Chapter Text
Joe's black van pulled up to curb in front of the airport with Iris jumping out as soon as the car had stopped. She went to open the side door to reveal Barry struggling out of his seatbelt. Joe rushed to the trunk to grab the wheelchair. Once Barry was settled and his bags were on the ground Iris spoke.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes. I need sometime to get out for a while. There's no use in moping around here." He seized their hands and looked them both in the eyes. "I need this."
"Okay, I trust you on that." Joe clapped him on the shoulder
"But call if you need us and when you get in, okay?" Iris squeezed his hand.
He squeezed back.
"Of course."
He started to roll himself and his bags to the entrance.
"See you in a week, Bear."
Barry gave a wave.
"I almost didn't recognize you from behind."
"Lady Hummel!!"
Kurt's eyes glared down at him.
"Right, being civil. Hi Kurt long time no see." Barry stuck out his hand for a handshake.
Kurt's eyes just narrowed more and he shrugged his designer satchel further up his shoulder. Barry's fake smile faltered.
"Let's just board the plane, shall we?"
After handing their tickets to the kiosk and getting them verified, they meandered side by side down the bland hall leading down to the plane. Kurt nervously glanced at Barry’s struggling face as he kept his focus on not rapidly crashing down the ramp. Once in first class Kurt finally spoke again.
"Do you need some help getting into the seat?"
"No. Just could you hold the chair steady."
"Sure"
Kurt took hold of the handles while Barry shuffled to the edge. He stuck out his hand on the plane seat and proceeded to move his upper body from once seat to the other before lastly lifting his dead legs from the shelves on the wheelchair. Kurt folded up the chair and handed to the flight attendant that had been hovering nearby. Barry gave a relived sigh once he was seated.
"Thanks. It usually doesn't go that smoothly."
Kurt sat down in his seat beside Barry.
"Yeah, I've heard the horror stories from Artie and Quinn."
"Artie and Quinn?"
"Yeah, they'll be at the reunion too." Kurt noticed the blank look Barry was giving him, "the kid in a wheelchair and the blonde cheerleader."
"Oh!” A look of recognition flashed across Barry’s face. Then confusion, “Wait! I thought this was a Warbler reunion. That’s what Blaine told me."
"Oh I'm going to kill him later" Kurt thought. "Yes and no. It's a Warbler and New Directions reunion. Blaine set it up because Dalton is still out of commission. He thought why not do it together and everyone get some friendly competition, I think." Kurt grimaced.
"Oh… Well that's not a bad idea."
Kurt just looked at him strangely. "I would have thought you might have a more negative view on it."
"Nah, I mean, I deserve to be give a bit of hard time over the slushie incident."
"You do."
Silence reined as the plane took off.
"At least you're remorseful."
Rachel and Blaine walked into the baggage claim to Kurt and Sebastian bickering. As they crept closer Kurt started using his arms to express his emotions. In reaction Sebastian's face turned a darker red than it already was with his vein popping from his neck. Just as suitcase whizzed by, Kurt grabbed the plain luggage and slammed the wheels on the ground. Sebastian had an aneurysm at that. Both increased their squawking ten fold till Sebastian rolled over Kurt's foot with his wheelchair.
"Wow!" Blaine said, stepping in to intervene, "I thought I said be civil!"
"I can get my bag myself!!!" "I was just trying to help out!!!"
"Not all at once please!"
Sebastian and Kurt scowled.
"Rachel?"
"Man in the wheelchair first." Rachel said gesturing to Sebastian.
Sebastian put a hand to his chest in mock hurt.
"Rachel, I'm hurt you don't recognize me!"
Rachel blinked slightly taken back.
"Sebastian?! Is that really you?" They hugged. "Blaine mentioned you were coming and I didn't know what to think. What happened?" She said looking down at the wheelchair. "I'm sorry, that's rude."
"No it's fine. I'll talk once we get settled at the hotel. Either way," Sebastian grabbed his case and attached it to the back, "let's get to the car."
Sebastian rolled off with Rachel guiding him to Blaine’s car.
Blaine grabbed Kurt's rolling suitcases before hugging him from behind.
"~oh, somebody loves you~"
Blaine sang into Kurt's ear. Kurt squirmed but beamed.
"There's the smile I fell in love with."
"Oh, shush."
"Thank you," Blaine kissed Kurt's cheek, "I know this is hard."
Kurt rubbed his cheek into Blaine.
"Not as hard as I thought."