Blaine dozed on the couch for a while, content to listen to whatever Kurt had playing on his Ipod and listened to him mutter as he worked.  A short while later Sam and Quinn came in, chatting excitedly about...something. Blaine wasnt really paying attention. Rachel breezed in a few minutes later and immeadiately began regaling them with tales from her latest rehearsal.

A polite knock sounded at the door and a bespeckled, smiling face poked its way in without waiting to be asked.  "Knock Knock," he called cheerfully. Kurt called him in as best he could with his mouth full of pins.

The young man swung the door all the way open, chatting nonstop as he joined the group. "Chandler!" Rachel squeaked, hugging him. Behind Chandler, a large hulk of a man made his way in, carrying several boxes.

Kurt set his stuff down to greet the pair, hugging them both. He spent a minute looking up into the smiling eyes of the bigger man.  "How are you doing, David?" 

"Im fabulous," the man responded, winking at Kurt.

"Of course hes happy, hes with me,"  Chandler told Kurt impishly. "And yes, now would be the appropriate time to congratulate me."  The guy radiated nerd-chic to Blaine, who found him interesting but didnt love how familiar he and Kurt seemed.

"Why are we congratulating you, again?" Kurt asked in amusement.

"Duh, because of my new jewelry, obviously!" Chandler help up his left hand, the gold band prominent against the pale skin of his splayed fingers.

"Dave!" Sam demanded.  "You didnt?!"  He grinned, dragging himself up from the couch to offer a fist-bump. Smirking, the big man responded heartily to the gesture.

"Im texting Finn right now, just so you know," Kurt told them as his nimble fingers danced along the phones key pad.  "Hes going to be so mad you didnt tell him first." 

"Okay, now that the joy is out, lets get cracking, I have four pretty people that I need to make stunning."  Chandler put actions to his words and began setting up his kit. Dave assisted, the motions smooth and practiced.

From listening to the lot converse, figured out that Chandler did hair and make up for travelling productions. He was between shows at the moment so had met them to work up the models.  His fiance wrote sports articles for several online magazines. The work didnt pay a whole lot, but Dave loved it and it allowed him to travel with his partner.  Chandler had just signed on to tour with a Cats revival, and he and Rachel chatted incestantly about the opportunity. Finn came in a little later, congratulating Dave and plopping down to hang with the lot.  Blaine loved it when the household got rambunxious this way, chatting about old times and teasing each other.  He didnt say much, but he didnt feel excluded, either.  He just enjoyed taking it all in.  Plus, he was a little intimidated by David.  The man was even larger then Finn and Blaine couldnt get a good feel for how he was expected to act around him.

"Youre up, my beauty. Come to Mama,"  Chandler cooed to Blaine. He obediently rose and went to Chandlers work chair.  There was history between Chandler, Dave and Kurt. Blaine had figured that much out. He figured hed ask Kut another time about that dynamic.

Chandlers fingers wove expertly through Blaines hair as he gave him a final trim then started working on his makeup. Blaine was told to remove his shirt so that Chandler could apply concealer to the designation numbers branded between Blaines shoulder blades. Rachel and Quinn were already done, and Sam preferred to do his own touch-ups after his hair had been styled.  "Good boy, holding still so well."  He patted Blaine gently on the shoulder in approval.  "You be good for my favorite X now, beautiful" Chandler murmured in Blaines ear as he artfully smoothed makeup over the marks on his back. "He deserves the best."  In a louder voice he announced he was done.  Before Blaine could begin to analyze what hed just heard, he was being called over to Kurts station.

Then Blaine was dressed in his first outfit. And it was show time.

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Blaine peeked out from the curtain to the loud room packed full of lights, sound and people. So many people. Yeah, there was absolutely no way he could do this.

Sam stood beside him, waiting for the MIC to announce Kurt Hummel Designs. The crowd lit up at the name, louder than Blaine had heard previously. He hadnt realized Kurts work was so popular. Sam was first up.  He winked at Blaine before stepping out. He paused, struck a dynamic pose for the cameras, and then he was off.

Blaine usually loved watching Sam work, but now he was too nervous to do anything but try not to vomit. All those people would be staring at him. How many would look past the clothes, envisioning him without them, anticipating having him that way later?

