A/N: To reviewer Anna, though I doubt you're reading this chapter - I wish you had an account so I could've replied to your comment directly. I understand that it's a little harshly written, and I do appreciate your honesty, I really do. I know that Blaine's abuse would be more subtle, which I tried, and subtle abuse is very difficult to write, especially from the abused party's point of view since they believe what their abuser is saying. Blaine's abuse is subtle in canon -whether or not reaers will admit that it's abuse, you all must acknowledge that Kurt hasn't been the same strong character he was before dating Blaine, as noted in the prologue- but to go with the subtle abuse and at the same time tell the story through Kurt, with him believing it, I worried that the abuse would not get across. And the whole thing with abuse is that it only escalates, and this has been going on for over a year at this point. I was told in two comments that the emotion in the voice of the story is powerful, and as a writer, that is more my goal than being completely canon with the character. I hope you're seeing this, and were able to overlook the ooc-ness, but if not I understand completely. Thank you for your review regardless!

Anyway, on with the story!

May 17th, 2014

I tried not to think too much about how I had flunked all three courses. I probably could've done better through the year -economics bores me to sleep, as an artistic person I always detested math, and despite my propensity for theatre and my personal verbal eloquence (I like to believe I'm very articulate, though apparently "no" doesn't mean what it used to), Shakespeare was never my strong suit- but it wasn't like I didn't try, either. I did all the assignments and studied hard whenever I got the chance, but between school, work, and Blaine, the chance rarely came.

I wanted to think that with school almost over I would have more time to work on a project I'd been throwing around in my head for a while now. I'd had to face facts a while ago that, as many of us as there were to take the spots, there weren't very many opportunities for "transparent gays" like me to make a big break on Broadway (I think, but am not sure, that a customer at the bakery called me that.) It's sort of like a Hunger Games tournament, but more musical. So I figured, rather than let myself be disappointed by something I have no control over, I could take control and write my own part.

But I had nothing to write, which was just as well since I still had no time to write about it.

I was mulling over the idea that maybe my story was worth writing, but that train of thought was cut off when I felt Blaine shift beside me. He was just waking up at almost nine, and the NYADA production of Wicked opens tonight, but he expressed not wanting to be awake until at least ten.

He groaned my name, still half asleep, which meant he wanted me to turn over to face him and move in closer -which I did. He draped an arm around my waist and pulled our naked bodies flush together. I hissed quietly, and he opened his eyes. He smiled at me, and I smiled back, a smoldering little lip twitch compared to his bright grin. He moved the arm from my waist to cup my cheek, the pad of his thumb brushing over where I had skinned it a few days earlier. It stung, but not terribly.

"You ready for tonight?" I asked quietly, still tired myself after last night and knowing how late I'd be out tonight.

"I think so. Everyone else in the show finally got their acts together, so we should be able to put on a really great performance!" He kissed my forehead, really tender. "I wish you could be in the show with me. Wouldn't that have been great?"

I swallowed the sour taste in my mouth. "Yeah, I would've loved that."

"Me too." He touched my cheek again. "But we'll make the most of what we've got, right? You'll be at all my shows-"

"I'll try."

He looked bewildered, like he didn't know or couldn't believe I had things to do in the evenings. "What? What do you mean, where else would you be?"

"Well, I have work." He seemed genuinely upset about it, so I tried to explain gently. "I'll take off as many nights as I can, and try to move my hours once classes are over, or work weekends. I'll try to be at all your shows, Blaine, I really will. I just can't guarantee anything."

He still seemed to not like the idea very much, and broke eye contact, lazily playing with my bed-mussed hair. "No, it's fine..." he replied softly, trailing off. I felt horrible, but I was going to do all I could to go to his shows without losing my job. I had my part of the rent to pay and Blaine was lucky enough to have a full scholarship and not need one (yeah, he quit for rehearsals.)

"I..." I didn't want to promise anything that I couldn't guarantee would be able to be accomplished.

"You'll what?" He looked lost but hopeful, face still sad but eyes wide. "You'll quit? You'll quit your job, and for me?"

He was smiling so brightly that I couldn't bring myself to say no. He hugged me tight -I was sore but content, and more worried about what to do after quitting my job since apparently that's what I was doing.

Blaine pulled back after a moment and kissed me quickly, sweetly, before pulling back entirely. "You're too much, you know that? Quitting your job, just to come to all my shows. You're too sweet." He kissed me again, and I forced a little smile against his lips. "Now come on, let's get up and start getting ready."

He sat up and stood, still completely naked, and started to get ready. I sat up too, rubbing my eyes and tugging at the blankets to cover my body. No matter how hot it would get in the apartment, I needed a blanket when I slept. It was a comfort thing, sort of like how Blaine needs me in his arms in order for him to sleep. Both were of about equal convenience. "Why are we getting ready now? We don't have to be there for the show until six..."

