Kurt being the expert shopper, found perfect gifts for everyone, only going slightly over budget. He did feel guilty dipping further into his savings than he intended. Kurt knew that that money needed to last until he graduated if he didn’t want to have to add work into his already busy schedule. He had shown great restraint, especially when surrounded by designer clothes offered at a steep discount. However, Kurt hadn’t bought himself so much as a new scarf since being accepted into NYU. Back at his dorm he stowed all of the gifts away in the back of his closet, waiting to wrap them until he was back in his room in Lima.

The rest of the weekend was spent in laziness, curled up with Blaine. They were mildly disappointed when Nick and Jeff returned Sunday, but enjoyed hearing about their holiday. Classes were intensifying again as the semester grew to a close, but Kurt was feeling better prepared since midterms.

Tuesday, Kurt had his meeting with his academic advisor. He knocked tentatively at the door, and waited until he heard a voice invite him in.

“Ms. Leone?” He asked peeking his head in the door.

The petite blond behind the desk smiled at him, “You must be Kurt Hummel, please have a seat.”

They talked about the classes Kurt needed to take for the next semester. The basic freshmen classes were easy to decide on, English II, French II, and History II. They also decided a Survey of Mathematics Class would be good for fulfilling his remaining math credit. Kurt felt at ease talking to this woman, as she seemed to understand the rigors of being a college student. She suggested to him taking summer courses to ease his work load in later semesters. Their talk then turned to the classes for his major.

“For Fashion Design, they suggest you take Fashion Construction, before you take any more design courses. Now for this class it’s recommended that you have a professional grade sewing machine and serger. We do have a sewing lab, however, the machines are older, and the lab hours tend to be limited.” She told him glancing down at the folder on her desk. Kurt cringed at the thought of how much these machines would cost.

“Does it have to be professional grade; I already have a sewing machine at home?” Kurt asked.

“From everything I have heard, the work load may be too much for a regular machine. Now if you want to try it, that would be up to you, but the machine may burn out before the semester is over.” Kurt nodded.

In the end he would be taking, English, French, History, Math, Sewing and Acting I. He thanked Ms. Leone, and walk back slowly to his dorm. He mentally calculated what this was going to do to his savings account. The suite was thankfully empty when he arrived, Kurt hoped that he would have a little time to himself to try and figure this out.

Just from his conversations with the other three men, he had gathered that money was not an option. The expense that tuition at Dalton must have been aside, they casually mentioned fancy vacations and cars like they were nothing. He didn’t think they would understand the predicament he was in.

His research did not make him feel any better. Good sewing machines were expensive, not even looking at professional quality. Adding a professional serger to the cost not to mention fabric, thread and other supplies, Kurt knew what this meant. He couldn’t afford to go home for Christmas. He looked dejectedly at the closet where the bag of presents he would have to mail sat. A tear slid down his cheek as he thought of spending Christmas all alone. Everyone would be going home for Christmas break, he wouldn’t even have Blaine to make this better.

Kurt pulled out his phone and called his dad to tell him the bad news, but couldn’t bring himself to tell his father yet. Instead, Kurt lay on his bed clutching his pillow as he sobbed. This is how Blaine found him an hour later, when he returned with Nick and Jeff from a bit of Christmas shopping.

Kurt heard his door squeak open and saw Blaine’s face screwed in concern. He tried to smile, he tried to show Blaine it wasn’t that bad, but only a sharp sob escaped his lips.

“Kurt, what’s wrong?” he asked bringing him in his arms.

Kurt buried his head in Blaine’s shoulder, mumbling words Blaine couldn’t quite catch. Blaine lifted Kurt’s chin, and locked eyes with him, before repeating the question.

“I can’t go home for Christmas.” Kurt whispered his heart practically breaking again.

“Why not?” Blaine asked.

Kurt explained all about the his surprised expenses coupled with his dwindling bank account. Blaine drew Kurt to him again. “I can buy your ticket home.” He offered with a kiss.

Kurt pulled away again, “No, you can’t do that, it is too much.”

Kurt could see the confusion on his face, “But Kurt, I know how much this means to you, I mean Thanksgiving is one thing…” Seeing the determined look on Kurt’s face Blaine changed directions, “Fine, I will stay here to, I can’t have you spend Christmas alone.”

“Now you are just being ridiculous, there is no reason we should both stay here, you should go home and spend time with your family.” Kurt said crossing his arms across his chest in defiance.

A smile sprang on Blaine’s lips, “What if we rented a car? No, listen, we can talk to Jeff and Nick and split the cost between the four of us. We should be able to rent a car to go down there and another to come back for less than the price of one plane ticket. What do you say?”

Kurt thought about it for a minute, it should be doable. Plus back home he should be able to work for his dad and earn some extra money. “Okay, if Nick and Jeff agree then I’m in… thank you Blaine.”

