Chapter 8

Breaking the Ice

o0o

Saturday, 7 December 2024

Kurt treaded carefully down the slush-covered streets that brisk, Saturday afternoon. It seemed the weather was finally granting the northeast a reprieve after almost a week of storms, and the midday sun overhead made walking on the sidewalks a nuisance, if not an outright hazard. And yet, he knew his smile was as dazzling as the sun on the melting snow. If there was anything to look forward to that day, it was spending time with his brother and sister-in-law while shopping for furniture for the baby. The only thing he loved more than spending money on himself was helping other people spend their money (okay, maybe not as much), especially when it came to helping design his future niece or nephew's nursery.

What he didn't enjoy was nearly breaking his neck in the process.

Why Rachel decided today, of all days, would be the best day to go shopping for a crib and other necessities for the baby, he had no idea. After all, she wasn't due for another six months. But Kurt wasn't about to argue with a pregnant Rachel. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but pregnant Rachel scared him more than the usual Rachel. Not because the hormones made her angry, but, rather, quite upset. Last week, while the three of them were going over paint swatches, Rachel started to cry when Kurt pointed out the "Robin's Egg" blue was contrived and overused as nursery room color, especially if she were to have a boy. It took two hours to calm her down as she went on about being an awful parent and how she was already imposing gender roles on her child. The only way Kurt could calm her down was reminding her that she and Finn decided not to find out the sex of the baby at their next ultrasound and that if they did decide to go with the blue, it was actually quite the soothing color and would probably help the baby sleep.

So, no, Kurt did not point out the disadvantages of buying a crib in the middle of winter, but supposed it was better than waiting until the summer. He'd rather not have to help Finn assemble a crib in a sweltering apartment.

Instead he made a mental note to yell at her after the baby arrived, as her bright idea caused him to almost slip and fall for the twelfth time in the two miles he walked. He opted to walk to the store rather than take a cab. Despite the hazards along the way, it was a beautiful day and he could use the exercise. He knew he would be taking a cab on the way back, though, as he already felt an ache in his legs from each tentative step he took. 'What a way to spend the holiday,' he thought with a shake of his head, 'in a cast or in the hospital with a concussion.'

It wasn't difficult for Kurt to find the store once he reached Lexington Avenue. The store itself provided a stark contrast compared to the building in which it was situated. The tall brick structure was mottled and rain streaked, revealing its age. Its once elegant frieze, displaying a delicate spiraling and twisting motif, was caked with grime and practically illegible in its former beauty. At eye level, however, the modernity of the store was conspicuous-the bright alternating rainbow of colors of the canopy that lined the building was playful, designed to attract expectant parents and their young kids.

If Finn and Rachel had arrived at their meeting place yet, Kurt was sure he would have heard them before he saw them; and yet, having checked both sides of the store situated on the end of the street, he was unable to find either of them.

'Must be stuck in traffic,' Kurt thought to himself as he waited near the glass door. Their apartment was further from the store than Kurt's. While he cut straight through Central Park to get there, they most certainly took a cab.

Kurt stuffed his hands in his pockets as he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. He waited patiently under the canopy to get out of the way of the moderate amount of pedestrians that streamed up and down the block that afternoon weekend.

'Where the hell are they?'

A soft chime, a gleeful, childlike screech, and one sharp pain in his shoulder later, Kurt cursed loudly as the door behind him crashed open. He stumbled forward as he felt something push past him. He hissed closing his eyes as he gripped his shoulder, kneading the muscle where the door hit him. Opening his eyes and blinking back tears, his head swiveled madly on his neck, looking for the culprit. He saw no one. Only the door swinging open once more, giving him just enough time to step out of the way before being struck by a second impact, which would have been directed at his face. His abrupt movement lacked his former dancer's grace as he leapt backwards out of the way and the slick pavement was unforgiving. He felt his sole slide against the black ice and clenched his eyes shut as he braced for impact.

"Aidan!? Oh shit!" The alarmed voice that rang out during the calamity was vague, seemingly miles away, as Kurt waited for the impending crack of his skull upon the pavement. But the blinding pain never came as he felt a warm arm catch his waist, instead.

"Jesus, Kurt, we need to stop running into each other like this." A voice practically gasped, the shock only to be followed with a laugh. Kurt opened his eyes, blinking rapidly in the blinding sunlight to focus on the concern in the deep brown eyes that met with his.

"Literally." Kurt sighed in relief, more appreciative than shocked to find himself wrapped up in the arms of Dave Karofsky. They were practically nose to nose, frozen in a tango-like dip. Kurt gulped as a warmth spread to his cheeks that had nothing to do with the intermingling of their heated breaths in the cold air. He stared at the lips, parted in surprise.

