Kurt couldn't believe he was kissing Blaine, but he didn't pull back. He grew worried when Blaine remained frozen under his lips after a couple of seconds, but just as he started to pull back, Blaine's hand came up to cup his cheek, holding him in place. Their lips moved softly against each other, parting slightly with a wet sound and then coming back together. There was a shift and suddenly the angle wasn't as awkward and their lips were pressed together more fully and oh.

Kurt felt Blaine grin against his lips when he let out a tiny whine and then there was a tongue flicking across the seam. His lips parted as he gasped and the tongue ran along the inside of his bottom lip. A shiver of want rolled down his spine as he cautiously ran his tongue along Blaine's, feeling the other boys' breath hitch. His stomach swooped as they kissed, slow and sweet. It was a sharp contrast to how fast he was breathing and how desperate he was for Blaine to do more, to touch him.

He pulled back with a soft smacking sound and stared at Blaine, curious if the look of wonder on Blaine's face was mirrored on his own. "Wow."

"Yeah."

Kurt licked his lips and Blaine's eyes dropped down to them and then he was leaning in again, brushing lightly over Kurt's lips. "I'm so in love with you."

Kurt jerked back, staring slack jawed at Blaine, who looked mildly horrified. "Oh my god, Kurt, I-"

"Did you mean it?" Kurt cut in.

"Yes, but-"

"Then don't ruin this."

Kurt leaned forward, pressing their lips together and stopping any reply that Blaine might have formed. It was still soft and sweet, but with an undercurrent of love that hadn't been spoken of before.

"I love you, too."

The words were barely whispered but Blaine latched onto them, cupping Kurt's face more firmly and kissing him fiercer than before. He wasted no time dominating Kurt's mouth, pressing hard and nipping on Kurt's full bottom lip before sucking on the top one. Kurt moaned as his hands came up to clutch Blaine's shirt sleeves, allowing Blaine to do what he wanted. The lack of control was amazing, adding to the already heightened feel of Blaine holding him close.

"Do you mean it?" Blaine asked, pulling away and stroking his thumb over Kurt's jaw.

"Yes, of course," Kurt breathed. "I-I have for awhile," he added shyly.

"Good," Blaine grinned, "me, too."

"Now that the lovey dovey stuff is over, can I have a cookie?" Burt asked from the doorway. They both giggled, reluctantly letting go of each other and turning to face him.

"Only one," Kurt told him firmly. "You're still not supposed to have junk food." He picked up an artfully decorated wreath and handed it to him. Burt took it and a look of bliss passed over his face at the first taste of sugary sweets he'd had since his angina attack.

"Now shoo." Kurt flapped his hands, earning an eye roll as Burt left. He cleared his throat and peeked at Blaine through his lashes. "So..."

Blaine let out a laugh, reaching for Kurt's hand. "So... Have you... felt like this for long?"

"A while, yeah. Um, you?"

"Probably since the first moment I laid eyes on you, but you hated me so much; I kind of buried it."

It was Kurt's turn to laugh as he shook his head. "I never hated you, I just thought you were like all the other Doms." They sat there, grinning stupidly at each other. "So why didn't you tell me after you realized it?"

"I was worried. I mean, you were slowly opening up to me and we were becoming such good friends, I guess I just didn't want to ruin it. Why didn't you tell me?"

Kurt shrugged, his eyes dropping to Blaine's shoulder. "I didn't think you liked me like that. I didn't want to take the chance and you not and then where would I be? Back to only one real friend?"

Two fingers lifted his chin until his eyes locked onto those smiling hazel orbs. "We've both been pretty dumb, huh?" Kurt let out a giggle, nodding. "How about we stop being dumb and start being us?"

"I like that idea," Kurt murmured, letting Blaine pull him in for a kiss.

They spent the day kissing and sharing shy looks of wonder as they finished the cookies and delivered them to some of their friends. Blaine had bought enough to bake a few of dozen cookies and Burt had bought some and they had used everything. The homeless shelter was happy to take four dozen cookies off their hands after they delivered the rest of them before heading back to Kurt's house.

After checking on Burt, who was soundly asleep, they went down to Kurt's room to get ready for bed themselves. Kurt was being presented to Blaine's family the following day and he didn't want to show up with bags under his eyes. They went through the evening ritual they had fallen into and were curling up in bed before too long, despite Kurt's rigorous skin regimen and the one he had convinced Blaine to start as well.