More than anything, Blaine didnt want to disappoint Kurt.  But he was frozen stock still.  Kurt was standing behind him and noticed his nerves.  He began rubbing his shoulders soothingly. "Youve got this. Its the same as youve done in the back yard a thousand times."  Kurt reached up to unclasp the collar from his throat. Blaine had known he couldnt go on with it, but he still felt so very exposed. There were just so many people...he couldnt do it.  They would hurt him, all those hands...Blaine practically felt them along his body. It was all he could do not to start frantically tugging at his form-fitting clothes, trying to slap those wandering hands away.

"Theyre going to hurt me, Kurt. Theyre gonna to do whatever they want and theres nothing I can do to stop it. What do I do?" He pleaded with Kurt for an answer, for bravery. Anything that would help him do what he needed.  He could feel the stress building and knew if he didnt calm down hed end up in a full-blown panic attack  

"Oh, Sweetie. Calm down, deep breaths. They can look all they want. They should look. Youre the most stunning person here. But no one gets you, I swear it. They cant touch you, I wont let them.  You can do this," Kurt murmured in his ear, holding him as close as he could without messing up Blaines outfit.  "Close your eyes, deed breaths, find that inner courage Ive seen in you.  You can do this.  And if you get scared out there, just look stage right off to the side of the walkway."  After a few deep breaths, Blaine looked where Kurt had directed. Kitten had climbed up on the trellis of some lighting equipment. Her eyes were bright when she met his, her expression challenging, daring him to impress her.

Blaine turned back to look into Kurts warm gaze, so confident in Blaines ability to handle this.  Hed brought Blaine from the brink so many times, saved his life, his mind. Hed given him a home and shared his family. And when faced with a million loud, scary people, Kurt had brought in a tiger to guard him.

Blaine glanced at himself in one the many mirrors. He had to admit it; he looked amazing. He wore an outfit Kurts creative and brilliant mind had designed to make him gorgeous. Those people should see it; should see how amazing Blaines Kurt was. And Blaine was going to show them. Hearing the description of his wardrobe spoken over the music, Blaine stepped out onto the stage and struck a carefully rehearsed pose. All those eyes were on him. Well, good. They should be. Blaine smiled seductively, and then he walked.
-------------------------------------------------

"Fucking phenomenal!"  Sam yelled at him above the din, walking next to him as Blaine shoved himself through the crowd and back into the safety of the Hummel Designs room.  He shut the door firmly behind him, revelling in the quiet space.  The rest of Team Hummel were already there, as Blaine had the last walk of the set.  Sam had waited in the wings to escort him back.

"Blaine, youre a natural!"  Rachel told him, hugging him hard.

"Really, dude. You got that stage rocking so hard theyre gonna need to give out Dramamine," Finn agreed.

Quinn looked briefly confused at Finn before shrugging. "You truly were amazing Blaine. My star pupil." 

Congratulatory arm squeezes and pats, hugs from the small group of people whom he could accept such touches from without fear warmed Blaines already flush body. He had been awesome, he knew. Hed scanned that crowd like hed been looking for someone out there who deserved him; weighed, measured, and found them wanting.  And if the cheers were anything to go by, theyd loved it.  Kitten clapped and hooted at him as he walked by, clearly delighted by his act. It was a distraction he desperately needed when things would get too intense. He could glance at the crazy girl and do his show just for her. And perched where she was, it still looked like he was eyeing the crowd. With Kitten, he knew the placement wasnt accidental. He owed that girl something serious, maybe cookies.

Despite the warm welcome, Blaine only had eyes for one man. He desperately needed to know what Kurt thought. Had he made the perfectionist proud of him? Blaine badly wanted him to be.

Blaine turned and nearly ran into his target. Kurts eyes locked on his for just a second and then Blaine was swept into the only arms hed need for the rest of his life. Kurts personal scent filled his nostrils and Blaine clung back just as hard.

"Was I okay? Did it look good?"  He whispered urgently.

"Blaine. God, Blaine, you were perfect!" And Blaine could breathe again.
---------------------------------

Blaine had changed for the fifth time and was now meandering through a very pretentious evening party. One of the very few redeeming values was that it was held in an exquisitely decorated outdoor courtyard. Tastefully arranged florals were strewn across columns and silky white tablecloths, while a multitude of golden tea-lights bathed the courtyard in a soft light.

