By the time they got to the airport the next night, Rachel was already there, looking around with a frown and constantly checking her cellphone to see if she had any missed calls from her friends. When she saw them rushing towards her, holding hands, faces flushed and breathing heavily from running, she tapped her foot and looked at them questioningly.

"We're so sorry, Rach," Blaine said immediately, releasing Kurt's hand to hug her.

"Have you been waiting for long?" Kurt asked as he did the same, eying her guiltily.

"About fifteen minutes," she answered. "What happened? Traffic?"

"Uhm," Blaine glanced quickly at his boyfriend, who had a blank expression on his face. "Yeah, traffic was impossible."

Rachel's lips spread into a wide, knowing smile. "Oh, my God, you guys totally did it!"

"Rachel!" Kurt said, scandalized, when he noticed a few people staring at them thanks to their friend's loud announcement. "Could you keep it down?"

"So it's true?" She asked and Blaine decided to avoid answering by grabbing her suitcase as Kurt held her by the elbow and dragged her towards the nearest exit. "Your silence only confirms it! I can't believe it, I want all the details!"

Kurt took a deep breath as he smiled apologetically to a couple they almost ran over while trying to reach the parking lot as soon as possible. "Rachel, stop talking."

Rachel started bouncing excitedly, like a five year old at Disneyland. "Guys! I'm so happy for you! What a great idea I had, going away for the weekend. If I had known you wanted to have sex I would have…"

"For the love of God, Blaine, if you don't shut your friend up I'll have to kill her!" Kurt practically yelled in embarrassment and frustration as he opened up the back seat door so they could put the suitcase there.

"Wait," Blaine said, confused and, yes, a little amused. "Why is she my friend now? You've known her for longer, she was your friend first."

"I don't care, do something or you'll sleep on the couch tonight," Kurt walked around the car to get into the driver's side. Blaine turned to Rachel with a puppy dog expression on his face.

"Oh, Rach, you've gotten me into trouble already," he sighed.

Rachel didn't seem to care about that. All she did was jump right into his arms as she laughed. "This is so amazing!"

"I'm glad my sex life makes you so happy," Blaine whispered, as he patted her on the back lamely.

She pulled away just enough to look at him in the eyes with the biggest smile he had ever seen in his life. "So you guys do have a sex life now."

Blaine knew he was smiling too and that there was no way he could deny it or even make Rachel drop the topic. The truth was his mind was wandering back to the events of the weekend and he couldn't stop from feeling so utterly lucky to have someone as beautiful and wonderful as Kurt Hummel.

Saturday had gone by in a blur of discovery. They had stayed up most of the night exploring each other and repeating the incredible things they had done that afternoon. Blaine had known for the first time ever what it was like to fall asleep and wake up next to the person he loved and he decided it was the best sensation in the world.

In the morning, he had woken Kurt up with breakfast in bed, which ended up getting way more heated than he expected. It was as if they just couldn't get enough of each other. Later they had gone for a walk around the park before going back to the apartment to get ready to pick up Rachel. And that's where things got a little bit out of control, when Kurt decided he would join his boyfriend in the shower.

"It must have been one hell of a weekend for you to have that silly satisfied grin on your face," Rachel commented playfully, bringing him back to reality.

Blaine shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts and opened his mouth, intending to come out with a clever answer, but Kurt beat him to it.

"If you guys don't stop talking about this and get in the car, I'm leaving you both here and you'll have to walk home."

Neither Rachel nor Blaine wanted to see if Kurt was kidding or not. They got in the car in a flash.

From: Blaine.

My last class was cancelled. Do you want me to go to the grocery store and pick something up for dinner?

To: Blaine.

You should call Rachel. I don't even know if I'll be home by dinner.

From: Blaine.

What's wrong?

To: Blaine.

It's chaos here right now. I have an endless list of things to do and Melissa is going to ask me to go get her stupid macchiato in the next twenty minutes.

From: Blaine.

Relax, sweetheart. The weekend is almost here.

Kurt sighed in frustration and set the cellphone down on his tiny desk. He would've answered Blaine, but he wasn't sure he could be civil to his boyfriend. He was tired, getting a splitting headache and he was sick of staring at six hundred envelopes and wedding invitations he was supposed to have ready before leaving. One of the chief editors was getting married and Kurt (who wasn't invited, by the way) had to do all of the wedding things nobody else would do because they were boring as hell. He was also supposed to go online and order a bunch of books from Amazon that another of the editors needed for a research on an article, get Melissa's (his direct boss) coffee and, on top of everything else, finish a sketch he needed for one of his classes the next morning.

If it wasn't because he was learning so much being there, Kurt would've quit after the first week. The internship was tiring. He had managed to schedule all of his classes during the mornings, except for two he had on Wednesdays and Fridays afternoons, and the rest of his time was spent in the office. He could be doing pointless, uninteresting tasks like the ones he was working on right now, or sometimes be lucky enough to assist in important meetings with all the important people of the magazine if someone asked him to go and take notes or help in some way. He knew he should be grateful for what he had, but days like these… he wasn't sure he had made the right decision.

Kurt's hands were covered in paper cuts (he would need tons and tons of moisturizing to recover) and his mood couldn't be more disastrous. He looked at the time on his cellphone. Maybe if he stayed at the office 'til 10PM…

A paper cup was suddenly in his line of sight and the delicious and addictive smell of coffee filled his nostrils. He looked up in surprise to find a smiling Blaine looking down back at him.

"Blaine!" He exclaimed, jumping off his seat. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd drop by and lend you a hand," his boyfriend answered. "I brought your boss' coffee and I got you a cup of non-fat mocha. That way you don't need to lose time going down to the coffee place and you get a little energy to finish whatever it is that's driving you nuts here."

Kurt stared at the boy standing in front of him. Blaine was seriously gorgeous. His cheeks were rosy because of the cold air, his scarf messily placed around his neck, his long black coat had a few melting snowflakes on it and his curly, gelled hair was a bit disordered by the wind. The two cups he was holding seemed the greatest things in the world to Kurt at that very moment.

"How are you even real?" He muttered, his stomach once again doing that funny thing it did every time Blaine was being exceptionally wonderful.

"You sounded really miserable in those text messages," Blaine said, leaning down on the desk, if there even was a desk under all those wedding invitations.

"I'm fine," Kurt assured him, taking a sip from his coffee. "Just exhausted and stressed."

"Can I help with anything now that I'm here?" Blaine asked, kissing the top of Kurt's head gently. His boyfriend smiled up at him.

"No, you've done more than enough, sweetie."

"I love seeing you smile," Blaine whispered, his hazel eyes full of affection.

"I can't help it," Kurt knew they were being a cheesy lovey-dovey couple, but he couldn't bring himself to care. "I wish I could just go home with you now, but I still have a ton of things to do."

"I'll tell you what," Blaine's hand cupped his cheek and Kurt's day was a little brighter. "I'll pick up some things on the way home, get dinner ready and I'll save you some for you to eat later. And once you get home I'll give you a nice massage and you can forget about work and school until tomorrow, what do you think?"

Kurt sighed, the prospect of getting home to Blaine that night too appealing and too distant. "Mm, sounds pretty amazing to me."

"Perfect," Blaine stood up. "I'm gonna get going then, so you can go back to work and finish as soon as possible. I'll see you tonight, honey."

"Thanks, Blaine," Kurt raised his head and received the tender kiss Blaine was offering. He was sad when his boyfriend had to pull away. "I love you."

"Love you more," and with a wink, Blaine was gone.

Kurt took another sip from his coffee before standing up to take the macchiato to his boss. His energy level felt suddenly renewed and Kurt was sure that Blaine's promise to give him a massage that night had a lot to do with it.

Even when the job of his dreams wasn't going quite as well as he'd planned, he had to admit that his life was kind of fantastic right now.

It was freezing outside. Blaine entered the building quickly and started climbing up the stairs with a fast pace so he would regain the warmth he lost by walking the streets of New York City. He had his earphones on and he was humming happily to the songs he was listening to. He knew Kurt was home already because he had received a text from his boyfriend when he was leaving his last class of the day. It was the first time that week that Kurt was home earlier than him and Blaine was excited to spend some time with him, even though both of them had a lot of school work to focus on. At least they could sit together in the same room and work side by side.

He was reaching the second floor when he stumbled upon an old couple. They were carrying shopping bags and both look exhausted. Blaine took the earphones off and smiled at them.

"Would you like some help with that?" He asked politely and the couple turned around to look at him.

"Oh, dear, that would be so nice of you," the lady answered with a big smile on her face.

"Are you new in the building?" Blaine said as he grabbed all the bags the woman had and a few from the man as well.

"Yes, we moved in yesterday," he muttered. "My name is Gary, this is my wife, Doris."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Blaine," he gave them another smile as they kept going up. He made sure he wasn't going too fast so they could keep up with him.

"We're just on the third floor, Blaine," Gary added with a smile of his own.

"I'm on the same floor, so it's fine," Blaine replied. "You must have moved into my old apartment. I moved a few weeks ago."

"You did?" Doris asked as they reached the third floor and walked to what was Blaine's apartment not so long ago.

"Yeah, I moved in with my… oh, hey!" Blaine looked brightly at Kurt, who had just opened the door and was peeking into the hallway.

"Hey yourself, I thought I heard your voice," he smiled at the other boy and Blaine couldn't help but think how cute his boyfriend looked in the red apron he had wrapped around his waist.

"I'm helping our new neighbors, they moved into my old apartment yesterday!" Blaine explained.

"Oh, that's nice. Welcome, then!" Kurt extended his hand to greet Gary and Doris, who responded gently.

"These are Doris and Gary," Blaine introduced as he handed the bags back to the old couple and then went to stand next to Kurt. He kissed his cheek. "This is my boyfriend, Kurt."

The change in the air was almost tangible. The awkwardness seemed to float between them as the old couple shared a quick glance of understanding. Blaine looked at Kurt with a sad smile: being in New York they had forgotten there were still people out there who weren't as open minded as others. They'd forgotten people like the ones they had met in Ohio existed here too.

"Alright," Kurt said, uncomfortable, trying to find the fastest way to get into their apartment. "It was lovely meeting you."

"Yeah, let's go inside, Doris," Gary mumbled as he pushed his wife through the open door.

Blaine didn't even bother feeling offended; he just turned around, grabbed Kurt's hand and entered his home without looking back. Kurt closed the door and leaned his back against it.

"That was interesting, to say the least," Blaine moved closer to kiss his boyfriend on the lips, just a sweet little peck.

"That was rude, to say the least. Did they even thank you for helping them? It's like they're afraid they're going to catch the gay," Kurt rolled his eyes, annoyed.

"Well, let's look at the bright side," Blaine was still smiling. How could he worry about what a couple of ignorant strangers thought about him when he had the most gorgeous creature in the world right in his arms? "Now we don't have to worry about boring dinners we could have been invited to or having to help them move furniture around…"

"We should just have sex against the wall so they can hear us," Kurt cut off, still clearly pissed, which didn't stop Blaine from chocking on freaking air at his boyfriend's words. "And be loud. Really, really loud."

Blaine blinked a couple of times, waiting for Kurt to start laughing and saying he was kidding, but the boy was completely serious. In fact, Kurt's hands were starting to roam down his sides, pulling Blaine a little closer.

Of course Blaine didn't need to be told twice. He moved forward until his lips caught Kurt's in a searing kiss, their bodies pressed flushed against each other. Kurt's hands were grabbing tightly at his waist and Blaine had the sensation he would have marks in the morning. He groaned at the thought.

"Rachel isn't home, right?" He asked in between kisses, moving his mouth down Kurt's jaw and neck.

