Tuesday, December 24

Cold fingers numb from the cold gripped a cellphone. It vibrated two, three times.

"Hey, dad. Yeah, I'm out here. Blue coat. I see you. I'm over here."

The phone was slipped into a coat pocket. Hands rubbed together at an attempt to keep warm before they gripped the straps of a duffle bag.

His dad's hug was warm and very much needed. "I missed you so much, kid."

Red nose, raw from the bitter cold dug into a warm shoulder as the words, "I missed you too," were whispered into a wool coat.

Wednesday, December 25

It had been a little over a week since Kurt had broken up with Blaine. They hadn't spoken at all and Kurt was an absolute mess. He had seen Blaine a handful of times around the school but there had been zero eye contact shared between the two. Neither of them had tried to contact each other and Kurt assumed it was for the best. Cutting Blaine off completely would be best. Friendship was most definitely not an option and thinking about never speaking to Blaine again was almost too much for Kurt to bear. There were nights where he had cried himself to sleep only to dream about Blaine, startle awake and cry some more. He hated Blaine for sneaking into his classroom. Even more, Kurt hated himself for approaching Blaine in the green house that afternoon and letting any of this happen.

"Kurt! He-llo! The water is boiling over!"

Kurt jumped, startled out of his thoughts as he quickly turned off the stove and turned to look across the kitchen at his father who was staring at him, eyebrows drawn together. "The hell is the matter with you?" he asked, though his tone wasn't accusing, just concerned.

"Sorry. I just—It's been a long week," Kurt sighed, turning his attention back to the stove. He wasn't even sure what he had started boiling the water for in the first place. He took a step away from stove and turned to walk out of the kitchen. "I need some fresh air," he said over his shoulder before disappearing around the corner. He grabbed his coat on his way out.

Stepping out onto the front porch, Kurt wrapped his arms around himself taking a step off of the porch and sitting down.

He wondered what Blaine was doing now. Probably helping his dad set the table for dinner. Or wrapping presents. Or keeping his adorable sisters out of the kitchen.

Kurt sighed, brining his knees up to his chest. "I'm sorry," he muttered. Just as the words left his mouth a pair of headlights turned around the street corner and pulled up to his house. Kurt blinked in the direction of the car, squinting against the lights until they turned off. He watched the doors open and out stepped Rachel's dads followed by their daughter. Kurt put on a smile that felt stale and forced. He gave his hello's and hugs and kisses hoping his sour mood wasn't too obvious. Soon Rachel's dads went inside leaving their daughter and Kurt behind. And of course, Rachel wasted no time in prying.

"OK, what's wrong?" she asked.

Kurt said nothing. Instead, he took a seat on the step once more. Rachel followed suit.

"You're not very good at this whole 'I'm fine, really' thing. Now, spill. What's going on?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," Kurt muttered, turning his face away. He could already feel the tears threatening to spill over his cheeks.

Rachel sighed, scooting closer to Kurt until her thigh was pressed against his. It was surprisingly comforting. "Please, Kurt."

Minutes stretched out between them. Every now and then bursts of laughter came from inside the house. The wind blew through the trees, rustling the few leaves that were left on the branches.

"It's Blaine," Kurt finally whispered, voice breaking at the end.

"Is—Is he OK? Did something happen to him?" Rachel asked.

"He's fine," Kurt assured her. "He's alright. I just—We're not talking anymore. We—I broke up with him."

"What?" Rachel nearly shrieked and Kurt almost jumped five feet off the ground. He turned to look back at the door, hoping no body heard. "Oh my god, Rachel, shut up!" he hissed.

"What the hell, Kurt, why?!" Rachel said leaning back to stare at him.

Kurt bit his lip, looking away. Because some idiot student of mine convinced me I wasn't good enough for him.

"Because..." Kurt began slowly.

"Because what? Really, Kurt? How could you do this to Blaine? He's such a sweet—"

"Because I'm not good enough for him, OK?!" Kurt nearly shouted.

Rachel froze, eyes on Kurt. She stared at him silently before bursting out again. "Are you kidding me? After everything you went through, that's your excuse for dumping him?"

Dumping. God, when she put it like that it made him sound like a—

"Because you think you're not good enough for him? Who the hell am I talking to right now, because it sure as hell isn't the Kurt Hummel I grew up with." Rachel grabbed at his shoulders and turned him to face her. "You are the most confident person I know. You always have been. Are you really going to sit here and tell me that you're not good enough for him?" She paused for a moment, eyes softening as she tilted her head a bit. "Kurt," she said softly. "You and I both know none of that is true."

