Klaine Advent 2018 Day 18: Realism

Dimension sixteen: Fashion designer and model

When Kurt wakes up, he’s once again in another unfamiliar bedroom. He’s used to it now. This bedroom reminds him of the one from the artist dimension, since it’s quite lavish for someone his age. He yawns, gets out of bed, and draws the curtain.

He expects to see New York, but oh no, it’s not New York. Kurt has seen this view in movies and postcards. He’s in Los Angeles.

He’s never been in Los Angeles. It is so sunny! It’s a big contrast to New York, where it’s cold this time of you year.

Kurt opens his closet and he loves the summer aesthetic. He gets dressed and he leaves the bedroom. He has a strange feeling of déjà vu to the artist dimension when he sees that one part of his house is inhabitable and the other part seems like some sort of studio.

Kurt is a fashion designer.

Not only that, but he’s a great fashion designer. Magazine covers with his face are hung on the wall. Mannequins with different clothes are positioned around the studio part of the house. Kurt walks towards them to touch the clothing, his clothing, and the smooth fabric feels amazing.

Kurt doesn’t regret choosing NYADA and acting over fashion. It’s where his heart and passion lie, but oh God, he loves fashion. Maybe later, when he’s a rich and successful Broadway star, he’ll be able to do it on the side. Right now, it’s a hobby, although he hasn’t had the time to do fashion lately.

His phone beeps, pulling Kurt out of his thoughts. It’s his agenda reminding him of a photoshoot that will take place later today. His clothes are going to be photographed and Kurt definitely wants to see it.

Maybe he’ll find Blaine. After all, one of them has to be the model.

Rachel is his assistant.

The Rachel from his dimension is going to flip when she finds out. (Not that Kurt’s ever going to tell her about this dimension hopping, since she probably won’t believe him).

Rachel is his assistant, Artie is the photographer and director, Mike is in charge of tech and lights, Brittany designed the sets, Mercedes is in charge of the hair and make-up department, Tina and Sam help with the dressing of the models, and Kurt is the designer.

And he’s the boss. He soon finds out that he didn’t book this place, but this is all his own.

Rachel is a very annoying assistant, though. She keeps interrupting the conversations between Kurt and Artie, since Rachel believes her creative vision is much better. The Rachel from this dimension still wears reindeer sweaters, so it’s probably not true.

Kurt can’t imagine he never gave Rachel the makeover in this dimension, but it is what it is.

At one point, Kurt snaps. But he has a plan.

“We’re going for realism and minimalism here to show contrast between the set and your extravagant designs!” Artie says and he makes big hand gestures, “That was your plan, Kurt. This isn’t impressionism, or post-modernism, or Dadaism. No! Our vision for this shoot is-”

“Actually, impressionism has more emotional depth,” Rachel cuts him off.

“Rachel,” Kurt says, trying not to sound too irritated, “I have a very important task for you, but please shut up!”

At the words ‘important task’, Rachel pipes up. “Task, what task?”

“It’s for a protentional new client,” Kurt lies easily, “I can’t tell you much, since they want to keep it under wraps, but they require me to own a certain book. Find it for me, but don’t open it, okay?”

Kurt describes the book and Rachel even takes notes. Then she leaves to scour basically all of Los Angeles to find the book. That’ll keep her busy.

Artie shoots him a thankful look.

“Now, when will the models arrive?” Kurt asks, eager to find out how to get to Blaine.

“Soon. As you can see, Mike and Brittany are helping with setting up the set right now. The first models will come in and they’ll see Mercedes immediately to discuss the plans and then they’ll get sent to you, Tina, and Sam. Did the catering come on time?”

Kurt nods. He’s happy to find out that the Kurt from this dimension wants to keep his employees and models well-fed.

Artie then says: “Oh and don’t forget to send a thank you message to Gilbert!”

“Excuse me?” Kurt says. Gilbert? Kurt’s found him again.

