CHAPTER EIGHT: Gleefully Surprising II

When Barry had been younger, when his family had still been whole, he used to wonder about the reasons for bullying. After his family was broken apart, he didn't have any time to wonder. He just reacted to the bullying, the taunts designed to get a rise out of him, the sneers and the rude whispering. He had Iris on his side, of course, but sometimes, Iris just wasn't enough.

After all, what was one person's reassurances against an entire school's vitriol?

When Barry had transferred to Dalton as Sebastian Smythe, it was easy for him to act as an over-privileged French student. It was easy as he was already fluent in the language since it was- had been, his mom's favorite language. He never outright lied about his past. Instead, he misdirected the questions and turned their attention elsewhere. Somehow, he got it into his head that the only way to protect himself from becoming a victim of bullying at Dalton was by projecting a persona that would be cold and aloof, a heartless bastard in the eyes of others (after all, how could he get hurt if he didn't have a heart?).

Barry, Sebastian at that time, would be the first one to admit that he didn't anticipate developing an entirely different personality as Sebastian. It was only after he had let his true self out of the metaphorical fortress he had built by being Sebastian, hiding his real, vulnerable self, the self with the heart that appeared to be missing in Sebastian Smythe, did he realise that he had become, in a way, what he truly hated.

A bully.

But of course there were people who kept up with him, trading insults for insults and on the whole, keeping him under control, even if they didn't realise what they were doing.

Barry wondered if the Dalton and McKinley High alumni had changed much after all these years. He knew that he had. After all, if being struck by lightning, being in a coma for months together, becoming a superhero, falling in love with a vigilante, facing betrayal from someone he considered a mentor didn't change a person, didn't turn their world upside down, he didn't know what would.

After meeting with the Glee Club members from both schools, he knew the answer. They had changed. Every single one of them. Oh, they were still themselves. Their pettiness, love for conflicts, arrogance and a general sense of superiority were still present. Only, it was all tampered with the sort of patience and self-control that could only come with maturity.

Barry was thankful that Jeff and Nick still retained their playfulness. They wouldn't be them, if they hadn't.

Blaine hadn't been able to make it. He had promised to try to come to the event but he wouldn't be able to perform.

Kurt and Barry reached a mutual understanding based upon respect. But that happened only after they talked, without throwing barbs and belittling each other. Barry could safely say that both of them had walked away from the talk with a deeper sense of understanding for the other. He wouldn't go as far as saying they were friends, no, not yet. But there was potential for a friendship, and a strong one at that. Only time would tell.

Barry was surprised when he had learnt that Blaine and Kurt were on a break at that time. He didn't know if he had any right to enquire about it, but he had nonetheless.

"What about Blaine?" Barry asked, hands tucked in his pockets.

Kurt gave him an inscrutable look.

Barry shook his head and shrugged.

"You needn't answer. I know I have no rights to ask you anything about Blaine after everything I did. I was just curious. The last time I saw you both, you were so in love that you forgot about the world."

Kurt was quiet for a while. Barry didn't break the silence.

"That was the thing though, wasn't it?" Kurt began, slowly, searching for words. "We were too wrapped up in each other. We didn't take into account how it would affect our lives. Blaine and I... we had dreams. They didn't necessarily mesh with each other."

Kurt sighed wearily.

"I love him. And he loves me. But, when he asked me to marry him, we were too young to consider the consequences. We mutually agreed it was for the better to break our engagement. We've been on and off ever since. Who knows, maybe one day there'll be Klaine wedding. Maybe not." Kurt flashed Barry a smirk.

Barry gave him a small smile.

"Klaine wedding or not, when it's your time to walk down the altar, you'd better send me an invitation."

Kurt gave a delighted laugh. "I wouldn't dare to forget it."

The person who surprised Barry the most was Santana. She was still capable of sending scathing insults his way. But, unlike before, there was no anger or loathing on her side. It was almost like a game between the two of them. A game which Barry enjoyed and relished in. It established a sense of camaraderie between them, based upon mutual respect.

