Chapter 24: I'm losing to you, Baby I'm no match


"Hey, you've reached Blaine. I can't get to the phone right now because Kurt and I are on a magical getaway and I have no cell service. But leave me a message and I'll get back to you."

Sebastian shook his head, rolling his eyes as the message ended. "Of course you're on a magical getaway with Kurt when I finally call you back," he said good-naturedly. He stopped suddenly as realization hit him and he smiled, wide and true. "Blaine Anderson you dog! You and Kurt are bonding aren't you? Damn! I knew I should've picked up the phone when you last called. What did you do, B? Take him to the Swiss Alps or somewhere just as remote? You predictable, romantic sap. I can't believe you're bonding and I didn't know about it. Then again, if I hadn't avoided your calls, I would've, huh?" he chuckled, running his hands through his hair. "And yes, I was avoiding you. Don't act like you didn't know. Anyway, call me when you get the chance. Things are great over here but I miss you man. I hope you're having fun. Tell Kurt I said hey. Bye."

Sebastian ended the call and breathed out. He had called Blaine knowing that they would end up talking for hours and it was what he wanted. He needed the distraction. He could've called Megan, but he didn't need AA advice right now. He had no intention of drinking. He wasn't even smoking anymore. He just needed to talk with his best friend. Blaine had a way of getting him to open up like no one else could. He had a way of taking Sebastian's jumbled up thoughts and making sense out of them. In hindsight, Sebastian wondered if that was one of the problems Hunter had with Blaine.

The way Hunter saw it, Sebastian always went to Blaine first. But it wasn't that he preferred talking to Blaine over Hunter. It was just that Blaine actually listened to him while Hunter shut him out. Even now that the lines of communication had been opened, Sebastian was never sure if he could truly talk with Hunter. He wasn't sure if they could handle airing things out just yet. Because at the end of the day, whether Sebastian wanted to admit it or not, he was still scared. That was why he didn't talk to Hunter for very long. The shorter the conversation, the less likely it was that Hunter would end things once and for all.

Most of the time, Sebastian was relatively numb to the world around him. He felt waves of happiness or sadness here and there, usually right after he talked with Hunter. But his emotions were usually muted. All except anger and anxiety that is. He could feel the anger bubbling just underneath the surface but he never erupted with more than a snappy remark. His anxiety was through the roof however. He felt like he was in a constant state of jitteriness and he hated it. It didn't bother him as much when he was working. But on days like today, when he was off, he had nothing to displace his anxiety.

Right now, all he could do, no matter how hard he tried not to, was think about Hunter. He had called Hunter on Christmas day and they spoke for only a few minutes. But those few minutes were enough to consume his every thought. He had assumed that since he no longer felt the pain, he would no longer think of his soulmate. He was wrong. If anything, he thought about Hunter more because the pain was gone. He remembered more now that he was sober again. He was dissecting their relationship more now that it didn't hurt to think about Hunter. It was starting to drive him mad.

He stayed in his trailer all day and did what he could to ignore his thoughts. He worked out. He dribbled his basketball back and forth in the limited space he had. He read and reread his script. But nothing stopped his thoughts. Nothing he did was enough to counter the anxiety. The only answer he had was one he'd been avoiding but after hours of no release, he no longer could.

Sebastian opened his laptop and went into his music file. Music had always been therapeutic for him, but he avoided it as much as he could. He hadn't performed since his first fallout with Hunter, even when he was by himself. Sure he sang quietly every now and then, but it was usually when he wasn't paying attention and it was only ever a few lyrics. Performing brought out a different side of him, it brought out emotions he didn't even know he had, and that was why he avoided it. There was a part of him that wanted to feel again, but he was terrified of the pain so he cut music out entirely.

He chose the song he wanted and walked over to his bed, sitting on the edge and laying back with his eyes closed. Even though he hadn't talked to Kurt in quite some time, Kurt text him and emailed him constantly. Usually it was to ask about the film, but several of the messages had to do with Panic! At The Disco's new album. Sebastian was never a huge fan of the band, but there was one song that stuck out, one song that grabbed at his soul and wouldn't let go.

