“Tonight? Yeah- yeah tonight works.” He can do that. Now if he could just get himself to stop babbling in that nervous way he does, that would truly be something. “Where should I meet you?” He assumes they’ll be meeting, Leonard and Hartley would be so much more disapproving if he let a high school buddy know where they were staying, clueless or not. Hell Mick would probably give him a look for that.
Blaine sounded excited though, that was nice. It put Barry a bit more at ease somehow, but also not. He just might be ruining what Blaine thought would be a fun night with Sebastian, getting instead Barry’s confession that Sebastian wasn’t even real. Fantastic. He notes idly that Snart would impressed with his previous ability to lie. If only he’d held onto it, but on the spot bullshit was no longer Barry’s forte really.
“We can meet at the Stonewall if you’re interested? I can text you the address and we can go from there?” Blaine was definitely thrilled for the chance to spend time with someone he’s often thought about throughout the years since high school. They had a friendship at one point. One that was very important to him and never should have just faded with time, circumstance, and the way their lives went in opposite directions. Maybe this was a chance to fix that?
Even if it was fleeting and only lasted as long as Barry’s visit to New York City–which he hoped that wasn’t the case–it’d be worth it just to be around Sebastian again and get to know what’s happened with him. Was he happy? Safe? Successful? Blaine only ever wished him the best. Hopefully–that was exactly what Sebastian got. “I’m on my way there already. Just out the door so it’ll take me about a half an hour to be there. Is that too soon? There’s no rush.” Out the door and into the throng of foot traffic towards the subway–Blaine grinned happily down at the tops of his leather shoes. “The place is kind of my thing.”
Before coming here, Sebastian really had no idea in particular on what he was going to do for the night until he went back home. He truly DIDN’T have the objective to come straight here. It was one of those nights where he needed to run from his home for awhile, breathe in fresh air and escape the SUFFOCATION that solitude could give him at times. Sleeping was hard a lot of the times for him with all of the night terrors. So many nights, just like this one, he’d just drive endlessly through the night with music blaring. It was an ESCAPE. On this night particular? No matter how much he began to drive he didn’t feel like he was running away from ANYTHING at all. Trapped in a sense. So?? He went to the one place he KNEW he’d find someone who would spend time with him despite it being late night. Someone who made him happy and feel at home (for a reason he could never bring himself to understand). Blaine did that for him, and he played it off as is he had just casually dropped by pretty skillfully. Blaine was quick to hand out with him for someone that had a boyfriend but MAYBE that was just Sebastian’s hopeful mind talking.
One last light laughter over the fact that he’d accomplished at teasing Blaine and a SMIRK down at the texts on his phone screen before he set it aside and lounged back in his seat to wait for Blaine. Flipping down the driver seat visor in the mean time to check himself out in the mirror, gelled hair is adjusted a bit and he makes a model-esque face at himself to assure he looked hot for Blaine before flipping it back up. SURE, they were just friends but they both knew Sebastian would forever want MORE. They were at the point where it didn’t affect their friendship though; Though had it ever?? Eyes glance over to see Blaine making his way to the car, and the Warbler finds himself grinning like an IDIOT all the way until he passenger door is opened. Blaine is greeted with a look that read more than happy to see him. Sebastian always tried to play it cool and be subtle like he’d accomplished at before but at times like this he’s a smiling mess. ❝ What can I say, buddy? I missed my favorite – and the ONLY tolerable – McKinley boy. Get in, sleepy head. You look like you just smoked a joint. ❞ A playful laugh leaves his lips, a pair of fingers tightening around the wheel.
