"Are you sure it's okay that I'm here?" Blaine asked, stepping out of the car behind Kurt.

"Of course," Kurt answered quickly, following Burt, Carole, and Finn to the restaurant.

"Kurt," Blaine started, placing a hand on Kurt's arm to stop him. Kurt turned to the other boy, eyes bemused. "What?" Blaine asked quietly.

"You're nervous," Kurt observed. "It's new."

"I just don't want to impose," Blaine revealed, looking earnest. Kurt could not help smiling.

"You're not." Blaine looked unconvinced by Kurt's words. Kurt leaned close, tugging on the edges of Blaine's cardigan. "You're not," Kurt repeated before ushering the other boy through the door.

...

Burt and Carole sat in a booth a little away from the teenagers, finishing their dinner. Carole looked over at the group fondly, carefree laughter filling the entire restaurant. She smiled as Kurt's laugh rang out above the rest. Burt gave her a look, sliding his silverware onto the now empty plate.

"He seems happy," Carole answered his silent question. Burt spared a glance sideways at the raucous group.

"I can't remember the last time I saw him like that," Burt revealed sadly. He watched Rachel and Mercedes talking over each other as Kurt sat smiling between them, trying to interject and keep the peace. Brittany kept popping up from the booth behind Kurt and hugging him awkwardly around the neck.

Blaine sat on the other side of the booth, talking to Sam and Puck over the partition. Puck raised his hand and Blaine jumped a little to high-five him. The boys laughed, Finn patting Blaine on the back. The other teenagers were happily conversing and laughing.

"I'm surprised you let Blaine come." Burt turned back to see Carole scrutinizing him. He shrugged.

"Didn't see any sense in him being at school all by himself," Burt said easily.

"I wonder why he was staying," Carole mused, frowning. Burt held her gaze, his own mind mulling over the possible reasons as well-none of them were pleasant. Carole shook her head, trying to dispel her worry. Burt reached across the table and Carole took his hand easily.

"It's been only me and Kurt for too long. No one should be alone for the holidays."

"It'll be good, our first holiday together," Carole added, lips hinting at a smile. Burt squeezed her hand. "What do you say we try the chocolate mousse?" Carole suggested mischievously.

"Kurt's going to have my head if he finds out," Burt answered, though he was grinning too.

"You've been good lately. I'll smooth it over with him," Carole said with a wink. Burt's hand shot up, gesturing for the waiter as Carole laughed.

...

"Mom?" Finn said as he approached the adults just as their waiter was clearing away their dishes.

"You guys done?" Carole asked, glancing over at the group. Burt also looked, noticing Mike and Blaine standing together collecting various bills.

"Yeah."

"You have enough for dinner?" Carole asked quietly, already reaching for her purse.

"No, I mean yes," Finn fumbled, looking embarrassed. He glanced back at the other tables.

"You okay?" Burt asked, his attention drawn back to the tall teenager.

"Yeah," Finn breathed out, taking another glance back. Burt followed his gaze. Kurt was sitting quietly, looking nervous and intently listening to Mercedes. When Rachel leaned close to say something, Kurt flushed and chuckled. Finn sighed.

"You sure?" Carole inquired further. Finn met her gaze, his expression losing some of its tension.

"Yeah. It's just Blaine offered to pay for Kurt and me. He wouldn't take 'no' for an answer." Carole and Burt shared a smile at Finn's unease, and the woman reached a hand out to squeeze her son's arm.

"It's okay. That was nice of him." Finn seemed reassured by Carole's words, and he let out another sigh, nodding quickly.

"You boys got a ride?" Burt asked.

"Yeah. Mike and Tina."

"Be home by 11," Carole added. Finn nodded again, and turned to go.

"Finn?" Burt spoke up, his tone serious and voice low. Finn looked back at the man curiously. "Make sure someone's with Kurt and Blaine at all times, okay?" The two men stared at each other for a long moment.

"Already taken care of," Finn replied seriously.

Burt nodded his thanks, before saying, "Have fun."

...

"So, you going to ask my 'boo' out anytime soon?" Mercedes asked quietly, looping her arm through Blaine's as the teenagers headed down the street to the next house.

Brittany had just dragged Kurt to the front of the group, leaving Blaine to trail behind. Blaine looked at Mercedes, suspecting she had arranged some time alone with him.

"You like him, don't you?" Mercedes pressed when he did not reply.

"Of course," he answered easily, sparing a nervous glance at the rowdy group in front of them. "But it's not-," Blaine trailed off as he watched Kurt deftly dodge Puck, who seemed to be trying to get at the boy's hair. Mercedes chuckled quietly.

