A/N: This is the first in a series of one-shots. Let me know if anybody would like a second part. I'm quite happy where I left it but wouldn't be opposed to writing more. I don't own Glee or anything related to it.
Summary: A wedding in gypsy Irish country brings social outcast Blaine and an over-protected Kurt together. With a background of (fictional/Google searched) gypsy culture and high expectations for marriage at such an early age combined with stereotypical clan rules, Kurt and Blaine find what they were searching for, each other. They may know each other only a week but really, if it's true love does it matter?
Notes:
This is the first story I have written since I received a horrible anonymous review. I have regained my muse and hopefully it will stay.
There is no beta for this because I couldn't find someone.
If anybody finds mistakes with language or an awkward sentence, mention it (nicely) in a review.
The language is made up from random Google translates and my imagination.
A 'Cailin' is a boy who can reproduce and is as normal as anybody else.
I mean no offence to the gypsy culture, I'm actually in awe of it
Warnings: Male x male kissing, violence, mentions of character death (not major), non-graphic mentions of non-consensual sex, fluff, consumption of alcohol, angst? I suppose.
Gypsy
Seventeen year old Blaine watched as his clan set up the decorations for the wedding which would occur at midday. He had enclosed himself in the foliage with a forgotten drink of mead that David had given him as they unloaded the belongings from the other two clans which would be watching the union.
One of the two clans, extremely traditional in their beliefs, travelled much like Blaine's in caravans everywhere they wished to go. The other was a little odd, preferring to keep caravans for travel only and lived in a small village somewhere unknown in the Irish country.
"Blaine, will you come and help please?" His younger sister spoke in perfect English. Blaine, having been brought up on gypsy language had a little more trouble conversing with those who were sent to special schools to learn the English language and culture.
"Yes, Ophelia," Blaine shouted in his native tongue and abandoned his mead as he went to help unload.
"What did you say Blaine?"
"Oh … yes!" He shouted again, forgetting the simplest English word he had learnt and chastised himself
As he and David lifted roughly constructed benches from the visiting clan he paused in his actions as he spotted a figure in the distance. The figure was slim, dressed in the finest clothing Blaine had ever seen and he suddenly felt self-conscious in his ragged brown pants and torn shirt. The dirty grey vest Blaine wore over the short thankfully hid most of the rips Blaine had gotten in his lifetime.
"He's pretty isn't he?" David spoke quietly in natural language as the figure danced around the fire, sashaying between his obvious friends. They paused in their movements, watching the boy burst out into magical laughter.
"He's a Cailin," Blaine realised, the blatant signs obvious as he watched on at the boy's dance.
"Yes."
"He's gorgeous."
"Yes," David chuckled, smacking Blaine over the head as they went to unload more furniture, "I'll leave him to you. You need a good experience or so in how to seize."
"I'm not going to seize him," Blaine mumbled, anger boiling up in him, "I couldn't do that to someone."
"You better start acting like a man Blaine," David said in a biting tone, "Or the Lords will have you dead if you do not fulfil your role in society."
"The Lords can't do anything if I marry into another clan," Blaine said, smiling slightly.
David smacked him on the head again as he moved off to help Ophelia with something. Blaine continued to watch the Cailin twirl and giggle before he stopped, locking eyes with Blaine. Blaine could see his cheeks redden from where he was standing and felt his own face grow warm. He turned away, finding himself face to face with sight of a man, Henry, running his hands over Ophelia's waist.
"Watch it," Blaine growled and Henry moved away with a frown. Blaine grabbed his friend by the shirt he was wearing, "If you dare seize her tonight and if she doesn't want it, no matter what you have consumed and what the punishment, I will murder you."
"Push off Blaine," Henry spat out, pulling himself from Blaine's grip, "How do you think your older sisters got wed eh? You should watch, it might teach you something. Perhaps you're a Cailin in a man's body the way you go about business."
"Shut up," Blaine hissed and ran off to his caravan.
He pulled apart the canvas and dived into his sleeping mat, ignoring his sisters' identical questions. Tonight was going to be a make or break. He knew that the Lords were watching him, waiting for him to make his move on a girl or a Cailin. There was no other way of wedding a partner than first seizing and then forcing them into a kiss. Blaine just didn't like the idea of forcing somebody to do something to benefit him.
