#carole has a thing for tall people sue her

[pollyna]

I.

The first time Carole hears Nick mention Ron is three months into their relationship. It's just a passing comment on who is going to be around that night at the pub, but he does a face that tells more than he could. If Thomas is around, Ron will be there too. They do everything together lately. Carole can almost feel how jealous Nick is, but then a new song on the radio starts, Nick smiles, and he swaps her from the floor, and they're dancing around their living room, singing out of tune and kissing each other silly.

Neither Thomas nor Ron are at the pub that night, and she can see how disappointed he is, but he tries not to show it.

II.

The second time they're sitting around the table, filling out the invitations for their wedding. They have been together for three years and Nick has never brought up Ron again, partially because now he flies with Maverick and Maverick takes so much space and time in his life that she barely knows how he sleeps. Should I invite Tom and Ron too? he asks, and she can't help but smile gently. Sure, honey, why not? a moment later, Nick adds yeah, but they probably won't be able to come. I don't know if- 

Her hands are smaller than his when she squeezes them gently, It's okay if you want them around. Yeah, yeah, you're right. Okay, I'm going to invite them. He kisses her hand before going back to work.

Tom sends back the invitation saying thank you but we're to be deployed in two days, here the present, sorry for the inconvenience, have a good wedding! in a strangley beautiful italic calligraphy. The morning of the wedding the present comes in the shape of twenty hibiscus flowers that make Nick giddy to the point where he makes her wear one. The pictures are beautiful, and it's because of the flowers too.

III.

The third time, it's Maverick who brings Ron into the discussion, or better yet, it's Maverick who brings Slider into their dinner, and Nick almost chokes.

Did you hear that Iceman and Slider had their kill of the mission?

No Mav. Nick answers Are they okay?

Yeah, but it's not that important. That should have been us, Goose! Us, not them!

Nick's shoulders are tense for the rest of the night and his eyes continue to watch the phone like it could give him all the answers he needs or catch fire any moment now.

That night, under the cover and protected by the darkness, Nick cries over her shoulder. And he talks about high school and the kid who used to run around the football field with his team and how he used to always take a bottle of water for him too because he knew Nick would have forgotten his. About his first kiss in the locker room and how afraid he was because Ron was a boy and he was a boy. And how afraid he still is because the only other person he kisses that well is sleeping near him and listening to him, and he wants, but he can't and doesn't want Carole to think for a moment she isn't enough because she is the love of his life. He's just worried about Ron. He wants him back and alive. He wants him happy.

Carole almost doesn't know what to say. She can only hug him against her chest and hope that out there, Ron is doing okay.

IV.

The letters arrive with another one attached. The first is from Maverick and Goose, the second from Nick. They said they took us to Top Gun!! We're going to Miramar! and Nick adds you should take out your flowery dress and come to find me whenever you can, Miramar is going to be beautiful, but nothing is as beautiful as you.

When she arrives at the airport, her favorite two idiots are waiting for her and Nick's kisses taste even sweeter, after all those months of deployment.

The place where they eat is awesome, Charlie seems kind of nice, and she knows what they're all talking about, so the conversation doesn't die after the first five minutes. She says Iceman and Slider are good but not that good, and the rest of the conversation is kind of lost to her because Nick is looking guilty and she has to kiss his stupid face because he should have told her, but only because she wants to meet the guy at this point. You'll have to introduce me to them one day! she adds, taking the last sip of her beer. Goose can't stop talking about them she adds, it almost feels like he has a crush on them! Charlie looks at her shocked, Mav laughs, and Goose blushes a little.

She is honestly curious to meet the man, at this point. She wants to look the guy in the eyes and check if everything's alright with him, because how could he let go of Nick? Stupid Ron. Better for her though.

V.

Nick and Mav don't win Top Gun but it's a near miss. Everybody is around for the celebration, and they're all talking about the great Iceman and Slider, but she can't, for the life of her, see either of them. Mav and Charlie aren't there either because, apparently, they broke up because there's another blond in Mav's life, even if he doesn't want to tell her, or Nick, who they are. Carole has half of an idea of their identity, but she isn't going to say anything until Mav doesn't. But, coming back to Ron, apparently everybody and their mother are talking about him and the Iceman and their maneuver, but they aren't around.

Carole is starting to be annoyed by Ron's absence because she really wants to see the man, but the moment she finishes that thought, Goose's arm isn't around her anymore and there's a letter in his hands, and she can feel it in her bones that they're not going to make it to the restaurant, not that night at least. His kiss tasted a little like all the goodbyes they never had the courage to say out loud and a little like a promise to come back to her.

+I

It takes them five years, but they're finally in that pub like they planned the first time, and, this time around, Nick doesn't say who is going to be where; he just takes her by the hand and they're in a bar full of white uniform and drunken sailors singing along and celebrating. Mav's arm is around a blond man's shoulder who's wearing sunglasses inside, and he's talking to another tall man who's now looking at Nick like he wants to eat him.

So Carole, love, this is Ron. Ron, this is my wife, Carole Nick introduces them, and when Ron gets up to shake her hand, she can really understand, even just on a physical level, why Nick finds him attractive. You should come and dance with us, Ron she murmurs against his heat and, oh God, she has to go on her tips for him too. Yeah, yeah, maybe I should, he answers, smirking at Nick and taking her hands until the middle of the floor. Don't you want to come to Goosie? she asks, oh so innocently, batting her eyelashes at him like she used to do when they were still just flirting. Nick blushes again, watching behind him where Mav is lost in a world of Thomas and only Thomas, before taking a step forward. Let's dance, baby, let's dance, he adds, smiling and walking towards them.

[365days365movies]

January 25, 2021: The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

The disaster movie is, oddly enough, a subgenre of action, while also throwing in a splash of adventure. What I mean by that is, like adventure, focus is slightly shifted away from the characters acting against each other, and towards interactions between the characters and the environment around them. Essentially, an external environmental factor, outside of humans, is the antagonist, sometimes quite literally.

Now, obviously, humans can still be villains in disaster movies, but the conflict of the film always have to revolve around the disaster itself, with all other characters merely players in a large conflict. In other words, you got a main guy, shit explodes, and our main guy has to survive, sometimes with assholes getting in their way. Disaster movies in a nutshell, right there.

This movie trend began with 1970’s Airport, considered by most to be one of the crown jewels of the genre, especially at the time. They died in the mid-’70s, and the 1981 movie Airplane! (one of my favorite comedies) was the death knell for the genre...for about 13 years. I grew up in the reboot era of the disaster movie, with Independence Day, Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, War of the Worlds, Titanic, etc. 

But today, we’re looking at what’s said to be the best of the best: the 1972 Academy Award-winning Ronald Neame film The Poseidon Adventure. This is Titanic before Titanic, but also after A Night to Remember...and the actual Titanic, obviously. All I know going in is that the ship is GOING DOWN. Also, Mermaid-Man’s in it. Hi, Ernest Borgnine!

Let’s go! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap

So, the opening text tells us RIGHT OFF that it’s New Years Eve, and that this ship, the S.S. Poseidon, is fucked. I’m impressed that we’re getting that out of the way immediately.

We cut to the ship, a cruise liner full of passengers during a storm. The Captain of the ship, Captain Harrison (Leslie Nielsen...LESLIE NIELSEN???)

From Airplane!? Wow! Never seen him in a dramatic role, so that’s awesome!

Anyway, things ain’t goin’ perfect. While a representative of the new owners of the ship forces them to go full speed (at considerable risk), the passengers include the disgruntled Mike Rogo (Ernest Borgnine) and his wife, Linda (Stella Stevens), the latter of which is going through a bout of seasickness. Other passengers include wide-eyed child Robin Shelby (Eric Shea) and his frustrated teenage sister Susan (Pamela Sue Martin); lonely runner James Martin (Red Buttons); married couple Betty and Manny Rosen (Shelley Winters and Jack “Grandpa Joe Who Could Walk The Whole Goddamn Time The Fuckin’ Faker” Albertson); “modern” preacher Reverend Frank Scott (Gene Hackman) and the more traditional Chaplain John (Arthur O’Connell); and singer Nonnie Parry (Carol Lynley), with her waiter admirer Acres (Roddy McDowall).

We’re introduced to these people in quick and efficient fashion, as well as their modus operandi. Rogo’s a detective-lieutenant, and his wife has a troubled past as a prostitute (and their relationship history is...complicated). The Shelby siblings are headed to see their parents overseas. James Martin’s a fitness-conscious bachelor and haberdasher who goes on morning runs. The Rosens have a son and 2-year old grandson in Israel that they’re going to visit, and are likely staying there. Frank Scott is an outspoken preacher, who believes that God only helps those who help themselves, and has been sent to Africa as a sort of punishment. And Nonnie Parry...well…

Well, she’s singing the song that won this movie the 1972 Academy Award for Best Original Song. YEAH. THAT SONG. You’ve almost certainly heard it, and its fame has far surpassed this movie at this point. 

That night, the song is sung at a New Years Party, at which all of our players are assembled. The Captain leaves for the deck, and discovers that an earthquake has just taken place off the coast of Crete. And underwater earthquakes create tsunamis. And tsunamis...well...the ship’s in for some trouble. Batten down, people. The New Year begins with great bombast and celebration...as the wall of water approaches.

Party’s over.

The ship tips, as the wall of water hits, and EVERYBODY goes falling. And I mean FALLING, it’s one hell of a scene. The ship flips entirely upside down, and people holding on to tables quickly fall. The lights go out. And all is quiet.

As the passengers come to, we get an accounting...of the survivors. After all, no way everyone could’ve survived that. The Rogos, Rosens, Rev. Scott, Nonnie, Acres, Martin, and the Shelbys all survive, although some of them need to be a little rescued from the ceiling.

The ship is now upside down. I’m sure that’ll be an issue eventually. For now, with some argument, Reverend Scott leads everyone in an effort to get up to the former floor, where injured waiter Acres is waiting. They use a Christmas tree as a ladder, and begin to climb up to a doorway out. Although, not everyone is inclined to go. Nonnie is the only surviving member of her band, which included her brother, and is only convinced by Martin to go. 

