Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kurt entered The Corner Bookstore with curiosity. When he saw it for the first time, it seemed like it was picked up from the streets of London, and dropped in its place in New York City.  It oozed old world charm and curb appeal, and he was anxious to get inside to take a look.  

As he slowly meandered through the store, a woman’s voice caught his attention.  She was speaking quietly on the phone from behind the counter.  Her hushed tones indicated that she was trying not to let someone hear, but the worry in her voice made him concerned immediately.

“This is worse than the other times.  He needs someplace to go.” She waited for a response, then quickly added, “I understand why you don’t want that since you’ve never met him. I do, but I have to do something. If you don’t want him to come home with me, then I may just set up a makeshift bed in the back again.”

Kurt frowned, but continued to roam the shop.  It wasn’t his business, and even though he would have liked to continue looking in the section he was in, he felt like she needed more privacy, so he moved on.  He made his way toward the back of the shop, and rounded the corner.  As he did so, his foot caught on something, and he began to trip.

As if in slow motion, he felt himself get closer to the ground, his lungs filling with air in his surprise.   A hand was suddenly on his arm, steadying him.  

“A-are you okay?  I’m so sorry, that was a terrible place to put my backpack. I wasn’t thinking.”

Kurt frowns as he balances himself again next to the armchair where the man sat.  That voice.  He looks at the man who had caught him, but all he sees is the top of a baseball hat as the man looked down at his backpack, grabbing it to move to a more appropriate spot as he continued to mumble apologies.

When Sebastian sees that the feet of the man he tripped are still rooted in their spot, he gets a little nervous.  Is he upset?  Will he yell?  Hit?  He glances up, worried.  He was not prepared.  Looking back at him were two beautiful blue eyes that widened at the sight of him.

“Sebastian?”  “Hummel?”  They spoke at the same time.  

Sebastian mumbled, “Sorry.  I guess it’s Anderson?  Hummel-Anderson?  Anderson-Hummel?”

Kurt shook his head slowly as he lowered himself to his knees to be closer to Sebastian’s level.  He muttered nearly silently as he stared at Sebastian’s face, “It’s Hummel.  We’re divorced.”

Sebastian started to open his mouth to ask why, or apologize, or... something, but the look on Kurt’s face silenced him.  It was a look of pure concern.

“What happened?”  He started to reach up and gently touch Sebastian’s face, but thought better of it. He pulled his hand back,  “Are you okay?”

“I, uh...I’m fine.  It’s no big deal.” 

Kurt’s eyebrows shot up. He had never heard Sebastian sound so small. Something was majorly off, so he continued to speak gently, “No big deal?  A black eye, bruised jaw, and a busted lip are no big deal?” When he got no response, other than a bowed head, he asked, “Were you in a fight?  An accident?”

Ten years ago, when they knew each other in high school, Sebastian would have had a half dozen smartass answers on the tip of his tongue. Ten years ago, something like this was unfathomable to him. He used to be so strong. Physically. Mentally. His words could cut like a knife, and his will and confidence seemed untouchable.  Now, it was the complete opposite.  

He had been broken in more ways than one.

“Sebastian?” Kurt was growing more and more concerned. Sebastian seemed to have shut down, and was staring at the carpet like the scenes of a horror story played out in its fibers.  He wasn’t responding. He slowly raised his hand to touch him on the knee.

Sebastian was so out of it. He was getting more and more lost in thought by the second. But when he felt a touch on his leg, he startled.  

Kurt heard the sharp intake of breath, and the flinch was impossible to miss. He quickly pulled his hand back, “I’m sorry.  I’m sorry, Sebastian. I’m not going to hurt you. I need you to talk to me though. What can I do to help?”

He was so embarrassed, and so ashamed.  Kurt Hummel was seeing him like this. Kurt, who was one of the strongest guys he had ever met. He just knew that Kurt was thinking he was a pathetic, weak, idiot for not even being able to let an old acquaintance touch him on the knee. He brought both knees up to his chest and wrapped him arms around himself.

Kurt didn’t know what to do. There was no way he could leave Sebastian here like this. Not only did Sebastian obviously need help, but Kurt would never be able to stop thinking of him if he just walked away now.  That wasn’t the kind of man he was anyway. But he needed Sebastian to talk to him. Something. Anything.

He tried again, “Hey, would you like to get some coffee? My treat.”

Sebastian looked at him, then glanced at the clock on the wall behind Kurt. He shook his head ‘no’.  

Kurt turned to look at the clock. “I guess it is getting a little late for coffee. How about a drink?”

“I can’t leave.”

Kurt frowned a bit, “You can’t leave the bookstore?”

Sebastian shook his head again.  

“Why not?”

Just then, Julie, the shop owner, came around the corner, “Sebastian?”  When she noticed Kurt she froze, “Oh.”  She worriedly looked at Sebastian, “Is he…?”

Sebastian looked her in the eye and shook his head, indicating it wasn’t who she thought it might be.

Kurt stood and reached out his hand, “Kurt Hummel.”

She shook it, “Julie Harper.” She looked at Sebastian, “Same arrangements as before, okay?”

Sebastian nodded and softly responded, “Thank you, Julie.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie. Let me know if you need anything else, okay?”

Suddenly, Kurt remembered what he heard of her side of the earlier phone conversation.  He frowned slightly, “Wait. Are you going to stay here tonight?”

Julie looked like a deer caught in the headlights as she looked between Kurt and Sebastian, unsure of what to say.  Sebastian just sagged in the chair, completely defeated.  

When noone answered right away, Kurt frowned, “Absolutely not.  You’re coming home with me.”

Julie’s eyes widened a bit as she looked at Sebastian again. His head snapped up and he frowned at Kurt, “No.”

