A/N: Today was quite possibly the longest day ever, but I bring to you chapter 4! Here you'll see the results of Blaine's first mission and the beginnings of the next one, as well as some more twisted Sebastian and a heaping dose of angst, as per usual.

Happy reading :)

...

Blaine stays in the car for an extra five minutes after the mission, trying to regain his breath. It's hard enough that he had to tie up and restrain – oh god he can't believe that just happened – but now he has to get another assignment. And another. And he has absolutely no idea how this is going to end.

"You succeeded," says Sebastian with a mocking smile, "but you also failed half of the assignment. Did I or did I not ask you to disable security?"

Something like fear trickles down his spine. "I didn't need to. I know how to get in and out. It's easy."

"Ah, but they know you've been there. They're probably talking about it as we speak. Their systems will change, their fighting methods will change, their perception of you will change. And that will make things harder. So, in essence, you compromised a small bit of the mission. Which shall not go unpunished."

"Please don't," he breathes, eyes widening. "Please."

The screen comes down. "I didn't mean to," he continues, words running together in his rush to get them out, "I swear, I just panicked. Was I supposed to go search out Tina? I could've compromised even more of the mission! It was a small loss, and it's more of a problem for me than for you. You don't need to do this."

"You," says Sebastian pointedly, "will be quiet. And you won't move a muscle from that position. Or else."

And Blaine can only watch helplessly as Sebastian presses the button, completely nonchalant. Kurt is shocked on level 8 for a solid ten seconds. The cries rip through Blaine's heart and he wants to look away with a fierceness he didn't know he possessed. He knows that if he does, it won't end.

Now, however, ND is watching. Santana is yelling, panicked, and Mercedes is trying to rip off the bracelet, to no avail. Rachel's eyes are flitting around, trying to remember a piece of something she doesn't know. Ice forms around Kurt's fingers, on his nails, sharp points protruding from his palm.

"Stop, stop, stop," Blaine whispers under his breath, like a chant, head in his hands because this is the worst torture imaginable. Sebastian may be sick and twisted, but he's a genius, because if there's any way to break Blaine Anderson, this is definitely it.

"You'll follow my orders exactly - and I mean exactly - from this point on, understand? I have no issues with torturing your friends. They mean nothing to me. They're worthless."

Kurt is still whimpering on the screen, current gone from the bracelet but occasional spasms running through him all the same. He's crying in earnest, tearing at the bracelet with desperation. His nails are icy and his wrist is quickly bloodying, but Kurt doesn't seem to care. All of a sudden his body goes lax, but he's still letting out these little noises. Finn looks ready to throw something into the wall.

"I understand," he says, showing more real emotion than he has in weeks, "I promise. What do you need me to do next?"

"Next, I need you to go to training. We'll discuss your next mission on my terms. You're dismissed."

He runs out of the room, almost tripping over himself in his haste to get out, and is dressed and ready to train in four seconds flat.

…

He's forced to his limits today. Jump, duck, spin before it takes you out. Every weapon is covered in a dull layer of something he can't place, so that every impact bruises but nothing pierces the skin. He'd been completely wrecked after the first week, body battered and weak from the strenuous activity. Now, the soreness in his muscles is simply a dull buzz.

He learned to flip in midair (to perform acrobatics and the like) two weeks ago, and ever since then has been forced to implement this knowledge. He's never been in better physical shape.

Then, of course, comes the mental state of things. He isn't sure that he can handle this for much longer. Indecision tears at him with every turn and he can't let out any emotion at all. He's good at composure, sure, but he's only human. This isn't a game; this isn't some silly acting job with no consequences. If you messed up there, you could stop, reshoot, move on. Here, it causes pain and suffering and he doesn't like the way this song goes. This song about him. Him the burning, him the indecision, him the captor and fighter and hater the way he was never supposed to be. Blaine runs, and that's it. He wasn't built for attacks or offense. He's meant to evade sticky situations, find peace, and above all keep himself safe. He's never been responsible for others for a reason, he thinks. It's why he left home in the first place.

You're next mission is simple, he hears, and the voice jolts him, just stop a planned attack on the Warbler Headquarters.

He can do that. Just stop an attack. He doesn't have to fight outright, he just has to prevent. He can distract them, or evade them, or tire them out. Within seconds his mind is whirring through the possibilities one by one, all of which would hurt but none of which would hurt as much as he'd expected. It's sad, how much consolation he gets from this realization, but it's there, and it's comfort, and he won't find it anywhere else. He has to settle. And he must do so gladly.

He can't bring himself to smile, but he isn't grimacing anymore, and when he looks into the mirror there's a light in his eyes that wasn't there before. A dull one, yes, but a light all the same. It's certainly better than nothing.

…

He slips the mask and cape on more slowly this time, in less of a rush than before. He started orchestrating a grand escape yesterday. He needs the time. He also needs the remote, because without it problems could arise. Like, say, a mass explosion. So he needs to be patient, look for a way to get the remote, and keep away from the cameras the place is crawling with. Also, finding a way to remove the bracelet would be a plus, because who knows if that remote is the only one? Deep breath. Calm down. No use in panicking.

All stations are a go, get in the car.

Blaine gets in the car.

Stop them from getting into headquarters at any cost. This mission cannot afford to be compromised. Hold them off, wait for backup, and drive them away. Once they're all gone (and you're absolutely certain of that fact), come back to the car. It will be waiting for you. One misstep and we test out function number two. Am I understood?

"Yes," says Blaine, shutting his eyes. His eyebrows knit together. He understands perfectly.

Oh, and Blaine? We've upped the stakes.

He has no idea what Sebastian could possibly be referring to, but he drives faster than he normally would. The panic is bubbling up again. He's at headquarters, making rounds, when he looks out over the edge of the building. Here come the New Directions.

A flash of silver makes his stomach clench, but when he sees the face it belongs to he suddenly understands. Now, there are four bracelets out there. Not only is he responsible for Kurt; he's responsible for Rachel, Finn, and Santana as well.

A battle cry comes from the ranks below, surely Puck or Finn, the brave-hearted idiots, and he braces himself. Deep breath. Calm down. No use in panicking.

...

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