“Me too,” Sebastian said, his breath heavier as he moved his hand faster. Blaine’s teeth grazed along Sebastian’s collar before he sucked lightly at the skin there. Sebastian shuddered, his hand pausing for a second before moving again. A warm, pleased feeling ran through Blaine; there was something amazing in knowing that he could make Sebastian fall apart, even if he’d done it dozens of times before. His tongue traced along Sebastian’s collar and up to his neck.

  He could feel the low build-up in his stomach as he pressed a final kiss to Sebastian’s neck, his head falling against him. Blaine closed his eyes, arching up into Sebastian’s hand as he came. Biting down on his lower lip, he let out a muffled whimper, rocking against Sebastian throughout it. Sebastian only took a few strokes more.

  With his free hand, Sebastian quickly tilted Blaine’s head up, pressing their lips together as he came. The kiss became more heated, Sebastian’s tongue darting out and carelessly pressing into Blaine’s mouth. Blaine gasped, kissing him back. After a moment, Sebastian’s breath deepened, and he pulled back, though their foreheads and noses were still pressed together.

  “Good?” Sebastian asked, with a smirk on his face.

  “Do I need to say it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then, you were terrible,” Blaine replied, sticking out his tongue slightly.

  “Rude.” Sebastian laughed, reaching out and ruffling Blaine's hair. His nose crinkled as he smiled, and Blaine leaned in closer. It was moments like these that he loved most. Not when Sebastian was on top of him or teasing him. Not when they were fooling around. But when they were pressed up next to each other, cuddling. The moments when Blaine could see just how happy Sebastian was. Neither of them had to say 'I love you' because it was already said when they smiled or held hands. That was enough. Sure enough, Sebastian reached down, grabbing Blaine's hand. He squeezed lightly before running his fingers slowly over Blaine's knuckles. His fingers followed the dips between each finger, and when he was done, he squeezed again. Their noses pressed together, and Blaine laughed happily. Sebastian’s eyes crinkled at the edges as he beamed at Blaine.

  “What?”

  “No ,no. It’s nothing.” Sebastian nudged up against Blaine.

  “That isn’t a ‘nothing’ face. That’s a ‘something is happening, and I’m not going to tell Blaine just to annoy him’ face.” Blaine pouted, and Sebastian laughed.

  “Okay, fine. I was just thinking that this is nice. You and me here together, I mean. The snuggling.” To emphasize, he nuzzled against Blaine again. Heat blossomed in Blaine’s cheeks as his smile softened.

  “So, you can be sweet.”

  “Yes. No. Maybe. It’s debatable. I still do like the sex, though.” Sebastian stuck out his tongue.

  Leaning in, Blaine wrapped his lips around Sebastian’s tongue, sucking lightly on it. When he pulled back, letting go, Sebastian’s cheeks were slightly flushed as well. He wet his lips before sucking in the lower one.

  “Where did you learn that?” Sebastian asked. “Seems unlike you.”

  “Well, I do learn from the best.” Blaine grinned and poked Sebastian’s arm. They both began laughing, and, after a moment, rolled on top of each other. Sebastian tried pinning Blaine down, but Blaine hooked his legs around Sebastian’s waist, rolling over so that he was straddling him.

  “I am pretty damn good. It’s true,” Sebastian said, darting his head up to press another quick peck to Blaine’s lips.

  Their happiness wasn’t long-lived, though. There was a knock at the door, and both of them froze. “Sebastian, I sincerely hope you aren’t sleeping. I heard that you were running late to your lessons, and –“

  Michael cut off as he opened the door. His expression immediately arranged from one of irritation to one of anger, and his cheeks turned red. “I can explain,” Sebastian stuttered out, throwing his hands up.

  “Explain what? That instead of going to your lessons, you were sleeping around with someone below you?”

  “He isn’t –“ Sebastian tried, his hands balling into fists.

  “Do you know how embarrassing it is to have your tutor walk in and ask me why you aren’t at your lesson?”

  Blaine slid into the bed, wishing he could just fade away. When Michael got into one of his moods, he was terrifying. Even Sebastian was trembling beside him, though whether it was with anger or fear, Blaine couldn’t entirely tell. Unfortunately, Blaine’s movement seemed to catch Michael’s attention, and he turned his head towards Blaine, his nostrils flaring.

  “And you…” He strode over to the bed, grabbing Blaine by his hair and tugging upwards. Pain shot down Blaine’s scalp and neck as he let out a loud scream. His eyes scrunched shut, and he reached up, pawing at Michael’s hands.

  “Stop. Please, stop,” Blaine gasped out, his eyes watering.

  “Father!” Sebastian grabbed his father’s hand, tugging it off of Blaine. His chest stuck out, and his jaw tightened. “You can’t touch him like that.”

