A/N: First, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Second, I would like to send a special thanks to WaitingForAKiss for her tribute story A Long Time Ago, I Used to be Pretty. Check it out, because it's awesome, and there are vague references to it in this chapter, so have a read. I also like to add a thanks once again to all those who alert, Review and Favourite this story, you guys are the reason I keep writing... You're my angels, so thank you so much. Enjoy. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.
Chapter Five: The One with the Christmas Present
It had been a week since Kurt's last "episode" as David was calling them. Mr. Schuester hadn't been in contact with any of them, but after Quinn, Puck, Sam, Brittany and Santana had left Glee, Rachel had shown up, and practically yelled at Blaine, Wes and Elijah in the middle of their study hall, which wouldn't have been bad, except for the fact that Kurt was there, and everything Rachel was saying, made him wish more and more that he'd taken Britt up on her offer of spending the Christmas break with her and Santana in Philadelphia, where Britt's grandparents live. The session last week, had made the ex-ND members more aware of Kurt, and they had all learned how Kurt was really feeling. Santana was staying at Dalton with Kurt and Blaine, on the couch in the dorm room. Britt had wanted to stay also, but she and Quinn were working on a school project, and couldn't be there until Monday. Christmas is in four days, and the halls of Dalton, hell, even the rooms in Dalton, resemble something out of a Christmas catalogue. Santana was amazed by how much effort the school put into decorating alone, but she'd also been paying attention to Kurt, who was somewhat more comfortable around the Latina girl now, he could even be in the room with her, without Blaine there.
There had only been one time that Kurt had freaked out when Santana was there, and it was just after his "episode", she'd been coming back from the dining hall, and walked into the room, without making a sound, scaring Kurt, who was coming out of the bathroom. He jumped so high, Santana could have sworn that his head almost hit the ceiling. She'd been more cautious now, knocking, and calling out when she knew Kurt was in the room. Blaine had been really good too. Dr. Paul had asked them to try and act as normal as possible around Kurt, stating that he needs the stability, and even though Santana wonders about that sometimes, she also knows that Kurt is one of her best-friends, and so is Blaine, and she wouldn't have it any other way... Which is why when Finn showed up late that night, wanting to talk to Kurt and Blaine, she'd gone Lima Heights Adjacent on his ass, and made her opinions known about the taller boy she'd so happily named "Frankenteen".
'Finn, they don't want to talk to you, so I think you should leave before you cause a scene, bigger than the one you're already causing,' Santana said, crossing her arms
'Kurt is my brother... I just... I want to talk to him, sort all this stuff out. Rory told me what happened. The song that Britt and Kurt sung the other day... he told me that I was a part of that reason, and I don't want to be,'
'If Kurt is your "brother" then why didn't you believe him? Why did it take Kurt trying to kill himself, for you to believe him? You hated Jesse and Karofsky, you hated them, and you didn't do anything Finn...' Santana said, throwing her hands into the air, almost on the verge of tears
'I don't want this to be another fight Santana. I don't want things to be this way. If I could change what happened to Kurt, then I would... I just want the chance to make things right now. I want my brother back... not this, broken entity of what used to be Kurt...' Finn said, as Nick, Jeff and Wes appeared at the other end of the hall.
Santana wanted to blame Finn, she wanted to yell, and say that it was all his fault, and that Kurt was right to not want to talk to him, but in that moment, when she saw the tear slip down Finn's cheek, she knew that he was sincere, and although she isn't ready to forgive and forget, allowing the taller man the chance to apologise to Kurt, and help get their relationship back on track was something Santana wanted to do. Wes, Nick and Jeff had been watching the whole thing unfold, and were shocked that Santana had allowed Finn the opportunity to talk to Kurt. They hadn't spoken about the "episode", since Kurt and Brittany had performed together, and Blaine had been keeping to himself alot lately, blaming it on school work, and finding the perfect gift for Kurt, which Wes knew was a lie, but went with it anyway... the Warblers had never been more sincere, polite and kind towards Kurt and Blaine. When the transfer had gone through, Wes thought it would just be another kid who'd help them win Nationals, but Kurt was different. He'd flinch around anyone that wasn't Blaine, keep his head down, find excuses to not be alone in the same room with another Dalton student, even going to drastic extremes of violent out-bursts to protect himself. Some of the things he still does, however, they'd a little more subdued now, and with the growing support system, Wes is sure they'll have the real Kurt back in no time. That is, until he hears the yelling coming from Kurt and Blaine's dorm.
