His Perfect Partner (2/?)
Title: His Perfect Partner (2/?)
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, with appearances by Burt/Carole, Tina/Mike, Mercedes/Sam, Brittany/Santana, Rachel/Finn
Spoilers: None, but assume that anything through 3.14 is fair game for inspiration.
Word Count: 2534
Summary: After five disappointing seasons on the show, professional dancer Kurt Hummel finally has his chance at ballroom glory. With actress and fan favorite Kim Schrodinger as his partner, Kurt vows to channel all his focus into winning that mirrorball trophy - distractions, including men, be damned. Enter Blaine Anderson, a gorgeous, confusing pop star who may turn out to be the biggest distraction of them all.
In This Chapter: The pros discuss their partners, Kim and Kurt make a bet, and the boys and their partners take a field trip to New York.
Author's Note: This is a Dancing with the Stars/Glee crossover AU, in which Kurt grew up dancing and became a professional on the show in his mid-twenties, and Blaine is a pop star with a very private private life. Other familiar Glee faces, some actual DWTS pros, and two OCs (Kurt and Blaine's dance partners) appear to round out the cast of characters. I'll be posting twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. I have a master glee post here, or follow my bff's tumblr for updates and some fun multi-media extras that will go along with most chapters. Thanks to samzgurl, wintercreek, and gypsyangel25 for the beta as well as for general cheer-leading and fun times.
The following Monday, with four weeks to go before the premiere, Kurt shouldered his way into the main DWTS studio carrying a giant platter of freshly baked scones. Maks was already there, holding court while Lacey lugged coffee carafes into place and Tina and Mike put out cups and plates.
“Brit’s on her way,” Kurt said as he put down the scones. “She called half an hour ago to ask if she should get tomatoes for the fruit plate. I sent her to the deli with strict instructions to buy something pre-packaged.”
“And she wonders why they only let her out in front of the press with a chaperone,” Maks said. “She can dance, but she has the most interesting grip on reality of anyone I’ve ever met.”
“You’re one to talk,” Kurt said.
“Oh don’t start. You know I love her to death, lunacy and all.”
“Who wants coffee?” Lacey forced a cup into each of their hands. “Have some before I find a less pleasant way to shut you up.”
“Good morning to you too, Lace,” Kurt said. “So nice to see your smiling face.”
“Drink your coffee,” she said before heading back over to Mike and Tina.
“She’s got the right idea. You can be kind of a bitch before you’ve caffeinated,” Maks told Kurt idly.
“Whereas there’s no known cure for your personality.”
“Children, please,” Tina said as she walked up. She popped up on her toes to kiss Kurt’s cheek and patted Maks on the knee. “I hope you’ve gotten all the crankiness out of your systems. You know how Brit hates it when you fight.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Maks said, and Tina swatted him.
“Is that what you say to your new partner?” Kurt asked.
“God, no,” Maks said. “Santana likes when I bitch at her. Gives her more ammo to dish it right back.”
“I’m still amazed that people pay you to teach them.”
“It’s a gift,” Maks grinned, then ruffled Kurt’s hair on his way to get more coffee, which earned him an indignant squawk.
Brittany walked in then with a tray of fruit, which stopped the boys sniping at one another, and the six of them settled into a corner of the studio with breakfast and coffee. They’d been meeting like this before the start of the past five seasons, since Kurt and Brittany joined the show. Two weeks into rehearsals was long enough for them to have an idea of how their partners would do, but not so long that they’d be giving everything away by talking about them.
Though Kurt and Maks were regularly at each other’s throats, Kurt respected Maks’ experience and knowledge. Maks knew the dance world and Hollywood, and he was always brutally honest, which Kurt appreciated. Lacey, even after more than a dozen seasons, was still the ballroom’s wild child, pushing every boundary and trying things that made Len, their traditionalist head judge, sputter in horror. She was always good for a creative twist or the little push necessary to turn a good idea into a great one.
Tina and Mike were the sweethearts of the ballroom, married for three years now and still as sickeningly in love as ever. Between them, they kept the unruly personalities of the pros in check and reminded all of them of what it was to love to dance. And Brittany, in her own sweet and flighty way, kept them grounded in their craft, always pushing them to work harder and be more precise. She lived in another world half the time, but she could dance circles around each and every one of them.
