Fic: Once Upon A Future (5/?)
Title: Once Upon A Future (5/?)
Author: tomatoe18
Rating: PG-13 [this chapter]
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Dave Karofsky/Kurt Hummel, Rachel Berry, some OCs
Genre: Future fic, romance, drama, fluff.
Warnings: None.
Spoilers: all of Glee season 1 and 2, probably AU after season 2.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any of its characters. I also don't own any recognizable names or brands that make an appearance in this work of fanfiction. This fanfiction is not made for profit.
Summary: Dave and Kurt find each other again after a 10-year separation.
Author's Notes: Apologies for not updating sooner. Game of Thrones and Ryan Gosling got in the way. | This chapter is Kurt's POV of what happens in the previous part. | Again, apologies for Kurt's behavior in this chapter. Feel free to figuratively pinch him for me. But things will be better in the next part, which I promise won't take another week to post.
Previous parts: One | Two | Three | Four
*
AUGUST
Kurt's New York
"Oh my god, David!" Rachel's shrieks incredulously. "I don't believe it... it is you."
'Oh my god' is correct. Kurt has no idea how else he can describe what's happening. One minute he's walking with Rachel, talking to her about the latest Parisian fashion that's going to be launched in the fall, and the next he's hearing someone say "Karofsky" and he just freezes.
He thought it would be a repeat of Paris, where he hears David's name in a conversation between people who happen to be Dave's friend like Tom Andrews. But when Rachel, too, freezes beside him, Kurt instantly knows that what's happening now is not like what happened in Paris. Especially because oh my god, David Karofsky is standing there right in front of their eyes and he lost all ability to think rationally.
Rachel is saying something to David and the two of them are having an actual conversation... something about David being alive?
Well, as Kurt takes in the sight of his high school friend, his mind comes to the conclusion that yes, David Karofsky is alive and wow, he is looking damn fine.
As a teenager, Kurt remembers him being unable to live without his letterman jacket. High school David seemed to have worn the jacket like an armor - it was a shield between him and the world outside. For a time, it was also a shield between him and Kurt as well. But then, as they gradually became friends, Kurt also learned that Dave was simply a genuinely lazy guy when it came to dressing up - such a BOY he was - so he wore the letterman in order to not have to worry about changing his looks.
And the teenage Dave, despite being able to pass for an adult than most of his friends, was still very much a boy: his youthful face was relatively free of facial hair most of the time, his football and hockey-toned physique still carried a bit of pudge, and his cheeks were round and adorably chubby. Kurt had once used these against him in a verbal sparring once upon a lifetime ago but of course he hadn't meant it. He ended up loving all of Dave's physical qualities as much as he did Dave's personal traits because that was what usually happened when people became really good friends and, later on, boyfriends (not that they ever made it official) with one another.
But now... Kurt couldn't even begin to compare the teenage Dave to the adult one. The difference is just too big. Gone was the boy David Karofsky was, that much was obvious, and in his place is a whole new man.
For one, the David that's standing in front of him right now dresses infinitely better. He looks casual and yet still very stylish in an understated way. A lot of guys Kurt knows - models, fashionistas, New York metrosexuals - put in a lot of effort to look good, but David looks like he just throws something together and ends up with something that GQ fashion editors would salivate over. His grey shirt (a Zegna; Kurt knows this because he modeled the very same thing last spring) goes well with the large but quite form-fitting Armani jacket and the pair of obviously well-worn pair of dark jeans. Everything is designed to showcase his tall, muscular frame and give the world the impression that the wearer is a man who takes care of himself but not obsessed about his looks. It's highly attractive and Kurt's heart does a little somersault.
And speaking of David's height and shape, is it just him or did Dave put on some more inches and some more bulk in those arms and pecs? He is definitely bigger now than Kurt ever remembers him being and Kurt has no idea if David had a late growth spurt in his early 20s or if it's just been that long since they last saw each other. Perhaps it's a combination of both but Kurt certainly appreciates his new stature. Also, that five o'clock shadow? Kurt will never say it aloud to anyone but he likes it. He is even spelling y-u-m-m-y in his head right now.