Sighing, Blaine turned his attention to his sisters. He had seven sisters, two older and five younger than him. He swore to do anything to protect his younger sisters, especially Ophelia as she was just over marrying age.
The wedding today was between a Cailin of Blaine's clan and a male of the beautiful boy's clan, the Liala clan. The clans both had to attend with their leaders, the parents of those who were marrying and those of marrying age who weren't already engaged to marry another. The third clan that would be attending was already in the area and therefore was invited by the Lords of Blaine's clan, the Harlia clan.
Blaine caressed the blue ink that ran from his left hand to the crook of his elbow. His name was pierced into his skin. The other arm remained untouched, the name of his partner to be inked there once they had been wed. Ophelia arrived back in the caravan.
"Will you braid my hair Blaine?" She asked and Blaine nodded, sitting behind her and working her long black hair into braids before securing them with a tie.
He dressed himself in his father's old dress shirt and pulled on his nicest pair of black pants out of respect to the wedding party. Heaving a sigh, he offered Ophelia his arm and with a glance to make sure his younger siblings would be okay on their own, they stepped out.
The ceremony was to be held in front of a large tree that had been dubbed the marriage tree. People would flock to this place to be wed especially in the summer time with the lakes not a day's walk away.
The Cailin was dressed in traditional black and white, with blue streaked through his hair and the paint over his eyes being a vibrant blue. Blaine sat on one of the benches he and David had unloaded, alternating his glance between the ceremony where the Cailin stood, trembling as he faced his partner and the beautiful Cailin who sat posed, back straight, on the benches on the other side of the aisle.
"Under oath you, Harris, ailing from the Liala clan, take your engaged to be wedded until your spirit leaves this Earth."
Harris smiled peacefully at Nicolas who trembled once more. Blaine had heard stories of men being vicious towards women, and even more so against a Cailin.
"I do under this oath," Harris spoke quietly. The same question was given to Nicolas who responded shakily.
"By the power do vested in myself, I declare this man and this Cailin wed."
And just like that, the ceremony was over. The wedded pair were to kiss and Blaine felt a longing for a partner as Harris gentle pressed his lips to Nicolas' who remained stationary. He saw Harris' expression of hope drop and they walked away into the clearing that had been set up for the celebration.
Blaine walked slowly behind the wedding party, spying the boy up ahead when David pounced on his back. Blaine grunted and fell to his knees, tipping over sideways. He playfully turned David over, smothering his friend in punches to his stomach before David held his arms up in mercy. Standing up, David offered his hand to Blaine and he was pulled to his feet. Blaine caught the boy watching him and flushed under his accusing stare.
"Come on mate, let's get you a drink," David yelled over the music that started up.
Blaine didn't know when he stopped drinking as he sat against the upturned roots of a large tree, feeling comfortable in the gap between roots. He gazed up at the stairs, feeling the alcohol buzz his mind. A shout to his right caused the buzz to wear off a little.
He watched as his best friend, previously so calm and clever, held onto the waist of a girl about his age and dragged her underneath an abnormally large weeping willow. He stood up and walked away from his place of comfort, drowning out the screams of the girl being grabbed with the beat of the music. Grabbing mead to drown out the visions of the petrified girl, Blaine wandered through the crowds to where he could look at the wedded pair as was the custom.
Harris looked unhappy but not angry as Nicolas sat to his right, fingering the ring on his finger. Neither seemed to want to join in the celebrations or even look at each other. Blaine wondered what Harris' clan was like, the clan the beautiful boy was from because Harris didn't look like the ferocious men Blaine had encountered, nothing like Blaine's father.
Blaine leaned against the table and swallowed his drink while he watched the boy dance with members of his own clan. He never noticed Harris come up next to him.
"Hello," he greeted in English and Blaine greeted him in return, "You are from Nicolas' clan yes?"
"I am," Blaine confirmed.
"He does not like me."
Blaine felt a rush of pity for Harris who looked genuinely upset. He grabbed mead from behind him and offered it to Harris who refused.
"I would like to remain uh how you say ... straight minded tonight," Harris said, smiling sadly.
