Get back in my life
Come knock on my door
What I'm looking for
I think you should know
You started a fire
Put me to the floor
Please don't resist anymore
I'll never leave you alone
-Get Back in My Life by Maroon 5-

Samantha's predictions the night of the launch party had been accurate. The launch was just the beginning. To truly become a success they were going to have to work hard. Really hard. It didn't matter that the clothes were beautiful. What mattered was getting those clothes on the right people to create demand. Lake quit his job at Barneys and dedicated himself full-time to finding opportunities for Kurt's clothes to be shown to trendsetters, Hollywood actors and actresses and people with money. From high society charity benefits, to fashion parties at gay clubs, Lake smiled, flirted and talked Kurt Hummel Designs into every meaningful fashion event in the city. Samantha worked the industry angle, trying to set up interviews and photo spreads in fashion magazines with the goal of one day landing a spread in Vogue.

While Lake and Samantha worked on the public relations and marketing, Kurt learned the hard lessons of running a business. He couldn't just sit in his office and design. He had to negotiate with vendors and clothing stores, track production, manage employees and make sure everyone and everything got paid. Despite Kent's assurances that money was not an issue, Kurt was careful and cautious about his finances because he had a goal. He wanted Kurt Hummel Designs to become an independent company capable of operating without Blaine's money. Kurt had spent a fortune redecorating the building, throwing the party and launching the label. He didn't want to use anymore of Blaine's money. The company needed to stand on its own. So Kurt held off on hiring people. Instead he worked.

And worked. And worked. And worked.

And so did Blaine.

After officially passing the bar and getting his law license, Blaine took on several challenging cases. He wanted to prove himself to the other attorneys in the firm, especially since Mike wanted to make him a partner as soon as possible. Blaine still insisted that they wait at least two years. It was important that he earn the respect of the other attorneys first, and he could only do that by accumulating wins.

They both threw themselves into their careers. Kurt worked tirelessly to break through the fashion world clutter and noise to get noticed, while Blaine fought to win every case.

They became workaholics.

A very unhealthy situation.

Especially for a master and slave.

Blaine had been incredibly patient during the building remodel and the launch party planning, but once it was over he expected Kurt to be home every night to cook dinner and have sex.

Kurt thought Blaine understood that the launch party was just the beginning. Yes, he would come home every night. Around 8:00 pm. Sometimes 9:00 pm. He rarely cooked dinner and sleep replaced sex. Nothing about his schedule changed. If anything, it got worse.

They barely saw one another during the week.

Blaine quietly seethed, but said nothing. When Kurt worked late, he stayed late at the office.

They tried to keep their weekends dedicated to spending time with each other, but that grew more and more difficult as Kurt accepted invitations to charity fashion shows, luncheons and social events where he could network and talk about his label. Blaine almost always accompanied him. He definitely would have preferred to stay home, lounging around the loft, eating cupcakes and screwing his slave; but Kurt insisted on attending these events and Blaine's possessive nature wouldn't allow Kurt to go alone.

By Sunday Blaine was sexually desperate and hungry which led to the hottest, sickest sex of their lives. Blaine would attack Kurt in the early hours of Sunday morning and not release him until late Sunday evening. Kurt spent Sundays chained to the bed or locked in the spreader bar for hours while Blaine screwed him. He stayed full of cock all day. Blaine knew he was punishing the hell out of him, but he couldn't stop himself. He was working harder than ever and he needed to be strong. He had to drain Kurt on Sundays in order to make it through the week.

The darkness was pissed. Sunday sex was not enough. Blaine should be screwing his slave more often. Where was the control? Why wasn't Kurt around to take care of Blaine? Blaine silenced the darkness and just kept repeating four words in his head.

Love before the control.

Love before the control.

Love before the control.

And ignored the warm, simmering boil slowly growing deep inside him.

The perfect storm started in April.

The McLean-McNeil case.

Partnership.

Vogue.

Paris.

The McLean-McNeil case, or the MM case as Blaine called it, was an acquisition and merger of McLean Industries by the Robert McNeil Companies. It was the most complicated and intricate case Blaine had ever handled. Thousands of employees, international holdings and global properties were at stake. Not to mention the money. Billions.

Blaine would serve as lead attorney representing McLean Industries. This was not a case that would normally land on the desk of someone two years out of law school, but Blaine insisted. It was going to be his partnership case. The big one that proved to everyone that he deserved the firm.

Because of its size and the money involved, Mike would serve as second chair to assist Blaine and silence the critics. Everyone thought Mike was crazy. You do not give cases like this to a new, young attorney. But Mike had confidence in Blaine's abilities, and John McLean, fourth generation owner of McLean Industries, had confidence in Mike. While it was a merger and not a trial case there was still an element of winning versus losing for everyone involved.

The pressure was on and Blaine felt it.

He had to win.

x-x-x

After two years of subtle badgering and trying not to appear to be a pest, Anna Wintour's assistant's assistant called Samantha.

Ms. Wintour wanted a private showing of Kurt's fall collection. Never mind that everyone in the fashion world was currently working on their summer line. She wanted to see winter. If she liked what she saw, perhaps he could have a spread in the September issue. Could he have things ready by the time she returned from Italy? When was she returning from Italy? Not sure. Just be ready.

Shit.

Once the initial joy and jumping around ended, panic set in. Yes, Kurt had plans for the winter, but nothing was finalized. Hell, nothing had even been started. They were in the throws of summer. They were also planning for their first fashion show in Paris. The Top 10 Designers to watch show. It was an honor to be invited to participate. It was every new designers dream.

Kurt would be gone for at least two weeks.

He hadn't quite had a chance to mention this to Blaine.

The impending storm began as a light drizzle when Blaine came home one night after an especially grueling day. He had been in negotiation meetings all day over the MM case. He and McNeil's lead attorney, had performed a legal war dance for hours. To make matters worse, McNeil didn't believe in shutting up and letting his lawyer do the talking. He constantly interrupted, yelled insults at Blaine, and bullied his own attorneys. McNeil kept throwing Blaine off his game, making him lose focus. The way McNeil leered at him made it almost impossible for Blaine to stare him down. Every meeting left Blaine exhausted, worn out and lacking confidence. He needed to be stronger if he was going to win this case. Sunday only sex would not be enough.

