A/N: Ack. Sorry, I'm not good at these types of things. Please forgive me for my horrible writing in that one scene. I think I'll stick to non-romance for awhile... Phew!

Anyways, sorry this took so long guys! We had a lot of studying to do for finals. I promise the story will wrap up before summer ends, I'll hopefully work on it every chance I get :)

Chapter 13

"Where have you been?" Sebastian flinched when he heard the harsh words come out of Blaine's mouth. Sebastian knew Blaine had been worried after he fled in the middle of Warbler's practice, running down the halls like a madman trying to find his way out, but it still wasn't an excuse to get angry. Was it? He just couldn't take it, the singing, dancing, and goofing around with no teachers. It brought back horrible memories that for some reason didn't fit well together. A mix of happy and angry memories would flash in front of his vision every so often during rehearsal. Like when he tried singing, he had a flashback of his mother patting him on the back and telling him he did a good job, and the next second he knew he was being shoved to the ground and yelled at to stop by a man that looked just like the man he lived with. Was his mind tampering with these memories, or was that really how it was? Was that man that so desperately wanted him to call him dad as abusive as his memories portrayed him?

"Right here, sitting in the broom closet for 15 minutes waiting for you to give up…" Sebastian finally answered.

"Well I found you, so you don't have to wait anymore." Blaine answered, smiling at Sebastian. That was all it took to get Sebastian's heart aflutter, just that one small smile from Blaine.

"I'm not going back in there."

"Then you don't have to. Come on, we'll go get some ice cream or something." Blaine answered, smiling again and offering his hand to Sebastian. Sebastian took it, and after being lifted out of the closet, started walking with Blaine down the hallway when all of a sudden the boys were stopped in their tracks by the rest of the worry-faced Warblers.

"Dude, what was that about? Are you alright?" Jeff asked. Sebastian could almost tell by the way he said it he was trying to force himself a little too hard to sound worried.

"Nothing, I'm fine." Sebastian answered. He hopefully glanced up at Blaine, who was quick to grab his hand.

"Sebastian was just having a rough time." Blaine answered, directing that dapper smile towards the other boys.

"Are you sure? He looks pale as a ghost." Trent popped in, glancing between Sebastian and Blaine.

"No, no, it's fine, thanks though." Sebastian answered, smiling. He hadn't said much to the other Warblers other than answering their questions about his memory and injuries and the like, and they seemed pretty enthused, but there was still something dark hiding behind every one of their glances at him. It almost seemed as if they were directing a burning malice at him, but for the life of him Sebastian couldn't figure out why.

"Sebastian's just having a stressful time, guys. We're working it out, don't worry. We were planning on going out for ice cream or something." Blaine paused for a moment mid-sentence and glanced over at Sebastian as if shyly apologizing for something. "Did you guys want to come with?" The Warblers took fleeting looks at each other before nodding and agreeing. To Sebastian though, it kind of felt like something personal was severed. But he understood Blaine was just being polite, and for that he was happy. Polite was right, as his mother always told him.

They ended up going to a Dairy Queen right down the road from the school, still dressed in their school uniforms and everything. It was probably a sight to see. A bunch of men in clean navy blue suits with red piping and a 'D' symbol over the breast pocket wasn't something you saw wandering around every day, even in Westerville. The eight of the Warblers that had decided to come thankfully fit in two cars, which made carpooling easier. Thankfully, it wasn't an eat-in restaurant, and instead you lined up outside the building and they served you, unlike most Dairy Queens where you had to go in to place an order.

"So, you mean you don't remember your dad at all, but you remember your mom almost perfectly?" Jeff asked as the boys all stood in line to place their orders. Blaine suddenly seemed interested in the conversation going on in front of them.

"Yeah, mostly. I mean, there are some things I remember about my dad, but what I remember… He just isn't a father to me, you know?" Sebastian said, looking around nervously.

"Oh, why? Did he like, not accept you when you came out or something?" Jeff asked, suddenly looking concerned.

"I… No, he didn't. I can't really tell you much else though." Sebastian felt a pang of guilt. He couldn't believe he was talking bad about somebody, somebody who was his flesh and blood, to a complete stranger. Well, maybe Jeff wasn't a stranger, but he was still new to Sebastian and he didn't trust him.

"Oh… I'm sorry. Hey, by the way, you're not allergic to cats, are you?" Jeff asked suddenly, looking behind Sebastian.

