Cover image: heartstringsduet . tumblr post / 123230057501 by heartstringsduet (tumblr)

Video: youtu . be / mX08FHQeosI by 47mel47 (tumblr)

Beta-readers: lyingxiscariot (FFnet), FangirlingFanatic (FFnet), and stulti.

Summary: Blaine Anderson is a prostitute whose client is murdered before his eyes. He is thrown into witness protection together with Special Agent Kurt Hummel, whose job is to keep him safe. But, with nosy neighbours and a notorious crime family snapping at their heels, it's not that easy. Especially when feelings get involved.

Warnings: Dub/con, alcohol use, minor OMC death, mention of child abuse, mention of domestic violence, mention of various kinks

Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, Sugar/Artie, Quinn/Puck, Cooper/OFC

Length: 65k; 16 parts altogether

Updates: Weekly on Sundays or Mondays


CHAPTER VI: Of LOVEMAKERS AND CLIENTS II

Blaine's head was pounding. He groaned and rolled onto his back, immediately regretting the action. The movement caused his stomach to churn and he realised just how sick he was. His mouth was dry and felt like shit. There was a cramp in his stomach and Blaine ran to the bathroom as quickly as his disorientated body allowed and kneeled above the toilet.

There wasn't much in his stomach so he puked some liquid until he was mostly just dry heaving. He never hated himself more.

Never again, he thought and stood up. He rinsed his mouth with cold water and only then noticed he was only in his underwear. Kurt must have helped him out of clothes. Fuck.

He didn't want to see Kurt, but he desperately needed some water and aspirin or his head would kill him otherwise. If he was silent maybe Kurt wouldn't notice him.

He put some clothes on and silently made his way to the kitchen. Where Kurt was waiting.

"Look who is finally up," Kurt smiled coldly and poured some coke into a tall glass

"Morning," Blaine managed, his own voice unrecognisable for himself.

"Drink this," he said, pushing the glass of the carbonated drink towards Blaine.

"I don't like coke," Blaine said. "I just want water."

"Well, I'm so furious with you right now that I don't give a fuck what you like or what you want. Drink it," he raised his voice. Blaine's head was about to explode.

Reluctantly he took the glass just to stop Kurt from shouting and slowly drank it all. He burped loudly, too exhausted to care about Kurt being just a few feet away.

"So, had fun last night?" Kurt asked, faking interest.

"Don't yell," Blaine asked. Kurt was so loud…

"Oh, I haven't started yelling yet," Kurt smiled, but soon his face turned into fury. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I wasn't," Blaine admitted and sat down on the kitchen chair. He didn't have energy to stand.

"Well, obviously. Otherwise you wouldn't have offered a police officer to fuck you for money!"

"I didn't know he was an officer," Blaine defended himself even though he knew his argument was weak.

"It doesn't matter. You didn't tell me where you were going and I was worried sick. And then I got a call in the middle of the night asking me to come take my drunken husband from a police station because he was charged with prostitution!"

"What are you really angry about, Kurt, huh?" Blaine asked, looking at the man equally coldly. "That I went out alone and got drunk or that I almost fucked someone?"

"Of course because you broke the rules–" Kurt said taken aback.

"I was allowed to go out. And I went out because of you. I couldn't stand being in the same house with you," he spat angrily.

"So out of all possibilities you decided to go and whore yourself out?"

"So what if I did? You said you didn't want to be with me so I'm free to fuck whoever I want!" Blaine yelled, ignoring his aching head altogether.

"Free? I didn't know whores fuck for free," Kurt laughed hysterically. "How much do I owe you for the last night?"

Blaine's heart missed a beat. "Fuck you," Blaine said slowly, anger oozing out of him but his voice still broke.

The look on Kurt's face told him he hadn't planned on saying it and he instantly felt guilty about it, but Blaine didn't care. He got up and left. He had nothing more to say to the man.

He wanted to cry. Back in his bedroom he crawled in his bed and curled up in a fetal position. And he cried. He cried because his childhood was stolen from him. He cried because his body wasn't really his. He cried because nobody cared for him. And most importantly, because his heart was shattered by the only man who had ever made love to him.

