I never knew perfection till
I heard you speak, and now it kills me
Just to hear you say the simple things
Now waking up is hard to do
And sleeping is impossible too
Everything is reminding me of you
What can I do?
-Better That We Break by Maroon 5-

Law school.

By the end of the first week of classes, Kurt could tell that their lives were about to change and not for the better. Overnight Blaine went from being relaxed and comfortable to serious and intense. It didn't matter that he had a job and a partnership lined up. He was still determined to graduate at the top of his class. He wanted to prove to Mike and everyone else at HWV, that he was worthy of taking over the firm. And while he certainly planned on keeping his commitment to Mike, Blaine figured it couldn't hurt to be in a position to go anywhere. He wanted to be the most sought after graduating attorney in his class. Just in case things didn't work out.

Blaine's reputation for achievement followed him from undergrad, so he was inundated with requests to join study groups. He turned everyone down, choosing instead to form his own group of those he deemed almost as smart as him. As far as he was concerned, no one was actually as smart or smarter.

Blaine's new intensity fueled the darkness. It grew hotter and stronger. His body temperature was boiling and his aura grew darker and more menacing. To the women in his classes, Blaine looked like hot sex on a stick. The black hair, intense eyes, firm body and mysterious aura, was intriguing and attractive. As word got out that he played for the other team, gay classmates smiled, flirted and offered. Those who were still in the closet just stared or tried to strike up friendly conversation. Blaine politely turned everyone down. He was engaged to the most beautiful man in the world. He was there to get a law degree. Period.

By the end of September Kurt hated law school. He was a law school widower. He despised their new routine. Blaine would wake up around 6:00 am to review notes and reading assignments for that days classes. Kurt usually woke up around 7:00 am and made Blaine breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. Blaine would leave around 8:15 am to make it to his 9:00 am class. Once classes were over, he would head over to the law library to study. Depending upon the day, he would stay at the law library until 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm. After a few weeks Kurt gave up on making dinner. He never knew when Blaine was coming home and when he did get home, he wasn't hungry. All he wanted to do was go online and research cases or work on briefs. He would collapse in bed around 11:00 pm or midnight.

Increasingly Kurt found himself alone during the day, and with an exhausted and preoccupied boyfriend at night.

And he hated it.

Kurt lived for the weekend. On Saturday mornings they slept in, made love and talked. Kurt would bring Blaine up to date on the wedding plans, and Blaine would tell Kurt about his classes. They would lounge around and relax until 2:00 pm. Blaine would spend a few hours studying and then they would go out. They would meet friends for dinner, go to a Broadway show or the movies.

And then there was Sunday.

Blaine liked to spend Sundays preparing for the upcoming week. This meant reviewing notes, making sure he had read all his assignments...and fucking the shit out of Kurt. It reminded Kurt of their summers during high school when Blaine would screw him all Friday night to prepare for a tennis match on Saturday. Except now Kurt didn't have to go home to Lima. They had all day and all night. Kurt had no escape. Not that he wanted one.

Blaine did not tie Kurt up and they didn't use any of their toys. He didn't even use his control. It was straight, raw sex. Blaine would fuck Kurt against the wall, in bed and of course, chair sex. It was always hot, intense and brutal. By the end of the night Kurt would find himself lying in bed or on the floor, unable to move. Blaine would stand in front of the mirror and carefully inspect his body, noting how dark he was and how strong he felt. They would shower and Blaine would wrap Kurt in his arms and hold him close, kissing him and whispering loving words to him.

"Thank you, beautiful. Thank you for taking care of me and for letting me have you. I love you so much, Kurt. I would never survive without you. My strength lies in you."

Kurt would snuggle closer to Blaine and drift off to sleep. Kurt didn't mind rough Sunday sex because he was always perfectly fine by Monday morning. His body was used to being fiercely fucked by Blaine. Immediately afterward he was sore, but by morning he was fine. Blaine still worried about Kurt having a bathtub to soak in.

