Blaine couldn’t wipe the grin off of his face. Under the hot spray of the showerhead, he closed his eyes and reminisced on everything that had happened over the course of the night. He even let his mind wander back to the afternoon before, remembering how anxious and then frustrated he’d felt—how much he’d resented the arrangement, to the point that he’d even considered refusing to meet Kurt.

It seemed completely ridiculous to him now. He’d be absolutely, completely insane to ever think of leaving his boy. Kurt was the perfect sub for him. He was beautiful. He was eager to please. He was innocent enough that everything they did gave Blaine a rush, a chance to exercise his dominance as he guided the boy through it. Kurt was inexperienced, but still, their sex had been amazing. Blaine shuddered to think of how incredible it would become as the sub grew more accustomed to it. He would never have to suffer through unsatisfied urges again. God, his friends would be so jealous.

Intercourse aside, Blaine found himself genuinely excited to consider the future. As far as he knew, Kurt had hardly even stepped outside of this house. There were so many things he’d never had the chance to see or do. Blaine couldn’t wait to show him the world, even if that world was confined to their small town for now. In a few weeks, he’d start his last year of school at Dalton Academy, and as soon as he graduated next spring, he and Kurt would be off to somewhere marvelous. He’d go to college in a big city, and Kurt would wait for his return every day at their high rise apartment. Blaine would be successful, the top of his class. He’d make enough money to spoil his boy to death, and Kurt would be happy, loyal, and always there to please him. Everything would be perfect.

The shower felt heavenly, but Blaine tried to be quick, scrubbing himself down and rinsing the shampoo out of his hair as fast as he could. He knew Kurt was eager to sleep (Blaine was beginning to feel pretty tired as well), and the boy still needed to get cleaned off before that could happen. Turning off the showerhead, he waited a minute to let the rest of the excess water drain before starting to fill the tub. He haphazardly dried himself off and wrapped the towel around his waist.

When the proper water level had been reached, Blaine shut off the faucet and dipped in a hand to check the temperature. Perfectly hot. He stepped back into the bedroom and went over to Kurt’s dresser on the opposite wall. Careful not to wrinkle any of his immaculately folded clothes, Blaine dug through it until he found a pair of underwear and pajama pants, figuring Kurt would rather not sleep naked. He pulled on his own briefs and some sweatpants of Kurt’s that fit him well enough before going to rouse the boy from the light doze he’d fallen into.

“Kurt,” he whispered, lightly squeezing his shoulder, “Wake up. You’ll get to sleep properly soon. I promise.” The boy groggily opened his eyes. “Ready for your bath, sweetheart?”

It took him a moment, like he was processing the Dom’s words, but Kurt replied with a small smile and an affirmative, “Mhmmm,” the ending of his hum cut off in a wide, breathy yawn that made his nose crinkle. Blaine fought back a yawn of his own as he leaned down and scooped Kurt into his arms. He’d done enough tonight. Making him walk to the bathroom would be ridiculous. Besides, he loved the way Kurt curled into his touch—gorgeous, naked body pressed against his chest, completely trusting, submissive, and content.

Taking extra care to be gentle, Blaine lowered Kurt into the water, smiling at the quiet, happy moan that rose out of his still-swollen lips. Kneeling at the edge of the tub, the Dom grabbed the nearby sponge, still soapy from his own shower, and started up at Kurt’s neck. The boy’s collar was water-resistant, so the black leather wouldn’t be ruined or damaged by baths or showers. Though it had made the price considerably higher, Blaine was glad he’d spent the money on it. He wouldn’t have to take it off every time Kurt needed to get clean. It would stay on 24/7 unless his skin got irritated and needed a break from the constant rub.

There was something strangely empowering about bathing Kurt with his own two hands. Even if the boy wasn’t so exhausted that Blaine worried he might nod off and drown himself without supervision, he’d still have insisted on washing Kurt himself. It was a not-so-obvious way of training his boy to be dependent, eliminating the sub’s choice to care for himself on his own. Blaine wasn’t after his loyalty and subservience alone; he wanted Kurt to need him. He wanted the boy to need his Dom’s guidance in everything he did, from the most trivial activities to the biggest decisions. The best way to introduce this total control was starting small, and it was all too easy to begin with a kind offer to make Kurt’s baths more relaxing. The Dom recognized the manipulative nature of his actions, but he firmly believed they would both benefit from the results.

In the end, Blaine simply wanted to care for the boy. He enjoyed the responsibility it required, and it made him feel purposed. Why should Kurt have to care for himself when he was here to serve his Dom? The less he worried about his hygiene, health, and safety, the better. Blaine would take care of those necessities for him. Kurt wouldn’t have to worry about the unknown ever again, and he would show his gratitude and happiness by being wonderfully obedient and eager to please his Dom. It was the perfect balance.

In the tub, Kurt was completely relaxed, slumped back against the wall. His kneecaps just crested the surface of the water, long legs bent to fit comfortably. His head was tilted to the side, blue eyes cracked open to focus on Blaine’s face while the Dom worked, running the sponge across his smooth skin. He reached for every inch, nook, and cranny, wanting to be as thorough as possible.

