Hello amazing people who read, review and favorite this story and make us happy, it's Sunday and we all know what happens on Sunday.

A NEW CHAPTER

As usual we would like to thank everyone who took the time to let us know what they thought about this story and to everyone who reads it but likes to do it in silence, we appreciate and adore all of you.

As for questions on when our separate stories would update, these are our answers;

A- Once More is almost done for the update, I've just had a lot of blocks and problems with getting it out and how I wanted it because its a big chapter what with the family reunion element, buuuut I had a breakthrough recently and so its definitely this week coming, yay!... i'll send it to my beta and then get it up ASAP. Sorry for the long ass delay! I know i'm a pain! xD

M- Winter break XD everything in my life is happening during winter break XD my college life is really hectic right now and I don't like delivering half made chapters so when I have the time to make it perfect I promise you guys I'll update :)

On with the reading now...have fun :*

"From the earliest age, parents are instructed to direct their children into proper educational systems.

While all general schools are equipped with adequate materials, study guides and personnel to train a sub and to prepare a Dom for their future life, there are several, high class academies that guarantee the most extensive education possible.

The Dalton Academy Extensive Educational Facility is one of the most recognized and influential schools in the world.

Starting from the earliest age the Dalton Academy staff and curriculum follows a child through its formative years all the way to adulthood and high education while providing a safety net during the bonding to assure both parties involved are well prepared and informed of what's expected."

The Dalton Academy Extensive Education Facility brochure.

Captain Ericson had always been one of the people to enjoy small things in life; dinners with his family, the company of good friends, good food, great books…but more than anything he loved the open sea.

The peace that came with that feeling of being so far from everything bad and stressful and demanding; just you, the soft lilt of waves beneath your feet and that smell of salt and rust working it's way into the pores of your skin and remaining there to remind you where you belong while you were away on dry land.

He gripped the railing on the front dock with one hand, a cup of coffee in the other, and stared far into the infinite body of water that had taken so many days of his life and kept him away from home for so long but he knew he could never resent that because it offered a new home, a sanctuary for him and everyone else who felt the same.

Smiling he lifted his still steaming cup of coffee to his lips and took a careful sip when a sudden, shrilling sound made him jump and curse as a few droplets of hot liquid bounced out of the cup and onto the skin of his palm, leaving tiny red burn marks in their wake.

Practically throwing the cup on top of a nearby table he rushed into the main cabin making it in time to pick up the phone before whoever was on the other side gave up.

"You have reached the Lady, this is Captain Ericson speaking," he introduced himself formally, barely managing to finish the sentence before the breathy voice from the other side of the line spoke up in, what sounded like, a rush of panic.

"Hi…this is Jeffrey Sterling. Can I please speak to Kurt Hummel?" the voice forced out and the Captain frowned in concern.

"Mr. Hummel is not on board this minute. Can I take a message?" he asked and he could hear the other person was disappointed, shattered even by the news.

"Yes…please…please just tell him to call Jeff…tell him…tell him it's an emergency," he stuttered in a deflated tone and the older man felt the need to reassure whoever it was calling that it'll be okay.

"I'll make sure he gets the message as soon as possible. As far as I know he's not very far from the dock," he reassured in what he had hoped was a calming voice and the man, well boy was more likely, he was speaking too breathed a breath of relief.

"Thank you so much sir," he said quickly and the Captain smiled.

"You're very welcome," he answered before the line was cut and he was left standing there listening to the beeping of the phone and wondering what could have happened that was so urgent. Deciding it wasn't his issue to question he set off to find Kurt and get him to call, who he supposed was, his friend.

He didn't know the boy or if there was something really urgent going on but he didn't want to take any chances, so he walked off the yacht and towards the secluded little beach he knew his boss took his new sub.

The Captain couldn't help but smile a little as he thought of Blaine as a little child talking about finding 'the most prettiest sub in the whole world' and he would then give him all of his toys to play with and he could even have the first pick of the cartoon they would watch before it was bedtime.
That sweet, curly haired little boy grew up to be one of the strongest Doms he had ever seen and while he was constantly depicted as wild, untamed and spoiled by the media; he was so far from it in the eyes of everyone who knew him.

He was sweet, and caring, and tentative, a great listener and a great friend to everyone around him. He had a genuine care for people in his life and for that reason it was a miracle he was still alone. The moment he saw Kurt and the way Blaine was with him he knew what he was waiting for.

Perfection.

The beautiful, young man Blaine claimed was the best possible match to the Dom. His submissiveness raw and powerful, unbound and free, he was the perfect counterforce for Blaine's natural dominance.

The way he acted around the Dom showed some fear, insecurity and shyness but he could already tell he was getting more and more comfortable around Blaine, often times leaning into his touch and sometimes even subtly initiating them.

It was obvious they were still miles away from being completely at ease with one another and he supposed it was Kurt's timidity that was a great cause of that, but it made his heart warm to see the young Dom so patient and understanding and willing to do anything to make his partner comfortable and happy.

He was sure the two of them would be happy together; hell he was sure they already were, ready to admit to it or not, he thought as he stepped onto the sandy beach and started turning his head left and right to find the two of them.

Trapped inside his own musings he almost missed the pile of blankets of the ground, covering two figures huddled up together against the morning chill.

Blaine was lying on his back, hair wild and curly, lips slightly parted and pulled into a soft smile as his hands cradled Kurt like the most precious possession where the sub was snuggled close to him, head pillowed on his chest. They seemed so comfortable in their sleep, even more so than they did while awake and he knew that if their instincts were so strong to drive them together as they slept they were really close to being like that all the time; comfortable, relaxed and calm.

He hated the thought of waking them up but the slight despair the voice of the young man on the phone carried made his decision for him and he bent down to gently shake Blaine's shoulder.

"Blaine. Kurt. Time to wake up," he said in a hushed voice but it was still loud enough to cause them to stir and blink their eyes open, pupils widening and breaths catching when they realized they woke up all wrapped together still.

A blush settled high on Kurt's cheeks at the same time a proud smile grazed Blaine's face and he could tell they were ready to start apologizing and explaining and talking things out and he just couldn't let them dive into it now when Kurt's friend obviously needed him.

"Kurt, there was a call for you just now. A Jeffrey Sterling?" he said carefully trying not to scare the boy but it seemed to be for nothing because his eyes widened and his fingers started shaking in an instant.

"Jeff? Is he okay? Did something happen?" he rushed out, fighting against the mountain of blankets on top of him to get to his feet.

"I'm not sure. He had asked for you and I said you weren't there and promised to tell you to give him a call as soon as possible. He…he said it was an emergency."

He hardly finished before Kurt tried to dash towards the yacht but he stopped, turning towards Blaine, a torn expression on his face as his eyes switched from looking towards the boat to looking at Blaine, a silent plea written across his delicate features.

"Go. I'll be right behind you," Blaine said gently and at his soft command Kurt turned around and ran as fast as he could kicking up footfalls of sand, the two Doms close behind him, arriving just in time to see him gesticulating wildly, a horrified look trained to the wall in front of him, knuckles white as he gripped the phone to his ear.

His shoulders were tense, back perfectly straight and face closed off and scared. He went back to where he was the night of the claiming and Blaine felt an iron grip on his heart at the thought of everything they have accomplished vanishing again.

"Calm down, Blaine. You getting worked up isn't going to help him calm down once that conversation is over. And it seems like he's gonna need you," Ericson advised and Blaine controlled his breathing, barely managing to keep himself in check when Kurt stepped out of the cabin, pale and visibly shaken.

He was near him in an instant hearing the Captain's quiet, "I'll be in my room," before he was gone and the two of them were left alone, Blaine holding Kurt's trembling, tense body close, willing the fear and the sadness away as best as he could.

"What happened, lovely?" he asked carefully and Kurt turned his head and hid his face in his neck, the wetness from his tears cooling the hot skin.

"It's…it's Jeff…they got to him again. They…they attacked him and tried to…oh god Blaine he's so scared and alone and I…I…" he tried to force the words out but the sobs were cutting his words in half.

Blaine hushed him softly rocking him soothingly but it didn't seem to breaking through any of the hysteria. "Breath, Kurt," he commanded firmly. "Breath for me, lovely."

He heard Kurt's stuttered attempt to obey and coaxed and coached him through it stroking at his back and hair. "That's it, you're such a good boy for me, lovely," he praised over and over until the worst passed leaving hitched breaths and sniffle behind in the aftermath.

"I need to see him," Kurt whispered thickly. "I... h-he doesn't trust anyone else, Blaine. I need to see him and make sure he's alright!"

Blaine made a comforting sound trying to stem another breakdown gently. He nodded against the top of Kurt's head and placed a soft kiss there. "We'll get a plane tonight."

Kurt pulled back, face tear stained and so sad it made his heart ache. "Really?"

Blaine swiped the drying tears on his cheeks away with his thumbs and framed the rest of his face. "Jeff's important to you, so he's important to me too, yeah?"

"But...you booked the hotel and paid so much for everything and..." Kurt stammered, knowing there had to be a catch somewhere. After the whole week of being nothing but patient and understanding there was no way Blaine could surpass that and become even more amazing by doing this for him.

But apparently, his Dom was as perfect as they got because he placed a gentle finger to his lips to stop his rant and smiled comfortingly.

"Just don't worry about it. We'll call and cancel on the hotel and they'll just keep the deposit and we're good. You just try and calm down. When I get back from arranging our departure I wanna see that gorgeous smile on your face again. Understood?" he said sternly but with a teasing glint in his eyes and Kurt felt his sting as he tried his best to fight the tears back and smile, but the image of Jeff alone and scared made him shiver and he wiggled deeper into Blaine's embrace seeking comfort.

More tears fell after that and Blaine smiled sadly at him before kissing his forehead gently, whispering into the flesh as Kurt clung to him, "It'll be alright lovely. I'll make it alright."

Kurt sat on his bed, tear streaked cheeks pale and rubbed raw from wiping the tears he kept spilling throughout the day.

In a matter of minutes Blaine had the whole thing settled and they bid Ericson goodbye, after he sailed them to the nearest port with access to an airport, as they walked away from the dock and into a waiting car that took them directly to where their plane was already waiting, fuelled and ready to get underway.

Kurt spent the flight in a fitful, half asleep state clinging to Blaine almost without realizing and when they had finally got home it was five in the morning, the darkness still clinging to the ground and he was beyond exhausted.

He wanted to rush straight to Lima but Blaine, always the voice of calm reason and reassurance, convinced him to come back home for a few hours, shower, change, get something to eat and allow the Sterling's to start their day on their own pace before they came barging in to see what happened.

He protested and threw a mild fit which he was genuinely embarrassed for but other than a stern, "calm down," from Blaine there were no repercussions and soon he calmed down enough to admit that Blaine was right and they headed to the Andersons estate.

That's where he was now.

His fingers were clenching into his sleeves; he didn't care if he stretched the fabric beyond repair anymore, he didn't care if all he had went to waste if it meant making his best friend safe and happy again.

