Dear readers,
Nothing much to say this time but a thank you for all your support and such, and that there's another Disney song in here so I hope you enjoy that as much as you did 'Under the Sea'! Oh, and I should be updating again sometime midweek next week, and then again on Saturday.
Enjoy!
Sopphires.
"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." ― Franklin D. Roosevelt
Blaine knew that everyone wasn't really over the whole incident. Looking back, Blaine had acknowledged that the whole situation could have been a lot worse: it could have had terrible impacts on Thad that were worse than complete and utter apathy, but he also knew David, especially, was not happy with the outcome. It was good, obviously; they were friends again, they were sleeping together (and that sounded really wrong, but it wasn't) and Thad was smiling and happy and full life, but at the same time, it had pointed out numerous flaws in their relationship. Firstly, they couldn't really survive and function without each other. Blaine understood that because without Kurt he had felt completely empty and broken, and they'd all known how co-dependent they were, but at the same time, they hadn't. Blaine hadn't thought it was so bad that they were incapable of being happy without each other, and that was not good, especially when you considered the flaws like Thad's temper and Sebastian's emotional stupidity and the way he stopped thinking rationally when they argued. If he'd been thinking straight, he never would have brought up Thad's attempted suicide, or let him punch him, but he had and said repercussions of that could be really bad. Also, Sebastian had shown that he wasn't very good at fixing things. His way of making up with Thad had been keeping his promise and expecting Thad to put it together and think rationally when they all knew that Thad lost his head completely very easily and got sucked into downward spirals quickly. The other problem with his plan was that he waited for Thad; Sebastian never made the first move, and Blaine understood that – he didn't want to pressure Thad, or upset him anymore etc. – but it wasn't a good plan because if it hadn't have been for David and their uncontrollable emotions then they would still be fighting and falling to pieces... That was why Blaine knew that none of them were over the incident yet because it had shown them all how double edged the friendship between Sebastian and Thad was: it was something both of them desperately needed, and it gave Thad stability and brought out the best in Sebastian, but it was tenuously fragile, and it did not take a lot for it self-destruct in their faces and leave them both ruined, and that knowledge was really scary... Honestly, Blaine preferred to think of the entire situation in the way David had phrased it after hearing the Under the Sea story:
'You are the most ridiculous people in the world, and you do even more ridiculous shit – and I'm saying that completely sincerely standing next to Nick and Jeff!'
Still there were upsides; namely, the discovery of the leather bound, black notebook – the 'Smile' book; copyrighted by the man who coined it: Nicholas Duval – and all the things inside it that Sebastian had done for Thad to make him smile. A lot of it was jokes and texts that they traded between themselves, song lyrics, pictures and such, but there was a lot in it that made all the Dalton boys that were privy to it – the seven Senior Warblers – 'aww' at the adorable nature of it. For one, there was the way Sebastian and Thad wrote in it. Thad had annotated most of the pictures himself when he'd made it, and then Sebastian had gone through and added his own comments, and they clearly went through it together at times because squabbles frequently appeared on the pages, and there was just something really sweet about all of that. The way they were with each other was just really cute, but not as much as the way that Sebastian had continued the book in the same vain as Thad had started it, making annotations and jokes as well as carefully writing out song lyrics in his neatest handwriting. Then there was the fact that Sebastian seemed to sing Disney songs for him like the numerous photographs of the two of them singing I See the Light at New Year.
All in all, Blaine knew that they just had to accept that the fight had happened and that they'd come to blows. Blaine hadn't seen any obvious signs that Thad was afraid of Sebastian or that the action had left him floundering and any worse off. In fact, David had said that both he and Wes had spoken to Thad about it, and, apart from the fact that he was ashamed of himself and sickened by the fact that he'd hit Sebastian, he was really okay with what Sebastian had done to him, mostly because he thought he deserved the punch, and for once, Blaine didn't think that was too dangerous a belief as Thad had punched him twice first. He also got the impression that Wes had threatened Sebastian once more, and probably lectured him on the importance of not bringing up the suicide attempt and trivialising things that meant a lot to Thad. Nothing else could be done about the situation.