"We really should move, Kurt. We need a bathtub. I don't want to abuse you. I don't want you hurt."

Kurt gave him a stern look. "You don't abuse me. I want everything you do to me. All of it. I love it."

Shit. Kurt was going to ruin Blaine's ability to concentrate for the day. "I just want to make sure I take care of you. I promised you I would always take care of you. I don't want to break that promise."

Kurt leaned over and pulled one of Blaine's curls. Blaine had allowed his hair to grow longer and longer, to the point that gel would not tame his curls.

"You've kept your promise. I'm fine. Now go before you are late."

"What are you doing today?"

"Warren took off from work to accompany me on my location search for the wedding. I'll narrow it down to three places and then you and I will pick one."

Blaine said nothing as the darkness swirled. Warren. Warren. Warren. Why the fuck couldn't he get rid of Warren. Blaine kept his mouth shut because he knew Kurt was alone a lot during the week and he felt bad about that. Hanging with Warren made Kurt happy, so Blaine tried to hide his disgust.

"Okay. Wedding work. Have fun."

Kurt smiled at him. He wasn't stupid. He knew Warren was only alive because Blaine had promised not to kill him. He reached over and placed his hand on Blaine's chest.

"Are you my master?"

"Always."

"Am I your slave?"

"Forever."

"I love you."

"I love you."

Kurt and Warren visited over twelve different rental halls, event centers and cool locations for a wedding. Kurt had a vision of what the ceremony would look like and Warren had an eye for the right layout, lighting and room design. At each location the event director thought Kurt and Warren were planning their own wedding. Kurt would smile and correct them while Warren stared at Kurt wishing they were getting married. Warren was trying to move on. He really was. He had to. He had been pinning for Kurt for four years. It was ridiculous. But he never met anyone who captured and held his interest the way Kurt did. Kurt was the standard to whom everyone else had to measure up. Nobody ever came close.

After lunch they walked by a sleek men's boutique. They stopped and were soon busy trying on clothes and modeling for each other. Kurt tried on a white shirt with an interesting collar.

"What do you think?"

Warren studied the shirt. "It's hot, but I think you would need to remove your necklace to make it work."

Kurt made a face. "In that case nevermind."

Warren was about to ask why not when Kurt turned and walked into the dressing room. He didn't quite close the curtain all the way. He slid the shirt off and...

Warren caught a glimpse of Kurt's back.

Deep dark purple bruises. Long red scars including ones that looked particularly deep and harsh. Those were the scars from the castle wall in France.

Warren felt sick. He covered his mouth with his hand and ran into his dressing room. He sat on the small bench and tried to calm his nauseous stomach.

What the fuck was Blaine doing to Kurt?

Kurt finished getting dressed and walked out.

"Warren?"

"I'll be out in a minute."

Warren made up his mind. He had to put a stop to this. He couldn't help Kurt marry a monster.

Kurt was standing at the counter. "Listen, I'll pay for your stuff. It's my way of saying...Warren? Are you okay?"

"No. I don't feel very well. Can you take me home?"

"Of course."

Kurt left everything on the counter and hurried Warren into a taxi. Once they arrived at Warren's apartment they sat down on the couch. Warren's head was spinning. Now what? Kurt's eyes were full of concern.

"Do you want me to make you some tea?"

"Uh..no. Actually...I want to show you something."

Warren stood up and led Kurt to the room he used as a study. Inside was his drawing desk, designs and blueprints. Since he sometimes brought sensitive work documents home to review, he had installed a lock on the door.

Once inside he looked around the room, avoiding Kurt's eyes.

"Um...I forgot something. Wait here."

Warren quickly walked out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him. He leaned against the door.

What the hell was he doing?

It took Kurt a minute. "Warren? Warren? Are you okay?" Kurt tried the door. "Warren! What are you doing? Are you okay? The door is locked!"

