Warnings: Eventual smut but not in the first part. Boy x boy kisses, mild swearing.
A/N: This came out of watching 'choccywoccydoodah' so the shop and products will be described as similar and my obsession for anything chocolate. I don't know if this will be a multi-chap or not seeing as I can NEVER write them but we'll see (I'm looking at 5 or 6 chapters if it turns out that way). Also Dave has a brother, just because I can do that. Most of the locations are made up because I live in Melbourne not Manhattan. This took me one day to write and I have no beta (please somebody help me) so all mistakes are mine. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee. Astounding information yes?
Chocolaterie
A loud groan came from the white lump in the middle of the bed when the alarm rang its shrill tone. A hand appeared from under the covers and smacked it soundly causing it to wobble and fall off the end table which caused another groan and with a rustle of sheets, Kurt Hummel made his way out of the comfortable and warm cave he had made in his sleep.
"It's cold," Was the first thing he grumbled as he pulled his chocolate brown robe, his co-workers' idea of a joke, around him and wandered down the short hallway to turn his heater on despite his thoughts about how great the bill would be and brewed some much needed coffee.
Kurt was not in a good mood this morning. What was supposed to be a much needed day off, the calm before the storm if you will, turned out to be any other normal day beginning with coffee and most likely ending up covered in stray bits of melted chocolate and possibly peppermint flavouring in his hair. The reason behind Kurt's not so relaxing day was explained when he arrived at work.
"Good morning Mr. Hummel," Claire, the sixteen-year-old desk assistant, greeted cheerfully.
"Claire, Mr. Hummel is my Dad," Kurt smiled warmly as the poor girl blushed.
"Got it sir," She replied and returned to the computer.
Kurt ignored the formality, walking through the 'staff only' door and down the corridor to the kitchen. He walked in to a chorus of 'good morning Kurt' and replied happily, pulling on his apron and walking over to his assistant so he could tie it before going back out to Claire.
"So why was I called in on my day off?" Kurt asked, elbows supporting his weight on the counter and glanced around the store.
It was a medium sized shop, each wall lined with glass display cupboards. The floor was wooden and the walls a cream making it feel very homely indeed. There were shoulder level shelves lining the store and a huge display in a window seat at the front. He loved the store and appreciated the atmosphere a lot more when he was cranky.
"You know how Miss Harris wanted a cake decorated with cupids and pearls for some odd reason?" Claire began.
"You're not supposed to judge a client's taste," Kurt smirked, "And what do you mean 'wanted'? Shouldn't she still want it? Her wedding is in three days!"
"Well that's the problem," Claire said, "She wants to change the design."
"Dammit," Kurt shouted and was thankful there were no customers on this Wednesday morning. "Why can't people just stick to one and one only?"
"She has an appointment in ten minutes to see you," Claire said and Kurt waited patiently, busying himself with tidying shelves until she arrived.
"Kurt!" Martha Harris, a bride to be, said loudly as she walked into the store in what had to be at least four inch heels, "Kurt please tell me you can help!"
"We'll see what I can do," Kurt replied cheerfully, "How about you come down to the consulting room and we have a look at what's happening."
"Thank you so much," Martha beamed as Kurt opened the door to the hallway for her. "Such gentlemen at this store, no wonder it's my one stop chocolate shop."
Kurt just chuckled and gestured her to the side as one of the support staff wheeled a cart full of new stock down the hallway.
"How do you work in a chocolate shop and stay so skinny?" Martha asked him and Kurt just grinned as he led her into the room.
"Good genes I'd say," Kurt replied as he sat down, "From my mum no doubt. She was as thin as a waif."
"Whereas I am blessed with having to go to the gym every few days and dieting on salads," Martha laughed and Kurt couldn't help but join in before clapping his hands together.
"So what can we do for you?" He asked with his pencil poised.
"I wanted to see if you could make this," Martha said holding out a piece of paper with an image on it. "I'm so sorry to change it on short notice but I will cover any extra costs. This is from an English chocolaterie who makes it for weddings and since I can't exactly import a wedding cake and my favourite chocolate shop makes their own wedding cakes …"
"Do you want it white or cream?" Kurt asked as his way of confirming her wishes and she squealed happily jumping forward to hug him before she started listing the specific details and he began sketching out the design.
