"Kurt, I am willing to do this. I am not married or in a claim. I was, but I'm divorced now and so I have the time. I really don't want anything to happen to Holly, so I am willing to take care of her – and you – until you are able to take care of yourself. Is that agreeable to you?" Blaine asked.

Kurt was still a bit out of his head, but he understood what Blaine was saying to him. He wanted with every fiber of his being to have a strong dom. For whatever reason in his life he had not been granted this one thing, the thing he had dreamed about every day until May Day Pairings the year he graduated. He was grateful for Santana, he'd even come to love her, but it was not the thing he needed most in his life.

His eyes sought out Blaine's, trying to determine just how serious this man was. The last thing Kurt needed was to get into a situation where he fell in love and then found himself abandoned. Did Blaine say he was divorced? That wasn't common at all in this society, so he wondered about it.

"Can I ask you a few questions?" Kurt mumbled out, trying to keep his eyes focused on Blaine's hazel eyes. Blaine came closer and took Kurt's hand in his.

"Of course, what can I tell you?" Blaine said very sincerely.

"Why are you divorced?" Kurt asked.

It was a rather straight-forward question for a sub to ask, but Blaine admired how difficult it must have been for Kurt to gather the courage to ask.

"I was in an arranged marriage and we tried to make a bond for over five years. Arthur, my ex-husband, and I disagreed on a fundamental aspect of our lives. It was a question of a life choice, not something that we needed to work out between us, just a difference of what path we expected our lives would follow." Blaine tried to explain.

He was met with a look on Kurt's face that clearly said 'cut the bullshit'. Blaine nodded.

"I wanted children more than anything, he did not – ever – and was not willing to negotiate or even talk about it. I couldn't live with that."

Kurt nodded.

"I live in Ohio. If we do this, this bond, are you willing to move? Or would you expect me to come back to New York? I don't think a long distance relationship would work...." Kurt tried to smile at his joke, but it didn't work.

"Kurt, I would consider moving if it works out. I travel a lot. I have established myself here, but I would be perfectly willing to discuss and compromise," Blaine answered.

"Okay. Yes, Blaine, I accept your offer, please be my dom," Kurt said, sighing with relief. They were not in a legal claim or a marriage, but more like a trial. For some reason, Kurt felt extreme, utter relief and felt tears sliding down his face. Blaine leaned forward to brush them off with his thumbs and kissed Kurt in the formal seal of a trial dominance-submission bond.

Blaine went to the coffee bar in the basement with his old school chum, Wes, to discuss the situation. They had left Kurt feeding Holly but being supervised by Ellie Sterling, the sister of Jeff Sterling and a nurse here at the hospital.

"Blaine, are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into?" Wes asked, concern showing on his face. He had felt sorry for Blaine, considering the rift in his family and had truly hoped the arranged marriage with Arthur would work out. However, when Blaine had been so unhappy for such a long time, Wes wasn't surprised that he had chosen to end it. Blaine wasn't the kind of man to sit around feeling sorry for himself forever.

Blaine was about ready to answer when he got a text from his brother:

B- judge signed all the papers. You're a free man. Want to celebrate with a drink? It's on me and we can do dinner. C.

C- Thx, I owe you. I'm knee deep in something, can you come over tonight? I might need your legal advice again. B.

B- No problem. You okay? C.

C- Yeah. Maybe for the first time. See you at 7, bring Chinese for three. B.

B – I'm intrigued. I'll be there with bells on. C.

Blaine turned back to Wes.

"Sorry about that, it was Cooper. I'm a free man," he said.

"Wait...your divorce is just final today? Hmm...sounds like fate." Wes gave him an encouraging grin.

Blaine rolled his eyes.

"I know you think I'm crazy, Wes, but really, this feels like the right thing to do. I knew the minute I looked into his eyes, he is the one. Let's just hope he agrees with me," Blaine said.

"Okay, well he is a pretty man, and god knows he needs somebody. I wish you the best," Wes said, patting Blaine on the back and taking another drink of his coffee.

"Now, about his care. You can take him home. I want the baby to stay over night. Ellie Sterling just came on duty, so she'll be Holly's nurse for the next twelve hours. After that, I think you can take Holly home, too. It's a bad ear infection, but I think we can nip that in the bud thanks to Kurt's quick action and the boatload of antibiotics I'm putting in her IV. She's a pretty baby, isn't she?" Wes mused, then looked over at his buddy.