"I'm sorry, Kurt."

"Warren! What are you doing? Open the door!"

"I can't. I can't let you let him hurt you anymore."

"What are you talking about? Warren! Open the door! Let me out of here!"

"I'm sorry, Kurt."

"Warren, what are you going to do? You can't keep me in here forever. Please Warren. Let's just talk about this."

"I can't talk to you about this, Kurt. You are brainwashed. He's fucked up your mind. I have to get you away from him."

"Warren, this is crazy! Let me out of here!"

Silence.

"Warren! Warren! What are you doing?"

"I'm saving you."

"No you aren't. I don't need saving. Warren, I love Blaine. I want to be with Blaine. You have to accept that."

"You want to be with someone who makes you be their slave?"

"Yes! I've explained this to you before. Warren? Warren?"

Silence.

Kurt took out his cell phone and then stopped. If he called Blaine, Blaine would kill Warren. Kurt wasn't sure he would be able to stop him.

"Warren...please. Let me out of here. You can't keep me in here forever."

Warren was sitting on the floor, leaning against the door. What was he going to do? This was crazy. He couldn't keep Kurt locked up. Eventually Blaine would come looking for him. Warren shuddered a bit. He'd felt Blaine's wrath once before. How was he going to rescue his friend?

"Warren...please. Can we talk about this?"

"There's nothing to talk about, Kurt. You need help. Professional help. And Blaine...Blaine needs to be locked up."

"Blaine hasn't done anything wrong! I love Blaine. I want to be with him. Please Warren. You need to let me out of here."

"You're brainwashed, Kurt. With some...distance and therapy, you will eventually realize that you have been trapped in a prison. Blaine took advantage of you. Of your loneliness back in high school. He pushed you into this relationship and got you in so deep you can't get out."

Kurt sighed. He sat down on the floor and leaned against the door.

"Warren...you need to get over me."

"This isn't about my wanting to be with you! It's about you allowing yourself to be abused!"

"Blaine does not abuse me."

"I saw your back, Kurt."

"What?"

"I saw your back."

Kurt thought for a moment. Oh. His back. The bruises and scratches. Blaine had been very upset after their castle wall adventure. Kurt's back had been so bloody and his shirt so ripped and stained, he ended up throwing it away.

"That's from sex."

"What?"

"Blaine and I had wall sex at a castle in France."

Warren thought about this. Wall sex? Okay, even if that was true, it shouldn't leave Kurt's back like that.

"Do you expect me to believe that?"

"Yes, I do. I've never lied to you."

That was true. Kurt was not a liar. Warren put his head down on his knees. This was crazy. What was he thinking?

Warren stood up and unlocked the door. Kurt walked out. He was furious, but his anger melted when he saw the sincere sadness and concern in Warren's eyes.

"Warren...you have to stop. You have to. I promise you. I swear to you. I'm fine, I'm happy, and yes I want to be Blaine's slave. He doesn't abuse me. He spoils me. Please Warren. You can not do this anymore. You can't."

"Your back looks like someone...I thought..." Warren could barely bring himself to say it.

"What?"

"I thought Blaine had whipped you."

Kurt's eyes grew wide. "What...you...Warren..." Kurt sat down on the couch. "What exactly do you think goes on between Blaine and I? Not that it is any of your business but Warren, Blaine does not abuse me. Stop getting caught up on the word slave. Yes, I'm his slave, but that doesn't mean he's beating me and mistreating me. Blaine loves me and he treats me well and..."

Kurt stopped. His anger returned.

"Why am I doing this with you? I swore I wouldn't do this with you anymore!" Kurt stood up and headed for the door. Warren ran after him.

"Wait! Stop!"

"No! This is insane! I keep doing this shit with you! It's over! Our friendship is over!"

"Kurt! Please!"

"No! Leave me alone! Don't ever call me again!"

"Kurt!"

"Goodbye!"