Blaine watched the sea of beautiful people mingle, absently stroking his collar.  Hed snapped it back into place the minute hed gotten off stage for the last time, grateful beyond words that Sam had had the forethought to have it with him.  The relief of feeling it against his skin again was palpable. Now he was dressed in a dark green suit with matching bowtie, the fabric of his raw silk shirt a golden-shaded pattern. For all that it was an unlikely pairing, it looked really nice with his skin tone and matched his eyes perfectly. Kurts exact words were he was wearing the hell out of it.  Blaine wasnt exactly sure what that meant, but it sounded good so he went with it.  Kitten paced by his side, her eyes darting over the assembly, daring anyone to get too close.

The general announcements and awards had taken up the first part of the evening. Kurts name featured prominently. His designs had won several awards and hed personally been declared Mr. Up-And-Coming, which apparently made him the belle of the ball.  Blaine was thrilled for him. He couldnt help but kept an eye on the beaming designer, noticing that Kurt tried numerous times to join him only to be repeatedly pulled away. Blaine had smiled at him and shrugged, eventually texting him that he was fine and Kurt should use this important time to network.

Rachel breezed by, looking resplendent on Finns arm in the same forest green adorning Blaine, her outfit an elegantly cut, spaghetti-strap dress that Blaine had adored since hed seen the sketch in Kurts notebook.  Her long, dark curls beautifully accented the color.  She held tight to Finn, chatting animatedly about how many guests had told her they were looking forward to her upcoming performance.  Finn looked striking in a Hummel Designs tux and was clearly having difficulty keeping his eyes off his verbose companion. He explained that he always acted as escort for Rachel when she worked shows for Kurt.  Blaine regarded the pair fondly, privately wondering why Kurt bothered getting them separate rooms.

Sam and Quinn stopped by briefly to say hello and politely compliment Blaine on the suit he wore. They had several friends in attendance, Quinn had told him, so unfortunately they couldnt stay and chat. The frosty glare shed fixed on Kitten the moment she spied Blaines bodyguard might have had something do with her sudden need be elsewhere.  Kitten had smiled innocently back and hooked her arm through Blaines. Sam missed the interchange entirely, busy flagging down a server carrying a tray of drinks, but left readily enough when Quinn tugged him away. Kitten was muttering something about stamina in a regretful tone as both she and Blaine watched Sams ass as he walked away.  She visibly perked up when Blaine reminded her that Puck was supposed to be taking her out to a midnight movie later.

Inquiries about Blaines availability and ticket price began the moment he walked out onto the floor. Apparently hed been earmarked as a favorite. Kitten would politely tell the show guests that he was unavailable. The first time. If they persisted, she told them to fuck off. Several would-be buyers had personal assistants/guards, none of whom seemed even a little interested in confronting the infamous Irish lass.

Blaine fought hard to suppress signs of his gut-churning relief as each offer was swiftly rejected, regardless of the staggering prices mentioned.  Hed believed with everything in his being that Kurt wouldnt sell him for sex. But...yeah, but.   Blaine was too jaded, had been used too harshly to escape the tiny voice in his head that insisted Kurt was just like the rest, and when the money flowed his true colors would show. Had that happened, Blaine would have gone quietly where directed and served to the best of his considerable ability while everything within him shriveled and died.

An hour later, the suit he wore was spoken for, as were half a dozen like it, and he remained molestation-free. Sam had returned to hang out with them for a while.  Quinn had joined up with some acquaintances of hers whom Sam had couldnt stand.  While hed been walking stag, some girl had taken to creeping on him and he was in need of Kittens particular brand of protection to back the rich brat off. Kitten gleefully rose to the occasion, using her second most terrifying skill set: words. By the time Kitten had finished with the young lady, from her makeup, her clothes, her hair, and god-help-us, her shoes, the girl had run away in tears. Blaine thought he should feel bad about how much hed enjoyed the verbal smackdown, but he didnt.

A hand grabbed Blaines ass out of nowhere, goosing him painfully.  As quickly as he felt it, the grip was gone and a furious Kitten was whispering something to the lady whose arm she was bending behind the womans back, looking very close to breaking it. After a few, harshly whispered words she released the woman to her own recognizance. Kitten watched her go, eyes flashing dangerously.

"Please Hailey, relax. It was just a quick grope. Im fine," Blaine pacified.  His guardian reluctantly backed down, though she told him the next person to touch without permission was getting something broken. As it turned out, she wasnt kidding.   The son of one of the designers had taken a shining to Blaine. The young man had adamantly argued with Kitten, alluding to the enormous amount of money he was prepared to offer.  Blaine couldnt contain his shock at the figure so casually dropped. Kitten didnt seem nearly as impressed. After the polite no, then the not so polite fuck off, she was done with the guy and told him so.

