Shop Around the Corner

DM: Seblaine

Ohhhhhh :D So now I’m thinkin’ the reason this guy didn’t want to meet up with you is the opposite of what you were scared of. He didn’t show up, take one look at you and leave because he didn’t think you were good enough for him. He showed up, took one look at you and realized HE wasn’t good enough for you. 

He’s eating his way through Manhattan? He’s chunky and not-so-hunky, Killer. It makes complete sense ;)

Ahem, you can’t back pedal now. you replied to that ask too quickly. ;) I was “very nice.” How boring, how underwhelming, how milquetoast am I! My New Year’s Resolution is now, “Become more interesting to Blaine Anderson. ”I’m sobbing here, sobbing!!!

You think that people might come for you if they heard I left my party to see you? What kind of violent, petty friends do you think I have 😂? 

Of course you can follow me. I shouldn’t tease you so hard when you’re still not well. I’ll come by later, walk Treble, bring more soup and cookies, be the friend you deserve. I’ll be on your side if Kurt’s still being too passionate about the Rosies. That’s what my mother used to call the Rose Court. 

I’m fine, a little hung over - I always ending up drinking a smidge too much on NYE. Looking forward to getting my final few meetings out of the way this week so I can start the next phase of my life. I’ll be starting that with a huge nap. I’m still hungover from Paris.

Oh my God NO!  We’ve talked in broad strokes about our appearances and he is not chunky.  Not that it matters.  He is a bona fida hunk in my book.  He’s also talked about his ex.  Who sounds even more good looking, which only brings me back to my previous assertion.  He’s probably like Kurt, and well you in high school, I don’t know about you now, but then you had an enviable metabolism.  Maybe it as the lacrosse training.

Hey, “very nice” is a huge improvement over other things I’ve called you in the last few months Seb.  I didn’t even blame you for barging in, disrupting my sleep, making me distracted from possible other things.  :P  Careful there Sebastian or I might hold you to that new years resolution.  ;)  You can quit your sobbing.  I hate it, but you know I’ve never found anything about you milquetoast-eques.    

Considering how many friends we share, and overlap on now, I know what they’re like.  But more specifically I was thinking, you’re single now, and I suspect there were guys there hoping to have your company at midnight and possibly for the rest of the night.  They could have easily come for me.  It’s not my fault even sick, snotty and gross, you find my company preferable to theirs.   😂  Seriously though, I really did appreciate the visit.  The soup, the cookies, the flowers, the conversation, the offer to sing to me... thank you.

Thank you for that.  I wouldn’t want it to seem like I was stalking you or something.  No, you really shouldn’t.  But I am feeling better enough that I think I’m getting most of your teasing.  And it’s nice to be back to this after the last few months.  It’s definitely preferable.  Thank you for that too.  It would be really nice, and appreciated.  But text first, so I can make sure Kurt is gone.  I know high school was a long time ago, things are different, and we’ve all grown up, but sometimes old habits die hard.  And I’m not well enough to attempt the dynamic of you, me, and Kurt in a small space.  Sorry.  And maybe I want you to myself.  :P  Does your mom like to watch the Rose Parade too?  You went to school in California right?  Did she ever come to California to watch it and visit you?  I’ve seen it a couple of times thanks to Cooper.  

You didn’t seem very drunk when you were here.  But I guess the night was still young when you left me.  It sounds like you’re really embracing this new outlook after your breakup.  That’s nice.  Dress comfy when you come over.  We’ll turn down the lights, put something mindless on, and we can doze. Or tell me all about your adventures at Christmas in Paris while we just veg.

PM: Seblaine

I suppose I should ask what kind of person this is. If it’s Sam, no need to ask him. ;) Though it can’t be Sam, because then you’d be talking about yourself in the third person, which would be weird. Anyway if I know them I can just bug them myself, thanks.

I don’t know if you’re following me these days, but if you are and saw that I avoided answering if I did anything untraditional NYE…I hope you weren’t hurt. It’s not like I’m ashamed of coming to see you, it’s just…you know me I’m just as private as I was in high school.