"Oh, um..." Dave coughed, managing to set Kurt upright on the slippery ground despite the vice-like grip on his rather large bicep. Kurt let go quickly and stuck his hands in his pockets, as if it would hide the sudden clamminess. Dave's hands lingered briefly on both of his shoulders, as if making sure he had regained his balance. Then they slipped away, falling to his sides.

"Sorry," Kurt said hastily, swallowing thickly from sudden embarrassment as he took a step back.

"Don't be," Dave said with a one shoulder shrug. "It was my fault anyway. I should have been keeping a closer eye on…" Dave trailed off, a look of dawning realization crossed his features before his hands flew to his head to rake through his hair in horror. "Shit, Aidan, where…" Kurt looked around just as Dave let out a sigh of relief. "There you are."

Dave's companion, who seemed to have been within earshot the entire time, shuffled wearily towards them having not strayed far from the canopy of the store. Kurt hadn't noticed him in the calamity and due to his size, as well.

He was a small child who couldn't have been older than four. His honey-colored eyes held a solemn expression of guilt. His hair, like Dave's, held a soft curl, but was longer and thicker. His curls leaked out from under a crooked and unbuckled lime green helmet. Clutched in his hands, he pulled with him a sparkling new toddler-sized scooter the same shade as his helmet. Dave knelt down so he was eye level with him.

"Aidan, I told you not to take off like that," Dave said gently, but sternly, one hand on his knee and the other on Aiden's shoulder. "I know you're excited, buddy, but there's a lot of people on the street. Not only could you get hurt, but you could hurt someone else, like you did to my friend here when you hit him with the door. Now what do you say?" Dave cocked his head towards Kurt and the boy, Aidan, gave a watery blink and stared at Kurt with guilty eyes and a solemn expression. His eyes looked entirely like Dave's. There was no way they weren't related.

"M'sorry."

Dave stood up to his full height looking sheepish. He put his hand on the top of Aiden's helmet and pulled him to his side most likely in an attempt to keep him from running away again, but in forgiveness as well.

"Sorry," Dave added. "I guess someone is a little too excited about their early Christmas present this year.

"Every year I take Aidan shopping for one early Christmas present," Dave explained. "Well... Obviously I get him other things, but he gets to pick out one present early." He stared down fondly at the kid, now making motorcycle noises as he pretending to weave in and out of imaginary vehicles despite being stationary at Dave's side. "It's easier than getting him something he might never play with or grow out quickly. And now that he's old enough and has basic comprehension off all things potentially dangerous and very cool, why wouldn't he pick out something that has wheels and goes really fast."

"Naturally," Kurt said before leaning down to talk to Aidan, just as Dave had when he asked Aiden to apologize.

"It's okay. I was really excited the day I got my first scooter too. Mine was pink though." The boy giggled, his helmet falling further past his eyes. Dave adjusted the helmet and patted it.

"Seriously, though… Are you alright? I was still busy checking out when he took off. He hit you pretty hard with the door."

"Yeah, it's fine." Kurt rolled his shoulder around, testing it. It winced a little, but he doubted it would leave a bruise. "Punishment, I guess, for being a gigantic as- I mean, jerk to you yesterday morning." Kurt barely caught himself, not used to watching his language in front of small children. He supposed he better get used to it if he wanted to be a good influence for his future niece or nephew. Dave knew what he meant to say, however, and quirked an eyebrow.

"So, you're not a morning person…? Doesn't mean you deserve to be hit by a door. I'll just have to remember to steer clear of you before you've had your coffee so I don't face your wrath. Again."

Kurt crossed his arms and gave him a challenging glare now that Aidan managed to escape Dave and was pushing off with his scooter down the sidewalk. Dave looked like he was ready to yell at him to come back, but held his tongue once he saw he was staying on the sidewalk and not straying further than the corner.

"Just be glad it's noon and I already have caffeine flowing through my veins, okay, Karofsky?"

Dave barked out a laugh

"It's not like I expected you to be here, of all places," Dave pointed out. "And I'd like to point out I was here first, which only further proves you're stalking me."

Kurt spluttered.

"I'll have you know, I'm meeting Rachel and Finn here and I can assure you I have better things to do than… Stalk you while you're out spending time with your… Your... " It just dawned on Kurt, he didn't know who the boy was in relation to Dave.

"Nephew."

"Really?"

"Nah, just some random kid I picked up off the street."

"Very funny."

