Cooper listened to his father nag about the old men he had to pretend to listen to all day. He understood very well how important it was to keep up good appearances, but with this amount of irritation it was becoming very hard. Marcus kept on talking about the Hummels and how their point of view would lead to the end of the republic. His father was an old fashioned man who still went by the guidelines of Augustus. Altough even his father strayed once in a while.

And then the eldest Anderson son saw it, his brother with his lips attached to another boy, snaking his hand behind the other boy's neck. 'Shit!' Cooper thought. If Marcus saw this there'd be no hiding and even Hades wouldn't be able to help dear, little Blainey. Marcus was okay with homosexuality as long as it didn't happen in his own house, and certainly not with the son of his biggest opponent.

"Father, you haven't bought Mother something in a while and her scented oils are reducing at an alarming rate. Why don't you buy her some? She would be ecstatic," Cooper said, to get rid of his father.

Marcus looked at his son in surprise and then shrugged. Cooper wasn't the most usual of people and he got used to it. "Yeah, maybe that's not a bad idea. I'll see you at home tonight," he said striding off toward the other end of town, to get the right oils. Cooper heaved a big sigh and when his father disappeared in the crowd, he rushed to Blaine and the other kid. He really didn't want to interrupt, but this was a very close call.

Cooper grabbed Blaine's shoulder, who had his tongue deep down the other's throat by now, and pulled his younger brother away. Blaine was startled by the sudden loss of contact and looked up to the man who so inappropriately interrupted. His eyes grew wide and he yelled. "What the hell Coop?"

"Oh don't you dare snap at me now, little bro, do you realise that you're standing in the middle of the road? On the market? On our way home? In front of the senate?" Cooper said eyes still wide, from the shock.

Blaine realised what his older brother tried to say... the senate was done for the day and his father probably crossed the market... if he saw Blaine exploiting homosexuality he would be even more vicious than Hera when she found out Zeus had another affair.

"Fuck," Blaine cursed under his breath. Kurt stood by and eavesdropped on the conversation between the brothers. He realised that his father would probably cross this very same market in a few minutes.

Kurt sucked in a deep breath when he saw a familiar face heading their way, he tried to get Blaine's attention, but the boy was too busy cursing and yelling at Cooper. 'Well shit,' he thought when Burt Hummel stopped in his tracks once he'd recognised his son.

"Kurt? What are you doing here son?" the older man asked before he noticed the quibbling Anderson brothers. He gave Kurt a sideways glance when he noticed the kiss swollen lips on his only son and heir.

The boy tried desperately to come up with a good and mostly believable reply. "Uh, I uh – I'm getting some groceries?" it sounded like a question and Kurt cursed his inability to lie.

"Kurt, you know as well as I do that we have slaves for that." Burt knew his son was lying but he enjoyed seeing the boy so flustered, it made him think of times when Kurt was still a little boy, now he was a grown man. Burt had an amused glint in his eyes as his son came up with another excuse.

"I know, but I –"

Blaine had realised there was someone talking to Kurt and stopped arguing with his brother long enough to come between them.

"Hi, I'm Blaine Anderson, a friend of your son's, he was just… helping me out," Blaine said, with a smirk playing on his lips he glanced at Kurt.

"Anderson huh?" Burt asked. He knew the Anderson family all too well. Marcus was that guy who always countered his propositions in the senate, and his son was hooking up with the Anderson boy? Well isn't that peachy?

Blaine dropped the hand he was holding out and the smile was wiped right off his face. "Dad," Kurt said in a warning tone, shooting him a deadly glare, telling is father to behave. Cooper watched the interaction between father and son closely. If he'd ever talk to his father like that he'd be slapped across the face for being disrespectful, but Burt just shrugged and ruffled his son's hair. But the expression of discomfort was still clearly visible on his face.