"Um, no, why?" He asked, swiftly turning his head behind him. Walking towards him was a very fluffy, small bush of black matted fur trotting across the parking lot in an orderly fashion. Sebastian knew it was a cat, but something panged in the back of his head as the creature continued to gleefully prance toward him. "She told me her name was Emma…" Sebastian muttered absently, unaware of the memory as it seeped into his consciousness. Jeff looked horror struck suddenly.

"Who?" He asked, walking around to stand next to Sebastian.

"Lynch… Emma Lynch… Something to do with a black cat and a park… Hold on, I'm trying to remember what happened…" Sebastian muttered, eyes practically glazed over with the memory. Jeff looked absolutely terrified, and Sebastian almost thought it comical.

"How…? You know my sister?" Jeff asked suddenly. By now the cat was only three yards away, and Sebastian kneeled down close to the ground and seemed utterly excited all of a sudden.

"Spooky! Is that you?" Sebastian asked frantically, twisted with anticipation. The cat went from prancing to running towards Sebastian just from the sound of his voice. Jeff just kind of backed away slowly at this point. Sebastian heard a couple of the Warblers turning to look. They watched as the matted lump of black fur with yellow eyes practically ran into Sebastian's arms. It was something funny to look at, just some random cat that ran up to some boy for no apparent reason. Sebastian lifted her off the ground and held her as he turned around. They were staring at him, but only Blaine moved forward.

"Sebastian… I don't think that's Spooky, it can't be. The park we found her at was a lot closer to Lima than here, I don't think she would have traveled this far." Blaine answered sadly.

"No, it is, I remember her. She is the exact same cat, if I remember correctly. She even responded to my voice." Sebastian said proudly, as if it made some difference. Blaine just sighed. "The only difference is she weighs less, which is probably because she is a stray and needs food."

"Okay, what?" Jeff blurted out, still looking scared. "What does this have to do with my sister?"

"Your sister… Oh, right," Sebastian stated, smiling awkwardly at Jeff. "I met her in the park on accident when this cat ran over to her. I saw your mom, too. She told me to tell some kid named Sebastian to stop picking on you, because he was a bully. Which I never did tell him, did I..." Sebastian said, lost in memory. Blaine smiled sadly at Sebastian.

"Oh, Sebastian…" He said, sighing. Jeff just kind of stepped back into the crowd, trying to hide himself from the looks of it, but Sebastian didn't know why. "Your memory…" Blaine walked forward, and quickly embraced Sebastian in a hug, which was awkward with the black cat between them. "You do remember correctly, it was a black cat, but it wasn't that one." Blaine hugged Sebastian tighter. Sebastian paused for a moment, pondering the situation.

"Can I keep her anyway? Please?" Sebastian whispered into Blaine's ear.

"If you really want to." Blaine answered, pulling away and smiling. "But that's for you and your dad to decide. Now let's go get some ice cream before anything else dramatic happens." Blaine joked, and smiled to show humor. Sebastian couldn't help but smile back as Blaine patted him on the shoulder and they turned back to the store.

There was still something bothering him about all of this.

"Hey, um, dad?" Sebastian said over the phone. Blaine stood next to him in the Dalton hallway, listening intently.

"What?" His father responded, almost too quickly.

"I know you said you didn't really want me out and about after dark, but it's been almost two weeks since I came back to Dalton, and, well… Would you mind if I stayed with a friend tonight?"

"Why are you asking?" His father asked scrupulously.

"Because I thought you would appreciate it if maybe I got your permission first…"

"You're getting stranger by the day. I mean seriously, what the fuck? First you bring home a fucking cat, then you start remembering all this shit about me beating you that never happened, and now your sorry ass is asking me permission for shit!"

"I'm sorry, I just thought-"

"Go ahead, just… Go, go fuck your little playthings like you used to. Maybe then you'll remember who you are."

And then he hung up.

"Um… I'm guessing that didn't turn out to well?" Blaine asked, tentatively laying his hand on Sebastian's shoulder.

"I… He said yes, I think. He wasn't… Wasn't very clear…" Sebastian stuttered out. "Blaine?" Sebastian asked, eyes pleading.

"…Yes?"

"Who am I?" Sebastian finally asked, a single tear threatening to fall from his eye.

"Sebastian." Blaine answered, and then gently placing both hands on Sebastian's shoulders, turned him around to face him and stared him in the eyes. "You are Sebastian Smythe. You are a wonderful, smart, and charming boy who just happens to be gay, but you are loved by a lot of people, even if you don't know it."

"Blaine… Let me ask this a little more clearly…" Sebastian said, turning away briefly before meeting his gaze again. "Who was I?"

"My answer remains the same." Blaine said, before smiling warmly and kindly at Sebastian. Sebastian laughed slightly in a polite manner to let Blaine know his compliments weren't unnoticed.

