The Summer Away

The moment Lexi asked him if he wanted to come and spend the summer with her, it didn't take more than a moment to know that's what he needed. With everything that had happen, he knew he needed to get away and get his head straight. For someone that used to be able to see things so clearly, from the moment Blaine walked into the Warbler common room, Sebastian's life had been thrown off kilter. It wasn't the first time Sebastian had been attracted to someone upon seeing them, but from the start things felt different. Then to find out that he happened to be the same person he'd heard so much about, Sebastian had to get to know him. While it started easily enough, it just as quickly turned into a mess.

Sebastian found himself doing things he wouldn't normally do, and it was all because of Blaine. More than once, he heard a few of the Warblers comment that his attitude teetered on jealousy but Sebastian wouldn't give it a second thought. Yet once everything got turned upside down, and slowly began working its way out he realized they were right in a sense. And after what happened in regards to Kurt forgetting Blaine's birthday, Sebastian realized his feelings for Blaine were different than anything he'd felt before.

Once they all took their last finals, everyone was talking about what they were going to be doing for the summer. When Sebastian said he was going away for the summer, but didn't get into detail they all presumed he was heading back to Europe. Even though he knew that wasn't the fact, Sebastian had no desire to correct them. In his mind, it didn't matter where he was going. All that mattered is he was getting out of the place that had done something to him he couldn't grasp.

While he sat at the airport waiting to board, he contemplated texting Blaine to tell him where he was going but thought better of it. Since Kurt had graduated, he figured Blaine would be with him after he apologized profusely for getting the date of Blaine's birthday wrong. Even though they'd talked about it, and he knew Blaine was still unsure about things, he wasn't going to make things any harder for him. And knowing how Kurt felt about their friendship, it would do just that.

Throughout the flight, Sebastian tried to distract himself as he had more going on in his life than just Blaine. His dear sister, who seemed to date people he wouldn't give the time of day, was in love and her current beau was living with her. So while she was so happy, his life was a mess and he wasn't sure how he was going to handle being around them. Yet, heading to Paris was out of the question considering the last few conversations he'd had with his mother.

By the time Sebastian landed in New York, Lexi was anxiously pacing outside of security. Even though Sebastian hadn't said so directly, she knew her little brother was hurting. Once he made his way through security, it wasn't long till she was able to wrap her arms tightly around him. Upon feeling his arms around her shoulders, she glanced up and saw the sadness in his eyes, that she'd heard on the phone. "I'm really glad you decided to come." Lexi told him before kissing him on the cheek once they let go of one another.

"I'm glad you extended the invitation." Sebastian replied before taking her hand as they began to walk. "So, am I finally going to meet this mystery man of yours?"

"Yes, you're going to get to meet him Seb. But, before you do there is something I need to tell you about him."

"Please tell me his not some douche that I'm going to be biting my tongue around." Sebastian said earning him a look from his big sister. "Come on Lex, you know as well as I do you've dated some questionable guys over the years."

"Touché." She replied earning her a nod from Sebastian. "I can tell you, he's nothing like any other guy I've ever dated."

"That's good to know."

"Seb."

"Sorry. Now, what is it you wanted to tell me about him? And speaking of him, do I get a name or do I have to keep referring to the man you're dating as him?"

"Yes, you get a name…his name is Cooper. Cooper Anderson." The moment his full name was out of her mouth, Sebastian stopped dead in his tracks not caring about those behind him. When he looked at Lexi, all she could do is nod as she knew what had gone through his mind.

"That's not funny Lexi, not in the slightest."

"I'm not trying to be funny Seb, it's the truth."

"He's got to hate me! How could you possibly invite me here when you're….you're…" Sebastian couldn't even finish his thought before running his fingers through his hair. "Just drop me off at a hotel, okay. I'll figure out my summer plans from there."

"Seb…Seb…Sebastian! Stop!" Lexi stated as she took ahold of both of his hands upon seeing how flustered her brother was. "Cooper doesn't hate you okay. He's actually looking forward to meeting you."

