5YL Let the Encore Commence
Part 60
Even though Blaine had assured his friends not to worry about the New Directions departure, it didn't stop the girls from deciding they needed to learn the harmonies, just in case. That meant even after rehearsal had wrapped, they all stayed at the hall a bit longer, to rehearse. "Am I the only one worried about how calm Blaine was after Mr. Schue left with the New Directions?" Tina asked as Shelby played the harmonies on the piano for me. "I mean, he should be worried."
"You're not." Quinn replied after they all shook their heads as Rachel pointed to a section of the music before Shelby. "At the same time, what would getting upset solve at this point."
"Are we forgetting Blaine said he had it handled?" Santana said.
"No, yet even you admitted you were worried." Quinn reminded her. "Hence why we're all here still, while they guys went home."
"Actually, they were going to get a drink." Brittany chimed in. "Said Blaine deserved one after what he dealt with."
"Can't deny that." Santana replied. "Do we even want to know what was said in that room, as Sebastian looked pissed when he and Blaine returned?"
"Mr. Schue believes Blaine's being unfair to Kurt, should show him some leniency." Rachel said, causing all their jaws to drop. "Yet that's not what pissed Sebastian off, he was implying it's because of…"
"Oh, HELL no!" Santana exclaimed while throwing her hands up in the air. "This is all Blaine! Sebastian's merely been supporting him."
"I know that, you know that, but Mr. Schue doesn't believe Blaine would ever treat Kurt like this, unless…"
"Shows he has no respect for Blaine, if he feels Sebastian can manipulate him in that manner." Quinn said. "Where is we all know, Blaine's simply standing up for himself by no longer letting Kurt get away with his behavior." While she was speaking, she saw Santana shake her head upon looking at her phone. "Guessing by that look, it wasn't Jordan."
"You're correct." Santana told her. "It's actually from Coach Sylvester." Her response bring all focus to her. "Seems after arriving back at McKinley, Mr. Schue was still ranting about how Blaine's fame had gone to his head. Then after the New Directions left, he headed over to the Hummel home."
"For what?" Tina asked.
"Probably to ask Burt about everything I said to him." Rachel replied. "Without divulging certain details which I know are not public, I stated Kurt brought everything on himself."
"You did better than me, as when he started talking shit about how Kurt would never treat anyone badly, I brought up Karofsky."
"I thought Dave and Kurt made peace." Tina said, causing Rachel and Santana to exchange a look. "What don't we know?"
"It's not really our place to say." Santana replied, yet they all kept looking at her. "I'm serious."
"None of us have shared details we know, right?" Quinn said to her, and all of them nodded. "At least give us an idea of what you hinted at."
"Let me check with Blaine first." Santana replied before sending off at text to him and Sebastian, insuring she got a prompt answer. It only took a few minutes, before Santana looked at them, after sending back a response. "Kurt implied in court that Sebastian was behind Dave's suicide attempt."
"I thought it was because of the mean kids at his new school." Brittany said to her.
"It was, but Kurt told the judge it was Sebastian in order to discredit him." Santana told them. "Long story short, Dave was called to testify and….had to talk about what lead up to his attempt."
"No one deserves that." Tina said, to which they all agreed. "So much for making peace afterwards and becoming friends."
"I thought the same thing, talk about a betrayal." Rachel told her, before looking at Santana. "Why was Sue at school when the New Directions returned?" Santana giggled, before a wicked grin appeared on her face. "Santana."
"I might've bumped into her when I was leaving McKinley the other day, and asked her to keep tabs on Mr. Schue."
"Something I'm sure she was more than happy to do." Quinn replied, and Santana confirmed. "Is she going to continue to keep you updated?"
"She is, even said she has even more respect for Blaine that he was able to get under Mr. Schue's skin as badly as he did." Which made the girls laugh.
"Proud as you all may be, and while Blaine had every right to be angry, try and keep things in context." Shelby said to them. "What's to say the New Directions won't go on social media to talk about what happened. It won't paint Blaine in the best light. And any explanation he gives, will mean…"
"Bringing up things he doesn't want public knowledge." Tina replied. "While we all know it's possible, call me naïve, but I don't think they're going to. They looked mortified when Blaine went off on him."
"Tina's got a point." Quinn stated. "As the kids were leaving, they were all apologizing as they felt responsible."
"While they're part of the reason, Mr. Schue brought this on himself." Rachel said. "He told me how complex Blaine's harmonies were, and how the kids were having issues learning it. I then pointed out that Shelby managed to teach the harmonies to them."
"You didn't?" Shelby said in response, to which Rachel nodded.
