"Kurt," Finn whined, coming up behind the other boy.

"What, Finn?" Kurt asked, equal parts annoyed and amused.

"Are you done yet?" Finn eyed the rack of clothing Kurt was browsing.

"Not even close," Kurt deadpanned, sparing a mischievous grin at Blaine, who was at the next rack. Mercedes laugh rang out from where she stood a few racks away, admiring a stand of earrings.

"Dude, I didn't think you were serious about the midnight shopping."

"I'm always serious about shopping," Kurt said. Finn stood speechless, unmoving until Puck appeared and shoved a cup into the teenager's hand.

Finn muttered, "Thanks," and wandered away, sulking. Kurt merely smirked. Puck tucked his hands into his pockets and casually leaned against a column.

"Why are you here?" Kurt asked.

"Scoping out the security system in this place," Puck offered with a shrug. Kurt rolled his eyes and moved to the next rack of clothing.

Puck looked around the store, spying only a couple other people browsing and the two sales people looking bored behind the check-out counter. The mall was quiet when he had first entered, despite the numerous late-night sales the stores were holding. A few shoppers, laden down with purchases, lingered, but luckily, no random stragglers or potential troublemakers seemed present.

If Finn's text was true, Kurt had been leading the group from store to store since mid afternoon. Mike, Tina, Artie, Brittany, and Santana had met them for dinner in the food court, but had headed out when the majority of the stores closed at 9:00pm. It was now near midnight, and Finn had sent the desperate text to him not long ago.

When his gaze fell back on Kurt, he was admiring a table of scarves, running his fingers along one of them. Mercedes called him over, and with a lingering touch, he headed over to her. They were soon deep in conversation about the jewelry she had selected. Scanning the store again, he found Blaine's gaze following Kurt's movements as he surreptitiously made his way over to the table Kurt had just left. Puck wound his way through the racks.

"What's up?" Puck said when he was close enough, causing Blaine to jump. Puck smirked as Blaine turned, gripping a scarf between his hands. "You suck at sneaking around."

"Thanks," Blaine said with a huff, glancing over Puck's shoulder at Kurt and Mercedes.

"What are you doing anyway?" Puck pulled the scarf from the other boy's grasp. "Never pegged you for a shoplifter."

"That's-," Blaine sputtered, his voice low, "that's not what I was doing. I would never do that." Puck assessed the boy, clearly affronted by the accusation.

"Sorry," Puck muttered and handed the scarf back. Blaine took it, folding it carefully.

"I didn't know what to get Kurt," Blaine revealed after another glance at the other teenagers, still engrossed in their conversation. "Or how to distract him long enough so I could look for something."

"Clearly, you haven't enlisted any assistance."

"Mercedes and Tina tried earlier."

"Okay, the right kind of assistance."

"What do you mean?"

"Watch and learn. And, you know, go purchase." With a sly smile, Puck turned and grabbed a bright orange and yellow striped shirt and a purple pair of corduroy pants. "Hey, Hummel! What do you think of this outfit?"

Mercedes and Kurt looked up from the jewelry stand, and Kurt's expression became mortified as Puck held the garments in front of him.

"No," Kurt said sternly. "Just no."

"But I heard stripes were back in," Puck offered.

"Not in those colors or with those pants," Kurt shot back authoritatively.

"I like these pants," Puck said petulantly. Kurt took the bait and tugged the offending garments from Puck's hands, shaking his head.

"Come on," Kurt said with a sigh. Puck followed Kurt as he scanned the racks, pulling out shirts that more suitably matched the pants. Puck shot a glance at Blaine, gesturing him toward the cashiers. Blaine grinned his thanks and hastened to the counter.

...

"Finally," Finn said as he turned his head toward the group of teenagers exiting the store. He struggled up from his position lying on the hard bench. "Are you done?"

"No way, man. It's only midnight. We've got a whole two hours left," Puck deadpanned. Finn looked horrified. Mercedes and Blaine chuckled, and Kurt placed a hand on his hip, his other hand gripping his shopping bags tightly.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm being mocked?"

