It was hard to hold herself together at the first text. One part of her was furious. How dare he defend him after everything that happened. Even now, when she was more pissed with the ex Warbler than her original classmate, the initial issues still stood. After all, Kurt was the reason this whole thing started. && He was the reason it ended. Even though in the end it was all Blaine. After all — his actions spoke louder than her words.
text — blaine anderson; I know you get off on being his hero, but don’t victimize him when it comes to my wedding. He doesn’t believe in my marriage, he isn’t coming. If that still stands with him, it still stands with me. text — blaine anderson; It wasn’t his fight, I told him how it is. What I said to him has nothing to do with this. You should know that. text — blaine anderson; I don’t want to talk to you. I know what you think, I don’t need to hear it in some twisted way that makes you sound like the fairy godmother in a knock off cinderella story.
The tip of his loafer began to dig at the corner of the nearest box. He read the messages and couldn’t stop his back teeth from grinding together. A frustrated sigh caught Kurt’s attention and Blaine quickly brushed it off with a roll of his eyes and a half-smile. Why couldn’t they get past this? They’ve all been through too much to let things crumble to nothing. Not now. Not when their lives were shaping into what the rest of their futures would be built on.
( mssg » santana | sent ) I’m not..victimizing Kurt. I’m just telling you the truth. He stuck his foot in his mouth. People do that. We’ve all been there. It was a mistake. ( mssg » santana | sent ) I know I have.. I made one of those mistakes not too many days ago..with you. ( mssg » santana | sent ) I’ll let you go. If what you really want is to never talk to me again, I’ll tell Kurt that I can’t go to the wedding with him. I just want you to know that I don’t want to give us up. You still mean a lot to me. Families fight. It happens. Just.. Can we talk?
She had to take several heavy breaths before typing out her message. How else would this be settled? In person? Through somebody else? One way was too person, the other too immature. Over the phone was just her best bet. Until he crossed her again. Then he’d be making battleground for a fight to end all Glee alumni fights.
text — blaine anderson; I told you straight up that you were uninvited. text — blaine anderson; If I get one more call from Britt saying you and Kurt want to make a big scene at my wedding, I’ll get a restraining order on both of your asses. Save the sappy songs for your next “proposal” text — blaine anderson; Now leave me and my life alone.
Blaine heard his phone chime repeatedly from on top of the stack of cardboard boxes he’d rested it on while they continued packing his things. A confused glance was given to Kurt who was sitting on the couch thumbing out something on his phone. “Was that from–,” he didn’t get the question out before Kurt shook his head and claimed he was talking to Rachel. Only half believing him, a devilish spark came to hazel eyes as he stepped backwards towards the stack of his belongings and picked it up. What he saw instead wiped the smile right off his face. Word definitely did travel fast. “Oh..”
( mssg » satana | sent ) Why would you punish Kurt? He’s done nothing but help you both in every way he can. In spite of what happened. ( mssg » santana | sent ) Isn’t Burt your officiant? It’d be awkward to not have his son there. One fight shouldn’t negate the friendship the two of you have built over years. ( mssg » santana | sent ) I didn’t plan for this to happen. Can we, please, talk? I’m tired of wishing I could do our conversation all over again. And I’m really tired of missing you. Please?
Taking a seat beside the Warbler–Blaine sighed and lifted a hand, fingers clasping Skylar’s shoulder lightly to get his attention and try to offer him some form of solid support to lean against if he needed. “I understand how you feel. We all have a list of mistakes we’ve made and regret every second of. I wish I could tell you that it stops but it doesn’t. We’re human and I guess it’s all a part of the learning process.” He cracked an encouraging smile and watched his student closely. “What matters is what we do to fix them and I want to help you figure out how if that’s what you want. Or listen to you talk through it if you’d rather have that. It’s up to you. But I’m here? If that helps?”