"Way to go Rachel!" Santana exclaimed. "You simply proved he had no interest in teaching them Blaine's arrangement by point out the facts." She then looked at Shelby. "I'm not dismissing your skills, it's just…"
"Relax Santana, I didn't take it that way." Shelby told her. "While Blaine's harmonies are a bit complex, once broken down, they're easily taught. I truly believe if Will had done so from the start, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with."
Shelby's words were being echoed not only in Blaine's conversation with the guys, who were more than happy to let him vent, but Will was playing over what occurred in his head on his way home. Much as he wanted to talk with Burt, there was no one home when he arrived, as Burt was still at the shop, and Carole was out. Yet upon arriving at home, he should've checked to see if Emma was alone outside of the kids, before starting to vent about how unrealistic Blaine's expectations were. The moment he came around the corner mid-rant, he came face to face with Carole. "I'm sorry, I thought you were alone."
"And I thought you were going to be at rehearsal still." Emma replied. "I take it Blaine wasn't receptive to your changes."
"I'd rather we not talk about this now." Will told her, before apologizing for his rant. "What are the two of you working on?"
"We're going over our responsibilities for the benefit tomorrow."
"Wait, you're going to be at the benefit?" Will replied, clearly having forgotten Emma was going to be there.
"I told you I was volunteering." Emma said in response. "It's all hands-on deck tomorrow. Even with so much done, there is still plenty of little things that will need our attention." Upon seeing Will rake his fingers through his hair, Emma slowly got up from the couch. "What's wrong?"
"I should probably go." Carole said, before starting to gather her things. "We can go over the rest during our drive over tomorrow."
"Did Kurt really abuse Blaine?" Will blurted out, catching them each off-guard.
"Excuse me?" Carole replied, shocked by the question. Just as he began to repeat himself, she stopped him. "I heard the question. Why are you asking me something like that?"
"Because you could put to rest what I was told today."
"By Blaine?" Emma asked.
"He's not the only one who implied it, Rach…" He didn't even finish saying her name when Carole sighed rather loudly. "I'm sorry. It must be hard for you to see how she turned…"
"Stop right there." Carole told him. "What even brought up this up today, as I know for a fact, it's not something Rachel likes talking about."
"Blaine and I got into it, after it became obvious the New Directions weren't prepared." Will replied. "One thing led to another and, I told him he was being unfair to Kurt, and shouldn't let…"
"You blamed Sebastian, didn't you?" Will nodded. "Let me guess, the conversation went downhill from there." Again, he confirmed her suspicion.
"How'd Rachel get involved?"
"It seems Thad overheard me and Blaine yelling and went to get Sebastian, and Rachel came with him." Will told her. "Everyone knows Sebastian's the reason Kurt's being punished so harshly, Blaine…"
"He did." Carole replied rather solemnly.
"Excuse me?" Will said in response, unsure what she was referring to.
"Kurt abused Blaine."
"According to…"
"Kurt admitted it during their divorce. One of the main reasons the initial order of protection was issued in the beginning, was, was because of testimony from Blaine's therapist." Carole told them, each stunned by what they were hearing.
"But, Blaine could've…" Emma put her hand up to stop him, before asking Carole to go as she and Will needed to talk, something Carole understood. After walking her out, Emma returned, looking none too pleased with Will. "You can't…"
"I believe it, I always have based on what I've seen of Blaine when he's talked about it." Emma told him. "The hardest thing for an abuse victim to admit it's happening, followed by the fall-out. Please tell me you didn't doubt Blaine's account of what happened."
"Our conversation never got to that point, but it did with Rachel and she let me know how disappointed she was in me."
"I don't blame her, as I'm disappointed in you." Emma replied. "While Kurt was your student longer, I can't believe you'd accuse Blaine of lying about something so serious."
"Emma, Rachel said Blaine suffered physical abuse, he…."
"Don't finish that statement, please." She said as she started to pace the room. "Did you ever think Blaine didn't fight back, because he was in disbelief regarding what was happening?" Will shook his head. "Then you should, as it's probably what happened."
"Then what took him so long to leave him?"
"You did not just say that."
"Emma."
"No, as I'm not going to stand here and listen to you dismiss what Blaine went through, just because of some so-called loyalty to Kurt!" Emma replied as she went to the closet to get a pillow, sheet, and blanket. "Is that why you're home early?"
"No, I pulled the kids because Blaine called my arrangement garbage and implied I'm jealous of his success." Will said as she set the items on the couch. "You can't be serious?"
"But I am, even more so now." She told him. "Do you realize how much those kids were looking forward to having the chance to perform with Blaine? Yet because he hurt your ego, you took that from them. Who are you?"
"Emma, how can you take Blaine's word over…"
"Did you not hear what Carole said, Kurt admitted to abusing Blaine." Her frustration at his denials growing by the minute. "It's something Burt's still attempting to come to terms with, as it's hard for him to wrap his head around."
