It was finally the Christmas season.
Christmas was one of Blaine's favorite holidays. He'd been planning gifts for months. For his mother he'd made a version of their house for her christmas village. For Cooper, he'd made socks. He wasn't really sure what he liked anymore. They'd lost touch over the years.
But Kurt's gift, he'd worked the hardest on: a promise ring made out of gum wrappers of Kurt's favorite gum. He'd also made him a real promise ring with the help of the internet. He hid it under the gum wrapper ring so he could surprise Kurt twice.
He'd also bought them presents, along with everyone else on his list.
Kurt and the rest of the student council had organized a candy cane secret santa. So Blaine sent one to all the friends he'd made, in appreciation.
Artie got them a Christmas Special. He'd made Blaine and Kurt the leads. Everything sounded amazing, except a small fact: They were supposed to be singing at a homeless shelter.
"You can't be in agreement with this," Quinn commented as Blaine went to leave the choir room.
"I'm not. I think we should be there. But-" Blaine cut off. "I couldn't take this away from everyone. They're all finally happy and together again."
"I'm going to the shelter, and I know you'll regret it if you don't come too," Quinn told him. "Spread some of that positivity you like some much."
"I can't leave Kurt there all alone. We're the leads," Blaine said, conflicted.
"You know I never did thank you for our conversation a few months ago. It really helped me," Quinn sighed.
"You're welcome," Blaine felt so small. It went against everything he believed in.
"Kurt, I know we promised to do the show. But do you think we could leave early to go sing?" Blaine asked, struggling with his guilt.
"I know, it such an awful thing. But this is Artie's big break. We can't just ditch him. I heard he was going to use the special for his application for college," Kurt insisted.
"But the homeless people need cheering up, it's Christmas time!" Blaine insisted.
"How about we go right after? Then we can do both," Kurt reasoned.
"I guess that's a good idea," Blaine said, unsure.
The Special was spectacular. He felt like he was in a Judy Garland movie. It wasn't till Rory came and read a quote from Charlie Brown by Linus that he remembered the kids.
Blaine felt horrible. And so did everyone else. They rushed over to the homeless shelter to sing for them.
They stayed and played with the kids after their song. Once he started talking to the kids, he really saw how privileged he was. He ended up emptying his wallet to buy four kids new boots and winter jackets.
He couldn't help but think of all the times that he felt really cold. How did these poor kids feel then? He really didn't know.
Blaine decided on the last day of school before winter holiday that he needed to give Kurt the promise ring. He let it happen naturally.
"I think this year we should be thankful for the things that we do have, not the things we don't," Blaine started nervously, taking the box out of his pocket and showing Kurt. "Which is why, I know our relationship has reached a new level this year."
"If that's an engagement ring, my answer is yes," Kurt gasped as he took the box.
"Kurt, just open the box," Blaine blushed.
Blaine watched Kurt's face go from excited to shock to love, before explaining.
"It's a promise ring. I made it out of gum wrappers, juicy fruit."
"Wrigleys, my favorite!" Kurt sighed delightedly, still overcome with how sweet Blaine was, as he stared at the gum wrapper ring. "Is that a bowtie?"
Blaine grinned, shaking his head yes.
"But what are you promising?"
"To always love you. To defend you, even if I know you're wrong. To surprise you. To always pick up your phone call, no matter what I'm doing. To bake you cheesecake, at least twice a year. And to kiss you, wherever and whenever you want. To be your perfect sub, to always communicate even when we're driving each other insane. But mostly, just to make sure that you remember how perfectly imperfect you are," Blaine explained looking into Kurt's eyes adoringly as Kurt reacted happily to his words.
"Now I know it's not something Elizabeth Taylor would've wore, but if you-" Blaine was caught off guard when Kurt pulled him into a hug.
"It's our first Christmas together," Kurt grinned.
"The first of many," Blaine confirmed.
Kurt released him and took his hand to start walking again.
"Wait, you have to look under the gum wrapper ring."
Kurt opened the box again and carefully took the ring out, handing it to Blaine for safekeeping. Kurt gasped again.
"It's beautiful, Blaine. Where did you get it?"
"I made it," Blaine admitted blushing, "Look at the inscription."
B ❤ ︎K, mon amour
"Oh Blaine, it's perfect," Kurt smiled lovingly.