Kurt slapped his father's hand away and made sure his hair was perfect once again. Blaine stood in front of the Hummels with wide eyes, a little twinge of fear visible in them. Burt didn't know why but he liked this kid, well he liked this kid better than his father and apparently his son had also taken a liking in one Blaine Anderson.

"Okay, fine, I'll just – leave you guys and pretend I never saw you here. And Kurt next time please have an excuse at the ready because if you're ever going to be in the senate you need to be able to tell a lie without everyone laughing at your face for not being able to," Burt said, waving awkwardly good bye to the three boys, still standing in the middle of the market.

Kurt, Blaine and Cooper gaped after the man. How? "What in the name of Zeus did just happen?" Cooper screeched. The two others were still staring at the place where Burt just left. "Guys?"

They looked up at the taller man and Kurt responded. "I have no idea..."

The trio stood there for a couple of minutes until Cooper interrupted again. "Blaine, we should head on home. I think father will almost be there and I want to get back to Holly." Blaine looked at his older brother and nodded. "You go ahead."

Cooper did so and began to walk home.

"I should probably go too," Kurt said, his voice a quiet whisper, suddenly feeling a little nervous with the dark haired male standing so close to him.

"Maybe you do but..." Blaine stepped closer and brushed his nose against Kurt's. "I just want to say a proper goodbye for now." The dark haired male closed the space between them and kissed the other passionately. Blaine put his hands on the other man's hips and pulled Kurt flush against his own muscular body. Kurt enlaced his fingers with Blaine's dark curls and the darker man bucked against Kurt, feeling the excitement he was creating. Kurt closed his eyes and let the delicious feeling wave through him until Blaine pulled away. They parted with an obscene pop and Blaine shot Kurt one more cocky grin before turning his back to the angelic boy. Kurt felt the bitch in him move; that guy was getting a little too arrogant.

Blaine walked down the road his head still a little dizzy; those soft lips were like heaven on earth. He hated that he needed to go home, to his father and pretend nothing exciting happened all day. And Cooper was terrible at keeping things hidden, so that was going to be a fun evening.

o.O.o

Kurt did just the same thing; he walked home and embraced his wife when he saw her on the couch. Britt knew there was something bugging her husband so she asked what had happened. Kurt sighed and told her the events of the day.

"And then dad came and saw me standing there with Blaine and his older brother and you know dad, he knows everything it's like he's the freaking oracle of Delphi!"

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. But you know at least you got some gay shark lips today," Britt tried to cheer him up.

Kurt smiled a half smile and hugged the blonde closer to his chest. "Thank the gods I still have you, boo," he whispered in her soft hair.

"Hah, what would you do without me?" Brittany laughed. Kurt smiled at the blonde and kissed her sweetly. "I wouldn't have someone who will make dinner less awkward?"

She smiled and then slapped her hand against her thigh. "Shit! That reminds me: dinner! Santana?" she called out to the dark haired girl.

"Yes?"

"Could you make some dinner, like very quickly please?" Britt asked her eyes pleading with almost desperation; having her father-in-law over to dinner was something very big for her.

"Already taken care of Madam," the slave girl answered.

"You are a doll San," Brittany smiled. Kurt looked at the two interact; it was clear that his slave was in love with his wife and he knew they slept together, but it made Britt happy so he didn't say anything about it. Burt would arrive shortly after and they would all dine together Kurt, Brittany, Finn, Carole and Burt. It was Friday night and it was tradition, it was the one night they all spend together.

Burt and Carole arrived before Finn did, and Carole wrapped Kurt in a tight hug, complaining about how she hadn't seen him for a very long time. Burt turned to Brittany and smiled warmly at her before giving her a kiss on the cheek. They sat down and waited for the last Hudson-Hummel family member. When Finn finally almost burst through the door they sat down and enjoyed a delicious meal, talking about everything and nothing.

The dinner conversation quickly switched to the matter of Finn not wanting to marry this Quinn girl. And thank Dionysus that the wine was flowing freely.

