I couldn't leave you guys waiting too long. I can't even say how bloomin' fun it was to write this AND how almost tiring. I seriously SWOONED writing this myself. I sincerely hope you like it and that it came out well.
Thank you all a RIDICULOUS amount for all of your lovely, kind words. This Chapter is for those who have stuck with this story from the beginning. You'll eventually, maybe, be satisfied that the slow burn is paying off ;)
PS: I'm apologising now for any British-isms (some of these words may not be typically American but I do try a lot to mask my PAINFULLY British ways!) also please excuse any small teeny mistakes. It's been checked and checked again but if I've overlooked any, I'm sorry, forgive my poor Christmas shopping addled brain ;)
Kurt had spent a long time dreaming of such days. He'd always wished to have someone to share things with, to simply turn to and smile at or to marvel at how fun something was. He was well aware that he and Blaine didn't have a label and he didn't know if they ever would but Kurt was, for the first time in a very long time, exceptionally happy.
"Oh Burt come on, please. Come on it's a husband's job you have to do it." Carole had spent fifteen minutes pleading her husband to win her an oddly shaped gigantic dog with a fluffy purple bow around his neck.
They'd been at the market for an hour and a half. Blaine had adhered to Kurt's request and left his short curls looser and even deigned to wear one of Kurt's deep red woollen scarves. He'd been incredibly touched when Kurt had exclaimed, in front of his parents and brother, that it would compliment his hazel eyes. Nobody had ever commented on them before.
Kurt had opted for his trapper hat again, making Blaine only more desperate to kiss him. It framed his face, cheeky strands of hair peeking out of the front, and caused him to look impossibly cute.
"Burt! Burt! Burt!" Finn chanted, his mom joining in to cheer Burt's hammer wielding skills. Kurt shrivelled his nose a little at the somewhat cheesiness of the moment. He imagined Finn in a leather jacket and slicked quiff and Carole in a shiny pink bomber jacket and poodle skirt. It was too Grease Lightenin' for his taste.
"What?" Blaine asked, nudging Kurt's arm with a smirk, "you not the fairground type?"
Kurt looked down at his boots, noticing that the damn grass had stained them a little. "Don't get me wrong, I love fairgrounds but I guess I'm yet to experience them properly and I don't know, something seems a little contrived about them."
Blaine had to laugh. "That's the whole point. If you can't embrace the cliché then there's no point being here." As he spoke, he high fived Finn who'd helped Burt hit the hammer, the golden bell clanging as Carole beamed with joy. Kurt had to admit, his newfound family were pretty adorable when viewed from afar- highly dysfunctional but adorable nonetheless.
They'd moved on soon after, Carole adopting another large stuffed animal won with Burt's expert dart's skills, this time a carrot with googly eyes and arms. Kurt had been given the unfortunate task of carrying the monstrosity, only prompting Blaine to laugh at him and Finn to plunge into his pocket, grab his iPhone and promptly text the entire of Glee club the offending picture. Safe to say, Kurt was ready to kick Finn's ass in some way.
Kurt found himself detached from the group for a moment or so, noticing how easy Blaine seemed to fit in with his family. He'd taken to Carole and vice versa and even Finn had addressed him as 'bro' much to Kurt's amusement. His sentimental heart grew ten sizes. He felt himself drawn to a stand decorated entirely with crystals. The market, a collection of mismatched wooden huts decorated in fake snow, were crammed together to create a magical walkway of traditional old-fashioned festivities. Kurt's eyes however, were drawn inevitably to the shiny things. His gloved hand reached out to smooth over a large clear crystal cut on a slant to allow the light to scatter decoratively. They were beautiful. He slid off his glove and stared down, mesmerised by another crystal, this one blue in colour and circular when held to the light. He picked it up, twirling it in his fingers and felt himself choke up. He swallowed, hurrying to place it back on the counter, before he made a fool of himself. He could only see his mother's face, her hair falling in her eyes and as she explained about the refraction of light to him as she sat in their bay window. It was a memory Kurt was sure he'd never stop letting fill is mind and wipe it of anything troubling or sad. She was his comfort blanket and any memory of her, however small, Kurt held onto fiercely. She had always hung crystals, making it her personal aim to satisfy any room with something pretty. Kurt retreated regretfully from the stall, his eyes never leaving the blue crystal with its beautiful nuances and delicate shape.
"Hey. We said no shiny things, remember?" Blaine called, pinching Kurt's sides as he snuck up from behind him.
Kurt jumped, smiling a little but through force of will. "I know, I know," he replied, joining in with the joke, "moth to a flame I guess."