They went and talked with Nick and Jeff. At first the pair wasn’t looking forward to a ten hour drive back to Ohio, but seeing Kurt’s face drop, they quickly changed their minds. “Hey it has got to be better than riding here with our parents right?” Nick said with a smile.

The last few weeks of the semester flew by in a flurry of essays, projects and studying. Kurt was once again frantic the weekend before finals, but Blaine helped to keep him grounded. Exams finished, Kurt practically danced back to his dorm. He only had two days to pack before they would be heading back to Ohio.

Packing was a chore, they would be in Ohio for almost three weeks and he was only allowed 2 suitcases, including one for his presents. Blaine sat on Kurt’s bed watching him meticulously comb through his closet trying to find the most versatile pieces. Once he tried to enter the closet with Kurt only to be shooed out with the threat of bodily harm, owing to the fact his Christmas present was stashed there.

Sunday, Blaine left to go pick up the rental car. Kurt packed his toiletries in his bag, as Nick and Jeff scrambled around packing at the last minute. Kurt teased them about waiting so long to pack, but was too excited to see his friends and family to give them too hard a time. It was almost noon by the time Blaine made it back to the dorms.

“What took you so long?” Kurt asked since Blaine had left over an hour before.

“Driving in New York is a lot different than walking it.” Blaine laughed. “I never really paid attention to which streets went which way. And it is defiantly different than driving in Ohio. By the time I could stop and get the GPS working, I had no idea where I was.”

Soon the four students were on the road, music blaring and singing at the top of their lungs. This trip was already shaping up to be more fun than the one with his family. They stopped for a late lunch outside of the city. The closer they came to Ohio, the quieter the group became. They still laughed and sang together, but they manic fun at the beginning of the journey was starting to ebb away.

After stopping for dinner, it was Nick’s turn to drive. Kurt and Blaine cuddled together in the backseat whispering to each other.

“Are you sure you want to drop me off at my place? We can drop off Nick and Jeff in Westerville, then drop you off in Columbus, and I can take the car to Lima. In the morning I can turn it in for you.” Kurt said quietly.

“No, I don’t want you driving late at night by yourself.” Blaine told him with a squeeze.

Kurt rolled his eyes at this boyfriend, “And I don’t want you to have to drive two hours by yourself back to Columbus. This is really ridiculous, Blaine you know that.” He sighed trying to think of a way to convince Blaine to just let him take the car.”

Blaine’s face brightened however, “Do you think your dad would let me stay at your place tonight?”

Kurt caught on to the idea, “Maybe, I mean if it is going to be late when we get there I bet I can convince him.”

They murmured other plans about the holidays between them until the rhythm of the car lulled them to sleep. Before they knew it they were pulling up to Jeff’s house. Kurt stretched as they all got out to say goodbye to Jeff. Kurt gave a surprised laugh when Jeff pulled him into a hug, “Merry Christmas Kurt.” He said before pulling away.

He received another Christmas hug from Nick a few minutes later at his house. Kurt couldn’t contain his smile as he sat in the drives seat ready to head to Lima. “What are you so happy about?” Blaine asked with a smile.

“It’s just nice, being hugged… you know by guy friends. I mean… I had male friends in High School, but a pat on the back was about as affectionate as it got. I mean Finn hugs me, but he’s my brother. And I got plenty of hugs from the girls, it was just… nice.” Kurt said, not noticing the sad smile Blaine was giving him.

It was almost midnight by the time they pulled in front of the Hummel house. Kurt killed the car, before turning to squeeze Blaine’s hand, “Are you ready to really meet my family?” he asked.

Blaine leaned over the console, capturing Kurt’s lips. “I would love to.”

Kurt opened the trunk and grabbed his suitcases. They left Blaine’s for the time being, not wanting to seem presumptuous that Burt would let Blaine stay the night. Kurt slipped his key into the lock and let them into the house. Kurt could hear the TV playing quietly in the living room so he called out, “Dad, I’m home,” as he set his bags down on the floor. He could hear feet hurrying across the wood floors as he went to remove his coat.

“Kurt!” Finn called as he rounded the corner before snatching him up in a bear hug.

“Oh god!” Kurt yelped in surprise. “Let me breath Finn!”

Finn lowered him sheepishly back to the ground, “Sorry dude, I’ve just missed you.”

Kurt couldn’t help but grin, “I’ve missed you too, Finn.”

“What about your old man kiddo?” his dad said smiling from the doorway. Kurt rushed to his arms, hugging him.

“Of course I missed you! Carole too.” Kurt smiled at his stepmother who was just coming down the stairs. Kurt gave her a quick hug before retreating back to Blaine who was standing awkwardly by the door. “You remember Blaine right?” he asked grabbing his hand.

