"Blaine, wake up dude."  A voice called as a hand on his shoulder gently shook Blaine to consciousness.

Blaine shot upright, looking around frantically. He was in the tan room his Master had told him was his yesterday. The morning light filtered through the curtains and a breeze rustled from the window.

Finn was looking down at him, wearing a sheepish expression.  "Sorry, I scared you," he told Blaine.  "You sure spook easy."

Blaine glanced over at the digital clock. 8:30! God, Blaine had slept in too late. He hadnt been given a specific time to be ready but he was sure that he should have been up by now.

"Im so sorry, Sir."  He told Finn, hastily pushing the covers away and standing.  "I didnt mean to sleep so long. Is Kurt very angry with me?" 

Blaine froze when hands caught his shoulders. He wasnt sure if he should have knelt for Finn or started dressing as fast as he could. Either one was probably wrong. He began to shake, closing his eyes in anticipation of a blow to the face. He certainly deserved whatever was coming for being so lazy and careless.

"Hey, stop.  Im sorry.  You arent in trouble.  And if Kurt is gonna be angry at anyone itll be me."  Finn shrugged.  "He told us to let you sleep in. But its breakfast time and Kurts making French toast.  Its really epic and I know if someone didnt wake me up to let me know that French toast was happening Id be seriously pissed.  So, you know, I just thought Id wake you up in case you were interested.  Didnt mean to upset you." 

Blaine had opened his eyes when Finn had told him he wasnt in trouble. He held still as Finn released his shoulders and stepped back.

"So, umm, if you want to come out for breakfast with us, youre welcome to," Finn finished awkwardly.

Blaine swallowed. Now that he was fully awake he noticed the sweet smell of frying sugar and the sound of voices.  A tinkling laughter sounded briefly over the chatter.  "Umm, please, what should I wear?"  Kurt had told him hed get some basic clothes and outfits set up for Blaine today.

"Its breakfast, not a formal dining experience. Just throw on your robe and come out when youre ready."  Finn shot him a smile before turning to head quickly toward the kitchen. Clearly, hed been away from the French toast as long as he could bear.

Blaine used the restroom and did his best to comb his curls into something manageable. He cautiously made his way to the kitchen area. Seated around a large table were Rachel, Finn, and a lovely blonde girl he didnt recognize. The table was full of plates. Bacon, scrambled eggs made colorful with veggies, a large bowl of tater tots, a carafe of coffee with cream and sugar next to it, and a large pitcher of juice with slices of strawberries floating in it were spread across the tables surface. Kurt came around the open island that separated the kitchen from the eating area with a plate in each hand. The plates contained thick slices of French toast dusted in powdered sugar. Thin lines of syrup were artfully drizzled in a criss cross pattern across the bread.

"Blaine! Good morning,"  Kurt chirped cheerfully. Finn reached across the table impatiently for one of the plates and Kurt backed him up with a glare.  "Nope. This one is Rachels and trust me, you dont want it." 

He handed the other plate to his chastised half brother and set the first in front of Rachel.  "Vegan French toast is a sin against the culinary gods, just so you know," Kurt told the girl. Rachel just beamed up at him and cheerfully dug in.

Finn took a giant bite and groaned happily.  "This is the best part of these dumb shows. You cooking every day."

Kurt snorted.  "I aim to please."  He looked over to where Blaine was hovering uncertainly.  "Come on, sit down. The next batch is nearly done."  With that, Kurt turned and headed back to the stove

Finn kicked the chair next to him out in invitation, grinning as he chewed.  Blaine cautiously sat down, trying desperately to figure out what he was supposed to do now.

"Hello," the blonde girl across the table said, clearly sizing Blaine up.

"Maam," Blaine replied, dropping his gaze.

"Blaine, would you like coffee or juice?"  Rachel asked him, pointedly ignoring the other girl.  "Kurt strongly objects to making me vegan food but hell do it. He draws the line at caffeine-free coffee, though. The juice is orange juice mixed with strawberry and its amazing." 

