A/N Thanks for all the wonderful comments, follows and favourites.

I don't own Glee and I wish I owned the characters... (well some of them anyways...)

Chapter Thirty Four

Sam lounged on their shared bed as he watched Blaine stuffing clothes into an overnight bag for the weekend. He had been allowed to join the high school national fencing tournament which was being held in Chicago this year and was frantically packing to get ready for this weekend. Sam wanted to help as he knew Blaine was getting more and more stressed out by this thing, and with finals and nationals in LA in a couple of weeks, Sam could see it was all starting to take its toll on the boy. He also knew, however, that if he did help, that he would just make it worse and so he stayed well out of Blaine's very orderly packing. "So you get two tickets for people to go and see you in your fencing national tournament this weekend and you're choosing me and Sebastian?" Sam finally asked, wanting to know why his boyfriend hadn't even asked his parents, or grandparents even.

"Yeah, well Tina was busy with Thad. Something to do with a lake and a cabin or something so..." Blaine shrugged and stopped packing, coming to sit beside Sam for which he was very grateful. At least he hadn't gotten to the stage of sheer panic where he couldn't stop doing things like tidying or organising things. Blaine could be a little like the now Mrs Shue when he wanted to be.

"You do realise these tickets are meant for parents right?" Sam gently told Blaine, leaning over to cup his boyfriends hand in his own and squeezed it softly, lacing his fingers through Blaine's and listened to the boy sigh as he snuggled into Sam's chest. Sam loved when Blaine did that. The smaller boy was always so warm it made Sam relax into his lovers body.

"They're my tickets Sam and I'll give them to whoever I want." Blaine murmured, his head resting over Sam's ever rapidly beating heart, a small smile of contentment over his angels face. Blaine had been looking a lot happier since the holiday. Nick and Jeff had been right. He had needed a holiday. He had the occasional nightmare now, but his meditation seemed to be working wonders and the dark circles that had been present under Blaine's eyes were now disappearing quickly. His face seemed to be glowing once again and Sam was ecstatic about it. His B was coming back to him. Completely.

"Well I'm not gonna say no. I don't really want to spend a weekend without you." Sam teased Blaine, and got a small playful swipe as a reward before Blaine stretched up to give Sam a small peck on his lips.

"Aww, I love you too."

As the two boys looked lovingly into each others eyes the door to their room opened and in walked Sebastian with what looked like a check list of things to pack. Pretending to look really disgusted at the scene in front of him, but Sam knew better. He knew Sebastian was one of their staunchest supporters. To be honest he never thought that he and Blaine would get on after everything that had happened between the two of them but since getting to know the lean junior better after coming here, Sebastian and Blaine had, after a few hiccups, gotten to be very close friends. That was why Sam hadn't really been that surprised when he had asked the boy along with the second ticket. "Jeez, is this how it's going to be all weekend? No wonder Tina passed on the ticket. It seems only I'm stupid enough to accept it." Sebastian winked at them as a wicked smirk came over his face.

"Hey, we're not that bad!" Blaine responded playfully, throwing a cushion at the boy, who laughingly dodged it.

"Yes you are. Any couple who drunkenly have sex on the beach on holiday are definitely 'that' bad. Ooops did I let that slip? My bad!" Sebastian stated, his eyes growing wide and his hand over his mouth, but Sam could still see the huge grin on his face. He had deliberately said that. Why, Sam wasn't sure.

"Wait, what? Who had sex on the beach?" Sam questioned the boy who had just walked in, confused by what Sebastian had implied. Did he and Blaine have sex on the beach? As he thought back a vague recollection of the moon's reflective light hitting Blaine's body, making his features even more stunning than they already were and sand, lots and lots of sand.

Blaine rolled his eyes, and replied to Sam, who was stood open mouthed and gaping at the memories of an extremely sexy romp on the beach from their holiday. "Apparently Seb thinks we did Sam." Blaine chuckled as though he didn't believe for a second that it had happened. Holy crap! Blaine freaking rode me hard on a beach at it was seriously hot. Sam turned away from the boys as he felt his face get warm and pretended to busy himself with his own packing, which Blaine had almost finished by the looks of his bag anyway. "Anyway, if you're coming along Seb you need to pack because the bus leaves early tomorrow."

"Sure, sure. Um do we need to bring anything for the bus? It's quite a long trip by coach." Blaine and he started discussing snacks and games as Sam went back to daydreaming about Blaine's body writhing on top of his own, thrusting himself onto Sam over and over... Shaking the thoughts from his head, he tuned back into the other boys conversations. "Can't wait to see you in that tight fencing uniform Blainey, bet your ass looks delicious." Sebastian stated his goodbye's with Sam glaring at him for saying that about his Blaine. Of course he'll look hot. It's Blaine. He has like the perfect ass. He should win rear of the year with it. But that ass is only allowed to be stared at by me.

