Blaine was in a shockingly good mood when he arrived home. It certainly wasn't dampening his spirits that the house was empty, and there didn't seem to be a secret pile of maths papers hidden anywhere. With a spring in his step, Blaine made his way to the living room, sitting down carefully on the piano stool. Even after years of piano lessons, he was still paranoid about damaging the instrument. Running his fingers lightly over the keys, he took a deep breath and relaxed, finally settling into a tune he knew.
You've been on my mind,
I grow fonder every day,
Lose myself in time,
Just thinking of your face.
God only knows
Why it's taken me so long
To let my doubts go,
You're the only one that I want.
The melody swirled around him, lifting him onto a cloud a million miles from anywhere. Blaine felt as though he could spend the rest of his life shouting into the abyss, and it gave him a wondrous sense of freedom.
I don't know why I'm scared,
I've been here before,
Every feeling, every word,
I've imagined it all.
You'll never know, if you never try
To forget your past
And simply be mine.
Song lyrics had never meant so much to him before. The very essence of the words seemed to be tugging at Blaine's chest, making his breath catch and heart ache. Emotion became physical pain, and Blaine struggled for a second to put a face to it. After a moment, he realised: Jeremiah. It had to be.
I dare you to let me be yours,
Your one and only,
I promise I'm worthy,
To hold in your arms,
So come on, and give me a chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts.
How had it only been a day since they'd first met? Blaine felt like they knew each other already. It was weird. Maybe that was a good sign. Maybe that was what chemistry was. Maybe, that... no... could it be love at first sight? Was that ridiculous? Maybe.
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart,
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart,
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart,
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart.
He could almost hear someone harmonising, and it got him thinking about what Jeremiah had said about being in glee club. They could maybe perform together, Blaine theorised. His father wouldn't dictate his life; he wouldn't let him.
So I dare you to let me be yours,
Your one and only,
I promise I'm worthy,
To hold in your arms,
So come on, and give me a chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts.
The room sounded oddly empty in the silence. That is, until there was a noise from behind Blaine and he twisted around immediately to see his mother leaning on the doorframe, hovering uncertainly.
"Mum," Blaine said dumbly, surprise stealing his comments and conviction. "I thought you wouldn't be back until – "
"I got off early," she shrugged, and smiled. "You sounded lovely, as always."
Blaine shut his eyes and resisted the urge to bang his head on the piano keys in frustration. Was she really going to act like nothing had happened? Act like the last time they'd been in a room together it hadn't ended with her tears and his anger?
"Thanks," he said finally. "I'd be better if I were allowed to perform with the Warblers."
"Blaine," Mrs Anderson frowned. "You know your dad only wants what's best for you."
It was difficult for Blaine to suppress a snort. "Sure he does," he agreed sarcastically, eyebrows raised. "Provided it doesn't give me the slightest ounce of happiness."
Mrs Anderson looked wounded. "You know that's not true, Blaine," she responded in a measured tone that was probably meant to calm him down.
Blaine sighed. He didn't want to argue with his mum, but he couldn't leave it alone either. In the end, he stood up. "Excuse me," he said, in more of an attempt to be passive aggressive than polite. He walked past his mother to the stairs.
"You know I love you, Blaine," Mrs Anderson called to him. "We both do."
Without breaking his stride up to his room, Blaine replied. "Yeah. I know."