David suddenly hugs Rachel and lifts her off the ground. Kurt doubts the guy even knows what he's doing. Sure, Rachel may be small but she's not that small... yet David picks her up easily, as if she weighs nothing. And when he puts her back on the ground, he does it gently. As soon as Rachel is back on her feet, David's face is split by the most massive grin Kurt has ever seen him wear on his face.
Oh, sweet Dolce, what it must feel like to be engulfed in David's arms?
Stunned by the sheer giddiness on David's face, Kurt almost misses his next words. It takes him a while to shake off his astonishment but he finally manages to catch David saying, "I'm still alive."
Rachel says something obvious in response but then she turns back to Kurt and gestures him to come forward. He does so automatically because... well, what else can he do?
He comes standing close enough for David to hug him and he waits for it... and waits... and continues to wait until he realizes, a few seconds later, that Dave is not going to hug him. Why is he not hugging him? Kurt is his old friend, too, isn't he? He was closer as a friend to David than Rachel ever was and... he's not getting a hug?
Too distraught by the thought that David doesn't consider him close enough of an old friend to be getting a hug, once again Kurt struggles to catch what Rachel says next. But then he hears David saying, "Whoa, what is this business with me being alive?"
Suddenly Kurt feels like slapping the man then and there. He clenches his fist to refrain from doing so and sniffs as he answers the big lug, "Don't blame people for speculating, Karofsky. You disappeared from all social networking media platforms after second year of college and lost touch with all of us eight years ago. There have been two reunions - one of the glee club only and another of the whole school - since then and you never showed. What were we supposed to think, David?"
Internally, Kurt winces. He doesn't mean to sound like a prissy bitch but apparently David's presence there is enough to make his brain forget to control his tongue.
More conversation ensues and through it all Kurt's brain can only chant: why, why, why, why, why are you not hugging me, David?
It's not until a chorus of indignant "HEY!" from the sidelines that comes from two equally tall, equally good-looking men that Kurt starts paying attention again. Putting his gaydar to work, Kurt tries to discern whether they are gay and involved with David or not but the Hummel gaydar is not ringing with alarm. Relaxing slightly, he watches as the shorter of the men, whose longish shaggy brown hair is admittedly rather attractive in that hipster kind of way, tell David in a thick British accent, "We heard that, you sod."
A moment later, David explains, "Oliver Blake and Gunnar Larsson, my friends, business partners and all-around slave drivers. We just finished dinner."
Ah. Tilting his chin up in acknowledgment, Kurt is feeling a lot more gracious as he says, "Well, we were about to go inside and have dinner. It's a pity that you finished already. We would've loved to have you join us."
Actually, no, Kurt wouldn't have loved for David to join him and Rachel. No matter how happy Rachel is about seeing David again after all these years, Kurt is not ready to sit down and talk to him about anything. His brain is barely functioning and he's in danger of sporting a hard-on for this brand new David Karofsky in the middle of a freaking Manhattan street. He'll not survive further reunion moments that evening if this is to continue beyond the street. He needs a moment to calm down.
Luckily, Rachel deflects the invitation and comes up with another one instead. Kurt half-hears her suggesting about the three of them getting together someday to catch up. Standing next to her and still unable to do anything much other than stare at David, Kurt lets them make all the arrangements. Before he knows it, a business card is being placed in his hands. Kurt glances down at it and sees only David's name and a jumble of numbers.
Oh, wow. I tracked down David's business acquaintance halfway around the world... only to meet the man himself a month later and get all three of his contact numbers, Kurt thinks inanely.
Then: "All right. Enjoy your dinner, guys. Talk to you soon?"
Suddenly realizing that the conversation is ending and fearing that he'll miss a moment where he can touch David, Kurt mindlessly spurs into action. He raises his hand, extend it toward David and says, "Good evening, David. It's been nice running into you."
