A/N: This one-shot of pure Klaine fluff is dedicated to Deb. Love you! xoxo
Prompt #7: First three words must be: "The first time..."
Character(s): Blaine & Kurt
Words: 544
Date: August 15, 2012
The Balance of Love
The first time Kurt slips on the ice, Blaine's arms pull him in closer and he keeps balance for both of them, like so often in their lives.
Blaine's warm lips are a wonderful contrast to the cool night air as they find Kurt's ear, "I'll always catch you when you fall." Kurt's heart beats a little faster, as it always does at the sound of Blaine's voice, even after all these years.
"You always do." Kurt replies, each word filled with so much emotion, he could have just as easily responded with I love you.
Arms wrapped around each other's waists, they glide around the small rink at Rockefeller Center. Blaine leads them as easily as if they were waltzing on a dance floor.
"See babe, not so difficult?" Blaine says with a wink, kind enough not to mention Kurt's earlier reluctance to come skating.
Kurt laughs his musical laugh, the one that sets Blaine's heart on fire, as Blaine twirls them in a side-by-side spin. Kurt watches as the other skaters float by, each of them lost in their own magical world that seems to envelope you when you step onto the ice. The lights from the breathtaking Christmas tree giving everyone an ethereal glow.
Blaine sees Kurt people watching, which has quickly become Kurt's favourite New York City past time. "You look better than every single one of them." Kurt preens in his new Marc Jacob's jacket, purchased special for tonight, since you can't exactly skate in a form-fitting pea coat.
Blaine smiles at Kurt's obvious pleasure from his compliment and can't resist teasing him a bit. "Even if you're a little wobbly on your legs." Blaine hip checks him gently but it's just enough for Kurt to lose his balance. Blaine tightens his hold and laughs. He affectionately whispers, "Bambi."
Kurt huffs indignantly but when he almost falls again, all he can do is join Blaine's laughter because it's probably closer to the truth than he'd like to admit right now.
A few more laps around the rink and Blaine is slowly loosening his grasp on Kurt's waist as he feels his boyfriend find his equilibrium. Kurt, still lost in the beauty of the night, doesn't notice when Blaine let's go completely. They manage a half-lap and Kurt's pride soars when he realizes he's skating on his own.
A quarter of a lap later, a small girl whizzes by a little too closely, catching Kurt off guard. He loses his tenuous stability and feels himself falling in slow motion to the hard ice below. A moment before he collides with the icy surface, Blaine's firm grip pulls him back upright and he collapses into the embrace. He should have known that Blaine would catch him. He always has. Even when Kurt thought he was flying solo, Blaine was there to cushion every disappointment, every moment of self-doubt, every misfortune that might have crushed him.
Moments later, as huge snowflakes begin to swirl in the air, turning the ice rink into its own private snow globe, Blaine has them gliding together again. Kurt leans in a little closer and entreats, "Don't let go."
"Never." Blaine hugs him tighter and with that single word vows that he will be by Kurt's side forever.