Chapter 14: Catching a break

Blaine had a major deja-vue day. Although it wasn't anything like after he broke up with Kurt – he had grieved then, now he just waited for a sign from Sam. Any sign that he hadn't meant it. That Blaine had misunderstood his words, gestures, his running away…

Blaine felt tears creeping up and quickly changed the TV channel. For today this would work. If he hadn't heard from Sam by tomorrow… well, no. Quick, another channel.

"Blaineeers."

"Not now, I'm busy."

"What? You're not even watching commercials?"

Blaine rolled his eyes as his brother suddenly stood in the room, overdramatically pointing at the TV.

"Did something happen yesterday? I swear I didn't mean to take that long to pick out a hat but I couldn't decide… ah, I have such a beautiful collections of hats!"

"Good for you."

"Let's go take a walk! I lend you a hat from my collection!"

"Cooper…"

"What, you'd rather drown in your self-pity?"

"Actually, yes."

Cooper left his room. Blaine frowned – that had been too easy – and then rolled his eyes when Cooper came back with a ridiculous big black hat on his head, spreading out his arms and crying with enthusiasm, remembering Blaine of how Sam had jumped through the snow.

"Is that even yours? It looks like a woman's hat."

"Of course it is mine! I'm an actor! I need to practise all possible roles there are! Hey, do you like waffles?"

When Blaine said he did Cooper insisted on going to a café in the mall. It turned out that his girlfriend worked here so at least Blaine didn't have to be suspicious as to why Cooper did something that held nothing for him.

While Blaine sat in the boot and ate his waffle Cooper kept his girlfriend from working too hard. Blaine wasn't sure if she appreciated it but he kept following her to the tables that she served. After a while this great show got boring because she never turned around and slapped him, she just ignored him.

Blaine went on to watching the people around him. That's when he saw Jake. He sat at the fountain with some girls and seemed to be bragging. Blaine was pretty sure he didn't want to be disturbed but then Jake caught his eye and waved. No, actually he even came over and glided into Coopers place opposite to Blaine.

"Uhm, hi", Blaine said. "Did you have a nice Christmas?"

"No, I was bored out of my mind. I haven't seen anyone from Glee club since winter break started! Why is everyone so busy? Oh, and get this, yesterday I wrote Sam to ask what he was doing and you know what he answered? Here!"

Jake pulled out his phone, managed it and showed it to Blaine.

The hell? Lieve me alon I'm tired of ur shit

Blaine's mouth clapped open. "Are you sure that's Sam's number?"

"I am sure."

"I am not! Sam wouldn't write something like this without a reason. What did you write to him?"

Jake opened another text to show it to Blaine. Dude what's up?

"Only this. Nothing else."

Blaine frowned. "This can't be… wait." He got out this phone and compared the numbers. No, it really was the right number. What on earth…?

"Maybe it was a mistake? Or he was in a bad mood. At what time yesterday was it?"

Jake looked at his phone. "A few minutes after five."

"Oh. Then…" Blaine shook his head. What happened yesterday? He needed to know! Maybe he should ask Finn or Kurt? But would they now? Sam had mentioned Rachel a few times, she had to be involved somehow. But how, what…?

"So, do you want to hang out some time? I'm tired of dating three different chicks at once."

"What? Oh, yeah, why not! Will you be at the party on Tuesday?"

"What party?"

Oops.

"Uhm… well, an old friend throws a party. I'm gonna ask her if you can come, too. I have to speak to her anyway."

Blaine quickly sent Rachel a text if she knew what was going on with Sam. Then he promised Jake to keep him up to date and finished his waffle just in time to see how Cooper finally got his lecture about disturbing working girls from Martina's boss. After that Cooper somehow wasn't in the mood to shop and they went to the car. Just when they almost were home Blaine got an answer from Rachel.

Yes, I know. Are you busy right now? He'd like to talk to you. fulhamstreet 4

Blaine narrowed his eyes and read it again. Wait. Sam was with Rachel at this very moment? Blaine got the feeling that something weird was going on. Something that had made Sam loose his nerves yesterday and Blaine couldn't shake the feeling it had to do with them. Had Rachel somehow found out?

"Can you bring me to a friend?" he asked Cooper.

"Sure, Blainers! I'll drop you off at the Hudson's."