Blaine has a dreamy look on his face. He was really taken with the little girl. He shook himself out of his daydream.

"Oh. Yeah, she is. You know she's Santana Lopez's daughter? You read about that in the newspaper, didn't you?" Blane asked.

"Oh, yeah. That was so sad. Then Kurt? He's Santana's widower? Oh, that's a shame. But wait? I thought you said he was gay?"

"He told me he was, and he did respond to me...I don't know any of the details, though. I guess I'll find out. In the mean time, I better get him home for some rest. You have a schedule for domming set up? I don't want to just guess at it."

"Yeah, sure. I'll have it for you before you leave. Let's get back up there, I need to get back to work. Nicky came in to cover for me when you called earlier, I need to get back so he can get home, can't keep Jeff waiting, you know how they are," Wes said. Blaine grinned at the thought of his old friend, Nicky Duvall. Funny that the whole gang from Dalton had stayed in touch all these years. Nicky had married Jeff Sterling and they lived in Brooklyn.

"Alright, Wes. Thanks for not calling Government Child Services. If they got hold of Holly, we wouldn't see her for months if not years. You know how they are. Cooper has sued them so many times, their lawyer plays racquetball with us now," Blaine said, rolling his eyes.

The two friends walked back upstairs to the ER room where Holly had just finished her bottle and was sleeping in Kurt's arms. Kurt looked up, sleepy himself as exhaustion slowly took over. Wes nudged Blaine and he stepped forward.

"Kurt, I need to take you home. Holly is going to stay the night, partly because she has to stay under observation and partly because you are too sick to take care of her now. Ellie will be her nurse for the next twelve hours, but we'll be back long before then, okay?" Blaine said, taking Holly gently from Kurt's arms. Kurt kissed his daughter, a tear sliding down his cheek.

"Good night, my sweet girl," he said. It was something he had said to his Tana every night for their entire married life.

Blaine didn't want to give the solid little bundle up, either. She was asleep but still had a look of content about her, a tiny smile as if she knew a secret. Blaine rocked her in his arms for a moment, his voice clear and rich as he began to sing:

La la lu, La la lu
Oh, my little star sweeper
I'll sweep the stardust for you
La la lu, La la lu
Little soft fluffy sleeper
Here comes a pink cloud for you
La la lu, La la lu
Little wandering angel
Fold up your wings close your eyes
La la lu, La la lu

And may love be your keeper
La la lu, La la lu, La la lu

Kurt smiled up at Blaine, content to let him take over some things. Kurt knew he was still in charge of his children, but it was nice to see that the curly-haired man was so fond of Holly. Blaine handed the sleeping child to Ellie, kissing the baby's tiny pink cheek before she left.

"She's in room 402, Blaine. Call me anytime if you want to check on her tonight. I'll take good care of her," Ellie said, then turned and left.

Wes handed Blaine the paperwork clipped to a board to sign, then handed him several sheets of instructions.

"Good night, Blaine. Best of luck, Mr. Hummel. I'll probably see you again. Stay off that ankle for a few days, it should be fine. You should actually be able to walk on it by tomorrow morning," Wes said, then he left, too.

Blaine picked up his cell phone: "Jeffers? We're done. Meet us at the ER entrance, okay? Mr. Hummel will be coming home with me," Blaine directed.

Back at Blaine's townhouse, Kurt was able to walk on his ankle with his aircast on it, so he got out of the limo and started to follow Blaine to the staircase in his building.

"No, let's use the elevator, not wear out your ankle, Kurt," Blaine directed. They got on the elevator and went up to the top floor. Blaine inserted a key and the door opened, leaving them in a wide hallway.

"Come in and sit down, Kurt," Blaine offered, showing him the way to his bedroom and pointing out a comfortable chair. Kurt sat down, barely taking in where he was or why he was there. He kept looking around as if in surprise, as though he were looking for something that he expected to be there but wasn't.

"Is everything okay?" Blaine asked.

"Yes, I was just looking...oh, he's in Ohio with my folks," Kurt's eyes looked a little glazed.

"Who is, Kurt?" Blaine asked, although he was pretty sure he knew the answer. He thought if he kept Kurt talking he might get over his anxiety a bit quicker.

