He asked if he could kiss him and he said Yes, kiss me, and so he did.
It was a strange kiss. It was a beautiful kiss.

Slow Waltz Through Inflatable Landscape - Christian Hawkey

Christmas draws near and brings with it an influx of shrubbery in the halls of Dalton.

It's the last Warbler practice of the year, and Kurt is happily soaking up the excited atmosphere as everyone chatters about the christmas break. They have ten minutes until the meeting officially starts and it seems the Warblers are making the most of it.

The sudden silence that falls over the room is jarring.

Kurt looks up to see Nick and Jeff standing in the doorway, both smirking as Nick stalks towards Jeff with a hungry glint in his eye. Jeff leans back against one of the double doors and mock swoons, licking his bottom lip lasciviously before Nick finally kisses him, hard and wet.

The cheer that erupts through the room is almost deafening.

"Mistletoe!" Blaine shouts next to Kurt, struggling to be heard over the whoops and catcalls. "Nick and Jeff like putting on a show!" Kurt looks back at the two boys in question who are now wrapped around each other, laughing and soaking in the cries of delight from their classmates. Kurt is stunned at how open they are with their relationship, and that absolutely no-one seems to care. It isn't just the zero-tolerance policy, Nick and Jeff are genuinely treated as normal here, so much so Kurt is pretty sure half the school would go into mourning if they ever broke up.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to." Blaine says beside him, drawing Kurt's attention back as he wrinkles his brow in confusion.

"The mistletoe." Blaine clarifies. "You don't have to kiss under it. Even if you do most of the guys make it pretty quick." There's a snort of derision as Nick sinks into the lounge on Kurt's other side and leans against Jeff, perched on the arm.

"He says that like he's ever done it." Nick whispers conspiratorially, "Blaine here refuses to have fun with the rest of us." Blaine rolls his eyes.

"I have a girlfriend." He says with a slight tinge of annoyance.

"Like that ever stopped anyone. Besides, what was your excuse last year?" Jeff teases. "I think you just hate fun." Nick nods along seriously with his boyfriend's words.

"I just think a kiss should mean a little more than something you do just because someone hung up a weed. Can we drop it now?" Blaine says, effectively ending their line of questioning.

"What about you Kurt? Plan on kissing any Dalton boys?" For a moment Kurt remembers the locker room at McKinley, lips pressed pressed against his own, hands tracing the planes of his body, touching where they have no right to touch. Even as he comes back to himself, safe at Dalton, the phantom taste of cherry slushee stays on his tongue.

"Maybe." He says quietly, hearing the lie in his voice even if no-one else can. It's easier than telling the truth, something he definitely does not feel like revealing to a room full of Warblers.

"Ooh, got your eye on a certain young man? Maybe you'll find him under the mistletoe." Nick nudges his shoulder conspiratorially, apparently having missed Kurt's discomfort. He isn't particularly surprised he's gotten so good at hiding it.

"This meeting will now come to order." Wes' voice rings through the room loud and clear, shaking Kurt from his thoughts.

"Today we honour our oldest tradition for our newest Warbler. An actual Warbler." Kurt feels Blaine shift beside him as he lifts a cage containing a small yellow canary from the end table.

"Kurt, meet Pavarotti." The bird hops about its cage happily as Kurt takes it gingerly, trying not to think about his track record with pets and the tragic demise of Galinda the goldfish.

"This bird is a member of an unbroken line of canaries who've been at Dalton since 1891. It's your job to take care of him, so he can live to carry on the Warbler legacy. Protect him. That bird is your voice." It all sounds very serious and important and Kurt feels slightly overwhelmed.

"Don't worry." Blaine whispers quietly, his eyes fixed on Wes, who has moved onto the subject of their performance at the upcoming benefactors dinner. "I did this last year. It's easy."

Kurt wants to question what exactly is easy about having another life entrusted to his care, but he's distracted by the sharp rapping of Wes' gavel as he dismisses the meeting, telling them all to enjoy the winter break.

