Thank you, Koibi. ;-)

Chapter 10: Midsummer Night Dreaming

When they entered the choir room Sam went to the tree and crossed his arms. Blaine closed the door, approached Sam from behind and let his hands glide around his waist. He got on his tiptoes to be able to lay his chin on Sam's shoulder and observed the new tree. Fresh green birch branches were standing in the pot, not decorated yet but the chain of lights and some figures to be hung on it were lying on the ground next to it.

"Tomorrow", Blaine whispered.

"I'm so not in the mood for doing anything with the Glee club."

"Hey, that's unfair, not everybody is against us. Ryder and Marley for example. They are nice. And Jake and Unique…"

Sam turned and put his arms around Blaine. His eyes were so beautiful though it was sad to see them that concerned.

"All I need is you", Sam said.

"Awww, Sam." Blaine laid his hands on Sam's shoulders and leaned up for a kiss. Then he looked at Sam.

"And I you. But in a few years when you look back you would regret it if you didn't say goodbye to the Glee club. After all you spent a few years with those people. And Mr. Schue helped you with a few things, didn't he?"

"Yeah, yeah", Sam mumbled.

"Come, we set up the tree. I mean, it was silly to set it up a few weeks before Midsummer, anyway. There is a reason why on Christmas you put up the tree only on the 24th and now you know why, hm?" Blaine lightly shook Sam to bring his good spirits back and went to pick up the lights.

"Mr. Schue will be pissed because you didn't get Kitty a present", Sam said as he helped Blaine winding the lights around the branches.

"He will have to accept that I have my reasons", Blaine said.

They worked silently for a few minutes. Eventually everything was set up and Sam sprinkled some glitter over it (that mostly fell through the branches and on the ground but Blaine preferred to not point it out). When the golden lights sparkled between the green leaves they stepped back to look at it. Sam laid an arm around Blaine and pressed him against his body.

"It's so much better to do this with you than with Kurt", he said. "Look at it. Our baby."

Blaine laughed while he wound his arm around Sam's waist and laid his head on his shoulder. He didn't care very much about the tree but doing it with Sam, yes, that was fun, and calling it their baby… well. Why not.

"Do you have a name for it?" Blaine asked.

"How about… Emily."

"So it's a girl?"

"Yes, if Kurt taught me anything it's that birch is female."

Blaine pulled an impressed face. Sure, yeah, made sense to give trees gender assignments. Or not. But… oh well.

"Oh. It's the Christmas committee!" Ryder and Marley came in.

"It's Midsummer, dude", Sam said.

"We have a tree, we give each other presents. It's Christmas", Ryder said. Marley giggled and came to look at the tree.

"It's beautiful!"

"She's called Emily", Sam said. Marley frowned and blinked a few times but didn't say anything.

"Anyway, why are you here? Blaine and I need some privacy."

"It's almost time for Glee", Ryder said.

"Ah, damn it."

"Hey, it's only today and tomorrow left for you. Aren't you a bit sad?" Ryder asked.

"Not after the latest events", Sam said and then started to list Ryder his enemies. Blaine went to switch off the tree. Red and yellow glitter was lying everywhere, that sure would be hard to clean.

When everybody was in the room Blaine raised his hand because he had to tell Mr. Schue now. He should've done it earlier but he had been too occupied with the exams to think of it.

"Mr. Schue, I have to announce that I'm Kitty's secret fairy but I refuse to give her a present. She knows why."

Mr. Schue looked around in confusion. "Is that so?"

"Oh, boohoo, I made your boyfriend cry. As if he needed a reason for that and wouldn't cry every time he listened to a recording of his own weak singing voice."

"Uhm, shut up", Blaine said. His cheeks got hot and he felt a bit weird talking to her like that but he just had enough. He turned around to her and the group.

"Just stop it. Everybody seems to think Sam and I are something to laugh about but we're not."

"Oh wow, now you convinced me!" Kitty rolled her eyes.

"Your nickname is 'Blam'", Tina said. "You didn't even bother to come up with another one when you got together."

"So?" Blaine frowned, not quite understanding her logic.

"So it's stupid name for a couple!" Kitty said. "It screams shenanigans."