"Seriously," Puck enthused, ignoring Kurt's question, "there's an ATM at the west entrance I've been eyeing."

"Really?" Blaine asked, staring warily at the other teenager. Mercedes smacked Puck's arm and Kurt glared at him. Puck shrugged.

"No, not really," Mercedes said, eyeing Puck and holding out her bag until he grabbed it. Smiling, she looped her arms around Kurt and Blaine's. "Let's go boys."

Kurt and Blaine shared a smile over the girl's head and started walking, their shopping bags swinging from their hands. Puck and Finn trailed behind.

"So, we're done?" Finn prodded.

"Yes, Finn, we're done," Kurt said, glancing over his shoulder.

"Yes!"

...

The next couple of days passed in a flurry of baking and cooking, video game playing, singing, and eating. Blaine could honestly say he had never eaten so much good food, laughed so much, or felt more comfortable as when he was in Kurt's home. Carole doted on him, insisting he eat extra helpings as he was still growing and way too skinny. He even managed to help Kurt in the kitchen when the other boy was baking or preparing dinner of feast-like proportions, and was entertained and included when Finn had invited the New Directions boys for an hours-long video gaming session.

Kurt had even taken Blaine to the shop to bring his father lunch, which Kurt had insisted he eat while the boy finished the oil change the man had been working on. Blaine had stood off to the side, hiding his astonishment and amusement over seeing Kurt in coveralls, and easily conversed with the other boy as he disappeared under the car. Blaine surprised Kurt by sliding under the car with him and handing him the new filter before he could ask for it or retrieve it himself.

Wednesday night brought a unique peacefulness over the household, as the family sat watching a movie in the family room. Blaine surreptitiously looked around at the family. Burt was sitting in his armchair, reading a magazine, while Finn slouched on the right side of the couch, his feet propped on the coffee table. Kurt sat next to him, he legs folded under him and a pillow held loosely in his arms. Carole had pulled an overnight shift, and would not be home until early the next morning. Blaine sat at the far left end of the couch, the spot now his regular one after only a couple days.

Blaine looked back at the television, but his thoughts kept his attention more than the action movie currently playing out on screen. Watching Kurt and his family all week, their interactions, whether it was the parents chastising the boys or the family members equally teasing each other, had an ever-present, underlying comfort and affection. They had welcomed Blaine into that comfort and affection with no reservations, only warmth and care and smiles.

Blaine spared a glance sideways at Kurt. The other boy sensed his gaze quickly, and offered a happy, if not slightly curious, smile. Blaine returned it and pressed his arm against the other boy's briefly. He left his arm resting close to Kurt's, enjoying the feel of the other boy's warmth.

Blaine returned his gaze to the movie, still lost in his thoughts. He had witnessed Kurt taking care of his father while sharing his vulnerabilities with the same man. Kurt often argued like a child with Finn, though he was sure to give his step-brother seconds and thirds at dinner before requested. Kurt and Carole shared entire conversations without words, but only with a look or touch.

Whether it was the holidays or time spent with his own family, Blaine had always held a certain dread at this time of year. And this year, though he would never think ill of Kurt, the other boy's entrance into his life had sparked old feelings and memories-the bullying, the loneliness and fear, the beating-all of which Blaine did not want to relive. The end of the semester had sufficiently distracted him, as did the flurry of activity in Kurt's home and the thought of Kurt himself, but he had found himself increasingly preoccupied. Like now, even though he was trying to replay how he and Kurt had practiced his duet again this afternoon, he could not stop the phantom pain that shot through his chest. He pressed his arm close to his abdomen, slowly curling his fingers.

Movement in his periphery pulled Blaine out of his reverie. Flicking his attention around the room, he realized that Finn was pulling the DVD out of the player and Burt was leaning forward in his chair, watching Blaine closely. His gaze traveled further, and he met Kurt's concerned eyes.

