Keep my heart captive, set me free

by The Queen of Rose

D/s AU - Kurt Hummel had always dreamed of a fairy-tale bond, a perfect, kind and caring Dom. Blaine Anderson had always dreamed of someone who stands out from the boring crowd, someone real, and pure. When their worlds collide, will either of them get what they had dreamed of?

18. Brightened

Hey guys!

Sorry for the wait for this, RL is crazy but we love you and this story dearly so never worry we won't update... it just takes us a bit of a while sometimes :P
First things first, we've decided to split this chapter into two separate ones, the two running ideas we had for this and what will now be next chap didn't vibe so we took one out to put to the side. This means the chapters a little shorter than usual but still pretty decent!
Also we are going to be putting up teasers for next chapter as a sort of run up in the interim while we work on it to keep you lovelies entertained so make sure to check over there once in a while! :D
Lastly, thank you to all you lovely reviewers! We haven't found the time to answer them like we normally would so we'll be doing that when we next update if we can't find time in between. Sorry guys, we love you and appreciate every one, really :D

There is also a TRIGGER WARNING for this chapter. We'll be getting a deeper glimpse into Jeff's backstory finally so there's a warning for; mental and physical abuse and rape but its not detailed.

---

Kurt sighed blissfully and leaned into the gentle stroke of fingers through his hair, the careful brush over his nape outlining his mark, but oh so diligent not to touch it without permission. It made him long and ache for the phantom brush of those strong fingers, a slip of the hand maybe so he would finally know what it felt like to be possessed in that way while taking the burden of asking for it off his shoulders.

He knew it wouldn't happen however. Blaine was being extra gentle with him right now, measuring every move and calculating every touch and while on a smaller, more reasonable level he knew why, the larger submissive part of him was desperate for that extra affection even if a distant voice was telling him it was unwise to jump into something like that.

He curled in tighter to Blaine's heat and tried to fight the impulses off, concentrating instead on the feel of his Dom beside him on the soft mattress. The trip from the study to their bedroom hadn't been long at all, the only pause being just inside the door to remove shoes, ties, belts and pants before snuggling under the covers in a cocoon of safety, but to Kurt it felt like forever. He just wanted to feel the wave of dominance washing over him and melting away the tightness in his chest and the weight on his shoulders.

He buried his face deeper into the curve of Blaine's neck, soaking up his warmth and smell as he trembled still in the aftermath of the night. The Dom responded immediately; kissing over his head, over his forehead and temple, anywhere he could reach in their current position curled into one another and all the while he whispered soothing endearments amongst a litany of I love you's that still had Kurt's head spinning in space.

I love you.

Finally.

The words he had dreamt of and bled for on the inside and they were finally his. The most precious gift he had ever gotten in the form of three little words that would be locked up forever in his heart and soul. Always with him. Always safe and sure in their spot deep in the left side of his chest, replacing the words he had gifted Blaine in return, a perfect fit.

But even amongst the elation and awe he couldn't find peace yet… there was still too many things unresolved between them, more words that needed to be said and he had to say them now or else they would grow and grow until they choked him alive.

"Blaine," he murmured, barely a sound coming out at all but his Dom heard him.

He was kissed tenderly over his eyebrow and Kurt soaked in every drop of loving poured into the gesture. "What is it, lovely?"

He opened his mouth then closed it again, swallowing so hard his throat clicked. Something didn't feel quite right with him. He'd done his punishment but he didn't feel settled like he had done with his first one and it was a twisting, gnawing live thing knotting up his stomach.

"C'mon, beautiful boy. Talk to me," Blaine entreated, stroking over his hair and cupping the back of his head.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you… about Brad…" he stuttered briefly but pushed on bravely, "…the articles-"

"Shhh," Blaine cut him off, pulling him even closer into the line of his body and really Kurt felt like he was never quite close enough. If he could crawl inside Blaine and live there he would do so happily. "You're forgiven, baby, totally forgiven. You don't need to apologise anymore, okay." He paused and he heard him swallow. "Me on the other hand…"

This forced a frown onto the sub's face and he fisted his hand in Blaine's shirt right over his heart. "I lied to you, not the other way around, sir."

Again Blaine was struck by the height and depth of Kurt's compassion and his heart swelled at just how much trust he seemed to have in him. Not a flicker of doubt that Blaine had handled the situation correctly, just pure submissive trust in his Dominant to know where the line was and what was best.

Only… the sick feeling in his stomach made him sure that he had crossed that line today.

Blaine stared at the opposite side of the room as he sorted through his thoughts and guilty feelings. "I yelled at you. I should have kept my calm and be a good Dom for you but I lost my temper completely and dismissed your side of the story and how you were feeling… why you felt like you had to handle this alone," he finished off the list quietly. That last one stung because he knew he was half to blame for it.

"Blaine-"

"I didn't want you to ever think I didn't want you… didn't love you with all my heart every single minute of every single day since I first saw you, lovely," he said passionately, pulling back so he could look straight into those big, incandescent eyes. "You're it for me, Kurt. My everything. My beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy."

Deep down somewhere Kurt thought that he must have known these things already, but a bigger part of him had needed the words so badly and now that he had them he couldn't help the few tears that trickled out the corner of his eyes. A further release of the last of the stress from his punishment, the insecurities that had been plaguing him since his claiming and the immense love in his heart for this man holding him so tenderly.

"I love you," he almost whimpered because he needed to say it. Needed Blaine to know it like nothing else. And after holding back for so long it was the first thing on his tongue every time he opened his mouth and it felt so freeing to unburden his cluttered brain of every aborted attempt at saying them first.

Blaine's kisses strayed down to the arch of his cheekbone and Kurt arched back enough to tilt his chin up in a plea for more. Blaine obliged, rolling Kurt onto his back and following after before capturing his lips in an urgent kiss.

"I love you," he pulled back to say before diving back down.

Kurt made an insistent little noise as their mouths met again, desperate and languid in turns like they were still straddling the line between the raw emotion from before with their punishment and the savouring awe of their confession after.

Blaine responded to that noise like nothing else before in his life. Kurt wanted, no, needed him, that one sound telling a thousand words and every cell in his body was frantic with the drive to give him anything and everything. To make up for leaving him in a drowning pool of doubt for all this time when all he needed to do was man up and say something.

"I'm so sorry baby… I love you… love you so much," was reverently branded into his lips for the thousandth time and Kurt couldn't get enough of it. Hungrily wanted more of the drugging words and the way they sent him spiralling into the stars.

He tightened his thighs around Blaine's hips, fingers reaching out urgently for that special place on the back of his Dom's neck as the declarations kept washing over him in waves, filling up every hole in his soul and all the empty spaces in his heart.

Blaine grunted as his fingers connected with the sensitive marked skin, kisses getting fiercer, bruising his already numbing lips and it was heaven. Kurt could feel how much Blaine wanted this. Him. Could feel it in the hungry possession of his mouth, just shy of biting, the hands clutching his flushed, sweating skin under his shirt.

Clothes were shed, the need for skin to skin contact a prickling, driving force for both of them and in-between every article of clothing they came together again with lips and tongues and hands, gasping their love into each other's mouths and branding it into their skins.

Hard, aching cocks aligned, no finesse and a lot of desperate, urgent fumbling before they were rocking together like wild things. Everything hazed over in lust and want and love making them primal.

"Don't let me go," Kurt begged, head thrown back into the scattered pillows, eyes dark and lips bee stung. He was the picture of wanton, the epitome of need and Blaine was punch drunk on it, lowering his head to lick up ever bead of sweat that rolled down his neck, capture every sigh or moan into his own mouth.

"Never. Never going to let you go, beautiful boy. You're perfect, oh god… I love you… such a good boy," he panted, distantly aware that he was babbling nonsense but it was working for both of them as they gyrated their hips in tandem, pre-come smearing their abdomens and Blaine needed to come now. Needed to mark Kurt as his in the most primal way he knew how without actually getting inside him.

He groaned in a mixture of frustration and pleasure as the image popped into his head and pushed him closer to that knifes edge.

Kurt coming and the throaty, high, keening noise he made- fuck that noise was going to be locked away in his memory of best things ever for the rest of his life- whilst doing so was what pushed Blaine finally over into star space.

Warmth spread between them, coating them and Blaine pulled away, jerking and shaky as fuck, to look down at the pearly liquid with a purely Dominant sense of satisfaction.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god," Kurt was chanting throatily, eyes clenched shut and fingernails digging crescent shapes into his shoulders. He absently realised that they stung a lot more than just that initial press and wondered how much damage Kurt had done while he had his head pretty much in his cock. The idea of it made him grin stupidly wide as his arms finally collapsed and he sunk into Kurt completely, who was shuddering in the afterglow and made a happy noise at his weight.

Blaine was aware that he really wasn't holding any of it though and as soon as he felt like his toes had uncurled, his breath was back and his eyes had straightened he went to roll away.

"No, no, no. Stay," Kurt murmured pleadingly into his ear, arms and legs tightening around him.

Blaine recognised the need for closeness and the sub like desire to be completely surrounded by their Dom so settled his weight carefully so he wasn't crushing Kurt but could still maintain this heavenly position flush against him, their joint slickness sealing them together.

He buried his face in Kurt's neck, his pheromones giving him a high like no other and he decided right then that he didn't want to move ever again.

Kurt practically purred once they were settled, arching into his nuzzling and both shuddering with aftershocks now and then. Something was still weighing on Blaine's mind though.

"Do you forgive me, lovely?" he asked into his skin, laying a kiss over his thumping pulse point.

He felt fingers shift through his hair and massage at his scalp. "Of course I do, sir," came soft and sure. "We were both… wrong."

Blaine nodded, his hand running over Kurt's side and playing at his hip bone. "I don't ever want us to get back to that place, baby. I know it's not logical because at some point one or other of us is going to do something wrong again, we're not perfect, but I hate fighting with you."

