Chapter Text
Chapter 18
Sectionals
It felt like Sectionals had snuck up on them, well, except for Blaine. He felt every day like a knife to his heart. He tried staying busy, tried to keep his mind on something else, extra practices, more studying. All unsuccessful attempts. Most of the time he couldn’t focus, hearing Kurt’s words over and over. What did they mean? Before what?
The Warblers drew second so as they watched the first school Blaine’s mind drifted once again to Kurt. Where is he? Is he alright? Really safe like he’d said? Is Remington still hurting him? As a shiver ran down his spine he thought. Does he miss me? An audible gulp. Does he still love me? He was pulled from his thoughts by his snarky best friend’s elbow in his ribs, then a whispered. “Nude Erections,” Seb says with a chuckle. Blaine barks out a laugh, covering his mouth but not before the elderly lady in front of him turns. She gives him a death glare that even Kurt would be impressed with, as she slowly looks back to the stage. During the third song, the boys stand, making their way to the green room.
They warmed up and ran through the choreography before deciding to relax until showtime. While everyone else was calmly chatting among themselves, Blaine was pacing the floor like a caged animal. Back and forth, back and forth, hand raising to run through his hair before stopping short to drop to his side with a sigh. Carter will kill me if he has to fix my hair AGAIN, he thought. He remembered the twenty minutes it took himself to style it, then another twenty every time he messed it up and Carter had to fix it. Twice, so far.
As though his thoughts conjured the boy, he was now standing in his pacing path. Blaine came to a stop and Carter took his biceps in his hands, looking Blaine in the eyes. “Stop. You need to relax. You all are going to be amazing, as always. And your song is beautiful.”
Sebastian joined them then, wrapping his arms around Carter’s waist from behind. He places a kiss on his boyfriend’s cheek before looking at his best friend over his shoulder. “Yea, B, we totally got this.”
Blaine sighs, “I know, I know, it’s just… I really wish Kurt was here.”
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Everyone filtered into the theater, most taking seats toward the front. Unknown to the others in attendance, two vampires were currently making their way through the lobby to the auditorium. They slid into the very last row of seating, in the center against the balcony support, hidden in the shadows. Kurt shifted nervously when his Maker places a hand on his thigh, squeezing lightly. Kurt looks over meeting his eyes. “Remember, Rem, you promised we’d stay for their whole set, no matter what,” Kurt whispered. The corner of Remington’s mouth slowly lifted. “No worries, love. Have I ever broken a promise to you?” Kurt looks back at the stage. “No.”
The introduction of the first school made Kurt giggle. Bet Sebastian had fun with that. Kurt watched as the kids on stage sang their hearts out and danced around but his mind was elsewhere. Blaine is somewhere in this building. He knew Blaine still loved him, he could feel it. He hoped he wouldn’t give up on him. He hated putting Blaine through so much pain and loneliness. HE could still feel Blaine, but his love had no such luxury. Will he eventually move on, always loving me, but finding someone else to love him? Sebastian maybe? Kurt shook his head trying to rid it of those unsettling thoughts. Blaine loved him and they would find each other again.
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Remington glanced at Kurt, beautiful Kurt. He’s known him long and well enough to know that look. The furrowed brow, the bitten bottom lip, the intense stare… his protégé was lost in his thoughts.
So, looking back toward the stage, Remington allowed himself a moment to think as well. He didn’t understand why Kurt was holding onto this human. Soulmate or not, they were only good for a good fuck and food. Disloyal, untrustworthy, worthless blood bags, he thought as he growled with a snarl. The black bleeding into his eyes until Kurt laid his hand over his. When he looked up Kurt was looking at him, a soft smile on his face that only grew when he squeezed his hand. As the black drained away Remington remembers the first time they met and he smiles. Kurt had been the last human worth anything.
As Kurt looks back at the stage, Remington tells himself that this boy will be just like all the others. He hasn’t witnessed Kurt suffer ‘the forgetting’, so he knows the boy still loves Kurt, of course, he does, it’s Kurt. But, his source has told him that the boy seems to have moved on, living his life content without Kurt. Hasn’t even heard the boy mention Kurt’s name. Remington knows once Kurt sees that this Blaine may still love him and has yet to forget him, that he isn’t missing him and has actually moved on that Kurt will then willingly take solace in his arms… in his bed. Submit to being his once again.
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Kurt glances over at Remington. His eyes are clear and Kurt hopes they stay that way. The darkness hasn’t been making its appearance as often, only a few times a week. He’s been able to keep it at bay when it does rear its ugly head. With a slight twitch of the corner of his mouth, he focuses back on the stage. He’s gonna fix him, he just needed to see Blaine one more time.
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“THE DALTON ACADEMY WARBLERS!”