"Not yet. I think we have about… fifteen minutes," Kurt answered thoughtfully, as he pulled at Blaine's coat to try to get him out of it. Blaine unlaced Kurt's apron and let it drop to the floor. Kurt forced him to take a step back so he could get rid of his coat and scarf before their lips found each other again, eagerly. Blaine crept his fingers under the hem of Kurt's shirt, slowly caressing the pale skin there, as Kurt tugged on his belt.

"I've never seen you like this," Blaine growled, softly nibbling on Kurt's neck.

"Well…" Kurt whispered, unbuttoning Blaine's cardigan and sliding it down his shoulders. "I've been missing you all day and now this… I can't control myself, Blaine."

"Don't," Blaine begged, his voice rough, as he thrust involuntarily against Kurt's leg. "Never hold back with me. You're so amazing…"

"Mm, eleven minutes," Kurt muttered breathlessly, as Blaine brushed his fingers over his nipples.

They kept rocking against each other as they removed the remaining items of clothing. The rush only made the temperature go higher and the broken moans that they would've normally tried to muffle, couldn't have been contained even if they had tried to.

"Oh God, Blaine, please, hurry," Kurt moaned with urgency, as the other boy kicked his underwear off. Once they were both completely naked, Blaine pressed his boyfriend harder against the wall and they started moving desperately, seeking friction. Their kisses became sloppy and the tension was overwhelming. They needed to get off so badly, but Rachel could walk in any minute now…

"We… we should go to the bedroom," Blaine managed to say, which was kind of feat, considering Kurt was busying himself biting his lower lip and sucking it into his mouth.

"No, no," was Kurt's panting response. "I want you here."

Well, okay, this was probably Blaine's hottest experience ever. He couldn't tell if Kurt was behaving this way because of that little encounter on the hallway or if it was for another reason, but damn, he wasn't going to complain about it.

Just as those last words were whispered into his ears, Kurt's hand travelled down, right between their bodies and a second later he was closing his fingers in a tight grasp around both of their cocks. Blaine hissed as he started pumping them up and down frantically, pre-come leaking, making the action of rubbing against the other even more delicious than what it already was. This wasn't going to last much longer.

"Nngh, Kurt, yes, just like that," Blaine moaned, moving his hips forward to meet Kurt's hand.

No more words were spoken. Just incomprehensible noises were released into the otherwise silent apartment. Blaine slid a hand down to help Kurt and together they pushed each other to the very edge of their orgasms. They groaned in pleasure as they spilled onto their hands and stomachs, legs threatening to drop them boneless to the floor.

Breathing hard, Kurt dropped his head onto Blaine's shoulder. He knew they needed to move and get dressed quickly, but his brain and his body didn't seem to connect at all.

"Shit, Kurt…" Blaine mumbled, still amazed.

"I know…" Kurt's voice sounded hoarse and if Blaine hadn't just come his mind out, he would have gotten hard again just by it. "Was it too much?" He frowned, visibly concerned.

Blaine laughed as he leaned down to grab the shirt he had been wearing just minutes ago. "Of course not." He used the shirt to wipe Kurt's stomach and hand clean before he did the same with his own. "It was kind of awesome, actually."

Kurt grinned widely, obviously relaxing and he moved forward to kiss Blaine fully on the lips. "Ugh," he said as they parted. "We need a shower."

"No, what we need is to get out of here before Rachel walks in on us," Blaine answered, taking his hand and tugging, as they tried to pick up their clothes as fast as they could.

"You think the neighbors heard us?" Kurt asked as he put his pants and underwear back on, knowing he couldn't shower until he finished with dinner.

"Do you really care?" Blaine kissed him one last time before rushing to the bathroom. Kurt had just put his shirt on when the front door opened and Rachel arrived, humming a melody and dropping her stuff on the couch.

The next morning, when Kurt was leaving for his classes, he met the old couple in the hallway.

"Good morning! Such a beautiful day, isn't it?" He said joyfully, winking at them.

Doris blushed and looked away while her husband glared at him. Kurt had to bite his lip to stop the laughter from bursting out and went down the stairs, thoughts of last night and Blaine still impregnated in his memory.

A few nights later, Blaine was home earlier than the other two because one of his classes had ended unexpectedly sooner. He was grateful for the extra hours he could spend at the apartment catching up on a mountain of homework and maybe, if he was lucky enough, spending some time with Kurt and Rachel. They hadn't enjoyed one of their epic movie nights in a while, overwhelmed by work and school as they were lately.

He finished reading two chapters from a book he had been assigned for a class the next morning while having a cup of coffee, spread out on the couch, enjoying the silence broken only by the sounds of traffic and life coming from the window. He was starting to write an essay on his laptop when the front door opened and Rachel rushed in, smiling brightly when she saw him.

"Hey, Blaine! You're home early," she commented, as she leaned down to kiss his cheek.

"Yeah, I'm getting some work done," he answered, eying her suspiciously. "What's with you?"

"I have a date tonight," Rachel announced, evidently not able to hold back her enthusiasm. "It's a guy from my Theater History class."

"That's awesome, Rach!" He said, genuinely happy. "When did he ask you out? You didn't mention it!"

"Oh, it was today, actually, just a few hours ago," she dropped her bag next to the pile of books Blaine had on the coffee table and sat down. "Do you think Kurt is going to be home soon? I'd like some outfit advice."

"Sorry, I don't think so," Blaine sighed. "I texted him but he didn't reply. It must be chaos in that office again."

Rachel nodded, thoughtfully. "Well, I'll have to trust my instinct, then."

"Would you like my help? I'm not Kurt, but I'm still an extra pair of eyes," he offered, putting the laptop aside. She agreed immediately and they walked into her bedroom, where she opened her closet. They both stared at the contents of it. "Okay, I thought Kurt was kidding when he told me you needed an intervention, but you do have too many sweaters with animals on them."

"Shut up, they're adorable," Rachel discounted his comment with a gesture of her hand and took a few dresses out of their hangers. "I think these could be appropriate options."

"Where is he taking you?" Blaine questioned as he studied the dresses. None of them were actually nice, or what Kurt would have advised her to wear, but she didn't have much to work with.

"Dinner and a movie, I think," she replied, her arms crossed over her chest, deep in thought.

"Kurt would kill me if I let you out of the apartment in this, put it back in the closet," Blaine said, giving her the first dress, which was pink plaid and looked like something a four year old would wear to her first day of kindergarten.

"You're as mean as your boyfriend." But Rachel complied and put the dress away, searching for some more adequate choices as Blaine analyzed the ones that were still resting on her bed. "Do you and Kurt have any plans for tonight?"

"We don't actually," Blaine dismissed another dress, this time a blue one. "I have a lot of work to get done and I'm sure Kurt does too. He's always got something to work on lately."

"Winter break is almost around the corner, you guys will have time to relax soon," Rachel dropped a few more clothes on the bed.

"Those jeans always look really cute on you. You should wear them more," Blaine pointed out.

"Are you sure? With a sweater?"

"Yes, but not one with a bird or a cat or a cow on it, Rach."

They spent the next half hour picking out a pair of shoes and a sweater that would look good. Blaine had to keep Rachel away from Kurt's wardrobe when she said she'd like to check if there was something her friend had that she could borrow. He convinced her that it wasn't worth it to die over something as mundane as an outfit and finally she settle on a cute, red turtleneck sweater.

"You look beautiful, Rachel, stop worrying so much," Blaine mumbled once she reappeared in the living room after taking a shower, drying her hair and getting dressed. The sun was already setting and Blaine had completed half of his essay. He was considering taking a break and getting dinner started so he could maybe surprise Kurt and have some quality time with his boyfriend while Rachel was out.

Rachel's date picked her up not so long after that and she left after kissing his cheek again and thanking him for his help. Two minutes later, he received a text message from her (He told me I look pretty, thanks B!) that made him smile as he chopped some tomatoes to make a sauce.

When he was done in the kitchen for the moment, he sat back down on the couch to finish his essay. Finishing papers always was the hardest part for him and he was totally focused on it when Kurt arrived, an hour and a half later.

"Hey, Kurt," he said distractedly. "Rachel had a date. I'm making spaghetti. We'll eat in a minute, let me try and get this done first…"

"Okay," Kurt answered, his voice sharp and not at all as sweet as Blaine was used to hearing it. That made him glance up from the screen towards his boyfriend, who was going into their bedroom without even stopping to give Blaine a kiss or look at him.

"Is everything alright?" Blaine asked, worried.

"Fantastic," Kurt's response came sarcastically from the other room. A few seconds later, he let out a long sigh of frustration. "Damn it, are you kidding me right now?"

Blaine frowned and stood up, walking to the bedroom and leaning against the door frame. "What's wrong?"

"This, Blaine, this is wrong!" Kurt exclaimed, obviously annoyed as he threw clothes into the plastic basket next to the closet. "You said you'd take care of laundry and look at this mess. Everything's dirty. And look! Here's my Marc Jacobs shirt! I wanted to wear it tomorrow and it's still dirty!"

Blaine's eyebrows shot up in surprised. "I'm sorry, Kurt, I had a lot to do and didn't have time to take care of it. I'll do it tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning won't do, Blaine," Kurt replied, glaring at him, upset. "It was your turn to do this and you didn't."

"Whoa, why don't you take a deep breath, honey?" Blaine suggested, raising his hands defensively. "Did you have a bad day at work?"

"No! I just want my boyfriend to do what he was supposed to do! I'm not the girl in this relationship and this kind of thing shouldn't be only my responsibility!" Kurt was yelling and Kurt never yelled, so what the hell was going on?

Blaine was tired, stressed and definitely not in the mood to be yelled at for something as stupid as laundry. "I've never said you were! I forgot, okay? It doesn't mean you'll have to do it, it just means I didn't do it today and I'll have to do it tomorrow." Kurt had turned his back to him now and was taking his boots off. "Besides, you have no reason to say I treat you like the girl in this relationship. That's absurd and it offends me. I'm making dinner right now, aren't I? I went grocery shopping yesterday! I spent an hour last Sunday cleaning the fucking bathroom!"

Kurt threw his boots, furiously. There was no doubt something wasn't okay. It was the first time Blaine had seen his boyfriend treat his footwear so carelessly. He didn't answer and Blaine huffed. He didn't feel like fighting with Kurt. They'd never fought before. Wasn't their relationship supposed to be the one part of their lives where they didn't need to feel bad about themselves, where they didn't need to worry about doing something wrong, where they could be completely stress-free?

"Fine. I'll go finish dinner and you can come eat with me whenever you're ready," Blaine turned around to go to the kitchen.

"I'm not hungry," Kurt muttered bitterly.

Blaine closed his eyes, swallowing back the confusion, the hurt and the anger. "Why don't you tell me what the hell is all of this about, Kurt?"

"Is it too much to want clean clothes?" Kurt spat.

"It is when you're using it as an excuse to not talk to me. It is when you're using it to make me feel like crap when I haven't done anything wrong!" Blaine yelled back and hey, that was new too. Blaine was never one to raise his voice either.

"You know what, Blaine…-" Kurt started, walking towards him, but he cut himself off when the sound of the door slamming shut attracted their attention.

Rachel was back way earlier than expected, but that wasn't what shocked them the most. She was crying, sobbing into her hands and not in that dramatic way she seemed to usually cry. It was for real this time and the girl looked truly broken.

Blaine was the first one to react. "Rach… what's going on? What happened?" He asked, crossing the room to wrap her in his arms, as Kurt followed closely behind him.

"He… he…" she sobbed, choking on her own tears.

"Did he do something to you?" Blaine could feel his blood freezing at the idea of someone hurting his friend, but he relaxed slightly when Rachel shook her head.