And David just stares at his raised hand for the longest time. Or, well, it feels like a long time because Kurt is busy trembling on the inside, crushed at the way David is not responding to him the way he did to Rachel. He doesn't get it - why is David acting like a total stranger to Kurt when they used to be such close friends? He tries not to crumble into tears the way he used to do so easily when he was a young kid of 16 but the way David is acting toward him makes him want to embrace his 16-year-old self once more and just bawl his eyes out.
Finally, though, David takes his hand in his. But since it's obvious the man doesn't want to touch him unnecessarily, Kurt lets go of his hand as soon as they exchange a couple of weak pumps.
Feeling out of sorts, Kurt steps back to put some distance between them. David says something else but Kurt is no longer listening. He lets Rachel says all the goodbyes - especially since it seems that David is more comfortable talking to Rachel anyway - and Kurt focuses on staring at the pavement beneath his Ferragamo boots. He doesn't look up again until David starts walking away from the restaurant.
*
A minute later, the reality of what just occurred hits Kurt like a moving freight truck.
Not only David Karofsky is alive and well and extremely good-looking, but he's also in New York. Seeing as he's dressed for a night out in New York, does that mean he's been here for a while? If yes, how long? Was he already here when Kurt came home from Paris for a spell last May? Was he here when Kurt went for his annual health check-up after London and before Milan? Did he arrive at the same time Kurt did earlier this month after yet another long sojourn in Europe?
The curiosity burning in head almost prompts him to call out David's name once again and ask him the when, the how and the why. His feet shake with the urge to run and grab the former Neanderthal by the shoulders, shake him and shout at him for not telling Kurt that he's now working and living in the same city as Kurt is. He wants to slap him for not keeping in touch… and, most importantly, he wants to ask him if what they had together, once upon a long time go, was ever real.
But of course he doesn't. He's Kurt Hummel. He's a master of building solid walls of calm and impenetrable masks of cool. Days when anyone could make him cry at the drop of a kind word or a hurtful phrase are long gone. Kurt had consciously dropped any kind of emotion the day he landed in New York in the summer of 2012. He left his young, outwardly dramatic self back in Lima. Instead, he now dramatizes his life internally. Working everything in his head until he exhausts himself thinking. So even though he wants very badly to reach out to David, he doesn't.
He turns around instead and meets Rachel's searching gaze with a calm one of his own. He offers her his arm and asks, "Well, shall we go inside?"
Rachel doesn't immediately take the offer but after spending a moment to look at Kurt with a sharp, penetrating gaze, she finally links her arm to his. Together, they walk toward the door where both of their managers and Rachel's body guards are waiting by the entrance.
Kurt hopes no one in their entourage would question the impromptu reunion they just had with David. But, really, he should've known better. Carl is grinning when he sees them approach and as soon as Kurt is within speaking distance, he fires off the first inquiry.
"Who's that?" he asks. "He looks kind of familiar but I can't remember where I've seen him."
Rachel doesn't answer. She nudges Kurt to indicate that he should answer Carl instead. Sighing, Kurt says, "An old friend. We haven't seen each other for 10 years. The last time we saw each other was in our hometown, shortly after graduation."
"That's a long time," Carl replies as he opens the door for them. They file inside and Rachel lets go of Kurt momentarily so they can take off their jackets. Her manager, Carmen Vega, goes to the maitre d' to check on their reservation. As their names are being checked in the restaurant's system, Carl continues, "Is he from Lima?"
"Yes," Rachel answers excitedly. "He was in our glee club. His voice is amazing. He could've gone to Broadway as well, if he were musically ambitious. But he was also a football player. But now it seems that he's something else entirely."
Rachel holds up the business card that David had given them earlier and shows it to Carl. It's only then that Kurt remembers that he also got one. Pulling it out of his pocket, he finally reads what's written on it carefully.
