I wanna see you be brave.

Blaine Devon Anderson ★ Singer/Songwriter ★ NYC Hello there! As you can see from the information above, my name is Blaine Anderson. You may have heard of me from my music, or my upcoming Broadway role. I'm so thankful for how far I have come, and couldn't be more grateful for how my life has unfolded so far. Though, I must admit, after all of these years, I still kind of miss him.

[theonlybastian]

Of all the Coffee Shops in the World  || Seblaine

[theonlybastian]

Sebastian’s eyes grew wider as Blaine continued on, the smile on his face seeming to be a fraction of the enjoyment he was getting out of this. The taller man whistled low, “I’ll be damned.  Now this sounds like a show I really must see.”  It was easy, in that moment to let his eyes travel down Blaine’s body and back up again, the way they had countless times before when they were teenagers.  “Have you started your run yet, or are you in rehearsals?”  he asked.

“I like that I’m doing something artistic with my life.” Sebastian mused.  “I always seemed to have a lot of pressure from my father to follow in his footsteps, but he actually was okay with me going into photo journalism, which was shocking.”   He took another sip of his coffee, finishing it off.  “Have you been here since high school then?  Living the fast and furious life of NYC?”

[blaineyandbowties-blog]

“Still in rehearsals,” Blaine said, though he was very clearly proud of the reaction he received from Sebastian, and he didn’t miss the way he’d looked at him, either. If he was completely honest, he would have loved to see the other man’s reaction to his performance - would love if he came at all. “But we will be starting pretty soon. I would love for you to come and see it when we open. In fact, the first few rows have a pretty interesting view of it.”

Blaine could agree that it was rather shocking that Sebastian’s father was okay with him going into photo journalism. Not that the two of them were ever close enough to be discussing things like that with each other, but he knew enough to know that his father was rather strict on him; not all too unlike Blaine’s own. “It’s good to hear that he was okay with it. You should be able to follow your own path without worrying what your family would think of it,” he hummed. “Yes, I have. This place is home to me now, and I’m very pleased to be able to call it that.”

[theonlybastian]

Of all the Coffee Shops in the World  || Seblaine

[theonlybastian]

Sebastian took a sip and nodded, glad he wouldn’t have to put with the petite brunette diva if he wanted to see what Blaine was up to.  He chocked slightly on his coffee as Blaine explained more about the show.  “That sounds like quite the show. And you are..” he trailed off.  The green eyed man’s mind went into over drive attempting to put Blaine in this lead role; the heels, the wig, and the tight shorts.

Sebastian was still imagining this show as Blaine started to flip though his photos and started commenting.  He shook his head to clear it and smiled genuinely at the curly haired man.  “I like to think I’ve always had an eye for beautiful and unique things.”  For a second he allowed himself to remember the first time they’d met.  He’d already heard all about the infamous Blaine Anderson from the other Warblers, who really could have formed his very first fan club.  But Sebastian didn’t believe the other boys, until Blaine showed up at Dalton.  The memory made goose flesh break out against his skin.  “I’m enjoying it so far,” he murmured softly.  

[blaineyandbowties-blog]

It was difficult to hold back his laughter at Sebastian’s reaction, but Blaine managed, instead just smiling and pressing his lips together to prevent the sound escaping them. “I know, it’s quite a bit different than what most people expect of my first Broadway role,” he grinned, eyes flickering up towards the other man from the photos in front of him for just a second. “But as I said, she’s the main part, and I think the show is really exciting and I love what I’m able to do with it.”

His focus went back to the photos, taking his time with each one. Once he was finished, he pushed them back across the table, and turned his attention back onto Sebastian. “It shows,” he replied with a small smile, trying not to read too far into it considering what had happened in High School. “I’m glad that you’re enjoying it. There’s so much to do and see and... well, enjoy here.” He found himself laughing softly, taking another sip of his coffee.

[theonlybastian]

Of all the Coffee Shops in the World  || Seblaine

[theonlybastian]

“Broadway huh?”  Sebastian smirked.  “Just don’t tell me you’re staring opposite Berry.  Please.  I’m not sure I could sit through that, even if it meant seeing you.”  His eyebrows rose.  It wasn’t a show he was that familiar with although gauging by the excitement in Blaine’s voice and eyes, Sebastian had a feeling it was a show he would want to see.  “I’m not familiar with the premise,” he smiled, “so what’s the show about and who are you playing?”  

