So this was just a random idea. Don't ask me where it came from, I'll be the last to know.
Also, all you loyal Paradox Perverts will be pleased to know that smut does happen in this fic. But it's tasteful smut. Love-making, if you will.

Anyway, reviews would be nice :)

And, obviously, I don't own Glee. I'm just borrowing some of the characters and putting them in ye olde times for your amusement.

The Prince and The Servant

His Majesty, Prince Blaine was destined to be the future King. But just because it was destined did not mean that he actually wanted it. Blaine had always felt as if he didn't belong, like he was never supposed to be royalty. The dinners and functions he had to attend with his parents bored him to tears, and he would rather spend his life making music than ruling the kingdom. But he had no choice in the matter. It was follow in his father's footsteps or nothing.

His parents, the King and Queen, had been trying to find him a bride and Blaine had not been enjoying it. It was just one vapid aristocrat's daughter after another, each one pleasing on the eye but with nonexistent personalities – it was like courting a bunch of pampered porcelain dolls. But his mother insisted that he would simply adore this last girl. She was the daughter of a Duke and very musical, so they would have something in common.

"A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty," she said, offering him her hand with a curtsy. "My name is Rachel Berry."

"An honour to make your acquaintance, Miss Berry," he replied politely.

They had chaperoned suppers together where they got to know each other but, although it was clear that she was smitten, Blaine just didn't feel anything for her. He had not felt anything for any of the young women he'd been set up with. He knew that he wanted to fall in love with whoever he married, but he was beginning to think that maybe that person just didn't exist.

He had been walking through the palace on a rare moment alone, collecting his thoughts, when he heard it.

There was singing coming from one of the drawing rooms, which was odd since the only person that ever sang around the palace was him. The singing was beautiful, soft and high and mesmerizing. Blaine stopped in his tracks, before stepping quietly into the drawing room. What he saw wasn't anything like what he expected.

"The whispered conversations... in overcrowded hallways... the atmosphere's as thrilling here as always..."

The singing – that beautiful singing – was coming from a young servant boy. He was kneeling on the floor and polishing some silverware. He had pale skin, a pointed nose and greenish-blue eyes that were fixed on his work. His servant's clothes were patched and altered, as if they had been repaired countless times, but they still wore them as if they were made of the finest material. Blaine didn't understand it. There was just something about this boy – singing so perfectly as he worked – that he just couldn't take his eyes off. He stood in the doorway and listened with a smile on his face, until the servant suddenly looked up at him and jumped, dropping the silver platter he was polishing. The clang echoed around the large empty room as the servant stared wide-eyed at Blaine.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he said kindly.

The servant gaped at him, before quickly picking up the platter and placing it on the table.

"I – I hope I didn't... didn't disturb you, Your Majesty," the servant stuttered, his rosy cheek turning rosier.

Blaine smiled. "Oh no, I was just listen to you sing. You really are very talented."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the servant replied, nervously.

There was a moment's worth of silence, where Blaine simple looked at the servant with a smile that he just didn't seem to be able to wipe off of his face, before he finally asked "What's your name?"

"Hummel, Your Majesty," said the servant. "Kurt Hummel."

"Hummel," Blaine said thoughtfully. "Yes, you're the blacksmiths' son. He shoes our horses and makes swords for my father. He is a good man. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kurt."

Kurt did not reply. He simply looked uncomfortably down at his feet.

"So," Blaine said. "How long have you been a singer?"

Kurt looked up, surprised that the conversation was still going on. "My, er... my whole life, I guess. My mother would sing to me when I was an infant. Father says I sound just like her, but I think he means it as a compliment."

Blaine's smile broadened slightly. "And what of your mother? I'm sure she must be a very musical person."

Kurt frowned and looked at his feet again. "My mother past away when I was eight years old, Your Majesty."

"Oh, goodness, I'm so sorry," said Blaine, suddenly blushing.

"It's all right, Your Majesty," Kurt insisted. "You weren't to know. May I ask you a question though?"

"Of course," said Blaine. "Ask away."

"I hope you do not think me rude, Your Majesty, but... why are you talking to me?"

Blaine chuckled a little before he could stop himself. "I just felt like some regular conversation. I'm stuck in this big house with just my parents for company. I am merely attempting to make a friend... I've never had one of those before."

Kurt bit his lip and whispered "Neither have I."

