#happy kurt hummel appreciation day

[mynonah]

[blurglesmurfklaine]

Work Friends: A Holiday Romance

Pairing: Kurt Hummel/Blaine Anderson Rating: G (but there are a few f bombs bc i’m me) Words: 4,817 Genres/Tropes: Holiday, Co-Wokers!Klaine, Teachers!Klaine, Friends to Lovers

Summary: Kurt isn't thrilled about who he's drawn for the Grant Middle School Secret Santa, but if it means he gets to go gift shopping with Blaine--the choir teacher he's had a crush on and good friend of three years--then maybe it won't be that bad.

A/N: What's crackin ladies, gays, and nonbinary theys???

First off: HUUUUGE thanks to @esperantoauthor and @blangsty-days for their help with finding a title! It was much appreciated <3333

Second:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!! (to those who celebrate! and to those who don't, I hope you're having an awesome Saturday and/or Hanukkah and early Kwanza!)

Anyway, here's some workplace romance/friends to lovers fluff because as miss t swizzle says: tis the damn season (and I've written enough angsty holiday fic last year so i thought to even it out). HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY!

***

Kurt looks at the name written in the paper before him with a tiny scowl. He doesn’t have enough evidence to prove it, but there’s something off about Mr. Ryerson. Maybe it’s the way he decorated his room with vintage collectible porcelain dolls, and the way he looks at Kurt like he’s one he’s yet to collect.

That being said, he’s not exactly thrilled to have drawn his name for the faculty secret Santa.

What do you get a total creep like that?

More dolls? A nail file to break him out of prison when the FBI inevitably discovers bodies under his porch? Therapy?

“Who’d you get?”

Blaine’s voice breaks Kurt out of his pondering state and he makes a face, frowning as he flashes Blaine the name on his piece of paper. “Ryerson. You?”

Continue Reading on AO3

[whyamiwritingfics]

Today Is Different

Characters - Blaine Anderson, Kurt Hummel

Summary - Today is different because today would be his last.

Word Count - 1,150

Warnings - Angst, Suicidal Thoughts, References to Depression, References to Anxiety, Suicidal Ideation

A/N - I had a hell of a time trying to format this correctly for tumblr so I hope none of it looks funky.

Read on AO3

He was drowning. Despite being firmly on land, he could feel the water flooding his lungs, dark, murky water that burned his throat and stung his eyes. He couldn't remember ever not feeling like this.

He couldn't remember a time when it didn't feel like the weight of the ocean was pressing down on his chest, water pouring into his lungs, trying to suffocate him. But today was different.

Today was different because he'd finally made up his mind. Today was different because the untouched bottle of Zoloft in his drawer would finally be put to use.

The pills hadn't done anything except make him tired, made it feel like a dense fog had wrapped around his brain and trapped him inside. They made him not even feel human, but like what he imagined the zombies in the movie he’d watched the other night probably felt like, stumbling and confused. They'd only made him feel worse. But tonight, he'd decided they'd do something else.

If you were to ask him why he picked today, he wouldn’t have an answer. If you asked him why he was doing it at all, he wouldn’t be sure which answer to give you.

He thought that knowing that today was different, that today would be his last, would feel almost as crushing as the imaginary waves in his chest. But it wasn't. If anything it made getting out of bed easy for the first time in a long time. The roaring water that smashed against his ribcage was calm. His limbs didn’t feel like lead as he got dressed, and he swore he could see a flicker of a smile in his eyes as he stood in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth. He felt lighter and made sure to spend a little extra time on his hair that morning, wanting to look good in his peers’ last memories of him. He felt like what he thought he vaguely remembered happiness feeling like.

Today would be different because today would be his first good day in a while. He couldn't ask for a better last day.

Throughout the day, classes seemed easier, his loud mind finally quiet. His brain able to take in the information it was getting, working as it should for the first time in a while. At lunch, he found the smile on his face was genuine. He laughed at Wes' jokes and even told a few of his own. He thought the story Jeff told was funny. He wished every day could be like this, that every day could be different. Everything felt easy. Everything felt right. If every day was like this then he might finally understand why other people didn’t feel like he did, why other people weren’t in any rush to leave. If every day was like this, he’d understand what people meant when they described the world in beautiful colors instead of the muted hues he’d become accustomed to. For him, life was starting to dull more and more each day. If he stayed, he knew his world would eventually be nothing but black and white.

But today was different. Today the lost color seemed to seep back into his vision for a moment. A beautiful day to end on.

It was time for the Warblers' performance. One last number for old-time sake. If anyone felt the need to remember him, he hoped they would remember him like this. Remember him for the person he wished he could be.

His pace wasn't as quick as the others making their way to the common's room. He made sure to walk slower, taking everything in. He realized he'd never really done that before. Dalton was beautiful; a place he spent so much of his time in, and he’d never noticed how stunning it was until now. If he could appreciate it properly he might miss it.

He watched his classmates pass by and found himself wondering how long it would take for the news to spread tomorrow. He wondered how long it would take for everyone to know. How long would it be before someone got ahold of his parents? His dad had never really tried to get to know him after they rebuilt that car last summer. He’d realized he couldn’t make him into a version of a son he wanted, so maybe he wouldn’t even care. Why mourn someone who’s more or less a stranger? His mom would probably be a little sad over it. As distant as she was he knew she cared about her family. Still, if she cared so much she’d be home more wouldn’t she? It might hurt her, but only for a little while, nothing she couldn’t get over. What about his brother? He and Cooper hadn’t spoken in five years. He might not even remember he has a little brother. The Warblers might be the people that missed him, but he figured they’d soon realize they were better off. Things would be easier without him. If they missed him, it wouldn’t be for long. Good.

He pushed the thoughts aside; there was nothing to dwell on anymore. Today was the day.

He tried to speed up as he reached the stairs, realizing how bad it would look to be late for his last performance. Today is different, but he can’t be. How bad would it be if his friends' last memories of him were less than the perfect he wanted them to be?

The staircase was starting to clear out as the last of the students not in the common room made their way over. Damn, he should hurry, he didn't want to upset anyone on his last da-

"Excuse me, can I ask you a question? I'm new here."

He turned. The boy on the stairs wasn't in a Dalton uniform which made him doubt he was actually a student despite his words. He couldn’t help but wonder why he was really here.

But why did he care? And why did something in him scream that he knew this boy? Now he was curious.

"My name's Blaine."

"Kurt."

He didn't know this boy, Kurt, but he felt like he should. He wanted to at least.

He was gonna be late. He should probably use a shortcut. He should bring the boy with him. He seemed interested in the glee club, maybe he’d enjoy it. It wouldn’t hurt to have one more audience member for his final number.

Kurt's hand was warm in his own. It felt nice. He'd ask what he was really doing here later.

Maybe the number wouldn't be his last after all. The boy intrigued him. He didn’t want to leave without any answers. He wants to know who the boy next to him is. He wants to know why he feels like he already does.

Today is different, but now for a different reason.

[launching-a-thousand-ships]

Kurt Glee Rewatch: Preggers

Omg this ep! One of my favs this season (bc all my favs are Kurt eps lol)

Let’s jump right in

Starting so strong. We get his playlist (would love to see him dance to any of those songs lol). Also, love how he has Brittany with him. Like obvs, Heather would be in the dance, but it means that Kurt is just casually friends with her already. Tbh, in background even s1, there is a lot of comingling of og 6 and the cheerios? Seems like Rachel is the only one they really have a problem with??

Anyway, the costume. So they wanted him in the leotard and heels and bless Colfer for arguing bc this is so much more Kurt. He doesn’t just ‘wear girl clothes’. He does an interesting blend of masc/fem and this works so much better.

