Hello everyone! Before I delve into a brief synopsis of this latest chapter, I'd just like to apologize for the wait. This past month has been insanely hectic for me and has had its share of highs and lows. I won't burden you all with the details, but it's all smooth sailing now, and I'm glad to be back writing my little story!

So, in this chapter, Kurt and Sebastian are off for Thanksgiving Break. Kurt is so excited to go back home to be with his family, but Sebastian essentially has nowhere to go. I won't give it all away, but I will say that Blaine Anderson makes a brief appearance in this chapter. I will, however, let you know in advance that you WILL be seeing Blaine again in the future.

Again, I apologize for the month-long lull in my writing. I'm back and am just about to start the next chapter, so watch out for it soon! Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Break was only about five days away and already the students at Yale University were all abuzz about their plans for the brief vacation. Most of them were returning home to be with their families. Everyone was excited.

In fact, the only person on the entire campus who wasn't looking forward to Thanksgiving Break was Sebastian Smythe. Of course, he had a perfectly legitimate reason for disliking it.

His parents, who were diplomats for the United States government, had been abroad every Thanksgiving ever since he could remember. In fact, they were often busy most holidays. Even throughout high school at Dalton Academy, when all his friends went home for the break, he'd be stuck on campus, counting the days until school was to resume.

He knew in the back of his mind that this year wouldn't be any different. His parents were going to Singapore to conduct diplomatic relations. Nevertheless, he was still disappointed and frustrated that, yet again, he'd have to spend another Thanksgiving alone.

Sebastian desperately wanted to talk to Kurt about it, but he didn't feel like bringing his friend down with his own personal burdens. All Kurt had been talking about was how excited he was to go back to Lima to be with his family for the break. But he could tell Kurt sensed something was wrong. If that boy was anything, he was perceptive.

And perceptive he was.

The two young men sat at a café table just outside of Koffee, the very same place where Sebastian had bared his soul to Kurt a couple months earlier. It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving Break and Sebastian was talking animatedly about his film class and how they were currently discussing the so-called French New Wave. Kurt listened intently, but was only half paying attention because he sensed that the reason for his friend's whole dialogue was simply to make small talk and idle chitchat so as to avoid something greater under his skin that was bothering him.

"I'm telling you," Sebastian said as he lit a fresh cigarette and took a long drag. "Everyone can say Francois Truffaut is the all-time greatest director of the movement, but I'd give it, hands down, to Albert Lamorisse. Why? Three words: Le Ballon Rouge. The Red Balloon. I've seen many New Wave films, but that one's got the most heart, even more so than The 400 Blows, I'd say…"

Kurt nodded and sipped his Grande nonfat mocha before asking, "Is everything alright, Sebastian?"

The drop in Sebastian's expression was so sudden it must have surpassed many world records in speed and timing. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, I don't know," Kurt replied. "You just seem a little distant lately."

Sebastian shook his head. "Well, I confess I've been a little preoccupied with my schoolwork and all that…"

"Come on," Kurt said. He could spot when someone wasn't being completely up front with him. It was almost like a sixth sense. "Aren't we friends, Sebastian? You can tell me anything…"

Sebastian took another lengthy drag on his cigarette. As he exhaled a puff of smoke, he seemed to be letting all the pain and frustration from his parents slip away into the cool night air.

He sighed heavily and launched into his story, doing exactly what he swore he wouldn't do. "My parents are diplomats for the United States government. Ever since I can remember, they immerse themselves completely in their work which isn't necessarily a bad thing but they get so into it that they often…Forget they have a son."

Sebastian removed his glasses and massaged his closed eyelids as Kurt looked on sympathetically. "I was, more or less, raised by the family governess. Don't get me wrong, she was a very sweet lady and always kind. Hell, she was a better parental figure than my biological folks! But when I was sent to boarding school at Dalton Academy, I didn't even have her anymore. And so began my lonely Thanksgivings. It looks like this year is going to be another disappointment."