He glanced around himself, taking in the luxury he was now allowed to call his; the art pieces on the walls worth more than lives in Lima, the dark wood, antique furniture polished to shine and sparkle in the sunlight, the soft, silk sheets and warm comforters designed to get a person through the winter without feeling the chill in your bones every second of every day. He eyed the tea cup perched on the nightstand next to him, the liquid inside sweet and spiced with lemon and honey and tasting like heaven on his lips.

He looked down on the hands in his lap tears streaming down his face again as he realized all the things he got to have now while his friend was alone, and scared and broken.

What they did to him…

He couldn't even begin to imagine how he felt in that moment.

Feeling hands on his skin where he shouldn't have been touched, marked, hearing slurs that weren't true because he was beautiful and he was smart and he was sweet and compassionate and he wanted to love someone so badly but he knew he'd never get the chance to now.

He was so hurt and Kurt had left him.

Guilt turned his stomach over. How could he leave him? How could he leave him in that place when he knew how heavily Jeff relied on him? It had taken a lot for the blonde to finally open up and put what was left of his trust in Kurt and the sub felt like he had stomped all over it. Thrown it aside carelessly like that amazing piece of his broken friend was nothing.

A strangled, hurt sound tore from his throat.

He had gotten himself a Dom.

A Dom that was sweet and caring and unlike anything Jeff had ever experienced and the almost shame grew heavier, sat like a lead brick inside his heart because what had Kurt don't to deserve this? Certainly not more that Jeff had, a sub that was just as worthy if not more deserving after what he had endured… and yet here he sat knowing that his best friend would never blame him, would never begrudge him this new life or Blaine. Blaine who kept Kurt safe, kept him warm and happy and he kept making him blush by telling him he was beautiful and that he liked him, wanted him.

His Dom held him close and sang to him, took him places and bought him gifts and … and...oh god!

Gift!

Kurt's head snapped up, his mind fighting through the haze he got himself caught in after seeing his friend so scared and small before his parents took him home.

He had a Dom who was kind to him. And maybe it wasn't what Kurt had imagined at first as he read his fairytales, but as the days went by it got closer and closer to it, his heart skipping whenever Blaine touched him, his body shivering whenever he placed an order on him, the desire to kneel in front of him driving him insane with want and he knew...he knew he could ask for anything and Blaine would give it to him.

He said so himself.

'If you're not happy here. I'll let you go.'

The words were almost nonexistent in their world. Claims were not for subs to dispute, they were there to be welcomed and yet… Blaine had offered him an out. Against his very nature he had put Kurt before himself.

Suddenly on his feet, mind completely clear, eyes set up straight in front of him, his body strong and determined he fled his room, feet pounding the floor loudly as he ran through the house looking for the one person who could make things right again.

"BLAINE! BLAINE, WHERE ARE YOU?" he called out urgently and rounded the corner leading to the living room crashing into something warm and hard and immediately comforting.

"Kurt...are you okay? I'm right here!" he held him tight against his body, wrapping hands around that lithe form that now felt so familiar in his arms and cooing into his ear as he tried to keep his erratic breathing at bay.

Kurt took a few moments to bask in the embrace of his Dom, his smell intoxicating and calming at the same time, before he lifted his head and took his hands pulling him towards the stairs.

"I'm okay. Can I talk to you?" he implored already starting to climb the stairs and Blaine frowned, following him into his room where Kurt pushed him to sit on his bed, sitting next to him but staying completely silent for the longest time as he tried to find the words to express what he wanted.

"Kurt...lovely you're scaring me. What's going on?" Blaine asked when he couldn't take it anymore, taking Kurt's hand and running his thumb over his knuckles, feather light touch raising goose bumps on pale skin.

Kurt shook his head, giving himself a mental pep talk as he felt the sudden boost of strength seep from his body, knowing he had something important to fight for. Think of Jeff, he chanted to himself, steeling his resolve into something utterly unyielding.

"Blaine...um...remember how you said I could ask for anything as my Gift and you'd grant me that wish?" he started and literally felt the moment Blaine's heart shattered like the echo of it splintered in his own chest.

The hand holding his own tightened almost painfully before being snatched back, the body that kept him safe tensed into a ugly line Kurt didn't recognize and an angry breath rushed past those lips Kurt now knew tasted like apples and heaven.

His rigidness only lasted a moment before he stood up as if Kurt's proximity burned his skin and strode to the window gripping the wall so tightly his knuckles turned white, head hanging low on his bunched shoulders.

"We said a month...you...you promised me a month, Kurt. I thought you were happy… I thought I was making you happy...what...what did I do wrong?" Blaine pleaded voice almost dead, tears prickling in his eyes and body shaking as he stood so far away from Kurt the sub felt cold despite the pleasant temperature in the room.

Kurt frowned at his Dom, not sure where all of that was coming from but the words struck him like physical blows making him flinch back slightly. He did make him happy, wasn't that obvious?

He kissed him and held him and commanded him and all of it made Kurt deliriously ecstatic, how could he not see that? How could he not see everything Kurt had tried to hide but broadcasted so loudly in every little action; every smile given away, every laugh and touch handed over without thought? Didn't he know how much of Kurt he now held in his hands?

What was going on?

"But I do remember what I said," Blaine's hoarse voice brought him back. "And if," his Dom laughed bitterly and it tore something in Kurt to hear it, running a hand over his face in frustration before continuing. "If you really want that… I'll let you go."

Kurt gasped feeling his world tip on its axis and spin wildly out of control, heart freezing and a cry ripping off his lips in the fear of the destruction it was surely to cause him. He wouldn't survive it.

"Blaine, NO!" he stood up on legs about to buckle stumbling to him and begging for permission with suddenly watery eyes until a gentle nod from his Dom allowed him to push his body close and snuggle up to him. The tension that had coiled inside released and he trembled in the aftermath, gripping Blaine's shirt in his hands as he burrowed closer running on pure instinct, his body telling him he needed it. Needed Blaine as close as he could get him.

"I don't want to go," he whispered into his chest, an admission that almost stole his breath with the sheer truth that was ringing in it and he Blaine gripped his back tighter.

"You don't?" he asked barely audibly, voice shaky and desperate.

"No...I…I want to stay with you," he said shyly as he cuddled closer still, feeling Blaine relax around him which made him mirror the feeling almost as if they were connected. "But I do know what I want for my Gift. And…and you said you'd give me anything so tell me you meant it. Tell me you were for real."

His voice was rushed, desperate, pleading and Blaine placed his hands onto his biceps, holding him at arms length to look into his eyes.

"Kurt, I promise. Ask anything and I'll do whatever is in my power to make it happen. I swear to you lovely," the conviction in his voice so heartfelt Kurt sighed a breath of relief before placing his demand.

"I'm gonna formally place my demand now. Whatever happens, this is my Gift," he said making sure Blaine was on board searching his eyes and nodding when his Dom gave him his consent.

"Go ahead," he said, voice nervous but still so hopeful.

Whatever it was it's better than Kurt leaving; anything else, he can find a way to make it happen.

"As my bonding Gift, I, sub Kurt Hummel, want my best friend Jeff to be transferred to Dalton for his own protection, all costs covered," he rushed out and Blaine felt the world around him shatter. Darken and dull.

The demand was more than reasonable in itself.

Jeff was in danger, and he had the means and the connections to get him somewhere safe, but the implications of it were what tore his heart apart. Kurt was giving up his chance to go back home to save his friend. Kurt wasn't staying because he wanted to stay. Kurt was making a sacrifice.

He couldn't…that's not…that's not what he wanted. That would never make either of them happy and with a pain tearing through him like nothing he had ever experienced before he realized what he had to do.

He knew it was the best thing to do, heart breaking or not.

"I don't want you like that," he whispered and that gorgeous body in his arms stood petrified, everlasting blue eyes hurt and frozen in pain, lips trembling and bitten bloody in the space it took him to say it out loud.

"You…you don't want me," Kurt stuttered, tears welling and then falling and soaking his t-shirt. His chest constricted and he felt like he couldn't breathe.

Blaine was already bored of him…already done with him? Was he that horrible of a sub he couldn't keep him interested for a single week?

His heart was already halfway to becoming Blaine's and he didn't want him.

But he promised...he did.

Through heavy breathing and quiet sobs he soon realized were his he heard his Dom's voice calling out to him and he tried so badly to answer, to obey but…Blaine didn't want to be his Dom anymore. It was devastating and he felt the need to curl up into a ball and sob.

He almost laughed hysterically. The fun of having a Lima lowlife for a sub wore off faster than anyone thought it would.

"Kurt, look at me!"

He would be alone again.

"Kurt, lovely please."

He would never be called lovely again.

"Kurt, look at me NOW!"

A command too strong for his body to deny racked through him, snapping his back straight, head up and eyes on Blaine's as the hazel eyed Dom cupped his cheeks and held him gently; hands warm and calming on his skin as he spoke fighting back the panic and turmoil beating at his insides.

"I still want you. I'll always want you. But I don't want you the way you're choosing to stay here. Sacrificing yourself to save your friend. I…I can't do that to you. I will get Jeff to Dalton and he will be safe I promise. But I'll also let you go home because that's what you want. It'll break me into million pieces but I'll let you go."

"NO...Blaine, please don't!"

What was he saying? Why was he doing this?

He wanted to stay! He wanted to be Blaine's and no one else's.

"Sir," he broke down in his arms crying and clutching at his blazer with desperate fingers as his knees gave out, the grip of his hands barely keeping him upright. "Please!"

"Please what, Kurt...what do you want?" he asked gently, the dominance inside of him aching to please and make happy, roaring with satisfaction at being called sir so freely and unrestrained.

"Please let me stay. I want to stay," he begged on a tortured whisper and Blaine broke down into a desperate laugh as he pulled him closer.

"Kurt, I want you to stay too. God nothing will ever mean more to me than you...just promise me it's what you truly want. Promise me it's not just out of obligation," he ordered though his voice was pleading for him to understand, to reassure him that he was his.

"It's not…the past...the past days with you...I…I want more...of, of feeling like that...wanted and happy and c-cherished. I...I know I'm not the best trained sub but I'm willing to learn. I am…just...just please let me stay and show you," he begged again, voice picking up speed towards the end as if he were afraid he'd lose courage to say all of that.

Blaine shook his head and held him closer, like he was trying to mould them together one hand rising to cup his cheek.

"Of course you can stay. You're the best thing in my world, Kurt. And you don't need to learn anything, I think you're flawless," he murmured kissing his temple gently, feeling him snuggle closer, body relaxed and pliant and Blaine concentrated on projecting warmth and safety. It wasn't even a choice, he needed to comfort his sub after all the tears and misunderstandings and it made him feel a hundred times better knowing he was doing something right as Kurt's sniffles and hiccups disappeared slowly but surely.

"Thank you, sir," he whispered on a breathy sigh that held a note of bliss as the pressure valve eased off and Blaine shivered at the title.

"You don't have to call me-" he started but Kurt cut him off.

"I want to," he said surely and rested his head back on his shoulder, happy and safe and hopeful.

He could hear Blaine's heart thumping under his ear and he could feel the ecstatic purr of his dominance on his skin now that he finally had him for real.

They embraced each other pulling the comfort from the warmth, knowing they only had a precious few minutes more in their safe, secluded bubble before they had to rip themselves away and head into something that wasn't safe, or warm or comfortable.

