Author's Note:

Hello and welcome to my newest story. So this one's a little different. The chapters are shorter and the story is broken up into Acts. I'll be posting the chapters of each Act weekly on Sundays, then taking a couple weeks break in between each Act. I won't start posting an Act until it's complete. Act 1 is five chapters long.

I never thought I would write a Kid!Klaine story but I should know by now I always write what I say I never will. I hope you enjoy it.

Only one warning: Character death (canon)

Curtains Up

August 19, 2001

Kurt wiggled and giggled in his red seat, his merchandise and playbill in his hand and his jaw dropping at the enormity of the Imperial Theatre. The show hadn't even started yet, but the theater buzzed with excitement and the cacophony of sounds coming from the orchestra warming up only a few rows in front of them made Kurt's body thrum with anticipation.

"Kurt darling," his mother whispered next to him in his ear. "If you don't settle down during the show you're going to distract the actors." Her voice had an airy amusement to it and it only made him fidget more.

"If you don't settle down you're not going to get the chance to distract the actors because I'm going to take you right out of this theater," his father warned on the other side.

Kurt froze and looked up at his Dad. His face was serious, but his eyes still sparkled and Kurt knew what that meant. He was in trouble but he wasn't really in trouble. His pale cheeks grew pink and he flipped his feet in front of him, sitting properly on the seat with his hands folded in his lap. "I'm sorry, I'm just so excited!" he said, grinning up at his Dad.

Burt smiled down at him and ruffled his hair. "I know you are son. And we got you these tickets for your birthday because we thought you were a big enough boy at 8 to behave at a show, so prove us right," he said.

"Especially since you're already 8 and 3 months now," Elizabeth smirked and pulled Kurt in for a hug as best she could in the theater's seats. Kurt smiled and snuggled into her side. She was warm and smelled of her perfume which was really the best smell in the whole world and part of him wanted to just brush his fingers through her hair like he did when he was younger but he was too old for that now.

The houselights started to dim and he bounced slightly in his seat again before his father's hand on his thigh settled him. He couldn't believe he was finally here, his first Broadway show, Les Miserables, the one he'd been listening to in the back of his mother's car for as long as he could remember. He'd been asking for two years and they hadn't thought he was old enough, and truth be told they still didn't really think he was old enough. Burt had every intention of covering his eyes during some scenes. But finally they could no longer stand his constant whining and begging and handed him the envelope with the tickets at his birthday party in May. And now as the curtain came up on the Chain Gang, the steady beat of "Look down!" pounding in his ears, he sat absolutely mesmerized.

Kurt was pretty sure he stopped breathing when Young Cosette sang Castle on a Cloud. It was one of the first songs he had ever learned and he sang it on nearly a daily basis in his bedroom at night, staring out the window into the darkened sky. The song meant everything to him and he thought that if the show stopped there he would be happy forever.

That was until his heart stopped and his face blushed red. He thanked the heavens the theater was dark and his parents couldn't see him, but as he stared at the cutest and most talented boy he had ever seen in his entire short life up on that stage, he had to all but resist the urge to gasp. Hints of curls peaked out beneath the adorable cap Gavroche wore and between his voice and his presence on that stage, Kurt saw absolutely no one and nothing else for the rest of the show. When the shots rang out into the theater and Gavroche choked out his final words before falling, Kurt wept and his mother gathered him in her arms, not understanding at all the impact that boy's death had on him. For a moment, Kurt felt like his whole world was over.

Finally Young Cosette and Gavroche came out for their curtain calls and Kurt screamed and jumped up and down and clapped like they were his best friends and he thought, just for a second, that Gavroche caught his eye and smiled. Kurt smiled back but the boy was already looking up at the balcony, beaming at his audience and Kurt suspected he had imagined the whole thing. It didn't matter though. This had been the most incredible day of his life.

He grabbed his merchandise and his mother's hand and pulled her. "Come on, I want to go to the stage door!" he shouted. His mother laughed and allowed herself to be led out of the theater and to the gated section near the side of the building. His father followed after them.

The sun was bright overhead, a hot day even for August, but the wind blew gently to cool them. Kurt was dressed in his finest slacks, a button down shirt, and a black and blue bowtie with just a touch of red highlight to perfectly match the Les Miserables poster. He was bouncing on his toes, unable to keep still as he leaned against the barrier, waiting. His mother and father stood behind him, glowing at his enthusiasm. He held his poster and his Sharpie in his hand and swallowed a scream when the actors finally started coming out. He tried hard to pull it together. Just because he was a child didn't mean he had to act like one. One by one, the chorus went down the line signing, then Marius and Eponine. Kurt squeaked out his praise and quietly asked for autographs and the actors were happy to oblige. Finally the boy who played Gavroche stepped out, a huge smile on his face, and Kurt's heart began beating frantically. He cleared his throat, humming to make sure his voice still worked through the emotions he didn't understand, and rehearsed in his head what he was going to say.

And then the boy was standing right in front of him smiling and reaching a hand out for his poster and pen and Kurt's hands were shaking. "You were incredible," Kurt managed, his voice far breathier than he would like. If he'd thought the boy was gorgeous on stage he was even more stunning in person, a thick mop of short black curls on his head, the most beautiful honey golden eyes, and an adorable face that twinkled with warmth and a hint of mischief. "Could you sign my poster, um…" Kurt blushed. In all the excitement, he'd forgotten to look up the boy's name.