"He… he's not Finn," she finally cried out, collapsing into the boy's arms. Kurt closed his eyes and sighed, rubbing her back soothingly.

"Oh, honey, you just can't get my big, goofy, clumsy brother out of your head, can you?" He whispered sadly.

The three of them moved to the couch, Rachel in the middle, pressed tightly against both of them as the boys tried to find a way to comfort her.

"I thought I'd be over him by now. I thought I could start dating again," she explained, her bottom lip sticking out in an adorable yet anguished pout. "I still can't understand. Why he couldn't love me enough to stay with me."

"His dreams weren't the same as yours, Rachel," Kurt said patiently, his previous rage forgotten. "He wanted different things, we already talked about this, remember?"

"Yeah, I know, but… why can't we be together anyway? We could've given a try to the long distance thing, at least," she sniffled, resting her head on Kurt's shoulder as she held tightly to Blaine's hand.

"Just because you're hurting now and because the guy you went out with tonight isn't the right one, doesn't mean you won't ever fall in love again," Blaine mumbled as he brushed some hair away from her forehead.

"It's always been Finn," she whispered quietly, as if she were a scared little girl.

What were they supposed to say to a girl that knew what she wanted and couldn't have it? What were they supposed to say when her heart was broken and they weren't the ones meant to mend it? Kurt and Blaine only cuddled her in silence, telling her they loved her every now and then and assuring her she would be fine and that she could always count on them.

After what it seemed like a really long time, she wiped her own tears away and moved so she could press a kiss to each boy's cheek. "You have no idea how lucky you are, guys."

"How so?" Blaine asked, smiling softly at her.

"You've got each other, you love each other, you're happy together," Rachel leaned down even farther onto Kurt's side. "I've always loved Finn, but I don't think I ever really understood how important he was to me and how lucky I was having him until I really lost him. I took him for granted and now I wish I hadn't been so stupid…"

Kurt swallowed and blinked before looking at Blaine, who was looking right back at him with sad hazel eyes. Kurt felt something sinking in his stomach at that glance, something heavy. The weight of guilt and stupidity.

Blaine cleared his throat, awkwardly, and kissed Rachel's hand before releasing it. "I'll go finish dinner. Did you eat, Rach?"

"Not really."

"Would you like some spaghetti?"

"Yes, please."

"I'll be right back," and with that Blaine disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the other two friends alone.

Kurt petted his friend's hair for a while, without saying a word, lost in his thought. He felt so bad… why had he yelled at Blaine? It wasn't fair to him and he shouldn't need to hear Rachel complaining about her lost love to realize that. He should know by now that the amazing guy he was sharing his life with wasn't something he should take for granted.

Feeling like the biggest jerk in the world, he smiled down at Rachel. "I'll go see if Blaine needs help and I'll be right back, okay?"

"Okay. Can we eat ice-cream later?" She asked as she held onto a throw pillow as if it was an anchor.

"Sure, honey," Kurt winked at her before going into the kitchen. Blaine was stirring the pasta and didn't see him coming in. "Blaine?" He called slowly. His boyfriend turned around to look at him, emotionless. "I'm sorry."

A small smile tried to slide onto Blaine's lips. "It's okay, Kurt."

"No, it's not and we both know it," he wrapped his arms around Blaine's waist from behind and hooked his chin on his shoulder as Blaine went back to working on dinner. "I had a really bad day at work and I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Blaine asked softly as Kurt placed a sweet little kiss on his jaw. Blaine started putting the pasta into three different bowls.

"Today everything made me doubtful. I don't know if I'm good enough to do this or not anymore. I don't know if I can deal with the fact that I may be doing all this in vain," Kurt said in a low voice, as if the mere thought of it terrified him. He sniffled a bit and Blaine knew that wasn't it. "And they criticized my outfit."

So that was it, Blaine thought. That was the real reason. Kurt's entire persona was sometimes built around his fashion outfits and not everyone got to see the real Kurt hiding underneath all the designer's clothes and bold combinations. Blaine was happy to be allowed to see the real boy he was so deeply in love with; because he was even more fabulous than the one he chose the show to the rest of the world.

Blaine turned around in Kurt's arms until he was facing his boyfriend. He cupped his face in his hands and kissed his nose tenderly. "You're so silly sometimes."

"But what if they're right, Blaine? What if I'm not talented? What if my vision of what's fashionable and tasteful is twisted?" Kurt looked really desperate now and Blaine couldn't help himself but think how adorable the boy was and how much he wanted to protect him in his arms and keep him from suffering.

"Sweetie, no one is right or wrong here. Taste is subjective and what they consider good, might not be good to others. It doesn't mean they're the ones who know how to do the job and you don't, it just means you have different ways to get it done," he brushed Kurt's lips with his fingers until Kurt started smiling. "You are talented and you are more than capable of doing this. We all have doubts along the way, but you need to know you're truly amazing at this. I've seen your sketches; I've seen the grades your professors give you. And I may not know a lot about fashion, but you looked stunning today."

Kurt's smile was so wide it pretty much lit up the entire kitchen. He hugged Blaine tightly as if he would never let go. "I'm so sorry, Blaine, so sorry."

"I'll do the laundry tomorrow morning," Blaine answered, kissing his cheek before turning around to pour some sauce into each bowl of spaghetti.

"You don't have to, I'll…"

"Kurt, I'll do the laundry, just like I said I would." He gave his boyfriend two of the bowls. "Take this to the living room and I'll take the rest."

"I love you," Kurt said in a whisper and it was Blaine's turn to smile.

"I love you more."

They just needed to remember that and everything would work out eventually.

As the winter break approached, things got even crazier. Rachel didn't even have time to worry about her broken heart and Kurt and Blaine hadn't been out on a date for weeks. Even laundry had to be forgotten by both of them on several occasions so they could catch up with homework and study for exams when they weren't at work. They needed those free days more than they needed air.

Kurt had been taking things at the office a bit better, trying to learn what was useful and discarding all the rest. He didn't need people to bring him down, as Blaine constantly reminded him, he needed to learn how to trust himself and his talent because at the end of the day, those were the only things he could count on if he wanted to make it. So that's what Kurt tried to do.

Blaine, on the other hand, collapsed thanks to the stress of the tests and the cold weather and had to spend the weekend before the last week of classes in bed. He woke up in the middle of the night, feverish and nauseous and had to run to the bathroom, where his retching ended up echoing all over the apartment.

"Oh, sweetie," Kurt sighed from the door, sleepy and disheveled. He took a step closer, carefully, as if he was waiting for Blaine to banish him from the bathroom. But Blaine was way too busy holding the toilet and looking miserable to do that.

"I'm sick," he mumbled weakly.

"I can see that," Kurt smiled at him and sat down on the floor next to him, rubbing his back soothingly. Blaine was about to answer when a new wave of retching attacked him and he turned to the toilet once again. "That's good, gorgeous, let it all out."

"I hate throwing up," Blaine whispered as he wiped his mouth.

"I don't think anyone likes it, Blaine," Kurt kissed the top of his head, where his dark curls had gone wild while he was asleep. "Can I get you something?"

"No," Blaine whispered as he reached out to grab a towel. "Go back to bed, Kurt, I might be here for a while."

Kurt gave him one more kiss and stood up, leaving the bathroom. Blaine laid wretchedly against the cold tiles of the floor, closing his eyes and waiting for the nausea to come back. His skin was hot, but he was shivering and he wondered if he could maybe get into the shower and turn it on scalding before he had to throw up again…

Kurt entered the bathroom once more, this time with one of Blaine's hoodies on top of his pajamas. He had a glass of water in one hand and a blanket in the other. He covered Blaine with the latter first, who looked up at him gratefully, and then started searching through the cabinets, until he found some antibiotics.

"Here, take this," he kneeled down next to his boyfriend; letting Blaine leaned against him for support. "That should make the vomiting stop. Once we're sure you don't need to puke anymore, we'll get back to bed, okay?"

Blaine just nodded, feeling too worn out to do anything else and sipped his water slowly. Kurt held him close for a while, caressing his back, his arms, his hair. At least half an hour had to pass before Blaine felt well enough to go back to their bedroom.

Helping him into bed, Kurt climbed in on his side and cuddled Blaine gently, feeling the heat that emanated from his boyfriend's body. He couldn't fall asleep until he heard Blaine's breathing slowing down and felt the way the other boy clung to him in dreams. Kurt closed his eyes, hoping Blaine would feel better in the morning.

Once the morning arrived, Kurt woke up to find Blaine in the exact same position he had fallen asleep hours ago. He still looked pretty bad, dark circles under his eyes, skin pale and sweaty. He sighed and kissed his forehead, causing Blaine to stir and open one tired eye.

"How are you feeling?" Kurt asked in a whisper.

"Like someone used me to mop the floor," Blaine replied, closing his eye again and snuggling closer.

"Poor baby," Kurt held him tight and tried to comfort him. "I'll make you some tea and get you some more medicines, okay?"

"Okay," Blaine agreed, but didn't make a move to let Kurt go. Kurt laughed and allowed him to nuzzle into his neck. He hated seeing Blaine so miserable, but he kind of liked to take care of him at the same time.

When Kurt was finally free to move, he went to the kitchen, where he found Rachel having breakfast and already immersed in one of the books she needed to read for one of her tests.

"Good morning!" She said, taking a sip of her coffee. Then she looked up at him. "Whoa. You look terrible. Have you guys been up all night again getting dirty?" Rachel gave him her knowing smile and Kurt couldn't do anything else but roll his eyes.

"No, Blaine is sick," he answered, looking for a cup and a tea bag. "It was a rough night and he's not feeling any better."

"Aw, poor Blaine, that sucks," Rachel put her book down for a moment. "Do you need me to run to the store and get him something?"

"I think we're fine for now, but if he doesn't get better soon, I'll take him to a doctor or something," Kurt poured a cup of coffee for himself and started drinking it while he waited for the water for Blaine's tea to be ready.

Kurt came back into the room a few minutes later to find Blaine sneezing uncontrollably into a tissue. He drank his tea and took his medicines and then went back to sleep. Kurt helped Rachel tidy up the apartment a bit and when they finished, he sat down on his side of the bed with his sketches and books to get some work done while keeping an eye on Blaine.

Blaine woke up a few times during the afternoon, but passed out again almost immediately. He only threw up again once, but that seemed to consume the rest of his strength because it was physically impossible for him to stay awake. But Kurt felt relieved when he noticed his skin wasn't burning anymore and the color was coming back to his cheeks.

Rachel had left for work and Kurt was making some soup later that night when Blaine got out of bed. He walked to the kitchen, his messy hair sticking in every direction and a blanket wrapped around him like a shield, and sat down at the table, still looking miserable, but much more alive.

"I wasted all day in bed," he whined as he dropped his head to the table. Kurt smiled as he stirred the soup inside the pot.

"That's what you do when you're sick, silly," he answered.

"I had a lot to do and now I'll have to work all day tomorrow," Blaine complained, pouting.

"It's just this one last week and then we'll get to relax a bit," Kurt said, as he tasted the soup to check if it was alright. "Well, at least as relaxed as I can be during Christmas time."

"You're going to go crazy with all the shopping, aren't you?" Blaine chuckled lightly and ignored the growl coming from his stomach at the delicious smell of food.

"Probably. But if our relationship survives this time of the year, we'll be bulletproof," Kurt poured the soup into a bowl and winked at Blaine. The boy accepted it immediately, sinking the spoon into the scalding broth. "It's chicken noodle soup, I hope you like it."

"It's my favorite," Blaine smiled. "And don't worry, if Rachel asks I'll tell her it was vegan."

"Oh, it's fine, we already discussed about food a couple of days ago when I told her what I was planning to cook for Christmas."

