give your heart (a break), part xv (glee, kurtbastian)
Fandom: Glee
Pairings/Characters: Kurt/Sebastian, side Brody/Rachel, brief Adam/Kurt, Sebastian/OC, Isabelle, Santana, Mercedes, Puck, OCs.
Warnings: Semi-graphic sex, a tiny bit of homophobia, language, not entirely friendly toward Blaine.
Summary: Post-TBU AU. Life moves on after heartbreak: Kurt knows that more than most. As he tries to put his life back together after Blaine, he finds an unexpected ally in his new coworker and Isabelle's nephew: Sebastian Smythe. As Kurt goes through his new life as a single man, he finds an unexpected depth to Sebastian and realizes that losing the first love of his life doesn't mean he'll never love again.
Author's Notes: Written for the kurtbastianbang. Thank you to the lovely keesecake for the amazing fanart! This behemouth was originally going to be 20k of Sebastian and Kurt being cute in New York - obviously this shows that I can't write short fiction worth shit. All musical numbers can either be found here here or they will be linked in the story. The title is taken from "Give Your Heart a Break." Now, without further adieu--
Rachel, Brody, and Kurt arrive at Callbacks together: Kurt immediately searches the crowd for either Sebastian or Adam. On stage, a group of boys are singing a Backstreet Boys song.
He spots Sebastian’s distinctive hair and popped collar combo and starts to move in his direction--only to stop short when he realizes Sebastian is folded over another man. Kurt’s heart thuds in his throat as Sebastian laughs, leans down to a press a kiss to the stranger’s mouth.
“Kurt?” Rachel says from behind him. “Kurt, what’s--” She stops, so Kurt knows she’s seen. “Oh, Kurt,” she says, gentle. “Do you want to go?”
Kurt swallows, eyes fixed on Sebastian and his date. “No,” he says. “I’m meeting Adam here, anyways.”
He manages to tear his eyes away to look at Rachel: she stares back at him with sweet, sad understanding.
“Well, come on then,” she says, pulling him into the crowd. “We can at least avoid them for a while.”
They find a table and Brody, as ever, goes to get drinks. Rachel and Kurt chat for a little while about NYADA and Kurt knows Rachel is trying to keep him distracted and is thankful to her for it, but his mind keeps going back to Sebastian and his new boy, the kiss they shared. Kurt knows that he doesn’t have a right to be jealous, that he and Sebastian are no more than friends, that this boy will probably be gone within days and replaced with another one: but still, he can’t stop the bile rising in his throat at the thought of Sebastian with someone else.
I hate myself sometimes, Kurt thinks, miserable.
A hand on his shoulder makes him turn and he smiles when he sees Adam standing there, grinning at him.
“You’re a hard man to find, Kurt Hummel,” Adam says, sitting down. “This place is packed! I’ve actually never been in here.” He glances around with curiosity, then turns to Rachel. “Excuse my manners--I’m Adam Crawford. You must be Kurt’s infamous roommate.”
Rachel smiles. “Rachel Berry,” she says. “It’s nice to meet you, Adam, Kurt’s said a lot about you.”
Adam glances at Kurt. “All good things, I hope?” he teases. Kurt flushes and, in the ensuing conversation, manages to forget about Sebastian.
That of course, all goes to hell when he sees Sebastian approaching their table hand-in-hand with his new boy-toy. Kurt stiffens, wishes that he could flee, but forces himself to stay still as Sebastian comes close.
“Hey all,” Sebastian says casually. “This is Mike, my catch of the night.” Mike giggles and Kurt stiffens. Sebastian grins at them. “It’s possible he’s a little drunk,” Sebastian admits. “We may cut out early.” His eyes find Kurt’s and Kurt forces a smile.
“Sebastian, you remember Adam,” Kurt says, taking Adam’s hand. Sebastian’s gaze drops at the motion and he frowns a little.
