Kurt glanced over the counter of the kitchen as he cleaned the dishes.  Blaine was plopped on the couch, locked in some kind of digital death match with Finn. They casually insulted one another as they played, something Kurt had been assured was smack talk and absolutely harmless.  But Finn was pushing it. Kurt was almost certain his brother didnt realize his taunts were bordering on mean, but he had no plans on interfering. If Finn took it too far, Blaine would just tackle him to the floor, locking the bigger man in some form of arthritis inducing limb pretzel until Finn saw the error of his ways and apologized.

He finished cleaning the dinner dishes and watched the two bicker, weighing his options.  Kurt really wanted some alone time to talk with Blaine about Cooper, but after multiple days of unsuccessfully trying to coerce any kind of conversation, Kurt had reluctantly concluded that Blaine was intentionally avoiding him.  Blaine stayed up later then Kurt could afford to, watching TV or reading, sometimes in his own room where by mutual agreement, Kurt wasnt allowed to go.  And Blaine was always conveniently out running when Kurts alarm went off in the mornings.

Kurt understood that Blaine was going through a tough time trying to figure out how to adjust to the addition of Cooper and all that his presence represented.  But he couldnt help but feel hurt that the man he loved chose to deal with it by freezing him out.

"I think Ill head to bed early, maybe sketch a little. Will you be in soon, Blaine? Youre booked with Tanya at 8a to go over the photos you took last week."

"Oh, I completely forgot," Blaine replied, eyes glued to the screen as he tapped at his controller.  "Ive already committed to working with Wes tomorrow.  Do you think shed be okay with rescheduling?"

Tanya would be fine with it, Kurt knew.  Most of his designers doted on Blaine, especially the ladies.  Kurt got the gist, though.  Tanya would need Kurts input during the process. Wes office was on the other end of the building, and he was frequently out of office, anyway. Which meant Blaine would be coming back from wherever Wes had to be long after Kurt left work for the day.  Blaine was doing it to avoid him.  Kurt bit back an angry response.  He just needed to give Blaine some time.  

"Im sure its fine.  Would you mind emailing her about the change of plans, sweetie?" 

"Of course.  Just as soon as I get this sad excuse for a soldier off that roof..."  The sound of shots fired and cursing from Finn suggested Blaine had hit his target.

Kurt turned and made his way back to their room.  He looked at the covers, then at the clock. 9p.   Right now he should be held warm and content in Blaines arms while they talked about their day, cuddling and teasing.  But that was pre-Cooper.  Maybe he should just get some work done instead.  With a sigh, Kurt turned away from the bed and made his way to the small staircase that led up to his private studio.  He tugged the protective cover off of a mannequin and pulled out his wrist pin cushion.

Kurt spared a glance at the empty window seat where Blaine typically hung out while Kurt worked.  Deliberately turning his back to the vacancy, Kurt stared at the half finished dress on the mannequin, picturing how the soft yellow piece would glow against Santanas beautiful skin. He soon lost himself to colors and shapes and the reassuring feel of fabric against his fingertips.

************

Blaine turned off the TV, shortly after one am. He glanced down the hallway to his and Kurts room.  He knew he was hiding from Kurt, but he really didnt want to talk about Cooper just yet.  Blaines brother had reluctantly left after spending that first night at their place. He had to go back to his own home and the numerous appointments hed blown off in his quest to find Blaine.  Theyd talked about him breaking his rental lease to move closer to Blaine in a little while, once the initial promo work for Coopers new movie was done.

Blaine was a little relieved, to be truthful.  Not because he didnt want his brother around.  Coopers presence was the best thing to happen to him since Kurt bought him.  But with Cooper came memories and emotions.  And the deep-rooted grief and abandonment that hed thought hed long since grown past tore at Blaine. He didnt want to deal with it, so he just didnt think about it.

Which meant Blaine needed to stay away from Kurt for the moment.  There was no way his lover would let him get away with bottling everything he was feeling inside.  On some level, Blaine knew Kurt was right, too.  Which meant if Kurt asked, hed answer.   So hed made sure not to be alone with Kurt, just for a little while, just until he could settle things in his head a bit.