A harsh reality was calling for them and they knew they had no choice but to answer.

The driveway to the small, shabby looking, but still neat and well kept house, weaved under the wheels of Blaine's Lexus, so out of place in it's black, shiny glory. So loud and bragging that Kurt wanted to plead Blaine to let him out so he could walk to his friend's house like he did before; without the guilt holding his insides in an iron grip, twisting viciously whenever he thought he could learn to get used to it and live with it, as if to remind him that he had no right to be that lucky when his friend didn't get to be.

His fingers clutched at the car seat on either side of him until his knuckles turned white and the wiry muscles in his arms started trembling with exertion.

He could feel the guilt of leaving without making sure he was okay eating him up from the inside, painting his thoughts dark and leaving him lost in the haze as he tried to convince himself that he was doing something now and it was better than nothing, but he didn't even believe himself so why should his friend.

And that thought scared him out of his mind…

What if Jeff resented him, blamed him, hated him…What if he never forgave him?

His breath paused in panic and suddenly a warm tide washed over him as gentle fingers snuck underneath his own and forced him to release the death grip he had on the car seat weaving them with ones that had become undeniably welcome and familiar.

"Lovely, calm down," Blaine said as he stopped the car in front of the house. His voice was soft, quiet, smooth, but there was no missing that urging, pushing, commanding note in it that gripped Kurt's very core and made him melt into the seat closing his eyes and letting his mind finally do what his body was pleading him to for so long; let go and breathe.

"What's gotten you so worked up?" he asked and recoiled when Kurt bitch glared at him so he rushed to correct himself. "That came out wrong. I know you're upset because of what happened to him but you're acting like it's your fault."

Blaine eyed him for a moment before catching the shadow crawling over his face and he gasped, turning in his seat completely and cupping Kurt's face with his guitar rough hands.

"Oh my god, you really think that. Kurt, this is not your fault. How can you think that?" he pleaded desperately and thumbed the tears falling down his cheeks in waves and as beautiful as his eyes looked misted over with salty drops Blaine never wanted to see him cry again.

The sub shook his head in dismissal, biting his lip and closing his eyes to get himself under control but it just didn't work and a desperate sob released from his chest loudly as he crashed into Blaine's arms and buried his face into his neck dampening his collar and chilling the skin with labored breaths.

"I wasn't there. I left him and I was happy and he got hurt. I should have stayed with him and I didn't," he cried into his arms and Blaine held him tighter cooing softly and running hands over shaking back as he did his best to push his dominance to the surface and wrap it around the sub to settle him down at least a little bit.

"Kurt you're not making any sense. You can't blame yourself for being happy," he chastised him gently, slowly, making sure not to make it sound like a punishment but still firm enough for the sub to know it was a rule; one they would talk about later but a rule nonetheless.

"I…I should have been with him," he sniffled miserably; body completely sagged against Blaine's and hands clutching at his soft cardigan.

"And done what? You would have gotten hurt too, Kurt. Lovely, look at me," he commanded gently and Kurt glanced up, cheek still pressed to the Dom's chest. "It's okay to care for your friends and to want to help them. But Jeff was attacked by a group of Doms. Completely vicious and practically feral. There was nothing you could have done so please, please just wipe your tears and be there for him now because he needs you…but don't ever blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault. Okay?"

Kurt eyed him for a few long minutes before sniffling one last time and nodding slowly. His Dom released enough of his strength over him to make him feel better, stronger, more determined. He felt his body let go of the negative held on the inside and grasp at the hope and the love and the light Blaine offered to him.

He finally understood what it meant to be claimed, how good it could be, how rewarding and calming and beautiful.

"You're right, sir. Thank you." For the second time that day Kurt used the title and Blaine felt his chest expand with pride and accomplishment.

The feelings wafting from his sub were now calm and subdued and gentle and he was the one to make them that way. He protected. He kept what was his safe and the dominance inside splashed and grew until he couldn't breathe anymore.

He pressed his lips to Kurt's gently, carefully, in tune with how much he could take from him and backing away after only a breath light kiss.

"Any time, lovely," he whispered against the soft petals before unlocking the car and giving the sub a little push. "Go on now. He's waiting for you. I'll wait here."

They had talked about it and realized it would be best if Blaine waited outside since the Sterling's knew who he was and given their past he had no idea how they, or Jeff for that matter, would react to a piece of their old world colliding with the new one.

"Okay. So I can tell him?" he asked as he was already standing halfway out of the car, head turning so he could look at his Dom, eyes hopeful and pleading at the same time.

"You can tell him you asked for it. And that I'm working on it. I don't want to make promises I can't keep and give false hope to someone," he said honestly and his heart broke at the crestfallen look on his sub's face. "But Kurt I'll do whatever is in my power. And I'm an Anderson so a lot is in my power." He winked cheekily to cheer him up and Kurt giggled, not as bright as usual but still better than the tears. He stepped completely out of the car, grabbing the almost forgotten bag from the floor before slamming the door and waving a gentle farewell to Blaine before he walked over to the small house shielding his best friend, steps graceful and languid and making Blaine fall for him all over again.

He was curled under the thin blanket, head propped on a lumpy pillow and the sleeves of his pajamas barely reaching his thin wrists.

Everything hurt.

His skin was too tight, his limbs were heavy and stiff, his head felt like it was filled with foam and his eyes scratchy and dry.

They hadn't been dry at first.

Rivers and oceans of tears fell from them, soaking the clothes he wore and making him even colder. He cried for the life he had before he was claimed, the friends who loved him, and the parents who didn't feel the need to shield him from the world like he was breakable.

He cried for all the nights he spent sleeping tightly, unconcerned and unburdened and fearless because there was nothing to be afraid of.

He cried for all the walks down the street and through the halls of his school he had took never looking over his shoulder, never ducking his head and never flinching at sudden disturbances in the balance of the place.

He cried for the times he spent memorizing books and facts and tricks that would make his future Dom happy and proud; his Dom who would be kind, and handsome, and smart and funny and sweet and who would make him tea in the morning and make sure he wore warm clothes and call him a good boy when he made him happy.

He cried for the man he had never had but felt like was taken from him by someone who wasn't supposed to touch him the way he did.

He cried because he'd never get any of it back and he was too tired and too broken to believe he still deserved to get it back.

Maybe they were right.

He had never heard of a sub being treated the way he was, never knew someone who was taken away from their Dom because he thought he was worthless and disobedient and ugly.

Maybe it was just him.

Maybe he wasn't loved and cherished because there was nothing lovable about him; there was nothing about him to cherish and to want to keep. It used to hurt so much to think that so he tried to smile and nod when people told him he wasn't in the wrong at all.

He didn't care anymore.

His tears dried out and he didn't think they would ever come back.

They lied to him.

He was the one there was something wrong with. If he had been better none of it would have happened.

Worthless.

"Jeff!" a voice startled him from his quiet murmuring and before he could pull himself up and pretend that he was okay again there was a body behind him and for the first time in almost twenty four hours he didn't feel the need to vomit at the touch.

Kurt was familiar, Kurt was kind, Kurt was a sub like him and he would never hurt him.

Arms wrapped around him and a kiss was placed on top of his head as he let go and sobbed into his best friends chest, wonder etched into his skin as soft droplets cascaded down his cheeks again and he felt lighter, emptier, softer and the voice drifting into his skin pieced rough pieces back together; crudely, with the lines still visible and little shards missing but his skin felt whole again, his head felt clearer and he felt like maybe he was still there somewhere amongst the wreckage.

"Never say that again. You are not worthless. You're my best friend, my brother. You're beautiful, and sweet and you have an amazing voice and you can draw like an artist and you have the most amazing smile in the world and I'd never be able to be okay without you and I'm so sorry I wasn't here..." Kurt rocked them back and forth singing his praises frantically while they cried and Jeff shook his head, seemingly only at his friend's apology, but they both knew he was also dismissing every single compliment Kurt just gave him.

Kurt didn't know what to feel. He was absolutely devastated for Jeff of course and hearing his best friend mumble such hurtful things about himself was like a knife to the heart. But Kurt couldn't help the stirring anger rolling inside his gut. The absolute hatred for the Doms that had reduced Jeff to this… the Dom that had started it all and it was frustrating because there was nothing he could do about it. The only small comfort he got was the knowledge from his dad that the Doms had been taken in for their crimes… Jeff's ex Dom however, was as elusive and unreachable as he ever was.

"D-don't apologize. I'm glad you weren't there," the blonde said quietly and Kurt gasped at his words, knocking him out of his own head.

"What? Why?" he asked, tears angry and sad both still crawling down his face and he held his friend closer still. Jeff craved the closeness and there were scarce few people he'd allow it with.

"They would have hurt you too. That would have been worse than what they did," Jeff said softly, holding on to Kurt, body limp and bone tired.

"How can you say that? How could hurting me be worse than hurting you, Jeff?" Kurt cried out, not knowing what to do to make things better as he carded long fingers through his hair.

"I'm already ruined. I'm already broken and unworthy. You…you're still pure and wanted and I'm glad you were away and happy," he admitted, voice resigned and slurry; so tired, so much pain in it, it made Kurt ache.

"No, Jeff…"

"Tell me about him," Jeff cut him off a sleepy, pained smile on his face.

"About who?" Kurt frowned, heart breaking at the words leaving his friend's mouth. He thought they could do it to him because he was already hurt and tainted.

"Blaine…your trip….tell me about what you saw. Were you happy?" he asked and Kurt couldn't bring himself to talk about something like that.

How do you tell someone who was hurt that badly that your Dom was the most amazing and understanding Dom ever and that so far they had only kissed a few times and he hadn't insisted on anything, hadn't punished him unjustly, hadn't forced him passed any boundary?

"Jeff…I…I don't think that's…" he tried but the blonde tightened the hold on his shirt in a gentle plea.

"Please, Kurt. I need to hear it. I need to know there are people out there, Doms, who aren't in it to hurt someone. I need proof that K…that he was an exception and I was just misfortunate. I need to know that it's not bad for everyone and that maybe it wasn't about me…maybe he was the one who was bad, not me," he cried brokenly and Kurt lifted his eyes to the ceiling to hide his own tears knowing that he had to be strong.

"It wasn't, Jeff. It was never your fault. He was, is, the one who is wrong and broken and doing things that aren't right. Blaine…Blaine told me that the Dom's job is to make sure their sub is always safe, and happy and healthy and loved beyond words. And he's not the only one thinking that," Kurt reassured him voice strong and fierce with the depth of his conviction but not knowing if his words made him feel better or even worse, it's what his friend had asked for however and Kurt didn't know how else to help.

"Who else is that way?" he asked timidly and Kurt hugged him closer, nosing at his fair hair trying to replicate the many soothing techniques Blaine had used on him and put them together with what he already knew soothed Jeff.

"I haven't met that many people but his mom is the same way. She loves his dad and she's always making sure he's eating enough, and wearing socks. It's cute," he smiled at the memory. "And Nick says he'd let his sub call him a dick if it made him happy," Kurt informed him and Jeff let out a soft giggle through his tears making Kurt light up with accomplishment.

