Glee does not belong to me.
The dressing room at Manchester High School was buzzing with activity as the show choir teams got ready to perform.
Blaine was standing in front of a vanity mirror beside Kurt, fastening a gold-colored bowtie on the collar of his black shirt.
Kurt glanced at Blaine and asked, while examining his eyebrows in the mirror, "Are you nervous?"
Blaine sighed. "A little, but I'm trying not to think about it." The truth was, he was nervous as hell, especially since he was only a few minutes away from seeing his former drug-addicted boyfriend, Sebastian Smythe.
"I think it's going to be fine," Kurt said, drawing Blaine's thoughts back to the present.
Blaine gave him an appreciative smile as Kurt reached for Mercedes's makeup kit on the vanity table.
"I think you do enough blushing without the powdery stuff," Blaine teased, enjoying the way Kurt flushed pink.
"Hell, yes, boy!" Mercedes snapped, grabbing the makeup kit from Kurt. "Your cheeks are as red as my lipstick. You do not need to waste any of my Sephora."
Kurt pouted. "But I look so pale."
"You look-" Blaine began but was brushed aside as Santana shouldered Kurt out of his chair.
"Move over, pony," The Latina croaked, leaning over the table and peering at her image in the mirror. "Brittany's making a mess at our vanity so I'm using yours."
Kurt huffed but stepped back. "I need to use the restroom, anyway," he declared, flouncing out the door.
"Well, hurry up, Kurt," Mercedes called after him. "We're on in a few minutes!"
Blaine's eyes followed Kurt's retreating form and he wondered what excuse he'd have to give to meet Kurt out in the hallway. But looking around, he saw that his team mates were busy primping themselves and practicing last minute vocals so he concluded that nobody would care if he slipped out a few seconds after the countertenor. "Besides," He thought to himself. "I deserve a little distraction with everything going on."
His heart drummed in his chest as he made his way out of the dressing room and into the brightly lit hallway. He slipped into an empty classroom and waited till he heard the door of the restrooms swing open and close. Kurt's pattering footsteps echoed on the tiled floor as he started walking back to the dressing room, but his stride was broken when a hand reached out and grabbed his arm.
Blaine laughed at the shocked look on Kurt's face as he pulled him through the open door of the classroom and pushed him into a corner.
"What are you doing?" Kurt asked as Blaine moved the door an inch to allow them more room and less visibility from the hall.
"Nothing," Blaine said flippantly, leaning in and pressing his mouth against Kurt's.
Kurt gasped against Blaine's lips and his hands rose to the other boy's chest, palms lying flat against the soft material of Blaine's shirt.
"Hmm.." Kurt groaned as they broke apart. "As delicious as that was, we only have a few minutes before curtain call."
"This is Sectionals, Kurt," Blaine reminded him. "Not Broadway."
Kurt made a sound of resignation but before he could speak, Blaine seized the opportunity and pressed his hands against the wall on either side of Kurt's shoulders, pressing him further into the little corner and kissing his mouth more passionately. Kurt groaned and ran his hands up and down Blaine's sides.
"Blaine?"
Kurt's hands stilled on Blaine's hips as he unmistakably heard Sam's voice echo from nearby.
Blaine pulled back and peered around the door, spotting Sam standing in the hallway with an anxious look on his face.
"Mr. Shue says we have to get out there," the blond told him. "The first team is about to perform."
"Okay," Blaine tried to make his voice sound as calm as possible, given that he was out of breath from kissing Kurt. "I'll be right there."
Sam hesitated before asking, "Have you seen Kurt?"
Behind Blaine, Kurt cowered in the corner.
"I think he's in the restroom," Blaine lied smoothly. "I'll get him on my way out."
"Okay, cool," Sam responded, seeming satisfied by the simple reply and turning away.
When he'd gone, Kurt exhaled loudly. "Oh my god, you don't think he saw anything, do you?"
Blaine rolled his eyes. "Kurt, you were practically molded into the wall. Come on, we gotta join the others."
He ran ahead of Kurt down the hallway towards the doors at the end, while the latter lingered a few of feet behind to make it look like he'd just emerged from the restrooms in case any of their friends were still around.
They joined the rest of the New Directions behind the burgundy curtains backstage as the first team was announced.
"Ladies and gentleman," the host of that evening's competition boomed from a microphone. "Welcome to this year's 30th annual show choir competition!"
