“I bet you are great at giving presents.”

Kurt looks up from the striped shirt he’s inspecting to give Blaine a confident smirk. Christmas music is coming from the loudspeakers above their heads and people are bumping into them as they pass by, hurrying to get in as much shopping as they can.

Apparently, malls in small towns like Lima, Ohio, are no different than any other place in December: crowded, loud and full of holiday discounts.

“Let it suffice to say that nobody has ever been disappointed by a gift I chose them. Just look at my dad and Carole: a match made in heaven!” he answers, his eyes going back to the shirt and finally, with a shake of his head, putting it back and moving on to the next shelf.

Blaine has yet to meet Kurt’s parents, and doesn’t entirely understand what they had to do with the topic, but nods nevertheless. “Well, I like to believe I excel at that particular area myself.”

“Oh, so, let me get this straight: not only are you knowledgeable in fashion, a straight A student and an extraordinary vocal talent, you also happen to be gifted when it comes to gift giving?”

Blaine’s cocky smirk is taking over his face, he can just feel it; but at the same time he knows his cheeks are pinking a little at the compliment. He knows Kurt to be a person to speak his mind at all times, so while he’s used to being praised, it always means more when it comes from him.

“Actually, I like to believe that it is my superpower to give the perfect presents nobody else could think of.”

Kurt’s facing him now fully, his head cocked to one side, a hand coming up and poking him in the chest with the index finger. “In that case, Blaine Anderson, how do you feel about a bet?”

Blaine’s grin grows so big that his teeth are fully visible and dimples form on his face. He leans in closer to his friend, his voice lowering as he starts flirting “Whatever do you have in mind, Kurt Hummel?”

Kurt’s a second too late in his answer, and Blaine checks that as a point for him on his mental list. He really enjoys flirting with Kurt, who’s so obviously flustered by it, though getting better and better at reciprocating. Blaine feels glad. Kurt deserves to know how fun a little friendly flirting gets; it’s not fair that he’s so deprived of the experience just because none of his friends feel comfortable to do it with him.

They leave the shop and head for the next one to see if they have anything interesting before Kurt continues with their conversation. “From what I hear, the Warblers have a tradition of holding Secret Santa every year, am I right?”

“Yes, but we do it a little bit differently: you get a name, and you have to give small presents to that person every day on the final week before Christmas break. A poem, a piece of candy, a flower, things like that. And then on the last day of school, you reveal yourself to them with a final present.”

“So, it’s kind of like Princess Diaries?”

Blaine can’t help but giggle – that was his reaction when he first heard about the tradition, but he didn’t say it out loud because he was afraid the Warblers would make fun of him. Since then he has learned that that was not how things work in Dalton, but never had the chance to make the comparison ever since.

Only Kurt Hummel could be so shameless with who he is, and Blaine loves that about him.

“Yes, except the whole part where Mia completely forgot about it.”

“I see… This works out even better, then. Blaine Anderson,” Kurt turned to him and poked him in the chest again, “I bet that my Secret Santa will go home happier than your Secret Santa after the last week!”

Blaine can’t help the laugh that escapes him. “You do realize that our Secret Santas’ happiness can be affected by a number of things, regardless of our presents?”

Kurt’s expression doesn’t change at all, as if he has already calculated that fact, yes. “Are you too afraid your gifts will not leave a deep enough impression?”

“Oh, you’re so on!”

::
The draw happens the day after Sectionals, on a Wednesday, to give them time to spy on their fellow Warblers to find out what they like. It was a unanimous decision, so that whether they would celebrate or just try to cheer themselves up, it would work for the group.

Blaine watches Kurt’s thoughtful face while he gathers his stuff, and notices that the moment Kurt’s eyes make contact with his face, the thoughtfulness is replaced by confidence. Huh, Kurt's really competitive, isn’t he? Well then.

“So, you still sure you are going to beat me at this?”

“Yes, I believe I was quite lucky with my draw, actually. We never specified what the winner gets, though.”

“I have already have that figured out: the loser gets tickets to a local Broadway show and pays for dinner afterwards?”

“Let me see if I understood you properly: you propose a date? Seems like a pretty win-win situation to me, is there something you would like to tell me, Kurt?”

Ah, another flush. He's on a roll!