"But my personality. It was different. And it's not just my dad that makes that blatantly obvious. I mean, there have been times when I walk up to somebody and they jump five feet back and shield their faces like I was about to beat them up for looking at me or something. It's absolutely ridiculous, and I want to know why it's happening." Blaine just sighed and hugged Sebastian.

"I'm afraid if I tell you, Sebastian, you won't believe me. Or worse, you might feel like that's your expectation to live up to again." Blaine pulled away and smiled that sad smile that Sebastian had come to know so well.

"Even if I promise I won't?"

"Sebastian…"

"I just want answers, Blaine."

"But I don't want to hurt you-"

"Blaine." Sebastian said, and Blaine stopped. Blaine fidgeted uncomfortably, not really knowing where to begin or even how to describe to the innocent boy in front of him what he had done.

"I… You really shouldn't ask me, I only knew you for maybe a month before this."

"That's enough time to get an idea, at least." Sebastian then paused. He grabbed Blaine's hand and dragged him down the corridor into the Warbler's hall, where he promptly shut the door behind him and sat down on one of the many couches in the room. "Here's a good place to start. My dad... He keeps saying stuff about me constantly having sex with people. Is that true?" Sebastian asked. Blaine saw some sort of fear and danger flicker quickly in the boy's eyes. It made Blaine briefly remember a time when Sebastian's mask wouldn't crack at all, and his true emotions never showed.

"… To my knowledge, yes. But that's just from rumor floating around the school." Blaine answered nervously. Sebastian inhaled deeply as if saddened by something.

"So it's almost certain I'm not a virgin?" Sebastian asked as if he was scared of the answer.

" … Yes." Blaine answered simply, looking away as if ashamed. He listened for awhile as Sebastian simply breathed.

"So… Basically, I'm a whore?"

"Was. Was a whore." Blaine answered sharply.

"Well… What else? Did I go around raping people or something?"

"No, no, I'm pretty sure you had their consent. From what I know, you basically went around stealing people's boyfriends, not really thinking with your head." Blaine laughed slightly. "I guess you could say you were a dickhead, literally and figuratively."

"Well by the way my dad talks he made it sound like I was a murderer or something. I think that's what scared me the most. God, Blaine, what if I am?"

"You're not, Sebastian. Stop worrying about it."

"But what if-"

"Shh." Blaine said, then scooted over next to him on the couch, cradling his arm around him. "You know what you are? Beautiful. You are beautiful, you are perfect, and no matter who you are or what you become, I'll always remember that." Sebastian took a deep breath.

"This is…" He smirked and let out a shy laugh, "Absolutely crazy. I mean, I feel like I should remember myself, but I don't. None of that rings a bell at all."

"Not necessarily a bad thing." Blaine said, smirking playfully. "I mean, at least there's a less likely chance of you running off on me now, huh?"

"I would never do that." Sebastian commented, frowning deeply.

"Now? No, I doubt you would. Before? You'd leave me the second you found someone hotter. And don't doubt it, either." Blaine playfully glared at him. God, that look…

"Blaine?"

"Yeah?"

"Before… When I wasn't so nice… Well… How did we meet?" Sebastian asked.

"Oh, Sebastian…" Blaine sighed before giving an apologetic look.

It was almost five at night when Blaine Anderson walked into Dalton Academy that day. Everything was as he remembered it, bright and cheery. He had dropped by to say hi to his old buddies, the Warblers, but he was in store for a lot more when he entered the hall to hear singing. It wasn't odd for them to be rehearsing, but the song he heard definitely wasn't regional's quality. They probably were just singing for fun. When he turned the corner and entered the Warbler's room, however, he was met by perfectly choreographed dancing. It wasn't unusual for the Warblers, they constantly choreographed dances and songs for no apparent reason anyways. It sounded like Uptown Girl by Billy Joel. He sat at the sidelines, watching them as they performed, but something caught Blaine's eye as they danced. There was a new boy to the Warblers, and as much as he hated to admit to it, he was very charming. Not to mention he was staring right at him with a fiery green-blue gaze that spoke very proudly of attraction. Blaine fidgeted uncomfortable in his seat. I have a boyfriend, I have a boyfriend, shut up I have a boyfriend… But his train of thoughts was interrupted at the end of the performance.

"Blaine Anderson, Sebastian Smythe." The other boy said as he walked over to greet him. The other Warblers stood by eagerly, happy to see Blaine.

"Um, hi, are you a freshman?" Blaine asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Do I look like a freshman?" Sebastian asked rather monotonously, raising both of his eyebrows to show surprise. Blaine fidgeted nervously.