"How could he…after what I…"

"Remember all those things you've ever told me about Blaine." Lexi said soothingly causing Sebastian to nod. "Well, I can say a lot of those characteristics are a family trait. Seb, if I felt this wasn't going to work, do you really think I would've invited you? To have put you in this sort of situation?" Sebastian shook his head. "Good. Now, let's be on our way as we have plenty to talk about and we shouldn't be doing it here in the airport."

During the drive home, Lexi didn't push Sebastian to talk as she knew he had quite a bit to process. She and Cooper had talked numerous times about how to tell their brothers, but they didn't quite know how to tell them. Then with everything that happened, they were thankful that they hadn't. Yet they both knew a time would come when they'd have to open up. And now, it was Sebastian's time to find out. By the time they got to the house, there seemed to be a bit less tension in the car, but there was no denying Sebastian was a bit apprehensive. "Is h…Cooper home?" Sebastian asked as he grabbed his suitcase out of the trunk.

"No, but he should be back in about an hour or so. It all depends on when they finish filming his scenes today." Lexi told him. "So you have time to relax before you meet him. You should know, he's different from what you've described Blaine. Clearly Blaine is the more serious of the Anderson brothers."

"That's something I remember from the times Blaine's mentioned him." Sebastian said as he adjusted his backpack as they headed for the door. "Let's do this."

Once inside the house, it didn't take Sebastian long to make his way upstairs and start to get settled. He was pleasantly surprised to see some of the things he'd shipped ahead were already unpacked. It's something he should've expected as there was no way Lexi wouldn't have done so, especially when he said it was okay for her to open what he sent. Knowing he didn't have to unpack those boxes was certainly a relief. He'd just finished running the cords for all his electronics behind the desk when he heard a voice in the foyer that wasn't Lexi's.

It didn't take Sebastian long to make his way to the staircase, and look down to see his sister in the arms of who he presumed was Cooper. With everything that had happened, Sebastian honestly didn't know how things were going to play out between them. The only thing he was sure of was Lexi wouldn't have put him in a situation where they two would've been at odds as he knew she loved him too much. Sebastian had just composed himself when he heard Lexi call up the stairs for him to meet them in the family room.

Slowly Sebastian made his trek down the flight of stairs towards the family room. Upon reaching the landing he took a deep breath to collect his thoughts. From what Lexi had said on the drive over, the last thing he wanted to do was ruin things for her with as happy as she was. When he rounded the corner, there stood Lexi and Cooper. Sebastian glanced at Lexi after looking at Cooper who he could tell was sizing him up. "So, you must be the infamous Sebastian." Cooper said as he extended a hand to him. "I've heard lots about you."

"Wish I could say the same, but Lexi's been a bit vague when talking about you." Sebastian replied as they shook hands. "It wasn't till I got here did I even know you're name. Yet once she did, I could understand why."

"Yea, we'd talked about it quite a bit." Cooper told him. "And when we were about to tell you both, we each got rather interesting phone calls which put everything on hold. The last thing we needed to do was add more stress to the situation."

"Which situation?"

"My brother getting hit with a slushie." Cooper stated causing Sebastian's entire expression to change. "Relax Sebastian; I'm not going to kill you…anymore." When Sebastian looked at Lexi she bit her lower lip, yet she should've known Cooper couldn't help but test the waters.

"It wasn't meant for Blaine, you've got to believe me." Sebastian replied, before looking at his sister once more. "The last thing I'd ever do is hurt Blaine."

"I know. Lexi stated as much, plus Blaine told me that he got hit because he pushed that boyfriend of his out of the way." There was something about the way Cooper spoke of Kurt, that didn't go unnoticed by Sebastian. "My brother, always the gentleman. You do realize, that's why he didn't tell our parents, right?"

"That he's a gentleman?"

"No, because he knew it wasn't meant for him." Cooper replied. "Not that he condones what you did, he also knows you weren't the only one behind it. He knew things were bad between the Warblers and Kurt, he just hadn't realized how bad."

"Saying it was bad, would be underestimating the situation. The only reason any of the guys were even semi-polite to Hummel was for Blaine's sake. While they might've liked him at one point, it didn't last long."

