5YL Let the Encore Commence

Part 83

Once they arrived on location, Anastasia got a firsthand look into what it takes to get set-up, particularly with other acts involved. While Blaine and the others went about get settled, she stayed by Sebastian's side, so as not to be in the way. It became evident rather quickly she was a bit overwhelmed by what was happening around her, so Sebastian began explaining what was happening. Although the situation looked rather chaotic, it was quite organized. "Now you know why everything else that's going on in our lives becomes background noise when B's performing, as this, gets his complete focus." He told her as they made their way towards the stage, following some of the crew.

"I always assumed things were a bit crazy, but nothing prepared me for this." She told him as she watched the numerous crews doing their jobs. "Don't you want to be with Blaine right now?"

"Right now, I wouldn't be anything more than an observer, as Tess is going over the schedule for the day with them." Sebastian replied, giving her a slight nudge. "If this is too much for you, you can head back to the bus, B wouldn't have an issue with it."

"That won't be necessary, though the gesture is appreciated. It's simply a lot to take in."

'Something I understand all too well, it was for B and the others too." He replied. "Yet now, it's simply a typical day." Unable to shake the feeling something was off, Sebastian took ahold of her hand, before stopping. "Something else is clearly on your mind, what is it? As I thought we already assured you everything was fine after our talk."

"Let me preface this by stating, you are under no obligation to answer, as I may be overstepping."

"What is it you'd like to know?"

"Based on what you have told me, and what I have seen, is Blaine…never mind, it's none of my business."

"Trust me when I tell you, B's got things under control, even if his music is an escape of sorts for him." Sebastian replied quietly, even after checking to see no one was nearby. "When he's working, his music is his focus, which it should be. Yet that doesn't mean he's not all too aware reality will set back in once he's off stage. With all he's been through and dealt with, he deserves to escape from reality occasionally."

"You're right, he does. Again, I'm sorry."

"You care, which is why you asked, I get it." Sebastian told her. "While we try not to let what's going on dictated our lives, we do have to take the possibility of a tantrum into account during certain situations."

"No one should have to live that way Sebastian."

"We know, yet there is nothing we can do about it. Instead, we try not to let it consume us, and live our life on our terms, not his."

"Which is the way it should be, otherwise, he wins."

"Precisely. It also helps knowing my Dad's got our back and won't ever let that SOB get the upper-hand, distort things in a court of law."

"All the more reason to feel comfortable living your lives on your terms." Anastasia told him. "I still remember the first time I saw your Dad in action, I was blown away."

"The more I see him in action, I hope I can be even half the lawyer he is."

"You will be every bit the lawyer he is, it's that Smythe tenacity." She replied. "I'm sure Blaine's told you the same thing." He couldn't hide the smile which crept to his face. "The belief the two of you have in one another, is why everything is a possibility for you both. There's nothing you're incapable of achieving, or having." Upon hearing him laugh, she smiled. "You can't blame a girl for trying, right?"

"No, but you'll find out when everyone else does."

"Sebastian."

"Fine, we'll call you after we inform the parents, fair?"

"Fair." She told him. "You know I only hinted, because I don't want you and Blaine giving up on something you want because of his ex, won't let go."

"I promise you, we're not." Sebastian replied. "And for the record, it's being discussed."

"Really?"

"Yes, really, but that's all I will say on that topic. Also, I'd prefer we not talk about Hummel anymore, as it only pisses me off, and I'm never able to hide it from B."

"Understood. I'm sorry I keep asking or saying things that put you in an uncomfortable situation."

"You have questions because you care, you're not trying to hurt me or B. Given you were one of the only people that knew my true feelings for B back in the day, it's understandable you wanting to ensure we're okay."

"There isn't anything I wouldn't do for either of you, you know that, right?"

"I do." Sebastian said, before looking to the side as he caught a glimpse of Blaine waking towards the stage. "Time for us to shelve this conversation, and enjoy the day." He then pointed towards Blaine who was heading towards the stage. "Ready to hear B have a bit of fun, otherwise sound check gets tedious."

"I am, and, don't you have a call to make."

"I do, and I have to admit, I'm a bit curious about what Cooper needs to talk to me about."

"Then go make the call, I'll be alright."

"You sure?"

"Positive, now go." Sebastian smiled, before leaning down to give her a peck on the cheek, prior to heading back to bus to ensure some privacy for his call.

Upon returning to the bus, it didn't take him long to get settled prior to giving Cooper a call. After greetings were exchanged, Sebastian got right to the point. "Now, what do you need from me, that you couldn't tell B?"

"First off, I could've told Blaine, but he's got enough on his mind with his show today." Cooper told him. "Let alone, I know he's still pissed about the crap Hummel pulled after the benefit."

"You would be correct, though he did get a bit a satisfaction."

