As Kurt waited for their bags at the airport he watched Blaine out the corner of his eye. It had been just over 10 days since he'd held his fiancé after being shunned again by his own father. Blaine had tried to force a smile ever since but Kurt knew how hard he was taking it. He was so glad that his own dad had proven himself to be the complete opposite. He had welcomed Blaine into the family last time they'd dated and now it was as if nothing had changed at all! Blaine noticed Kurt looking at him and smiled, coming over to stand beside Kurt, an arm sliding around the older man's waist.
"Hey you."
"Hey yourself, you okay? You looked a little pensive." Kurt leaned into Blaine a little, even though they were both careful not to be too overt in their affections. As much as they'd hated it, Ohio still wasn't as accepting as New York and the last thing either of them needed right now was to draw unwanted attention to themselves.
"Yeah, I guess. Is it weird that even though I don't actually have a home here anymore it still feels like home?"
"You do so have a home here - your home is with me and dad and Carole. Everyone else can go fuck themselves - it's them who are missing out on the awesomeness that is you anyway." Kurt grinned and quickly pecked Blaine's lips as the baggage carousel started.
Once they'd retrieved their checked suitcase, they made their way to the arrivals hall where Burt would be waiting for them. Although they'd been holding hands until this point, Blaine let Kurt's hand fall free as the bright blue eyes scanned the bustle of people before his entire face lit up when he noticed his dad.
"Dad!" Kurt ran through the glass domed hall and threw himself at Burt who managed to steady himself before they both fell over.
"Hey kiddo! God I missed you so much!" The familiar flannel covered arms and baseball capped head were buried in the burgundy peacoat and navy scarf both absorbing each other's presence, completely oblivious to the looks from other passengers around them.
"Hi Burt." Blaine has finally made his way through the Christmas crowds and was standing nervously just off to the side.
"Blaine! Good to see you son!" Burt released Kurt and pulled Blaine into a tight hug, patting his back strongly. "You look good! I hope my boy has been taking good care of you!"
"Of course I have!" Kurt responded with a little sass, "and I'll have you know that Blaine embraced his diet changes a lot better than you did! I know Frank at the garage still sneaks you fried chicken!"
"It's just once a week!" Burt admitted, grinning slightly, before nudging Blaine playfully and whispering "it's actually twice but I won't tell if you won't!"
Blaine laughed and gave a rare genuine smile as the tension began to ease from his shoulders. Burt still accepted him as who he was and Kurt still loved him. Maybe this Christmas wouldn't be so bad after all?
… … … … … … … … … … … … … …
"My boys are home at last!" Carole was already walking towards Kurt & Blaine when they stepped through the familiar front door of the Hudson-Hummel home. "You both look so well! Kurt your skin is positively radiant and Blaine, are those muscles I feel underneath that coat!"
"Uh, yeah, I've been working out more recently."
"And you look happier for it! Now come on in, coats and shoes off and let's have a catch up before dinner! Kurt I made your favourite chicken pie."
"Oh Carole that sounds amazing!" Kurt rubbed Blaine's back reassuringly as they followed the instructions and made their way into the cosy living room. The fire was already going and made the whole room feel even warmer and more inviting than usual.
Blaine looked around noticing the pictures of him and Kurt scattered around the room, mixed in amongst ones of Kurt when he was younger and Burt & Carole's wedding. The bushy tree was adorned with lights and baubles collected through the years, topped off with a beautifully delicate angel a very talented 9 year-old had painstakingly crafted. As everyone sat down and made themselves comfortable, Blaine realised how he'd always felt welcomed and at home here - ever since he'd first met Burt & Carole (despite the blip in his preppy presentation after that party at Rachel's house of course!).
He was content to rest his head on Kurt's shoulder and listen to the conversation around him. He felt Kurt's arm wrap around him as he nestled against his chest, Kurt's long, nimble fingers running softly through his hair. He hadn't realised he'd fallen asleep until he started to wake up and heard Burt asking Kurt a question.