"Let me get this right… you bully us because of our nickname?" Blaine looked at Sam who sat there with his eyes directed at the floor in front of him, a deep frown on his forehead.

"We don't bully you", Tina said.

"Guys, guys!" Mr. Schue interfered, gesturing them to calm down. "What is this about?"

Suddenly Kitty and Tina weren't as talk-active anymore and Blaine also didn't feel like laying it out. Eventually Artie spoke up.

"Mr. Schue, from what I gathered Kitty and Tina wrote some fake love letters to Blaine and Sam didn't take it very well", he said.

"Oh." Sam started to speak but Blaine was faster.

"Way to put it! They intentionally tried to break us up by it", Blaine said.

"If you were as great a couple as you say you are it wouldn't have worked at all!" Tina said. She crossed her arms. "So in the end you're mad at yourself, not us."

Such bullshit! Blaine shook his head in disbelieve and turned to Mr. Schue again.

"Now everybody calm down", Mr Schue said. "Is it really worth the excitement, especially with graduation coming? Some of you guys might never see each other again."

"Looking forward to that", Sam mumbled.

Mr. Schue looked in shock at Sam, then he drove his hands over his face and sighed.

"Let's just… focus on Glee for a moment", he said, obviously giving up. Blaine couldn't blame him. If he was a teacher and had to go through as much drama as Mr. Schue had over the years he would have had a nervous breakdown long ago.

The mood didn't lift and Blaine was glad when Glee was over that day.

"I can't believe everybody thinks we're a joke. I bet Kurt put them up to it", Blaine said as they entered his bedroom. Sam had insisted on coming home with him right after school so here they were. Blaine turned around in expectation of an answer and instead he got wet lips on his mouth.

"Oh, Sam", he managed to say before he kissed back. Sam guided him to the bed. While Blaine lay down and Sam straddled him the blond said: "You won't believe it but I almost got hard when you defended us in Glee. You were so hot. Wow. I mean you are."

He slowly let his hands run over Blaine's chest and Blaine giggled. "Really?"

"You bet you are." Sam bowed down to kiss him again and at the same time he rolled his crotch against Blaine's pelvis. It was a nice, nice pressure. Blaine relaxed against the soft mattress and explored Sam's back. It was getting hotter and hotter in the room… until Sam laughed. Blaine pulled back and looked at him. Way to kill the mood.

"I just…" Sam shook his head. "I just had to think about how all those people saying we're nothing makes us weld together more. Like yesterday after my conversation with Kurt I let go of my grudge of you writing the love letter man and kissed you in public. And now…"

Sam pressed an open mouth kiss on Blaine's cheek. Blaine smiled and patted Sam's shoulder but when Sam moved on to kissing his neck he turned his head and looked at his desk. The applications were gone. Nothing else was to be done and they had all the time in the world. Still…

Blaine gently pushed Sam back.

"Something wrong, babe?" Sam said with a low voice. Blaine shook his head.

"I'm just not in the mood. I feel like we need to do something but… well, we don't. It's weird."

Sam let his head fall against Blaine's shoulder and exhaled, then he rolled down and settled on his side.

"Tomorrow we'll get our break. We'll be in Kentucky and celebrate our anniversary."

"Isn't that technically on the 24th?"

Sam shrugged. "Well, then our anniversary week."

Blaine grinned and shrugged. The more time he lay on the bed the more tired he got. It had been an exhausting day, no, week. Month, actually. He closed his eyes for some time. Yeah… he could so sleep.

"Should I put a DVD on?" Sam asked.

Blaine yawned and rubbed over his eyes. "Mh, yeah. If you don't mind me sleeping through the movie."

"But you can't sleep before we have eaten. Aren't you hungry?"

"Yes, but I'm too tired to eat."

Sam got up so Blaine grasped a pillow, hugged it and closed his eyes again. Funny enough, the next time he opened his eyes Sam was lying next to him with a pizza box on his stomach, slowly eating a slice.

"Oh, did I…" Blaine lifted his head.

"Yup, you snored."

"I did not!" Blaine hit Sam. Then the smell of the pizza got to him and all he could think about was eating so he took a slice. It was the most relaxing evening ever and soon Blaine fell asleep again, this time in Sam's arms.

