Tree without Blossoms - Chapter 19/20
Feb. 11th, 2012 04:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sunmontueRating: M/NC-17
Word count: ~4,000 words for this chapter (~125,000 overall)
Warnings: None that the rating doesn't cover already
Summary: A future!fic set in 2025 where Kurt and Dave's lives intertwine again, proving just how small the world really is, and how Fate has a twisted sense of humour. AU from end of Season 2.
Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews and alerts and favourites etc. This is the second to last chapter. Then an epilogue. Then it’s over. This chapter s pretty angsty. There is an oblique reference to child abuse.
CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11 CHAPTER 12 CHAPTER 13 CHAPTER 14 CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16 CHAPTER 17 CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER NINETEEN – MARCH 2026 (part two)
Dave takes the following day off work, knowing his boss doesn’t expect either him or Karen in today. He rings Jen and asks if he can have the kids for the day and she agrees, arranging for a car swap so he doesn’t have to move around the car seats and just go and pick them up from day-care. He needs to spend the day with his nephews, with kids who are loved and don’t know any different.
He’s left Kurt at his apartment on purpose. He just needs some time alone, to process his thoughts and consider everything that has happened over the last three days. He didn’t sleep well last night. Better than if he’d been alone, but still not great. He’s pretty sure Kurt didn’t get much sleep either, not with him tossing and turning all night. He hadn’t said anything though, simply reached out a hand and touched him. Held him. He’d slept then, only waking when Kurt moved away in his sleep. H’s grateful that Kurt just seems to understand. Doesn’t ask questions. Is just there. Quietly supportive.
TWB
Dave’s told him he’ll be gone an hour, which seems like a long time just to pick up two kids, but Dave must have seen the incredulous look on his face, because he’d explained the necessity of exchanging cars with Jen, then driving to the day-care, signing the kids out before driving back. He knew Dave needed time to himself, Dave has become as easy to read to him as a highway sign. Except everyone can apparently read the same highway sign, and he finds it a little irritating when Greg had said ‘he just needs some time to himself’. He’d swallowed back a dozen or so snarky and sarcastic replies, instead going with a simple nod and gentle ‘I know.’
He’s taken the day off. As he’d discovered back in August he’s more productive here due to the lack of distractions. Yesterday at Mercedes’ he’d completed all the work he’d planned for the day by two in the afternoon, and he’d had an hour long lunch break and taken Theo for a walk. So he feels no guilt at spending the day with Dave. And Greg. Greg who is sitting at the opposite end of the couch, camera in hand like it is an extension of him, and he’s watching Kurt, which is unnerving. He still can’t place the face and it’s been bugging him for three days now. He’s usually good with faces and names, and he knows he’s seen Greg’s face somewhere. It’s something he can focus on right now, instead of the bleakness in Dave’s eyes and feeling utterly fucking useless.
He’s not as tall as Kurt, but only by about an inch. His hair is black, but Kurt’s would put money on it being bottle enhanced, particularly with the almost blue-purple undertone he catches in particular light. His skin is pale, but it’s simply winter-white, skin that will easily tan in summer if Greg is so inclined. Unlike his own burn-blister-peel routine he gets going whenever he steps out into the sun without sunblock.
He has green eyes, which he knows are real, because he works in Hollywood and has gotten good at spotting contact lenses. He has no comparison, but he’d also put money on Greg having had a nose job. Either that or he’s just naturally fucking handsome. He’s used to good looking men, works with a lot of them, and Greg could easily be one of them. Maybe that’s it. Maybe Greg used to act.
“You know, your face is really familiar,” Kurt states, and Greg smiles this odd half-smile which makes him look even more familiar and he can’t get over how annoying it is.
“People say that to me all the time. I just must have one of those faces you know?”
Kurt raises a sceptical eyebrow, because another thing he can do courtesy of his workplace is spot bullshit, but he’s too polite to call Greg out on it. He’ll figure it out. And if all else ails he can ask Dave. If the timing is right. He picks up his tablet, deciding to catch up on his e-mails and the daily news while he waits for Dave to return, and attempt to ignore Greg staring at him. He’s not even trying to be subtle about it and it’s starting to bother him more than the fact he can’t place his face.
“Either I have something on my face, or you’re trying to unnerve me. Which is it?”
“Neither. You’re quite good looking. I can see why Dave likes you.”
