Sebastian Announces his Future
With the future of Seth's apartment sealed, and the entire street on tenterhooks wondering what Alfonso Gonzalez would be like, the gossip thread had a new centre, and that meant that Adam was no longer the focus of all the attention. When he had moved in to the apartment above Seth's, there had been no grand formal introductions made to his new neighbours, as neither Nick or Jeff had had the time, but he had ended up meeting them all within a couple of days anyway. His first meeting was due to an old connection - Dani had introduced him to Elliott at the diner, and he had made a point of inviting Adam round for lunch, where he was introduced to Beats, Dante and Ty.
He was full of admiration for the two young men, happily married, who had taken in two boys and made a family. He had been unable to stop smiling as Dante proudly pointed out that the only reason that his two dads had married each other was so that they could adopt him officially, thus spoiling the dastardly plot of a group of council officials that refused to move with the times…
Leaving them, he had almost literally bumped into Drew and Evie, and had ended up chatting away to them too, Evie thrilled to hear an English accent. The next day he found himself invited to have afternoon tea, and there he was introduced to Ethan. He had listened intently as Evie confided in him that Ethan was actually a Prince, and had rescued her and her father from a wicked Queen. He had though that it was all a story at first, until Drew, once Evie and Ethan had left the room, explained the whole thing to him. Adam had heard of such situations before of course, but like so many people, had assumed that men were always the perpetrators of domestic abuse…
"We actually got the confirmation today that they are finally going to be opening a men's refuge in London, thanks to funding from the Mackenzie Trust," said Drew happily. "Ethan was so glad that the committee finally decided to give his idea the backing it required and full funding."
Adam was puzzled by that statement, and he only got clarity when Ethan returned and Drew headed out. The former told Adam what his surname was, and exactly whose son he was. Even Adam had heard of a conglomerate like Mackenzie Inc, but he had never expected to be having afternoon tea with the heir apparent to such a huge business, let alone ending up living just a few yards away from someone that would be one of the wealthiest men on earth one day…
Kitty for her part came quite literally banging on his door the following day, and he found himself following her along the street to her place. There he met Artie, who apologised for the fact that his wife was so forthright, and for the fact that the moment that he arrived, she had made herself scarce again. Adam knew from Mason what project Artie was involved in, and soon the two of them were talking about the new Harry Potter film, and how it was all shaping up. Then Kitty returned, bringing with her whether they had wished to be there or not, Mike, Tina and Henry. It transpired that they too had been dragged along, which explained the fact Mike was wearing odd shoes, but the little gathering went well, with much talk of both the past and the future…
As they all headed for home afterwards, Mike had left Tina to head home alone and had stopped Adam. He turned to him and quietly said, "Kurt and I were never as close as we should have been when we were in the New Directions together, but for that reason, he sometimes confided in me with things that he told nobody else, because he knew he could trust me to keep them to myself. Well, there is one thing that I have kept to myself for a decade or more, but I am going to share it now. He told me one afternoon in that final spring he was alive that he had only ever felt that he could fall in love with, and be happy with two people in the world; Blaine, and you. Now that I have met you, I can see why he felt that way…"
Mike left it at that, leaving Adam with a heart filled with emotion; he strolled along the street towards his own place, his mind filled with that revelation, when he quite literally was bumped into by someone running out of their house. "I am so sorry; I am late for class, and wasn't looking properly," came a voice, and Adam looked up to see a young man standing before him, with jet black hair and sparkling grey eyes."
