Okay guys, please read the author's note before you delve into this one: So I am in the firm opinion that in BatB that Belle loved the Beast as he was and would have been okay being with him in a romantic relationship if he had never transformed. I am trying to set up the same premise here. Blaine obviously likes Kurt but he needs to get used to the idea of considering him as a partner before they progress. Part of this is Blaine being okay with Kurt as he is, fur and all. So that was how I wrote Blaine, caring more about who Kurt is than what he appears to be. If that plot line will upset you, then you have been warned. If you have questions then I can try my best to answer them via PM without going into spoilers.
HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to my beta, GleekMom, without whom this chapter would have been a mess.
One drawback of living in an enchanted home, Blaine found there was rarely time for moments of privacy. He was aching to finish the book from Trent he had begun, but any time he tried to read, someone was around, usually asking about his book or demanding his help. And the book wasn't all. He found it awkward changing his clothes in front of Rachel, no matter how many assurances she gave him that she was not peeking. He did not wish to constantly be in the bathing room, lest Kurt need it. And though he loved his music room, he often found himself inspired to play there more than anything else, especially if Kurt was listening. He had even taken to singing to Kurt, though no amount of persuasion could get Kurt to sing along, let alone by himself. Finally, on a night when he had heard Kurt say he was going to retire early, Blaine decided to seize the opportunity to lock himself in the bath, and finish his book.
Like immersing himself into the warm bath water after a long day of work, Blaine once more immersed himself in the tale of Aaron and Carson. He read with a certain longing when Carson finally admitted his love for Aaron and he came to the end with a satisfied sigh and a smile on his face as the author hinted of marriage and perhaps even children for them in a future story. Though Blaine himself would love a husband, and did adore children, he was not sure if he wished for any himself any time soon. He knew that he would love being a father, but he first wanted to find love, someone to raise a child with. Love and marriage first, then his thoughts could turn to finding a child to make a complete family.
The thought of finding love, finding a man who would love him, sent a shudder through his body and his heart began to race. He hadn't taken care of himself since the day he had come to the manor, nearly a month prior, and he felt much neglected. The last part of his story had not helped, depicting yet another carnal act of love between the two men. If Blaine closed his eyes, he could vividly imagine having a lithe young male ride him like a stallion, being able to do nothing but hang on until their pleasure crested. Blaine took his time, the bath still blissfully warm, stroking his neck and chest with both hands, tweaking his nipples until they pebbled, growing sensitive at every lap of the generous bubbles he had poured in the tub.
He continued his trek, smoothing his palms down his stomach, grasping at his hips as he imagined a lover might, digging his thumbs into his deeply grooved hipbones. His thighs quivered as his nails ran up and down, closing in on his cock as they went. Finally, he grasped himself loosely in hand, giving a slow tug, familiarizing himself with his old friend. His left hand traveled back up his body as the right ever so slowly increased his pace. Finally he took a firm grasp on his curls, giving a bit of a tug, something he had done unintentionally once when he was younger and found it brought him to the brink faster than anything else.
As his pulse became frantic and his hand flew over himself, Blaine tried to imagine that phantom figure writhing in ecstasy above him. He would be tall, long limbed and pale. His hair would flop about his face, drenched in sweat. But when Blaine pictured the eyes, the eyes that he was sure would be filled with love and lust for him, all he could see was glasz eyes...Kurt's eyes. Oh god, he was picturing Kurt, how he may look as a human man. He had seen pictures of Kurt as a young boy, though few portraits remained unscathed from Kurt's admitted temper tantrums after he was first cursed, so he could easily picture what he should have looked like now.
What surprised Blaine more than anything was that this fantasy was doing little to stem his arousal, and in fact, he found himself even closer to the edge than before. Of course he cared for Kurt, they were friends. But to imagine him in some state which he could never be, and as an object of lust felt like a betrayal. He shook his head, and tried to erase the image, continuing to stroke himself. But when he closed his eyes again, determined to fantasize about someone as far removed from human Kurt as possible, his imagination was suddenly full of Kurt as he was, beastly and strong, covered in fur, and never before had Blaine wondered how far down the fur went. His powerful muscles that could easily hold Blaine down and do as he wanted with him. How his eyes would shine if they were to...
Blaine could feel his toes curling, his pleasure peaking and spilling out as he gave a final tug to his curls. He quickly covered his mouth to prevent the whole manor from hearing his moans and cries. He shook, the release seeming never ending and almost blinding. When he finally slumped and the ripples finished working their way through his body, he opened his eyes. It had been the best orgasm he had ever felt in his lifetime, but part of him was deeply disturbed. How could he think of his friend like that? And why had it helped him find release? Who knew he would find pleasure in someone that though human in spirit was not in form? Deciding it was too late to contemplate any of this, Blaine quickly stepped out of the tub, draining the water, and dried himself off before dressing quickly and scurrying off to bed.