"So do I," Kurt agreed because it was the most awful thing he'd ever experienced.

Blaine kissed him again on the underside of his jaw. "I love you."

He felt Kurt smile against his temple and tighten the grip of his legs. "I love you too."

"I'm really proud of you," Blaine said pulling back on the pillow a little and coaxing Kurt's head down so they could lock eyes, nearly going cross eyed from how close they were. "This Brad thing doesn't erase that. What you did tonight was amazing, lovely."

"Yeah?" Kurt smiled, feeling himself flush pinker then he already was.

Blaine ran the back of his knuckles gently over the coloured area. "Yeah."

"I can't believe Wes spent that much money on my dress," Kurt laughed softly, cupping his hand over Blaine's on his face.

"I can. It was stunning, lovely. Everyone wanted it," he praised and Kurt felt warm and melted inside.

"They wanted Miriam," he countered embarrassed.

"She was stunning as well," Blaine conceded, running a finger over his ear. "A perfect match to your vision."

"You're full of it," Kurt laughed.

Blaine made a hurt noise and eskimo kissed him. "You're supposed to swoon at my sweet talking."

"Maybe you should be better at it then, sir," Kurt sassed.

"Minx." He leant in and they kissed for a blissful moment, everything settling in the aftermath, the buzzing of their bodies quieting down to a nice little hum. "I can't wait to see what you design for our Presenting Ceremony outfits."

Kurt pulled back. "Really?"

"Of course. You think I'd want to wear anything but a Kurt Hummel original design?" Blaine grinned, honey eyes sparkling.

Kurt swallowed, searching his eyes. "I just thought… we haven't really talked about the Presenting Ceremony since last time-"

"I love you," Blaine cut him off tugging him closer again. "I love you and I want to bond to you for the rest of my life."

Kurt nodded, his breath hitching. "I want that too."

"I shouldn't have left everything up to you, made you feel like I wasn't interested but it won't be like that anymore. We'll plan this together okay?" Blaine reassured him and Kurt smiled wide.

"I'd like that." They kissed again because neither of them ever wanted to stop until Kurt separated their mouths for the briefest moments. "I still get to make the executive decisions though right?"

Blaine laughed, loud and happy into his lips. "Don't ever change, lovely."

---

"Why do I feel like I've signed my life away?" Burt grumbled as yet more papers were shoved under his nose.

He had gotten a call from the Andersons literally a day after the Charity night and him and Carole were invited to lunch with them.

His life had taken a very funny turn ever since Blaine walked into Kurt's and that wasn't to say it was a bad turn. Just strange.

He never thought he'd be rubbing elbows in a borrowed suit from a fashion designer with the high society big wigs of the world at a charity night. He never thought he'd actually have a chance to make a difference to the people of Lima other than occasionally coming around to fix a washing machine or have a look at a boiler. But he had the opportunity now. The chance to do some good and make a difference and he was damn well gonna do his best to make that happen.

"It's all for the greater good," Kurt chirped as he re-entered the room with a full tea tray after they had eaten enough to feed a small army. Blaine was an excited eater and ever since Kurt commandeered the kitchen he shovelled food like he had never eaten in his entire life and it was pretty visible on the tiny little belly his shirts started to show.
Burt quite like how the young Dom treated his son. It made him sleep easier knowing his only boy was taken care of and happy.

"The greater good is a pain in my ass… and there better be cookies on that tray." Burt said knowing that, by Kurt's standards, cookies were pretty much equal to suicide.

Kurt narrowed his eyes at him as he set it down. "Eat more than two of them and you're dead."

Dana laughed at them, as she tottered around on her heels grabbing more folders and more print outs. "Here's the prospective polls so far, they haven't officially gotten my resignation so to speak yet so I'm still on the list, but we're mainly sizing up the competition before we drop our big bombshell."

"You sure the shock and awe approach is the way to go?" Burt asked, taking the proffered page and scanning over it while idly scratching at his stubble.

"The less time there is for them to protest the better for us, plus, while they're busy bitching and writing stupid articles we'll be laying down groundwork," she smirked.

"And already have a head start," Kurt smiled, pouring two cups of honey tea out since Dana was on her way out to work and Jared and Blaine had already left for theirs, followed by Carole who had been called for an emergency shift she just couldn't say no to because they needed the money. Both the father and the son were looking forward to spending some time together, just the two of them.

"They're all planning to win the seat against Dana not you so their house of cards should come tumbling down pretty quick." Kurt said, nibbling on a cookie himself, all the while scanning Burt for how much he had eaten.

"Ever considered a career in politics, sweetheart?" Dana grinned at him wickedly and Kurt flushed.

"There's some big names on this besides the ones that always run," Burt commented. "Looks like that's gonna split the vote too many ways to make a difference though."

"That's exactly what I was thinking. They have me winning for right now simply because I'm already Head but that's not reliable figures we can count on," she speculated grabbing her purse and coat from where she'd thrown them on the spare sofa.

Burt grunted in agreement and shoved a cookie in his mouth whole.

"I've got to run but we've got that meeting in two days," she reminded him.

He waved her off. "I didn't forget… between you, Kurt and Carole you've got it covered so I couldn't even if I wanted to."

"Go team!" she cheered on her way towards the door, throwing them one last smile before she was gone.

"She is one heck of a woman I'll give her that," Burt mumbled throwing the papers down with the rest of them and reaching for another cookie.

Kurt smiled. He loved that his and Blaine's family got on so well that it felt like they were just one big one most of the time with no dividing lines.

"So," Burt began, swallowing before continuing. "How's things, kid?"

Kurt furrowed his brow a little and pulled his legs up to tuck them elegantly underneath him, his cup resting on his knee. "We talk every day, dad. You know how things are."

"Yeah but it's easy to lie over the phone, bud. I can't see any of your tells," he grinned, leaning back and putting his arm over the back of the sofa.

"I don't have tells." Kurt said nervously, thinking back to how his eyebrow twitched and how he picked the skin on his left pinkie whenever he had to lie. There was just no way his dad knew about those.

"Yes you do and you're my son so I know each and every one," he said smugly reaching for another cookie. Kurt slapped his hand away and Burt pouted.

"Everything's fine," he stated. Burt studied his face and raised a brow beneath the brim of his worn cap. "Ugh, okay. Blaine and I may have had a situation to sort out after the charity night last night but that's all dealt with now."

His dad nodded slowly. "You wanna talk about it?"

Kurt flushed bright red and put his cup down on the table for something to do. "No!"

Burt narrowed his eyes. "Is this because it's about-"

"La la la la," Kurt immediately sang over him cupping his hands over his ears.

"A Dom and sub thing?" Burt finished relentlessly and Kurt halted and stared at him.

"Uhh, yeah. That's it. Just that. Nothing else. Nope. At all." He rushed out, cheeks reddening and his entire skin feeling warm with embarrassment.

If we have the sex talk I'm gonna die.

Burt hummed. "Okay. As long as you're sure?"

There was something in his tone. Something that was unmistakable and Kurt ended up smiling a little at the concern. "Yeah dad. I'm sure, Blaine takes really good care of me."

"I know that. The love struck idiots wrapped around your little finger," Burt chuckled and Kurt beamed because he knew that one hundred percent now and it was the most amazing thing in the world.

"Oh I know that look," Burt pointed at him.

Kurt flinched back a little in surprise, fingers raising to his face but not touching. "What look?"

"The post I love you look." Burt grinned teasingly but in reality he was over the moon happy for his son and his Dom.

Kurt gaped, hand dropping to his lap. "There is no such look."

Burt smirked, the laugh lines around his eyes deepening. "Well you're wearing it right now."

"Am not!"

"Are too."

He pursed his lips and looked away, though his mouth was twitching a smile. "You're such a child."

"Says the child." Burt bit back.

Kurt threw his hands up in surrender. "Fine! We said it. Happy?"

Burt smiled, slow and wide. "Are you happy?"

Kurt stared at him like he was an alien. "What kind of question is that? Of course I am, I couldn't be any happier right now."

Burt shrugged and finally reached for his cup of tea, settling back into position once he had it. "Then I'm happy."

Kurt felt a rush of warmth and love for his dad overtake him in that moment and had to seriously fight down the urge to throw his arms around the man. To compromise he shuffled over and snuggled into his side instead, taking in the smell of motor oil and cheap detergent happily. He'd missed him. More than he had actually realised.

"How have you been?" Kurt mumbled into his flannel shirt after a while of simply silently enjoying one another's company.

"Getting by just fine… especially with all the packages you keep sending our way," Burt grumbled, his voice a deep, pleasant growl in his chest.

Kurt smiled, patting him on the belly. "Don't pout old man."

He snorted. "Wouldn't change anything even if I did. Stubborn is what you are."

"And where would I have learned such a trait?" Kurt faux wondered.

"It's a mystery to me." Burt faked confusion and wonder.

The sub rolled his eyes, then got serious again. "This campaign stuff though… you're okay with it right? I mean you don't have to do it if you don't want to. They wouldn't think any less of you."

"I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't want to, Kurt. We've got a chance to make a real difference here so I'd be the biggest of fools if I turned it down," he explained.

"I know. I just don't want you to feel pressured just because it's Blaine's family and-"

"I've got this, bud."

Kurt let out a relieved breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "You got a plan then? That's your I've got a plan voice and you know you have to run those ideas past me since Christmas that time."

"Never gonna live that down," he grumbled.

"Dad," he warned pulling back to look him in the eye.

"Alright, hold your horses," he joked pulling off his cap and running a hand over his head. "I was just thinking... those polls. They're stats from all the upper class areas right?"

"Most likely. You know they're the only ones that vote other than weirdo's like you," Kurt smirked.

