AN: So this chapter was definitely originally called "Making Plans", but then I came to the realization that I later named a chapter that so I decided to rename this one, as "Invitations" was much more fitting.

Chapter 10

Invitations

oOo

Friday, 13 December 2024

Aggravating was not a word that Kurt Hummel would have used to describe most shopping excursions. Today, however, was the exception.

Or any day spent shopping during that dreaded month, he should say.

Kurt liked to consider himself a semi-professional shopper. The one caveat was that he didn't actually get paid for his skills in the art of finding a killer sale. Instead, he would find himself spending copious amounts of money on deals with the belief that he would actually be saving money in the long run.

The exception came during this time of year when every store in New York was packed full of people as his closet was full of knee-length sweaters-and all on the hunt for that perfect Christmas gift or last-minute shopping excursion. It didn't matter that he arrived an hour before the doors to Macy's opened, freezing his ass off with a bunch of middle-aged women in festive (and he had to admit stylish) sweater vests.

It was days like this that made him miss his small town of Lima-when he could peruse the clothing racks at his leisure and avoid the long lines, before grabbing a greasy slice of pizza at the Sbarro's in the food court, all while actually being able to hear whatever Top 40 hit they were playing on the tinny mall speakers.

And right now he was having a hard time hearing the archaic Christmas songs currently being played in that jammed packed store.

Though he had to admit, he received fewer looks of judgment here when he decided to wander the women's departments than he did back in his hometown.

As Kurt shuffled along the first floor that was the men's cologne department, he scanned his surroundings searching for the escalator. He had already purchased what he needed from this floor: a bottle of cologne that was apparently Finn's favorite brand. Or Rachel's favorite considering she was the one that suggested it. He wondered if he could find his step-brother a nice dress shirt (another one of Rachel's suggestions for gifts, as Finn did have an affinity for purchasing mostly band and sports t-shirts).

He already bought Rachel her gifts earlier in the month. She was much easier to shop for, considering she was his best friend. Clothes were usually a good choice. So he opted for something as stylish as it was comfortable: a black, three-in-one maternity coat with a faux fur collar, which adjusted to the woman's growing belly and could also accommodate enough room for a baby Bjorn and his newborn niece or nephew once they were born. He also managed to find a summery floral maternity dress. Considering she wasn't due until June, she might as well look fabulous when the baby arrived. And finally, at the Bath and Body Works on Lexington, he decided to stock up on an assortment of lotions, bath bombs, face masks, and other self-care items to help her relax once the baby arrived (though he couldn't say no to buying some face masks and bath bombs for himself as well). He also bought the couple an ornament that said "Baby's First Christmas" with a place to put a photo. He planned on putting a picture of their ultrasound in the empty space once Rachel went to her appointment scheduled for next week.

The prospects of acquiring the remainder of his Christmas presents grew slim as he realized he was practically standing in place in the busy shopping center, rather than making headway towards his required destination. He glanced up, looking for anything that remotely resembled the towering escalators that he was accustomed to finding any other time of the year. His eyes, however, were only assaulted with red, upon red, upon green Christmas decorations. Giant pine arches lined the aisles, adorned with gaudy crimson baubles and plastic, crystalline icicles. The noise from the sheer number of patrons and Mariah's All I Want For Christmas Is You, in addition to the heady concoction that was the various colognes mingling in the air, was starting to give him a migraine.

Why he didn't stick with online shopping was beyond him.

As Kurt managed to squeeze past a young couple and their three kids without tripping over them, all whining about how they wanted to visit Santa again, he rounded a table that was adorned with open boxes full of sparkling watches, and that was when he finally saw it. The silver stairs were like a haven, whisking him away from the mob of shoppers below to a hopefully less crowded destination. He breathed a sigh of relief as he ascended, hoping he would only be required to stay in the crowded store for a few hours more.

Once he breached the landing of the second floor, Kurt was thankful to see that there was only about half of the number of people down below. It made sense considering that most people would be on the first floor with the entrance and exits, but he hated to think what the eighth floor would look like, and the never-ending line of children who wanted to sit on Santa's lap.

Kurt maneuvered with a dancer's grace past a group of teens, enjoying their Christmas break, to the opposite aisle. Though still rather bustling, the second floor was a reprieve and he was immediately able to find what he was looking for. This floor wasn't decorated as extravagantly as the first floor. Though the open balcony allowed customers to view the gigantic, multicolored Christmas tree almost three stories tall, as well as the wall of lights behind it. There were dancing snowmen and teddy bears tooting on horns-it was enough to decorate and light up the entire block, let alone a single store. The sparse decorations allowed Kurt to quickly find what he was looking for, though it took an abundance of strength to steer away from his usual section of high fashion outfits for the simplistic men's everyday wear.