"Don't forget to consider song choices for the benefit dinner in February, we want to begin rehearsals early."

Pavarotti finds a new home on Kurt's desk, next to The Canary Handbook and a bird cage cover helpfully supplied by Blaine. Kurt immediately hates the cover, though thankfully Blaine doesn't seem to notice.

They've just settled in with their homework when Kurt hears Blaine groan and the scrape of his chair pushing away from the desk.

"Everything oka- oh."

How Nick and Jeff even got into their room is a mystery, and while Kurt does plan on berating them for it later, he's slightly more concerned with the gift they left for Blaine.

The offending sprig of mistletoe hangs from the celling light and looks completely innocent. Blaine, by contrast, looks utterly ridiculous as his fingers bat the empty air beneath the little plant. Kurt suppresses a giggle.

"Here, let me." He finally says, moving to stand beneath the light and rising on tiptoe where he easily plucks the mistletoe down. Blaine ducks his head and looks embarrassed, the pink tinge colouring his cheeks far more obvious from this close angle than it would have been across the room.

"What do you think we should do with it?" Kurt twirls the green sprig between his fingers, noticing it's looking a little worse for wear. No doubt pilfered from one of the many doorways in the school and hidden in a bag until both he and Blaine were absent.

Nick and Jeff are in so much trouble.

Blaine mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like burn it as he looks up, and wow they are close. Like, kissing-distance close. Which Kurt should definitely not be thinking about. Even if Blaine's eyes are flicking downwards and back up again and he's leaning in closer now, crowding right into Kurt's personal space-

His lips brush against the corner of Kurt's mouth, breath warm and heavy with lingering sweetness from the soda he drank at dinner, and even as he pulls away Kurt follows, not willing to part just yet.

They're still then, searching each others faces, and the moment hangs between them, fine as spiders silk.

Music flares and fills the room, and the moment tenses and snaps as Kurt turns, fumbling to grab the phone skittering across his desk as it vibrates. By the time he's turned again, phone in hand, Blaine has already retreated back to is own desk and the moment is gone.

"What?" He snaps into the phone, not having bothered to check the caller ID.

"Woah, what'd I do?" Finn's voice echoes down the line and Kurt looks over at Blaine who seems suddenly very interested in his History homework.

"Nothing, I was just- homework." It's a poor lie, but Finn seems to buy it.

"Oh, well can you spare a moment? I need your advice. See, Rachel's being all weird and she tried to give me this gift and there was the singing and why can't she just be happy ruining my life with that pre-" Kurt's head is spinning, even as he stops Finn's rambling mid-sentence.

"Finn, I'm not sure where you got the impression I have any idea what goes on inside Rachel's head, because let me assure you, I don't. And in case it slipped your mind, her boyfriend is my roommate and did it ever occur to you that maybe this conversation would be really awkward for me to be having in our shared room?" He doesn't even care how high his voice has become because reality has just come crashing down around him. He just kissed Rachel Berry's boyfriend. Oh god.

Blaine's looking up at him now too, obviously unable to ignore the near hysterical boy shrieking into a phone about his girlfriend.

"Oh my god." Kurt whimpers, hurling himself out the door and down the hallway, phone still clutched in his hand. He can just hear the tinny sound of Finn's voice but the words are inaudible over he rush of white noise in his ears.

Later, after an extremely uncomfortable conversation with Finn, Kurt creeps back into his darkened dorm room. Blaine appears to be asleep, curled in a tight ball beneath the duvet with only his hair visible from Kurt's side of the room.

He changes into his pajamas as quietly as possible, slipping between the cool covers of his bed, and immediately rolling onto his side to look at Blaine.

And finds a pair of dark eyes looking back.

They stare silently for what feels for a long time, though when he thinks about it later, is probably no longer than a minute. Blaine's face is half hidden, and the pale moonlight filtering in makes his skin paler than usual, eyes dark as pitch against it.

