Barry was not a confident person. At least not in all aspects of his life. If you got him talking about his science, or his work– then he could go on for hours. Him going out as the Flash? Yup, confident in that area too. Relationships? HA. He truly lacked in that department. Why? Well, considering his track record with relationships, it wasn’t exactly all the surprising. The few boyfriends, and girlfriends he had didn’t last long in college. Becky Cooper? Short lived in high school. Linda? He broke up with her in hopes of being with Iris. Patty? She left, his own fault honestly. And Iris? Rejection was something he had grown accustomed to by now. He even had a fling with Snart at one point, the teasing that he preferred older men had only recently died down thank goodness. So, obviously him taking this step was big for him, and he had hoped for something positive.
Feeling the other’s lips against his own, feeling Blaine respond was more than enough for Barry to take the hint. He couldn’t ignore the swooping sensation he felt at the pit of his stomach, and the soft hum that escaped him. A hand on the shorter’s waist, the other cupping the back of his neck, deepening the kiss, and shortening the distance between the two of them.
Blaine kept trying to tell himself that this was a fluke. Barry wasn’t actually falling for him. In the months that they knew each other–there were plenty of times where Blaine wondered. Hoped that he was. But it’d been a long time since he let himself see anyone looking at him the way he thought he saw Barry stealing too-long-lasting glances. Warning! You’re going to lose him if you keep hoping for the impossible! That he gave up and kept the idea locked away. Mainly–out of fear his trend for wishing to run miles and only getting feet before he was the one picking himself up from the fall on banged up knees while the other person was too far gone to reach was somehow and he didn’t know why or when it happened–permanent.
That’s why the shudder he felt move up his spine hit him so hard that his hands grasping Barry’s shoulders and the arm around his waist was so desperate and needful. Not the buzz, not the way Barry’s hand on the back of his neck made him swoon into the touch as he tentatively nudged the other’s lips open for a deeper taste. Just the sudden realization that maybe his hope wasn’t so out there. That’s all. His heart wasn’t expanding by the millisecond and in a swirling dance with his stomach. No–definitely–yes. Yes it was. Especially when his tongue found the warmth inside Barry’s mouth more intoxicating than any shot he swallowed tonight.
Sebastian’s freckled skin was naturally rosy from the amount of wine he had consumed. It was sip after sip, unrelenting. His hair was a mess, and his clothes hung off his thin frame. By his own standards he was an absolute mess of a boy right now. He didn’t mind it with Blaine’s company though. Heavy handed and overly sexual compliments were even more of his forte the more he drank. The windows were open and allowed a slight breeze to roll through, often rustling his hair ever so slightly. On his skin it felt blissful. The sounds of nature filled his ear with backing for this moment shared between the two.
“Well, I’ll gla-” Sebastian’s head shook, eyes closing momentarily. Upon opening them Blaine was incredibly close to him. If Sebastian didn’t make the first move then was it even real? Holy shit! Going with the moment presented, his eyes slowly closed instinctively as his lip opened slightly in order to kiss Blaine. Confusion was an understatement for what Sebastian felt when Blaine’s lips connected to his forehead. Speechless again. “I – yeah,” he said with surprise. Unfolding his legs he reached for his glass of wine, taking an even bigger sip and swallowing it. “But only if you actually let me kiss you. A forehead is just a tease. Stop learning from me, it’s frustrating,” he laughed heartily.
Desired effect achieved! Sebastian was rendered speechless. Who would have ever imagined that he could be the one to make him go mute?! Blaine felt like he won the Olympic Gold. Because who wouldn’t if they managed to tie Sebastian Smythe’s quicksilver tongue via using it against him! There had to be some achievement unlocked for pulling it off. Blaine could almost feel his self-confidence level up. That’s how great that felt! Falling back to sitting with the arches of his feet pressed against the edge of the cushion and his knees bent up–Blaine grinned a Cheshire Cat grin and sighed contentedly. “I – yeah,” he repeated back against the thrumming of his pulse. A small price to pay for victory.
Problematic Sebastian only let him relish in his glee for a handful of seconds. He watched Sebastian swallow the probably way so vintage that Blaine didn’t want to know the price tag of wine like water. Did he really make him that flustered? Turn around was fair play and he wasn’t going to let himself feel guilty or regretful or–okay–regretful might be something that quickly reared it’s head.
