p: jeff – pianokeysandbowties back up

jeff.

Jeff had kept his eyes on Blaine. He’d watched the way the hot air came out in clouds from his mouth. He’d smiled, the air around them was cold, but the excitement seemed to be amped up to the max as the boys had shouted from twenty on down. He’d watched Blaine’s excitement grow on his face. Jeff had never enjoyed the holidays like this before, well he had spent it with the Warblers previously, but like this really genuinely watching someone live and enjoy themselves was more to Jeff than just another wish at the new years and celebrating with his homies.

Coming back from his thoughts he heard his roommate’s voice call down the time, his own voice seemed to follow suit joining the group’s countdown til zero his own body suddenly not cold, but warm and full of energy and excitement for the new year.

“four, three…” his words seemed to take forever to get out of his mouth and time seemed to slow for the moment that they spent up there on the roof of their dorm on that clear night.

Blaine was beyond less than prepared for what happened. In the last several seconds of shouted numbers nearly all the Warblers seemed to fold in on each other. Shoulder to shoulder and elbow to elbow as united voices yelled out the last second of the year in unison. Then, he could’ve sworn for two seconds, his feet left the ground as a pair of hands pulled him this way while an arm hooked around his waist tugged him in another direction. Wes’s arm slung over Jeff’s shoulders and with stumbles and skips to catch up, the boys redefined the meaning of New Years Eve Group Hug.

Puffs of grey white breath burst in the darkness of the group, Blaine had one arm around Jeff’s back and another wrapped around Trent’s shoulders as the sky lit up in the distance and the muffled noises of fireworks cut through the chilly Ohio night’s air.

“Happy New Year, Jeff.” In all the chaos of some darting off to see the show while others didn’t seem too ready to let the person they were holding onto go just yet, Blaine’s attention turned back to the tall blond beside him. Heels lifted off the ground and a kiss was pressed to his cheek and then Blaine was gone, pulled away by Trent to ‘Catch something he didn’t want to miss!’.

jeff.

Jeff enjoyed the crisp air and the dawning new year. He was looking forward to so much. To the fact that he had a new roommate who was nice and didn’t think he was quite ditzy. He kept himself close to Blaine as the boy spoke he listened to him talk about his wish and the resolutions he spoke about. He smiled gently and whispered “I think, honestly that is a shoe in but it’s a good resolution at least I know you’ll definitely be singing with us.” He told him happy that Blaine was happy.

“My wish or rather hope is that this year will be the start of something new and great adventures” He smiled and wagged his brow at his new friend. “So, for resolution it’s always the same as every year that I’ve been a warbler. I want the warblers to win, so I’m going to try my hardest to help make us great. More than that though I’m going to keep my grades up and make sure that my parents are happy with my work.” He told him “Oh and that I don’t over do it on candy.” He blushed at the last statement as he knew there was still a big box under his bed full of sweets.

Once he finished his thoughts out loud to Blaine he looked back as he heard someone say ‘one minute’ he looked to Blaine ‘you warm?’ he asked quickly not wanting to miss the countdown.

Blaine gave Jeff a hopeful, ear to ear sort of smile. One that was sprung not only from his new friend’s answer but also the building anticipation for a new year to start. A fresh out-of-the-gate. Not only for the Warblers but for him, too. One that he wanted to use to put his past (namely the reason for being the new kid among them) behind him. They would sing, they would win. He felt it deep down in his bones. But the most important thing was? He now had the chance to be a part of something bigger and better than he was before. Home was at Dalton now. There was no other place he would even consider being to ring in the New Year than right here, right now.

Hands now stuffed into his pockets, balled up tightly into fists inside the warm wool lining, Blaine bounced on his heels and nodded in spite of the way his breath was coming out in grey puffs of air with each exhale. “Yeah! I am!” His chin rose from where it was tucked into the soft, thick scarf around his neck to stare up at the sky. They should be able to see the fireworks from the park from here. Another reason why the ones who stayed behind during the holidays to rush to the roof.