June 20th, Friday: Midsummer's Eve

Sam

The graduation ceremony was great. Of course Sam would graduate, he had never doubted it, especially after all his hard work. Now everything was done. Even the applications. He had sent some to New York and some to New Jersey. He thought a lot about how it would be when they lived together soon. It would be awesome, right, and totally not too much after being together for only half a year, right? They wouldn't annoy each other or take each other for granted or live separated lives while only seeing each other by the by. Those were scenarios that they were immune to… right?

After the ceremony they went to the choir room. Sam didn't want to talk to some people there but Blaine had been right, other people had been great and Sam would miss them. On top of the list Ryder and Marley. They still had a year in school, oh, how Sam wished he and Blaine could switch places with them! Oh my God, now he actually wished to stay in school, he had never thought that would ever happen. But adult life seemed so scary.

"Ryyyyder!" Sam ran to the brunet boy and threw his arms around him.

"Uh, okay?"

"I want to stay in school", Sam whined. Eventually Ryder patted on his back and freed himself.

"I will miss you, too."

"And Marley!" She had appeared on Ryder's side so of course Sam hugged her, too. She wasn't that eager to get rid of him and hugged back.

"You will be doing alright, Sam. And you will come to visit us, right?"

"Where will you be going, anyway?" Ryder asked.

Sam sniffled (although he didn't cry or anything) and stepped back from Marley.

"Probably New York. You know, with Blaine."

Marley nodded smilingly and rubbed Sam's arm. "I'm glad you two can stay together. I know how much it means to you."

Sam nodded. Of course in this moment Kitty walked in and had to remind Sam that not everybody knew what Marley knew. But he wouldn't be defeated by anybody who thought 'Blam' was a stupid couples' name. What even? It was the best name ever!

Sam went to the tree and switched on the lights.

"It's Midsummer's Eve!" He raised his voice and clapped his hands. Should he have let Mr. Schue get the attention of everybody? Maybe. But it had been his idea anyhow.

Mr. Schue just sighed and leaned against the piano. Sam replaced his graduation hat with an elf's hat and gestured everybody to come sit on the floor in front of the tree. Nobody did it.

"Well, okay, then… let's exchange presents", Sam mumbled and went to a normal, boring chair.

"Sam, you know what?" Blaine asked. He leaned to him and took his hands.

"What"

"I love you." Blaine kissed Sam and hey, Sam surely wouldn't protest. Especially not after Blaine had bailed on the making-out session yesterday when Sam had needed some relaxation. Unfortunately Blaine leaned back again pretty quickly to receive a present from Artie. Sam gave his present to Unique and got a Superman comic from Ryder.

"Damn, I already have this edition", Sam said. Ryder was so bad in giving presents! Poor Marley.

Blaine elbowed Sam and shook his head. "Tell Ryder you are happy."

"But that's a lie."

"Well, then lie."

Sam pulled a face but went to Ryder to say thank you. What a stupid thing to do.

Because Blaine hadn't gotten anything for Kitty Mr. Schue had. Sam constantly shook his head as she ran around with her new fake pearl necklet. She so didn't deserve it! And Tina neither. Marley had given her some earrings that she absolutely did not deserve!

"They should have gotten tomatoes or something like that", Sam whispered furiously. Blaine looked up from admiring his new Phil Collins album.

"Huh?"

"Kitty and Tina. They should've gotten dirty tomatoes!"

Blaine's face darkened. "I already told Tina I didn't like her idea but she kept insisting she was doing us a favor. She can't seriously believe that, right?"

"Blaine, she said to my face I should break up with you! She's jealous, that's it! She loves you!"

"I don't think that's the…"

Sam didn't let Blaine finish. He knew it wasn't the best method to get back at Tina but he seriously didn't know what else he could do; and also he had to show her that Blaine was still taken. So Sam kissed his boyfriend. In the chaos of the group no one paid them much attention at first so Sam put his hand on Blaine's waist and licked over the other's heavenly lips.

"Sam, not here." Blaine giggled and leaned back, his cheeks a bit pink.

"It's our last day! It's not even school anymore", Sam said. He tried again. Blaine was confused enough to kiss back for a while and then they were disrupted anyway.

"Would you mind? This is a public place", Kitty said loudly. Sam felt addressed so he looked at her.

