Day 14: Nest/Ornament
One would think that a Christmas tree decorated by Kurt Hummel would be the epitome of style, looking like it came straight out of a photo shoot for a home decorating magazine. Color-coordinated baubles would be artistically arranged (smallest near the top, largest at the bottom), the perfect amount of light would illuminate the tree, and elegant but daring accents would complete the design.
One would be wrong.
Kurt's tree – actually, Kurt and Blaine's tree, now – was a mishmash of ornaments ranging from classic delicate glass orbs to hand-made popsicle-stick reindeer and everything in between. He was excited to decorate their first tree together, happily combining the items they'd each brought with them, as well as adding a few new ones to the mix.
He giggled with mirth as Blaine placed one particular ornament on the tree.
"Okay, okay. Laugh it up. You thought you were so funny when you gave me this," Blaine grumbled as he placed a small bird's nest on the tree.
Kurt knew Blaine had taken his gift in stride when he'd presented him with the object a few Christmases earlier, and his belief was cemented by the fact that Blaine not only kept it, but decided to add it to their tree this year. Still Blaine rolled his eyes and huffed dramatically.
"Oh, come on," Kurt chided as he fussed with a branch to ensure the nest was visible. "You have to admit you had it coming. For one of our first dates, you told me we were going to a super-secret location for a Warbler party, making it sound like some fabulous underground club."
"It was a secret location!" Blaine argued.
"It was Nick and Jeff's room," Kurt volleyed back.
"And the fact that the party was being held there was a secret," Blaine maintained.
"You made me wear a blindfold on the way there. You told me we were going to an exclusive Warbler hangout called The Nest," Kurt continued.
Blaine colored faintly in embarrassment. "Well, I'm sorry it wasn't cool enough for you," he groused, actually sounding a little hurt as he reached into a box for another ornament.
Kurt bit his lower lip. He hadn't meant to go too far and hurt Blaine's feelings. "Hey," he said gently, taking Blaine's hand and drawing him near. "I'm sorry. I know I make light of it, but it really was a wonderful night for me." Kurt slid his arms up and around Blaine's neck, loving the way Blaine's hands automatically curved around his waist. "It was the first time I got to slow dance with you."
Blaine smiled softly. "I remember. That was why I wanted to take you so badly. I knew that a Warbler party was one of the few places we'd be able to do that outside of our own rooms. It was kind of a safe haven for us. I mean, where is a bird safer than in its nest?"
Kurt placed a tiny kiss on Blaine's nose. "Exactly. Which is why I got you that ornament, and why I'm so happy to see it on our tree, here in our very own home."
The coming years would see changes to Kurt and Blaine's tree. New ornaments would be added, and occasionally, an old one would break. But year after year, the tiny bird's nest always found its way onto a prominent branch, a symbol of the safe and happy home two Warblers found in one another.