Andre Kahn's office up on the seventh floor of a high rise river-view building, is actually like a warm beige and light beech wooded spacious den of pure gooey warm goodness.

There's no way that one person can be so awesome, and an office and studio filled with recording equipment and glass cases can feel so homey.

There are photographs hung and propped up all around, pictures of Andre with previous clients and beloved colleagues. Photographic memories of vacations with Andre and his family and friends, and what appears to be Andre standing slap bang in the middle of a group of smiley kids in a small dusty village with huts and mud houses that looks like nowhere that can be found in New York.

Even his secretary (funnily enough not a twenty something blonde with highly ambitious dreams) but a wonderful woman in her mid fifties, who kind of reminds you of that one elderly neighbour that everybody loved who handed out candy and baked treats on a regular basis.

Andre's assistant, a young apprentice was granted this position as an honorary scholarship- after his mom's muscular cancer had returned any available money had gone straight into the treatment and rehabilitation fund- whose heart warming story about a kid who just wanted to make music to help heal the world had really dug deep within Andre's soul.

Both Kurt and Blaine are calm here in this space with these people. They can be themselves or at least very close to what is themselves, they know this place well now and feel at ease here.

Although these meetings have been for Blaine's own personal endeavours he had always asked ever so politely if Kurt could accompany him along, and Kurt being Kurt never thought about declining the invite, not once.

Kurt usually lounges back in a comfy worn leather wing chair in the corner, looking down at his phone in his hand and trying not to smirk too obviously at the easy chatter coming from Blaine and Andre over by the desk.

Kurt has been very close but not yet indulged himself in standing up, crossing the room and rubbing a hand over Blaine's shoulders and through his hair. Or kneeling by his side, placing a kiss on his cheek and squeeze his hand reassuringly whilst he and Andre discuss lyrical matters.

Andre of course knows exactly what Kurt and Blaine's positions in each others lives –both personally and professionally- are, but that doesn't mean that Kurt feels the need to throw himself onto Blaine in somebody else's company.

Kurt is still getting there, he's still working on opening himself up to the rest of the world- and by himself he of course means Blaine too. Because Blaine has of course irrevocably become a part of him, inside and out, whether he they had chosen for that to happen or not.

But again, that is something that Kurt would still like to keep just for him. If it was up to him Blaine would be just for him all day everyday. Kurt wouldn't let him leave the condo to the onslaught that the world holds for him on a daily basis. He'd kindly dispose him of his PA duties and keep him as a stay-at-home boyfriend, a boyfriend who will draft up his boring emails, a boyfriend who may be open to the idea of being barefoot and in the kitch-

Ok so you get the point of what Kurt wants for Blaine. But the thing is Kurt cares for Blaine too deeply to vocalise any of that. The point here is that Blaine is too special and talented and much too lovely to keep hidden away. He's got a lot left to do in this world, an awful lot more to share, and Kurt is eager to help and contribute towards that.

And so, that is why Kurt is here with him right now, because it's for Blaine and for Blaine he would do anything, because Blaine deserves the exact same treatment and understanding that he has shown him over the past year.

And of course love. Let's not forget the element of love in all of this.       

“So Blaine,” Andre calls out happily as he follows both Blaine and Kurt out of his office and into the small nicely furnished lobby- which is also happens to be empty, because knowing Kurt was coming along today Andre wanted the two to feel comfortable and relaxed.

They all walk together towards the elevator, waving at Mrs Bonham at the front desk, she wiggles her fingers back at them talking softly into her headset.

Andre claps Blaine on the shoulder as they call for the elevator and stand to wait. “You know where I am, you have my number, my email, everything you need. You know what I want. So when you know what you want, call me up or come down, whatever and we'll you know…get started, we'll jam… play.”

Andre makes his fingers wiggle in the air like he's playing an invisible keyboard and shoots both Kurt and Blaine a wide grin.

Andre is forty-something with short black hair flicked up into gelled spikes, with slight silvery-greys washed through. He has lovely dark olive skin, bright green youthful eyes and has been married to his high school sweetheart for most of his adult life. He and his wife fostered children for many years and now live with their two collies. Andre has this uncanny penchant for making anybody smile back to him when he flashes that toothy grin- no matter of mood or circumstance.

