Author's Note: First things first... please don't all die of shock. I know you likely weren't expecting a new chapter for this story for at least another few weeks, but I found myself with quite a bit more time than I expected recently, so used that time to write you guys a new chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.

As always, thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read this story, and special thanks to those who've followed and favourited it, most especially for your patience between chapters. Damn it all if I didn't make you guys wait ages at times. As always, a very special thank you to all my reviewers. I always love hearing from you guys. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know what you think. It's your encouragement that helps keep me writing. You guys are the best.

RHatch89: Thanks very much. Glad you liked it.

SiverSer: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the first chapter. I hope you continued to enjoy it.

Darrinia: Yeah I admit I was more than a little pleased when I could write that breakup. It was definitely about time in my opinion. As for Adam, I admit I was originally going to have it be a completely random stranger, like Sebastian suggested, but I couldn't see a scenario where Blaine would be able to just open up about everything with a complete stranger. And Adam knew just enough that he could push a little. So Adam became my catalyst.

julia3132: Yeah, Adam was so easygoing in the show I wanted to keep it, and that in turn made it easier for Blaine to open up to him. As for Sebastian's ignoring him, yeah I agree... it would have been far too easy to have him respond to that. Sebastian was very hurt by what Blaine did; it seemed insincere to have him reply immediately.

myescape13: Yep yep. Blaine is free of his toxic relationship at last. I don't know if I would call this reply 'soon' when compared to when I posted the last chapter, but hopefully no hopes were crushed while you waited.

Anyways that's enough from me... please enjoy Chapter 12.

FOUR YEARS LATER

The interviewer opposite him leaned forward in her chair, eyes sparkling. "So we've discovered through extensive research a secret hidden past in New York. Was it true that you were once engaged to your high school boyfriend?"

Blaine laughed at that, shaking his head. "That's neither a secret nor hidden. Yes, I was once engaged when I lived in New York, and yes it was to my high school boyfriend."

"And you gave it all up to live and study in London?"

Blaine's smile softened then and he shook his head. "No. I ended things because it wasn't what I needed anymore. Things change and people change. Sometimes that means people get hurt and I'll always be sorry I hurt him, but this, here... this was the life I wanted."

"A big change then, moving to a brand new country where you didn't know anyone. What made you choose London?"

"I travelled here with a friend once; just for a week, but in that one week I couldn't help but fall in love with this city. I just felt at home here."

"And of course London has the West End."

Blaine laughed at that, nodding. "That too, yes. It had everything that I wanted."

"And this friend you travelled with? What happened to him?"

Blaine hesitated then, just briefly but long enough that it was clear enough to all who watched that it was a sensitive subject. "As far as I know, he still lives in Paris. We... lost touch after that trip."

Like any good interviewer would sensing a juicy story, the woman opposite him pounced. "Do I sense some drama there? Maybe a scandal in scandal-free Blaine Anderson's past?"

And Blaine laughed at that, honestly couldn't help himself. "Scandal? No, nothing like that. Maybe a little drama. We lost touch. Suffice it to say that it was entirely my fault and I've regretted it ever since it happened, but unfortunately that's just life. Sometimes you make mistakes and you can't take them back. Sometimes you just have to learn from them."

"And what did you learn from that one?"

Blaine just smiled again, warmth in his expression this time as he thought back fondly on the friend he'd missed every day since their friendship had ended over four years before. "I learnt that sometimes you have to listen to the people around you; that sometimes they see more than you do. I learnt that sometimes you need to take risks in order to be happy; that the easy decision isn't always the right one. And I learnt that sometimes you have to think with your heart and not your head; that the decisions we feel are right, more than those we think are right, are usually the ones that'll make us happier in the end."

"That's quite a few life lessons learnt from that one mistake."

Blaine nodded with a smile then. "He always was good for advice... even though he liked to pretend otherwise." He shrugged lightly. "It makes sense his absence would continue that trend."

"Speaking of advice, if you had anything to say to the youth of this country or your own who want a life in the theatre, what advice would you offer them?"

"The best advice I've ever been given was probably that when it comes to happiness in life, you need to decide what you want. Figure that out and then do whatever you have to do to make that happen."

His interviewer smiled at that. "Great advice." Turning to the camera, she smiled. "You can see Blaine Anderson at West End's Piccadilly Theatre this Friday night for the debut..."

"Oh Christ you're not watching that shit again, are you?"