"I figured I should make one you could actually wear," Blaine explained. "I worked hard on it, but I can't see the wrappers staying on to long."
"I love them both, baby," Kurt wiped away a few tears of happiness. Just when he thought Blaine could get any sweeter, he makes him a promise ring.
"Okay you go left and I'll go right. We'll surround him," Kurt commanded, readying his snowball.
Blaine nodded and crawled out of his hiding spot. He ducked down when he saw Finn turn his way. This was war.
Finn had already hit him two times, but Blaine would not let him hit him again.
He crawled past Finn and aimed his snowball. One, two, and three. The ball sailed through the air and hit the back of Finn's neck. He screamed from the cold, having forgotten his scarf inside.
Blaine ducked down again making another snowball. Now he had to find Rachel. She was tricky. She had the same advantage that he had.
He heard Finn scream again, Kurt must have caught him.
Suddenly a snowball hit the back of his head. Rachel.
He turned quickly, but she'd already gone from where the snowball was thrown.
He saw Carole come out with mugs of hot chocolate, so he quickly made his way to her. It seemed the other three had the same idea.
"Aren't you cold?" Carole asked, rubbing her hands together. "Finn Hudson, how many times I have I told you to wear a scarf. You're going to get a cold on Christmas."
"It is getting rather cold out here," Rachel offered. "I think I'd like to drink this inside." Kurt and Blaine agreed, so they all made their way back inside.
Kurt and Finn took off the minute their boots were off. Rachel and Blaine were slower, but followed once their jackets were off as well.
When they found Kurt and Finn, they were still trying to push each other out of the way for the best spot in front of the fire.
Blaine and Rachel just shrugged and took a seat in their significant others lap.
Rachel seemed to be continuing the fight because she started heavily making out with Finn.
"That's very tacky," Kurt said, disgusted.
"What's tacky?" Burt asked as he walked into the room. "Okay that should not be happening in my living room." Burt walked over and split the two of them up. "I think it's about time Rachel goes home."
"Why does Blaine get to stay?" Finn asked, annoyed.
"Because they weren't trying to make a baby in my living room," Burt said, unimpressed.
Kurt stuck his tongue out at Finn as he said goodbye to Rachel.
Blaine climbed out of Kurt's lap and cuddled up close.
"I sort of knew that was going to happen," Kurt grinned. "Rachel Berry, always wants to win."
"Too bad," Blaine smiled, warming his toes on the fire. "I don't know how she's going to make it in New York, if she keeps the same attitude. She'll be a mess if she gets rejected for a role."
"That's what Finn's for," Kurt said lazily as he rested his head against Blaine's. He winced after a few seconds. "I think I messed up my neck when I fell earlier."
Blaine reached back and started massaging his neck. "Does that feel better?"
"Yes, please continue, baby," Kurt sighed in relief.
Blaine continued until it seemed like Kurt was going to fall asleep on the floor. "Amour, let's move you to the couch. Kurt moved lazily over the couch and demanded that Blaine joined him. Not one to reject Kurt's cuddles or commands he followed the order. They both fell asleep soon after that, exhausted by their snowball fight and helping clear the walkway earlier that morning.
Christmas dawned sunny, but snowy.
Blaine hurried downstairs and found a mountain of presents for him from various relatives and friends of his mother. He expected half of them to be too young for him, but this year, instead of returning the gifts, he planned to go back the that homeless shelter they sang at and donate them to the kids.
Still putting those presents aside, to be rewrapped later, Blaine got a goldmine.
A new iPhone. a $500 gift card for Brooks Brothers. Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Pink Lps. Dozens of books, including a first edition of The Hobbit and A Brave New World, along with the Italian version of the Harry Potter series. Over 20 DC and Marvel comics each. And he suspected Cooper was the one who sent him the old edition of The Joy of Gay Sex.
Blaine put all his new presents to his room and made a note to send Thank You cards to everyone. Then he went downstairs and exchanged presents with his mother.
Blaine, in addition to the replica of their house, also bought her a broach and a new set of luggage to visit him in New York with.
His mom gave him a recipe book filled with foods that their family had passed down for generations, saying he'd need to know how to cook if he was going to go live in a big city, with someone just as clueless as he was there. She also gave him her father's wedding ring.
