When the bell finally rang Kurt hurried to collect his books and notes to shove it all into his bag. As he rushed down the hall he could feel that something was off and he really didn't have time for that – he had an important outfit to plan.

As soon as he turned around the corner to walk down the hall where his locker was located he was positive something was wrong; a group of girls were hanging out by his locker, something that never happened.

"What do you want?" He asked and put a hand on his hip as he eyed out the hungry hyenas shielding off his way to get rid of his unnecessary books for the holidays.

"What we want? No, bitch-face, this is more a question of what you are wanting -"

"Santana, no – this really isn't the appropriate way to do this," Rachel cut off the Hispanic with a slightly condescending tone, causing her to receive a glance from Quinn that would have snarled if her eyes had vocal chords.

Quinn took a careful step closer and flashed a row of perfectly lined pearly white teeth. She truly was the American dream, the definition of "the girl next door".

"Kurt, listen – the thing is that for the past two months we've seen you... being picked up by a fancy car and then just driving away. Finn told us that he's seen you get ready for this car to pick you up and then not returning until hours later. We're worried about you," Quinn explained softly and let her eyelashes flutter for a moment with her brown eyes locked on his face.

If Kurt had ever felt put on spot this was definitely one of the harder times. He couldn't exactly explain them this little arrangement of receiving clothes in favor of having sex with this grown up man that he was a part of.

"It's – just a friend. We go out and we... talk," Kurt said and tried avoiding her eyes as an echo of Blaine's voice moaning into his ear, calling him doll-face and groaning dirty words as he was pumping into his vagina that his friends knew nothing about – all of it filling his head and making his cheeks flush, and honestly his crotch as well.

"Kurt, we're just concerned. You still haven't told us where you were when you ditched us at your birthday party. Finn said you didn't come home and had told your dad that you were with us – but Rachel called Finn to ask if you had come home. Why are you lying to us? It's not like us," Quinn tried again, this time sounding like she had grown frustrated from not knowing what to do.

"I was just – with a friend. That's all. Now let me come to my locker. I have outfits to plan for the weekend," Kurt hissed at her and grabbed a little tighter around the book in his hand.

"Kurt, please – at least promise you'll tell us if you've gotten yourself into something bad. We can help you," Rachel begged behind him as he had finally gained access to his locker and was mindlessly switching books.

He slammed the metal hard and turned to stare at the girls still surrounding him in a half-circle. Stupid coven of witches, he thought before he sighed heavily at them.

"I am not in a gang, I am not doing drugs, I... just hang out with a friend. Now if you ladies will excuse me I have party outfits to plan for the holidays."

He rolled his eyes at them and with pursed lips he marched down the hall, feeling a little guilty that he had lied to them, but he knew that they would only assume the worst if he told them the truth.

"Are you finally getting that ass tapped?" Santana yelled from his locker and a chill ran down his spine.

"I don't have a boyfriend," he called back, not even turning to face them because he knew that the fact that they had hit right would be painted over his face.

When he was in his car his phone vibrated. He pulled it out with the expectation of finding a text from Blaine with details for their next meeting, but it wasn't Blaine.

Rachel: "Your family doesn't do Christmas parties. Finn would have invited me if you did. And no one at school is having a party. You're lying, Kurt."

"Fuck," he whispered and stared into the display for a moment, reading the message over and over again, but as he figured he had no idea what to say back he locked the phone and turned on his car.

When he came home he went directly to his bedroom to drop off his bag. He got off his coat and scarf to let the snow on it dry in the bathroom while he got to business and opened his closet.

He still had a few of his newest items in bags at the bottom of the closet after Blaine had taken him to a Marc Jacobs store in Columbus – after closing time, of course. He considered them for a moment but figured it to be easier to lay it all out on the bed – if he could make it fit.

After an hour all of his best pieces were spread all over his room, some of the items from Blaine still in tissue-paper or wearing price-tags. Yet he still didn't feel like there was anything usable for a party.

"Kurt, can I come – whoa, that's a lot of clothes," Finn said as he appeared in the doorway and saw the mayhem that had taken over the small bedroom, every surface covered in fabrics and arranged by color and brand.

"What do you want, Finn? I'm a little busy," Kurt snapped and started taking it all back to the closet, annoyed that he still had no idea what to wear, and annoyed that everyone thought he shouldn't be allowed to start his holidays.

