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mindcracklove2018-04-24 01:03 am
Brave Chapter 9
“Oh? Got a hot date or something?”
Coming out to the guys may have just been one of the best things they’ve ever decided to do. It’s been good, and anytime they’ve slipped up while recording with the group, they’ve been good about keeping it out of videos, though Kurt knows that the fans will continue to get more curious with the random cuts in videos or blurring of the chat. He knows logically that they won’t be able to hide this forever, because they aren’t quite as careful as they used to be. Not with being almost ten months into their relationship. Not with how close they are, even if they aren’t physically together all of the time, because it’s just not feasible with their paychecks to be traveling that much. But, they do try to travel once a month, varying on who flies where. And it just so happens to be Tyler’s turn to fly out to chicago, which Kurt is more than ecstatic about, because it’s been a little over a month since he last saw Tyler in person and he misses his boyfriend something fierce. Thankfully, his flight gets in later that day, and they’re gonna grab dinner before heading back to his apartment to just be together. Oh and another good thing, Tyler is staying for two weeks, which is longer than they’ve actually done in the past. And he’s excited.
But as excited as he may be, time just seems to be passing so slowly. It feels like it’s been literal years since he got a text from Tyler saying his flight was taking off and he was gonna take a nap. Which Kurt gets, he likes to try to sleep on planes too, but he is actually going slightly crazy just waiting around all day. He even tries recording at one point, but he just didn’t have the focus for it. He can’t sit still, and he can’t focus, and he misses his boyfriend. It’s the absolute worst combination to have, because it means he gets zero things done, and lays around watching movies for hours, which leaves him feeling a little restless by the time he gets his shoes on to head to the airport, but being out of the apartment instantly helps with that. Being a the airport used to make him super anxious, because there are always too many people and too much noise, but now it’s not bad at all. Now he’s anxious because he really just wants Tyler to get there already. Because living across the country from your partner absolutely sucks. The second he sees Tyler’s purple hoodie, he’s running towards him and jumps at him, because he knows Tyler will catch him, and he does, spinning him around, laughing.
He kisses him as soon as he can, because it’s been a month, and he loves this man, loves him with all of his heart. Tyler is just as enthusiastic about it, not seeming to care that they are surrounded by a whole airport of people, perfectly out in the open. They’ve gotten past that over time, they’ve gotten more used to being a couple out in public. They’re still not too keen with PDA, but the looks they sometimes get don’t bother him, or feel like an itch under his skin like they used to.
“Hey,” he breathes, leaning into Tyler’s space, breathing the same air.
“Hey to you too,” Tyler laughs softly, stroking Kurt’s jaw lovingly, “I really like the new cut, it’s even better in person.”
He smiles sheepishly, running a hand over his recently buzzed hair, “Think it’s better than the old look?”
“Yeah, it’s a really good look. Plus now we match.”
He laughs and wraps his arms around Tyler’s waist, feeling the muscle there, “You really have been working out, huh?”
Tyler grins, “Yeah, I told you I was.”
“I mean, it’s hard to tell through a webcam. Even if you’re not wearing anything.”
Tyler’s cheeks go a little pink, “Well, I guess later you’ll really get to see, huh?”
“Mhm, I sure would hope so.”
“Ah, but dinner first, right?”
He laughs and carefully takes a step back, “Yes, dinner first. We’re going to that BBQ place you really like.”
“I love that place,” he grabs his suitcase and twines his fingers with Kurt’s, “You know how to treat your man, huh?”
“Of course I do, gotta make sure he sticks around,” he winks at Tyler.
And all Tyler can do is laugh and bump their shoulders together, “You’re too much.”
“You love it.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
It’s all so natural now, all the little things that he was never used to before. Like hand holding and little quick kisses. Like long hugs and falling asleep in the same bed as someone, and waking up that way too. It’s the coffee together in the morning, and the scotch later at night. It’s the dates and the days spent in. It’s everything, and he loves it all. Loves how normal everything has become. Dating Tyler is one of the most natural things he’s ever done, and he realises that more and more with every second he spends with Tyler. Even just eating messy BBQ wings and onion rings together in this little restaurant proves it. It’s easy and simple and fun.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Tyler asks, eyeing him over the edge of his cup.
“Nothing really, just that I love you, and I love being with you.”