"I know it's not a set, your grandma has the other and it be terrible to alter it. But I figured that when you're old enough..." Pam trailed off, "Old enough, Blaine. I do not want to hear you proposed until you are at least 20," she commanded. "You could give it to, Kurt, I assume, as a engagement ring."
"Okay mama, I promise I'll wait." Blaine said happily, staring down at the ring. It would look perfect on Kurt. And coming from his grandfather, the gems in it were definitely real.
After they were done exchanging presents, they rewrapped the toys and stuck them in the car.
"I'll let you do the good deed, Blainey," she kissed his forehead. "I've got to go get ready for dinner at your boyfriend's house."
Blaine pulled up to the shelter and went inside.
"Hi, I was wondering where I'd go to donate toys for the kids?" Blaine asked politely.
"You can do it right here. Where are the presents?" A lady behind the counter asked.
"In my car."
The lady had two people come help Blaine with the presents, but one had to run in and grab more people.
"This is so generous!" one exclaimed. "And on Christmas."
"It's a miracle."
"It's not, I'm just too old for them so I thought other people should enjoy it," Blaine said guilty.
Blaine knocked on the front door of Kurt's house and was quickly ushered up the stairs by Kurt.
"I have a present for you," Kurt grinned, getting a package from his closet. He went over to his door making sure no one was around before closing and locking it.
"Is it that secret of a present, Kurt," Blaine teased.
"You'll see. Open it," Kurt commanded.
Blaine ripped off the paper and found a box. Inside was a necklace with a heart lock.
"It's a collar," Kurt told him nervously. "I figured we've been doing this Dom/sub thing for awhile. And I know you like to feel owned. So I thought I could hold the key to your heart."
"I love it amour, it's so beautiful," Blaine smiled adoringly at his Dom. "Can I wear it now?"
"Can you?" Kurt teased.
"May I please wear your collar, amour?" Blaine begged, getting down on his knees, for good measure.
"God it's so hot when you do that," Kurt grinned.
Kurt took the necklace from Blaine and unlocked it. He put it around Blaine's neck and locked it again.
"It looks amazing on you," Kurt said breathlessly. "Even better than when you're tripping over the feet of my pajamas when you stay over and borrow them."
Blaine smiled enjoying the way Kurt was looking him. Like he was Kurt's and no one else's in the world.
"I'm afraid I didn't get you something as thoughtful, amour," Blaine admitted.
"Baby, you made me a gum wrapper promise ring and a real one. That was incredibly thoughtful," Kurt defended. "I love them a lot."
"Okay, but here's your other gift," Blaine said embarrassed, handing Kurt an envelope from his spot on the floor. He was content to stay on his knees until Kurt ordered him up.
Kurt took the envelope and opened it up. "A FULL SPA DAY!" Kurt grinned, jumping up and down in excitement. "You really are the best boyfriend and sub ever!"
Blaine beamed, "I thought you'd like it."
"I love it!" Kurt said, pulling Blaine up and throwing himself at him. "There's 2 certificates though."
"I thought you could maybe bring Mercedes or Rachel," Blaine explained. "Or you could save the other one for another day."
"You're amazing, Blaine," Kurt loosened his hold on Blaine and captured him in a kiss.
"I love you," Blaine said, happy that his gift was received well.
"I love you, too," Kurt smiled adoringly. "Now let's get downstair before my dad realizes we're in here."
"Good idea."
When they came back downstairs, Rachel had arrived with her dads'.
"How do you always manage to sneak up to your room and not get caught?" Rachel asked quietly.
"The only reason you never can is because Finn walks like a caveman," Kurt pointed it out.
"He does not!" Rachel defended.
"He definitely walks noisily, Rachel. He's like a giant," Blaine told her. "We all can hear him when he walks up to do a solo or duet."
Rachel huffed and walked away to go find Finn.
They went to go sit down by the fire to cuddle up.
"Oh Kurt, good to see you," one of Rachel's dads said from their position on the couch: Hiram, Kurt identified. "And you must be Blaine. Rachel talks a lot about you."
"I heard that you're both going to NYADA next year with Rachel?" Leroy asked.
"I hope so. We sent in our applications in November, but we haven't heard back yet," Kurt smiled. "Although Blaine has his heart set on NYU, so we sent in applications there as well."
