A/N: Sorry this took so long. I had writer's block on this one for months and I've also been working on a multitude of other stores (namely the Teen Wolf ones), along with a new Marvel one. But this is the penultimate chapter. I'll scratch out an epilogue as soon as I can and post it.


"So you're telling me that the guy who ridiculed you and made you stop doing magic came back today and apologized?" Kelvin sat cross-legged on the floor of Benji's room. Benji nodded, lying on his bed. "Wow. I've heard a lot of stories about people's romances but you and this guy Jesse, from all that you've told me, you guys belong together."

"I want nothing more than to just be with Jesse and still perform," Benji said, sitting up. He chewed on his lip for a moment, contemplating whether he should bring it up or not. "I know who you are, Kelvin." Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "You're our Sectionals competition."

Kelvin looked up at Benji, clearly confused. "Wait, what?"

"You're the captain of Eternal Vox." Kelvin nodded. "I'm in the Bellas at Barden High, Jesse's co-captain of the Treblemakers."

Kelvin opened his mouth to say something but closed it. He was silent for a minute before taking a breath. "D-do you think I'm a spy?" Benji shrugged. "I'm not a spy, Benji. Sure, I love to win, but doesn't everyone? Up to now, I, honest to God, had no idea that you and Jesse were our competition. And you know what? I don't care. Is our friendship at stake?"

"I-I don't want it to be." Benji slid off the bed and knelt beside Kelvin.

"Then it doesn't have to be, does it?" Kelvin smiled. "I like you, Benj, and despite how it seems, I don't have a whole lot of friends."

"But doesn't being the captain of a successful glee club get you at least the club themselves?" Benji cocked his head.

"Not really," Kelvin murmured.


Jesse knocked on Benji's door that night and Randy answered. "What did you do to Benji?" he demanded. "He's been locked in his room for the past day and a half, sans going to school."

"This whole thing isn't my fault," Jesse said calmly. "Can I just see him?"

"Fine." Randy relented and allowed Jesse into the house. "He's got some curly-haired kid up there too, just so you know. I don't think it's anything like what you two have. But, fair warning, Swanson, one shout from Benj and I throw you out, understood?" Jesse nodded and went upstairs, knocking gently on Benji's closed door.

"Randy, if it's about— Jesse." Benji opened the door, looking as if he hadn't been sleeping much. "I— What are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you. I miss you." Jesse offered a small smile, taking Benji's appearance into observation. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, sure." Benji moved and closed the door behind Jesse. "I'm sorry I've been avoiding your texts."

"Don't be sorry, Benj. You have nothing to apologize for. None of this is your fault." Jesse wrapped his arms around Benji protectively. "I love you so much."

"And we pretend I'm not even here," Kelvin muttered. "Should I go?"

"No, don't." Benji led Jesse over to the bed and sat him down. "Jesse, you and your love of obscure musicals... I found someone you can talk to about that. This is Kelvin, from the theater... and Larkin High."

"Heard a lot about you." Kelvin extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet the man who makes Benji so happy."

Jesse looked down at Kelvin's outstretched hand for a moment before taking it. "You know we're..."

"Competition. Yeah, I didn't even know about it until Benj told me like half an hour ago. Don't worry. Not a spy." Kelvin put his hands up in mock surrender.

Jesse placed a hand on Benji's shoulder. "Benj, I wanted to tell you that I support whatever choice you make, either about us or the Bellas. I did have a question for you though." Benji looked up at Jesse. "Will you be my date to the dance?"

Kelvin remained on the floor, watching between them. "Of course I will." Benji hugged Jesse. "I'd be honored."

"Not to break up this little reunion of love, but there's a bootleg copy of Bugsy Malone just waiting to be watched here."


The night of the dance finally arrived and Randy helped Benji with his tie. "You know, I remember my first high school dance," he mused. Benji rolled his eyes and straightened his suit.

"Is this going to be another seemingly-endless story about you and some random girl you managed to charm into going out with you?" Benji combed his hair back.

"She asked me out, little brother. It was the other way around." Randy slung an arm on his shoulder. "I know you've seen more than enough high school movies with Jesse, but avoid the punch at all costs. There'll be some joker who spikes it. In all honesty, I was that guy, but I'm a responsible college student now."

"Randy!" A female voice called from upstairs. "Where'd you go?" Benji turned and looked up at his brother, who blanched.

"Have fun." He patted Benji's shoulder and ran upstairs. The doorbell rang and Benji opened the door to reveal a grinning Jesse in a red tuxedo.

"Shall we?" He motioned to the limosuine at the curb.

"I can't believe you got a—" Benji shook his head, but was dragged out by the hand to the door that was pushed open to reveal Fat Amy and Bumper, and Kaylee and Drew. "Triple date?"

"Get in. There's champagne waiting to sprayed at everyone." Fat Amy leaned over, tugging on Benji's suit. He chuckled and slid into the car.


Benji and Jesse, alongside the other two couples, entered the gymnasium, which was already in full swing. Benji had hoped that Louis would suddenly reappear and make an appearance at the dance but he was nowhere to be seen. However, over by the bleachers stood Nick Steadman, flanked by four of his cronies; Benji was relieved to see that none of them were Louis.

