Title: I tried to be the lover to your nightmare
Reviews:
Iris7124: thank you so much! Lol we just had to with the puppets. I know some people hate that episode but it makes us laugh every time. We will be getting more back story soon!
tomdarryecs: Aw thank you so much! We love this Blaine too! He's so cute!
MarciaChapter2: thank you so much! Lol yes, it's Mercedes but Santana would be just as snarky. We love Santana, but this one we needed Mercedes! Maybe on the next one. We will definitely get Kurt's side of the story soon! To be quite honest, the whole thing is pretty dark in spots, but I might have gone a step too far with the first draft, so we reigned it in lol.
Absolutely loving the guesses and feedback on the last chapters! Thanks to everyone for taking a few minutes and sharing your thoughts! We get our first Kurt POV this chapter! Hope you enjoy!
Kurt Hummel loved storms. He was born during one with wind ripping his family's shutters from their cottage and rain pelting the roof. There was a cleansing to them. It came as no surprise to him that as his magic developed and grew, it manifested itself as lightning and wind and thunder. He felt like a storm was constantly brewing inside of him, always threatening to explode. Yes, if his heart was ice, his soul was ash, and his mind was a storm. So when it blustered outside his castle, he reveled in it, considered it a friend even though he never really had any of those. His magic was charged by it, strength he needed if he was to make this last stretch of his journey.
He was breathing in the damp air and strolling down a corridor, intent on gathering some leaves for a powder he needed when Mercedes interrupted.
She meowed loudly and hurried beside him, her little legs having to work extra hard. He didn't slow down.
Kurt! Hurry! There's a storm!
"Yes, I'm aware. Isn't it glorious?"
She growled, low and guttural. He didn't care. She was annoying him today.
You need to let Blaine in!
Just once, he would like to have a conversation with someone who didn't act like they had been dropped on their head. He scoffed. "In the castle? Now why would I do something so ridiculous?"
He's in a tent! she cried. He'll be swept away! Please!
"Oh, it's not that bad."
Yes it is! Kurt, you open the castle and let that boy in now!
She leapt in front of him and hissed, swiping at him with her claws out.
Kurt looked down his nose at her. He had been taking better care of himself the last few days and he felt stronger than ever. He wondered if she knew he could destroy her with a tiny flick of his hand. His fingers curled into his palm. It wouldn't be hard at all… A tiny voice said he would regret it deeply. That she was his only friend in the world, even if he had to hold her hostage as well. The voice sounded a lot like his father.
"Mercedes, no one comes in the castle! It's the rule! And you know how we must follow the rules!"
She hissed, her ears flat and her tail twitching.
"He's an imbecile! You could do a lot better you know."
Kurt, you let him in or I will not speak to you for a month.
"I don't care."
Two months. I'm not joking.
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Fine, but you are responsible for him. Go get him and leave me in peace." He flicked his hand and she shot off down the stairs. He waited and waited for them to cross the invisible border, but he sensed nothing. Stalking to a window, he peered out and saw the moron standing at the open door like a drowned rat and just staring. Kurt clicked his tongue in annoyance and jerked the window open.
"Are you stupid?" he shouted out.
Blaine looked up at him open-mouthed and soaking wet. Yes, definitely stupid. The rain was causing Blaine to squint and he was shouting something back, but Kurt ignored it.
"In! Before I change my mind! You've had no trouble trespassing thus far!"
Finally, he used what brains he had to come in and Kurt stomped down to meet him.
Mercedes was already there with him as he shivered and dripped all over Kurt's expensive rug. He quelled the urge to smite him were he stood. That would not serve his purposes. Blaine was looking around in wonder as he hugged himself and his teeth chattered. Of course he was impressed. He dressed like a peasant and smelled like a dirty sock.
Be nice, came Mercedes' voice.
He ignored her in favor of staring Blaine down. The man had his back to him and jumped when he turned and saw him.
Kurt glowered at him. "You will spend the night inside at my generous mercy. Consider your debt repaid after this and leave at first light."
Blaine smiled as water dripped from his beard. "That's not how it works at all."