Barry made a short announcement about his real name and said that the name change was due to personal reasons. The others were curious, he could see that, but they didn't push for answers. Barry decided to tell Nick the truth later or he would let Jeff tell him.

It was later, after they all had eaten lunch, when Thad approached Barry. At first, Barry didn't notice anything different other than the nerves Thad displayed. He shrugged it off and talked and joked with Thad, reminiscing their days in Dalton. They were joined by Jeff and Nick, who were, for some reason, smirking smugly.

"Uh... Sebastian? I mean, Barry?" Thad said, hesitantly.

"You can call me Sebastian, Thad," Barry said, reassuringly. "I don't mind."

Thad nodded and appeared to be steeling himself. Jeff and Nick were suspiciously quiet. Barry was confused.

"I was wondering if you'd like to get coffee, sometime? Today evening, maybe?" Thad asked, gazing hopefully at him.

"Sorry, Thad," Barry said, with regret. "I have other plans today. Maybe some other time." He patted at his arm, gave him a smile and wandered off with Nick, while Jeff stayed behind.

Barry wasn't lying when he said he had plans. Oliver was supposed to come to Central City soon, in an hour or so, if what he said in the morning, when he was leaving, was to be believed. Even though it hadn't even been a whole day, Barry still missed Oliver, like one would miss a limb. So, yes, Barry planned to shut himself and Oliver in his room for a long time, unless either Central City or Starling City needed saving.

Nick glance at him, amused.

"You don't even realise what just happened, do you?"

Before Barry could question him, Nick asked him about the story behind the different names. As Barry told him the truth, he forgot about the weird behaviour that Thad had been displaying.

Next, it was Wes who asked him if he wanted to get a coffee or a drink so that they could catch up. Barry politely declined, giving the same excuse he gave to Thad.

Barry then laughed. "Funny, Thad asked me the same thing."

For a reason unknown to Barry, Wes glared at the back of Thad's head and muttered, "Did he?"

It was only after many other Dalton alumni, with whom he only had a passing acquaintance, asked him out, did Barry experience the widely known light-bulb moment.

They were asking him out!

They were actually asking him out on a date!

Barry didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or bash himself on the head. Gods, was he oblivious! It was only then he realised why Jeff and Nick had been smirking at him. He turned to Jeff and glared at him, silently accusing him. Jeff fell over himself laughing, holding himself up by leaning on Nick, who was grinning like a loon.

His phone buzzed with an incoming message.

From Oliver: In CC. Pick you up?

Unconsciously, Barry gave a soft, fond smile and sent Oliver the address. Jeff nudged Nick and mouthed I told you so. When Barry looked up at his friends, the ones who had asked him out were frowning at the phone in his hand, while Jeff and Nick were giving him pleased looks.

Before anyone could say anything, the loud roar of a motorcycle broke the low murmuring.

Barry's eyes lit up and he had to physically control himself from running out. It wouldn't do to give away his secret identity as the Flash. He was ready to vibrate out of his skin and why wouldn't he?

His Oliver was here.

A/N:
Okay, first off, many of the readers (from other sites included) wanted Klaine. And I would've given you that. But I watched a few videos and read a few fics. But somehow, I can't seem to ship Klaine. I've decided to let it be. Also, if you think about it, when Blaine proposed to Kurt, they were young (relatively). There's a possibility that it might not have worked out.

Anyway, that's why I'm leaving it an open ending. This story is first and foremost an Olivarry story and so, I will not be going into detail about Kurt and Blaine's relationship or any of the others.

I googled the Warblers' names. So, I personally don't know about the mannerisms of Wes and Thad. Hence, if there are any differences, I apologise and request that you suspend your anger/disbelief and take it at fanfiction value :D

If there's anything in particular that you want to see/ to be included in the fic, let me know and I'll try to incorporate it into the story.

Also, sorry for the excessive use of commas ;P