Two Steps Beyond
Part 21
Since they both managed to get a good night of sleep they ended up talking the entire train ride to Venice. "Bas, did you see the guys' reactions to our arrival in Rome?"
"I saw that, I don't know who freaked out more, Trent or Dave?"
"I was going to go with Jeff or Thad. I think the history buff in Jeff is jonesing from all of our pictures. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he comes to Europe next summer."
"At least Jeff has a good reason, that's why I don't consider his reaction a freak out."
"I hadn't really thought of it that way, but you're right. I'm sure they're all expecting more pictures from Rome today, so they're going to be thrown once we arrive in Venice."
"Yes, and I look forward to the reaction. At least we won't have to face it head on till we're back in Ohio. I'm pretty sure we're going to be bombarded with questions then."
"You're forgetting one little, yet mighty factor, Rachel." Blaine said with a smile.
"We can handle Rachel." The smirk that came to Sebastian's face peaked Blaine's curiosity.
"And just what do you have in mind Bas because she can be quite a handful?"
"I picked up a little trinket for her when we were in the West End."
"So you're going to bribe her if she gets annoying."
"Basically, do you have a problem with that?"
"Not at all. Now, how are we getting to the hotel from the train station?"
"Water taxi." Blaine laughed softly when Sebastian answered.
"I should've known. This might be a silly question, but by chance does our hotel have views of the canal?"
"Yes it does, I figured that would be something you would have wanted. Planning this part of the trip without you took quite a bit of work. I just hope you're happy."
"I already am, Bas." Blaine then leaned over and gave Sebastian a kiss on the cheek. "What would you like to see first?"
"Whatever you want."
"That's not an answer Bas, I'm serious. I want to know what you would like to do first."
"Alright, how about after we get settled we had to the Piazza San Marco?"
"Sounds perfect."
Upon their arrival in Venice, they collected their bags and headed for the water taxi station. It wasn't long till they were on their way. "Bas, have you been here before?" Blaine asked while checking out the sights.
"This is one of the places I can honestly tell you I have never been. It never felt right to come by myself." Sebastian looked down at Blaine and just smiled while giving his hand a squeeze. It was only a short time later and they were at their hotel.
"It's beautiful Bas." Blaine said once they walked inside.
"I'd have to agree, another point for Lexi."
"Does she know everything about our trip?"
"No, I only asked for her recommendations about pertinent things, food and lodging. The rest of the planning was all me." Once they were checked in, they headed up to their room. After they walked in, Blaine looked at Bas.
"Just think Bas, this is the last stop on our vacation." He said before setting his suitcase on the rack.
"I'd rather not think about that right now." Sebastian replied while walking towards the window. "Come and check out the view B." Blaine did as Sebastian asked and joined him at the window. Not only did they have a hotel on the Grand Canal, but it was right outside their window along with a beautiful view of the Rialto Bridge. "Normally we take that first that first we are here pic outside, but I think the view from our window is perfect for it. It might not be from a balcony like in Barcelona, but since the windows open it's just as nice." Blaine just smiled before they situated themselves for the picture. Once it was taken Blaine continued to look out the window while Sebastian collapsed onto the bed.
"When do you want to get going Bas?"
"Just give me a few minutes B. The idea of not running off right away is rather pleasant." Knowing how Sebastian felt, Blaine lied down next to him on the bed.
"I know it's not over yet, but thank you for an absolutely, wonderful vacation Bas." He then leaned in and gave him a kiss.
"You're welcome, though you helped plan it."
"Considering everything we've done, I did very little. This was all you and it was amazing."
"Hopefully you still feel that way when we leave."
"The only thing that's going to change is the fact that I think this trip is even more amazing. Even after seeing we were going to be here, I still couldn't believe it."
They ended up staying in their room for only about another thirty minutes before they headed out for the day. Even though Sebastian wanted to go to the Piazza San Marco first, the first true thing on their agenda for the day was going to be food. Considering where they were it didn't take them long to find some place to eat. While they ate, they both talked about the fact that during the next few days they were going to indulge in some truly amazing food.
Sebastian's decision to go to the Piazza first was excellent considering most everything they wanted to see was just off of it. So after checking things out and taking numerous pictures they headed over to St. Mark's Basilica. "Don't forget to pray Bas."
"Cute B, real cute." Sebastian said just before they entered. "Though I most definitely will, now it won't be for her forgetfulness though. It'll be that she doesn't kill me for waiting so long to tell her. She's going to flip out royally."
"Yes, she's going to flip, but she'll understand once she calms down."
