Notes: This is for @kurtbastianarchive’s ‘First Time’ anniversary event. Day 2:seasonal
Sebastian Smythe had several hobbies that just didn't fit in with the image Dalton needed one to have when one was trying to fit in and make little to no waves nor stick out too much. And he was already doing poorly on that request of his folks...but he wanted to be able to LIVE and not simple exist for the next two years while he was stuck in the USA. He was highly irate about that, mind you, since if he'd been allowed to stay in France he'd have been taking his major tests and been done by the end of the year.
Sebastian shook off his ire, physically, once again and continued walking through the parking lot to the hut at the front of the paths leading through out the bird sanctuary and state park just outside of Lima. He was going to enjoy his preferred hobbies even if he had to do it alone, regardless of his parent's pleas to fit in better.
The girl at the information and donations section of the booth looked bored out of her mind.
“The path on the far right is for hikers and dog walkers and anyone silly enough to go jogging in the snow. The other paths are snow shoe only until March. We would like everyone to be out of the area by sundown except for on our night outings, and those are 10 to 20 bucks, depending on the evening and what is involved and included. Sleigh rides are in the open fields from the sanctuary to Holdings Farms and back...with a 30 to 40 minute stop at the farms for treats or a tour. Those leave every hour on the hour and the cost is 20 bucks per person. The funds for the sleigh rides are split between Holdings Farms and the sanctuary all other funds stay with the sanctuary to go towards conservation programs and upkeep. There is a paper with the different events right in front of you. Have a good day.”
“No fee for just using the paths for the day?”
“Nope. If you need to rent snow shoes there is a tent behind the booth.”
Sebastian smiled as he left the opening labeled info and walked to the other side of the booth, which was filled with two other young women who were serving hot drinks and food. There were benches and logs set so people could sit to put on show shoes and...ice skates? Sebastian looked over to the large field past the logs and saw a large rustic ice rink and past that set of benches and several stools.
“Finn Hudson, if you are not going to actually join me out here, go the fuck home!”
Sebastian turned to the voice yelling.
Kurt Hummel was yelling...a Kurt Hummel Sebastian hadn't ever dreamed of seeing. The other boy had on normal jeans. In fact Sebastian was pretty certain they were LL Bean Flannel Lined, like his own...relaxed fit, if Sebastian wasn't mistaken. Kurt had on Sorels and a down filled winter coat in dark green, and a normal stocking cap and normal plaid scarf and completely normal mittens! He looked like a boy. A screaming furious boy but a boy none the less.
“But Kurt...Blaine said not to let you go do anything.”
“If Blaine wants a say in anything I do then Blaine should not have canceled our date for the sixteenth time this MONTH! He hasn't taken me out or done anything with JUST ME since I gave in and slept with him! So Blaine can just go screw himself and probably whoever he ditched me for...again. I am going snow shoeing, screw you all.”
“I'm telling your dad.”
“Go ahead. I am exactly where I am supposed to be, I was just supposed to be here with Blaine, who didn't even have the manners to call and cancel our date...instead just waited until I called him when he was 2 hours late to see what was up. I have missed the last four weeks, Finn. I have been trying to get here to go hiking for FOUR WEEKS. I am going today. Now, you can join me or go home. But if the word Blaine comes out of your mouth while you are near me for the rest of the weekend...I will ruin you.”
“But Blaine said...”
“Finn, I will show your mother your porn collection and all the sites you visit on line. And then I will show Rachel, Quinn and Santana. And I'll let Brittany see them. And she has no filter. Your quirky enjoyment of people fucking food and fucking while covered with food and fucking through things like pizzas will make it around the whole STATE!”
Finn turned so pale Sebastian could see if difference from where he was standing and reversed out of the parking lot so fast he left tire marks.
Kurt stomped over to his huge black SUV and pulled out a pair of wooden snowshoes and a backpack and poles.
He turned and slammed his vehicle's door shut.
Sebastian was slightly startled at the glare still on Kurt's face and even more surprised when it softened just a tiny bit at seeing him.