"Well you obviously don't know how soap works so we must give each other grace," Kurt snarked back. He tucked his hands into his wide sleeves and smirked at Blaine's obvious disagreement.
"I have been sleeping in a tent for several weeks, master," Blaine snarked right back.
"I'm sure they have baths wherever you come from. Go back there. Use them."
"I would be happy to leave if you release Lady Rachel to me."
Kurt smiled at his impudence so he wouldn't rip his face off. "I think you know I'm not going to do that."
Blaine smiled back, just as dangerously. "You told me once you had a heart of ice. Yours might be cold and frozen, but mine is of stone. I don't give up until I get what I want."
Kurt could see he would stand there like the fool he was and argue while he caught his death. But he himself had actual important things to do and he hated wasting his time. "Find yourself a nice corner to sleep in. Don't leave it. Out by dawn, storm or no storm." He cast a glare at Mercedes who didn't speak but swished her tail. He only made it to the stairs when Blaine called out.
"The end of summer!"
He stopped and turned, squinting at him. "Beg pardon?"
"Give me until the autumn to sway your heart, or even your soul in my favor. If I succeed, you restore Lady Rachel to me, unharmed, and we are free to go. Release your cat… people.. from their spell. If I fail, I leave, never to darken your doorstep again. I will consider my debt paid and leave you to be the grumpiest wizard cat farmer I've ever met. Do you accept?" Blaine finished his little impassioned speech and looked up beseechingly at Kurt. My, his eyes were big. Mercedes must be swooning.
He took a few moments to consider Blaine's offer. If he agreed, Blaine would probably be very annoying, but he would be preoccupied with whatever his silly little plans were. He would stay out of Kurt's business and he could finish his preparations. Little did Blaine know that he needed about that long as well. And it would keep him close. Kurt tapped his chin in a pretence of thought. Blaine got distracted by the sparkle of his rings like the child he was. He looked so hopeful that Kurt really wanted to crush him, just to see the sorrow on his face.
"I accept your bargain."
The fool's eyes lit up and he smiled. "Really?"
"There are rules."
Blaine nodded. "Of course."
"Stop snooping around. You will never find Lady Rachel, so stop trying."
Blaine's smile fell a bit at that. What, did he really not think Kurt knew everything that went on in his castle? "I'm not snooping."
"Keep your nose out of my things. Which brings me to my next rule: no touching anything that belongs to me."
Blaine nodded. "That's fair."
"There will be consequences."
Then he had the nerve to sigh like Kurt was being the obnoxious one. "I understand. Anything else?"
"Yes." Kurt moved closer, going slowly to build his fear. It was a technique he had learned long ago from his bullies and now he used it to great effect. He saw it working as Blaine trembled, his eyes growing impossibly wider. He feared him. Good. "Do not get in my way. If you do, I will not hesitate to remove you from the situation. And it will be painful."
Blaine's tongue darted out to wet his lips. A curl plastered to his forehead dripped water down his nose. "Agreed. So we have a bargain?" Blaine held out his hand to Kurt, but he just wrinkled his nose at it like it had personally wronged him.
Kurt let his eyes settle on Blaine's. He hoped this man knew what he was getting into. "You've made a grave mistake, for I have no heart to sway and my soul was burned away a long time ago."
Blaine's throat bobbed sharply as he swallowed. Before he could vex him further, Kurt swished his robes around him and stalked away. His mood had now soured due to this new complication of his plan and not even the storm could soothe him. For the first time, it had brought him something he did not desire.
When the morning comes and the war is done, you will hear my heart beating
Something tickled the side of Blaine's face. He slapped himself to squash whatever bug or mouse was pestering him, but he came away with only a feather. He tossed it away from him and rolled over, attempting to go back to sleep in the most comfortable bed he had ever slept on.
Bed? That's when he sat bolt upright in a panic until his new reality settled in slowly. He was inside the castle! Hummel had made a deal with him and now he had until the season's end to convince him to let Lady Rachel and the people-turned-cats go. Did he know how to do that? Why no, but at least he was inside the castle. That was a step in the right direction.
