Nov 20, 2012 18:21
Starlight
Fandom: Glee
Pairing: Klaine
Minor Pairings: Rachel & Greg
Rating: pg-13 (for now.) M later or.
Summary: Kurt is bored by his life. He had expected New York to offer more for poor students that could barely efford their apartment. So on a whim he decides to sneak into a Yacht club party with Rachel. Getting in with some difficulties, he gets to know Blaine Anderson. Blaine who is wealthy and a little too stiff. Afraid of rejection Kurt lies to him, saying he is a rich count and many more lies until he can´t turn back. Still, he shows Blaine how fun a carefree and troubleless lifestyle can be. Blaine asks him out after the Yacht Club party and Kurt agrees only to realize it´s hard to continue lying if he is supposed to keep up with Blaine´s high standart. But he´s not the only one who has secrets.
A/N: Inspired by Taylor Swifts new CD:Red. Especially the song: Starlight.
Still don´t quite know how LJ works. And the design is totally boring. But hey I hope you don´t care :D Please leave a comment if you liked it. :D or if you didn´t and why :D
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Laying awake in Rachel’s room, staring at the ceiling as his best friend hummed in her sleep, like only the true Rachel Berry would do, he realized something. Something that had never edged Kurt on until now, even if it seemed obvious as soon as he thought about it.
Life was boring.
This was supposed to be their summer. And now, after three weeks of watching Twilight, listening to Rachel’s countless solos she practiced in her room and the worst of all, total boyless, Kurt was bored. After escaping the hell town of Lima, where wearing a pink shirt as a boy was equals a social death sentence, he thought New York would be exciting. It wasn´t. Not after checking out some locations he had dreamed of visiting for years. Not after every bouncer send them away after reading their totally fake ID´s. Not after he had to comfort Rachel after she broke up with Finn.
The sole fact that the sun hadn´t set yet and they lay in bed was evidence enough that life was boring. Kurt sighed, running a hand through his short hair, letting himself wallow in self-pity just for a little while. He knew that in a few hours he had to be the supporting rock for one Rachel Berry, who would either cry or sing or be annoying. Sometimes, when she crossed some line, he was jealous of her. At least she had a love life to cry about. She even had had three boyfriends in the past three years, if you counted the stupid make-out session with Puck. Kurt had only Brittany, the armpit-addict and Karofsky, the closet case to mention. Neither of them had rocked his world just yet.
In nights like those, he liked to close his eyes and think about all the love stories his head could conjure, even if It hurt. Like crossing a boy singing on a street with his guitar every day, until this boy dedicated a love song just for him in front of the small crowd. Or sometimes just simple things like kissing on the top of a Ferris wheel in winter. Tonight though, closing his eyes, even his fantasy was boring. This was the moment Kurt Hummel decided to finally find love…or at least have fun. The only question he had to answer until then was: how.
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“Kurt, I decided to concentrate on my career only. Who cares for Finn anyway? I´m a strong, independent woman.” Rachel said, shoveling ice-cream down her throat.
What career? Kurt´s first thoughts were, but he chose to remain quiet and nod along. It was not as if this was the first time she had decided she was over Finn and would remain single. Meanwhile Kurt feverishly googled for things they could do in the big apple. Thanks to her they had spend all the money they had put aside on musicals, ice-cream and clothes. So all the good activities were far out of reach. Kurt frowned at the new suit jacket from Tony Lutwyche suit he had bought online. For the price he had paid they could have gone bungee-jumping or flown in a hot air balloon. Instead he had a suit he would probably not have an occasion to wear it to anyway. Or maybe he could. What if he tried to find an occasion, a high-class party of any sort? How they would get into it with the social status of a cockroach, he wasn´t sure.
“This is my opportunity. Rachel Berry starring as Rachel Berry in the new Broadway show: Alone. Oh my god, I am so lonely.”
There it was again. The moment when Rachel had stuffed herself with enough ice-cream to have, what Kurt called, the ´divine knowledge´ that she was single and not happy about it.
