Hunter Clarington

Hunter James Clarington. 28 years old. Air Force. Pediatrician. NYC.

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

Sebastian raised his eyebrows as he eyed the phone the other man had pocketed when he approached, and couldn’t help but wonder if it was something else work related. He glanced up when Hunter spoke, actually letting the smirk soften into a small smile. With Hunter right here in front of him, it was easy to focus less on everything that he’d done wrong in the past, and it was easier to think about the sheer fun he’d never admit he had when they were planning and preparing to go to LA for the competition. Teaching the choreography for the songs they performed to get them there, the sense of accomplishment that came with putting their trophy in the display case in the Commons. It all came back to just how much Hunter helped him, even without knowing he was doing so.

“Hey, Hunt. How’ve you been since Saturday? Yeah, I just arrived before you did, actually. That hotel breakfast food is fucking awesome, right?” He teased and glanced back toward the building as he dropped the smile once more. “It is weird, coming back here now. Last time I was here, I hated that clock. But I’m kinda realizing how much I miss that loud chiming at 8am,” Sebastian chuckled, shaking his head as he made a point to give the clock tower the middle finger. He’d preemptively gotten a pack of cigarettes before arriving. A habit he’d kicked a few years back but felt the need to bring back, just for this month. As it grew closer and closer to noon, he felt the urge to pull one out but he could already hear the lecture. “It’s going to be weird walking the halls again. You and I were a dynamic duo in there.”

“Oh. I’ve been alright,” Hunter started, phone in his pocket already. He had had one or two video conferences the previous day. That was, of course, until the director heard the hospital was still contacting him. Then everyone was forbidden to - Hunter was still replying to a few emergency texts from time to time. “Yes, it is. They have a great variety of fruits,” not that Hunter only had them for breakfast, but those were the ones he actually paid attention to. He had woken up at his usual time this morning, exercised, had breakfast and then took a nice shower. He fixed his hair, chose an elegant coat and hoped he was looking presentable enough to blend in with the Warblers again. He had a smile when he looked at Sebastian while the other eyed the building, a very soft one. Just as well as Sebastian remembered the clock, Hunter could point out from that one spot the room in which he questioned his “not even remotely bi-curious” speech for the first time. 

He sighed fondly, rolling his eyes as he watched Sebastian give the middle finger to a building. “It wasn’t that horrible. You should have gone to bed earlier. I told you that several times,” he said, hands sliding into his own pockets and his body turning to look at Sebastian. “I had no trouble with that clock. But the whole football team and their annoyingly loud practices did annoy me a little,” Hunter added with a smile to the corner of his lips, letting himself open a big one when he looked back towards the building. He sighed, his shoulders relaxing a little. He could also point out the place where he had almost broken his arm once because of some stupid dance move and he was pretty sure his feet could take him to where their trophy was - if it was still at the same place, that is. “A dynamic duo? You think? I always thought it was more like... You getting in trouble and me having to come up with something to get you out of it,” he winked at Sebastian, laughing softly and starting to walk towards the place. “Come on. We can feel weird together.” 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

Sebastian sighed as he stepped out of his Uber, really cursing his decision not to rent a car. He hadn’t quite trusted himself with one, given how much drinking he knew he’d be doing while back here, and he stood behind that decision. It was just awfully inconvenient in the current moment. He moved his gaze up to the clock tower that stood in the courtyard, and he was quickly reminded of just how pretentious this school was. 

He shook his head, then moved to sit on a bench to get his bearings before going inside. There were going to be several people in there that he hadn’t seen in years. People he wasn’t entirely sure would want to see him, and he wasn’t sure how he’d respond if certain topics were brought up. Almost as if on cue, right as he was on the edge of calling another Uber back to the hotel, a tall, familiar, attractive brunet stepped out of another car, and Sebastian felt his stomach flip. Hunter was always there for him in ways he would never understand, or even be aware of. He stood after taking a breath and walked over, sliding his hands down into the pockets of his dress pants. “Fancy seeing you here,” He teased, his signature smirk curving the corner of his lips.