“Kurt didn’t say you were coming,” Sebastian says, looking back at Adam.
Adam looks between them. “I’m Kurt’s date for the night,” he says, cheerful.
Kurt watches Sebastian’s expression closely, but sees nothing there except honest confusion and amusement. His heart drops to his toes as he realizes that it’s futile: Sebastian doesn’t see him as anything other than a friend that he fucked once, and will never see him like that. Kurt will watch as Sebastian trades in trick of the week after trick of the week, always hurting and never able to say anything unless he wants to lose Sebastian’s friendship too.
“If you’ll all excuse me,” Kurt mutters. “I need some air.” He hurries out of the bar, pushing past people in his haste.
Once outside he takes deep breaths, tries to calm down. He’d already known Sebastian felt nothing more for him than friendship, but it hurts to have it thrown in his face this way. It also hurts, he acknowledges, that Mike is gorgeous, far better-looking than Kurt, and Kurt knows that he is Sebastian’s type--not Kurt. Never Kurt.
Footsteps approach and Kurt looks over to see Adam at his side. Adam sighs, puts a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “You like Sebastian,” he says.
Kurt buries his face in his hands. “Am I really so obvious?” he asks, dreading the thought that Sebastian has known all this time.
Adam laughs. “Probably not to him,” he admits. “But to everyone else--yeah. Besides, I’ve dealt with my own share of unrequited love, I know what it’s like.”
Kurt looks up at him. “I’m sorry, Adam,” Kurt says. “You’re very nice and I really do like you. But--”
“You’ve got a thing for tall, dark, and handsome,” Adam finishes, smiling. “I get it, I do. And I’d still like to be your friend, even if I can’t be your boyfriend.” He brushes Kurt’s chin with his knuckles, playful and gentle. “But if you’re ever interested, Kurt, all you need to do is ask.” He leans in until their noses brush. “May I?”
Kurt considers his face: handsome, playful, gentle. He nods and Adam brushes their lips together in a soft, sweet kiss. It doesn’t send electricity racing to his toes like Sebastian’s did, but it’s nice, relaxing, and Kurt smiles into it.
“Kurt?”
Kurt jumps back, knocking his head against the wall he’d been leaning on. Behind Adam, Sebastian stares at them, wide-eyed.
Adam takes a step away from Kurt, looks between them and rolls his eyes. “I’d better head out. I’ll see you around, Kurt,” he says. “I wasn’t kidding about practicing with the Apples whenever you want.”
“I’ll definitely do that,” Kurt says. “Bye Adam.”
Adam walks off. For a moment, Sebastian and Kurt just stare at each other.
“I came out to make sure you were okay,” Sebastian says, oddly stilted. “Looks like Adam already managed that.”
Kurt smiles. “He’s a good guy,” he says, meaning it.
Sebastian sighs, moves to lean against the wall next to Kurt. “You two dating now?” he asks.
Kurt glances up at him. “No,” he admits. He wonders if he imagines the sudden relaxation in Sebastian’s shoulders. “No, we’ve decided to just be friends.”
“I see,” Sebastian says. “Well, that’s probably for the best. Guy like that with you . . . .”
Kurt bristles. “What do you mean, a guy like that?” he asks, strained. “You mean an attractive, well-mannered, talented guy?” His voice turns a little shrill because he’s still a little on edge from before. “Yes, what on Earth could a guy like that want with someone like me?”
“Kurt--” Sebastian starts.
“Maybe I can’t attract the Mike’s of the world,” Kurt interrupts, vicious, “but I have plenty of charms and plenty of boys who want to enjoy them, Sebastian.”
There’s a long silence.
“Sorry,” Sebastian says at last. “I meant that--um, that you were too good for him.” Sebastian sounds awkward and Kurt wonders if that’s the truth, if Sebastian isn’t just covering for his misstep.
“Sure,” Kurt mutters.