"We're allowed to celebrate, aren't we?" he said.

"Ugh, gross", Tina commented. "I just can't imagine how something looking so awkward can be pleasant." She turned to Kitty. "I bet Sam is blackmailing Blaine."

"Shut up, Tina! You're such a mean bitch, not to speak of arrogant and self-righteous. You are the one blackmailing people to be your friends because I can't imagine how anyone could like you!" Sam had gotten up and clenched his fists. Such a pity that he couldn't hit girls. She deserved a good punch even more than Kurt and that was saying something.

Tina crossed her arms and looked from Sam to Blaine while all others had gotten quiet.

"You're gonna let him speak to me like that?" she said to Blaine. Sam raised his eyebrows, hot anger shooting up his stomach. How did she dare to call Blaine for her protection? Did she really think Blaine would take her side, really? Maybe he suffered from a real serious mental illness or so!

"Well, he's got a point." Blaine shrugged. "And I think it was time somebody said it out loud. I couldn't be prouder of my boyfriend." He stepped to Sam and laid his hand on Sam's shoulder. It let some of Sam's anger melt, alright, but he still wanted to punch someone.

Tina had gone pale and when she opened her mouth nothing came out of it. At least something. And now Mr. Schue decided to have enough once again.

"Guys, really? On the very last day of school?"

"Better late than never", Sam said. He couldn't take much more so he stormed out of the room. Really, every second day in this room had been about fights and bitching. He had hoped to part on good terms but apparently some people really hated him.

In the locker room Sam got out of his graduation outfit and sank his fists into the punching bag a few times. Stupid. Kitty. And. Tina!

"Sam."

"What?"

One last hit and Sam turned around, trying to catch his breath. Blaine, still in his read graduation dress minus the hat, had stood in the door and now came to him, taking Sam's burning wrists into his hands.

"You're going to hurt yourself if you don't wrap your hands while boxing."

"Can you believe her?" Sam asked. "Trying to get you to defend her."

"I'm abashed myself. I would have never thought that Tina would go that far. I thought she was our friend." Blaine stroked over Sam's wrists until the blond relaxed a bit. His breaths became deeper. Eventually Blaine pressed his mouth against one wrist, the other and then he let them go.

"Thank you for standing up for us. And for yourself", Blaine said.

"I don't need to blackmail you to like me", Sam said.

"Damn right, you don't. I'm the one who can be proud that you want to be with me."

Sam shrugged. He wouldn't go that far. But Blaine insisted on it. While Blaine took off his graduation dress Sam took a last glance around. He would never return to this place again. Ever. What a weird feeling. When he went back to the choir room to say his official goodbye it was just as weird. He felt like he had arrived here yesterday after having moved from Nashville to Lima. And it was also yesterday that he had gone to Cincinnati to strip for money, Rachel and Finn had taken him back here and Sam had found a new home with the Hummel-Hudson's. Now everything would be over and he didn't know what the future would bring.

"So romantic", Blaine sighed. Sam nodded. He always loved the Midsummer bonfire. Tonight it was set up in his parents' back yard. One aunt and uncle of his were here, too, with their two teenage children. Sam's mother had made bread dough so they could put some on a stick and roast it in the fire, or they could do it with marshmallows, or eat sandwiches. It was great and fun but Sam waited until the social part was over because he had planned something for him and Blaine for the night.

He had also planned his coming-out but not before tomorrow. Tonight was no time and he could do without his parents knowing what he and Blaine would do when they'd strolled off into the night. So that was settled. What wasn't was Sam's answer to his father's question whether he would come home for good soon. He wanted to tell him no and why he needed to be with Blaine but he didn't have an answer from the applications yet. But tomorrow when his parents knew why Sam couldn't separate from Blaine they would understand, right?

Right now they didn't, no one did. Sam tried to stand a bit apart with Blaine and exchange loving gazes and all that romantic stuff a bonfire made you do but his relatives kept showing up and talking. So annoying!

"And then my boyfriend said I don't need to wear contacts, he likes me with glasses, isn't that super-fantastic?" Sam's cousin babbled. Indeed she wore big fat Harry Potter glasses.

"Great", Sam commended. Who cared!?