Blaine knew that the wedding night for a couple was the most treasured memory for all newly married people and he mentally praised Harris for his decision to remain without alcohol for Nicolas.
"You like watching Kurt?" Harris asked and Blaine turned to him with a questioning expression, "The boy you watch, his name is Kurt. He's my cousin."
"Oh," Blaine said not knowing how to respond, "I like … watching him, yes."
"He is not engaged," Harris whispered, leaning into Blaine to speak in his ear, "He has had several suitors, all of which he has refused."
"That does not make me feel good about asking him to kiss me," Blaine replied and sipped his drink while Harris chuckled and reverted to gypsy language.
"You have the mentality of the Liala clan," He said, "We do not go to violence to pursue the ones we find beautiful. Nicolas does not understand this and believes that at any moment I will lash out and hit him. We have only spoken twice you know?"
"Really?" Blaine asked, genuinely interested, "Why?"
"I am old, older than I should be for marrying age because I fell ill for several months at a time and missed my mark. My father arranged this with your Gatta, your head of clan."
"Ah," Blaine understood now why Nicolas looked absolutely terrified. He couldn't stand the thought of going into a marriage without knowing the true colours of the man he was marrying. "If it would help you, I would tell you that Nicolas comes from a family where his father was very violent towards his mother very often much like we all are and his brothers are not Cailin so they grew up thinking violence was the way to live."
"I didn't know that," Harris said, tears pooling in his eyes as he gazed in what could only be described as a loving expression at Nicolas. "How should I help him? I must live in your clan now."
"Take him away from here," Blaine whispered, "Take him into Irish country and build a life with him. You may have to be a part of my clan but you are allowed to build your own as an alternative. He's always loved exploring with his brothers before he developed into a Cailin body."
"I will remember that," Harris said, eyes wide as a stray tear ran down Nicolas' face. "I must go now. Thank you Blaine."
"Anything to help you," Blaine replied as Harris hurried off. He felt a hand on his shoulder as he finished his drink. "I thought you were going?"
"I am," Harris said and pulled Blaine to him so he could whisper again, "Kurt is being pursued by a man who I shudder to think may have already seized somebody tonight. Be a man, Blaine."
With that, Harris wandered off to Nicolas who didn't even look up at his husband's return. Blaine glanced around to find Kurt being hauled off into the same foliage David had occupied previously. He ran off, following them into the bushes. With all the courage he could muster, Blaine threw his entire weight against the man who had pinned Kurt to the ground and had placed a hand over Kurt's mouth as to avoid the screaming. The man was sent sprawling into the dirt and Blaine quickly grabbed Kurt's forearms, pulling the boy behind him.
"Blaine?" The man asked and quickly went off into a rant, "That was my seize. How dare you put me off! You're more of a man than I thought!"
"First of all Jon," Blaine started, hearing Kurt whimper behind him, "I seized him just after the sun had fallen and had gone off to drink. You had no right to seize someone who had already been done! He's mine!"
"Well done Blaine, I mean look at him," Jon ran his eyes over the exposed sections of Kurt's body, "Did he put up a fight? I like a feral Cailin."
"He put up a little struggle but I managed to get him down," Blaine lied smoothly and Jon chuckled, patting Blaine on his shoulder as he walked back to the celebrations. He turned around to face the shivering boy behind him. "Are you okay?"
"I was just seized, what do you think?" Kurt snapped in quick English, pulling his fancy clothing back into place. "I suppose it's your turn now?"
"I do not understand," Blaine said, brow furrowed as he tried to comprehend what Kurt had said. "It is … not my uh turn."
"You don't speak English very well." It wasn't a question.
"No," Blaine replied simply and rubbed at his curls. "Uh I am uh sorry."
"It's okay," Kurt gave him a small smile, "Thank you for helping me and for lying about seizing me so he would go. That was very brave."
Blaine flushed as Kurt changed the second part of his words into his language so he could understand it.
"It's okay Kurt, I'm sure if I was in trouble and you were a man then you would have helped me too."
"How do you know my name?" Kurt asked quickly, looking around with his eyes wide to see if anybody was around. "I never told you my name."