"You're cooking for Christmas?" Blaine thought that soup was the most amazing thing he had ever tasted in his life and he made an approving noise.

"I always do, every year since before my mom died," Kurt answered, taking a seat next to him. "I used to help her in the kitchen and once it was only me and dad it was either me cooking or him buying take out."

"And what are you making this year?" Blaine asked as he sank the spoon back in.

"I still haven't entirely decided. I was thinking about turkey or maybe duck, because my dad really likes it, though he shouldn't eat more than… what?" Kurt stopped and frowned at the look on Blaine's face: his hazel eyes had suddenly widened and he had forgotten the soup completely, the spoon frozen halfway to his mouth.

"You… you didn't mention you were spending Christmas with your family," Blaine said quietly.

"I didn't?" Kurt seemed surprised. "Oh, God, I'm sorry. I was sure I did. These past few weeks have been crazy and…"

"How many days are you going to be in Ohio?" Blaine asked. He felt sad, though he knew how much it meant for Kurt to spend time with his family. He knew his boyfriend missed them and was looking forward to seeing his dad again… but Blaine thought that for once in his life he could have a real Christmas, like the ones that were already fading from his memory, the ones when he was a kid and still believed his mom loved him and his dad was proud of him. The last few years he had spent Christmas at Dalton, refusing to go back home for the break (his parents didn't even bother trying to convince him to go home anyway) and the previous years had been a blur of parties at his uncle or grandma's houses, being constantly told by his dad to never mention anything about his condition, to behave and to try and not embarrass them for once.

"I'm not going to Ohio," Kurt replied.

"Then…"

"They're coming here."

If Kurt thought Blaine had reacted strangely before, it was nothing compare to the way he did now. He let the spoon fall, making a lot of noise when it hit the porcelain bowl, splashes of soup going all over the table as he stood up, almost dropping the chair to the floor with the abrupt movement.

"Here?"

"Yes, Blaine, here. They haven't seen my new home yet and Carole said she always wanted to spend Christmas in New York…" Kurt tilted his head to the side, confused. "What's wrong?"

"Does your family know about me?" Blaine asked, fidgeted.

"Of course they do! I tell my dad everything!" Kurt smiled, without really understanding what was causing Blaine to act that way.

"Everything? Everything, everything?" He repeated, swallowing.

"Do you have a fever again or are you at a loss for words?" Kurt stood up as well, walked to his boyfriend and forced him to sit back down. His smile disappeared when he looked closer at the boy in front of him. "Blaine… are you shaking?"

"No…" Blaine said, maybe too quickly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes."

"Why? There's no reason for you to be like this!" Kurt assured him, cupping his face in his hands.

"I've never had to meet my boyfriend's parents before. You're my first boyfriend and I just…" Blaine swallowed again and if it wasn't because he was really concerned, Kurt would've laughed at how adorable and silly he was. "What if your dad doesn't like me?"

"He'll like you," Kurt answered firmly.

"Yeah, but what if he doesn't?" The hazel eyes fixed on the blue ones, intently.

Kurt brushed his fingers on his stubbly cheeks and smiled again because he couldn't help it anymore. "He'll like you, Blaine. And if for some unbelievable, improbable reason he doesn't… then it means he's blind and I don't care. I like you. And I'm the one who's with you, right?"

Blaine brightened up a bit. "Right."

"I'm the one who kisses you, right?"

"Right."

"I'm the one you sleep with, right?"

"Right."

"Then we'll be fine," Kurt kissed the tip of his nose.

Blaine relaxed and his stomach reminded him that the soup was still there and he could eat it, so he grabbed the spoon. "Are they staying here with us?" He asked as he looked at the little, nearly too tiny apartment, a bit worried.

"Of course not, where would they sleep?" Kurt brushed back a few curls that had fallen on Blaine's forehead. "They'll stay at a hotel and they'll come over for Christmas."

"Is Finn coming, too?"

"Yes," Kurt answered and they both shared a glance, knowing why Blaine had just asked that. "I talked to her, she says she'll be fine."

"Do you believe her?" Blaine's smile turned a little sad.

"Not really, but I can't tell Finn that he's not welcomed here. I can't tell my brother that I'm only inviting my parents over…" Kurt watched as Blaine finished his soup and then poured him some more before the boy even had the chance to ask for it. "We're not going to be here all the time, anyway. My dad and Carole had never been in New York before, so they want to walk around the city and I'm sure my dad will drag us all to some game."

"What about during Christmas? Finn's going to be here and Rachel's going to be here, too." When he had met Rachel Berry months ago, Blaine had never imagined he would care so much for her as he did now. He loved the girl to death, she was like a sister to him… and seeing her so brokenhearted killed him.

"We'll work something out, eventually. And she told me she was invited to the party the theatre where she works is throwing, so maybe that will help…" Kurt sighed. He had thought about this for weeks and still wasn't sure about anything. "I guess they'll see each other at some point, they can't avoid it for too long, but, who knows? Maybe it'll help? Maybe Rachel needs to see him and find a way to get over him for good?"

Kurt didn't sound so sure about that and Blaine wanted to tell him he didn't think that was the way things actually would work, but he decided it was pointless. Rachel lived there and Kurt was within his right to want to have his family over. Blaine would have to figure out a way to be with both of them to help them out in whatever they'd need and get Burt Hummel to like him, all at the same time.

Even when the airport was complete and utter madness, Kurt had no trouble at all finding his family amongst the mass of people coming and going, pulling suitcases and rushing towards the nearest exit to find a cab. He was for once grateful his brother was sort of a freaking giant, because Finn's head was the first thing he noticed sticking up above the crowded hall where they were waiting to pick up their luggage.

Kurt smiled and walked to them. Carole was arguing with Burt, who wanted to carry the biggest suitcase, as Finn tried to sneak it away from his step-father. Kurt felt a wave of warmth spreading to his chest and he realized he had missed those three people more than he had ever imagined he would.

"Dad!" He exclaimed, pushing through the last group of people that were separating them and causing the older man to turn around. Burt's face lightened up immediately and he forgot about the suitcase, focusing on grabbing his son's shoulders to pull him into a tight hug.

"Hey, kiddo," the way his father was holding onto him told Kurt that maybe the man wasn't dealing with the distance as well as he had thought. Burt moved away a step, without releasing the grasp on his shoulder to look at the boy attentively. "You look good."

"Thanks, dad, you look good, too," Kurt smiled and hugged Carole, his father's hand still not letting go. "I love your new coat, Carole."

"Thank you, honey, I thought of you when I bought it!" She laughed, happily. "Have you been eating right?"

"He probably had been eating better than all of us combined, mom, you know he's a health nut," Finn answered for him, also smiling, as he stepped forward to greet his brother.

"It's so good to see you all," Kurt felt tears of joy stinging his eyes, but managed to hold them back.

"We miss you back home, Kurt," Carole said sweetly, as Finn nodded his agreement.

"I miss you, too," Kurt bent down and grabbed one of the suitcases as his brother did the same with the other two. "Let's get out of here and find a quieter place where we can catch up, okay?"

"Sounds great," Burt replied as he followed him though the crowded halls straight to the huge glass doors through which they could already see snowy New York City. "Where's that boyfriend of yours?" He added, maybe a little too bluntly, looking around as if he was waiting to find a boy standing somewhere near wearing a huge sign with the words Kurt's Boyfriend on it.

Kurt blushed a bit. He had waited a long time to have someone like Blaine in his life, someone he could feel proud to introduce to his father. "He's with Rachel. They offered to go grocery shopping for the things I need to cook for Christmas so I don't have to do it later and I can spend more time with you guys."

Finn cleared his throat and tried his best to sound nonchalant. "How's Rachel doing?"

Kurt pretended not to notice the eagerness in his brother's voice. "She's doing fine. A little stressed, but that's normal."

"Are we meeting up with them today?" Burt asked, as they walked across the parking lot, looking for Kurt's car.

"Yeah, we'll stop by your hotel to drop off everything and I was thinking maybe then we could go home and see if they're done shopping," Kurt explained, unlocking the doors. Finn put the luggage in the trunk as Carole slipped into the backseat and then he joined his mother. Burt sat in the front seat on the passenger side as Kurt turned the engine on. "Maybe we could all go grab some lunch together?"

"That's a great idea," Carole said enthusiastically.

As Kurt drove through the heavy traffic carefully, he pointed out the window to several places he wanted to show his parents and telling them a few things about his job and college. Burt talked a bit about the garage and Carole made a few comments about her own work, but Finn was mostly silent, staring at the city passing by them. He had been there twice before, but he was used to the simplicity of Lima and every time he came back it seemed as if he was entering a whole new world. Kurt knew that sensation very well, but he had grown accustomed to his new home by now.

They arrived at the hotel and Burt checked them in. Kurt helped them set up in their rooms. Finn went into his to leave his bag and Carole went into the bathroom to touch up her make up before going out again. Burt sat on the big queen size bed, as if he was testing it, and Kurt sat beside him. They had a nice view from the window next to the bed, a little park was just around the corner and it was like looking at a miniature winter wonderland.

"You look so different," Burt sighed and Kurt realized his father had been staring at him while he was distracted. He quirked an eyebrow.

"Really? How so?" Kurt asked, confused. Maybe he had lost a few pounds with the stress lately, but it wasn't much. He still wore his hair the same way and he knew his father wouldn't notice if his wardrobe had been altered in any way, though it hadn't.

"This is the first time I've looked at you and I don't see a kid," Burt answered, diverting his eyes towards the window. "It suddenly hit me that you're an adult now." Kurt smiled softly in response. "It's also the first time I've seen you being genuinely happy…"

Kurt's smile went wider. "Yeah, I'm pretty happy here."

"No one gives you trouble 'round here, right?" Burt said, frowning. He couldn't help being worried and he couldn't help wanting to protect his son even though now they lived far away.

"Not really. The old couple living next to us isn't exactly gay-friendly, but no one else really cares," Kurt shrugged. It still shocked him a bit that New York was nothing like Ohio, that he could walk hand in hand down the street with Blaine without having people turning around to stare at them in confusion or disgust. "I feel free here. I miss you and Carole and Finn a lot, but coming to New York was the best decision I've ever made."

"I can see that," Burt smiled, too and put his hand on Kurt's knee. "This kid, Blaine, is he good to you?"

Kurt rolled his eyes, amused. Of course his father would ask that. "Yes, dad, he's wonderful."

"You two moved pretty quickly, living together and all of that," he pointed out.

"I know, but we're doing just fine," Kurt was actually surprised at that too. Blaine and he had been together just for a few months, but nothing had ever seemed weird or awkward between them. "It wasn't the way I imagined my first relationship would develop, but Blaine needed help and Rachel and I were the only ones who could do something for him."

"So no regrets, then?" Burt questioned and Kurt rolled his eyes again.

"No, dad, no regrets," he assured him. He looked right into his father's eyes. "I really love him."

Burt nodded and smiled lightly. "Then I'm more than happy for you, son."

Kurt leaned down and rested his head on his father's shoulder just as Carole came out of the bathroom. They all put on their coats and scarves again and went to get Finn before leaving the hotel. Kurt felt overwhelmed with a feeling of bliss running all through him after his talk with Burt and he was anxious to introduce him to Blaine. He already knew his dad would love him.

He drove to his apartment still chatting animatedly with his family. He was eager to show his new home to them.

"We still want to buy some more furniture for the living room, but we don't have much space to do a lot," he explained to Carole as they went up the stairs of the building, Finn and Burt following closely behind. "Rachel saw a couple of things in a store down the block, but I'd forbid her to buy anything without my consent first." He opened the door with his key once they got there and let the three other go in before him. "Rach? Blaine? Are you guys home already?"