When another client asked Kitten a question, the man walked around her and grabbed Blaine by his collar, yanking the slave hard along with him as he swiftly strode away. Caught by surprise, Blaine jerked away, falling back to the ground when the trick-catch on the clasp abruptly snapped.  Kitten grabbed the man and Blaine heard the faint crack that preceded the howl. Clutching several broken digits, the man scowled and ducked away.

Blaine accepted Kittens assistance back to his feet, willing his body to stop shaking.  "So, yeah, that was violent," he commented once hed managed to settle down a bit. Kitten shrugged, not excusing her behavior or seeming concerned about repercussions.  "That arrogant brat wont tell daddy or his friends that a five foot little girl got the best of him. His ego would never abide it."  Once he could breathe normally again, Blaine looked around to make sure Kurt hadnt seen the exchange, not wanting him to be upset. The designer was nowhere to be seen but Blaine did find where his collar had landed a few feet away.

 Kitten eyed the leather strap as Blaine scooped it off the ground. "I can try to rig that for you, if you want. Though Im surprised anything Kurt made would break so easily."

"It didnt."  Blaine snapped the buckle neatly back into place.  "Its made with a break- away clasp." 

"Now thats something," Kitten said in approval. "Theres even a D-ring set in as a decoy. Very cool. Did you and Kurt design it together?"

"Nope. This specific collar was a surprise gift, though I did ask for one. When I asked him about it, Kurt told me hed noticed a slave hanging around outside a restaurant waiting for her owner when he was out buying leatherwork needles.  He said that he traded her baked goods to talk with him about what a slave would consider ideal in a collar."  Blaine wouldve loved to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. Kitten laughed, applauding Kurts logic. Who better then a slave to ask what theyd most value in a collar?

Out of the corner of his eye, Blaine watched an older man hand a ticket to a handler guiding a striking raven-haired model casually across the room. The handler clipped the short leash hed been wearing around his waist to the young womans neck, handing the other end to the patron with a flourish. Without lifting her eyes, the girl obediently followed where she was led. Blaine turned away, hating the scene more every time he saw it repeated.

A short while later he noticed Sebastian being led back to his handler. The slave was limping slightly and when he wasnt observed, Seb shot the man returning him such a fierce look of hate that Blaine was surprised the man didnt burn to ash on the spot. Blaine knew the feeling. Hed gimped his way down the hallway back to the stable brimming with that same emotion more than once.

Noticing Blaines discomfort, Kitten started up a running dialogue about each designer as they wandered around, while adeptly keeping the lascivious at bay. It was ridiculous what she knew about these people. She shared her precious supply of peanut MnMs while they amiably criticized clothing designs that wasnt Kurts. They wandered in slow circles, deliberately keeping a distance from the mini-bar. Blaine made sure to pose as they moved, always aware of his purpose.

Kitten pointed out a sour-looking designer. Hed been one of the more high-end names here, Blaine recalled.  "Thats the guy who paid off Tobias," she told him casually. "He was last years big name but his creativity mustve dried up because this years designs blow." 

"So, that was a deliberate attempt to screw Kurt up, then."

Kitten snorted. "Of course. They waited until hed started cutting, but early enough that Tobias reputation wouldnt get trashed. I dont blame Tobias, he got paid more than he wouldve otherwise to do nothing. Win-win for him."

"Its obnoxious."

"Its politics, sweetie. Thats how the game is played.  Dont sweat it, Kurt knows how to swim these waters." 

Evening turned to night and the festivities drew to a close. Blaine leaned casually against a wall, watching from his spot in a corner."  Now that the party was clearing out he didnt feel duty bound to hover front and center."  Most of the people actually interested in the clothing he wore had long since moved on with their evening, leaving him to fend off handsy trolls and inebriated requests for tickets.  Hed taken to politely responding that his time was fully claimed to the few people who got past Kittens careful eye.

