As this was slowly getting longer and longer, I've decided to split this into three chapters rather than two. So one final chapter is being polished off and should follow shortly.
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When Kurt turned over the next morning, he saw a mop of curls and some hazel eyes staring back at him. It took a second or two to remember what had happened, but the smile on Blaine's face reminded him.
"Morning"
"Morning"
"So you said today is Christmas Eve right? So what are we doing?"
Kurt smiled. "Someone's just a little bit excited."
"Just a little. Come on Kurt, spill."
"Well, I thought we could visit the local Christmas market. They have lots of hand crafted gift stalls and mulled wine and carollers. Then I have some wrapping that I need to do and then this evening I have a surprise for you."
"What kind of surprise?"
"Well it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?"
Blaine stayed silent for a minute and Kurt could see tears forming in his eyes.
"Kurt. Thank you. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before. I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever."
"You're welcome"
" I love you."
"I love you too."
The two of them linked hands before continuing to stare at each other.
"Come on. Carole's usually making pancakes by now. If we don't get in quick, Finn and Dad will have finished them all. If it's editable and not nailed down, it's gone in this house."
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The snow had been coming down heavy overnight, making Lima seem even more Christmassy. The Christmas market was busy with last minute shoppers and parents queuing with their children to see Santa. The two boys wandered slowly around the market, admiring all of the handcrafted gifts, neither buying anything, but just enjoying browsing.
After a couple of hours of shopping and a ride on the carousel, Kurt and Blaine sat down for some hot punch.
"It's so Christmassy here, you can't help but get swept up in it" Kurt said.
"Your plan is most definitely working." Blaine winked at him. Kurt gave him a shy grin in return.
Kurt started looking around in bags. "Erm, I think I left one of my gloves at that last stall. Can you watch my stuff, whilst I run back and get it?" Kurt rushed off without even waiting for a response.
Whilst Kurt was gone, Blaine looked around at the market. There was one corner that they hadn't yet looked around, but Blaine liked what he saw.
When Kurt returned with a hurried "got it", Blaine seized his opportunity.
"Hey Kurt, have you seen that they have an ice rink. Let's skate."
"No...no..no..no. Kurt Hummel does not skate."
"Pleeaaase...come on Kurt it will be fun and very festive."
Kurt took in the puppy dog eyes and smile and could feel his determination waning. "I can't skate. Is this revenge for me not telling you where we're going tonight?"
"Ha. I'll hold you up. Come on."
Twenty minutes later and both Blaine and Kurt were booted up. Blaine like an excited child, whilst Kurt looked a trip to the dentist would be more appealing. Blaine stepped on the ice first before turning around to help Kurt, whose knuckles were white as he gripped hard on the rail.
"So help me God Blaine Anderson, if I die on the ice, I'm coming back to haunt you forever more."
Blaine just chuckled. "Come on. You should probably loosen your grip just a little bit Kurt. Otherwise you won't be able to move that far. I won't let you fall."
"Hmm..."
After being lapped a couple of times by a child who looked like she was about five years old, Kurt did as he was told and loosened up.
Fifteen minutes later and Kurt was only holding on to the rail with one hand and on to Blaine with the other. Blaine could see a smile starting to form on his face.
"Come on Kurt, our times nearly up. Let's at least do one lap, not holding on at all. You trust me right?"
Kurt raised an eyebrow, but gradually eased his hand off of the rail. "I suppose so."
Half way around the rink and Kurt was starting to get his confidence. His arms flailing around less and the squeals had quietened down. As the whistle went to signal that time was up, they made their way around the rink to the exit and then that was when it happened. The little girl who had previously lapped Kurt, knocked in to him. It was just a light knock, but enough to make him lose his balance.
Kurt went down with a thud and gripping Blaine's hand tighter in the process, took him down with him. Blaine immediately turned to Kurt. "Kurt, are you okay?"
"Oww"
Blaine helped him up and looked at him concerned.
"I got cut up by a five year old Blaine. My bum is wet and these are my best Marc Jacob jeans. I'm not sure okay is exactly how I'd describe it."
Blaine just smiled. If he was well enough to bitch, he'd be just fine. "Fall aside. You had fun and you know it..."
"Hmmm..." Kurt replied, but Blaine thought he saw a hint of a smile.
