Kurt and Blaine walked back in the house quickly and slipped into the south parlor without being noticed. Blaine pulled a black polo and his red pants out of his honeymoon luggage and got dressed. Kurt was looking in the full length mirror Tina had brought into the room. "It's a shame this tuxedo will go to waste."

"Yeah," Blaine said, taking a deep breath.

A quick knock at the door sounded and Wes's head came through the door. "Blaine, may we come in?"

Nick came from behind Wes and pushed the door wide open to come all the way into the room, looking excited. "Wes and I have an awesome idea to change up the chord…" He stopped, looking at Blaine's clothes and the look on Kurt's face.

"Hi guys," Blaine said calmly. "Yes, the wedding is off."

Wes kept his composure while Nick gaped a bit. Wes asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, or we're going to be," Blaine looked at Kurt with empathy. "We just want to make the announcement and…get out of here?" He looked again at Kurt, who nodded.

"May we help you somehow? Do you want us to drive you anywhere?" Wes's calm, smooth voice was like a soothing tonic to Blaine.

"I don't even know where…" Blaine's brow furrowed.

Wes said "Why don't you go over to Sebastian's house once you make the announcement. There is no wedding hoopla there."

"Sebastian's out, you'll have the place all to yourself," Nick said, with a meaningful look to Blaine.

Wes continued. "After you regroup a bit, you can decide what you want to do."

"Ok," Blaine said gratefully. "You Warblers really are like my brothers." Then he paused, taking a deep breath. "And can you send our parents in here? But you have to not tell the Warblers – or ANYONE else out there that the wedding is off. Please give us a little time to tell our parents first, and then let us make the announcement, or our parents can make it if they want to."

"Of course," Wes said. "We'll go get your parents."

Wes and Nick stepped out the door and looked at each other in amazement. Nick pulled out his phone. "What are you doing?" Wes asked, his voice wary.

"Nothing." Nick was busy texting. "He said I couldn't tell anyone out here."

A few minutes later, Burt, Carole, Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Anderson came in. The moment they came in and he saw Kurt's face, Burt said, "It's off."

Blaine and Kurt nodded.

Carole said immediately, "Are you guys okay?"

"Oh my goodness, what happened?" Mrs. Anderson asked.

Mr. Anderson's brow was furrowed, but he said nothing.

"We're so sorry, but we decided that we're not ready to be married, and we need some time apart. We are really sorry we didn't figure this out earlier, with all the money you've spent, and…" Blaine looked sorrowful and Kurt nodded apology as well.

"Well, I imagine none of us want you to get married unless you're totally sure." Burt said, looking at the Andersons. Mrs. Anderson nodded her head slowly, still in shock. Mr. Anderson gave a very slight nod and crossed his arms, processing the situation.

"Come here," Burt said, and Kurt came in for a hug. Carole patted his back.

Blaine watched them with soft eyes. Burt saw him and said over Kurt's shoulder, "Hey kid – you did good."

Mrs. Anderson reached out to Blaine, who hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry, mom."

"It's okay," she soothed.

Mr. Anderson stood awkwardly apart. "I'll go tell your brother," he said, leaving the room.

Blaine worriedly watched him walk out. "Do you think he's mad at me?" Blaine asked his mother.

"No darling, of course not. He's just a little thrown. I am too, to be honest. I thought this is what you wanted?"

"I thought it was, but I realized this morning that it was just a really amazing idea in theory. And that I want to be on my own again for awhile, to just focus on me and my future."

"That sounds very sensible," she said, squeezing his hand.

Cooper walked in. It was clear any reaction he had to the news had been tamped down by the presence of his father, who came in with him.

"Hey Squirt," Cooper said, not waiting for a response before enveloping his brother in a hug. Blaine hugged hard back, head on Cooper's shoulder. "So can I use your tickets for the honeymoon?"

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson gave Cooper warning looks.

"I'm kidding! Kidding!" he shrugged. "Just a little levity to cheer up Blaine here! Just trying to help!"

Mrs. Anderson said, "You can help by…Blaine dear, what can we help you with?"

"Um…you could help me move my luggage over to Sebastian's house."

Cooper picked up his guitar; Mrs. Anderson, his satchel; Mr. Anderson, the tuxedo. They walked over to gather the rest of his luggage that was sitting in a corner.

