Chapter Four

In an odd twist of fate, Blaine felt like he was back in school, waiting impatiently for the weekend to arrive. Then, finally, Hunter left the mansion and Blaine was had nothing to do but anxiously await Kurts arrival. As usual, his mind was a whirlwind of the many things he wanted to say and ask Kurt. Hopefully Blaine knowing Kurts secret – his biggest one at least – would make things easier for them from now on. He knew it would still be difficult to hear the whole story, and for Kurt to tell it, but this was the point it had come to.

It was nearing dusk, and that was Blaines cue to leave his study for the night. He turned toward his cello, since he couldnt very well leave without saying something to it – considering he knew it was Kurt now. “Well, Kurt, once again I have no idea if you can even hear me, but Ill be waiting for you in my bedroom,” he said.

Blaine took his leave after giving his transformed love a little pat goodbye. He would see Kurt soon and all the secrets could come out. No matter what he learned, Blaine was determined to keep his vow to Kurt: he would save him – one way or another.

The trouble was, he hardly knew what to do with himself as he waited for Kurt, nor could he sit still for very long. He paced back and forth, waiting and waiting until finally the sun set, and yet there was still no sign of Kurt. The minutes dragged along and still his door didnt burst open to reveal Kurt smiling at him. Where was he? It wasnt like Kurt to dawdle, not when there was so much for them to tell one another. Maybe Kurt was too afraid to tell Blaine the truth? No. However hesitant he might be, and Blaine completely understood if he was, Kurt wouldnt run from him. After all, for all he knew Kurt might not even realize that Blaine knew anything. Aside from a few whispered names and a warm presence, Kurt had shown no signs of life while he was a cello. Perhaps Kurt was waiting for him somewhere in the mansion?

Blaine was growing woefully torn. The last few times Kurt had always come straight to his bedroom, so leaving it already might be a bit premature on his part. ..Unless Kurt had decided they needed a break from their usual routine and wanted to have a bit of fun? It all depended on if Kurt was self-aware when he was a cello and, so far, all of the signs proved otherwise.

“What should I do?” Blaine said frustratedly.

Well, for starters, panicking when there might not be a reason to wasnt very wise. They had two whole nights together, so Blaine could wait a little while longer.

“Come on, Kurt. Whats keeping you?” Blaine muttered twenty minutes later.

Blaine was starting to think that Kurts tardiness wasnt intentional. Panic ran through him, and he shot up from his bed with a start. “What if Hunter knows? What if hes holding Kurt somewhere against his will?!” he shouted in sudden alarm.

Where Kurts safety was involved, remaining calm seemed near impossible. But then, running around the mansion with no plan wasnt the answer either. Once Blaine got his breathing under control, he hurried out of the room and down the hall. He went straight for the stairwell -- their first meeting place -- and to his disappointment, Kurt wasnt there. Damn. There went his best shot, but before he went anywhere else, he wanted to confirm something first. He sprinted towards his study and burst through the door to see his cello wasnt in the usual spot. That was it then, Kurt was his cello; there was no doubt about it now. Knowing this did nothing to help find the man in question, though, because he didnt know how Kurt turned back into a human. He assumed it was Hunters doing but that was where his theories ran dry.

Right as Blaine was about to leave the room, something caught his eye over in the corner where his cello was usually placed. At a closer glance, Blaine realized it was a piece of paper and raced over to grab it. Maybe Kurt had left him a cute little love note to start a fun game of hide and seek?

Dearest Blaine,

If youre reading this then youve noticed your cello is gone.
Rest assured this is not a permanent arrangement. This is just to ensure
that you will rest at night like you promised. Dont be too mad at me
now; this is for your own good. You can play it in the morning as usual.

Go to bed, Blaine.

Your friend
Hunter Clarington the Third.

Blaine could almost hear Hunters smug voice as Blaine read his note. Dont be too mad at me, my foot! Hunter was intentionally provoking him.

“Hes truly horrible,” Blaine muttered disgustedly.

Venting his frustrations toward Hunter would have to wait, because what this note told him was that Kurt was somewhere in the mansion, trapped and unable to come to Blaine, and that realization set him bolting from the room.

“Its okay, its okay,” Blaine whispered to himself as he raced down the hallways. “Hunter wouldnt do anything to hurt him. He needs him just as much as he needs me.”

Blaine went to every place he could think of, opened every door, and so far each one was unlocked and void of Kurt. On impulse, Blaine headed toward the workshop next, figuring there was no harm in checking there too. Blaine swung the door opens and his eyes instantly fell on the solemn looking young man who was sitting at the work table.

“Kurt! Oh, thank god I found you!” Blaine breathed with relief.

At the sound of his name, Kurt looked up to find Blaine gaping at him. “Blaine?” he gasped. Blaine wasnt given a chance to answer as Kurt rushed into his arms. Such an extreme reaction disproved the idea that this was all just a fun little game of his. “I cant believe youre here!” Kurt said.

Blaine hugged Kurt tightly to his body, refusing to let go of him for even a second. “Dont tell me you were trapped in here?”

“I wish I could say that I wasnt, but if that were the truth, then we would be making out by now,” Kurt admitted.

Blaine wished he could reply, Well, we can make up for that now,' but there was one detail that he refused to ignore, not even to kiss Kurt. “But the door was open,” he said.

Kurt frowned at the news. “I guess it was only locked on the inside.”

The explanation, while plausible, left one obvious loophole: that Hunter would be careless enough to do such a thing. Yet Blaine was content to drop the issue for the time being, so he could focus on the bigger picture: Kurt was safe and Blaines easy access into the room meant that Hunter wasnt onto them. “I guess so,” he replied.

If Kurt had anything else to say on the matter, then he also apparently thought it wasnt very high priority. He smiled at Blaine in a way that had the young cellists heart racing. All it took was Kurt batting his eyelashes and Blaine moved his mouth ever so slightly so Kurt could kiss him. It started out innocently enough, but then quickly grew deeper. Once again, Blaine was starting to lose himself in his attraction for Kurt, forgetting what he wanted to tell him so badly. It wasnt easy but, when the kiss was finally over, he didnt go back for more. Kurt eyed him curiously; he was obviously confused as to why Blaine had put a stop on their potential make out session all of a sudden.