"But what if it wasn't just weirdo's like me?" the man latched onto.

Kurt frowned and cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

"Those rich sons of bitches don't target Lima or places like that but legally, every single one of them are allowed to vote yes?"

The sub began to follow. "And with the upper class vote so split…"

"It might be the edge we need," Burt mused. "They won't campaign for 'lesser' votes, they never have, but if we can get the people on board we can stick it to those elitist asswipes."

Kurt bit his lip in excitement, eyes bright. "I think this could actually work. Dad you came up with a plan that could actually work!"

"Not bad for a prospective Head, huh?" Burt grinned waggling his eyebrows.

"For what it's worth I think you'd be great," Kurt said truthfully. His dad was fair and honest and didn't take any crap from anybody, rich or poor. With the right team around him he could be something great. Exactly the hero Kurt always saw him as, shiny position or not.

"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Burt smiled.

Kurt smirked. "Stubborn."

Their afternoon together ended up filled with reminiscing the good old days and the even better ones ahead of them, laughter and the sense of comfort you could only ever get from your family.

---

The next day...

---

Blaine knew his name held a certain power, brought certain privileges with it, but he had never even thought of using that for personal gain until now, when the most precious possession he had ever had was threatened, hurt.

He had never even entertained the thought of throwing his widely known heritage around to get his way but this… this was Kurt; his heart, his love, his world.

His thoughts were swamped with images of pale skin and frightened cerulean eyes as they stared at him in defeat after he had found out about Brad and what he was doing to him since the day he moved to Dalton. Fuck. All that time and Blaine was so blind to it but he promised it wouldn't happen ever again and that promise came with the need for immediate action because Kurt feeling anything less than loved and happy wasn't an option.

Nothing was off limits when it came to achieving that.

So he put all of his moral dilemmas to the side and asked his mom to throw the name around and get him information. She had given him only a cursory glance at the strange request and he knew it was because she trusted him so implicitly. It stung that he was considering proving her wrong and shattering that easy trust but he pushed that to the side with the rest of it.

A phone call was all it took for him to get a slip of paper with an address written on it along with some advice and now he was three blocks away from reaching it, trying desperately to find that rage within he had felt the moment he saw the hidden contents of Kurt's binder.

But his sub was extremely clever, luring him in with the promise of love and heat and the sweetness of his kisses and some of that burning, all-consuming rage edged away, leaving him rational enough not to do something to land him in trouble.

He supposed it was for the best.

As much as he would have loved to just pin Brad on the wall by his neck and break every bone in his conniving little body he knew he had to keep himself in check. He was a Dominant with all the responsibilities that entailed and as such he had no rights under the law to attack a sub no matter what the reason behind it was. But even more than that he was a bonded Dom and whatever he ended up doing would be reflected on Kurt and he couldn't bring himself to hurt him by being reckless and irrational.

He would talk it out with Brad with all the dignity and grace his last name granted, he would get his elegant revenge and walk out of it all a bigger man after it was done. It irked. Fuck it itched under his skin like a rash he couldn't get rid of. He hated being the bigger man in a situation like this when every instinct was screaming; fight, protect, yours, but he wasn't too big of a man to admit that.

He pulled up in front of a gigantic, Victorian style house, painted a dark beige with deep brown trimming and window frames in the same shade making it look classy and sophisticated. The perfectly manicured lawn rounded up the exterior look of the house and Blaine knew he was at the right place.

Brad bragged about his wealth often enough and the home in front of him more than fit the description he gave to anyone that would listen to his boasting.

Blaine shut the engine of his car down and gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white and the veins on the backs of his hands popped out, an angry blue against his tan skin.

He ran his last conversation with Kurt through his mind to convince himself that he was doing the right thing by going in there cold headed instead of swallowing a ball of rage and having it explode upon Brad and his family that clearly raised him completely wrong. Principals and morals all stuck in the dark ages.

"Lovely?" he called out as we walked to the living room, finding Kurt curled up with a stack of Presenting magazines surrounding him, post its in different colours marking things he obviously wanted to look into further.

He looked up and Blaine smiled at how cute he looked dressed in his old oversized Dalton hoodie and what looked like black tights underneath it, hair a cute mess on top of his head and the naked expanse of his forearms covered in colourful sticky papers.

"Yes, sir?" the sub asked gently, a clear sign that it was way too early for him to be up but he was so excited to go shopping with Jeff he barely slept at all. "I found some great stuff I wanted to show you," he tacked on because he obviously couldn't keep it in.

Blaine smiled wider. "That's great, baby. I look forwards to you showing me it all… I actually need to talk to you about something though," Blaine finished, smile vanishing on it's on as the tone got more serious. He sat down and lifted Kurt's legs to put them on his lap, rubbing the soles of his feet gently.

Kurt took one look at him and knew exactly what it was about.

"You're going to see him, aren't you?" he asked, voice low and worried and it made Blaine's heart sink sadly at how small he sounded.

"I've waited a day to cool off a little and I know you don't want me to, beautiful. But as your Dom I have to do it. I have to make him understand that what he did was wrong and make sure it never happens again," he said passionately and Kurt sighed, fiddling with a post it.

"I… I just don't want you to do something that'll take you away from me," he whispered, a single tear rolling down his cheek and Blaine cupped his chin, lifting his head to look at him.

"I promise you baby, that won't happen. I will behave and I'll come back to you. I will always come back to you."

After that promise Blaine knew there was no way he could make his fantasies of bashing Brad's stupid head in with a sledgehammer real, but there were other ways to make him understand what he had done and to make him pay for that. At least by being punished by his parents, even if they didn't agree they were under an obligation to do so regardless of their personal opinions.

He took a deep breath and stepped out of his car ignoring the chill in the air, making a quick jaunt up the stairs and knocking on the door.

It only took a few moments for the hated face to show up in the glass upper part of the door and that familiar sneer made itself known when the sub saw who was standing on his front porch.

The sub yanked the door open and smirked in Blaine's direction impolitely.

"Well, well, well… what brings you here, Anderson?" he mocked and Blaine felt his blood boil in an instant at the sheer disrespect.

"It's Mister Anderson to you, Brad," he snapped back, dominance lacing his every syllable. He was a step away from demanding his rightful dominant title but the thought of being called "sir" by his beautiful angel and then having that title tarnished by this vile person in front of him left a sour taste in his mouth. So he settled for the most official thing he could come up with to show Brad he was in charge.

"Whatever you want, Mister Anderson," the sub answered in a sickeningly sweet drawl that rivalled Sebastian's and Blaine clenched his fist in an attempt to stop himself from punching the smug little bastard in the teeth.

Temper well and truly flared up and it took every ounce of self-control he had in him to keep his cool and to stay on top of the situation.

"I want to talk to you about what you did to Kurt, actually," Blaine said icily and he could feel the cold exterior of the boy in front of him harden even further in automatic defence and the scowl on his face magnified by a thousand.

But Brad was known for getting back on his feet quickly.

"I don't think there's something to talk about. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do," he said stiffly, pushing the door closed and Blaine felt his resolve snap.

He was doing his best but slamming doors into his face wasn't something he was okay with.

He squared his shoulders and just let go of all the inhibitions in his body to melt away, his natural power flowing and crackling beneath his skin as he spoke.

"You will let me in and talk to me," he roared and the moment his voice reverberated off the walls around them Brad broke down, falling to his knees and bowing his head in submission.

Blaine eyed him, fire in his eyes, and the feral part of him was deeply satisfied by the victory he had just won…only… the picture was wrong.

Brad on his knees looked defeated, unnatural, ugly.

His mind went back to Kurt on his knees for him willing and trusting and he felt a rush of love and affection rake through him. Once again he didn't want to taint the image with this one so he stepped pass the kneeling sub and walked in.

"Get up. And get your parents. Legally they have to be present for this," Blaine said, remembering what his mother had warned him about when she had given him the address.

No settling the issue with Brad alone.

He was an unbounded sub and as such still belonged to his dominant parent. Talking to him alone meant influencing the sub with his dominance to do as he wanted and was giving Brad the opportunity of taking the issue up with the Validators.

Not something Blaine was willing to risk after his promise to Kurt.

"My parents are not around, Mister Anderson," Brad answered as he stood up and as much as Blaine's dominance affected him there was still enough struggle in him that allowed for that perpetually mean and vindictive tone to linger in his voice making Blaine shake with the urge to just make him cave.

There was something telling him the sub wasn't telling the truth and it made him furious.

"I want the truth, Brad," he ordered and the sub gasped.

"That is the truth. My parents don't live here," he gritted, head still bowed and to Blaine he looked small and pathetic even though his height towered over him by good few inches.

"You live alone?" Blaine asked irritably, wanting to get it all over with and forget about the asshole sub altogether.

"What's it to you?" Brad snapped and Blaine was pretty sure he was about five minutes away from just beating him into a pulp.

"Answer. The. Question!" he enunciated and the subs shoulders sagged as he stared angrily at Blaine; the look in his eyes staying hateful despite the dominance Blaine reigned over him.

"I live with my grandparents," he finally admitted, tone being dragged through gravel by its hair when the command started threatening to snap him in half if he ignored it any longer.

Blaine stared at him for a while longer, not sure what to make of the new discovery. He had no idea what Brad's life situation was like and he had no idea what his family was like. Maybe his parents had died?

It would make sense for him to act out if that was the case but Blaine was so angry with him he had no intention of giving him the benefit of the doubt or the gift of his empathy. He wanted to call him out and to make sure he never behaved to another human being the way he acted towards Kurt. Abandoned, neglected or otherwise hurt, he had no right to do what he had been doing to his sub and that was the end of the story. He didn't care if it was lashing out or simple not caring, Blaine wasn't tolerating it.

"Fine. I want them in the living room with you in the next five minutes," he said sternly and then fixed the sub with a nasty look as he went to protest. He didn't need his drama. "Now, Brad."

