thaaank you!

November 2014

"So… when will you tell Kurt?"

"I told you that's not why I'm dating Adam."

Sam didn't answer. He sat on the couch with a magazine and some health shake in his hand, not even looking up while Blaine adjusted his bowtie. He had wanted to get an opinion of how he looked in his tux but Sam hadn't cared to answer that question.

"Well, okay then. When will you introduce him to me?"

Blaine frowned. "Who are you, my mother?"

"I'm your roommate, Blaine. I'm your significant other as long as you don't choose to live with Adam."

Blaine snorted. "Oh, yeah, that's how it is?"

"Yes." Sam put the magazine aside and drank from his shake.

"Well, then tell me how I look!"

"Where are you going?"

"To see the premiere 'Mona Lisa'. Remember when I said I almost got the part and then I didn't? As a consolation they gave me a few free tickets."

"What is it about?"

"The tragic life story of Leonardo da Vinci. It's going to be a big thing according to Rachel."

"You know what, I want to see that, too! I'm ready in a minute."

Sam jumped up and left the room, leaving Blaine with a confused expression on his face. When he finally could think again he went to Sam's room.

"I didn't… you can't come, Sam. I'm going with Adam as a date."

"I won't interrupt and after the show I'm gone immediately, I promise!" Sam stood in his boxers in front of his cupboard and went through the suit section. Blaine had to give Sam credit for having become tidier – at least when it came to his clothes.

But what worried Blaine was that Sam's ribs were clearly to be seen.

"Sam, you look thin", he said.

"Thank you." Sam got into trousers and a shirt in almost no time.

"That was not a compliment." Blaine went further into the room and looked around. He hadn't been in here for some time. Many magazines about fashion were lying around, not one comic book to be seen. Or other nerdy stuff. On the wall hang posters of famous models, both male and female. The bed wasn't made, on the desk stood a lot of hygienic articles like hair products, cologne and body oil, and on the ground lay a pair of dumb bells.

Sam grabbed a brush from the bedside table and went through his hair that he wore shorter than last year but not as short as it used to be.

"You want to choose a tie or bowtie for me?" he asked.

Blaine sighed and gave in. If Sam got an idea on his mind he wouldn't back out soon. Blaine went to his cupboard and started to browse through the accessory section.

"Oh… hello?" Adam was surprised to see Sam, it was easy to tell. Sam just shook his hand and introduced himself while Blaine explained with a quiet voice.

"He absolutely wanted to come, I couldn't stop him. I'm sorry."

"No, that's totally okay… I think. Who is it?"

"My roommate."

"Ah. The roommate. As long as he isn't secretly in love with you and trying to break us up I'm okay with it… this one time."

Blaine laughed and nudged Adam's arm. "Thanks. We'll get rid of him later."

Sam behaved as badly as he could and Blaine wondered if he did it because he thought Blaine was using Adam to get back to Kurt or because he needed to compensate for his self-consciousness regarding his work. He actually settled down between Blaine and Adam, talked to both during the show and when they came out of the theatre he rubbed his hands and asked where they'd go to take a bite.

Blaine took him aside and spoke under his breath.

"Sam, remember, this is a date for Adam and me. And you said you'd leave after the show?"

"Doesn't he like me?"

"We're on a date."

Sam chewed on his lip and looked to Adam who stood a few feet away with his hands in his pockets, looking like a cute English gentleman.

"But why him, Blaine? Of all people in NYADA you could've chosen. Why him?"

Blaine shrugged. "It's not how you think it is."

"Yes, it is."

Sam sounded so sure that Blaine just looked startled at him, not able to protest. Sam eventually left them alone but Blaine couldn't stop wondering whether he was right. Did Blaine only date Adam as a late revenge on Kurt? Did the fact that he was Kurt's ex make it impossible for them to become something because it would stand in their way? Blaine could find out by telling Adam and asking if he was okay with it but… nah. Not tonight.

Marley frowned as Blaine told her about his weekend during lunch the next day.

"Sam came to your date with Adam?"

"Do you, too, think I'm using Adam to 'get back' at Kurt?"

