Brave Chapter 5

[ruddiestbubbles]

 

Z: This isn’t uhc

K: Close enough

As Kurt walks through the crowded airport, he’s overwhelmed in the worst way possible. He grips the handle of his suit case a little harder, his knuckles going white, fingers shaky. He looks around, eyes darting from French sign to French sign. This is already feeling like far too much for him to handle. He takes a deep breath, holds it, then breathes out slowly.

“Kurt! Hey!”

His head snaps towards the voice, and he spots Bdubs and Genny, waving obnoxiously. He lets out a sigh and makes his way over to them.

“Hey guys,” He greets, almost immediately being pulled into a hug by Bdubs, which he returns, despite feeling awkward and tense. Genny hugs him immediately after, and slaps his back with a huge smile.

“Y’all ready to head to the hotel? I heard Guude has a bar picked out for tonight,” Bdubs grins mischievously.

“You’re gonna get so drunk,” Genny laughs, nudging his shoulder against Bdubs’ playfully.

“You know it brotha’.”

Kurt laughs, shaking his head slightly, “If we just stand here talking, we’ll never get to the bar.”

“Good point my man!” Bdubs slaps him on the back and turns on his heel, “Then let’s get going!”

Kurt laughs lightly, and follows behind the two, his suitcase rolling behind him, his grip loosened; fingers less shaky. He’ll be okay.

~~~

Z: Just landed, all safe and sound ;)

Tyler has been checking his phone every other minute as he sits on the couch. He can’t help it, he really wants to talk to Kurt. He really wants to hear his voice, or at least text him. He knows Kurt will be really busy, and not have a lot of time for him this weekend, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to talk to his boyfriend. He still marvels over that word, and that he gets to use it, that he gets to also be called that. It makes his heart swell with joy and pride in a way he’s never felt before. He’s been at his parents’ house for a while now, and he’s extremely bored, especially since his parents are out shopping, getting food and supplies for the get together.

It’s still all so new, too. This whole thing he’s got with Kurt, it’s nothing like he’s ever experienced before. It’s nothing like dating Amanda from high school, not at all. It’s something unique and amazing. He constantly feels so happy, and so much more confident. He smiled before, but he’s never smiled this much. His parents keep giving him looks, like they know something’s up, it’s a miracle they haven't asked him about it yet, though he’s sure it’ll happen soon enough. But he’s not sure he’s ready to tell them. It’s only been a week since they made it official, and it feels far too much, far too fast. Even though there’s so much he wants that feels like too much, but this, this is the icing on the cake. For one, he’s not ready to share Kurt with anyone yet, as silly as that sounds, and two, he’s not out to his parents, Kurt and Sam are the only ones who know that he’s… not straight, because even he’s not exactly sure what he is. He likes Kurt, and that’s all he needs to know for now, he can figure out all the other details later.

His phone pings with a text.

K: Skype?

He smiles, grabbing his laptop and clicking open Skype. He hits the call button and sets the laptop on the arm of the couch, angled so the camera is on his face.

“Hi,” He practically sighs, smiling at Kurt through the camera.

“Hi,” Kurt responds with a small smile, eyes droopy and tired.

“How was your flight?”

“Long, annoying, the usual.”

“Ah, I see,” He laughs softly, smiling lazily, “You’re adorable when you’re tired.”

“Am not.”

“You are though,” He squints at the screen, “You look so relaxed and content.”

“I am, now that I’m talking to you,”

His heart swells at that, and he’s not sure what to say, but he smiles at Kurt, who smiles right back, and he loves this. “Any big plans for the night?”

“Ah, I’ve heard rumours of a bar.”

“A bar? Oh boy, you better be careful, wouldn’t wanna go rambling drunkenly about your boyfriend,” He wiggles his eyebrows, grinning mischievously.

“Why do you keep bringing that up?” Kurt groans, rolling his eyes, “You weren’t even my boyfriend then.”

“Nope, but I am now, so it’s my job to frustrate you,” He winks.

“You frustrate me enough, trust me,” Kurt says under his breath, just barely loud enough for Tyler to hear, and there’s this look that crosses his face, a distinct want.

And Tyler chokes back a gasp, that look goes straight to his gut. He wants so bad. “Y-yeah,” He rambles out, and they just stare at each other. The tension is thick in the air, and Tyler’s not sure he’s ever wanted someone-- or something for that matter-- this much. He’s hard and he doesn’t know how to handle this situation, because Kurt is looking at him with his sleepy blue eyes that so clearly portray desire, and he wants so much right now, but he doesn’t know where the line is, they haven't had that talk yet.

“So uh,” Kurt clears his throat, cheeks and ears a delightful red.

“Yeah, uh.”

And they just stare at each other, eyes wide and cheeks red. A loud banging from kurt’s end scares them both, reanimating their still bodies.

“Kurt! We’re gonna head out in about ten minutes if you’re coming!” Comes an unmistakable southern twang.

“Um yeah, be down shortly!” Kurt yells back, eyes never leaving the screen. “I uh, better go and, y’know, cool off.”

Kurt says it so casually, yet he can still feel the tension in the air, and the way they’re looking at each other, it’s creating a fire in his gut. “Yeah… I uh, probably should too.”

“I’ll talk to you later, yeah?”

“Later, yeah,” He agrees and it comes out slightly breathless.

They stare at each other for a few more moments before Kurt gives a little wave and disappears. He flops back onto the couch, his breathing slightly uneven. He didn’t realize he’d be so turned on by Kurt. That just seeing him like that could send blood rushing south. He’s never wanted another person like this before, not in this way. It’s terrifying in the best kind of way.

