It was a week later and Blaine was laying in bed, head rested on Kurt's naked chest while he drew lazy circles around Kurt's abdomen, marveling in the smooth, creamy skin of his husband. They had just engaged in some rather frivolous sex after having a lazy lunch together and were now a tangle of skin, limbs, and sheets.

"I have a confession to make Kurt..." Blaine spoke softly, watching as the light, fair hairs on Kurt's stomach bent under the weight of his breath.

"Mmm?" Kurt had his fingers nestled in Blaine's hair, where he had been stroking it until his post-orgasm lethargy set in.

"I haven't really felt anything except happy about my father being caught and then sent to live in guarded solitude after the peace summit... And now I feel guilty because of it."

Kurt's eyes cracked open. "Let me see if I can sum up what I'm hearing. Your dad essentially had you locked up for most of your life with a good degree of abuse, and due to his own issues, not the least of which was the homophobia and superiority complexes he took out on you, he has ended up getting locked away for the rest of his life. You are relieved to be freed of your captors hold and away from his abuse, however you feel guilty because he's still your father and you feel that because of that, you somehow owe him better."

Blaine pushed himself up and winced at the sore tenderness in him. He looked to Kurt and shook his head. "How is it you can figure things out just like that?"

Kurt smiled sweetly and brought his arms around Blaine's shoulders to embrace him. "I like to watch you when you think I'm not looking. I watch your eyes, your mouth, the way you move your head... It's all so telling and beautiful." A kiss was laid from Kurt's lips to Blaine's forehead before he continued. "Love, I think it's natural to want more from your relationship with your father than you do, but I don't think that you are going to get more than what you have, and what you have is more of an enemy than a loved one in him."

Blaine rested his head into the nook where Kurt's shoulder met his neck. "Do you think he can change?"

Kurt let out a sigh and Blaine knew that would be the beginning of an explanation as to why he couldn't or wouldn't. "I think anyone can change... But I think that to change, someone has to want to change and be willing to put the effort into changing. I don't know if your father is willing."

Blaine's nuzzled his nose along Kurt's collarbone, a thoughtful and also affectionate gesture. "Cooper seemed certain he could eventually change his mind..."

"Cooper also had the approval of him growing up and little of the abuse. He has a lot more to lose in actuality than you do because he actually had something of a relationship with your father." Kurt's hands were sweeping up and down Blaine's back now. They were both such cuddle whores.

"That's why he agreed to lead the guard cycles at the sanctuary where they're keeping my father..." Blaine noted.

It had been a few days now since the summit and Blaine had done well. His brothers, Cooper included, agreed that Blaine should stay on as king because they all would lack any legitimacy and support. Much to Blaine's surprise, Cooper also admitted that he had been dreading having to serve as king ever since he was a boy and he was more than happy to give it up. His younger brothers either continued on as realm protectorates for Westerville or joined the remnants of Hummels army to develop an understanding of their virtues and learn to fight for the right. Overall it had gone off without any concerns, save for one.

While they were supportive of Blaine's marriage and were hesitant at first about Kurt before recognizing how wonderful Blaine knew Kurt was, it was the situation of the heir.

It didn't seem to matter that Blaine had more siblings than teeth, none of them wanted to end up in the role Blaine had taken on. Most were happy on the battlefield and exploring new regions.

It had seemed to be a sticking point until Kurt had an idea. Westerville would be a progressive nation, one that heard the voices of all its people. Slowly, but surely, during Blaine's reign, they would develop a council of representatives who would represent the interests of the citizens and vote on issues according to the values of the groups they represented. The blacksmiths would choose a representative from among them, the soldiers would choose one for them, the farmers, the merchants, etc. Blaine would stay on, but if all went to plan then by the time he was in his late years, he would be a symbolic leader only.

It meant that they would have more freedom too. Kurt was already planning out a summer trip to the plot of land his dad had claimed in what had once been Lima where he was going to build a house for him and Carole which would have many spare rooms for, and he looked at Blaine and Finn as he said this, "many grandchildren". That still left Blaine thinking about children, but if a blood heir was no longer as essential as it had been in a traditional monarchy, this meant he and Kurt could go into the orphanage he had established and maybe create a family with those who really needed one.

Kurt had dozed off while Blaine traversed his thoughts, a gentle snore emanating from his slightly parted lips. Blaine grinned to himself and slowly eased himself out of Kurt's hold, which was no easy feat as Kurt was a Blaine magnet in his sleep. Blaine had happily become accustomed to having no personal space anymore when he slept. It took awhile and Blaine had to hold his breath a few times, but he freed himself.

He slowly snuck to the door, half because he didn't want to wake Kurt, and half because his backside was still burning from their lovemaking earlier. Cracking it open a hair, he softly whispered "Trent, you there?"

There was a muffled reply in the affirmative and Blaine heard footsteps approaching the door. He kept the door only open a little so he wasn't flashing himself to Trent, though at this point, Trent probably knew what had just gone on.

"Here. Take her. She's a wriggly thing and she stole a ham pie. Keep her out of my kitchen." Trent said, with some disdain as he pushed the door open a little more to hold a little golden puppy out to Blaine.

Blaine laughed and took the puppy into his arms, thanking Trent and closing the door. The little blonde girl had just the softest ears which had reminded Blaine so much of Kurt's smooth skin. She was wriggly in his arms and extremely excited with her tail repeatedly bashing against Blaine's chest. He had found her in a box by the stables and Jeff explained that she was the runt of the litter and no one had wanted her. Naturally that made Blaine want her immediately and so now he was creeping back up to the bed with the puppy in his hands, ready to surprise his husband.

He set the little pup down on the bed and she immediately navigated to Kurt where she began whining and licking his face. Blaine had to stifle a laugh as Kurt murmured, "Blaine..."

And then Kurt's eyes opened and his face brightened, hands reaching out to touch the puppy and make sure it wasn't a dream. "Oh! Blaine!"

Blaine laughed and went to collect Cat from the catbed. Cat sniffed at Blaine's hands and mewled angrily, smelling the puppy on him and then seeing the cursed canine as Blaine brought cat to the bed. "Come meet your new friend."

Cat was definitely not impressed with the squirming pile of canine that Kurt was snuggling and giving little kisses to, but to Cat's credit, no hissing was conducted. Cat curled up Blaine's pillow and watched the dog suspiciously.

"Oh Blaine I love her. She's such a little sweetie..."

Blaine smiled and leaned over to kiss Kurt, "Happy one week anniversary. What are you going to name her?"

Kurt hummed and hawed as he looked over the little one in his hands, "We'll it won't be Dog just so you know. I think... She is... Joy."

"Joy?" Blaine's queried, reaching out the bed the puppies head who in turn started licking at Blaine's hand.

"Yes. Married for a week to the best man alive, retired from the battlefield, and now with a puppy in my arms... I feel nothing but joy."

Blaine beamed, "Well then. I'm glad I didn't give her to you on a bad day or she might have ended up with an unfortunate name."

Kurt chuckled and leaned against Blaine in their bed, letting Joy nibble on his finger with a playful little growl. "I love you."

Blaine warmed as Kurt drew into him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "I love you too."