Five Years Later
Part 67
Considering the wonderful weekend everyone had, Blaine felt a bit apprehensive about telling Santana and Rachel what had happened during his marriage. But he knew he couldn't put it off any longer, especially given he'd be leaving town the following Sunday. With as busy as his day had been on Tuesday, he was oblivious to the fact Sebastian had shown up at rehearsal and was watching. It wasn't till they finished the number they'd been playing did he come walking further into the room. "Is that for tomorrow night?" He asked after giving Blaine a kiss.
"Not quite." Morgan replied. "It still needs a bit of work."
"You look as relaxed as Blaine does." Talia told him. "It proves your weekend had lasting effects."
"I'd say it does as the weekend was exactly what we needed." Sebastian replied before putting his hands in his pockets. "How much longer are you guys going to be?"
"What time is it?" Justin asked as removed his guitar as Blaine was tweaking the arrangement of what they'd just been playing.
"Quarter to six."
"About fifteen minutes." Morgan told him. "We all have things to get done before we leave so we set a hard finish time." Sebastian nodded before looking at Blaine who was still in front of his laptop. "Don't mind him; he's not ignoring you on purpose."
"I know." Sebastian replied. "Did everyone else make the most of their weekend off besides Morgan here?"
"We did." Todd told him. "Justin and I actually went down to AC to blow off some steam which was certainly needed. We realized it had been too long since we'd done something like that."
"That's because you guys are the main attraction now that people go see."
"That we do know." Justin said. "And we wouldn't change it. Just makes it so we now fully enjoy our free time." They all nodded as that was a common thought for all of them.
"Talia?"
"Spa weekend actually. I figured it was going to be a while till I had time to get pampered like that again."
"Do you guys mind if we run through that last section one last time before we call it a night?" Blaine asked as he picked his guitar back up. "I sent all the changes to everyone."
"Let's do this!' Justin replied, grabbing his guitar again as Sebastian went to take a seat. Watching them rehearse was something he loved as hearing pieces come together was always a new experience. Not to mention that after some time, even he could hear the slight changes they could make from the first time he heard a piece.
By the time they finished up, Morgan was over with Blaine as the others began to pack up as they all had an early session the next morning. "You don't have to stay over there Sebastian." Morgan told him as Blaine closed his laptop, smiling at him at the same time.
"I didn't want to intrude." Sebastian said as he walked towards them. "Did you and Jeff have a nice weekend?"
"We had a wonderful weekend, much as you and Blaine did." She told him after kissing him on the cheek. "Do you mind if I ask you both something since I have you both here?"
"Not at all." Blaine replied before placing his guitar in its case. "What would you like to know?"
"Is everyone okay because the weekend before we went away Jeff seemed a bit out of it when he came back to my place after meeting with all of you?" Once Morgan spoke, Blaine glanced up at Sebastian who'd slid an arm around Blaine's waist. "But, if it's none of my business, I understand and you don't need to tell me. I was just curious given Jeff was in such a good mood prior to leaving that morning."
"I can tell you, everything is okay so you don't have to worry." Blaine told her. "But, I did tell the guys some things that they didn't expect to hear and that's what threw Jeff off. I hope it didn't ruin your day, but if it did, I'm sorry."
"It didn't ruin our day Blaine, but I could tell something was clearly on his mind and had upset him some."
"I hope you did your best to make him feel better." Sebastian said with a smile, grateful for how Morgan was handling it.
"Of course I did." She told them with a smile. "I figured you knew me well enough by now Sebastian to know that."
"Just had to double check, make sure out boy was well taken care of." Sebastian told her before kissing Blaine on the cheek as the two looked at one another.
"Relax Blaine, I'm not going to ask what it was as this was something you spoke with your boys about."
"I appreciate that."
"Don't mention it. Just know, if you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to call me." Blaine smiled before Morgan leaned in to give him a kiss. "Where are you two heading since it's clear you're going out since Sebastian is here?"
"We're having dinner with Thad, Rachel, and Santana actually." Blaine replied. "Speaking of, we need to get going."
