It wasn’t until Kurt was long gone that he realized it was missing. His red ball, the item he used the most to practice his magic with, was missing. Blaine sighed deeply; Kurt must have slipped it back in his pocket after the trick and taken it with him when he was stolen away by the men. Blaine had assumed they were castle guards; hulking and cold bodies sent out on a mission to return Kurt to the castle. A part of him was kind of glad that Kurt would have a piece of himself that Kurt could remember him by. Kurt would be able to reach into his pocket later when he was home and remember the few hours they had spent together.

�

Blaine flopped back onto his bed. He felt like he wanted to cry. He could feel the pressure behind his eyes. He could still feel the harsh grip of hands on his shoulders that kept him pinned to the ground when all he wanted to do was to rescue Kurt from the guards. He was filled with volumes of self-loathing. He hated himself for not being better. He hated himself for not being someone Kurt was allowed to be around. And worse, he felt guilty for getting Kurt into trouble. After all it had been his idea to go back to Blaine’s home. He should have known better. He should have just said no to Kurt and walked away back in the village. It would have been so much easier.

�

No it wouldn’t, his mind told him. He cursed himself internally at the realization.

�

He felt a deep sense of loss as he heaved a second sigh that probably sounded more like a broken gasp for air. It was full of chocked back tears and sorrow. Even though they had only known each other personally for a few hours, it felt like so much longer. The moment Kurt had taken Blaine’s wrist in his hand he could have sworn time had stopped. How clich�, Blaine thought to himself, rolling on to his side and kicking his legs up onto the bed. He couldn’t bring himself to care at how silly it sounded.

�

He was lost in thought, running over scenarios of the situation in his mind over and over again since Kurt left. What did it all mean? Blaine knew that he had feelings for Kurt, obviously. He’d known for a long time back before he found out Kurt knew of his existence. He had admired him from afar for months if not years, imagining the day when he’d get to hear his voice, to be around him, to talk to him. Now that day had come and gone. It was over. Blaine guessed Kurt’s parents would forbid them from seeing each other. In fact, he was sure of it. If Kurt were seen gallivanting with a peasant it would do horrible things to the families reputation.

�

Blaine was grateful that his parents were none the wiser to the entire situation. He could hear the mill in his father’s shop buzzing away and Blaine guessed his mother had taken a trip to the market because she wasn’t around. It wasn’t out of the ordinary that she wasn’t home but Blaine was still thankful for it. If the men had seen Blaine’s parents, Lord only knows the things they would have said or done. Blaine loved his parents dearly and most certainly did not want them to be saddled with any punishment that may have come from the interaction. Blaine was not stupid, he knew that the guards could easily have taken him into custody and blamed him for kidnapping the boy duke. He was lucky, but he certainly didn’t feel that way.

�

He hated his heart for feeling this way, for becoming this attached so quickly. Why did he have to fall for someone so unobtainable? Why couldn’t he fall for a girl next door like his father, settle down on a farm somewhere like normal people? He had never been attracted to girls; he knew he was gay from a very young age. He never came out to his parents or to anyone really. Most of his time was spent alone or with his family. He had no one that really needed to know. He had acquaintances; there was Wes who ran a booth at the market where he sold his families eggs and Jeff who was the son of a blacksmith. And of course there was Nick, whose family supplied the Anderson’s with most of their lumber and other hardware that they needed to keep the family business running. The thing is, the boys were just like him and were required to spend long hours working for their families in order to keep the family afloat. Blaine didn’t have the privileged of friendship. Maybe that’s why he took such a shining to Kurt. Kurt could have been his friend.

�

Blaine finally let the hot silent tears fall from his closed eyes. He didn’t even bother to wipe them away. It was hopeless.

�

�

Three days passed in agonizing length. Blaine had gone into the main village every single day after working with his father and every day yielded no sighting of Kurt. He didn’t know what to expect, but he had hoped. God, he had hoped. Of course his three hecklers were always there to remind him of how little his life mattered, how insignificant and worthless and pathetic he was. They must have found out about his feelings for Kurt because the teasing became even more relentless. He tried his best to ignore them, but their words lashed him and left invisible but painful burns in his skin. But he told himself the pain would be worth it if he could see Kurt again. Every day ended in a verbal lashing from the boys and no sighting of Kurt. He was even so desperate that he contemplated asking the boys where Kurt was on multiple occasions but he could almost hear their pitiful, condescending laughter just thinking about it. He wouldn’t, he couldn’t ask for their help.

