Author's note: All songs in this fic are by Secondhand Serenade, but in this Sebastian writes them in this. I have the whole fic outlined already, it's just a matter of writing it. It's going to be two parts, or three, I don't know. So here is part one, unbeta-d, and I hope it is not terrible.
Italics= singing/lyrics.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything!

— — — —

All throughout high school, Sebastian Smythe had thought himself as a player, by his own rules, with his own game. Never once letting the ideas of love or compassion play into his mind, at least where it counted. People were just conquests, new challenges, and new victories. To anyone whom he knew back at Dalton, or even back in Paris, would be shocked beyond belief at his change the summer between completing high school and beginning college in New York.

To himself, he knew the change was drastic to anyone from the outside, attempting to get a glance in. But he knew all along this was who he was. Most nights, hidden away from the prying eyes of mockery, he would compile songs, longing for the love he knew was too far out of his grasp.

Really, who in their right mind would want to delve into his mess, emotional baggage, and history attached. Failed relationships all around him made him realize that as long as he wasn't in it, he couldn't be broken.

He put up the front, hookups left and right, trying to bury those burning desires deep down. It was Ohio, after all. In his mindset, it was every man for himself. So he escaped, fled to the city of New York, minoring in music and mastering in medicine. Even two years in, studying most nights, but still picking up his guitar and writing those songs that eluded him for so long.

It wasn't until one of his friends from school stumbled upon his hidden talent, a sheepish (he would never admit that outloud) Sebastian giving a little impromptu concert and being persuaded to start performing at the local coffee shop. It was there he would finally find the right muse, the right atmosphere, and the right love.

— — — —

He'd played the coffee shop many times, gaining a small following. Regular customers usually smiled when he appeared, always leaving tips afterward and quick words of praise. It wasn't until a month into playing the coffee shop regularly, that a new face appeared, blatant interest etched across his beautiful face. Sure, he'd seen his fair share of pretty things, but he was something entirely of his own.

Sebastian's breath caught as he made his way onto the small stage, eyes trained on the newcomer, and glasses having fallen down the bridge of his nose. He pushes them back up, settling awkwardly onto the little stool that was seated before a microphone. Aside from the few regulars that stayed to watch, the other patrons of the shop paid him no mind, yet he can still feel the eyes of the young man on him. He keeps his eyes on the ground beneath him, before finally pulling his shoulders back and glancing up, a timid smile sliding onto his lips.

"Good evening, everyone," he starts, tongue darting out between his lips nervously, "As most of you know, I'm Sebastian. I won't bother with any more introductions and get right into the music. This is called Stay Close, Don't Go."

Suddenly, the quiet coffee shop filled with the music of his guitar, curious glances being shot his way at the first strum. This was what he lived for most days, being noticed like this, drawing the attention. Along with getting out the feelings he'd kept buried for so long, without the judgmental eyes of people who knew him. New York was great for new faces every day.

"I know I've been selfish,

I know I've been foolish,

But look through that and you will see,

That I'll do better.

I know, baby, I can do better.

If you leave me tonight,

I'll wake up alone,

Don't tell me I will make it on my own..."

He may have never been in love before, but he knew enough of what he'd want, how he'd act, what would happen, that he could form them into songs. One day soon enough, he hoped, it wouldn't just be him singing them to people who really only came because he sounded good. No, he would have someone to write them for, to sing them to, and to share them with.

"Sometimes I stare at you while you are sleeping,

I listen to your breathing,"

Sebastian's eyes fell closed, hands still working diligently on the guitar on his lap, and voice stronger than ever. Today, he could just pretend he was playing for the beautiful man, who's eyes still hadn't left his position on the stage. Only for today, he thought.

"And don't you know,

My heart is pumping,

Oh, it's putting up the fight.

And I've got this feeling,

That everything's alright.

Don't you see?

I'm not the only one for you,

But you're the only one for me..."

What was one day out of the rest of his life? This was New York. Regularity was abnormal in the city. You see new faces every day, his mind reminded him, you'll never see him again.

Don't leave me tonight,

This heart of stone will sink 'til it dies,

If you leave me tonight.

Don't leave me tonight."

— — — —

Sebastian packed up his guitar, sliding his pick into his back pocket and just giving a short wave as goodbye. The coffee shop went back to the usual music they played overhead, something classical, as he made his way off the stage. He slung the strap of his case over his shoulder and started for the door, only stopping to talk to the few people who came to say a few words.

If Sebastian was disappointed that he didn't see the new boy, he didn't let it show as he exited the coffee shop. The walk back wasn't that long, one of the main reasons he had deemed the place an ideal performance area. That and it generally was a very quaint coffee shop.

"Hey!"

A voice calling out behind him made him pause, his face scrunching up in slight confusion. Had he forgotten something back at the coffee shop? Turning back around on his heel, he came face to face with the boy he never thought he'd see again.

"Uh, hi," he managed, drinking in the boy's wind swept hair and pink cheeks.

"I tried to get to you before you left, but you seemed in a hurry, plus people kept getting in the way," the boy said, hands tucked into his pockets as his expression went to nervous, "I was just wondering if you wanted to sit down for some coffee and talk. You're a great singer, not too bad a guitarist either."

"Thank you," he replied with an embarrassed smile, eyes trailing back toward the coffee shop a block or two behind them, "Coffee sounds great. Let's go."

They fell into step next to each other easily, the shorter boy sneaking glances at him every so often when he thought he wasn't watching. Sebastian just chuckled, pushing his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans.

