It was the same crazy mixture as every year - the smell of the incredible amounts of food, cold air, the distant sound of christmas songs and the louder ones of laughter and the sight of glittering snowflakes - but Kurt was still happily excited when his dad opened the front door to let them in.

He handed the wrapped presents to his Dad – Ava had chosen the paper this year and Kurt liked to think that it was his fault that she was able to find the matching bows.

"Kurt, who's this young lady next to you? And where�s Ava, did you leave her in the car or something?"

Ava rolled her eyes but laughed. "Hi Grandpa! Please don't tell me I've grown that much again, that�s only because I�m 12 and supposed to grow. I don�t want to stay a hobbit like Baba."

Burt chuckled and used his free arm to embrace his granddaughter. Ava hurried to hang her jacket and put her shoes away, before she disappeared into the kitchen where Carole and Rachel were chatting. Burt smiled at Kurt and Blaine, who had finished putting their coats and shoes in the cupboard. "Great to have you here. How was the drive?"

Kurt shrugged and took the presents again, hugging his dad before stepping aside to let Blaine do the same. "It was okay, it didn�t snow when we left New York yesterday, and when we left Blaine�s brother and his family today it was bearable, the streets were clear. It looks like there�ll be more snow tomorrow, that�s awesome!"

Burt patted Blaine�s shoulder and they followed Kurt into the kitchen, where they were greeted but immediately sent away again, and then into the living room.

"I�m still amazed at how you managed to make Kurt love Christmas this much. He only started liking Christmas again when you got together."

Blaine laughed out loudly and winked at Kurt, who looked at him questioningly.

"I guess that�s the result of many Christmasses together, it�s our 25th this year. I could tell stories..."

"Whoa man, stop it. Don�t remind me of how old we�re getting."

Blaine laughed and hugged Finn, who grinned at him broadly.

"Speak for yourself, I still feel like a young man."

"B, that�s only because I finally convinced you to use the same lotion as me. Hi Finn! You should use it too, really."

Kurt hugged his brother who looked at him unsure.

"But that�s not what you�ll give me as a present, is it?"

Kurt shook his head and Blaine and Burt laughed at Finn�s relieved face.

"Awesome. But what were you talking about before, which stories?"

Kurt took Blaine�s hand and tried to pull him away.

"Oh B, please don�t. I�m sure nobody wants to hear them. Really."

Burt looked at them curiously and chuckled.

"Kiddo, now I�m curious too. What is it that Blaine shouldn�t tell?"

Kurt sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Blaine loves all the stories about us celebrating Christmas together through the years. If he starts, he won�t stop any time soon, please don�t encourage him. Please."

Blaine grinned at his husband and turned to face Burt and Finn.

"He�d never admit it, but he loves the stories as well. I swear he listens every time I tell one of them and god forbid I�d leave something out or tell it differently."

Ava interrupted Blaine as she came back from the kitchen to put one of the bowls onto the table.

"Aunt Rachel says Uncle Finn is not allowed to touch it yet, but we�ll be starting dinner soon. And Grandma said Dad should come and help her make this dressing for something I can't pronounce."

Kurt petted Blaine�s shoulder lightly and went to the kitchen to help with the cooking.

Finn moved closer and stage whispered: "Come on dude, hurry and tell!"

Ava looked at her uncle and then at her Baba.

"What were you talking about? Is it something Dad shouldn�t hear?"

Blaine shook his head and pulled Ava near him.

"No, I�m sure your dad could tell all of them by heart and it�s about time for you to hear all the stories too. We�ll ask Kurt when he�s finished."

It didn�t take long until they were all sitting around the large table, loaded with food. They were caught up pretty fast. They hadn�t visited each other at Thanksgiving, but they�d been on the phone quite often.

Rachel told them about the Christmas spectacular she had tried to establish in Lima.

"It was fantastic although I didn�t even sing! But of course Barbra had the first solo and she was brilliant!" She smiled proudly at her daughter, who blushed visibly. Barbra had inherited her mother�s voice, but not necessarily her self confidence, and perhaps that was a good thing.