As Blaine stood Skylar quickly followed, grabbing his messenger bag to quickly swing over his shoulder. Ensuring that his blazer was properly in place, Skylar took a moment to smooth out the wrinkles and straighten his tie. After the level of perfection he was looking for was reached, he looked up at the coach who was motioning for him to head towards the door. Following the direction, the Head Warbler listened intently as Blaine spoke. The story seemed bizarre, yet not out of character of the Warblers. They seemed to get upset quickly, even when asked if they were all gay. “It is comforting to know that others have had similar struggles.” Skylar said as the story came to an end.
Skylar noticed, he noticed the fall in the face of the older, how for one second it seemed as if something were wrong. Most of the time spent around the former Warbler he was optimistic, energetic, and wise. However, Skylar was smart enough to know that it wasn’t always the case, everyone had secrets. As much as he wanted to push and ask Blaine about his, he knew better than to cross that line. If he wanted to share, he would. “It also also reassuring to know that you all came back from it. It gives me hope that this is all temporary and we will be back to normal soon.” Skylar bit his bottom lip as he took a moment to ponder over the question. There were so many things that the Warblers wanted from this year, they all had goals as a group and as individuals. Yet he knew what the one common goal between all the members was. “We want to bring the honor and good name back to the Warblers.”
Blaine listened to everything Skylar had to say, honing in on the answer to his question first and foremost. What he heard made pride fill his heart. He nodded, skipping back a beat before addressing his purpose of why he asked what he had. “It’s show choir, Skylar. Dramatic outbursts will always be a thing,” he grinned trying to make the boy feel better as they walked towards Dalton’s cafe, “I don’t think you can have one without the other. Even in a place like Dalton.” Hazel eyes roamed over the hallway and he couldn’t help the wistful smile that curved the edges of his mouth. “As peaceful as it is most of the time–the Warblers can have their moments where a spot of chaotic arguments and disagreements can happen. We’ll always come back from whatever happens. Give it time. We’ll remind them of why we all love the Warblers as much as we do.”
“You know? I want that more than anything? To bring our name back to where it was before the fiasco that was Hunter Clarington and his insane idea that we weren’t good enough to win without,” he held up his fingers in air quotations, “help.” Lowering both hands and balling them into loose fists that were shoved into his pockets, he shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. “We’re heading in the right direction. I just wish I would have been able to stop it before it ever got that out of hand. Sometimes it’s hard not to think about what would have happened if I just came back when they wanted me to.” There was no way Blaine would’ve ever let that happen. No way in hell. All they could do was rebuild after their reputation was drug through the mud the way it was in the wake of the scandal. There were steps already taken. Skylar and the others would get them the rest of the way there and having the chance to help them along? That was where Blaine’s focus, passion and drive was. “We can’t erase what happened? But I’ll help us fight tooth and nail to get back to where we used to be. I’m really proud to have you to work towards that with, you know?”
Santana hated that her heart was breaking. She hated that Blaine was the one who caused it. She hated a lot of things to be fair — but nothing as strongly as this moment. Out of the best && the worst times, she thought he’d always be somewhere in between. He could stay in her grey area && never be anything less or more than a friend. The only other time she noticed how strongly she felt for him was after he’d nearly been blinded by Sebastian. Even though that was in the past, it was still a defining moment for the both of them. It showed them both how much she cared. Blaine wasn’t going to be her free pass anymore. She couldn’t have a simple love. When Santana felt something for someone it was passionate. The love she spread was like a flame && someone always ended up getting BURNED. The entirety of his rant, followed by her own nagging insecurities further proved that point. Santana wasn’t a good person, she just wished it hadn’t been Blaine to prove it. He was her safe place. Even Brittany was on the up && down spiral of Santana’s wild way of loving. They’d hit rock bottom && reached for the stars more times than she could count. There use to be a peace in knowing at least she could have one person untouched by such unpredictable feelings. Now all peace was gone, && she had to face all of the mistakes she’d made && will make again with the people she loved ALONE.