"I think I might kill him before the end of the weekend..." Sam grumbled to Blaine as he walked over and wrapped his arms possessively around the smaller boys frame.

"Don't worry Sammy, you're the only one for me." Blaine replied, reaching up on tiptoes to kiss Sam deeply.

Ryder stood in front of the doorway to Richard's room, a little scared to enter. Ever since they had gone away for the extra long weekend when senior skip day occurred he hadn't known how to act around Richard when in front of the others. The thing was, that weekend had been amazing. They had hopped onto Richard's bike and had gone sightseeing, stopping at motels along the way. The thing was, they had gotten rather... intimate whilst they were away. Blaine's advice had helped him somewhat and it had been amazing, perfect even, but now he wanted to just be with Richard and he wasn't sure how to be around him any more when others were around. He was still coming to terms with his feelings for Richard and how deep they had become, how the hell was he supposed to show these feelings around others? He let out a breath he had been holding in and knocked on the door. When he heard Richard telling him to enter, he slid into the room, closing the door quietly behind him. "Richard, can we talk?"

"Sure Ry. What's up?" Richard looked up from his studying at his desk and smiled widely at seeing Ryder in front of him. The handsome boy always put a smile on his face. He was sweet, kind and caring and he didn't even know how awe inspiring his was. He never let anything stop him from striving for all he wanted.

"Well, I guess I just wanted to talk to you about us. I mean that long weekend was amazing and I had the best time, but what exactly are we? I mean, after that night..." Ryder stopped, not knowing what more to say and shuffled on his feet, looking awkward. Richard, sensing Ryder's discomfort stood and took Ryder's hand, guiding him over to his bed, making the boy sit down beside him.

"Ry, I care about you a lot. In fact, I think I might be falling for you. I have no idea where this is going. I know where I want it to go, but I'm graduating and going to Pennsylvania soon. I suppose it depends on what you want to do..." Richard told the boy honestly. E really hoped the he and Ryder could make a go of it, he could drive back to Ohio often enough from Pennsylvania. He wasn't sure exactly how Ryder felt though. Since that weekend in which they had had sex, Ryder had seemed to be avoiding him for some reason.

"I...I've never felt this way about anyone before. I think I love you Richard. Even if it means a long distance thing for a while, I want to be with you. Properly. I just don't know how to act around you when we're with the others..." Ryder sat playing with his hands and Richard put his over to comfort the boy.

"You want to tell people?" Richard asked gently, rubbing his thumbs in circles on Ryder's hands. Ryder sighed, and leant into Richard, leaning his head on the older boys shoulder.

"I don't want to go around announcing it or anything, but I don't want to hide either." Ryder looked up to Richard with large, almost innocent looking eyes as if to ask Richard what they should do. When Ryder saw the boys lips curve into a small smile his heart leapt into his mouth and he leant up to kiss Richard gently on the lips.

"Ok. We can make this work. I know we can. We just act like this all the time and let people make their own decisions about us. Alright?" Ryder nodded and snaked his arms around Richard's waist, kissing the older boy passionately.

Early on the Friday morning Blaine and Nick, along with their two ticket holders, put their luggage in the side compartment of the bus taking them all to Chicago and them proceeded to board. Nick had obviously asked Jeff and so, since his grandparents couldn't come because they were looking after his little brother, he had asked Grace if she wanted to come along as well. Grace had been extremely excited at the thought of a road trip to Chicago and a chance to have the day off as well.

"This is going to be sooo much fun! I can't wait! Chicago here we come." Grace squealed jumping up and down instead of getting into a seat. Sebastian groaned at this and placed himself next to Blaine, knowing that at least he would be sane for the entire trip.

"This is going to be a long bus trip, isn't it?" He asked the curly haired boy next to him, who was looking out the window. He turned and tiredly nodded.

"Yep. You haven't been on a plane with them all yet, they get cabin fever." Blaine smiled weakly and rifled through his bag to get a book out. Oh I see, you're going to sweep yourself away into your book and ignore everything happening around you. Why the hell didn't I ask him if I should do that?

"Hey Sam, look at me, I'm driving the bus!" Jeff shouted at the shaggy blonde as he sat in the presently vacated driver's seat and moved the steering wheel a little, pretending to drive the bus. Sam, indulging the boy, sheered him on.

"Awesome!"

Nick, who had taken a seat opposite Blaine and Sebastian had also gotten himself a book out and was reading it with fervour until he heard Jeff screaming about driving the bus. Looking up, horror came over his features and he flung his now discarded book on the seat next to him and raced to the front, trying to get Jeff out from the drivers seat. "Oh my God. Jeff, get out from there! What if you actually did something to move it?"

