An Invitation

The snow had started falling in NYC. December 23rd and it looked like both Kurt and Blaine were finally going to see a white Christmas in the City.

They were both sitting at their usual table at the front of the coffee shop, staring out at the flurries of snow that was now falling with increasing vigour.

“It’s really coming down out there”. Blaine noticed the layer of snow starting to build up on the parked cars outside.

“Yeah, the roads will stay clear for a while yet though” Kurt replied, watching the cabs racing past, the weather seemingly not a worry for them. “Do you have to travel anywhere over the next couple of days? If this keeps up, the roads might not be as clear tomorrow”.

“Nahh, I’m visiting a friend tomorrow for dinner, but he only lives a few blocks from my place. The only other times I have to leave the apartment is to walk Gibson but that’s not really a problem-“

“I bet he loves this” Kurt smiled nodding towards the weather.

“You’d think, wouldn’t you? Huskies are built for the snow, they’re completely resilient to the cold. Gibson however… he decided that instincts were overrated, and why the hell would he want to walk in the soft, wet cold stuff when he can stay curled up on my bed”.

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope” Blaine popped the ‘P’. “He literally refuses to leave the house. The first snow after I got him, I thought it’d be fun to walk him to Central Park, be good for him you know? We never even made it there! It took so long just to get him down the steps outside my apartment, he then moaned and whined so much that by the time we got to the end of my street, I ended up carrying him back.”

Blaine shook his head, remembering back to the look of disgust he received from his canine companion when they got back into his apartment – the dog was a princess, there’s no denying it.

“So it can snow as much as it likes, because even if I wanted to, my dog physically won’t walk in this kind of weather”.

Kurt laughed.  “Your dog’s really weird”.

“I told you, he’s convinced he’s human! Christmas is his favourite though, he even has a present to unwrap. And yes he does it himself AND unties the bow first!”

“Speaking of presents….” Kurt was eyeing the perfectly wrapped gift sitting atop the table. “You really didn’t have to buy me anything, Blaine.”

“I wanted to! I love buying gifts; I never really have to get many so it’s fun to have another person to buy for”.

He smiled pushing the box towards Kurt, who took it, stroking the brown paper wrapping and red velvet bow. He untied it slowly, unfolding the paper to reveal a large box with Paul Smith branded on top of it.

“This is too much” Kurt was wide eyed, and shaking his head at Blaine.

“You haven’t even seen what it is yet” Blaine chuckled.

Kurt tentatively removed the lid, revealing a pair of jellyfish print, cotton pants.

“They’re…they’re…”

“I know they’re a little strange, but I saw them and instantly thought of that time I scared you, and it made me smile. Plus seeing as you’re a fashion major with impeccable style, who better to pull off such a statement piece”.

“They’re amazing Blaine, I love them!” Kurt was stroking the soft fabric, the bright print dancing through his fingers.

“That’s not all” Blaine had a wide grin on his face.

“Blaine, no! This is already too much, these pants much have cost a fortune”. Kurt resumed his head shaking.

Blaine handed over a thick envelope, meeting Kurt’s eyes with a meaningful glance “Just open it please”.

Kurt eyed Blaine cautiously before sliding his hand under the seal of the envelope, and pulling out what looked like….

“4 tickets for The Book of Mormon” Kurt whispered.

“I thought maybe you and your family would like to go. Give them a real feel for the New York you love”.

Kurt stared at Blaine, mouth open a little.

“I don’t know what to say” He said, his voice not quite yet reaching above a hushed tone, the tickets shaking in his hands.

“You don’t have to say anything, just take them and enjoy them – the show’s great! I tried to pick one that everyone would enjoy”.

“Thank you so much” Kurt’s eyes were tearing up.

He giggled.

“Wow, my gifts seem so below par now”.

“You got me a present too?”

Kurt, suddenly composed and looking very serious said:

“Blaine, please, of course I got you a gift”.

 And with that he reaching into his satchel and pulled out a box, wrapped in glossy purple paper with a black satin bow and handed it across the table to Blaine. Blaine took it and carefully untied the bow, unfolded the paper, and lifted out of the box, a mug. Printed on the front was the name Bane, with an ‘L’ and ‘I’ sharpied in.

“Kurt…” Blaine was beaming “I love it!”

“I figured you can bring it here and then they’d always get your name right” He teased.

“I also go you these” Kurt was holding two envelopes.

In the first was a voucher for a record store which specialised in alternative music and unique instruments “For your more experimental music pieces” Kurt had said while handing it over.

“This second one is a little different, it’s an invitation-“

“Kurt, you don’t have to invite me anyw-“

“Blaine, let me finish”

“This is an invitation, not for you to spend Christmas with me or anything like that. This is an invitation for you to call me; anytime for anything over the holidays. Spending it alone is tough, so if you need someone to talk to, vent to, anything; just pick up the phone and I promise to be on the other end”.

He pressed the envelope into Blaine’s hand.

“Thank you, truly” Blaine was quiet, reading the invitation over and over.

They stood up, both of them shifting uncomfortably for a moment before Blaine stepped forward, arms open. Kurt hugged Blaine, who had to tiptoe slightly to rest his head comfortably on Kurt’s shoulder.

“Best presents ever” He murmured into Kurt’s ear. He pulled back and looked at him. “And that’s saying something, my brother got me an Optimus Prime action figure once”.

They both laughed, before Kurt looked out the window, seeing the sun setting amongst the spell of snow.

“I’d better go, I promised Carole I’d take her ice-skating in Bryant Park”.

“I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Kurt, enjoy the show”. Blaine smiled warmly.

“Thank you so much, you too” Kurt shouldered his bag and headed towards the glass door, before turning “I meant what I said” He nodded towards the envelope still clutched in Blaine’s hand “Anytime”. He smiled, before making his way out into the winter wonderland that was New York City.