Blaine arrived home at 8:00 pm.

"Kurt?"

Kurt wasn't home.

Blaine was tired, hungry and horny. Where the hell was his slave?

Where are you?

A private, VIP networking event for the Museum of Metropolitan Art. They're featuring an exhibit of 17th century fashion, so Lake thought...

Come home.

I can't. There are important people here that I...

No one is more important than me. Come home. I need you.

Blaine...I can't. I promise to...

Bring your ass home now, Kurt! Right fucking now!

Kurt?

Kurt?

Stop yelling at me.

Blaine was incensed.

I command you to come home now!

Yes master.

Kurt told Lake he had to go.

"What? Are you kidding? You can't leave! Marjorie Waldorf is going to be here within 20 minutes. You need to meet her! I'm trying to get her to come in for a private showing! The woman shits money!"

"I'm sorry, Lake. Tell her I fell ill. I have to go."

Kurt turned to leave. Lake grabbed his arm.

"Kurt...is this Blaine?"

"Yes."

Lake sighed. He didn't understand their relationship, but he knew there was something about it that made Kurt leave immediately when Blaine called. The man's dick must be like crack, heroin and meth with a side of pot.

"I'll give Marjorie your regards."

As Kurt rode in the cab he closed his eyes and tried to prepare for whatever was waiting for him at home. The guilt he had been ignoring and burying deep down, rose to the surface. Kurt knew he had been pushing it. Really pushing it. He was surprised he had gotten away with the past year. In his head he was constantly justifying his actions. Blaine was just as busy as he was. Even if he got home at 6:00 pm and made dinner, Blaine wouldn't be there to eat it. Right? Yes, no sex during the week sucked, but Sundays were off the charts. Blaine got to take him in every way imaginable. A lesser man would die from what Blaine did to him on Sundays. That made up for it. Didn't it? Besides, hadn't Kurt sat in the loft, lonely and depressed while Blaine was in law school? Now it was his turn to pursue his career. That was only...

Fair.

Although he was alone with his thoughts, Kurt couldn't help but grimace at the word. Blaine hated that word. That word had no place in their relationship. Their relationship was inherently unfair. Control and dominance lay with Blaine and was tempered by his love. Blaine was the master, Kurt was the slave. Fairness did not play a role.

Kurt walked into the loft and looked around. "Blaine?"

There was no answer.

Suddenly strong arms wrapped around him and a hand was placed over his mouth. Kurt knew it was Blaine, but the sudden gesture scared him. He tried to pull away, but Blaine's grasp was tight, his voice a menacing whisper.

"Where have you been, beautiful? Where have you been all these months? Why aren't you ever here? Why aren't you ever fucking here?"

Blaine started slowly sucking his neck. His ran his tongue along the skin above Kurt's collar.

"You're always gone. Always fucking gone. Never here. Never at home. Why are you always gone, Kurt? Why? Have you forgotten who you are? What you are? Have you forgotten who owns you?"

"No. I haven't forgotten."

"Tell me, Kurt. Tell me who you belong to."

"I belong to Blaine Anderson."

"Again."

"I belong to Blaine Anderson."

"And what are you, beautiful?"

"A slave."

"No. You aren't just a slave. You are my slave. Mine. My beautiful slave."

Blaine suddenly pushed Kurt away from him and started screaming.

"You're supposed to take care of me, but you're never here! You're never fucking here, Kurt! Why aren't you ever here?"

"I'm never here? You're never here! You're always at the firm!"

"I'm only at the firm because I don't want to come home to an empty loft!"

"I know the past few months have been..."

"Few months, Kurt? Try the past year and a half."

"Fine. I know the past year and a half has been difficult, but it's not my fault. We've both been working really hard. It won't always be this way. We just need to get settled. You need to make partner and I need to grow my business. That's why I go to so many events. I need to be out there, wearing my clothes and talking to people. I promise. Things will get better. I just need to get more clients and get the clothes into more stores and..."

"No, you don't! You need to be here taking care of me!"

"And what am I supposed to do about the company? If I don't grow, I can't hire more people!"

"What are you talking about? You can hire as many people as you want! There's plenty of money in your operating account."

Kurt narrowed his eyes. He stared at Blaine for a full minute.

"How do you know how much money is in the operating account?"

"What?"

"How do you know how much money is in the operating account of Kurt Hummel Designs?"

"What are you talking about? Of course I know how much money is in the operating account. I have access to all of your business accounts."

Kurt didn't say anything. Why was he surprised by this? After all, it was Blaine's money that launched the business. But still...

Blaine sat down heavily on the couch. He was so exhausted, he couldn't even remember what they were arguing about.

Kurt decided not to say anything else about his business finances. What could he say? Until the company was capable of standing alone, Blaine had every right to know what was going on. He sat down next to Blaine on the couch.

"Did you want me to come home so we could fight?"

"No. Kurt...things have to change. I'm in the middle of a very important case. I need you. This case...this is my partnership case. It's huge and very detailed and involved and...I can't fuck up. I can't. Mike is working with me and the guy who owns the other company is fucking with my head and...I need you."

Kurt was surprised. He had never heard Blaine sound anything less than confident. Blaine's lack of confidence scared him. "What do you need?"

"I need you to take care of me. I need you home. I need to have sex more than once a week. I need to be stronger. I need you, Kurt. I can't win this case without you."

Kurt stared at the floor. What was he going to do? He couldn't take off right now. He had to prepare for Anna Wintour and Paris. Oh shit. Paris. How was he going to tell Blaine about Paris?

Blaine reached over and took his hand. "Kurt?"