"Can you-" His voice is muffled, in equal parts by the duvet and his own hesitance, indeed, Kurt can see Blaine struggling with himself to get the words out. "Don't tell anyone? Please?"

His voice is so small and scared that Kurt's heart aches, and the words are pouring out before he can stop them.

"No, no of course I won't. I wouldn't ever. Even if it was just an experiment or- I won't, I promise."

"It wasn't an experiment. I wanted to." Blaine says softly, but he seems content that his secret is safe and Kurt feels himself start to drift towards the edge of sleep.

He probably imagines what Blaine says next, and it's not like it makes sense in to his half-awake mind anyway.

"Still want to."

The next few days are awkward, to say the least.

Blaine seems pretty determined to pretend like everything is perfectly normal, though Kurt can't help but notice he's suddenly a lot more touchy-feely. It's not a bad thing, when it comes to Blaine's affection, Kurt soaks it up like a lizard in the sun, but it does send rather mixed signals.

Mostly though, it makes Nick and Jeff think their plan worked, and even if it sort of did, Kurt does not need them lording that over him forever. Blaine seems to remain happily oblivious, and it's almost like he doesn't realise what he's doing, like he's gravitating towards Kurt, even if the idea is totally ridiculous.

Which is why he's relieved when Thursday arrives, which means tomorrow is Friday and he can really start to look forward to Christmas. Or he could, if he ever gets his history assignment about Charlemagne done.

"Hey." There's a loud thump and Kurt startles, looking up to see Blaine cocking his head sideways and giving him a slight smile, a CD player sitting on the table next to him.

"You scared me." He says honestly, knowing Blaine almost certainly saw him jump in his chair. Blaine's eyes flicker downwards to the boom box and he pauses a moment.

"Well good." He says in a low voice and there's no mistaking the look in his eyes, even when he continues jokingly; "Because I'm actually Marley's ghost, and I'm here to tell you to stop studying so hard." His voice drops into a stage whisper at the end of the sentence and Kurt hums with interest, wondering where Blaine might be going with this.

"What's with the boom box?" Blaine grins, obviously noting Kurt's willingness to play along.

"I need you to sing with me. Well, rehearse with me. I got a gig singing Baby It's Cold Outside in the Kings Island Christmas Spectacular."

Lie. There hasn't been a Christmas Spectacular at Kings Island for years. Kurt is certain of this because he was at the very last one, after he'd begged his dad for weeks and they'd driven two hours in the bitter cold just to see the show before it finished forever. Still, he's curious to see where Blaine is going with this.

"Ah, a personal favourite. Too bad they'd never let us sing it together." Kurt immediately feels like an idiot, more so as Blaine gives him a confused look. He tries to rescue the sentence. "I mean, as two artists." Blaine hums in agreement, his gaze falling down to Kurt's open textbook.

"So you gonna help me out here?"

"Anything to get me to stop reading about Charlemagne." It's true. Kurt hates Charlemagne.

"Very good then." Blaine's voice seems to roll out of his throat and even if that wasn't gorgeous as hell, Kurt is already so far gone he practically purrs. Music starts to softly play and Blaine dances back towards Kurt, beckoning him to start.

Kurt isn't quite sure what god decided to smile on him and let him sing an incredibly romantic song with the boy he's fairly sure he's halfway to being in love with, but whatever the reason he's grateful. He suspects Blaine might like him too, but he's decided one sort of kiss isn't really enough to go by. Though surely seeking him out and telling a blatant lie in order to sing a flirty duet together has to count for something?

"I really can't stay-"

Blaine gives an exaggerated pout as he moves into Kurt's personal space, replying with a begging tone in his voice,

"But baby it's cold outside-"

It's a game, Kurt realises, deliberately walking away as they sing, only to let himself be reeled back in by Blaine's pleas, bumping shoulders before Blaine twirls away to sit on the edge of the leather lounge, Kurt mirroring his movements.