"Thank you," Mercedes' tone turned serious a moment later, "for helping him when we couldn't." Blaine looked back at her, saw her sadness and regret in the way her mouth turned down and her eyes looked longingly at her friend.

"He misses you," Blaine offered, not sure how to comfort the young woman. He knew Kurt had been upset with his friends when he first came to Dalton, but Kurt had already forgiven them; Blaine just didn't feel it was his place to say too much or try to repair those relationships.

Mercedes gave him a bracing smile as the group turned up a sidewalk to a small two-story home bathed in Christmas lights. She held him back, her arm tightening around his.

"You're important to him," Mercedes said seriously. Blaine watched as Tina rang the doorbell and the group promptly began singing Silent Night. Kurt stood in the middle, Brittany still holding his hand and Rachel's wrapped around his other arm. Blaine could just make out his distinct voice.

"He's important to me too," Blaine revealed, not tearing his eyes away from the sight before him.

"Good," Mercedes said, her usual tone returning. Blaine glanced at her then, seeing a hint of a smile on her lips. "Just don't wait too long."

Blaine hesitated before responding; he had never denied his attraction to Kurt, but he still felt like he could not take that step, and he didn't know if he'd ever be ready to take that step. He was both frustrated and scared by that, but he let the thought go before it festered. He let out a breath and tried to return the girl's smile.

"I'll try not to."

...

A series of loud crashes had Kurt flying out the kitchen, through the front door, and onto the lawn, turning to scan the front of the house. Of all the things his mind conjured up, the sight before him was not one of them.

"What the hell happened?" he cried out, hurrying over to the ladder that was not leaning against the house, but was actually hanging tangled among several strings of lights. Blaine was sitting precariously on the roof, equally tangled in the string of lights. One hand tugged at the various light strands while the other had a vice-like grip on Finn's ankle. And Finn? He was lying on the roof, not in imminent danger of sliding off but his upper body was hanging over the eaves.

Neither boy said anything, and Finn waved feebly from his upside-down position. Blaine's expression was a cross between embarrassed and panicked, and Kurt realized that the other boy's tugging on the lights was an effort to avoid strangulation as the ladder weighed down the strands.

"Blaine!" Kurt rushed to act; he carefully righted the ladder, climbed up a few rungs, and attempted to loosen the wires.

"I'm fine," Blaine said, though he was visibly relieved his life was no longer in danger. Finn scooted back slowly until he was lying fully on the roof.

"Hey, Kurt," Finn greeted tentatively. Kurt shot him a glare.

"How did this happen?" Kurt stepped higher on the ladder as he spoke, continuing to untangle the lights.

"We were doing fine until the ladder fell," Finn said. Kurt handed the now loosened strands to the other boy, who rolled onto his back and held the lights dutifully as Blaine loosened the ones around himself.

"Why are you on the roof?" Kurt asked. Now that neither boy was in danger, Kurt could not stifle his smirk as he took in his gangly step-brother, lying casually on the roof as if it were his bed, and his friend, who was looking confused and flustered by the lights still wound around his torso.

"How else are we supposed to put the lights up?" Finn inquired. Kurt rolled his eyes at the boy, but otherwise remained silent as Blaine finished untangling himself. With an equally embarrassed and relieved smile aimed at Kurt, Blaine handed the lights to Finn and scooted closer to the ladder.

"Come down and I'll show you," Kurt said, coloring his tone with annoyance despite the smirk still on his lips. The boys descended the ladder one at a time. Kurt retrieved the looped strands from Finn and climbed halfway up the ladder. He reached over a bit and set the strand on a hook tucked under the edge of the roof. He proceeded to hang the lights on two more hooks before letting the lights hang gently to the ground and stepping back down.

He looked back at Finn, his jaw slack as he stared up at the roof. He glanced at Kurt after a beat, scowling at Kurt's smug expression.

"Well, why didn't you show me that before?" Finn whined.

"I showed you where the hooks were," Kurt countered. "Why did you think hanging over the roof was a good idea?

"I don't know. I've never put up Christmas lights before," he pouted when Kurt shook his head in disbelief, smirk still firmly in place. Kurt took pity on his step-brother.

"I'll ask Dad to finish it up tomorrow."

"No, I'll do it," Finn said defiantly, clamoring up the ladder.

"Finn," Kurt started, suddenly distressed that Finn sounded upset.