What never ceases to make Blaine feel so amazed by the boy in the driver’s seat is the fact that when Sebastian looks at him? He looks at him like Blaine’s never seen him look at anyone else. There was a light in Sebastian’s eyes that Blaine knew wasn’t there when he started out on his late night drive. No one combs the roads of Westerville in the middle of a fall evening with nothing on their mind and for no reason. They’ve talked about a lot of things by now. Secrets shared that Blaine–oddly–felt okay to tell to Sebastian and let the weight of his thoughts be bared on shoulders that wanted to take the haul. Maybe it was some weird reciprocation thing. Because Sebastian has shared a lot about what goes on in his life with Blaine. Considering some of it wasn’t pleasant or happy? Sebastian might’ve felt like he had to make up for giving over those details by taking some of Blaine’s burdens that he was too cautious to hurt others or make them worry by sharing them. Kurt would worry too much. He had enough issues that they were working through. Blaine would never add to that list. Not that Kurt couldn’t take it. He would and he’d do it willingly over and over. Blaine knew that.
What he–also–knew was that he was carefully selfish to keep these thoughts or details about his life to himself until Sebastian came along. Then the layers of careful were peeled away by someone who has been there. In their own version that was similar but different. A common ground of loneliness in ways built by empty, large houses–gifts to keep themselves occupied–and a world that most kids their age would give an arm and a leg to have until they knew it came with dinners eaten alone–yet one more phone call of Sorry, son, can’t make it and experiences you dealt with alone that could chip away at self-confidence or leave you feeling–well as quiet (because Blaine didn’t want to use any other words to describe it, not even in his own thoughts) as the house that was soon to be in their rearview mirror. Sebastian lived for moments when his father wasn’t around, it seemed. Blaine lived for moments were his was. The biggest contrast but still oddly..alike emotionally. When he was settled in and the blanket he wished he could share with Sebastian and not end up with them driving off the road was pulled up to his shoulders and he was a ball in the driver’s seat facing his friend? Blaine reached a hand over, cupped his fingers over Sebastian’s palm on the stick shift and laughed. “Me? Smoke a joint? Are you nuts? Yeah..no. Where are we going? I know a place if you’re interested and awake enough. It’ll take us about an hour to get there though. Unless we’re already en route to somewhere? If so? We can wait until another day.”
“It doesn’t matter, butter scalp! I’m fine on my own!” As hard as she tried, there was a real emotion that slipped through her facade. A stray tear that she’d deny no matter what Blaine saw. “Why are you still here, I said I want to be alone! — Wait, are you okay?”
“Obviously. You’re perfectly fine, Santana. You exude fine. How could I have thought otherwise,” Blaine asks with a voice that he wished could be more calming when she needed it so badly. Regardless of what she said–Blaine knew Santana wasn’t fine. But he was lacking the energy to hide the fact that maybe–he wasn’t either. Quite honestly? He was just tired. “Yeah. I’m okay. Sorry. I didn’t mean that to come out snippy. I’m–I only want to make sure you know I’m here if you need me.” And maybe if she needed him? Then it wasn’t outright saying he needed her, too.
Jeff laughed as he watched Blaine pushing him towards the door and continued bouncing down the hallway calling out “ohhhh yeah!!!” hearing replies in return as he guided Blaine towards the stairs and down towards the room where the Practice was held. “You’ll enjoy practice were working on stuff for sectionals, and if we win then we practice for regionals, and if we win then we go to nationals” he beamed. “The last few years we’ve been good enough to get to Sectionals and Regionals, but sometimes we struggle at Nationals. Perhaps if you join we could get help!” he rambled as he made it to the door with Blaine.
He threw the doors open and called out “Hey guys, Look what I brought!” he stepped aside and pushed blaine playfully into the room “Fresh meat and he smells amazing!” he teased laughing as he’d seen Nick roll his eyes at him and shook his head.
Entering he shut the door behind him and Blaine and made his way over to the couch pulling Blaine gently with him “You can sit with me and Nicky” he proclaimed pushing Thad off the couch with a grin and giving the spot to Blaine and sitting next to Nicky who looked at him with a shocked face at his behavior and he beamed proud of himself bringing Blaine to the group.