�

Blaine’s mother had taken notice of his change in attitude almost immediately. He shrugged her off, feigning illness. Luckily for him, that seemed to satisfy her curiosity. She still kept a close eye on him at home and forced him to eat more at dinnertime even though eating was the last thing Blaine wanted to be doing. He had completely lost his appetite over the past few days. Blaine’s father on the other hand was indifferent to Blaine’s change of attitude and still expected him to be in the shop when he was scheduled to be. Blaine’s relationship with his father was always a bit strained; he had always been much closer with his mother. His father had always kept to himself for the most part, it wasn’t just towards Blaine so he didn’t take it personally. Blaine could see his mother eyeing him from across the table as he brought a spoonful of peas to his mouth. A few more spoonful’s and he asked to be excused from the table. He could hear his mother sigh and nod. He was soon in his room, crawling into his covers and trying to block out the world. He failed miserably.

�

On the fourth morning he lay curled up in his bed, knees tucked up snuggly against his chest. His blanket was thrown haphazardly over his body and his feet poked out from the bottom as it bunched around his stomach. He didn’t even make a move to fix it. He hated feeling like this. How could one boy have such power over him? For the first time in Blaine’s life, he didn’t want to go to work. The very thought of it scared him, he’d always had his future mapped out for him and now, for the first time, he hated the idea of working like this for the rest of his life.

�

He climbed off his bed; wiping the sleep from his eyes, bare feet shuffling on the cold wooden floor. He pulled an outfit from his burrow and leisurely got dressed, making himself presentable for the day ahead of him. He was awake much earlier than he needed to be but he couldn’t sleep. He had rolled around in his sheets for hours and still sleep evaded him, so he eventually gave up. There was no sunlight trickling through his window but he could hear the birds starting to sing songs in the distance. He still had a few hours before his father would be awake and expecting Blaine to be in the shop with him.

�

He brushed his curls back and gazed into the mirror on his bedroom wall. His hair was particularly unruly today. Blaine smiled weakly thinking about how the condition of his hair reflected his inner turmoil. How poetic. It was then that he heard a couple taps on his bedroom window. He turned around on his heels, expecting to see nothing there. Instead, all of the air seemed to evaporate from his lungs when he saw Kurt up against the window grinning, waving his gloved hand frantically. Blaine ran to the window and pulled it open.

�

“Kurt!” He blurted out, the biggest smile growing across his face.

�

“Blaine.” Kurt breathed with a smile in return. “I hope I didn’t want you up!”

�

“What- what are you doing here? You’re going to get yourself into so much trouble.” Blaine was shaking his head slowly as he spoke just thinking about it.

�

“No one will notice I’m gone this early in the morning. Besides, I had to return this.” He pulled off his glove and shoved it in his pocket, then pulled his hand out again to reveal a red ball in his palm. “I’m so sorry. I had forgotten I put it in there before I was… dragged off. I didn’t mean to steal it.” Kurt looked racked with guilt and Blaine felt a pain in his chest. He wondered if Kurt had worried about it all this time, thinking that Blaine would be mad at him for taking the ball. Blaine put his hand over the ball, grasping it under his fingers and feeling Kurt’s skin brush against his.

�

“It’s okay Kurt, honestly. I know you didn’t mean to take it on purpose. Thank you for bringing it back to me though. It’s very special to me.” Blaine felt a twinge of fear, wondering if Kurt had only come to see him to return the ball and that was it. An uneasy silence fell between them until Kurt cleared his throat and spoke again.

�

“I don’t want to get you into any more trouble Blaine, but would you like to come out with me for awhile? We could go for a walk perhaps? I don’t know...” He laughed nervously as blush spread across his pale face.

�

“Yes!” Blaine said in response, probably sounding a little over eager. “Just- just give me a moment. I’ll be right out.” They smiled to each other and Blaine closed his window slowly, trying to keep the wood of the frame from slamming too loudly. He tossed the ball into the dresser next to his bed, not bothering to close the drawer, and tiptoed through the house. He pulled on a pair of socks and toed his shoes, slipping them on before exiting out the side door as to not disturb his sleeping parents.