The sub jumped at the harsh command and scurried away, the look on his face portraying just how much he hated his body for making him look and act weak in front of the Dom.

As he walked away Blaine straightened his jacket and remained firmly in spot, raised well enough not to roam other people's homes without permission. A few minutes ticked by and the rustling of three pairs of footsteps snapped Blaine out of his head.

He looked up to see Brad walking behind a tall, intimidating woman and an equally tall but slightly less intimidating man. Both in their late sixties, they had greying hair and wrinkled skin but other than that looked incredibly agile and youthful. Their faces portrayed deep worry and hints of anger and Blaine knew it was their grandson who put it there.

Currently, Brad was walking behind them with his face stern and scowling but Blaine knew he was at least a little bit intimidated by their reaction.

"Young, Dom Anderson. I'm Esther Robson and this is my sub Dale," she said regally, shaking hands with Blaine and stepping aside to allow her sub to do the same.

Blaine accepted their offered hands and introduced himself although it was obvious they knew who he was already.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Sadly, it's under less than pleasant circumstances but still," he said remaining cordial at least and they ushered him to the left, through a wooden arch that led into their living room.

Blaine settled into a plush, dark green armchair, facing the love seat Brad's grandparents claimed and leaving Brad to position himself on the huge sofa by himself.

"Brad tells us you wanted us present for something?" Esther said and Blaine nodded in affirmation.

"That's right. I'm afraid I've been introduced to some rather unsettling information about your grandson's behaviour and I had to come and discuss things with you," Blaine started them off as Brad seethed on the couch, his reasonably handsome face twisted by anger making him look revolting.

Esther turned to her grandson, disappointment evident in the way she looked at him and Blaine realized there was so much more to his story than what he knew so far.

"Tell us what he did," Dale spoke finally, his own eyes softer than his wife's but somehow sadder… defeated.

"No. I think I'd like him to tell you himself," Blaine said sitting back and raising a brow at the sub, his vindictiveness coming out to play. No he couldn't hurt him like he had wanted to… but he would make this as difficult for him as he could.

"Bradley?" Esther turned to the boy and he scowled at her.

"Don't call me that," he snapped at her, because apparently his disrespect wasn't limited to Blaine which was interesting, and she frowned threateningly.

"Young man you tell me what this is all about right now," she ordered and suddenly it was obvious to Blaine he was dealing with a dominant woman almost as powerful as his own mother.

Brad, apparently, knew it too because his sass flitted away and he started talking. His voice however, was what made Blaine's skin prickle… he didn't sound ashamed or sorry… he sounded fucking proud.

"He claimed a sub at the last showing. From Lima," he emphasized like that said it all and Esther snapped her head.

"We're well aware of that as we were there. What does that have to do with anything?" she asked calmly and the corner of Brad's lips turned up, like he was about to smirk.

"I made sure to let him know where his real place is," he answered smugly, completely full of himself and his actions and Blaine saw Dale pale, looking sick.

"What did you do to him?" he asked quietly like he didn't want to hear the answer.

Brad rolled his eyes.

"Oh nothing much. I just introduced him to some of the magazine articles he was mentioned in and such," he waved his hand airily. "It was easy since the whole world knows exactly what I've been saying to him. He needed to know he didn't belong here and what he's worth," he finished, looking Blaine dead in the eye and Blaine lost it.

He jumped off the chair and lunged at Brad, fist in the air and his upper lip pulled back in an almost animalistic snarl.

But before he could connect and get that longed for crunch of flesh and bone so he could finally get the satisfaction he wanted, what Kurt deserved as retribution, someone was pushing him back and settling him back into the chair.

Brad was sitting in his place still, eyes wide and disposition closed off and to Blaine it felt like that was the first moment he'd showed any kind of emotion since he got there. He was visibly scared and shaken by the close call.

"Mister Anderson, we do not allow violence in our house. As much as I do agree with you that my grandson had deserved a good punch for a while now I'm afraid I can't allow it. For your safety more so than for his own," Esther said, hitting Brad with a look so evil Blaine shuddered in his seat. She walked back to hers like she hadn't just pushed a Dom more than half her age back into place.

"I apologize, Mrs. Robson. I lost it for a second there," Blaine said, feeling ashamed for losing control so spectacularly after all the effort he put into not turning this into a brawl. His mother raised him to be better than that and Kurt was counting on him, both of their trusts on the line here.

"It's understandable. He was bad mouthing what's yours after treating him, from the sounds of it abominably, the fact that you've been sitting there so calm up to now is commendable young man. Now, why don't you tell us what he did? I don't want to hear him utter another word," Esther demanded and in short snaps Blaine told her.

About the insults, about the articles, the taunts, the insecurities…. everything.

And with every word she became more and more restless. Dale on the other hand, got quieter and closed off, like every word he said stabbed him right in the heart.

"He made Kurt feel like he didn't belong into this world, with me and he almost cost me my sub. You understand why I had to come and talk to you about it. I have to protect what's mine," he finished and Esther nodded looking at her grandson with an expression that made Blaine feel sad for this couple that clearly loved their grandchild despite everything he put them through.

It was like she knew he was capable of doing something like that but maybe, somewhere deep down she had hoped he wouldn't. But even with that foolish hope flickering in the distance, the fact that he did do it couldn't surprise her.

Blaine guessed it was awful to know someone you loved so dearly was capable of hurting someone like that.

"I'm afraid what you just told me doesn't surprise me," Esther said confirming his train of thought and Blaine snapped his eyes up to her stoic green ones.

Brad was still sitting still, frozen in place after Blaine's outburst but his eyes were what unsettled Blaine as they remained just as still and emotionless. Scary. Detached. Dead.

"Brad is our daughter's son. We..." she grasped her subs hand in hers, like she was both drawing and giving the comfort they both obviously needed. "We don't keep in touch with her. We did everything in our power to raise her right but she insisted on a certain lifestyle… I'm sure you're aware of the ideals shall we call them, of certain members of our circle?"

Blaine nodded and she smiled wryly.

"We couldn't see eye to eye. She kept subs on the side, broke bonds left and right, commanded everyone and misused her position… finally she decided to move away and we told her we wanted nothing to do with her if that was the life she was going to lead. She laughed in our faces and left."

"We didn't think we'd see her again," Dale admitted, still obviously affected by her absence despite all the strife she had caused them. It seemed to be an admirable failing of his if his reaction to Brad could be counted as the pattern.

"That must have been difficult," Blaine sympathized. He wasn't heartless and losing a child in any way was horrible.

Esther inclined her head to acknowledge the fact. "I heard from her next when she gave birth to Brad but had no idea who the father was. She said she didn't want a child and we insisted she let us raise him instead of letting him become a part of the system. We gave him everything we possibly could… maybe we didn't learn from our mistakes the first time around… because as it turns out he is very much his mother's child," Esther said and Dale shrunk even further into his seat, now refusing to look towards his grandson.

"He will be punished, Mister Anderson. We assure you. I think it's time we reminded him how close he was to not belonging into this world either," the older woman continued and Brad snapped his eyes up, finally fully horrified, finally fully scared.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" he asked and she jumped to her feet, pointing a finger to his face.

"You watch your tongue with me. I have had it with you and your behavior. We gave you the world, loved you unconditionally despite everything you continue to do to bring us shame but it seems like you won't get better until you've hit rock bottom," she near enough growled at him, so upset that she was hanging by her own thread of control.

"From now on, you will continue living with us but your monthly allowance will be cut completely henceforth, your car privileges will be revoked, no cell phone or computer or any other tech gadget you just had to have," she hissed threateningly and with every word Brad got smaller and smaller, sinking into the sofa in front of her.

"Y-you can't do that!" he tried to find the last shred of fierceness he had but his voice cracked under the strain of his punishment.

"Oh that's not all. I've had this idea for a while now. I kept telling myself you'd come around… grow the hell up maybe and be at least respectful of other people." She shook her head. "All it took was one more strike from you and I'd do it and now you crossed that line. Starting next week, you'll be transferring to a public school outside of Westerville. How long you stay there depends on how you behave," she finished and the finality in that statement had Brad paling, the whole room dead silent under the weight of her power.

"WHAT? YOU CAN'T DO THAT. THAT'S INSANE. I CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL WITH THOSE FILTHY GHETTO OUTCASTS!" he screamed at her but she remained perfectly still, going back to sit next to her husband who looked shaken and on the verge of tears.

"I can do it and I just did. Now apologize to Mister Anderson and go to your room. I'll be with you shortly to discuss the details of your new schooling arrangements," she barked the order at him and he fought it for almost a full minute, face red and contorted, fingers tightly balled into fists and veins on his neck pulsing in rage.

But she was too much for him. The weight of her command heavy on his back.

"I'm sorry," he squeezed out like it was physically painful, not even looking Blaine in the eye before turning on his heel and stalking out of the room in an impressive fury.

Blaine looked after him not quite able to believe what had occurred and how fitting he thought the punishment was for the snobbish sub. Let him learn some humility the hard way.

"Forgive me, Mister Anderson. We had no idea what was going on," Esther said after her grandson finished stomping up the stairs and slammed the door to his room shut.

"It's not your fault. Clearly you're doing the best you can. If anything I'm sorry for making your life even harder with this," he said diplomatically as he stood up to leave, not wanting to impose on whatever they had to do to make Brad's punishment work.

"It was only a matter of time really. We can't quite figure out where we went wrong. Clearly his mother's behavior got passed on to him… but that sounds like a cop out," she sighed shaking her head. "The fault lies partly with us. We didn't learn from our mistakes, we just gave them whatever they wanted when they wanted it."

"You can't take all the blame," Blaine argued. Brad's actions were his own, he was old enough to understand what he was doing was wrong.