“I was indeed offered a job.  It’s still freelance, which is fine by me, I don’t like being tied to anything really,” Sebastian explained.  “But the New Yorker magazine saw my work, and they want my photography skills expecially for their arts section.”  He pulled out his ipad and pulled up a folder that he used as part of his portfolio.  “Here is an example of some of my work.”  The photos were basically from fashion week in Milan earlier that year.  Backstage, onstage, at the parties.  Just a lot of beautiful people, bright colors, and textured fabrics, along with plays of light.  “Even as few as a dozen high profile pieces with the New Yorker and I’ll be able to decide who and where I want to work for the rest of my life.  I couldn’t pass that up.”

[blaineyandbowties-blog]

“No, no, Rachel isn’t in it. Believe me when I say that it really isn’t the kind of thing Rachel would be interested in being in.” Blaine chuckled at the thought. Rachel probably would make a bad Yitzhak, but she loved the spotlight, and Hedwig liked to make sure the spotlight was always on her. “Hedwig is a transgender woman in a rock band. Complete with wig, high heels, sassy attitude, tight shorts... she’s a very strong role, and she’s the lead. The show is all about Hedwig and her past.”

As the ipad was offered to him, Blaine took it with a quiet thank you, flicking through the pictures one by one. He wasn’t surprised to see how well done they all were; Sebastian was very good at his job, and Blaine already knew that he was an incredibly hard worker. “These are really good,” he complimented in a light tone, eyes locked on the screen. “And you’re right, you definitely can’t pass up an opportunity like that. Besides, New York City is a wonderful place, and I think you’ll come to love working and living here.”

[theonlybastian]

Of all the Coffee Shops in the World  || Seblaine

[theonlybastian]

“Somethings you just remember,” Sebastian shrugged.  “I think it’s an affliction most of America, and even Europe have.  I still need at least one cup to help get me through the day.  And I still add courvoisier from time to time.”  He grinned at Blaine, watching the way the other man seemed unsettled, playing with his coffee cup.  The next question that came tumbling from his own lips caught Sebastian off guard.  “Are you playing anything local soon?”  

“Europe is amazing, and I’ll never regret moving over there after graduation,” he explained.  “But when the New Yorker comes calling, you just don’t smile and turn them down.”  Sebastian grimaced slightly when he heard the news about Kurt, although that is what he’d assumed with the lack of a ring.  But that could have been a publicity thing.  “I’m sorry to hear about you and Hummel,” he offered.  “Wes is in DC, he contacted me asking for recommendations after graduation.   Hunter is in  Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri,” Sebastian offered up.  He felt bad he’d never kept in closer contact with many former Warblers; Hunter being the only one he made a habit of keeping in touch with, and Wes being one of the few that tried to keep in contact with him.  “What is the pint sized diva staring in now?”

[blaineyandbowties-blog]

Courvoisier. Of course. The memory made Blaine’s lips quirk into a small smile, playing with the cup in his hand, turning it around in circles. The question, though, completely took him off guard, though he couldn’t figure out why. “Well, I recently got cast on Broadway, actually,” he hummed, his smile widening again at the way Sebastian was sure to react. People generally were surprised when they found out Blaine had been cast in this role, not because he was bad at his job, because he certainly wasn’t, even he knew that, but he wasn’t exactly the first person people thought of when casting the role of Hedwig. “In Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I’m actually really looking forward to it.” He took another sip of his coffee, keeping his eyes on his friend. 

“So what brings you to New York? You mentioned doing work earlier, so I presume you were offered a job,” he wondered aloud, his assumption coming from the comment on New York calling. “Oh. No, don’t be. We had our reasons for going our separate ways. I... guess it just wasn’t meant to be,” he said quietly, looking down at the coffee in his hands once more. It was nice to hear about the other Warblers, even if something small, it felt good to know a little more about what they had been getting up to.