“Why not? You know me. I have a spare bed, and a kitchen, and… and a dog.”

Sebastian’s lips curved up, ever so slightly, and for only a fraction of a second. He shook his head, “I don’t really know you anymore. It’s been years, Kurt.”

“You know me well enough to know that I’m not a serial killer. And you know that I’ll argue with you until you agree. It’s really nice of Julie to offer for you to stay here, but really, Sebastian, I won’t be able to stop worrying if I know you’re here all night by yourself. Please.”

When he didn’t answer, Julie carefully said, “It would be better for you, Sebastian. You don’t need to be alone right now.”

Sebastian looked at the clock again. Julie leaned back and looked around the corner toward the front window. She turned back, “You’ve got about a half an hour before sundown.”

He nodded, and barely whispered, “Okay.” He looked back at Kurt, “I can’t go until then.”

Kurt let the relief of that answer wash over him, “That’s fine. Have you eaten? I can grab us some dinner quick, then swing back by and pick you up.”

“Dinner would be nice,” Sebastian answered shyly with his head down.

Kurt nodded, “Chinese okay?” At Sebastian’s nod, he asked, “Any special requests?” Another shake of the head.  Kurt nodded, “Alright then, I’ll go grab us a verity of stuff and be back.” He hesitated as he started to walk away. He turned back, “If you leave here while I’m gone, I promise to hunt you down. Don’t go anywhere.”

Sebastian looked back at him, the smallest of smiles playing at the corner of his mouth, “You haven’t changed much, have you?”

Kurt smirked, shrugging a shoulder, “Plenty has changed. Just not my fierceness.” 

“The best part.”

Kurt smiled a little more, then turned to leave, “I’ll be back, Smythe.”

Chapter Text

Kurt entered the bookstore for the second time that evening. He had a large bag of Chinese food from a place he had seen down the street. When he turned the corner around the tall bookshelf in the back of the store, he found Sebastian right where he had left him. 

“Hope you’re hungry.”

Sebastian looked up at him and almost seemed surprised, like he thought he wouldn’t come back. “You’re here.”

Kurt nodded and gave a small smile, “I’m here.” He sat in a chair perpendicular to Sebastian’s as Julie approached. He smiled at her, “I got plenty if you’d like some, Julie. Is it okay if we eat here?”

“Absolutely. And I already ate, but thanks for offering. I just wanted to let you know I was going to be in the back if you need anything. I’ll hear the bell if someone comes in, so no worries. Just relax.”

“Thanks.”

“So are you a chopsticks kind of guy, or do you fork it?” Kurt asked as he was pulling boxes out of the bag.

“Fork, please,” Sebastian whispered.

Kurt handed it to him and noticed Sebastian’s hand was shaking slightly. He wondered if that’s why he asked for a fork instead of the chopsticks, but tried to ignore it. He had a feeling he was going to have to ignore a lot for a while if he was going to really be able to help Sebastian in the long run. 

“We have these cream cheese things, eggrolls, white rice, fried vegetable rice,” he spoke as he pulled things out and placed them on the little table between them, “some sesame chicken, chicken and broccoli, and some teriyaki chicken. I like all of it, so you pick first.” He got out a bottle of water and handed it to the other man. 

“Thank you.” Sebastian grabbed what he wanted and the two of them began eating in silence. 

Kurt took the rest to Julie, insisting that she either took it home or saved it for lunch the next day. When he returned to the little seating area he sat in the spot he had abandoned a moment earlier, “Are you ready to go? I don’t live far.” Sebastian looked really nervous, so Kurt added, “Or I can call an Uber for us. Would that be better?”

“Please.”

Kurt hated that small defeated tone. He wanted to kill whoever made Sebastian like this. He took a deep breath and focused. Things need to get done, and sitting here seething wasn’t helping anyone. 

Once he had ordered the Uber, he threw away their trash. Sebastian just sat there with his head lowered and hands in his lap.

“Are you doing okay?” Kurt asked softly. 

“I’m fine.”

Kurt hummed and sat back down, “So what do you do? I didn’t know you were in New York.”

“I-I’m a lawyer.”

“Wow. What firm are you with?”

He hesitated, then asked, “What do you do?”

“Mm,” he put the cap back on the water he had just drank, totally catching on that Sebastian didn’t want to answer his question, “I'm a stylist at Vogue. Turns out there aren’t all that many parts for countertenors on Broadway, so I changed directions. I almost went into film when a friend from school invited me to join him on one that his girlfriend had written and was directing, but… things started out pretty rocky in mine and Blaine’s marriage, so leaving for six weeks to shoot didn’t sound like the best idea at the time.”

Sebastian looked like he was hanging on every word. “Do you regret it?”

“Not taking the part?” At Sebastian’s nod, he answered, “Not at all. I love my job. I had worked at Vogue since I moved here freshman year. It already felt like home, and when I really went for it as a career, and gave it my all, it was like… being free. It’s kind of hard to explain.”

Sebastian nodded and looked down at his lap again. Being free… it was such an unknown feeling to him. He wasn’t sure he could truly understand what Kurt meant, even if he tried. 

Kurt’s phone dinged with the notification that their Uber had arrived. “Car’s here. Are you ready?”

Sebastian took a deep breath and looked at the clock, then at Kurt, who was now standing and waiting patiently. He nodded and tried to get up without showing how painful the act was, but he failed miserably.

“Can I help?” Kurt asked gently.

Sebastian was halfway out of the chair and starting to wobble a bit. He nodded, so Kurt grabbed his arm with one hand and wrapped his other arm around Sebastian to steady him. 

Kurt watched his face and winced at the look of pain that Sebastian was obviously trying to hide. “What else hurts?”

“Ribs and stomach.”

