His Perfect Partner (35/?)
Title: His Perfect Partner (35/?)
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: 1811
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 results show continues, and Kurt and Kim fight to stay optimistic about their chances.
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.
“And the first couple going to the final is…Blaine and Elizabeth!”
Kurt was certain he’d never forget the look of stunned joy on Blaine’s face just after Tom made that announcement. Blaine immediately looked up to the balcony where Kurt was standing, though the lights made it impossible for him to see Kurt’s face, and the moment became even more indelible in Kurt’s mind. Blaine deserved to make the final, and Kurt would get to share that with him regardless of whether he was competing against him. That was the beauty of partnership, of love. Bittersweet or not, Kurt knew it was worth it.
Blaine was still grinning and hugging Bitsy when Tom announced that Puck and Lacey were in the bottom two, a surprise to no one. Which meant that within ten minutes’ time, Kurt would be up on stage with Kim, Santana, and Maks, waiting to hear the first part of his fate. Ten minutes after that, the two couples in the bottom would stand on stage under red spotlights. One couple would head to the finals, and the other would head home. Twenty minutes more, and Kurt would know what happened next.
For the next eight minutes, Kurt paced the balcony, passing Santana coming the other direction every time he turned. She’d given him a grim smile the first time they’d crossed paths, but hadn’t looked up since then. Maks and Kim were standing at the railing, talking quietly as they watched the guest performer sing while Mike and Tina waltzed across the floor. Blaine and Bitsy were down in the little room just offstage, giving their post-announcement interview. Kurt figured that was for the best, since he’d probably just burst into tears if Blaine so much as patted his arm right now. His emotions were all over the place, and it was better to keep them under lock and key until he got off stage for good.
“Kurtsie?” Kim called, making him stop his circuit of the balcony. “Time to go.”
“Ok. Let’s do this.” Kurt took her proffered hand, holding it carefully, as though any sudden movement might break their connection. She led them down to the stage during the commercial break, pausing only to smile over at Grant in the front row. The kids were home with a babysitter, because Kim didn’t like them to be there for the stress of a results show each week.
Up on stage, Kurt and Kim met Santana and Maks for a quick round of hugs and best wishes. Santana looked like she was about to make good on all her threats and throw up right there, but she seemed to settle a bit when Maks wrapped one arm around her shoulders and guided her to their mark.
“You’re not going to hurl, are you?” Kim whispered, making Kurt laugh.
“No, you?” He whispered back, securing both arms around her waist.
“Don’t plan on it. But don’t let go, ok?” Kim leaned back against his chest and folded her arms over Kurt’s.
“I promise,” Kurt replied, beginning to rock them gently side to side. It was a habit he thought he’d picked up his first season, until his dad had reminded him that his mother used to rock him just like that when he was upset as a kid. It was amazing what stayed in muscle memory, even after all these years.
Kurt let his mind drift as the familiar litany of elimination began, Tom recapping their performances from the previous night before inviting the judges to say something inane about why each couple should get the chance to stay. Finally, the lights lowered and the music swelled. Then the ax fell.
Red light flooded the space around Kurt and Kim’s feet as Tom pronounced their names, indicated that they were in the bottom two for the night. Next to them, Santana sagged in Maks’s arms before turning around for a hug.
“Well, shit,” Kim said succinctly, once she’d turned to tuck her face in Kurt’s neck. Kurt chuckled, caught between amusement and resignation. This was exactly the position he didn’t want to be in, though he had expected it.
“Eloquently put,” Kurt murmured into Kim’s hair, holding on tight for a minute before they were shooed offstage in favor of another guest performer.
Backstage, Mercedes was waiting to give them both hugs and touch up Kim’s hair and makeup. She put a little extra powder on Kurt as well, muttering about how washed out and shiny that damn red light made people look. Kim kept a firm grip on Kurt’s hand, not letting go as they waited for their cue to go back on stage. Puck and Lacey showed up a minute or two later. They were both more subdued than usual, though Lacey made the rounds for hugs and Puck cracked a quick joke or two.
Kurt could hear Tom sending them to commercial, and then the lights went down and the two couples were being ushered onstage. Puck squeezed Kurt’s shoulder as he passed, and Lacey leaned over for one more hug from Kim. Kurt stood behind Kim, his hands on her shoulders, and he took the moment before the lights came back up to search the balcony for Blaine. Blaine was at the railing, standing between Bitsy and Santana, both of whom looked to be holding his hands. He smiled warmly down at Kurt, but even at this distance, Kurt could see the worry in his eyes.
“I think Blaine may be taking this harder than we are,” Kurt said to Kim, trying to lighten the mood.
