5YL Let the Encore Commence

Part 64

Unlike the others who spoke that evening, Blaine simply made his way onto the stage, and the moment he appeared the applause began. He stood quietly at the front of the stage, till the applause tapered off, then lifting the microphone he had in hand. "For starters, I want to thank you all for coming this evening, as the turnout is more than we ever imagined it being. I still recall the evening my Mom called me and Sebastian to tell us they had to upgrade the venue due to ticket demand." He then raked his fingers through his loose curls. "I had an entire speech prepared for tonight, yet after everything that's already been said, I realized it was better if I spoke from my heart." Blaine said before glancing back at Sebastian who was smiling from the wings.

"For those of you that have followed my career, you'll know the whirlwind the ride has been. Yet as Adam pointed out, I was still getting my feet on the ground when I had to address my personal life. Even now, I tend to shield that aspect of my life, not because I'm ashamed of who I am, but it's the only part of my life that's really mine anymore. Not to mention, Sebastian didn't necessarily sign on to have his life put out into the world, the way my career puts mine. Heck, after I was essentially outed publicly, he and I had a long talk about that aspect of my career, particularly since he was still in school.

If you're wondering why I'm bringing this up, is because there are still issues and battles to be fought, even once you come to terms with who you are. Just back stage, Sebastian and I were speaking with Vincent, who asked if we were prepared for the reaction to the duet we recorded, which we are. I wish we lived in a time where it wasn't even a question needed to be ask, but we don't, not yet." Blaine then looked back once again and saw his band was getting set-up. "What I'm trying to say, is don't let the feeling of hopelessness you feel at times, as an individual or as family, frighten you to the point you're not true to yourself. I say that because being true to who you are, is the greatest gift you can give yourself." After glancing back one last time, one of the techs brought a microphone stand out to him, which he promptly slipped the microphone into. "I think now it's time I express myself the way I feel most comfortable, through music."

Life's too short to even care at all oh
I'm losing my mind losing my mind losing control
These fishes in the sea they're staring at me oh oh oh oh oh oh
A wet world aches for a beat of a drum, oh

If I could find a way to see this straight, I'd run away
To some fortune that I, I should have found by now
I'm waiting for this cough syrup to come down, come down

Life's too short to even care at all oh
I'm coming up now coming up now out of the blue oh
These zombies in the park they're looking for my heart oh oh oh oh
A dark world aches for a splash of the sun oh oh

The entire time Blaine sang, Sebastian couldn't take his eyes off him, to the point he was startled when Sam came up beside him as the song was nearing the end. "He's the strongest person I know." Sam said once the final chords played, and Blaine went to retrieve his guitar from its stand. "Do you know his set list?"

"No, as he wanted to surprise me." Sebastian told him, eyes still on his husband who was in his element on stage. "I wish he could look this free all the time, like he does on stage."

"He does when he's with you." Sam replied, causing Sebastian to look at him. "It's true. The two of you finding your way back to one another, was the best thing that happened to him."

"And me, as I can't imagine my life without him in it anymore." Sebastian added. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

"You mean, us?" Sam asked, motioning between them, which he confirmed. "I was only looking out for him."

"I know, which is why I wasn't more of an ass."

"I appreciate that. You realize, you knew more of what happened to him at that time, than I did."

"I do, which is why I behaved as the last thing B needed was me being an ass to his best friend who came all that way, simply because he was concerned. Now shush, the next song's starting."

There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Blaine had only finished the first verse and chorus when Sam felt an arm slip around his waist, only to look and see it was Tina, smiling up at him. Sebastian cocked his head the moment he heard them both softly singing along. Then slowly but surely, the three of them were joined by others, some Sebastian only had a faint recollection of. "You'll have to explain this to me later."

"Gladly." Sam replied, before tugging Tina a bit closer as he too looked around, curious as to what Blaine had up his sleeve that all these people were appearing backstage.

Once the song ended, Blaine glanced back to the wing where Sebastian was standing, causing his smile to grow. "For this next song, I'm going to ask one of Columbus' brave to join me, Sam Evans. Sam, you game?" Sebastian's eyes were wide, as he looked at Sam who slowly made his way onto the stage, taking a guitar from one of the techs along the way. He wasn't the only one having that type of reaction, as Courtney was as shocked as this clearly wasn't the group number Sam had hinted at to her. "Ready to do this?" Blaine asked as he handed off his guitar since it wouldn't be needed.

"I think so." Sam replied, before looking back at Blaine's band who gave him a reassuring smile, before he began. The guitar chords were something Sebastian was all too familiar with given it was a song done by one of his favorite artists.

