Chapter summary: Post-song plaudits... or not. Blaine's audition does not go exactly to plan. Hope you enjoy.
A/N: Brad Falchuk's comments at Comic-Con were about as brief as my reference to them; "when two stars are dating each other... let's see what happens!" or something along those lines. Sorry I can't give more info; admittedly I only half-watched the Comic-Con videos once so I don't remember too good. You can find them, I'm sure.
"Wow, thank you, Blaine."
Mr. Schuester's face was covered in a smile and he gave a few token claps before turning to the Glee Club that had nestled itself in a pocket of seats toward the back of the auditorium, a few steps up from where he stood. Every one of the members had relaxed into their chairs, elbows on the arm rests and bodies slumped into comfortable, almost sleepy poses.
"Any feedback gang?"
Blaine waited expectantly on stage, a little out of breath from his performance but smiling. Schue gave a meaningful look to the group but it was a few moments before finally Santana slowly raised her arm, her dark eyes half-closed in a look of casual boredom.
"Is that it?"
Blaine looked surprised and Schue went to answer but Finn leaned forward in his chair and spoke first.
"It's just that when Kurt sings girls' songs he changes it up a little- dances around- acts it out- you know. You were kind of just... making out with the microphone."
Rachel, sitting next to him, piped up: "Vocally, it was a little bombastic for my tastes. You don't really have the range to show off like that. Ultimately, I think that detracted from what would otherwise have been an entertaining albeit mediocre performance."
Puck's input was short. "What about doing some Dylan?"
Blaine put his hands over his eyes for a moment, frustrated and surprised at what he was hearing. Looking back up at the group from the stage, he found his exasperation coming through in his words.
"Well, maybe if some of you guys had agreed to do a simple two-step behind me like I asked you to, I wouldn't have had to pull out all the stops."
As one, the male club members scoffed and looked at each other in disbelief, except for Kurt who was looking increasingly uncomfortable. Schue turned to Blaine, his voice gentle but firm.
"That's not really how we do things here."
Tina and Brittany exchanged looks.
"Guys," Schue continued, "go easy. Maybe it'll just take some time to get used to Blaine's... different style."
The group immediately began muttering and talking amongst themselves and Blaine's shoulders slumped as he turned to stare up at the ceiling, his voice audible to those still listening in the audience.
"I can't believe I left Dalton for this."
Kurt looked at the ground. Santana, however, took the opportunity to call out to Blaine.
"How is Munchkinland coping without you? Aren't you their mayor? I mean-"
"-Santana," Kurt spoke for the first time, driven to action by her needless adding of insult to injury; "shut up."
But Blaine had already walked off stage. He didn't see all the apologies clear in Kurt's eyes. And he didn't hear Brittany's review as she leaned in to whisper to Tina.
"I liked it."