Blaine grins at him, his cheeks flushing. Apart from he-himself Kurt guesses that Blaine's never really felt sought after or wanted –in this way, for his talent- before, but Kurt is of course the exception to the rule.

Andre's face lights up at Blaine's excited reaction and his gaze travels across to Kurt stood primly at his side. His mossy flecked wrinkled eyes soften as he looks between the two.

“It's always wonderful to see you too Kurt, you know if you ever wanted to design anything for me that would be totally great also.” Andre's teasing tone and matching innocent/cheesy grin is just too much to ignore or not to like.

Kurt actually thinks that this guy could be an older version of Blaine, all friendly and charming and just nice.

Andre had came to meet Kurt and Blaine for the first time during an event they were all at, there had been a brief introduction and shake of hands but nothing exactly formal. Though, the truth had poured out of Andre eventually over a coffee and muffin meeting one morning- that Andre had indeed been quite the fan of the pair for some time beforehand.

His wife just so happens to be a magazine editor and one with a very tasteful eye for fashion, and also someone very willing to fill her husband in on the glamorous ins and outs.  

Andre had been at Kurt's opening night for the ‘Mr and Mr' clothing line, and had witnessed Blaine wooing and wowing the crowd with his moves and vocals, and expert playing. From that night Andre had his sights set on Blaine and after a little research had happily discovered that he had his opening by way of Cooper Anderson.

Andre had stood back and watched the two from a distance, that night. Watching the way Kurt and Blaine interacted with each other, even when they weren't technically interacting. They could talk with their eyes and express with just a tilt of their heads or graze of their hands. They're quite compelling to watch and on that night only a chosen select few had been invited to come long and witness the connection the two have for themselves. 

Kurt shoulder nudges Blaine fondly as they both nod and smile in Andre's direction. Blaine laughs, “Will do Andre, thanks for your time, once again. Speak to you soon. For sure.”

To their delight they find the elevator empty and ride down to the ground floor together in a soft silence filled with the lapping of gentle kisses and deep rumbled laughter. Blaine blinks his eyes open and watches Kurt's lips work against his slowly in the mirrored back wall of the elevator, smiles into the kiss and nips at Kurt's bottom lip with his teeth.

“Watcha smiling at?” Kurt whispers with a smile of his own in his voice, bumping his nose alongside Blaine's.

“M'just happy.” Blaine murmurs, tilting his head to kiss Kurt more deeply, but then to his dismay Kurt hums and pulls back, just so.

“Good. Glad to hear it. Care to share?” Kurt's voice is pitched lower than usual, licking and biting over his lips and Blaine just doesn't know where to start, however the elevator starts to slow to a halting stop and sings out its arrival to the ground floor.

The doors slide open and a small gaggle of people all dressed in dull brown and grey suits enter without even looking up from their cell phones, grumbling as Kurt and Blaine slide past them and out towards the main exit.

Once outside Kurt looks up and down the street, burying his nose down into his woven scarf tucked into his grey and black leather pea coat. After silently deciding that the coast is mostly clear and nobody who would pay them any interest is milling around, Kurt loops his arm through one of Blaine's. He just feels too close to him right now, too connected- not to.

“So what about this date I've been promised then huh?” Kurt murmurs quietly, smirking whilst not quite looking back at Blaine as they start walking in step down towards the river.

“Lunch?” He asks with a magical lilt to his voice.

Blaine frees his hand from his own coat pocket and pats Kurt's hand which is tucked nicely into the crook of his elbow, whilst he hums fondly.

“Oh lunch is just the start of it.” He grins, voice full of deep heated promise and joy.

*

“Moet? With lunch?” Blaine asks as their waiter hurries away from the booth with their order. There's a look of happiness and humour combined etched on his face as he looks across the small cherry wood table to Kurt, an eyebrow raised in question.

“We're celebrating.” Kurt nudges his foot underneath the table playfully.

This is one of their favourite restaurants along the Hudson- a quaint little Italian with a modern build and feel to it. It's small and quiet yet not too invasive, and both Kurt and Blaine know that while there is a chance they may get recognised, they wont be bothered here, not today. 