“Well, at least Blaine isn't off fucking you. Although, I can't decide if I am now more upset and worried or less. I thought it was you because all I've heard since scandals is 'Sebastian this and Sebastian that and Sebastian says....'. But now I'm wondering if he is just using you as his shield since I had such a visceral reaction to you and gave him an easy avatar to place in front of whatever he is actually doing that I could happily hate on and worry about.”
“Why did you react so strongly?”
“Do you recall your conversation?”
Sebastian shook his head. “Not really. I was hitting on him and he was dodging it without really saying no.”
“Exactly. He had finally mentioned a boyfriend and you said it didn't matter at all to you if it didn't bother him.”
“Finally?” Sebastian asked.
“I had been at the Lima Bean since before you two got there helping one of the AV kids with a mechanical issue on a cart thing they were trying to build.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, Oh. I also knew he had met you at Dalton, more than once and you were texting and talking to each other. Blaine might have ignored that I made friends there, but I didn't loose them all when I left, no matter how much Blaine tried to make sure I did. Inside info and all that jazz.”
“Look. I'm sorry about that. I mean, most of what I said doesn't work today anyway. I guess...from what I saw that day and heard from the Warblers, I would have never guessed you'd be out here or anywhere that didn't involve makeup, girly clothing, and creature comforts.”
“I am the son of a mechanic from Ohio. I've worked on cars pretty much since I could hold a tool, before I could walk...and I hunt and fish and camp and whatnot. Now, I do fish and hunt only because my dad asks it...I am not found of killing animals and I don't like most river and lake fish. Halibut is lovely, most trout taste like mud. But...I like outdoor activities. Besides...scarfs and other knit items and sweaters.”
Sebastian laughed and Kurt smiled.
“Are you trying to tell me I wasn't as off in my call as I thought?”
Kurt shrugged. “What are YOU doing here? This doesn't seem YOUR type of thing. No Caviar or Champagne or servants waiting on you hand and foot.”
“I picked up snow shoeing in France a few years ago. I like it and cross country skiing better than downhill. I saw the flier for the paths here at the sanctuary at the Lima Bean and thought this could be where I practice my 'not really posh enough for most Dalton kids' hobby.”
Kurt laughed. “And see. I figured snowshoeing would be right up their alleys. It is 'too fancy' for McKinley kids. Except Sam...he wants to learn.”
“He here?”
“Nah, had a family thing he needed to attend with his folks. Apparently not everyone in his extended family know he moved back here and they are trying to keep it that way. I don't ask.”
“So, you've been here before?”
“Yes. I spent about every other weekend out here last year and the year before.”
“Mind company?”
“Can you be as not atrocious as you are currently?”
“I'll do my best. Can I tease you if you say something way gay or girly?”
“As long as it is not about my being or person. I cannot help my voice or face. And I no longer look like a 12 yr old milkmaid, but that is still feeling like a recent development, so yeah...a bit sensitive on some things.”
“Fair enough. I did live in France and I am not back by choice for the most part so honestly, if I say anything about Europe or such today at least, it's because I miss it- not to be pretentious.”
“I think we can handle a truce for a while then.” Kurt said. “Do you have a preference to which path we take?”
“I haven't been out in nearly a year.” Sebastian said.
“We'll take the far left path. It is just over a ¼ a mile, ending at an overlook over a shallow lake which birds flock to. Very flat and mild. So, a half mile to the end and back, a good start for getting back into things. If we still want some time out we can do the one next to it as well.”
Sebastian smiled and nodded.
Kurt was a surprisingly pleasant companion for snow shoeing. They had about the same taste in how quickly to move. Kurt was packing a camera and sketchbook, but he only asked to stop long enough for a few quick sketches three times and her took photos pretty much while on the move.
Their conversations quickly turned to Dalton classes -Sebastian was taking several that Kurt had taken the year before- and teachers each liked and didn't like and other students. Sebastian had gotten the impression from Blaine and a lot of the more vocal Warblers that Kurt had kept to himself totally other than Blaine and Kurt's questions and comments and answers spoke volumes towards a different tale of his time at Dalton. Kurt asked about students Sebastian knew had nothing to do with the Warblers, like Leo from the French club and Phillip from the Debate Team.
As they came to the overlook and end of the path, Sebastian was drawn to the views and sights.
