It was a cloudy Saturday afternoon in New York. Brody was in L.A. mentoring an acting class and Kurt was in France for the Paris Fashion Week. Rachel and Blaine were left alone with nothing to do. They had spent the entire week watching movies or Broadway shows, or just randomly sing or write songs at home.
"Blaine! I've got an idea. Since Brody is away for like two weeks and Kurt is too, why don't we fly back to Lima and see how things are now? I've missed home so much!" Rachel said excitedly. They hadn't come home since Blaine graduated from high school, and now they have all graduated from NYADA.
"You sure there's no auditions or callbacks next week?" Blaine asked, making sure that they wouldn't miss any opportunities of being in a Broadway show.
"No, the last time I checked, which was a few minutes ago, there's no auditions or callbacks next week, so we're totally free!"
"Okay then! But, uh, should we call Kurt and Brody?" Blaine asked, equally excited. Not only was he excited about being back in Lima where he met his soulmate, but he also was excited about meeting his Dalton friends. He did talk to all of his friends every now and then through Skype, but meeting them would be just wonderful.
"Sure!" Rachel took her phone that was covered in a pink rubber case with obnoxious number of gold stars. She dialed Brody's number and called him to make sure he knew she was going to Lima the next week. Blaine, not wanting to possibly disturb Kurt, texted him instead. Kurt replied a few seconds after Blaine hit the 'Send' button, saying "Sure!". Blaine assumed he was either in a meeting or enjoying a runway show. Blaine ran to where Rachel was sitting and told her that Kurt said yes.
"Look, Brody, I'm going with Blaine! Why would you be jealous?" Rachel paused. Blaine gave her a confused look, but Rachel seemed to be just as confused as he was. "Finn? I haven't even seen him in like 5 years. Don't be silly. ... Blaine? Here, Blaine. Brody wants to talk to you." Rachel sighed and gave Blaine her phone. Blaine giggled and walked away as Brody started to talk to him on the phone.
"Okay. Bye, Brody." Blaine gave Rachel her phone back. "He just want to make sure you're gonna be okay with the possibilities of Finn being there and all. But he said yes, so we best book our flight now!" Rachel squealed. She ran to a computer they shared in the music room. Blaine followed her into the music room.
"We're going to Lima!" the two of them jumped around like little kids with candies. They were thankful to be able to get a flight for the next day, because they couldn't wait for any longer to reunite with their friends back in a place where they grew up.
-Lima-
"Rachel, I could've just stay in a hotel. Are you sure this is okay?" Blaine asked. Rachel had offered if Blaine wanted to stay in Rachel's house during their visit. It wasn't that Blaine didn't want to stay there, he just didn't want to disturb her or her dads.
"Blaine, come on. We live together in New York. My dads know that. I'm sure they would love you as much as I do! Now come on in!" Rachel laughed. She opened the front door with her own key that she had always kept. She scanned her house looking for her dads, but they were nowhere to be found. "Where are my dads though?"
"Rachel? Is that you?" Hiram shouted from the second floor. She assumed they were sleeping before she came in.
"Yes, daddy! I'm with Blaine." Rachel shouted back, making sure Hiram could hear her. "Come down here, daddy!"
"Coming, sweetheart!" Leroy shouted as he ran down the stairs. Rachel and Blaine could hear Hiram and Leroy's running steps from the doorway. The Berrys always love to have company.
"Hi, sweetie! Why didn't you tell us you were coming? We could've cook you lunch or whatever." Hiram said as he gave his daughter a tight hug and a soft kiss on her cheek. Leroy did the same thing then he gave Blaine a light hug and a pat on his shoulder. "Welcome, buddy. Make yourself at home."
"Thank you, sir." Blaine smiled.
"Oh, please. Just call me Leroy. And this is Hiram." Leroy winked at Blaine and pushed Hiram to their kitchen. He could hear them argue about what to cook and something about wine, but he decided not to pay attention to that. He took his bags and also Rachel's to her room. Rachel showed him where the guest room was. It was a beautifully decorated blue room with –of course- gold stars here and there. It wasn't the typical Rachel Berry room though, but he was sure that she had added some touches into the room. Rachel left Blaine and went into her room to unpack her stuff for the week. She walked around the room to see that nothing had changed since she left 5 years ago. She looked at the pictures of New Directions on her wall and smile at the memories of her very first glory days. Winning show choir Nationals, dating a football quarterback, and having an incredibly talented set of friends who support her no matter how annoying she got.
Dating a quarterback. Finn. She hadn't heard from him since he sent her to New York. She thought about everything in her past as she changed her clothes and went to bed.
"Rachel?" Blaine said, almost whispering as he softly knocked her bedroom door. "Are you still up?"
