5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 46
By the time the two of them arrived at the studio, all matters which needed to be taken care of, had been, letting them focus on why they were there. "How are you feeling about all this?" Blaine asked as they made their way towards the studio Malcolm had reserved for them.
"Honestly, a bit nervous." Sebastian told him. "Yet at the same time, I'm excited if that makes sense."
"Completely, as it's a feeling I can relate to all too well." Blaine replied. "Just keep in mind, if you make a mistake, you get to do it again and no one but you and Malcolm will know."
"And you." Sebastian added, earning a smile from Blaine. "Are you going to be in the booth with me or are we going to do it separately?"
"Separately, though I can sit in there with you if you like?"
"I think I would."
"Then that's what I'll do." Blaine told him as they made their way inside, and saw everything was ready to go. After saying hello, Blaine let Malcom know they were going to have company, which he didn't have a problem with. "Although Bas has been here a few times before, I'm going to go first so he has an idea of how things work."
"Not a problem, and I grabbed an acoustic in case you want to play around." Malcolm said to him before pulling out a chair for Sebastian. "I'm presuming you brought the music for this version of the song."
"I did." Blaine replied as he pulled his tablet out. "And I filled my band in regarding what's going on, they're waiting for your call."
"Sounds good. So, head inside, get warmed up, and then let me know when you're ready." Before Blaine did so, he gave Sebastian a kiss. Once he was in the booth, Sebastian took his seat beside Malcolm. "Best advice I can give you, don't over think." He said earning a look from Sebastian. "I saw the video, sing from your heart and you'll be good."
"How can you be so sure of that?" Sebastian asked while glancing at Blaine behind the glass.
"Because I've been doing this for quite a while." Malcolm reminded him. "Also, Blaine never would've agreed, if he didn't know you were capable of pulling it off." In that moment, he noticed Sebastian relax a bit. "Nice to know you believe me."
"You made an excellent point, as Blaine never would've put me in a situation he didn't feel I was capable of pulling off." Sebastian replied as the backing track began to play. "Is that what I'm going to hear?"
"Yes. While this is second nature to Blaine now, feel free to ask questions, as he did at the start. My job is to ensure you sound good, and that tends to coincide with the person in there, being comfortable." Malcolm told him. "Think about it Sebastian, doing this should be easier than singing live in front of a bunch of strangers."
"I know, but I'd done that before."
"And this is easier, because if you make a mistake…"
"I can just record it again, I know, B said the same thing." Sebastian replied. "I guess, I just don't want to embarrass him."
"You won't, I promise. If you want, once you're warmed up, you can run through it once before I start recording, does that sound good to you?"
"It does actually."
"Then that's what we'll do." Malcolm said before bringing his attention back to Blaine who said he was good to go. "Ready to watch your husband do this thing?"
"Am I ever."
While Blaine was in the process of recording his vocals, Lily made her way into the booth, and made sure to be quiet as she took a seat beside Sebastian. He proceeded to hand her a set of headphones so she could listen to Blaine sing. Almost instantly a smile appeared on her face, one Sebastian understood all too well. For as many times as he'd watched Blaine do this, this time, it was even more special given the song which he was singing, bringing him back to the first time Blaine sang it to him.
Once he was done, he asked Malcolm to play it back for him, which wasn't all that unusual for him. While he cued it up, Blaine waved to Lilly who waved back in response. Knowing where the intercom was, Sebastian pressed the button allowing Lily to speak with Blaine. "I'm glad you were able to join us, thought you'd enjoy a look behind the scenes."
"This is unreal." Lily replied, as Blaine smiled back in response. "This is the song you wrote for Sebastian, right?"
"You're right." Sebastian told her. "First time I heard it, it was just me, B, his guitar, out on the patio in the Hamptons."
"Then shortly afterwards, he proposed." Blaine added, earning quite the look from Malcolm. "I expressed my love to him in the best way I know how, and he reaffirmed his feelings in a way I didn't expect."