"What's been bothering you?" Blaine asked once they were settled under the covers with Kurt resting his head on Blaine's shoulder, meaning that his body was pressed flush to Blaine's side and ensuring he could feel the way Kurt barely stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

Blaine began running his hand up and down Kurt's arm, wanting him to relax. "You've had this look in your eyes since we dropped off cookies to Sam and Mercedes. Tell me what's wrong?"

Kurt shrugged half heartedly, his finger tracing idle patterns on Blaine's chest. "I just... They looked so happy, you know? Their new apartment and their rings finally came in and everything and, I don't know... What are you going to do when you meet your soulmate, Blaine? I know you love me, and I love you, but when that happens, what's going to happen to me? I already know I'll never meet mine, but you're bound to meet yours one day. I-I won't keep you from him, but I don't want to lose you."

"Oh, Kurt." Calloused fingers brushed away the dampness on his face and it was only then that Kurt realized he had been crying. Blaine rolled them until he was hovering over him. "Lovely, don't cry, please. I-I've already decided. If you want, I will forsake my soulmate."

But Kurt was shaking his head back and forth. "No, I can't ask you to do that!"

"Once again, you're not asking, I'm saying. Kurt, I love you, and, soulmate or not, I'm not ever going to love anyone else." Kurt was still shaking his head, but it was more subdued as tears dripped down his cheeks into his hair. "It's not that unusual for two people who aren't soulmates to be together, you know that."

"But Blaine, we're still so young-"

Lips covered his, cutting off his words and making him gasp. It was quick and hungry and it stole his breath away.

"I don't care if we're five or fifty," Blaine growled. "I know I belong with you. If soulmates can tell just because of a stupid mark, then why can't I trust what I feel in my heart? I love you, I will always love you, and nobody is going to change that."

Kurt yanked him down for a searing kiss, hot and open mouthed from the start. Blaine didn't allow him control for long, pressing the lengths of their bodies together as their tongues slid against each other. Kurt moaned, fingers scrabbling, pushing, trying to bring them closer, tighter.

"Please, Sir, please," he panted when he finally tore his lips from his Doms.

Strong hands grabbed his as Blaine's knees dug into the bed and his wrists were pinned above his head. "You're mine," Blaine said, his voice low and rough. "Say it."

"Yours, only yours, Sir!"

It was like the dreams he'd had so often, but it was real, he knew it was this time. His body was buzzing, every nerve ending on fire as he moaned and whimpered and panted, as Blaine thrust his hips down, just once, firmly, as a bruising mark was made on his neck from Blaine's teeth sinking into the soft skin.

"Mine," Blaine whispered one last time, lips brushing over Kurt's before he pulled back. Neither spoke for several minutes, staring at each other in the shadowy dark of Kurt's basement bedroom until they simply curled around each other and fell asleep.

888

Kurt woke up alone the next morning, his body still humming pleasantly from the night before. Blaine wanted him, wanted to stay with him and forsake his soulmate and, as terrible as Kurt felt about taking Blaine away from someone, he found himself caring less than he thought. Blaine was his and he was Blaine's and nothing was going to tear them apart.

A quick shower and morning routine later, he was climbing the stairs and checking on his father, who was drowsily sitting up. Something amazing smelling wafted towards him and he left Burt on the couch to full wake up in favor of searching for his Dom. His nose led him into the kitchen where the man himself stood, flipping pancakes in the air with practiced ease.

"Good morning," Kurt said, grinning brightly when Blaine turned around. His face lit up, his teeth peeking out from beneath his pink lips as he smiled back.

"Hello, Lovely," he replied, motioning for Kurt to come closer and pressing him against the counter when he did. Kurt's arms immediately came up to wrap around Blaine's shoulders, humming as Blaine kissed him sweetly.

"Were you eating blueberries?" Kurt asked suddenly, pulling back.

"Mmhmm, woke up early to make blueberry pancakes. You said they were your favorite," Blaine said as he worked his way from Kurt's lips to his ear, giving the lobe a little nip.

"Oh! I told you that months ago, how-"

"I remember everything you told me."

"You didn't remember to flip the bacon," a voice interrupted and it was then that they realized that something was burning. Blaine let out a yelp, releasing Kurt before moving the bacon off of the stove eye. He grinned sheepishly as he turned the bacon over, checking to make sure it was cooked all the way through before moving the pieces onto a paper towel next to the stove.

"Thanks, Burt."

"Does this mean I can have a piece?"

"No."