The group of people that we’ve been following go, but literally everybody else stays behind. Sadly, this includes Chaplain John, who’s resigned himself and the other to their likely fatal end. He and Reverend Scott have a heart-to-heart, and Scott makes one last plea to the rest. However, the ship’s Purser (Byron Webster) insists that they must stay behind and wait for help, and the vast majority agree with him. And as soon as our group gets to safety…

This movie...this movie is fucking brutal. The throngs panic and try to climb to safety, but the tree falls...and everybody dies as the ship begins its descent. And the Reverend watches. And holy shit. I’m shook. Real talk, I am SHAKEN by this, about as much as the Reverend is. This is...whoof.

The group head towards the kitchen, and find a fire door sealed in place. The reverend tries to open it, despite Rogo’s very realistic and good warnings about flashover (the event during which fresh oxygen is introduced to an oxygen-starved fire, reigniting it violently and quickly). Despite this, Rogo helps him with the door, and the fire is luckily not a flashover. Rev. Scott goes in and makes it out, scouting a path through the fire (and the bodies).

They all make it through the kitchen, getting closer to the engine room. And that’s when the water starts coming in.

Once again, they all make it through, and begin traversing the next obstacle: a narrow tunnel that leads to a ventilation shaft with a ladder. Also, Linda (Rogo’s wife) is wearing VERY TALL high heels as she climbs up the ladder. Lady. DROP THE SHOES!!!! 

They continue to make it through the shaft...and then another explosion hits! We lose our first party member, as Acres loses his footing and falls. Rogo almost goes with him, and Nonnie’s paralyzed with fear until Martin helps her.

By the way, I realize that reading this might be a bit cumbersome, as there are a lot of names here. But when you WATCH the movie, all of these people are distinct enough that remembering them isn’t too bad. And now...there are even more people.

That’s right! There are more people, being led by the Ship’s Doctor (Jan Arvan)...in the wrong direction. They head towards the bow, towards the water, despite Scott’s warnings. Scott’s frustration, the loss of Acres, and Rogo’s stubbornness leads to a confrontation. This leads to Scott making a bet with Rogo. He’ll scout ahead for a path to the engine room, and if there isn’t one, they’ll also head toward the bow. Rogo agrees, and gives him 15 minutes. Scott leaves, with Susan Shelby (teenage sister, remember) following behind. The rest search for food and supplies in the rooms nearby.

To Scott’s great dismay, however, the main passage to the engine room is destroyed. With Susan’s help, they look for more passages, eventually finding a path covered in oil. The Rosens have their own heart-to-heart, with Belle resigned to death, and Manny clinging to hope. Martin and Nonnie go together, with Nonnie breaking down over her lost brother, and Martin comforting her as best he can. They eventually reconvene, with Scott returned from the engine room successfully. However...Robin is missing. 

Scott goes back to get him...and that’s when the water comes back.

They all once again make it...but the water’s now flooded the passageway to the engine room. Scott takes a rope and tries to swim through the passageway, with the rope being used to guide everyone else through once he makes it. But, of course, he gets stuck when a metal sheet collapses on top of him. But that’s when a surprising ringer steps up to help.

Belle Rosen, the down-on-herself, most resigned-to-death member of the party, also happens to be a former swimming champion. She makes it through, and saves Scott from drowning...and has a heart attack in the process. She gives Scott a pendant for her grandson...and dies.

And that’s when I start tearing up. Fuck. I mean it, her death really got me. Talk about a heroic sacrifice.

Rogo goes to find them, and discovers that Belle’s gone. Scott tells him to get the others, without telling Manny what happened. But Manny figures it out, diving into the water. The rest follow, although Nonnie can’t swim. Martin tells her that he won’t go without her, and they go together. Manny’s the first to make it to the other side...and he sees Belle.

And that’s when I tear up again. FUCK.

Manny initially won’t leave Belle, and Scott pleas with him to come with. He asks to stay with her a little longer, and Scott relents. He gives Belle one last kiss...and goes to join the others. Thank God. I need Manny Rosen to live, goddammit. In fact...I really don’t want to lose anyone else.

A harrowing climb to the engine room takes place, and we reach the final door. And then, of course...an explosion.

Linda dies. Goddammit. And Rogo lashes out at Scott, blaming him for her death. But there’s no time for that now. Explosions cause a steam pipe to explode, blocking the exit, prompting Scott to do his own lashing out: at God. He jumps to open a valve for the rest, despite the hot steam. He screams at God to take him, instead of another of their lives. And in the process, he shuts off the steam...and his plea is answered in turn.

As Scott dies, he asks Rogo to get the rest through. But Rogo’s listless, not responding at all. Martin reams him out, rousing him again and getting him up to lead the survivors. 6 people left...and only 5 minutes of movie to go. They get to the thinnest part of the hull, where they hear scraping from the outside. They bang on the hull with pipes, and banging responds. A torch cuts through the hull...BUT IT’S NOT A TORCH, IT’S AN EXPLOSION AND EVERYBODY DIES

Kidding, of course, as they get rescued! And as they mourn their fallen, it’s discovered that these 6...are the only survivors. In the entire ship, these six were the only ones to make it out.

And THAT...is The Poseidon Adventure. FUCK TITANIC. See you in the Epilogue.

[ranwing]

Kadam Fic: Learning To Fly (15/?)

Title: Learning to Fly Series: A New Direction (was Season Four Remix) Pairing(s), Characters(s): Kadam, Kurt Hummel, Adam Crawford, Burt Hummel, Rachel Berry, Santana Lopez, Carmen Tibideaux, Cassandra July, Artie Abrams, Tina Cohen-Chang, Elliot “Starchild” Gilbert, Dani, Adam’s Apples, Original Characters Rating: PG13 (rating may change) Genre(s): canon divergence. Parts: 15/?

Summary: As another school year starts at NYADA, Kurt seemed to have it all. The respect of his teachers, a group of wonderful friends and best of all, getting to live with the man that he’d come to love. So of course the universe would throw a few curve balls in his direction.

A/N - Three chapters posted today (chapters 13-15).

Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven, Chapter Twelve, Chapter Thirteen, Chapter Fourteen

One AO3

Madam Tibideaux entered the grand ballroom of Gotham Hall to a resounding show of applause from the guests at the gala, flanked by Professor Carmody and other members of the faculty. She smiled and nodded greetings, accepting compliments on the spectacular performance that many of their guests had the privilege to see that evening and was already mentally calculating how to translate this into leverage to be used on behalf of her school.

It might have been something of a gamble, but it appeared that things had gone exactly as she’d hoped. NYADA’s profile as one of the premier performing arts conservatories in the country has been conclusively reestablished and there was generous financial support being pledged by their major donors. Even more importantly, her students would find their profiles raised significantly and she had little doubt that at least a few of them might leave tonight with some solid employment prospects. She could not be more pleased with the outcome.

She turned to greet Thomas Paskin, the director of one of the most popular shows from current Broadway season. “Carmen… only you would be daring enough to pull off something like that,” he exclaimed, holding his arms out to her.

She smiled warmly, leaning in for a quick air kiss with an old and respected friend. “Thomas, as much as I’d like to take credit for this, I’m afraid that I have to give it to my dear colleague here. My primary contribution was having the sense to stay out of her way,” she chuckled.

The director turned to the tall woman dressed elegantly in a black evening gown and reached out to take her hand and press a dramatic kiss to her fingers. “Alexa, I have to admit that staging of production on that scale would be daunting for anyone. To do it entirely with students… remarkable,” he insisted.

“Thank you, Thomas,” she said with good grace. Now that she had successfully navigated the opening night performance, the stress of the past few months had finally eased. It showed in both her demeanor and her appearance, and she was very much in the mood the celebrate her accomplishment.

“I actually enjoyed the challenge,” Professor Carmody claimed. “They are a remarkable group of talents and I doubt that any director would ever have such an extraordinary body of ability at their disposal.”

“Well, you certainly surpassed anyone’s expectations,” he assured her, with a wide smile. “It was an exceptional night of theater.”

“Then hopefully you’ll keep this night in mind when you stage your next show,” she prodded gently. “There are quite a few of them who are going to be looking for work in the not too distant future.”

“I every intention of doing just that. There are a few that I have my eye on,” he promised. “Well, I’d best not monopolize you two all night. We’ll talk more later.”

“We’ll catch up later, Thomas,” Madam Tibideaux assured him, smiling when he raised his glass in toast to the two women.

As they strolled away, Professor Carmody looked to her friend. “Well, that’s something of a relief,” she sighed. “If he liked it…”

“I told you that you have absolutely nothing to worry about,” Madam Tibideaux assured her. “I saw how the audience was responding and you did a spectacular job.”

“The kids deserve all the credit,” the other woman insisted. “They’re the ones who rose to the challenge. I just set it up for them.”

“Don’t sell your own contribution short. This was your vision,” Madam Tibideaux reminded, accepting a glass of champagne from one of the waiters. “Go bask your accomplishment. We’ve got a room full of people just itching to congratulate you. I’ll see about shaking some additional pledges from our benefactors.”

Professor Carmody nodded before heading over to a small group to accept the accolades from some of her old theater friends, leaving her friend to do the work of ensuring NYADA’s bright future and financial stability.

* * *

“Wow… this is some place,” Finn marveled as they walked into the spectacularly decorated ballroom. Between the red carpet at the theater and now at the gala venue, he was getting a little overwhelmed. But he supposed that he’d better get used to this kind of thing because he had a strong feeling that it was something that his brother and Rachel would be experiencing quite often in the future.

Carole smiled as she walked in on her husband’s arm. “It is gorgeous,” she agreed, gazing at the ornate stained glass ceiling above them and the creative way the lighting in the room highlighted the colors. It would be easy to get star-struck in a place like this.

“This isn’t just a big party. It’s all about supporting the school,” Burt reminded. After months of navigating Washington’s social circles, he was getting more used to these sorts of gatherings even if he didn’t feel entirely at home at them. He had taken some cues from his son and figured that he’d become an actor himself in his own way. “I’m just glad that they’re going to make this about celebrating the kids as much as squeezing the wallets of their donors.”

“Speaking of the kids, where are they?” Carole asked, looking about the room.

“They’ll be here in a bit. Probably all getting ready and cleaning up from the show,” Burt guessed.