"We haven't even started yet Blaine..." Sebastian stated in a warning tone, to which the other boy snickered a little as he side glanced at a very pale looking Sebastian.

"I know, I know. He's a nightmare on transportation." He shrugged. Jeff had been like that ever since Blaine had known him and he didn't think it was going to change any time soon. Sebastian was going to have to deal with it, or he was not going to have a very good trip there or back again. They both turned to watch Nick grapple with his boyfriend to get him out of the seat and down the bus with him, all the while Jeff squealing and giggling like a small child. Sam, realising the entertainment was not at the front any longer, walked down the aisle behind the two boys, smirking at Nick berating Jeff and the blonde looking back with an 'I'm sorry' face. Even though everyone knew he wasn't.

Sam, seeing his boyfriend reading, came to sit in front of him and leant over the back of the chair so he could see what Blaine's reactions would be. "Blaine! I'm bored! Play with me." Sam whined. The bus still hadn't even moved yet and Sam was bored already. For both Blaine and Sam, it was going to be a very long trip...

Sebastian sniggered at Sam's phrasing and he earned himself a death glare from the dark haired boy next to him."Don't you start." When Blaine thought Sebastian looked suitably chastised he turned to Sam wearily and asked the boy. "What do you want to play Sammy?"

"Hmm, do you have battleships with you?" Sam wanted to know, knowing the answer was yes. He had watched Blaine packing everything yesterday after all.

"Yes. I'll get it out." Blaine put his book back and dug out the travel set of battleships, handing one set to Sam, who eagerly went about setting his side of the board up.

"So, you've learnt from previous experience then?" Sebastian grinned and leant over to nab Blaine's book, waving it around a little till Blaine sighed and nodded. Sebastian, with a satisfied grin opened the book and set about blocking everything around him out.

The three boys who were not participating and the one girl took their seats in the large inside stadium that had been set up for the fencing competition. Sam looked around in wonder as he took in all the small stages on the ground and the banners indicating the event. This was a bigger deal then he thought. Sitting next to Jeff, who had been to this event before last year with Nick leant over to ask the boy about the sport in itself. He had no idea how it worked. Sure he had watched Blaine practice a little, but it was mainly him doing the same step over and over again. He didn't really know how it worked for tournaments. "How does fencing work anyway?" he asked, feeling a little like an idiot. Maybe he should have gotten Blaine to explain it to him before they got here. Now it was too late. Blaine and Nick were already setting up to go on to fight there first bout.

Jeff however seemed unphased by the question and leant over to talk lowly with Sam so as not to disturb anyone else watching. "Well, you see that guy?" Jeff pointed to one of the people off to the sides with a whistle around his neck. "He's the referee and the two opponents walk onto the area known as the piste." He pointed to the small stages and Sam nodded vigorously to show that he understood. "They walk on carrying their masks under their arms so they can see their opponent. They salute each other, then the referee and finally the judges. The referee then shouts 'En Garde', they put on their masks and take their stances. Then he shouts 'Ready?' and they acknowledge him, then he shouts 'Play!' and the match starts. They then have to try and touch the other player using a series of different moves like lunges or parries and whoever scores the most points by the end of the time is the winner. If you watch, you'll get the gist of it pretty quickly. You watch Blaine, I'm going to see how Nick gets on." Jeff patted him on the shoulder and turned to spot Nick over in the far right corner of the stadium.

"Ok. Where is Blaine? There are so many people down there right now. I didn't realise the nationals was this big." Sam commented, looking around desperately for his boyfriend. Since they were all wearing the same outfit it was quite hard to spot him. Sebastian thankfully pointed his B out to him, yelling at him above the din that was escalating as all the audience realised the tournament was about to start.

"He's over there, against that tall guy. Looks like they are about to start." Sam looked over to where the lean boy was pointing and saw Blaine somewhere near the centre. His opponent was well over six foot. Sam gulped and kept his fingers crossed for his little angel. He hoped that the tall boy was slow so that Blaine could whip in and out without getting hit at all. As Blaine stepped up to fight, Sam could feel his heart pounding rapidly in his chest for Blaine. He so wanted him to do well. He watched with avid interest as Blaine went through all the rigmarole before starting the fight and then it was like Blaine suddenly became a cheetah, locked onto his prey. Sam sat gaping as Blaine whipped and danced lightly and rapidly, graceful next to his opponent. Sam didn't know why he had been so worried. Blaine moped the floor with that guy. He was one of the first to finish his first round match. It was almost over before it even began. Sam could feel the pride bubble up inside of him.

"Did you see that Seb? Blaine was so good! He totally kicked that other dudes ass." He proclaimed jiggling up and down in his seat a little. Sebastian laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, he's really talented, isn't he?"

"Yeah. That's my B." Sam told the boy, his chest puffing out a little.