He didn't feel like a human being. Words 'cheap' and 'free' were not supposed to be used describing a person. They were used talking about things. That's what he was. A thing. Something to use and throw away. Exactly what Kurt had done.

He felt sick again and had to leave the comfort of the blankets. Throwing up over the toilet he heard a knock on the door, followed by Kurt's voice.

"Blaine? I'm really sorry for what I said, okay? I only said those things because I knew they would hurt you the most. I didn't mean any of it. I was angry and… jealous."

Blaine ignored him. Tears were stinging his eyes as much as Kurt's words earlier had stung his heart.

"Please, can we talk about it?"

He didn't want to talk. Kurt had said enough.

A new wave of sickness hit him and his coughing overshadowed Kurt's further words.

"Blaine, are you alright? Please, let me in."

"I'm fine," Blaine responded. Not for Kurt's benefit. He just feared that Kurt had an extra key to his room. He didn't have any doubts actually.

"You don't sound fine," Kurt said. "Do you want some water or chicken soup? I can make some."

The thought alone made Blaine dry heave again. "No," he mumbled.

"I could bring you more coke. It always helps me with hangover."

"Leave me alone, Kurt," Blaine said on his way back to the bed. He desperately wanted to sleep some more.

"I'm not leaving until you talk to me," Kurt insisted.

Blaine growled and unlocked the door. He didn't pay attention at Kurt and just went back to bed, where he sat against the headboard. Hopefully it would soon be over.

"Talk," he said, glaring at the man.

Kurt walked into the room and sat down on the edge of the bed tentatively. "First of all, I'm sorry for what I've said. It was cruel of me."

"It was," Blaine nodded. "You can't tell me you don't judge me for my occupation, and then turn around and call me a cheap whore."

"You are right," Kurt said. "I made a mistake and I'm sorry."

"Seems you have been making lots of mistakes recently," Blaine grimaced.

"It was wrong of me to tell you that you were a mistake. I should have worded it differently," Kurt said.

Blaine took a deep breath. "It wasn't a mistake, not for me. Last night we did what I can only call making love. Shit, you called it that. And I don't have much experience when it comes to being with someone you care about so it was… special to me. And then you spat on my face."

"I'm sorry," Kurt interrupted in a low whisper.

"I didn't expect someone like you to want to be with someone like me. I'm not stupid. But it still hurt when you said I was a mistake. Might as well thrown some coins at me, it would have hurt less," he said, letting out a shaky laugh.

"I should have said something different–"

"No. What you actually want to say is 'I shouldn't have slept with you'."

"It's not… not that," Kurt said. "I don't regret last night. It was… I wouldn't take it back, you know? I just wish the situation had been different or at least that I had handled it better. I was hoping to have a proper conversation but then you… left…" he finished accusatorily.

"Don't blame me for leaving. So what, I needed to let go for one night. And I thought why not dance the night away to forget you?"

"Dancing for a couple of hours is different from getting drunk and arrested," Kurt reminded him.

"I drank to forget. I was angry at you. So when this guy I danced with asked me if I wanted to go to his place, I agreed. But then I thought, 'why blow him for free?' and so I asked him to pay me. It's not my fault he was a cop."

"Okay, let's not talk about it; I'm still angry at you for that."

"Whatever," Blaine yawned. He couldn't care less what Kurt felt. At least that's what he lied to himself.

"I'm sorry I made you feel like your only option was alcohol. I really like you and last night was special to me too. But it would be unethical–"

Blaine almost laughed at the excuse. "Did you think about ethics when you were riding me?"

"No…" Kurt said in a small voice.

"What were you thinking then?" Blaine asked.

"Blaine…"

"What were you thinking about when you were with me?" he demanded, adamant on getting the answer.

"I thought how amazing you were, okay?" Kurt admitted. "How strong and caring. How any guy would be lucky to have you, but there you were – with me. And how… how hot you were. And how good it felt to have you inside me. And how much I wanted to show you what a loving sex is. And… and how it truly felt like love making."