The minute the stream of words and emotion were out of his mouth, Sebastian instantly regretted ever saying anything. "Damn it, I'm so sorry for springing this upon you, Kurt. I know you've been really excited to see your family, and I certainly don't want to weigh you down and depress you with my problems…"

"Come with me."

Sebastian's head snapped up as if he hadn't heard correctly. "What?"

"Come with me back to Lima for Thanksgiving Break!" Kurt was smiling. "My family will be glad to have you!"

"No, I couldn't do that! I wouldn't want to intrude…"

"Sebastian, you're not intruding. I'm inviting you to come home with me for the break!"

Sebastian seemed to truly ponder the idea for a moment. "Well…"

"Look," Kurt added. "No one should be alone on Thanksgiving. My dad and my stepmom always put together an elaborate feast, so you won't be able to eat for about a week after that!"

The two boys shared a laugh. "So," Kurt said. "Are you in?"

Sebastian puffed on the last of the cigarette before crushing the stub in the ashtray that was on the middle of the table. "Well…"

"Good!" Kurt instantly sat up and gathered his things. "I'll give my dad and stepmom a call and I'll get you a plane ticket and you'll be all set!" He pushed his chair in and grinned. "I'm so excited!"

Sebastian watched with an awkward smile as Kurt pranced away. He didn't show it quite so much on the outside, but he was inwardly rejoicing the fact that he would finally be having a real Thanksgiving for the first time in many, many years.

The minute Kurt stepped out of the American Airlines terminal at Columbus International Airport, he scanned the crowd of welcoming committees in search of his dad and stepmom. Sebastian appeared by his side shortly thereafter hefting his duffle bag over his shoulder.

"Boy, I haven't been back to Ohio since I graduated from Dalton! It doesn't seem like much has changed." He cast a side glance at Kurt as he squinted in the bright afternoon sunlight. "Do you see them yet?"

"Not yet," Kurt replied, shielding his eyes from the blinding glare. "That's funny, they said they'd be here by now…" He quickly consulted his watch, but not before Sebastian gently tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey," he said, pointing. "Are those your folks, right there?"

Kurt gazed up into the crowd and smiled brightly when he saw the familiar sight of his dad, Burt, in a baseball cap and his stepmom, Carole, waving her arms enthusiastically.

"Yes," Kurt said, fighting back tears. "That's them!" He didn't understand why he had an overpowering desire to cry. Perhaps it was simply because he hadn't seen the two of them in a good four months. Whatever the case, he ran toward them with his arms wide open.

"Dad! Carole!" The three of them held each other in a big, warm hug. Sebastian followed in Kurt's wake and looked on with a mixture of extreme joy and overwhelming sadness and longing. How he'd love to have that kind of loving relationship with this own parents…

"Hey, sweetie!" Carole spoke first, affectionately ruffling Kurt's hair. "It's so good to see you!"

Burt stepped forward with a smile and hugged his son once more. "Welcome home, Kurt. We've missed you so much."

Kurt smiled warmly. "Thanks, Dad. I missed you too." They seemed to share a comforting silence before Carole spoke up, gesturing toward Sebastian.

"And who is this?" She smiled, eyeing the boy with interest. "Is this your guest that you were talking about?"

The look in Burt's eye was one of concern. Kurt must have noticed it, because he appeared at Sebastian's side and gently urged him to step forward. "Dad, Carole," he indicated the tall, lean boy beside him. "This is Sebastian Smythe. We knew each other back in high school, but we only recently became friends after bumping into each other at Yale."

Carole stepped forward and extended her hand, which Sebastian shook. "How do you do?" She smiled.

"It's very nice to meet you," Sebastian replied with a friendly grin. "Kurt's told me all about you. And I can't thank you enough for having me. I really hope I'm not intruding."

Carole waved the comment away. "Oh, please. You're more than welcome! Anybody who's a friend of Kurt is a friend of ours!" She smiled at Burt, but her husband seemed oddly detached for the time being.