"Yeah, come on in!" Rachel said. Blaine opened the door to find Rachel looking for her custom-made CD that Brody had made for her last Valentine. "What's up, Blaine? Do you need anything?"
"No. I'm just not used to sleeping in people's house. I also find it hard to sleep in new places. You do remember that I couldn't sleep on my first week of moving in with you and Kurt, right?" he sighed. "Can I… sleep with you tonight?"
"Sure! We're hobbits, I'm sure we can fit in my old bed." Rachel giggled. She finally found her CD and put it on her old pink CD player. The soft sound of Broadway songs filled in the room. Rachel knew it was something they both would love to hear. She turned the volume down and jumped into her bed, leaving some space for Blaine to sleep in. Blaine walked nervously to the edge of the bed.
"You sure it's okay, Rach?" Blaine bit his bottom lip.
"Of course! Hop in, we have so much to do tomorrow!" Rachel said excitedly. Blaine hopped into Rachel's small yet comfy bed and fell asleep.
The next morning, Blaine woke up to find that Rachel was gone. He blinked his eyes, trying to figure out where he was. He walked outside the room and paused at the doorway.
"Good morning, Blaine! Breakfast is almost ready. We'll be waiting for you downstairs, okay? I'll tell Rachel to make you coffee." Hiram said. He seemed to have just done a light exercise and was ready to have breakfast.
"I'll be down in a few. Thanks, Mr...?" Blaine said. He was still learning who is who, since Hiram and Leroy pretty much look alike.
"Hiram." He smiled. Blaine rushed into 'his' room and started to get ready.
"Good morning, Blaine!" Rachel shouted. She was leaning over the kitchen counter, waiting for her coffee machine to finish making coffee for her as she watched her dads eat.
"Good morning!" Blaine took a seat next to Hiram. They were happily munching their pancakes, which Blaine assumed Rachel had made for them. He took a plate and began to add some into his plate and eat it. Rachel handed him a glass of coffee and took a seat next to Leroy.
"Thanks, Rach."
"So what are your plans for today?" Leroy asked as he looked over to Rachel and Blaine, and back to Rachel.
"Just hanging around the city and maybe visit McKinley later." Rachel answered, she took yet another long sip of her coffee.
"Don't forget to come home before 5! We'll have a karaoke tonight!" Hiram said with a high tone. The Berrys are well known for their tradition to sing before having dinner at least twice a week.
"Yay! Alright, daddy." She said as she got up from the chair and took her purse on the kitchen counter. "Ready to go, Blaine?"
"Yeah. See you around, Mr. Berry." Blaine said awkwardly as he followed Rachel out of her house and into her car.
"First stop, McKinley High!"
"Wait, I thought you said we were going to hang around the city first?"
"That could wait." Rachel winked.
The ride to McKinley was enjoyable. They sung along to the songs on the radio. They also pointed and talked about some places around town that had or hadn't change since they moved to New York. When they arrived at McKinley, the first place they ran into was the choir room. It was still the same old place they knew, only there was more show choir competition trophies on the shelves. The room was empty, so they headed to the auditorium. The memories stormed into their minds once again. Then a soft intro to Endless Love started to play in their minds.
My love
There's only you in my life
The only thing that's right
Blaine started to sing. He closed his eyes and the image of romance he and Kurt had built over their high school days appeared.
My first love
You're every breath that I take
You're every step I make
Rachel continued. She remembered her times with Finn back in high school. He was her first love. They were so close to getting married, but Finn set her free and he hadn't contact her since.
And I
I want to share
All my love
With you
No one else will do
Your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes
You will always be
My endless love
They sang the part together as Rachel started to cry. Blaine stared at Rachel who was holding back her tears. She looked at Blaine and their eyes met.
Two hearts
Two hearts that beat as one
My life have just begun
Rachel smiled at Blaine. He walked over to her and they started to hug as they sing the next part.
Forever
I hold you close in my arms
I can't resist your charm
Blaine touched Rachel's nose and looked at her while singing the line. They giggled.
And love
I'll be a fool for you
I'm sure
You know I don't mind
Cause you
You mean the world to me
Oh, I know
I found in you
My endless love
Blaine walked to the piano behind them and started to hit some notes. Rachel walked over to Blaine and sat next to him. She stared at Blaine. She felt something she didn't know she could feel. Blaine could felt her watching him. He looked up, and their eyes met once again. They stared at each other as if they were talking through their eyes. There were so many feelings in both their eyes.
And love
I'll be a fool for you
I'm sure
You know I don't mind
And yes
You'll be the only one
Cause no one can deny
This love I have inside
I'll give it all to you
My love
My endless love
The song ended, and they had no idea what happened afterwards. All they could feel was their bodies embracing each other's.