They all greeted Blaine enthusiastically who beamed at them all. Finn offered to take Kurt’s suitcases upstairs, so Kurt turned to his dad. “Hey dad, it’s awfully late, would it be okay if Blaine crashed here for the night so he doesn’t have to drive back to Columbus?”

“Sure, let me just make up the couch.” Mr. Hummel said with a smile.

“Dad… you aren’t really going to make him sleep on the couch are you?” Kurt asked.

Burt seemed to catch on a bit, “I don’t see why not, this is my house Kurt. It is only appropriate…”

Kurt tried hard not to roll his eyes, “Dad, I’m in college now…”

Burt cut him off, “and you are only seventeen.”

“All we want is to sleep in a comfortable bed for the night. Did you feel those beds in the dorms? Not high quality, Blaine doesn’t even have a mattress pad. Please don’t subject him to the couch when I have a fabulously comfortable king sized bed upstairs. All we want to do is sleep.” Kurt pleaded with his father.

Burt heaved an exasperated sigh, “Fine… but no funny business.”

Kurt held in his squeal, but kissed his dad’s cheek before putting on his coat to help Blaine get his bags from the car. Before they headed upstairs, they bid goodnight to his family. Kurt led Blaine to his bedroom. Everything was just the way he left it in August, he could tell Carole had been in here to dust, but nothing was moved. They set Blaine’s suitcases in front on the closet.

Tentatively they got ready for bed, because it was different from the dorm room. Kurt’s family is just down the hall. Kurt changes into his pajamas and sits at his vanity moisturizing. He watched Blaine’s reflection in the mirror, thinking how perfect it was, having him here like this. Kurt was only halfway through his routine when Blaine offered him a hand, inviting him to bed. Kurt took it without hesitation.

Snuggled in bed, the two exchange sweet kisses before curling up together in the oh-so-soft bed to sleep. Kurt laid his head on Blaine’s chest, letting his steady, strong heartbeat lull him into a dream laden sleep filled with the man beside him.

The next morning, Kurt woke in his childhood bed, with his college sweetheart wrapped around him. He lay there a moment, marveling at how this could happen. He was loved, not just by his family, but there was a man in this world, who he loved more than anything, who loved him back. The number of nights e had laid in this bed, dreaming of love, but nothing compared to the reality.

He felt Blaine stir, and decided to wake him up fully with kisses. Kurt’s door flew open startling the two boys apart. They looked up to see a flustered Finn standing in the doorway.

“Dude, sorry… I didn’t know…” He stuttered.

Kurt couldn’t help but give Finn a half annoyed smile. He knew Finn tried to be accepting, he tried to be a good brother and most of the time he was. Kurt sat up in bed and said, “It’s okay Finn what did you need?”

Finn looked once again between the two men in bed before replying, “I have to go to school today, and I know everyone would love to see you. How about showing up at glee today?”

Kurt and Blaine exchanged a look, before Kurt answered, “I would like that, but don’t tell anybody, I want it to be a surprise. Okay?”

“Cool dude!” Finn said with a huge smile on his face, heading back down stairs.
“Are you sure it is a good idea, going back there?” Blaine asked, his brow furrowed in worry.

Kurt sighed, not in annoyance but in relief at what he was feeling, “Yeah, I mean… the bullies, they can’t hurt me anymore really. But I would feel better if you were with me… just in case.” Kurt laughed, “Plus I want to show my hot college stud off to my girls!”

By the time they dressed and made it downstairs, Carole and Finn were already gone for the day. Mr. Hummel sat at the kitchen table finishing up his breakfast. When he saw the two young men enter the kitchen, he smiled at them. “Kurt, the keys to the Navigator are on the hook.”Seeing Kurt’s confused expression he explained, “He drove his truck, like he does most days. Says it doesn’t feel right driving your car.”

Kurt laughed in confusion, “But I gave it to him.”

His Dad just smiled, “I know but he says that it is yours over Christmas and summers, so he only drives it enough to keep it in good condition.”

Kurt’s heart fell; he forgot that he hadn’t talked to his dad or Blaine about summer school, what with the drama of being able to come home for Christmas. “About summer dad, I won’t be able to come home. I have to take summer classes if I am going to be able to graduate without killing myself.”

“But that wasn’t the plan.” Burt said, trying not to sound too disappointed.

Kurt sat down at the table, “I know dad, but I can’t continue to take 18 hours each semester. Ask Blaine, I nearly went insane. I am taking the same workload this semester to stay on track but I am going to finish up my French and take my Anatomy classes this summer. With those four classes out of the way, I can still double major, but not kill myself for it. You know next year I am expected to audition for the shows as a major. If I get cast, with my workload and whatever projects I have for fashion… ther just wouldn’t be enough hours in a day to get it all done.” Tears began to well in Kurt’s eyes, “I’m sorry Dad, it’s not that I don’t want to be here with you…”

Burt cut him off bringing him into a hug, “I know kiddo, I know. I just… it’s hard not having you around.”