Author's Note: Hi all. This was just an idea that I found floating around in my head the other night, so I thought I'd throw it up in the hopes of getting a little feedback. If you'd be interested in more on this one, let me know and I'll look into developing it further.
Anyway, please enjoy...
He didn't know how or why it happened that first time, or what it was that had inspired it in the other guy, but one morning Blaine woke to find the light on his phone blinking at him, indicating he'd received a text.
Still half asleep from a cram session the night before, Blaine lifted the phone, staring blearily at the screen until his eyes focussed on the name – a rather long one – the letters slowly coming together to spell a name. A familiar one too.
Sebastian.
He automatically glanced down at the boy asleep at his side, knowing exactly how Kurt felt about the other guy; the handsome now-former Warbler giving him all kinds of grief in the past. If Kurt had a sensitive spot, Sebastian knew exactly where to find it.
Hesitating, for a long moment Blaine just stared at the name on the screen of his phone, wondering how he should handle the situation. He hadn't heard from the other guy since his engagement and although they'd been good friends once upon a time, things had cooled off significantly between the two of them after the slushie incident.
Not that he was in any way holding a grudge. It was hard to do so after hearing Sebastian's heartfelt apology – not something he'd seen coming from the arrogant, usually unrepentant guy. Sebastian's confidence in himself and his opinions generally led him to be less inclined towards apologies. Indeed, that was probably the only one Blaine had ever heard him make.
Surprisingly, it had been a great one.
Despite his hesitation, after another quick glance at Kurt to make sure he was asleep, Blaine unlocked his phone and read the message.
Unassuming; simple. Sebastian obviously didn't have a lot to say.
Sebastian (3:28am): Hey you.
After another quick glance at Kurt – he knew how the other boy would feel about him being in contact with Sebastian – Blaine quickly typed a reply.
Blaine (5:42am): You're up early.
He didn't hear straight back. Honestly, he didn't expect to given that it had been so long since Sebastian had sent his message. Still, despite that fact he received a reply in what felt like record time. Obviously Sebastian wasn't overly distracted by whatever he was doing at that moment.
Not surprising, given the hour.
Sebastian (5:53am): *laughs* What're you talking about early? I sent that after 9am my time. What're YOU doing up so early?
Blaine frowned at that, wondering where Sebastian was that the time was so different. He wanted to ask – meant to in fact – but was distracted by the memory of Sebastian's laugh. Oddly enough he could still picture it though he hadn't seen it in person for a while.
Blaine (5:54am): Dunno. Just woke up. I don't sleep much these days.
Now what in God's name had possessed him to write that?
Sebastian (5:54am): Something on your mind?
He didn't want to go into it, certainly not with Sebastian Smythe who'd always been so damn opinionated in the past where Kurt was concerned. Never supportive of the relationship between him and his fiancé – the one exception being his rather elaborate proposal – Sebastian was probably one of the last people from whom he wanted advice.
So he hurried to reassure him.
Blaine (5:55am): It's nothing. You wouldn't understand.
Okay. That hadn't come out quite as reassuring as he'd hoped. It still spoke of issues... just issues he didn't want to discuss.
Sebastian (5:56am): Relationship drama, huh?
For a long moment Blaine just stared at his phone in surprise, wondering exactly how it was that Sebastian had guessed so accurately. Did he just know him too well? Was he that predictable?
Blaine (6:01am): How'd you know?
Sebastian (6:03am): Something I wouldn't understand? What else would it be? I know a hell of a lot about a hell of a lot, but relationships are my kryptonite.
He couldn't help his laugh at that, then quickly shot a glance at Kurt as the other stirred beside him at the sound. Soon enough his fiancé settled back into a deep slumber and Blaine turned back to his phone.
Blaine (6:04am): *laughs* I remember well. You're not so bad at making others' relationships more complicated, but helping with them isn't exactly your strong suit.
There was a long pause after that, Blaine waiting for his reply more anxiously than he might have thought possible, and he wondered for a moment if he'd offended the former Warbler.
Sebastian (6:09am): Tell me about it. You know Nick still won't speak to me after I tried to help with his.
Blaine (6:09am): Oh God. What happened?
Sebastian (6:11am): To hear him tell it, I completely sabotaged it. Stole his girl. I think he's being ridiculous. There's no way I'd pass as straight, right?