Rachel adjusted her headband as Kurt planted himself behind her, next to Mercedes.
"Where were you?" Mercedes hissed in Kurt's ear.
"Restroom," he whispered, feeling a little embarrassed that he was lying to his best girlfriend. "But what am I supposed to do?" he wondered, casting a quick glance at Blaine who positioned himself next to Santana.
Kurt's cheeks flared as she pinched his butt.
Blaine gave Santana an impatient glance. "Do you mind not doing that? It's getting old."
Santana raised her eyebrows. "Oh I disagree, hot lips. It's as fresh as it was yesterday. Mmmhmm!"
"God, Santana, can't you stop being a slut for like two seconds?" Kurt suddenly snapped, much to the surprise of his entire team.
"Whoah.." Mercedes muttered.
"Excuse me?" Santana turned to glare at the countertenor. "What business is it of yours who I feel up, pony boy?"
Kurt's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. "Well, when you're openly assaulting someone in front of me, it becomes my business, Senorita Ho."
"Oh my god!" Tina exclaimed beside Mike, her mouth hanging open.
"Kurt, calm down," Rachel said, disapprovingly. "We have to focus."
"Yeah, you two piped down," Finn admonished.
"Oh shut up, Finn!" Santana replied in an annoyed tone. "Nobody cares what you think. You're just an oversized ball of lard-"
"Don't talk to my brother that way!" Kurt shrieked, making a move towards Santana but Blaine planted himself between the two, grabbing Kurt by the arm and steering him away from the fuming Latina.
"Rachel's right," Blaine said quietly, leading Kurt a few steps towards the curtains. "You have to calm down so we can get ready."
Kurt wrenched his arm out of Blaine's grip and glanced anxiously back at his team mates.
Blaine took a step back and folded his arms over his chest.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, not wanting to draw attention.
It was clear that Kurt was worried his friends would wonder about physical contact they were sharing.
"It's okay," Kurt sighed, turning to face the stage as the announcer proclaimed that The Harmonics from Columbus were up first.
For the next few minutes, both boys listened mutely to the first team's performance.
"They're not that good," Kurt commented softly.
"Hmm.." Blaine replied noncommittally as he wondered how long it'd be before Sebastian appeared before him. He was dreading it profusely.
"Guys," Tina's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts as she walked up to them. "You better get back in place before Rachel throws a fit."
"Come on," Kurt said. "Let's show these second-rate show choirs how to diva."
Blaine grinned halfheartedly but followed Kurt back to their assembled spots as the announcer called their group name.
"Now from Lima, Ohio, please welcome the New Directions!"
Kurt squealed and Mercedes squeezed his hand. Glancing at Blaine, Kurt saw that the other teen's face was like stone.
"Wow, he's really nervous.."
As the curtains rose, Artie rolled his wheelchair into the center stage beside Rachel and Finn as he bagan singing the rap part of the song and Rachel picked up on the next note.
"I'm Artie A, I'm on the rap so mike it.
Here's a little story and you're sure to like it.
Swift and sly, and I'm playing it cool with my home girl..
Baby, seems we never, ever agree.
You like the movies and I like TV.
I take things serious and you take 'em light."
Blaine, Kurt and Mercedes joined in on the dancing as the music progressed with Mike showing off his acrobatic moves while Tina belted out the chorus notes. Santana, Brittany and Puck entertained the audience with their outrageous twists and turns, and towards the end of the performance, the crowd in the auditorium was already on its feet, clapping.
For the next song, Blaine braced himself between Rachel and Mercedes, as Mr. Shue had explained during practice, his voice was the best qualified to represent a Michael Jackson number.
Discretely, he glanced at Kurt, standing off to the side next to Tina. The other boy gave him a shy smile and a wink, which made Blaine's chest puff up a little against the tight material of his shirt.
"Well, if Kurt thinks I can do it," he thought to himself. "That's already a big step from where we started off."
As the first melody played, Blaine felt Rachel bump her shoulder against his in a friendly manner that encouraged him to sing.
"I took my baby on a Saturday bang.
Boy, is that girl with you?
Yes, we're one and the same."
Rachel sang her part with a clear voice and a bright smile.
"Now I believe in miracles and a miracle is happening tonight.
But if you're thinking about my baby,
It don't matter if you're black or white."