“You know, for arranging this shoot. It’s a real honour to work with him,” Artie says.

Kurt nods. Artie rolls away to discuss some things with Mike and Brittany and Kurt takes out a sketchpad out of his bag. In this dimension, he always carries small sketchpads with him. He writes down ‘Gilbert arranged the shoot’, so that he can show it to Blaine later when he shows up.

If he shows up.

It’s a chaos. One of the models is late. Someone from the modelling agency is on the phone and the other models, who happen to be The Warblers, look anxious. They’ve already gone through hair and make up and everything is set up, but the last model is late.

The person of the modelling agency hangs up their phone and when they see Kurt. They start apologising profusely.

“We’re so sorry, Mr. Hummel. This usually doesn’t happen!” they say desperately, “It’s an honour that you chose the Dalton Model Agency for this shoot and Mr. Anderson usually isn’t this lacklustre. He’s on his way.”

Kurt and Artie rearrange some aspects of the shoot and they start without Blaine. He won’t be in the first few group photos and they’ll have to photoshop him in later. Kurt tries to focus, but he can’t stop thinking about Blaine. The person from the modelling agency is furious at him. Hopefully the career of the Blaine from this dimension isn’t ruined now. Kurt is a high-profile designer, so this shoot is big.

Almost one and a half hour later, Blaine’s being escorted in by a guard. “Sorry!” he yells out, “Commute was terrible.”

“No excuses,” Artie yells before Kurt has the chance to say anything, “Hair and make-up now!”

The person from the modelling agency basically pushes Blaine towards Mercedes.

Kurt will have to talk to him later, then. At least he’s here, so Kurt can focus better.

The person from the modelling agency is not happy at all. They’re yelling angrily at Blaine. Blaine looks very embarrassed and the other models are speechless.

“This won’t happen next time, Mx,” Blaine says.

“There might not be a next time!” they yell back, “Now, get to work!”

The other models exchange some worried glances.

“Actually,” Kurt says loudly, “Can I speak to Mr. Anderson? In private?”

The person from the modelling agency and the others looks even more worried. They’re probably all thinking that Blaine is going to be yelled at by a high-profile designer. Blaine doesn’t seem worried, though, but that’s because he knows that’s not going to happen.

Blaine nods and Kurt gestures to him to follow him. Behind the crafts table, there’s a door to a small meeting room. It’s currently filled with old set pieces and there are photos of the designs taped to the wall. Blaine follows Kurt to it and when Kurt shuts the door behind them, they both crack a smile.

“Wow, I can’t remember the last time I was that nervous,” Blaine sighs.

“Apparently, wearing my clothes is a big deal,” Kurt says with a hint of pride.

“Congrats, love,” Blaine says and he gives Kurt a small peck on the lips.

“Why were you late, though?”

“Snoozed the alarm,” Blaine shrugs, “That sort of thing.” Then his eyes widen. “Oh my God, did I just ruin my career? Or the career of the Blaine from this dimension?”

Blaine looks freaked out and Kurt wraps his arms around him. He knows that Blaine hates letting people down and right now, Blaine’s feeling like he’s let the Blaine from this dimension down by making a very common mistake.

At moments like this, Kurt again wishes that Blaine wouldn’t beat himself up over all the small things, but by now he knows it won’t happen.

Then again, this can ruin Blaine’s career.

“I’ll leave a note behind for Kurt to tell him to recommend you or something,” he says.

“How’s that going to work? They don’t even know each other.”

That’s still weird to Kurt, but since it’s Kurt’s handwriting, maybe the Kurt from this dimension will think he’s written it himself. Kurt can try.

Holding him, Kurt is aware of the fact that they haven’t really had time to themselves these past few days. They want to get back home as soon as possible, which means hopping to the next dimension the minute they find the book, but it also means that they haven’t kissed in days except for that small kiss.

“It’s all going to be fine,” Kurt says, “I am your boss now. I will make sure they won’t fire you.”

