Chapter Text
Morning came much too early for Adam’s tastes and he found himself muttering a few choice curse words underneath his breath. He mentally kicked himself for not having thought to draw the blinds down before they’d finally retired. They hadn’t gotten in until very early in the morning and even then, hadn’t gone to sleep immediately.
He drowsily looked down at the warm body nestled against him and couldn’t help from smiling at the tousled head resting against his shoulder. Kurt muttered sleepily at being jostled and nestled closer, seeking out Adam’s warmth in his sleep.
It was so easily to just lay there and enjoy Kurt’ presence in his bed, the way that Kurt’s long dancer’s legs entwined with his own. He’d been very glad that his boyfriend had asked if Adam minded if he stayed over after Midnight Madness. Because however things turned out, he could completely understand Kurt just not being in a state of mind to deal with his roommate and her habitual drama.
Even though their relationship was still very much in the relatively early stages, Kurt had already spent several nights at his flat and Adam found himself deeply missing Kurt’s presence when he wasn’t around. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that he’d fallen hard for the younger man and could only hope that Kurt felt the same. But he refused to pressure Kurt into revealing his true feelings. Not with everything his boyfriend was trying to handle right then. Kurt had more than enough people making unreasonable demands on him and Adam was not going to be yet another one.
Rubbing his eyes, he checked the time on his alarm clock and was pleased that they had gotten at least some sleep. The Apples had had wanted to attend Midnight Madness in order to show support for one of their own, but Kurt had specifically requested that they not attend the competition. Not that he didn’t want or appreciate their support, but he insisted that he wanted the contest with Rachel to be decided fairly and arriving with twenty or so of his friends would more than skew the results. He didn’t want any questions about favoritism to taint the results and except for Adam, had no one in attendance that might be specifically biased in his favor.
The Apples weren’t happy, wanting to be there to support one of their own in such a high stakes match but they understood Kurt’s feelings and didn’t want to make this harder for him. Instead, as a group they decided to wait at a nearby bar, prepared for a celebration or a wake depending on the outcome.
Adam felt himself frowning. It was a lot more consideration than the girl deserved, he thought uncharitably. He knew that Kurt still considered Rachel his best friend despite the rift that had grown between them as of late, but one certainly couldn’t tell that from how she’d been treating him. And she apparently had no concerns about fairness with her sycophants in attendance to support her. Not that it did her any good in the end when they ended up favoring Kurt, but Adam could not shake off the impression of Rachel trying to give herself whatever advantage she could at Kurt’s expense.
He gently brushed Kurt’s hair off his forehead and pressed a gentle kiss there. His darling really hadn’t expected to win, but Adam knew better. He was a good judge of ability and while Rachel had enormous talent and polish, Kurt possessed an exceptional maturity to his performances that she often lacked. By good fortune, the song drawn for them all but catered to Kurt’s emotionally sincere performance manner, while Rachel focused on style and artifice.
Of course, the Apples had been delighted at the results and insisted upon several rounds of congratulatory drinks to commemorate Kurt’s epic victory. He and Kurt didn’t make it back to his flat until nearly three in the morning where they continued their own private celebration. Kurt proved again that the high notes that he was able to hit so beautifully were in no way flukes.
Thankfully, it was a Friday and neither of them had an early class scheduled, so they could enjoy a bit of leisure time before they needed to head over to the school. Adam gently disentangled himself from Kurt, being careful not to wake him so he could wash and prepare breakfast.
Kurt was roused by the scent of coffee brewing and heard Adam humming away in the kitchen. He smiled tiredly and rubbed his eyes, knowing that he really should get moving, otherwise he’d be tempted to stay in bed the rest of he day. Not that the idea was completely without merit, Kurt mused. Especially if he was able to convince a certain handsome man to join him there. Between their mutual class and work schedules, he and Adam never seemed to have enough time to be together.
He snuggled into Adam’s pillow, enjoying the comfort of his scent a bit more before forcing himself to get up. His clothes were scattered carelessly about Adam’s bedroom, here they’d been tossed aside as Adam had stripped him bare and somehow his briefs had ended up draped over the bust of Shakespeare on Adam’s bookcase.
After brushing his teeth and splashing some cool water on his face to wake him, he sought out his boyfriend. Adam was at the stove, dressed only in a pair worn sleep pants as he scrambled up some eggs and vegetables for a quick omelet. Kurt hugged him from behind and drew his face down for a kiss.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Adam greeted, smiling as Kurt cuddled against him. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Once we actually got to sleep,” Kurt chuckled. “I had a rather insistent Englishman all over me, going on about celebratory blowjobs.”
