AN: This story answer's Elle Delajoie's challenge Free Kurt for Christmas! 2021 that requested a story for the following prompt. Write a fic for Christmas set in season four that includes the time that "Glee Actually" takes place. One that starts with Kurt arriving at the ice skating rink and ends with Burt and Kurt celebrating Christmas together without Blaine.

For more stories based on this prompt please search for the #Free Kurt for Christmas on tumblr or search for the collection Free Kurt for Christmas! 2021 on AO3.

Seeing his dad on the other side of the door with a freshly cut christmas tree was a surprise.

When Burt actually said "Okay so my gift to you is really big, it's too big to put under the tree" the only thing Kurt could think was that he was intrigued on what such gift could have been.

Smiling at his dad Kurt commented playfully "Curiosity piqued, so what can I do to get this mysterious big gift?"

Burt was looking a little flushed and a little uncomfortable as he took out a piece of paper with an address written on it and passed it to Kurt. "Okay so you can pick it up at this address, and, you know, if you don't like it, you can return it."

The time it took Kurt to travel toward his destination did nothing to prepare him for what he would have found there...

The place looked magical, Kurt had not known that there were outside ice rinks available in New York. Nor had he any clue where to find one... It was heartwarming that after so many years, his dad still remembered Kurt's love for ice skating. Despite Kurt's refusal to ever get back on the ice after the last time, he did skate... Right before his mom's death.

The ice rink looked as magical as he had always thought only New York would be.

The lights blinked against the darkening sky. The garland and ribbons, not to mention the festive tunes coming out from the speakers... The sound of cheers and laughters mixed with the faint smell of hot chocolate and the biting chill typical of such activity was a sight to behold...

And as Burt had promised it was too big for it to be brought to the loft.

Grinning Kurt went toward the stand that has the offer of hot chocolate in thermal cups at only 7.99 dollars, with the intention of buying two of them. One for his dad and one for himself.

As he was waiting in queue for his turn he saw a view that felt like a dart to his heart. Blaine was on one of the benches clearly enjoying the company of another guy. And by 'company' Kurt meant that the two were playing tonsil hockey while being on top of each other, testing the limits of public indecency.

Kurt steeled himself, he and Blaine were broken up after all. Sure it still felt like it had been yesterday for Kurt, clearly, it was not the same for Blaine…

Yet at the same time, seeing the guy who would not even hold hands with Kurt behind closed doors, being so forward and publicly affectionate with someone new in his life…

It really brought home the fact that Kurt had made the best choice for himself, even if it did hurt making it.

Being cheated on was not something Kurt could live with, he had too much respect for himself to accept such disrespect.

Kurt took a deep breath and simply turned away. He had decided to move on, and this was simply the world showing him that he made the right choice. Paying for the chocolate cups, he smiled at the girl behind the counter and offered her back a smile and a soft "Merry christmas to you too"

Feeling lighthearted Kurt began to walk toward the subway station to go back home to his dad. He refused to look around, to see if he could spot Blaine and his new boyfriend among the seas of couples.

He had almost reached the stairs when someone tapped on his shoulder. Irritated by the unwanted touch Kurt turned around, only to find himself standing face to face with no other than Blaine.

Blaine who, apparently in the meantime had lost his companion. Noticing that Kurt simply raised an eyebrow, he was waiting for his ex to do something or at least explain why he was being bothered.

Blaine oblivious to all of was smiling brightly and shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he said happily "Package for Kurt Hummel"

Kurt's hold on the cups tightened as he noticed there was no package in Blaine's hands. Looking perplexed and confused at the mention of the clearly missing package Kurt simply started to ask "Blaine?"

But Before he actually had the chance to complete what he had wanted to ask, Blaine cut him off with a bright "Surprise"

Then, like he always did whenever the topic was all about himself, Blaine continued talking without even checking on how Kurt was receiving the information.

"Your dad called me out of the blue and wanted to fly me here just so I could see the look on your face at seeing me again, and it's pretty priceless"

Kurt on his part was very much surprised but not at all for the reasons his ex was assuming...

Blaine's story rang untrue to Kurt's ears, if his dad was really involved and Blaine himself was supposed to be his gift, then why would his dad suggest that Kurt was free to return it? Which if that was the case indeed he would.