Sebastian started to drum along to the beat, momentarily missing his drum set back in LA. Not that he'd played the drums in ages.

Cross my heart and hope to die

Burn my lungs and curse my eyes

Sebastian sang out, his emotions struggling to be freed.

I've lost control and I don't want it back

I'm going numb, I've been hijacked

It's a fucking drag

He sat up with his eyes firmly shut as memories flooded his mind.

Sebastian stood outside Hunter's class, making faces at him through the door. Hunter sent him a glare though a smirk played at his lips. Sebastian grinned. Getting Hunter to smile was his new favorite hobby. Hunter looked away, willing his heart to slow down.

I taste you on my lips and I can't get rid of you

So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do

You're worse than nicotine, nicotine

Yeah you're worse than nicotine, nicotine

"I'm going to get in trouble and it's going to be entirely your fault!" Hunter scolded the moment he got out of class.

Sebastian smirked. "I told you to stay home today," he sang. He leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "I could be fucking you into the headboard right now."

Hunter blushed brightly. "I already skipped two days, Bas," he whispered back harshly, though Sebastian knew he was all bark and no bite. No one ever called him Bas, but Hunter had let the nickname slip during sex the previous night and Sebastian adored it. No one would ever be allowed to call him Bas but Hunter. "I couldn't miss anymore just because you're in town and we're...connecting."

Sebastian threw his arm over Hunter's shoulder and smiled sweetly. "Then let's get you to your next class so that I can take you home." Hunter rolled his eyes at his soulmate, but in his heart he was jumping for joy hearing Sebastian say he wanted to take him home as if it was their home.

Sebastian stood up and danced around his trailer, completely unaware that his cast mate Stephen was in his doorway watching him perform.

It's better to burn than to fade away

It's better to leave than to be replaced

I'm losing to you, baby,I'm no match

I'm going numb,I've been hijacked

It's a fucking drag

Sebastian clapped with the beat, joy and sadness seeping through the wall his soul built.

"College is important to some of us, ya know?" Hunter breathed out. He'd had one more class to go but due to Sebastian's insistence, he was now pinned up against the wall of his hallway as he tried to unlock his apartment door.

Sebastian pressed himself against Hunter harder, Hunter inhaling sharply. "The only thing I want to study is you," he smirked. Hunter groaned and bit his lip, finally unlocking his door and slamming it behind them. Screw going to his last class.

Sebastian leaned his head on the wall as the song slowed down, tears trickling down his cheeks as an overwhelming wave of longing hit him. He didn't pull the emotions back. He let them take over completely. He needed to feel the pain and the loss, if only for a moment.

Just one more hit and then we're through

'Cause you could never love me back

Cut every tie I have to you

'Cause your love's a fucking drag

But I need it so bad

As the song came to an end, the emotions that seeped through began to fade away. He tried desperately to hold on to them but just as quickly as they came they were gone. He felt so empty, so alone. It wasn't until that moment that he realized how much he truly missed Hunter, how much he truly needed him.

A clapping by the door caught his attention and he whipped his head around to see Stephen watching him. "Not bad, kid," Stephen said casually. "You've got some pipes on you. Not that I'm surprised. You were a Warbler after all."

Sebastian stood straighter, quickly wiping away any stray tears. "Did you need something?" he asked with a bite.

Stephen pursed his lips to prevent from smirking. They were all used to Sebastian's snarky attitude by now. "We're all going out to eat and then maybe hit a club. Come join us. We could use your moves on the dance floor."

"No thanks," Sebastian answered instantly. A club was the last place he wanted to be.

"Come on, Smythe. You've been holed up in this trailer all day," Stephen tried to reason.

"I said no," Sebastian replied firmly. "And why not?"

"Because."

"Because?"

Sebastian hesitated for a moment before shouting, "Because I'm an alcoholic! The last place I want to go to is a fucking club!"

Stephen slipped his hands in his pocket and nodded thoughtfully. Sebastian's confession didn't surprise him. He could spot an addict a mile away. "I know the feeling. I've been clean for ten years," he shared with a soft smile. "You should still join us though, Sebastian. It'll be good for you to see the other side of things while sober. It'll give you a better perspective." Sebastian said nothing. "If I leave here without you then Windsor is coming in. Do you really want that?"