"I also applied to AMDA and Columbia. They're not exactly back ups. But I have to get in somewhere." Blaine explained.
"That's smart. I think our Rachel only applied to NYADA, she's so fixed on the the goal," Hiram said.
Blaine rolled his eyes. Rachel's confidence was aspirational. But he did not want to be around if she didn't get in.
Dinner was a big affair with three families around the table. There was many conversations going at once.
"We returned the iPod and Earrings and gave the money to the poor," Rachel bragged. "But Finn got me a pig to feed a family in Africa, so it's not like he didn't get me something."
"Look what Blaine made me," Kurt grinned, trying to outdo her, he held out his hand so Rachel could see the ring.
Conversation ceased.
"Kurt, that better not be what I think it is," Burt warned.
"Did you get engaged?" Rachel asked excitedly.
"Did you?" Pam asked suspiciously, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It's a promise ring," Blaine admitted. "I made it."
"A promise ring, why can't you do that, Finn?" Rachel accused Finn, wanting one for herself.
"Aren't you way past the reason for a promise ring?" Pam asked, confounded that her son, who she thought was having sex for months would give his boyfriend a ring to stay pure.
"No," Kurt said simply.
"Do you know what it represents?" Burt piped up, also confused.
"Yes. We know the implications," Blaine continued tiredly, knowing this was going to become a thing. "I gave it to him for the other reason, but it also applies to that."
Their parents just stared at them confused.
After a minute, Kurt explained, "I'm demisexual."
"Kurt, you don't have to," Blaine squeezed his hand.
"I know, I want to," Kurt soothed.
"What the hell is that?" Finn asked.
"Language, Finn," Carole spoke. "But what does it mean?"
"I means that I'm not attracted to people that way until I have a deep connection with them," Kurt admitted, taking a deep breath, waiting for everyone's reaction.
"You and Blaine have a deep connection," Rachel pointed out and Kurt glared at her it.
"Isn't that everyone?" Finn asked.
Kurt sighed, "Do you have a deep connection with Katy Perry?"
"No," Finn responded.
"And yet you think she's hot?" Kurt told him. "It's not the same thing."
"Oh," Finn nodded, getting it.
Kurt hoped the topic was dropped.
"What is a promise ring for anyway?" Finn asked.
"One of the meanings of a promise ring talks about not having sex. But Blaine and I don't need a ring for that," Kurt said, annoyed that it had become a topic. Couldn't they focus on the love behind the ring? "Another meaning, the one the ring is intended as is a pre-engagement ring. And you make promises to each other.
"Of course you have sex." Finn rolled his eyes, ignoring the second part of Kurt's explantation. "You two are way too clingy to not be."
"That's not what Kurt's claiming," Rachel said unhelpful again.
Blaine sighed with his head resting on the table where it had been the whole conversation. His raised his hand up. "Asexual here. Now can we please drop it? This is uncomfortable enough, but then our parents are here."
"Oh," Rachel blushed in embarrassment, having forgotten this wasn't a private conversation. But she couldn't help but add, "But does this mean you're not gay anymore? I mean if you're not attracted to anyone aren't you almost just straight?"
"Rachel. Shut up," Kurt snapped. "You're being incredibly offensive right now."
Kurt knew how sensitive Blaine was to that question. Of course he was, it was incredibly heteronormative to assume the default was straight.
"Kurt, don't tell people to shut up," Burt told him, still reeling from the new information about his son and his boyfriend.
"Why don't you just do it. Then Blaine will like it," Finn suggested.
"Not the way it works, Finn." Blaine said, still hiding with his head on the table.
"That was the most embarrassing meal of my entire life!" Blaine complained, hiding his head in Kurt's shoulder. They were on the porch swing in the backyard trying to hide from everyone, a blanket spread out on them.
"I never wanted to come out to my mom about being asexual," Blaine sighed.
"Neither did I," Kurt admitted. "But I really didn't want you to have to. Especially what Rachel said."
"It's commonplace to not be included. Did you know some people swear the A means ally and won't budge?" Blaine told him,
"Well, they're idiots. You belong just as much as I do," Kurt soothed. "And we're going to get to New York and go to Pride this year."
"Really?" Blaine asked with a grin. "I hear they have a section for eighteen plus with all kinds of stuff for Doms and subs."
"We'll have to go and see it then," Kurt assured him, kissing Blaine's temple.