However, once more, before he could even open his mouth Blaine continued talking. "But the reason I'm here is so that we don't lose one important tradition, our christmas duet…"

The lack of excited enthusiasm must have finally clued Blaine in that maybe Kurt wasn't all that happy of the surprise. Blaine assumed the pleading eyes look of a poor miserable puppy. His voice slightly trembling in confusion

"Kurt? Why are you looking at me that way? Aren't you happy to see me?"

And for once Kurt refused to simply take the hurt and irritation he felt and simply swallow them down. He had done that for the whole duration of his relationship with Blaine, and where did it land him? Being cheated on as punishment the moment Kurt stopped pouring all his energies and attentions into Blaine...

Holding even tighter on the travel mugs Kurt forced his voice to remain calm and composed, despite the fury mounting inside him at seeing Blaine's blatant disrespect "Tell me Blaine how could I be happy to see you telling me, that you're here only to see my face and sing with me, pretending and acting like nothing is wrong. When your tongue was down another guy's throat less than twenty minutes ago?"

Blaine's face lost both some of its colour and the bright smile he had till now, as he stammered flustered "No Kurt you don't understand... You are mistaken, it's not how it looks like… I mean Aiden doesn't mean anything to me, you are my soulmate and I love you so much"

Kurt's tone was as freezing as the cold December air surrounding them. "And yet you betrayed me, Blaine, you cheated on me after telling me you supported my coming here to New York and go after my dreams..."

Blaine made that stricken face when his mind to mouth filter didn't work and realized he said out loud "But you decided to leave me behind, you could have waited for me"

Kurt snorted starting to feel lighter and surer than ever before. This was the closure he had so desperately needed for many weeks now "And we both know that your reaction to that was to punish me by cheating on me. Only to come and tell me all about it before placing all the blame at my feet. When you were the one making those decisions."

Blaine started whining "Kurt come on, how many times do I have to apologize for that, I said I was sorry it was a stupid mistake, I was missing you so badly... I"

What had stopped Blaine to pass from whining to full fledged tantrum was soon after Blaine started his trite speech, Kurt had opened one of the cups and threw the still hot chocolate on what Kurt knew to be a pretty expensive coat. As the sugary substance hit Blaine's chest, the boy shrieked shocked "Kurt! What the hell?"

With a very sarcastic smile and a look of purely faked innocence "Oh sorry it was a mistake, I didn't mean to do it"

Blaine growled, his anger mounting in his voice as he took a threatening step toward Kurt "The hell? You knew exactly what you were doing Kurt why did you do this to me?"

Kurt shrugged slightly and started to rock back and forth he sing sang "But Blaine, this was just a stupid mistake and I said I was sorry, now are you telling me that's not enough?"

Blaine frowned, the fury visible in his face, "It is not the same thing"

Before he could continue any further Kurt kept on talking, his expression turning stone cold and deadly serious "It is not the same because you are the injured part now instead of me? Or maybe it is different because I am the one doing things that you don't like? What is the real issue here?"

Blaine for once actually refrained from commenting and chose to simply press his lips… For a total of two whole seconds, before he started complaining again "You are twisting my words that's not what I said"

The chocolate was quickly cooling and starting to freeze a little at the edge of the wet spot, Kurt mentally marvelled at the thought of how tortured that poor coat was becoming, soon nothing would be able to save it…

It represented perfectly well their relationship…

Blaine continued rambling, instead of even attempting to save it, and thus showing at least a little bit of respect toward both the clothing itself and the economical value it had…

Mentally snorting Kurt considered that it should not have surprised him at all that Blaine had no idea of the value of things...

Blaine never had even in the past.

As things fell as silent as a busy street could be, Kurt realised that the calm and quiet wasn't just his by now spectacular ability, of tuning out Blaine inane mumblings. It was due to the fact that Blaine had actually stopped talking, resorting to glare accusingly and pouting at Kurt.

It was such a childish display that finally pointed out to Kurt just how differently they had matured in the just few short months...

Kurt shook his head and said finally "The point that you still don't get Blaine, is that apologies do not change what had happened. And it doesn't change the fact that you made a choice and then tried to not live with its consequences but tried to shift the blame on me."

Blaine looked lost and slightly alarmed, his voice wavering in confusion "Kurt?"

Kurt shook his head and said simply "Goodbye Blaine"

Then he turned around and walked away. After all his dad was back at home waiting for him to celebrate christmas together.

