"I'm glad we did this," Carole tells him while cupping his cheek.
"So am I," Kurt says, and means it sincerely.
When Kurt came to Lima last night, Carole had wondered if he'd like to join her for the last day of the huge Christmas fair in Westerville. He'd lucked out and been able to go to Lima almost an entire week before Christmas, while Rachel still had a few classes and an exam to complete before she could follow after. When he realized he'd have so much time at home, he decided to postpone some of the gift shopping until he was back in Lima. That way, he wouldn't have to worry about overweight luggage or fragile items. Some gifts were already purchased in New York, obviously, because the shopping possibilities were galaxies beyond what he was used to at home. But maybe a Christmas fair would give him some alternatives. He wants to find something special for his friends.
Besides, spending a day with Carole while indulging in caramelized apples, roasted nuts and other delicious treats from the booths isn't the worst way to initiate his Christmas vacation. The blaring hole after Finn is still sometimes sucking them into a depressive void, and Kurt would never want to try to replace him. But Carole and he have a special bond of their own, and Burt doesn't have the patience to spend all the hours looking at vintage decorations and homemade crafts.
They've already spent two hours here, strolling from booth to booth, catching each other up on gossip and news, snacking on more treats than he imagined, buying a few new decorations for the family tree, and they've also found some lovely gifts – including a few purchases for themselves. The soft home-knitted scarf in five different shades of turquois could not be left behind, and Carole had fallen head over heels when she saw a pair of lovey-dovey Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
"So, Kurt, have you been naughty or nice?" Carole wonders out of the blue, drawing Kurt from studying a display of silver rings. He looks up at her, and she has an expression he might be willing to label naughty. She grins at him, and nods in the direction of a display crowded with kids of most ages. "Do you need to give Santa your wish list?" she giggles, and nudges his shoulder. He laughs with her, happy to see her so bubbly, and takes in the wooden cabin and simple decorations. There's a long queue of children waiting to tell Santa what they are dreaming of, the line weaving around small and lovely decorated trees and oversized polkadot-canes. A stuffed reindeer and piles of brightly coloured presents add to the festive stop. Carole leads him closer, and Kurt notices a few young actors dressed up as elfs.
"Finn used to love visiting Santa when he was a kid. I don't know how many hours I've spent standing in lines for his sake," she smiles ruefully, and nods at all the parents in different states of patience. "I always hoped I'd get to do it again as a grandmother. I'm counting on you, Sir," she grins and pokes him in the chest.
"I'm so single it hurts," he groans. "Besides, I'm still too young to think about children."
"Then you'll have to meet Santa with me today," Carole laughs.
"Sure," Kurt drawls, "because I'm sure they don't have an upper age limit for this."
"We don't, actually," a soft voice says from his left, startling him. His head whips around, and takes in the sight of one of the elf-dressed young men. The boots are a disaster, but boy can he pull off green velvet and jingling bells. It takes a few moments for Kurt to look away from those warm eyes, and when he takes in the entire face the boy is laughing easily.
"Would you like to meet Santa, Ma'am?" he asks charmingly, but quickly looks back at Kurt.
"You know what, I think I will. I have no idea what to get for my husband, maybe a pro as Santa can give me some hints," Carole sounds grateful, but when Kurt looks at her she looks too pleased. "Come on, Kurt, this lovely young elf just made my day."
"Yeah," Kurt says, and coughs to clear his throat. When did Ohio get hot elfs like this one?
"If you'll follow me?" the elf says, and looks at both of them. Carole determinedly closes the relatively short distance to the end of the queue, and the elf rests a careful hand on Kurt's back and guides him into position. "The waiting time is an estimated twenty minutes," he says. "If you'll excuse me?" he adds, and backs away with a sweet smile. He then turns around, and jogs off, and those pants are so not child-friendly.
"Oh… My… God…" Kurt whispers.
"You are very welcome. Merry Christmas, Kurt," Carole grins wickedly. Her smile intensifies when the hot elf returns with two paper-cups for them, with hot chocolate and mini-marshmallows.
"Best wishes from… Umm, Santa," he blushes, but looks at Kurt through his eyelashes.
"Thank you," Kurt murmurs. Carole probably says something too.
"So, what's your name?" the elf asks. "I need to check with Santa's list if you've been naughty or nice," he says, sounding slyer than when he handed them the hot drinks.
"I thought Santa knew our names?"
"Yes, yes he does, but you see, I'm not as magical as he is, and so I need your name to assist Santa as good as I know how to."
"And if you fail at assisting him, will Santa fire you?" Kurt grins, and the elf smiles back, shaking his head.
"No, but I do get pooper-scooper-duty in the reindeer stables for a week."
"Oh no, that would be a travesty with such fine pants. I'm Kurt," Kurt giggles, and extends a hand. The hot elf takes it in his hand, and leans in.
"Don't tell anyone," he murmurs, "but I'm Blaine," he whispers, his breath tickling Kurt hotly, giving him shivers all over.
"Your secret's safe with me," Kurt nods serenely.
"I knew you were special," Blaine murmurs, and reluctantly lets go of Kurt's hand. "I hope you get everything you wish for Christmas."
"Well," Kurt says, and decides to be bold for once, "that really isn't up to me, is it?"
"Is it up to Santa?" Blaine asks, looking honestly confused.
"No," Kurt shakes his head, and looks at Blaine. "But I do hear he has a magical elf assisting him with a lot of important work. Maybe he knows what I'd like?"
"He does?" Blaine blurts out, and then his face breaks into a grin. "I do believe in Christmas magic!"
When Carole and Kurt leave the fair, Carole has a new picture on her phone of her and the Santa, and Kurt has stored a new number in his phone – and in his back pocket he has a piece of parchment with the same telephone number written, which Blaine gave him along with two candy canes. Merry Christmas indeed.