"Levi. My son. Levi is always with me, he's so cute and cuddly. He's like my shadow and when he's not with me, I miss him," Kurt said.

"Do you have a picture?" Blaine asked.

"Yes, here in my cell," Kurt got his cell phone out of his pocket and thumbed through the pictures. Blaine could see some he recognized of Kurt's wife, Santana. There were a few of Holly, one of Santana holding Holly and Kurt with a darling little boy on his lap. There were a few of other people, a man in a flannel shirt and baseball cap, grinning at the camera while wearing a very obviously incongruent bow tie. Kurt's lips worked their way into a smile when he stopped for a moment at that picture, then hurried to find the one he was looking for.

"Ah, here he is: Levi. He is holding Holly the day she was born," Kurt smiled again, but this time it wasn't the wistful one he had at the picture of the man. This time it was a father's pride in his son that shone through. Blaine felt a tiny bit of jealousy for a moment but it was quickly replaced by a warm feeling of pride in the man before him. A man faced with all the heartbreak and broken pieces of his life, but still able to function for his children's sake. This, Blaine realized, was a man to admire, and he knew now that if there had ever been any doubt in his taking responsibility for Kurt Hummel that those doubts were now gone.

"Kurt, you know the doctor said you needed rest. Can I get you anything before we take a nap? I don't know when you last ate," Blaine asked.

"Ah, I'm not sure, sir. I need to contact the people I'm staying with and let them know where I am. They might begin to worry if I don't show up. I am hungry though..." he blinked sleepy eyes, but looked stressed at the though of having to take care of all of this first.

"You don't need to worry. Here, let me step out for a moment and get lunch arranged, then I can help with your phone calls. Okay?" Blaine asked and Kurt nodded his agreement. He closed his eyes for a moment and thanked fate for letting Blaine find him. He knew it was too much to wish for that Blaine be 'the one', but it was so good for now.

"I want you to change into something comfortable. Here, I think I have something that might fit you," Blaine suggested and found the yoga pants and t-shirt that Cooper left at the townhouse in case he decided to stay the night. "Do you need help changing with your ankle in the cast?"

"Ah...maybe. I'm sorry, but I don't know if I can manage on my own...ah...Blaine," Kurt said, looking forlorn.

"It's okay, Kurt. I'm not judging you, we all need help from time to time and I'm glad I'm here to help you," Blaine said, standing up again to come and see what he could do for Kurt. In the end, he had to do just about everything as Kurt was on the edge of consciousness. Blaine unbuttoned his shirt, sliding it off his shoulders and then taking off each piece of clothing in turn as Kurt tried in vain to help.

When Kurt was stripped down to just his briefs, Blaine thought he might as well make another suggestion, not sure how it would go over with Kurt.

"As long as you're this far, why don't we get you into the bathtub. Then you can relax for a little while while you wait for lunch. How does that sound?"

"Just a little bit like heaven if I'm being truthful. If it isn't too much trouble?" Kurt asked.

"Not at all. Just rest for a minute and I'll get this started," Blaine stepped out of the room, calling his housekeeper to request that she fix a light lunch of sandwiches and soup. He then went into the main bathroom and turned the water on in the sunken oversize bathtub, adjusting the temperature and pouring in some bath salts to ease aching muscles. He walked back in the bedroom, finding Kurt dozing just where he'd left him in the overstuffed chair.

"Kurt, wake up, honey. Let's get you a bath, okay?" Blaine said, touching his cheek gently.

Kurt snapped awake, looking around himself in confusion. "Holly? Where's my baby? Where's Levi?" he said in a panic and Blaine sat down to put his arms around Kurt to comfort him.

"It's okay. Levi is with your folks in Iowa, Holly is in the hospital. My friend Ellie is taking care of her while you get well," Blaine soothed.

"Ohio," Kurt murmured.

"Ohio?" Blaine repeated, thinking Kurt had somehow lapsed into Japanese.

"Ohio. Levi is in Lima, Ohio with my dad. Not Iowa," Kurt corrected and Blaine smirked.

"Okay, I forgot. Yes, Levi is in Ohio."

Blaine managed to maneuver Kurt into the bathroom and get his briefs off, taking off the aircast very gently and lifting Kurt into the tub so he didn't put any weight on the swollen ankle.