"Who's, Nick?" Jeff asked smiling but deep down he knew that it wasn't real. Maybe between a Dom and sub like Sam was to them, friendly but not in any way bonded, but once you were bonded? It was a trap the Dom made to make his sub mess up so he could be punished.

This Nick would never allow his sub to call him that, Jeff was sure of it.

"Blaine's best friend, he seems really nice I can't wait for you to meet him," he said and Jeff went rigid in his arms, skin clammy and body shaking in fear.

"I…no…I don't…I don't want to meet him…o-or anyone. My…my dad says I can be homeschooled for my senior year," he stuttered and Kurt rushed to reassure him that okay, he didn't have to meet Blaine's friends if he didn't want to.

But homeschooled?

With what money? And what teacher? Yes the Sterling's were obviously educated but in order to actually graduate high school properly he would still need to adhere to the syllabus and take tests and his parents would have to have the qualifications to teach him. It all cost money and McKinley High barely had enough teachers as it is, let alone managing to find one to homeschool him.

Obviously his mom and dad tried to get him to calm down by saying that, but Kurt knew there was no way it could truly work.

"What if I told you there was a chance for you to come to school with me?" Kurt asked carefully and Jeff tore himself away from Kurt's hands and stared at him.

"That's not funny," he muttered quietly, shocked and offended that his friend was toying with him like that.

"I know and I'm not trying to be funny. I asked Blaine to pull some strings and get you into Dalton and he promised he'll do whatever he can do make it happen," Kurt rushed to explain, now with more conviction and enthusiasm because behind all the fear and disbelief there was hope shimmering in those brown eyes.

"He's not gonna keep his promise, Kurt," he fought but it was weak, almost forced out, like he was fighting his own mind not to believe it.

"He's gonna have to," Kurt winked ignoring the sting in his eyes caused by yet another bout of crying he'd done.

"Why?" the blonde sub frowned as he watched his friend.

"Because it's my Gift," Kurt said proudly and Jeff gasped, tears spilling out and fingers shaking like crazy as the sheer magnitude of that statement struck him like a physical blow.

"I…You…you did t-that…for me?" he breathed and Kurt latched onto him, hugging him and chuckling sweetly.

"Anything in the world to keep my best friend safe. Always," Kurt whispered and Jeff allowed himself to laugh with him, knowing that no matter how hard it would be, how scary and how incredibly alone he would be because other than Kurt he didn't want people close.

But he knew he'd at least be safe at Dalton. He wouldn't be hurt again. Alone and scared yes…but never hurt again.

The two best friends sat for a while after that, talking, allowing themselves to heal and return to being whole again as the sun changed positions in the sky and sooner than they knew it, it was time for Kurt to go.

He handed Jeff the gift he'd gotten for him while he was away and promised him to give him a call later that day to let him know what happened with Blaine's promise and as he was walking out he was escorted by a pair of chocolate colored eyes shining with what looked like glee and soft hands clutching the wooden box with painting supplies inside.

His Jeff was back, at least for now.

"Blaine, what you're asking from me is almost impossible to do with all the time in the world at my disposal. Making it happen in less than two days? There's no way I can do this."

"What if I told you the reason I'm asking for this?"

"I thought you promised to keep this a secret."

"Yeah, well I also promised to do whatever's in my power to make this happen."

"Okay…I'm listening."

"The sub Kurt asked from me to bring to Dalton..."

"Yes?"

"It's Jeffrey Sterling."

"…"

"Hikaru?"

"Jeffrey Sterling as in… Kevin Landon's sub?"

"Ex sub. And yes...him. It's like the universe hates that boy for some reason, he just can't catch a break."

"What happened?"

"Well I don't know the all the details because Kurt wanted to protect his privacy, but from what I understand he's being bullied at school."

"Blaine, I can't move mountains to get him to Dalton because someone called him a bad name."

"It's much worse than that. They…they cornered him, tried to rape him, they bit and scratched at his mark…Hikaru he's not gonna make it long if he stays. He's been through so much and he means so much to Kurt and I can't, I can't let him down, either of them…please..."

"Blaine..."

"I'm begging you. What if it were Lee instead of Jeff? She's a sub too."

"That's a low blow."

"I know…but this is important."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why is it so important for you to do this for a sub you've never even met?"

"Because it's what Kurt asked as his Gift. And even if he didn't, after hearing what he went through, I want to do whatever I can to keep him safe."

"You two really belong together. With him giving up on his own Gift to keep his friend safe and you fighting a nearly lost cause to make it happen."

"Wait 'nearly'?"

"Well, I suppose being the Principal has its perks."

"Really, what are those?"

"We're allowed to grant a full ride at Dalton based on special circumstances in their lives."

"I've never heard of that scholarship."

"Well of course you didn't. I just made it up… and would you look at that. Only one person applied so we must give it to him. What a coincidence."

"You're the best, best friend's dad a person can have."

"Yeah, yeah. Now buzz off I have papers to sign and scholarships to make up."

"Thank you so much. I'll see you at school."

"Bye. Oh and Blaine."

"Yes?"

"You're not allowed to ask me to as much as pass you the salt at dinner after this favor. Got it?"

"Got it."

Monday morning…

"Ready to go, lovely?" Blaine asked as he walked into the room where the sub was getting ready for his first day of school, standing in front of a full length mirror and tugging at the collar of his blazer with annoyed little huffs escaping his lips, brow puckered into a small frown.

He turned to face Blaine and he saw that it was more than annoyance colouring his mystical blue eyes into a darker shade; there was uncertainty, shyness and fear.

Over the past week he got used to seeing Kurt relaxed and open. There were moments when he would clam up and try to protect himself from whatever he thought Blaine would do when they pushed at the clearly marked boundaries that had been set, but the Dom made sure he went out of his way to soothe his fears and reassure him that he was perfectly safe and loved and wanted with him. They were making progress, tearing each wall down one by one and Blaine didn't care if it was slow going, they were going and at a pace that made Kurt happy and that's all that mattered.

And it seemed as if Kurt could feel that too because those flashes of insecurity were getting shorter and further apart the longer they were together. His gentle, careful touches were received freely now, with a soft lean into his arms and an occasional nuzzle of the palm caressing his face.

The kisses they shared were timid and careful but Blaine felt them like they were fire on his lips. His sub apologized each time he nudged a little bit harder into the kiss, each time a small moan escaped him, each time his body shivered and Blaine hated that he thought he had to hold back when every instinctual move Kurt made was setting his insides alight and drove him crazy. He hated that he thought he wasn't allowed to initiate things when he wanted them; instead waiting for Blaine to realize he wanted to be held and touched and kissed. His innocent, pure sub clutching his shirt and cuddling closer to him as their lips moved together made him want to fly with how good it felt, how right it felt and he shushed every apology, stopped every move to back away and kissed away each blush until Kurt was pliant and relaxed in his arms and under his lips again; fear gone from oceans held in his eyes.

But that fear was so much different than the one he was witnessing now.

There was something raw and unguarded in the way Kurt looked at him, pleading, and begging him to soothe his mind the way only he could.

"Kurt, what's wrong?" he threaded the expanse of the room between them in three long strides until his sub was tucked safely in his embrace, his face hidden in Blaine's neck and his back arching into the soft touch of Blaine's hand.

"I don't know...I just...I'm scared of Dalton, and the people there," he admitted, realizing that being honest could be the best way to go about what he was feeling at that moment.

"Why?" Blaine asked, tugging his hand and leading them to sit on the huge, plush armchair in the corner of the room.

Kurt was quiet for a moment trying to think of the best way to explain himself. "Growing up I always thought clothes meant a lot. When I saw people at McKinley you could tell who had a better job and whose parents had more money. Don't get me wrong we were all poor but apparently there are a lot of different stages of being poor. From people who came to school with no coat and blue from the cold, to those who had clothes but it was all ripped apart and too small and beyond repair, to those who had low quality but well fitting and decent looking clothes. It was hell. People teased and picked at the poorest kids, most likely to make themselves feel better. They would rip what little they had and the next day that kid would come to school with clothes still torn apart because they had nothing better and I thought...I thought how much easier it would be if we could all just look the same, wear the same. Then nobody would be able to tell who had more money and nobody would be picked on," Kurt revealed, a tear slipping down his cheek and Blaine gasped, horrified that just an hour away from where he slept on silk and satin there were kids walking to school in little better than rags and freezing to death.

He thought of the clothes Kurt wore when he had met him and figured he must have been somewhere in the middle because, although well kept and cared for, his sleeves were a bit too short and his shoes a few sizes too big. He hoped that was enough to get him out of being bullied then and now he had a uniform. They would all look the same.

"So what's gotten you so scared? Dalton has a dress code for everyone," Blaine said and frowned at Kurt's dejected laugh.

"There's a difference between how I wear it and how you look in it," Kurt said and gestured to Blaine's uniform, different from his own only in the colour of the tie; where Kurt's was red and navy stripped, Blaine's was a solid red.

"What do you mean?" Blaine asked in confusion, eyeing Kurt who looked absolutely delicious in the navy and red attire, graceful and classy in a way some of his classmates weren't able to accomplish after years of training and living in the high society circles.

"I can wear the exact same thing they do but they'll still know who I am, where I come from. They will know I don't belong there. I thought the uniform will help me blend in but it's going to do the exact opposite. I'm not supposed to wear this. I'm not even supposed to be there and they'll know it the second they see me," he whispered defeated and Blaine's eyes widened at the confession.

Kurt belonged there more than a lot of idiots prancing around Dalton without a grain of brains in their thick skulls. They strutted around in their uniforms thinking they owned the world just because their daddy was a CEO of a multinational company or a famous actor.

None of them could hold a candle to Kurt and Blaine wanted to make sure he knew that so he placed a hand under his sub's chin gently and turned his head to look him in the eye.

"Listen to me. You...Kurt, you're everything. You're smart and beautiful and classy and graceful and elegant in a way a lot of those subs at Dalton never get to be despite all the money their parents waste to make them that way. And those that manage to look that way are artificial and trained and programmed to the point where they all look like robots. So yes...you'll stand out, uniform or not, you'll be different. But it's going to be because you're better than anyone else. Everything you are is real and natural and they could only hope to be like you someday; to talk the way you do, and to move the way you do. Kurt you're magical. And they will all see it. Embrace it. Be proud of it. You'll always be ten steps ahead of them," Blaine said thumbing the tears cascading down pale cheeks away and smiling at his beautiful boy.

"How do you always know what to say?" Kurt chuckled a teary laugh and Blaine shrugged teasingly.

"I'm awesome like that. And it's my job as your Dom to always make sure you're okay and happy." he finished more seriously and Kurt lifted a shaking hand to run his fingertips through gelled down curls.

"I think I'm finally starting to see that," he confessed, running those same shaking fingertips down Blaine's ear and jaw, the gesture feeling so intimate it made Kurt catch his breathe.

"See what?" Blaine choked on a breath as those feather light touches burned a trail of fire his skin.

"That everything I thought of being bonded was wrong. That I can be...no...that I am happy with you," he said and this time it was Blaine who couldn't stop a tear from sliding down and getting lost in the soft material of his blazer. He should have been surprised by the amount of tears he'd shed since claiming Kurt. Happy, sad, frustrated. But he wasn't. Everything with Kurt was magnified to the point of almost unbearably intense and while he wasn't prone to tears at all being a Dom he didn't find a weakness in them. He knew other Doms did, but Blaine was all about being honest with himself and how he expressed his emotions.