...
Blaine was hugging Kurt, who was sobbing into his shoulder, the yelling becoming less and less, as Finn stood, practically hiding in the corner, between the bathroom door and the wardrobe. Santana had warned them that Finn was here, but Kurt had been coming out of the bathroom when Finn spoke and his boyfriend had gotten quite the scare. Wes, Nick and Jeff burst into the room, to see Blaine hugging Kurt to his being, holding on like it would be the last time, Finn practically huddled in a corner, and Santana sitting on the couch tears in her eyes at the sight of her best-friend's agony. Kurt finally looked up, eyes red and puffy from crying, and mouthed sorry to Santana, who just nodded, before following Wes, Nick and Jeff from the room, to give the three, time to talk. Kurt had moved to sit cross legged on Blaine's bed, whilst the latter just stood, arms crossed, scowl on his face, looking at Finn, who was trying to grin, but looked more like a grimace. The silence was annoying, and they could all hear the twins' plans for the incoming freshmen after Christmas, and that's when Blaine remembered the gift that Nick had given him and Kurt, telling them not to open it until Christmas day. He'd yet to get Kurt anything, and he hoped that shopping with Britt and Santana tomorrow would help him to find something...
Finn moved towards Blaine's bed, but Kurt held up his hand, gesturing for him to stay where he is. Finn saw the scar on Kurt's wrist. He didn't want to, he wasn't purposely trying to find it, but it was there, and Finn could see it. It wasn't pretty, and it just made him feel guiltier. Puck had come to school on Friday (today is Sunday), and told him that they were quitting Glee, and that anyone who wanted their friendship with Kurt to remain intact, should also quit. The only other person was Rory, and Finn had practically told Puck that if they left, then all their friendships would be over... they'd walked out, and that was that. The Glee Club was down to, Rachel, Mercedes, Tina, Mike, Artie, himself and Sugar. They'd gone from thirteen, to eleven to seven.
'Kurt, I'm trying to make things right between us, but I need you to work with me. I want to go with you to your next therapy session. I want to know the full story about what happened... I wanted to be there for you the way Santana and the others are...'
'I don't know if that's a good idea Finn. you were supposed to stick up for me, and you didn't. You didn't even stick up for me when dad kicked me out. If we're going to do this, then you have to understand... I'm not ready to forgive you yet, and I don't know if I ever will be able to, but if you're willing to try, then I will too,' Kurt replied, sighing
'If you so much as make him doubt himself, you, or he comes to me crying, I will not hesitate to let the twins have their revenge on you. Got it Hudson?' Blaine said menacingly.
'I'll text you the next session time and you can come if you like. Have a nice Christmas Finn, tell Carole too,' Kurt replied, smiling weakly and snuggling down into Blaine's bed.