"Well, then we can be friends then, Kurt," said Blaine happily.

"If you wish, You Majesty," Kurt said quietly, twisting his polish cloth in his hands.

"I must make just one request of you though."

"What is it, You Majesty?"

Blaine smirked. "Do stop calling me that. It is far too formal. We are friends now, after all. It is perfectly acceptable for you to call me Blaine."

"Of course, Your – I mean, of course... Blaine."

Kurt smiled then, and Blaine felt his stomach flutter as he smiled back.

During the next few weeks Blaine spent as much time with Kurt as he possibly could, usually down in the servants' courters where they were less likely to be disturbed, and they told each other everything about themselves. Blaine had never felt so instantly close to anybody before. He felt genuinely happy when he was with Kurt. Kurt was... perfect.

But there was still the problem of his need for a bride. His parents loved Rachel Berry, and he did quite like her – as least, he liked her more than any of the other women he'd been introduced to. It probably would not be long until they were married, and Blaine was neither happy nor unhappy about it. He didn't feel anything about it at all, which was somehow worse.

He and Rachel were taking a stroll through the courtyard. Now that they were almost engaged, they didn't need a chaperone, although Blaine still had yet to ask for her hand officially. As they walked, Rachel talked animatedly, her arm hooked around his, but he was barely listening. His mind was elsewhere... down in the servant's courters.

"It is ever so wonderful that you and I are both so musically talented," Rachel said. "I have yet to find anyone who can keep up with me vocally, but you are ever so close, my darling, and your skills on the piano and the harpsichord are simply divine. You are such a great addition to my talent. I mean, who would have thought that the future King would be so creative?"

They stopped and she turned to face him, taking hold of both his hands and smiling widely. Her big brown eyes twinkled in the sunlight, and Blaine wished that he could feel something – anything – for her, as it was clear she felt a lot for him. She was so beautiful, and it just seemed like such a waste.

"We are so lucky to have found each other, my darling," she sighed. "Do you not agree?"

"Of course," said Blaine, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "And I'm sure everything will be just perfect once we are married."

Rachel suddenly gasped. "Oh my goodness, are you asking for my hand?"

"Yes," he said. "Yes, I am, Miss Berry."

"Ohh, I accept!" she squealed. "I accept a thousand times!"

Blaine grinned as Rachel embraced him, and he hugged her back, although not as tightly.

"Oh, my darling, this is all so amazing!" she said when they separated. "I do hope you will not think less of me for my actions, and I hope that I do not come across too forward, but..."

She went up on her tip-toes and planted a soft, desperate kiss on Blaine's lips. She sighed as their lips parted, smiling broadly. Blaine smiled back, but it was nothing close to a real smile. He had felt nothing when she had kissed him, none of the rush and the excitement that he had read about in romantic novels... nothing. And he couldn't help but think that maybe it was because it wasn't her that he should be kissing.

That evening, Blaine went down to the servant's courters to spend time with Kurt. Kurt's room was small and humble, with hardly any furniture since not much could fit in there. It was a fraction of the size of Blaine's own courters, but he loved being in there more than anywhere else in the palace. He kicked off his shoes and sat cross-legged in the small single bed, right next to Kurt. He felt like he could relax there, but his mind was still reeling with everything that had happened that afternoon.

"Is something the matter, Blaine?" Kurt asked. "You're being a lot quieter than usual."

Blaine sighed. "I'm getting married to Rachel Berry."

Kurt frowned for a second, but quickly changed that frown to a slightly sad smile.

"Congratulations," he said politely. "Miss Berry seems like a lovely young woman to be married to."

"Oh yes," Blaine chuckled humourlessly. "She is perfectly delightful, if not ever so slightly grating."

Kurt was silent for a second, before saying "I don't see what the problem is. Why are you so upset if you're finally engaged? Isn't that what you wanted?"

Blaine sighed again, picking at a hole in the bed sheets.

"She kissed me," he said forlornly. "She kissed me out in the courtyard right after our engagement became official. And it just... it didn't feel right. There was something missing. And now I just feel like a terrible person because I know she loves me so, but I feel nothing for her."

"Then why are you marrying her?" Kurt said before he could stop himself.

Blaine simply shrugged and shook his head. After a moment's silence, Kurt spoke up again.

"You said that something was missing when she kissed you," he said. "What was it exactly?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Blaine replied. "It sort of felt as if... this is going to sound absurd, but it felt as if I was being kissed by the wrong person."

