Hey everybody!

Thanks for taking time to read my story. I ship Blaine and Kurt hardcore, I think that they are simply adorable, so this is my little homage to them. Please feel free to send me con-crit and review this! I want to hear what you think and if you want me to continue or not!

Thank you for all the positive feedback so far! It really means a lot to read all of your comments …

Sorry for the delay in updating! The holidays are creeping up on us - so I also want to wish each of you Happy Holidays!

There will be more Blaine/Kurt interaction in the next chapter - promise!

Thanks so much guys! :3

Chapter Six - Home for the Holidays

The previous night was a bit of a blur for Kurt. After Blaine had kissed him - kissed him - they had gone back inside so Blaine could continue his set. Like it had all been perfectly normal. Like it had not come from nowhere; one moment he was spinning childishly in the snow and then next, Blaine, the perfect Blaine, was kissing him. Smiling sheepishly, Blaine had mentioned how his break was over and that they needed to go back inside.

Kurt had watched Blaine perform in a daze. Those lips singing the songs, forming those perfect notes, grinning, saying quirky quips to the audience, those had been the lips that had kissed him. He could not get over that fact. He only wished that it had, in fact, been his first kiss, that Korofsky had not stolen that from him.

After his whole set was done, Blaine had come to thank Finn and Kurt for coming to see him. Finn seemed to really like Blaine and thus had told him to come down with Kurt whenever he could. Blaine had hugged Kurt goodbye, a tight hug that lingered longer than it normally would among friends.

Kurt drove back to Lima in a daze, not really hearing the music, just following Finn's car blindly. By the time he had pulled into their driveway, he had managed to collect himself so he would not appear to be a walking corpse. His father would surely be concerned then and start asking all sorts of questions he was not ready to field. Questions he did not even know the answer to.

"I'm really glad you asked me to come out and meet your friend tonight, Kurt," Finn said honestly as he came around back to help carry one of Kurt's bags.

Kurt held back a glare as he realized that the comment was genuinely sincere and Finn was not ribbing him about anything. Instead, he let a smile melt over his lips.

"Well, Finn, I am very glad you decided to come," he replied.

Neither of the boys was sure whether they would find their parents awake considering the late hour. Just in case, they unlocked the door slowly and tiptoed inside, careful to not make any noise. Bags went in the corner, shoes slipped off, jacket's were thrown on the coat rack. They saw a soft blue light emanating from the family room but heard no sounds, so they softly walked towards it.

Carol and Burt were both asleep on the couch, Carol's head on Burt's shoulder as his arm encircled her; the thick blanket had rolled off of the on the floor. They must have been watching a DVD that finished as the TV screen was glaring blue. Finn look for the remote while Kurt picked up the blanket and covered the couple.

Carol stirred and slowly opened her eyes. She looked slightly confused but, as he eyes adjusted to the dim light, a smile crept over her face. "Kurt! You're home!" she pushed her hair back as she got up, "Come here, you. Bet you were trying to get out of a hug!"

"Not at all, Carol," Kurt protested as she engulfed him in a tight embrace. Hugging her back, Kurt felt tears prick his eyes. What a lovely reception. It was good to be home.

"Kurt? Is that you?" his father's sleep-laden voice asked.

Kurt immediately pulled away from Carol and sat down beside his father, embracing him. "Dad! I didn't want to wake you. I hope you're feeling alright."

"I'm fine, Kurt. Fine. That heart attack was months ago!" Burt playfully said, hugging his son tightly. He had missed him tremendously, his heart had ached for his boy. Now he felt a sense of calm enfold him; his life was again complete now that his boy was back. "We were waiting up for you and we must have fallen asleep," Burt stretched, letting go of his son.

"I'll bring you stuff up to your room," Finn offered.

"Oh, no! You really don't have to, I can do it," Kurt protested.

Finn waved him off. "Please, I don't know how you managed to get them to your car. It's really no problem," he assured Kurt as he left.

Carol sat down on the other side of Kurt, beaming. "I know you must be tired, sweetie, but talk to us just a bit. It's been quiet without you here. How was your friend's concert tonight?"

Kurt leaned back, basking in the love, and felt eternally grateful to have been blessed with such a great family.

"Tonight was wonderful," he said honestly, "My friend played a great set. I met his sister and his best friend and, best of all, Finn seemed to really like him! I really could not have asked for a better night!"