"How's that?" Blaine asked, not sure how comfortable Kurt was with being naked with him in the room.

"Blaine, if you're going to be my dom – at least temporarily – can I ask you something?" Kurt looked over at the man taking care of him.

"Of course."

"Can you get into the tub with me. I'm sleepy and a little afraid I might slip under if I fall asleep," Kurt said with huge blue eyes questioning whether this was overstepping or not.

"Yes, if that would make you feel better. Just give me a moment," Blaine said. He removed his clothing, set out a few towels and two fluffy white robes and then got into the tub. He slid down in the tub behind Kurt, pulling the man so his back was against Blaine's chest. He took a washcloth and soaped it up, rubbing across Kurt's chest and down his arms gently. He hummed a quiet tune to relax the sub, taking care to touch him and draw him into a conversation. Kurt told him about growing up in Lima, about the May Day Pairings and his surprise when Santana had applied for their marriage. Blaine in turn explained his relationship with his parents and the continued estrangement that still existed today.

The whole time they were in the hot water of the tub, they were talking and Blaine distracted Kurt by washing his hair for him and gently caressing him, rubbing his back and legs, keeping almost constant contact between the two of them. This was important in the beginning of a relationship between two people in a sub-dom arrangement because the sub would draw strength from the dom in a steady manner. Having sex was essential and a good way to kick-start a weak sub into health but it was like drinking coffee instead of eating. It would keep you going on the short term, even make you appear rested and healthy, but after a certain amount of time it was not going to sustain you.

This was a temporary arrangement with Kurt, but Blaine wanted to do everything he could to make Kurt well and strong again. He knew in his bones that this is the man he needed and wanted, and he was going to build the proper foundation for them.

Kurt was now lying back against Blaine, with the dom's arms wrapped around him.

"Are you feeling more relaxed, Kurt? Is there anything else I can do for you right now?" Blaine asked.

"No, I'm beginning to get a bit chilled, though," Kurt said.

"Let's get out and go get some lunch then," Blaine offered. He got out and helped Kurt to get out. Wrapping a fluffy towel around his sub, Blaine sat him down on a bench by the wall in the bathroom and patted himself dry, putting on one of the fluffy robes before coaxing Kurt to stand on one leg, leaning against Blaine as his dom dried him off and helped him on with the robe. Before tying it closed, Blaine came close and put his hands inside the robe, pulling Kurt to him and running his hands down Kurt's back. His own robe was open in the front, too, and their skin was warm from the shower. Blaine cupped Kurt's chin in his hand, holding him steady as he placed kisses along the strong jaw and over to Kurt's dusky pink lips. Kurt sighed into Blaine's kiss, his eyes closed and a contented look on his face. He kissed back, never increasing the pressure until Blaine did. He was enjoying the warmth of Blaine's skin against him, his half-dizzy state making it all seem like some amazing dream. Blaine ran his hand across Kurt's flat belly, feeling the muscles just under the skin and then trailed down further as Kurt showed the first signs of arousal.

Blaine stopped then, moving his hands back up to Kurt's hips and finally to his shoulders, then pulled his face away. As much as he wanted to have Kurt right now, the man needed to eat and rest first.

"Let me get you ready, Kurt. Here's a pair of briefs for you," Blaine instructed as he opened a package of new underwear he kept there for Cooper. "Then we can go in the sitting room and eat."

Kurt smiled. He was really hungry.

Blaine made sure Kurt was comfortable on the loveseat in the little room adjacent to his bedroom. There was a small table for eating and some nice overstuffed chairs and a loveseat. Mrs. Rose, the housekeeper, came with a tray and several dishes and plates with covers to keep them warm.

"What do we have today, Mrs. Rose?" Blaine asked, a smile on his face for the middle-aged woman in a bright colored apron and serviceable black shoes. Her long, long hair was braided and pinned up in a bun at the back of her head.

"There are grilled cheese sandwiches made with Jarlsberg and smoked Gouda cheese on sourdough bread, butternut squash chowder, and an assortment of fruit, grapes, pears, and blackberries. I brought your hot tea, Mr. Anderson and a carafe of ice water. Will there be anything else?"

"Kurt, would you like anything else?" Blaine asked.