"It's just... I'm a little worried. Are you okay, dude? You haven't been shopping for over a month and still new clothes keep popping up in your room. Not that I keep track of your outfits, but seriously. Sometimes you just disappear for hours and then you come home with a dopy smile or are completely pissed off, but you always go straight to bed after," Finn said and his forehead wrinkled the way it always did whenever he had taken a way too big task on his shoulders.

"Would everyone just get off my back for a moment? Rachel put you up to this, didn't she?" Kurt hissed and slammed the closet door hard. First he had felt bad for snapping at Finn, but now he was seriously pissed off.

"Don't drag her – and what's with the guy in that Lexus that keep picking you up? He looks old, Kurt -what is up with that? You can't date an old guy," Finn kept going and Kurt felt his face burst into flames.

"He's not old. And I'm not dating him... it's really none of your business. Get out of my room," Kurt demanded and crossed his arms, sure that if he said anymore his pitch would hang in the sky.

Finn looked like he had lost all words. He stared at Kurt in disbelief before he sighed and came with a "whatever" and silently left the room.

Kurt turned to stare at the rest of his clothes that was still spread around the room and yet it felt like he had nothing to wear, not that he even had an idea about what could possibly be the dress-code.

xXx

There was still an hour until he was supposed to be at the party but Blaine had decided to pick the boy up already so they could settle some things to avoid any complications. Now he was sitting in his car in the parking lot where the kid had told him to pick him up.

"What's with the two-blocks-away-treatment?" He asked when the boy opened the door and smug himself into the passenger seat.

"Nothing. People started annoying me and I don't want anymore crap because of you," Kurt said, lips pursed and claws out.

"What is this party anyway? How do you expect me to pick out a decent outfit if I don't even know my audience?" The kid snapped as he buckled up.

"I guessed that it was some sort of business party so I did my best, but don't complain if this isn't -"

"It's not a business party," Blaine cut him off.

Kurt looked confused. His eyes were glassy and his cheeks were flushed from the cold. His lips were pink and Blaine would swear that he was the only one in the world to keep his lips moist and pretty during the frosty wind.

"Ehm – then what is it?" He asked, this time a little hesitant. Maybe he was nervous of what Blaine would drag him out to, and it occurred to Blaine that a kid like Kurt who wasn't from a fancy family probably never went to parties like this.

"First of all; we need to make up a story. Because people will be asking. To answer their questions we will tell them that we've been a couple -"

"Whoa – a couple? What the hell is this? I thought you said you don't do relationships?" Kurt burst out, confusion filling his face along with something Blaine could only detect as second-thoughts.

"I don't! We are not a couple. Shut up and listen! We're telling them that we've been together since February. We met on a photoshoot because you're a model. Also, my last name is Anderson – I can always make one up for you as long as we agree on what it is," Blaine instructed firmly, hoping he didn't have to take go over it again.

Kurt was staring at him with shock painted over his face. He seemed like he was struggling to make the ends meet but he couldn't find heads or tails in anything.

"What is this?" He asked again, this time quiet and withdrawn.

"It's a family gathering. And this is strictly to make them get their noses out of my privacy. If I show up with a date once I can always use that as reference in the future," he grunted, irritated that he had to say the words even though he knew that the truth would have come out sooner or later.

"Your family? You're taking me to see your family? You want me to lie to your family?"

"Yes. I've never been in a relationship so I've never introduced them to anyone, but now they keep bugging me about it. With a little luck, and if we both stick to the story this will be the first and last time I will ever have to go through this."

"Okay. Fine. February, at a photoshoot – cause I'm a model," Kurt repeated the plan.

"Yes. And we should probably tell them that you're 19 – soon 20 – and you're out of school," Blaine groaned and started driving out of the parking lot.

When they were at the other end of town Blaine stopped the car in his mother's driveway and started to open the door when Kurt told him to stop. He expected Kurt to refuse to go along with his rules, or that he had suddenly found something he wanted so he would blackmail him to into giving it to him.

"My last name is Hummel. If we're doing this, we're doing it right. My name is Kurt Hummel, my mom died when I was 6, I sing, my dad re-married last year and the woman brought a son. There, that should be enough. And if you have to make up stuff you tell me so I can correct you," Kurt said sternly, his voice determined and his eyes firm.

