5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 21
Those that were lucky enough to attend the Hidden Agendas premiere party last night got quite the treat. Not only did Blaine Anderson and his band, perform the two songs Blaine wrote for the movie, but also a mini-concert with a few special guests. One of the first guests to join Blaine on stage was none other than his brother Cooper who stars in Hidden Agendas. While it's clear the Anderson brothers are talented, they proved how much on stage as Blaine isn't the only one who can sing. And according to a person whose friends with Blaine, Cooper's not the only one who can act either. Something we were able to verify by speaking with none other than Carmen Tibedeux of NYADA before going on air this morning.
During another number, Blaine was joined on stage by two friends from high school who happily danced beside him, recreating a fun memory for him. But the biggest surprise of the night was when Blaine was joined on stage for a duet by his husband, Sebastian Anderson-Smythe. While some were rightfully hesitant at first, the moment Sebastian sung his first note, those doubts were quickly dismissed as he certainly can hold his own with his Grammy winning husband. The song the two sung, isn't something of Blaine's that's been released, while the other songs were covers, but it was evident the song had significant meaning to them given how heartfelt the lyrics came out, and how they basically sang to one another throughout.
When we asked those close to the Anderson-Smythes who were in attendance, including Cooper, about the song, we were simply told we needed to speak to them directly, other than that we got no comment. I attempted to speak with Sebastian once he left the stage, but Blaine's bodyguards made it so I couldn't get close to him, as he was speaking with Jeff Sterling. But if one had to guess, it's a song written by Blaine for his husband, so the chances of it being released are slim to none. Yet given the number of cameras that were out during the performance, you might be lucky enough to find a good version the duet online, but I doubt the video will do the performance justice as their voices blended perfectly with one another.
When Thad came walking into the living room, he was a bit surprised to see Rachel watching this coverage. "You do realize, Jordan's going to have all the details in about thirty minutes, right." He said as he sat down beside her, cup of coffee in hand.
"I know, but I was curious how others viewed the event." Rachel told him as she curled up beside him. "I still can't believe Blaine not only sang with Cooper, but Sebastian. If Santana hadn't sent me that video, I'd think it was a cruel joke."
"No, it's the real deal as Jeff sent a similar video to the guys." He said to her. "Did you know Brittany was going to be in town?"
"No. According to Santana, she's in town for a gig, but she wasn't working last night, she was Justin's date." Rachel replied. "There is more to tell there, but, I still can't get over the fact Blaine and Sebastian sang a duet."
"How about the song choice, it sent a serious message."
"You mean beside the fact the two are ridiculously in love with one another." Rachel said before taking a sip of her tea, as he cocked his eyebrow. "I know what you're implying, and if it wasn't obvious after Blaine's performance yesterday morning, he's done downplaying how he feels. And much as I love seeing him living his life, the life we see, I'm…"
"Scared about how Hummel may react." Thad continued as she'd paused, yet she nodded he was correct. "I get that, as I feel the same way, but we have to trust Blaine knows what he's doing and support him. Hell, Sebastian's clearly okay with this, otherwise he never would've sung with him."
"Much as I love seeing them be them, I can't help wonder what brought this on."
"I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't. The only person or persons who can answer that question is Blaine and/or Sebastian, and if the past has taught us anything, you won't get that answer till he's ready." Thad told her. "Not to mention, Blaine's parents are in town, so it's not the best time to ask." He then leaned over to give her a kiss. "Still want to go to the matinee today before we each have to be responsible?"
"Absolutely, as Santana said it's not something we want to miss for more reasons than we think."
Similar conversations were being had by the rest of Blaine's and Sebastian's friends as the performances from the previous night had gone viral. So much so, none of them were surprised when neither of them responded to any texts they'd received, including either set of parents. "Are you sure Sebastian said nothing to you about joining Blaine last night?" Victoria asked Xavier as he packed up his things to head to the office.