Tyler’s smile goes soft, “I love you too,” he leans over the table to kiss him, and it tastes like BBQ and onions, and really should be disgusting, but it’s not.
“What was that park you said you wanted to go hiking at?” Tyler asks, going back to his wings.
“Oh, right, I forgot I mentioned that. It’s about three hours east of here. It’s on the border of Iowa. I was thinking, if you were okay with it, we could rent one of the cabins there and stay for a couple of days?”
“That would be awesome.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, It’ll be a nice break from everything, plus I’m sure it’ll be really relaxing anyway.”
“Awesome, we’ll have to see about renting a cabin later when we’re back at the apartment, but anytime this week should be fine, as long as we’re here for sundays.”
“Oh? Got a hot date or something?” He winks.
“You’re actually the worst,” he laughs, “but no, family dinner at my parents house. We do it every week, and they heard you were gonna be in town, so you’re kinda required to come.”
“It’ll be good to see your parents again. It’s been a couple months. Especially since last time I was in town we basically didn’t leave the apartment.”
“Hey now, that wasn’t entirely my fault. You were so horny.”
“You were just as bad excuse you.”
“Can you blame me though?”
“No, not at all, because you’re hot and after two months without being able to touch you, it’s a miracle I even left to go back home.”
“You’re lucky I let you leave.”
“Is that so?”
“Mhm, because if it were up to me, you would never leave…” and he stops short at that, because yes, it’s true, but that’s a bit of a loaded topic.
“Oh.” Tyler says, all the amusement and playfulness gone, “I-Is that something you would want?”
He almost spits out his sweet tea, “What?”
“Moving in together? Is that something you’d really want?”
He sputters, “Of course! I want that so much T. I miss you whenever you’re gone. And we’re always apart for so long.”
“I know, I hate it too. I hate leaving you.”
“We could move in together, if you really wanted that too.”
“Yeah. I do want that. I’ve wanted that for a long time now, I just didn’t know if it was too soon or how to approach the topic, because it’s just such a big thing.”
“It is, but you know you can talk to me about anything.”
“I know, I know,” he laughs, taking Kurt’s hand in his, “I was waiting to do it in person, so I could actually be here. Cause somethings have to be said in person, you know?”
“Yeah, I know. It is better that you’re here. In person. For more than that reason.”
“Okay mr. horny, you need to chill until we get back to the apartment.”
He laughs and squeezes Tyler’s hand, “We’ll discuss that moving in together thing later, but for now, why don’t we finish up and head back. Cause you’re right. I am horny, and I could really use someone to help me take care of that issue.”
Tyler can’t agree more.
~~~
Since Tyler got in on a saturday, that means that family dinner comes around sooner than later, and they head over to Kurt’s parents house around four the next day, with Kurt barring some nice new hickies, because Tyler is actually a menace, and can’t go one visit without marking up his neck. Though he can’t say he minds, because he really does love it when Tyler does it. He just wishes he’d do it in a less noticeable spot. Like his chest or his collarbone even. But no, he goes for his neck every time. Thankfully his parents don’t mention it when they get there, they both give him a hug and his dad shakes Tyler’s hand, and his mom hugs him, and they head into the kitchen, where Lexi and Mason are already sitting, sipping on wine.
“Hey bro!” Lexi greets, waving from her seat, “Oh hey Tyler, I forgot you were in town, what’s up?” she starts laughing, “y’know what, never mind, I can see what you were up to.”
Kurt feels the blush down to his chest, “We don’t need to talk about that.”
“Mhm. You say that everytime.”
“And I will continue saying that every time, because this one here,” he punches Tyler’s arm, “is a menace.”
“Hey now…” Tyler starts, but Kurt is quick to cut him off.
“Nope. Go, sit down. Be good.”
Tyler rolls his eyes, but sits down, and bumps Mason’s fist when offered, with a quick, “Hey man.”
Kurt goes about getting the plates and silverware, because literally no one else could be bothered to do it like ever, and sits down at the table as his parents come back into the room. Mom sits down and dad goes about plating the steak and potatoes.
“How long are you in town for, Tyler?” Mom asks, taking a sip of her wine.
“Two weeks.”
“Oh wow, any special plans then? You never stay that long.”
“We’re actually planning on going camping this week, but beyond that, not too much.”
“Yeah, just gonna spend plenty of time together,” Lexi whistles, and he kicks her under the table, “That is not necessary.”