Feeling any better? Are you and Kurt done watching all the marching bands of America sweat it out in their wool uniforms under the California sun? I know you guys just watch to argue over which of the Rose Court you like the most, though.

@aroundthecornerblaine

it’s my new friend, the one I told you about last night.  The one who gifted me the music box.  The one you asked when I’m going to ask out.  :P  So I can’t tell you his name, and you can’t bug him yourself.  But I will ask for you.  Just tell me what you think of the places please; it might give me more insights about him.

Oh.  That’s fine.  In the same vein, I didn’t mention you either in what I did NYE.  It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy our visit-- I did.  It helped make my night.  And it was very unexpected.  Maybe part of me remembered that you’re a private person.  Maybe I just didn’t want people to come for me if anyone saw and was upset you left your own party to come see me of all people. Besides, some people might make too big of a deal out of it. Do you want me to be following you?  

Not quite so achy.  But a little tired still.  The soup was really good, thank you.  And it was nice to just have to reheat it.  Thankfully watching the bands and picking our faves doesn’t take too much energy.  Defending my choice to Kurt, however, does take more energy though. 

How are you today Sebastian?

Oh! Well I was ill, so no partying. It was quiet and small. Just me and Treble, my dog, for the most part. It wasn't what I hoped for, or expected, but it was a very nice New Years all the same.

I like to explore new neighborhoods and find hidden gems. Especially mom and pop coffee shops and cafes. Those are the places I like to try at least. But Bistro 38, Print, Chez Nick (always makes me think of @thatnickduval )Levain Bakery, THEP, and Manhattan Dinner spring to mind.

Oh, I don't know that I've helped many kids. My grandmother did for sure--- my brother and I included--- we just tried to carry on her work in her absence.

As for my plans to have any of my own-- children were always part of my plans. A younger version of me might even have thought I'd have children by now, or would be in the building my family stage of life. But obviously that is not what is happening.

I know I could do this alone too- well sort of--but I believe in family and this is something I want to share with a partner. But I also definitely want time to enjoy my partner and our life together before starting a family.

Ask me again in ten years.

NY152: Wait, the guy who went after you so badly that you had to bite back, the one who put you out of business, is being sweet? That sounds suspect. Be careful there. 

NY152:  I’m still fuzzy. What did OGA stand for? OG Asshole? Oh I remember now: the One that Got Away.

NY152: [deleted] It sounds like your OGA is gunning to take care of you.

NY152: [deleted] You have always sounded a bit soft about him, in spite of it all. Maybe you’ll be kissing him at midnight next year.   

NY152: Who brings out the worst in you? No one can be level headed all of the time. How are you working on allowing yourself to be not-nice? Do you go out to dom sub bars and crack your whip? ;)

NY152: I not only think it’s possible, I’ve been told that I’ve done it to guys.  Many times. 

NY152: Is your cold any better today?   

Shopboy: We have a lot of mutual friends and they were kind of being torn in different directions with everything going on between him and I.  We agreed to try to let business be business and try to be friends again, or friendly, so that our friends aren’t caught in the middle.  I think he’s just trying hard.

Shopboy: Did I tell you that I ended up caroling with my friends at his father’s place and he was there.  He brought down drinks at the end and we talked for a few moments.  

Shopboy: Thank you though, for looking out for me.  I appreciate it.  

Shopboy: I guess both could work in this case.  You know how it is.  There is a reason it never was.  But then sometimes the grass does seem greener on that side.  You have one too.

Shopboy: Hahahaha- wouldn’t you love the thought of that.  I guess, I’m just going to stick up for myself more.  Stop apologizing for the things, and people, I like.  I’m going to be more vocal about the things I like and I don’t like.  But if you have a recommendation for one of those clubs, ;)

Shopboy: Why am I not surprised?  On one hand, that’s impressive.  On the other hand... as much as I’d love to be on the receiving end of one, the idea of being just one of many... not so great. So, let’s flip that.  Have you been on the receiving end of one?

