mess of sixteen measure soundbites

[likesboys]

It takes a while for Kurt to start accepting that things have gone back to normal. Honestly, he's not sure that he's quite there yet. He's not sure whether or not he'll ever be. But if there's one thing that's changed since the last strange series of events in Darrow, it's that this time, Kurt's better learned how to ignore. How to compartmentalize. How to stamp down on panic just enough to go about one's day before letting the reins loose a little more at night. His pillow has seen any number of tears over the past couple of weeks, mostly from fright, but things are going back to normal, and it'd be a waste not to take advantage of that.

So he does.

He breathes, for a while.

And part of that is helped by taking greater initiative in the workplace. As much as Kurt loves his classes, it's in the clothing store where he feels most immediately comfortable, sure of himself and in his ability to pick the best clothes for each person who walks in. He's tended to any number of pretty thin blondes by now. He's seen the bombshell redheads, he's addressed the brunette belles — old hat. Reminds him, almost, of Ohio.

What really excites him is when someone of a less conventional appearance comes in for a spin. Such as the broad-shouldered, tan-skinned young man who steps into the store.

"Well hello, gorgeous," Kurt greets with a smile, perhaps taking a bit of a liberty, but definitely not leering. (Why would he, when he has the boyfriend that he does?) "Is there anything I can do to help you today?"

Comments

[uncritical]

Moving into the clothing store - the largest since he'd arrived in Darrow, having spent most of his early months finding wherever would be the cheapest - Bolin is instantly distracted. And a little overwhelmed.

Though he does his best not to let it show on his open face, gently smiling as he makes his way over to the first person to acknowledge him. Strangely a comfort is that it seems to be a guy around his own age. A little taller, a little older, but better than the middle-aged women he's become used to dealing with by necessity. Somehow better.

"Please," he says, hands folded behind his back. "Yes. Actually. I've been saving up some money and ... there's someone I want to show a good time. Like a date sort of situation. And I just want to go for the whole experience, you know, dinner and a good suit. But one that doesn't make me look stuffy. I mean, I want to go for the whole experience, but I still want to be myself. Just myself who is not wearing this."

He gestures down to the clothing he's wearing, jeans and a button-down, faded in just the right spots to shout that they'd been through the wash more than enough times.

[likesboys]

"Oooh, you've come to the right person," Kurt assures the young man with a nod, looking every bit as excited for the prospect as he feels. The art of fashion, of balancing self-expression and making someone look good, might be one of the most enjoyable experiences Kurt can imagine sharing with another person. Fashion knows no bounds. There's always a time for it. "I'm Kurt, by the way."

Reaching out in Bolin's general direction, Kurt makes sure not to actually make contact with Bolin's shoulder — much as he prefers that kind of tactility, he doesn't want to somehow unnerve a potential customer.

"You should tell me a little about yourself. Suits come in so many different styles, colors, and so forth. I'm fairly sure that we can make just about anything work for you with a bit of altering, but I want to make sure that it is you first."

[uncritical]

This guy certainly looks like the right person, with the way he's dressed himself - Bolin can admit, if he'd ever had the funds, he'd have gone for something the same himself, something a little more buttoned up, but still casual. He smiles broadly.

"Bolin," he says, allowing himself to be fluidly led in the direction Kurt is ushering both of them in. "I like green," he shrugs slightly. "I like vests. I like stuff in layers, in case I get too hot. Or too cold. I do sports for a living. What I'm really looking for is something I can wear out to town a couple nights a week. Maybe with a girl?"

[likesboys]

"I have a certain special someone in my life who's also a big fan of vests, and I'm personally the biggest fan of layers. Quickest way not only to be practical given the weather, but also to have a bunch of different looks stowed away in your pocket. If you're mindful about it, all you'd need to do is shrug off a layer or two to give yourself an entirely new appearance," Kurt considers, a slightly contained beam on his face as he pivots Bolin to the side of the store, eyes immediately roving over hunter and pea greens. "But, okay. You want versatile. I can manage that."

Quickly thumbing through the rack, Kurt first holds up a plaid, olive-toned sportcoat, holding it up to Bolin's shoulders with a thoughtful look.

"Earthy tones seem to suit you," he muses, before glancing up to meet Bolin's gaze with a grin. "So, I assume this girl's pretty special to you, if you're coming to a shop like this to find the right clothes."

[uncritical]

Only about half of what Kurt says sinks in, not because Bolin doesn't care - he's cared about his appearance for some time - it's hard not to, when it's about the only thing you have to your name. So he cares about what Kurt's saying, cares about the advice from experience it's clearly carrying with it.

But when he slips one arm at a time into the coat held up to him to try it on (he might as well), it isn't the coat preoccupying him most about the conversation with Kurt.

