Disclaimer: Here it is, I finally own ... a brand new rear bumper. I could no longer drive with the old one, it was not safe. For Glee, it still belongs to Ryan Murphy and his colleagues.
This story is composed of some vaguely autobiographical parts. Not that I tell my life in all this, but to give an example, Dave's habit of doing his homework in the living room because he can't work alone in his room, it's totally what I was doing when I was little (older, once I lived alone, there was always the TV turned on so I could work, silence keeps me from concentrating). But let's be honest, it has never been as much as in this chapter and the previous one. Any resemblance to events that happened in my life or that of my relatives is definitely not accidental.
Also, in this chapter, if you were waiting and didn't have more or less guessed it, explanation of the choice of my title, because yes, I had a reason, it hasn't come from nowhere.
Dave having failed his senior year after his suicide attempt, went to university at the same time as Sebastian. So they are together in Chicago where Sebastian is studying law (notas if he could do otherwise anyway) and Dave is studying to become a teacher.
We realized that Sebastian was much, much less sexually experienced than everyone thinks. He's probably not as confident as he let it show, actually.
They have been together for almost four months and spend the summer vacation together. They first spent a week at Paul's who has made them a surprise: he is in a relationship with Shannon Beiste. Kurt was also there with a surprise: Noah Puckerman with whom he apparently got close after breaking up with Adam.
Now, they took two planes separately (couldn't book the same plane) to go to France and spend three weeks with Chloe and Marie in their apartment in Montpellier.
Dave got out of the shower and went to his toilet kit. He took out his shaving cream and razor and rummaged in search of his aftershave. Given the size of the bottle and that of his kit, he had to quickly get to the evidence; he had forgotten his aftershave in Paris.
The air around him seemed suddenly heavier and he could no longer get it into his lungs. Three weeks without his aftershave was above his strength.
"David, you're in for a long time?" Sebastian asked through the door.
Dave tried to answer, but he couldn't breathe, the air could no longer reach his lungs and talking was no longer an option. He wanted to move, to open the door but his limbs refused to obey him.
"David? Everything okay in there? David? Answer me. OK, if you don't answer me, I'll break the door. David?"
Hearing his worried boyfriend on the other side of the door only increased his panic, he began to shake, all he managed to do was lean against a wall, but he couldn't move, or breathe. There was a bang on the door, followed by a curse from Sebastian.
"David? Answer me, please, answer me."
"What's going on? " asked Marie, who was passing by.
"I don't know, it's locked, he doesn't answer me, I hope he didn't ..."
"Calm down sweetie, I'll get a screwdriver; we'll open the door okay?"
Sebastian was in tears, his shoulder was throbbing but he thought about nothing else but his boyfriend on the other side of the door who didn't respond to his calls. On his side, Dave was glued on the wall, unable to make the slightest movement, to say a single word.
"David? Please, don't do anything stupid. David, you can't leave me, not now, not like this. Please, answer me, say something."
Marie came back with a screwdriver and opened the door, Sebastian threw himself into the bathroom to find his boyfriend, looking completely panicked, leaning against a wall with nothing but a towel around his waist.
"David? What's going on? What happened to you?" Sebastian asked panicked. "Hey, breathe. Look at me Pooky. Breathe in slowly. Yes, good, like that. Breathe in, breathe out. Look at me, stay focused on your breathing okay?"
Sebastian spoke calmly, forcing Dave to look into his eyes and took his hands that he gently squeezed. Gradually, Dave found a regular breathing, reassured by the contact with his boyfriend.
"There ... Feeling better? What happened?"
"I ... I forgot ... my ... my ... aftershave." Dave stammered.
"It's just that? But I have some, I can lend you some. It's not serious."
Dave shook his head.
"Why not? I don't remember you ever have complained about my aftershave before. I can push my tongue into your mouth, I can cum on you but sharing my aftershave is not okay?"
"That's not it."
"So what is it? Tell me."
While talking, the two boys had sat against the wall and Sebastian had drawn Dave against his chest, wrapping him in his arms.
"You'll laugh at me."
"If this is important to you, I don't think so. Come on, tell me."
"You remember what you told me about my scent the morning after our first date?"
"That it was reassuring and comforting, like you."
"And like my grandfather. It was he who taught me how to shave and he gave me my first razor, a can of shaving gel and his bottle of aftershave. He died a few days later. I know it's silly but using the same aftershave as him, it makes me feel close to him."
"It's not silly."
"But I should be able to do without it three weeks without having a panic attack."
"I think you won't get rid of me during these three weeks, you know just in case of."
"Hey, guys, you're almost ready? Oops, am I interrupting something?" Chloe asked, entering the bathroom.
"No, we come, just get out so my boyfriend can get dressed." Sebastian replied.
"Okay. Hurry up; we're waiting for you in the car."
"Chloe, wait." Sebastian shouted, rising. "Uh, I need to ask you something."
They left the bathroom, closing the door behind them.
"Tell me you have any idea where I can find Brut by Fabergé aftershave."
"You decided to switch brands? You couldn't wait to be back at home for that?"
"Chloe, please, it's important okay?"
"It has something to do with little crisis your boyfriend's."
"Yes, it has one, so you know where to find it or not?"
"Yes, I know."
"And where?" Sebastian asked, rolling his eyes.
"Any supermarket. Well, you hurry now?"
"I'm ready I'll point out."
"Me too." Dave said, exiting the bathroom.
"Okay, well then let's go. The store won't stay open all night long just for us."
"It's barely 2 pm, I think we have time." Sebastian pointed out.
"Not a reason to take root. I drive, I warn you."
