Chapter 12: Huntbastian Part II
2nd Year of College
New York City.
It was the second week back from vacation. And Barry was just about to get the hang of things again. He was about to meet Sebastian for lunch. And while he was walking someone grabbed his shoulder.
"Sebastain?"
He turned and found a familiar face one he couldn't remember where he saw.
"I'm not Sebastian." He said.
"Wait, Barry right?"
"Yes." Barry said cautiously. "And you are."
"Hunter Clarington." He said offering his hand. "We met two years ago."
"At Dalton." Barry recalled. "You were one of the Warblers. The Head Warbler. What happened? I heard from Sebastian you transferred out half way through the year."
Hunter gave a sheepish smile. "I needed some time to get my head straight"
"So what are you doing here? Does Sebastian know you're here?"
"I don't think so I haven't talked to him since I transferred" he said "and I didn't really want to go into military, so I thought that college would be a better idea than just sitting around the house."
"What program are you taking?"
"Physical Therapy." Hunter said. "How about you?"
"Physics and Chemistry." Barry said "I was just about to go have lunch before my next class. How about you? I'm sure Sebastian would be happy to know you're here too."
"I doubt that." Hunter muttered then realized what Barry just said. "Wait Sebastian is here too?"
"Yeah, he's at NYU" Barry said. "I was just about to go meet him at home actually, why don't you come with."
"I don't want to pry."
"I insist." Barry encouraged. "You haven't seen Sebastian in a while. I'm sure he'd be glad to meet you."
Barry then took out his phone and sent a text to Sebastian.
Hey Bas do you mind extra company for lunch?
Who?
An old friend
Sure no problem.
"See," Barry said showing Hunter the text.
"Fine." Hunter gave in. "But I am telling you it a terrible idea."
"It'll be fine." Barry insisted. "Come on."
Barry and Hunter went to back to the apartment. And ordered some take out from the Chinese food from across the street. It wasn't until they finished setting up the table did Sebastian came home.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Sebastian said taking the empty chair across Barry. "My professor was a pain in the ass. I honestly don't know how he passed his stupid exams two decades ago to allow him to be within the vicinity of students."
"He probably isn't that bad." Barry said.
"He treats us like children." Sebastian said "And teaches all the wrong information."
Sebastian then noticed Hunter sitting on the one side of the table. His face pales and for a split second, his eyes showed fear.
"H-Hunter, what…"
"I invited him." Barry said. "I met him at school about an hour ago. And I thought that you'd like to know that one of your good friends is here in the city."
"Yeah." Sebastian croaked. "Uh, I need to freshen up a bit. The, umm, guy in the subway beside me stunk like he had never heard of a bath before. And I want to get rid of the grime he left when he fell asleep on me."
Sebastian made a beeline to the bedroom. Barry didn't see the look in his eye. While Hunter saw right through it.
"I don't think this is a good idea."
"Nonsense." Barry insisted. "That happens a lot in the subway."
"No, I mean coming here. The last time I saw Sebastian, it wasn't in the best of terms."
"It couldn't be that bad." Barry said. "Maybe you just need to talk it out. After all, you were like brothers to him."
"Maybe." Hunter said. "I think I should go check on him."
"Sure go ahead."
Hunter went to the direction where Sebastian ran off to. Down the hallway, he could hear Sebastian's voice. Hunter stood behind the wall and he could hear Sebastian on the phone with Thad.
"I am freaking out, Thad." Sebastian said. "I don't know how he knew I was here in NYC."
"I thought he went into a rehab center or something." Thad said. "What is he doing here in New York?"
"I don't know." Sebastian admitted with a panicked voice. "I cant' do this again, Thad. And he knows where we live."
"Calm down, Bas. Maybe he's changed."
"Thad, he threatened Barry. And remember how messed up I was at senior year? I can't…"
"You can." Thad insisted. "You are Sebastian Smythe. You don't back down in a fight. Now, I have to go the professor just came in. I think you can survive lunch with him at least."
"I hope." Sebastian said. "Talk to you soon, Thad."
"Sure thing, Bas."
When Sebastian put down the phone, Hunter knocked on the open door making Sebastian jump.
"We need to talk." Hunter said entering the room.
"T-There's nothing to talk about." Sebastian said with his guard up. He took a step back as Hunter came closer. "How much did you hear."
"Not much." Hunter said. "How are you Sebastian?"
"What are you doing here?" Sebastian asked.
"Barry invited me."
"That's not what I meant."
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I, uh. I went back to high school after rehab. To my old school in Colorado. And I guess, I had a bit of an eye opener. I didn't want to pursue going into the military so I thought college was a good idea."
"And why did you approach Barry?"
"I thought it was you." Hunter admitted. "I…I wanted to make amends. I was a jerk. And…well I want to fix what I may have broken. Even if it meant taking a few punches back."
"Like anyone would be stupid enough to punch you."
"You'd be surprised." Hunter said.
"So did you come all the way here with Barry just to apologize to me?"
"I didn't know you'd be here in New York, but seeing Barry earlier today was pure coincidence." Hunter said. "I really am sorry, Sebastian."