"Your eyes are like starlight now-"

Blaine's voice goes soft as he sings, hands poised to take an imaginary picture of Kurt's coy smile. Even as he rises to dance away he can see Blaine's face relax for a moment into something wistful before he slips back into his teasing demeanour.

"Mind if I move a closer?"

Kurt ducks his head as Blaine jokingly checks the door before he slides along the back of the lounge, shoulders bumping as he leans in, the song becoming ever more coercive. Kurt slips away, knowing what he's doing, making Blaine indulge the chase.

"Oh but it's cold outside."

Blaine smiles and leans towards Kurt as he plays the piano, a noise of surprise escaping him as Kurt ducks beneath his arm and moves towards the fireplace, determined to see whatever this through.

"You've really been grand-"

There's no missing Blaine's slightly dazed look as Kurt brushes against him, letting their fingers catch for a moment as he passes. He still manages to sing just as clear and strong as ever, and Kurt wonders what it would take to make him crack.

"How can you do this thing to me?"

Kurt leans against the back of the lounge, looking up from under his eyelashes in a move that he knows positively screams come and get me. Blaine leans towards him, knees sinking into the soft leather as their faces nearly touch, before Kurt moves quickly, circling the lounge and pausing, unsure if he's read the signals wrong.

"I really can't stay-"

Blaine motions for him to sit and for a moment they play a game of you first before they sink down into the leather, pressed together from shoulder to hip.

"Oh but it's cold outside."

There's a long pause after they finish the song, Blaine laughing awkwardly as he looks at Kurt and then away again, his cheeks flaming. Kurt can feel the matching heat creeping up his neck to his own face.

"I think you're ready." He says softly, pointedly ignoring the voice in his head that asks 'ready for what?'

"You are much better than that girl's gonna be." Blaine says sincerely, and for a minute Kurt wonders what he's talking about because it sure as hell isn't the non-existent show he won't be performing in. But that thought escapes his head in an instant as Blaine finally turns to look at him again, and all the oxygen seems to have escaped from the room.

Because Blaine is leaning towards him, his lips slightly parted and Kurt suddenly feels boxed in, shrinking back into the soft leather and why won't Blaine stop?

Then he does. No more than an inch from Kurt's face he stops and just... waits. For what, Kurt doesn't know, but he still finds himself relaxing, the small, terrified part of him finally recognising that Blaine isn't going to hurt him. Blaine too, seems to notice the change, the stiff arm he's been using to hold himself away from Kurt finally relaxing.

"Can I-?" His eyes flicker down to Kurt's mouth, his breath coming in short bursts. Something warm and wonderful curls inside Kurt's chest and he nods, trying to find his voice.

"Y-yeah." The word has barely left his lips before Blaine's kissing him, soft and sweet and oh so perfect. If Kurt had though their almost-kiss with the mistletoe had been amazing, this is something else entirely.

Blaine's hand has snuck it's way up to the back of his neck, holding him close as the other hand searches his own out, their fingers tangling together as they finally part and gasp for breath, watching each other like they aren't sure any of this is quite real.

Except it is. A gorgeous boy wants to kiss Kurt, is kissing Kurt, for Blaine has pressed their mouths together again, and this time it's slightly hotter and wetter. Kurt opens his mouth a little more now, sucking Blaine's full upper lip and revelling at the sharp intake of breath he's rewarded with.

There is too much of a good thing though, and Kurt quickly goes back to soft closed-mouth kisses, hoping he hasn't scared Blaine with his eagerness. Blaine however, seems to have other ideas, his tongue darting forward to swipe against the crease of Kurt's lips, prompting him to open them again.

He's just enjoying the first slick slide of Blaine's tongue when there's a clatter somewhere behind them and a startled cry.

"Oh!"

Kurt reluctantly pulls away to see-

"Mr Schuester?" He feels the heat flare on his cheeks and when he checks he finds Blaine appears to be sporting the same shade of beetroot red.

"I-I gotta go." He says in a single rush of breath and suddenly Kurt's side is cold and he's watching Blaine retreat out the door like he's on fire.