And obvs Brittany not a real character yet bc she’s quick-thinking with the kicker line, and not said in usual Brittany-tone

The arrival of Burt!! Before he’s Father of the Year he is ‘wtf are you wearing’ lol. And I love this interaction bc Burt is not mad at his son. I mean, he’s mad about the noise, but he’s not gonna dislike his son for the way he is. Burt is awkward, and uncomfortable, tho. 

I also think he’s at the point where he can’t deny who Kurt is so he’s kinda just... waiting for him to come out? So he’s needling a bit, asking about a girlfriend, like that’ll coax it out. But I do love that Burt doesn’t outright confront and allows Kurt to come out on his own time.

(sry personal) but my mum confronted me about it and I did not get to come out when I wanted to and that still frustrates me bc I had already planned when/how I was going to and... anyway

Burt is still in the struggling phase here but, he’s trying. And I love how awkward this scene is, with them in the costumes and Burt talking about his football days and his injury and. Mike O’Malley and Chris Colfer, their acting is top notch.

First off, need more kurt in sunglasses lol. 

But omg the way Finn’s immediately like ‘I already have a date to prom’ like duude. 

And the rushed ‘I’m not gay’ like, it just hurts my heart. He still denies it bc he’s not ready... Yay to Finn for helping out, at least?

Aw, first sight of Finn and Kurt being bros! (tho lowkey, after the wedding we did not get enough bro-moments)

Also, as mentioned in fashion, I love all of Kurt’s workout outfits so much. They’re always so wacky and extra but they look comfy so... you do you, Kurt.

I do appreciate how, both here with Finn and even later with Blaine, Kurt doesn’t let his crush totally get in the way? Like he doesn’t blindly follow Finn, he stands up for himself like ‘I’m doing it my way’. He may be twitterpated, but he’s still stubborn.

“Hi, I’m Kurt Hummel and I’ll be auditioning for the role of kicker” I just... I feel like Kurt could so easily try to blend in, fly under the radar, but he adamantly refuses. Amazing how he can be so insecure and so confident (tho I feel the confidence is against bullies, whereas the insecurities come with people close to him, like with his dad or Blaine)

And then the his tryout, knocks it out of the park. Love the shot of the shocked team, love that Kurt is awesome at it bc hey, he works hard. Also, why do have the team look like they’re well in their 30s omg

Gonna say it: We did not get enough of Kurt quoting Art of War. We get random glimpses into his more scholarly side, seems he does well in school, speaks French, etc? Prob part of his goal to make it out of Lima, but I would’ve loved to see more. 

Also, I appreciate him reading that prob bc he views high school as war. He’s def very calculating about dealing with people....

When Kurt casually interrupted Will bc he’s like ‘I can teach better’. I also love the ‘sneak attack’ and ‘comb through the hair’ etc bc when we learned dances in theatre, and cast mentioned behind the scenes, one way to teach dances is with random lines like ‘stir the pot’ etc. I wonder if some of those were how Heather taught it BTS.

Every rewatch, I forget how smol Kurt was. Also, him here so happy and excited... The Kurt and Burt relationship is easily the best written on the show.

Also, I’m always surprised to see Cheerios at football games bc they always seem like just... their own team. Sue has nothing to do with football.

But what a football game! Zero reality, but I love the dance so much. You can’t tell me the team weren’t totally loving it. The crowd dancing along, even the opponents trying. Iconic

You’d think Kurt would be bullied somewhat less after winning them the damn game but. Alright then.

And I love Burt’s line of ‘he’s so little’ bc foremost in his mind is just wanting Kurt to be okay. Yes, he’s proud of the football, but he doesn’t want his son to get hurt! Ugh and when they win and Burt is so happy and cheering and my heart cannot take it!

Someday I will watch this scene and not tear up but... oh well.

I mean, hands down, iconic scene. Ryan Murphy said he based it on how he wishes his coming out went and I do like this more positive experience, compared to all the angst out there at the time. The acting, incredible, and I do love how mixed it was.

Like, Burt says he’s not in love with the idea, it’s clear he’s not super happy about it, but he can’t change it and he immediately makes it clear that he doesn’t love Kurt any less. And it just sets up all the growth that’s to come and I cannot wait.

I honestly like it better than if it were all bad or super positive. Makes Burt feel like a real person, someone flawed who has to relearn how to think, but he’s still a good person who wants to do right by his son.

Kurt was technically in closet at school and I wonder if this was really what he was waiting for. Like, he doesn’t really care what they think, but he needed to come out to his dad. Bc after this, he’s basically out to everyone (except for regress during Laryngitis).

And that’s Kurt in this ep. I love it so much. He winds up quitting in Mash-Up but I do wish we got to see more football!Kurt. At least there’s still Cheerio!Kurt

[rocketkit]

he loves him so much he can’t help but cry

[backslashdelta]

Happy birthday @itstruthtime :)

[madebysoupy]

And the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical goes to...

Mr Kurt Hummel!!!

Special thanks to @backslashdelta for helping me plan the outfit, and @romanticprometheus for helping me improve the sketch before finalizing it 💖✨

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

Many thanks to the authors and artists who wrote for this year’s Valentine’s Challenge. ❤

This is the master post of everything posted so far (we’re still checking for updates, and will continue to reblog). You’ll find most of the fics in our AO3 Klaine/CC Valentine's Challenge 2022 collection. If there are latecomers who haven’t yet finished, we will update and reblog this post.

Lynne and HKVoyage

~~~~~

Artwork by @datshitrandom

~~~~~

This Could Be The Start by amberxwrites | @j-nightingalesb1tch  

A jealous Blaine purposely sets his best friend up on the worst dates in the vague hope that Kurt will realize he has already met the one.

~~~~~

Living Haphazard by @annatimberlakesworld  

Have you ever thought of getting cheated by a house broker and getting to know that you had to stay with another stranger who was also cheated? What if you are getting stuck up with the stranger in the apartment due to unavoidable circumstances? What if you hate him as well as have a crush on him? What if you had to fight your inner self and the stranger? What if he agreed on helping you which can only happen in dreams? This is a real living haphazard, isn't it?

~~~~~

Not Another Teen Drama by @catcat-85

This is a story about two boys from different crowds who found more in common with each other than they had ever thought possible. Even though High School hierarchy had kept them apart, a chance that Blaine took one day led them on a journey of a love story. Whoever said a cheerleader and a math nerd could ever become an item?

~~~~~

New York Ever After by @gleefulpoppet

Upon their return to New York, Kurt and Blaine create an extraordinary life curated from thousands of ordinary moments noticed, appreciated, and treasured. [AKA The Klaine Glee spinoff we all wanted: date nights, doing the dishes, showers before work, fits of giggles, lazy couch kisses, and more.]

Canon compliant through the entirety of season 6. Each chapter will be self-contained—no cliffhangers or abandoned story issues to worry about.

~~~~~

How to Make Your Best Friend Fall in Love With You in 14 (Not So) Easy Steps by @grlnxtdr30

Exactly what the title says!

~~~~~

The Feeling's Plain to Me by hundredindecisions | @thnxforknowingme

Ficlets set in the same ‘verse as It’s Who I’m With. What did Kurt and Blaine get up to in between Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day? (Written for the Klaine/CC Valentine's Challenge 2022)

~~~~~

Happy Valenklaine's Day 2022 by ItsNotEasyBeingQueen

My collection of stories for the Klaine/CC Valentine's Challenge 2022.

~~~~~

Nine by @jayhawk-writes

Kurt Hummel is a half-elf living in the picturesque village of O’a Nalore. One night, he meets a woman who, because of the kindness he shows her, changes his whole life.