Kurt was certain he’d never been so glad to take a bath. Though he usually preferred showers, simply because they took less time, he would occasionally fill the tub just to sink down into the water and let himself ignore the world for a while. Even on his own, bathing had been enjoyable, but laying here with Blaine by his side—his touch gentle and his smile soft—was incomparably better. It felt wonderful to be cared for. The Dom moved the sponge in slow, soothing circles, caressing each darkened bruise. He trailed it up and down Kurt’s pale legs and slid it across his bottom, making the sub shiver. Blaine smirked as he cleaned Kurt’s feet and watched him squirm.

“I think someone’s ticklish,” the Dom teased.

“I am not,” Kurt insisted, though his quiet giggles proved otherwise.

“No, you most definitely are,” Blaine confirmed, releasing the sub’s foot, “I think it’s adorable.”

“Not to discount your opinion, Sir,” Kurt replied, “but you seem to think a lot of me is adorable.”

Blaine laughed, “True... I can’t help it,” He reached over to ruffle Kurt’s messy hair, “You really are adorable. And all mine,” he reminded.

“Yours,” Kurt agreed.

After shampooing the boy’s hair (also conditioning at his request), Blaine unplugged the drain and helped Kurt step out onto the floor. The Dom grabbed a towel and rubbed it down his body, unable to stop himself from pressing a few kisses against the pale skin. “I got some clothes out of your dresser.”

“Thank you,” Kurt pulled on the underwear and pajama pants that Blaine held out to him, smiling as he met his gaze again.

“Do you have any extra sheets? We’d probably sleep better if the bed was clean.”

“Yeah. In the bottom drawer.” Blaine started across the room, but paused when Kurt reached out to touch his arm, “I can—I’ll get it, Sir.” The Dom smiled and stepped out of the way to let him pass. Even exhausted as he was, the boy wanted to serve him. While Kurt grabbed the fresh sheets, Blaine stripped the bed and piled the soiled fabrics on the floor. The sub moved quickly to complete his task, tucking the edges neatly beneath the mattress. He smoothed out the wrinkles and fluffed the pillows, his gaze critical and focused.

“We’re just sleeping on it, beautiful,” Blaine chuckled, “It doesn’t need to look perfect.” He crawled onto the bed and held his arms open in invitation. Kurt smiled, joining him, and Blaine pulled up the blankets to cover them both before reaching to turn off the bedside lamp. Enveloped in darkness, the Dom immediately wrapped his arms around Kurt’s torso to pull him closer. The boy snuggled into his embrace, and Blaine pressed a kiss against his hair, running his cool fingertips across the warmth of his sub’s back.

In no time, Kurt’s breathing slowed and evened out. Blaine thought he might have fallen asleep. The sound of his quiet voice surprised him. “Sir? Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course you can.”

“Don’t most Doms choose their own subs?”

“The majority of them do, yes,” Blaine had a feeling that Kurt was working up to a bigger point. He waited, lazily spinning a lock of damp brunette hair between his fingers.

“But all of this, tonight… It’s been arranged for years.”

“You’re right.”

“If…if we hadn’t been meant to bond with each other…” his statement tapered off into silence, the question obvious. What would have happened? Blaine considered his response for a moment. He thought of what it would be like to have his freedom of choice. What would he have done if he’d seen the beautiful boy, unclaimed and available to him?

“Well, there would be no guarantees, of course,” Blaine moved his hand up to brush Kurt’s collar, “but I’d like to think that I would’ve chosen you anyway. You’re very special, Kurt.” The sub hummed in acknowledgement, nuzzling his bare chest. Blaine smiled; glad the boy was pleased with his response.

He held the power and control in this partnership. As the Dominant, it was up to him to make decisions and to structure the sub’s life. He could do anything he wanted. If he chose to, he could keep Kurt locked in a cage until his services were required. He certainly wouldn’t be in the minority if he did. Confinement was a common approach that Doms took to maintain order and discipline. His stomach knotted uncomfortably at the thought of his boy locked away and ignored for hours, even days at a time. Blaine wanted Kurt to be happy. He wanted his boy to obey him because he cared, not because he had no other choice. A relationship like that would need to be built on mutual trust, positive reinforcement, and even a proper amount of affection. He’d promised to never abuse his sub, and Blaine would do anything to keep from breaking that promise. “Let’s get some rest now, huh?”

Oblivious to his Dom’s inner monologue, Kurt replied, “Yeah,” then spoke again, “Goodnight.” Kurt burrowed farther beneath the blankets, tangling their legs together as Blaine reached to nudge the edges beneath his side, tucking the boy in close. Wrapped up in warmth with the clean smell of soap invading his nostrils, Kurt quickly succumbed to sleep, his muscles becoming limp in Blaine’s arms.

“Goodnight, beautiful. Sleep well.” The Dom relaxed into the soft folds of the bed, letting his eyes fall shut. With his sub comfortable, secure, and at ease against his body, he let himself slip into the tired haze at the edge of his mind. They’d spent one night together, and already Blaine felt happier than he had in ages. Both of their futures were wide open and full of possibilities.