes, but it always helps to hear that.”
“You really are. I know how I can get Kurt to Lima.”
“Really? Pray tell.”
“I tell Kurt that I want a new men’s line, for big and tall men. It’s perfect. I already have all these other lines, this will just be an added bonus, and I’ll insist that Kurt go find an “everyman” to be his model, and then he can go create to his heart content. Of course he’ll have to find an “everyman” in Ohio, because really, not too many of them in Los Angeles.”
“You are a sneaky genius, Irene.”
“Well, I do have my moments. Okay, so I’m going to drop the bombshell tomorrow. Expect a Mr. Kurt Hummel in Lima by Monday morning.”
Irene hung the phone up and started making phone calls to her fabric suppliers, if she was going to have a new line, it would be done right.
As she closed up her design house for the night, she wondered if Kurt would hate her forever, but thought back to the time when her husband had left her, and how she wished that she had had somebody around to do that for her.
The next morning came way too early for Kurt, he had fallen asleep quickly after downing some tequila and some Jack Daniels. His head burned and he felt his head spinning as his bed started to vibrate.
He felt around for his phone, ready to kill whoever it was on the other end of the line.
“What do you want?”
“Wow, Kurt, you’re so pleasant.”
Kurt groaned as he realized it was his boss.
“Sorry, Irene, terrible hangover, what can I do for you?”
“I know it’s your day off, but I have so exciting news and need to speak with you today. Can you be here in an hour?”
“Make it two. I need to get a shower and to get over this hangover.”
Kurt felt a knot in the pit of his stomach, whenever Irene called him with good news, it usually meant wonderful, amazing news for her, and something that Kurt would end up later regretting and hating.
Kurt thought about last night and how he hadn’t had his recurring dream about Blaine last night. Each year on the anniversary of his death he dreamed about standing in front of the old oak tree in his front yard at home, where KH and BA were carved into the tree. That was one of the few memories Kurt ever allowed himself to have.
He shrugged off the memory and got ready to go in to work.
As he stepped off the elevator he saw Morgan and the other interns running around grabbing fabric samples and sketches.
“What in the hell is going on, Irene? It’s a Saturday morning. We are never this busy on a Saturday unless it’s fashion week.”
“Kurt, so glad you’re here. Come into my office.”
Kurt never got called into her office and he stood rooted in place.
“Umm, I’m not sure I want to do that, Irene.”
“Well, I’ll either tell you out here or in private, where you can actually process the information.”
“I’m going to have to process this?”
“I would imagine so, yes.”
Kurt begrudgingly followed her in and flopped into one of her chairs,
“So drop the bombshell, Irene. I know I’m not in here to gush about you getting laid last night.”
“You never know, I could’ve had hot sex with the night janitor.”
“Considering he’s 60 and married to your housekeeper, I doubt it.”
“Right, well, I just got off the phone with my investors. And they and I think it’s time for us to branch out.”
“Branch out?”
“Yep. We’d like to start a fashion line for men.”
“We already have a fashion line for men. It’s doing well.”
“Well this line would be for a specific kind of man. We’d like to get into the big and tall market.”
“You want to start a fashion line for big and tall men?”
“Yes, and seeing as you are my top designer right now, I’d like you to be the designer.”
“You’re giving me my own line? What’s the catch, Irene?”
“The catch is that the investors believe that we should target a specific audience and clientele. And that clientele is not in Los Angeles.”
“So, you’re basically saying I get my own fashion line if I’m willing to move.”
“Basically, yes. But not just move anywhere. They believe that the “everyman” they are looking for is most likely found in Ohio.”
“No, Irene.”
“Well, it’s either design more dresses that celebrities will only ever wear once, or creating your own fashion lone and becoming a household name.”
“I’m not moving back to Lima.”
“Are you absolutely sure you’re willing to give up this opportunity? Did I mention you get a company car, a house, and a very generous bonus if you finish the line by fashion week?”
“How much of a bonus?”
“We’re talking six figures, Kurt.”
“And all I have to do is move to Lima, get inspiration for the line, create a few pieces for fashion week, and then I can come back to Los Angeles?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. But, and this is a huge but, if I feel at all pressured into talking about my feelings about Blaine or being forced to open up my heart, then I’m coming back and your precious line can go fuck itself.”
“Fair enough, we’ll have the model you choose sign a contract with that written in. You should go home and pack your plane leaves in two hours. Good luck, Kurt.”
Irene hugged him, kissed him on the cheek and handed him his boarding pass.