The absence of his wine glass was missed ten times over when he did a double take. Sebastian came back swinging from his lapse of speech and Blaine was the one who had his tongue stolen. Blinking–he rushed to catch up and didn’t care what potholes he stumbled across to get there. “I–wuh–you–,” and there were many apparently, “Then all your fun would be over, Sebastian. We both know you like taunting me far too much. If I did that? You might run out of ammo..” Was that even close to a good comeback??
Kurt smiles a little softly. If anything, Blaine was trustworthy. He knew that. He was also more forgiving than he should be of Kurt, but that was neither here nor there as far as Kurt’s concerned. It wasn’t a matter of whether or not he could trust his family, it was a matter of how they would look at him. How dangerous it might be to tell them. What happens when someone is stressed and worried and lets it slip what he was? They’d look insane. Or he would, if the fact he said it first came out as well. Not that he would be fine with Blaine in such a scenario, but he trusts him not to say a word no matter what. Finn might do it. He doesn’t want to ask Burt not to tell Carole or vise versa, and he’s not positive what she would do either. Maybe this all has ruined his trust in people.
He chuckles at the joke and maintains his smile despite Blaine’s next question. “The distance we’re allowed is pretty far already. Another week or so and I can leave the state if I wanted. He’s not lurking around the neighborhood I promise.” He says it lightly, taking another bite. “I wouldn’t trust him not to barge in here thinking he’s funny.” Kurt rolls his eyes.
Making Kurt laugh any amount filled Blaine with more joy than anything he could think of. That was always the case. Now that he was back and with all that happened since then and before? It meant even more to him than it did when they first met and he went to any length he had to just to see Kurt’s face and eyes come to life with laughter and a smile. He watched him like it was the first time and the last time it would happen, gaze dancing from Kurt’s blue eyes to his smile and back. It made the ache in his belly that his question killed his appetite with ebb just enough that taking another bite was impossible to turn away.
Was it misplaced hope and relief that he received that answer with? He couldn’t help feeling both. He did. Both rushed in removing layers of bricks he felt on his shoulders that were becoming impossibly harder to bear the weight of. “Really,” he asked with a rising pitch to his voice he wished wasn’t there. He swallowed it down with more breakfast and a hearty gulp of orange juice. Exhaling through his nose and letting his head tilt to the side–he tried to sound as casual as possible. “What’s it like? How you are now. What’s different? Besides the obvious.”
Sebastian was in rare form. The teasing started mellow. By the end of their second glass of wine from the bottle Sebastian stole from the cellar–Blaine was pretty sure he never heard his singing compared to the talent that his rear end was. Such bravado behind it–no pun intended–too. He would buy a ticket to hear it sing if it belonged to anyone else other than him with the loud boasts his friend broadcasted the appeal of it to the empty house. He laughed each time. Gazing from his glass up to Sebastian with a toothy smile and look of disbelief in the ‘worst’ spots. The taller boy seated on the floor next to the couch Blaine was sitting cross legged on was about to launch into another round–his fingers waving elegantly said he was about to make a point. Thinking of no other way to derail him–Blaine sat his glass down and cleared his throat loud enough to earn a pause.
“As much as I appreciate another reminder? I think I got it the third or fourth time. And,” he ignored how his heart sped up now that he set his idea into motion. Both hands rested on Sebastian’s cheeks and silence fell. Success! Bending in–inch by inch–to the point he had to roll up onto his knees against the cushion and hunch over to reach, his smile curved onto one of mischief. Suddenly–he swerved up and his fingers nudged Sebastian’s cheeks to bring his chin down. His hair smelled like sandalwood and amber when Blaine drew in and he indulged himself an inhale of it before his lips touched the crown of Sebastian’s head. “You’re impossible. If I thank you? Can I get my rear out of being the center of conversation this go round?”
It had been a year since Emmett had arrived in New York at first awestruck by it all he has only been here once but they didn’t get much time to explore as it was more of a rescue mission but now He was there permanently, he worked on costumes helped with the set and really was the director right hand of course in more ways then one.
He was helping one of the cast members with their costumes a younger man. He held pins in his mouth as his hiked up the shorter male’s pants. “Hold up, hun. You’re almost perfect just don’t wiggle to much.” He advised looking up at him. “What was your name?” He asked him.