“Really!” Sebastian says, firmer now. “He seems nice enough, but you could do better than him! I mean he’s already like ten years older than you, and he’s not really that attractive--”
Kurt turns to stare at Sebastian, bemused. “He’s only three years older than me,” he corrects. “And he’s plenty attractive, Sebastian.”
Sebastian frowns at him, arms folded over his chest. “I guess,” he says. “Still, you’re better off without him.”
Kurt smiles, feels a little better now that he can see Sebastian is being sincere. “Thanks,” he says. He eyes Sebastian and before he can stop himself, asks, “Do you want to come with me back to Lima?” Sebastian turns to stare at him, incredulous, and Kurt hurries to add, “We’re going home for a wedding and I was wondering if you’d be my plus one.”
“Are you sure?” Sebastian asks, uncertain. “I mean, I’m not exactly close to your teacher and your glee club isn’t very fond of me--”
“I’d like it if you came with me,” Kurt interrupts, heart hammering. “If you’re not busy and if you’d like to.”
Sebastian smiles at him. “You just want someone to help you mock your friends’ outfits, don’t you?”
“You caught me,” Kurt lies. “Think about it, okay?”
“Alright,” Sebastian says.
-
A week later, a text from Sebastian:
Sebastian (3:24 P.M.): So when’s the wedding?
-
They all take the same plane but are seated across it due to buying tickets at different times, so Kurt doesn’t see Sebastian until the plane lands and they meet in the airport. Once they’re all together, they go out and find Rachel’s dads waiting for them.
(Kurt’s distracted, but he finds the way Rachel’s dads react to Brody hilarious and plans to tease Rachel and Brody about it sometime in the future.)
By the time they arrive at Kurt’s house it’s pretty late, but the light is still on in the living room. Rachel’s dads drop them off and Kurt and Sebastian have their luggage almost to the door before it opens and Burt comes hurtling out to grab Kurt in a huge bear hug.
Kurt presses his face into his dad’s shoulder, laughing, and feels better than he has in ages. When they finally part, he glances over at Sebastian--who’s staring at them with a distant, unfocused expression. Kurt realizes, chest tightening, that Sebastian’s probably never been hugged by his dad like that, probably never will be.
“Dad, this is Sebastian,” Kurt says. “Sebastian Smythe.”
Burt hesitates, examines Sebastian closely. “That Dalton kid?” he asks, suspicious. “The one who tried to slushie you and blinded Blaine?”
Sebastian flinches. “Yes, sir,” he says. Kurt gapes at him--he’s never heard Sebastian call anyone sir before. “But I’ve grown up since that.” He smiles at Kurt. “With the help of your son.”
“Kurt does seem to be very good at turning boys into men,” Burt says, a little wry and Kurt knows he’s thinking about Finn. His dad sighs, eyes Sebastian for a moment. “Well as long as Kurt vouches for you, you’re welcome here, I guess.”
“I do vouch for him,” Kurt chimes in. “You know that, dad.”
Burt looks between them, shurgs. “Come on in then, boys,” he says, and leads them inside.
-
The day of the wedding is clear and cold. Rachel and Brody come over early to get ready and Kurt and Rachel shoo their respective dates into another room as they get changed and put on make-up.
Kurt nervously examines himself in the mirror, checking for any wrinkles. He'd had his suit dry-cleaned yesterday but he wasn't sure how good of a job they did and was that a tear-
"Kurt," Rachel says, coming up behind him full of exasperation. "You look absolutely amazing. Come on, Brody and Sebastian are waiting downstairs with your dad."
Kurt takes one last look, then turns to Rachel who dressed to Kurt's exact specifications in a stunning red ball gown that will make her the envy of every woman attending (except for Santana, who has always had an amazing sense of personal fashion, in Kurt's opinion). Kurt's sure that Brody won't be able to take his eyes off her and plans to be smug about it all evening.