"It's quiet okay; I was in a daydream myself… I'm Adam by the way, and I have just moved in to the middle apartment at the end of the row…"
"Pleased to meet you; I am Lawrence. I live in the house here with my brother Dexter and four other former Warblers. Jeff mentioned that you had moved in, and why. We will need to chat later though, as I really do need to fly…"
With that Lawrence sprinted off, and Adam shook his head, and then smiled. He had seemingly landed in the most friendly street in New York, had a wonderful apartment at a dream rent, and the cherry on the top of the icing on the cake, his dreams of Broadway were finally on track…
Those dreams were cemented of course by the fact that he had been invited to the Tonys that year, even though he had yet to appear on the Broadway stage officially. The second Sunday of June was always the high point of the year for the city's performing community, the best date on the calendar. It was equally poignant for Sebastian of course; that night, as he made his way to the table that he had been allocated to, his mind drifted back to the night seven years earlier when he had been invited into the mix for the first time, and had, much to his great surprise, one his first Tony Award, albeit a special one for himself and his fellow Warblers as an ensemble. He had added to that solitary one since then of course…
His progress through the room that night was slower than it might usually have been as Dave was coming along behind him, and although his mastery of the crutches had improved, the fact that he had to use them still slowed him down. Looking ahead, Sebastian could see that Russell was already seated at the table, along with key members of his current play's crew, and of course, his 'Aunt' Bette was there too. She had somehow managed to become Russell's plus one for the evening, not that the young Englishman minded that one little bit…
Across the room he could also see Cooper and Grace, seated at a main table, there for the Noel Coward season. Bette could have been sitting there as well, of course, but the little arrangement with Russell had freed up a seat for another member of the cast that might otherwise have missed out. With a start he realised that it was also seven years since Cooper had won his first Tony Award too, but tonight, although he was nominated for a Best Actor award, he was not expected to win, the shows he had been in being judged more likely to win awards instead. To be honest, Sebastian had no expectation of being an award winner himself that night, although he had been nominated for his role in Young Frankenstein. His current play had opened after the deadline for nominations, but there were some that said there was every chance that he would be nominated for an award next year for his performance in that particular show…
The show was televised as usual, naturally, and as two important members of the circle of close friends were involved, the majority of the others would be watching. Nick, Jeff and Wes were watching expectantly for two reasons; for Cooper as a brother-in-law/uncle, and for Sebastian as a fellow musketeer/honorary uncle. Thad found himself watching the show at Skylar's place, joining the three usual residents of the house. Seth was having one of his better days, and had been looking forward to seeing the show, particularly as he expected Sebastian to have a surprise victory. His own little Tony Award, one of those rewarded to all of those that had helped Sebastian save the show that one night, had pride of place in his room. It fell to Julia to announce that she felt as if she was actually in the gathering herself, given that she was sitting with three Tony winners…
They all watched politely as the show began, starting of course with the less interesting of the awards, at least in the eyes of the circle of friends, being announced first. Then came the first surprise of the evening, when the winner of Best Lead Actor in a Play was announced. They had seen the list of nominees, and there were several bigger names than Cooper's on it. He had not expected to win, so when they read his name out as the victor, they could all see the surprise that they felt as viewers echoed on the face of the recipient…
He made his way to the stage to collect the award with a degree of uncertainty, thinking that at any moment there would be an announcement saying that they were sorry, but there had been a mistake… He was still waiting for it even as he held the trophy and made an acceptance speech completely off the cuff, managing to remember to thank all of his co-stars, the crew and the directors, and his family and friends. It was only once he was actually back at the table that he realised that it had actually just happened. Although he would not find out that night, he had won because he had been nominated highly for each of the plays that he had starred in during the Coward Season, and three nominations gave you a lot of clout…
Sebastian was pleased for Cooper, but now he was waiting for the moment that the category that he was nominated in, Best Lead Actor in a Musical, was announced. Unlike Cooper, he did have a speech prepared, as he had something very specific that he wanted to say. Admittedly, he had no plan as to how to get the stuff he wanted to say out into the media if he did not win, although it would have to be said soon enough…
"Are you quite alright, my darling boy?" asked Bette suddenly, startling him, and that was when he realised that he must have been in a world of his own for a short while.
"Yes, I am quite okay, just a little nervous for once. I mean, I am an old hand at this now, but it still gets to you as you approach that moment when you might have to go up on the stage and speak…"
"And when you do, you will be as wonderfully witty and sincere as you always are, and before you say it, I believe that it will be when."
"Well, if I do, then the organisers of the event might not like me all that much this year, because what I need to say will not be short and sweet…"
Bette looked at Sebastian for a moment, then nodded as she recalled the conversation that they had had back a few weeks ago about the future… Then she saw him shaking his head a little, to indicate she should not speak, and it dawned on her that he still had not told his husband what he had decided, and when Sebastian spoke, it would be as much news to him as the rest of the room. She did not imagine that there would be fireworks, at least not in public. As she looked away again, she suddenly felt the presence of Russell right beside her, and heard him whisper in her ear, "I know what you do, and I think he is a very brave man to announce it in such a public venue."