“What happened to Sue?” Finn asked, looking about. “She just kind of ran out of the theater.”

“I’m sure she’s around here somewhere,” Burt chuckled. “Why don’t we find the bar and take a look around while we wait for them?”

Finn followed in his parent’s wake, gazing about the room and feeling very out of place. There were a lot more celebrities and famous people than he’d originally expected, and he was taken aback to see several really famous television and film people that he was sure would have Rachel squealing over. He was grateful when his stepfather handed him a beer to give him something to focus on other than all the rich people in the room.

There was one woman who looked somewhat out of place amid all the designer evening gowns and tuxedos, and Finn immediately recognized the dean from Kurt’s and Rachel’s original auditions back at McKinley. Her silk turban and elegant caftan looked nearly as if it was designed to coordinate with the stained glass over their heads and the stern expression that Finn had remembered was relaxed into a calm smile. She paused periodically to chat with the guests and accepting praise from everyone she spoke with. Despite how she didn’t appear to fit in with the more conventionally attired crowd, she had total command of the room, reminding Finn that her reputation was probably a well-earned one.

Burt sipped at his beer before explaining to his wife, “That’s the dean of the school. She runs this whole show. According to Kurt, she can make or break you in a heartbeat.”

“When she came to McKinely for Kurt’s and Rachel’s audition, just mentioning her name was enough to send Rachel into a total tailspin,” Finn added, watching the woman warily.

Carole cocked her head thoughtfully. “She seems nice enough.”

Burt chuckled. “She’s like Sue in a lot of ways. A bit more cultured maybe, but just as much a shark.”

Finn saw her head turn in their direction before the woman started to approach. “She’s coming this way,” he hissed, feeling a trace of apprehension.

Burt seemed calm enough when the dean stepped up to him. “Congressman Hummel,” she greeted. “It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.” She offered her hand, letting Burt shake it.

“Likewise. Kurt’s spoken a lot about you,” Burt answered. “This is my wife Carole and Kurt’s brother, Finn.”

Madam Tibideaux smiled genially. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I’m afraid that I don’t often have a chance to meet the families of my students outside of events like this. Even those who are such fine champions of the arts such as yourself.”

“Well, Kurt certainly taught me about how important they are to kids like him so if I can help make sure that schools keep art programs, that’s the least I can do,” Burt explained, wanting to give proper credit where it was due. His son had opened his eyes to a great many things that he’d been completely ignorant about. “He’s told us quite a bit about you and how much he’s been learning here.”

Madam Tibideaux’s smile seemed to grow warmer at the mention of her student. “Young Mr. Hummel is certainly a credit to our institution and we’re very glad to have him there.”

Burt nodded understandingly. “Being at NYADA means a lot to him,” he stated. “It’s very exciting for us to see him doing so well.”

“It’s exciting for us as well,” Madam Tibideaux assured him. “There’s nothing that makes me happier than to see a talented student start to discover what he’s truly capable of. And he is discovering that he’s capable of a great many things.”

“It was a remarkable show,” Carole added with a smile.

Madam Tibideaux nodded. “I’m very glad that you enjoyed it. I think your young Mr. Hummel and the others will be quite pleased when they see the reviews,” she said with a calm smile, as if she expected nothing less.

“Will they students be getting here soon?” Burt couldn’t help from asking.

“They should be here shortly,” Madam Tibideaux assured him. “I would like to have a chance to speak with you when we have a bit more time, if that’s all right. I’m quite an admirer of your work and would like to discuss how it might be possible to expand artistic education programs to reach students that don’t get access to early exposure. I think that there are a great number of children out there who would benefit from having more access to the arts than they’re currently receiving.”

Burt nodded with a quiet smile on his face. Children like his son, he thought, who missed out on the chance for the kind of training that he needed when he was young. He wondered how many kids like Kurt were out there who might never get the opportunity to fulfill their dreams because their parents didn’t understand what their child needed or because their schools didn’t think that the arts were worth funding.

He reached into his jacket for his wallet and fished out his official business card, presenting it to her. “Give me a call whenever you’d like,” he offered. “Maybe with your help, I can pry some real funds out of the next budget.”

Madam Tibideaux smiled, tucking the card into some safe place in her robe. “I certainly will,” she assured him. “It’s been a pleasure meeting all of you. Congressman Hummel, I look forward to speaking with you again.”

Burt nodded, knowing that they couldn’t monopolize her time when there were donors and benefactors to coax into opening their checkbooks. “Me too. It’s nice to meet you,” he said politely.

She smiled and moved to drift back to continue her rounds about the room and Carole breathed out a sigh of relief. “Wow… she’s rather intense,” she marveled. “I don’t know how Kurt handles being in her classes all the time.”

Burt sipped at his beer thoughtfully. “Judging just from how he performed tonight, I think that he’s doing just fine with her,” he surmised with an amused smile. Kurt always did seem to find the strangest champions and he didn’t think that Dean Tibideaux was a bad person to have supporting him.

Carole saw that the party was now starting to really get underway, with waiters walking about with trays of finger foods for the guests. “Why don’t we just enjoy ourselves until the kids get here?” she suggested.

Burt smiled and gave his wife a quick kiss. “Sounds like a plan,” he agreed before looking to his stepson. “Are you hungry?”

Finn opened his mouth to affirm that yes, of course he was but Burt cut off his answer with a rueful chuckle. “You’re always hungry,” his stepfather teased. “What was I thinking?”

“Thanks,” Finn snarked back, but unable to keep from grinning. “But if I have to stand around this fancy shindig, then I’d better be fed.”

Carole laughed and took her son’s arm. “Come on… let’s go see what they have,” she offered.

It actually wasn’t that bad, Finn considered as he munched on a miniature crab cake. He’d probably want to run out for a burger or some pizza afterwards if nothing more substantial was served, but at least he wasn’t going to totally starve to death. And he was glad that he could keep his mother company because it seemed like quite a few people knew who Burt was and wanted to talk to him.

Burt was currently talking to the mayor over school arts programs and the two of them seemed to get getting along well enough. Carole had exchanged a few words with the mayor’s wife but was happy to let Burt take the lead and stick to her role as supportive political spouse. Before too long, the head of a major charity stepped over to chat with his stepfather. It seemed like once Burt was recognized, a lot of people wanted to stop by to talk to him.

His mother just nodded tolerantly, having gotten used to this in Washington. “Why don’t we take a look around?” she suggested. “I can use another glass of wine.”

“Sure,” Finn agreed, offering his mother his arm.

She smiled brightly. “Such a gentleman,” she teased gently. “I apparently did raise you right after all.”

“Let’s also see if any of the waiters have some more of those little crab cakes,” Finn proposed.

“Ah yes… we mustn’t let you go hungry for more than fifteen minutes,” Carole laughed as they walked over to the bar where she ordered a second glass of chardonnay. There was plenty to enjoy until the students arrives for the party. There were lots of famous people to see and a wonderful band to listen to. Maybe she might be able to drag Burt out onto the dance floor later on without too much argument.

About a half our later, the band stopped playing and Madam Tibideaux took a spot behind a waiting microphone. The conversations filling the room slowly died as the guests turned their attention to her.

“Good evening guests, friends and supporters of the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts,” she greeted the attendees graciously. “Tonight we have gathered here to celebrate the wonderful legacy of our school that has produced some of the finest talents currently working in theater, film and television. Many award-winning actors, singers, directors and industry technicians got their starts at NYADA. But as proud as I am of our past accomplishments, I am even more proud of the potential in our current and future students and I thank you all for your continued support for our institution.”

The attendees of the gala applauded and she smiled and nodded in thanks to them. When the applause died down, she continued.

“Tonight though, is about more than just celebrating NYADA as a school. After all, a school is nothing more than a building without the talented and dedicated students that put their hearts and souls into developing their craft. Whether they are actors, singers, dancers, directors or costumers, they strive to be the very best in their fields. Tonight, you had the opportunity to see that passion and dedication in action. Ladies and gentlemen… I present to you the cast of NYADA’s production of Les Miserables.”

Finn’s mouth dropped into smile of astonishment as music from the show began to fill the room and a young woman dressed in a lovely pale peacock green dress stepped out from the crowd. It was only when she began to sing that he recognized her as the actress who had played Fantine.

“He slept a summer by my side,” her voice rang out purely as she sang a section of her featured song. “He filled by days with endless wonder… He took my childhood in his stride, but he was gone when autumn came.”

Her smile was dazzling as she threw her voice into the brief performance, giving her best for the few moments when the entire room had its attention focused on her. “And still I dream he’ll come to me… that we’ll live the years together. But there are dreams that cannot be, and there are storms we cannot weather.

“I had a dream that life would be, so much different from this hell I’m living,” she sang gently, offering a reminder of the pain that her character had endured. “So different now from what it seemed. Now life has killed the dream I dreamed.”

The gala attendees applauded and cheered her performance and she smiled and gave a brief curtsey before stepping back and vanishing into the crowd. A different piece of music began to play and more figures began to step out from the assembly.

“One day more…” A young man with dark blond hair and a bright smile that belied his character’s tragic and somber disposition emerged, dressed in a conservative black tuxedo. He looked nothing like Jean Vanljean, but the voice was unmistakable. “Another day, another destiny… This never ending road to Calvary. These men who seem to know my crime will surely come a second time! One day more…”

Another man that Finn immediately recognized as having played Marius stepped forward and joined the other, at the center of the ballroom. “I did not live until today,” he sang sweetly, his gentle tenor rising through the room. “Who can I live when we are parted?”

“One day more,” the singer who’d played Jean Valjean sang as a young women with dark brown hair and dressed in a pale blue gown stepped up to his side.

“Tomorrow you’ll be worlds away,” she dueted with the Marius player. “And yet with you, my world has started…”

Another young woman joined them, the rags of Eponine exchanged for an elegant evening gown and gentle smile on her delicate features. “One more day all on my own,” she sang while the actors playing the lovers continued their romantic duet.

“Will we ever meet again?” they asked, while the other actress stepped forward.

“One more day without him caring,” she answered with a subtle touch of sadness that suited the song.

“I was born to be with you!”

