Back at it again! Thanks to everyone following these strange stories.
This and the next part are connected, but I felt it was better to break them up seeing as they will be of different POV.
I hope you enjoy!
The library was constantly busy around exam time, full of boys working hard in an attempt to appease their ever-demanding parents. Even those who didn't have that pressure, such as Liam, still made an effort to impress however, meaning finding a quiet spot in the library was more challenging than he would like. Liam had finally managed to snag a decent spot however, and was minding his own business as he poured his attention into creating a very colourful set of study cards. However a small commotion behind him made Liam put down his highlighters, knowing he was about to be interrupted by a small ginger boy.
"Liam!" Eric whispered, materialising at his side. Any other student would have had a heart attack at the sudden presence, but Liam had become accustomed to the warning signs of an approaching Eric. He neatly stacked his finished cards together and turned to his friend.
"Eric, hello, how are you today?" He smiled, acting only mildly sarcastic. He would never stop trying to introduce Eric to the concept of actual conversational starters.
"Dreadful, Liam! Dreadful!" Eric responded dramatically, "This is a disaster, of huge proportions! How could they go without me?! I don't understand how they could get them and I couldn't!" his hands flailed wildly as he spoke.
Although mystified, when Eric started to draw stares from stressed boys in the library Liam decided he should take the conversation outside. He gathered up his belongings and stuffed them into his backpack, dropping an arm casually over Eric's shoulders to guide him outside. And regardless of what anyone said, Liam did absolutely not blush when Eric sighed, defeated, and snuggled closer to the taller boys' side.
Once they were out into the general bustle of the school and heading to the common room, Liam nudged Eric slightly, prompting him to start talking again. When there was no response, Liam ducked his head to catch Eric's eye. "Come on, you can't act that dramatic and then just go all quiet on me."
Eric just shrugged slightly from under Liam's protective arm, "There's a show playing in town that I wanted to go to...couldn't get tickets..." he trailed off, looking dreadfully glum.
Now Liam was concerned. They had reached the common room, which was relatively quiet aside from a small study group in the far corner. Harry nodded his acknowledgement to the boys, Liam smiling in response as he sat on the leather couch with Eric. "You've never been this keen on shows before Eric – why the sudden interest?"
Eric mumbled something in response, not looking at Liam. Compared to Eric's usual exuberant energy and in-your-face attitude, the quiet boy who hid against Liam's side was enough to start setting alarms off in Liam's mind – something was clearly wrong with his best friend. Liam backed away a little to try and look at him in the eyes, "Eric...come on..." he sighed when the smaller boy made a sound of protest and followed him, wanting to stay stuck at his side.
Harry glanced over and had to hide his smirk behind his hand. He tried hard not to laugh at the sight of Liam shuffling along the couch as he tried to peel Eric away from him. Those two were definitely an odd pair. Although they certainly acted like it, they weren't a couple and neither of them were even gay – at least not openly. It was an odd relationship they had, somewhere closer than friendship and more romantic than brothers, but no one in Dalton questioned it. Least of all because Liam was the only one to keep Eric calm and cooperative, but more so because they were both happy. Harry's smirk softened to a smile as he took in the concern on Liam's face, but went back to work, feeling like he was intruding.
"Eric." Liam said more firmly this time, tugging Eric's shoulders to pull him away, "Tell me what's wrong buddy. Please?"
Eric sat up straight, face animated as he spoke, "Kurt and Blaine got tickets! Even though I'm pretty sure I was the one who told them about it! I mean, not that I would have wanted to go with them or anything, Eric Lennhardt is not a third wheel, but if I had known I would have asked for a ticket too!"
Liam sighed. This could take a while...
"Tickets to what Eric?!"
"Moulin Rouge, Liam! Moulin freaking Rouge!" Eric exploded, flopping backwards onto the couch, arms hanging at his sides.