Shopboy: A little yeah.  I actually slept really well and Treble let me sleep without making a mess.  My ex is going to come over, we’re going to watch the rose parade and critique. Well he’ll critique and I’ll agree. OGA said he might come back again too.  Take out the dog for a walk for me, so I don’t have to and can rest.  

Shopboy: Is it bad that I rather spend time with him than my ex?  I know I need to keep working on my relationship with my ex, so we can stay friends, which I really, really do want.  

Shopboy [deleted]: As much as I don’t want you to see me a mess like this- I wish we were spending the day together instead.  

NY152: You could say that. There were a lot of people all over me last night, sorry if you felt abandoned. Though it sounds like talking to someone at midnight, so I don’t feel too badly.

NY152: Silly, the party was at my house. You would have enjoyed it. Maybe next year, if cold season cooperates.

NY152: My ears were not burning, but I’m flattered. Assuming you said nice things. That’s a safe bet, you almost always say nice things. Are you ever not nice?

NY152: I was thinking that you should be kissed. Kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how.

NY152: If you’re trying to figure out why that sounds familiar, it’s because Rhett Butler said it. But it applies.

NY152: So who were you talking to? Were you kissed over Zoom?

Shopboy: Oh.  Yeah. I was. I had a very unexpected visitor.  And despite my protests about being sick, he stayed for a visit.

Shopboy: Oh.  Did I know that before?  Well, I’m glad you were able to carve out a few moments for me then.  Maybe next year.  And if I’m sick you’ll just have to cancel and take care of me.  :P

Shopboy: I did say nice things.  I can be not nice.  I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I’m working on it.  Some people just bring out the worst in me sometimes.  And I’m dramatic, and insecure, and get jealous easily.  Not the best combination for level headed nice people.

Shopboy: Oh!  Yes.  God, yes.  I should. I bet you know how. Do you think it’s possible to actually be kissed in a way that physically would leave you weak in the knees?  

Shopboy: Gone with the Wind.  I recognized it instantly.  Even with cold meds.  I am sure you are not surprised that it is a favorite line of mine.  The fact that you would think it of me, astounds me.

NY152 + Shopboy DM  (New Year’s Day)

NY152: Still a little drunk

NY152: Tell me you didn’t give the puppy any champagne

NY152: I was thinking of you at midnight

@aroundthecornerblaine​

Shopboy: Hey, Happy New Year!  I’m sure I’m not the first, but... you disappeared last night.  Did someone come and steal you away?  

Shopboy: But you made it home okay?  Safe?  Alone?

Shopboy: Lol.  No champagne for either of us.  Don’t worry.  Would have been a dangerous combination with my cold meds and stuff. 

Shopboy: You were? 

Shopboy: Were your ears ringing?  Because I was thinking of and talking about you around midnight too.  

Shopboy: Care to share what you were thinking about specifically?

Daisies    Sebastian looked at Blaine and couldn’t help huffing out a chuckle. “No Killer, I bolted because I realized that you were the owner of a store the Ivy was going ultimately put out of business.” He blushed as he said it, but felt that he couldn’t get around addressing his behavior at the museum. “I thought you were talking about how I called you out at the museum about leading me on at the store. That it was your fault for not wearing your engagement ring. I know you now that you weren’t looking to do anything but be a little flirty. I was just so mad to see you were still with Kurt, and so embarrassed about Hunt being so high that night…I was looking for way to hurt you.” He bit his lip. “I’m sorry I did. Those were low blows. I’m still working on my temper,” he said, raising his brows at the challenge. 

Sebastian looked amused as he watched Blaine ramble about Hunter, in a way that seemed a little envious. “You meant that he and Jay are cute together. And they are. But I’m still not used to describing him that way, so I prefer to describe them as sweet, not cute.” He could barely remember Kurt and Hunter interacting, but he nodded anyway. “Hummel likes the pretty boys. Which is ironic because it looks like his endgame is our favorite Bear instead.”

