Two Steps Beyond

Part 26

Their first day back in Ohio was definitely enjoyable in both of their eyes. They got to relax while still getting to catch up with a bunch of their friends. After seeing the last of their friends pull out of the driveway they came walking back in. "That was quite the welcoming committee." Mrs. Anderson said once they walked into the family room.

"You could say that again." Blaine said as he sat down next to his Mom. "But I don't think either of us would change a thing, right Bas?"

"That is correct."

"Sorry you didn't get to spend more time with us."

"That's okay; you and Seb can fill me in on your trip tomorrow over breakfast." Mrs. Anderson told them.

"What about me?" Mr. Anderson asked.

"Sorry dear, but you'll be working. The boys will just have to fill you in on all their fun later. It's not like they won't be here for a week." Blaine just looked at his Mom and laughed.

"How about we give Mom the highlights and then give you both the full rundown after you come home Dad?"

"That works." The smile on Mr. Anderson's face as he spoke was a cross between Blaine and Cooper's when they were satisfied with certain results. "I know I probably shouldn't ask, but are you boys going to go and see your parents Seb?"

"We're going to stop by and see them tomorrow." Sebastian replied rather quickly. "We shouldn't be too long though."

"I'm guessing that means you'll be here for dinner?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

"Yes." Blaine replied. He and Sebastian had talked about going to see his parents on the flight back to Ohio and both agreed that the sooner it happened, the better.

The next morning Sebastian and Blaine were up surprisingly early. When Blaine came walking back into his room from the bathroom he was surprised to find Sebastian getting dressed. "And here I thought we could spend a quiet morning in bed."

"How about tomorrow B?" Sebastian asked while he looked around for his other sneaker.

"That's fine. Where are you going?"

"For a run, want to join me?" Sebastian said while putting his sneakers on. He sat there for a bit since he could tell Blaine was thinking about it. "What's the verdict because I'd like to get going before it gets too warm?"

"I'll come with, just give me a minute." Blaine then proceeded to get dressed as well. When they came bounding down the stairs they were surprised to see Mr. Anderson in the foyer.

"Morning guys!"

"Morning Dad. Aren't you getting a late start?" Blaine asked.

"Not really, it's only seven. You two are up early. Your Mom and I were pretty sure she wouldn't be seeing the two of you till around ten." Mr. Anderson then looked at the two of them. "I take it you're going running?"

"We are." Sebastian replied. "I wanted to get an early start before it got too warm out."

"Good idea. Blaine, since when do you go running?"

"I started in the spring."

"Well then, don't let me keep the two of you. I'll see you tonight."

Shortly after Blaine's Dad left, they went to go tell his Mom that they were leaving so she wouldn't worry. They'd probably been out for about twenty minutes when Blaine nudged Sebastian. "What is it B?" He asked while not breaking their stride.

"You're having doubts, aren't you?"

"About?"

"Going to see your parents or more specifically, your Mother."

"What makes you say that?"

"Your need to go running this morning."

"I usually run in the morning, I just didn't do it on vacation."

"Bas."

"Alright, maybe I am, but can you really blame me?"

"No, but I'd rather you talk to me than keep everything bottled up." Sebastian turned his head and glanced down at Blaine. "So, what is it going to be?"

"Let's stop at the park up ahead." Once they reached the park they made their way over to the swings and took a seat. "Why is it you can read me so well?" Sebastian asked before he started to actually swing.

"Don't know, maybe I learned a thing or two from Lexi over the summer."

"It's more than that and you know it B. You seem to pick up on the things I don't want to talk about."

"I wish I had an explanation for you, but I don't. So, what has you so worried?"

"I really just don't want to see her."

"What about your Dad?"

"I want to see him."

"Care to explain why?"

"Between talking to you and Lexi it just brought up a lot of other feelings, that's all. And maybe if she wasn't such a bitch about my relationship with my own sister all that crap might not have happened. I might not have even been in that mindset."

"I know. But that is something you can't change. All you can do now is try and focus on the future."

"That's what I want to do, but after all the fun we had I really don't want to get into things with her."

"Why do you think something is going to happen?"

"It just seems to be the way things go between the two of us. For every good conversation we have multiple bad ones."

"You know, things are never going to get better between you two if you constantly think the worst."

"I don't want to constantly think the worst, it just happens. Past experiences are sometimes hard to forget."

"I know that Bas, you just…I don't know. I wish I had the answers to give you but I don't. All I can tell you is that we can make this visit as short or as long as you want. And that I'll be with you the entire time."

"Is it wrong to hope that she's at therapy when we get there?"

"Not at all, I bet if you called your Dad and asked he'd tell you a good time to come by."

"I know, but…that just feels wrong. She is my Mother afterall and she's trying to make things right."