Christmas Eve... the day before Christmas... or in Blaine's mind "Shit I have to get Kurt's present. Shit, Shit, Shit". Brittany had arrived at Dalton, and would be joining Kurt, Blaine and the Warbler's for their "Dalton Christmas". Kurt had been smiling a little more lately, even Blaine could get a smile out of him, and Brittany was always holding Kurt's hand, or making sure he knew he was surrounded by people who loved him, she'd even gone so far as to yell at Rachel, who'd shown up once more, trying to talk to Kurt, wanting to apologise. Of course, the Warblers wouldn't fall for it; she just wanted information that would boost their chances at Regional's. Wes isn't stupid, even though he has several gavels, which he's named (by the way), he also has a 4.0 GPA and is heading to Harvard next year. So when Rachel Berry stormed through the halls of Dalton, not only did she get shut down by Brittany, but all the ex-ND members who were staying with Kurt and Blaine had ganged up on the small girl, and told her what they really think, before Santana had to be restrained by Puck and Sam so she didn't go all "Lima Heights Adjacent" on Rachel's "Stuck-up hobbit sized arse".
This had made Kurt laugh. In the middle of Santana's insults, Kurt had burst out laughing, almost knocking Blaine over as he leaned into him, and tried to control himself. This had, of course, set Blaine off (those two can't do anything without the other. They hold hands, they sing, they eat, they sleep, they laugh when the other laughs... eyeeyeeye) David had said as he too burst into hysterical laughter at the sight of Rachel's face. Wes had been watching from the common room, where this was all taking place, and noticed that it was the first time he'd ever seen Kurt laugh so hard, and not have to fake it. The head council member was trying to control the twins, who were whispering between each other, something about getting the hobbit, and watching the scene unfold with Kurt and Blaine and the others. Quinn had poked her head out of the room to see what Kurt was laughing about, and quickly joined in. It's like Kurt laughing was contagious, which was a good thing, because they'd all been on edge since Brittany and Kurt had performed last week, all walking around on egg shells, making sure Kurt was okay, and he wasn't going to do something stupid... This proved that maybe, with the right amount of time, love and support, Kurt was on the road to recovery. Maybe they'd be getting him to smile for real by Regional's... of course, that's Kurt and Blaine's anniversary, so they'd want to be smiling, and of course, the Christmas present that the Warblers and ND pitched in to get for them should put a smile on Kurt's face... if not, they're doing something wrong...
When all the Berry drama was over, Kurt and Blaine invited the Warblers and ex-ND members to their dorm room for a Christmas Eve movie night, to which Brittany had jumped at, and the Warblers started hi-fiving and shouting choices to the two lovers, who just joined hands, and led the group of about twelve back to their room. The snow was falling rapidly, and it gave a more "romantic" feeling to the afternoon movie session. Wes, David and Cameron were the only ones alone, because their girlfriends weren't allowed to be on campus, but Nick and Jeff were taking advantage of being able to cuddle in front of the fire, with Kurt and Blaine. Brittany was sitting on Kurt's left, hand linked with Santana's, whilst Kurt just rested his head on Blaine's shoulder. Through the silence, Kurt's phone buzzed with a message...
To: Kurt Hummel
Mom said to say Merry Xmas, and she hopes that you and Blaine have a great one. Love you bro.
From: Finn Hudson-Hummel
Blaine was reading over his boyfriend's shoulder. He pressed a soft kiss to Kurt's cheek, telling him that it's completely up to him if he wants to reply, or not. Finn had been to Kurt's session yesterday, and had been practically texting non-stop with jokes and stuff about McKinley and home. Kurt sighed, smiling a little, before typing out a reply.
To: Finn Hudson-Hummel
Hope you guys have a great day. Let me know how Grandma Katie reacts to dad's kicking me out of home... Ha, tell her about the attack, maybe she'll hit him... No seriously, she's hilarious... Ask her about the time she and dad took on my cousin, after they threatened me... She's hilarious...: P
From: Kurt Hummel
Blaine chuckled at his boyfriend's response, turning back to watch The Grinch, which was only put on, because Wes and David had "overruled" all the other movies, and because they're on the council, they make all the rules. Blaine had only agreed, because he'd rather not be wacked over the head with Mr. Bangy... Kurt's phone sounded again, pulling the boy from the movie once more...
To: Kurt Hummel
Will do man. You have a great day with Blaine and the others. Be sure to throw something at Elijah for me... Love ya bro.
