"Oh, yay! You're back!" Laura exclaimed as Kurt walked into work the next morning.
"You knew I was coming back. You and Becky tweet each other about every minute detail concerning Blaine and I."
"That's true. But still. I act surprised well, don't you think?"
"Whatever you say," Kurt replied with a smile. "I owe you a thank you anyway. For forcing me onto that plane."
"Pfft. Please, no thanks necessary. And your boyfriend sent me flowers by way of thank you."
"Oh did he now?"
"He did. I shall permit you to hug me though."
"Very gracious." Kurt said as he embraced her warmly. "Coffee?"
"I'll get them. Go on up and I'll join you in a while."
Kurt couldn't help grinning widely as he waited for the elevator. Things were going perfectly. He had left a very jet lagged Blaine asleep this morning with a note telling him he would be back to cook dinner. He had a whole stack of new designs for next season ready for approval, meaning he could afford to take it easy over the holidays. He was ridiculously excited about Christmas- he was even looking forward to Rachel's New Year McKinley party, and it was all because of one man.
As the elevator doors opened he came face to face with the one man he did not want to see.
"Scott." Kurt greeted him with a terse nod.
"Oh, hey Kurt. You're back. I didn't think we'd be seeing you until the New Year."
"I'm just back for a few days before I fly home for Christmas."
"With the boyfriend?"
"Blaine. And yes, with him." Kurt stepped out of the elevator and to his dismay, Scott followed after and trailed him to his office.
"So things are serious then?"
"Yes Scott. Ugh. Why are you following me?" Kurt sighed exasperatedly.
"Just checking you're sure. Wouldn't want you to feel like you're settling for second best. I'm still around."
"I am not settling for anything Scott. I told you before. We are meant to be. Now will you please leave me alone so I can get on with some work."
"Ok, ok, I'm going. Just one question though. Who's moving where and when?"
"Excuse me?"
"If this is serious, between you and Blaine, surely you won't want to spend the rest of your lives living on different continents?" One glance at Kurt's face gave the game away. "Oops! Not had that discussion yet. Oh dear. Maybe things aren't as serious as you thought."
"Fuck off Scott." Laura retorted as she walked into the office. "Go back to the basement and annoy Andrew in the mail room"
Scott reddened but still managed a sleazy wink in Kurt's direction before leaving.
"I could've handled that," Kurt muttered as he sat down at his desk.
"I know. But I like butting in."
"I've noticed. Thanks." he said as he took his coffee and sipped it gratefully. Laura perched on the desk watching him for a while before speaking.
"He's right you know."
"What?"
"If you want things to stay serious with Blaine, one of you needs to move."
Kurt sighed heavily. "I know."
"And that needs to be you."
"I can't Laura. What about my job?"
"What about it Kurt? Listen to me. You love him. He loves you. He would move to the end of the earth for you, but it's not that easy. He can't practise law over here. You can design anywhere, and you do. You got so much done when you were in New York, like having Blaine around urged you to fulfill your potential or something. Maybe he's your muse, I don't know. But you must be pleased with what you accomplished?"
"Yes, I am but..."
"You're too good to work for someone Kurt. You need to go it alone. Think about it. You've set yourself up a damn good studio in Blaine's apartment already. You could design and make stuff there to start with, then as things get busier you could look into finding offices and staff."
"But I don't know if Blaine wants me to.."
"He does," Laura cut in. "But he's not going to ask you to quit your job and move in with him because he's scared that will put too much pressure on you, and he doesn't want you to think he's selfish."
"Blaine is the most selfless man I've ever met!" Kurt cried.
"Exactly. Please Kurt, just promise me you'll think about it."
"I will I promise. Can I ask, how do you know all this?"
"Blaine talks to Becky, she talks to me and then I talk to you."
"Oh."
"You two are hopeless at talking to each other, so we're doing it for you."
"Right." Kurt sat there dumbstruck, trying to take it all in.
"You're welcome. Look, over Christmas take some time and actually talk to each other. Open, honestly and fully clothed. Ok?"
Kurt laughed. "Yes, ok. So what are your plans for the holidays?"
"TV and chocolate."
"You're spending it alone?"
"Yup. And don't feel bad," Laura continued hurriedly. "Becky is alone too, so we're going to get hopelessly drunk together via skype and I'm going to force her to watch the Queen's speech."
"Um...ok. Right. Well. I'm glad you have plans. Sort of."
"It'll be fun. Anyway, do some work. You can take me out for lunch later."
"Dude! I totally got my wife pregnant!" David boomed out across Hyde Park as he saw Blaine approaching. Blaine walked quickly towards him, smiling and shaking his head in disbelief at David's volume.
"Congratulations man!" Blaine hugged him warmly.
"Thanks. Early days still, but I thought it'd be better telling you face to face rather than over the phone."
"So things are going well then?"