"I'm in the kitchen, honey!" Blaine called back and after a few seconds he came out, folding a few empty paper bags he had been obviously unpacking. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Kurt was not alone. "Oh. Uhm, hi, hello," he said nervously and Kurt smiled and walked to him.

"Relax," he whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek sweetly. "Blaine, I want you to meet Carole, Finn and my dad, Burt." He gestured towards each of them. "This is Blaine, everyone."

"We've heard so much about you!" Carole rejected the hand Blaine was offering to her and enveloped him in a hug instead. "I'm happy we finally get to meet you."

"Thank, Mrs. Hummel, I've heard a lot about all of you, too," Blaine replied politely, though he seemed a bit shocked about the display of affection from the woman.

"Oh, call me Carole, dear," she stepped aside, next to Kurt as Finn reached out his hand towards Blaine. "He's really cute, Kurt," she whispered confidingly and Kurt chuckled, silently agreeing with her.

"Hey, dude," Finn said and then he looked down. "Whoa. You're like, really, really tiny."

"Oh God, Finn, shut up, would you?" Kurt face-palmed, but Blaine was actually laughing quietly.

"Yeah, I really look tiny next to you. So, if you don't mind and in order to save a bit of self-esteem, I'm not going to stand so close to you," he answered, teasingly, making Finn laugh and pat his back. Blaine then turned to Burt, who had a serious expression on his face and looked terribly intimidating. He gulped. "He-hello, sir, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"So, you're Blaine," Burt stated as he shook his hand firmly and fast.

"Y-yes, I am," Blaine stuttered, insecure.

"Are you taking good care of my son?" Burt asked and Kurt had to face-palmed again.

"Dad, can you please not scare him? I've been telling him for days how kind and accepting you are and you're basically making me look like a liar," he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm just asking a question, is that so bad?" Burt put his hands in the air defensively.

Blaine felt the nerves eating him up inside, the urgent need to make this man like him. This was Kurt's father, the love of his life's father and he needed to prove himself to him. "I'm doing my best, sir, taking care of him. I really, really love Kurt, more than I've ever loved anyone. He's the most important thing I have in my life and I wouldn't hurt him. You need to know that," he stammered.

Kurt smiled and tugged at Blaine's hand to pull him closer, moved by his words. "Isn't he wonderful?" He muttered, resting his forehead against his temple.

Blaine relaxed when he saw Burt smiling, though it was obvious he was trying to fight that back. The older man patted him on the back and nodded, and it felt kind of like a blessing.

"So, are you guys going to give us a tour of your home or not?" He said in a less serious, more cheerful voice.

The tour, of course, didn't take too long. Blaine offered them something to drink and Kurt sneaked with him in the kitchen, leaving his family in the living room, chatting, with the excuse of helping his boyfriend.

"Hey, where's Rachel?" He asked immediately, as Blaine took an apple juice bottle from the fridge.

"She didn't want to come back home, she said she wasn't ready to see Finn just yet, so just in case, she went for a walk and she might go straight to work after that. I don't think we'll see her today," Blaine explained, taking three glasses from the cupboard.

"I feel like I'm banishing her from the apartment, I hate that," Kurt mumbled, leaning against the countertop. He watched how his boyfriend poured the juice into the glasses for a second. "How are you? I'm sorry about how my dad talked to you at first, he's really not that terrible, he just…"

"It's fine," Blaine kissed his cheek, grinning. "I understand. He's just making sure you're okay. He doesn't know me, so he needs to make me prove that I'm good for you."

"You're perfect for me," Kurt corrected, nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

"I love you," Blaine whispered sweetly.

"I love you, too," he gave him a little kiss and gestured toward the living room. "Are you ready to go back in there?"

"I think I am," he answered and he carried the drinks for his boyfriend's family.

They stayed at the apartment for another two hours, chatting calmly. Carole was interested in knowing as much as she could about Blaine, and the boy seemed actually surprised about it, but answered all of her questions happily. A few minutes after they got back from the kitchen, when they were all sitting together talking, Kurt slipped is hand into one of Blaine's and it remained there, his thumb rubbing little circles on his palm every now and then, until they decided they were all hungry and it was better to go get some lunch.

"There's a lovely place near Central Park we go to sometimes, we definitely need to go there," Kurt said enthusiastically, as they went out to the cold street. Blaine took his hand again and pulled him closer. "They make the most delicious quiche ever, Carole, you need to try it…"

"Do you like sports, Blaine?" Burt asked as his son went on and on about the dishes he wanted his stepmom to try.

"Uhm, yeah I do," Blaine answered, still a bit self-conscious every time the older man talked directly to him.

"I promised Finn I'd take him to a basketball game," Burt said. "Kurt and Carole are going on some sort of crazy pre-Christmas shopping day tomorrow. Would you like to come with us?" He offered and Blaine could feel his heart skipping a beat.

"I'd love to," he replied, smiling. His hand tightened a bit in Kurt's, unable to show his excitement in any other way.

He still felt intimidated by the man walking next to him, but he also felt like he had a real chance to convince Burt Hummel that he was worthy of Kurt and he wasn't going to blow it.

Rachel peeked from the kitchen when she heard the front door closing, but sighed in relief. It was only Blaine and Kurt and there was no sign of Finn or whatsoever.

"Hey guys!" She said in her usual happy voice. "How was your day?"

Kurt let go of Blaine's hand and crossed the room towards his friend until he was holding her tight in his arms. "It was nice, but I felt bad that you weren't with us."

"Aww, Kurt," Rachel held back. To be honest, she had been needing a hug for the whole day. "It's okay, I had things to do."

"I know you're lying, you just didn't want to see Finn and I understand," Kurt answered. "I'm sorry if this makes you feel bad, Rach."

Rachel waited a few more seconds before pulling back. She was smiling, though it seemed a bit forced. "Did you guys have dinner already? I was thinking about having some Chinese food tonight."

"No, we didn't eat yet," Blaine replied, kissing the top of her head as he joined the other two.

"Great! Now we can have one of our take out and movies nights! I've been missing this!" Rachel clapped, happily as she rushed back into the kitchen to get the take out menu.

An hour later, the three friends were sitting together in the couch, watching The Sound of Music and eating their dinner. They sang along to every song and Blaine even stood up and grabbed Rachel by the hand to make her dance around the room, much to Kurt's amusement. Rachel laughed and laughed until she had a stomachache and then they all cuddled together until the movie ended.

"I love you, did you guys know that?" She whispered as the credits started rolling. "I love living with both of you."

"We love you, too," Blaine said, as Kurt reached for her hand. "And you know we're here for you if you need us."

"What you need is therapy," Kurt muttered and the other two turned to look at him. "Therapy, as in shopping. Carole and I are going on a Christmas shopping spree tomorrow and you should join us."

"You haven't bought your Christmas presents yet?" Rachel frowned, a little shocked.

"Of course I did. These will be extra purchases, you know, to exploit the season sales," Kurt rolled his eyes. "Besides, Blaine will go to a game with Finn and dad, and you don't work tomorrow. C'mon, this could be fun."

"Or torture," Rachel corrected, but she was smiling. "You're not tricking me, Kurt, I remember our experiences in the mall back in Ohio. You always made Mercedes and I follow you around, shopping until we were so tired we cried for you to stop."

"That sounds kind of terrifying," Blaine admitted, his eyes wide, silently thanking he didn't have to join his boyfriend the next day.

"Oh, shut up, both of you," Kurt crossed his arms over his chest. "You obviously don't understand the art of shopping."

"I don't think shopping can be considered art, honey," Blaine said sweetly, but glanced away trying to play it innocent when Kurt glared at him.

"I'd love to go, anyway," Rachel replied, snuggling against Blaine's side. "It'll keep my mind off things."

"Wonderful! Wear comfortable shoes, we'll be walking around a lot," Kurt picked up the remote control to turn the TV off as Rachel shared a quick look with Blaine in which she clearly showed she was already regretting it.

"How was meeting the boyfriend's family?" She asked, deciding a change of subject would be the best way to go. She nudged Blaine's foot with hers, smiling. "Did Burt threaten your life yet?"

"Oh, God, you're going to try and scare him, too?" Kurt let his head fall back against the back of the couch. "He already looked like a deer caught in the headlights all day."

"I didn't!" Blaine exclaimed, pouting.

"Yes, you did, but it's fine, sweetie, because you were amazing and there wasn't one single moment in which my father could've found a flaw in you," Kurt reached over Rachel to kiss his boyfriend's forehead.

They talked for hours, enjoying not having to wake up early the next day, enjoying not having homework to deal with or appointments for work. Rachel forgot for a while about how scared she was about seeing Finn soon as they laughed together into the cold, dark night.

Without Kurt there, Blaine felt quite insecure. He sat next to Finn and looked down at the basketball court. People around them were all buzzing with excitement and he had to admit he was, too. His father had taken him to football games when he was a kid, but he had done it because he'd thought taking his son to places considered to be manly would turn Blaine straight.

He almost stopped breathing when he realized Burt had taken him there because he was accepting him, because he was trying to bond with the guy who was dating his son.

Blaine hadn't thought about that until then.

"Would you like a soda, or a hot dog, Blaine?" Burt offered, leaning down from Finn's other side.

"No, sir, I'm fine, thank you," he answered quickly, still a bit overwhelmed.

"Don't be shy, kiddo, if you want something," Burt smiled slightly at him. "And stop calling me sir, I'm not that old, you know."

Blaine smiled back at him and was about to answer when he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out to find a message from Kurt: Have a nice time, sweetie, don't worry too much! Love you.

He typed a reply quickly and turned to listen to Finn, who was trying to convince Burt not to buy a hot dog for himself.

"C'mon, Burt, you'll get me in trouble. Mom told me to keep an eye on you and if Kurt hears about it, he'll never speak to neither of us again," he was pleading, frowning. Burt rolled his eyes and sighed (Blaine wondered if Kurt had learned to that from his father or if Burt had picked it up from his son), but finally complied and only bought a diet soda.

Once the game started, the three men got lost in the action of it, cheering every now and then, celebrating particularly good plays. Blaine felt quite at ease and beamed brightly when Finn high-fived him; he had always wanted a brother to share this sort of stuff with, but he just wasn't lucky in the family department.

During one of the intermissions, they sat back and had a drink, talking. Burt told Blaine about his garage and Blaine told him about his job and school. Burt was surprised to hear Blaine was also from Ohio.

"Kurt said you play football at college, Finn," Blaine commented, intending to get to know Kurt's brother better. Finn had been pretty quiet and he was wondering if the big guy was just shy or if there was something troubling him.

"Yeah, I'm the quarterback," he answered, nodding slowly.

"He was the quarterback when he was at McKinley, too," Burt said, patting Finn's back proudly, and a real smiled appeared on the boy's lips. "Won them lots of games."

"You must be really good," Blaine said, also smiling. "I've always wanted to play, but I was the smallest guy in my class."

"Kurt's just a bit taller than you and he did it quite well," Finn shrugged.

Blaine thought he was going to choke on the soda he was drinking. "Kurt was on the football team?"

"He was the kicker," Burt replied, adjusting the baseball cap on his head. "He played the only game the team won that season."

Blaine blinked a few times, trying to imagine his boyfriend actually agreeing to play and wearing the uniform, which he probably had considered tacky. "I didn't know that."

"It only lasted a week," Burt laughed. "But he was quite good at it."

"He was the best kicker we've had, actually," Finn admitted, thoughtfully. "He was a cheerleader, too, did you know that?"

This time Blaine really did choke on his drink and had to lean down when a bit of it came out of his mouth. He almost spat all over the guy sitting in front of them, but managed to avoid it. "What?"

"Another phase he went through," Burt said nonchalantly, as if he was used to his son's eccentricities. "At least we can say he was good at everything he decided to do."