"And yet you don't want to be with me," Blaine stated. He didn't need to ask when he knew already.

"It could jeopardize everything," Kurt argued weakly. He didn't sound convinced himself.

"Jeopardize what? Nothing has happened since I came here. Changs are laying low, they won't hurt me. We will just stay here until the trial, which will probably be soon and then–"

"And then I will be assigned to watch over another witness," Kurt said and it finally clicked. That's what Kurt was really scared about.

"And I will go back to the streets trying to make a living. But can't we just enjoy ourselves while we can?" Blaine asked, taking his hand hesitantly.

Kurt ran his thumb over Blaine's hand. "And break each other's hearts?" he asked, looking at their linked hands.

"I'm willing to risk it if you are…" Blaine admitted. His heart started racing as if it was about to jump out of his chest.

"I have… been kind of weighing pros and cons for a while now," Kurt said with a sad smile. "It's sort of a tie."

"Can't believe you found some pros," Blaine laughed depreciatingly.

"You would be surprised by how many," Kurt smiled at him softly.

"I probably blew any chance I had had."

"You didn't do yourself a favour, that's for sure," Kurt laughed. Blaine smiled at him.

"As long as you don't hate me, it's okay…"

"I don't if you don't," Kurt shook his head. "Um, to get back into your good books I could show you the photo of Lucas that Cooper posted last night."

Blaine raised the covers, wordlessly offering Kurt to join him in bed. Kurt jumped at the invitation and got under the blanket. He unlocked his phone and quickly found 'twitter'.

"I've been following your brother for a while now," Kurt said to fill in the silence. "Before I was even assigned to your case. He is pretty talented."

"He is," Blaine said. "He used to give me some lessons when were still kids."

"Were you two close growing up?" Kurt asked when he loaded the photo and gave it to Blaine who drank in the image of the baby.

I am growing up! And puking/pooping/peeing on daddy all the time #andpeoplestillfindmeadorable

Blaine laughed at the tweet. "Not really. He is ten years older than me so we had our differences. I was that baby brother who wanted to tag along with my older brother. What teenager ever likes that?"

"True, he would have looked less cool," Kurt laughed.

"I don't think so. He would have made it work. He was a popular kid, liked by everyone. Even my dad loved him," Blaine said. He had always envied Cooper for that.

"From your mother's statement I figured your dad never touched Cooper," Kurt began when Blaine gave him his phone back. "Why you?"

"I have been asking myself that same question for years," Blaine said thoughtfully. "Maybe because I was an unplanned child. Family finances were not that good when I was little. So maybe he held a grudge toward me for being born and my mother for letting it happen? Or maybe he had known I was gay before I came out and got angry at us. It doesn't matter now. I'm just glad he didn't hurt Cooper."

"Have you tried telling him about the beatings?"

"Numerous times," he said tiredly. "He didn't believe me. I don't blame him though. Our mother was on dad's side for some reason. She told Cooper I just wanted attention."

"How did he react to you coming out? He promotes the 'Trevor Project' now, you know," Kurt asked.

"He didn't make a big deal out of it," Blaine shrugged. "It was a very short conversation really. I told him I was gay over the phone and he said 'okay, cool, have to go to class' and that's it. He didn't have time to talk to me for the next two months and I thought he hated me. But when he came visiting, he was acting as he normally would towards me."

"Do you think you will seek him out when witness protection is over?"

"I don't know," Blaine said. He was tired of thinking and talking already. "Um, my headache is getting worse. Is it okay if I take a short nap?" he not-so-subtly asked Kurt to leave.

"Sure, of course," Kurt hurried to get out of bed. "Want me to bring you some aspirin first?"

"No, I'll sleep it off," Blaine said and followed Kurt with his eyes. "And for the record, you were incredible in bed. I… didn't need any fantasies," he said before settling in bed.

"It takes two to tango," Kurt said with a smile and left the room.