"Not a word, but why would he?" He replied, pausing to reach across to take her hand. "You're not upset you missed it, are you, as Patrick said they have wonderful video of it?"
"While I wish we were there, that's not what this is about Xavier. They're playing a dangerous game." Victoria told him, her concern evident in her expression.
"I know, but I also know they're playing a very strategic game. Nothing, they do is without a purpose."
"Xavier."
"They're adults Victoria, adults who are sick and tired of having to watch every little thing they do with the chance it might upset Kurt." She couldn't stop the frustrated sigh that escaped her. "Frustrated as we are, pales in comparison to how they feel, regardless of how they behave. While Blaine wants to keep aspects of his personal life, private, it shouldn't mean he has to downplay what Sebastian means to him."
"I don't expect him to, I, I'm just afraid of what Kurt may do because of this."
"If he tries anything, he'll be arrested as Judge Watkins has made it clear he's done with his childish behavior." Xavier assured her. "Mr. Jones actually came to town to talk to him yesterday. Not only to remind him that all eyes are on him, but…" He stopped himself short as Blaine had made it clear no one outside of Sebastian should know what he was up to.
"Xavier."
"Try not to worry, alright."
"Let me guess, client confidentiality." He nodded in response. "Just promise me you're protecting them, even if they say they don't need it."
"Would you expect anything else from me?"
"No." Xavier responded with a kiss. "What was that for?"
"Do I need a reason to kiss my wife after all these years?"
"Only when it seems as though you're trying to distract me." Victoria told him. "So."
"Concentrate on Sebastian's graduation and the party, let me handle the rest."
"Xavier." Her tone letting him know she was slightly perturbed by his response.
"Victoria." He said, his tone clearly apologetic, knowing his words didn't come out as he intended. "You know I meant no disrespect. It's just, right now there isn't anything you can do to help regarding things." He then leaned in for a kiss. "I need to go as I have an early meeting which I can't be late for. Give the boys my love when you speak with them, as I know you won't give up trying to get in contact with them."
"This conversation isn't over Xavier."
"Never believed it was, just don't try and push Blaine or Sebastian about it, they'll push back, hard, which isn't something any of us need as they'll simply rebuild walls."
"Fear not, I'll be the dutiful mother and focus on Sebastian's graduation and party."
"Victoria."
"I'm not upset with you, honest, I'm upset with the situation, something that's had too much control of our boys' lives. End this once and for all Xavier, end it so our boys can live their life."
"That's the game plan, now I've got to go." Once he spoke, she handed him the last file on the counter. "Are we still on for dinner and a movie tonight?"
"We are, now go do what you do so well." Victoria replied before leaning in for a kiss. "I'll see you tonight."
"I'm already looking forward to it. Till then my love."
"Till then, I love you."
"And I you."
Although their family and friends were up and moving on this morning, Blaine and Sebastian were still relaxing in bed, neither in a rush to move after the late night. "How long do you think it's going to take you to respond to everyone?" Sebastian asked as he lazily ran his fingers through Blaine's curls as he had his head on his chest. When Blaine merely glanced up at him, before tightening his hold around him, Sebastian laughed. "So much for it being a private party, huh?"
"You know as well as I did, it would get out." Blaine told him. "Little did we expect it to be a trending topic by the time we headed home."
"Oh, I knew it would be if it got out. You not only performed with Cooper, danced with Santana and Britt, but, we were pretty spectacular."
"Spectacular, huh?"
"Just repeating what I overheard, as I was pretty oblivious in the moment. Though, the tears in your Mom's eyes spoke volumes."
"And the way she hugged us once I finished."
"That too." Sebastian said to him. "She told me she wished you'd save It's Not Unusual for after us, as it would've helped her gather her emotions. Yet, you had to follow it up with More and Glad You Came."
"What can I say, after our duet I was in a particular mood."
"I could tell, as anyone that knows us." He then leaned forward and pressed a kiss atop Blaine's head. "I loved seeing you so happy last night, and not merely from performing."