The crowd erupted in excited shouts as the New Directions started dancing to the expressive melody.
Blaine found himself genuinely having fun, twirling Rachel around and side-stepping next to Mike. For the remainder of their performance, his mind was far from the worries and stress that had plagued it only a short moment ago. But then, the song drew to a close and they had to accept their applause before being ushered off the stage, making room for the other competitors. As the New Directions took their seats in the front row, Blaine's heart stuttered a beat.
"And now, introducing the Dalton Academy Warblers from Westerfield!"
Wes led the team of boys in navy blazers out on the stage. Kurt sat down next to Blaine as the Warblers began to sing.
Kurt didn't know what to say. The Warblers sounded strong and amazing and they looked attractive, despite the polyester outfits.
Blaine quietly watched as his old team performed "I want you back" by N'sync, his insides twisting as he suddenly longed to be up on that stage with them.
"They're good," Kurt said, clapping quietly as the song ended and the Warblers started to retreat behind the curtains.
Blaine didn't reply. He caught David, Wes and Jeff's eyes before they walked away.
All three boys grinned at him and David gave him a thumb's up.
"They sound perfect," Blaine murmured, watching his friends leave the stage.
"I wouldn't go that far," Kurt said, smiling cheekily.
Blaine knew he was just trying to make him feel better but he bumped his shoulder against Kurt's appreciatively, anyway.
"Ladies and Gentleman," the announcer called a moment later. "The next team is from Cambridge, Ohio. Please give a warm welcome to Reckless Sound!"
"Oh my god.." Blaine thought, taking a deep breath. His whole body tensed up as the curtains lifted and his ex-boyfriend stared back at him from a sea of boys in pale lavender shirts and black pants.
"Blaine?" Kurt whispered in Blaine's ear. "Are you okay?"
"That's him," Blaine murmured, his eyes fixed on the boy with coifed brown hair standing between a freckled redhead and an Asian teen. "Sebastian."
Kurt followed his gaze. The boy Blaine was staring at had a lithe build but wasn't as graceful when exercising his movements as the rest of his team. He seemed to be having trouble keeping pace.
Kurt didn't understand the appeal. "I guess he's attractive in a boy band sort of way but I'm not a 13-year old girl so I wouldn't know."
Sebastian's face looked untrustworthy to Kurt, as he concluded by the smirk that stayed on Sebastian's lips throughout the whole number.
Blaine, for his part, looked like he was stuck in a trance as he watched Reckless Sound perform Will Smith's "Miami".
When the show ended, the New Directions stood up to applaud their competition with the rest of the audience but Blaine remained seated.
Kurt wondered, not for the first time, what the details were of his relationship with Sebastian. What bad thing had Sebastian done to put such a lifeless look on his face?
The New Directions climbed up on the stage at the end of the competition so the judges could announce the winners, and Blaine made it a personal duty not to look at Sebastian.
Kurt brushed his fingers lightly against Blaine's hand, but the gesture was barely acknowledged. Blaine was too nervous to even smile at the blue-eyed boy beside him.
"In third place," the principal of Manchester High read off a sheet of paper in his hands. "From Cambridge, Ohio, it's Reckless Sound!"
Applause erupted, but Blaine didn't even flinch, though a smile pulled at the corners of his lips when the principal said," In second place, the Dalton Academy Warblers!" and he saw Wes accept the award.
Blaine was happy for his friends and he hoped that afterward, he'd still get a chance to say hello.
"Now, announcing the winners of this year's 30th annual show choir competition.."
Rachel squeezed her eyes shut. "Please, please.." Blaine heard her whisper.
"From Lima, Ohio, the New Directions!"
"Oh my god!" Brittany squealed.
Rachel jumped up and down, throwing her arms around Blaine.
"Thank you so much!" she sighed in his ear. "We couldn't have done it without you."
Blaine awkwardly folded his arms around Rachel's frame. "Thanks for letting me join in the first place."
As he pulled away, Blaine caught sight of the jealous look on Finn's face and he hurriedly turned around to embrace Kurt. Instead of a hug, however, Kurt merely gave Blaine a pat on the shoulder.
"I told you we'd win," he whispered in his ear.
There was a full moon out as the New Directions walked across the parking lot where the buses were being loaded.
Blaine was disappointed to see that the Warblers were nowhere in sight.