Dave gave an exasperated sigh as if he had been asked this many times over.

"I realize he is way too cute to be related to me, but he's my cousin's son. She and I are practically siblings, so 'nephew" is a lot easier than calling him my first cousin, once removed, every time I meet someone new."

Kurt held his hands up sensing Dave's annoyance.

"No need to turn into me without my coffee, David," Kurt teased. "I was just curious."

"Good save," Dave said after Kurt's self-burn. Kurt stuck out his tongue. "But still... In all the kid's stores in all the towns in all the world and all that." His lips quirked into a half-smile.

"I..." Kurt had a retort ready on his tongue before Dave's reference, but it melted away even faster than the snow on the ground. Casablanca? Really? David Karofsky was full of surprises.

"Why are you fighting?" The small, inquisitive voice interrupting their never-ending tirade as to who was purposefully or accidentally running into who, which Kurt supposed now would be a "thing". Aidan had stopped in front of them, one foot still on his scooter. Dave's mouth was hanging open and Kurt felt a momentary flicker of guilt for bickering with Dave in front of the child. "Are you mad at each other?"

"Oh, no, sweetie, we're just…" Kurt looked at Dave wondering if he would be better at addressing their… unique… relationship. "Um…"

"Kurt and I like to joke a lot, buddy. It's not supposed to be mean." Dave jumped in and Kurt nodded.

"It's like playing pretend." Kurt added.

"So you pretend to hate each other?"

"Well, no we don't-"

"So you like each other?" Dave grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. Kurt could feel a warmth creeping up his neck. Oh boy...

"No!" Kurt said a little too shrilly and thought he heard Dave mutter something along the lines of "you're killing me, kid..."

"Mommy and Daddy tease each other sometimes, and mommy's face always gets really red, but then Gramma and Grampa say it's just temp- tempory- and then they kiss and make-"

"And that's enough of that," Dave said loudly, an uncomfortable and forced smile stretching across his face. Kurt snapped his mouth shut, which had been hanging open the more information Aidan provided.

"Sorry we're late!"

As if on queue, Kurt could hear Rachel's voice as she came padding up the sidewalk behind Dave, Finn in toe. He was holding onto his wife making sure she wouldn't slip, not that he wouldn't go down with her if she were to take a stumble.

"We got stuck in traffic."

"And Rachel couldn't stop puk-"

"Finn!" Rachel exclaimed, rounding on her husband.

"Sorry, but it's… Karofsky?"

Kurt was actually quite thankful for sudden diversion just before things could get any more awkward. But then again, he remembered that it was Finn, of all people, who would be reuniting with his ex-bully. Kurt thought back to Finn's speech to him at their parent's wedding all those years ago, promising to always have his back. He gave his brother a look that said, "Please no murder in front of the small child, Finn Hudson."

"Hey, Hudson, it's been a while," Dave said pleasantly, reaching his hand out in a handshake. Finn eyed it apprehensively before taking the gesture as genuine and giving his hand a firm shake.

"Yeah, guess so," Finn mumbled, still eyeing Dave warily, his eyes darting back at Kurt as if needing to make sure Dave's presence was okay with his step-brother. Kurt shook his head wondering how much Rachel had told him, or rather, hyperbolized upon.

"Rachel how are you?" Dave asked turning his attention to her. Kurt was surprised by Dave's sincerity. After all, the extent of his interaction with Rachel in high school consisted of hand delivered slushies and his short stint in the Glee Club at the hands of Schue and Bieste.

"Kurt told me you guys were expecting. Congratulations." Finn looked at him like he had two heads. "When's the due date?

"I… Thank you, David," Rachel said cordially. She placed her hand on her belly. "The doctor said we're looking at a due date of June 26th, but if the baby is anything like me they will be fashionably early."

"And if they're anything like their awesome uncle they will be a Gemini baby, I'm still betting they are going to pop out a week early."

"Well, they will have to if they inherited Hudson's height. They're going to run out of room eventually," Dave said, and Rachel let out a snort. She covered her face and nose with her hand and gave Finn an apologetic look. Kurt bit the inside of his cheek.

"Oh, poor, Rachel," Kurt said giggling.

"Haha, very funny, Karofsky."

"Well, as much as I'd love to catch up, I should let you guys get back to what you were doing and take this little guy home before he runs someone over," Dave said, just as Aidan passed them on his scooter. He caught the handle, slowing him to a stop.

"And who is this?" Rachel cooed sweetly, going into expectant-mother-mode as she noticed Aidan for the first time.

"I'm Aidan."

"My nephew," Dave pointed out.