His heart warmed at Blaine describing all the ways he appreciated Sebastian as NY152. “Ah a ‘Godfather’ man. Hard for me to hate him now. Though that’s not enough for me to know if he’s good enough for you, Killer. But when I come to see you next, you can continue to make your case.”

He sat down next to fuzzy, tired, rambling Blaine, saying softly, “Shhhh…you had me at ‘Will you stay.’ Close your eyes, Blaine Anderson. Treble here will stay with you even after I’m gone, so you won’t be alone.” He continued even more softly, “And then in the morning you and Project Hummelway will critique all the floats and he’ll tell you all about my party. And then you will WANT to be alone, because let’s face it, that’s going to be a whole lotta Kurt.” He whispered, “So then you’ll get this delicious stretch of time to take a long nap, because if Sam or Tina can’t do it, I’ll take Treble for his evening walk. It will just be so luxurious and your cold will be feel so much better when you, wake up. From your very…very…long…sleep. You’ll feel so much better…”

Blaine listened, eyes closed, mind fuzzy as Sebastian talked about their day in his grandmother’s store, and the night at the museum.  His brows furrowed because there were things Sebastian said that weren’t making sense, and he wanted to protest, but he was just so tired.  But he forced his eyes open and looked at Sebastian.  “It’s okay. You weren’t entirely wrong.”  Blaine closed his eyes again.  “We both know the places to twist the knife and hurt the most.  Not just because it hurts, but because the other agrees and sees the very worst parts that you try to keep hidden.”  

Blaine snuggled deeper into his bed, now getting comfortably warm. “Sweet seems strange with Hunter,” he admitted between yawns.  But he nodded. “Kurt likes beauty.  But he also likes real.  And more than anything he just wants to be seen and heard and valued.  Dave does that you know?  Even after all the shit they’ve been through, like me and you, they’ve found themselves in space to be together.”  He opened his eyes and blinked up at Sebastian.  “Although considering...” Blaine found himself thinking of Finn, “...it makes sense.  I think Dave also makes him feel safe now.”  

Eyes closed again, Blaine smiled, marveling at how Sebastian too appeared to be a fan of the Godfather movies.  And hadn’t NY 152 said something about Sebastian not deserving Blaine too?  After he was sure he’d stumbled across his path in Paris?  Blaine couldn’t remember. But he thought maybe it’d happened.  Silly men. “Honestly, would you ever think anyone was good enough for me?” he teased sleepily, eyes still closed, breathing slowing down.  

A large smile bloomed on Blaine’s sleepy face.  “You had me at hello,” he whispered, quoting the romantic line from Jerry McGuire.  He licked over his lps.  “Do I look like a freshman?” he attempted to imitate Sebastian from their first meeting.  Blaine listened as Sebastian laid out his day.  But his smile faded when it seemed like Sebastian wasn’t going to come back.  “You must be exhausted too, after the holiday rush, your travelling, your party...” he trailed off, not mentioning the break up, but knowing it too could be exhausting.  “Come walk Treble...please stay... we can be alone...together....rest...together...”

Daisies   

Sebastian didn’t know at first what Blaine we referring to, but after a moment he realized he was talking about the cheating. He shrugged. “I never thought of your cheating as disloyalty. You thought you and Kurt were over - so you had no loyalties to keep. And you weren’t lashing out at him…that would be disloyalty. There was no menace, no vitrol. It was an act of desperation.” He leaned forward and said quietly, “Sure it hurt him, but he forgave you. And while teenage me would not believe I’m saying this, it sounds like it wasn’t all bad, even if it didn’t last.” Sebastian knew this from Kurt, over a few meals with Dave. 

Blaine looked so cute upside down - it made Sebastian want to kiss him. But then Blaine was bringing up the night at the museum and Sebastian had to steel himself to not start in on the remorse he had about it. He didn’t want to go on and on about what a villain he’d been - not on New Year’s Eve. He swallowed. “No apologies necessary. It was all my fault,“ he said, leaving things a little vague. He smiled down at him. “You didn’t need to fish for compliments - you didn’t need them. You had this quiet confidence, and at the same time you were sweetly unaware of just how beautiful you were. And not just how you looked.”

