I am in misery
There ain't nobody who can comfort me
Why won't you answer me
The silence is slowly killing me

-Misery by Maroon 5-

Three days.

For three days Kurt lay in bed, curled into a ball, crying. At first his sobs were loud and heart-wrenching, tearing Etienne and Monique apart as they tried to console him. Then they turned into sad wails of heartbreak and desperation. By Tuesday night, his cries were silent. There were no more tears, but he was still crying. You could see it in the tremble of his body and his labored breathing.

Kurt could still feel his enslavement, and he desperately clung to that feeling with his entire being. He was still Blaine's slave. Blaine hadn't released him. He still had a master.

But...

Blaine had shut down their connection.

The connection allowed them to know when the other was in danger and to communicate telepathically. It allowed Kurt to know when Blaine was losing control. It was a connection Kurt could constantly feel. His physical bond to Blaine, even when they were apart. And now, for the first time in six years, Kurt couldn't feel Blaine and he couldn't sense the darkness. If Blaine lost control, he would be on his own. The thought terrified Kurt. The loss of the connection, left Kurt feeling scared, weak, lost and empty.

And the emptiness was physically painful.

Kurt squeezed his eyes shut and screamed.

X-X-X-X-X

An exhausted Etienne sat on the couch, across from an equally exhausted Monique. They were at a loss for what to do.

They hadn't seen Blaine since Saturday night.

Etienne had managed to successfully lie to the police. He told them they found Daveed in the alley, apparently attacked in a botched robbery attempt. They had not seen his assailants and didn't actually witness the attack. They assumed he was on his way to the party. A few people remembered seeing a man with black hair running from the scene, but no one could describe him.

Monique had managed to get a hysterical Kurt into a taxi, inside the flat and into bed. It had not been easy. He kept trying to break free from her to look for Blaine. She had finally locked them both inside Kurt's bedroom. He was determined to escape and she was determined not to let him leave. They screamed and physically struggled with each other until Kurt collapsed on the floor in tears. Monique rocked him until he fell asleep.

On Monday, Etienne went to the hospital to check on Daveed. He was a sad sight. Both legs and both arms were in casts, while his chest was tightly wrapped in gauze. He was on heavy pain medication. His parents were by his bedside. They told Etienne they planned to take him to their home in the country to care for him until he healed. They were not sure when he would be released. Etienne told them he would visit again. He had to find out what Daveed remembered. For Kurt's sake, Etienne didn't want Blaine to get into trouble. He wasn't sure what happened, but he wanted to keep Blaine's name out of it.

Etienne was grateful for Monique. They took turns watching over Kurt, trying to get him to eat and making sure he didn't try to leave, although it seemed unlikely he would. He didn't speak and wouldn't eat. He was lethargic and weak. He simply laid in bed, stared at the wall and cried. And screamed.

Etienne had tried calling and texting Blaine since Saturday night. No answer and no response.

Where was he?

Blaine ran.

And ran.

And ran.

The darkness was furious.

It had been ready to attack Kurt. To punish him for his betrayal and his hesitation. Blaine could feel the wrath boiling, rising, about to erupt, and he knew he wouldn't be able to control it.

He had to get away from him. Blaine was determined not to hurt or kill his beautiful Kurt. Blaine would allow the darkness to kill him before allowing it to hurt Kurt.

So he ran.

He ran until his legs gave out and forced him to stop. He collapsed under a tree in a small patch of woods, and screamed as the darkness crashed through him. It was hot and full of rage. Blaine tried to pull it back in, but it refused to settle. Instead it yelled at him. Why are you running? Go back and punish him! This is the second time he has chosen another man over you. Kill him and find another slave!

Blaine was horrified. "No! Never!" This angered the darkness further, causing it to burn hotter and scream louder. You are a horrible master! He is a terrible slave! He leaves you. He chooses others over you. He resists you. Kill him!

"No! No! No! I love him! I want him!"

Fine! You deserve to be punished for being so weak!

Fire raced through his body, as the darkness roared in anger. Blaine screamed. "Kurt! Kurt!"

But Kurt couldn't hear him.

Blaine had shut down their connection.