Blaine chuckled affectionately as the rest of the family sidled up and walked off. Kurt glanced back, his eyes finding the blue crystal and lingering for a moment, unsure as to why it meant so much. He turned with a heavy sigh and followed Finn into the dodgems.
Kurt learned something new about Blaine Thornton. He was competitive. Finn was particularly happy to ram anyone in sight and to woop and holler at the top of his voice but Blaine had out done him in sly skill. Kurt had stood back for this one, allowing the boys to fight it out. He stood at the barrier, Carole and Burt having gone to grab a sandwich. The sun was going down gradually causing the neon lights of the fairground rides to twinkle and glow vibrantly in rainbow patterns.
After a thrashing from Blaine and much back slapping and male appreciation, Finn happily joined his mom for a snack.
"So, we've done the dodgems and you've trailed the stalls, Carole's bought jam and won two beautiful," he laughed, "toys and inflated your father's ego for today. Is there anything left that you'd like to do?"
Kurt placed the hideous carrot by his family and turned in the seat he'd settled in. Carole glanced toward Burt and raised her eyebrows, unbeknownst to the two boys. Burt's face didn't change but he let his eyes study Kurt's behaviour and imparticular, the way he seemed to glow. Finn smirked into his extra large sandwich at the exchange.
Kurt was smiling. "I did see a candyfloss stall," he suggested, his mouth watering at the very thought.
"Kurt Hummel and candy floss. I never expected that. No quips about your skin in the morning even though it's perfectly flawless?"
To this, Kurt hit out to slap Blaine's arm in mock horror. "How dare you?" he snapped, "it's pink fluff... that you eat. Need I say more?"
Blaine began to laugh, leaning over the table towards Kurt who appeared to lean back in feigned disgust. "You just earned a couple more gay points there, you do realise?"
Kurt scowled. "Didn't realise we had a rating system Blaine." He spoke his name with force, lingering over the letters to show his mock distaste.
"Do you want me to buy you whipped pink fluff or not?" Blaine asked, standing up and offering a gloved hand. Kurt felt frenzy like. He barely even registered that his family were in ear and eye shot and were tactically watching the playful exchange nor did he even remember the crassness of fairgrounds in general. Now, he wanted to smile and jump across the table to throw his arms around Blaine's neck. He had a counterpart now, someone to bounce off and snap at and who would happily play along and snap back. Something felt incredible inside as he skipped after Blaine, pulling dramatically in an attempt to rid his hand from Blaine's grasp. He didn't want to but it was all part of the act and nothing, absolutely nothing, was going to stop him from revelling in the sheer childishness of it all.
Carole smiled slowly, her eyes crinkling. "He looks happy," she stated simply, keeping her eyes on her husband who was still staring after his son, his mind lost in thought.
He glanced at her eventually with a nod. "He does," was all he said, carefully and considered.
"You still ok to have our Christmas celebration tonight? Are you comfortable with leaving them both alone?" she asked, knowing that she'd let Finn stay at Rachel's and Quinn live under their roof and praying her husband would recognise Kurt's increasing age or Blaine's obvious good nature.
Burt nodded. "I'm doing this right aren't I?"
Carole lovingly beamed at her husband, her woollen gloved hand reaching out to stroke his arm. "Kurt's happy. You're doing everything right."
-.-.-.-.-
"Mmmmmmm," Kurt uttered dreamily, his tongue darting out to lick the dark pink crystals forming on the surface of the floss.
Blaine was sure he should throw himself into the nearest 'hook a duck' pond to remain on the safe side and cool himself off as he let his eyes follow every movement of Kurt's mouth. It was unnervingly sexy. He watched as Kurt tipped his head to the side and nibbled daintily at the candy, stopping to lick his lips every few seconds. Blaine felt the ache rising in his chest, unable to surpress it for much longer. He knew something had to be done and soon. They were progressively flirty and so much more comfortable with each other. Blaine had noticed that he wasn't the only instigator of affection either as Kurt had leaned against him once or twice, reaching out to grab his hand on one occasion during the day too. Blaine's recognition of those baby steps was monumental. Things were changing and a little faster than he'd anticipated.
"Want some?" Kurt asked, holding the stick out. Blaine's gaze lingered on the way Kurt spoke, his lips pouting prettily, dotted with sparkly pink crystals. He looked edible and Blaine didn't know how he stopped himself from licking them off.