Setting his phone for 5:30a, Blaine pulled the throw rug off the back of the couch and curled into a ball, closing his eyes.  In avoiding their bedroom, Blaine wasnt in a position to notice that Kurt didnt come down from his studio that night.

Blaine rose early, changing in his own room so he wouldnt disturb Kurt by sneaking in, and set off for a long run with the dawn. He knew there was no way hed be back before Kurt had to be at work.

When Kurts phone woke him from where hed finally passed out a few hours ago, hunched over a sketch book, he slowly made his way downstairs, staring at the still made bed in his and Blaines room before heading to the bathroom to shower.

***

"Good morning, Kurt," Dani chirped brightly at her boss as he made his way in.  She frowned as soon as she got a good look at him. Kurt didnt look his best. His eyes were shadowed and red, though his hair and clothes were perfect as always.

"Youre a little overbooked today, sorry.  But it could be worse.  I have three calls to make yet to clients who were hoping to get in today."  She braced herself for inevitable scowl and complaints about personal time.

"Why dont you go ahead and book them?"  Kurt replied, shrugging.  "No need for us to get backed up."  He was in no hurry to back to his house and another night with an empty bed.

"Kurt?" Dani asked, concerned.  "Is everything alright?"

"Im fine.  I just was up in the studio a little late last night. Would you mind bringing me an extra large latte?"

"Of course," Dani assured him.  "How about a breakfast sandwich?"

"No, thanks. Im not really hungry this early.  Is my itinerary up on the laptop?"  At his assistants nod, Kurt stretched his arms forward and cracked his knuckles. "Thank you. Lets get this day moving.  Fashion waits for no man."  He managed to dredge up a smile for Dani as he walked into his office.

Kurt sat at his desk, scrolling through his list of clients for the day. Almost all were repeats, which made things easier. He saw several new appointments pop up as Dani dutifully booked the new meetings.  Kurt shut down all thoughts of home, dedicating his mind to work.   If Kurt was a true master at anything, it was compartmentalizing.

Kurt dragged himself back to the house late that night, after 8p. A note on the counter informed him that Finn had taken Blaine to an evening movie and theyd get pizza while they were out.  He stared at the note for a minute before heading to his room to change into pajamas and heading up to his studio.  Mercedes had been bugging him for a new gown and he had just the pattern in mind.

It was nearly midnight when he finally made his way downstairs.  No sign of Blaine.  Sighing, Kurt curled up in their bed and fell into a restless sleep. He woke too soon to his bedside alarm. The pillows across from him were ruffled, so Blaine had come in at some point that night.  And hed left again without so much as a word.

Kurt made his way to the shower, mind reeling. His boyfriend had never blown him off like this. If anything, Blaine got close and clingy when he was upset.  Maybe seeing Cooper reminded Blaine of what he should have been. Was that why Blaine was staying away?  When he looked at Kurt did he still see the friend and lover, or just the master who owned his body? What if he was avoiding him so that Kurt wouldnt push for sex?  And if that was the case, had he been sleeping with Kurt all these years just to...appease him?  No, Kurt couldnt believe that.  For one thing, it wouldnt be necessary.  Blaines safety and comfort was guaranteed without the requirement of a relationship.  Getting together had been Blaines idea in the first place.  But things could always change.     

Maybe Blaine wanted to go away with Cooper.  Did he think Kurt wouldnt allow it?  Kurt truly hoped that Blaine understood that if he wanted to leave, he would never prevent it. Hed sign Blaines paperwork over to Cooper the second Blaine told him that was what he wanted.  The thought that Blaine might not understand that truth, that he thought Kurt might exercise his rights as his owner made bile rise in Kurts throat. He didnt vomit, though, which was good. Vomiting without food in the stomach was painful, he knew, and Kurt certainly had no appetite, so that wasnt likely to change.  Kurt carefully dressed and made his way to work.