He flipped through hangers, scrutinizing the tops for their sizes and how likely he would wear said clothing, considering there was a reverse correlation between his tastes and Finn's. He managed to find a decent looking, blue Michael Kors polo and held it up as if to better imagine it on Finn. His eyes drifted past the article of clothing, however, and froze when he saw a familiar figure across the aisle. Kurt lowered the shirt, shaking his head in disbelief at the man staring into one of the store mirrors as he held up a variety of shirts to his burly form.

Kurt rolled his eyes, but couldn't quite keep the smirk off his face as he set the hanger back down on the rack with a clink and strode over to the last person he imagined would want to brave shopping at Macy's this time of year.

oOo

Dave stood in front of the full-length mirror as he alternated between holding various dress shirts by their plastic and metal hangers in front of him. He frowned slightly in consideration at the different shades, trying to mentally pick apart his closet at home, thinking of all the different neckties he owned and finding a shirt to match rather than buying a whole new outfit.

He sighed as he switched from a lilac button up to olive green. His taste in clothes improved only slightly since high school and college. He still loved his simple polos and short-sleeve button-ups, but he reached a point where he felt confident enough to wear clothes that actually fit him rather than swallowed him up, but it didn't mean he was good at shopping for himself.

Most of his suits that he bought when he started working at The Times had been picked out with Evelyn's help and as much as he wanted to text her, he knew she was likely elbow deep in placenta by now considering she was on call and left him to fend for himself almost an hour ago. An hour and still no luck at finding something to wear to his boyfriend's Christmas party. Hell… The man was throwing the bash in his apartment and invited a handful of people who were strangers to Dave, he might as well wear pajamas for all he cared.

The cell phone in his pocket felt heavy when he realized there was someone else he could text for advice other than Evelyn. Using his free hand, Dave dug his cell phone out of his pocket. It didn't take long once he unlocked the device to find his fashion-forward friend's name at the top of his list of received text messages.

Much to Dave's surprise, Kurt texted him frequently in the few days since they exchanged phone numbers. Most of the messages he received were when Kurt was at work. It was likely out of boredom anyway, rather than actually wanting to talk to him. But that didn't stop the warmth that spread through his chest like he just took a gulp of his Aunt's famous cioccolata calda every time he received a new incoming text notification. It was a pleasant thought, knowing Kurt would take the time to message him something stupid his coworkers said, or send him a screenshot of his weather app and his following excitement, that consisted primarily of emojis, about the possibility of another bout of snow within the next week.

And it wasn't just the onslaught of sudden text messages that he would take the time to reply to, but how they seemed to slide into a comfortable routine in less than a week, where he would take the elevator down to the floor below him and join Kurt in watching Die Hard after Die Hard like it was something they had done for years.

'That settles it then,' Dave thought as he began to thumb his question out onto the screen. Surely, Kurt could offer some advice as to what shirt he should choose. Hell, he probably had all sorts of sage wisdom as to what color goes best with his astrological sign or how he could knot his tie based on the phase of the moon or any other fashion faux pas he wasn't aware of.

"I would go with neither."

Dave almost dropped the shirts and his phone, which he had to fumble and catch with one hand.

Thank goodness for all the football he played in high school.

Looking up, Dave could see the perfectly coiffed hair just behind his right shoulder in the mirror in front of him. His shoulders sagged a little as he replaced his phone in his pocket.

"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Dave asked weakly, his heart still recovering from the sudden appearance of the man who always seemed to materialize at the mere thought of him.

"Hey! What?" Dave asked in surprise. When he turned around, Kurt was already wrestling the garments from his grip, ignoring him. Dave let the hangers slip through his fingers.

Kurt held the garments up as if trying to see them better in the store's awful incandescent lighting. His eyes flicked over the shirts and to Dave and back. It was like he had read Dave's mind and his desperate plea for help.

"You wanna tell me what's going on…" Dave trailed off as Kurt turned around, returning the clothing to the nearest clothing rack before walking away. Dave frowned in bewilderment as he raised a questioning hand unseen by the other man. Shaking his head, Dave followed Kurt down the narrow gaps in the clothing racks, but not before grabbing the two shirts to return them to where he found them.