"God Kurt you have no idea how good it is to hear that. I promise you lovely, everything I do is to make you feel that way. To make you feel happy to be mine," he said and Kurt nodded, biting his lip shyly and contemplating his next move for a second before taking a deep breath, leaning in and touching his trembling lips to Blaine's in a kiss so tiny, so careful, so timid but still strong enough to make Blaine lose his mind for a split second before that feeling was gone and Kurt was blushing and looking away and twisting his fingers nervously, an apology ready on his lips.

"I..."

"No...don't apologize. Please just don't make it sound like you're sorry for kissing me when my heart is close to jumping out of my chest from happiness."

"I...but...I thought." Kurt started in confusion, convinced he did something wrong when he initiated the kiss but in that moment he couldn't hold it back. Something else had gripped him tight and refused to let go until he gave in to the desire simmering under his skin.

But wasn't he supposed to wait for Blaine to do it? Wasn't he supposed to remain passive and allow Blaine to take his pleasure the way he saw fit? It was what they were taught at school and it was deeply ingrained even though a part of him was denying and sure Blaine would want any of that. It was hard to know the lines though when they hadn't actively discussed intimacy beyond Blaine promising he wouldn't push him… and he believed that, he just didn't know where the other boundaries lay.

His Dom looked at him like he saw all the way into his soul and Kurt knew he figured him out and that he knew what he was thinking.

"I know...and you thought wrong. You can ask and take whatever you want from me, whatever you need. Always," he assured and Kurt nodded into the hand cupping his neck when Blaine spoke again. "We should get going. Jeff will be waiting for us outside of Dalton in thirty minutes," he reminded and Kurt jumped to his feet, fixing his blazer in the mirror before accepting Blaine's hand and walking out to the car.

He locked his fears away and tucked them safely behind the memories of Blaine's words and his embrace, knowing his Dom created a wall around his insecurities that kept them away from him.

He had to be strong for Jeff.

His fingers wrapped around his tie expertly, forming a perfect looking knot in seconds; a reminiscence of his old days.

He smoothed down his shirt and reached for the blazer laid carefully over the back of his desk chair. Pulling it over his crisp white shirt he buttoned the front slowly and fixed the lapels before taking a step back and inspecting himself in the mirror.

He barely looked like the boy who moved into that room with three measly boxes of stuff and fear etched so deeply into his bones he wanted nothing more but to lock the door of his new dorm and hide from the world he knew was more than capable of hurting him again.
His hair was soft and falling in beautiful blonde whips over his right eye, courtesy of Kurt and a small bottle of hair product he said he saved for him out of the supplies Blaine got him for their trip, his face was pale and freckled but there was a tinge of pink sitting high on his cheekbones, signaling shyness and nerves.

His clothes fit him like a glove and he basked in the surprisingly quality fabric caressing his skin and reminding him of the time when all of his clothes felt amazing instead of scratchy.
He ran a hand over the material and allowed himself a moment of indulgence at that familiar feeling of cotton and silk on his skin before his mind kicked in with logic and memories and warnings.
He took in his surroundings with a labored breath as he stepped away from the mirror and sat onto the bed to wait for Kurt, ready for the first day of his new life.

He picked on the high thread sheets adorning his new, queen sized bed and glanced around to take in the heavy wooden closet and a matching dresser with an ornate framed mirror hanging over it, catching sunlight and casting bright shapes over the dark red carpet.
The walls were all a soft looking beige with an exception of the wall behind the bed, painted burgundy and matching the carpet perfectly, the combination contrasting the vintage furniture with modern colors and lines.

It was a place he had dreamed of being at before his dreams turned to nightmares.

Dalton was the school he was going to attend with his new Dom, before said Dom turned sadistic and decided he was to be homeschooled, therefore effectively cutting him off from the world.

Dalton was where he would join the infamous Warblers and with a little bit of effort become their head choreographer, before HE made him realize his voice was too shaky and his moves were spazzy and not fluid enough.

Dalton was where he was going to take art classes and be a part of the annual exhibition where someone would see his art and ask to buy it, before his Dom tore all of his sketches because they were childish, stupid and amateurish.

Dalton was going to be his promise land then, and it could be his safe haven now.

All thanks to his best friend and his new Dom.

"Jeff, Kurt is here again," Lillian Sterling called out to her son and he looked up from the empty paper in front of him and she knew he had spent hours with a pencil in his hand, unable to draw a single thing.

No matter how many times they told him Kevin had it wrong, that his talent was still there and that he should draw and paint again, his fingers seemed frozen over the paper and nothing ever appeared on the blank surface.

He still sat at his desk, a sheet of paper and a pencil sharpened so many times it almost disappeared inside of his hand, but nothing changed.

Kevin took away so much from him, his voice, his art, his smile…and Lillian hated him for it, but there was nothing she could do about it but be there for her son and hope that someday, someone would come and show him just how beautiful he was.

He looked up at her and she flinched at the pain in those jade eyes she loved so much.

"Is he alone?" he asked timidly and she shook her head.

"Blaine's with him. They're with your dad in the living room now. He seems like a nice person," she tacked on knowing how reluctant he was to be close to someone who knew about his old life.

"Yeah um...Kurt said so," he said twisting his fingers nervously. Were they here to tell him that they could do nothing to save him? Were they here to shatter his tentative dream once again? Was he going to get broken again?

"Kurt looked happy. I think its good news honey," his mom told him and he looked up to find her smiling at him gently, pain etched in her eyes and he hated that he was the reason it was there.

"I...I hope so," he whispered and she took his hand careful not to make too many sudden moves and make him flinch.

"Come on...Let's see what they have to say," she said and he nodded, allowing her to pull him out of his room and down to the living room where the beaming face of his best friend was the first and the last thing he saw before he had his arms full of Kurt.

"Oh my god Jeff this will be so awesome," Kurt squealed and Jeff widened his eyes at the sight of Blaine chuckling as he watched the two of them almost bouncing from the excitement Kurt exhibited over the news.

But Jeff had a hard time believing it.

Dalton? He was allowed to go to that heaven he had dreamed of for so long? He knew there was nothing left in him that he could offer but still, it was Dalton, it was his dream.

"Really? I...I get to go?" he asked breathily and flinched when Blaine stood up to walk towards them, a gentle smile on his handsome face and eyes full of pride directed at his sub.

"Your friend here is very persistent and determined when he wants something," Blaine said teasingly with a fondness undeniable in his voice and Jeff felt one of the knots in his body unravel and relax at the sound of it; soft and gentle.

Maybe Blaine really was good to Kurt like he said he was. Maybe his friend really was happy and maybe...just maybe Blaine could really be his friend.

"You mean annoying?" he asked quietly, braving against his own fears in case the Dom got angry at him for insulting his sub.

What he received in return was a smack on the shoulder from Kurt and a shrug accompanied by another teasing, "Or that…" from Blaine, making them all laugh as the tension broke slightly allowing them to smooth out the details of his transfer in a friendly atmosphere.

After a long discussion it was decided he would board since Lima was two hours away from the school and if Jeff had any intention of making it in time for his morning classes he would have to get up at four in the morning to get ready and catch the bus which was highly impractical of course.

Realizing he would have to swallow his own fears he agreed and with the help of Kurt and Blaine packed his things and moved into a single room on the second floor of the housing building.

Filled with a strange mixture of hope and fear and anticipation he settled to bed knowing Monday would be the day his new life started.

For better or for worse he was never going back to that hell he came out of.

A sharp knock pulled him out of his own mind and he stood up on shaky legs, approaching the door of his new room and turning the knob with numb fingers.

He was greeted with the beaming smile of his best friend and the tentative but confident one of his friend's Dom as he shut the door behind him and took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Morning, Jeffy!" Kurt chirped and Jeff could see a curious smile on Blaine's face as he stared at his sub, bright and chatty as he greeted his best friend.

"Morning, Kurt," he smiled softly because he couldn't deny Kurt much of anything and then turned back to Blaine, eyes downcast and shoulders slumped protectively. "Good morning, sir."

He realized Blaine seemed like a truly nice guy and he still hoped deep down they could be friends somehow but after thinking about it he figured he should probably do his best to make him stay that way.

"Please Jeff, call me Blaine," the Dom said nicely and Jeff's head snapped up, fingers shaking from the anxiety of this uncharted territory. Of course there was the interaction he had with Sam occasionally but it didn't seem like quite the same thing here.

If he didn't listen Blaine could get mad...if he did...Blaine could get mad again. This was looking decidedly like a no win scenario and he was on the verge of a panic attack about being backed into yet another corner when a soft hand took his gently.

"It's okay. I call him Blaine most of the time as well," Kurt said with a soft smile and Jeff blew out a shaky exhale and decided he should take it in stride for now and deal with potential consequences later. After all, he trusted Kurt and if Kurt said it was okay then it must be right?

"Okay then," he acquiesced quietly before glancing around and realizing the hallways were still pretty empty. "Are we early?"

"Yeah a little bit. Blaine wanted to show us around a bit and tell us about Dalton before classes start," Kurt said as he tugged at his hand and led him down the hall, Blaine falling into step next to them easily as the Dom talked.

"So, Dalton is a facility that has everything from kindergarten to college. The kindergarten and the primary school have their own buildings while high school and college share the same one but are situated in different wings. Dalton tends to encourage interaction among students to make the transition to college easier by having the high school and college students share the cafeteria, and allowing high school seniors to join most of the college clubs and groups," Kurt took every word out of his mouth with wide eyes and slacked jaw, obviously so fascinated by the way the gigantic institution worked.

Deciding he should just keep the fact that he knew mostly everything there was to know about Dalton to himself, he walked alongside them and took in every detail as Blaine gave directions to their classes and tidbits about their future teachers.

"…anyway, Markham is an ass. He picks on the people who don't pick up on his subject right away and tends to ask them most of the questions, so if you're not a math whiz I suggest you lay low for a while. Mrs. Carlson is really sweet and while she has high expectations she's a great teacher and she's really understanding so I think it's good you have her on your first class on the first day here. She's bound to make a good impression. Let's see who else...oh Denton, the history teacher... the most boring human being alive. I'm serious he makes a bloodbath sound sleep inducing. But he's nice so everyone let's that slide," he chuckled and Kurt followed suit with a giggle of his own as the rounded the corner and came to a stop next to a huge board filled with colorful flyers and signup sheets, a plethora of students signing up for various things Dalton had to offer and talking excitedly about auditions, try outs and practice.

"Wow what are those?" Kurt asked and Jeff took a step towards the board a curious gleam in his eyes as he looked for the one sheet he'd give anything he had to see his name on.

The art club.

The signup sheet, as the explanation on it suggested, was designed by someone who was a part of the club and then went on to take over the world of visual communication by storm, creating the most recognizable of logos and commercials in the world.

Jeff wanted to be a part of it so badly he could feel his fingers tingling with desire to pick up the pen and sign his name but there was a voice at the back of his head whispering in a seething rage.