He made it! Finally made it! The Palace Theatre was abuzz with the oncoming production’s rush for costume changes, last minute lighting redesign and rehearsal after rehearsal until he was sure he wasn’t going to ever stop singing. Not even in his sleep. Today, it was his job to just stand in his dressing room while his costumes were fitted, hemmed and probably had the same done to them repeatedly until they were just right. Boy, he was failing at it.
“I’m trying. Sorry. I regret all the coffee I had this morning and afternoon,” Blaine replied softly with an apologetic wince that turned into a set of wide eyes and waving hands. You know? The brand of ‘oops’ that made him do exactly what Emmett was asking him not to. Wiggle. “I didn’t mean I have to go to the bathroom. I just feel like I might dangle from the ceiling in ten minutes if I keep still.” He was already excited to be trying on the costumes he’d wear on the set of the first show that wasn’t at NYADA. Or an Off-Off Broadway production in a backalley mess of a theatre. Dosing himself with enough caffeine to kill a horse was unnecessary but habits.
Jeff and Nick shared a look towards the end of Blaine’s answer then Jeff wrapped an arm around Blaine and whispered in his new roommate’s ear “Their loss our gain” then smiled to him as the pizza arrived at the table with the soda’s and other items that were ordered. He moved his arm out from around the curly haired boy and reached for a mozzarella stick and a piece of pizza and began stuffing his face.
Nick rolled his eyes and smiled at Blaine saying “Glad you came here then” He smiled to the boy as he also reached for food. Jeff with his face stuffed looked towards Blaine and then around at all the other warblers. He really was glad he had a new roommate sure he could get away with Having nick in his room from time to time without Blaine being there, it has been what he did when he didn’t have a roommate, but now that he had Blaine he could see fun times ahead and perhaps someone other than nick who could help him with the storms got too bad. He didn’t relish having to tell his roommate about that, but then again Blaine just told him the group of them things that he probably didn’t want to share just yet and he was thankful to the boy.
The shared glance between Jeff and Nick didn’t go unnoticed by the avoidant boy sitting next to the blonde. Blaine quickly turned his attention away from them so he wouldn’t make them uncomfortable should they see he noticed their look. What were they thinking? Did he share too much? Too little? He tried to answer their question without seeming too stand offish. Did talk so cryptically that he came off exactly how he was trying not to? Or worse? As soon as he felt an arm wrapped around him and breath on his ear–he relaxed into it and glanced at Jeff from the corners of his eyes. His smile was back and it was honest and full of relief. –It’s okay. Didn’t blow it for trying not to. Breathe and relax. They’re friends.–
“Me too,” his voice picked up and so did the twinkle in his eye that seemed to keep trying to shine even if his nerves suffocated each attempt after only letting it briefly shine. He didn’t shy away when his leaning in to grab a slice of pizza fit shoulder against Jeff’s arm. “So..,” he nudged Jeff and took a drink of his soda to wash down a bite. “You guys sing. What’s that like? Choir? My old school had one and I sang in it my freshman year and some of this year. We were okay. A lot of kids used it as an excuse to hook up at camp or go on trips. But the ones who were dedicated to singing made it fun.”
One eyebrow raised in curiosity at Blaine’s first statement. Sebastian sensed a feeling of anxiety and he relished in the thought of it. “I mean, with an ass like that you’re hardly ever showing up empty handed, Blaine. But I do appreciate the gesture,” his swagger enriched his words. Blaine was quite cute when he was flustered. Sebastian always enjoyed bringing it out of him. The cute school boy look really got him going. Sometimes, if he thought about it, he always found himself interested in those who aren’t like him. Those who haven’t been hurt, and taken advantage of him like him. Something about purity interested him.
What wasn’t there between the two that wasn’t a perfect match? Both have nice houses. Money. Obvious homosexual attraction. At least Sebastian inferred as much. As far as arranged marriages go they’d be a hitch, minus the both male aspect. “We could always test your hand at some French recipes. I’ve the ingredients and will for a mean Steak Diane. Totally romantic, if you ask me. And I’m talking about after we cook, handsome.”
