Kurt gave the stuffed penguin one last squeeze for good measure before he set it aside. The letter was folded as well, traded out for the next in line along with the piece of red construction paper behind it.

Kurt spread out the construction paper, grinning down at the collage made of photos cut out of magazines. Each one was numbered in a spiral pattern, leading down to a picture of him and Blaine curled up together on his couch at home in Lima. He remembered Finn had taken the picture just to tease them. The joke had been on Finn though, because it was a really cute shot.

With the collage set right in front of him, Kurt grabbed the letter, a grin spreading across his face in anticipation of reading this one.

Kurt,

It’s almost Thanksgiving, so I’m supposed to be making lists of things that I’m thankful for, right? I decided that instead of just a list, I’d make you a whole collage. Because I’m apparently five today and had /way/ too much fun with the scissors and paste. So go ahead and unfold it so you can follow along as I explain all the wonderful things I’m thankful for in Exhibit F of my life in Lima without you. (I’m blaming Elliot for the silly mood. He fed me sugar! I was just helping him study for a math test and then bam. Sugar!)

10. My iPod. Specifically all the cheesy top 40 pop I’ve loaded onto it. (Don’t even pretend you don’t miss listening to me sing along.)

9. Katy Perry. Seriously, where would my life be without her?

8. Hair Gel. This may truly be my number two love, you know, because you’ll always be first.

7. Bowties with a sweater vest. You know you love my sense of fashion. Right? Right? Why do I hear crickets?

6. Pink. The artist not the color. Because that iPod would be pretty empty if I had to take off all the Pink and Katy Perry. Shudder.

5. Indie rock. Because it can’t all be Top 40 all the time. Sometimes you just need to be emotional.

4. Travel size hair gel. Because I need something in my locker to fix the damage after surprise slushies.

3. Lube and condoms. Because, well, I don’t think I need to explain that. And now I cannot show this collage to anyone before sending it off, especially Elliot. I don’t need to start corrupting him. Sadly, these aren’t as great with you off in New York.

2. A punching bag. Because it’s better than ending up in Figgins’ office. Or crazy.

1. But more than all of those combined, I’m thankful for you. I’m thankful that I can open up to you and share things I hide from the world. I’m definitely thankful for the way you look in a pair of skinny jeans. Most of all, I’m thankful that you love me right back.

Alright, you can hide the collage before Rachel or Finn tries to sneak a peek and turns bright red at the picture of the lube bottle. Or tries to give you advice you obviously don’t need.

I can’t wait to see you when you’re home for Thanksgiving. Yes, we’re on for Black Friday shopping, if only because it will give me time to spend with just you. Now you even have that promise in writing so you can hold me to it at four in the morning. Can we make fun of the crazy people in the crowds? Please, please make sure you have coffee when you pick me up.

Oh. On that note, don’t open the wrapped package until you’re alone. I fully intend to sneak you away at some point during the weekend to put what’s in that package to good use. It’s been about three months after all. Three very long months.

On a completely separate note, I got my NYU application sent off. I did go ahead and send that essay like you suggested. I’m just not sure how I can look any member of that admissions committee in the eye if I ever have to now, though. How many months had I known you before I even said anything about Sadie Hawkins? It’s not something I share usually. Putting it out there was hard, but strangely therapeutic. I finally feel like it’s part of my past, not something that affects my every move.

I guess my sugar high has worn down, since I’m going from playful to introspective with a strong dash of horny in the middle. What can I say? I’m a 17 year old boy with a crazy hot boyfriend, and I’ll keep telling you that last part until you truly believe it.

I still love you so much, but I won’t have to miss you much longer. See you very, very soon.

Blaine

A blush spread across Kurt’s cheeks as he remembered the contents of that package, or rather the use the contents had been put to. The small bottle of lube had come in quite handy when the pair had returned from Black Friday shopping to find that Blaine’s parents had both ‘run into the office for a moment’, especially since both of them knew that moment would be several hours long.

The weekend had been over far too quickly for both of them, but separating that second time had been a lot easier. Instead of facing three months apart, they’d only been anticipating three weeks before Kurt was done with finals and home for Winter Break.

Now, Kurt was so close to being home for the summer. He’d never really anticipated actually looking forward to going back to Lima, but he really kind of was. He was looking forward to seeing everyone he’d missed during the year. Mercedes. Tina. Sam. His dad and Carole. Most of all, he was looking forward to seeing Blaine. He’d be working at the tire shop while Blaine resumed his gig at Six Flags, but they’d have glorious evenings and weekends together. Come the end of summer, Blaine would be packing up to head to New York right alongside him. What could be better?