Fic - Every Word; Glee; Kurt/Blaine
Chapter 8
Kurt arrives at the rehearsal space with Elisha and some of the guys who’re playing Jonathan’s friends. Blaine smiles at them from across the room.
Even when they were in love, there were times Kurt couldn’t read all the things sitting behind Blaine’s smile. He relied on an in depth knowledge of Blaine and asking the right questions. He certainly can’t read him now. It makes him both sad and grateful for Blaine’s professionalism.
“Sorry we’re late,” Elisha says to Blaine and the band. “Costume fitting. Don’t you worry, though. We are going to look spectacular.”
Unsurprisingly Kurt has some ideas about costuming. He’s imagined himself in increasingly militaristic and structured gear as he grows into the role of King David. He’s pleased that the costuming guy seems to know his way around Ray Petri’s Buffalo spreads and Versace’s runway military wear as well as real world military apparel.
They’re working on the music leading up to the battle with Goliath. Most of it is original but there are some pop and R&B classics woven in. Kurt’s been listening to the Beyoncé song over and over and is in love with this idea of David who knows so little about war, choosing to battle this giant. He has her voice on a loop in his head. I don’t know much about fighting but I’ll fight for you.
He watches Blaine talk quickly to the band and then walk over.
One of the cast members has punctured a lung in a bike accident. He’ll be fine but he won’t sing or dance this month. He was playing Josheb, who’ll become a leader of David’s mighty warriors. The role is mainly backing vocals though there are a few solo lines. Josheb is a voice of experience and calm when a shaking David brings back Goliath’s severed head.
“Who are you going to use?” asks one of the guys.
“We’ll need to spread his lines around. I’m not convinced we have time to get someone new before the opening,” says Blaine.
“You should take the role,” says Kurt quietly. Blaine looks up at him with a little puzzled frown.
Elisha speaks up. “You should, Blaine. You know the part. It’s only this scene plus the club so it won’t stop you doing all the music directing we need. And I've seen you dancing behind that piano. I know you want to get on stage.”
Blaine says nothing for a second. He looks at Elisha, then Kurt. “Okay. I can do that. I’ll talk with Devi and Wes.”
When they start the rehearsal he slots in with the guys.
It’s strange and a little alarming to be on stage with Blaine again. The last time they performed together they were teenagers. They were in love. The whole time Kurt had known exactly where Blaine was on stage, had caught his eye effortlessly. It felt like a ridiculous musical extension of their love. Lots of things were different then. Blaine was the front man, always. His voice was perfect front man material and with all his adorable energy and confidence - no audience ever had a chance not to be captivated. Kurt wasn’t the lead, however much he fought. There were too many limitations in show choir. But Kurt always knew what he wanted.
Since then they've grown up some of the way. Kurt's distinctiveness is increasingly a strength and Blaine can still lead but he's finding himself new ways to do that. Still, they're on stage together again. And until he shifts into character, Kurt knows exactly where Blaine is.
The soldiers are firing each other up for battle singing some Ludacris - why tip-toe through life, to arrive safely at death. As David, Kurt moves aside, watches as an outsider. He is a child becoming a man. Then he sees Goliath, that mountain of humanity. David looks at Jonathan and steps out to battle. He is so sure of himself, sure of his faith, sure of this man. And Jonathan, the soldier prince he loves, looks back at David with something like awe.
They run through with the band until everything works perfectly. It’s extraordinary stuff. Kurt didn’t know Blaine could write music like this.
In breaks from performing, Kurt watches Blaine direct effortlessly. It’s an insight into the things Blaine has always been and into the ways he has grown up. Blaine’s musicianship is unarguable. But more than that, Blaine is a natural leader. Kurt watches him charm the crew and manage the cast. Everyone listens as though they can’t help it. And Blaine beams time and again as things fit together.
“Kurt, Elisha? You guys are up again,” says Blaine. Kurt gives a little sigh to watch him, still so perfect, then shakes his shoulders back and heads on stage.
**
Kurt messages invitations to the opening to his dad, to Carole and Finn, to Santana and Rachel.
From Rachel: Oh no! I’m so sorry! The role in the Cube musical begins that week. I will send star power vibes. I know you'll be incredible, Kurt. We are destined for greatness.
