Day 7: Rhythm
Burt Hummel did not see his son as often as he would like. He'd resigned himself years ago to the fact that Kurt's future lay outside the confines of their Ohio town, but that hadn't made it any easier to see his only child move hundreds of miles away.
Although they spoke frequently on the phone or by video chat, visits were rare and, therefore, extra special. This particular Christmas found Burt and Carole visiting their son and son-in-law at their New York apartment. Carole had stolen away to do some last-minute shopping with an old friend who happened to live in the city, leaving Burt, Blaine, and Kurt to amuse themselves for the afternoon. Kurt had declared that he was behind on his cookie baking, but offered to set that aside to do something with his father instead. Burt insisted that the best thing Kurt could do was make him some cookies, which earned him an admonishment (and a grateful smile).
Burt sat at the table, doing his best with the sprinkles ("If you think you're not helping, think again!" Kurt announced as he steered his father to the table). Having finished a tray of Christmas tree cutout cookies, he set the sprinkles aside and took a moment to observe the bakers in the kitchen.
Kurt and Blaine worked side-by-side, perhaps touching a bit more than Burt thought was necessary, but then he remembered what he and his wife had been like at their age. They talked and hummed along with the carols playing in the background, effortlessly moving together and around one another in perfect rhythm.
"Dad, how are those trees coming?" Kurt asked, rousing him from his musings.
Burt rose from the table, carrying the tray into the kitchen and handing it off to his son. "Here you go, kiddo. I'm not sure they're much to look at, but if you made 'em, I'm sure they'll be delicious."
"These look great, Burt," Blaine commented as Kurt passed the tray to him and he slid it in the oven, swapping it out with a tray of completed cookies that he removed. Kurt took the tray from him with a "thanks, B" and a peck on the cheek, and began moving the hot cookies to a cooling rack. The assembly line continued, with Blaine handing Burt another tray to decorate while Kurt started rolling out the next batch.
Burt took a seat again, glancing down at the tray and trying to figure out the best way to decorate snowflake-shaped cookies. He looked up to ask Kurt what to do and stopped. Kurt was cutting more cookies, and Blaine had taken a moment to hug him from behind and drop a kiss to Kurt's ear. They stayed that way for a minute or two, smiling and content to be with one another.
Burt Hummel did not see his son as often as he would like. When he saw him like this, however, he realized he wouldn't have it any other way.