He waits for Blaine to calm down and then he kisses him. In the beginning, Blaine’s a bit taken aback, since they really haven’t kissed in a while, but then he pulls Kurt closer. He ruffles his hand through Kurt’s hair, which is usually not-done, but Kurt allows it for now.

Kurt pushes him against the wall and he slowly starts to untie the tie Blaine’s wearing (the one Kurt designed) when suddenly, the door bangs open.

Blaine looks away and Kurt stares at Rachel, who’s standing in the doorway, holding the book. He’d completely forgotten about that.

“Oh.” Rachel looks at Kurt. “My.” Then at Blaine. “Jewish.” Then she sees Kurt’s hair. “God.” She says when she sees Blaine’s tie in Kurt’s hands.

“Rachel!” Kurt says in a high pitched voice. He looks behind her. Apart from Rachel, no one has seen a thing. God, this must look weird to her. Kurt’s hooking up with one of his models in an empty meeting room.

Rachel’s staring, but she holds out the book. “I found it in The Wallis. Kurt, oh my God!”

Kurt straightens his shirt, he gives the tie back to Blaine and he attempts to make his hair look more decent before he takes the book out of Rachel’s grip. “Uh, thank you so much, Rachel.”

Rachel nods shortly. “I’ll, uhm, leave you to it, then.”

“Yes,” Kurt says awkwardly and Blaine coughs behind him.

“Well. Okay.”

Rachel turns around to leave, but before she does, she looks back and Kurt can see a crooked smile on her face. “Well done, boss.”

Rachel shuts the door behind her and Kurt turns red.

“Uhm, care to continue?” Blaine says, “After all, she already thinks we’re making out in here.”

Kurt locks the door.

Kurt really wants to see how the shoot continues, so they decide to wait with opening the book. They put it in Blaine’s bag. Blaine also writes down the new Gilbert situation in the Sinnoh Region Guide Book.

Except for Rachel, no one seems to suspect a thing. In fact, many are still under the impression that Kurt spent all that time yelling at Blaine. To better Blaine’s chances at keeping his career, Kurt makes an effort to be extra nice and positive about Blaine. Rachel thinks she knows that’s going on, so she keeps shooting knowing looks.

Judging by the look on Tina's face, she did notice that Blaine’s clothes got a bit rumpled, but even if she did think it was suspicious, she remained silent.

The shoot goes on for a couple more hours and Blaine looks absolutely stunning in Kurt’s clothes. Surely, Kurt didn’t really design them himself, since the Kurt from this dimension did it, but it’s Kurt’s taste. It feels like it is his work.

All things must end. After all the clothes have been given back, the models slowly start to leave and so does the crew. Kurt and Blaine go back to the meeting room. Rachel whistles, but no one notices.

In the meeting room, Kurt opens the book.

“… That’s the tie,” Blaine says when he sees the outline.

“We just gave it back to Tina and Sam,” Kurt’s shoulders slump.

“Yeah, but the clothes are still in the building. You owe the place.”

He asks Rachel to retrieve it for him. She might think they have a different usage for it, but Kurt doesn’t care. He’s about to leave anyway, so Rachel’s opinions won’t bother him anymore.

Meanwhile, Blaine’s staring at the second outline.

“What is this supposed to be?” he asks.

But luckily for them, Kurt does recognise it. There are set pieces littered around the meeting room and one of them belongs to the book. He likes that he now has a reminder of the wonderful set.

Kurt waits for Rachel to return with the tie, since he doesn’t want her seeing the objects disappear into the page. They don’t have to wait long.

Rachel gives them one last look before she loudly announces that she’s going home.

Blaine finds a piece of paper and a pen for Kurt, so that Kurt can write a note to the Kurt from this dimension, ‘explaining’ the missing tie, the new protentional client (it fell through) and Blaine’s behaviour.

Then it’s time to put the objects on the page.

Blaine laughs when he sees the new words.

“The Sims. I like The Sims!”