Even if there had been a part of Barry that would have wanted to ditch movie-night, any intentions of leaving would have immediately evaporated the second he saw himself caught in Blaine’s grip. Unsurprisingly, like everything else about him, his touch transmitted a warm sense of comfort that nobody, no matter how heartless, would ever bring themselves up to abandoning. In fact, such was the amenity and smugness that the speedster was actually drawn closer to him, setting his own glass of wine aside so he could shift more easily, significantly shortening the gap of space left between them. “Well, what if… I told you how much I’ve humiliatingly missed you too?” The amusement in his features had diminished significantly, because every joke was set aside when it came to communicating how he felt. He had spent most of his life being scared of his own feelings and it had gotten him nowhere, just like he had been warned by virtually everyone close to him. He was determined to give connecting with them a shot instead, and now that he was getting to know someone as special as Blaine was, the timing seemed perfect.
“And walking out any other time, that would be acceptable to you?” the forensic scientist teased, reaching over for the remote so he could select the title they had implicitly agreed on, if only to silently indicate that he would only leave when Blaine so requested. He wanted to believe that the only way in which how his arm nudged forward so it would end up properly cradling the other’s head would have been more subtle was if it had actually been an unintentional consequence of his leaning forward to reach for his glass of wine. Nevertheless, he thought it sensible to mask the gesture in an unrelated action, grant Blaine the chance to move his head without feeling like he was directly rejecting an advance. Of course he would have been perfectly entitled to do that as well, but at least this way Barry would know for sure he at least wouldn’t be guilting Blaine into keeping that position.
Hearing he was missed just as humiliatingly bad made Blaine pause any sort of teasing he might’ve been using to cover up trying to get his feelings on the table without making things awkward should the depth be embarrassingly one-sided. His nose scrunched like he was waiting for some sort of punchline to follow. A laugh. Anything to cheese up the moment but it didn’t happen. Barry looked serious. Blaine looked like he was caught between did that just happen and say that one more time. Sure he had his hopes, even his suspicions, but he’d been trying to do this best to play things on the cautious side of whatever kind of turn out this..er..whatever they were doing here might end up being. That same spark of hope brought a glint of light in his eyes that the taunting didn’t quite ignite. His expression read ‘really?’ before he curled his fingertips against Barry’s leg and gave it a gentle squeeze to say thanks and me too. Wait! They were talking. Right, right. Wow! Okay. Things got a little dizzily lightheaded there for a second. Something about Singing In The Rain and remotes and–Blaine’s eyebrows crinkled towards one another and his smile was lopsided, still struck moments later by humiliatingly missed you too to recover completely. The stupefied grin said it was in the best sort of way possible.
Ah! Good! Back to teasing. Before he ended up tongue-tied and saying something silly. Gasping as he reached his free arm up and poked the tip of Barry’s nose, Blaine smirked and rolled his eyes. “No. Don’t even think about leaving. Period.” He moved easily with the nudge, letting Barry situate the both of them as he saw fit. Cause he’d be hard pressed to complain about any sort of cuddling action. Since when, ever, has he shied away from that? Never. Not in a million years. Looking up at him from his angle brought another dumb smile across his lips. “I don’t think I could ever get sick of this. So..,” hazel eyes squinted measuringly, “Would you stay the night if I asked?” His tongue caught the swell of his bottom lip and dragged it between his teeth. Yeah, he went there. Oh boy. He went there.
I didn’t think you’d want anyone else here. He sighed. He didn’t. And he DID. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t want anyone else there, not Blaine, much less his father. In a way, even if Blaine hadn’t helped the way he’d HOPED for, he still did, distracting Sebastian from being scared about what happened, or focusing on the pain and his injuries. He filled Sebastian’s head with memories and old feelings he didn’t want, but that at least kept him from focusing too hard on the present, made facing this with a blase attitude easier.