He could hear Trent howl out that there were thirty seconds left. Like a light switch, the anticipation tripled and the boys began to cluster together. Blaine latched onto Jeff’s wrist in a rush to be part of the group and practically dragged the much taller blond behind him on the way over. Hazel eyes already had their own fireworks going off when ‘Eleven’ was shouted.

“Ten, nine, eight!” Blaine’s voice joined in with the cacophony of the others. “Seven, six, FIVE!”

jeff.

Jeff had smiled watching how his roommate took in the atmosphere of the night. He enjoyed watching Blaine enjoy each new mystery that he showed the newest boy to Dalton, how his eyes would light up in happiness that seemed to make him more innocent and young in Jeff’s eyes. He kept eyes on him through each drink when he’d admitted that he was lightweight and he wanted no one taking advantage of his curly good looking roommate and he knew that if he let Blaine get close to Thad that might happen so he kept himself close to the boy and away from the older Warbler who at times could be a predator at best.

Once they were chilling and slightly tipsy he’d nodded listening to conversations that had been struck up in their group before Trent had burst into the small group and took his roommates hand and in turn felt a hand on him and away they went. “Yes, were moving” He replied his feet catching up with the action as he reached his free hand out and tugged at Nick to join them and added “Not long I guess if Trent is this hyper” He laughed as they made it up to the roof.

Finally gaining control of his own movement as they all stopped and looked around at the crisp night air. He looked down at his watch and then leaned into Blaine “Ten minutes, I think Trent is cutting it close, but at the same time saving us from being too cold” He admitted his friend was slightly clever. “So, what are you hoping for?” he asked still closer to Blaine, “Are you going to wish or resolute anything?”

Blaine blew out a breath and watched as it came in a puff of gray. Jeff was right. Coming up here with only ten minutes to spare was smart. Otherwise? They’d be freezing by the time midnight rolled around. A bounce on his heels chased away the chill and and he did it again in hopes of getting rid of some of his bottled up excitement for this being his first New Years in a place that felt more like home than his own house did since Cooper left. Tonight couldn’t be any more perfect. Surrounded by his friends and his brain a bit fuzzy from the wine made everything feel like he was right where he needed to be.

Leaning towards Jeff as the blond drew near and queried what he might be wishing for or what his resolution might, he hummed in thought. Then whispered softly, “I’m hoping that this year ends up being the year where everything just fits together. That whatever happened before this just slips away..” With the exception of something he doesn’t think he’ll ever get the chance to close the chapter on. Their parents wouldn’t allow it. His life before Dalton was already starting to feel like a blotchy spot beating to the tune of his heart in front of his eyes after staring too long at the sun. Fading at the edges and if he waited it out? It’d fade and he’d see clear as day again.

“My resolution,” he grinned keeping his mood just as light as it’s been all night by not thinking too far back to the past he was just talking about, “is us to keep winning and for me to keep singing my heart out with all of you. Might be cheating because that’s a shoe in but..that’s all I really want to be. For now. How about you? What do you hope for? What do you want to do?”

jeff.

Jeff had entered the room his hair still slightly wet as he smiled to Blaine who had come towards him from hanging around with Trent. Standing next to Nicky he nodded at the boy before Blaine told him to fix himself something, “Are you going to drink?” he asked gesturing towards the table Blaine was just talking to him about, “we could always take a bottle for ourselves and share it while up on the roof!” he mentioned looking at the table of drinks and munchies that were there for them.

He had known the Warblers were a mix of rebels and good boys, and the alcohol must’ve come from Thad, and one of the other background boys that lived close to the school and whose parents wouldn’t miss the bottles. “Thank you.” He whispered also to Blaine, because he’d known from the lack of laughing that he hadn’t told anyone and he was grateful to not be embarrassed among the many other talents in this room.

“I don’t know. Maybe,” Blaine shrugged with a glance at the bottles. The last time he drank with the boys was a long weekend where most of them stayed behind due to only an extra day off. But that was the first time Blaine was introduced to their little hideaway in the forgotten upstairs room full of stored furniture, decorations and files long past anyone ever truly needing them. They’d turned it into their own place and Blaine was mystified and with the idea that it existed and he was welcome there.