He worked late at the office again, his mind shifting to the partially finished mannequins in his studio the minute Kurt made his way back to the house. Worrying about Blaine wasnt productive.  Hed wait until Blaine finally decided to confront him and tell Kurt hed found a better place to live.  Its not like Kurt was going anywhere.
--------------------

"Blaine, can I talk with you?"  Tracking the slave down had been harder than Dani thought.  Hed been popping in and out of the office for days and didnt answer his phone when she called.

"I really cant right now, Id hate to keep these ladies waiting," Blaine replied distantly.  He gestured at the models sitting in the studio with the hand not holding his bulky camera.  They were chatting animatedly with each other, not seeming the least bit concerned that he hadnt started yet.

"Okay, just, please call me when youre done?" Dani asked

"Of course," Blaine agreed, turning his gaze down to the settings he was adjusting.

Dani signed and made her way dejectedly back to post at the front desk.  That went about as shed expected.  It had been over two weeks since that hottie brother of Blaines had made his grand appearance, and whatever had happened between them, something hadnt gone well.  Her boss was not alright.  He hid the circles under his eyes with make-up, but Dani had seen him pull that stunt before and recognized the signs.  His clothes were immaculate; too perfect, even by Kurts exacting standards.  And he brought filled sketchbooks with him every morning. He hadnt complained once when shed book extra meetings.

She knew Kurt handled stress by losing himself in his designs and endless work.  Shed seen him do it before, usually on the anniversary of his mothers death or some other tragic milestone.  But that was all pre-Blaine.  Blaine always kept Kurt on track, taking care of the famous designer when he got in these moods.

Kurt was away at some meeting now, so she carried some faxes in to set on his desk.  She moved to toss one that was a copy in the trash and froze. The lunch shed brought in to him earlier had been tossed in, completely untouched.  And it wasnt the first time shed seen that recently.  Dani tried to remember the last time shed seen Kurt eat more than a fruit or granola bar, and realized she was drawing a blank. Fuck. Not again. Dani grabbed her cell.  This called for the big guns.
***************************

"Thanks for coming out with me," Santana grinned at the shorter man walking next to her.  "Ive been meaning to get something nice for my girl and I hate shopping alone." 

"Its no problem," Blaine replied, smiling at his old friend.  "It was fun hanging out.  With all the time you spend at Danis these days, the only time I see you is for a shoot or tailoring." 

The two slaves made their way down the darkened streets.  Theyd visited a number of stores until Santana had found the exact necklace she wanted, ignoring the occasional stares from other shoppers.  Slaves tended to be treated fairly liberally in the West coast, and it wasnt worth bothering them for most store clerks.  The high-end clothes they both wore certainly didnt hurt.

"Yeah. Ive been meaning to talk to you for a while, anyway.  I know I live with Dani in all but name, but I think maybe I want to change that last part."  She glanced briefly at the ground. "You know him better than me.  Do you think Kurt would sell me if I asked?"

"Oh, not a chance in hell," Blaine replied easily.  "But hell give you to whomever you want. You trust Dani that much?"

"I kinda do," Santana agreed, smiling softly. "I think I might be in love with her.  And shes ridiculous in the sack. I mean seriously, Circ de Solei type of shit.  And dont get me started on the flexibility, and her abs, and..."

"I get it, I get it," Blain interrupted, laughing.

"I should probably get on that soon, then, before Master ends up in the hospital," Santana added, glancing down at her phone absently.

"Excuse me? Kurts fine. Why, did something happen today?"  Blaine stopped midstep, heart rate picking up.  Surely someone wouldve called him if Kurt was hurt?

"Nothing recent that I know of.  But shouldnt you know that better then me? I mean, you live with him. Dont you two share a bed and crap?" 

"Yeah, and last I saw he was fine," Blaine replied instantly.

"When exactly was that?" Santana asked mildly, not bothering to look up.  "Cause I gotta tell you, Im hearing otherwise."

"It was just..." Blaine paused.  When had he last gotten a good look at Kurt?  Hed seen his sleeping form in their bed, of course.  Hell, hed kissed Kurt on the cheek just that morning before rolling out of bed to run.  But when was the last time hed really looked?  Blaine had planned on avoiding him for a few days, just until he could get his thoughts together.  Which, naturally, hed avoided at all costs.  Cooper and he texted regularly, but beyond that, Blaine refused to evaluate his emotional issues.