"No, this all smells so divine. Thank you, Mrs. Rose," Kurt smiled. He had stood up when the woman entered the room and she had nodded for him to sit down again. Blaine was happy that Kurt had apparently been raised with gentlemanly manners and smiled his approval of his sub's actions.

"Thank you, Mrs. Rose. You may come for the dishes at three," Blaine directed.

Kurt made some headway in the first half of his sandwich, but when he started to eat the soup it was several attempts that landed the scalding chowder in his lap before he set his spoon down and closed his eyes in frustration. He was feeling very weak and jittery and just decided to give up on the soup when he felt a spoon touch his lip. He opened his eyes to see Blaine holding his spoon steadily and offering him a bite. The soup smelled heavenly and he was so grateful, he opened his mouth and Blaine slid the spoon in. The smell was nothing compared to the taste, it was by far the best soup Kurt had ever had in his life and he wanted more.

"Thank you, Blaine. I'm afraid I'm a lot weaker than I believed at first, and you are so kind to help me," Kurt tried to smile, but he just looked tired and sleepy.

Blaine gathered Kurt into his side, as he would a child, and continued to feed Kurt his soup, one spoonful at a time until it was gone, then Blaine offered his. Kurt was reluctant at first, but ended up eating Blaine's soup, too.

"Feeling better?" he asked Kurt, patting him on his back.

"Yes, Blaine, I do. Thank you," he said, a weak smile on his lips.

"Okay, then let's get the phone calls done next. Would you like me to help with that?" Blaine offered.

"If you would. I'm so tired....but I need to tell Brittany where I am. Her number is in my phone," he said, looking around for where he might have left it. Blaine got up and went into the bedroom and brought it back. Kurt looked up at him, sleepy and begging for Blaine to take over.

Blaine dialed.

"Hello, Kurtsie!" Brittany's bright voice came through the phone.

"No, this is Blaine Anderson. I am calling about Kurt, however."

"Oh, no...did something happen to him?" Britt asked, concern painting her voice.

Blaine explained a bit about what had happened with as little detail as possible, all Kurt-approved. Blaine had arranged for Jeffers to go and pick up Kurt's things later that afternoon. Brittany was adamant that Kurt come to her place, but when Blaine told her about the sub weakness, she immediately acquiesced to Blaine. Blaine was surprised at her attitude, thinking she was a friend of Kurt's, but Kurt explained that she was really a friend of his late wife and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Probably a lesbian who was a friend of Santana's would not be the most ideal person to dom him right now.

"Now, my dad. He's a tougher nut to crack, Blaine. Maybe you'd rather I spoke with him?" Kurt said, a slight tremble in his voice. He was on the edge of exhaustion and only his love for Levi and Holly was keeping him going now.

"Hello, Mr. Hummel? No, this isn't Kurt. I'm calling about him, though. No, he is okay for now. Let me explain what happened today..." Blaine went on to tell Burt of the sub weakness, Kurt's motivation to get things done and get back to Ohio, even his accident and Holly's ear infection.

"Okay, Mr Hummel. I will call in the morning when Kurt is able to speak to you more clearly. Would that be okay? You have my number if you need to get a hold of Kurt. Alright. Oh, wait...Kurt wants to say something," Blaine handed Kurt his phone, getting ready to end the call.

"Dad, I'll be okay. I promise. No, Holly is at the hospital still, I left her in the hands of a lovely nurse, Ellie, who is taking care of her. No, I didn't hire her, she's a nurse at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Yes, she was fine when I left and I'll see her first thing in the morning. Goodnight Dad. Oh, Dad....no, he's very nice. No, he's taking care of me. No, I'm very comfortable, yes. Dad! You would hear it in my voice if something were wrong, wouldn't you? Okay. Yeah, I love you, too."

It was sometime later when Blaine had spoken with a few more people and was now getting concerned for Kurt. He dialed the phone one more time.

"Ellie? How is baby Holly doing?" he asked in a stern voice.

"She just took another bottle and her fever is down. I think she feels better," Ellie said.

"Can you put your phone on speaker?" Blaine asked, switching his own.

"Sure, okay it's on," Ellie said.

Blaine nodded at Kurt.

"Holly, baby. Daddy misses you, dumpling. Get rest, honey, and I'll be there in the morning. Ellie, can I sing to her?" Kurt asked in a shy voice.

