His Perfect Partner (31/?)
Title: His Perfect Partner (31/?)
Rating: NC-17 overall (PG-13 this chapter)
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, with appearances by Burt/Carole, Tina/Mike, Mercedes/Sam, Brittany/Santana, Rachel/Finn
Spoilers: None, but assume that anything through Season Three is fair game for inspiration.
Word Count: 1734
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: It's finally the day of the semifinals, but Kurt's still struggling to feel prepared.
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 a couple of OCs appear to round out the cast of characters. For the summer, I'm posting once a week so that I can keep up with real life things! I have a master glee post here, or follow my bff's tumblr for updates and fun multi-media extras that will go along with some chapters. Thanks to
samzgurl,
wintercreek, and
gypsyangel25 for the beta as well as for general cheer-leading and fun times.
On Monday morning, Kurt woke to thunder, lightning, and an empty bed. Blaine had been staying at his place with his brother for the past week, and Kurt missed him more than he had expected. He’d been hoping to go for a long walk on the beach to clear his head and focus on the show rather than his missing boyfriend, but that didn’t look like an option. The scene outside his window was dark and foreboding, sheets of rain being illuminated by regular lightening strikes. Just getting to the studio would be hard enough - forget trying for the beach.
Kurt went into the kitchen to put coffee on, and then stood in front of the living room window with his mug cupped in both hands. In some ways, the rain was a nice respite, because he didn’t feel quite ready to meet the world just yet. It had been a long week leading up to the semifinals, full of complications and mental blocks and the slow drain of fighting against two dance styles that never came naturally to him. Kim’s kids were still sick, which meant that she was harried and run down. Blaine was more on edge than Kurt had ever seen him, due to a combination of semifinals stress and his brother’s extended visit. And with Kurt’s two go-to stress relievers both preoccupied and stressed themselves, Kurt felt both increasingly exhausted and anxious.
Kurt had met up with Cedes, Brit, and Tina for Saturday brunch, which had helped a little. They’d listened patiently while he spilled all his woes, patting his hand and making sympathetic noises. Then they’d fallen back on their tried-and-true method of cheering him up - telling embarrassing stories and bawdy jokes until Kurt turned bright red and then had to laugh at his own expense. On the way out, each of the girls had given him long hugs, which had buoyed him for another long day of rehearsals.
Kurt smiled at the memory as he sipped his coffee, grateful for a strong dark roast and friends who were just as bracing. They wouldn’t approve of him wallowing, he knew, so instead he’d put together a quick breakfast and then head to the studio for a little dance therapy. Some barre work would put everything into perspective.
Two hours later, Kurt was stretching on the floor of the small practice studio when the sound of the door opening made him look up. Blaine was standing there, looking adorable in yoga pants and a striped shirt. He was also without his brother for the first time in days.
“Brittany offered to take Coop to brunch,” Blaine said, grinning at Kurt’s surprised expression. He closed the door behind him and walked over to Kurt. “I figure that should keep them both occupied and a little confused for a few hours.”
“I love that girl,” Kurt said, letting Blaine give him a hand up. He went directly into Blaine’s arms, holding him tight. “Is it stupid that I missed you?”
“God, no. I’ve missed you like crazy. This week has been…” Blaine trailed off.
“Crazy?” Kurt supplied. “Stressful? Insane? Maddening?”
“Tell me how you really feel,” Blaine joked. “But really, you’re right. It’s been nuts. But it’s almost over. Coop’s got a redeye tonight after the show.”
“Halleluia,” Kurt said quietly, making Blaine laugh. “I know he’s your brother and you love him, but you can love him twice as well from the opposite coast.”
“True. I’ll have to take you out there after the show - introduce you to the rest of the family. In his natural habitat, Coop’s pretty manageable,” Blaine said.
“Just so long as we can make a stop in Ohio. I know Dad and Carole will want to get hold of you on their home turf,” Kurt said, giggling to himself at Blaine’s expression. “Don’t worry - the worst part of that will be Carole force-feeding you and Dad talking incessantly about cars. They’re going to adore you, just like I do.”
“Yeah?” Blaine tilted his head and looked up at Kurt through his lashes.
“Are you really nervous about them?” Kurt asked.
“A little?” Blaine replied. “I know how much they mean to you. I want them to approve, you know?”
“You,” Kurt began, shifting so that he could wind his arms around Blaine’s neck, “are adorable. And sweet. And they’ll approve of you, because I approve of you. Very much.”
“Just what kind of approval are we talking about here?” Blaine flirted back, relaxing in Kurt’s arms.