The cake itself was to be made of chocolate and white truffle with white icing on three tiers. The tiers would be iced into thin vertical sections and special handcrafted dark chocolate but white chocolate covered roses would be placed around it. Kurt knew this was a challenge given the time but Martha was one of their best customers and the price was nearly not worth it for a cake.
Kurt had been given the task of carefully sculpting the roses under the watchful eye of his boss and his ever attentive assistant. When they were finally placed onto the cake with the other decorations of large leaves and thorns Kurt couldn't help but admire the work.
"Congratulations kids," His boss, Tom said proudly, "This is good if I may say so myself."
"You're kidding right," A junior designer, Mike, said, "This is freaking amazing."
This caused a laugh to echo around the room followed by instructions on delivering and setting up at the venue. Kurt was packing the wedding favours when Tom pulled him aside.
"I know you're looking for some extra cash," He said quietly, "So I've organised you to cut the cake for all the guests and hand it out as well as help pack up."
"Thank you Tom," Kurt said gratefully and collected his formal uniform before helping to load the van.
The venue was lavish and Kurt didn't expect anything less from Martha who was always dressed to perfection and hurrying to and from beauty appointments, stopping in for a chocolate-y treat between them. Kurt was just figuring out how to get the cake out of the van without an extra set of muscles when a deep voice came from behind him.
"Kurt?" Kurt paused, turning around.
"Yes?" He questioned, not knowing entirely why he bothered turning around when he was in the middle panicking but it could've been important.
"It really is you!" The man, dressed very nicely in a suit, said, "Its Dave. Martha sent me to see the cake had arrived."
"Karofsky?" Kurt choked and without time to reply, his assistant came and pulled him away with another drama. "What is it Teddy?"
"We can't get the cake and the favours all into the reception in the time we have and set up," Teddy pulled on his wavy black hair in stress, "We simply can't."
"Teddy relax," Kurt told him, "Take a few deep breaths, we've got this okay? I know it's your first wedding job but we can do this, you know we can."
Teddy followed his orders and had calmed down considerably by the time Kurt's boss arrived with back up to help with the situation. Kurt instructed Teddy and Luke, one of the delivery boys with very admirable muscles to carry the cake into the venue and he was changed into his proper uniform and making final preparations as the guests started filing in.
Kurt stood against the wall at the back as he watched each ceremony pass and he marvelled at the dancing skills of the groom. The bride was respectful to the guests which Kurt didn't see too often and called for the official cake cutting ceremony before dinner was sent out. Kurt didn't notice that Dave snuck around the back to stand with him.
"Hey," He greeted. "Weird seeing you at my brother's wedding."
"Hello David and I agree," Kurt replied, "Seeing you I mean."
"This was all Martha, Mark had nothing to do with it," Dave told Kurt as they stood back to watch the cutting of the beautiful cake.
"Oh I'm well aware it was all Martha," Kurt said, "I did design and help make the cake after all at her request."
"Yeah course you did," Dave mumbled and took a large gulp of red wine before walking off leaving a frowning Kurt behind.
Kurt went up to serve the cake for the wedding guests after dinner and was wiping the knife when Dave approached him. Kurt sighed, cutting a piece for the taller man and handing it to him on a small plate. Their hands touched as Kurt passed the plate over but thought nothing of it when Dave's eyes shut for a moment before returning to his table. It was only when Kurt was packing the business van did Dave approach him again.
"Kurt! Wait up!" Dave shouted and Kurt slammed the doors to the van.
"Listen I don't know how I managed to offend within two minutes of our first conversation since we were eighteen but I'm sorry," Kurt rambled and Dave frowned.
"You didn't offend me, I'm sorry for walking off," He said, "It's just, you've done the most amazing things and it should've hit me that you were here for the cake and stuff and it just shocked me that you would be designing cakes and yeah."
