"I promised…" he gasped breathlessly, "that I would protect you. And I intend to keep the damn promise. Forever."

"But why?"

"Because you're my boy. Because from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew that I wanted you, I needed you, that every drop of blood in my body had been made to pulse through my veins for you forever, that my soul belonged only to you. Don't you remember our claiming day, where I knelt in front of you and looked you in the eye, told you everything I loved about you, and then asked you to be mine?"

Blaine blinked at his Dom, his eyes misty with tears. "Of course, I do, sir. How could I ever forget?"

"Then why do you question why I want to protect you? Why I need to keep my promise?"

Bowing his head, Blaine whispered, "Because I don't deserve protection. I'm not worthy of your promises, sir."

It was those two words… "Deserve… Worthy…" that tipped Kurt off to exactly what he needed to do, what his boy needed from him. Rising from the floor where they'd both been kneeling, Blaine on the bare wood and Kurt on a pillow, Kurt held out a hand to his sub. "Up."

Raising his head, Blaine gave his Dom a confused expression. "Sir, I tho—"

"Up," Kurt repeated.

Wordlessly, Blaine took his hand, pulling himself to his feet and bowing his head once more in deference to his Dom. He didn't know where they were going when Kurt led him away from the living room, but his stomach tensed anyway, anxious about what was to come. He knew he deserved it, yet…

Kurt led him to the bedroom and gently pushed him back on the bed, laying him out just like he liked him so he could see every beautiful part of sub's naked body. He pressed each of his ankles and wrists into the bed with a kiss, whispering, "Stay," across his skin. Then, he quickly stripped himself and climbed up to sit on the mattress next to his boy, promptly running his fingers through his curls, smiling sadly at him.

The pain in his Dom's eyes tugged at Blaine's heart, and through the curtain of anxiety—warning him, "You're going to be in big trouble. You deserve it. He's going to stop wanting you," urging him to distrust his Dom—he asked, "Are you okay, sir? I-I'm sorry I made you sad."

In response, Kurt leaned down and covered Blaine's lips with his own, kissing him softly but assuredly with long, slow drags of his mouth across his boy's. When he pulled back, he said, "You didn't make me sad, my darling boy. I made myself sad."

"Sir? I don-don't understand."

"How long have you felt this way? Unworthy and undeserving?"

Blaine shook his head. "I don't want to say, sir. You'll hate me more than you already do."

"And that is exactly what I intend to teach you," Kurt said, his eyes growing misty again, his breathing and words ragged. "I don't hate you, Blaine. I could never hate you. I love you with every ounce of my being, and I have since that night at the bar." With that, he rose, tracing his fingertips down the length of his body until he reached his toes. He began to massage Blaine's left foot, pushing his thumbs along the top, careful of the ticklish bottom.

A soft moan escaped Blaine's lips. He was surprised at how good it felt, even more surprised that Kurt was treating him like this. His anxiety continued to berate him as he watched his Dom. "He's tricking you. Biding his time. This isn't what he's supposed to be doing. You deserve punishment." Finally, he had to ask, as Kurt moved from his right foot to his left ankle and calf, "Sir? Aren't I in trouble? Shouldn't you be pun-punish-punishing me?"

"You're not in trouble. If anyone should be in trouble, it's me."

"Sir, I—"

"Hush." The command was crystal clear in Kurt's voice. His sparkling blue eyes met Blaine's melted honey ones, and there was no mistaking the intensity there. "I know what this is, Blaine. This is your anxiety talking, telling you what you need, keeping you from listening to your Dom. I know what you need. Concentrate on me, on my skin against yours."

"Yes, sir." Blaine didn't stop watching as Kurt continued his massage, moving from his left calf to his right, then back to his left for his thigh and his hip. It was as he was massaging over the muscles in his right hip that Kurt started talking again. That was when Blaine finally closed his eyes, wanting to focus on the sensation of his Dom's hands against his skin and his voice in his ears.

"You know, those words are interesting, 'deserve' and 'worthy.' They can make or break how we feel about any given situation. They can destroy ourselves and our relationships or make them greater." He paused, moving from Blaine's left to his right, trailing his fingertips along his sub's body so he never lost contact with him as he went. "I want those words to improve our relationship, to be building blocks for us. Because…" He bent, pressing a kiss to each of Blaine's nipples. "You are worthy of being protected. You are deserving of my love. And so much more. Which I intend to tell you. All. About." He punctuated his final words with a quick suck to each nipple as well.