Dave and Sebastian followed Chloe to the car and moved to the back while the girl settled driving. She mechanically turned on the radio and the four occupants of the car sang in chorus when they knew the songs during the few minutes that the trip to the supermarket lasted.
Dave looked with astonishment while Chloe put a coin in a cart to retrieve it.
"You pay for the cart in France?" he asked, whispering to Sebastian.
"Not exactly, we get back the coin when we put the cart back in place. It avoids them to be left anywhere in the parking lot." Sebastian replied, smiling.
"Oh, okay. Maybe we should be doing the same in USA."
"Maybe." Sebastian said as they all headed to the store.
All together they decided what they wanted to eat to buy the right ingredients. Of course, Sebastian insisted that Dave makes them at least once his famous spaghetti Bolognese and asked Chloe to help his boyfriend to find what he needed as he went on an errand in another department. He returned quickly and discreetly slipped something in the middle of the products already in the cart.
Only once at the checkout, unpacking articles on the treadmill, Dave found a familiar bottle.
"Looks like you won't need to stick to me for three weeks finally." he whispered in Sebastian's ear, smiling.
"I might as well stay not too far anyway, you know, you never know."
"Is that a threat or a promise?"
"A bit of both probably."
"Thank you." Dave said before kissing Sebastian tenderly.
It is almost nothing, just a quick pressure of lips, but a lady who heard them from the checkout beside notices, and feels compelled to comment.
" Quelle horreur quand même. Et on leur a donné le droit de se marier et d'adopter. Pauvre France. "
" Il y a surtout des lois contre l'homophobie madame. " Chloe intervened. "Je serais vous, j'y réfléchirais, vos propos pourraient vous valoir des amendes avec des gens moins tolérants que mon frère et son petit ami. "
"What's going on?" Dave asked innocently.
"Nothing Pooky, just someone who you doesn't like we love each other. Just do like you really didn't understand and keep acting as before." Sebastian replied, taking his hand.
" Qu'elle vous plaise ou pas, elle est votée cette loi. Je ne vois vraiment pas en quoi elle vous dérange. " Chloe continued.
" Chloé laisse tomber, ça n'en vaut pas la peine." Marie told her.
"Yes Chloe drop it." Sebastian added, putting his free hand on her shoulder.
Once the errands paid and stored in the trunk, they were all going to settle in the car when a woman approached them.
" Bonjour, excusez moi de vous déranger, je vis dans ma voiture avec mon fils de 14 ans, est-ce que vous auriez une petite pièce… "
" Votre 'fils' est comme tout le monde, il prend un an tous les ans. Il ne peut pas avoir 14 ans depuis 3 ans. Sauf si vous changez de fils tous les ans." Chloe said dryly before settling to drive.
The other three also settled and Chloe lost her temper once and for all.
"No seriously, this is the day or what? They decided to make me crack or what? I can't stand these antis marriage equality who tell us that they're thinking about the children. They really believe it's better to have straight parents who beat you or rape you?"
"It's okay Goldilocks, calm down." Sebastian said, running a hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry, I can't help it, it pisses me off." Chloe answered on a slightly softer tone.
"Yes, we saw that. And the lady in the parking lot was fresh too."
"Oh no, her, it's not the same. I don't know if she really needs money, but it's been years she gives the same speech asking for money. The first time, we can believe it but after a few years, at the end, he never gets old her son? She should patent the recipe, she'd make a fortune, and she wouldn't need anymore to ask for money in the parking lots of department stores."
"You know what you need? We go, we put away the errands and then everyone in swimsuit and we go to the beach." Sebastian said, seeking his sister's eyes in the mirror.
"Yes, good idea, let's go." Chloe exclaimed, starting the car.
They went to the beach at the Petit Travers. It was the favorite beach of the family. Closer than the most famous beaches in the region and most importantly, less crowded. Especially when going there in the late afternoon as they always did to avoid the hottest hours.
"Come on, Bass, you won't stay on your towel whole afternoon like that. Let's go swimming." Chloe complained.
"No, I'm fine here, but you go ahead." Sebastian replied in getting back slightly on his towel.
"Don't you plan to at least take off your shirt? It's really hot, you're gonna die." Dave argued.
"But leave me alone both, I'm just fine. Go for a swim instead of rotting my life."
"Well, it's always a pleasure thank you." Dave muttered, rising from his towel.
"Very good! Sit there moping, we are going to have fun. You come Big Boy?" Chloe got mad.
"Well, since you decided to stay there anyway, you don't mind if I go swim with them too? You watch our stuff?" Marie asked.
"Yes, go ahead, it'll change." Sebastian replied.
He turned on his towel and took the book he had brought, while the other three were heading to the sea
"I don't understand, he loved it before, the beach. Now, he stays on his towel, dressed as if he was at winter sports and he never swims anymore." Chloe complained.
"He has done this last year?" Dave asked.
"Yes, it's at least three summers he's like that."
"Okay, I think I understood. Go ahead, I'll join you." Dave said, trotting to his boyfriend's towel. "I talked with Chloe yesterday." he added, sitting on the towel beside him.
"You see, I told you that you would get along well." Sebastian said, looking up from his book.
"Put this book down, come with us."
"Why do you insist? I don't want to."
"You're dying to come. And your sister too, she asks nothing more than to have fun on the beach with you like when you were younger."
"I can't, okay? I can't take off this shirt."
"I know. Look at your sister. You realize that she must be the only one of her age not to be in a bikini on the beach?"
"I know it's my fault ..."