The Hummels turned to leave. Carole said to Kurt, "We'll start gathering your things upstairs, honey. When you come up, your dad will make the announcement. Then you can wait up in Sugar's bedroom until the crowd's gone."

Burt looked at Blaine, who was looking pained. "It's gonna be okay. You did just fine. And don't forget that we'll expect you for football whenever you've got a free Sunday or Monday night."

Blaine nodded tearfully, already missing them. Burt, then Carole hugged him. Burt said to Kurt as they left, "You come up when you're ready."

The Andersons were staying tactfully in the corner with Blaine's luggage.

Blaine glanced at them and then said to Kurt, "Well I guess this is goodbye…for now."

"For now," Kurt said, looking in Blaine's eyes.

Blaine said steadily, "We're doing the right thing."

"Yes, we're doing the right thing." Kurt answered bravely.

Blaine kissed him on the cheek tenderly. "I'll call you. I…I love you."

Both boys' eyes were wet. "I love you. And I'll call you," Kurt said, squeezing his hand and turning the doorknob.

Kurt slipped out the door, and Blaine closed it behind him and leaned on it.

The Andersons kept their backs turned, giving Blaine a moment. Finally, Mrs. Anderson said, "Dear, are you ready to head over to the Smythes? Let's start carrying all this to the car so your father can come back and help Burt make the announcement?"

They all picked up a bag and started for the door. Mrs. Anderson and Cooper stepped out of the door first. Mr. Anderson stayed back and turned to Blaine, who was coming up behind him with the last of the bags. "Blaine, I want to talk to you."

Blaine felt himself fill with dread. He put down the duffel bag he was carrying. "Ok."

Mr. Anderson sat down on the couch and pointed at the seat beside him. "Sit down."

Blaine went over to the couch stiffly. He turned to face his father, mustering up courage. "I'm sorry Dad, I know you have a lot of work colleagues out there and our whole extended family and some of your old college buddies. This has got to be embarrassing…"

"Blaine."

"I wish I had realized everything sooner, but..."

"Blaine, stop."

Blaine silenced himself.

"Your mother tells me that you don't always know what I am thinking about you, so I wanted to speak to you. I would assume you know this, but perhaps that is not the case. I think that you did a good thing."

"You do?" Blaine was taken aback.

"Obviously the timing could have been better, but yes, you did a good thing cancelling the wedding. And I don't say this because of Kurt – I know you think I don't like him. I say this because I have watched a great number of my friends go through divorce and that has far more negative consequences."

"Thank you Dad, for being so understanding." Blaine said earnestly, looking up at his father. His father's gaze was intense. Blaine swallowed and looked down.

His father continued. "I know it was difficult, on the day of the wedding, to make this decision."

"I hope it was the right decision." Blaine said with some melancholy, staring at his shoes, "I hope Kurt and I find each other again when we're both ready, or that I can find anyone as amazing as him who will want me."

They sat in silence for a few awkward moments.

"Blaine..."

"Yes?" answered Blaine, who was still looking at shoes.

"Blaine, look at me."

Blaine looked up into his father's serious brown eyes.

"Any man would be very fortunate to have you."

Blaine looked at him in shock. He impulsively turned to hug his father tightly. "Thanks, Dad," he said in a choked voice.

Richard Anderson wasn't much of a hugger, but after a moment he relaxed a bit. He ran a hand fondly over his younger son's curly hair. "You are so much like your mother."

The Motta entry hall was buzzing with reaction to Burt and Richard's announcement. Jeff handed David a $20 bill, Trent handed Thad a $50, and so on down the line. "I should know better than to bet against you," grumbled Meatbox to Nick. Wes shook his head disapprovingly.

Kitty was collecting her own winnings from a sobered Ryder. "You guys are so cute with your 'Blaine and Kurt 4eva.' Blaine was trying too hard." Jake was handing Marley a tissue.

Rachel and Mercedes were headed up the stairs with Santana, to find Kurt. "Where did you go?" Mercedes asked Santana.

"I just had to see about something," Santana replied cryptically. "I got back in time for the wedding, didn't I? Well, the almost-wedding. Seriously, it's like a New Directions marital-voodoo-curse."

Tina and Sam came over to Cooper, who was standing with Wes and the rest of Warblers. "Do you know where Blaine is?"