Kurt ran out of the apartment. Warren sat down on the couch, his head in his hands. How could he have been so stupid? What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he let it go?

He couldn't let it go because Kurt was his friend and he loved him.

And he hated Blaine.

He really hated Blaine.

Blaine didn't deserve Kurt. He just didn't. And not just because Warren loved Kurt and wished he could be with him. Blaine simply didn't deserve someone so lovely. Blaine was an evil, sick, sadistic bastard. Kurt was just too blind to see it.

Someone had to save Kurt.

Warren took out his cell phone and scrolled through the contacts list.

He stared at the number for a minute.

He hit call.

"Hello? Mr. Hummel?"

Kurt was carefully watching Blaine's face as Blaine studied the numbers on the screen. Kurt had made a spreadsheet of everything for the wedding and the estimated cost.

"Well?"

Blaine sighed. Shit. Kurt wasn't kidding when he said this wedding was going to be expensive.

"How many people are we inviting?"

"100-150?"

"Do we know 150 people?"

"We probably only know 50-75 people, but people bring dates."

Great. All this money to feed people they don't even know. Blaine turned back to the screen. Kurt looked at him for a moment before reaching over and turning off the computer.

"It's too much. I'm sorry. I'll redo it. We shouldn't spend this much money. I should choose less expensive flowers. And we really don't need a DJ. We can use my iPod. I saw a few places today that aren't that expensive. I'll go back and revisit them. One of them will work fine and..."

Blaine leaned over and placed his finger to Kurt's lips.

"Beautiful, stop. It's fine. You don't have to change anything. I'll make it work."

"It's too much money."

"No it isn't. Not if it's what you want. I promised you your dream wedding and I plan on keeping that promise."

"How will we pay for it? And please notice that I said we."

"I have savings and most of my internship money. I also plan to sell off a few investments. Kent has done a great job growing our portfolio."

"I have money too. I have the money from Paris and from my previous jobs. You always pay for everything so I have money saved up."

"There's also my family money."

Kurt shook his head. "I don't want you to use your family money."

"Why not? It's mine. My great-grandfather and grandfather earned that money."

"Won't your dad get mad?"

"Who cares? He can't deny me what's mine."

Kurt's voice was quiet. "I don't want him to cut you off before you finish school."

Blaine shook his head. "He won't. He wouldn't dare." I'll go to Ohio and torture him for a week. Or just kill him.

Kurt pulled the iPad towards him. "I still might change a few things. This was just round one."

"Don't change anything. If you want it, we're having it."

Kurt watched Blaine walk over to the couch to start studying. Kurt looked at his spreadsheet and smiled. And Warren thought Blaine mistreated him. Au contraire. Blaine spoiled the hell out of him.

Carol walked into the dinning room and stopped short. Burt was sitting at the table, ashen faced. His hands clinched into tight fists.

"Burt? Honey? What's wrong?"

Burt looked up slowly. His eyes were a mixture of sadness, anger and fear.

"I'm not sure what's wrong. If anything's wrong. I...I don't know."

"What is it, Burt? Please tell me."

"Sit down."

Burt took a deep breath and told Carol about the phone call from Warren. He used words like slave, brainwashed, power, control, attack and torture. By the time Burt was done talking, his fists were clenched again and he was shaking slightly.

"I knew it. I always knew it. I always sensed that something was off about that kid. I always felt like he had some type of strange control over Kurt. I should have put a stop to their relationship back in high school. I knew something was wrong. I just knew it."

Carol watched Burt get up and start pacing.

"What do you want to do?"

Burt stopped pacing and collapsed heavily into a chair.

"For starters, I'd like to beat the shit out of Blaine. I want Kurt to come home and...I don't know."

"How about you start with talking to Kurt? You seem awfully willing to believe what Warren says without talking to Kurt first. Call Kurt and tell him to come home for a visit. See how he's doing. I know he's started planning the wedding. Use that as an excuse to ask him about his relationship with Blaine. See what he says and above all, trust him. I know you think he's still your little boy, but he isn't. He's a grown man now, capable of making his own choices and decisions. Talk to him."

