I'm sorry for the amount of time it took to get this chapter posted! I've been so busy lately. I was in the hospital for a while (I'm fine now, no worries.) and then my mom surprised our family with a puppy (Awesome.), both of which are very time consuming. But I am back and ready to post more! :D Thank you to everyone sticking with this story. You all rock!

And a big thank you to my beta, L'esprit!

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, The Avett Brothers, or anything else you may recognize.

Kurt figures it's not actually possible for Rachel to sleep the entire ride back to Lima for Christmas break, but he's enjoying the comfortable silence between himself and Blaine too much to really want Rachel to wake up. Blaine's playlist emits softly from the radio, and as the song transitions to a new melody, Blaine leans forward to turn up the volume.

"I swear to God, Blaine, if you wake her up, you get to put her back to sleep," Kurt hisses at a smirking Blaine, only half-kidding with his threat.

Blaine chuckles gently, but does not turn down the music. Instead, he sings quietly, his voice blending deep with the song. Kurt rolls his eyes, not able to fully erase the smile from his face, but it's not until the music slows down and Blaine rests a hand on Kurt's arm that Kurt looks away from the long highway before him to watch Blaine.

Then you came back from space with a brand new laugh and a different face. You took my hand and held it up and shot my arm full of love.

In retrospect, Kurt realizes this was always the main difference between himself and Blaine – Blaine was ready to defer to lyrics and novels and quotes to figure out how he felt, and Kurt was willing to create a whole new language to find the right words.

Christmas flutters by in a blur of red and gold.

Carole's asleep on the couch, Burt's hand resting on her ankles in his lap. Finn watches the old movies playing Technicolor on the television, chuckling to himself with a childish smile.

Tears nearly well up in Kurt's eyes as he stays curled in the armchair, completing the circle his family creates around him.

Kurt's getting ready for the New Year's party when Finn appears, a long shadow in his doorway.

"I talked to Rachel. We're finally, really done."

A few years ago, Kurt would have responded with a biting comment or a huffed laugh that was more sarcastic than humorous. Instead, he remains silent, carefully styling his hair as Finn stands tall and awkward.

"She said I was like a dream come true in high school," he smiles fondly, his face soft and off to the side, undoubtedly remembering duets and kisses and sweet glances between them. "I guess she just has bigger dreams now."

"Finn, she always had bigger dreams."

Kurt's afraid that if he speaks any louder, he might break Finn's heart.

But Finn surprises him with a nod, the lines in his face suddenly calm and mature. Kurt wonders all the little ways Finn has grown in just a few short years.

"What if Blaine has dreams like that?" Finn asks, hands in his pockets, a twist in his frown.

Thoughts of his latest aced paper, his psychology books, his recitals, his plans… everything races through his mind at Finn's comment. They come full force, nearly hitting him with their intensity as he realizes how much he wants for himself in life. He pulls away from the mirror, hands useless in his lap as he stares through Finn, not really seeing him.

"What if I have dreams like that?" he asks the room, voicing the thought as it hits him.

Finn doesn't have an answer. Neither does Kurt.

(&)

No one can hear the dinging clock over the clatter of "Happy New Year's" spread through the room.

Tina kisses Mike, long and sweet and lovely.

Mercedes finds herself between Sam and Artie, both pressing laughing kisses to her cheeks.

Santana kisses Finn because he's next to her and that seems to be a good enough reason.

Puck pulls Rachel into a hug, swinging her around drunkenly as he lands a sloppy kiss to the corner of her giggling mouth.

Brittany kisses everyone, but ends up staying with Santana.

Kurt and Blaine pointedly don't kiss anyone at all.

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