~~~~~

Only way is Up by @porcelainandleather

Blaine found himself giving the man a genuine smile as he waved and headed back onto the stage. He took a deep breath and turned toward the audience. “This first song goes to the staff here for making us feel so welcome.” He chuckled and started playing a soft ballad he had been working on for the past year. While it was a good song, he was still not completely happy with it. “This one is called Slipping.”

~~~~~

Mormon!Klaine one-shots by @wowbright

The Mormon!Klaine verse tells the story of Kurt and Blaine growing up as Mormons, meeting while serving as missionaries in Germany, and falling in love. Kurt comes out in high school; Blaine doesn’t figure out he’s gay until he’s on his mission. Two complete works in the verse have been posted to AO3. I’ve also written lots of vignettes that I am working on incorporating into a long fic that will at some point be posted on AO3.

~~~~~

Helpless by @lobstercardigan​

Three times Kurt felt helpless, and one time it was okay.

[teddyshoney]

Sooo... This week's @gleeful-paintbox-project prompt was Beatlemania. And there are just so many Beatles songs that had an impact on Kurt's life that I couldn't choose just one. So, I wrote three ficlets this week. Silly Love Songs is the second. I already posted Blackbird, and you can find that one HERE. I stuck with the first two seasons as I wasn't ready to move on and explore Kurt and Blaine's engagement yet. Something tells me there will be time for that yet.

Thank you to my wonderful friend, @jayhawk-writes, for beta-reading these for me! I really appreciate it!

You can read the ficlet below the cut or on AO3 or FF.net

“Testing. One, two, three. Tes-testing. One, two, three. Oh. So, happy Valentine’s Day, everybody.” Kurt chuckled. “For those of you Breadstix patrons who don’t know who I am, I’m Kurt Hummel, and welcome to my first ever Lonely Hearts Club Dinner.” He chuckled again, this time a bit nervously as the performance moment loomed larger than before. “Whether you are single with hope or madly in love and are here because I forced you to come out and support me, sit back and enjoy.” Almost as an afterthought, he added a line to make himself feel just a bit better. “And to all the singles out there, this is our year.”

The microphone squealed as he stepped away, hurrying back toward the line-up of Warblers that had gotten into position as he spoke. Almost immediately, they began to harmonize for their first song, and Kurt had to hustle to get to his spot on time, brushing past Blaine as he made his way into the second row. As he went, his hand brushed against Blaine’s hand and across his hip, sending shivers down his spine and tingles through the rest of his body. When Blaine turned to look at him, a big dopey smile on his face, Kurt thought his heart would beat right out of his chest. Why does Blaine exhilarate me so much? He’s in love with that Gap boy, even if nothing will ever come of that, and I need to let him go. Pining over him like this is probably unhealthy.

“You’d think that the people would have had enough of silly love songs But I look around me and I see it isn’t so Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs”

As Blaine left the group and moved around behind Rachel and Mercedes’ booth, Kurt found that he couldn’t keep his eyes off him. He’s just so cute and charismatic. He makes me feel like the sun is shining on my face, like I have the strength and the courage to do anything. Shouldn’t it be enough, though, despite how I feel, to have him as an amazing friend? Maybe that’s all we’re meant to be. And what had he just said to everyone? This is my year.

“Cause here I go again

I love you (I love you)”

Kurt’s heart skipped about a thousand beats when, on the word “you,” Blaine turned to look at him. How can you know how to be so perfect and yet so painful? Kurt wondered. I don’t know if it’s love yet. I think it could be, though. I think it… Well, I want it to be. Damn it, Blaine. If only you knew how much it hurts for you to look at me like that, with your smile as big as a Broadway billboard, and sing the words “I love you.” Once again, the words repeated themselves. This is my year.

And now, as they sang, Kurt couldn’t stop giving Blaine sideways glances from the corners of his eyes, wondering if there could be something more behind the words. Maybe he’s trying to tell me that he has feelings for me, too? That couldn’t be, could it? He wouldn’t do it like this. He’d just tell me. He wouldn’t… Or maybe he would?

“Love doesn’t come in a minute Sometimes it doesn’t come at all I only know that when I’m in it It isn’t silly (at all) No it isn’t silly (at all) Love isn’t silly at all, not at all”

Somehow, once again, Blaine ended up next to him, and Kurt had to fight against the well of emotions that built up in his chest when Blaine clearly sang, “Love isn’t silly at all,” directly at him, another huge smile on his face.

Now, Kurt was simply wishing for the song to be over. He needed a moment to gather himself, a split second to not be completely intoxicated by everything that was Blaine Anderson singing about love songs at him, no matter how “silly” the song was supposed to be. Just a minute to pull myself together before the next song, he hoped as he continued to doo-wop with the rest of the Warblers. I’ll be fine after that. He’s just so overwhelmingly sweet and exactly what I want in a boyfriend yet at the same time so completely unavailable. This is confusing. Like the cadence of a drum, he heard again, This is my year.

So, in the hopes of getting away from Blaine for a moment to breathe, Kurt walked over to where Rachel and Mercedes were sitting as the group began to sing their “bap, bap, ba-da-da-da-da” line, pulling Rachel into a side hug.

“I love you.”

As he headed back to the risers, Kurt pointed to himself, made a heart with his hands, and then pointed at the two girls in the booth. To be silly, and hopefully hide from the rest of the world how conflicted he’d been about Blaine during the entire song, he put a finger to his lips and turned away sadly. A bit dramatic, but theatrics is kinda my thing. He went back to the risers to, once again, be close to Blaine and all the confusion that he stirred up in Kurt’s heart.

And even though he was supposed to make his way to Blaine’s side as the song finished, Kurt just couldn’t bring himself to do it. The feeling of needing some air and space to sort out his emotions just wouldn’t leave him alone, and so, at the last moment, he moved to let Wes be between them, not missing the few confused looks Blaine gave him—designed as smiles of course. He was ever a performer.

Once everyone started to cheer, Blaine did that adorable thing he always did, hanging his head in humility, and it started Kurt’s heart to beating even quicker than it had been a few moments ago. How is that even possible? Kurt wondered to himself. Why is he so cute? Ugh! So, he mouthed a “Thank you” in the direction of his friends and leaped off the risers, making a beeline for the restroom.

Blaine called after him, and Kurt didn’t listen. He needed a moment of peace. Something needs to change, he declared to himself as he pushed open the door to a stall, locking it behind him. I don’t know how much longer I can go on like this. Even as he said it, though, he knew there was no conceivable way he could ever end his friendship with Blaine, ever be away from him for too long. Blaine is everything I want and, for the moment, everything I can’t have. Somehow, I guess I need to make peace with that. And once again, as if someone somewhere in the universe was cheering for him and Blaine, he heard it one more time: This is my year.

[spaceorphan18]

99 Perspectives on a Single Love Story #65

A/N: The Story of Kurt and Blaine told through the eyes of everyone else but them. Each chapter is a different perspective in the ongoing tale of their love story.

I started something like this a while back - and now I’m taking the idea and really running with it. Each chapter is a ficlet of a different character at a different point in Kurt and Blaine’s life - documenting their love story. This starts in Audition, and each chapter will be paired with a different episode until reaching Dreams Come True.

[Ao3]

***

Mercedes Jones (Wonder-ful) 

Mercedes Jones is sitting on an empty stage, swinging her legs over the edge with a thwack.  Her close friend, Kurt Hummel, is beside her, going on about how terrible the recording industry is, and why she appreciates his support, she wants to push that to the back of her mind.  She’s talked it over with her mom.  She’s talked with God.  She’s talked with nearly every damn person around and she feels talked out.  She wants to scream or cry or… she doesn’t even know what she really wants.  But all of this anxiety building inside her isn’t helping.  