Kurt said nothing. Instead he leaned over and kissed Blaine. A kiss full of love and passion and...guilt. He climbed on top of him, straddling him and kissed him deeply. They were immediately pulling each others shirts off. Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaine's neck and his legs around his waist as Blaine picked him up and carried him to the bed. Shoes, socks, pants, boxers were discarded as they fell into lovemaking. Blaine's touch was firm and demanding, but his strokes were surprisingly gentle and loving. Kurt cried silently as Blaine whispered to him.

"I love you so much, beautiful. So very much. Don't you know how much I miss you? How much I need you? I can't breathe without you. Please beautiful...stop leaving me. I can't stand it when you're not here. I can't function without you. I love you, Kurt. I love you. I love you..."

Kurt continued to cry.

What was he going to do?

x-x-x

Kurt tried to do better.

But work demanded so much of his time. He couldn't stop working. He didn't want to stop working. He was proud of the progress they were making. He couldn't stop now. He wanted to be successful.

So nothing changed.

And Blaine struggled to survive. To be a patient, supportive husband.

Love before the control.

Blaine and Mike worked late, each concentrating on a different aspect of the case and reviewing work prepared by the other attorneys on their team. Mike was proud of Blaine. He was handling himself well in the middle of a very difficult case with a very nasty opponent. He constantly encouraged Blaine and told him he was doing well, but he could tell Blaine was struggling with something. One night he asked about Kurt.

"We've been working awfully late the past few weeks. How's Kurt doing?"

Blaine's eyes darkened. "How the fuck would I know? I never see him. Ask Samantha. She sees him more than me."

Mike was shocked. That weekend he took Samantha out to brunch and asked what was going on. Samantha rolled her eyes.

"Blaine just has to understand that Kurt is running a business. I've told him before. Kurt can't be at his beck and call anymore. He's busy with his career just like Blaine is busy with his. We have a lot to do to get ready for Paris and Vogue."

"Paris?"

"Yes. We go to Paris in a month. It's our first Parisian show."

"Does Blaine know?"

"I would assume so."

Mike didn't say anything else.

Lake could always make it rain.

Lake was finishing up lunch with a friend at the deli near the offices of HWV. He saw Blaine come in and order at the takeout counter. Damn. Of course Kurt asked how high when Blaine told him to jump.

"Hello Attorney Anderson. You can argue my case anytime."

Blaine smiled. "Hi Lake. How are you?"

"Always fabulous. Exhausted from working for your husband, but still fabulous."

"How's Kent?"

Lake sighed. "Miraculously still in love with me. I keep waiting for him to wake up, but so far I've been lucky."

"I haven't seen him in awhile. Maybe when things calm down we can all get together."

"We should get together after the Paris trip."

"When are you and Kent going to Paris?"

"No silly. Kent's not going. Me and Kurt and Samantha and...well the whole team. You know. For the fashion show."

"What fashion show?"

"The Paris Fashion Club fashion show. Every year they pick ten designers to watch and..."

Lake stopped talking. Shit, shit, shit! Kurt hadn't told Blaine about the trip. Lake opened his mouth and then closed it. Dammit.

"Blaine...I'm sure Kurt planned to tell you. I probably just ruined his surprise. It...it's a big deal and...maybe he wanted..." Fuck.

Blaine turned and walked out. Without his lunch.

Lake pulled out his cell phone.

x-x-x

Blaine closed the door to his office and sat down at the desk.

He stared at the picture of Kurt and waited.

He didn't have to wait long.

Blaine?

Blaine?

Are you in the middle of a meeting?

Blaine?

Please answer me.

I'm sorry. I was going to tell you. I swear. I just...I couldn't find the right time. We're hardly ever home and things have been so crazy and...the fact that it was Paris again...

Blaine?

Please master. Answer me.

We'll talk tonight, Kurt.

That evening Kurt sat in the loft and listened to the rain pouring down outside. It was 7:00 pm and Blaine still wasn't home. Kurt had debated about making dinner and was glad he had decided against it. He didn't think it would make things better. It would just remind Blaine of how rarely Kurt made dinner.

At 7:50 pm Kurt heard the key in the lock. Blaine walked in looking wet and tired. Kurt could sense the darkness swirling angrily.

"Hello master."

Blaine said nothing. He put his bag down and started to undress. He walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Kurt sat back down on the couch. It was going to be a long night. He listened to the shower running and jumped when a clap of thunder shook the building. After 15 minutes, Blaine emerged from the bathroom. Kurt couldn't help but admire Blaine's body. He truly was beautiful. The burns from Jason's attack had eventually faded leaving Blaine's skin clear and olive, but not as dark as it could be. Kurt felt a pang in his chest.

Kurt waited for Blaine to speak, but he said nothing. He put on a shirt and boxers and sat down on the bed. Kurt stood up and walked over to him. He kneeled in front of him.

"I'm so sorry. I should have told you the moment I received the invitation. I...I just didn't know how. It felt like the internship thing all over again."

"So you're leaving me for a year?"

"What? No, of course not! I'll only be gone for about 10 days. Maybe less."

"Why don't you?"

"Why don't I what?"

"Leave me. After all, Kurt. It's what you do best."

Oh. Ow. Damn. It felt like a knife through Kurt's heart.

"I never want to leave you. I love you."

Blaine's laugh was nasty. "Love. Love before the control. Somehow love always leaves me lonely. Love gets me a slave who wants to go fuck around in Paris."

"Blaine...it's only for 10..."

Blaine started screaming.

"That's not what this is about, Kurt! This is about everything! Everything is wrong! Nothing is right! Our relationship isn't right! You are my slave! You are supposed to take care of me! Instead you're running all over the fucking place taking care of everyone but me! You're never fucking home! This shit is ridiculous! After all these years and all we've been through, it's like you haven't learned anything!"

Kurt screamed right back.

"I'm sorry, but what do you want from me? What did you think was going to happen when I started the design house? I've always told you I wanted to work!"

"And I've always told you what I needed! I've always been honest with you! From day one I was honest with you and you agreed! You said you wanted to be with me!"

"I do want to be with you!"

"Then close that damn design house and stay home!"

Another clap of thunder shook the building.

Kurt stood there with his mouth open. No. He couldn't be serious.