Kurt offers his arm and Rachel tucks it in her own with a giggle. They march down the stairs and out the door with as much pomp and circumstance as they can muster to find Burt, Brody, and Sebastian standing by a cab. All three turn when the door opens and Kurt enjoys the synchronized jaw drops when they all see him and Rachel. It's hard to contain his own when he sees what Sebastian's wearing.
Kurt has never really thought about Sebastian in formalwear, but now that he sees the dark grey suit Sebastian's in, it's hard to imagine why. The blazer and pants hug Sebastian's form so closely that Kurt imagines they were probably tailored, and the pinstripes accent the long legs and broad shoulders. His tie is skinny, dark gray, and the splash of a red rose in his jacket pocket adds unexpected color. It also, by coincidence, matches Kurt's bowtie almost exactly.
“You clean up well, darling,” Sebastian says, running a considering eye over Kurt. “Not bad at all.”
Kurt flushes, glances at his dad, who is pointedly looking in the other direction. Rachel and Brody are distracted, their heads bent low together as they talk. Kurt takes a moment to admire how good they look together--Brody has also gone with a classic look, sans tie, and he compliments Rachel’s bright pop of color nicely.
“Not going to return the compliment?” Sebastian asks, drawing Kurt’s attention back to him. He’s teasing, but there’s an uncertain cast to his face.
Kurt considers him. “You’ll do,” is all he says, but Sebastian lights up.
“Think I’ll catch any groomsman attention?” he teases.
Kurt scowls. “The only groomsman is Finn,” he snaps. “Unless you’re very persuasive, he’s decidedly straight.”
Sebastian holds up his hands, looks a little bemused. “Sorry. No joking about sleeping with your step-brother, I get it.”
Kurt wants to snap back how he doesn’t want Sebastian to joke about sleeping with anyone, let alone Finn, but his dad is calling them over and they’re jumbling into the car together. Kurt tucks himself into a corner and fumes quietly as Rachel, Brody and his dad make quiet conversation around them. Sebastian gives him several looks over the course of the drive but doesn’t try and talk to him.
part xvi
Pairings/Characters: Kurt/Sebastian, side Brody/Rachel, brief Adam/Kurt, Sebastian/OC, Isabelle, Santana, Mercedes, Puck, OCs.
Warnings: Semi-graphic sex, a tiny bit of homophobia, language, not entirely friendly toward Blaine.
Summary: Post-TBU AU. Life moves on after heartbreak: Kurt knows that more than most. As he tries to put his life back together after Blaine, he finds an unexpected ally in his new coworker and Isabelle's nephew: Sebastian Smythe. As Kurt goes through his new life as a single man, he finds an unexpected depth to Sebastian and realizes that losing the first love of his life doesn't mean he'll never love again.
Author's Notes: Written for the kurtbastianbang. Thank you to the lovely keesecake for the amazing fanart! This behemouth was originally going to be 20k of Sebastian and Kurt being cute in New York - obviously this shows that I can't write short fiction worth shit. All musical numbers can either be found here here or they will be linked in the story. The title is taken from "Give Your Heart a Break." Now, without further adieu--
Rachel, Brody, and Kurt arrive at Callbacks together: Kurt immediately searches the crowd for either Sebastian or Adam. On stage, a group of boys are singing a Backstreet Boys song.
He spots Sebastian’s distinctive hair and popped collar combo and starts to move in his direction--only to stop short when he realizes Sebastian is folded over another man. Kurt’s heart thuds in his throat as Sebastian laughs, leans down to a press a kiss to the stranger’s mouth.
“Kurt?” Rachel says from behind him. “Kurt, what’s--” She stops, so Kurt knows she’s seen. “Oh, Kurt,” she says, gentle. “Do you want to go?”
Kurt swallows, eyes fixed on Sebastian and his date. “No,” he says. “I’m meeting Adam here, anyways.”
He manages to tear his eyes away to look at Rachel: she stares back at him with sweet, sad understanding.
