So this is a belated reaction fic for Bash, with D/s Klaine, because have ya'll seen the post on tumblr where someone took the "no sir" from Nothing's Gonna Hurt You and made it sound like he was saying it, rather than singing?
Bless talented people.
Title from Grace Kelly by Mika.
Gotta Be Everything More
He keeps himself together quite well- until they're home, that is.
He breaks down, falling to his knees next to the bed, and then he crumbles further because it's no longer their bed but Kurt's, and he can't be away from Kurt again, it was his fault because he was away, he wasn't there to protect him, he wasn't there and Kurt got hurt because he wasn't there-
"Blaine, look at me."
He doesn't want to obey; he can't obey. How can he look at his sir's wounded face and know it's his fault? So he shakes his head and keeps his eyes closed, face tucked into his forearms on the bed.
A soft hand touches the back of his neck. "Blaine, it's not your fault."
He lets out a sob. "It is, it is, I wasn't there, I let you down, I wasn't there!"
"No one is mad at you. Don't punish yourself for something out of your control. I am the one responsible, not you."
He's crying, sobbing into his skin and the bedsheet. His sir is disappointed, he knows, because he can't control himself. He can't stop feeling guilty or crying or fucking up.
"It's not your fault." Kurt's hand presses hard into his shoulder, owning, soothing. "Breathe, Blaine."
He tries, he really tries to breathe deeply, but it nearly makes him choke.
"Just go with my count, B." Kurt strokes his skin. "Breathe in… one… two… three…"
He does as he's told, following Kurt's count, trying to focus on the words and not the terrible, terrible image of the beautiful, scarred face above him.
"Good boy, breathe out… one… two… three…"
He does, carefully so, breathing to Kurt's rhythm a couple more times until Kurt pauses to say gently, "Now tell me. Is it your fault?"
"No, sir," he says in a small voice, sitting back a little straighter but not looking up.
"Good boy. Relaxed now?" Kurt asks, tugging at his hair, massaging his scalp.
"Y-no, not so much."
"Okay, baby, that's okay," Kurt assures him. "Breathe again for me."
And he does, shuddering and sobbing a little, but he does.
"I want you to know, B, that you can't feel guilty for the things I choose to do. I understand how you're feeling; I would've felt the same way if the situation was reversed, but you can't take that responsibility for my deeds. Do you understand that, Blaine?"
He nods, "yes, but I… I wasn't there when it happened and now I'm afraid to be away again."
"I know, baby, it's hard. But that's a bridge we can cross later. Would you like to stay the night?" he offers.
"Yes, please."
It's quiet for a second before Kurt whispers, "you'll have to look at me eventually, B."
Slowly, he lifts his gaze, and
Red near Kurt's hairline
Black, swollen eye
A cut on his nose
Split lip
A gash on his cheekbone
A bruise on his neck
"Please sir, forgive me, please, please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm so sorry I'll find them I promise I won't let them get away please just forgive me, sir, please…"
Kurt is looking at him, his gaze harsh and unwavering. "Why are you apologizing, Blaine?"
He's nearly hyperventilating, panting quickly. "Because they hurt you, they hurt you and I wasn't there-"
Kurt takes his hand in his (his knuckles are wounded as well) and holds it tight. "Is it your fault, Blaine?"
"I know, but-"
"I asked," Kurt snaps, a little louder than he'd intended to, "is it your fault?"
"No, sir."
"Then I have nothing to forgive you for, correct?"
He swallows. "Correct, sir."
"The only reason I got hurt was myself, Blaine. If you want to punish the guilty, it'll have to be me."
"Can't punish you, sir," he whispers.
"No, you can't," Kurt says calmly. "So no one is getting punished tonight, and you're staying over, and everything will be okay."
He doesn't answer, trying to move his eyes away again, until Kurt grabs his chin and makes him look right into his eyes.
"I promise, Blaine," Kurt says sincerely.
"Thank you, sir."