Blaine didn’t say anything to the comment about him bringing his rear end–which was unavoidable since he was literally attached to it–would never have him arriving empty handed. In the short amount of time he’d been getting to know Sebastian–he figured out one fact within a few short visits. Taunting him seemed to be one of Sebastian’s favorite things and how he talked was part of who he was. What came out of his mouth at any given time had to be some weird compulsion he couldn’t resist. The filter between Sebastian’s brain and his tongue didn’t exist. From what Blaine guessed? Sebastian was born without one. It was how he was wired. And if Blaine wanted to be his friend–he was going to have to get used to hearing the most far out there things ever tossed his way. The sooner, the better. If he could get his face under control and stop lighting up like a wildfire was on his skin every time it happened? That’d be nice. So far? He had yet to learn that trick.
Catching sight of a painting in the hall that captured his attention–and was used as a means of trying to get his blush under control–Blaine pivoted on his heel as they passed it walking backwards to eye the colors on the canvas with an uneven smile. “I think I could try out a French recipe. Should be rather easy compared to Filipino. By easy–I mean bland. Isn’t that the stereotype,” he flashed Sebastian a taunting grin now that his cheeks cooled off and turned back around to follow him to the kitchen like someone over five years old should. “Let’s give it a try. Far as where we go after? I–ahh,” his palm cupped the back of his head and he shrugged causing that bent elbow to lift. “Wherever is fine with me. As long as there’s enough room to go over song lists. Where do you keep your notes? We can go over them while we eat.”
Kurt couldn’t help but giggle a little at the way Blaine’s eyebrows went down, feeling his heart leap and do flips at the way it made the other boy look so cute, so handsome, so… God, he was going to have to control himself or he was going to melt into a puddle at this point, and he couldn’t do that. As soon as Blaine’s hand reached for him, he returned the favor, slipping his hand gracefully into the other’s. It felt perfect, and Kurt held back a tiny whimper at just how right it felt, like his hand belonged in Blaine’s, that he belonged there, following after him.
“An impromptu performance sounds perfect,” He stated, then turned red and quickly babbled, “I mean, for an excuse of course. Not that it’s going to be a performance or anything, obviously and that’s not what I meant at all. I mean, not that I would mind but that sounds dirty and I really didn’t mean it that way and just…” He stopped and cleared his throat and quickly added, “Maybe one day we can sing together, right? I mean, I would like that, if you would, but… yes, one class missed won’t be bad at all.”
Blaine felt his breath catch–hazel eyes brightly twinkling as they were drawn towards the sight of pale skin contrasting the more olive of his own. He stared–only for a moment–then blinked rapidly to knock himself back to the present rather than stay frozen in time when such a simple gesture made everything else come to a stop. “G-Great.! Glad you agree on the excuse!” Only a handful of seconds that left him with an awestruck, blank expression that quickly morphed into a cheeky grin and quiet laugh. Whatever that was–Blaine kept hold of Kurt’s hand even as he shifted around and it meant he had to tuck his arm over Kurt’s and hold the other boy’s against his side. He wasn’t going to let it go for anything. Not even Kurt babbling to try and get out what was on his mind. Especially not then.
Their shoulders touched as he swerved them around a corner towards a long hallway with a set of double doors at the end but came to a pleasantly surprised stop. Kurt wanted to sing with him? Of course the answer was–. “Yes. Yes, I’d love that. Whenever and wherever you want,” his thumb made a circle against the side of Kurt’s hand and he had to remind himself where they were going. A shake of his head and a bashful smile to the ceiling later–they were on their way. “Promise not to judge me too hard for what I’m about to do,” with his free hand–he dug out a small keyring from his bag and stopped by the doors. “This was given to me by Wes. No, I didn’t steal it.” He fully planned on taking Kurt’s hand again but had to let it go to hold the handle and quickly unlock the door to reveal a dusty set of stairs. “I’m not sure how on limits this place is but no one’s chased us out yet so–.” Taking Kurt’s hand back–Blaine lead him inside and let the door close behind them checking to see if Kurt was okay to follow with a questioning ‘you okay with this’ blink.
“Seriously?” Elliott laughed – it was nice to think that somebody missed him like that at any rate, even if it was a little odd. Then, they were all a little odd if he was perfectly honest with himself, so he wasn’t judging. “I’m sorry for depriving her of her Elliott then.” He said, hand moving in front of his face to stipple more laughter.