He took a slow, steady step forward. He appeared to be scrutinizing the young man, as if he didn't trust him. Folding his arms, he asked, "Didn't you go to Dalton Academy?"

Sebastian audibly gulped but nodded. "Yes, sir, I did."

Kurt broke through the tension, intervening. "He graduated back in June, just like I did."

Burt's eyes narrowed only for a moment. He quickly plastered a grin on his face and extended his hand. "Well, it's a pleasure meeting you. Like Carole said, anyone who's a friend of my son is a friend of ours." He stared for another moment before he turned and walked with Carole back to the car with the boys following in their wake.

Kurt and Sebastian shared a glance, but Kurt simply smiled warmly and patted his friend on the shoulder. He knew why his father had acted so coolly at first.

Burt was never quick to forgive or forget the people who had wronged his son. Kurt had been a victim of severe bullying back at McKinley High, and the two biggest perpetrators had been Dave Karofsky (whom Kurt had made up with just prior to graduation,) and Sebastian Smythe, (who, though a former enemy, was obviously Kurt's best friend at that point.) Nevertheless, Kurt figured that it would take his dad some time getting used to his making amends with his tormentors.

The Hummel home ("Hummel Manor," as Kurt jokingly dubbed it) was a warm and inviting two-story house just on the outskirts of Lima. The minute Sebastian laid eyes on it, he was reminded of one of those Thomas Kinkade paintings.

Once inside, Kurt showed Sebastian where he would be sleeping. There was a guestroom on the second floor right next to Kurt's bedroom that was quite spacious and comfortable.

It didn't take long for the boys to unpack. A mere fifteen minutes after they'd arrived, Sebastian poked his head into Kurt's room. "I'm done!"

Kurt laughed. "Yeah, me too."

Sebastian leaned like a question mark against the doorframe. He folded his arms. "Listen, Kurt, I know I've said it already, but I'd just like to thank you once again for letting me spend Thanksgiving with you and your family. This is the first time in a long time that I've actually been excited and happy this time of year."

Kurt smiled and opened his arms. "Come here," he said.

Sebastian walked over to him and the two hugged. "You're always welcome here, Sebastian," Kurt said into his shoulder. "You shouldn't spend any major holidays alone. No one should."

The two disengaged from the embrace after a few seconds and Kurt suddenly grinned. "Do you want to go visit the old stomping grounds?" He suddenly crossed to the bedroom door, leaving Sebastian gazing after him inquisitively.

"Wait, what old stomping grounds? Where are we going?"

Kurt's head appeared in the doorway. "I hope you like a shot of Courvoisier in your latte…" He smirked. "…Because we're going to the Lima Bean!"

Sebastian's eyes widened. "You'd better not be kidding me! I've been dying for one of their lattes!"

The boys raced downstairs quicker than lightning. "Dad! Carole! Sebastian and I are going to the Lima Bean. See you later!"

The door was closed before either of his parents could respond.

The Lima Bean, in the short four months since both Kurt and Sebastian had disembarked for New Haven, had remained more or less the same. It was also still as busy as ever with a line that nearly went out the glass front doors. The eclectic mix of preppies, high school kids, hipsters, and the occasional bohemian flanked nearly every available corner and space.

Kurt and Sebastian stood in line as they both perused the menu. "What would you like?"

Sebastian gazed at Kurt as if he were crazy. "Oh, no. You're not treating me. I refuse to let you do that."

"Oh yeah?" Kurt smirked as he swiftly took the money out of his wallet. "And who's going to stop me? I know what you like. Go find us a table you silly boy."

Sebastian shook his head and reluctantly said, "Thanks" before venturing off to search for an open table.

"Blaine and I used to come here all the time," Kurt said as he sipped his Grande nonfat mocha. He gazed longingly out the window as he reminisced. "But you knew that, seeing as how we all ran into each other quite often during high school."