The nap helped. When Blaine woke up for the second time that day he felt a little bit more alive. His headache was gone and he didn't feel like throwing up. However, he was so thirsty he could drink a whole lake if he was given a chance.

On his way to the kitchen, Blaine noticed that Kurt's bedroom door was open and a silent voice was coming out of it. He didn't mean to eavesdrop. Yet he couldn't make his legs move once he overheard his name.

"I know I messed up with Blaine, but it was just a onetime thing, boss, I promise…" Kurt said. Blaine couldn't believe he had actually admitted to the higher ups that they had had sex. "I was thinking of setting a curfew to make sure he is home every night…" so it wasn't that. "No, I doubt it's necessary. Blaine loves being able to get out of the house and he enjoys working with kids. It's good for him. We would do more harm if we took it away from him. Not to mention that the neighbours would get suspicious..."

Blaine never realised how stupid it truly was for him to go out like that. Kurt could be assigned to another witness or fired because he couldn't keep him in tow. He himself could lose the privilege of working. So many things could go wrong now. And Kurt was fighting so they wouldn't.

"I'll do everything in my power to make sure he doesn't wander off again…" Kurt promised the person on the line. "Yes, of course, thank you... Um, yes, actually it's not the only thing I was calling you about. Can we drop the formalities and talk like father and son? I need your advice…"

It was Blaine's cue to leave. Kurt talking to his superior about the case was one thing. Kurt talking to his dad about a personal issue was off limits. He ignored his dry mouth and silently walked back into his bedroom. He would have made too much noise walking down the stairs. Kurt might have thought he was listening on his private conversation.

The rest of Blaine's Sunday was spent in bed. Even with small health improvements he didn't feel like doing anything. Kurt respected his wish and didn't ask his help in anything. Several times throughout the day he came to check on Blaine, offering food or drinks. Blaine accepted water gratefully.

No matter how much Blaine loved teaching kids the theatre, he was ecstatic to remember that he wasn't expected to come in on Monday. He needed to prepare for auditions and rehearsals and he hadn't done any of that over the weekend.

He had to be more responsible. Those kids saw him as a role model after all.

In the morning Blaine had gotten up earlier than he normally would and prepared breakfast before Kurt was even awake. Blaine had caused him trouble and so he was ready to work to earn Kurt's forgiveness. They both were at fault, but Kurt had done his part, taking care of his hangover. Now it was Blaine's turn.

He didn't bring Kurt breakfast to bed. It was something couples did, not two housemates after a one night stand. So he waited until Kurt joined him in the kitchen.

"Good morning," Kurt said surprised, looking at the glass of smoothie ready on the table with waffles sitting next to it.

"Morning," Blaine smiled at him.

"What's this about? Any special occasion?"

Blaine shrugged. "No. I just woke up early and thought I could make something different for breakfast. Still made a smoothie in case you don't want waffles."

"Waffles are fine," Kurt assured him, sitting down by the table. "Smells really good."

"I hope they taste just as good," Blaine said as they dug in. Blaine kept an eye on Kurt's face to make sure he liked the dish.

"I hope you wake up early more often," Kurt said when he finished eating. "These waffles were freaking amazing."

"I'm glad you liked it," Blaine said, taking Kurt's plate and cutlery away. "I'm sort of trying to win my way back into your good books. I'm sorry I made you worry and got in trouble."

"You have chosen the right approach to apologise," Kurt laughed. "You know, I've been thinking a lot about our conversation yesterday…"

"Which part?" Blaine asked absent-mindedly.

"The being together part," Kurt said gingerly. "I managed to find another pro."

"Yeah?" Blaine asked, his mouth suddenly going as dry as the day before, but for different reasons. It was a tie yesterday, according to Kurt.

"M-hm, so I thought we could go out on Saturday. And I mean, like, on a date maybe?" Kurt asked shyly.

"Wait, are you serious? You want to… date me?" Blaine had to clarify before responding to the offer.

"Yes. I weighed all the pros and cons and I think we should give it a try. So…" Kurt said and cleared his throat, "Blaine Anderson, will you do me an honour and go out with me?"

