Life seemed to be as perfect as it could get in Kurt's eyes. Blaine had been with him for just over six months now; half a year, and had changed his life as he knew it. He would never regret bringing Blaine home. But if he could go back, he'd change Blaine's life so he'd never have to endure the torture he'd faced with the master. Even if it meant he would never have met him.

Blaine was a brand new person. He was talking with confidence, he did things on his own that he wanted to do and he loved it. Kurt was as proud as he could be when Blaine came back from his driver's test waving a piece of paper showing a perfect score. It was ironic that a mystery friend of Kurt's was giving away a car he didn't want at the same time Blaine got his license. Kurt didn't think Blaine believed him, but that was fine, he accepted the car.

The first time Blaine went to a movie by himself, he was so nervous he shook the entire way there. But he sat in the large theater and watched the film from beginning to end. Kurt knew it had taken a lot for him to do that. Sitting in a dark theater, not knowing who was sitting around him was a frightening thought, but he did it. He came home and chattered for a half an hour about the film and all of its details. Kurt felt a tug in his heart, realizing Blaine really was healing.

Therapy was going good, Blaine really got along with Quinn. So much so, they'd started having coffee dates as friends outside of therapy. They'd found a common love for music and would sit for hours and discuss albums and artists.

Kurt had a hard time dealing with Blaine becoming more confident and going off on his own at first. He could admit to himself that he was used to having Blaine all to himself. Blaine would always be there when he got home and they would talk for hours. Now that Blaine was living a life of his own choosing, Kurt found himself coming home to an empty house most nights. Even Biscuit was gone; Blaine loved to take the nearly full grown dog with him wherever he went.

Biscuit had come to fit in their lives like a missing puzzle piece. Especially for Blaine. The dog was loving and devoted to both of them. Blaine, however, had a very special relationship with the dog. Biscuit had woke him up many times when he was having nightmares by nuzzling and licking his face, his plaintive whines bringing Blaine back from whatever torturous place he'd been. When they went on walks and strangers would walk by, Biscuit would literally nudge Blaine's legs until he stepped to the side and Biscuit would watch the stranger until they'd passed. Biscuit brought Blaine a sense of safety and security and they loved him and treated him as one of the family.

. . . . . . .

Today was an exciting and nerve wracking day. Kurt had taken the day off work so he could be there when Blaine got home. After much studying and testing, Blaine had been accepted at NYU! His skills testing had scored beyond college level, so he was able to get into classes most freshmen weren't able to. Blaine had decided to get his degree in Music Therapy. He wanted to help other people heal from whatever they were dealing with, with the healing magic of music. He wanted to double major, studying music as the second major, even though he knew this would add a huge load of work on him.

It was his first day of school today. Kurt couldn't help himself and took a picture of Blaine with his backpack that morning. Blaine rolled his eyes, but still grinned widely for the picture. He was so excited and had spent the morning bouncing around the house, making sure he had all of his books and supplies. His first classes were the basics, math, English, humanities, sociology. He'd studied all the pre-requisite reading for each class, taking notes and highlighting important passages.

As he walked out the door that morning, Kurt had kissed him deeply until they were both breathing hard.

"I am so proud of you, Blaine. I want you to know that. You have worked so hard for this and you deserve every good thing that comes from it," Kurt said, his eyes sparkling with tears of pride.

"Thank you," Blaine said, a lump in his throat. "I couldn't have done any of this without your support and … just, thank you, Kurt."

"Have a great day," Kurt said, giving him one last hug. Something in him, however, didn't want to let go.

"Thanks. I'll text you between classes," Blaine said and ran down the steps toward the garage. "See ya!"

"Bye!" Kurt yelled.

He stood there, watching the Audi back out of the garage and onto the street. He stood there until he couldn't see the car anymore.

Walking back in the house, he headed to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. Everything in him had wanted to tell Blaine that he loved him. He didn't understand what was holding him back anymore. He knew he loved Blaine with every ounce of love he had. Everything about Blaine was perfect to him, even the fact that he'd started wearing an occasional bowtie with his button up shirts. Kurt watched him sleep sometimes and even the way Blaine drooled on his pillow seemed adorable. He was so proud of him, so freaking proud. And now that he was going to college, they would be living separate lives. Kurt was home during the mornings and early afternoons and was gone until late at night. Blaine would be gone from early morning to late afternoon and would need to be in bed at a decent hour.

He was going to miss him.

Digging out his phone, he texted Sebastian.

Free for lunch today? Need to talk. – K

As he waited for Seb to answer, he cleaned up the kitchen and fed Biscuit. Even the dog seemed to be a bit lost without his favorite human.