"I said I'd do it, and I want to do it," Finn cut him off. He looked down at Kurt and continued, his tone softer, "I want to help with Christmas." Finn's lips quirked up in a brief smile, and Kurt relented.

"Fine. But please be careful."

Blaine shuffled closer as Kurt watched his step-brother.

"I told him we didn't have to get on the roof, but he insisted," Blaine said quietly. "I didn't want to be rude," he added ruefully. Kurt turned to the other boy with a bemused smile.

"You okay?" Kurt asked kindly.

"Yeah. I can still help Finn, if you'd like."

"Please. I don't think I could handle a trip to the emergency room this holiday," Kurt tried to quip, but Blaine saw the sadness that ghosted across the other boy's expression.

"I can see the headline now: 'Christmas Bulbs Turn Lethal,'" Blaine joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Attack of the Lunatic Lights." Kurt failed to stifle his laugh when Blaine grabbed the end of the light strand and pretended to fend it off.

"You're ridiculous," he said, shaking his head. Blaine's only response was to smile widely at the other boy and step back to help Finn, who had descended the ladder again and was moving it along the wall. Kurt watched the two boys working and laughing together for another few moments before he headed back into the house.

...

Carole walked into the house unnoticed, hearing music and laughter filling the house. She slipped off her shoes and dropped her purse, quickly making her way to the family room, where the noise emanated from. When she turned the corner, she immediately stopped. Several boxes stood open and half unpacked, tinsel lay piled on the couch, and several rolls of wrapping paper lay on the floor by Burt's armchair. The blanket and pillow Blaine had been using were neatly stacked by the couch. A bowl with the remnants of chips sat on the coffee table, along with a pitcher of what appeared to be egg nog and several half-filled glasses. Lively pop music filled the room. What startled and pleased Carole the most was that Finn, Kurt, and Blaine were singing and dancing around a tall tree, placing ornaments haphazardly on the branches.

Suddenly, Blaine stumbled and bumped the tree. Finn attempted to right it before the tree fell only to send it leaning the other direction, and Kurt grabbed it from the other side and righted it. Carole stifled her laughter with a hand over her mouth when Kurt set his hands on his hips and glared at the other two boys, who looked thoroughly chagrined. But a mischievous look between Blaine and Finn a moment later had all three bursting into laughter.

"Hey," Burt said softly, as he rounded the couch and came into view. Carole grinned adoringly at him and stepped into the room.

"Oh, Carole," Kurt exclaimed, just realizing she was there. "What do you think?" Carole looked over the tree, and the smiling faces of the three boys, before answering.

"It's perfect," she said, beaming. Kurt's smile widened as he hurried over to her, pressing his lips lightly to her cheek. He moved just as quickly back to the tree and the three resumed their decorating endeavors.

Burt reached out and tugged her to the couch, where they plopped down. Burt shoved the tinsel closer to one side, making more room. He set the bowl of popcorn he had been holding on the table and leaned back, bringing an arm around Carole and kissing her temple.

"How was your shift?"

"Long, but good," Carole answered, leaning comfortably against Burt's side. "What have you been up to?"

"Took two hours to pick out the 'perfect' tree," Burt replied, waving vaguely in the direction of the tree. "I swear, it's like they've been brothers forever, the way Finn and Kurt argue sometimes." Carole watched the boys fondly, chuckling as the chorus of another song had them singing along rather loudly.

"You sure that's nonalcoholic?" Carole joked, indicating the pitcher of egg nog. Burt laughed and tightened his arm around the woman. They sat in amused silence for several long moments, watching the teenagers.

"You hungry? Kurt made some new dish with fish and rice." Carole looked at Burt then, his expression giving away nothing. She smirked, already knowing what he did not say. Finally, he relented with his own smirk, saying, "It was pretty good."

Carole chuckled and turned back to the scene before her and watched as Kurt showed Blaine an ornament, leaning close and speaking quietly. Carole could not hear the words over the music, but Blaine offered a smile and rested a hand on Kurt's arm. Kurt smiled sadly. Blaine leaned back in and Kurt was laughing a moment later. Finn danced around from his side of the tree and just like that, the other two boys were back to singing and dancing.

"Food?" Burt prompted again. Carole rested her hand on Burt's knee and sighed contentedly.

"In a bit," she said quietly, wanting to enjoy the happiness filling the room. Burt kissed her temple again, and settled further into the couch, no more words needed for him to understand.

...

"Dude, you should totally put the star on top," Finn teased as he pulled out the star from the box he was holding and proffered it to the other boy. It was the last ornament to place on the tree.