The darkness burned until Blaine passed out from the pain. It continued to scream and swirl about, but getting no response, decided to settle. It was exhausted from its rage tantrum.

Hours later, Blaine opened his eyes. His body was sore and weak. Despite just waking up, he felt drained and exhausted. He was lying in dirt, but couldn't find the energy to roll over. So he lay there, waiting for his body to recover and gain the strength to move.

As his thoughts wandered to the events of Saturday night, his mind started racing and spinning out of control. His imagination conjured up images of Daveed running his hands all over Kurt's naked body. Kissing him, touching him...

Blaine dug his nails into the muddy earth beneath him, and screamed.

Kurt was his. His beautiful boyfriend. His beautiful slave. Blaine had been Kurt's first and only. He had moved slowly and lovingly, and introduced Kurt to all things sexual. He had trained him to be his perfect lover. His perfect slave.

How could Kurt have allowed another man to touch him? To kiss him?

And the hesitation. The resistance. Why had Kurt hesitated? Was he trying to decide if he should go to Blaine, or protect that asshole in the alley? For the second time, did Kurt consider choosing another man over Blaine?

Blaine screamed again. He was filled with heartache and anguish.

Someone else had touched his Kurt. Someone else had kissed those beautiful, soft, pink lips.

Why Kurt? Why?

Were there others?

The thought sent Blaine over the edge. He screamed and screamed until his screams turned into sobs.

Kurt belonged to him. No one else. Kurt gave himself to Blaine back in high school, and Blaine didn't want anyone else. Kurt was the only man he wanted.

Wasn't Blaine the only man Kurt wanted?

The thought left Blaine filled with painful emptiness, made worse by the loss of his connection to Kurt. He hated to disconnect them, but he couldn't be connected to Kurt while the darkness was so angry and enraged. He needed time to gain control. He didn't want the darkness to use the connection to harm Kurt. It was his responsibility to keep him safe, and he was not going to fail. If staying away would keep Kurt safe, then Blaine was prepared to stay away.

No matter how bad the pain.

Kurt left his bed to camp out by the window. Watching. Waiting. Thinking.

This was all his fault.

He had no one to blame but himself. He knew how Blaine was. The intense jealousy. The possessiveness. He was Blaine's slave. Blaine's property. It didn't matter that he and Daveed hadn't had sex. Allowing another man to touch him, to kiss him was enough. Too much.

It also didn't matter that Blaine had done the same with Jace. As Blaine had told him many times before, fairness had nothing to do with their relationship. Kurt was the slave. Blaine was the master. Fairness did not play a role.

Etienne came home. He glanced at Kurt and then looked at Monique, questioningly. She answered all of his questions with a slow shaking of her head. No, they had not heard from Blaine, and no Kurt was not better. Etienne walked over and sat down next to him. Kurt's eyes remained fixed on the street.

"I went to see Daveed today."

Kurt winced but still didn't look at Etienne.

"I convinced him not to tell the police about Blaine. I told him they would never believe one person could inflict so much damage. They'd think he was crazy. He promised to stick with my story about the robbery attempt. He's going to tell the police that a bunch of guys jumped him because they saw him get out of a Mercedes and thought he had money."

Kurt said nothing.

"As you can imagine, he's hurt and angry. Really angry. He...he said to tell you..."

Etienne trailed off. He decided not to deliver Daveed's message of, I hate you and I never want to hear from or see you again. Etienne could hardly blame him. Daveed was still in pain, and it would take months for his body to heal. He had a right to be angry. Of course, he should have listened. Etienne had told him that Blaine was dangerously jealous, and that he should stay away.

"He said to tell you to take care."

Kurt said nothing. He just stared out the window. Etienne's heart broke for his friend.

"He'll be back, Kurt. Trust me. He will be back. I've seen the way he looks at you. He loves you, Kurt. I've never seen anyone look at someone the way he looks at you. He's crazy in love with you. He'll be back."

Kurt said nothing. He couldn't.

He was in too much pain.

The fever arrived in the early hours of the morning, on the fourth day.

For three days, Kurt's body had been constantly seeking Blaine. Searching for his presence and trying to sense the darkness. His enslavement longed for its master. The yearning, longing and pain, all swirled together and caused a fever to develop.