Sebastian rolled his eyes and shook his head, a small smile on his lips. Windsor had a take no prisoner attitude and a thick New England accent he constantly poked fun at her for. If she came into his trailer she would no doubt drag him out by his hair. "Just...give me five minutes and I'll be right there."

Stephen tapped his watch. "Five minutes," he said with a smirk as he turned to walk away.

"Hey, wait," Sebastian called. Stephen turned around with a raised brow. "Could you maybe just pretend that the last few minutes never happened?"

Stephen smiled with understanding. "Your secret's safe with me."


It was late when the crew members returned to set. Most of them were drunk off their asses but Sebastian had to admit it was nice talking with those who stayed sober. Stephen had been right about him needing to see things from a different perspective. He was cautious at first, watching his coworkers down their drinks. He had the itch just underneath his skin but he knew that he couldn't have even a drop and the itch was easier to ignore than he thought. Especially when he saw how the others acted while drunk. It was incredibly difficult to watch them, but also an eye opener. He thought back on all the times he acted so recklessly, all the times he made a complete ass of himself because of the liquor in his body. It nauseated him. He never wanted to experience it again. But he did have fun tonight, once he got passed the drunks around him. He danced and he laughed, and for the first time in a long time, he felt free.

As they walked back, Sebastian noticed a small white dog staring at them from across the street. He stopped in his tracks and watched the dog, waiting to see if it would run his way. But it never did. It just continued to stare at him, as if it was waiting to see if Sebastian would come to him. He almost did. He took a single step forward before Stephen called his name. He turned around, told Stephen that he was coming and looked back across the street. The dog was gone. He glanced around to see if the dog was making its way towards him but the roads were empty. With a shrug and a shake of his head, he walked inside the gated set.


Kurt inhaled deeply, Blaine's scent filling his lungs. Their hands and legs were intertwined and Kurt could feel Blaine's thumb lightly caressing his hand. A smile played at his lips but he kept his eyes shut. He felt absolutely extraordinary. There was a serenity surrounding him, a feeling of completion and unimaginable happiness. He felt like he was floating and the only thing keeping him grounded was Blaine's gentle touch.

"I know you're awake," Blaine said in a whisper.

Kurt's smile widened as he eyes fluttered open. Blaine smiled back at him and kissed Kurt's hand. "I knew you watched me sleep," he teased, his voice gruff.

"How could I not?" Blaine asked awestruck. "You're the most beautiful man on this entire planet. You're ethereal even."

Kurt snorted a laugh. "You've been dying to say that since you woke up, haven't you?"

Blaine grinned from ear to ear, and shrugged a little. "Maybe," he said and Kurt couldn't help but blush a little. "Last night was..."

"Amazing?" Kurt finished for him with a smile. "Breathtaking? Perfect?" Blaine chuckled and nodded. "All of the above."

Kurt scooted closer and kissed Blaine's lips sweetly. "I can't believe The Mira came to see us."

"I know," Blaine said with a slow exhale. "Never in a million years did I think that would happen."

"Me either. Does this mean we're better than everybody else?" Kurt asked with slight tease.

Blaine's smile widened. "We're definitely better than everybody else," he said and Kurt giggled.

Blaine raised his hand to Kurt's face and caressed his cheek. They stared into each other's eyes, love and passion seeping through every pore. Kurt leaned closer and brushed his nose with Blaine's, his eyes blazing with fire. The air around them suddenly grew heavy and their lips met in a deep kiss, Kurt grabbing Blaine by his bicep and pushing him to lie on his back. Blaine moaned into the kiss as Kurt's dominance washed over him. He started to wrap his arms around Kurt's back but Kurt grabbed his hands, pinned them above his head, and straddled him. Blaine groaned at the sudden friction. Their cocks pressed together and Kurt rotated his hips expertly, smirking with satisfaction when Blaine released a guttural moan.

"You're so fucking hot like this," Kurt said with a growl, looking down at Blaine with hunger. Blaine looked up with bashful eyes and Kurt gyrated his hips harder. Blaine whined with want. "I fucking love it when you beg," he said arrogantly, bending forward to suck on Blaine's nipple.