"It's what happens when I don't overthink." The next sound Sebastian heard was Blaine laugh, as Sebastian's phone went off and the particular ringtone let him know exactly who it was. "You should get that." He then sat up a bit as Sebastian leaned over to get his phone. "I'll go get us coffee, say hello to your Dad for me."
"Will do." Sebastian said with phone in hand, waiting for his favorite moment in the ringtone before answering it. "Good morning Dad."
"Good morning. I'd ask what has you in such a good mood so early, but it's probably better that I don't." Xavier replied, earning a laugh from Sebastian.
"Fear not, nothing tawdry was going on here. B just gets a kick out of what I have set for your ringtone."
"Do I even want to know what you have it set as?"
"Law and Order, dun dun." His response got a laugh out of Xavier. "Fear not, it's only for the office, I have something a little more normal for your cell. So, what has you calling me so early on a Friday or do I already know?"
"Considering I didn't call Blaine first, you should feel a little relieved."
"Depends, as you've used me to gauge his mood before breaking certain news to him Dad. So, what's going on?"
"You mean besides that lovely performance you and he shared last night."
"We were good, weren't we?"
"Sebastian."
"Relax Dad, we knew there was a chance he'd have an adverse reaction once he found out." Sebastian told him calmly. "Did he throw a fit?"
"Not yet that I'm aware of, but given how he reacted to Blaine's earlier performance in the day, it's only a matter of time till I hear something."
"That little faith, huh Dad?"
"It has nothing to do with faith Sebastian, his past behavior set the precedent." Xavier told him. "You know I'm all about Blaine embracing this new attitude, but timing wise…"
"It could've been better, but certain aspects of things are out of his control, you know that. If he did this on tour, it wouldn't have had the same impact. Not to mention, outside of random Saturday shows, I…"
"You wouldn't have been able to take part, I know. You should know, your Mom has plenty of questions."
"We expected as much, especially given how Kate reacted last night, as she and Patrick were shocked to say the least. But if you saw him Dad, saw him after all was said and done, he, he looked free as though the monkey was finally off his back and that's all I ever wanted."
"I know." Xavier said to him. "Speaking of, where is your husband?"
"Getting us coffee as we intend on having a lazy day today until Kate and Patrick come over. Why, you don't…"
"Relax Sebastian, no need to get riled up. I simply wanted to make sure he was aware of the storm he most probably crea…ted."
"Dad, what is it?"
"I'm going to need to call you back son."
"Dad!" At that exclamation, Blaine came walking back into the room and stopped in his tracks. "Don't do this to me."
"Calm down Sebastian, let me take this and then I'll get back to you, but it won't be till after my meeting."
"Dad."
"We'll talk soon Sebastian, I promise. Love to you and Blaine."
Before he even got to say goodbye, the line went dead and Sebastian dropped his phone onto the bed. It wasn't until then, Blaine continued walking towards him, and was soon setting their cups down before crawling up onto their bed. "What is it?"
"I, I don't know." Sebastian told him as he took ahold of Blaine's hands, hoping it would center him. "One minute we were talking about the possible shit-storm you may have created, the next, he had to get off the phone." Blaine took a deep breath before scooting a bit closer. "B…"
"Hey, I'm going to take a page from your book okay. Don't get ahead of yourself, for all we know his reason for cutting the call short isn't related to Kurt."
"Yet, it could be."
"Yes, it could, but I'm choosing to look at the bright side. Your Dad's a successful lawyer Bas, it could be anything being brought to his attention, which he needs to handle immediately."
"But…" Blaine gave his hands a squeeze before scooting even closer, then leaning in for a kiss. "How are you so calm?"
"Because if he'd done anything too ridiculous or noteworthy, Rachel or Santana would be banging on our front door till we answered." When a subtle smile appeared on Sebastian's face, Blaine tilted his head to catch his eyes. "You know it's true."
"You may have a point." Sebastian said, the look on his face saying more than his words. "I may have overreacted, for good reason though."