“Okay – I mean stop me if you don’t want my opinion,” Elliott waited a beat, and when there was no objection he ploughed on with what he was saying. “You guys are good – you make a good couple, but you’re too young.” He was fairly blunt with what he was saying – he’d said that about there relationship before, but ultimately decided they worked out well despite being young. But getting married? Elliott just felt it was too soon to work out, especially when they already had issues like needing space away from each other as it was.
Blaine expected him to be honest. Elliott always was. However? He didn’t expect to hear that. Owlish eyes barely blinked and his mouth hung partially open before he could take the advice in a more eloquent manner. What was he supposed to say? Elliott always seemed to be a big supporter of him and Kurt. When Kurt went to Elliott for advice–he’d even stood up for him and tried to help Kurt find a happy medium they could both live with. Even after he showed up at Elliott’s apartment to accuse him of trying to steal Kurt away–Elliott continued to give him patience to the point he did everything he could to calm him down. Yeah, to say Blaine didn’t see this coming was an understatement of a pretty considerable calibur.
“Oh,” he finally quipped in slamming his mouth shut as he averted his gaze to the side and crossed his arms over his chest. “Right. I thought–.” A breath was drug in with a hitch like he’d forgotten to take one while mulling things over. “I didn’t think–. When did your opinion change,” he asked with a smooth calm to cover up the knot in his stomach. “I–. When did we become too young? I thought you supported us. Sorry. I’m just really lost here, Elliott,” his smile came and went quick. Another hint that he wasn’t as okay with Elliott’s disapproval as he was pretending–with his strained words faked softness when they shook underneath–to be.
By no means was Sebastian’s home dirty. Hell, his family had a team of maids that routinely cleaned it and kept it perfect. Still, Sebastian felt the need to do something to it. In the time that he killed before Blaine arrived he got quite a bit accomplished. He showered, did his hair, put some scented candles out (his favorite being between Jasmine and Vanilla). Sebastian was slightly anxious for some reason. He’d never show it beyond a subtle bite of the lip but he sure felt it right now. What in the hell was he feeling anxious for? It was literally Blaine Anderson. Well, that’s his reason partially.
This was one of the rare moments that Sebastian could be seen without his Dalton uniform. A thin shirt hung off his thin frame with a nice pair of pants to match. A genuine smile subtly formed at his lips when he saw Blaine. “Blaine,” he winked at him. “That’s perfect. Super cute that you brought me some food and my coffee order. If I’d have known better, I’d have thought you were trying to wine and dine me,” Sebastian teased. “Come on in.” Stepping aside he began to walk through the foyer that led to the rest of his home. “So, we have some options. We can order out some food now and let it get here in about thirty minutes to an hour. Or, we could cook something up together. And we can either hang out in the living room or up in my room. Up to you, handsome.”
Blaine tucked his chin down to hide his smile at the wink. A smirk, however, was plastered on when he glanced back up wishing he had one hand free to rub the itch on his neck. No such luck for that need for fidgeting to be quelled. He only had his wit to keep up with the taller boy who had a quicksilver tongue and the ability to make Blaine’s rendered absolutely full of lead too heavily to make it work properly. “You wish..” Oh wait. Sebastian probably did wish. Strike One on making his words work without choking. “I mean–no. Maybe I was taught better than to show up to someone else’s house empty handed?” He drew in a breath first and followed Sebastian through the foyer taking a curious glance–but not so nosily that it was rude–around.
The house was gorgeous. It was a lot like his. Perfectly polished antique and old money. You could feel it in the way it surrounded you with just the edge of warmth but was too pristine to sink down to your bones. Or that’s how Blaine always felt about his own and was broadcasting it onto Sebastian’s unfairly. Yeah, probably. The scent of flowers and vanilla as they walked further in created a calming feeling contradicting his previous thought. So much for judging a book by it’s cover. Then again? A lot of people did the same towards Sebastian, too. Oh, Sebastian gave them plenty enough reasons. Blaine just liked to consider himself one of the few who saw past the raunchy jokes and over-self confidence. So far? No one would agree with him but he figured, so far, he was right? “I’d love to cook. I’ve had enough take out this week to last a lifetime. Parents have been gone and there’s no reason to cook for just me–. Um–what? Wherever works. Downstairs might be easier while we’re cooking..”
pianokeysandbowties 