"Yes, it's your fault, but not for the reason you think. She doesn't care that we see her scar; she hides her bikinis when you arrive but she has pictures of her on the beach where you can see her scar. She makes an effort for you, because you don't like to see her scar and in return what you do? You stay on your towel mopping and refusing to go have fun with her. You don't want to take off your shirt, then don't." Dave got up from his towel. "But come with us." he ended, catching Sebastian by the waist and passing him over his shoulder. "I suggest you to drop your book or it'll end up in the water."
With that, Dave went to the sea, Sebastian on the shoulder vaguely attempting to protest. He threw his boyfriend in the water.
"You're crazy, it's freezing." Sebastian shouted as he stood in the water, chasing his hair from his face.
"You call that freezing you? You're used to bathe in a geyser or something? "Chloe asked, laughing.
"Oh, don't be a smartass, you." Sebastian protested splashing his sister.
"Oh, help David, protect me." Chloe yelled laughing and hiding behind Dave.
"Set your problems as a family, I go out. Someone as to watch our stuff."
Dave came out of the water laughing, leaving the brother and sister in their water fight. He dried and sat quietly on his towel to watch Sebastian and Chloe have fun like two carefree children.
"C'est ton frère et ta sœur?" a girl asked, sitting in the sand next to him.
"Sorry, I don't speak French."
"Oh, okay. I asked, are they your brother and sister?"
"No, not at all."
"She's your girlfriend?"
"Not either."
"Just fine, they're together; it's just my luck again."
"It's not that either, they are brother and sister."
"So you think I could have my chances with him?"
"None. Sorry."
"I told myself a guy that sexy already had a girlfriend.
"He doesn't. But he has a boyfriend however."
"Oh fine so that's true, all the good guys are either taken or gay. He is both."
Dave laughed under the stunned eye of the girl.
"Sorry, it's just that I'm not really used to being told that he's a good guy. But I'm sure somewhere there's a guy for you. But not this one, this one is mine."
"Well ... so, I'll try to see if my gem is elsewhere on this beach. Have a good day."
"Don't try too hard, he'll come when you seek the least and he might already be right under your nose."
"David Alan Karofsky, you owe me a t-shirt." Sebastian yelled, twisting his shirt over Dave.
"No problem." Dave said with a laugh. "You've had a good time?"
"Yeah, great. Thank you brother in law. I warn you Big Brother, that one, you'd better do what it takes to keep him."
"I'm counting on it Goldilocks. Even though it'll take hours before my shirt dries on me now."
"Take it off, it'll dry faster." Dave said in a neutral tone. "OK, come here, you lie on your towel on your stomach." he added, seeing the hesitant look of his boyfriend.
Once Sebastian installed, Dave took up Sebastian's shirt and took it off.
"As long as you stay like that nobody sees your scar. Although actually, if you ask me, nobody cares." Dave whispered in Sebastian's ear before placing a kiss on his neck.
"I want one like that too." Chloe moaned.
"It'll come little sister, you still have time."
"Pooky? Did you just call my sister 'little sister'?"
"Yes, that's what he has done. I hope it doesn't cause a problem; it was me who told him to call me that."
"You're a funny team you two."
"Yes, we made a pact." Dave said with a laugh.
"A pact for what?"
"To make you happy, silly." Chloe said.
"And to protect you from sunburn as well." Dave said, taking their tube of sunscreen.
Dave sat straddling Sebastian's thighs and began applying sunscreen by massaging the back of his boyfriend.
"There, this way, I can sleep tonight without you crying in pain because your back is all red." Dave said lying on the towel beside.
"Your concern moves me." Sebastian sneered. "I'm pleased to know this was a totally selfless act."
"My hands on you, I don't see how it could be selfless."
"Oh, no, stop, the conversation starts to go too far for my ears." Chloe said, grinning.
Sebastian took the tube of sunscreen and studied it with a smile.
"You know what, I also want to be able to sleep tonight." he said, straightening up and settling in turn on Dave's thighs under the dumbfounded look of Chloe and Marie.
Sebastian spread out the sunscreen on the back of his boyfriend before he realized he was being watched by his sister and stepmother who couldn't believe it.
"What?" he asked, looking at them.
"Uh ... nothing, nothing ... Just, you keep this one. You have to promise." Chloe said. "And uh ... you're the only one to have the right to show yourself off or I can put something other than that horror next time?" She asked, pointing to her swimsuit.
"You can put whatever you want to."
Chloe threw herself on her brother to hug him, causing them to lose balance and they found themselves lying half on the back of Dave.
"Chloe! You could be a little careful though." Sebastian scolded her.
"Sorry." Chloe said by shifting without releasing her brother.
"It's fine Pooky? We haven't hurt you too bad?"
"I don't want to offend you, but you're featherweights. I've already been tackled by builed like tanks guys on the field."
"You see Big Brother, you always worry too much." Chloe muttered. "And you didn't promise, you keep him, huh promised?"
"As long as he wants me." Sebastian whispered, taking Dave's hand without letting go his sister.
"You're not getting rid of me yet." Dave said, smiling and turning slightly to the brother and sister.
"We're in the sand; I'll have some everywhere in my swimsuit." Chloe complained.
"You sought a bit I think." Sebastian pointed out.
"Non, c'est pas de ma faute, c'est à cause de ton petit-ami."
"Chloe, don't use French to badmouth my boyfriend."
"But it was not bad, on the contrary. He's the best big brother of the earth."
"Ouch, that hurts."
"Tied with you of course, silly."
" Mais j'étais là avant, je devrais avoir l'avantage."
"And now who is using French to talk about me?" Dave was amused.
"Tu reprendras l'avantage s'il te laisse tomber mais en attendant, vous êtes à égalité. Fais avec."
"I could do that."
"I suggest we get home, I feel it's already beginning to scratch me all that sand." Chloe said.