"Uh, I… I don't know." Blaine answered honestly. Suddenly their conversation was cut short as the other Warblers pounced on Blaine, and all Blaine could do was laugh and hug them back. The other boy named Sebastian was looking at him, smiling warmly as if he was glad to see him too.

"Boys? Could I have a minute with Blaine? I'd like to talk to him about something." Sebastian semi-politely asked the other Warblers. There was a hint of flirtation in his voice. The Warblers backed off and even left the hall, as if they already knew Sebastian wanted to talk to Blaine.

"So, you're a legend at Dalton?" Sebastian asked, examining Blaine so harshly with his eyes he felt exposed.

"Ehm…" Blaine muttered out, mumbling without thought.

"Mmm, don't be modest. I was like, I don't know who this Blaine guy is, but apparently he's sex on a stick and sings like a dream." Sebastian said, now obviously flirting with Blaine. Blaine felt his cheeks get hot.

"Ehh…" Blaine said, trying to wave off the comment.

"It sucks that I missed that." Sebastian said, moving a bit too close for comfort to Blaine. He was practically undressing him with his eyes."Alright, hey, listen, I want to talk again. But ah, maybe a bit more… Private conditions. What do you say you meet me at the Lima bean tomorrow at five?"

"Um, yeah, yeah that'd be great." Blaine agreed without really thinking about it. He felt himself blushing like mad, and instantly hated himself for it. The other boy noticed.

"I'll see you then, Blaine." Sebastian answered, and then gently patted Blaine on his shoulder, and even though it wasn't even two seconds, Blaine felt like his shoulder was practically raped under the other boy's gentle and soothing grip. Damn it, that boy is so hot… Blaine caught himself thinking as the other Warbler walked away, leaving Blaine in the empty Warbler's room.

"That really happened?" Sebastian asked after Blaine finished his story. "I said that?" Sebastian asked again, as if making sure. Blaine nodded. "God, just by that it makes me sound like a douche bag." Blaine glanced up apologetically.

"You were… A very flirty, hot douche bag." Blaine answered jokingly, and grinned at Sebastian, who couldn't help but grin back. "And you know what? I liked it, I'll admit." Blaine said, turning away and laughing in spite of himself. Sebastian fidgeted suddenly.

"Blaine… You made it kind of subtle, but… You had a boyfriend when I did this, yes? And I knew?"

"Well… Yes to both. You found out, but you kept doing it. And even after you met him, you still flirted. And even flirted in front of him once, I think." Blaine answered, face twisted in memory.

"Geez… I don't want to be like that. That doesn't sound like me." Sebastian said, frowning in frustration. Blaine nodded.

"That's alright, you don't have to. You just need to be whoever you want to be… Well, okay, maybe with the exception of you having to let me in your life, because I'm not leaving anytime soon." Blaine said, suddenly leaning on Sebastian's shoulder flirtatiously. Sebastian smiled down at Blaine. Blaine had sacrificed so much for him, hadn't he?

"I love you." Sebastian whispered, and he really meant it. He loved Blaine with everything he had, even if he hardly remembered him. He was there at his bedside when he awoke, he stalked him consolingly in his dreams, he was always there to comfort him. Sebastian knew secretly he didn't deserve Blaine, but…

"I love you too." Blaine replied, and Sebastian knew he meant it. Sebastian finally raised his arm and put it around the boy lying so lovely on his shoulder. They cuddled like that for a few seconds, before Sebastian was aware that Blaine was kissing him on the neck. It was gentle, but passionate, and Sebastian was comforted by the action.

"Blaine…? When does Warbler's practice start?" Sebastian asked, his face flushing with heat as Blaine became more promiscuous with his love bites.

"We don't have practice tonight… Council cancelled it…" He sputtered as his breathing grew heavier.

"Good." Sebastian answered simply, and then turned to Blaine quickly to bring their lips together. Blaine tasted very much like coffee, mixed with the slightly bitter taste of his berry flavored chap stick. He found himself running his hand through the other boy's dark hair, and the next thing he knew he was on his back with the other boy on top of him. He felt very aroused by this action. Blaine was practically attacking his face now, littering it with messily placed kisses from his mouth to his neck. Blaine quickly brought his hands up between their chests and started unbuttoning Sebastian's dress shirt and undoing his tie. Blaine detached himself from Sebastian long enough to remove his blazer and shirt, and upon discarding them to the floor along with his own, was right back on top of Sebastian. The contact of their bare chests made Sebastian shiver with excitement, and even the strong, muscular Blaine was starting to shiver from the tension. They pushed hard against each other's faces, Sebastian giving way and leaning into the kiss. That was when Blaine jerked his hips forward and grunted with pleasure, and under any normal situation, Sebastian would grind back, but something tickled in the back of his head. Suddenly the small tickle turned into a full blown headache, and Sebastian was forced to shove the confused and disoriented Blaine off of him as he stood and stumbled instantly on the floor. Even though he was trying to regain his balance, Sebastian managed to slip and fall on the floor again. He couldn't help himself as he shut his eyes and tears fell from his eyes as the headache progressed into something much more, as the pain became so unbearable that he nearly blacked out.