“You know, a good friend would tell me I am not alone and desirable and that every guy would be lucky to have me.” She complained after she realized Kurt wouldn´t reply.
“Well, for one, no one would think a girl in a pink pyjama with snoring moose and ice-cream on her cheek, topped with uncombed hair was remotely sexy. Secondly I am a good friend and I have finally found the perfect distraction for you my dear.”
Rachel’s mouth gapped open at the insults and Kurt was just fast enough to avoid being hit by a spoon. A soft ´hey´ escaped his lips and then they only stared at each other with arms crossed in front of their ribcages. Both were too stubborn to speak up at first, when she finally gave in to her curiosity.
“You better make this distraction really good, or I will spend the rest of the day practicing.”
“Rachel Berry, hold on to your grandma-pantsies. You and I are attending a yacht club party.” Kurt revealed. He had just found the announcement of the yacht club and the location after mindlessly searching for some activities in New York. Against his expectations, her smile faded and was replaced by a pout.
“What?”
“Are you insane? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get invited to those? All those snobby stuck-ups will notice the smell of Lima loser on us immediately Kurt.”
As if the conversation was over, Rachel started to flirt with her ice-cream again. Kurt had to admit, the plan wasn´t waterproof. Sure it would be hard to get in, but once inside what was the worst that could happen? They couldn´t be thrown out once they were off the dock.
“You are right-“
“I always am.” Rachel cut him off, mouth full of milky liquid.
“Lima losers would never be allowed to attend this party. But Count Kurt of Heydebrand and countess Rachel of Beck may be invited.”
She looked at him as if he had quoted a Latin saying, before she rolled her eyes and stood up from her bed.
“You know you sound crazy right? No one on earth had names like these. And even if they exist, no one would believe us.”
Now it was Kurt´s turn to roll his eyes. Leave it to Rachel to have no knowledge about foreign countries or at least some world´s history. He followed her to the kitchen, where she grabbed for the ice in the freezer. His hand shot out just before she could open it.
“No more ice-cream for you. This pity party is officially over. You have acted out on every known cliché, from make-over to the ice-cream state. It´s time to be adventurous. First step, trying to sneak into a yacht club party. Second step: Finding some rich boy for you to make you smile again. Third: Make this guy my new best friend who likes to spend his money on buying me clothes. Come on Rachel. One thing musicals and fairytales taught us is to believe in the impossible.”
“Kurt-“She sighed, but her frown slowly turned into a smile at his puppy eyes. He had perfected this gaze just for situation like this. A small snort left her nose, indicating his win.
“Fine. But don´t be too proud of yourself. I´m just coming along to be the next Kate Middleton.”
Singing Disney songs, from Mulan to Arielle, they spend the rest of the afternoon picking out the perfect attire. Well, Rachel thought the perfect attire to a high-class party was a over the ankle skirt and a shirt, so Kurt had to pick something out for her. Granted, he had not much material to work with, but she still had her old prom dress and they pimped it with a small black belt to match her new shoes and a glittery black purse. And like he had wanted, Kurt wore his new suit, a fitting black tie and leather shoes. Looking in the biggest mirror the apartment had to offer, Kurt was sure they would fit right into the crowd.
Now, with only the clicking of Rachel’s heels on the landing bridge and the muted sound of waved rocking small, expensive boats that threatened to hypnotize him, he was insecure. The suit he had chosen was expensive, yes, but it was also daring to say the least.
“Are you sure they let counts and countesses in?”
“Uhm…”
Was his only reply as his gaze was fixed with the big, prestige looking yacht that was unmistakably their target. He had never believed something could be more overwhelming than standing on a stage, singing a solo. Up till now, he hadn´t been few feet away from a huge bouncer whose appearance would scare away even his father.
“Kurt?...Kurt I think we should just go. When we turn around now we can still watch the vampire diaries.” Rachel whispered in his ear.