“Okay. Take it slowly then.” Kurt bent down and grabbed Sebastian’s backpack and threw it onto his shoulder. “Bye, Julie,” he said loudly. 

She came out and escorted them to the door, “Please stay safe. Come in any time, okay?”

Sebastian nodded, “Thank you.”

“Thanks for helping, Julie,” Kurt added.

“Thank you.” The two of them shared a look before she locked the doors behind them. 

They pulled up in front of a pretty brownstone only ten minutes later. Kurt turned to Sebastian, who was staring blankly out the opposite window, “We’re here. Stay put and I’ll come help you out.”

Kurt paid the driver, then grabbed Sebastian’s backpack before exiting the car. He went around and opened Sebastian’s door and held out a hand for him.

Sebastian grabbed it shakily and Kurt used his other hand to brace Sebastian’s arm. Once out, he also helped him up the steps of the stoop, then let go to unlock the door.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks. It’s a benefit of my boss falling in love. She moved in with her boyfriend, which allowed me to rent this place from her. Otherwise, Bexley wouldn’t have a yard.” 

Kurt ushered him in and Bexley greeted them with a wagging tail. She was a mix-breed, but looked a lot like an Australian Shepherd. Her longer fur was brown, white, and black, and her large brown eyes seemed joyous and kind. 

“Speak of the devil!” Kurt cooed, bending down to give Bexley some lovin’. “Sebastian, this is Bexley. Bexley, this is Sebastian. Please be gentle with him, Bex. No jumping.”

“She’s adorable.”

Kurt guided him into the living room so he could sit, “She is and she knows it. She uses it to her advantage quite a bit.”

“What breed is she?”

“Mixed, but we don’t say the other “M” word in this house much. She’s sensitive.”

Sebastian smiled a little as he pet Bexley, who had jumped up on the couch to sit next to her new friend.

“Don’t settle in, Bex, you need to go potty outside.” Bexley jumped down and followed Kurt through the kitchen to the french doors that led to the backyard. When Kurt returned, he sat and looked at Sebastian, “So, I think we’ve avoided the much needed conversation enough, don’t you?”

“No.” He didn’t even look up from his lap.

Kurt was gentle with his tone, “Sebastian, even if you don’t want to tell me who it was, or what happened, we really should take pictures of your injuries.”

He looked at Kurt and frowned, “No.”

“I know you understand why they are so important, Sebastian. Especially since you’re a lawyer.”

“So is he,” he whispered.

Well shit.

“I think that’s all the more reason to do it. I can only imagine what it’s like for you right now, Sebastian. And I know that pictures are the last thing you want, but I really do think it’s necessary.”

Sebastian looked up at Kurt with tears in his eyes, “I’m stuck, Kurt. Nothing is going to change. Pictures won’t matter. It will only make things worse.”

Kurt shook his head, “I promise you’re not stuck. I’ll help you get out of whatever situation you’re in right now, I promise. Pictures will help, and if you don’t want to do anything but take them right now, that’s fine, but we do need to take them.” 

Sebastian took a ragged breath and Kurt could see his bottom lip start to quiver. He wanted to cry at how broken Sebastian was. 

“Okay,” Sebastian whispered.

“Okay,” Kurt echoed. "I’m going to close the curtains and let Bex in. I’ll be right back and we get those taken care of right away.”

Kurt let Bexley in, who immediately went to Sebastian on the couch. Kurt closed the curtains in the front of the house so no one could see in, then turned and asked, “Ready?” Sebastian nodded, so Kurt went to help him stand. “Let’s do it in front of this wall over here.” 

When Sebastian just stood there, Kurt asked, “May I?” He gestured to Sebastian’s hat. The other man nodded, so Kurt took it off and automatically ran his fingers through Sebastian’s hair. Kurt tossed the hat into the small side chair next to where they were standing. “Let’s start with a close up of your face.”

A tear fell as Sebastian gave the smallest nod. He was shaking, and Kurt had the strongest urge to hug him. He took a couple of photos, then stepped back.

“Okay, can you take off your shirt? You said your ribs and stomach were hurt?”

Sebastian nodded and grabbed the hem of his shirt. His hands were still shaking and he looked like he was holding back the tears, even though a few had escaped. His face scrunched up in pain as he tried to pull the shirt over his head and failed.

“Let me help?”

Sebastian nodded again, so Kurt went up and pulled his sleeve down enough that Sebastian could pull his arm out without having to lift it. They did the same for the second sleeve, then Kurt lifted the shirt up and off, careful to avoid Sebastian’s injured face. 

When Kurt saw Sebastian’s ribs and stomach, he sucked in a shocked breath. He had large patches of bruises that were still turning darker. Sebastian was skinny. Too skinny. He looked horrible, and it absolutely broke Kurt’s heart.

Sebastian was crying now, completely ashamed and embarrassed. Kurt placed his hand on Sebastian’s cheek and wiped away a few tears, “It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.” Sebastian hid his face in his hands as he cried and Kurt gently wrapped his arms around him as he let his own tears fall.

After a few minutes, he took a deep breath and stepped back with his phone. He watched as Sebastian  took a cleansing breath and undid his pants, pulling  them to the side so you could see how far down the bruises went. He took a couple of quick photos, then asked, “Can I see your back?” Sebastian turned around and Kurt took a few more of the bruises there.

“Okay, all done. Let me help you up to the spare room and get something comfortable for you to wear. I’d also like to put some arnica cream on your bruises. Would that be okay?”

With another nod from Sebastian, they made their way up the stairs to a little bedroom on the left. It was decorated in blacks, creams, and natural wood furniture. There were several green plants either in the windows, or succulents on the dresser. It was a beautiful room and Kurt was grateful that he had it so that Sebastian would have a comfortable spot to recover. 