Their booth is dug down into a little step into-pit in the corner behind coloured-glass panelled windows- which ultimately causes a kind of invisible barrier of privacy and slight intimacy between them and the rest of the restaurant. There's a whole row along the back of little booths like these, ideal for private parties, intimate get-togethers and dates, of course.

It's one of the reasons why Kurt loves this place, you're able to dine in peace, and the fact that it's just after two in the afternoon and most lunch goers are now on their way about their business, means that the place is almost deserted accept for them and a few other small tables of unconcerned patrons scattered around.

“I thought we were on a date.” Blaine inches the leather sole of his shoe up the inner side of Kurt's ankle, brushing past his silk lined socks, not even caring that Kurt will complain about the scuff marks later on.

“We're doing both.” Kurt looks like he's about to say more, with his pretty pink pouted lips twisted into a smirk and his eyes positively sparkling under the romantic ceiling lighting- but presses his mouth closed as their waiter returns with a pop of the cork and bends at the waist to fill their glass flutes from the dark green full bodied bottle.

When they're alone again and Kurt has sampled the champagne, Blaine takes a sip from his glass, twirls it in his fingers so that the bubbles slosh up the sides of the glass like waves. “Celebrating what?”

Kurt scoffs. “What do you mean what? You know what. You. Your rising new -but not only- career.” He adds for good measure, a smile rounding the edges of his lips. “We're celebrating everything that you've achieved and accomplished.” Kurt's voice cracks off ever so slightly at the end and Blaine swallows hard. “I'm so happy and proud of you Blaine.”

Blaine blushes, hides a sniffle by taking a quick sip from his glass. Damn bubbles. “Oh come on Kurt, it's not that much of a big deal, it's still early days, very early days if you're talking about this Andre thing. And it's not like I wouldn't be where I am right now without you. I have you to thank for everything Kurt,-.”

Blaine's blabbering is cut off by Kurt's finger suddenly pressed to his mouth, Kurt's eyes bright blue and starry gray staring deeply at him, as he suddenly hunches over the booth, as close to Blaine as the table will allow. If Blaine inched in just a little then he's pretty sure their foreheads could meet.

“Enough.” Kurt hushes him quietly, a wide grin on his face. “Let's not talk, let's just… enjoy?”

Blaine's eyes flick around to the restaurant beyond the glass panels that separates the others from their little romantic dug-out, and when they land back on Kurt he presses a soft kiss to Kurt's finger tip.

“Ok. Please, lets.”

*

“Oh my god, here try this, it tastes like sex.” Blaine giggles and looks around to make sure there's nobody passing who could have heard and then turns his face to Kurt- Kurt who after the appetizers had been cleared away had decided to switch sides and join Blaine on his little bench, pressed close thigh to thigh, grinning like teenagers as they clink their flutes together.

“Oh god, that's delicious.” Blaine mumbles, sliding his lips away from Kurt's fork, just catching his eyes as his pupils start to darken. “You're right it does. Not better though. I would say.”

“Oh I never said better.” Kurt blinks, puts his fork down on the side of his plate and picks up his glass, smirking as the bubbles hit his tongue.

Blaine loves when Kurt gets like this, a little loose and slightly uncaring of the world around him. He figures that they should order two bottles of sparkling wine with lunch more often.  

During the first course they were able to talk a little about Blaine's thoughts and feelings from the meeting with Andre, and hadn't really come up with a conclusion other than Blaine was fairly fucking excited and a little nervous to say the least. But he was more than likely definitely going to take Andre up on his offer of a trial period of the two of them working together and seeing what happens.

Blaine had gulped at the thought. He remembers what happened the last time he had been offered a trial period- vividly.

He remembers the way he felt when he opened up Kurt's letter that he'd left for him that morning on his desk. And then the way his body had sang from his toes upwards at the realisation of what the letter had meant. The probationary period was over –early- and Kurt was inviting him as a permanent fixture into his life with all of its glory.

Blaine had kindly shrugged off any other of Kurt's questions that he'd had for him regarding Andre's offer. He knew that they would talk about it another time, in detail, over and over.

Right now Blaine had more important things he wanted to focus on. Right now, he was on a date. His first real date with Kurt, and god just how crazy does that sound?

Kurt picks his fork back up off of his plate and demurely sucks a drop of sauce from one of the silver prong, his eyes piercing blue and darkening, looking right at Blaine.