@hunterjclarington​

Hunter, on the other hand, didn’t rent a car because he couldn’t bother. He knew most of his time would be spent at the hotel anyway and attending the scheduled events for an hour or so. Renting a car was just too much. He figured arriving on time would do him good - that meant he could leave early, before everyone starts to get too drunk and too nostalgic. He didn’t have anything to feel nostalgic over - maybe a few late nights arguing choreography and song choices with Sebastian. Or maybe the fact that he had both their coffee order memorized because of those late nights. 

It was with that in mind that he stepped out of the car, checking the building in front of him. It looked the exact same as it did 10 years ago, and it would probably look the same for the next 100 years to come. He was checking he ride receipt on his phone when he heard Sebastian’s voice - of course he knew who that voice belonged too. Hunter couldn’t stop thinking about it since their meeting at the bar the other day. “Sebastian. Hello,” he greeted him with a smile, pocketing his phone. “Did you just get here as well?” Because even though it looked like it, there were no other cars around. Maybe Sebastian had brought his own, maybe it was parked somewhere else, but the Captain of the Warblers couldn’t help but wonder. “... This is so... weird,” he said, his eyes eyeing the place. And he wanted to ask Sebastian if he had ever felt like he belonged at Dalton, because Hunter hadn’t. And still didn’t. 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

The more Hunter spoke about his job, the more Sebastian realized just how much everything else in Hunter’s life seemed to revolve around it. He understood the requirements that came with being a pediatrician, especially one that seemed to deal in emergencies too, so he couldn’t exactly fault the other man for it. He just also knew how hard Hunter worked, even back then. To the point he could sometimes neglect his own needs. But he also knew Hunter was a grown man, so it was a grey area he wasn’t willing to argue. “Of course I remember, Hunt. I remember thinking why the hell you were out running so early,” He teased, grinning over at the other man and gently elbowing him. “Not working yourself into an early grave, right?” It was phrased more like a joke, with a playful smirk to back it up, but still something he was slightly concerned about

“Yeah, sure. Consider it compensation for putting up with my bratty ass all through prep school,” Sebastian chuckled, drinking down the remainder of his water before starting to collect his things as well, sliding them into his pockets as he glanced back up towards the flat screen for a moment. He couldn’t make it too painfully obvious that he cared, or that he considered himself closer to Hunter than literally anyone else that ever walked the halls of Dalton. That opened him up to hurt, rejection, sadness. None of those would do. “Yes, it was on the schedule. I’m not the most excited for it, but oh well. Jeff has been blowing my phone up for the last week, trying to make sure I attended. Guess he misses me,” He chuckled, shaking his head slowly. That had been a short-lived sexual conquest in his senior year that was abruptly ended by Nick Duval finally admitting the feelings they’d all knew he had… gross, but he’d had better anyway. “That’s true. I guess at least attending these lame functions will fill some time until we can get back home, right? Might pull me away from my case files for a little bit anyway.” He nodded, glancing towards the bartender, who was absentmindedly wiping counters with subtle glances in their direction. That was when he realized how late it actually was. Damn. “Well, Hunter Clarington. I guess I’ll see you Monday?” 

Hunter couldn’t help the soft chuckle he let out, shaking his head a little as he looked at Sebastian with a smile. “Well, that comes in handy now. Waking up that early. I still wake up at 5AM. Sometimes 6AM. But never later than that,” he shrugged. He had to be at the hospital early anyway and this was the only way for him to be able to exercise before. Yes, sometimes he was exhausted, but there’s nothing some coffee, some swimming lessons and a good night of sleep can’t fix. Hunter knows how to take care of his body - a healthy diet, exercise, good priorities. He doesn’t drink - actually, he rarely does - and he doesn’t smoke - never have, never will. He might have a Red Bull when needed, but only on extreme occasions. Shaking his head, he gave Sebastian yet another smile. “No, not really. I might live a bit longer than expected actually,” he joked, the smile still on his face. 