“Sure little bro,” she supplies with a grin, “Like you didn’t pick on me about Mason when we first got together.”
“I mean, you did sneak in late so many times.”
“Wait what?” Mom and Dad ask at the same time, eyeing her.
“Man Kurt, look what you did. You weren’t supposed to say anything.”
He shrugs with a snarky grin, “Whoops?”
“You’re lucky you’re too old to ground young lady,” Mom warns, then looks at Kurt, “You too mister, or both of you would be grounded for months.”
“Eh, she’d probably still have snuck in even if you’d have caught her.”
“Why you gotta do this to me, bro?”
“Oh like you didn’t tell on me that one time I came home late.”
“That was one time, I’m hurt.”
“I was grounded for two weeks.”
“Eh, that’s not so bad.”
“It is cause I never told on you!”
“I gave you hush money.”
“You’re point? I still would’ve kept quiet.”
“Oh so you’re saying I could’ve saved like a hundred dollars????”
“Well duh.”
“Oh my god,” she groans and lets her head thunk down onto the table, “You’re the literal worst.”
“Mmm no, that would be you.”
Everyone around them is laughing and Tyler leans into his side, “I see where you get your snarkiness from, jeez. Way to teach him Lex, he’s impossible.”
She smirks, “I try my best.”
“At least he’s not as bad as Lexi,” Mason supplies.
“What have we gotten ourselves into?” Tyler asks with a put-upon-laugh.
“Hey!” Kurt laughs and slaps Tyler at the same time as Lexi does.
“It’s like they’re the same person,” Mom mumbles to Dad, who just shakes his head, laughing.
After dinner, they head back to the apartment and curl up on the couch together, drinking scotch.
“You and Lexi are really close, huh?”
“You could say that,” he laughs, looking up at Tyler, “We weren’t always this way.”
“Really? Cause it doesn’t seem that way.”
“Yeah, when I was really young, she hated me for no reason. But I think it’s because I was the baby of the family and a lot of my parents attention went to me instead of her.”
“What changed?”
“In Jr high, I got bullied a lot, and since she was only a grade above me, she ended up finding out. And we bounded over that. She helped out a lot actually. It’s not like she was my bodyguard or anything, but she’d buy me ice cream and we’d talk about it on the harder days. And it did eventually get better. In high school at least, though the bullying never actually stopped.”
“What? Why would anyone bully you?”
He shrugs, “probably because I was a nerd, and I didn’t really fit in with any of the cliches. Y’know, the whole thing about being discriminated against if you don’t fit into what’s normal.”
“I think I may just know a thing or two about that,” he laughs softly and brushes his fingers along Kurt’s jaw.
“Ha, I think I do too.”
He laughs again and leans down to kiss him softly, “do you think we should maybe look into renting a cabin then? So we can make plans?”
“Yeah for sure.”
They end up booking a cabin for five days, with a check-in the next night.
“Do you even have the right clothes for this?” Kurt asks Tyler, because he knows Tyler likes to pack light.
“Ummm I actually don’t think I do. I think I only brought like one pair of shorts?”
“I guess we’re going shopping in the morning.”
“Are you just gonna make me try on jeans?”
“Now why would you think I’d do that?”
Tyler gives him a look, “Cause you’ve done it before.”
He smiles innocently, “Your butt looks good in jeans.”
He rolls his eyes, “You’re too much.”
“Am I though?” he asks, running his fingers up Tyler’s chest under his shirt.
“Most definitely,” he mumbles before kissing him thoroughly.
~~~
After they go shopping, which does include some jeans, they make their way towards the campground. The ride is three hours, but it barely feels like that, because they talk the whole time.
“Since we want to move in together, whose place would we go with?”
“Um, I’m not really sure. I think it really just depends. Do you wanna move away from family?”
“I’m not sure? But what about your family?”
“They live in Boston, remember?”
“Right, I always forget. That’s why I haven’t met them still.”
He rolls his eyes, “We’re going there for christmas this year, so you’ll meet them then.”
“I know, I know,” he laughs, “my Mom is still mad about that. She really wanted us to be there for it.”
“But we’re doing Thanksgiving there, so it’s only fair we do Christmas with my family.”
“You try explaining that to Mom then.”
“Since she’s just as stubborn as you, I think I’ll pass.”