He stared at the dying fire he had started to dry out his clothes and things. Said clothes and things lay strewn in front of the hearth.
The previous night, Mercedes had hissed at the wizard's retreating back before indicating Blaine should follow her. When he protested, she growled at him too. Hastily, he gathered his soaked pack and followed her up another extravagant stair case. If he were given an opportunity to guess, he wouldn't have thought this was what lay on the inside of the castle. It was just so… alive. Plants were everywhere on every available surface. Hummel didn't strike him as the type to allow anything warm or alive in his presence unless they were feline in nature. He admired all the beautiful scroll work and ostentatious carvings in the railings and the bannisters.
"Are you sure I should be up here?" Blaine had asked as he glanced around for Hummel to come and throw him out for breaking the rules.
She just kept going so he guessed she would protect him. It was dark in the halls until they walked by and then the unlit candles in the sconces would light themselves, frightening him every time. If he hadn't been as exhausted and dripping wet, he would have taken a little more time to really admire the interior of the castle more. As soon as he had built a fire and the contents of his pack were spread out to dry, he collapsed into the bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Now light was streaming in through the high windows, the fire was dying, and his stomach was making horrible noises. Blaine hadn't had much to eat the last few days since he was running out of food and he had learned he was a terrible hunter. (Those little rabbits were too cute to eat!) Sitting up, he stretched his arms up and looked around the room. The walls were a dark teal with gold accents. The bed itself had a flowing canopy and the opposite side of the room with the fireplace held a velvet couch and chairs along with a dark wardrobe and several plants. He slid from the downy bed and admired the gorgeous room. He had never had one of his own before; they traveled too much. His stomach gurgling again let him know he would have to leave soon, so he pulled on one of his sweaters and some freshly dried trousers. He knew nothing was to be done with his hair and beard, so timidly he cracked open his door. It looked like an ordinary castle corridor. Not that he'd been in more than one. If you counted this one.
The wizard had strictly forbade him from exploring the castle, but that couldn't be helped if he was looking for the kitchen, right? It was plausible deniability. He moved cautiously down the hall, an excuse about being hungry on his lips as he arrived at a door. What if it was Hummel's door? His heart raced. What would he do to him? What if he found Lady Rachel? Would he have the courage to escape with her? Blaine realized he must enjoy the rush of danger because he found himself constantly courting it.
After wiping his sweaty palm on his trouser leg, Blaine pulled at the door.
It didn't budge. Locked.
Feeling like that was anticlimactic, Blaine went off to the next one. Also locked. He was feeling much bolder and less uncomfortable by the time he came to the end of the hall and he had been met with only locked doors. He found a staircase on either side of him and he impulsively climbed up the one on his right. There were not many windows and things were much darker up on the higher level. There were fewer doors too but to his surprise, they were unlocked.
The first room was very similar to the others: plush furniture, an expertly crafted fireplace, and more plants. He determined it was some sort of sitting room and not much of interest. The next room however was one that dropped his mouth open in amazement.
The room was larger than the others and held its share of furniture and plants, but the main feature was books. Walls and walls holding shelves of them comprising the largest library Blaine had ever seen. He basically floated inside and scanned the spines. Some appeared to be in a language he had never seen before. Histories, information, botanical tomes, and books of fairytales all mixed. As he passed along shelf after shelf, one spine caught his eye. The rest of the books were in perfect condition as if they had never been touched. But this one was cracked and ragged, the title worn off by fingers grabbing for it repeatedly. Blaine went to it and delicately touched the tattered spine before slowly sliding it out. A picture of a green woman was all he was able to see before an invisible hand tugged it from his hand and slid back to its home on the shelf. Puzzled, Blaine was about to pull it back out when a voice startled him.
"Already breaking the rules? I should have known."
Kurt Hummel glared from the doorway, outfitted in bronze and red robes today. He was still quite fearsome, but he looked a little less intimidating in the morning light. Almost tired.