Bette nodded, smiled, and then realised that the room had fallen silent as the nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Musical were being read out. There was then the usual pause, and the ceremonial opening of the envelope by the presenter. With a smile, they read out the name of the Mel Brooks show, and of course, Sebastian Smythe…
He smiled as he rose from his spot and headed in the direction of the stage, catching the eye of each of those co-stars of his in the show that were present that night as he did so. He almost ensured that he made eye contact with the legendary Mr Brooks, soon to turn 98 but looking as spry and healthy as ever. Once again his thoughts turned to the first time that he had been in this privileged position, when the words he had said to the assembled audience had been spoken into his ear by Kurt a moment before. That help was not needed on this occasion, and he knew that the words he was about to say that night would stick in people's memory much more, that he was so certain of. He accepted the trophy, bowed to the assembled audience, then went over to the podium microphone…
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the first time that I stood here was seven years ago, having won a special award for my actions the night that I earned by moniker of the 'Show Saving Sebastian Smythe'. Since then, I think that my actions have proven that I was not a one night wonder. Heck, I have even given a command performance for Queen Elizabeth! Now at this point you are all waiting for me to thank the cast, crew and of course, the legend that is Mel Brooks, which I naturally do, but I also have something more important to say, and my apologies, it is going to ruin the carefully timed schedule…"
Around the room there was a hush of anticipation, shared by those friends that were watching at home. "I need to thank first and foremost the most important person in my life, my husband, Dave Karofsky. As many of you will know, he was seriously injured on the football field back in February, on the day that I performed the role for which I have just been honoured for the final time. He is recovering well, but the fact remains that he will never be able to play football again. He can be a coach, however, but therein lies an issue. He has been offered a coaching position by a team back in Ohio. He rejected it, because of my career, but the thing is, I might have gone behind his back, called them up, and told the team he will be taking the role…"
Dave's face was a picture at that moment, and the TV cameras caught it wonderfully. "Oops!" said Nick, for want of a better word, and that made Jeff start to giggle…
In Ohio, the four people sat in Skylar's living room looked at each other, then Julia said, "If someone did that to me, I would regard it as grounds for divorce…" and Thad had to agree…
Back at the venue, and looking at anyone but his husband, Sebastian continued, "Now, I know what you are all thinking, and yes, I do hope that he doesn't divorce me! My reasons for doing what I have are simple; for the last seven years, he has been there to support me every day; he has always had my back, and even put up with me going over to London for nearly three months, just before Christmas, so I could perform Shakespeare in the West End. Now, I feel it is my turn to support him, which is why I am announcing here and now that Waiting for Godot will be my last performance on the Great White Way…"
Sebastian paused again as shocked gasps and murmured chatter could be heard from the audience. The biggest gasp had come from his husband. Bette had moved over to the seat next to his when Sebastian had headed up to the stage, and taking his hand, she whispered, "Now that is what you call true love…"
"I have been on the stage here, almost non-stop, for some time now, but everyone has their day, and I have decided that I would like to bow out whilst I am still wanted, at the peak of my career, and well, this is the perfect moment to do exactly that. So I would like to thank the people that make Broadway and this city's art scene what it is; the back room staff, the front of house, and of course, the audiences. Thank you all for helping make this street what it is, the heart of the theatrical world, at least in this hemisphere. Now, I have one more favour to ask, if I may; one final song that I need to sing, if you will let me…" The audience began to applaud loudly, and Bette whistled, making Dave and Russell laugh. Those in charge were not really left with much choice other than to acquiesce, unless they wished to have a riot on their hands..
Somehow Dave found himself being moved closer to the stage, and then, in front of the watching world, his husband sang to him; a song that his nephew Peter, sat at home in Maplewood with the other children and his shocked parents, and little Wes, sat between his equally stunned fathers, recognised as one that had been sung in an episode of The Flash. The words of Running Home to You had seemed apt in the situation to Sebastian, and the song was not that long, so the schedulers could get things back onto time almost with relative ease…
He finished singing, and climbed down from the stage to hug his husband as the audience clapped around them. "You should have asked me, Sebby!" Dave whispered in his ear.
"And you would have said no. Truth is, maybe I need a rest from the stage. I can afford to be a more hands on father, and I can always do a little bit of theater in Columbus. It is your turn to live your dreams and make a name for yourself," Sebastian replied.
"Okay, well we do this on one condition; if I get a chance of a job here, we come straight back."
"I can agree to that, but until then, you are coming first. The fact is, I love you so very much…"
"Not as much as I love you…"
In Ohio, there was silence in the room, until Skylar asked, "I wonder where they are intending to live? I mean, doesn't his father still own a place around here, that he never uses?"