"There you two are," Burt sighed, opening the backdoor. "Pam and I need to talk to you both."
"Could we just not discuss it?" Kurt asked unhappily. "And pretend it never happened?"
"No," Burt disagreed. "Come on, inside. It's freezing out here."
"Are you sure Blainey?" Pam asked. "Maybe you just need to try it."
"Aren't you supposed to be telling me not to have sex? Not encouraging it?" Blaine said uncomfortably.
"I just don't want you to miss out on such an amazing thing," Pam admitted.
"I'm not missing out if I don't have the desire to do it," Blaine tried to explain.
"I think maybe we should go to the doctor and make sure nothing is wrong."
"There's nothing wrong. I'm just not attracted to people like that," Blaine said, frustrated and feeling like he was talking to a wall.
"Are you sure you're not pressuring him?" Burt asked seriously.
"Of course I'm not pressuring him," Kurt said defensively. "I've known since almost the beginning of our relationship."
"And he's not just leading you on?" Burt continued.
"How could he possible do that? We tell each other nearly everything," Kurt explained. "And I am completely happy with our relationship."
"And you don't think you might be leading him on until you find someone else?" Burt checked.
"Of course not! I love Blaine! Why would I accept his promise ring if I had any intention of leaving?" Kurt said, getting annoyed.
"You don't think that one day you'll get bored of not having physical contact?" Burt interrogated.
"Dad, you complain all the time about how cuddly we are!" Kurt laughed.
"You know that's not what I meant," Burt challenged.
"If by some chance I want that, Blaine is willing. We just don't see much of the appeal," Kurt explained. "We prefer just being together."
"And you're absolutely sure you are, what was it again?" Burt asked curiously.
"Demisexual. I'm completely sure," Kurt helped. "And Blaine and I are still gay."
"Okay. I can accept that," Burt said, ruffling Kurt's hair and hugging him.
"My mom wants me to see a doctor," Blaine griped.
"I'm sorry, baby," Kurt sympathized. "But I'm sure they won't find anything wrong."
"How did the talk go with your dad?" Blaine asked curiously.
"He asked a bunch of questions, but in the end he accepted it," Kurt told him.
"You're so lucky," Blaine complained.
"I know. Let's just hope your mom accepts it once she gets her negative tests," Kurt said, pulling Blaine over to him.
They were laying on Kurt's bed just talking. Now that his Dad knew they weren't doing anything, he was far more lenient.
Blaine moved to put his head on Kurt's chest. He moved his head a little before stopping. "I love listening to your heartbeat," Blaine explained absently.
Kurt smiled, running his hands through Blaine's hair breaking it from its gel prison.
They stayed like that until an hour later when Pam came up intending to take Blaine home. She found them both sleeping in the same position. They looked so peaceful.
She ran downstairs and got one of her cameras to document the event.
Blaine let the doctors do their tests, knowing there was nothing wrong with him.
In the end, when the results came back, nothing was wrong. Although Blaine found out he probably wasn't going to grow much more because his growth plates were already fusing together.
"Don't worry, Blainey. We'll figure this out," Pam frowned.
"Mama, why are you doing this? You didn't do this when you found out I was gay," Blaine asked, feeling depressed.
"I just want you to be able to live a full life," Pam admitted. "Doesn't it upset Kurt that you aren't attracted to him? What if he gets bored and finds someone else who is?"
"Just because I'm not sexually attracted to Kurt doesn't mean I'm not attracted to him emotionally or romantically," Blaine sighed. "I love him and he loves me." Blaine looked up at the ceiling sadly, "And I wonder about that. But there's nothing I can do, so I try not to think about it."
"You should at least try it," Pam encouraged.
"Could we stop talking about this, please?" Blaine groaned.
"I'm just saying I've had a lot of experience and even when I wasn't completely attracted to them, I still had a lot of fun," Pam continued.
"Mama, please!" Blaine pleaded. "I really don't want to hear about that."
Pam huffed teasingly.
"I have a few more adorable pictures of you for your scrapbook," Pam mentioned. "You and Kurt are so cute when you sleep."
"Mama! You promised to stop taking pictures of me sleeping!" Blaine said, frustrated.
A/N: The farthest they've gone is handjobs, if you're wondering why Kurt/Blaine are denying they'd had sex.