Kurt wondered along the shelf of writing paper. There were just so many type,s every type of journal and diary and sketch pad and organizer possible. Kurt partly wished that their would be less so that he could just pick one out and it not have to be perfect the other part of him wished there were more so he could find one that was perfect. Why was everything to do with Blaine split in two directions, even something as simple as this. Or maybe he should be asking himself why his feeling's towards Blaine were so split. he wanted to protect him but his dreams and thoughts betrayed him, sooner or later the thing that Kurt would be protecting Blaine from would be himself. He had even felt disgusted at himself once, one of those nights when Blaine had come to his room Kurt considered, just for a moment, just a passing thought, what it would be like to not say no.

In amongst the bright graphic designs and the diaries with Churchill quotes Kurt saw a flash of wine colored leather. It was half way hidden by a childhood memories book but Kurt immediately grabbed it. The leather was imitation and it had little gold corners and the word Memories written in simple italics on the front. It was not perfect but it was close to what Kurt had been looking for so it would do. He could always do a little something to make it perfect.
---------------------------------------------------
"Come with me."

"Kurt, what? We need to finish the grocery shopping."

"It'll only take a moment."

"We promised your Dad..."

Kurt sighed and gave Blaine an exaggerated frown. He considered making a joke about preferring Blaine when he did everything that he said but he decided it was too soon. He did not want Blaine to think that it was true even for a second. So instead he just reached down for his hand and pulled him gently.

"We can spare one minute. Come on."

Blaine looked at him with some confusion as Kurt led him to the passport photo booth.

"Kurt?"

Kurt put down his basket and ducked through the curtain.

"You need a passport photo."

"No get in."

When nobody joined him in the tight little space Kurt pulled back the curtain and looked at the reluctant Blaine.

"Come on, I want to get some pictures together. It'll be fun."

"You see me everyday."

"One day I'll want to remember what it was like to see you everyday."

Do not think of him naked. Kurt told himself.

"Don't you want a picture of me?" He asked teasingly.

Blaine didn't answer but he did duck into the booth. All of a sudden it seemed to hot with the two of them stood together their bodies only a few inches apart but Kurt chose to ignore it and perched on one side of the little stall patting the other edge for Blaine to sit down. When he did Kurt was very aware of Blaine's thigh against his.

"Okay." Kurt said leaning forwards to touch the screen. There was a welcome message and then the picture of the two of them came up on the screen so they could place themselves.

"Smile." Kurt said as he bent forwards to start the picture. Kurt turned to look at the stiff fake smile on Blaine's face. The camera flashed.

"Okay, umm...I have a leotard."

Blaine turned to him with an adorable shocked look. "What?" The camera flashed.

"And I dance to Beyonce's single Ladies in it, in fact my dad walked in on me dancing to it with Tina and Brittany before I came out. Now look at the camera."

Blaine pursed his lips obviously trying not to laugh. The camera flashed.

They glanced at each other and both burst out laughing. The camera flashed.

When they got the little strip of pictures Kurt couldn't help the feeling of warmth that spread across through his chest. The stiff fake smile that was almost painful to look at then then with their heads turned towards each other Blaine's eyebrows hidden in his curls. The third showed them both looking at the camera with pursed lips as they held back their laughter and finally the last one, a photo Kurt instantly loved. Blaine had been leaning unconsciously toward him, their eyes both half closed and wide smiles on their lips as they looked at each other. He had never seen Blaine look so alive or happy and here he had it in a photo to keep forever.

"They're perfect."

Blaine leaned over his shoulder and gave a little nod. When Kurt turned to him he was still smiling his honey chocolate eyes fixed on Kurt's.
-----------------------------------------------------

Kurt sighed as he looked at his laptop, he was starting to get frustrated. He wanted to write something inspirational about self-love on the first page. He wanted to tell Blaine that he didn't have to be ashamed of who he was and that his past did not have to define his future but as he looked online for a poem of some kind he just could not find one that matched how he felt. Well actually he could find plenty that matched how he felt, that dizzy edge of cliff about to fall feeling he got when Blaine smiled or sung or locked eyes with him.