"You're seriously good at this Blaine. I didn't realise you were so good. You nervous for the final?" Sam asked backstage in the little room they had given Blaine to strip and cool down for a little while. Sitting in only his boxer briefs he shrugged and remained quiet. Sam, knowing this was a sign that Blaine was super nervous, moved to sit next to Blaine from his seat opposite. Blaine smiled as Sam gripped his hand tightly and squeezed.

"A little. Do you know who my opponent is?" Blaine admitted, looking a little sheepish at feeling that way and Sam chuckled lightly, tucking Blaine's curls back behind his ear. God he loved Blaine's curls. Sam chewed over whether to tell Blaine who had won the other match. This afternoon's matches had all been performed in a different room to the others, with only one floor and less seating so that the spectators could see the matches more intimately. That meant that Blaine had not been out on the floor when Nick had fought his semi final match.

"It's, um, well... it's Nick." Sam grimaced a little. Blaine had told him many times before that the Dalton boy was very good and that, if faced in a competition fight, he didn't know if he could beat Nick.

"Seriously? So whoever wins this it will be a Dalton win?" Blaine lightly asked, looking more relaxed then before for some reason. Sam decided it was because it was against an opponent he knew and so therefore he felt more comfortable. He could predict Nick's moves easier and so plan his own around it.

"Looks that way."

"Well great. At least I can relax a little now. I know exactly how Nick fights, so..." Blaine shrugged. For Blaine it had been an incredible experience, but to get to the final had just blown his mind. He wouldn't mind at all at Nick winning.

"I love Nick, but B? Kick his ass!" Sam kissed Blaine on the cheek before leaving to go grab his seat for the final and Blaine chuckled to himself at Sam's enthusiasm.

"I can't believe I'm up against Blaine for the final. He's too good Jeff, I'm never going to beat him." Nick told Jeff, looking really worried. Jeff took his Nicky into his arms and gave him a big hug, feeling the smaller boy relax into his embrace.

"Not like this you won't. Look, you know his style honey, you can do this. You've been amazing today and I'm so proud of you. And if Blaine does beat you, I'll still be super proud. You've never got this far before. You're fighting has been the best I've ever seen you do. Just go out there like it's some ordinary practice at Dalton and try your best. That's all you can do. I love you Nicky poos." Jeff gave him the pep talk, giving his lover a big smack on his forehead after and watch with joy as Nick smiled lovingly up at him.

"I love you too Jeffy."

Nick stood on the piste and smiled at Blaine, who was smiling back and looking really relaxed. Nick could still feel the butterflies inside his stomach fluttering nineteen to the dozen. He saluted Blaine, the referee and then the judges and exhaled sharply, getting himself into focus. He wasn't going to let the fact that it was Blaine up here distract him.

"En Garde." The referee shouted, and the two boys placed there masks on, taking their stances.

"Ready?" He called and both called out that they were.

"Play!"

Blaine was so lightning fast, nick hardly had any time to react but he managed to parry the boy quickly. That was till he whipped Nick around and caught him exactly where he wanted him. The first points went to Blaine.

Blaine was getting tired and he could feel it. His calves were burning from the fight. It had been very close. This last bout was the decider. He was only two points up and so it could be anyone's game. The counter was rapidly counting down. He would have to take a risk and hope for the best...

"And the winner is... Blaine Anderson by five points." The referee called out and Blaine whipped his mask off to congratulate Nick on the exceptional fight. He could feel the sweat pouring down his face, his hair sticking to the sides. Nick looked similar to him, tired, but happy with the outcome.

"Good fight Nick. You nearly got me there at the end." Blaine placed his hand out for Nick to shake and felt Nick firmly take hold of his hand, shaking it twice before coming in for a small hug.

"Nearly, but you'll always be the better player. Congrats Blainey. You deserve it." Nick patted his friend on the back. "Showers?" He asked and Blaine nodded in agreement. The medal ceremony would take place in half an hour giving them both time to shower and rest a little. The third and fourth place match would take place whilst they had some time to relax.

"You were both awesome! That was totally epic and we have it all on film for everyone to see back home." Sam gushed at the gold and silver medal winners, both proudly wearing their medals around their necks.

"Congratulations Blaine." Jeff told his friend, bringing him into a tight squeeze of a hug.

"Thanks, but Nick was just as good, I just got lucky." Blaine shrugged, flushing at the attention.

"Aww, modesty becomes you well B. That's why we all love you." Sebastian wrapped his arm around Blaine's shoulders and the whole group laughed. "Now, I don't know about you but I'm starving and since we're here till tomorrow, how about some proper Chicago style pizza?"

"Yay! I want pizza!" Grace cried, jumping up and down in glee.

"Sounds like a plan!" Blaine chuckled and they all ambled out into the city to find something to eat and celebrate their friends achievements.