And what an ass, was the thought running on Hunter’s mind. He finished his own water, bit on the inside of his cheek and then just fondle sighed. Not saying something could sometimes hurt. Maybe that’s why Hunter wanted to scream, or maybe he just really wanted Sebastian to know what was going on inside his head. This would be much easier if the other male could read his mind - if he could simply tell how much Hunter had changed. But the outside looked just the same, maybe a bit more well built than before, and he was just as bad at communicating his needs and feelings as he used to be. There was a look of horror that flashed on Hunter’s eyes when Sebastian mentioned Jeff blowing up his phone with texts, suddenly hoping he had gotten a new number and at the same time glad he had pretty much dismissed all attempts at friendship coming from the blond. “Oh. Well. That... sounds like him. I’m sure it’s going to be a very... interesting night. That’s for sure,” he tried to sound optimistic, but wasn’t sure if that came through. Looking around, he noticed the bar was empty, the bartender pretty much shooing them with his eyes. Hunter stood up, grabbed a piece of paper from his pocket - a business card, because of course Hunter Clarington would carry those - and handed one to Sebastian. “Here, just in case you don’t have my number anymore. It’s the same still,” he pocketed everything else. Phone, wallet. And then adjusted his clothes, nodding at Sebastian. “Yes, Smythe. I’ll see you on Monday. Have a great night,” he added. There was more the wanted to say, but a nod and a smile was all he managed before a wave. The way to his room seemed pretty far that night. 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

Truth be told, Sebastian’s own response surprised him in retrospect. He’d just said the first thing that came to mind, the first thing that felt the most natural. However, he just brushed it off and chalked it up to to his version of sympathy for the other man. However, he did turn back to face the bar, waving the bartender over before pulling his card out and handing it to her to pay his tab with a small smile. He was done drinking for tonight anyway. “Oh, and a water too, please,” He quickly added, smiling at her as she gave him a thumbs up and walked off to the register. “I still can’t believe I’m back here, Hunt. We’re like… really here. in Westerville, fucking Ohio,” He chuckled, running a hand over his hair. He still wasn’t entirely convinced that was a good thing, but it hadn’t been so bad thus far. “So what about you? Still on the same schedule as before? Mr. I go to the gym before breakfast? Only maybe kidding.” He smirked.

Sebastian raised his eyebrows as he waited for Hunter to finish what he wanted to say. Part of him had hoped it was something reminiscent of “I’d like to bend you over the side of the bed and fuck you senseless,” the other part had hoped it was “I want you to bend me over the side of the bed and fuck me senseless,” and then another part of his depraved mind could only imagine how pretty Hunter would look on his knees, trapped between a wall and Sebastian with nothing to do but open his mouth. He cleared his throat softly, the room suddenly feeling that much hotter. Almost as if on cue, the bartender returned with his card, the receipt and a glass of ice water. He thanked her, left a sizeable tip on the receipt and then began putting his card back up as he took a breath to calm himself. Then, Hunter finally spoke, and Sebastian damn near rolled his eyes. Of course it was a rejection. Cock-Tease Clarington unknowingly strikes again. “Mm… well, sounds like your loss, Hunt,” He smirked. “The money works just fine though. Consider this a verbal contract until we get back to NYC. For the record, you’re still just as handsome yourself,” He winked, then started chugging the water, because fuck knows he needed it, if the slight tent in his dress pants had anything to say about it. Hearing Hunter calling him handsome had come as somewhat of a surprise, but he figured even straight men could refer to other men as attractive now-a-days. 21st century, or whatever. When he finished, he set the glass down on a napkin. “So, did you hear about that mixer they’re hosting in the Warbler common room on Monday?”

“Yeah, neither can I... To be honest. I never thought this would happen,” Hunter let himself chuckle. He didn’t specify if he meant this as in going back to Westerville or this as in meeting Sebastian Smythe at a hotel bar. Maybe he meant both. Maybe he wanted the later to happen more than he ever let out. He watched as Sebastian paid for his drink, figuring he should do the same. The night was about to end any way and it was late. “Oh. You remember,” he was caught by surprise while he reached for his wallet, frowning and then smiling at Sebastian. Hunter let himself fondly roll his eyes at him, giving him a smile. “Yes. Gym before breakfast. Sometime I’m on call and that doesn’t happen, so I go before lunch. Or try to. My hospital schedule is the priority now, so everything depends on it. I mean, my gym schedule depends on it,” there wasn’t anything else to depend on it anyway. Groceries? He had those delivered. Hanging out with friends? It happened mostly at the Hospital cafeteria anyway. Hunter kept his smile on though. 