"But it is," Kurt said quietly. "All I'm going to do is hold him back. I've...I've lived my life. He doesn't need me keeping him from—"

"You're only thirty-two, Kurt. And who cares if you're a little bit older than him. Who cares? Do you love him?"

"Well, I—"

"Do you. Love him?"

"I think so. Yeah..." Kurt said quietly.

"Then why are you letting him go? And don't give me that 'I'm letting him go because I love him' nonsense. This isn't some cheesy dramatic romance movie. This is real life and you make your own rules. The only thing you're doing is hurting him and yourself. Kurt, listen to me..." Rachel released her grip on his shoulders and took his hands in hers. "I've never seen you like this over any guy. Ever. You took a risk to be with him. And I've seen the way you look at him." She gave him a knowing little smile and Kurt looked away, embarrassed. Rachel lowered her head a bit, catching his gaze and bringing it back up to meet hers. "Don't let him go."

Kurt sighed, looking down at their joined hands.

"If you go through with this, you're going to regret it. I can promise you that much. He's too good of a guy to let go. You're only going to live once."

When Kurt looked up, he found Rachel smiling at him. "I spent too much time focusing on all the petty things with Finn. And I lost him way too early. There isn't a single day that goes by that I don't think about him and everything we could have been. I knew he was the one from the moment I met him. And...I'm not saying that what happened to Finn is going to happen to Blaine—"

Kurt's heart clenched at the thought. He almost felt sick at the very idea of losing Blaine like that.

"—But I'm just saying that...life is giving you a chance to be happy. And you have to take it, Kurt. You only get one chance."

Kurt inhaled slowly. He could smell the cold air mixed with peppermint and a hint of turkey from inside the house. "I love you, Rachel," he choked out, eyes brimming with tears.

"I love you, too," she responded immediately, releasing his hands and throwing her arms around his shoulder to pull him into a tight, sure hug. "At the end of the day, this is your choice," she whispered into his shoulder. "Whatever you choose, Kurt, make sure it's what you think is right."

Kurt hugged Rachel a little tighter before whispering, "Thank you."

When Kurt entered the house and pulled off his coat, he felt a little lighter. Beside him, as Rachel pulled off her own coat and scarf, she smiled at him and winked.

When Burt stepped out of the kitchen, his eyes immediately fell on Kurt. He raised his eyebrows expectantly and Kurt offered him a smile. "I'm fine, dad," he assured him. "I'll explain everything later."

"So are we doing this, or what?" Rachel chirped as she practically skipped past Burt to join her dads at the piano. "It is tradition after all, isn't it?" She stood beside the piano holding her hand out to Kurt.

Kurt smiled, taking his dad's arm with a reassuring smile and pulling him into the living room to join the Berrys in their annual Christmas song.

Talking to his father later that night felt a lot like coming out all over again. There was the expected reaction of confusion. There were so many questions, 'Wait, how old is he?' and 'So, he's not a student?' and 'You do realize that this whole, um, situation is going to make your relationship ten times harder.' But in the end, there had been acceptance. His father had agreed that the heart wants what the heart wants. And, 'A fifteen year age difference isn't that bad right?' Kurt had responded through a tearful laugh before throwing his arms around his dad and hugging him tightly.

It went without saying that Kurt planned on asking Blaine to be his boyfriend again. And of course, Rachel being the romantic sap she was suggested an over-the-top proposal. And she called it just that, a proposal which made Kurt's stomach do a few little somersaults.

"Let's not call it a proposal, I don't think I'm ready to even think about that yet..."

Rachel giggled, giddy and excited. "Okay, fine," she agreed. "Then how about we call it...Operation: Get Blaine Back."

"I guess that's a little better," Kurt agreed as he sat down on the edge of her bed watching as Rachel pulled out a chart she made herself. Kurt's eyebrows jumped. "I'm impressed," he mumbled. "I've taught you well."

Rachel smiled and fluttered her eyelashes, "I only learn from the best."

o-o-o-o-o

In the end they decided on this: A flash mob. Kurt was reluctant at first but decided, what the hell. Go big or go home, right?

Rachel was able to get a hold of everyone from Glee club at McKinley and Kurt asked his kids from West Side Story to participate. Shockingly, they weren't surprised. Especially Santana. She mentioned seeing them making out in one of the classrooms (Kurt knew that had been a stupid idea...) and commented that it was "totally wanky" and "kinda hot, really." Kurt chose to ignore the comments.