"Of course, Mr. Hummel. I think it would relax her, I know she's missing you, please go ahead, she can hear you," Ellie told him. She wished all parents were so attentive.

Kurt cleared his throat and hummed for a second, then began to sing in a high, clear voice:

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those to love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

Goodnight, my little star sweeper. I love you."

Ellie and Kurt said goodnight, even though it was only four in the afternoon. Ellie wiped her eyes and tucked the baby in her crib to sleep for a few hours until the next feeding. She had already cooled down, her temperature going back to normal and her ear wasn't hurting anymore. Ellie smiled, thinking this Mr. Hummel might be just what the fates ordered for Blaine. She could hardly wait to tell her brother, Jeff.

Kurt pushed the button to end the call, sniffing a bit and trying not to think of what Tana would say about him letting the baby get this sick before he took her to get help. He was so tired, and now he had called everyone required – and Blaine had stepped in to take charge – he felt as if he could take some time for himself and sleep.

Blaine sat quietly, his mind running over what he had just witnessed. This man, this sub, who a few hours ago was on the verge of a coma, had managed against all odds to stay alert and take care of his children in spite of everything life had thrown at him. It was amazing the strength Kurt possessed. Of course Blaine was well aware that being a sub by nature was not an indication of weakness, but that is the way society painted them. No, Blaine knew that to be a sub, to let someone else control you took more strength of character and emotion than the one being in control. It was funny how the two balanced out that way. His father had never seen or understood that.

Blaine looked over at Kurt, his eyes drooping as he tried to stay sitting in the chair. Blaine was amazed at his singing voice, he had not heard such an amazing, clear countertenor voice since he was in show choir and there was one in the competition. He had never seen the boy's face, by the time he was dressed and on the stage, there was no way to tell which of the choir members dressed in black and red had sung the song, but he would never forget it. He sang "Defying Gravity" and hit every note exactly right. Blaine shook his head to bring himself back to the present.

"Kurt, let's get you to bed, okay?" Blaine asked as he helped the man up from the chair and over to the big bed in the main part of the bedroom. Kurt was beginning to fade once again and Blaine hoped that the domming he had done earlier might begin to work, but it looked like he needed more. Blaine sighed. As much as he would enjoy it, Kurt looked too far gone to have sex right now. Well, Blaine could do something.

Kurt took off the robe and slipped into the bed of fresh linen sheets and crisp pillow cases. He was wearing only the briefs Blaine had given him and was a little chilled by the air in the room.

"Kurt, I'm going to get in bed with you and hold you now. I want you to totally relax and I'll be here to keep you safe. Okay?" Blaine said with a firm tone and Kurt smiled.

"Okay," he said.

Blaine turned on some quiet music and shut the blinds and drapes. It was pitch black in the room with those closed and he climbed into the bed next to Kurt. Each step felt unbearably hard to do – he hardly knew this man, but he knew he could do this, he knew he could be the dom that Kurt needed. Getting ready to have to explain and then command Kurt to sleep close to him, Blaine was pleasantly surprised to find that as soon as he got in bed, Kurt's butt nestled its way to Blaine's crotch, his back against Blaine's chest. Blaine wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he wrapped his arms tightly around Kurt's shoulders and felt his sub relax his entire body against him. There was a deep moan from Kurt as he closed his eyes and was asleep in seconds. It took Blaine a little while longer, basking in the warmth of the man in his arms. He moved a little closer and kissed Kurt's neck, the man snuggling back against him in his sleep.

Around six that evening, Kurt woke up. He was feeling panicked and disoriented as he struggled to see where he was but the room was inky black. Gasping and pulling his arms close around his own chest he tried to breathe, but there was no air in the room and it seemed like everything hurt. He was afraid to scream, so the sound died in his throat as he tried in vain to sit up.

"Kurt! Kurt, it's okay, I'm here. I'll keep you safe. Listen to my voice, Kurt and stop struggling. This is Blaine..." he said in a calm voice as he found the switch for the bedside lamp and clicked it on. "Hey, everything is okay. You are just kind of disoriented from sub weakness. Do you understand?" Blaine asked, trying to keep Kurt's eyes focused on his.

Kurt looked at Blaine and his breath began to slow a tiny bit. He was still agitated and pulled at himself, the anxiety of the stresses of the day eating him from the inside out.