Hearing that same voice that once meant comfort && serenity sparked something within Santana. She was going to walk away, because she new things were hitting rock bottom. It was such a powerful feeling of negativity && hatred. Both of which were safer being dealt with alone. Bringing herself down was a one way path to a day or two in solitude. That kind of pain was nothing compared to the retaliation of her taking it out on another person she cared about. She chose that path already, && she didn’t want to make the same mistake two times in a row. Of course, Blaine couldn’t leave it alone. He couldn’t accept that he’d been cruel. He couldn’t live with himself being the villain. When she felt his hand on her elbow she snapped. There was no going back now. With a sharp turn Santana raised her hand && delivered a slap that rang out like a thunderclap. The contact sent a shock through her arm as she pulled away. “Stay the hell away from me! Don’t EVER touch me again, && don’t even think about stepping foot in my wedding. You think it’s hard living an unforgiving life, where you’re the villain? You have no idea how painful it really is. Trust me, Blaine, it never gets better. ” With harsh words spat in his face she backed away, feeling tears fall as her heart willed her to stop. To erase what had been said && making it work. She wanted them to WORK. It just didn’t seem possible anymore. So again she chose to run away, making her way out the door.
Blaine was in an anxiety ridden panic to get her to stop. She deserved to be told what she said hurt the person he loved cared about far deeper than Kurt stood there and let on. Enough that if he had to hear about it from Rachel and be asked to call Kurt himself. That he was struggling to keep his head above water without being involved in everything since they all decided to return home. That his world was thrown even more off the very thin layer of concrete he just laid down to get his footing when KURT made ‘not being involved’ impossible by ceasing to be out of sight, out of mind (not really but it was getting easier with Dave and therapy and all the work he put into rebuilding his life HERE) and was right there, seemingly everywhere Blaine turned. Maybe not that extreme but it felt that way because he couldn’t stop thinking about him or his state of mind or ‘I’m going to earn your forgiveness and then I’m going to win your heart back’. He listened to Rachel, he called Kurt and maybe that was the mistake that lead to this. One more painful bundle of choked out words of Kurt being okay heard over the phone? Here he was. Lashing out at the one person who trusted him completely with a friendship that the both of them held very near and dear.
Through distance and time apart, they would always reconnect because Blaine knew what he meant to Santana. Santana knew what she meant to him. They had a connection. Something in the background of all the friendships that had their ups and downs and everywheres that often surrounded the whole group. They were different. They understood what it was like to have family members who wished the closet locked from the outside. To doubt themselves in the middle of figuring who they were out. ‘I used to pretend I was so confident because it was easier than being terrified after that night, you know?’ They were sitting on the stage at McKinley. Santana still so terrified of being forced out in the open. His and Kurt’s plan to make her feel better failing miserably. Blaine talked to her in whispers. So no one could hear their secrets. ‘My Dad liked it better and Dalton helped me slowly become that. Mostly. There were days when I still wasn’t as sure of myself as I made sure everyone thought I was. Sometimes those days happen now. Please don’t tell anyone and I promise no more duets.’ She knew parts of him no one else did. Vice versa too. A flash of white. A loud crack. Pain and heat across his face. Blaine tasted copper from where he bit tongue. Still. It took him half a second to compute…she hit him. In shock, wide eyes blinked owlishly but his touch was gone and he didn’t move an inch. “I-I won’t. I’m sorry,” came out broken and he watched her retreat towards the hall knowing he shouldn’t follow. It’d only make things worse. Instead–tired legs carried him to the first desk they could reach and he sat down heavily, limbs giving out like a marionette with it’s strings cut. Elbows cracked against the desk and he used the heels of his palms to rub a forehead bent down into them. The ache on his cheek was still there as a physical reminder of the fact that maybe this time? He’d just joined the ranks of everyone else in her life. And that was more painful than the sting.
Skylar didn’t mind the councilmen and he often found himself conversing with them on different song ideas and how to get the ball rolling to get the creative ideas flowing out of the other Warblers. However, he always felt as if they were pushing themselves and trying to go over the top with everything they did. Even with something as simple as a discussion the names of animals came up when trying to decide if a girl was able to join the Warblers. Trying to prove his point by forcing it upon the rest of the Warblers, it was never a tactic that worked, especially when you bring up squirrel Warblers. Yet even after they all felt guilt and shame, somehow they drifted further apart. The Warblers still a house divided that if not brought together would fall. Skylar was hoping that with this plan they could fix the brotherhood, they had come too far to let it go now.
