The week following Kurt’s entry to the Warblers was a blur. They instantly took him in and made him feel like one of the boys. It was amazing, and for most of it he had Blaine to thank.
Kurt had arrived in the Warblers’ choir room the first Monday following his audition. The room seemed so different now that he actually was a Warbler. His eyes lingered on old photos of past singers and musicians at Dalton. The whole ordeal seemed so sacred and traditional.
No wonder Wes took his job so seriously.
He placed his Marc Jacobs bag down by one of their plush sofas and took a seat. He crossed his legs and tried to look productive but after a while of waiting he unconsciously started fidgeting with his fingers. Kurt Hummel was not a nervous person. If anything he was one of the more outgoing of anyone in his old glee club, but something about this school made him feel insecure. He knew Blaine was trying his absolute hardest to make him feel welcome, a friend even, but he couldn’t shake this feeling that it was all a setup. That any minute now someone would barge in and tell him he’s not smart or talented enough to be enrolled in such a prestigious school.
“Kurt you’re so stupid!”
Kurt blinked and spun around in the couch, causing the leather material to squeak awkwardly.
“W-what?”
Thad ran up and jumped over the sofa promptly landing beside him with a squish. Kurt traced the older boy’s eyes for any hint of hate or cruelty, but he found nothing but bright brown eyes and a giant smile aimed his way.
“How could you not audition for the Warblers sooner? You’re like, mad talented!”
Kurt shook off his unease and gave a smile, “Thanks. I guess I was too busy adjusting to a new atmosphere.”
And he was. Blaine, Sebastian, a new school, curriculum, no testosterone filled morons smashing his face into a locker every time he turned a corner. Yeah, it was definitely something to get used to.
“Well I hope you’ve found Dalton a good fit cause’ I’m never letting you go!”
Kurt laughed and quickly found himself in a conversation about how they should make Pringles containers like deodorant sticks.
“You could twist the thingy at the bottom so your arm wouldn’t get stuck in! The universes’ problems solved!”
Kurt pondered this. It wasn’t a bad idea. God only knows how many scrapes he’d gotten on his hands from reaching for the crumbs at the bottom. Before he could respond the rest of the Warblers gradually started arriving.
He scanned the room for familiar faces. Jeff and Nick entered the room arm in arm and trotted up to stand behind the couch he and Thad were occupying.
“Hey it’s Snow White.” Jeff smiled at him, his olive eyes shining.
Kurt was confused, “Snow White? I don’t get it.”
Nick gave a chuckle, “It’s a joke. The first day Blaine gushed about you he kept going on and on about how you’re perfectly flawless skin resembled Snow’s. It was really cute actually.”
Kurt’s face warmed a little, “Really?” Kurt touched his face without any thought.
Jeff’s heart pulled a little at Kurt’s reaction. They were both so adorable. The blonde leaned down; face almost touching the countertenors. “If it were up to us…” Kurt could feel Jeff’s breath on his face, “Blaine would be the Prince.”
“And Sebastian would be the witch!” Thad burst out smiling.
Kurt took offense to his statement, “Why would you say that?”
“Because,” Thad looked around in thought, smiling when he found the answer he wanted, “Sebastian’s also very attractive but he doesn’t see it. He usually takes his insecurities out on other people.”
Kurt’s eyebrows went up to his hairline. “Wow… I’ve never thought of him like that.”
“And he’s also insanely jealous of Blaine.” Nick supplied.
“Who’s insanely jealous of me?”
Kurt and the others didn’t notice when Blaine suddenly popped up into the scene.
“Nobody Blainey bear.” Jeff left to go sit on the loveseat and beckoned Nick over with a blazer clad arm.
Nick chuckled, “Okay, see you guys.”
Kurt smiled knowingly and turned to his clueless friend. “Hey Blaine, what’s up?”
Blaine was taken aback by the question but smiled nonetheless, “Nothing really. Just came a little early to make sure you were adjusting to the club okay.” He turned around to see Nick and Jeff stifling laughs across the room, “but I think you’re doing okay.”
Kurt nodded and shifted in his seat to make room for Blaine. He pet the empty space beside him. “Sit with us?”
“Of course.” Blaine took the offered space and the three boys sat thigh-to-thigh next to each other in comfortable silence. A few minutes later a loud Wes was slamming his gavel on the rosewood desk. Kurt looked at Thad next to him and smiled. “Shouldn’t you be up there?” He motioned to the empty council seat between Wes and David.
Thad pouted, “I don’t wanna. You guys are more fun than them.”
Kurt gave a light laugh and counted the seconds it would take for Wes to notice his little Thaddy was missing.
Needless to say less than two minutes in Wes was dragging a screaming Thad to his rightful spot in between them.
The meeting was actually rather boring. There was no singing, just talk of a few ideas for Sectionals. After about forty-five minutes of that Wes called the room to order.
“Now as you all know we have a new Warbler in our midst.”
Jeff winked and rolled his eyes at Kurt from across the room.
“Kurt Hummel.”
“Y-yes?”
“The Warblers have a tradition for each new member that enters its nest.”
He did not just say nest.