"But what if what Warren said is true? What if Kurt really is a..." Burt couldn't say the word. His stomach coiled into a tight knot.

Carol reached across the table and took his hand.

"If this is what Kurt wants...then we have to respect his decision."

Burt's eyes grew wide with fear and anger. "What? Carol...are you crazy? Kurt would never decide to do this!"

Carol crossed her arms and gave Burt a stern look.

"How do you know that? You don't know that. You need to talk to Kurt."

"But what if Blaine brainwashed him? That's what Warren thinks. He thinks Blaine has done something to Kurt's mind. Apparently Blaine has some type of power to..."

Burt stopped.

This was ridiculous.

None of this made any sense.

People don't have the power to torture other people just by thinking about it. Warren must be...what? Lying? But why?

Carol looked into Burt's eyes. "You need to talk to Kurt. You will never know the truth until you look into his eyes and talk to him."

The next day, Kurt sat at the kitchen table waiting for Blaine. He kept replaying his conversation with his father. His father wanted him to come home for a visit this weekend. He wouldn't give Kurt a reason. Just that he missed him and wanted to see him. Nothing was wrong. Everything was fine. He just wanted to see his son.

Kurt really couldn't make a case for not going. He wasn't in school and he wasn't working. His days were pretty empty. He didn't want to miss a weekend with Blaine, so he agreed to leave Monday morning. He would stay until Thursday.

Of course, he hadn't told Blaine yet.

Blaine arrived home at 9:30 pm. He looked tired.

"Hey beautiful."

"Hello master."

Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaine and held him close.

"Mmmm. I love coming home to this. To you. I want to come home to you every night for the rest of my life."

Blaine pulled back and kissed Kurt softly at first, then more urgently. Soon shirts were on the floor, pants pulled down and pulled off and Blaine was backing Kurt towards the bed.

Their sex was loving and passionate.

Blaine pushed slowly, drowning in the hot, tightness. Kurt hissed and scratched his nails across Blaine's back. Blaine groaned at the raw, painful feeling and drove forward with more force, moving his hips at a smooth and rhythmic pace. With every thrust, Kurt arched his hips, matching Blaine's strokes and driving him deeper within. The darkness flowed into Kurt, causing an incredible, hot arousal to shiver through his body. The darkness wrapped itself around them, pressing Blaine in as deep as possible and holding him there. They fell into orgasmic bliss with low screams and high-pitched cries; repeating each others name, and holding tightly to one another. Kurt whispered to Blaine. "Stay in me."

Blaine pressed himself closer and stilled his body. Kurt wrapped his arms tighter around Blaine. It was going to be so hard to leave for four days.

Blaine finally rolled off of Kurt and they settled into their usual position of Blaine on his back, arms around Kurt with Kurt's head on Blaine's chest.

"Blaine?"

"Mmm hmm."

"My father wants me to come home for a few days." Kurt could feel Blaine's body tense slightly.

"Why?"

"I'm not really sure. He said everything was fine he just wants to see me. I thought I would leave Monday morning and come back Thursday."

Four days. Separated from Kurt. Again.

The darkness swirled angrily. Why, why, why was Kurt always leaving?

Kurt could feel Blaine's body temperature increase. "I thought it would be easier for you if I was gone during the week. You're barely here anyway."

Blaine was silent.

Kurt closed his eyes. "Blaine...I have to go. I can't tell my dad I won't come see him. I promise. Four days. You will be busy with school and studying. You won't even know I'm gone."

Blaine pushed Kurt off of him, flipped over and pushed himself up on his hands over Kurt. He stared into his eyes.

"How could you say that? I always know when you are away from me. It physically hurts when you are away from me."

Kurt's eyes grew wide. "It physically hurts?"