Sebastian looked placid. “There’s nothing disloyal about calling Hunter and Jay cute - no one is taking sides.” He smiled. “When we were at Dalton, plenty of Crawford Country Day girls thought he was cute.”  

Sebastian was thoughtful before his answer. “Well, if it sounds like he’s putting you off, fuck him,” he said shrugging. “You deserve better than that.”

He chuckled at the sight of the pajamas. “You’ve moved on from those Brooks Brothers pajamas you used to wear in high school, I see.” When he’d gotten Blaine into bed he went back to the the living room to get Treble. “Fire away,” he replied. 

Blaine watched Sebastian as he talked about his relationship with Kurt.  It was definitely a change from when they were teenagers.  “Thank you for saying that though-- you didn’t have to.  And I’d understand if you didn’t want to.”  His brows furrowed as Sebastian apologized and said it was his fault.  “What?  You didn’t do anything, well except you kind of left quickly.  I assumed it was in part because of how I was acting,” Blaine replied softly.  “It was such a surprise and seemed very serendipitous to me since Sam and I had just been taking about you.  And me.  And then there you were.  Like we’d talked you back into my life,” he laughed.  “Silly, right?”

Blaine preened at the compliment, but he also recognized how Sebastian used the past tense.  He wasn’t any of those things anymore.  “I’d say you should have told me.  But I don’t think I would have known how to handle that well.  So thank you, for not saying it then, but telling me now.”  He laughed at little at the Crawford girls and their crushes on the ‘cute’ Hunter Clarington.  “I didn’t mean cute like that.  He’s not cute, he’s attractive.  Insanely so.  So symmetrical, like you could fold him in half down the middle and he’s a perfect mirror,” Blaine rambled.  “His attention made Kurt so giddy.  It was like the first time Kurt met Cooper,” he laughed.  

Blaine snuggled into his bed, closing his eyes a bit and burring his face into his pillow.  “Oh I’d like to,” he said mostly to himself.  But he opened his eyes and looked at Sebastian seriously.  “He’s good though Seb.  He could tell I wasn’t happy here at the end with Kurt, and he gently encouraged me to reassess things.  He listens.  He shares.  He was even giving me as much help and advice as he could on how to deal with you and the Ivy.  But I couldn’t give him a lot of details and remain anonymous.  So he just told me to take you to the mattresses.”  Blaine blushed as he realized how that sounded, had sounded to him the first time.  “You know, like the Godfather.  It was just business and I had to fight back.”  Not that it had done any good.  “He checks on me.  Even messaged me tonight to wish me a Happy New Year first.  If he wants me, he deserves me.”  

Blaine watched as Sebastian brought Treble over to the bed. “Oh I still have the Brooks Brothers pajamas.  I just like a little holiday theme sometimes too,” he laughed.  “Plus I’m sick and I’d just taken Treble out... it’s not like I was going to do that, or answer the door for you in just a pair of boxers or something.”    He smiled softly and patted the bed.  “Sit with me?” Blaine whispered.  “Will you stay?  Not all night, but until I fall asleep? Please Bas?  There is a spare key on a NYC keyring by the door. You can take it and lock up when you go, and then just bring it back next time or whatever,” he yawned.  “If there is no one waiting on you, I want you to stay.  It was so nice to not be alone.” Blaine closed his eyes again.  “It was nice to be with you.  It’s like before, but different.”

Daisies   

Sebastian took in how soft Blaine was at the moment - probably fuzzy from cold medicine, sentimental about New Year’s and their cute dogs. He didn’t have the heart to tell him that he hadn’t been the only one Sebastian had been vulnerable with in high school. Sebastian had to show his soft side to others, with Nick especially, to get back in with the Warblers after the slushie. Looking back, he could see how much he needed that brotherhood. And of course Hunter had seen Sebastian’s soft side, occasionally.

When Blaine put his head on the table Sebastian’s brow furrowed. Maybe it was just the tiredness from the cold. “I think you deserved to feel special, that’s  nothing to be ashamed of. You were never disloyal to Kurt.”