Meanwhile, in his own room, Kurt sat upon his bed, thrumming with arousal. Why in the world had he asked the mirror to show him Blaine? Why on earth had he kept watching? And why oh why did he not know how to make this blasted problem go away? He found it difficult to seek his own pleasure in this form, so he was always left wanting whenever he felt this way. Kurt whimpered, curled himself up into a ball, and hoped he would soon find himself in a dreamless sleep, waking to a world where he did not feel like a peeping Tom, and where his best friend did not look even more gorgeous out of his clothes, bringing himself to the cusp of pleasure, than he did when greeting him fully dressed in the morning.
Blaine awoke in the middle of the night, his fantasies from the previous evening rushing back to him. He wondered if it was wrong of him to become aroused at the thought of Kurt, who for all intents and purposes, resembled an animal. No other beast had affected him this way, so why now? He rationalized that the physical was never the most important aspect in attraction for him; it was a person's wit, kindness, humour. Blaine had previously been attracted to a man's intellect and personality, which led to him finding them more visually pleasing. Certainly Kurt, should he ever resume human form, would indeed be handsome. And Blaine knew that he would not hesitate to pursue that man...so why should some fur stop him?
No, he was Kurt's friend, and he could not ruin what they already had by wanting more, especially when he doubted Kurt would even want the same. Blaine resolved they should stay friends, and he willed his mind not to think on the matter again. He turned over, finally able to sleep, knowing with his last conscious moment that this was not the last he would think on the matter, regardless of his resolution not to.
When the next day dawned, both men silently held onto their confusion and embarrassment about the previous night's events, though neither knew the others' deeds or thoughts. Blaine was struggling to look Kurt in the eye. Kurt was blushing, avoiding Blaine's gaze. To say the least, the morning meal was a quiet and awkward one and both worried about the others silence. Blaine was finally the first to crack. "Kurt, what's wrong? You won't even look at me this morning, and I'm worried I may have done something to upset you. Please?"
Kurt turned even more red, noticeable even through the fur covering his face. He stammered out something quiet, but all Blaine could hear was "...I saw you."
"You saw me what?" Blaine asked, utterly confused.
Kurt bowed his head. "Last night. In the bath," Kurt admitted softly, his face flaming up in blush. "I didn't mean to, I really didn't! But I did see you, and I… I'm really sorry."
"Oh." Blaine's cheeks flushed crimson as Kurt's words sunk in. He must have been too far gone to even notice Kurt's intrusion. He was never more grateful that he had covered his mouth, instead of crying out Kurt's name. Still, he was an adult, he'd lived with his brother all his life, it wasn't like he was a total stranger to this painful awkwardness. "Well I won't say it's okay, because we both deserve our privacy, but you couldn't have known what I was doing in there when you opened the door. It's not like you meant to walk in on me. But we're both guys, we have urges, and well, sometimes we need to take care of them ourselves. So yeah. No need to apologize, I say we forget it."
Kurt couldn't help but still feel guilty knowing his spying had been entirely intentional and not some innocent accident. Which was made even worse by Blaine's casual assumptions. "I um…I actually don't know the first thing about any of that, so that might be a bit more difficult for me," he replied uneasily.
Blaine looked astounded. Had none of the servants, who were all adults for the most part, taken Kurt aside and explained his body to him? Going through puberty, especially in the form he was in now must have been terrifying. This also meant that Kurt had no one like Trent explain the ins and outs of sex to him, and he was sure that there were no books on the subject in the manor, he had checked over the entire library. Anything like that was likely put away for when he was older, and goodness knows where it might have ended up over the years, especially since their renovations. He wondered how Kurt would feel if he offered to take on the responsibility.
"Do you want me to teach you?" he asked carefully. "I mean, I have never been with anyone either, but I've had it explained to me. So I can tell you what I know, what others have said and try to answer any questions you may have. It's probably best you have someone to ask about this kind of stuff rather than get taken advantage of your first time out there." If Kurt took him up on it, Blaine would have to be careful to safeguard his heart. But the idea of Kurt getting hurt because he'd been too caught up in his own feelings to help would break his heart even more.