Carol and Burt's eyes met over Kurt's head. They had noticed the way he gushed when he spoke and, even in the dim light from the hallway, they could tell that his cheeks had gone more pink than usual. Carol shook her head slightly, communicating to her husband to keep his mouth shut. Burt gladly obliged. He was not sure if he was ready to have that talk with Kurt yet.

"That sounds wonderful," Carol said, "Will we get to meet him or any of your new friends over the break? I assume some must live in our proximity."

Kurt started. He had not really considered the option of seeing anybody from Dalton over the break. Finn meeting Blaine had been the most he had been able to envision crossing over.

"I am really not sure, Carol? We did not really discuss anything before parting ways to go home for the holidays," Kurt replied.

"Well, just know that your friends are more than welcome here. Anyways, your father and I should go to bed now. I assume you'll want to decorate tomorrow?" she asked, standing up and offering her hands to Burt to help him up.

Kurt held onto his father's arm as he stood. "Of course! I am so excited! Goodnight you two," he waved airily at them as the walked out then proceeded to the basement.

Finn was already in his pajamas, curled up in his bed, reading. Kurt did a double take. Finn was willingly reading? Looking closer, he saw that it was a comic book and the universe made sense again.

"Burt thinks he's found a house," Finn announced as Kurt pulled out a t-shirt and flannel pants from his suitcase, "He wanted you to see it as well before we bought it. I really like it, though."

"Oh?" Kurt asked, unbuttoning his shirt and heading for the washroom. Leaving the door open, he continued, "Where is it?"

"It's actually only a couple of blocks away. We would each have our own room and then Burt said he would turn the basement into a sort of rec and gaming area. The house even has a pool."

"That sounds lovely! I'm sure I'll be fine with it; can't be worse than this house," he motioned around as he threw his dirt clothes in his hamper then slid into his bed. "The beds at Dalton are great," he mused, "but they really cannot compete with mine." He buried his head in his pillow and prepared for slumber.

Finn threw his comic to the ground and turned off his light. Kurt heard him inhale deeply then slowly let it out. He shifted around a little and coughed.

"For heaven's sake, Finn! Just say whatever it is you want to say and stop squirming!" Kurt snapped. This was followed by an awkward silence; Kurt thought Finn had decided to not say anything and so settled back into his pillow.

"Are you happy there?" Finn finally asked, sounding embarrassed.

Kurt tried to open his eyes. He was so warm and comfortable in his own bed that he had already started drifting off to sleep, but Finn's question had caught him off guard.

"Mainly, yes," he answered sleepily.

"I'm glad because . . . that's all I ever want you to be, Kurt," confessed Finn then Kurt heard him roll over in his bed, "Good night."

"Night," mumbled Kurt, staring at the spot in the blackness where Finn was.

Kurt got up the next morning in an uncharacteristically good mood. He was generally not a morning person and need to be left alone until he had had his shower and his giant cup of coffee. Today, however, he woke up with a smile on his face, ready to greet the world.

Getting into the shower, Kurt began belting out at tune. Finn had not been in the room when he had woken up, so he figured he would not be bothering anyone by singing too loudly.

With each step I am more certain everything will turn out fine

I have confidence the world can all be mine

They'll have to agree I have confidence in me

I have confidence in sunshine, I have confidence in rain

I have confidence that spring will come again

Besides which you see I have confidence in me

Strength doesn't lie in numbers

Strength doesn't lie in wealth

Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers

When you wake up - Wake Up!

Turning off the shower, he dried off his hair. Throwing on his underwear, he did not bother with his bathrobe. He exited the bathroom finishing off the song,

I have confidence in confidence alone

Besides which you see I have confidence in me!

A startled Finn greeted him as he stepped into the bedroom. Finn had apparently forgot his cellphone downstairs and had come down to grab it. His shell-shocked face told him he did not expect to see an almost naked Kurt bellowing tunes with a towel wrapped around his head.

Kurt held his head high and walked to his side of the room, ignoring Finn's reaction.

"Good morning," he loftily said, "I hope you're ready to start Christmas decorations."

"Uh . . . yeah," muttered Finn, thawing out of his shock.

"I've already made a list dividing up the work. Everyone has a task that is aimed at their specific skills," continued Kurt, tugging his skinny jeans on.

"Great."

"Well? Is he up or what?" a voice rang and footsteps were heard on the stairs. Mercedes appeared and did a double-take upon seeing Kurt topless. "Is this a new look you picked up from Dalton?"