Kurt did allow his father a pancake, but insisted he eat the bowl of fruit and a container of yogurt instead of the food Blaine had prepared for them. Burt grumbled mutinously, but devoured his bowl without actually complaining. His angina attack had scared him just as much as it had Kurt and he was doing everything in his power to get his cholesterol lowered so that Kurt would stop worrying as much. He was eternally grateful for Blaine becoming Kurt's Dom because the boy ended up having had more panic attacks in the past week than he had in the past five years. He was sure the stress of taking care of Kurt would have given him the heart attack they were so desperate to avoid and, for that alone, he was more than happy to welcome Blaine into their lives.

After plates had been cleared and the kitchen had been cleaned, the three of them retreated to the living room. Burt had already set up the camcorder, ignoring Kurt's eye roll.

"You'll appreciate the memories when you get older," Burt said flippantly as he sat down after turning it on.

"I'm sure I won't, considering I look terrible," Kurt retorted, scowling as he and Blaine arranged themselves in front of the Christmas tree.

"I think you're adorable," Blaine said, knocking their shoulders together. Kurt beamed at him, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

"Oh, he says it and gets a kiss, I say it and get a glare, I see how it is."

"Here, you can open a present first."

Kurt shoved a box at him and thus began their Christmas morning. Burt hadn't had much time to get Blaine something, but had somehow managed to get a Buckeye's shirt and beanie wrapped and under the tree without either of them knowing about it, despite not being allowed to drive. Blaine had gotten him a Buckeye's cap and a book about healthy ways to barbeque that Burt had laughed at before promising to look into it before summer came. Burt had gotten Kurt a few things that he had asked for and a few things he hadn't, but that he still wanted. After Kurt finished opening his gifts from his dad, Burt gathered up all the new tools Kurt had given him, the cap, and book and headed to their garage. He promised Kurt he wouldn't do anything besides organize his new toys.

"Are you ready for your present?" Kurt asked Blaine excitedly as soon as Burt was gone.

"Bring it on!"

Kurt handed him a smallish, flat box, rolling his eyes when Blaine playfully shook it before tearing the blue plaid wrapping paper off. Inside lay a bowtie, and when Blaine took it out, he realized what he thought were polka dots were actually little Reptars, copied again and again over the fabric. He laughed, ignoring the fact that he was in a plain white t-shirt and tying it around his neck.

"How do I look?"

"Fabulous as always," Kurt laughed along with him, admiring the way it looked against Blaine's skin. He had wanted to give him something silly, but knew the presents they were going to be giving each other at his parents' house would need to be more of the serious nature. The little Reptars appealed to Blaine's playful nature and he wanted to keep the look on his face when he saw it private, just for him to see and take out later when he needed something to make him smile.

"Here, open yours," Blaine said, handing Kurt a box the size of his hand. It was a little on the heavy side and carefully wrapped in shiny silver paper. Inside the white box underneath was a silver brooch in the shape of scissors nestled in the soft cotton lining the bottom of the box. A thin chain hung from partway down the blade of the scissors to the round part of the bottom handle. Kurt carefully lifted it from the box, feeling the thin blade of the pin in the back pressing against his fingers.

"Blaine, this is- It's beautiful!" Kurt gasped. He looked up to find him grinning broadly.

"I saw it when I went out antiquing with my mom a couple of weeks ago and thought of you."

"It's perfect, thank you." He leaned over, balancing one hand on Blaine's knee and cupping his cheek to bring him in for a tender kiss. "I love you."

Blaine felt a small thrill shoot through him. They hadn't said the words again since yesterday afternoon, but he already knew he would never get tired of hearing them. "I love you, too."

It wasn't until Burt came back in several minutes later that Kurt realized that the camcorder was still on and had filmed the whole thing. He really hoped his dad wasn't serious about watching those at a later date.

After cleaning up the living room and shoving all of the wrapping paper in the recycle bin, Blaine went to take a shower while Kurt got ready for his presentation at the Anderson house. He had naturally balked at the idea when Blaine first reminded him, but knew that it was best just to deal with it all at once. His hair was carefully restyled where the quick fix this morning had fallen and then he pulled on the clothes he had chosen for the occasion; nothing too out there, just some slacks with a faint pinstripe, a plain white Henley over a white t-shirt, and a black vest to top it all off. He tucked a red handkerchief in the left pocked and pinned his new brooch on the flap above it.

He was just checking over everything one last time when Blaine appeared at the bottom of the stairs. He stopped short, blinking at Kurt, who was checking that his ass looked okay in his pants as he slipped on his belt. "Wow, Kurt, you look... Wow."