"Go, and have fun you two!"
"We'll certainly try." Sebastian said as he knew it would've been hard for Blaine to reply happily knowing what they were going to do. Once he had, Morgan went to pack her bass up while Blaine gathered the rest of his things. "So you know, I spoke with Thad on my way over and he's going to pick up dinner since we're going to have our hands full." Sebastian informed him while helping him pack up. "You okay B?"
"As good as I can be." Blaine told him, fully aware that what he was going to say that night wasn't going to go over well. "You know you didn't need to be here since Thad will be there, but thank you."
"Did you really think I was going to let you tell the two of them this bit of information without moral support?" Sebastian looked at him, and watched as Blaine shook his head. "Good. I know this is going to be hard B and well, you shouldn't have to worry about consoling the girls. Thad will take care of Rachel and I'll do my best to rein in our feisty Latina."
"Will you come home with me tonight Bas as I have a feeling I'm not going to want to be alone after I tell them?"
"Of course I will B." When he spoke, Blaine noticed Sebastian's bag and smiled. "What can I say, I know my love well." Sebastian then kissed him once more. "Ready?"
"As I can be."
The two were the last to leave and were soon on their way over to Rachel and Santana's. Considering how the guys took the news, Blaine knew this was going to be hard on the girls. Even without Morgan telling them it had quite the impact on Jeff, they both knew it was harder on the guys than they let on. Sebastian reassured him quite a bit that there was nothing he could do to help the guys process it as it was going to be different for all of them. The hardest thing for all of them, was knowing that Blaine felt so alone that he felt he couldn't turn to any of them.
With what Blaine was going to be telling Rachel and Santana, Sebastian made a point of keeping the trip to the loft fun, which included a lot of innuendo. Each time Blaine looked at him after a new comment, Sebastian did his best to look innocent though his comments had been far from it. They were just rounding the corner when Sebastian received a text from Thad asking where they were as he'd just arrived with food. The fact that even after spending time a bit of time talking with Morgan, they weren't late which pleased them both. So when they knocked on the loft door, there were smiles all around.
"Since you have your guitars with you, might we hear something?" Santana asked after closing the door behind them.
"All depends." Blaine replied as he and Sebastian set everything down prior to removing their coats.
"On?" Santana asked as they headed towards the table where Rachel and Thad were setting everything out.
"If, he feels like it." Sebastian said in response before they greeted Rachel and Thad. "This one better be treating you well Rachel."
"Don't worry, he is." Rachel told him after kissing him on the cheek. "Santana, did you mention a certain call you received to Blaine?" That question brought Blaine's eyes to Santana. "I guess not, tell him."
"Brittany got a notice for an audition for a music video for one Blaine Anderson and was wondering if it was her favorite Warbler." Santana told him. "Since when are you recording a video?"
"Did you really think they'd have me releasing my first single without a video to soon accompany it? Blaine replied as they all sat down at the table. "I only sent Vincent my final choice of the ideas on Sunday night after Bas and I came home. Nice to know they aren't wasting any time." The smile on his face as he spoke could've lit up the area with as happy as he look. "If you talk to Brittany again, give her my number as it would be cool if she was in my first video as I have a bit of pull on the issue." Santana nodded while smiling knowing Brittany was going to love getting to talk to him.
"What's the video about?" Rachel asked as they all dished up their plates.
"You'll have to wait and see as the concept would give away bits of the song." Blaine told them earning him a look from both girls as Thad and Sebastian laughed.
"Fine, what did the two of you do this weekend?"
"Do you really want to ask them that?" Thad said with a laugh. "I mean, come now." When Santana laughed loudly, Thad shook his head as Rachel looked at all of them.
"He's got a point Rach." Santana stated.
"For your information, we did quite a bit of sight-seeing as I took B to some of my favorite place. I even have photographic evidence of it." Sebastian said rather proudly. "Plus, I have some great shots of him playing his guitar with the water as a backdrop." While he spoke, Blaine looked at him as he knew there were quite a few other pictures taken that weekend and he hoped Sebastian wouldn't mention those. It was one thing to agree to let Sebastian take nudes of him as Blaine took a few of Sebastian as well, it was a completely different story should anyone else know.