By the time they left the Basilica, they decided to head to the Rialto Bridge before heading back to their hotel for the day. After the constant go, go, go of Barcelona and Rome they were going to take advantage of not having to see everything in one day, especially since they were going to still be there for two whole days. "What do you want to do tomorrow B?" Sebastian asked once he sat down.
"Considering we didn't do much of it really, I'd like to do some shopping. I'd feel horrible coming home without anything for my parents."
"I thought you picked up something for them in London."
"I did. But I never got them anything in Paris, Barcelona or Rome."
"Good point, shopping tomorrow sounds brilliant. But you should be proud of yourself B."
"And why is that?"
"You remembered to send your Grandparents postcards from each city. Plus, you sent updates to your Mom every few days."
"You're right, that is a good thing. I'm pretty sure my Grandparents are going to be shocked when they receive all the postcards."
"And why is that?"
"Because they were only expecting two, not five."
"That's right. Do you think your Mom forwarded some of the pictures we sent her of the two of us?"
"Most definitely."
"Brody, have you seen that they've done it again?" Rachel said once he walked into her room while she closed her laptop.
"Which they?" He said while he sat down next to her on her bed.
"Blaine and Seb."
"No, I haven't seen what they've done recently since I let my phone die and I didn't take it off the charger till just before I left to come here. And I didn't really look at it while on the train. So, what have our adventurers gone and done now."
"They're in Venice."
"But they were just in Rome yesterday."
"I know."
"What is this, like they're fourth city?"
"Fifth."
"How long have they been gone now?" Once Brody asked Rachel leaned off of her bed and grabbed her calendar off the floor.
"This is day…sixteen and their not expected home till Wednesday. By the time they come home they'll have been gone for almost three weeks."
"So they still have two more full days to go somewhere else. They're going to sleep for days once they get home."
"Who's going to sleep for days?" Kurt asked as he walked in. Rachel and Brody just looked at each other. "Never mind, judging from your expressions you must be talking about Blaine and Sebastian. And just why will they sleep for days?"
"Do you really want to know?" Rachel asked.
"Sure, why not. It can't be anything too mind-blowing."
"They've been in Europe for the past two plus weeks."
"Excuse me? They've been in Europe?"
"Yes, and living it up from what we know." Brody told him. "Hence why they're going to probably sleep for days once they come home." After he spoke Brody was a bit curious to see how Kurt was going to react. There was a big part of Brody that still didn't buy this whole reformed Kurt act. And he knew Rachel wanted to believe it, but a part of her was still hesitant as well.
"And just what does one do in Europe for two plus weeks?"
"You can't honestly be asking that Kurt." Brody said as he moved back on the bed so he was resting against the headboard.
"What if I am?" He asked while crossing his arms.
"Alright, if I was to venture a guess they've done a lot of sight-seeing. Seen some shows. Had some romantic dinners. Oh, and I'm sure they've had a ton of sex."
"Was that last comment really necessary?"
"Well, you asked. I answered." Brody replied with a smirk that could rival Sebastian's. "And I know that if I had Rachel in Europe for two weeks, that would most definitely be something that would happen. Especially with some of the places they've been, quite romantic if I do say so."
"So they've been to more than one place."
"They're on their fourth country Kurt." Rachel said to him, as she was afraid of what else Brody might say. Seeing the look on his face, Rachel looked back at Brody who had a rather satisfied look on his face. "Are you alright Kurt?"
"I'll be fine. I'll leave the two of you be." Once he was out of her room, Rachel turned to face Brody.
"Did you really have to say what you did?"
"Yes. If he was stupid enough to ask he deserved honest answers. You know I was right. They've given us proof of almost everything I said. And even you said after seeing that one picture of them in Paris that one night, you bet they went home and had sex. It was something about the look in their eyes."
"Just because it's true doesn't mean you had to say it."
"It's like I said, he asked. He had to know he might not have liked the answers, yet he asked anyway. And I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but I'm done pussy footing around him in regards to Blaine and Seb." Brody just looked at Rachel who looked completely conflicted. "Why don't you pack a bag and stay over at my place tonight?"
"Any specific reason why?"
"You mean besides just wanting you around."
"Yes."
"I'd like for us to finish our conversation without having to constantly worry about what we're saying. Plus we've yet to make it through the end of Jeff and Nick's little project. I don't know how many more times I can deal with us upsetting Jeff and Brittany."
"They look pretty pathetic in those skits, don't they? So, they're goal is definitely achieved."
"They do. And it's sad that we've seen all ten of them that they filmed. Our guess work as to where Blaine and Seb have been sucks. It's even worse that we're both college students having problems with it."
"If it makes you feel any better, Santana has yet to get them out of Paris."
"We only managed that once so it's not like we're much better. The guys put way too much work into this considering one doesn't see the same pictures each time."