"Yes, she's trying to make things right but they never will be if you're not in a place to accept it."

"Just promise me something B."

"What?"

"That once you're a successful shrink you won't back bill me for all this advice."

"I don't know Bas, I could think of lots of things to do with that type of money."

"Like what?" Sebastian asked while cocking his eyebrow in the process.

"Take my boyfriend on a romantic getaway."

"Lucky guy."

"Personally I think I'm the lucky one, but you can think that he is. What do you say we head back and have some breakfast?"

"Sounds excellent." Sebastian said while getting off his swing. "I'm a bit hungry."

"Careful, you mention that to my Mom and she'll make us a feast."

"Would you really object to that?" Blaine laughed softly. "That's all the answer I needed."

"You've got me there. How does a swim sound afterwards?"

"Perfect."

They were about halfway back to Blaine's when his Mom called to ask if they were going to want breakfast when they got home. It brought a smile to both of their faces considering they'd just talked about it. So Blaine told her yes and how far away they were to which his Mom told him she'd get it started. Thankfully when they got back it was still pretty comfortable outside because they were sweaty enough that Mrs. Anderson didn't want them eating inside at the table.

After basically eating in restaurants for three weeks it felt so good to actually have a home cooked meal again. Mrs. Anderson couldn't stop herself from laughing once in a while since they were both practically inhaling their breakfast. "Should I make more or will this sustain the two of you till later?" Blaine and Sebastian looked at each other and then at the empty platters in front of them.

"We're good Mom."

"Thank you for making this for us." Sebastian told her.

"It was my pleasure." They probably sat around the table talking with Mrs. Anderson for almost two hours before they interrupted by a phone ringing. "I need to take this boys, just leave the dishes, I'll take care of them." As she walked inside Blaine looked at Sebastian.

"How about that swim?" After Sebastian smiled they just looked at each other before taking off down the stairs of the deck. They only paused long enough to kick their shoes off before diving in. By the time Mrs. Anderson came back outside she looked down at the pool after hearing laughter and splashing. Just as she was about to turn and go inside to grab them some towels she happened to catch a rather sweet moment between the two of them. She just smiled as she saw them kiss in the middle of the pool, from what she saw before turning away it was pretty clear they thought they were alone.

Before she came back out with towels for them she made sure to make enough noise for them to realize she was outside. "I grabbed you both a towel." She told them as she walked down the steps. Once she was standing on the deck she felt a bit of relief to see that the only clothes scattered on the deck were their t-shirts they'd been wearing. "And just so you know no wet clothes in the house guys."

"We know." Blaine replied. "We'll change out of them before coming inside."

"Alright, I'll leave a basket by the door."

"I think she's relieved." Sebastian said to Blaine before going to float on his back.

"Why is that?"

"Come on B, we both thought of going skinny dipping but changed our minds. I'm pretty sure she's glad we have wet clothes to change out of."

"That's a very good point." Even though they both knew they should probably get out of the pool and get going neither of them moved. It wasn't till they heard a door close did either of them even move. "Looks like we don't have to go anywhere Bas."

"Why?"

"Your Dad is walking down the steps as we speak." Sebastian then dunked his head back under the water before turning to see his Dad standing poolside.

"Welcome back guys! Did you enjoy your trip?" Mr. Smythe said before taking off his shoes and sitting on the edge of the pool.

"We had a great time Dad. By the way, thanks again for the ticket upgrades."

"You enjoyed that, did you?"

"Very much so." Blaine replied.

"I'm glad, it was the least I could do considering."

"Not to be rude Dad, but why did you come over because I thought I told you we were going to come by?" Sebastian asked prior to moving to the edge of the pool near his Dad.

"That would be because I figured me coming to see you would be less stressful for you." Sebastian then looked at Blaine who just smiled at him.

"How are things going?"

"Pretty well actually. It hasn't been easy but she's really committed to fixing things. She actually goes three times a week."

"That's saying a lot, she must have a lot to talk about."

"Like I mentioned once before, her therapist thinks her issues are pretty deeply rooted and it seems she was right during her initial diagnosis."

"Well as long as it seems to be helping that's all that matters. How are things with you?"

"They're going."

"Going good or going bad?"

"Good, but different if that makes sense."

"It actually does, I'm guessing work is still good it's just having to adjust to living back in Ohio."

"And just when did you get so smart?"

"I've always been smart, you know that. It's just; Blaine and I had a similar conversation about living in New York."

"Am I correct to assume the two of you are happy with your decision even though you haven't been there long?" They both nodded. "I'm glad. So, how about the two of you start filling me in on your trip?"

"What would you like to know?" Sebastian asked.