"This is Kurt we're talking about."
"The same Kurt who admonished Rachel for getting engaged to Thad, by saying she was dishonoring Finn by doing so."
"He did what?"
"It happened shortly after the two got engaged. Outside of what Kurt said online, he also confronted Rachel and Thad outside of court, and it wasn't pretty." Emma told him. "It actually led to Carole having to testify against Kurt on Rachel's behalf."
"I didn't know that."
"Not many people do, but if you look online, you'll find it documented as Rachel was photographed outside the courthouse in Columbus with Sebastian's Dad."
"Emma."
"I think it's time you stop letting your emotions dictate what you do or don't believe, especially in this situation." Emma said to him. "Look at the facts."
"They're not all public according to Rachel."
"The fact Rachel's cut Kurt from her life, should speak volumes considering how close they were. She wouldn't have done that if she had the slightest belief the claims were untrue."
"Santana said Kurt tried to hit Blaine in front of a group of their friends when he first saw Blaine with Sebastian." Will told her.
"Was Rachel there?" Will nodded. "Must've surprised her."
"Probably, I just can't see Kurt doing that or…" When he stopped, he couldn't help but notice the look she was giving him. "It's not important."
"Actually, it seemed you had a realization." Emma said to him. "What were you going to say?"
"Santana mentioned Dave Karofsky, she implied Kurt had done something to him recently."
"Considering what Dave went through…"
"I know, and Santana seemed pretty pissed about whatever it was. Yet I can't imagine what he possibly could've done as from what I know, he lives in Chicago now."
"When did you talk with Santana?"
"She stopped by the choir room the other day, basically let me know what she thought of me changing Blaine's arrangement." Will replied. "Speaking of, did I tell you former Warblers and members of the New Direction are part of this big number?" Emma shook her head. "It was strange seeing them all together"
"I can imagine." Emma said to him. "How are you going to handle tomorrow?"
"What do you mean?"
"Having to face Blaine."
"I'm not going."
"Did you tell him that?"
"I'm pretty sure he got the picture given how we left, we're not taking part tomorrow." When Emma shook her head, Will sighed. "You can't honestly expect us to go."
"This isn't about you and your hurt feelings, it's about the New Directions taking part in something important. The foundation does wonderful work Will."
"This isn't about the foundation. Blaine had no right to speak to me that way!"
"He probably spoke to you that way because you'd already accused him of treating the man who abused him unfairly. You gave him no reason to handle it differently considering how you behaved."
"So now it's my fault?"
"Would all this have even happened if you simply taught the New Directions the song as written?" She then picked her tablet up off the table. "Think about what I said, as I'm going to bed."
"Now?"
"Yes, as I want to read a bit before calling it a night, as I have a long day ahead of me."
"You're still going?" She nodded. "How can you?"
"Easy, I believe in the work the foundation does and this benefit will allow them to continue doing so."
"But…"
"I'm going whether you like it or not! And I recommend you think about everything you were told and heard today. Good night Will." He objected, yet Emma continued to walk away, upset and saddened by everything she'd heard.
With so much going on that Saturday, Patrick was a bit surprised that Blaine and Sebastian were still sleeping, long after Kate went to check on the venue. He was about to make his way upstairs to check on them, when he met Sebastian at the base of the stairs in mid yawn. "There's coffee made and water in the kettle for Blaine." Patrick said after saying good morning. "Sleep well?"
"Once we actually decided to as Blaine was still pissed about what happened." Sebastian replied as the two headed towards the kitchen. "Where's Kate?"
"At the venue along with your Mom." Patrick told him. "They asked me to tell the two of you not to worry, they have everything taken care of."
"We didn't doubt it, which is why I was able to convince B to stay in bed longer." Sebastian said in response. "He needs to focus on himself right now."
"Agreed." Patrick replied. "How bad was it?"
"Bad, but it could've been worse. I still wonder what would've happened if Thad hadn't come and gotten me, and in turn, Rachel."
"I'm sure that was hard on her."
"It was, as a man she'd looked up to proved he wasn't the man she thought he was." Sebastian said as he got two cups out. "Dared to bring up Finn."
"I doubt that went well."
"You'd be correct. Thad said more happened, but didn't feel comfortable sharing it, as he didn't want to risk pissing off Blaine anymore than he already was."
"Wise."
"Agreed." Sebastian told him as he got out the honey, and then the lemon for Blaine's tea. "Since it's not something Blaine really wants to talk about, would you mind telling Kate not to worry about the New Directions abrupt departure."
"She was wondering if they were going to show."