When the woman was back with Sebastian’s card, Hunter motioned to his own, to pay for his own bill. All of that while he thought about what to say. He listened to Sebastian and nodded. Right. His own loss. He knew that better than anyone else by now. The amount of times he wished they could’ve had this talk - the amount of times he wished he could just be open about this. He sighed, reaching for his card and leaving a generous tip as well when he heard the compliment coming his way. “Thank you, Sebastian,” he smiled as he pocketed his belongings again. Hunter knew he sounded a bit more frustrated than he wanted to, but he hoped Sebastian wouldn’t notice. It wasn’t the other man’s fault that he couldn’t just... say it. There was so much more involved, so much more that would happen during this reunion. There was the Lacrosse team too, the Warblers. So much he would have to deal with, so many people that could simply talk about it. He didn’t want to deal with that, not here. Or at least not until he had... a plan. Because of course Hunter Clarington was all about action plans. “Yeah, only briefly. I think it was on the schedule I received? I wasn’t sure about attending, but then again... There isn’t much else if I don’t and this trip completely loses its purpose,” he rambled, explaining himself and then put a stop to it. “Are you? Attending, I mean.” 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

Sebastian had never really liked Hunter’s dad. He’d heard a few things from the other man regarding the pressure he was under, even back then, and it had never sat well with Sebastian. It actually made him happy his father was so absent from his life in a way. Because while that did lead to his intimacy issues, struggling with commitment, and his disdain for any sort of affection both giving and receiving, at least he’d been able to do whatever he wanted when he was younger without too much interference. It made him feel bad for Hunter, even though he knew he shouldn’t. Hunter looked happy. Like he was proud of the work he was doing, and the contributions he was giving back to people. Hunter deserved that, and even Sebastian knew that. “Well, Hunter, that smile on your face is all I care about. So long as you enjoy what you’re doing, you know I support the hell out of it,” He said, offering the other man a small smile before turning his attention down to the glass once more. He knew the bar would be closing up soon, but part of him didn’t want it to. He was quickly realizing how much he missed having legitimate, dare he say, ‘friends’. 

He smirked when the conversation routed back to him, and he cocked an eyebrow at the conversation seeming to move further into his adventures with his business. Was it unethical? Of course. But the truth was, he was there to help people get out of their messes, and in every scenario he’d encountered, they were happy to keep it quiet so long as he took care of their issues. For someone who had sex to connect to others in a way he couldn’t emotionally, it was the perfect setup. He was pulled from his thoughts by a light touch on his arm, and the reassurance that Hunter was okay. “I believe you. I’m not going to sit here and tell you there’s something wrong if you say there isn’t, Hunt.” He hoped that was consolation enough. He’d never been good at that. “However, I think the other people would be a good judge of that deal too, if I’m honest. I can’t say I’ve ever had someone leave unsatisfied,” He said, smirking over at Hunter. “Why? Wanting to find out for yourself before you make a deal? I can respect that, Clarington.” He was kidding mostly, but also throwing out a line. The original plan definitely wasn’t to get to that point tonight, but he’d go with the flow. Even if he was certain he’d get rejected.

That was not something Hunter expected to hear from Sebastian - but maybe he should have. He had always been supportive in his own way, not always the best at showing it but he had always been around. It was a good surprise to hear it, to still be let in like that. Maybe he had missed Sebastian a bit more than he had let himself think about, maybe all those unsent texts meant something more. “Thank you, Sebastian. I do, I enjoy it a lot,” he had the same smile on his lips as before, looking down at his glass of water. He still needed to grab something to eat and it’d probably be impossible to find something out this late here at Westerville, but at the same time he didn’t want to leave that stool. There was so much to talk about, so many things he wanted to tell Sebastian, but he didn’t know how to start. Just being this close to him again was already a good surprise. 