"It's Hummel-Hudson's now but I was talking about Rachel Berry. Uhm, Fulhamstreet?"

"A girl? Oh my, oh my, Blainers!"

Blaine rolled his eyes. When they arrived Cooper promised him to pick him up later if necessary and in the next moment Blaine stood in front of the Berry's house. The Hudmel's truck was in the driveway so he had been right about Sam being here.

"Hey, Blaine", Rachel greeted him – not gushy. Ok. Something was defectively off.

They hugged nonetheless and then went to the living room. The Berry's house was big and the decorations looked like right out of 'Living At Home'. But as soon as they entered the living room all Blaine saw was the blond boy with a red nose sitting on the couch. He started into space and now very reluctantly turned his head to return Blaine's look.

Rachel rounded Blaine and positioned herself in an armchair standing next to the couch.

"Sit down, Blaine. Do you want to drink something?"

"No, right now… What is going on?" Blaine remained standing for now.

"It's my fault, really. I'm such an intrusive person, my apologies for that. I know. Blaine." Rachel nodded to Sam. "Don't you want to tell him or…"

"No."

Rachel sighed and Blaine decided to sit down after all. He chose the very left end of the couch while Sam sat on the right, kneading a tissue.

"Yesterday I happened to have Sam's phone in my hands when you send him a text. Uhm."

"My… text?" Blaine looked at Sam who seemed to be in love with his hands.

"I wouldn't have opened it but I was writing a message to what I thought was doing Sam a favour and so I accidentally opened it. And I saw the content and couldn't… well. I was shocked, to be honest, very shocked. Who would have guessed that… you two? I mean it's not unheard of that close friends turn into lovers, it's by far not unheard of. Just think of all those love stories that involve around somebody marrying the wrong person while their best friend longs to be with them and in the end they'll come together! Best example is –"

"Rachel", Sam mumbled.

"Right! You two. I was so shocked!" She laid her hands on her chest. Blaine would have believed her without that gesture even after the first time she had said it.

"Not that I don't approve or something! It's just that I had never really thought about it. And Kurt always talked about how Blaine was probably making up his mysterious lover because he was with Sam all the time. Well! Now we know that this fits perfectly together, right? I mean I know!" She held up her hands. "I swear I didn't tell anyone, cross my heart!"

Yes, she actually crossed her heart. Then she leaned forwards and laid a hand on Sam's knee.

"Poor Sammy was shattered. If I had known how you react I wouldn't have gone out, believe me! What do you think of me? I'm not the person who runs around, gossiping! My name is neither Santana nor Quinn!"

"But… I still don't get…" Blaine looked at Sam, his brain too empty to formulate questions.

Sam blew his nose, then took a mug from the table in front of him.

"I won't tell Kurt about you two, Blaine. I promise. It will be hard, no question. He will think I'm betraying him –"

"Just like me", Sam whispered. "I'm betraying him, too. And… I'm afraid Burt and Carol will throw me out if they knew."

The last words he directed at Blaine who felt a smile emerging from his chest. But it wasn't the time to smile now. Not really. Still he could be glad Sam seemed to be better today, right?

"Sam, I don't think they'd do that! They are good hearted people who don't judge! But just in case you feel too uncomfortable my offer still stands. Or rather the offer from my fathers since I don't live here anymore", Rachel said.

"Yeah, no, wouldn't be strange at all to move in with two guys whose daughter has already moved out", Sam said.

"I'm just saying you wouldn't be homeless!"

"Yes", Blaine said. His friends looked at him so he shrugged. He couldn't say that this would be the best thing ever, could he? Sam not living with the Hummel-Hudson's anymore. As much as Blaine liked them it would be weird and awkward being there even when Kurt would be back in New York. It was such a selfish wish, wasn't it?

But there was a more important thing to talk about now.

Blaine cleared his throat. "Well, don't get me wrong but… is there something for the Hummel-Hudson's to know at the moment or…?"

Sam puckered his lips and returned his look. Those were the longest seconds Blaine had ever lived. His heart threatened to spring out of his chest but his hands couldn't move.

"What kind of question is that?" Sam asked. Then he sneezed and fumbled a tissue out of a box on the table. Blaine only now saw that there many used ones lying on the ground.