"Kurt," Blaine groaned, his hips bucking upwards. "You are such a damn tease."

Kurt glanced up as he moved to Blaine's other nipple. "You love it," he said sultrily. Blaine nodded and threw his head back on the pillow. He tried to move his arms but Kurt gripped his wrists harder. Blaine couldn't help but smile to himself. He really did love it when Kurt took charge of him. Kurt backed away from Blaine's chest and let go of his wrists. Blaine looked up with confusion when Kurt unstraddled him. "Turn over," Kurt demanded and Blaine obliged instantly. He got on his hands and knees and looked behind him, anticipation coursing through him. Kurt licked his lips, his eyes raking over Blaine's body. "God you have such a nice ass," he said as he knelt in-between Blaine's legs. He placed a hand on each ass cheek and squeezed. "I've wanted to fuck this ass for years," Blaine merely groaned in response. "It's so firm and plump and just," Kurt pulled a hand back and slapped Blaine's ass hard. "So fucking delectable."

"Kurt," Blaine drew out, pushing his ass against Kurt's hands.

Kurt reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the bottle of lube. He grabbed a pillow and placed it underneath Blaine's waist. "Lay down," he instructed and Blaine did what he was told. "I am so going to enjoy this."

"As if you aren't already," Blaine retorted breathlessly.

Kurt slapped Blaine's ass again and Blaine hissed. "Don't get sassy," he warned though by the tone of his voice Blaine knew that he didn't mean it.

Blaine smirked at him. "What's the matter, Kurt? Don't you like it when I talk back?" Kurt's eyes narrowed as he landed another slap. Blaine bit his lip. "Come on now, sweetheart. You can do better than that," he challenged.

Kurt slapped him harder and Blaine moaned with pleasure. He laid his body flat on Blaine's back, his cock tucked perfectly in-between Blaine's ass cheeks. He grabbed Blaine's hands, intertwined their fingers, and held them still.

"You like that, don't you?" Kurt asked, speaking directly into Blaine's ear. "Me spanking you."

Blaine smiled mischievously, lifting his ass just enough to make Kurt groan. "I do. You're so hot when you get mean."

"Am I now?" Kurt questioned with a raised brow.

"So hot," Blaine purred. "I almost want to misbehave just to have you punish me."

Kurt hummed in contemplation as he kissed Blaine's back muscles. "I like the sound of that, you misbehaving. I could think of so many ways to punish you."

"Oh yeah? Like what?" Blaine asked, his eyes sparkling with desire.

Kurt chuckled darkly as he sat up. "Can't tell ya. You'll just have to wait and see."

Blaine sucked on his lower lip and closed his eyes, images of being tied to the bedpost and Kurt dressed in leather whipping him running through his mind. He never imagined he'd be one for BDSM but the thought of Kurt taking complete control over him was insanely hot.

"What are you smirking at over there?" Kurt asked as he poured lube onto his fingers.

Blaine looked back at Kurt, an almost submissive look in his eyes. "I'm thinking about you tying me up and whipping me," he said lowly. "You'd look so damn sexy in leather."

A smile slowly crept over Kurt's face. "Duly noted," he breathed out. He traced Blaine's ass crack with a single digit, Blaine arching his ass to the touch. "You ready?"

Blaine nodded eagerly, turning his head back around and placing his chin on the pillow. His arms were extended out in the same place Kurt had held them and he grabbed at the sheets as Kurt inserted his finger. Kurt groaned behind him and he smirked, pushing his ass against Kurt's hand. This may have been his first time bottoming, but that didn't mean he was stranger to being stretched. Just like Kurt, he had prepared himself in the passing months for this moment with his own dildo and he was dying for Kurt's long, thick cock to fill him entirely.

Kurt watched with his mouth open as he stretched Blaine. He was practically salivating at the sight. He inserted a second finger and stretched Blaine slowly. Watching his fingers disappear inside Blaine was incredibly erotic, and the sounds Blaine emanated when he brushed that spot were by the far the sexiest thing he'd ever witnessed.

