Chapter Six
"Y'know, a guy could really get his ego bruised seeing his boyfriend jump into the arms of another man after just two days."
Kurt's eyes fly open and he's immediately aware of someone-oh right, he fell asleep with Sebastian-scrambling and babbling at his side before hearing the thunk of a body falling gracelessly out of bed.
Sitting up, he sees Blaine doubled over with laughter and can't help but smile himself as he rubs at his bleary eyes. His smile widens as he takes in the sight of Sebastian is tangled in the top sheet and lying by the side of the bed, rubbing his head, and all Kurt can think to say is, "Hey, baby. You're home early."
Blaine's face lights up and he crosses the room to dive onto the bed beside Kurt. "Should I be concerned about this?" he asks, his voice bright and warm, gesturing to where Sebastian is staring, confused and half-asleep, from the floor.
"No, I don't think so," Kurt answers, giving Blaine a cheeky smile before cupping his cheek and kissing him. "There was a bit of an incident last night, so I let him crash in our bed."
"Jesus, Kurt," Sebastian mutters from the floor. "You make me sound like a five year old."
Blaine extends a hand to help him up, and Sebastian stands before sitting back on the bed, fidgeting awkwardly with a loose thread on his sweatpants before clearing his throat and awkwardly mumbling something about going to take a shower.
As soon as Sebastian is out of the room, Blaine turns to Kurt with wary eyes. "What's the matter with him now?"
Blaine begins to get visibly upset as Kurt explains what happened until finally Blaine balls his fists against his thighs. "Why can't that guy just leave him the hell alone?"
"I don't know, but God, Blaine, you should have seen him last night," Kurt remembers, shaking his head. "I've never seen him so upset. I don't even know how long he'd been standing outside the door before I heard him-"
"Standing outside the door?" Blaine asks, his face screwing up in confusion.
Kurt feels guilty all over again for ever making the damn "No Knocking" rule in the first place and answers, "He wouldn't knock on the door, because I put it in the roommate agreement that he wasn't allowed to."
"Kurt," Blaine admonishes, and the taller boy drops his head.
"I know. It was petty, but, at the time, I didn't want him anywhere near us," he defends, but the words sound slow and weak.
Blaine nods and pulls his boyfriend into his arms. "Neither did I," Blaine admits, pausing thoughtfully before adding, "It's weird how things have changed. I never thought I'd live to see the day that I'd feel bad for Sebastian Smythe, but I do."
"Me too," Kurt lets out a huff of breath. "God, when did that happen?"
Blaine laughs quietly and kisses the side of Kurt's head. "I was wondering the same thing. I can honestly say that walking in on you sharing a bed with Sebastian was the most surreal thing I've ever experienced."
"Yeah," Kurt contributes with a smile. "I know what you mean."
Blaine takes a deep breath and adds quietly, "I'm glad we gave him a chance, Kurt. I know it probably sounds weird after all of the history we have together, but I think I might actually like the guy."
"That is weird," Kurt answers. "But I'm glad too."
And he is glad they decided to accept Sebastian's proposition, though it's the first time he's really let himself acknowledge it. He's glad that they decided to give him another chance, because, really, who can say that they're the same person they were in high school? It's easy to see that Sebastian has changed somehow. The boy they live with is not the same person who vindictively threw the Slushee that nearly blinded Blaine.
Somehow, through life experience or just maturing, Sebastian is different now, and Kurt finds it harder and harder to hold on to the grudges he has with the old Sebastian, and by the sound of it, Blaine is struggling too.
There's not really any sort of pressing need to discuss the issue further, so Kurt changes the subject, asking, "So, have you already eaten? Or do you want to go out to get something for breakfast?"
Blaine's face brightens back up and he leans forward to dart a kiss against Kurt's lips. "Let's go out," he suggests. "Wanna see if Seb wants to go?"
"Sure," Kurt says with a nod as he scrunches up his face in thought and realizes that the idea of Sebastian not going had never even crossed his mind. Blaine gives him another quick kiss that Kurt returns distractedly before Blaine gets off the bed and crosses over to the closet, and Kurt wonders when including Sebastian started being just something they did now.