“Everyone settled?” Tina asked, which drew Kurt out of his thoughts. When they all nodded, she continued. “So I’m just going to come right out and say it: Rory is a total sweetheart, but he has two very heavy, very uncoordinated left feet.”
“How does he play soccer without a right one?” Brittany asked.
“You know, I’m not sure,” Tina said, giggling. “I’ve seen him play, and he’s incredibly graceful on the field, but put him in dance shoes…”
“I’m sure you’ll work your magic with him,” Mike said loyally.
“If by ‘magic’ you mean managing to keep him on the show for more than two weeks,” Tina said.
“Sometimes that really does take magic,” Mike said. “I may need the same thing with Lauren. She has more potential than I expected for a pro wrestler, but turning her out for a proper waltz or quickstep is going to be a feat.”
“Not really the gown and feathers type, is she?” Maks asked, and Mike sighed.
“At least she’s a competitor at heart. I’ll figure something out,” Mike said.
“Don’t you always?” Maks asked. “I, on the other hand, have all the raw material I need for a championship season, so the rest of you had better look out.”
“Color me surprised that a performer like Santana Lopez is good at performing,” Kurt said.
“From what I’m hearing, you have no room to complain. Kim’s amazing, right?”
“Pretty much,” Kurt admitted with a smile. “She’s my best shot so far.”
“Strangely enough,” Lacey interjected, “I think Puck may be mine too. He’s definitely unorthodox.”
“Which we know you love,” Tina said.
“Of course. But he’s also taking to the technique really quickly. He’s weirdly awesome.”
“A match made in heaven,” Kurt said. Lacey poked him in the side in retaliation. Kurt wrestled her hands away before turning to Brittany. “Hey, Brit-Brit, how’s Joe doing?”
“He’s ok, I guess,” she said. “He can’t really keep up with me.”
“Can anyone?” Tina asked. “Especially a model?”
“Not usually, no,” Brittany said in all seriousness. “But we get to cha cha to Tik Tok, so I kind of don’t care.”
“I can’t wait to see that one. No, really!” Maks said when Kurt shot him a look. “I bet Brit can take the profoundly average musical stylings of Miss Dollar Sign to unimagined heights.”
“If anyone can, it’s our Brit,” Tina said, and Brittany beamed.
“So listen, I’d love to sit here on my butt all day and eat more of Kurt’s unfairly delicious scones, but rehearsal waits for no dancer,” Lacey said. She got to her feet and hauled Brittany up after her. “Whose turn is it for clean up?”
“Mine,” Tina said, kissing Mike on the cheek before he headed out. “And Kurt’s, I think.”
“Yep,” Kurt said. He took Maks’ coffee cup and shooed him away. “Bye, kids. Try to behave yourselves while I’m gone.”
“Oh, right. You’re flying to New York today. Good Morning America tomorrow?” Tina asked as they put things away.
“Yes, with Kim. And Bitsy and her boytoy.”
“You sound thrilled.”
“Well, you know how I feel about Bitsy. And about flying. I’m not sure which one’s worse, actually,” Kurt said.
“You’re hard on her,” Tina said.
“And she’s hard on my sanity. Flying with her is going to be like entering the second circle of hell.”
“So take some meds and sleep the whole way. You’ll be fine. Kim will protect you.” Tina grinned. Kurt rolled his eyes.
“I appreciate all your sympathy and support,” he said.
“Oh, you know I love you, you big baby.” Tina walked over and squeezed Kurt tight. “Call me or Mercedes if it gets too insane.”
“I will.” Kurt squeezed her back. “We’d better get to rehearsal. Meet you for coffee on Thursday?”
“You’re on.”
***
Kurt and Kim were already settled into their first class seats - Kurt on the aisle, of course - when Elizabeth and Blaine made their way onto the plane that afternoon. Elizabeth, who had once told Kurt that she thought flying “was the best thing ever, seriously!” claimed the window seat opposite them, leaving Blaine smiling at Kurt from a scant few feet away. Kurt gave him a wan smile and turned back to his stack of magazines.