"I vote for. A crazy girl threw me in the sand; I have some everywhere in places where there should never be sand."
"I could help you to solve this problem." Dave said suggestively.
"Oh no, no way, you need to stop putting me that kind of image in mind." Chloe complained picking up her things and starting to move towards the parking lot.
"Help, my sister has a dirty mind."
"You mean it'd be a family thing?" Dave asked, laughing.
"I should never have introduced you two, you get along too well."
"You'd rather we couldn't stand each other maybe?"
"No, it would've too much complicated my life." Sebastian replied, joining his family in the car where Chloe had already taken place at the driving seat.
Sebastian was gently awakened, a few days later, by lips brushing his face.
"Hello my Sleeping Beauty. Slept well?" Dave asked.
"Yes, very well and you?"
"Same."
"What time is it?"
"Seven ."
"May I ask why you wake me up at seven am on vacation day?"
"Because we're the 14th of July, we promised the whole day to Chloe since I'm a bit her birthday gift and she warned that if we weren't ready, dressed at eight she'd come personally pick us up, no matter where and we should spend the day in the exact state she'd have found us. That means we better not be in the shower when she comes to pick us up, if you see what I mean."
"And then they say I'm the pervert." Sebastian sighed.
"Yes, life is unfair."
"Very." Sebastian complained with one of his adorable pouts.
"Well, I'll take a shower, you don't fall back asleep?"
"Maybe ..." Sebastian muttered.
"If you're asleep when I come back, I use extreme measures to wake you up."
"Dare."
Dave got up, went to prepare, putting on the outfit they had chosen with Chloe the day before and came back twenty minutes later to find his boyfriend asleep as expected. He leaned over Sebastian and gently kissed his forehead.
"If you don't get up now, you'll spend all day to complain that you haven't had time to do your hair properly."
"Mmmmmh, another five minutes."
"No, you've already had a good twenty minutes."
"Please."
"I warned you ..." said, Dave clearing the sheet off his boyfriend.
Dave lifted Sebastian as a bride and carried him to the bathroom. He put the young man still half asleep in the bathtub.
"No, don't do that. It's okay, I'm awake, don't do that." Sebastian yelled seeing Dave lift the shower head and approaching dangerously the start button of the water.
"Okay. You have half an hour." Dave replied, handing the shower head to Sebastian. "The outfit Chloe has chosen for you is on the cabinet next to the sink."
"What's going on?" Chloe asked Dave who was coming out of the bathroom.
"Oh nothing, just your brother who's having a little trouble waking up so early, but it'll go."
"Oh, okay. "Chloe said, shrugging. "Breakfast will be ready in half an hour as planned."
"As I'm ready, can I help you?"
"No, no, no. All you have to do is to make sure that Bass is in time for breakfast."
"Okay. See you later then."
"See you later."
This is how Sebastian found Dave in their room, sitting on the bed waiting patiently while his watch indicated they had ten minutes left before Chloe convenes them for breakfast. He spun on himself and joked.
"I want another dress, this one doesn't turn well."
"I'm not sure Chloe would accept that you wear another one, you put enough time to come to an agreement on this outfit."
"Remind me why she decided how we had to dress already?" Sebastian asked, approaching the bed to steal a kiss from his boyfriend.
"Because it's her birthday, she kept secret the program of the day and therefore she's the only one to know which outfit appropriate for the whole day."
"Okay, now that you mention it, it makes sense. Now we have five minutes left; any idea of what we could do in the meantime?" Sebastian asked suggestively, straddling Dave and toggling him slowly to lay with him.
"I don't think it's long enough for what you think."
"Because you read my mind?" Sebastian asked, bringing his lips to Dave's.
"I start yes." Dave said with a tone of challenge as Sebastian began to nibble his earlobe.
"I think you still need some courses then." Sebastian purred in Dave's ear.
"Don't you want to avoid starting something we won't be able to finish..."
"I can't believe it! And I'm the one they call obsessive." Sebastian joked while letting his fingers graze Dave's bare arms.
"Admit that you've searched it a little." Dave scolded through his hands at the back of his boyfriend's thighs.
"Maybe a little, but you talk too much there." Sebastian complained before sealing his lips to the other boy's.
They kissed softly, parting only to take their breath, their hands exploring chastely through their clothes the other's body.
"I hope you're ready, it's time ... Oh my god, I'm much too young to see that." Chloe shouted, entering the room without even taking the trouble to knock.
"If you had knocked as I was hoping you'd do, you wouldn't have seen 'that' as you say." Sebastian argued. "Happy birthday little sister."
"Happy Birthday Chloe."
"Yeah, let's say, well, it's time."
"We're coming." Sebastian said beginning to rise up.
"Where do you think you're going like this?" Chloe asked coming towards them.
"Didn't you just say that it was time?"
"To start my birthday day yes not to leave here. You haven't forgotten the birthday ritual, right?"
"The ritual?" Dave asked, slightly worried.
"Yes, we always sacrifice the latest addition to the family on birthday mornings, you haven't been warned?" Chloe said with a smirk.
"Is she serious?"
"No you idiot. The birthday cuddle will be enough. Make me a small place." she said, climbing onto the bed and making herself a place between her brother and his boyfriend.
Dave remained a little tense while Sebastian passed an arm around his sister's waist.
"Don't be shy Big Boy. "Chloe said, taking one of his arms to place it over Sebastian's, leaning against him. "Bass, I already love your boyfriend, he's perfect for birthday cuddles."
"Yeah, well don't you fall asleep on him, I keep him to myself. If you exposed us the schedule of the day instead?"
"This is a surprise."