Following his train of thought, Kurt climbs out of bed and wanders to the kitchen, making short work of crossing the "Don't Knock" rule off the roommate agreement before stepping back to contemplate all of the amendments on the paper, two of the initial four rules have been crossed off, and he wonders idly about the fate of the last two.
He shakes his head to clear it and turns to walk toward the end of the hall, rapping on the bathroom door with his knuckles. "Seb, hurry up, we're going out."
—
Sebastian is only aware that it's the twentieth of October because his manager had screamed it at him this morning when he'd walked on set for the shoot, because Goddammit, Smythe! We've got a deadline to meet and it's already the fucking twentieth, and you think you're so goddamn special that you can just waltz in here whenever you damn well feel like it just like all of these other pretentious little flakes.
He'd tuned the man out after that. It was days like this when he really hated his job.
Since he was a kid, he'd always wanted to be a writer. By age fifteen, he had an entire box of composition books filled with his own words. It had always been his escape, but when he turned sixteen, his father's gift to him had been a law dictionary.
"Seb," he'd said, sitting down beside his son on the couch and putting a hand on his shoulder. "You're going to make one hell of a lawyer."
Sebastian had just looked down at his feet and said, "I-I don't want to be a lawyer, dad. I'd kinda like to be a writer."
He was sure he'd never forget the way his father had actually thrown his head back and laughed heartily at the words. It had been the worst feeling he'd ever felt in his life.
"You're a Smythe, Sebastian," his father said by way of explanation. "Writing is a waste of time." The man clapped him on the shoulder. "I know you'll make the right decision and make me proud, son."
Sebastian cried as he packed up his composition books before settling into his bed with the dictionary his father had given him. He read it cover to cover within a week, feeling his heart sink just a little with each finished page.
After a full year of pre-law, Sebastian was miserable, and he had to make the decision for himself that he just couldn't take it anymore. When he'd called his father and told him that he wanted to change his major to English, the man's only words were, "Well, I hope you've got a good plan to pay for that, because you're not getting any money from me."
He'd checked his account later that day and found it frozen and his tuition money revoked. He wouldn't let himself cry, because deep down, he knew he'd made the right decision, even if he had no fucking clue how he was going to keep his apartment or even live in such an expensive city.
The same day, he'd been approached by a headhunter from a modeling agency who complimented him on his bone structure and promised him a dollar above minimum wage. The working conditions were atrocious and his boss was the biggest dickhead he'd ever met, but at least he finally felt like had found a place to start rebuilding his life.
But now, six months in, he feels like he was spinning his wheels, only able to put aside about twenty five dollars a week toward going back to school. It just doesn't feel like he's actually getting anywhere, or at least, he thought he'd be further than where he is by now.
Which is why when he trudges his way up the three flights of stairs-because naturally the elevator is broken-on the twentieth, he lets his head thunk against the wood of the apartment door. He's got a bitch of a headache and just wants to go to bed.
As he finally manages to open the door, the sound of music playing makes him turn toward the kitchen to find Blaine swaying to the beat, standing in front of the counter, as he spoons something out of a bowl and onto something else and sings a bit too loudly.
Sebastian drops his keys into the bowl by the door, getting the full view of the godawful mess in the kitchen, and asks, "What in the hell are you doing?"
Blaine squeaks loudly as he spins around in an attempt to hide whatever it is that he's constructing on the counter. His voice comes out high and nervous. "You're home early," he points out anxiously, and now Sebastian can't help it. He lifts up onto his toes to see over Blaine-not a difficult task in any case-and his lips quirk up into a confused smile.
"Is that a cake?" he asks, crossing the kitchen to stand next to Blaine. Sure enough there is a half frosted cake...or...at least, what Sebastian is pretty sure was intended to be a cake, sitting on a plate.
Blaine's shoulders drop and he lets out a breath. "It's your birthday, Seb. I had to do something, and since Kurt and I don't really have the money for presents, I thought I'd make you a cake." He grimaces and scratches his head with his free hand. "But it turns out that baking a cake is way harder than Kurt makes it look, so just try to remember that it's the thought that counts, okay?"
Sebastian fights the strange surge of warmth that floods through him, because, disastrous or not, this is the first time that anyone has ever actually made him a cake for his birthday. His parents always opted for the store bought ones instead. He clears his throat and peers down at the lopsided mess on the plate and fights back a fond smile.