“And that is to give you your own personal Warbler to take care of.”
Wes walked over to the birdcage Kurt noticed the first time he saw the room. It had a light green cover over it now. Wes removed it with a dramatic flair that sent Jeff reeling in laughter. Kurt’s eyes widened at the small yellow-green bird that lay perched in the golden cage.
“This… Is Pavarotti.”
“Pavarotti?”
Kurt glanced at the small bird elegantly perched on its steel stand. Pavarotti’s coat looked smooth to the touch. It was glossy and shined in the little light that was filtering into the music room. Its beady brown eyes bore into him.
“Yes,” Wes continued, “one of Dalton’s oldest traditions is to gift each new Warbler with one of their own, a Warbler that is.” He picked the bird cage off its stand from behind the council desk. Kurt could tell Wes was fond of the bird by the way his fingers delicately curled around the handle, safely and securely. Wes finally strode in front of him, his eyes expectant.
“Can we trust you to take care of him?”
Kurt hesitantly took the offered cage from Wes. It was cool to the touch, lighter than he would’ve expected too. He glanced to Blaine who offered him a small, but encouraging smile.
“I-I don’t know if I can take care of a bird.” I can barely take care of myself.
Wes slapped him on the back, “Nonsense! I’m sure Thad will help you through any rough spots you might encounter, if any at all.”
Kurt glanced to Thad.
“Of course I will! Think of all the fun we’ll have!” He seemed to ponder for a bit. “We can whistle while we work! It’ll be like in Snow White!”
Jeff let out a loud, slow snort that bounced of the acoustics in the room. Kurt’s face warmed up all over again and he felt the sudden urge to clamp a muzzle onto his insane blonde friend.
“Yeah,” David chimed in, “Kurt c’mon you’ll be fine.”
“Alright,” Kurt gave in. It was a Warbler tradition after all. He didn’t want to alienate himself from the school any more than he already has. “I guess I’ll have an excuse to buy accessories for him now.”
“That’s the spirit!” David gave him a grin, “We all did it. It’s only fair for you to take your turn.”
Wes looked at the bird fondly, “That bird has been the Warblers mascot for generations… We hope you’ll treat it with the utmost care.”
Blaine saw the panicked look Kurt sent to the bird, “Of course no pressure, right Wes?”
Wes saw Blaine’s eyes aimed at him. “Huh? Oh… yeah, no pressure.”
~X~
Kurt was snuggled into bed blaring his playlist of top-notch Broadway show tunes while doing the assigned Trigonometry homework. The Dalton teachers did not hold back, the formulas and problems they did on a day-to-day basis was more complex than a weeks’ worth at McKinley. It didn’t bother him though; he was never challenged at his old school. He breezed through all the practice problems and studying in no time. It was a welcome distraction.
“Kurt!” Thad burst into their shared dorm with a look of stress on his face that seemed so out of place for the elder Warbler.
Kurt pulled out his earplugs and shoved his homework aside. “What is it buddy?”
Kurt noticed his eyes had deep purple spots under them. He was tired. He knew Thad hadn’t been sleeping as much since his Grandmother died, but he could clearly see how much of a toll it was taking on him.
“My Grammy’s funeral got pushed up a month early! I wanted to make sure all of you guys could come and now I’m not sure with the short notice…”
Thad was pacing, it was so bizarre to see him in a state of worry or distress. He was usually so happy and light. Kurt grabbed his hands and sat him down on the bed with him. Kurt looked straight into his eyes. The once milky brown was glazed over with sleep deprivation and unshed tears. They resembled more of a murky lake now. He understood why Wes was so protective of Thad. He never does anyone any wrong, and to see somebody so important taken away from him… It must be crushing Wes.
“Thad listen. You need to calm down. You won’t be able to think of any solutions with a heavy head.”
Thad looked up to him with watery eyes, “I just can’t go to her funeral without you guys. I literally won’t be able to take it.” A few tears started rolling down his face and Kurt pulled Thad’s face under his chin. It was like nurturing a baby, you had to stay calm or the realization that your mother or father was as scared as you were would toss the child into shock as well. He let Thad cry into his chest. His brown hair was soft and he could feel his tears staining his uniform and moving hotly down his stomach. Kurt had never seen Thad cry. He assumed all of life’s problems just floated around the boys head.
Once Thad’s heavy breathing turned into small sniffles and whimpers he spoke, “Of course we’ll all still come to your funeral,” Kurt spoke carefully, “what time is it now?”
Thad picked his head up robbing Kurt’s chest of the warmth he made. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand “Two days from now, this Sunday. It’s in New Lexington. I tried to tell them to postpone, but they said they needed to organize it as soon as possible so they can tend to her Will.”
Kurt let out a shaky breath; his dad was really looking forward to his return this weekend. Not to mention he left his car there when he last visited, so he’d be without a ride again for a week. He promised that he would go though, and it looks like he really needed them to be there.
“Of course, I’ll be there. I promised you, Thad.”
Thad sat up straighter, “Really? You will?”
Kurt smiled, “Yeah… Yeah I will.”