Blaine shivered, resisting the urge to move his arms from the place that his Dom had placed them to Kurt's head in a silent plea for more. His cock gave an interested little jump as it began to fill.

Climbing up on the bed, Kurt straddled his boy, leaning over to press his hands against Blaine's wrists, pinning him to the mattress, his own cock responding in kind. "I am going to teach you each and every way that I love you, every reason I love you, every place that I love on you," he whispered, making Blaine squirm. "And when I am done with each one, you're going to tell me how those things make you feel. Do you understand?" He had to struggle to not grind into his boy's hips, reminding himself that Blaine needed this reminder first before he needed sex.

"Yes, sir," Blaine breathed. "What if I—don't know what to say?"

"I think you'll be convinced," Kurt said. "Do you trust me?"

A nod.

"Words. I need to hear that beautiful voice of yours."

"Of course, I trust you, sir."

"Before we start, I want to tell you something, and I want you to listen very carefully to my words. Can you do that?"

"Yes, sir."

"What happened tonight at the queer club was not your fault. You cannot control anyone else's reaction. That sub was way out of line, and their Dom should have put a stop to it instead of following the sub's lead. It doesn't reflect on you."

"Shouldn't I—I mean, I could have—"

Kurt placed a single finger over his sub's lips, waiting for him to look at him. "You were dancing. You had my permission, and I was watching you while I waited for our drinks. It's not your fault that he thought you were flirting with him. You couldn't keep him from bringing his Dom over and trying to—" He shuddered. "You couldn't have done anything differently. You were just being you, and I love that about you. I should have been watching our surroundings. I should have been able to see the way they were watching you, but I was too busy staring at my beautiful boy to notice. I am the one at fault here. Not you. Do you understand?"

"I'm trying, sir. I'm just… Not quite there yet." His brain helpfully supplied, "You should have known. You should be in trouble. Punished."

"Thank you for being honest." He bent and softly kissed his sub's temple. "I know your brain doesn't believe me yet, but I hope your heart does."

"It's trying to."

"Good boy. We're going to start now. Remember, I need you to tell me how each thing I say makes you feel." Kurt sat back, settling against Blaine's massaged thighs and reaching for his right arm. He brought the palm to his lips and brushed a tender kiss there. "I love how your hands tremble when you fight against your bonds, especially the ones you have to visualize, knowing I put you in a position and wanting nothing more than to obey."

"Obedience makes me feel safe," Blaine replied. His voice was strong, more confident than he felt, his gaze meeting his Dom's.

Next, he applied a kiss to each of the fingertips on Blaine's left hand, replacing his right arm where he'd put it before. "I love how your fingers know exactly where to touch to set my skin on fire and make me feel like the most loved man on the planet."

"I know you, and I feel...proud."

Replacing his left arm, Kurt kissed a trail across Blaine's abs, making him tremble. "I love how your body looks wrapped in my scarves, tied up perfectly so I can tease and work you up."

"Bondage makes me feel like I belong. I-I like belonging to you, sir."

"My perfect, perfect Blaine," Kurt whispered, licking and sucking across Blaine's right nipple. He grinned against his sub's skin when Blaine's breath stuttered, and he did his best to not move out of his position, wanting nothing more than to move himself into the path of Kurt's tongue. "I love the way you respond to my touch, the way your body reacts and begs for more of me."

"I feel wanted. I want to be wanted by you, sir." His voice was growing progressively rougher, and his eyes slipped closed. His brain was mercifully quieter, yet not silent. "You should be in trouble. Punished."

Kurt could feel Blaine's cock stirring beneath him, loving the attention the rest of him was receiving, and he couldn't help but smile. He's relaxing. His mind is beginning to let go of his anxiety.

Blaine expected his Dom's next stop to be his left nipple, but Kurt instead slipped a hand beneath his back and pushed a little, prompting him to roll onto his side.

"I love your back. It's one of my favorite things to stare at, so strong." He kissed a line from hip to shoulder blade. "I love the way your muscles flex as you move, the way your skin shines when you're passed out in our bed after a scene. The moon reflects against it so perfectly, kissing you, and it makes me want to take you apart all over again."

"Sometimes I c-can feel your eyes on me, sir. And I feel…adored."