"How did you know it was my birthday?" he asks instead.
"Kurt and I saw it on your financial aid application when you left it on the table," Blaine answers, not looking as sheepish as he probably should for spying, before changing the subject. "I'm really glad you're going back to school, Seb."
And the feeling of warmth spreads from his head to his toes as he bites back his emotion, not sure when he even started feeling emotional over Blaine's endless little acts of kindness. Without conscious thought, he pulls Blaine into a hug.
"You guys are really creepy, you know that?" he asks, a teasing smile on his lips even though he knows that he knows that Blaine can't see.
Blaine seems to start a little at the contact, but he relaxes quickly into the hug and laughs softly as he returns it. "But you love us," he adds teasingly.
Sebastian sighs against Blaine's shoulder as he says, "God help me, I think I do."
—
The cake was, as predicted, complete inedible, but after more than a couple glasses of wine and an off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday" they managed to choke it down anyway as they continued to drink and play the world's most disorganized game of Monopoly before passing out in a heap on the floor.
When Kurt wakes up the next morning, Sebastian is clinging to his legs, Blaine is wrapped around his middle, and there's a five dollar bill of Monopoly money stuck to his cheek because he actually fell asleep on the board.
They're all going to be late to work or school and Kurt has a massive headache that makes him groan as he sits up. He rubs his temples in an attempt to alleviate the pain as he shakes Blaine awake and nudges Sebastian with his foot.
"Come on, you guys, get up," he coaxes, his voice rough with sleep and quiet as to not upset his headache. Yeah, he's not going to his morning class today. His only thoughts are his neglected bed and at least three more hours of sleep.
Sebastian sits up first, scrubbing a hand across his face, pausing to rub at his eyes, and groans as he squeezes them shut tight. "Christ," he croaks. "What the hell happened last night?"
"I think we might have celebrated just a bit too much for your birthday," Kurt answers, finally standing up and willing the ground to stop spinning. "God, I need an aspirin."
"Bring the bottle in here when you come back," Sebastian instructs, holding his head. Kurt hears Sebastian trying to wake Blaine as he closes the door to the bathroom.
When Blaine and Sebastian finally get moving, Kurt watches them dart around the apartment as they try and make up for lost time. Blaine walks back into the living room, fussing with tying his bowtie as Sebastian comes out of his room.
Kurt clicks his tongue as he takes in Sebastian's unshaven appearance. "If you're going for the hipster look," he starts. "You missed. You just look like a really twinky criminal."
"At least I can grow facial hair, princess," Sebastian bites back, and Kurt once again finds himself wondering what it means that the words hold none of the heat they used to have. Sebastian checks his hair in the hall mirror before grimacing and running his hand across the stubble on his jaw. "But my shaver broke, and I can't really afford to buy a new one right now."
Without looking up, Blaine says, "Just use mine." He fusses with his tie until he decides that it's straight and Kurt rolls his eyes before standing up and fixing it until it actually is.
Sebastian turns away from the mirror with a parting frown. "I can't. It's in the agreement."
"Jesus," Blaine mutters, crossing the room to grab a pen and roughly scratch out the rule before turning to face Sebastian. "Now go shave. Kurt's right; you look like a criminal."
Sebastian narrows his eyes and gives them both the finger before turning back toward the bathroom to shave.
—
Blaine picks up his phone on the first ring, checking his caller ID, setting it to speakerphone, and answering with, "Hey, baby. Where are you? Seb and I want to order dinner, but we're waiting for you..."
Sebastian looks away from the television to frown at the phone. "Yeah, so get your ass home. We're starving."
"Charming, Sebastian," Kurt answers, his voice fondly irritated. "but that's why I called. I'm not going to be home for dinner. Actually, I probably won't be home much before you guys go to bed."
Blaine makes a sympathetic noise and looks sadly toward his phone. "You work too hard, Kurt."
"I know, but Trinity needs me tonight. I have to help with those stupid gowns for the Halloween masquerade ball-"
"You don't even get to go to that damn thing," Sebastian remarks. "So why are they making you help with the costumes?"
