“Hey, Kurt?” Blaine strolled into Kurt’s little cubicle, where he was trying to research for an article someone else would get to write. I’m lucky to be in New York, Kurt kept telling himself. The only thing that seemed to make Kurt smile these days was when Blaine visited him on his break. Blaine spent his afternoon break every day at Kurt’s desk. They talked about everything and anything. The more Kurt got to know Blaine, the more Blaine seemed like the most perfect man in the world. This really didn’t help Kurt’s current situation. Gosh this unrequited love isn’t easy…

“Yes, Blaine?” Kurt replied, looking up from his work.
“So I have a show on Saturday. A Christmas show, I’m singing all of my favourite festive songs.”
The highlight of Kurt’s week was when he got to see Blaine perform in a local bar. There was something about the way Blaine sang, his raw edge, the way he seemed so vulnerable that it made Kurt’s heart ache. He also found it incredibly sexy, not that he would tell anyone that. Especially not Blaine.

“Ooh, how exciting. I’ll be there in my usual seat, as always.” Kurt smiled at Blaine.
“Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to sing with me? There’re a couple of songs I’d like to sing and I need a duet partner, and I think you’d be perfect. You’re always talking about how you miss singing”

Kurt couldn’t believe it, he was finally going to sing again, in front of a crowd. This was the real reason he came to New York, to perform. Performing had always been Kurt’s first love. He had been a part of his High School’s glee club and he had managed to get into all his college plays too. And performing with Blaine of all people? How could Kurt refuse?
“I-I’d love to.” Kurt cursed himself for stumbling over his words. Play it cool, Kurt. “What songs would we be singing?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see, my friend.” Blaine winked and walked away leaving Kurt with a huge grin on his face. He instantly began counting down the hours until Saturday.
-----------------------------------
One of Kurt’s best friends Rachel Berry decided to come along to the show on Saturday, much to Kurt’s dismay. Rachel and Kurt had gone to High School together, and after being rivals they had managed to put away their differences. They had quickly become best friends. After High School, Rachel had attended college in New York, whereas Kurt had been forced to stay in Ohio for college. They had managed to keep in touch over the years, and Rachel had been ecstatic when Kurt had said he’d be moving to New York.

As much as he loved her, Kurt really didn’t need Rachel there that night. He could hide his feelings from Rachel when Blaine wasn’t in the room, but he was sure that singing with Blaine on stage would give his emotions away to his friend. But, damnit, Kurt was going to do his best to make sure Rachel never knew how he felt about Blaine.
“So, tell me about this Blaine guy?” Rachel asked.
“Uh, well there’s nothing much to tell, really.” Kurt shuffled awkwardly, he wanted to avoid all questions about Blaine.

“Oh, come on. There has to be something, just look at you! You look all squeamish and uncomfortable. ”
“Rachel, there’s nothing. I promise. I’m just…nervous about the performance.”

Kurt should have known by now that Rachel Berry is one of the most determined people he’ll ever meet. If she wanted to find out about Blaine, she definitely would.

“Kurt, I know there’s something, you don’t get nervous. Come on! Tell me. You know I won’t stop until you tell me about him. Kurt. Kurt!”
“He’s gay and I’m in love with him.” Crap.
“Well then tonight should be really interesting.” Rachel said, laughing at Kurt’s slip up.
“Oh my God, Rachel. Please don’t tell anyone. Don’t say anything. He just thinks of us as friends, and I’m fine with that because I’d rather just be his friend than not have him in my life. Please. Just… please, Rachel.” Kurt spoke so fast, Rachel found it almost impossible to keep up, but she understood.
“Cross my heart, I won’t say a word.” She smiled at her best friend, secretly just happy he finally had a gay guy his own age he could talk to. She had long since realised that Kurt had outgrown the mandatory meet ups with her Dads that she had insisted on. While they had been extremely helpful for sixteen year old Kurt, he was twenty two now. It would be good for him to have someone his own age to talk to, she decided.

The show began with Blaine singing a beautiful version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, followed by Blaine’s own take on the songs Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Silent Night. He then called Kurt up to the stage to join him. Kurt received a light applause from the patrons of the bar as he walked up to join Blaine.

“So tonight my good friend here, Kurt, and I are going to put a new spin on an a few old classics.” He looked at Kurt, who nodded back to signal he was ready. Blaine started to play the piano softly.
“I really can’t stay…”
“-but baby it’s cold outside.”
“I’ve got to go away…”
“-but baby, it’s cold outside.”
“This evening has been…”
“Been hoping that you’d drop in.”
“So very nice…”
“I’ll hold your hand, they’re just like ice.”

They continued singing, sharing flirty looks, as Kurt walked around the piano, mustering as much seductiveness as he could manage. He even sat on top on the piano and leaned into Blaine when the other boy sang “Gosh your lips look delicious,” which earned him a few cat calls from the audience, especially Rachel who was more or less flailing at how adorable they were being.

When they finished they received a huge round of applause, much to Kurt’s surprise. He needed to remember he was in New York now, not Ohio. Blaine smiled at him when he was done, mouthing “good job”, to which Kurt smiled in return. They went on to sing Fairytale of New York and a gorgeous duet of White Christmas before Kurt sat down to allow Blaine to finish his set.

At the end of the night, Kurt was still on a high from performing. He had forgotten how great it felt, being up there singing in front of people, hearing the applause. He hadn’t truly realized how much he had missed it.
People came up to him afterwards telling him how wonderful he was. One woman even remarked that he and Blaine made a lovely couple.
“Oh, no. No, no. We’re just friends.”
She gave him a knowing look before smiling and walking away.

Blaine came up to him and patted him on the shoulder.
“You were amazing, Kurt. Thank you so much for doing that. That was the best fun I’ve had in a long time!”
Kurt couldn’t suppress his wide grin at Blaine’s comment.
“Hey, it was no problem. I really enjoyed myself. Seriously, if you ever need me again I’m there in a heartbeat.”
“I’ll make a note of that.”

Kurt then proceeded to introduce him to Rachel, who Blaine was more than thrilled to meet.
“Kurt’s spoken so much about you.”
“Oh, really? Oh, he speaks very highly of you too, Blaine.”
Kurt could have hit her for being so obvious, but luckily Blaine was none the wiser.

After catching a cab for Rachel, Blaine began to walk Kurt back to his apartment. Snow started to fall softly as the two made their way to Kurt’s apartment. Christmas was most definitely in the air. They strolled down the street in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other’s company.
After a couple of minutes they arrived at Kurt’s apartment. Blaine, ever the gentleman, walked him right to the door.
“So I guess I won’t see you until the New Year if you’re leaving for Ohio on Monday?”
“Oh yeah, I hadn’t really thought of that.” Kurt lied smoothly. He hated that he’d agreed to go home for two weeks to see his parents and Finn.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye for now then. Merry Christmas, Kurt.”

Blaine pulled the younger boy in for a tight hug. Kurt, unable to speak, simply hugged back, squeezing Blaine as much as he could, reveling in the close contact. They broke apart too soon for Kurt’s liking.
“Merry Christmas to you too, Blaine.”
They promised to text and Skype and keep in contact over the next couple of weeks while Kurt was in Ohio, before saying their goodbyes and Kurt stealing one last glance of Blaine before it was too late.

Kurt knew he was in deeper than he’d been before, now that he actually knew Blaine, he knew it was more than a crush. This was so much more than that thing he’d had for Finn. It scared Kurt how much he’d actually fallen for Blaine. He just hoped that maybe one day Blaine could feel the same way.

Kurt knew what he’d be wishing for this Christmas.