“Kurt, it was you all along, wasn't it? That spark I felt when I touched my cello for the first time... That was us becoming connected to one another,” Blaine began, stumbling over his words. “What I am trying to say is: youre my cello, Kurt.”

This time Kurt didnt shy away from his question, nor did he close himself off physically. Kurts warm smile in response was very obvious, as was his affection for the man in front of him. “Yes, Blaine; Im your cello. I was before you even knew who I was, or that it was me. Thats why I fell in love with you the moment our eyes met, because I knew you already,” Kurt confessed.

Blaines eyes welled with tears. The fact that Kurt had been transformed into a cello couldnt compare to hearing Kurt tell him that he loved him. “I love you too, Kurt, with all of my heart and soul,” he breathed.

The pair took a moment to let the words sink in before they kissed again. Blaine could barely contain his joy. If only there werent so much left to say, most of which would surely ruin the tender moment.

“I wanted to tell you, Blaine, but I couldnt. Hunter put a spell on me that made it impossible to tell anyone, as a way to cover his tracks. So I kept trying to reach you with all of my love and affection while I was a cello, hoping you would notice.”

Blaine stroked the side of Kurts cheek; he was so happy that he had fallen for such a wonderful person. “I heard you, Kurt. It just took me a while to realize it. Your voice was barely a whisper at first, then finally, in one instant, I suddenly knew it was you.”

Kurt let out a quiet laugh. His eyes were twinkling as he leaned forward to kiss Blaine again. “I have so much to tell you, Blaine, and, now that I finally can, I will. No matter how hard it will be for both of us,” he said.

Blaine sighed, “I wish we could just forget it all and run away together, but life is rarely that simple.”

“Its definitely not for me, as you will soon learn,” Kurt confirmed.

The woeful expression on Kurts face made Blaines heart ache. There had to be something he could do to make this easier for Kurt. Except there was, and Blaine took Kurts hand in his so he could lead him to sit at the table. He was close enough to Kurt to notice his nervous little glances and Blaine sighed at him in an Im crazy about you sort of way. “Im right here, Kurt, ready to listen. Im so grateful that youre willing to do this for me. I love you so much,” he whispered softly.

Blaines light coaxing caused the tension in Kurts shoulders to lessen and he smiled appreciatively. “Thank you, Blaine,” he said.

The fact that Kurt could let his playful side out even in such a serious scenario was just one of the many reasons that Blaine loved him. “For what?” Blaine coaxed.

Kurt laughed, “For being you; someone who is so giving and wonderful.”

“Well, thank you for noticing,” Blaine said with a smile. No more stalling, Blaine, not even to flirt, he reminded himself. “Tell me, Kurt. Im ready.”

“This is a long story, Blaine, and much of it may be hard for you to hear. Your original assumptions were correct; I am Hunters prisoner,” Kurt began.

He had thought as much, though Blaine didnt tell Kurt this. He knew interrupting now would only make it harder for Kurt to get through the entire story.

“It all started two years ago. Back then I was a determined young dreamer who hoped to become a skilled luthier one day. My low birthright and my lack of funds meant such a goal was nearly impossible for me to achieve. I still tried my hardest, though, because what else could I do? I refused to accept that I would never be anything more than what I was born into. I did manage to find a job at a local luthiers workshop, but I was nothing more than a shop boy there, really. Then, one day, my whole world changed when a charming young man nonchalantly waltzed into the shop I worked at. You can understand my excitement when the man announced that he was none other than Lord Hunter Clarington the Third, an up-and-coming luthier extraordinaire. I was awestruck and, if I were to be perfectly honest, more than a little dazzled by his dashing good looks and equally alluring voice,” Kurt said.

Much of what Kurt was telling him sounded familiar to Blaine, because he too had become rather smitten with Hunter during their first encounter, which he was sure Hunter had done intentionally, since it probably worked for him most of the time.

Kurt shook his head, as if he were embarrassed by his actions on that day. “I so badly wanted an escape from my boring life that I dreamily listened and almost flirted with him as we talked together. So when Hunter explained that he was looking for an apprentice, while it sounded too good to be true, I never thought it actually would be. No, instead I let Hunter coax me to accept, but not before I sang to him. Which, as you know, is something I usually dont do in front of others. Hunter was very good; he knew exactly how to manipulate my emotions and he did it so skillfully that there was no reason for me to question his sincerity, or his reasons. Im normally not one to trust so easily... But...” Kurt paused when he apparently couldnt think of a good word to describe Hunters skill at persuasion.

“Hunter has a very good way with words?” Blaine offered.

Kurt smiled, though it was short lived and his eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Thats one way to put it, I suppose,” he said. “Im sorry, its just... I was such an ignorant fool.”

“Were both guilty of that, Kurt, but were not the ones who were in the wrong,”

Kurt smiled appreciatively at Blaine, going so far as to kiss him to show his thanks. He didnt let his lips linger and pushed himself to go back to his story. “So, I accepted Hunters gracious offer to become his apprentice, and I willingly went back with him a few weeks later to live at this very mansion. At first everything was going splendidly; Hunter was kind and generous when it came to teaching me the art of making instruments and, more importantly, how to do it well. I had all that I wanted: I lived in a luxury I had never experienced before, and I was finally able to work without any limitations. Best of all, I had a friend who understood my love for music and also shared my vision for wanting to create something beautiful,” Kurt said. Then, his brows furrowed and he leaned forward, studying Blaine's dazed face worriedly. “Are you still with me, Blaine? Do you need to take a break?”

“Im all right,” Blaine lied, though it was kindly done.

Unfortunately for Blaine, Kurt saw right through the lie. He frowned at Blaine, giving him a stern look that made it very clear he was having none of that. “Blaine, youre actually shaking. If I were in your shoes, I would have broken down by now. Just be honest with me, please,” he begged.

Blaines head drooped in defeat, though he hardly felt like a loser. “Please tell me that Hunter never hurt you... Or...” Blaine stuttered, choking on his words. “...Forced you to--”

“He didnt,” Kurt interrupted at point blank. “Hunter didnt bring me here for his own physical pleasure, Blaine.”

Blaines whole body shuddered with his loud sigh of relief. “Oh, thank god,” he breathed.