When Sam was done with blowing his nose he looked at Blaine again and said:

"I overreacted yesterday."

"Yeah, you did! But given the facts I understand it."

He slowly glided closer before Sam threw himself at him. Two arms pressed him strongly against the blond boy. Blaine hugged back, buried his face in Sam's shoulder and cried.

"You idiot", he mumbled while in fact he knew that Sam was the best and smartest boy that ever lived on this planet. In this Universe. Now and forever.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry", Sam whispered. Blaine chuckled with relief and lifted his face. When he saw Rachel his senses returned. It might have been nice that she watched them with a warm smile but on the other hand he'd preferred to be alone with Sam.

Blaine cleared his throat and moved back from Sam without breaking their contact. Should he thank Rachel now? After all she had made Sam a nervous wreck in the first place, hadn't she?

"Well", she said, putting her hands together. "Aren't reunions nice. Blaine, do you now want to drink something? Tea, coffee, coke, water?"

"Yeah. Uhm, water."

When Rachel had left the room they hugged again. Blaine felt Sam shaking and tried to hold him close, give him a break from the constant stress he was under with Kurt and Finn in the house.

"Have you eaten today?" Blaine asked.

"No. I'm sick, I don't want to."

"You should." Blaine stroked over his blond hair. "And maybe you could stay one night here. Relax a bit. Just one night, Sam", he added because Sam had pulled back.

"No, I can't! Finn will think… this is not better than the whole thing with Kurt."

"Finn won't think anything, Sam. You and Rachel are friends, aren't you?"

"Yeah, but… he already…"

"Here we gooo, a glass of water!" Rachel put it in front of Blaine. "Will you guys stay for dinner? I would've asked Kurt over because my Dads are already in Paris but you're here now. Not that you are second choice. Well, okay, maybe you are. You don't mind, though, do you? Do you like fried chicken?"

"Yes. Rachel, thank you", Blaine said. Rachel left the room again and Blaine took Sam's hand.

"You can't always do everything right and never hurt people. Kurt will be hurt sooner or later and it's his problem", Blaine said. "Don't put that weight on your shoulders."

Sam still looked exhausted. But in the next moment Blaine felt hot lips squashing against his. It took him by surprise but one second later he automatically returned the kiss, pushed Sam back to get a better grip on his mouth and felt his own tiredness and fears shrinking into a little puddle of mud. Sam's tongue licked it away. Not only that, Sam also moved his upper body against Blaine's in tiny but fierce movements.

It was some passion that got stirred up in Blaine, now, too. Without thinking he pulled Sam closer and tried to feel as much of his warm body on his own. Then very abruptly Sam pulled back, turned away from Blaine… and sneezed.

Blaine leaned back on the couch and couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh God! I don't want to infect you", Sam said into a tissue.

"Sam… you already have. With a fever that I call Sammyness."

Sam closed his eyes and snorted, his mouth in a smile. Blaine stretched out his hand to let his fingers glide through Sam's hair. Everything was good again. They were together. Other problems they could solve later but as long as they were together nothing was too bad.

Now the Sunday hadn't turned out too bad. After dinner they had watched a movie in the Berry's living room and Sam and Blaine had sat together, held hands and watched each other more than the TV. It was the most relaxing time they had in… Sam didn't know how long. He and Blaine never had so much time as a couple together. It was the best thing ever, making all his problems feel small and the warm ball of love in his chest grow big enough to enfold them both. Maybe if he could have this more often, maybe even once a day he wouldn't think so much about how Blaine would go back to Kurt.

Suddenly it was ten p.m. and Rachel yawned.

"I don't know about you guys but I'm going to bed."

"Oh. Well." Blaine sat up and stretched his arms. "Should I ask Cooper to pick me up or are you willing to drive me?"

Sam frowned. "What, am I your chauffeur now?"

Blaine just grinned and leaned in for a little kiss.

"You can stay the night, if you want. I have a guest room" Rachel said.

Blaine turned to her. "He's got some issues with what Finn could think…"

"Oh! Finn will believe what I tell him."

Sam had to admit it was very tempting to stay one night away from his step family. Alone to be able to sleep in without screams waking him up… But this house wasn't Kurt-free-zone, was it? What sense would it make then?