"Sorry," Blaine said as he smiled warmly, attempting to exude friendliness. He stepped towards him, but Hummel stepped back. Same as every other time. It was like he was scared for Blaine to touch him. He wondered what that could mean. He was so much stronger than Blaine and could easily overcome him. He didn't push anymore. "I was just looking for the kitchen and I stumbled upon this library. It's remarkable!"
"I'm aware," the wizard answered dryly as he put even more space between them. "The only thing you should be looking for is the door. All packed up?"
Blaine's heart sunk. He rubbed his forearm with his hand. "Oh. I suppose. I'll be gone for a few days to the village so I can restock my food supply, but I'll be back."
A dark look crossed Hummel's face like a thunder cloud. "No."
Blaine shuffled from one foot to the other. "What?"
"No going back to the village. I forbid it."
Blaine was stunned. "But— I'm to be a prisoner?"
The wizard growled and his fingers twitched like he wanted to set Blaine on fire. He probably did, to be honest. "No, not a prisoner. Yet. Just… don't go back there. Those barbarians are not to be trusted." He rolled his eyes and turned, his robes swirling behind him. "Follow me."
Although he had sounded like he would rather eat a worm, Blaine ignored his irritation and peppered him with questions as the descended the stairs.
"So, you built this whole castle?"
Silence.
"Is it all magic?"
Silence.
"Have you always been magic?"
A huff, then more silence.
"So is that your favorite book?"
Silence.
"Can I read it?"
"What part of 'don't touch my things' is not permeating that tiny brain of yours?" Hummel snapped.
"So I can't read any of the books?"
"No."
Blaine sighed. "I suppose I'll be bored then. So is the kitchen all the way down here?"
They took a left. Blaine jumped when the candles lit as they passed like the night before. He probably wouldn't get used to that. It didn't seem to faze Hummel who stomped down the corridor like he was in a perpetual bad mood. Which, to be fair, he was.
"There are no kitchens."
Blaine stopped even though Hummel continued on without a backward glance at him. He shook his head and hurried along beside him. "What do you mean? Where do you cook? What do you eat?"
"Revenge," he replied simply.
Blaine had no idea magic held such power! "Really?"
Hummel snorted. "No."
Well, now he felt the fool. Blaine sent him a withering glare that he didn't pay attention to. "Rude. What do you eat then?"
Hummel finally glanced at him, a leering smile on his lips. "Why do you think I keep so many cats?"
Blaine stumbled away in horror until the wizard burst into mean laughter.
"Gullible fool. This will be easy if you are going to believe the worst of me so easily." He skulked on down the corridor.
Blaine cursed himself for falling for it again. He would have to sharpen his wit somewhat if he were to do mental battle with this man.
Through another gilded doorway, Blaine stepped into what was just an ordinary kitchen. The tall windows reached up to a point near the ceiling and let in the bright morning light. The glass was wet after last night's storm and a few leaves were pasted to it. More plants and vines climbed the walls and hung from clay pots around the ceiling, but most of the workspace remained clean. There were no jars of intestines or eyes from his enemies or dead cats he had been gnawing on with sharp teeth. Just cupboards and a stove and a big soup pot over the fireplace. It was quite nice, actually.
Hummel gestured uncomfortably to the room. "Find something." He disappeared into a smaller room as Blaine tentatively opened one of the cupboard doors. Inside he found some cheese that looked mouthwatering and smelled delicious.
"May I?" he called back as he found some bread as well. He wondered who had made this.
The wizard only grunted at him as he tossed a side of what appeared to be bacon on the large island and set some eggs down too. He ignored Blaine as a cupboard door opened and a kettle floated out, dropped into the sink, and filled with water that pumped itself.
Blaine climbed into a chair in the corner and began eating a smear of the cheese with a piece of the bread. It seemed to melt in his mouth, the cheese tangy and smooth and the bread flaky on the outside and so soft on the inside. It was easily the best bread and cheese he had ever eaten. He told Hummel as much, but all he did was shrug it off like an unwelcome hug.
"Seriously," Blaine insisted, mouth full. He knew it was rude, but the wizard had to understand! "This is delicious! I could eat this until I'm sick!"