"He's at Sebastian's."

"Sebastian's not there," Nick added, seeing the question mark on Sam's face.

Tina turned away immediately towards the door.

"He doesn't want to be disturbed. " Cooper's voice stopped her in her tracks. "He also doesn't want to go home yet – he says he doesn't want to 'go back to normal' quite yet. He's still a little shell shocked. So the guys and I," he gestured at Wes and the Warblers. "Are going to keep an eye on him and have a guys weekend with him…you know, take some grub down to the lake and swim and stuff. "

Nick said to Sam, "I'm sure he'd want you there, too."

Sam nodded. "I bet he'd like Mike to come along, too. I'll get him." Before turning away, he said to Tina, "As soon as Blaine's ready to talk about everything, I will totally call you."

Tina looked slightly injured, but nodded and said, "Hug him for me, okay?"

Mrs. Anderson sat next to Blaine and his guitar on Sebastian's bed. "Are you sure you don't want us to stay? I could…"

"Thanks, mom." Blaine said firmly, but with affection. He squeezed her hand. "I just want to not think for awhile, just play guitar and go throw Frisbee by the lake and just unwind from all this. I promise I'll be fine."

"Ok," she said. "I'll stay with you at least until Cooper and your father get back from dealing with all those guests."

"Mom, go help them. I'm really okay here on my own," Blaine said. "You know dad's not going to be very good with all the extended family."

Mrs. Anderson looked torn.

"Really, mom. I'm okay. In fact, I will enjoy having a moment to myself before Cooper and the gang of Warblers get back here."

"Well…okay." She kissed his cheek tenderly. "I love you."

"I love you too, mom. I'll call you."

She looked behind her as she crossed the room and left through the open door.

Blaine picked up his guitar and played a few chords, but without a violin for the song he wanted to play, the guitar wasn't enough on its own. He got up and opened the door to the adjoining music room, peeking in furtively and feeling like an intruder.

He sat down at the piano, sliding his fingertips across the glossy wood keyboard lid. It was really a beautiful old instrument. He opened the lid and played a few notes – it was perfectly tuned. Looking up, he ran a finger across the meticulously dusted carvings on the cabinet, admiring the craftsmanship. "Kurt would love this," he thought. His heart twisted as he began to play:

The Wood Song

(listen at youtubeDOTcom/watch?v=djvIWPJ_zXc)

The thin horizon of a plan is almost clear
My friends and I have had a tough time
Bruising our brains hard up against change
All the old dogs and the magician

Now I see we're in the boat in two-by-two's
Only the heart that we have for a tool we could use
And the very close quarters are hard to get used to
Love weighs the hull down with its weight

But the wood is tired, and the wood is old
And we'll make it fine, if the weather holds
But if the weather holds, we'll have missed the point
That's where I need to go

No way construction of this tricky plan
Was built by other than a greater hand
With a love that passes all our understanding
Watching closely over the journey

Yeah, but what it takes to cross the great divide
Seems more than all the courage I can muster up inside
But we got to have some answers when we reach the other side
The prize is always worth the rocky ride

But the wood is tired, and the wood is old
And we'll make it fine, if the weather holds
But if the weather holds, we'll have missed the point
That's where I need to go

Sometimes I ask to sneak a closer look
Skip to the final chapter of the book
And then maybe steer us clear from some of the pain it took
To get us where we are this far, this far

But the question drowns in its futility
Even I have got to laugh at me
No one gets to miss the storm of what will be
Just holding on for the ride

But the wood is tired, and the wood is old
And we'll make it fine, if the weather holds
But if the weather holds, we'll have missed the point
That's where I need to go

"Hey there." Sebastian was leaning his tall frame in the doorway.

Blaine jumped a little. "Sebastian! I didn't…" He looked up to see that Sebastian's green eyes were appraising him, but that they were also looking unusually kind. Blaine exhaled, a melancholy smile forming on his lips. "Hi."

"Hi," Sebastian's lips curved into a sympathetic smile back at him.

"Is everyone else back, too?" asked Blaine.

"No, I didn't see anyone when I was pulling up. I wasn't at the wedding, remember."

"Right." Blaine looked guilty. "Neither was I," he joked weakly.

"I heard," Sebastian said, looking serious.

Blaine said nervously, "I hope you don't mind that I played your piano. I've been hiding out here since…" He couldn't find the words yet.