He blinked when Blaine moved fast to get the water for him, and more at the way his hands shook as he poured it. ❝…Thanks.” He said, long fingers curling around the cup with a hesitant look up, confused, as he drank, and maybe a little annoyed. Annoyed that he had to do this, that he HAD to remind Blaine why he should be away, that he HAD to be the one to tell him those things and then see Blaine get hurt. He groaned, finishing the cup and putting it aside as he ran a hand through the side of his hair. “It’s not what I WANT that matters here, Blaine —-” was it ever?
He rested back against the bed and drifted his green eyes towards the other, lips drawn tight at the sight in front of him. How was it that he almost died, and still managed to feel like crap because BLAINE wasn’t doing okay? “What’s up with you?” He blurted out, before he could even want to shut himself up. He frowned at him. He watched him grab his coat, and swallow. A mistake. Right. It always was, wasn’t it? Sebastian knew he was right and yet, it stung on the pop of his jaw as he heard him say it. “Little too late for that now, killer.” His tone was quiet this time, almost gentle, defeated.
“…Why?” He asked, just as Blaine reached the door, between his teeth. He kept staring down at his injured hands, tugging on a loose line on the sheets until it started to unravel. “Why ARE you here? Why did you come?” Just to torture me? To rub in my face a crumb of what I’ll never have? Because he wouldn’t, would he? He’d never have anyone ACTUALLY waiting for him in a hospital. Someone allowed to, by family ties. He’d never have a worried fiancé, fretting over him, not like Blaine did and gave. Much less LIKE Blaine. As perfect as him. This, waking up alone in a hospital bed, was probably gonna be the way he’d end his final chapter one day. If this wasn’t a joke from Blaine, it was definitely a joke from the Universe.
“It is about that. I really didn’t want to make you upset. It was a stupid thing to do. I was stupid..” It couldn’t be any more clear that he messed up. In more ways than one. Getting the hell out of here would be the only way to fix things. And he was never one for staying where he wasn’t wanted or needed. Even worse? Where he wasn’t welcome. How could he have thought the opposite? That there could be any other reaction to his being here other than this one? His eyes burned, his throat felt like it was caving in and he just wanted to put as much distance between the hospital and himself than he could in as little time possible.
Flustered and with a darkening shade of crimson coloring his nose, cheeks and bleeding down his neck–Blaine laid his coat over his arm and palmed over his mouth trying to swallow the bitter pill that he’d messed up bad before he turned around and gave Sebastian a weak, wobbly smile. Their eyes didn’t meet. He kept his gaze aimed closer to Sebastian’s mouth rather instead. It was better to smile and go. Then stay gone this time. For good. No more heroics. Even if the universe, for some sadistic reason, put him on the sidewalk when Sebastian got hurt? Walking away would have been better. You know what they say about hindsight..
There’d never a mistake like this made again. Blaine made that promise to the both of them on his way to the door. When he heard the question, he had half a mind to ignore it. What help could the answer give the situation? His mouth opened but only a sigh broke free. His fingertips toyed with the cold metal handle as he pressed his lips together tight and bowed his head. A tap later and his hand fell away, turned into a small fist and was shoved into his pocket. Against his better judgement, he turned just far enough to look towards the bed and Sebastian. I saw it happen and it was terrifying. I’ll never get that sound out of my head.
“Because I got scared seeing you like that. I had to make sure you were gonna be okay. Then when I got here? I couldn’t leave you to wake up alone and hurt. You..” His teeth bit away what he was going to say against his bottom lip and he chose something safer. “I couldn’t say whatever and leave. I shouldn’t have stayed. Or came at all. I get it. But that doesn’t change that I did and for no other reason what I said. I had to because you’re you and I’m me. Do you really think I could leave you there like I couldn’t care less? Cause that’s not who I am or ever was.” He swallowed thick, trying to get his point across without saying too much or too little.
[ text ;; blaine ] We´ve always been a dream team. I think New York City deserves to see our talent! [ text ;; blaine ] Oh it will definitely get you coffee with dessert. Compliments will always get you far. 😛 [ text ;; blaine ] You know, I have a feeling that I will never be sick of you. How could anyone be sick of you anyways? [ text ;; blaine ] Sounds like the perfect plan to me. Though karaoke is really already taking this city by storm, talent agents will be banging down our doors!!
