Summary: Sebastian is blown away by what he learns about Blaine…and himself.

Note: I am choosing to ignore the Season 4 drama between those in what I refer to as the New New Directions. This would include storylines such as Kitty giving Marley an eating disorder, Unique catfishing Ryder, Jake and Brie…you get what I mean. Here they are just one big happy family but individual issue will still come into play.

I think the two of you should sing Smooth Criminal

"What the fuck, Blainers?"

"Yeah, Babe. What the fuck?"

Blaine really, Really, REALLY wanted this so he went heavy on the puppy-dog eyes/fluttering eyelashes combo. "It will show everyone you two are friends now and they can stop with the snide comments" he said as sweetly as possible.

"I wouldn't say we're exactly friends" Santana murmured, trying desperately to avoid looking directly at Blaine.

But, Blaine knew he had her. "Ok, the two of you are working on getting along. How's that?" He didn't wait for her answer before turning to Sebastian and ramping up the charm. "You know you want to do it. You've both said it was spectacular…until the Slushie to Santana's face part."

All of Sebastian's resolve melted away (Damn it! Those fucking eyelashes will be my downfall) and he knew he couldn't say no. However, there was one thing Blaine probably hadn't considered. "Our rendition was spectacular but I have to admit a lot of it was due to the cellos."

"I've got that covered. Meet me on stage in 10 minutes."

Blaine managed to give them each a kiss on the cheek and disappear before either Sebastian or Santana could find out what he meant by I've got that covered. "Why do I feel as if we've been set up?" Sebastian asked despite knowing the answer.

"Because we totally have."

There was a fondness in her voice that was impossible to miss and reminded Sebastian of a question he had been meaning to ask. "Santana, Britt said you had a soft spot for Blaine. I knew when you came to Dalton after the Slushie there was more…I mean…I don't understand. From what I heard, you and Blaine weren't particularly close last year."

She pointed over to an empty table that gave them more privacy. Sebastian could see how hard this was for her but appreciated she was trying. "When I was outed I was a total bitch to everyone, especially Kurt and Blaine. This is going to sound awful but…"

He reached over and put his hand on her's to show support. "Hey, we all dealt with coming out the best we could." Blaine was right (of course). He and Santana were becoming friends.

Guess hell could freeze over.

"Anyway, like I said, I was outed. Everyone knew and had an opinion they were all too ready to share. One asshole even not-so-subtly implied he could fuck the gay out of me. I wanted to…not hide, but pull back until everything died down."

"That doesn't sound unreasonable."

"No, but if I was seen with Klaine that couldn't happen. At that time, they were too out. Does that make sense?"

"I once told Hummel one of us had a hard luck case of the gay-face and it wasn't me. So, yeah, it makes sense. As far as Blaine goes, I bet the homophobes at McKinley don't think his tight-ass highwaters and bow ties are as super-hot as I do."

"No, but a lot of the girls sure do." They both tried not to laugh as Tina walked by at that exact moment. It helped lightened the mood. "So, like I said, I was a first-class bitch and pushed them away. I don't know if they figured out what was going on, but later both of them tried to talk to me individually instead. With Kurt it was like he wanted me to be gay. You know, take on the cause alongside of him by starting clubs and support groups at school. He wouldn't let it go. I was nowhere ready for anything like that. Hell, I'm still not."

Sebastian wondered why she didn't say alongside him AND Blaine but didn't ask. "I take it Blaine was different."

The small smile Blaine's name brought out of her gave Sebastian an inexplicable sense of pride. "Your dapper dreamboat just wanted me to be myself…except happy. I couldn't believe how nice he was considering I had Quinn blow up..." Before Santana had the chance to finish (Wait…Blow up? Metaphorically or literally?), Brittany and Sugar found them and said it was time.

The two of them thought their singing together would be a surprise but it was nothing compared for the bomb Blaine dropped on everyone.

"Blaine plays the cello?" A slightly inebriated Rachel slurred into Kurt's ear.