�

He jogged around to the back of the house to see Kurt standing outside his window. He looked immaculate as usual; Blaine couldn’t help but feel underdressed in his presence. He was wearing his typical white collared shirt with a few of the buttons undone (that admittedly did not fit very attractively because his parents had bought it large so he could grow into it), a black vest and brown trousers. Kurt was wearing a tan button down jacket in a similar style to his green outfit from days earlier, but the buttons were left open this time, exposing a white collar shirt buttoned with a black bow tie around his neck and black slacks to match.

�

He stopped his jog a few steps back from the boy in front of him and grinned again. He couldn’t stop the goofy grin that was most undoubtedly spreading across his face. He could feel the skin around the corners of his mouth crinkling as his smile grew. Kurt seemed to return the sentiment, though his smile was much more dignified. Blaine just couldn’t help himself. Kurt seemed to reduce him to a fumbling child without even trying. Blaine wished he could be formal and proper for Kurt, he really did.

�

“Shall we?” Kurt asked and Blaine nodded in accordance. He followed Kurt around the back of the fence and out into the woods behind Blaine’s house. The two of them walked side-by-side through the trees. There was no real path or trail, so they picked their way amongst the roots and fallen branches. Sparse light from the open sky pooled in from the treetops, dotting the leaf-covered forest floor. Blaine loved this forest; he enjoyed walking around out here on his own while he reflected on the thoughts in his mind. Now he loved it even more due to the fact that Kurt was next to him. They walked in comfortable silence for a while before Blaine trusted himself to speak.

�

“Did you get in much trouble for spending time with me?” He did want to know the answer though he was afraid of what that might be. Kurt sighed, not looking up from the ground. He kicked some fallen, wilted leaves with his foot.

�

“Yes, but it was to be expected. I knew I would be in trouble the moment I left the village. I was supposed to stay with my cousins and come straight home, so when I didn’t arrive with them they told my parents that I had followed you.” Blaine cringed, his hatred for the boys growing tenfold. “It wasn’t your fault, so please don’t feel that way. I did what I did, and it was worth the three days of isolation that I faced at the castle. I would do it again.” At the last sentence, he turned to look Blaine in the eyes and smiled. There it was again, his stomach was swooping and doing nervous flips because of Kurt. Blaine started to think Kurt could literally do or say anything and he’d still feel that way.

�

“My family, they don’t really understand. They don’t understand me that’s for certain. They want to dictate my entire life for me and I would much rather be out here, doing this. I do like living in the castle, don’t get me wrong. I like being around my family in the capacity that I am but at the same time, it can be so stifling. I never have a moment to myself. Sometimes it’s hard to feel like a real person when they tell me what to wear, what to think, what to do all the time.” Kurt paused for a moment, flicking his eyes over at Blaine. “I’m sorry; I don’t know where all of this came from.” Kurt wrung his hands together, sounding flustered as he finished talking. He clearly was not used to having someone to tell these things to. Blaine stopped them for a moment and placed a hand on Kurt’s shoulder.

�

“It’s okay Kurt. Honestly. I don’t mind listening.” He gave Kurt’s shoulder a gentle squeeze and smiled, trying to convince Kurt to smile as well. He did.

�

“Thank you Blaine, you’re very sweet.” He brought his own hand up and let it rest on Blaine’s for a few seconds before sliding it off his shoulder and continuing to walk.

�

“It’s just frustrating that they don’t have the capacity to see people for who they really are. They are so focused on image and maintaining their social standing that they box themselves in to such a small group of people. Most of which are just awful, you know my cousins.” Blaine huffed a short laugh. “They limit their experiences. I just want to see the world, the places I’ve only read about in books or heard about from relatives. I don’t want to spend my entire life in that castle and then be wedded off to someone because of my status in royalty.” Blaine could sense the anger building up inside Kurt. He suddenly realized that maybe Kurt didn’t have things as easy as he first thought.

�

“One day, you’ll have all those things you want, Kurt. I know you will.” Blaine told him, unsure of what to say to make the situation better and less heated. Blaine wanted to add more, but he stopped himself. Kurt smiled to himself, silently hoping that Blaine was right. Blaine didn’t let himself think about Kurt talking about himself being married off to someone.

�

They continued to walk and chatter back and forth idly until they came to the Wien River, the same river that ran along the edge of the main village. They perched themselves next to each other on some large boulders near the shore. The sun was still fairly low on the horizon but would soon have the entire city in a golden glow. They sat together admiring the quiet atmosphere.

�

“I can’t believe I’m here right now.” Blaine said idly, mostly to himself. He hadn’t realized he said it out loud until he noticed Kurt was looking at his curiously.