The curtain opens on the boys standing in the center of the risers making four rows. Sebastian, Blaine, and Nick making up the front row. Kurt gasps at the sight of his soulmate, fighting the tears building in his eyes, he works to keep his emotions in check. He grips Remington’s hand that’s still under his rested on his thigh. Remington turns his hand over intertwining their fingers together as Sebastian moves forward and starts to sing.
The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
As Sebastian starts the next line he stays in place while the others spread out forming two rows with him out front and center.
My universe will never be the same
I’m glad you came
Sebastian and the five boys around him stay in place as the others walk toward the front of the stage turning and walking backward toward the center. Sebastian’s group joins up with them and as they dance and stomp with the beat the chorus starts.
You cast a spell on me, spell on me
You hit me like the sky fell on me, fell on me
And I decided you look well on me, well on me
Kurt smiles at the smirk on Sebastian’s face and a small weight is lifted when he notices it’s directed at someone in the audience and not on the stage.
So let’s go somewhere no one else can see, you and me
Turn the lights out now
Now I’ll take you by the hand
Hand you another drink
Drink it if you can
Can you spend a little time
Time is slipping away, away from us, so stay
Stay with me I can make
Make you glad you came
Kurt watches Blaine as they all sing and dance through the number. He looks happy and he feels a tightness in his chest. Could Rem be right? Could he have moved on? Maybe with one of the other Warblers?
The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I’m glad you came
I’m glad you came
The boys return to the risers working through dance moves.
Turn the lights out now
Now I’ll take you by the hand
Hand you another drink
Drink it if you can
Can you spend a little time
Sebastian, Blaine, Nick, Jeff, and a couple of other boys walk to the front of the stage, Kurt’s on the edge of his seat as they turn and jog back.
Time is slipping away, away from us, so stay
Stay with me I can make
Make you glad you came
The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I’m glad you came
I’m glad you came
There’s a break in the singing and as the Warblers dance, Kurt can’t seem to focus on anything except the brilliant smile on Blaine’s face and the pure joy radiating off of him. He can’t decide how he feels about it. Remington’s smirk doesn’t help.
I’m glad you came
I’m glad you came
They return to the risers making three rows, hands clasped behind their backs, each row looking down as the lights do the same on the beat. As the lights come up they raise their heads and with the Warblers harmonizing around him, Sebastian takes a couple small steps forward finishing the song.
The sun goes down
The stars come out
And all that counts
Is here and now
My universe will never be the same
I’m glad you came
I’m glad you came
The boys all look down as the lights go out. What the audience can’t see is the stage crew wheeling a baby grand piano out into the center of the stage. The Warblers take this moment to get into formation. Two rows at the bottom of the risers. Sebastian, Nick and Jeff front row, center. Blaine takes his seat at the piano and waits, fingers ghosting the keys.
The Warblers start humming and as Blaine plays the first notes on the piano a spotlight centers on him. Kurt thinks his heart stops when he sees Blaine bathed in light, a bead of sweat slowly sliding down his temple. “Beautiful.” He whispers, ignoring the quiet growl from his right. Soft lighting slowly comes up behind the risers bringing the other boys into view, hands still behind their backs but looking to the audience. Blaine starts to sing.
Your eyes, the window to heaven
Your laugh steals my attention
You’re everything, that I’ve been searching for
We’ve never met, you’re just in my dreams
But I know that you’re looking for me
We’ll know it the moment we meet
Blaine’s fingers fall heavy on the keys as the Warblers transition from humming to vocalizing the harmonies to joining in for the chorus.
Where are you now, do you need to be found
Are you lost in the crowd and I’m passing you
Am I moving too fast for you, cause I’ll slow down
Where are you now, I’m screaming out loud
Hopelessly thinking you’ll hear me and come running to me
But you’re not around, where are you now?
Oh, where are you now?
The Warblers continue with ‘ohs’ as Blaine plays the notes on the piano. Kurt’s confused at what he’s hearing, what he’s feeling. Blaine seemed so happy earlier and yet now the sadness, the sorrow, he sees the slight hitch in his chest as he breathes, fighting back tears. Never affecting his beautiful flawless voice. The Warblers tone it down softly harmonizing as Blaine starts the second verse.
Your smile, makes me do the same
And your love, it takes me away
Cause you’re everything, that I’ve been searching for
We’ve never met, you’re just in my dreams
But I know that you’re looking for me
We’ll know it the moment we meet
The Warblers come back in helping Blaine with the chorus as he leans forward and from side to side as he belts the chorus once again.
Where are you now, do you need to be found
Are you lost in the crowd and I’m passing you
Am I moving too fast for you, cause I’ll slow down
Where are you now, I’m screaming out loud
Hopelessly thinking you’ll hear me and come running to me
But you’re not around, where are you now
With the background ‘ohs’ continuing again Blaine plays as Sebastian comes in.
Where are you now?
Then Nick.
Oh, where are you now?