~~~

Kurt splashes his face with cold water, and braces his hands on the edge of the sink. He takes a few deep breaths and slowly looks at himself. His entire face is practically red, and his ears too. He really needs to cool down if he’s gonna go to the bar with the guys. He one hundred percent can’t go down there with a boner, he’d never hear the end of that. It takes a while, but he does end up heading down to the lobby where the guys are waiting. He gets a bunch of greetings and shouts, which gets a glare from the lady at the desk, and they head out to the Ubers that are waiting for them. The bar is a typical bar, kinda dim lighting, tables haphazardly placed with far too many chairs and not enough space between them. It reeks of beer, piss, and sex, which isn’t an overall pleasant smell, but the promise of scotch makes the smell an after thought.

Two glasses of scotch later, he’s loose and less anxious than before, which is nice, but that also means that the rest of the guys are much farther into drinking then him. Which is overly apparent when he gets cornered by Pause and Bdubs, who are both thoroughly drunk.

“So Kurt!” Bdubs starts, his breath reeking of alcohol, “What was that video about the other day?” His voice slurs lightly on the end of words.

“What video?” He tries, giving them a hesitant smile.

“The one about the feelings,” Pause inputs, leaning on Bdubs and waggling his eyebrows.

“No clue what you’re talking about,” Maybe they’re too drunk to know what’s going on if he plays dumb.

“Don’t try that with us mister! We both saw the video!” Bdubs practically sings. So no, they’re not that drunk, not yet at least. “So tell us, who’s the lucky girl?”

“There isn’t anyone, okay?” He really doesn’t want to be in this conversation right now. He looks towards the door, and it’s a clear shot if he really needs to get out of there, but his hands are starting to shake, and he may just need to get some fresh air.

“But in your video, you specifically said there was a person you liked. And we’re all friends here, so you can tell us!”

He’s feeling shakier now, and he feels like he’s not gonna be able to breath soon, so he pushes past them and shoves his way through the crowded bar to the exit. He slumps down on the curb and takes a deep breath, then another.

“Kurt?”

His head shoots up, eyes wide, and there stands Blame, looking concerned.

“You okay?”

“I uh. Um. No, not really,” There’s no point in lying, not when he must look completely not okay at the moment.

“I’m gonna get you an Uber to go back to the hotel.”

He nods briefly, “T-thanks.”

Blame stays outside with him till the Uber pulls up to the curb, then he heads back in with one last worried glance and a nod. It’s a quiet ride back to the hotel, and he feels so tired all of the sudden, like all the energy has been sucked out of his body. He makes it back to his room before collapsing on the bed, feeling rather thankful for the single room. He pulls out his phone and sees a txt:

Z: Is Pause wasted yet? ;P

K: Definitely wasted alright.

It takes a few minutes, but a reply comes.

Z: How’s it going?

K: Not so great

He can’t lie to Tyler, he doesn’t want to either, and that’s really saying something, because he’d usually rather deal with this himself and fake a smile than ask for help. But with Tyler, it’s different.

Z: What’s wrong? Are you ok?

K: eh, not really

Z: ???

Z: Kurt?

He doesn’t know how to reply. Especially since Tyler knows that he’s not actually okay. His phone buzzes in his hand, and his ringtone blares, seemingly way too loud for the almost silent room. He hits the green answer button.

“Kurt?”

“Hey Tyler,” He responds, and his voice sounds strained and tired, even to him.

“What’s wrong bud?” Tyler’s voice sounds so sincere and it almost makes him smile.

“Bdubs and Pause, they were both drunk,” He sighs quietly, his brow furrowed, “And they cornered me, asking questions about the video and the person I like…. It was just a lot.”

Tyler’s quiet for a moment, “What did you tell them?”

“I denied it.”

“And they believed you?”

“No,” He laughs slightly, somewhere between bitter and soft, “Not at all, but I left, so it didn’t really matter anyway.”

“If it’s bugging you this badly, then I think it does matter.”

“I mean, not really. Not now at least. It’s done and over with.”