"First cousin, once removed," Kurt added in a stage whisper. Dave huffed.

"That's a pretty sweet ride you got there, Aidan," Finn said, unable to show the child any of the uneasiness he showed Dave.

"Uncle Dave got it for me. For Christmas. Can we go now, Uncle Dave?" He turned to Dave, hugging his leg. "Can we go to the park now? You promised."

"I didn't say that did I?" Dave said, screwing up his face in mock concentration an attempt to remember.

"Yes!" Aidan's face showed a look of utter betrayal as he jumped around, as if his small body couldn't contain all of his boundless energy.

"Mmm, I don't know… You're sure it wasn't some other really awesome uncle of yours?"

"Pleeeeeease," he begged, tugging on Dave's arm and practically swinging from it. He dragged out the plea, until Dave started laughing.

"Alright, alright. You win. Let's get out of here, okay? It's was nice seeing you guys. Say bye." He motioned for Aidan to wave, which he did enthusiastically.

"Well, we wouldn't to make him wait any longer. It was very nice meeting you, Aidan," Rachel said, and Kurt and Finn waved at him. "It was good to see you, as well, David."

"You too. Both of you."

"And I'm sure I'll be seeing you again, David," Kurt said tartly, considering their track record of weird encounters.

"Probably," Dave agreed, with a smirk. "We better go before this guy spontaneously combusts." He hoisted the energetic child by his waist like he weighed as much as a doll, and took the scooter by the handles in the other hand. Aidan pouted and crossed his arms, wanting to ride his new toy. "Take care."

"Bye," Rachel and Kurt said in unison.

"Later." Finn added after Dave had turned to walk away, thanks to an elbow in the ribs again, this time from Kurt.

As the two walked away, Kurt could hear Aidan begging Dave to let him ride the scooter down the street, and Dave gently declining. Once they reached the corner, Dave set the boy down who immediately reached up for Dave's hand before they walked across the street through the crosswalk. Kurt couldn't help but smile at the sight. He had never seen Dave Karofsky so happy.

Beside him, Rachel coughed softly. And Kurt swiveled his head back to his companions. Finn was red-faced and queasy-looking while Rachel beamed for some reason. Kurt missed whatever interaction transpired between the couple.

"Ready to go in?" she asked coyly, fluttering her eyelashes. "Or shall I leave you to your gawking?"

"What?" He glared suspiciously as Finn held the door for the two of them. He seemed to be avoiding his penetrating gaze.

"I don't understand what is happening. Why are you looking at me like that," Kurt said as he went through the door, beginning to feel like a caged animal. What were the two of them up to?

"I'm not looking at you in any particular way, Kurt. Why on earth would I look at you in a way that is anyway other than normal." Rachel's voice was simpering as she followed him inside the pristine shop, stomping her wet boots on the mat inside so as to not create any puddles on the wood floor.

"You two are scheming. I don't like it and I don't think I want to know."

"Hey, I didn't say anything," Finn said, shutting the glass door and the cold behind him. "I'm still trying to figure out how that is the same guy who terrorized you and basically made you flee our high school."

"You seem to forget he also made the school safe for me to come back to," Kurt recalled, remembering the Bully Whips and the silly beret Dave wore. The way he escorted him to his classes and made sure nobody picked on him. Rachel and Finn were unaware of the change that Dave had gone through in the year after he left McKinley, and sometimes he forgot as much time had passed between now and seeing him at Scandals. He tried to push away the memory of that fateful night at Breadstix and failed. He felt a warmth blooming in his chest once more at the memory all the Valentine's gifts he had received that year.

'Not a single one from Blaine,' his conscience chiding him, and if he needed reminding.

They weaved in and out of racks of little baby clothes, and the most miniature of shoes, until he reached the furthest end of the shop. Kurt inspected the clean, white bookshelves that lined the perimeter of walls, containing baskets of tiny socks and pacifiers.

"I just think it was cute. The way Dave acts with his nephew. He's changed a lot since high school. It's like he's a different person." Rachel examined a floral onesie, testing the softness of the material between a thumb and finger. They weren't shopping for clothes that day, but it was hard not to browse.

"Well, you can't expect him to act like a jerk when he's babysitting," Finn said, examining the cutest pair of baby converse sneakers Kurt had ever seen. They could easily fit in the palm of his hand. Finn held them up with his index and middle finger, horrified. "These seriously aren't for human babies are they?"

"Yes, Finn." Kurt shook his head. "And he's not a jerk. Not anymore at least."

Finn snorted. "Not sure why you feel the need to defend him. It's not like you're friends now is it?"

