After finishing up in the garden Kurt returned to the servants' quarters in the basement of the mansion, clutching Blaine's black coat tightly to his shivering frame. He still couldn't get his head around what Blaine might be thinking. First the young man hadn't even noticed that Kurt had been working there for a year, and second he seemed like one of the most un-prejudiced people Kurt had ever met. As he descended the creaky stairs Kurt's mind drifted back to thoughts and memories of his father, back when he was still alive. Burt had been a terrific father. Despite being poor his father still managed to somehow get the best out of life, urging Kurt by telling him that settling means giving up. It seems like Kurt is simply settling now. Doing exactly what he is told and enduring harsh treatment just to ensure a roof over his head and food in his stomach. His eyes slowly slid closed and a small breath left his lips. Instantly the door before him slammed open to reveal a short, skinny woman. She had white hair and many wrinkles, each wrinkle an indication of every sacrifice and hardship endured in her life. She wore a mean expression as she studied him, but slowly the expression melted into concern. She was the housekeeper.

"Mrs Amaro," He started apologetically. "I am sorry I neglected to empty the chamber pots." She sighed and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Did Mr Anderson do that to you, boy?" She asked, gesturing with one hand to his drenched – and now transparent – shirt. Kurt glanced down and then up. He didn't need to answer her with words. "Come on down, let's get you cleaned up." He nodded and followed her through the doorway. Mrs Amaro was a widowed woman with no children, yet she still proved to be a decent motherly figure to Kurt, Maria and Justin. Maria was a young woman in her early twenties who handled the cooking and cleaning, she was often the person who worked with Mrs Amaro the most. She had been quite reserved at first, but slowly she was able to start opening up and conversing with the other servants. Her long brown hair was pulled up into a tight bun that kept a painted smile on her face whenever called upon by Lady Anderson. Justin was the carriage driver and butler. He would escort new guests to their rooms should they stay over, he would be assigned to care specifically for the guests, and if they had no guests or escorts to make then he would simply help the other servants. He was in his mid-twenties, contrary to Mr Anderson he was not cleanly shaved and appeared to look much older than he was in reality. "Change into that." Kurt turned just in time to catch another white shirt which seemed to have been drying by the small fire they had. Grateful for the warmth he gently hung up Blaine's coat and tore his shirt off his head, replacing it in favour of the warmer shirt.

"Thank you, Mrs Amaro." He said gratefully, causing a respectable nod from the older woman. The woman's eyes settled on the black coat that Kurt had hung up.

"What is that?" She asked as she approached the hook. Kurt watched her.

"Blaine Anderson," He told her, causing her to look startled. "He was with me in one of the empty ballrooms. When Mr Anderson pushed me over and the water spilled Blaine insisted I take his coat." Kurt picked up a bottle of nearby water and took a quick drink of it, careful to leave enough water in it should anyone else choose to be have a drink. Mrs Amaro's expression did not change.

"You must return it immediately!" She said sharply, as though surprised Kurt had even accepted it to begin with.

"I was not going to keep it," He said incredulously, looking back at her. "It was a loan until I could change." Mrs Amaro approached him and gently placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Listen, dear," She began softly. "I am very happy that the young master was kind to you. But you know how it will look if a servant is seen with that coat, it may even get young Blaine in trouble with his parents. He's a good boy that one and he's very rare. They don't have gentlemen like him around anymore." Kurt's eyes became sad; he knew her words were true. She was not speaking to be a critic, or to be cruel. She was telling him the honest truth he needed to hear. She was concerned for him; she was like the mother that Kurt had lost long ago.

"I know," He admitted. "If my father were here now, I bet he would be significantly disappointed with me." Mrs Amaro shook her head.

"No, my dear, he would be very proud indeed," She began, causing Kurt to slowly look her in the eyes. "Life is very hard. But as long as you keep a good heart, as long as you remember your value as a person… then you will never lose yourself."

"We are servants. If one of us dies down here the master will replace us as though we don't matter." He replied dejectedly and matter of factly.

"Oh, that is where you are wrong," She told him with a twinkle in her eyes. "It will matter to me. It will also matter to Maria and Justin. Everyone has at least one person by their side, no matter their status in society. Don't let their prejudice dehumanise you, Kurt, I have never let them do so to me." She gave him an honest smile that contagiously spread to him. He hugged her.

"Thank you," He said as he embraced her. "You would have been an excellent mother." He mumbled gently, causing her to rub his back calmly – just like his mother used to do.

"Is everything alright?" Asked a nearby voice. Kurt parted from Mrs Amaro and saw Justin leaning in the doorframe. Kurt gave him a sheepish smile as he nodded. "Kurt?" Justin and Maria, like Kurt, never really had the chance to stop and talk much. When the three did have a conversation they never said each others names, so it was weird to hear his name come from the voice of yet another person.

"I'm quite alright," He replied with a nod. "Tell me, have the family had their dinner?"

"They finished dining not long before you came back down." He informed him with a nod. Kurt took a deep breath and plucked the coat from the hook. "What're you doing with that?" Justin asked with a puzzled expression.

"I'll fill you in." Mrs Amaro told him. Justin shrugged and let Kurt pass him. Eventually Kurt managed to make it to Blaine's room. He knocked twice on the door and waited patiently.

"Come in." A voice called out from within. Kurt opened the door slightly and slipped inside the room as silently as a ghost, before closing the door again with a soft click. "Kurt?" Blaine was looking at him with mild surprise, after getting over this he gave him a small smile and walked over. Kurt simply walked past him and to the wardrobe, where he grabbed a coat hanger and hung up Blaine's coat.

"Thank you, sir," He said calmly, keeping his eyes on the coat as he hung it up. "For the kindness." He could feel Blaine's eyes burning holes in his back, so he turned around and straightened his back.