"You don't like him?"

"And you do?" Once Sebastian spoke, Lexi kept moving her eyes between the two. "You can't tell me you don't think Blaine deserves better?"

"You mean, like you?"

"You don't know me, so that would be an unfair comparison."

"I know enough from what Lexi's told me about you…and Blaine. Plus, I have my own opinion of my brother's boyfriend."

"Well, it's clear you two already have a topic to bond over." Lexi said with a laugh. "Now that I know the two of you don't need a go-between, I'm going to go start dinner." She then stretched to give Cooper a kiss before leaving the room. Considering how Sebastian had reacted when she told him who she was dating, she was happy how things went. While most wouldn't think the dislike of one's boyfriend was a good thing to have them bond over, she knew them both enough that it would quickly allow them to put their guards down.

By the time dinner was ready and she head into the foyer to let them both know she could hear their laughter. With them both having such different senses of humor, she couldn't help but wonder what the two were laughing about. Then once they appeared in the kitchen, her mind kicked into overdrive considering the expressions they were both sporting on their faces. "Seriously Sebastian, I have asked myself that question on multiple occasions." Cooper said to him before kissing Lexi on the cheek. "Honestly, I really don't think I want to know the answer."

"Come on Cooper, you know some twisted part of you does."

"True, since I've thought about it." Cooper replied while getting plates out as Sebastian got glasses out. "The logical answer is Blaine's a romantic so part of him is blinded to what's going on. Not to mention, my brother tends to try and always see the best in people."

"That last part, I know all too well."

"Should I ask what the two of you are even discussing about Blaine?" Lexi asked as they served up their plates. "Or is this something I should stay far away from?"

"Actually, you'd have a great perspective on this sis." Sebastian told her. "I mean, you are a romantic afterall." Lexi nodded before making her way to the table. "If the person you love, and supposedly loves you forgot something rather important how easily would you be able to forgive them?" Sebastian asked before taking a bite. While he chewed, he watched as his sister looked between he and Cooper.

"If they were truly sorry, it would be a bit easier." Lexi said in response. "Yet, I would be a bit hesitant for some time as my faith in them would be a bit broken. I'd constantly be wondering how they could've forgotten something so important to me."

"So if that person put on a big sob story, you'd buy it?"

"It all depends, but as I said, things would be a bit different for awhile afterwards. What are we talking about?"

"Kurt forgot Blaine's birthday." Cooper told her causing Lexi's eyes to go wide and set her fork down. "Yea, that's the reaction I had when Sebastian told me."

"You didn't mention this something important was a birthday Seb."

"Does it make a difference?"

"Depends on the person, as I know I sure as hell would be pissed."

"Well, I can tell you when I spoke to Blaine late that night, he was heartbroken as basically everyone else remembered." Sebastian stated. "That's why I can't understand how Blaine forgave him."

"Considering everything I've ever been told about Blaine, he probably gave him the benefit of the doubt. Not that it takes away from what happened. But, I wouldn't be surprised if this changed things between them. Did you talk to him about it?"

"When we talk, we try not to discuss his boyfriend." Sebastian replied. "I don't like him, and he despises me."

"Yet, you and Blaine are friends."

"Yes, but Kurt gives him crap about it all the time. Doesn't understand after everything that's happened how Blaine can be friends with me."

"Well, I don't understand why my brother is dating him, so…who knows what goes through Blaine's mind at times." Cooper told him. "All I can tell you Sebastian is, no one tells my brother to do anything. And while I get where you are coming from, all we can do is sit back and watch it play out."

"Cooper."

"Sebastian, listen to me…okay. While Blaine and I certainly haven't had the best relationship through the years, I know my brother. Just because the outside world thinks everything is fine, doesn't mean it is. Blaine hates when people try and prod too much into his life so if he gives them nothing to worry about, they don't."

"Are you saying that because everything looks okay, it might not be?"

"Yes, but Blaine's never one to give up on a situation unless he truly sees there is no hope. He's always going to give it all he's got. The best thing you can do is be the friend you've been to him. He just might surprise you in the long run."