Once they finished discussing their weekends, Rachel filled them in on how her first days of rehearsal had gone and admitted she was a bit overwhelmed. But that the cast and crew were so supportive that she knew it wouldn't be long till she felt more comfortable. She also lucked out that girl she was replacing, was on hand to help her. The more Rachel spoke, Blaine smiled as it was so good to see her so happy again and in such a good place.
By the time they'd cleaned up from dinner, Sebastian was topping off everyone's wine glasses. "Not that we're not thrilled that the two of you decided to grace us with your presence, but what gives?" Santana asked before they each took their glasses and headed towards the sitting area. "And don't try giving us some excuse that you missed us." That last part was spoken as Santana looked directly at Blaine who was leaning against Sebastian on the couch.
"I wanted to talk to you both." Blaine replied as Thad looked over at him as he and Rachel were sitting on the opposite end of the couch.
"What about as we discussed most of what was going on with you over dinner?" Rachel asked as Thad slid an arm around her. "Unless something else is going on with the two of you."
"Not anything more than you already know." Blaine said. "What I wanted to talk to you both about is well, what happened while Kurt and I were married." The moment he finished, both girls looked at him, Santana turning in the chair to look at him more directly. "I know the two of you can tell more happened than I let on considering the way Bas and I act, especially around Kurt when he shows his face."
"Are you confirming what Wes said to him on Valentine's Day?" Rachel asked a bit hesitantly.
"Yes, but I didn't find out he cheated on me till New Year's Day."
"Excuse me?" Santana stated.
"B, you need to start from the beginning." Sebastian said softly before kissing his forehead. "Everything will make more sense that way." Blaine sighed softly as he knew Sebastian was right, but he wasn't looking forward to their reactions.
When Blaine began to speak once again, it was clear Rachel and Santana were both in shock with what they were hearing. Once Rachel started shaking her head, repeating the word no, over and over again, Thad's hold on her tightened. All the while, Santana gripped the arm of the chair clearly trying to let Blaine finish speaking though one look in her eyes anyone could tell she was furious. By the time he finished, the girls had both done their fair amount of crying, but now confusion was taking over for both of them.
The three guys kept exchanging looks as the girls were almost too quiet and it was making them all a bit uncomfortable. "Why didn't you tell us?" Rachel asked as calmly a she possibly could while wiping her eyes. "We could've tried to help."
"Because it wasn't your problem, it was between me and Kurt."
"Fuck that!" Santana blurted out as she stood up. "He had NO right to lay a god damn hand on you Blaine! He's fucking lucky you didn't hit him back considering you box."
"And what would that have solved?" Blaine replied.
"He might've stopped knowing you'd fight back." Santana said rather bluntly to him. "Hitting you because he thought you were lying was bullshit! If he thought you were constantly lying to him, he should've left. I mean, he swore you were cheating on him."
"Yet he was the one having the affair." Rachel stated. "I can't believe all the times he tried to convince me that you were the one cheating when he was having an affair. No wonder he never had time to come and see you perform."
"Exactly! It gave him a whole chunk of time he knew you'd be occupied." Santana stated. "So he could screw around. How vivid is the proof?" Blaine glanced at Sebastian as he'd only looked at the one picture.
"Enough that I know he's not the prude he portrays himself as." Sebastian replied. "Hell, there is stuff I haven't looked at as the thought disgusts me."
"Like what?"
"There was a DVD in the envelope that neither Hunter nor I looked at merely because of what the investigator labeled it."
"Wait, there is video proof that you don't want to see?" Sebastian nodded. "Let me see it!"
"No."
"Let me fucking see it Sebastian!"
"No!" Santana was about to speak again when Sebastian glared at her. It was clear in that moment that he wasn't going to back down. And while she normally wouldn't, it was clear this was a time she'd lose as the look he had honestly made her feel uncomfortable.