Jeremy Clarke turned with a grin as Blaine shut the door behind him with his foot, balancing take out trays in his arms as he made his way through their small apartment.

"What do you mean 'again'? This is only the second–"

"Don't lie to me."

"... fourth time I've seen it. What's the big deal?"

Blaine just shook his head as he deposited the takeout containers onto the table, sparing only the briefest glance at the TV as the recording ended. "It was just an interview. Not a big deal."

Jeremy's brows shot up. "Not a big deal? Dude! You've just landed a lead in a West End musical and you think it's not a big deal? You're like... top shit around here now, Anderson. Live with it."

When Blaine just ignored the comment, Jeremy laughed, springing to his feet and helping him unpack dinner. "Besides... everyone and their dog wants to know the identity of this mysterious friend. The one who gives such great advice. Pretty sure half the country thinks you're still in love with the guy."

Blaine shot him a dry look. "Half the country? Please. Less than half the country watch that show, so I find that highly unlikely."

"So I exaggerate," Jeremy shrugged. "The point still stands."

"Well it's no mystery. I'm not 'still in love with him', because I never was in love with him," Blaine explained as he grabbed a pair of forks from the kitchen before taking a seat at the table. "And besides, I've told you all about Sebastian before. He's no 'secret, mystery guy' or anything quite so romantic."

Jeremy nodded, taking a fork from Blaine as he seated himself across the table. "Yeah I remember you mentioning him now. Huh. And here I was plotting romances in my head. I was even starting to get a little jealous."

Blaine shot him a grin. "Oh I could never replace you, I promise." And when Jeremy started to smile, Blaine added, "Because your really very... unique."

"I was about to say... that sounded almost mushy. You, Anderson, don't do mushy." He paused a moment. "Honestly though, I haven't heard you romanticise anyone like that before. Sebastian must've been more important than I realised." He chuckled. "Better hope he doesn't see that interview. He'll think you're still in love with him."

"Christ, I was never in love with Sebastian. We were friends."

"Good friends, I'm sure."

"Yes good friends, but not in the way you meant it. Sebastian was..." and he hesitated a moment. "He was important."

Jeremy just watched his face for a long moment before offering a quick shrug. "Well regardless, the majority of those who watched the interview think you're in love with the guy."

"And I'm really sure that's just you," Blaine pointed out. "And no more watching that stupid interview. It's putting wild ideas in your head. She caught me by surprise with the question, that's all."

"No promises," and when Blaine looked at him with exasperation, Jeremy shook his head. "What? I'm not allowed to be proud of you? I know how hard you worked to get that part, and how much work you've put in to make it happen."

Blaine waved the praise away. "It still feels weird. Please can we delete it?"

"Nope," and stubbornly Jeremy shook his head. "Not happening. It's your first interview for your first big part. This, Anderson, is history. We are keeping it forever."

Jeremy, true to his word, made copies of the recording, saving them on USB sticks and keeping copies all over the place. Obviously he didn't trust him not to delete the thing, which Blaine would admit he'd been tempted to do on more than one occasion after Jeremy's sixth time watching the bloody thing.

Fact of the matter was it made him feel uncomfortable. He wasn't the kind of guy that basked in attention; he hadn't been for a long time and being in the centre spotlight now felt more than a little awkward. It was always easier when around his fellow castmates of course, since he was in the same boat as they were. Being a part of one of the most highly anticipated upcoming productions on the West End had thrust them all into the spotlight together; quite unexpectedly too.

Their small production had always been just that. Small. It hadn't been a big deal when he'd joined the cast. It had just been a musical put together by two newcomers to the industry that had caught his eye. Originally meant to be a small production held off the West End, previews had garnered a lot attention until the producer had announced on their return to London that he would be looking into booking a West End theater instead.

It had changed their lives overnight.

"Don't forget to pace yourself, Anderson. We all know what you get like with a few too many beers in you."

Blaine shot a playful glare at Ella, his fellow lead, who'd had to help Jeremy maneuver him into a cab one night after he'd celebrated their upcoming production just a little too much. "I'm being careful, I promise." Then after a quick glance around at the assembled, he offered a rueful shrug and a smile. "Then again I think we're all going to have to be a little careful tonight."

"Rehearsals are so early tomorrow." Christian whined, doing his very best to look as dejected as he could whilst slouched comfortably across the low couch behind them with a beer dangling from the fingers of one hand. "I swear to God that Stuart is trying to kill us."