�

“You mean you’ve never been here before?” Kurt was looking at him confusion. Surely Blaine had been to this spot before. It was so close to his home after all.

�

“No I- er.” Blaine was frantically searching for words. “I just mean, here with you.” Kurt was looking at him still but now his eyebrow was slowly rising.

�

I can’t believe I’m here with you right now.

�

�“I, uh, I didn’t think I’d get to see you again, not after you were dragged away and all.” Blaine chickened out again from what he really wanted to say to Kurt. He was sure he sounded like a complete idiot, tripping over his words and his use of informal language wasn’t helping.

�

“I know what you mean.” Kurt sighed. “I know we’ve only recently met, but you’re the closest thing I have to a real friend, you know. Someone I feel like I can tell everything and anything to. You’re not like the others, you’re different.”

�

“I’m a peasant.” Blaine laughed at himself, trying to hide the pain of realizing how different he really was from Kurt. He tried not to visibly cringe at his own self-deprecating humour.

�

“That’s not what I meant, Blaine.” There was a hint of disappointment in his voice. “I don’t care that you’re a peasant, why would you think that matters to me? I certainly hope I haven’t said or done anything to make you think that.” Blaine shook his head quickly. Kurt had been nothing but kind to him. “You’re different because you let me be myself. You don’t push me around or try to get things from me because of who I am. You treat me like a normal person: an actual person.” Kurt was looking out over the water, folding and unfolding his hands in his lap again restlessly before bracing them on boulder on either side of his thighs.

�

“That’s what I like about you, too.” Among other things. “Despite who I am and what I lack, you treat me like I’m not any different from you. I’ve never had that before.” They smiled at each other then. The smiles were so genuine, Blaine wondered if Kurt had ever smiled like that around anyone else in his life. He wondered if it was reserved only for moments like this when he could be himself and expose his true feelings and thoughts. The two of them sat quietly together, listening to the flow of the river tumble downstream.

�

The peacefulness of it all was so beautiful. The river was untouched by man here, being so far from the main village. The main village had begun talks of covering the entire riverbed in concrete in order to control the devastating floods in the area. Blaine both understood and hated the idea. He knew it would be safer for the city but as he looked out over the water, he hated that the beauty of nature would be completely destroyed. Here, the area was barely traveled by people. Blaine only knew of it because it was so close to where he lived. He watched as birds danced in flight, performing circles around each other in a flirtatious courtship dance before fluttering off into the trees. Reeds and cattails flourished along the far side of the river, swaying gently in the breeze. Blaine watched a red-winged blackbird perch itself on a cattail and chirp out a beautiful tune. He listened to the wind rustle through the trees and felt it as it swept over his skin. Kurt had closed his eyes and taken a deep breath, taking in the sweet breeze. Blaine swore he even saw a fish jump out of the water, only catching the flash of silver and the droplets of water that followed. Everything was wonderful and beautiful, but Blaine was mildly distracted.

�

His mind was working to build up the courage to ask Kurt a question. A question that he really wanted to know that answer to. A question to which he hoped the answer would be ‘yes’. It was possible that he had never been more nervous in his life just thinking about it. He had no idea how Kurt felt about him, if he felt anything at all. He didn’t know if the feelings he felt for Kurt were mutual or fabricated in his imagination. He wasn’t even sure if Kurt was gay, like him. There was a great chance he has grossly overestimated the fallout of asking said question. What if the answer was no? Could he deal with that kind of rejection? The overwhelming sense of fear was almost overpowering and he felt slightly ill. He breathed a shaky breath and cleared his throat. Kurt looked at him expectantly. He had to say something now. He was going to do it.

�

“Kurt-“ Blaine squeaked. “Would it be completely unorthodox if…” He paused to swallow heavily. His mouth was suddenly much too dry. “…I asked to hold your hand?”

�

Blaine looked at Kurt with wide, vulnerable eyes. Their confessions about being accepting of each other were so fresh and Blaine was so terrified of what Kurt’s reaction would be. Kurt did grasp at his wrist, rest his hand on his, blushed around him, but that wasn’t really evidence of serious, purposeful affection. Kurt did say that they were friends. But other than that… For a moment, he wished he could take back the words. Realistically speaking he was probably being much too forward. They had only met with each other twice and one of those instances had resulted in them being forbidden to see each other. Blaine swallowed again audibly, briefly considering if he knew any magic trick yet that could be used to go back in time. Of course, he did not.