"What film should we watch?" demanded Nick, flopping down onto Blaine's bed, sprawling on top of his boyfriend, who had sat down a moment before him, and sitting in his lap. Blaine yawned widely, sitting down by their side and propping his feet up, legs aching after a long, joint rehearsal. Things were coming along really well for their performances, though Blaine still hadn't found time to properly hang out with the New Directions, but he was always exhausted after them. Sebastian and Thad also dropped down on the other side of Nick and Jeff, Thad curling up by Sebastian's side and resting his head on his shoulder.
"I don't know, babe," muttered Jeff, running a hand absent-mindedly through Nick's hair. "whose turn is it to pick?"
"We don't take turns," pointed out Trent, flopping down into one of the desk chairs. "we're not that logical."
"Fair enough," conceded Jeff as the rest snorted and laughed. "Alright, who can shout their choice the loudest?"
"No need!" exclaimed David, bursting into the room with a devilish grin on his face and seemingly knowing exactly what they had been talking about. "I have found the perfect video!" Blaine sat up, narrowing his eyes and wondering what David had discovered that was making him smirk in such a self-satisfied manner. He could tell that the others had noticed it too as they had all stiffened slightly and were watching him through eyes that were narrowed to slits.
"What have you got?" asked Sebastian, the suspicion riddling his voice. David's wicked smile grew wider, and Blaine knew, instantly, that it was something to do with Sebastian, and probably Thad too because Sebastian tended to do all of his most embarrassing things around Thad. David winked.
"Something that I think we've all been wanting to see," he replied, and Blaine watched as Sebastian and Thad shared a worried, nervous look. David turned on the TV and slipped the disc into the DVD player. Then he sat down into the other desk chair, grinning uncontrollably. He pressed play, and there was a moment before the scene came into focus.
"Thad, Sebastian, why don't you sing something?"
"Oh no!" cried Thad, throwing his hands over his face, as Sebastian groaned. David chuckled as the camera switched focus from Thad's mum, who had spoken, onto Thad and Sebastian, who were standing side by side and shared awkward looks. It was dark outside, but the lights in all the houses were on, showing how Thad flushed scarlet.
"Um, sure, mum," said Thad, ruffling up his hair. "Any ideas what we should perform?" he asked, looking between Sebastian and his parents with an awkward look on his face.
"How about something from 'Tangled'? We heard you singing one of the songs earlier, together. How about the duet?"
"How did you get this?" demanded Thad, blushing scarlet as the others laughed, delighted that they were going to get to see that performance because neither Thad or Sebastian had been inclined to tell the story like they had with Under the Sea, mainly because Thad went scarlet and mumbled incoherently and Sebastian didn't want to say if Thad didn't.
"I told your parents that I wanted to make a video tribute to you," he said, shrugging. Thad glowered at him, blushing heavily whilst Sebastian ran a hand down his face. "It was kind of easy." Thad groaned, planting his face into Sebastian's shoulder. Blaine grinned a little at them whilst Nick shhed the other boys.
"Are you sure that you want to hear us sing?" asked Thad, holding a microphone and looking slightly nervous. Thad's mum shot him an amused grin and then passed the camera to Thad's dad so that she could walk over to Thad, giving him a brief hug.
"Of course we want to hear you sing. You don't have to sing if you really don't want to." Thad shook his head, grinning at his mum and walking over to stand near the wooden table. He swallowed and pressed play on the CD player. Sebastian arched his eyebrow at Thad, smiling and sitting down on the edge of the patio, feet planted in the grass, as the intro played, and Thad rolled his eyes as Thad's mum took the video recorder and focused it once on Thad's dad, who was frowning intently, before focusing it back on Thad.
All those days watching from the window
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been.
Blaine pulled his knees up to his chin, watching with a smile as Thad began to sing into the microphone. His voice was delicate and frail, and Blaine was reminded, vividly, of when they'd all – himself, Thad, David, Nick, Jeff, Wes and Kurt – had gone to see Tangled in the cinema. He remembered Thad commenting after how jealous he was of Kurt's voice and being able to sing it properly, but he did the song more than justice as he performed it.
Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's oh so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
Thad tilted his head upwards, looking up at the stars that twinkled in the jet black sky, peeking out from behind the clouds, and tears shone readily in his eyes even though his lips were curled upwards into a definite, happy smile. His pale cheeks were flushed a pink that did not just come from being nipped by the cold but said, instead, that he was a little embarrassed by what he was doing, especially when his eyes slid sideways at the last line to look at his parents.
