Three Steps to Recovery - Part Two

It took a while. Blaine was curious when Sebastian either didn't show up at the Lima Bean or didn't sit with them when he did. Eventually, Sebastian came up with the idea to just disappear altogether and blame it on increased school work. Then it was only a matter of trying to forget. That was harder. Soon, Sebastian was calling Kurt whenever he was thinking of Blaine and wanting to keep eating.

At first Kurt would just talk Sebastian through it. Distract him until he seemed to be fine. But then the boy admitted to binging and purging after he was off the phone. Not every time, but sometimes.

So Kurt changed tactics. He constantly complimented Sebastian, every time they spoke, every time they saw each other. Anything from "you look good today" to "you have very nice handwriting." Kurt complimented it all.

When that seemed to work, Sebastian finally asked Kurt over the phone one night, "What's the third step."

Kurt had smiled. Proud that the boy had decided to take the next step. "You need to find a professional. Someone trained to work with eating disorders."

By the time they got off the phone, Sebastian had written down the numbers of three such people in their area. Kurt was sure to say, "You work fast, Smythe," before hanging up the phone.

The day that Sebastian went to his first meeting, Kurt only got one call. One call asking for that last little push to get into the office. Then it was almost a week before he heard from him again. He was so startled that he leapt across his bed to grab his phone.

"Hello?" he asked, breathless.

"Wanna go out to coffee?"

He didn't know why, but Kurt smiled. "Of course. What time would you like to meet at the Lima Bean?" He knew better than to ask about his problem, especially when the boy sounded almost like the first day they met.

"Actually, there's a new place I'd like to try out."

It wasn't until halfway through their meeting that Kurt realized the Lima Bean reminded Sebastian of Blaine. The boy was simply trying to get rid of everything having to deal with Blaine out of his life. He tried to think of it himself, and he couldn't, not without hurting. Then he realized that he'd probably eventually have to say good bye to Sebastian as well, being Blaine's boyfriend. That seemed to cause a physical pain and he flinched in the middle of Sebastian's story.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Kurt nodded, deciding to examine the flinch later that night. "I'm fine, just a twinge. Mr. Schue tried to make me move opposite of what Mike wanted. I may be flexible, but I'm not a contortionist." At least it was half true. He hadn't hurt himself during that particular feat.

"Oh, good," smirked Sebastian, "Cause I need a good influence in my life. And who has a healthier diet than you?"

And Kurt grabbed onto that, hoping for that little extra time with the boy.

Time passed. The calls continued, but they didn't seem to be only when Sebastian was struggling. Sometimes they were because he got an 'A' on a particularly difficult test. Or sometimes it was because Kurt wanted to talk about the solo he'd gotten in glee that day.

Soon it was graduation. The Dalton event was hard for Sebastian because Blaine went with Kurt. But he managed to survive after getting a few tips from his nutritionist. He didn't go to Kurt's graduation, knowing he would have ended up sitting with Blaine. So the two met the day after at their own coffee shop.

"I wanted to meet today for another reason," Sebastian said after congratulations had been shared.

"Why's that?" asked Kurt.

"It's been two months. I've been… in control for two months."

Kurt shot out of his chair, throwing his arms around his friend and hugging him tight. "That's wonderful, Seb! I'm so proud of you. I knew you could do it."

"I'm not safe yet, but…" Sebastian pulled away, smirking at their close proximity, "I always get what I want."


All the bulimia information I used was from one sight. Some of it I used more loosely (I think) for "artistic" purposes. If for any reason you want to know the sight feel free to PM me and I'll send it to you.