"Oh, I don't know..." he pretended to be thinking hard.

"What?" Kurt was taken aback. He obviously expected an excited 'yes'.

"Just joking, of course I will go out with you," Blaine smiled at him widely. "Do you have anything in mind?"

"Something simple? A movie and dinner perhaps?"

"You are as lame as Kevin," Blaine rolled his eyes playfully. "We watch movies and eat together all the time."

"Fine, mister genius, what do you want to do?" Kurt challenged.

"You asked me out so I will leave it for you to figure out," he grinned mischievously.

"Not fair," Kurt pouted at him.

"Just so you know, puppy eyes won't work on me," Blaine said unimpressed.

"Fine, but if I get a stroke, trying to figure out how to sweep you off your feet, it falls on your conscience," Kurt warned him.

"I'm willing to risk it," Blaine said, much to Kurt's disappointment. "Now, if you excuse me, I need to go prepare for tomorrow's class. And I think you have a perfect date to plan, isn't that right?"

"That's right. I'm going to plan the most amazing date for you," Kurt promised with certainty.

And so he did, but Sugar had different plans. On Tuesday she approached a very happy Blaine after the theatre class.

"Hi, how were the kids today?" she asked him in the teacher's lounge.

"Amazing as always," Blaine beamed at her. "I've been asking around if any teachers would like to be judges during auditions on Friday. Would you like to join?"

"Absolutely, you are a sweetheart," Sugar said clearly touched by the offer. "I wanted to ask you something else, to be honest. What are your and Kevin's plans for this weekend?"

"We are having a date night on Saturday," Blaine replied excitedly. He still couldn't believe he was going on an actual date with none other but Kurt.

"No, you are not," Sugar shook her head.

"Excuse me?"

"You are going to our lake house for the weekend. We are leaving on Friday. You can carpool with Starchild, he says he is excited to drive with you. Quinn and Puck are coming with me and Artie. It's going to be so much fun! Tell me you are coming."

"Wait, you are giving us a choice? Who are you and what have you done to the real Sugar?" Blaine laughed.

"Fine, I take it back. You are coming. We'll be leaving as soon as Puck and Quinn come back from work so around sixish?" Sugar asked in her commanding voice.

"Well, if I tell Kevin it was you who had forced me to cancel our date, I think he should be fine," Blaine said.

He was reluctant to cancel the date but he couldn't tell Sugar it was their first date. He could always ask Kurt to put the date forward. Wednesday or Thursday would be just as good.

"Brilliant! We'll provide food and drinks… You still drink wine?" Sugar asked and Blaine nodded. "Perfect. All you need to bring are yourselves and maybe something comfy to wear and sleep in. Oh, and let Starchild know if you want to carpool with him."

"Will do," Blaine said. "Are you sure we shouldn't bring anything else? We could bring drinks. Or pitch in for food. You don't have to buy everything yourselves."

"Don't worry your beautiful mind, sweetheart, everything is taken care of," Sugar said. Her phone started ringing and she dug it out of her purse. "Sorry, have to run," she said and kissed his cheek. "See you later!"

"Bye," Blaine hurried to say before she answered the phone.

He was on his way out of school when he heard hurried steps behind him and someone calling for him.

"Mr. Brian! Wait up," Beth's voice sounded around the building.

Blaine turned around to see her with Puck, walking towards him in quick steps. "Hey, Puck," he greeted the man and shook his hand. "Beth, did you forget something in class?"

"Yes, I forgot to give you… this," the girl said, blushing heavily, and extended a small bag she had been carrying.

Blaine ducked and accepted the gift. "And what could this be?"

"We were making mugs with Ms. Pillsbury and I made it for you," she said shyly, waiting for his reaction.

He carefully took the handcrafted mug out of the bag and gasped. "Oh my, this is amazing!" he exclaimed, turning the dark green mug with the phrase 'best teacher' written on it. He couldn't help but tear up. "It's absolutely amazing. Thank you so much," he said, pulling the girl in a tight hug.

"I don't know what you do with the kids," Puck said, "but on the days she has theatre Beth wakes up much earlier because she is just too excited to sleep."

