Chapter 12

Spending nights together became more frequent and it seemed they had turned a corner. Kurt's refusal to return to James had helped Blaine to realise he didn't want Kurt to leave, had needed him in his life and as he watched him sleep peacefully in his arms a few weeks later it had him reflecting on the time they had spent together so far.

It had been such a whirlwind, including their time in Egypt that Blaine had barely had time to think over his wedding plans with Liam but as he lay there with Kurt he realised he had hardly thought of his ex-fiancé and the idea of being rejected didn't anger him like it used to. Kurt had been there, firm and so deserving of trust, he had never really felt a void after Liam left. The time he spent with Kurt kept his mind off the heartbreak, but as he watched Kurt's chest dip and rise as he breathed warmly on the juncture between Blaine's neck and shoulder, he knew it had been Kurt. He loved spending time talking to him, making him laugh, that real laugh where dimples showed and his mouth was wide. He loved hearing Kurt sing in the kitchen as he baked mini cupcakes and he loved the noises he made when he sucked gently on that spot beneath his ear. He had never known such love and intimacy with Liam, even at the beginning.

Kurt began to stir in his arms, a muffled sound could be heard by his ear and he stretched his back, causing Kurt's lips to brush along Blaine's neck and he sighed. This was where he wanted to be always.

"Hey sleepy head," Blaine whispered, chuckling gently.

"Have you been awake long?" Kurt mumbled, rubbing his eyes and blinking awake.

"Not too long, just thinking," he said.

"Thinking? What about?" Kurt asked, eyes fully open and his head resting fully on Blaine's chest now.

"You and how amazing it is to have you in my life," Blaine said, smiling.

"Oh that," Kurt said laughing and stroking along Blaine's side, causing him to tickle his side. "I love being right here," Kurt said as he squeezed Blaine closer to him.

"Me too," Blaine sighed, closing his eyes.

xXx

Thanksgiving approached and Kurt was becoming more and more nervous at the prospect of bringing the topic up in conversation with Blaine. He knew Rachel and her dads planned to go on their annual cruise and although he had been invited, he didn't really relish the idea of spending his week aboard a ship that had a Jessie Tyler Ferguson look-a-like contest. He didn't mind spending the holidays alone, thinking he could catch up on his reading and watching sappy movies but the thought that Blaine would feel sorry for him and invite him along to his parents for an awkward meal was terrifying. He decided he would go home to Lima, where his dad would watch games and Carole would cook a fabulous meal and he could relax for a few days.

He wasn't sure still what he and Blaine were. He kind of guessed they were exclusive now although no mention had been made of any labels and whether Blaine was feeling better about the situation with Liam. It had been nearly three months now since they had met but was that enough time to get over someone that you had nearly married? Kurt had no idea and could only guess based on his time apart from James. It had taken less time for Kurt to get over James but forgiveness? That had taken at least six months and a family death. How could Kurt even mention it?

It was with his mind in this state of worry that he met Blaine for lunch the week before Thanksgiving. They had agreed to meet in their usual café not too far from his salon so they could have the full hour together and as Kurt entered, Blaine had already ordered their usuals.

"Hey," Blaine said, as Kurt entered and kissed him in greeting, "How's your morning been?"

"A little rushed, a few people getting their pre-vacation cuts," Kurt said, "But nothing we can't handle. You?"

"Good, I wrote a new song this morning but it needs polishing."

"Wow Blaine, that's fantastic," Kurt exclaimed, a big grin on his face, "I'd love to say that's how I spent my morning. Can I hear it?"

"Yeah definitely, when it's finished," Blaine said timidly, "I definitely need to finish it before next week so my mum can hear it when I see her for Thanksgiving."

"Oh right, yeah," Kurt said, nodding and looking at his sandwich. Blaine noticed his reticence and watched Kurt carefully as he picked at the bread in front of him. He thought back to what he had just said and realised.

"What are you doing for Thanksgiving Kurt?" Blaine asked.

He looked up to see Blaine's eyes looking at him with such concern he almost felt foolish for worrying about it. They were grownups, right?

"I was thinking of seeing my family actually," Kurt said, "I'll drive I think so I don't have to worry about booking flights."

Blaine nodded and smiled. "That's great, will I get to see you much over the holiday?"

"Oh, I thought you'd see your family and I'll probably spend the whole holiday in Lima so…"

Blaine nodded in understanding but felt a pang. He would really miss Kurt, why hadn't he thought about it earlier?

"Why don't you come to my parents' house? I'm sure they wouldn't mind and you've met my mum before."

"I don't know Blaine…" Kurt said uneasy at the thought of meeting the family officially.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just don't think we're there yet and I thought you wanted to take things slowly?" Kurt appeared confident and nonchalant but felt his stomach swirl in knots of worry. He didn't really want to have this conversation, didn't want to sound like a needy boyfriend, were they even boyfriends?

Blaine looked hurt and didn't know what to say. He was under the impression they didn't need to be defined.

"I suppose we never had the conversation," Blaine said quietly, looking down, "I thought we were together?"

"I thought so too," Kurt whispered, not daring to look at Blaine, so he only noticed Blaine sit beside him on the sofa as he felt the dip in the fabric next to him.