"I spoke to Harris earlier," Blaine replied, moving to sit on a log close by, "I'm sorry."
"No it's fine," Kurt said, tentatively stepping towards Blaine, "Do you mind if I sit?"
"Not at all." Blaine patted the wood next to him. It was silent for several moments before Kurt started speaking.
"You're not like the other men in your clan," Kurt stated, his voice strong.
"You've got that right."
"And you're not a Cailin are you?" Blaine laughed at this.
"No, no I'm not. You are, aren't you? Your body is different."
"Yes," Kurt said simply, "I am and many people wish to exploit that. You, however, seem to differ from them despite being a man."
"I don't like the thought of forcing somebody into something that they don't want to be a part of, including seizing, kissing and marriage."
Kurt stared at him incredulously, eyes wide but not with fear. He played with a peeling piece of wood for a moment, his eyes dropping down to his fingers.
"You are an odd one," He finally spoke, looking up in anticipation of a reprimand but Blaine merely laughed loudly, causing Kurt to give a small smile.
"Thank you, Kurt," Blaine chuckled, watching Kurt's pale hand caress the wood. He gently pressed two fingers to the back of Kurt's hand, stroking the smooth skin gently before pulling back. "Sorry."
"You can keep doing that," Kurt whispered, "It feels nice."
Blaine repeated the action, feeling the minute bumps of Kurt's bones beneath his skin. He ran his two fingers over Kurt's own digits before nudging Kurt's hand over gently so he could tickle his palm. Kurt giggled at the feeling and Blaine pulled away once more, grinning. They sat together in silence, listening to the screams coming from the opposite side of the clearing. The music was still going and cheering had started.
"I think I might like you Blaine," Kurt whispered out of the blue. Blaine looked at him in slight shock and Kurt gave him a nervous smile, "Do you think you might like me?"
"I think, given the chance, I could like you very much," Blaine replied honestly, looking away once more. "I do not know you but if I could learn about you, I think I would like you."
He felt a slight prodding at his hand and looked down to see Kurt's fingers entwining with his own darker hand. He looked at Kurt's face to see him looking completely uncertain.
"It's okay Kurt," Blaine soothed and allowed Kurt to grip his hand, "Why do you look so nervous?"
"I've never done this, ever," Kurt mumbled, "I have to tell you something."
He stood up suddenly and Blaine blinked several times to make sure he was looking at Kurt's lithe body in the moonlight and not dreaming.
"You will not look at me the same after this," Kurt said and Blaine started worrying. He had just found a person actually found his beliefs endearing and now it was all going to come crashing down? Oh God, what if Kurt was engaged? What if his father was a huge man who could take Blaine down in a second? "Blaine?"
"I'm listening," Blaine replied, voice cracking.
"Two years ago, when I was sixteen, I was living the best life my father could give me," Kurt began, tears already running down his face. "I was at a celebration, a birthday, not a wedding when this man seized me. I was waiting for a seize, I was sixteen and, don't mind me, but I was beautiful and I wanted to marry early. All the Cailin, even the girls envied me."
"You are beautiful," The words fell out of Blaine's mouth before he could stop them. Kurt gave him a watery smile and continued.
"I was seized and taken away into the trees much like tonight. The only difference was I didn't have somebody to save me. I … I was kissed and the man, the man didn't s-stop t-there which is not n-normal for a s-seize. It is usually just a k-kiss, whether f-forced or n-not, not t-that."
Kurt let out a choked sob and fell to his knees but held up a hand to stop Blaine rushing to him.
"He was put to d-death obviously. My father was f-furious and I haven't been let out of his s-sight until tonight. He has fallen ill on this travel and I was put under watch but she was seized and t-then I was."
"Kurt," Blaine whispered gently, "Why would that change my opinion of you?"
"I'm d-dirty Blaine. I tell anyone who seizes me that I've been used and they leave me alone. T-they d-don't want a partner who has been r-ruined. That man, J-Jon had his hand over my mouth so I couldn't tell him."
Kurt's hand dropped to his side as he cried, head bowed to the ground. Blaine moved to kneel down next to him, lifting Kurt's head with a finger.