  “You’ll soon learn your place, Sebastian. You won’t always be able to protect whores like him. Now get ready for your lessons. I’ll expect you to be on time from now on,” he spat out, looking disgusted. He went to stride out of the room, throwing one final glance over his shoulder. “I’ll deal with you later,” he said to Blaine.

  oOoOoOo

Blaine yawned as he walked down the hallway, tying the string around his bathrobe. He made his way down to the kitchen, rubbing at his eyes. Sarah was already in the kitchen, her hair pulled back as she dipped her knife into the jam. “Good morning, Blaine.” She smiled at Blaine, and, when Blaine walked over, she ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it. “Sleep well?”

“Decently well. What are you doing up so early?”

“Sebastian actually had to go out for business with Michael. I heard you and Sebastian made up.” She leaned back in her chair, bringing the toast up, a hand underneath to catch the crumbs.

“Yes. He – I think he realized what he did an apologized.” As he spoke, Blaine couldn’t look Sarah in the eyes. How was he supposed to explain what that ‘making up’ had entailed of? How was he supposed to tell her straight-faced that it had been nothing but a friendly encounter? Would she be able to tell his lie? A deep guilt gnawed inside of him.

“You okay? You don’t seem too thrilled.”

“Me? No, I’m fine. I’m just tired. I had some trouble falling asleep last night.” He shrugged his shoulders, still avoiding her gaze.

“Funny…” For a moment, she seemed distracted, her brow furrowing as she stared down at the toast.

“What?” Blaine’s head perked up, and he finally ventured to look at her.

“Sebastian said the same thing last night. He came back late.”

“Oh. I mean, he’s always liked to take late-night walks,” Blaine said, knowing his face was turning red. He hurried himself to grab some bread as well, and he sliced it slowly as to avoid her gaze again for as long as possible.

“No, I know. I don’t blame him. With a father like Michael, I would need time to cope too. And he’s so shut in.” She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Blaine, if I tell you something, can you promise not to tell anyone else?” As he finished cutting two slices of bread, Blaine turned around. He grabbed a glass beefore reaching for the pitcher of milk and pouring it into a glass. Grabbing the strawberry jam as well, he made his way back over to the table, next to Sarah.

“I promise.” His brow furrowed. Was there some dark secret Sebastian was trying to keep from him? Crossing his legs, he faced her. As he spread the jam over his bread, he looked at her, feeling worried.

“I don’t think – God, I sound so selfish.” Her head tilted back. “I recognize I’m lucky. I’m sure everyone has thought about being with Sebastian at least once, but…” As she quickly blinked, her eyes darting around, Blaine couldn’t help but think that it looked like she was trying to push back tears. “I know I’m incredibly lucky, but I think he doesn’t love me.”

“I – Sarah, I’m sure that’s not true,” Blaine immediately said, setting his toast down on the plate. He reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a light squeeze. “Why would you think that?”

“He’s distant. He won’t tell me anything. When we’re around other people, it’s lovely. He’ll wrap his arms around me, and I’ll feel like he cares.” Her eyes closed, and the faintest of smiles flickered on her face. “I mean, I don’t think you’d know, but –“

“Just because I’m a whore doesn’t mean I don’t know what love is,” Blaine said, his tone a bit harsher than he intended. Immediately, Sarah flushed, throwing her hands up. Though Blaine knew he shouldn’t get defensive, the feeling was instinctual. He could still remember Sebastian’s touch from last night, like they were young again and everything was simple.

Again, that feeling of guilt started to flood his chest.

“That’s not what I meant. It really isn’t.” She shook her head, looking horrified. “You’re not a whore. That’s not – Of course you understand love. I just meant that you aren’t with someone. You’ve never been married, not that it’s your fault.” She backtracked some more, looking more and more flustered as she went on.

“It’s fine. I understand,” Blaine said with a sigh, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I know you didn’t mean it like that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Just go on. Really, I had no reason to get defensive.”

“You had every reason. That was horrible what I said,” she murmured, nibbling at the edge of her toast. Blaine gave her a pointed look, and she continued with a sigh. “I think he likes someone else. Besides, when we’re alone, he changes. He doesn’t care. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be complaining to you. I just feel silly now.” Her cheeks were still red.

“No, I understand. It’s hard. I mean, you love him, right?” Blaine asked. Part of him selfishly hoped she would surprise him and say no. When she nodded her head, though, he felt another dip. What kind of a person did that make him? To be fair, he’d never had a choice in the matter, but he still was helping Sebastian cheat. Sebastian never was his to begin with.

His head hurt.

“If you love him, it hurts when he doesn’t notice you. When you notice him. When you want to be the reason to make him smile or laugh, but then you see someone else doing it. You see the glances they share or just see that his life doesn’t change with or without you.” There was a lump in his throat, and he shook his head to clear it.

“You okay, Blaine? You sound like you have someone specific in mind.” When Blaine looked up, he could see the confusion on Sarah’s face. She licked some jam off of her lips as she continued giving Blaine that same, confused look.

“No, no one in particular,” Blaine said, forcing a smile on his face. “I just know how it feels. I wish it didn’t have to feel that way.” For you or for me, he couldn’t help but think.