Kurt blinks. He’s not sure whether to be more insulted for himself, or for Dave.
“I’d like to think Dave sees more than just my looks. He’s not shallow.”
“Of course not. I think he’s the least shallow guy I know. It’s very refreshing to not be judged on your looks. It’s not what I meant when I said I can see why Dave likes you.”
Kurt doesn’t know what to say. He works in LA. In the movie industry. Where appearances are one of the most important aspects of any actor’s livelihood, sometimes trumping the actual ability to act. He’s always paid attention to looks, needs to for his job, but it stopped being important to him years ago. Knows that looks are only one part of a person, the least important part, and good looks can hides the most poisonous of personalities.
“Did Dave ever tell you it took two months before he even agreed to go on a date with me? He thought I was joking. For two months. I’ve never had to work so hard to get a guy to agree to just a date…”
I bet you haven’t Kurt thinks, and feels incredibly catty, even though he knows Greg is just being matter-of-fact. He can understand where he is coming from, because he was the same. He has never had to work too hard either, and he can’t help but feel slightly smug that Dave has never turned him down.
“Dave’s self esteem is pretty shitty sometimes. Some guy did a number back on him ages ago, told him he wasn’t going to amount to anything. Sometimes I think he’s forever trying to prove them wrong.”
Kurt frowns he can’t imagine Keegan ever telling Dave something like that, although he’d be the first to admit to people changing. He wants to ask more but the buzzer sounds. Without even looking at Greg he stands, moving to the intercom and pressing the video-view. Mike. Surprising. He greets him and buzzes him in, opening and waiting by the front door for him.
“Hey Mike. What are you doing here?”
“I heard what happened…so I took the day off. He here?”
“Uh…no. He’s gone to pick up Kadin and Kruze. He should be back shortly. Come in and join us.”
“Us?”
“Yeah. Greg’s here as well.”
“Oh. Right. Okay. Uh…how’s Dave holding up?”
“Well, I’m not sure how this normally goes, but he beat the punching bag to within an inch of its life last night. And that was after running until I pretty much collapsed.”
“Yeah, sounds about right. He’ll do the same thin tonight at training. It’s just his way of coping.”
“I had gathered that much. And Greg told me that Dave had likely lost one of his kids…”
Mike nods, and without prompting begins to fill him in. He has to bite his lip to stop himself from crying. Mike’s words are clinical, detached, but informative. The child, a three year old, died on Saturday. Wasn’t taken to the hospital until Sunday. An autopsy yesterday revealed a sickening number of facts which Mike doesn’t give details about, simply says ‘it was bad’ and Kurt nods sharply. He doesn’t need to elaborate, because the look on his face tells Kurt more than enough. It horrifies him, and then Mike breaks him. ‘Dave was with the foster parents when they had to identify the body.’ It explains so much, and he knows why Dave puts himself through it all, he just wishes he didn’t have to.
TWB
Dave spends the rest of the day playing. Kruze demands rides around on his back, so he finds himself crawling around on his hands and knees, his nephews arguing over whose turn it is. He catches Kurt’s amused looks, fairly certain that any other time and frame of mind, they’d be making innuendos that would completely fly over the kids’ heads. Greg is taking photos, smiling in the intent way he does when he’s trying to capture something in a single shot.
Mike is in the kitchen, making sandwiches for the kids and tossing together a pasta dish for the four of them. He’s glad they’re all here. He’s not used to it, last time only Mike was with him and they got spectacularly drunk on whiskey. This feels almost like a little impromptu party, and Kurt has turned into just a big a kid as himself, eyes lighting up when he’d bought out the toy boxes he keeps in the kids’ room.
He likes that Kurt doesn’t try too hard to impress them, simply set about making a car out of blocks and waited for the boys to approach him. He knows theoretically that Kurt has a nephew the same age as Kadin, but he’s never seen him with kids before, and after ten minutes of initial hesitance on the boys’ behalf they’d been all over him and Kurt had let them. Seeing them like this, his family and Kurt, is uplifting, and exactly what he needs.
He hears the click of Greg’s camera and gives him the finger.