"I'm so sorry Blaine." Rachel said as she reached out to take his hand. "If we had any idea how bad things were, we would've done something. I hope you believe that."
"She's right; we wouldn't have hesitated to do so." Santana added while trying to calm down.
"It's still hard to imagine him doing something like that." Rachel told him. "But considering everything we've witnessed, he's clearly changed in ways I hadn't noticed."
"That's because he was good at acting in a certain way around others." Blaine replied. "The last thing he wanted was anyone to know how messed up our marriage really was."
"That's the thing Blaine, he constantly complained and everything wrong was your fault." Santana stated. "It's one of the reasons why I started to ignore him as I couldn't imagine you doing half the stuff he accused you of."
"But in reality, he was painting a certain picture of things so should Blaine have spoken out; no one would've believed him." Thad said. "And Blaine being the type of person he is, didn't want to put you guys in the middle of things."
"Did anyone know?" Rachel asked and Blaine shook his head.
"The first person I told everything to was my lawyer." When Blaine answered, Sebastian could tell he wasn't going to tell the girls about his therapist. Considering how the girls had and were reacting, that would only add fuel to the fire. "Hell, I told Bas before I even told my own parents, though you could tell they knew more was going on than what I had told them."
"And after he told me, I needed to vent a bit which I did to Hunter which triggered him hiring an investigator." Sebastian added.
"So that's why he was so ready to react on New Year's Eve?" Rachel said.
"Hunter has excellent instincts." Sebastian told her. "I hadn't told him anything in detail about what B had told me, but that moment started putting the pieces together for him. According to him, only a few things could've happened to upset me as badly as I was. And then, I confirmed things with him after talking with B, much as B ended up finally telling Wes what had happened."
"You didn't know?" Rachel asked as she looked back at Thad who shook his head. "Why did you wait to tell the guys?"
"Much like telling both of you, I never planned on doing so." Blaine replied. "This was something I had dealt with and was a part of my past. I didn't see the point of dredging it up."
"Wait, is that why you reacted the way you did the day I came over to your place shortly after you two had gotten together?" Santana asked as she looked at Blaine and Sebastian. Once Blaine nodded, Santana rambled a bit in Spanish before looking at them again. "I'm so sorry Blaine."
"It's alright, you didn't know. But it was because of that and how I reacted, that I opened up to Bas."
"I should be apologizing to you as well Sebastian. Now I know why you reacted the way you did the night we were celebrating the news of Blaine's single getting a release date."
"It's okay, like Blaine said, you didn't know."
"And here I thought you left him because of the cheating Blaine."
"We all thought the same thing." Thad told her. "Honestly, we all would've preferred if that was the reason Blaine had left and not the others. Hummel did enough damage to Blaine that it took him over a year to get to the point where he felt he could get in touch with the rest of us again."
"How could we have been so blind?" Rachel said as she looked at him.
"I put up a good front Rachel, as I said; I didn't want you guys involved. But that's one of the reasons why I stayed to myself a bit once I left him. I needed to figure out who I was once again as I barely recognized myself anymore." While he spoke, Blaine saw Rachel look down at the floor. "What is it Rachel?"
"I'm thinking back to everything he said to me after you left him. He was a big hypocrite. Not to mention that he said the reason you withdrew from others was because you weren't the center of attention at NYADA." She then let go of Blaine's hand and tried to stand, but Thad had his arms around her still. "Let me go Thad."
"Why?" He asked as he looked at her. "Where do you need to go?" While he spoke, he noticed Rachel and Santana exchanging a look.
"Neither of you are going anywhere." Sebastian stated firmly, earning him a look from both of them. "You heard me. While I more than understand you wanting to go and confront that bastard, you're not going to."
"And why the hell not?" Santana asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Because it will only make matters worse for B." Sebastian told them as he wrapped his arms around Blaine. "Do you know how hard it has been for me not to tell Hummel precisely what I think of him…do you? I would love nothing more than to give him a piece of my mind."
"He deserves everything you would dish out." Santana told him. "Not to mention, considering this all happened without Rachel and I knowing, we have a right to confront him for all the lying he did to us."