“You ok, Kurtsie?” Kim asked, using the nickname Molly had adopted for him within the first week of rehearsals.
“Fine, mostly. I’m just not a big fan of flying,” Kurt murmured. He was embarrassingly grateful when she took his hand in hers.
Across the aisle, Elizabeth was chattering inanely to Blaine, who was listening closely to her. Throughout taxi and takeoff, she kept talking while Blaine nodded and Kurt willed his hands not to shake. Once they had leveled off in the air, Kim managed to pry Kurt’s fingers off of hers and ordered them both a cocktail.
“I probably shouldn’t have one if I’m going to drug myself for the rest of the flight,” Kurt said.
“So, lay off the drugs and have a drink or three with me. We’ll grab dinner when we get there. I know this amazing seafood place in the West Village.”
“Dig?” Blaine asked, leaning across his armrest and into their conversation. “I love that place.”
“You guys should come,” Kim said, oblivious to Kurt’s discomfort. “I’ll send an email to my assistant. She can get us a reservation.”
“That sounds great,” Blaine said, because he was obviously evil and perverse.
“Yeah, great,” Kurt echoed faintly, flipping through Rolling Stone, which of course had a two page spread on Pop Sensation Blaine Anderson’s most recent sold-out tour.
“Hey, do you have this month’s Vogue?” Blaine asked, leaning closer.
“Uh, yeah, of course,” Kurt said, fumbling through the stack while Kim went to great lengths not to laugh out loud beside him. He found the magazine and held it out to Blaine.
“Great, thanks.” Blaine took the magazine, put in his earbuds, and hummed happily to himself as he started reading.
“Vogue?” Kim mouthed to Kurt, finally giving into her laughter.
“Oh, shut up,” Kurt said, staring down at Blaine’s face in his magazine. “That doesn’t prove anything.”
“Are you sure about that?” Kim said, looking over to where Blaine was absorbed in an article about men’s scarves.
“I really don’t think I like you. Also, stereotyping is wrong.”
“Oh, no, in this case I think you’ll find that stereotyping is right,” Kim said. She was still snickering. “Also, and I’ll say this as many times as it takes for it to sink in, every time that boy sees you he is thinking decidedly non-heterosexual thoughts.”
“You’re delusional.” Kurt gulped down the drink the flight attendant had just handed him and glared at Kim.
“$20 says he’s gay. Another $20 says he’s into you.”
“You know what? Fine. You’re on.” Kurt held out his hand so they could shake on it. “And no matchmaking. I can tell you’re totally the type.”
“I have no idea to what you could be referring,” Kim said primly, taking a sip of her drink. “Now knock that drink back and relax. We’re off duty until tomorrow, and I have a bet to win.”
***
By the time they landed in New York, Kurt was feeling pleasantly buzzed and giggly. He and Kim had talked about guys they thought were cute through most of the flight. Kurt had admitted that he thought her husband was unfairly gorgeous, and Kim had quipped that she thought the same was true of Kurt himself.
Blaine and Elizabeth had kept to themselves through most of the flight, but the second they touched down, Blaine popped up, ready for dinner. Kurt insisted on changing first, though, and because she was a devious little schemer, Kim smoothly suggested that she and Elizabeth head down to the restaurant first for some ‘girl time’ while Blaine waited for Kurt. Blaine agreed a little too readily for Kurt to feel like his $40 was secure, but Kurt couldn’t figure out a graceful way out of the arrangement.
“I like your vest,” Blaine said as they walked to the car. “Designer?”
“Vintage,” Kurt said, now doubly suspicious. He would both hate and love it if Kim were right.
“So I don’t know how you do it,” Blaine said as they settled in the backseat.
“Shop vintage?” Kurt asked, and Blaine laughed.
“No. I meant dance so well. I thought I’d at least be a small step ahead because I dance on tour all the time, but rehearsals so far have shown me that I know nothing.”
“That’s because hopping around on stage while singing isn’t actually dancing,” Kurt said.
“So you’ve been to one of my shows?” was what Blaine got out of Kurt’s comment. Kurt tried not to blush.