Her arm that had casual locked with his when they had set in the cab was now like a vice grip. Still, they walked minimizing the distance between them and Mr. grizzly. Not even the preview of a scene in which Elena and Damon kissed had made the Vampire Diaries so intriguing to watch as it was right in this moment. A part of him, a huge part of him even, wanted to do just that. Turn around, take a cab back to their apartment and curl up on the couch. Almost gone was the desire to have fun. To be dauntless like Puck had always dared him to be. What would Puck do?
“We have to do this.” Kurt finally stated. His voice didn´t sound as confident as he had wished it would. Rachel eyes him warily, rubbing her sweaty palms on his expensive suit. If it weren´t for his own wet hands, he would have had a fit. Ten steps away.
“Are you sure? The bouncer looks at us as if he is ready to rip off our heads.”
“Keep on walking and smile. You are a countess.”
This was the last thing he dared to say without being in fear of the bouncer picking up his words. Five steps away. Sharp nails pinched into his right arm, while his heart beat loud enough to drown the waves. One step away, Mr. Grizzly looking down at them with a polite smile that just seemed wrong on his form.
“Good evening, Sir, Lady.” At addressing Rachel, his eyes seemed to linger on her. In his crazy state of mind, Kurt wondered if the bouncer really could smell Lima loser perfume on them.
“Member ship card, please.”
Rachel looked at him, he could feel it, but choose to ignore it. They were suspicious enough.
“I am countess Be-“
“She is the hired singer.” Kurt interrupted his best friend.
Spoken out loud, the plan he had come up with sounded too stupid to fool anyone. He had seen the ´we work for the high-class´ plan work in most movies and honestly it was the only thing he was able to think of in such a short time. He swallowed the heavy lump that had formed in his mouth. Kurt´s eyes were anywhere but the eyes of the bouncer. For the second time this day he could feel Rachel wipe her sweat on his clothes. Then the bouncer spoke.
“Oh, please don´t interrupt her. Her story sounded better than the obvious lies. What a countess are you now?”
“Uhm…uhh. Countess of Berry eh…Rachel.” She replied.
Kurt felt his heart drown in stomach acid on its way down to the bottom of his feet. In a Disney movie, they would all sing a song and that would convince him to let them in. In real life, the fists of Mr. Grizzly were more likely to act out than their voices.
“Interesting, Countess of Berry Rachel. Excuse me if I may not drop down to my knees in front of you.”
After that he giggled, actually giggles, like he had heard the best joke ever told. Like this, he almost didn´t seem as threatening as before. In fact he looked young for being a bouncer at a yacht club. Rachel didn´t seem to find it quite as funny, pouting instead. When the giggles died out and soft strokes along her hand calmed her down enough to be sure she wouldn´t cause a scene, Kurt tried his last attempt to convince him.
“This is Rachel Berry and I am Kurt Hummel. We are students of the New York Academy of the Dramatic Arts and practically pennyless. This party is the only opportunity to have fun before school starts again. So please, just let us sneak in this one time. We will behave really well.” Kurt explained. He was sure this plan was bound to fail, especially after seeing the face splitting smile of Mr. Grizzly.
“You don´t think that convinces me, do you? Come on, this is not a movie. It needs more to endanger such a well paid job.”
“Then what does?”
Kurt remained silent, while Rachel had regained her voice. However bad the situation was right now, with Rachel in the mix, it was bound to get worse. Nothing could stop the Berry train-wreck.
“A date with you and you two are in.” He replied, eying her again.
Now it was my turn to have a better look at him. Knowing Rachel, the attention she received by him would probably help her decide for the best possible outcome. It helped that his height was roughly that of Finn. His face was okay too, his eyes a little too close to make him picture perfect and his blond hair was screaming “straight”. Mr. Grizzly also had enough muscles to make anyone melt.
“Yes. Just one date though. And I decide what we do on this date. Deal?”
Rachel held out her unoccupied hand. He face had a soft red tinge just as Kurt had expected. Later on, she would say she had sacrificed herself for our sake, when we both knew she was really happy to date a cute bouncer. He took her hand and shook it, demanding her cell phone number. His name was Greg Tony and he was a bouncer, that was all he had revealed about himself to both of them.
