Mistletoe - 1/2
May. 30th, 2012 07:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sunmontueRating: PG-13
Word count: ~3,000 words
Warnings: None
Summary: This is focussed on Mercedes & Mike an OC at Christmas in Lima in 2025. Follow on from "Cherry Blossom" or companion piece to Chapter 13 of "Tree without Blossoms". Kurtcedes friendship and Burt Hummel to be found here.
I do not own Glee.
December 2025
For reasons that elude her, Kurt had wanted to know her holiday plans. All her holiday plans. Down to the last minute detail as to when she was leaving Chicago to drive to Lima and how many nights she's staying. He knew Mike was coming, but when she'd mentioned it again he'd made a little gasping sound, before explaining hurriedly that he'd just seen a pair of boots he just had to have. Which was odd, because there hadn't been a shoe shop in sight. She suspects he's planning something, but has no idea what, and Dave's in on it, because he'd just looked ridiculously guilty when she'd mentioned Kurt's crazy-arse behaviour in passing at dinner last Friday.
Mike thinks she's imagining it, says that maybe there's something there, but what can she do? It's Kurt. And that's the biggest argument he has, because Kurt can be slightly crazy, but she knows he would do anything for her, and if he's planning some weird surprise, well, she's bound to love it. He's made her promise three hours of her time on the morning of the twenty-forth. She'd hesitated, not really wanting to leave Mike at the mercy of not only her dad, but his brothers and cousins and parents. But Kurt had an answer for that too. Dave. Dave will be in Lima and he can rescue Mike from impending death by nosey well-meaning relatives. So she'd agreed. Reluctantly and curious, because she hates not knowing.
It had been a bit weird having Kurt in Chicago, but not staying with her. It had made her feel a bit nostalgic for her high school days, having impromptu meet ups and dinners together, this time dragging along their respective boyfriend and not-boyfriend. Although she doesn't believe that for a second, because even Mike has made a passing comment along the lines of 'they're kind of crazy in love aren't they…' And she can't bring herself to disagree, because the looks they give each other, it's sweet and cute and, at times, pornographic… But Kurt had still insisted that it's complicated. She's pretty certain it's complicated only because Kurt's either being deliberately obtuse or is truly unaware of how smitten he's become…that she's a bit hazy on. She has a sneaking suspicion that he's actually completely clueless.
Thoughts of Kurt and Dave's relationship melt away as she turns the car into her street, butterflies taking flight in her stomach. She hasn't bought anyone home to meet her family in years. They all know how significant this is, and are no doubt all waiting inside, ready to pounce on Mike and no doubt rip him to shreds. At least that's how she's picturing it in her mind, and Mike has spent the five hour drive reassuring her that she's being a tad melodramatic and maybe she should stop channelling Kurt, but she's worried.
Her dad has always been protective, and since her mom died he's become even more-so. She's not sure what she'll do if he doesn't like Mike. Not that there's anything to not like, but her dad might just…not like him. She's terrified of that scenario, admitted in a quiet whisper to Kurt over coffee on Saturday. Kurt had choked but then said she shouldn't worry, that Mike would charm her dad, and he wouldn't be able to not like someone who so clearly loved his daughter. She'd blushed at that, remembering that Kurt could be a complete charmer when he wanted to be, but also hoping that he's right.
Kurt has been bubbling with excitement since Dave let it slip. When Dave had (eventually) remembered he'd let slip, he'd made Kurt promise not to tell Mercedes. And he's held true to that promise, and not told anyone. And that includes his Dad, or Cassie, or his hairdresser. No one. He feels like he is literally bursting with highly-confidential information. So he can't tell Mercedes, but he's doing the best next thing, and that's making sure her hands look fantastic when Mike slips that ring on her finger. Of course, he's doing it under the guise of a Christmas present, booking her in for a full beauty treatment, so he's sure she has no idea.
He's treating himself as well, because he has only three days in Lima before having to go back to LA on the first flight on the twenty-seventh, and even Lima has moved with the times enough that he can book himself in for a massage and not get any 'is this for your wife sir' comments. Despite his Pilates and running his back has twinged this morning, reminding him why he dislikes flying so much. And even though he spent a fair bit of time with Mercedes last week, he's looking forward to hanging out with her again today. The fact that their lives are relatively drama free at the moment makes a nice change to the usual status quo.