Kurt threw up his hands, almost hitting a toddler mannequin that looked like it was crawling on a raised platform.

"I would defend you. You weren't much different than him and you changed didn't you?" Finn gave him a guilty look, but still continued.

"I just think it's weird. The guy showing up ten years later after pretty much disappearing off the face of the earth after junior year… And now he lives in the same apartment building as you. It's too convenient."

Kurt glared towards Rachel hoping she could make her husband see some sense, but she was facing away from them, already comparing two changing tables.

"First of all, he lived there before me," Kurt said, sounding far too much like Dave.

"That's what I call unlucky."

"Call it whatever you want. I'm not moving out just because some guy who gave me a hard time for a few weeks in high school lives a floor above me. And second of all, he's changed. Believe me. The person he is now is nothing like the person he was in high school. Or pretending to be in high school."

"He threatened to kill you," Finn said, rounding on him, his voice lowering to a raised whisper at the sight of Kurt's mottled red cheeks.

"Shh… Jesus, Finn. Keep it down," Kurt said, looking around and scowling. This wasn't exactly the kind of conversation he was hoping to have while in a store for expectant parents.

"It's not like he delivered," Kurt continued with a scoff. "Ten years later, and I'm still here. He must really be biding his time," Kurt said sarcastically.

"I think he's sweet." They both turned to Rachel who was looking at the price tag on a high chair. Rachel turned her head towards them at their silence. Even Kurt had to raise his eyebrows at that.

"What? You saw him with his nephew, right. They were positively adorable. Plus I have two dad's okay. I might not be able to relate to his situation, but I know how much my dad's struggled living in Ohio. One didn't come out until he was a freshman in college and the other didn't even realize he was gay until he met my other dad. It's different for everyone. I am not saying I agree with Dave's antics… I certainly took the brunt of the football team's slushies... But I am glad he was finally able to come to terms with his sexuality."

"Exactly," Kurt said with a note of finality, hoping that would be the end of that discussion. "Thank you, Rachel." He wasn't sure why he felt the need to defend Dave so fiercely. They were barely acquaintances. But their past and not to mention their late night diner excursion a few nights ago had earned Dave Kurt's respect. He was slowly getting to know the real Dave and he enjoyed bantering back and forth with him. He was almost as quick as he was: clearly not the seemingly dim-witted neanderthal he pretended to be in high school, but thoughtful, gentle, and almost as acerbic as him.

And not to mention great with kids.

Who would have thought?

"Well it is going to take me longer than five minutes before I trust him. I'll be right back. I need to use the restroom," Finn said, before practically stomping away. Kurt shook his head, wondering if they should buy a crib for Finn, too, the big baby.

"So do you plan on hanging out with him again?" Rachel asked, once Finn was out of earshot.

"You make it sound like we've kicked back with a couple of beers and watched a game together," Kurt said while looking at a brown onesie that had a white, stitching design on the front so the newborn wearing it would resemble a football. Kurt wasn't into sports, but that was too adorable.

"No, but you two went to a diner at three in the morning."

"That's something... Friends would do... I guess?" Were they friends? Kurt hadn't given it much thought.

"Friends," Rachel repeated, "or more," she added sultrily.

"Oh please. I couldn't sleep," he said resisting the urge to push the pregnant woman.

"I wonder why," Rachel said coyly.

"And what does that mean?"

Rachel looked around, making sure Finn wasn't on his way back.

"I mean, he's cute right? He didn't wear glasses in high school did he?"

"Rachel?!" Kurt said, affronted.

"And those arms. Phew."

"Rachel Berry-Hudson." Kurt knew he was blushing furiously at this point. Kurt tired not to think about how Rachel practically read his mind. "Are ogling other men while carrying my future niece or nephew?"

"A girl can look. Besides, Kurt, I hardly think I'm his type."

"And what makes you think he would be mine?" Kurt asked, his hands on his hips.

"Oh, I don't know..." Rachel began. "Do you still have those muscle magazines April Rhodes gave you your sophomore year?"

"Oh, please," Kurt said exasperatedly. And then he calmly added in an afterthought, "I've bought new ones, obviously.

Rachel and Kurt snickered and snorted, standing in their corner of the store until Finn returned, upon which they stifled their laughter into their coat sleeves.

"You know what. I'm not even going to ask," Finn said, making the two of them laugh even harder. If only Finn had known the absurdity of their conversation while he was away.

Him... Dave's type... Now that was funny.

Yeah, so this site hates me and keeps deleting my formatting and I really don't feel like fixing it for the tenth time. Anyways. Enjoy!