Author's note: This chapter contains a scene with a nightmare resulting from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you have any concerns, please send me a PM on this site or Tumblr. No anons please - I will only answer privately.

April 1920
Kurt

It's almost midnight and the street is empty. It's eerily silent, except for the roll of thunder becoming louder as the storm approaches. Kurt hurries down the street to get to the boarding house before the storm breaks, and Blaine trails behind, trying to keep up. Kurt has needs - rather urgent needs - that must be tended to right now. If they don't get to his bedroom within the next few minutes, he might lose any semblance of self-control, and end up ravishing Blaine in the closest alleyway, thunderstorm or not.

"Did we really have to waste time changing into our own clothes before leaving the tavern?" Blaine whines.

Kurt stops at the front of the boarding house, retrieving his keys from his coat pocket. "What do you suppose people would have thought tomorrow morning if both of our uniforms were missing from the dirty laundry basket?"

Blaine shakes his head with a chuckle. "You should've joined the Secret Service Bureau during the Great War. You'd have been such a great spy - going behind enemy lines incognito, secretly collecting information, and covering your trail."

Kurt opens the front door for Blaine to enter. "The only thing I want to spy right now is you...naked...in my bed."

Blaine's eyebrows shoot up before he tugs his lower lip with his teeth, never taking his eyes off Kurt's lips. Kurt is secretly pleased that he can get this sort of reaction from Blaine with only a little tease of what's to come. It's always been this way between them, and Kurt hopes that it always will be.

The first fat drops of rain splash against their coats and the sidewalk, and they quietly enter the darkened boarding house. While they take off their shoes, Kurt listens carefully for any sign that other boarders are awake, but the only sound is the ticking of the grandfather clock in the drawing room.

They creep up the stairs, avoiding the squeaky fourth step, and make their way to Kurt's room. Kurt turns on the corner lamp, which casts a soft glow into the room, and they take off their woolen coats and hang them up on the hooks behind the door. The rain lashes against the window, and Kurt is glad they are cozy inside.

They lock eyes as they silently strip off their clothes. While Kurt prefers to peel off Blaine's layers of clothing slowly, carefully folding each garment, until Blaine is feeling needy and desperate, and practically begging for a simple touch, they need to be quiet as mice in the boarding house. Thin walls might have ears. Kurt reserves those drawn-out moments for sleepovers at the Berry's townhouse, when the other family members are out and about.

Blaine is the first to slip under the bed sheets, wiggling his buttocks beforehand for good measure. Kurt's cock once again stiffens at the sight. Blaine certainly knows how to tease, and oh boy, is Blaine going to get a good pounding tonight. Once Blaine has turned on his side and shifted to the far end, Kurt grabs the K-Y lubricating jelly from his toiletry bag, and joins him in the small bed. Although it only comfortably accommodates one, they've learnt the best positions to make it work.

The warm curves of Blaine's body pressing against him drives Kurt to kiss him, hard and demanding, leaving them both breathless. Blaine's arms wrap around him, and clutch his skin so tightly, Kurt is sure that he'll have little bruises the next morning. A blanket of fog swoops into all corners of his brain, pushing out all rational thought, as he's consumed with the scent, the touch, and everything that is Blaine. Kurt grabs Blaine's curls to adjust his head, tongue demanding entrance so that he can taste and explore his mouth. He brushes their tongues together; it's hot, wet and delicious.

When he feels Blaine starting to rut his stiff cock against his side, Kurt recognizes that Blaine is just as desperate as he is. Kurt's skin feels damp as little beads of sweat begin to form from the heat trapped between their bodies, and with one hand, Kurt pulls the top bedsheet away. When that doesn't have the cooling effect he was expecting, Kurt realizes that this is not the night to take things slowly.

He scrambles toward the bottom of the bed, and Blaine automatically opens his legs as an invitation. Kurt pauses for a moment, because Blaine is a living work of art. His legs are short, but muscular; Kurt knows their strength when they are wrapped around his body. Blaine's cock is jutting out seeking attention, and that is just what Kurt is going to give it.