"Though I stumbled a bit along the way."
"No thanks to me." A comment Sebastian couldn't necessarily disagree with. "Thanks."
"You were nervous, I was nervous, it wasn't one of our best moments, but it quickly became one."
"It certainly did." Blaine said, before watching Malcolm lean back in his chair. "I take it you approve."
"I do." Malcolm replied. "And you expressed as much heart in that recording, as when you did it live since you looked at him the entire time." The next thing they all saw was Blaine bow his head ever so slightly, trying to hide the blush he felt coming on. "Your turn Sebastian, go follow your husband's lead." Sebastian took a deep breath, before removing his headphones, and then getting up from his seat. "Remember, just relax."
"Easier said than done." Sebastian told him before winking at Lily and making his way into the booth. By the time he made his way inside, Blaine was sitting on a stool off to the side so he could get situated before the microphone. "You make it look easy."
"It is." Blaine replied, before glancing at Malcolm who turned the intercom off so the two could speak in private. "Are you having second thoughts about doing this?" He noticed a subtle glance from Sebastian towards the booth. "Relax, Malcolm turned the intercom off, see, no light on." Blaine told him while pointing towards the overhead light. "So, what is it?"
"Honestly?" Blaine nodded in response. "I'm nervous. Malcolm said I could sing through it once before he records, but…"
"How about we do it together, just us." He then reached for the guitar. "I'll even play, would that help?"
"We can try, but fair warning, Malcolm's going to want to listen."
"That's alright." Sebastian then watched as Blaine knocked on the window separating them, only to see the light come on. From there, Blaine explained what they intended to do, which Malcolm had no issue with.
"Do you want playback?" Malcolm asked, given Blaine's propensity to record even his rehearsals. It only took a simple nod, for Malcolm to be prepared as the two got settled. From there, it only took a subtle look between them, before Blaine counted it out before beginning to play. Nervous as Sebastian was, a calm came over him as although they were in a studio, this moment felt no different from when they sang at home. By the time they finished, they looked towards the window and saw Lily wiping at her eyes, and Malcolm smiling. "Are you sure you don't want to keep it simple Blaine, as that was beautiful?"
"Positive, but it gave me an idea of how I want to put things together."
"Care to share?"
"Once Bas is done recording his track, we'll talk."
"Fair enough." Malcolm replied as Sebastian adjusted his headphones. "And Sebastian, you sounded incredible, nothing to worry about." Sebastian thanked him, and soon looked at Blaine, thanking him in return. "Ready to do this on your own?"
"Ready."
Given he knew the song by heart, Blaine wasn't surprised that Sebastian only needed a few takes for Malcolm to be satisfied with what he heard. By the time the two walked back into the booth, they were greeted by a recording of their impromptu duet. "Please let me have a copy of this." Lily said as she looked up at them, as Malcolm sat back. "I promise I won't share it with anyone." Almost instantly Sebastian cocked his eyebrow, a look she knew all too well. "Come on Sebastian."
"The call's not mine, it's Blaine's, at least I think it's his." He later added as he looked at Malcolm.
"No, you're right, it's Blaine's. But for the record, I already sent a copy of it to Blaine, knowing he'd want it given how you two sounded."
"Thanks for putting me on the spot Malcolm." Blaine teased as he went to sit down beside Lily. "You know Sebastian has a bunch of songs of mine, that no one else has right?" She nodded. "If, and I stress if, I give permission to Malcolm to give you a copy, its' for your ears only, and maybe family, no sharing it with anyone else."
"But…"
"That's the deal Lily, as even our closest friends haven't heard some of the stuff he's recorded for me, it's a deal breaker." Sebastian told her as she squatted down before her. "And if you think we wouldn't find out, you're wrong as something like that has a tendency to get out."
"Good point." Lily replied before looking between them. "I promise." She then extended her pinky to Sebastian, who linked his with hers, something they'd been doing forever. Sebastian then shot Blaine a wink, so he leaned over and managed to wrap his pinky around theirs. "You have my word."