“Hes not like us, Blaine; he isnt attracted to men. What Hunter craves most of all is power,” Kurt said.

“I see that now. The power part, anyway. You werent the only one to fall under Hunters spell. Ive never had anyone try to charm me like that before.”

“Me either. At least, not until I met you, Blaine.”

Blaine smiled at him. “Im better now, Kurt, so please continue,” he assured. “As long as youre able to.”

“All was going well, or so I thought. There might have been a little disappointment on my part when I realized Hunter wasnt the least bit interested in me romantically. But it wasnt like I had gone with him with romance in mind; I was there to learn. Hunter used my loneliness to his advantage and thats why I didnt see his betrayal coming. At least, not until it was already too late...”

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~Two years ago~

This was it. Kurt held his breath as he handed over his newly completed fiddle for Hunter to examine and his mentor barely acknowledged his presence once the instrument was in his hands. Kurt didnt mind that, since he wasnt necessarily acting all that calm and composed at the moment. How could he when his efforts for the last two months were about to put to the test?

Hunter continued to ignore Kurt as he quietly studied the fiddle, and Kurt swore he was enjoying his discomfort. Charming he might be, but Hunter Clarington was still a challenging person to live with, let alone to befriend. Still, Kurt already felt indebted to him, so he wasnt about to complain.

“The fiddle is certainly aesthetically pleasing, Kurt, and its a vast improvement from your last attempts. The weight is spot on, as well,” Hunter said.

People who were less acquainted with Hunter might see his compliments as a good sign, but Kurt knew better. If Hunter had any negative comments to make, then he was saving them for last. Kurt refused to react discourteously though, since Hunter was giving him honest feedback. “Thats encouraging, but what about what matters most? How does it sound to you?” Kurt urged.

Hunter laughed, “Oh, that is so you, Kurt; youre all business and no pleasure.”

Kurt sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Give me strength, he thought. “Well, that is why I came here, you know: to work,” Kurt said.

That comment caused Hunter to grin widely as he settled the fiddle against his chin and brought the bow to the strings. Kurt closed one eye anxiously as he awaited the crucial first note. To Kurts untrained ears, the sound that Hunter created was promising, but he knew better than to allow himself too much hope.

“Youre nearly there, Kurt. In a few more years, youll really know your stuff,” Hunter declared.

Kurts heart fell. Nothing Hunter had told him was unkind, or even horribly discouraging. Except that Kurt didnt want to wait a few more years; he wanted to excel now, not later.

“If you say so,” Kurt murmured disappointedly.

Hunter shook his head at Kurt, who was sitting there hunched over with his hands in between his legs. “Rome wasnt built in a day, Kurt,” he quoted.

Kurt rolled his eyes at him. How could he be so good at charming people but be so bad at encouraging them? “A fiddle is a bit smaller than a whole civilization, Hunter,” he said.

After playing a few bars of a simple tune on the fiddle, Hunter placed it gently on the table next to Kurt. He took a seat on the opposite side and put his hand on Kurts shoulder, making sure to make the contact brief. “Kurt, my good man, perfection in music is a very hard thing to obtain. Why do you think Ive committed my entire life to it? Music is ever changing, just like the rest of the world. We are entering the age of industry, Kurt; did you really think it would be that simple?” Hunter asked.

As much as Kurt hated to admit it whenever Hunter was right, he was acting childish. Kurt was no stranger to being let down when hed faced so much opposition in his life. “No, of course not.”

Hunter smirked, daring to move a bit closer so he could drape his arm over Kurts shoulder. “Do you remember what I told you when we first met?” he whispered in Kurts ear.

Kurt gulped. He had said a lot of things, but Kurt didnt need any clarification. “You said I could help you bring your finest creation to life,” he said.

“And what was that creation again?”

Kurts heart was racing. What was Hunter doing? He didnt need to act this way to get Kurt to help him. “A cello,” he breathed.

“Yes, a beautifully crafted violoncello. That is what I want to create. Such a goal has evaded me; every I attempt I made only created sub-par failures, but now, thanks to you, Kurt, the time has come that I am finally ready to make my dream a reality.”

Kurts mind was reeling; he felt lightheaded and dizzy. He glanced shyly at Hunter, whose voice sounded so deep and cultured that he couldnt resist swooning. He shrugged off Hunters arm, but didnt move away since he didnt want to offend him. “Why me, exactly? Why am I so important?”

“Will you help me, Kurt?” Hunter asked, bypassing Kurts question altogether.

“Yes,” Kurt answered before he could even stop and think. He blinked in surprised; what was happening? Why did it feel like the whole room was spinning all of a sudden?

“Very good, Kurt. Now, close your eyes,” Hunters entrancing voice ordered.

Once again Kurts body acted on its own and he closed his eyes without question. Hunter began murmuring something under his breath so quietly that Kurt couldnt make out what the words were. His voice calmed Kurts nerves and he felt so peaceful, like he was floating on air, until the pleasant feeling was pulled out from under him and hands suddenly closed around his neck. Kurts body froze, his eyes opening to see Hunter grinning at him wickedly. The look sent shivers down Kurts spine as he quickly discovered he couldnt move his body and he realized that his paralysis wasnt just due to fear.

“Oh, Kurt, you poor trusting fool. Youre about to learn what happens when you make a deal without reading the fine print,” Hunter said.

Hunters hold around Kurts neck kept him from speaking, but it wasnt tight enough to hurt him. Yet he was still unable to break free and that set off warning signals in his brain. What was going on?

Hunter stared deep into Kurts eyes. “You should really thank me, Kurt; Im about to make your wildest dream come true...” he whispered.

Finally Hunter released his hold on Kurts neck and he staggered back choking. Kurt glared at him, about to yell when a sharp pain struck him, causing him to collapse to the floor. “What? What have you done to me?”

Hunter stepped forward, over Kurts fallen body. “I told you: Im giving you what youve wanted all along.”

Kurt cried out in pain. His neck felt like it was burning from the inside out and he went to touch it when another jolt of pain hit him. His body pulsed and flailed as new levels of pain coursed through him. It felt like his insides were turning to stone. No. Wood. There was nothing Kurt could do to save himself, his vision already starting to blur. He could faintly make out the sound of Hunters cruel laughter before everything went black.