"Well, your boyfriend is right, you look gorgeous with those glasses", Blaine said. Sam rolled his eyes while he turned his stick around in the fire. Blaine didn't have to compliment his whole family! Just Sam was totally enough!

Sam's cousin giggled. "Do you have a girlfriend, Blaine?"

"Oh no, I'm the gay one", Blaine said. "I have a boyfriend."

"Oh! When Sam was a child he was gay, too."

"What? I was not", Sam said. He would decide about his coming-out, not his stupid cousin!

"Yes, you were! You and Tom would kiss all the time!"

"Tom?" Blaine chuckled. "Your first boyfriend, Sam?"

"What the hell? Lisa, you had too much to drink. Better go home and sleep now", Sam said.

But Lisa was too amused about it. "Tom is my brother", she told Blaine. "He's the same age as Sam and they always played together and held hands and would never allow me to play with them."

"That's not true! And if so it was because you're a girl. We wanted to play boy games."

Lisa laughed, and Blaine too, oh what a fun they had. Sam rounded the fire and stood next to his mother. Great. Now he wouldn't be able to look his other cousin, Tom, in the eyes anymore. Lisa was so…

"Hey, Sam. I'm so proud that you graduated, so proud", Sam's mother said.

"Oh, yeah." Sam mumbled. She had said it a few times tonight already so he knew that by now.

"I wish I could have been there."

"Mhmh."

"Your host parents took pictures, right? They have to tell me all about it."

Sam nodded. "They sure did. Oh, I think I have to save Blaine from Lisa."

Sam went back to the other side of the fire. Blaine immediately linked arms with him and leaned to his ear.

"How long do we have to stay?"

"We can go now", Sam suggested. He sure wouldn't miss anything. But the problem was the place he wanted to take Blaine too was a little bit further in the yard and he wouldn't be comfortable with his family out here. Lisa would probably come and see what they were doing, curious brat she was.

So they stayed. Sam avoided talking to Tom and ate a lot of marshmallows. Finally his aunt and uncle took off, with them his cousins. Thing started to improve. His siblings were in bed already so only his parents were left. While Sam's father put out the fire Sam's mother cleaned the area. Sam decided it would be better to pretend to go to bed and later sneak out.

He hadn't prepared a picnic because there had been no time. He figured they could do the picnic part tomorrow still so for now Sam gathered a few candles and flowers along with a blanket. He sneaked out of the house when Blaine was busy telling Sam's mother details about the graduation ceremony and went to the back yard. A lot of trees and bushes were here so it was a place that couldn't be seen from anywhere; Sam had checked it. He spread out the blanket, scattered sunflowers over it and set up the candles a few feet away on hard, not-burnable ground.

Back in the house Blaine was already in his room. Not the way to do things! Sam knocked against his door and was allowed to come in.

"I hope you're not tired yet. It's Midsummer's Eve, Blaine! It's legally forbidden to sleep tonight."

Blaine sat on his bed and unpacked the suitcase lying on it. He yawned. "We had our graduation ceremony today and spend four hours in the car."

"But it's Midsummer's Eve! I have a surprise for you."

"Oh, I do love surprises."

Sam took Blaine's hand and pulled him out. When they were close to the place Sam told Blaine to close his eyes and then carefully guided him to it. He stood behind Blaine and put his hands on his eyes.

"Are you ready to be deeply touched?" he asked quietly.

"Yes", Blaine whispered.

"Okay then…" Sam put down his hands and watched Blaine's reaction. The shorter boy's eyes widened and he put his hand in front of his mouth.

"Oh wow! So romantic!" he said.

"I know. And look." Sam sat down on the blanket and gestured to some fireflies gently glowing around them. Blaine leaned against Sam's chest and Sam put his arms around Blaine's waist, enjoying the warm scent of the other's body.

"It's perfect, Sam", Blaine whispered. He turned his head around and kissed Sam. Since they hadn't been able to do it all night long it was a much appreciated gesture.

Now Sam knew not all things could or should be planned but he wanted to get a little more intimate than usual tonight. It was a warm night so loss of clothes wouldn't matter. There was a light wind that rustled through the trees but it wasn't too cold. The ground might have been a bit too hard? But the most important question was whether Blaine was up for it or not. Sam prayed to Thor he was and let his hand glide under Blaine's shirt. Ah, the sweet touch of skin!