I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day

And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes we're lovers, and that is that

Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, forever and ever
What'd you say?

"Now you know why Blaine kept his set list from you." Tess teased Sebastian after the two finished up, and took their bows.

"Wait, you knew?"

"I'm one of the few people outside of his band, he tells this stuff." She replied as Sam returned to the wings.

"I have one more song in store for you all this evening, but before it begins, I want to give a special thank you to my band. Justin, Talia, Morgan, Todd, without the four of you, I wouldn't be where I am right now, in more ways than one. I also want to thank you for backing Jesse and Rachel, I know they appreciated it."

"It was our pleasure." Talia replied, as Justin and Morgan set their respective instruments in their stands. After they did, they all went to give Blaine a hug, while Morgan and Talia each kissed him on the cheek before making their way to their table, eager to take in the final number.

"For this last number, I'm going back to my roots in a sense. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together." After Blaine finished, the lights dimmed not only in the room, but on the stage so everyone could take their places. As the Warblers got settled, Sebastian leaned down to give Blaine a kiss.

"Relax."

"Easier said than done." Blaine replied as he looked across the stage to the others. "It's…" His words were cut off by another kiss, this one Blaine got lost in, a much-needed distraction in that moment. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Now, let's do this."

Once the Warbler harmonies began, Sebastian felt Blaine's grip tighten on his hand, and in all honesty, he couldn't blame him, even if he tried to distract him from the thoughts in his head. Yet once the first of their friends took to the stage, his hold loosened as faith in his friends assured him everything would work out.

*Wes*

Have you ever felt like nobody was there?

*David*

Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?

*Thad*

Have you ever felt like you could disappear?

*council*

Like you could fall, and no one would hear?

After the council finished their line together, the lights grew brighter, showing the Warblers were no longer alone, having been joined by the junior/senior members of Vocal Adrenaline.

*Trent*

Well, Let that lonely feeling wash away

*Beat*

Maybe there's a reason to believe you'll be okay

*Nick*

'Cause when you don't feel strong enough to stand

*Jeff*

You can reach, reach out your hand

*Sebastian*

And oh, someone will come running

And I know, they'll take you home

*Blaine*

Even when the dark comes crashing through

When you need a friend to carry you

And when you're broken on the ground

You will be found

Knowing the stress and concern Shelby had over this number, Derek reached over and gave her hand a squeeze, as their voices filled the venue in perfect harmony. And even with the limited rehearsal time, Vocal Adrenaline had accomplished what the New Directions weren't able to.

*Sam*

There's a place where we don't have to feel alone

*Tina/Quinn*

Every time that you call out

*Brittany/Mike*

You're a little less alone

*Rachel/Santana*

If you only say the word

From across the silence

Your voice is heard

"Let me guess William, this is the moment you let your ego get the better of you." Sue said as Will's expression hadn't changed since members of Vocal Adrenaline had taken the stage.

*Marley/Jake/Kitty/Unique/Ryder

Out of the shadows

Morning is breaking

And all is new, all is new

It's filling up the empty

And suddenly I see that

All is new, all is new

As the two groups of high school kids sang You are not alone in harmony, their voices perfectly blending, Shelby couldn't stop the tears that fell from her eyes, as Jesse really had made sure they were up to the task.

*Blaine*

Even when the dark comes crashing through

And you need someone to carry you

When you're broken on the ground

You will be found

The final harmonies were still tapering off, as the audience rose to their feet, giving them a standing ovation. After taking a couple of bows, Sebastian and Blaine hugged and kissed, before stepping back from the group, and motioning to them once again, for pulling off what should've been impossible. As everyone began to exit the stage, Blaine and Sebastian stayed, as the many reporters in attendance made their way to the stage to speak to them. Scott had clearly expected it as Blaine's entire security team was at the front of the stage, to ensure no one tried to get closer than the moment warranted.

"I can't believe he did that." Will muttered as he stared at the stage. "Really, Vocal Adrenaline?"

"Given he's friends with St. James, are you really that surprised?" Sue replied, as people started to exit the venue, though the majority weren't quite ready to go. "Also, you did this, not Blaine." She reminded him. "If you'd done as asked, he wouldn't have had to reach out to your other rival. Wonder how your kids feel seeing the Warblers and Vocal Adrenaline share the stage with Blaine for such a poignant moment."

"Leave them out of this!"

"No, as they're very much a part of this. You're the one that's going to have to explain to them why they missed out. And why Blaine had to reach out to a group he has no connection to whatsoever, outside a friendship with St. James, which exists because of Berry."