It was sudden and fast. As Kurt felt the heat overtaking him, he tried to leave his seat by the window to go to his room. He crashed to the floor with a quiet whisper.

"Blaine."

But Blaine couldn't hear him.

He had shut down their connection.

Around 9:00 am, Etienne woke up and walked into the living room to find Kurt passed out on the floor, his body burning up. Etienne could barely stand to touch him, but he manged to get him to his room and into bed. He gave Kurt four aspirin pills, but he knew this was not the type of fever that would respond to medication.

Monique arrived and gasped in shock when she touched Kurt's hand.

"How high is his fever?"

"I don't know. I don't have a temperature thing."

"A thermometer."

"Yeah. That. I don't have one."

"I think we should take him to hospital."

Etienne shook his head. "No. I've been here before. Kurt and Blaine are...I can't describe it. They're strange. Their relationship is strange. He needs Blaine."

"Strange how?"

"For starters...Kurt calls Blaine master."

Blaine was sitting on the steps of a church when the fever set in.

For three days, he had wandered aimlessly around Paris. He didn't know where he was or where he was going. He just wandered around during the day, and hid in the woods at night. Despite having his wallet and plenty of money, he hadn't eaten and didn't want to check into a hotel. All he wanted was Kurt. More than anything, he wanted to go to Kurt. But, he had to be sure that the rage and anger were gone. He wouldn't go near him until he was sure he could control himself and the darkness.

The heat arrived suddenly, consuming his body and making it hard for him to breathe. He tried to stand up and walk down the steps, but ended up falling and tumbling down. A man stopped to help him up. He yelled when he took Blaine's hand, and started speaking to him in rapid French. Blaine shook his head.

"Je ne parle pas français. Je parle anglais" [I don't speak French. I speak English.]

This just seemed to excite the man further. He started yelling loudly and waving his arms. Blaine thought he was trying to flag down a policeman, so he stumbled away. The man called after him, but Blaine kept going. He staggered into a small alleyway, and slowly slid down the side of a building. He leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Kurt."

But Kurt couldn't hear him.

Blaine had shut down their connection.

Monique and Etienne were fighting.

"We should take him to hospital! Fevers are dangerous! He's been burning up for hours!"

"I told you! He doesn't need a bloody hospital! He needs Blaine!"

"What the hell does that mean?"

"He's...they're...aw, hell! I don't know! I told you they're strange! They're the queerest, queers I've ever met!"

"Stop yelling at me! I can always leave!" Monique reached for her purse.

"Wait." Etienne reached for her hand.

"I'm sorry. I just...I don't know how to explain it. Just trust me. He doesn't need hospital. We need to find Blaine."

"And how do you suggest we do that? We've been calling and texting the asshole for days. For all we know, he's gone back to America."

Etienne shook his head. "No. He was upset, but he would never leave Kurt."

Monique was incredulous. "Oh, really? Look around Etienne! He has left Kurt!"

Etienne sat down heavily on the couch and put his head in his hands. "He will come back. Trust me. You haven't seen them together like I have, or overheard their conversations. They're obsessed with each other. Kurt only fooled around with Daveed out of loneliness and pining for Blaine. And Blaine...well, you saw him. He's mad about Kurt. Literally mad. Quite barmy actually."

Monique sat down next to him. "So, what do we do?"

"We wait."

Night began to fall, and Blaine was still in the alley. He had fallen over and was lying on the cobblestones, sleeping.

And dreaming.

He dreamed of beautiful, innocent blue-gray eyes, full of love and desire; of a beautiful boy with porcelain skin, whose laugh warmed his heart and filled him with joy. He dreamed of soft kisses and loving gazes. And of sex. Both soft and gentle, rough and hard. In his dream, the beautiful boy spoke to him.

I love you Blaine. Only you. I've loved you since I was 17. You are the only man I love, and will ever love. I give myself to you. I surrender to you. I am yours. I belong to you. Come back to me, Blaine. Come back to me. Come back...