Blaine smiled at Kurt.

"Do you remember our first Christmas song together?"

Kurt nodded, smiling too.

�How could I not? This song will always be special to-"

�... you and every year it�s the first one we�re singing.", Ava finished and everybody laughed.

Blaine ruffled her hair, smiled sheepishly and looked at Kurt who nodded approvingly.

�It is special to us and it was really special then. Well, maybe that�s not exactly a new story, but I love it..."

2010

Kurt asked himself if it was really worth it, driving all the way through the snow only to watch Blaine sing. It was a two hour drive on a nice day, but the snow added another hour.

He wanted to give him his present, of course, and he hadn�t had the chance to do it back at Dalton. This was a good reason to drive there but really - he didn�t need any reason at all. Well, he was in love with Blaine and he was young and allowed to do silly things and Blaine had looked at him with those puppy eyes when he had asked him if he would come too and Kurt simply wanted to go there. It was the day before Christmas and all he wanted this year was another one of Blaine�s smiles.

The parking lot was already crowded and it took a little while to find an empty space.

When Kurt entered the theater he was stunned at how many people were there. He knew he would be nervous as hell and didn�t envy Blaine for once.

"Kurt! Hey, Kurt!"

He turned around and saw Blaine approaching him, a relieved expression on his face.

"You made it, I didn�t think you would drive through the snow. My parents are stuck somewhere, because the snow clearance took so long, but they�ll try to come as soon as it�s done. And the girl I�m supposed to sing with hasn�t arrived either."

Kurt tried to smile at Blaine, but he wasn�t sure what to do. It was the same as after their rehearsal, there was some kind of tension but nothing they would talk about. It was just really hard to look at Blaine sometimes, so he tried to avoid his gaze without being too shy.

"So what are you going to do then? Will your duet be cancelled?"

Blaine shrugged.

"I have no idea. They want to wait and maybe delay the beginning, but they�can�t do that for too long I guess. Maybe... maybe I could ask them if they would be okay with you as my duet partner? Seeing as you know the song by heart and we�ve already rehearsed it?"

Kurt froze for a second and blushed slightly.

"I... I don�t know. I mean, I�m not warmed up and.. and I don�t know."

"The warming up would be no problem, we have a piano backstage and there�s still half an hour since the song is up, but I don�t want to pressure you into anything. It was just a thought and of course I would have to ask the director first."

Kurt nodded slowly, still unsure but excited at the same time. It would be the possibility he hadn�t dared to dream of – a duet sung by two men.

He let himself be pulled backstage by Blaine. The director didn�t look too happy about the question, but then he shrugged.

"I guess it�s better than cancelling it, right? Just promise me you won�t put up a show, there are families out there and I don�t need a bad reputation, okay? Make it fun, but nothing else."

Blaine stiffened and Kurt knew that he was hurt. He himself was taken aback too, but he guessed that he was more used to it.

Finally, Blaine simply nodded and led Kurt to the piano.

"We�ll run through the vocal training like we�re used to do with the Warblers, okay? And then we should go through the choreography, it�s not difficult. I�ll lead and you�ll follow, it�s very similar to what we did at Dalton."

They hurried to get through with it and only when they sang the song for the second time and Kurt tried to follow Blaine�s lead, he began to relax. Soon they smiled at each other and without noticing they slipped into the flirty mode again. After the last notes they ended up next to each other, Blaine nudging Kurt slightly.

"That was awesome, I�m sure the audience will love it. And I don�t think anybody will regret you being my duet partner. At least, I don�t. At all."

Kurt smiled at Blaine and blushed lightly. Blaine looked at him,smiling back happily. The moment seemed to expand and suddenly they both were aware of the still unbroken look they shared and the surrounding silence. Blaine was the first to look away this time. He cleared his throat.

"Do you think we should practice it one more time? The timing during the second verse wasn�t perfect."

Kurt nodded approvingly, well, he would have said yes to anything Blaine suggested. They were about to start another re-run, when hurried steps came nearer and a girl witha mass of blond hair entered the room.