"Even if you were that'd be none of Sam's business. Don't you think that was strange?"

Blaine shrugged. "No, I mean… Sam can be… If he gets something into his head he has a hard time letting it go. And he feels protective of me. That's kind of normal for a best friend, isn't it?"

"It's certainly not normal to interrupt their dates and actually sit between the couple", Marley said with another frown.

"So, hey, you haven't told me how things with Hunter went", Blaine said. It worked, Marley was distracted. He didn't want to think about Sam right now. Not that Blaine still wanted anything even remotely romantic from his best friend but last year when Sam had entered his 'bi-phase', as he put it, Blaine had been secretly but seriously offended that Sam didn't have thought about at least trying something back in high school while Blaine had been crushing on him.

But it had been for the best, really. They'd only destroyed their friendship if they had experimented or anything.

He listened to Marley, who hadn't dared to ask out Hunter and comforted her.

"Look, maybe it shouldn't have been. What do you think about Seth Gilbert?"

"Who?"

"That guy from 'Adam's Apples'."

Marley shook her head. "I don't know who you're talking about. Anyway, I can't just back out when things get rough! That's so old Marley!"

Blaine sighed, and Marley turned to him.

"Do you have my back on this or not?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good."

December 2014

A few weeks later Blaine rushed home from NYADA. In his class 'Music Video Editing' they had started a new project that consisted of, well, making a music video. They had split into different groups. Blaine's group had quickly agreed on a premise and now was in need of people who were willing to dance half-naked in front of the camera. Blaine had immediately thought of Sam and showed the group a picture of him. They had agreed, so Blaine rushed home in the middle of the day to ask Sam if he wanted the job and to get some of his private clothes he'd need. His fellow students were busy finding more models, gathering supplies and looking for a shooting location. They'd call Blaine where to meet them as soon if they had found one.

Already on the hallway he heard loud music coming out of their apartment. Mrs Presley hammered against the door when Blaine arrived with his keys in the hands.

"Could you please tell your roommate to turn it down? I have a baby!"

"Of course I will. I'm so sorry", Blaine said. She gave him an angry look and went back to her apartment.

Honestly, Blaine had never wondered what Sam did when he didn't have a daytime job. But he couldn't interrupt something important, right?

"SAM?"

Blaine closed the door, put his key in the bowl and went to Sam's room. He knocked as loud as he could but when no answer came he pressed down the door knob and went into the dim room.

He saw a blonde head lying on the bed, face turned to the wall. No reaction to his entering, probably because it had gone unnoticed. Blaine went to the music player and turned it off, then faced the bed with crossed arms.

"What on earth, Sam?"

"Wha- Blaine? What are you doing here?"

Sam rubbed his eyes and looked over his shoulder. Blaine went to the window and pulled up the venetian blinds to let some sunlight in. It was a miracle that the sun shone in November so why lock it out?

"I need you for something in school", Blaine said. "If you want to."

Sam rolled onto his back and moaned with both hands on his face.

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"Can you dim the lights, man?"

Blaine frowned. "Do you have a hang-over? But you didn't drink yesterday…"

"I took some pills Danny said are good for speeding up your metabolism. They make me nauseous but as long as it's working…"

"Danny? The guy who's here now and then?"

Sam moaned in response. Blaine went to the desk and looked for pills but didn't find any. His heart raced like crazy as he continued his search. He didn't want Sam to take ominous pills. Or diet until he was skinny like an anorexic. Or have sex with guys that clearly didn't care about him. Why couldn't he just settled down with Rachel and be happy for the rest of his life? Was that too much to ask?

"Where are the pills?"

Sam pulled the blanket over his head. Without thinking Blaine went to the bed, pulled the blanket away and grasped Sam's shirt.

"Where are the damn pills?"

"Stop screaming."

Blaine moved on to the bedside table and pulled open the drawers. "I can't believe you. You can't just take drugs you don't know anything about. This wasn't the first time, was it?"

"Calm down, man!"

"No! Have you forgotten how Finn died? Did that teach you nothing about being careful with substances? Ah!"