From: Finn Hudson
Kurt snorted, quickly typing out his reply, and turning back to the movie...
To: Finn Hudson-Hummel
Ok. I'll have a great day... Thanks Finn. Blaine also wishes to say Merry Christmas and he hopes that you don't have to deal with too much Berry drama. Talk soon...
From: Kurt Hummel
Santana had been watching Kurt's little "text-sesh" from her position beside Brittany, smiling at the ease to which Kurt relaxes around them now. They had helped the Warblers pick out the perfect present for Kurt and Blaine, both parties stating that they needed it, and deserve it, and each other, and this will make them both happy. A chance for them to just have their lives the way they want them. Brittany was singing along with the songs, happily doing hand actions, and sounds. Blaine was trying to keep up with the blonde headed cheerleader, but it was proving difficult, as her moves were almost complex, so instead, Blaine just bopped his head, singing along to the words, until Kurt moved his head so he could look up at Blaine, a small smile on his face, as Blaine kissed him lightly on the lips, brushing a small stand of hair off his head, and wrapping his arms around Kurt's waist tighter. All was silent as they watched the movie, Wes' only interactions were with his gavel? Huh? Of all the people Blaine could have made friends with, it had to be a gavel-wielding psycho, and a love-struck idiot... God, he needs new friends... Not that the Warblers aren't, like, cool or anything, even Puck thinks they're cool, and for Puck to say that, it must be true...
...
At nine, they'd abandoned the movies, for traditional Christmas stories either made up, or from their real lives. Brittany had told a wonderful story about elves and Santa's workshop, that Kurt thinks should have been made into a Disney movie, Wes told "The Night Before Christmas", David had told them about their families' Christmases in Scotland, Santana made up a rather... interesting Christmas story about all of them, which included alot of Kurt and Blaine and sex... to which both boys had blushed at, even though they've done that already... After that, it kind of killed the mood for others, but they didn't seem to mind, instead just talking about anything they could think of. Nick and Jeff were lying on their stomachs on Blaine's bed, whilst the latter was lying on Kurt's bed, said boy wrapped in his arms, looking around the room at their friends, which now included Sam and Rory, who'd arrived just as Santana had finished her story, much to Kurt's happiness, they didn't need to be told about anything like that, nor should Santana ever repeat the story.
'Do you have a wish for Christmas Kurtie?' Brittany asked from her spot in Santana's arms on the couch
'All my wishes came true already Britt, what about you?' he asked, smiling softly
'I wish that there was some way we could make you feel better, so you could be smiling and happy again,' Brittany said
'Britt, honey, I'm not one hundred percent, I have a long way to go, but I'm happy. Right now, here with all of you guys, I'm happier than I was last week. I promise Britt, I'm getting there,'
'I'm going to pray for you Kurtie, because I love you. That's my Christmas Resolution,' the blonde cheerleader replied, snuggling further into her girlfriend's embrace. Kurt smiled at her, and started singing the song that Blaine had sung to him just after the attack...
(See AN at the end for this song, although you should all know what it is. I do not own it.)
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
The Warblers in the room began harmonising as Kurt sang, looking around the room at his friends, the people who love him...
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute, why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know
Blaine joined Kurt, their voices harmonising together perfectly...
Oh simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute, why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go? So why don't we go?
Oh, this could be the end of everything
So why don't we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know
Somewhere only we know
There was applause, and tears, and then Brittany was hugging Kurt, and outside the window, the snow was falling. It was the perfect Christmas Eve, the first one, in a long time, where Kurt almost felt whole... He's not there yet, but he's on the right track, and he knows that even when things get hard, and dark, Blaine and the Warblers, and ex-ND members will be there to help him through...