Kurt stood a little away from the mostly empty dance floor, chatting animatedly with another designer from the show.  The young lady seemed more than a little star-struck.  Blaine had seen several beginning designers acting that way around Kurt.  From eavesdropping on multiple conversations throughout the evening, Blaine had discovered that the rampant success of Hummel Designs was nearly as unique as its creator.  Ambitious beginners frequently plagued Kurt for advice, or just to be seen talking with him.  Blaine privately thought they were wasting their time.  Even though it was his first experience at fashion show, Blaine could clearly see how Kurts designs stood out from the rest.

"So, how was your first after-party," Kitten asked, nudging Blaines shoulder to get his attention.

"Every bit as horrifying as Id been warned about," Blaine replied frankly. He was unable to keep his eyes off Kurt, not bothering to hide his longing from his companion.  She saw everything anyway, regardless of how well he tried to hide it.  It had been creepy at first, but Blaine finally decided she was omnipotent and found other things to worry about.

Man of the hour, that one," Kitten commented, following Blaines gaze.  "Words gotten around that his hot self is single and theres more than a few people with a mind to change his status."

Blaine was well aware of that.  Kurt had fended off nearly as many advances as Blaine had during the party, albeit with more flair.  "Can you blame them?  Hes successful, ambitious, gorgeous, and thats just the surface stuff."  Blaine knew he was also kind, considerate, and had a bitingly witty sense of humor.

Kitten snorted.  "I just like watching his cute ass in those pants he somehow greased himself into."

"Youre not wrong," Blaine agreed, having spent more than his fair share of time observing the body part in question.

"Well, Tiger.  Whatcha going to do about it? Go ask the man out.  You know, coffee, tea, me?  Ive seen the sparks between you two."

"Seriously Kitten, please drop it.  Nothing can ever happen," Blaine muttered. Honestly, even if he wasnt a slave he wasnt sure hed be brave enough to make a move.  "Kurt has made it clear on multiple occasions that there wont ever be anything like that between us." Kitten raised an eyebrow in question. 

"He said that since hes my owner he could never be sure it was truly consensual and he refused to do anything to take advantage of me," Blaine explained.

"Fuck that." 

Blaine blinked at her, startled by the vehement response.

Kitten tugged Blaine around until he was facing her and gave him a serious look.  "Im sorry, but thats bullshit. Refusing you because youre a slave is hypocritical.  Its no more fair then thinking he has the right to you for the same reason.  Hes still making decisions for you without your consent. While its obviously not nearly on the same scale as fucking you against your will, its still not right."  She sighed, losing the angry tone, if not the intensity. 

"From what I can tell, hes dead set on making you an equal in his life.  Thats a terrible burden to place on you.  I cant imagine how hard its been making that transition. Youve had to overcome some pretty fucking serious conditioning, not to mention the constant pressure from society to be appropriately submissive in public. Youve had to completely rebuild yourself to please him, while at the same time always being aware of which behavioral patterns you are expected to maintain in a given situation."  Kitten paused to glare at a slightly inebriated pair who came closer then she liked, watching until they moved on.

"If Kurts going to royally mindfuck you like that, the least he can do is put a little of himself out there," she continued.  "Hes made it clear that if you want to take a sexual partner youre welcome to.  So, if you want him, challenge that. Youve more then earned the right." 

Blaine stared, speechless.  Everything Kitten had said was true.  And privately, hed thought the same from time to time.  It wasnt fair of Kurt.  If he honestly wasnt interested in Blaine, that was one thing, but Blaine was fairly certain that wasnt the case.  Kitten certainly seemed to think she saw something between them, and Kurt himself had told Blaine that first night in the hotel that if things were different hed have been all over him. Blaine thought of warm, sweet way Kurt looked at him and the constant touches, be they deliberate or accidental. Kurt didnt act like that with anyone else. There had to be more to that than simple friendship.

"Youre right,"  Blaine told Kitten, finally. He regretted it immediately when her trademark evil smirk crossed her face.

"Well, duh.  I always am.  And when you wake up tomorrow, totally fucked out and sated, make sure to send pics Kittens way.  Because you and Kurt, just, damn."

Blaine blushed and Kitten laughed merrily.  "Well, my work here is done. Go forth young hottie and get ye laid."  She gently pushed him out of the corner, swatting him firmly on the butt as he walked away. The glare he sent her direction was met with an unrepentant grin and a shooing motion.

Blaine swallowed nervously as he walked over the bar. He told the barista his master requests a glass of white wine, the way hed seen other slaves pick up drinks for their owners. Apparently that was fine, and a full glass was placed in front of him without question.