"How long does it usually last, do you think?" The sandy-haired boy in front of him asked. They were sitting on the floor of a bedroom, and even though Sebastian couldn't recognize it, he felt certain it was the other boy's room. It was apparently a childhood memory, for the other boy looked no more than ten.

"Does what last?" He responded to the question.

"A relationship. I mean, I know that with some people it lasts forever and with others it lasts for only a few days, but… I don't know. I just wish that there was a way to know. Oh, hey, I forgot to ask you, is there anyone you think you might like?" The other boy asked. Suddenly Sebastian remembered; the boy's name was Tyler.

"I… No, I don't think so. How about you?" Sebastian asked.

"I don't really know either, to be honest." The other boy chuckled nervously. "Sebastian… I know it's a bit strange, but… Would you… Would it bother you if I liked boys? I mean, if I dated boys or married a boy… Does that bother you?"

"No, not at all, why?" Sebastian said. It was true, he didn't have a problem with it.

"Because… I think… I think I might be gay…" The other boy suddenly looked ashamed, and Sebastian knew that Tyler needed to get it off his chest. Sebastian scooted over to sit beside the boy, and draped his arm over him.

"And who says that's wrong? I'm not going anywhere, you can count on that." Sebastian also found himself pausing nervously. "To be honest, I like boys too. I just didn't want to tell you. But… Hey, we can be gay together, right? We'll pull each other through."

"Thank you, Sebastian-" Tyler's words seemed to fade out as Sebastian's vision switched into a scene where they were older. Tyler looked about fifteen now.

"Tyler?" Sebastian asked, looking into the other boy's eyes.

"Sebastian, shush. What happened today is nothing. I know it sounds harsh, but we can't get wound up in what those idiots say to us." Tyler laughed and smiled, his shining grey eyes ablaze with a deep caring. "I love you, no matter what. We'll love each other forever, just remember that."

"… I know, but don't pretend it doesn't hurt."

"Hey, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?" Tyler smiled again, then leaned over to plant another kiss on Sebastian's lips. He felt warm and uplifting. Sebastian's vision slurred again, and this time when he opened his eyes he was in a poorly lit room, and he was on a bed. Tyler was laying next to him shirtless, and he definitely felt sore by his anus, which suggested they had probably just had sex.

"Sebastian… Please promise you won't leave me…" Tyler said, eyes pleading.

"Why would I ever leave you?" Sebastian asked. "You're my first love, and I'm not going to leave you until the day we die together." Sebastian felt sick in his stomach suddenly, and with a flash he saw a hospital bed, then a casket, and he realized all too quickly Tyler was dead. Then his vision flashed to his father again, and as his father hit him upside the head multiple times, his vision faded back to reality.

"…Blaine!" Sebastian screamed, flailing his arms in the air and gasping for breath. Blaine was by his side, trying to restrain him from hitting him. "Where is he? I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch-"

"Whoa whoa, calm down!" Blaine said, and Sebastian finally quite flailing. "What happened?"

"He... He's gone… And I just know that son of a bitch killed him!" Sebastian shouted, sitting up and breathing heavily.

"Who? What's going on, Sebastian?" Blaine asked worriedly.

"That thing that calls me son. He killed him… He killed Tyler!"

"Sebastian, I'm sure your dad didn't kill anyone-"

"Yes he did! That gang he set on us in the alley, that gang was restraining me instead of killing me, I remember now; he hired them, he wanted Tyler dead, and my dad moved to Ohio that summer to get away from criminal charges. It fits! The shoe fits, Blaine. He wanted Tyler dead… He wanted to hurt me so bad…" Sebastian broke down in sobs finally, realizing the truth. Blaine just held him there speechlessly.

And even Blaine had to believe him, because it made sense. It would explain why Sebastian hated his father so much. Sebastian would never charge criminal charges on his father, though, because then he would have to live with his mother in France. And Blaine suddenly remembered a phrase his father once told him: Sometimes it's hard to let go of someone you love, especially when you know you'll never be able to love them again.