Summary: Sebastian can't decide if he and Blaine are soul mates like his Nana claims, or two people destined to be each other's "would've, could've, should've" been.
Notes: The last few chapters were primarily Blaine focused but this one is all Sebastian.
This chapter is WAY different than I imagined but it took a turn when I chose to use it for 10 Days of Seblaine 2023 Day 1: Soulmates.
Warning: Death of non-canon character
Song lyrics were modified (slightly) to fit the narrative.
One Year Later
Sebastian looked at himself in the mirror and sighed. Does he have enough time to shave? Should he have gotten a haircut? Does he like the frames on his new glasses? It's been a month and he still wasn't sure.
He opened his dresser drawer to get his watch and saw the letter Blaine gave Steph. He hadn't read it since that day but remembered every word.
Blaine Devon Anderson, the 2nd strongest person he'd ever met (of course, Nana was first) had a breakdown. It was so bad he left NYADA prior to the end of semester for a wellness center in California. He wanted to be the one to tell him to make it clear it had nothing to do with Sir Knight abruptly cutting off communication. Also, how his aunt postponing his Showcase put him in academic no-man's land, but he didn't blame June. He would've done the same thing if a member of his family fell down a flight of stairs and broke their hip.
The breakdown happened because several issues he'd refused to deal with came to a head at the same time, which happened to coincide with the anniversary of the lockdown.
The bright spot was he broke up with Hummel. Annabelle showed him video Santana took of the ridiculous proposal. A quicky wedding in Vegas? Blaine deserved more than that, proving he'd been right since high school. The should have never been former Warbler was always too good for old Gayface.
"I'm supposed to be the overthinker in this relationship."
He turned around and smiled for the first time he could remember. Blaine was sitting against the headboard of his bed, wearing only a strategically placed towel and eating a cronut. "Get out of my head Anderson."
"Never going to happen Smythe. You want half of my cronut?"
"I'm good. I don't have much of an appetite."
"Your loss." Blaine took a bite, followed by a porn worthy moan. "You were right. This cronut is much better than the ones in NYC."
"NYC focuses on the donut. Paris focuses on the croissant." As Blaine took another bite, Sebastian felt his earlier happiness begin to wain. "I'm really glad you're here."
"I was backpacking through Europe, not Mars. Getting to Paris wasn't hard."
Blaine spent 6 months at the wellness center. When his parents picked him up, he told them he didn't want to go home…NYC or Ohio. He was taking some of the money Cooper's mom left him and backpack through Europe. Charles and Pam weren't high on the idea because it was October. He said he was going anyway but promised if weather became an issue, he'd go to Château sur la colline.
Yes, even if Sebastian is filming in another country. It will give his Nana a chance to show me all his embarrassing baby pictures.
The Andersons accepted the compromise, but Blaine never traveled to Paris…until this morning. When Sebastian woke up, the traveler was sitting cross-legged on the end of his bed, looking like he didn't have a care in the world…and hadn't seen a bar of soap in weeks. He was promptly escorted to the shower. "Whatever, I'm just happy you're here now."
"So, since I'm here and you don't have to leave for another hour, want to talk about your parents?"
"No"
"Too bad, I do."
Sebastian walked over to the chair by his picture window. Joining Blaine on the bed wasn't a good idea. But neither was having this particular conversation. "What's there to talk about?"
"They tried to see you a week ago and you had them arrested…and extradited back to Ohio. Nothing about that you want to talk about?"
"They should've gone to jail for causing Nana's fall."
"And they will, after the US Justice Department gets through all the shit your dad pulled as State's Attorney and your mother did on his behalf."
"I don't care."
"You're the one who went back to Ohio when they were on vacation, got into the house and found the evidence your father was falsifying against Dalton and some of the Warblers for their steroid trials. You're the one who turned over the evidence, starting the Federal investigation…and you don't care?"
"No, because I got to go to McKinley and see for myself that you were safe after the lockdown. Then I got my perfect, but totally cliché, first kiss with you in the pouring rain."
Blaine flashed him a teenage Sebastian worthy smirk. "You got a lot more than a first kiss."
"I'm seeing your dad later! I thought we agreed to never discuss that night again!"
"Oh no, you aren't getting off that easy. I had to watch my dad's face as all the clues went into place like a jigsaw puzzle. He didn't hear him say he couldn't decide whether to give us a birds and bees lecture or high five because I was gone for HOOUURRS! Or how my going back to Kurt made less sense because…HOOUURRS!"