Kurt watched as Blaine tilted his head to eat the candy gently, his eyes remaining on his own, glittering and almost suggestive. Kurt wasn't too sure if he was reading into it or imagining the gloss to Blaine's eyes and the way he'd been staring at Kurt's lips for the past ten minutes but it was addictive. Kurt wanted him to carry on, he never wanted Blaine to stop looking at him like that. He'd never felt desirable before and had certainly never been looked at as if he mattered or as if he was truly wanted. He felt coy, his eyelashes meeting his cheek as he glanced down then back up. Yes, Blaine was still staring. He offered a tiny smirk. Blaine responded with a smile so infused with wonder that Kurt was sure he couldn't hold himself upright anymore. Something had to give.
As Blaine finished with the stick of floss, he passed it back. Kurt watched as Blaine laughed to himself, unsure as to where to wipe his sticky fingers. Kurt held his breath for a second as his eyes lingered on a small remaining droplet of candy on Blaine's lip. It was as if it was an invitation to touch, a request to move closer and Kurt was not sitting back now. He could barely breathe and function without action now, knowing Blaine was feeling much the same (by some miracle). He slid his hand out of his glove once more and stepped closer, Blaine's eyes following him expectantly as he did so. He reached to lightly brush Blaine's cheek, his finger sliding gently down to his lips. Kurt felt his eyes hood and glaze over as he focused on Blaine and the way it felt to touch. Blaine looked at him, his eyes so full of fondness that Kurt felt himself utterly captivated. He tried to breathe in but it caught in his throat. Blaine seemed to smile at this as Kurt's hands drifted to his sides, now suddenly slightly unsure of what to do next. Kurt was mesmerised, letting his eyes track every miniscule detail of Blaine's face. They stood in the centre of a bustling market but he barely noticed a single sound other than that of his heart beating in his ears, fingertips and every other part of him.
Blaine smiled, charmed by Kurt's obvious mindless state. He watched as the other boy bit his lip and rested back on his heels, increasing the distance between them by a fraction of an inch. It suddenly felt colder and emptier. As he left his glove in his pocket, he raised his hand slowly and grinned, lazy and blissful, to stroke a singular line down Kurt's cheek. He watched the other boy blink in mild shock but it was the second that Kurt nuzzled his head into the touch that did it. They both knew then. It was unmistakeably sweet, undeniably passionate and completely enchanting. Kurt grinned, swooning, and rested his cheek against Blaine's warm palm. He chuckled noiselessly, his eyelashes fluttering as he licked his lips.
"Move. Parents!" Finn coughed loudly as he approached from the side.
Both boys jumped apart, Kurt licking his lips furiously and attempting to suppress the fierce burn to his cheeks. Finn laughed hard, his eyes suggestive as he pulled faces at both of them. Neither Carole or Burt had seen anything, Kurt was sure of that, what with Finn being so distracting, but he still couldn't quite find the resolve to breathe in. Shock took over.
Blaine smirked, lowering his head to hide his obvious emotions. He had to glance back at Kurt, he just had to see if he'd imagined the soundless words that had just passed between them. As Carole linked Kurt's arm and walked ahead with him, Finn sauntering along with Burt, Blaine ducked to catch his eye. As he did, Kurt blinked a few times, his face glowing, before smiling the sweetest and most beautiful smile Blaine was sure he'd ever see. He knew then that there was no way Kurt was going to fall asleep without being shown exactly how spectacular he was.
-.-.-.-.-
"So sweetie, Finn has gone to Rachel's as she wants to talk to him apparently and we'll be home around eleven. I left some scones in the refrigerator and some of that delicious jam and cream so help yourself. There's also some of my chilli in the pot on the stove. If you need us, call us. Ok?"
Blaine stood behind Kurt at the door, in the shadows, as Burt and Carole left for their meal. "Anything, ok?" Burt confirmed with a firm stare and severely expressive eyes. Blaine was sure he'd missed something or that Kurt and his father spoke a secret silent language but Kurt's cheeks had flushed pink and he nodded in response. Blaine wondered if Burt had rigged the house with cameras or installed a team of well trained spies, armed with his collection of shot guns, to surround the perimeter.
As he watched their car pull out of the drive, he was hit with the full force of reality. He wanted Kurt. He wanted him more than he was sure he'd ever wanted anything. He'd been sure to follow Kurt's lead and listen to his concerns with the added obligation of responding to his agenda. Kurt was nervous and timid when it came to intimacy, that was true, but he was responding so much more in general to Blaine that he knew someone had to make a move. The fact that they were now being left alone after a day of sheer and unadulterated playful flirting, was a sign from God, Blaine was certain of it. Kurt deserved to be cared for, respected and wooed but Blaine was also sure that he needed a helping hand. There was something in his eyes that spoke of a very specific fear and uncertainty that Blaine wanted to gently remove completely. Blaine had kissed, he'd made out, he'd gone a little farther but he knew Kurt had done none of those things and was yet to experience the sensation of undoing yourself and surrendering to feelings so much more powerful and amazing than you could imagine.