Sebastian nodded. "I loved this place, though I'd never come here with people. I'd always go alone. I think the noise and chatter helped clear my head. It was almost meditative for me."

Kurt giggled. "Do you really mean that? Or did you not have any friends?"

Sebastian laughed and affectionately punched Kurt a bit too hard on the arm. "Hey! I had friends! I just never asked them to accompany me here." He smiled, but it quickly faded as he too started to draw back painful memories. "Blaine and I came here together a couple of times though. I still remember his coffee order…"

The two boys said it at the same time. "Medium drip." They shared a laugh and gently tapped their cups together in cheers.

Kurt's eyes suddenly widened as if in a dreadful fright. "Oh my god, speak of the devil…"

Sebastian put his cup down. "What?" He slowly turned toward whatever it was that Kurt was staring at.

"NO! He'll see you!"

The young man's head snapped back so quickly that his neck cracked loudly. "Ouch," Sebastian whispered, massaging the sore spot. "Who'll see me?"

Kurt leaned forward and replied in barely a whisper. "Blaine!"

Sebastian's eyes bugged out like a frog that's been stepped on. "What?"

"He's here! In the flesh!" Kurt shook his head in disbelief. "What's he doing here? I thought he was working on his music career in LA!"

Sebastian shrugged. "You've got me. He's probably just back in town because of Thanksgiving…"

"Shh! He's coming this way! Look down! Act natural!"

The two young men lowered their gazes, Kurt pretending to check a text message on his smartphone and Sebastian tracing shapes on the tabletop with his right index finger.

"Kurt?"

The boy sharply threw his head up the minute he heard the smooth suave voice. He could physically feel his heart pound nervously as Blaine stood over him with a bright, genuinely surprised smile.

"Blaine?" Kurt plastered a grin on his face and remained seated. "Wow, what a surprise. What are you doing here?"

"I'm just back in Lima for the holiday," Blaine replied, clutching his coffee tumbler. "I've been out in LA focusing on my music career. I've met a few people and that seems to be going somewhere."

"Well, that's great," Kurt replied with another slightly awkward smile.

"How's Yale?" Blaine asked. "That's where you go, right?"

Kurt nodded. "It's great. First year is going smoothly."

"Good, good," Blaine said, and the two of them remained silent for a couple seconds.

"Well," he continued. "I'd best be off. It was nice seeing you, Kurt."

Kurt gave a side glance at Sebastian who wore an embittered expression on his face but nonetheless shook his head. "Y—Yeah, it was nice seeing you too, Blaine."

Blaine smiled, nodded, and hurriedly breezed over to the glass front doors.

"How do you like that?" Sebastian's hands were clenched into fists on the tabletop. "He completely ignored me!"

Kurt leaned forward and gently patted his friend's hand. "I'm sorry. I'm surprised that he even had the nerve to approach me after what he pulled."

The two looked at each other and, out of nowhere, busted out laughing. They giggled and guffawed so loudly that the entire coffee shop took notice.

"This is my favorite place in all of Ohio. I used to come here all the time just to clear my head at the end of particularly long and emotionally draining school days."

Kurt led and Sebastian followed as they stepped through a curtain of weeping willow a short walk off the main highway. The lush, dramatic trees with their draping, sheltering branches surrounded a quaint and tiny lake that was fed by a large bubbling stream. Sebastian was surprised at how obscure and well-hidden the place was.

Only the sound of their breathing and the trickling water could be heard. Kurt sat on a large gray rock on the edge of the pond and removed his shoes and socks, rolling and cuffing up his jeans. "This was my fortress of solitude. No one, not even Blaine, knew about it. It was my own private paradise." Slowly and with a sigh, he dipped his feet into the cool water.

"This place is breathtaking," Sebastian said as he followed Kurt's example and removed his own shoes and socks on a neighboring rock. He gingerly placed his feet in the water and the two sat in silence for a little while.

"Hey, look what I found."

