AN: Hey guys, it's been a hot minute. Did I write this just because of a comment I got on Wednesday? Yes. Did I keep meaning to write this for y'all? Also, yes. I know the phrase "It's 2020" has been used a lot as an excuse this year, so I guess I can try to give y'all the real reasons why this took so long. To be honest, I haven't lost my will for writing, in fact, it's really grown. However, where my current passion lies is not in these stories. I still love reading them and writing them when I have that chance, but the truth is I haven't had the chance much. My life has been hectic between school, personal life and revelations, figuring out what the heck to do about college, and my new project.
I still love writing, so much in fact that I'm starting to write a book. Not like a fanfiction site book either, like a probably published on Amazon for no one to read but is actually out their book. I've been working on a short story and poetry collection since about, honestly, January. That's been where all of my writing time has been going lately. If y'all are interested, I'd love to show y'all some of it so you can understand what I think is where my talent truly shines. I'm also considering starting a blog-style thing on AO3 to keep y'all more informed on my life and what's affecting my writing. I started most of these stories when I was still in middle school, and now I'm starting to really look into colleges. (Speaking of which, if you have suggestions, please tell me, I need all the help I can get with that research.) As we grow up, we change and I've reached the point where I'm starting to look back and see things as my childhood and the future that I never really expect to be able to see.
As 2020 comes to an end and 2021 ushers in, look back and remember not just the sad times (because this year really sucked) but also the few good moments. Life is what we make it, so find something that makes it good. I look back on years ago and realize just how much these stories and y'all improved my life when I felt like everything sucked. I'm so thankful for y'all.
Enough sappy stuff, enjoy the Christmas present and Happy Holidays to all!
The Paris skyline came into view. The Eiffel tower in all its glory amidst a stark blue sky, shrinking into view outside a window as they were pulled into the scene and out of the blue daze by a hand touching Sebaatsian's arm, causing him to reel back.
"Seb, are you okay?" Sebastian looked down at his (still) young sister.
She was somewhat slightly older than she had been before, causing them to assume the same about Sebastian. Her hair no longer threads over her shoulders but rivers down her back. Her eyes not quite so big or bright, dimmed with age and knowledge. Pink fairy wings traded for purple nail polish, tutus for skirts, and ballet slippers for normal sneakers.
"Yeah." He said to her although it was clear his mind was anywhere but in that room. Despite having turned from the window, his eyes couldn't help but wander toward it, yet wouldn't stay in place. His desire to see fighting his unwillingness to know.
"Just," he took a shallow breath, "Just a lot to take in."
She nodded and moved to sit on his bed, her gazing following his out the window. "You think this will last forever?"
Although they did not understand the context, those watching could not help but feel as though they were intruding on a private moment. Albit, they have been doing a lot of that lately. This felt more … pensive almost.
He quickly turned to her and hurried over, kneeling down to her level. "No, no, no, of course not! Just… Just for a little bit. Just until... mom's fashion line can go without her. Just… Just think of it like a long vacation."
"A vacation with school?"
He laughed, "Yeah, a vacation with school"
" I mean, it could be worse. We already spend summer here anyways; This time it'll just be a little more permanent."
He pulled her into a hug.
"Dad wants us home, right?" She whispered in his ear. He paused and petted her hair.
"Of course he wants you back, but come on, would you rather boring, old America or big, flashy Paris?" She pulled away, pouting contemplatively.
Everyone couldn't help but notice his wording. How much of it was true and how much of it was his own mind making things up they wondered? And sadly, they were beginning to doubt how much his mind made up.
"Besides, I know you love macarons~," He said as he tickled her sides.
She giggled, squirming away as she tried to duck off the bed.
"Seeeebbbbbyyyyyy!"
He chased her around the room, allowing her to win as he slowly gained before surprising her by grabbing her and pulling her to the ground. They fell on the ground, rolling and laughing their heads off.
Sebastian's smile ingrained itself into the minds of those watching. The utter happiness was a look so foreign on his face yet seemed to complete him. They could only marvel at the moment of love the two shared.
The Warblers wondered if this was his true nature, who he was when he let himself be free. They liked him better like this. They thought he liked him better like this.
The memory began to speed up and blur as time moved forward. The New Directions and Warblers watched as a fast-moving Sebastian got himself and his sister ready for what appeared to be school.
They walked down a few blocks before he arrived at one building, stopping to get her settled in. Her gaze followed it up, up, up and even the onlookers could feel her anxiety.
Sebastian smiled lovingly at her before crouching down.
"Hey, it'll be okay. You're gonna have a great time, just remember?"
"Remember what?" She looked at him questioningly and got an impish grin in return.
"Parle en francais. (Speak in French.)" She rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless before running into her classroom.
The Warblers and New Directions gasped as the words translated for them. They could tell it was in French, yet also understood the English. If only they had that on their French final!
"Je reviens te chercher après l'école! (I'll be back to pick you up after school!)" He rolled his eyes before continuing on his way after he saw her wave him off.
