Kurt shook his head defiantly at Boss' demands.
"Okay, fine," Boss unexpectedly agreed to Kurt's protest. "I'll give you the choice this time. You can do it and then we leave…or, my buddy over there-" he nodded toward Minion, "-never got to…finish earlier. Can't say he won't hurt her, of course." To emphasize the point, Minion tapped the sheathed knife he had fastened to his belt.
Kurt's jaw dropped open slightly and Mercedes saw a flash of rage fill his eyes as he glared at Boss with an intense hatred. A grotesque smirk spread across Minion's face, and he began fiddling again with his knife, pulling it partially from the sheath-enough to see the blade glimmer in the moonlit room-only to push it back in. Out. In.
After only a few beats, Kurt's shoulders slumped in resignation and he nodded, looking guiltily at Mercedes.
Boss' malicious grin widened. "Thought you might see it that way."
He violently shoved Kurt toward Mercedes, laughing as Kurt tripped on the pants still tangled around his ankles. Boss stepped on the material, forcing Kurt to shimmy out of the silk pajama bottoms as he crawled the rest of the way back to Mercedes.
Kurt knelt beside her, reaching over to gently wipe the tears from her face. She smiled weakly at the gesture, though she had the horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach about what was about to happen. She meant the smile to be reassuring, but instead she saw Kurt's resolve to stay strong crumbling. His whole body wracked with the sob he was trying so hard to contain.
"Shh," she soothed him, wrapping her arms around him and drawing him against her, glaring over his shoulder to where Boss was watching, that grotesque grin still spread across his face. "This ain't your fault, baby," she tried to pacify Kurt. She pressed her lips to his temple as she ran her hand through his hair. She rested her head on his shoulder as he returned her embrace. "It's okay," she assured him softly.
Despite her words, she could feel her body quaking with fear at what she figured was supposed to happen next.
She wanted to cry. Wanted to scream with frustration and horror at the idea that this was how she was going to lose her virginity. She'd always imagined that when this event happened, it would be beautiful. Her boyfriend would have spent the night romancing her, making everything special for her. Her first time shouldn't be on a basement floor with two bastard thugs watching, or with a video camera trained on her. She knew that a girl's first time rarely happened without some level of fear, but she certainly never expected to be terrified out of her mind. Or that she'd have to comfort her partner and assure him that everything was okay even though it wasn't.
She loved Kurt. And she was certain that he loved her. That was the only consolation she had in the situation.
Kurt forced himself to smile back at her, though his eyes were still glistening with tears.
He kissed her cheek, then whispered, "I love you, 'Cedes," in her ear as he hugged her tighter. She tensed, gasping in surprise as she felt his lips suddenly press lightly against her neck. Then relaxed as he gently caressed her cheek. And then his lips were on hers, kissing her tenderly. For just a moment Mercedes was able to pretend that this really was okay and let herself melt into Kurt's embrace.
"You better hurry it up," Boss demanded, moving closer. "We might start getting bored."
Kurt tensed and took a moment to glare up at their assailant.
"I think he needs a little help figuring out what to do," Minion observed mockingly.
Mercedes held back a wince as she saw Kurt's eyes narrow. She knew the look. He was about to go and say something antagonizing. "Look at me," she quickly urged, trying to stop him from making a huge mistake. "Ignore them." She took a calming breath. "Let's do this." And get it over with.