5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 23
Xavier's decision to make the call to Blaine and Sebastian proved to be the right one, as the probability would've been high of her calling just as Patrick and Kate arrived. "Has the overall sensation of last night passed yet?" Sebastian asked them shortly after they were inside.
"Not really." Kate told him before looking around, making Sebastian chuckle.
"If you're looking for Blaine, he's out back talking with Vincent." Sebastian replied as they started making their way downstairs so they could head out as well. "It seems the response from Blaine's performance last night sparked plenty of interest."
"I wonder why." Patrick teased, which had Sebastian look back at him with a mischievous smile. "You clearly knew what he was planning even though you acted surprised."
"I did, as we had to work a few things out given certain lines." Sebastian told them. "Along with figuring out our harmonies as the way it was arranged for our wedding, was different due to who was singing. Not to mention Blaine wanted to make sure it had a similar feel as to when he first sang it to me."
"It was truly lovely Sebastian." Kate said to him. "There wasn't a person we spoke with afterwards that didn't comment on it. Your voices blended perfectly."
"Credit B, as he arranged it."
"True, yet in the end it was still your voices coming together." Patrick added before Sebastian reached for the door handle. "Are you sure we should be intruding?"
"Up until the bell rang, I was out there with them." Sebastian told them. "Right now, Vincent is trying to convince my ever-stubborn husband to do something he's not interested in doing." Kate couldn't help but giggle. "You know I'm not over-exaggerating, B's stubborn."
"Trust me, I know, he's no different than his father." Instantly Patrick looked at her. "You know it's true dear, yet I love you both."
"Geez, thanks, I think." Patrick replied. "I think it's best we head out then, at least that way I'll get some back-up from my stubborn son." This time, Sebastian couldn't refrain from laughing.
Once they made their way outside, Blaine and Vincent paused long enough so that Blaine could greet his parents. "Should I bother asking why I was hearing laughter coming from the kitchen?" Blaine asked as Sebastian slipped his arm around him.
"Your husband and mother were teaming up against me." Patrick said, causing Blaine to cock his eyebrow while looking at his Mom and husband. "Sebastian mentioned how stubborn you are and…"
"Mom pointed out I'm very much your son in that regard." Blaine finished for him to which he nodded. "It is true."
"So, you're who I should blame for his stubborn streak." Vincent chimed in, bringing everyone's attention to him. "Sorry."
"It's quite alright." Patrick told him, clearly not bothered by Vincent speaking up. "And yes, I'm mostly to blame, but his Mom has quite the stubborn streak as well. What is it that has him acting this way if you don't mind me asking?"
"Blaine." Vincent said as the five of them went take their seats. "Do you want to tell them, or should I?"
"I'll do it." Blaine replied and as he did, felt Sebastian's arm slip over the back of the loveseat they were on. "My label wants to release You and Me, with me and Bas singing it after the response it garnered last night."
"I take it you don't want to do it." Kate said to which he nodded. "Any particular reason why as it's a beautiful song Blaine."
"Because it's our song."
"Yet you performed it." Patrick stated, something he'd already heard from Vincent. "It's out there now son."
"I'm well aware of that. All the buzz around it is doing is making me second guess my decision to perform it."
"Blaine, there wouldn't be the buzz around it if people didn't like it." Kate told him.
"Do they, or are they taken by the fact we sang it?" His response had them looking at Vincent. "Don't, as we're essentially rehashing the conversation we've already had. He's assured me it's not the reason."
"Yet, he doesn't believe me."
"Do you blame him, I mean, the timing is a bit questionable." Sebastian added. "Did the label want the song after B recorded it for our wedding?"