“I don’t have to go to one of your shows to know what you think dancing is,” Kurt deflected. “Ballroom is both an art and a science, and it takes a lot of study.”
“And I take it you’ve been studying for a long time.”
“Since I was a child. My mother was a dancer, and I always wanted to be just like her.”
“She must be really proud of you, then,” Blaine said.
“I wouldn’t know. She died before I started competing.”
“Oh, Kurt, I’m sorry.” Blaine’s hand covered Kurt’s on the seat between them, solid and warm.
“You didn’t know,” Kurt said, shifting his hand away.
“But still, I know it must be hard, wanting that connection, that recognition, and never getting it.” Blaine’s tone made Kurt look up at him, but Blaine was staring out the window.
“My dad always says she’d be really proud of me, that she was proud of me even though I hadn’t yet won a thing.”
“He sounds like he must be great,” Blaine said, sounding pensive.
“He is. For a long time - too long - it was just the two of us. I’ve always been able to count on him.”
“So it’s not just the two of you anymore?”
“No, luckily. Dad remarried when I was in high school, and I got a stepmom and a brother as a package deal,” Kurt said, smiling as he thought of his family.
“That’s a good thing, I take it?”
“Definitely. Having a family like that is pretty great, you know?”
“I bet,” Blaine said quietly, his face tight.
Before Kurt could think of what to ask him, the car was pulling to the curb in front of the restaurant. When he looked back at Blaine, he was smiling again, friendly and open.
“Here we are. Have you been to Dig before?” Blaine asked. Kurt shook his head. “Oh, you’re going to love it. They have the best oysters I’ve ever had on the east coast.”
Blaine kept up a steady stream of chatter as they walked inside and found the girls. Soon enough, wine was flowing and appetizers were being passed. Blaine had been right about the oysters.
It wasn’t until late that night, tucked into his hotel bed, that Kurt thought back to the look in Blaine’s eyes in the car and wondered if maybe there was more to him than a big smile and even bigger success. It made him more curious than he wanted to be, so he shut down that line of thinking as quickly as it had come. He thought instead about the work left to do with Kim, and on all the possibilities that came with having a partner who would last. Dancing was his heart, and he would do well to focus on that.
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, with appearances by Burt/Carole, Tina/Mike, Mercedes/Sam, Brittany/Santana, Rachel/Finn
Spoilers: None, but assume that anything through 3.14 is fair game for inspiration.
Word Count: 2534
Summary: After five disappointing seasons on the show, professional dancer Kurt Hummel finally has his chance at ballroom glory. With actress and fan favorite Kim Schrodinger as his partner, Kurt vows to channel all his focus into winning that mirrorball trophy - distractions, including men, be damned. Enter Blaine Anderson, a gorgeous, confusing pop star who may turn out to be the biggest distraction of them all.
In This Chapter: The pros discuss their partners, Kim and Kurt make a bet, and the boys and their partners take a field trip to New York.
Author's Note: This is a Dancing with the Stars/Glee crossover AU, in which Kurt grew up dancing and became a professional on the show in his mid-twenties, and Blaine is a pop star with a very private private life. Other familiar Glee faces, some actual DWTS pros, and two OCs (Kurt and Blaine's dance partners) appear to round out the cast of characters. I'll be posting twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. I have a master glee post here, or follow my bff's tumblr for updates and some fun multi-media extras that will go along with most chapters. Thanks to samzgurl, wintercreek, and gypsyangel25 for the beta as well as for general cheer-leading and fun times.
The following Monday, with four weeks to go before the premiere, Kurt shouldered his way into the main DWTS studio carrying a giant platter of freshly baked scones. Maks was already there, holding court while Lacey lugged coffee carafes into place and Tina and Mike put out cups and plates.
“Brit’s on her way,” Kurt said as he put down the scones. “She called half an hour ago to ask if she should get tomatoes for the fruit plate. I sent her to the deli with strict instructions to buy something pre-packaged.”
“And she wonders why they only let her out in front of the press with a chaperone,” Maks said. “She can dance, but she has the most interesting grip on reality of anyone I’ve ever met.”
“You’re one to talk,” Kurt said.
“Oh don’t start. You know I love her to death, lunacy and all.”