"You okay, kid?" Burt asked kindly. Blaine's attention went back to Kurt's father, and he cleared his throat, unclenching his hand.

"Fine, sir." Blaine continued when Burt didn't look convinced, "Just tired, I guess." Blaine's gaze remained steady, not wanting to give anything away. Finn stood awkwardly in front of the television, and Kurt's hand hovered close to Blaine's.

"Well," Burt finally said, "we should probably turn in then."

Finn took his cue and said, "Goodnight," before heading quickly out of the room. The muffled sounds of a video game soon filtered from the teenager's bedroom. Burt stood after a moment, stretching a little. Blaine stood out of habit and Burt chuckled. "Is he like this at school?" Burt asked his son, waving vaguely at Blaine.

"Always," Kurt said as he too stood. Blaine could feel the heat on his cheeks and ducked his head. Burt moved in front of the young man, waiting for Blaine to look up.

"You know I'm only kidding, right? Manners are hardly a fault," Burt said once Blaine had looked up again. Blaine let out a breath, offering a brief smile. "I'm just trying to point out that you don't have to be on your best behavior here. Finn and Kurt never are." Blaine was amused by the man's smirk and Kurt's look of indignation, but it was quickly stifled when Burt placed his hands on Blaine's shoulders. Burt caught the young man's gaze.

"It's been a very festive few days. I think you might have had something to do with that." Blaine noticed the delighted expression that graced Kurt's face, and the way the other boy bounced a little beside him.

"Thank you, sir," Blaine said, his voice strained and his heart beating hard. Burt removed his hands from Blaine's shoulders and shrugged.

"If I don't see you in the morning, good luck at your concert tomorrow night," the man offered. Blaine nodded his thanks, no other words forthcoming. Burt glanced at his son once more before retreating to the hallway.

"Goodnight, Dad," Kurt called softly after him. Burt grabbed the wall as he turned, smiling at the boys before disappearing.

...

"You okay?" Kurt asked when Blaine dropped back onto the couch. Kurt followed, tucking a leg under him and sitting close. He frowned when Blaine laughed.

"You've been asking me that a lot lately."

"Well, you seem distracted a lot lately," Kurt shot back, not unkindly. Blaine looked at Kurt, finding only concern on his expression.

"Kurt, you hardly know me. How do you know I'm distracted?" Blaine asked tiredly. Kurt frowned again, sitting straighter, further away. Blaine reached for Kurt's hand, reached for the familiar comfort, and sighed when Kurt twined their fingers together.

"You're different from when I first met you," Kurt explained slowly. "And because I notice things."

"Like what?" Blaine inquired.

"You don't say what's really on your mind," Kurt answered honestly. Blaine looked away, reinforcing the other boy's words. Kurt squeezed his fingers reassuringly. "I'm very familiar with the concept of deflection, remember?"

"Clearly, I need to work on that skill around you," Blaine replied wryly.

"What my dad said was true," Kurt went on, ignoring Blaine's comment. "You don't have to be perfect; don't have to be what others think you should be. You should just be you."

"What if I don't like being me?" Blaine asked a moment later, his voice quiet and eyes closed. He wrapped his arm around his torso again, fingers clutching at the fabric of his shirt as the pain ghosted across his body. Blaine willed the question and the accompanying memories away, hoped that Kurt failed to catch the insecurity now overpowering his consciousness.

Kurt bit his lip, forcing the tears blurring his vision to disappear. He watched Blaine's tense expression, watched as his body tensed. Kurt felt Blaine's fingers tighten around his. Kurt knew Blaine had also been bullied, had gone through something like he had. Kurt wondered, not for the first time, what exactly Blaine had experienced that made him bury his pain so deeply and build walls so high even Kurt's were dwarfed in comparison.

Kurt's equally quiet, "I'm sorry," had Blaine's eyes shooting open. His wide eyes met sad ones.

"Why?"