“All the kinds that matter,” Kurt said, ending the conversation with a kiss.
He’d meant to keep it light and flirty, but Blaine tugged him closer with a needy whimper, his mouth hot and demanding against Kurt’s. The way Blaine gave himself over to Kurt so easily sent a thrill down Kurt’s spine, and he let himself be just as open, backing up against the nearest wall so that Blaine could settle against him. They kissed for long, liquid minutes, trying to make up for the last week by getting as close as possible. When they finally eased back, arms still around one another, there were smiles on both their faces.
“Mmmm, much better,” Blaine said, pressing a light kiss just behind Kurt’s ear. “Last week sucked. Let’s not do that again, ok?”
“Ok,” Kurt agreed easily, though he did eventually want to know more about why Blaine gave Coop his way so often. It was sweet, but awfully inconvenient.
“Would it be selfish of me to ask for you all to myself tonight after the show? I’m so tired of being away from you,” Blaine said.
“Sometimes, being a little selfish is exactly the right thing to do,” Kurt murmured, turning toward Blaine for another kiss. “This is definitely one of those times.”
“Until tonight, then?” Blaine asked, glancing down at his watch. “Kim and Elizabeth will be here any minute for rehearsals.”
“Duty calls,” Kurt said wryly. He leaned in for one more kiss, and then stepped back and ran a hand over his hair to set it to rights.
“That it does,” Blaine said. He grinned at Kurt, quick and bright, before turning for the door and heading out of sight.
Kurt sighed, feeling both fond and resigned, and walked across the room to get his ballroom shoes. Like it or not, the semifinals were here, and it was time to get to work.
***
Backstage before the show began, Kurt and Kim huddled in a quiet corner, heads together and fingers linked. They’d had a decent dress rehearsal, but the stresses of the week combined with Kurt’s mental block about the jive meant that they weren’t feeling as focused as they would have liked.
They were up first, which meant that they didn’t have long. Once they were out on the floor for the start of the show, they’d stay until their jive was done. In ten minutes’ time, they’d be on the steady slide down toward the finals, for better or for worse.
“Kurt,” Kim squeezed his fingers to regain his attention. Her expression showed nerves and determination in equal measure.
“I know. I’m here,” he replied. “Have fun and dance hard, ok? That’s all we can control.”
“No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love this. I love you,” Kim said fiercely. “You’re one of mine now. My people. My family.”
“I love you too,” Kurt told her, closing his eyes and swallowing against the tears that threatened. When he opened his eyes to look at her, he could tell that she was holding back tears too.
“We’re going to go out there and dance our cute little butts off. And then we’re going to do it again,” Kim said, some of her usual bravado resurfacing. “You with me?”
“Always.” Kurt smiled at her and let go of her hands so he could give her a quick hug. When he stepped back, they were both a little less emotional.
The call for places came a moment later, and Kim dragged Kurt off in search of the other cast members. They were gathered in the wings just offstage, and when Kurt and Kim showed up, the group made a loose circle. Blaine scooted in next to Kurt, taking his left hand, while Kim gripped his right. Across from them, Maks was offering some final pre-show thoughts, one arm draped over Santana’s shoulders. They both looked reasonably relaxed, which Kurt knew was due in large part to their dances for the evening. Quickstep and paso doble were sure to go well for them.
Next to Maks, Lacey was shifting from foot to foot, Puck standing behind her with his hands steady on her shoulders. He looked a little awkward in his suit for the Viennese waltz, but Lacey’s gorgeous purple gown more than made up for it. They’d be dancing rumba second, which was sure to be interesting. Kurt didn’t really want to wish them ill, but he couldn’t help but hope that their night would be just as fraught with potential challenges as his.
Unlike Puck, Blaine looked perfectly at home in his suit for the foxtrot, and Bitsy looked stunning in black and white satin. They would make a handsome couple out on the floor, and since they were going third, just after Puck and Lacey, Kurt would have time to watch them. Later in the evening, they’d switch gears entirely and dance an Argentine tango, which Kurt really couldn’t wait to see.
Blaine squeezed Kurt’s hand to get his attention, and Kurt grinned over at him. Now that the show was within minutes of starting, his nerves were beginning to smooth out. He was about to dance and do what he could to control what happened next. And whatever happened, at least one of them would make it through to the finals. If Blaine was the only one, Kurt would find it in himself to cheer his boyfriend on. He knew Blaine would do the same. But they’d both give anything to still be competing against one another for one more week.
As the lights dimmed and they headed out on stage, Kurt promised himself that he would do everything in his power to make the finals. He took Kim’s hand, pasted a wide smile on his face, and prepared to dance the jive and samba of his life.