The wizard just grunted and started waving his hands.
Simultaneously, the eggs cracked themselves into a frying pan over a fire that started itself, the rashes of bacon laid themselves beside the eggs, and the kettle nestled over the fire to start the water boiling. It was almost enough for Blaine to forget his own breakfast. Almost.
"Fascinating!" Blaine exclaimed as the bacon and eggs flipped themselves. "Master Hummel, you are amazing! This is spectacular!"
He turned his back on Blaine, indifferent. "What little it takes to impress you."
Blushing, Blaine looked down at the cheese and bread. "I just have only seen real magic one other time and I've heard stories. It's just… wonderful."
With a scoff, Hummel took the kettle from the fire and poured it onto two tea cups and a crystal bowl. "I'll bet you've heard stories." The sneer on his face cause Blaine to sit quietly and eat. Being around him was like walking across the thinnest ice of a rapidly melting pond. This morning he seemed almost hospitable. Last evening he seemed like he wanted to disembowel him. His moods seemed to change by the minute.
As he was scrambling for something to say, Mercedes strolled in and hopped up on the counter next to where Hummel stood plating the food. He scooted the bowl of what Blaine now saw was tea towards Mercedes who was already starting on her eggs. He picked up his cup and nodded curtly towards the third cup.
Blaine took the tea with a grateful smile and sipped it. It was perfect, something flowery and sweet with a hint of citrus. Like the other food, it was delicious. "This is so good too! Whoever has made all of this is splendid! A wizard of the kitchen, if I might jest."
Mercedes looked up at Hummel, smugly chewing her food.
The wizard sipped his tea delicately, his face impassive. He cleared his throat. "After your meal you may pack up your things and go back to the courtyard."
Mercedes lifted her head again and meowed loudly at Hummel. He stared straight ahead and sipped his tea.
"I kept him out of the storm. That was one night too many."
She meowed again, her tail flicking back and forth.
"No. It's my castle. You don't get a say."
He could talk to Mercedes? And he said Blaine was crazy for talking to a puppet. So rude.
"I do not care, Mercedes. Ignore me until the end of time. He is not staying a second past when I say."
They glared at each other, a standoff Blaine didn't think he would ever see anywhere but his wildest dreams. His yummy breakfast was turning sour in his stomach. That storm had blown up out of nowhere and he was quite terrified he might not survive it. When the castle door had opened, he thought he had passed out and was hallucinating. He didn't want to go back outside. He wanted to curl up in that lovely bed every night until he left with all the castle hostages. There had to be a way to convince him…
An idea had him perking up and interrupting the quarrel.
"You don't like doing physical labor!" Blaine blurted, pulling their attention to him.
"Careful," Hummel said, his eyes narrowing to slits.
Mercedes made a little hissing noise Blaine thought might be a laugh.
"You do everything with magic, right? Well, is there nothing around here I can do to help? Water plants? Build fires? Anything?"
Hummel stared at him for so long he was sure he would burst into flame soon. Or be choked to death once again. But then, a wicked smile slowly claimed the wizard's face and Blaine was almost wishing he had kept his mouth shut. Now he was a little scared.
Oh Lord, save my soul, take my pain and turn it into gold
The axe came down on the wood hard enough to spilt it. Finally. It only took Blaine five tries to get it right. This was usually Cooper's task while he was usually in charge of caring for Wilfred since the horse seemed to hate his older brother. He wondered how he was doing right now.
"Finally," Hummel called from the shadows. He was standing under the overhang and watching Blaine miss the wood with a bored frown. He even yawned a few times. "I was beginning to think you a fool and uncoordinated both. A terrible combination."
Blaine tightened his grip on the axe. He would show him! He swung it towards the next log… and missed. He ground his teeth at the wizard's mocking laughter. "Can't you use magic for this?"
"Most definitely. Enjoy!" The door slammed behind him.