�

“I would like that very much.” Kurt was looking at him with such compassion, Blaine didn’t understand. Blaine stared for at his face for a moment, making sure that the words he heard come from Kurt’s mouth were real and he wasn’t just dreaming. He slowly raised his left hand from his lap and covered Kurt’s right, sliding his fingers underneath and curling their hands together. Kurt gently wiggled his fingers through Blaine’s, intertwining them. He felt his breath catch in his throat. Kurt was returning his affection and he had never been more ecstatic in his entire life. He stared down at their joined hands; unable to fully comprehend that this was all real. Kurt’s hand felt incredible in his.

�

“I’ve been waiting to do this for so long.” Kurt admitted, smiling to himself.

�

“Wha- what?” Blaine questioned, snapping his head up, eyebrows flying to his hairline. Kurt chuckled at the face he was making.

�

“You heard me. I said I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.” Kurt brushed his shoulder up against Blaine playfully, taunting the confused boy. “Never did I think you would be interested in some snotty castle boy. I was so painfully shy around you for so long; I thought I’d never work up the courage to talk to you.” Blaine was dumb-founded. Kurt had been interested in him, and not just since they met a few days ago. He’d been interested in Blaine for a while. For a long time. The idea of it was mind-boggling.

�

“I never thought you’d be interested in a cabinetmaking peasant boy.” Blaine said truthfully. He had spent many a day thinking about the angelic boy riding his horse around town. He’d dreamt of encounters they could have had if Blaine had only worked up the courage to talk to him: the kind of courage that only came to him while he was asleep in a dream world where duke and peasant could be friends. Could be more than friends. A dream world that he never in a million years imagined could actually exist. Kurt slid closer to him and leaned against his shoulder, his head falling against Blaine.

�

“Well, I am.” Kurt said simply, nuzzling his way into Blaine’s neck. His tone was so affectionate. How could Kurt just say things like that? How could he say things that made Blaine’s heart race in his chest, that made him feel like there was too much blood in his veins and not enough air in his lungs? How could he just say things so simply that Blaine barely had the courage to think about? He hadn’t realized how brave Kurt really was until just then.

�

Blaine felt entirely whole, like a missing piece of himself had returned to him, a piece that he didn’t realize was missing in the first place. He wasn’t sure what all of it meant. He wasn’t sure what the admissions or the handholding really added up to, but it felt promising. It felt optimistic and breath taking and all of the most clich� words and feelings Blaine could possibly think of. It felt right. It felt perfect. It was wonderful. Blaine slowly leaned his head towards Kurt and rested his cheek on top of Kurt’s head. He closed his eyes slowly; taking a deep breath and letting the situation wash over him. There was a moment of silence before Kurt spoke.

�

“You think too much, Blaine.” He said matter-of-factly. Blaine couldn’t help but chuckle at himself. How did Kurt know him so well already? “Just sit with me for awhile, please?” He could feel Kurt’s voice thrumming through his skin. It was hypnotizing.

�

“Of course.” Blaine slid their clutched hand onto his thigh and rubbed small circles with his thumb over Kurt’s hand affectionately. They sat silently together for awhile. Blaine listened to Kurt’s breath and the birds and the water and just let himself live in the moment.

�

�

“My dad is going to expect me to be in the shop soon, if they haven’t already noticed I’m not there.” He told Kurt with a sigh. He wished he could sit with their hands intertwined forever. Maybe he should tell Kurt that. Kurt seemed to just speak whatever came to his mind when it came to this sort of thing. Courage, he told himself.

�

“I kind of wish we could stay like this forever.” Blaine whispered, finally not holding back on what he really wanted to tell Kurt. The sky wasn’t falling and Kurt wasn’t running away which was definitely a good sign. Still, he felt uneasy. Kurt murmured against Blaine’s shoulder and Blaine hated that he had to make them move from their comfortable position.

�

“Maybe one day we’ll be able to.” Kurt told him, vaguely reminiscent of their first conversation. Kurt didn’t make to get up. If anything he was trying to snuggle in closer against Blaine’s side. Blaine wanted to let him do it, he really did. But there were still questions to be answered.

�

“Kurt,” Blaine was moving away now to look at his face. “What does this mean?”

�

“It means whatever you want it to mean, Blaine.” How could he say things so simply when the situation was so complicated?