"I don't doubt that." Blaine said, before looking over her shoulder at Malcolm who smiled. "And for the record, I get what you mean, we do sound good."
"Told you, now what do you have in mind so I can relay it to the others." Blaine then looked at them as he unhook his pinky from theirs.
"How about you give Lily a little tour while I talk with Malcolm, I promise it won't be long?"
"Promise?" Sebastian replied to which Blaine nodded. "Alright, just don't get caught up."
"I won't let that happen." Malcolm chimed in, in assurance. "I just need to hear this idea of his and find out if it's plausible or not, after that, he's back to being all yours."
"Damn right." Sebastian said as Lily simply shook her head before the two headed out so Blaine and Malcolm could talk. By the time Sebastian was done giving Lily her tour, Blaine was waiting for the two of them out in the hallway. "Care to tell me whether your idea is plausible as Malcolm put it?" When all he got in return was a knowing smirk, Sebastian had his answer without Blaine even uttering a word. The moment Lily look at them, Sebastian shook his head ever so slightly to let her know not to push the topic, as it wasn't something he was going to expand on.
Clearly Lily caught the look as from there, the conversation shifted from what had just occurred, to what their plans were for the rest of the day. Given they were leaving for vacation the next day, Blaine told her they intended on spending it with family and friends before getting away. "Where are you guys going as my Mom didn't say?"
"That's an excellent question Lily, where are we going B?" Sebastian asked as he looked at Blaine who was seated beside him.
"Nice try once again, you'll find at once we get there." Blaine said before giving him a peck on the cheek, and then looking across him at Lily. "As for you and everyone else, you'll find out once we post the first picture."
"I tried." Lily innocently replied causing Blaine to roll his eyes while laughing, as Sebastian shook his head. "Regardless of where you are going, I know you'll have a wonderful time."
"Exactly, which is why my darling husband needs to relax, as he'll know soon enough."
"You clearly spent too much time around my family yesterday." Sebastian teased before giving Blaine a kiss. "I'll survive, but you had to know I'd try at least once more."
While the three of them headed towards lunch, things were a bit quieter back in Ohio as Sam enjoyed a morning off with Courtney. "Are you still upset you weren't able to make it to Sebastian's party yesterday?"
"Frustrated is more like it." Sam replied as she stretched out along the bottom of their bed. "From the pictures everyone posted, it looked like they had a blast. Not to mention the look on Sebastian's face when he saw everyone." Upon hearing her giggle, Sam adjusted the pillow behind him. "What's so funny?"
"Given what you told me about how crazy things were at the start, I'm glad you gave Sebastian chance as he clearly makes Blaine happy."
"That's an understatement, and Blaine makes him as happy. I should've trusted Blaine's instincts more back then, yet Rachel panicked and…"
"She panicked because she cares about him, she just took it to an extreme." Courtney said in response.
"Once you get to know her better, you'll realize it's completely in character." Sam replied. "Speaking of, you still have the night of the benefit off, right?"
"Yes, and all of my friends are jealous as it's a hard ticket to come by, which is crazy given it's charity event." She told him. "Plus, it doesn't help that a majority of them have a crush on Blaine, and Sebastian for that matter." When Sam laughed, she shook her head. "They know they're married, doesn't mean they're no longer attractive."
"Is that your way of telling me you find my best friend and his husband, attractive?"
"I didn't know it was a secret." Courtney teasingly replied while making her way up the bed, so she could straddle his lap. "Does that bother you?"
"No, as I'm secure about us." Sam told her while placing his hands on her hips. "You know, I can't wait for you to meet them, as they've heard plenty about you." A comment which made her blush a bit. "In case I didn't tell you, they do intend on staying in town through the weekend."
"Good to know, as I have a feeling Blaine's not going to have too much time for socializing the night of the benefit."
