Chapter 39

January 9, 2013

Blaine did what he really didn't expect to – he slept like a baby the night before. Mrs Zizes prepared their guest room for him and once he was allowed to go to bed he was sound asleep in the matter of seconds. After the day he had had he thought it would be impossible. He had been on an emotional roller-coaster the whole day. Worrying about Kurt in the morning hoping to find a way to make him open up, then the fright seeing him so hysterical, not to mention the rage he felt when he heard about what Dave did to Kurt. Concern, sympathy, fear, and many more played a big part as well. By the end of the day he was mentally exhausted. Luckily, he was physically exhausted too.

Lauren and her dad made sure he wouldn't have a moment to worry about Kurt or Burt, or his own living situation. It was all about jabs, hooks, power punches and whatnot. Whenever he stopped to take a few breaths he would be told to do some jumping jacks or lunges. For someone who hadn't been exercising for years it was too much but he didn't say anything, didn't complain just because it was too good to have his mind occupied.

Blaine woke up early in the morning. Not because he wanted to but because of Lauren who knocked on his door to wake him up. The boy opened his heavy eyes and rolled on his side, immediately regretting the action. His body was on fire. Every smallest move made him cringe in pain, the feeling so intense he couldn't will himself to move until Mrs Zizes came knocking on the door to see if he was alright.

The boy managed to convince his own body to move and congratulated himself for being able to stand up until he tried to walk and cursed himself for doing so. He couldn't bend his legs because his calves were threatening to kill him. Putting the pants on was a nightmare and when he lifted his arms up to change into his cardigan he had to stop midways to breathe as it was too difficult to do in just one go. In the end he took three times longer to get ready for breakfast.

Blaine went into the kitchen and found the Zizes family all ready to start their day.

"Good morning," he said to everyone.

"Lactic acid, huh?" Mr Zizes said instead of good morning. "Should have gone easier on the first timer, I guess..."

"It's okay," Blaine said and cringed as he joined them at the table.

"Here is your breakfast, sweetheart," Mrs Zizes, a short skinny woman with blonde hair and brown piercing eyes, said and put a big mug in front of him. "Enjoy."

"Thank you," thee slave boy said and took a sip of the drink. If he hadn't had better manners he would have spitted it out immediately.

"Protein shake," Lauren smirked when she saw his reaction. "They taste awful but you get used to it."

"I'd rather not," Blaine quipped and took another sip.

The Zizes family began talking about something and Blaine's mind drifted away. He wondered if Kurt slept at all. He wished he had grabbed his phone before coming to the Zizes' so he could message Kurt. Did he go to school or did he stay at home? He could also call or message Burt to ask if he had finished talking to Cassandra. Or maybe he was still driving. Actually, had he left already? Had police visited them? Did Dave contact Kurt to threaten him some more? Maybe he could ask Lauren to lend him her phone for a minute.

He was losing his mind when a piece of paper was presented to him. He looked up to see Mr Zizes looking at him expectantly.

"I made a list of what you have to do," he said. "It's a plan made out of the simple moves I showed you yesterday. Follow it while I'm not home. I have no idea when Hummel is picking you up so the plan covers the whole day. After you leave I'll want you to come here at least four times a week so I can put some muscles on your bones."

Blaine wasn't sure if he should feel grateful or dread it. "Thank you," he opted to say.

"No problem, kid," the man said and stood up. "Lauren, let's go."

He kissed his wife goodbye and left with Lauren. Blaine followed them with his eyes and when they left drank the last drops of his drink with a frown. He saw Mrs Zizes watching the car leave the sight and then opening one of the drawers. Soon several chocolate chip cookies were presented to him on a small plate.

"Those two are impossible," the woman said in an adoring voice. "Let's pig out."

Blaine laughed and gratefully took one of the cookies. It wasn't as good as Kurt's.

***

After the breakfast Blaine went to the basement with Mrs Zizes in tow. While he exercised she read a magazine talking to him and the boy did his best to respond through his panting. Everything hurt but the pain was welcome as it didn't allow him to think.