"Really?" Blaine asked with feigned exasperation, though he took the star with a hint of a smile. "We're at the mocking stage already?"

"I think we have a step stool somewhere," Finn continued, his grin wicked. Blaine pointedly ignored the taller boy and handed Kurt the star, rolling his eyes at the jab.

"Finn!" Kurt chastised despite Blaine's indifference, reaching up to perch the star atop the tree.

"What?" Finn asked innocently.

"I can barely reach it," Kurt supplied.

"Well, you're short too," Finn said with a shrug. Blaine scoffed, amused.

"I've grown four inches since last year," Kurt huffed out indignantly.

"Dude, you're still short," Finn continued to rib. Kurt glared at him, crossing his arms.

"Well, you're abnormal," Kurt countered. Kurt and Finn stared at each other, eyes narrowed.

"Boys, play nice," Blaine interjected, trying to stifle his mirth.

"Whose side are you on?" Kurt asked pointedly. Blaine's expression turned wary and he stepped back, hands up.

"Clearly, he's on mine," Finn answered for Blaine, smirk back in place. Blaine was relieved to be off the hook, and again amused by the other boys' interaction.

Kurt turned back to his step-brother, "Why would he be on your side? You called him short!"

"And you're getting way too worked up about this."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Not."

"Dude, you so are."

"Don't call me 'dude." Kurt glared at Finn, who was smiling ridiculously.

"You best not get between those two," Burt advised, coming up behind Blaine and placing his hands on the young man's shoulders. Blaine tensed under the touch and Burt withdrew his hands quickly, letting them hover so as not to alert the others of the boy's response. Blaine looked back at the man, offering an apologetic and grateful smile. Burt chanced setting his hands back on the boy's shoulders and was pleased when Blaine did not flinch.

Burt cleared his throat loudly, "Kurt, stop taking Finn so seriously. Finn, stop provoking Kurt. I'm borrowing Blaine so he gets some peace and quiet for a few minutes." With that, he steered the young man around the couch and toward the kitchen. Kurt's gaze followed his father, but as soon as he and Blaine were out of sight, Kurt began packing up the now empty boxes.

...

"Tea?" Burt asked gruffly, already pouring hot water into a mug.

"Sure," Blaine answered tentatively. Burt produced another mug from the cabinet behind him, dropping a teabag in and filling it with water. He slid the mug across the small island, along with a small milk carton, a bowl of sugar, and a spoon. They remained silent while Blaine busied himself with scooping some sugar into his tea and stirring. He dipped the teabag into the darkening liquid a few times before setting it on the spoon on the counter. He took a small sip, wincing as the hot tea burnt his tongue. Blaine spared a look at the older man, only to find him staring intently back. Blaine felt the heat on his cheeks and stared down at his mug.

"Don't be nervous, son," Burt said kindly. Blaine looked up again, forcing a smile. "You weren't like this when we first met," Burt commented after a sip of his own tea.

"The uniform helps," Blaine replied wryly. Burt chuckled, and Blaine's expression relaxed. They sipped their tea.

"How's school?"

"Good, sir." Blaine answered quickly.

"How are the-," Burt paused, gesturing to the other room, hearing Kurt and Finn singing.

"The Warblers?" Blaine supplied. Burt nodded. "They're good," Blaine said with a genuine smile, and then added, "Kurt's a great addition. He's fitting in really well."

"How about you?" Blaine's expression faltered at the man's inquiry, but only for a moment.

"Well, this is my second year at Dalton. The Warblers pretty much have to put up with me," Blaine said self-deprecatingly, though he kept his tone light. Burt scrutinized the young man for a moment.

"I meant how are you?" Another flicker in Blaine's expression had Burt sipping his tea to give Blaine a moment to answer. A new song came on in the other room.

"I'm fine." Blaine's answer was too quick, the panic flickering at the edges easily recognized now that Burt had thought back on all the times Kurt had said the exact same thing only a month ago. Burt decided not to press the boy further, not knowing him well enough to gauge his reactions yet.

"You didn't have to pay for the boys' dinner the other night," Burt offered.

"It was the least I could do," Blaine countered politely. Burt set his mug firmly on the counter.

"Blaine, if anything, we owe you. I'm pretty sure it's the least we can do, letting you stay with us." Blaine did not say anything, just looked at the man earnestly. "You were looking out for Kurt when the rest of us weren't."

"Kurt knows you love him," Blaine said kindly. He smiled wanly at Burt.

"Doesn't make me feel any less guilty about the whole thing," Burt muttered. He shook his head quickly, returning his gaze to Blaine. "Anyway, you're welcome here anytime."