"You think you're some kind of an artist? My dead grandmother can draw better than this."

"I'm not wasting money on supplies for your childish, uninspired doodling."

"You know how most artists become famous after they die? Well not even death will help you."

Shaking his head against the onslaught of fear and resignation he stepped back, stilling the urge inside of him to join and convincing his own mind it's just better to stay away and leave it to people who actually had talent.

"Are you joining?" a soft voice came from behind him and he jumped, startled at the genuine curiosity in the Dom's voice as he stood next to him, waiting for Kurt to finish reading every single one of the signup sheets...even the hockey team one.

"Oh...n-no I can't really draw that well...I was just...just looking," he said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck in a nervous habit as he waited for Blaine to just look away from him.

The Dom eyed him, obviously not believing his words after he had listened to Kurt praise his drawing when they bought him his gift, but he had decided to let it go, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

"No design classes or clubs or anything," Kurt came back pouting and Blaine chuckled at the cute expression, loving how relaxed and comfortable Kurt seemed to be all morning despite the fact that it was his first day of school.

Logically he knew it was because he wanted to appear bright and happy and confident for Jeff's sake but there was a small part of Blaine that hoped beyond hope it had something to do with him. A tug on his hand brought him back from his own mind and he looked back at Kurt who stared at his printed out schedule.

"Okay so you showed us where the classrooms go but you never said if those are the ones for us or the Doms?" he turned to Blaine in confusion.

"Oh right. I forgot to mention. Dalton has co-ed classes," he said and both of the subs gaped at him in terror. The blonde hadn't known about that particular detail.

Jeff's skin turned into a sickly white and Kurt shook his head in disbelief.

"But…they can…I…" his sub stuttered and Blaine rushed to his side, sliding a hand around his waist and using the other to carefully take Jeff's into his own.

"Just breathe. This isn't McKinley. This isn't Lima. You'll be okay. PE is held separately and that's the only place you can be caught in a vulnerable position. Nobody will touch you," he tried to comfort them while still keeping the distance the both of them needed to feel safe and he felt his body tremble with the effort to control his urge to protect.

Slowly their breathing evened out and they managed to stand still, Kurt curling into his arms and Jeff straightening his stance as if to make himself seem stronger, more confident.

"Trust me, okay, you'll be alright. Even if there is someone who's rude there will be five others willing to stand by you. I can vouch for that. Okay, lovely?" he asked gently and Kurt nodded into his neck, pealing himself away from his Dom and casting an encouraging smile at his friend as they walked towards their classroom.

Blaine dropped them off in front of their classroom for their first class of the day, English Literature, and with a soft kiss to Kurt's cheek and reassurances to both of them he was gone again.

Kurt and Jeff glanced at one another before pushing through the door, relieved to see that there wasn't anybody other than the teacher in there at the moment.

Mrs Carlson was a woman around her mid forties, red hair tied into a neat bun and bright green glasses perched on her nose. She wore a long brown flowing gypsy skirt and a soft white blouse that made her a comforting, soft presence to approach and when she heard their entrance she glanced up at them and smiled, warm and genuine.

"You must be my new boys!" she greeted easily as she rose up.

Kurt cleared his throat and nodded pressing close to Jeff's side and linking their hands together behind their backs for support. "Yes, ma'am. I'm Kurt Hummel and this is Jeffery Sterling."

"Well I'm Mrs Carlson and you happen to be in luck, there's a free table in the back left corner that's all yours," she smiled pointing in that direction. "Go settle down and I'll just grab you the books you'll need."

They did as they were asked pulling their notepads and a pen out each before a few scattered texts were being piled in front of them. "Now I know it's a little into the year but don't look too daunted dears, we were sent your previous work over from you're old school and all your teachers will be happy to accommodate and help you catch up to Dalton's syllabus."

Kurt picked up an anthology of poems curiously to inspect a little closer.

"These are the texts we've been studying, we've already been through a few poems that I've marked for you on these sheets," she held up two copies and handed them to them. "And we've read Paradise Lost by John Milton and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath in class so if you could read those in your free time then that would be great and we can take the rest of it from there," she smiled.

"We're allowed to take them?" Jeff asked surprised.

She smiled. "Of course, they're yours, scribble notes in them, highlight sentences and paragraphs," she waved her hand airily just as the door opened and other students began to trickle in, noticing the new comers with bright curiosity and sometimes recognition when there eyes rested on Kurt.

He shifted in his chair and tried not to be intimidated by their stares and felt Jeff take his hand under the table, like Kurt had done for him earlier.

Mrs Carlson threaded her way back towards the front of the class where the pristine white board was set up next to another screen that looked like it was for a projector as the class slowly but surely filled up.

Kurt and Jeff tried their best to blend in and keep to themselves but it was almost impossible especially when Mrs Carlson hushed the chattering and spoke over them, "Quiet down guys, I want everyone to welcome our two new students before we crack on with where we left off last week. Now, our fresh faces names are Kurt Hummel and Jeffery Sterling," there was some murmuring and frantic whispering immediately upon hearing their names and the teacher clapped her hands loudly. "Enough of that. I expect you to show them the same respect you show everyone else," she said sternly and the voices petered away into nothing making Kurt release a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Okay, so today..."

Kurt kind of zoned out what she was saying which wasn't the best start, but really, he hardly expected to understand when he hadn't read the material anyway. He was just so nervous that he could hardly concentrate. He found he missed Blaine's presence acutely now he was gone and it had only been about ten minutes since he'd left for his own class.

A few more minutes passed before a voice from the table next to them got Kurt's attention. "Psst! Hummel!" was hissed under their breath.

Kurt turned his head and met hard green eyes and a salacious smirk set in a classically handsome face. He was a sub, Kurt could tell that immediately but he was knocked from any further inspection when the boy opened his mouth again, "So how much did he pay you?"

Kurt felt a cold stab of dread and hurt spear his stomach and chest as he flinched away instinctively, facing back forwards and looking down at the desk with a humiliated blush staining his cheeks. He didn't want to deal with this and the realisation that just because he'd gone away for a week didn't mean the 'scandal' of his bonding wasn't still fresh in everyone's minds and it made him feel like a fool.

"Kurt," Jeff murmured to him squeezing his hand tighter. "Just ignore him."

"Because he can't actually be serious right?" A harsh laugh that made tears spring to his eyes even as anger coiled in his gut. "I mean, look at you."

"And look at you," another voice drawled and Kurt snapped his head up to see the boy in front of him had turned in his chair and was staring down the other sub that was trying his hardest to tear Kurt down. "Jealous isn't a good look on you Brad, so how about you rein it in before every Dom in this place comes to his or her senses, yeah?"

"Fuck off, Sebastian, this hasn't got anything to do with you."

"And it stopped having anything to do with you the moment the Anderson's rejected your request for a pre-claim. Boo fucking hoo. Move on already before anyone else catches desperate from you."

Brad narrowed angry eyes and opened his mouth to fire back when the teacher called on him.

"I assume because you're talking you already know the answer?" she asked coolly and Brad stiffly shook his head.

"No ma'am, I'm sorry," he muttered.

She clucked her tongue, peering at him sternly from over the rim of her glasses. "Right well face front and pay attention please and then maybe you will know hmm?"

"Yes ma'am," he gritted out.

That seemed to be the end of it and Kurt briefly met the eyes of Sebastian before he turned back around as if nothing had happened at all and he hadn't just defended him.

Kurt was left to ponder this for the rest of the lesson until it finished and Sebastian was striding out before Kurt had a chance to say thank you. He watched the tall sub go before Jeff was tugging them to their next class and it was put out of his mind for the time being.

"You sure you don't want me to go with you?" Kurt asked Jeff for the millionth time that day as they walked out of their last class before lunch and headed in the direction Blaine pointed out was the cafeteria.

"I'm sure, Kurt. I'll be fine. You just go and meet Blaine for lunch and I'll see you in biology," Jeff said, trying his best to keep his voice even and steady when everything inside him screamed for protection and comfort.

"I doubt the Principal will keep you for an hour. Why don't you join us for lunch after you're done? I'll grab you something before it's all gone," Kurt offered forgetting for a second that they were now at Dalton and that the food would most likely be available for all the students, not just those who were quick enough to grab something before it was gone.

"Um…I…I don't know…don't you two want some time alone or...or something." He fidgeted on his feet, showing for the first time that he didn't really know if he fit into Kurt's life anymore.

Kurt had a Dom now, a permanent one, and as far as he liked to think things would stay the same he knew they wouldn't spend as much time together as they did before.

Kurt's soft smile brought him back from his musings.

"We spend enough time alone at home and I've missed my best friend in the world. Also Blaine would really like to get to know you better. So please...please join us?" Kurt trained huge blue eyes at him, lower lip sticking out in a pout and his cheeks puffing cutely.

"Oh fine...you know I can't stand the puppy eyes," Jeff huffed and Kurt bounced on his feet a little.

"Yay! Okay I'm going now, but I'll see you soon," he said and walked towards the appealingly smelling room to their left, leaving Jeff to collect his thoughts and find his way to the Principal's office.

The bell rang mere minutes ago and the hallways were filled with people rushing to get something to eat, reminding Jeff of McKinley and the everyday battle to get to the cafeteria before everything that was even remotely edible was gone and he tried to curl into himself against the tide of bodies pushing past him.

He took a step towards the hallway he remembered Blaine pointed out lead to Principal Montgomery's office and he looked up only to have his heart skip a million beats.

There was a boy... well a man standing there, a few steps away from him, smiling at his cell phone and Jeff could have sworn nobody had a smile so illuminated and breathtaking.

Ever since his failed bond Jeff refused to allow himself to look at someone like that, to think of someone as something more than a friend, to feel attraction or desire for someone, but this person made everything inside him jump awake after so long, shaking off dust and cobwebs and filling him with awareness.

Soft, brown hair flopped around his ears, tips curling and tickling his skin, warm eyes twinkled and shone with joy and his smile…god his smile was something that should exist only in fairytales; soft, pink lips stretched over pearly teeth and Jeff instantly thought of sunshine and warmth.

He wanted to know what it would feel like to have that smile directed at him, to be the one to cause it, to be allowed to kiss it.

Gasping in silent shock he mocked his own stupidity for thinking that way.

He was nothing. He wasn't worthy of even looking at him, let alone thinking of marring him with his touch.

He allowed himself one final glance at the magical being in front of him before mentally scolding himself and turning around, rounding the corner and disappearing into the crowd, completely missing the look of longing on the face of the boy with a sunshine smile.

Nicholas Alexander Duval always thought of himself as a simple guy, easily pleased and even more easily entertained.

He enjoyed good movies and books, hanging out with his friends and being a part of the Warblers as music was one of the things that made him happier than anything else. He liked sleeping in, in the morning and waking up to the sound of his sound system gently playing the same record he had fallen asleep to the night before. He liked to talk to people, visit new places and he liked to daydream...about one thing in particular.

Ever since he was a little boy he would talk to his mother about the beautiful boy with golden hair and eyes that will be the same colour as his favourite chocolate and he will be the so pretty all the other boys will want him but he will like only Nick.