They rehearsed in the school's auditorium when they knew Blaine wasn't around and met up at Kurt's house when it was after school hours. It was a little difficult fitting everyone in the living room and even harder dancing around without breaking anything. Miraculously, they pulled it off and once Rachel was confident they were ready that final night of rehearsal, everyone went home, each person patting Kurt on the back and verbalizing their support. Kurt would have been lying if he said he didn't get at least a teeny bit emotional.

The day after Blaine's birthday had been a Monday so the flash mob was scheduled for the evening at a local shopping center. It was fairly small, but provided enough room. Rachel had talked to the owners of the establishment and somehow charmed her way into convincing them to let them have the flash mob. Kurt wasn't sure how she managed but he was grateful that she pulled it off.

Rachel was the one that got Blaine to the little plaza. She had texted him earlier that day to ask him to join her on a shopping spree.

Kurt was sitting at a nearby table when he heard Rachel speak up. "Oh my god Kurt!" she squealed, a little too excited. "Fancy seeing you here."

Kurt looked up from his phone. He looked at Rachel first then at Blaine. The moment their eyes met, he felt his heart go a little weak. Blaine offered him a hesitant smile. "Hey," he said finally with a small smile as he stood and pocketed his phone.

"Blaine," Rachel said, "Kurt has something he would like to tell you." Then she pointed at one of the balconies near by. Moments later, the speakers in the plaza crackled to life and the beginning notes of Whitney Houston's 'So Emotional' began to play.

Rachel ran up to stand beside Kurt and soon, all around him, everyone else joined. "I dunno why I like it," he said with a smile, then shrugged and laughed, "I just do."

Everyone around him began to dance in unison as he sang, "I've been hearing your heartbeat inside of me. I keep your photograph beside my bed. Livin' in a world of fantasy, I just can't get you out of my head."

Then Rachel joined in, clinging on to Kurt's arm. "He's been waiting for the phone to ring all night. Why you wanna make him feel so good." She winked and Kurt could have sworn he saw Blaine blush when he laughed at that.

"I've got a love of my own baby I shouldn't get so hung up on you." He walked up to Blaine, stopping inches away. "I remember the way that we touched I wish I didn't like it so much." He threw his head back on the last note then ran back to join the group in their dance at the chorus.

"I get so emotional baby. Every time I think of you. I get so emotional baby. Ain't it shocking what love can do?"

Rachel ran up to Blaine, pinching his cheeks as she sang. "Ain't it shocking what love can do?"

"I gotta watch you walk in the room baby, I gotta watch you walk out." As he sang, Kurt couldn't help but think of all those times he would stare at Blaine on the school campus, wishing he could just take him and kiss him in front of everyone. "I like the animal way you move, and when you talk I just watch your mouth." He smiled.

"Oh, I remember the way that we touch. I wish I didn't like it so much!"

They sang all the way through the end and as they repeated the chorus at the end, Rachel skipped towards Blaine, dragging him into the group and demanding he dance with them. When he finally gave in, the crowd that had gathered to watch cheered.

And with the final note of the song, Kurt dipped Blaine and kissed him.

He felt dizzy. And when he pulled away, he was a little terrified. Time seemed to stop for what seemed like several long minutes. But the applause bursting around them brought Kurt back to reality. He looked around to see people cheering. Rachel jumping up and down as she clapped, Sam giving them a huge grin and thumbs up, Santana make a...crude gesture.

Kurt looked back at Blaine when the crowd that had gathered began to break apart. "I'm sorry it took so long to—"

Blaine stopped him with a kiss that lingered for a few seconds. When he pulled back Kurt giggled. Blaine smiled and said, "I just wanted to make sure this was real."

Kurt smiled sadly, he felt his stomach drop at the thought of the pain he had caused Blaine. "I'm sorry for ever breaking up with you and breaking your heart. And ever doubting that this could work between us. I...never stopped loving you or caring about you." He took Blaine's hand in his. "I thought that letting you go would be for the better for both of us. But...honestly, I just think I was afraid of being honest with myself and taking a chance. I was selfish and...I'm sorry, Blaine."

"I'm not going to say it's alright because...it's not..."

Kurt looked down. His heart sank at those words and his grip on Blaine's hands weakened as he tried to let go, but Blaine didn't let him.