“What a life I might have known…”

The actors playing lovers gazed at one another from across the room with soft smiles. “And I swear I will be true!”

“But he never saw me there!” the other actress lamented, her voice ringing out as Kurt strode forward, his chest thrust out and chin raised high.

“One more day before the storm!” he sang, his voice soaring operatically as the boy playing Marius fell into counterpoint with him and drawing a contrast between their motivations.

“Do I follow where she goes?” he asked.

“At the barricades of freedom!” Kurt commanded, clearly trying to keep from smiling too broadly. There was no need for him to stay in character, but he managed to keep from looking too pleased with himself. Not that Finn would have blamed him in the least, but he admired his brother’s control.

“Shall I join by brothers there?” the other young man pondered.

Kurt stepped to the center of the ballroom, and Finn grinned widely at seeing his brother all but dominating focus. “When our ranks begin to form,” Kurt belted, turning a happy smile to the other singers.

“Do I stay or do I dare?” Marius’s player questioned, and Kurt gave a resounding answer.

“Will you take your place with me?” he demanded, and the rest of the company rushed forward to fall in behind Kurt. Finn saw all of them there; Rachel and all of Kurt’s friends dressed in formal wear and looking like they couldn’t be happier than to be there at that moment.

“The time is now,” the entire company sang in unison as their audience applauded. “The place is here!”

“One day more!” the handsome blond man belted out, his tenor voice ringing out through the room as the man that Finn immediately recognized as having played Javert stepped out.

“One more day till revolution. We will nip it in the bud!” he proclaimed. “I will join these little schoolboys. They will wet themselves with blood!”

The chorus, lead by Kurt continued to sing their proclamations of revolution, and Finn looked up to see Burt grinning widely at the sight of his son dressed like some kind of movie star at the head of the group.  “One day to a new beginning,” they proclaimed passionately. “Raise the flag of freedom high!”

“Every man will be a king,” the men sang, with the women repeating the line in counterpoint and creating a beautiful effect.

“One day more!” the blond lead belted out, stepping closer to the main group of actors, smiling down at the actress who’d played his daughter.

Another pair of actors stepped out and it wasn’t until they opened their mouths to sing that Finn recognized that they had played the Thénardiers. Instead of looking like the unsavory criminals, they were well turned out in their formal wear and bore mischievous smiles as they expressed their own characters outlook on the brewing battle.

“Watch’em run amuck,” they sang mockingly, casting conspiratorial glances at one another. “Catch’em when they fall! Never know your luck when there’s a free for all. Here a little pinch, there a little touch. Most of them are goners so they won’t miss much!”

The main chorus continued their song of battle, filling in the layers of song that dominated the room. “There’s a new world for the winning,” they asserted, the actress who played Fantine joining them.  “There’s a new world to be won! Do you hear the people sing?”

The man playing Marius joined Kurt and placed his hand on Kurt’s well-dressed shoulder. “My place is here! I fight with you!” he declared with a wide smile and the cast burst out in a loud cheer.

The entire cast was now in full voice, filling in multiple layers of sound that left Finn breathless. The sound continued to rise and build until it reached its climax with the show’s lead actor declaring “Tomorrow is the judgement day!”

The entire cast stood together, singing with passion and expertise that would leave even the most jaded audience dazzled. Finn laughed when he saw that someone from the cast bringing out the red flag of the revolutionaries and wave it over the heads of his castmates.

“Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in Heaven has in store!” they sang together, the cast united as one. “One more dawn! One more day!

“One day more!”

* * *

The gala guests applauded loudly and cheered the students, who bowed and accepted the ovation of their audience. After the students embraced one another, celebrating their performance before starting to disperse so they could enjoy the party. The cast had already suspected that the reason for this little performance was to let all the producers and industry VIPs at the gala have a chance to see the performers as individuals and apart from the characters that they’d played. It would be a lot easier to approach an actor now that they’ve been seen out of costume.

Not to mention that it was a nice reminder that, yes, they all were really that good. The opportunity to rub shoulders with so many influential people was a rare opportunity that they didn’t want to squander, and several moved to make sure that they remained where they could be seen and approached.

Kurt looked to Rachel and took her hand. “Let’s go find my family,” he proposed. “Finn’s probably jumping out of his skin by now.”

“God, I need a drink!” Rachel exclaimed, her eyes shimmering happily. They might be mentally and physically exhausted, but now they could really celebrate what they’ve done.

“Me too,” he said agreeably. “But let’s find my dad first.”

She smiled and nodded, letting him lead her through the crowd. There would be enough time to play “spot the celebrity” later, she told herself.

“I think… there they are,” Kurt said happily, beelining over to where his family was waiting. “Dad!”

Burt grinned and held his arms out. “Hey, sport! Come here!”

Kurt threw himself into his father’s embrace, feeling a monumental sense of relief. He felt like, finally, he could relax a little bit. He was passed to Finn, who left off greeting Rachel to give Kurt another solid hug and then to Carole. Once the round of hugs and kisses had been completed, he pulled Rachel to his side and couldn’t resist asking, “So… what did you think?”

“It was a fantastic show,” Finn assured him, hugging them both again. “You both were amazing.”

Carole nodded in agreement. “I can’t remember enjoying a show quite as much,” she insisted. “Kurt, you were absolutely fantastic up there.”

“Thanks,” he said, blushing a bit.

“And Rachel… I don’t know how you managed to do all that,” Carole stated admiringly. “You were all over the place.”

“I know,” Rachel laughed brightly. “We were joking that the ensemble should have been fitted out with roller skates.”

“Which would have been an entirely different show,” Kurt teased, earning a jab in the ribs from his friend.

“You still have it in for ‘Starlight Express’,” she complained playfully, swatting his arm.

“It’s still awful!” Kurt insisted, laughing. He ran a hand through his hair to smooth it back into place before accepting a glass of champagne from a waiter. “I just can’t believe that we survived this,” he claimed, taking a sip.

“Well, we only have to do it ten more times,” Rachel reminded him.

“Has Adam called you yet?” Finn asked.

“I’m expecting a call any minute,” Kurt confirmed. “So if you see me ducking out of here, you’ll know why. He’s probably just finishing up for the night about now.”

“Kurt!”

He turned around just in time to avoid being surprise tackled by a petite figure dressed in a cloud of tulle. “Isabelle!” he exclaimed happily, embracing his boss and lifting her off her Louboutin heels. He looked over her shoulder at the well-dressed, grinning man behind her and released his boss so Chase could pull him into an enthusiastic hug.

“Hey, superstar,” the older man greeted happily, patting Kurt on the back. “That was some show.”

“You were totally wonderful, which we knew that you would be,” Isabelle trilled, positively bouncing excitedly in her towering heels and making a few onlookers a bit concerned for her safety. She then realized that she and Chase was pulling Kurt away from his family.

“Oh my God… I’m being totally rude here,” she exclaimed, releasing Kurt from her grasp. “We were just so excited to see Kurt tonight. He was so fabulous that I just couldn’t contain myself!”

“That’s okay,” Burt laughed indulgently. He wrapped his arm about his wife to pull her close. “We think a lot of him too.”

Kurt quickly stepped in to make introductions. “Dad, this is Isabelle, my boss at Vogue.”

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” she insisted, shaking Burt’s offered hand. “Kurt’s told me so much about you and I’ve been so looking forward to meeting Kurt’s family. We absolutely adore him at the office.”

Kurt smiled and let Chase rest an arm about his shoulders to keep him close. “And this is my fashion fairy godfather, Chase. He’s the Artistic Director in our office and responsible for my spectacular suit tonight.”

Chase smiled down at the younger man. “It’s fun having you around to be my personal Ken doll.”

“It’ so lovely to meet all of you,” Carole said, nodding a greeting to the couple.

“This is my brother, Finn,” Kurt introduced, and Isabelle’s eyes widened almost comically.

“Wow… you are tall,” she said in astonishment. “Kurt mentioned how tall you were, but he didn’t say anything about how handsome his brother was.” She threw a playfully admonishing look at her employee.

“You can’t have him,” Kurt informed her bluntly. “He lives in Texas and has a band there.”

“Oh poo… you’re no fun anymore,” she pouted playfully.

Isabelle then turned to Rachel and held out her arms to embrace the younger woman. “Rachel, you look so lovely, honey,” she praised. “Kurt was right… the Marchesa gown was absolutely perfect for you.”

Rachel couldn’t help from smoothing down her skirt. “It was so kind of you to let Kurt dress us,” she said sincerely. “We could never have managed to find anything nice enough on our own.”

“Oh, it was my pleasure,” Isabelle insisted. “After all, I do owe you for taking me in that Thanksgiving. That was the most amazing kiki ever!”

Burt smiled indulgently at his son. “Sounds like your life in New York is pretty interesting,” he mused in amusement.

Kurt chuckled as he accepted a little pastry filled with goat cheese and honey from one of the passing waiters. “It can be eventful,” he admitted with a grin before biting into his treat.

“Well, it’s about to get a bit more interesting,” his father informed him, nodding his head in the direction behind Kurt. “There’s someone who’s waiting to see you.”

“Dad, believe me, they only are going to be interested in the leads,” he insisted, swallowing the pastry. He’d have to think about making them for his next party.

Burt nudged Kurt to turn around. “I think that this one only wants to see you,” he stated with a smile.

Kurt sighed and turned to see who his father was talking about and felt his jaw drop open in surprise. He felt himself stepping forward, his eyes fixed on the tall women who seemed a bit apprehensive about approaching him herself. He stopped a bare foot outside of what he knew her personal space preferences were and offered a smile.

“I knew that you planned on coming to see the show, but I wasn’t expecting it to be opening night,” he said softly.

Sue looked down at her protégé. “Did you think that I wouldn’t? After finding out from your dean just what role you were playing, would you really believe that I would skip it? “

He couldn’t help from laughing a little at her retort. “I should have guessed that you would have found out. I was kind of hoping to surprise you.”

Sue smiled indulgently. “As if you could ever surprise me, Porcelain,” she teased. “I’d think you would have learned that by now. You know that I have very high expectations for you.”

Kurt nodded, knowing too well that trying to fool his former coach was an exercise in futility. “Did you enjoy the show?” he asked carefully, knowing that if anyone would give him an unvarnished opinion, Sue would.