And oh was Blaine going to focus entirely on the fine specimen by his side.

*

“We could get desert to go?” Blaine all but squeaks.

“And why would we do that?” Kurt answers, eyeing up the fancy desert menu in his hand and not giving Blaine any attention at all. All the while finger-scooping a strawberry out from his glass that he'd picked from the bunch he'd ordered earlier for their drinks, and sucking it between his lips.

“Because honestly?” Blaine rasps, his eyes following the path of red juice trailing along Kurt's lips. “Without out being able to say it any less bluntly, I'm about to pop a boner in my pants, right here in this very fine establishment and I believe it would be frowned upon if I did so.”

A shadow of a smirk passes over Kurt's face but he tries his damndest to keep it at bay. “I wouldn't frown upon it-”

“I'm sure you wouldn't.”

“Come-ooonn, we're on a date Blaine.” Kurt finally cracks. “Woo me, show me your best material.” Kurt grins, fingering the crease of the desert menu as he leans back against the plum coloured leather padded benches.

Blaine watches him for a few silent seconds, watches the way he tips his head back against the wooden ledge of the bench, watches how his hair ruffles and falls slightly out of place, how his face relaxes with contentment.

Blaine blows out a deep steadying breath and moves his hand which has been gripping tightly at the curved edge of the leather padded bench, sliding it so that his fingers graze against Kurt's thigh. He leans in close, parting his lips, just about ready to say something which may not be entirely inclusive as first date etiquette but then pulls back as the waiter swoops back into their section, his electronic pad and pen ready to go in his hands.

“Have we decided on a desert? May I recommend the Key Lime pie, its certainly scrumptious?”

*

“Unless you're wanting to make a spectacle of yourself then I suggest that you don't stand up on our table and serenade me.” Kurt says thoughtfully, whilst trying to disguise his grin around his spoonful of New York Millionaire cheesecake.

Blaine swallows his mouthful of pie (he went for the key lime with added chocolate flakes) and laughs. “Well that's it I'm out of ideas then.” He places his fork down on his plate now scattered with crumbs and cocoa sprinkles and throws his hands up in the air dramatically. “I don't do this sort of thing, I don't know how.” He gestures a finger between himself and Kurt. “The last time I tried I was in high school and I sang an inappropriate song in the middle of a highly respectable clothing store.”

Kurt barks out a laugh, covers his mouth with his hand and reaches for his napkin. After he's dabbed it neatly around his mouth a few times he reaches for his glass and lets the bubbles slide down his throat. When he turns back to Blaine his features are schooled into pretend seriousness. “Well I have to say that I'm a little jealous, that you gave some guy your best moves and won't do the same for me.”

Blaine gapes at him and as he looks up just over Kurt's head, he manages to catch a server's attention. He gestures with his hand up the air and mouths something that resembles the fact that he wants the check, moving his hand up Kurt's leg and up to his shirt clad side.

He squeezes Kurt's waist underneath the silk of his jacket and leans in to whisper in his ear, “Oh believe me you've already seen all of my best moves, and there are some more about to come your way.”

*

“You're not taking me home now are you?” Kurt asks as they get outside onto the sidewalk, the fresh air rising from the water down beside them is cool on their skin and sort of welcoming after a couple hours spent eating rich food and sipping champagne in the heated indoors.

Blaine looks back at him, wills his heart to calm at what Kurt had just said. Home. It's not like it's not the truth, but there's just something about the way hearing Kurt say that word to him.

“You have other ideas?” Blaine asks.

“Oh yes. I was hoping that you might also.” Kurt's sly smile is infectious, “Oh come on, you're just gonna wine and dine me and then expect to get me into bed?”

The area is quiet around them, the sky already darkening with a deep and dull November blanket. Kurt strides in front of Blaine by a couple of steps and Blaine can see the way he's sashaying his hips effectively under his coat- all for Blaine's sake of course.

With a slight shake of his head, Blaine trots up behind him, places a hand on the small of his back and guides him up the walkway towards a lining of various restaurants, cafes and bars.

*

“I have a feeling that we're maybe going to have to continue playing hooky again tomorrow.”