“What a coincidence! I had an absolutely stunning young American lad who made the most lovely sounds last night,” Adam commented blithely. “And not just when he was singing.”
Kurt felt his cheeks heat and gave him a soft swat on his shoulder, laughing.
“There’s coffee, and breakfast will be ready in just a tick,” Adam advised as he sprinkled some shredded cheese onto the eggs and covered the pan so that the cheese would melt.
Kurt found himself helpless to fight the warm feeling that built up in his chest for this lovely man who took such good care of him. “You didn’t have to make breakfast,” he insisted.
Adam just smiled affectionately. “We’re still in celebratory mode, so enjoy it.”
They ended up eating in the living room, cuddled up together on Adam’s ratty old sofa and watching the morning news together. Adam fed him toast smeared with butter and the thick marmalade that his mother had sent in her last care package from home, while Kurt basked in the soothing cocoon of caring that Adam wove around him. It felt both strange and wonderful since he was accustomed to caring for others. It had been so long since he allowed someone to take care of him for a change.
He didn’t want to tell Adam, but he was a bit apprehensive about what awaited him at school. And seeing Rachel again. She hadn’t spoken a single word to Kurt after their competition and left nearly immediately afterwards. And he knew well from past experience how she tended to handle any kind of loss. She was not going to forgive him any time soon. And he knew that there was a chance that some of those who had supported Rachel so strongly would hold it against him for bringing their “star” back down to Earth.
The longer they stayed there, hidden away from the world, the longer he could postpone the inevitable confrontation and consequences of his audacity.
“Don’t you have dance class this afternoon?” Adam asked, sipping at his coffee.
“Yes, and don’t ask me how I’m going to handle Ms. July after last night,” Kurt moaned, resting his head against Adam’s shoulder. “There is not enough caffeine in the world that’s going to make me functional today.”
“At least you get to do something physical to perk you up,” Adam mused. “I’m going to be sleepwalking through my Elizabethan Playwrights workshop.”
“Poor baby,” Kurt cooed sympathetically. “This is what happens when you let your Apples order us drinks in little test tubes.”
“All in a good cause,” Adam insisted. He collected their plates and gave Kurt a gentle kiss. “I’ll clean up while you grab a shower.”
“Oh no… I’ll clean. You cooked,” Kurt insisted, trying to take the dishes from Adam, only to be gently rebuffed.
“Ah ah… we’re still celebrating,” Adam reminded him. “The guest of honor does not do dishes.”
Kurt huffed, knowing that Adam was not going to budge in the least. “Fine,” he acquiesced. “I’ll go take a shower.
“A long, hot, steamy shower… and if someone gets the dishes done quickly, he might get here in time to join me,” he said teasingly, trailing a fingertip over Adam’s bare, broad shoulder.
Adam gave Kurt a long, sly grin and warned, “Oh, I think that he will. You can count on that.”
* * *
Kurt was glad that he’d thought to pack several days worth of clothing, just in case he decided to extend his stay with Adam. A lot would depend on Rachel’s behavior when he saw her at school. Just because he didn’t like to shy away from confrontations didn’t mean that he felt inclined to live in an active war zone. It didn’t hurt to be prepared for any possible eventuality.
He studied the very noticeable love bite that Adam had left right below his left ear and sighed with fond exasperation. Adam did have a tendency to use him for a chew toy after a few drinks, but he normally kept his markings where they could be hidden by clothing. This mark was a lot more prominent and not in place where an artfully draped scarf would hide it. And it as dark enough that with his complexion, would show right through any concealer.
It wasn’t like he didn’t give Adam back as good as he got. Adam’s body bore a scattering of bite marks and hickeys that were sure to be noticed if Adam stripped off his shirt. Their fellow Apples were sure to give them both a good ribbing when they saw what he and Adam had done to one another.
Oh well… if he couldn’t hide it, he might as well flaunt it. He pulled on his grey sweater and deliberately left the collar unbuttoned to draw attention to his throat. A quick mist of hairspray and he figured that he was prepared to face whatever was waiting for him.
They took a leisurely walk to school, the weather just warm enough to be comfortable without their heavy winter gear. Adam lived close enough that they could skip the subway and enjoy the crisp early spring weather. Kurt had shoved his gloves into his coat pocket so that he could feel Adam’s warm hand in his, still marveling at the feeling of being able to walk hand in hand and so obviously a couple with no one looking twice.