Nevertheless, he complimented Artie as the other boy rolled by in his wheelchair. "You put us all to shame, Artie. That was some insanely good rapping you did."
"Aww, dude, it doesn't compare to your Michael tribute. Man, you sounded specatcular!" Artie raised his fist for Blaine to bump with his own.
The elation on Blaine's face faded, though, when he heard a voice say from behind, "Yeah, Blaine, I have to admit, you took my breath away."
Blaine stiffened as his team mates turned around to see who had spoken. Blaine already knew, though, that it was Sebastian. He was smiling widely from a feet away.
There was a glimmer of wicked amusement in Sebastian's eye that made his smile seem fake.
"Sebastian," Blaine said almost inaudibly.
"I didn't recognize you at first," Sebastian declared, making his way over to Blaine. "That thrift store outfit is quite deceiving."
Blaine tried to keep his breathing regulated. Beside him, Rachel seethed, "Thrift store? These outfits were custom made."
Sebastian glanced at the soloist dejectedly. "My apologies.. It's been awhile since I've competed against a public school."
Mercedes gasped but before she could bark out a retort, Blaine found the courage to say,"It's been awhile since you've competed at all, hasn't it?"
To his shock, his ex-boyfriend looked taken off guard. "What are you saying?"
Blaine felt his heart hammering inside his chest, but this time, not from nervousness, but pure adrenaline. "I'm just remembering how you used to back out of performances when you were with the Warblers."
Sebastian's beady eyes narrowed even more. "You didn't exactly have a perfect track record either, Blaine," he said icily.
Blaine shrugged. "Maybe not, but at least I never abandoned my team to smoke pot-"
"Screw you!" Sebastian hissed, walking up to Blaine and pushing a finger in his chest. "That was a long time ago."
"Not that long," Blaine said unflinchingly.
"Guys, come on," Sam's voice broke through the short tense silence that followed as Blaine and Sebastian glared at one another. "They're loading our bus. We gotta go."
Blaine didn't move, however. He could feel his hands getting cold.
"You know what," he said finally, exhaling a slow breath. "I hope it's going well for you at your new school, seeing as your dad paid a pretty penny to put you there after all the crap you pulled at Dalton."
"Oh, like you're so perfect!" Sebastian scoffed. "I remember you taking advantage of your own friends just so you'd get your hands on those little blue pills. Now, what would your team mates think of that?" He laughed before continuing in a much louder tone, glancing around at the members who hadn't boarded the bus yet. "Do you know how Blainey here used to spend his time between rehearsals? He was a druggie."
Blaine's cheeks flared and his hands curled into fists. He couldn't believe Sebastian was playing the revenge card right now, but then again, he had provoked him..
"But still," Blaine thought. "I'm taking it like a man. If he thinks I'm going to let him humiliate me in front of my new friends, then he's an moron."
"We don't care how Blaine used to spend his time," Rachel spoke up suddenly. Finn tried to usher her towards the bus but she brushed his hand off her shoulder and turned to glare at Sebastian full-on. "He's with us now and he's wonderful," she said a little too passionately. Blaine could tell Finn was getting angry.
"You're just a sore loser," Rachel continued, to which Blaine smirked.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," he told her, eying Sebastian coolly.
"You think this is just about the competition?" Sebastian demanded.
"It should be," Sam said before Blaine could respond. "That's why we're here, not to spread rumors but to compete. And now it's time for you to go home."
"Who do you think you are, cowboy Bob?" Sebastian scoffed. He glanced back to Blaine, his brown eyes glittering mockingly. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Blainey, are you giving head to this hillbilly twink?"
As soon as the last word left Sebastian's mouth, Blaine lunged at his ex-boyfriend, shoving him so hard, he stumbled backward. But before he could retaliate, Sam abruptly interceded and drove his fist into Sebastian's jaw.
There was a moment of silence as everyone, even the members who'd already gotten on the bus who were looking out from the windows, stared in shock. Then Mr. Shuester's voice thundered as he came running over from the exit doors. "What's going on here?" he demanded, breathing heavily.
Sebastian wiped a drop of blood from the corner his mouth, glaring at Blaine as he responded,"You just bought yourselves a lawsuit."
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter :) the songs used were "Opposites Attract" by Paula Abdul and "Black or White" by Michael Jackson.