"I don't want to be a bother." Burt waved the comment off.

"Kurt likes having you around. Carole likes having you around. You like the Buckeyes, so I got no problem with you," Burt said. "You don't have to earn your keep or pay for our company. You are not an imposition," the older man continued. "Understand?" Blaine visibly swallowed as Burt stared at him.

"Yes, sir," Blaine finally answered. Burt heard the doubt in the boy's tone, disliked that this boy who had been so concerned for Kurt was also so concerned with not wanting to be a burden to others.

"Were you having fun in there?" Burt asked abruptly, waving his hand in the general direction of the family room.

"Yes?" Blaine answered after pulling the mug from his lips, confusion painted across his expression.

"That's your job, right now, at your age. Have fun, be yourself, be happy." Burt smirked before adding, "Within the law, of course."

Blaine managed a small smile at that last comment. "Of course," he agreed.

"Have fun, be yourself, be happy," Burt repeated. "Think you can manage that?"

Blaine took a moment to reply. With a deep breath and a sigh, he said, "I'm trying." Burt figured that was the best answer he was going to get and the two stood in silence for several moments, finishing their tea.

"Is that coffee?" Kurt queried, his eyes narrowed suspiciously as he gripped the doorframe.

"Just tea. And yes, it's decaffeinated," Burt answered dutifully, smirking at his son. Kurt tentatively stepped into the kitchen, coming to a stop next to Blaine. Blaine smiled at the other boy's concerned look, setting his mug back on the island. Burt grabbed the empty mugs and set them in the sink. "Well, I'm heading to bed."

"I'll see you in the morning," Kurt said as his father made for the hall. Burt turned back to the boy and Kurt offered, "I'll make breakfast."

"You're on winter break, sleep in," Burt ordered lightly.

"You don't like breakfast?" Kurt teased.

"Breakfast is fine," Burt bantered back. "Still don't see the point of you getting up early if you don't have too."

"You're the point, Dad," Kurt said as if this should be obvious. Burt stared at his son-Kurt's cheeks flushed from the day's activities, his lips hinting at a smile, and his eyes wide and bright. Kurt had had to grow up too fast over the years, but he hadn't outgrown his father yet, and Burt was grateful of that fact. For a long moment Burt was speechless. Blaine's tentative movement next to Kurt brought the man out of his reverie, and he cleared his throat.

"I'll see you in the morning," Burt conceded. When Kurt's smile grew, Burt offered a wave and resumed his departure.

"Goodnight, Mr. Hummel," Blaine added just before the man disappeared from view.

"Goodnight, boys," Burt said loudly, continuing on his way. The two boys listened to Burt's footfalls on the stairs before they silently made their way back to the family room.

"Everything okay?" Kurt asked as they grabbed the blanket and linens from the floor. "My dad didn't give you a hard time or anything?"

"No," Blaine answered as they draped the sheet across the couch, tucking the edges under and around the cushions. Kurt looked intently at him, trying to discern the other boy's mood. After a moment, Blaine looked up from his task and graced Kurt with a smile. "Your dad is great. So is Carole."

"The best," Kurt agreed, smiling as he unfolded the blanket. "Finn has his moments too."

"Where is he, by the way?" Blaine asked as he retrieved his duffle bag from behind the armchair.

"Probably asleep. I sent him downstairs with the last of the boxes and he hasn't returned."

"Any exciting plans for tomorrow?"

"Baking, shopping, mischief, and mayhem," Kurt answered playfully. "Anything in particular you'd like to do?" Blaine shrugged, dropping his bag on the couch.

"Whatever's fine."

"Why don't we figure it out tomorrow?" Kurt set the pillow on the end of the couch.

"Sounds good."

"You all set?" Kurt asked, indicating the makeshift bed. Blaine nodded. Kurt stepped around the coffee table.

"Kurt?"

"Hmm?" Kurt replied, turning around to find Blaine close behind him.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"The-," Blaine hesitated, taking a deep breath. "For having me here. I've had fun." Kurt smiled fondly at the other boy, stepping back.

"There's still four more days," Kurt teased with a smirk, walking back another step. "Better pace yourself." Blaine chuckled, a smile tugging at his lips. Kurt stopped when he stepped up to the landing, and the two boys looked at each other. Kurt was the first to blink. "Goodnight, Blaine."

With a wide smile of his own, Blaine replied, "Goodnight." Kurt turned and was already out of sight when Blaine whispered his next words, "My prince."