“Who wants coffee?” Lacey forced a cup into each of their hands. “Have some before I find a less pleasant way to shut you up.”
“Good morning to you too, Lace,” Kurt said. “So nice to see your smiling face.”
“Drink your coffee,” she said before heading back over to Mike and Tina.
“She’s got the right idea. You can be kind of a bitch before you’ve caffeinated,” Maks told Kurt idly.
“Whereas there’s no known cure for your personality.”
“Children, please,” Tina said as she walked up. She popped up on her toes to kiss Kurt’s cheek and patted Maks on the knee. “I hope you’ve gotten all the crankiness out of your systems. You know how Brit hates it when you fight.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Maks said, and Tina swatted him.
“Is that what you say to your new partner?” Kurt asked.
“God, no,” Maks said. “Santana likes when I bitch at her. Gives her more ammo to dish it right back.”
“I’m still amazed that people pay you to teach them.”
“It’s a gift,” Maks grinned, then ruffled Kurt’s hair on his way to get more coffee, which earned him an indignant squawk.
Brittany walked in then with a tray of fruit, which stopped the boys sniping at one another, and the six of them settled into a corner of the studio with breakfast and coffee. They’d been meeting like this before the start of the past five seasons, since Kurt and Brittany joined the show. Two weeks into rehearsals was long enough for them to have an idea of how their partners would do, but not so long that they’d be giving everything away by talking about them.
Though Kurt and Maks were regularly at each other’s throats, Kurt respected Maks’ experience and knowledge. Maks knew the dance world and Hollywood, and he was always brutally honest, which Kurt appreciated. Lacey, even after more than a dozen seasons, was still the ballroom’s wild child, pushing every boundary and trying things that made Len, their traditionalist head judge, sputter in horror. She was always good for a creative twist or the little push necessary to turn a good idea into a great one.
Tina and Mike were the sweethearts of the ballroom, married for three years now and still as sickeningly in love as ever. Between them, they kept the unruly personalities of the pros in check and reminded all of them of what it was to love to dance. And Brittany, in her own sweet and flighty way, kept them grounded in their craft, always pushing them to work harder and be more precise. She lived in another world half the time, but she could dance circles around each and every one of them.
“Everyone settled?” Tina asked, which drew Kurt out of his thoughts. When they all nodded, she continued. “So I’m just going to come right out and say it: Rory is a total sweetheart, but he has two very heavy, very uncoordinated left feet.”
“How does he play soccer without a right one?” Brittany asked.
“You know, I’m not sure,” Tina said, giggling. “I’ve seen him play, and he’s incredibly graceful on the field, but put him in dance shoes…”
“I’m sure you’ll work your magic with him,” Mike said loyally.
“If by ‘magic’ you mean managing to keep him on the show for more than two weeks,” Tina said.
“Sometimes that really does take magic,” Mike said. “I may need the same thing with Lauren. She has more potential than I expected for a pro wrestler, but turning her out for a proper waltz or quickstep is going to be a feat.”
“Not really the gown and feathers type, is she?” Maks asked, and Mike sighed.
“At least she’s a competitor at heart. I’ll figure something out,” Mike said.
“Don’t you always?” Maks asked. “I, on the other hand, have all the raw material I need for a championship season, so the rest of you had better look out.”
“Color me surprised that a performer like Santana Lopez is good at performing,” Kurt said.
“From what I’m hearing, you have no room to complain. Kim’s amazing, right?”
“Pretty much,” Kurt admitted with a smile. “She’s my best shot so far.”
“Strangely enough,” Lacey interjected, “I think Puck may be mine too. He’s definitely unorthodox.”
“Which we know you love,” Tina said.
“Of course. But he’s also taking to the technique really quickly. He’s weirdly awesome.”
“A match made in heaven,” Kurt said. Lacey poked him in the side in retaliation. Kurt wrestled her hands away before turning to Brittany. “Hey, Brit-Brit, how’s Joe doing?”
“He’s ok, I guess,” she said. “He can’t really keep up with me.”
“Can anyone?” Tina asked. “Especially a model?”
“Not usually, no,” Brittany said in all seriousness. “But we get to cha cha to Tik Tok, so I kind of don’t care.”