"Yes. Do you think I like our current schedule? I hate this shit. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get to where I need to be to take care of us. To take care of you. That's all I really want, Kurt. To be able to take care of you. To give you everything you want. Everything you need. All I ask in return is that you be my slave and never, ever leave me. Stay with me. Always."

Blaine's words aroused Kurt. He pulled Blaine's mouth to his in a hot, passionate kiss. "I will stay with you. Always, Blaine. Always."

But...

Kurt pulled back. "But I have to go home. I can't tell my dad no. What if he gets sick again? Or is sick and doesn't want to tell me over the phone."

Kurt's mind flooded with worry. Why did his dad suddenly want to see him?

Blaine rolled off and settled next to Kurt. He took a deep breath and willed the darkness to settle down. He couldn't deny Kurt going home. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't. Four fucking days. It would feel like four fucking years. Besides Kurt was right. Blaine was barely at home. Kurt was alone a lot. The thought made Blaine's chest hurt. Kurt was never going to agree to be a stay-at-home husband if he was lonely all the time.

"I hate leaving you alone so much. I'm sorry for that."

Kurt felt bad. He didn't want Blaine to feel guilty for wanting to do well. "It's okay. I understand. I just miss you."

Blaine pulled Kurt into his arms. They settled back into their usual position.

"Go to Ohio and see your dad. It will be a good trip for you."

Kurt shifted and looked at Blaine. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's only four days. I can survive four days."

"Thank you."

Blaine sighed. Love before the control.

Burt and Carol met Kurt at the airport. He happily greeted them with smiles and warm hugs. Burt held him longer and tighter than necessary. He didn't let go until Carol placed a hand on his shoulder. Burt pulled back and looked into Kurt's smiling eyes. Was his son okay? He certainly seemed okay...

Once they arrived home, Kurt carried his bag up to his old room. He sat on the bed and looked around. It looked more like a guest room than his room. All of his things were gone except for a few books on a shelf and his vanity in the corner. He sat down at the vanity and stared at his reflection. He thought back to when he first met Blaine. Their first date, all the days they spent kissing each other, sucking each other and eventually fucking each other. Well, Blaine fucking him. Blaine had been Kurt's one and only lover and it had all started in this house. In this room. Kurt smiled. He hoped Burt and Carol never decided to move.

That evening Kurt helped Carol make dinner under the watchful eyes of Burt. Burt wasn't sure what to make of his son. He certainly seemed like a healthy, happy Kurt. He chatted excitedly about his time in France, life in New York and Blaine.

Blaine.

Burt didn't know what to think about Blaine and the story Warren had told him.

Mr. Hummel, Kurt's my best friend. I really love and care about him. That's why I'm calling. I'm sorry I didn't call sooner but...I just didn't know what to do. But now...as they plan this wedding... I just think you should know what's really going on. You should know what Blaine is doing to Kurt..

"Dad? Dad?"

Burt looked up.

"Do you want lemonade or iced tea with dinner?"

"Lemonade."

After dinner Kurt chatted with Carol about fall fashion and went through her closet pointing out what should stay, what should go and what should be packed up because it would definitely come back. As they settled in for the night, Carol turned to Burt.

"Well, what do you think?"

"I don't know. He seems fine."

"Yes, he does. Perfectly fine."

Burt sighed. Carol leaned over and kissed him softly.

"I'll be gone all day tomorrow. Talk to him. But be prepared to accept what he tells you. He is a grown man. He can make his own decisions."

Burt felt a little annoyed. "I don't understand you. How can you be so calm about all this?"

"Because I trust Kurt and I like Blaine. I agree with you. Blaine is different. He always has been, but I've seen him with Kurt. I've seen the way he looks at him. The way he treats him. He loves Kurt with all his heart. I am not willing to throw out six years of evidence based on one phone call from some guy we barely know."

Burt looked at his wife. Carol was right. Burt squeezed her hand.