"I'm not going to ask, since it's probably better I don't know."

"That would be correct." Sebastian told him. "So, what do you need?"

"I need to know when you'll be getting into town, Whitney is making the final arrangements for the rehearsal, and…"

"I'm not getting into town until Friday evening, since I'm working that day. I'll be heading straight to B's show from the airport. Is that going to be an issue?"

"No, though we hoped you'd be in earlier."

"I wish I was also, yet it's not possible since I only started."

"I get that." Cooper told him. "Do you know when Blaine's going to be getting into town?"

"They'll be flying out that Thursday, as B's got some appearances on his schedule." Sebastian replied. "Needless to say, no one is going to think twice about him being in town."

"That's the least of my concerns, you know that."

"Cooper, it's okay to want privacy for your wedding, we wanted it too. The last thing B wants is to be a distraction on your big day."

"I know that, I guess everything is starting to become…"

"Real." Cooper confirmed that was how he felt. "Another feeling we understand. Based on what I know, everything is taken care of, but know, there are going to be a few, hiccups, they're unavoidable. You simply can't let them become bigger than they are."

"I don't know what's getting into me."

"You're getting married, and you don't want anything to ruin your big day, again, something we understand."

"My concerns seem petty compared to what you guys were dealing with."

"Most things are little in comparison." A statement which got a laugh out of Cooper. "What matters, is you and Whitney, and the love you share. Everything else is window dressing when compared to what matters." Sebastian told him. "With everything going on, it's easy to forget that."

"Why do I have a feeling, you and Blaine had a similar conversation."

"Because we did, and others reminded us of those things, because it was so easy to lose focus with all we were dealing with."

"And here I am fretting over wedding details, seems petty."

"It's your wedding, it's not petty." Sebastian reminded him. "Is there anything we can do to help make things easier?"

"You actually have, as I needed to hear what you said." Cooper told him. "You don't have to leave early on Sunday, right?"

"No. Any particular reason you're asking?"

"Whitney's parents have planned a brunch for Sunday."

"Does, B know?" When Cooper paused, Sebastian smiled. "I'll fill him in, but you do remember he's performing."

"I do, and thank you. The closer this gets, I don't know how the two of you did it."

"I came with trusting so much of the process to our Moms, but that doesn't mean we didn't have our moments. In those brief instance of downtime each of us had, concerns crept in. Yet as I said, focus on what matters most, you and Whitney, the rest merely adds to it." Sebastian told him. "And much as I'm enjoying our talk, I really need to get going, as B's in the midst of sound check with is always enjoyable, plus Anastasia is here."

"Since when?"

"She surprised us last night, she's in town for business next week and decided to come in early to see us."

"Then go, enjoy your time with her as I know the two of you are close." Cooper replied. "And Sebastian, thank you once again."

"Don't mention it."

"Give that brother of mine a big hug, alright."

"Will do. See you soon Cooper."

"See you soon, bye."

Once the call was finished, Sebastian decided to check his email real quick before making his way back to Blaine. While he was rather certain nothing new had happened, he was still relieved not to find any emails from his Dad, or for that matter, anyone with a description he should be concerned about. After making his way back outside, he let Cole know he was heading back to Blaine. Upon reaching the stage, he couldn't help but smile at the look Anastasia had on her face, clearly enjoying the impromptu song selection. "Everything alright?" She asked as they finished up the current number, earning her a nod. "While you told me Blaine had a snarky side, I didn't quite believe it till now."

"It's his way of dealing with things, allows him to outwardly vent." Sebastian replied. "More than a few music reporters that have had access to sound check, have noted it as well. After one of Hummel's fits, B's entire sound check was essentially a giant F-you to him."

"Good to know, as it's always a concern to family back home, if he's actually dealing with it."

"He is, I promise. B's been through too much in his life to bottle those types of feelings up." Sebastian told her. "He made that mistake once, when his marriage was falling apart, never again given the damage it did. Good or bad, pretty or ugly, he knows he has to acknowledge his feelings."

"What about you?" Anastasia asked in response.

"I do, surprising as that may be." He replied. "And not only with B either, I've spoken with his therapist as well."

"Good, as he's not the only one this situation takes a toll on."

"Precisely." He said, just as Blaine began playing a song she knew all too well. "He's doing this because you're here, so you know." He replied proudly as Blaine began singing in French. "His fans would be freaking out if they heard this right now."

"Why doesn't he play it more?" She asked during a break in the lyrics, as his band played.

"Why don't you ask him, as I've encouraged him to do so, even if his fans don't quite understand the lyrics?" She nodded, as Blaine immersed himself in the moment, clearly enjoying himself. "No matter how many times I see him this way, I'm blown away by his talent. Crazy to think he ever doubted himself." After he spoke, Anastasia slipped her arm around him, the rested her head against him. "It never should've happened."