Christmas Day started off with Wes and David banging on their dorm door, and then proceeding to body slam both Kurt and Blaine, only to find them up, and waiting for the attack. Blaine just laughed when his two friends burst into their room, not even paying attention to the fact that there was no one in either of the beds, before jumping on them, only to realise that two people were laughing at them. Wes scowled, muttered something about them being "no fun", and the two left, but not before winking to Blaine, and reminding him about the Warbler's Christmas present to both of them... Kurt just rolled his eyes, gave Wes the finger, and walked over to his and Blaine's small tree where their presents were. They'd promised Santana and Brittany they'd meet up somewhere for lunch with the rest of the ex-ND members, but the morning was going to be spent with Cora, Frank and Chelsea.
'Kurt, can we open the Warbler's present now? Please?' Blaine asked, pouting as he wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist
'Fine, open away you big little kid,' Kurt said, kissing his temple and handing him the envelope...
Blaine almost fell off his chair when he saw what was inside... 'Kurt, they... it's a one week stay in New York, fully paid, and tickets for Broadway... This... I... Airlines... we leave tomorrow...'
'Blaine, babe, breathe...This is going to be the best Christmas break ever, and I'm going to be spending it with my boyfriend, in New York... What are you worrying about? It's not like we need to pack everything single thing... it's only a week... You can go without gel, and I can go without... well... half of my clothes...' Kurt replied, smirking, but Blaine could tell his boyfriend was excited.
...
When Kurt and Blaine saw the rest of the Warblers later that day for their group luncheon, they'd been immediately surprised that everyone, including Sue and Finn had pitched in to organise everything, on the pretext that both Kurt and Blaine deserve some happiness, and that this was one way for them to get it. Blaine was practically in tears as he hugged and thanked everyone, Kurt not as emotional, just hung back with Santana and watched Blaine hug all their friends. He'd never expected this at all. The moment he woke up in the hospital, Blaine by his side, he knew that his life would never be the same again. He's broken, and scarred, but with Blaine, he feels a little more whole... The Christmas Lunch, which was being held at Nick's house (Which FYI is three stories high), was superbly cooked by the chefs that work in the house, and served by the waiters hired by the Duval family. Wes had been forbidden to bring Mr. Bangy, and was therefore sulking, until Nick told him about the new COD game he had in his room that Wes should play, which led to Cameron, David, Nick, Jeff and Thad, locked away in Nick's large bedroom, playing COD, whilst the others stayed downstairs in the lounge, eating, talking, laughing, the twins coming up with plans to take revenge on Rachel, which Kurt was all in for.
Brittany, Santana, Sam, Puck, Rory and Quinn just sat back, watching the interactions between the Warblers and Klaine (Yes, Santana was on that train now). A long while ago, she'd come to the realisation as to why the New Directions was dysfunctional as a toilet... they had no structure... it was practically, and still is to this day, the Rachel and Finn show, and it always will be, for as long a butt-chin McGinsky works as the director. Brittany and Puck had laughed at the name, but it was Sue's idea first, having called William that on numerous occasions since being back at McKinley, and Santana had taken delight in repeating it to him, whenever she got the chance... All in all, Christmas day with the Warblers and ex-ND members was a hit, and after the long and tiring day, Kurt and Blaine had gone back to Cora's to pack their bags, ready for their trip. It was only when they were lying in bed, that Kurt said those three words to Blaine that made his face light up... words he hadn't heard since the attack...
'I love you...'
'I love you too Kurt. Always and Forever...'
'Cheesy much, you just ruined a perfectly good moment' Kurt said, kissing Blaine on the lips 'But I still love you,' he added, nuzzling into the crook of Blaine neck
'Good to know babe... New York, here we come...' Blaine whispered to himself, knowing that Kurt was already asleep in his arms... Hopefully there won't be any nightmares tonight...
A/N: Song is Somewhere Only We Know by Keane, performed by the Warblers. I thought it would be perfect for Kurt to sing for this part of the story. Happy a Happy New Year, and I hope that 2012 is a great one for all of you. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.