"Sorry to interrupt you and- your boyfriend?" Mr Schue looks about as uncomfortable as Kurt feels.

"Oh, no. No, he's just Blaine." He says very quietly, trying to ignore the unexpected ache in his chest. Just Blaine. Mr Schue wrinkles his brow for a moment.

"Not the same Blaine that Rachel won't stop talking about?" Obviously Kurt's terrible poker face confirms as such and he looks down before he has to see Schue's disappointed expression. He still hears the sigh, but it's somehow not as bad without the accompanying visual.

"Kurt-"

"I know, okay? I don't need a lecture about it." It's comes out a little harsher than he'd like, but Kurt can't find it in himself to feel bad about that. Mr Schue isn't his teacher anymore, he's allowed to be rude if he likes.

"Who said anything about a lecture?" Kurt gives him a disbelieving look. It's clear as the nose on his his face that he's just itching to tell Kurt that what he's doing with Blaine is all kinds of wrong.

"Just, get it over with." He mutters, crossing his arms and sinking back into the lounge. He might have to sit through this but damned if he's going to enjoy it.

Schue sinks onto the lounge next to him, adopting his 'I'm a cool teacher who remembers what it was really like being a teenager' pose.

"He's someone's boyfriend. He's your friend's boyfriend. Think how much this would hurt Rachel if she knew."

"The same way she hurt Finn? What's the saying? Turnabout's fair play?" Kurt bites back.

"Nobody deserves that. Finn didn't, and nor does Rachel."

"I know." He says in a small voice, as the the nauseating weight of guilt settles in his stomach.

"Just think about it okay?" Schue says, rubbing his shoulder and Kurt foresees a painful conversation with Blaine in his near future.

"So I actually came here to ask for shopping advice, but I'm guessing you're probably not in the mood now." Kurt actually laughs.

"Actually Mr Schue, shopping would be great right now. Blaine's probably hiding out in our room and I'm not really ready to face him just yet."

"Well lucky for you, I am in need of some holiday help. I don't know if you know this, but I am really bad at christmas shopping..."

From: Blaine
Merry Christmas Kurt :)

From: Kurt
You’re two minutes early and you woke me up.

From: Blaine
Merry Christmas Kurt, the time is now 1:01 AM.

From: Kurt
Merry Christmas Blaine. Go to sleep.

From: Blaine
Night Kurt xx

From: Kurt
Goodnight Blaine x

"Hi, you've reached Kurt, I can't take your call right now but if you leave me a message i'll get back to you as soon as possible."

"Heeeeey Kurt, it's New Years and I guess you don't have your phone or you can't hear it or... anyway. I was just watching the ball drop and I remembered how you love New York, and I thought, we should do that sometime! Watch the ball drop, not New York. I guess New York too though. If you want. Cause you're my faaaaaavourite. But don't tell Trent cause he thinks he's my favourite and he'll cry. Ooh, fireworks! Happy New Year!"

"Hi, you've reached Kurt, I can't take your call right now but if you leave me a message i'll get back to you as soon as possible."

"Hi Kurt, please ignore my last message. I had champagne and yeah, I don't even remember what I said but I'm sure it was terrible and it would be really great if you could just ignore it. Thanks. See you at school."

From: Kurt
Consider it forgotten. For the record though, it wasn’t awful.

From: Kurt
You should probably stay away from the champagne in future though.

From: Blaine.
Duly noted.

From: Nick
Blaine's girlfriend is loud.

From: Kurt
I see you've met Rachel then.

From: Nick
Are the halls of Dalton to be thus polluted?

From: Kurt
Pride and Prejudice? Really? Your gay is showing Nick.

From: Kurt
Wait, she's at Dalton?

From: Nick
Don't say I didn't warn you! Jeff threw popcorn at them till they left the rec room. They're making out on your bed right now.

From: Kurt
I hate you both so much.

From: Jeff
He lies! They're on the floor.