Blaine sighed and returned to his job Hummel had given him. He could complain, sure, but he wanted to prove he could be useful. Maybe if he impressed Hummel, he could win his favor and he would win the bargain. He would use this time to reflect and come up with a better plan, because Kurt Hummel didn't seem easily impressed. Before he could really come up with a plan, he needed to find Lady Rachel.
He wasn't allowed to search the castle for her, but at least he was allowed inside now. Maybe he could sneak out at night and look for her. Hummel had to sleep sometimes, right? He bent and grabbed another log, setting it up and preparing to swing. He wished he could speak to Mercedes, but after their tiff that morning, she had disappeared into the castle. Kurt had crooked a finger at him to lead him out to chop wood. Blaine lifted the axe, swung down, and ended up chipping a little off the side. He exhaled loudly in frustration as he tossed the axe down and bent to pick up the log again. This wasn't that hard! He could do it if his stupid brother could.
A movement out of the corner of his eye made Blaine look over to see a group of the cats watching him. During the course of his stay in the courtyard, they had learned to stop pestering him. He shooed them away enough times from his food and his things that they finally got the idea he wasn't to be bullied. Most of the time, they just watched him curiously from a distance. Blaine kept an eye on them as he lined up and lifted the axe again. Another thought caused him to lower it back down slowly. Mercedes had been turned to a cat. Others too. It stood to reason Lady Rachel could be one! He smiled widely at his own brilliance. Of course! It would be the perfect way to hide her, right in plain sight! Hummel had told him he would never find her and he would be right if he had hidden her right under his nose! Blaine looked at the cats again, really looked. It was too bad he hadn't seen Lady Rachel for some time. He wished he knew if the people resembled the cats they were turned into or if it was just at the wizard's whimsy. The cats stared right back. One meowed.
"Lady Rachel?" Blaine knelt and curled his fingers at the cats. "Is that you?"
The cats only stared. Maybe none of them were her. There were others though. He would find her.
Lining up the log and convinced one mystery was solved, Blaine let the axe fall. It split clean down the middle.
By nightfall, Blaine was starving and exhausted. His hands were swollen and blistered from swinging the axe all day. During his breaks, he had found every cat he could and interrogated them to find out if they were Lady Rachel. None of them responded, so he wasn't sure if they were or not. Still, he had some sort of a promising lead.
Hummel was nowhere to be found when he stepped back into the castle, carefully looking around for the cantankerous man. He went to the kitchens and gingerly pumped water onto his burning hands, wincing at the pain it caused. It would all be worth it, he thought. He found some roasted chicken, potatoes, and carrots along with some wine that he gobbled down greedily. He was kind of happy Hummel wasn't there to witness his ravenous hunger. He might be of low birth, but he possessed manners. Usually.
After cleaning up and trudging up to his room, Blaine barely had time to change before he was collapsing into bed. His hands, arms, and back ached, but he had accomplished a lot. He wondered how he was going to find Lady Rachel when he still hadn't seen all the cats. Then he wondered about that book in the library. What was it about and what was he hiding? It seemed like more questions than answers appeared at every turn. What was Hummel doing all day? Where did he disappear to? In the morning, maybe he could sneak off and look for her some more. His last thought before falling into a deep sleep was how carefully he had cooked Mercedes breakfast. Maybe he wasn't all bad.
If I could make you the enemy I would
Kurt was about to pull his hair out.
When the imbecile suggested he do things to serve him, he had cackled on the inside. This was the way he would finally crush his overly confident spirit. He gave him the most exhausting tasks: splitting wood with a dull axe, cleaning gutters out with a brush the size of his finger, cleaning what the cats coughed up and the half-eaten rodents they left strewn about. He even made him haul heavy bricks from one end of the courtyard to the other, then back to their original place. He could tell it was grating on Blaine's nerves, but he didn't complain once, not even when his hands cracked and bled, the blisters seeped, and his body ached. No matter what he threw at this man, he smiled cheerfully and did his work. He thought he could scare the fucker away, but he was much more stubborn than he was given credit for. It was like when he was camped outside the castle walls. Kurt would occasionally send a gust of wind to knock down Blaine's tent. He would giggle to himself, but like the industrious ant, Blaine would always rebuild. It was maddening.