"How the mighty fall," Kurt snapped and walked around to the driver's side of the van.
"Kurt come on," Dave pleaded, "I didn't mean it like that. I don't want our first conversation since we were eighteen to turn into an argument. I'm actually happy to see you after all this time."
Against his better judgement Kurt turned to face him, "You are?"
"Yeah," Dave grinned, "You were the only one at that point to know who I really was so you're probably the only person I would actually enjoy running into."
"Alright," Kurt breathed, "I really have to get back to work to finish something for tomorrow."
"It's a bit late to be going to work isn't it?"
"Not when you have lavish cakes to prepare and chocolate treats," Kurt sighed.
"Okay, what do you say we go out for coffee to catch up?"
"A date already?" Kurt grinned and Dave just shook his head, "I have a morning off this Sunday coming providing I don't get called in to a disaster zone and believe me it has happened before."
"Okay, Sunday at The Koffee Bar, 10am?" Dave asked as he pulled out a pen and what looked like a receipt, scribbling the address of the shop on it messily.
"See you there," Kurt said and with a small smile Dave walked back to the wedding party.
Kurt's week continued with hectic preparations for Christmas which seemed just around the corner by the time Kurt had finished decorating a winter wonderland piece that included Santa's workshop and all of the reindeer which pissed Kurt off to the max when he was trying to style their antlers. He only said yes to the piece because he was in a particularly Christmas mood that day and regretted it immensely.
He was entirely ready for his Sunday morning sleep in and then realised he had to be up at eight to get ready for his meeting with Dave. It was entirely worth the sacrifice to get dressed up properly for once and not have to worry about spilling strawberry jam on his favourite pair of jeans because he was filling up red painted chocolate apples for their Halloween specials. Kurt was also anxious to find out who Dave Karofsky turned out to be.
It wasn't snowing yet thank God because Kurt had yet to go appropriate shoe shopping but it was freezing and his teeth were chattering when he met Dave outside the shop.
"Hi," Kurt replied with a small blush, "You look good."
Dave did indeed look good. He had on a pair of dark wash jeans, a black trench coat with grey and blue checked lining and a pair of dress shoes. Simply but attractive Kurt decided and flushed at the thought of thinking Dave was attractive.
"Hey, you look … wow," Dave said as he looked Kurt up and down and Kurt suddenly felt very self-conscious in his black skinny jeans, burgundy puffed jacket and oversized grey scarf.
"Thanks," Kurt's blush had deepened and he childishly told his cheeks off for betraying him as Dave held the door to the coffee shop open.
"What are you having?" Dave asked as they looked up at the menu boards.
"Perhaps a mocha, I'm dying for one properly made," Kurt told him and with a nod Dave walked up to the register.
"A large mocha and a large black, no sugar" Dave said pulling out his wallet and handing the entire amount to the cashier before Kurt could catch on. He handed Kurt his drink who replied with a quiet 'thanks' and they went to find a seat.
"You didn't need to pay you know," Kurt said as he pulled off his jacket and scarf to reveal a sweater over a white shirt and bow tie.
"I wanted to, I asked you to meet me so it's my shout," Dave argued as he also stripped his warm coat. Kurt took a sharp breath as he checked out Dave's new appearance which included a black and white striped long sleeved t-shirt that hugged his muscles perfectly. Kurt shook his head and scolded himself before beginning the conversation.
"So tell me everything," Kurt said as he blew on his coffee, "What happened after senior year?"
"Well I went to college and studied law," Dave said and Kurt quirked an eyebrow, "Yeah it's not what most people think I would have done."
"I think it's wonderful," Kurt said and Dave couldn't conceal a grin.
"I joined the GS alliance too," Dave informed him and his grin widened at Kurt's huge smile. "Then I graduated, found I wasn't cut out for law and sidestepped into social work actually. I work with kids online who are going through a tough time and I volunteer for kids with impairments when I can."
"I'm impressed," He said honestly, "I'm proud of you Dave."
"Thanks," Dave felt his cheeks warm, "How did you get into making chocolate?"
"Ha, I don't make chocolate," Kurt corrected with a giggle, "I made things out of chocolate."