Blaine glanced over to the kitchen where his Master was cheerfully singing about the merits of Kansas City as he flipped the toast in the pan.

"I uh.. I should have water, if thats okay?"  He asked cautiously. Rachel shrugged and passed over a pitcher of water with cucumber slices in it.  "Okay, but you really should at least try a little of Kurts juice.  He gets uppity when his efforts arent appreciated." 

Blaine didnt know exactly what that meant, but he poured half a glass of the juice though he was too nervous to drink it.  He was waiting for someone to yell at him or push him to the floor. He could feel himself beginning to shake again, not sure what was expected of him and afraid hed accidentally earn a punishment.

"Blaine."  The blonde across the table called him softly. He looked up, meeting the pretty green eyes cooly evaluating him.  "You are exactly where you are supposed to be. Kurt was raised in an anti slavery family. He has little to no real experience with slaves and he honestly doesnt understand that this might confuse you. Rachel cant see past her own world and Finn is adorably clueless," she added looking across the table at the large man fondly. Rachel was talking away at high speeds and Finn was focusing, clearly attempting to keep up.

"My name is Quinn," the blonde told him. Her voice was gentle but firm. "You are to address me by that name." 

"Yes, Quinn," Blaine answered, relieved someone was actually telling him what to do.

"When Kurt cooks, we try to eat together. Usually we gather here at the table, around those stools at the breakfast bar, or in the living room. Kurt will expect you to sit with us, and eat until youre full from whatever is available. Every meal." Quinn paused to take a delicate bite from her plate.  "Now, tell me what immeadiate questions you have." 

"Is there something I should do until everyone finishes eating?  Like clean or serve?"  Blaine asked, grateful that someone would give him instruction.

"You misunderstand.  Eat at the same time as we do. You will be given a plate of your own and you are to have the food on the table. Kurt will appreciate assistance cleaning up but thats for afterward," Quinn explained.  "Dont try to help him cook; he prefers to have the area to himself."

Before Blaine could ask the crazy girl if she was sure about all that, Kurt returned. He took the seat on Blaines other side and placed one of the two plates he carried in front of the slave. Blaine stared at the two thick slices of warm, sugary perfection in front of him.

"Its good, I promise," Kurt encouraged. "Grab some of the other sides, as well. I made bacon specifically for you since I remembered you saying you liked it at the hotel." 

"I love bacon," Finn objected.  "You dont go out of your way to make it for me."

Kurt rolled his eyes. He took a big bite of his toast, sighing in satisfaction.  "You like everything," he told his half-brother. "And I havent talked with Blaine yet about his food preferences so I went with the only thing I knew about for certain." 

Blaine met Quinns gaze across the table. She smiled encouragingly at him before looking down to fiddle with her phone.

Blaine slowly reached for the bacon platter, expecting his hand to be smacked at any second despite the reassurances. Rachel glanced at him and handed the platter over without pause in her one sided conversation with Finn.

When nothing painful happened, Blaine placed some bacon on his plate. He added eggs and several potatoes. Not able to wait any longer, he tried the toast and nearly died right there. Hed never had anything so amazing in his life. Vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and syrup blended with strawberry slices into a bite of fluffy heaven.

Kurt was watching his reaction and grinned at the look of pure bliss on Blaines face. "Not bad, huh?"  He asked cheekily.

"I dont have words," Blaine replied, covering his mouth as he chewed. With Kurt next to him, smiling and happy, Blaine was able to relax and enjoy his food. Kurts presence had put him at ease ever since hed met the handsome designer. The gut-wrenching fear that arrested him every time a hotel manager used to appear had yet to surface.  Even when the slave in him quaked, Blaine realized, hed never been really terrifed of the man.  Not like he should, given Kurt had absolute control over Blaines life. Blaine ate quietly, listening to his Master verbally spar with Quinn. 