In one fell swoop, Kurt moves forward, places one hand over Blaine's torso, and takes his cock into his mouth until the tip hits the back of his throat. Blaine gasps loudly, and Kurt feels Blaine's hands clutch at his hair, desperately. Kurt eases off a few inches, and pauses to get reacquainted with the weight and girth of Blaine's cock. Covering his teeth with his lips, Kurt starts to bob his head, creating a tight suction around Blaine's cock. Blaine's hips thrust forward and Kurt welcomes the movement, enjoying being filled by his lover. With his free hand, Kurt starts to massage Blaine's balls very gently.

"Ggh… Feels so good… I'm gonna come if you don't stop." Blaine chants.

Kurt pulls off immediately and wipes the drool with the back of his hand. There are other times, when they aren't at the boarding house, that Kurt enjoys a noisy Blaine; he loves knowing that he's the one who is making his lover feel so good. But not tonight. He crawls up the bed to lie down next to Blaine.

"Shh… We've got to be quiet. I really mean it, Blaine. If you can't control yourself, I'll gag you with one of my cravats."

Blaine kisses his lips gently and sweetly, and pulls back. "I'm sorry. Do you know how hard it is to stay quiet when you do that to me?"

"You know those noises will go through the walls. You really could be quieter if you tried harder."

The corners of Blaine's lips form a smile, and his eyes gleam with a mischievous look. With one quick movement, Blaine suddenly flips Kurt on his back and hovers over him. Blaine's eyes are pools of black, and he looks like a cat about to pounce on its prey. Blaine nibbles at his ear before whispering hotly, "Let's see how quiet you are when I'm inside you."

Kurt's breath hitches. Until now, he's been the one that has given. It's not that he hasn't wanted to try it the other way around; on the contrary, he's had wet dreams about receiving. But their being together still feels new. They both know what works, and what makes them feel fantastic.

"Do you really mean it?" Kurt asks.

"If you're comfortable with the idea of me being inside you, I'd like to try it. I've been thinking about it for a while," Blaine admits.

Kurt pulls Blaine closer and gives him a dirty kiss, all tongue and teeth. When he pulls back, he whispers, "I want to feel you inside me. The K-Y jelly is on the night table."

Blaine sets the tube down on the bed, and positions the pillow so that it's underneath Kurt's buttocks. Kurt feels all his blood race into his cock, excited at the prospect of Blaine controlling this evening's activities. Kurt is usually the one who initiates things between them, although that doesn't mean that Blaine is merely docile and obedient.

Blaine has told him that he doesn't want the upper hand in their relationship, like he once had when Kurt worked as a footman at Westerville Abbey. Blaine considers themselves equals in their relationship, and he reinforces this with how he treats him. As a result, Kurt usually sets the pace for their activities behind closed doors. But he's ready - so ready and willing - for Blaine to take over.

Blaine parts Kurt's legs, and kneels between them. As he rubs along his thighs, Blaine whispers, "Relax your body. You'll enjoy it more."

Kurt takes slow deep breaths, and focuses on relaxing his muscles on each exhale. With every breath, he feels the tension melt away until his body feels calm - well, as calm as anyone can be when they're about to have a cock inside them. He crooks one eye open to see Blaine warming K-Y jelly between his fingers.

Blaine smiles. "I love how you look at me when you're turned on."

After Kurt has given him an air kiss, Blaine turns his attention to Kurt's lower half. With his unlubricated hand, he firmly strokes Kurt's cock, twisting it every so often at the tip. Kurt closes his eyes, because if he looks at Blaine any longer, he'll make a noise… or cum… or both. Kurt grabs at the bedsheets as a jolt of pleasure sparks through his body - a direct response to Blaine licking the thick vein on his cock from base to tip. Blaine peppers his cock with kisses and kitten licks while massaging Kurt's buttocks. It's wonderful, but nothing Kurt hasn't experienced before.

When Kurt feels Blaine's jellied finger rub around the rim of his ass, he focuses on his breathing and on relaxing. Blaine flicks his tongue over the tip of Kurt's cock, as he slowly fingers him open. Kurt recognizes some of the things that he does for Blaine when he's fingering him, but there are also new movements, new touches, and Blaine seems to know exactly where to rub his prostate. He wants to make mental notes for things to try out on Blaine, but he can't string two thoughts together to save his life.