Finally tired and frustrated he just took the copy of their photo he'd taken and stuck it to the first page and wrote below it. "To me you are perfect."
---------------------------------------------------------

Kurt hadn't seen Blaine all day. He had got up earlier than Blaine (which is early) so that he could cook breakfast and make his dad and Blaine packed lunches to take to the garage so that Blaine wouldn't have to do it. He may also have sneakily changed the time on Blaine's alarm clock the day before. he felt the boy could use a lie-in and the little post it he had hidden on the back of the clock explained that. Blaine would have plenty of time to get ready for work but not enogth time to do all the other things he did in the mornings. Kurt was going to take of those for a change. Which had worked out. But then after school Kurt had Glee club practice with regionals coming up and a tricky routine to learn then he had promised Mercedes he would run to the mall with her to pick up an outfit for a date with Sam and then after that he had to go to the library for that no internet allowed report. So by the time he got home it was ten o'clock at night. Almost at his weekday curfew but he was allowed an extra fifteen minutes if he explained to his dad where he would be at every minute from eight onwards.

He was hoping Blaine would be up and in the living room, he wanted him to argue with him about altering his alarm clock. He had been thinking about it all day and in the last few hours he had been thinking about how he missed seeing him that morning and how it just made his day seem a little duller. Then he had go nervous imagining that Blaine would not be up when he got back.

When he walked into the front room he felt a wave of disappointment. Blaine was no where to be seen, just his dad and Carol on the sofa watching the news.

"Hi Kurt." Burt said looking at the clock. "Have you eaten?"

"Yeah, at the food court."

"How did your project go?" Carol asked.

"I've almost finished."

"When's it due in?"

"Day after tomorrow but i'll be finished by then I've done all the research. Where's Blaine?"

"He's laying down, he had an accident today and the doc gave him a anti-biotic shot."

"WHAT? Why didn't you phone me? What happened? Is he alright?"

Burt sighed and sat up a bit.

"Relax Kurt, I would have called you if it was serious. He just cut his hand, he had too have it cleaned up and then two stitches put in. The injection made him throw up so I told him to lie down and take tomorrow off."

"You can take him a sandwich if you like." Carol suggested. "He's not eaten yet."

Kurt nodded and headed to the kitchen too upset to think that Blaine was in a doctors office and he didn't know about it to say anything more to his Dad and Carol.

He made a sandwich and took it up to Blaine's room. In a momentary decision he went to his room first and picked up the journal lying on his desk. Then he went and quietly knocked on the door not wanting to wake him if he was asleep.

"Come in."

Kurt felt a little moment of butterflies in his stomach before he opened the door. Blaine was sat on his bed wearing sweat pants a a white undershirt. All Kurt saw for a few seconds were biceps, strong toned muscles and the few wisps of black hair poking from the low neck top.

"Hey." Kurt breathed.

"Hi, Kurt I've been wanting to thank you for this morning you didn't have to do that."

Kurt noticed the thick bandage around Blaine's hand.

"It's okay, I thought I'd come see how you were feeling."

"Thank you, I'm fine Kurt."

Kurt walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"What happened?" Kurt asked pointing to his hand.

"Oh, It's just a cut, it only needed two stitches but your Dad was scared because the cut got some oil in it."

"He said you threw up."

"Oh, I just didn't take well to the injection."

"Why did they give you injections and not pills?"

"I'm a slave Kurt, I can't have prescriptions, I can only have what they can do for me at the clinic."

Kurt nodded. That fact had escaped his mind.

"Does it hurt? I can get you some pain killers?"

"I can handle it."

Kurt didn't push, they sat silently for a moment.

"So.. I have something for you."

"Are those cheese corn chips?"

"Yes."

"With a coronation chicken sandwich?"

"Yes."

"I just realized I was hungry."

Kurt gave a little laugh, he was so adorable with his curly hair flopping into his eyes and his goofy smile. Kurt had to hold himself back from sweeping a curl out of his eyes.