"Who is Quinn?"  He asked softly, when Kurt stopped talking to pour more juice. Blaine had eventually tried it and discovered Rachel was right, it was amazing.

"Hmm? Oh, no one told you? Sorry. Quinn and Rachel are my female models. Ill pair you with Rachel, and Quinn is always partnered with my other male model, Sam, when I have her. Youll understand why when you see him. Sam is flying in tomorrow morning so you can meet him then."

Quinn smiled, looking pleased.  "Sams coming tomorrow? Excellent. Wait, you bought Blaine to be a model?"

"Not again. Yes, I did. I know hes a little skinny, but Im working on that and with his coloring he will play off Rachel really well" 

"Thats not what I mean, and you know it. Hes perfectly attractive. With a nice hair cut and a little work on his posture, hell be fine."  After a moment, she shrugged indifferently.  "Im sure you know what youre doing." 

"Thank you, Quinn, for being the only one here who has given me even a little benefit of the doubt. Besides Blaine, of course."

"Of course he did. Youve had him for what, two days? And he hasnt been beaten yet. Hes not locked in the basement when not in use and youve fed him. Hell do anything to please you."

Kurt froze.

"Quinn, please,"  Blaine whispered, not wanting Kurt to be upset, despite the truth to the words.

"Well talk later," Kurt promised her darkly, seeing Blaine looking miserable beside him.

Kurt got up and headed to the kitchen to start cleaning, Blaine following close behind. "May I help?"  He asked carefully.

"Id love it, actually. That lot is quick to appear for meals but theyre even quicker to disappear afterward."

Blaine began scraping plates and putting them in the warm soapy water while Kurt scrubbed. Blaine watched the left over bits of food hit the trash, painfully aware that those would have amounted to a gold star meal for him back at the hotel.

They cleaned in companionable silence. Afterward, both retreated to their respective bathrooms to shower and change. Blaine came out from a wonderfully long, hot shower to find several sets of clothes on his bed. Once dressed, he laid back on his bed, content to hide in his room until summoned. He fell asleep that way, the warm rays shining in from the window.
-----------------

Blaine woke hours later. His clock said 12:40p. Blaine knew Kurt would be collecting him soon for his medical exam. He ventured out to find Finn reading a magazine in the living room.

"Hey, dude. You hungry? We generally only do the big meal thing once a day so its every man for himself the rest of the time. Theres leftover lasagna and sandwich stuff in the fridge."

Eat again?  After the mammoth meal just that morning?  The man must be insane.  "Thank you, Sir. Im still full from breakfast," Blaine answered politely.

"Call me Finn," the larger man said amiably.

"Blaine?"  Kurts voice called.  "Are you around? We need to get going."

Blaine hastily turned, following Kurts voice through the house.

"Marco!" Kurt tried again, loudly.

"Polo," Blaine responded in a normal tone as he came around the corner to meet his Master, a grin tugging at his face.

Smiling back, Kurt headed for the door, collecting Blaines paperwork off an end table.

The drive to the clinic didnt take long, but it was more than long enough for Blaine to get nervous. What if they found something wrong? Would Kurt not want him anymore? He reached out and clutched Kurts arm as they walked across the parking lot before he could stop himself.

Kurt smiled at him reassuringly, clasping his hand over Blaines. "Its okay. This is just a check up. Youre completely safe. I wont allow anything to happen to you, I promise." 

"Yes, Kurt."  Blaine replied softly.

They entered a typically neutral office lobby and Kurt signed them in, collecting a form to fill out. Kurt sat on a chair and Blaine knelt on the floor beside him.

"Please dont make me," Blaine begged with his eyes when Kurt looked like he was about to tell the slave to sit next to him. The exam room was fairly crowded and Blaine didnt want to risk calling attention to himself or get yelled at.

Kurt sighed, but didnt comment on Blaines choice. Instead he began filling out the form, quietly asking the slave questions. Birthday? September 22. Vaccine history? Unknown.