"Same diff," Dave laughed, "Fine, how did you get into designing chocolate things."
"I am an artist," Kurt said with mock irritation, "I do not simply make things."
"Oh my God Hummel," Dave growled and Kurt giggled again.
"So I missed out on NYADA," Kurt informed him and Dave cut in.
"Seriously?" He asked, "Did they even listen to your application?"
"I'm sure they did," Kurt laughed, "Rachel missed out too so it made me feel better. Anyway I used one of my college backups and one happened to be an arts course obviously. So I basically sketched for four years and came out not knowing what the hell I wanted to do so I took a job here on the desk and saved them a few times before they decided to put me into the kitchen and teach me."
"Saved them?" Dave asked.
"Yeah uhm they had a few problems with matching colours, designing and stuff so I butt in to a few conversations, risked my lousy job and came out on the better side."
"I can imagine that. Good on you," Dave said, "To lousy jobs and good outcomes."
Kurt repeated this sentiment, knocking his half empty coffee cup against Dave's and taking a sip of his mocha. They talked about their families and their group of friends before Kurt heard his phone ring from his bag.
"Oh crap, the time!" Kurt said and checked his phone, reading the message out loud. "Get your cute little butt in here to decorate for Christmas. Geez lovely Tom."
"Who's Tom?" Dave asked, "Boyfriend?"
"God no," Kurt laughed, "He's my boss, he's like fifty and he's happily married with five children. Our cashier is his oldest. He wants us to re-decorate the store for each holiday so Christmas here I come."
"That sounds really cool," Dave said honestly and Kurt smiled.
"It is a lot of work but it's amazing by the end," He said, pushing his cup away to grab his bag.
"So do you want to meet up again?" Dave asked quickly and then added, "We don't have to but it was pretty nice today."
"Of course," Kurt said as the wrapped themselves up in their warm clothes to brave the cold. "The Christmas party for the store is actually in a week so if you want to come along, see how it all looks that would be great."
"Alright," Dave agreed and handed his phone to Kurt, "I don't know where it is or what it's called so you'll have to put your number in."
"Have to?" Kurt laughed and typed it in anyway. "Text me and I'll get yours, I really have to run."
"I'll see you then," Dave said and they walked outside before stopping awkwardly.
Without thinking Kurt reached up to hug Dave quickly and ran off with a deep blush on his face. Dave remained rooted to the spot for a good five minutes until a passerby ordered him to move out of his way. When he was in high school he would've killed for Kurt to hug him, it wouldn't have helped his reputation but he would've loved it nonetheless. But they had both changed, Kurt probably had a boyfriend and Dave would remain single. Even now, his younger brother was married at twenty-three and he was almost thirty and single. Oh well, he'd find somebody soon enough he guessed.
Kurt ran into the store and almost into Tom himself who glared at him.
"Kurt you were due over an hour ago!"
"Sorry, subway problems," He lied quickly and ran into the cooking room, hanging up his clothes before quickly securing an apron around his waist, "So what's the go for this Christmas?"
"I was thinking about the winter wonderland display you did for that organisation," Tom said slowly and Kurt buried his face in his hands, "If we could get up by our own Christmas party then it will be ready for the whole of December."
"No way, not again," He pleaded but Tom was adamant and fifteen minutes later Kurt found himself trying to shape antlers once again much to his frustration with Tom laughing every time he re-entered the kitchen.
"So you've told me the little decorations but what do you want as a centrepiece?" Kurt asked as he bent an antler in shape.
"A singing snowman," Tom said bluntly and Kurt choked.
"A singing snowman?" He repeated as a question, "And how may I ask are you going to pull that off?"
"Oh I'm not," Tom said, "You are. Using speakers to surround it and lights around its base. This is going to be your baby."
Kurt was absolutely floored. He knew he was ready to take on such a big project but the thought of doing everything from baking to icing to decorating freaked him out just a little.
"Kurt, you're going to be fantastic," Tom said looking him straight in the eyes, "Seriously, you've been working your butt off for a couple of years, coped with the greatest stresses known to man. You're ready for this. Besides you pull this off and I give you a raise."