Hunter nodded at Sebastian, giving him a smile. “Good. Thank you,” he said softly and let his hand drop to his own lap again. People would always drop comments about the way he lived his life - his parents, siblings, coworkers. Everyone had something to say, and he was glad Sebastian just let the topic go. He couldn’t help but laugh again at Sebastian’s advances, this time getting a bit redder than before - and he knew that only because he felt his cheeks heating up slightly, which had him taking the back of one of his own hands to one of his cheeks to feel the warmth. “I should warn you...” he started, not really knowing how to finish it. He wanted to say it, wanted to come up with something witty like - guess what, I am very bi, not just curious - but nothing came out. Even after years of knowing it, years of not really hiding it, talking about it wasn’t the easiest thing. Hunter still felt like he was letting people in on a very intimate secret, something that people could use against him - and Hunter Clarington wasn’t the one to just drop hints on how to make him sad. He sighed, the corner of his lips raised up in a very tiny smile that was dropped as soon as it showed. Sebastian was probably thinking he would be scolded or lectured as Hunter usually would do so when this happened in high school. Long lines about how some people are not interested in him and he should just get over it or even questions wondering why him of all people, why wouldn’t Sebastian just leave him alone. There was an episode once, when they were almost graduating, that Hunter almost thought about accepting one of those advances. Of going with the flow, trying to figure out where it would take them. But he backed out last second. “Well,” he started, hands on his lap, eyes at Sebastian again. “I should warn you that my seriousness extends to all of my business deals as well, so unfortunately I won’t be taking your offer. But I’m sure none of them left unsatisfied.” And as if it was an after thought, Hunter added. “You still look very handsome, Sebastian.” 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

Ten years had gone by, a really long ten years. But somehow, it still felt like they were those two awkward teenagers who’d spend hours a week on those leather couches, recording minutes for weekly Warbler meetings that really didn’t mean anything past just being there together. They’d talk about blue on red or red on blue for their ties for Christ’s sake. The memory made him laugh softly, and maybe there were more good memories than bad. Maybe this wouldn’t turn out to be the clusterfuck he thought it would be. “I always figured you’d end up furthering yourself in the military, but I have to say… Pediatrics is throwing me through a loop. Even if I think that’s actually really honorable. Any particular reason why?” He asked thoughtfully, wrapping both hands around the cup to get some sort of calming effect from the cool glass.

He definitely noticed the effects - or lack there of, in comparison - that came from the other man in response to his comment, and that alone caused him to quirk an eyebrow. Interesting. He’d take that as a win for now. Truthfully, he wasn’t expecting much on night one anyway. “Hey, fine, fine. But you won’t find a better defense attorney in all of New York. I’ll take the full price. It is unethical, but people don’t usually complain about the discount. Which, if we’re being honest here, isn’t actually as much of a discount as they think they’re getting. It’s a win win,” He winked, nudging the other man carefully. Hunter was still a very driven person, he could see that. Especially now that he knew the other man was checking his phone for texts from work. “Hey, you know… it’s okay not to think about it right now? I just… I dunno. Relaxing is good sometimes. Some would argue ‘essential,’ but I get the feeling you wouldn’t agree.”

“I thought so too... I mean, I did have my application to the Air Force Academy perfectly set up. I changed my mind last minuted - I can’t say my father was happy about it, but he let me do it as long as I applied through the military scholarship program. Which pretty much means I had to do both,” he laughed softly, shrugging a little again. “I was never on Active Duty though. College took all my time - but it does mean they can intervene and choose where I go to work,” he explained it like he always did. Whenever people asked him about college and his military career, Hunter felt the need to give them details. Make sure he chose both, not one or the other. “To be honest? It just seemed like the right option. It’s one of the busiest floors of the hospital and there aren’t as many pediatricians working at hospitals as there should be. It’s rare to see one that works with emergencies as well. I figured I could help more people that way,” he had a smile on his face while he spoke about his job. The smile of someone who had chosen that life, who was proud of his work, who enjoyed what he was doing. 