"You helped me. You let me tell you all about Karofsky. And you told me you had a similar experience. I should have known you'd have a hard time listening to all my crap."

"Don't apologize," Blaine said desperately. Kurt noticed the other boy did not contradict his realization.

"I should have known," Kurt repeated with a shake of his head, pulling away. He held on to Blaine's hand, and the tight grip the other boy reciprocated indicated Blaine still desired the connection.

"I didn't say anything," Blaine offered, gaze firmly on their twined hands.

"Why didn't you?" Kurt's question had Blaine standing abruptly, dropping Kurt's hand and wrapping his now free arm around his other, as if to hold himself in or protect himself. Blaine stepped around the coffee table before turning back to Kurt.

"It's late, we should get some sleep," Blaine said, not meeting Kurt's gaze. Kurt took his time standing up, watching the other boy struggle with emotions Kurt had rarely seen on his face.

"I'm always honest with you. Why can't you be?" Kurt pressed, not willing to give up just yet.

"I am," Blaine answered emphatically, turning his sad, pleading eyes to the other boy.

"You're not," Kurt countered. He stepped closer to Blaine, frowning when the other boy retreated.

"Can we not talk about this?" Blaine asked desperately. "Please?" he begged.

"Blaine," Kurt said softly, his own heart clenching at the sadness and fear emanating from the other boy. He stepped closer again, laying a hand on Blaine's arm before he could retreat again. When Blaine remained unmoving, Kurt tugged his arms away from his body, smoothing his hands over the tense muscles until Blaine's arms hung loose at his sides. Then he wrapped his arms around the other boy, running his hands over even more tense shoulders.

When Kurt felt Blaine press his forehead against his shoulder, he tightened his hold around the boy. And when Kurt felt a tremor and heard Blaine's shaky intake of breath, he pressed his cheek against the other boy's hair.

"You don't have to pretend with me," Kurt said tentatively when Blaine's arms came around Kurt's waist. "You don't have to be helpful and optimistic and confident all the time." When Kurt got no response, he continued, "I see that you've been preoccupied, and that whatever it is, it's making you unhappy. I made you think about it the other day. And tonight." Kurt took a breath before he finally said, "Maybe we shouldn't hang out so much."

Blaine pulled away quickly, confusion written across his expression. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Kurt mourned the loss of contact but made no move to reconnect. Instead, Kurt took a deep breath and stifled his own fear.

"If I make you sad, we shouldn't spend so much time together," Kurt elaborated. Kurt resisted the urge to wrap his arms around himself much as Blaine had done moments before, and forced his legs to keep him standing and not retreat.

"You don't make me sad," Blaine countered roughly.

"I pushed, when you clearly didn't want to talk about it. I always push too much."

"You don't," Blaine countered again, voice stronger, "you're perfect." Kurt scoffed at him, though a sad smile graced his features.

"You're doing it again."

"What?"

"Trying to make me feel better, even though I was trying to do that for you."

"You do."

"Really?" Kurt shot back, frustration beginning to surface. "Why won't you tell me what's bothering you? Why won't you let me help you?"

"You do," Blaine repeated, his tone quiet again, pleading.

"It's not enough," Kurt said almost petulantly.

"For who?"

"For you. For me. I don't want to see you upset and not be able to do anything to fix it."

"You don't have to fix me," Blaine stated, firm though his voice was still quiet.

"I could say the same to you," Kurt countered.

"It's not the same."

"Why not?"

"Because you deserve to be fixed!" Blaine's voice rang out in the silence. Desperation, fear, and doubt hovered around the boy as Kurt stared incredulously at him. Kurt forced himself to breathe, to keep calm.

"And you don't?" Kurt asked quietly, breaking the silence after a long beat. Blaine's faltering gaze was answer enough. Kurt pressed on. "I see you helping everyone around you-listening, counseling, and making sure they're cared for and happy. Why shouldn't someone be doing that for you? Why shouldn't you be cared for and happy?"