Kurt laid Sebastian’s bag on a chair in the corner. “My bedroom is right across the hall, and the bathroom was straight ahead at the top of the stairs. I’ll be right back with some clothes for you.”

When he returned, Sebastian was looking out the window. He laid the clothes on the bed, “Would you like to shower? I got out a new toothbrush for you and left it on the sink.”

“Thank you. I…I’d like to just go to bed, if that’s okay.”

“Absolutely.” He started to walk away, but Sebastian stopped him.

“Can…Can you help me? I’m sorry, you’ve already gone to so much trouble just…”

“Of course I can help. I guess it would be hard to get into clothes if it was hard getting out of them. Let’s put some arnica cream on some of your bruises, okay? It’ll help them heal faster.”

Sebastian nodded and Kurt went into the medicine cabinet in the bathroom to get a tube of the ointment. He came back and handed it to Sebastian, who put it on everywhere he could reach. He handed it to Kurt and turned around, so Kurt took the hint and put some on the bruises on his back. 

Once finished, he grabbed the shirt and put it over Sebastian’s head, then helped him get his arms in carefully. He ended up having to help him with his pants, too, but oddly felt no awkwardness or embarrassment by any of it. He only felt heartache at the state of a man who had always seemed so untouchable.

Sebastian headed to the bathroom for a few minutes, and when he came out, Kurt had turned down his bed for him and was returning to the room with a glass of water and a bottle of Tylenol. 

“I thought this might help take a little of the pain away.” He sat it on the nightstand.

“Thank you. For everything, really.”

“Of course.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened a bit as he heard the door open downstairs, then a man called out, “Honey, are you home?!”

Chapter Text

From upstairs, they heard “Hey Bexley Boo. How’s my girl?”

“It’s okay,” Kurt reassured, but Sebastian looked like he was going to panic any minute, “It’s okay, Sebastian, take a deep breath.”

Elliott came up the stairs two at a time and rounded the corner into the guest room where he had heard Kurt’s voice coming from. He barely spared a glance at Sebastian before wrapping his arms around Kurt’s waist from behind and kissing his cheek, “Hey, Honey.”

“Cut it out, Ell,” Kurt murmured as he pulled out of Elliott’s arms. 

Elliott frowned when he really looked at Sebastian, “You okay, man?”

Kurt turned to face Elliott, “Get,” he made a shooing motion with his hands, “You weren’t even supposed to come home tonight.”

“I know, but I got bored.”

“Out, Elliott. Go to bed or something.” He turned back to Sebastian who was breathing a little heavier, “It’s okay, Sebastian. Elliott is my roommate and he wasn’t supposed to be home tonight.” He shooed Elliott out the door again, then closed it in his face.

From outside the door, Elliott whined, “That’s not nice!”

Kurt rolled his eyes, “Sorry. He’s obnoxious, but I love him.”

“He’s your…?”

“Just roommate. His room is upstairs. Elliott has a boyfriend, Ezra, who is just as lovely, and just as crazy, as Elliott. Ell and I have been friends since my freshman year. He’s really the only person from that time of my life that I still talk to, outside of family. He’s large, loud, and intrusive, but he really is a great guy.” Kurt thought for a moment, then asked, “I should have asked earlier, but do you need to call anyone?”

“No.”

“Okay. Do you need a phone charger or anything?”

“I didn’t bring it. He…”

“Does he track it?”

Sebastian nodded and sat on the bed. 

“Okay. Well if you change your mind about needing to call anyone, just knock. I’ll be headed to bed in just a little bit.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Sure. Goodnight, Sebastian.”

“Goodnight.” 

Kurt closed the door softly and headed downstairs, where he could hear Elliott in the kitchen. 

“Elliott-”

“Who is that, Kurt? What happened to him?”

Kurt sighed, “Do you remember a long time ago when I was dating Blaine still and we were telling you about the guy who threw a rock salt slushie at me?”

“And Blaine was trying to be your savior and jumped in front of it? Yeah, why?”

“That’s him,” Kurt pointed upstairs.

Elliott’s eyes widened, “What? Tell me what happened.” He took his drink to the bar stool at the kitchen island and sat down, looking at Kurt expectantly. 

Kurt leaned against the island, “I was checking out the bookstore that I told you I passed the other night,” Elliott nodded, “and he was there. His backpack was on the floor and I tripped on the strap. He started apologizing like a scolded child. When he looked up, we instantly recognized each other. He hasn’t come right out and said it, but I’m pretty sure his partner did that to his face. And you should see his ribs and stomach.” He sighed again and ran his hand down his face, “He was going to stay at the bookstore overnight, but I couldn’t let that happen.”

“Does he own it or something? Why was he there?”

“No, he’s just friendly with the owner. She made it seem like he’s stayed there before. I don’t know, Ell, I just couldn’t not do anything. This is breaking my heart.” 

“Of course you had to do something. You’ve got the biggest heart ever, and I’m sure it reminded you of Gloria.”

“It did.” 

Gloria was a woman they had both met at an all-night dinner one night after clubbing. Another patron had come in and ordered a coffee to go. Gloria talked to the younger woman who ordered the coffee, trying to get her to answer some questions about her black eye. But the young customer refused to say a word and left quickly. Gloria sighed as she returned to them. She ended up telling them about her own abuse and how she escaped it. They still go back and visit her from time to time.

“Remember what she said, though, Honey. You can only really truly help if that person is ready for it. He has to be open to wanting things to change.”

Kurt groaned and threw his head back, “I know.” He looked back at Elliott, “So tell me why you really came home.”

Elliott sighed, “Ezra and I got in a fight.”

“About what?”