"This is the ritual Goldilocks, don't cheat."
"Oh, okay. So to start, breakfast awaits us in the kitchen. Surprise composition, that, I'm allowed."
"As long as there's coffee ..."
"Of course I know you, who do you think I am? Then, a small tourist trip in Aigues-Mortes until lunch time. We find a nice place to settle for a picnic before coming back to Montpellier. You can't leave here without seeing the place de la Comédie at least once."
"Place de la Comédie? Oh no, don't tell me ..." Sebastian began.
"Going to Le Jardin des glaces? Well obviously yes, but before, we go to the cinema."
"Cinema? But Chloe, Dave doesn't speak French I'd remind you."
"That's why we'll go to see an English or American movie at Diagonal. I know it's my birthday but I'm not a tormentor either."
"I don't really understand what it changes." Dave interjected.
"They always show the movies in their original version at Diagonal." Sebastian replied.
"Okay, so then, Le Jardin des glaces."
"What is it?" Dave asked.
"Don't tell him." Chloe hastened to say "That, you'll see when there but I'm sure you'll like it. After that we take a trip to Polygone."
"No, please, not that. "
"Just a short hour of shopping ..."
"You always say that and it never lasts just an hour."
"I was joking Bass. But Mom will join us at Sauramps, we'll buy all the books I need for fall. And I remind you that this is the second birthday ritual: buy a copy of The Little Prince and leave it in a park or a bar for someone to find and read it in turn."
"What's your thing with this book?"
"It's Marie's favorite book, she read it to us all the time when we were kids."
"Besides my brother's very similar to the rose of the book when you look closely."
"Chloe!"
"What? This is true. You try to protect yourself from everything, you play the arrogance not to show your true feelings, and you get out your thorns at the slightest. And you die to know the butterflies but caterpillars scare you."
"There, I must say she has a point. It quite looks like you my little rose." Dave teased.
"You can talk, you're completely a fox."
"What?"
"Yes, you need friends but you have to be tamed. You don't give your trust easily."
"One point around the ball in the center. I think it's clearer than ever that you were destined for each other." Chloe said, laughing. "Well, then we go to karaoke with friends, and finally, it's also a ritual: the fireworks."
"Karaoke? Hopefully, she's kidding." Dave growled.
"Not at all. But nothing forces you to sing if you don't want to, I promise."
"Correction, someone forces you to sing at least once, me." Sebastian said briefly pressing Dave's arm with his hand.
The future teacher looked at his boyfriend over head Chloe's and mouthed ''I love you too'' with a smile.
"On this, although it's super comfy between you, the coffee should be ready now. So, end of the first birthday cuddle with three. I hope there will be more, Big Brother."
"I hope so too." Dave and Sebastian said in unison before trading a smile.
"Well, it looks like a good start." Chloe teased exiting the room.
The two boys followed hand in hand and settled at the table. Chloe placed a mug of hot coffee in front of her brother, poured a glass of orange juice for Dave and made herself a bowl of warm milk chocolate. Then she took the plate of crêpes she had made that morning and left to warm in the oven. She pulled out a jar of Nutella, a few jars of jam, sugar and another pot on which Sebastian threw.
"Oh great, Julien brought this from his vacation in Vendée?"
"I wonder how you guessed that, yes, it is."
"It's imperative that you taste that Pooky. Salted butter caramel over crêpes, it's a delight."Sebastian said with a grin, handing the jar to Dave.
As expected, Dave was conquered at first bite and swore that he had to find a jar to take home. Chloe was happy to give him the last pot that Julian had brought her, arguing that she could always ask him for an other pot to his next vacation with his grandparents.
Once the breakfast table cleared, Sebastian took the wheel of the car that Marie lent them for the morning.
"Why isn't it Chloe who drives since she knows where we're going?" Dave asked.
"Because she's too young. Or me. She hasn't got yet her driver license; she has the right to drive only with an adult who has the license for several years at her side. In fact, I'm not even sure I could even if I had the license for long enough since I don't have the French license. So, as long as Marie is not with us, I drive."
"I didn't understand everything, but okay."
They spent the morning at Aigues-Mortes. They first took the toy train to visit the salt tides before taking audio guides to round the ramparts of the city. Then they found a spot in the old town with a nice view and settled on a wall to share the picnic that Chloe had prepared for them: a mixed salad and sandwiches.
Following the program established by the girl, they made their way back, put down the car down the street from the apartment and took the tramway to go to the Place de la Comédie. A short stop to contemplate the front of the Opera House and the Fontaine des Trois Grâces and they were walking down a close alley to find the cinema.
The two boys took advantage of the darkness of the room to cuddle a little during the movie without fearing that someone criticizes their love. Actually, the film might as well have been in French, Dave hadn't really paid attention to what was happening on the screen. And when Chloe asked them what they thought of the movie and they didn't know what to answer, she just laughed and teased them the rest of the day about it.
They crossed the rest of the Place de la Comédie and branched off on the Esplanade du Corum to settle down in the terrace of le Jardin des glaces. Knowing the size of the bowls served, Chloe suggested they share one. Sebastian, knowing them too, accepted without hesitation, but Dave stared them suspiciously. They ordered two bowls and Dave had to admit that Chloe and Sebastian had probably been right. Which didn't stop him from finishing his ice cream without saying anything even though he was almost certain not to be hungry again for a long time.
They then met Marie at the bookstore's entrance of the nearby shopping center. The chore of buying textbooks for Chloe was quickly settled since Marie had taken care of ordering all the books needed a few days earlier by phone. They took some time to wander through the books and found an edition of The Little Prince, which they bought as planned. In fact, they even bought two, one for the birthday ritual and a second, in English, so that Dave had his copy too, now that he was somehow part of the family.