She grabs Kurt’s hand.  “Look, Kurt.  I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re here for me.  Believe me - if there’s one thing I’m grateful for, it’s learning that so many people in my life support me.  But I need to, just, think about something else for a while.”

“Okay, honey,” he says, squeezing her hand.  “We can talk about how great it is that you and Mike have come home to help with Regionals.”

Her lips slide into a grin.  “I was actually wondering if you wanted to tell me a little about you.”

He narrows his eyes, not quite following.  “Oh?”

“Now that we have less of an audience, and now that your dad seems to be doing better, be honest with me.  What’s going on with you and Blaine?”

“Oh,” his hand slowly slips from hers, and back into his lap.  He tries to play it cool.  “Nothing is going on.  We’re… friends.”

Ah, he is such a bad liar, and it's adorable.  “Friends who happen, maybe, to be fucking around with each other?”

“Mercedes!” He looks at her, scandalized.  

“Oh, don’t play dumb with me, Kurt Hummel,” she says with a laugh, as she waves him off.  “He might be the more obvious one.  But you’re less than subtle when you look at his ass.”  

He purses his lips together.  “Fine,” he says shortly as he looks into his lap.  “I told myself that if I came home for spring break, then there’d be no messing around.”  

“And how is that working for you?” She can’t help but laugh.  

There’s a long pause before he speaks again, spitting out his words as quickly as possible.  “We had a long talk about swearing off labels and we slept together last night.”

“Oh, Kurt!”

“What?” A giddiness he cannot hide crosses his face.   “His ass is deliciously fuckable.”

She’s happy that he’s happy.  But she knows this whole situation is much more delicate than he might let on.  She doesn’t want to see either of her friends get hurt again.  “You know he’s still in love with you, right?”

“Yes,” his reply is quick, and sure.  He looks up at her, a seriousness in his eyes.   “And as much as I’ve tried not to be, I’m still in love with him.  Oh, don’t give me that look, I have something planned.  He’s not the only one who can do grand romantic gestures.”

“Well, as sweet as that sounds, while you’re planning a reunion, he’s been taking Tina to go look at engagement rings.”  

“What?” He’s sincerely shocked by that bit of news.  

She probably should have kept that to herself, but it’s not like it’s some well kept secret.   “Yeah, Tina mentioned it a couple of days ago.  Confirmed by Sam.  And Artie.  And Jake’s brother of all people.”

“Oh, Blaine…” Kurt slumps a little, looking like he isn’t quite sure what to do with the information.  

“So,” Mercedes advises, “you probably should make a decision quick about whether or not his ass will still be ‘deliciously fuckable’ when it’s old and wrinkly.”

“He’s my best friend, Mercedes,” he says softly, though he grabs her hand, and clasps it in both of his own, holding it to his chest.  “Not that that means you aren’t queen of my heart.”

“Of course,” she says sweetly.  

He looks down and away.  It’s a lot to take in.  But that’s why she’s here - to help him figure it out.  That’s what friends do.  

“I used to daydream about how I would wake up next to him every day,” he says.  “How we would do everything together.  I want him to still love my ass when it’s old and wrinkly.  But then I stay up late and the doubts come rolling in.  What if he cheats again? I mean, I guess I’m not that worried about that, but… What if we live together and it doesn’t work?  What if something nasty and terrible I haven’t even thought of comes along and we end up hating each other.  I don’t ever want to hate him, Mercedes.  Ever.  But how can I be one-hundred percent sure it’ll be okay?”

Sensing his anxiety rising, Mercedes takes his hands and holds them in her own.  “Honey…” she says, her voice soothing as she knows how to be.  “I have mad respect for you being an atheist and all, but you are allowed to have faith in some things.  You are allowed to trust your heart.”  

He relaxes into her touch, leaning in to rest his head against hers.  “My heart knows what it wants, Mercedes.  My mind… just isn’t there yet.”  

“Well, I’m here if you need anything, k?”

“Do you know how amazing you are, Mercedes?”

“Yes, I do - I keep telling everyone that.  Now if they’d just listen to me…”

Their laughter echoes through the auditorium.  

[mediocre-writerr]

when you’re ready [rachel berry]

rachel berry x reader

requested: Can I request a Rachel Berry x reader? Where the reader and Rachel met and started dating in New York but nobody knows until Rachel brings reader to the reunion in the 100th episode. And everyone is surprised that she’s dating a girl and a little skeptical that Rachel is dating again.

*not my gif*

There she was. The beautiful, talented girl you’ve learned to know and love. You met her in your dance class with Ms. July. She had a big mouth and you weren’t sure whether or not those were good things to say, sometimes. But you were still in awe of her. You were her best friend and also completely in love with her.

Two things that don’t really mesh well.

But then you found out she had a boyfriend or well ex-fiancé. Then they broke up so you thought you had your chance. But then she was with Brody. And then they broke up. But then Finn died.

You’ve met the guy once. He was a really sweet, lovable dude. And you could tell why she was so in love with him. Even though you didn’t know him, it broke your heart to hear the news.

Especially when Rachel came to your dorm in a ball full of tears. She didn’t know where to go or what to do. She just went to the first place she could think of. She wanted to stay with you at your palace for as long as she could, but she knew Kurt and Santana needed her too.

Then the funeral came, you wanted to offer to go with her, but you didn’t think it was very appropriate to go to someone’s funeral when you barely knew them. Especially with how you felt about her.

So you decided to wait it out. Play the long haul and when she was ready, she was ready. You didn’t want to push her. That wouldn’t be right.

You never thought the day would come, but it did. It finally did when she invited you over to her house for dinner. You were surprised to see that Kurt and Santana weren’t home, but she kissed you before you left. And you swore it was like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

“Are you ready for this?” you whispered to her, interwining your fingers together.

The two of you were in her old house, sitting on the foot of her bed together. She smiled at you softly before placing a soft kiss to your lips.

“I’m ready.”

This was the first time you were ever meeting her old friends who have turned into her family. The only ones you’ve met were Santana and Kurt and they love you. You just hoped everyone else felt the same.

The drive to McKinley High School was quiet, but a comfortable silence filled the air. Her fingers were still intertwined with hers as you drove the unfamiliar paths.

And this was it. The time where everything could change. The two of you walked into the bustling choir room, where a room full of people your age and a little younger where messing around. But the room went deathly silent as their eyes landed on yours.

Kurt and Santana ran up to you, embracing you in a tight hug. Both of them letting out small squeals with big smiles, “You finally made it!” Kurt exclaimed.

“Damn, I really thought Hummel here would owe me five bucks if you guys chickened out.” Santana said, handing him the five dollars.

You chuckled at the pair, “Always nice to see you again!”

Then a middle aged curly haired man came and took Rachel into a big tight hug. You were a little confused at why he was so close to his students like that, but you shrugged it off.

“I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Will Shuester or Mr. Shue by the name of these two.” he said, extending his hand out and you hesitantly took it.

“I’m Y/N Y/LN, Rachel’s-“ you looked to Rachel and she gave you a subtle nod, “I’m Rachel’s girlfriend.”

A big smile broke out onto his face, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Whispers and buzzes started to fill the choir room. Everyone heard the interaction and were honestly shocked. No one thought that she’d move on from Finn. It’s been a while since he passed, but they didn’t think she’d move on ever.

“Wait so the two of you are dating?” Tina asked, finally someone speaking up.

And it was as if it was rapid fire. The questions just started spitting from everyone else, besides the two who greeted you first. The anxiety was eating at you and you started to shift your weight on your feet, back and forth. And back and forth.

Something she picked up on really quickly. It was the only thing you did when you were nervous. Your one tell-tale sign to let her know.