"Kurt," Blaine moaned, enunciating the T. "Baby, please."

Kurt bit his lip and inserted a third finger. "I'm sorry, Blaine, I didn't quite catch that," he teased as he brushed against the spot once more.

"Kurt," Blaine growled. "Please, baby. I need you inside me. Please," he begged.

Kurt slowly removed his fingers, smiling at the whine that escaped Blaine's lip. "Well, since you asked so nicely."

Blaine turned his head to look at Kurt and moaned softly. Kurt was stroking himself, covering his throbbing erection with lube. He could watch Kurt touch himself for hours and be the happiest man alive.

"Like what you see?" Kurt asked when he caught Blaine staring.

"Fuck," Blaine groaned. "So much. You're so fucking sexy."

Kurt lined himself with Blaine's hole and pushed in, both howling with pleasure. Once fully inside, Kurt laid down on Blaine's back and grabbed hold of Blaine's hands. "So are you," he growled. He brought Blaine's arms close to his body and laced their fingers. Their arms were bent together and Kurt held on tight, using his knees to pull out and then his arms to help him push in hard. "Blaine, fuck!"

"I love it when you say my name like that," Blaine mumbled. He clenched his ass as Kurt pushed in and threw his head back with a mewl.

"Ohmygod," Kurt moaned, his thrusts picking up speed, "fortheloveofgoddothatagain."

Kurt's words were barely coherent but Blaine understood and continued to clench as Kurt fucked him. Kurt thrust harder, faster, and the headboard started slamming into the wall. Kurt bit down on Blaine's shoulder blade and Blaine howled, his head falling back on Kurt's shoulder.

"Fuck, fuck, yes!" Blaine screamed, his abdomen churning as Kurt pounded into him. "Right there, right..." he trailed off, unable to form words any longer.

Kurt fucked him harder, moaning as he left bite marks all over Blaine's back. Blaine's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he came hard, Kurt's throaty moans mixing with his wails of pleasure. Kurt's body shuddered as he came inside Blaine, nearly blacking out for a moment from the intensity. They laid still for a long while, both breathing slowly and in sync as they came down from their post orgasmic high. Kurt let out a breathy chuckle as he pulled out of Blaine and rolled off him. Blaine folded his arms underneath his chin, a sated smile on his lips.

"That was incredible," Kurt breathed, his arm resting on Blaine's lower back.

"Mhm," Blaine nodded, his eyes half closed. He forced himself to lay on his side and tucked his head into the crook of Kurt's neck, kissing up Kurt's jawline softly. "Almost as incredible as last night."

Kurt closed his eyes and hummed. "I'm going to miss this when you leave for Europe," he spoke quietly.

"Don't think about that right now," Blaine whispered. "We have plenty of time before I go back on tour and I promise you that I will make every second count."

Kurt opened his eyes to look at Blaine and smiled lovingly. "I look forward to it," Blaine pushed Kurt back gently and rested his head on Kurt's chest. "What are we doing today? Other than the obvious."

Blaine chuckled and kissed Kurt's skin. "Hm, nothing. Just this. All day."

"We'll have to get up and eat eventually, Blaine," Kurt said with amusement, though the thought of leaving bed was far from appealing.

"The only thing I want to eat is you," Blaine flirted and Kurt laughed.

Kurt carded his hands through Blaine's hair and played with his curls. "You're such a dork I swear."

Blaine looked up at Kurt with puppy eyes. "But I'm your dork, right?" he pouted.

Kurt groaned. "Blaine, don't look at me like that," he whined. "I can't take how adorable you are!"

Blaine laughed and scooted up to kiss Kurt's nose. "You love it."

Kurt sighed, a dreamy look in his eyes. "I really do. But," he said, his voice going lower. "Not nearly as much as you love me spanking you," he teased and Blaine's cheeks turned a bright red. "I didn't know you had a kink for pain, Anderson."

"I didn't either," Blaine laughed. "But it's nothing compared to your wall sex kink."

"Mm, wall sex," Kurt moaned with appreciation. "That's what we're doing next."

"In the shower?" Blaine asked hopefully.