"You were standing in front of that mirror a good five minutes before I decided to take it upon myself to rescue you from what was bound to be a fashion disaster." Kurt finally acknowledged him as he hastily flipped through more shirts on a different rack. "You're welcome, by the way," Kurt added smugly over his shoulder.

"So what was wrong with these?" Dave asked, hanging the other two shirts up with a clink of metal upon metal.

Kurt made a noncommittal gesture with his hand, his head bowed in concentration.

"Nothing really… I mean they were bold choices but the lilac will clash with your skin tone," he explained, "you need something warmer… Earthier… The olive green is a nice choice but… It's a bit contrived, looking like a pine tree during Christmas."

"Well, it is for a Christmas party." Dave pointed out uselessly, watching Kurt as he surveyed the outfits on the mannequins. Dave crossed his arms, feeling useless as he stood there watching Kurt as he tapped a finger against his pouty lips in consideration.

"And it may surprise you, but I have suits already," Dave added, perhaps a little too defensively.

"You do?" Kurt asked in surprise. Though Dave couldn't blame him. It wasn't like he had seen him in anything other than a sweatshirt and jeans.

"So you're just looking for a shirt then…" Kurt looked disappointed at the prospect of not being able to give him a full-blown makeover.

"That was the plan, yes."

Kurt sighed in resignation. "Fine… What kind of party is this anyway?"

"Other than stupid?" Dave grumbled, and Kurt raised an eyebrow. "It's just a party my boyfriend is throwing in my apartment, just some of his friends and coworkers."

"So you're looking to impress them?"

"If I was looking to impress them, I would need more than just a fancy suit. No… I intend on getting drunk on champagne while forgetting I somehow agreed to let a bunch of strangers into my apartment."

Kurt didn't argue with his logic and instead picked up a red and white checkered shirt. Dave watched Kurt as he checked the tag (for the price, or the size, or the designer, he wasn't sure). Kurt looked like he wanted to say something, but held back. So Dave spoke instead, wanting to fill the silence.

"You could come." Despite how the words seemed to slip out before he could give them much thought, he found that he meant them. He had spent the last three days hanging out with Kurt and enjoyed spending time with him. Kurt's questioning glance made him question if he felt the same.

"Me? Why?" He seemed to hold back a scoff, but he couldn't completely conceal the surprise in his voice.

"Because you're my friend?" Dave pointed out, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, as Kurt held the shirt up to his neck. Dave gulped slightly, not sure why he felt so nervous by the blue eyes that searched his. "It would be nice if there was one person there that I actually liked."

"You mean... Besides your boyfriend?" Kurt pointed out in a confused tone, his eyes narrowing slightly as if Dave needed reminding that he had a boyfriend. Or that most people would include the person they were dating on the list of people they "liked". He turned around to look at the rest of the clothing on the rack but didn't seem to have any intention of putting the checkered shirt back.

"Well, yeah..." Dave said, feeling less guilty than he should, "but you don't know what he's like…"

"He's going to be busy talking to everyone else and I'm just going to be sitting there," he ran his hands through his hair while Kurt nodded along to his ranting, "while everyone wonders who the hell I am and why I'm there and it's gonna be fucking awkward. Come on, please?"

"Go try these on," Kurt said patiently, pushing two hangers into his hands. Dave lifted the new one that joined the checkered shirt.

"What's this?" he looked at the cream-colored sweater vest with what he was sure was an appalled expression.

"Uhhh... No offense, Kurt, but I really don't feel like going dressed like Mr. Rogers."

"You won't," Kurt said, rolling his eyes, and in an afterthought and a twinkle in his eye added, "Neighbor."

Dave frowned, not at all pleased. Kurt huffed in annoyance, his hands on his hips.

"I just want to see something." Kurt motioned to the dressing rooms to the back left corner of the room. "Trust me."

Dave smirked, an idea popping up in this head.

"I'll try them on if you promise to go," he said taking a step closer to Kurt. Kurt gaped at his trickery, but then snapped his mouth shut as he held his ground. Instead, he smiled sweetly as he cocked his head.

"If you try them on I'll consider it."

They stood in the middle of the clothing racks practically chest to chest. Dave held his breath, counting the seconds. It was at the twenty-five mark where he caved. Letting out his breath, he dropped his head.

"Fine," Dave ground out as he turned around to make his way to the dressing rooms to try on the shirts Kurt picked out for him.

