The introductions are long since made, and Maria is already making herself at home in the kitchen with Carole, when Kurt and Blaine still stand in the hallway staring at each other with dopey grins.

"What?" Blaine eventually asks, tilting his head to one side and looking even more charming than usual.

"Nothing, I'm just having a hard time reconciling this adorably cute boy in his holiday bow tie to the one who was naked and tied to my bed yesterday."

"May I remind you that you were responsible for both?" Blaine smiles as Kurt wraps his arms around him. "Did you like your song?"

"I love it, as I love you. It was perfect. I want you to promise me something." Kurt speaks into Blaine's dark curls, left free of gel today at Kurt's request.

"Hmmm?"

"If we get to nationals, I want you to sing that."

"No way." Blaine says, pulling back and staring at the floor.

"Why not?"

"Because it's for you. And they'll all want to know who I wrote it for- they know me, they know I couldn't express that level of emotion unless I was actually feeling it. And I'm not gonna lie."

"Will it matter by then? Nationals are the week before graduation. At least promise me you'll think about it."

"Okay," Blaine sighs. "I'll think about it. But only because you're hot."

Kurt lifts Blaine's chin with his finger, looks deep into his eyes- amber today and sparkling with love- and kisses him.

"I-I-I watched the tape." Blaine manages to blurt, the intensity of that simple kiss having left him breathless.

"You did not." Kurt's eyes are wide as a slow smile forms on his face.

"I did. And I loved every second of it." Blaine says in between kisses, "I could still feel you, can still feel you today, too."

"Jesus Christ." Kurt mutters, and pushes Blaine against the wall, kissing him hungrily.

"Put him down!" comes the unmistakable tone of Burt Hummel from the living room, and the pair pull apart, giggling and blushing furiously.

"Come on." Kurt says, and tugs Blaine towards their first family Christmas.
-

"So?" Blaine asks as his mom drives them home later that evening.

"I had a fantastic time," she answers with a smile, reaching over and patting Blaine's leg. "Burt and Carole are good people...and you've landed on your feet with that young man of yours."

Blaine grins and leans back against the headrest as he watches the brightly lit houses speeding past his window. "Yeah," he says dreamily.

"Listen to you!" Maria exclaims with a ruffle of his hair. "You've got it bad. And so does he. Carole and I were talking about the way you look at each other."

"Yes, you two got on well. Too well probably."

"Well that's tough sunshine, because her and I are going to be seeing a lot more of each other. We're going to try that new jazzercise class at the community center next week, and we have a lunch date the day after."

"Oh God."

"Oh please, don't flatter yourself. We won't spend all our time talking about you and Kurt, cute as you are." Maria laughs.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself though mom. And thank you, for being so understanding."

"Blaine, I love you. Whatever you do, whoever you date, wherever you end up, you will always be my baby boy. But I have to say, I am more than happy with your choice. The boy done good."

The rest of the journey passes in a happy silence, Blaine still smiling in the darkness at the memory of being able to kiss Kurt under the mistletoe, and nobody minded. It wasn't as heated as they can get, sure, but his mom and Carole had kind of spoiled the moment by clapping enthusiastically and then laughing almost hysterically at Blaine's blush when Burt had complained it was like watching Brokeback Mountain again.

"So what are your New Years plans?" Maria asks as she pulls into the driveway.

"Same as the last three years, going to Rachel's."

"Is Kurt going?"

"Yes. He's coming with Finn. And you know, it's only the Glee guys so no one will think it's strange, him being there." Blaine finds himself unnerved by the look Maria gives him before unlocking the front door.

"It's not that honey...it's just...won't it be kind of tough? You won't be able to go near each other. Who are you going to kiss at midnight for a start?"

"Well last year Puck tried to kiss me, so anything has to be better than that. But seriously, it doesn't matter mom. We're used to hiding it."

"Okay. If you're sure."

"I am. And I'm going to sleep over at Rachel's if that's okay?"

"Is Kurt sleeping over?"

"Of course not! Jeez. How would that look, a teacher sleeping overnight with his pupils?"

"Get out of here!" his mom laughs as Blaine runs up the stairs. "Go text Kurt, it's been a whole twenty minutes since you saw each other!" She calls after him.

Happy and contented, Maria falls back on the couch thinking she can't remember a better Christmas.

"Happy New Year!" Blaine calls excitedly as he enters Kurt's apartment.

"I'm in the tub!" comes the reply, and Blaine smiles at their domesticity- thinking how perfect their life in New York will be.

"Hey..." Blaine smiles. He pushes open the door and moves to sit on the end of the tub, leaning down to give Kurt a brief kiss before playing with his damp hair.

"Hey. Missed you. And it's not New Year yet."

"Okay...you saw me yesterday and I don't care, I'm saying it anyway. Happy New Year."

"But when I saw you yesterday I also had the pleasure of seeing my parents and your mom at the same time."

"I know. It's nice that they're so supportive, and that they get along but..."

"But sometimes it's a bit much. I hear you."