"Oh gosh, I�m so sorry, sorry Blaine! I already warmed up while driving here, can you imagine the looks I got? Phew, can we run... oh. Hi. I�m Ivy."

Kurt took her hand and shook it. "I�m Kurt. I�ll... I�ll go look for my seat now."

He looked at the girl who smiled at him shortly and turned to Blaine then. Blaine took his arm and shook his head.

"You don�t have to leave, really. In fact, it would help if you could listen to us and... and tell us how it sounds, okay?"

Ivy nodded and put her coat and scarf on a nearby chair while Blaine turned the music on again.

Kurt watched him, not sure how he felt. Yeah, well, perhaps he was jealous, just a teeny tiny little bit. It had been wonderful, singing with Blaine and not even the thought of hundreds of people watching them had scared him. And then there had been those little touches and looks and smiles again that made his heart flutter, even when only thinking about it.

Now he had to watch Blaine doing exactly this with Ivy.

They sounded nice together, he had to admit. Ivy had a lovely voice and she acted naturally and just this little bit coy. They were a gorgeous sight, too - Blaine all dark and handsome and Ivy blond and small.

He couldn�t help but wish he was in Ivy�s shoes though and the moment he admitted that to himself, Blaine shot him an apologetic look. Kurt tried to return a reassuring smile and was proud of himself. He was here to support Blaine, right? So he had to be a good friend and listen to the two of them singing.

When Ivy and Blaine had finished, it was time for Kurt to leave the backstage area.

"It was good, really. I�m looking forward to hearing you! See you later!"

Ivy smiled at him thankfully and Blaine shrugged slightly. "Thanks Kurt, also for... for helping out before."

He waved and hurried to find his seat, which was difficult in the already dark audience.

Of course they killed the song and the audience loved them. Blaine practically beamed on stage while bowing again and again and Ivy was cute, smiling broadly.

The other artists were good too, but Blaine and Ivy were the best that evening. Kurt knew he wasn�t being objective – but he didn�t care.

After the last song, an acapella version of Holy Night performed by all artists together, the venue emptied slowly and Kurt followed the other people on their way out. He decided to wait next to the backstage door as his phone rang.

"Don�t you want to come backstage again? We�re celebrating and I�d like to see you before you leave."

Kurt�s heart made this silly little jumpy thing and he tried to sound like his usual calm self as he answered.

"Yeah, sure. I�ll be there in a minute."

It wasn�t hard to find the artists, loud laughter led him there. Blaine waved and urged him to come closer, laughing at something Ivy said. Kurt smiled and joined their group. Blaine introduced him to some of the members and soon they were talking about the Warblers and Christmas music and their performances. Kurt relaxed.

That was, until he looked at his watch and froze in horror.

"Blaine, I really need to leave, I should be home in like, twenty minutes. I didn�t realize the concert would take that long."

Kurt felt Blaine�s hand in his arm and didn�t dare to look at him once again. His arm tingled from the touch.

"Okay, listen, you need to call your dad and tell him that you�re leaving soon, but please don�t hurry, okay? It�s snowy and dark..."

Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Thank you, I know. And yes, I�ll call my dad; I.. I just wanted to give you something."

Blaine held up his hand.

"Me too, just stay here for a second, yes?"

He hurried to the next room and Kurt watched him, blushing slightly. This could be quite awkward, but he hoped it was okay.

Blaine came back, a parcel in his hands, wrapped in paper with Santa Claus on it.

"Here, this is for you. I was thinking about what to give to you and then I remembered the time you told me you�d be cooking Christmas dinner with your step-mother and I know you�re always cautious with your clothes and so I thought you could need and use that but if it�s not okay, just give it back and we could-"

Kurt laughed out loudly and took the present.

"Thank you, Blaine. I�m sure it�s perfect. And... here is yours. Merry Christmas!"

He took his gift out of his bag and handed it to Blaine.

