“You’re such a sweetheart. I even believe you when you say that,” she joked leaning onto him. Rachel was sure he’d rather have a boyfriend to celebrate with, but she was happy to have the company. “Do not start. It hasn’t even been five minutes and you’re already making me emotional. But, what sweet things are we making? Cupcakes?”
“Nope. No tears. You should believe me. It’s the truth. Today’s for you and me this year. I figure I get one chance before someone scoops you up and you’re spending it with the man of your dreams. I’m going to make sure my once in a lifetime opportunity of a Rachel Berry Valentine’s Day is perfect. One to remember and,” he scrunched his nose in a playfully judgy smirk, “make that guy live up to.” Blaine had to pick his chin up off the top of her head to smile at her. “Cupcakes? We can start with baking cupcakes. I’m even going to buy heart-shaped sprinkles and obnoxiously pink icing.”
“I am so glad you’re here to keep me company. And that I am here to keep you company. And I am sorry if I suddenly burst into tears, this is a very confusing time in my life.”
“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be, Rachel. Or a more perfect Valentine than the one sitting beside me,” he toyed with a lock of long, brown hair and nuzzled the crown of her head. “I’ll do my best to stay dry-eyed. If you do cry? I hope it’s because my supreme talent in celebrating today and all the sickeningly sweet things we’re going to do to make each other feel better leaves you with no other option.”
❝You think so?❞ She looked to him for guidance, but she knew exactly what he was going through himself. After all, she lived with Kurt and they talked about it often. So she squeezed his hand in return to offer him some comfort. ❝What about you? How are you holding up?❞
“I know so,” he smiled sadly towards their hands. “You want to know how?” Blaine took in a breath that came out in a gust of a sigh as he rested his head against her shoulder staring at the bedroom wall. “Because I’m not going to let you fall without picking you back up and dusting you off myself if I have to.” How was he? His shoulders hitched in a shrug against her side. It was always better to talk about someone else other than himself. The easy way out but–it hurt less and she was more important to him than he was. “I’m okay,” a lie spoken in a hushed whisper, “I’m going to be okay. I-I just really miss him.”
She smiled at him– a wistful one, but a smile nonetheless. ❝–yeah, I guess you’re right,❞ she admitted. ❝It hurts, but at least I don’t have anymore distractions from what I really want.❞
Blaine sat down beside her, one leg tucked underneath the opposite thigh while the other dangled over the edge of the bed. Both of her hands were gathered up and he squeezed tight. “That’s what you are fighting for, right? To go after everything you’ve ever dreamed about,” he sighed and ran his thumb across the edge of her hand. “I’m sorry it hurts but I promise it’s going to get better.” Now all he had to do was convince himself that the hole in his chest would do the same. Easier said than done.
It was probably the happiest he was ever going to see her. Or anyone else, really. Feeling the simple joy of being around a close friend who definitely understood her. Besides– the roses were such a nice gesture, and it was a great pick me up for the day.
❝Well of course I’m going with you! You know how I love surprises!❞ She cried out ecstatically. ❝But where are you taking me, Blaine? Can I have a hint? Just a small one?❞
One arm wrapped around her waist and settled a hand gently against her side guiding her away from the school and towards his car instead of hers. They could come pick that up later. Once he was done carting her off to ‘destinations unknown’.
”If I told you,” his nose scrunched up in an attempt to cover up his ‘I know something you don’t know’ smirk, “it’d ruin the surprise that I worked hard to pull off. So! You’re going to have to trust me that we’re going to have a great time and I’ll have you back before midnight. You know? Before the clock dings and carriages turn back into pumpkins, slippers suddenly come up missing but only just one. All that messy stuff.” He laughed happily and made a zipping his lips shut motion across his mouth. Nope. She wasn’t getting anything out of him.
“Thank you so much, Blaine. You’re a life saver. I just think it’s missing something. I don’t know what yet, but I plan to find out. Preferably before we have to perform it. I wouldn’t want us to lose because we could have done a better mash up.”