So she stepped forward and spoke up, “This is Y/N. We met my freshman year of NYADA in my dance class. We’ve been best friends ever since. Yes, we are dating now. And no, she’s not replacing Finn. Finn will always have a special place in my heart, but he would want me to be happy. So if you could all support me, I’d really appreciate it.”

The room was quiet, yet again. Before a slightly tall blonde guy got up from his seat and tackled you into a hug.

“It’s nice to meet you Y/N, I’m Sam Evans.” he says, pulling apart.

And slowly one by one everyone started getting out of their seats to introduce themselves. Your heart rate seemed to calm down and it all became okay. Rachel’s hand never left yours unless someone was hugging you. It felt like one big bear hug and it was the best feeling in the world.

“I did not expect that. If Rachel was gonna date a girl I’d always thought it’d be Quinn.” Sam whispered to Mercedes.

[satellitesunset]

will it ever get better than tonight?

Rachel Berry/Mercedes Jones

G rating

a lil gift for @hummels-turn <3

thank you @thomas-the-goat-of-satan for the input!!

you could read on ao3 or under the cut

day 2 of myle attempts 15 days of december

-

XIV - Temperance: Write about two characters finding a type of peace.

Many instances in her life could have been described as gratifying or lovely, or even heart-warming, but there was something in this moment, between her friends, people she’s call family, holding hands with a girl who was once her rival (was she ever really though?) and now is the closest friend she has, that filled with a sense of tranquility that can’t be rivaled.

Mercedes felt any remaining tension melt as she watched her friends from her place on the couch, a sense of nostalgia overcoming her as she remembered a different time, a much smaller loft, but a similar scene nevertheless.

Tina had her head laid on Kurt’s shoulder, the latter had wrapped his arm around her shoulder, both sleeping soundly, beside them Elliott and Artie, surprisingly engrossed in the Christmas rom-com Tina decided on, any earlier reluctance on someone’s part (“I still think we could have been watching the cla-” whatever Artie had to say, that would most likely sparkle a debate that occurred far too many times, had been silenced by a kiss from Blaine, not that either of them was complaining) gone without a trace.

Blaine’s voice was the only other sound to be heard alongside the movie, humming a song as he and Sam garnished the cookies that Kurt and Elliott had baked earlier, although she wasn’t sure how much decorating was being done considering she’s sure icing wasn’t supposed to go on Sam’s (or anyone’s) nose.

“Mercedes! Brought you some dark hot chocolate with marshmallows, as you prefer it!” A voice interrupted her thoughts, not that she minded because her heart could have melted if possible at how earnest Rachel looked offering her a mug of the hot beverage.

“Thank you, Rachel, I appreciate that you remembered.” She subconsciously smiled as she took the cup from the brunette, giving her hand a squeeze as she did, her heart did melt though at the bright smile that rose on Rachel’s blushing face as she squeezed her hand in return.

As Rachel sat beside her, one hand holding her own cup of green tea, the other still intertwined with Mercedes’, neither of them in a rush to let go yet.

Many instances in her life could have been described as gratifying or lovely, or even heart-warming, but there was something at this moment, between her friends, people she’s call family, holding hands with a girl who was once her rival (was she ever really though?) and now is the closest friend she has, that filled with a sense of tranquility that can’t be rivaled.

“I’m really happy you decided to stay here for a while, not that there’s anything wrong with Kurt, Or Tina, Or Elliott or Blaine Or any of them... It’s just… your presence is..” Rachel trailed off, her feelings on the edge of too much too big to be simplified in something such as words.

Mercedes's reply came in the form of a chuckle, not mocking but fond, as she hugged Rachel closer to her.

A love confession remained unspoken between them, and somehow both of them didn’t mind that, even if it defied what Rachel always anticipated.

Because anytime she did allow herself to hope that her feelings were reciprocated, confessions always seemed anxiety-inducing, she assumed she’d be stressed because love seemed like this scary big thing of grand gestures and loud confessions because that’s always been the case, an unavoidable necessity for a relationship.

But neither of them had to say the words to know, because Rachel felt it, in the kiss Mercedes pressed to her forehead, in how utterly wonderful she felt in her embrace, in the way she felt secure, in how she can offer her heart and it’ll be safe.

Warmth, a feeling Rachel Berry always longed for, fantasized about experiencing it with a mother that was never there, wanted to find in performing, sought for in men she loved, yet somehow despite everything she never really found it.

That is until now.

Because in her friends’ apartment, the floor is messy, a Christmas tree lit in the corner, tea cooled by the weather, surrounded by people she adored, her soul bared open, vulnerable in front of a girl she loved in a way that should have been uncomfortable, Rachel has never felt more at peace.

[heartsmadeofbooks]

[Preview] New fic: Sing to me Instead.

Hello everyone!

I'm happy to share with you a few more details about my new fic, which is titled Sing to me Instead, after Ben Platt's amazing AMAZING album. I listened to it non-stop while I was writing Flowers in the Window and I found myself wanting to write a story based on that album as much as possible. So every chapter is influenced by lyrics from those songs.

It's a fully written roommates!AU (something I've never done before and was really looking forward to! I think I might just write my way through all the popular tropes I haven't yet written). The first chapter will be up on Wednesday, December 2nd, and it will update twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Without further ado, here's a little sneak peek. I hope you will like it :)

His first home had been in Lima, Ohio.

In a way, Kurt Hummel guessed it would always be his home, at least for as long as his father lived there. It was weird, to still think of Lima as home, considering how hard he had worked to get the hell away from there, away from homophobic douchbags, from close-minded neighbors, from a life that had always felt half-lived. Kurt had spent most of his teenage years dreaming of a city made of buildings tall enough to shield him, but large enough to finally, finally be free.

If it weren't for his dad, he wasn't sure he would ever go back. But Kurt still went home – home, when will it stop being home? – regularly, for Christmas and birthdays and every holiday he could. For someone who had been desperate enough to never step on Ohio soil again, he sure made it a priority to return as often as he could. But for his father, Kurt was willing to go to the end of the earth, and he was there, always waiting with his arms open for Kurt to come back, along with his step-mother. Family was important, and a piece of his heart always stayed with them when he had to leave them, so he guessed that Ohio would have a piece of Kurt Hummel hopefully for many, many more years.

His second home had been in Bushwick, New York.

It had been such a contrast to the small town life he had been used to, where life seemed to stop after eight in the evening. In Bushwick, Kurt could hear traffic, police car sirens and music even at three in the morning, or he could walk down the block to get ice cream at the store in the middle of the night – something that wasn't exactly wise, considering it wasn't the safest neighborhood, but the large, albeit quite run down loft, had been all eighteen-year-old Kurt and his best friend Rachel Berry had been able to afford when they first got to the city. And it had been enough, and it had been home, because it was where their dreams finally stretched their wings and attempted to fly.

They had arrived in New York with dreams of stardom. Rachel had been accepted into NYADA and Kurt had followed her despite having received a rejection letter to the same school. But he had been determined to make something of himself, to reach his goals even if the doors kept shutting in his face over and over again. He had gotten an internship – at Vogue, no less – and then reapplied to NYADA for the next term. This time, he had got in. And he never looked back.

At some point while the two of them were busy with school and work and this new life that they couldn't believe was theirs, Santana Lopez had invited herself to move in with them. She had gone to high school with them and one day simply showed up on their doorstep and announced she was staying with them, indeterminately. Kurt and Rachel had simply stared at each other, knowing there was no way to talk her out of it.

Rachel and Santana didn't always get along, which meant Kurt got caught up in their fights more often than not. Around that time, Kurt had also started working at a restaurant as a waiter, and the commute back to Bushwick so late at night became the thing he hated the most about New York.

That's when Mercedes Jones came to the rescue.

