Christmas Break
Chapter 1: T'was the Night before Christmas
Kurt was home for Christmas. Carole was cooking Christmas Eve dinner and Kurt didn't even mind that his place as the family chef had been usurped. It was fun to chop pecans for her praline sweet potatoes and watch Carole and his dad joke around together in between listening to all of his entertaining stories from Dalton.
Kurt was, however, watching the clock carefully. The last performance of the King Island Christmas Spectacular was supposedly done at eight. He had been trying to come up with a witty text to send Blaine.
Kurt ducked his head and quickly typed,
I BET YOU KNOCKED THEIR SOCKS...
then quickly deleted it. That was the amazingly witty thing I came up with. I've had hours, he thought as he retyped…
I BET YOU KNOCKED THEIR CHRISTMAS SOCKS OFF…send.
Kurt groaned. That was even worse.
"Everything okay, kid." Burt looked over at him.
"I just hit send on a regrettably embarrassing text."
Burt looked like he was trying to think of the right thing to say. "I've got nothing."
"I'm sure it wasn't as bad as you thought, dear." Carole said patting him on the leg. Then she took a turn glancing at the clock.
Finn was at Mr. Schue's but would be home soon for a late dinner. Kurt could have gone…maybe should've gone…but the fact was he missed his dad and he felt guilty for boarding at Dalton. It wouldn't feel right to run out just minutes after he got home.
"Is Rachel coming tonight?" Normally, Rachel wasn't Kurt's favorite diva but he had been missing even her and she had been texting and e-mailing him regularly up until a few days ago. Kurt knew the main reason for all the attention was to see if Kurt would slip up and offer any information on the competition. But still, it was nice.
"I think they might have broken up. Finn's been moping around."
"What happened?"
"He won't say. If I ask, he just slams something and rushes from the room."
"I can totally find out for you…" Kurt pulled out his phone and texted Mercedes.
WHATS UP WITH FINN AND RACH
DID SHE TOTALLY FLIP OVER THE SANTANA THING
Mercedes texted back immediately. Which made it even more obvious that Blaine had not-texted back yet. They are probably still applauding…
TOTALLY…RIGHT INTO PUCK'S BED
THATS LOW EVEN FOR HER
I DONT THINK THEY DID IT THO
I DONT THINK RACHEL WOULD PUT OUT EVEN FOR REVENGE
Kurt looked up at Carole's earnest face. No way could he tell her that they were on a break because Rachel found out that he had slept with Santana. So she cheated on him with the same guy that Quinn did. No way could he tell Carole. Finn would kill him. How could he translate this into Mom-speak?
"They were on a break and Rachel tried to make him jealous. It backfired. I don't know many details".
"No," Burt gestured toward the phone. "I don't see how you could get too many details using only your thumbs."
"I am sure Finn must be devastated." Kurt replied but then immediately knew it was the wrong thing to say. The worry deepened on Carole's face. "But he'll be fine." Kurt added, glancing at the clock. Almost twenty minutes had passed since he had sent that text. The ovations can't be lasting this long. Had Blaine turned his phone off? Was he ignoring him? Was Blaine excited to have some Kurt-free holiday break time? Kurt groaned again. I am too needy aren't I? I am. I don't know why he doesn't run screaming anytime he sees me approaching him to ask him one more time how to find my biology classroom. It's as if the entire science wing disappears everyday right before third period.
Kurt was so caught up with his inner monologue that he almost didn't notice his phone vibrating. It had to be Mercedes calling to give him the dish about Finn and Rachel.
Kurt slipped into the hallway to take the call.
"Merry Christmas Eve, Girlfriend! How are you! I want all the juicy details."
There was a chuckle on the other end of the line. Kurt checked his caller id.
"Blaine! I thought you were Mercendes-" Kurt was sure that Blaine could see him blush even over the phone.
"People confuse me for her all the time. You wouldn't believe how often I get mistaken for Mercedes."
Kurt laughed with relief. "So how was it? How many standing ovations did you get?"
"It was a lot of fun. I'm just packing up my things now. I'm about to head home for the holidays."