"But I forgive you," Blaine told him.

Kurt looked back up at him. "You don't have to give me an answer right now but...Can we start over? No more hiding, no more lies. I'll resign from my job if I have to. I can find something else."

Blaine stared back at him, eyes wide and glassy. He smiled and nodded. "Yeah," he finally said, eyes watering. Kurt immediately reached up to touch his cheek. "Hey, no crying," he muttered with a soft laugh.

Blaine laughed hugged him tight.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Epilogue

July 12, 2014

It had been five months since Kurt and Blaine officially came clean to their family and friends. A few days after the flash mob, Kurt had marched into Head Master Newton's office to give him a letter of resignation. When asked for the reason, Kurt had been honest and told him it was because of his relationship with Blaine. There had been laughter from the older man before he explained to Kurt that a relationship between two members of the faculty was not against the rules. Kurt had paused, eyes wide when he realized that, oh right, Blaine technically wasn't a student.

A few months later, though, Kurt had resigned for a completely different reason. He had been offered his job at NYU back, but this time with much higher pay and more benefits. He had accepted.

A month later, Blaine had been accepted into NYADA. He too, had accepted the invitation. With the help of financial aid and scholarships, Blaine had been given a full ride to the school.

Kurt sold the cottage and Blaine's dad sold their house and they moved into the city. Kurt had entertained the thought of living in a little shoebox apartment with Blaine. The idea made his heart stutter and his stomach twist happily, but it wasn't in the cards, at least not any time soon. Blaine's family needed him more than Kurt needed him.

However...

A knock at the front door.

"Are you ready?"

"Almost!" Lotion bottles, hairspray and toothpaste clattered to the ground. "Shit." He picked them up and shoved them back into the medicine cabinet before slamming it shut. He ran out into the living room and yanked the door open to find Blaine, looking adorable and perfect as ever with his little polka dot bowtie.

"I called you to let you know I was on my way," Blaine sighed.

"Yeah, well that doesn't really help when you live right next door," Kurt said as he shut the door behind him and Blaine grinned playfully. Kurt couldn't help himself as his eyes swept down Blaine's body and back up to his smiling face. "You look really nice," Kurt said. "And that shirt," he took a step forward, "You know it's my favorite, right?"

Blaine laughed quietly when Kurt grabbed his waist and tugged at the shirt a little. "I know," Blaine muttered. "That's why I wore it."

Kurt could never get enough at how perfectly the sleeves of this particular shirt hugged his arms and tiny waist. He nuzzled into the curve of Blaine's neck listening to that sweet little laugh. "We're gonna be late to the show, Kurt..."

"We'll be fine," Kurt muttered as he dragged Blaine into his apartment and shut the door so he could push Blaine against it. "You can't just show up at my door like this and expect me to do nothing about it."

Blaine was the first to initiate a kiss, all teeth and tongue and desperation. Kurt reached up, breathing in deep through his nose as he took Blaine's face between his hands. He licked across Blaine's lips and then slowly into his mouth, earning these delicious little sounds in return.

When they pulled apart, Kurt opened his eyes to find Blaine staring up at him, pupils blown. He leaned down to kiss Blaine again, licking and biting at his mouth. "I can't wait to get you into my bed," Kurt dared to say. Blaine groaned at that, pulling Kurt close.

"Right now," Blaine said suddenly to which Kurt pulled away to look down at him again.

"What?" he asked slowly, unsure of what Blaine meant.

"Let's...right now. We can watch the show another day I—Please, Kurt. I want...everything with you."

Kurt's breath caught in his throat at those words. He was pretty sure he stopped breathing momentarily. "Are you...Blaine, are you—"

"Yes," Blaine interrupted, practically clinging to him.

"O-Okay," Kurt muttered. "Alright."

That night, they didn't go all the way.

But it was still as amazing as Kurt would have hoped for. He had peeled off Blaine's clothes slowly, piece by piece. He had kissed every inch of skin that was revealed. He had worshiped Blaine's body and kissed his mouth countless times.

When Blaine finally touched him, Kurt fell apart. He almost cried. He reminded Blaine how much he loved him verbally and physically. He promised to never hurt him again and to always love him, no matter what. Because despite what society might have thrown at them in the future, they would take it with pride and confidence. They would laugh in the faces of those who ridiculed and scoffed at them.

Because Kurt and Blaine were soul mates. And soul mates never let anything stand between them.