Blushing furiously, Kurt was no longer able to ignore the awkwardness of the situation. He turned and stared rummaging through his suitcase, looking for a shirt and sweater he wanted to wear.

"Just a second," he snapped, "It's not my fault you both came barging in here like rabid elephants."

He huffed indignantly as he buttoned up his yellow shirt then rolled up the sleeves until they were just under his elbows. Picking up the gray wool and cashmere-blend ribbed Marc Jacobs cardigan, he threw it over his shoulders and turned to his friends, who had stood by mutely, watching him, not wanting to cause another snarly retort.

"Mercedes, hello. I'm sorry, you startled me and I did not mean to call either of you rabid elephants," he apologized, "I did not know you were coming over today." He faced Mercedes.

"Yeah, I wanted to come and surprise you. I want to get all the juicy scoop before the others!" she grinned, "So I figured I would beat them to the punch."

Ah, the others. So New Directions talked about him. Apparently missed him . . . like he missed them. Then why had they not replied to his text that he was coming home? Why was Mercedes the only one here?

He smiled thinly. "Well, as long as you're here, you can help us decorate. I promise you will get all the scoop!" he quickly added as he saw her open her mouth to protest. He then merrily made his way upstairs, refusing to let the fact that the other New Directions members had not contacted him bring him down.

"You'll be one up on me if you can get a straight answer from him," warned Finn in a low voice and he and Mercedes followed Kurt upstairs.

Kurt was already in the kitchen, pouring himself a coffee from the already-brewed pot. Sipping from it, he rationed out work. He told Finn where to get the decorations from and sent him on his way, then he had Mercedes move furniture out of the way to make room for the tree Finn and his Dad had gotten the day before. Finn and Mercedes then brought the tree in as Kurt began meticulously unpacking the boxes.

Every ornament, every figurine had its place. The kitchen had an opening that faced the dining room; the ledge of that opening was rather wide and usually just had the mail thrown on it. During Christmas, the nativity scene always went on it, if only because that is where Kurt remembered his mother always placing it.

As the decorations went underway, Finn placed a CD into the player in the family room. Christmas music blared from it, the three often singing along. Christmas magic was weaving its way through the Hummel-Hudson house. Four stocking went up over the fireplace this year. They did not match perfectly and go with Kurt's palette, but he found he did not care.

Finn brought some ornaments out and placed them on the couch. "Do you think you can find room for them somewhere, Kurt?" he softly asked.

They were mostly handmade, works of labour and love from young Finn to his parents. They were absolutely hideous, but, like the stockings, Kurt thought they worked wonderfully with the existing decorations.

He handed the star to Finn once all the garlands, baubles, and figurines had been placed. "This is it, Finn, the last piece. With this, Christmas is here," he stated, "Do the honours."

"You're only letting me have the honours because you're too short," Finn laughed and Kurt made a face at him.

Placing the star on the tree, the three backed away and looked around. The house had been transformed into a Christmas wonderland. The smell of pine, the festive lights, the divinely inviting feeling the whole place had was enough to turn the heart of any Grinch.

They all flopped into the couches, exhausted.

"So, Kurt, time for my reward!" chuckled Mercedes.

Just then, the song changed and 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' came on. Reveries flooded over Kurt. Singing that song with Blaine had been magical for him. It had made his body tingle in ways he had never known before. And Blaine's silly spins and gestures . . . he found himself smiling softly at the memory.

"Okay, spill! Who are you smiling about?" pressed Mercedes, noticing the smile creep over Kurt's face and his eyes glaze over. She knew that look; it was the look Tina got when talking about Mike, or Brittany when Artie was brought up. The latter was a poor example, Mercedes realized, since Brittany often had a glazed look.

"Oh, am I smiling? I didn't think I was," was Kurt's evasive answer.

Mercedes turned to Finn who gave her an "I-told-you-so" look.

"Listen here, Kurt Hummel," Mercedes said, sitting up, "You may be able to hoodwink your brother and you may be able to get out of answer to your father, but there is no way that you are going to answer your best friend like that. Now out with it before I have to tear up that fancy-ass sweater you're wearing!"

Kurt clutched his sweater and turned to Mercedes, eyes wide, "You wouldn't dare!"

Mercedes cocked and eyebrow. "Try me," she saucily said.

"It's just all so . . . uncertain," Kurt tried to hold out.