Blaine opened his eyes and slowly sat up. The intense heat of the fever made his head feel fuzzy, and his chest tight. He was about to pass out again, when the darkness swirled through his mind. Despite everything, the darkness loved Kurt just as much as Blaine.

Kurt needs you. Go.

Blaine struggled to stand. He stumbled out of the alley, took out his cell phone, and dialed Kurt's number. Etienne answered.

"You bloody asshole! Where are you? Do you know..."

Blaine cut him off.

"I'm coming."

Kurt was dreaming.

He dreamed of gorgeous, constantly changing honey-amber eyes, full of love and adoration; of a handsome boy with olive skin, whose voice thrilled his heart and made him feel loved and protected. He dreamed of gentle caresses and loving kisses. And of sex. Both soft and sweet, forceful and punishing. In his dream, the gorgeous boy spoke to him.

I love you Kurt. I'd been searching for you forever. And suddenly, in a moment, there you were. You are the only man I love and will ever love. I crave your submission, but I am as much of a slave to you, as you are to me. We belong to each other. We belong together. Forever beautiful. Forever. Forever...

Kurt opened his eyes.

"Come back to me, Blaine."

Dizzy and weak from the heat and days of not eating, Blaine stumbled out of the taxi and dragged himself up the stairs of the flat. The door opened automatically. It was the middle of the night, but Etienne and Monique were awake, waiting for him. Etienne was about to start telling him off, when Monique grabbed his arm and shook her head. Blaine went straight to Kurt's room.

He stood in the doorway, staring. Kurt was lying in bed, curled into a ball, his body sweating and trembling.

"Kurt."

Kurt looked up. He wasn't sure if this was real or a dream, but he slowly climbed out of bed and walked to the middle of the room. They stood facing each other, eyes locked. Kurt reached over and started unbuttoning Blaine's shirt, which was filthy and covered in dirt. He let the shirt drop to the floor. He slowly pressed his hand, firmly against Blaine's chest. Blaine pressed his hand to Kurt's chest. They both gasped a little and pressed harder as a warm surge of power, flowed from Blaine into Kurt, and back to Blaine. As the connection strengthened, their body temperatures returned to normal and their pain of the last three days subsided.

Once the connection was complete, they tightly wrapped their arms around each other. They didn't speak. They just stood there, hugging. Finally, Blaine pulled back, took Kurt's hand and led them to the bed. They lay down and wrapped themselves completely within each other. They were as close as physically possible. The darkness quietly swirled around and tied them tightly together as they fell asleep.

X-X-X

Unable to stand it anymore, Monique grabbed Etienne's hand and dragged him down the hall. They stood outside Kurt's room and listened. Etienne knocked hesitantly. When there was no answer, he looked to Monique for direction. Should he open the door to check on them? Monique nodded. Etienne quietly opened the door and sighed in relief at the sight of Kurt and Blaine, completely intertwined and sound asleep. He and Monique stared at them for a minute before quietly closing the door. They went back to the living room and sat down on the couch.

They sat next to each other, nervously avoiding eye contact. Etienne kept sneaking glances at Monique, who was staring straight ahead. Finally, Etienne slowly moved his hand across the space between them, and took Monique's hand. At first, she didn't look at him, but when she finally turned her head to glance in his direction, Etienne leaned over and kissed her softly, gently, pressing his lips to hers, seeking permission. He stopped and pulled back a little, staring into her eyes. Monique was pretty. Not supermodel pretty, but pure, clean, fresh pretty. Down to earth pretty.

And suddenly in Etienne's eyes, downright beautiful.

He waited, barely breathing. Monique leaned forward and softly kissed him back. Etienne pressed a little more urgently. She matched him. He pressed more and she parted her lips and allowed his tongue to slide against hers. He brought his hand up the back of her neck, and slid it into her thick brown hair, pressing her head to his. She moaned and shifted to lay back on the couch, pulling him with her.

No more supermodels for Etienne.

Blaine lay curled on his side, facing Kurt, his head resting on his arm. He studied Kurt's smooth skin and perfect lips. His beautiful Kurt. He whispered quietly.

"I forgive you."

Kurt opened his eyes. He shifted to lay on his side, facing Blaine. They stared into each others eyes for a long time. Finally, Blaine began.