"What?"

"Close it. This isn't working. You need to stay home. This is why slaves don't work. They serve their masters and no slave can serve two masters."

Kurt stood there in fear and shock. Close...no...no way. He couldn't really mean that. He couldn't. Would he command him to do it? No, no, no.

Blaine could see the panic in Kurt's eyes. Kurt started shaking his head.

And things turned really ugly.

"You don't want to, do you? You don't want to close it. Even as you stand there and see what this has done to us...you still want to work. You care more about your fucking label than about me. You are a horrible slave. Horrible!"

"If I'm a horrible slave what does that make you?"

Blaine's hand rose...

Kurt cowered to cover his face...

The darkness slammed into Blaine like a freight train.

It pulled him across the room and slammed him into the wall. Blaine struggled to breathe as the darkness choked him.

You will not abuse your slave!

Blaine tried to speak, but couldn't.

And then the pain hit.

It wasn't fire.

It was pure pain. Pulsing, throbbing, intense pain, spreading through his body and squeezing his head. The kind of pain that made a person wish for death.

Kurt ran towards him...

And slammed into a wall. An invisible wall separating him from Blaine.

The darkness kept Tania away from her husband when it killed him.

"No! No! Please! No! He didn't do anything! Please! Don't kill him! No! No! Please!"

The darkness broke loose from Blaine and screeched through the air.

You will not abuse your slave! You are not allowed to hurt your slave!

Kurt was screaming madly and clawing at the wall. "Please! Please! No! No!"

Blaine lay trapped on the other side. This was worse than anything he had ever experienced at the mercy of the darkness. It hurt so bad he couldn't scream from choking on the pain.

He could feel it. It was finally happening.

The darkness was going to kill him.

Kurt felt it at the same time and turned wildly hysterical.

"No! No! No! Please! Please! I'll do anything! Please! Don't kill him! Don't kill him! Please! I'll quit working! I'll stay home! Just please! Pleeeeasssse! Don't kill him! Blaine! Blaine!"

The darkness swirled through the air like an angry tornado.

"I love him! I love him! Please don't take him from me! Please!"

The darkness hovered over Kurt. This is your fault! You are supposed to take care of your master!

"I will! I promise! Just please! Please don't kill him! Please!"

Take care of your master! You belong to him!

"I will! I will! I promise! Please!"

The pain was intense. Blaine could feel his body shutting down. The darkness screamed at him one last time. "You may never, ever abuse him! Never! Next time you die!

The darkness sped towards the ceiling and then slammed back into Blaine.

The room fell silent.

Kurt had been leaning and clawing against the invisible wall. He fell as it disappeared. He scrambled over to Blaine.

"Blaine? Blaine? Blaine? Oh, please? Blaine!"

Blaine couldn't speak and he could barely move. He weakly gripped Kurt's hand.

"It's okay, Blaine. It's okay. It's okay. I love you and I promise...I'll do better. We'll get better. I promise." Kurt lay down next to him and held him. After awhile, Blaine spoke to him mentally.

I swear, Kurt. I wasn't going to hit you. The darkness overreacted. Master control. I was going to put you under master control. I'll never abuse you. I swear. I promise.

It reacted to me drawing back and covering my face. I'm sorry. I just...things were so intense, and you were so angry, and what I said...I just...I was scared. Oh, Blaine...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Blaine was quiet for a few minutes.

"You really thought I would hit you?"

"No. It's just...things felt so out of control. I panicked."

"I would never hit you, Kurt. Never. Darkness or not, I would never, ever abuse you."

"I know. I know."

Blaine sighed heavily. "What's wrong with us? Why do we keep doing this? We know better. Why can't we get this right?"

They lay in silence listening to the storm die down. Once Blaine felt able they moved to the bed. Blaine watched Kurt undress. He was so beautiful. Kurt took a quick shower and climbed into bed.

He looked at Blaine. "We need to take tomorrow and Friday off." Blaine looked into Kurt's eyes and nodded.

It was the first step.

Balance.

Work-life balance.

Master-slave balance.

Things got better. Much better.

Kurt relaxed about using Blaine's money to hire more employees. He hired several people including a personal assistant. A bright, perky girl named Lexi Adams. With the additional help, Kurt was able to focus more on the creative and marketing side of the business. He was also able to get home by 7:00 pm every night as commanded by Blaine. No more working until 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm. He didn't have to cook dinner every night, but he had to be home. If there was a truly important social event he wanted to attend, he had to ask Blaine for permission. Sometimes the answer was yes, but sometimes it was no. Kurt never argued. Lake or Samantha would attend instead.

They finally moved.

The LaTrullia Building was a brand new, state of the art building on the Upper East Side. Blaine insisted they take the penthouse which Kurt thought was ridiculous. What would they do with all that room? But Blaine refused to settle for less. In addition to a large living room, dining room and kitchen, there were five bedrooms including their incredible master bedroom. Every bedroom had its own bathroom. They turned two of the bedrooms into home offices. Blaine's was the largest, decorated in rich cherry woods and gold with one entire wall dedicated to bookcases for law books. Kurt's was far more modern and stylish. Their bedroom was extremely large and comfortable. There was a loveseat in the corner, a desk, a huge flat screen on the wall and two custom designed closets inspired by Carrie's closet from the movie, Sex in the City. The bathroom was large with a jacuzzi bath tub and a shower big enough for four people. They spent months choosing the furniture and décor for each room, creating a home that was the epitome of taste, luxury, design and comfort.

They had several discussions and debates about hiring a cook/housekeeper. They wanted to feel comfortable and free in their home, and not feel the need to hide the unique nature of their relationship. They needed someone they could trust to keep their confidences. They hired a placement agency, but didn't like anyone they interviewed. No one felt right. After 12 different interviews, they decided to try switching agencies.