"There is nothing wrong with you Kurt," Blaine said quietly but with a stern tone, "Absolutely nothing. You are beautiful. I've been watching you all night."
Kurt locked eyes with Blaine but continued crying so Blaine changed tactics. He spoke in English.
"Kurt, you did not … believe … I am bad for … not doing what … they do," Blaine spoke, scolding himself for even trying to speak in English. "I do not believe you are bad for … being … hurt. You … are … beautiful."
Kurt gave a choked laugh and fell into Blaine with an 'oomph' from the latter man. Blaine hugged Kurt to his chest, breathing in the flowery scent of his hair and relishing in the feeling of a body so close to his.
Blaine held him for a long time, never minding the ache in his knees from supporting both his weight and Kurt's and ignoring the cheers that grew quieter over time.
"Kurt?"
"Yes, Blaine?"
"I believe the celebration is over," Blaine said gently and Kurt rocked back to support himself.
"I agree," He said softly.
"May I escort you back to your clan?"
Kurt smiled. "You may."
Blaine moved to his feet and offered an arm to Kurt who giggled quietly. Before they reached the edge of the trees, Kurt stopped walking. Blaine looked at him with a questioning glance.
"Blaine," Kurt started, "May … I would like you to kiss me."
Blaine's eyes grew wide as he looked down at Kurt's rosy lips and back up at his glittering eyes before nodding.
"Only if you're sure," He spoke quietly.
With Kurt's responding smile and a nod, Blaine closed his eyes and hoped for the best. Kurt giggled before meeting his lips midway. Blaine let out the breath he was holding as he moved his lips softly against Kurt's before pulling away and opening his eyes. Kurt's were still closed.
"Kurt?"
"Again?" Kurt whined, refusing to open his eyes. Blaine chuckled and pressed his lips to Kurt's in a longer kiss followed by a quick short one before pulling back as Kurt's eyes opened.
"Was that okay?" Blaine asked, biting his lip.
"Thank you," Was all Kurt said in reply as he took a deep breath, "That was wonderful."
"I have only known you for a little time," Blaine spoke softly, "But I feel as though I have been looking for you forever. Somebody who'd accept me the way I'd accept them."
Kurt blushed but didn't reply, moving into an embrace that lasted too short a time. After Blaine had walked Kurt back to his caravan, he spent some time in a daze locating his own before falling through the canvas and straight into dreamland. He dreamt of Kurt, his pale skin, his wide blue eyes and his lips. He dreamt of his own lips on Kurt's lips, moving steadily as arms wrapped around his waist.
"Blaine?"
He ignored this before diving straight back into Kurt's lips, running his tongue along Kurt's bottom lip before meeting another tongue.
"Blaine?"
"Mmm what?"
He let out a mixture of English and 'gypsy' swear words as something hard landed on his stomach. Opening his eyes, he found identical hazel looking back and giggles to his left. His sisters sat around him as he attempted to find his bearings.
"What do you want?" He asked, sleep obvious in his voice. His head was pounding and his stomach twisting horribly.
"You didn't get back till late big brother," Ophelia smirked and Blaine glared.
"I was busy," He mumbled, pushing the sheet off his body before realising he slept in his good clothes.
"What were you doing?" Anna asked, her nose wrinkling in curiosity.
"Do you not mean, who was he doing things with?" Elinor laughed and Blaine grunted, swatting her arm for good measure before remembering something.
"Ophelia did you get seized last night?" Blaine asked in a serious voice and Ophelia blushed.
"I did," She replied and before Blaine could openly retort, "It was George, Blaine. I didn't mind giving him a kiss."
"Is he going to ask for your hand?"
"I hold great hope that he does," Ophelia stated, blush building in her cheeks, "I like George."
"Just be careful," Blaine said, rubbing her shoulders, "He does not have to ask for permission."
"I know Blaine," Ophelia said softly.
Blaine nodded and quickly vacated the caravan. Not many people had stirred in the early morning, several people staggering around fires in front of their caravans. A few women and Cailin had started washing. Blaine spotted Harris re-tethering horses to a tree and wandered over. Harris saw him and greeted him enthusiastically with a hug.
"How is everything?" Blaine asked and Harris grinned, pulling him onto the steps of the caravan so they could peek in.