Blaine's continued silence spurred Kurt even more. He grabbed Blaine's hand, forcing the other boy's eyes to his. Kurt watched as sadness and insecurity flickered in Blaine's shimmering eyes.

"I want you to be happy. I think you deserve it. Whether you do is a whole other issue we're going to have to work on later." Kurt softened his tone as he continued, "I want to see you smile like you did when you beat Finn at whatever game you were playing yesterday, or when you realized that you managed to not burn that batch of cookies. I want to hear you laugh like you did when we were decorating the tree."

Kurt was thrilled to see a flicker of a smile on Blaine's otherwise sad face. He tugged Blaine back to the couch, prodding him back into his usual spot. Kurt sat close, hand still locked around Blaine's. Blaine sighed, tilting his head to rest on Kurt's shoulder. Kurt let out his own silent sigh as he felt the tension ebb from the other boy. They sat in silence for several long moments.

"I was happy this week," Blaine admitted quietly.

"It's okay to let yourself be happy," Kurt added, squeezing Blaine's hand. "You taught me that."

"I know," Blaine replied roughly.

"I'm not so sure you do."

"I do," Blaine asserted weakly. "I try to," he amended a moment later. "I'm just not like you."

"I am one of a kind," Kurt quipped lightly. Blaine chuckled wryly, his temple still pressed against Kurt's shoulder. He let out another sigh.

"It's just that you're so open. You let everyone see you," Blaine said seriously. Kurt scoffed, ready to counter that he had pushed everyone away, but Blaine seemed to sense his argument, "If someone actually looked, they would have seen you. I'm not like that."

Kurt wished Blaine would look at him so he could better understand, but the other boy seemed more forthcoming without eye contact so Kurt silently waited.

"I'm not ready to let everyone see me," Blaine confessed. "At least not all of me."

"Well, when you're ready, I want to be the first one to see all of you." Blaine lifted his head at Kurt's words, smirk tugging at his lips. Kurt's eyes widened at the implication and he leaned away from the other boy, his cheeks heated. "Mind out of the gutter," Kurt grumbled, though he delighted in Blaine's laugh. However, Blaine's mood quickly sobered.

"You might not like what you see," Blaine said earnestly, his gaze flitting away again. Kurt tugged on their entwined hands and leaned back in. He reached out with his other hand and pressed gentle fingers to Blaine's chin, redirecting his attention back to Kurt.

"I like what I've seen so far," Kurt said with a reassuring smile. "And maybe I won't like everything, but I'll still be there for you."

Kurt held Blaine's gaze, fingers barely touching Blaine's jaw. Blaine was the first to blink, tugging Kurt's fingers away and pulling Kurt to standing with him. They slowly set about recreating Blaine's makeshift bed, the silence contemplative.

"Goodnight, Blaine," Kurt said quietly when he had set the pillow down, offering a small smile at seeing Blaine's lingering sadness. When he moved past Blaine, though, the other boy reached for his hand. Kurt stopped, lifting his eyes to meet Blaine's.

"I'm always going to want to spend time with you," Blaine said, returning Kurt's smile with a weak but genuine one. Kurt squeezed Blaine's hand.

"I'll see you in the morning."

...

"You're not like you were with me," Finn said, keeping his eyes forward as he, Kurt, Mercedes, Tina, Mike, and Rachel waited for Blaine's concert to begin. The group had come earlier in the day to enjoy the festive games and events. Now, the teenagers were sitting among a rather large crowd awaiting the holiday performance.

"What?" Kurt turned a questioning gaze to his step-brother.

"You like him." Kurt understood Finn's vague comment. "Like, like him. But you're not scary about it."

Kurt let out a frustrated sigh. "Finn, when are you going to get over that?"

"I am over it." Finn finally looked at Kurt.

"You're not. It's been months, but you brought it up when I was going to sing a duet with Sam." Kurt turned his attention back to the stage when Finn stayed silent. He let out tiredly, "I'm not apologizing again."