"Dad come on you can't be serious! She is only out for the money our family possesses, and don't bring up that her family has to give us a bridal case if they got married, 'cause you know that she will have far more when she is married to Finn," Kurt defended. Finn looked at him in appreciation, Kurt knew Finn was in love with another girl... a slave but their love was pure and real, not like with Quinn.

Kurt wanted to make sure his brother was happy and not stuck with queen bitch he was supposed to marry. Besides that title was already reserved… for him.

Burt sighed in exasperation; every time he tried to have a normal conversation with his family, it turned into some kind of drama play. "Look, guys, I know Quinn isn't the nicest person, but she's young, she's beautiful and she's willing to marry," Burt said clutching his goblet of wine.

"What do you mean 'willing to marry'? You think I can't find a wife on my own?" Finn asked his eyes wide, feeling offended.

"No Finn, I'm just saying that you really need a wife. You're 27 now and almost everyone of your age has found a wife or love or both and you need to marry. I am sorry but it's required if you are born into one of these families," Burt sighed. He knew he was very lucky that Kurt loved Britt and that the feeling was mutual, but Finn wasn't that easy.

Finn rubbed his forehead and looked up to Burt, maybe it was time to tell. "I have found love Burt, and it's certainly not Quinn."

Carole dropped her cup and watched her son in astonishment. He loved someone and didn't tell his mother? That was a first; usually she was the first person who knew what was going on in the tall man's life. Well apparently those times had ended.

"Then who is it, love?" she asked quietly, holding on to Burt's forearm, silently trying to calm him.

"I... uh..." Finn swallowed audibly and looked at his brother for help. Kurt gave him a knowing look, urging him to go on. "I'm... I'm in love with... Rachel."

The silence that fell after that statement was almost tangible. Kurt watched the artery in his father's neck swell up and decided it was time to do damage control.

"Dad, I know this seems bad but please. Rachel barely comes out of the house and we'll just make up a story that she's from a colony and she moved here. No one will recognise her and she'll get Finn's last name and we'll make one up for the wedding."

Kurt looked at his father with pleading eyes. He had seen the couple interact and they shared something special.

"Kurt people who have been to our house..." Burt began before Kurt cut him off. "Never gave our slaves a second glance; they don't care what they look like or who they are and you know that as well as I do."

His father buried his face in his hands and he knew he was never going to win this argument. Kurt may not have been able to lie, but when he goes after something, he gets it. Finn was watching his stepfather closely, impressed with the way Kurt had stuck up for him, which was one of the many qualities he appreciated about his brother.

"Kurt..." Burt knew it was a lost cause; his son was too fucking stubborn.

"No, father! Why can I marry out of love while Finn can't?" Kurt was standing by now. Heavily panting and his eyes narrow while he looked at the elder man.

"Because not many people are able to! You are lucky that you love Brittany!"

"And Finn loves Rachel and she's a wonderful girl! She's smart and ambitious as hell. She doesn't deserve to be treated like something less because she's a slave. I thought you of all people would agree with that!" Kurt was getting really angry; he'd had a little more faith in his father.

"Kurt!" the elder man screamed. "I... I do agree with that but this is about more than love and you know that. Finn is never going to be in the senate if he marries Rachel but he still stands a chance if he marries Quinn. He can have an affair with Rachel for all who cares but I just want him to have a future after Carole and I are gone."

"Burt," Finn spoke up, "I appreciate everything you've done for me but I'm not going to marry Quinn. And if marrying Rachel means starting all over, then so be it. I honestly don't care anymore, I just want to make her happy." Finn stood up and squeezed his brother's shoulder as a thank you before leaving the house.

"Dad, I think it's best for you to leave," Kurt sighed while sitting back down next to his wife.

"I don't think so Kurt I still need to talk to you... in private." Burt stood up and went to the other room, motioning Kurt to follow him.