It felt strange at times to be so at ease with Adam in a way that he’d never really managed with Blaine. Even when their relationship was at its most secure, Kurt had always felt like he constantly needed to prove that he deserved to be with Blaine. And he saw what happened on the occasions when Blaine found him lacking in some manner. Adam just seemed so content to let Kurt be himself, and encouraged him to be as fiery and dramatic as he wanted to be.
He looked up at the older man and knew that he was getting in a lot deeper a lot faster than he thought he would. It had been only a few weeks of actually dating and being a couple, and they hadn’t even really discussed exclusivity yet. But he was already thinking about how he’d introduce Adam to his father. He knew that Burt would love this cheerful, sunny man who always made Kurt feel like he could do anything at all and just delighted in seeing him do so. That kind of support without the underlying competitiveness that always existed between Blaine and himself was rather heady.
When they arrived at NYADA’s main building, Kurt fought down the feeling of apprehension that was starting to undo the calmness that Adam had so carefully coaxed out of him. He knew that Rachel had an early class that morning and it was very possible that she’d spent the past few hours complaining to anyone who’s listen about the unfairness of the contest and how awful Kurt had been to deliberately sabotage her reputation the way he did.
Adam offered a reassuring squeeze of his hand as they stepped through the doors and into the throng of other students. Kurt felt himself holding his breath, waiting to see what the response was to his arrival. Many paused at seeing Kurt and to his surprise, there were a lot of knowing smiles in his direction. Some were whispering as he passed and… was that a look of admiration from one of the upper classmen in the voice program?
As if sensing that Kurt was feeling uneasy, one of the Apples quickly stepped out of the crowd of students to rescue him. Mei arrived in a flurry of petticoats and a baby blue Victorian dress and all but threw herself into his arms. “You’re here!” she exclaimed happily. “Finally! Everyone’s been asking for you today. I was starting to worry that Adam was going to keep you locked away for himself.”
“Well, we might have made it in a little earlier if some people didn’t have an absolute fetish about feeding us little strange concoctions at the bar,” Adam chuckled.
Mei giggled. “But they were yummy, weren’t they? I thought that the sour apple ones were especially appropriate.”
“Very, my dear. But not conducive to being at all productive the following morning.”
She grinned knowingly. “Well, judging from the teeth marks you left on Kurt, I’d say you were plenty productive. All night long… all night!” she sang, swaying her hips.
Kurt couldn’t help from laughing. Few would ever guess that the girl in the Lolita getup would have such an absolutely bawdy sense of humor. Or that she was one of the best actresses in the dramatics program.
Adam pulled off his beanie and ran a hand through his hair to smooth it down. “So… what has the rumor mill been saying?”
Mei leaned in and smiled broadly. “Everyone’s been talking about last night and how La Berry finally got what was coming to her. I don’t think that there are too many people here who aren’t pleased that she finally got knocked down a few pegs.”
Adam squeezed Kurt’s shoulder and looked down at his boyfriend. “See? It’s all going to be okay.”
Kurt wasn’t quite sure if he was ready to agree just yet, not with the way that everyone was staring at him. He probably should be pleased with the admiring looks people were throwing his way, but he was admittedly overtired maybe even a bit hung over. And he wasn’t comfortable with the fact that this new admiration was coming at Rachel’s expense. Despite everything, he hadn’t wanted to hurt her and if the response to him was this overwhelming positive, he could only imagine how Rachel was being treated.
Adam dropped him off at his dance class with a gentle kiss and urged him to have a good day. He still felt somewhat disconnected and it was hard to stay focused, but he managed to make it through class without totally embarrassing himself. Kurt could feel Ms. July watching him the entire time with the intentness of a hawk, but kept her normally caustic comments to a minimum.
He was about to head to the dressing room after class when he heard her bark, “China Doll! A minute, if you don’t mind?”
He sighed, knowing that there was not going to be a quick escape today. He wondered what he’d done wrong this time.
She gestured towards the barre and guided him through some cool down exercises before she got to her real point. “So I hear you had a bit of drama with Schwimmer last night,” Cassandra observed with dark amusement.
Kurt froze, realizing what she was referring to. “I.. No! I mean..,” he stammered, but quickly withered under her knowing stare.
“Save it. It’s not like it’s some kind of big secret,” she advised him, enjoying his discomfort. “Did you really think that you idiots would get away with something if the faculty didn’t know what was going on? We let you hold you hold your little battles so things get resolved in a constructive manner.
“And I’ve got to give you credit,” she granted. “You managed to be a serious giant ego-killer. Well done. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to see it myself but teachers would kind of harsh the buzz.”
“Thanks… I think,” Kurt accepted, more than a little uncomfortable with her regard on the matter. He knew full well how she and Rachel had been butting heads.