Elliott made an exaggerated face and lifted his leg to the side to show his shoes, “He didn’t like my new platforms!”

Kurt laughed a little, “You know you can’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying. He really didn’t.”

“I’m sure that was the only thing you fought about.”

Elliott rolled his eyes. 

“The eye roll only accentuates the perfect eye makeup. Keep doing you, Ell.”

“Mhmm.” He stood, “Has Bexley Boo been out?”

“Yep.”

“Alright, I’m headed up, then.” He put his glass in the dishwasher, then turned and grabbed Kurt, pulling him into a hug. He kissed the top of Kurt’s head, “You did good tonight, Honey. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

When Sebastian opened his eyes in the morning, he groaned from the stiffness and pain in what felt like his entire body. He took another dose of Tylenol, then looked around the room as the sun streamed through the window. It was a lovely room. It wasn’t quite what he would picture as Kurt Hummel’s aesthetic, but then again, he didn’t really know the man. Maybe it was decorated by Kurt’s roommate. He was incredibly curious about the man, and wasn’t sure he believed that he and Kurt were just friends. 

He carefully got out of bed and went to the restroom. It was humid and smelled amazing, so Kurt had probably gotten out of the shower just a bit ago.

He relieved himself and brushed his teeth. He stared at himself in the mirror. He barely recognized the man staring back at him. 

When he made it downstairs, Kurt was fixing breakfast. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Kurt smiled warmly. “How are you feeling today?”

“Like I got hit by a bus.”

Kurt made a face, “Sorry. Did you take any more Tylenol?”

“Yeah.” He walked over to the french doors and looked out into the small, but nicely manicured and decorated backyard. There was a hammock on a stand in the back corner that Elliott and Bexley were sharing. Elliott wasn’t wearing a shirt or shoes. “He has a lot of tattoos.”

Kurt smiled and laughed a bit, “Yeah. He’s addicted.”

“I hear that happens once you get your first one.”

“Didn’t happen to me, but yeah, I heard the same thing.”

Sebastian looked at him with raised brows as he made his way to sit at the island. 

Kurt rolled his eyes, “Again, freshman year.” He made a face, “I think.” He shrugged, “Anyway, I wrote it out wrong and had to have it fixed. Then I hated the fix a few years later and got it covered up too. Now it’s a bird in flight.”

“Is there symbolism to that?”

“Yeah. Freedom. I had just gotten a divorce.”

“Sorry to hear it didn’t work out.”

“Thanks. It wasn’t a healthy relationship, so it all worked out for the best.”

“He didn’t…?”

“No, nothing physical. Mostly gaslighting and cheating.” 

“Well, that still sucks.”

“Yeah.”

Elliott opened the door and he and Bexley came in. Bexley headed straight for Sebastian and jumped so her front paws were in his lap.He began petting her right away. Elliott headed straight for the espresso machine and turned it on. 

He turned around and stood next to Kurt, then held out his hand across the island, “Hey, I’m Elliott. Sorry for the way I came in last night.”

Sebastian hesitated, but shook it, “Sebastian. And it’s okay.”

“Want a coffee? Espresso? Drip?” He patted the fancy machine, “This thing was a great investment with how much Kurt was spending at coffee shops. It can make whatever you want.”

“Just black with some creamer would be great. Thank you.”

“Sure. Your usual, Hon?”

“Yes, please.” Kurt plated an omelet and sprinkled some cheese on top. He looked at Sebastian, “Ham, cheese, and mushroom okay?”

He nodded, “Sounds good. Thank you.”

Kurt had already eaten one, so he quickly made one for Elliott. A couple of minutes later, Elliott slid Sebastian’s coffee in front of him, then turned to give Kurt his. 

“Thanks. Trade you.” Kurt handed him his omelet.

“Thanks, Hun,” Elliott kissed him on the cheek, then took his plate into the living room, where he sat in the corner and lounged back in his chair. Kurt just shook his head.

After cleaning up a bit, Kurt took Sebastian’s empty plate and added it to the dishwasher. He leaned against the counter, “So…Can we talk today?”

A moment later, Sebastian shook his head, “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

Kurt came forward and rested his elbows on the island with his hands clasped in front of him, “I want you to say whatever is the truth. I would like to know enough that I’d be able to help you. I can’t imagine you walking out that front door and me not knowing where you’re going or if you’ll be okay.”

Sebastian frowned, “Why, though?”

Kurt frowned back, “Why what?”

“Why do you care?”

“Believe it or not, there are good people in the world, Sebastian. I want to help you because I care what happens to people. I know we have a weird past, but we left things on a good note. Besides, that was years ago. We’ve both grown a lot since then, I’m sure. I’d like to be friends. Is that something you would like too?”

Sebastian had tears in his eyes and nodded. 

“Okay. Then let's start with general information and work our way up okay? Was it your partner that did this?”

Sebastian nodded, “Yeah.”

“Was it the first time?”

“No.” 

Kurt’s phone buzzed, but he ignored it. 

“How long have the two of you been together?”

“Three years.”

Kurt’s phone rang, so he glanced at it. He sighed and rolled his eyes, “Hello?”

“Did Elliott make it home last night? He’s not answering the fucking phone!”

Kurt pulled the phone away from his ear and made a face at the volume. He put it back, “Yes, he came back safe and sound. Maybe only a tiny bit drunk. I’ll have him call you. Bye, Ez.” He looked over to see Elliott in the corner with noise canceling headphones on, “Ell!” When he didn’t get a response, he looked at Sebastian, “Sorry.” He headed for Elliott and shook him, “Wake up, idiot. Your boyfriend has been calling you and you aren’t answering, he’s worried sick. Go upstairs and call him before he comes over and makes a scene.”

“I was asleep,” he grumped.