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Blaine was shaking again, this time because of an intense wave of anger towards Hunter, who he had considered a friend. “Hunters a mage,” he said, and it wasnt a question.

“Its worse than that, Blaine. Hes an unregistered mage, and that makes him far more dangerous,” Kurt replied.

“Because theres nothing to stop him from going against the laws of magic... or nature,” Blaine finished for him.

Kurt nodded. He didnt bother to say anything, probably so they could both have a moment to let the reality of their situation sink in. “Blaine?”

Blaine blinked back into awareness. In his inner struggles, hed forgotten what really mattered to him – or, rather, who: Kurt was right there in front of him, looking worried. Blaine smiled lightly at him, putting a pause on his resentment towards Hunter to reply. “Sorry there, love; its just so hard to accept what Hunters done to you,” he said.

Kurt snuggled up to him, their shoulders touching as Blaine slipped his arm behind Kurts neck. He took a deep breath as Kurt rested his head on Blaines shoulder, and he in turn pressed his cheek against Kurts head. Kurt smiled as Blaine laced their fingers together, solidifying their love for one another.

“What can we do to stop him?” Blaine whispered.

“I dont know.”

Another pause, though Blaine knew he couldnt stall for very long. “I made a vow to save you, Kurt,” he admitted softly.

Kurt smiled, even when he couldnt see how he was blushing. “Yes, I know. I heard you. It was very valiant of you, and romantic, of course.”

Blaine sighed, “Or it would be, if I could do anything to see it through.”

Without any warning Kurt slipped away from Blaine and, before he could ask what he was doing, Kurt sat down on Blaines lap. Blaine sputtered with surprised delight and embarrassment while Kurt giggled in response. He draped his arms over Blaines shoulders and smiled in approval when arms wrapped around his waist in response to help keep him in place.

“Youve already saved me, Blaine, in far more ways than you realize,” Kurt said.

At first Blaine was too busy dealing with the fact that Kurt was sitting on his lap to react to what he was saying but, when his words finally registered, a giddy smile spread across his face. Kurt, who looked too adorable for words, was grinning back at him with sparkling eyes that were saying Come on, ask me how. You know you want to. He did, of course, so Blaine knew exactly what his role was in this instance. “Please tell me more; you have my undivided attention,” he said.

Kurt smiled, his playful expression dwindling ever so slightly, but it was still there and that was all thanks to Blaine. “Hunter underestimated the complexity of the human soul. His spell ended up working too well; my spirit slowly started to fade. I have no memories of when I am a cello, so the first thing I remember after Hunters betrayal was waking up feeling like I was close to death. I soon found out thats exactly what had happened. Hunter was far from amused and I think he resented me for it. Like it was somehow my fault that Id nearly died,” Kurt said angrily.

“Did he even tell you what had happened?” Blaine asked.

“Not at first. I had an idea, but he didnt explain anything until hed come up with a solution to our little conundrum, as hed put it. Thats when he finally told me that I needed to revert back to my human body periodically to keep my spirit alive. If I remained as a cello all of the time, like before, my soul would fade away to nothing and, of course, we couldnt have that. My spirit needed to be kept in tact so it would be present enough when I was played, thus creating a sound like no other,” Kurt explained.

Blaine fought to keep his anger toward Hunter at bay since it would do him no good right now. Hed much rather support Kurt anyway, so he just smiled at him in encouragement and hoped it was enough.

Kurt smiled back at him lovingly. “Hunter struck a deal with me, when really I had no say in the matter at all. He would turn me back into a human whenever he left the mansion. It was a good try, because it gave me just enough freedom to remain passive, or so he thought. Then, as a reward for my good behaviour, he allowed me to work on making instruments in his absence. I never put up a fight, because I knew it would be pointless to try. I just came to accept my fate and make the most of my situation. No matter how positive I tried to remain, I grew terribly lonely. Then Hunters trips away from the mansion became more frequented and started to last longer, too. I knew something had to be up and I waited for the chance to ask Hunter what was going on. That came one day when he didnt end up turning me back the next time he returned home. Hunter, it seemed, had decided to tell me his plans on his own accord, and he made it clear I should feel grateful for that. All I did was hold my tongue as he told me that there was a worldwide competition for luthiers, where they would showcase their work at a grand concert. Finally, here was a way for Hunter to validate his worth and show it to the whole world.”

Blaine could guess how excitedly Hunter had thrown himself into the task, taking Kurt along with him. God, he wanted to hate that man, and in many ways he did, but hating him wouldnt do either of them any good. Also, if it werent for him, then he and Kurt would have never met, so nothing pertaining to Hunter could ever be that simple.

“Hunter stayed at the mansion for the next few months, no doubt to make sure his spells were foolproof and undetectable. He was almost bouncing with joy when he turned me into a human again; it was an eerie sight. Weve finally done it, he told me. Wed passed the qualifications with flying colours...” Kurt said, mimicking Hunters speech patterns in attempts to mock him.

Blaine frowned. That was so like Hunter; he only valued the importance of others when they served his purpose. Even then, he treated them more like tools than equal partners, and he did so with a charming smile on his face all the while. “I take he set off to find his perfect cellist soon after this?” Blaine questioned.

“Actually, hed already found you by that point. Right before he left, Hunter nonchalantly informed me that hed found a man worthy of playing me. How did he put it…? He said that he ‘was just my type; my perfect match' and that I would love him instantly.”

The hint of amusement in Kurts voice told Blaine that it would be alright to joke around a little, so he rolled his eyes in response. “I bet he did,” he muttered sarcastically.

Kurt smirked at him and stopped to give him a quick peck on the lips. “For the record, he wasnt wrong about that,” he said.

Bless Kurt and his ability to make even the most difficult conversations have just enough humour to make them bearable. Blaine buried his face in Kurts neck, kissing his soft skin as a show of gratitude. He was mindful enough to stop himself before it could get out of hand.

“Why dont you tell me how that first meeting with Hunter went? It would give me a chance to rest my voice,” Kurt said.

Blaine was fine to take the conversation over for a spell and he told Kurt a basic summary of his first encounter with Hunter back at Dalton. Kurt was a good listener and, when the story was finished, he was ready to continue on with the remainder of his own story.