Well if there was anything to motivate Kurt the prospect of extra money would. Day in, day out Kurt would be seated on the little brown stool he called his own at the end of the bench and watched the other staff prepare birthday cakes, wedding cakes and other cakes in between. Kurt found a particular error in his construction of Santa's workshop and the scaling of it compared to his reindeer.
"I can't do this," He groaned putting his head in his hands as Teddy pulled it apart ready for an entirely new style.
"Come on Kurt," Teddy encouraged, "You can do this, I promise it will turn out great. Your stuff always does."
"Thanks Teddy," Kurt said and couldn't help but feel a renewed energy, chalking it up to Teddy and his infectious energy.
True to Teddy's promise, Kurt finished the presentation within the time frame. Kurt was setting up foundations to his display just as Tom entered with two muscular men.
"That cake is over 20 kilograms," He explained as the men brought the snowman out to the front display, placing it on the prepared stand left of the winter wonderland display and followed with the four large decorative Christmas trees he had managed to throw into the mix and were intended to be positioned at the back of the display to create a backing.
"You outdid yourself and my expectations," Tom exclaimed happily as the presentation fell neatly into place.
"Thanks," Kurt said bashfully, "I was thinking over adding some blue lighting around the border of the window, inside of course to create a soft glow to it and turn it into a real winter wonderland."
"I agree, Teddy can take care of it while I talk to you in my office," Tom said and Kurt gulped, trying now to think of the million thoughts of 'I'm fired' that raced to the front of his mind.
"Did I do something wrong?" Kurt asked as he sat in front of Tom's desk.
"You've been working with us for how long?" Tom asked as he pulled a large file out of the cabinet next to his desk.
"I was twenty-three when I started working here," Kurt said nervously, "I'm twenty-eight so five years I guess."
"In five years you have worked on desk, as a cleaner, as a stock worker and finally came to the rescue with the princess cake, your first ever cake."
"I remember it," Kurt said and Tom looked down his nose at him.
"Do you really?" He asked, "Well it isn't unusual to remember your first design. I saw something in you so against my better judgement at Easter no less I decided to put you in my design team."
"I would like to make you my head designer," Tom said and Kurt's jaw dropped.
"You, what, why?" Kurt asked, trying to grasp exactly what his boss had said.
"You are talented," Tom said honestly and Kurt flushed, "You need to realise how talented you are and use it to create art. That Christmas piece out there? It blew my mind that you managed to pull it all together for the party tomorrow which now will also celebrate your promotion if you accept."
"Of course I accept," Kurt said a little breathlessly, "May I ask what is happening to James?"
"Nobody knows he's retiring tomorrow," Tom said with a smile, "He is seventy and been baking and designing for nearly fifty years. He'll do us through the Christmas season and then leave."
"Wow," Kurt said, still speechless. "You weren't kidding about the pay rise."
"No," Tom chuckled, "Now I want you to get out there, help Teddy put the lights up because you know he's having trouble with them and enjoy the celebration tomorrow before the real work begins."
"I … thank you sir," Kurt said and Tom nodded before Kurt left the room with butterflies in his stomach.
Kurt was so thankful that Tom closed the store the day of the Christmas party because he was thrumming with a nervous energy that would have sent cakes flying straight into the bin if he dared to go near one. He was still on a high from being told about his promotion and combined with the feeling he couldn't quite place about Dave, Kurt was going absolutely crazy. The shower did help calm down slightly, that was until his phone started ringing from the lounge room in the middle of his first lathering of soap.
"Hang on!" Kurt shouted stupidly to his phone as he wrapped a towel around his body to go and locate his phone and answered it with snarl, "Who the hell interrupted me while I was in the shower and is now making me repeat my shampoo process?"
"Uh, Kurt?" The familiar voice on the other end sounded almost scared.
"Oh crap, hey Dave," Kurt felt his anger melt away as he perched on his knock off leather couch, "Sorry for that. What's up?"
"Did I really interrupt your shower?" He asked nervously and Kurt laughed.