"Never implied it wasn't for a good reason." Blaine told him as he reached over for their coffee cups, knowing Sebastian functioned a bit better after his first cup. "Simply wanted to know what upset you, before I reacted."
"Now I know how you felt early on after reacting to something someone said, it sucks."
"Yea, it does, and unfortunately you get used to the feeling. He's not upset with us, is he?"
"No, while he was trying to hide it, I really think he was amused by the whole thing." Sebastian told him before leaning over for a kiss. "But if my reaction was justified, are you prepared to handle whatever may come our way?"
"Absolutely, though since he's in Ohio and we're here, we don't have to worry about being dragged into court, at least not yet." Blaine teasingly replied. "I meant it when I said I was going into this with my eyes wide open. Too many times I wasn't prepared Bas, this isn't one of those times."
"I just don't want anything happening to you."
"It won't. While I tried to take a stand during our divorce, I wasn't in the right place mentally to hold my resolve regarding certain issues. I could only fight so much before being utterly exhausted."
"I know." Sebastian said as he reached forward and caressed his cheek. "The fact he tried to take advantage of that, made me despise him even more if that's possible."
"Clearly it was given things you said about him. Did your Dad say how long it would be till you heard back from him?"
"No just that it wouldn't be till after a meeting he had on the schedule."
"With that said, how about we take a bath as I could really use a good soak after last night."
"Sounds perfect."
While Blaine and Sebastian were clearly going to relax, Xavier was processing the fact that Mr. Jones was on his way to his office. It was rare that his assistant ever texted him, yet she clearly felt it was pertinent he get his message while on the phone. No sooner had he gotten off the phone with Sebastian, had he made his way into the outer office and found one of his partners waiting for him. "Let me guess, you took the call."
"I did, as you were on the phone and I was unsure who you were speaking to, as was Melissa, so I didn't want to risk interrupting." He told him, instantly taking their assistant out of the line of fire.
"Care to tell me what this is all about considering our day has barely started?"
"In brief, he called to let you know his client, didn't handle Blaine's performance last evening too well."
"It had to be more than that, as he was supposed to return to New York last night." After checking his watch, he told Melissa to come get him once the other parties arrived, to which she agreed before the two headed into his office. "What the hell is going on Thomas?"
"Before you get too worked up, know Mr. Hummel didn't create another public spectacle." Thomas said as the two sat down across from each other.
"First of all, why is he coming to see me. Secondly, how the hell does he even know what Blaine did last night given he and Sebastian are supposedly blocked on his devices."
"Those are questions I don't have answers for Xavier. All I know, is Mr. Jones flight was delayed last night and during that time he ended up getting a call that had him going back to Lima."
"That must've been one hell of a flight delay given what time Blaine performed last night."
"Mechanical issue." Thomas told him.
"Who called him back to Lima?"
"Mr. Hummel's therapist."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. What did your son-in-law do last night that sent his ex to his therapist at that hour?" Xavier checked his watch one more time before pulling up the video Sebastian had forwarded him courtesy of Jeff. Before a single word was sung, Xavier was pausing the video. "Sebastian joined him on stage?"
"Yes, and happened to be a song which very few had ever heard since Blaine wrote it for Sebastian." Just then Melissa knocked on the door letting him know the individuals he was meeting with had arrived. "Watch, listen, and you'll understand all too well why Mr. Hummel took issue with it." Xavier told him as he stood, re-buttoning his coat once he had. "Should Mr. Jones arrive while I'm still in my meeting…"
"I'll get him situated in an office as I have a feeling the two of you are going to have plenty to discuss considering how this matter has seemingly evolved since you got involved."
"I have a feeling you're correct." Xavier replied. "So much for a quiet Friday and possibly getting out of here early."
"And that there is where you made the mistake." Thomas said as he turned the monitor. "Good luck in your meeting, and I'll make sure Mr. Jones is made comfortable while he waits."
"I appreciate it, and Thomas, enjoy the performance."
"I'm sure I will."