“And why is that?” Kurt says, trying not to laugh at the look on Blaine's face as he sips his Old-Fashioned.

By way of answer Blaine simply holds up his glass and takes a big gulp.

The cocktail bar they're at is fairly new, they'd never heard of it before and with it being a late November midweek afternoon, it's also fairly quiet. The table they're sat at is high up, looking out onto a full clear glass wall which reflects the late afternoon sunlight twinkling down onto the waters surface outside.

This is probably not what either of them had in mind when the word ‘date' was brought up. However there was more chance than any, that they be would seen at a movie theater, and to be honest going to the movies for a first date- after they're history is just boring. They'd already had a lovely meal and they weren't appropriately wrapped up to be walking around somewhere for hours in this current temperature.

This is just so them, out of context and a little weird and different. Different is what they do though, different is ultimately how they work. Being different is what makes them so good, so connected. 

As silly and strange as it may seem, getting wasted in the day time hours appears to be exactly what the two of them need right now, to help release any residual steam and with the lovely douse of alcohol to help ease them into a more relaxed state of not caring- though still coherent enough to be in some state of control. And if things go pear shaped- Sam's only a phone call away.

“Oh I don't know about that.” Kurt replies as he sips from his own glass, he thinks that he asked for a Manhattan because that's the first thing he read on the chalkboard when they first walked in, but now he thinks that Blaine may have ordered him something a little sweet and delicious but stronger.

The alcohol tastes a little sour on his tongue, strong but not over-powering. “And since when did ordering your dates something a little stronger, become date etiquette?”

“Since I realised what great fun we're having.” Blaine replies fumbly, scooting adorably closer, as close as his stool will allow him to shuffle over to Kurt without falling off. “Since I realised that a little liquid courage can't really hurt anyone.” They both take a sip. “Since I realized that the flush on your cheeks and the twinkle in your eyes right now is just…damn.” Kurt swallows hard and Blaine's eyes drop to the bob of his Adam's apple.

Kurt glances over to the bar area, Blaine follows his eye line. There are a couple of women dressed in pencil skirts and blouses, tucked into a booth in the corner and seemingly entirely too engrossed in whatever the office gossip was that afternoon to look away from each other and up from their fish bowls.

Apart from Kurt and Blaine, the ladies, and the friendly bar tender who seems bored out of her mind as she polishes the glasses that's hanging from up above on the wooden racks- there is nobody else in the bar. There appeared to be no recognition on the girls face when she served Blaine the drinks and glanced over at Kurt, who had been sitting eagerly awaiting his return.

Kurt starts sipping at his drink again rather demurely, with a look in his eyes that Blaine knows exactly how to read.

Blaine rather eagerly starts to make quick work of his own drink, encouraging Kurt to do the same with a tilt of his finger to his glass. Kurt regards him carefully, eyes hooded and glazed, and it's one of those moments when a flood of words are passed silently between them.

Blaine knows Kurt well enough by now, knows his limits and dug down deep desires even when Kurt can't actually articulate them. He knows when to push and when not to, knows what Kurt needs from him even before Kurt knows himself, mostly down to the fact that it's usually exactly what Blaine needs for himself also.

After a beat, and a deep stare into each other's eyes, spiralling into further wordless communication, Blaine reaches out over the table, curls two of his fingers around Kurt's and pulls him from his stool as they slide out from the table.

“Phase three? Home now?” Kurt asks quietly into Blaine's ear, tucked into his side with small stumbled steps, one hand placed on his elbow and one hand on his back, leading him forward.

“Not quite.” Blaine answers, pushing through the first set of doors towards the exit.

Before they reach the double doors leading them to the sidewalk, Blaine quickly turns to the left, jerking Kurt's arm along with him and doesn't stop until they're both now on the inside of the locked men's room door.

Kurt finds himself pressed up against the dark wooden door, quickly taking in the sights around him as Blaine's lips work up and down his throat, his fingers swiftly undoing the first top two buttons of his shirt collar- thank god they had vetoed ties today.

The bathroom is nice, it's all tiled with neutral earthy colours and there's a strong smell of lemon scented disinfectant hanging in the air, which strangely makes Kurt feel a little more comfortable about doing what he thinks he's going to end up doing in a matter of moments.