“Up until your arrival, Hunter allowed me to be human for the entire day, but obviously it would be too risky for him to continue that deal once you came to live in the mansion. Especially since Hunter would not be there to see to it that I behaved. I still needed to be turned back into a human every now and then, to keep the sound Hunter to badly wanted his greatest instrument to have, of course. The difference was that I would only revert back on the nights of Hunters absence and I was forbidden to approach you,” Kurt explained.

“A lot of good that did,” Blaine said with a smirk.

The beautiful sound of Kurts laughter filled the room, captivating Blaine in ways that no one, not even Hunter, had managed before. Blaine couldnt keep himself from leaning forward and kissing Kurt passionately. Kurt reciprocated instantly, pressing his body close to Blaine's as he opened their mouths up wider.

“Dont you want to hear how you saved me, Blaine?” Kurt murmured between kisses.

Blaine did indeed, so he reigned his rising libido back in for the time being. He could wait, especially for good old fashion romance. “Im all ears,” he said.

“I was living half a life, Blaine, and it was barely even that. Worst of all, I was slowly losing my will to live. Hunter had no idea, he thought letting me be human while he was gone was enough, but it wasnt. To sum it all up, my world was like when I was a cello: black, lonely, empty, and without any meaning. I wouldnt bow down and submit to the likes of him, because Kurt Hummel surrenders to no one. I wanted to sabotage Hunters plans somehow, but all of that changed in an instant with one little spark and my world was suddenly turned upside down. That spark was you, Blaine, when you touched me for the first time while I was a cello, you gave me back that spark of life. You chased away the darkness, filled the emptiness in my heart, and renewed my will to live. An instant connection formed between us then, and I suddenly became self aware; I could hear your voice, feel your warm presence... And that, Blaine, is how you saved me from a fate worse than death,” Kurt finished.

Blaine tilted his head forward so he could rest it on Kurts shoulder; he was done, the emotion welling up in him was too much to take. Hed felt so powerless, so unable to do anything to help Kurt that hed never considered the idea that there was anything positive that he had done. “Im so glad I met you, Kurt,” he breathed. It was the only thing he could manage to say that fit.

“We were meant to meet, Blaine, and I know without a doubt that we were destined to be together,” Kurt said.

Their dire situation was not forgotten, it was just momentarily ignored so that Blaine and Kurt could celebrate their intense love for one another. Against all odds, they had found each other and knew that they had already gained so much just from having one another in their lives.

“For the rest of our lives,” Blaine added softly. He knew that such a promise was impossible to make at this point and yet the sentiment behind that vow and the chance to say it was very needed.

Kurt cupped the sides of Blaines face. “I love you so much, Blaine,” he cooed.

Blaine moved his face closer to Kurt, who closed his eyes in anticipation for yet another enjoyable kiss. “I love you, too,” he whispered before pressing their lips together.

Romance was all fun and good, but this was something Blaines entire being craved. Physical affection of this type, one based on intense sexual attraction that was mutually felt by his partner, was something Blaine thought hed have to wait years to experience – if at all. Yet here he was: sitting with the love of his life on his lap, giving it his all. Kurt appeared to be on board with the frantic pace they were climbing towards, too. Blaine had no doubts, not when Kurt went so far as to straddle him. Blaine let out a quiet moan, shuddering with pleasure as Kurt moved his hips forward in a thrusting motion. In his enthusiasm, Blaine, who was busily sucking lightly on Kurts neck, nipped him gently.

“Blaine!” Kurt gasped.

“Too much?”

“Not enough!”

Kurt then went so far as capture Blaine's bottom lip with his teeth, the show of passionate aggression sending Blaine over the edge. There was still so much to be said between them, so much in their way. Not just Hunter, but the whole world and, yet, for one fleeting moment, the pair wanted to forget all that and just be together. Blaine couldnt save Kurt from Hunters clutches, at least not yet, but he could do this. He could give Kurt the pleasure he craved so badly and deserved. He didnt feel guilty, not when being with Kurt like this felt so right to him.

“We still need to talk,” Kurt managed to finally to point out.

“We will. Just later...” Blaine growled. “... Much, much later...”

Kurt made no protest, just went back to kissing him and running his hands up and down Blaines back. “Tomorrow!” he barked.

Blaine clamped his hands on Kurts waist to help him set the proper rhythm, his upward thrusts finally giving just the right amount of friction. Their groins rubbed together, making it very clear the pair were really turned on and equally aroused. Luckily for the both of them, the boys were too swept up in the moment to become embarrassed. The urgent need for release drove them onwards, as did their sensual moaning. Blaines whole body throbbed with need, his cock most of all. It wouldnt be long now, not with how well their bodies fit together.

“Oh, god, Kurt! Im so close!” Blaine yelled.

“So am I. I cant stop myself!” Kurt panted. “It just feels so good!”

A sudden rush of pleasure surged through his body and Blaine snapped his head back to shout out Kurts name as he climaxed. Kurts own orgasm followed a moment later and, when it was over, he slumped into Blaines arms, spent. Blaine knew the feeling. The hazy aftermath of release made him feel giddy and light headed. He was grinning ear to ear and started to chuckle under his breath.

Kurt lifted his head just enough so he could eye Blaine playfully. “Do you find something funny?” he teased.

Blaine fought to get his laughter under control, but Kurts adorable face wasnt helping, until his scowl made it easier to manage. “Im just so happy, Kurt! That was amazing!”

Kurt joined in on Blaines contagious joy and laughed, “It was, wasnt it?”

Blaine was done with laughing and what he wanted instead was a deliciously naked Kurt splayed out beside him on a bed, moaning with pleasure from the many erotic things Blaine was doing to him. He hoped Kurt wanted this too and, if he could only have the courage to ask him, the rewards could be great indeed. After a quick moment of thought, Blaine decided hed forgo words in favour of showing Kurt with actions. Kissing always got them in a randy mood and maybe this time they wouldnt have to stop themselves. So Blaine kissed Kurt and he showed every sign of wanting the same things Blaine did, until he pulled back all of a sudden.

“Wait, Blaine, can we stop for a second,” Kurt muttered urgently.