Sure. The usual at 11? – S

Yep. See you there. – K

The usual was a small diner called "Sporks". It advertised that a spork was all you needed to eat their food. The coffee was divine and the food was full of calories and delicious flavors.

Now that Kurt had something to look forward to, he felt better. He grabbed his script for the play he was in and went over his lines. He had them down by heart, but missing rehearsal tonight, he wanted to make sure he was completely ready.

After an hour of singing his lines and going through the movements, he got dressed for his lunch date with Seb. Black skinny jeans, tall boots, a long sleeved grey Henley and a crimson vest, and he was ready to go. A thought occurred to him and he quickly dialed his and Blaine's favorite restaurant, Breadstix, and made reservations that night so they could celebrate his first day.

He got to the diner on time and saw that Seb had beat him there and gotten their favorite table. He leaned over and kissed Seb on the cheek before sliding into the seat across from him.

"You look great today," Kurt said, loving the sage green button down that brought out the deep green in Seb's eyes.

"I always do," Seb retorted with a wink. "I already ordered for you."

"Thanks. How is Sam?"

"He's good. The little twink got a promotion at his job, so he's all sassy now," Seb said with obvious pride and affection.

"Aw, that's wonderful! Tell him I said congrats," Kurt said with a smile. Seb loved Sam with all his heart, but with his personality, he just couldn't say something without having an attitude.

"Will do. How is Blaine? Last time I heard from you, he'd gotten into NYU, which is freaking fantastic. Who'd he blow to get in there?" Seb grinned.

"Me," Kurt smiled lasciviously. "No, he got in there on his own merit. His scores on his entrance exams were through the roof, so he's starting off some of his pre-req's in sophomore classes. My little brainy Blainey," Kurt giggled.

"Oh god, make me gag. You guys are too damn cute for your own good. So, why did you call this little meeting of the minds? I know you're busy with your latest show, so… What's up?" Seb looked at him, seeming to see right into his brain.

"Blaine started classes today. I miss him already. I'm gonna miss him more because now our schedules are completely opposite of each other. I'll be asleep when he leaves and he'll be asleep when I get home," Kurt said quietly. "I guess I'm used to having him all to myself and in the past couple months, he's gotten further and further away from me."

"I get it. Do you still consider him your sub? We never talked about that whole topic as he's improved over time," Seb noted.

"Not at all. I don't think he considers me a Dom either, which is fine with me. I never wanted the job in the first place. He still relies on me, I think, for emotional support. He still needs me to spoon him at night, which is something he's needed since he came to me."

"Have you told him you love him?" Seb asked, staring at him directly.

Kurt put his head in his hands. "No," came his muffled voice. "I just can't do it."

"And why would that be? I'm a hard ass and a total bitch, but I can tell Sam I love him. Usually as I'm spanking his perfectly round ass," Seb said, a heated look in his eyes.

"Stay with me here, Seb. Don't get all horny, Sam's not here and I'm not crawling under the table," Kurt said, rolling his eyes.

"Damn. You know I've always wondered what those lips of yours could do. Oh god, what if you and Sam blew me," Seb whispered, his green eyes darkening with lust.

"Sebastian Grant Smythe, get your damn mind off your dick and talk to me," Kurt demanded.

Sebastian closed his eyes and took some deep breaths. "Don't think I'm not going to recall that juicy topic. Now. Why haven't you told Blainers that you love him?"

They paused in their conversation as their food was delivered. They thanked the waitress and dug into the food for a few minutes before returning to the conversation.

"I haven't told him for the same reason as always. I don't want to burden him with feelings he can't return," Kurt said.

"Who says he can't return the feelings?" Seb asked, finally back on track.

"Damn. I don't know. I just… I want him to have his own life. If I tell him I love him, he may feel obligated to say it back or fake feelings he doesn't have. I want him to have everything in his life and I am not going to be the one holding him back," Kurt said firmly.

"And what if he loves you? What then? What if he is holding onto all these emotions and feeling like crap because he's too scared to tell you? He hasn't exactly been one for spouting off on emotional things. He usually needs a catalyst. If you tell him, maybe that will free him up to tell you. I may not know the little guy as well as you, but I do know he loves you," Seb said.

"What? How do you know that? I live with him, don't you think I'd know?"

"Because you're blind to it because you're obsessed with not burdening him. Come on, Kurt, he adores you. The way he looks at you and moves around you. He loves you. Stop being a fucking blockhead and open your eyes," Seb said gently, despite his words.

"I just don't see it. I have this fear that I'll tell him and because of his past as a sub, he'll feel obligated to say it back or hold himself back in some way. I don't want him to think he owes me anything," Kurt said.