Brittany's eyes followed her husband with worry and curiosity, but Carole asked her about the new dress she was wearing.

Kurt followed reluctantly, not feeling in the mood to talk to his father anymore.

"What is it Dad? And just for the record I still think you should let Finn marry Rachel," Kurt said crossing his arms.

"I think you made your point about that Kurt, I want to talk to you about that Anderson kid. What is going on between you two?" Burt asked suspiciously.

Kurt was taken aback a little; he'd completely forgotten his father had run into him and Blaine before.

"If I said 'nothing' you wouldn't believe me, right?" Kurt tried.

"I wouldn't no, so just tell me." Burt gave his son a warning glance as to tell him not to tell lies. Kurt knew his dad could see right through them anyway.

'Damn' "Well, to be honest I don't even know myself. I just sort of met him at the market the other day and since then, he just won't leave me alone…" Kurt's voice drifted off at the memory in the bathhouse.

"Sure that's all?" the bald man knew there was more to this than what his son already told him and he was determined to know it all.

"I think so…" Kurt said, avoiding his father's eyes. He really didn't want to tell his father about the… stirrings Blaine caused.

"Kurt you know your lies are as thin as the silk on a middle class woman, right?" Burt laughed when Kurt shrunk in embarrassment.

"Look dad, everything's fine, you don't have to worry, okay? I just met him nothing more," Kurt said his temper acting up again.

"So why were you two kissing in the middle of the market place?"

"Crap… uhm as a greeting?"

"Since when do men greet each other by making out and groping each other in the middle of a public place?" Burt asked incredulously.

"Oh dad… could you just like… let it go?" Kurt sighed, rubbing his temples; he'd had enough discussions today to last him a long time.

"No, Kurt, he is the son of my biggest rival! Just make sure that you don't get caught by Marcus. You know how he stands towards homosexuality."

"I know dad, don't worry! Blaine is just… fun. And he's got some attitude that can compete with mine; you know how much fun that can be."

"I know kid, your mother was the same to me. Just make sure you get out of this alive and i don't mean physically." Burt said, he gave Kurt's shoulder a comforting squeeze before walking out of the room. Burt gave Brittney a kiss on the cheek and bid his goodbyes, Carole followed swiftly and the couple was alone once again.

Kurt still stood there, looking at the door. 'What the hell had just happened?'

"Honey? You okay?" Britt asked him, snaking her arms around him from behind.

"I think so?" Kurt plopped down on the chair next to Brittany while the servants cleared the table. "Santana, can you prepare a bath for us?" the pale man asked smiling at his other half.

"Yes master Kurt." Santana disappeared to the bathing rooms and prepared the bath. Kurt and Brittney bathed and exchanged lazy kisses during their bath. They got ready for bed and fell alseep fast.

o.O.o

In the meantime Blaine had survived his family dinner, with a lot of kicking Cooper's leg. His father wasn't suspicious of anything, but Cooper kept making inappropriate comments until Holly finally shut him up.

"Holly and I are going to retreat to our chambers, father, Holly should rest," Cooper said in an attempt to get the hell out. "Cooper I am capable of caring for myself and the servants will help me, I would rather if you stayed with your brother for a bit more," the blonde said with a sweet smile.

Cooper sat back down with the face of a child who was just denied their candy. Blaine couldn't help but let out a little chuckle. Marcus, who hadn't really paid attention to the interaction between his son and his wife, watched Blaine closely; something was different about him.

"So Blaine did anything interesting happen to you today?" asked Marcus. Blaine looked up at his father, he never expressed any interest in his youngest son so why now?

"No father nothing worth mentioning," the curly haired male said, not looking his father in the eye.

"Hmm, I'd like you to come to the senate with me next week," Marcus said taking a goblet of wine. "I need you to understand how the inner workings function there. And which people to keep close and who to try and destroy."

"I thought you only wanted Cooper in the senate?" Blaine glanced at his older brother in shock but Coop's expression remained stoic.