"They did." Vincent told him. "But respected the fact Blaine wanted to keep it personal, but…"
"It all changed because I was stupid enough to share a moment." Blaine muttered, and soon felt Sebastian's lips against his temple. "It's true Bas, I only have myself to blame for this mess. I mean, my label has given me more freedom than I ever imagined, I…"
"No, you are not going to do this unless it's something you absolutely want to do." Sebastian stated, causing Patrick and Kate to exchange a look, loving how supportive Sebastian was being in the moment. "You own the song B, no one else so they can't force you to do it." Blaine proceeded to glance up at him. "I read your contract Killer, there isn't much they can force you to do if you don't want."
"Is that true Vincent?" Patrick asked.
"Sebastian's correct. What if I could sweeten the deal I already presented you, would you reconsider?"
"Honestly?" Vincent nodded. "It would have to be something pretty incredible for me to change my mind." When he smiled, Sebastian tilted his head.
"You already have something in mind, don't you?" Sebastian said to him.
"I do, but I need to run it by his label first as they have to okay it first. Though considering how badly they want to put this out there, I think they'll approve." Vincent told him. "You'll sing, right Sebastian?"
"If this is something B agrees to do, then yes, I'll happily join him."
"That's all I needed to confirm." Vincent said before getting up. "I'm going to get going, as I don't want to intrude any further on your time together. I'll show myself out. Enjoy your weekend everyone, and Blaine, I'll be in touch."
From that moment, it wasn't long till Vincent disappeared into the house leaving the four of them alone. With Vincent gone, Blaine looked over at his parents who were looking at them. "Just so you know, he was here for about an hour before you arrived, so you didn't chance him off." He then reached over for his glass of iced tea. "I was half-expecting Cooper and Whitney to come with you."
"They wanted to, but Cooper and the rest of the cast had a public appearance to make this morning." Kate told them. "They're hoping to be able to swing by once he finishes up as it's rare we're all in the same place. Though, we will all be seeing one another again in a little more than a month."
"True, but things will be a bit more hectic then." Blaine added before tilting his head back to press a kiss along Sebastian's jaw. "Are you going to tiptoe around the issue or are we handling this directly?" He said, catching his parents off guard. "I know you're concerned about my new attitude, but seriously, there's nothing to be worried about." The subtle cock of Sebastian's eyebrow at the statement didn't go unnoticed by Patrick or Kate.
"Considering the tantrum Kurt threw after your performance yesterday morning, we beg to differ." Patrick told him. "While we love seeing you so, comfortable, we can't help but feel…"
"I'm playing a dangerous game, I get it, but you need to trust me."
"Well forgive us if we have a problem with that." Kate chimed in. "We love you Blaine, and the last thing we want is for anything to happen to you."
"So instead, you'd prefer I cower for the mere chance I could upset him."
"No, she didn't say anything of that nature B, just that they're concerned." Sebastian promptly replied while running his fingers through his curls, knowing it soothed him. The last thing he wanted was for this situation to spiral out of control knowing Blaine had an answer for every possible response/concern they may have. "Their feelings aren't much different from mine when we first discussed this."
"So I was correct, there's more going on than meets the eye." Patrick stated and they each nodded. "Care to fill us in?" Blaine looked up at Sebastian who smiled, before giving him a kiss. "Blaine."
"Fine, but let me finish before you saying anything and, know nothing you say is going to change my mind, as Bas has tried." He said and his parents nodded. "I'll give you the short version behind my reasoning. How is it we're to know exactly where we stand regarding everything going on with Kurt, if don't live my life on my terms?" Again, Patrick and Kate nodded as his opening statement spoke volumes. "I'm always going to be protective of the life I share with Bas, but that doesn't mean I need to downplay the importance he plays in my life. I mean, by not doing or saying what's in my heart, Kurt wins all over again and I refuse to let him have a say in my life anymore."
"We don't want that either." Patrick told him, yet before saying anything else, he stopped as they'd promised Blaine they'd allow him to finish.
"Taking control of this aspect of my life, feels better than you can possibly imagine. He's had control for too long, and I'm done standing by, allowing it to happen. So, if that has me asserting myself more than people are accustomed to, they're going to need to adapt because I'm not changing." Blaine said to them. "If you think about it, the only times I've not been overly opinionated, is when things are amiss in my personal life."