Sebastian interrupted gently. "You can hide out here as long as you want, Killer. Just know that Jeff woke all of us this morning sleepwalking outside and singing The Lion Sleeps Tonight right under this window." His words were light, but his eyes were empathetic. "I pitched a book at him through the window to wake him up."

Blaine laughed picturing the scene, his first real laugh since Sam's John Lennon impression. But the emotional outlet brought tears to his eyes, and they did not go unnoticed.

Sebastian's heart wrenched. "I'll bolt his door tonight," he said, touching Blaine's shoulder lightly before sitting down on the piano bench with him.

The heat of Sebastian's body next to him was comforting, but Blaine's heart sped up slightly with concern. He said with a pained look on his face, "Seb…right now I can't…"

"I know," Seb said reassuringly, "I know."

"'Cause if you don't want to talk for awhile…" Blaine was still worried.

Sebastian stopped him, raising his eyebrows and looking stern. "B, what did I say when I brought you that sheet music?"

Blaine looked emotionally wrecked. "That you never knew you could care…"

Sebastian cut him off with a brisk wave of the hand and a smirk. "Not that part…"

Blaine gulped, eyes luminous. "That you never want to stop taking care of me."

Noises downstairs told them the Warblers had returned. "Right," Sebastian said, getting up from the piano bench and putting his hands on Blaine's shoulders. "But don't go spreading that around, I have a reputation for being an asshole that I should protect."

Blaine looked up to give him a grateful smile.

"I asked Teresa to go pick up that pie you said you love so much, so let's get downstairs before that pack of idiots gets at it."

Blaine got up to follow him. "You're the best, Seb."

Sebastian turned back and winked. "I know."

Blaine sat under a tree with his guitar, watching Mike and various Warblers swimming and diving into the sparkling lake; Thad and Jeff throwing a Frisbee; Nick and David paddling around in a rented kayak; and Cooper and Sam skipping stones.

Sebastian sat nearly shoulder-to shoulder next to him reading his Kindle and eating an apple, his long legs stretched out in front of him. He had not only sent out for pie, but all of Blaine's favorite foods, laid out around them in vast quantities on a beautiful picnic blanket to feed the entire group - a gourmet picnic dinner. Sebastian did not order for beer or wine, though. "We need to give your liver a break, Killer." But the rest of the spread was very comforting.

As the afternoon and early evening unfolded, Blaine tried to enjoy the time with everyone, especially swimming in the cold water and throwing the Frisbee; he alternated between activity and quiet moments under the tree. There were even short periods of time under the late summer sunshine where he was able to forget everything for a little bit. Most of the time though, his heartbreak cast a shadow on the idyllic scene.

In spite of all this, he concluded that he did the right thing in spending the weekend with this band of brothers. Their collective presence was comforting, even if individually they ranged widely.

Trent was overbearingly anxious to talk, at first asking him how he was doing at great frequency, and if he could do anything for him even more often. Sebastian had pulled him behind a tree at one point and Trent emerged abashed and quieter.

Nick was similarly too eager to comfort, but more through his actions. He insisted on giving Blaine the first turn in the kayak, filled a plate for him at dinner, and kept asking him what music he wanted to hear over the IPod speakers they had brought. Blaine felt more affection for Nick than most of the Warblers, but he was unnerving to be around just now.

David, Jeff, Meatbox and Thad felt so awkward that they avoided speaking to him all, resigning themselves to giving him sympathetic smiles from a distance. Cooper looped his arm around his brother whenever he was near, but had no idea how to act or what to say. When he did speak, his words tended to treat the matter too lightly, even as his eyes showed signs of overwhelm. Mike and Sam's laid back energy was comforting, but they were also quieter than usual, a bit dumbfounded at the situation.

Wes provided many kindly smiles and treated him with great care, but it felt like he was handling him as though Blaine was made of glass. His looks were like a concerned older brother or even mother. He didn't say a lot, which wasn't unusual since he had always been slightly reserved, but their dynamic felt a bit stilted.

Blaine should not have been surprised that Sebastian would be the easiest one to be around. He treated Blaine like a normal person, albeit with a tad less snark than usual. His manner was subtly comforting without being overbearing, all relaxed smiles and gentle, playful banter. He was a balm to Blaine's aching and disappointed heart. He was a just a little quieter than usual, but Blaine knew he would listen when the time came for listening.