"Probably not, but he is coming into town early for rehearsals, and to check things out for himself."
"What about Sebastian?"
"He's flying in on Friday, as now that he's graduated, he's back to work."
"Work?"
"Yes, he accepted a job offer from the firm he'd been interning with. So once he and Blaine come back from vacation, he goes to work. Though a majority of his time will be spent preparing for the bar exam, as the firm takes it pretty seriously." When she giggled once again, Sam smiled. "I did the same thing when Blaine told me, sounds like a certain movie, but it makes sense."
"True." Courtney said before taking Sam's hands in hers. "How does Blaine feel about coming back to Ohio considering everything that happened?"
"He knows Kurt can't hurt him, as he'll be at one of two places when he and Sebastian are here." The next sounds Courtney heard was a sigh. "How was it I didn't see how screwed up things were between them?"
"You weren't there, plus as Blaine's reiterated on numerous occasions, he did his best not to let anyone know." She then brought one of his hands to her lips and pressed a kiss to it.
"I know, but I should've known something was wrong."
"You're his best friend Sam, not a psychic. What matters, is you were there for him when he was ready to reach out, and you didn't beat the crap out of his ex, no matter how tempted you were."
"It wasn't easy, yet in that moment…I knew hurting him, wasn't going to help Blaine. I think that's why I feel a bit a satisfaction when it comes to what Kurt's going through. He's still getting off easy for what he did to Blaine."
"I don't doubt that considering things you've said, along with interviews Blaine's given. Seeing him happy again means the world to you, doesn't it?"
"It does, and honestly, he's happier now than I've ever seen him before."
"And that is why you should focus on the now." Courtney told him. "I'm not saying to forget what he went through, just, don't let that moment in time eat at you. Nothing you say or do now, is going to change what he went though. Blaine's gotten the best revenge possible, with a man he loves and loves him, and the career of his dreams."
"And as long as that's the case, the rest shouldn't matter?" She nodded. "Easier said than done."
"I know, but you've talked about Blaine enough for me to know, it's what he would want. It's probably why Sebastian's handled things the way he has."
"True, as Blaine's feelings are exactly why Sebastian hasn't lashed out, he put Blaine's feelings ahead of everything else." Sam then slowly brought her against him and pressed a kiss to her lips while wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you by the way."
"For?"
"Not asking what happened the day I met Blaine and Sebastian in Lima."
"Considering the video that made its way online, I felt it was best. And you said they were okay afterwards, which is all that matters."
"Exactly!" Sam then kissed her once again. "Do you have any errands you need to do today or…"
"I'm all yours." She said before kissing him. "The only thing I'd like to do today, is at some point talk about that vacation you mentioned wanting to take."
"You want us to do that?"
"I do, as it's something we certainly deserve given how hard we work. And while romantic weekend getaways are nice…"
"We deserve more." Sam said as his hands slid a bit lower. "While I have a few ideas, I'll text Blaine as he and Sebastian have certain traveled quite extensively. Does that work for you?"
"Definitely, and preferably somewhere I can wear a bikini most of the time." When he smirked, she smiled. "I thought you'd approve."
"Absolutely!" Sam then paused for a moment, something Courtney noticed, causing her to tilt her head. "I love you."
"I love you too, but, I can't help feel that something else is on your mind."
"Just me realizing how lucky I am, as nothing about this fazes you, nor did you get all weird once you found out about Blaine."
"Why would I have?"
"Uh, because he's famous."
"He is, but I'd heard so much about Blaine, your best friend, that it's easy to differentiate between the two aspects of his life." Courtney told him. "Something he seems to pride himself on, given how protective he is of Sebastian and their marriage."
"Again, I'm truly lucky to have someone like you in my life."
"You're not the only one, as I consider myself extremely lucky to have found you." Her statement was met by a kiss which soon took on a life of it's own, as Sam rolled them over. And while he'd been a bit distracted earlier, right then his focus was where it should be, just as his best friend would've wanted.