It had been a while, Blaine realized as he counted back from the current date.  Like weeks.  He turned big eyes to Santana.  She was looking down her nose at him with her best bitch face. Clearly, she known something was up, and she didnt approve.

"Tell me?" Blaine asked, growing anxious.  This hadnt been just a casual visit, then. Blaine had fucked up and Santana was calling him out on it.  Now he just needed to figure out how badly.

"Dani always has a lot to say about Kurt.  Shes been with him since he first started his business, you know.  She said he can turn into a total workaholic when hes emotionally freaked.  Its apparently how he deals with stress.  I popped in earlier this week to model a dress for him and he looked like shit.  You do remember that Kurts the reason you arent still going ass up for whatever midlife crisis case thatll have you, right?"  Blaine didnt answer, his eyes locked onto the sidewalk

Santana scowled at his silence.  "Seriously?!  Whats the point of fucking your owner if you arent going to take care of him?  Hes the reason were still alive, getting fat and pampered, and I, for one, am in no hurry to get sold to whatever jackwater who can afford to outbid Dani if Hummel gets sick."  Santana waited for Blaine to get around to finally responding.

"Im not," he admitted finally, his voice nearly a whisper.

"Not what?"

"Fucking our owner.  Kurt and I havent had sex in weeks.  Not since the night Cooper stayed over." 

"And that gaping issue hasnt come up casually over pancakes?" Santana asked cattily.

"We havent eaten together either in...oh, Hell."  Because working himself to exhaustion wasnt the only thing Kurt Hummel did when he was overly stressed, Blaine knew.

"I have to go, Santana. Thank you, Ill call."  Rising up on tiptoe, he gave his friend a quick peck on the cheek before taking off for home.  He wasnt worried about the slave girl walking alone at night.  Both she and Blaine had been trained by the best to be dangerous.

"I expect you to take better care of him in the future, you furry-footed idiot!"  Santana hollered at his retreating form.

Blaine had started off walking, but as his mind played back just how long hed left his boyfriend alone, how many nights hed made sure to stay away, his pace steadily picked up. He had to see Kurt.

By the time he made it home he was all out running.  The house was mostly dark. Finn had gone back to his place a week and a half ago when Rachel had returned and Kitten was going to be gone for another month or two.  The house was just theirs at the moment. It felt empty.

He glanced at the pool as he went in through the back gate.  The calm water did nothing to soothe his churning emotions.  The two slaves had been out late, it was nearly 11.  Kurt should be in bed by now.  Blaine made a beeline for their room, stopping when he saw the bed neatly made and very empty.  He turned back and trotted up the stairs.

The lights were on in Kurts studio and music played quietly.  An empty cup of coffee and large carafe rested on the doorway table.  Blaine paused at the door, taking in how many mannequins were in use, reflecting a number of partially finished projects, a stack of open sketchbooks with fresh coal beside them, and Kurt standing on his toes as he pinned fabric onto the shoulder of the dress he was working on. 

Now that he actually had eyes on his boyfriend, Blaine was able to start calming down.  He leaned against the door frame for a few minutes, just watching Kurt work.  He hummed softly with the music, the sound soothing and familiar.  The sleeveless tank he wore revealed wide shoulders streaked with subtle muscle.  His sleep pants hugged the curves of his narrow waist, stretching around his pert ass.  Poised on his toes like that, he looked long and lean and perfect.  Kurt was breathtaking.  

"Thats gorgeous," Blaine said softly. "Whose it for?"

Kurt jumped, spinning around.  "Oh. Blaine, you scared me."

"Im sorry."

Kurt shrugged.  "Its okay, I wasnt really paying attention.  And the dress is for Mercedes.  Her latest CD is going to be released next month and she needs to look stunning for the party."

Now that he got a good look, Blaine realized that Santana was right.  Kurt didnt look good.  His usually warm, lustrous skin was an unhealthy pale color and his hand tremored slightly where it rested on the mannequins shoulder. He had dark circles under his eyes. His eyes. They were still beautiful, of course. But they didnt regard Blaine with any of the sparkle and pleasure he was accustomed to seeing when Kurt laid eyes on him.  He looked defeated.