She sighed as Kurt walked out. She prayed that this intervention worked, because she needed the vibrant, bitchy, amazing Kurt back.
http://Next Section
Author: gwennylou
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Kurtofsky, Heavy Mention of Klaine, mention of Finchel, Samcedes, Bike, Tartie, and Santana/OFC
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or anything associated with Glee
Warning: Mention of Character Death, Angst, M/M sex
A/N: This was written for the Kurtofsky ReBang, based on animus69's art of Dave modeling Kurt's new big and tall clothing for men.
Kurt sat at his desk, hunched over his sketchbook, only taking breaks to stretch his neck and drink his now cool caramel macchiato. He was supposed to be a party with Harris, one of the new models for his fashion house, but he had passed, far preferring to stay at home, eating some takeout and going to bed early.
Instead, he found himself thinking too much again, and that was always a bad idea, especially when there was a pint of coffee ice cream in his freezer, and a half of a bottle of Kahlua in his refrigerator.
That’s when he found himself driving to the fashion house where he was a designer, getting some coffee and settling in for a long Friday evening in Los Angeles, drawing designer evening gowns for celebrities who would probably never wear them.
To say Kurt was a loner would be unfair, he wasn’t a loner, so much as a person who, after one too many traumatic life events, shut himself off from the rest of the world. He hadn’t always been like this, cold, distant, and aloof. No, at one time, he had been the life of the party, full of vibrant passion, outgoing, and the person everyone could count on to make things interesting. That was seven years ago, the year he had graduated from college, left his roots in Ohio and set out west to make his dream of becoming a famous fashion designer a reality.
It was also the year his life had changed drastically and it was these life events that led him to shutting himself down.
Kurt couldn’t think about it anymore, it was always the same weekend every summer when he holed himself up for three days, drank himself into oblivion, and recalled what had taken place, but no more. It was in the past, and he was here now, doing the job he loved. He had a great apartment, a fancy car, and he had friends of all walks of life, in the fashion field, actresses, actors, singers, the whole gamut of celebrity was his playground, and he was definitely okay with this.
His thoughts wandered to Ohio, wondering how Finn and Rachel and his nieces were doing, whether or not Santana really was going to make her own life change and come out to Hollywood to try her hand at acting, and how Mr. Schuester was doing now that he and Miss Pillsbury had divorced.
His thoughts were broken by the sound of the elevator shaft.
He knew that it was either the night janitor, Hank, or his boss, and he was willing to bet good money it was Irene Hill, his boss and famous fashion designer, owner of Hill’s House of Fashion. Kurt had barely gotten into Los Angeles when he was getting coffee and he literally ran into Irene Hill and her assistant Morgan. As he was helping them pick up fabric swatches he commented on one of the designs that had fallen from Morgan’s hand.
You know, purple is really last season. Magenta and more pinkish colors would look better on that skirt.
Irene had raised an eyebrow, looked at the design,asked Kurt to show her which color and laid it over the skirt.
She grinned, handed it to Morgan, and clapped Kurt on the back.
So, who are you, and tell me you don’t work for one of my competitors.
I’m Kurt Hummel and I just arrived here from Ohio.
So, Kurt Hummel, how would you like to come to my office and audition.
What exactly am I auditioning for?
Well, Morgan here is wonderful, but I really need to find someone who can work with my models, make them feel special and tell them they are beautiful, amazing, spectacular.
So you want me to babysit a bunch of models?
Well that’s what you’d start out doing, but you clearly have an eye for fashion, as shown when you boldly told me my design sucked, and based on what you’re wearing right now.
Well, that is what I went to college for.
Really? Where did you attend?
I started out at NYADA, but I found my true love for fashion designing, and I ended up transferring to Parsons. I just graduated a few months ago.
Really? You graduated from Parsons?
I did.
Well, I’m impressed, that is a great college, some of my best interns went there, of course they all left for competitors or became famous fashion designers themselves, not that I’m bitter or anything. Anyway, are you interested in the job?
I am definitely interested.
Great, well, if you do a good job, I’d even be willing to look at a few of your sketches.
Kurt chuckled as he thought back to that fateful day seven years ago when he a brand new Ohio transplant in Los Angeles had met his boss and changed his life forever, simply by commenting on the color purple.
Irene stepped off the elevator,
“I should have known you would be here, Kurt.”
“Yeah, well, what are you doing here on a Friday night? Morgan told me you had a date.”