( mssg » rachel | sent ) I think you’re right. ( mssg » rachel | sent ) Great! I have an endless supply at the ready. Cause I have a serious need for some cheesecake and some coffee to go with? I’m not above dishing out an endless list for company. ( mssg » rachel | sent ) You’d be surprised. But I’m holding you to that. No take backs.
( mssg » rachel | sent ) As long as we do it together this time? I’m all in. ( mssg » rachel | sent ) No more flailing our arms and hoping to tread enough water to keep our heads above it. ( mssg » rachel | sent ) Want me to meet you at your place? How about in an hour?
WHAT DID YOUR CHARACTER BRING BACK TO CAMP WITH THEM:
Since it looks like someone is going crazy with stocking up, including getting a P.T. Barnum sized tent to keep it all in? Blaine decided to grab the things he needed to stock up on plus a few extras and try to keep his side of things somewhat light.
Toiletry stock up including: pomade (this version of Blaine doesn’t go nuts on the gel), shampoo and conditioner, shaving cream, soap, bug spray, sunscreen, deodorant, antibacterial gel, dry shampoo, some more towels, painkillers, stomach medicine, condoms and dryer sheets.
Healthy snacks. Nuts, some fresh berries but not too many, can opener, organic canned fruits, dry fruit. Deer and buffalo jerky. Some not-so-healthy snacks. Pretzels, some chocolate, stuff to make s’mores a few nights since it keeps well. MIO Energy for his water, tea, Starbucks instant coffee.
A couple of backup battery packs for his cellphone and laptop, extra regular batteries. Few extension cords for personal use that can run from one of the hookups to the tent.
Emergency candles cause they burn longer.
LED string lights for reasons.
Grabbed about four new pillows with cases.
Two extra packages of guitar strings and more guitar picks.
A few of his favorite books he forgot to bring. Loaded his music onto an old iPod as well so he could have his phone and it for backup.
More clothing. Pants, t-shirts, long sleeved shirts, a few heavier pajama bottoms for cooler nights. Grabbed a few more packages of new underwear.
Marine sealer that isn’t the cheap crap he’s been trying to fix this boat with.
WHAT DID YOUR CHARACTER DO WHEN THEY GOT BACK TO CIVILIZATION:
Being abducted by Sebastian, Blaine had a hell of a laugh at his expense watching him stock up like the zombie apocalypse was about to happen. Other than getting highly entertained? He and Sebastian had real coffee, food, and spent the rest of their day shopping with Blaine nodding and/or rolling his eyes at some of the suggestions while being impressed and thankful that Seb thought of some of the other things he wouldn’t have but they, definitely, are better off with.
WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT OF CAMP LIFE?
Not having the luxury of air conditioning, heat, and running water that didn’t take a miracle to get working. After the necessities were up and running, Blaine’s been doing relatively okay. He is enthusiastic to be there, to get this started and get deeply into the repairs. Getting to know other people he hasn’t met until now has been an added bonus. All in all? The Warbler is doing okay, though sometimes he has to wonder how deep of a pile of stuff they got themselves into. He’s surprisingly good at mechanics and has taken a liking to a boat he’s decided his side project because he wants to take it out on the water. Sam’s been roped into helping him fix it up.
HOW ARE THEY HOLDING UP?
Blaine’s holding up alright. Optimism in tact, he’s a little frustrated at Sebastian for ‘supervising’ the way he is. It’d be a lot easier to get some of the tasks done if he had Sebastian’s help because they work so well together. Having Sebastian here is, of course, something he wouldn’t change. He’d just appreciate more help than what he’s getting from him. Otherwise? He might not be the most rugged of types (most of his specialties are boating, mechanical, on the back of a horse and occasional ‘camping’ with his father and Cooper before Cooper moved out) but he’s getting along okay with the others and doing his best to enjoy himself.
ANY HOT GOSS?
Victor isn’t a Satanist and Sebastian really needs to stop picking on Kurt, please? Other than that? No real gossip yet.
“A STARCHILD make-over.” Elliott corrected even as he flitted around behind Blaine, graceful on his feet and TRULY in his element as he made Blaine up just like he’d been. Like he still was, when he took to the stage as someone more than he was, a name and a look that was beyond Elliott.