"Yes, but I didn't know he played that well. It's…it's…"

"Hot as fuck!"

"Rachel!" Kurt pulled her away from the rest of their friends. "You didn't need to yell, I can hear you just fine. God, how come every time you get drunk around my boyfriend you want to make out with him?"

"Ok, number one, the last time, Blaine was not your boyfriend. Number two, this time, BLAINE IS NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND! You fucked that up and I have no sympathy for you."

"I thought you liked Adam?"

"I do, but you told me you and Blaine were over when you started seeing him."

"We were." Rachel crossed her arms and gave him the look she always did when she knew he was lying. "Ok, maybe we hadn't officially broken-up. But, he…" Kurt took his eyes off of Blaine long enough to watch Sebastian and Santana singing together. "Seriously, Sebastian Smythe?"

"You're just mad because your whole plan to hook-up with Blaine is an epic fail. Don't deny it."

Kurt knew he had busted. "Fine, if I don't deny it will you please quiet down?" She softened her stance but it was clear she expected details. "I wanted to see if Blaine and I could make it work before I got in too deep with Adam."

"Nice try, Liar-liar pants on fire."

"It's not like the only reason you didn't invite Brody was you want to have sex with Finn."

"At least I'm woman enough to admit it. Speaking of Finn, I have to find him. I know the perfect duet for us to sing if we can ever get on stage." She started to leave but then turned back to Kurt. "Oh, I've always thought Blaine was hot as fuck but kept it to myself out of respect for you. That's not happening any more. And by the way, Sebastian is sexy as hell and I bet he's a stud in bed. Oooh, I wonder if he and Blaine would let me watch? Or join them? Oh, there's Finn."

When Rachel ran off, Kurt tried to wrap his head around what she said.

He wasn't the only one.

"Should we tell someone?" Unique asked Joe who had overheard the conversation as well.

Joe shook his head. "No, everyone is having too much fun. However, if Kurt becomes a problem we tell the others."

"All of them?"

"I vote yes. We'd need help keeping Seb from going after Kurt."

Unique put her hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter. "Or Kitty. I think she's still mad at Sam for pulling her away earlier. Come on, let's go congratulate Seb and Santana on their performance."

"And find out how we didn't know Blaine could play cello."

"That was a given."

By the time they joined the others, Blaine had pulled Sebastian away. "You truly were spectacular."

"No, your cello playing was but it requires a few explanations. Like how did the guy from the string quartet know what you wanted and where the hell did your cello come from?"

"I promise we'll get into it but not now. Sam's a step past tipsy and wants to perform the Hot in Herre/Centerfold mash-up we did while shooting the Men of McKinley calendar. You saw the video, right?"

"Yeah, Sam sent me a copy after you gave me the calendar. I don't see the problem."

"The problem is he wants Santana, Quinn, Britt and Sugar to do the Cheerios part with Kitty."

"So?"

"So, the girls are wearing dresses not cheerleading uniforms with kick pants underneath and I'm pretty sure at least one of them isn't wearing underwear. Let's go."

"You go, I'll be fine. I should probably eat something before the alcohol catches up with me too. I swear I'll be a good boy. I've changed, remember?"

"No, you haven't."

Sebastian's thoughts began to race. How could Blaine not see he had changed? Had kept his promise? Blaine told him in the car this wasn't fake to him and he hated the Old Sebastian. Well, maybe hate was a strong word but…

He was brought back by the feeling of Blaine's lips on his. "Blaine, I've kept my promise."

"Yes, you kept your promise to stop doing all those things you were doing at the time, but you didn't change. That guy was the anomaly. This you? This is the you I always saw." Blaine grabbed ahold of Sebastian's jacket and pulled him in for another kiss. Nothing big but a little more than the quick pecks they had been sharing. "I'll be right back. And Bas? My name is Babe."

This is the you I always saw played on a loop in Sebastian's head as he went through the buffet line. The sentence was so simple. Eight words. The most beautiful eight words he had ever heard.