Blaine wanted to shout out no, but he didnt. It wasnt easy for Blaine to put a stopper on the sexual tension between them. Only his love for Kurt made it possible, because he would never forgive himself if Kurt felt pressured in any way. “What is it, love?” Blaine asked, hoping he wouldnt ask him to stop completely.

“I want to go to your room, this bench is hardly comfortable to go any further,” Kurt explained.

It was always hard for Blaine to think straight whenever Kurt used that tone of voice on him. His mouth fell open as his brain short-circuited for a split second, which allowed Kurt to slide off of his lap. Blaines momentary lapse only lasted a minute and soon he was up on his feet and grinning giddily at Kurt. “Then what are we waiting for?” Blaine shouted exuberantly.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Although Kurt wasnt immune to sexual desire, the thought to act on such urges had never seriously crossed his mind before. For one thing, Kurt didnt know the first thing about sex when it involved two men. In his case, there wasnt really a way for men of any age to learn the intimate details, at least not without the risk of exposing themselves in the process. While others had dared, the dangers were too high for Kurts blood and so hed remained hopelessly ignorant; doomed to live his day out as a virgin. For the longest time Kurt thought the momentous day to lose it would never come, but oh how wrong he had been – not that he was complaining. Against all odds, Kurt was about to dive head first into the art of making love and he was both happy and nervous about it. On the one hand, he was almost relieved that Blaine was just as inexperienced, because it put them on even ground. Sure, that meant neither of them knew what to do exactly, though really, what was there to know? Already Kurts body seemed to know what it was doing and what worked and what didnt, as did Blaines.

Their quick sprint to Blaines bedroom was over in a flash and the boys hurried over to the bed without delay. This suited Kurt just fine, since it left little room for thought. Overthinking in this instance wasnt a good idea, so he let his instincts and hormones take over.

Blaine, who had become quite good at finding Kurts erogenous zones over their last few meetings, was starting things off quite well, too. He guided them both to sit on the bed, pulling Kurt in close to kiss him passionately. He brought his hand to clasp the back of Kurts neck as he used just enough tongue make things interesting. Kurt kissed him back eagerly, doing everything he could to encourage Blaines efforts with foreplay.

Kurt moaned as Blaine's hands stroked the sides of his body, making him shudder.

“Theres far too much clothing between us,” Blaine growled.

“That can be easily dealt with,” Kurt murmured back.

The couples urgent disrobing was hardly graceful, but they did manage not to rip anything as their clothes were hurriedly tossed aside. It was a good thing that Kurts normally sharp mind was on the back burner, or he might have realized the significance of what they were doing. Luckily for him, all it took was one look at Blaines naked frame and his mind went blank. Kurt felt thirsty and he licked his lips absentmindedly as he took in the sight before him. Blaine in turn was too transfixed on Kurts nude state to become bashful over the glazed expression of hungered desire directed at him.

Blaine gulped, his shaking hands reaching out to gently caress Kurts stomach, as if unsure that the boy before him was even real. Kurt knew how he felt; since their first meeting -- no before that even -- Kurt had thought he would be doomed to only love Blaine from afar, never getting to tell him how he felt, let alone ever being able to act on those feelings. If it werent for the fact that Blaine was right there with him, kissing him enthusiastically, he wouldnt believe it was about to happen.

Blaines lips gravitated away from Kurts mouth to start decorating his neck with sweet little kisses while his hands explored his naked torso. Kurt realized that it all felt familiar to him, the sensation of Blaines hand touching him, coaxing his body to respond, but in a completely different way. Blaine was caressing his skin, not the smooth wood of his cello form, and the sounds Kurt made in response werent remotely close to classical music. The biggest difference was that Kurt was finally able to participate and give back.

Blaine kissed Kurts right shoulder. “Youre so beautiful, Kurt,” he murmured softly.

“So are you,” Kurt said.

Blaine smiled and whispered, “I love you.” Then he moved back in on Kurt to set the mood again.

Words of love were all well and good, but Kurt didnt want to just whisper sweet nothings into each other's ears and, bless him, Blaine was doing so much more than that. Blaine kissed him, over and over until he lost count and track of his own hands. Blaine kissed and licked his skin, never settling on one spot for long. Spontaneity when it came to sex sure was something else. Though, as much as Kurt was enjoying the attention, there was something tugging at his brain, a certain urge he wanted to satisfy. A lack of confidence held him at bay at first, until he felt Blaines hard cock pressing against his thigh. This was it; it was now or never. Without warning, Kurt took the initiative and pushed Blaine down on the bed, pinning him in place.

Blaine blinked in surprise, but his bewilderment was clearly based on excitement and not alarm if his giddy grin was anything to go by. “Whats gotten into you all a sudden?”

Kurt smirked at him. “Youre so good to me, Blaine, and while I do adore your giving nature, you get to play with me all day. I want my turn Blaine. I want to make you feel just as good,” he explained.

Blaine raised an eyebrow. “I wasnt playing with you then, Kurt! You were a cello! I was practising my music! Thats hardly the same thing as sex!”

“Are you sure about that?”

Blaine rolled his eyes, as if to say why are we having this discussion now?, which he probably was. Blaine might be chatty, but he was still a twenty-year-old man whose painfully hard erection was making it difficult to concentrate long enough to hold a conversation. Blaines hand trailed downward to brush against Kurts groin. It was a dirty tactic on his part, but it did the trick.

Kurt hissed in response, though he sounded more turned on than annoyed. “Dont you want your lover to ravish you, Blaine?”

Blaine grinned, his look saucy and lustful. “Well, when you put it that way. Do what you will with me, I am your... Instrument.”

Kurt started by kissing him with so much enthusiasm that it would have stopped anyone from talking. Blaine kept his arms at his sides as Kurt spread himself out on top of him, happy to allow his lover to call the shots. Kurt rubbed his body against Blaines, nipping and licking along his collarbone teasingly. Blaine took hold of Kurts right hand so that he could lace their fingers together. Kurt heard Blaines soft moans of pleasure and he grinned proudly. The boost of confidence made it possible for him to continue downwards, right to Blaines glorious chest.

Blaines busy hands travelled down the small of Kurts back to squeeze his tight buttock. “Kurt,” he murmured, watching Kurt as he moved his mouth down along Blaines stomach, his teeth lightly grazing his skin.

