Author's Note: Hi everyone. I know it's been a while since I posted the last one... apologies. Sometimes I'm not the best at keeping these things up to date. I hope you all enjoy this. As always, please let me know if you liked it. I love to hear from you guys. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I hope I don't disappoint you guys with this new one.

someone: Just an FYI... you don't suck at writing reviews. I really enjoyed getting yours and hope your night got a little better. France though... kinda jealous! I've only ever been there once and we were only driving through.

Darrinia: Hello again! I remember you from my previous fic! Thanks for taking a chance on this one. The separate continents thing is definitely a pretty big hurdle... not insurmountable though.

Guest: Thanks very much. :)

dreamwindjill: As requested... more of the story. Hopefully I don't disappoint you with where I take it.

Ana: Thanks! :)

Guest: I will admit that I have bits and pieces of their texts and interactions written out... I've been writing them down as they come to me. The trick is making them all connect smoothly... wish me luck :P

Kuro Neko Kyoko: Oh I agree. I loved the interactions, though yes the slushie thing was a bit of a downer for their relationship. The guy might've had a shot if he'd not screwed up... but oh well. That's what fanfiction is for, right? The confidence building thing was the bit I loved the most about them. Kurt wasn't so good with the compliments...

Anyway... enough from me. Please enjoy chapter 2.


If he expected an apology for the blunt opinions regarding Kurt's troubles in high school, nothing was forthcoming. For the entire week following he expected every minute to receive another text – Sebastian had never in the past been able to keep his thoughts to himself – but he didn't hear from the handsome young man again, and it was made very clear that he shouldn't expect a follow up to the other guy's comment.

As always, Sebastian Smythe apologised for nothing. It made him wonder if what he'd said about turning over a new leaf was in any way accurate.

Still, despite his irritation over Sebastian's accusations, he found himself continuing to miss the former-Warbler, that brief conversation enough to make him realise how much he enjoyed the sharp back and forth with the guy. He didn't pull his punches – he said exactly what he was thinking and wasn't about holding back to spare people's feelings. For the longest time he'd seen it as a flaw of the other boy, but now...

Well he missed it.

Blaine (7:01pm): So what happened with Nick's girl in the end? Why's he so mad? You never said.

He didn't know what he expected. Maybe for Sebastian to message him right back. Did he expect the guy to be waiting by the phone for his text when past history suggested Blaine wasn't likely to reply? Did he assume Sebastian still liked him like he had in high school? That he was still trying to get in his pants after all this time? Maybe he'd just texted because he was bored and couldn't find something – or someone – better to do.

Maybe he even...

Sebastian (7:09pm): She turned him down and then asked me for drinks. Had to break the news that I'd much rather sleep with Nick than with her.

Blaine found himself smiling at the reply, shaking his head in amused dismay.

Blaine (7:10pm): When was this?

Sebastian (7:11pm): Over the summer, before I left for Paris. Guy still won't return my calls. Think he's taking it a little bit too personally if you ask me.

Blaine (7:11pm): That you stole his girl? I'd be pissed if it was me.

Sebastian (7:12pm): Christ, I didn't STEAL her. She totally brought up the sex thing and I happen to know a good deal about the subject so I was offering my honest opinions. Not my fault she took it the wrong way.

Blaine (7:12pm): *laughs* I'm just messing with you. I'm sure Nick will live. Probably got plenty of interest from the girls in California.

There was a brief pause then, Sebastian obviously taking a moment to compose his thoughts.

Sebastian (7:15pm): He WAS always a hit with the ladies. Not too surprised. I would've done him too had he been at all keen. That guy is 100% straight, in case you were ever wondering.

Blaine (7:16pm): *nods* Briefly. When we first met.

Sebastian (7:16pm): Didn't set off the gaydar, huh?

Blaine (7:16pm): Nope. Not even a blip.

He paused a moment then, a frown pulling at his brows as he considered his next message; hesitant. He was never sure what kind of response he might get from the other guy; sometimes Sebastian could be a real ass without realising it.

Blaine (7:22pm): Hey can I ask you a question?

Sebastian (7:22pm): Besides that one you mean? ;) Sure. As long as you make it a quick one. Got a lecture first thing tomorrow and it's already after 1am here.