When he went to walk away from her, and head towards the stage to have a word with Blaine, he was stopped by a hand to his chest. "Where the hell do you think you're going, because the exit is that way?" Cooper stated, before glancing over his shoulder at Blaine and Sebastian who were speaking with the media. "Well?"

"I want to talk with Blaine about what he pulled." The loud scoff from Cooper, made Sue laugh as Cooper was clearly in big brother mode.

"What he pulled, that's rich after what I've heard you did." Cooper replied. "If I have my say, you and my brother aren't going to cross paths tonight, or ever again for that matter."

"It's complicated." Will told him, and Cooper's expression showed he wasn't impressed by his answer. "He asked for the impossible."

"Really, because from what we all witnessed and heard, it was possible, and they nailed it." He then looked at Sue. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Absolutely!" Sue happily said, and it was obvious her crush on Cooper hadn't faded over the years.

"Enough!" Will exclaimed before attempting to get around Cooper.

"I need to see my students."

"They're with your wife, at least that's what my Mom told me. She also told me, Coach Sylvester here brought them, as you never showed. What type of teacher does that?"

"Everything alright Cooper?" Shelby asked as she and Derek approached.

"Depends if he listens." Cooper replied. "I know you two know Shelby, but have you met Derek Wells?"

"Wait, aren't you Rachel's producer?" Will asked.

"I am, and you are?"

"Will Schuester, I…" He stopped as no sooner did he say his name, did Derek and Shelby exchange a look. "What was that about?"

"You see Will, Blaine shared his arrangement with Derek before sending it off to everyone." Shelby told him. "And, I might've shown him what you did to Blaine's beautiful arrangement."

"Not to be rude, but your arrangement was/is an atrocity to musical composition." Derek replied, causing Cooper to hold back his laughter due to the serious look on his face. "It not only lacked the heart of Blaine's version, but your over simplification was devoid of any emotional pull whatsoever."

"I simplified it for my students."

"Something which wasn't necessary according to what Shelby told me." Derek told him. "They merely needed the more complex harmonies broken down for them, in order to grasp their complexity."

"These are high school students we're talking about."

"As are the Warblers and Vocal Adrenaline." Shelby countered. "I worked with your students Will, they're more than capable of singing what Blaine wrote. The problem is you, you didn't care enough to teach them."

"Who do you…" Will's words were cut off as Derek stepped between he and Shelby. "Stay out of this, it doesn't concern you!"

"After what you did, you have no right to be mad at Shelby! You created this mess, you alone!" Derek stated, catching Cooper off-guard, though he loved seeing Will so dumbstruck. "And for the record, do the music world a favor and never attempt to arrange a song again, as what you did was an utter travesty."

"You have no right to talk to me that way, I have a music degree!"

"And he has multiple degrees, all Masters, along with four Tony awards." Rachel nonchalantly said as she and Thad joined them. "That gives him every right to tell you what he thinks of that mockery you had your students learn."

"You guys were incredible!" Shelby said as she gave her a hug, then a kiss on the cheek, before doing the same with Thad.

"All credit goes to Blaine." Rachel replied, as Thad slipped his arm around her waist. "Didn't expect you to be here after what happened yesterday."

"I had a…"

"Thank you for bringing them Coach Sylvester." Rachel said, completely ignoring Will. "Santana told us what you did, we're all grateful as we know you didn't have to." She then turned to Will. "As for you, I don't even know who you are anymore."

"Rachel, I..."

"Nothing you can say, can justify the way you not only treated Rachel, but Blaine." Thad told him, clearly agitated.

"This doesn't concern you Thad." Will said, trying to defuse the situation.

"Bullshit! Rachel's my fiancée, and Blaine's one of my best friends. The…"

"Now, is not the time or place for this conversation Thad." Patrick stated rather calmly, as he placed his hand on his shoulder. "I think it's best you and Rachel go rejoin the others, as I heard Sam and Nick discussing singing at least one more song before everyone goes their separate ways." Thad looked between Patrick and Will a couple of times before finally responding.

"Yes Mr. Anderson." Thad replied, followed by Rachel before the two went to rejoin the others near the stage.

"As for you Will, your wife would like to speak with you. So, if you would, please follow me."

When Rachel and Thad joined the others, they were thrust into the middle of a conversation, since those that attended McKinley were shocked to see one another. "Again, tell me how you all got involved, as you weren't at rehearsal the other night." Tina said as she looked at Marley and the others.

"Blaine had reached out to us about two weeks ago." Marley replied. "Said he'd received some disappointing news, and things went from there."