The teasing, flirting and Sebastian’s advances would always make him flustered during high school. Hunter would blush, shove him away, tell him to shut up, loose his composure. Mostly because he thought he didn’t want them, a little because they made him wonder if maybe he did. He would never deny his good looks, Hunter Clarington have always known he looks good, but he had always not been the best at flirting. Or even feelings. He has been called dismissive a couple of times - by his colleagues, never his patients - and maybe that could be something he has been dealing with since his teenage years. Sebastian, on the other hand, seemed pretty great at that. Sometimes too great. “I see. Well, I don’t see why they would. Complain, I mean. And if you say it’s a win-win... I think there’s no one better than you to be the judge on that,” he tried to skid away from the topic a little, not noticing he might be getting deeper into it. He laughed again, this time when Sebastian mentioned relaxing and it being essencial. “It is, you’re not wrong. I agree it’s essencial. It’s just not something I need right now. I’m fine, Sebastian,” he said, touching his arm lightly... Not sure why. Out of habit? Reassurance? “Really. Checking my phone has become a habit, that’s all.” 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

“Mm… well, while we obviously had talent, I have to say… it took a real leader to get us there. You were the first to actually achieve that, so you deserve a majority of the credit. But I’m also just going to go ahead and take full responsibility for that bomb choreography,” Sebastian smirked, thanking the bartender as he took the newly made drink and spun it around on the square napkin he’d set it on. He glanced over just in time to catch that smile before it disappeared, but remained poker faced. He wasn’t into the romance, or the whole “most beautiful smile in the world” routine. All he could think about was how perfect those lips would be for… and that’s where he stopped himself. This was Hunter “Not Even Remotely Bi-Curious, but still a Cock Tease” Clarington. He chuckled and shook his head, looking forward and taking another drink from the glass.

When he heard the “New York” part, he sat up a little straighter and glanced over at the other man, raising an eyebrow. “Wow, New York huh? And here I was, thinking it was just me and the theater geeks. I wish you’d reached out, Hunt,” Sebastian said, darting his tongue out to run it along his lower lip. While they had their moments, Sebastian truly had considered Hunter and acquaintance. Maybe even a little more, if he was being generous. They’d been through a lot together at Dalton. “Mhm. I’d totally pick up your case, and I’d even do it for a lowered rate if you promised to give a partial, less monetary payment in advance.” Okay, so he knew Hunter was off the table. That didn’t mean he didn’t like making him go red in the face. He noticed the other man checking his phone, but he decided against saying anything. Wasn’t quite his place anyway.

And there it was. The confidence he knew, the teasing, the little bit of smugness. Hunter couldn’t help but let himself chuckle, giving Sebastian a smile. “Of course. It was all yours. I’m glad we could work together that year and take the team to Nationals. We all deserved that trophy. ... And I have to say, it did look pretty interesting in all of my scholarship applications once I got into the Air Force,” he shrugged again. How could he tell Sebastian that he was glad for their time together when he spent most of it correcting the other man’s actions, lecturing him and pretty much dismissing most of his ideas for the Warblers. Because he was. He noticed that while talking about their win, while remembering the time they spent together sitting in those leather couches in their fancy Academy and coming up with show choir ideas. Hunter didn’t know what to name it - and because of that, he couldn’t really voice it for now. But Sebastian’s green eyes were in front of him once again and he felt himself being pulled in by them again. 

“Oh. I suppose I could have...” he said, leaning his head to the side and wondering why he hadn’t thought about that. “I just figured we were all too busy. Different lives, different cities,” Hunter gave the excuse he had been rehearsing since he had left home that morning. He figured it would be best to say he didn’t reach out because he thought everyone else was busy, not because he didn’t have much interest in do so. He had thought several times about texting Sebastian... But he simply had no idea what to say. A few late nights at the hospital had him typing up several texts and deleting them, never really sending anything. The comment about him giving a less monetary payment in advance had Hunter laughing, shaking his head. Yeah, some things never change. And he was glad they didn’t. “I’m afraid I’d rather pay the full price,” he said, scrunching his nose at Sebastian. He was blushing slightly, not as much as he would during high school. “Or maybe not hire you at all. I heard it’s somewhat unethical to sleep with your clients?” he added with a smile, hoping that would surprise Sebastian. Some things never change, but Hunter Clarington had. At least a little. Hopefully where mattered. He followed Sebastian’s eyes to his phone, smiling and putting it down again. “Work. It’s hard to turn it off,” he said quietly, ordering some water now. 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