"Um.. yes, the sandwich is for you, and the Doritos's don't give me the sad eyes. But.." Kurt held the journal up.

"It's for you. You may not want to talk about anything that happened to you but maybe writing it down would help. Whenever you have a nightmare you could write it down, or you could just use it for new songs I guess." Kurt said trying to sound light when he saw Blaine stiffen.

"I don't have any songs left inside me Kurt."

"I don't believe that." Kurt said. "I think you have lots of them trying to burst out."

"Kurt.. I.."

"Just take it, even if you don't use it. Okay, well.. I guess I should let you eat and rest."

Blaine hesitated for a moment as if he didn't want Kurt to leave but Kurt pushed that thought out of his head.

"I'm glad you're alright." Kurt said squeezing Blaine's unhurt hand quickly.

"Actually." Kurt said hesitating at the door. "Do you have any plans tomorrow?"

"No."

"Can you meet me after school?"

"Um..."

"Please say yes."

"Yes." Blaine said with a little smile.

"Good, get better soon Blaine."
----------------------------------------------------

Kurt waited by his car. He was starting to wish he would have told Blaine where he would meet him. He was starting to feel he saw a familiar figure in red pants and black polo shirt with a very cute bow-tie. Kurt found himself leaning against the car and smiling.

"Well aren't you the cutest thing?"

"You mean other than you?"

Wait, were they flirting with each other? Was that totally immoral? No, It was just a sign that Blaine was relaxing with him. It was a good thing, sometimes friends flirt right?

There was sudden panic in Blaine's eyes.

"I'm sorry Kurt I didn't mean..."

"No, sorry."Kurt reached over and rested his hand on Blaine's shoulder. "I was just thinking, my heads in the clouds. Let's go?"

Kurt reached out his hand for Blaine to take. Blaine gave a little smile and took it.

Kurt led him through the school holding onto his hand and not caring about the looks from the few remaining people in the hallway.

"So this is my school." Kurt said after a while realizing that Blaine had never been here before. "It's not much but I'm going to take you to my favorite place."

Blaine followed a half a step behind him looking around nervously.

"Tada!" Kurt said when they reached the choir room. "This is where glee club meets." Kurt said spinning around. "This is where the magic is made."

Blaine looked around the room, he hesitated for a moment.

"So.. do you want me to watch you practice a song?"

Kurt shook his head. Then walked over and sat himself on the piano. "Though maybe if you play for me. No, I wanted you to come because I talked to Mr. Shue and he said that every Thursday the choir room is free for the entire evening after school and that you are welcome to come and play."

Blaine walked towards the piano and ran his fingers over the ivories almost lovingly.

"I know it's not perfect and it'll take you a while to get here but until we can get you an actually piano down in the basement.."

"I get to play once a week?" Blaine asked quietly.

Kurt nodded as Blaine looked up at him with a blank expression. Then he was walking towards him and Kurt saw his eyes gleaming before arms were wrapped around him and a warm body was pushed against his. Kurt took a moment to take in what was happening, his heart knew before his head, at least that was how it felt with the way it skipped a beat. He returned the hug resting his hands against Blaine's shoulder blades when he wanted to actually hold him as close as possible and not let go. Blaine's breath tickled his neck and from his sitting position their knees knocked. Kurt just wanted it to last forever, it felt so nice to have this boy in his arms. The trust he was showing him, the emotion in his eyes and voice, he had really opened up to him in these last few weeks.

"Thank you." Blaine breathed.

Kurt gave him one last squeeze knowing the moment was about to be over. But Blaine reached and kept hold of his hands. Kurt smiled and looked down at Blaine's bandaged hand.

"How is your hand?"

"It's fine." Blaine shrugged.

"Truthfully?"

"It stings a little."

"So..can I hear you play something? I mean as long as it doesn't hurt your hand more."

"Nothing hurt's when I'm playing." Blaine said seating himself at the piano.

"So, what do you want to sing?"