“I can’t wait to see that one. No, really!” Maks said when Kurt shot him a look. “I bet Brit can take the profoundly average musical stylings of Miss Dollar Sign to unimagined heights.”
“If anyone can, it’s our Brit,” Tina said, and Brittany beamed.
“So listen, I’d love to sit here on my butt all day and eat more of Kurt’s unfairly delicious scones, but rehearsal waits for no dancer,” Lacey said. She got to her feet and hauled Brittany up after her. “Whose turn is it for clean up?”
“Mine,” Tina said, kissing Mike on the cheek before he headed out. “And Kurt’s, I think.”
“Yep,” Kurt said. He took Maks’ coffee cup and shooed him away. “Bye, kids. Try to behave yourselves while I’m gone.”
“Oh, right. You’re flying to New York today. Good Morning America tomorrow?” Tina asked as they put things away.
“Yes, with Kim. And Bitsy and her boytoy.”
“You sound thrilled.”
“Well, you know how I feel about Bitsy. And about flying. I’m not sure which one’s worse, actually,” Kurt said.
“You’re hard on her,” Tina said.
“And she’s hard on my sanity. Flying with her is going to be like entering the second circle of hell.”
“So take some meds and sleep the whole way. You’ll be fine. Kim will protect you.” Tina grinned. Kurt rolled his eyes.
“I appreciate all your sympathy and support,” he said.
“Oh, you know I love you, you big baby.” Tina walked over and squeezed Kurt tight. “Call me or Mercedes if it gets too insane.”
“I will.” Kurt squeezed her back. “We’d better get to rehearsal. Meet you for coffee on Thursday?”
“You’re on.”
***
Kurt and Kim were already settled into their first class seats - Kurt on the aisle, of course - when Elizabeth and Blaine made their way onto the plane that afternoon. Elizabeth, who had once told Kurt that she thought flying “was the best thing ever, seriously!” claimed the window seat opposite them, leaving Blaine smiling at Kurt from a scant few feet away. Kurt gave him a wan smile and turned back to his stack of magazines.
“You ok, Kurtsie?” Kim asked, using the nickname Molly had adopted for him within the first week of rehearsals.
“Fine, mostly. I’m just not a big fan of flying,” Kurt murmured. He was embarrassingly grateful when she took his hand in hers.
Across the aisle, Elizabeth was chattering inanely to Blaine, who was listening closely to her. Throughout taxi and takeoff, she kept talking while Blaine nodded and Kurt willed his hands not to shake. Once they had leveled off in the air, Kim managed to pry Kurt’s fingers off of hers and ordered them both a cocktail.
“I probably shouldn’t have one if I’m going to drug myself for the rest of the flight,” Kurt said.
“So, lay off the drugs and have a drink or three with me. We’ll grab dinner when we get there. I know this amazing seafood place in the West Village.”
“Dig?” Blaine asked, leaning across his armrest and into their conversation. “I love that place.”
“You guys should come,” Kim said, oblivious to Kurt’s discomfort. “I’ll send an email to my assistant. She can get us a reservation.”
“That sounds great,” Blaine said, because he was obviously evil and perverse.
“Yeah, great,” Kurt echoed faintly, flipping through Rolling Stone, which of course had a two page spread on Pop Sensation Blaine Anderson’s most recent sold-out tour.
“Hey, do you have this month’s Vogue?” Blaine asked, leaning closer.
“Uh, yeah, of course,” Kurt said, fumbling through the stack while Kim went to great lengths not to laugh out loud beside him. He found the magazine and held it out to Blaine.
“Great, thanks.” Blaine took the magazine, put in his earbuds, and hummed happily to himself as he started reading.
“Vogue?” Kim mouthed to Kurt, finally giving into her laughter.
“Oh, shut up,” Kurt said, staring down at Blaine’s face in his magazine. “That doesn’t prove anything.”
“Are you sure about that?” Kim said, looking over to where Blaine was absorbed in an article about men’s scarves.
“I really don’t think I like you. Also, stereotyping is wrong.”
“Oh, no, in this case I think you’ll find that stereotyping is right,” Kim said. She was still snickering. “Also, and I’ll say this as many times as it takes for it to sink in, every time that boy sees you he is thinking decidedly non-heterosexual thoughts.”