"I was smart to marry you."

"Yes you were."

X-X-X-X-X

Once he settled in bed, Kurt called Blaine.

"Hello beautiful. I miss you."

"Hello master. I miss you too."

"Is everything okay?"

"I guess. My dad is healthy and Carol is great, but my dad keeps staring at me like he's looking for something. I don't know."

Blaine frowned. What was Burt up to?

"Hurry up and come home, beautiful. Being without you is torture. I miss my slave."

"And I miss my master. I love you."

"I love you."

Kurt slept late Tuesday morning. When he finally went downstairs, Carol was gone and Burt was sitting at the kitchen table.

"Good morning."

"Morning Kurt."

"Aren't you going to the shop today?"

"No. I was thinking you and I would spend the day together."

Kurt smiled. "Okay." He made a piece of toast, poured a glass of milk and sat down. As Kurt ate, Burt's mind wandered.

"Blaine is a sick, devious person, Mr. Hummel. He's twisted Kurt's mind and brainwashed him. He controls what Kurt does. Kurt has to ask his permission to do everything. He's the reason Kurt left Paris early. He made him come home. He's an evil control freak. He's convinced Kurt to be his slave...

"Dad!"

Burt jumped.

"You haven't heard a word I've said. What's wrong?"

Burt looked into Kurt's eyes. "Kurt...are you happy?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you happy with your life?"

"Yes. Of course. Why do you ask?"

"Are you sure you want to marry Blaine?'

"Yes. I can't wait to get married. I love him."

"Is your relationship with Blaine...is it good?"

"Of course it's good. It's great. Dad, what's going on? Why are you asking me all this?"

"I just want to make sure you aren't making a mistake. Marriage is a big step. A forever step. I just want to make sure you've thought this through. You've been with Blaine a long time. I just want you to be sure this is what you want. You. Not Blaine. You."

"I promise you. This is what I want. I want Blaine."

"Kurt..." Burt stopped. How could he ask this? He couldn't even say the word.

"How does Blaine treat you?"

Kurt stared at his father. What was going on?

"Blaine treats me fine. He takes care of me. Dad...what's going on? Why all the questions?"

"Is there something I should know about your relationship with Blaine?"

Uh oh.

"What do you mean?"

"Is there something...special about your relationship with Blaine? Something you want to explain to me."

Shit.

What should he say?

Should he tell his father the truth? He must know something. Why else would he be asking these questions? Is this why he wanted Kurt to come home? Kurt studied his father. He didn't look upset. Just concerned and...a little sad. Kurt closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He hated to lie, but the truth might send his father towards another heart attack. He was going to tell his father the truth...sort of.

"My relationship with Blaine is special. Very special. The love between Blaine and I is...I can't describe it. I never, ever imagined I could love someone so much and have them love me in return. Blaine is my...everything. And I am his. I love him more than. Simply more than."

Kurt paused, overcome by his own description.

"But a love like ours is...demanding. It's an all-consuming love. Blaine is very intense. His love is intense. I don't mind. I actually love it. I feel so loved and cared for and just...happy. I don't mind the intensity. I find it attractive."

Burt looked at Kurt closely. Intense love. An intense love can be controlling.

"I'm glad you're in love Kurt, but I don't want you to lose yourself in Blaine."

"I haven't. I'm still me."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

"Why did you come home from Paris?"

"I told you. I really missed Blaine. Like really, really, really missed him."

"Did you come home or did Blaine force you to come home?"

"I came home because I wanted to. Yes, Blaine wanted me home too, but the decision was mine."

"Kurt...are...are you Blaine's slave?"

Kurt almost fell off the chair.

"W-what?"

"Are you his slave? Does Blaine call you his slave?"

Kurt's hands grew very warm. The panic that had started filling his mind, receded. His mind felt very clear and his voice strong and sure. Kurt stared directly into his father's eyes.