“Well that date turned out to be someone pitching the idea for designer crotchless panties. It lasted all of five minutes before I simply stood up and walked away. Too bad though, because he was hot and I haven’t been laid in so long.”
“I have told you plenty of times before, if you want to have sex, then have sex. You don’t need to do dates and relationships to get that.”
“I’m sorry, Kurt, but not all of us can shut our hearts down. I want to have sex with someone I love and that loves me. I just didn’t think it would be this hard to find someone willing to put up with the long hours, and demands that comes with me having to work so much.”
Irene put down her bag of food on one of the work tables and looked out the window.
Kurt knew she was thinking about her ex-husband, who left her after she had left the design house she had worked for to start her own fashion house. The stress of the long hours, and financial worries had caused him to leave her and since then she had tried valiantly to date and move on with her life, but guy after guy wandered through, and Kurt knew she was getting desperate because she wanted to be married and have a family and at the age of thirty seven, she was sure that those days of opportunity were fast coming to a close.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
“Just thinking about him again, wondering if he’s enjoying his new life with his new schoolteacher girlfriend.”
“Are you stalking him now?”
“No, Kara was on Facebook the other day and told me he changed his relationship status to “in a relationship. She’s the one who went and found out that her name is Heather and she’s a special education teacher.”
“Can you please explain to me why your sister is still friends with your ex-husband?”
“They were friends even before we started da ting. They knew each other from college, and he came home randomly one weekend, which he later admitted was to get into her pants, and we met, and it was like fate.”
“So Kara and Matt had a thing?’
“No, Kara was with Stewart, Matt had a thing for her, but he claims after he met me, he knew instantly that I was the one. Of course, seeing as he left me three years after we were married, because I decided my life and needs were more important than his, I’m pretty sure that was a lie.”
Kurt tried to quell the bitterness he felt bubbling in his chest, because he loved Irene, he really did, but right now her woe is me attitude did little to cease the raging torrid that had been building and swirling in him all day.
“Well at least you got three years with him. That’s more than I got.”
“Kurt…”
“I’m sorry, Irene, that was uncalled for.”
“You don’t have to apologize, Kurt. I know what this weekend is and I’m sorry I was being insensitive.”
“It’s been seven years, why can’t I let it go?”
“Because our situations are completely different, Kurt. “
Kurt just sighed and dropped his pencil.
“Well, another design done that no one will probably ever wear.”
“Have you ever thought of expanding and trying something new?”
“Like what?”
“Like maybe designing a men’s line, or a maternity line. Something that will push you to become better.”
“I have no interest in designing clothing for men. The clothes that the common man buys you can get any large chain department store, and I don’t wish to have my name associated with that.”
Irene just chuckled and finished eating her sandwich.
“So what are your plans for the rest of the night?’
“I don’t know. Harris invited me to a party, but I think I’m just going to go back eat my ice cream, drink some alcohol and fall into a stupor until Monday.”
“As lovely as that sounds, you really should go to that party. We are paying Harris a half million dollars for our newest ad campaign, and I really would like him to stay sober and out of trouble while we’re working with him.”
“I really hate that you still have me babysitting childish models.”
“But you are so good at it, Kurt, plus Harris is good looking, and I know he’s been eyeing you since he got here. Go have fun, aren’t you the one who said sex was supposed to be just fun, without strings attached?”
“Fine, but only because I don’t want to lose my job or cost the company that much money.”
Kurt threw his coffee in the trash, kissed Irene’s cheek on the way out the door and called a cab to take him to the beach party.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Irene watched as Kurt left and sighed, she felt terrible for Kurt. He had been working for her for barely a month, before he bounded into the fashion house with a large coffee for her and some great news.
His boyfriend, Blaine Anderson, the love of his life, the apple of his eye, and extremely talented singer, was coming to visit him. Blaine was in between his junior and senior year at NYADA, and had agreed to an impromptu vacation, where he’d visit Los Angeles, hang out with his hot and newly employed fashion designer boyfriend, and they’d have an entire week to themselves in Blaine’s fancy hotel room, courtesy of Irene and her hopeless romantic heart.
She had been sitting in her office watching some soap operas, creating a dress for Jessica Alba to wear to an awards ceremony, when the news broke in to say that there had been an accident, a plane carrying 150 passengers from LaGuardia to LAX had crashed on take off, killing all 150 on board.
Irene instantly checked the itinerary for that day and blanched when she realized Blaine had been or was supposed to be on that flight.