“I might be the worst singer in the world and you’re asking me to join from what I hear is the best a capella boys group this side of the Mississippi. If not both sides. Are you sure you’re willing to take a chance on me,” he grinned. Sure he’d spoken about belonging to a singing group at his previous school but Blaine never mentioned to what extent. For all they knew? He could be the quiet, mousy guy in the back that could barely hold a tune and was let in because people felt too sorry to say no. Laughter bubbled out of him as he kept up with Jeff growing more and more excited the closer they got to the infamous double doors of the Warblers private room.
Steps stuttered to an abrupt stop at the shout Jeff announced their arrival with. Crimson heat spread over his face, neck and disappeared into the crisp, white collar of his dress shirt. One arm slung over his middle and fingers lightly touched the bent elbow of the other. Using lifted fingertips to hide behind–Blaine palmed his embarrassed grin and spread his fingertips away from his forehead to flick a wave to the other guys. “I.. Hi. I don’t know what he’s saying but–hi. Should I be worried or something?” When in doubt? Tease back.
Seeing Thad thunk onto the floor–Blaine’s eyes flared wide for a second but as the boy began to laugh and shake his head–Blaine offered him his hand to help him sit up. To his surprise? Trent took a seat on the floor beside the couch happy to use the arm to lean back against and not letting Blaine give up ‘his seat’ no matter how many times he tugged or motioned for the poor boy to sit back down again. He’d take the floor. Or wherever. As long as he got to be a part of this. Settled next to Jeff–he finally glanced at each face that greeted him. “Thanks for having me. Please. Ignore what he said. I just want to hear you guys sing without battling a small crowd to catch a glimpse. Promise. You won’t even know I’m here.”
Barry maneuvered them so that he would be able to look at him, and keep the other close. “I did warn you, but don’t worry– I’m trying not to carry my work with me. It’s usually just really hard cases that I sometimes work late on.” It was true, most if not all his work tended to stay in the his lab at the CCPD. Especially now, last thing he wanted was for Blaine to be exposed to that again. “Sometimes… it does get to me, but I have to move past it, I’ve got a job to do after all,” the speedster said with a smile on his lips. There’s a slight frown on his face, confused, and curious. “….Did something happen? I mean, if you want to tell me, if not that’s okay,” he said reaching out to cup his face, and caress the arch of his cheek.
Fit between Barry’s side and the sofa–Blaine nodded and lifted his head from where his cheek was pressed against the pointed edge of Barry’s shoulder to look in his eyes. “You’re okay with what you do? I’ve read stories about it eating at a person too much and they get lost to all that death and hurt. I’d never want that to happen to you.” Which was why he was so hesitant to bring up that part of his past to almost anyone he was close to. Other than a skim over of making it through a dark spot because he understood where they were. Or to make a point in the vaguest sense of been there, been through it, came out better than okay he could give without drawing too much attention why he sympathized so greatly. Tilting up into the touch–hazel searched vibrantly beautiful green. “Yeah. Something happened. I,” a kiss to Barry’s cheek, “First. You promise you’ll come to me if work gets too much. Please? You won’t keep it inside?”
Sebastian would rather Blaine didn’t ask anything at all. What COULD he say, anyway? You’re why. It wasn’t exactly Blaine’s fault. It’d never been his fault that Sebastian had just so STUPIDLY ──── No. It was a lot easier to forget it on the cock of some hot stranger, and when that didn’t cut it, on a succession of tequila shots. He couldn’t answer why he’d called Blaine, if he tried. He didn’t know why. Why would he torture himself that much? He’d always liked a little pain but that was just SAD. In a circus freak way. And he’d never pegged himself for that much of a masochist. That was always the thing, wasn’t it? Sebastian did always find someone, but that someone was never BLAINE, no matter how close he tried to cut it. No matter how much he searched for the little things on every attractive drunk stranger that crossed his way. The way he’d FELT ( and fuck him if he didn’t hate the word ) when he first set eyes on Blaine, he’d never been able to replicate. There wasn’t enough pot in the world to make him go that high it seemed, so pushing it out of his head seemed like the best second alternative. Sebastian’s mind was empty at the moment, however, sense only really starting to wake up more as the smell of caffeine started to fill the place. He’d just closed fingers around his precious box and as Blaine finished setting the coffee up, he was settled on the counter. He blinked lazily and ran a hand through his hair with a short yawn, as he offered Blaine the box, and didn’t pay much attention as he also stuffed his mouth until the former warbler outright MOANED around the dessert. He snorted, but the humor was cut dry by the sudden touch on his knee. He glanced down at the hand on him, then up again, suddenly aware of how close Blaine’d got when he wasn’t paying attention.