"You Dad actually said something similar to me when he felt a drastic shift in your behavior when..."
"When I was married to Kurt." Blaine finished as she couldn't quite get the words out, and Kate nodded. "Yet he didn't push me, simply assured me he'd be there whenever I needed him, without judgment. It was what I needed at that time and once I figured things out for myself, there was no turning back. In that moment, is when Kurt lost the power he had over me and…"
"By not putting yourself out there fully, you feel you've let him regain it." Patrick said and Blaine smiled. "When you put it that way, all of this makes a lot more sense."
"I told him the same thing." Sebastian added before pulling Blaine a bit closer. "It's not an easy adjustment, but he's doing the right thing, no matter how nerve-wracking it may be at times. He needs to remind Hummel, this is his life now and nothing he says or does changes it."
"Which is why I'm so adamant about making it clear ot him, I won't stand for him coming after Bas. It's one thing to come after me, but honestly, this time around Bas is innocent in all this."
"Thanks for the clarification Killer." Sebastian teased before kissing him. "Strange as it sounds, he's right for outside of standing up for us, I haven't done anything to him."
"I take it making things clear to him, is why you asked for your car to be ready?" Patrick said.
"Yes, as didn't feel at that time either you or Mom would approve. Hell, I never intended to tell either of you, yet with everything that's happened this week, Bas convinced me it was best I explain myself, and he was right. I understand your concerns, I do, it's just, this is something I have to do whether you agree with it or not."
"We're all for you standing up for yourself, and Sebastian, we simply hope you're prepared for the possible backlash from Kurt." Kate said to him. "It's not secret how he feels."
"I know, and yes, I'm, we're prepared for it." Blaine replied. "He's going to have to learn to accept he has no say in how I live my life and if he doesn't, he can deal with the consequences."
"You seem more confident than ever before, what changed?" Patrick asked, clearly proud of the stand Blaine was making.
"I can't say it was one particular thing, but knowing what we want out of our life together plays a big part in it." Blaine said in response. "This has gone on for too long, and I'm partially to blame for it, hence why it's up to me to put an end to it."
"Not that we don't trust you, but shouldn't you let Xavier handle this?"
"I've spoken with Xavier about this Dad, and he understands why I feel it's best this comes from me and no one else. I mean, more than once in court Kurt's accused me of being unable to speak for myself and letting Bas fight my battles, it has to stop."
"Outside of the obvious reason, bring kids, got you so determined?" Kate asked him.
"Not accepting my vague explanation, huh Mom?" She shook her head, which didn't surprise him. "We can't be dealing with all this still when Bas is establishing himself as a lawyer, it'll be a distraction. While I don't doubt he can deal with all the outside noise but, others might not want him or trust him given the upheaval in his personal life. And much as we try to keep to this to ourselves, some things are impossible to keep out of the press given who he's married to." While he was talking, a text came through on Sebastian's phone, one he wasn't quite sure how to feel about.
Text or call me when it's a good time for us to resume our conversation, and make sure Blaine's able to join us.
"Is everything alright Sebastian?" Patrick asked, noticing a change in his demeanor after he checked his phone.
"Yea, just have a lot on my mind with finals next week." While it was a logical explanation, Patrick didn't quite buy it, yet chose not to push, at least in that moment. He wasn't the only one buying the response, as Blaine looked at him and Sebastian merely tightened his hold around him. "Now, is it possible to change the subject, as any talk of Hummel really dampens my mood."
"Of course." Kate told him as even she felt a shift in all of them once the conversation turned to Blaine's epiphany. "How are you feeling knowing you'll be done with school in a matter of days?"
"Relieved, though I know it's not the end of the studying I'll be doing." Sebastian replied. "The firm I've been working at already has me enrolled in a bar exam prep class. Although I'll be working, a majority of my time during the day will be devoted to studying. You see, they have a track record of having their law school hires pass the bar on the first go and in the top percentage." When Kate smiled, Sebastian cocked his head. "What is it?"