It’s why he corrected Blaine at all, because he considered Starchild and Elliott to be VASTLY different.
“You look FINE – Better than fine. Handsome.” Elliott knew the thought running through Blaine’s head, the overwhelming sense that the man looking back at him in the mirror didn’t quite fit. It was just a case of…ADJUSTMENT.
“Trust me, people will dig it, especially when we’re singing. Everyone loves a man in guyliner.” Tattooed fingers hooked under Blaine’s chin, tilting his face up so Elliott add a small amount of glitter to his eyes inner corner with a Q-tip, before softly blowing the excess away.
Standing corrected, Blaine widened his eyes in a mock apology for the slip and tried to keep himself from fidgeting as Elliott darted about apparently having the time of his life as he dolled him up. How else was he supposed to describe what was going on? Not laughing was the true miracle here. Elliott was so excited that, once his nerves were put to rest, it was contagious.
“Sorry. Sorry. A STARCHILD make-over.”
Handsome? That word caused Blaine to pause, warmth washing over his cheeks and the bridge of his nose tinted olive skin. “You’re sort of forced to say that but thank you anyway.” A crooked, bashful smile and already thick lashes made doubly so rose up so he could look into the reflection of Elliott’s eyes in the mirror instead of his own.
Singing! Right! They were going to sing in less than an hour and Blaine hadn’t quite figured out what he wanted his last song to be. Thank God it was a piano piece that he’d be playing and not putting anyone else out for his lack of decision making. Guyliner sort of distracted him.
“As long as you do? That’s all that matters.” Elliott, back at his side and drawing his attention towards him by touching his chin, caused Blaine to step closer and look up trying accommodate Elliott’s effort for that extra dab of glitter. Not wanting to waste a pucker of Elliott’s lips on mere blowing away excess glitter, Blaine was quick to land a peck on those lips before Elliott could draw back. “And you better,” he grinned, “Especially after all this glitter.”
kenny nodded over at the stranger, a part of him able to understand his troubles. it would be quite jarring to end up somewhere new, he thought, a place you never intended to end up in, that you don’t even know. he knew he felt like that, when he first woke up. now, it is simply normal, but a part of him still remembered those old feelings, holding onto them into an attempt to feel more… normal.
“that sounds rough, man. do you think they can save your car? i know there’s a mechanic not too far from this place,” kenny offered, giving the man a small smile in return. he collected a few glasses from the bar, trying to keep his mind busy, chuckling lightly.“i wish – i’m working here tonight… but it’s a pretty deadplace today. nice to see a new face – i’m kenny.”
Blaine didn’t mean to unload the way he had and he’d caught the day creeping onto his tone more than he wanted it to. A sure sign he was tired but his mind was going the hundred miles an hour that his car was officially checked out from clocking until they got the parts they needed sent in. A brow quirked up. “Oh! Yeah. That shouldn’t be a problem. They ordered the parts before I left. But it’ll be a few days. Hopefully by Friday? Or I get to spend the weekend learning all about this place.” Which didn’t seem like it needed more than an hour to learn.
Compared to New York City? A town like this felt like a blip on the map. But the dinner was good and the drinks were cheap. Now that he had someone to talk to after going a few days without? Maybe a break didn’t seem that bad. A few day break. Not an all weekend one. Or Cooper was going to end up having to go back to work before he even got there. “Ah. Sorry. I didn’t notice. Maybe after your shift then? If that’s a thing they allow? I’m Blaine. Nice to meet you, Kenny.” He offered a hand. “Care to fill me in on what there is to do here?”