“It's lovely, isn't it. Every season here is lovely.” Kurt said, taking off his snowshoes and climbing the steps to the overlook. “This path ends here, but the third path down leads to the boardwalk area you can see across the way. The next path loops in between the two paths, traveling along a stream for a while---with a set of wooden footbridges and several picnic areas. Then the middle path and the ones to the right of it go off towards the marsh area on the far side of the forest area and then off towards Holdings Farms and the larger deeper lake. Most are a mile and a half or longer. The path that loops is ¾ a mile, and the far end of the boardwalk is a full mile and a ¼ away. All are pretty flat, at most rolling type terrain, but not terribly open...although I've never had a problem with snowshoes made for flat open terrain, because they are all well maintained paths.”
Sebastian joined him at the top, leaning on the railing and looking out over the shallow lake. “Is the ice skating rink well maintained?”
Kurt turned to Sebastian and beamed at him.
“It is decent. Weekends are better for ice-skating. And Wednesday afternoons, because the Lima's Pee Wee Skate Club has meetings Wednesday starting at 1pm and going until 4:30 and the group that maintains the rink always lays down good ice for them.”
“Would I have company if I asked?” Sebastian asked softly. “I have enjoyed hiking with you.”
Kurt smiled. “You might have to endure Sam sometimes as well.”
Sebastian shrugged. “I wouldn't mind. I could use more down to earth acquaintances.”
“Acquaintances?”
“Well, I think I need to hang out a bit more and get to know people a bit more before leaping willy nilly into friendship stage for anyone. It seems to bite me in the ass when I don't. Not to mention I have a bad habit of jumping to conclusions about people too often by not getting more of the bigger picture.”
Kurt smiled. “I can work with acquaintances for a while. Mind working towards friends?”
Sebastian smiled. “I don't. You are surprising down to earth. I expected more...high maintenance and flamboyancy in everything.”
Kurt laughed. “I can be high maintenance. And I am a bit flamboyant. I do like unusual clothing. I like vests and things around me neck, like ascots and ties and scarves. I like jewelry. I do sing girl songs...but I sing everything, when I can. I don't want you to start off looking for something you won't get.”
“And I do like to play the field. And I am spoiled rich kid without much connection to the real world.”
Kurt smiled. “Oddly enough, I am generally fine with both those things. Heck, unless you are being truly horribly nasty and mean, I'm even OK with snark for the most part.”
Sebastian laughed. “I would hope so, you are probably as snarky as I am.”
“To some. I have to rein it in most of the time though. Finn doesn't understand it and whines to his mom and my dad about me being mean and Blaine gets irate if I snark too much and Santana starts to get her feathers ruffled and acts out violently. I get tossed into lockers more when she gets testy.”
“Tossed into lockers? Like stuffed into them or...”
“Thrown against them, now at least. I used to be picked up and stuffed in them but I finally grew too big by the middle of 8th grade. Although when I say tossed into the dumpsters, I do mean put into them. That hasn't happened much for the last twp years...I grew 6 inches over the end part over 10th grade and the summer between 10th and 11th. It was too hard for them to get me into the dumpsters to make it worth while.”
“And you didn't stay at Dalton?” Sebastian asked horrified.
“Despite the general story of my leaving Dalton, the reason was because the 6 months emergency financial aid was going to be over before school was finished and I could not afford to stay without it. Going as long as I did caused several financial issues as it was. So I left when I did so I could start McKinley again when the 4th quarter started. I finished all my classes at Dalton remotely, so I got credits from those as well. It shouldn't have been such an issue...but my dad had been sick right before I had to go to Dalton, and then he married Carole..like the weekend before I ended up at Dalton, but she and Finn could NOT live in the house we had -not enough room for Finn to have without sharing with me- so we had to get a new house...and they went insane with that, and holidays, which the least said about those last year the better. And just the growing pains of combining families and such...money was very tight for a bit...at least for me.”
“And that isn't the commonly known reason you left Dalton?”
Kurt snorted. “Blaine convinced the Warblers I left so I could go to nationals with New Directions. He convinced several teachers that regardless of what the Headmaster said, I left because I was having too hard a time with the classes and was terrified I was going to fail. He convinced my old roommate I left because I hated Posh people and missed my friends. And he half convinced the counselor I left because I was desperate to be around people who were my sort of people and the wealth displayed at Dalton made me feel ashamed of myself and potentially suicidal due to the fact I could never hope to achieve it or live in that type of world. Luckily I met with him six more times after leaving Dalton and so could assure him I did not feel any of those things ever and I was OK being back at McKinley...not safe, but not as in danger as before.”