Skylar knitted his eyebrows together as Blaine continued talking, taking note that he waved off mid sentence. He felt as if he should question it, push it a little further to ensure that everything was okay with their coach. He never understood why he had come back to Dalton in the first place, many students talking about the time he had proposed on the staircase with several different show choirs, how he had gotten into one of the top preforming arts schools in the country. Yet here he was, the Dalton legend himself, back coaching the Warblers. Skylar wanted to know, wanted to help and make sure that he was okay, but he also knew that it was overstepping his boundaries. ‘Maybe another time’ he thought to himself. Nodding at the offer, Skylar quickly agreed. “I can get in contact with them when we are fully ready. As far as I know they are not particularly busy tonight. Coffee sounds great right about now.”
“Great! Let’s get the mechanics down and we’ll call a meeting,” Blaine smiled as he stood and walked to the coat rack near his office door. A plaid jacket was on his shoulders with a shift of limbs and he made sure the collar was in place with a smoothing of his hands before stuffing them in his pockets loosely. A turn of a shoulder and nod of his head in the direction of the door urged Skylar to go first. “I just want to let you know that this isn’t the first time the Warblers or any choir–really–went through some rough times. I mean–once when I was the lead soloist? The mere suggestion I thought we were going to lose at Regionals turned everyone from being willing to turn over the entire song list to me into an explosion of chaos until I got them calmed down enough to hear me out and make a point.”
The wistful smile that began his point faltered but the pinching together of his eyebrows and the deep breath it took him to press on was aimed at the floor and hopefully unnoticed or ignored. It was the first time he let himself think back to that day in what felt like forever. When it used to be one of many memories he toyed with on a whim to get through a boring lesson or too much traffic. His stomach sank but less than a second later–he hoisted it back up and was smiling over at Skylar as he took the lead towards Dalton’s cafe. “What I am saying is? The Warblers are brothers before anything else. Brothers fight. God, do they. They disagree. And go through horrible times.” A nudge of his elbow against Skylar’s stressed his point. “But they’ll always come back together in the end because that bond is too important to break. Okay? We’ll get them through this. Whatever it takes. What’s the most important thing about Dalton and them to you? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“I am sure they will be on board with it. Between you and me, I feel as if they constantly are trying to prove that they are just as good as I am.” Skylar had always felt as if the other two councilmen were trying a little too hard, he had never asked for all the solos, or the head Warbler position. He was voted those things, and somehow they still saw it as a competition.
“I want nothing more than for us to move past this and focus on the real end goal. A team divided like this cannot succeed. We need to be united.” Skylar hated the fact that even a simple idea can cause such chaos in the group. The change hadn’t even happened and they were already at each other’s throats, more so the council member who continually stole his gavel to bring up insane protests. Bringing his focus back to his coach, Skylar nodded in response to the question. “Of course we do. I speak on behalf of all the Warblers, you have done nothing but support us and let us learn for ourselves, while also guiding us in the correct direction.”
Blaine squinted thoughtfully. He understood the pressure that Skylar was under first hand. But when he was in that spot? Either he was oblivious to the fact that might be happening. Or they were all just in a different mindframe. Whatever it took to win was the name of the game. To perform their best, they put out their best. Just being the so-called embodiment of what the rest of them thought the best was? He loved being what and who he was to the Warblers back then. But it didn’t do much help for restful nights weeks leading up to competitions when the pressure stacked up and all eyes were on you.
Still. They were always there to support him. Lift him up and make him feel good about himself. It was concerning to hear that it might not be the case. Seeing it was one thing. Hearing it from the person in question? That was worrisome. Yet, it should be easy to fix. A matter of distract and focus elsewhere. Like on the current pressing matter of WINNING.