Rating: NC-17 overall (PG-13 this chapter)
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, with appearances by Burt/Carole, Tina/Mike, Mercedes/Sam, Brittany/Santana, Rachel/Finn
Spoilers: None, but assume that anything through Season Three is fair game for inspiration.
Word Count: 1734
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: It's finally the day of the semifinals, but Kurt's still struggling to feel prepared.
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 a couple of OCs appear to round out the cast of characters. For the summer, I'm posting once a week so that I can keep up with real life things! I have a master glee post here, or follow my bff's tumblr for updates and fun multi-media extras that will go along with some chapters. Thanks to
samzgurl,
wintercreek, and
gypsyangel25 for the beta as well as for general cheer-leading and fun times.
On Monday morning, Kurt woke to thunder, lightning, and an empty bed. Blaine had been staying at his place with his brother for the past week, and Kurt missed him more than he had expected. He’d been hoping to go for a long walk on the beach to clear his head and focus on the show rather than his missing boyfriend, but that didn’t look like an option. The scene outside his window was dark and foreboding, sheets of rain being illuminated by regular lightening strikes. Just getting to the studio would be hard enough - forget trying for the beach.
Kurt went into the kitchen to put coffee on, and then stood in front of the living room window with his mug cupped in both hands. In some ways, the rain was a nice respite, because he didn’t feel quite ready to meet the world just yet. It had been a long week leading up to the semifinals, full of complications and mental blocks and the slow drain of fighting against two dance styles that never came naturally to him. Kim’s kids were still sick, which meant that she was harried and run down. Blaine was more on edge than Kurt had ever seen him, due to a combination of semifinals stress and his brother’s extended visit. And with Kurt’s two go-to stress relievers both preoccupied and stressed themselves, Kurt felt both increasingly exhausted and anxious.
Kurt had met up with Cedes, Brit, and Tina for Saturday brunch, which had helped a little. They’d listened patiently while he spilled all his woes, patting his hand and making sympathetic noises. Then they’d fallen back on their tried-and-true method of cheering him up - telling embarrassing stories and bawdy jokes until Kurt turned bright red and then had to laugh at his own expense. On the way out, each of the girls had given him long hugs, which had buoyed him for another long day of rehearsals.
Kurt smiled at the memory as he sipped his coffee, grateful for a strong dark roast and friends who were just as bracing. They wouldn’t approve of him wallowing, he knew, so instead he’d put together a quick breakfast and then head to the studio for a little dance therapy. Some barre work would put everything into perspective.
Two hours later, Kurt was stretching on the floor of the small practice studio when the sound of the door opening made him look up. Blaine was standing there, looking adorable in yoga pants and a striped shirt. He was also without his brother for the first time in days.
“Brittany offered to take Coop to brunch,” Blaine said, grinning at Kurt’s surprised expression. He closed the door behind him and walked over to Kurt. “I figure that should keep them both occupied and a little confused for a few hours.”
“I love that girl,” Kurt said, letting Blaine give him a hand up. He went directly into Blaine’s arms, holding him tight. “Is it stupid that I missed you?”
“God, no. I’ve missed you like crazy. This week has been…” Blaine trailed off.
“Crazy?” Kurt supplied. “Stressful? Insane? Maddening?”
“Tell me how you really feel,” Blaine joked. “But really, you’re right. It’s been nuts. But it’s almost over. Coop’s got a redeye tonight after the show.”
“Halleluia,” Kurt said quietly, making Blaine laugh. “I know he’s your brother and you love him, but you can love him twice as well from the opposite coast.”
“True. I’ll have to take you out there after the show - introduce you to the rest of the family. In his natural habitat, Coop’s pretty manageable,” Blaine said.
“Just so long as we can make a stop in Ohio. I know Dad and Carole will want to get hold of you on their home turf,” Kurt said, giggling to himself at Blaine’s expression. “Don’t worry - the worst part of that will be Carole force-feeding you and Dad talking incessantly about cars. They’re going to adore you, just like I do.”
“Yeah?” Blaine tilted his head and looked up at Kurt through his lashes.
“Are you really nervous about them?” Kurt asked.
“A little?” Blaine replied. “I know how much they mean to you. I want them to approve, you know?”
“You,” Kurt began, shifting so that he could wind his arms around Blaine’s neck, “are adorable. And sweet. And they’ll approve of you, because I approve of you. Very much.”
“Just what kind of approval are we talking about here?” Blaine flirted back, relaxing in Kurt’s arms.
“All the kinds that matter,” Kurt said, ending the conversation with a kiss.