"Dude, I am over it. I'm just saying you're different about Blaine. And I'm wondering why."

"I think I knew on some level that I could never have you," Kurt revealed, turning back to the other boy. "I tend to decide on something and get really stubborn about getting it. I saw it as a challenge, so I tried harder. But all I saw was the challenge, and not the consequences. Does that make sense?"

"Not really."

Kurt sighed again at Finn's confusion and his inability to explain it clearly.

"He's important to me," Kurt said, trying a different tact. Finn's gaze faltered.

"He did help you the most with Karofsky," Finn acknowledged. Kurt nodded his agreement.

"I don't want what happened with us to happen again, especially not with Blaine. I couldn't handle it if he wanted nothing to do with me. I can't go through that again." Kurt's voice had gotten progressively quieter with each revelation, and when Finn looked back at the other boy, he could see tears brimming. Finn opened his mouth but nothing came. The curtain pulled back and the buzz of conversation from the audience diminished. Kurt shook his head a bit, threw a bracing smile at Finn, and turned back to the stage just as the lights dimmed.

...

"Blaine, that was wonderful!" Rachel exclaimed as Blaine appeared in front of the group. "Though I could have done the female part much better," she added conspiratorially, leaning close. Blaine merely smiled at her as Kurt and Mercedes rolled their eyes.

"You were good, white boy," Mercedes chimed in, Tina and Mike echoing the sentiment.

"Thanks," Blaine said graciously, smiling at everyone. He had fun with everyone that afternoon, feeling just as welcome and included as he had during the New Directions dinner at Breadstix and at the Hummel-Hudson house.

Conversation on various topics broke out soon after, and the group headed en masse to the parking lot.

"You sure you're going to be okay making the drive home?" Kurt questioned Blaine as the group reached their vehicles.

"It's not that far, Kurt," Blaine replied, taking his turn to roll his eyes. Kurt glared at him for a moment before relenting to the other boy's smirk.

"I worry," Kurt said with a shrug.

"That you do," Blaine conceded. "I'll be fine," he reassured, squeezing Kurt's hand briefly.

"Okay," Kurt sighed out, trying to let go of his concern.

"I left some things under the tree for your dad and Carole, even Finn. Could you make sure they get them?"

"Blaine, you didn't have to."

"I know. I wanted to." Blaine suddenly looked shy, his gaze shifting to the other teenagers talking and laughing. "There's something for you too."

Kurt smiled widely and pulled Blaine into a hug. Blaine wrapped his arms around the other boy easily.

"Merry Christmas," Kurt whispered, squeezing his arms tightly.

"Merry Christmas, Kurt." The boys pulled apart soon, their embarrassment barely there as the group began exchanging goodbye hugs and holiday wishes. Blaine watched as Rachel, Tina, and Mike slipped into Rachel's car, and Mercedes, Kurt, and Finn got into Kurt's Navigator.

Blaine waved happily. When the two cars left the parking lot, Blaine got into his own car. He started the car and set the heater on high. He was buckling his seatbelt when he saw two tastefully wrapped and decorated boxes lying on the passenger seat. He picked up the top one, flipping the little card affixed to the box over to reveal a few simple words: Happy Holidays. Love, Carole and Burt.

Tears clouded his vision, and he swiped his gloved hand over his eyes as he reached for the other package. An envelope was taped neatly to the bottom and Blaine struggled to slip the card out; he succeeded and slowly opened it. A CD fell onto his lap, but it was the words that caught his attention.

Dear Blaine,

You once sang this song to me when I needed to hear it. You gave me a place to run to and I wanted to remind you that you have that as well. And so much more. I hope you find your happiness, you deserve nothing less. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Kurt

Blaine immediately slid the CD into the car's stereo system, blinking away more tears as the soothing song came on. He even managed a smile as he pulled out and headed home, his mind full of happy memories with friends and family.

Ain't falling apart, or bitter
Let's be bigger than that and remember...
We'll go on surviving...
Just wanna say
I got you