David Karofsky
D.O.G. House FX
Chief Software Developer
Below the name and the company's name, there are three phone numbers - a mobile phone number and two landlines - and a fax number. His email address is an echo of what's written above: d.karofsky@doghouse.fx. At the bottom, the company's website URL is printed in bold letters.
Software developer? Kurt's eyebrows rise at the title. He's more than a little surprised that David chose to apply his numerical genius to work with computers - this choice of career never came up in their conversations in high school - but now that he knows, he can easily picture David doing that.
Something else that David said is also now ringing in his ears. Earlier, David had said, "That's Oliver Blake and Gunnar Larsson, my friends, business partners and all-around slave drivers." Business partners imply that David has put his own capital in this venture. And D.O.G. is obviously an abbreviation of the initials of their first names - David, Oliver, Gunnar - so the trio must have started their company together. Kurt can't help but be impressed. David seems to be doing all right for himself these days.
A whistle from Carl draws Kurt's attention. His manager is staring at the card in awe. Then he looks up and says to Rachel, "Wow. Your friend is one of the guys from DOG House?"
"What exactly is DOG House?" Rachel asks.
"It's a special effects company, like ILM, but a lot smaller and relatively new. It was established last year here in New York by these three guys, of whom your friend is apparently one of them, who used to work in Double Negative, a London-based special effects company," Carl explains as he thumbs the business card. "DOG House is rising really fast because they have this amazing, state-of-the-art software that I heard has been doing wonders for digital special effects in both 2D and 3D movies. They say the engineer is a genius…"
Eyes widening, Carl then says, "Oh wow. Your friend David Karofsky is that genius, isn't he?"
Rachel shakes her head uncertainly. "I'm not sure."
"It says here he's the Chief Software Developer. That must be him!"
"OK, I knew Dave was smart," Rachel chuckles, "but genius?"
"He hid a lot of his intelligence back in high school, Rachel," Kurt cuts in, perhaps a little more forcefully and defensively than he intended. So he softens the blow, explaining, "He was hiding a lot of himself back then… you know that. Of course it shouldn't be a stretch if he turns out to be a very smart computer geek."
Thankfully, Rachel's not offended and even starts to laugh. "You're probably right. We didn't even know he could sing if Finn, Puck and Santana didn't threaten to lock him up in a port-a-potty for the whole night if he didn't audition for glee club."
"Well, if it's true that your friend is the genius who develops the software for DOG House," Carl interjects, "then kudos to him. Rumor has it Michael Bay, among others, desperately wants to work with the company. He's got a bright future ahead of him... that is, if he can stand working with a bitch like Bay."
Giggling, Rachel winks at Kurt and says, "Oh, don't worry. David gives as good as he gets. We both know from experience."
Amused, Carl challenges, "Really?"
At this Kurt lets out the diva sniff again and says, "Yes, really. Like I said, he was in the glee club with me and Rachel. If he survived the both of us at the same time, then he can survive anything."
Carl laughs. "I'd really love to meet this guy and get some more stories of your high school years from him."
"Perfect!" Rachel chirps. "We really need to plan that party for David so we can catch up with--"
"A party, Rachel?" Kurt cringes. "Have mercy on the poor man. Let's start with something simple… like perhaps a dinner out in town?"
Rachel shrugs. "Party, dinner, high tea… whatever. Anyway, do you think you can clear Kurt's schedule and coordinate with Carmen to give both of us a free day or a free weekend sometime soon?"
"Sure," Carl replies. "I'll take care of it. But not until early September, I'm afraid."
Yes, make it Early September next year, Kurt wants to say.
Then he mentally slaps himself for even thinking such a thing. Didn't he just go through an intense moment of curious longing several minutes earlier? He wants to talk and catch up with David. He's not afraid of meeting him again and talk about what they've been missing from each other's lives in the past ten years. He's really not.
Unfortunately, the butterflies in his stomach say otherwise. They don't go away even long after Kurt finishes dinner, parts way with Rachel and their colleagues, and twists and fists David's business card until it resembles a small crooked ball of crumpled paper.