"See?" Blaine shook Sam's hand and looked at him as if he had just won the lottery. "And you know, if you and Rachel had a secret affair you wouldn't spent the night at her house, anyway, right? See how stupid this is? Even Finn would have to admit that."

"Yeah?"

Blaine nodded and squeezed his hand. "And I'll come over tomorrow for breakfast, okay? Rachel, would that be okay?"

"Blaine", Sam said. "I'm sure Kurt will show up sooner or later."

"It is okay. Honestly, I don't know how you boys managed to even get together with all those people around you."

Was she hinting at Blaine's mother? Because Sam wouldn't want Blaine to know that he had talked about that, too. It was embarrassing enough as it was that he got frightened by that woman.

But Blaine just nodded and Rachel said she could keep Kurt away for one day, dragging him to the mall and stuff. Sam sure would appreciate some real alone time with Blaine.

"I have just one question left", Sam said. He raised a finger. "Why are you so nice? Aren't you mad that I stole Blaine from Kurt?"

Rachel bit her lip and looked at her hands. "Look. It's not my busyness who breaks up with whom. And I for one think…" She waggled her head and looked at Blaine. "Don't take it personally but I had the feeling you and Kurt shouldn't have gotten back together in the first place. It seemed a bit… forced."

Sam nodded like the sensible man he was, carefully watching Blaine's reaction and making a mental note to tell Rachel later what great observation skills she had. And maybe apologise for having sent rude texts. Oh. Wasn't there something with Marley about that, too…?

"Did you tell him?" Blaine asked.

"Yes. But Kurt can be very stubborn."

"Tell me about it!"

Well, it was great to see how Rachel and Blaine bonded over gossiping about Kurt. It really was. But if Sam wanted to actually get his stuff here he should be going now. Also Burt wanted his truck back before tomorrow because he had to work.

"And I will not pressure you into anything but when Kurt's finds out I knew and didn't tell him… He will be beyond mad. So maybe we could all get together like responsible adults and talk about it?" Rachel suggested.

"No!" Sam said. "I'm not a responsible adult."

Blaine shook his head, too. "Let's not talk about this right now, we're all too tired. Maybe in a few days?"

"Well. Okay." Rachel sighed and got up.

Ten minutes later Sam dropped Blaine off in front of his house. Since it was dark and no one around, they kissed in the car. Blaine didn't even mind the fact that Sam was sick. Strange boy. But Sam wouldn't complain. God knew he had enough to go through to complain about some fluffy Blaine kisses.

After a long silence only interrupted by smacking noises they separated.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow", Blaine said.

"Me too. When will you be there?"

"Whenever you want."

Sam smirked. "So six a.m. would be okay?"

"Well, I doubt you'd choose this time but if you did, yes. I'd be okay with that. Whatever you want."

"Let me get back to that", Sam grinned. He took another mouthful of Blaine's lips. They were awesome as ever and anyway the only warm thing right now. Without them he'd freeze to death.

"Okay. I have to go now", Blaine said. And nibbled on Sam's lower lip. Oh God, it was soft and relaxing but exciting at the same time. He would spend so much more time just somehow touching or tasting Blaine's body, that much was sure.

Well. It had taken a few more minutes than planned but finally Sam arrived at the Hummel-Hudson's. Let the worst part of the evening begin!

As he got out of the car he looked down the street. The Berry's red Porsche was standing a few feet away. Sam narrowed his eyes but he couldn't see inside the car. Just when he had decided that Rachel was already inside the lights of the car when shortly on and out. Wait, didn't she want to get inside? She couldn't leave Sam alone in this!

Sam jogged to the car and knocked against the window.

"What are you waiting for, come on."

Rachel leaned over to the passenger seat. "Oh, no, just get your stuff and come. If I go inside and Finn sees me he'd want to talk. At that's never done in less than half an hour. I'm tired. Don't forget my make-up bag, okay? Let's go!" She waved him away so Sam didn't know what else he could say and turned around.

Crap.

First he met no one. He put clothes and things into a bag and also grasped a comic book. What else? The make-up bag. And Cookies? Oh no, he had wanted to stop eating them. Christmas was over. Okay. Now find Carol. Maybe he would get away with meeting only her. It was half past ten after all and maybe Finn and Kurt were asleep already… yeah.