"I am responsible for him so I must."

They walked him to the door, facing him as he stepped out.

"I hope things get sorted out for you… and for him. It's not healthy to live with that much rage inside," he said. Blaine really felt for them.

Dale shook his head.

"He wasn't always like that. He used to be sweeter, kinder. He was always sarcastic and high maintenance but he didn't quite turn into who he is until he set his eyes on a Dom he could never have," he explained and Blaine frowned when Esther nodded in confirmation.

"Why isn't he bonded with her then?" Blaine asked and Dale smiled sadly.

"Because he is straight and Brad is very much not a girl. We lost him around then. The news of our daughters exploits range far and wide, it wouldn't have been hard for him to look to her for an example when he felt most vulnerable," Dale sighed, running a hand over his chest like it hurt.

"We have an offer for a pre-claim for him though, it's been on the table for a while now. Maybe it's time to accept it," Esther said and with that she nodded her head goodbye and closed the door, leaving Blaine satisfied on one hand but even more confused on the other.

Inside the house Dale walked to his grandson's bedroom slowly, knocking three times short and two times long before opening the door and entering.

"I didn't say you could come in," Brad snapped petulantly from where he was sitting on the bed, back against the headboard and knees touching his chest. There was clothes and possessions strewn around everywhere like Brad had pitched a silly fit when he got here.

"You never denied me entrance before though," Dale said, sitting at the edge of the bed carefully.

"That was before you decided to side with her and get rid of me. You used to be on my side," Brad accused angrily and Dale smiled, sad and tired.

"I will always be on your side. I will always love you and be here for you. But what you did was wrong, Brad. That boy didn't deserve what you said to him, how you terrorized him just to make yourself feel better. It's not his fault that young Dom doesn't care for other boys that way. You need to find yourself, not define who you are by other people and your grandma and I think this will be a good wake up call for you," Dale tried to explain patiently like he always did when Brad got into one of his tantrums.

He was always the better one to bring him out of them. Esther, though he loved her dearly, wasn't perfect and she had little patience when it came to Brad's histrionics. This time was different however. Brad looked up at him with so much rage Dale was taken aback.

"You think being poor is going to teach me a lesson?" he spat and Dale stood up tiredly recognizing that not even he could get through to his grandson and that broke his heart.

"Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But I miss my grandson and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get him back. Get some rest, I'll get Esther to cool off for right now but we have a lot to talk about in the morning," he said and walked out, flinching when he heard a lamp crash against the wall behind him.

---

Nicholas Duval did not get nervous. He did not.

Mostly.

Usually.

Well okay he did lately.

It seemed that everything about who he was changed after he had fallen for the blonde beauty that was currently learning to live again with the credit card Nick shoved into his hand before he pushed him inside a car with Kurt and sent them on their merry shopping way.

Kurt had blossomed under Blaine's care and it seemed he had accepted the fact that he could now afford things so the young Dom had high hopes he would be able to explain it to his own sub and make him buy things that would make him smile.

God Nick wanted him smiling… always… all the time.

And the first step in making sure Jeff felt safe enough to smile all the time was starting right that moment as he walked up a narrow driveway and lifted his hand to knock on the door.

As soon as the slew of sharp knocks reverberated through the air Nick felt his fingers starting to tremble so he twined them together to try and hide it. Jesus, he was sweating through his shirt, his throat was dry and every possible bad scenario that could happen, ridiculous and outrageous included, was running through his head on an endless loop, making him feel light headed.

He thought his plan was fool proof when he came up with it but now… he had no idea. What if it backfired? What it cost him everything? What if it cost him Jeff?

"Nick?" a soft voice called his name, snapping him out of the haze and making him realize that whatever fear he might be feeling would be worth it if it made Jeff feel happy again.

He squared his shoulders and looked up to find Lillian standing in front of him, looking fond and worried. She had grown to like him so much in such a short time and Nick was floored by that unconditional affection and trust she had placed in him.

"Hi Mrs. Ster…I mean… Lilly…" he corrected himself when she hit him with a stern look at his attempt to be formal with her.

"Much better. Hi, sweetie. What brings you guys around?" she asked, craning her neck to look for her son who usually stayed glued to Nick's side.

"Oh um…it's… it's just me I'm afraid," he said, scratching the back of his neck shyly.

"Is everything okay? Is Jeff okay?" she started panicking immediately and he shook his hands to stop her from freaking out.

"Everything is fine. He's with Kurt at the moment. I asked him to try and coerce Jeff into spending some money on himself, art supplies, clothes, whatever he wants, so I dropped them off at the mall before coming here," he smiled at her reassuringly and she returned the gesture, ushering him into the house where they settled with Jeremy in the living room.

"So… spoiling my son?" Jeremy asked putting down his paper, having heard their conversation.

"Pretty much, sir," Nick said, no shame evident in his voice, and the smug, self-satisfied look on his face made Jeremy chuckle fondly.

Nick was good for his son, he could feel it in his bones.

"Well at least you admit it," Lillian smiled as she brought coffee to the table and sat next to her husband.

"I'd never deny something like that. I made it my mission to make him happy and spoiling him is a part of that," he said gently and the parents felt warmth envelope them at the thought of their son finally being treated the way he deserved.

"So, Nick. Is this just a social call or did you need something?" Jeremy asked after a few more pleasantries were exchanged, their coffee cooling on the tray.

"I um… I actually had something I wanted to talk to you about before I brought it up with, Jeff," he said, his nerves returning full strength and threatening to choke him.

If this went wrong he had no idea where he would go from there in order to protect Jeff as best as he could.

"You can talk to us about anything you want, Nick. You know that," Jeremy said carefully, eyeing the younger Dom with worry in his eyes, curious to know what got the usually perky and happy man so concerned.

"I know. Thank you…" he said nervously twisting his fingers in his lap but still not finding his tongue on the subject.

"What is it, sweetheart?" Lillian asked edging towards him in her seat and taking one of his hands in hers.

"I've been thinking lately and I've come to a decision regarding Jeff and our contract," he started and Jeremy tensed suddenly.

"Have you changed your mind?" he asked sternly and Nick's eyes widened in horror.

"What? No… oh my god no…never… never think that. He means the world and the decision I made is solely to keep him as safe as I can. I've decided to ask Jeff if he'd be willing to sign the Validators Contract with me," he explained, expecting reactions ranging from shock, to surprise, to disbelief and denial but confusion was not one of them.

The two parents sat there, eyes wide, heads cocked to the side and deep frowns etched into their foreheads as they tried to grasp the obviously unfamiliar concept.

The silence between them stretched for an indefinable amount of time and Nick just didn't know how to go on from there. He had prepared for approval and fear and distrust. But he did not prepare for them not knowing about the existence of something he was already putting so much faith in.

It left him with only one option. He would have to do his best to explain what it was all about to them so they could understand and help him decide if that would be the right decision for him and Jeff.

"You don't know about it?" he asked them to clarify and they shook their heads in perfect sync.

"What is it?" Jeremy asked and Nick took a sip of the water Lillian brought out along with coffee.

"A long time ago, the Validators had perfected a contract for newly bonded couples. It's rarely used anymore because Dominants are believed to take good care of their subs. We have proper mandatory classes for teaching and trying to ensure that sort of thing and both the Doms and the subs have the right to create a contract that suits them best. For that reason the Validators contracts are almost never used anymore even though they still exist and are the safest way I can think of to protect Jeff and to make him feel safe," Nick said in a roundabout way and Lillian frowned.

"What makes them different from regular contract?" she asked and her husband nodded in agreement with her question.

"It's created to be followed step by step as the relationship progresses and the pace of it all is completely under the sub's control. Signing it would mean that I'm giving away most of my Dominant power in order for Jeff to be able to decide what, when and how we do anything," he said and the parents of his sub seemed to relax just a tiny bit.

"Does that mean you can't give him orders or punishments?" Jeremy asked and Nick shook his head.

"Not completely. I'm allowed to try and push him out of his comfort zone in order to help him move forward from his pain and fear. But how far I can push is completely up to him. If he says it's too much and too far… I respect that and to ensure it the contract binds me legally," he answered and the two of them grasp each other's hands tightly, gratitude evident in their eyes.

"Nick, that sounds amazing but… why would you need us to confirm this for you?" Lillian asked and Nick took another deep breath.

"There's one more thing about signing that contract," Nick said and the Sterling's tensed again, faces closing off slightly and the warmth seeping from them.

"What is it?" Jeremy asked carefully.

"It's the reason I wanted to bring this up with you first. If we sign the contract it gives the Validators the right to pop in and check up on us whenever they feel like it until the bonding is complete and we decide that they are not needed anymore. And I don't know if that would make Jeff feel safer or freak him out and cause him stress. Because at first the visits are pretty close together to make sure the sub doesn't live in a bad environment for a long time. If anything bad is going on in the bond the sub can be pulled out within a single week that way," Nick explained as best as he could with the information he had and he could feel them melting and warming up again.

"I think… I think what you want to do here is absolutely amazing, Nick. I think it will make him feel safe and relaxed if he knows nothing bad can happen to him and… he already trusts you so much… I think this will be the cherry on top. You should definitely bring this up with him," Jeremy said, standing up and placing a hand on the younger Dom's shoulder.

Lillian watched them both and there was a though tingling the back of her mind as she thought back to her son's relationship with his new Dom. Jeff had accepted Nick when there was no chance he would ever let someone else in. He was hurt beyond belief and his walls were so high and so thick she was surprised Kurt managed to weasel his way in the way he did.

But Kurt was another sub, a friend and there was no threat from him.

Letting Nick in? It was a step so big she felt it would all come crumbling down on her son again and this time there would be no pieces big enough to put him back together.