When he reached the loft Kurt walked inside and called in "Well you were right dad, that was a big gift that you couldn't have taken to me"

Burt looked over his shoulders and had a slightly puzzled expression on his face but showed no signs of being disappointed. "I suppose you returned the gift then?"

Kurt tilted his head smiling confused as well "Well that depends on what was supposed to be your gift dad"

Burt snorted, with a smile on his face he grumbled "Stop teasing me so kiddo, I'm still just a lowly mechanic…"

Kurt snorted in response and went to hug his dad "Whatever you say Mr Congressman…"

They both chuckled with mirth, but then Burt turned to look closely at Kurt, waiting and hoping for an explanation with a single eyebrow raised in silent question.

Kurt shrugged and offered the still full mug to his dad "I saw that there was a stand selling hot chocolate that had an offer with those travel mugs so I bought one for each of us. I hope it tastes as good as it smells"

Burt took the offered mug noticing how Kurt's was already empty tilting his in that direction he asked "Something happened to yours?"

Kurt nodded and shrugged "Mine ended up serving a higher purpose and helped me fulfil getting your second present dad."

Burt raised an eyebrow then asked curiously "Ok kiddo what exactly do you think were the gifts? I believe I mentioned only one you could return…"

Kurt offered a serene smile and a small shrug "I believe that you gave me two gifts dad, the first was the discovery of a seasonal ice rink close to me. I'd love to start ice skating again"

Burt hummed and nodded along smiling "And the other?"

Kurt grinned feeling more confident and secure in his choice than he had before "A reminder that there were very valid reasons for me to break up with Blaine. Meeting him again the way I did, it feels like I finally got some closure on that chapter of my life. Though that reminds me, what were you thinking when you decided to call Blaine and fly him here for christmas?"

Burt looked perplexed and started scratching his head "Kurt I didn't ask the kid to come here, he was the one accosting me one evening telling me you two had patched things up. And that his parents were going to pay for the plane ticket to come here for a visit but that he needed me to take him to you."

Kurt frowned, he wished he could not believe his ears, but then again this kind of sneaking around and lying was something Blaine did, usually, though Kurt had not been the wiser for a long time… And that made him wonder just how many times it had happened before he even noticed the inconsistencies…

Burt kept going on with his explanation "I found it suspicious that he had no idea of where you lived, hence why I said that if you didn't like your gift, you could have returned it…"

Kurt nodded, he was grateful that his dad had been so cautious instead of directly taking Blaine here.

Kurt shrugged banishing any thoughts of Blaine, then he grinned impishly and raised his empty mug shaking it teasingly "Soo dad, I was thinking since my chocolate got very acquainted with Blaine's coat, and you know how much I worry for your health, how about we both share your chocolate?"

Burt chuckled and readily poured half of his chocolate into Kurt's extended mug, grateful to see once more his little boy enjoying the small things in life. Like some shared hot chocolate like they used to do before Kurt claimed the kitchen as his, and dictated a healthier eating regime when he turned ten…

Burt returned the same grin and asked his son cheekily "Any chance you have some mini marshmallows to add to it?"

Kurt levelled a very unimpressed look at his dad before straightening "Don't push it dad, I'm already making an exception for this, it smells like real chocolate and not the instant powder stuff. But neither of us should really indulge in so many calories packed with so much sugar."

Burt snorted but was quick to raise his mug to take a long sip. Now things were more normal, now Kurt was sounding more like himself… And Burt was glad to see and hear that.

After finishing their chocolate they both admired the decorated christmas tree shining in the corner.

Admiring their handiwork made Kurt smile pleased. As his dad took care of cleaning up Kurt went to pick up the latest vogue magazine he had taken home from work.

With it in hand, he called his dad patting on the couch "Come on dad let's start our other christmas tradition"

Burt came over and smiled when he noticed Kurt having a fashion magazine in hand weaving it as he said "I'm now ready for you to attempt once more explaining why watching sports on the tv is something that I could find interesting…"

Kurt had turned on the tv and offered his dad the remote with a grin as he said that.

Burt grinned back mischievously as he got himself comfortable "Well I thought maybe if the game itself is not interesting maybe the players could be?"

Seeing the flustered look on Kurt's face made Burt laugh. They both settled down. Kurt pretending to be focused on browsing his magazine. Burt pretending to be absorbed by the game on the tv. The both of them enjoying a quiet moment of tranquillity enjoying each other company.