“That’s because we’re in active denial mode. No freaking out until there’s nothing more we can do to fix it,” Kim said firmly, reaching up to put her hand over one of Kurt’s.
They stood, still as statues, as the lights warmed and the crowd applauded. Then Tom began to talk, and the music began to swell. Kurt’s breath caught and held, clogging his chest. He knew the rhythms of this part of the show as well as he knew the beating of his own heart; right now, neither felt familiar - both too loud and jarring to be comfortable.
Tom was soliciting the opinions of the judges, who had kind things to say about both couples. Kim was breathing quietly, the subtle up and down motion of her shoulders a comfort under his hands. Puck and Lacey were similarly still, only the tapping of Puck’s foot giving away his anxiety. Even the crowd was almost silent, leaning forward in suspended animation, waiting for what would happen next.
On cue, the lights shifted again, painting both couples in sharp relief against a darkened backdrop. Tom turned toward them, his expression and tone serious as he spoke the words that began the elimination:
“Now, on this penultimate night of competition…”
Kurt felt lightheaded with anticipation, and he gripped Kim’s shoulders more firmly, as though the contact would keep him better tethered to the earth. Without conscious thought, his gaze lifted until he locked eyes with Blaine, who was staring back with a new intensity. It was only seconds before the announcement came, but in that time, Kurt and Blaine communicated a lifetime’s worth of emotions and commitments, strengthening the bond between them to defend against whatever might come their way.
The noise of the crowd swelled suddenly. Under Kurt’s hands, Kim’s shoulders jerked in surprise before slumping in what could be relief or dejection. Still, Kurt didn’t look away from Blaine. Blaine, whose expression changed from intensity to love to unmitigated happiness as Kurt watched. Kurt hadn’t heard a word Tom had said. Instead, he’d looked into Blaine’s eyes and known. They were safe. They’d made it. The finals were theirs.
***
Even once the press left, the ballroom was chaos after the show. Kurt, Bitsy, and Maks met with the judges to choose their best dance to revisit during the finale, while Kim, Blaine, and Santana got pulled away to discuss their song choices for their freestyle performances. Kurt didn’t like not having control over their freestyle song, but Kim had given him a smug grin and told him to trust her. Oddly enough, he did.
Kurt was wandering around backstage, looking for Kim, when he heard a voice calling his name. Then Blaine was there, all smiles, pulling Kurt into a hug before he could even say hello. Crazy as it had been, Kurt hadn’t managed to be within three feet of Blaine since the show had ended, and he wanted nothing more than to grab onto Blaine and stay there forever. Judging by the force of Blaine’s grip, he felt the same way. Kurt melted into his embrace, squeezing tight before leaning back so that they could share a grin.
“We made it, sweetheart,” Blaine said softly, his hands rubbing soothingly across Kurt’s back.
“We did. The finale. Both of us.” Kurt had evidently used up all of his complete sentences during interviews. Luckily he didn’t care.
“You’re already choreographing in your head, aren’t you?” Blaine asked, watching Kurt fondly.
“Just running scenarios. I need the song to choreograph for real.” Kurt’s thoughts began to get away from him again, as he tried to imagine what Kim might have selected.
“Don’t worry. I think you’re going to like what Kim picked,” Blaine said.
“She told you? Oh man, I have to find her…” Kurt said, trailing off when Blaine leaned in, his eyes dark with intent.
“In a minute,” Blaine whispered. His hands came up to frame Kurt’s face. “I need to kiss you first.”
“You need to, hm?” Kurt said, flirting playfully.
“Desperately.”
Blaine’s tone was both affectionate and utterly serious. He drew Kurt closer, his hands still cradling Kurt’s jaw, and took his mouth in a lush kiss. Kurt let Blaine lead, let himself take whatever Blaine wanted to give. Blaine’s hands slid into Kurt’s hair as the kiss deepened, and a thrill ran down Kurt’s spine. He wanted kissing - kissing Blaine - to always feel like this.
“Mmm…love you,” Blaine said, pulling back with a dazed and happy look in his eyes.
“I love you too,” Kurt replied. He tilted his forehead against Blaine’s and grinned shamelessly. “Doesn’t mean I’m not going to beat the pants off you next week, but…”
“Sounds hot.” Blaine grinned when Kurt swatted at him half-heartedly.
“You’re a goof,” Kurt said.
“Yes, but I’m your goof.” Blaine batted his eyelashes, which was never fair.
“Oh c’mon, you. I need to find my partner.” Kurt planted a swift kiss on Blaine’s lips, and then grabbed his hand to lead the way down the hall.
As delightfully distracting as Blaine was, Kurt had a winning routine to choreograph. Once he located Kim, he was diving straight into rehearsals. He didn’t plan on stopping until he had that mirrorball trophy in his grasp.
