Day 23: Company

A/N: Continuation of Day 21: Work

Kurt wiped his damp palms on his jacket, brushed a non-existent piece of hair back into place, and took a deep breath. Excitement bordering on anxiety – the perfect mood for Christmas Day, right?

He knocked on the door which opened so quickly that he startled, then flushed realizing that Blaine must have been waiting for him on the other side. "Merry Christmas, Kurt! Come in!"

They exchanged the obligatory greetings, Blaine taking Kurt's coat and relieving him of the parcels he'd brought along which Kurt identified as a cheesecake, a bottle of wine, and a small gift for his host.

"Kurt, you didn't have to do that," Blaine admonished.

"Well, it's customary for company to bring a host gift. And it is Christmas, after all," Kurt explained demurely.

"Is it also customary for the host to give company a gift?" Blaine picked up a box from a nearby table and held it out to Kurt.

"I don't think so," Kurt began. Noting how Blaine's countenance fell ever so slightly, he finished quickly, "However, I think I can make an exception in your case." That brought the bright smile back to Blaine's face. Kurt found that he loved being the one to make it appear.

Blaine led him to the living room where they opened one another's gifts. Blaine marveled at the green silk brocade bowtie that Kurt gave him. "I know you have a lot of Christmas ties already, but I thought that you could wear this the rest of the year too," Kurt explained.

"It's beautiful, thank you," Blaine said. Without hesitation, he undid the tie he was wearing and slipped his new gift on instead. "It matches my sweater perfectly. How can I not?"

Kurt opened his gift then – a pewter-colored brooch in the shape of a leaping reindeer. "I noticed that you wear animal brooches a lot. You especially like the hippo head one. If it's not really your style, I understand if you don't…"

"I love it," Kurt interrupted. He truly did. It was simple, elegant, and unlike anything else he owned. In his rush to be on time, he'd actually forgotten to pin a brooch to his vest, so it was like fate. As Blaine had done, he put his gift on right away, trying to ignore the heat rising in his cheeks when he felt the brush of Blaine's fingertips as he reached out to straighten it for him.

They worked together to make their small but lovely Christmas dinner. Both the conversation and the silences felt natural and easy.

Dinner was over, the dishes had been done, and a pair of dessert plates rested on the coffee table, littered with remnants of cheesecake crumbs. Music played softly in the background as the two holiday revelers settled back into the cushions side by side.

"I know it wasn't much, but I'm really glad you agreed to come today," Blaine said, twisting to face Kurt.

"It was one of the best Christmases I've ever had," Kurt replied sincerely.

Blaine sat up, retrieving their wine glasses from the coffee table and handing Kurt's to him. He lifted his own glass. "To company at Christmas," he toasted.

"To friends at Christmas," Kurt countered, tipping his glass forward to clink it against Blaine's. They each took a sip, not breaking eye contact. As if by mutual agreement, they simultaneously leaned forward, lips meeting for the first time.

"Merry Christmas, Blaine," Kurt murmured when they parted.

"Merry Christmas, Kurt."