Christmas break went like a flash in the Hummel household. In between visiting family members and friends, and taking care of Charlie, the boys didn't really have time for themselves. Nonetheless, Burt allowed them to sleep in the same bedroom four nights a week. Of course, Kurt tried to argue, saying that this was no different than from Fridays and Saturdays but Burt insisted on having them spend at least six nights apart during the break.

Surprisingly, or not, Carole Hudson visited the Hummel household quite often during the break, and Kurt couldn't help but giggle a bit when he saw how his father was acting around her.

On the last Friday morning before school started again, Blaine got out of bed pretty late. He didn't have to tend to Charlie that morning and he'd fallen asleep quite late. The night before, he was too busy enjoying the gift Kurt had gotten for him for Christmas: a brand new MP3 player. Blaine had just lain there, on his bed for hours, listening to his favourite songs for the first time in months. Sure, he listened to music with Kurt, but having the music being burst directly into his ears was an amazing feeling.

He got out of his bedroom, still in his pajamas when he heard some soft sobs coming from down the hall. Immediately thinking of Kurt, he almost ran to his boyfriend's room, wondering what was possibly going wrong.

Blaine was surprised to find out that the crying was actually from Aaron's bedroom. He knew that the kid was shy and generally sad, but he'd never seen him actually cry.

The sight was heartbreaking. Aaron was clutching his pillow, his face buried in it in an attempt to muffle the sounds of his crying. Blaine didn't know what do to. He wanted to comfort Aaron but he knew the boy would probably hide behind the walls he'd made to protect himself. The teenager decided it would probably be better to get Kurt. Kurt was good at getting Aaron to talk.

Blaine tried to turn around but a floorboard creaked and he closed his eyes, scared of the reaction Aaron might have. The boy on the bed immediately stopped crying. Blaine knew in that moment that Aaron was looking at him. He slowly opened his eyes to look behind him. Aaron was, indeed, staring at him.

"Blaine." He simply said, with what sounded like a pleading voice.

Blaine couldn't resist the urge to sit on the bed, arms open, inviting Aaron in.

"Hey, little man." Blaine said as Aaron buried his face into Blaine's shoulder. "What's going on?"

Blaine really wished that Kurt was there. Kurt was good at dealing with Aaron. It took a while before Aaron decided to speak - or was able to, in between his sobs. When his breathing had evened out, Aaron spilled everything he had that was heavy on his heart.

"Every year that I've been here, Kurt and I have always gone to Schoonover Park on the last Friday of the holidays. There's a slope there and we would slide down the hill for hours."

Blaine remained silent, guessing where Aaron's explanations would be going.

"When... When I went downstairs for breakfast, I had my snow pants with me. I was so happy to spend the afternoon with Kurt! It's been so long and I miss him... But - but he didn't say anything..."

On that, Aaron started to cry again.

"He forgot about me! I thought he never would! He always promised me he would be there for me and now he's not! It's starting all over again! I'll have to find a new house and then another and another!"

Blaine wondered how a boy so young could feel so rejected. He also wondered if it had to do anything with his past. Of course! A little annoying voice said at the back of his head.

"Hey... It's - it's okay, Aaron. I'll talk to Kurt, okay?" Blaine suggested, trying to comfort the boy.

Aaron nodded, his face still in Blaine's shoulder. Blaine slowly untangled Aaron's arms from around his chest and gently laid him down again on his bed.

Kurt was in the living room, sitting on the couch with Charlie beside him. He was fumbling with the MP3 player he got for her. He'd managed to attach some speakers to both sides of Charlie's chair's headrest. This way, she was always able to listen to music.

"Hear that song, Charlie? This is from Wicked, one of the greatest musical of all time. You want to know why it's so amazing? Because it's about fighting for what's right, even if it's makes you an outcast."

Charlie was looking at Kurt with curious eyes. She always looked calm when Kurt was talking to her. According to Liz, it was because of his high pitched tone.

"Oh! And this song is from Rent... The lyrics might be a bit harsh for you, though... I'll take it out from the player I think..."

"La Vie Boheme... You can keep it! Maybe it will help her open her mind to differences." Blaine said from behind Kurt. "And besides, I don't think she would ever repeat Mucho Masturbation... So we're safe on that!"

With a chuckle, Kurt switched the song and put the player back in the little pouch he sew and then hung on the chair handle.

"Hey sleepyhead!" Kurt said, with a smile, standing up to meet Blaine.

Analyzing Kurt's face, Blaine knew that Kurt didn't know anything about Aaron being hurt upstairs.

They talked about everything and nothing for a few minutes before Blaine had enough courage to talk to Kurt. Or at least, figure out if he had anything plan this afternoon.