"Better than well actually. What about you? I see Kurt still enjoys sinking his teeth into you." David pulled at the collar of Blaine's coat as he tried to duck away.
"What can I say?"
"Look at you, you're a disgrace, Blaine Anderson. Come on, I'll buy you some mulled wine." The pair walked towards the Winter Wonderland as Blaine filled him in on all that had happened since he was last in London. As they took their seats at the outside bar, David turned serious.
"I'm happy for you Blaine, I really am. But you need to sort this mess out. Find a manager for your Westerville offices for a start, then give Kurt a freakin key to your apartment and inform him that he is once again a US citizen."
"I'm not so sure about that," Blaine laughed, "But you're right about the manager. I just don't know who."
"Isn't there anyone there already?"
"No. John is the most senior, but he's retiring in April anyway." Blaine mused.
"What about Wes?"
"Wes is a lawyer?" Blaine asked.
"No. He's a mechanic. Of course he's a lawyer, why else would I have suggested it?"
"I don't know."
"You amaze me sometimes. Anyway. Yes, he's a lawyer. Living in Columbus. I'm not saying he'll do it of course, and you may not want him to anyway, but I could set up a meeting over Christmas if you want?"
"You're in Ohio for Christmas?"
"Yes. We fly out on 23rd."
"Oh David that'd be excellent. God, I feel bad not keeping in touch with anyone though."
"Don't worry about it. The Warblers all know you went through a tough time. It's cool. They'll just be happy you came through it and have Kurt back. Hey, we're all meeting up for New Years if you and Kurt want to join?"
"Oh, we have plans. But thank you David. Not just for that, but for everything. You have been an amazing friend, if somewhat eccentric."
"Hey!" David objected, "I can't help it if my mouth works quicker than my brain. But seriously dude, you're welcome. I'm glad things got sorted for you and Kurt. You belong together."
Blaine's breath puffed out in front of him as he walked along the river towards Kurt's apartment. He'd enjoyed spending time with David once again, and was now eagerly anticipating meeting up with Wes over the holidays. His phone buzzed with a text as he was unlocking the front door, he smiled softly as he pulled his phone from his pocket, expecting it to be Kurt.
To: Blaine
From: Cooper
Call me.
Blaine's heart sank. He had purposely not made any contact, he knew his mom was visiting but unsure how long she was staying. He was guessing from the text that she had left and now Cooper wanted Blaine's side. He tried to calm his breathing as he waited for his call to connect.
"Hello?"
"Mindy?" Blaine asked tentatively.
"Oh, Hi Blaine. He's right here." before Blaine had a chance to ask Mindy how he was, Cooper's voice came on the line, raw and scratchy. From crying or yelling Blaine could not tell.
"Hey."
"Hey...so. You said to call you."
"Yeah."
"You talked with mom?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"It's fucked up Blaine. Really fucked up." Cooper's voice broke as he started to sob. "All those years...I spent...resenting you. You were just a kid Blaine, just a little fucking kid. And it wasn't your fault...wasn't anyone's fault. Mom was sold off to save face, Dad was stuck in a marriage he didn't want to be in...and you. You were the golden boy and I could never work out why."
"Cooper, I..."
"I'm so sorry Blaine. So goddamn fucking sorry. I treated you like shit."
"Cooper! Listen to me. You never have to apologize to me. Ok, when I was younger you kind of ignored me. But I really don't know where I'd be right now if it wasn't for you. I had no one when I came out Coop, no one except you. And when I broke up with Kurt...I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't taken me in. Please Cooper, if anyone has to apologize it should be me for not telling you when I found out."
"Nah," Cooper sniffed, "I wouldn't have told you either. How do you tell someone something like that? I've spent thirty five years calling the wrong man Dad."
"Are you mad at mom?"
"Maybe. A little. I don't know. I just wish I'd always known, you know? I wish we hadn't spent all those years living as a completely dysfunctional family when we didn't need to. And I wish I could've had the chance to know my real father when I was a kid."
"You gonna try and track this guy down?"
Cooper sighed heavily. "I don't know. Maybe one day. But right now I'm gonna spend some more time with mom and try and repair that relationship. She said you and her have reached a tentative truce."
"Yeah...I think we have. She will never like the fact that I'm gay. But I think she secretly quite likes Kurt."
"Yeah man...about that. I'm happy for you little bro. Really happy. Think we can all meet over the holidays?"
"You're coming home too?"
"Yes. Why, who else is?"
"Everyone, it seems."
Kurt slammed the front door and leaned back against it heavily. Blaine glanced up from his position at the table where he had been emailing case notes to Becky and smiled tentatively. Kurt looked tired and drawn, his eyes were red rimmed from crying and he was biting hard on his bottom lip.
"We need to talk." he said as he walked toward the table, dropping his bag and shrugging out of his jacket.
"Yes. We do."
Kurt stopped, looking at Blaine questioningly. "Oh? Well that wasn't the response I was expecting."