Sebastian snorted. “No one but Jeff every said anything about why you left...or why you were there...only that you 'stole' Blaine. Jeff said he thought one of the reasons you left was you worried about your dad and missed him...and you missed your job. And then Thad told Jeff he was silly, you couldn't have had a job, you were in school. Even I have held jobs while in school before, Thad is the one that is ridiculous.”
“What did you do?”
Sebastian smiled. “I worked in the mail room at my Uncle's Law firm last summer, and in France I worked at a place which did art and music classes for kids during the summers, half day...I was done by noon.”
“Did you enjoy it? I volunteered at the Lima Summer Musical Theater Camp once I was too old to participate, until last summer and the summer before. I also work at the garage. I have been doing that since forever.”
“So what, you like fix cars?” Sebastian asked.
“I do. I'm trying to get my certification to do more body work and work on big vehicles now.”
“Ok, so that just overwrote all other images of you.”
Kurt laughed. “We should probably head back, but...would you like to meet up next weekend?”
“I would. Could we skate as well?”
“I own figure skates. They are black, but they are figure skates.”
“And? That is what I have as well. Is that not the norm?”
“Nope, not with anyone I know. Finn won't let me go with any of the glee club guys when they go skating because I have girly skates and not manly skates...i.e. hockey skates.
“What about Blaine?”
“Blaine told me he doesn't skate...or do anything like that.” Kurt held up his hand as Sebastian went to talk. “I know Blaine is lying, I'm hoping he will tell me why one of these times he refuses.”
Sebastian nodded. He turned and headed back down to the path. Kurt joined him. They sat on the steps and put their snowshoes back on.
On the way back towards the parking lot they talked about musicals they enjoyed, movie and stage and what they would like to see. They talked about what they liked to sing and a shared lack of faith and religion, who their favorite artists to listen to were and who their folks' favorites were. The conversation went from music to museums and local oddity spots and other places that needed to be seen.
Sebastian was shocked at how much he felt the end of the path had come just too soon.
“Could we exchange numbers?” Kurt asked, paused right by the exit of the path to the open area that led to the parking lot.
Sebastian smiled. “Yes. Definitely. And you'll call or text?”
Kurt smiled back. “Yes. I've had fun. This could be a very good thing, I think.”
“It already is.” Sebastian said. “And you'll be free next week?”
“Definitely. I'm actually already looking forward to it.”
“And...would you be willing to other things? Like a museum?”
“Yes. I'd love to have someone who'd enjoy a museum with me.”
“Great.”
“Think we can move past acquaintances soon?” Kurt asked.
“Maybe to close acquaintances. That would be a firm step. I am sure close acquaintances do things together.”
Kurt smiled. “I am sure you are right. One question before I head off?”
“Yes?”
“Lima Bean? How should we act?”
“Snarky?”
Kurt smiled. “Yes. Yes, I can do snarky. See you later, Sebastian. Thank you.”
Sebastian watched Kurt scamper to his SUV and climb in.
He was looking forward to the coming week. It felt good to think about indulging hobbies that he hadn't had a chance to in a while. He wondered if Kurt would be up for an art museum and if he could convince Kurt to take him to the car museum he'd been talking about. And if getting Blaine and Kurt broken up would be too much rocking the boat for his parents to handle. Although, maybe he wouldn't really have to do much in that department after all...a little spying and asking around about where Blaine kept running off to, a little bit of hogging Kurt's time when Blaine canceled...and a bit of sharing of information. He could keep his close acquaintance and not rock the boat too much at the same live and have someone, maybe even more than one someone, to live life with for a while. Sebastian wondered which kid Sam was, before starting his car and heading out. He sort of hoped it was the blond one who smiled a lot. He seemed like he might be the sort of cheerful type person Jeff was and Sebastian rather liked Jeff. Maybe he should try more of this whole acquaintance thing...friend thing.
Author’s note: the other days are coming....slowly.