To be continued
Author: tomatoe18
Rating: PG-13 [this chapter]
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Dave Karofsky/Kurt Hummel, Rachel Berry, some OCs
Genre: Future fic, romance, drama, fluff.
Warnings: None.
Spoilers: all of Glee season 1 and 2, probably AU after season 2.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or any of its characters. I also don't own any recognizable names or brands that make an appearance in this work of fanfiction. This fanfiction is not made for profit.
Summary: Dave and Kurt find each other again after a 10-year separation.
Author's Notes: Apologies for not updating sooner. Game of Thrones and Ryan Gosling got in the way. | This chapter is Kurt's POV of what happens in the previous part. | Again, apologies for Kurt's behavior in this chapter. Feel free to figuratively pinch him for me. But things will be better in the next part, which I promise won't take another week to post.
Previous parts: One | Two | Three | Four
*
AUGUST
Kurt's New York
"Oh my god, David!" Rachel's shrieks incredulously. "I don't believe it... it is you."
'Oh my god' is correct. Kurt has no idea how else he can describe what's happening. One minute he's walking with Rachel, talking to her about the latest Parisian fashion that's going to be launched in the fall, and the next he's hearing someone say "Karofsky" and he just freezes.
He thought it would be a repeat of Paris, where he hears David's name in a conversation between people who happen to be Dave's friend like Tom Andrews. But when Rachel, too, freezes beside him, Kurt instantly knows that what's happening now is not like what happened in Paris. Especially because oh my god, David Karofsky is standing there right in front of their eyes and he lost all ability to think rationally.
Rachel is saying something to David and the two of them are having an actual conversation... something about David being alive?
Well, as Kurt takes in the sight of his high school friend, his mind comes to the conclusion that yes, David Karofsky is alive and wow, he is looking damn fine.
As a teenager, Kurt remembers him being unable to live without his letterman jacket. High school David seemed to have worn the jacket like an armor - it was a shield between him and the world outside. For a time, it was also a shield between him and Kurt as well. But then, as they gradually became friends, Kurt also learned that Dave was simply a genuinely lazy guy when it came to dressing up - such a BOY he was - so he wore the letterman in order to not have to worry about changing his looks.
And the teenage Dave, despite being able to pass for an adult than most of his friends, was still very much a boy: his youthful face was relatively free of facial hair most of the time, his football and hockey-toned physique still carried a bit of pudge, and his cheeks were round and adorably chubby. Kurt had once used these against him in a verbal sparring once upon a lifetime ago but of course he hadn't meant it. He ended up loving all of Dave's physical qualities as much as he did Dave's personal traits because that was what usually happened when people became really good friends and, later on, boyfriends (not that they ever made it official) with one another.
But now... Kurt couldn't even begin to compare the teenage Dave to the adult one. The difference is just too big. Gone was the boy David Karofsky was, that much was obvious, and in his place is a whole new man.
For one, the David that's standing in front of him right now dresses infinitely better. He looks casual and yet still very stylish in an understated way. A lot of guys Kurt knows - models, fashionistas, New York metrosexuals - put in a lot of effort to look good, but David looks like he just throws something together and ends up with something that GQ fashion editors would salivate over. His grey shirt (a Zegna; Kurt knows this because he modeled the very same thing last spring) goes well with the large but quite form-fitting Armani jacket and the pair of obviously well-worn pair of dark jeans. Everything is designed to showcase his tall, muscular frame and give the world the impression that the wearer is a man who takes care of himself but not obsessed about his looks. It's highly attractive and Kurt's heart does a little somersault.
And speaking of David's height and shape, is it just him or did Dave put on some more inches and some more bulk in those arms and pecs? He is definitely bigger now than Kurt ever remembers him being and Kurt has no idea if David had a late growth spurt in his early 20s or if it's just been that long since they last saw each other. Perhaps it's a combination of both but Kurt certainly appreciates his new stature. Also, that five o'clock shadow? Kurt will never say it aloud to anyone but he likes it. He is even spelling y-u-m-m-y in his head right now.