It was reassuring to feel Thad’s arms around him again, to get a little taste of the old Thad. “You have no idea how much this means to me! I know we just met but I really feel like you’re becoming one of my best friends.”
Kurt smiled, because well, he was feeling it too. He really sympathized with Thad. His happy-go-lucky personality was addicting, never failing to make Kurt laugh.
“Me too. Hey, I’m gonna go call my dad and cancel this weekend. Will you be fine if I step out for a minute?” Kurt got up and already scrolling through his contacts and heading for the door.
Thad frowned, “I don’t want you to have to cancel with your family. It’s alright.”
Kurt sighed and turned around, “Thad, it’s fine. Just give me a sec.”
Kurt stepped out of their room and shut the door behind him. He pressed his phone to his ear and waited. He never noticed how different Dalton’s halls looked at night. During the day they were a haven of learning and achievement, nothing but warm brown halls and a positive atmosphere. But at night it seemed more depressing. Stray papers littered the corners and the moonlight that filtered in from the windows cast eerie shadows on the sullen looking portraits and mosaics. You could almost hear each creak of a bathroom door or hurried footsteps from down the hall.
“Hey bud!”
His dads muffled voice brought him back to reality, “Hey dad, um… I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
Silence. His dad’s voice came back husky, “is someone bothering you again?”
Kurt almost wanted to laugh at the absurdity, “No, of course not! It’s just… A friend of mine’s grandmother passed away and I’m really worried about him. I promised to got to her funeral but it turns out it’s this weekend. And I know you and Finn wanted to see me-“
Burt cut him off “Kurt listen, I think it’s real nice what you’re doin’ for that kid. Of course it’s all right for you to skip a week. Finn will understand. As will the others.”
Kurt was speechless, “Dad, I- thank you. I really will miss you all. Tell Carole and Finn I love them for me.”
“Course bud.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Love you.”
He heard static on the other end, “love you too.”
Kurt ended the call and took a moment to breathe. He realized just how much he missed everyone back in Lima. Finn’s boyish ways, Rachel’s self-proclaimed superiority, Quinn’s level head. He missed all those points in his life.
He shoved his phone in his pocket and walked back into the dorm.
“Hey Thad?”
He glanced around the room to find Thad peacefully asleep in his bed. He smiled. He looked at ease once more. He could hear his slow breathing from across the room.
“I guess I’ll sleep in your bed today.”
He changed out of his uniform and into some sleep wear. He washed his face and did his routine. He was bushed. Tomorrow’s gonna be a tough day for a lot of them. He just hoped Thad could keep it together and stay strong.
Thad’s bed was soft. It had sheets and comforters with bears holding balloons on it. He gave a grunt of laughter at the absurdity of it.
“Goodnight Thad.” He pulled the chain to the lamp and drifted off to a dreamless sleep.
~X~
Kurt woke up to blue light streaming into the dorm. He felt groggy and heavy. He blinked and looked over to Thad’s (Kurt’s) side of the room.
Hmm. Empty.
He sighed and sat up to stretch his back. He extended his long fingers in the air as if reaching for a bar to steady himself on. After a satisfying crack he flung his feet over the side of the bed to get ready for the day. He had to find Thad soon too. He’s probably freaking out thinking that nobody else would be able to come tomorrow.
He shuffled to the bathroom to brush his teeth and shower. After blasting hot water all over himself for the past thirty minutes he toweled off and searched for something to wear. He decided on blue skinny jeans, and checkered black sweater with a V-neck. At the last second he added a blue thermal underneath. He wouldn’t pack yet. That would be an all-day project. After choosing some plain black converse he grabbed his key and left the room.
As the locked clicked in place Kurt set off for some breakfast. He had no idea of the time and was too lazy to go back to the room to fetch his phone. Some students were pulling out of their dorms in sweats and flannels in search of scones and coffee. Kurt would never forget the scenery here, it was so perfect. So far not one single flaw had been found at his new school. It was his paradise.
“Kurt!”
Kurt whipped his head around to see none other than a smirking Sebastian strolling towards him. His body kind of got a jump start from its groggy, morning state. Sebastian was wearing red Abercrombie and Fitch sweatpants that hung a little too low on his hips. His white tee that read “Just Do Her” made Kurt blush. He was positive it was a parody of Nike’s line of apparel.
“Hi, um… I didn’t think you would wake up this early.”
Sebastian smiled and looked away for a second, and then turned his full attention back on Kurt. “It’s like, eight-thirty. I didn’t sleep much last night.” Do I ever though?
Kurt’s eyebrow rose, “Oh really? I don’t usually sleep this late. Maybe I was more beat than I thought.”
Sebastian’s mouth curved upwards, “Why, rough night? I didn’t think you were sleazy enough to do it in the dorms.”
Kurt can’t explain the shade of red his face just turned, he was sure it couldn’t be attractive. “What!? No… Thad was just really depressed and I was comforting him.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes and walked ahead, “I was just joking Hummel. You’d better come on or I’m gonna think you’re hiding your limping from me.”
Kurt was way passed blushing by now. He quickly picked up his pace to walk beside the green eyed boy. “In your dreams.”