And suddenly, Liam understood completely. Moulin Rouge was Eric's thing – his go to movie and feel good soundtrack. He was even on a daily mission to convince the drama group to cast him as Christian in their rendition on the stage show – which they had never actually said they would be performing. To the other Dalton boys, Eric was borderline obsessed, but Liam knew the real reason behind Eric's passion.
It was a random discovery really, but when Liam found Eric hidden away listening to the soundtrack with tearful eyes, he managed to ease a confession from the younger boy. As it turned out, when Eric was younger he and his Mother used to watch the movie together all the time as it was her favourite, and they would sing along in the car at every opportunity. So when Eric was shipped out to Dalton to "monitor his erratic behaviour", he missed her terribly - but never dared to tell anyone for fear of them seeing it as a weakness. Instead he used the movie as his emotional outlet, expressing his feelings by singing the songs and memorising the dances. But until Liam, no one knew anything more than a strange fascination with the movie.
Shaking himself out of the memory of Eric's emotional outpouring, he returned to dealing with this emotional outburst. He hated seeing Eric down like this. "Buddy…I'm sorry. Why didn't you say anything? We could have gone together to get tickets. We both know you're too short to fight in line." Liam's smirk disappeared at the sight of Eric's scowl.
"But I just don't understand, how could Blaine get them and I couldn't? He isn't much taller than I am, Liam!" Eric was so visibly distressed by this that Liam was growing increasingly concerned.
"Wait, so you're saying that Blaine went to get tickets, but couldn't, or didn't, get you any? Did he ask you?" Eric shook his head in response. Liam felt a little bubble of anger build in his stomach, but pushed it away for now. "And you're sure you weren't too…" Liam phrased his next words carefully, "…did you express your interests clearly when you talked to him about the show?"
Eric glared at Liam, "This is Moulin Rouge Liam. It's no secret how I feel about it." That was true.
Liam nodded absently, mentally noting to himself to have a word with the power couple later. "Right. Okay." He kicked off his shoes and made himself comfortable on the couch before beckoning to Eric to shuffle up beside him.
Eric hesitated for a moment, "You have history soon Liam."
"I don't fancy going today. Besides, it's all in the past anyway." Liam winked at Eric and couldn't help the happy sigh that escaped when Eric snuggled up to him, "Did I tell you about what happened at practice this morning?"
Harry snuck a glance back in the direction of the couch, smiling at the two boys curled up together. Eric looked so small cuddled up to Liam's broad chest, playing with his tie absently while Liam talked quietly, running his fingers softly through Eric's hair, the smaller boy clearly looking more relaxed than he was when they came in. Harry may not understand their relationship, but they were both happy, so who was he to judge.
That had all been a few days ago, and now Liam stood from his desk and stretched, smiling as he picked up his phone and dialled Eric's number. Voicemail – he'd have to go find him then. Liam shrugged on a hoody and carefully tucked the envelope into his pocket, trying to plan what to say when he saw Eric.
He jogged downstairs and headed for the common room, bumping into Kurt and Blaine in the corridor. Liam glared at the pair for a second but transformed it into a smile as they headed in his direction.
"Hey Liam, how are things?" Blaine asked politely. Ah, so they have no idea how hurt Eric was…
"Fine, thanks. Have you seen Eric?" Liam returned the politeness – for now.
"Not since before lunch actually, he seemed in a hurry when he passed me." Kurt replied, "We're heading to the library for study group though, if we see him we can send him your way?"
"Yeah, that'd be good, thanks Kurt." Liam said. It was only when the pair began to walk down the corridor again that he couldn't bite his tongue any longer, "Hey, guys. After study group, can you come find me? There's something I'd like to talk to you about. Both of you."
Blaine's eyebrows rose a little in surprise, but he said nothing other than a quick, "Sure, no problem Liam." and kept walking. Liam glowered for a moment before continuing his search for Eric.
He wandered into the common room and scanned quickly, frowning a little when he didn't see a ginger head anywhere. Deciding to check his usual hiding spots, Liam headed for the supply closet in the corner of the room – Eric usually set up in there to study, adamant that he worked best in enclosed spaces. No one really protested, for as long as they could also study in peace they were happy.