Kurt’s again on the edge of his seat, all attention focused on Blaine. He hears a growl from his right. He pulls his eyes from his beloved to look at his Maker. He doesn’t know when he let go of Rem’s hand, he doesn’t remember doing so but he grabs it now. The feel of Kurt’s fingers intertwining with his makes Remington look at his protégé. Kurt whispers. “You promised.” Remington squeezes Kurt’s hand, who seems happy with that reaction and focuses back on the stage as Jeff takes his turn.
Where are you now?
Then back to Blaine.
Where are you now?
Where are you now, I’m screaming out loud
Sebastian and Nick start singing a round as Blaine continues to play.
Sebastian:
Where are you now?
Nick:
You’re not around.
Sebastian:
Oh, where are you now?
Nick:
You’re not around.
They hold out their last notes fading into quiet as Blaine starts the chorus alone.
Where are you now
I’m screaming out loud
Hopelessly thinking you’ll hear me
And come running to me
But you’re not around
Where are you now?
Once the last notes ring out Blaine’s shoulders fall, he looks exhausted. There’s sweat running down his face and he’s breathing heavy. Kurt can see how hard he’s trying not to cry. Remington squeezes his hand. “Come on, we are leaving.” As he starts to stand Kurt rips his hand from Remington’s. “No. Rem, you promised. It’s one more song.” His words, his voice is firm even with the tears on his cheeks. Remington retakes his seat. “Fine! But we are leaving as SOON as they are done, UNDERSTAND?” Kurt nods looking back to the stage where Blaine is now surrounded by the rest of the Warblers, in the center of a diamond, positioned in the middle of the risers. The piano was gone. As the boys begin to vocalize with soft ‘oohs’ the ones in the front step aside and Blaine walks slowly to the front.
He looks out across the audience before unknowingly staring right at Kurt as he begins.
How can I just let you walk away?
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath, with you. Ohh.
You’re the only one who really knew me at all.
The other boys move from the diamond, spreading out across the stage, bringing the music in to accompany Blaine’s voice. Remington grinds his teeth. He’s quite angry with himself for agreeing to this. And makes a mental note to kill his informant. They obviously had no idea what they were talking about and by these song choices, Blaine isn’t anywhere near moving on, far from it.
How can you just walk away from me?
When all I can do is watch you leave?
Cause we shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears.
You’re the only one who really knew me at all.
Sebastian and Nick move forward to sing with him.
So take a look at me now.
Now there’s just an empty space.
And there’s nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face.
Oh, take a look at me now.
Well, there’s just an empty space.
And you coming back to me is against thee odds and that’s what I’ve got to face.
As Blaine sang, the other boys producing the music, seemingly floating across the stage around him, Sebastian and Nick take position on either side of Blaine as they finish up the chorus with him. It sounded strong and full, dramatic. Kurt listened to every word, wiping the tears from his cheeks. Fuck. Remington growls to himself as he realizes the horrible mistake he’s made.
I wish I could just make you turn around.
Turn around and see me cry.
There’s so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why.
You’re the only one who really knew me at all.
Oooh, so take a look at me now.
Now there’s just an empty space.
And there’s nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face.
Blaine takes a determined step forward as he growls out the next line clutching at his chest.
Now take a look at me now.
Cause there’s just an empty space.
Kurt can’t help but swoon just a little bit at that growl. Blaine relaxes as he slowly takes steps back.
Oh, but to wait for you is all I can do and that’s what I’ve gotta face.
Take a good look at me now.
Cause I’ll still be standing here.
He stops as he finishes that last line indicating the floor around him, palms up, fingers pointed toward the floor.
And you coming back to me is against all odds, it’s the chance I’ve gotta take.
Take a look at me now.
Ohhh.
Take a look at me now.
As the last note rang out the boys were all back in formation, hands clasped behind their backs and heads down. Blaine breathed a heavy shuttering breath as a single tear slid down his cheek. Nick whispers from his right, “You alright, B?” Blaine nods.
No one was meant to know or hear the exchange on stage, but Kurt did. His heart broke as Blaine’s pain once again wrapped around his heart. A feeling he was all too familiar with. He knew Rem would be pushing to leave soon but he really just needed a minute to relearn how to breathe.
As the Warblers started to exit the stage, Remington took Kurt’s hand in his grip. “Let’s go.” He growled, it was a command, from his Maker. Kurt slowly stands, looking at the ground. As they start to slide past the other people seated in their row, the house lights come up informing everyone of a fifteen-minute break after which the next two schools would perform.
Blaine’s the last to leave the stage, Seb just a step in front. As he reaches the curtain he sees him. He grabs Sebastian’s arm. “Seb, he’s here.”
Blaine stands frozen as he watches Kurt and his Maker make their way to the center aisle. He feels a sharp pain in his ribs before jumping off the stage and running for the back of the auditorium. Somehow, he makes it to the doors as Kurt’s in the lobby heading for the theater’s main doors. He stops dead.
“Kurt!”