“Blaine-” Kurt rasps, head thrown back against the door, hair ruffled up in all directions. Blaine presses himself flush up against Kurt's body, whining in his throat at the feel of Kurt's rapidly growing hard on rubbing up against his.

Blaine had been pretty much rock hard ever since leaving the restaurant, there's no secret about that anymore.

“Ssshhh,” Blaine breathes into the warm hollowed skin of his neck, fingers starting to glide downwards over his shirt landing on his belt buckle, his thumb playing with the dangly metal piece of Kurt's zipper. “It's ok, please, I'll be real quick, let me do this for you, please?”

Blaine whimpers more to himself than anything as he pulls Kurt's pants open and runs a finger along the waistline of his briefs.

“Oh-oh god-” Kurt grits through his teeth as Blaine's finger traces the outline of his covered cock, lips still sucking into his skin, now up by his ear. “I can't believe you-that we're- oh god. Do it. Do it now, hurry.” Kurt babbles and Blaine wastes no time in unsheathing Kurt from his underwear and grips him tightly.

Kurt chokes on his groan that he tries to swallow down, eyes clenched shut as Blaine's fist starts pumping his dick up and down, his wrist flicking and twisting perfectly.

It's hot and dry and tight and perfect, but Kurt won't come like this, no matter how hard and ready he is, and Blaine knows that.

Without breaking contact Blaine leans back and with his free hand pumps a squirt or two of hand moisturizer from the wall dispenser into his palm. He's back to Kurt within moments and grins at the sound of Kurt's choked off half pant/half moan when Blaine massages the lotion around his cock, hard and fast.

The sounds that Kurt is making, rumbling deep from his chest and his throat -though still as quiet as possible- are exquisite and strives Blaine on, more and more, up and down, around and around, tight, tight, tight.

Blaine starts kissing up from Kurt's ear, along the edge of his jaw line, over his cheeks and presses open mouthed wet, heated kisses to Kurt's lips, as his thumb breaks formation and glides upwards, slipping over the swollen head of Kurt's cock.

Kurt's hips push forward, sliding himself up through Blaine's fist and back again, with rapid untimed precision and Blaine knows that he's close, so unbelievably close.

“Come on,” Blaine whispers against his lips, his hand scorching against Kurt's throbbing cock as he rocks him into oblivion. “Come on Kurt, that's it, yeah sweetheart.”

Kurt gasps into his mouth, hips jerking forward and Blaine is just about to mentally kick himself for throwing in a pet name at a rather uncalled-for time, but it seems to have worked just the trick.

They hadn't discussed the whole topic of pet names and term of endearments, neither were actually sure if it was something that they would do. Although after Kurt had let that adorable little ‘honey' slip out back in Ohio -and in front of Blaine's family no less-, the whole gravity of saying something sweet and heartfelt just seemed to crumble away.

It just seems right, like everything else with them does, after needing time of falling into place. Everything always feels right with them.

Blaine swallows hard, nips at Kurt's bottom lip and goes in for the kill, with his fist now flying over Kurt's cock, his thumb teasing through the slit and spreading tiny pearls of pre-come around. “Yeah sweetheart, you like this, I know you do. Just you and me.”

Kurt gasps again, louder, harder, rutting with every one of Blaine's whispered words and flicks of his thumb and wrist. Blaine slips his tongue between Kurt's lips, tightens his grip around his dick. “That's it baby, come for me. Come in my hand.”

Kurt explodes. Sobs into Blaine's mouth and Blaine manages to swallow his cries down with kiss after kiss as Kurt comes hot and wet over his fist. At first Blaine's plan was to sink to his knees and take Kurt in his mouth to catch all of the mess, but after feeling the vibration course through his body, Blaine knew that it was more important to take care of the noise aspect first.

When Kurt is spent, softening in Blaine's hand and whimpering brokenly into his mouth, Blaine leans back again but this time comes back with a hand wrapped in a roll of paper towels.

He cleans Kurt up, disposes of the soiled tissues, tucks him back into his underwear and zips up his fly, winking and even patting at his hip cheekily when he's done.              

“What about you?” Kurt breathes, cheeks flushed so fucking prettily, finally stepping away from the door towards Blaine. His eyes bright blue and crystal clear, making no secret that their looking down at Blaine's now very tight trousers.

