Page 32 of Hurt

Well, maybe not a mature man. But grown, nonetheless.

“Noah,” Kurt called.

The kid looked up, and his lips parted in surprise. He hadn’t seen his uncle. Dropping Jamie, he blinked up at Kurt before smiling softly.

“Hi.”

“I thought you were in Switzerland.”

“Yeah, well, turns out neutrality isn’t my strong suit.”

Kurt sighed and felt a headache coming on. “What are you doing here?”

Noah dropped his bag on the floor and rested his elbows on the bar. His smile was cocksure, so full of himself, just like his father. But Kurt could see Hazel’s eyes. Soft and inviting. The kind of soulful eyes that radiated love and comfort. The familiarity took his breath away.

“I came for the view, clearly.” He waved his hand around the bar.

“You can’t be here.”

“Government says I can.” He pulled an ID card out of his wallet, slapping the laminated identification on the bar. “I turned eighteen last week. Thanks for the birthday present, by the way.”

Kurt looked down at the ID and felt his heart contract. Was Noah already eighteen? Had it been so long?

He looked from the card to his nephew and swallowed thickly. The kid had grown up good, safe. No thanks to him. Kurt had wondered about him every day. And contrary to what Noah thought, he did remember his birthday. But he had already made up his mind. The safest place for Noah was far away from him.

“Where’s Willow?” Noah asked, reaching over the bar and snagging the open jar of Maraschino Cherries Kurt had confiscated from Jamie.

“Sleeping. Put those down.” Kurt stole the jar and set it out of reach.

“You could pretend to be happy to see me.”

Kurt looked away. He was happy to see him. So happy it physically hurt. So happy that he wanted to grab him and hug him tightly. There were a thousand things he wanted to ask: How was school? Did he get into music? Was he dating? Did he make friends?

Are you happy?

But he couldn’t. He couldn’t hear it. The answers would break the fragile wall he had put up, the one he alternatively wanted to rip down and build up. It was a constant battle, reaching for his nephew while struggling with the knowledge that doing so would put a target on him.

Kurt would not let Hazel’s son pay for his sins.

“You need to go back. I’m sure Luther has college all figured out for you.”

“Oh yeah,” Noah said, dropping his chin to his hand. “Wants me to study business at some fancy school. I’m sure palms are being greased as we speak.”

“So, it’s settled.”

“No, it isn’t. I’m not going.” Noah grinned at his uncle, cheeks dimpling. “And you can’t make me.”

“I can drag you out of here kicking and screaming.”

“You can try.” Noah snapped his teeth twice. “I bite.”

Where did this kid even get this from? Wasn’t he supposed to be raised right with a fancy education?

“Oh. My. God.” Jamie giggled. It was an alarming sound coming from an adult man. “He’s like a mini Willow/Kurt combo.”

“Shut up, Jamie,” Kurt snapped.

“Who are you?” Noah asked, turning to glare at Jamie.