Annoyed as he was at losing the battle, he couldn't help but chuckle at Kurt's little celebratory jig he didn't he realize he could see in another well-placed mirror.

oOo

Kurt practically pirouetted behind Dave and as he shut the dressing room door behind him. He exhaled deeply, marveling in his victory while simultaneously trying to ignore the echoing words that resounded as loud as his hammering heart.

"It would be nice if there was one person there that I actually liked."

'He didn't mean it like that,' Kurt thought, crossing his arms and tapping his foot as he listened to the sound of movement on the other side of the door. 'He meant as a friend.'

'He wanted to consider you more than that at one point,' his traitorous brain pointed out.

"So, when is the party?" Kurt leaned against the wall next to the door, crossing his arms.

"Next week." Kurt glanced up as Dave slung the sweatshirt that he shed over the top of the door. "On the 21st."

"I see."

Dammit. His flight to return to Ohio for the holidays was scheduled on the 22nd. He didn't have an excuse not to make an appearance, at the very least. Though he could say he had plans with Rachel and Finn...

"Don't tell me you have plans," Dave said with a muffled groan. Kurt could see Dave's arms over the top of the door. He had already put on the checkered shirt and was slipping the sweater vest over his head.

"No, no plans," he said, before immediately banging a fist to his forehead. He stopped after the first couple of times, not wanting to leave a red mark there for Dave to see.

"You could see if Finn and Rachel would like to come?" Dave said, practically reading Kurt's mind. Kurt felt a slight sense of relief at the suggestion.

"I suppose I could ask them," Kurt responded tentatively.

"So that means you'll go?" Dave's voice was hopeful, which only made Kurt feel guilty for not wanting to go in the first place. Kurt turned around only to see Dave standing tiptoe, most likely, on the other side of the door. Only his eyes and the top of his head were visible. Kurt couldn't help but giggle. Sometimes Dave reminded Kurt of a stubborn, overgrown child.

Cute, his deceitful mind wanted to point out, much to his chagrin.

"I said I would consider it. Now, are you done in there?" Kurt motioned with a flair of his hand.

"Yeah, but… I don't think I like it."

"Let me see."

"No..." Kurt didn't need to see all of Dave's face to know he was pouting.

"Honestly, David. You're being a child," Kurt insinuated as Dave disappeared from behind the door. Kurt could hear Dave fumbling with the lock as the man grumbled.

"Well, you're the one who was trying to avoid me looking like a Christmas tree only to dress me up like a candy cane."

"Well, then I guess I will have to find something else to do on the 21st rather than go to your party," Kurt said simperingly and was satisfied when he heard the slide of the lock.

"I just…" A sigh and then the door opened. Out stepped Dave wearing the clothes Kurt carefully picked out for him. Kurt's throat seized slightly like he had choked on something. "I think it needs something."

"Huh?" Kurt managed to choke out before he shook his head. "You're right just give me a second."

Kurt left the dressing room, still reeling at the thought he was desperately trying not to acknowledge. He wasn't entirely sure what he was looking for, but he needed a second to collect his thoughts. Whatever Dave was seeing that was wrong with the outfit escaped Kurt. It fit the man perfectly from his broad shoulders and burly chest to his strong arms. He filled it out completely.

He was really handsome.

That was it then wasn't it… Kurt thought, trying to will away the warmth in his cheeks. It was just the outfit that he found... Appealing.

Kurt hastily grabbed a brown jacket and brought it back to the dressing room where Dave was standing in front of the mirror looking surly. Kurt tried his best to look anywhere but his eyes.

Or his shoulders.

Or his chest.

"Here," Kurt said holding the jacket by the shoulders. Dave eyed it far less warily than the rest of the outfit and slipped one arm through it, and then the other, with Kurt helping him. Kurt smoothed down the fabric with his hands over his shoulders as Dave fixed the cuffs. Walking to his front, Kurt adjusted his lapels. His face burned when he realized just how close they were. For a moment, he almost regretted not going with the olive green shirt that would have perfectly matched Dave's eyes.

"I um…" Kurt took a step back and let his hands fall to his sides. Dave blinked his eyes snapping back to the mirror as he took in his appearance. "I realize you said you already had suits and suit jackets, but I just wanted you to see how it would look once you completed the outfit."

"Yeah," Dave said softly, his eyes downcast as he buttoned the front of the jacket. "Yeah, no… It looks… A lot better this way. I like it actually."