TWB
It’s not summer. They can’t sit at the side of the field and watch training in comfort. Instead he finds himself in a nearby coffee shop with Mercedes. And Greg. They haven’t exactly hit it off, and he’s given up trying to act as peace keeper. He’d forgotten just how vicious and defensive Mercedes can be if she thinks she’s being attacked. He knows Greg meant the compliment, trying to convince her is another matter all together. They’re bickering, trading insults, and Greg can apparently give as good as he gets, and any other time he’d just sit back and be amused, but right now he can’t hear it. Wants peace and calm.
“Can you both just shut up? Please? Talk about the fucking weather or something.”
He wants to rest his head on the table. Or bang it on the table. He’s undecided. He can feel them both looking, but he determinedly stares at the painting on the wall, ignoring them until Mercedes makes a pithy comment about the fact that it isn’t raining. Greg agrees and he relaxes, turning to look at him. They both look far too amused for their own goo and he realises his mistake. Allowing them to bond over their mutual amusement of him. He scowls.
“Don’t do that, you’ll get wrinkles,” Mercedes says, and Greg snorts and then quickly starts coughing. Kurt glares at both of them.
“I don’t have wrinkles. Anyway, why don’t we talk about something nice, like your wedding.”
He’s said the right thing, because it prompts Greg into asking to see the ring, and suddenly they’re talking about photography, and he’s recommending a friend. Kurt’s amused. He’s not usually invested in weddings. Only when they involve people he loves does he actually care enough to pay attention to all the small details. Like his Dad. Or Finn. Or Mercedes. He’s know talking about a boutique winery in the south of France which has a cottage that would make a great honeymoon destination.
He hides a grin as Mercedes’ eyes bug out of her head. He knows she hasn’t considered honeymooning overseas, despite his obviously far too subtle hints that maybe her and Mike could go to Scotland and see where he grew up. She instantly throws up the cost as a barrier and Greg is shaking his head, saying it would be free, they could consider it a wedding gift. Kurt has to bite back laughter, because he knows Greg isn’t even on the guest list. Then he offers to be the photographer, saying that while he’s not a professional wedding photographer, he’s sure he could manage shots she’d be happy with.
Mercedes looks like she’s been hit by a train, but Kurt knows what Greg is capable of artistically, and if Mercedes wants to go to France for her honeymoon then getting a photographer for free will ease up money to go towards airfares. He nods and accepts Greg’s offer, telling him they can go over possible locations for photos. Mercedes is looking slightly mutinous, but he knows he can talk her round easily enough.
TWB
All things considered it’s been a better day than he could have hoped for. Jen had come and picked the kids up when she had finished work, looking tired and drained. She’d assured him it was just her pregnancy tiring her out, but he’s seen her go through two pregnancies before, and she’d never looked this bad before. He knows better than to say anything to her though, because he’s not stupid; telling a woman she looks like shit is not a way to endear them to you. She’d been more concerned about him, and he knows Karen probably called her. Or Mike. He knows someone did, because she wouldn’t have let him ruin the boys routine so readily otherwise. She’d hugged him tightly when she left and he knows he has the best family and friends possible.
Training had gone well, he’d been pushed physically, knows he will sleep well tonight. Dinner with the team afterwards is going well, Greg being welcomed back, asked about his brother. He can tell Kurt and Greg are becoming friends, not close friends, but enough that they can clearly hold a conversation between them for an extended period of time. It hits him then that they might be talking about him, and he’s tempted to shuffle back to his seat so that he can hear what they’re saying but he’s stopped by a hand on his arm. Mercedes.
“Hey, how’re you?”
“I think I should be asking you that, but I’m good. Greg is nice. You have good taste in men.”
“So do you,” Dave replies with a grin, and it feels good to be joking, like he can pretend just for a little while.
“Yes, I do. Mike’s pretty fantastic, I have to agree.” She pauses, eyes flicking to Kurt and back to him. “I like Kurt being here. It’s nice seeing him so regularly.”
“Yeah. We’re lucky he can work remotely and that he has your place to work from.” He knows he should feel lucky, that one or two weeks a month should be enough, but he’s greedy, he wants more. “Yeah, Kurt’s pretty much the one calling all the shots,” he admits, and Mercedes doesn’t look surprised.
“That’s what worries me. Don’t let him call all the shots okay? He needs someone who will stand up to him just as much as he needs someone to stand by him.”
He nods. He knows what she means.
“Anyway, this isn’t why I wanted to talk to you. I have a…question.”