"Please, please, can we talk about anything else?"
"We can go back to talking about your parents."
"No"
"One last question?"
"Fine but choose wisely. I'm done with Xavier and Marie Smythe…especially today."
"Were they the reason you pushed me away? Why you kept telling me to go back to the life you chose? To go back to Kurt?"
"Yes, I knew they would find a way to weaponize my feelings for you. That was the reason I cut off, or at least tried to cut you off, after Nana's fall. If they found out I was communicating with someone I called Prince Charming…I couldn't take the chance. It would've been worse if they found out he was actually you."
"Ok, I get it but what about after our night together?"
"With the way things ended with Hummel, you'd never be able to let go. You'd always wonder what you could've done to fix the relationship. If you were ever to move on, hopefully with me, it had to be your decision to leave."
"You were playing a dangerous game."
"I had complete faith that Hummel would fuck it up, and he did. Has Santana had to call the cops on him yet?"
"Why haven't you asked Annabelle? She moved into my house when she and Santana made their relationship official."
"I haven't seen Annabelle in a couple of months. Since we were filming in Greece, Benny decided to check on me personally."
"Check on you or check out the beaches?"
"Both"
"Sounds like your manager. And no, Santana hasn't called the cops, as far as I know. My parents considered a restraining order when my ex didn't get the message I wanted nothing to do with him…and had left the state. But evidently, Santana, Sam and Marley are developing a mission to troll Kurt hard when the pictures of you shaking hands with Kate Middleton at your British premiere are published. My parents put the order on hold so they didn't screw up their plans."
*groooaaan* "Don't remind me!"
"Of your movie's British premier? Aren't all James Bond movies first premiered in London?"
"I shot my sex scene with Hailee right before filming went on hiatus…"
"How was it?" Blaine asked as he wiggled his eyebrows.
Sebastian responded with a middle finger. "She's a girl so some of my best acting was required. The point is, because the film will be PG-13, they can briefly show my ass."
"How briefly?"
"30 seconds"
"Awesome"
This time it was a double middle finger response. "No, not awesome."
"Why not? Didn't they tell you beforehand they were showing your ass?"
"I was aware, but 30 seconds is longer than you think, and I forgot something very important."
"What?"
"IMAX. My ass is going to be out for the world to see on 100 foot scenes. The premiere in London will be on an IMAX screen. My giant ass is going to moon the Prince and Princess of Wales! This isn't funny!"
"First of all, I'm pretty sure IMAX screens aren't that big. Secondly, you're right, this isn't funny. It's amazing. When I get back to NYC, I'm doing a complete remodel of the basement. Gut everything and expand the theater. I'm getting the biggest home screen possible!"
Before Sebastian could reply, the alarm he'd set on his phone went off. Talking with Blaine, despite the topics, had been a welcome distraction. "I really don't want to do this."
"Your Nana is being awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. It's the most prestigious award France awards civilians, but it's usually world leaders. As much as she loves June and Steph…"
"She would be crushed if I didn't go."
"Bingo! Now go put on your jacket and fix your tie. With all the practice you got at Dalton, I can't believe you did such a shitty job."
Sebastian went back to his dresser to check in the mirror "There's nothing wrong with my tie."
"Seb? Who are you talking to?"
He spun around so fast he almost fell. Steph was standing in the doorway and there was no sign of Blaine. It took Sebastian a moment to realize he hadn't been there to begin with. "No one, I was practicing what I'm going to say."
"Liar, you were talking to Blaine."
His cousin knew him too well. "Has anyone heard from him?"
"Not that I've heard. Charles, Pam, Sam, Santana, Trent, and Annabelle have all tried to contact him. I even tried. He's completely off grid."
"I just thought…"
"That if Blaine was your soulmate, like your Nana constantly told you, he would've just known you needed him and found a way to be here today?"
Sebastian ran his fingers through his hair and once again regretted not getting a haircut. "I must sound like an idiot who's watched too many Rom-coms. Someone who believed that Sir Knight and Prince Charming would find a way to be together and not be stuck in this right person/wrong time paradox for eternity. I guess what they say is true…real life isn't a fairy tale. But damn it, I own a fucking castle!"
Someone clearing her throat put an end to their conversation.