She pursed her lip thoughtfully. “The show itself was… adequate,” she granted, as if saying anything positive was like pulling teeth.

Kurt felt himself relax marginally.

“Most of it was what I expected,” she granted. “But you…”

He looked up expectantly, his eyes betraying a hint of wariness. She never held back in her criticisms, no matter how minor.

The tall woman inhaled sharply, looking up at the ceiling as if her gather her thoughts. When she finally looked back at Kurt, there was a suspicious shimmer in her eyes.

“You were extraordinary,” she said softly. “I tried not to build up my expectations because I cannot count the number of times I’ve been disappointed. But you’ve never disappointed me.”

Sue bent slightly so that Kurt was able to look her in the eye. “Anything I could have possibly have hoped to see from you tonight… You surpassed all of that and I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

Before she could withdraw back to their usual boundaries, she was taken completely by surprise by Kurt all but flinging himself at her and wrapping his arms about her. She froze for a second, but quickly relaxed and returned the gesture and pulled his close. She closed her eyes and pressed her cheek to the top of his head, savoring that he was succeeding when so many had been determined to stand in his way.

“I’m so glad that you were here tonight,” he stated, turning his eyes up to look at his old mentor.

She smiled into his hair. “So am I, Porcelain” she admitted.

With a bit more reluctance than either of them wanted to admit to, they released one another and Kurt held out his hand. “Come on,” he invited. ‘We’re all celebrating over there and it doesn’t feel right not having you there.”

“Are you sure?” Sue asked, arching an eyebrow wryly.

Kurt grinned, squaring his shoulders. “You’re with me,” he insisted, pulling her behind him.

Burt gave Sue a welcoming smile as the tall woman approached. “I was wondering where you were hiding,” he chuckled.

Before Sue could respond, a muffled rendition of “I’ll Cover You” emitted from Kurt’s pocket and he fished out his cell phone. “Ah, it’s Adam,” he proclaimed happily. He turned a wide grin to his family. “If you’ll excuse me for a little bit…”

“Tell him that we all say ‘hi’,” Burt insisted. “We’ll behave until you get back.”

Kurt brought the phone to his ear as he hurried to find a quiet place to talk. “Hi sweetie!” he greeted happily. “Did you have a good show tonight?”

“I’m the one that should be asking that,” Adam claimed, laughing warmly over the connection. “How did it go?”

Kurt found an alcove by the bathroom and ducked in, hoping that no one would bother him for the next few minutes. “I think it went well,” he stated. “But I haven’t had a chance to see if any of the reviews are out yet.”

“Well, I did,” Adam teased. “I checked as soon as I got off stage and I think that you all will be very happy. Make sure that you check the review for the Times.”

“I will,” Kurt assured him. He leaned against the wall behind him, closing his eyes so he could picture Adam’s face while they talked. “It just feels surreal now that we’ve had our official opening. Not quite anticlimactic, but just strange.”

“I know how that feels,” Adam admitted. “You work so hard for so long and when it all pays off…. You just expect more out of the moment.”

“I’m just being silly,” Kurt sighed. He didn’t need his own silly brain ping ponging him with emotions like this. Not when he knew that he did a good job.

“No, you’re not,” Adam assured him tolerantly, and Kurt could almost hear the smile in your voice. “I know how much work you put into that show and it’s not strange to feel a little let down in some ways. You’ll definitely feel it after the last show, so make sure that you go out and celebrate. That helps keep your spirits up.”

“Definitely,” Kurt promised.

“I don’t want to keep you from what must be a smashing party, so I’m going to let you go for now,” Adam proposed gently. “But I am so proud of you, darling.”

“Thanks. Can I give you a call when I get back to the dorms? It might be late,” Kurt warned.

“I’ll be very cross if you don’t,” Adam teased.

Kurt smiled, “Love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. Go have a good time and make sure you have a glass of wine for me,” Adam urged. “We’ll talk more later.”

“Bye,” Kurt said, smiling as he ended the call. Talking with Adam always helped him put things into perspective and he was glad to know that his unsettled feelings were perfectly normal. The past few months have been an emotional rollercoaster for him and the ride hadn’t come to a complete stop yet.

When he returned to the party, Rachel was waiting for him with Finn and their friends and looked absolutely ecstatic about something. “Kurt! You won’t believe this!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands happily.

“What’s going on,” he asked, eyeing them curiously. They all looked uncommonly delighted over something.

Jamie clapped Kurt on the shoulder and pulled him into their little circle. “We were looking over the reviews,” he explained, waving his phone.

Kurt nodded, now understanding. “Yeah, Adam said that they were out and pretty good.”

“’Pretty good’ is an understatement,” Katya confirmed happily. She took up her own phone and read, “According to the Post, if people haven’t already gotten their tickets that they’re going to miss out on one of the best theater events of the year.”

“Wow,” Kurt marveled with a grin. “That’s going to make Professor Carmody happy.”

“Well, it gets better,” Analisa claimed with a delighted grin. “The review for the New York Times is up, and I’m quoting here… ‘not enough can be said about the cast of students, which to an individual would be standouts on any professional stage’.”

Rachel nodded enthusiastically. “Keep reading,” she urged, nudging Analisa playfully. “Get to the best part.”

Analisa giggled, her eyes shining. “It goes on about all of the leads… yadda yadda… ah! Here it was,” she exclaimed. “’Two remarkable actors created an intriguing juxtaposition between the romantic Marius, played by Brett Sosa, and the fierce Enjolras, played by Kurt Hummel!’”

Rachel laughed excitedly, jumping up and shaking Kurt. “You got named in the Times!” she chortled, hugging him tightly while he tried to absorb what he’d just heard.

“That can’t be right,” Kurt said disbelievingly.

“Oh, it is,” Jamie confirmed, taking a sip of his wine. “You, my friend, are now a known theater actor. Congratulations!” He raised his glass in toast.

Rachel leaned in to kiss Kurt soundly on the cheek. “And it couldn’t happen to a better person,” she insisted. She reached up to wipe a tear from her cheek. “Oh God! I’m so happy for you!”

“Totally agree, Kurt,” Finn stated. “You were amazing tonight.”

Kurt read the review himself, trying to absorb what he was seeing. He looked up to where his parents were waiting with Sue, the three of them watching him with amused smiles.

“Can you believe this?” he asked, shrugging in confusion.

Burt didn’t nod but looked uncommonly proud and kept his arm around his beaming wife. Sue looked to her former protégé with a knowing gleam in her eyes.

“I’d be very put out if you weren’t getting the credit that you so obviously deserve,” she proclaimed. “And given that I have the phone number for the editor-in-chief, it’s a good thing that their cretic had the good sense to make proper note of your worth.”

Rachel draped her arms about Kurt’s shoulders, all but leaning over his back. He laughed and playfully swung her around. Surrounded by his friends and family, he could almost believe that this was real. That he had somehow made a debut on a New York City stage that mattered and was noticed and might really mean something.

He’d spend some time to try to make sense of this later, when he had a chance to talk things over with Adam and his friends and put everything that was happening into their proper perspective. For now, he decided that it would be better to focus on celebrating their shared accomplishments than dwelling on his individual one.

* * *

“That’s him?” the woman at Carmen Tibideaux’s side questioned dubiously.

Hearing the doubt in the voice of one of NYADA’s most dedicated donors brought a slight smile to the Dean’s face. She had a feeling that she’d be hearing that quite often and would savor the satisfaction of seeing those reservations silenced.

“Yes,” she assured the other woman. “That is him.”

“Huh…”

It took a great deal of Madam Tibideaux’s carefully honed control not to chuckle at the dubious tone in the other woman’s voice. But her opinion on her donor’s short-sightedness was not what mattered here. She was asked to make an introduction to the student who had caught the woman’s eye during the performance, as she had with other students throughout the evening. Normally, she’d be leery about setting this particular sponsor on one of her students, but she had a feeling that this introduction would go smoothly. There weren’t many who could handle this woman’s peculiarities, but this one…

She plastered a warm smile on her face as she approached so she wouldn’t unduly alarm her student. “Mr. Hummel? Do you have a moment?” she asked politely.

Kurt had been sitting with his family and friends, laughing at stories recounting the mishaps of their rehearsals and looking quite happy and relaxed. She supposed that the glass of wine in his hand helped with the relaxing and she could hardly begrudge him that small comfort. It was a rare occurrence to observe any of her students so at ease.

He looked up at her, blue eyes wide with curiosity about the woman standing at his teacher’s side and having his time with his family interrupted. But he politely rose to his feet to greet them with the manners that he had always displayed. “Of course, Madam,” he said.

She smiled reassuringly and gestured at the woman standing just behind her. “I’d like you to meet June Dolloway,” she introduced. “She’s one of NYADA’s proudest sponsors and she was quite eager to meet you.”

Kurt blinked in surprise but quickly rallied and turned his attention to the other woman, dressed in the gown and jewels of a high society matron. She was older than his teacher and the red hair she boasted clearly was not the result of nature. While she probably never was a classical beauty, even in her youth, her sharp features retained a vulpine element that would have been quite intriguing when she was younger. She held out a slender hand to him, her blue eyes clearly sizing him up and waiting for a response.

He gently grasped her hand and shook it warmly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Dolloway,” he greeted.

Now that her task was done, Madam Tibideaux turned to Ms. Dolloway. “I’ll leave you both to talk now,” she stated. “We’ll catch up a bit more later, June.”

“Of course, Carmen,” Ms. Dolloway answered, not taking her eyes off the young man before her. “I’m sure that Mr. Hummel and I will have quite a bit to talk about.”

Once the dean had stepped away, Kurt made quick introductions between Ms. Dolloway and his family in order to maintain and air of proper courtesy before offering the older woman a seat. “What can I do for you?” he asked inquiringly.

She smiled in a manner that reminded him somewhat of Santana, in the way that it didn’t completely reach her eyes and seemed more about challenge than anything else. “Well, that remains to be seen,” she said. “I was rather intrigued when I saw your performance tonight. It was… quite remarkable.”

“Thank you,” he answered sincerely. “I’m glad that you enjoyed it. Please, have a seat.”