Kurt leaned forward and caught his lips in a heated kiss. "In the shower. Then maybe we can desecrate the hot tub."

Blaine smiled and nodded, bringing his hand to Kurt's face and cupping his cheek. "Perfect," he said against Kurt's lips. "Then we'll move on to the kitchen table."

"The table, huh?" Kurt asked with delight.

"Mhm," Blaine grinned. "I'm going to bend you over the table and fuck you so hard that you won't be able to remember your own name."

Kurt groaned with anticipation, an excited smile on his lips. "Sounds perfect," he said before crashing their mouths together. They were in for a very good day.


Hunter sat in his living room with Jeff, Nick, and Wes, drinking a couple of beers and hanging out for the afternoon. He hadn't expected Jeff and Nick to tag along with Wes, but he didn't mind. The more people around him, the easier it was to ignore the pain in his heart. He did have to admit though that it was fun hanging with the boys again. He was always either with fellow teachers that didn't connect with him or his students. Being with the guys made him feel like a teenager again.

"It was not Mr. Puss' fault!" Hunter yelled though there was a smile on his lips. "It was an accident!"

"Accident my ass!" Jeff fought back, fuming. "That demon cat did it on purpose!"

"He was a cat, Jeff. How could he have done it on purpose?" Wes asked seriously though he bit back a laugh.

Jeff huffed, crossing his arms. "I don't know. All I know is that he was an evil genius and he killed my Warbler," he said with such sadness that the others all rolled their eyes. "Barkley was a beautiful creature with an inspirational song in his heart. He moved me. And your cat killed him!"

"For the last time Mr. Puss did not kill that damn bird!" Hunter shouted. Wes snorted a laugh and Nick bit back his own. They would all be old and gray, and Jeff and Hunter would still be arguing over this.

"I've told you we could always buy you a new one," Nick said sweetly. "We could name him Barkley Jr."

"It wouldn't be the same," Jeff grumbled. "Where's your bathroom?" "Second door to the left," Hunter said, pointing in the general direction.

Jeff stood up and mumbled under his breath about the evil cat as he walked off. Hunter waved him off with an eye roll. He looked behind him to make sure Jeff was gone and then turned to Nick and Wes with a smirk. "Can I tell you guys something?" he whispered conspiringly. Wes and Nick glanced at each other and nodded. "Mr. Puss didn't eat Barkley. I set him free."

"Hunter!" Wes gasped, Nick's jaw going slack.

"I had to!" Hunter said quickly. "Jeff was torturing that bird and you know it! Barkley was grateful that I let him go and you should be too. Don't act like you didn't cringe every time Jeff decided to play dress up with him. No animal deserves to be dressed in tiny clothes!"

Wes threw his head back and laughed. Nick simply shook his head. "All these years we thought that Mr. Puss opened Barkley's cage and it was you," Nick said in shock. "I can't believe you let Barkley out."

"YOU LET BARKLEY OUT!" Jeff's voice rang out from the entryway. Hunter turned around with a guilty expression. "Jeff, let me explain."

"Explain what? That you took my very best friend away from me?!" Jeff shrieked. "How could you?!"

Hunter opened his mouth to talk but shut it when words evaded him. "Jeffery," Wes said sternly though a smirk played at his lips. "Isn't it better that Barkley was set free than eaten though?"

"I...but...yeah," Jeff shoulders slumped as he took his seat. "But I had him since freshman year. He was my buddy," he pouted.

"At least he's not dead," Hunter reasoned with a small shrug.

"Yeah, honey. He's probably still alive and well and he probably has himself a little bird family," Nick said comfortingly.

"I guess," Jeff mumbled, crossing his arms with a huff. He turned to Hunter with a glare. "Did you really let him out or are you just trying to cover up for that demon cat?"

A smirk slowly crept up Hunter's face but he didn't say a word. He truly had released Barkley but he couldn't help but screw with Jeff a little longer. Jeff's eyes went wide but before he could say anything, Wes cut in. "Whatever did happen to Mr. Puss? All you ever told me was that you didn't have him anymore."

I uh...lost him the week before I met Sebastian," Hunter spoke quietly, a forced smile on his lips. "I was really anxious and just all over the place and I accidentally left a window open when I went to class. He was gone when I came back."