"You don't have to thank someone for being kind," Blaine said, walking towards him. "It's human nature." From here Kurt could appreciate just how bright Blaine's hazel eyes were. And his hair, which Kurt could tell was naturally curly, was slick and smooth. That hair gel was practically a prison.

"It should be human nature," Kurt shrugged. A look crossed his face and he seemed to be under the impression that he had forgotten himself in the presence of Blaine. "Oh, forgive me, sir, how rude of me!" He babbled animatedly. Blaine was startled at first but he slowly gave him a warm smile. He put a hand on Kurt's arm, calming him.

"It is quite alright; say whatever you like around me, I do not mind." Kurt sighed in relief and let his shoulders sag slightly. Blaine was really cute, Kurt had to admit. Wait! He can't think that! He internally slapped himself for thinking such things. "Are you okay?" Kurt looked him in the eyes and lost his voice. He simply nodded. Blaine walked over to the window where there were two chairs, he gestured to them both – inviting Kurt to join him. Kurt walked over hesitantly as Blaine lowered himself into one of the chairs. Kurt did not sit. "Let us talk."

"About what, sir?" Kurt asked, confused. He heard Blaine sigh while a look of frustration mixed with sadness crossed his face.

"I have told you, call me Blaine." When Kurt said nothing in response he continued speaking. "Let us talk about you. I meant what I said. I do very much want to know your story."

"My story does not end with a happily ever after." Kurt pointed out sheepishly as he slowly lowered himself into the chair offered to him. "Many stories that do are almost always fake."

"You like to read then, I assume?" Blaine asked.

"My mother taught me when I was very young. Most who are servants do not always get the proper education they need. But my mother was very intelligent because she was a private tutor to the ladies that we worked for." A small and gentle smile came to the boy's face as his eyes glistened with ghostly memories.

"She must have been an amazing woman." Blaine spoke carefully.

"Oh, indeed," Kurt agreed. "Truly an exceptional woman."

"Kurt," Blaine started quietly. "What happened to her?" Kurt's face darkened and contorted with anguish. He looked down and closed his eyes, trapping unshed tears and refusing to let them escape. "Was she ill, like your father?"

"No," He said bitterly. "She was killed. S-Some homeless man saw her pass in the street. She had some bread with her, and he was desperate. He attacked her and stole the bread. Guess he didn't know his own strength." Blaine watched carefully as he noticed Kurt's hands gripping the arms of the chair so tightly that his knuckles turned ghostly white. The pale boy's face was now flushing with colour as his body shook slightly – both from rage and misery. Blaine couldn't believe what he was hearing. To have lost both parents in such cruel ways, and on top of that have no-one else to turn to. To be unable to grieve properly without being scolded, because you must finish the chores set by a wealthier family. That was cruelty in itself.

"I am so sorry, Kurt, I wish there was something I could do. I wish you didn't have to be a servant." Blaine said earnestly, moving his chair so that it was closer to the less fortunate boy. He put a hand on his back, but Kurt did not seem to notice.

"I have no choice," His voice was higher now. He was fighting to keep it steady, and seemingly inwardly slapping himself for his inability to do so. "I have to survive somehow, it is what they would want. It is a hard life." And now he was crying. Blaine immediately forgot about appearances and sophistication as he rose to his feet and pulled the boy up, hugging him tightly. Kurt settled himself into the embrace, finally letting out what he had fought so hard to keep in. Blaine wasn't sure how long they had stayed like that. Seconds? Minutes? He didn't care. "I-I apologise." Kurt eventually said, pulling away and turning his back. It was no secret that he had been crying, but he seemed to want to save himself from further embarrassment. He did not like for anyone to see him cry. "How weak I must look right now." He mumbled. Blaine shook his head.

"No, I just think you've been strong for far too long." Blaine said softly and put a hand on Kurt's shoulder. Said boy froze under the touch. "Everyone will shed tears at some point in their life, do not be ashamed. I am not here to judge you." Kurt stopped sniffling. His back was still facing Blaine, but nevertheless Kurt turned his head slightly. Though he was not facing his master, he was still listening to his words. "I would like to know more about you, Kurt Hummel, though I think it would be best to take small steps."

"Sir, forgive me for asking, but why the interest?" Kurt asked genuinely. "I do indeed doubt that the background of a servant is beneficial to anything."

"Everyone needs someone, Kurt. I know you have the other servants, but you are all so very busy." This was indeed very true. Kurt knew that Justin, Maria and Mrs Amaro had their stories – everyone has stories. But Kurt had never had a minute alone with them to actually speak. They took care of each other, but they were blind to each other's full identities.

"Then why have you shown interest in me? Why not the other servants?" He asked.

"Because out of all the servants I have seen… You were the only one who seemed detached and almost indifferent." Kurt said nothing to that because he knew it was true. Maria usually hummed old songs as she worked, and no-one seemed to mind. Justin was always focussed and warm spirited to everyone he met. And Mrs Amaro… Sure she had her moments where she was not very happy, but she still had a steely determination that she would use to battle through life like a soldier. "So, one day, will you tell me your full story?" Blaine asked as Kurt excused himself and walked to the door. He paused.

"My story is a simple one."

"Ah, but every story has the ability to create a new chapter. Plot twists, Kurt, I'm sure you are familiar with that term." A small smile tugged at Kurt's lips as he slid out of the room with silent grace.

Note: Thank you, everyone, for the outstanding reviews! I am so glad you like the story. This story is inspired by Longbourn by Jo Baker and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Coming up next, a lot of you already guessed it, we see an ENTIRE CHAPTER of Kurt's point of view. The chapter will show Kurt's point of view from his past. Please review if you liked this chapter!