"Are you gonna tell me your name at all, oh mystery man? You obviously already know mine," he teased, unable to help the amused chuckle that came out when his cheeks flared up in embarrassment.

"Oh! Right, right, I'm sorry. I'm Kurt, Kurt Hummel," Kurt stammered out, looking down sheepishly at the ground.

"Sebastian Smythe. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kurt."

Kurt breathed out a sigh of relief next to him, before falling into a fit of contagious laughter. Sebastian soon joined in, their laughter only subsiding upon reaching the coffee shop. He got the door, holding it open for his companion, following in right behind him. They approached the counter, Kurt ordering his coffee while Sebastian just gave the barista a curt nod along with an easy smile. Everyone who worked there already knew his order, more than likely due to the reason he frequented the shop daily. Beside him, Kurt gave a little hum of acknowledgement, leading the way to the queue to wait.

"So what made you come here today? I haven't seen your face around before," Sebastian inquired, one hand resting back on the case of his guitar, the other toying with the napkin dispenser in front of him.

"My roommate, Rachel, told me about this place. She said they had live music ever Thursday and Sunday, so I decided to check it out. Plus, she practically bragged about how great the coffee was and that she was the first one to find out about it," Kurt rolled his eyes, but Sebastian could hear the fondness in his voice, "So that's how I ended up here. I'll probably be back more often, the coffee really is better than anywhere else I've been. What about you?"

"Same story, almost. My friend told me about this place and said I should come preform. So I'm here every Thursday and Sunday, when they let me. But I do come here daily, it's the best coffee near campus."

Collecting their coffee, they made their way through the coffee shop until finding a corner in the back. Sebastian slid off his guitar case and propped it against the wall before taking a seat, one arm draped over the back of the chair. Kurt settled down across from him, both hands clasped around his warm cup of coffee.

"Major and minor?" Kurt asked, and Sebastian could tell he was trying to keep the conversation and subjects light.

"Majoring in medicine, minoring in music," he replied easily, taking a sip from his coffee before continuing, "And yourself?"

"Majoring in musical theater, minoring in fashion design."

"I'm impressed. Does this mean you sing?"

"I do! I was in my high school's Glee club. Placed second at Nationals senior year," Kurt stated proudly, a smile lighting up his features.

"You don't say? I was in my high school's Glee club as well," he replies thoughtfully, "Lost at Regionals, though I continued to sing and play even after that. In the safety of my board room, that is."

"Board room? Did you go to a boarding school?"

"Dalton Academy, it's in Ohio," Sebastian replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh my god! I'm from Ohio too, actually our Glee clubs went against each other at Regionals. The New Directions?" Kurt's eyes seemed to light up, finding someone from his old life in his new one.

"Well, isn't this a small world," he smiled, taking another drink from his coffee, "I didn't really expect to see anyone from Ohio here. I mean, yeah, there's probably plenty of them roaming New York, but to stumble upon each other in a coffee shop like this. Just, wow."

They continued to talk, slipping in and out of topics, and even into comfortable silence at times. Kurt talked about his crazy roommate and rigorous college courses. Sebastian talked about writing songs and performing, though he knew he'd never really get anywhere with it. Medicine was his fallback, even if it was his major. Hours passed by easily, more coffee was order, and stories were shared. It wasn't until Sebastian glanced down at his watch that he realized where the time went, his body springing up from his chair.

"Shit. I've got a paper due in the morning and I haven't even started it yet," he said sheepishly, looking down at Kurt with an apologetic look, "It really was nice meeting you Kurt, I had a great time. But I really should get going."

Kurt shook his head, smiling up at the other boy before slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I should probably get home anyways, Rachel is probably wondering what happened to me."

"Wait, give me your phone," Sebastian said when it looked like Kurt was about ready to take off.

The boy handed over his phone and Sebastian typed in his name and number, before handing it back to him. They walked to the door, again with Sebastian holding it open for Kurt, stepping out into the cold winter air.

"If you ever want to talk, I put my number in your phone. Though, you know where to find me," he finally said, gesturing back toward the coffee house, "But until then, take care of yourself Kurt. I'll see you around."

"You too, Sebastian."

With that, they parted ways, Sebastian heading back toward his apartment a block away from campus. His hands were stuffed deep in his pockets, his fingers playing with the cap of the pen he always kept on him in case of inspiration. The city around him burned bright in the night, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Even after spending two years in the city, it never seemed to dull, new surprises everywhere.

"Kurt," he whispered allowed, testing the boy's name on his lips, a full blown smile coming on now.

He closed his eyes, having taken the same route home every time he was able to navigate it with his eyes closed. It wasn't long before he arrived home, taking the stairs to the fifth floor, unlocking his apartment and stepping in. He shrugged off his coat and guitar, settling into the living room with a glass of water and his laptop. In the silence of his home, he let his eyes drift close, basking in the warm memories in the form of Kurt Hummel.

From what he learned of the boy, he was opening gay, (as if it wasn't obvious enough, Kurt had said himself) he loved musical theater, fashion, was from Ohio, and had the most beautifully complicated eyes Sebastian had ever had the chance to see. He let his musings run for a few more minutes before his eyes popped open, hand itching from the pen in his pocket and the paper that lay on the coffee table.

When inspiration struck, who was he to deny it? So he wrote:

Turn around,

Turn around and fix your eye in my direction,

So there is a connection...