Victor was not an interesting guy, contrary to Blaine Anderson’s thought process. Blaine was easily mislead and manipulated because as Sebastian had pointed out plenty of times, his heart was too big for his body, and he thought the best in people; whereas Sebastian assumed the worst. In some round about way they met in the middle and together, they did pretty good for themselves. Night and day, really. Sebastian hummed in response, raking over Blaine and doing his best to ignore the teasing look as his tongue played peek-a-boo with the all too Cheshire smile. “Didn’t think I needed to, plus wasn’t sure if he’d managed to squeeze in the ‘Biting The Heads Off Doves’ lesson yet.” Sebastian shrugged half heartedly, another jab this time aimed at the Ozzy Osbourn realness of 2018′s own goth. Everyone dressed and presented themselves as they did for attention, so if he didn’t want it, he shouldn’t have done it. It was no different than Hummel constantly looking like a Puerto-Rican Pride float, even if he’d traded in most of it for something a little more alone-in-the-woods appropriate. It’s why Sebastian always looked like a million bucks, so really, it wasn’t his fault Victor looked as he did, nor should he be held accountable for the self inflicted commentary.
Sebastian’s eyes flicked down to Blaine’s hand, but he made absolutely no move to mirror or comment on the action, which in itself wasn’t typical but he was in no rush to give in. Not when he’d been on ignore basically all night, which was basically super offensive, especially when he could see exactly where the other’s attention had been. The Warbler’s laughter was fuel to his fire, egging him on further, which he’d happily oblige. “Did you two set up a date for the his next Satanic ritual? We’ve only got a few more days till the full moon and I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to miss it for the world.” Seb paused as his brows pulled together in a sudden faux thought, “He does know you’re not a virgin though, right? Just in case he tries to tie you down and sacrifice you to his dark lord and savior, Satan.” In reality, Sebastian was just getting started, and could realistically go for hours before he started scraping the bottom of the barrel. Then again, with someone like Frankenstein? It might take days to run out of material, if not weeks.
Funny how they both seemed to always be on the same page. All Blaine got out clearly was ‘Victor’s a great guy’, and his own hand was unclasping from the back of his head, and curling around to cover Blaine’s mouth so the rest was just enough to understand if he were listening properly, but to most it would be nothing more than a mumble. “It’s not being mean, it’s being observant, Captain Oblivious.” A fatal flaw for Blaine Anderson, but he had Sebastian to see right through everything. “Bet he’s a total necrophiliac.” Sebastian managed out with a curve of legitimate disgust, because he was already wondering if the guy brought his laptop, and how hard it would be to prove his suspicions if so. Sebastian’s arm dropped down so it was resting against Blaine’s chest, fingers tapping a little ways above his belly button. “I can promise you, I won’t like he guy.” It’s not that he was being condescending, but there was a mass amount of judgement and the disgust from seconds ago only increased at the stupid attempt at wishful thinking. “You’ve got a really great ass.” Which was about all Blaine was going to get right now after the events of the evening and the innocent wishful thought which was more of a direct assault on Sebastian’s character. “But same, let’s be honest. Spend many more nights with him and he’ll have the Ouija board out, and next thing I’ll know, you’ll be trying to stab me in my sleep. Some initiation into Satanism or whatever the fuck he’s into.”
Sebastian certainly never lacked when it came to judgement. Funny how it was Kurt that took it too far, and had the same treatment turning back on him. Blaine’s hand covering his mouth. Typically he’d have no problem licking his palm, making it known how ineffective the little move was, but where his hand had been, and what he’d touched was too much to cover, even in his current state, so he rolled his eyes back into his head and tried to suppress the laugh that was building, threatening to derail the lazy grin. Mean Sebastian. Was this mean? He’d just gotten started and hadn’t even made it to the harsh reality of the situation at hand. Blaine was grinning, therefore he wasn’t too offended. The arm that had been resting on Blaine, bent at the elbow allowing his fingers to come up and tease through his curls which smelt alarmingly like campfire smoke, so much so that the typical Anderson tangle of his hair, shampoo, product, and cologne couldn’t be picked up on. “Mean Sebastian hasn’t even shown up yet, this is just impatient and indescribably put out Sebastian.” He mumbled against Blaine’s palm, eyes returning to the sky even if he had been enjoying the view.