Sebastian hummed as he listened, doing his best to seem interested even if he was half thinking about getting a couple beers to go. However, it was obvious Hunter hadn’t changed a bit. The number of arguments they’d get into back in high school because of how things should be done were almost uncanny. Sebastian preferred the more fun route, Hunter preferred the more structured route. It almost had Sebastian ready to slap him at any given time. But there’d also been a level of mutual respect for each other, and Sebastian would even say… a crush. Or, at least as close to one as he would let himself get after getting burned in the pursuit of someone else. He told himself he’d been vulnerable though. Everyone knew how he felt about Blaine back then, he’d practically begged for them to try to get him to re-join the Warblers, and he’d chosen a song for them to sing that would convey a message to him that he wouldn’t hear or listen to otherwise. But, it hadn’t worked, and once again, he’d been left behind. He grimaced a little and immediately downed the rest of his alcohol, then motioned for another. 

“Seriousness, right. I can concede in that regard. You did get us straight to Nationals that way,” Sebastian said, actually cracking a half smile as he watched the bartender preparing his drink. “Busy, huh? What are you out there doing nowadays?” He asked curiously, glancing over at Hunter for a moment before dropping his eyes down to the counter. “I guess you could say that. I’m the bad guy, but the bad guys get paid better,” He shrugged, his words slurring a little thanks to the few drinks he’d had before this little meeting. “I’m the guy you call when you’re getting sued, or running into a liability issue, or tax evasion.” He chuckled at the last part and rolled his eyes.

“Right. Nationals,” Hunter let himself smile at the memory - gosh, he had completely forgotten about their show choir competitions. He was of course reminded of it when the letter arrive, but it felt like it had been so long ago. Almost a different life, maybe even a parallel universe. “You were all talented, there was no way the other teams could’ve beaten us,” he added, taking another sip from his own drink and letting it rest on the counter again. Hunter wasn’t the one to get drunk. His diet didn’t allow any alcohol, his routine pretty much condemned it and he liked to always feel in control of his own actions, but now he wished he had he picked up the habit at some point. It’s not like he had had feelings for Sebastian during high school, he wasn’t even aware of his own sexuality back then, but there was always something there. He always felt closer to him than he felt with the other Warblers. And yes, of course, they fought. Discussions, heated arguments, had to agree to disagree several times... But Hunter still felt that closeness. Calling them opposites would’ve been a great description of their high school days and as physics always like to say: oposites attract. 

“Oh, me? I’m a doctor. Pediatrician, actually. I joined the Air Force, got into college. Two years ago, I was moved to New York,” he crossed his legs, looking down at them as he spoke and then at Sebastian again. He hadn’t kept in touch with any of the Warblers and he wasn’t one for social media, so he wouldn’t be surprised if no one had heard of it. Or of him. He noticed the slurring words, Sebastian’s posture, the drinks that kept coming... He was sure this reunion was probably not bringing good memories forward. Not that it brought himself any nice happy color memories - high school was confusing, stressful, and they all did things they regret. Things he hoped no one would bring up during their time here. “Well, I think I might have to keep that in mind. Doctors do get sued more often than one would expect,” he shrugged, offering Sebastian a smile. Hunter was never one to judge a person on how bad or how good they were and he was not going to start doing that now. “What about everything else?” he asked, finishing his drink and picking up his phone to check on it again, still no messages from work. 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

Sebastian felt the hair at the base of his neck stand on end when he heard that familiar voice come from somewhere either next to him or behind him, he couldn’t be too sure. Perfect. Just perfect. He’d hoped to avoid people from his past for as long as possible, but apparently the universe hated him tonight. He’d learned to forgive himself for everything he did in high school, but that didn’t mean others did, and that wasn’t the kind of reminder he wanted this early in this impending month of walks down memory lane.

He finally moved his gaze up to lock on Hunter a moment later, letting out a soft laugh as he raised the cup to his lips and took another drink from it, embracing the burn in his throat as it went down. “You’re here too? Can’t say I expected that. Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not sure I can, Hunt,” He smirked, elbowing the other man playfully. “Still as serious as I remember. How are you?” He asked, somewhat awkwardly, as he turned on the stool to face the other man. Setting the glass on a small, square napkin, he then leaned an elbow against the counter. He wasn’t nearly drunk enough for this.

