Two Steps Beyond
Part 89
After coming home from an away game on a Friday night, the only thing Sebastian wanted to do was curl up in bed with Blaine and not move till they had to the next day. But upon opening the door, he was greeted by the sound of the piano and multiple voices. With a slight mumble escaping his mouth, he closed the door and headed for the living room. Once he reached the end of the hallway he saw Blaine situated behind the piano surrounded by Nick, Jeff, Brittany, and Santana. He stood there for a bit, taking the sight in. As frustrated as he felt when he walked in realizing he had a home full of people, there was something off about the sight in front of him.
It wasn't till he heard Blaine play another chord and the five of them began to sing did things start to make sense. "Bas!" The excitement in Blaine's voice once he spotted him warmed Sebastian's heart and truly pushed his frustrations away. "I'm so glad you're home." Sebastian then dropped his bag on the floor and headed over towards everyone. After being greeted by everyone he joined Blaine on the piano bench. Once the two of them shared a kiss and had a brief conversation they turned their attention back to the others.
"Now, not that I don't love seeing all of you, but what the hell are you doing here singing of all things."
"Logan sent you and Blaine a SOS." Jeff replied. "And after a bit of putzing with what they sent him, Blaine still couldn't figure it out so he called us for help since you had a game. Which by the way, how'd you guys do?"
"We lost and I blame it on shitty officiating."
"I'm sorry Sebby."
"I appreciate that Britt."
"How did you do?" Santana asked.
"I had two goals which basically went for not."
"Don't get down on yourself man; I'm sure you did more than your part." Nick told him. "We've all seen you play and you leave it all on the field."
"Thanks Nick. So, what are we working on?"
"The Warblers already have their music chosen for Sectionals, but they're having issues arranging it." Blaine told him. "If you play what they've done on the piano, it sounds great. But once you sing it, not so much."
"So, it's like that one time you and I did that piece and it seemed fine except that one note which threw everything."
"Exactly, which is why I'm thrilled you're home because you're the one that found it last time."
"Okay, well play through what they have and then the second time we'll add the lyrics." Sebastian said as he grabbed the pile of music on the piano. "These are some nice choices, I'm impressed."
"We said the same thing." Jeff said. "And so you know, Logan is the new soloist though Jacob is going to do his fair share as well."
"How many of the Junior Warblers made the group?"
"Five as they had two impressive transfers plus one freshman made it outright." Nick said. "And this year, the Junior Warblers are going to compete in some smaller competitions."
"Not a bad idea. Getting some competitive stage presence is a good thing." By the time Blaine played through the number they'd been working on Sebastian glanced over at him and took the music off the piano. After pointing to a section Blaine played it again. When it sounded fine, Blaine went back to the start and they all began to sing. With the music in front of him, Sebastian listened as they all sang. It was a bit strange hearing Warbler melodies with female voices attached but without the girls they'd never be able to pull off the harmonies that were written. "Stop! Go back to the start of that verse and end on the held chord. B, I'll sing your part, you just play." They did as Sebastian asked and once they finished they all looked at each other.
"You hear it, don't you Seb?" Jeff said.
"Yes, but that shouldn't be. I could be an ass and say it sounds off because of the girls, but that's not what it is."
"No offense taken Seb." Santana told him.
"Good." Blaine and Sebastian started to talk and before they all realized it, Blaine was walking away. "It should be in the office B."
"Got it."
"Where is he going?"
"To get the original recording of the song. While musically it should work, it just doesn't."
"Exactly, that's why Blaine and I can't figure it out." Jeff said. "What's your thought Seb?"
"That they changed keys during the original prior to that verse and our ears are so tuned in to what it should sound like we're having issues accepting what's written. So Blaine's getting my old iPod which has a lot of my more obscure music on it. But I'm going to be honest; I think they should get rid of the five part harmony two verses back."
"We all thought the same thing." Nick said. "When we did it last year, it was risky because if you're slightly off you can ruin an otherwise perfect song. But you can't fault them for wanting to."
"I don't, maybe by regionals they can give it a try. But with so many new voices I wouldn't risk it till they're more familiar with each other."
"I'm going to mention that to Logan and Jacob when I talk to them tomorrow." Blaine said as he sat back down next to Sebastian. "And I know you'll be happy to hear this, but you're right. There was a key change just prior and then it goes back again." He then handed the headphones to Sebastian so he could listen. "I'm telling you, you've got a crazy ear for the slightest of details. Once Sebastian was done listening he handed the iPod plus the headphones to the others so they could take a listen as well. Now that they knew what needed to be done it was easy to fix.