“Oh I'm not done with you yet. But don't worry I'll wait.” Blaine smirks, pulling at himself over his pants, even un-tucking his shirt to pull down over his crotch until he can get his coat back on- because that doesn't just scream out what's been going on.

They quickly and quietly exit the bathroom to find with relief that there is nobody waiting around outside the door, and leave the bar sliding on their coats and wrapping their scarves around their necks as they unhook them from the coat stand.

Out on the side walk, the cool breezy spray from the water's edge hits the flushed skin of their faces welcomingly, and Blaine grins to himself, smug and proud as Kurt pulls out his phone to text Sam.

“This is what you do on your first dates?” Kurt says lowly, turning to face Blaine after he's pocketed his phone. “God, what have I been missing out on?”

Blaine smiles, even chuckles a bit, and steps forward into Kurt's space, “No, not first dates. Only Kurt dates.” Kurt's face lights up and Blaine really wishes that they weren't standing in the middle of a public sidewalk right now.

Sam couldn't come for them quick enough.

“And you haven't been missing out on anything.” Blaine adds, looking at Kurt very carefully willing him to feel every word that he's saying to him, “Everything I do, in some way, is for and because of you.”

*

December sweeps its way through the city with harsh gusts of ice cold winds and flurries of snow and sleet, all of that mixed with the cheery jingle of familiar festive tunes playing loudly in every single store and the bright beam of multi-coloured lights flashing everywhere you look.

This time of year is busy for anybody really, but for two people with public profiles, busy schedules –both shared and individual- an array of places to be, people to see and things to do, its absolute chaos.

By the time the holiday season is closing in, work places are slowly starting to wind down and schools are closing for the winter break- Kurt and Blaine are just about ready to fall asleep standing up, and they couldn't be happier for the rest they're about to embark on.

Sam has already left for his trip back home to see his family and Santana although choosing not to jet off somewhere exotic this year is already in holiday mode and won't be around for at least the next ten days.

This means that once again Kurt and Blaine find themselves home alone for Christmas. Well not entirely alone.

“He's going to pull the tree down.” Blaine says, voice pitched with a tinge of worry. He heaves a deep sigh when he moves forward to get up off of the couch and is instantly pulled back down into a reverse bear-hug hold.

“Leave him. This is fun to watch, he won't pull the tree down. He's not that strong, he's just little like his daddy.” Kurt says snuggling back with Blaine attached to his front, humour etched into his tone as he tightens his hold around Blaine's middle and pulls him flush up against his chest.

Blaine can't really find it anywhere in him to complain about the pull-back or the height joke, this is really the most comfortable and relaxed he has felt all month, maybe more than that. The soft knit of Kurt's sweater feels snug against his back and shoulders and the rub of their cotton clad legs tangled together shouldn't feel as good as it does.

The living room around them is plunged into darkness accept for the twinkling that's going on over by the Christmas tree, sending little dotted shadows of warm vanilla painted across the walls and floor boards.

Christmas Eve this year is a little different to how they spent it last year. They've been working pretty much up until just an hour or so ago. Kurt had been at some soundstage for most of the day, the contest that he had been judging for had its pre-recorded televised final and Kurt was needed there to wrap things up and see who he would be coaching in the new year.

Blaine hadn't necessarily been needed around for that, so instead used that time to put in a few hours with Andre in their now shared studio. The goal for them this year was just to get a feel for lyrics and new sounds- as Andre had put it jovially. Blaine's honestly just enjoying being back in this place again, a place surrounded by musical equipment and little fidgety buttons and dials. A place where he can just let the music flow from him in whichever way it chooses to and he won't be judged, because it's just him in this little room, choosing to do only what he wants, and of course Andre who seems to grin at everything and loves everything that Blaine comes up with anyway.

So after they had both arrived home, home, from their crazy, busy days, the very first thing on the agenda had been to clean up and change and literally swaddle each other. They weren't feeling too hungry, so dinner would mostly consist of leftovers from the fridge a little later in the evening, the only priority had appeared to be getting themselves over to the couch without having to detangle and hang out with their excited little ball of fur.         