The way she says it and glances nervously at Kurt immediately makes him tense. He can’t think of anything that she could ask that would be bad, especially given what a staunch supporter she’s been of them both so far. She’s chewing her lip nervously, the freshly applied lipstick being nibbled away.
“Shoot.”
“Can I bring a friend to dinner on Saturday? He’s more a friend of Kurt’s, but he’s coming to Chicago to surprise him, spend some time with him before he leaves for London…”
“Blaine.”
“Yes.”
He sighs. Reminds himself he is no longer an irrational teenager. It would be completely hypocritical to be upset about Kurt spending time with Blaine when his own ex is a fucking house guest for the week.
“Of course, bring him to dinner. I always have the spare for this type of reason. When does he arrive?”
“Tomorrow night. He’s staying at my place and was just going to be there Thursday morning when Kurt turned up to work…”
“Except now he wants to come to a funeral with me…His work plans are completely shot to hell this week…”
“He’ll live. He’s a bog boy. I think being there for you is more important to him this week.”
He sighs again, and he knows she’s right, but it doesn’t stop the guilt creeping in.
“If you can drop Blaine off at my apartment before eight on Thursday I’ll arrange breakfast for them, so they can catch up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’ll keep me busy.”
“Okay, if you change your mind though you let me know okay?”
“Sure thing.”
TWB
Dave’s return to work the next day is subdued. Everyone in the precinct knows, the atmosphere is predatory, and he knows that while he’s no longer involved in the actual police work, the officers who are will ensure they tie this case closed with a tidy ribbon to present to a judge or jury. They will hunt, and they are out for blood.
Karen is already at her desk and she’s holding a photo in her hand. He doesn’t need to look to know and he watches in silence as she gets up and sticks it to the wall with dozens of others; photos of children they have saved and lost. They have saved far more, and that’s what he needs to remind himself of, everyday. He knows the work he does is valuable, some of the kids he’s helped still sending him letters and photos, all which help him make it through the weeks like this.
There’s a knock at their office door and the Captains’ assistant is standing there, and Dave knows they’re being called into the office.
“When you have a moment Dave, the Captain would like to see you.”
He nods and turns to Karen as the assistant walks away.
“I already saw him this morning. He caught me as I came through the doors. Our psych appointments have been moved to next week.”
He’s not surprised by that. If it hadn’t been moved for him he would have moved it. He needs to talk, offload his guilt, talk through the case, and while he knows Kurt would listen, he doesn’t want Kurt knowing the details. Wants, selfishly, to have this ugly part of his work kept separate, not to protect Kurt, because he’s more than strong enough to take it, but he shouldn’t have to.
He knocks on the glass door and is waved in by his Captain, a man in his mid-fifties who has always reminded his of Coach Tanaka, except competent.
“You wanted to see me sir?”
“Yes. I just wanted to express my condolences. I know it’s all lip service, but if you need to talk, I’m here. I said the same thing to Karen. You need time off, you got it. You two always get hit hard when this type of shit happens.”
“It’s been a difficult case sir.”
“Mmm. I know. We’ll get them though.”
“I know we will sir. I can’t afford to think otherwise.”
“Good. Well, there was another reason I wanted to see you. Was going to give this to you on Monday to look through, but in the light of everything that has happened you’re getting it now. Just…take your time and look through it. I know you’ve never shown any interested before, but I mentioned it in passing to Karen earlier, and she said you might actually be interested this time, so, give it a look through. Let me know what you think. It’s a draft, so everything is open to change or negotiation. No rush.”
Dave accepts an official CPD folder, curious as to the contents, but knows that today is not the day. He and Karen have a report to write, interviews to do, and prepare mentally for the funeral tomorrow.
TWB
“You never made me this type of breakfast…” Greg states, and Dave can almost hear the pout, and sure enough when he turns around Greg is standing there, pouting, sleep pants slung low on his hips and t-shirt so old it has holes in it. In fact, he’s pretty sure it’s one of his old ones. Not a fact he’ll be pointing out to Kurt.
“Yeah well, it’s not actually for Kurt either. He generally just eats fruit for breakfast. His friend Blaine is turning up, I said I’d make breakfast so the can eat and catch up…”
“What?”
Dave looks up, and Kurt is standing there, already showered and dressed, but just wearing his jeans and one of Dave’s shirts. That makes three of his shirts in the kitchen. It’s almost a hysterical thought, and he realises he’s just ruined Blaine’s surprise visit, unless…
“What did you say about Blaine turning up?”