Relief flooded in with Skylar’s reassurance. If he was doing his job correctly so far (in spite of his brain being a muddled mess), then he’d keep pressing forward. “Good. I’m glad. It’s just,” he caught himself and waved off his thoughts. “Not important. What’s important is we get into that room and present the event to the Council. Should we call a meeting now? If you’re comfortable, I’m so on board. First? A coffee break though. Come with me and we’ll iron this out. My treat?”
( mssg » skylar | sent ) Great news! The administration from Dalton just sent me an email! They were able to salvage our piano! I know it isn’t much but it’s something. As soon as the insurance approves, we can take it! ( mssg » skylar | sent ) How about we put it in the choir room at McKinley? Since the other piano got blown up.. I want to present it to the guys as a surprise. Maybe it’ll help boost everyone’s spirits. ( mssg » skylar | sent ) While I’m at it. There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about. Whenever you have the time.
It was a lot more difficult to balance a tray of cookies and knock on a door than Jane anticipated. Maybe she went a little overboard in baking, but she still felt awful about everything that happened with Blaine and her leaving Dalton and going to the New Directions. Even with the teams combined now anyway, Jane felt like she had a lot to make up for – a lot to apologize for. Especially to the man who put so much on the line for her, believed in her and even, dare she say, inspired her to keep strong.
Knocking was not going to work and so she gently kicked the door to his office, clearing her throat. “Mr. Anderson? it’s me – Jane Hayward. I brought you some cookies and… some milk as long as I don’t drop it.”
The clack of keyboard keys and Harry Connick Jr.’s voice filled the room that was turned into a makeshift office for him to use. Boxes of supplies he picked up and hadn’t put away yet were scattered at the foot of his desk. His lunch sat untouched beside his elbow. Only a half cup of coffee held his attention. The machine he bought perched carefully on the edge of the windowsill. Quite honestly, the disarray was unlike him. Half moved in, half digging out of boxes for what he needed. Either he was an unorganized person or–his heart just wasn’t quite ready to accept that the place he loved most was now ash and memories.
Hearing the knock–Blaine’s fingers lifted from the keyboard and any tiredness was gone before the door opened. “Jane! Hi!” Bright hazel met Jane before he noticed her situation and his heart simultaneously melted while he sprang up out of his chair. “Let me help. Oh my god. Did you do all of this? You seriously didn’t have to–,” he paused at the smell and felt his stomach rumble. Flashing her a thankful grin–he nodded at the chair next to his desk. “These smell really good. You HAVE to come try some with me??”
Skylar watched Blaine’s movement, noting how quickly he seemed to come up with the solution. Maybe Skylar wasn’t the only one who noticed, maybe Blaine knew it too. Which just meant that as always they were back on the same page. “A challenge?” Skylar played with the idea in his mind, the boys did always love a good challenge, having something to work towards.
Skylar nodded as Blaine suggested the showcase. It could help ease their minds, help them realize that the only members they needed were the ones they had. “I think that would be a great help. I think that all the boys need is a reminder, that with or without females, we’re still a great force.”
“I’ll put it together then. We can start by pitching the idea to the rest of the Council and we’ll see if they’re just as on board as you are,” relief could be seen in his smile that came easier and the way he relaxed against his forearms that held him up against the desk. “I’m pretty sure they’ll love the idea, too? One thing that will never change about us Warblers. We do love our Dalton performances.”
“If it helps everyone move past everything? That’s all I can ask for.” There was still a lingering guilt of feeling like he’d let Jane down in the back of his mind. Mixed with the unsure feeling that he might’ve gone too far by trying to change something so important to not only them but himself, too. In the end? It was a rough situation for her, him and them. They had to move on. Focus. Or they were going to face a failure he wasn’t going to let happen. Losing. Unable to shake one of those feelings the hardest–Blaine bit his lip and read across Skylar’s gaze. Seeming to cave into his own internal debate–he scrunched his nose and winced at the question before it came out. “Skylar? Can I ask you something? Your opinion matters. You don’t have to answer but–. You know you guys are my priority over everything, right? I need you guys to believe that.”
pianokeysandbowties back up 