"Boys, the car is here" June told them before giving them each a hug. Then she reached out and patted Sebastian's cheek. He was well aware she wasn't a fan of his facial hair. "Your Nana loved you more than anyone, except possibly my brother, her soulmate. You finding that kind of love was her greatest wish."
"Can we not do this today?" Sebastian (kind of) whined while shaking his head. "I can't believe I agreed to this dog and pony show."
June Dolloway was not biologically related to his grandmother. However, after 50 years of being more like sisters than friends, they looked remarkedly similar when pissed off. "Juliette Dumas-Alexander was a treasure. She helped more people in France during her lifetime than the government has in 100 years. She deserves to be celebrated. Sebastian, as much as you want to deny it, you are now the head of the Dumas family. Certain things are expected of you. Do not downplay the importance of this memorial by acting like the petulant brat you once were! Do you understand?"
He never denied what his grandmother's death meant for him. He just wasn't ready to accept it. "Yes Ma'am. Let's get this over with. I mean, we should be going. There are people waiting for our arrival."
The ceremony was a colossal cluster fuck before Sebastian walked in the doors. In the past year he'd done two campaigns for Dior, been on the cover of Men's Vogue and was finally introduced to the public as Andrew, son of James Bond. He lost track of how many interviews he did for that. Much to the studio's relief, with the exception of the expected haters and homophobes, the reactions to his being gay and Andrew having both a female love interest and an ex-boyfriend were positive. However, like with his ass on IMAX, there was a side effect of his newfound fame he'd dismissed regardless of Annabelle's constant warnings.
Fangirls…and boys
There were hundreds of them standing outside the cathedral, waiting in the rain for just a glimpse of him. It was insane! Fortunately, with all the dignitaries attending, security was ridiculously tight. There was some scattered squealing but most of his fans were respectful. He'd send out a tweet thanking them later.
It got worse as soon as the damn thing began. When the President of France came to him with the idea for a memorial, he kept saying celebration of all the good Juliette had done for people of France. What it became was an endless rotation of politicians, minor European royalty and heads of charities giving eulogies on what Juliette Dumas-Alexander meant to them.
The world was shocked to find out Juliette left the entire Dumas Estate/Foundation (with provisions for June and Stephan) to My Darling Boy, Sebastian Alexander Smythe. However, extended family was far more pissed than shocked. They (somehow) convinced his parents to come back to France and contest the will on the basis his mother was Nana's only child, ignoring the fact there were arrest warrants for them in both France and the US...BIG MISTAKE. But it didn't matter. Nana left behind a video explaining her reasoning. According to the lawyers, it made the will iron uncontestable. An emergency hearing prior to his parents' extradition back to the US confirmed their assessment.
And now these assholes chose Nana' memorial service to practically beg him for money. Again…BIG MISTAKE.
After more than 2 hours, it was his turn to speak, representing the family. Since he was last, when he finished the President was to present him with his grandmother's (posthumous) Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. That was to be followed by a celebration of life video montage. So much had happened, he'd forgotten sometime during the service Annabelle (when did she get there?) sent him a message stating she fixed the problem with the music for the montage so not to worry. There'd been a problem with the music? They had a fucking 50 person choir (the only good part of the day) who sang Nana's favorite hymns between speakers.
Couldn't anything go right?
By the time he was at the pulpit, he was so upset he wasn't going to stop himself from doing something unworthy of the new head of the Dumas family. He locked eyes with his Aunt June, and mouthed I'm sorry. Then he found the people paying respects on behalf of both Dior and the movie. He gave them a look hinting he was about to do something they weren't going to like. Better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
"My name is Sebastian Alexander Smythe. Juliette Dumas-Alexander was my Nana. I loved her more than anything and am honored she chose me to continue her legacy. While many of you might believe you know me through my work with Dior and interviews for my upcoming movie, I promise you don't. For example, my bullshit detector is legendary. Because of this, it was obvious from the beginning every person who gave a so-called eulogy today was attempting to hit me up for money. That was not only disgraceful and insulting to both me and my grandmother, it was stupid. As of today, I am ending your funding. None of you are getting another dime."
He didn't say another word, going back to his seat next to Stephen, ignoring the President of France standing next to the podium with his grandmother's medal. The hundreds of people present went silent, none of them knowing what to do next.
Sebastian didn't care. He was so mad he closed his eyes in an attempt to prevent tears. It didn't work, and once they started every emotion he'd held inside for the past 2 weeks came flooding out.
And then a piano began to play.