The three teenagers accompanied Marie in the underground car park under the mall each carrying some books. They put everything in the car and said goodbye to Marie who was leaving them for the evening. They would have to leave at midnight like Cinderella to be sure to have a tramway to get back but at least they'd have their evening with friends.
Sebastian's phone rang at the same time as Chloe's.
"Jan has arrived, he keeps a table." Sebastian said, at the same time as Chloe said" Miléna is already there, she keeps a table for everyone."
"As usual, he's always on time. And I sometimes suspect Miléna to camp at the place of her appointments not to be late." Sebastian joked as they were almost at the bar.
"And as usual, Julien will arrive at about the same time as us with 5 tiny minutes late. And we'll have time to have had at least one drink before Wendy shows up with an excuse that no one will believe, but it's Wendy, we like her anyway."
They entered the bar and for the looked table where Jan and Miléna were waiting for them. When they had spotted them, a hand tapped shoulder Sebastian's who turned to find himself face to face with the smiling face of his oldest friend.
"Julien." the American exclaimed, hugging his friend.
"You choke me, you choke me." the other boy complained.
"Sorry." Sebastian said releasing him and wrapping an arm around Dave's waist. "David, I introduce you Julien, we've known since middle school."
"So you're the gem who has managed to win the heart of our tall bean stick?" Julien asked, shaking hands with Dave. "I am delighted to finally meet you."
"It should be me." Dave replied. "He talked to me about you, too. And it's you who brings them this thing with caramel?"
"Ah, a new fan of caramel au beurre salé made in Vendee." Julien amused.
"Once there is caramel, you can be sure Dave is on the spot." Sebastian joked.
"You say it if I bother mostly." Chloe complained.
"But we see each other all the time Goldilocks. Come on, stop moaning a little." Julien exclaimed, hugging her.
"J'espère que tu as ramené du caramel au beurre salé, mes Big Brothers m'ont pris tout mon stock."
"Hey, you gave it willingly to David I remind you." Sebastian protested.
"I had to, he bewitched me. You should have seen his eyes and his smile when he tasted." Chloe said sticking out her tongue at her brother.
"You plan to stay at the door much longer? Miléna is becoming crazy." a young blond man with a big smile and a German accent interrupted.
"What level of crazy?" Julien asked.
"Level 2. Five minutes late, we mistaken time, or they have been kidnapped by the mafia."
"Oh then it's okay. Jan, I present to you David, my boyfriend."
"So it's true, our Sebastian has finally settled? Delighted." Jan said, shaking Dave's hand.
"But it's just that I hadn't found him before." Sebastian groaned.
Dave took his hand and squeezed it gently thinking'' it's fine, I know you, I love you'' and Sebastian smiled. They went to the table where Miléna awaited them and settled. The girl of Italian origin was quite far to meet the stereotype usually associated with Italians. She was very discrete, spent almost the entire evening hardly speaking to Dave and didn't take so much part in the conversation.
Before Wendy made her appearance, they had time to take the microphone to sing several songs. Starting with Jan who did the show doing his usual parody of Durch Den Monsun by Tokyo Hotel, demonstrating more his talents as comedian than as singer. Chloe proved she shared the gene of the song with her brother, to whom she slipped to listen carefully to the words before going to sing Tell Him by The Exciters. Julien's cover of Désolé pour hier soir by Tryo drew laughter throughout the room, especially when he changed his voice for the lines where the friends of the main character usually sing.
Wendy hadn't yet arrived, they tried to push Miléna to sing too, but the girl, as always, refused to go sing alone. Dave, he, managed to sneak off pointing out that his singer boyfriend still hadn't sung anything.
While Sebastian began to sing Si maman si by France Gall, Wendy finally came and cried before even saying hello.
"Me dites pas qu'il chante encore cette chanson."
"Hello to you too. Glad you finally honor us with your presence." Julien taunted.
"David, this is Wendy, she's nice once you know her a little. And on condition that you're not annoyed by her half hour of almost systematic late." Jan said to Dave.
"Oh, but we have a new friend. Well, hello, David isn't it? I am Wendy." the newly arrived introduced herself on a seductive tone.
"Don't tire yourself, he's already taken, you have no chance." Chloe amused herself.
"Already taken? It can always be fixed that. "Wendy purred.
Before anyone had time to answer her, Sebastian, who had finished singing his song came and took back his place beside Dave who pulled him to him to kiss him tenderly.
"You see, already taken." Julien recalled bursting into laughter before Wendy's annoyed face.
She quickly recovered her composure and went to take her turn at the microphone to make a particularly seductive cover of Underneath your clothes by Shakira.
Dave eventually relented and went in his turn to sing something. He chose to sing The Reason by Hoobastank and sang without leaving Sebastian eyes. Which prompted Sebastian to take back the microphone to sing Little things by One Directions to his boyfriend.
Then Sebastian began to warn that they shouldn't stay too long if they didn't want to miss the last tram. To which Jan retorted him to call Marie to warn that they would spend the night with him since he rented an apartment in center town, close to the bar since he had chosen to make a part of his studies in France.
That's how they found themselves more or less stacked in the apartment of the young German to spend the night at three in the bed, two on inflatable mattress and the last two on the ground. It was not exactly comfortable, but it allowed them to enjoy being together a little longer.