Liam reached for the handle and started to open it, hearing the protests of the room behind him a little too late.
"No, Liam – wait-!" The door swung open and two bodies unceremoniously dropped to the floor in a tangle.
"What th- shit! Um…sorry!" Liam stared at the two on the floor, Ben? Sebastien?, processing various things at the same time. Their red lips, their messy hair, the hickeys on their necks and the look of utter terror in Ben's eyes. But once Liam realised they were wearing significantly less clothes than he ever wanted to see, he quickly turned away. "Sorry! Sorry!"
He faced the boys in the room and saw a collection of expressions: some boys were silently laughing and others were hiding smirks, some stared on aghast while others held their heads in their hands. "Um…has…has anyone seen Eric?!" Liam asked, already heading for the door. A mumble of 'no's' and 'thankfully not's' followed. He nodded and walked out briskly, face tinged scarlet at what he had just experienced.
Jim watched Liam leave as everyone in the room pretended not to see the two boys slip back inside the closet.
"Come on Eric, where the hell are you man…" Liam muttered to himself as he walked down into the courtyard. He couldn't wait to find Eric, the excitement was so strong he was almost skipping through the grounds looking for him. Liam checked his pockets to reassure himself the envelope was still there. How will he react? Liam wondered, taking the tickets out to check them over for the thousandth time. I hope he likes the seats.
Liam had used every trick in his book, talked to all his contacts and called in every favour he was owed, but he had succeeded. He had managed to secure two tickets to Moulin Rouge, and was positively bursting with joy as he thought about how happy Eric would be. He still had no idea what he was going to say – hadn't thought much further than handing over the tickets and saying they could have a really nice night together – but Liam was good at improvising.
There was a brief moment where worried that Eric would ask someone else to go with him, but he quickly dismissed it. Of course Eric would take him. But even if he didn't, that wouldn't matter to Liam. It wasn't like it was a date or anything. Eric could take anyone. But Liam wanted to go. With Eric. But it wasn't a date.
Turning round a corner Liam smiled broadly, spotting an all too familiar head of ginger hair glowing slightly in the afternoon sun. However his steps slowed and his smile faltered as he looked beyond the bright hair. Eric wasn't alone. His hands were clasping onto another pair at either side of a bright pink coat, and as Liam looked more he realised who it belonged to.
Rachel Berry stood at the gates to Dalton, her hands holding Eric's as she leaned up on her tip toes and…and was kissing him. She was kissing him. And he was kissing back. Liam's stomach dropped to his toes and his hands went cold, creasing the envelope as he gripped it a little too tightly. Liam could not stop staring. It hurt to look, why? but he couldn't look away. Only when Eric's hand moved to cup Rachel's cheek did he break his stare and all but run back around the corner.
Once he was out of sight, Liam pressed his head to the slightly damp brick of the main building and swallowed hard around the lump in his throat. Why is Eric with Rachel? Why wouldn't he tell me he was seeing her? Why is he kissing her? He would definitely tell me about that, there's no way… Liam turned and looked to the sky, furiously blinking away the stinging in his eyes. He'll tell me when he's ready, I'm sure… Liam thought, slipping the tickets back into his pocket. But in the meantime… he traded the envelope for his phone and scrolled until he found a new contact, pressing dial as he walked back inside.
"Hey, Santana? It's Liam… Yes, the Warbler-soccer player, that's me…listen, do you fancy sneaking into Dalton later?"
Jim watched curiously from his bedroom window as Eric walked off with a girl in a disgustingly pink coat, surprised at the affection Eric was showing her. He thought he recognised her but couldn't quite pinpoint where from, although he envied her long brown hair. He strained his neck to see where Liam had disappeared to, and saw him staring at the sky whilst fumbling in his pockets. He frowned a little, curious at the strange exchange he was privy to, but thought nothing more of it as both boys disappeared from view.