They were all quiet for a moment, unsure of how Hunter would react next. They had stayed away from the topic of Sebastian all afternoon, not wanting to start unnecessary issues.

"Well," Jeff said with nonchalance. "You can consider that payback for letting Barkley go."

Hunter glanced up with a glare but then laughed. "Yeah, I guess I can."

"He really was a cool cat though," Nick said with a nod, pulling his phone out to check the time.

"He was the coolest," Wes agreed.

Jeff glared at them. "He was evil."

"You're just saying that because he didn't like you," Nick pointed out.

"Exactly!" Jeff shouted. "Animals love me! Clearly Mr. Puss was evil if he didn't like me!" They all laughed with the exception of Hunter. His eyes were on the ground, his head lost in a memory. The guys glanced at each other warily. It wasn't the first time that afternoon that Hunter seemed to lose himself in his head. "You ok, bro?" Jeff asked with concern.

Hunter nodded though none of them were convinced."Can I...can I ask you guys something?" He asked just above a whisper. "About Sebastian."

Nick and Jeff looked at Wes who shrugged. "Yeah, sure," Wes replied.

Hunter stayed silent for a few minutes and when he finally looked up, there were tears in his eyes. "What happened between him and Blaine?"

Jeff chose his words carefully. "Exactly what Blaine told you happened," he said seriously. "Their relationship was a farce, Hunter. It was never meant to be anything more."

"But what happened?" Hunter asked with a hint of desperation in his voice. "Why did they do it in the first place? Why did they end it? What happened?!"

Wes placed a comforting hand on Hunter's back. "That's not our story to tell, Hunter," Hunter took a shuddering breath and shook his head. "Could you give us a minute?" Wes directed at Nick and Jeff.

"Of course," Nick said as they stood up. "We need to head out anyway. We promised my mom we'd visit them next."

"We'll go wait in the car," Jeff said. Nick and him sent Hunter a sad smile though he didn't see it and walked out of his apartment.

"Hunter, can I be honest with you? Truly honest?" Wes asked quietly. Hunter nodded. "You need to let this go," Hunter looked at him, pain and longing in his eyes. "What happened between Blaine and Sebastian is a lot more complicated than you could imagine. There are things you don't know because you never gave them a real chance to explain. And if you don't let this anger go, it'll consume you completely. It almost consumed Sebastian."

"You don't understand, Wes," Hunter said pitifully. "You don't understand this pain, this hole in my heart."

"You're right. I don't. But I've seen what can happen to someone if they hold on to that pain, if they let themselves fall into that hole," Wes told him. "I watched Sebastian fall and it was heartbreaking. I don't want you to fall too."

"It's just so hard," Hunter said brokenly.

"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy," Wes said with a small smile. "But I am telling you that it's going to be worth it. Fate doesn't make mistakes. You and Sebastian could be happy if you allow yourselves to."

"What if he doesn't want me anymore?" Hunter asked worriedly. "What if I've ruined things beyond repair?"

"You haven't."

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm Wes. I'm all knowing," Wes said and Hunter offered him a small smile. "Seriously, man. Stop holding onto that pain and guilt. Stop worrying about whether or not you two belong together. Accept what is and what is not. When you start trying to move on from the past, truly trying, everything else will fall into place."

Hunter nodded, a grateful smile on his lips. "You sound like your mom," he teased lightly.

"Yes well, she's right," Wes shrugged. "She always is."

"Yeah," Hunter nodded. "You should go. The guys are waiting." They both stood up from the couch and hugged. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yep," Wes confirmed as they parted. "Vanessa and I will be over early. We'll bring games, movies, and lots of booze. It'll be a sleepover to rival all sleepovers."

Hunter laughed a little. "Yeah right, Montgomery. You'll pass out halfway through one movie and then Vanessa and I will plan the rest of your future." Wes laughed as they walked to the door, knowing that what Hunter said was true. "We'll talk about how many babies you guys want, we'll name them all, and yes, we will give them super Asian names. Then we'll talk about how you're going to be a stay-at-home dad while she takes over the world, one library at a time."