"I left because I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want the darkness to hurt you."

Kurt nodded.

"Kurt...you are the only man I want. I need you. I willingly admit that my love for you is desperate and sick. You are my obsession. You. Can't. Ever. Leave. Me. I will die without you. You belong to me, beautiful. You are mine."

"I know. Blaine...I'm sorry about...him. I just...I missed you so badly, I couldn't breathe. I needed someone to get me through the days. I used him to relieve my loneliness and longing for you. Surely you know by now...after all we've been through, that I'm dangerously in love with you. There will never be another man for me. And I promise...I swear, no more separations. I. Will. Never. Leave. You. I'm yours, Yours. Yours. Yours...

Blaine devoured Kurt's mouth and neck with hot, wet, desperate kisses. He left Kurt breathless and dizzy, his lips slightly swollen. He shifted on top of Kurt and covered his chest with tiny kisses. Then he stopped.

"I haven't had a shower in days."

Kurt smiled. "Neither have I."

Blaine continued kissing Kurt's chest, working his way down. He slowly and lovingly licked Kurt's cock, creating a soft, teasing arousal that made Kurt whine and roll his head back and forth in warm desire. He swallowed Kurt's cock and sucked hard as Kurt came with a loud cry. Blaine pulled off, allowing the cum to spill all over Kurt's stomach. He took his time, slowly licking the cum, savoring the taste. Kurt was captivated by the sight of Blaine licking him clean. He moaned and reached down to pull Blaine's mouth to his, tasting his cum in Blaine's mouth. Kurt surprised him by rolling them over. He pushed himself up on his hands and stared into Blaine's eyes. Blaine rarely found himself looking up at Kurt. He allowed himself to get lost in Kurt's beautiful, blue-gray eyes, full of love and submission. Blaine's body alternated between melting and tensing, as Kurt ran his hands all over Blaine's chest, arms and legs, kissing and licking as he went, not caring that Blaine hadn't showered in days. He expertly deep-throated Blaine's cock, causing Blaine to groan deeply and clutch the bedsheets. Like Blaine, Kurt pulled off and watched Blaine's cum spill onto his stomach. He slowly licked him clean, as Blaine moaned and started getting hard again. He loved watching Kurt lick his cum. He looked so sexy and submissive.

When he was done, Kurt moved back up and settled his head on Blaine's chest. He sighed contentedly as Blaine wrapped his arms around him.

"So, Blaine...are we okay? Are we good again?"

Blaine looked into Kurt's eyes and felt his heart ache. Kurt looked so worried and fearful. For the first time in his selfish mind, it dawned on Blaine that the summer had been just as difficult for Kurt, as it had been for him. Yes, Kurt chose to leave him, but that didn't mean the separation wasn't just as hard on him, as it was on Blaine. Kurt had endured the fear of knowing Blaine was in trouble, and he was thousands of miles away. He had returned to New York to save Blaine, and managed to destroy a master in the process. He had just spent the last four days in misery and pain, not knowing where he master was, and whether or not he would return.

Blaine decided the darkness was right.

He was a horrible master and Kurt was a horrible slave.

They had been horrible to each other.

And paid the consequences.

Blaine tightened his arms around Kurt.

"Yes, beautiful. We are good. We are great."

They weren't sure why.

It just seemed like the right time.

The right thing to do.

Kurt needed to tell it.

And these were the two who deserved to hear it.

That evening, Kurt, Blaine, Etienne and Monique, sat in a circle on the living room floor with pizza and bottles of wine.

Kurt told Etienne and Monique the story of him and Blaine.

The story of their relationship.

The entire story.

Everything.

Except for the murder of Phil.

Blaine allowed Kurt to do all the talking. He knew Kurt needed to spill. The secrets and silence all these years, had been hard for him. So, Blaine watched and listened as Kurt explained how they met, how they fell in love and how Blaine enslaved him. He told them the story of Blaine's great-grandmother and grandparents. How his grandfather died, and his grandmother shortly thereafter.

He told them about O.

He told them about Jace.

He told them everything. Right up to the events of Saturday night.