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: 1811
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 results show continues, and Kurt and Kim fight to stay optimistic about their chances.
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.
“And the first couple going to the final is…Blaine and Elizabeth!”
Kurt was certain he’d never forget the look of stunned joy on Blaine’s face just after Tom made that announcement. Blaine immediately looked up to the balcony where Kurt was standing, though the lights made it impossible for him to see Kurt’s face, and the moment became even more indelible in Kurt’s mind. Blaine deserved to make the final, and Kurt would get to share that with him regardless of whether he was competing against him. That was the beauty of partnership, of love. Bittersweet or not, Kurt knew it was worth it.
Blaine was still grinning and hugging Bitsy when Tom announced that Puck and Lacey were in the bottom two, a surprise to no one. Which meant that within ten minutes’ time, Kurt would be up on stage with Kim, Santana, and Maks, waiting to hear the first part of his fate. Ten minutes after that, the two couples in the bottom would stand on stage under red spotlights. One couple would head to the finals, and the other would head home. Twenty minutes more, and Kurt would know what happened next.
For the next eight minutes, Kurt paced the balcony, passing Santana coming the other direction every time he turned. She’d given him a grim smile the first time they’d crossed paths, but hadn’t looked up since then. Maks and Kim were standing at the railing, talking quietly as they watched the guest performer sing while Mike and Tina waltzed across the floor. Blaine and Bitsy were down in the little room just offstage, giving their post-announcement interview. Kurt figured that was for the best, since he’d probably just burst into tears if Blaine so much as patted his arm right now. His emotions were all over the place, and it was better to keep them under lock and key until he got off stage for good.
“Kurtsie?” Kim called, making him stop his circuit of the balcony. “Time to go.”
“Ok. Let’s do this.” Kurt took her proffered hand, holding it carefully, as though any sudden movement might break their connection. She led them down to the stage during the commercial break, pausing only to smile over at Grant in the front row. The kids were home with a babysitter, because Kim didn’t like them to be there for the stress of a results show each week.
Up on stage, Kurt and Kim met Santana and Maks for a quick round of hugs and best wishes. Santana looked like she was about to make good on all her threats and throw up right there, but she seemed to settle a bit when Maks wrapped one arm around her shoulders and guided her to their mark.
“You’re not going to hurl, are you?” Kim whispered, making Kurt laugh.
“No, you?” He whispered back, securing both arms around her waist.
“Don’t plan on it. But don’t let go, ok?” Kim leaned back against his chest and folded her arms over Kurt’s.
“I promise,” Kurt replied, beginning to rock them gently side to side. It was a habit he thought he’d picked up his first season, until his dad had reminded him that his mother used to rock him just like that when he was upset as a kid. It was amazing what stayed in muscle memory, even after all these years.
Kurt let his mind drift as the familiar litany of elimination began, Tom recapping their performances from the previous night before inviting the judges to say something inane about why each couple should get the chance to stay. Finally, the lights lowered and the music swelled. Then the ax fell.
Red light flooded the space around Kurt and Kim’s feet as Tom pronounced their names, indicated that they were in the bottom two for the night. Next to them, Santana sagged in Maks’s arms before turning around for a hug.
“Well, shit,” Kim said succinctly, once she’d turned to tuck her face in Kurt’s neck. Kurt chuckled, caught between amusement and resignation. This was exactly the position he didn’t want to be in, though he had expected it.
“Eloquently put,” Kurt murmured into Kim’s hair, holding on tight for a minute before they were shooed offstage in favor of another guest performer.
Backstage, Mercedes was waiting to give them both hugs and touch up Kim’s hair and makeup. She put a little extra powder on Kurt as well, muttering about how washed out and shiny that damn red light made people look. Kim kept a firm grip on Kurt’s hand, not letting go as they waited for their cue to go back on stage. Puck and Lacey showed up a minute or two later. They were both more subdued than usual, though Lacey made the rounds for hugs and Puck cracked a quick joke or two.
Kurt could hear Tom sending them to commercial, and then the lights went down and the two couples were being ushered onstage. Puck squeezed Kurt’s shoulder as he passed, and Lacey leaned over for one more hug from Kim. Kurt stood behind Kim, his hands on her shoulders, and he took the moment before the lights came back up to search the balcony for Blaine. Blaine was at the railing, standing between Bitsy and Santana, both of whom looked to be holding his hands. He smiled warmly down at Kurt, but even at this distance, Kurt could see the worry in his eyes.
“I think Blaine may be taking this harder than we are,” Kurt said to Kim, trying to lighten the mood.
“That’s because we’re in active denial mode. No freaking out until there’s nothing more we can do to fix it,” Kim said firmly, reaching up to put her hand over one of Kurt’s.