“You’re delusional.” Kurt gulped down the drink the flight attendant had just handed him and glared at Kim.
“$20 says he’s gay. Another $20 says he’s into you.”
“You know what? Fine. You’re on.” Kurt held out his hand so they could shake on it. “And no matchmaking. I can tell you’re totally the type.”
“I have no idea to what you could be referring,” Kim said primly, taking a sip of her drink. “Now knock that drink back and relax. We’re off duty until tomorrow, and I have a bet to win.”
***
By the time they landed in New York, Kurt was feeling pleasantly buzzed and giggly. He and Kim had talked about guys they thought were cute through most of the flight. Kurt had admitted that he thought her husband was unfairly gorgeous, and Kim had quipped that she thought the same was true of Kurt himself.
Blaine and Elizabeth had kept to themselves through most of the flight, but the second they touched down, Blaine popped up, ready for dinner. Kurt insisted on changing first, though, and because she was a devious little schemer, Kim smoothly suggested that she and Elizabeth head down to the restaurant first for some ‘girl time’ while Blaine waited for Kurt. Blaine agreed a little too readily for Kurt to feel like his $40 was secure, but Kurt couldn’t figure out a graceful way out of the arrangement.
“I like your vest,” Blaine said as they walked to the car. “Designer?”
“Vintage,” Kurt said, now doubly suspicious. He would both hate and love it if Kim were right.
“So I don’t know how you do it,” Blaine said as they settled in the backseat.
“Shop vintage?” Kurt asked, and Blaine laughed.
“No. I meant dance so well. I thought I’d at least be a small step ahead because I dance on tour all the time, but rehearsals so far have shown me that I know nothing.”
“That’s because hopping around on stage while singing isn’t actually dancing,” Kurt said.
“So you’ve been to one of my shows?” was what Blaine got out of Kurt’s comment. Kurt tried not to blush.
“I don’t have to go to one of your shows to know what you think dancing is,” Kurt deflected. “Ballroom is both an art and a science, and it takes a lot of study.”
“And I take it you’ve been studying for a long time.”
“Since I was a child. My mother was a dancer, and I always wanted to be just like her.”
“She must be really proud of you, then,” Blaine said.
“I wouldn’t know. She died before I started competing.”
“Oh, Kurt, I’m sorry.” Blaine’s hand covered Kurt’s on the seat between them, solid and warm.
“You didn’t know,” Kurt said, shifting his hand away.
“But still, I know it must be hard, wanting that connection, that recognition, and never getting it.” Blaine’s tone made Kurt look up at him, but Blaine was staring out the window.
“My dad always says she’d be really proud of me, that she was proud of me even though I hadn’t yet won a thing.”
“He sounds like he must be great,” Blaine said, sounding pensive.
“He is. For a long time - too long - it was just the two of us. I’ve always been able to count on him.”
“So it’s not just the two of you anymore?”
“No, luckily. Dad remarried when I was in high school, and I got a stepmom and a brother as a package deal,” Kurt said, smiling as he thought of his family.
“That’s a good thing, I take it?”
“Definitely. Having a family like that is pretty great, you know?”
“I bet,” Blaine said quietly, his face tight.
Before Kurt could think of what to ask him, the car was pulling to the curb in front of the restaurant. When he looked back at Blaine, he was smiling again, friendly and open.
“Here we are. Have you been to Dig before?” Blaine asked. Kurt shook his head. “Oh, you’re going to love it. They have the best oysters I’ve ever had on the east coast.”
Blaine kept up a steady stream of chatter as they walked inside and found the girls. Soon enough, wine was flowing and appetizers were being passed. Blaine had been right about the oysters.
It wasn’t until late that night, tucked into his hotel bed, that Kurt thought back to the look in Blaine’s eyes in the car and wondered if maybe there was more to him than a big smile and even bigger success. It made him more curious than he wanted to be, so he shut down that line of thinking as quickly as it had come. He thought instead about the work left to do with Kim, and on all the possibilities that came with having a partner who would last. Dancing was his heart, and he would do well to focus on that.