"Ha, yeah but it doesn't matter," He replied as he moved in front of his heater to warm up, "Is something wrong? Are you not coming?"
"Nah I still want to come," Dave said and Kurt let out a breathless giggle, "I just wondered what I should wear."
"Dress casual but smart," Kurt instructed over the phone as he inspected his fingernails.
"I may be gay but I don't know how to do casual and smart at the same time," Dave groaned and Kurt heard the clanging of metal hangers, "Casual for me is track suit pants and a t-shirt that I usually wear to bed that night."
"You wear clothes out that you wear as pyjamas," Kurt wrinkled his nose.
"It's hardly shocking," Dave shot back, "What are you wearing?"
"I'm wearing my white t-shirt with a bowtie printed on it with a simple jacket and dress pants," Kurt said, "Casual but smart. And please be here on time."
Kurt couldn't help but snort in laughter at Dave's growl of frustration and grinned when the poor guy hung up on him to search for something decent. He finished his shower, dressed and was putting the finishing touches to his hair when there was a knock on the door.
"Coming!" He shouted and pulled his straightener out of the power socket before racing to the door in his socks and found Dave standing with dress pants, an open collared shirt and sweater over the top. He was carrying his coat, "Found smart and casual I see?"
"Yeah," Dave said rolling his eyes as he stepped through the door.
"Well you look good by any means," Kurt complimented, "Let me get my shoes and coat and we'll be out of here."
When Kurt left to get said items, Dave looked around the little apartment and frowns. He never imagined Kurt to be living in a shabby little hole like this. While the location was nice, the room wasn't. The leather couches had holes in them, the TV was miniature, the square coffee table covered in papers and the rug on the floor was frayed around the edges. He had no art on the walls and a corkboard covered with many graphs and sketches from what Dave could see.
"Alright, let's go!" Kurt said cheerfully and grabbed his keys from the bowl near the front door.
They walked silently to the main roads and Dave hailed down a taxi. Kurt looked nervous getting into the vehicle and Dave voiced his question of why.
"I … usually take the subway," Kurt mentioned, ducking his head and waited for Dave to click.
"That's okay," He replied softly and the conversation ended.
The taxi stopped outside the chocolaterie and Dave handed the driver the fee before following Kurt out onto the pavement. He gave a low whistle when he saw the window display.
"Who did this?" Dave asked Kurt who blushed deeply despite the cold.
"I did, all of it," Kurt told him and Dave's eyes widened.
"It's awesome, you're really good at this stuff," He exclaimed as he took in the winter wonderland cake with the soft blue lighting around it.
"Thanks," Kurt said with a smile, "Come on, the party's in the staff room."
Kurt led Dave down the long wooden floored corridor that was lined with black and white photographs and then through a heavy silver door.
"Kurt!" A chorus of greetings came from the staff already there.
"Hey you guys," Kurt replied.
"Who's your friend?" Claire asked as he
"This is David," Kurt introduced, "David, this is Claire the boss' daughter.'
"Pleasure," Claire said blushing when Dave shook her hand.
"Claire, he's gay," Kurt said and Claire's face dropped.
"Why are the hot ones always gay?" She asked and walked away.
"Sorry about her, she's sixteen and boy crazy," Kurt chuckled as they took in the room.
It looked nothing like it did when there was baking and designing happening. The island in the middle was covered with chocolates, sweets and cake on one half and normal food on the other. Tinsel lined the fringes of the benches and Kurt noted the mistletoe above the arch that led to the staff room.
"Want a drink?" Kurt asked and Dave nodded. Kurt went over to the decorating bench where several bottles of champagne were sitting along with a couple of beers. He grabbed a beer for Dave and poured a glass of champagne for himself before returning to Dave who was talking with Tom.
"Here you go," Kurt said handing Dave the drink, "You haven't been talking about me have you?"
"No, no," Tom chuckled and Kurt knew he had a few drinks already, "Just getting to know young David here."
Kurt raised his eyebrows to Dave who shrugged as Tom found a knife and tapped his champagne glass as delicately as he could for a fifty year old man.