"Boy, all the more reason to talk about it! Who else are you going to go to for advice? Puckerman? Mr. Shue? Coach Sylvester?" Mercedes counted off all the unlikely candidates on her fingers.

"No, of course not. Don't be absurd," glaring at her, Kurt continued, "If you really must know, there is nothing to report about Blaine and I."

"Blaine is the guy we saw last night," interjected Finn.

"Oh yeah! That guy you had in your locker," Mercedes remembered, "Whatchu talking about, nothing? Why would you have a picture of someone where nothing is going on in your locker? Or see their show?"

"He's my friend," Kurt said slowly, weighing out what he wanted to disclose. The kiss was too soon, too raw, too his to share just now, but he figured it would be alright to let them in on his slight - okay, huge - crush. "I wish he weren't just my friend."

"I knew it!" exclaimed Finn.

Kurt flashed a withering look towards his step-brother.

"And how do you know that he doesn't want to be more than friends?" pried Mercedes.

Kurt shrugged. The truth was, he did not know just what he knew for certain anymore. The kiss had meant so much to him but Blaine had acted so . . . normal afterwards. Kurt did not know what he had expected - serenades at the piano, a passionate goodbye kiss? - but it had not been the reaction he had received.

"He's more of my teacher . . . mentor," Kurt replied and thought, What kind of teacher kisses his student?

"And does he take many students?" Mercedes raised and eyebrow.

"Well . . . no, but . . . why would he like me?" Kurt looked at them, his eyes large, a vulnerability showing in his face. Silence fell across the room as his friend regarded him sadly.

"Kurt, dude," Finn broke the silence, "You're amazing. You know that, right?"

"Of course," huffed Kurt, "that goes without saying."

Mercedes laughed. "Kurt, I bet you that this boy is even more smitten with you than you are. I mean, he drove all the way from Dalton just so he could talk to Karofsky for you! And then again that one time we went to Breadsticks, remember? Insane drive to make for someone you are mentoring." She did air quotations when she said mentoring.

"You have to say that because you're my best friend," smiled Kurt, "Anyways, guys, let's go out and get some food. I'm starving and now I'm in the mood for Breadsticks."

Grabbing their jackets, the trio made their way out and into Kurt's car, making their way to the restaurant.

Blaine's guitar was packed up and he was sitting at the booth in the cafe, waiting for his sister. Lauren was saying goodbye to her Dylan and she had been kind enough to him to do it outside. Joey was sitting with him, sipping on a coffee.

"Great set today! You were totally awesome," Joey smiled crookedly.

"Yeah? I felt my cellphone go off during one of the songs; I hope no one picked up on that," Blaine mused.

"Oh, don't worry, you were the image of a stealthy ninja when you turned it off," Joey grinned, "Next time don't leave it on the piano, silly man. Who was calling you, anyways?"

"It was my father. He was saying how sorry he was that he couldn't make it, etcetera, etcetera." Blaine shrugged slightly, "I expected as much. I think it will only be Lauren and I at this rate for Christmas."

"I'm sure your dad and Lyn will be back in time for Christmas and, if not, then our doors are always open to you! My mom makes enough people to feed an army."

Blaine smiled and replied, "Thanks so much, Joey. Your mom should just adopt me already!"

"You have no idea, she would love it. She asks about you constantly. By the way," Joey looked away, "she keeps asking if you'd met anyone new."

Remaining poker faced, Blaine said, "I meet new people all the are the new kids from other glee clubs or from other sports teams. Dalton was good for me in the . . . meeting new people area."

"I think she means romantically," Joey retorted with a dead pan expression.

"Oh," Blaine breathed, raising his eyebrows.

"What about that porcelain boy who came to see you tonight? The one who brought the tall, lanky guy with him? You always talk about him . . . oh, what's his name?" he feigned forgetfulness.

"Kurt. You know it's Kurt." Blaine narrowed his eyes.

Joey rolled his eyes. "What about him?" he pressed.

Blaine played with his watch. "He's . . . like nothing I've ever encounter before. But I have to be careful; he came to Dalton ready to fall apart and I don't want to be part of the process that tears him down. I want to strengthen him."

"Ever the saviour."

"Boys! Let's go!" Lauren came in and waved them over impatiently, like she had been waiting around for them for ages.

"Don't think that you've gotten out of this talk, Blaine," Joey warned, putting his jacket on.

"Joy," Blaine rolled his eyes as he grabbed his guitar.