"Really?" Kurt smiled brightly as he clasped his hands together.

"Yeah," Dave agreed as he slipped the outer jacket off. "I think I am gonna buy it. Not the jacket, I have one that I can wear but… Yeah, these two for sure."

"And to think you doubted me," Kurt said coyly.

"We all make mistakes, sometimes," Dave said, smiling at the Kurt in the mirror. "I'll try not to let it happen again."

oOo

Kurt stood in the line for the cash registers next to Dave. Even here on the second floor, there were ten people in front of the two of them. But what mattered was that he managed to find Dave an outfit so he could look respectable at the Christmas party.

For his boyfriend...

Kurt stood next to him in line despite how he said that he needed to do some more shopping. But they continued to talk while Dave waited in line.

"So what do you say?" Dave asked out of nowhere bumping into Kurt playfully and smiling. Kurt countered with a raised eyebrow.

"What do I say to what?"

"Come on, Hummel. I'm being a good boy and buying the clothes you picked out for me and everything and you're not even going to consider humoring me? What happened to our deal?"

Kurt scoffed, "Deal? I don't remember shaking on it."

"But you said you would consider it." Dave pointed out.

"I'm… I'm just really not a party person anymore, Dave. I grew out of it in college. I like being at home or with my close friends," Kurt attempted to explain as a sly grin appeared on Dave's face.

"Well, I'm honored you would consider me as such," Dave said genially before he waggled his eyebrows, unable to keep the grin off his face. Kurt gave him a playful shove and then snorted when Dave barely managed not to knock down the pole that held the retractable belt that sanctioned off the cash register line. He got a few narrowed glances from the ladies in front of him as he steadied the pole that had tilted dangerously, and Kurt looked away innocently.

"Ow, hey, that's bullying," Dave said, rubbing his arm as Kurt rolled his eyes.

"So you'll be there then?" Dave asked, turning his attention back to the other man. "Please," he added seriously, giving Kurt his best puppy dog eyes.

"Okay, fine, but I am making Finn and Rachel go too," Kurt conceded.

"Seriously?" Dave said, grasping Kurt's shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "Oh, that's awesome, Kurt. You don't know how happy that makes me."

Kurt felt something in his chest squeeze at the contact. Passing it off as anxiety about the plans he just agreed to, he gave Dave a tight smile.

"So, um…" Dave looked down at the plain square tiles on the ground as he rubbed the back of his neck after pulling away from Kurt, almost apologetically. "The party was going to start around six. But it's not like you have to stay the whole time or show up right on time." He hazarded a glance up at Kurt as if expecting him to change his mind. As tempting as it was, Kurt was one to keep his word.

For his friends.

"I'll keep that in mind," Kurt said, picking at a thread that was starting to come loose from his royal blue sweater. "So do you have any other plans after this?" Dave frowned slightly at the sudden change in the subject.

"No… I mean, yeah… I'm going to pick up Travis from the airport later. His plane comes later this afternoon."

"Oh, cool," Kurt said, cringing at how much higher than usual his voice had become. "That's good. I'm uh… I'm going to go finish my shopping if that's okay. I have a few more things that I need to shop for so… I guess I'll see you next week then?" He was already backing away as something like a look of remorse ghosted Dave's features.

"Yeah, maybe I'll see you after the weekend? If not I'll see you on the 21st?" Dave said hopefully.

"Great," Kurt said, giving Dave a slight wave as he walked away backward. As one of the cash registers opened up, Dave did a little double-take as if deciding whether he should abandon the line and continue to talk to Kurt or turn towards the counter. He gave a meek smile, as he stepped towards the counter, still talking to Kurt who was at least ten feet away.

"Oh, and thanks for the help," Dave said, putting his items on the counter, and pulling his worn wallet from his back pants pocket.

"Anytime," Kurt acknowledged with a slight wave and a rosy smile before turning around and walking back to where he left off looking for shirts for Finn.

Kurt picked up the shirt he had found earlier for Finn and folded it neatly over his arm. The wistful smile lingered on his lips as he glanced back to the opposite side of the store where Dave stood with his back to him. He could almost hear the pretty blonde woman laughing at something Dave said from the look on her face, alone.

Gritting his teeth and tamping down the surge of irritation he felt towards the employee who he knew deep down wasn't even Dave's type, Kurt turned away, walking instead to the rows of men's accessories on the other side of the store.

With all of his family's Christmas present shopping out of the way, he realized he had one last person to buy a gift for, after all.