Kurt looked at Blaine, his mouth gaping. The offer could only spell disaster, having the object of his affections explain all the ins and outs of physical love. It would create dark fantasies in his mind, and he did not trust his beastly instincts not to act on them right now, the image of Blaine pleasuring himself still fresh in his mind. Still, the offer was very tempting. "Maybe not now? Later tonight after we've had time to process, sit by the fire and talk like we're used to?"
Blaine smiled. That would give him time to think of what to say, time to remember what Trent had told him, what had made him less afraid. He'd have to check and see if he still had the book explaining the basics, so at least Kurt could read that on his own. It was a good plan. "Agreed."
Later that evening both men, full of their evening meal, sat nervously in front of the living room fire, which for now burned low, in difference to the chill in the air. Blaine sat on a cushion regarding Kurt, who looked like he would rather be anywhere else than where he was. "Okay, well, umm, this may be difficult for the both of us, but we're going to get through it together and come out being better friends, and better men for doing it. This is just between us, no shame, no judgment, and if at any time you want to stop we just stop, okay?"
Kurt gave an almost tiny whisper, "Okay."
"Did Elliot or someone give you tutelage about the changes your body would go through when you started reaching maturity?" Blaine asked, wondering how technical he needed to get. If Kurt had no idea what was happening to his body then Blaine knew he would be out of his depth.
"I had a governess, Shannon whom you have already met. Before all this..." Kurt gestured at himself "happened, she taught me of the changes I would go through, moot as they are in this form. She also explained how a child is formed, from what knowledge we have. I promptly informed her that I had no interest in engaging with any women in that way, but thanked her for the weeks of nightmares that talk gave me," he concluded with a grimace, while Blaine tried to hide his smirk, remembering his own similar reaction to that knowledge.
"It is only the relations between two men that you are unaware of then?" Blaine asked, and Kurt gave a small nod.
Blaine looked up at the ceiling, asking for strength from whatever force could give it. He then opened his satchel unearthing the old tome Trent had given him many years previous. "So this is I guess a guide on the different forms of sex one can have. It ranges from men and women to women with women and men with men. I know you said you only like boys, so I marked the page where that section starts. You can read that part yourself, and then we can talk or you can ask any questions. It's very friendly, it explains everything in a way that should be easy to follow, but really, I had a lot of questions the first time I read it, so don't be afraid if you do as well."
Kurt took the book with a shaking paw, clutching it to his chest. "Are we done?" he asked.
Blaine smirked at him. "I wish it were that easy. I don't know much about how this can affect two people who do it together. I know that when I first started...becoming aware of what my body liked, it was hard to stop. I imagine if you were to do similar activities with someone you cared for it would be much the same. Just don't get lost in your own pleasure, orgasms are great and all, but life outside of them can exist as well."
Kurt looked embarrassed but intrigued. His form had never really lent itself to him finding his own pleasure, he was always afraid to harm himself or that it was wrong in some way. Elliot had tried talking to him several times but he had not wanted to hear it. He suspected Blaine would ask him questions, so he was determined to put aside his own reservations and at least glance through the book. He looked at Blaine who was a bit red in the face, but smiling, trying to look comforting. "Anything else?" Kurt inquired.
Blaine let out another breath, his curls shaking when he did so. "I got all this information from my friend Trent, he and his husband have been together longer than we've been alive, so he was an invaluable resource to me. However, I only know what I know because he was kind enough to talk to me. He is one of the few people in the world who even knows I like men. He told me that I should try everything, see what I liked, but it will always be better with feelings. I have seen from watching Cooper that this is true. Many of the girls he's charmed he didn't truly care for, and thus, they were hurt. I suppose as long as both people go into it knowing what to expect. I want to find someone who cares for me first, even if it's not forever, just to have that someone who will not judge me, and love me for at least some time."
Kurt smiled, and then looked despondent. "Blaine, this is all well and good, but as I am, no man will ever want to touch me, let alone lie with me. Even after we destroy the law decreeing such relations illegal. And besides, I haven't even had my first kiss, so it's a bit early to be worrying about sex."
Blaine regarded him, wishing with all his heart he could give Kurt that first kiss he so desired. But he knew he would hurt his own heart, his mind still confused with his fantasies from the night before, or ruin their friendship. But the fact that he had the urge to kiss Kurt, even as he was, cleared up some jumbled thoughts in his mind, and figured he at least could do one thing for his friend. He leaned in, giving Kurt plenty of time to pull back if he wanted to, then placed a small kiss on his cheek. Blaine blushed as he drew back. Kurt sucked in a breath as he did.
"I know that's not what you meant," Blaine said shyly, "but you deserve a bit of kindness in your life Kurt. And the second we figure out how to bring the Council down, I bet you we can reverse this curse. So then if your first kiss is truly terrible, you have this memory to count towards it instead." Kurt didn't say anything but the smile on his face encouraged Blaine.