Blaine looked over at Sebastian with these thoughts. He studied his handsome profile for a moment, stopping to appreciate not only the outward beauty, but the kind heart inside his friend. There really was more to Sebastian Smythe than meets the eye.

"Seb, thank you."

Sebastian said without looking up from his Kindle," I should thank you, that pie really is something."

"No, I mean thank you for…" Blaine put down his guitar and searched for words. "For calling me out on all my stuff before the wedding."

Sebastian sat straighter, put down his Kindle and looked out at the lake. "I wish I had done it in a more "new leaf" kind of way."

"That's okay. And you did when you brought the sheet music, I just didn't want to hear you. " Blaine said, leaning back a bit to study his profile again. "I'm just glad you said something." He swatted at him playfully. "Even though I hate it when you're right."

"I hate it too," Sebastian looked at him with an arrogant tilt of his nose, "It's such a burden to be so gifted with my wisdom and intellect."

Blaine smacked him. After a few moments, he sighed. "I know this is the right thing to do – it just feels so surreal, and I already miss him."

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both lost in thought.

"You are going to be better for this, you know." Sebastian said.

"I know," Blaine said without conviction.

"But right now, it sucks," said Sebastian in his straightforward way.

"Yeah," Blaine said with a sigh.

The Warblers had been out of the lake and sunning themselves on beach towels along the shore. Nick came over and raised questioning eyebrows to Sebastian.

Sebastian stood up and gave him a slight nod. "This is actually good timing," he said. Nick whistled and the group gathered near the tree.

Blaine knew what was coming and smiled fondly at them as they sang this song (Hear 'Stand By Me' acapella at our YouTube Playlist, keyword search 'Stop the Wedding Seblaine']

[Meatbox]

Ba da doo doo

Ba da doo doo

Ba da doo doo

Ba da doo doo

Ba da doo doo

Ba da doo doo

Ba da doo doo

Ba da doo doo

[Sebastian]
When the night has come and the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see,

[Sam and Mike]

No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me.

[Cooper with the rest on backing vocals]
If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea,

[Wes with David and Trent]

I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me.

[Nick with Jeff and Thad]
So darling, darling
Stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh, won't you stand, stand by me.

[Jeff with Thad and Trent]

Ooohh

Stand by me

Stand by me

[Sebastian, coaxing Blaine to stand up and sing with the group]
When the night has come and the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see,

[Blaine with the rest on backing vocals]

No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand by me.So darling, darling
Stand by me, well stand by me
Oh, won't you stand by me,
When you are totally you just stand by me.
Oh, by me...yeah...
Oh, Won't you stand, stand by me.Stand by me...

LADY: You don't have to text back, just want you to know I'm thinking of you, Blainey Days. I love you.

BLAINE: Love you too, Tay Tay. I got your snack tub of goodies – all my favorites! You are the best.

LADY: Good. Don't let Sam and Mike eat any of it.

BLAINE: Too late, Sam ate half the cheese popcorn and Mike had a Symphony bar.

LADY: Oh well, I'll send more tomorrow.

BLAINE: No need. I'm gonna be okay, Lady.

LADY: I know, I just want to fatten you up a little, you lost too much weight with all this wedding stress!

BLAINE: Well if I get fat, you have to join me.

LADY: Deal. All-you-can-eat-meatball dinner at Breadstix when you get back to Lima.

BLAINE: Deal. Well, the guys are about to turn on the movie. Love you. Thanks for everything you did for the wedding. I'm gonna need another one of those hot towel thingies.

LADY: I'll send my back-up spa kit over tomorrow. Good night B, call me any time of night, whatever. I'm always here.

BLAINE: I know. Love you. Bye.

LADY: 3 Love you, too. Bye.

The Smythes' well-equipped multimedia room projected Sebastian's favorite James Dean film on a large projector screen that took up most of one wall. Even though the staff had moved additional seating in, everyone had to squeeze to fit on the sofas. Meatbox, Trent and David lounged on the rug with pillows, rather than fight for room on the sofas.

Sebastian wriggled out of the space on the leather sofa where he had been wedged between Blaine and Thad to get a drink from the small refrigerator on the side of the large room. Nick was standing there with Cooper talking quietly until Sebastian neared them, when they abruptly ended their conversation.