“Well Rachel Berry and…friend. Enjoy and behave yourself. If anyone asks, go along with the countess story, but make it believable. And if you are discovered, say you have faked a member card.” Greg said, before stepping aside.
Kurt could hear chattering behind us, showing there were new guest he had to attend to. It satisfied him, that Greg wasn´t big on planning either it seemed. He didn´t dwell on that thought as soon as they reached the interior of the Yacht though. It was marvelous. The light wooden floor was polished, the white-walls had small ornaments on them. Looking around, he spotted expensive looking vases with fresh flowers in them and huge windows. A waitress greeted them right when they stepped in, handing them two glasses with champagne and wished them a nice evening.
Neither Kurt nor Rachel had ever tasted champagne and had no idea how to drink it the sophisticated way. Still locked at their elbows, they followed the sound of violins and nodded politely at people they didn´t know. For the second time this day, Kurt felt uncomfortable in his own suit. All the other men he saw wore plain ones, grey or dark-clue or black. Not even pinstriped. Mirroring an old looking woman with a dress that was worth more than their apartment interior, he took a sip. He wasn´t sure if he liked champagne just yet. It certainly did not work fast enough to calm his nerves.
Reaching a room that lead to the deck Kurt had trouble to keep his mouth shut, or else he would probably drool. The whole wall was made out of glass and so the room was filled with the glow of a setting sun. The orange light encased the long bar to the right side of them, as well as the small stage at the end of the room on which two violinist stood and played. Most people were seated in white leather couches, engaging in soft conversations.
“Wow.” He could hear Rachel gasp beside him. “They even have a stage.” He smiled at the obvious thing Rachel would mention of all they could see here. Together they stepped inside, him taking a large gulp of his drink, forgetting his act. Unsure of what to do with the empty glass, he decided to hold onto it.
“Want to sit down..or-“ Kurt left the sentence open, no clue what else they could do. He didn´t know what he had expected of a yacht club party. Of course most of the guests were as old as his grandma. Of course there were no party games, or make-out sessions.
“No Kurt. You wanted to have fun. Mission finding a boy for me had apparently been accomplished, even if it is with an unexpected outturn. So now it´s all about having fun. And what would be more fun than showing those snobs how to really dance?”
If Kurt had wanted to complain, he couldn´t have with Rachel dragging him outside through the open doors. On the deck people danced to slow music playing from tiny speakers overhead. The crowd here was definitely younger, though few were their age. He doubted they wouldn´t catch even more unwanted attention when dancing “they´re style.” Because that included jumping and swirling and carefreeness. Greg would hate them if they did that and were discovered. Kurt only felt nervous but happy as they stood in the middle of the crowd. Yes, he wanted this.
“Ready for some fun Count of Heydebrand?” Rachel asked, bending down only to come up presenting her shoes with a smile.
Without heels she was much smaller, but seemingly ready to go through with the plan. Her glass was empty as well, both holding on to them. But since wine cooler was able to make Berry drunk, he was not surprised at her free spirit.
“May I have this dance Countess of Beck?”
At that he offered his hand, bowing down in a mock gesture. She couldn´t take it, one hand holding the glass, the other hand holding onto her shoes. She giggled loudly when she first spun around. Her dress was too narrow to flutter around her body and the gesture seemed awkward. Still, some people had caught her move and gazed at them questioningly. One man had a sour expression, which drove Kurt to finally dance as well. His hips swayed at first, too fast to go along with the music. Then he spun around too.
Giggles erupted form deep within his body. They never danced like that outside their apartment. Not when anybody could watch. And now, in the worst crowd they could possibly do this, they did.
Jumping, spinning, hands in the air and all. They danced when the song was over and they danced as everyone stopped to frown or laugh at them. This was fun. Maybe the simplest of fun, something they could have every day. But the adrenaline and the mere aspect that they had snuck into a Yacht Club party and maybe even one glass of champagne heightened the fun. It ended far too suddenly as someone gripped his upper arm, stopping his motion. Kurt blinked, surprised by the sudden interruption and the foreign, dark-haired man his age. The first thing capturing his attention was the golden eyes.