Turned into nothing but a pile of silence by so many vivid images painted into his head by the overly imaginative insults that Sebastian rambled because it would be so over-the-top rude to laugh at almost all of them, Blaine simply curled his fingers against the corner of Sebastian’s mouth and let them rest there. A convenient place if you asked him. One flick of his fingers and he could cover those lips and cut off the next round that was destined to come regardless. If he cared to. Sebastian’s tirades may be one of the most eye roll worthy things about him. But, though Blaine would never admit even under threat of torture? Catch him in the right mood? And they could be pretty entertaining. Especially when Sebastian really got into them and his face did this thing.
Oh and except if they were about Kurt. Kurt had the exception to anything mean being said about him being automatically not funny. Explaining it wasn’t something Blaine could, or wanted, to try to explain his reasoning behind. There was just something about him that made Blaine want to keep him out of the line of fire. Similar pasts, he guessed. Different but peeled back and boiled down to the minimum? Too many bruised knees they were knocked down onto and too many times they had to force themselves to stand back up and keep going forward. Might be why Blaine’s fingertips traced along the bow of Sebastian’s bottom lip. To ward off any potential threats of continuing on that path. Poor Victor. Blaine would rather he be brought back up and drug through the mud one more time instead of Kurt. Horrible of a thought as it was.
Or maybe his fingers toying with the precise line where Sebastian’s lip swelled before dipping down just felt too good to stop and he was buzzed enough not to care who might see him indulging himself. Probably a mix of the two but who knew how even the blend was at this point? He scoffed and rolled his eyes, toes twitching against the soles of his shoes. “Victor is not going to sacrifice me in a ritual to possess me. That’s just crazy talk. Secondly, I’m pretty sure that most of the camp has figured out I’m not a virgin by now.” The insinuation about Sebastian’s and his antics was dripping heavily there. “Also? Victor isn’t a Satanist so he’s not going to be sacrificing anyone in any ritual. Let it go, Sebastian. There will be no demons possessing anyone because they were conjured up by someone who,” he dropped his voice to a whisper anyway, “might look the part.” Hopefully that went unheard?
A quick glance around, his hope was confirmed. The last thing he needed was secondhand embarrassment for making someone feel bad a few days into their stay. It’d make for a gross summer. More than the condition of the campground was bound to. “Don’t you think if that happened, it’d be by someone who doesn’t look anything like someone who would conjure demon? Like, say, that guy Ron. Or, who knows, me?” He smirked, let what he said hang in the air for a few seconds, and tilted his head against Sebastian’s shirt far enough that an upside down profile of the other caught his eye. “What are you so impatient and indescribably put out about, for? Should we..um?” Go? What he was implying went without being said and the meaning behind it was loud and clear, broadcasted in technicolor by the glint in Blaine’s eyes. He was enjoying himself too much. His chuckle came with a flash of teeth and the corners of his eyes pinched together. “I mean. I’d hate to make you move if you’d rather not.”
It’s hard to have school pride when, despite going to one of the best universities, everything beyond the actual learning sucks. After Colorado legalized marijuana, there was a suspicious spike in applications and general interest for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, but the excitement died once the accepted students settled in and…well. When the biggest pull of the University is a state pot regulation and a thirst to let loose without the parents, people start to find out very quickly that there is little to nothing else to do there. The displeasure was voiced and after an arduous process and all too long negotiations that spanned nearly the whole school year trying to figure out logistics, a deal was struck to breathe some life back into moral.
The school had long ago acquired an old lodging resort that went defunct, that doubled as a camp during the summer months with the intent to use it for campus expansion. Since, they’d realized that given the location, it was a high improbability but that didn’t mean it was wasted. Parties — er, spirit building events — retreats even, and music were among the main requests of the students and … finally they were able to reach an understanding. Sacrifice one summer, clean it up, bring it back up to code and use that abundance of elbow grease to make it sparkle and shine; and get the opportunity of alifetime.
Create something special, incredible. With sponsorship, they could easily rope in a few headliners and guests; create a music festival in the heart of the Midwest, not just for the students, but the surrounding area to help settle the costs. Not only would those involved in the revive get name recognition as one of the creators and the glory to come with it, they’d get honorary passes for as long as the festival continued, a red carpet welcome; essentially becoming UCCS royalty. It was a fair trade off. As it was, the old camp ground was decrepit and hadn’t seen actual people — er, campers or skiers for over fifty years. The buildings were full of mice, falling apart and due for repair. But that was the deal.
