Hey guys,

this should have been out around Christmas, but the story was nowhere near finished that time, so here it is. One more chapter to go, then it's over and done with, although I might write a sequel later. I already have one of the chapters done in my head (title is Jealousy btw *hint, hint*), but now I'm working on an epic length Klaine story which is different than most if not all the stories ever written with this pairing or so I hope to think, but I have to admit CP Coulter and infraredphaethon have been great inspiration *grin*

Now enjoy and hope you'll like it!

Ep.14 – Tree Disaster

Blaine withheld a resigned sigh as he looked around the pine tree market, watching as happy couples and bubbly families wandered around sorting trough the evergreen wonders while he stood there, completely alone, feeling perhaps the loneliest since he moved to Los Angeles and left her gram behind in Minnesota.

Sure it was only half a year ago and he should have felt extremely privileged about having a job within the first month of getting into the city, but Christmas was coming and he had nowhere to go, because Gram was invited to spend the hols with Blaine's parents, the very people who wanted to do nothing with him ever since he had come out.

The sigh found its way through his lips in the end, and Blaine turned his gaze away from the people at the market, continuing his own tree hunt, without success. His apartment was too small for these monsters and the bitter part of him didn't even want to buy a tree at all. Because, if he wanted to be honest it was just a waste of money as there would be no presents under the tree nor flashy mouth-watering dinner with a merry bunch of people who joked around at the table.

Splendid, just what he needed. Even more depressing thoughts. At least his gram sounded apologetic and worried when she informed him of her decision of accepting the invitation. And Blaine understood this, after all he had two other siblings, a sister and a brother he didn't even have the chance to get to know, and she had every right to spend time with them too after everything she did for him in the four years they lived together.

Gram was his greatest heroin, the coolest person he had ever met, and a fond smile curled Blaine's lips as he remembered all the times when his gram ripped Blaine's father a new one for daring to degrade Blaine for who he was. And every time his father pursed his lips, that looked so much like Blaine's, but actually shut up and didn't utter another foul word toward his son.

Yes, Gram was a real goddess in all her tiny, steel grey haired glory, someone who had the guts to stand up to everyone and never failed to tell them off if they were being offensive to her "favourite grandson", no matter who they were.

"Blaine?" Blaine's shoulders tensed up as he was pulled back to reality, but he turned toward the familiar sounding voice dutifully.

"Harry," he said, unable to hide the shock from his tone. "What are you doing here?"

"Buying a tree?" The choreographer raised an eyebrow, pointing at the trees all around them. "Obviously."

"Oh... yes, of course. I mean... I thought you were going back to England for the holiday?" Blaine stuttered, feeling his cheeks heating up and he wished he could have blame it on the cold, but living in L.A. had its flaws too. Like the constant warm temperature and total lack of snow.

Harry's expression darkened for a second and Blaine expected he would snap at him any moment now, but the older man only shrugged with a grimace, saying, "So not happening. Declined the invitation when I got a wind of Ginny attending too, being single and eager to meet with me again."

Blaine frowned at that, remembering Harry's vague explanation about how he found out he was gay. He mentioned a girl, Chang or Chen? whatever, a wet kiss and his best friend's baby sister who was totally enamoured with him even though they barely ever talked. Which was something Blaine could sympathize with, because – if you overlooked the foul mouth during practices – Harry was the sweetest and most caring person since... ever and it was natural women and men fall for him without him even trying.

"Ah, I see," he managed to force the words out of his mouth. "So, um... what are your plans for Christmas?"

"Probably cooking up some turkey or fish then watching cheesy and outdated Christmas movies, just like every damned year," Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "I was never the one for Christmas," he added with a slight frown. "And you? Any great plans like finally storming over to Hummel's house and snogging the living life out of the guy?"

Was it just him, or did Harry's tone turned a bit sharper when he said Kurt's name? "That's not amongst my plans, sorry," Blaine answered with a lopsided grin. "Actually I have the same plans as you, sans the cooking. The Fire Department threatened to let my apartment burn down the next time I went near the kitchen."

That earned him a disbelieving laugh. "So what? You'll just sit at home and starve?" Harry gasped out between two fits of giggles.

"No, I thought about ordering some Chinese or something." Blaine replied in his most affronted tone. "I know how to use the phone, thank you very much"

"Chinese? On Christmas? You've got to be kidding me!" the choreographer exclaimed in mock horror. "And sure you do, except when you have a little cold and about to die."

"It happened once!" Blaine refused to stomp his foot like a five-year-old. "And Chinese is great! Sweet and sour chicken and–"

"Don't you dare continue with this blasphemy! I might not be the epitome of Christmas posterboy, but this is too much even for me!"

"Well, should I starve to death instead?"

"No, of course not. But you can always came over to mine..." Two faint pink dots appeared on Harry cheeks and green eyes refused to meet his own.

"You're inviting me over?" Blaine asked in shock.

"You don't have to accept, if you don't want to!" the slighter man defended hastily.

"To spend Christmas together?" It sounded too good to be true.

"Oh, just forget it! It was obviously a bad idea and–"

"I'd love to," Blaine cut in with a grin causing Harry's gaze to snap up to meet his.

"Don't expect anything fancy, though. And no gifts!" Harry warned, but there was no threat or malice in his voice.

"Okay... nothing fancy and no presents." Blaine nodded slowly, before a sly smile curved his lips. "Are you sure about the second one though? I'm told to be one of the best gift givers in the world."

Harry's blush became more prominent at this. "Absolutely sure!"

"Sure, no presents then." But even as he said this, Blaine already knew he would give the other something even if only for turning this whole tree disaster into a miracle. "Maybe we should choose a tree now?"