And then Blaine found Marta Williams.

x-x-x

The McLean-McNeil case left Blaine exhausted, shaken and triumphant. The merger went through and John McLean was pleased with the results and impressed with Blaine. A month after the agreement was finalized and signed, Blaine was announced as partner of the newly renamed firm of Huntel Anderson. Kurt attended the announcement party at the firm, and had to blink back tears of pride and joy as he watched Blaine shake Mike's hand while the entire firm applauded. Blaine had finally made it.

Blaine quickly started reaching out to his law school study group friends. There were certain people at HWV he couldn't wait to get rid of.

One day he slipped into a murder trial to check out a young woman named Rebecca McDaniels. She had a reputation for being a killer defense attorney. Blaine planned to steal her from her current firm. It was around 5:00 pm when he was ready to leave the courthouse. As he walked down the hall, he spotted a woman sitting on the steps, quietly crying. This wasn't a strange sight. People were always crying at the courthouse. At first Blaine walked right by, but something made him stop and turn around. He approached her.

"Excuse me? Are you okay?"

The woman shook her head. "No. Not really."

"What's wrong?"

"I just lost my job."

"What do you do, or did do?"

"I clean. I was on the janitorial staff. They let all of us go. Its all been outsourced to a private company. They promised they would hire us, but now they say they can't. They already have enough workers."

She started sobbing. Blaine hated seeing women cry.

Kurt was going to have a fit.

"Do you know how to cook?"

x-x-x

"You what?" Kurt had his hand on his hip and was looking at Blaine in disbelief.

"I didn't hire her and I didn't make any promises. I just told her we would interview her."

"I thought you wanted to use an agency so people would come to us already vetted. Background checks. References."

"She worked for the courthouse. She's been vetted."

"Can she cook?"

"Does it matter? Whoever we hire, you're going to make them follow your recipes. Come on, beautiful. Just meet her. I don't know. I just have a feeling that she's the one."

"Did you tell her you're married to a man?"

"It didn't come up."

"Blaine!"

Marta Williams was 35 years old and originally from North Carolina. She had moved to New York City with her husband who walked out on her three years earlier. No one had seen or heard from him since. She had an 8 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. She had been struggling to care for herself and her children ever since.

Marta didn't care that they were gay but she was terrified of Kurt. Kurt didn't mean to frighten her, but he had very clear instructions and expectations on how their meals should be prepared and how their home should be cared for. He'd been doing it for years. He was nervous about turning it over to someone else.

"You will follow my recipes to the teaspoon, and trust me. I'll know if you get creative."

Marta nodded. No creativity.

"Did you read the confidentiality agreement?"

"Yes."

"Any questions?"

"No. I signed it. Here."

"Good. As you know, my husband is an attorney. Break confidentiality and he will break you."

Marta nodded. Keep mouth shut.

Kurt eyed her critically. Once he got to know her better, he would definitely give her a make over.

"Now, without going into too much detail, you should know that Blaine and I have been together for a long time. We have a very special relationship. Our love is...unique. We don't operate the way most couples do and it has nothing to do with being gay."

Marta nodded. Figured as much. The strict confidentiality agreement was the first clue.

Kurt stared at her. He and Blaine had disagreed about telling Marta about their relationship. Kurt wanted to just put it out there. Blaine thought she should be allowed to discover things on her own. Something about her almost made Kurt tell her the truth right then and there, but he held back.

"Any questions?"

"No."

"All right. Welcome to the Anderson-Hummel home."

Marta was an excellent housekeeper and cook. She followed Kurt's instructions to the letter along with his recipes.

And she soon picked up on the unique nature of their relationship.

The first time she heard Kurt call Blaine master, she was sure she misunderstood.

The second time she thought it was funny. After all, Kurt was clearly the one in charge. Blaine stared at him like a lovesick puppy.

When she heard Blaine call Kurt his beautiful slave, she was concerned.

And then she started putting things together.

The chain next to the bed.

The spreader bar she accidentally ran into while vacuuming.

The necklace Kurt never took off that looked an awful lot like a collar.

She wasn't sure what to think. She'd heard of people who lived a BDSM lifestyle, but Kurt and Blaine...it seemed like something more was going on. Something deeper and more passionate. Their love for each other was amazing. She could actually feel it when she entered the penthouse.

She decided it didn't matter. It wasn't any of her business anyway. They were good to her and paid her ridiculously well. She would always be grateful to Blaine for stopping to speak to her that day.

As Blaine and Kurt settled into their new rhythm, they found new ways to feed Blaine's need for dominance and control, and to satisfy the darkness.

Blaine had always wanted to make Kurt wear a butt plug all day while at work. One Sunday evening he announced they would start that week.

"You can pick the day."

Kurt tried to think of a day without many meetings, but he couldn't concentrate from the lovely feeling of Blaine softly massaging his back with his fingertips, and then planting a small kiss on the spot. He was working his way across Kurt's back and Kurt was melting.

"Tuesday might work. How big of a plug are we talking about?"

Blaine leaned down and ran his tongue lightly along the crack of Kurt's ass. "Big. It's new and engraved. It says, Property of Blaine Anderson. Trespass and you die."

"Please tell me you're kidding?"

"Do I sound like I'm kidding?"

Kurt started giggling. "Who exactly do you think will be down there to read it?"

"A stupid mother-fucker with a death wish."

Kurt kept giggling until a thought hit him.

"Wait. Will it be the plug only or are you going to screw me first?"

Blaine smiled. "Oh, you will be fucked first. You will be thoroughly fucked and have an ass full of cum to remind you of me all day."

Kurt groaned. "Blaine...I can't...leak during the day."

"You won't. Desmond advised me on my purchase. You will be fine."

As promised, once they moved into the penthouse, Blaine called Desmond. He installed three bars for chair sex. One in the bedroom, the living room and in Blaine's study. They were beautifully designed and blended in with the rest of the décor. He also designed a custom made headboard for their bed. At first glance it looked like an amazing piece of art. Closer study would reveal the various hooks, circles and bars Blaine could use to tie or chain Kurt to the bed. This had become a ritual. Every night Kurt would settle into bed first and wait for Blaine to chain him to the bed by his collar.