"Now that's what I called star quality!" a figure was sitting on the front row clapping his hands out. "Rehearsing for Broadway?" he asked. Rachel pulled away and straightened her dress. He looked at Blaine awkwardly before she responded to the man.
"Oh, Mr. Schuester! Uhm, not really. We were just… singing. We went to the choir room but it was empty so we came here, and, well, it's pretty hard to be in this auditorium without singing." Rachel said. She walked down to where Mr. Schue was sitting and hugged him. Blaine smiled as he jumped down and gave their former teacher a quick hug.
"How are you, Mr. Schue?" Blaine asked breaking the ice.
"Good. I am now a proud father of two adorable little girls, I'm still coaching the glee club, and uh... Enough about me! I want to hear your stories." he grabbed Blaine and Rachel's hands and lead them to the choir room.
Why did I feel so comfortable when Blaine hugged me? What was the warmth supposed to mean?
Rachel didn't pay attention to most of the things that Mr. Schuester said on their way to the choir room. She kept looking at Blaine every now and then, trying to figure out what really was happening.
Maybe it's just the song AND her damn talent.. Rachel always gives chill when she sings…
Blaine couldn't stop thinking about the feelings that he felt when he sang the song with Rachel. He couldn't deny that there was something special between him and Rachel. A bond.
"So, what do you guys do now?" Rachel and Blaine were lost in their own minds. Mr. Schuester was confused. "Are you two okay?"
"Uh, I'm sorry Mr. Schue, what did you say?" Rachel gasped. So did Blaine.
"Oh, I was just asking what do you guys do now." Mr. Schuester looked at Rachel, and then Blaine, back to Rachel again. "Do you need a minute or two?"
"No. I.. uh, I've been doing Broadway shows since my senior year at NYADA, I met a guy, my senior, who I've been dating for.. I don't know, five years?" Rachel squealed. She was always excited when someone asked her about her story.
"Great! Wow, congratulations, Rachel! Not that it wasn't obvious that you would take over Broadway, but.. WOW!" he said excitedly as he stood up to give Rachel a hug. "What about you, Blaine?" he sat down and looked at Blaine who was nervously looking at Rachel.
"I make songs. Mostly for movies or other singers. Sometimes I sing them myself." Blaine said as he laughed.
"He's a successful singer and song writer in New York, Mr. Schue. He's just too shy to say that." Rachel looked at Blaine and gave him an assuring smile.
"Well, I'm not that successful. And besides, I can never beat her Broadway quality." He smiled.
"You've been on Broadway, too! Three times! Isn't that amazing?"
"Wow, Blaine! Congratulations to you, too! Did you make an album?"
"Thanks, Mr. Schue. And, yeah. It's called Human. I'll send you a copy when I get back to New York."
"I could just go to a CD store and buy a copy myself, but thanks, Blaine!" Blaine nodded shyly. "Well, I gotta go. But we have glee rehearsal here this afternoon. Come join us!" Mr. Schuester said as he walked out of the room, leaving Blaine and Rachel sat still awkwardly.
"Do you want to go and get some coffee?" Rachel asked, still trying to gain her confidence to look at Blaine.
"Yeah, sure."
The road to Lima Bean was quiet. Rachel was driving quietly while Blaine tried to look busy by playing games on his phone. That was, until they got their coffees and a spot to sit on.
"This place hasn't changed."
"This is where Kurt and I fell in love." Blaine said as he smiled upon mentioning that name.
"Not Dalton?" Rachel asked as she grinned ear to ear.
"Yes, but this is where our love sort of bloom. This is where we spent most of our times together."
"Right." They were quiet for a moment, until Blaine moved to sit closer to Rachel.
"Rachel, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Rachel said, trying not to look nervous.
"When we sang Endless Love in the auditorium, you were… amazing. You gave me chills. But it felt so real.. too real for a plain nostalgia duet, don't you think?"
"What do you mean?"
"I felt something."
Rachel stared blankly at her coffee cup. She really wanted to tell Blaine that she felt something, too, but she was scared. Scared of what the truth held for her.
"Please say something."
"I can't deny that I felt something too. And it's not the song. It's…you."
"Me?"
"I don't know."
"You."
Rachel looked at Blaine. She looked deeply into his soul, trying to find some missing puzzle piece of hers. She couldn't say a word. Neither could Blaine. Suddenly, the memories of the time they had spent together stormed their minds. It was undeniable that the two were too close for friends, but not close enough to be lovers. Blaine used to look in Kurt's eyes and Kurt would look in his and everyone around them would know that they were meant for each other. So it was obvious that what he and Rachel had was not that.
"Please say something.."