"I'm ready, Blaine. I'm so ready… I need you now!"

Blaine removes his fingers and wipes them on a nearby washcloth. With a smirk, Blaine whispers, "Who needs to be gagged now?"

Kurt can't think of a witty retort because his total focus is on Blaine, who is spreading the K-Y jelly all over his cock.

When Blaine's cock slowly penetrates his ass, a moan involuntarily escapes Kurt's lips. He has always thought that Blaine was well-endowed, and he wonders how Blaine's cock will possibly fit inside him.

Blaine pauses and strokes Kurt's chest. "Are you all right?"

"Just give me a moment to get used to your size."

Kurt can see a very smug look on Blaine's face. He takes deep breaths, and wills his body to relax. When he feels ready for more, he simply nods.

Blaine's slowly enters a few inches more, and then stops.

"I'm good, Blaine. Can you just continue? I need to feel more of you."

"No, I can't, otherwise I'm going to cum. You are so hot and tight."

"Maybe you're the one who needs to relax and take deep breaths," Kurt teases.

Blaine closes his eyes and Kurt runs his hands along his sides. After a minute, Blaine opens his eyes and continues to push into Kurt.

"I'm not hurting you, am I, sweetheart?" Blaine asks when he pauses again.

"No, you make me feel so good."

When Blaine's cock finally bottoms out inside him, Kurt feels stretched wide and deep. Blaine lies on top of him and starts thrusting, slow and shallow, kissing his neck, and running his hands across the sides of his chest. With both legs and arms wrapped around Blaine's body, Kurt starts thrusting up to get Blaine to sink deeper inside. The feeling is even more amazing than he had expected.

As Blaine picks up speed, Kurt holds on for dear life, feeling hot pleasure course through his body. It's difficult to stifle the moans that are in the base of his throat, and he has to bite his tongue more than once. He wants to kiss Blaine, but all he can do is quietly pant against his mouth. Kurt's eyes roll back because he's so close to cumming, but he wants to hold back as long as possible until Blaine is ready, too. He squeezes Blaine's buttocks, knowing how much Blaine enjoys that, and it spurs Blaine on.

Blaine lets out a quiet whimper, and wraps one hand around Kurt's cock, stroking to the rhythm. Kurt can't hold back any longer and claws Blaine's back while ropes of cum shoot out between them, landing on their chests. He soon feels Blaine freeze as he climaxes too, then slowly thrust as they both finish.

When Blaine pulls out of him, Kurt can feel a stream of cum seep out of his ass. It's hot and sticky, and it's getting all over the sheets, but he doesn't care. He feels sated and boneless and not even a fire would get him to move. He finally opens his eyes to see Blaine, with sweat-drowned curls and a sweet smile on his face.

"How do you feel?" Blaine asks.

"That was amazing…. You're a natural. Remind me why we haven't done that before?"

Blaine's face lights up with the praise. "I'm not sure which way I enjoy more. They're different, but they both feel so, so good."

Kurt strokes his jaw as if in deep in thought. "Perhaps we need to do thorough research on that. At least one hundred times with one inside the other and vice versa. Then of course, there are different positions…"

Blaine softly chuckles, trying not to make too much noise. "Yes, I see how very thorough research with different positions would take a lifetime."

"I certainly hope so."

Blaine gets up and walks toward the sink in the corner, and after a minute, returns with a warm wet washcloth. He carefully cleans Kurt and wipes down the sheets; the tenderness and love in his eyes almost makes Kurt weep. He's so glad that they have both survived the war and are starting a new life together. When Blaine has finished the cleaning up, he tosses the washcloth on the floor, and spoons Kurt from behind. Kurt drifts to sleep knowing that he is loved and cherished.

Kurt dreams of a dewy field of lilac on a perfect summer's day. The sun is shining and there's a gentle breeze that keeps them cool. They hold hands as they walk, one holding a blanket and the other a picnic basket, without a care in the world. They joke and tease each until they reach their destination, an oak tree by a lake.