"What." It was more demand than a question.

"Nothing!" Nick said, looking sly.

"Out with it." Sebastian ordered again.

Cooper said, "We were just saying that as sad it is to see Blaine this way, I think the consensus is that you did a good thing in stopping the wedding."

Sebastian took a breath and regarded them with skepticism. He gestured towards Blaine. "Yeah, but LOOK at him."

They all looked over at Blaine, who was looking particularly small and rumpled in his pajamas and ungelled hair, legs crossed under him, clinging to the snack tub. He was watching the movie, but from time to time his eyes would glance away and his face would flicker with a shadow of the pain and shock from the events of the day.

After a minute Cooper insisted, "He'll be fine. Andersons are anything if not tough. Come on," he clapped Sebastian on the back, "Celebrate a LITTLE. You stopped the wedding. It needed to be done."

Nick egged him on, "Yeah come on, this merits at least a smile." He poked Sebastian in the ribs.

"Don't touch me, you perv," Sebastian said, rolling his eyes. "Fine, I am glad that he didn't join the teen marriage ranks. But again, LOOK at him. He's so wretched."

Sebastian started to head back to his seat.

"Well when he comes out of it, you'll be there to sweep him off of his feet." Cooper called after him.

Sebastian shook his head – he couldn't think about any of that now, with Blaine looking like that.

It was an effort for Sebastian to sit back down again, as Thad and Blaine had migrated towards his seat while he was away. He took a long drink from his soda and put it down between his feet. With so little room on the sofa, he had to put his long arms along the top of the large sofa, which was easy to do since neither Thad's nor Blaine's head reached that height. Both smaller guys were nestling into his sides and he sighed, feeling like a rather crushed human teddy bear and thinking that the Warblers had officially bonded too closely.

As he tried to relax into his position, Sebastian looked down at Blaine, who was watching the movie with sleepy eyes. In about 5 minutes, he had fallen asleep against Sebastian's side, exhausted from the events of the day. Sebastian studied his eyelashes, the planes of his face, and thought about everything else that was Blaine. The memories flickered in his mind like the old movie on the screen:

"And now she's looking for a downtown man, that's what I am…"

"Are you a freshman?"

"I can't believe you asked for a shot of Courvoisier in your coffee."

"Wow, you're just so…you… you know you're out there."

"Eat me, drink me, win me, lose me
Either way you have to choose me"

"You know they closed that bar."
"What? That sweet old place? That's criminal."

"Oh it was a wonderful gift, Seb. Especially the Rachel Fuller music. But I haven't been very wonderful to you, have I?"

"Seb, thank you."

He bent his head and gave Blaine the lightest of kisses on the top of his fluffy hair. Then he remembered where he was. He looked around quickly to those seated around him and was relieved to see everyone intent on the movie. Then he quickly turned to the screen as well.

After a few more seconds however, he had the distinct feeling he was being watched. Shaking his head, he knew exactly which direction to turn. Cooper was still standing on the far side of the room near the mini-bar, winking at him and puckering his lips in the darkened room. Sebastian sighed and rolled his eyes.

When the movie ended, the Warblers stood up and stretched. Blaine stayed asleep. If they had been alone Sebastian would have just picked him up and carried him upstairs, but he knew he would never hear the end of it from Nick and Cooper. He nudged Blaine. "Killer, wake up. Let's get you up into bed." Sebastian pulled him up slowly, hooking his arm around Blaine's shoulder to support him.

Blaine stood up shakily and staggered upstairs, rubbing his eyes along the way. It was a long walk up the giant staircase to Sebastian's bedroom. Sebastian came up with a flimsy excuse to get Blaine to sleep in the most expensive mattress in the house. "In case you want to compose some beautiful song in the middle of the night. When you close that adjoining door, that room is soundproofed." By the time he reached the room, Blaine was a bit more awake, though still completely exhausted. He collapsed on the bed while Sebastian pulled some pajamas for himself out of the bureau.

Sebastian patted him on the shoulder. "Good night, B."

"Good night, Seb. Thanks for everything."

"No problem," Sebastian replied, giving him a small smile before closing the door behind him.