Nobody could have said when the evening had drifted slightly. Maybe when Julien and Sebastian intoned
Je t´ai rencontré du côté de Narbonne,
Je t´ai trouvé vachement bonne
Tu mangeais une pizza comme une conne
Et j´crois bien que c´était une Calzone
Je te prendrai nue dans la simca 1000
Il me prendra nue dans la simca 1000
Fact remains Sebastian found himself shirtless, sitting on a chair, a lemon wedge stuck between his teeth while Dave was slowly moving his tongue along his scar. The future footballer then poured salt on the wet track; he threw a smile to Sebastian before sliding again his tongue slowly up the scar, collecting grains of salt. Then he emptied in one go the shot of tequila before biting into the piece of lemon in the mouth of his boyfriend. He spat the lemon peel and pressed his lips to Sebastian's, their tongues mingling with each other.
Sebastian pushed Dave firmly saying "My turn". He ignored his sister reminding him that alcohol was discouraged to him, saying that she should even go for a stroll in the kitchen. He laid Dave down and pulled up slightly his shirt. He licked from the waistband of his jeans to his navel along the small line of hair and lay salt, he grabbed the bottle of tequila to pour into the navel of the other boy with a lustful smile, and he put the lemon wedge on Dave's jeans, just below the belt.
He stood on all fours on top of his boyfriend in a particularly suggestive position that required Dave all the will in the world not to show the effect that the situation had on him. Sebastian licked the salt starting from the navel before coming back to it to lap up the alcohol until the last drop and finally went a little lower to bite into the piece of lemon not missing to brush the fabric with his lips, pulling a whine to Dave. He then backed away slowly, placing light kisses on Dave's stomach and chest until he reached his lips.
"That's it, you've finished your smut, I can come back now?" Chloe complained from the kitchen.
"It's okay, I'm done, come back." Sebastian said, straightening.
"Tease." Dave groaned to his boyfriend's ear.
"Happy anniversary." Sebastian whispered to Dave, kissing him on the cheek.
"Happy anniversary." Dave replied without thinking.
"What anniversary?" Jan asked.
"Uh ... nothing, nothing." Dave replied, blushing.
"Yes, yes. It's your anniversary? It's been how long " Julien asked.
"Four months." Sebastian muttered, as red as Dave.
"What? It was your anniversary today and you let me drag you around without saying anything while you probably wanted to be just the two of you?" Chloe shouted.
"I don't know for your brother but I had a very good day. We have all year round to be just the two of us; it was a pleasure to spend time with you all." Dave said with a smile.
"Say Bass, you keep that one right?" Chloe asked with a very serious look.
"As long as he wants me my Chloe." Sebastian replied, taking Dave's hand.
The two lovers smiled and everyone around was smiling too. Even Wendy had recovered very quickly from her disappointment to have no chances with Dave. She was seductive nature, but didn 't linger long on a defeat and was genuinely happy to see her friends happy. Then they all went to bed, Dave Sebastian holding in his arms, back against his chest.
"I want to sleep." Dave complained weakly putting down his travel bag in Sebastian's room a week later when they had just arrived in Chicago.
"I know, but it's only four pm."
"But my body feels it is ten o'clock."
"I know you have to be stronger than it, this is the best way to get back at the right time. You should have slept on the plane, I told you."
"Oh, easy for you to say, you had a good pillow."
"I'll be your pillow tonight if you want to be forgiven."
"Dare."
"Yes dare. What do you think, when I promise something, I stick to it."
"I know."
"Well, it's time for my favorite time of return from vacation: laundry." Sebastian said in an ironic tone.
"What a coincidence, this is also my favorite time." Dave said in the same tone. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?"
"No. The sooner it's done, the sooner we get rid of it."
"My brain agrees but my body protests."
"Listen to your heart then."
"I'm not sure it'll help a lot there."
"Why?"
"Because my heart has only one thing to say?"
"And what does he say?"
"That I lo..." David began, cut by the ringing of his phone. "How to ruin a good time." he sighed.
"Pick up. I take care of the laundry." Sebastian said taking their two bags and going to the washing machine.
"Hello mood breaker."
"I disturb, sorry. I ... I'll call back." Blaine said in a small voice at the other end of the phone.
"No, it's okay. You don't seem to be fine."
"Not too much no. It's Colin. He ... he ..."
"What's going on? What is it with Colin?"
"He ... we broke up."
"Oh ... but ... why?"
"Because I still love Kurt." Blaine dropped.
"Sounds like a good reason yes."
Dave rejoined Sebastian who sent him a questioning gaze. He mouthed ''Blaine and Colin broke up'' and Sebastian motioned him to put on speaker while continuing to put their clothes in the washing machine.
"When will I succeed to move on? I tried with Colin, I really tried. He didn't deserve this, I know but I love Kurt, I've always loved him. Even when I was with Eli it was ... it was ..."
"The biggest crap of your life?" Sebastian shouted to be heard.
"Exactly. I lost Kurt. I know he'll never be able to trust me again. He is the love of my life and I lost him forever. And the worst is that I can't move on. We were together for almost a year with Colin and it is as if, as if it was him that I had the most cheated on. All this time, I had Kurt in mind."
"Blaine. Maybe it's time to try, I don't know, to concentrate on something else. Your studies, your future career. Anything to avoid thinking about the fact that you ruined everything with Kurt and that you could never live what you lived with him with someone else." Dave tried gently.
"You mostly need to stop thinking you have ruined everything and that everything is your fault. You were two in this relationship, when it has been screwed up as well as when it was magical." Sebastian interjected, putting the detergent in the machine and starting it up.
"It doesn't change that I have to move on."
"It would be better yes. You're going to hurt yourself if you stay all your life hooked to your first love. If he hasn't yet forgiven you your little mistake, he never will." Dave said.
"He forgave me. But he moved on anyway."
"I'm not so sure." Sebastian whispered not to be heard by Blaine.