"Hot Chocolate?" Kurt turned and asked, his eyes shining in the darkness. Blaine could see, beyond them, Kurt was on edge.
-.-.-.-
"You want milk?" Kurt asked, scooting over a millimetre to let Blaine past without needing a reply. He was tense. He could feel the air around them thicken as dense as the silence in the house. As they moved around the kitchen, legs would brush or elbows would tap slightly, arms would collide and each would shimmy a millimetre closer just because they could.
Blaine appeared to be relaxed, which Kurt was thankful for. They'd shared the most wonderfully silly day together and enjoyed each other's company ending in an oddly charged and intimate moment in which Kurt was sure he lost his mind. There was nowhere to hide from it now, Blaine knew how much he wanted him, or at least Kurt thought so.
"Couch?" Kurt asked. They weren't talking much and nothing seemed off about it. Kurt took it as a happy sign they'd grown easy with each other. Kurt pressed the power button on the remote, the television flashing bright in the corner of the room as he lowered himself into the cushions. Blaine settled himself flush to Kurt's side and brought the mug to his mouth to drink slowly in repetitive motion. Kurt was transfixed, watching as the liquid pooled a little on the edge of the mug and left small bubbles on Blaine's lips.
Blaine smiled. "You know, staring is rude," he joked out of the blue. Kurt blinked back at him.
"Oh god sorry," he fumbled for words, growing hot with embarrassment. This was not how it was meant to go- he didn't want to feel useless and awkward. Get a grip, he schooled himself mentally, his inner monologue on turbo overdrive.
"It's ok. I'm teasing."
Kurt chuckled nervously, watching the cream swirl in his mug. He felt as if he couldn't breathe out, the air trapped and his limbs tense with anticipation.
"Do you want more cream? I'll get more," he rushed out, his words running into the next. The stutter to Kurt's voice caused an ache so deep inside Blaine that he couldn't stand it.
"Kurt," he whispered, reaching to grab the other boy's wrist, "can we talk for a moment?"
Kurt felt dizzy, a heady swooping of nerves hitting him square in the stomach as he sat cross legged opposite Blaine on the couch. "What do you want to talk about?"
He didn't even need to ask. He watched as Blaine swallowed and took a long breath. "You kissed me."
Kurt wanted to die. Honestly ran through his bones. He didn't know if he could deal with the fear of not knowing how to react to situations like this one. "I, um, yes."
Blaine smiled. "Why did you kiss me?"
Kurt felt lost in Blaine's eyes. The bottomless feel to them drew him in until he melted into the moment and took a breath. He had to do this. He just had to. "Because I wanted to."
Blaine chuckled, breathy and gentle. "And why did you want to?"
"Because I was going to miss you and I care about you?" Kurt offered, his eyes expansive and intensely naive but filled with an acute desire to just jump in head first, into every feeling charging through his body.
Blaine shuffled closer, his knees now in line with Kurt's. He leaned forward, placing his mug on the floor. "I'm so sorry I didn't kiss you back."
Kurt felt his spine turn to jelly. It was like being serenaded, like slow dancing, like sighing blissfully at an old romantic movie climax. "It's um, it's fine," was all he had to offer. Words were insignificant.
"I wasn't expecting you to kiss me and you caught me off guard," Blaine explained, his words considered and fused with confidence. He had to make Kurt see how good things could be. He had to be the person Kurt needed.
"I think I caught myself off guard."
Blaine nodded with a small grin. "You remember earlier when you asked about my hair and I had a request in return?" Kurt could barely move, his heart beating double time. He nodded a fraction. "I want you to kiss me again and I promise, this time, I'll kiss you back."
Kurt felt his breath shudder in his chest. He couldn't move still, his body fused with such intensity and desire that it was too much to handle. "I..."
He simply blinked back. Blaine knew he had to help out. He could see Kurt shaking, his fingers trembling slightly and panicked, concerned that he'd placed too much on Kurt too soon and embarrassed him at a moment that was supposed to be so cherished and blessed. He slid forward on the couch and reached over, his fingers tenderly pushing a stray hair off Kurt's forehead. He lightly drew a line down Kurt's cheek, all the while keeping their eyes locked, until he reached his chin.