“Not mine or Ezra’s fault that you’re a vampire who doesn’t sleep at night. Go.”

Elliott made his way up the stairs, “That’s ‘Glitter Rock Vampire’ to you, Mister!”

“Make sure you apologize!”

“I didn’t do anything wrong!” Elliott shut his door.

Kurt sighed, “Want to move to the couch?”

“Yeah,” Sebastian nodded. “Did he get in a fight with his boyfriend?”

“Seems so. That’s why he came home last night. He was supposed to spend the night at Ezra’s.” He paused a minute, then continued, “So, three years. Is that how long this has been happening?”

“No. It was good at first. Really good. But even a couple of months in, I could tell he had a temper that he was trying to keep at bay. I should have taken that as a sign.”

“When did it start?”

“About a year later, when I moved in.”

“It’s been like this for two years?”

“Not this bad. It gradually got worse.”

They sat in silence for a little bit, “How can I help you, Sebastian?”

“You can’t.”

Kurt frowned, “Yes, I can.” He paused, “Wait… You’re not planning on staying with him, are you?”

Sebastian didn’t say anything. Kurt was at a loss. He bent over and put his head in his hands with his elbows on his knees. He looked up when he heard Sebastian whisper, “I’m sorry.”

“Sebastian, you can’t go back to him. You can’t. You say it’s been gradually getting worse, next thing you know you’ll end up in the hospital or dead!”

A tear fell as he replied, “What am I supposed to do, Kurt?! He’s a partner at the firm where we both work. I’ve left before and he tracked me down and dragged my ass home. I ended up in the hospital then!”

Kurt was shocked. Without hesitating, he said, “Stay here. Move in here. Quit your job and move in here. Keep the room you’re in. He’ll never find you.”

His head dropped to the cushion behind him, “Yes he will.” He sounded so defeated.

“How?”

“I don’t know, but he will. I can’t stay holed up forever, and I won't put you guys in danger by staying with you.”

After another long beat of silence, Kurt asked, “What was your plan when you went to the bookstore?”

“To not end up in the hospital again. That’s all I knew. As soon as he passed out drunk, I left. He probably hasn’t even woken up yet.”

“Why does he get upset? Do you fight about something specific?”

“I never know what it’s going to be. Last night it was because we lost a case yesterday and he felt like it was my fault because I couldn't provide more evidence.”

“How often does it happen?”

“Every few months. It’s enough time to give me hope that it won’t ever happen again, but then…Look, Kurt, I know what this looks like. I know I’m weak and pathetic, and-”

“No, Sebastian.” Kurt moved a little closer to Sebastian, who was now crying. “I would never think that. I know what manipulation looks like. I’ve been played like a fiddle before, I know how easy it is to think it won’t happen again. I was just lucky enough for it to not really be physical. I know it’s hard. I don’t think less of you. I do think it’ll be a lot easier with the right people in your corner. Do you have any close friends or family in town?”

He wiped his eyes and shook his head, “I’ve slowly lost all of my friends over the last few years. I…He’d get upset if I went out. Got jealous of other men, even friends. Sometimes even women.”

“What about family?”

“Mom’s gone. Dad… Well, Dad would think…”

 “Sebastian, I don't think your dad would think any less of you.”

“You should have seen how happy he was that my partner made partner. It was all he could talk about it for months. And my partner, he just plays into it too.”

“Why won’t you say his name?”

“I’m afraid he’s like Beetlejuice. If I say it too often, he might appear.”

Kurt smiled a little. He was seeing a tiny bit of the snark that Sebastian was known for. Maybe there was hope. “What’s his name?”

“I don’t… I don’t want you to get involved.”

“Why? I’m not going to go knock on his door. Although the thought is very tempting.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt,” Sebastian mumbled.

“I won’t. But I need to help you, and to do that, I need the full picture.”

Sebastian sighed, “Thomas Wilder.”

Chapter Text

Sebastian needed to take a break from the heavy subject matter, so he and Kurt just sat and talked about all sorts of things, or they played with Bexley. Kurt had gotten him another change of clothes and helped him change after applying arnica ointment again. 

“I wouldn’t have thought you owned two pairs of sweatpants,” Sebastian nodded to Kurt’s pants as well as his newly borrowed ones.

Kurt chuckled, “I own three pairs, actually. I cherish comfort when I’m at home.” He sat back down on the couch and grabbed the remote, “Wanna watch a movie?”

“Sure.”

There was a knock at the door, making Bexley bark. Sebastian looked like he was going to panic again, so Kurt pulled out his phone and checked the security camera. “It’s just Ezra,” he turned his phone and showed Sebastian. “I’ll be right back.”

Sebastian nodded and Kurt got up to answer the door. Before he could even say hello, Ezra came in, “Oh my god, Kurt, I thought I’d never find you! This is the third door I’ve tried!” He walked into the living room like he owned the place. “Hey! Who are you? Are you Brantly?” he turned to look at Kurt, “Bradley? Brent? Oh fuck.” He whispered, not so quietly, “What’s his name?”

Kurt made a face like was absolutely exasperated, “Ezra, this is Sebastian. Sebastian, this is Elliott’s boyfriend, Ezra.”

Sebastian was kind of amused, “Nice to meet you. So, who’s Bradley?”

“It’s Brent. He’s just a guy I’ve gone on a few dates with.” Kurt turned back to Ezra, “Why is this the third place you tried? You helped us move, for god’s sake.”

Ezra shrugged, “It’s only been a month.”

“Three months, Ez. Anyway, Elliott’s upstairs. Did you two work things out?”

“Yes, but I still plan on throwing away those ugly ass shoes.”

Kurt smiled, “I doubt it.” He sat back down. “We’re going to start a movie if you guys want to join us, but we’re not waiting.”