All was going well, until Kurt neared Blaines hips He couldnt help it, as much as he wanted to act mature, he was still a young man who hadnt touched another mans cock before.

“Dont be shy now,” Blaine said.

The playful tone of his voice worked wonders for Kurt and he took hold of Blaines cock without further hesitation. Blaines whole body tensed from the contact, which reminded Kurt how hard they both were, so slow and lazy love-making would have to wait until they were a bit more sated. There was only one thing stopping him from having his way with his lover, one he couldnt put aside.

Blaine, who was becoming very talented at reading Kurts body cues and facial expression, noticed his slight hesitance straight away. “What is it, love? Are things moving too fast for you?” he asked worriedly. “Because we can stop if thats what you need to do.”

Of course Blaine would ignore his own needs and go so far as to deny himself release in favour of making sure Kurt was comfortable. Kurt shook his head and went back to gently pumping Blaines cock to add further assurance. “No, its not that. I dont think we should do any sort of penetration tonight, Blaine. I dont want to end up hurting you,” he explained.

Blaine smiled warmly at Kurt despite the attention his cock was getting, which was quite impressive. “I think thats a very good idea. We dont need that type of pressure. It goes without saying that we might know the basic fundamentals of what sex is like for two men, but I have no idea what to do when it comes to anal sex, so lets not worry about that. I dont want to hurt you either,” Blaine replied.

Now that the boundaries were set, there was nothing left to say, which suited Kurt just fine as he moved his hand down to give Blaines cock a few more teasing strokes. Still on top of Blaine, he shifted himself until their hips were aligned so there was just enough friction between their cocks. Blaine was quick to match Kurts frantic pace, ramming against each other and inching them both towards release. It was a little clumsy but neither boy bothered to care, not when they were so close to orgasm.

Kurt shuddered. It felt so good, with Blaine underneath him, moaning and sweaty and giving his all to get them to the finish line. Blaines hands grabbed onto Kurts hips, pushing in time with him as he snapped them forward.

Kurt buried his face in Blaines neck; he heard Blaines heavy breathing, along with his own raspy breaths. The pleasure building in his body was almost too much to take, and then his limit was finally reached. Kurt came, hard and fast, his toes curling, swearing loudly under his breath as he rode the current until he was finished. Drained, he collapsed on top of Blaine, unable to speak or even see clearly. Eventually his motor functions returned and Kurt turned his attention to Blaine, who had a glazed expression on his face. Oh, no. In the heat of the moment Kurt had forgotten about Blaine and if he had come himself yet. Blaine seemed to be as worn out as he was and all it took was a glance downward to see the physical evidence that Blaine had achieved orgasm too. Kurt blushed, relieved, because he doubted he could gather enough energy to finish him off.

He attempted to roll off of Blaine to get them both a little breathing room, but Blaine refused to let go. His arms remained around Kurt, his grip tightening to keep his body firmly in place – not that Kurt couldnt have broken free if he wanted to.

“No,” Blaine growled possessively. “Dont you dare.”

Kurt rolled his eyes. “Im not going anywhere,” he muttered.

They laid together for a while, content to cuddle together on the bed. It would have felt quite romantic, Kurt thought, if it werent for the hot and sticky state his body was in. Oh well, with Blaine up close and personal, such things were easily dismissed and forgotten. He stroked Blaines chest affectionately. It was funny but he really didnt feel any different. He was happy, yes, and tired, but he was still the same person he had been minutes ago. He still loved Blaine with an intense passion and sharing his body with Blaine had only reaffirmed their special connection. This was how he always dreamed sex would be for him: meaningful, pleasurable, and without regret.

A short while later, Blaine stirred from underneath him and he used his hands gently coax Kurts body to respond. Kurt kissed Blaine as his lover guided him into a sitting position, happy to let Blaine manipulate his body when what he was doing felt incredible. Blaine nibbled on his earlobe playfully while his hands glided down Kurts sides, the light contact of his fingertips over his skin making Kurt shudder.


“So...” Blaine began, pausing to kiss Kurts lips teasingly. “... Is it finally my turn now?”

“Oh dear god yes please,” Kurt responded in a single breath. He was anxious to start things off again and, bless him, Blaine didnt appear to be in the mood to stall. Kurt was guided by his lovers hands on his hips to come and straddle Blaine with his thighs. His heart was racing and his body felt so blazing hot – and they were just getting started. Blaine was staring so hungrily at him that he would have blushed if his skin werent already flushed red. A look like that from anyone else would have made Kurts blood run cold, but because it was Blaine, it had the opposite effect on him. During their thrilling kisses Blaines hands circled around Kurts throat but he didnt flinch away from the invasive touch. Unlike with Hunter, Kurt wasnt afraid of Blaine, he trusted him, so his stillness wasnt due to magic or fear.

Blaine smiled back at Kurt. He kissed him on his lips, on the corner of his mouth and then down to his Adams apple. Kurts body tingled as Blaines mouth moved along the front of his neck and stopped at the side. Blaine was sensible enough not to leave any permanent marks on his skin, in case they would show up when he was a cello. His hands guided Kurt to sit between his legs with his back pressed against Blaines front: a familiar position for them both.

“This is sure a new twist on the usual,” Kurt gasped.

Blaine chuckled quietly, kissing the back of Kurts neck to stall making any sort of witty come back. “I wanted to see what it would feel like when youre human,” he explained.

Already Kurt was enjoying the difference, but as favourable as sex was proving to be over music, it didnt diminish the special bond between musician and instrument. Their connection was still going strong, regardless of Kurts form, because it was one based first and foremost on love. Blaine seemed to find the change equally enjoyable; he was half on his knees and had Kurt bent backwards and leaning on him for balance. Right from their first foray into kissing, Blaine liked paying attention to Kurts neck a great deal. Perhaps it tied back to when Kurt was a cello, or maybe Blaine just had a thing for necks. Kurt certainly didnt mind this particular kink of his either way and he moaned as Blaine continued to nibble on his neck.

“Thats the spot,” Kurt almost purred with pleasure.

“You like that, huh?”

Obviously he did and so Kurt didnt bother to reply, not that he could have anyway. Blaines hands were on the move again. He used his right hand to gently stroke Kurts neck while the other ventured down the front of Kurts body and found its mark. Kurts whole body shuddered in anticipation as Blaine finally took hold of his erection.