Kurt leaned in ever so slowly, his heart so loud he was sure it was going to embarrass him. He felt exposed and terrified, so worried that he'd do something wrong. His eyes drifted shut as Blaine's face drew closer and closer in tiny steps. Kurt could eventually feel a warm breath on his cheek; a shadow of a touch across his lips, his spine shuddering and head reeling. As Blaine pressed firmer, Kurt felt a warm hand on his jaw, cradling his cheek and pulling him closer. He moved his lips gently feeling Blaine's below his, warm and soothing, so gentle like satin but, as Blaine deepened the kiss, Kurt sensed a hint of strength and slight roughness which he couldn't get enough of. It felt real and present unlike anything Kurt had ever experienced before.
Blaine could feel Kurt shaking, could sense his nerves and knew exactly the very singular moment that they washed away. Kurt gasped slightly, his lips tentative and achingly slow but perfectly searching. Blaine felt his body fall a hundred feet, his heart clenching in his chest at the feeling of Kurt so close to him, his lips teasing slowly at Blaine's.
"Kurt..." he whispered feather-light against the other boy's lips, his thumb stroking a line on his cheek. Kurt pulled his lips away gently, gazing up woozy into Blaine's eyes.
"Mhmmmm?" was the only noise possible, Kurt's brain now liquid and entire body unable to respond in any way except to pull closer to Blaine.
The feeling was indescribable as Blaine wrapped his arm around Kurt's waist. Kurt responded fluid-like, unwrapping his legs from his sitting position as Blaine lowered them into the cushions. Kurt felt his head fall back resting on a pillow as he stretched out, feline and smooth. Blaine smiled. "You ok?" he whispered again, his words ghosting over Kurt's skin, eliciting the sweetest sound Blaine had ever heard in protest at the space between them.
Kurt didn't care about anything anymore. He wasn't sure Blaine was real and wasn't taking any chances to find out either way. He couldn't bear him being even a centimetre away so his resolve weakened, his nerves subdued and he melted into the embrace, his arms wrapping themselves around Blaine's neck drawing him close.
They kissed, long and slow, Kurt learning exactly how to react and how to move. Blaine seemed to be letting him do all of the work but responding with just as much enthusiasm once they became comfortable. Kurt's fervent hands tangled into Blaine's hair, holding on as he arched his back to deepen the kiss. He could barely remember where he was as he felt Blaine's lips press harder, peppering kisses down his jaw and onto his neck. He was sure he was making noises but didn't care.
It all tasted just like candy floss and hot chocolate, so delicious and encapsulating. Kurt all but nibbled Blaine's lip causing him to laugh slightly. "Not edible," Blaine mumbled with breathless amusement, as Kurt murmured something in the affirmative. He felt Blaine's hands slide down his sides to his hips, following the motion and snaking around his back to hold them tight together. Kurt sighed, a small noise breaking the silence again as Blaine leaned up and closed his eyes, breathing deep and steady.
"Need to slow down," he said simply, licking his lips. Kurt squirmed beneath him a little, his entire body filling with desperation for more. The need was intense and something he had never ever experienced. As Blaine sat up, pulling Kurt close as he did so, he smiled dazedly. Kurt leaned in, draping his arms around Blaine's neck and pulling him snug as he climbed into his lap and straddled him. Blaine enclosed Kurt in his arms as they wrapped around his waist. They simply gazed at each other, losing themselves in the look in the other's eyes or the heat from the other's body.
"How's that for a first kiss?" Blaine asked, with a smile so immensely packed with emotion, his heart fluttered frantically. He couldn't take his eyes off Kurt's lips, the pink touch to his cheek and the way his hips seemed to wriggle closer at every opportunity.
Kurt bit his lip for a moment, looking into Blaine's eyes. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to laugh at how incredibly sexy that one question was. He wanted to try to articulate exactly how perfect and passionate and spine-tinglingly inconceivable the past few minutes had been. He wanted to collapse and re-live every second over and over until it was solid in his memory forever. He wanted to ask a hundred questions about how they even got to this moment. He wanted to crawl so close and talk forever, learning every detail possible about Blaine and how he came to be so incredible. Kurt was sure there was no other person more respectful and perfect to share a first kiss with, not to mention so staggering hot it was beyond comparison. His arms, strong and warm, his hair just asking to be played with, his eyes hypnotically deep and expressive and his lips... so soft yet different to anything he'd ever felt before. He hadn't come close to connecting to another person so deeply. It was indescribable how whole Kurt felt, sitting tangled up in Blaine's arms, his eyes finding that link with Blaine's in the most sincere way. He felt gathered up and held together for the first time in his entire life that he never ever wanted to let go.
NOTES: THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL PROGRESS! Well, there probably won't be an update until after Christmas Day so I thought I'd leave a little Christmas present. Have a wonderful holiday : )