His mom asked him what he would do if the golden haired boy liked someone else and the tiny five year old pouted, his lower lip trembling as he fought against the tears and he said that he would hold his hand and kiss his cheek and make him smile and then he would stop liking the other person and like only him.

Lucy smiled at her son and said she thought it was a pretty good plan.

Over the years a lot had changed, the music he now liked was different, his favourite chocolate wasn't the same anymore and he rarely cried over anything.

But there was one thing that never changed.

Every time he daydreamed he daydreamed of him, and every time he thought of him he still had golden hair and chocolate coloured eyes.

Nick had a type and every time a sub caught his eye it was blonde hair that pulled him in. But for whatever reason not one sub he approached, talked to, took on a date, called out to him or made him want to claim them.

There was always something frustratingly missing and he had no idea what it was.

A tickle of his phone vibrating in his front blazer pocket shook him out of his musings and he took the cell out trying to be discrete, but his efforts proving to be futile because their professor announced that the class for the day was cancelled due to something Nick couldn't care less about because all he heard was 'no class'.

Darting out of the stuffy room he chuckled a laugh at the message on his screen.

From: Trent (9:13am)
Wes caved. Warblers are going to NY to compete. Can I get an AMEN?

Laughing goofily he sent back a capitalized, bolded and italicized AMEN and pocketed his phone heading in the direction of the cafeteria to get a muffin or something.

He was about to take the first step towards the exit of the hallway when the air got punched out of his lungs and stomach, his heart skydived to the floor and all coherent thoughts suddenly decided they didn't want to be his friends anymore, packed their bags and left his head...for good.

He was the most beautiful thing Nick had ever seen.

Soft, platinum blonde hair falling like silk down his forehead and partially covering his eyes...eyes the colour of chocolate and honey and so incredibly warm and...something else he couldn't pinpoint but if he had to name it, it would be shy or timid.

His little nose was straight and cute and the redness of the tip, which could be caused by the cold air in the hallway, made him even more adorable and Nick just wanted to cuddle him until he was warm again. He had beautifully full, pink lips that begged to be kissed and the fact that he didn't even know his name or if he was claimed was the only thing that kept Nick from rushing over there and giving in to the unknowing plea and kissing the living daylights out of him.

The blonde beauty was tall, if he was not mistaken he was slightly taller than Nick, but his thin frame and his careful, drawn in stature made him seem small and breakable for some reason. He awakened every instinct Nick had always known he had but never felt before; the need to keep him warm, safe, happy, loved and protected.

The need to have him completely and to give himself to him in return.

The intense desires were jarring to his system.

A quick scan of his clothes told him the blonde was in high school so that could explain the fact that he had never seen him before, but now that he had there was no way he would let him disappear again.

Shaking off the trance the angel in front of him put him in, he took a few bold steps towards him when the blonde turned around and an image smashed into Nick's heart with the force of a thousand nails being driven into his chest.

The back of his neck was marked with a partially outlined heart, the colour that could have once been called green, dull and speckled with black dots and every single one felt like a slap in the face to Nick.

He belonged to someone… someone who wasn't Nick…and someone who deserved to be killed on the spot because that someone hurt him. Everyone knew what marks like that meant.

Almost stupidly heartbroken and feeling defeated he watched the blonde angel walk away, every step between them tearing him apart and he had to rub a hand over his aching chest to try and sooth the yawning pain that was only widening with the distance.

A hand clasped him on the shoulder and he jumped, eyes never leaving that corner the blonde boy disappeared behind as the voice of his best friend drifted to him, muted and distant.

"Nick? Nick, man are you okay?" he could hear Blaine calling but he couldn't force himself to look away; the hope he would come back still raging inside of him.

"NICK!"

Suddenly he was whipped around to face a confused, worried looking Blaine frowning at him and holding his shoulders tightly.

"I...I'm okay, B," he said shakily, craning his neck to look at that corner again.

"What are you looking for?" Blaine asked looking in the same direction over his shoulder but having no clue what he was searching for.

"He...I...I saw someone," he said, his explanation falling short in his own mind, let alone Blaine's.

"Someone you know? Someone you hate? Someone who forgot to return the book you lent them? You'll have to be more specific," Blaine teased hoping to get at least a small smile for his comedic efforts but Nick remained stubbornly serious and deep in thought, eyes faraway, brows drawn low over them.

"How did you know you wanted to claim, Kurt?" he asked all of a sudden and Blaine gasped in shock.

"You saw someone you want to claim?"

"Just answer my question," Nick snapped and Blaine held his hands up in a mock surrender gesture.

"Sorry. I don't know, I just knew. I saw him and I felt like I never wanted to stop looking at him again. The thought of him going to someone else, someone else touching him, having him made me sick. I knew I couldn't let him go," Blaine tried to explain as best he could and every shred of doubt vanished from Nick's thoughts like Blaine had switched on a floodlight.

A marred mark or not this boy was not claimed, at least not anymore. There was no way the Validators wouldn't have removed him from the Dom that did that to him and that gave him at least some form of hope. And as hard as it might be, and he was not going to kid himself that it would be easy in any way shape or form, he was ready to face everything to be with that sub.

He had teasingly ripped into Blaine for his shocking claiming but now he finally understood. The decision wasn't really a decision at all, in fact it was as natural a response like breathing was. Necessary and unavoidable.

"Then yes...I have found someone I want to claim," he answered firmly and turned his back on a stunned looking Blaine, walking towards the corned he last saw him at and trying to retrace his steps to find him again.

The knock on the door was tentative at best; in fact, if he hadn't been waiting for it Hikaru was sure he would have missed it completely.

As it was he beckoned the person inside and watched as the door slowly revealed the infamous Jeffery Sterling, shoulders drawn inwards and eyes set on the floor beneath him.

Hikaru was hardly an ignorant man.

He knew all about the Sterling's 'scandalous fall from grace', the transfer of one Kevin Landon, the bond the two families had tried to forge with the union of a sub and a Dom. It wasn't hard to piece together what had happened in the end and yet, there was nothing anyone could do about the circumstances.

The Validators had just shown up one afternoon and took young Jeffrey into their custody, bruised and visibly gone if the dull color of his eyes was anything to go by. Landon's parents have spent their money on lawyers and private investigators, and bribing people into swearing up and down that Kevin was the most amazing of Dom's managing to contain the rumor mill enough to get out of all of it unscathed.

Jeff's parents on the other hand lost everything they had trying to fight them back while at the same time paying for therapy and treatment for their son, spending everything they had and falling from society the worst way possible.

Everybody knew what happened; but nobody could provide evidence and the case was soon forgotten in light of flashy parties and shiny cars. Yes, he and others could speculate, could even be one hundred percent sure he was right but Hikaru or anyone else for that matter had no proof, the Landon's had made sure of that.

Looking at the broken, timid shell of a sub in front of him now made him wish that was not so.

"Mr Sterling," he greeted warmly, standing from his seat to greet his student properly.

Downcast, hesitant brown eyes met his own before skittering back to the floor. "Sir."

Hikaru smiled sadly at him though he didn't see it. "Please have a seat, make yourself comfortable," he offered making sure to keep his voice level and without command. He was careful to do this anyway because it was a misuse of power for someone in his position, but something about Jeffery made it imperative for him to seem as least domineering as possible if this meeting was to go well.

Jeff took him up on the suggestion after scanning his face for any sign that he possibly hadn't meant it which told a thousand stories on its own. It was a Dom's job to make sure a sub was cared for and safe and trusted in them to do those things. This poor young sub clearly hadn't experienced any of that and it only solidified what he already knew.

"I want you to understand Mr Sterling, I didn't call you in here because you are in trouble in any way," he started and wide brown eyes snapped up to his.

"I'm not?" was asked quietly.

Hikaru smiled patiently. "Of course not. I just wanted to check in with you to see how your first day was going."

Jeff opened his mouth as if to say something but nothing came out and he closed it again shrinking further into himself.

"Are you alright, Mr Sterling? If you have any concerns you can talk to me about them freely."

"I don't fit in here," he blurted. "I just... I don't."

Hikaru cocked his head at him. "You're a sub, yes?"

Jeff frowned. "Yes."

He smiled and teased lightly, "Well I happen to be quite sure that this is a Dominant and submissive school. I think you'll fit in just fine." Jeff just looked away, the joke clearly missing its point and Hikaru couldn't even blame him. "Mr Sterling, in all seriousness you have just as much right to be here as anyone else. This is a place for understanding and learning, prejudice and bullying of any kind are not tolerated here."

"That doesn't mean it doesn't happen," Jeff murmured almost to himself, pulling at the cuffs of his uniform agitatedly like he wasn't comfortable in the clothes.

"No, I can't promise you that it doesn't," he conceded and Jeff looked at him with trepidation. "But it is dealt with swiftly and effectively. I do not tolerate it in my school, Mr Sterling," he reiterated seriously.

The blonde swallowed and nodded shortly.

"Now, do you have any questions about your dorm? About your class schedule?"

"No it's fine, I understand where I'm supposed to be."

"Well if you do get a little lost feel free to ask a fellow student or teacher, the staff has all been informed that there will be two new students and they're there to help after all."

Jeff nodded again and Hikaru sighed a little at the tense posture that had hardly eased in his presence. As much as he would like to keep the sub here and quell some of those fears he knew he couldn't keep him from all of his lunch break.

"Please feel you can come to me if anything bothers you, a comment, a look, if you simply need someone to talk to," he offered sincerely with a smile, knowing he was crossing the line of being professionally detached from his students but he just couldn't stay away when this boy in front of him looked so old and warn when he should be smiling and in love and happy.

He knew he was biased.

He knew that his daughter, Lee, softened his sympathies further than he initially felt them but it was difficult to detach completely when all he was imagining was what if. What if someone did this to Lee? What if she was scared and broken and was facing him right now so lost?

He knew it was his job to be concerned but objective but he found sometimes he just couldn't. The board could do or say what they liked about him but he wasn't changing.

"Thank you."

After all, that soft admission was worth it.

"Blaine!"

The familiar chorus of voices resonated in harmony even while just greeting in sync, making him smile widely at the room full of smartly dressed Warblers as he walked into the large choir room. He should have predicted the barrage of questions that came along with the many limbs grabbing at him in bro-hugs, back slaps and handshakes from the group of guys who, for better or for worse, became his second family while he was at school.

He returned the greetings heartily, glancing over his closest friends and smiling at them, happy to see them after spending almost ten days away with his life completely turned upside down...for the better.

The all male group was built up of around fifteen guys from senior age upwards, it was predominantly a college choir with a few brave high school seniors and Blaine had been a member since he was seventeen and had just started his senior year. The Warblers were largely populated by Dominants, not through any prejudice on the part of the members, but instead through outside influence.

Dalton on the whole was a very progressive institute in regards to their society and compared to some of its neighboring counterparts. The families that sent their children there were more open than most, accepting of change, however there was still that percentage of families that were traditional in their thinking. That scorned changes or moves towards lessening the divide between classes and as such prevented their unbonded sub children from joining something as useless as the Warblers. They believed their efforts were better spent learning ways to please their Doms and attending sub training classes, so it was mainly only bonded subs that were members or subs from progressive families.