“Well, come on then,” she says, pulling him into the crowd. “We can at least avoid them for a while.”
They find a table and Brody, as ever, goes to get drinks. Rachel and Kurt chat for a little while about NYADA and Kurt knows Rachel is trying to keep him distracted and is thankful to her for it, but his mind keeps going back to Sebastian and his new boy, the kiss they shared. Kurt knows that he doesn’t have a right to be jealous, that he and Sebastian are no more than friends, that this boy will probably be gone within days and replaced with another one: but still, he can’t stop the bile rising in his throat at the thought of Sebastian with someone else.
I hate myself sometimes, Kurt thinks, miserable.
A hand on his shoulder makes him turn and he smiles when he sees Adam standing there, grinning at him.
“You’re a hard man to find, Kurt Hummel,” Adam says, sitting down. “This place is packed! I’ve actually never been in here.” He glances around with curiosity, then turns to Rachel. “Excuse my manners--I’m Adam Crawford. You must be Kurt’s infamous roommate.”
Rachel smiles. “Rachel Berry,” she says. “It’s nice to meet you, Adam, Kurt’s said a lot about you.”
Adam glances at Kurt. “All good things, I hope?” he teases. Kurt flushes and, in the ensuing conversation, manages to forget about Sebastian.
That of course, all goes to hell when he sees Sebastian approaching their table hand-in-hand with his new boy-toy. Kurt stiffens, wishes that he could flee, but forces himself to stay still as Sebastian comes close.
“Hey all,” Sebastian says casually. “This is Mike, my catch of the night.” Mike giggles and Kurt stiffens. Sebastian grins at them. “It’s possible he’s a little drunk,” Sebastian admits. “We may cut out early.” His eyes find Kurt’s and Kurt forces a smile.
“Sebastian, you remember Adam,” Kurt says, taking Adam’s hand. Sebastian’s gaze drops at the motion and he frowns a little.
“Kurt didn’t say you were coming,” Sebastian says, looking back at Adam.
Adam looks between them. “I’m Kurt’s date for the night,” he says, cheerful.
Kurt watches Sebastian’s expression closely, but sees nothing there except honest confusion and amusement. His heart drops to his toes as he realizes that it’s futile: Sebastian doesn’t see him as anything other than a friend that he fucked once, and will never see him like that. Kurt will watch as Sebastian trades in trick of the week after trick of the week, always hurting and never able to say anything unless he wants to lose Sebastian’s friendship too.
“If you’ll all excuse me,” Kurt mutters. “I need some air.” He hurries out of the bar, pushing past people in his haste.
Once outside he takes deep breaths, tries to calm down. He’d already known Sebastian felt nothing more for him than friendship, but it hurts to have it thrown in his face this way. It also hurts, he acknowledges, that Mike is gorgeous, far better-looking than Kurt, and Kurt knows that he is Sebastian’s type--not Kurt. Never Kurt.
Footsteps approach and Kurt looks over to see Adam at his side. Adam sighs, puts a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “You like Sebastian,” he says.
Kurt buries his face in his hands. “Am I really so obvious?” he asks, dreading the thought that Sebastian has known all this time.
Adam laughs. “Probably not to him,” he admits. “But to everyone else--yeah. Besides, I’ve dealt with my own share of unrequited love, I know what it’s like.”
Kurt looks up at him. “I’m sorry, Adam,” Kurt says. “You’re very nice and I really do like you. But--”
“You’ve got a thing for tall, dark, and handsome,” Adam finishes, smiling. “I get it, I do. And I’d still like to be your friend, even if I can’t be your boyfriend.” He brushes Kurt’s chin with his knuckles, playful and gentle. “But if you’re ever interested, Kurt, all you need to do is ask.” He leans in until their noses brush. “May I?”
Kurt considers his face: handsome, playful, gentle. He nods and Adam brushes their lips together in a soft, sweet kiss. It doesn’t send electricity racing to his toes like Sebastian’s did, but it’s nice, relaxing, and Kurt smiles into it.