Nicolas lay peacefully sleeping. The blanket they shared was wrapped around his obviously naked body as his shoulders and bare feet were revealed.
"I take it the night was good," Blaine smiled and Harris nodded.
"He is the most amazing person I have met. Once we started talking it was like magic. He allowed me to touch him and he said he enjoyed it. I believe I am the happiest man alive today." Harris sighed and closed the door quietly, "Did you talk to Kurt."
"Yes I spoke with him," Blaine blushed and Harris gestured for him to continue, "He told me about his past and … he allowed me to kiss him."
"Wow, he told you?" Harris looked at him in disbelief as Blaine nodded, "You do not care?"
"No I do not care. To me it was not real for him, to me he has never been touched because it was forced," Blaine explained, squinting as the sun burst forth from behind the clouds. "If he allows me, if his father allows me, I would like to be the first to make him feel pleasure out of those experiences rather than forced pain."
"You're a good man Blaine," Harris said, clapping Blaine on the back before chuckling and looking over his shoulder. "I take Kurt's judgement very seriously."
Blaine blinked once and looked behind him to see Kurt coming up to Harris and Nicolas' caravan, blushing deeply at the sight of Blaine.
"Good morning Kurt," Harris grinned and Kurt greeted him quietly before requesting Blaine privately. "I'll just be going to wake Nicolas so we can begin to travel. Treat him well."
They wandered over to growth of trees, ducking under and sitting on the log once more. Kurt remained silent, hands on either side of his body with tense arms. Blaine thought he should try and explain himself.
"Kurt, I am sorry for kissing you last night. I should not have done so because now I believe you are not ready for something like that."
"Do you regret it?" Kurt asked in a sharp tone.
"No," Blaine said immediately, "I don't regret kissing you but I regret taking advantage of you."
"You didn't," Kurt replied quickly, relaxing slightly and Blaine smiled. "I believe I thought you may have regretted kissing me because I asked. Men just do it from what I heard, to many people before deciding on somebody. Cailin should not instruct men to do anything."
"You believe after our discussion that I would think you couldn't ask me something?" Blaine questioned and Kurt hung his head.
"You are disappointed," Kurt mumbled and Blaine lifted his head to meet his eyes.
"I want you to know that I don't expect anything from you, I don't want you to think that you are going to be punished if you ask me something. Did … he punish you?"
Kurt looked beside himself at that question, eyes wide and eyes pooling with water. He rubbed at his eyes with little avail as tears ran down his cheeks.
"Oh beautiful," Blaine whispered, pulling Kurt close as he gave a small whimper. "I would never do that to you. I couldn't bear to hurt somebody, especially you. You are so beautiful."
"You are the nicest man I have met," Kurt mumbled against Blaine's neck and felt the vibrations of Blaine's laughter.
"I want to propose something," Blaine said and Kurt nodded against Blaine, "I propose we spend the week you remain here learning each other. We can walk to the lakes one day and I can show you everything I know and in return you can teach me about your culture."
"I would like that," Kurt said quietly, free of tears.
"May I kiss you?" Blaine asked and Kurt nodded, tilting his head up.
Blaine met Kurt's lips with a sigh. They were everything he remembered, soft like the silk of his mother's prized dress. He felt a tentative poke from Kurt's tongue on his own lips and opened them willingly. Their mouths melded together as their tongues danced shyly. Kurt pulled away abruptly with a large smile which Blaine matched happily.
"We should start learning," Blaine said and Kurt blushed.
"I thought we were," Kurt replied cheekily. Blaine moaned before pulling Kurt flush against his body and made sure he was thoroughly kissed before pulling away. "Oh my."
Most of the week was spent in the exact same position whether it was in the depths of the forest or in the long grass with wildflowers that grew several miles away. Blaine was true to his word and after Kurt gained permission from his ill father, he packed a bag and gave instructions to Ophelia to keep the girls in order before running out the canvas and meeting a giggling Kurt in the clearing as the sun began to rise. They kept their hands locked together as they walked down the beaten track, the trees growing thin before they came across the sparkling blue that made up several different lakes.
"I have never seen equal to it in my life," Kurt stared, amazed at the unusual sight.