"It's getting harder and harder to convince them of my visions thanks to that Hummel guy," Blaine gave a twitch when he heard that name but said nothing. "And I need my two sons to stand by me."

Blaine bowed his head and said a simple "Yes father." Julia looked at her two sons with sadness in her eyes. She knew her sons don't see the world as her husband, and she hated that they were dragged into the world her husband created. Yet she couldn't do anything about it.

Blaine excused himself and left the house once again, his fists clenched he felt like he could punch something right now. Why the hell did his father decide now was such a great time to ruin his life? He passed some lone figures strolling on the cobbled streets of Rome.

"Hello gorgeous," a smooth voice announced itself.

Sebastian Smythe. Well too bad for him that Blaine was in a very dark mood.

"Fuck off!" Blaine snapped. Sebastian just kept following the smaller man "I said fuck off Sebastian!"

The taller ignored the protest and draped an arm around Blaine's waist. "Why don't you just fuck me instead?" whispered Sebastian into Blaine's ear.

Blaine slowly turned around and faced the taller man. Sebastian wore a smirk that pissed him even more off.

"If you don't want to get your head smashed into a wall, I suggest you take a walk, Smythe," Blaine growled.

"Geez what have you got up your ass? Sadly it isn't me," the meerkat smirked, Blaine's fuse was slowly burning up and he would explode. With all the shit his father had given him today couldn't the man handle this anymore and he was so sick of that horny fuck trailing behind him when he was the last person in the whole entire empire he would fuck.

"Sebastian, just leave – right now!" Blaine had started yelling at the guy by now.

"Shit, just calm the fuck do-," Sebastian's face was met with a fist that had a very good right hook. He stumbled back and looked at Blaine in horror.

"What the hell!"

"I said leave me alone, now go screw some whore!" Blaine walked away in anger not realising the streets had turned dark in the capital. The young man was on his way home when suddenly a group of burly guys attacked him.

One of them grabbed his arms and locked them behind his back. He tried to scream but a hand was soon placed over his mouth, swallowing every sound he tried to make.

Two others began to pat him down, searching for money and other things of value. They had gathered his moneybag and realised how much value the clothes he wore had. The guys stripped him down and beat him up badly before leaving him in the streets. Unconsciousness crept up at Blaine just as a small figure kneeled down next to him.

"Oh my… Blaine…" she whispered.

Blaine tried to see who this person was but couldn't open his eyes. He murmured something that sounded nothing like an actual word and felt small hands brush his curls off his forehead.

"Blaine, please..." the girl urged him up but his legs wobbled under his weight. The girl supported him and dragged him down the streets of Rome; the man was entirely stripped down to his bare skin.

She managed to get him to the house of her master where she laid him down on the couch. She wrung her hands uncertain of what to do next. Should she wake someone up? Or should she just take care of the wounded man? She finally reached a decision and ran to the other room.

Kurt was snuggled up against Brittany, their naked bodies pressed against each other while the slave neared their bed. "Master Kurt? Master Kurt, wake up, please," the girl said while rocking her master back and forward a bit to wake him up.

Kurt groaned and opened his eyes. "Oh thank the gods, please Master Kurt, you need to come with me!" she said her eyes almost tearing up.

"What? Why?" Kurt said rubbing his eyes, as he looked up at the girl confused. She didn't say anything and just ran out of the room again.

He slowly got up and put on a nightgown. 'This better be good,' he thought.

When he arrived in the sitting area he froze in his tracks. There was a certain Blaine Anderson lying on his couch. And he looked awful.

"Blaine?" Kurt breathed. He walked over to the couch and kneeled down next to the man. Blaine was beaten up badly; bruises were beginning to show on the tanned skin.

The smaller man slowly opened his eyes. He could make out a pale, familiar face through his blurry vision. "Kurt?" asked Blaine before everything turned black.