Kurt smiled. "Well..."
-----------------------------------------------

Kurt had gone with Blaine to have his stitches looked at. The doctor was one of the best Kurt had ever seen. She had checked on Blaine's back, Kurt couldn't leave because a slave was not allowed to be checked over without one of the owners family around but as he glanced at Blaine's back he was glad to see that all the wounds had healed and the scars weren't so red.

Blaine's stitches were fine but he had to have another injection. When Kurt told the doctor of Blaine's reaction she had switched over to a different medication so that he wouldn't get so sick.

Blaine's eyes had flashed with fear the moment he had seen the needle. Kurt was at his side instantly holding onto his hand. Blaine looked thankfully at him.

Kurt had taken Blaine to a coffee shop afterwards knowing he just needed to relax a little. Blaine had surprised him when he had got his wallet out and ordered for Kurt with a smile. Kurt smiled back and let him, he knew Blaine liked having money of his own, it meant he didn't feel as dependent.

As they sat across from each other slowly sipping their drinks and making odd and disconnected little comments to each other. As Kurt looked around the busy little cafe he wondered if he and Blaine looked like any other pair of friends there. Relaxed and happy together as if neither had a care in the world and like they had known each other forever.

"So, I know you've been through my vogue collection and don't even think about apologizing. What's your favorite cover from last year?"

Blaine didn't answer him and when Kurt looked up he saw a look of total sadness on his face. Kurt followed his gaze and looked at the couple who had just come in. It was a middle aged man, greying at the side burns followed two steps behind by a young girl, probably their age. Kurt could immediately see their was something wrong. The girls eyes were fixed firmly on the floor and she was wearing clothes that didn't suit the weather the tight black shorts and low cut t-shirt, it was warm but not that hot and she didn't look comfortable in them. Then Kurt saw the thin metal collar around her neck. The tattooed numbers across her wrists confirmed it. She was a slave.

Blaine did not take his eyes off of her as she followed her master to the counter, they spent a few moments ordering the man collected a bottle of water then turned around to go back out the shop. They weren't staying. Kurt was happy about that, he hated seeing that look on Blaine's face and knowing there was nothing he could do to make the pain go away. He knew that there was nothing that he could do for the girl either.

They were silent for a long time. Kurt reached out to place his hand on top of Blaine's and even though Blaine shot him a look of acknowledgement but obviously wasn't ready to talk.

"I'm lucky."

Kurt looked up in surprise. That was not something he would expect Blaine to say.

"What?"

Blaine did not answer he just stared down at his hands.

"Can I ask my one question of the week?"

Kurt asked looking up from his coffee. He was too curious about the boy across from him now not to ask and seeing as Blaine was starting to open up a little Kurt wasn't afraid of him closing himself off completely over a question. He had the feeling that Blaine would be able to say no if he truly wanted.

"I thought it meant to be month?" Blaine said his voice dull.

"I'm impatient, and curious."

"Can I ask one?" It was in a shy voice but it was daring for him to ask.

Kurt squeezed his hand. "Always, anything."

"You, " Blaine looked for words. "I guess you didn't order me, you seemed so upset when I got out the van, at first I thought maybe you didn't think me attractive or desirable but then I realized you were surprised too so you weren't expecting me."

"I'm sorry, I guess that wasn't the best welcome. And don't ever think that anybody would find you undesirable."

Kurt suddenly realized that with Blaine's past and the way people had hurt him he may not want to be thought of as desirable.

"Sorry, I didn't mean.."

Blaine held up his hand to stop him and shook his head.

"You took such care of me Kurt. I haven't been touched with the tenderness you touched me with.." Blaine looked down at Kurt's hand laying on his. "I didn't know it was still possible."

Kurt blushes thinking about tender touches, not of hands. Well there were some hands.

"So what am I?" Blaine finally asked.

"You're Blaine."

"No, I mean, why was I brought for you? Who do I have to thank?" He tried to give a little smile but Kurt could see how very little he felt like smiling and how much he was forcing himself to talk.

"My father is senator. I guess you've figure that out by now."

Blaine nodded.

"And he's a gay rights activist."

Blaine nodded.