It was nearing eleven when he found himself showered and doing some yoga with the woman. It wasn't in Mr Zizes' list but his wife thought some stretching would be good for him. She also mentioned always having wanted to have a son.

They were in the middle of the sunbird pose when the doorbell shrieked through the house and Mrs Zizes went to open the door. Blaine's blood ran cold when he heard Burt's voice. He couldn't make out what the man was saying but he sounded serious.

Moments later the two adults made their way into the basement and found Blaine already standing and waiting for them. The boy swallowed audibly dreading the words that were to come.

"Hey, Blaine," Burt greeted him and Blaine forced himself to say 'hi' in return. "I came to pick you up."

Blaine's heart beat like crazy. Did it mean they would go home to Kurt? Was it all over?

"We are going to Columbus," the man's words shattered his hope.

"Oh," the boy let out and tried to compose himself even though on the inside he was going crazy. "I'll go get my stuff."

"Blaine–" Burt tried but the boy didn't stop and went upstairs as quickly as his aching legs allowed.

He made his way into the guest room and mindlessly checked if he hadn't left any of his belongings anywhere.

He should have seen it coming. He had had a bad feeling about Burt seeking out his legal owners. Now it was all over for him. No more Kurt or Burt, or Puck, or Mike. He wouldn't even get to say a proper goodbye to any of his friends. At least he had written that letter.

The boy tried not to think about his future. Once again in his life he wasn't sure where he would be the following day. Once again all the decisions were made for him. He felt sick in his stomach.

"Look, Blaine–" Burt began to say when the boy got out of the room with his bag on his shoulder.

"It's okay, Burt," the boy smiled at him.

It wasn't, not really. He trusted the man and he felt betrayed. But at least Burt tried to help him. His intentions were good not like his dad's or Mr Karofsky's. Despite the outcome of their acquaintance Blaine knew he would forever feel grateful for everything the man did for him.

"About Cassandra–"

"Can we not talk about it? Please?" Blaine asked.

He didn't want to hear anything Burt had to say. He already knew what was happening but deep inside he had a tiny hope that maybe things weren't as bad as he was imagining. Getting his last hope shattered would be too much for him. At least now he could imagine he wasn't being taken to his doom.

"I think you should hear me out," Burt said but the slave boy only shook his head.

He didn't want any excuses. Burt tried and failed, he didn't owe him an explanation. "I don't want to talk about it... Please, respect that."

Burt shared a look with Mrs Zizes who only shrugged. "Fine. Thank you for letting Blaine stay with you, ma'am."

"Yes, thank you so much," Blaine thanked her as well.

"It was our pleasure. Lauren doesn't have sleepovers like ever so it was fun to have you around. I hope we'll get to see you soon, sweetheart," the woman hugged him and let them out.

Blaine put his bag on the backseat and climbed into the front seat with Burt already sitting behind the wheel. The ride was silent except for a few times when Burt tried to initiate a conversation, luckily having given up on trying to talk about the boy's owner. Blaine didn't talk much, deep in his thoughts.

Driving through Lima was a weird experience for him. He saw a jock, who spat on him several times. He also spotted a lady who once gave him two dollars. There was also this small bakery where he would get some mouldy bread from time to time. And the alley where he would hide from wind, the same alley where he first met Puck. He wondered if it was the last time he would ever see these random strangers and places. Or maybe he would be bought by someone from Lima. Maybe then he would be able to see Kurt or Puck sometimes.

Leaving Kurt like this was more difficult than leaving the day before. Then he had a choice to stay, now he was taken away against his will. Of course he wasn't fighting it but inside he wanted nothing more but to jump out of the moving car and run away. But he didn't want to cause Burt any problems.

He wondered how Kurt would react when Burt told him he would never come back. Puck would probably go nuts when he found out. He would never forgive the man he respected more than any other adult. Maybe he would stop talking to Kurt altogether.