I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill
I threw the day old tea from the cup
Packed up the photo album Aunt June had made
Memories of a life that's been loved
Sebastian's eyes flew open but they were still so full of tears it was hard to be sure of what he was seeing. There was no video, no choir. Just Blaine and a piano mesmerizing hundreds of people. But of course, it couldn't be. It was his mind playing tricks on him again.
Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink
You always told me, "Don't you cry when you're down"
But Nan, there's a tear every time that I blink
Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know
A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved
This version of Blaine was different from his vision earlier. His hair was still longer than before, but the facial hair was neatly trimmed and he was wearing glasses. To top things off, he was wearing a bow tie with his nicely tailored suit. In other words, this Blaine's appearance mimicked his own with the exception of their ties. Another reason to disbelieve what was in front of him.
So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my Nan
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back I'll say
Hallelujah, you're home
Fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up
Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case
Steph says he'd drive then put his hand on my cheek
And wiped a tear from the side of my face
I hope that I see the world as you did 'cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived
So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my Nan
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back I'll say
Hallelujah, you're home
"I knew he would come. Aunt Juli was right. He is your soul mate."
Sebastian turned to Step, shaking his head. Hell, his whole body was shaking. "You can see him?"
"Yes, Seb. Blaine is here."
Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my Nan
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back he said
Hallelujah, you're home
He barely gave Blaine the time to stand up from the piano bench before Sebastian had his face in his hands and was kissing him like his life depended on it. When he needed air he didn't let go but put their foreheads together. "You're here."
"I'm here."
"You wrote a song for me."
"Yes, I have but not this one. Ed Sheeran wrote this song, but I was given permission to change some of the lyrics to honor your Nana. Don't want any copyright issues if this happened to hit the internet."
"Oh shit! My speech…"
"If it gets out, I'm sure people will see it the same way I did. You were passionately defending your Nana's memory. Those people should be embarrassed and held accountable for their actions. Well, I guess you covered that part."
Sebastian repeated his kiss complete with saying "You're here."
"I thought we'd established that."
"We did but I've been seeing you ever since Nana died. You've been so real. Who finally got ahold of you?"
"No one. I was in the Alps, recreating the whole Sound of Music experience, and had horrible cell service. A couple of days ago I had an overwhelming feeling something was wrong. When I finally saw all the messages on my phone, for some reason I called Annabelle of all people. She told me what happened with your Nana and what was going on with the music for the video. I told her I knew a song that would work and she took care of getting permission."
"If that was only a couple of days ago, how did you get here so quickly?"
Blaine smiled and pointed at a waving Annabelle and Santana. "Our Satans got me to a church. Go figure."
Sebastian kissed him again but this time it was only a peck. "They might have physically brought you here, but this was all my Nana. She insisted we belonged together, that we are soulmates. I told her I didn't believe in such things, but she had to be right. Why am I not surprised she's still meddling in my life even though she's gone?
While Sebastian and Blaine were getting reacquainted at the front of the cathedral, they failed to notice people leaving. However, there was a small group of people watching what was going on with a great amount of interest.
"Do we know who he is?"
"Who cares? He held the attention of this entire place with just his voice and a piano."
"But can he act?"
"Sebastian had never acted when we hired him. Think of the publicity we'd get if we cast his actual boyfriend in the movie as his ex-boyfriend."
"We don't know for sure if they're boyfriends. Sebastian's never mentioned one."
"No matter what, we have to do something. We've filmed as much as we can without recasting Taylor. I don't want to sound crass, but Sebastian needing this break couldn't have come at a better time."
"You better not say that in front of him."
"After that speech our star gave, I doubt anyone will be crossing Sebastian Smythe anytime soon. I'm going to talk to Annabelle. Maybe we can get some information on our mystery man."
Notes:
There is one more chapter…the movie. It wasn't going to be a whole chapter which is why this one is shorter than the previous ones. It will post on 10 Days of Seblaine Week 2023 Day 9: Celebrity/Famous.
Did you guess Blaine wasn't there in the beginning? The biggest clue was Get out of my head Anderson/Never going to happen Smythe.
The average IMAX screen is 59 by 79 feet (18 by 24 meters).
This would take place in either 2017 or 2018 so it would still be called Twitter, but it doesn't matter. I'm always going to say/write tweets and Twitter.
Supermarket Flowers: Sheeran, Ed; Levin, Benjamin; McDaid, Johnny 2017