Blaine wanted to laugh again but with no desire to wake the man sleeping beside him he suppressed the urge.
Blaine (6:12am): Not to me, but my gaydar is pretty flawless.
Sebastian (6:12am): Everything about you is flawless, Killer. Tell me something I don't know.
Embarrassed by the compliment, Blaine redirected the conversation back to their friend.
Blaine (6:13am): So what happened? With Nick's girl, I mean.
Once again the wait for his text was longer and when Blaine received the short reply, he found himself wondering exactly how much editing had been done to give him the brief answer; claiming innocence.
Sebastian (6:17am): Don't really know. We were just chatting.
Blaine (6:17am): Chatting about what?
Sebastian (6:17am): Chatting about sex.
As much as he professed to know, it was clear that Sebastian was incredibly clueless about some things.
Blaine (6:18am): God, Bas! She probably thought you were hitting on her.
The nickname from their brief time as friends slipped in there automatically, easier than he might have expected given the state of their friendship when they'd last spoken.
Sebastian (6:18am): Not likely. Even if I WAS interested in women I wouldn't go there.
Curiosity got the better of him.
Blaine (6:18am): Why not?
Sebastian (6:19am): The giggling, Killer. Cannot STAND the giggling.
Blaine wanted to laugh again, shaking his head in amusement.
Blaine (6:19am): God you're picky.
Sebastian (6:20am): Tell me about it. Why do YOU think I went to Paris for school? Not for the extracurriculars, let me tell you.
Ah! Paris! Of course he'd go back to Paris for school. Whenever they'd spoken of Paris, Sebastian had always had this almost wistful note in his voice. That or he was comparing his life in Ohio unfavourably to the one he'd had in the famous European city.
Blaine (6:20am): How is that?
Sebastian (6:20am): The school or the guys?
Blaine (6:21am): Both?
Sebastian (6:22am): School is fine. Nothing too challenging. It does have the bonus of pissing off my father, so I'm calling it a win. As for the guys... if you're in the market for a good time and not a whole lot else I would definitely recommend Paris.
Blaine had to smile at the very typical response from Sebastian Smythe. It was clear that some things at least would never change.
Blaine (6:23am): Somehow I feel my fiancé would have an issue with any investigation into one night stands with French men.
Sebastian (6:23am): *laughs* Probably. Kurt never did so well with a little healthy competition.
Blaine wanted to laugh out loud.
Blaine (6:24am): Healthy competition? You basically made it your mission to torment the guy. And then that thing with the slushie...
Sebastian (6:25am): If you remember, I already apologised for that. Geez Killer... way to hold a grudge.
Sebastian (6:25am): And for the record I was aiming for Kurt's clothes, not his face. NOT my fault you dived right into the thing.
He couldn't help the smile at Sebastian's replies, coming one after the other, and could almost picture the mischievous smile on the other's face. It was in that moment, picturing that smile, that he realised he genuinely missed his friend.
As he was composing his reply, he realised he hadn't replied fast enough for Sebastian's taste because before he had a chance to hit send, another text came in.
Sebastian (6:27am): Does he still wear those RIDICULOUS outfits?
For a moment he stared at the short message, mouth open in surprise. His reply came quickly.
Blaine (6:27am): Sebastian!
Sebastian (6:28am): What? I'm serious. I'm really not surprised he was bullied in high school dressing like he did.
His reply to that was quick, his brows pulling together over his nose as he tapped out his reply.
Blaine (6:28am): Sebastian, you can't SAY things like that!
Sebastian (6:29am): Why not? I'm not condoning what they did, I'm just saying... High school kids can be assholes. He MUST have known that. Why make yourself a target?
Blaine (6:29am): He wasn't trying to make himself a target! He was expressing his individuality!
Sebastian (6:30am): Well then he chose the wrong soapbox in the wrong street. I agree that kids shouldn't be targeted for their sexual preferences BELIEVE me, but the U.S. has never been overly progressive in that sense. He made himself a target and made it an easy decision for those Neanderthals who were looking for one. You can express your individuality without rubbing it in the faces of everyone around you.
He wanted to reply, to defend Kurt from the accusations Sebastian threw at his fiancé, but the alarm on Kurt's bedside was buzzing; the boy beside him beginning to stir.
Locking the phone, placing it face-down on the table beside him, Blaine pulled the blankets back up around his chin and let himself drift back into an uneasy sleep.