Kurt laughed, turning to face his Dom. "And don't you look all spiffy yourself?" Though his hair was slicked back into his gel helmet, he was wearing a maroon cardigan over a white and black stripped shirt and tight black slacks.

"Well, thank you," Blaine said loftily, preening playfully before flashing Kurt a smile. "Are you about ready?"

"I just have to put on my shoes and I'll be good to go," Kurt replied, sitting on the bed and pulling out the boots he had chosen to go with his outfit. "Are you sure this is okay? I don't want to be under dressed."

"Kurt, if anyone is going to be underdressed, it's me," Blaine assured him as he sat next to him and began putting on his own shoes.

Kurt let out a little hum, making sure his pants fell just right over the boots before standing. "Well, I'm ready when you are."

Blaine offered his arm and together they headed upstairs. Kurt reminded his dad that he would be back in an hour and a half to take him to his Uncle Pete's house before they were out of the door. They had agreed to take Kurt's Navigator so only he would have to leave after opening presents at the Anderson's. He would drop Burt off at his uncle's the next town over and then head back to their house in time for the presentation and dinner. He only hoped it would go better than he was thinking it would. Tina had been sworn to silence about the matter (another Anderson tradition, apparently) and Blaine had only looked at him sadly.

Still, he thought, he had been through a lot in his short life and this was just one more uphill battle he would have to conquer. He didn't have much longer to think about it since the Anderson's lived only a few blocks over. Blaine directed him to park in his usual spot and clambered out. However, just as they reached the door, Blaine stopped him, hooking his finger into Kurt's cuff as he backed him against the door.

His breath was a sigh across Kurt's lips as he pressed their foreheads against each other and whispered, "No matter what happens in there, I want you to remember that I love you, okay?"

"Blaine?"

"I'm probably just being overdramatic, but, please, Kurt, don't hold anything against me after this, please."

Kurt tilted his head up to kiss Blaine, trying to make it into a balm to sooth his Doms worries. "Nothing your family does is going to change how I feel about you. I will love you forever," Kurt vowed.

Blaine echoed the sentiment and straightened up. His hand came up to stroke Kurt's cheek, his finger flexing inside the stuff cuff, making it tighten momentarily. "Let's do this," he said with renewed conviction.

There was no one in the kitchen except Andrew, who smiled at them when they walked in. "Hello, boys. Everyone is in the den waiting, I just needed to baste the turkey real quick. Go on." He nodded his head towards the opposite door with a smile.

"Thanks, Dad," Blaine said, giving him a smile in return as he tugged Kurt forward by the cuff.

"Merry Christmas, Andrew," Kurt added, waving as he disappeared around the corner. He thought he heard a chuckle and a reply, but they were too far away by the time he realized it.

"Ah, Blaine, there you are," Bethany exclaimed the moment they stepped foot in the gigantic den. It was filled nearly full with people, half of them standing around and chatting while the other half mingled quietly in the background, took care of the several kids wandering around, or stood quietly next to who Kurt assumed were their Doms, smiling and nodding along. He spotted Tina stuck fast to Cooper's side, a pained looking smile on her face until she spotted him. It instantly brightened and she waved at him from across the room. He waved back before a tiny jerk on his cuff had him facing Bethany Anderson.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" he asked politely.

"I was asking how your father was," Bethany replied, looking slightly annoyed.

"He's healing, thank you for asking. We have a doctor's appointment on Monday for a checkup, but Bl-Sir has been helping me make sure he's eating properly and doing a little exercise." Kurt smiled tightly at her, feeling nervous already.

"Yes, Blaine is very good at helping people, and I'm sure it's not easy for you to take care of your father, being that you're only a sub. Come now, it's time for the presents to be exchanged!" The last part was spoken at a higher volume as Andrew joined them. Everyone began shuffling about, finding places to sit. There were pillows for the subs to sit on while the Doms took all of the chairs and couches placed around the room. The children sat closest to the huge Christmas tree that stood in the far right corner, with adult interspaced throughout the room.

Kurt scowled as he was forced to sit at Blaine's feet, meeting his Doms sorrowful eyes and mouthing, It's okay. He may hate it, but he didn't want Blaine to feel bad. It wasn't his fault, after all. At least he was able to sit next to Tina, who leaned forward to give him a quick hug.