Etienne and Monique were spellbound. They barely breathed and did not move as Kurt told the story of his passionate, dark, and strange love affair with Blaine. When he finished, Blaine reached for Kurt's hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly.

They waited for the condemnation.

The disgust.

The repulsion.

It didn't come.

Instead, Monique wiped away tears, while Etienne looked at the floor. He finally spoke.

"I don't think Daveed will tell the police anything. After all, what could he say? No one would believe him. They'd think he was mad."

Kurt suddenly noticed how close together Etienne and Monique were sitting. Monique was leaning into him, as his fingertips rested on her hand. What was going on between them? Whatever it was, Kurt hoped it meant more to Etienne than a one week affair. Kurt liked Monique. She was a nice girl. He didn't want to see Etienne use her and then continue his constant pursuit, capture, and discard of supermodels.

Monique took Etienne's hand in hers and gave him a knowing look before turning to Kurt and Blaine.

"Your story is safe with us."

Blaine nodded. He knew she was telling the truth.

Blaine and Kurt left for Biarritz, Saturday morning. Blaine had made several calls and rearranged everything. Before leaving, he gave Etienne an envelope.

"What's this?"

"A cashier's check for...you know."

Etienne looked thoroughly confused. "What?"

Blaine was irritated. He didn't want to admit what he was doing.

"It's for...that guy. In the hospital." Etienne's eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh. Um...I don't think you have to...do anything. I don't think he'll say anything or sue or..." Etienne was a bit speechless. He was not expecting something like this. Especially from someone like Blaine.

"Yeah, well...it's something. Just in case. More for Kurt's sake than anything. I'm not sorry. He had no business touching..." Blaine stopped. He couldn't say it. He didn't even want to think it.

"Hey, listen mate. For what it's worth, that guy meant nothing to Kurt. Not like you. Kurt really suffered being away from you. He cried a lot and was sad a lot and...you two really shouldn't be away from each other. You're just not meant to be apart."

"I couldn't agree with you more."

As Blaine took their bags outside, Kurt interrogated Etienne.

"What are you up to? Monique is a nice girl. Don't you dare mess over her!"

Etienne looked hurt. "I would never mess over Monique. I love her." Etienne turned pink and looked at the ground.

Kurt squealed. "Oh, Etienne! That's wonderful! But how? When did this happen? You two just met."

Etienne shrugged. "I guess we just bonded over taking care of you. I don't know. Love at first sight? Maybe..." Etienne didn't really understand it, but he knew he would never date another supermodel again. Monique was the only woman he wanted.

Kurt smiled and gave him a hug. "I'm happy for you. Being in love is wonderful."

Etienne made a face. What a strange thing for Kurt to say, considering everything that had happened that week. Kurt read his mind.

"Blaine and I are different. I'm sure you and Monique won't have any of our craziness. Our love is different because Blaine is different from any other man. Our relationship is incomparable to any other."

"Ain't that the bloody truth. But...you're happy, right?"

A beautiful smile spread across Kurt's face. "Happier than I could ever make anyone understand."

Etienne nodded. "So, don't try to make them understand. Tell them to bugger off and you and Blaine just be happy."

Blaine called to Kurt. "Come on beautiful. Cabs here."

Kurt gave Etienne a final hug. "Thank you. For everything."

"No problem mate."

Etienne watched them leave.

He went inside to call Monique.

He suddenly had the urge to tell her he loved her.

Biarritz was beautiful.

The water was the clearest, most amazing blue. The sand was soft and warm beneath their feet. The days, sunny, warm, and most importantly, peaceful.

Peace.

Quiet.

Calm.

They spoke very little.

And it was perfect.

Their silence was not uncomfortable. On the contrary, it was loving, relaxing and welcome. They knew they had things to discuss. But not right now. For now they lay together, as close as physically possible. Arms and legs completely wrapped around and intertwined. Their hands never leaving the others body. There were constant small touches, grazes, caresses and soft kisses.

They did not have sex.

Instead, they kissed. Simple moments where one would lean over and kiss the other with deep affection and intense love.

They stayed this way for four days. Sleeping, lying on the beach, swimming, eating and cuddling in each others arms. They needed this break. They had been through so much that summer. Too much. But, they were still together. They had survived.