Whatever the reason, Blaine loved them with all of his heart and he knew they were the ones he could count on when things got rough.

"You're back!"

"Hear you snagged a sub finally idiot!"

"Is it true he's from Lima?"

"He's not from Lima."

"The media's been having a field day. Where have you been?!"

"Guys!" Blaine called out holding his hands up and forcing them back a step. His brain could hardly compute all the different voices and opinions.

"Give him some breathing room," a commanding tone admonished and the sea of identical blazers further dispersed to sit down or hover nearby against walls so a familiar figure could be seen.

"Wes," Blaine grinned at the fellow Dom, always regal in the way he talked, seemingly cold and untouchable but underneath it all a caring person and the best of friends one could hope to have.

"Always a stir, Blaine, always a stir," the Asian sighed with small shake of his head, but there was humour lighting his brown eyes.

Blaine laughed. He'd missed them while he had been away. "You love it, Wes, admit it."

"Well I can't deny it's mildly entertaining," was returned mock snobbishly and Blaine chuckled at his teasing eye roll as he settled himself at the council's desk.

"Okay enough with the pleasantries I want the inside scoop!" David exclaimed hopping up onto the council desk at the front of the room making Wes scowl and shove him off to prevent the wood from damaging. Blaine kinked a brow innocently in mock confusion and David rolled his eyes. "Your sub, asshole! I want to know about your sub. You can't just go and get your ass bonded and not expect your best friends to grill you about it!"

Blaine opened his mouth fully prepared to gush when he was cut off.

"He didn't get bonded, they just made it up! They make stuff up about B all the time," Trent scoffed from his spot by the windows. "And all that stuff that this subs from Lima is just to exaggerate the story."

Blaine frowned at that, hackles beginning to rise. He didn't like people denying Kurt's existence any more than he liked the implication that saying someone was from Lima would juice up a story to make it into a bigger scandal. There was nothing wrong with where Kurt had come from and regardless, that struggle had made him all the more beautiful to Blaine.

"No," Thad disagreed more timidly, but confident in his own opinion, from the armchair he was curled up on, folder in his lap filled with equations and formulas usually only he was able to understand the meaning of. "I don't think they'd make that up."

"Well I don't believe it," Trent countered crossing his arms over his chest and staring at Blaine with something resembling hope on his face. Like it would make him personally happy if Blaine confirmed his theory; like it somehow affected him.

"Yeah well what you do believe is that all clowns are evil monsters out to get you so I wouldn't put much stock into your opinion," Sebastian drawled from the couch where he was studying his nails intently a look of absolute boredom with just a hint of surprise on his face; like he couldn't really believe he was willingly spending time with the rest of them mortals. It was a look he wore constantly, with one exception. When Dave was close to him.

"They are evil! You just don't understand!" Trent wailed, clutching his heart eyes widening in fear and darting around the room like he expected a wild clown to materialize out of thin air and poke his eyes out with chop sticks.

"You didn't do this as some kind of publicity stunt did you, Blaine?" Jon, one of their newer members and a Dom asked in a deep growly voice and Blaine felt his insides flare at the thought of degrading Kurt like that.

"What? No!" Blaine hissed at him, eyes blazing fully with the depth of his anger now, Jon and a few others backed up. "Kurt is not and never will be some kind of publicity stunt. He's beautiful and amazing and you'll shut up about him right now," he commanded fiercely.

The room went deathly under that weight of the dominance pouring off of Blaine.

The room was mostly full of other Dominants yes, but Blaine was by far one of the stronger, natural Doms in the room and as such he had a certain power over them still even though they weren't all subs. Even the Doms responded to his fierceness; not in the instinctual, hormone driven way as the subs did but they could still feel the power in him and they regarded it with respect.

"We're sorry, Blaine," Trent mumbled after a few minutes and Jon nodded his head frantically with wide eyes and a remorseful frown.

David rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah man, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought him up so casually, that was bad form."

Blaine inhaled a deep breath to get himself under control and tried to loosen his tightened fists and tensed muscles. He really wanted Kurt right now to hold in his arms; he soothed him with his mere presence effortlessly.

"He's in my English class," Sebastian said breaking the second silence that descended. "He's pretty. Prettier than you deserve," he smirked and Blaine found himself deflating as he quirked a small smile at the younger sub, grateful for the change in the atmosphere the teasing comment caused.

Sebastian was in Kurt's year, a senior and already happily and comfortably bonded to Dom Dave Karofsky for just over a year now. He had a sharp tongue and snarky personality that reminded Blaine a little bit of Kurt when he slipped into that sassy diva he loved to see so much. And for a moment Blaine wondered if hanging out with Sebastian could help Kurt relax even more and return him to his usual personality that he believed to be quite flashy and big in comparison to the uncertain, timid sub he was now.

"He's an angel," Blaine said decidedly, looking around the room as if daring someone to disagree with him.

Wes chuckled and held his hands up. "We believe you."

Blaine didn't even blush, he was not the least bit ashamed of how far gone he was for his sub. He'd sing it to everyone if he had to. That wasn't even a bad idea, he thought suddenly, cocking his head to the side, eyes going shiny and dreamy. Would Kurt like that? He liked him singing before... maybe he should practise and surprise him?

"Oh no, move the furniture quick before he starts jumping on it!" David declared cutting into his inner planning and Thad giggled while Blaine pouted when he realized what he was talking about.

"I don't do it that often," he frowned.

"Don't make Wes get his recordings out Blaine, I beg of you," Trent whined plaintively. The rest of the room groaned too while Wes glared at them.

"I like them," Thad piped up, giving up on the mile long math problem he was trying to solve for his 'I'm a smartass and I know stuff regular people don't' club.

"Because you like spotting Ryan's face in the crowd mooning over you," Sebastian snorted but it was fond. Sebastian had been a key factor in getting Thad and his Dom together after six months of dreamy sighs and drooling smiles and whiny solos.

Thad glared at him and it was pretty adorable because the sub couldn't pull off mad if his life depended on it with how small and sweet and messy haired and adorable he was. "Like you don't enjoy it when Dave comes and does the same."

"Dave doesn't moon," Sebastian sniffed haughtily, though there was a hint of a smile pulling at the corners of his lips that ruined his glare as his façade cracked just a tiny bit revealing a boy who was truly in love and happy.

"No he just eyefucks you, which is equally as disturbing when I'm trying to concentrate on my epic one, two step dancing," David stated side eyeing Wes who threw him a look so evil he rushed to correct his statement. "Because swaying side to side is totally hard and that's why we have to practice it over and over and over and o-"

"Everyone shut up, I want to know about, Kurt," Trent declared cutting in and Blaine visibly perked up, preening and glowing with pride.

"Someone's changed their tune," Thad sang with a little grin.

The dark haired Dom pointed at him. "You've gotten insufferable since you've bonded you know. Go back to being a nerdy nerd who solves math problems for fun and never talks unless it's about math."

Thad stuck his tongue at him childishly and Trent threw a pillow at his head.

Balance was restored.

"So, Kurt?" Wes interrupted the bickering.

Blaine smiled widely and he knew, dopily. "He's everything I've been waiting for and more. He's sweet and funny and kind and beautiful and..."

His quite pathetic rant was cut off by the loud bang and he scowled at the door because he was just about to describe Kurt's eyes for the peasants present there, having never had the chance of seeing something so magnificent and then Nick stole his thunder by striding into the room and flopping onto the couch.

"Sorry I'm late guys! Mr Henshall overran our class again."

"Dude likes to talk," Trent acknowledged with a solemn wince.

"We're talking about, Kurt," Thad said to him happily and Nick dramatically swooned.

"Did Blaine tell you he was an angel? Amazing? Wonderful? A rose amongst thorns?" he asked with a hand over his heart and they all laughed at his display.

"Essentially," Sebastian smirked.

Blaine punched his friend in the arm, not liking the mockery at all. "He is all those things!"

Nick winced and rubbed the offended area. "I know, B. I met him you know. He's great, you already know I think he is."

Blaine only frowned harder though, feeling a hot emotion sweep through him. "He's mine."

Nick laughed and so did a few others. "No winning with you is there? But don't you worry your curly head. I've got my eye on someone else so Kurt is safe from my sexy self."

Blaine remembered what Nick had told him about finally finding someone he wanted to claim and calmed down considerably. They shared a knowing look for a moment, breaking it before someone could catch it and ask questions they weren't ready to answer.

"Is it true what the media's been saying then?" Jon asked a bit more carefully this time earning himself a grateful smile from Nick for creating the distraction.

Blaine sighed heavily and propped himself against the desk next to David. "Probably not. But we haven't exactly been reading the magazines or newspapers while we were away so I have no idea what they are saying now."

"Did you have a nice time?" Wes asked and Blaine wasn't surprised that Hikaru had told him about the Bond Leave.

"It was unbelievable, he's so stunning you guys, inside and out. Spending a week with him without any distractions, just learning and bonding with him was like something out of a dream."

Thad hummed in agreement, eyes far away and dreamy, as if he was remembering his own bonding.

"You're never going to shut about him are you?" David asked suddenly. Pre-emptively.

Blaine shoved him. "Suck it up. Kurt's perfect so I have many things to brag about."

"Is he really from Lima?" Trent asked.

"Not that it matters," Blaine said defensively.

Trent held his hands up. "I'm not judging man, I'm sure he's all wonderful and an angel and all that other sappy crap you've been saying. I just find it strange he was at the Showing that's all."

Blaine backed down a little. "He was there doing the flower arrangements with his boss. He forgot his vest and came back to get it while the Showing was in full swing and I spotted him."

"And claimed him right in the middle of everyone like BAM!" Nick interjected gleefully. He understood what Blaine had done better now but he was still going to rib him for it.

Blaine blushed a little as everyone cracked up.

"Couldn't wait huh, B?" David snickered.

"You did attend the class we had on claiming in like... sophomore year right?" Wes arched a brow.

"I couldn't let him get away!" Blaine exclaimed above the laughing. "What else was I supposed to do?!"

"Oh no you're right, I'll spot someone I fancy and I'll just drop onto one knee and claim her right in the middle of the cafeteria," Trent laughed.

Blaine huffed stubbornly. "It wasn't like that. It wasn't fancying."

His tone must have struck a chord because the laughter petered out.

"Well I think it's sweet," Thad broke the silence and Blaine beamed at him. "And romantic."

"You would," Trent snorted under his breath referring to the fact that Thad and his Dom were by far the cheesiest and the most romantic couple ever, and Thad threw a pen at his head to get him back for that pillow that ended up scrunching his finished math problem.

"It was romantic," Blaine asserted, liking that assessment much better than uncouth, which his mother had implied it.

"Well when are we gonna meet him?" Wes asked.

"Well today's his first day, I don't want to overwhelm him," Blaine hedged. It wasn't that he didn't want them all to see how amazing Kurt was, he just knew that his friends could be a little full on and had a tendency to speak without thinking. Case in point? Right now.

"Probably a good idea with these idiots," Sebastian teased the room with a well known smirk.

"Hey!" a few cried out in unison and Blaine smiled at them.

"But soon. Really soon," he said and tuned out their voices as he let blue eyes and shy kisses overwhelm his mind.

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