[theonlybastian]

Of all the Coffee Shops in the World  || Seblaine

[theonlybastian]

Sebastian sat down but he didn’t pull his laptop out just yet. There was no point if Blaine was just going to join him. He watched the smaller man as he ordered his coffee and made his way over.  His fingers itched to pull out his camera, and snap a couple of photos of Blaine.  The photographer in him could picture the frame, the crop, and the coloring of the photo. He shook his head to clear those thoughts as Blaine sat down.  "Still drinking the same medium drip Blaine?“ Sebastian asked curiously. He titled his head and chuckled softly. "I’ve been in Europe; not living under a rock in Africa. I’ve heard a bit about your musical career. Not that I’m surprised. You always were a performer before anything else." 

Sebastian took a sip of his coffee. "I’m just amazed really, at the quick pace of life here, especially compared to most of Europe. Do people even really get to enjoy life anymore?” he mused.  “That is probably going to be both the hardest thing to get used to, and yet the thing I’ll mostly enjoy the most.”  He offered Blaine an actual, genuine smile.  “I’ve thought about how many people I might run into here, from the past, from Dalton and McKinley, and that’s a little intriguing.  Do you know who else is kicking around this great big city?”  It was a bit of a roundabout way to ask about Kurt, but the taller man wasn’t about to come out and just blurt it out.    

[blaineyandbowties-blog]

Blaine tried not to let himself look as surprised as he felt that Sebastian had remembered his coffee order after so long, instead letting his smile grow, attempting to hide it with a sip of his coffee. Placing the cup down again, he let his eyes meet Sebastian’s for a moment. “You have a really good memory, you know. But yes, medium drip, as always, and I’m still just as addicted. It’s really unhealthy, but I can’t stop,” he found himself laughing, gaze shifting to the cup in his hand, resting on the table. At the next comment, he waved his free hand in the air, as though brushing it off. “I’m still rising, I suppose, but I’ve got a pretty large fan following at the moment. I’m very pleased with where I am.

“Europe sounds incredible, though. I’ve always wanted to go. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to tour there or go on vacation somewhere in Europe one day,” he hummed. By now he was mostly just thinking aloud; he had to stop himself. “Kurt is still in New York, though we’re um, we’re not living together. Haven’t been for a few years now.” Even though he was over Kurt and they were currently just friends, he didn’t want to linger on the subject too much; it had taken a long time for the wounds to heal and to put his heart back together, so it seemed counter-productive to reopen those wounds now. “Rachel is on Broadway and doing very well for herself, and I believe a few others are around, too. I’ve bumped into a couple of the Warblers once or twice.” 

[theonlybastian]

Of all the Coffee Shops in the World  || Seblaine

[theonlybastian]

Instinctively, Sebastian straightened up to full height as he took his coffee from the Barista and tossed him a final wink.  Something near his heart clenched painfully at the mere sound of his name passing Blaine’s lips.  His own lips curved up into a smile as the smaller man rambled on.  “Somethings never change, I see,” the green eyed man greeted.  “You’re still as energetic as ever, before coffee even, Ki-Blaine.”  He blanched momentarily as the old nickname almost slipped past.  

“It’s been about that,” Sebastian agreed.  His eyes raked over Blaine, grudgingly admitting the other man was still as gorgeous as ever.  He tilted his head slightly.  “I’m doing well.  And you?”  His eyes skirted quickly to Blaine’s hands, and noticed the lack of a ring, but he didn’t let the surprise show.  “I am now a proud resident of the city that never sleeps, since about… a week ago.” He took a sip of his coffee, wishing he had a flask of courvoisier to add to his drink.   “New York is busy, but that should be good.  And I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far.”

Sebastian shifted his bag on his shoulder and gestured to a table.  “I was just going to sit, enjoy my coffee, maybe do a little work…if you…” he trailed off.  His brain screamed at him that this was not a good idea; that he didn’t owe Blaine a catch up coffee, and moreover that he shouldn’t be interested in one.  But he was.  He really was interested– even after all these years.  