She stared at him down and pursed her mouth. “Let me guess… you’re feeling bad about handing Berry her egotistical ass to her on a platter. Right?”
Kurt looked down at his shoes, not quite sure how to answer.
Cassandra huffed irritably. “Look, I know that she’s supposed to be your friend. Though with a friend like that, I’d be hiring a bodyguard because she would definitely crowbar you if she thought it would get her ahead somehow.”
Kurt shook his head insistently. “No! She’s not really like that. She’s…”
Cassandra cut him off with a quickly raised finger. “No? Then explain her behavior the past few weeks when her head was swelling to the point that I’m surprised she was able to get it through the front doors. Or did I mistake how she was throwing her diminutive weight around like she’s God’s gift to the theater world and we’re all peons here to serve her bidding?”
She leaned against the barre and gave him a hard stare. “Let me tell you something, Hummel… I’ve seen her kind time and time again. Arrogant and self-entitled and completely unable to respect that other people just might have an iota of talent themselves. She’s probably the girl who got everything she wanted in high school without lifting a finger.”
Kurt felt himself nodding and hating that he was doing so. It felt like he was betraying Rachel.
Cassandra just nodded knowingly. “Now I’m sure that she’s not going to see it this way, but you actually did her a huge favor.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, more than a bit confused. “I only embarrassed her in front of the entire school.”
“Yeah, you did. Didn’t you?” Cassandra chuckled. “But it in the end, if she’s capable of getting her head out from her own ass and actually learns something, she’s going to come out better for it.
“This is a rough business you kids are trying to get into,” the harsh woman warned. “I don’t think I have to tell you that. If you’re not able to take any criticism or correction, or learn to keep your ego in check and listen to those who might know better… well, you won’t survive long. And her ego was getting so inflated that she wasn’t listening to anyone except those who were telling her what she wanted to hear.”
Kurt couldn’t deny that fact. Rachel had ignored him in favor of her minions and when he called her on her behavior, she attacked like he was a mortal enemy.
“Now can you imagine what’s going to happen to Berry the first time she butts heads with a director who’s not inclined to cater to her every wish? Or cast mates who don’t feel that they are there just to serve her bidding?” Cassandra asked. “There’s a big difference between confidence and arrogance and she badly needs to learn that. Otherwise no matter how good she thinks she is, she’s going to make herself unemployable.”
Kurt sighed, resting his arms on the barre and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He looked so worn down and sad. “I could have found another way to reach her,” he insisted, but that claim sounded weak even to himself. “I didn’t have to go right to the nuclear option.”
His dance teacher shook her head. “Hummel… I dealt with her all last semester and I can tell you that you that nothing short of a brick to the skull is going to get through to her. She’s out for herself and herself alone and it doesn’t matter if you’re her best friend or her brother… she’ll steamroll right over you to get what she wants. If you don’t stand up to her, then you’re signing up for a lifetime role as her doormat. And I don’t get the impression that being a doormat is the career that you’re planning on. Is it?”
Kurt didn’t answer immediately. He knew that Ms. July was right. How often had he held back, letting others step over him in order to keep the peace around him. If it wasn’t Rachel, then it had been Blaine and what did it get him? Ignored half the time and mocked the other half. How could he be the star that he wanted to be if he kept letter others just kept letting others just take what he wanted for themselves without putting up a fight.
He looked at the normally harsh woman who reminded him so much of Sue Sylvester in a lot of ways, trying figure out what her angle was. “Why are you doing this?” he couldn’t help from asking.
Cassandra flicked her long hair back and gazed at him appraisingly. “I know I have a reputation for being a real hard ass,” she admitted. “Maybe teaching wasn’t my first choice, but I do take it seriously. And unlike half the troglodytes that come trooping through my class, you actually want to learn.”
She stepped away to pull on her warm up jacket. “You’re not so caught up in your own amazingness that you just go through the motions the way so many others do. So maybe I’m not as hard on you as I might be on some of the others because you’re not wasting my time.”
He watched her gather her belongings and give him another hard stare. “Don’t disappoint me and undo the good you just did.”
He left the dance studio, having a lot to think about. As good as he felt about proving himself, he couldn’t lie and be glad that it hurt Rachel in the process. Yes, he’d wanted to teach her a lesson and he was the one who’s issued the challenge. He knew what the stakes were better than she did. And he still did this to her.
Kurt sighed deeply, unable to shake the intense feeling of guilt over what he’d done. He hadn’t intended to hurt Rachel but apparently that was what he’d done. And he wasn’t sure if he was ready to deal with the consequences of his decision.