"I have," Blaine breathed into Kurt's ear, wrapping his arms around his waist and pressing a light kiss to his neck and relishing in the giggle that was let out. "I have seen greater."
"You are too good to me," Kurt whispered as Blaine continued to kiss his neck softly before moving to pull out the blankets from his bag. They found a place under the shade of the trees to sit and Blaine pulled Kurt into his lap as they watched the lakes glisten under the harsh sunlight.
"Will you kiss me?" Kurt asked, turning around slightly so he could see Blaine.
"Of course."
Blaine pressed his lips down to Kurt's and immediately Kurt opened his mouth. Their tongues moved together viciously before Blaine tore his mouth away, instead preferring to kiss down Kurt's next to where it met his shoulder. He sucked gently, causing Kurt to writhe against him.
"Is it too much?" Blaine asked and Kurt nodded albeit reluctantly. Blaine couldn't help but be proud of the mark that was building on Kurt's skin.
With a final kiss to Kurt's lips, Blaine shimmied from under him and stood up, pulling off his tattered shirt, thankful that Kurt did not mind his old clothes. Kurt's eyes were wide as he took in Blaine's masculine form and moved his hands to his own clothing.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," Blaine reminded him and Kurt nodded, continued to untie his vest and then his shirt. "You're so beautiful."
Blaine took in the milky skin, only tarred by one long, white scar running from Kurt's bellybutton down under his bottoms.
"It's from that night," Kurt said quietly as Blaine moved forward, rubbing a finger along it and Kurt shivered.
"If I could take it back for you I would," Blaine breathed as he looked up into Kurt's eyes which were shining brightly. "Would you like to go into the water?"
They ran down the hill together, jumping straight into the freezing blue. Blaine dove beneath the water, opening his eyes and finding Kurt's legs. He swam subtly through the reeds and grabbed hold of a foot and touched it gently. Kurt spun around, looking for Blaine who swam around behind him and shot out of the water with a roar. Kurt screamed as Blaine tackled him into a wet hug from behind and they both fell with a loud splash.
"My hair!" Kurt shrieked as they treaded water in the middle of the lake, Blaine cackling happily.
"You're beautiful," He reminded Kurt who was rubbing his hands through the chestnut locks with a look of displeasure.
They swam around each other for hours occasionally splashing each other as the sun moved down from its peak in the clear blue sky. They swam to the edge where Blaine pushed himself out to sit on the edge, holding on to Kurt as he did the same. They sat side by side, legs hooked around each other in the water and they conversed happily as they dried. Blaine's hair dried into its normal curly state and he chuckled as Kurt's lay flat against his head.
"My hair is not to be the object of your amusement," Kurt said bitterly but a smile played on his lips.
"You look so innocent with your hair looking like that," Blaine said, laying back against the warm grass and pulling Kurt down against him, "I cannot even fathom to think how somebody could hurt you."
Kurt snuggled into Blaine's warm body happily as the sun moved through the sky and soon was sinking into the horizon in the most beautiful display Kurt had ever seen. He relayed this to Blaine who heartily disagreed and mumbled something about 'Kurt' and 'more beautiful than any sunset'. They pulled apart when night fell, Blaine going to work on a small fire while Kurt organised the blankets into casual bedding.
"Your father did agree for you to sleep the night with me?" Blaine questioned as he pulled out bread, a small amount of fruit and beans and caught Kurt looking at the food. "Sorry, its all I could find."
"The food is lovely," Kurt stated, avoiding Blaine's first question.
"Kurt, answer me please," Blaine said, hoping that Kurt's father and the Gatta of Kurt's clan had agreed, "Did he agree?"
"He agreed to let me come with a friend to the lakes," Kurt mumbled and Blaine groaned.
"He's going to put me to death for leading his son astray," Blaine pushed his head into his hands and groaned again.
"He will not," Kurt said, chewing thoughtfully on a few grapes, "He won't be pleased but he certainly will not put you to death."
Blaine groaned again and fell back on the blanket.
Thankfully when the boys returned the next afternoon after another dip in the lake, Kurt's father was still in bed, recovering from the nasty fever. Kurt squeezed his hand in encouragement as they made their way up the steps of the largest caravan Blaine had ever seen and possibly the nicest.