[blaineyandbowties-blog]

Even though the offer was left hanging, it was easy to figure out, and it wasn’t something he wanted to pass up. They had a lot to catch up on, and it would be great to find out what Sebastian had been up to since they last saw one another, perhaps even rekindle their friendship. Maybe. “I’d love to,” he answered with a wide grin. “Just... ah, give me a minute to order my coffee, and I’ll be right with you.”

Not too long later, Blaine was carrying his drink, sitting opposite Sebastian at the table he had chosen and making himself comfortable, though still keeping a good posture. “I, um... I’ve been doing really well, actually. My career is taking off... or rather, has already... I don’t know whether you’ve heard anything about that during the week you’ve been here?” he asked, then told himself to be quite about that with a wave of his hand. Honestly, he was more interested in Sebastian’s story right now, and he was almost certain that he would probably be thinking the same thing. 

After a sip of his coffee, “But anyway, have you been enjoying your time here? Adjusting to the atmosphere well?” When he’d first moved to New York City, it was unlike anything he’d imagined it to be. Just as busy, just as exciting, yes, but somehow, still different, and it was somewhere he had been wanting to live all of his life, so he couldn’t imagine how Sebastian must have been adjusting to the change of pace.

[theonlybastian]

Of all the Coffee Shops in the World  || Seblaine

Sebastian pulled the door to the coffee shop open with one hand, balancing the cellphone against his ear with his shoulder, as he listened to his mother prattle on, wondering how his first week back in the United States for quite some time, was going.  It was true.  Sebastian had spent the last four years in Europe, France mostly, just outside of Paris, once he’d completed his degree at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC.  Although initially his parents had been disappointed that Sebastian hadn’t chosen an ivy league school, the prestigious internships available at Corcoran had been impressive.  His internship with The Washington Post, his background, and semester abroad had lead to a job in Europe, which had then lead Sebastian back to the US, to New York, and The New York Times.  He’d only been back in the US for a week, but he’d already discovered a decent coffee shop near his house that provided him not only the caffeine he craved, but the opportunity to people watch, and a place to work editing his photos while his apartment was still chaotic and his cubicle at the paper much smaller than he was accustomed to.  

With a final je t’aime, to his mother, Sebastian hung up, stepping up to the counter.  He grinned wide at the attractive male barista.  “The largest cup of your hottest, darkest roast, s'il vous plaît,” he practically purred, delighting in the way the young man’s eyebrows rose in question.  He pulled a bill from his wallet, paying for his coffee and stuffing a very hefty tip into the jar, before he turned and leaned back against the counter while the barista poured his coffee.  Sebastian’s eyes scanned the shop, looking for a nice place to set up for the afternoon, when they stumbled upon a striking, and almost familiar visage.  “Merde,” he mumbled under his breath.  Of all the coffee shops in all the world, Sebastian had hoped it would take time, years even, before they crossed paths.  Although he supposed, living in New York City was bound to increase the likely hood of them meeting again.

[blaineyandbowties-blog]

It had been years since they’d last seen each other. By now, Blaine Anderson was convinced that he would never bump into him again. After all, what would Sebastian be doing in New York? The last time Blaine had heard anything about him, he had been going to Washington to study, while Blaine himself was coming to the City. Even though he couldn’t deny that he actually kind of missed his old friend (was that even what they had been?), especially since he and Kurt had parted ways, it seemed practically impossible for them to ever cross paths again. 

So it was needless to say that seeing the man in the flesh in the middle of an NYC coffee shop had him in complete shock. 

Having just come through the door, he came to a stop, just staring with his lips slightly parted for a long moment. This wasn’t his regular coffee shop, just a place he thought he’d like to check out, and the chances of them bumping into each other this way, especially after so long... slim to none. But still, it had happened. “Sebastian...” he breathed out, beaming in delight only seconds later. It didn’t even cross his mind that the taller man didn’t seem nearly as pleased to see him as he was. “It’s so nice to see you. It’s been.. what? Nearly ten years? How’ve you been? Are you living here now? How do you like it?” It wasn’t long before he realised he was rambling and asking far too many questions for Sebastian to keep track of, his voice trailing off and a blush building on his cheeks.

[stansebbie-deactivated20190213]

AU: 10 years after graduation, Sebastian and Blaine meet again.