Sebastian was halfway to the guest bedroom before he remembered he hadn't gotten a book to read before bed. He knocked and opened the door quietly, saying "Sorry B, I forgot to grab something to…"

Blaine was crying in heartbreaking sobs facedown on a pillow in bed.

Sebastian quickly closed the door behind him and crossed the large room. "Blaine, Blaine…"

Blained turned over to see who it was, his face crumpled in tears. "Seb, oh Seb I…"

"You don't have to say anything," Sebastian sat down next to him and rubbed his back.

Blaine cried for what felt like an eternity to Sebastian.

But finally Blaine fell asleep, clutching Sebastian's hand.

I will hold you, I will catch you
When you feel like you're falling
When you feel like you're falling
I'll be near you, I will hear you
When you are calling
When you are calling

Sebastian kissed Blaine on the cheek and slipped out of the room, wiping his own eyes.

For reasons unbeknownst to him, Sebastian awoke at 5:30AM.

He lay there for a few minutes, disbelievingly reviewing the events of the last two days. He could only imagine how overwhelmed Blaine must be.

He checked his watch for the time again. He had an idea. He crept out of bed and down the hall, hoping that Blaine was awake to come along.

He quietly opened Blaine's door, expecting to find him passed out in the same position he left him in the night before. To his surprise, Blaine was lying in bed staring at the ceiling.

"Hey," said Blaine, glanced at him and then looked back up at the ceiling.

"Hey," Sebastian replied, coming in the room and sitting on the bed. "I'm going fishing at the lake, come with me."

Blaine grunted.

Sebastian ruffled his curly hair a bit. "One foot in front of the other, Killer. Come on…sunrise on the lake…still waters…serenity…or we can sing annoying acapella and scare the fish."

Blaine grunted again.

"We can take leftover pie and have it for breakfast."

Blaine stared at him for a few seconds, then sat up slowly. "Ok, ok." He rubbed his eyes and gave Sebastian's arm an affectionate squeeze. "Ok ok ok."

They got dressed, grabbed supplies and food, and loaded up Sebastian's car in the driveway.

Nick and Wes jogged up to the car, running clothes matted with sweat, shoes muddied.

"We're headed to the lake for a little fishing," Sebastian said, tossing the cooler inside the trunk. Blaine was climbing into the passenger seat.

"So you're going to runaway?! You'll be on the road, like Jack Kerouac?" Nick said in a loud whisper, winking.

Blaine ducked in the car completely with an embarrassed half smile.

Sebastian said under his breath, "You forgot what I said about hurting you - IN WAYS…YOU NEVER…KNEW…EXISTED." He slammed the trunk shut. "We'll be back in time for lunch. Order some pizza from Rosalie's for everyone," he commanded.

Nick and Wes watched Sebastian and Blaine drive down the tree-lined road. "End of Story," Wes said with a small smile, "At least for now."

The end

Author's note:

Okay, we've reached the end of this road! Sorry to the hard core Seblainers who wished I had included some good old-fashioned sex on that antique piano or at least Sebastian getting into bed with Blaine and cuddling all night. Sorry but my Blainers is too delicate still and my Sebastian is wise enough to not risk weirding him out. My Seb is a gentleman when it comes to his beautiful love of a man. But don't worry, I'm planning a sequel!

Thanks to all you readers who hung in there with us through this story. By us I mean my 4 awesome beta readers, Thomas, Dori, Rosalie and Tereza – see if you find their cameo appearances in the story.

And I really, really appreciate the reviews as well – they were very motivating. I hope you all will review one more time now that the story is over as well. Interested in your feedback and ideas for the sequel! Seb is off to Stanford and after a gap year with Sam, Blaine is off to UCLA.

I recognize that there was an awful lot of fluff in the beginning but hopefully some of you liked it, and the rest of you enjoyed at least the meat of the story. You might be able to tell that I have a lot of love for Klaine, but hopefully the fact that Seblaine is my OTP shone through as well.

I am writing a sequel (set in college) on ArchiveorourownDOTorg called "I'm Gonna Miss You, Too." That has become like the TV soap opera/serial format...meaning it always feels like there is no end in sight. Wanted to give you Seblainers a proper kiss and some other heat because I was pressured into it by friends and readers and I give the people what they want. The lack of patience by some impolite readers led me to delete the chapters here unfortunately, so you'll have to go to and find me there as Tiburonwriter. Hope you continue to enjoy this!