They both laugh, “I wouldn’t be opposed to leaving Chicago honestly. It’d be nice to go somewhere new.”
“Yeah, that would be cool, huh?”
“I mean, we could go anywhere, right?”
“I don’t see why not?”
“As a kid, I always wanted to go to Seattle, of somewhere around there. Though I could never convince my parts to take me.”
“We could always go there for a couple days to see? If we like the area?”
“We don’t have to. I’d be okay with anywhere, really.”
“No, no, I think it could be cool. I’m definitely okay with going to see it, and see if we think we could live there.”
Kurt smiles over at him, “Maybe we do that next month? Instead of me fly out to visit you?”
“So I can spend more on plane tickets?” he asks with a laugh, though there’s no heat behind it.
“Well, hopefully soon enough the only tickets we’ll have to buy are to go to conventions and to visit family.”
“I can’t wait for that...and not just for my bank accounts sake.”
Kurt slaps him, but keeps his eyes on the road, “Way to ruin the moment T.”
Tyler grins at him, “That’s what I’m here for.”
Once they arrive at the park and get checked in, it’s starting to get late. Which means no time for hiking, but they’ll have plenty of time for that in the next five days. They get to the cabin and dump their bags in the bedroom, and get the air conditioning going so they don’t sweat to death that night when they turn in. They end up setting up a small fire and sit by it to watch the sunset, which is absolutely gorgeous over the lake. The whole area, just from what they’ve seen, is beautiful. All vibrant greens and bright flowers. He can’t wait to go out and explore it more tomorrow, after they’ve hopefully had a good nights sleep. After a while, and the fire has gone down, they head to bed, in the thankfully cooler cabin. They do end up sleeping well, and after a coffee they head out to a trail to head up the path. The area overall isn’t very hilly at all, but there are a few good tall hills to climb. They tackle the smaller of the two and end up sitting at the top for the while, looking out over the lake. It’s a beautiful view.
“How much trouble do you think we’d get in if we went skinny dipping?” Tyler asks, eyeing the lake curiously through the trees as they’re heading back down the trail.
“Probably a lot?” He gives Tyler a look, “Public indecency is a finable offense…. and you can get arrested for that.”
“But if we go at night? Then no one will see us?”
“You just wanna fuck in the lake?”
“It sounds so harsh when you put it that way.”
“That definitely wasn’t a no.”
“You don’t?”
“I never said that.”
“Exactly?”
He rolls his eyes and slaps Tyler, “Is this some kind of high school fantasy you never got to have?”
“Maybe.”
“Okay, well, I’m not comfortable with that. Being naked in public makes me uncomfortable.”
Tyler smiles gently, “We don’t have to, like at all.”
He laughs, “Good. But we can definitely do that when we get back to the cabin though. That I’m not opposed to. Though I could use a shower,” he winks.
“Y’know, funnily enough, I could use a shower too.”
They do end up going down to the lake for a swim, though it’s in swimsuits and they most definitely do not do anything beyond kissing--Tyler is a gentleman after all. The next day they rent a double hammock and set it up just outside their cabin, and lay around for a good portion of the day, enjoying the sun.
“When would be the best time for you next month for the Seattle trip?” Tyler asks, looking at his phone.
“Um, one sec,” he pulls up the calendar on his own phone and looks at it over, “I have a couple things the beginning of the month. Lex’s birthday, Goober’s birthday, oh and a family get together my mom is forcing me into. So maybe like the last week of the month? If that works for you?”
“Ummmm it might? Oh shit no, it won’t. That week is Sam’s wedding.”
“Oh shit I forgot about that. Sam is expecting me to come, isn’t he?”
“Yup.”
“Hm, what if we went to Seattle the third week and then I flew back with you for the wedding?”
“Yeah, that could work.”
“Next month is gonna be expensive.”
“Yeah… what if we took a red eye back to my town. That’ll save a little bit of money?”
“That would definitely help save money. What day is the wedding?”
“It’s on a Friday, and the practice reception is on that Monday.”
“So if we fly back at the beginning of the week, for the practice reception, then I can probably stay through saturday and catch a red eye back saturday night?”
“Unless you wanna put off the Seattle thing till October?” Tyler suggests, eyeing him.
“I mean we could, but I don’t know if I really wanna. Cause the sooner we figure out where we wanna live, the sooner we can actually live together.”