"I recall something similar in a movie."
"I told him the same thing." Blaine chimed in. "I then told him he has nothing to worry about given his grades throughout law school. I have no doubt he's going to exceed."
"Are you taking the first available test of the latter?" Patrick asked.
"The first, that way everything from school is still fresh in my mind." Sebastian replied. "Now, if this was last year, I would've waited given we got married and that time with B deserved my full attention."
"What are you going to be doing once Sebastian starts a more normal routine dear?" Kate asked.
"My schedule won't change much aside from adjusting to his new schedule. I'll have rehearsals to attend, shows to perform, and in between all that, working on my follow-up album." Blaine told her. "All in all, our life won't change too much which at this point is needed given how erratic the past year or so has been."
"Do you have all your flight plans and hotel reservations made for Cooper's wedding?"
"That's all taken care of, but…"
"But what?" Patrick asked with a look Blaine knew all too well.
"Before you freak out, Coop already knows, I'm performing the Friday night before."
"What?" Kate exclaimed. "This is your brother's wedding Blaine."
"I know Mom, and well, I freaking performed the day before and after my own wedding. Some things can't be helped." As he answered, Patrick attempted to calm her down. "Cooper's fine with it, so is Whitney."
"Guess that explains why rehearsal is happening early Friday." Kate said, already a bit calmer than moments prior. "It couldn't be avoided?"
"Not really. I gave Vincent my list of non-negotiable dates and he worked with it. If they wanted me for an East Coast festival, he probably would've said no, but given I was already going to be in LA it was do-able." While he spoke, Sebastian took his phone out once again to pull up the advertisement for the show to show them.
"You're headlining?" Patrick said as he looked at Sebastian's phone.
"Yes. Look at it this way, now people aren't going to think twice about me being in LA. Coop's wedding can more easily fly under the radar. And considering all the new attention he's been receiving due to the movie, it's probably a good thing."
"I'm sorry for snapping at you." Kate told him.
"It's okay, I sort of expected it. With careers such as mine and Coop's, you're going to have to get used to untraditional schedules, preferably sooner rather than later." Blaine said as he reached over and took her hand. "Think about it Mom, he's going to be doing PR up until the week before they get married. Yet much as Bas went with the crazy flow, Whitney's doing the same as they know deep in our hearts, we'd rather be with them."
"He's right as I spoke with Whitney about this very subject." Sebastian added. "She and I, much like Jeff and myself are in unique situations no one else really understands or comprehends. Which is the very reason I told her to never hesitate to reach out. While it's nice to have your friends keeping you company, nothing beats talking to someone who gets how you're feeling without having to explain yourself. Someone who tells you it's not selfish to want him home or to even be angry, yet at the same time reminds you, you're not the only one feeling that way." Blaine then stretched to give him a kiss.
"I love you so much, as not just anyone would've been able to deal with everything you've had to deal with since we've been together. You're the biggest reason for my clarity Bas." Suddenly in that moment, Patrick and Kate felt as though they were intruding on the two. So without a word uttered, they quietly got up and made their way into the house to give the two some time together.
Once inside, Patrick took ahold of Kate's hand. "Uneasy as we are about this, Blaine's motive isn't about payback, it's…"
"About protecting his family." Kate said as she reached up with her other hand to caress his cheek. "Wonder where he gets that from?" She then kissed him. "It's a trait of yours I wholly admire. There's nothing you won't do for your family, clearly the same goes for Blaine. We simply have to trust, he knows what he's doing."
"Given Xavier's in the loop, I feel a whole lot better about whatever he's got in store for Kurt." Patrick said. "And knowing our son, it's going to be one hell of a statement considering his current demeanor."
Just a heads up, the next chapter won't be going up until next Friday as due to numerous family obligations during the next week, I can't guarantee the usual schedule and don't want to leave anyone wondering what's going on. Enjoy and have a good week!