"Mr. Hummel?"  A young lady in scrubs called out after a bit.

"Right here," Kurt answered as followed her down the hall, Blaine trailing close behind him. He handed her his mostly completed chart

"This way, please." 

Kurt was shown to a standard medical exam room. He took the wheeley chair, rolling idly while Blaine sat on the papered exam table, trying to control his nerves.

About ten minutes later a different woman in a white lab coat entered.

"Mr. Hummel, hello. Im Rebecca, nurse practitioner. And this must be Blaine?"  She asked, smiling warmly at the slave.

"Yes, Maam," Blaine answered, barely above a whisper. He really hated medical exams.

"Okay, one of the receptionists phoned Blaines previous owner to get any medical records they have. Those should be faxed over any time now. In the meantime, lets begin with a standard physical. Blaine, please stand up."

Blaine held perfectly still, following whatever order was directed at him while the nurse obtained his vital signs and listened to his lungs, chatting amiably with Kurt as she worked.

"How long ago did you purchase him?" Rebecca asked, as she assessed Blaines radial pulse.

"Two days ago. He belonged to the hotel I stayed at," Kurt answered easily.

"Oh. Blaine, what was your function at the hotel?"

"I was a service slave, Maam."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door, to Blaines relief. The assistant handed Blaines file over to Rebecca and she flipped it open and began scanning the sheets.

"Mr. Hummel, would you mind telling me what function you bought Blaine for?"

"Uh, sure. Im a fashion designer. Blaine is going to assist as one of my models." 

"Have you or anyone else used him for sex acts since you bought him?"

Kurts head jerked up. "Absolutely not. Why do you ask?" 

The nurse flipped through the file again. "All service slaves are routinely screened for transmittable conditions. The results of Blaines latest tests came back yesterday. Hes positive for Chlamydia. Youre absolutely certain no ones used him?" 

Blaine felt a rushing in his ears, deaf to whatever else was being said. Oh god, he had an STD. He leaned against the wall for support before sliding down to the floor. He tucked his legs up and wrapped himself into a tight ball, shaking uncontrollably. Why now? He finally had hope for a decent life, a good Master, a nice home, and now it was all over.

"Blaine?" Kurt stopped talking to the nurse when he noticed Blaine curled in on himself on the floor.  "Hey, hey its okay."  Kurt quickly knelt next to the slave, wrapping his arms around him.

"I have an STD," Blaine answered bleakly. Hearing himself say the words didnt make it any less surreal.

"Ill just start getting things together," Rebecca told Kurt, walking out of the room.

"Blaine, please, its okay. Really."  Kurt tried to reassure the inconsolable slave.

Blaine curled around Kurt, wrapping his arms around his Masters waist and burying his face into his chest. "Im sorry, Kurt. Sorry you wasted money on me. Sorry Im worthless." 

Kurt hugged Blaine tightly to him. "Blaine, dont. You arent worthless, and Im so glad I bought you."

Blaine began to sob softly, cringing when he heard the door open and the nurse return. He glanced over to her, seeing the syringe on the tray she carried. Hastily, Blaine shut his eyes, burrowing back into Kurts warmth.

"Is it..." he swallowed, "Is the injection going to hurt?"

"Im honestly not sure. Ive never gotten it," Kurt replied, running his hands through Blaines curls soothingly.  "But Im sure that compared to everything else youve experienced, a shot wont feel like anything." 

Blaine nodded, not moving from his spot against Kurt. "Okay...okay." 

Kurt held on tightly to the terrified slave while the nurse lifted his sleeve and rubbed a alcohol swab over his skin. The cynical voice in Blaines head wondered why she bothered.

True to Kurts prediction, the injection barely stung as the nurse pushed the fluid into Blaines arm.

"Thats it, all done."

"Thank you," Kurt replied politely, rubbing soothing circles along Blaines back.  "Would you get the rest of his paperwork ready and Ill head out to the counter in a minute?" 

