Chapter 2: Runway Baby, before I put my spell on you

Song: "Runaway Baby" By Bruno Mars

The next day, when Sebastian enters the auditorium, the other Warblers are sitting in the front row, chatting and whispering and Hunter's not there yet. The ex-captain falls into a seat next to Jeff and crosses his arms, intending to look as inapproachable as possible.

"Where is he?" he snorts. "Thought military's always so accurate 'bout time. Is that a preconception?"

"No it's not." an amused voice answers when a tall figure enters the tage. Hunter is wearing his Dalton uniform now and Sebastian admids, teeths grinding, that it kind of suits him. It makes him look younger, a bit .. fresher. At least he thinks it's the uniform.

"Welcome to our very first meeting together, Warblers. I know you usually practise in the choir room, but I do appreciate to have a stage for today's programm."

Interested whispering. Sebastian can see the curiosity spreading and he doesn't like it. Hunter strools across the stage lazily, hand in his pockets, a smile lingering in the corner of his mouth. He doesn't look at all like the sullen boy yesterday who entered the common room a if he was investigating enemy's territory. He looks relaxed now.

"I did watch several videos of you performing, I read the choir's file and I took a look at your trophies down in the choir room. Not bad, actually, but there's a lot of unused potential between you all.

So, what I would like every single one of you to do now is to sing - solo. No backround, no dancing, just your voice. I need to hear it live so I can work out the best composition for us as a group."

Sebastian could see the others exchange looks. They're as irritated about their new captain wanting to reorganise their composition as excited about beeing able to sing solos. He's giving them veggies hidden between candy, Seb thinks. Bastard.

But then a voice says: "What about you?"

Everybody turns to look at Nick, who blushes immediately, but stays focused on Hunter onto the stage. "We haven't ever hear you sing, usually new members audition first. It's a tradition." he adds quickly, gulping.

"That's right." Sebastian speaks up. "How do we know you even know what you're doing?"

To his surprise (and annoyance), Hunter smiles.

"A reasonable objection." he says. "You're ready for a little inpromtu?"

They chuckle.

"Duh" Thad grins. "Question is: Are you?"

Hunter smirks.

"Hit it."

"Well, look at here, look at here. Ah, what do we have? Another pretty thang ready for me to grab."

Sebastian almost forgets to do his "ahhh" when Hunter starts to sing. Holy shit.

"But little does she know that I'm a wolf in sheep's clothing, 'Cause at the end of the night it is her I'll be holding."

If he thought the boy's changed compared to yesterday, he is now watching a rebirth on stage. Hunter's smiling, Hunter's moving, Hunter's flirting to everyone who randomly lays eyes on him right now. His whole behavior changes.

"I love you so, that's what you'll say. You'll tell me: Baby, baby, please don't go away.
But when I play, I never stay. To every girl that I meet, yeah, this is what I say."

The guy's an actor, he thinks, careful to not even let the tiniest hint of a smile show on his face. Only question left is: is he acting when he is on or when he's off stage?

"Run, run, runaway, runaway, baby, before I put my spell on you."

Sebastian catches Hunters look and for a split second, he could sweat that Hunter's stage smile turns into a real grin and he playfully lifts his eyebrows towards him.

"You better get, get, getaway, getaway, darling 'Cause everything you heard is true. Your poor little heart will end up alone 'Cause Lord knows I'm a rolling stone."

Fuck, is he flirting with me? Seb wonders and can't repress a small shiver. I'm not that easy, Clarington.

"So you better run, run, runaway, runaway, baby."

By the end of the song, the Warblers applaude enthusiasticly. Thad even whistles. No need to mention Sebastian doesn't clap his hands one single time.

"That was ... extraordiary!" Jeff explaines, sourrounded by amazed nodds and grins. "I think we can totally put our show choir's future in your hands, dude."

Sebastian remarks that Hunters behavior chanes back once he leaves the stage. His shoulders tense instantly and he's wearing his chin higher.

Putting your guard up, huh? Seb frowns meditatively. He likes to think he's a people person and he'd bet his entire trust fond that this kid's got something to hide.

The Warblers perform short songs one by one, observed by their new captain who all but said a word. But when Sebastian rises to go on stage, bent on blowing this prig's head with his tune, he waves his hand.

"Not you. I've heard you yesterday. Sit."

For a few seconds the air is burning with silence.

Sebastian stares into Hunters eyes, unable to trust his voice.

Then, the other pulls his gaze away, looking bored: "Who's next?"

You wanna challenge me, huh? You're so going to regret this, Clarington. Sebstian promises and he swallows his anger and sits back down.

"Smythe." Hunter calls him when they're leaving the auditorium by the end of the practise. Sebastian freezes and turns around, making sure his lifted eyebrow gives his face the perfect mix of arrogance and annoyance. He waits untill the Warbler close the door behind them.

Hunter scribbles on a paper, obviously ignoring him. Sebastian snorts, screw that, and heads for the door.

"You may sit down." Hunter says, all but looking up from his paper. Sebastian bites back a snarky comment, lets go of the doorknob and turns around to loll into a seat. For a few seconds the other still doesn't pay him any attention. Just when Sebastian is about to choose the nasty nickname he's going to start his yelling tirade with, Hunter finally speaks up.

"I need your help with the Warblers."

Sebastian expected everything but that. For a second, he even drops his Cooler-Than-You-face expression. He then narrows his eyes.

"I don't need your pity."

"Good, because I don't pity you. I think you perfectly deserved what you got."

"You lockstepped, pathethic little piece of -"

"After what your principal told me, you pretty much screw it up. You didn't get The Warblers to win at sectionals, then you almost blinded one of their members, who coincidentally happened to also be a former student of this school, what surely didn't increase your popularity among his old friends - your glee clubbers. And let's not talk about the incident with the vocal coach."

Sebastian opend his mouth, doesn't find a reply that's loathsome enough and closes it again.

"Actually, I'm surprised the principal let you keep the leadership that long. I'd have kicked your ass months ago, for sure.

But you're lucky - because you get a second chance here. Let me make this clear: I've ot the captainship. I choose the songs. I decide who gets the solos. I have full authority and full responsability.

But you have The Warblers' trust."

Sebastian gulps. Hunter changed again. Not relaxed, not tentative - now he's focused, his eyes boring into Sebastians, claiming, predatory. And gosh, it's hot.

"I know you're not stupid, Smythe. I saw your file. I'd never have believed someone can pull as much crap as you and get away with it so easily.

You know your way around the madness, what you don't know is the method. You can manipulate, no doubt, but you can't actually change someone's mind. I can do that."

He blinks, noticing there's a mole right over Hunters lipline. Change someone's mind, what the hell?

"I leaded a show choir in a Militairy Academy. Have you any idea how many fucks they give about the arts in the army? I'll tell you. Not a single one. And do have you any idea how interested a guy who just enlisted is about singing and dancing? They fucking hate it. But I got them to sing and, damn, I got them to dance and we won. And I'll get you to win."

Sebastian didn't notice Hunter's leaned in untill the moment he pulls back again. His gaze is intense enough to melt steel.

"Now, Smythe, just say if you're with me or do you leave?"

Sebastian gulps. He has no choice. Not really.

"I say let's blow some asses."

Authors Note: That's how I like my boys. Mean and seyy. I really hope I'm gettin' them right here. What do you think about my interpretation of Hunter? Thanks for reading!