They can hear Kurt let out a sigh. "I know, but she said that if I can manage to pull this off, she'll put in a good word for me with a costume designer she knows who works for an off-Broadway company."
"Kurt, oh my God, that's amazing!" Blaine gushes, and Sebastian nods his agreement toward the phone as though Kurt can see.
"Yeah," Kurt hedges, sounding more tired than Blaine ever remembers hearing him. "There's just so much to be done, and I'm pretty much here by myself."
Sebastian grimaces in sympathy. "Do you want us to bring you some dinner or something? Coffee?"
"No, thank you. I appreciate it, Seb, but I should really get back to work. I just wanted to call and say I wouldn't be home for dinner."
"Okay, baby, don't work to hard, and hurry home," Blaine says softly. "I love you."
"Love you, too, honey. Bye, Seb."
Sebastian says goodbye and Blaine hangs up the phone, staring down at it thoughtfully.
"He does work too hard," Sebastian offers. The words are met by a drawn out sigh from Blaine.
"He wants this so much. I've never seen anyone with as much drive as he has," Blaine says, shaking his head. "He's amazing."
Sebastian just nods and they lapse back into silence as the six o'clock news finishes.
They both decide against ordering food and instead have bologna sandwiches and chips, eating casually on the couch as Blaine works on homework and Sebastian watches a mindless reality show. Blaine's just started working on his Music Theory assignment when Sebastian clears his throat and speaks.
"I did it because I was jealous, you know."
Blaine looks up from his paper, confusion etched deep across his face. "Huh?"
"The rock salt in the Slushee," he adds, his voice low and earnest. "I threw it at Kurt because I was jealous. You guys had what I wanted-what I knew I'd never have-and I got jealous. And Kurt was so smug about having it-having you. I was a dick and you got hurt. I never apologized for that, and I really am sorry. I never meant for anybody to get hurt, but you did, and I'm sorry."
There's no way Blaine can question the honesty of Sebastian's words, but something about them just doesn't seem to sink it, like it swirls around in his brain, unable to find a place to settle. "Y-You were jealous?"
"I still am sorta," he says, nodding and scratching his head. "I mean, stupid arguments aside, you and Kurt are deliriously and nauseatingly happy, and I wish I had that with somebody."
Blaine is still a little in shock, but he can feel the words soothe the last bit of his hard feelings toward Sebastian, and his lips turn up into a small, promising smile as he reaches for Sebastian's hand. "You will one day, Seb."
Sebastian returns the smile and leans a little further into Blaine's side. "Thanks. Now put that away and watch TV with me."
Blaine closes his notebook and tosses it onto the table, settling back into the couch and letting himself be pulled into Sebastian's side as they watch television in comfortable silence.
When Kurt comes home that night, exhausted to the point of being dead on his feet, he closes the door softly when he notices that all the lights in the apartment are off-the only thing lighting the room is the flickery bluish cast of the DVD player's screensaver. He crosses the room to find Sebastian stretched out on the couch with Blaine tucked into his side, an arm draped over the smaller boy's slender waist, both fast asleep.
Kurt can't help the smile that tugs at the corners of his lips as he takes in the peaceful scene. He pulls the blanket from the back of the couch and tosses it over the pair, leaning down to kiss Blaine on the forehead before clicking off the TV and going to bed.
The clock reads four A.M. when Kurt groans as he feels the bed sink behind him and hears a sleepily mumbled, "Shh...you're gonna wake Kurt up." as Blaine's arm comes to wrap around his waist. Kurt shifts contentedly back into his hold and he hears the smaller boy laugh softly, "You know, this wasn't exactly what I meant when I said, 'Let's go to bed'."
"Don't care. Tired," comes Sebastian's voice, mumbled and slow. "My room's too cold."
Blaine breathes out a laugh as he presses a kiss to the back of Kurt's neck. "Goodnight, Seb."
"Night," Sebastian hums out. Kurt feels another arm drape over his middle and figures that Sebastian must be pressed in close to Blaine's back, because after all, their double bed isn't big enough for three people, or at least, it's not supposed to be.
Everything starts to blur around the edges as Kurt feels himself be pulled back toward sleep, feeling pleasantly warm and content.