The designer talking to Kurt finally left and Blaine decided this was his best chance.  Now he just had to move.  Really legs, step forward, anytime now would be good.  But he stood frozen. There was so much potential for things to go horribly wrong. What if Kurt became angry at his forwardness? The slave in Blaine cringed at the thought of displeasing his owner. This was a bad idea.

Blaine squared his shoulders.  If he was too afraid to even talk about it, then Kurt was right, there was too much imbalance between them, and Blaine had no business trying to initiate anything.  Still. If Blaine was sure of anything in the world, it was that Kurt would never deliberately hurt him.  The greatest risk here was rejection.  He could handle that.

Blaine walked over to where Kurt stood checking his phone. "Hi, can I interest you in a drink?"  He kept his tone light, a real smile on his face when Kurt squeaked and jumped away in alarm.

"Holy hell, I need to develop some situational awareness.  You scared me."  Kurt smiled at him, accepting the wine.  "Thanks for this.  I wanted to have one last one before we called it a night."

"My pleasure.  Were leaving, then?"

"Soon. I dont know about you but Im so over this night," Kurt answered, shuddering dramatically.

Blaine watched a slim, delicate finger glide along the wine glass absently before Kurt took a sip.  "Oh yeah. More than ready.  I...ah noticed more than a few attractive guys paying special attention to you. Are you meeting anyone later?"  Blaine asked, trying to sound casual.

Kurt snorted into his wine.  "Not a chance.  The sheer amount of shallow most of these guys exude is staggering."

Blaine chuckled weakly at the comment. Well okay, then. Here goes everything. Blaine turned his head and leaned in a little to catch the designers attention, smiling warmly when Kurt met his eyes curiously. "So, would you like to get out of here, maybe get a cup of coffee?"

"I never say no to coff...wait, what?"  Kurt froze, finally noticing the intent gleam in the golden eyes regarding him steadily.

"I asked you out, Kurt.  Are you interested?"

Kurt sighed, dropping his eyes.  "Blaine, weve discussed this.  Im sorry, but it wouldnt be right for me to be that with you."

Blaine regarded him levelly.  "Kitten was right, then.  You dont really want me to act as an equal.  I apologize, Sir, for my inappropriate behavior. Please, punish me for my mistake."  Blaine delivered the line challengingly, daring Kurt to call him on it.

"The hell, Blaine? I dont know what Haileys been saying to you but..."

"She didnt say anything I havent already thought about," Blain interrupted, frustrated into finally speaking his mind.  "Youve pushed me to make my own decisions since the day we met.  Well, here it is. I like you, a lot. I like how close we are and Id love for us to be closer. By your own rules, you shouldnt blow me off just because Im a slave. If you arent interested in me, thats different, but I think you are.  I think maybe you want me almost as much as I want you." 

Blaine crowded into Kurts personal space, squashing the plaintive run away his inner voice was screaming at him.   Kurt didnt look mad, he looked startled, maybe even afraid, his beautiful eyes wide with a deer-in-the-headlights-stare at Blaines words and behavior.

"Tell me you want me, Kurt."  Blaine murmured, gentling his tone. "Tell me Im right about this, about us."

"Youre wrong," Kurt told him softly.  Blaine dropped his eyes, defeated.  He wasnt worried about any physically painful repercussions from this conversation.  Kurt wouldnt hurt him.  But the emotional pain that blossomed in his chest was unexpected, burning like a lash.  So, this was what rejection felt like. Blaine almost preferred the whip. He opened his mouth to tell Kurt he understood, to promise that he wouldnt try to make a move on him again.  Kurt placed a hand delicately under Blaines chin, lifting his face to meet his eyes before he could speak.

Blaines words died unsaid.  Kurts bright glasz eyes glowed with happiness as well as no small amount of heat.  Suddenly Blaine was burning for whole different reasons than embarrassment and rejection.

"Youre wrong, because theres no possible way you can want me as much as I want you," Kurt told him, his voice low, seductive, and so ridiculously happy.  "But you are right about all the rest of it.  It was unfair, and I apologize." His expression broke into dazzling smile.  "Yes, I would love to get coffee with you."

Blaine beamed back as as relief, joy, some fear, but mostly just happiness rolled through him.  "So, umm, before we leave...may I have this dance?"  Hed longed to ask Kurt all night, watching his lithe form gracefully sway with various partners.