"Besides that slight hiccup, I'm rather impressed with the arrangement."
"Guess they paid better attention to us than we thought." Blaine said with a smile. "What do you all say we go through it again with the changes before we look over their other numbers?"
"Sounds fine with me." Jeff said while the others nodded. The slight change Blaine and Sebastian made fixed what wasn't working so the rest of the song flowed effortlessly. The next two numbers were good, but the guys felt the arrangements were lacking a few things so they got to work. "They're going to freak when they see what you two have done."
"We gave them multiple options." Sebastian said. "And we've noted that they all don't need to be used, but it would help fill out the sound without attempting things out of their comfort zone. Do we know whose doing the choreography this year?"
"Jacob." Nick said. "Along with Mitch."
"Why does that name sound familiar?"
"He was a member of the Junior Warblers. He was the one by second semester was blowing the rest of them away."
"Okay, I remember who he is now. By chance are there any siblings that have joined the Warblers?"
"You spoke with Wes, didn't you?" Jeff said.
"I did since he came to my game today. He's ecstatic that his brother made it."
"Now, do the rest of the guys know he's Wes's little brother?" Blaine asked.
"They do now." Nick said. "He didn't say anything prior to making it. He didn't want preferential treatment. But once he became a Warbler he told Logan and Jacob who his older brother is. Next year we'll see if Dave's little brother makes it."
"Did either of your sisters audition for Crawford's glee club?" Sebastian asked.
"They did and they both made it." Jeff said. "God help our parents. For some reason they think the Warbler mystic rubbed off on them for some strange reason. They're both driving them crazy."
"They do know the Crawford girls have never really accomplished anything, right." Blaine said.
"They do, that's the problem. They think after all the time listening to us they can help change that." Nick said.
"It's going to take more than the two of them to fix that mess." Sebastian said. "Remember that time last year we tried to help them. Good lord, they couldn't complete a chord if their lives depended on it."
"They've asked the Warblers for help again this year."
"Please tell me the guys aren't going to do it."
"They said they needed to decline since they graduated so many last year they were going to have to work twice as hard this year." Jeff told Sebastian. "And when they didn't like the answer they were given, they sent our sisters to try and sweet talk them into helping."
"So, right now the Warblers are not their favorite people. Ally called me asking if we could help and I told her it was hard to do from as far away as we were. She didn't take it too well. But once she got over her initial bitch fit, I told her that they need to start simple and go from there. Part of their problem from what she said is they are trying numbers above their talent level."
"He failed to mention they should try to be them and not well female Warblers." Santana said. "Some of those girls have lofty expectations. A few of them think they have Rachel's type of talent." Blaine and Sebastian couldn't contain their laughter.
"That's rich. Rachel's got one heck of a set of pipes, hell, so do you." Sebastian said. "It's one thing to aspire to be them, but to think they are they are only fooling themselves." Sebastian then looked up and caught Brittany's eyes so he took ahold of her hand and pulled her onto his lap. "You've got a beautiful voice too Britt, it's just not Rachel or Santana's."
"Oh, I know that. I wish I could sing like them, but that's not me."
"But you more than make up for it with your dance moves Britt. I can't dance like you can." Santana added. "We complement each other well."
"We sure do."
"Before I forget, I was looking at our calendar and which weekend will we be having company?" Blaine asked as he leaned against Sebastian who still had Brittany on his lap.
"The second weekend in October." Nick replied which earned him a look from Santana.
"What is Blaine talking about?"
"We'll be staying with them that weekend." After Nick spoke Santana looked at Jeff who tilted his head slightly and smiled at her.
"Anniversary?" Jeff nodded.
"Alright, I have no problems staying with Blaine and Seb. But so you both know, just because we're staying with you doesn't mean I'm not going to make the most of my weekend."
"We figured as much which is why we're putting the two of you in the guest room on the other side of the apartment." Sebastian replied. "So feel free to do what you normally do on the weekends."
"Jeff, what are we doing that weekend?" Brittany asked.
"It's a surprise. You okay with that?"
"If it's like your other surprises, absolutely." She said with a big smile as she got off of Sebastian's lap and wrapped her arms around Jeff.
"Do we even want to ask?" Sebastian said.
"Not really." Jeff said. And the look on his face was all the answer they needed. From what they could tell Jeff had turned into quite the romantic. While he could be sweet, he didn't mind spicing things up a bit if their last shopping trip was any indication. "Before we go, I've got a question."
"Shoot." Blaine said.
"Are we all still getting together the weekend after mid-terms? And by all I mean, the guys from outside NYC are coming as well."
"That's the plan as of right now." Sebastian replied. "Why?"