But Thor was not gracious. Blaine pulled Sam's hand back and turned around to face him.

"I have something for you, too", he said. Out of his pockets he pulled two bracelets. "I looked a few things up at home and found out that you are supposed to be able to see fairies on Midsummer's Eve when you have lavender on you. So I made you this."

He held up one of the bracelets. "It's lavender. Give me your hand."

Sam held out his hand and Blaine put the bracelet around his wrist. Sam closed his eyes and when he opened them again he carefully glanced around. Where were the fairies?

Blaine put on his own bracelet and then exhaled. In the dim candlelight Sam could see his smile, a sweet treat for this night. And his eyes were shining with the loveliest spirit Sam has ever seen. He didn't need fairies when he had Blaine. He took his boyfriend's hands, returned his smile and was about to tell him he loved him when Blaine spoke on.

"The second part of my surprise is a bit different", he said. "And I need to explain it to you. Are you ready?"

"I am always ready for you."

"Aww, Sam." Blaine squeezed his hands. "Okay, look. In earlier times many people married on Midsummer. Well, not exactly married, they did a thing called handfasting. It's like a marriage on trial and not legally binding. So I thought if you want to, we could do it. It would be a symbolic act that stands for the fact that we choose to be with each other. It is not a real marriage, Sam, so you don't need to be afraid. It can be undone anytime."

Blaine took a deep breath and looked anxiously at Sam, who had listened in awe. Blaine wanted to marry him! He couldn't wait until 2019; he wanted to do it tonight! Wow. Was Sam ready for it?

"Maybe I should mention that it is done with a witness", Blaine said. "But that can be anybody. We could ask your mother, for example. I just want to give you something to assure you that I love you for real and won't be running off with a new boyfriend as soon as we arrive in New York."

Tears watered up Sam's eyes. Blaine still thought about what Sam had told him and his fears as to why he should go to New York when Blaine would find someone better there anyway. Sam had tried not to think about but yeah… the possibility was there, wasn't it?

"Are you really that sure about me?" Sam whispered with a rough voice. He cleared his throat and couldn't help those tears escaping his eyes and rolling down his cheek. Blaine softly wiped them away.

"Yes", he whispered back. "I am."

Oh my God. He was! Sam smiled through his tears, marveling about this truly magical night while at the same time he wanted to dance and sing with joy.

"Yes! Yes, of course! Blaine, I love you so, so much! I want to fake marry you!"

"Oh, Sam!" Blaine looked like he was about to cry, too, but he smiled at the same time and caressed Sam's arm. It was the perfect time for another kiss. Sam wound his arms around Blaine's shoulders and held him close. He didn't have to let go for a long time now; Blaine would stay with him. Good. Tonight Blaine even tasted like Midsummer. Sam really didn't know how he did it but it was great. He had a holiday flavored boyfriend.

Eventually Blaine leaned back with still close eyes and laid his head on Sam's shoulder.

"I love you, too", he whispered. Sam slowly leaned back, taking Blaine with him so that they lay down on the blanket. Sam would take the sacrifice of lying on the hard ground so that Blaine wouldn't be uncomfortable.

Blaine snuggled up to Sam and sighed loudly. "I could so sleep right now."

"Oh. So… no sex?" Sam bit his lip. How insensitive of him!

Blaine chuckled and patted Sam's chest. "We have all the time in the world. And cuddling is great, too, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it totally is." Sam buried his nose in Blaine's gelled hair and closed his eyes. The day really had been a long one. Blaine was warm and soft and wherever Sam was, when Blaine was with him he felt like being home.

"Tonight we sleep together in one bed though, right?" he asked quietly. They had done it a few times and Sam really liked it.

"Aren't you afraid your parents are going to see us before you told them?"

"No, why would they? They have better things to do than walk into my room."

"Okay then."

They didn't move for a long time and Sam almost fell asleep. Just when he had decided sleeping outside was great and he could deal with the pain from sleeping on hard ground Blaine got up and made Sam come with him.

Coming up tomorrow: Midsummer! Sam tells his parents about him and Blaine. How will they and his extended family react?