It was enchanting a way. Exploring what he could find there. Drinking was more of an afterthought. Something mostly the upperclassmen did. Two glasses of wine and Blaine was past his usual with dinner amount and beyond buzzed for the rest of the night. “I’m sort of a lightweight and I don’t want to end up falling asleep before the show,” heat splashed over his cheeks before he clasped Jeff’s shoulder with a smiled you’re welcome. His other hand was taken by a happy faced Trent and he grabbed at Jeff’s wrist in turn as they were pulled out towards the corridor that lead to one of the roof doors. “Looks like the party’s moving. Just how close to midnight is it??”

jeff.

Jeff sat there listening to Blaine’s stumbled words as the water rained down on him. “Blaine, it’s fine I’m okay” He called out as he felt his ass throb, and not in the best way. He closed his eyes and let the warm water roll down his face feeling as if he was suffocating under the stream of water. He let his head fall back against the stall of the shower and felt free from the drowning of water.

Once he finally felt remotely ready to stand he grabbed for the bar in the stall and hoisted himself up. He quickly washed and rinsed and turned off the water and reached out of the stall and grabbed his towel and wrapped it around him. He stood there for a moment and wondered if his roommate was out of the room he was not ready to face the slick gelled boy.

Rubbing his toweled ass he grumbled to himself about the pain that seared through him at the touch. He won’t ever get caught doing that again, he’d promised himself that Blaine wouldn’t hear that again. Quickly dressing he checked himself over and headed out of the room towards where Blaine said they were converging to have that party.

Once he entered the room they were in he spotted his roommate and felt his cheeks flare in embarrassment and wondered if Blaine had laughed as he had come in the room and told the boys about Jeff’s moment in the shower. He bit his lip and walked towards Nicky and nudged him and nodded.

Not a word was breathed to the other boys about Jeff’s shower mishap. Willfully embarrassing someone else wasn’t something Blaine ever enjoyed and couldn’t understand why people who liked it–did. Giving a friend a hard time was one thing? Jeff literally bouncing off the floor of the shower when he busted him singing at the top of his lungs? Yeah. That could be kept between the two roommates.

Laughter bubbled out of the boy who was sitting in the corner of a leather couch with both legs resting sidelong over top of Trent’s. Thad and Wes chatted away on the floor in front of the pair. Blaine grinned along happy to be with so many friends. Some returning back just for tonight before they finished the last of their break with their families. But it was the perfect way to spend the best New Years he’s

Noticing Jeff joined them at last, Blaine’s legs lifted up off Trent’s lap as he scurried over the arm of the couch and hurried over to greet the blond. “Hey! I’m glad you decided to join us,” he smiled warmly and came to a stop on Jeff’s opposite side. Giving Nick a nod–Blaine leaned back against the wall and motioned towards a table set up with drinks (some that shouldn’t be there but were thanks to an unmentioned Warbler (or two) raiding their parents cabinets.

“You can make yourself anything you want. I think Thad mentioned once you were here, we were all going up to the roof. Better get something to take up with you on the way. I guess you can see the fireworks from up there. Pretty neat, huh?” And there came the few bounces on his heels and upturned brows that hinted at just how excited Blaine truly was to go and find out.

jeff.

Jeff had been mid chorus when he heard the voice and he felt his face heat up before his ass hit the ground “OH HOLY FUCK” the words were loud and over the music could probably be heard by the next room over. He hoped to hell that Blaine had vanished he didn’t need this getting out to the other Warblers that Jeff had lost his cool and got scared at someone talking to him while he was in the shower.

He sat there for a moment under the hot water and tried to collect himself it was nothing embarrassing right. Blaine, the cute roommate guy whose new to the school happens to come home early to campus from the holidays, and call out that he was back and that his voice was A Plus worthy. He worried his lip and furrowed his brows in a way that Nicky would say made steam come out of his ears. He tried to not over think it, but his brain was working a mile a minute at everything that wasn’t what it really was, because it wasn’t anything Jeff knew this.