He considered killing him again, but he needed him alive to see his plan come to fruition. It was almost worth it though. Then he toyed with the idea of turning him into a cat, but he always balked at that. Why? He would be justified. Blaine broke the rules every day. He was fully aware Blaine was searching for Lady Rachel, sneaking and poking his nose where it didn't belong. It was cute how he thought Kurt didn't suspect, like he didn't know what was happening in his own castle. Idiot.
Now he sat at his table, exhausted and snappish after another day in his lab. His head was pounding and his neck was stiff from bending over his book for countless hours. He intended to master this spell so that there was absolutely no mistake when the time came. Kurt rubbed his temples and sighed. He had dosed himself with his dried herbs to rid his head of the throbbing pain, but still it persisted. Mercedes was right, he hated to admit. He needed to eat and rest more. She was nowhere to be found the last several days, her food going uneaten until he was off in his lab. She avoided him completely, something he most definitely didn't deserve. And to compound it, Blaine poked his head into the dining room as well. Wonderful.
His curls were shiny and wet like he had just dunked his head in a basin of water. Why was the man always wet? He smiled shyly and held up his plate.
"May I join you?"
Kurt made a vague gesture at the end of the table, but of course he came and sat right next to him. So annoying. Kurt made a show of scooting his seat farther away. Then he wished he hadn't because the scraping sound made his head flare with pain anew.
Blaine began eating slowly, his wrapped hands shaking as he lifted his fork. Kurt absolutely didn't care, but he was curious. Ah. His hands were torn to shreds. Something like guilt tugged at him, that little voice telling him he was disappointed in him. He shook away his ghosts and focused on his food.
Blaine was looking around the room in awe like he did the rest of the castle. Kurt was completely aware that he was trying to flatter him and gain favor, but the sincerity in his eyes was hard to fake. He was quite a good actor.
"Everything is delicious yet again," Blaine said quietly.
Kurt hummed into his wine. He would never tell Blaine he cooked everything himself. That would just encourage him to try and praise him further. Kurt did not want nor did he need Blaine's compliments. He drained his engraved goblet and refilled it with a tired hand as he rubbed his head.
"Are you alright?"
Kurt opened his eyes. Blaine was staring at him with a frown, his food forgotten. Although his wishes had never been granted before no matter how he screamed, Kurt wished in that moment that he could use magic to heal his headache. He could heal other wounds, but that's not how things worked. Magic took a toll on the mind and therefore was a strain. A headache was something that could be avoided if he would take better care of himself. Great, the voice was back and had been joined with Mercedes'. He was truly going mad.
Sipping his wine to give himself time, Kurt watched what seemed like genuine concern in Blaine's eyes. Yes, the man was definitely talented. He couldn't appear weak though. He smiled condescendingly over the rim. "Just thinking of your next task. I have some week old fish intestines in a bucket I need scrubbed. Unless you want to walk away from our agreement?"
Blaine looked as if he would be sick all over the table, but he took a deep breath and sat up straight, resolved. "Whatever you require, Master Hummel."
Kurt wanted to throw his goblet at the wall. There had to be a way to break him! He was contemplating five ways to make him cry when Blaine gasped and nearly upset his own drink.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Is that a mandolin?" Blaine practically fell from his chair and scrambled over to the instrument displayed in the corner. A would-be assassin had dropped it years ago after Kurt killed him. It was a simple thing and not in the best condition, but he kept it. Why he had done so he couldn't quite remember, but it did add some decoration.
Blaine was looking it over like it was a human baby and practically drooling. He could imagine this was how he looked at Lady Rachel before Kurt stole her. He glanced over at Kurt, his fingers twitching like he was casting a spell and his eyes bright. Perhaps he was. The candlelight in here could be playing tricks.
"May I?"
Blinking in confusion, Kurt took longer than he would admit to realize Blaine meant the mandolin. He wanted to play. The wine was making his mind move like it was underwater. Probably not the smartest choice.
"Go on," he said a little suspiciously.
