Two Steps Beyond
Part 18
"Blaine, are you almost ready? The car service should be here soon." Sebastian called up the stairs.
"I'm ready." Blaine replied once he began his decent down the stairs. "I was just checking the room one last time to make sure we didn't forget anything." Sebastian just smiled before handing him a cup of coffee.
"I thought you might need one as well."
"Thank you." Blaine said before taking a sip. "Getting almost no sleep was not a smart move on our part."
"I know, but we managed to do and see everything we wanted. Do you regret it?"
"No, I'm just hoping it doesn't ruin our day in Barcelona. Speaking of Barcelona, have you had a chance to call Lexi yet? She sounded pretty worried on her message."
"I left her a message this morning." Sebastian managed to get out while yawning. "So, I expect to hear back from her sometime today. Otherwise I'll try her again this evening. Did your parents say anything about our change of plans?"
"Not really, my Mom just said she hopes we have a wonderful time and that we continue to take tons of pictures."
"I don't see that being a problem." The words had just left Sebastian's mouth when the doorbell rang. "Let the next part of our journey begin."
Once they arrived at the airport and got checked in and dealt with customs they were quick to find seats since they were both exhausted. Seeing that Sebastian was about to close his eyes, Blaine gave him a gentle nudge. "Don't get too comfortable, we should start boarding in about twenty minutes, which isn't enough time for a quality nap. Do you want another coffee?"
"Yes please." Just after Blaine walked away Sebastian's phone rang. "Hey sis, what's going on? And so you know, you don't have much time because we'll be boarding soon."
"Alright then, I'll make this quick, what's the reason for the change of plans Bas?"
"Do you want an answer you'll accept or the truth?"
"The truth."
"We ran into someone from when I was living here that we'd rather not run into again."
"Is that all I'm going to get?"
"Yes, you just have to trust me sis."
"I don't like the sound of this Bas."
"I didn't expect you to, but you wanted the truth. So yesterday Blaine and I set out to see all the things on his must see list before leaving today which is why I missed your call."
"Are you sure you're alright, because I do still have quite a few friends on that side of the pond?"
"I'm positive Lexi. But right now I need to get going since Blaine's coming back. We can talk more about this after we get home."
"You can count on that Bas. I love you."
"I love you too. We'll be seeing you guys in less than a week. Bye." Sebastian had just ended the call when Blaine sat back down next to him. "That was Lexi."
"I was hoping as much. Were we right that she's worried?"
"Yes, considering how early she's up just to make a phone call."
"What did you tell her?"
"An extremely abbreviated version of the truth."
"From what I know of her, that couldn't have sat well."
"It didn't. She said we'll talk about it after we get home. I'm personally hoping she forgets."
"I know you do, but knowing her that's highly unlikely."
"I know. Maybe if we stop at enough churches I can pray for her forgetfulness."
"That's not funny Bas."
"I know." Sebastian said while taking ahold of Blaine's hand. "I just don't know if I'll be able to tell her the true reason."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." They had just finished their conversation as the call was made to begin boarding. "I hadn't looked Bas, how long is the flight?"
"It's about an hour." Sebastian replied. "I figured after we get in we can go to the hotel, drop off our bags and head straight out. Did you decide what you want to see first?"
"Yes, La Sagrada Família."
"I was hoping that's where you wanted to go first, if it wasn't I was all prepared to try and get you to change your mind."
"And just how were you planning to do that?"
"I was going to have to be creative since time and space would be an issue. But now I don't have to worry about that, do I?" Blaine just shook his head before they took their seats. The flight went by way too quickly for both of them, but at least they were able to get in a quick nap. Upon arriving in Barcelona they quickly claimed their bags and headed for their hotel.
When they arrived at the hotel Blaine just looked at Sebastian. "I know I said I wouldn't say anything but this has got to be costing you a pretty penny Bas."
"Don't worry about it B."
"Fine, I won't worry about it if you let me pay for everything while we're here."
"Blaine."
"Sebastian." The look in Blaine's eyes Sebastian knew all too well, it pretty much said Blaine was standing his ground on the subject. After just staring at each other, Sebastian relented. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"
"You're lucky I love you."
"I know."
After walking up to the desk Blaine and Sebastian were surprised to be told that their room was already ready for them. So after being given their keys a member of staff escorted them up to their room to make sure everything was satisfactory for them. Once they assured the staff member everything was more than alright, they left. Once they heard the door close Sebastian turned to Blaine. "As tempting as it might be B, don't plop down in the bed."
"Are you trying to say I won't get up?" Blaine replied.
"I'm saying if you lie down, I'll lie down and I know I won't get up."
"So you want me to protect you from yourself?"
"Cute, but yes."
Now that they were alone in their room, they decided to look around. It was much bigger than Blaine thought it would be and there near the window was a big, comfy looking king-sized bed. After taking a few minutes to freshen up since they'd gotten such an early start they both walked out onto their balcony. "The view is incredible. Don't you think so Bas?"