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
Blaine felt his smile widen uncontrollably as Thad sang to his parents, telling them how he had finally seen the light and the fog of his depression had been lift so that he realised that they loved him unconditionally for who he was and that they would never be ashamed of him.
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
Blaine could feel his emotions threatening to overwhelm him as the tears built up in his eyes because what would he give to have that security? To be able to look at his parents and know, definitively, that they loved him no matter what, and to have that with Kurt, too, and just feel safe and secure, and he was so happy that Thad had that because he deserved it so much, but Blaine wanted it for himself more.
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
Blaine watched the position of the camera shift as Thad's mum walked down onto the grass and round so that she was facing her son, but Thad kept his eyes fixed firmly to the side, head twisted towards his dad, who was smiling strongly at him in a delighted manner.
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you
Thad's voice grew quieter as he broke eye contact with his dad, blushing even more, as his gaze wandered down to Sebastian, whose face was upturned and smiling, and their gazes met, both their smiles widening.
Whistles and cheers interrupted the musical interlude, and looking around, the Harwoods and Sebastian saw that, in the three gardens that bordered theirs, the neighbours were peering over the fence and watching the scene with intrigued expressions and smiles. Thad went a little red at the attention, waving nervously at the people staring at him, whilst Sebastian looked around with a calculating expression. Then, as the violins came in and signalled that it was almost time for the singing to recommence, he leapt to his feet, running up the patio steps and snatching up the other microphone and coming to a stop in front of Thad in time to begin singing;
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Blaine let out a small laugh as Sebastian began to sing, sincerity evident in his voice, staring only at Thad, telling him in the most bizarre manner for Sebastian to do so that after all his years of living a fast, impermanent life simply in the pursuit of fleeting pleasure, Thad had changed his entire outlook on the world and shown him, really, who he was as a person and who he could be.
Now you're here shining in the starlight
Now you're here, suddenly I know
Blaine choked a little, mouth dropping open at the way Sebastian had changed the lyrics, and then breaking out into a laugh at the way the Thad both in the film and in real life blushed scarlet; the former version tipping his head back towards the sky and the latter pressing his face into Sebastian's shoulder and throwing his hands over his head.
If you're here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go
Sebastian shot Thad the widest smile that had been exchanged during the entire exchange, staring straight into his eyes with an intense expression that said he meant every word; he was just talking. Then, as he reached the end of the last line, he extended his right hand to Thad. Thad looked at it for half a second before he took it, smiling even wider.
And at last I see the light...
Blaine felt the smile on his face grow even more as he watched the two of them duet. The way they stared at each other and sang together was further proof of everything that all the people in the room knew: the two of them had found a completely new way to look at life in each other – Sebastian gave Thad someone to hold onto and proof that he was worth something because Sebastian had changed because of him and was the focus of his new life; and Thad gave Sebastian purpose, perspective and again something to hold onto as well as making him very responsible and just more human. Also, it sounded like the two of them were really accepting that; accepting and understanding how much they meant to each other and relied on each other, and actually taking that as a good thing, which was something that Sebastian wouldn't normally do and would probably make Thad feel weak.
All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you
Now that I see you…
Thad and Sebastian stared at each other as the song ended, their voices dying, and there was a moment of silence in which they simply stared at each other, silently communicating something, before bangs began to sound, and fireworks exploded in the sky, signalling New Year. The two best friends hugged each other under the shining sky.
It was very quiet in the room after David hit pause. Slowly, the five friends looked at the two other friends that had been in the film. Sebastian had a hand over his face, the other one resting on Thad's shoulder as his arm was wrapped around them, holding the smaller boy close as he hid away in embarrassment. Blaine scratched the top of his head, struggling to find anything to say because that performance had been so good and incredible and just insanely beautiful and perfect. There was nothing he could say because his brain short-circuited at it, really.
