Once Blaine's crying calmed a little, he realized he didn't recognize this as one of the parts of the castle he was allowed to go into. "Where are you taking me?" He asked through his sniffles.
"To my suit, now hush." Kurt instructed. When they arrived in front of a tall wooden door, Kurt opened it and helped Blaine inside. He led Blaine over to the bed to lay down.
"No, I mustn't." Blaine protested.
"You will do as I tell you." Kurt helped Blaine into the large bed before scurrying off to the bathroom and dampening a cloth for Blaine's head. When he returned, he sat beside Blaine and leaned over to dap the cloth to Blaine's forehead.
"The prince doesn't have time to tend to a lowly peasant, such as myself, please, I just need to go to my room and sleep it off."
"First, though I am the prince, it doesn't mean I am incapable of taking care of my people, and so I will take care of you. Next, you're not going back to that room, father and I will figure out something else for you. But for tonight, you will stay here." Blaine tried to open his mouth to protest. "And don't even try to argue, now is not the time." Blaine closed his mouth again. "I know you might not want to talk about it, but if you do, know that I will listen, and I would like to hear the truth from you." Blaine took a deep, shaky breath and recounted the story, by the end, Blaine was crying again. Kurt pulled Blaine to him in a hug, which Blaine didn't fight, and whispered, "Don't worry, you will never see him again, I swear, I will protect you. Always."
Blaine was in awe. Could this really be the same prince who had been so rude to him, and then kissed him? This prince was kind, self-sacrificing, and loving. This prince is one that Blaine wouldn't mind working for. Kurt slowly pulled out of the hug and helped Blaine low down. "Now, try to get some rest, I will be right here if you need me, okay?"
"You're sure this is okay?" Blaine asked.
"I make the rules around here, don't I? Now hush, sleep. I won't leave you." With that Blaine closed his eyes and rolled onto his side.
Sometime later there was a soft knock on the door, Blaine woke as the weight of the bed shifted and he assume Kurt went to answer the door, but he kept his eyes closed. "How is he?" He heard the king ask.
"You knew I brought him in here?" Kurt seemed shocked.
The king laughed. "You're my son, remember? I would have been surprised if you hadn't. But honestly, how is he?"
Kurt sighed. "He just fell asleep, by that Sebastian boy really did a number on him. Saying something like 'he was going to take what was his,' I'll explain the story to you later, father. But I'm worried about him. I care for the boy; I don't ever want to see him hurt. And to know that I couldn't protect him today…"
"Kurt, no one is blaming you for what happened today. The one at fault is currently sitting in a cell in the dungeons. I'm proud of you for taking care of our young Blaine. The crown will stand by him."
"Thank you, father. Oh, I was also thinking that perhaps it would be wise not to have him return to that room, it may be traumatic for him."
"Then what do you suggest? There aren't anymore servants' rooms left." The king said, a hint of knowing in his voice.
"Well, father, this is a large castle, and we have too many rooms for just me on this floor and you the floor above, so I was thinking perhaps he could stay on this floor. That way I can keep an eye on him." Kurt offered.
"You truly care for this boy that much? Would this explain your disappearances in the mornings and why you pushed to have him sing for me when normally you wouldn't be bothered by such things?" The King asked, but there was no judgement in his voice, only compassion.
"Please father, now is not the time." Kurt deadpanned.
"Does he care for you that much?" The King asked softly, so softly that Blaine almost didn't hear it.
"No, he doesn't. He doesn't think much of me, if I'm honest. But that won't stop me from protecting him with my life." Blaine's heart hurt for Kurt. Kurt was openly telling his father all this, and he heard how hurt Kurt sounded. The part that hurt the most for Blaine was that Kurt wasn't wrong. Kurt had been rude, and demanding, and selfish, never one considering Blaine when Kurt kissed him, or when he paid Blaine and his family a visit. But this Kurt, the open, honest, and kind Kurt is who Blaine felt sorry for. That Kurt didn't deserve to be hated by the one he cares for. Then, it hit Blaine, Kurt was openly talking about caring for a man, not a woman, and the King was treating it like it was an everyday thing, like it didn't matter, male or female, what mattered was true emotions.
"I will make the arrangements for his things to be moved to the room down the hall on the left, if…" The King stopped, which grabbed both Kurt's and Blaine's full attention.
"If?" Kurt parroted.
"If you never stop protecting the one you care for." At that, Blaine heard the door close, and footsteps shuffle back towards the bed. The pressure changed as Kurt lay down on the far end of the bed. He leaned over to look at Blaine's face.
"With my life." Kurt whispered, then kissed Blaine's forehead, then rolled over and fell asleep.
The next morning Blaine woke up to see Kurt leaning over him, pressing a damp cloth to his forehead. "How are you feeling?" Kurt asked sweetly.
"Better, thanks to the kindness of the prince." Blaine replied.
"There's no need to thank me." Kurt said as he leaned back a bit. "And my name is Kurt, you should learn to use it."
"Yes, well. I'm sure you're busy so I will just return to my room downstairs." Blaine definitely didn't want to say anything to suggest he overheard the conversation between the prince and king last night.
"Wait." Kurt said as Blaine stood from the bed. Kurt stood and walked over to him. "There are two things I want to talk to you about." He paused for a moment, then went on in. "First, father and I have arranged for you to stay up here, this way you are better protected."
"I appreciate that, I do, but I mustn't…"
"You will stay up here that way I can keep a close eye on you. Which brings me to my next point. If something happens, big or small, I want you to find me right away and tell me. I don't care if I'm meeting with diplomats, you will find me, and tell me. Won't you?" Kurt had never looked so honestly innocent in his life. This prince is the one I wish I knew. Blaine thought.
"Your Highness I.."
"Kurt." He interjected.
"Fine then, Kurt, I really don't think that's necessary. You are the prince; I shouldn't be troubling you with my life."
"You are no trouble to me; you never will be. Just tell me if something happens, okay?"
Blaine sigh. "Fine."
"Good, now let me show you to your room." Kurt walked out the door and down the hall, not too far though as Kurt switch it from the room at the end of the hall, to the room right next door. It took Blaine a moment to process as he recalled what the king had said last night.
"Why this room? Aren't there other rooms? I wouldn't want to be a hindrance when the prince wants to be alone."
"The closer you are," Kurt turned to look Blaine dead in the eyes, "the more I can protect you. You are not a hindrance, don't think for a second that you are. I brought you here, and so I will protect you. You have my word on that." Kurt then opened the door and walked in, Blaine just stood still and stared at Kurt bewildered. He really does care about me so much. And I—I think I care about this prince, a little more than I should. "I know it's not as big as my suits, but I hope it will do you well." Kurt then looked over to see Blaine still standing on the other side of the door. "Well, are you going to come in, or stand there all day?" Blaine walked up to Kurt, cupped his cheek, and kissed him for all he was worth.