“Fuck!” Kurt swore when Blaine started a pumping motion with his hand. He had never sworn before, profanity had always been pointless for him, so he hadnt bothered with it.

“Hearing you swear like that is really turning me on,” Blaine admitted.

Blaine was really going at it now and it wasnt just his hand that Kurt felt, there was also Blaines cock rubbing against his ass to take into account. The combination was almost mind blowing, and Kurt could barely control his body because he felt so good, so alive. It mirrored the sensual undertones Kurt experienced whenever Blaine played him as a cello, but in this instance the sexual tension between them was off the scale. While it was Blaines turn to call the shots, Kurt wasnt about to remain completely still; he pushed backwards to add more friction and make Blaines experience more pleasurable.

“Mm, yeah thats it, Kurt,” Blaine grunted in thanks. He kept moving his hand up and down along Kurts cock, coaxing his lover towards the mutually desired finish line. “Kurt! This is -” Blaine panted, his brain failing him. “- this feels incredible!”

The first time Kurt tried to reply he only managed to bite his bottom lip around a groan. He couldnt help it, he was far too close. At the rate this was going, hed either come or keel over – and hed really prefer the former. Salvation came in the form of Blaine going into overdrive with his hand movements and, finally, his perseverance paid off. “Oh lord! Blaine! Yes!”

The sharpness of his orgasm rushed through him and Blaine jerked his hand forward as Kurt came into his other hand. He didnt even bother to wipe his hand before he pushed forward on Kurts hips and sent them both leaning forward. Kurt knew that Blaine wasnt about to go against their agreement and penetrate him in heat of the moment. As much as the idea of having Blaine inside of him thrilled him, neither of them had the patience for that right now. All Blaine did was rut against Kurts ass cheeks with his cock. As good as this felt for Kurt, he was in no state to come again so soon and he focused on getting off Blaine, who hadnt yet.

Luckily not much effort on Kurts part was needed to get Blaine there and, with a loud shout, Blaine let go of Kurt so he could milk his cock dry. Kurt just lay there bent over as he felt Blaines hot come shoot over his back. As soon as Blaine was finished he sat back and kissed Kurt deeply, as if to reward him in his valiant effort to pleasure him.

They quickly took care of the mess and rushed back together, kissing and hugging one another. Kurt, for one, was already getting turned on again but there was something he wanted to say before going again.

“Thank you,” Kurt whispered lovingly.

“No, thank you,” Blaine purred.

Kurt laughed. Oh how he loved this wonderful boy who was also his cellist. “Just to be clear, we are far from done,” he said.

Blaine smirked at Kurt before pushing his lover down on the bed. Now hovering over him, Blaine gave him one last look of affection before closing in on his face. “Kurt, you took the words right out of my mouth,” he declared, and then, what Blaine did next not only took Kurts words away, but his breath as well.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Two orgasms that had spanned a very gratifying hour later, Blaine and Kurt were finally sated and feeling lazy. Both were now content to cuddle in each others arms, with Blaines head cradled in Kurts lap. Kurt ran his hands through Blaines curly locks absentmindedly; his giddy expression matching Blaines own cheeky grin.

“All things considered, I think we did rather well for our first time,” Blaine announced.

Kurt made a face, even when Blaine couldnt actually see it from his position. “Excuse me? I think we did more than well! I mean, you were there, so you must have heard me scream out your name during that last time! Im surprised the windows didnt shatter,” he said.

Blaine yawned, growing sleepy, but like every night when Kurt was with him, he was determined to stay awake. If he closed his eyes that would be it, hed wake up the next morning and Kurt would be gone. Okay, not really, he would still be there, in the form of his cello, but it wasnt the same.

“Are you still with me, Blaine?”

Blaines drooping eyes snapped open. “Mm?” he mumbled, it was all he could manage.

Kurt shook his head at Blaine and his stubborn nature. He gently guided Blaine to sit up and helped him lie down on the bed properly. Kurt kissed Blaines forehead softly as he pulled the covers up over them both. They were still naked, but considering what they had just been up to, there was little need to redress. “Go to sleep, Blaine. Ill stay with you as long as I can,” Kurt said.

Blaine knew better than to ask Kurt if they could cuddle, because he doubted he would let Kurt go once he took him in his arms. Kurt seemed to anticipate this as well and his answer was to lie behind him with his front pressed against Blaines back. The physical contact allowed Blaine to let his tired state overtake him. “Why arent you tired?” he muttered.

Kurt giggled lightly and kissed the back of Blaines shoulder blade. “I dont need to sleep while Im like this. I get all the rest my body needs when Im a cello Blaine. You should be thankful for that, because it means I can stay here with you until you fall asleep.”

Blaine whined, “I wish we could wake up together.”

“So do I,” Kurt said.

The familiar sensation of Blaine losing the battle against sleep was returning, his eyelids feeling so heavy that he finally had to close them.
_________________________________________________________________

Kurt waited for a while to make sure that Blaine was sleeping deeply enough that there was no risk in waking him before moving. Reluctantly, he pulled away from the warmth of Blaines body and started removing any signs of their lovemaking. Blaines discarded clothes were put away and Kurt put on his pants next. He didnt bother with his shirt, he just draped it over his arms instead. Kurt forced himself not to look back over at Blaine as he stepped out of the room. Kurt focused on simply walking back to the workshop and nothing else. By the time he made it there he cried out as a sharp pain struck him from within.

He doubled over, falling to the floor. This was why he had been able to leave Blaine. He couldnt let him see how painful the transformation process was for him. It would break him if he did. Since he wasnt there, Kurt didnt hold himself back. He shouted as he fought through the pain, focusing on the one thing that made it all bearable: Blaine. He would endure it all for him. He knew Blaine wanted to save him, and he knew Blaine would do everything in his power to do so. Kurt loved Blaine for it, too, but he wouldnt allow him to put himself in danger, not even to save him.

“I wont let you taint him, Hunter! Blaine will never be yours!” Kurt shouted.

Whatever happened to them both, Kurt wouldnt let Hunter destroy Blaines kindness. No matter what it took, Kurt wouldnt hand Blaine (or his soul) over to him, because that was a sacrifice he wasnt willing to make.