"She seems to enjoy acting so it must be that," Blaine replied modestly. He got up to face the man. "And she is talented. You might want to look into that."

"I'll leave it to Quinn. She is in charge of Beth's education," Puck said. "Have you talked to Sugar yet?"

"About the weekend? I did. I just need to talk to Kevin but I'm sure he will be on board with the idea," Blaine said.

"Cool," the man nodded slowly. "Do you need a ride? We are going home."

"Thanks but Kurt should be here soon. Too late to tell him not to come," Blaine said without thinking.

"Kurt?" Puck asked confused.

Shit. "Ah, yeah, a friend of mine," he lied quickly. "Never mentioned him before probably."

"You might have. I don't have the best memory anyway," Puck shrugged. "Alright, we should get going then. See you later."

"Bye, Mr. Brian," Beth said, waving at him.

"Bye, guys," Blaine said and sighed, relieved that Puck bought his lie.

"Brian? Can I have a word with you?" someone asked and Blaine saw his colleague Will Schuester coming up to him.

"Sure," Blaine welcomed him with a smile. "Having second thoughts about being a judge for the auditions?"

"On the contrary," Will said. "My kids at the glee club heard how amazing your theatre class was and wanted to know if we could collaborate?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"What would you say about incorporating a couple of musical numbers in the play?" Will suggested and seeing Blaine's hesitance, elaborated, "Your theatre kids would play all the roles. But if, let's say, there is a scene where a character is travelling somewhere, my glee club could provide a song for the journey? Think about it, okay?"

"Anything for the kids," Blaine said sincerely, already thinking where he could use live music.

"Perfect," Will clapped his hands excitedly. "See you tomorrow?"

"Definitely. I'll think about the musical numbers and ask my kids if they would be up for that," Blaine promised. "I'll let you know after the class."

"Seriously?" Will looked at him questioningly. "It's up to you, not the kids."

"I'm all for it, but first I want to know what they think," Blaine explained. "They are the stars of the play so it's their opinion that counts the most. You have my vote though."

"Well, thanks," the man hesitated and walked away, "bye."

"Later," Blaine said and finally exited the school with no interference. Kurt was already waiting for him. "Hey there," Blaine said as soon as he got into the car.

"Hi. What do you have there?" Kurt asked, pointing at the bag.

"Beth made me this mug, look," Blaine said and gave it to Kurt, who inspected the mug instantly.

"What a perfect bribe," he said with a teasing smile.

"What? No, I don't think so. She's too little for these things," Blaine frowned. Beth wouldn't think of something like that.

"Just joking," Kurt said and gave him back the mug.

"You are a horrible person, Hummel," Blaine pouted, putting the mug back into the bag for a safer ride.

"And yet you want to be with me. What does that say about you?" Kurt asked him innocently.

"That I'm crazy?" Blaine offered.

"Hm, I like your craziness," Kurt challenged, leaning a little towards him.

"Oh yeah?" Blaine asked, getting closer to the man. Just close enough for a kiss.

"Yeah," Kurt breathed before pecking his lips. "We should continue someplace else, preferably where your colleagues aren't goggling us."

"What?" Blaine asked a little disorientated. Kurt pointed at a man, who was unlocking the car in front of theirs. "Sheldon is cool. But, you are right. We should restrain from making out in a kindergarten car park."

"Home?" Kurt asked when he started the engine.

"Oh shit, no, I forgot… I messed up," he said guiltily. "I might have told Puck that Kurt was picking me up. It will look suspicious if I come home with you almost immediately after he and Beth are back."

"So, do you have any suggestions?"

Blaine thought for a moment. "What if we had an early dinner somewhere?" he asked. "Our date has been cancelled on Saturday after all."

"Why is it cancelled?" Kurt asked, eyeing Blaine almost accusatorily. "Don't you want to go out with me anymore?"

"Of course I do, silly," Blaine laughed. "It's just that we are going to Artie and Sugar's lake house for the weekend."

"We are?"

"Yes, we are."