Blaine laughed at his thoughts silently. Here he was, being taken to his legal owner not knowing what she would do with him and all he could think of was his friends. They were more important than what would happen to him. He knew then that no matter what happened, nothing could break him as long as he had his friends in his heart.

Two hours felt like minutes and soon they were parking in front of the house that used to be Blaine's home for a little while.

"Are you alright? You look pale," Burt commented when the engine died.

"I'm fine," Blaine stayed composed. "I just want to thank you for what you did for me. You saved my life and kept me safe. You didn't have to do it but you did. I'm really sorry that Kurt got hurt because of me. And yet you still cared for me after it happened. You are a great man and the only real father figure I've ever had and looked up to. So, thank you for being that for me."

"I'm glad I could be that for you, son," Burt said with sincerity in his voice. "I'm really glad you came into our lives. And what happened to Kurt is not your fault. You can't go beating yourself up for it. Just know that both Kurt and I care about you, okay?"

"Thank you," the slave boy said and reached for his bag, not sure how to proceed with the conversation without starting to cry.

He wanted to get this over with as quickly as he could just like removing a band aid. He knew that sitting in the car and prolonging the inevitable wouldn't benefit him in any way.

"You can leave it here," the man said and the slave boy looked at him confused.

So he wasn't allowed to keep anything he owned. He desperately wanted to have the teddy bear with him, it always made him feel better. And Kurt wanted him to have it when he left with Burt. It was unfair he didn't get to keep it after all.

"It will be okay," Burt assured him when he saw the boy's reluctance to leave the bag.

They got out of the car and went to the door where Burt rang the doorbell. Blaine waited with dread for the door to open and when it did, he thought his heart would jump out of his chest. He expected to be yelled at or getting a slap on his face. What he didn't expect was a tight hug he was enveloped into as soon as Cassandra appeared in the doorway.

"God, Blaine, I thought I would never see you again..." she whispered.

"I'm sorry for running away, Mistress. Please, punish me as you see fit," the boy lowered his head respectfully when he was released from her tight grip, his hands shook so he clenched them tightly to stop.

"What?" the woman asked confused.

"He wouldn't let me explain," Burt sighed and Blaine looked up to see their warm faces full of sympathy.

"What's going on?" he asked looking between the two of them.

"Let's get inside," Cassandra suggested and led them into the spacious living room. "Please, sit down."

Blaine sat down on the couch with Burt next to him while Cassandra chose to sit in front of them.

"I wish you had listened to Burt," the woman spoke. "You wouldn't look so scared now. I hate to see you like this. But I'm glad you are here."

He didn't see that coming. The woman reminded him of the person he used to know before his brother died, not the woman she was afterwards. The little hope he had had bloomed in his chest. Maybe it wasn't all over for him.

"What–" Blaine began but was cut off by yelling coming from another room.

"Mommy! Mommy, finished!"

The three of them looked at the doorway to see a small child, who couldn't be older than two, running into the living room, clutching a piece of paper in his tiny hand. It was a boy with dark brown curls and light blue eyes. Blaine's eyes bugged out as the kid reminded him of someone.

"Mommy, look," the boy ran up to his mom and put the battered paper on her knees. "I made daddy!"

"You drew daddy, dear," Cassandra corrected him. "It's beautiful. You should show it to your uncle."

Blaine's eyes widened even more when the boy looked around and saw him. "Bane!" he screamed pointing at the slave and ran up to him as fast as his little feet allowed him, the drawing forgotten on his mother's knees. "Up!"

The slave boy looked at the boy who had his arms thrown in the air and slowly raised him up. The kid instantly went to touch his hair.

"Plity culs..." he whispered and tugged a bit too hard but Blaine didn't care.

"Blaine, meet your nephew Cooper Jr.," Cassandra said smiling at the sight in front of her.

"Mini Cooper?" Blaine looked at the boy with tears in his eyes. "I just... I need an explanation."

"Now he is willing to listen," Burt shook his head and ruffled Cooper's hair.

"Okay, we'll explain everything but first I need to take Coop to his room. It's time for his nap," Cassandra said and stood up.