"What did your folks think of the show?"
"They didn't see it. My dad's in Cleveland to do Christmas with my step-mom's clan. And my mom called right before the show to tell me that her plane was delayed. She and my step-dad are stuck in some snowstorm at La Guardia. Hopefully, they'll be home tomorrow."
"So you're alone for Christmas?"
"My mom should be home tomorrow. Then we'll go to Granny's."
"You should come over-"
"Nah, I've got to get the house looking festive. There are no decorations up yet. They've been in Geneva for a couple months. My step dad has a lot of work over there."
"You can't spend Christmas Eve alone. Come have dinner with us."
"No-your family…it's a family thing. I couldn't.'
"It's no big deal. Finn isn't even home yet. We're having a really late dinner and it's our first holiday together. You won't be messing up any traditions because we haven't made any yet. Come."
"Are you sure it's okay?"
"Yes!"
"You didn't even ask."
"It's okay. Come! You're coming. I'm hanging up before you can say no. See you soon."
Kurt clicked the phone off.
It vibrated again. Blaine. He debated picking it up-he would be so disappointed if Blaine turned down his invitation.
But he clicked it on and brought it tentatively to his ear. "Yes?"
"I'm going to need directions."
Finn had just gotten home and was filling them all in on all the Glee Club Christmas festivities when the doorbell rang. Kurt jumped up, clapping his hands and running for the door. Burt, Carole, and a somewhat reluctant Finn followed. I hope this isn't too weird, Finn thought. But he needn't have worried. Blaine, with his usual charm and good manners, quickly fit right in. There was a lot of laughter and talking over a –surprisingly delicious-dinner. "This is amazing, Carole." Kurt gushed.
Then the guys all retired to the living room while Carole cleaned up.
"I should help-" Kurt offered.
"Absolutely not, sweetie." You've been working so hard at school. Go visit. Your dad has missed you so much."
"So Kurt actually snuck in Dalton to spy on the Warblers?" Finn asked.
"It was Puck's idea." Kurt shrugged.
"He pretended to be a new student. But I knew right away that wasn't a new student and when he introduced himself as Kurt, I totally recognized him. New Directions isn't the only team that checks out their competition."
"You knew right away." Kurt looked hurt.
"You were a horrible spy. But you weren't the only McKinley kid to come spying." Blaine looked right at Finn. "Rachel Berry has been at every one of our performances and she takes copious notes. I think she-and Finn-even snuck in to Lenny Gold's sister's Bat Mitzvah to watch us perform."
Finn was looking at his shoes.
"I think she even made you dance the Hora."
"Rachel can take things to the extreme." Finn said very quietly.
"That's why I wondered if maybe spying wasn't really the reason you came. You had no way of knowing that we'd be doing a performance in the middle of the day. Plus, I'd clocked you right away."
Kurt didn't really need to ask how; people clocked him all the time.
"Most of our "new kids" don't wear Audrey Hepburn sunglasses and knock off Oscar de la Renta blazers." Blaine smiled at his friend.
Carole came in with a plate of cookies and set it on the end table.
"Come sit down, dear. I'll help you clean up tomorrow."
"I'm almost done." She said disappearing again.
"So besides spying what other talents does Kurt have?"
"He played football." Finn offered.
"I love football." Blaine smiled.
"Who's your team?" Burt asked.
"Buckeyes." Definitely."
"Kurt was our kicker." Finn offered. "Of course he made the whole football team dance to All the Single Ladies." Finn added.
"Lot's of professional football team learn ballet-for coordination purposes." Kurt explained.
Blaine couldn't stop laughing. "Is there a video? That sounds too good to miss."
"First game, McKinley won in years." Burt said proudly. "Kurt kicked in the winning goal. Tie game."
"We might have won the championship if Kurt had stayed on the team."
"You quit?"
"It wasn't really my thing." Kurt shrugged, but Blaine caught something.
"Karovsky's on the football team."
Kurt looked down at the carpet.
"He have something to do with why you quit?" Finn asked.