“I was very surprised when Carmen told me that you were originally cast as an understudy,” Ms. Dolloway jabbed as she settled into the offered chair. Her sharp gazed was fixed firmly on Kurt, apparently looking to see if her point about him not being originally cast in the role would cause insult.

Kurt just smiled graciously. “I was,” he admitted without any trace of embarrassment. “Given that I am only a sophomore and all of the principles were seniors and juniors, I knew that I was being given a very special opportunity. I certainly didn’t expect to have to take over the role, but I hope that I did it proper justice.”

Ms. Dolloway nodded, pursing her thin lips thoughtfully at the lack of any display of ego. “Well enough that I wouldn’t have thought you would be so young,” she admitted. “Admittedly, seeing you out of character is a little bit jarring. You don’t strike me as the type to be able to pass so adeptly.”

Kurt blinked a bit at surprise at her choice of words, recognizing them for what they were. He didn’t have any illusions that people wouldn’t immediately peg him as being gay, but to have her so bluntly state it…He couldn’t help from wondering if he would ever get to a point where he wouldn’t be judged so quickly.

Behind him, he could all but feel Sue Sylvester bristling at the thinly veiled insult that this interloper just paid him and she seemed ready to jump to his defense. In order to avoid having his school embarrassed by having one of their chief donors laid out flat, he made a quick and subtle motion for her to leave it to him. He’d been hearing things like this all his life and dealing with them. He could handle this.

Forcing a calm smile to his face, he retorted, “Well, I suppose that it shows the quality of my acting abilities. After all, the whole point is to make the audience believe that I am whatever a role needs me to be. Correct?”

Ms. Dolloway allowed a reluctant smile to touch her features, and Kurt couldn’t help from feeling that he had passed some kind of test.

“Apparently you are a bit tougher than you appear,” she granted reluctantly.

Kurt couldn’t help from glancing over to Sue and giving her a fond smile. “I learned from the best,” he claimed, enjoying the fond gleam in her eyes.

Ms. Dolloway cocked her head, studying Kurt appraisingly. “I’ve always enjoyed the theater,” she explained. “Finding new talent has always been exciting. Being the first to really discover a performer is like catnip to me.”

Kurt nodded, showing that he was paying attention while wondering where she was going with this. Society doyennes like this were always a challenge to deal because they were so accustomed to being deferred to. As annoying as catering to her whims might be, getting her favor could lead to opportunities for himself and his friends.

She looked at him frankly. “You are an interesting prospect,” she stated. “On the surface, I don’t know if I would say that there was something particularly special about you, but there’s clearly a lot more to you. Being able to carry a role like this tells me that you’ve got a lot more to you than just a pretty face.

“I’m planning a showcase of new talent,” she informed him. “Singers from several of New York’s theater programs and you would make an interesting addition. I’m curious to see what the response to you would be.”

Knowing that this was as much of a compliment as he would likely get from the prickly sponsor, he just nodded. “If you could let me know the details, I’ll see if I can manage to fit it in,” he said carefully. While the offer was intriguing, he really did have a lot on his plate over the next few months. He had an audition for the Shakespeare festival shortly after their show closed and he did need to get through the rest of the semester.

Besides, it didn’t hurt not to appear too eager. Playing hard to get seemed to be the best course of action.

She seemed surprised that he wasn’t jumping at the opportunity presented to him and arched a thin eyebrow curiously. “I’ll let Carmen know the details. Hopefully you’ll be able to participate.”

“I’ll certainly try,” he granted, rising to his feet to see her off. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

She accepted his offered hand and shook it. “You’re an interesting young man, Kurt Hummel. I’m going to be keeping my eye on you.,” she warned.

Rachel came up to him as the older woman walked away and placed a hand comfortingly on his arm. “That was… interesting,” she said appraisingly, giving her friend a reissuing smile. “Are you going to take her up on her offer?”

“Maybe,” he answered, considering the option. “It sounds like it might open a few doors but I’m wondering of dealing with her might be more headache than it’s worth. I’m not sure I’d want to be beholden to her.”

“I think you might be right,” Rachel agreed. “Still, I wouldn’t rule it out completely.”

“I won’t,” he assured her. “Maybe I can steer her in your direction. You mind taking her off my hands?”

Rachel smiled and shook her head. “She wasn’t at all interested in me,” she stated plainly. “But that’s okay. You deserve all the attention that you’re getting tonight.”

Kurt couldn’t help from marveling at the sincerity in Rachel’s voice. The girl who had been so jealous of any attention paid to someone other than her was truly long gone. In her place was a charming, mature young woman who supported her friend and wasn’t interested in trying to draw focus to herself. He was so proud of the person that she’d become and couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms for a quick kiss to her cheek.

Before they could rejoin their friends, a portly man about his father’s age with a ruddy complexion and wide grin hurried over. “Finally!” he exclaimed in exasperation. “I thought that harpy would never leave!”

He held out his broad hand to Kurt. “You’ll please pardon my presumptiveness and not waiting for a formal introduction, but I’ve been hoping to catch you tonight Mr. Hummel. I’m Nicholas Bowden.”

“Oh!” Kurt immediately recognized the name of the now famous director. “You won the Tony last year.”

The man nodded, puffing up a bit proudly. “After twenty five years in the business, it seems like my work is finally getting some notice.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kurt said cheerfully. The motioned towards Rachel. “This is my friend, Rachel Berry. She was in the ensemble tonight.”

“A pleasure, young lady,” he said graciously, taking Rachel’s hand and pressing a quick kiss to her fingers. “You all were truly remarkable tonight.”

“Thank you so much,” Rachel answered cheerfully. Knowing that this was Kurt’s moment, she kissed him on the cheek again. “I’m going to get another glass of wine. White for you?”

“Please… thank you,” he said gratefully. Once Rachel had stepped back, he turned his attention fully to the directors. “I’m quite a fan of your work,” he admitted. “I thought that you should have won years ago for your revival of ‘The Pajama Game’.”

“That’s very kind of you, Kurt. Do you mind if I call you that?” Mr. Bowden asked.

“Of course!”

The older man smiled broadly. “I just wanted to take a moment to compliment you on your performance tonight. Absolutely spectacular work.”

Coming from a man of Mr. Bowden’s stature, that was high praise indeed. “Thank you so much,” Kurt said sincerely. “That means a lot to me.”

“You know, I asked Carmen about you. She said that you’re one of her most promising students,” Mr. Bowden advised. “Coming form someone as hard to impress as her… you’re doing something right.”

Kurt could feel the heat warming his cheeks. He wasn’t at the point where hearing that he was well thought of by Madam Tibideaux wouldn’t affect him and he doubted that he ever would.

“She told me that you’re still a sophomore,” Mr. Bowden prodded.

Kurt nodded. “I actually started in the spring semester last year.”

“Then what you’ve accomplished so far is even more impressive. It makes me feel a little guilty about approaching you,” Mr. Bowden admitted.

He looked at Kurt frankly, measuring the younger man up. “Carmen really hates it when her students get poached before she thinks they’re ready, but I did want to talk to you about your future career plans. Because I know of several shows currently in the work that you might be well suited for.”

Kurt inhaled sharply, not really having expected such a direct offer. “To be honest,” he began before pausing, taking a moment to consider his words carefully.

“As much as I would love to just jump into serious work, I know that I’m really not ready,” he admitted. “I have another two years of school left, and to be honest, I know that I really need it. I’m sorry, but..”

“Kurt, that’s quite all right,” Mr. Bowden assured him with a smile. “If anything, this impresses me even more. It takes a great deal of maturity to make that kind of choice. And I know that you’ll continue to grow at NYADA.”

The director reached into his wallet for a business card and pressed it into Kurt’s hand. “I’d like you to promise me that the minute after you graduate that you’ll call my office,” he insisted. “I’m not going to risk someone else snatching you up before I get a shot at casting you.”

Kurt felt nearly overwhelmed by the offer, taken aback by the offer. After being worried for so long about measuring up, he was finding a bit of a challenge to really appreciate that so many seasoned professionals were interested in him.

Realizing that his dreams of a stage career weren’t so outlandish was almost a shocking revelation. He didn’t have Rachel’s confidence in her preordained destiny so understanding that his aspirations weren’t hopeless musings was going to take a bit of work to wrap his mind around.

Proud that he was able to pocket the card and shake the other man’s hand without trembling. “I definitely will,” he promised. “Thank you so much.”

Mr. Bowden smiled and patted Kurt on the shoulder. “I’m looking forward to hearing from you, Kurt,” he insisted. “Keep up with your studies, because I’m expecting great things. We’ll keep in touch.”

“Definitely,” Kurt assured him. “And thank you much.”

“My pleasure, young man. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d best go reassure Carmen that I’m not going to drag you out of school before she pronounces you ready.” He shook Kurt’s hand again before returning to the main group of party guests.

Kurt exhaled deeply, trying to absorb that a Tony winning director expressed even the slightest interest in him. “Holy shit,” he breathed, before turning to see the knowing, amused smiles of his friends and family. Rachel handed him a glass of wine that he very much needed.

“Come on, superstar,” she urged with a teasing glint in her eyes. “We have party to get back to.”

Kurt nodded, letting her loop her arm through his and pull him back to where his family was waiting for him. There would be plenty of time to worry about the future, he told himself. Right now, he wanted to enjoy what he and his friends had managed to pull off.

A few hours later found him deposited back in his dorm room, feeling very loose and relaxed from one too many glasses of wine. His gorgeous tux was neatly put away, because no matter how drunk he was, there was no way he’d abuse a garment that spectacular, and he lay curled up in bed with his phone. Regaling to his lover with all the details of the amazing night he’d had helped him start to grasp that this wasn’t just any performance. It still felt a little-dream like and he wondered how long it would take before it finally sunk it just how real it was.

[laurlovescookies]

Kadam Week Prompt Five: Our First Noel

- Kurt and Adam either meet or reunite while participating in a volunteer event.