Both Cooper and Blaine tightened their grips on each other. Blaine just met his brother's son, he didn't want to let him go so soon.

"No, mommy," the kid whined.

"I could hold him while he sleeps," Blaine offered hopefully.

The boy nodded and quickly arranged himself in his uncle's lap. "Look, I'm s'eeping, mommy," he said innocently and closed his eyes pretending to sleep.

"He's just like his dad," Cassandra said with a fond smile while sitting down. "Are you really okay with holding him?"

"God yes," Blaine breathed, running his fingers through the boy's hair soothingly. "Now, I was promised an explanation."

The woman looked at Burt who gave her a sign to start. "Well..."

"Look, ma'am, I'm ready to pay you as much as you want. Just tell me your price."

"I told you already, I don't want your money. I want... I want Blaine."

"What do you mean?" Burt asked trying to think of all the arguments he had thought about for this turn of events.

"I want him to come back home," Cassandra explained.

"I know you are going to sell him anyways so why bother with the auctions and such? It would be easier to just sell him to me," he reasoned with the woman.

"Why would I ever sell him? He's my late husband's brother, Cooper would probably come back to haunt me if I did something like that," she said a little defensively.

"Blaine told me you wanted to ki– get rid of him after the funeral," Burt explained.

Cassandra shook her head. "There must be some misunderstanding."

"Blaine wouldn't lie, he's a good kid."

"I know, that's why I'm not saying he lied," the woman said. "Please, come in so we can talk."

The two of them went inside and ended up sitting down to talk in the living room.

"First of all, can you tell me if Blaine is alright?" Cassandra asked right away.

"He's got some rough couples of years but now he's fine or at least I'd like to think so," Burt said. "My son and I, well, mostly my son managed to get him out of his shell. The difference between now and how he was a month ago is enormous."

"You've only known him for a month?"

"Give or take a few days," Burt nodded in agreement. "He's also been living with us for that long."

"Let me get this straight, you let a homeless slave into your house and went looking for his legal owners hoping to buy him? Why would you do that?"

"Blaine is a great kid, he really is. It just feels like I have two sons now. I want to make sure he is safe and the only way I'm sure he is, is if he lives with us."

"Then why now? Why are you looking for me?"

"Someone found out about Blaine. My son got to suffer because of it and I realised that the only way for us to be truly happy and content is to become Blaine's owners. If you really care for him as it seems, you will sell him to me."

"I can't trust you," Cassandra shrugged. "How do I know you aren't abusing him?"

"How do I know you will treat him right if he comes back to you? I mean, he already ran away from you and you didn't even look for him."

The woman's head hung in shame. "I will never forgive myself for this. My husband's death hit me really hard. I was depressed and soon I found out I was pregnant. I wasn't thinking clearly anymore, I was thinking of getting an abortion. I even smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol while pregnant, not caring about the consequences... The day after Blaine left... When I found out about it I just sat in the kitchen crying because everyone was leaving me. I had no energy to try and stop it from happening.

"Our friends looked for Blaine. They drove around the city knowing he couldn't have walked far away, one of them contacted a person who was selling stray slaves with fake identities, but it was all in vain. Since I was legally his owner I was the only one who could go to police asking for help. I didn't... I thought, if he hated the thought of living with me so much then so be it.

"I was still depressed by the time my son was born, luckily perfectly healthy even though there was a small chance he would be, and on top of that I developed the postpartum depression. If it wasn't for my sister helping me out I don't know what would have happened. She made me realise that I had to get better for my son. I went to therapy and stuff."

"I know what it's like to lose your spouse and I'm really sorry for your loss," Burt said when Cassandra fell silent, "but it doesn't explain why you didn't look for Blaine after you got better. You said your husband would be angry if you sold his brother. Don't you think he would have wanted you to look for him?"

"I can't explain it... Maybe because I got my hands full," she said and laughed coldly at herself. "Such a terrible excuse... I know I'm a horrible person and I'm just making stupid excuses while I know that what I did, or, well, what I didn't do, is unforgivable. But I just want a second chance from Blaine... I want to apologise even though I don't expect him to forgive me. He told you my address for a reason so maybe not all is lost..."