-

Hunter watched Sebastian drink from his cocktail as he waited for his to be made, taking his seat on the stool next to his. “I am. I believe I got the same letter as everyone else did,” he shrugged, checking his phone and leaving it screen up on the counter just in case. The nickname brought a soft smile to his lips - joining the Air Force and then becoming a doctor, Hunter was too used to people calling him by his last name now. No one had called him Hunt in years. After high school was done, Hunter suddenly became too busy for anything else other than his college and his career. He wanted to make his parents proud, wanted to continue the family’s tradition of joining the military and also wanted to pursue his own dreams. Of course he made friends along the way, colleagues actually, that were never close enough to have more than a few happy hours at a bar with. 

“Seriousness is the way to success,” he said, shrugging and thanking the barman for his virgin cocktail, drinking from it and making a face at the sweetness of it. “I’m alright. Busy,” he was about to add how he had no idea how he had found the time to be here today, but that would’ve been a lie. The hospital director pretty much begged Hunter to take a few days off, something he hasn’t done in years. Not a sick day, not a day off, no vacations. He would always say he didn’t need any of those, that he would rather work, so when the director heard about this reunion she pretty much bought the plane tickets herself. “What about you? Taking the legal world by storm, I presume?” He remembered faintly something about Sebastian and Law school, so he decided to go with that. 

[hunterjclarington]

sebastianjamessmythe​:

It was safe to say that Sebastian Smythe never expected to end up back here, sat at a counter with a barely tolerable attempt at a cocktail in hand, and his phone in the other. Ten years ago, he’d left the second he received his diploma, and he’d never had one single, miniscule want to come back. He’d built a life for himself in New York. He was a reputable defense attorney with an extremely high win-to-loss percentage, he’d worked with some big names in the entertainment industry, he owned penthouse apartment in Manhattan with a perfect view of the city, and most importantly of all, there was an upscale gay bar just a five minute walk away. He was living every bachelor’s dream.

Everything changed when one day, his personal assistant came knocking on his door with a letter in hand that possessed an emblem he never thought he’d see again. A red, intricate ‘D’ in the top left corner, and an Ohio zipcode next to the return address. He’d almost thrown it away. Left that chapter of his life behind once and for all, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. A week later, he was on a plane back to Westerville with a suitcase of clothes and other essentials, and another full of case files he needed to review for an impending trial. He’d considered staying with his dad, but he hadn’t gotten much more tolerable over the years, so instead Sebastian decided to reserve a room at the same hotel the reunion was being held at for the month. That’s how he ended up here, at a hotel bar with some painfully Heterosexual men around, watching a football game that Sebastian was only really half paying attention to.

@hunterjclarington​

Somethings rarely change - and Westerville seemed to be one of those. Hunter Clarington never expected to be back, never really thought about the possibility. He had moved on - literally too - as soon as his time at Dalton Academy had been done. Joined the Air Force, became a doctor, was then moved by the force to New York. He was living a pretty great life at his own apartment, working as a pediatrician at a major hospital, taking care of lives the best he could. Discipline and responsibility had gotten him there and he intended for those to keep him going for a lot more. When the letter came, it was dropped off on his desk with a lot of mail and he didn’t really pay attention to it at first. Only when he was done sorting through all of it that he noticed the D and opened it up with a frown. 

Not that Hunter despised his years at the Academy, he just wasn’t a fan of anything high school anymore. Years had passed and he was sure the people would’ve changed - or at least hoped they would. With a few books packet, Hunter flew to Ohio the day of, checked into the hotel the reunion was supposed to be happening at, since the only people he knew from that city were his previous school mates, and made his way into the bar in hopes to find something that had no alcohol in to drink and wasn’t deep fried to eat. What he found though, or better yet... who, was a familiar face sat at the counter. “Look more miserable to be here, I dare you...” he said, giving Sebastian Smythe a look before leaning against the counter to get the barman’s attention and order a virgin cocktail. 

[hunterjclarington]