"So, that's why you said it wasn't going to be an issue when I called you, you were already going to be here." Santana added, which she confirmed. "Why didn't you tell me, I mean, you know."

"Because Blaine made us promise not to tell a soul." Kitty chimed in. "Hell, we didn't even know we were all a part of things till we met backstage."

"Not to doubt your ability to keep a secret, but…"

"He might've threatened to sick Sebastian after us, legally, if we told anyone." Jake added, making them all laugh. "Don't tell me you guys wouldn't be afraid of him."

"He's got a good point, as we don't dare cross Sebastian either, especially…"

"When it comes to things which matter to my B." Sebastian said as he and Blaine joined the group, having finally finished up with the media.

"I can't begin to thank you all for being here, truly, it means so much to me." Blaine told them as he looked around. "Puck, Artie, I…"

"Relax, Lopez explained everything to us." Puck said, so he didn't have to explain himself. "Said your original plan got torpedoed by Mr. Schue."

"That's one way to put it." Blaine replied, before turning towards Santana, then going to give her a hug. "I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you."

"While I appreciate the sentiment, you don't need to do anything. It's the least I could do after everything that's happened." Santana told him, while taking ahold of Jordan's hand, as she just joined them. "You, Sebastian, your families, deserved for tonight to be perfect, which I believe it was."

"It was, in part because of all of you."

"Sebastian, you need to get your hubby in check." Santana playfully replied, drawing a chuckle from Sebastian. "It's true. While we all took part, it's because of you guys, your families, that tonight was special."

"She's right." Quinn chimed in. "Our part in all this was small in comparison to the good happening at the foundation, all because you wanted to help others."

"The ladies have a point Blaine." David told him. "Tonight, wouldn't have happened, if you didn't want to help others." Blaine sighed softly, before glancing up at Sebastian who pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "I heard more than a few people talking about how much you being outspoken about what you've been through, have helped not only them, but their families. The fact your family didn't sugar coat how things were after you came out, means a lot, gives them hope."

"That's all I, we, ever wanted." Blaine replied. "Speaking of, have any of you seen Dave since he spoke?"

"Last I saw him, he was speaking with Emma." Artie said in response. "Gotta say, I did not expect to see him, but his experience brought in a different perspective. I didn't know you guys were still in touch."

"It's, a long story." Sebastian told him as he brought Blaine a bit closer.

"Let me guess, it relates to that mess you two are going through with Kurt." Kitty replied, much to their surprise. "It doesn't take a genius to figure it out, I mean, you guys are pretty open about everything else in your lives."

"Speaking of Hummel, I was surprised to see Carole helping out, after all, she's married to Burt." Puck said to them.

"Put it this way, they don't see eye to eye on this." Sam replied before Blaine or Sebastian had the chance. "Burt's still defending Kurt, blaming Blaine and Sebastian for what's going on, while Carole wants him to accept responsibility for what he's done."

"Makes sense, she would've done the same to Finn." At the mention of his name, Rachel rested her head on Thad's shoulder, a move Puck didn't miss. "Sorry Rachel, I…Thad, I'm sorry."

"It's not you Noah." Rachel told him. "It's…" She didn't even finish, before walking off, only to be followed by Quinn and Santana.

"What did I miss?"

"Her emotions are a bit raw when it comes to Finn." Thad said in response.

"And, you're okay with that?" After Puck spoke, he saw Thad look at Blaine and Sebastian. "What don't I know?"

"Finn's memory has been used against her, more times than we care to admit." Sebastian told him, instantly seeing a change in Puck's expression.

"Excuse me?" When no one answered, it was obvious he was getting pissed. "Who?"

"Kurt, Mr. Schu…" Thad didn't even get to finish saying his name when Jake reached out to stop his brother.

"Get your damn hands off me!" Puck exclaimed as Sam and Beat walked over to help Jake. "Why the hell didn't any of you tell me this before?"

"Probably because they knew you'd react like this." Tina told him, before looking at Blaine. "Even Mr. Schue?"

"He did it yesterday, after she had the gall to stand up for not only Blaine, but he and Sebastian as a couple." Thad replied. "Given what he said to her yesterday, I can only imagine what he thought of her singing with the Warblers. Just one more way she betrayed his memory probably."

"How is she betraying his memory by living her life, all Finn ever wanted was for her to be happy?" Mercedes asked him.

"She took Blaine's side over Hummel's once the truth came out, before that she was Switzerland, then had the nerve to get engaged to Thad." Sebastian told her. "That's the gist of things, right Thad?"