"God, this is a mess," Burt dragged his hand over his bald head.

"Look, I want to see for myself if he is alright," the woman said wiping her tears. "And then he could choose. If he wants to stay with me then he will and I will welcome him with my arms wide open. And if he chooses to live with you then I'll just sign all paperwork for free. But only with some conditions."

"What would that be?"

"I'll want him to visit us at least once a week. Whether it's for a few hours or days or the whole week. I don't want Cooper growing up without his uncle."

"Cooper?" Burt asked a little confused thinking of Blaine's brother.

"My son, Cooper Jr."

"Like Mini Cooper?" the man laughed.

Cassandra smiled at him. "My husband always said if we ever had a son he would want to call him Cooper and then buy a Mini Cooper, you know, the car, and drive around with him. He said it would be Mini Cooper and Maxi Cooper driving in a Mini Cooper. I didn't even consider any other name when I found out I was having a boy."

"That's nice," Burt said not really knowing what else to say. He really wasn't good at this. "So, any other conditions?"

"I'd ask you to set a bank account for Blaine since he can't do it himself. Every month I'd transfer some money so that you could buy him clothes, food, everything he needs. I'd want to know he is looked after."

"That's not necessary," Burt argued. "I can afford having two boys under my roof."

"I'm sure you do since you wanted to buy Blaine from me but it's not the point. It's what my husband would want me to do. That's my two conditions."

"And if he stays with you, will he be allowed to visit us? And would my son and I be allowed to come over? We aren't ready to cut off contact with that boy," Burt wanted to make things clear.

"It's for Blaine to decide," Cassandra said. "If he wants to keep in touch, I won't forbid it. He is old enough to make his own decisions."

"Alright," Burt said thoughtfully. "I guess I should go get him now. It's probably killing him not knowing what's going on."

"Wow," Blaine breathed. The boy in his arms had conveniently fallen asleep in the beginning of the story so his mother and Burt could explain all the details from their encounter. "It's a lot to take in..."

"I know," Cassandra said, tears openly running down her cheeks. "You have no idea how sorry I am. I know I should have looked for you... I should have done something, anything. I have nothing to say for myself just how sorry I am that you had to go through this because of me."

"It wasn't... not really because of you," Blaine whispered. "I overheard things and jumped to conclusions... I should have asked you..."

"What did you hear?" the woman asked.

"You were talking to your sister. You must have been talking about the baby and abortion and I thought you wanted to kill me..." Blaine explained. "I was so stupid..."

"God, I would never hurt you!"

"I know that now," the slave smiled at the woman. "And I don't blame you for anything."

"Does that mean you will come back home?" she asked hopefully.

"Home?" the slave boy asked absentmindedly, looking through the window but not really seeing anything. The boy in his lap muttered something in his sleep.

"I got an A+ for them so they are quite nice. I hope you like them."

"If you didn't let me hug you, then maybe you would let Mr. Honey hug you instead?

"You will get it one day. The world will change and this black ink under your skin will mean nothing. You will get your school diploma, graduate from college with a degree you always wanted. You will meet someone and start a life with him. You will live in a perfect suburban house with a cute white fence and maybe you will even have a dog."

"And I kind of started feeling close to you. Whenever we met I liked you more and more and I thought we were sort of friends."

"How about next time I'll sit with you to make sure you don't feel uncomfortable?"

"Happy belated birthday."

"What do you mean you didn't get us anything? It's Santa, who brings presents, silly."

P.s. If he still wants to leave lock him in the basement, wrap him in warm blankets, hug him as tight as you can, and never let go. Like, NEVER! No bathroom breaks for either of you.

"You aren't allowed to leave! I'll order you, I'll make it a rule, just, please, don't leave... Don't ever leave me..."

"Come back to me, okay?"

"Yeah, I want to go home..." he said eventually, looking straight at Burt, who smiled knowingly at his words.