Odds and Ends

Disclaimer: The sky is blue, grass is green and Glee is Ryan Murphy's;D

A/N: I'm sorry for the lack of updates this week but you know how RL can get…and it's gotten so for me these past couple of days. But after watching the Christmas episode I got quite a few new ideas for the time before Christmas, so there are more pieces coming, you can be sure of that!

As for this chapter, I really liked Finn talk about the importance of the Christmas tree (and I'm totally with him on that!), and this idea popped up…hope you like it!

Oh, and some spoilers for "A Very Glee Christmas".

Christmas Tree Spree

"I never thought I'd say this but shopping is a bitch," Kurt said burying his mittened hands deeper in his coat pockets. He was cold, hungry and worst of all, his new patent-leather Ferragamo shoes were starting to look less patent and more lather, as in soapy-looking indelible patterns all over them, from all the slush mixed with salt Finn made him wade through. "Of course only if it's done with a hyper dimwit who's got an horticultural fixation."

"Orti-what?"

"I think I've just had an idea for a Christmas present for you."

"Yeah? What?"

"A big, heavy dictionary," Kurt enunciated cheerfully. "One I can hit you over the head with."

"So technically, that would be a present for you," Finn said with a crooked smile.

"Details." Kurt waved a hand at him. "And now, can we please go home? I've got other things to do."

"Like what?"

"Like anything that doesn't involve me freezing to death?"

"Stop whining. You wanted to go with me."

"It was that or mediaeval West Germanic Franks," Kurt sighed. He shot Finn a pointed look. "I should have known better."

"Don't be such a big baby, Kurt."

"I think I like being a big baby," Kurt said thoughtfully. "It keeps my brain from freezing."

"Have I told you why I love your delicate hints? Because they're not like anvils at all!"

"I try." Kurt smiled mischievously just as another shiver shook him.

Finn knew Kurt had in fact been extremely patient with him up till now, and felt bad about dragging him through all the stands in the freezing cold. But he had to occupy his mind with something to not think about…No.

"I know you're cold." He put a hand on Kurt's arm. "So am I. One last tree stand, ok? And then we're going."

Kurt raised an eyebrow at him. "How exactly will this stand differ from the four we've already been to?"

"Maybe they will have the right tree."

"Finn, they're all the same."

"No, they're not! There are Christmas trees and Christmas trees. We want the latter."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Oh right. That clears everything up for me."

"The tree is Christmas, Kurt. And this is our first family Christmas together. So I want it to be really special."

"That's a really noble cause, Finn, and I agree, but do I really have to turn into an icicle for it?" he asked willing his teeth not to chatter.

"I'm sorry you're cold but frankly, it's your own fault. Why do you refuse to wear that stuffed warm winter jacket my mom bought you?"

Kurt pouted. "It makes me look fat."

Finn stared at his skinny brother. He doubted there was anything short of an inflatable sumo costume that could make him look slightly fleshy at he wasn't entirely sure even that would do the trick. "So you'd rather freeze to death?"

"I'll take my chances," Kurt said airily raising his chin.

Finn just shook his head. He knew there was no arguing once Kurt got something into his head. "Then stop complaining and come on!" He turned and started walking again.

"Hey, so it does make me look fat?" Kurt asked starting behind him. Finn turned around with a quizzical glance. "You didn't say no."

Finn raised his eyes to the sky. It was enough that he had to deal with this with his girlfriend. Oh, right. He didn't have one anymore because she cheated on him with his ex-best friend. Again. He ground his teeth.

"You know what, I don't feel like doing this anymore. You got what you wanted. We're going!"

Kurt was thrown by the sudden change of mood. "What…about the tree?"

"Doesn't matter."

"I'm sorry if I'm giving you a hard time." Kurt sighed. "I just think you're…trying too hard here? What's this really about, Finn?"

Finn crossed his hands over his chest and looked away. Kurt knew him too well. Still, he wasn't talking to him about Rachel. He wasn't talking to anyone about that. He decided to go for Kurt's tactics and change the subject. "Coming from the guy who measures mistletoe with a ruler and plans Christmas like a military operation, your point is pretty moot, dude."

"Good organization is key to any successful family holiday," Kurt said with a pout. "And that mistletoe seemed really unshapely! I had to check!"