“If I may ask, what exactly would you call this dance style?” He was asked. The voice of the young man sounded nice and opposite to the other people looking at them in disgust, his expression was fond.
“Uhm…Careless?” Kurt uttered.
He almost instantly felt ashamed at his answer. It neither sounded intelligent, nor did his voice sound manly. It had gotten higher because of his nervousness. The man´s smile grew even wider, making Kurt blush. His black curls were tamed on his head and he wore a smoking and a red bowtie. In short, he looked like Prince Charming himself.
“I´m Blaine Anderson. I have never seen you at the club. Are you a new member or from another club?”
He blushed even further when he saw the outstretched hand of the man named Blaine and he had to switch the glass to his other hand before being able to take it. Meanwhile he decided to go with the second option of coming from another club, as it would spare him further questions he hoped.
“I´m originally from Germany actually. I´m a count and wanted to see what America had to offer. Your Yacht Clubs are different from ours I must say.” Kurt lied. Once he had started with Germany, he couldn´t stop lying. It felt too easy being someone rich, in such a crowd. At least if he wanted to impress Blaine.
“Germany? Wow. I have once been to Berlin, but couldn´t see much more than the airport. Your English is very good for being German. I always thought your folk had an heavier accent.”
He could say it had been a joke. Maybe Blaine would laugh and still be a gentleman afterwards. Blaine seemed to be gay, the way he was looking at him and had approached him. His chances that he would still want to talk to Blaine were slim, but at least he had been honest. On the other hand, he would probably never see him again, so what would a night of lying possibly do?
“Oh we hear that often. My name is Kurt, a pleasure to meet you Blaine.”Kurt answered, both acting slow on letting go of each other’s hands. He only noticed Rachel had stopped dancing, as she stood beside him, catching her breath noisily.
“And who is your friend, if I may ask?”
Soft fingers suddenly reached for his glass, and Kurt let go, letting Blaine take it. A waited passed them and Blaine placed the empty glass with a quiet ´thank you´ on the tablet. It was a small gesture, but one that let Kurt´s heart flutter. Blaine was not only good looking, but also polite and helpful.
“I am Countess of Beck, but call me Rachel.” She replied, capturing Kurt´s eyes. He forced a smile on his lips to show her she had done right, before turning back.
“Are you from Germany too? I have to admit, even after having four years of French, the only thing I am able to say is ´Je m´apelle Blaine Anderson.´, so foreign languages intrigue me.”
Rachel nodded, before lifting her shoes in front of her face. Kurt watched in horror on what he supposed was a far too big lie about German traditions on wearing shows on the hands or something.
“My shoes hurt, so I will look for a bathroom to change into more comfortable ones. Don´t wait up for me, you know how long girls can take to make themselves presentable again.” She said instead and as she retreated Kurt mouthed ´thanks´ to her.
At that she laughed and winked at him, before disappearing inside. In moments like this Kurt remembered why he liked her so much. No matter how hard she wanted to shine, sometimes she realized when it was time to leave the spotlight to someone else. Turning back, he was overwhelmed with the smile, no matter how often he had seen it on Blaine´s face.
“I hope I haven´t scared her away with my non-existent French knowledge.”
Kurt laughed at that, breaking the awkward silence that had threatened to overshadow them suddenly.
“Maybe you have. Either it was that, or the fact that she wanted to leave us alone.” Kurt said.
He feared Blaine´s reaction, as much as he anticipated it. All signs told him that Blaine was interested in him. But his gaydar had been wrong to have a crush on Sam and Finn too, so he was careful to believe in it. Right now, he was simply too elated to care.
“You have a good friend then. Just a friend…right?”
“Yes, she´s my best friend. So, are you up to let me show you how to dance carefree?”
blaine,
taylor swift,
glee,
klaine,
romance,
starlight,
kurt