Blaine slapped a hand over his mouth as he heard Jeff go down with a smack of bare skin against the tiles and a scream. Wide eyes stared at the empty room ahead. Nothing short of a miracle kept Blaine where he was frozen in time rather than going with his gut instinct and dashing in to help the other boy. That would’ve added a whole new layer of awkward to this entire embarrassing situation. “I’m so sorry,” came out as a muffled blend of the words into Blaine’s palm. Snapping it away–he repeated the words louder this time and took a few steps backwards away from the doorframe.

“I’ll–uh–grab my things and–,” Blaine’s limbs finally remembered how to move better than the few jerky steps that created some distance between him and the bathroom wall. “You can meet me downstairs–I mean–if you want. The few of us that were here early decided to throw a small New Years celebration! You can join us? I’m–sorry again. I’m really sorry!” The longer he spoke–the higher and more rushed his voice got. Barely letting Jeff have a minute to answer–Blaine grabbed his iPod off his desk and stuffed it in his pocket eyeing the door over his shoulder like it was a living, breathing thing ready to bite him in the rear end should he take his sweet time getting the heck out of Dodge.

jeff.

Jeff had finally settled back into his dorm room after spending the last few days away from campus with his family. He had really enjoyed seeing everyone, but had been looking forward to the solitude that was Dalton and it’s parent and relative free zone. He always felt weird being around his parents when they were home for the holidays, also because it was an election year and his mother had won her seat yet again which means celebrating usually ran from November, thru thanksgiving and into December with her constantly reminding everyone of her platforms and her victory and how her gay son had helped her win the vote. Remembering this fact had him rolling his eyes as he walked through the shared dorm room and into the small bathroom. He had been grateful to come back to an empty room he didn’t need to see Blaine right away and unload his life on the curly haired man. He just needed to shower the Sterling Family Love Fest off of him and put on Dalton Jeff and hide the insanity back in it’s neat little place back in Columbus where it belonged.

Once he’d stripped himself of the sweater, button up, undershirt, belt, Jeans, loafers, boxer briefs and socks he’d stepped into the water that he’d already set a moment earlier. Thankful for the schools heating system he let the hot water spray over him as he adjusted the new shower speaker he’d gotten from his Aunt on his fathers side and let the familiar playlist start to belt out. Using his love for glitter and Ke$ha to cleanse himself of the weekend he’d had.

Blaine debated spending the entirety of his Christmas break at Dalton. There were students who were staying through the vacation that he thought could use the company. Being around friends was far more appealing. Judging from examples from recent years–Christmas could go several (but mostly one of two) ways. At another of his parents associate Christmas parties. Which meant reassuring his mother that things were perfect over and over and her never agreeing to the last minute. Then his father would fly in two days beforehand. There would be an awkward silence between them that made the house feel like it never could heat up enough where it was once warm and comfortable. That’d only lead to him focusing on how wrong it was to feel that cold around someone who was supposed to be the opposite. But there was always his brother to look forward to.

Or, it could be like last year. When Cooper was ‘contracted’ to film a social experiment inside local Los Angeles malls, the dinner was held at another location and he opted to stay home and not tell Cooper his parents were gone.

In the end–he left Thursday and was back that Tuesday when Cooper flew home and dropped Blaine off to ring in the New Year with his Dalton classmates. He’d just excused himself to dash up to his room and grab some music when he walked into the sound of water running through the pipes and the hum of Jeff’s singing filling the room. Jeff was back! A broad smile lit up his features as he leaned on the wall beside the door and spoke loud enough for his roommate to hear. “Hey. Just letting you know I’m here. Welcome back. How was your Christmas? Nice song choice, by the way. I’d give you an A plus.”

jeff.

Jeff heard the complaints coming from Blaine’s mouth, turning in his seat he leaned in. “I highly doubt you are a bad singer, forget we share a bathroom and don’t think you haven’t escaped quite yet mister I sing maroon 5 in the shower when you don’t think anyone is hearing” He quipped quietly into his roommates ear as they were seated on the couch. He laughed when he pulled away and Blaine was apologizing and he’d heard them all wave off Jeff and say hi to Blaine then go back to what they were talking about.