Another friend from high school – and it sometimes seemed like most of Kurt's class at McKinley High School was suddenly moving to New York – Mercedes had arrived in Manhattan after getting signed in a recording company. This wasn't only amazing because Mercedes was one of the most talented people Kurt had ever met, which was saying a lot, but also because it came with all kinds of perks, like a small but gorgeous town house in the Upper East Side, a neighborhood Kurt hadn't dreamed of living in until he was at least thirty and considerably more successful.

“Kurt, I've got a spare room,” she had said to him, when they got together for coffee one afternoon and Kurt kept going on and on about how much he hated the late commute, and how exhausting it was to get home late at night only to find Rachel and Santana having screaming matches over whatever they had disagreed on that day. “Why don't you move in with me?”

Kurt hadn't even needed to think about it. He was standing up and going around the table to hug her, saying yes over and over again.

So Kurt's third home was in the Upper East Side.

This was probably the only part of his life he truly loved at the moment. Getting to come home to this beautiful town house feels like a gift – especially since he's pretty disappointed in most of the other areas of his life. He still worked at the restaurant, and two years after graduating NYADA, he thought he would be somewhere else. He thought he would have gotten a steady job performing by now. It was frustrating how people in this town – just like in his hometown – still refused to recognize and appreciate his talent.

But Kurt had never been one for giving up.

[vcg73]

FIC: Kurt Birthday Drabbles

Earlier this week @elledelajoie left a comment on something I wrote all the way back in 2014.  I had genuinely forgotten I ever started it, but the original idea was to write 21 Kurt Hummel birthday drabbles. I had written just 7 of them, but after we chatted about it, I decided to go ahead and finish.  

If you’re not familiar, a drabble is a scene of exactly 100 words, not counting title headers. Since Chris Colfer and Kurt Hummel’s co-birthday (May 27) is coming up this Thursday, here they are. This goes definite AU at Birthday #19. Because you know I would never sentence my beloved Kurt to a life of being a doormat to people who did not appreciate and value him.

Never underestimate the power of feedback!

~*~*~*~*~

Birthday #1

Kurt’s blue eyes went wide as a frosted cupcake was set upon his high-chair tray, a single candle ablaze on its surface.  

When Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Andy, Grandpa Curtis and Grandma Eileen started singing to him, he smiled and clapped both hands hard around the tempting pile of frosting.

Kurt laughed when the sugary topping went flying and a big splatter of white abruptly decorated Daddy’s surprised face.

Everyone else started laughed too, including the startled father, who retaliated by giving his birthday boy a sticky peck on the cheek and then helped him to blow out a new candle.

Birthday #2

Kurt looked between his presents, confused.

Mommy had given him the pretty dolly he had begged for at the store. Daddy had given him a truck, not big enough to ride but too big to live with the little cars Daddy gave him at Christmas.

His parents seemed to be mad at each other.

Kurt looked at the doll, then at the truck. He smiled and placed Dolly inside the truck and began to drive her around the carpet.

Mommy and Daddy seemed surprised by his actions, but then they laughed, and Kurt knew he had figured out the puzzle.

 Birthday #3

His shoes were black and shiny, buckles on the sides and 1-inch heels on the base. He clomped over the hardwood floors, listening to the click-tap-click-tap in delight. They went perfectly with his dove gray coveralls with “Kurt” sewn on the pocket in black sequins. Mommy had made the outfit for him.

Spotting Daddy watching him, Kurt threw himself into waiting arms. Daddy’s smile looked like he had an owie but was trying to be a big boy and not cry.

Kurt hugged him. “It’s okay, Daddy.”

Burt looked surprised but hugged him back. “Yeah, buddy. I think it is.”

 Birthday #4

Ballet girls were nice. When they heard it was his birthday today, they threw him a party. Kurt puffed up with pleasure when presented with cookies, a sparkly wand and a tiara that read ‘Happy Birthday’ in shiny letters. He was not as fond of the kisses they gave, but four was very grown up, so he screwed up his face and allowed it. The teacher even let him wear the special puffy pink tutu over his little black leotard! 

 He saw Mommy and Daddy up in the gallery taking pictures, so he waved.

Kurt hoped today would last forever.

  Birthday #5

“Can I have cupcakes?”

Kurt’s mother looked up from her book. “I don’t think we have any, sweetheart.”

“Can we have some Thursday?  My birthday is the last day of preschool.”

“It is?” she said, looking surprised. “Is it your birthday already?”

He nodded seriously. “Don’t you remember, Mommy? You were there.”

She laughed. “Well, you have me there.  What kind of cupcakes would you like, sweetie? And don’t say cheesecake. Those are two completely different kinds of dessert.”

Kurt’s hopeful expression fell. “Oh,” he said, clearly disappointed. Then his face brightened again. “Chocolate?”

She nodded. “That we can do.”

   Birthday #6

“Daddy!”

Burt sat up just in time to catch the little body that launched at him. “What’s wrong, slugger?”

“It’s my birthday!”

Grinning despite the way his heart was hammering at the abrupt awakening, Burt asked, “Yeah? I like birthdays. Do I get a present?”

“No,” the boy scoffed. “I get presents!”

 Burt squinted at the clock. 3:15am. “Not until morning, you don’t.”

Kurt pouted and tried, “It’s almost morning.”

“Not close enough, kid. C’mere,” Burt pulled him into the warm bed between himself and his wife.

Kurt snuggled down and went right back to sleep.  

Burt was less lucky.

 Birthday #7

Kids had started treating him funny this year. He was too fancy, too girly, holding hands was weird.

Nobody was coming.

“I’m sorry, sweetie.”

“Am I too late?”

They jumped as a little black girl with pom-pom hair popped out of nowhere.

“I’m Mercedes,” she greeted. “We just moved here. Mom said you would have invited me if you’d known.”

“I’m Kurt.” He smiled. “Do you like tea parties?”

“Is there cake?”

Mrs. Hummel beamed. “Cake, ice cream, and Kool-Aid.”

Kurt shrugged. “Nobody else came.”

She grabbed his hand like she’d known him forever. “More for us!  Happy Birthday, Kurt.”

 Birthday #8

Kurt took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and carefully blew out the candles. All but the extra one that his parents always put on his cake.

“Aren’t you gonna finish, bud?”

He looked from Daddy over to his mother, home again, but so frail he was sometimes afraid to hug her, worried she might pop like a fragile soap bubble. He offered her the candle. “Here, Mommy. Blow it out. Maybe you’ll get another year to grow on.”

The eyes of the two adults met, then Mommy nodded. The three of them blew out the final candle together.

 Birthday #9

Barely daring to hope, Kurt came down the stairs.  Birthday cakes and presents had been Mommy’s specialty.  Daddy had forgotten his own birthday and had nearly forgotten Christmas.

Kurt gasped when he saw it, waiting, shining and spectacular against the front door.

“A bike!”

Bright green, sissy bars with foil streamers, and a banana seat. Perfect!

Burt smiled. He had scoffed a such a “girly” bike when Kurt spotted it at the toy store. But now, looking at the all-too-rare joy in his son’s eyes and feeling the approving smile his wife would have given, he nodded. It was perfect.

 Birthday #10

Buying gifts was tough when your kid always clammed up on you. A dad had to be observant.

Ten years old. A landmark like that needed something special, but the only thing Kurt seemed into was clothes. He had enough of those for ten kids.  

He’d probably like a Barbie he could change in and out of different outfits, but Burt cringed at the thought.

He did doodle pretty good though. Sure, it was mostly pictures of clothes, but that was a start.

A fancy sketchpad with a case and a hundred different colored pencils. Yeah, that was the ticket.

 Birthday #11

“Dad, where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

Kurt sighed with exaggerated impatience. He had come home from school to find Dad waiting at the truck, ordering him to get in, then not saying another word. The suspense was killing him.