Thad nodded, then said, "I would actually love to be a fly on the wall though when he next sees his father and his brother. If he was keeping all of this close to his chest, then I doubt they knew about it, and this will have come as a big shock to them as well; much bigger than it was to all of us…"
"Yeah, that is going to be an interesting conversation," remarked Seth, yawning. "Okay, I think I have seen enough, and I will head to bed…" At once, both Julia and Skylar got up to help him, leaving Thad alone in the living room. He wondered how Sebastian was going to fill his days when he returned to Ohio, as there was every chance that their nanny, Mrs Carr, would want to come with them, given her relationship with Dave's father. He suddenly realised that he could ask Sebastian to come and give talks at Dalton…
When the Tony Award ceremony came to an end, Sebastian was instantly grateful for the presence of his 'Aunt' Bette, as she knew better than him how to handle the media reps that at once descended upon him. "Gentleman, Ladies, my dear friend Sebastian does not have the time to answer your questions at the moment, as he has his husband to think about, and they have an early start in the morning for the next part of his rehabilitation. All I will say is this; it is not often in this world of ours now that we find young people so truly devoted to each other, honouring the vows that they made on their wedding day, and supporting each other so fully at the most traumatic of times. I admire Sebastian all the more for what he has just done tonight, choosing the most public of moments in the Broadway year to do something that is filled with so much love…"
For once, the media scrum did pay heed, and let Sebastian and Dave head out. However, they did not manage to get very far before they found their path blocked by Cooper, with Mason standing by his side. "Well," Cooper began, "it would have been nice to have had a little warning that this was about to happen. You are more than just a friend to me, Sebastian, and the same applies to Dave. Admittedly, I am a little surprised that you have chosen to go to work with a team in Columbus. I recall that both of you once described Ohio as…"
"We both are guilty of that, yes," said Dave, cutting him off, "but there are advantages to heading back home, the most important of which is my dad. Come to think of it, I wonder what he is making of all of this, and more importantly, how Mrs Carr is going to react when we get home…"
As Dave pondered that, Mason turned to Sebastian, and with his tongue slightly in his cheek, said, "The lights of Broadway will twinkle a little less brightly without you, although there will be those out there that will say that your departure could well be to my benefit…"
"That is true," chuckled Sebastian, "but if the parts do have to go to someone else, they couldn't go to a better man than you. Anyway, it isn't as if I am going right away; I will probably still be here until the end of the year. I just wanted to get the news out there. We will come and visit from time to time, naturally…"
"You'd better!" said Cooper, before pulling the two of them into a hug. "By the way, all the best with everyone that just found out about this on television. I am surprised that your phone hasn't blown up yet!"
"That is why I am keeping it switched off for now," came his reply. "I need to face my brother first, and then, no doubt, the wrath of Santana…"
As they headed home on the train, Dave still could not believe that everything had just happened. He knew that there would be some in his situation who would have been so angry that their partner had acted behind their back, and yes, he had been for the briefest of moments. Then he had realised that it was always going to have happened, no matter what he had said. There were a lot of unanswered questions though, starting with where they would live. His father would be able, and very willing to, put them up for a while, but even his new place, much nearer to Columbus than the Lima house had been, was quite a commute, and the house was not that huge.
Mrs Carr was also going to be a minefield, given that she had just found out that they were leaving, and she was potentially out of a job, via the media of television. The hope there naturally was that she would consider coming to Ohio with them; that way, she could be closer to his dad, and that would make him happy, and if he was happy, then he as his son would be happy too…
As the train grew closer to Maplewood station, Dave took the leap and switched his phone back on, and watched as it instantly filled with messages. Sebastian seemed to be in a world of his own, so Dave began to try and read through them all. His dad was shocked, surprised, but ultimately delighted. The majority of the Warblers that had contacted him were shocked, but could understand why the choice had been made. Niff applauded Sebastian's decision, but lamented that there would be even more distance between them and their fellow musketeers…
Then Dave spotted a message from Isabelle. He opened it and read 'So my husband might just be going through every stage of the emotional cycle right now. Could you ask yours to give his brother a call as soon as he can? PS Can I have an exclusive interview for Vogue?' Dave burst out laughing at those final words, which attracted Sebastian's attention. "Isabelle would like an exclusive interview with you about your decision tonight and also, could you call Jules ASAP."
"I thought that I could actually pop in right now. You can head home, and I can go and face the inevitable music…"
"Err, no! I am coming with you, as I am the reason for the situation in the first place. I will accept no arguments on that. I would however suggest that you turn your phone back on first, just so that we can see what the lie of the land is…"
At that moment, the announcement went out that the train was arriving at Maplewood, and so they headed off the train, and into their car, parked in the station lot. Inside, Sebastian gingerly switched on his phone, and then sat in silence as it buzzed and vibrated like mad as all the messages arrived one after another. Then, ignoring the others, he searched for those from his brother…
"Okay, so at first I was joking, then I was a selfish idiot, although he was less polite, then he wants to know why I didn't warn him first, and then he loves me, and he is sorry for calling me the less polite thing. At least we have got past the old angrier than hell stage. Hopefully he will actually let me speak and explain when I get there before he says something he might regret…"
"Just in case, I am going to message Isabelle and tell her that we are heading their way. Just remember, that whatever he says in the heat of a moment, deep down he will always love you…"