"You know, I really thought you might kiss at the end," commented Nick in a thoughtful tone of voice, and Blaine choked on his breath, spluttering in laughter. Sebastian snorted whilst Trent shot him a disturbed look, and Jeff said;
"Don't be ridiculous, Nick, it's Sebastian and Thad-" Blaine nodded in agreement, but Jeff continued. "-they're not going to kiss in front of Thad's parents; they'd both be dead...Sebastian from Thad's parents, and Thad from embarrassment." Blaine snorted loudly at that, and the others, including Sebastian but excepting Thad, all chuckled, chortled or laughed too, as Thad groaned loudly, trying to disappear as he curled up even more against Sebastian.
"Fine!" said Nick, pouting and crossing his arms. "But the pronoun changing was so cute!" And with that, Nick launched himself onto Sebastian, grabbing his cheeks and pinching them. Blaine raised his eyebrows, wondering whether he had lost his mind. "You are so cute! Yes, you are! Yes, you are! You are the cutest thing!" Blaine dissolved into hysterical laughter at the sight of Nick smushing Sebastian's cheeks and the sound of him talking to Sebastian in that mock-baby voice that people used to speak with small, adorable children. Jeff was curled into a ball, clutching his middle as he laughed silently, Trent had face-palmed but his shoulders were shaking in amusement, David was crying in laughter and even Thad had withdrawn from Sebastian's side and was laughing. "You are adorable! Aren't you? Yes, you are! You are the most- OWW!"
Unsurprisingly, Sebastian did not enjoy being told that he was cute and adorable repeatedly, and so when Thad was safely away from him so that he wouldn't hurt him again, he launched himself at Nick. Nick toppled off the bed with Sebastian holding onto his blazer, the two of them slamming into the floor, and Sebastian proceeded to tickle him mercilessly until Nick was screaming and begging for him to stop so loudly that several other boys, highly alarmed by all the noise the sort-of-fighting boys were generating (the cackles of the other five boys didn't help) burst in, armed with saucepans and textbooks, and apparently ready to leap into battle.
"Blaine," said Trent, knocking on the door and sticking his head round. Blaine, who was rooting through his desk in search of his French homework, looked up at his friend with a frown on his face.
"Yeah?" he responded, standing up straight, running a hand through his hair and looking around at the mess on his desk, mind still fixed on the way that his French homework had defied the laws of physics and vanished into nothing.
"Mail," expounded Trent, stepping into the room and waving the letter in the air. Blaine frowned even more, looking at the letter suspiciously because he never got mail; in fact, no one got mail ever because everything was emailed or texted or whatever.
"Who's it from?" he asked, walking towards him. Trent's smile grew a little, and he extended the letter to Blaine. Blaine came to a stop, looking between the letter and Trent nervously.
"I think you're going to want to find that out for yourself." Blaine frowned even more in worry before reaching out and taking the letter from Trent. Trent slipped his hands into his pockets as Blaine held the letter in both hands and brought it closer to him. His eyes went wide when he saw the NYADA stamp. He put a hand over his mouth exhaling.
"Oh god..." he muttered, looking back up at Trent with a worried frown. "Oh no..." Trent reached forward, putting a hand firmly on his shoulder, squeezing comfortingly. Blaine could hear his heart pounding and fought the urge to be sick because he'd done an incredible of not thinking about NYADA since he sent his application in because thinking about NYADA meant thinking about Kurt and how any progress with his dad would be undone, but at the same time, it was his dream and he wanted it badly.
"It's going to say you're a finalist!" said Trent, confidently. Blaine looked at him nervously, not so sure because Blaine wasn't really that good. Trent sighed at his silence. "Do you want me to get David?" he asked, and Blaine, biting down on the inside of his lip, shook his head.
"No, I- I'd prefer to do this alone, thanks." Trent nodded instantly. "Can you- don't tell-"
"I won't," he promised before Blaine could even finish his sentence. He patted Blaine's upper arm and gave him a wide smile. "Just don't be late for lessons." Blaine rolled his eyes slightly as Trent gave him one last smile and walked from the room. The moment he was alone, Blaine dropped down onto the bed, legs trembling in trepidation, and took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.
Blaine had seen first-hand that getting into NYADA was a much less certain business than he would have liked to believe. After all, if anyone were dead certs to get in, it was Rachel and Kurt, but neither of them had been successful on the first audition, and they got in on luck, really, because they'd been able to convince Madame Tibbideaux that they deserved another chance. Blaine wasn't as good as either of them, and he doubted that he had it in him to make her believe that he deserved any special consideration. He didn't even know if he really wanted NYADA because Kurt would probably pretend he didn't exist, and that would be so painful, and his relationship with his dad might end up like the one that Cooper had with him, and he didn't want that; he didn't want that at all.
