Kurt clicked his pencil on his desk as he worked out the last few details to his latest design. The soft tune of Christmas carols played in the background as Kurt mindlessly hummed along. He was in the zone. Only twelve hours left to send the copies into editing, and he had whipped up this piece in less than a day. It was just his luck to be stuck in work on Christmas Eve, striving to finish a design. He had a family to spend time with!

            His concentration hung over him like a weight. The twinkling lights on the mini tree beside him gave a soft glow upon his paper, giving him the inspiration to add new colors to his sketch. Just as he was about to reach a breakthrough on this one hem he couldn't quite get, his assistant, Tina, crept slowly into his room.

            "Um, Mr. Kurt. Hi it's me." Tina said unsteadily. She was the cutest; always so nervous around Kurt, though he never understood why. Maybe it was just because she was the new girl around. But nonetheless he was annoyed with her for breaking his concentration. 

            "Yes, Tina, I see it's you. You've already broken my train of thought, so there's no use in tip-toeing around like that." Kurt replied exasperated. "Is there something you had to say?" Kurt softened his tone, Tina looked downright terrified. "Tina I know I can be a bit intimidating sometimes but I like you, there's no need to worry sweetheart! And how could I be so scary around Christmas time?" Kurt reassured her, and she looked slightly relived, but still jumpy. 

            "Thank you Mr. Kurt." She gratefully answered.           

            "Just Kurt's fine." Kurt smiled warmly.

            "Okay. Got it. Now, there's something at the front desk for you." She said, beaming.

            "Bring it to me, please?" He asked politely. Kurt suspected it was a last minute Christmas gift from a client, or co-worker. 

            "Actually, they need you up there to get it yourself." She said uneasily.

            Kurt sighed; everyone knew Kurt was working up to a deadline, and that he had to be home to enjoy at least a little bit of the day with his dad, Carole, and Finn. What could possibly be more important than getting his work in? Kurt's head would be chopped off if he didn't send those designs in on time! They needed to be in the New Year's design line up!

            "Fine." He said, getting up and stomping down the hallway with his thick black boots, following Tina's tiny steps, her jingle bell earrings twinkling as she walked.

            There was an abundance of people flooding the front area, much more than usual for a Christmas Eve. Usually people would be packing in early for the day, but alas, a crowd filled the entrance. A hush fell over the people when they noticed Kurt had entered the room. Someone had lowered the volume on the holiday tunes that were playing. He looked around, confused, but went up to the receptionist, Quinn, at the front counter. She was smiling very widely, which only confused Kurt more.

            "May I have what's here for me, please?" He asked, trying to be polite, but he was getting very impatient. Quinn was frozen with that smile on her face. "I've got work to do, and holidays to celebrate, so now would be an ideal time to get it, Quinn." He said, his temper rising. 

            "Oh sure, sure. Just a moment then...a few minutes..." Quinn said slowly, hesitating between her words. Kurt was not only befuddled, but he was now getting angry and impatient with Quinn and his other co-workers. Why were they all staring at him? And what the hell was he waiting so long for?

            "Listen, Quinn, I'm not in the mood for the silly games or jokes today. It's Christmas Eve and I'm stuck here working my butt off. I made a promise to my brother to help him make cookies and he'll be really disappointed if I'm not home. Aside from family matters, I have a lot to do and if I don't get my work done and sent in, I'll lose my job and just think of that. Think of me losing my job, my apartment because I'll have no money then I'll-" Kurt's frantic rambling was cut off by a pair of strong, lean arms wrapping around him from behind. 

            "Shhh, just calm down, Kurt, and stop worrying for once. It's Christmas for crying out loud." Blaine. BLAINE! Kurt swirled around faster than the blink of an eye and latched himself onto his boyfriend dressed in his camouflage military uniform. Kurt jumped into Blaine's embrace so quickly that Blaine's cap was knocked right off of his head. Friends and co-workers around them clapped and took pictures and videos. Kurt was weeping into Blaine's chest. 

            "You're home! My God you're home and safe and back and you're home! For Christmas, thank God you're home!" Kurt cried hysterically, clinging to Blaine.  "I can't believe this, you're back here with me, I-just, I can't even-you're safe!" Blaine held Kurt tightly to his body, smiling as Kurt looked up into his eyes.

            "I love you Kurt. I've missed you terribly. God, you wouldn't even know. Missed you loads." Blaine said as Kurt went into another fit of cries. He was so happy right now. Beyond happy. Thrilled. Ecstatic. Blaine was finally home, safe in Kurt's arms again. Safe from the open war. Safe from harm. On Christmas Eve, his fiancé had returned from war.

            "I love you too! Oh, I love you so much Blaine! You get to spend Christmas with me!" Kurt looked around at Tina and Quinn taking pictures with their phones. They smiled and Blaine, winked at them. 

            "Thanks for helping me with my surprise, ladies. Couldn't thank you enough." Blaine said, looking up at Tina and Quinn giggling with joy. "And you," Blaine said, placing Kurt's forehead against his, "I can't even tell you how much it means to me that I'm spending Christmas at home with you, and not out on the fields."

            Kurt blinked a few times to get the tears out of his eyes, then replied, "You don't know how much it means to me that you're safe. With me." Kurt tugged Blaine in again as tight as he could, relishing the feeling only Blaine could give him. A feeling he hadn't been able to have for eight months. And all at once, he had that feeling back. That safe, warm, comforting feeling. The feeling that he was home again.

            "Kurt, what are you waiting for, kiss that boy already!" Quinn exclaimed.

            Kurt leaned into a kiss that he'd needed, a kiss that made his heart melt into one with Blaine's. It said everything without saying anything. This moment said that no matter if Blaine was miles away, fighting on the line, he still loved Kurt, and Kurt loved him.

            "Merry Christmas, Kurt." Blaine whispered loud enough so only Kurt could hear, making his whole body flood with warmth.

            "Merry Christmas, love." Kurt whispered back, grinning. He could almost swear his heart was grinning with him, too.