Fix it and then party. They had a budget that would allow at least two full days of acts, and that was without sponsors, which were still in the works. Food trucks from all over the states could come, and everything else would follow. This had the potential to be the Midwest Coachella! Not to mention, it would offer yet another thing to add to future resumes, something that would look impressive, no?
At least that was the hope. No one that remained within the faculty knew why exactly the school had all this land sitting around untouched, and anyone that did was long gone. A legend or two had found life once upon a time, but no one knew really, no one spoke of it.
So, with two months ahead and a lot of work to do, and summer officially started; shuttles dropped everyone and everything off with a purpose to renew. Of course not everyone that signed up had intent on lifting a finger. After all, University kids and no supervision seemed like a really good excuse to party the summer away.
ELBOW GREASE is an indie HORROR GROUP VERSE (for indie roleplayers!) that is currently accepting canon characters from MOST fandoms. 18+ ONLY. Horror heavy. Mass crossover. Come one, come all, things are just getting started.
victor frankenstein had always liked to believe that he was not a man who shied away from hard work, but thiswas already testing his limits. mentally, he might be driven and stubborn, but physically, he was not exactly the peak of strength — looking around at the magnitude of the tasks they’d have to do in order to prepare this camp for next summer was already more than enough to exhaust him. this crumbling, derelict place was certainly a far cry from the idyllic wilderness retreat that victor had been picturing when he had signed up.
it was all the worse, too, that everyone here seemed to already have their close friendships made. victor was a solitary sort by nature, but even hewas not immune to the uncomfortable prickles of loneliness and a sense of exclusion. everyone here seemed to know everyone else, and whenever there was a free moment, they all seemed to gravitate into groups or pairs, which left victor standing awkwardly to the side with no idea of what to do or where to go.
it came as a massive relief, therefore, when blaine made his way over. victor did not quite smile, but there was, nevertheless, an obvious look of gratitude that shot across his face as the older boy stepped up to greet him. he couldn’t claim to know blaine particularly well, but at the very least, they had met a few times before, which was more than victor could say for the rest of the people here at the camp.
with a bit of a raised eyebrow, he eyed the cup in blaine’s hand. technically, he was under the drinking age in america, but he somehow doubted that this camp had many people in it who would snitch on underage drinking. “ … i’ll have one. if anyone asks, you didn’t know i’m nineteen, and i didn’t know the drinking age. ”
Not thinking anything of it, Blaine gestured for Victor to wait a second and stepped away to pour him a glass from the pitcher of liquor he’d chosen as his favorite among several. God knew he wasn’t going to tell him no for being nineteen? Blaine did his fair share of underage drinking in high school. Heck, even one round of it had him making out with a girl and questioning his sexuality for all of a couple weeks. Oh, memories! None of them were going anywhere and there was zero risk in anyone getting hurt by it. So why not?
Two Solo cups carried back, one in each hand (his tipped off a little as well..you know..to save a trip back) and Blaine stepped up beside Victor and took a set offering one glass over to him. “Hope you like it. There’s a few other ones over there if that’s not your thing. You’re more than welcome to help yourself, too. I don’t think anyone here cares. Who hasn’t already drank by twenty one, really? Probably no one in this bunch. And I doubt anyone’s going to notice anyway.” They were all wrapped up in their own conversations just like the two of them.
Blaine gave the groups a look. His gaze lingered by the fire before his attention turned back to Victor. “I take it you don’t know anyone here? Or was I intruding on some much needed alone time?” He hoped it wasn’t the latter. “I could introduce you to some more people if you want? Or you can deal with my company and I could do it tomorrow?” Getting to know Victor more wouldn’t hurt. He’d seen him here or there and Victor seemed interesting enough to get to know. Where would be another place more fitting than now?
Seeing as how they had to work together? It’d be a lot easier to do that if they weren’t strangers. Cause that would make a couple months pretty awkward, wouldn’t it?
pianokeysandbowties back up 