Mike's pretty sure he's about to throw up. He has thirty minutes before Dave is due to pick him up, and he needs to get this conversation out of the way. Mercedes has already been ferried away by a grinning and far too excitable Kurt (and that boy better keep his mouth shut). His actions tomorrow hinge completely on what Mr Jones says to him, and he feels old fashioned and out-of-date, and worried that he's going to say or ask the wrong thing…
"Mr Jones, I'd like to talk to you…"
Mercedes' father turns a level gaze on him and Mike tries to stand still, not betray how nervous he's feeling. When they'd met yesterday the man had been quiet, watching, and had made no offer to Mike to call him anything but Mr Jones. Mike can work with that. Mercedes' uncles and grandparents are all watching him, and he's starting to understand why Mercy was so nervous about leaving him alone. He's being measured.
"Sure. We can go into my den…"
Mike follows him, and the den is where he's been set up on an airbed to sleep, which he's fine with, but it reminds him that he's on this man's home turf. He runs through what he wants to say, trying it for size. He's not wanting to ask for permission, because he's going to ask her anyway, but he does want this man's approval…
"I'd…I'd like to ask for your blessing. I want to ask Mercedes to marry me…"
"Hmph. Why?"
"Why? Well, your blessing would mean a lot to Mercedes, so it means a lot to me."
"No, not that. Why do you want to marry her?"
"Oh. Apart from loving her?" He gets a short sharp nod and Mike tries to relax. Takes a deep breath. He's practised this answer too. "I…she's become one of my best friends. She makes me laugh. She makes me a better person. Did you know it took nearly three months of me asking before she agreed to go for coffee?"
Mr Jones stares at the ceiling, and Mike's pretty sure the man is smiling.
"Good. That's good. I like that. You persevered, and she's stubborn but you knew, didn't you?"
"Knew that she's stubborn? Or that she'd be worth it?" Mike replies, and fuck, he didn't mean to sound flippant or like he doesn't care, fuck…but her dad is laughing, either at him, or what he's said, but he doesn't care. Laughter is good. He hopes.
"Either. Both," Mr Jones says, and he sits down on the side of the sofa and Mike relaxes slightly.
"I knew. About both. She's amazing and wonderful and I want to make her smile every day…"
"You make her happy."
"I try. She makes me happy, so…it's easy to reflect that back to her."
"Hmm… well. If she says yes, you have my blessing."
Mike's stomach freezes. He's not actually seriously considered that she might say no. He's mentioned it jokingly in passing to Dave, but nothing he's thought seriously. They've not talked about marriage. The future? Yes. Moving in together? Definitely discussed. Marriage? Not even joked about.
"Don't worry son, she'll say yes…"
"I…I really hope so sir."
"Call me Steve."
Dave is enjoying himself, although it feels a bit odd spending time with Mike in Lima. It's like two worlds overlapping. He's invited Az to join them playing pool, and then get an early lunch before Mike has to pick up Mercedes. They've hit it off immediately, which doesn't surprise him, simply because Mike is the type of person that puts everyone at ease. Another reason why he makes a great doctor.
They're playing off against each other, one watching while the other two play, with the winner playing the guy waiting. So far Dave hasn't actually played against Az, because Mike is something of a pool-shark, and could probably pay against the both of them and still win. He's tried to teach Dave more than once, telling him it's all about angles and trajectory, and he should be better because he's good at maths. He mocks Dave when he misses an easy shot and Dave gives him the finger. When they eventually leave the pool hall Mike remains undefeated, and he's been upbeat since Dave picked him up, and Dave hadn't needed to ask to know that the talk with Mercedes' dad went well.
"Oh look… you're like the cream filling in an oreo…" Mike says, tweaking his cheek as he sits down beside him in the booth at Cookies, effectively sandwiching him between Mike and Az.
"Oh fuck off…" Dave replies and elbows Mike hard enough to jostle him and spill his drink. Mike just laughs, and Dave restrains from making any sort of sexual innuendo, figuring Az is probably uncomfortable enough as it is. He'd stiffened slightly at Mike's comment, but not moved away. Dave doesn't take it personally, the fact that he's sitting here at all is a massive step forward, and it's clear he's working on it. Mike gets up to go and get napkins to mop up his drink and Azimio is watching him. Dave keeps quite.
"He seems like a good guy…"
"Mike? Yeah. He is a good guy."
"And he's…okay with you being gay?"
"I…yeah. I mean, he wouldn't be my best friend if he wasn't," Dave states, and he sees the flash of pain on Az's face and feels bad. "His older brother is gay, so he just views it as a fact. He's black. I'm gay."
"You guys seem tight."
"Yeah, been friends since college. See each other at least twice a week…"
"So, what's he doing in Lima?"
"Oh, he's dating Mercedes Jones. Remember her?"