"I have a lot of respect for him."

"Well, he's also an anti slave trader." Kurt took a deep breath. It was hard for him to talk about this, hard for him to think the boy who was now becoming his friend only knew him because he was brought for him.

"So one of his adversaries, a man very much into the slave trade whose been trying to introduce more homophobic laws thought that with me being a gay teenage boy if he brought me a slave then I would embarrass my father by... using you for ...what you were intended."

"It's okay Kurt, you don't have to explain to me that I'm a slave . I kind of know that. So, one, buying somebody a slave to embarrass their father is one a very ill conceived thought and two shows desperation. There is no way that he can weaken Burt so he tried to attack through you, he obviously sees your father as a threat. He felt the need to attack, whatever your father is doing must be good."

"Um.. I guess I haven't thought about it that deeply."

"It seems obvious to me."

"Maybe you should be a politician."

"I don't like being used as a political toy."

"I know. I am in the same boat you know, he did think he could manipulate me too."

"Does.. does your father ever use you? I mean for politics?"

"He mentions me sometimes. But it's always to say he's proud of me and I don't mind it."

Blaine nodded.

"This feels wrong now doesn't it?" Kurt asked. He regretted the fact that they had lost the relaxed state that they had earlier.

Blaine gave a little nod.

"Let's go home."
-----------------------------------------------------

Blaine's head was so groggy. Every time he moved it sent a shot of pain from his spinal cord and through his brain. He wanted to sleep and throw up but he had to fight it. He had to fight because he was with a master now, a master who did not pleased to receive him. If he wanted to avoid being sent back to the training center and ultimately to the cremation chamber he had to please this master. He had to sexually please this master, even if he hated the pain and the shame of it he would be put to death if he did not appear to enjoy it. It was going to be the hardest thing in his life and he was disgusted with himself but he wanted to live.

The boy had put clothes on the bed for him so there was a good chance that he would have some time to get over this feeling of nausea before he had to.. had to perform. How strange he used to love that word but the connotations of it had changed so much he now despised it. He had thanked his master for the clothes, hadn't he? He couldn't even remember, to not do would bring him a punishment he was sure. Dammit why was his head so confused at the moment? This was important his actions now were important.

The boy was coming back in now. Sit straighter, listen, figure out your duties.

Hey, I'm sorry we weren't properly introduced. I'm Kurt."

It was so casual. Not what Blaine had expected and it threw him for a moment so he forgot what he was meant to do but then the boy was holding his hand out to him and Blaine remembered. He took the boys hand, the skin so pale and soft and he pressed a gentle kiss on it to show his total submission.

"Master Kurt."

"No.. just Kurt." The boy said slowly.

Was this a trick? The trainer sometimes laid out little tricks so they could punish the slaves and call it a learning lesson.

"Kurt Hummel actually but you can just call me Kurt. What should I call you?"

Now this was an easier question, he knew his name was no longer his own.

"Whatever you wish Master Kurt."

"I wish to call you by your actual name."

No, he would not be tricked, he would show this master he was a good slave.

"My name is what you wish it to be."

His master sighed and looked frustrated, had he actually wanted the answer? Blaine was getting this all wrong already. He was shocked when his new master got down on his knees in front of him, submission, that was not right. A master should never show a slave submission. His beautiful musical voice softened even more.

"I would really like to know what name you were given when you were born, unless you don't want to tell me. In that case you can choose whatever name you would like."

Blaine looked up to try and determine if his master were being honest. He saw no hardness in the boys ocean like eyes. In fact he thought he saw something he hand not seen in a long time. Kindness. But he would not hope that far. He did not want to give his master his name, he wanted to be given a new one. He did not want to reminded of the happy person he had once been, not now that he was not a person at all. But he could not be seen to be disagreeable.

"My name is Blaine."

"Blaine." The master repeated. "I like it."

Then a hand was laid on his shoulder and Blaine repressed the instinct to flinch away from the blow that was coming or the harsh and hungry caress but it didn't come.

"You're safe here Blaine."

"Thank you master."