"That doesn't sound absurd at all," said Kurt.

They looked at each other, eyes locked together.

"Maybe it felt wrong," Kurt continued slowly. "Not just because you don't love her, but because... you're in love with somebody else."

They stared into each other's eyes intensely, the seconds feeling more like hours, before they both moved closer to each other and closed the gap between them with a kiss. It was a ghost of a kiss, just a light touch of their lips, but Blaine could not stop himself from shivering. When they separated they both sighed, looking deep into each other's eyes once more.

"Did you feel something then?" Kurt whispered.

"Oh God, yes," said Blaine, before he cupped Kurt's face and kissed him again. Their kiss was harder this time, an inescapable air of desperation and need and lust in the air. This was what a kiss was supposed to feel like, Blaine thought to himself as he ran his finger through Kurt's soft hair.

Except that it wasn't. This was not what a kiss was supposed to feel like... not with another man. Blaine pulled away suddenly, standing up with his head in his hands.

"This is wrong," he said, his voice muffled in his palms. "This shouldn't be. This is... this is all wrong."

Kurt was slightly dazed from this kiss, but recovered and was suddenly glaring at Blaine.

"Why?" he said bitterly. "Is it because you are engaged? Or because I am servant? Or is it because I am a boy?"

Blaine looked down at Kurt, feeling hollow and dejected. "It is because of three of those things, Kurt, and you know that."

"But you said you felt something when you kissed me. You kissed me back. How could that possibly be wrong?"

"It just... is. I shouldn't have kissed you, Kurt. I shouldn't have felt anything when I did. And I certainly should never have fallen in love with you..."

"Wait," Kurt said, startled. "You... you love me?"

Blaine frowned, looking at his feet. "I've loved you from the moment I saw you. But I shouldn't... I can't..."

"I love you too," said Kurt.

He said it simply and honestly, and smiled in spite of himself. Blaine could feel a lump in his throat. He was so pleased to hear Kurt say that to him, to know that his feelings were reciprocated, but he also knew that it was wrong and it was heartbreaking.

"I... I should go," he said sadly, holding back his tears. "People will be wondering where I am. I'm sorry, Kurt."

"No, wait." Kurt stood up and held Blaine's arm before he could reach for the door. "Please don't go, Blaine."

Blaine turned, letting Kurt take hold of both of hands

"I know you must be confused, Blaine," he said softly. "But I don't want you to leave, and I know that you don't want to leave either."

He looked up into Kurt's eyes – those bright orbs, both blue and green at the same time, so easy to lose himself in – and he knew that he wasn't going anywhere. He cupped Kurt's face again, stroking his soft cheek with his thumb, before closing the gap between them with another gentle kiss. Kurt sighed as he kissed Blaine back, holding onto his hips as their kiss became deeper.

It what felt like no time at all, they were up against the wall, their kiss overwhelmingly heated. Kurt reached over blindly to bolt the door, before moving them backwards until they were on the bed with Blaine straddling him, their kiss never breaking. They pulled at each other's clothes, carelessly throwing them aside, everything a blur of touching and kissing. Blaine was completely losing himself in Kurt, and it wasn't until they were both entirely nude that he realised exactly what was happening.

"Oh... my God," he gasped, sitting up slightly with Kurt underneath him.

"What is it?" Kurt said breathlessly. "Did I do something wrong?"

Blaine shook his head. "No, no, not at all... it's just... I can't believe this is happening."

"Me neither," Kurt sighed. "I've been dreaming of this for so long, Blaine."

"I've been dreaming of this too."

They both smiled at each other, Kurt tangling his fingers in Blaine's dishevelled curls, before their lips met once more. Neither was entirely sure what they were doing, but it just didn't matter. Their hands roamed all over each other's hot, sweaty bodies, until they finally reached each other's arousal. They clumsily began to stroke each other, slowly at first but steadily faster, moaning as they continued to kiss passionately. Kurt threw his head back in pleasure, and Blaine took the opportunity to trail his lips down his lover's jaw, sucking his neck and his earlobe.

"Oh... oh, Blaine..."