“Kurt?”
Kurt jumps back, knocking his head against the wall he’d been leaning on. Behind Adam, Sebastian stares at them, wide-eyed.
Adam takes a step away from Kurt, looks between them and rolls his eyes. “I’d better head out. I’ll see you around, Kurt,” he says. “I wasn’t kidding about practicing with the Apples whenever you want.”
“I’ll definitely do that,” Kurt says. “Bye Adam.”
Adam walks off. For a moment, Sebastian and Kurt just stare at each other.
“I came out to make sure you were okay,” Sebastian says, oddly stilted. “Looks like Adam already managed that.”
Kurt smiles. “He’s a good guy,” he says, meaning it.
Sebastian sighs, moves to lean against the wall next to Kurt. “You two dating now?” he asks.
Kurt glances up at him. “No,” he admits. He wonders if he imagines the sudden relaxation in Sebastian’s shoulders. “No, we’ve decided to just be friends.”
“I see,” Sebastian says. “Well, that’s probably for the best. Guy like that with you . . . .”
Kurt bristles. “What do you mean, a guy like that?” he asks, strained. “You mean an attractive, well-mannered, talented guy?” His voice turns a little shrill because he’s still a little on edge from before. “Yes, what on Earth could a guy like that want with someone like me?”
“Kurt--” Sebastian starts.
“Maybe I can’t attract the Mike’s of the world,” Kurt interrupts, vicious, “but I have plenty of charms and plenty of boys who want to enjoy them, Sebastian.”
There’s a long silence.
“Sorry,” Sebastian says at last. “I meant that--um, that you were too good for him.” Sebastian sounds awkward and Kurt wonders if that’s the truth, if Sebastian isn’t just covering for his misstep.
“Sure,” Kurt mutters.
“Really!” Sebastian says, firmer now. “He seems nice enough, but you could do better than him! I mean he’s already like ten years older than you, and he’s not really that attractive--”
Kurt turns to stare at Sebastian, bemused. “He’s only three years older than me,” he corrects. “And he’s plenty attractive, Sebastian.”
Sebastian frowns at him, arms folded over his chest. “I guess,” he says. “Still, you’re better off without him.”
Kurt smiles, feels a little better now that he can see Sebastian is being sincere. “Thanks,” he says. He eyes Sebastian and before he can stop himself, asks, “Do you want to come with me back to Lima?” Sebastian turns to stare at him, incredulous, and Kurt hurries to add, “We’re going home for a wedding and I was wondering if you’d be my plus one.”
“Are you sure?” Sebastian asks, uncertain. “I mean, I’m not exactly close to your teacher and your glee club isn’t very fond of me--”
“I’d like it if you came with me,” Kurt interrupts, heart hammering. “If you’re not busy and if you’d like to.”
Sebastian smiles at him. “You just want someone to help you mock your friends’ outfits, don’t you?”
“You caught me,” Kurt lies. “Think about it, okay?”
“Alright,” Sebastian says.
-
A week later, a text from Sebastian:
Sebastian (3:24 P.M.): So when’s the wedding?
-
They all take the same plane but are seated across it due to buying tickets at different times, so Kurt doesn’t see Sebastian until the plane lands and they meet in the airport. Once they’re all together, they go out and find Rachel’s dads waiting for them.
(Kurt’s distracted, but he finds the way Rachel’s dads react to Brody hilarious and plans to tease Rachel and Brody about it sometime in the future.)
By the time they arrive at Kurt’s house it’s pretty late, but the light is still on in the living room. Rachel’s dads drop them off and Kurt and Sebastian have their luggage almost to the door before it opens and Burt comes hurtling out to grab Kurt in a huge bear hug.