Blaine declared it was time he turned it and told Kurt to read the book with a mocking glare before waving good night. Kurt just sat there, a paw to his cheek, a smile of amazement on his face.
'He kissed me!' his mind screamed, and hope sprung eternal.
Tina sat herself down at the large dining table at the Clarington estate. This was the first time she had ever been inside Hunter's home, despite the fact that he had been courting her for the better part of a month. Her name day was fast approaching, and her parents had given up all pretense of being subtle, demanding she either settle on Hunter or another groom or else she would be disowned without title or dowry. They were not cruel people, her parents, but despite Hunter's abolishment of the law tying marriage to inheritance, it remained custom in the Chang family. Tina understood, her own father had been threatened to be disowned without honour had he not upheld the tradition, and she did quite care for Hunter, but part of her heart still belonged to Blaine. It didn't matter that he had gone over to the next town to teach, or so Cooper said, or that she could not extract his exact location from Cooper, no matter how much she tried, it was still hard to let go.
The doors to the room swung open, and Hunter entered, his numerous servants all following, laying out golden plates covered in foreign delicacies, and pouring wine into crystal goblets. A basket overflowing with freshly baked bread, steam still rising, was placed at the center. Hunter lifted his glass to toast her. Tina did the same and they both primly ate the food laid out before them until naught but crumbs were left.
As the servants set out fruit and a pudding for dessert, Hunter struck up conversation. "I am sorry to have kept you waiting my dear. Business with my supporters, we are preparing for the eventuality that Lord Hummel may not assume his position. His name day is in mere weeks, and there has been no word from him about his plans."
Tina just smiled. "It is alright. Though now that you mention name days...mine is next week. I was wondering if you were planning to set aside some time for me?" she asked as she fluttered her eyelashes, looking as coy as she could.
Hunter looked aghast. "As if I could forget your name day! My sweet you wound me with such accusations! I have the whole day devoted just to you. In fact...I have even gotten one of your presents early, if you would like it now."
Tina bounced in her chair, uncaring if it was not proper for a lady to do so. "Oh yes! Yes please!"
Hunter smiled, and came around to her side. Dropping to his knees, he gathered her hands into his palm. "Tina my darling, I wish to give you my heart. My home, my everything. I wish for you to be my wife. If you agree, this will all be yours. Please agree Tina." He pulled out a ring, a terribly large diamond glittering from the gold band, and Tina gasped.
She looked around the room, noting the many fine touches, admiring the wonderful home that she could call her own if she agreed. As much as her heart would never truly be Hunter's, she did not wish to refuse him. But perhaps...her mind schemed up a plan, and she finally brought her gaze back to the anxious Hunter. "I will agree to be your intended. However, after my name day celebrations, I wish to go make one last plea of my case to Blaine. If he truly does not love me, I will become your wife and never more will you hear his name leave my lips. If he gives any hint of hope for us, then I will ensure he becomes mine. I do care for you Hunter, but until Blaine tells me that my heart will never be his, it is."
Hunter grimaced, unable to keep his displeasure off his face. Blaine, still. He had resorted to having Santana's minions spread rumours of Blaine finding other women where he was, of leaving a long string of broken hearts behind. None of these rumours seemed to reach Tina. Every time Santana questioned her minion, Dottie, she still sang Blaine's praises insisting that he broke hearts only because he was realizing he could not live without Tina. Of course, Hunter was also mentioned, but never in such glowing terms. But he could do nothing to bring down Hummel until after Tina's day regardless, so he had until then to find some way to finally destroy Blaine, and then she would finally be his.
"My dear, my heart is fully yours, and I wish that yours would give itself to me as well. But if it means I only have to wait a mere week or so, then I shall. We will announce our intentions, and if you cannot make him see reason, we will have the biggest wedding Lima has ever seen. Until then, I will woo you even further in hopes that you will forget this foolish boy who does not see your true worth."
At the end of the evening, Hunter sent Tina home with his ring, telling her he would call on her the next day to tell her parents they intended to wed. He kissed her hand and placed her in the carriage home, waving until she was out of sight. Finally he let his scowl paint his features. "Santana!" he yelled out.
Santana had been watching the whole debacle play out from the wings, trying to keep her laughter at bay. Old Lord ButtMunch had just been given the worst possible yes to a proposal ever, and Santana relished his suffering. Tina had heard the word no come from Blaine numerous times, had outright stated he had no intentions with her outside friendship, but the girl seemed to go deaf when these things were uttered. Santana wondered if the news of Tina's engagement would change his mind or if Blaine intended to thank every deity under the sun for being spared any more attentions from Tina. She painted a serious face on and stepped out. "Yes my lord?"