He walked about a block away to the seemingly related secondary school. As he walked on campus he could feel people's eyes travel to him. It was understandable, he was new yet looked a lot older than the 6ème (Year 7/ 6th graders) who also looked around lost.
"Regarde ce gamin, comme tu penses qu'il a dû être stupide pour être retenu aussi longtemps. (Look at that kid, how dumb do you think he had to be to be held back that long.)" Sebastian's head turned as he overheard someone talking about who he could only assume was him.
The guy looked like your typically French Prep douchebag. He was surrounded by other similar pristine dressed guys and girls, all of whom tried to give off the air of being better than you. Yet, when Sebastian looked closer, he could make out the telltale signs of a group that knows how to have a good time, if you get my drift.
The Warblers tried to hold in their laughs as they saw the glint enter their leader's eyes. Someone was about to get shown up.
"Ethan, détends-toi, c'est peut-être l'Américain. J'ai entendu dire que l'un d'entre eux devait être transféré cette année. (Ethan, chill out, he might be the American. I heard one was supposed to be transferring this year.)" One of the groupie boys stood up for him.
Sebastian paused for a moment, this was an unexpected turn. He continued to wander closer. Close enough to still appear like a lost meander but also close enough to be expected to overhear.
"S'il vous plaît, cela aggrave les choses. Il ne parle probablement même pas français! (Please, that makes it worse. He probably doesn't even speak French!)" Ethan declared, seemingly oblivious to how Sebastian was almost close enough to touch. "
"Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m'indiquer la direction du front office? (Excuse me, could you point me in the direction of the front office?)" Sebastian chose that moment to cut in, smiling at the flash of fear that crossed Ethan's face.
"Um, Je pourrais te faire mieux et te montrer? (Um, I could do you one better and show you?" The boy who stood up for him before spoke up with a soft, embarrassed smile.
Ethan glared at the boy while Sebastian turned on his Hollywood smile before nodding his thanks.
"Ce serait merveilleux si cela ne vous dérange pas. (That would be wonderful, if you don't mind.)"
"Mon plaisir. (My pleasure.)" The boy led him away from the group, around a more deserted side of the school while they both tried to ignore Ethan's glare, one more comfortable than the other.
As they walked, a warm sense of familiarity fell over the watchers, yet a more foreboding sense hid underneath. All seemed calm and Sebastian seemed at ease in the moment, but the watchers could not shake the little feeling holding them back. Almost as if Sebastian's subconscious was trying to tell them something.
"Je suis désolé pour lui. Il est ... normalement pas comme ça. (I'm sorry about him. He's ... normally not like this.)" Sebastian waved off the apology.
"Ne vous inquiétez pas. J'aurais dû m'attendre à pire. (Don't sweat it. I should have expected worse.)"
"Oh?" The boy looked intrigued as did the teens unseen.
"Je veux dire que j'ai passé beaucoup de temps à Paris; cependant, rien ne se compare à vivre ici à plein temps. (I mean I've spent a lot of time in Paris; however, nothing compares to living here full time.)"
"Oh, alors tu es l'Américain? (Oh, so you are the American?)"
"Quand vous le mettez comme ça, ça sonne mal. Appelez-moi juste Sébastian. (When you put it like that it sounds bad. Just call me Sebastain.)"
The boy smiled and tried to hide a laugh.
"Je suis Marcus. (I'm Marcus.)" He spoke up before stopping with a twinkle in his eye.
"C'est le bureau? (This is the office?)" Sebastian asked.
"Oui, tu sais que tu devrais t'asseoir avec moi au déjeuner plus tard. Je vais vous aider à vous familiariser avec l'endroit. Doit être très différent des écoles américaines. (Yes, you know you should sit with me at lunch later. I'll help you get acquainted with the place. Must be very different from American schools.)"
The Warblers shared a look. It was sweet to see someone being kind to Sebastian, especially after what had been revealed about him. However, they didn't know much about this boy. They didn't want Sebastian being hurt again. Then again, didn't the girl, Lizzy?, say some good would be shown?
Sebastian looked contemplatively for a moment. He knew what Marcus was doing and was honestly, kinda flattered.
"Bien sûr, où allons-nous nous rencontrer? (Sure. where shall we meet?)"
"Je te trouverai. (I'll find you.)"
The Warblers froze and Kurt and Blaine shared a look. At least they knew where Sebastian got the straightforwardness from. A feeling fell over the group. A mix of Sebastian's fight against being flustered and an anxiety they couldn't put their finger on. Something put them on edge as they watched the two young men.
A second passed, almost daring either of them to break their game.
"J'espère que vous passez une bonne journée d'ici là. Je sais que te rencontrer a amélioré le mien. (I hope you have a good day until then. I know meeting you has improved mine.)"
Marcus swept a quick kiss to Sebastian's hand before leaving him still standing outside the office, honestly kinda confused on what just went down. Were all the men in Paris this straight forward? Or just the tall, built ones?