"Attention please!" He shouted and the noise dropped, "I would like to make a few announcements. First you are an amazing team to work with. It's been my dream to open and run a chocolate shop since I read Willy Wonka when I was a boy. Now here I am, almost 30 years of work and I have the best team working under me."
Everybody aw'd at his words and he continued, "After 30 years of working for us, I would like to announce that James Kingston is retiring from his position as Head Designer. He has decided to spend his remaining years with his wife in a cottage complete with dog and oven. His words I assure you."
"I do have another announcement," Tom said after everybody stopped laughing, "I have asked Kurt Hummel to step up into James' position of which he has accepted despite many worries that he would not be up to the job. I wish you to all give Kurt a round of applause."
The staff and Dave did just this and Kurt blushed to his ears at the attention. Teddy even went as far to whistle and only stopped when somebody hit him around the head.
"Now, drink up and be merry," Tom exclaimed, "And don't complain of a headache if you're working tomorrow. An early Merry Christmas to all of you!"
Music started blasting from the staff room and dinner was called. Kurt claimed the most comfortable couch in the staff room and waited for Dave to get back from collecting the food.
"You better save room for dessert," Kurt warned as he looked between the overstuffed plate in Dave's hands and Dave. Shrugging Dave just sat down to eat and Kurt got up to get his own food.
"Dessert?" Kurt asked as their food was finished with astounding timing and Dave nodded, offering a hand to help Kurt stand.
He and Kurt both walked under the arch together and as soon as Kurt looked at the girls' faces, he knew what happened without looking up. Dave on the other hand followed their gazes to the mistletoe and chuckled nervously looking at Kurt.
"You two have to kiss," Lisa, a senior baker teased and both men instantly flushed.
"Bad luck if you don't," Claire added and Kurt made a mental note to mess up her Facebook then next time she left it up on the computer in the store.
Slowly, Dave and Kurt turned to face each other and Kurt stood up on his toes to press a light kiss to Dave's lips. Dave responded for a few moments and then pulled away.
"Happy?" Kurt snapped and pushed past the two girls to collect the cake.
"You okay?" Dave asked and Kurt nodded, giving him a small smile.
"I haven't kissed someone properly for a while. Why don't we eat this in the store, I'll show you what we have," Kurt suggested and Dave nodded, following with his prized piece of cake. "I know you didn't get a proper look when we came in."
Kurt showed him all of the treats that his shop made and eventually sat in Claire's usual chair behind the desk as Dave continued looking around again.
"Are you doing anything for Christmas Eve?" Kurt asked as Dave tasted the stacked dark chocolate and marshmallow cake.
"Oh my God, this is awesome" Dave said through stuff cheeks, "And nope, why?"
"Well I'm not going back to Ohio this year because by the time I get there I have to come back so I was wondering if you maybe wanted to come over?" Kurt asked.
"I have you one better," Dave smiled, "Come to mine. I live out in the suburbs so it's a townhouse and I decorate it every year. I promise hot chocolate and cliché Christmas movies if the townhouse thing didn't win you over"
"Okay," Kurt whispered and they locked eyes. Kurt licked his lips instinctively but as they moved forward in unison the door to the hallway swung open and Claire entered.
"David you must taste this," Claire said and she handed him a plate and wandered away.
"What is it?" Dave eyed it warily.
"Lemon with white truffle and white chocolate icing," Kurt informed him as he took a bite of his double chocolate Santa he picked up from a shelf.
"Yum," Dave said after a bite, "You guys make some amazing stuff. I don't know how you don't just eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
"Because then I'd have to go running to work it off every day," Kurt grinned.
"Ah that's alright for me, I go to the gym," Dave said.
"I can see that," Kurt said back, eyes widening with the realised that he was flirting but Dave just smirked. "Do you want to go back and dance?"
"Kay," Dave agreed and grabbed their empty plates before following Kurt down the hallway.