Desmond also agreed to create a brick wall for wall sex. He'd never had this request before, so he was excited about the challenge. He was also very intrigued. He came over one Saturday to get the details. Kurt led him to the bedroom.

"So we figured it could go here in the middle of this wall. We also need handles about here and here that I can hold on to if I want instead of having to hold on to Blaine."

Desmond studied the wall, running his hands along the surface.

"I think I can cut into the wall and still keep it structurally sound. What kind of bricks do you want? I know a place that sells smooth decorative bricks. They're a little pricey but they would probably look really cool."

Kurt shook his head. "No. The bricks need to be rough. The rougher the better. Rough with jagged edges would be good."

Desmond looked at Kurt in surprise. He glanced at Blaine who was looking at Kurt with hot love and desire. He looked back at Kurt.

"So...he's gonna fuck you up against a rough brick wall?"

Kurt gave Blaine a lustful look. "I certainly hope so."

A slight hunger was growing in Desmond's eyes. "And you enjoy being fucked up against brick walls?"

Kurt blushed a bit as he nodded enthusiastically.

Desmond ran his eyes up and down Kurt's body. He loved guys built like Kurt. Slender, yet strong and firm and able to take anything. It was why he had loved Lake.

"You remind me of Lake. Lake would take anything I did to him, and beg for more. I really wanted to keep him, but he wasn't ready to settle down back then. Now he's with that financial guy."

"Yes, he is, and Kurt is my husband so good luck finding someone to fuck." Blaine's eyes had darkened as he noticed Desmond staring at Kurt as if he were lunch. Kurt quickly took over. He didn't want Blaine to piss Desmond off. He really wanted his wall.

"Okay, so do you need to take measurements or something? How long will it take?"

It only took Desmond three weeks to complete the project.

Kurt loved it. He ran his hands over the brick and then turned around and leaned back against the wall, his hands reaching up to grab the handles. Desmond and Blaine stared at him, both thinking dirty thoughts. Desmond turned to Blaine.

"Do you ever share him?"

Blaine's eyes turned black as he growled. "Never. He's mine. I never fucking share."

Desmond was undaunted.

"Do you ever let others watch?"

"What?"

"Do you ever let others watch? You know...watch you fuck him?"

Blaine's mind briefly thought of Jace.

"Hell no."

Desmond looked genuinely disappointed.

Finally their lives settled down and moved forward. Within five years of becoming partner, Blaine managed to bring on several of his law school friends, creating a loyal leadership team of both old and new attorneys. Mike slowly stepped back from the day-to-day activities of the firm. Instead he spent his time doing pro-bono work, teaching at NYU and screwing Allison.

Blaine thrived. He loved practicing law and earned a reputation for being a hell of an attorney. He was cautious about using his power over others, only calling upon it when absolutely necessary or when a case really disturbed him. Despite his insistence with Mike about staying out of the criminal division, every once in awhile a particularly heinous case would come to his attention and he would ask for an update from the lead attorney. Then he would make a quiet visit to whomever was necessary. Torture still tasted delicious. He never told his attorneys when he meddled in their cases. He would just summon them to his office and provide game changing information. Word quickly spread throughout the firm. Take the information, say thank you and leave. Don't ask any questions.

Kurt slowly became one of the most sought after and respected designers in the fashion world. The private showing for Anna Wintour went well and Kurt was granted a spread in Vogue. From there things took off, as Hollywood actors and actresses asked him to design suits and gowns for awards season. Macy's and Nordstroms wanted him to design a line of clothes just for their stores, but for now Kurt wanted to remain exclusive and expensive. He opened a boutique in New York, Beverly Hills, Miami and Paris, bringing Monique on board to run the Paris operation. This meant travel which was hard for both of them, but especially hard for Blaine. It wasn't just the sex. It was Kurt. Blaine felt like he fell more and more in love with Kurt with each passing year. He remained obsessed and possessive, but it was tempered by the strong love that flowed between them and seemed to grow stronger every day. When Kurt was gone, Blaine slept restlessly, hugging Kurt's pillow to his chest. It took every ounce of his love for Kurt to keep him from ordering him to stay in New York. The worst was Fashion Week in Paris. Kurt was usually gone for an entire month. During that month, Blaine was in a horrible, mean mood. Mike always made a point of being in the office during this time to keep an eye on Blaine and to make sure he didn't fire anyone in his fury. He would invite Blaine to join him and Allison for dinner, and even invited him to stay at his place on the weekends.

Especially after Samantha married.

S&R&S&R

Samantha met her husband, attorney Ryan Rutherford, at a charity benefit ball she attended with her father. Ryan was tall, dark, handsome and ambitious, but his ambition was to marry well and inherit. At first he only saw Samantha as the perfect opportunity to get rich, but to his surprise he actually fell deeply in love with her. Samantha had grown into an astute business woman. She was smart, well-connected and well-liked. She could negotiate and seal a deal just as well as her father, if not better. What started as a quest to marry for money, turned into a marriage for love. It took Ryan over two years to convince Samantha to marry him. She still had many fears about marriage and heartbreak, but Ryan was sweet and loving and absolutely adored her. Eventually she said yes.

Despite the fact that none of the men in her life cared for him.

Shortly after they began dating, Ryan approached Mike about working at the firm. Mike figured what Ryan was up to, so he decided to be very clear about things. Huntel Anderson belonged to Mike Huntel and Blaine Anderson. Once Mike died, Blaine would be the sole heir and owner of the firm. For now they were co-managing partners, but Blaine did all the hiring. You want a job? Talk to Blaine.

Ryan was disappointed but didn't argue and he didn't approach Blaine. He was sure that once he and Samantha were married, Mike would make moves to bring him on as a partner. After all, he would be Mike's son-in-law. A few months after the wedding Ryan was shocked when Mike explained that if he wanted to work for Huntel Anderson, he would still have to speak with Blaine.

"But you're the founder of the firm. You're my father-in-law. You're still in charge."

"That's where you're wrong. Yes, I founded the firm and yes, it's still half mine, but I am not in charge. My son, Blaine is in charge."