Andrew knelt in front of the tree, softly calling out names and passing the tastefully wrapped packages to their owners. Kurt was surprised at the number of packages he received, but the surprise quickly grew to distaste as he realized that most of the things were about how to be a good sub and the best ways to take care of his Dom. It disgusted him that these people only saw him as an object, a belonging of Blaine's to serve him. Tina had received pretty much the same thing and they both forced down an eye roll when one of the Doms sweetly informed them that they had better study if they wanted to keep their Doms happy. Kurt gritted his teeth, thanking them all insincerely before he realized that Blaine was handing him a package.

"Sir, you shouldn't have!" Kurt breathed as he opened the box and revealed a black scarf he'd been eyeballing for the past six months. "This-this is too much, after the brooch-"

"Nonsense, I know how much you wanted that. Here, let's tie it on you."

Quite happily now, Kurt sat up on his knees, facing Blaine and tilting his head back so that his neck was exposed. So much trust in the motion, and yet Kurt had found himself doing it without a second thought. The silk slid along the pale skin and Kurt could feel the tremble in Blaine's body where his hands were on his knees, holding his balance. Blaine deftly tied the scarf just slightly too tight and Kurt felt his breath hitch at the feeling. The knot pressed against his windpipe as he leaned his head forward, his eyes bright and his pants constricting.

"Thank you, Sir," he murmured, low and hot, the words shooting straight to Blaine's groin in combination with the wild look in Kurt's eyes.

"You are very welcome," he said, his eyes trained on Kurt's lips as his tongue darted out to wet them.

"Okay, moving on!" Cooper said loudly from his seat next to Blaine. But Kurt didn't bother paying attention to what was going on beside him, particularly not since the only box Blaine had left to open was from Kurt.

"What's this?" Blaine asked curiously, finally tearing his eyes away from Kurt and picking it up. They could explore what was going on with Kurt and that scarf later, away from prying eyes.

"What, did you think all you were going to get was a silly bowtie? It's like you don't even know me," Kurt joked, though his voice was still a little rough and scratchy. Blaine smiled fondly at him as he unwrapped the box and the pure joy on his face as he unveiled his new collection of vintage bowties was more than enough to make up for how awkward Kurt felt amongst the Anderson family.

After everyone thanked everyone else, they began messing with their newly gained items. Kurt gathered his into a careful pile and spent a few minutes chatting with Tina before the alarm on his phone buzzed in his pocket.

"Oh, I need to go, I have to drive my dad to my uncle's house," he told her, leaning in for a hug.

"Please don't leave me here alone," Tina hissed in his ear. "These people are so pretentious!"

Kurt laughed, squeezing her briefly and pulling. "It's only for an hour or so and then I'll be back," he swore.

"You better."

"I'm sorry, did you say you were driving your father somewhere?" asked a middle aged woman on the couch next to them.

Kurt looked her right in the eye as he replied, "Yes, to my uncle's house so that he can spend Christmas with our family. He recently suffered an angina attack and isn't allowed to drive yet." He treasured the irritated look on her face that he dared not to speak deferentially to her.

She sniffed disdainfully. "In my day, subs weren't allowed to drive."

"Yes, well, times have change."

"Come on, Kurt, let me help you take your gifts to your car," Blaine said loudly as he stood. He scooped up the stack of books and the like and began carefully making his way around the people on the floor, giving Kurt no choice to follow.

"Well, she's certainly a piece of work," he waspishly the moment they stepped into the garage. Blaine sighed as Kurt unlocked the Navigator and opened the door so Blaine could set his load in the back seat. "You do realize I'm just going to donate those books, right? Or maybe burn them," he added mutinously, glaring at them.

"I don't blame you and, look, I'm sorry about Aunt Gail-"

"No, it's fine, I promise." Kurt took a deep breath of the semi cold air of the garage and smiled at him lopsidedly. "I've heard worse."

"You shouldn't have had to," Blaine grumbled, tugging on the cuff and pulling Kurt closer. "Go and hurry back to me."

Kurt leaned in and kissed his pout until Blaine was smiling under his lips. "I'll be back in an hour or so, okay?"

"And when we get home tonight, we're talking about this," Blaine whispered, two fingers fitting themselves under the tight silk scarf and tugging slightly, enjoying the way Kurt's breath went a little funny and his eyes darkened.

"Yes, Sir."

With one last hard kiss, he released Kurt and watched him get into his car, hitting the button Blaine had taken out of his own car to open the garage. He shivered at the blast of freezing air, wrapping his arms around his torso and doing the funny little finger wave to Kurt as the door slid shut again.