Kurt pushed him back onto his back, moving to his shoulders. "I love how small you are, how you fit perfectly against me, how your shoulders come to just under my arms so I can wrap you up in my body."

"I love to be held by you, sir. I feel complete when we're that way, like you are the other half of me." At that admission, the voice grew even smaller. "Be in trouble. Punished."

This pattern of kissing and admission went on for quite some time, Kurt finding as many places as he could to kiss and lick and praise his sub beneath him. A series of kisses to his lips, eyes, and hair: "I love to kiss your lips, to taste you, to hear the whispers and the moans and the words that come from between them, to watch them grow red and slick from our kisses. I love the honey-color of your eyes, how I can read each and every emotion as it washes over you, how they're a window to the truth inside of you. I love your hair, how it sticks to your head with sweat when we scene, how it flutters softly against your forehead when you sleep, how I can wrap my hands in it and feel how soft it is at any moment."

"Kissing you makes me feel loved. My heart flutters, and I get butterflies, just for an instant. I feel known when I look into your eyes, like I don't have to hide anything because you see me. When you pet my hair or wrap your hands in it, I feel content, like everything is as it should be." It was growing harder and harder for Blaine to speak as the emotions and the want inside of him collided. He knew what his Dom was doing, and he wanted to tell him how much he appreciated it, how much he needed it. He knew, could feel inside himself, a little piece of him that didn't believe his Dom, though, a little piece that still thought he could have prevented it somehow. It was still trying to convince him that he wasn't deserving of all the love his Dom was pouring out on him, wasn't worthy of the promises of protection and care.

Kurt scooted down Blaine's legs until he was sitting at his feet, beginning to press a series of kisses over the areas he'd massaged. "I love the way you move your hips when you dance, as though you're beckoning me. I love the way your thighs tremble as you struggle to hold your position. I love to see you on your knees; submission is beautiful on you."

"I feel desired. I feel trusted and empowered. I feel proud of my submission to you, sir. I want you to be proud of me, too." His cock was standing fully at attention now, and he wanted his Dom more than he had words to express. Still, there was a part of him that wasn't ready yet. "Trouble. Punished."

Moving up his body again, careful to avoid brushing their hard cocks together—though he certainly wanted to, hard and aching and needing now—Kurt kissed his sub's head from temple to temple. It wasn't time for pleasure yet. He still had to work his sub through the rest of his pain. "I love your brain. You are the smartest, most intelligent man I've ever met. You show me how strong you are every day when you wake up and fight against all the things your brain wants you to believe so that you can find your peace and happiness. You are doing so well, and I am so incredibly proud of you."

"I-I-I—" He wanted to respond. He wanted to tell his Dom how that made him feel. "Obey." He could feel his Dom's words working on that tiny part of him, and suddenly, responding seemed like too much. "Mezzoforte."

Instantly, Kurt moved to sit beside him instead of leaning over him. "Talk to me. Tell me what you need."

Blaine struggled, opening and closing his mouth for a moment before managing to get out, "Can't. Words. Too-too much."

Kurt's concern softened to an understanding smile. "It's okay. You've been such a good boy for me, replying to everything I say. I am so proud of you. Thank you. Now, all you need to do is listen. And feel. Can you do that?"

"Yes, sir." His voice was small and choked with emotion.

"My good, good boy," Kurt soothed, patting his hair. "Where are you now?"

"Fortissimo."

So, Kurt climbed back over Blaine, straddling him again down by his knees. He placed a hand under Blaine's ass, pushing at him again, wanting him to roll onto his side. When he could finally reach, he pressed several kisses to Blaine's ass, spreading his cheeks and flicking his tongue ever so lightly across his hole. "I love how you're always ready for me, so eager to be filled up and taken.I love your ass, so round and perfect and inviting." He bit down lightly on one cheek for a moment, hoping Blaine understood just what his ass did to his Dom.

He pressed Blaine's hip back to the mattress then, moving to suck one of his balls into his mouth. He knew that it was going to be difficult for Blaine not to move during this part, but he hoped his boy would be able to do it. The payoff, he knew, would be worth it.

At finally getting some attention where he'd been wanting it for quite a while, Blaine's hips arched up off the bed, his cock bobbing and seeking what his balls were currently getting. He moaned, low and needy, trying to hold on to the sensation of his Dom's mouth on him; he knew it wouldn't last long.