"That doesn't change what happened."
"I know." Hunter said. "But I just want a second chance, Sebastian. Despite how badly I treated you all, the Warblers were the closest thing to friends I ever had. And you were the closest thing to a brother I've ever had. I just want a second chance."
"I cannot speak for all the Warblers." Sebastian said. "You've done a lot of damage to the Warblers and to our name."
Hunter looked down on the floor in shame.
"But I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't give you a second chance."
Hunter looked up at Sebastian who had a stoic expression but not cruel. He gave Hunter a small smile. And Hunter couldn't help grin.
"Thank you, Sebastian."
"Call me Seb." He said offering his hand. "I don't know about the others but to me, I am willing to give you a chance. Just don't mess it up."
"I won't" Hunter insisted. Then without warning engulfing Sebastian in a hug. Which caught him offguard. He awkwardly returned the hug.
Sebastian can hear Rachel's voice at the back of his head. "It's time to take risks, and learn to live."
And Sebastian couldn't help thing this is the biggest risk he is ever going to take.
~()~
Hunter doesn't know what to feel. It's been a few months since Sebastian gave him a second chance. He has met with Thaddeus, who had downright threatened him if he hurt Sebastian. He also met Nick and Jeff who were a little more welcoming than Thad but not enough to give him a second chance before they are sure that he isn't going to do anything stupid.
Or at least that's what he gathered from the Warblers that are currently located at New York.
Sebastian has been very nice. Even though Hunter could tell his guard was up when they were together. It almost felt like when they were in high school. Hunter could trust Sebastian. It was Sebastian who was wary this time.
One week, Sebastian invited Hunter in his usual Warbler outing with the rest of the Warblers stationed at New York City. He was surprised. Considering that they were going to a bar.
A Karaoke Bar, but a bar none the less.
He met Sebastian at his place. And right as Hunter was going to go up, Sebastian came down.
"Hey." Hunter greeted. "Are you sure you want me around I mean this is like your special Warbler outing."
"Of course." Sebastian said. "Besides, how do you expect to be back to their good graces. If you don't let them see the real you."
"You don't even know the real me."
"That's my point." Sebastian said. "So come on, the bar isn't that far. But it's a good five blocks away."
Half way through their walk to the bar, Hunter gathered the courage to ask.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Pardon?"
"Why are you helping me with my redemption with the Warblers?"
Sebastian shrugged. "I've been there too you know. You think that my bitchy attitude towards Lady Hummel and the Nude Erections Junior year didn't have some backlash? It took a while before the Warblers could trust me again. But Thad was at my side. He knew the real me. He helped me regain their trust. But no matter how much the Warblers trust him. It was still me worked for it to prove to them who I really am. I did everything to make sure that I regain their trust."
"I see." Hunter said. "But why a karaoke bar?"
"I would bring you to a gay bar. But I don't think Nick and Jeff would be comfortable."
"I thought they were…"
"They just seem like it." Sebastian said with a smirk. "They're best friends. Childhood friends. If you actually pay attention to how they treat each other to how I treat Barry, it is almost the same."
They then entered the Bar and found Nick and Thad at one of the tables while Jeff was singing on stage.
"About time you got here." Thad said. "I was about to send news out that Sebastian Smythe got lost on the way to the bar."
"Try again next time, Thaddeus." Sebastian said with a chuckle. "Jeff's killing it up there."
"A lot better than half of the wanna be artists." Nick said after taking a sip off his drink.
"Of course."
"Hey guys, about time you got here." Jeff said plopping down to his seat beside Nick a big smile on his face and adrenaline still pumping. "Who's next?"
"I vote, Bas." Thad said. "Who knows how many more times you can go to bars and sing before you have to keep a low profile because of your career."
"Like you're any better."
Thad shrugged. "I am going into medicine. I am not going to be as watched over than you are, Mr. Law."
"Fine." Sebastian said walking over the stage.
Give me a second I,
I need to get my story straight
My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State
My lover she's waiting for me just across the bar
My seat's been taken by some sunglasses asking 'bout a scar, and
I know I gave it to you months ago
I know you're trying to forget
But between the drinks and subtle things
The holes in my apologies, you know
I'm trying hard to take it back
So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I'll carry you home
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Hunter couldn't help stare and notice how relaxed Sebastian was on stage. He had this sparkle in his eye that….
Hunter shook his head. He cannot be falling for his best friend. His gay best friend.
He looked back at Sebastian smiling and singing on stage.
Yeah, He's falling. And he's falling hard.
Oookay here you go :D
I was supposed to post this chapter earlier but I was a bit busy with projects and I turned 19 this week :P though it was uneventful since it was a normal day and sadly my professors were the "terror" professors that day sooo yeah. Uneventful. And the fact I've been caught up with watching Dancing with the Stars (cus Riker Lynch the one who plays Jeff was there lol) And a few other youtube stuff. I am currently hooked on R5 songs lol Anyways
On a lighter note…I think I'm almost done with this story. So I want you guys to tell me in the review or in PM if you guys have any suggestions or scenes in this Storyverse that you'd like to see. :)
HOPE YOU LIKE IT :D