"Yes, yes you may," Kurt agreed, taking Blaines proffered arm in his own and allowing himself to be led to the dance floor."  The music was a slowish song. Kurt folded himself around Blaine and let the slave guide them in swaying circles.

"Ive wanted this for so long," Kurt whispered, almost too low for Blaine to hear.  "Sometimes I wanted it so badly it was physically painful, keeping everything inside, holding you in my arms night after night, knowing I could never be with you like this."  Blaine let the words flow through him, soothing and burning at the same time.

"I wanted to be with you, too," he murmured.  But I was so scared. And after you told me no so many times, I just...I just couldnt take the chance." 

Kurt pulled back a little to look at him as they swayed. His eyes were red from the tears Blaine had heard in his voice since at his admission.  "Not...of me, right? Blaine, please tell me you arent scared of me?"

"No, no, of course not. Well, maybe a little. But not like, Im afraid youd hurt me or anything, at least not physically. Youre the first person Ive ever wanted romantically, and the thought of putting myself out there and finding out that you werent really interested, that Id made it all up in my head and Id screwed up what we have, thats what terrified me."

Kurt sighed, pressing close again and settling back into Blaines arms.  "Good. I never want you to be afraid of me. I...God, I just couldnt handle that."

Blaine nuzzled into Kurts neck.  "I also worried that maybe even if you did want me like I want you, you wouldnt allow this to happen for all the reasons youd said before. Because you own me. And I am yours, Kurt. I belong to you in ways no legal documents can compete with." 

"I love you, Blaine."

And then Kurt wasnt the only one crying. Blaine hoped that this wasnt a dream, or if it was, that hed never wake.  Hed trade a thousand realities to stay in this place just a little longer.  Because there was no way this could be real.  Life wasnt this kind to Blaine.  It was dark and heartless, placing him with parents willing to trade a second son who wouldnt be giving them grandchildren in exchange for release from tax debts. Then, the very trait that made him superfluous to his family was exploited in the cruelest possible ways, over and over again. That was what life gave to Blaine. He wasnt meant to know love.

"I love you, too," Blaine croaked. Kurt clutched him impossibly tighter, sniffling a happy laugh against Blaines shoulder.

As they swayed in slow circles, Blaine caught sight of Kitten, beaming at him from across the room.  Pictures, she mouthed, mimicking holding a camera.  Blaine rolled his eyes at her fondly before tucking his head comfortably into Kurts shoulder.
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After the music ended, they dragged their weary bodies up to the hotel room.  Given the hour, they opted for hot chocolate instead of coffee. Kurt sat across from Blaine on the small loveseat, their legs entwined as they talked.

"Blaine, I hope you realize just how much I want there to be an us.  But you have to be honest with me.  All the time."  Kurts eyes were glued to his mug, circling it in his hands absently as he spoke.  I couldnt stand it if I hurt you or if something was wrong and you were afraid to tell me.  We really need to communicate.  Thats the only way we have a shot at making this work."  He looked up at the man across from him. 

Blaine nodded in acceptance.  "I get that.  And I will, I promise.  But, please understand, years of painful conditioning cant be undone in just a few months. Ill probably freak out, get scared, and regress.  Probably a lot."  He swallowed.  "Can you handle that? Because I need you to not back off and withdraw when I...get confused.  I really want to be with you, so much.  Can you be patient with me?  Give me time to adjust?"

Kurt smiled warmly, his eyes glittering. "Id give so much more than time to be with you. This isnt going to be an easy journey for either of us, I know that.  But Ive cared about you, wanted you, for so long. And I never thought Id get this chance.  I think we should try. I know I want to," he ducked his head, blushing faintly.  "Besides, you know what a hopeless romantic I am. While I wont deny the occasional casual indiscretion, I much prefer taking things slowly." 

Blaine set his cup aside, rolling forward and maneuvering onto all fours. He knelt over Kurts body and slowly moved in, pressing a chaste kiss against Kurts soft lips.  "We can do this," he promised.

After sharing several sweet kisses, and a few not so sweet ones, the pair moved to the bed. They curled up together as they had so many times before. But this time it felt different. Every casual touch or caress was a thing, a preamble for a future together. There was no sex. Blaine wasnt ready for any kind of serious physical intimacy yet.  But there was laughter, warmth, and snuggles aplenty before exhaustion got the better of them.  Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurts warm body, kissing his neck as they curled together to sleep.