"Can we talk, Kurt?"  Blaine asked softly.

Kurt swallowed nervously and nodded.  "Of course, of course.  Hold on, I have it right here."  He turned and walked over to Blaines window seat, moving several rolls of fabric to the side to reveal a manila folder.  He flipped it open as he walked back, maintaining a careful distance as he handed it over.

Blaines eyes widened as he recognized his slave paperwork.  He took the folder from Kurts hand, looking to down to see a certified bill of sale at the top, dated several days ago. He stared in absolute shock at the document, frozen in disbelief.

"You sold me?"  The words were blank, devoid of emotion.  In all their time together, Blaine had never imagined this possibiliy.   Hed never considered during the worst of their fights that this was even an option for Kurt.  Self-preservation kicked in and Blaines eyes moved immediately over to the line with his new masters name.  Oh.

"Yes.  Well, I mean, no, not exactly," Kurt was saying, speaking fast and anxious.  "Its just a formality.  No money is changing hands or anything like that.  And the money in the bank account that we created for you is yours, of course.  We can get that changed over later." 

Blaine looked at him with wide, liquid brown eyes.  "Why did you sell me to Cooper, Kurt?"  Was his master, no, not his master anymore.  Just Kurt. Was Kurt that angry with him?

"So...so you can live with him?  Like you want.  Like you clearly need." Kurt stared hard at the floor, choking a little on the words.

Kurt sighed.  "But you didnt have to do it like this, Blaine.  You have to know, God, I hope you know, that Id never stand in your way or prevent you from going anywhere you thought was best for you.  You could have just told me instead of ignoring me for weeks."  He finally looked up, blue-grey eyes glittering with unchecked tears.  "Is it wrong for me to think you owe me that much?"

Blaine dropped the folder and moved to Kurt in two quick strides, taking the man in his arms and holding tight. Kurt shook slightly in the hug, but he didnt pull away.

"I love you so much, sweetie," Kurt whispered in Blaines ear.  "I just want you to be happy.  More than anything. And if your brother and nieces give you that, Im all for it.  I know you didnt have an over-abundance of options when you chose to be with me. I get that." 

Right at that second, Blaine was more disgusted with himself then ever in his life.  The way hed screamed at his branding, that moment during slave conditioning when he realized hed truly broken, years of bending over for any john that wanted a screw, none of that compared to what hed done to his beautiful lover.

He realized that Kurt really believed that Blaine had just been making do with him for all these years, settling for what he could get.  Was this a new thought? Or had Kurt always thought that if Blaine had a choice hed have looked elsewhere?

With a sinking sensation, Blaine understood that all of this made perfect sense from Kurts perspective.  After all, the moment a viable alternative appeared in Blaines life hed instantly disappeared from Kurts side.  Hed all but bowed out of his boyfriends life the minute Cooper had entered his.

"Take it back," he whispered hoarsely, clutching at Kurt desperately.

"What, the money?  Its yours. Youve earned it with your modeling for me over the years. You know that." 

"No, not...not the money.  Fuck the money."  Blaine leaned far enough away so that he could look up into Kurts confused face.  "Take ME back, Kurt!  I love you! Theres nowhere else on this world Id rather be than with you. Please dont send me away.  I dont want to go with him.  Please!"

Growing frantic, Blaine spun away from Kurt and dropped to his knees in front of the folder.  He yanked to bill off sale off the tiny hooks and tore it in half.  Once hed started, he couldnt stop until it was so much confetti on the floor in front of him. He was crying, sobbing really, and he didnt care.  If he couldnt be with Kurt, he didnt want to be.

Strong arms wrapped around Blaine from behind, cradling him back against a firm chest.  "Easy, my love, just breath. Im not making you go anywhere. You dont have to leave if you dont want to." 

"You promise?"  Blaine asked around a sob.  "Even though I was so awful, and...and left you like that, for weeks.  Please, Kurt.  Punish me if you want, I deserve it.  Just dont stop loving me." 