"Blaine?"

"Yes, Kurt. Do you remember me? I helped you with Holly. We took her to the hospital, she was sick. Do you remember? You did the right things, you called her doctor. She is going to be okay because you did the right thing, okay?" Blaine kept up the steady praise, hoping the weakness hadn't taken more of Kurt's memory away. He would have to dom him soon, but he had seen the man needed rest first. Well, it had been a solid five hours now.

"Oh....yes....Blaine. You're my dom and I made a month agreement with you. I'm so sorry, sir, can you forgive me? I'm really very confused."

Blaine took Kurt in his strong arms and held him.

"It's okay. Let me help you, Kurt. You know Holly is sick, but is getting better. We can call her nurse to check on her if you would like. Your son, Levi, is in Indiana with your folks," Blaine teased to gauge Kurt's reaction.

Kurt sat up straighter.

"No, not Indiana. He's in Ohio. With my dad and my brother's families. Ohio, okay?" Kurt said adamantly. Blaine only grinned. This was good.

"I do know, Kurt. I know where Ohio is," he smiled and put a hand on Kurt's shoulder. "Now, how are you feeling? Any stronger?"

"Ah, yes, I think so. I don't feel that tingling, fuzzy feeling in my fingers and toes any more," Kurt said.

"Then it must be working. How is your memory? Can you tell me what happened yesterday?"

"I was at the lawyer's and decided to walk through a little park before going back to Brittany's apartment. Holly wouldn't eat, then she was so hot. I called her doctor and was taking her there when the stroller got away as I fell. Oh, that must be why I hurt so much? A limousine almost hit the stroller but you came from nowhere and saved her. I'm afraid mostly after that it's just a jumble. I know she's in the hospital and we are going back tomorrow. I know I was in trouble with sub weakness – I've never had it like that before," Kurt said. Then his gaze clouded over for a moment.

"Kurt, are you okay?" Blaine asked.

"Ah...yeah. I know I entered into a month contract with you. I think there was a hot bath? All I remember was - your arms were around me and I felt so safe. There was food, really good food, and then...you were wrapped around me when I was sleeping, I think. Was that part a dream?" Kurt looked at Blaine with wonder in his eyes. In all his years of marriage and even with Puck, he had never felt so safe, so cared for.

"No, Kurt. It wasn't a dream. I was there, and I'll be there as long as you'll let me. I know this is a month contract, but I look at it as more of a testing to see if I can provide what you need and to see if you are what I need. Does that sound fair to you?" Blaine asked.

"Yes. It does, I don't know what you need, but maybe we can talk about it in the morning?" Kurt asked. He was anxious and it was unsettling to be in the dark as to what would be expected of him. He wasn't afraid like he thought he would be, he was actually feeling quite calm about it. It must be the sub weakness breaking.

"Can we call to check on Holly?"

"Of course," Blaine said, finding his phone by the bed and pushing the buttons. Soon Kurt was speaking to Ellie and getting an update on his daughter. He spoke to her for about ten minutes and the ended the call, looking so much better.

"Thank you, Blaine. I appreciate it so much," Kurt said.

'Ready to go back to bed?" Blaine asked.

"Yes," Kurt said and cuddled under the covers.

Blaine turned off the lamp again and scooted close to Kurt.

"Kurt?" Blaine said, placing his hands on his chest.

"Yes, Blaine?"

"Dr. Montgomery spoke to you about the things you could do to make your sub weakness better. Do you remember?"

"Yes, he said I could use synthetics but they could be dangerous, he could send me to a service, or I could find a dom. That was when you kindly volunteered to dom me for a month."

"Well, he gave me a schedule for the best way to get your strength back. He suggested I do it before tomorrow morning to keep building a steady strength and not to shock your system. Are you okay with that?" Blaine asked, a bit apprehensive. He had only had sex with his ex-husband and it had not really been very satisfying. While it wasn't unpleasant, both he and Arthur were under no false pretenses that they were a match made in heaven. Arthur had been forced to marry Blaine when his powerful father didn't like the boy he was in love with and Blaine had been forced to marry when his father arranged a money and power play with another lawyer in his firm. Blaine hoped with all his heart that he could be the right one for Kurt. He was falling for the strong, intelligent sub.