Blaine (7:23pm): Oh... shit. Sorry. I didn't realise. Go to sleep. It's totally not important.

Sebastian (7:24pm): I don't believe you. At all. But I'm so wiped I'm going to pretend to. I'll hit you up in the morning, Killer. Keep on keeping on, as they say. Goodnight.

Blaine (7:24pm): Goodnight, Bas.

Honestly, it was probably for the best. The last thing he needed to do was air his issues with Sebastian. As the guy had said the previous day, he had very little insight when it came to serious relationships, and his relationship with Kurt these days was nothing but serious.

Which was part of the problem.

Still... Sebastian had never been overly sensitive when it came to his relationship with Kurt, his own interests often getting in the way of any true objectivity. Maybe now, with an ocean and several hours between them Sebastian's opinions might remain more... Okay probably not. He knew it wasn't a good idea to air them with Sebastian. Knew the kind of response he was likely to get from the other guy, but at the same time... who else could he talk to? All of his friends were Kurt's friends too, to the point where, should he tell one of them how he was feeling he didn't know where their loyalties might lie. He didn't know whether they'd turn around and tell Kurt what he was thinking the moment he was done talking to them.

Okay so he could probably trust Sam, but at the same time Sam was so very close to the problem. Sebastian, as removed as he was, felt like the safer option; though that might be the very first – and probably the last – time that Sebastian Smythe was ever referred to as the 'safe' choice.

Sighing, he locked his phone again, putting it back in his bag and rubbing his eyes tiredly. It had been a long day, and Kurt still wasn't home. It was hard not to be aware that his days in the theatre were getting longer and longer; what had once been simply an hour after school was now becoming later and later in the evening. He wouldn't be surprised if one of these days Kurt didn't come home at all. And even if he did, it wouldn't be the first time he'd eaten dinner alone.

He honestly didn't know what to do; didn't know what it was that he'd done wrong. He remembered all those times together in high school. He'd thought that nothing could ever shake them; that nothing could ever tear them apart. Sebastian had tried; he'd done his very best to split the two of them up, but all he'd managed to do was make them even stronger together than before.

So what had he done? Why was it that they couldn't be civil to one another for an entire evening? What was it that made Kurt not want to spend his time with him anymore? Was it something he'd said? Or done? Or had his time alone in New York changed his friend – his fiancé – that much? Was he simply just not enough for Kurt like he used to be?

The answers to all these questions eluded him – as they always did – and he began to wonder why he even bothered asking them anymore. He knew something had to change; knew that someone had to do something soon or they'd lose everything they'd once had. Everything they'd worked so hard for.

If one of them didn't do something soon, it might all have been for nothing.


Sebastian (4:17am): Okay. I'm awake again now. What's up, Killer?

The question was sitting there, blinking away on his phone, innocent as you please but the sight of it filled him with dread. He knew he shouldn't have brought it up with Sebastian. Of course the guy would wonder about it... was probably wondering too why he'd wanted to ask him of all people.

He hurried to reassure the guy.

Blaine (6:04am): Oh... that. No, it was nothing.

Given the time since Sebastian had sent his message, Blaine didn't expect Sebastian's reply to be immediate, but apparently the other guy was waiting by the phone, his response coming in only seconds after he sent his own.

Sebastian (6:04am): If it was nothing you wouldn't have brought it up in the first place.

The guy had a good point. It was definitely something he wanted to discuss, but should he really be raising this with a guy who couldn't stand Kurt. He knew the guy's opinion of his fiancé, and knew that he'd likely have a hard time being objective about it.

Sebastian (6:09am): Hey... if you don't want to tell me anymore that's fine, okay? But it's not nothing and you and I both know it.

Blaine sighed, reading through Sebastian's comment again before glancing briefly at the empty side of the bed; Kurt had never come home the night before. Wondering where the guy had spent the night, Blaine typed his reply quickly, hitting 'send' before he could think better of it.

Blaine (6:13am): I don't think it's working.

Sebastian (6:13am): Hello again. You don't think WHAT'S working?

Blaine (6:13am): Kurt and I. This whole engagement thing.

He waited, somewhat impatient for Sebastian's reply but nothing came. He wondered if the question had driven his friend away. He knew that Sebastian didn't care much for Kurt, and knew how he'd reacted in the past to mention of the other guy. He wondered if, upon seeing his question, he'd simply walked away; dropped any and all interest in the conversation.