"Hey, stop that.  Nothing in this world could make me stop loving you," Kurt swore.  Blaine rotated himself in Kurts arms so he was facing him.  It sounded so much like the truth.

He curled into Kurts chest, cuddling close. "Youre still my master, right? Please say yes." 

"Your master, your friend, lover, confidant. Whatever you need, honey."

Blaine sighed in Kurts arms, relaxing at last.  They were okay.  Talking was going to have to happen, and it was going to suck majorly, but they were still Kurt and Blaine. They still had each other, and anything else could be fixed.  Speaking of fixing...

Blaine dragged himself to his feet, scrubbing at his eyes with his shirtsleeve before tugging Kurt up with him.  "Come on."  Blaine pulled his boyfriend to his feet and turned off the lights as they left the studio.

Kurt allowed himself to be led, letting out a sound of surprise at the foot of the stairs when Blaine guided them away from their room.  "Where are we going?"

"To the kitchen. Im making you dinner. And youre going to eat every bite." 

"What? No. I mean thank you, but its almost midnight and Im really not..."

"Youve clearly lost weight, your complexion is sallow, and your hands are shaky.  Tell me truthfully that youve been eating right the last few weeks," Blaine dared him, still tugging.

"I eat!  When theres time.  Ive just been really busy, lately."  Still arguing, Kurt sat down on the bar stool when Blaine pressed against his shoulders.

"Dani said shes seen your untouched lunch in the waste bin multiple time this week alone.  And Im pretty sure Im the only one raiding the fridge here since Finn left."  

Seeing the stubborn gleam in Kurts eyes, Blaine realized he was gearing up to argue just for the sake of arguing.  Stubborn ass.  But he was Blaines stubborn ass.  Smiling to himself at the thought, Blaine pulled the phone out of his pocket and called Dani, telling her that Kurt was taking a much needed and deserved day off tomorrow.  She didnt sound surprised at the news.   She did sound giggly, and Santanas voice in the background was saying something about secret weapons.  Blaine decided he didnt want to know.

With that out of the way, Blaine turned back to his lover.  Kurts arms were crossed defiantly across his chest and he wore a mulish expression.  Blaine decided a change of tactics was in order.  He gripped the counter and locked his arms, leaning forward slightly.  The position made the chiseled muscle of his upper arms tightened around the cuffs of his shortsleeved shirt and showed off his firm chest.  Years of modeling had taught Blaine how to pose his body to his best advantage.  Blaine smiled, giving Kurt the sultry look he knew made him melt every time.  Kurts eyes widened and he swallowed audibly. 

"So, youre telling me that you dont want me to curl up naked beside you, feeding you bites in between kisses?"  Blaines smile turned slightly wicked.  "Are you sure?  You know how much you love sliding strawberry slices from my fingers with that talented tongue of yours." 

Blaine leaned slowly forward over the bar, taking Kurts mouth in a gentle kiss, nipping a bit at the lower lip as he pulled away. The moan Kurt didnt try to hide at Blaines actions made him burn.

"Ill even play human buffet for you for dessert.  Or dont you want to lick chocolate syrup off my abs?  Just image it, the thick, dark liquid dripping down my nipples, just begging for you to put your mouth..." Blaines words were cut of when Kurt surged forward, sliding his fingers into Blaines curls and yanking his head forward for a deep, claiming kiss.

"Okay, okay. You win, whatever you want.  As long as it involves chocolate syrup." 

Blaine laughed, breaking away to finish the turkey and cheese sandwich he had started.  He cut the sandwich into tiny, bite size pieces and began gathering the other promised food items, wriggling his eyebrows comically when he added the bottle of Ghiradelli syrup.  Blaine looked up into Kurts smiling eyes, his body nearly weak with relief, love, and the dissapation of adrenaline.  Kurt still loved him, still desired him. The world was as it should be.

"Cmon lover," Blaine encouraged, smiling softly as he gathered the tray and headed for their room. "Lets get some food in you.  If youre very good and finish all of it, maybe Ill eat something else afterward."