"Books are the most powerful weapons in the world, ya know?" Wes said seriously, though a smirk played at his lips. "I'll see you tomorrow bro."

"See ya," Hunter said with a nod. He stood by the door and waited until Wes was in the car to walk away.

Hunter cleaned up the few beer bottles on the coffee table and poured the rest down the sink before throwing them in the recycle bin. He walked to his bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, images of Sebastian flooding his mind. "But those are the days that bind us together, forever. And those little things define us forever, forever," he sang to himself, that night's memories still fresh in his mind.

"It doesn't have to be like this. We can make this work," Sebastian said with desperation.

Hunter pulled away as if he'd been burned. "No, we can't. You don't care about anyone but yourself."

"That's not true!" Sebastian yelled. "I love you!"

"Then don't go!" Hunter shouted, begging. "Stay here with me!"

Tears streamed down Hunter's cheeks, guilt coursing through him. "All this bad blood here, won't you let it dry? It's been cold for years, won't you let it lie?"

Sebastian scoffed, unable to believe what Hunter was asking him. "This is my career we're talking about here! I can't just not go!"

"Of course you only care about your fucking career! You're a selfish bastard! Just like your mother was a selfish bitch!" Hunter regretted the words the instant they fell out of his mouth. "Sebastian, I didn't mean-"

"Like hell you didn't," Sebastian cut him off angrily. "If I'm selfish than you're a fucking coward just like your mother."

Hunter broke into a sob. They could've worked it out, if he let them. They could've had something, if he tried. But he had been too insecure. He said things he didn't mean, words that never should've been spoken, and they ripped their relationship apart. Now he was terrified that they would never work, that the wounds were too deep. "I'm sorry, Bas," he cried into his hands. "I'm so sorry."

In London, Sebastian shot up from his bed drenched in sweat. He breathed heavily, his mind shifting out of the dream he was in. The nightmare he was in. He quickly turned his lamp on and looked at his wrist, dread filling him. Hunter's name was still there. He let out a shaky breath of relief. He couldn't remember the details of the nightmare, how he ended up in the arms of the strange man. But he remembered looking at his wrist and Hunter's name being gone. He could still feel the sharp pain deep in his soul even though it was fading. He stared at his wrist, waiting to see if Hunter's name would disappear. When it didn't, he fell back into his bed. He grabbed his cellphone to look at the time and groaned. He'd only been asleep for about an hour. He looked at his wrist again and without another thought, called Hunter.

Hunter's tears stopped the moment his phone rang. With a shaky hand, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and inhaled sharply at Sebastian's smiling face. He gulped before picking up. "Hello," he answered, his voice gruff from crying.

"Are you ok?" Sebastian asked instantly.

Hunter cleared his throat and nodded. "Yeah, I'm ok." "Are you sure?" Sebastian asked, unconvinced.

"Mhm," Hunter assured him. "I uh, I was watching Marley and Me," he lied. "Stupid dog made me cry."

"Oh," Sebastian breathed. "Right. Ok."

"Are you alright?" Hunter asked cautiously. "You seem out of breath."

"I'm fine," Sebastian answered, staring at Hunter's name, still waiting for it to disappear. He exhaled slowly when it didn't. "Yeah, I'm fine. Bad dream."

Hunter worried his lip. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I...no. It's ok," Sebastian replied. "I um, I should go. I have an early call."

"Right. Of course," Hunter said, his voice breaking. "I hope you get a good night sleep."

Sebastian smiled a little, a wave of warmth filling his heart. "Thanks. You too. I'll call you soon."

"I'll be waiting," the words escaped Hunter's lips on their own accord but he couldn't regret them because they were true. "Goodnight, Sebastian."

"Goodnight, Hunter."

Sebastian ended the call and tossed his phone on the nightstand. He stared up at the ceiling, the feeling of dread and loss that came from the dream just barely bubbling underneath the surface. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "It was only a dream," he told himself. "It wasn't real. It was only a dream." He brought his wrist up to his face to look at Hunter's name. He kissed it softly, the fear finally subsiding completely. "I still love you," he whispered into the night before reaching over and turning off the light.