They stood, still as statues, as the lights warmed and the crowd applauded. Then Tom began to talk, and the music began to swell. Kurt’s breath caught and held, clogging his chest. He knew the rhythms of this part of the show as well as he knew the beating of his own heart; right now, neither felt familiar - both too loud and jarring to be comfortable.
Tom was soliciting the opinions of the judges, who had kind things to say about both couples. Kim was breathing quietly, the subtle up and down motion of her shoulders a comfort under his hands. Puck and Lacey were similarly still, only the tapping of Puck’s foot giving away his anxiety. Even the crowd was almost silent, leaning forward in suspended animation, waiting for what would happen next.
On cue, the lights shifted again, painting both couples in sharp relief against a darkened backdrop. Tom turned toward them, his expression and tone serious as he spoke the words that began the elimination:
“Now, on this penultimate night of competition…”
Kurt felt lightheaded with anticipation, and he gripped Kim’s shoulders more firmly, as though the contact would keep him better tethered to the earth. Without conscious thought, his gaze lifted until he locked eyes with Blaine, who was staring back with a new intensity. It was only seconds before the announcement came, but in that time, Kurt and Blaine communicated a lifetime’s worth of emotions and commitments, strengthening the bond between them to defend against whatever might come their way.
The noise of the crowd swelled suddenly. Under Kurt’s hands, Kim’s shoulders jerked in surprise before slumping in what could be relief or dejection. Still, Kurt didn’t look away from Blaine. Blaine, whose expression changed from intensity to love to unmitigated happiness as Kurt watched. Kurt hadn’t heard a word Tom had said. Instead, he’d looked into Blaine’s eyes and known. They were safe. They’d made it. The finals were theirs.
***
Even once the press left, the ballroom was chaos after the show. Kurt, Bitsy, and Maks met with the judges to choose their best dance to revisit during the finale, while Kim, Blaine, and Santana got pulled away to discuss their song choices for their freestyle performances. Kurt didn’t like not having control over their freestyle song, but Kim had given him a smug grin and told him to trust her. Oddly enough, he did.
Kurt was wandering around backstage, looking for Kim, when he heard a voice calling his name. Then Blaine was there, all smiles, pulling Kurt into a hug before he could even say hello. Crazy as it had been, Kurt hadn’t managed to be within three feet of Blaine since the show had ended, and he wanted nothing more than to grab onto Blaine and stay there forever. Judging by the force of Blaine’s grip, he felt the same way. Kurt melted into his embrace, squeezing tight before leaning back so that they could share a grin.
“We made it, sweetheart,” Blaine said softly, his hands rubbing soothingly across Kurt’s back.
“We did. The finale. Both of us.” Kurt had evidently used up all of his complete sentences during interviews. Luckily he didn’t care.
“You’re already choreographing in your head, aren’t you?” Blaine asked, watching Kurt fondly.
“Just running scenarios. I need the song to choreograph for real.” Kurt’s thoughts began to get away from him again, as he tried to imagine what Kim might have selected.
“Don’t worry. I think you’re going to like what Kim picked,” Blaine said.
“She told you? Oh man, I have to find her…” Kurt said, trailing off when Blaine leaned in, his eyes dark with intent.
“In a minute,” Blaine whispered. His hands came up to frame Kurt’s face. “I need to kiss you first.”
“You need to, hm?” Kurt said, flirting playfully.
“Desperately.”
Blaine’s tone was both affectionate and utterly serious. He drew Kurt closer, his hands still cradling Kurt’s jaw, and took his mouth in a lush kiss. Kurt let Blaine lead, let himself take whatever Blaine wanted to give. Blaine’s hands slid into Kurt’s hair as the kiss deepened, and a thrill ran down Kurt’s spine. He wanted kissing - kissing Blaine - to always feel like this.
“Mmm…love you,” Blaine said, pulling back with a dazed and happy look in his eyes.
“I love you too,” Kurt replied. He tilted his forehead against Blaine’s and grinned shamelessly. “Doesn’t mean I’m not going to beat the pants off you next week, but…”
“Sounds hot.” Blaine grinned when Kurt swatted at him half-heartedly.
“You’re a goof,” Kurt said.
“Yes, but I’m your goof.” Blaine batted his eyelashes, which was never fair.
“Oh c’mon, you. I need to find my partner.” Kurt planted a swift kiss on Blaine’s lips, and then grabbed his hand to lead the way down the hall.
As delightfully distracting as Blaine was, Kurt had a winning routine to choreograph. Once he located Kim, he was diving straight into rehearsals. He didn’t plan on stopping until he had that mirrorball trophy in his grasp.