"I do." Sebastian replied while wrapping his arms around Blaine from behind. "Since we really were doing our normal thing this morning, how about we take our new "we are here" picture now?"
"Considering the view we have, sounds perfect." After getting a picture they were both happy with, meaning they didn't looks as tired as they felt Sebastian got ready to tweet their arrival. "What are you saying about this one?"
"Simply, greetings from Barcelona. And you and I both know this is going to cause them all to freak out since it's some place they didn't know about. Just like Venice is going to shock them. At least we won't have to worry about hearing from them for a few hours."
"Very true. This is going to sound silly, but please tell me we can take a gondola ride in Venice."
"I already planned on it B."
They were just leaving La Sagrada Família when both of their phones started to beep. "I think it's safe to say everyone is waking up back home." Blaine said with a laugh while taking his phone out of his pocket. "They're most definitely up."
"Jeff said they're going to start a blog, where in the world are Blaine and Seb?"
"Sounds catchy, I'd subscribe."
"I'll let him know. If they're going to be silly, so can we."
"Why Bas, do you know how to be silly?"
"Stop it; you know I can be silly. Let's start taking pictures everywhere and see if they can figure out just where we are." When Sebastian didn't change his expression, Blaine just looked at him.
"You're serious, aren't you?" Sebastian just nodded.
"You game?"
"Let's do this!" Before they headed off, Sebastian sent a short reply to Jeff to be on the lookout as he just started something. "Bas, how do you want to do this because if you want to keep them guessing we can't label the pictures?" Blaine asked while they began to walk to the next attraction.
"If I tweet the picture, I'll be sure to tell you so you can jot down the locale. Sound alright?"
"It'll work. Do you know where we need to catch the cable car?"
"It's up ahead and to the right."
On the ride up, Sebastian and Blaine tried to figure out where they were going to head after Montjuic. While there they were going to check out the Olympic stadium as well as the National Art Gallery. "This might sound odd, but is there a chance we can see a show while we're here?"
"We can see if it's possible if you want. But don't worry if we can't since we're seeing something in Venice."
"Care to tell me what we're seeing?"
"Not really."
"I should've known that would be your answer."
"Have you guys been following Blaine and Seb's tweets?" Thad asked when he walked into the family room at Nick's house.
"Of course we have. Jeff here said something in jest and now they're having fun with it." Nick replied.
"So that's why Jeff's got his laptop in front of him." Dave said since he walked in right behind Thad.
"I'm trying to set up a blog or a website, I haven't decided which yet; while Nick there is trying to pull up all the pictures those two yahoos have taken on their trip that we have access to."
"Care to explain everything fully?" Thad asked, but neither Nick nor Jeff seemed to be paying much attention to him. "Brittany, what are they doing?"
"Jeff's creating a blog called where in the world are Blaine and Sebby?"
"She's kidding, right?" Dave asked.
"She's not." Jeff replied without glancing up from the screen.
"Why?" Thad asked.
"Because when they tweeted their arrival in Barcelona I made a comment about doing something like this since it seemed their trip expanded beyond London and Paris. To which Seb replied that both he and Blaine would subscribe. I thought it was funny, then all of a sudden they started tweeting up a storm of pictures of the two of them throughout Barcelona but not tagging them."
"And after searching back to the beginning of their trip I realized they didn't tag all those pictures either. Probably because Seb is so familiar with the sights in their earlier stops and some are self-explanatory." Nick added. "So why don't the two of you do something productive and help."
By the time Blaine and Sebastian returned to their hotel that evening they were both starving and exhausted. "We saw way more of the city than we planned on Bas." Blaine said while collapsing onto their bed. "Please tell me the hotel has room service because I don't think I'm going to be able to get up."
"It does." Sebastian replied before lying down next to Blaine with the menu in front of them. "I shouldn't have done this."
"Why babe?"
"Because I don't think I'll be able to get up."
"For everything you've done, I'll do it." Sebastian just smiled over at Blaine before holding the menu up between them.
"It feels so wrong to be ordering room service."
"I know, but we can make up for it tomorrow." After deciding what they wanted, Blaine rolled over enough so that he could grab the phone and make their order. Being told it wouldn't be too long was a blessing for both of them with how tired they were. "Why do I have a feeling we're going to crash right after we're done eating?"
"Because I'm pretty sure we're going to as well."
They were both fighting off sleep when there was a knock on their door. Sebastian managed to get up and get the door while Blaine sat up. Instead of just a simple tray being brought in a cart was brought in and their entire meal was set up for them on the table on their balcony. While Sebastian walked the employee to the door Blaine walked out onto the balcony to wait for Sebastian. Even though they might've regretted ordering room service, their dinner was anything but typical room service as it came straight for the hotel's restaurant.