Blaine tried to feel through the paper and looked at Kurt then. Kurt had to suppress a laugh, because Blaine looked exactly like a six year old boy in front of the Christmas tree.

"Do you... should we open them now?"

Kurt nodded and pointed at the parcel.

"I think you wouldn�t survive waiting and I don�t want to be blamed for it."

Blaine tried to unwrap the paper carefully, but only seconds later he sighed and tore it open.

"Oh, it�s a... a scarf. A beautiful scarf. Wow, thank you so much Kurt!"

He unfolded it and wrapped it around his neck, beaming at Kurt.

"It feels amazing, so soft and warm."

Kurt smiled at him.

"I�m glad you like it. I wasn�t sure about the colours, but they seem to fit you."

Blaine took in the grey and orange pattern and lifted the end of the scarf, looking for something.

"There�s no label attached, you know, to see how it should be washed."

When Blaine looked at Kurt and he furrowed his brow.

"Wait, does that mean... did you make it yourself?"

Kurt nodded slowly and felt like this was too much, he knew he had been to forward.

"Just choose the wool washing program, that should be fine. I�ll... I�ll open mine now, okay?"

He fiddled with the paper and tried to win some time before he had to look at Blaine again.

He finally unwrapped the paper and stared at the present.

"It�s... it�s an apron.", Blaine explained. "With a christmas elf. I thought, you know, it�s for Christmas dinners..."

Kurt looked up and couldn�t help but laugh.

"Well, thank you, I�m sure I'll need it."

Blaine looked like he wasn�t sure if Kurt meant it.

"If you don�t like it, I�ll get you something else. Oh, it�s inappropriate, isn�t it? I didn�t mean to... to insult you, you know, it�s not like you�re a woman who cooks, oh my God, this is getting worse and worse. Listen, I�ll take it back and get you a CD, okay? Or cookies, even though they won�t be as good as yours. Or what about a-"

"Blaine, shut up. It�s fine, it�s funny and you�ve obviously thought about it. It�s... unique."

Blaine sighed relieved and his smile reappeared.

"Fine, I�m glad. I love the scarf, by the way. Thank you for making it, that�s amazing. So, merry Christmas?"

Kurt smiled in return, folding the apron and putting it into his bag.

"Yeah, merry Christmas and thank you. I... I should leave now. We could... we could meet later on during the holidays? That is, if you want to, I mean."

Blaine pulled him into a hug and caught Kurt completely off guard.

"I would love to. Get some coffee or something?"

Kurt felt his cheeks starting to hurt from smiling too hard as he returned the hug and pulled away far too soon for his liking, turning to leave.

He waved at Blaine once more and greeted the others, finally heading to his car.

Before calling his dad, he took out the apron and looked at it, breaking into laughter once more. Blaine had gotten him an apron with an elf. An apron. It was adorable.

2034

"And that was the year we almost sang our first Christmas duet - and didn�t realize it was our first Christmas together at all", Blaine finished.

"And that�s how you started your inappropriate but adorable presents and choices", Kurt chuckled, taking Blaine�s hand. "I still have that apron, by the way. I use it only for Christmas dinners. The elf is a little bit faded out by now, but it was the first thing you gave me, so I�ll keep it forever."

Blaine looked at his husband, love and amusement shining in his eyes.

"I should be mad at you for giving my scarf away though. It was really beautiful, you know."

Kurt shook his head.

"B, remember the time you wore the scarf? The Jeremiah incident? There�s no real reason to keep that scarf. Also, it was getting longer and longer and the colours were out of fashion anyway. You got a new one though, so don�t complain."

"Wouldn�t dare to. Now, can I have the mashed potatoes please? I�m starving."

Finn handed him the bowl and grinned.

"I�d love to see that apron. Cute!"

Kurt shot him a look, grinning in a way that made Finn wary.

"Remember our senior year, Finn?"

Finn groaned.

"No. Rachel, make him stop, please."

Rachel shrugged and smiled at Finn sweetly.

"I wouldn�t like to make Kurt sad today, it�s Christmas after all."