David suddenly hugs Rachel and lifts her off the ground. Kurt doubts the guy even knows what he's doing. Sure, Rachel may be small but she's not that small... yet David picks her up easily, as if she weighs nothing. And when he puts her back on the ground, he does it gently. As soon as Rachel is back on her feet, David's face is split by the most massive grin Kurt has ever seen him wear on his face.
Oh, sweet Dolce, what it must feel like to be engulfed in David's arms?
Stunned by the sheer giddiness on David's face, Kurt almost misses his next words. It takes him a while to shake off his astonishment but he finally manages to catch David saying, "I'm still alive."
Rachel says something obvious in response but then she turns back to Kurt and gestures him to come forward. He does so automatically because... well, what else can he do?
He comes standing close enough for David to hug him and he waits for it... and waits... and continues to wait until he realizes, a few seconds later, that Dave is not going to hug him. Why is he not hugging him? Kurt is his old friend, too, isn't he? He was closer as a friend to David than Rachel ever was and... he's not getting a hug?
Too distraught by the thought that David doesn't consider him close enough of an old friend to be getting a hug, once again Kurt struggles to catch what Rachel says next. But then he hears David saying, "Whoa, what is this business with me being alive?"
Suddenly Kurt feels like slapping the man then and there. He clenches his fist to refrain from doing so and sniffs as he answers the big lug, "Don't blame people for speculating, Karofsky. You disappeared from all social networking media platforms after second year of college and lost touch with all of us eight years ago. There have been two reunions - one of the glee club only and another of the whole school - since then and you never showed. What were we supposed to think, David?"
Internally, Kurt winces. He doesn't mean to sound like a prissy bitch but apparently David's presence there is enough to make his brain forget to control his tongue.
More conversation ensues and through it all Kurt's brain can only chant: why, why, why, why, why are you not hugging me, David?
It's not until a chorus of indignant "HEY!" from the sidelines that comes from two equally tall, equally good-looking men that Kurt starts paying attention again. Putting his gaydar to work, Kurt tries to discern whether they are gay and involved with David or not but the Hummel gaydar is not ringing with alarm. Relaxing slightly, he watches as the shorter of the men, whose longish shaggy brown hair is admittedly rather attractive in that hipster kind of way, tell David in a thick British accent, "We heard that, you sod."
A moment later, David explains, "Oliver Blake and Gunnar Larsson, my friends, business partners and all-around slave drivers. We just finished dinner."
Ah. Tilting his chin up in acknowledgment, Kurt is feeling a lot more gracious as he says, "Well, we were about to go inside and have dinner. It's a pity that you finished already. We would've loved to have you join us."
Actually, no, Kurt wouldn't have loved for David to join him and Rachel. No matter how happy Rachel is about seeing David again after all these years, Kurt is not ready to sit down and talk to him about anything. His brain is barely functioning and he's in danger of sporting a hard-on for this brand new David Karofsky in the middle of a freaking Manhattan street. He'll not survive further reunion moments that evening if this is to continue beyond the street. He needs a moment to calm down.
Luckily, Rachel deflects the invitation and comes up with another one instead. Kurt half-hears her suggesting about the three of them getting together someday to catch up. Standing next to her and still unable to do anything much other than stare at David, Kurt lets them make all the arrangements. Before he knows it, a business card is being placed in his hands. Kurt glances down at it and sees only David's name and a jumble of numbers.
Oh, wow. I tracked down David's business acquaintance halfway around the world... only to meet the man himself a month later and get all three of his contact numbers, Kurt thinks inanely.
Then: "All right. Enjoy your dinner, guys. Talk to you soon?"
Suddenly realizing that the conversation is ending and fearing that he'll miss a moment where he can touch David, Kurt mindlessly spurs into action. He raises his hand, extend it toward David and says, "Good evening, David. It's been nice running into you."