Blaine's smile took over his face and his eyes seemed even brighter as he grabbed the instrument. Almost immediately he dropped it with a hiss of pain. "Sorry. I'll be more careful." Kurt raised an eyebrow until he realized. His hands. But Blaine was gamely trying to play the mandolin even though he couldn't hold it comfortably. Everything else was forgotten when he started to strum clumsily and sing. "I came upon a charming girl and Sarah is her name. Her parents wants a husband with riches, wealth, and fame. I have no wealth—" He grunted in pain and shook out his hand. "Sorry. I swear to you I can do this." He started again and flubbed a note. He cradled the instrument gently and went to set it back down. "I suppose I'll try again once my hands heal somewhat." He looked down at it sadly.
Something twisted in his chest and Kurt was shaken to his core. His voice was so peaceful and his playing was actually decent as far as he'd gotten. Kurt remembered music and how it spoke to him.
How his father sang off key and it filled him with warmth.
How his mother hummed and played piano during the happy times.
How the musicians in the village would get together for the dances and play. He wasn't ever invited, but he would listen from outside, closing his eyes and just savoring it like a chocolate. He wanted nothing more in this moment for Blaine to finish his song. His headache even seemed to be subsiding. Kurt waved a hand and thought the words to mend and heal and soothe and knit.
Blaine looked up at him in surprise and down at his glowing hands in wide-eyed fascination. "You… you fixed my hands?"
"I thought you were a puppeteer, not a bard," Kurt said quietly.
Blaine laughed softly and scratched at his beard. "I am, but I tell stories and so do they. I guess we aren't that different." He spread out his palms and flipped his hands over. "Thank you for healing me. I had no idea you could."
Kurt snorted and glared at the wall. The rest went unsaid: I had no idea you could do anything but destroy. "I'm full of surprises. Now, finish the song."
Blaine brightened immediately and picked the instrument back up again, resting it in his lap and curling his fingers around the neck expertly. "A one-eared bard actually taught me how to play, you know. She traveled with my family for some time." He strummed the strings and it sounded off to him, so he adjusted it.
Kurt shifted impatiently. "Are you going to play or tell me how you can play?"
Blaine looked up at him through the now mostly dry curls. They spilled over his forehead and his eyes seemed darker as he smiled handsomely.
Something else twisted in Kurt's gut and he fucking hated it. This was not the first handsome fool to happen along his path and he wouldn't be the last.
"My, aren't we impatient?" Blaine teased.
Kurt smiled back, but coldly. "I can always cut your hands to ribbons again if you'd rather?" He lifted a hand and Blaine immediately began to play.
His voice was even better as he sang and played without stumbling through. "Sarah, Sarah, won't you come out tonight? Sarah, Sarah, the moon is shining bright. Put your hat and jacket on, tell your mother you won't be long and I'll be waiting 'round the corner." He was actually enjoying himself and he shone in the candlelight like polished brass. As Blaine played, Kurt's body relaxed and his teeth unclenched. This was a dangerous dance. The way his own body was betraying him and how quickly he had softened to Blaine had Kurt on edge. He needed to be able to use Blaine without growing too attached. He had to find the balance.
Blaine finished his song and stared at the mandolin happily. He was putting it back when Kurt stopped him.
"Keep it."
"What? Really? Why?"
"It will be more useful in your hands than mine," Kurt replied matter-of-factly. "Instead of pointless chores, you will entertain me every night. Be in here to play while I dine. You will also bathe in the room next to yours. Your smell puts me off my meal."
He stood and left then before Blaine could read too far into it. He didn't need to know how soothing his voice and playing was for Kurt.
"Thank you," Blaine called out after him.
Mercedes sat at the end of the staircase and looked up at him smugly. She didn't even have to say she told him so.
He sniffed. "Not a word."
Music used in this chapter:
Title and breaks:
-The Devil Within: Digital Daggers
-When the Morning Comes: A Great Big World
-Champion: Barnes Courtney
-The Enemy: Andrew Belle
Song Blaine sings:
-Sarah: Derina Harvey Band
*we do not own music!*