"Yet, you managed to get through to him." She reminded him. "Further reminder of how much he trusted you, even back then. He knew you wouldn't lead him astray, even early on in your relationship."

"I know, it's just…"

"Don't go there, focus on where he is now." Anastasia told him. "Where the two of you are. Believe it or not, your disposition changed when he came back into his life. For the first time, I actually heard optimism regarding your outlook on life."

"I wasn't that pessimistic, Stasia."

"True, yet when it came to where you saw yourself personally, you had quite the wall up. Afraid to let anyone get too close, which is probably why your relationships…"

"I gave my relationships my all, I can't help it they didn't work out."

"Maybe they didn't work out, because you were still figuring out what you really wanted not only from a partner, but for yourself. Not saying you didn't ever love them, but when you find the one, everything is different."

"Something I'm all too aware of, heck, B's said the same thing. There's something about being with someone who loves you completely, even knowing your flaws, and accepts you for who you are."

"Which is how it should be." She said to him. "By the time Blaine showed up at your door, you were ready to figure out precisely what it was /is the two of you share. You do know, I always hoped deep down you'd get that opportunity."

"Did you now?" She nodded. "I'm never going to forget how I felt that night, seeing him at my door. It felt too good to be true, yet, I was nowhere near prepared to hear what I did."

"A lesser person would've been scared off, you know that, right?"

"You're giving me too much credit."

"You're not giving yourself enough." Upon seeing him shrug, she took a step away in order to look at him directly. "I mean it, not everyone can handle it. Not only did you have to process all Blaine had been through, his ex decided to behave like a child and throw a tantrum upon learning the two of you are together."

"Still is."

"Which is my point, often love isn't enough to get through it."

"Pray tell, why are we having this conversation?" Sebastian asked as Blaine moved onto the song, as they were finishing up, as the next act was in the wings.

"Because we really haven't had the chance to talk about all this." Anastasia told him. "Simply enough, I'm proud of you, for fighting not only for who you love, but for that love given everything thrown your way."

"Thank you." Sebastian replied, before leaning down to press a kiss a top her head. "Everything we've had thrown our way, has only reinforced what we mean to one another." She then caught him glance down at his ring, earning him a slight nudge which made him laugh.

"You deserve this happiness Sebastian, as does Blaine. Hopefully a time comes where neither of you have to worry about how his ex will react."

"Now that's, a pleasant thought, one I don't see happening anytime soon." He reluctantly admitted. "Now, how long are you in town for as I know B is hoping to spend a bit more time with you?"

"Through Friday, but I'm not sure what my schedule is going to be like."

"We'll figure something out."

Once Blaine finished up, it didn't take him long to make his way over to the two of them, instantly receiving a kiss from his husband. "We've got about a couple of hours to relax before I need to start getting ready, anything in particular you'd like to do?"

"Eat." Anastasia replied. "My entire inner clock is off, as the late night last night didn't help."

"We can do that. Bas, is that alright with you?"

"More than." Sebastian said as they started walking back to the bus, along with the rest of his band. After he answered, Blaine turned back to let his band know the plan. Unsurprisingly, they were game, yet didn't want to intrude, something Anastasia quickly put an end to, not wanting to disrupt routine. Not to mention, she enjoyed spending time with everyone. "Guess you better let Scott know."

"I'm sure he's already got an inking food is on the horizon, as we typically each shortly after tech." Blaine reminded him. "So, what did you have to say to Lily once she told you she was with us when we recorded the track?" The look on Anastasia's face spoke volumes, causing Blaine and Sebastian to exchange a look. "You didn't…"

"No, and I can't believe she kept it to herself." Anastasia replied in disbelief.

"B even gave her a copy of it afterwards, so, she's had it for a bit." Sebastian added. "And here B and I weren't sure she'd be able to keep it to herself. Guess this is why I was so surprised by what you told me, I honestly believed it was going to be too big of a secret to keep. And I'm not being disrespectful, as it was difficult for me to keep it to myself, especially when my Mom started asking questions about what B had in store for the benefit."

"I'm sure she loved it, the same for your Mom, Blaine."

"They did." Blaine told her. "Has Bas here filled you in on anything else that happened that night?"

"Do I even want to ask?" When they all laughed, Anastasia shook her head. "Are you saying the reaction of your ex, wasn't all?"

"Not by a long shot." Sebastian replied with a laugh. "Yet I can safely say, it was nice not having to deal with it all on our own, our friends stepped up big time."

"Doesn't surprise me based on what I know. Further reason for the two of you to follow your dreams, as you've got plenty of people who support you." When Blaine cocked an eyebrow at her, she laughed. "I might've asked him about it, sorry."

"Don't be, as I'd prefer that to be the topic of conversation."

"Even if you don't give a straight answer?" She teased.

"Absolutely."