Blaine pushed the images of Kurt wearing a cheerleading outfit out of his mind as fast as he could. "Uhm, so, uhm…" Get your shit together, Blaine, this is your boyfriend's father and brother you're sitting with. "What are you majoring in, Finn?"

"Engineering," Finn replied, his eyes diverting towards the court, where the players were getting ready to start again. Blaine frowned, trying to study the other boy. Something told him Finn was feeling uneasy.

Blaine didn't think about it again until they were in the cab going back to his apartment hours later. They had stopped for a pizza after the game and had spent hours talking about the Buckeyes, which was the three men's favorite football team. Finn seemed to be interested in talking about music, but didn't get into the topic too much. Blaine couldn't help wondering why he was holding back so much. But once their day had ended and they were going to meet Kurt and Carole, he noticed the boy was even quieter than before, looking out the window, lost in thought. His eyes darted back and forth, taking in the city before him, but his face was inexpressive. Blaine pretended he didn't notice: he didn't know the guy that well, anyway, so maybe he was wrong. Nonetheless, he was planning to talk to Kurt about. Maybe he could help his brother with whatever it was bothering him.

It wasn't a shock to find the apartment was still empty. No one had expected Kurt to finish his shopping trip sooner than them, so they sat in the living room and turned the TV on, chatting comfortably as they switched channels.

Blaine felt relaxed. It was so easy being around Finn and Burt, so easy not worrying about appearances, about them judging him, about them not agreeing with who he was. It was nice to just sit there and talk about nothing and everything, in the comfort of his own home, waiting for his beautiful boyfriend to come back. It wasn't the first time in the last few months that Blaine had to stop and think how life could be pretty damn fantastic.

Burt was complaining about the movie Finn had chosen to watch when the others arrived. Blaine looked up and smiled happily at Kurt, but his smile vanished as soon as he saw Rachel.

Rachel came in, carrying a couple of bags and laughing at something Kurt was saying when she stopped in her tracks, her dark eyes fixed on Finn. The tension in the apartment was almost tangible as the two stared at each other. Blaine could feel Finn's stiff body next to him, as if all of Finn's reactions and actions suddenly converged into one. The boy was about to explode and Blaine finally understood: it was because of Rachel. The way Finn had been acting since he had arrived to New York was because of the anticipation of seeing his ex-girlfriend again.

"How was the game, boys?" Carole asked, trying to break the ice, forcing a smile on her face and speaking up with a cheerful tone.

"It was good," Burt grunted, uncomfortable.

"Blaine, we should show you everything we bought!" Kurt exclaimed, exaggeratedly excited, grabbing Rachel's arm with one of his hands and shaking a lot of bags in the other.

Blaine stood up quickly, taking the hint and opened his mouth to say something, anything, but never got the chance.

"Rachel," Finn's voice sounded weird, not at all like the tall boy's. The girl startled a bit. "Would you… would you go take a walk with me?" Finn looked at her and swallowed, visibly nervous. "Please," he added.

No one said a word for a whole minute and Blaine was sure the noise he was listening was the combined sound of six hearts beating out of control. At last, after what it seemed an eternity, Rachel nodded, very slowly.

"Sure," she said softly and Kurt took the bags she was carrying from her as Finn stood up and walked to the door. Rachel followed silently and went out when he opened up for her after putting his jacket on.

Once they were gone, the rest of them looked at each other, questioningly. Kurt sighed, and he was obviously a bit worried.

"I hope this doesn't end up in another night of crying," he said, frowning.

"Do you want me to go buy some ice-cream? I think we run out after her last meltdown," Blaine asked, still staring at the closed door.

Kurt put the bags down and walked to the couch, undoing his scarf and sinking down next to his boyfriend, who automatically put an arm around him. "I have candy hidden in our room in case of emergencies," he answered. "Did you have fun at the game?" Kurt asked, before resting his head on Blaine's shoulder.

"It was amazing," Blaine couldn't hold back the smile and he glanced briefly at Burt.

"Yeah, you definitely need to bring Blaine home next time you fly to Ohio so we can go see one of Finn's games," Burt said and Blaine felt a lump in his throat as his smiled widened.

Carole started asking Burt about what he'd had for dinner and Kurt took the opportunity to move his mouth to his boyfriend's ear.

"I told you he'd like you," he whispered quietly, before kissing that sweet spot on his neck that made Blaine shudder.

Blaine had to fight the urge to stand up and dance around the living room.

Kurt was woken up with kisses on Christmas' morning. He cracked open one eye to see Blaine brushing his lips across his cheeks, his nose, his forehead, his own lips. He smiled and responded to the kiss, both boys staring at each other with sleepy gazes.

"Merry Christmas," Blaine whispered, not pulling apart.

"Merry Christmas to you, too," Kurt answered, which wasn't easy to do given that his boyfriend was biting on his lower lip. He moved his hands back to caress Blaine's back under the white cotton t-shirt he used to sleep, the tips of his fingers wandering over firm muscles and delicious skin.

He could feel Blaine's morning erection pushing against his thigh where they were pressed together under the blankets. His arousal grew stronger as the last corner of his mind that was still coherent thought about how nice it was to start the day like that, to have someone to wake up to. He loved Blaine so much sometimes he thought he was going to die. He'd never imagined love would be like that. He'd never imagined how much a man could mean to him.

Blaine was now placing open mouthed kisses on his neck, sucking lightly on his pulse point, enough to leave a little mark, but not to actually bruise him. "I can't get enough of you," he growled as he licked a short line down to his collarbone, opening the first two buttons of his pajama shirt.

Kurt smiled as he let his head drop back into the pillow, giving him better access. "You're still thinking about what my dad told you yesterday, aren't you?" He teased.

"Damn, Kurt, how come you neglected to mention you were a cheerleader?" Blaine asked. The tiny gap between their hips was almost torturous. "And a football player?"

"I didn't think you'd be interested," Kurt gasped when he felt one of Blaine's hands sneaking under his clothes to pinch his nipples. "Believe me, I would've said something if I knew it was gonna make you to act like this."

They kept kissing, tongues battling for dominance, words forgotten for a while. Kurt could feel his breath hitching every time Blaine's fingers brushed his nipples, and the touch was never enough. He hooked one of his legs around the back of Blaine's to bring him closer. They fitted together perfectly, rocking slowly, almost tenderly against each other, looking for a bit of friction.

Ending the kiss so they could look each other in the eyes, Kurt felt that amazing wave of happiness washing all over him once again. Blaine smiled and rested his forehead against his boyfriend's, hazel looking into blue.

"I… oh gosh, I have something for you," Kurt moaned, as his hand travelled up Blaine's back until his fingers were tangled in the crazy, dark curls.

"Oh, yeah?" Blaine muttered, lazily, focused on the soft thrusts of their hips.

"I wanted to give it to you before we…- oh, damn, Blaine, a little harder, please," Kurt moved up to meet him, as he tried to force his brain to work for a bit longer. "Before Rachel wakes up and my family arrive because… because I don't know if you'll like it."

Blaine stilled his movements, sensing this was something sensitive for Kurt, because it wasn't usual to hearing his voice so insecure. He leaned down and nuzzled their noses together, eliciting a tiny sigh from the other boy. "I'm sure I'll love it, honey."

"You don't have to, uhm, you know, feel forced to… okay," Kurt swallowed and reached to the side, opening his nightstand drawer and searching inside. Blaine held himself with his elbows on the mattress, one on each side of Kurt's body and waited, wondering why was his boyfriend so nervous all of a sudden. Kurt finally seemed to find what he was looking for, but he kept it hidden with his hands, as he looked up at Blaine. "We can save it for later. Like, next Christmas, or the one after that, if that's what you want. We can… oh, damn it, what was I thinking? Forget it, this was a bad idea, Blaine…"

Blaine held him, half curious, half scared, but mainly interested in calming Kurt. "What is it?"

Kurt swallowed again before moving his hands away, leaving a little black box resting on his chest. Blaine stared down at it, feeling his eyes growing a bit wide, knowing exactly what the content of the little jewelry box was.

"Are you… are you going to propose, Kurt?" He asked, and he couldn't help the little shiver in his voice, if from excitement or fear, he couldn't tell.

"No!" Kurt nearly screams. "No, God, no. No, no, no. No, Blaine, no."

And Blaine just had to laugh at that because Kurt's way too adorable for his own good. "Alright, sweetie, I think we established that you're not proposing." Blaine licked his lips, still feeling a bit nervous, wondering what he would find inside that box after all. He glanced at the other boy, tentatively, before undoing the little red ribbon and popping it open.

Two rings. Two elegant, silver bands resting against the white velvet.

"Promise rings," Kurt whispered, visibly fidgeting. "It doesn't mean I'm asking you to be my husband… I… thought we could, uhm…" he closed his eyes, breathing deeply and then, clearly mad at himself, shut the box and put it away. "You know, it's fine, I have another present for you, I'll give it to you later and I'm going to return these tomorrow when…"

"Kurt," Blaine stopped him, smiling softly. "Did you have any sort of speech for this moment or were you going to improvise?"

"No," Kurt answered, blushing. "I mean, yes, I wanted to say to you just how much I love you and how happy I am that I met you and that these past few months had been so wonderful and…" Fisting his hair in frustration, Kurt looks at him, Blaine's warm body still pressed against his. "I thought I'd give you something that could symbolize all that, something that could mean that I want this to last for as long as you'll have me…"

"I'll have you forever, then," Blaine couldn't resist the urge to kiss him, so he did just that, their lips brushing sweetly, just breathing in each other, feeling close, and happy and complete.

"Really?" Kurt asked, hopeful.

Blaine laughed and nodded. "Sometimes I think about it, you know. You and me and the future. I think how I want to be with you forever and then it aches, because forever doesn't seem long enough either…"

Kurt felt his eyes stinging with tears, but there's a wide, toothy smile on his lips. "I love you so much, Blaine."

"I love you, too, Kurt."

They kissed again because that seemed like the perfect thing to do, the perfect thing to show their feelings and how overwhelmed they were by them. The ring box was pressed between their chests and eventually Blaine moved back and glanced at it, after raising an eyebrow to Kurt, questioningly.

Kurt smiled, relaxed, his confident coming back to him. "Alright," he mumbled, taking the box. "Give me your hand."

Blaine extended his left hand while biting his lower lip to control the huge smile that was threatening to take over his whole face. Kurt took one of the rings and showed it to him.

"Can you see the inscription?" He asked and Blaine moved Kurt's hand so he could see it.

He frowned: RWIB.

"RWIB?" He asked in confusion.

"Do you remember how I told you I've always wanted to come to New York? How I always knew this was the perfect place for me, the place I needed to be in?" Kurt said, his eyes fixed on Blaine's.

"Yeah, I remember," Blaine tilted his head to the side, curious.

"Well, I was right," Kurt's smile was gorgeous and it lit up the whole bedroom. "Because I'm with you. Right. Where. I. Belong."

Blaine was speechless for a couple of seconds, as he fought back the tears and the lump forming in his throat. He didn't know if he wanted to cry or to smile, but he knew one thing: this was happiness. This was what he had been looking for so long.

"It's beautiful," he said, touched. "Thank you so much."

"I'm glad you like it," Kurt slid the ring on his finger and sighed in relief when it fitted perfectly. Then Blaine reached for the other one, which was identical, and slid it on Kurt's. They looked at each other before moving forward at the same time, eager for more kisses, for more love, for more future.

Very, very slowly, because they had all the time in the world, they took each other's clothes off, until they were fully naked, their bodies attracted to each other like magnets, needing to feel the warm, soft, perfect skin of one another.

"Kurt?" Blaine whispered, low, in his ear.