Blaine turned the words over in his head, listed the new information and did his best to remember it all. After a few moments he nodded and they left the car.

The house was already buzzing with voices and the familiar feeling of his childhood home. He knew that he didn't visit home as often as he should, but it was hard after his dad passed away, and when all he was ever asked about was his relations and he was pushed into "starting a family" (as they all said) he didn't feel like even coming.

When they entered the hall they hung up their coats and Blaine was impressed by Kurt's bordeaux velvet Lanvin suit. He had added a little gold watch-brooch attached to the collar and matched the outfit up with a light brown shirt with dark brown stars – and of course patent leather oxfords, all of it smoothing its way around his frame in a way that made sins take over Blaine's brain. To his relief Kurt's outfit matched Blaine's dark blue suit with matching dark blue silk tie with light dots matching his light blue shirt perfectly.

Blaine headed for the party in the living room, feeling Kurt one step behind him, but not planning on paying too much attention to him unless he had to. This event was something he simply had to get through without too many complications.

"Hey, little brother – I see you aren't alone for once," Cooper said as he noticed Blaine from the other end of the room. He was standing by the fireplace talking to their aunt and Blaine felt like already seeking refuge in the kitchen; this was going to be the longest day in his life.

"Hey Coop. Yeah, this is my... boyfriend. Kurt," Blaine said through gritted teeth before he turned to Kurt.

"This is my brother Cooper – that I've told you so much about," he said and pursed his lips as Kurt flashed a smile and shook Cooper's hand.

Cooper's blue eyes scrutinized Kurt's face, he was taking in his entire appearance, weighing him to see how believable he was.

"Hi. Kurt. Yeah, my brother he – haven't really told me much about you. It's nice to finally see him getting with someone," Cooper said softly, but there was a sharp edge to his voice saying that he wasn't planning on going easy on this turn of events. He definitely hadn't expected Blaine to actually bring someone for the party.

"Yes. He's got a bit of a reputation. But sooner or later someone had to sweep him off the market, right -" Kurt said with a chiming laughter that clearly was rehearsed to be charming.

"I think that should do it. Maybe we should move along," Blaine said and grabbed Kurt's elbow hard to lead him away from his brother where only disaster could happen.

They mingled a bit between uncles and aunts and that cousin that always brought a new, blonde, big-busted woman who wore way too short, pink dresses from the mall. Blaine made sure to lead the conversation and he was grateful that no one asked about anymore than how long they had been together.

"Blaine – you actually brought your boyfriend for once."

Oh god, mom.

"Hello, Mrs. Anderseon. So nice to finally meet you," Kurt beamed as Blaine's mother approached them and Blaine had to bite his cheek to make sure he didn't take over the conversation.

He watched as Kurt shook her hand and nonchalantly bowed down to kiss her hand before straightening up with a chaste smile. Blaine could see his mother's cheeks flush a little as she sent Blaine a smile that he knew meant that she was impressed – a smile he couldn't remember when was the last time she had spent on him, but he often saw her use it with Cooper and Sebastian.

"What a fine young man you've found," she said with a saying nod before she returned her attention to Kurt.

"So – what name do you go by? And enlighten me on the reasons you have been absent from the all our family gatherings."

Blaine let his lips transform to a thin line and balled his hands to fist, anxious for what was to come. He had not planned on Kurt getting friendly with his mother.

"My name is Kurt Hummel. Unfortunately I am very busy with work but of course Blaine has been so sweet to invite me every time – this time I finally had the chance to actually accept the invitation," Kurt said sweetly and Blaine could just hear in his voice that he was getting ready for a longer conversation.

After he had been listening to his mother talk to Kurt for ten minutes, Kurt answering all of her questions about his family and their reactions to his sexuality and rolling his eyes at her shock that Blaine hadn't met his family yet even though they had been a couple for nearly a year – Blaine finally figured that nothing could go wrong so he headed for the bar.

He got himself a drink and sat down on the dark brown leather couch, giving him a clear view over the entire party. He let his gaze drift a little around the gathering of his family and their spouses or other significant others, taking up his childhood home that was filled with pictures of him and Cooper, and his parents wedding picture along with pictures of Cooper and Sebastian with Marilyn covering the walls.