Nick though, Nick took care of his scars, he smoothed out the wrinkles one caring word at a time and he made him shine again, after knowing him for such a short time. He made Jeff feel safe enough to melt inside his arms and to admit his feelings freely without the fear of being turned down and mocked for feeling it; the need for Nick, the craving for his closeness, the joy of having him around.
Every emotion was more than welcomed by the Dom and day by day her son got brighter and more confident.

So as much as she loved Nick's idea there was something she had to bring up and tell Nick.

"Nick, darling. I love what you want to do," she said and he smiled at her questioningly.

"But?" he asked and she chuckled at how well he knew her already.

"You're right for him. You love him. And as scared as he is, I think he knows that. And… I think there's a chance he trusts you enough not to need that kind of safety net," she stated gently and trembled when tears began to fill Nick's eyes.

Fuck. The emotions those words brought about were intense to say the least and he wanted for them to be true so much. He wanted to be the person Jeff came to when he felt scared and alone. There was nothing he craved more than for his beautiful boy to let go and be his completely.

But he was ready to do whatever it took to make him feel safe.

If that meant allowing his life to be dissected and observed and intruded into whenever the legal service felt like it then he would be glad to do it. But hearing Lillian's words made his heart soar with hope that someday… someday his word would be enough for Jeff to believe him and to feel good and loved.

"I'd be the happiest man alive if that happened… but for now… I'm ready to do this for him," he said determinedly and Lillian hugged him.

"I know you're ready. And I think that'll be enough to make him see what he's got in you. What he is to you," she whispered into his ear and he smiled through the threat of tears, thinking of his blonde angel and hoping he would shine again the way he did before.

---

Nick was sitting on the couch in their dorm room having a staring contest with the thick Validator contract he'd gone out of his way to pick up before he got home from the Sterling's. It really was an iron clad example of legally keeping a Dom in check and Nick was happy to sign himself away to it. To giving Jeff the breathing room and security he needed. Of giving up a lot of his power so that Jeff could feel safe with him.

He'd sign it in a heartbeat as soon as Jeff gave him the green light.

He heard the door handle turn and quickly folded and stuffed the contract down the side of the sofa just in time to see Jeff walk in, dressed in a soft white cotton tee with a red hoody zipped over the top and skinny jeans with vans to top it off. He looked adorable and it was all new. A product of some of the bags he was carrying no doubt.

"Hey, angel. Shopping went well I see," he grinned at him.

Jeff looked up through his fringe and flushed, a small smile on his lips. "Kurt's gotten better at convincing me to buy things."

Nick laughed. "I can believe that. Come over here and show me what you got."

The tiny command was obeyed immediately and Jeff looked lighter and happier for it he noticed. The sub in him was starved for a Dominant touch that wasn't overbearing and hurtful and Jeff seemed to like having a direction given to him instead of getting himself worked up over what he should and shouldn't do.

Jeff sat down next to him with a cautious bit of space between them, Nick wrapped an arm around his shoulders and nudged a little for him to slide closer, picking up his legs and slinging them over his own once he did. He pressed a kiss to his cheek and nuzzled a little, breathing him in. "I missed you."

He felt the heat of Jeff's blush before he pulled back to see the lovely shade creep across his cheeks.

"I missed you too, sir," he admitted quietly, settling in and relaxing, and Nick felt the rush from the title. "I got you something."

Nick smiled, rubbing his hand over the blonde's knee soothingly, the other wrapped around the small of his back. "You spoil me, angel."

"You gave me your credit card to buy it on," he pointed out with a little laugh, brown eyes bright from a day shopping and spending time with his best friend.

"There is that. So I'm spoiling myself then?"

"I think that's what they call being self-indulgent?" Jeff suggested innocently and Nick burst out laughing, deliriously happy that Jeff was teasing him.

"Cheeky boy," he smiled leaning in to peck his beautiful treasure on the lips, leaving it chaste but letting it linger just for the sheer pleasure of it. "Okay, so show me what you got for the both of us?"

"And 'Cho," Jeff quipped as he buried his hands inside the bags, never once leaving the position of being draped over Nick, just twisting and reaching with those long limbs of his.

"You got something for 'Cho too?" Nick chuckled and Jeff sprang back up, holding a tiny, bright green sweater in his hands a huge smile on his face.

"Look what they had in the pet store! It's a sweater. For a bunny. It's a bunny sweater," he beamed and Nick couldn't help but lean in and peck his nose how cute he was, so excited about the damn bunny sweater he was practically vibrating with it.

"I can see that, angel," he said indulgently and Jeff folded the little item and placed it on his lap.

"You think he'll like it?" he asked looking over to the quiet cage. Poncho was curled up in his little hay pile, only the tips of his ears visible.

Nick nodded seriously.

"I think he'll love it," he chuckled brushing his fringe out of his face to be able to look into his beautifully shy eyes undisturbed. God he loved him so much it hurt.

"Kurt got Cupid a little vest so they can have dress up play dates," he informed him with a silly smile that said he was very much looking forwards to that. "Also... I got you this."

He reached into a separate bag and pulled out a soft piece of colourful fabric, handing it to Nick shyly. "It's um... it's 'cause I stole yours."

Nick unfolded the clothing item and found a brand new pair of Toy Story pyjama bottoms. He threw his head back and laughed and how amazingly adorable his sub was.

"Now we can match when we go to bed," he grinned happily, knees bouncing a bit and Jeff flushed and nodded, mumbling something to himself that Nick couldn't really hear.

"What was that, angel?" he asked and Jeff lowered his eyes and plucked at his fingers.

"That's why I got them. I... um... I wanted us to have the same ones and well... I took yours so..." he trailed off awkwardly and Nick couldn't quite believe how absolutely, ridiculously sweet he was.

"I absolutely love that idea and I can't wait to go to bed so we can match," he reassured clapping his hands before he gathered the items to put back into the bags for now. At the corner of his eye he could see Jeff preen softly at the praise he absolutely deserved, but was depraved of for so long and felt proud and happy he could do that for him.

"So... what did you get for yourself besides the obvious?" Nick asked finally and Jeff pointed to himself.

"More of the same kind of stuff. I stayed in my new clothes right away after trying them on... it made me feel... um..." he started but suddenly his ears flushed and he went quiet completely making Nick worry.

"Made you feel what, angel? Is everything okay?" he asked concerned and Jeff nodded slowly looking back up at him.

"Fine, sir. I just... this outfit...it's the kind of thing I used to wear... before... before him and... stuff and today I just... I felt enough like the old me to wear it again," he rushed out, stuttering and tripping over his words but looking fairly proud of himself in the end.

Nick felt his heart jump, sing and yell happily at the words coming out of his mouth.

"Angel, that's amazing. I'm so proud of you my gorgeous boy," he said honestly and Jeff unhooked his legs and stood slowly, shaky and unsure but brave and determined, peeking at Nick through his eyelashes.

"Sir? Do you... do you like it?" he asked in a whisper and it struck Nick to the core how much of a risk that must have been for him. How incredibly brave he must be to stand there in front of him, trusting him enough not to put him down, trusting him to judge him after being hurt and humiliated for god knew how long.

He stood up and wrapped his arms around his waist gently, slowly, feeling the tension of his body against his own and lending him some of his heat as he whispered into his ear.

"You always look beautiful to me, angel. But the red of that zip up looks amazing against your skin and I love those jeans on you. They make you look really lean and tall and handsome and those Vans are just too cool. My baby's got taste," Nick complimented easy and honest and felt the natural submissive in Jeff purr at the praise. His body sagged against him, drawn into him and his entire energy changed from a nervous, pulsing red to a deep and serene dark green and Nick couldn't believe someone would deny Jeff that.

He couldn't fathom someone having Jeff and not bending over backwards to make that beautifully submissive boy thrive and grow and bloom under them.

Well he would make up for all of that, he swore fiercely as he pulled him back to his lap on the couch and kissed his rosy lips softly.

"How was your day, sir?" Jeff asked when he'd pulled back and that sobered him up a little.

"Ah… it was eventful," he deferred, trying to get his thoughts in order before he brought up such a difficult topic for his sub. It was time and he knew it. There was no point in delaying it any longer if he wanted to do right by Jeff.

Jeff cocked his head adorably. "Do you… do you want to talk about it?" he asked nervously, clearly worried he was going to overstep his bounds and Nick was having none of it.

"I want to talk about everything with you, angel. You don't have to worry you'll upset me by asking a question. If either of us don't want to answer then we'll just say and take it from there okay?" he asked patiently and Jeff nodded quickly, clearly absorbing the information like it was gospel and it broke his heart a little. He was so scared of messing up even now which just hardened his resolve.

"I went to see your parents today actually," he revealed and watched worry and confusion fight for space on Jeff's face. His entire posture stiffened and his eyes turned off again, that bright light he had managed to ignite for a moment dying out in an instant.

"M-my parents? Did I do something wrong? Sir I didn't..." he rushed out, fingers shaking and his mind spinning as he tried to think of where he had slipped and messed up again.

"No, angel," Nick cut in quickly squeezing him closer. "You've been perfect, sweetheart. I just wanted to run something by them and get their advice on something important for us."

"For us, sir?" he asked, trembles calming down at his words and body curling back into the Dom's.

"I've been thinking about a contract for us," he said slowly, reaching around behind him to pull out the paper and placing it on Jeff's knees, not wanting to disturb the peace he had found in his lap.

"You want a contract," Jeff said numbly, eyes going far-away as he stared at the paper like it was about to burn through his jeans and leave scorches on his skin.

Nick's brow furrowed and he let the paper fall onto Jeff's legs completely so he could cup his sub's cheek.

"What's wrong, angel? I was thinking it would be good for us to know where each other's boundaries are. I just want you to feel safe with me and this could be a good way to do that," he said, trying to understand the broken boy in his arms as best as he could so he could piece him back together.