They stroked each other faster, thrusting into each other's hands. They were lost in this, in each other and the ecstasy and the pure perfection of it all. Their lips crashed together in another sloppy, devastating kiss as their movements became even more rapid and desperate. They weren't aware of the time anymore – it felt as if time was standing still for them. Names were whispered against each other's lips, their flushed skin burning with desire. It felt like a blissful eternity had past, but it was still far too soon before the pressure became all too much. They both cried out in unison as waves of pleasure washed over them, erupting all over their stomachs.

They lay beside each other, trembling from the aftershocks, their limps still tangled together as they attempted to catch their breath. After cleaning themselves up, they lay together in Kurt's tiny bed, holding each other under the slightly itchy bed sheets. Blaine wasn't entirely sure how he felt. He was happy, unbelievably happy, happier than he'd ever been in his life. But he knew that it wouldn't last. The moment he left this room it would be over. He would have to marry Rachel, and one day he would have to be King. If he had the choice, he would spend the rest of his life in this little room, in this little bed, in his Kurt's arms. But he couldn't.

"I love you, Kurt," he whispered.

Kurt smiled and kissed the corner of his mouth. "And I love you, Blaine."

Blaine smiled back, before sighing sadly. "It just isn't fair. I have spent my whole life longing to fall in love, to find that missing part of myself... and when I finally find you, I can't even have you."

"Life isn't fair," Kurt said. "I have only been alive for eighteen years and I already know that. If life was fair... my mother would never have gotten sick... Father and I wouldn't have to work so hard just to survive... I would own more than two pairs of shoes... and I would be able to be with you properly."

Blaine chuckled, playing with the hair on the nape of Kurt's neck.

"If life was fair," he said. "I wouldn't have to be King. I would make music and travel the world. And I wouldn't have to marry Rachel Berry... because I would be married to you."

Kurt grinned. "You want to marry me?"

"Of course," Blaine smiled. "It would be an honour to be your husband."

"Tell me more."

Blaine sighed and shifted so he was on his back, looking up at the ceiling as he thought. Kurt wrapped his arm around his lover, planting a kiss on his shoulder.

"Well," Blaine said. "We would have a small ceremony, nothing like the grand royal affair expected of a Prince. But I would still buy you all the fine garments you've always desired, of course."

"Oh, of course," Kurt smirked.

Blaine chuckled before he continued. "Then we would pack up and leave this kingdom. I'm not sure where we would go, but that would be the beauty of it. We would be travelling musicians. I would write the songs and you would sing them, as the whole world should have the privilege to hear how beautiful your voice is. And then, once we have seen all we can see and done all we have wanted to do, I would buy us a nice house to grow old in. Maybe we would go to one of those workhouses, adopt a poor child and give it a better life. I have always wanted a daughter. I would spoil her rotten."

They both laughed, and Kurt held him tighter.

"I've always wanted a daughter too," he said, his voice sounding strained as if he was trying not to cry. "If I ever had a daughter I would want her to be called Rose, after my mother. And I would sing her to sleep just like my mother did with me, and I would make her beautiful dresses and teach her how to draw. And you would be an excellent father for her, my love."

Blaine sniffed, the lump in his throat returning. Tears were stinging his eyes, and he turned onto his side again so he could look at Kurt.

"I cannot think of anything more perfect than that, sweetheart," he said, stroking Kurt's cheek. "I just wish it could be so... once I leave this room then our lives go back to normal. But I honestly have no idea how I will survive without you. What am I going to do?"

Blaine finally gave into his tears, and Kurt wiped them away and held him close, kissing the top of his head.

"I'll tell you what you're going to do," he said gently. "You are going to marry Miss Berry, and you will have lots of beautiful, talented... loud children. And then one day you will be King."

Blaine took a deep, shaky breath, trying to calm himself. "That isn't what I want though, Kurt. All I want is you."

"In another life maybe," said Kurt, struggling to hold back his own tears. "We will meet again, I'm sure of it. And when we do, maybe it will be in a time when it is perfectly acceptable for two men to fall in love. Because in this life or the next, I know I will never stop loving you. We will get our chance to be together, my love, just... not yet. But it is our destiny, I know it is. You're my forever, Blaine."

Blaine smiled, kissing Kurt softly. "I love you so much."

They kissed each other and held each other, savouring the moment, wishing that they were already in the next life, wishing that the world outside that room didn't exist anymore. Maybe if they wished hard enough, it would all come true.

This is only the second time I've ever written a AU fic, so I hope that all turned out okay and I hope you enjoyed, Humble Readers :)

xxx