He wouldn't blame the guy, of course. It was hardly fair dragging him into it at all, given how Sebastian had done his damndest to get him; lost his conquest to the guy in question.

Maybe that still stung a little.

Eventually of course he couldn't wait any longer; he had to know what the other guy was thinking and prodded the guy.

Blaine (6:24am): Bas?

The reply came quickly.

Sebastian (6:25am): Sorry... trying to formulate a way to say "and why the fuck are you asking MY advice" but in a nice, unaggressive way.

Surprisingly, the comment made him smile. It was so Sebastian.

Blaine (6:25am): *laughs* Any luck?

Sebastian (6:25am): Nope.

Sebastian (6:26am): So... Why the fuck are you asking my advice?

Which was exactly the question he'd been asking himself from the very beginning.

Blaine (6:28am): An objective opinion?

Sebastian (6:28am): *laughs* I'm hardly objective where you two are concerned.

Exactly what he'd been thinking, but at the same time Sebastian had a wider view of the world and what it was like than he ever had. Wise beyond his years despite his inability to commit, Sebastian knew more about how the world worked than he might ever learn.

Blaine (6:29am): As objective as I can get without asking a complete stranger?

Sebastian (6:30am): Still nope. I really don't like that gay-faced schmuck or how he treats you. So my opinion isn't going to be objective AT ALL.

Blaine (6:30am): Try?

The pause this time was only brief, and the replies, coming quickly one after the other, made Blaine smile.

Sebastian (6:31am): Try, huh? Okay... How's this... *clears throat*

Sebastian (6:31am): And why don't you think it's working?

Blaine (6:31am): That's good.

Blaine (6:32am): And because we fight. All the time. About stupid little things that shouldn't matter.

There was another brief pause as Sebastian composed his reply.

Sebastian (6:34am): All couples fight, Blaine (I'm assuming here... but it's what I've heard)

Blaine (6:35am): *laughs* I've heard the same. But they're not supposed to fight all the time. With Kurt and I it's ALL the time.

Sebastian (6:35am): Hmm... objective, objective... Maybe it's just a phase you guys are going through?

Laughing quietly at the guy's response, Blaine decided to satisfy his curiosity about something that had bothered him for a while now.

Blaine (6:37am): Okay... sidebar for a second... if you're as prejudiced as you say you are, why did you support me when I proposed?

Sebastian (6:38am): Dunno. Seemed like the thing to do.

Sebastian (6:38am): That and I didn't want to get lynched by a mob of irate Warblers.

Blaine laughed at that, genuinely amused by the guy's reply and trying for a moment to remember the last time Kurt had made him smile like this.

Blaine (6:39am): Really?

Sebastian (6:39am): *laughs* No of course not really. I could see it was something you really wanted. I was supporting YOU, not the proposal.

Blaine (6:40am): So you knew it was a bad idea and you didn't say anything?

Sebastian (6:40am): And how would you have reacted if I had told you it was a horrible idea?

He didn't have to think too long about that.

Blaine (6:41am): Okay good point.

Sebastian (6:41am): Exactly.

Blaine (6:41am): So... any advice?

Sebastian (6:42am): Are we being objective again?

Blaine (6:42am): Yes please.

Sebastian (6:42am): Talk to him. Tell him how you're feeling.

Huh. Okay wow. He'd definitely not expected that kind of advice from Sebastian. He seemed better at this whole objective thing than he'd thought.

Blaine (6:44am): That's actually really great advice.

Sebastian (6:44am): Thanks! :D

So now he had to go do exactly what Sebastian had told him to do. Address the whole situation with Kurt. They'd never really spoken about the distance growing between them. Blaine had always feared what he might learn should he ever broach the subject, and Kurt... well for all he knew his fiancé felt exactly the same.

Blaine (6:49am): Quick question...

Sebastian (6:49am): Shoot.

Blaine (6:49am): If you WEREN'T being objective...

Sebastian (6:50am): That's easy. Leave him and move to Paris.

Blaine laughed aloud at the reply that was everything he remembered – and yes, missed – about his friend.

Blaine (6:51am): *laughs* Of course. Thanks Sebastian.

Sebastian (6:51am): Anytime at all, Killer.