"Hmmm." comes Blaine's response as he rolls up his shirt sleeves and runs his hands down Kurt's chest and into the water. Kurt sighs deeply and leans back against Blaine's leg, closing his eyes.

"What time are we leaving?" he murmurs.

Blaine takes a deep breath "Actually, we're not going."

"What?" Kurt asks, turning in the water to look at him.

"I thought we'd stay here. All night."

"All n...are you kidding me?"

"Nope," Blaine grins bashfully.

"But...what about...you said...I mean...I really get you here all night? As in, you'll be here in the morning?" Kurt is kneeling now, water sloshing over the sides of the tub but he pays it no heed as he grips Blaine's thighs excitedly, his whole face alight with happiness.

"Yes." Blaine laughs as he kisses the tip of Kurt's nose.

"What did your mom say?"

"She was actually the one who pointed out to me how hard the party would be. I wouldn't be able to kiss you at midnight, which would kill me, and if I had a drink I would try, and that would be disastrous."

"True. Was Rachel okay?"

"Completely fine. She understands."

"Then in that case I don't know why you're not undressed and in this tub already."

After their bath the pair change into comfy sweats and hoodies, Kurt at pains to point out that he really must love Blaine, always letting him see him without his hair styled.

"So...movie?" Blaine asks from his position between Kurt's legs on the couch.

"I'd much rather you."

"That can be arranged," he says, turning so he's lying on top of Kurt.

They make out until things become heated, erections pushing against one another and hands starting to roam. Blaine reluctantly extricates himself and walks to the bedroom. He's back a few seconds later.

"Uh Kurt?"

"Mmm?"

"No condoms or lube."

"What?" Kurt stops palming himself and sits up. "You're joking me."

"I wish I was. It's okay. I'll drive to the drugstore. I won't be long." Blaine says, pulling on his shoes with no socks.

"I'll come with you."

"Is that wise? How do we explain that if we get caught?"

"Relax. It's New Years. It's nearly ten now, most people are going to be at parties already."

Kurt is right, the parking lot and the drugstore are deserted- but Blaine cheekily parks at the farthest end, and spends a while reacquainting himself with Kurt's tongue before they reluctantly step out into the cold.

"So I've decided," Kurt states as he links his arm through Blaine's and tries not to slip on the snow. "I'm getting tested. This condom thing is a pain in the ass...Oh behave." he rolls his eyes fondly at Blaine's laughter as they grab their supplies.

"Jesus it's cold." Blaine moans as they exit the store again, breath puffing out in front of them in small white clouds.

"Well I could always warm you up on the back seat for a while." Kurt says playfully, stopping in front of him and pulling his boyfriend in for a kiss.

"Kurt." Blaine says abruptly, eyes wide.

"Not in public, I know." he sighs.

"Kurt. Get in the car."

"What?" Kurt turns as Blaine flicks his eyes over his shoulder, and it's then that he sees them. Richard, and two other enormous guys, walking slowly towards them.

"Is he...is he holding a baseball bat?" Kurt asks, voice shaking with fear.

"Take the keys Kurt, and drive. Go to Rachel's, find Finn and stay right by his side." Blaine says, voice flat and emotionless and his eyes fixed on the advancing men.

"What? No. Please Blaine, run." Kurt tugs at his arm, the men are getting closer, he can see Richard's sneer as he hoists the bat on his shoulder. "Blaine!" the panic in his voice is evident now, and he is pulling hard at Blaine, who remains unmoving.

"Listen to me Kurt. If anyone finds you here, that's it. We're finished. Your life is ruined. Find Finn, he won't notice what time you arrived so if anyone asks he can say you were with him all evening. Take the keys." he says firmly, pushing them into Kurt's gloved hand.

"No! You're insane if you think I'm going to drive away. They're coming for you Blaine, I'm not going to..."

"I fucking said GO!" Blaine roars as he pushes him angrily toward the car. "I love you too much for this Kurt. NOW GO!" and with a final effort he pushes a shaking and now crying Kurt at the car and walks swiftly towards the men, hands balled into fists and ready to defend himself as best he can.

With trembling fingers, Kurt unlocks the door and gets inside. Hearing Blaine's anguished cry as the bat connects with his ribs, he drives away.

"What the...?" Burt Hummel is startled from his armchair snooze by a loud hammering on the front door.

"Kurt?" he asks as he pulls the door open to find his distraught son, eyes red, face ghostly white and hair in disarray.

"Blaine..." he manages to choke out around a sob. "Blaine...they came for Blaine...hit him...he's...Oh God what have I done?" he collapses on the front porch as Burt crouches down and gathers him into his arms.

"Who did buddy? What's going on?"

"Help. You have to help, dad. Richard came at him when we left the drugstore. There were two others. He had a bat...I..."

"What? Where is Blaine now?" Burt asks hurriedly, dropping Kurt and running inside to grab a coat.

"Still there...I left him dad...I...I...drove..."

"YOU WHAT?" Burt thunders, pulling Kurt to his feet and manhandling him to the car. "KEYS." he demands, and Kurt hands them to him before falling into the passenger seat.