"Pretty much, as they all basically says that to her in one form or another."

"I'd expect something like that from Kurt, because he's petty, but Mr. Schue?" Mercedes replied.

"Rachel screamed, yelled, and cried once we got home last night." Thad told her. "It got to the point I needed my Mom and sister to help me calm her down." Mercedes and Tina could only shake their heads as they had no idea it was that bad. "If anyone should feel betrayed in all this, it's Rachel. It was one thing for Kurt to throw Finn in our faces, another for Mr. Schuester to do it. All Rachel is guilty of, is moving on with her life, and daring to support Blaine and the life he's chosen for himself."

"Finn would've been as confused as hell about all this, just like the rest of us." Puck said, a bit calmer, but not enough to convince Jake and Sam to release their hold on him. "Hell, he'd demand answers!"

"Answers he'd never get, because Kurt won't acknowledge the truth." Jeff told him. "All he does, he try and pin this on Blaine, when…" He stopped, as he caught Blaine and Sebastian looking at him. "Sorry."

"Why are do you all keep apologizing?" Kitty asked as she looked around.

"Because they know I don't want to talk about it, yet…it's all I seem to fucking do!" Blaine exclaimed loudly enough for Cooper to hear him, thankfully the venue was essentially empty outside of people they knew. Once he walked off, the atmosphere changed, as even Puck realized the seriousness of the situation.

"Aren't you going to go after him Sebastian?" Brittany said softly, as it seemed everyone else was afraid to speak in that moment. Sebastian raked his fingers through his hair, before looking at Wes, Thad, and Hunter.

"We'll handle this, you go take care of Blaine." Wes told him, which was all he needed to hear as he took off in the direction Blaine did.

"It's all true, isn't it?" Kitty said to them. "It was Kurt who abused Blaine, his marriage was the abusive relationship he talked about in his Most Influential interview." It only took one look at the Warblers' faces, as well as Sam's, for Kitty to have her answer. "I'm so sorry, I…"

"It's not your fault, you didn't know." Sam told her. "We all do our best to protect Blaine, yet…"

"It keeps coming up." Tina replied rather solemnly. "Do you think they'll come back?" This time Sam looked at Wes, as he didn't have an answer.

"Depends on how he is when Sebastian finds him." Wes said. "Sometimes he needs to simply blow off steam, other times, he wants to be alone, with Sebastian."

"I had no clue things were this fucked up." Puck told him.

"No one did, as Blaine's done everything he can to keep this out of the public eye." Hunter stated. "The only reason some of us have more of the story, is we were there when things happened between them. And the only way for us to understand, was for Blaine to divulge.

"Okay, but how did it get to the point Rachel had to play go-between with him and Mr. Schue?"

"The New Directions were supposed to be part of the finale." Mike told him. "Yet, Mr. Schue rewrote Blaine's arrangement, had them learn it instead of Blaine's. Needless to say, Blaine was pissed and, one thing led to another."

"And that's how Blaine ended up calling me." Mercedes said, which Sam confirmed. "He didn't say it was that bad."

"Because that's not who Blaine is." Jeff told her. "He tries to handle everything, yet…"

"Even he doesn't know everything that Schuester said to Rachel, and she doesn't want him to." Thad added. "He's not the same person you all remember."

"Clearly." Mercedes replied, before looking at Puck, who was still pissed, but didn't look like he was going to hurt anyone at the moment. "If you Dalton boys would excuse us, I think us McKinley grads need to have a word with our former director. Don't you all agree?" They all did. "Anyone know where he is?"

"Last I saw him, Blaine's Dad was talking to him, as was Shelby and Derek." Thad said in response. "Try them, or…"

"Coach Sylvester." Kitty said., which Thad confirmed. "I saw her with him, and we all know she'd love nothing more than to point us in his direction."

"Then what are we waiting for, as I've got a few things to say to that man." Puck stated with a tone they all knew wasn't good. Yet given what had been going on, no one could argue he didn't have it coming.

Song: Cough Syrup

Written by: Ehson Hashemian, Eric Cannata, Francois Comtois, Sameer Gadhia, Jacob Tilly

Song: Don't Dream It's Over

Written by: Neil Finn

Song: Heroes

Written by: Brian Eno, David Bowie

Song: You Will Be Found

Written by: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul


Just a quick note. The next chapter won't be up until next Thursday as I'm going on a trip, and the internet where I'm heading is notoriously spotty. Hate to leave you hanging, but wanted to give you a heads up. Enjoy your weekend, and again, thanks for reading!