It seemed appropriate the girl from the Old New Directions who was always pushed aside for Berry was belting out I Will Always Love You.

Kurt had taken the stage before her but left without singing when Blaine went to find Sam. Sebastian felt he should be concerned, but Blaine was out of the room and with his overprotective friends. Plus, he hadn't realized how hungry he was and with the number of shots he had earlier that probably wasn't a good thing. He found an empty, secluded table but it didn't stay that way for long.

"What can I do for you, Marley?" he asked between bites of amazingly good for a wedding food.

"Hey, you knew my name."

"I guess I did, although I wouldn't get used to it."

She knew he was teasing. He wouldn't have learned her name if he didn't care. "I won't." Sebastian could tell there was more coming but the girl appeared lost, as if she couldn't come up with the right words to say. Finally, she blurted out "I just wanted to thank you."

That sounded a little more sincere than necessary. "Thank me for what?"

"Blaine."

"You realize I actually had nothing to do with Blaine. You see, one day Daddy Anderson met Mommy Anderson…"

"Stop!" Marley squealed while laughing at the same time. He was glad to hear it. He thought for a moment he had overstepped. "You know that's not what I meant. I meant thank you for making him smile again."

"It was nothing."

Marley reached for his arm which could have been dangerous for as fast as he was shoveling the food in. "No, it's everything."

Sebastian put down his fork and sat back in the chair "Marley, what's going on?"

She looked around to make sure they were alone. "Do you remember I'm the one who fainted during Sectionals?"

"Yes" he answered, having no idea where she was going with this.

"Sebastian, I'm poor. My mom is a lunch lady at school and my dad took off right after I was born."

Wasn't expecting that. "So, you're the stereotypical poor girl with the heart of gold that everyone she meets falls in love with?" He didn't know a lot about Marley except she could really sing and was the nicest one of the group.

She ignored the implied compliment but her blush showed Sebastian she appreciated it. "When I fainted, I kept telling everyone I was fine, but I wasn't and I couldn't go to the doctor because I knew we couldn't afford it. An hour after I got home a doctor came to my house. I didn't know they even did that anymore. When he left my mom asked about a bill. He said it was covered. Then all these other things began happening. Healthy meals delivered to the house. Our rent was paid for a year…"

"How do you know it was Blaine?"

"I just do. He's done something for everyone of us in what you call the New New Directions. Not as big as what he's done for me but I'm pretty sure he's at least tried to do the same for Sam and his family."

The last revelation made something click for him "There's something going on with Kitty isn't there? She really went after Hummel."

Marley didn't answer but her silence told him everything he needed to know. "Um, so, like I said, thank you. The only thing we could think to do for him was help him be happy again and you make him happy."

Damn it! Now he was going to have to adopt this one as a little sister too. Stupid Blaine, making him care about these people. "Trust me, Rachel 2.0. There's no need to thank me. Blaine makes me happy as well."

"Ugh! Can you not call me Rachel 2.0 or any other name that involves her? Not only do I hate the comparisons, she's Kurt's best friend."

"Ok, let me think." He actually did because every one of her nicknames was tied to Berry except for the Spice Girl name he couldn't remember he gave her. "How about Goldie Spice for your heart of gold?"

"I love the Spice Girls! Are we all Spice Girls?"

"Kitty is Kitty, Britt is Britt and Tina is…"

"Hagatha!" They said in unison before breaking out in giggles. Yes, Sebastian Smythe could giggle. At least Blaine's This is the you I always saw Sebastian Smythe could.

"What's so funny, Bas?"

Neither Sebastian or Marley noticed Blaine and Santana had joined them until Blaine said something. "Sorry, Babe. It's between me and Goldie." He paused to give Marley a wink, letting her know her secret was safe with him. "Where's Sam? Were you able to talk him out of the song?"

"We did."

Sebastian was uncomfortable with the smile Blaine gave Santana after he answered. "How?"

He was more uncomfortable with the smile Santana gave him. "Easy, Loverboy. It's time for your big romantic song for Blainers."

TBC