Author's Note: I apologize for the brevity of each chapter but my inspiration comes in short bursts. Rest assured that this will not be a short fic and that I'll try to update it daily.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you who has reviewed, favourite'd or put this story on alert. It's incredibly intimidating, but infinitely rewarding that so many people are at least curious to see where this is going. Thank you!
Warnings and triggers same as before.


Sebastian slams through a bright blue barrier into a white limitless space. He's nude but the long lines of his body seem unreal as if only a vague representation of his physical body. The brand on his arm throbs painfully. When he looks at it, he sees it's red and much sharper than his body. It stands out in this pale world like a beacon calling out to its companion. A companion who is not there. Sebastian briefly gnaws on his lip and then, not knowing what to expect, he advances into the white.

He walks a long time. The sensory deprivation of the stark isolation irritates him; he's not into the navel-gazing provided by meditation or the self-congratulatory Age of Aquarius psychoanalysis his peers seem to enjoy. He knows his own self well enough so to be forced into a situation that seems laid-out for this purpose seems like a personal insult.

He takes a few more steps when suddenly a figure appears in front of him. Kurt looks at him wide-eyed and as unreal as Sebastian himself. His pale body looks blurred against the expanse of white, only the mark on his arm and his odd-colored eyes seem real. He reaches out towards Sebastian pleadingly.
"It hurts"
His voice is weak and he closes his eyes when Sebastian hesitates. Tears roll down his cheeks and blood begins to drip from his nose. Sebastian can be harsh but he's not cruel. He steps forward and pulls Kurt in an embrace, wrapping his arms around the trembling body. The bond flares to life between them and surrounds the couple in a golden haze. Kurt's pain flows through him, his soul accepts the weight and absorbs it easing the suffering. It's too much for one person to bear but the two of them connected can do it easily. It was meant to be shared anyway as it was meant to be much less also. Sebastian realizes the drugs are not only meant for psychedelic purposes and to give a spiritual twist to a biological event, but to honestly ease the brutality of the Bond affirming itself between two beings. The end result may be wonderful, but the process is still primal and harsh.

Kurt's slender body relaxes gradually and sags against him, he takes the weight easily marveling at the solidity and strength he feels beneath the soft skin. A point of desire shoots through him; Kurt may not be his type but there's still a naked boy in his arms and hormones rule. Fuck ethereal planes of existence. He lets his hand drift down to cup an ass cheek.
Kurt pushes away from him violently and takes a few hurried steps back, eyes aghast. The thin trail of blood has vanished from his face.
"You're feeling me up? Here? Now?"
Sebastian leers: "The Great Beyond not good enough for you, babe? God, I should've known you'd be a prissy prude even in another state of consciousness. Just my fucking luck."
"Great Beyond?" Kurt gapes at his surroundings, only now aware of where he is. "You are my soulmate. You are my soulmate? But it's too early, we're only seventeen. You forced this. You hurt me, it's not supposed to hurt!" Kurt wavers for a moment before continuing in a defeated voice; "and it's not supposed to be you."

Kurt's eyes are impossibly sad. Sebastian feels anger flare up again, rejection never sits well with him but before he can speak he realizes that the vast white around them is shifting. Black creeps in around the edges and the sudden delineation of space where there was only a featureless blank is disturbing. He steps closer to Kurt, the Bond bids him to protect his Ur Nitalam – his soul spouse – from whatever may come to harm them. The warmth of Kurt's hand on his shoulder shocks him but it's the fierce determination on the boy's face that surprises him the most. Kurt feels the same pull to protect him. Unbelievable.

The dark breaks over them and tears them apart. The golden light between them stretches. He tumbles, falls deep and far. A sharp high cry. "Sebastian!"

Then the familiar feeling of his own body, the pressure of an uncomfortable mattress under him and the soft sounds of people. He opens his eyes. The face of one of the Shadchonim hovers above him, an oddly unexpected smile paints his lips.
"Success!", the man crows; "Congratulations boys, you are now officially bonded."
Sebastian looks over at the other bed where the second official is tending to Kurt. The boy is still unconscious but he looks better now. Noticing his inquisitive glance, the Shadchan smiles wider. "It was touch and go for an instant but he's recovered well. There should be no lasting impact from your foolishness.", the man hesitates; "I hope."

Sebastian's eyes widen and he sits up suddenly, disregarding the head-rush the quick motion causes. He jumps out of the bed and hurries over to Kurt; he may not like him but this is still his Bondmate, his Ur Nitalam. He senses the Bond between them, strong and true. As soon as his hand touches Kurt's, the boy's eyes open.