The music had been turned up and the furniture in the staff room pushed back. Teddy and Claire were dancing awfully close together with Tom watching from afar to make sure the extravagant Teddy didn't corrupt his daughter. The other staff, apart from James and Tom of course, were dancing next to Claire and Teddy in one large group.
"Shall we?" Kurt asked and held out his hand.
Dave accepted Kurt's offer and grabbed his hand, twirling Kurt around before they came together. They danced with their hands together but a fair distance away from each other.
"It's no club but I've always loved our Christmas parties," Kurt admits as the song switches to Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Kurt laughs, "This was the first song Hunter and I ever danced to together."
"You wanna go to a club after this?" Dave asked, ignoring the name Kurt dropped knowing it was one of his ex-boyfriends, "It's about ten, good time."
"A club or a bar?" Kurt asked and Dave shrugged.
"We do have a history with bars," he said and Kurt laughed.
"Alright then Mr. Bear Cub a bar it is," He said teasingly and laughed again at Dave's blush.
"I'm hardly a cub nowadays," He replied and flexed his muscles which sent Kurt into a round of giggles that took at least a ten minute taxi ride to die down. They got out at Onyx, the closest bar to Kurt's shop and showed their ID before walking in.
"Well this is almost as scandalous as Scandals in Lima," Kurt commented as they shed their coats and Dave just shrugged.
"Can I get a beer and for you?" Dave asked Kurt who was still looking around at the three people dancing.
"Oh just a rum and coke?" Kurt asked and the barman nodded. Their drinks were served quickly and they immediately took a gulp, Kurt downing the whole lot at once and asked for another. "Did I mention I love Christmas?"
"Ha yeah," Dave said as he watched Kurt down his second drink which really should have been his fifth if you counted the three glasses of champagne he had at his party.
"Well seeing as it's not really Christmas but it's a day from December so technically its Christmas month," Kurt said in one almost misunderstood sentence, "Will you dance with me?"
Dave laughed, "Alright then."
Kurt clapped his hands together before leaping off his stool to go and dance. Dave took another gulp of his beer to loosen himself up and followed Kurt. Kurt immediately grabbed Dave's waist and pulled him close, shimmying up and down before moving his body against Dave who was desperately trying to keep a sound mind but was finding it hard when Kurt turned around and rubbed against Dave's crotch and hard at that before turning back around and clinging to the taller man as a new song started up.
"I have had way too much to drink, not enough to be stupidly drunk but enough to not be as articulate as I am," Kurt said as they made their way to a booth on the other side of the bar to relax. "And I have to go into work early tomorrow to clean from tonight."
"I've had more than normal I'll admit," Dave replied, "Probably burned it all away when I was dancing."
"I'm glad I danced with you tonight," Kurt admitted as he slumped against the wall.
"Why?"
"Because you owed it to me and because you can really, really dance good."
"I did," Dave agreed, chuckling at Kurt's language and thought back to the distant memories of his junior prom as Kurt giggled happily in his own world against the wall. "How about we get some coffee to sober up and then I'll take you home."
"Okay," Kurt said simply and they made their way outside.
"Kurt can I ask you something?" Dave asked and Kurt giggled and breathed quickly on his hands to warm them up as they exited the club.
"Sure, even though you just did," He smiled though his expression dropped when he saw the nervous look on Dave's face.
"I don't know how to do this," Dave scratched the back of his head, "And I know after all that's happened when we were kids you probably don't want to but will you go on a date with me?"
Kurt stopped giggling and his face turned serious, "Why would you want to date me?"
"You're funny, you're hot, you make kickass cake," Dave said, "Do I need to keep going?"
"You only want me for my skills in the kitchen," Kurt teased and pushed Dave up against the brick wall of a random building they were passing. He traced Dave's stubbled jaw slowly and Dave knew Kurt wouldn't be so forward if he were sober. "Okay, I will go on a date with you."
"Really?"
"Yep," Kurt popped the 'P', "But only if you don't just want me for my cake making skills."
"I promise you that your cake making skills are only ninety-nine percent of the reason," Dave said and Kurt burst out laughing.
"Well," He said as he gasped in the cool air, "Least there's the one percent. Now sir, you promised me coffee."