And David just stares at his raised hand for the longest time. Or, well, it feels like a long time because Kurt is busy trembling on the inside, crushed at the way David is not responding to him the way he did to Rachel. He doesn't get it - why is David acting like a total stranger to Kurt when they used to be such close friends? He tries not to crumble into tears the way he used to do so easily when he was a young kid of 16 but the way David is acting toward him makes him want to embrace his 16-year-old self once more and just bawl his eyes out.
Finally, though, David takes his hand in his. But since it's obvious the man doesn't want to touch him unnecessarily, Kurt lets go of his hand as soon as they exchange a couple of weak pumps.
Feeling out of sorts, Kurt steps back to put some distance between them. David says something else but Kurt is no longer listening. He lets Rachel says all the goodbyes - especially since it seems that David is more comfortable talking to Rachel anyway - and Kurt focuses on staring at the pavement beneath his Ferragamo boots. He doesn't look up again until David starts walking away from the restaurant.
*
A minute later, the reality of what just occurred hits Kurt like a moving freight truck.
Not only David Karofsky is alive and well and extremely good-looking, but he's also in New York. Seeing as he's dressed for a night out in New York, does that mean he's been here for a while? If yes, how long? Was he already here when Kurt came home from Paris for a spell last May? Was he here when Kurt went for his annual health check-up after London and before Milan? Did he arrive at the same time Kurt did earlier this month after yet another long sojourn in Europe?
The curiosity burning in head almost prompts him to call out David's name once again and ask him the when, the how and the why. His feet shake with the urge to run and grab the former Neanderthal by the shoulders, shake him and shout at him for not telling Kurt that he's now working and living in the same city as Kurt is. He wants to slap him for not keeping in touch… and, most importantly, he wants to ask him if what they had together, once upon a long time go, was ever real.
But of course he doesn't. He's Kurt Hummel. He's a master of building solid walls of calm and impenetrable masks of cool. Days when anyone could make him cry at the drop of a kind word or a hurtful phrase are long gone. Kurt had consciously dropped any kind of emotion the day he landed in New York in the summer of 2012. He left his young, outwardly dramatic self back in Lima. Instead, he now dramatizes his life internally. Working everything in his head until he exhausts himself thinking. So even though he wants very badly to reach out to David, he doesn't.
He turns around instead and meets Rachel's searching gaze with a calm one of his own. He offers her his arm and asks, "Well, shall we go inside?"
Rachel doesn't immediately take the offer but after spending a moment to look at Kurt with a sharp, penetrating gaze, she finally links her arm to his. Together, they walk toward the door where both of their managers and Rachel's body guards are waiting by the entrance.
Kurt hopes no one in their entourage would question the impromptu reunion they just had with David. But, really, he should've known better. Carl is grinning when he sees them approach and as soon as Kurt is within speaking distance, he fires off the first inquiry.
"Who's that?" he asks. "He looks kind of familiar but I can't remember where I've seen him."
Rachel doesn't answer. She nudges Kurt to indicate that he should answer Carl instead. Sighing, Kurt says, "An old friend. We haven't seen each other for 10 years. The last time we saw each other was in our hometown, shortly after graduation."
"That's a long time," Carl replies as he opens the door for them. They file inside and Rachel lets go of Kurt momentarily so they can take off their jackets. Her manager, Carmen Vega, goes to the maitre d' to check on their reservation. As their names are being checked in the restaurant's system, Carl continues, "Is he from Lima?"
"Yes," Rachel answers excitedly. "He was in our glee club. His voice is amazing. He could've gone to Broadway as well, if he were musically ambitious. But he was also a football player. But now it seems that he's something else entirely."
Rachel holds up the business card that David had given them earlier and shows it to Carl. It's only then that Kurt remembers that he also got one. Pulling it out of his pocket, he finally reads what's written on it carefully.