From Dad: Wouldn’t miss it. Carole too.
From Finn: c if I can b there lil bro.
From Santana: See you in the Castro, twinky.
From Santana: P.S. The girls in San Francisco are fucking hot. T/F
Kurt spends rehearsal times alternating between exhausted and happy. The show is developing as he'd dreamed and it's hard, wonderful work. Blaine is always there, sometimes in the periphery, sometimes blindingly bright and central. Kurt watches him with careful eyes. Time off is harder. Tina has exams so she isn't as available as she'd like. Kurt doesn’t really want to think in the free time he has. Instead he sleeps, explores the neighborhood and spends time with the cast. Sometimes some of the guys head out together. Kurt doesn’t drink much, but he lets himself dance at the gay bars.
They rehearse straight through the last weekend before the opening. When the band is out for a day, Blaine seats himself at the piano to accompany. He plays as though he was born to do just that.
"What can't you do, Blaine?" says Carmody from across the stage where he's stretching.
Kurt thinks nothing.
Blaine blushes and says, "I'm a terrible poker player." When Kurt looks away Carmody is eying him thoughtfully.
In a break Kurt pulls up a chair next to Blaine and hands him a bottle of water.
“What do you think,” Blaine asks after politely thanking him. “Is this section too subdued?”
Kurt contemplates the area of the stage in which David and Jonathan will lay down their hearts with one another. They’re so young and so in love it breaks Kurt’s heart.
“It needs to be inward looking,” he says. “Your lighting guy can make sure the audience can only see us. Elisha and I will bring the intimacy.”
“Yeah. You’re right. It’s going to be exquisite,” says Blaine. He meets Kurt’s eyes. “You are incredible up there Kurt. I’m so thankful to have you here.”
“Me too,” says Kurt. He means more than that. He wants to say that he is aware of how extraordinary Blaine is. But there’s a lot caught up in that and he doesn’t have the words for it yet.
They sit for a still moment. There’s a whole room full of activity around them.
Then someone yells “Watch out!” A rope swings free and a light tumbles to the stage with a clatter. Blaine leaps up and away. As they’re clearing up he looks back at Kurt with a rueful smile.
Chapter 9
Kurt arrives at the rehearsal space with Elisha and some of the guys who’re playing Jonathan’s friends. Blaine smiles at them from across the room.
Even when they were in love, there were times Kurt couldn’t read all the things sitting behind Blaine’s smile. He relied on an in depth knowledge of Blaine and asking the right questions. He certainly can’t read him now. It makes him both sad and grateful for Blaine’s professionalism.
“Sorry we’re late,” Elisha says to Blaine and the band. “Costume fitting. Don’t you worry, though. We are going to look spectacular.”
Unsurprisingly Kurt has some ideas about costuming. He’s imagined himself in increasingly militaristic and structured gear as he grows into the role of King David. He’s pleased that the costuming guy seems to know his way around Ray Petri’s Buffalo spreads and Versace’s runway military wear as well as real world military apparel.
They’re working on the music leading up to the battle with Goliath. Most of it is original but there are some pop and R&B classics woven in. Kurt’s been listening to the Beyoncé song over and over and is in love with this idea of David who knows so little about war, choosing to battle this giant. He has her voice on a loop in his head. I don’t know much about fighting but I’ll fight for you.
He watches Blaine talk quickly to the band and then walk over.
One of the cast members has punctured a lung in a bike accident. He’ll be fine but he won’t sing or dance this month. He was playing Josheb, who’ll become a leader of David’s mighty warriors. The role is mainly backing vocals though there are a few solo lines. Josheb is a voice of experience and calm when a shaking David brings back Goliath’s severed head.
“Who are you going to use?” asks one of the guys.
“We’ll need to spread his lines around. I’m not convinced we have time to get someone new before the opening,” says Blaine.
“You should take the role,” says Kurt quietly. Blaine looks up at him with a little puzzled frown.
Elisha speaks up. “You should, Blaine. You know the part. It’s only this scene plus the club so it won’t stop you doing all the music directing we need. And I've seen you dancing behind that piano. I know you want to get on stage.”
Blaine says nothing for a second. He looks at Elisha, then Kurt. “Okay. I can do that. I’ll talk with Devi and Wes.”