"So, do you have anything planned on this fine last Friday of holidays?" Blaine knew he might have put too much in that question. But he wanted to be clear, crystal clear. It was the last chance he gave Kurt to figure out something.

"Yes, actually." Kurt answered, and Blaine's heart leapt in his chest. "I'm taking Charlie to Mercedes' house. Her mom agreed to cut her hair!"

Blaine felt like he had been doused in cold water. Kurt really forgot about his annual plan with Aaron.

"Great!" He managed to say before he excused himself, saying that he needed to take a shower before lunch (it was that late).

True, Charlie took a lot of time out of Kurt's schedule. Even Blaine felt a bit rejected, but it was normal that the girl needed attention, right? She couldn't do anything by herself so everyone had to give a hand. But Blaine knew that Kurt was giving more than his share. He was giving everything he had just to make Charlie's life less miserable. Blaine could understand that. Aaron, on the other hand, was still young and the concept was abstract to him. Add to that the rejection in his background, from what Blaine understood, and you have the sad little boy, curled up on his bed upstairs.

Blaine didn't go into the shower immediately. He went to Aaron's room first.

"Hey again, little man!"

When he heard Blaine's voice, Aaron sat on his bed, wiping his eyes.

"I talked to Kurt... And - And -" Blaine exhaled. "I think he forgot your little tradition... He wants to take Charlie to a friend's house for a haircut..."

But before Aaron could have another melt down, Blaine had an idea.

"Why don't you go downstairs and remind him about it? Maybe we can have Charlie's hair cut another day?"

"I tried, Blaine! He didn't notice!" Aaron argued, thinking about the snow pants.

"You tried by having your snow pants in your hands." Blaine explained "Maybe it would be better if you tried with words... Ask him and tell him how it's important to you?"

Aaron considered what Blaine was saying. He never was good with words. He always made sure people figured out what he wanted with signs and unspoken thoughts.

But Blaine was right. Kurt had been busy with Charlie that morning. He might not have noticed the pants.

"You're right... I'll try." Aaron said quietly.

Blaine smiled, ruffled Aaron's hair and went to the bathroom to get showered.

"Kurt?"

Kurt almost didn't hear Aaron's voice over the song that was playing on Charlie's device.

"Hey, chéri, what's going on?" Kurt asked, busy with the MP3 player.

"Did - did you forget?" the boy questioned, knowing the answer.

"Forget wha - Oh my God!" Kurt said as all the color drained from his face and he looked at Aaron, horror struck.

"It's - it's okay! I kind of figured this morning... We can - we can forget about it and -"

"No! No! Aaron! Remember why we started this? So you wouldn't feel that way - rejected! I can't believe I caused that. I'll just call Mercedes and she'll tell her mom that we can't make it today! I'm so sorry I forgot!" Kurt apologized, standing up to hug Aaron "Look at you, you've even been crying for God knows how long!"

Smiling Aaron pressed his face in Kurt's shirt, happy to have his "big brother" again.

That night, when Kurt was lying in his bed, alone, waiting for Blaine to get back from the bathroom, he replayed the events of the day.

He rolled to his side, turning his back to the door. He heard the door being closed and then he felt the mattress dip behind him and Blaine's arm curling up around his waist.

"I'm a despicable human being." Kurt said quietly, knowing that Blaine would hear him.

"And why is that?"

"I forgot about my tradition with Aaron... He told me he cried all morning. I didn't even notice. I use to notice everything about him..." Kurt answered with a lump in his throat.

"You're not despicable... You're just easily distracted." Blaine answered, nuzzling Kurt's neck.

"It's just that... Charlie is taking all my attention... There's so much to think about with her."

"I think you're doing great. We're doing great in fact, because you're not alone in this, you know?"

"I know, Blaine, I know. But I can't help myself and do everything. Charlie is so helpless and vulnerable and if we forget something it could be so harmful to her. We need to be there for her and never make a mistake!"

"Don't you think you're pressuring yourself too much? Her mom was alone with her all those years. We're three to tend to Charlie now. You shouldn't take all the responsibility. It's too much."

"When I close my eyes, all I see is Aaron's eyes... They were so sad. I've never seen them this sad since he arrived here. My heart broke..." Kurt said, letting a few tears fall down his face.

"I know... But you made up, right? You took him to the park and everything was fine, right?"

"I guess..."

"See! And besides, Aaron was able to communicate; he talked to you about it. So there's some positive outcome to this adventure, right?"

"Yeah... Thanks for taking care of him." Kurt responded softly, sleep claiming more and more of his brain.

"You're welcome." Blaine responded, kissing the back of Kurt's neck.