"Didn't want to accidentally make plans for when they'd be in town. It's weird not seeing Trent, Dave, or Beat as much."
"I know the feeling." Blaine said. "So hopefully it all works out. Are you guys still willing to put up Wes and Hailey?"
"We are." Nick said. "Did Wes tell you who he got together with last weekend?" Blaine and Sebastian both shook their heads. "Flint, James, and David."
"Are you serious?" Sebastian looked at Blaine slightly confused, as those were names he'd heard before but had never met. "I'll explain later." Sebastian smiled at him and nodded.
"Yep, seems our elders keep in touch as well."
"Where are they going to school?"
"Flint is at Dartmouth; James is at Brown with Trent, while David is at Boston College." Jeff said. "According to Wes they were disappointed they couldn't make it back when we all got together for Cooper and Lexi's wedding."
"Can you guys fill us in a bit?" Santana asked.
"Flint and James are a year older than Wes." Blaine told them. "While David is the same age as Wes. Next time we all get together ask the guys about them. Boy will there be stories to be told."
"And some of those stories some of the guys would wish wouldn't see the light of day." Nick said with a mischievous grin.
"I'm intrigued, spill." Sebastian said.
"Flint and James took Beat under their wing his freshman year. Safe to say beat-boxing wasn't the only thing they taught him." Jeff said while trying not to laugh.
"Like what?"
"Let's just say Beat was a great wingman for the two of them. Seems the ladies really took a shine to him. So while Flint and James did there thing, Beat always got an older girl of his own." Nick said. "It's pretty safe to say Beat was probably the first of us to lose his virginity." When Nick spoke, Blaine felt Sebastian tense ever so slightly so he gave his thigh a gentle squeeze before looking up at him with a smile. Blaine got the one thing he'd hoped for when Sebastian returned a smile which didn't seemed forced.
After talking a bit more Jeff and Nick realized it was time for them to get going as the girls were starting to fall asleep. "So, we'll see you guys Sunday, okay." Jeff said as they all stood at the door.
"We will see you then." Blaine replied. "Thanks again for your help guys."
"You're welcome." Nick said. "Night."
It wasn't till the elevator doors closed behind them did Sebastian close the front door. "Are you ready to go to bed B?" Sebastian asked as they headed down the hall.
"I am. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, why?" Blaine looked up at Sebastian trying to get a read on him. "Honestly B, I'm okay. Personally I was shocked that Nick thought that way. Considering my reputation I thought for sure he'd assume it was me. Guess Beat did get an early start."
"They're all pretty sure he lost it during the first month of school."
"Why doesn't someone just ask him if they're unsure?" Sebastian said as they turned off the last of the lights in the living room.
"You know, I don't know why no one has asked since all of us basically know around when the others lost it. Though, I think I'm the only mystery of the group."
"Come now, I'm pretty sure they all know you and…well yea that you two did it. It's just a matter of when. And I don't believe I'm saying this but do you think you were the last of them to lose it?" Sebastian said as they headed for their bedroom.
"I think Trent might still have his intact, but besides him I was the last. The rest of the guys all lost their virginity sophomore year." Once they'd changed and gotten into bed Blaine rolled over and curled up next to Sebastian. "Can I ask you something Bas?"
"Sure."
"Why didn't you ever correct everyone when it came to what they presumed about your sex life?"
"It really didn't matter at the time. I mean, I was nowhere near as bad as they thought I was, but I wasn't innocent either."
"Then why did you clarify things with me?"
"Well, because unlike the guys, you deserved to know the truth since we're together. And considering the conversation that brought it up it was only appropriate. I know I could've let you think everything you'd heard was true, but a part of me needed you to know it wasn't."
"You know whether it was true or not it wouldn't have changed my mind."
"If anyone else were to say that, I wouldn't believe them. But when you say it, I do."
"Good, because it's true." Blaine then wrapped his arm around Sebastian's waist and pulled him a bit closer. "I love you Bas."
"I love you too B." Sebastian then leaned down enough to kiss the top of Blaine's head. "Are we going to be seeing your parents tomorrow before they leave?"
"They said they'd call in the morning. Why?"
"Just curious."
"Bas."
"Honestly B, I was just curious. I was hoping tomorrow could be just a lazy day. The game tonight took a lot out of me and I've got a bit of work to do."
"Well, if they do want to see us before they go I bet I could convince them to come by here. So you can work and not have to worry about going out."
"You don't need to do that B."
"I wouldn't just be doing it for you Bas; it would be for me as well. I've got a bit of work to do as well. So the thought of lounging around here a pair of sweats and a t-shirt is pretty appealing to me also."