Blaine took a white can and opened it. Yes, he had thought right. Before he knew what he was doing he was in the bathroom, flooding them down the toilet.

"You're overreacting. It's nothing bad." Sam leaned on the doorframe, hugging himself. He wore a white washed out shirt, his eyes were red and his hair one big mess.

Blaine held up the empty can. "Promise me you won't take anything anymore."

"Why? It's none of your concern." Sam went to the sink and took his toothbrush.

"Of course it is. You're my friend. My best friend. I don't want to lose you."

Sam snorted. He put toothpaste on his brush, said "you won't" and started brushing his teeth.

Blaine didn't know what to say or even think. He couldn't tell Sam how to treat his own body but he had told him so often now that he was a special, good hearted person who deserved only the best so why, why did Sam not listen to him?

Blaine went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. He couldn't go back to school now, that was just…

"What do you want me for, anyway?" Sam came to the kitchen, still not dressed or even shaved for that matter.

"Forget it."

Sam shrugged and went to the fridge. When he took out one of his health shakes Blaine tried to remember when he had last seen Sam eaten something normal, something solid that he had to chew. But Blaine was in school all day long and he certainly didn't observe Sam's eating habit so he couldn't tell.

"What?" Sam asked.

Blaine realised he was staring and looked away. "Nothing. What about your plans to go to Bichette? Is that still on?"

Sam leaned against the closed fridge door and drank a sip.

"You don't understand, Blaine. You're the all talented guy. Whatever is asked of you, you're perfect in it. Singing, dancing, acting, whatever. You're attractive without having to work for it and you fascinate everybody without even talking to them. I'm your dumb sidekick if at all. Nothing has changed since high school, nothing."

"Sam…"

"No, I'm not asking for your pity. I'm just sick of it. I want to be somebody, too. So I'm working on it, and it makes me feel better. Powerful, like I actually have control over my life. I will not die from taking a pill now and then, Blaine, so stop worrying."

Sam sent him a reproachful look and left the kitchen before Blaine could respond. He hadn't known what to say anyhow. They've been down that road before. Several times. Blaine didn't know how to help Sam feel better about himself when he just wouldn't allow it.

His phone buzzed. Blaine knew he had to get back to school but he didn't want to leave Sam alone right now. Maybe he could ask Rachel or Santana if they could come over. But Rachel didn't have time, Blaine didn't even have to ask her, and when it came to Santana he didn't know if she was the best person for this job.

He took the call from his fellow student.

"Listen, I have an emergency with my roommate…"

To say Janine was pissed when she heard Blaine would stay home was an understatement. He just was glad not to have this class with Sebastian, that would've brought on more consequences than a pissed student. At least Janine still had agreed to cover up for him.

Blaine ordered two pizzas along with soda and went through the DVD cupboard in the living room. They hadn't hung out together like that in ages. Maybe not since they've moved to New York. Life was different here, and so much faster. Sam needed a good old fashioned bro hang. Hopefully that would relax him and show him the world wasn't just about getting famous or being rich.

Half an hour later Blaine got the food and put it on the living room table. He started to eat and watch the movie without asking Sam if he wanted to join him. And his plan worked. A few minutes later the Blonde strolled in.

"Who was at the door?"

"The pizza guy." Blaine pointed to the food.

"You want to eat two whole pizzas?"

"I'm hungry."

"What about your school?"

"Oh, they called me and told me I have the day off."

Sam frowned. But he didn't say anything and sat down on the edge of the couch, watching the TV.

"Oh my God! Avatar? I haven't seen that in ages!"

"If you ask nicely I let you watch it with me."

"You wish, Anderson. I'm the professional here, I should allow you to watch it."

He leaned back on the couch and grasped a pillow. His eyes switched to the pizzas a few times but he didn't take a piece. So Blaine grabbed another one for himself, slowly taking it from the table to his mouth and moaning as he bit into it.

"Mm! This is so good!"

"Yeah?"

Blaine nodded. Sam couldn't take his eyes off of the pizza and Blaine tried not to smirk.