He had sat next to Blaine before in the cars, in class, while studying, but never this close. He had to admit to himself that his roommate smelled good, shaking the thought away and focusing on the music that the council was putting forth he felt someone poke his leg and look down to see Trent and Thad both giving them glares. Sticking out his tongue he leaned closer into Blaine and whispered “Are you going to audition today?” lifting a brow curiously as he’d heard something about a potential Train song, Jason Mraz, perhaps Usher and his head spun around “I can work with those, but please no Bieber” He cried out dramatically putting his hand to his heart.

Fascinated by the side chatter as well as what the Council was pitching to the team–Blaine’s gaze darted from one person’s face to the other and back to the students seated behind the desk. Over and over again. Without really looking at any of them for very long. He wanted to take it all in. Understand what this was about. More than what Jeff told him–and there was a lot–he wanted to see this in action. Even if he wasn’t a part of it. When Jeff leaned in–Blaine leaned closer too. “You heard me do that,” he quipped back in a whisper trying not to be as embarrassed as he was after learning that his fair haired roommate was privy to his showertime homages to Adam Levine.

Oh God. How much did he hear? How often? What about Katy Perry Monday Mornings? Hopefully he wouldn’t bring those up either. Blaine thought he timed his showers after Jeff left or was dead asleep. Here’s to making a note to fix that asap. “I-I’m not sure,” he smiled at Jeff not seeming to mind the closeness as he did the first night in the car when he tried to make his already small stature even smaller as to not impose on anyone. In fact? He seemed to welcome it with a smile and a bubbling laugh he hid behind his hand. Quieting down with an apologetic cringe given to Wes–Blaine returned his attention back to Jeff to say something else but only ended up laughing at his dramatic denouncement of the Biebs. “Not a fan–I see?”

jeff.

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.”

jeff.

Jeff had spent the weeks after Blaine had arrived keeping an eye on him making sure he made it to all his classes and that he had people to sit and be social with as well as caught up to the rest of them in classes so he wouldn’t be left out of anything. Now weeks had passed and he felt it was time to drag Blaine into the mass of Warblers and let him experience how the rockstars of the school lived. Yeah he had been to a few impromptu performances that they’d preformed during school, but he hadn’t been to an actual practice and sure Jeff had gossiped non stop about the boys even going so far as giving Blaine some information that he’d never shared about the time he’d hooked up with Nicky and got disappointed when Nicky expressed that he was more into females than he was males.

Jeff had shaken himself out of his thoughts when he heard the door open and his roommate walked in. “PERFECT TIMING” he told him bouncing on his bed as he took his tie off “I’m heading towards practice, you should come with me!” he bounced himself off the bed and headed toward Blaine “Set down your bag and come on!” he bounced towards the door excited to be dragging Blaine along with him to practice.

Dalton was quickly becoming home. Two weeks in and he called his parents to let them know he’d rather stay at the dorms this coming weekend than make the short drive back. There wasn’t much of a point anyway but even not having something to go home to didn’t seem to bother him much. Not when he had this place. There was more pep to his step, more energy in his eyes and the quiet boy that was huddled in the booth at the pizza shop with the Warblers his first night here was becoming someone else. Brighter, happier. Blaine stood straighter. Carried himself with a better ease and continued to engage in more interactions with the boys who seemed to be welcoming the late arriving student with open arms.

One thing he hadn’t done yet? Jeff mentioned maybe a few times that he needed to attend a real practice with the Warblers. He saw them perform throughout the school and eagerly waited for the chance when they’d have a real meeting. Rumors were that was tonight and when he returned to the dorm room he shared with the blonde–Blaine was already holding his breath hoping that he’d be reinvited. Hazel eyes went round as Jeff bounced towards the door. “Yeah! That’d be great!” Blaine’s bag hit the floor and he hurried after. “Coming! Go, go, go,” he gently nudged Jeff along like the long legged boy couldn’t move fast enough.