"I just didn't want to share a locker room with him."
"You mean he didn't want to share one with you." Blaine corrected.
"Is that when this started?" Burt looked angry and confused.
Kurt looked up at the ceiling.
"When exactly did it start?" Burt pushed.
"First…the first day of school."
"Oh no!" Finn cried, looking like he might be suffering from acute appendicitis. "That was you wasn't it? Oh man, I'm sorry. Karovsky said…Oh man. I'm sorry. If it makes any difference I didn't want to- I just wanted to be part of the team. Oh god." Finn was doubled over.
"What? What's going on?"
"Nothing, dad. Don't worry Finn. Prejudice is just ignorance." Kurt explained, quoting someone special. "When people know better they do better."
There was an awkward silence. Carole came to the door with a dishrag since it was suddenly so silent. "We could sing Christmas songs." Blaine suggested. "Carole what is your favorite Christmas song?"
"Oh Holy Night." She said simply, smiling.
"Kurt your voice would be perfect. Finn and I will back you up."
Next Finn sang "Drummer Boy" with Blaine and Kurt backing him up Warbler accapella style.
Then Carole and Burt convinced Blaine to sing "Baby, it's Cold Outside" from his show. And he convinced Kurt to help him.
When the song was done there was an awkward silence again. Kurt giggled and Blaine shifted away from him from where they had ended up on the couch. "I still think Kurt sings the song better than the one they cast for the show."
"Why don't we all sing "Silent Night," Carole suggested. And it was amazing.
"That was beautiful," Burt said when they finished. He almost looked like he was going to tear up. "This is what a real Christmas should be like. I'm glad you are all here."
Kurt got up and hugged his dad, with Carole jumping on too. Finn and Blaine just kind of smiled and nodded awkwardly at each other.
"I should probably get going. I've got to drive to Akron tonight-"
"I thought you lived in Marysville?" Kurt asked.
"My dad does."
"Mom and Jerry have a condo in Akron."
"That's so far to go-Do you know when they get in?" Carole asked.
"They won't know until tomorrow, if the weather will be good enough to get out but the storm was clearing."
"You should stay here." Burt offered.
"No, I've got to make the place look festive before they get there or it won't feel like Christmas tomorrow."
"But it's so late." Carole tried.
Kurt walked Blaine to the door.
"I've got a present for you," Blaine whispered, trying to be discreet.
"A present!" Kurt shrieked. "I got one for you too. Hold on. It's not wrapped. But-hold on." And ran out of the room. They could all hear him crashing down the stairs to the room he still shared with Finn on the weekends.
Blaine had gotten them tickets to Wicked in January. "There are two. They are both for you but I am free that night." Blaine whispered with a teasing smile.
"Mine is a scarf." Kurt said pulling it out from behind his back. "It will go wonderful with your coat. And it's got green flecks in it to bring out the hazel in your eyes. This goes much better than your other scarf. Not that you don't look-"Kurt became aware that his whole family was crowded around-"Okay in those colors. Dalton colors. The blue goes well, sort of, with your, um hair color. But this actually matches the coat and well, it's better for your skin tone.
Finn interrupted, "Dude, you should shut up now."
"Well, thank you." Blaine said blushing. "I didn't realize I looked so bad but I glad you came to the rescue." Then noticing that his friend looked horrible added, "I'm teasing," Blaine added "I know that you weren't trying to tell me that I look awful. I love it. Thank you."
Kurt watched Blaine walk to his car. He sighed and the twirled into the house. Not realizing that his family was still standing there too.
"Like somebody much?" Finn asked relieved Kurt's romantic attentions had moved elsewhere.
"Alright, yes, he's dreamy!" Kurt said. "But he's just a friend. I mean I may be in love with him but he is just a friend. He does not like me like that at all."
Carole remembered the look on Blaine's face as he was singing the duet with Kurt. "Oh, don't be so sure, honey."
"Don't worry. I wouldn't be that lucky. But this was a good Christmas." Kurt announced.
"Yes it was," Burt said putting his arm around Carole. "Merry Christmas Everyone."