"I know what you're doing, Blaine."

"Is it working?" Blaine lifted his eyebrows.

Sam watched the TV for a few moments.

"Fuck. I hate you", he eventually said and leaned forward to grab a piece of the pizza.

Blaine just smiled and enjoyed the movie.

Two hours later Sam's tousled head lay on Blaine's shoulder and Blaine had his arm wound around his friend, his fingers gently browsing through blonde hair. The movie credits were on the screen but none of them made an attempt to move.

"I miss this, you know", Sam quietly said. "The way we were…"

"Yeah. I know what you mean. We see each other every day but we don't do much together anymore. Life has come between us."

Sam lifted his head, grinned and started to sing.

"You say the world has come between us. Our lives have come between us… But I know you just don't care."

"Oh my… how old is this song, Sam?"

"I see you, the only one who knew me. But now your eyes see through me…I guess I was wrong."

Sam sat up and drummed on his legs. Blaine was glad to see him in a better mood, really, but spontaneous singing? He hadn't done that since high school. Nowadays everything was planned and practised and…

"So what now? It's plain to see we're over. I hate when things are over… and so much is left undone."

Blaine shook his head but couldn't suppress a grin. Okay, why not? He joined Sam in the chorus "And I said, what about, breakfast at Tiffany's" and ended up dancing through the living room. And giggling. Blaine hadn't laughed that much since he didn't know when. He'd say he felt young again but he wasn't really old.

Then the doorbell rang.

"Have you ordered more food?" Sam asked.

"No. Do you expect someone?"

"Not that I knew of. Let me check my phone…" Sam ran out of the room and Blaine went to the door. He asked via speaker who it was and the answer made his heart fall down to the floor.

"Rachel wrote me she's on her way over", Sam called.

"Yeah", Blaine mumbled. A few minutes later the brunette girl came in.

"Oh, hey, Blaine! I hadn't thought to meet you here at this time. How are things going? How's NYADA? We never see each other there, we should meet up for lunch! Have you found another audition you can go to? Oh, wait…"

She took off her jacket and rummaged in her purse while Blaine closed the door and took a deep breath.

"Here, I saw that today and thought of you. It's a musical about Zombies? Apparently they desperately seek people, no one's auditioning. Oh hey, have you seen the premiere of Mona Lisa? How was it?"

Blaine took the flyer she gave him and threw a glance at it. Sam appeared in the hallway. He had changed into a green jumper and jeans, and brushed his hair. Blaine didn't know whether he should feel offended because Sam hadn't felt the need to dress up for Blaine or whether he should feel flattered because Sam felt confident enough around him to wear the clothes he had slept in.

"It was great", he mumbled but Rachel wasn't listening anymore. She kissed Sam on the cheek and asked him if he had eaten.

"Yeah, I have."

"Oh, but do you still want to come to the Spotlight? I thought we could grab a bite and observe famous people that come there. Or see if anybody recognises me! That's always fun, isn't it?"

Blaine practically saw Sam's high spirits vanishing into thin air. Now as much as Blaine liked Rachel he couldn't just stand here and watch her disregarding Sam's feelings in terms of glory and fame.

"It may be fun but it's not important", Blaine said. "Not everything in life revolves around being famous."

"Oh, Blaine, don't be afraid, you'll soon get a role on Broadway, too. I'm sure of it! You have the voice and don't worry about your shortness. I'm short too and people like me!"

When Sam agreed to go and Rachel went to the living room to wait until he was ready Blaine shook his head.

"But remember the important things in life, Sam."

"That is?"

"That is… is… love."

Sam stared at him for three seconds. Then he broke into a grin.

"Dude, that was deep."

"You know what I mean!"

"Is it also gratitude? And what about food, that's important, too, right?"

"Yes, exactly! Eat something there."

"Do you want me to become fat?"

"If by 'fat' you mean gain the pounds you lost in the last weeks than yes."

Sam rolled his eyes and went to his room. Damn, the good times were over, weren't they?

A/N Song: Breakfast at Tiffanys by Deep Blue Something