They ate quietly for a moment, lost in thought.

"With you and Sam; who said I love you first?" Kurt finally asked.

"Sam did."

"Did you say it back right away?"

"No. I didn't feel love yet, at least that's what I thought. It wasn't long until I got my head out of my ass, though, and finally told him," Seb said, smiling fondly.

"Was that before you started your D/s relationship?" Kurt wondered.

"Yeah, it was. I don't think it would have been right for us to go into that kind of relationship if we didn't love each other. With the amount of trust needed, there should be something there. Other people are different. But I know Sam. I don't think he would have let himself submit fully if he didn't know that I love him," he said thoughtfully.

"I can see that. I only acted as Dom because it was what Blaine seemed to need at the time. But I was never even really his Dom, I don't think. I was more just a strong support for him. Someone who he could lean on and know would take care of him," Kurt said.

"Did you ever punish him or spank him?"

"A few times. One time I did only because he insisted he needed it. But while I was spanking him and after, it almost seemed like he was using it as a stress reliever," he said.

Seb nodded. "Sam needs that too, sometimes. It isn't uncommon. And with this huge change in Blaine's life with college and all, don't be surprised if he asks you to do it again. With someone who is used to a sub mindset, a spanking can be a huge stress relief and something that can center them, bring them back to where they need to be mentally."

"I don't think he'd ask that. It's been so long since either of us has even spoken of the whole D/s thing. I even threw our rules away. Before, he would have been punished for back talking me or not doing what I ask. Now he's sassy and loves to say no. I love that. I love that he feels freedom in his own mind to do and say what he pleases. And I don't want to mess that up by telling him I love him. I just feel like it would trap him. I want to free him, not cage him in," Kurt said.

"Alright, but I'm telling you, he loves you. It's going to come back and bite you in your cute little ass someday," Seb warned.

"I'll deal with that when it comes," Kurt said, drinking the last of his coffee and pushing his plate away.

"So, back to my idea. What would you say to a threesome? I know Sam's always been open," Seb said, that lusty glint back in his eyes.

"Not on your life, Smythe," Kurt grinned.

. . . . . . .

"Kurt! I'm home," Blaine called.

Kurt and Biscuit rushed from the kitchen. Kurt went right into Blaine's open arms. "Hi sweetie! How was it? Tell me everything," Kurt said, pulling him onto the couch.

Biscuit put his paws on Blaine's lap and licked his face in greeting. Blaine nuzzled him and scratched behind his ears.

"It was wonderful. All my professors are nice and since I did all that extra reading, I was actually ahead of most of my classes. The work seems pretty easy for now. I know that will change, especially after I got the syllabus'. But I met some really nice people. I was even invited to join a study group for my humanities class. On my first day!" Blaine said, his eyes glowing with excitement and happiness.

Kurt thought to himself that this was why he could never burden this glorious creature with emotions he didn't need.

"That's wonderful! I knew you'd fit right in," Kurt said, squeezing his hand.

"I did, and that's what was amazing. I fit in. I was just one of the students. I didn't stick out in any kind of negative way, which is what I was afraid of. But I didn't and it felt so good," Blaine said, closing his eyes for a moment. "For once, I'm not a sub, I'm not an abuse victim, I'm just a student in the crowd. And I love it," he said, his golden eyes glowing fiercely.

Kurt looked at him. "I am so happy for you," he said with feeling. "I, uh, have a surprise. I got us reservations at Breadstix to celebrate your first day of college."

Blaine's face fell. "Oh, Kurt, that is so sweet. But I have a ton of homework and I need to make sure I get it done. I'm ahead now and I want to stay that way so I don't end up piled under a bunch of work," he said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't even think of that. It's okay, I can cancel and I'll make you something here, okay?" Kurt said, disappointment welling up in him.

"That would be great," Blaine said, grabbing his backpack and heading into his study. "Oh and I'll be late tomorrow. I'm meeting with my study group for the first time. We want to get to know each other and figure out our strengths and weaknesses."

"Okay," Kurt said.

He walked into the kitchen and grabbed some pans out of cupboards, putting them on the stove. Getting out ingredients for spaghetti, he put everything on the counter so it would be ready. Then he remembered Breadstix and called to cancel the reservation.

It was then that the thought hit him. It felt devastatingly true. He leaned his arms against the counter and laid his head down, fighting tears.

It was then that Kurt knew he was going to lose Blaine.

. . . . . . .

Sorry for the angst, but that's what plotting is all about. It can't stay all happy and fluffy forever! And though it would never fit the plot at all, I've never been so tempted to write a threesome. Maybe as a one-shot and not part of the actual story? Hmm. Yummy! Please review!