Kurt immediately wakes up when he feels Blaine's legs thrashing. He jumps out of bed, turns on the light, and pulls up a chair next to the bed. He needs to be safe from Blaine's swinging arms or kicking feet.

Blaine's head moves side-to-side. "Leave him alone!... He's done nothing wrong…. Take me instead!"

Kurt carefully assesses the situation. Sometimes, Blaine likes to be touched when he's having a nightmare, but sometimes he doesn't. He reminds himself that Blaine can't control his reactions. When he hears Blaine's heavy breathing and sees him sweating, Kurt knows he has to wake him up.

In his normal voice, Kurt repeats Blaine's name over and over again at regular intervals. When he sees Blaine's eyes flutter open, Kurt goes to the room's sink for a glass of water to allow Blaine time to calm down on his own. When Kurt walks back to the bed, Blaine is sitting up and takes the offered glass.

"Where are we? Are there Germans outside?" Blaine asks with a trembling voice.

Kurt realizes that Blaine's nightmare has left him disorientated. "No, the war is over. We're in New York City, and we're safe. What can I do? Do you need space or…"?

Blaine interrupts, "Can you hold me?"

Kurt sits in bed and holds Blaine in his arms; not so tight that it'll frighten him, but tenderly. Blaine clutches him and snuggles his face into Kurt's neck. When he feels Blaine's body calm and his heart rate slow down, he gently rocks him and kisses his head.

"It felt so real, like I was back in the German POW camp."

"I know, honey. However, I promise you that the POW camps have been closed, and the Great War is over. You're safe with me."

"I'm so sorry I woke you up and probably scared you. I'm so sorry that I keep having these nightmares."

"Blaine, you have nothing to be sorry about. You can't control your dreams. You've gone through some horrific things that no one should have to go through."

When Kurt feels Blaine's breath even out on his neck, he gently shifts so that they are both lying down. After a few minutes, Blaine rolls to his side facing away from him. Kurt lies awake because it's almost daybreak, and he's got too much on his mind.

During his stay at Westerville Abbey's convalescent hospital, Kurt had seen other officers suffering from the symptoms of shell shock. It had been terrifying. He'd been woken at night by officers having nightmares and observed how Sebastian and the nurses helped them back to sleep.

Since they have found each other in New York City, Kurt has discovered that Blaine suffers from regular nightmares, too. Sometimes, Blaine discusses them with him; they are usually flashbacks to exact events that happened to him at the POW camp. Blaine doesn't talk about his wartime experiences much, always deflecting the conversation when the subject comes up, but they were obviously atrocious. After all, he spent two years in the trenches at the front line and two years in POW camps. Kurt shudders; he can't imagine everything Blaine must have gone through during the war.

Kurt really wants to help Blaine through this; he can't bear the thought of Blaine suffering this way for the rest of his life. But how? He's not experienced in these things. He knows that there are places in England that help treat veterans with shell shock, but he doesn't know what help, if any, is available in America. If Blaine were to seek help here, would he be diagnosed as crazy and then deported?

Kurt needs somebody to talk to about this, but he doesn't have close friends (other than Blaine) in New York City. Of course, he could always confide in his father, but that could put him in a difficult position. His father would worry about Blaine and be conflicted about whether to tell the Earl. Kurt strongly believes that it's Blaine choice whether or not to discuss it with his parents. It's a delicate matter indeed.

Kurt wishes he had paid more attention to Sebastian and Dave while he was living at Westerville Abbey. Dave had more severe symptoms of shell shock than Blaine has, and Sebastian seemed to know exactly how to handle it. If only Sebastian could help him with Blaine. When the rising sun starts to trickle in through the corners of the curtains, and the birds begin to chirp, he gets an idea. Sebastian might not be in New York City to help him, but he could write to him and ask for his advice. Kurt knows that Sebastian is quite good at keeping secrets.

Kurt slowly gets out of bed, taking care to not wake Blaine, and wraps his robe around his body. He gingerly sits down on the chair by his desk, sore from last night's escapades. He likes the reminder of what they did in bed and how they teased each other about exploring different positions. He wills his cock not to harden at that thought, because he's got a very important letter to write.

