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The feelings of the man standing in front of Paul, reflected in the mirror, were ones of nervousness, slight fear, but also love.
As he neatened his hair with a comb, Paul examined his reflection for anything that was out of place. Normally he didn't really care how perfect he looked when it came to the lessons he conducted in the privacy of his own home, and it was Kurt who was seeing him - who he didn't feel the need to dress up for, he could be himself around Kurt.
...but, today was the day. No matter how the day ended, Kurt would know of his affections.
Paul set the comb aside and took a deep breath in, exhaling slowly as he tried to calm his racing heart.
"Mr. Sivers has arrived, sir."
The familiar voice of the butler snapped Paul from his thoughts, the man being one who had loyally served the Körner family for multiple generations, the man being the one who had kept his lips sealed to the men Paul brought home throughout his life, to the activities that took place under Paul's roof. He simply curtly informed Paul of his guest's arrival as Kurt entered the room behind him, the butler neatly hanging up Kurt's hat and coat on the stand beside the door before disappearing into the rest of the house, aware that Paul disliked being disturbed during his music lessons.
Kurt grinned as he approached, the younger man's smile influencing the butterflies in Paul's stomach to take flight.
"Kurt!" Paul greeted the man warmly, walking from his spot at the mirror to meet him halfway through the room, resting a hand on his shoulder as he grinned, "good day to you!"
"Good day to you, Paul," Kurt rolled his eyes with a grin, "do you think he will ever let me hang up my own coat? I hate having someone else need to do it for me."
"Oh, you know how seriously he takes his job. He refused to even let me put my own shoes on myself when I was a boy," Paul chuckled, reaching to grab his violin from where it was lying in its case on top of the piano, turning to present it and the bow to Kurt, "I think humans will walk on the moon before he will let you hang up your own coat."
"You are ridiculous, Paul," Kurt grinned as he accepted the violin, his eyes bright with mirth before he turned to look at the sheets of music that were scattered on top of the piano, the organized chaos that always happened with Paul's music, "what are we practicing today?"
Pushing aside his fears and nervousness of what would come later, Paul settled at the piano and organized the sheets, ready to begin the lesson.
"First, we will..."
Same time next week?" Kurt asked as he neatly switched his grip on the bow, holding it and the violin carefully out for Paul to take, "I have some exams on Friday, but they're in the morning so, hopefully, they won't delay me too much."
With a soft smile, Paul lifted his hands - his slightly trembling hands - and gently pushed the instrument back toward his student.
"Paul..?" Kurt's eyebrows drew together, the man obviously confused as he held the instrument, unsure of what exactly his teacher wanted him to do with it.
"Keep it," Paul's heart was beating faster than a cheetah and he was certain his cheeks were gaining a red hue as Kurt stared at him with an incredulous expression, "I-I want you to keep it."
"But- your violin?" Kurt's eyes were wide, his expression now one of shock and awe as he glanced between the instrument and Paul, "This one is..."
"That violin is the best one I have," Paul smiled softly, reaching out to rest a hand on the shoulder of the shorter man, "and you're the best student I have. Take care of it, that's all I ask. It's yours."
If the day ended badly, at least Kurt would have something to remind him of the good times.
"Paul, I..." Kurt blinked rapidly as tears began to form in his eyes, "thank you."
You're very special, Kurt." Paul smiled, reaching up to carefully wipe away a tear that has begun to trail down Kurt's cheek, "...very special. Of everyone I've ever met, you would be the only one I would trust with this."
"I've..." Kurt stammered, examining the expensive violin, the one Paul played at all his concerts, the one that was now his, "Thank you Paul. But... what brought this on?"
"I've..." Paul took a deep breath, "I've been thinking a lot, recently."
This was it.
"Kurt," Paul straighted up, forcing his eyes to meet Kurt's, who was watching him with a confused expression, "ever since we started these lessons, since I've gotten to know you, I've..." Paul gulped, there was no going back now, "I've developed... feelings. For you."
Paul looked away, for a moment, grimacing as he prepared himself for whatever reaction Kurt would have.
"Feelings...?" Kurt mouthed the word, his eyebrows drawn low over his eyes, "for me?"
Paul felt his heart chill, as if ice had grown over it, was this...?
Did he make a mistake?
"I, I-" Paul stammered, suddenly all his confidence having abandoned him, "I understand if this changes things, if you don't want to..."
He should have known, with Paragraph 175, with the world that they lived in...
Paul stepped back, his hands tangling together as he nervously fidgeted.
"Oh, Paul," Kurt turned away - Paul's heart froze for a moment - and gently laid the violin and the bow down into its case on the piano, before turning back to him, empty handed, "I'm so glad you said it. I was worried I was going to have to."
Wait.
What?
"You, you mean?" Paul stammered, blinking rapidly as he ogled at Kurt, "you...?"
Kurt wasn't rejecting him...?
"I love you," Kurt grinned like the cat that got the canary, "and I'd like to continue to, it you don't mind."
"I..." Paul blinked, "I don't mind?"
"Great," Kurt smiled, stepped forward, and pulled Paul into a kiss.