"The morning of his West End debut? There's no way," Bobbi pointed out with a flick of her blonde head. "Not even Stuart is that sadistic."

"He's been a nightmare since he booked the theatre," Blaine pointed out with a nod, taking a brief swallow of his beer as he considered that a moment. "Likely it's just nerves, but if he doesn't stop stepping on Tony's toes, he's going to snap." Their director Tony wasn't a hardass by any definition of the word, but even he had his limits and it was clear that their producer was pushing them.

"Has anyone else considered how ridiculous its going to sound if Tony wins a Tony?"

Bobbi rolled her eyes "Only, you know, every single time you've mentioned it before." She hit him playfully on the arm and although it was obvious it had been light tap, Christian reacted as if she'd put her full weight behind it, rubbing his arm with a pained expression.

"God you're a violent little thing aren't you?"

"Only around you. You inspire it in me."

"Guys, guys, guys," Ella spoke then, and when everyone turned to focus on her, she offered them all a wide grin. "Here's to us," and she lifted her beer in a toast, the others quickly following suit, Christian jumping to his feet to join them. "To tomorrow and to the greatest damn musical to hit the West End in years."

"To us!" They all chorused back. Only moments later of course they were all jumping back with cries of dismay when Christian, after a somewhat overenthusiastic toast, lost his grip on his beer and dropped it, the sticky liquid sloshing out of the mostly full bottle and splashing over their shoes.

"Christian!"

Retrieving the bottle, Christian attempted to look contrite. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to drop it. Duh."

"Okay, that's it. You're officially cut off," Blaine offered with a shake of his head, tugging the now mostly empty beer bottle from his friend's hands. "We need you to be able to remember your lines tomorrow."

"Come on, Anderson. I'm not that drunk."

"Really?" And he shook the bottle a little. "So then what number is this?"

Christian thought about for a second. "Uh... only the third. No wait, the fourth... I think?"

"No more for you." And Blaine reached around the guy to toss the beer in the trash, Christian trying to intercept it but failing when he overbalanced, stumbling into Blaine and having to catch himself on the back of the couch.

After a moment's thought he nodded. "Okay you might be right."

"You know we should all probably call it." Bobbi pointed out, glancing around at the group. "As Christian pointed out earlier, we do have to be at the theatre super early tomorrow and we really shouldn't be drunk or hungover for our first performance."

"You're not wrong," Ella agreed with a nod. "Stuart and Tony would team up and kill us together. You guys wanna share a cab? Blaine?"

But Blaine just shook his head. "No you guys go on. Jeremy's finishing up in like five minutes. I'll just catch a ride home with him."

"No worries. See you tomorrow, Anderson."

"Bright and early," he chimed back, grinning when he heard a quiet groan from Christian as his castmates shepherded him out the door.

Making his way through the small room he took a seat at the bar, offering a quick wave when Jeremy looked up and caught his eye.

Finishing up with the customer he'd been chatting with, Jeremy made his way down the bar, leaning on it as he glanced left and right. "Your friends take off already? Was it something I said?"

Blaine shook his head with a smile. "No, nothing you said. Just an early morning tomorrow."

"Ah yes. You did mention that." He glanced around at the mostly empty bar. "Well won't be too much longer here. They're not likely to need me to stay back later, so I shouldn't keep you waiting too long." Then he grinned. "Though if you're looking to kill some time, the hottie at the end of the bar was asking about you earlier."

Blaine, curious, spared the stranger a quick glance, admitting to himself that Jeremy was right; the guy was more than attractive, with thick, wavy dark hair and bright hazel-brown eyes. Despite that, Blaine shook his head. "I'm fine waiting here."

"Of course you are," Jeremy answered with something of a scoff. "You know it's been, what... four years since you ended your engagement. About time you at least started browsing for someone new."

"I think you 'browse' enough for the both of us."

Jeremy just answered with a grin and shrug, hardly about to argue the truth of that. He knew what he was and he wasn't ashamed of it. "All I'm saying, Anderson, is that perhaps it's time you move on. Seriously. What are you waiting for?"

"I..." and Blaine hesitated, because it was something he'd been asked before and something he'd never really found a suitable answer for. "Don't know."

"Of course you don't," Jeremy replied sagely, as if he was some kind of know-it-all guru on this point. "Because you haven't been out there. Experienced everything London has to offer. Maybe if you did you'd have a better idea of exactly what it is you're waiting for."