"Well, we should get there early, and I was thinking we could go out for lunch first. You're such a good boyfriend, I figured I'd reward you for your devotion." He beamed at me as he pulled a shirt and pants on. No underwear.

I nodded. Blaine seemed to like rewarding me for good behavior, and wasn't afraid to tell me when I did wrong. He was a good boyfriend; a very good boyfriend, and I was lucky to have him.

Blaine took me to lunch at the bakery I worked at. We ate some bagels -Blaine had a ham and cheese sandwich on a plain bagel, I had vegetable cream cheese on onion- and I tried to hightail out of there. But before I could bolt out the door, Blaine laid a heavy hand on my shoulder, keeping me put. "Come on, babe, you told me you'd quit. Well, here's your chance."

I swallowed hard. I had never exactly said that I would quit, but Blaine was already so excited for it and I didn't want to disappoint him. I took the plunge.

We went right from the bakery to NYADA -it was across the street, after all- even though we didn't have to be there for about six hours. Blaine was very chipper, waiting for the show, so we played a bit of hide-and-seek on the stage set and tag in the seats. It was a lot of fun, actually, fun like we hadn't seemed to have in a while. I think for those few hours, we were both happy.

Opening night was flawless on everyone's part. Rachel made a wonderful Elphaba (I forgot to mention that, didn't I?), Clara a great Glinda alongside her. I didn't recognize whoever was playing Fiyero -probably an upperclassman. Bianca was an adequate Madame Morrible (Bianca is great, but I might have cast someone else), and naturally Blaine gave an effortlessly impeccable performance as the Wizard. At the end of the show I decided to time the standing ovation: six minutes! I was so proud of all of them, especially of Blaine.

Blaine brought me to the cast party at Hard Rock Cafe, just like he promised he would. It was already ten by the time we got there, and I was oddly tired, but I just smiled and waved to people I knew. I was here for Blaine, and he deserved to enjoy his night.

"Nice bit of arm candy, Anderson," someone commented. I think he was a stagehand, since I didn't see him in the show.

I hoped Blaine would say something, but he just laughed softly. I rolled my eyes.

As the night progressed, that would prove to not be the only comment made about me. I lost Blaine at one point when he went off to talk to come friends, leaving me at the table. There was a group behind me and I could hear their conversation. For the most part, what they were talking about wasn't interesting to me: mostly gossip going around the school and how relieved they were to have opening night out of the way, how excited they were to do more shows and how difficult striking the set was gonna be. I just sat there with my shirley temple and zoned them out.

That is, until my name was mentioned.

"Hummel auditioned to be the Wizard, too." - "And why didn't he get it?" - "Cummins and Ashton didn't like him: they said Blaine was ten times better and more suited to the role." - "Well, they're smart." - "Hummel would've dragged the whole cast down." - "Yeah, I mean, he cares and his intentions are good, but he's not quite NYADA material." - "I don't even know how he got in." - "I heard he pitched a fit when Blaine got the role instead of him." - "Heard Blaine was scared for his safety, that maybe Kurt would try to sabotage him and make him unable to perform." - "He's a psycho little queer, isn't he?"

I couldn't listen any more. I got up -rather loudly, I'm not sure if they noticed me- and went to go find Blaine.

He was at the bar with Rachel, talking cheerfully, sipping a Coke. I pushed my way through the crowd and almost fell into him.

"Woah, babe, watch it!" he scolded, sounding like he was half joking but I couldn't be too sure.

"I wanna go home. Now." I wasn't usually so vocal -well, I used to be.

"But we're having a great time!" Blaine grinned, holding up his drink as if to toast the other partygoers.

"I'm sorry, but I need to go."

"Are you on your period or something?" Blaine laughed. Someone nearby must've heard, and laughed with him. I blushed furiously and shook my head.

"Come on, this isn't funny. Some of your friends are saying some really rude things -lies, in fact- about me, and I wanna leave. I need to leave."

Blaine sighed, as if I'd asked him to carry me back to the apartment. "I'll go talk to them." He gave me a small reassuring smile, and, reluctantly, I nodded.

An hour later, I was still at the bar. Rachel had gone back to the apartment long ago and I didn't really know anyone. Again, between school and work and Blaine, I didn't have time to make many friends, either. Well, now that it was summer and I had quit my job, now only one of them should continue to take up my time.

I heard laughing across the restaurant -Blaine's laughter, distinctly.

I sighed and bit my lip. He was having a good time, possibly with those who had secretly mocked and belittled me, and I would just be here, waiting for my knight in shining armor to return.

A/N: I think it was a bit more subtle in this chapter, nothing too direct and now we actually see the whole "sugary-sweetness" that will usually follow a more difficult day. Please review (please!) and I'll have the next chapter up shortly! - xx Litsy Kalyptica