"Blaine, can we talk for a minute?" Cooper asked as he came over to Blaine after an hour of Blaine watching Kurt mingling around the people that Blaine simply knew he would give him a headache if he talked to them for too long.

It was very clear that Cooper didn't mean there in the middle of the party, he wanted him to get up and walk with him to a more private place and Blaine knew that this could never be a good plan. Nevertheless he put his glass on the table and got to his feet, following him to the kitchen where Sebastian was already waiting, full-on intervention mode on.

"Blaine, where did you find Kurt?" Cooper asked the minute the door was closed behind them.

"At a bar. Why?" He asked, already preparing himself for battle.

"Because he's just a kid, that's why? Are you sleeping with him?" Cooper hissed, clearly doing his best to avoid anyone hearing them, but he was obviously heading for the red button.

"That is really none of your business. And he's 19, he can do whatever he want," Blaine snapped. He wasn't planning on letting them make up all kinds of crazy speeches to pick on him, because there was no reason to.

"Blaine, he isn't 19. He goes to school with one of my cousins. I saw her glee club perform a few months ago and I talked to them all after the show, so I know I've talked to him before. Did he tell you that he's 19?" Sebastian said, surprisingly calm compared to Cooper and his own war-temperament waiting to blow up the entire kitchen.

What was he supposed to do now? Should he keep up the story or should he be honest?

"No, he didn't. I told him to tell you that he's 19. To avoid you giving me crap. The rest is none of your business. This is only an act to get mom off my back about her stupid ideas for getting me to settle down and turn into you," Blaine bit and turned his back on them so he could head back to the living room.

He went back to the bar to get himself yet another drink. He looked around the room and saw Kurt dancing with his niece, spinning her in circles and making her giggle as she staggered around, dizzy from the twirling. However, he only got to stand by himself shortly, because the girl came running over to jump into his arms with a squeal.

"Uncle Blaine! I didn't see you," she beamed and threw her arms around his neck as he lifted her up.

"I was going to surprise you, bunny -" he cheered and placed a wet kiss on her cheek before sitting down on the couch, letting the little girl take her favorite spot in his lap.

"Will you have Christmas with us this year?" She asked, stars twirling around in her eyes and he had a an urge to squeeze her tight, because if she wasn't the purest and most beautiful creature to have walked on this planet he had no idea.

Unfortunately he had to burst her bubble.

"I'm sorry. I have work to do in New York, sweetheart. But I promise I'll bring you lots of presents, and when I come home you can be with me all weekend."

Shit. That was the worst in the world to Blaine; seeing the little lights in her eyes die out whenever he had to disappoint her with an excuse such as having to work over Christmas. Usually he always celebrated Christmas with his family – Cooper and Sebastian brought Marilyn to the Anderson house and Sebastian's parents joined them. Since Sebastian was an only child it never was a problem for them and they gladly joined the Anderson's, obviously letting Blaine's status as single often be a subject around the table.

"Okay. I wanna do that. Will you take me to the theater then?" She asked and fluttered her eyelashes the way she always did it when she was trying to talk him into something.

"Of course I will. We'll find something exciting to do," he promised and noticed that Kurt was talking to Sebastian and Cooper, all three of them watching him from the opposite end of the room.

"I like him. He's pretty and he's a good dancer," Marilyn said when she noticed them watching. It took Blaine completely off guard; he hadn't planned on discussing Kurt with anyone unless he really had to, and he had figured that when he stuck to Marilyn he would avoid those kind of troubles.

"Yeah. He is pretty," Blaine agreed.

"He's nice. Can he be there when I visit you, uncle Blaine?" She asked curiously, punching all breath out of Blaine's lung.

"I don't think so, bunny. He works a lot," he said softly and watched her scrunch her nose in dismay.

Blaine stayed with Marilyn for the rest of the day. He let her talk him into playing a few of her favorite songs on the piano and took her dancing in the kitchen, doing his best to avoid all grown ups of any kind. It wasn't until it started getting dark outside and Sebastian found them to say that they were going home that hell was loose.

"But boys, you can't leave before we have a picture. Now that Blaine finally decided to not keep Kurt in the hiding anymore we need to have a photo before he wraps him up again," Blaine's mother trilled and ice filled Blaine's body.