"Korra's the specialist. You have someone from home here? Or are you talking about someone you met here?"

It's hard to ignore any mention that might mean more evidence for more people being reunited. Because it's all more evidence that might support Bolin's hope that, eventually, everyone he needs to be with him is with him again. The where matters least.

[likesboys]

"You're not from around here," Kurt says, softer than an accusation as he tends to Bolin's collar, making sure it's without creases and folded expertly to make use of the fabric. While not particularly stressed in the first place, this new knowledge has Kurt's shoulders relaxing a little as he nods, a slightly contained smile on his lips. "My boyfriend here is from home. He arrived a few weeks after I did, and from a completely different time, but... definitely from home."

His gaze drops down bashfully before Kurt helps Bolin pivot in front of a mirror.

"So, your Korra, I assume the same for her? It's always really heartening to hear when couples arrive here together, or one right after the other. Even though I don't trust the rest of the city nearly enough."

[uncritical]

"Uh-uh," Bolin agrees, just as softly as Kurt turns him in front of the mirror. "Pretty sure I'm a little further not from around here than most of the people I've met." And even Bo isn't quite sure of everything that that means, but he's doubly distracted -- by the jacket he's been put in, probably the second nicest thing he's ever worn.

And, of course, by what Kurt's saying once it sinks in.

"We're not a couple," he's quick, and awkward, to point out. "I just like her. A lot. You've got a boyfriend? Are you serious? Like a boyfriend where you're seeing a guy kind of boyfriend, or am I misinterpreting something here? That happens sometimes."

[likesboys]

"Ah," Kurt says, trying his best not to let his sudden unease show — both at having been too presumptuous about the young man's relationship with his date, and at the sudden judgment that he feels cast upon himself for being homosexual. Maybe it makes Bolin uncomfortable. Maybe he shouldn't have blurted it out like that. It's not his job to force that type of ease and familiarity on the customers, after all.

Bolin hasn't said anything outright mean, after all.

"Yes, a boyfriend where we're in a romantic relationship. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," Kurt says quietly, jaw tightening for a moment before he pats Bolin's jacket again to smooth out a couple of wrinkles.

With his luck, Bolin might want another salesperson to help him.

[uncritical]

"Why shouldn't you have brought it up?" he asks, with honest confusion written in the twist of his brows and the way his mouth turns diagonal.

Biting his lip, he shrugs as Kurt pats at his jacket. "It's whatever it is. I barely even know you. I can't really get off judging you. Not unless you've been a jerk -- which you haven't, I'm just saying, I excuse myself when people deserve it. But all you deserve is a congratulations. And a sale, if you can keep making me look this good." He tries to put a smile on again, mostly succeeding. "Although, to be fair to myself, it's not like I'm giving you very particularly challenging material to work with, if you know what I mean."

[likesboys]

"Because usually when people ask me if I'm serious about dating a man, what follows isn't the most polite or easy to weather," Kurt answers, the reply just as honest as the question as his eyes remain opened slightly wider than is comfortable. But the rest of Bolin's words are somewhat placating, and Kurt quickly finds his center again, glancing briefly down at the floor before straightening his shoulders and sorting through the racks for a few more pieces that might find a good home in Bolin's wardrobe.

"You're right, though. You're not hard material to work with. I envy people who aren't as... pink as I am. There are so many colors that look good on you that I would never dream of wearing," Kurt admits softly.

[uncritical]

"Well I want you to know," Bo says earnestly, face turning apologetic as Kurt's eyes stay wide, almost startled, for a few seconds too long. Something about the hunted expression makes him feel guilty, but more than guilty, he feels defensive for Kurt's sake. A person shouldn't need to be forced into a position where they've got to make an expression like that.

"I'm polite and easy to weather and would you like to hang out with me sometime? After you sell me clothes that I can wear to go out to places that aren't casual family dining restaurants. I mean just as friends. Not as a thing. I have a thing -- I mean a girl, I have a girl I want to have a thing with. But I want to make it up to you. I think what I said wasn't the right thing."

[likesboys]

Aside from that brief show of surprise, there's really nothing about this guy that Kurt feels like he needs to be necessarily wary of. He's saying the right things, smiling a wide smile, a welcoming picture all his own that Kurt can't help but feel somewhat drawn to. It's the sunny personality, Kurt thinks. There weren't too many of them in glee club, frustrated outcasts and divas that they were; Kurt only wonders what happened in this guy's past to make him so widely accepting.

He doesn't seem like he has to be.

"Ah, sure. We can hang out," Kurt nods, crossing his arms loosely in front of his waist. "What are your general interests? There are a couple of pretty good theater groups that aren't too pricey, or... a fairly wide array of restaurants to dine at."