"True, just imagine what it'll be like once Blaine and Seb get home and they can raid their entire photo collection which must be huge."
"So, should I take this little conversation to mean you're going to come home with me?"
"Of course I am. Just give me a few minutes to pack." Rachel then gave him a kiss before getting off her bed to start packing.
"Do you think we'll see them before they return to Ohio?"
"I honestly don't know, but personally I'm not counting on it. I figure the next time we see them is once they're out here permanently. Which reminds me; don't forget to pick up that dance class schedule for Brittany. She, Jeff, and Nick are going to be moving out here the same time Blaine and Seb do. It'll be their own little caravan from Ohio."
"Where are Jeff, Brittany, and Nick going to be living?"
"Right when they get out here, with Blaine and Seb. But that's only because renovations aren't done on Nick's parents place. And they really didn't want to wait, so Blaine and Seb said it was fine if they stayed with them for a week or so since they have the room." Just after Rachel finished speaking she put the last of her things in her bag. "Ready to go?"
"Am I ever." Brody said as he got up off the bed, before grabbing Rachel's bag. Just as they walked out of Rachel's room Kurt noticed them.
"Well, guessing from the bag you must be leaving for the night."
"I am. Are you going to be alright by yourself?"
"I won't be by myself; Chandler is coming over in a bit."
"Good for you." Brody told him. "Hope you guys have fun. Later!" He said just as he pulled the loft door open.
"I'll see you sometime tomorrow Kurt, bye!"
No sooner did the loft door close did Kurt get off the couch and head towards Rachel's room. His curiosity was definitely getting the better of him as he wanted to know just where Blaine and Sebastian had been. But his enthusiasm quickly came crashing to a halt when he saw that Rachel's computer was gone as was the cord. "Guess she knows me better than I thought." Kurt said to himself before going back to the couch. While he sat there he remembered what his therapist had said about his interest in Blaine.
"Now Kurt, you need to remember that the Blaine that was your first love and best friend isn't around anymore. He's changed and grown while you've been apart. And because of your actions after the break-up he doesn't view you in the same light anymore. You need to remember you're not the same people."
"I know that we're not; all I want is a chance to show him that I've changed."
"You can't force him to see that. He has to see that for himself."
"But, he and Sebastian helped me that day out on the boat."
"Did you ever think they were just trying to do the right thing and nothing more?"
"Sebastian isn't like that."
"That you know of. It seems like Sebastian might not be the person you've described to me."
"That's something we're going to have to agree to disagree about. I don't like nor trust him. He's not a good person."
"If he's the person you think, what does that say about Blaine? Maybe Blaine isn't the person you think he is. Maybe the real Blaine and your version of him are completely different."
"He might be different now, but I know the real him. Blaine gives everyone a chance."
"Well, do you respect Blaine's judgment?"
"This is the only time I've truly ever questioned it."
"How long have the two of them been together?"
"In August it'll be a year. I still don't know how they've lasted this long."
"That really shouldn't be your concern as their relationship shouldn't affect you. Now, how are things going with you and Chandler?"
"Better, though I can tell he still has doubts."
"Have you given him any reason to doubt you?" When Kurt was slow to answer his therapist leaned his head to the side. "What happened Kurt?"
"I told him about the late night call I made to Blaine to thank him and Sebastian for their help."
"Alright, now what about that upset him?"
"It's not the fact that I did it, it's about the time I made the call."
"And just what time did you make the call?"
"It was around two in the morning."
"Kurt, what were you thinking? No one calls somebody to thank them at that time of the morning. Most people are sleeping."
"I know that and I was also reminded of that fact by Sebastian the next day. After that phone call any progress of being civil with them ended. Not only did they both give me the cold shoulder, Blaine's brother let me have it."
"What does his brother have to do with this?"
"He was there and heard all about it. Basically told me to leave them alone."
"Did you?" When Kurt's gaze went to the ground, his therapist tapped the table. "What did you do?"
"I tried to call them to apologize the next day."
"How did that go over?"
"It didn't because both of them changed their phone numbers and they've told all of our mutual friends to not give out the number."
"Sounds to me as though they really don't want to have contact with you. And to be honest Kurt, it's probably a good idea. Blaine showing you the slightest bit of compassion drew you in completely."
"But I don't want him that way anymore. I really don't."
"What do you want from him?"
"I miss my friend. I want our friendship back."
"But friendships are two-fold Kurt; both people have to want them. And part of being a good friend is accepting what that friend does and you and I both know you don't accept Sebastian being a part of Blaine's life. So until you can come to terms with the fact that Sebastian seems to be an important part of Blaine's life it would be best for all of you if you just left them alone."