"Or maybe, like you, I still wouldn't be able to decide."

"Touché, Anderson." Jeremy shook his head then, dark eyes considering his friend for a long moment. "You know if you're looking to replace him, you're never going to be happy. You know that, right?"

Startled by the comment, Blaine looked over at his roommate in surprise. "Sorry?"

"Your fiancé," Jeremy elaborated. "You're never going to find someone to replace him. That's not how relationships work."

"Oh," and Blaine felt himself relax, though he wasn't one hundred percent sure what he'd been worried Jeremy was about to say. "Well I'm not looking to replace Kurt, I'm just focusing on my career right now. And I have to admit it is going well, so maybe I'll look into 'browsing' as you say and finding someone soon. But for right now, I'm happy as I am."

"Sure, sure. But think about how much happier you'll be after organising some alone time with him," and Jeremy gestured to the handsome guy at the end of the bar with enough flamboyance that it caught the guy in question's attention. Moments later the man had risen to his feet and was making his way down the bar.

"You really are the worst; you know that right?"

"You'll thank me later," Jeremy offered with a grin as he disappeared back down the bar, offering a quick nod to the other man as he approached.

"Sorry about my friend," Blaine apologised as he arrived at his side. "Subtlety isn't really his thing."

It hadn't really turned out so badly despite, or maybe because of Jeremy's meddling. Wyatt – the name of the handsome stranger – had been an interesting enough companion, recently moved to London from some small town up north, the name of which he struggled to remember, and having more than his fair share of relocation dramas that Blaine could definitely relate to. On top of that, he had to admit that he'd always been quick to appreciate the northern accent in a man, and found himself struggling against that side of him that insisted he wasn't in any rush to meet someone.

In the end he'd settled for exchanging numbers with Wyatt and assuring him he'd call sometime in the future. It was the best he could do for now, which unfortunately left him open for a whole slough of advice from his roommate on the drive home about follow through and taking chances, followed by an inquiry as to where the hell the 'taking risks' Blaine Anderson from the interview he loved so bloody much had disappeared to.

He'd replied, of course, that 'taking risks Blaine Anderson' was taking the night off, given his early morning practice. Because of course he hadn't let Wyatt take him home the night before his very first performance on the West End.

Jeremy had shut up after that, obviously taking his point, instead turning his attention to asking endless questions about Wyatt himself, quizzing Blaine for all the information he could remember from their brief conversation, and then later for his impressions on the guy; what he'd personally thought about the kind of person he was. By the time they'd gotten home, Blaine had already pressed the napkin with the man's phone number into his sheepish roommate's hands before stumbling to bed fully clothed.

The next morning flew by faster than Blaine would have liked. He had time only for a quick coffee before he and his fellow castmates were chivvied onto the stage, both Stuart and Tony forcing them to repeat time and again words and lyrics that already knew by heart.

None of them took it personally, of course. They were all feeling the same nerves as the opening time of their performance drew ever nearer.

Blaine found that, where in the past he'd always felt comfortable on the stage, in this instance he was definitely feeling just a little anxious. This was different, and at the same time wasn't; confident (because this was what he did) and nervous (because it was the West End and a big deal) in equal parts, Blaine wasn't one hundred percent sure what he was feeling at any given moment of the day.

He could tell the rest of the cast were feeling the same. With the exception of some members of the chorus, they were all newcomers to the stages of the West End so it was only natural to feel the tension, regardless of how often everyone around you insisted that it was all going to be okay.

In fact, Blaine felt that people telling you it would be okay was the exact opposite of helpful right now. He could swear it was only making him feel even worse.

Still, despite all of the nerves and the subtle sick feeling lingering in the pit of his stomach, the performance went off without a hitch, the applause from the audience deafening as he stood together with his fellow castmates on the stage, taking their final bows, and he found he couldn't stop himself from grinning. Honestly. It was quite literally stuck on his face. And Christ his cheeks were really starting to hurt.

And then it was over, the curtains falling shut one final time and he felt his whole body relax, weariness slamming into him from all sides.

He found himself fighting the urge to yawn.

"Not done yet, Anderson.

Looking up in surprise, he caught Ella's wide grin. "Huh?"

"Stage door, doofus. Your fans are waiting to meet you."