"When did you talk with Kurt the last time?"
"Just before the summer break, we haven't talked too much since then as he returned to Lima and I to Westerville. Why?"
"Oh for nothing, just like that."
"Oh and you how was France?" Blaine asked, suddenly changing the subject.
"Great. I'm a little beat with the travel and jet lag, but it was really great."
"Cool. Well, I'll let you, you must want to rest."
"If you count making love for hours as rest yes." Sebastian threw, laughing.
"Don't listen to him, he overdoes, as usual. You gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll try to call Kurt see if him and Adam would be in for a movie or something like that."
"Funny way to move on but yeah do that. Have a good day." Sebastian said.
"Have a good day guys, have fun."
"Tell me you were kidding about making love for hours." Dave said after hanging up. "I feel really not in shape to do that now."
"Yes I was joking. There, I just want to curl up in a ball on the couch watching TV."
"I love your program." Dave exclaimed, turning the TV on and settling into the couch, making room for Sebastian who came to sit glued against him.
"I thought it was my turn to be the pillow." Sebastian said playfully.
"Let's just say it'll be your turn twice." Dave said with a smile. "I'll miss you. When I'll have to fall asleep alone in my dorm in college. I got used to sleep with you now. "He added after a pause.
"Maybe ... you could stay. I mean, instead of taking a room in college again. You ... you could move in here? Well, there's no obligation, but ... I don't want to force you ..."
"Are you asking me to move in with you?"
"Only if you want. But just I'll miss you otherwise."
"Okay, why not."
"But I understand if you don't want to, if you think it's too early or ..."
"Hey Bass, I said okay, I move in with you. Either way, there's already my toothbrush in the bathroom and half of my clothes in your dressing room, right?"
"Really?" Sebastian asked, looking up to Dave.
"Yes, I stay. At your home."
"No. Our home." Sebastian corrected before sealing their agreement with a kiss.
*Translations (I'm sorry there are this much)
Quelle horreur quand même. Et on leur a donné le droit de se marier et d'adopter. Pauvre France. = How awful it is. And we gave them the right to marry and adopt. Poor France.
Il y a surtout des lois contre l'homophobie madame. = Mostly, there are laws against homophobia madam.
Je serais vous, j'y réfléchirais, vos propos pourraient vous valoir des amendes avec des gens moins tolérants que mon frère et son petit ami. = I'd be you; I'd think about it, your words could cost you fines with people less tolerant than my brother and his boyfriend.
Qu'elle vous plaise ou pas, elle est votée cette loi. Je ne vois vraiment pas en quoi elle vous dérange. = Whether you like it or not, it's adopted this law. I really don't see why it bothers you.
Chloé laisse tomber, ça n'en vaut pas la peine. = Chloe drop it, it's not worth the trouble.
Bonjour, excusez moi de vous déranger, je vis dans ma voiture avec mon fils de 14 ans, est-ce que vous auriez une petite pièce… = Hello, sorry to bother you, I live in my car with my 14 year old son, do you have some coin ...
Votre 'fils' est comme tout le monde, il prend un an tous les ans. Il ne peut pas avoir 14 ans depuis 3 ans. Sauf si vous changez de fils tous les ans. = Your 'son' is like everyone else, he get older of one year every year. He can't be 14 years old for three years. Unless you change your son every year.
Non, c'est pas de ma faute, c'est à cause de ton petit-ami. = No, it's not my fault, it's because of your boyfriend.
Mais j'étais là avant, je devrais avoir l'avantage. = But I was there before, I should have the advantage.
Tu reprendras l'avantage s'il te laisse tomber mais en attendant, vous êtes à égalité. Fais avec. = You'll take the advantage back if he dumps you but until then, it's a tie. Deal with it.
J'espère que tu as ramené du caramel au beurre salé, mes Big Brothers m'ont pris tout mon stock. = I hope you brought some salted butter caramel, my Big Brothers took all my stock.
Me dites pas qu'il chante encore cette chanson. = Don't tell me he sings this song again.
I met you near Narbonne,
I found you fucking good
You ate pizza like a fucking idiot
And although I reckon it was a Calzone
I'll take you naked in the Simca 1000
He'll take me naked in the Simca 1000
(well, more or less, it's near to be totally untranslatable directly)
Except for the visit of Aigues-Mortes and the evening at karaoke, all the places visited by the birthday girl and her two servants knights are existing places of Montpellier that I know personally. But even if I checked on the internet that the places still exist, I didn't set foot there in more than six years so from then, they may have changed somewhat. Particularly, according to some reviews I've read online, Le Jardin des glaces is not what it used to be, so let's just say that summer 2014 in the small world of The Rose and The Fox, le Jardin des glaces is still the best place to eat huge bowls of ice cream in Montpellier. You never know, by then, they can have bounce back.
For information, I'm not a Directionner (uh ... this is how they are called, right?) Nobody hit me. But since the prom of season 3 of Glee, I addressed the issue a bit. I wouldn't play groupie to go to one of their concerts (I'd probably never be disappointed not to have a ticket as I've been for Darren's concert in June), but nevertheless, they have a few songs I like a lot, including this one.
The song sung by Julien and Sebastian is 'La Simca 1000' song oh how epic by Les Chevaliers du Fiel, a comedy duo from the South-West of France.
The scene of body shots may or may not have been slightly (or completely?) inspired by my recent reading of the excellent fanfinction 'A Change In The Weather' by Cacophonylights. Yes, I just associated the word excellent with a Kurtbastian fanfiction. You've been warned. And be warned too, it's not finished and apparently left up since a long time now, for those who don't want to start something not finished.