"We're not sure, but appropriate measures have been taken should they…" Sebastian's words were cut off by the sound of Cooper's voice bellowing through the house, announcing he was home. It was only moments later, he and Whitney made their way into the kitchen. "What are you doing here, I though you guys weren't going to be able to make it." Sebastian said as Cooper gave him a hug, as Whitney hugged Patrick.
"His agent pulled a few strings, as he felt it would've been wrong for him to miss such a big moment." Whitney replied before giving Sebastian a hug.
"Where's Squirt?" Cooper asked, yet before Sebastian could respond, Blaine appeared. "Happy to see me?" Blaine nodded, before giving his brother a hug. "What's wrong?"
"Don't ask." Blaine replied before taking his cup of tea from Sebastian.
"Whose ass do I need to kick?"
"Much as I appreciate the offer, it's not necessary." Blaine told him. "The matter's been taken care of." Instantly Cooper looked at Sebastian who was sipping his coffee. "He won't tell you anything different, I've got things under control." Cooper cocked his eyebrow at Sebastian who nodded.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"How about you show him the footage Talia took of you flying?" Sebastian said, piquing Cooper's interest. "No explanation, just watch it."
"Dad."
"It's a sight to see, that's for sure." Patrick replied before asking if he could get them anything. Once they said no, he excused himself momentarily to call Kate because as wonderful as this surprise is, she needed to know considering everything that was going on. By the time he returned, Blaine and Sebastian were gone, as according to Cooper, Blaine had a couple of calls to make. "I'm really glad you're here."
"So are we." Cooper said before taking a sip of coffee. "Is Blaine alright?"
"Outside of being frustrated due to something that happened at rehearsal yesterday, yes." Patrick replied. "But, they insist everything is okay."
"Do you know what happened?"
"I do, and it's something to repeat right now. I'm sure if you ask your brother tomorrow, he'll be happy to talk about it, that is…"
"Relax Dad, we're here through the weekend." Cooper told him. "And before you ask, we only found out we were going to be able to come, hours before we caught our flight." Patrick smiled as that was going to be his next question. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Actually, I think your Mom and Victoria have everything taken care of, thanks to numerous volunteers, but thank you. Also, she'll be home in a couple of hours."
"Would it be alright if we went to see her?"
"Of course." Patrick replied. "Do you need my car or do you have a rental?"
"We have a rental, as we weren't sure of the car situation."
"Did you really think your brother would opt to drive one of ours when his is in the garage?"
"Good point. You don't mind us going to see Mom, do you?"
"Of course not, just keep in mind she's got a lot on her plate."
"We will." Cooper told him, before giving him a kiss on the cheek, then taking Whitney's hand. "Won't gone too long."
"Take your time, as I'm sure seeing you two is going to do your Mom wonders."
Before leaving, Cooper called up the stairs to let Blaine and Sebastian know they were going, but would be back in time to get ready. "You do realize, Cooper's not going to drop it." Sebastian said as Blaine looked out the window. "B." The next thing he saw, was Blaine raise a finger, and turn slightly as he was still on the phone. Yet once it ended, he walked towards Sebastian who was stretched out on the bed. "So?"
"Everything is good to go." Blaine replied before taking a seat on the bottom of the bed. "Shelby is currently at Dalton running through the number with the Warblers and the last-minute replacements."
"How'd the Warblers take it?"
"Surprisingly well, but I think a lot of it stems from the fact Wes broke the news to them before they arrived."
"You took one hell of a chance Killer."
"I know, but Mr. Schue left me little, to no option."
"And the possible fall-out?"
"I'll deal with it, if it happens."
"You know, you're extremely sexy when you're confident." Sebastian told him as he pulled him closer, till he fell back onto the bed with him. "Seeing yourself the way I see you." He then gave him a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too." Blaine replied before kissing him in return. "But since when am I not sexy to you?" He should've known better as he soon found himself on his back, looking up at his husband. "Bas."
"I merely stated I find you extremely sexy when you're confident." Sebastian said before glancing at the door, ensuring it was closed. "You should know by now, I always find you sexy. It's just, when you're like this, my self-control wanes." He continued while slipping his hand into Blaine's lounge pants.
"Bas, we're not alone."
"Hasn't stopped us before." He said with a waggle of his eyebrows. "And I couldn't think of a better way to start our day, focus on us till I must share you with everyone, plus…"
"It will stop me from thinking about things that our out of my control."
"Are you implying I'm merely trying to distract you?"
"Aren't you?"
"No, as it's all about me being selfish, wanting you to myself."
"That's not selfish." Blaine said before leaning up to kiss him. "Then what were you going to say?"
"I simply want you."
"That's all you needed to say, and for the record, I couldn't agree think of a better way to start our day either, as we're in this together."
"Always."