Well, maybe not but… you know. Sam was good at being inconspicuous. He was Blond Chameleon on a mission as he tiptoed downstairs. Nightbird wasn't far away. The house was quiet, no, deadly calm. They were alone but still not allowed being in here. Exciting! Sam stopped in his tracks. This was also exciting for parts of his lower body. Blond Chameleon and Nightbird could get it on wherever they wanted! They were powerful, almighty, confident with adult themes and –

"Sam? What are you doing?"

Sam looked up the stairs that he was hovering on, fully clothed with jacket and hat and a bag in his hand.

Kurt stood there in a blue-white pyjama with little reindeers on it, his hair fuzzy as if he had slept already. Seriously? At half past ten on a vacation Sunday?

"Where are you – oh. Of course." Kurt bit his lip and turned around without any further comment.

What? Oh well. Sam couldn't care about Kurt's nightmares now. He put his bag on the stairs and poked his head into the living room. Carol wasn't here, but Burt would do just as well. The bad thing was that Finn sat there and now looked at him questioningly.

"Hey buddy. Back from your mission?"

"Yes. But I… wanted to ask…" Sam got in and addressed Burt. His heart beat pretty fast and Sam had to gulp it down.

"I'm going to spend the night at… if that's okay?"

Damn, it was harder to say than imagined. Sam avoided Finn's eyes and watched Burt nodding.

"Sure! Well, you know I need the truck but I suppose you're walking over to the Anderson's?"

"Uh…" Sam cleared his throat. No, to the Berry's. Say it. The Berry's. As in raspberry, like Blaine's hair gel. Or as in The Beach Boys just with other letters. Fuck, did Finn have to stare at Sam the whole time?

"Yeah", Sam said. No, no, no! He added: "You're right I won't take the truck" but did that undo the lie? Only if he now said 'because Rachel is here to take me to her house'.

Finn took a sip from a bottle he held in his hand. Sam glanced at to the TV. How nice, cars and women. Must be one of the thousand parts of The Fast And The Furious.

"Anything else?" Burt asked.

Last chance. We all know how good Sam Evans was this last chances, don't we? Sam shook his head in preparation for his statement, okay, but Burt and Finn both turned their attention away from him.

"Uh. Yes, there's one more thing", Sam said. Aaand the attention was back. Couldn't at least Finn look away? His eyes… the look in them this afternoon…

"I don't know when I will be back", Sam said.

Burt waved it off. "Just check in with me from time to time to tell me you're still alive."

"Okay. Yeah. Well, then…" Sam lifted a hand. Wait, that's it? What kind of weak attempt of telling the truth was that?

"Hey, Sam!" Finn called him. "Don't forget to come to the party on Tuesday. It's gonna be awesome!" He lifted his bottle and winked at Sam who failed in winking back. He just smiled, nodded like an idiot and then was alone in the hallway.

Well, that had been… SHIT. Sam dashed his hands repeatedly against his forehead. How stupid was he? How hard could it be to utter the words 'oh, by the way I spend the night at your ex-girlfriend's house, you know, the girl you're wanting to get back together with and she's outside waiting in the car but doesn't want to speak to you, you're okay with that, right?' ?

On the other hand: Finn wouldn't even know. Blaine could confirm that Sam had been with him and it wasn't like the Hummel-Hudson's were best friends with the Andersons and Sam would be back tomorrow, no one would have to know. Yes. That's how it would be.

Sam excited the house like a professional serial killer and ran to the Porsche. He got in, slammed the door and shouted "Go, go, goooo!" He cramped his hand around the seat to be prepared for the tire squeaking turn onto the street and the at least 100 km/h drive to Rachel's house… but somehow they were still standing here. (And no, the thought of 'The Fast And The Furious' hadn't influenced his imagination at all!)

Rachel turned around the key as fast as if she was dealing with a dangerous bomb that could explode any minute: very slow.

"Put your seatbelt on."

Sam rolled his eyes and did it.

"Go."

"Sam, who is driving, you or me?"

"At the moment no one."

Oh my God. Sam seriously didn't know how Finn would want such a lame girlfriend. But that wasn't Sam's problem. He bit his tongue to not say anything on the way to her house. He realised he didn't need to be tensed any more when they were a few blocks away but somehow he still was.