The setting truly couldn't have been better since it was a beautiful night and the city was so very much alive. While they ate they were just met by the sounds of the city, but they could hear a concert in the distance. "Even being an impromptu trip, I'd say this first day was a success. What do you think B?"
"I couldn't agree more. Though we really should've stopped sooner than we did."
"I know, but now we can truly enjoy tomorrow. Plus we don't have to get up at the crack of dawn."
"I hadn't thought of it that way. That is a benefit of everything we did today because I can't see us getting up early."
They'd just finished eating when both of their phones went off, but this time it wasn't the same beep they'd been hearing for a good portion of the day. This sound was from an actual text. "Do we even want to look?" Sebastian asked while looking across the table at Blaine.
"How about we see who it's from before opening it?" Blaine's idea sounded reasonable so they each grabbed their phones. "I think we need to open it."
"Is yours from a bubbly blonde too?"
"Yes." Figuring it was the same message, Sebastian pushed back from the table enough so that Blaine could come and sit on his lap so they could see whatever it was together. "Ready?" Sebastian nodded. Upon opening the message both of them started to laugh uncontrollably. Quite a few minutes had to have passed before they both calmed down enough to speak. "Did we really just see that?"
"We did. The guys totally get A's for effort and creativity. That's awesome. I can't believe they rewrote the lyrics to "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" to represent us."
"I can't believe that or the fact they harmonized it while also making a video." Blaine said before replaying the message. "Bas, did you see that?"
"See what?"
"There is a link to a webpage in the video."
"Oh shit, they didn't."
"I think they did. Think about it Bas, they even went as far as to convince Beat to get in on this craziness."
"We should probably check it out, shouldn't we?" Blaine nodded from his spot on Sebastian lap before getting up. "I'll set up the laptop while you grab our drinks."
They didn't go check out the webpage immediately since they both thought it was best for them to change and get comfortable in bed before seeing what their friends had been up to that day. Sebastian was already settled in bed with the laptop sitting next him when Blaine finally joined him. "Sorry that took so long."
"You don't have to apologize for talking with your parents. How are they?"
"Good. They're happy we're having a great time." Sebastian just smiled at Blaine as he got settled next to him. "But they're curious as to what the hell Jeff and Nick are up to."
"Are you saying they sent your parents the video as well?"
"Yep. My Dad is especially curious, but said since it involved Nick and Jeff it must be entertaining."
"Nice to know your Dad has such high regard for our friends."
"He does, he just knows Nick and Jeff."
"Strangely, when you put it that way, it actually makes more sense. Now how about we see just what they're up too." Blaine nodded in response so Sebastian moved the laptop on to his lap. Upon clicking the link in the email they'd also been sent they were greeted with a similar video to the one sent to them on their phones. Though this version has more of the guys involved as well as Brittany, so it was more detailed. After the introduction, they followed the directions they were given to the first link.
They couldn't help laugh since the first picture that was put up was of the two of them in the first-class lounge at JFK. Upon clicking the link beneath the picture there was audio commentary that sounded quite a bit like Wes. "Did they honestly get all the guys involved?" Blaine asked while they listened to the hints they were given. Once Wes's spiel was over they were guided to a link where they had to decide between choices. If the right choice was clicked they were sent onto the next part of the journey. "This is way more than a simple blog Bas."
"Tell me about it. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm honestly impressed so far and we haven't even left New York yet." They had made their way half way through London which each of their friends directing them on the journey as well as giving them congratulations when the correct choice is made. "B, wonder what happens if we choose incorrectly."
"Why don't we find out?" Blaine replied. So when the next picture popped up which had the two of them in front of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Blaine picked the wrong one. They both just looked at each other when they were met with the pouty faces of Jeff and Brittany and a voice over done by Nick basically telling them they'd let Jeff and Brittany down, and they were no longer able to continue their journey of finding Blaine and Sebby without proper guidance. "Is it wrong that they both pull off distraught that well?"
"I think so. I can't believe I actually feel bad for them. Do you notice Britt's lip is quivering?"
"Yes, so pick the correct answer so we can leave this page."
By the time they'd made it to the end of the journey at that moment Sebastian wrapped an arm around Blaine. "Our friends are crazy, but I love them." Sebastian said before heading back to the main page. "They sent this link to way too many people B."
"How so?"
"When we first started there were only about sixteen subscriptions showing, which is basically all the Warblers and us."
"And now?"
"Eighty-seven."
"Why do I have a feeling they sent this to everyone we know?"
"That's because they probably did. Knowing Thad, it's probably on the main Warbler page so that'll get past and present Warblers attention. And they probably had Britt send it to all your friends from McKinley."
"Well, guess we're just going to have to make sure we give them more pictures. And maybe if they're good, we'll share some of the rest of our pictures once we get home."