In this fic, Kurt decides to spend Christmas Eve working in a LGBT youth shelter. Burt comes along to help (no Blaine all up here in this bitch) and Kurt meets a kind young man whom found his NYADA audition “Breathtaking.” ^_^

There are a few more switcheroos in this fic: Burt doesn’t tell Kurt about his cancer until the day after Christmas. Kurt’s going to be seriously upset (and not happy that Burt didn’t tell him immediately; I think I would be too) but I’ll say that Burt wanted Kurt to not have to worry about it over Christmas (and the kid DOES worry.)

Plus, on a more selfish note, I have to keep this fic fairly short if I want to finish the week’s challenge, and if Adam and Kurt wanted to talk shop about cancer, this story would be considerably longer.  

Please enjoy!

-O-

Kurt never believed he would credit Sue Sylvester with having a good idea (let alone a philanthropic one) but her enlisting the Glee club to volunteer at a homeless shelter last Christmas Eve had been a surprisingly sweet initiative on her part. That had lasted all of one day, but he thought it would be a good annual tradition to adopt.

When he thought he would be spending Christmas alone this year, Kurt had signed himself up to work at a halfway center known as the “Rainbow Connection,” a center which provided aid to displaced LGBT youth in New York City.

But Burt had shown up at the door with a tree, very nearly inducing a heart attack of Kurt’s own. After the tree had been put up and they’d waved Rachel off for her cruise, Burt had volunteered to come along with Kurt to the shelter. The man had signed up considerably late, but none of the staff minded.

“We really need all the help we can get,” said the curly-haired man whom shook both their hands at the check-in desk. He was wearing a Santa cap. “We won’t be turning away anyone today, that or any other day.”

Kurt looked around the center’s reception room. It was a weathered place, bearing scratch marks on walls with chipped and faded paint. Old pipes gurgled from the ceiling, and the carpet was frayed and water-stained. He might’ve been imagining things, but judging by its slightly lopsided halls the place seemed to be actively sinking into the earth. Burt looked around too, brow furrowing.

“If I have anythin’ to say in Washington about any gay kid shelter—and damned well I do—I’m not gonna stand for Ohio’s shelters getting this beat up.”

Kurt thought the building was in desperate need of a facelift, but the staff had tried cheering the place with an explosion of color: There were LGBT flags and safe space stickers everywhere you looked, a burst of silver and blue paper chains surrounding a battered menorah on a crooked table, and a kenora surrounded by red and gold tinsel not far away. Christmas lights were wrapped around the battered old pipes, and down the halls were intermittent little Charlie Brown trees the staff had likely picked from the remains of Christmas tree lots. They’d been loved into life with handmade decorations, photos of staff members and shelter comers. Kurt’s heart ached and his throat tightened as he looked at them, looked at the resource posters for food, foster care, financial aid, and STD prevention and care.

“I’m glad this place exists.”

“Me too,” said Burt heavily. “But I’m real sorry that it has to.”

“We got a whole lot of people coming in tonight and tomorrow,” said the shelter attendant, and they turned to face him again. “The weather tonight is supposed to set a new record for the coldest Christmas NYC’s seen in eleven years.”

Kurt felt a hot wave of guilt. His dad had flown so far to see him, had saved him from being one of the displaced teens coming in for a respite from the cold, to the only Christmas they were likely to get. He stepped closer to his father, and Burt wrapped an arm around his shoulders, hugging him.

“Now to find jobs for you both. Can either of you cook?”

Burt muttered a “Not really,” while Kurt nodded. “A little.”

“’A little’ meaning my kid cooks better than anyone I ever met. Uh, don’t tell Carol I said that.”

The man sighed, looking profoundly relieved. “Right then. Kurt, if I could just have you take a right down the hall to the kitchen, they’ll put you to work. Mr. Hummel, if you’ll just come with me, please…”

Kurt reluctantly waved goodbye to his father, headed into the kitchen area, where he was pleased to find lots of people already at work, bustling over trays of turkey, foil casserole dishes of potatoes and cranberry sauce.

The man in charge eagerly put Kurt to work on the Christmas cookies. As Kurt picked up an icing bag, for one sliver in time, his mother’s hands were wrapped around his much smaller ones, guiding his decorating for Santa’s cookies.

He blinked, and got to work carefully decorating snowflake shaped cookies, making silvery curly-ques atop light-blue icing, dotting them with glittery sugar and chocolate chips. He knew he was being silly; people would be more interested in eating the cookies then looking at them, but he didn’t want the dessert to seem perfunctory. He’d yelled at his bemused father for trying to stick a plate of oreos in front of the fireplace when that just wasn’t the same.

He made rainbow cookies with gender symbols atop them, cookies in the shape of an ace with black, blue and purple frosting, glittery blue, pink and white striped stars to represent the transgender flag. Perhaps he went a bit too far by making little gingerbread men in frosting tuxedos holding hands with each other, but he could not resist. Soon he made little gingerbread women with icing skirts doing the same, followed by large heart cookies. Feeling sheepish, Kurt nonetheless got to work writing on the hearts, wondering if they seemed too much like Valentine’s-conversation candy.

“These are all lovely.”

Starting, Kurt whirled around, nearly knocking the young man beside him in the ribs with his elbow—there really were too many cooks in the kitchen. “Oh! Oh, I’m sorry. And thank you.”

The young man smiled. He was a tall bean pole, with dark blond hair tousled beneath his beanie, with light-blue eyes and a small cleft in his chin. Kurt felt the bottom briefly drop out of his stomach. “It’s quite alright. I’m sorry; there isn’t too much space here.” He had a British accent.

He took a careful step back, still smiling down at Kurt’s cookies, expression soft. “Oh, these are wonderful. You make pastries as well as you sing, Kurt. People will be fighting over them.”

Kurt’s face was suddenly as flaming as his cookies and he looked away, smiling broadly.

“I hope not. And thank you again, ah—“ His eyes widened in surprise as he realized that while the stranger knew his name, Kurt didn’t know his. And certainly he wouldn’t forget a face like this one.

It was the stranger’s turn to flush. “I’m sorry; I’m a fan, not a stalker.” He frowned. “Stalkers aren’t allowed to say that, are they? Ah, well. Adam Crawford.” He extended a floury hand, and Kurt took it with a bemused smile. “I forget you’re not a NYADA student just yet.”

“How did you know I got in?” Kurt asked wonderingly.

“I heard your performance at the Winter showcase.” Adam smiled again, eyes warm and bright. “If Madame T didn’t let you in after that, I can only conclude she’d need to be shut in an asylum.”

Kurt laughed aloud at that, surprising himself. “Well, thank you. I think Rachel was the showstopper though.”

“Rachel Berry?” asked Adam, brow creasing. “She was fine. But the way you sang…” Adam shook his head in stunned amazement. “It was positively…breathtaking.”

Kurt colored a little more, knowing he ought to get back to the cookies and yet rooted to the spot. “Thank you.”

“Fair warning,” said Adam, moving to check the bubbling pot he’d been working over. He scooped out a ladleful and after blowing on it for some time took a tentative sip. “The moment you finished singing the Apples gathered outside to discuss potential tactics on how to recruit you. I likely would’ve discovered where you lived and shown up on your doorstep with my homemade apple pie. You wouldn’t have stood a chance.”

“Wait, what? The Apples? And recruit me for what, being gay?”

“Of course you can’t recruit people into being gay. You can only become gay by sitting too close to the telly,” Adam said seriously. Then his face fell and both he and Kurt burst out giggling. Adam wiped his eyes.

“The Adam’s Apples are the show choir group I founded.” Kurt’s eyes lit up at once. “I thought you were remarkable, but to be honest, I didn’t have much hope, considering how good you are and we’re…” Adam shrugged helplessly. “Well, show choir. Even amongst misfit artists, show choir members are treated anathema at NYADA.”

“That’s okay. I was part of my high school glee club, and even nerds threw rocks at us from cars. But pie and show choir both sound excellent to me.”

Adam opened the oven and Kurt got a hot waft of decadent cinnamon and melting brown sugar, along with the gentle smell of apples. “Come to the dark side, Kurt. We have pie.”

“As long as it’s not koolaid.”

“And try a bit of this,” Adam offered, fetching another saucer and offering Kurt a small scoop of soup. Throwing Adam a dubious look, Kurt blew on it and tried, eyes closing.

“Oh dear God, that chicken and dumpling is divine.” He laughed and shook his head. “Did you follow me here so that you could win me over to your show choir with food?”

It was stupid, but he couldn’t help but wonder if Adam maybe cooked this way for someone else.

“Is it working?” Adam asked innocently, chuckling when Kurt nudged him playfully. “No, dear. I come here often. I only just so happened to recognize you.”  

“Are you…are you a volunteer as well?”

“Yes,” said Adam, stirring the pot and adding pepper. “School and the Apples keep me busy and I can’t come as often as I like, but I like to volunteer as a day camp counselor here. The facility works with the state to find lgbt-friendly foster homes for minors, but lots of them like to come here and participate in therapy or art classes.”

“Are you…” He ought not to ask, not to ask— “Are you here with your family tonight?”

Adam smiled and shook his head. “No, they’re back across the pond in Wessex, but no one minded a bit when I came out, not even my gran. I’m afraid I’m saving my money in the kipper for a longer vacation opportunity in the summer, so I won’t be with them this year.” He exhaled, and looked at the window, beckoning Kurt over with a finger.

“Still….”

The sight knocked the heart out of him; there was already an enormous line of people outside the shelter. Attendants were trying to shepherd people inside, but the line wrapped around the block. People were huddling together, all the while the wind was whistling and the world was being pillowed with snow. Kurt blinked again and prayed Adam didn’t notice him dab at his eye.

“Here I’m reminded it could be worse,” the taller boy said quietly, going back to his cutting board to slice potatoes. Kurt turned back to the cookies, tracing words on the desserts as quickly as he could. “I feel guilty.”

“Why?”

“I…my dad struggled with my coming out, it was so different than everything he ever was, and yet he took me exactly as I am, unconditionally.” Kurt palmed his eye. “I was so afraid when I told him that I’d…well, my friend Mercedes offered to let me stay at her place, if…”

Adam looked over at him, expression serious. “You shouldn’t have had to worry about that at all, Kurt.” Adam pronounced his name Kuht, and Kurt liked how it sounded. “No one deserves to be thrown out of their home for something they simply cannot help. While I’m very happy your dad is supportive, I wish that support were simply expected, rather than being an instance of sheer luck.”