"No. He calls me beautiful. I'm not a slave, dad. If I am a a slave, it's to love and the feeling is mutual. Blaine is a slave to the love as well. We love each other very much and our relationship is fabulous. You have nothing to worry about."

Burt stared back into his son's eyes...and exhaled.

This was still his Kurt. His son. What had he been thinking?

"Okay kiddo. I just needed to make sure you were okay." Burt didn't mention Warren.

Kurt nodded and stood up. He needed to get away from his dad before he lost it. "I'm going to get dressed."

Kurt practically ran up the stairs. He sat down at his vanity and stared at his reflection.

He had just straight out lied to his father.

Looked him in the eyes and lied.

Kurt looked at the palms of his hands. Since returning from France, the strength and heat of Kurt's hands had increased. He hadn't thought much about it and he hadn't mentioned it to Blaine. He figured it was a by-product of their being together all the time. Now he looked at his hands and wondered how much more the darkness would infect him. For now he was grateful. Grateful the increased darkness made it possible for him to convincingly lie to his father. Kurt didn't feel bad. He actually felt relieved. He'd been seriously thinking about telling his father the truth before the wedding. Today's conversation was close enough. There was no need for his father to know the whole truth.

X-X-X-X-X

That night when Kurt talked to Blaine, he did not mention the conversation with his father. Instead he drove Blaine crazy with phone sex.

"Imagine my naked body sliding down your cock. My ass feels so tight and hot, clinching around your dick. And my hands...my hands are tied to the bar and my ankles are chained to the spreader bar, so I can't escape. I'm tied, chained and trapped on your dick."

Blaine moaned and stroked himself harder.

"Hurry the fuck up and come home."

The rest of Kurt's visit was enjoyable. Kurt discussed wedding plans with Carol and drove to Westerville to have lunch with Elaine. It was not until Thursday morning that Kurt learned about Warren's phone call.

Kurt was walking down the stairs to the kitchen when he overheard his father and Carol.

"It's been wonderful having Kurt home. I'm glad he came and I'm glad you two had a chance to talk."

"Yeah. I feel a little foolish for getting all worked up. I just...that Warren kid really scared me."

"Did you ask Kurt about him?"

"No. I didn't even think about it. I was more concerned about Kurt. Besides, I don't want him to think I immediately jumped to conclusions based on a phone call from some guy versus trusting him to make his own decisions."

Carol smiled and did not state the obvious.

Burt looked at her and made a face. "That's what I did, didn't I?"

Carol walked over and cupped his face with her hand.

"Don't beat yourself up. You've spent your entire life worrying about and protecting Kurt. That phone call simply fed into concerns you've always had about Blaine, coupled with your love for your son. What Warren said was scary. You are forgiven for overreacting. In the end you handled it as you should. You talked to Kurt. That's what matters."

Kurt quietly returned to his room and sat down at his vanity.

Warren.

Warren had called his father and told him about his relationship with Blaine.

Warren had betrayed him.

Kurt was hurt. Deeply hurt. Despite Warren's crazy kidnapping attempt, Kurt had planned to call him when he returned home. Something about Warren had settled itself in his heart a long time ago. He wasn't really ready to end their friendship.

But now Kurt was scared. Warren was a loose cannon. People could not find out about Blaine. It was dangerous. Mike and Samantha were bad enough. Etienne and Monique could be trusted, but Warren...Warren was dangerous.

Kurt sighed. He had created the Warren problem. He would have to take care of it.

X-X-X-X-X

Kurt hugged Burt and Carol goodbye and promised he would be home for Christmas. Kurt placed his hands on his father's shoulders.

"I love you, dad. You are the best father in the world and please trust that I am happy. Very, very happy. You gave me the courage to be happy and to live my life with no fear or shame. I thank you for that."

Burt smiled at his son. "I'm proud of you, Kurt, and I love you."

On the plane ride Kurt mapped out his plan regarding Warren.

It was time for him to test his power over his master.