Brighter than the Sun

Jesse nodded slowly, picking up a small, porcelain dove, and holding it closer to examine it, wondering if it’d be an appropriate gift for his sister. It’d be helpful if he knew really… anything about her interests. but her interests didn’t interest him. “I’m not bothered by it, Blaine. I like the both of you and I think it makes a lot of sense. I just… I don’t know. I guess it hurt a little that you didn’t think you could tell me something. but I suppose I understand why. I’m not sure I would have just wanted to spring the news on you that I was seeing someone new, had that been the case.” Though he didn’t regret the time they’d spent together in their relationship, it did sting a bit, knowing that things could never entirely go back to the way it used to be, before they’d gotten together. There was now this awkward tension in their friendship, and frankly, it sucked. “We’re good, Blaine. I’m happy for you. Truly.” 

“That’s really pretty,” Blaine said nodding towards the dove in Jesse’s hands.  It would make a symbolic gesture of peace.  He picked up a sterling frame and looked at it for a moment before putting it back. “It’s not that I didn’t want to, if that helps,” he offered.  “And I do appreciate that.  I mean, the biggest part of me just wants you to be happy.  But I also know me, and it’s probably going to suck a bit at first.”  It wasn’t Jesse’s fault, but Blaine’s own insecurities would always creep in.  He tugged on Jesse’s arm until they were standing face to face and he hugged the other.  “Thank you Jesse.”  

JESSE: Yeah but you and I never had sex.

JESSE: That's all Sebastian and I ever do, outside of friendship things.

JESSE: It's only happened a couple times, though.

JESSE: You really are kind of like a Christmas elf, huh?

BLAINE: Like I said... I'm just on a different level of comfort.

BLAINE: Just because we didn't have sex doesn't mean I wasn't attracted to you Jesse. Or that I didn't wonder about it.

BLAINE: It's still more times than me--just saying.

JESSE: What way?

JESSE: I'm not going to stop you from believing that, Blaine. I wish I did, frankly.

BLAINE: Attracted to... wanting to be involved with physically... in whatever way is most comfortable....

BLAINE: ...although I'm on a different level of comfort than either of you are....

LOCATION: a local holiday shopping market 

WHEN: Saturday, November 21st

OPEN TO: Blaine Anderson @blainefm​

“Can I ask you something?” Though confrontation was something Jesse normally didn’t have a problem with, things seemed a little different this time. After all he liked Blaine, and putting him in awkward circumstances wasn’t something he wanted to do. But he knew that this wasn’t a topic that could be avoided forever, and it was probably best to just get things out of the way with now, rather than wait until it could get even more uncomfortable. “Why didn’t you tell me? That you’re dating Sebastian, I mean.” 

Blaine should have known this question was coming; and it was a fair one.  He shrugged his shoulders, a blush coloring his cheeks.  “It’s complicated, is the short answer.  But part of it was knowing about the two of you, and knowing you and he are friends.  I didn’t know given your history with him, given your history with me, who it would be better to come from,” he answered honestly.  A part of it also had to do with the Rachel scenario which Jesse refused to admit but Blaine suspected hurt more than his ex was letting on, and he didn’t want to add to a feeling of abandonment or anything like that.  Despite the fact that they hadn’t worked out romantically, Blaine felt close to Jesse, and considered him a good guy.  “Then Sebastian said something, and Kitty said something... and I just,” Blaine ran a hand through his hair, “I was afraid of making too big a deal out of it and then it disappearing before it even, went anywhere.”  He looked up at Jesse then, “are you and I going to be okay?”  

JESSE: He told you that, huh?

JESSE: Your optimism is endearing, but unrealistic.

BLAINE: It was part of another thing but yeah.

BLAINE: I can’t exactly blame either of you. Obviously I’ve felt that way about both of you.

BLAINE: I believe all things are possible with faith, love, and work.

kitty: there is no such thing as getting tired of nuggies.

kitty: peter is fine. but he's got a vibe to him.

kitty: lol nah. seb knows i can't keep a secret. i don't take it personally, and neither should you.

blaine: mhmmm i suppose. do you remember how last year there was a special holiday share package where you got 20 nuggets, 2 medium fries and 2 drinks for a special price? I might have gotten that once or twice just for me.

blaine: there is definitely something going on. is non turtleneck wearing Brendan still giving you Jesse vibes?

SEBASTIAN: Hey babe.

SEBASTIAN: I'm thinking after your shopping trip you should come over?

SEBASTIAN: My family has this thing about the Christmas tree, and it's really lame...but it's my turn to put the star on the top this year and thought maybe you could join us?

BLAINE: Hey you!

BLAINE: Yeah? I can do that. Let me go home and drop off my bags and maybe change?

BLAINE: You guys are putting up your tree? I love your family. Just saying.

BLAINE: It doesn’t sound lame to me at all. And I’d love to be there to see you but the star on top of the tree.

JESSE: Sorry? For what?

JESSE: Yeah, but... it's not like that.

JESSE: Besides, I'm not looking to date right now. Or anytime soon. And Marley should be with someone that can give her the attention she deserves.

BLAINE: I ... don’t know? Maybe it’s kind of awkward when your ex likes someone you’ve been with?

BLAINE: Sebastian told me you guys hooked up sometimes. In case it made a difference as to me liking him or wanting to be with him.

BLAINE: Okay.

JESSE: Oh.

JESSE: You really like him, huh?

JESSE: Between me and Marley?

JESSE: We're just friends.

BLAINE: Mhm. I do.

BLAINE: ...I’m sorry.

JESSE: Wait, what?

JESSE: That sounds like a them problem.

BLAINE: He gave me dry clothes to go home in. We talked a bit.

BLAINE: It helped.