"Of course, sir. What do I need to do to please you?" Kurt asked in a rehearsed voice.

"Oh, Kurt – we need to talk about that. I know it is conventional for a sub to call his dom either sir or master. I don't really care for that. It is a silly tradition and just brings about unwanted resentment between two people that could have a caring relationship. Is it okay if you just call me by my name? I feel as though you are showing me respect in calling me that instead of the degrading terms sir or master. Okay?"

"Alright, Blaine. I can do that," Kurt said, thinking it over. He agreed with Blaine, but it was a new concept and he'd have to get used to it.

"Would you like to tell me what you want me to do or would you prefer I make the decisions, Kurt?"

'For tonight, I'd prefer you did, I'm so worn out, Blaine, I don't think I can take on anything new like that," Kurt said truthfully.

"Okay. Have you had your Government check-up this year?"

"Yes, and I am free of any maladies. I have my card in my wallet if you..." Kurt started to say automatically with the conditioned response required by law, but Blaine stopped him.

"No, I trust you. I only asked because it's required for me to ask. The other thing I need to know from you are your safe words," Blaine asked.

"Persian means stop. Tabby is slow down," Kurt said automatically. They had to pick the words when they were in sex ed classes in seventh grade so that everyone was familiar with their own. Kurt had been interested in cats back then.

"Persian is stop, Tabby is slow. Okay, I can remember that. I think tonight we will be easy and simple. You are still exhausted and we will do something that doesn't take too much out of you. Let's take off those briefs and see what we have..." Blaine moved the covers back and brought in a small blanket to place on the bed. He indicated that Kurt should lie down on it, then removed his briefs. Kurt got a tingling feeling, but not the numbness of sub weakness, no...this was a warmth that spread inside his body at the thought of having actual sex with another gay man for the first time in his life. It was like drinking vodka, so strong and amazing as he felt his cock harden at the very thought of having the other person enjoy what he was doing to Kurt. It was intoxicating as he saw Blaine remove his own briefs and climb back on the bed, looking at Kurt's body on display before him.

Kurt was beautiful, there was no denying it. He was pale but of a warm hue, not cold at all. His muscles were well developed with years of aerobics and yoga, and his very obvious attraction to Blaine was a seduction all by itself. Blaine was hard-pressed to stay calm. Even in the thin light of the bedside lamp, Blaine knew he had never seen a more beautiful man.

"I want you to stay on your back and relax, okay?" Blaine continued.

He leaned over and took Kurt in his hand, stroking slowly up as he increased his grip then loosened it as he went back down again. Kurt took in a breath. Blaine continued, his own cock hard in his briefs, then Kurt opened his eyes and saw how aroused Blaine was. He tried to lean forward, but Blaine saw what he was doing and placed a restraining hand on his chest.

"Easy, Kurt. Let me..." Blaine said as he lay down close to Kurt, bringing their straining cocks together and slicking his hand with the lubricant he'd placed near his side on the bed.

Tanking both in his hand, he started out slowly, building towards their climax as Kurt began to toss a little back and forth on the bed. Blaine shifted so he could be closer to Kurt and kissed his neck – the only part he could reach. Kurt immediately threw back his head and let a noise out of his mouth like a moan and a whine. The noise wrapped around Blaine's heart and brought one out of his own throat as he was feeling better and warmer and ...ahhhh...."Kurt..." came out in a breath as he increased the friction...Kurt tossing his head harder and moaning more.

"Bllaaaaiiinnnnee..." Kurt shouted as he climaxed and the look on his face of such pure bliss with the sound of his name was enough to rush the feeling over Blaine's body and he followed soon after. They lay in each other's arms for a few minutes, pulled close to stay warm in the chilly room, until both of them were rested enough. Blaine got up and brought in two washcloths and cleaned up their bodies, placing the small blanket in a hamper to be washed before getting back in bed to hold Kurt a few more minutes. He could feel that Kurt was stronger now and smiled.

Just as they were beginning to doze off, an intercom buzzed and Blaine leaned over to pick up the receiver from the bedside table. He spoke to Mrs. Rose briefly and acknowledged something she said, then placed it back in the device and got out of bed.

"Kurt, are you up to getting out of bed? Our dinner is here," Blaine explained. "And we have a guest."