He’d meant to keep it light and flirty, but Blaine tugged him closer with a needy whimper, his mouth hot and demanding against Kurt’s. The way Blaine gave himself over to Kurt so easily sent a thrill down Kurt’s spine, and he let himself be just as open, backing up against the nearest wall so that Blaine could settle against him. They kissed for long, liquid minutes, trying to make up for the last week by getting as close as possible. When they finally eased back, arms still around one another, there were smiles on both their faces.
“Mmmm, much better,” Blaine said, pressing a light kiss just behind Kurt’s ear. “Last week sucked. Let’s not do that again, ok?”
“Ok,” Kurt agreed easily, though he did eventually want to know more about why Blaine gave Coop his way so often. It was sweet, but awfully inconvenient.
“Would it be selfish of me to ask for you all to myself tonight after the show? I’m so tired of being away from you,” Blaine said.
“Sometimes, being a little selfish is exactly the right thing to do,” Kurt murmured, turning toward Blaine for another kiss. “This is definitely one of those times.”
“Until tonight, then?” Blaine asked, glancing down at his watch. “Kim and Elizabeth will be here any minute for rehearsals.”
“Duty calls,” Kurt said wryly. He leaned in for one more kiss, and then stepped back and ran a hand over his hair to set it to rights.
“That it does,” Blaine said. He grinned at Kurt, quick and bright, before turning for the door and heading out of sight.
Kurt sighed, feeling both fond and resigned, and walked across the room to get his ballroom shoes. Like it or not, the semifinals were here, and it was time to get to work.
***
Backstage before the show began, Kurt and Kim huddled in a quiet corner, heads together and fingers linked. They’d had a decent dress rehearsal, but the stresses of the week combined with Kurt’s mental block about the jive meant that they weren’t feeling as focused as they would have liked.
They were up first, which meant that they didn’t have long. Once they were out on the floor for the start of the show, they’d stay until their jive was done. In ten minutes’ time, they’d be on the steady slide down toward the finals, for better or for worse.
“Kurt,” Kim squeezed his fingers to regain his attention. Her expression showed nerves and determination in equal measure.
“I know. I’m here,” he replied. “Have fun and dance hard, ok? That’s all we can control.”
“No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love this. I love you,” Kim said fiercely. “You’re one of mine now. My people. My family.”
“I love you too,” Kurt told her, closing his eyes and swallowing against the tears that threatened. When he opened his eyes to look at her, he could tell that she was holding back tears too.
“We’re going to go out there and dance our cute little butts off. And then we’re going to do it again,” Kim said, some of her usual bravado resurfacing. “You with me?”
“Always.” Kurt smiled at her and let go of her hands so he could give her a quick hug. When he stepped back, they were both a little less emotional.
The call for places came a moment later, and Kim dragged Kurt off in search of the other cast members. They were gathered in the wings just offstage, and when Kurt and Kim showed up, the group made a loose circle. Blaine scooted in next to Kurt, taking his left hand, while Kim gripped his right. Across from them, Maks was offering some final pre-show thoughts, one arm draped over Santana’s shoulders. They both looked reasonably relaxed, which Kurt knew was due in large part to their dances for the evening. Quickstep and paso doble were sure to go well for them.
Next to Maks, Lacey was shifting from foot to foot, Puck standing behind her with his hands steady on her shoulders. He looked a little awkward in his suit for the Viennese waltz, but Lacey’s gorgeous purple gown more than made up for it. They’d be dancing rumba second, which was sure to be interesting. Kurt didn’t really want to wish them ill, but he couldn’t help but hope that their night would be just as fraught with potential challenges as his.
Unlike Puck, Blaine looked perfectly at home in his suit for the foxtrot, and Bitsy looked stunning in black and white satin. They would make a handsome couple out on the floor, and since they were going third, just after Puck and Lacey, Kurt would have time to watch them. Later in the evening, they’d switch gears entirely and dance an Argentine tango, which Kurt really couldn’t wait to see.
Blaine squeezed Kurt’s hand to get his attention, and Kurt grinned over at him. Now that the show was within minutes of starting, his nerves were beginning to smooth out. He was about to dance and do what he could to control what happened next. And whatever happened, at least one of them would make it through to the finals. If Blaine was the only one, Kurt would find it in himself to cheer his boyfriend on. He knew Blaine would do the same. But they’d both give anything to still be competing against one another for one more week.
As the lights dimmed and they headed out on stage, Kurt promised himself that he would do everything in his power to make the finals. He took Kim’s hand, pasted a wide smile on his face, and prepared to dance the jive and samba of his life.