Chapter 2

The first thought that Kurt managed to form when he woke up in the morning was that something was digging in the back of his head and thus it was hurting him like hell. Also, there was a dull pounding in his skull, aggravated by the piercing light that came through his living room windows.

Oh, right, he never made it to the bedroom.

Someone next to him – or better said on top of him – moved, burring his head in the fabric of his shirt, probably trying to keep the light from his eyes. Sam was splayed all over him, one hand over his chest, one leg blocking him entirely, the other stretched awkwardly and his right hand was under Kurt’s head. Damn, his enormous wrist watch was hurting him. Kurt couldn’t be more pleased. The numbness that paralyzed his body from not moving at all during the night irritated him. He had to move, and Sam wasn’t budging one inch, deadweight that he was.

“Sam, wake up.” Kurt nudged him with his shoulder.

The string of unintelligible sounds coming from Sam’s open mouth wasn’t proving anything.

“Sam Evans, you better not be drooling on my shirt, or else I will hurt you. Wake up, dammit!” Kurt usually had a fairly good disposition in the morning, even when he didn’t sleep much, but if you pissed him off when he woke up, hell will break loose. Instead of trying any further, Kurt simply jabbed his stupid unresponsive friend in the ribs. Hard.

“Ow! Kurt, what the hell is wrong with you?” Sam mumbled groggily, but he seemed to have gathered some sense in the following seconds, because he appeared to be somewhat embarrassed, trying to hurriedly disentangle himself from Kurt. “Oh, right, I’m sorry, I fell asleep on you.” Flashing a half grin at Kurt, to dissipate the awkwardness, he stretched his arms and started rubbing the knots in his neck.

“Damn, Kurt, I didn’t know your couch was so damn uncomfortable.”

“Well, I guess you’ll have to get used to it from now on, at least for a while, since you’ll be sleeping on it. And there’ll be no human pillow next time.” Kurt smirked, watching the confused frown on Sam’s face.  

“Don’t worry, you’ll adjust fairly quickly. And maybe, if you behave, we’ll switch places from time to time, I’ll take the couch, and you’ll take the bed. Now, how about some breakfast?”

Sam’s frown deepened. “Kurt, am I missing something here?”

“Yes, blondie. You’re moving in with me.”

“No, Kurt, I am not. When did we decide that?” Sam seemed quite upset now.

“We didn’t. But I did. And I know you’re too stubborn to ask for any help, so I think this is a good choice. It’s not like we’re not familiar with each other already. More than familiar, if I remember correctly. And we’re friends, so what harm could come of it?”

“What harm? It’s not about that, look, it’s… I don’t want to do this. I haven’t told you this to make you take me in. I don’t want charity, Kurt.”

“Don’t be stupid, Sam! You’re my friend and I want to help you. Wouldn’t you do the same if I was in a tough situation?”

That seemed to shut Sam’s mouth, but his expression was still taut. Kurt took his hand and looked at him in a gentle but firm way.

“I may have not been the best of friends to you lately, absorbed in my own life, but if I can help you get on your feet now, I will not step back from anything. In fact, I think I can find a way out of this unpleasant situation you’re in. It will take some strings pulled here and there, but we’ll solve this eventually. Do you trust me with this?”

Sam sighed, but eventually smiled faintly and nodded. Kurt took that as a good sign and after a moment, he got up, stretched a bit, and while his limbs got reacquainted with normal blood flow, the gears turned in his head. Kurt Hummel was a natural problem solver and he left no business unfinished.

During breakfast, he discussed with Sam the plan he came up with – it was fairly simple, nothing outrageous - and also talked about their living together arrangements – which maybe caused a bit of a fuss, but that was because Kurt was keen on having everything well planned. It was all pretty similar to when they chose to share an apartment when they were together, but Kurt didn’t spend too much time reminiscing about that. Some things were better to be left in the past.

So, they decided to bring Sam’s belongings to Kurt’s flat that afternoon, and after they’d put everything to its well thought place, Kurt would make some calls, maybe offer to dance the weekends too, and The Rainbow would hire a stripper. As simple as that. The club needed some variety, anyway.  

Kurt didn’t really think everything would fall into place so quickly; some hitch would eventually come up, somewhere.

He expected at least some awkwardness at first, or some issues that would arise at some point between him and Sam, but no, nothing happened. When Sunday came and went with no strange events, Kurt breathed relieved. He would survive this. Never mind the fact that opening his eyes in the morning with the knowledge that somebody else was waking up in the other room would eventually do things to his head - or that every time he brushed his teeth he’d see another tooth brush next to his, or that breakfast would sometimes be ready when he got out of bed, if Sam wasn’t in a lazy mood, or other apparently insignificant detail would pop up in his mind – never mind the strange heavy feeling in his chest whenever he thought of all that. Sam was his best friend. And sooner or later, he’ll move back into his own apartment. When he’ll have gathered enough money, he’ll go back to his own life. And Kurt would find himself alone again. So, no big deal.

Except, it was.

But, well, Kurt was very good at being brave. He’s always been brave.