David Karofsky
D.O.G. House FX
Chief Software Developer
Below the name and the company's name, there are three phone numbers - a mobile phone number and two landlines - and a fax number. His email address is an echo of what's written above: d.karofsky@doghouse.fx. At the bottom, the company's website URL is printed in bold letters.
Software developer? Kurt's eyebrows rise at the title. He's more than a little surprised that David chose to apply his numerical genius to work with computers - this choice of career never came up in their conversations in high school - but now that he knows, he can easily picture David doing that.
Something else that David said is also now ringing in his ears. Earlier, David had said, "That's Oliver Blake and Gunnar Larsson, my friends, business partners and all-around slave drivers." Business partners imply that David has put his own capital in this venture. And D.O.G. is obviously an abbreviation of the initials of their first names - David, Oliver, Gunnar - so the trio must have started their company together. Kurt can't help but be impressed. David seems to be doing all right for himself these days.
A whistle from Carl draws Kurt's attention. His manager is staring at the card in awe. Then he looks up and says to Rachel, "Wow. Your friend is one of the guys from DOG House?"
"What exactly is DOG House?" Rachel asks.
"It's a special effects company, like ILM, but a lot smaller and relatively new. It was established last year here in New York by these three guys, of whom your friend is apparently one of them, who used to work in Double Negative, a London-based special effects company," Carl explains as he thumbs the business card. "DOG House is rising really fast because they have this amazing, state-of-the-art software that I heard has been doing wonders for digital special effects in both 2D and 3D movies. They say the engineer is a genius…"
Eyes widening, Carl then says, "Oh wow. Your friend David Karofsky is that genius, isn't he?"
Rachel shakes her head uncertainly. "I'm not sure."
"It says here he's the Chief Software Developer. That must be him!"
"OK, I knew Dave was smart," Rachel chuckles, "but genius?"
"He hid a lot of his intelligence back in high school, Rachel," Kurt cuts in, perhaps a little more forcefully and defensively than he intended. So he softens the blow, explaining, "He was hiding a lot of himself back then… you know that. Of course it shouldn't be a stretch if he turns out to be a very smart computer geek."
Thankfully, Rachel's not offended and even starts to laugh. "You're probably right. We didn't even know he could sing if Finn, Puck and Santana didn't threaten to lock him up in a port-a-potty for the whole night if he didn't audition for glee club."
"Well, if it's true that your friend is the genius who develops the software for DOG House," Carl interjects, "then kudos to him. Rumor has it Michael Bay, among others, desperately wants to work with the company. He's got a bright future ahead of him... that is, if he can stand working with a bitch like Bay."
Giggling, Rachel winks at Kurt and says, "Oh, don't worry. David gives as good as he gets. We both know from experience."
Amused, Carl challenges, "Really?"
At this Kurt lets out the diva sniff again and says, "Yes, really. Like I said, he was in the glee club with me and Rachel. If he survived the both of us at the same time, then he can survive anything."
Carl laughs. "I'd really love to meet this guy and get some more stories of your high school years from him."
"Perfect!" Rachel chirps. "We really need to plan that party for David so we can catch up with--"
"A party, Rachel?" Kurt cringes. "Have mercy on the poor man. Let's start with something simple… like perhaps a dinner out in town?"
Rachel shrugs. "Party, dinner, high tea… whatever. Anyway, do you think you can clear Kurt's schedule and coordinate with Carmen to give both of us a free day or a free weekend sometime soon?"
"Sure," Carl replies. "I'll take care of it. But not until early September, I'm afraid."
Yes, make it Early September next year, Kurt wants to say.
Then he mentally slaps himself for even thinking such a thing. Didn't he just go through an intense moment of curious longing several minutes earlier? He wants to talk and catch up with David. He's not afraid of meeting him again and talk about what they've been missing from each other's lives in the past ten years. He's really not.
Unfortunately, the butterflies in his stomach say otherwise. They don't go away even long after Kurt finishes dinner, parts way with Rachel and their colleagues, and twists and fists David's business card until it resembles a small crooked ball of crumpled paper.
To be continued