"I'd like to hear all about it, but what you tell me is obviously up to you and Blaine." For the next hour or so Blaine and Sebastian told Mr. Smythe all about their trip. And even though he'd seen quite a few of the pictures already he was quite surprised by all they accomplished during their time in Europe. "Did the two of you leave anything to do next time?"

"I'm pretty sure we'll come up with something, right B?"

"Absolutely."

By the time they finished telling Mr. Smythe all about their trip they were all sitting up on the deck. "I'm really glad you came by Dad." Sebastian told him as he gave him a hug.

"So am I. Hopefully this isn't the only time I see you while you're here."

"It won't be." Once Mr. Smythe was on his way Blaine took ahold of Sebastian's hand and guided him over towards one of the loungers. After they got settled Blaine turned just enough so that he was looking at Sebastian. "What's with that look?"

"Nothing really, you just look very content."

"That's actually a really good choice of words B. His instinct to come here was a good one. And, it's nice to know she's actually really trying."

"I thought so as well. So, since we now have nowhere to go today, what would you like to do?"

"Not a damn thing except get back in the pool."

"That's a great idea." After Blaine answered they headed back down to the pool. "Bas, just what did you and Beat talk about yesterday prior to you joining Britt and I in the pool?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes."

"Nick and Santana." Sebastian said before diving back in. "It seems all the guys believe that they are sleeping together." He said shortly after he reappeared. "So, Beat has set up a pool with all sorts of odds and scenarios as to how and/or when it has happened."

"You're kidding right?" Blaine asked before getting back into the water.

"Nope. Got to say our friends are pretty creative."

"Question, is Jeff involved in this?"

"He's supposedly not interested which leads Beat to believe Jeff knows something that he's just not sharing."

"I really didn't think that was happening, just…that they'd become really good friends because of Jeff and Brittany."

"Friends with benefits from the sounds of it." Sebastian said. "Though none of the guys have proof."

"Yet, they're all sure about this?"

"Yes. I could see one or two of us thinking it, but all of us, that's saying something. Even you said you think something is going on after seeing them yesterday."

"I know, I just didn't think it was to the extent the rest of you do. But something was definitely off about them yesterday. And just what do you mean by the guys are creative?"

"The different scenarios they've come up with as to how it happened."

"You're kidding, right?"

"No, do you want to hear them? They're pretty funny." Sebastian looked at Blaine who was floating while hanging onto the edge of the pool.

"Let's hear them."

"Okay, for starters the timeline for when they've supposedly started sleeping together is pretty vast. A couple of the guys think it started around winter break while a bulk of them are guessing spring break."

"Alright, that timeline makes sense. If I had to choose a time, I'd say either spring break or nationals."

"I put my money on spring break. That reminds me, Beat is waiting for you to place your bet."

"Wait, you guys are honestly betting on whether or not Nick and Santana are sleeping with each other."

"Absolutely. Do you want to hear the different scenarios?"

"Of course."

"A year ago, you would've said no."

"Maybe, but start talking."

"First one is tame; being Nick was being sweet to her after she broke down seeing Jeff and Britt having a moment and one thing led to another and bam! Another is that she walked in on him coming out of the shower in Florida and got an eye full."

"Okay, but why would that matter. Seeing someone naked doesn't necessarily scream lets have sex."

"It might if Nick is copiously endowed."

"Are you saying that's a fact?"

"Just repeating what I was told." Blaine just nodded before Sebastian continued. "Of course you can't forget that they got drunk and had alcohol induced sex, though that often entails underlying feelings."

"Which would mean they both like one another more than they admit."

"Exactly. Also, they walked in on Brittany and Jeff having sex and got completely turned on by it so it just propelled them to have sex themselves."

"You're not just making this stuff up, are you?"

"Nope, ask Beat yourself if you don't believe me."

"Honestly, I believe you. And as weird as it sounds I could actually see quite a few of those scenarios coming to fruition."

They didn't realize just how long they had been outside till they saw Blaine's Dad standing near the edge of the pool. "I'm surprised the two of you aren't water logged yet."

"Why?" Blaine asked.

"You've been out here all day according to your Mom. You realize it's almost six, right?"

"No way."

"Yes way. So why don't the two of you get out of the water so you're not soaking wet when we eat dinner." Blaine and Sebastian just looked at each other before pulling themselves out of the pool. "And don't worry about drying off completely because we're eating outside."

"How long Dad?"

"Your Mom said about twenty minutes." Once it was clear they weren't going to get back into the pool Mr. Anderson headed back up on the deck.

"I can't believe we honestly spent a whole day doing nothing B."

"Me either, but it felt amazing. Personally I'm surprised none of the guys called or came by."

"They might've called but our phones are up on the deck. And I agree with you, doing nothing today felt amazing. If the rest of our time is like this I'll be happy."

"Same here."