When they start the rehearsal he slots in with the guys.
It’s strange and a little alarming to be on stage with Blaine again. The last time they performed together they were teenagers. They were in love. The whole time Kurt had known exactly where Blaine was on stage, had caught his eye effortlessly. It felt like a ridiculous musical extension of their love. Lots of things were different then. Blaine was the front man, always. His voice was perfect front man material and with all his adorable energy and confidence - no audience ever had a chance not to be captivated. Kurt wasn’t the lead, however much he fought. There were too many limitations in show choir. But Kurt always knew what he wanted.
Since then they've grown up some of the way. Kurt's distinctiveness is increasingly a strength and Blaine can still lead but he's finding himself new ways to do that. Still, they're on stage together again. And until he shifts into character, Kurt knows exactly where Blaine is.
The soldiers are firing each other up for battle singing some Ludacris - why tip-toe through life, to arrive safely at death. As David, Kurt moves aside, watches as an outsider. He is a child becoming a man. Then he sees Goliath, that mountain of humanity. David looks at Jonathan and steps out to battle. He is so sure of himself, sure of his faith, sure of this man. And Jonathan, the soldier prince he loves, looks back at David with something like awe.
They run through with the band until everything works perfectly. It’s extraordinary stuff. Kurt didn’t know Blaine could write music like this.
In breaks from performing, Kurt watches Blaine direct effortlessly. It’s an insight into the things Blaine has always been and into the ways he has grown up. Blaine’s musicianship is unarguable. But more than that, Blaine is a natural leader. Kurt watches him charm the crew and manage the cast. Everyone listens as though they can’t help it. And Blaine beams time and again as things fit together.
“Kurt, Elisha? You guys are up again,” says Blaine. Kurt gives a little sigh to watch him, still so perfect, then shakes his shoulders back and heads on stage.
**
Kurt messages invitations to the opening to his dad, to Carole and Finn, to Santana and Rachel.
From Rachel: Oh no! I’m so sorry! The role in the Cube musical begins that week. I will send star power vibes. I know you'll be incredible, Kurt. We are destined for greatness.
From Dad: Wouldn’t miss it. Carole too.
From Finn: c if I can b there lil bro.
From Santana: See you in the Castro, twinky.
From Santana: P.S. The girls in San Francisco are fucking hot. T/F
Kurt spends rehearsal times alternating between exhausted and happy. The show is developing as he'd dreamed and it's hard, wonderful work. Blaine is always there, sometimes in the periphery, sometimes blindingly bright and central. Kurt watches him with careful eyes. Time off is harder. Tina has exams so she isn't as available as she'd like. Kurt doesn’t really want to think in the free time he has. Instead he sleeps, explores the neighborhood and spends time with the cast. Sometimes some of the guys head out together. Kurt doesn’t drink much, but he lets himself dance at the gay bars.
They rehearse straight through the last weekend before the opening. When the band is out for a day, Blaine seats himself at the piano to accompany. He plays as though he was born to do just that.
"What can't you do, Blaine?" says Carmody from across the stage where he's stretching.
Kurt thinks nothing.
Blaine blushes and says, "I'm a terrible poker player." When Kurt looks away Carmody is eying him thoughtfully.
In a break Kurt pulls up a chair next to Blaine and hands him a bottle of water.
“What do you think,” Blaine asks after politely thanking him. “Is this section too subdued?”
Kurt contemplates the area of the stage in which David and Jonathan will lay down their hearts with one another. They’re so young and so in love it breaks Kurt’s heart.
“It needs to be inward looking,” he says. “Your lighting guy can make sure the audience can only see us. Elisha and I will bring the intimacy.”
“Yeah. You’re right. It’s going to be exquisite,” says Blaine. He meets Kurt’s eyes. “You are incredible up there Kurt. I’m so thankful to have you here.”
“Me too,” says Kurt. He means more than that. He wants to say that he is aware of how extraordinary Blaine is. But there’s a lot caught up in that and he doesn’t have the words for it yet.
They sit for a still moment. There’s a whole room full of activity around them.
Then someone yells “Watch out!” A rope swings free and a light tumbles to the stage with a clatter. Blaine leaps up and away. As they’re clearing up he looks back at Kurt with a rueful smile.
Chapter 9