"My name is Blaine," the boy smiled, his gaze lingering on Kurt's face, or was that just his imagination, and took Kurt's marker.

"Kurt," he answered. His eyes fell to the ground with embarrassment. He was sure Blaine didn't care what his name was.

"It's nice to meet you Kurt," Blaine said handing the marker back, but he didn't move, his smile bright. "Did you enjoy the show? I saw you in the audience during the curtain call."

"Oh yes!" Kurt answered, eyes wide. "I've been listening to Les Mis since probably before I could even sing along, but seeing it in person was incredible."

"I know," Blaine said and draped his arm over the rail, leaning against it. "I felt the same way the first time I saw it. What's your favorite song?"

"Castle on a Cloud," Kurt grinned, his cheeks no doubt getting even redder. "That and On My Own, but I'm a soprano, so…"

Blaine's eyes widened with intrigue, his head cocking to the side. "Do you perform?"

"Blaine, we need to get going," a woman called and Kurt looked up as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come on sweetheart, we need get your things and go home."

Kurt thought for a moment that Blaine's face fell but then it lit up again with an idea. "Hey Kurt, why don't you come backstage with me while I get my stuff?"

Kurt gasped with excitement and turned to his parents. "Can I Mom?" he begged.

"Blaine, I don't think that's a good idea…" the woman said.

"Kurt, I don't know that you're really allowed…" his mother said.

"PLEASE MOM!" Kurt and Blaine both begged.

The people around them were watching and the adults eyed one another while Kurt and Blaine looked at each other hopefully until they heard all three of their parents sigh.

"Fine, but we're just getting your things and leaving," said Blaine's mom.

"Fine Kurt, but only for a few minutes," Kurt's mom said.

"Yay," both boys yelled and jumped up and down.

"We'll meet you at the side door and let you in," Blaine shouted.

Kurt ran ahead, his Mom and Dad yelling behind him to wait and the side door opened, allowing them backstage of the Imperial Theatre. Kurt's jaw dropped in awe from the moment they entered and then Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand and ran him down the hall to the dressing rooms. The parents shouted at them both, but neither boy listened and the grownups didn't chase after them.

"So can you really sing?" Blaine asked as he gathered up the school books that were strewn across his dressing table and threw them in his backpack.

"What?" Kurt asked, his attention brought back from just staring at his surroundings. He'd never really been backstage of any theater before, not just a Broadway one. It was incredible, and he never wanted to leave. "Oh yeah, I guess," he shrugged bashfully.

"Let me hear you," Blaine said. He zipped up his makeup bag and turned to look at Kurt.

Kurt stared at himself in the mirror. He didn't know what was happening here, how this could possibly be true. He was pretty sure he was about to wake up from some amazing dream, so he decided to take advantage of it while he could and he closed his eyes and sang.

There is a castle on a cloud
I like to go there in my sleep
Aren't any floors for me to sweep
Not in my castle on a cloud

"Blaine Anderson what on earth is going on in here…who are you?"

Kurt opened his eyes and turned to see a girl their age, arms crossed in front of her. It took a moment for him to realize it was the girl who had played Young Cosette and again his heart raced.

"I'm…um…my name is Kurt…" he stammered, then realized he'd been singing her song. "Sorry…I mean…"

"Ignore her Kurt, she's just jealous of how good you are," Blaine smirked and took his hand. Electricity shot through Kurt's fingers but he ignored it. "This is my friend, Kurt, Kurt this is Rachel Berry. She plays Young Cosette and we go to school together too. She's like a sister to me. A very annoying sister," he added grimly.

"Humph," Rachel sniffed before holding a hand out. Kurt shook it. She had a strong grip. "I'm glad you're a boy. Not that you'd really be competition, but still glad you're a boy."

"Um, thanks?"

"Blaine, it's time to go," his mother said with an eyebrow raised, finally catching up to the boys.

Kurt's mother held her hand out for him and he reluctantly let go of Blaine's and took hers. "Well, it was really nice to meet you Blaine. I hope I get to see you again someday."

"Me too Kurt," Blaine said, though Kurt was pretty sure the wistful tone was only his imagination. His head was spinning after all. "Bye."

"Blaine, I do not know what possessed you to invite that boy backstage today." His mother brushed her fingers through his curls and tucked his blankets tight around him. "But it can't happen again."

"He was beautiful Mom," Blaine breathed and his cheeks blushed pink. "The most beautiful boy I've ever seen, and his voice…"

"Don't let your father hear you say that," she warned quickly, peering over her shoulder. "I'm serious Blaine. I had to lie to the security guards and tell them he was your friend."

"He is my friend," Blaine insisted with a pout.

Teresa Anderson smiled softly and tugged on a curl. "You don't even know his last name," she teased. Blaine frowned and turned away, snuggling into his pillow. Grownups just didn't understand.

She sighed and rubbed his back, then got up and turned the light out. She opened the door and went to pull it closed, but stopped for a moment in the doorway. "It's Hummel, by the way."

"What?" Blaine mumbled, still upset.

"His last name. We had to sign him in at the door with the security guards. It's Hummel." She left the room and closed the door behind her.

Blaine smiled and closed his eyes, hugging his pillow tight. Kurt Hummel, he thought, rolling the name over in his mind. Blaine and Kurt. Kurt and Blaine. He wanted desperately to see this boy named Kurt Hummel again and he had absolutely no idea how to find him.

Author's Note:

Let me know what you think so far! The next update will be Sunday, October 20.