With some pressure, Kurt forced his sub's hips back to the bed, quickly sucking the other ball into his mouth for a moment before trailing kisses up the vein of Blaine's cock to the tip, then swirling his tongue around the head. "I love your cock, the way you taste, how it only takes a few brushes of my fingers across your skin to make it come to life, the way it looks when it's so hard and ready and begging for me to give it attention." Then, he sunk down on it, sucking once, twice, three times before pulling off again.

Blaine whined louder in need, his hips once again leaving the mattress, searching for his Dom's mouth, the heady feeling of finally, and the pleasure he knew he could get. Kurt hadn't said anything about not orgasming, and Blaine wanted it so badly. He knew, though, what his Dom was going to say. He could feel that he needed him to say it, but his body didn't want to accept that.

"Not yet. Almost. Such a good boy," Kurt whispered as he moved up the bed once again, positioning himself directly over Blaine's heart. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly through pursed lips as he dug deep, finding the words he'd spoken to Blaine two years earlier. Then, he bent and kissed his sub right over his heart, moving back only enough that his voice could be heard, but not enough that his lips left his skin entirely. He wanted Blaine to both hear and feel these words. "Blaine Devon Anderson, I love you with my whole heart, more than life itself. Today, I claim you as my mate, my partner, and my sub. I want to share my entire life with you, each and every moment. I promise you today that I will never leave you. I will always protect you, always want you, always love you, always care for you, and always give you what you need. I won't be perfect, but I will be perfectly yours in every way that I can. I love you, Blaine Anderson. Will you be my submissive to love, cherish, and protect forever?" Then, he pressed his lips to his heart once more.

"Yes." The word was breathless, and something in Blaine told him he wouldn't be in trouble when he let his arms move from their position, wrapping around Kurt's upper arms and pulling him up his body until their lips met in a searing kiss. As their lips moved together, their bodies began to as well, finding a rhythm as they rubbed against one another, hips grinding into one another and hands pressing deeply into skin.

After a few heated minutes, Kurt pulled back, waiting until Blaine's eyes opened to command, "Tell me."

"I-I am deserving. I am worthy."

"Why?"

"Because I'm yours! Because you're my Dom, and I'm your sub. I'm yours."

"My perfect boy."

They kissed again for several long moments, the heat and need and desire building between them until Blaine could no longer stand it. He pushed back on Kurt's shoulders, needing them to separate, needing to breathe so he could plead, "Please, sir. Need you. Want you. Inside."

Kurt shook his head. "I can't, Blaine. I didn't protect you as I said I would. I let you—"

Blaine brought a finger to Kurt's lips. His need for Kurt's cock, for his pleasure, took a backseat for a moment as a different need came to the forefront of his brain, his anxious little voice now mercifully missing. "I don't blame you, sir. You can't see everything coming, and the second they surrounded me, you were there, growling and claiming and protecting me from them. They tried to touch me, tried to kiss me, but you stopped them. They knew in an instant that I was yours. You did protect me. Please, give me—No. Please give us what we need: our connection, to feel complete and whole again. Please, sir."

"How did I get so lucky?" Kurt whispered, kissing Blaine again.

"We're both lucky, sir."

Kurt nodded, fumbling in the drawer for the lube. Once more, he moved back down Blaine's body, settling between his legs this time and hoisting one onto his shoulder. He coated two fingers and began to rub around Blaine's hole, slowly inserting one, then the other, stretching him.

As needy as Blaine was for this, it didn't take long, and he was soon pressing back into Kurt's fingers, wanting more. "Now, sir," he begged. "Need you now."

Kurt nodded, removing his fingers and coating his cock in lube before lining up with Blaine's entrance. "I love you, Blaine Anderson."

"I love you, too, sir," Blaine whispered. He opened his eyes to look into Kurt's crystal blues. "I am deserving of your love. I am worthy of your promises, sir. I am so proud to be yours and only yours."

With a growl of possessiveness, a clear declaration of "Mine!", Kurt pushed into his sub, loving the way his body immediately took him in, pulling at him until he was seated inside the perfect heat of his boy. He began to move, a slow gentle rock for a few beats, then a faster and faster pace until he was pistoning in and out of his sub's body, their moans coming out in tandem with the gentle slap of their bodies meeting. "I promised…" he gasped for breath, "that I would protect you. And I intend to keep the damn promise. Forever." Then, he spilled into Blaine as his sub released at the same moment, their voices melding into a perfect, connected harmony.