"Of course, give me a few minutes to get Blaines discharge instructions together and Ill be right back. While youre at the counter you may as well schedule his recheck."

Kurt nodded, feeling Blaine go still in his arms.

"Better?"  Kurt asked kindly.

"Please, what recheck appointment was she talking about?"  Blaine asked in confusion. He pulled his head up and glanced at his arm; it looked the same as always. And he felt fine.

"Your recheck. We went through this, Im sorry, I thought you were listening."

"I...um, I was distracted. Why do I need a recheck?"

Kurt repeated the conversation readily, just relieved that Blaine was calming down.

"Okay, well, Nurse Rebecca is writing a script for antibiotics which we can fill on the way home. She wants to see you back here in 2 weeks to be retested. If youre still positive we may need to continue your meds longer." 

"Antibiotics?"  Blaine whispered, confused.

"Yes. For the STD."

Blaine flinched.

The nurse returned at that moment with a script and written instructions for Blaines home care.  "Now, the antibiotic injection is a good start. He needs to begin oral meds tonight with food. If he gets nauseous or develops a rash let me know, we may need to change to a different antibiotic."

Blaine pulled himself completely upright and turned to the nurse.  "Please, Maam, that shot you gave me was an antibiotic?" 

"Of course. Kurt and I were discussing that just a few moments ago."

Blaine felt like he was about to faint. He looked at Kurt who was smiling reassuringly. "Im, wait, that wasnt..." 

"Wasnt what?" Kurt urged the slave to finish his sentence so he could figure out what the hell was going on in Blaines head.

"A euthanasia shot," Blaine whispered, staring at the floor.

"What?" Kurts voice could hit a really impressive high note when he was emotional, Blaine couldnt help but notice.  "Of course not. You really thought you were about to be killed?!" 

"He has reason to believe that," the nurse told Kurt, tearing a script off her pad and handing it to him.  "There are specific laws for slaves who are used for public services. Any who come up positive for anything transmittable are legally required to be culled so theres no risk that they might infect citizens."

"Blaine," she said, crouching in front of the slave to be at eye level.  "The rules are different for private owners. Since Kurt isnt going to make you available on a public service basis, he can choose to handle your health however he wants."

"And, please believe me, Im getting you treated. Id never do...that, Blaine. I swear. I promised to keep you safe," Kurt told him urgently, hugging Blaine for all he was worth.

The grip was too tight, but Blaine welcomed it. He was okay. He had an STD, but he was okay.

Seeing that Blaine was calming, Rebecca finished going over home care with Kurt and said shed see them in two weeks.

Kurt stood, pulling Blaine up with him. "Are you better, now? As soon as I pay the bill we can leave."

Blaine was adamantly in favor of leaving. He clutched at Kurts arm like the lifeline it was as they left the room.

Kurt had a hard time pulling out his wallet to give his mastercard to the receptionist with Blaine glued to him like a barnacle but he didnt try to get loose from the death grip. Blaine had just gone through a crisis and Kurt wanted to give him any reassurance he could.

Once they got to the van, Blaine finally did release Kurts arm. His face burned with embarrassment and he was ashamed by his behavior. Hed just had a major meltdown in the middle of a medical office, apparently freaking out and panicking over a simple antibiotic injection. If hed only listened he would have known what was happening.

"Im sorry, Kurt. I didnt mean to make such a scene. I set out determined to be good for you and I cant seem to get a single thing right. Im really sorry. And Ill do better. I dont want to mess this up."

"Honey, you want to see a scene, wait until Im nose deep in my designs at 6 in the morning and I dont have any coffee. Now, thats a scene. Ive been known to make dogs howl from the pitch of my bitch, as Quinn so kindly called it once." 

Kurt carefully backed the van out and maneuvered onto the road before claiming Blaines hand in his once more.  "We just need to stop and get your script filled and then we can go home."

Blaine squeezed the hand holding his. Home sounded good.