“Ta-Dahhhh!”

They had pulled up in front of a nondescript brick building. “Columbus Culinary Arts?”

“You like to cook right?  Well, we’re gonna fix your birthday dinner this year with the help of a real chef. Lessons are once a week for the next couple months.”

Gourmet cooking lessons!

“Oh wow. Dad, this is amazing!”

Burt grinned. “Happy Birthday, kid.”

 Birthday #12

Last year’s surprise had gone so well that Burt had decided on a repeat. But when he saw the excitement on Kurt’s face at finding a pair of tickets inside his birthday card turn to disappointment and horror, quickly masked with a fake smile, he knew he’d goofed.

“I know baseball isn’t your thing,” he said, almost pleading. “But you’ve never seen a live game before. It’s a whole different experience. It’s a home game. We can yell and scream, and cheer our team on with thousands of other fans.”

The stiff not-smile never wavered. “Sounds . . . fun.”

 Birthday #13

Dad had bought out one of the partners at the garage this spring and now owned a majority share of the renamed “Hummel Tires & Lube”. Kurt wanted to snicker at that name, but he was proud too.

His birthday this year coincided with Friday Night Dinner. Dad had invited all the mechanics over for a potluck. They’d had Mary’s special fried chicken, Cassius’s homemade cornbread, and Davy’s mac’n’cheese. Now Dad brought out the cake.

Kurt laughed. A sheet-cake with a tow-truck and two little plastic mechanics for decoration.

“You and me kid. Partners.”

The mechanics cheered and everybody dug in.

  Birthday #14

Kurt froze when he saw tickets peeping out of his card. Not again. Noise, sunburn, unhealthy food, tacky uniforms, and Dad trying so hard to make a boring sport seem like fun.

He sighed and pasted on a smile, which quickly transformed into shock.

“Wicked?” he squeaked, staring hard at the little papers as if the printing might change if he dared to look away.

“Embassy Theater is giving regional business owners a discount this year,” Burt said apologetically. “It’s just a traveling production, not real Broadway, but I …”

His apology was cut off by a joyful teenaged hug.

 Birthday #15

“Don’t worry, son, you got this.  Just remember everything I taught you.  You got a whole year to get ready for the practical test.”

“I know.”

“And it’s okay if you don’t get it right the first time. Not everybody does.”

“I’m fine, Dad.”

“I’ll be right here waiting for you when you’re through.”

“I know that, Dad. I’ll be okay, really.”

At that moment, Kurt’s name was called and he sprang from his hard green plastic chair. His dad’s repeated reassurances were making him jumpy.

Twenty minutes later, a brightly grinning Kurt was waving his freshly minted driver’s permit.

 Birthday #16

Burt patted the giant blue bow the dealership had provided over the hood of the shining black Lincoln Navigator.  

Kurt was gonna flip! He’d passed his DMV test with flying colors and was no doubt showing off his shiny new license to all his friends at school.  

He paused. Did Kurt have any friends to share this accomplishment with? He always seemed so alone.

Maybe that’s why he had decided to spoil his son with a huge birthday gift.

It wasn’t right for such a good kid to be all alone. Maybe having his own ride would help change that.

  Birthday #17

A dozen teens gathered in Kurt’s basement to celebrate the end-of-school, non-disbanding of Glee, and Kurt’s birthday, all in one.

“Not like ten years ago,” Mercedes said to Kurt, as they watched Mike and Brittany dance.

“Ten years?”

“Your seventh? It was just you, me, your mom, and lots of chocolate cake.”

Kurt was astounded. “That was you?”

“You forgot?”

“I remember a little girl who showed up and invited herself to my party.”

“And I remember a little boy who needed a friend as much as I did.”

He squeezed her hand. “Thanks for coming.”

She squeezed back. “Always.”

 Birthday #18

Kurt stared at his birthday cake, unable to think of anything to wish for.

He was 18-years-old today, a legal adult. He had new family in Carole and Finn, his dad was on the mend, he would be back at McKinley for senior year, he had made his first visit to New York City, and he had a boyfriend! One who had just told Kurt that he loved him for the very first time.

‘I wish for next year to be as good as this,” he thought, taking a deep breath and blowing.

The flames flickered out, all except one.

 Birthday #19

Senior year had been a disaster, and now he had not gotten into NYADA, despite his well-praised audition.

“Blaine wants me to spend another year here,” he whispered. “I just can’t.”

Burt’s callused hand squeezed his neck. “Then don’t. You’re 19 now, a man. You got talents galore, work experience from the garage, enough drive for ten kids, and your mom’s life insurance money to give you a start.”

“But…”

“No buts,” Burt said firmly. “You go on to New York and grab life by the balls.”

Kurt felt his optimism rise. “Help me look for apartments?”

“You got it.”

 Birthday #20

What a difference a year made.

He’d dumped Blaine after being cheated on less than a month after leaving Lima.  He was enrolled at FIT and sharing a shoebox apartment with a fellow design student and a Broadway hopeful, but both were young gay men from small towns, and they had a lot in common.

“Happy Birthday!” Elliott shouted, tossing a handful of glittery sequins at him.

Adam came in playing the birthday song on a kazoo he had gotten from who-knows-where. “Ready for Callbacks? $20 on who gets the first hot guy’s number!”

“I already have yours. I win!”

 Birthday #21

“I have the honor of presenting your first official grown-up drink,” Adam said, smiling lovingly at his grinning boyfriend of nearly a year. He set down a martini glass with a cherry floating on top. “A Manhattan seemed appropriate.”

Kurt beamed and gave him a kiss, then took an experimental sip. “I’ve had alcohol before,” he admitted. “Mostly wine, though.  Mm, this is good!”

“I thought you’d like it. Happy Birthday, my love.  May the future bring every good thing you wish for, and never more heartache than you can handle.”

Kurt could not have asked for a better sentiment.

THE END

[backslashdelta]

1 Day of Glee Blogs: kurthummeldeservesbetter

Every time @kurthummeldeservesbetter hosts a Glee Blog Awards (and I say every time because it has happened more than once now), I want to nominate her, but she won’t let me.

Enough is enough.

Alex, you deserve an award. For all the work you’ve put in to making our little corner of the internet a better, more fun, more positive place to be. You do so much for our fandom and it just feels wrong for all of that hard work to go unrecognized, especially when you do so much to recognize the hard work other people put in.

So, we’ve decided to not let it go unrecognized.

I took a page from your book and figured that the best way to do this would be to ask other people to say things so that I have to say less things. So I reached out to everyone who received a nomination for the 25 Days of Glee Blogs, told them my idea, and asked them if they had anything they’d like to say to you. Several people told me they were thinking about doing this exact same thing, so I guess I’m just lucky that I got around to sending out the messages first. And, of course, lots of people had some lovely things to say (and show!) you! So, without further ado, let’s get on with it.