"Yes?" He said as he let his hands wander thoughtfully down Blaine's back, feeling the way his muscles contracted and then up again to get his fingers tangled with his hair.

"Would you make love to me?"

The pounding of Kurt's heart was so frantic it echoed in the walls around them. "Is that what you want?"

"I'm ready if you're ready," Blaine used his lips to slowly trace the outline of Kurt's jaw.

Of course Kurt was ready. He was perfectly happy with all of the things they had been doing together, but just the idea of being inside of Blaine made him feel dizzy with desire and he could barely wait to know what it felt like.

"I'm ready," he assured him and they smiled at each other before sinking in one more kiss, much more passionate, without any sort of restraints because now they knew they wanted to be together, they wanted to share their lives, they wanted everything.

Kurt turned Blaine around until he was lying on his back with Kurt on top. Blaine spread his legs and Kurt started thrusting his hips into his, letting their cocks rub together, getting some friction to get rid of some of the tension of their first time. They moaned freely in between kisses and Blaine caressed Kurt's pale, soft skin, loving the sensation of it under his fingertips.

Kurt started going down his chest, leaving a trail of kisses everywhere: lips, cheekbones, jaw, neck (he spent some time there, actually; he just loved the spot right behind his ear), collarbone, chest. He paid attention particularly in sucking, licking and nibbling at Blaine's nipples while carefully listening to the delicious sounds his boyfriend was making.

"Get the lube," he whispered as he circled his belly button with his tongue and Blaine started panting, but did his best to try and obey.

By the time Blaine found the little bottle, Kurt was busy sucking his hip bones. The mix of pain and pleasure was so wonderful, Blaine had to take a deep breath and steady himself. He felt Kurt retrieving the bottle from his hands, and he noticed he had been holding it way too tightly.

Kurt looked up and saw Blaine with his eyes closed and his lips parted, air going in and out of his lungs noisily. He poured some lube onto his fingers and let it warm as he kissed the inside of his boyfriend's thigh. Their sexual experience was pretty similar and though Kurt thought he would freak out when this moment came, he wasn't. He was confident and calm, because he knew they'd learn about this stuff together. Blaine would guide him as much as he would guide Blaine.

He leaned down again and started kissing his way towards Blaine's erection. Blaine whimpered and shivered, trying to control his impulses.

Kurt gave Blaine's length little kitten licks along the underside, making his way to the tip of it, already leaking a bit of pre-come. Blaine started panting harder, fisting the sheets and letting his head fall back in anticipation. Putting his lips around it, Kurt sucked on the head and Blaine couldn't suppress a loud moan.

Hollowing his cheeks and using his tongue, Kurt felt the impossibly sweet taste of his boyfriend numbing his senses. He started circling Blaine's entrance and the moans only got more desperate. Knowing the boy was now consumed by the pleasure and as he took a bit more of him into his mouth, Kurt pushed the first finger halfway in, feeling the tightness and the resistance in Blaine's body and trying not to come just by thinking how it would feel to bury himself right in. Blaine's breath had hitched a bit, but he didn't show any signs of being in too much pain. Kurt gave him some time and busied himself sucking a little more enthusiastically in the meantime. He honestly hoped Rachel was deeply asleep because Blaine was being louder than ever.

He started moving the finger in and out carefully, working Blaine open just enough to slid a second one inside.

"Y-you're gonna have to stop sucking or I'll come," Blaine managed to say, his voice hoarse and strange. Kurt reluctantly released his cock, letting it fall out of his mouth. Blaine whined at the loss as Kurt moved up slowly until he was on top of the other boy. Blaine leaned up to kiss him immediately.

Kurt kept scissoring him and crooking his fingers a bit, looking for that magic spot that would make Blaine forget about any sort of remaining discomfort. The heat surrounding him was too much and he couldn't wait to thrust his own cock inside him. He was so hard it hurt, but he wanted to this right for Blaine. He wanted to make it amazing for the both of them.

"More, please, please, Kurt," Blaine groaned, moving his hips up to meet Kurt's fingers. The slight change of angle made Kurt feel his fingertips brushing against a nub. "OH MY GOD, KURT, AGAIN!"

If it weren't because he was desperately turned on, Kurt would've laughed at Blaine's urgent reaction and the way he was desperately moving towards his fingers, trying to get him to touch his prostate again. Kurt moaned in frustration, his cock throbbing and untouched, as he pushed three fingers in this time, reaching successfully for that knot of nerves a few more times.

"I can't," Blaine cried. "I can't wait anymore, Kurt, please."

"I don't want to hurt you, baby, let me stretch you some more," Kurt answered as his cock twitched like asking him if he was crazy and get in him for once, you idiot.

"No, I'm fine, it feels so perfect," Blaine moved his hips up again and shivered in pleasure.

Kurt swallowed and bit his lip. He couldn't wait either. He was going to come just from looking at his lust-consumed boyfriend begging for him. "Okay."

He took his fingers out, causing Blaine to whimper, and reached for the condom. He put it on as he stroked himself a little bit, hissing. Blaine was watching him, his hazel eyes completely blown and a hungry expression on his beautiful face.

"God, Kurt, stop teasing and get in me," he growled, as he spread his legs farther.

Well, shit, that's hot, Kurt thought as he positioned himself. He rubbed the head against the swollen opening and Blaine moaned even more. Swallowing hard, Kurt hoped he didn't screw this up, and then pushed inside, feeling Blaine's muscles stretching around his cock and it felt so damn good. He was as careful as he could be, trying to allow Blaine to get used to the intrusion and once he was buried all the way in, he stopped.

Blaine's eyes were closed and his jaw was tight. Kurt started placing kisses on every inch of him that he could reach, trying to help him to relax and forcing himself to stay still and wait. Blaine started kissing back after a couple of minutes, his hands going down his back, keeping him close, until they got to the curve of his ass, where they stayed pressed.

"Doing okay?" Kurt asked with a rough voice. He wouldn't have imagined how wonderful it could be to be this close to someone and it was taking all of him not to start thrusting hard and look for his own release.

"I can't believe how perfect this feels," Blaine answered, sucking at the little spot under Kurt's ear. "You fit so well..."

"Like we were made for each other," Kurt kissed his forehead before letting his head fall on the crook of Blaine's neck and groaning. "Oh, God, tell me I can move now."

Blaine shifted his hips and Kurt moaned. "Yeah, yeah, please, move now."

Kurt began to rock against him slowly, retreating until only the head of his cock was still inside, before pushing back in. The room was soon filled with nothing but the sounds of pleasure and skin slapping against skin. It was as if all the snow outside had melted, as if winter didn't exist anymore. They could only feel the warmth coming out of each other, as if they were sunbathing in the most perfect day of summer.

Blaine screamed when Kurt found his prostate again and his legs flew immediately up, tangling around Kurt's waist and pushing him back into that direction until he could only feel the pulsing pleasure of that tiny nub deep inside of him.

"Oh God, Kurt, harder, right there, baby, please," Blaine cried, matching the movement of Kurt's hips with his.

"Blaine," the name came out of Kurt's lips strangled, broken, needy. He was so close...

Wrapping his hand around Blaine's cock, Kurt started stroking him fast and hard, wanting for Blaine to fall over the edge before jumping himself.

It didn't take much longer. One hard thrust against his prostate and a long stroke to his cock and Blaine was coming, spilling himself in thick pearly strings on Kurt's hand and his own stomach. His body contracted around Kurt as he screamed his orgasm out. Kurt held back as much as he could, he didn't want to miss one second of Blaine while he was shivering and moaning and so, so free. But then everything was too much, Blaine was too beautiful to resist and the heat was too intense, and the pressure was too delicious and Kurt let go. He came inside of his boyfriend, panting, screaming, losing his mind. Blaine kept him close and allowed him to ride the orgasm while frantically moving in and out until that was also too much. Kurt pulled away, Blaine hissed at the loss, his muscles clenching around emptiness and they rolled on their sides, holding each other in their arms, sharing sloppy, lazy kisses in between smiles just as lazy.

"I love you," Blaine said in nothing but a whisper.

"I love you," Kurt repeated, nuzzling against his neck. He started giggling after a few seconds. "We need to try that the other way around next time."

Blaine grinned. "Give me ten minutes and we can try it now."

Kurt growled, feeling pretty tempted. He tightened his grip around his boyfriend. "We can't. I need to start cooking before everyone arrives."

"Damn Christmas," Blaine mumbled and Kurt laughed.

"You seemed to like Christmas not too long ago," he pointed out.

"Yeah, well, that was before realizing we could've spent the day in bed instead," he kissed Kurt's pale shoulder. "You're amazing, did you know that?"

"You mentioned it a couple of times before," Kurt replied sheepishly. "And a few of those times were this morning."

"Well, you are," Blaine shrugged. "How much time do we have until we have to get up?"

"None," Kurt whined. "We need to shower and I could really use a coffee before starting working in the kitchen."

"Let's go turn the coffee machine on and we'll shower together while it gets done," Blaine proposed, already standing up and Kurt glanced at him, still amazed at the sight of Blaine's beautiful naked body.

"Who says I'll shower with you?" Kurt asked with a hoarse voice that betrayed him.

"It's Christmas. It's like a present," Blaine pouted.

Kurt arched an eyebrow, but it wasn't convincing either. "I already gave you a Christmas present. Two, actually."

Blaine got suddenly serious and kneeled on the bed next to him, cupping his face in his hands sweetly. "And both were the best presents I could've asked for."

They kissed again but had to pull away before it got too far. Kurt smiled and tugged on Blaine's hand, both getting out of bed and putting their underwear on. Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist from behind and kissed his neck as they left the bedroom, giggling softly and wanting nothing more but to be close.

A loud noise, as if someone was clearing their throat, got their attention. They both looked up, smiles fading from their faces when they found Burt and Carole sitting on the couch and Finn pacing around the living room, obviously uncomfortable. Rachel was handing them cups of coffee. Carole and she were the only ones biting back a grin.

"Oh, ah, hey, hello!" Kurt said and he prayed internally to whatever greater power there might be that they had just gotten there. He noticed Blaine's hands tightening and dragging him a little closer to his body. He felt the sticky sensation of drying come against his back and he cursed internally.

Rachel picked up the blanket they always kept on the back of the couch for those nights where they cuddled and watched movies and threw it at them. Kurt grabbed it and covered himself and Blaine with it, wondering why they had ventured outside the bedroom just in their underwear…

"Good morning, son," Burt grunted, avoiding looking at either of the boys in the eyes.

"You're here early. Not that I mind," Kurt mumbled quickly. "I love having you guys here, it's wonderful, but… you're here early. Why are you here so early?"

"I thought you could use some help in the kitchen, sweetie," Carole answered, her lips trembling, still trying to control her smile.

"We could've waited in the hallway," Finn muttered softly, never stopping his pacing, not even when Rachel handed him a cup of coffee, too. "Or in the street. Or back in the hotel…"

"Oh, my God," Blaine groaned and hid his face on Kurt's neck.

"Yeah, that sounds a lot like what you were saying a couple minutes ago," Burt gibbered.

"Dad!" Kurt was pretty sure his face was completely red by now and his family wasn't helping at all. "Can we just… not talk about this?"

"Please," Finn begged. Rachel chuckled and gave them a knowing look. Kurt didn't like that look. At all.

"I'm gonna take a shower," Blaine said in a low voice, embarrassed. No one said anything and Kurt didn't move. "Kurt, could you… uhm, walk me to the bathroom?"

"Oh, yes!" Kurt jumped a little, and took the few steps towards the bathroom door with him. "I'll get you some clean clothes in a minute."