Nope. No such luck that Kurt hadn’t actually heard him. His eyes dart around the room, and he can’t come up with a convincing lie. And he’s useless at lying anyway, so he just shrugs.
“Blaine arrived last night. He wants to catch up with you before he moves, and this is closer than LA. It’s meant to be a surprise.”
“I will act sufficiently surprised when he turns up. I’m still coming to the funeral though.”
“Yeah, I figured you would. Hence my suggestion that he come for breakfast.”
“What’s he going to do all day?”
“Well, it’s only for a couple of hours, and I’m sure Greg can keep him occupied.”
Greg grins and wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, Kurt rolls his eyes and then the buzzer sounds.
“I can’t answer it, I’m meant to be getting surprised, remember?” Kurt states, and it’s Dave’s turn to roll his eyes. He motions with his head for Greg to go and let them in to the building and once he leaves the kitchen Kurt moves forward, arms wrapping around him, body pressed against the length of his and he leans back into him.
“I know it’s completely inappropriate timing, but you’re really hot when you’re cooking.”
“I cook all the time…”
“I know.”
Dave laughs, stealing an awkward side-angled kiss before going back to the food. Greg re-enters the kitchen and Kurt pulls away from him, pouring himself a glass of juice. There’s a knock on the door and Greg turns to Kurt.
“Your turn.”
TWB
Kurt represses another eye roll and walks to the front door, trying to practise his ‘surprised!’ face. He opens it and sure enough Blaine is standing there, grinning broadly and Kurt doesn’t even try to act surprised, suddenly just glad to see another friend. He wraps his arms around him and hugs, grins into his neck.
“He told you didn’t he…”
“No. He was telling Greg and I overheard.”
“Overheard or eavesdropping?”
“I never eavesdrop!”
“Kurt, you’re one of the nosiest people I know. Just own it…”
“I wasn’t. I was just walking into the kitchen and heard your name…anyway, come in. Sorry. It’s good to see you.” He takes Blaine’s jacket and hangs it up.
“It’s good to see you too. Chicago obviously agrees with you.”
“Yeah. I’m starting to feel less like a visitor and more like a local. Helps that Mercedes is here as well.”
“I suppose it does. Right, lead me to breakfast. If it tastes as good as it smells…”
“It does. From the looks of it Dave’s made something of everything, not sure what you like…”
“Why didn’t he just ask you?”
“Because it was meant to be a surprise. Anyway, Blaine, you know Dave, and this is Greg, he’s staying for the week. He’s based in London actually. Blaine’s moving there in a couple of months…” he stops talking, suddenly taking in Blaine’s suddenly paler face, slack-jawed expression and slightly-glazed eyes.
“Blaine? Are you okay?”
“You’re Greg Peterson, the underwear model…I used to walk under you twice a day to and from work…”
“That’s where I recognise you from!” He doesn’t add that that monster sized poster featured in so many of Blaine’s fantasies. He has to bite his tongue from saying anything. Or laughing.
“Uh, yeah. That was a while ago. My name’s actually Greg Browne.”
Greg doesn’t look overly pleased at being recognised, although Kurt’s not sure why, it’s not like he was in a porn film. Blaine is trying to act cool, but is failing miserably in Kurt’s eyes, whereas Greg just looks awkward. Embarrassed and uncomfortable. Maybe leaving them together isn’t such a good idea.
“Come on, foods up. Take a plate to the table.”
Breakfast passes uneventfully, with Greg relaxing once Dave and Kurt start talking, and Kurt just wishes Blaine would stop with the excited eyebrow waggle. He works with Broadway stars, he shouldn’t be acting like a sex-starved… huh. That’s probably the problem.
He lets out a long sigh, feels Dave’s hand stroke his thigh, eyes concerned. He shakes his head, smiling softly. Greg is cold and stand-offish when Blaine tries to engage him in conversation, particularly about London, but he’s polite enough. Blaine doesn’t seem to notice, not having a comparison, but Kurt knows Greg well enough, even after just five days, that he doesn’t like Blaine overly much. Ah well, can’t win them all. He likes Greg, and he knows Dave will tolerate Blaine, even just for his sake, but having Greg and Blaine like each other might prove to be a pipe dream.