Blaine pulled out a chair for Kurt and gestured for him to sit. "You first."
"No, really, you go."
"Kurt." Blaine dragged his hand tiredly over his eyes. "Please. Just tell me whatever it is."
"Ok." he took a deep breath and sat on his shaking hands before continuing. "So I know we said we'd discuss things at Christmas, but I guess it's nearly that time already, but maybe you meant when we were in Ohio, I don't know. But.."
"Kurt! Stop rambling and get to the point!"
"I quit my job."
Blaine was silent for what seemed to Kurt like an eternity. He stared slack jawed at him as if unable to comprehend what he had just heard.
"You...what?" he whispered.
The lip biting was back, Blaine noticed as Kurt pulled his hands free and began wringing them instead.
"I...I...well I quit. I can't do it anymore Blaine. I can't be apart from you. And if people think I'm totally crazy, or think that I'm following you to New York like a puppy then fine. Let them. Nobody knows you like I know you Blaine, nobody is as lucky as I am to have you as their partner. And I want to be with you. If you'll have me."
"If I'll...Kurt are you serious? Of course I'll have you!" Blaine's face broke out into a wide grin, "I was trying to work out how to ask you without you feeling obligated. I just...OH MY GOD! This is the best day ever!" Blaine leaned across the table and pulled Kurt in for a deep, searing kiss. "YES!" he yelled, punching the air and causing Kurt to laugh giddily with relief.
"Ok. Well here I was, worried it may be awkward."
"Never!" Blaine's grin was ear splittingly wide by now, he looked for all the world like a kid who had just woken up to find Santa had been. "Kurt this will just be the best- kiss- thing- kiss- ever!" He showered kisses over Kurt's face and hair, anywhere he could reach really, and pulled him into his lap. "And you know, you can do what you want to the apartment. We can redecorate the whole thing if you want."
"You want me to live with you?"
"Oh." Blaine turned suddenly sombre. "Well I was kind of hoping..."
"Good. So was I."
"Fuck. Don't do that to me Kurt, my heart plummeted then." he squeezed Kurt around his waist and buried his head in his torso.
"Laura is right, we are really bad at this."
"Huh?"
"Let's get this straight. I am moving to New York."
"Yes." Blaine nodded.
"To live with you, in your apartment."
"Yes."
"You won't leave wet towels on the floor, and in return I will grant you some closet space."
"Yes."
"Ok, good. I think that's clear."
"Kurt, if you quit your job, what are you going to do?"
"Well, I was hoping I could start my own collection, see where it goes."
"I think that's an excellent idea. You can work from the apartment. I knew it was a good idea to get that sewing machine." Blaine exclaimed happily.
"Is that ok with you?"
"Why wouldn't it be? It's our apartment, you can do what you want."
"It's your apartment, you own it."
"Kurt. if you're moving in with me then what's mine is yours and vice versa."
"But what about when I sell this place?"
"Patience, Kurt. Let's just take it slow, ok? So when do you finish work officially?"
"Tomorrow. It was supposed to be a month, but I've just handed over all my designs for the next fall collection and told them I'm happy for them to have the rights, so we're parting on good terms. They were a good company to work for, it's just that my heart belongs to you."
"Cute," Blaine smiled as he leaned up for a long kiss. "I love you, you know."
"I know. I love you too."
"I wish we were naked right now," he continued, running his hands under Kurt's shirt to touch the smooth expanse of pale skin.
"Hmm," Kurt wriggled under Blaine's touch, "As lovely as that sounds, and it really, really does- you still haven't said what you wanted to talk about."
"Ugh. Must I?" Blaine whined.
"Yes you must, otherwise I may start to believe those people who say you're selfish and needy."
"Who said that?" Blaine asked indignantly.
"Never you mind. Just talk." Kurt folded his hands primly in his lap, though Blaine's continued to trace patterns over Kurt's back as he spoke.
"Well I met with David."
"Good."
"And as well as telling me and all of London that Sarah is pregnant, he also told me that Wes is a lawyer, living in Columbus."
"Well, the first bit is excellent news, but I don't get why you're telling me about Wes."
"I want to find a manager for the Westerville office. I can't keep flying back and forth, and I definitely won't want to now I've got you waiting at home for me. So I'm going to meet with him after Christmas to talk about the possibility of him running that branch for me. David mailed me some more information this afternoon, he specializes in family law, and has built quite a reputation for himself."
"But doesn't Andersons deal with mainly corporate stuff?"
"Yes. But I want to change it if I can, and it seems as if this could be a good place to start."
"So...cautiously optimistic then?"
"I think so."
"That's great Blaine. God, it seems like things are falling into place at last."
"So...that's not all. I talked to Cooper."
"And?"
"Like you said...things are falling into place at last."
A/N- Just to say, if some of the scene endings seemed a bit abrupt here...I have my reasons ;)