She called Kurt instantly into her office and told him to sit down. He watched the news and fell out of the chair on his knees.
He trembled as his fingers fumbled for the keys, trying to see through his tears.
He called Blaine’s roommate, who confirmed he had gotten on his flight, and he promptly started wailing.
William, his roommate, asked what was wrong and Irene took the phone from Kurt’s fingers.
“Hello, William, this is Irene Hill from Hill’s House of Fashion. I’m Kurt’s boss. I’m so sorry to have interrupted your day like this. We just found out via the news that the airplane Blaine was on, crashed into the Mississippi River, and no one aboard survived. Yes of course, I understand, yes I will do that. Thank you.”
Irene sank to the floor next to Kurt and held him.
“William said he’d inform Blaine’s parents and that he’s so sorry. If you need anything he’ll be waiting by the phone.”
Kurt sat in silence staring blankly at the wall.
“You know the walls are really dingy in here, you should ask your cleaning people to clean them.”
“Kurt…”
Kurt shrugged her off and stood up,
“I’ve got to go.”
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know, I just can’t stay here right now.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, I really don’t.”
Kurt spit the words out like they were venom on his tongue.
Irene simply nodded and got up as well,
“If you need me to do anything just let me know, Kurt.”
“Really? So you’d be willing to call Blaine’s parents and tell them that their son is dead and that I’m the reason, because I insisted he come to Los Angeles for a week to see me? Or maybe you can call my parents and friends and explain that hey, your son Kurt was responsible for the death of the man he loved.”
“You are not responsible for Blaine’s death, Kurt. Accidents happen, this was an accident.”
“I don’t want to hear that right now, okay? The man I had hoped I would spend the rest of my life with, right now is somewhere in the Mississippi River, dead. “
“Kurt, please.”
“Please, what? I can’t deal with you right now, Irene. I can’t deal with anything. I just want to go back to Ohio and turn back the clock and none of this happened. I would give up everything just to have Blaine alive and well. That’s what I need from you, and you can’t give me that. So forgive me if I feel the need to be alone right now. At least in the silence I can think about Blaine and the memories we shared, instead of listening to incessant chattering from people trying to tell me it’s not my fault or cheer me up. I don’t fucking want that. I just want to be left alone, okay?’
“Fine. “
Kurt turned around and stormed out of the fashion house.
Irene and Morgan both sat in her office and cried as they knew Kurt was hurting and that there was nothing either of them could or say to make it any better.
That was the day that had changed everything for Kurt and even for Irene. It wasn’t even two months later that Matt had left her, and there they were Kurt and Irene, both grieving. It solidified their friendship and helped them through the most difficult times in their lives.
Irene picked up her phone and called the one person she knew could help Kurt out his funk. His sister-in-law slash best friend slash mortal enemy, Rachel Berry Hudson.
“Hello, darling. How is Los Angeles?”
“Hello, Rachel. Los Angeles is the same as it always is in June. Hot, smoggy, and filled with tourists.”
“So what do I owe this pleasure to, isn’t it almost eleven p.m. there?”
“Kurt.”
“I should’ve known. So what has he done now?”
“Nothing, and that worries me. He’s so wrapped up in himself and the anniversary of Blaine’s death, and I’m worried about him. Rachel, he hasn’t been on an actual date since he died, and he claims his relationship with Scotty, is just physical, but I don’t think Scotty sees it that way.”
“I know. He hasn’t been back here since the funeral, and everytime Finn or I suggest visiting and seeing his nieces, he just shuts down.”
“But what about Carole and Burt?”
“Kurt has this notion in his head that if he doesn’t ever go back to Lima, he’ll never see Blaine’s grave, and if he never sees his grave, it means he’s not really gone.”
“That cannot be healthy.”
“I know, but this is Kurt we’re talking about. In high school he refused to acknowledge that Elizabeth Taylor died, so that she would always stay alive.”
“Kurt cannot stay in Los Angeles the rest of his life, he needs to take a break.”
“What do you suggest?”
“I don’t know, something to get his mind off Blaine and get him living life again.”
Rachel sighed,
“I swear to God that finding dress pants to fit Finn is like trying to find a unicorn. They are either way too big and the right length, or way too short, but fit right.”
“Oh my God, Rachel Berry. Has anyone ever told you that you’re amazing?”
“Yes, but it always helps to hear that.”
“You really are. I know how I can get Kurt to Lima.”
“Really? Pray tell.”