"Father, I would like to introduce Blaine," Kurt chirped in English as they came into the view of a balding man sitting up in something Blaine only saw in books that involved stories about Manor life.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance," Blaine spoke in gypsy language and Kurt frowned a little.
"Does he speak any English?" Kurt nodded.
"Only a little and with much difficulty." Burt sighed.
"I should put you in the cell when we go back to town for the fear you have caused," He mumbled and Kurt blushed.
"We went to the lakes, I was safe the entirety of the travel," He argued and Burt scowled.
"I specifically told you that you could not stay the night but I am under the assumption that you are quite infatuated with this boy." Kurt's blush deepened and he squeezed Blaine's hand again. "As he is with you taking into consideration how he is looking at you at present."
Kurt looked to Blaine who was staring at him with curiosity but there was no doubt that there was an underlying sense of love that Kurt knew from watching his mother and father before his mother's death.
"I like him very much father," Kurt smiled and Blaine blushed, knowing enough English to know what Kurt said. "He will not hurt me."
"We are moving on this evening," Burt said and Kurt looked down.
"I know. I thought I could remain with him," Kurt suggested, not meeting Burt's eye. A slap against the wood of the caravan caused Blaine to jump.
"No."
"Father please!"
"No."
"Please!"
"That is my final word."
Kurt let out a sob and shot out of the caravan, leaving a very confused Blaine behind. Burt was looking at Blaine a quizzical expression.
"I do not … under … stand why Kurt … is sad," Blaine commented lamely.
"My son is everything," Burt replied in gypsy language, "He has been hurt and I cannot allow him to be hurt again."
"I would never even think about hurting him," Blaine stated, "He is very special to me and I came with him to see you because I would like to court him."
"I had believed the Harlia clan seized and wed the next day," Burt stated dryly, "In a particularly violent manner. You seem different."
"I have been told," Blaine smiled, "My father was a typical Harlia man, violent against my mother for having birthed two girls and while he calmed a little when I came along his anger only returned even worse when five girls were born after me."
"What does this have to do with Kurt?" Burt asked and Blaine took a deep breath.
"I walked into our caravan one evening, very small for eight children, with my second oldest sister, my oldest already wed and gone. The girls were all crying, watching my father smack my mother into her early death. He then started on my sister and before I knew it, I had him pinned under my fourteen year old body, his breath smelt like very strong mead. He died."
"I thought I was no better than he was, killing my mother. It took a long time to realise I was acting to save rather than to kill. It took a longer time to realise my father was not a bad man. He had no defence to his behaviour to be sure but it was the way in which he was raised."
Blaine looked Burt directly in the eye. "I was raised just as my sisters were raised. Give another year and I would've been taught that women and Cailin were merely property and it is a possibility I could be just like my father but I was never taught. I was teased mercilessly for not being taught properly but nevertheless I am who I am and I would never hut Kurt, not after what I've experienced and how it can tear a family apart."
Burt processed this for a moment before speaking.
"Have you told Kurt?" He asked and Blaine shook his head. "I suggest you tell him before I allow you into my village and wed my son."
Blaine's eyes lit up and his mouth formed into a large smile. He quickly thanked Burt before rushing out, knowing exactly where Kurt would be. He ducked under the low branches of the tree and found Kurt, his back leaning against the log. Without a single moment's hesitation, Blaine launched straight into his story, everything he told Burt.
"There was a reason you didn't believe I was dirty," Kurt said thoughtfully, "You had also experienced something horrible."
"It was a while ago, I can barely remember it," Blaine mumbled kneeling in front of Kurt, "Kurt, your father has given me permission to ask for your hand."
Kurt's eyes shot to Blaine's hazel stare and his mouth dropped open.
"However, I will not ask you until I can ask you in perfect English," Blaine stated and Kurt's expression altered into the biggest smile Blaine had seen before throwing himself into Blaine's arms.
"Thank you, Blaine, thank you," Kurt spoke, voice muffled against Blaine's chest. Blaine tucked his face into the crook of Kurt's neck and breathed in his scent, knowing he could remain with this boy forever.