Oh no. This is so not happening.

But it was. And before Blaine knew of it he was standing in front of the fireplace being ordered to move closer to Kurt. After a lot of moving around he finally caved in and slipped his arm around Kurt's waist and Kurt responded by pressing his chest against his with a smile. Next to them Cooper and Sebastian were holding around each other like the most natural thing in the world, and Marilyn was sitting in her grandma's lap in a chair in front of them. The typical Anderson way-over-the-top treatment.

A few pictures were taken before Blaine's mother moved away with the little girl and declared that she wanted a picture of "just her boys with their boys", Blaine sure he was about to throw up by the mere idea.

Nonetheless, they moved a little closer, flashing their best teethy grins and waited for the flash but it never came – instead a bomb was dropped and Blaine was ready to leave the party instantly.

"Come on – a little kiss at least," his stupid uncle said and naturally Cooper and Sebastian found the idea brilliant. Now he was screwed.

"Let's just do it. Just a peck and it's over," Kurt hissed from the corner of his mouth and Blaine gritted his teeth before smiling fakely back at the people watching them.

"Alright," he agreed nearly inaudible.

He let his hand slip around to rest on the lower of Kurt's back, deciding that he might as well try to do it well. He leaned in a let his lips meet Kurt's.

It was only supposed to be an innocent peck to satisfy the wolves watching them and waiting for some sort of final proof of their acting, but as Blaine closed his eyes and felt Kurt's lips softly massaging against his own a rush ran through him and suddenly the peck didn't felt much as a peck anymore. They didn't even open their mouths or anything, but it felt different and the second the camera flashed he hurried to back away.

As soon as everyone was over the photo hype he grabbed around Kurt's elbow and hissed at him that they were leaving. Before he knew it Blaine had slipped his hand into Kurt's so they could take a round of fake smiles and thank you's to say goodbye to the family.

Naturally Cooper and Sebastian sent him sharp looks, Marilyn nearly cried when she heard that she wouldn't see him until January and his mother didn't waste a moment to tell Kurt that he was welcome at her birthday party and whenever he wished to. Kurt was sweet and polite and didn't object to Blaine's hand in his, and as soon as they had their coats on Blaine could nearly smell the sweet scent of freedom that was so close waiting for him.

"That wasn't so bad. Did I follow your instructions correctly?" Kurt said, back to his acidly self as soon as they were in the car and Blaine was driving down the road to drop the kid off at the other end of town.

"Why didn't you tell me that you know Sebastian?" Blaine asked, reminding himself that he had to because that fact had thrown his entire plan off course.

"I don't know him. I met him once -"

"Well, I had to tell him and my idiot brother that I know that you're 16, and then I had to listen to them lecture me," Blaine groaned.

"Would you stop being a bitch? I just saved your ass back there. I didn't know it would be a big deal – like I said; I don't know the guy or anything," Kurt hissed back at him.

Neither of them said anything on the rest of the trip back to the parking lot where Blaine had picked up Kurt. The boy was staring demonstratively out of the window while Blaine was boiling with anger, concentrating on keeping the car steady on the icy road.

"I'm free to go now?" The boy snarled as Blaine stopped the car. His eyes seemed steel gray and his mouth was pursed up.

"I'm not keeping you as a slave or anything. You're free to leave the deal whenever you feel like," Blaine shrugged.

"But just to make it clear -" he said and his hand was between Kurt's legs, cupping his crotch.

"Your pussy really likes me – and I really like your pussy," Blaine smirked and pressed a little harder as Kurt slowly started rocking his hips into the pressure.

"But – I'm leaving for New York tomorrow. I won't be back until January. We can always Skype if necessary; then you can show me what you've been up to with your little toy," Blaine suggested and pressed his thumb right he knew the seam of Kurt's pants would stimulate his clit best.

"Shit," Kurt moaned as Blaine removed his hand again.

"Let's just – let's see," Kurt said flustered and unbuckled his seatbelt. He said a goodnight and hurried out of the car so Blaine could watch his hips sway as he walked towards the street he lived on.

"Fucking brat," Blaine grumped to himself, pressing his lips tight together when he realized that the slight hint of juicy fruit gum on his lips were from he had kissed Kurt earlier.