Kurt presses his face into his dad’s shoulder, laughing, and feels better than he has in ages. When they finally part, he glances over at Sebastian--who’s staring at them with a distant, unfocused expression. Kurt realizes, chest tightening, that Sebastian’s probably never been hugged by his dad like that, probably never will be.
“Dad, this is Sebastian,” Kurt says. “Sebastian Smythe.”
Burt hesitates, examines Sebastian closely. “That Dalton kid?” he asks, suspicious. “The one who tried to slushie you and blinded Blaine?”
Sebastian flinches. “Yes, sir,” he says. Kurt gapes at him--he’s never heard Sebastian call anyone sir before. “But I’ve grown up since that.” He smiles at Kurt. “With the help of your son.”
“Kurt does seem to be very good at turning boys into men,” Burt says, a little wry and Kurt knows he’s thinking about Finn. His dad sighs, eyes Sebastian for a moment. “Well as long as Kurt vouches for you, you’re welcome here, I guess.”
“I do vouch for him,” Kurt chimes in. “You know that, dad.”
Burt looks between them, shurgs. “Come on in then, boys,” he says, and leads them inside.
-
The day of the wedding is clear and cold. Rachel and Brody come over early to get ready and Kurt and Rachel shoo their respective dates into another room as they get changed and put on make-up.
Kurt nervously examines himself in the mirror, checking for any wrinkles. He'd had his suit dry-cleaned yesterday but he wasn't sure how good of a job they did and was that a tear-
"Kurt," Rachel says, coming up behind him full of exasperation. "You look absolutely amazing. Come on, Brody and Sebastian are waiting downstairs with your dad."
Kurt takes one last look, then turns to Rachel who dressed to Kurt's exact specifications in a stunning red ball gown that will make her the envy of every woman attending (except for Santana, who has always had an amazing sense of personal fashion, in Kurt's opinion). Kurt's sure that Brody won't be able to take his eyes off her and plans to be smug about it all evening.
Kurt offers his arm and Rachel tucks it in her own with a giggle. They march down the stairs and out the door with as much pomp and circumstance as they can muster to find Burt, Brody, and Sebastian standing by a cab. All three turn when the door opens and Kurt enjoys the synchronized jaw drops when they all see him and Rachel. It's hard to contain his own when he sees what Sebastian's wearing.
Kurt has never really thought about Sebastian in formalwear, but now that he sees the dark grey suit Sebastian's in, it's hard to imagine why. The blazer and pants hug Sebastian's form so closely that Kurt imagines they were probably tailored, and the pinstripes accent the long legs and broad shoulders. His tie is skinny, dark gray, and the splash of a red rose in his jacket pocket adds unexpected color. It also, by coincidence, matches Kurt's bowtie almost exactly.
“You clean up well, darling,” Sebastian says, running a considering eye over Kurt. “Not bad at all.”
Kurt flushes, glances at his dad, who is pointedly looking in the other direction. Rachel and Brody are distracted, their heads bent low together as they talk. Kurt takes a moment to admire how good they look together--Brody has also gone with a classic look, sans tie, and he compliments Rachel’s bright pop of color nicely.
“Not going to return the compliment?” Sebastian asks, drawing Kurt’s attention back to him. He’s teasing, but there’s an uncertain cast to his face.
Kurt considers him. “You’ll do,” is all he says, but Sebastian lights up.
“Think I’ll catch any groomsman attention?” he teases.
Kurt scowls. “The only groomsman is Finn,” he snaps. “Unless you’re very persuasive, he’s decidedly straight.”
Sebastian holds up his hands, looks a little bemused. “Sorry. No joking about sleeping with your step-brother, I get it.”
Kurt wants to snap back how he doesn’t want Sebastian to joke about sleeping with anyone, let alone Finn, but his dad is calling them over and they’re jumbling into the car together. Kurt tucks himself into a corner and fumes quietly as Rachel, Brody and his dad make quiet conversation around them. Sebastian gives him several looks over the course of the drive but doesn’t try and talk to him.
part xvi