“No, you hit it right on top of the head. I mean, I don’t know whether there’s anyone I’ve seen who he cares about more than me. Except for you, I suppose.” There was nothing accusatory in her voice. She genuinely sounded happy about it. “Your friendship is all that keeps in going sometimes, I swear. And no matter how much of an asshole he is –“

“He’s not that bad.” Blaine bit at the corner of his toast, somehow feeling pleased with himself. Sebastian cared about him. No matter what kind of an act he put on, Sarah thought that he was the reason Sebastian kept going at times. That was enough to make warmth bubble up in his chest.

“He’s kind of an asshole at times.” She looked at Blaine as if challenging him to argue it. After a moment, Blaine just laughed and nodded.

“Okay, so he can be one at times, but usually he’s fine.”

“Usually he’s fine,” she repeated, laughing. “Still, I think he’d do anything for you.”

Blaine couldn’t help but think back to how things used to be. Maybe once upon a time he’d believe that, but not anymore. Sebastian cared about him, but he’d abandoned him. Blaine shrugged his shoulders. “I mean, there probably isn’t much he can do. Michael –“

“I don’t like what Michael does to you.” Sarah’s chest puffed up as she sat up, her eyes narrowing. “I’ve tried talking to him, honestly. You have to understand, I don’t have much say. I’m the woman of the house – his to be daughter-in-law.”

“I know you can’t do much.” Blaine couldn’t help but wonder if Sebastian had a say in it.

“I’m sorry.”

“You have no reason to apologize. It’s not your choice.”

Sarah seemed to contemplate something for a second before she asked, looking frightened, “What exactly happened to your parents?”

“What do you mean?” Blaine asked, feeling a knot grow in his stomach. He looked down at the crumbs of his food and picked up his plate, heading over to the sink.

“I know it’s a sensitive subject. If you don’t want to talk about it, I’d understand,” Sarah added.

Blaine set the plate and glass down and bit the inside of his cheek. Sarah wasn’t trying to pry, and she certainly didn’t have ill intentions. He nodded and turned around, making his way back over to the table with a sponge.

“It’s complicated,” he said, knowing that wasn’t a real answer. Tutting, Sarah grabbed the sponge from him.

“Let me do it.”

Though Blaine wanted to protest, she didn’t give him a chance, quickly swiping over the counter before throwing the crumbs in her hand away into the counter.

“They both died.”

“I remember that much. I’m sorry.”

“Again, it’s not your fault.” Blaine looked down into his lap, unable to look Sarah in the eyes. His eyes prickled. He could remember seeing his parents sickly on the bed, unable to do anything. “They wanted to protect me.”

“From Michael?”

“He wasn’t always this bitter.” That had been so long ago; those memories were fragmented. There wasn’t any concrete part that stuck out. He could remember a laugh or Michael offering him a sweet from the kitchen after he and Sebastian came back from playing around outside.

“I’m guessing that when Elizabeth died, he changed.”

“It was thanks to her that my parents even ended up here. They were kicked out of their house when they couldn’t pay anymore. My mother was pregnant, and Elizabeth found her. She asked Michael to take us in.”

“I can’t imagine Michael doing charity work for the poor. He seems to hate them.”

“He does now. He didn’t always, but it wasn’t for free then either.” Blaine crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair.

“What do you mean?”

“My father had to work around the house, and my mother had to do the same once she recovered.”

Before Blaine could explain anymore, the door opened. Blaine froze, jumping up to his feet. He could hear Sebastian and Michael moving towards the kitchen.

“I should go,” Blaine said, flushing and looking around to make sure there wasn’t a mess.

“No, go ahead.” Sarah waved her hand, looking worried.

Slipping out of the room, Blaine made his way up. He glanced around his room, looking for something to change into. He grabbed a plain shirt and a loose pair of pants with a drawstring. Walking towards the showers, he undid the bathrobe, letting it hang open. He held his towel closer to him. As he made his way towards the showers, Sebastian turned into the hallway, looking at Blaine. A smirk formed on his face.

“You look good.”

Blaine blushed, feeling that same, lurching feeling in his stomach. He glanced away, pulling out of Sebastian’s reach as Sebastian stretched out his arms. “I have to get ready. If Michael sees me like this, he’s going to get angry.”

“We have a minute,” Sebastian said, pouting. He pressed a light kiss to Blaine’s lips. Blaine flushed, stretching up on his toes for a second to kiss back before wetting his lips. Even if he knew it was wrong, he wanted more.

“You’re terrible.”

“Because you can’t resist me?” Sebastian teased.

Blaine made a low humming sound, staring up at Sebastian. Sebastian’s eyes didn’t hold his gaze for long before slipping lower. As they made their way down Blaine’s torso, he reached out again. His hands slipped under Blaine’s bathrobe, and he put them around Blaine’s waist. Slowly, his thumb ran over Blaine’s hipbones, sending a shiver down Blaine’s back.

“Seb, I really need to take a shower.”