“But Kurt,” Tyler says, and it’s slightly stern, “They crossed a line, and you shoulda called them out on it.”

“Tyler, please just listen to me, okay?”

“Okay,” Tyler says with a sigh.

“I know they crossed a line, but sometimes, especially with drunk people, it’s better to just let it go than pick a fight.”

“Yeah, yeah you’re right,” Tyler’s voice goes a little sad, “I just feel like I need to protect you, even though I know you don’t need it.”

He smiles softly, leaning back into the pillows on the stiff bed, “It’s good to know that if I need protecting, I’ll have my man there for me.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there for you, always,” Tyler promises, his grin evident in his voice.

~~~

“Tyler! You better be up!” Mom yells, sticking her head into his room.

He drags his pillow over his head, groaning, “I’m up, I’m up.”

“No you’re not. Get up and get dressed, people will start arriving in like, an hour.”

“Okay, okay, I’m getting up.”

“You better,” She warns, and her footsteps get quieter as she heads down the stairs.

He groans and rolls over, grabbing his phone, pulling it off the charger. And he smiles, because his boyfriend is amazing.

K: Mornin’

K: You awake yet?

K: Okay I know we’re in different time zones, but come on, it’s gotta be almost noon there.

K: Tyleeeeeer I’m bored, come on, wake up

K: How are you not awake yet?

Z: Goodmorning :)

The sun is shining through his open curtains, casting the room in a beautiful golden light. He left his window open last night, and now there’s birds singing happily, lawn mowers buzzing in the distance, the ruffle of leaves; It’s so beautiful, and he smiles, because he feels so fully and completely happy in this moment.

K: Morning sleepy head

He glances at the blue numbers on the alarm clock: definitely not morning any more.

K: What time is it even?

Z: It’s only like 1

K: Only 1

He can imagine Kurt rolling his eyes.

Z: So what are you up to?

K: Just got done with the signing, panel is in a little while

Z: That’ll be fun

K: Eh, I think we have different definitions of fun

Z: We probably do, though I think we can agree on a few things ;)

K: You need to stop, you’re gonna make me blush

Z: Is that a bad thing though?

K: Right now, yes. Because the guys will get suspicious

Z: Still don’t see the problem here

K: Of course you don’t

Z: Why would I ;)

“Tyler!” He drops his phone in surprise.

“I’m coming!” He yells back, grabbing his phone.

Z: I gotta go. Good luck with the panel!

K: Thanks :)

He gets up and pulls on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before heading into the bathroom. He brushes his teeth and puts on deodorant, giving himself a once over in the mirror, he snaps a quick selfie and sends it to Kurt on Snapchat. It’s barely a minute later when the snap is opened and screenshotted. He gets a selfie in return:

What happened to leaving?

Kurt’s blushing in the picture, and he screenshots it, sending back a picture of him winking, which Kurt also screenshots, but he gets no response.

He heads downstairs, ignoring the photos on the walls of him from varying stages in his childhood, and slides into the kitchen on socked feet, phone still in hand.

“Anything I can help with?” He asks, eyeing the cookies on the counter.

“Last time you helped, the hot dogs ended up burnt.” She accuses, pointing her grease dripping spatula at him.

“So I’m taking that as a no,” He responds, backing up a step and holding up his hands in defeat.

“Go see if your dad needs help, he’s in the backyard.”

“You got it boss.”

She throws him a look as he heads out to the backyard. His dad is setting up chairs around folding tables, while the grill smokes in the background. “Need any help?” He asks, trying not to scare him too much.

“Oh hey kiddo, finally up I see.”

“It’s not even that late.”

“Right, not that late,” He rolls his eyes, “Why don’t you go get the big blue cooler from the garage and fill it with the bags of ice and stick the beer in it and bring it out here.”

He does exactly that, dumping the ice in and putting as much of the beer in as he can, as well as some of the bottles of water and cans of pop. He smirks a little and sends a snap of the beer to Kurt along with a winky face. He gets a text back a few minutes later, and laughs softly.

K: Don’t get too drunk without me ;)

Z: No promises ;)

He laughs softly to himself, staring at his phone with a smile.

“Who you talking to, kiddo?” Dad asks, scaring Tyler slightly.

“Oh, just a friend,” He responds, slipping his phone into his pocket.

“Just a friend?”

“Yes dad, it’s just Sam doing something stupid again.”

“How’s Sam been? It’s been forever since I’ve seen him.”

“He’s been good, just being his usual dorky self. Though he does have a fiancé now.”

“Oh does he? That’s exciting, who is it?”

“You remember Samantha, right?”

“The lightweight blond, right?”

“Yup,” He laughs, “Their wedding is in September,”

“And I haven't gotten an invitation yet, I’m offended. I’m gonna have a word with that boy.”

He laughs, “You do that dad.”

“I will!” He defends, grabbing a beer from the cooler.

“Starting already?”

“You’re not?”

He glances at the cooler and grabs a can too, “You’re right.”

“Thought so.”

Dad clinks their cans together and pops the tab, taking a long drink. He mimics him and slightly winces at the taste.

Dad laughs softly, “You’ve never been a beer kind of guy,” He comments, giving him a long look.

“Not my cup a tea, but better than nothing.”

“Cheers to that,” He taps their cans together again.

“What are you boys doing?” Mom asks, tone sharp.

“Getting ready, duh,” Dad says with mischievous grin.

“Your mom just got here, so you might wanna go say hi. You too Tyler, she’s waiting on you both.”

They take that as their cue and head back out of the garage, with Tyler dragging the cooler behind him.

“Hey Grandma,” He greets when he sees her white hair and thin body come out the door.

“Tyler! Get over here and give me a hug,” She all but demands with a sunny smile.

He obliges and gives her a tight hug, “How’ve you been?”

“Oh I’ve been good. But how about you, anyone special yet?”

He sighs, “No, I’m not dating anyone right now,” This was the part he hated most about these type of things.

“That’s a shame,” She pats his cheek, “I’m expecting grandkids one day.”

He rolls his eyes, “I know, I know.”

She lets it go for now and moves on to talk to her son.

Z: First gf question of the day

He sends to Kurt, which doesn’t get an immediate response, which makes him a little sad, but he knows the panel is happening right now, and he’ll be busy. He hates that he has to miss it, miss seeing his adorable boyfriend being all shy and awkward. He’d give anything to watch it, but no, he’s stuck greeting relatives he never talks to and fielding awkward questions about girlfriends and children.

K: glhf

He gets a text a half hour later, and it makes him smile, a small, private smile.

Z: This isn’t uhc

K: Close enough

And he can’t help but laugh, which gets him an odd look, but he couldn’t care less at the moment.