"Not at Blaine's expense! He didn't fucking tell you, for you to run off and bitch out Hummel. He told you so Thad, as well as everyone else weren't keeping things from you now that they knew." Sebastian said. "This isn't about the rest of us, it's about Blaine!"
Considering the way the two were going at one another, it didn't come as a surprise to anyone that Blaine was now staring at the floor, his arms wrapped over Sebastian's. "Santana!" Rachel called out before she had a chance to respond to Sebastian once again and pointed at Blaine. "I understand both of your points, I do. But Sebastian you've got to understand how hard this is for both of us since this happened before us and we had no clue."
"I do, as I wanted nothing more than to confront him after Blaine told me. And it's taken every bit of self-control I have not to scream and yell at him when I do see him. But I can't do that to Blaine, as you've got to know if I did, he'd make B's life miserable." Once he finished, Rachel and Santana looked at each other, then Rachel looked at Thad. "If you girls need to vent, we're all more than willing to listen. Hell, Wes told me to tell you both feel free to call him since he was the only one of the guys that was allowed to stay in touch with Blaine. So much like you, he couldn't believe this was going on and he didn't notice."
"It wasn't personal, honest." Blaine told them. "I didn't tell anyone as how do you tell anyone something that you don't understand at a point. Not to mention, at times, I…"
"B, don't say it, please. You know it's not true." Sebastian said before kissing him on the cheek. "While he might've felt justified in what he did, it was wrong."
"D…d…does Sam know?" Rachel asked as Santana was still trying to compose herself. Blaine shook his head. "He's going to be as upset as we are."
"I know, and much like Wes, he's going to ask why I didn't feel I could tell him." Blaine replied. "It's not something easy to explain as looking in from the outside things seem simpler than they really are."
"What do you want from us Blaine?" Santana asked as she sat back down beside him and Sebastian.
"Honestly, nothing. I told you as you all started to figure out that more happened during my marriage than I had let on. And it's better that I opened up, than to have to constantly worry when the other shoe was going to drop. But you should both know, now that you know, it's not something I really want to talk about again. I'm in a good place in my life now with so many good things on the horizon and I'd like to focus on that. Focusing on what happened back then, isn't going to do anything other than trapping me back there, and that's not where I want to be."
"Remember ladies, as Sebastian pointed this out to all of us when Blaine told us." Thad told them. "While this is all new for us, Blaine has already dealt with it and is moving forward. And I know you both have seen the differences in his life. He's now in a good place both professionally as well as personally."
"Are we allowed to say anything to him should we see him and not because we hunted him down?" Santana asked.
"While I would love to never have it mentioned I know that's impossible." Blaine said. "Kurt loves pushing people's buttons and playing innocent."
"He did that to me the other day actually when I brought up the cheating after how he reacted to Sebastian and his Dad."
"That doesn't surprise me. He was honestly shocked that I found out about the cheating as he had a whole life outside of our marriage. Just don't be the one that starts stuff with him, and I know that's going to be hard."
"Well, if Sebastian can do it and he's in love with you, we can certainly try." Santana told him. "I'm so sorry Blaine."
"It's okay, as I hid things pretty well." Blaine said before looking at Rachel. "Are you going to be okay Rach as I know he's your best friend?"
"Was." Rachel stated. "After what you just told me, I doubt we'll ever be friends again." They all then watched as Blaine ran his fingers through his hair.
"I don't want what he did to me to be the reason you end your friendship. That was between him and me Rachel."
"Blaine, I can't in good faith be friends with someone who did that to someone they proclaimed to love. Not to mention, once I started to spend less time with him, I was able to see changes in him, changes I didn't agree with. He's become a very judgmental person." Sebastian tried not to laugh, but part of his laughter escaped earning him a look from everyone.
"Bas."
"B, he's always been judgmental. Isn't that right Thad?"
"Sebastian's got a point."