"How have things been with you two, given Blaine's diagnosis and everything?" He heard Burt ask softly, as if not to risk waking him. He didn't need to know he was already a wake though so Blaine stayed as still as possible and kept his eyes closed.
"They've been good. His doctor is really pleased with his progress so far and his blood work is looking great. He's really hopeful that Blaine will reach the undetectable stage within 6 months of his initial diagnosis." Kurt continued to run his fingers through Blaine's hair, the curls now completely free from their mildly gelled prison. "It was difficult at first because we didn't know what to do or how to handle things. I'm just so relieved he called me that day. Dad, he was living in the park! His dad stood there and timed him while he tried to grab as much of his stuff as he could and then kicked him out onto the street. They left him with nothing."
"Those bastards. If I ever see them…"
"…you'll do nothing Dad. Blaine wouldn't want you getting wound up over them. You know he tries to keep his business to himself. He called them a couple of weeks ago - to tell them he'd be here over Christmas and if he could visit them."
"I'm guessing the response wasn't a positive one?" Carole clutched at the front of her blouse. She could never understand why any parent would discard their own child like that.
"Not exactly," Kurt shook his head, holding Blaine a little tighter. "They re-iterated what they'd said the first time and made it clear he wasn't welcome. He was such a wreck when I got home. I didn't even know what to say to him so I just held him while he cried."
"Sometimes that's the best thing you can do kiddo. Just be there for him." Burt smiled sadly at the boy in his sons arms. No-one deserved the hand this kid had been dealt recently. "We're going to make it clear to him that he has us too, we're here for him as well as for you."
"I'm sure he'd appreciate that dad, thanks. I just can't believe everything that's happened in such a short space of time. I mean, if you'd told me 6 months ago that by Christmas I'd be back with Blaine, engaged and coping with an HIV diagnosis I'd have thought you were high!" Kurt exclaimed, "but sitting here now…..I can't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be."
"We always hoped you two would find each other again." Carole smiled kindly. "Have you started thinking about the wedding yet?"
"No, we've got too much in with school and work at the moment so we're going to wait until the summer break before we start talking about dates and begin planning things. I think it'll end up being the following summer though, that way we can relax and enjoy a honeymoon after the wedding without having to fit it in around classes and exams!"
"That's very sensible of you both. Just be sure to keep the communication going - you know what happens when you bottle things inside." Burt reminded.
"Believe me - we know! We've been really good at communicating though, aside from the blip which resulted in us getting back together of course but yeah - I think the way things are now we need to communicate openly and we're definitely better at it!"
Blaine inhaled deeply deciding to stop eavesdropping and opened his eyes sleepily.
"Hey you."
"Hey there sleeping beauty. We've just been talking about you." Kurt smiled and kissed Blaine's forehead.
"Yeah? All good stuff I hope!"
"As if it could be anything else!" Carole scoffed, standing up and patting his shoulder. "Come on, let's eat!"
Burt and Carole headed through to the kitchen to start playing up the dinner whilst Kurt stood and pulled Blaine into his arms.
"Have I told you today how much I love you?" Kurt grinned, sliding his arms overs his lovers shoulders.
"Hmmm, now that you mention it I do think I need reminding." Blaine giggled as he moved his hands to rest in Kurt's hips.
"Well by all means let me remind you!" Kurt smiled as he pressed his lips against Blaine's, one pair of soft skinned lips gliding over the other with tongues touching tentatively. After nearly a minute, they separated with Kurt resting his forehead against Blaine's. "You still take my breath away."
"Good, I intend to do that for a very long time. I love you." Blaine kissed the tip of Kurt's nose.
"I love you too, forever."
A/N - yay for Burt & Carole! We all love a bit of Barole! As always, thank you so much for reading - don't forget to drop me a wee review before you leave and let me know what you think of the story so far! Stay safe folks!