December 30th, Monday: 1 day until New Year's Eve

Blaine awoke at nine o'clock with a big smile on his face. Today would be the most amazing day ever. Sam and he would finally have time to be alone. Could life be any better!?

He got dressed faster than ever before. Then he sneaked into the kitchen to gather breakfast things like donuts, scones, jam, ham, tea bags… Just when he was ready the doorbell rang. Blaine threw a glance to the clock. Not ten yet. Who'd come over that early?

His mother wasn't around and his father had just lightened himself a pipe so Blaine went to get the door.

His heart literally stopped when he saw the boy standing there, holding up a plastic bag.

"What are you doing here?" Blaine asked. Granted, not very politely. But given the fact that it was Kurt people might forgive him.

Kurt smiled. "Oh. Sam has forgotten this special game that he was playing all the time. I mean, could he survive without it? I'm just being a nice person –"

"No, you're not. You're using an excuse to show up here unannounced and way to early. You could've called Sam and ask him if he wants me to get that… whatever for him." Blaine waved to the bag.

Kurt deflated. "Alright. You got me. I wanted to see you. If I would've called Sam would've just come over to get it, what's the point in that?"

Blaine shook his head. He couldn't believe Kurt, he just couldn't believe such a boldness.

"This is turning into stalking, Kurt."

"Now hold your breath! I might have overstepped a boundary but it's not like I follow you everywhere you go. And by the way, Sam does play this game. Finn just found it and wondered how Sam would be able to survive it. It was a short circuit reaction, yes, but… I'm not stalking you! Oh… get over yourself, will you?"

Kurt turned around, shaking his head. Blaine snorted.

"Yeah. You are the one showing up here but I have to get over myself. Alright."

Kurt jumped back to face the door and threw the plastic bag against Blaine. He caught it thanks to his reflexes but it still wasn't the nicest gesture ever.

"You're a jerk, you know that? I don't know what I'm doing crying about you. I should be glad it's over!" Kurt cried.

"It sure would be better for your health!"

Kurt frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Blaine raised his eyebrows and with them the bag.

"What the hell is Sam supposed to do with a game in a house without any consoles? You've been to Rachel's like a thousand times and haven't noticed it? That's what I call dysfunctional memory."

Kurt pursed his lips and tilted his head.

"What?"

Blaine waited a few seconds for another attack. The cold December air tugged at his sleeves and he took a few steps back. Kurt wasn't worth freezing to death.

Before Blaine had closed the door Kurt came a few steps closer.

"Sam is at Rachel's?"

Blaine narrowed his eyes. What was the sense of this charade now?

"Sam is not… here." Kurt pointed with one finger to the ground.

"Is there a hidden joke in this or…?" Blaine shook his head in disbelieve. Kurt kept staring and Blaine really didn't feel like this was going somewhere. He shot Kurt a last annoyed glance and finally closed the door. Seriously, this boy was unbelievable! Even more unbelievable was how long Blaine had put up with him, even adored every word he said! This…

Blaine shook his head. No anger today. He'd go to Sam soon and everything would be good. Yeah.

Upstairs in his room he checked his phone and saw that he had gotten a text from Jake yesterday already. Now no one could blame Blaine for not checking his phone when he had been with Sam, right?

Maybe we can do something tomorrow?

Blaine sucked in air through his teeth. Oh, gosh. He felt so bad for Jake whose break-up with Marley had apparently made an outcast of him. And Blaine really wanted to hang out with him and everything. But today?

Today is really bad, how about tomorrow?

The answer came immediately. Tomorrows already NYE

Oh, right. Blaine still had to ask Rachel about Jake and the party. Well, Jake could wait one more day, couldn't he? Sure he could.

Blaine put his phone into his pocket and gathered everything he needed. Then his phone buzzed again and Blaine pulled it out, surprised that people seemed to love him today. It was Ryder. Is sam ok? He doesn't answer my texts and he was pretty mean to marley

Blaine sighed. Oh Sam, who else did you offend Saturday? Blaine quickly wrote back yeah he is ok I tell him to write you and finally left the house.

Coming up on Wednesday: Sam and Blaine finally come around to spending quality time with each other! But then get interrupted by an 'enemy' crossing the lines.