“You’re welcome, Rachel. I’m not sure what could be missing. Everything reads amazing and we’ve both worked hard on it. Sing with me. Maybe you’ll figure it out that way. We can try switching out some verses? See where it goes? You sure you aren’t just nervous? I’ll say it again and you should believe me. We got this. You and me. We’re going to win. No doubting them or us. I’m pretty good at guessing this stuff if you haven’t noticed.”
for once in her entire life ;;rachel was silent. sebastian smythe. blaine was dating sebastian smythe. that was definitely a shocker. it was probably a good thing that blaine’s leg was draped across her, otherwise she would’ve jumped up–– very dramatically. still, blaine was her BEST FRIEND and why should she make him feel bad about this? obviously he liked him. and if blaine was happy ;; why couldn’t she be happy for him?
“ sebastian? —- you’re joking, right? “
she held up a finger to stop him from talking, && shook her head. she had to rethink what to say ;; maybe something a little bit less… judgemental.
“ that- is. wonderful news.and you’re happy, right? that’s the ONLY thing that matters. “
Purposefully pinning her down and forcing her talk wasn’t beyond him and he he’d done it for a reason. Her walking away would have been a blow Blaine wasn’t ready for. He wanted this to be–good–news. Not that he expected it for most of his friend. They were over-protective by experience and nature. It was as endearing as it was frustrating. Especially about this. Rachel’s question had him opening his mouth before she shut him down with a lifted finger.
Blaine couldn’t stop his double take. Mouth open in shock. She was going with it?
He first had to blink himself out of his stunned daze so he could watch her in a way that was all Blaine. Narrow eyes and measuring ‘you really don’t mean that but am I going to call you out on it or roll with it because you’re being kind?’ stare.
“Yeahhhh. –Uh huh.— That’s the ONLY thing that matters. I’m happy,” he lowly whispered still cautious. “Really happy Rachel. Can I please explain how this happened?” He wouldn’t mention how easily she agreed with him sort of freaked him out. “Maybe if you understand the how? You might get the why?”
Oh–! What a lovely gesture! Seeing those beautiful, vibrant colors all neatly tucked together. Although she preferred orchids over roses any other day, it was still so sweet of Blaine.
❝–oh, Blaine! That’s so SWEET of you! What’d I do to deserve something like this from you?❞
Blaine’s bright smile only kicked up an impossible notch or two when he saw her look of joy. When her eyes lit up with a twinkle? He knew his plan was perfect and bounced on the soles of his shoes beaming with excitement.
“Well, Rachel. It’s simple. I only get all of you for a few more weeks and then you’re off to New York City. You’ve been working so hard I you deserve a break. One that starts by distracting you with a bouquet of roses and then,” he ‘suspiciously’ looked around them pretending to check for witnesses. One hand cupped his mouth as he bent in taking her hand into his empty one and whispered. “I’m kidnapping you for an afternoon out. No if’s, and’s or but’s. You’re coming with me.”
“Do you doubt my coffee ordering expertise, Miss Berry? I’ll have you know it’s one of my best abilities. Besides picking the perfect person to have a Saturday outing with.” Blaine grinned from ear to ear as he waited for Rachel to take a seat then took his own. “Wait! Before you ask? Sort-of–again. No, I’m not here on a super secret Warbler spy mission. I promised I’d leave sending decoys into opposing teams to the New Directions,” he jokingly teased quite enjoying himself. Not that the Warblers didn’t have their own means of scoping out the competition but he wasn’t required to reveal any of their techniques. Or to give up the fact that they even had them! “This is just coffee. To catch up and get to know one another better.” Other than a drunken singing/kissing session at her party they were doing pretty good not bringing up ever since it happened. “How’s the coffee? Did I get it right?”
“I am a very punctual person, if you must know. It’s five real time minutes. I just have to write down some changes to this song. And hope Mr. Schuester will agree with them. Well, would you mind reading it over? You’re actually versed with a piano.”
“I stand corrected. Perfect punctuality has a name. It’s Rachel. Uh–sure. I’ll give them a read. We’re making changes? What spurned this on? If you don’t mind me asking. I thought we were good? Have a seat. Let’s see if you like this version or the previous one I thought was great.”
pianokeysandbowties back up 