Friday night, Blaine built a fire in the fire pit in the backyard. Kurt brought out blankets and a bottle of wine, and they settled under a tree, a few feet from the fire. Blaine sat with his back against the tree, and Kurt sat between his legs. They sat in silence staring at the fire. Finally, Kurt spoke.

"That night, in the alley, I thought you had released me."

Blaine sat up. "What?"

"I thought you had released me. From my enslavement."

Blaine shook his head. He placed his hand on Kurt's chest and stared into his eyes, trapping him. He wrapped his control around him, so he couldn't move. Kurt gasped at the sudden onslaught.

"Let me be very, very, clear, Kurt. I will never, ever release you from your enslavement. You are my slave. Forever. Do you understand?"

"Yes master."

"Do you want to be my slave?"

"Yes. Yes master. I'm yours, Blaine. Forever."

"Don't ever forget that. You belong to me. I own you. You are my property. Forever."

Kurt nodded.

Blaine settled back against the tree and closed his eyes.

Kurt must have been crazy that night to think Blaine released him. He was never going to release Kurt.

Ever.

The next morning, Kurt and Blaine discussed Mike's offer. Blaine was sure Mike was expecting an answer, upon their return.

Kurt was exasperated.

"I don't understand why you are even considering it. He was very honest with you. He wants your power. He wants to use your power. He is so obsessed with your power, that he is willing to give you his daughter, so the two of you can create some superpower, magical baby."

"But, Samantha wants to have a baby with me."

"Of course she does! Daddy told her she wants to!"

"You don't think she really wants to? I can see why she would want to."

Kurt looked at Blaine in confusion and disgust. Blaine's ego was unbelievable.

"Blaine, that is not the point. The point is that the entire thing is beyond strange and just...wrong. It's just wrong. Father's usually try to protect their daughter's virtue. Not give it away as part of a business proposition!"

Blaine didn't say anything. He was looking down at the table. Kurt looked at him closely.

Something else was going on.

"Explain to me why you want to accept this partnership."

"Well...Huntel Wellington and VanSant is the best firm out there. They do everything. They are in everything. They are well-respected. Mike is...he's really amazing, Kurt. Do you know he started this firm when he was like, 25? He graduated college in 3 years, finished law school and hung out a shingle with his name on it. Mike Huntel, Attorney-at-Law. In New York City. Do you know how fucking hard that is? To launch a firm in the city? Much less, to grow it into what it is today. Over 600 attorneys. Offices in New York, Connecticut, Boston, Pennsylvania. What he has built is just amazing. He has a brilliant legal mind and he knows how to make money. And, he's right. I need to work somewhere that will provide cover for me. I can't just walk into a firm and say, hey, by the way, I'm kind of a freak and I have powers and I'm gonna use them to win cases. Mike already knows all about me. I don't have to explain anything. And he wants me. He really wants me. Hell, he wishes I were his son."

Kurt looked into Blaine's eyes.

Now it all made sense.

Daddy issues.

Dark and powerful Blaine Anderson was looking for a father.

Kurt reached across the table and took Blaine's hand.

"Blaine...I understand what you want, but this isn't the only way to get it."

"What do you mean? This is exactly the way to get it. I'll be a partner by the time I'm 27. I'll have the salary at 25. I'll be working for the best law firm on the east coast, under someone I can learn from. Kurt...this is everything I've ever wanted. I'll be able to take care of you. I promised you I would take care of you, and I meant it. I'm going to make sure you have everything you want."

"All I want is you." And Kurt Hummel Designs.

Blaine smiled at him. "Uh huh. Yeah. And expensive designer clothes, boots and scarves."

Kurt looked sheepish. "Okay. So yes, that too. But I can be patient."

"Well I can't. I'm accepting the partnership."

"What about working in criminal? I thought you didn't want to do that."

"I don't and I won't. No one can make me use my powers if I don't want to."

"Blaine...you need to think this through. Mike seems to know everything about you. About us. Don't you think it's possible that he knows a way to make you do what he wants?"

"I don't see how. My power works through my mind. If I don't think it, it doesn't happen. He can't force me."