Blaine bit down on his bottom lip, staring at the letter and knowing that he needed open it. He just didn't think he could take another hit, though. Blaine had been keeping a close eye on his self-esteem, when he was rational and able to look at himself like that, largely because of Thad as that had really shown him the dangers of low to no self-esteem, and he knew that it was actually pretty okay at the moment: getting through to his dad and knowing that he did want him and missed him had helped considerably, not to mention all the solos he sung and his friends, but he also knew that if NYADA rejected him it was simply nosedive right to the bottom and into the levels of crap that he was really tired of dealing with.
Blaine took a huge breath, flipping the envelope over, and opened it up. He quickly pulled out the letter and unfolded it, eyes scanning down the text. Then he froze. His eyes jumped back to the top of the page, and he reread it, quickly. Then he flopped back onto his bed, eyes closed and limbs hanging loose.
"Order!" exclaimed David, banging his gavel loudly. The Warblers, who had all been chattering amongst themselves, fell silent, and Thad removed his hands form his ears, glaring reproachfully at David, whilst Sebastian arched an eyebrow and gave him an intense look.
"You know, the gavel works fine without you whacking it into a hard surface with all your puny strength," he commented, and David turned to him with a glare, raising the gavel to whack Sebastian, but he was denied his counter-attack by Thad snatching the gavel from him. Thad gave them both a very parent-ish stare that told them to behave whilst the other Warblers all laughed. Blaine shuffled his feet and looked at the open doorway, desperate for the New Directions to come walking through because he was pretty sure that he was going to burst if he didn't get to tell them his news soon. He knew that Trent was staring at him, for once deciding not to intervene in the petty squabble happening at the council table, and he gave him a smile that told him to have patience.
"Where are they?" demanded Sebastian, effortlessly holding David down in his chair so that he couldn't snatch the gavel back from Thad. "They're almost half an hour late! In fact, David, why did you even call for order?"
"Because we were wasting time! We could be doing things!" explained the head councillor in frustration.
"You were bored, weren't you?" said Sebastian, eyebrows arching in a condescending manner. David crossed his arms and pouted, and the rest of the Warblers laughed, Blaine putting a hand over his eyes and shaking his head.
"Well, you were talking to Thad! Over my head! How do you even do that?! He's shorter than me!" Sebastian winked at David and sprang to his feet, vaulting over the table and looking around the room with a smirk.
I can see you stalking like a predator
I've been here before
Temptation calls like Adam to the apple
But I will not be caught
Sebastian began to sing, voice and expression seductive, and his body moving gracefully along to the beat of the music that had been taken up by the Warblers, eyes fixed on David, undulating his shoulders in order to send a ripple of movement down his body, and Blaine really had to hand it to him because he made himself the focus of attention with the way he moved; smooth and slick but not over the top.
'Cause I can read those velvet eyes
And all I see is lies
Sebastian leant forward on the council table, extending his upper body over it so that his face was very close to David's, eyes narrowed, and it was absolutely hilarious to see the startled, wide eyed look on David's face because it really looked like Sebastian was coming onto him.
No more poison
Killing my emotion
I will not be frozen
Dancing is my remedy, remedy, oh
Jeff sprung to his feet, suddenly, cutting in. Sebastian spun around, eyebrow arched at the boy that dared to interrupt him, and all the Warblers watched with interest, still harmonising, as the blonde boy danced effortlessly before them, feet moving impossibly quickly, and was unhindered by Sebastian.
Stop stop preying
'Cause I'm not not playing
I'm not frozen
Dancing is my remedy, remedy, oh
Nick copied his boyfriend's lead, leaping to his feet and beginning to dance too. His moves were less impressive and assured compared to the previous two dancers, but his vocals were strong, and Blaine could see that Sebastian actually looked vaguely interested by what was happing.
Move while you're watching me
Dance with the enemy
Blaine got up, joining Sebastian in the chorus, as the New Directions began to file in, looking sheepish, and the two boys, followed by Nick and Jeff, danced into the ranks of the rival show choir, slipping and sliding their way through the gaps between the members as they continued to sing.