"Mercedes Jones…oh yeah, I remember her. So, she in Chicago then?"
"Yep. Goes to the same church as Mike, that's how they met…"
"You talking 'bout Mercy?" Mike asks, setting down another drink and a handful of napkins. Dave nods and steals the drink, taking a long sip before sliding it back across to him. It's Mike's turn to give him the finger and Dave chuckles.
"You're buying the next round," Mike mutters and Dave shrugs good naturedly.
Conversation stalls for a little bit, and it's a bit uncomfortable, Dave not sure what to say and he's pretty sure Mike has exhausted all topics of conversation in the last two hours. He's comfortable in silence with Mike, but Az is looking a bit lost, so he asks about AJ, and that just makes him light up. It sets the ball rolling again, and conversation flows after that. Their food arrives and then Mike is saying they have to leave. Before he leaves he feels Az's hand on his arm and he stops, turning, Mike ahead by several feet.
"I…I wanted to say that I'm glad you've got such a good friend…you deserve one."
His hand drops from Dave's arm, and he crosses his arms, suddenly defensive. Dave smiles ruefully and shrugs.
"A guy needs more than one friend Z."
Burt Hummel is not what he'd been expecting. He's not sure what he'd been expecting really, the way Dave's spoken of him Mike had been expecting someone…well, more intimidating maybe, but instead he's face-to-face with this friendly open-faced and overly normal looking guy. He introduces himself and is ushered inside before being offered a hot drink. He's given directions to Kurt's room, where apparently Kurt and Mercedes have regressed to being teenagers and are having a fashion show and singing. He figures that's a good sign, because he's pretty sure they'd be going through wedding magazines if Kurt had said anything.
When he knocks on the door he's not ready for what confronts him. They're both dressed in matching…space suits? Dresses? He's not entirely sure. Mercedes' outfit seems to fit her perfectly, where Kurt's outfit isn't done up properly, he obviously grown taller and broader since whenever he wore this last, although maybe it's Mercedes? He has no idea. On closer inspection the outfits aren't the same, just the colour is similar. Silver. He's fascinated, they're singing, and their voices sound fantastic together. He's heard Mercy sing before, she's in the church choir, and she sings under her breath all the time, and music is just such a massive part of her, her life and her job. Kurt though, his voice is amazing, and together they just sound breath taking. He waits for the song to come to an end (he wouldn't be able to name it if his life depended on it) and coughs, drawing their attention.
"Do I need a change of clothes before I can enter?" Mike asks, and the grin he gets from Mercedes makes his entire body thrum with warmth and happiness.
"Hey! We've just been playing dress-up…" Mercedes says, and she looks happy, relaxed and completely at ease. Beautiful his mind supplies.
"Yep, if you'd been here twenty minutes ago you would have seen us in our old cheer leading uniforms…"
"You were a cheerleader?" Mike asks, and damn it, he knows he shouldn't be interested in that, but it had kind of been his fantasy all through high school to have a cheerleader girlfriend, and instead he'd been in the math club, and science club and he knows Dave had sex before he did, because he was even more painfully shy then Dave.
"Uh huh. Should I be taking that particular outfit home with me should I?" Mercedes asks, and she's grinning delightedly and he can see Kurt pulling a face.
"Ew. You guys are sweet and in love and everything, but no mention of hetero sex in my bedroom. Out out out…" Kurt directs, , but he says it with a wide grin and an arm around Mercedes shoulders.
"Can I get changed first?"
"Oh, right. Yeah. We need to get out of these…"
"Give us a couple of minutes," Mercedes says, and she pushes him back into the hallway, closing the door in his face. He stares at it bemusedly and shrugs, turning to find Burt Hummel watching him.
"If my son were straight I'm pretty sure that would be my daughter-in-law in there…"
"Yeah, probably. They have a special bond…I'm jealous of it sometimes."
"Hmm. They've been through a lot together. Kurt speaks pretty highly of you though. He's a pretty good judge of character…"
Mike laughs, because he remembers the first time he met Kurt, the straight-up talking-to he had gotten.
"Yeah, he is. He doesn't put up with any er…thing," Mike says, and Burt grins at him, obviously figuring what he was going to say.
"No. No he doesn't. He's always been fairly strong willed. Same as Mercedes."
Mike laughs again, because he's right. He's starting to like Kurt's dad, and he can see where Kurt gets some of his personality traits from.
"Are you talking about us?" Kurt asks, opening the door and peering out at them.
"Me? Never…" Burt says, and he winks at Mike before heading up the hallway.
PART TWO