“You’re so mean,” Ezra whined, “I’ll go get the vampire.” He headed up the stairs.

Sebastian turned to look at Kurt, “Is it weird that I can totally see them together even when I don’t know either of them at all?”

Kurt laughed, “Nope. They’re two of a kind.”

Kurt flipped through some movies and before they settled on one, Elliott and Ezra came down the stairs. Elliott was wearing sweats, but Ezra was wearing Elliott’s pajama bottoms. Ezra was smaller than Elliott, so they were big on him. He was handsome, with dark blond hair and brown eyes. His hair was a bit longer, almost a wolf cut, but had a few streaks of blue in different spots. He definitely had a rocker edge similar to Elliott’s.

Elliott went to the kitchen to pop some popcorn and get some drinks, “Who would like a drink?” Kurt and Sebastian asked for water, while Ezra wanted juice. Elliott brought them their drinks, “Gross.”

Ezra frowned, “Mind yo business. Butter and juice are fantastic together.” By the looks on everyone’s faces, they didn’t agree. 

“Who wants popcorn?”

“I do!” Ezra called out.

Kurt and Sebastian declined. “You know that stuff is horrible for you.”

“I know, Honey, you tell me that all the time.”

Sebastian looked at Ezra when Elliott called Kurt “Honey”, but he had no reaction.

Kurt gasped, “Frequency! I loved that movie back in the day. Mind if we watch it?” Everyone agreed so he selected it.

Once Elliott was back in the living room, he cuddled on the loveseat with his boyfriend, while Kurt and Sebastian sat on the couch with Bexley snuggled between them. When the movie was over, Kurt got up to let Bexley outside, then called from the kitchen, “What do you guys want for lunch? We have leftover lasagna, or I could fix sandwiches.”

“Did you make the lasagna? Because if you did, that’s what I want.”

“I did,” Kurt answered as he turned the oven on to reheat it.

Ezra looked at Sebastian, “One of these days, Elliott is going to leave me for that twunk. He’s beautiful, can cook, and he’s a great fuck.”

While Kurt was throwing his hands up in exasperation as he came back into the living room saying, “Oh my god! Would you stop?!”, Elliott looked at Sebastian and made a face as he whispered, “He’s not wrong about any of that, especially the ‘great fuck’ part.”

Sebastian raised his eyebrows and looked at Kurt as he flopped onto the couch, defeated, “So… Just friends, huh?”

“Yes. Elliott and I have always only been friends.”

Ezra shrugged, “‘Just friends’ don’t fuck.”

“Sure they do. Want me to take you upstairs and show you?” Kurt sassed. 

“NO!” Elliott threw a possessive arm around Ezra’s waist, “I’ll never be good enough for him if you fuck him. Jesus, Honey, stop it.”

“There is so much wrong with all of that,” Sebastian said. They all looked at him, so he continued, “Ezra knows you two fucked, and that Kurt is apparently a great lay. Combine that with the fact that you live with Kurt, call him ‘Honey’, and hug and kiss him, he’s going to get a complex about it.”

Ezra frowned and looked at Elliott, “What kind of kissing do you do?”

“Just on the cheek, Babe,” he answered.

“Or the top of my head,” Kurt added.

Ezra shrugged, “I knew about those.”

Kurt turned to Sebastian, “Elliott and I slept together a couple of times when I was newly divorced. I needed intimacy that I wasn’t getting, but wasn’t ready to get out there or even date, at that point. I’m not usually a one night stand kind of guy, so it worked. We’ve never been more than friends. We love each other deeply, we’re really close, but only as friends.”

“And we touch a lot because it’s my love language. Stick around here long enough, and I’ll be all over you, too. Besides, Kurt needs it. He’s a tactile person, too, and given what he grew up with, I won’t deny him that. And…’Honey’ just kind of comes out, just like me calling Ez ‘babe’. It’s just a term of endearment.”

Ezra shrugged, “I’m just jealous. Not of Kurt, but of Elliott.” He wiggled his eyebrows. 

Kurt and Elliott chuckled. Elliott smiled, “You should be, Babe. I’m the only one in the room who’s seen him naked. It was glorious.”

“Do you want to wear that popcorn, Ell?” Kurt threatened. 

Elliott bounced his eyebrows, “I like em’ feisty.” He looked Ezra up and down, “Maybe I have a type.” 

Sebastian just looked deep in thought.

“You okay?” Kurt asked quietly.

“Yeah. I was just thinking about the whole touch-starved thing. I wonder how different my life would have been if I had been given what I needed when it comes to that…What other choices I would have made. I was looking for that affection in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways. I think I fell back into that, but...” He looked Kurt in the eyes, “Anyway. You’re so much stronger than me.”

Kurt shook his head, “What’s important is that moment when you decide that you’re worth it, and start making choices that truly benefit you . As long as it happens, then the timing isn’t what you focus on - It’s the fact that you take that step. You turn the page and move on to the next chapter.”

The oven beeped, so Kurt got up to put the lasagna in and let Bexley inside. 

Sebastian looked at Elliott and Ezra. He needed a subject change. “So what do you guys do for work?”

Elliott answered first, “I’m a web designer by day, and rock star by night. My band, Starchild, plays just about every weekend, including tonight.”

Ezra smiled, “You wouldn’t believe my answer.”

Sebastian raised his brows as Kurt and Elliott chuckled. “Try me.”

“By day, I’m an accountant. By night I’m a vampire slayer.”

“Glitter Rock Vampire,” Kurt and Elliott corrected at the same time, making them all chuckle.

“Yeah, I wasn't expecting ‘accountant’.”

“Numbers are my jam. What about you?”

“Lawyer.”

“Do you like it?”