"I never had a contract," Jeff admitted in a small voice, eyes still not meeting his.

"With, Kevin," Nick clarified hating that Jeff flinched still at the name but he'd been doing some quiet research online and everything said that disassociating or hiding from the problem wasn't healthy so he was determined to talk it all out, as painful as he knew it would be for the both of them.

"He said he didn't believe in them. Why would we I need a contract when I had a Dom now," he repeated almost robotically, a phrase that was branded into his mind like a mantra to keep him from questioning the horrors he was going through.

"Jeff, please look at me," Nick half pleaded, half ordered and haunted brown raised upwards, still no traces of that bright light from before. Nick could have kicked his own ass but really, this was a conversation they desperately needed to have and if Jeff was now willing to open up to him then he was damn well going to listen and support him through it.

"He…" he couldn't finish, actually choking up and Nick hushed him bringing their foreheads to rest together.

"We don't have to talk about this now if you're not ready, angel. There's no pressure here," he reminded him softly. "But I'm not gonna lie and say it's not a conversation that we need to have."

Jeff nodded, shaky hands clutching at his shirt and eyes clenching shut.

"I'm here for you, sweetheart. Every step of the way, okay? He can't get you here." Nick assured him, keeping that thin and tired body close, desperate for the times he would be able to fill up with love and dominance so nurturing and loving he would glow.

"He… Kevin," Jeff strained out the word in the small space between them and Nick took it in to himself so it wouldn't hurt Jeff anymore. "Was my contract. He was the small print at the bottom of the page that I never got to read."

The words hit him like a hammer to the chest.

"Some days I want to hurt him so badly, angel… I can't even describe it to you," Nick admitted hoarsely.

"Some days I want to, too," Jeff whispered like he was confessing the deepest of sins and that was just what made Jeff so good. Still so pure and beautiful after everything that had happened to him. That he'd find the idea of wanting revenge or justice for all the torture he'd obviously been through from a man that belonged in the deepest reaches of hell something to be ashamed of was amazing beyond words.

"How can you wonder why I call you an angel," Nick asked in disbelief. "You're too good for this world, Jeff. You really are, sweetheart."

"I..." he looked up in confusion and disbelief but the look on Nick's face was so sincere and so loving that he couldn't even find the strength to argue with him. He just stared at him, curled into his body, warm and safe and he knew, at that defining moment, he knew he was loved with no more doubts in his mind.

"We can... we can make a contract... I... I want to... but... will you... um... can I..." he huffed in frustration when the words just remained glued to his throat and Nick cupped his cheek gently.

"Ask anything. Anything, Jeff. You're allowed everything with me," Nick encouraged and Jeff took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Will you let me... please...will you let me say what I... what I don't like?" he started but when he saw Nick's horrified expression he managed to misinterpret it again and he started rambling. "I mean I'll do what you want me to sir, I will, I just... Kurt told me that Blaine let him name some things he didn't like and I figured that maybe..."

"Angel... Jeff, stop. Please stop." Finally Nick cut him off and Jeff snapped his mouth shut, cheeks red and eyes twitchy with nerves. "There is no way I would ever, ever dream of making you do something you don't like. You will state every last thing that you feel even the least bit apprehensive about and I'll never push it until you feel like maybe you're ready to try that. Okay?"

"I... really?" the blonde breathed in surprise, brown eyes carefully hopeful like he didn't want to get his hopes up too soon.

"Really. However I need to tell you why I went to see your mom and dad before we do anything else. Okay?" Nick asked and Jeff nodded silently.

The Dom placed his fingers onto the stack of paper on Jeff's knees. "This here, is the Validators contract. I went to see your parents to ask them if they thought signing something like that would be something you'd consider," Nick said and as he spoke Jeff's eyes got wider and wider.

He had assumed that since his parents had no idea what it was Jeff wouldn't either but his reaction seemed to suggest otherwise. Nick allowed him to process it all, keeping quiet and waiting patiently.

On the other side Jeff was struggling to understand.

They had learned about the Validators contracts in class and as far as history went there hadn't been a single one signed in decades. They were stiff, strict and unbearably restricting for the Dom no matter how beneficial they proved to be for the subs. They deprived the Dom of his natural need to make decisions and to lead, by obliging him to follow his sub in everything all the while checking up on the pair to make sure the sub was treated fairly.

Rationally, Jeff knew it was for his own good. He could sleep peacefully knowing that if Nick did anything wrong, Jeff could be taken away from him in a matter of days.

He would be guaranteed safety.

He knew that.

Rationally.

"You'd do that? For... for me sir?" he questioned timidly, voice shaky and fingers gripping the papers tightly.

"For you... anything." the Dom promised with a conviction in his voice so strong Jeff trembled in his arms and he knew... he knew his rational side had no clue.

His heart knew better.

"I... thank you sir but... I don't need that. I know I get scared easily and that it's hard on you too but... I... I know it in my heart that I'm safe with you... I know it," he said and startled when a choked off sob left Nick's lips and Jeff could only stare as his strong Dom broke in front of him head falling to rest on his sternum.

"I... god angel you have no idea... no idea what it means... what it means to hear you say that. And you are safe with me. You always will be. Even without the Validators contract we'll make our own to keep you safe." He raised his head to meet his eyes solemnly. "Are you sure?"

He had to ask one more time and Jeff plucked up all the courage he had and leaned in slowly, checking if he was allowed before tilting his head up minutely and touching his lips to Nick's. A barely there brush that sent the Dom flying.

"I'm sure," he whispered when he pulled back and Nick nodded, taking a stack of empty paper and a pen out of his school bag he had left by the side of the couch and turning to Jeff.

"Okay... let's make our own contract. I have to tell you sweetie that... for this to work I'm gonna need you to be a good boy like you always are to me and be open and honest with me. And if at any point you want to change your mind we can sign the contract I picked up from the office. Just say the word. Okay?" Nick asked and Jeff bit his lip knowing this could be the moment Nick let go of the hope he could be fixed.

It was the moment he would learn everything and this embrace could very well be the last one he ever got. So he burrowed deeper into his arms and hid his face.

"Just...just hold me once more like this before we start... please, sir," he pleaded and Nick cuddled him impossibly close.

"What do you mean once more, Jeff?" he asked and Jeff shivered pressing closer still, almost as if he were trying to find his way beneath Nick's skin.

"You're about to learn everything and I... I won't blame you if you don't want to...don't want me...after..." he whispered scared and quiet. He knew that Nick loved him, but Nick didn't know everything about him. This might be a game changer. A deal breaker.

"Nothing you say today will make me give you up. I love everything about you and whatever you say will just make me love you more," Nick shot those fears out of the sky and Jeff curled his fist into his shirt, gripping tightly.

"I don't know how to do this?" he whispered and Nick kissed his temple.

"There are no rules to this. However feels the most comfortable to you," Nick encouraged and Jeff nodded slowly, deep in thought.

"What needs to be in there?" he asked looking down at the paper and Nick put down some rough guidelines.

"Rules we both need to follow, your safe words, kinks and absolute taboos, also forms of punishment you'd feel comfortable with are the standard parts. Everything else is up to us," Nick explained and Jeff frowned.

"What sorts of rules?" Jeff asked warily.

"Well to be honest I'm not much for rules. I'd say healthy food, enough sleep for you and on top of everything absolute honesty with me about anything and everything. As far as I'm concerned I don't need much else. You're allowed to call me whatever feels comfortable to you, you're allowed to wear what you like, go where you like as long as I know where you are and that you're safe, pick your own college and job and whatever else," Nick listed and with every word Jeff got more and more confused.

"What about like... housework and cooking and... and..." he asked and Nick made a face.

"Blah I hate cleaning. You can clean if you feel like cleaning and you can cook if you feel like cooking. If you don't feel like it you don't have to do it," Nick said simply and Jeff gaped at him.

"Just... just like that?" he asked and Nick smiled.

"Life is pretty simple if you don't make it complicated for yourself," he advised cheekily and Jeff couldn't really disagree on that.

"Okay. I... I think I'm okay with having those rules," he said and Nick noted them down onto the paper.

"Right. I also promise to always be open and honest with you. Now... the next parts are harder and Jeff, if you want to stop at any point just say so. I need to know what you're okay with and what not and I need to know why? Do you understand?" Nick asked carefully and Jeff stiffened.

"I... I don't know if I can... I..." he started trembling wildly at the thought of reliving it all again.

"Shhhh... we'll take it slow, sweetheart. Just take your time and remember that I love you... so, so much," Nick soothed and Jeff breathed in his scent, fresh and calming and he knew he could brave through it.

"I... can I just tell you... how it was... how it was with him and then you write it in there?" Jeff asked desperately and Nick was ready to let him do whatever to make it easier.

"You can do whatever you like, baby... anything you want. I'm here for you," he reminded him and kissed his pale cheek.

Jeff took and few moments to ground himself, to find the right words before he spoke.

"I... I had rules. Make breakfast before he got up, prepare his things for the day, make sure his clothes were clean and the food was ready when he got back. I... I wasn't allowed to go to school. I gave up art and singing b-because he said I wasn't good enough. He gave me orders. I hate orders. I don't want them," he stated passionately and Nick frowned in confusion.

Jeff's body would positively glow after he got a command and he would always seem lighter and happier after it... like the sub inside him had been fed and satisfied.

"I... I don't understand, Jeff... I thought... you respond so well to orders from me. I didn't know you didn't want them..." he said brokenly and Jeff frowned.

"You didn't... you never gave me an order, I don't... I don't remember..." he said, fear in his eyes and Nick ran a hand over his face.

"Angel... I give you orders all the time. And every time I do you seem so relaxed after it... most subs do because it makes them feel good. Just a few moments ago when I told you to show me what you got... that was an order," Nick explained patiently and Jeff gaped at him.