“We’ll just have to watch our money a little closer then.”
“But we’ll be fine either way, because we have each other.”
“Yeah,” he smiles softly at him, “we have each other.”
They really don’t do much for the rest of the day, just lounge around and end up going for another swim in the lake. They drive into town and find a pizza place to have dinner at--which ends up being amazing--and a cute little ice cream place which has dairy-free ice cream, which is actually semi-decent. The next day they tackle the second hill trail, which takes a lot longer than they expected, and turns into a whole day hike. Though neither of them can complain because the view is simply amazing. Picture perfect even. By the time they’re packing up to head back to Chicago, they’re both a few shades darker and have a plethora of new pictures and selfies together. They spend the next day in the apartment, oder take out, and just lounge around. They do buy their plane tickets, and book a hotel room, but beyond on that, they take the day to just be lazy. Sunday they head back over to Kurt’s parents house for dinner. This time Mason isn’t there.
“Mason had an emergency at work,” Lexi explains when asked.
“So Mom, Dad,” Kurt starts later into dinner, when everyone is mostly done eating, “I’m gonna have to miss the get together.”
“And why exactly?” Mom asks with a raised brow.
“Tyler and I are going to Seattle for a week.”
“And you couldn’t do that any other week?”
“No actually, because I’m busy the first half of the month, and then I’m going to Sam’s wedding with Tyler.”
“I actually won’t be able to do that weekend either, Goober has his play and I can’t miss it.”
Mom sighs, “How about the first weekend in October then? And Tyler, maybe you’ll be able to make it?”
“I can do that weekend,” Lexi says.
Kurt glances at Tyler with a questioning look, brow raised, much the same as his mother does, “What do you think? Maybe we can take the same red eye back here and you can stay through the week and then fly back after the get together?”
“Yeah, I think I can do that.”
Kurt leans over to kiss him on the cheek, “Thanks T.”
Tyler gives him a soft smile and wraps an arm around Kurt’s shoulder, “of course. But next time my family has a get together, I’m dragging you along.”
“Lets get through Christmas first,” he laughs.
“Speaking of Christmas, do you boys care to explain why you’re going to Boston????”
“This is all you T,” Kurt laughs and leans back against Tyler’s arm.
~~~<3~~~
so hey guys! I'm gonna be finishing this story, it's just gonna be slow going from here on out. I can't do the weekly updates like I was doing for a while sadly, because college is a bitch and so are finals. Plus I move back home next week! And I'll be starting my summer job working as a baker. I guess this is a life update, eh? Beyond this whole college thing, I've actually been getting some last things settled because a friend and I are moving into an apartment next year, which means no more student loans for me! My tuition is covered by a scholarship, and if I'm not living on campus that means I don't have to pay upwards of 12k. Plus I get to have my cat with me, my precious little boy. Anyway, beyond this story, I've really gotten back into writing. I'm working on another story for this fandom that's a good portion of the way complete, but I'm not 100% sure that I'll keep it exactly how it is--it tackles a pretty hefty topic, so I wanna make sure I do it right. The other thing I'm working on is an original novel! Yes oh yes I've finally gotten into writing truly original stuff. It doesn't currently have a name, the whole 40k words of it, but it's about a closeted professional hockey player who struggles with internalized homophobia, and the cute reporter who changes it all. It started as a creative final for my English class last semester, as a short story, but then it turned into what it is, and I'm still writing it. It's my baby at this point, and if you'd like to hear more, let me know! But I suppose that's it from me for now? No promise of when I'll be posting again because of finals, but I will be back soon! I'm trying to make a conscious effort at being more active--though I'm not very good about it.
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(Anonymous) 2018-04-24 09:08 am (UTC)(link)-Observing Anon
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The novel thing? Basically, it's a huge pile of romance that's still tackling homophobia, just not in as large of an amount atm, but also toxic masculinity in sports? It's pretty great--I think!
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(Anonymous) 2018-04-24 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)-Observing Anon
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I'm happy that you will be finishing this story and am more than happy to wait for the chapters.
Life is a thing that does get busy. Hope you do amazingly in your finals. Glad to hear that things are going well. Your original novel sounds great too, when it's all finished do you plan to self publish it?
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*Noms on cookies*
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Also if you are ever in need of a beta reader in the future I happily offer to do so if you require one
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