I've got a remedy
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Move while you're watching me
Dance with the enemy
Here is my remedy
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
The rest of the Warblers, barring the other two council members who were watching the performance carefully, joined in, easily sorting out an order between themselves and then dancing between the rather startled looking New Directions in their neatly formed rows, following their leads.
Spin me faster like a kaleidoscope
All I've got's the floor
Blaine span himself around several times, closing his eyes and just trusting that he wouldn't collide with anything, as he took over the solo line. He knew that he couldn't dance in the same way that Sebastian could, but he knew, as his eyes snapped open, that he could still contribute as much to this performance.
Yeah, you can try but I've found the antidote
Music is the cure
So you can try to paralyse
But I know best this time
He advanced on the other lead, forcing Sebastian to back up, the two of them playing a very slow game of cat and mouse, staring intensely at each and moving their bodies along to the beat in mirrored synchronisation, both of them smirking imperiously at the other, believing they had the upper hand in whatever game it was that they were playing.
No more poison...
And Blaine was reminded, properly, of why he loved performing so much as he formed a front line with Sebastian, Nick and Jeff, leading the Warblers and encouraging the New Directions into their ranks, because even though he was still scared and broken and unsure on the inside, he could still get up and lead and not be that person for a little while. He got to be something more as he danced amongst the others, smirking at whichever person appeared by his shoulder, and it made him feel really special. This was why he'd wanted NYADA; not because he was good at, or he liked it, but because it gave him hope and belief and courage, and it freed him from everything, and he wanted four more years of that that led into, perhaps, a life time of that.
And when the music fades away
I know I'll be okay
Blaine grinned at Thad, who had been encouraged to his feet by David and Finn, the former was still sitting at the council table and the latter was standing just before it, and he was suddenly struck by the idea of maybe Thad being an actual lead. It helped Blaine feel better, and Thad was much better than he let himself believe.
Contagious rhythm in my brain
Let it play...
However, as he looked between Sebastian and David, who were both encouraging Thad to sing loud and join the others, he reckoned that they'd probably beaten him to the idea. Still that wasn't what really mattered in the situation at all; what mattered was that they felt good about themselves and enjoyed life and found things out there that they excelled out and so could hold onto in case of any more disasters, not that they were really free from the present disaster at the moment because Blaine knew that, really, things had just quietened down for the time being; they weren't out of the woods, not by a long shot.
Stop stop preying
'Cause I'm not not playing
I'm not frozen
Blaine focused himself back in on Sebastian, who had danced out into the middle of the room on his own, and who was facing the Finn, David and Thad, but only looking at Thad. Then, singing the penultimate line, he began to turn back to face the rest of the singers, but when he was halfway through, he spun back in the opposite direction and pointed at Thad, who had been paying enough attention to sing;
Dancing is my remedy, remedy, oh
Move while you're watching me
Dance with the enemy
I've got a remedy
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh...
They all, excepting David and Finn but including Thad who positioned himself on Sebastian's other side so he was between him and Jeff, began to dance as one as they sang the chorus. They glided between the rows, slipping into the readymade gaps so that their neighbours – their 'enemies' – were constantly changing. It had taken a lot of work, but Blaine could see that they could perform together really well now; they could understand and interpret each other meaning that there was no miscommunication and missteps that caused collisions and squashed toes. Blaine found that, even though he was worried what Mr Schue might say to him when he found out Blaine had transferred, he was looking forward to the concert they were putting on – it was going to be epic!
"Nice one!" said David, getting to his feet when they finally came to a stop and the whistling and cheering had died down enough for him to be heard. Blaine let go of Marley, shooting the grinning girl a wide smile, and looked at their council leader, waiting for more. "Seriously, we are working really well together! This is going to be great! Finn, any thoughts?" Everyone watched as Finn opened his mouth, thought for a moment and then shook his head.
"David!" Blaine called out, suddenly, sensing a good time to speak. All eyes flew to him. "I have an announcement to make." There was a pause in which everyone just stared at him, confused or worried/concerned depending on how well they knew him, or, if you were Trent, interested. David nodded, gesturing to him with his arm to say that the floor was his to deliver his news. Blaine took a huge breath and looked around the group of singers with a smile. "Today I got a letter from NYADA," he said, and as one the entire room drew in a short, sharp breath and froze, staring at him. Blaine couldn't help but grin more at the sight of their concern. "and I did it!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms up into the air with a grin on his face. "I'm a NYADA finalist!"