@coffeeorderwrites: “The glee blog awards were such a sweet and wonderful idea and I was personally so grateful to be able to put some positivity out into the world through doing these nominations. It's also clear a huge amount of effort went into the posts from the individual banners to the personalized recommendations. Thank you so much for doing this! Also I just want to add I thoroughly enjoy your head cannons and very much enjoy having you on my dash 😊”

@20xbetterthanu: “Hi Alex! You’re fucking amazing for doing this for everyone—you’re amazing in general, your head cannons are on point and your love for Kurt hummel is superior and I just wanted to say thank you! Ily—Ally”

@katimanki: “I want to nominate the oh so wonderful @kurthummeldeservesbetter for every blog award there is and has been. Because of all her weirdly specific headcanons that are (too often lol) 100% accurate. And the stupidest shit posts that are absolute gold (the glee-books, Should-I-drink-all-this-coffee-??-!) I admire her motivation and ability to produce daily quality content.💕 All the effort she puts into everything she puts out is simply astounding. She literally did two blog awards this fall, all by herself, completely unprompted and selflessly. She did all that for other people in the fandom and never asked for anything back. I can't be anything but grateful and amazed (and a little jealous of her commitment abilities haha)!! And look at her go again! Just over a week since 25 days of blogs and she already has a new event ready to go! 💖”

@lallagoglee:

@esperantoauthor: 

@spaceorphan18: “I'm glad that they're supporting blogs in a positive way, and not limiting who they're showcasing. I think it's great that fandom can be inclusive and welcoming, and I hope others follower her trend of supporting others within the fandom. :)”

@crissmastrees-and-candyklaines: “I think Alex is such a great person to be constantly putting on things like this. It take a truly wonderful soul to constantly spread gratitude and appreciation for others! Thank you Alex for being so awesome 💞”

@crayonstoperfume: “i love that she brings so much positivity to the fandom! every time i see her on my dash she’s lifting up her friends, celebrating content creators, or just coming up with something amazingly creative and funny!!”

@personalgarbagepile: “Dear Alex, I would like to thank you for all the stuff you have done and all the things you are planning in the future. I’m not sure what the new project is exactly but I will be participating whenever it starts. I love all the writing content you provide as well as all the posts you make in appreciation for the fans. They’re really sweet. Finally, I hope that one day you achieve your dream of moving up north, both because it’s great up here and because living in Florida is utterly unrelatable.”

@kuiinncedes: “amazing blog overall - iconic url, lovely, funny person, her blog awards spread so much positivity and love and it’s so sweet for her to organize them! and her headcanons are so awesome, i always love reading them so much!!! a greatly appreciated part of this fandom :))”

@gleeincorrectquotes: “I don’t know her very well, but she seems really nice, her headcannons are always so spot on and hilarious, and her idea for the glee awards was so sweet :)“

@snarkyhag: “Big thanks to kurthummeldeservesbetter for running the 25 Days of Glee blogs. It's cool to find new people to follow and to see my friends celebrated for the awesome they are. Not sure how his pun machine made it into the group but I am honored.”

@heartsmadeofbooks:  "I've never actually talked to Alex, but that doesn't mean I don't know what a sweet person she is. She takes the time to make Awards and the 25 days of Blogs to brighten everyone else's day despite really not having to go to all that trouble. Her headcanons are amazing and the reason I started to follow her in the first place, and I look forward to more of them in the future. If this were another edition of her awards, she would win "Kindest and Most Generous Person in the Fandom" award :) Sending you much love and gratitude, Alex! ♥"

@black-john-lennon: “I’d like to say Thank you for keeping the fandom alive and spreading positivity.“

@soonbuilt: 

@proudly-so: “Just wanted to say thank you for everything you do for the Glee fandom. It is nice to see someone taking so much time to put together well thought out activities for others to enjoy, especially during such a tough year. Thank you for all that you do!!”

@justgleekout: “She is such an incredible addition to the fandom! With her awards she really creates such a nice community feeling. The way she always thinks of others is absolutely wonderful. Her hcs always make me giggle and she is just a pleasure to see on your dash really!!“

@hippohead: “The amount of time and effort that Alex has put into the 25 Days of Blogs is incredible and so selfless - it wasn't to get anything out of it, it was to create a space for the klaine community to celebrate each other and the things we make and share. I think that's wonderful. A big thank you to Alex for their organizational skills, for doing the event and spreading so much love and support! I hope they know how much we appreciate it and them 💞”

@byebyeblainey: "Alex!!!! Thank you so much for not only hosting the 25 days of glee blogs event, but for also being such a wonderful, kind, lovely person!! we haven't talked much but honestly ur vibes are IMPECCABLE and i'm so glad that u joined glee tumblr!! u light up my dashboard and i'm so happy to call u my mutual! <3"

And finally, I couldn’t end this post without a chart, so I’ve done some thorough research and put togehter the following incredibly precise and accurate graph.

You can see by that red trendline that things are only going up from here! And I wasn’t kidding about the research by the way.

Sources: [1], [2], [3a], [3b], [3c], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]

Anyway, Alex, I hope you know how much we all love and appreciate you! You bring so much to the fandom, and we’re all so grateful for the time and effort you put in. Thank you so much for bringing some brightness and positivity to our dashes, and I hope that we’ve been able to bring some more joy (or perhaps even some glee) to yours.

[todaydreambelieversfic]

Author Spotlight: Esperantoauthor Day 3

Author: @esperantoauthor​

How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

Oh, gosh it really depends on how happy I am with the first draft but at least 3-5 times seems like a safe bet.

If you were to revise one of your older fics from start to finish, which would it be and why?

Well, I only started writing in the Glee fandom in June 2019 so nothing I've written is really that old and honestly I'm pretty happy with what I've done so far. If I was still remotely interested in/involved in the Twilight fandom I would rewrite "Being Sane in Insane Places" because I still really like that story but I'm too far removed from the fandom to try...I wouldn't be able to remember what is canon anymore.

What do you look for in a beta?

I look for someone who can give me feedback on story structure and characterization. I really appreciate when someone can tell me how they reacted to what I've written (what jokes were funny, what line made you gasp etc.) and I definitely need cheerleading from time to time because I do get insecure about my writing periodically. If I can find someone who is almost as excited about my story as I am then I know I've hit the jackpot.

If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?

Glass Houses! I love that story and would love to write my own take on that universe or something similar. I'm very intrigued by the idea of characters being empaths.

Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?

So far everything I've written has been canon divergent so I definitely take liberties with canon. I really don't feel inspired to write works that are 100% canon compliant. My stories are often inspired by wondering, "But what if...?" and then taking that to its logical conclusion.

Talk about a review that made your day.

The first time someone who stutters commented on Express Yourself definitely made my whole week!

Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?

Honestly, not really! The Glee fanfiction community on Ao3 has been really positive and supportive. I even turned off comment moderation because I literally never needed it. I've had a few people disagree with things I've said in the author's notes or choices I made with the story but it has never been disrespectful.

What advice do you have for people just starting to write?

Find a beta-reader! Writing in a vacuum is so hard!

Which fic do you most like to discuss with other people? Why?

Of my own? Definitely Express Yourself (and the sequel, Love Yourself). I never tire of hearing what people think of it. If someone starts reading that story and leaving comments every chapter I will often end up re-reading the story along with them just so I can properly respond to their comments. I really enjoy discussing anything I've written with people; it is my main motivation for posting my writing, actually. That story deals a lot with issues of identity and people connect to it in so many different and fascinating ways. I also enjoy answering questions about speech therapy or stuttering, since that is my area of expertise.

What's one aspect of writing fic that gets you really excited?

I enjoy the writing process itself in many ways but I probably get the most excited when I get to post my work and hear from readers. Receiving and responding to comments gets me incredibly excited.

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Check out Esperantoauthor’s Fics

A Night at the Ryerson House -  The New Directions make a pact to spend the night in the old abandoned Ryerson house in the hopes of being blessed with good luck for Regionals. Will they make it through the night or will their hopes be dashed when they discover they are not alone in the house?

Friends in Low Places -  When Kurt Hummel meets Blaine Anderson in the McKinley High School dumpster, he finds himself hopelessly captivated by the mystery of the snarky loner whose only companion is a pair of chunky black headphones. Who is Blaine? Is he the troublemaker, getting suspended for fighting? Is he sleeping with the school nurse? Is he Batman? Or is he just another boy who's been dealt a raw hand, trying his best to make it through high school? Kurt is determined to find out.