He hadn't forgotten of course. He knew the theatre. Had been to many shows himself and had always taken the time to meet the cast afterwards at the stage door. It was where he'd developed his love of the theatre; where he'd asked the greats of the stage for their advice for someone just starting out. But when he thought about being on the other side of that conversation... well no pressure, right?

"You mean our fans are waiting to meet us, right?" he asked with a raised brow, to which she just shrugged.

"Maybe. But don't be coy. You know you're the star of this show. And after that interview, everyone and his dog is dying to meet you."

Blaine frowned. "Wait... I thought you were going to be out that night. That you weren't going to get a chance to..." but the answer came to him even as he spoke and he groaned. "Bloody Jeremy. He gave you a copy, didn't he?"

Another grin. "He did. Bless his heart, that boy is so proud of you." She paused a moment then, thinking. "You know..."

"No." And he shook his head. "No. Don't you dare go there."

"But you don't know what I was going to say."

"Yes I do actually," he explained. "You were going to say what everyone who meets the two of us says. That there might be something there. But there isn't, Ella. We really are nothing more than friends. Just because we're two gay guys living together doesn't mean we should be dating."

"He's bi, actually."

"I... what?"

She just shrugged, her expression suggesting she was just a little embarrassed to be admitting this. "What? I was drunk and you have to admit it. The boy is hot."

For a moment Blaine just stared at her in amazement, before shaking his head and dismissing it all seconds later.

Not his problem.

"Stage door. Got it. I'm going to go change. See you there."

In the end it wasn't as scary as he'd imagined it. There were lots of questions, naturally. Nothing too hard of course; just the normal questions one might have expected from fans of the theatre. Did you always know you wanted to work in theater? Yes I did. What would you say to someone who wanted to do the same? It's a lot of hard work getting this far. Just be prepared for that, and don't give up. Could I please pretty please get a hug? Sure, of course. Not a problem at all.

It continued much the same, his castmates fielding a few of the questions as they signed the playbills handed to them and chatted with their fans. It didn't take long at all for him to really get into it, enjoying these people and just how easy they were to chat with; as if they all belonged to the same extended family and were at some big family reunion. Like spending time with friends he hadn't seen in a long time.

Which of course only brought a thought of Sebastian to the forefront of his mind, a feeling of wistful nostalgia filling him when at the exact same moment he felt his phone vibrate in the pocket of his coat.

Fishing it out mid-conversation, his words trailed off as he read the short message he received.

Unknown (10:37pm): You were amazing tonight.

He must've been staring at it for quite a while because the next thing he realised a few of those gathered around him were asking if everything was okay.

He nodded, quickly shoving his phone back into the pocket of his coat, determined to figure it out later and hating the way a long absent hollow feeling suddenly opened up in his stomach when he realised who – for just a brief moment – he'd desperately hoped it was from.

"Blaine?" It was Ella's voice then breaking into his thoughts.

"I'm fine. Everything's..." But his voice trailed off again, his eyes having quickly scanned the crowd, sweeping over the sea of faces around him before catching on a lone figure leaning against a lamppost a short distance down the street. "I, uh..." he felt breathless and a little unsteady, finding his hands were gripping the barrier separating the cast and their fans a little tighter than he realised. Because that man, presently leaning against the lamppost with all the casual grace born to so very few, looked almost exactly like...

But no. Of course it wasn't. It couldn't be. There was no way he was here right now. It just wasn't possib...

But then the man looked up from his phone and familiar green eyes met his across that short distance and he realised that apparently it was possible.

Almost automatically he released the barrier he'd been gripping, slipping through it and waving Ella off when she made to grab the back of his coat. "I'll be back in a sec."

Dazed – still in shock, he supposed – he made his way through the crowd that parted around him, barely conscious of the eyes of everyone on his back as he came to a stop before the tall man he'd honestly never thought he'd see again.

Seeing him now... well he hadn't changed much. Sure, he looked a little older perhaps, but his eyes were still that same warm green; his smile still that odd quirk pulling at one corner of his mouth.

"Sebastian...?" he breathed out, disbelief ringing through his voice, as if the fact that he was there was utterly impossible.

Which of course it was.

Because he wasn't. He couldn't be. This had to be some kind of dream, right? Any second he would wake up, he was sure of it.

But he didn't wake up; instead Sebastian's smile just widened infinitesimally at his reaction, his green eyes sparkling in amusement.

"Hey you."