Burt then bit into handkerchief tied around his wrist and pulled it free, so sure that the letters seared into his flesh would be on fire. But the reality was so much worse. Faded grey. Gone. She was gone.

***

Kurt stood outside the shop, bracing himself for something to happen.

He staggered back a few steps, throwing hurried glances over his shoulder, and checked to make sure his keys and wallet were still in his pocket.

Kurt expected the SWAT team so swarm in and arrest the loopy woman for some obscure reason. Kurt expected a parade of his father's followers with pitchforks and angry yells demanding to exile him from the movement. Kurt waited for anything out of the ordinary to clue him into what was happening but-

Whoever they were, they never came.

***

Kurt drove back home absolutely incensed with rage. He saw red; a blind fury he hadn't experienced for as long as he could remember. He had never in his life felt so slighted, so fooled.

Did this woman and people like her think it was okay to take advantage of the vulnerable and fill their heads with nonsense? It was downright cruel, immoral.

And for at least half a minute Kurt actually believed her. He took her seriously and that was the worst part of it. He actually fell for her bullshit because he had let his guard down and allowed soulmate mumbo-jumbo cloud his judgement. Well no longer!

This was exactly what his father was always talking about! And Kurt fell prey to it like some - like some fucking commoner.

Kurt slammed his foot on the gas, breaking all conceivable speed limits, hoping his anger would lessen. He hastily fastened his wrist cuff once more, nearly too tight, but he couldn't bear looking at at that stupid fucking name anymore. He had nearly crashed in his distraction. Kurt was surprised he wasn't pulled over, but also thankful because he'd probably have his cheek pressed up against the hood of his own car in no time, wrists in cuffs because he would have raged so hard.

He then surprised himself further, bypassing the route back to his place, back to his father who'd ask too many questions about his state, about his anger, about his absolutely pointless venture and found himself pulling up Ben's street. He had only been there once before after a meeting.

Ben's loft looked different in the daylight. The last time they were here they had taken a walk and discussed more personal philosophies, their hands brushing but never twining. Their goodbye hug prolonged and filled with intent, their faces inclined toward each other but no kiss.

Kurt immediately felt the unease leave his body. Kurt could see Ben's curious face in the window as Kurt rocketed up the driveway, halting hastily into park and jumping from his car as if he couldn't get out fast enough.

Ben already had the door open and foot out onto the front step as Kurt hurtled toward him; the closer he got the better he felt. He was acting on pure instinct and emotion now. No thought whatsoever. Otherwise he'd never have been so ballsy.

"Kal what's going on, are you alrigh-OHM"

Kurt launched himself into Ben's arms, nearly toppling him over, nose pressed to his temple, breathing him in. Kurt wanted to break down and sob until he couldn't function but now that he felt whole in those comforting arms, he no longer felt the need.

"Kal?"

Kurt pulled away and looked into Ben's shining hazel orbs, wishing that they didn't have barriers between them; barriers of aliases and wrist cuffs. Barriers of words unsaid and the underlying truth. Kurt wanted to be real with him, in the best most honest way how. But there was only one thing left to do.

"Ben, kiss me."

Kurt sounded urgent, like he'd might die without it.

Ben only opened and closed his mouth a few times before Kurt decided to close the distance for them. He couldn't wait any longer. He could almost feel the seconds tick by and each one of them was wasted without them being connected in some way.

And Ben didn't protest as he kicked the door back, pulling Kurt inside with him.