"I know a part of him has always been like that, but it's gotten worse." Rachel then went on to tell them all about her lunch with Kurt after she'd had coffee with Jean-Baptiste. Even Sebastian was surprised to hear what Kurt had to say about not only Jean-Baptiste but the rest of them as well. "So, you can see this bit of information, was the final straw for me."
"Do you mind if I ask if he knows you're dating Thad?" Sebastian asked as he looked at Rachel who was quick to shake her head. "That would be a priceless reaction considering he dislikes Thad almost as much as me."
"I mentioned that to her as well." Thad said. "He already can't stand that she's friends with all of us. Just imagine his face knowing we're together." The tone of Thad's voice when he spoke even got Blaine to laugh. "Don't even go there Anderson."
"You're the one that said it." Blaine stated as Sebastian continued to laugh as he took Thad's words the same way Blaine had. It also didn't help that Rachel had started to blush.
"For once, I'm not the one twisting a situation." Santana said proudly as she sat back in the chair. That little twist on Thad's words was something they all needed with as serious as things had been. "Blainers, you really aren't as innocent as you seem."
"It gives him plausible deniability." Sebastian replied before kissing Blaine, this time on the lips. "He still does or says things that surprise me and I doubt that's ever going to change." Blaine looked back at him and smiled, earning another kiss from Sebastian. "See what I mean."
"You two really are perfect for each other." Rachel told them. "And, we will try not to lash out at Kurt."
"That's all I ask." Blaine said in response. "If it does, give me a heads up so I know to be on the look-out for him. Also…" Blaine looked at Santana. "You can't mention this to Jordan."
"Okay, but why?"
"She's a reporter Santana and there is a clause in our divorce decree in that we can't bad mouth one another in a manner that it could…" Blaine didn't need to finish as Santana let him know she understood.
"So, it'll protect you as well once everything kicks into gear." Santana stated.
"That's what it's supposed to do." Blaine replied. "But we all know when Kurt gets pissed or feels attacked, he lashes out."
"So, it's all the more reason for us all to behave." Sebastian added. "B's going to be a public figure in a sense soon so, it's best we protect his personal life. And unfortunately, Hummel is a part of it. Because should word of his dysfunctional former marriage get out, all hell could break loose and Blaine wouldn't be able to live the private life he wants."
"That really does put things into perspective." Thad stated. "You didn't mention all that when we all spoke."
"That's because you guys didn't react in the same manner." Blaine said. "As we mentioned before, it makes sense that the girls are as upset and angry as they are as this happened around them." While he spoke, Blaine noticed both of the girls looking at him. "What?"
"Thank you, for understanding why we reacted the way we did." Rachel told him. "You gave us quite the shock that clearly neither of us expected."
"Rachel's right." Santana said. "Part of me feels as though I should've known."
"You both only knew what I let you know and that was that things weren't going well between the two of us. As well as whatever Kurt told you."
"He put all the blame on you, that's part of the reason I began tuning him out as I knew you weren't the person he was describing." Santana told him. "And Rachel didn't believe it either."
"I appreciate that as I know he said quite a few awful things about me. Was I the perfect husband, no. But even I knew deep down I wasn't the person he was saying I was. Are the two of you going to be okay?"
"It's going to take some time, but I think we will be. Right Rach?"
"Yes, it's just going to take some time wrap our heads around it." Rachel replied, before turning and kissing Thad on his cheek. "Plus, as you said, we're not alone so if we need someone to talk to, we have someone to turn to."
"Good. While I would love to stay and talk more, I've got work I need to finish for tomorrow." Blaine told them. "And so you both know, I'm telling Sam soon. I just wish I could tell him in person but our schedules aren't going to allow for it."
"That's good to know." Santana said. "Just fair warning, he's going to freak out."
"Trust me; I'm well aware of that." Blaine told her as he and Sebastian got up off the couch. "Thad, are you going to be here for awhile?"
"I am."
"Good." Blaine then leaned over and gave Rachel a kiss on the cheek before turning to do the same to Santana. "Will I be seeing you tomorrow night?"
"Absolutely!" Santana said and Rachel nodded. "Sebastian, take good care of him."
"Always."