Ryan bristled at the word son. Samantha had given him a very abbreviated version of how Blaine became Mike's son. Ryan didn't understand any of it. Why would a man like Mike, who could pick anyone to become his protege, pick some gay man of no relation? It didn't make sense. Why not pick him? He was Mike's son-in-law.

Blaine had no intentions of allowing Ryan to join the firm, and it wasn't just because he didn't like him. Ryan simply wasn't talented enough. Blaine viewed him as a lazy, lightweight lawyer. He was happy for Samantha, but he didn't want Ryan at Huntel Anderson.

K&L&K&L

Friday night was movie/tv night for Kurt and Blaine. They were both usually tired from the week, so they would spend Friday night at home, eating pizza and watching either movies or shows they had DVR'd. Kurt would settle between Blaine's legs, his head resting on his chest, a chain running from his collar to Blaine's wrist. Having Kurt chained to him or the bed was definitely Blaine's new favorite thing.

One Friday night around 9:30 pm, the doorman buzzed them.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Anderson, my apologies for disturbing you, but there's a gentleman who tried to run past me who insists he knows you. His name is River...Lake. Lake Ridgeway?"

"I know him. You can let him up."

Blaine walked back into the bedroom to grab a shirt.

"What's going on?"

"Lake's here."

"Lake...why?"

"I don't know."

Kurt nervously grabbed a shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Why would Lake be here unannounced? Had something happened? Why didn't he call?

Blaine opened the security door as Lake stepped off the elevator. He looked terrible. His hair was all over his head and he was crying. Kurt pushed past Blaine and pulled him inside.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

"I hate him!" Lake started crying harder.

"You hate who?"

"Kent! That lying, no good, cheating, son-of-a-bitch!"

"What?"

"He's cheating on me! The bastard is sticking his dick in some queen in his office! I hate him! I hate him! I hate him!"

Lake fell against Kurt in a mess of tears. Kurt led him to the couch and sat down, holding him close. Blaine's eyes were narrowed in thought. Kent? That didn't sound right. It seemed so out of character. Lake's cell phone started ringing. He took it out of his pocket, looked at it, and immediately threw it across the room. A moment later, Blaine's cell phone started ringing in the bedroom. He ran to answer it.

"Hey."

"Please tell me he's with you?"

"Yeah, he's here. What the hell is going on?"

"I fucked up, Blaine. I fucked up bad. Shit!"

"After all this time, why would you cheat?"

"I...I was curious. I...Lake...Lake's the only man I've ever been with. I was curious. I wondered what it would be like with someone else."

"Well I hope it was worth it. Lake's a mess."

"Dammit. I never meant...I never meant to hurt him. Fuck!"

"Well you did. Listen, I think he should stay here tonight. Maybe he'll want to talk to you in the morning."

"No. I'm coming over. I need to see him. I need to make this right."

"No. You need to wait until tomorrow. Give him time to calm down. We'll take care of him. Don't worry."

Kent sighed heavily. "All right. Tell him I love him. Please? Will you tell him I love him and that I'm sorry? I'm so sorry. I never..."

"Yeah. I'll tell him." Blaine hung up. He was disappointed in Kent. While he and Lake had never been close, he was Kurt's friend and a vice president of Kurt Hummel Designs. Seeing him so hurt and broken was hard. He didn't deserve it.

Blaine walked into the kitchen where Kurt was making tea.

"Where is he?"

"Bathroom. I told him he could stay tonight."

Blaine nodded. "I told Kent he was staying here."

"So, what happened?"

"Kent got curious."

"Curious about what?"

"Other men. What it would feel like to be with another man. Did Lake tell you how he found out?"

"Kent's been working late the past few weeks. Lake thought he would surprise him with dinner. He packed a picnic basket and everything. He convinced the security guard to let him in the building to surprise him. He walked into Kent's office, and there he was. Screwing some redhead."

They stood in silence while Kurt waited for the water to boil. Kent appeared in the doorway looking sad and lost.

"Come on, I'll get you a shirt and some sweatpants." Kurt led him to the bedroom.

Blaine stood there, thinking. He prepared the tea and carried it on a tray to the guest bedroom. Lake was sitting in the middle of the bed, tears rolling down his cheeks. He reminded Blaine of a little boy. Kurt was holding his hand.

"Drink your tea. I'll sit with you until you're asleep."

Blaine headed back to their bedroom. Still thinking.

About 30 minutes later, Kurt joined him. Blaine reached over and chained him to the bed. Kurt snuggled against him and sighed contentedly.

"Kurt?"

"Mmm hmm?"

"Are you ever curious?"

"What?"

"Are you ever curious?"

"About what?"

"Other men."

Kurt sat up and looked at Blaine. Blaine's eyes were dark and intense.

"Never."

"Never?"

Kurt shook his head. "Never."

"Why not?"

Kurt shifted to sit on top of Blaine, straddling him.

"No other man is good enough for me. I've only been fucked by a dark, powerful man who can control me just by looking at me, and I'm addicted to him. Orgasms full of heat and power. Darkness that flows through my body while I'm being mercilessly screwed. A man who made me his willing slave. What other man could compare to you? No one. Plus, I love you."

Blaine reached up and placed his hand on the back of Kurt's head, pulling him down into a deep kiss. Kurt pulled back and quietly whispered into Blaine's ear.

"Besides, my body is not my own."

"Who does your body belong to, Kurt?"

"It belongs to my master." Kurt started rubbing their cocks together. Blaine immediately started pulling at Kurt's boxers. Kurt slipped them off and pulled off Blaine's. Their kisses turned hot and needy as their desire grew. Blaine grabbed Kurt's hips, his fingers digging into the flesh.

"Impale yourself on my cock, beautiful."

Kurt moaned. Good thing their walls were sound proof. He didn't want to wake Lake.