"What about blackmail?"

"Blackmail?"

"Yes. Blackmail. He knows about the fire. He knows about Phil. He knows about me. What if he threatens to go to the police about the fire?"

"So what? He doesn't have proof of anything. Besides, I could blackmail him right back."

"How?"

Blaine was silent. He didn't want Kurt to know about Andrew. Especially since he planned to kill him.

"Let's just say that I paid close attention to the inner workings of Huntel Wellington and VanSant this summer, and I observed a few things. Things I don't think Mike would want made public."

"And yet, this is who you want to work for."

"Actually, yes. Don't you see. It's perfect. I plan to use my darkness to get things done. Mike uses the tools at his disposal, to get things done. Perhaps we are more alike than I originally realized. I bet I could help him take the firm to the next level. Maybe west coast expansion."

Kurt watched Blaine gaze off into space, daydreaming about the west coast.

Kurt shook his head. He knew this was dangerous, but he wasn't exactly sure how it was dangerous. Was Mike a danger to Blaine? Or, were Mike and Blaine working together a threat to...who? The world? Blaine was right. He and Mike were rather alike. Kurt wasn't sure, but he had a feeling that Mike had an evil streak to match Blaine's. Blaine's was backed up by his darkness. Mike's was backed up with money.

Dark power and money.

A dangerous combination.

Kurt sighed heavily, pulling Blaine out of his thoughts. Blaine looked at the worried expression on Kurt's face.

"Kurt."

Kurt's heart beat a bit faster, as Blaine's dominant and controlling tone, washed over him.

"Yes master?"

"Come here."

Kurt walked over to Blaine and knelt in front of him. Blaine stood up and looked down into Kurt's eyes. He laced his fingers into Kurt's hair, and gently pulled his head back.

"Beautiful, do you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, master."

"Do you trust me to take care of you?"

"Yes. I know you will always take care of me."

"Then trust me with this decision."

Kurt hesitated. He promised Blaine that he would always take care of him. He wouldn't be a good slave if he wasn't honest.

"I do trust you, but I think this is dangerous and I don't want to see you get hurt. You promised to take care of me, and I promised to take care of you. I'm only telling you this because I love you and I want to keep my promise to you."

"And I love you for that, Kurt. You are the most incredible, amazing fiancee/slave, ever. I am so lucky to have you. But it is my decision to make. Do you understand?"

"Yes master."

Blaine sighed. "I promise to think about it a little more, okay?"

Kurt smiled. "Okay." Good. More time to try and talk him out of it.

Mike Huntel quietly entered Kurt and Blaine's loft. He could have simply googled what he was looking for, but he wanted the opportunity to snoop around and check out their place. When it came to Blaine, more information was always better.

Mike was impressed. The loft was neat and spotless. Not a dish in the sink, not a spot of urine on the toilet. Mike thought back to the messy, sometimes gross, apartment he shared with his roommate during law school. He laughed to himself. Kurt and Blaine were definitely gay. Only two gay men would have an apartment this freaking clean.

He peeked into the nightstand by the bed. Wow. So they were into kinky sex. Interesting. His early years of investigating for cases had taught him to always look under the bed. He knelt down and reached a gloved hand underneath, pulling out the spreader bar. He laughed out loud. Kinky, rough sex. Poor Kurt. No telling what someone as dark as Blaine was putting him through in the bedroom. This was good information to know.

He replaced the bar and headed over to the desk. He rifled through the papers and came across Blaine's financial files. Hmm. Everything left to Kurt. Mike wondered if Kurt knew. He would be a very rich boy if Blaine died. More good information to know.

Mike continued to look through papers until he found what he was looking for. Just in case Blaine didn't come along like a good boy. Mike really hoped Blaine came on board. He truly wanted him for the son he never had. Blaine was perfect.

Mike jotted down the two addresses, made sure everything was as neat and tidy as he found it, and quietly left.

Yes, he could have googled it, but breaking in was definitely worth it.

Burt Hummel
1884 Cloverleaf Street
Lima, OH 45801
1-419-287-1932

Hummel Tire & Lube
1236 East Main Street
Lima, OH 45801
1-419-287-CARS (2277)