“Not really.”

“You should quit. Life’s too short to stay somewhere you don’t like. Same goes for being with someone who isn’t right.” Elliott had told Ezra what was going on with Sebastian , so he took this opportunity to add a little nugget of encouragement. “As soon as you know, then leave.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“It is. Well, the decision is simple. But from there- the hard parts- you push through until you’re okay again. It wasn’t easy for Kurt to leave Blaine. Especially with all the gaslighting bullshit Ell said he pulled. But he did it. And now he’s happy.”

Sebastian looked at Kurt, “Are you happy?”

“Very,” Kurt nodded. “I was so scared to be alone. Part of what Blaine convinced me was that no one would want me if we ever broke up. But I wasn’t alone. Even when I lost my friends.”

Sebastian frowned, “How did you lose your friends?”

“I chose to. Those weren’t healthy relationships, either, and I realized that with their reaction to me leaving my husband for my own health and sanity. I wasn’t their concern in the long run. After the divorce, I cut ties with everyone but Elliott and a couple of friends from NYADA and Vogue. I made new ones. New friendships that were strong and built me up. Friendships where I didn’t have to prove anything. And I’ve had other romantic relationships with some lovely men. They weren’t my ‘forever’, but that’s okay. I learned something about myself with each of them, even the ones who I just dated.”

“Like Brad,” Ezra added, unhelpfully.

“Brent. I don’t think Brent isn’t my ‘forever’ either, but we’re having fun.”

“Weren’t you two going out tonight?” Elliott asked.

“I canceled.”

“Because of me?” Sebastian asked.

Kurt nodded, “Because this is where I’m needed, and this is where my thoughts would have been if I had gone out tonight. He can wait.”

Sebastian teared up, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m right where I was meant to be, Sebastian. So are you.”

After a beat of silence, Sebastian said, “Can you save me a piece of lasagna? I think I need to go lay down for a little while.”

“Sure,” Kurt said as he stood. “Let me help you up.” 

Sebastian reached for his hand and Kurt helped him to stand. They could all tell how much pain he was still in. “I’ll be fine on the stairs. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Kurt said quietly. He watched Bexley slowly follow Sebastian up the stairs, then into the guest bedroom, where Sebastian closed the door with them both inside.

Once Sebastian was upstairs, Kurt went into the kitchen to start preparing bowls of salad and slicing a loaf of french bread. Elliott followed him in, with Ezra right behind him. They both sat at the island. 

“He’ll be okay, Honey.”

“I hope so,” he spoke quietly. “This morning he was acting like he was going to go back to him. I can’t let him do that, Ell.”

“I know. We’ll figure something out.”

“Do you know the guy's name?”

“Yeah, why?”

Ezra shrugged, “Let’s ruin him.”

Kurt smirked a little and shook his head, “You’re like a cute ball of evil, aren’t you? We do this legally. Then…” he shrugged to match Ezra, then winked at him, “ then we ruin him if nothing is done.”

“Oh, I love my evil boys.”

“It’s only evil if he didn’t deserve it.”

Sebastian laid upstairs and thought about everything they had talked about so far. If it was only as easy as they said. He envied Kurt. He envied that he was brave enough to do what he needed to do to be happy. He envied his friendship with Elliott and Ezra.

He turned onto his side that wasn’t hurt and began to pet Bexley, “I think I envy Kurt for having you, too, Bexley. I need a dog. Maybe a guard dog.”

When Sebastian came downstairs a couple of hours later, Kurt was sitting in the living room with his computer in his lap. He looked up and smiled a little, “Feeling better?”

“Yeah. Bexley is a good snuggler.”

“The best.”

“What are you doing?” he nodded toward the computer.

Kurt shut it, “Nothing.”

Sebastian just looked at him and Kurt squirmed a little under his stare. “You know I’m a lawyer, so I have a pretty good sense for when people are lying.”

Kurt shrugged as if he was unaffected, “I was just…researching your boyfriend.”

He sat on the couch, “You won’t find anything, other than the fact that he's a partner at the firm.”

“Oh, Smythe, you underestimate my sleuthing abilities. But, before I get too far, I need to know that you are not going back to him. Please, Sebastian.”

Sebastian sighed and leaned back further, “I don’t know, Kurt. I love him.”

Kurt moved to join Sebastian on the couch. “Can you explain that to me?”

“What?”

“What does the word ‘love’ mean to you?”

He sat silently for a long while, then finally said, “It’s just how I feel.”

“Sebastian, love is a lot of things that can be taken badly, like sacrifice, compromise, acts of service, and forgiveness. But those aren’t supposed to be taken badly. You can sacrifice without giving up who you are. You can compromise without giving up everything you love for their benefit. You can do things for your partner in an act of service without becoming a slave to them. You can forgive for your benefit, not theirs, and only in due time. Love doesn’t belittle, and it certainly doesn’t bruise and break.”

Sebastian was crying and Kurt felt horrible for prompting that, but it all needed to be said. They were running on borrowed time if he was going to convince Sebastian to leave Thomas by the end of the weekend.

“Can I hug you?”

Sebastian nodded and leaned over into Kurt, who gently wrapped his arms around the other man. He pressed his cheek to the top of Sebastian’s head, then spoke softly, “Move in with Elliott and I. We’ve already discussed it. The room is yours if you want it. We’ll help you through this. We’ll show you what love is supposed to look like. Please, Sebastian?”

He hesitated, but then it was like something inside him broke. All the effort he put into trying to be what Thomas wanted, all the bending over backwards and changing who he was.  It all came crashing down and he couldn’t take even an ounce more, “Okay. I have no idea how any of this is going to work… But okay.”

Relief washed over Kurt, “We’ll figure it out together. I promise.”