His Perfect Partner (1b/?)
Their first few hours of rehearsal went as well as Kurt could have hoped. Kim was easy-going, followed instructions well, and moved naturally. She’d danced as a kid, but had never done ballroom before. She didn’t have any terrible habits he would have to break, and she seemed willing and able to try things until she got them right. They’d laughed more on the first day than Kurt had with his previous partner in eight weeks. As far as signs went, he thought that was a fabulous one.
“She’s awesome, Cedes,” Kurt told his best friend later that night over tacos and tequila at their favorite Mexican place. “She’s easy to work with and she has talent. I’m in heaven.”
“You deserve it, K,” Mercedes said. “Especially after the year you’ve had.”
“I know. Last season was a killer.”
“That’s not what I mean, and you know it. But add last season to your dad’s health and that nothing of a boyfriend you finally dumped, and you more than deserve the best partner available,” Mercedes said, and Kurt sighed.
“I know, I know. I just prefer not to think about all that stress and unpleasantness. Dad’s fine, and Mitch is so far in the past I hardly think about him now.”
“Mmhm,” Mercedes said, hardly sounding convinced.
“I mean it,” Kurt said, stabbing his salad with his fork. Things with Mitchell had ended for good three months ago, at the end of the previous season, and Kurt had worked hard over the summer to get all the way over him. “I’m ready to look forward and kick ass this season.”
“So no pining?”
“No. No dating either, I think. I can use a break.”
“Seriously?” Mercedes put down her taco and stared at him. “You, Kurt Hummel, serial dater, are going to take a break from boys?”
“Shut up. I’m already on a break, if you haven’t noticed. Besides, it’ll be good for me. I can focus on winning for once.”
“Sure, K. And I’ll focus on making sure your hair is fabulous.”
“My hair is always fabulous,” Kurt said.
“I know, K,” Mercedes said, smiling. “You’re my favorite boy.”
“And you’re my very best girl.” Kurt grinned back at her, and then lifted his shot glass for a toast. “To us - single, fabulous, and taking LA by storm.”
“To us.” Mercedes lifted her own shot, and they both drank their glasses down.
***
A week into rehearsals with Kim, Kurt was more optimistic than ever. They’d mostly rehearsed at her house so far, where her kids and husband could pop in to cheer them on when they needed a lift. Kurt had agreed to teach Grant the basics at some point, so that he and Kim could dance together. And of course both Jake and Molly were soaking everything up like little sponges. Two days ago, Kurt had walked in to find Molly bossing Jake around the floor as they tried their hand at a basic cha cha. Kurt had given Kim the number to Tina and Mike’s studio and suggested signing them up for a few beginner classes.
Starting that afternoon, following shooting of the title and promotional shots, Kim and Kurt would be working in Kurt’s favorite downtown studio. Now that Kurt knew what Kim could do, it was time to get serious about choreography. Kim had insisted that they dance to Push It, which, while potentially hilarious was also a rather inspired choice. No one would expect it from her, and Kurt’s planned choreography combined with the song would capture everyone’s attention immediately.
Kurt headed to the shoot early so that he could discuss his ideas for costuming with Sam Evans, the new head of wardrobe, and then get over to the hair and makeup trailer before the rush. He wanted Mercedes to have enough time to get his hair just right and maybe indulge in a little gossip session before the new celebs started invading.
Kim met him in hair and makeup, all smiles for Mercedes, who took to her immediately. The three of them chatted happily while Cedes worked her magic, and then Kurt and Kim headed for the main building to get their photos taken. At the door, they ran into Elizabeth and the guy who was her new partner. Kurt’s first thought was that he was shorter in person than he’d expected. And then New Guy held out his hand and grinned, and Kurt forgot to think at all.
“Hi!” New Guy said, still grinning. “You must be Kurt. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Hello,” Kurt managed, still blinded by the guy’s megawatt smile. “And you are?”
“Blaine Anderson,” he said. Kurt knew that, of course. Everyone knew that. Anyone who didn’t know Blaine Anderson had to have been living under a rock for the past five years. He was everywhere - on tv, in record stores, on the radio, performing at the Grammys. ‘Pop Sensation Blaine Anderson’ was a household name, but that didn’t mean Kurt had to play along with Bitsy’s new partner.
“Ah,” Kurt said, extracting his hand from Blaine’s grip. “You’re Bitsy’s partner, I take it?”
“Bitsy? You mean Elizabeth?” Blaine looked confused. It, like everything else, was a surprisingly good look on him.
“Of course,” Kurt said.
“Kurt likes to tease me about my height, or lack thereof,” Elizabeth said, returning to their conversation and slipping an arm through Blaine’s.
“Well I guess he’ll have to tease me too,” Blaine said, still grinning around at all of them. “I’m not exactly a giant.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Kim said, coming to Kurt’s rescue. “It worked for Napoleon, right? Well, mostly.”
She started giggling, which set off the other two, while Kurt stared at all three of them, an amused smile tugging at his lips.
“It’s wonderful to meet you both, but we have to get inside before all the hard work the hair and makeup people did goes to waste,” Kim continued, waving at Elizabeth and Blaine before turning Kurt toward the hallway. “I’m sure we’ll see you soon!”
They walked down the hall, Kim humming quietly under her breath while Kurt put himself back together.
“So that’s Bitsy,” he finally said.
“Uh huh,” Kim said. “And more importantly, that’s Blaine Anderson.”
“If you say so,” Kurt said, and Kim laughed delightedly.
“Don’t even try to hide the fact that you were staring. That is one adorable hunk of a pop star, and I don’t blame you even a little bit.”
“Kim!”
“What? I’m not allowed to appreciate cute guys, even if I’m married and they’re gay?”
“How do you know he’s gay?” Kurt asked. “He’s not out.”
“Oh, please. Have you seen what he wears? A 20-something man that attached to bowties is not batting for my team. Plus, you may not have noticed in your Blaine-induced haze, but he was totally checking you out.”
“He was not.”
“Oh, honey. Denial is not a good look on you.”
“I’m not in denial. I’m just being practical. Even if he is gay, which is still in question, that doesn’t mean he’s interested in me or that I’m interested in him. And anyway, I told you I’ve sworn off dating,” Kurt said.
“Whatever you say, Kurt,” Kim said, but it was clear from her tone that the conversation was far from over. “Now let’s go be gorgeous for the camera.”
“Please,” Kurt said, and he followed her into the studio, resolutely not thinking about brilliant smiles and boys who might be gay.
***
Chapter Two