"But... no... that's not how it feels.. .I don't... it's... sometimes you'd tell me something and I'd feel lighter and more... just...more... but, you were giving me commands?" he tried to explain and Nick nodded in confirmation.

"It hurt... before... with him... it hurt all the time... he'd order me and it ached... I thought... I thought it had to because I was no good," he whispered, tears sliding down and making Nick's heart broke for him.

"No baby, it's not supposed to hurt. From what I know from my mom and the other subs I know... obeying an order from your Dom feels good," Nick told him, reaching over and wiping the moisture away and Jeff lowered his head after.

"Then... can we have them... like you did them so far? I... I don't want it to hurt," Jeff mumbled, heart in his throat and Nick shook his head.

"We can have them. Exactly like we did it so far. It only hurts if I order you to do something you fear. I don't ever want to do that. Is it okay if I write it down?" Nick asked and Jeff nodded as Nick penned the agreement down.

"Okay, sweetie. What else don't you want?" he asked and Jeff twined his fingers.

"You said... the night we bonded... that... that sometimes you'll have to punish me. I don't...I don't like blood, and...I...I'm afraid of being alone in the dark for a long time so I...if you...if you can, I don't like that..." he choked out and Nick dropped the pen pulling him closer and hating the way his body shook in fear.

What did that animal do to him?

"Blood, baby? Dark?" He asked because he had to, had to know these triggers in order to look after him properly and Jeff froze.

"He... he liked using his whip on me. And if I cried he'd... there was a room... on the bottom floor... and it was dark and he'd... lock me inside for hours... I don't...I don't like being alone in the dark..." he whispered, low and thready, clutching Nick's hand desperately as the Dom held him and rocked him, tears threatening as undiluted rage stormed inside of him.

"Never, baby. Never, ever, ever would I do something like that to you. Writing lines, or an essay on why you were wrong is the only punishment I'm okay with giving you. I'm never going to lay hands on you in a punishment. There will be no pain and no blood… god Jeff, I can't even think about it… and no dark places. Ever. Are you okay with those?" he asked, blood boiling as he contemplated to what happened to his beautiful boy.

The images in his head would probably give him nightmares and it just proved to him how strong Jeff was truly. To be able to even attempt this again with another person after his experience was a miracle in itself and Nick wasn't ever going to take him or the trust he laid in him for granted.

"Y-yes I...I am," Jeff said and another thing found its way onto the paper.

"Now... I know this might be the hardest part so let's brave through it together in the nicest possible way." He steeled himself. "Sex? What do you think you'd be comfortable with physically?" he asked and Jeff lowered his head knowing there was no going back now. He would have to say everything.

"I...can I say what I like with you?" he asked slowly and Nick smiled nodding.

"I like um... when you hold me. Like... tightly so... so I know you're there and... kisses...I like when you kiss me. You're slow and gentle. And you... you let me kiss you back like... like you like it," he whispered the last part and Nick knew it was time to stop being shocked but he just couldn't.

"Jeff...when you kiss me back...that...that's the best part of everything for me...knowing that you want me back. I...I crave your kisses, angel and I never want to be without them. I don't even want to know what kind of an idiot it takes not to like the way you kiss," Nick said with fever and Jeff hid his face in his neck for the part he knew was coming.

"He said... he said pleasure was for the Doms only," he repeated the phrase he had heard so many times over the time he spent with Kevin and he could feel the anger rolling off of Nick.

"He said…" He shook his head not even able to repeat it because of what it implied. Of course he knew logically that this was something that was most probably true to whatever extent it ranged, but hearing it was something else altogether. He manned up though and set his jaw.

He thought it was hard for him? Jeff must be going through hell just reliving it.

"Tell me, Jeff... tell me what he did?" Nick demanded and even though he didn't want to say it, it still didn't hurt to be ordered because deep in his core he wanted Nick to know everything so he could help him somehow. Heal him.

"I wasn't... I wasn't allowed to..." he swallowed hard against the bile rising in his throat. "To feel good like... like that... he'd come into bed with me and he'd... do things and he ordered me to do things but it never felt good," his voice broke on the last word, tears falling hot down his cheeks. Nick went to open his mouth, face looking beyond angry, beyond hurt for him, but Jeff needed to get this out otherwise he might not have the courage to do it again.

"Nick, sir, can I...can I have a safe word... like when I want to stop if I say it you stop... please, sir," he rushed out, hands shaking without control and Nick stood up suddenly startling Jeff and making him curl into himself on the sofa as the Dom paced the room furiously hands harshly pulling at his own hair as he panted.

"Oh god... oh my god, Jeff please...oh please tell me he didn't...order you to... please, angel," he said the last words falling to his knees in front of the blonde and laying his head on his lap, hands gripping his waist in despair.

Please, please deny it angel! He begged in his head but he knew he wouldn't. He knew it was the truth when he glanced up and saw Jeff nod his head, small and broken in front of him but so precious to him in all his tortured glory.

Nick ground his teeth and raised his head. "You won't need a safe word. Just say no to me and I'll stop whatever we're doing. No orders in our bed. If you don't want something, if you never wish for anything but for me to hold you and to kiss you we'll never do more than that. Ever beautiful," he choked through his tears, heart ripping to shreds and mind completely sure that, that would be it for the day.

Jeff looked tired and worn and he himself felt frayed and ready to burst at the seams.

"I'll put what we talked about in the contract and we can add things to it as we go along if you don't have anything else to add right now," Nick said needed something to occupy him before he walked out of here and found Kevin to smash his fucking disgusting head in and Jeff bit his lip nodding his head once before changing his mind, shaking it and looking up.

"I don't want to go into subspace!" he blurted and Nick started at him in shock, blinking the last of the tears away from his stinging eyes.

"I... a lot of people never go to subspace, baby. That's not going to be a problem for me," he reassured softly but Jeff shook his head.

"I don't want you to make me do it," he whispered and Nick froze as the realization dawned on him.

"He... he commanded you into subspace?" he gasped and Jeff nodded.

"I'll kill him. I will murder him!" he raged and Jeff shrunk back in shock as he watched Nick rise, walk towards the wall and punch it with all the strength he had in him, scraping his knuckles and putting a dent in the wall.

"I...I'm sorry sir I didn't mean to make you angry..." Jeff despaired, curled into the corner of the sofa, trying to be as small as he possibly could when Nick turned those eyes at him.

He flinched when the Dom reached him and sat next to him, but relaxing when familiar arms found their way around him, holding him close to his chest where he could hear his heartbeat racing.

"I'm sorry for scaring you," he apologised at once and Jeff nodded into the fabric of his shirt. "Baby... listen to me. This is what I'm putting into our contract. We have to be honest with each other at all times. Anything that makes you feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable or nervous is something I won't do until you ask it of me when you feel like you might want it. I will never cause you pain or make you feel scared of me. We are together in this bond and I want you happy. For now...that's all I'm putting in. We'll fill in the rest when we get there," he listed and Jeff lifted his eyes, not quite able to believe what he was hearing.

"What if... what if I'm never there?" he asked timidly and Nick kept his chin from falling with his fingers.

"I still get to hold you and kiss you. I'll consider myself a lucky guy," Nick stated surely pecking his lips slowly and giving him time to respond. After a few moments the petal like lips parted beneath his own and Jeff kissed him back, slow and careful and scared but there...his... and it was more grounding than anything else at a time when he felt like he was going to fly apart with his need to protect Jeff when he was this vulnerable.

"How about we sign this and then we can cuddle back here again?" Nick asked and Jeff nodded as Nick took the pen and signed his name on the improvised line.

He passed it over and Jeff leaned it on his own legs, fingers shaking but the look on his beautiful face was determined and it gave Nick so much hope he could almost fly with the strength of it.

A gentle flick of his hand and Jeff found himself looking at his name beneath Nick's on the line, curvy and artsy and pretty and light somehow.

It made him whole again. A true sub to a real Dom this time.

He traced his name on the paper and the back of his neck burned stronger than it ever had before, making him gasp silently and hunch a little and he knew Nick saw it.

"What is it, angel? Are you in pain?" Nick asked worried and Jeff shook his head, knowing he had just signed the promise he'd be honest at all times and he knew he already had the chance to put the rule to the test.

Tell the truth? Or disobey so soon after promising honesty?

"Sometimes my mark burns a little bit..."

Honesty it was apparently.

"Burns?" Nick asked, eyes wide with worry for his sub.

"It's more of a tingle. And I...I hate seeing it because it's...it's him...still on me and I want to forget it's there but lately I feel it and I don't know what's happening," he explained brokenly and Nick had to ask for one more act of trust that day.

"Would you...would you let me take a look at it for you? I won't touch it I just want to know if we need to see a doctor or something?" he asked softly and Jeff contemplated for a moment, clearly scared out of his mind but in the end he gave a tiny nod and Nick brushed his fingers over his cheek in a silent, "thank you for trusting me".

He guided Jeff to turn around, bracing for the worst when the most beautiful sight he could have hoped for made him gasp in delight.

"Oh my god, baby. Oh god, sweetie I want you to see this on your own," he exclaimed and Jeff shook his head in horror.

"No... no I can't...don't want to see him..." he whispered frantically and Nick took his shoulders gently pushing him up and leading him to the mirror in the bathroom.

"He's not there anymore," he said and Jeff startled.

"What!?"

"Take a look, angel," he said turning him around and what met Jeff eyes wasn't a muddy green specked with ugly black dots and bad memories and pain.

His skin was clear, unblemished, and the heart that was broken just like the one in his chest stood a light yellow against his flesh.

Just a tiny drop of colour, but it was clear.

Yellow.

For Nick.

"Yellow, angel?" Nick asked and he looked up into his eyes, happy tears lacing the gorgeous brown as the sub wrapped his arms around him tightly.

"Because it's warm when you're around."

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