The sound of Sebastian's voice caused Kurt's watery-blue eyes to flutter open. He found his friend standing over a well-kept abandoned boat, bobbing gently in the water of the tiny lake.

"There are oars still in it," Sebastian said with a smile, brandishing the oars.

"That's funny," Kurt said, scratching his head. "I don't ever remember seeing that here."

"It must be a recent addition," Sebastian said, gingerly stepping into the vessel. He turned back to Kurt with a grin. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Our minds are as one, Mr. Smythe!" Kurt giggled as he, too, stepped into the boat. As soon as both boys were securely in, Sebastian took up the oars and started to row. "Where to, Monsieur Hummel?"

Kurt smiled again. "If you keep rowing past the willow trees, I can guarantee you one of the most spectacular views you've ever seen."

Sebastian grinned once more. "Deal." He proceeded through the curtain of willow branches and realized that the tiny lake was connected to something much larger.

"Here," Kurt said, swiftly taking the oars from Sebastian's hands. "I'll row from here. You have to see this."

Sebastian's mouth hung open in awe as the tiny lake just beyond the shelter of the willows gave way to a large river. Sparse pines lined the banks on both sides and the majestic sunset to their right turned the sky a fiery red/orange/purple blend reminiscent of a multi-flavored fruit Popsicle on a hot summer's day.

A gaggle of migrating geese flew overhead in their typical "v" formation. Kurt watched the awestruck Sebastian with a warm smile. "Well, what do you think?"

"Kurt, I don't know what to say."

Kurt laughed loudly and heartily. "So Sebastian Smythe is at a loss for words? I'm shocked…Not to mention impressed."

Sebastian let the last comment fly. He didn't say anything because the stunning panoramic view had literally taken his breath away. "I never knew Ohio could be this beautiful."

Kurt snickered. "I know, right? Who knew?"

They rowed on for quite some time before Kurt decided to just let them drift along the calm and peaceful waters of the river. Giving his arms a rest, he brought the oars back into the boat. It wasn't long before the sun had set and the sky turned a deep purple, then a dark blue as night arrived.

The sound of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" wafted softly from the tiny speakers of Kurt's smartphone. Sebastian had decided to lie down on the bottom of the boat and smoked a cigarette as he gazed up at the glorious night sky. The city lights of nearby Lima weren't quite bright enough to completely diminish the view of the Milky Way. "It kind of puts things into perspective, doesn't it?"

"What does?"

"Looking up at the night sky," Sebastian said as he took a drag, exhaling the smoke. "You don't realize how small you are until you see the entire universe before you on a clear night like this. And you have to wonder, does what we do on this measly little planet amount to anything in the grand scheme of things?"

Kurt was intrigued by the sudden philosophical musings of his best friend. He smiled and answered as honestly and to the best of his ability as he could. "I guess we just have to make the most of it and believe that it all has to mean something."

Sebastian nodded. "I guess you're probably right." He sat up and crushed the burnt-out stub of the cigarette on the side of the boat. "Kurt, if this was your fortress of solitude, your private paradise, then why did you bring me here?"

Kurt gave the boy a warm smile. "Consider this your Empire State Building, Sebastian."

The young man returned with a confused expression.

"You showed me a wonderful time in New York and completely cured me of my self-induced seclusion while waiting for the Howlin' Bulldogs list. I know you've been having a little frustration and resentment toward your parents and their constant work." Kurt licked his lips before he concluded with, "I just wanted to return the favor. I wanted to help you get your mind off of it."

Sebastian mirrored the warm grin. "I think I'd die without you, Kurt."

Kurt gazed at the boy sitting opposite him. He bit his trembling lower lip. They were the kindest words anyone had ever said to him. Still, he begged himself not to cry, and simply whispered "Thanks" before Sebastian took command of the oars once more.

"Here," he said with a charming grin. "I think it's about time I let you enjoy the view."

Kurt laughed and inadvertently wiped a stray tear away. "Will do," he said before lying down on the bottom of the boat to gaze up at the stars.

To be continued…