There was a moment's pause after his announcement in which everyone just stared at him, taking in the news, and Blaine beamed round at every single individual, feeling some genuine hope begin to bubble up inside him because saying it out loud to all of them made it so much more real; he was one step closer to NYADA; one step further away from high school and so one step closer to a better future. Then, in the split second that he processed that thought, the singers in the room exploded in a roar of cheers, and everyone leapt on him. He let out a shocked laugh as his knees buckled under the weight of the Warblers and New Directions, and he couldn't stop giddy hysteria taking over so as he hugged everyone he was laughing in relief. He couldn't believe that he'd actually achieved something this year as he hugged Thad, holding very tightly onto the person that he'd formed and inextricable bond with because of what they'd been through, and was then crushed Sam, who had stayed at his shoulder in those first terrible days and helped him. Even Sebastian gave him a big hug, muttering something about not being so stupid after all that made Blaine laugh, and David and Finn looked so friggin' proud of him that he felt like crying because he was basically still an emotional wreck, and he really hoped his dad would look at him like that when he told him.
"Blaine, can I talk to you for a moment?" Blaine looked up at Finn in surprise as his hand fell onto his shoulder. Blaine looked round for his Dalton friends, spotting them milling around and talking amongst themselves, and shrugged.
"Sure? Is everything okay?" Finn nodded but beckoned him round the corner, and Blaine arched his eyebrows, wondering what required him to be away from the others. Finn bit down on his bottom lips, looking torn.
"Look, Blaine, I'm really glad that you've got this, but have you thought about Kurt?" Blaine bowed his head, feeling all of his happiness evaporate because he was sure that he didn't like where this conversation was going. "I mean, you guys will be at the same school, and you still like him..." Blaine sighed, rubbing his forehead and not bothering to disagree with Finn and disliking the implication of the sentence.
"I know," he muttered, looking up at Finn. "I know, but I'm not going to do anything, I promise." Finn shook his head.
"No, I just meant...Look, I probably shouldn't be doing this, but Kurt's...he's not exactly got a boyfriend, but he likes this guy, and this guy likes him..." Blaine pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "I mean, he makes Kurt happy, and this might be your last chance to come clean and fix this...I mean, if Kurt moves on you might lose him forever."
"Finn," said Blaine in a firm tone of voice, looking up into his friend's eyes. "I'm glad that Kurt has someone – I want him to move on." Finn stared at him in a shockingly condescending manner given it was Finn, saying he didn't believe him. Blaine threw his hands up in the air, telling him to leave it because this wasn't about Blaine: Kurt had found someone that made him happy, and Blaine was glad because that was entire point of what he'd done. "But can you tell him...for me?" Finn stared at him for a moment, looking like he wanted to argue with Blaine, but then nodded.
"Sure, but you might want to tell Rachel. She'll go mental if you don't." Blaine laughed a little at that, nodding in agreement. Then he held up his fist, asking Finn to bump it. Finn looked at it for a moment before he shook his head and pulled Blaine into a hug. Blaine snorted a little and patted Finn's shoulder. Finn gave him a small smile as they broke apart. "Look, I respect your decision...I just hope it makes you happy too – you deserve to be happy."
"Thanks," said Blaine, smiling slightly. Finn raised his hand in farewell, and Blaine waved him off, pulling out his phone as he watched the leader of the New Directions walk off with his show choir. He sent of a quick text to Rachel telling her that he was a finalist and received one back congratulating him and saying that if he needed any advice he could come to her. He smiled a little, tucking the phone away and closing his eyes. He really hoped he had done the right thing; he couldn't tell Kurt, not now, because that would be worse. It would hurt Kurt; it would be selfish.
"Blaine!" exclaimed Nick, bounding round the corner, followed by his boyfriend a second later. "Come on! Celebration party for our finalist!" And with that, the two boys had grabbed onto his hands and were dragging him down the hallways before he could let out his first surprised laugh, and he quickly broke down into real laughter as the other two boys galloped down the corridors, shouting that Blaine was king of the warbling world.