He maneuvered himself so his ass was lined up with Blaine cock. He slowly lowered himself down as Blaine flipped a switch next to the bed. A space in the ceiling opened and a silver bar lowered itself from the ceiling. Another Desmond installation. Kurt reached up and grabbed the bar. Blaine stared at his hands, wrapping his control around them so Kurt couldn't let go. Kurt started to pull himself up and down, riding Blaine's cock. Every time he came down, Blaine would arch his hips, thrusting himself up hard into Kurt. He loved watching the muscles in Kurt's arms ripple as he worked himself up and down. Blaine wrapped his hand around Kurt's cock and started stroking in time to Kurt's movements. Kurt was moaning and babbling incoherently.

"You have my permission to come whenever you want, beautiful. Cover me with your cum."

Kurt was moving faster as Blaine stroked harder. His ass was on fire, but it all felt so damn good. His moans grew louder as he felt his orgasm rising. Blaine pushed up into him extra hard, and freed the darkness to flow straight up into his ass. Kurt came with a scream, shooting cum all over Blaine's chest. Blaine came at the same time, filling Kurt's ass, causing his body to shudder. He pulled in the control and Kurt fell forward, catching himself with his hands.

"Lick me clean."

Kurt obediently licked his cum from Blaine's chest before collapsing on top of him. Blaine wrapped his arms around him and held him tight.

Mine.

K&L&K&L

The next morning Kent arrived without bothering to call. Blaine reluctantly let him in. He looked like hell. He had obviously been crying and hadn't slept. Lake locked himself in the bedroom while Kent pleaded outside.

"Please Lake. I'm sorry. I love you. Please, please come home, or at least talk to me."

"I have nothing to say to you, you lying, cocksucking, bastard! Leave me alone!"

"Please Lake? Please? I love you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please?"

This went on for almost an hour. Kurt and Blaine stayed in the kitchen while Kurt made breakfast. Blaine stared at Kurt, his heart full of gratefulness and appreciation. He didn't want anyone but Kurt. Kurt was the only man he would ever want.

Eventually Lake opened the door. Kent was on his knees, crying. He wrapped his arms around Lake's legs and looked up at him."

"I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Come home."

Lake went home with Kent.

But their problems continued.

It was as if a sexual switch in Kent had been flipped on. He couldn't keep it in his pants. He started fooling around with a personal trainer at the gym. Word got back to Lake that they were caught having sex in the equipment room. Then it was a waiter at the restaurant next to Kent's office building. Lake would confront him, they would scream and yell at each other, and then Lake would flee to either Samantha's or Kurt and Blaine's.

Lake became a jealous, paranoid mess.

But he wouldn't leave Kent.

"Why, Lake? Why do you want to stay with him? You could meet someone else?" Like Desmond. Desmond would love to have you.

"I don't know what's with me. I just...I'm not ready to end it. It was so good for so long. I just...I'm not ready to give it up."

"But it's not good anymore. You're miserable and I doubt Kent's much better. You guys should break up."

But they didn't. They just kept spinning in the same cycle of Kent cheating, Lake leaving and then reconciliation.

Then Lake decided to get revenge by sleeping with other guys. Kurt started hearing stories of Lake screwing around with the male models they hired for photo shoots. Then he allegedly gave a blowjob to one of the photographers. Kurt had enough.

"This has to stop. Your actions are reflecting negatively on me and Kurt Hummel Designs. More importantly, you're hurting yourself. What are you trying to do, Lake? You're too old for this crap."

Lake sat silently, looking off into space. Finally he turned to Kurt.

"How did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Trap Blaine. How did you make him so loyal to you? I used to throw myself at that man with everything I had. He never, ever took the bait. How did you do that?"

Kurt suppressed a smile. Blaine had no reason to cheat. Not when he had a slave at home willing to do every single sexual thing he wanted.

"Blaine and I have been together a long time. Since high school. We...we just never wanted anyone else." Daveed and Jace were anomalies born of separation.

"If Kent doesn't want you anymore, then it's time for you to move on. I know that's going to be hard, but it's the truth. Either you two figure it out or leave each other alone. And Lake...I'm sorry, but...anymore stories of you fooling around with models and photographers during photo shoots...I'm going to fire you. You're my friend and I love you, but I can't let you do that."

Lake nodded. Kurt was right. They had all worked too hard for him to bring it crashing down in some scandal.

The cycle was broken when Lake went out one night with a few friends who wanted to cheer him up. He hadn't been to the gay clubs in awhile. He'd forgotten how attractive and desirable he felt when shaking his ass on the dance floor, dressed in heels, silver shorts and a midriff top.

Dale was cute. His body was incredible. He thought Lake was sweet. Lake went home with him and allowed him to fuck him for hours.

Then Dale got high on cocaine and beat the shit out of him.

As Kent sat in the emergency room, hugging himself as he cried and rocked back and forth, he promised God that he would get his act together if He allowed Lake to be okay.

Lake survived. A broken arm, two cracked ribs, split lip and a face full of bruises. Kent took him home and stayed with him every second of everyday for two weeks. They talked through Kent's long-simmering jealousy and insecurity about the fact that Lake had slept with so many people while Kent had only been with him. They discussed whether or not they needed to break up for awhile, but in the end decided they wanted to stay together. They wanted to make their relationship work. Despite their horrible behavior of the past few months, they were still in love with each other.

Blaine made a few quiet inquires about Dale.

One night Dale was attacked in his apartment.

By the time he was found, he was hours from death.

He couldn't remember who he had let in his apartment or what had happened.

Kurt looked at the calendar and matched up the day of the attack to a night Blaine had come home dark, hot and in serious need of sex. The hours of brutal chair sex followed by Kurt leaning against the wall, with his ass out for Blaine to wreck a while longer, all made sense.

That evening Kurt lay in bed watching Blaine comb his hair.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Revenge for Lake."

Blaine eyes darkened. "How did you know?"

Kurt smiled. "How long have we been together?"

"I thought you would be mad at me."

Kurt shook his head. "No. I'm not mad."

Blaine chained Kurt to the bed and climbed in beside him.

"We've been together 15 years."

Kurt snuggled up against him.

Blaine wrapped his arms around him. "Thank you, Kurt."

"For what?"

"For making my life beautiful."