There's a hiss and a squeaky mewl from across the room and Kurt grins as Blaine grimaces, both at the sight of Jester gliding around on the floor, sharp claws clicking, pawing wildly at the neatly wrapped presents that sit nice and presentably under the tree.

Kurt although he acts to be mature and serious, had the great idea of getting Jes a kitty stocking for Christmas and wrapping it up for him. The stocking is filled with toys made of yarn, little mice with collars on that ding and a small packet of strongly scented cat-nip drops.

Jester has not left the tree alone since Kurt had placed the present there earlier, waiting for him to open on Christmas day- tomorrow morning.

Kurt laughs and Jes growls frustratingly, -his wrapping had been tough work for this purpose exactly- and Blaine smiles, feeling the rumble against his back. After a short while Jes decidedly gives up and comes over to the couch all sombre like, tail literally tucked between his legs.

When he hops up on Blaine's lap to settle in against his stomach, Kurt's arms stretch out from around Blaine's sides to pet at his little body.  Soon all that can be heard are the soft raspy purrs coming from Jesters throat with a little vibrating rumble, and it's like peace has finally descended upon them.

This right here, their little bundle on the couch, the tree blinking bright and pretty at them from the corner is all that they need this Christmastime.

Blaine arches his neck, the back of his head tipping back onto Kurt's shoulder, as is instantly met with Kurt's lips softly pressing to his. Their tongues slowly and easily meeting in a graceful glide, with soft breaths and light pants slipped out passed their teeth.

Blaine's body instinctively starts to curl inwards, moving of its own accord to twist and turn and get impossibly closer to Kurt. Jester however is not very accommodating and digs his nails into Blaine's thigh, keeping him in place.

Blaine whines in his throat at the sudden sharp volt of pain running up his leg and Kurt eases back, glancing down at Jester with a smile. “I guess somebody's a little jealous of me stealing his birth-dad away huh?”

Blaine chuckles, reaches up behind him to run a hand through Kurt's fine short hair at the nape of his neck- still a little damp from his quick earlier shower. “Yes, that, or he's just sick of us constantly booting him to the ground when we want to…you know.”

Kurt grins, nestles his chin onto Blaine's shoulder like a little hook, and kisses just below his ear. “Want to what?”

Blaine squirms against him but Kurt can see the smile that curls up to his eyes, even from behind him. “Don't make me say it.”

Kurt kisses him again in the same spot, this time still smiling as he does it, he knows that the whiskers around his jaw and chin are tickling Blaine's face and neck and he roots himself in closer. “Well he should get used to it by now.”

“Hmmm.” Is all Blaine replies, still scratching lazily through Kurt's hair with his fingers, his eyes fluttering closed as Kurt continues nuzzling into him.

When Jester starts to fall into a deep sleep again, buried in the small thigh-gap space between Blaine's bended legs, the purring starts up again, loud and still soft and soothing.

“It's crazy that it's been a year huh?” Blaine says quietly, staring at the tree decorated with colour.

“If you're talking about what I think you're talking about then, you know it's been over a year right? Do you not remember the suit?”

Blaine uses his free hand to curl back in between them and pinch at Kurt's stomach lightly. “Of course I remember the suit. How could I not? I didn't necessarily mean that.”

Kurt giggles a little and then quietly murmurs in his ear. “I know what you mean.”

Christmas means many things to many people, but to Kurt and Blaine, here in this home, this time last year, Christmas was the time when two brave souls opened up and took a running jump into a world unknown. A world that shook at the edges at times, feeling like everything around was crumbling and would never be the same again.    

This time last year, they started upon their journey which has lead them to now, to this.

“Merry Christmas honey, let's see what next year will bring hmmm?” Kurt whispers, his breath warm and sweet ghosting over Blaine's skin. Blaine feels like he could levitate. 

Blaine unable to hold back, twists in Kurt's arms, ignoring Jester's whines of complaints but keeps a hand placed to his belly to stop him from falling and hoists himself upward to press his forehead to Kurt's.

He shouldn't let himself think the things that he's thinking about the next year, and the year after, and the year after that.

But if by the way Kurt's lips curl into a toothy grin, his eyes twinkling and eyelashes fluttering, Blaine knows that Kurt is pretty much thinking the same dare-to-dream thoughts as him.

“Merry Christmas, Kurt sweetheart.”