“I tell Kurt that I want a new men’s line, for big and tall men. It’s perfect. I already have all these other lines, this will just be an added bonus, and I’ll insist that Kurt go find an “everyman” to be his model, and then he can go create to his heart content. Of course he’ll have to find an “everyman” in Ohio, because really, not too many of them in Los Angeles.”
“You are a sneaky genius, Irene.”
“Well, I do have my moments. Okay, so I’m going to drop the bombshell tomorrow. Expect a Mr. Kurt Hummel in Lima by Monday morning.”
Irene hung the phone up and started making phone calls to her fabric suppliers, if she was going to have a new line, it would be done right.
As she closed up her design house for the night, she wondered if Kurt would hate her forever, but thought back to the time when her husband had left her, and how she wished that she had had somebody around to do that for her.
The next morning came way too early for Kurt, he had fallen asleep quickly after downing some tequila and some Jack Daniels. His head burned and he felt his head spinning as his bed started to vibrate.
He felt around for his phone, ready to kill whoever it was on the other end of the line.
“What do you want?”
“Wow, Kurt, you’re so pleasant.”
Kurt groaned as he realized it was his boss.
“Sorry, Irene, terrible hangover, what can I do for you?”
“I know it’s your day off, but I have so exciting news and need to speak with you today. Can you be here in an hour?”
“Make it two. I need to get a shower and to get over this hangover.”
Kurt felt a knot in the pit of his stomach, whenever Irene called him with good news, it usually meant wonderful, amazing news for her, and something that Kurt would end up later regretting and hating.
Kurt thought about last night and how he hadn’t had his recurring dream about Blaine last night. Each year on the anniversary of his death he dreamed about standing in front of the old oak tree in his front yard at home, where KH and BA were carved into the tree. That was one of the few memories Kurt ever allowed himself to have.
He shrugged off the memory and got ready to go in to work.
As he stepped off the elevator he saw Morgan and the other interns running around grabbing fabric samples and sketches.
“What in the hell is going on, Irene? It’s a Saturday morning. We are never this busy on a Saturday unless it’s fashion week.”
“Kurt, so glad you’re here. Come into my office.”
Kurt never got called into her office and he stood rooted in place.
“Umm, I’m not sure I want to do that, Irene.”
“Well, I’ll either tell you out here or in private, where you can actually process the information.”
“I’m going to have to process this?”
“I would imagine so, yes.”
Kurt begrudgingly followed her in and flopped into one of her chairs,
“So drop the bombshell, Irene. I know I’m not in here to gush about you getting laid last night.”
“You never know, I could’ve had hot sex with the night janitor.”
“Considering he’s 60 and married to your housekeeper, I doubt it.”
“Right, well, I just got off the phone with my investors. And they and I think it’s time for us to branch out.”
“Branch out?”
“Yep. We’d like to start a fashion line for men.”
“We already have a fashion line for men. It’s doing well.”
“Well this line would be for a specific kind of man. We’d like to get into the big and tall market.”
“You want to start a fashion line for big and tall men?”
“Yes, and seeing as you are my top designer right now, I’d like you to be the designer.”
“You’re giving me my own line? What’s the catch, Irene?”
“The catch is that the investors believe that we should target a specific audience and clientele. And that clientele is not in Los Angeles.”
“So, you’re basically saying I get my own fashion line if I’m willing to move.”
“Basically, yes. But not just move anywhere. They believe that the “everyman” they are looking for is most likely found in Ohio.”
“No, Irene.”
“Well, it’s either design more dresses that celebrities will only ever wear once, or creating your own fashion lone and becoming a household name.”
“I’m not moving back to Lima.”
“Are you absolutely sure you’re willing to give up this opportunity? Did I mention you get a company car, a house, and a very generous bonus if you finish the line by fashion week?”
“How much of a bonus?”
“We’re talking six figures, Kurt.”
“And all I have to do is move to Lima, get inspiration for the line, create a few pieces for fashion week, and then I can come back to Los Angeles?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. But, and this is a huge but, if I feel at all pressured into talking about my feelings about Blaine or being forced to open up my heart, then I’m coming back and your precious line can go fuck itself.”
“Fair enough, we’ll have the model you choose sign a contract with that written in. You should go home and pack your plane leaves in two hours. Good luck, Kurt.”
Irene hugged him, kissed him on the cheek and handed him his boarding pass.
She sighed as Kurt walked out. She prayed that this intervention worked, because she needed the vibrant, bitchy, amazing Kurt back.
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