"Then maybe we should say it," Blaine said smiling, "Kurt Hummel will you be my official boyfriend?"

Kurt laughed. "I thought you'd never ask."

xXx

Thanksgiving went by in a haze of shopping and sappy movies and feeling constantly full. Kurt loved it but he should really have prepared himself for all the questions.

"So what was Egypt like?" Carole asked at dinner shortly after Kurt arrived in Lima. He regaled Carole, Burt and Finn with all he had seen and he didn't realise he had dropped Blaine into the conversation so frequently but as he finishing describing the boat on the Nile and the hot air balloon, he looked at Carole and Burt's faces and paused.

"What?" he asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're in love dude," Finn said with a big grin on his face and Kurt flushed bright pink.

"What?" Kurt mumbled, "How'd you know? What did I say?"

"It's written all over your face, kid," Burt said smiling.

"And it was all 'Blaine said this' and 'Blaine did that'," Finn mimicked, still smiling in a goofy way.

"Finn, leave him alone," his mum warned, smiling pleasantly at Kurt, "So what's he like, this Blaine?"

And Kurt explained. He didn't care anymore about what Finn thought as he described how they'd met, what had happened since, how they had taken it slowly (not mentioning the extra-curricular activities they had got up to in Egypt) and how they were now officially together.

"He got jilted at the altar?" Burt said, his back suddenly straight and worry on his face.

"Yeah dad but it was three months ago," Kurt said defensively, "We took things slowly and I'm not sure if it's jilting if there's no altar."

"Don't get pedantic with me," Burt said gruffly, "I trust you Kurt and your judgement, I always have, so if you say it's fine, it's fine." He smiled and Kurt felt his cheek flush that his dad thought so highly of him. A flash image of Blaine panting against him in Egypt, reminded him that he maybe wasn't so deserving of that but he smiled and kept the thought to himself.

xXx

Kurt and Blaine had dinner together once Kurt returned from Lima and they quickly filled each other in on their eventful thanksgivings. Blaine had eaten with family, Cooper coming home too for the holidays and although his dad had looked too severe for the chat about Kurt that Blaine had wanted, he had told his mum, who had been delighted that Blaine had moved on and with 'such a nice man'. Kurt beamed at the praise and wasn't as nervous about meeting his family.

"Actually my dad said he wanted to meet you soon," Kurt said, "I wondered what your plans were for Christmas?"

"Oh I hadn't thought that far ahead," Blaine said but suddenly smiled, "I'd definitely love to spend it with you though, thanksgiving was too hard."

"Christmas in Lima?" Kurt asked, suddenly nervous.

"Sounds fantastic," Blaine smiled enthusiastically.

xXx

And it was. The Hummels went all out for Thanksgiving but even more so for Christmas. Their decorations looked truly festive as Blaine entered their home and was introduced to everyone. The awkward moment about rooms was avoided as Kurt had already checked they could share a room during their stay and they soon settled to watch TV. Blaine got on easily with Burt and Carole and Kurt felt himself beam with pride that Blaine fit so easily. James had met Burt and Carole so many times of course but no visits went as well as this one. Blaine was his charming self, no mention of anything inappropriate, which had always been James' problem. He joked easily and discussed his passions like music and coffee as if he'd known Burt and Carole for years. It never felt like an interrogation and Blaine had never felt so full, Carole always plying him with good Christmas foods. A glance was shared between Blaine and Kurt as they watched Christmas films and Kurt grinned at his fabulous boyfriend that was already a hit with his family. He needed to keep this guy in his life.

xXx

They returned to New York a few days after Christmas, already having plans which involved singing the New Year in and watching the ball drop in Times Square. They sang, joining Rachel and Finn at Callbacks and watching the TV screen showing the famous ball. They kissed sweetly and they had never felt happier and more aware of where they belonged. Rachel looked over at Kurt a few moments later and mouthed 'happy new year' well aware that Kurt was already the happiest she had ever seen him.

Kurt walked back to Blaine's apartment with him a few hours later, allowing Rachel and Finn to enjoy having the place to themselves. They held hands against the cold and Blaine couldn't stop grinning. He had never felt this happy and he kept glancing over at Kurt to see if he was real. Kurt only smiled.

"Why do you look so goofy?" Kurt chuckled, "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking I've never been this happy Kurt," he said, suddenly stopping in the middle of the street, "Do you ever sometimes think you're dreaming?" He came closer to Kurt whose eyes widened and he nodded.

"You're so beautiful Kurt and I want you to know that I was never this happy, never before you." His meaning was clear and Kurt didn't need to mention it and he felt his stomach swoop as Blaine came ever closer to grace his lips with his own.

"I love you Kurt," he said as they parted, his eyes still closed.

"I love you too," Kurt said as he brought his lips to his again, making his meaning quite clear.

They parted and still holding hands, started walking quicker in the cold night air, evidently now desperate to reach home and show each other the many ways they could love. As Blaine put the key in the lock and started taking off his jacket, he realised they won't alone as a sob filled the apartment.

Blaine looked to Kurt in complete panic as Kurt grabbed his arm. Maybe they should call the police? But as another sob filled the silence between them, Blaine seemed to recognise the person who caused the noise and started walking towards his bedroom as if in a daze. Kurt followed dumbly.

"Liam?"