"How could you be so goddamn stupid!" Burt fumes as they drive away. "Did you call the police, an ambulance...anyone?" he asks incredulously as Kurt shakes his head.

"Blaine...he told me to go...said to deny I was with him...wanted me to-to-to go to Rachel's party."

"Holy crap Kurt. I hope you realize that if anything's happened to him..."

"I know!" a terrified Kurt screams at his father, "I came for you...I thought we could take him home to Carole..."

"She's at work and anyway, the guy had a freaking baseball bat Kurt. She can't just patch Blaine up in the kitchen with a few band aids. Jesus Christ."

Kurt cries. Huge, gulping, broken sobs as reality sets in and he realizes the full horror of what he has done. He falls from the car when Burt pulls into the lot, but it is empty.

"BLAINE?" he yells, as Burt begins to scour the area.

"Blaine, where are you buddy?"

Father and son search the parking lot but Blaine is nowhere to be found. They are just thinking of heading back to the car when Kurt sees it.

"Dad. Here." Standing starkly against the white of the snow, shining under the light from Burt's cell, a trail of blood leads to a collection of large, industrial trash cans. Blaine's unconscious form lies huddled in a ball behind them. His hoodie is ripped and his skin seems to shine through the gaps. Kurt has never seen him look so small.

"Blaine...Oh my God, Blaine." Kurt tries to run to him but Burt holds him back.

"Easy son. Don't grab him." Bending down, he very gently turns Blaine so he's lying on his back, and then he gasps in horror. Blaine is unrecognisable. His eyes are swollen shut and his entire face is purpling already with bruises. A large, gaping cut runs from his forehead into his hair, and blood oozes from it freely. He gasps in Burt's arms, his breath wheezing and labored. Burt hears the sound of Kurt throwing up violently behind him as he brushes the boy's curls gently from his forehead.

"Blaine...It's Burt. Can you hear me?"

A soft grunt escapes Blaine's lips which Burt takes for affirmation.

"Okay. Don't worry. I'm gonna get you to hospital right now."

"Uuuuurrrr" Blaine murmurs, so softly that Burt has to lean closer.

"What's that son? Come on, talk to me...don't fall asleep kiddo."

"Uuuuurrrr" he manages again.

"Kurt?" Blaine nods almost imperceptibly. "He's right here buddy. Don't worry. I'm gonna bring the car up, okay? Kurt will stay with you."

"Blaine, baby. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." Kurt places gentle kisses into Blaine's hair, slick with blood and shining blacker than ever in the moonlight. "I'm so sorry Blaine, so, so sorry."
"No." Blaine rasps, before a sudden choking fit seizes him and Kurt rolls him carefully to one side, noticing more blood dribbling out his mouth. "Don' be sorry. Love y-y-y..." he trails off, Kurt assuming he's lapsed into unconsciousness again, it's impossible to tell if his eyes are open or shut.

Burt pulls up, and they manage to lift Blaine as gently as possible into the back seat.

"Shh, shh," Kurt whispers as Blaine whimpers and groans when he is moved. "We'll soon be there. I love you Blaine." Placing Blaine's head very gently in his lap, Kurt blinks back tears for the rest of the journey.

Blaine is taken away the second they get to the hospital, leaving Kurt to sit on an uncomfortable plastic chair while Burt paces. Eventually, after how long they do not know, Carole walks toward them.

"I asked if I could talk to you instead of the doctor," she explains as she sits next to Kurt and takes his hands. "Blaine has four badly fractured ribs, a hairline fracture to his skull, serious internal bruising, and his left arm and collarbone are also broken. He's having his forehead stitched right now, then you can see him although he is heavily sedated so probably won't wake."

Burt sighs deeply. "I'm gonna go call Maria." he says gruffly, and walks off without a glance at his distraught son.

"He hates me." Kurt says flatly, and then promptly bursts into tears.

"He doesn't hate you." Carole soothes as she holds him close.

"Did he tell you?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"And I would say we all act strangely when we are paralyzed with fear, honey. I know you aren't proud of your actions, nor do you believe for a second that you were right. But I do know that Blaine loves you with all his heart, and won't want you beating yourself up over this- if you'll excuse the expression."

"He looked so small." Kurt whispers into her shoulder.

"Sweetie, Finn would look small surrounded by those monsters. You can't dwell on what's happened. You need to focus on being there for Blaine, and helping the police with their enquiries."

"The-the police?" Kurt asks, suddenly fearful.

"Yes. The hospital has a duty to inform the police when someone comes in so badly beaten."

"But I can't...the police...they can't know I was...we were..." Kurt suddenly finds it hard to breathe, the floor and walls feel like they're closing in and he starts to tremble and shake.

"Honey?" Carole asks with concern. "Kurt? Let me get you some water." She starts to walk away when Burt returns.

"Maria Anderson is on her way in. Brace yourselves."

A/N- Please don't hate me! Chapter 22 will be up tomorrow. Keep reading! Love you all :)