They enter the dining room late the next morning, and Kurt notices that everyone else has already taken their breakfast, but there are still two settings on the table. Mrs Murphy quickly enters, smiling when she sees Blaine.

"Good morning, Sir Anderson. I had hoped you'd be spending the night. I was only telling Kurt yesterday how much I loved the Irish apple cake. Don't tell anybody, but it's much better than any cake I've eaten back home."

Blaine returns the smile. "I'm glad to hear that, Mrs Murphy. Now that the cake has your approval, I'm going to include it on the tavern's menu as Murphy's apple cake."

Kurt rolls his eyes. Blaine will do anything to keep Mrs Murphy happy about his sleepovers.

Mrs Murphy pours them cups of tea. "You flatter me so. I won't be long. Full English breakfast for two?"

"If it's not too inconvenient," Blaine replies.

"Oh, nothing is an inconvenience for you, Sir Anderson."

When Mrs Murphy leaves for the kitchen, Kurt takes a sip of tea. Blaine hasn't mentioned anything this morning about his nightmare. Perhaps he's forgotten about it. Kurt wants to speak to Blaine about the nightmares more, but he'll leave that conversation for when Blaine brings them up.

"I can see that brain whirling. What are you thinking?" Blaine asks.

"You've got Mrs Murphy wrapped around your little finger."

Blaine nudges his shoulder against Kurt's, and whispers, "If it means that I can spend the night, and see your face in the throes of pleasure, I'd bake her cakes every day of the week."

Kurt presses his hand on Blaine's thigh and leans close. "I think I'll be feeling the effects of last night for quite a few days."

They break apart when they hear Mrs Murphy's steps, and are drinking tea when she arrives with two plates filled with eggs, bacon, sausage, roasted tomatoes, and toast. She sets down the plates, and then retrieves an envelope from her apron pocket to hand to Kurt.

"The postman came early today. There's a letter for you."

After politely thanking Mrs Murphy, Kurt looks at the return address, which is from Westerville. Reluctantly, he sets it down to read after breakfast.

"Go on and read it," Blaine urges. "I don't mind."

Kurt picks up his unused knife, opens the envelope, pulls out the letter, and starts to read.

Dear Kurt,

Thank you for your recent letter. I'm comforted to know that you are enjoying your new job, and the boarding house is working out. It's convenient that you can walk between the two. I've heard stories about how dangerous New York City can be at night. I hope that Sir Blaine stays safe returning to the Berry's townhouse.

Westerville Abbey continues on with the usual routine. The doctor has insisted that Lady Quinn stay in bed for the rest of her pregnancy. I think she's secretly delighted that she has some time to herself before the birth. That doesn't stop the young ones gathering around her to feel the baby kick.

Sebastian is now officially the valet for both His Lordship and Lord Cooper. He's been doing the job for a while, but now he can enjoy the status and pay of being an upper servant. He uses my old sleeping quarters off the butler's study. I never thought I would say this, but the Great War has changed Sebastian for the better.

His Lordship has agreed that he should be trained with the view of being an under-butler soon. Sebastian is taking on more responsibilities each day, which is lightening my workload considerably. It's so difficult to find new staff with young lads moving to the city and working in the new factories. We've even had to hire an Irishman to be the chauffeur. Imagine that! Sebastian is in charge of training two new footmen from Exeter. They are so young and inexperienced that they're certainly trying his patience. However, Dave Karofsky helps to keep Sebastian calm. Enough said on that matter. On a separate note, Dave received a promotion, too. He's now the assistant head gardener.

When you next see Finn, could you please remind him that his mother's birthday is coming up soon? Mrs Hummel would be thrilled to receive a telephone call from him on that day. Mrs Hummel is doing well. It's hard for me to imagine life without her.

Please give my regards to Sir Blaine and the Berry family.

Your loving father

Author's notes

Many thanks to my fantastic betas - Fearlessly, Lilyvandersteen, Dblmalfunction. I made the last-minute edits and performed the final proofreading by myself, so all mistakes are mine.

I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.

Next up: Blaine's birthday morning.