Finn shook his head. He shoved his hands in his pockets and became very interested in the tips of his shoes. "I can't cook, I can't decorate...well, not without destroying the house…so doing the tree is the only real contribution I can make. And I like doing it. You know, whenever we put the tree out with my mom, it was like Christmas was really there…and I could use some Christmas spirit right now."

Kurt looked at him with concern. Oh, this was so not about the tree, or even Christmas. But Finn wouldn't talk about it to him and Kurt didn't want to push. Well, not until he fed Finn enough of his home-made eggnog anyways.

"So what do you say we go get that tree?" he said. "Since you've already dragged me all over Lima for it and all?"

"Now all the best are taken…" Finn grumbled. "We would've had a better shot at finding one if you'd come home from Westerville like you said not a whole two days later," he said reproachfully.

Kurt felt a blush creeping up his cheeks. "I…had a study group with Blaine. Didn't want to miss it."

"Is this some new term for a make-out session?" Finn asked furrowing his eyebrows.

Kurt opened and closed his mouth, knowing he was turning nine shades of red now. "Finn, grow up," he finally managed. "Not everything's about kissing." Unfortunately.

"Yeah, some things are about groping…It wasn't about groping, was it?" he asked, his face falling. "I'm so scarred with the mental image right now," he added gulping.

"Hey, hormones on parade here? It was a study group, and there were five other people present."

"So what?"

Kurt sighed in exasperation and gave Finn a withering look.

"Hey, I'm just being the brother here," Finn said decisively. "And I'm not backing off."

Kurt shook his head. "That's very sweet of you, Finn, but there's no need for you to get all Lancelot over this. My virtue's safe." He chuckled. "But if I need someone to exasperate me to death with questions, I'll call you."

"Always happy to help," Finn grinned.

Suddenly Kurt ground to a halt, almost making Finn bump into him. "Finn, stop. Tree stand. One o'clock."

Finn took one look, and shifted his weight uneasily from one foot to the other. "This one's not right. Let's go to the next one," he said avoiding Kurt's gaze.

"Don't push it, Finn. We're going to this one and you'd better pick your damned tree or you're walking home."

"Fine," Finn huffed.

They walked through the lanes of Fraser firs, Douglases and many other trees Kurt couldn't even identify for a quarter of an hour but Finn wasn't even really looking at the trees or even speaking. He seemed totally zoned out. And when they played Wham's "Last Christmas", he jerked. Then he turned on his heel and started walking away. Kurt had to run to keep up with him.

"Finn? What's wrong?" he panted as he got in front of him, managing to stop his progress. "Not that I'm complaining, but what happened to the hyper-Finn who was ready to bash Christmas spirit into my head with a candy cane?"

"It's nothing. I'm fine."

"Ok, once more with even less feeling."

Finn sighed. "I came here with Rachel a week ago to pick a tree for the choir room."

"Oh."

"And I kinda dumped her here."

"Again?"

Finn shot him a sideways look. "Not helping, Kurt."

"Sorry. It's just…What did the drama queen do now?"

"She sang."

"Now that's unexpected." Kurt rolled his eyes. "Did she sing off key?"

"Um…no."

"Then why did you dump her?"

"It's just…I mean, her singing was pretty…it always is…but this time it wasn't enough. I couldn't forgive her."

Kurt looked at the pained expression on Finn's face and decided now was not the time for sarcastic comments or telling him he was an idiot. That would come later. "This is really getting you down. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I know you've got lots of your own stuff to worry about and your own issues. I guess I didn't wanna throw this on you, too."

Kurt smiled at him warmly. "Finn, I'm your brother just as you are mine. And I think it's time you let me be there for you, too…I'm not saying I'm going to fight Rachel for your virtue but…"

Despite himself, Finn snorted. He smiled at Kurt and decided that as usual, his stepbrother was right. In a sarcastic, I-still-think-you're-a-dimwit way.

"I…I just don't know what to do."

Kurt sighed and put a hand on his shoulder. Then he smiled. "I think right now the best plan is to deck the halls with boughs of holly."

So, I hope you liked this! Next time, Finn takes Kurt's words about decking the halls a bit too literally;) And as always, chaos and hilarity ensue;)

Stay tuned and have a great weekend, everyone!