"C'mon, Benj," Jesse said, pulling him along. "Let's get to the punch before someone spikes it. Hopefully, they haven't already." Benji followed, hoping the things that Louis said Steadman would do were just rumors.

Some time later, with the Trebles scheduled to perform a number at the end of the night, the king and queen of the dance was about to be announced.

"The nominees for king of the fall formal are Jesse Swanson, Daryl Hammond, Chris Carmichael, and Roger Wallace. Your nominees for queen are Beca Mitchell, Chloe Beale, Emilia Watson, and Denise Norris."

Benji searched the room once more. Steadman and his friends were in the same place as earlier.

"Your king is... Jesse Swanson!" Many students applauded, a few cheered. "And your queen is..." Mrs. Carlisle paused for dramatic effect, but when she looked down at the slip of paper, she stopped entirely. "Uh, Benji Applebaum?" Everyone looked around and Benji could feel the heat of the stares directed at him. "Well, come on up, Benji." He started his walk towards the stage, avoiding looking at anyone. "Your king and, um, queen of the fall formal!"

"What the hell?" Benji mouthed to Jesse, who shrugged and looked around nervously. Both of them could faintly hear the door of the gym being opened and closed but thought nothing of it. Steadman signaled to one of his other friends over by the edge of the stage, who tugged on the rope, releasing the bucket of red paint on the ledge over the center of the stage. The paint had not, however, hit its intended target as Benji was suddenly knocked out of harm's way.

"Louis Herlihy!" Mrs. Carlisle shouted but when she saw the spilled paint and Louis holding Benji from a distance, she put two and two together and looked up to see a dangling bucket still dripping paint.

Louis sat up and released Benji. "Saved you, didn't I?"


Jesse, Benji, and Louis sat at a nearby table while everyone else seemed to return to what they were doing. "Thanks for saving me, Louis," Benji said, rubbing his arm. The brunet nodded and kept his eyes on the flickering candle at the center of the table.

"Where have you been?" Jesse asked, placing a hand on Louis' shoulder.

Louis sighed. "Ever since I told you what-what happened, I took some personal time off. It was really good that I did though. I did a couple days catching up on homework and am now caught up in at least two classes. I spent some time with my brother down south. I'm in a good place. Let's hope it stays that way." He muttered this last part under his breath.

"Sometimes I feel so alone, at loose ends

Sometimes don't know where to turn

Or who to call my friends

But I'm okay

I have faith in myself

I'm okay

I'm gonna make it through today

I'm okay."

"You know no matter how many times you lash out at us, we're always going to be here to pick you back up, right?" Benji nudged Louis' side and he nodded.

"Yeah."

"Just make sure that doesn't happen often, okay?" Benji shot Jesse a look and sipped his punch.

Beca, Chloe, and Fat Amy came over and sat across from the boys. "Okay, we talked it over and Jesse, it's time." Jesse looked up at them, wide-eyed. "You knew this was going to happen eventually, so come on." He looked over at Benji, who shrugged. Louis, however, was smiling slightly.

"Louis, have you been keeping communication with them this whole time?" He demanded.

The brunet stood up and put an arm around Jesse. "Jesse, buddy, if I told you this was coming, you would have bailed like that." He snapped his fingers. "Besides, most people already know—or, well, assume anyway. Just tell them and you can go on with Benji in public, okay?"

Benji looked at Louis. "Wait, you all planned for Jesse to come out?"

"Hey, I'm not going to be his beard forever," Beca said, crossing her arms. "It just takes a little extra coaxing from your friends and you can do this. Remember, we practiced this."

"Come on." Louis grabbed Jesse's arm and hauled him back onto the stage. "Hey, everybody, we have an announcement. Jesse's a little nervous, but we support our king, don't we?" The rest of the Trebles cheered from somewhere in the distance.

"I'm getting you back for this, Louis," Jesse muttered.

"I know you will, but now's not the time. I'm not going to say it because I'm not a total dick, but either you do it or I start dropping hints." Jesse exhaled and took the microphone into one hand.

"I'm gay, and I'm dating Benji." The room was silent for a moment before the cheers and applause started up. Jesse grinned at the enthusiasm and pulled Benji forward, followed by Louis and Beca. Louis began to sing.

"Every day is so wonderful

Then suddenly, it's hard to breathe

Now and then, I get so insecure

From all the pain, I'm so ashamed

I am beautiful no matter what they say

Words can't bring me down

I am beautiful in every single way

Yes, words can't bring me down... oh no

So don't you bring me down today."

Beca took Jesse's hand and Benji took the other.

"To all your friends, you're oblivious

So consumed in all your doom

Trying hard to fill the emptiness

The pieces gone, left the puzzle undone

Is that the way it is?

You are beautiful, no matter what they say

Words can't bring you down... oh no

You are beautiful in every single way

Yes, words can't bring you down... oh no

So don't you bring me down today."


Songs featured:

-I'm Okay (Jem) - Louis

-Beautiful (Christina Aguilera) - Louis, Jesse, Beca, and Benji