~~~

Kurt kicks off his shoes, tosses his keys into the bowl by the door, and makes his way to the bedroom. He’s tired and rumpled and smells like recycled air from the flight, but he couldn't be happier to be home. He flops back onto his bed, legs hanging off the side, feet a little sore. He rests his phone on his chest, the last text from Tyler still on the screen:

Z: I’ll call as soon as I’m home

He pillows his head in his hands and closes his eyes, taking in the softness of his bed and the slight coolness to the air. Minecon had been fun, and he’s glad he went, despite the few bumps in the road here and there, but he had a good time. He does wish Tyler could have been there too, it would’ve made him so happy. He really can’t wait to actually see him, and not just through a grainy laptop webcam. He wants to hug him and take in his smell, and kiss him. God he wants to kiss him, wants to know the feel of his lips and the taste of his tongue. It’s such a strange and foreign concept to him, but he welcomes it openly. He’s startled by his phone ringing, but takes no time at all to answer.

“Hey,” His voice is soft and tired, and he smiles.

“Hey to you too,” Tyler greets, and he sounds just as tired, but he can hear the smile in his voice.

“Just get home?”

“Yeah, you?”

“Yeah, got home not long ago,” He yawns, cutting off his sentence, “How was the reunion?”

“Beyond being asked if I have a girlfriend, not bad,” He laughs and it’s a delicate thing, “But it would’ve been so much better to have been with you.”

“Yeah I know, I would’ve loved to have you there, but family comes first.”

“As far as i’m concerned, you are family now.”

That causes him to blush, a rosy pink spreading across his cheeks, “Really?” he almost doesn’t believe he could mean that much to Tyler already.

“Yeah really, you mean a lot to me.”

“You mean a lot ot me too,” His voice is a soft whisper, as if anything else would shatter the moment.

Tyler laughs softly, sounding sleepy, “I’m glad,” And he yawns, long and drawn out.

“You wanna go to bed, sleepy head?” He loves calling Tyler sleepy head, and it seems Tyler likes it too, as he lets out a soft, breathy laugh.

“Naw, I’d rather talk to you.”

“You sure?”

“Positive,” He yawns again, and Kurt laughs softly.

“Just don’t fall asleep on me now,”

“No promises,” Tyler pauses to yawn, “So about you visiting…?”

“And why does it have to be me?”

“Never said it had to be you.”

“But you did.”

“Mmmm, I don’t think so.”

Kurt laughs, smiling a small smile, just for himself and the slowly fading light in the room, “So about me visiting?"

Comments

[scara]

Why is Zisteau making Kurt blush one of the most adorable mental images ever? X3

[ruddiestbubbles]

I wonder the same thing :-D

[scara]

It's one of the best things ever :3

[(Anonymous)]

They're both way too cute for their own good.
-Observing Anon

[scara]

Indeed they are ^_^

[deathbysandblk]

This chapter was so great!!! I found myself being like "don't make assumptions, Bdubs!"