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Later that evening, Kurt and Blaine were both in Kurt's car and on their way to Blaine's surprise. They'd gotten home from the market, dried off and spent the afternoon wrapping presents and watching TV. Burt thought it was hilarious that Blaine had managed to persuade Kurt to skate and Kurt had threatened Blaine that he wasn't to tell anyone else what had happened.
Throughout the afternoon, Blaine had made several half-hearted attempts at getting Kurt to tell him what his surprise was, but Kurt wouldn't even give a hint.
By the time they pulled into the parking lot of the local theatre, Blaine was practically bouncing in his seat.
"We're going to see a show?" Blaine said with wide eyes.
"Come and see."
They exited the car and walked around to the local theatre where people were milling around outside. Blaine could then finally see what his surprise was. In big letters across the front of the theatre, he could see 'Carols by Candlelight'. He turned to a grinning Kurt with a questioning look.
"It says carols but it's basically classic Christmas songs, like 'Jingle Bell Rock' and 'Last Christmas'. They have a full orchestra and soloists. You get a song sheet, everyone sings along, and then the audience is divided up for the 12 days of Christmas and has to do all of the actions; it's a 100% pure Christmas cheese. I thought you'd love it."
"Oh I do." Blaine wanted to plant a kiss on Kurt, but considered their location and settled for a squeeze of his hand.
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Two hours later and the boys exited the theatre, all sung out but with huge smiles on their faces.
"That was so much fun Kurt. Thank you. I didn't even know they did shows like that. The theatre looked so beautiful by candlelight."
"Well this is apparently an annual event, so I say we start a new Christmas tradition."
"If it means I get to see you mime eight maids are milking every year, how can I turn down an offer like that?"
"We never speak of that again."
Blaine laughed loudly at Kurt's indignant face.
Walking back to the car, the two linked arms.
"I feel like I should be doing more to make your Christmas special Kurt. You've done so much for me already."
"You don't need to. Besides I'm not entirely doing this for unselfish reasons Blaine. I know you said it's what you're used to, but it turns my stomach to think of your Christmas being cooped up in your room. I love you Blaine. If you're happy, I'm happy."
Blaine squeezed Kurt's arm tighter and rested his head on his shoulder as they walked.
"You know, I knew that my family never exactly had the most perfect Christmas', but I never realised before how much it upset me. I look at your family and you're so together. It's what Christmas is all about. I'm glad to be sharing it with you."
"You're part of our family too you know. You're stuck with us now... I'm sorry."
Both grinning, they continued back home, singing their favourite songs from the show and telling each other anecdotes from their childhood Christmases.
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Later that night, when they were cuddled up in Kurt's bed, Kurt turned to Blaine. "So Santa's coming tonight."
Blaine chuckled. "You may be able to move the celebrations a day earlier Kurt, but I think Santa's got a pretty set schedule. "
Kurt just raised his eyebrows, leaving Blaine wondering what he was up to.
"So, what's the plan for our Christmas Day?"
"Presents of course, Christmas dinner and maybe even some games?"
"Sounds perfect"
"Night Blaine." Kurt reached over and turned the bedside lamp off before snuggling back against Blaine.
"Night Kurt"
Exhausted, it didn't take too long for both boys to be gently snoring and in a deep enough sleep that they didn't hear Burt and Carole at the bedroom door whispering.
"You'll have to be quick Burt, or they'll hear you."
"Okay. I'm going in. Get ready to run if they stir."
Burt was now creeping across the bedroom floor towards Kurt's bookcase, where he hung the two stockings he was carrying. As he made his way back there was a loud groan from the bed and Blaine turned over. Burt froze to the spot and Carole could see the panicked look on his face but was powerless to help.
After what felt like hours, but in actual fact was only a couple of minutes, Blaine seemed to settle back into sleep. When he was sure it was safe, Burt practically ran out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
"You're quite the ninja sweetheart."
"I thought I was busted. I'll never forget the year that Kurt woke up whilst I was putting his presents out. I'm too old to be crawling commando style across the floor like that again."
Carole just laughed.
Guiding her away from the door, Burt continued to whisper. "Did you get everything for tomorrow?"
"Yes. We're all set. Finn's onboard and I've cleared the day tomorrow. I can't wait to see their faces."
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tbc – one more chapter to go
As always, reviews are very much appreciated and gratefully received.