 Kurt smiled sadly. “My dad said something along the same lines.”

Suddenly he got an idea, and seized a package of paper cups and ripped off the plastic. Kurt grabbed a tray from a shelf beneath him, and after setting the cups upon it started filling them all from an enormous dispenser with cocoa. Adam watched curiously as Kurt feverishly sprinkled cinnamon in them all, grabbed his coat off the hook and started buttoning. “What are you…” He looked outside and his eyes widened with understanding. “Oh…”  

“I know I probably can’t give one to everyone in time,” Kurt said breathlessly, bustling for the emergency exit. “But I have to at least try.”

Stunned, Adam watched as Kurt headed out, the wind buffeting him as he did so. A second later Adam turned the burner and oven off, and started stacking a tray of his own, curiously sampling a hot cocoa with cinnamon. He closed his eyes. God, but that was delicious.  

He hurried out afterwards, the chill knifing into his bones, making him seize up. He’d been in such a rush to follow Kurt that he’d forgotten his coat. Kurt was already making a beeline for the line, his face flushed pink. Adam watched it for a stupidly long moment, then jolted and followed suit.  

By now the line was moving and more people had made their way inside, but no one rejected the cocoa, some sipping cautiously while others simply moved their faces over the steam, wrapping icy fingers around the hot cups.

Soon after the boys rushed in again, and again, and on the sixth time Kurt thought at least he was getting some exercise this Christmas. He and Adam kept bumping into each other as they served chocolate, and Kurt couldn’t help but huddle closer to the other boy—it really was bitterly cold out.

By the time they’d served cocoa to the last person heading inside they staggered back into the kitchen, exhausted, very flushed, very cold and cracking up. “Dear God, your hands,” Adam exclaimed, taking Kurt’s flushed hands in his own.

“Hello, pot. I’m kettle. You’re pink,” pointed out Kurt, and started giggling when Adam swatted at him affectionately.

Soon the food was moved to the counter, where the line was already waiting. He looked over at Adam. “Do you have any plans for Christmas?”

“Oh, I’ll…enjoy some movies and soup in bed. Catch up on my reading.”

Kurt said nothing to that for a few moments. Hours ago he’d expected a quiet day himself, had been able to excuse his not-returning to Lima on lack of funds (and a desire to avoid his ex.) But after Burt had appeared, the idea now seemed inexplicably lonely.

“Well, you’re sitting with us at the volunteer’s table tonight.” Kurt said crisply, voice leaving no room for argument. “Those are my terms if you want me to join the apples. Take it or leave it.”

Adam looked bemused, then amazed, and then laughed gleefully.

“You drive a hard bargain, sir. I’ll take it.”

-O-

Later that night, Adam would pass a cookie to Kurt that he’d made himself. It simply read, You’re Adorable.

And Kurt would stutter and look away, and Burt would lift a brow and throw an inscrutable look at his son, whom was glugging down cocoa to avoid answering. Burt’s uncertain expression would thaw (albeit begrudgingly) as Adam described his work as a counselor in the youth programs at the youth center, and his ragtag showchoir at NYADA, and how Kurt sounded like a silver bell at the winter showcase. (If Kurt hadn’t been red before, he was scarlet then.)

And Burt would invite Adam to take the Rockettes ticket he’d bought for Rachel before he knew she was leaving town. And Adam would stammer that no, he really couldn’t and Burt Hummel said calmly that he damn well could, and would because the tickets were non-refundable and ‘my kid just lit up like the star of Bethlehem, so will you not ruin my kid’s Christmas?’ And Adam was speechless, though he was already understanding that a wise man does not argue with Burt Hummel.

And Kurt would squeeze his hand underneath the table, and offer Adam the opportunity to come back home with them afterwards and eat too much food while they watched basketball (while his father did, anyway) and that sounded perfect, so of course Adam said yes. And of course Kurt would smile, eyes shining.

That would be their first Christmas together. It wasn’t their last.

[switchedatbirthgleerp-blog]

The Basics

FINN CHRISTOPHER HUDSON is seventeen and a junior at William McKinley High School. He identifies as straight and his endgame is with Marley Fabray. He wasn’t switched at birth, but he is waiting for his test results. He is currently dating Rachel McCarthy. Unfortunately for you, he is TAKEN.

The Lyrics

TBA

The Story

Born on May 27th, Finn Hudson came into the world tall and ready to go. Really, though. Finn was big, even as a baby, and he’d had a lot of energy from the get go. It didn’t matter that the only adult in his life was his mother, because Finn loved her and knew he’d always do whatever he could to take care of her. He was young when he began to ask questions about where his father was and for a while Carole explained them away, changed the subject, and at one point bought him a drum set as a distraction. Still, he pushed on. When he was eleven, his mother finally explained that Christopher Hudson had died at war, a thought that sat with Finn the rest of his life. Why? Because Finn wanted to be that kind of person. The kind of person who could risk their life for something they believed in so whole heartedly. So that’s how he tried to live his life. He tried to live in order to be half the man he believed his father to be, because after Finn learned of his father’s fate, he had big military dreams as well. Granted, Finn was never the smartest or most in shape that he could be. He took faster to music than he could any other subject in school and while most people hadn’t know about his love for music, they all knew about his ambition for football... half of which only came so he could give his best friend, Noah, a hard time. Of course though, being so tall and a little wobbly on his feet didn’t always fair well for him in the sport, something that became evident when Puck ended up QB1 and Finn felt he might as well sit on the sidelines. He was salty, very salty, but hiding it. Around the same time Finn began to get nudges about Glee club. A club he wasn’t sure would help his position in the school. A popular football player in a club full of “losers”? That didn’t seem smart. Then again, losing out to Puck for captain made him a bit of a loser too, right? So he went with it. And honestly? Finn liked it. Sure he didn’t believe himself to be an amazing singer, but he got to show off on the drums and learn to dance a little bit, and that felt like enough. After all, he’d met Quinn because of Glee. And that was fun at first. He loved every part of it, and her... until he couldn’t anymore. Now he and Quinn can barely look at each other and it made Glee club go from his favorite part of his day to the one that gives him the most anxiety. Not only did he lose out on the quarterback position, he lost his girlfriend, and a crapton of dignity. So what did he do? He went out to date someone people would expect him to date. He followed the social norms of high school, decided to be a little more shallow, and used his popularity to help him. Except, you know, Puck got the girl and once again Finn knew he was never going to be half the man he wanted. At that point he’d resigned himself to being second best, to not being able to be anything like his father. Which is why he’d started dating Rachel. They both wanted the attention. They both knew a relationship would help them feel better about themselves. And while it wasn’t a relationship on the best of pretenses, they were comfortable with it. You know, even though they were rather certain it couldn’t last when neither of them thought of the other anything but a sibling. All of which brings us to present day. Finn Hudson living in Noah Hummel’s shadow. A rumor of their entire year of births possibly being wrongly labeled at the hospital. And the truth about his dad. In a moment of what Finn could only think to be guilt, Carole told him that Christopher is alive. Not dead. Not a war hero. Just a druggy drunken man who abandoned his family when it got to be too much. Finn’s accepted his fate. He can never get the girl, can never be anything, because it’s his destiny. His father’s blood runs through his veins... and least, Finn hopes that it does. Because if it doesn’t, Carole isn’t his mother. And if she’s not his mother, then who really is Finn?

Major Connections

Rachel McCarthy - He’s on the football team and she’s a cheerleader. He wanted to be quarterback and she wanted to be head cheerleader. It only made sense that these two go together, if only because of their teams and their bitterness over how they should be higher up in the ranks. Do they like each other past that? Well, that’s something they don’t really know at the moment.

Noah Hummel - These two are the best of friends and, funny enough, Finn’s mom and Noah’s dad have started dating, so they might end up as stepbrothers in the not-too-distant future. However, the two of them can be a bit competitive against each other, whether it’s over dumb things like video games or bigger things like sports team positions and girls (well, they define that as a big thing). Despite that, they do get along well, even though they might be jealous of the other.

Marley Fabray - Last spring both Noah and Finn went after Marley in their own ways. Of course, Marley didn’t realize Finn was actually trying to date her, so that didn’t help his chances. It also didn’t help that Coach Bieste announced that Noah was the next quarterback/team captain right after Sue had announced Marley was the next head Cheerio a little bit into their little competition, which made their relationship basically sealed in high school cliché style. Finn still holds a candle for her, even if Marley isn’t fully aware of it. And Marley, well, Marley’s confused why such a sweet guy is dating Rachel.

Mason McCarthy - Mason is wary of Finn dating his sister, but he also likes the idea of someone getting her off his back for a few hours a week. Plus Finn, despite being a giant, seems relatively harmless, and he’s happy that his sister is happy. Finn thinks Mason’s a pretty cool dude, even though he doesn’t get the cheerleader thing, so they get along pretty well. Mason also likes that Finn asks him for advice when he has Rachel troubles or needs to pick out a gift.

Quinn Rose - Finn and Quinn were an unexpected couple that was created via Glee club. Quinn, a bit of a wallflower, started to come out of her shell around him and they started dating. It seemed like they’d be such a great match, because they both came from single mother families and similar backgrounds. However, relationships often end, and neither of them handled it very well, so the two lovebirds are now sworn enemies. “Exes on bad terms” is putting it lightly.

Jane Hayward: Finn is a sweet guy who sometimes needs help with academic things, like history and stuff. Jane works at the tutoring center, and since it seemed bad for Finn’s girlfriend at the time, Quinn, to help him, Jane ended up taking him on. Finn’s always been sweet and nice, so Jane really enjoyed spending time with him, and they ended up creating a sort of big brother/little sister relationship. She even ended up listening to a lot of his problems while his relationship with Quinn ended. And she just listened, she didn’t offer advice or tell him to break up with her or anything, by the way.

Santana Lopez - Rachel and Santana are close friends, so Finn and Santana deal with each other a lot. And, though Finn doesn’t know this, Santana has a crush on Rachel, and while she’d be happy for her if they were a good couple, she hates him. A lot. Because they shouldn’t be together and her best friend deserves much better. So she’s more than okay with being meaner to him than he probably deserves.