"You said that Blaine had an idiot brother?" Hunter questioned, his eyes full of flames.
"Yeah, Cooper. Renowned for breaking women's hearts and promises. Why?" Santana asked.
"I want you to bring him to me, I do not care how, but have him here before the sun rises or your neck will be on the line!" Hunter screamed, and Santana went running.
Hunter yanked on his hair, upset his style, and not caring. He was done fooling around. If this idiot of a brother of Blaine's did not give him ammunition to be used, then he would have him put in town square in the stockades for all to see. That would draw the boy out, and Hunter would banish them both, decry them for treason, anything just to get this blasted obstacle out of his way.
It was hours later, Hunter finally calming himself with a large drink of scotch before Santana appeared once more. Hunter's guards followed her as she held aloft a man in a drunken stupor. "Here you go boss, one lightly pickled Anderson brother, as requested. Now, I am going to bed as I had to spend far too much time in this idiot's company to get him this sloshed, and am tired."
Hunter raised the man's head, taking in his messy brown hair and dulled blue eyes. He looked at the guards and motioned for them to take the drunkard to the dungeon to be dealt with in the morning.
A splash of water awoke Cooper as the crowing of a rooster was heard. "Whas goin' on?" he asked, speech coming out a bit slurred, head pounding. He knew entering a drinking contest with Santana was a bad idea, but she had offered to let bygones be bygones and Cooper desperately wanted one less person to dislike him in this town. He looked around but all he could see was blackness, guessing he was potentially blindfolded, having undergone the situation before, but in much more pleasant circumstances. He took stock of his body but all he could feel was his limbs restrained in an x formation, hard timber at his back.
"Good morning Mister Anderson," a voice said and he tried unsuccessfully to twist against his restraints to see to whom it belonged. "I would assume this is the first time you've woken up restrained like this, but I have heard tales you've quite the way with the ladies, so who knows what proclivities they may have suggested once you turned your charms on them. Now, this is going to be very simple. I have a bit of a vendetta against your brother, you see. He is standing between me and well, a lot of things I want. So I need to destroy him. Or discredit him, anything to lower him enough that the people who value him no longer do so and come over to my way of thinking. So you can cooperate and help me in this endeavor, or we can make things very uncomfortable for you."
"Who's there? What's going on?" Cooper shouted into the darkness. "What in the world do you have against Blaine? He's a sweet guy, would never hurt anyone!" He struggled to loosen his restraints but every pull only made them grow tighter. The silence was deafening so Cooper continued to shout. "I'm not going to do anything to hurt my brother. He's supported me his entire life, so you can do what you want, you'll get nothing out of me!"
"Oh Mister Anderson, that is where you are so, so wrong," the voice said, turning malicious as a whip struck Cooper across the ribs. Cooper's scream of pain rang out across the dungeon.
As the day drew on, the torture continued. Hunter questioned Cooper, who refused to give up anything on Blaine, and was subsequently whipped or flogged. By the time the sun was setting, Cooper was covered in whip marks, some that had started to bleed, others just bruised. He had not been given food or water all day, and was still tied up, making it very hard to fall asleep when he finally had been left alone. He was trying his best not to cry with the pain of it all when a kind sounding female voice came from what Cooper supposed was the next cell. "He's not going to let up you know. He will get what he wants or he will kill you. He cares not for your life, only for winning. Lord Hunter wants to bring down your brother, so he will. Trust me, he wanted to bring down my girlfriend, and he did. Now she serves him and I've been living as his prisoner as a bargaining chip for almost a month."
Cooper looked up, though he was still blindfolded. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Could it really be Lord Hunter, as in Lord Hunter Clarington, the Lord Magistrate, that had him tied and tortured in his dungeon for no reason that he could deduce. "I would give my life for Blaine. Clarington won't break me," he said, trying his best to sound resolved.
"You think that now," the girl said sadly. "Wait until you've been here a few more days. We all break. And do you really think your brother wants your life on his conscious? Your blood on his hands? Hunter will not fail to gloat to him that you died for him, and none would believe their lord capable of such misdeeds, so he would get away with it. Just trust me and co-operate. Sitting in the cell with a meal and movement is much better than being strung up starving. Trust me, I know."
Cooper sighed and tried to sleep once again. He would find a way out of this. Or he would give up his life to save his brother. One way or another, he would not fail.