Eyes finally gathering their usual piercing attention back, Blaine’s touch a lot more effective as wake up call than a whole pot of coffee. His lips curled slowly in an amused smile that tried to cover up the rest, smarmy nose. “It’s what I’D do anyways.” He shrugged. Blaine didn’t have to know he’d never share a single eclair in that box with anyone else in the first place. He picked a second one and placed the box besides himself on the counter, open in offer, getting a bite and raising his eyebrows at Blaine’s next words. “Creepy, killer. But sure. As long as I get a question in return.” His wink implied the essence of the question he wanted. Despite the default joking, though, something in Blaine’s hazel eyes stirred his already upset stomach, and he pursed his lips behind his eclair as he hoped coffee would be up soon.
“Creepy,” Blaine’s face screwed up in a look of confusion as he continued to eat his eclair making careful not that the box was sat aside. Thus became an open invitation to have another if he so chose. And–face it–he probably would if only just to prolong the moment where he would have to come out with the question he sought permission to ask in the first place. “How is that creepy? I have a question. That’s all. Maybe you’re just as creepy for saying you get a turn too. So there.” He mocked a scoff and scrunched his nose up at the sleepy guy on the countertop. Make no mistake–his tongue jutted out in last ditch albeit a childish protest that he was the creepy one. With one final steamy poof–the coffee was set and he finally stepped far enough away from Sebastian that his hand dropped to his side. Coffee. Ah coffee. Bless you, coffee. For only for being the most wonderful liquid in existence but for being done so he had something else to busy himself with other than taunting Sebastian. Fun as it was? Sebastian always taunted back and Blaine wasn’t awake enough for them to play on even turf yet. Unlike his hung-over friend on the countertop? Blaine had a sleep schedule most of the time and b arely getting any the night before was going to take a few cups of something highly caffeinated to let his brain catch up enough to be an equal contender to Sebastian Smythe.
“You know? This is an extremely amazing feat to pull off with you barely having anything inside your pantry. We should take you grocery shopping for breakfasts that don’t come out of boxes delicious as they are.” Taking care to scrounge the kitchen for ingredients that he always heard Sebastian put into his coffee–except the liquor, Sebastian had enough liquor last night–Blaine hummed as he polished off the simple cream and sugar he put in his own once Sebastian’s was finished. Returning back to stand beside a set of long legs dangling from the counter–Sebastian’s cup was offered to him as Blaine took a sip from his own looking up at him over the rim of his mug as he tested the flavor. The ceramic was barely apart from his lips as he murmured… “Sorry. Mother Mode activated–I guess.” He cringed inwardly. Procrastinating eloquently could only last so long before he ended up going into lecture mode. With a sigh–hazel eyes lowered their gaze towards the half disappeared dark brown contents of his cup. “Sebastian? I know you were pretty far gone when you called me and that’s fine as long as you’re being safe. But,” he squinted up at him trying to find the courage to just ask. What if it was all a blur and Sebastian forgot? Was it awful Blaine felt a pain in his stomach at the idea he might have? Cruel as it might be considering where they were once Sebastian sobered up and the sun rose–there was something inside of Blaine that didn’t want him to forget. Maybe because it might’ve been the only time it’d ever happen. A kiss. Just a kiss. But one he could still feel if he closed his eyes. Yes. There was a huge amount of cruelty for wanting not just him to go back to being who they really are to each other the next day without that phantom lingering in the back of his mind. But he had to know.
pianokeysandbowties back up 