�

“You know we can’t be together. But I want to be. Really badly, actually.”

“Then let’s be together.” Kurt told him, as if his one little sentence could fix everything.

�

“It’s not that easy, you know that.” Kurt was rolling his eyes and shuffling to stand on his feet.

�

“I’ve never really done anything against the rules before. I’ve never really felt the need to. Until you, of course.” Blaine smiled weakly, trying to remember how Kurt said that it wasn’t his fault that Kurt had gotten into trouble, but still he felt guilty. “Blaine, I want to be with you in whatever capacity you’ll have me. If that means we’ll be friends, more than friends, or we’ll part ways after today…”

�

“You know I waited for you.” Blaine interrupted Kurt as he was speaking. Kurt was looking at him with a confused expression but let Blaine continue. “In town, I waited for you every day. Every day that you were locked away I came looking for you.”

�

“Blaine, I didn’t know-“

�

“It’s not your fault, Kurt. I know that. I just, I want to be with you. I’m just so damn scared of everything. I barely know how to act around you without completely embarrassing myself. It’s just, these feelings, you know? Even now when I’m looking at you my heart is racing like it’s never done before around anyone else. I can’t really figure out what to say, I’m usually much more eloquent. All I know is that it’s never going to be simple. Even if we’re careful, even if we hide this and try not to get caught, it could happen.”

�

“Why can’t we just let things happen as they will?” Kurt was looking at him desperately, hands clutching around his chest. “I know it’s not a perfect solution, but we can make it work.” Kurt walked towards him and took Blaine’s hands in his. “Just give it a chance.” His eyes were so big and full of emotion. They were pleading with him even though Kurt wasn’t speaking.

�

“I really, really care about you. I don’t want to screw this up.” He looked at Kurt; his intense hazel eyes burrowing into Kurt, making him believe every word.

�

“You worry too much.” Kurt smiled as he repeated himself. Maybe Kurt was right. But they’d have to be careful, so careful about everything. They certainly couldn’t be seen together and keeping Kurt’s family in the dark about their secret meetings would be difficult. Obviously the cousins would have to be dealt with somehow, though Blaine had no idea how to go about that.

�

Kurt clutched Blaine’s hands in his a little tighter. The sun was framed perfectly around the back of his head and he lit up like an angel.

�

“I have to worry enough for the both of us, clearly.” Blaine said playfully and Kurt giggled. He loved that laugh. Then was Kurt pressing into Blaine, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him into a hug. Blaine raised his arms and wrapped his hands around Kurt’s neck. He held him in place, breathing him in and enjoying how their cheeks pressed together gently. After a brief moment they pulled back slightly, arms still holding each other in an embrace. Blaine pressed his fingers softly into the back of Kurt’s neck, feeling the soft hair under his finger tips. Kurt was smiling and gazing into his eyes.

�

“We’ll make this work.” Kurt told him and Blaine couldn’t help but believe him.

�

�

The sun was moving higher in the sky as they exited the forest. Blaine had nervously made another move to hold Kurt’s hand as they were walking out of the forest and was relieved when Kurt let him take his hand. Kurt was grateful for Blaine’s bravery. He loved the feelings of Blaine’s hand felt in his. Blaine’s hands felt confident and warm in a way he never knew he wanted. Never knew he needed.

�

Their goodbye was wordless. Kurt let his hand slip from Blaine’s, dragging his fingertips across Blaine’s palm softly as their hands slowly fell apart. Blaine hated the immediate emptiness he felt. It shocked him how quickly being with Kurt had turned into the ‘norm’ for him. Kurt waved to Blaine and �Blaine watched him leave before swiftly ducking into his fathers shop. The idea of going to work right now was not exactly thrilling. He knew his father wouldn’t be impressed with his tardiness but at the same time he couldn’t bring himself to care.

�

“You’re late.” His father spoke gruffly, not looking up from whatever he was doing. It looked like he was working on constructing a drawer for a burrow.

�

“I’m sorry, dad.” Blaine muttered, quickly making his way around the shop to his work area. His father grunted, to which Blaine hoped was his father accepting the apology. Blaine shuffled some sketches around on his desk idly. He was never late to work, not when the shop was literally only 20 paces from their house. Plus, he had been doing this all his life so he knew what was expected of him.

�

Surely his father was suspicious, but Blaine had his thoughts on anything but work.

�

This boy was going to get him into trouble.