"Thank you," Blaine answered, the tiniest smile on his lips. This was not the way he had imagined the afterwards of his first time with his boyfriend would be like. He got into the bathroom and shut the door.

"I'll go get dressed," Kurt said as he hurried back into his room.

Once he was ready, he gave Blaine some clothes and turned to his family. Carole was placing some presents under the small tree he and Blaine had put together a couple of days ago. Burt had turned the TV on and he and Finn were watching something. Kurt could see Rachel wandering around in the kitchen.

"Why did you let them in?" He asked her as he walked behind her and the girl jumped a few inches in the air, startled.

"What did you want me to do?" She half whispered.

"I don't know, Rachel!" Kurt covered his face with his hands. "Shit, I can't believe my dad heard me have sex with my boyfriend for the first time!"

"Oh my God, Kurt!" She started clapping excitedly and Kurt had to use all of his willpower not to murder her. "Your first time? You have to tell me everything!"

"I am not saying a word, Rachel Berry!"

Rachel rolled her eyes. "That's fine, I've heard most of it anyway."

"I hate you sometimes," Kurt sighed.

"You don't," she smiled.

Kurt blinked a couple of times. He was missing something. "Why are you so happy?"

"Because it's Christmas. Christmas makes me happy," she answered, shrugging, as she opened the cupboard to put away some plates and glasses she had been drying.

"You're a Jew, you never celebrate Christmas, Rachel," Kurt pointed out. She was still smiling widely. Kurt frowned. "What happened with Finn last night?"

He almost regretted asking that when Rachel suddenly crushed him in a tight hug. He thought for a moment she was about to break his goddamn spine, but then she released him to look at him in the eyes.

"We're back together!" She announced, smiling even more, if that was even possible. "We're going to try a long distance relationship for a while, while he tries to figure out what he wants to do with his life, and he might transfer to a school in New York next semester."

"Rachel, that's fantastic!" Kurt was genuinely happy for his friend. The girl deserved some happiness and his brother did too. It was clear that they were perfect for each other, even if they were so different. And he wouldn't mind seeing both of them smile some more, for a change.

He started working on lunch while Rachel told him everything about her talk with Finn the night before. They were joined by Carole a few minutes later, who assured the girl she was happy that they had decided to get back together.

"Since you two moved here, he hasn't been the same," she commented, chopping some vegetables side by side with Kurt. "I think he regretted the decision he made to stay in Ohio. But I don't think he's made for New York either."

"We were all a little lost at first," Kurt said. "It's such a big, drastic change. A cow town like Lima doesn't really prepare you for a city like this one."

"Well, you're doing pretty well, hon-… is that a ring, Kurt?" Carole stopped in her tracks, staring at Kurt's hand.

"Oh, yeah, it's a ring," the boy couldn't hold back his smile.

"You got engaged?" Rachel squealed.

"Are you crazy? Of course not, we're too young," Kurt rolled his eyes and kept working on the food. "I got Blaine and I promise rings as a Christmas present."

The two women exchanged a quick glance before releasing loud awww's and hugging Kurt, who immediately dropped the knife he was using to avoid accidents. After a few seconds, he started laughing, Carole and Rachel's excitement was too contagious and the truth was Kurt Hummel was incredibly happy, so why not laugh and share that happiness with the two women he loved the most?

Blaine opened up the door of the bathroom just when Finn was getting up of the couch and going into the kitchen. Burt looked away from the TV screen and right at the boy standing uncomfortably in front of him. Blaine took a deep breath and walked towards him.

"Mr. Hummel, I'm so sorry, I wish I could…" he started, as he took a seat next to the older man.

"It's okay, Blaine, you don't have to say anything," Burt said, his eyes back on whatever game it was he was watching.

"But I'm so embarrassed. We shouldn't have…" Blaine was desperate. Kurt's father had listened to them having sex for the first time. He had met this man only a couple days ago and he was already giving him reasons to hate him.

"Blaine, I'm telling you, you don't need to say more," Burt put the remote down by his side. "I'm not dumb, you know. You two live together, you share a bed, you've been dating for a few months now and, more importantly, you're both adults. If this had happened at my house, while Kurt was still in high school, I would've kicked your asses. But not now. It's not my place to say anything."

"I'm still sorry," Blaine swallowed, nervously. "I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of him. I love Kurt, sir."

"I know you do," the smile on Burt's lips was warmer than Blaine had ever expected and it shocked him at first. "I've seen you two together and it's easy to see how crazy you are for each other."

"I just…" Blaine didn't mean to say the next words, but for some reason, they went out on their own. "This is the first time I'm going to have a real Christmas with people who accept me and love me for who I am. I didn't want to screw it up."

Burt turned the TV off and faced Blaine. The boy panicked for a minute but relaxed when Burt put a hand on his shoulder.

"You didn't screw anything up, son," Blaine felt his heart bursting and a lump in his throat. Not even his own father had ever talked to him so kindly.

"You're a great man, Mr. Hummel," he muttered, a bit overwhelmed.

Burt laughed softly. "So are you, Blaine."

Kurt came out of the kitchen and looked at the two of them, frowning and with evident worry on his face. "Is everything alright here?"

"Yes, just talking to your man," Burt sat back and turned the TV on.

"Were you threatening him?" Kurt said, annoyed. "Blaine, don't believe a word he says. He doesn't have a gunshot, or a crossbow, or…"

"He wasn't threatening me, sweetie," Blaine chuckled. He stood up. "Do you need any help in the kitchen?"

"Please. I want to take a quick shower, but I need someone to watch Rachel for me," he said, rolling his eyes. "She tried to throw away the duck twice already."

"I'm on it," Blaine kissed his boyfriend's cheek before turning back to his father. "Thank you, Mr. Hummel."

"No problem, kid," Burt nodded. "And it's Burt, by the way."

Blaine's smile got even brighter and then he left. Burt turned to his son to find him staring right back at him with his arms crossed over his chest.

"What?"

Kurt took the seat Blaine had just left and put a hand on his father's knee. "Dad, he's really great. I know you may not think that now, but…"

"Believe me, Kurt, I don't think that about him. I don't care what you guys do as a couple as long as you love each other and as long as you take care of each other, okay?" Burt said, his eyes fixed on his son's.

Kurt smiled and hugged him tight. "I missed you so much, dad."

"I missed you more, kiddo," Burt kissed his chestnut hair.

Kurt paused for a moment before adding something else, in just a whisper. "You know, it means a lot to Blaine when you take a few minutes and talk to him. He was so excited about the game yesterday, he was like a five year old going to the candy store."

"His parents didn't call him for Christmas?" Burt asked quietly.

Kurt sighed sadly. "No. He hasn't heard anything from them since he got here."

Burt didn't say anything. Kurt stayed with him for a few more minutes before heading to the bathroom.

Back in the kitchen, Blaine didn't have a thing to worry about because Rachel was too busy hugging Finn to try and ruin Kurt's Christmas lunch.

Once the food was in the oven and all they had left to do was wait, they all got together in the living room to open the Christmas presents. Burt, Carole and Finn were squeezed together on the couch, Rachel was sitting on her boyfriend's legs, and Kurt and Blaine were on the floor, Blaine pressed against Kurt's chest and the atmosphere around them was nothing but warm, affectionate and joyful. They were a big happy family and Blaine couldn't stop smiling.

Kurt received a gift card from Finn (they'd had too many fiascos regarding presents in the past), a new pair of Marc Jacobs boots from his dad and Carole and a Broadway photography book from Rachel. Blaine took the opportunity to give Kurt his present when everyone else was distracted exchanging theirs.

"Uhm, okay," he mumbled, insecure. It was adorable, Kurt noticed. "Compared to yours, this is pretty silly."

"I'm sure it's not," Kurt said sweetly, brushing Blaine's cheekbone with his thumb.

Biting his lip, Blaine took a white envelope out of his jeans pocket and gave it to Kurt. Kurt, curiously, opened it and looked at the card inside.

"Blaine… this is a day spa," he muttered.

"Yes. I told you it was silly," Blaine actually looked sad. "I thought about how stressed you've been lately, with work and school and I though how you'd taken care of me even though you were busy. And I thought it could be good for you. It's on that place on the fifth avenue that's always in your magazines. You can have all the skin care treatments you want and massages and stuff." He frowned, thoughtful. "You don't have to use it if you don't like it. I'll take you out tomorrow and I'll buy whatever you want. Maybe a new coat or…"

"Blaine, stop talking," Kurt grabbed his boyfriend's chin between two fingers and moved him until their faces were very, very close. "This is wonderful."

"Seriously?" Blaine's eyes opened wide and a little smile grew on his lips.

"It's perfect, really," Kurt kissed him and for a second he wished his family and Rachel would disappear so he could drag his beautiful boy back to bed. He moved his mouth right next to his ear. "Maybe when I'm done with my spa day we can have a date and I'll give you some massages and rub some lotion on you, too."

Blaine growled deep in his throat, but luckily no one heard him. Kurt was now looking at him with shiny, playful blue eyes. "Deal." In need of a distraction before his body started reacting to Kurt's words, he grabbed a little, square, flat green box from under the tree. "I'm even more embarrassed about this one."

Kurt rolled his eyes and untied the ribbon on top of it. When he opened the box, he found a disc with Blaine's handwriting of it and it said Merry Christmas, Kurt. I love you, B. "What is this? Can I play it?"

"Oh, God, no. Not in front of everyone," Blaine begged. "I recorded myself singing, which sounds so much more stupid when you say it out loud than when I came up with the idea."

"It's not stupid! Stop knocking your own presents!" Kurt exclaimed. "What did you sing?"

"Just some songs that make me think of you," Blaine brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen on to Kurt's forehead. "They're all beautiful, just like you."

"Cheesy!" Finn groaned from the couch, only to be smacked in the head by Carole and Rachel at the same time. "Hey!"

"He's right, I'm so cheesy," Blaine blushed, but laughed as he sat back against Kurt's chest one more time. Kurt wrapped his arms around him, keeping him close and burying his nose on the dark curls on top of his head, taking in his scent.

"I love that you're cheesy," Kurt whispered.

"That's cheesy, too, dude," Finn commented before being smacked once again by the two women next to him. "Ouch! Stop!"

They finished opening the rest of the presents before Kurt sighed and rubbed Blaine's back before pushing him away gently. "I need to go check on the food, I think it might be ready now."

"I'll help you, honey," Carole said, standing up with Kurt and the two of them disappeared into the kitchen.

Blaine started picking up the presents and tidying up a bit. Rachel and Finn went to set the table and Burt stayed behind and helped Blaine a bit, though the boy insisted he could just relax and watch more TV or wait until lunch was ready.

"Stop trying to impress me, kid," Burt teased with a smile and patted Blaine's back.

The kitchen table was too small for all of them, but they squeezed together. When Blaine got there after finishing in the living room, followed by Burt, who took a seat between Carole and Finn, he stopped at the door and watched as Kurt put the duck down on the center of the table, while Rachel asked for someone to pass the salad. It was loud and crowded, but they were all smiling and it suddenly hit him. It suddenly hit Blaine what Kurt had been talking about that morning when he gave him his ring. He understood what his boyfriend had said about belonging somewhere, and when Kurt extended his hand to take his and guide him to his seat, when their fingers touched, when he saw Rachel smiling at him from the corner of his eye, when Kurt put his hand on his knee under the table and sat closer, when he saw this beautiful family, the family he was being welcomed to, gathered around him, he just knew. This, here and now was the place he had been looking for his entire life.

Without knowing if he wanted to laugh or cry in joy, Blaine started eating, while moving his hand down his leg to meet Kurt's and let their fingers intertwine. Kurt rubbed his thumb up and down a few times, almost soothingly, as they both were saturated in the warm feeling of being home, right where they belonged.