Sebastian’s gave Blaine an amused expression. “Your cold medicine is really doing a number on you…you normally wouldn’t see how much that sounds like you were fishing for compliments.” He got up and put his large hands on Blaine’s shoulders. “I’ll be back because I want to see more of you. With Hunt off to greener pastures, I have more time. I’m glad I won’t be unwelcome,” he said, moving from behind Blaine to pace the room. 

Revisiting the night at Café Lalo again made Sebastian’s gut feel uncomfortable again, but as Blaine continued Sebastian felt gratified for the further confirmation of Blaine’s feelings. Hopefully they wouldn’t change when NY152 turned out to be just old Sebastian, the guy from high school who ended up crushing Grandmother Anderson’s store. He looked Blaine in the eyes to say reassuringly, “If he’s talking about meeting up again, assuming he did apologize for standing you up, then he must be interested in you. He didn’t have to do that. I don’t think your expectations seem unrealistic.”

Sebastian put the soup in the refrigerator and walked over to put the cookies on Blaine’s bedside table. “I don’t need to salvage anything. I’m already having my moment with someone,” he said with an easy smile. He came over to try to coax Blaine to stand up. “Come on, get back in bed.”  

Blaine hummed, “until I was.”  He thought about what had happened with Elii when Kurt had first moved to New York.  The innocence of that first love had been wrecked and they’d spent years trying to get back to that.  Maybe there in laid the problem-- there was no going back.  It made Blaine think of when he’d first seen Sebastian again in his grandmother’s store.  How despite the look of Sebastian and Jay as a couple, with kids!, Blaine had all but thrown himself at Sebastian wondering if they could do what Blaine hadn’t been brave enough to explore as a teen.  

When Sebastian put his hands on Blaine’s shoulders, he startled slightly just because it was unexpected.  But he reached up and tried to cover Seb’s hands with his own.  He tilted his head back, looking at Sebastian upside down.  “I’m sorry for that day in my store.  I’m sorry if it seemed like I was playing with you; not wearing my ring, basically asking you out... it’s... I didn’t want to hurt you.”  The position was weird, so Blaine let his hands drop especially as Sebastian seemed to tease him about possibly fishing for complements.  At least he thought Sebastian was teasing him.  “I’m not fishing.  And even if I was, well, it’s not like I ever had to fish for them before with you.”  But things were different now.  Blaine knew that.  He let out a soft sigh of resignation.  “Don’t look up my nose.  I’m sure it’s gross,” still he didn’t change the way he had his head tipped back, looking at Sebastian.  

He listened as Sebastian talked about Hunter moving on and he understood, because Kurt was too and everyone was telling him, basically, to cool his jets.  But it was lonely.  And Blaine thought maybe Sebastian was lonely too.  And figured if anyone would understand that, it would be Blaine.  “Break ups are hard, even when you know they’re for the best.  I get that.  And not to be disloyal, but they’re very cute together.  I am not sure I ever imagined a day when I’d say that about Hunter Clarington if I’m honest.”  He shook his head with a little chuckle at the thought. “But yes, you’d be welcome.”

Blaine was sure there had to have been an apology but he couldn’t remember what exactly was said.  He doubted he’d remember to go back and look.  Sebastian didn’t need to know any of that.  “He is but he isn’t.  There is no set timeline and just something he’s working on- I think.  Working on pushing me away?  Hoping I get bored and fade away?  Honestly, he could just be buying time - especially if he showed up, saw me, and decided I ... I don’t know? Maybe I don’t match up to who he’s built up in his mind.”  Blaine groaned.  “I know that sounds lame and I’m not nearly as down on myself as it might seem.  It’s just physical chemistry is important too.  We know that.”  

Blaine’s brow furrowed.  “What?  How?  Who?”  But he got up, his blanket falling to the floor, exposing his firework pajamas.  He didn’t even notice as he shuffled over into his bed, with Sebastian’s help, getting under the covers and patting the spot beside him for Treble.  He turned towards Sebastian.  “I have a question for you.”