As they continue down the corridor, Blaine throws away the paper that he previously tore apart so nobody could find out the name of the boy he drew. If anyone went looking in the trash, they would have seen half a piece of paper with Kurt Hu written on it.

::
Blaine is determined to win this and prove his superpowers to Kurt. He keeps planning and planning each present very thoroughly, making notes on what Kurt would like, what he really wants for small presents and what he would want on Friday…

He's not afraid to turn to google for the best strategies to use for these situations (Hey, research is fuel for creativity) though he's shocked by the lack of helpful material on the internet.

He considers asking someone who has known Kurt for a longer time, but he has only met Mercedes and Finn from the New Directions, and Mercedes wasn’t really friendly... And Finn just can not keep a secret.

By Saturday Blaine knows what his presents would be for three days of the week, but he just can’t think of anything for the last small gift and that perfect Friday present. He is considering stalking Kurt the next day to see if he gets any new ideas out of it when his phone rings, his caller ID informing him of his caller's name.

“Hey, Kurt, this is Blaine.”

“Tsk, Blaine, you know I hate it when you do that! How am I supposed to be a gentleman by introducing myself and asking for you if you answer all my polite inquiries in advance?”

“You just need to be more creative, Kurt, otherwise you will have absolutely no chance of beating me next week!”
A second of silence passed before Kurt’s voice comes from the receiver.

“Blaine Anderson, you have absolutely no idea what you are getting yourself into!”

Blaine laughs good naturedly, recognizing the fake rightful indignancy in his friend’s voice.

“My reason for calling you, actually, is to ask whether you would like to come shopping with me and my family later today. I agreed to help Finn choose something for Carole over breakfast, and the next thing I know, all of us are going and everyone is relying on me to make useful suggestions. I just thought you might also enjoy my wisdom to make it a fair fight between us.”

Blaine practically feels Lady Luck smiling at him – if he plays his cards right, he could get intel on Kurt from Kurt and his family, without anyone noticing a thing!

“That is so flattering, Kurt, I have no idea what I would do without you. I think I’ll take you up on the offer and go hear what you, Oh Wise One, have to say!”

Hearing Kurt’s chuckle on the other end was also a big bonus.

::
“So, did you really have trouble getting Kurt present when he was little and not doing all the Christmas shopping for himself, like he likes to believe?”

Blaine makes sure they are out of Kurt’s earshot, and Burt snorts with a fond smile on his face.

“Getting him presents when he was little was really easy, actually: you just had to buy some fancy clothing or toys that resembled anything from those really old movies he likes. The Christmas we got him his tea-party set..." Burt's voice fades out for a second there, and he's lost in his memories. "... Yeah, he was visibly vibrating with excitement. Nowadays, though, it really is hard to find him something he approves of. He’s really specific about what clothes he wears and what he uses on his face and stuff like that. The theatre tickets I got us to see was the last gift I chose for him for Christmas years ago – he tried to act happy about it, but I knew he wasn’t really into it. He only lets me get him stuff for his birthdays, and I usually nail those – just look at his Navigator. Once a year is my limit, it would seem.” He's laughing a bit at the end, and Blaine's admiration grows for this man.

Blaine keeps smiling and making a mental list of all the information he's getting, so when he gets home and analyses everything, he'll be able to use every scrap of info. Even the most insignificant detail could lead to the key to the perfect gift!

The thought that he might be a wee bit too enthusiastic about it all never crosses his mind.

He chats with Burt for a while longer, and then joins Finn who's looking at a football match on the gigantic television the shop is selling. They start talking about teams and recent games, Blaine’s mind working on how to bring the topic of Kurt into the conversation.

“I was thinking… For Kurt’s Christmas present, do you think he would like to go to a game?” Okay, so everybody knows that would be the worst idea ever, but Finn's not exactly the sharpest crayon in the box, so Blaine relies on that.

“Oh, no, dude, I mean, I would love to get something like that from Rach... Mom or Burt or something, you know, but Kurt really hates football. He never sits with Burt and me when we watch a game. It's kinda sad, you know, since he is the best kicker I have ever seen.”

Blaine's eyes immediately switch from the television screen to Finn's face, “Excuse me, what?”

“Yeah, he was on the team last year for a game, and that was the only game we won that season. It was really uncomfortable for us, guys, but we did win because of him”

Blaine frowns at that. Kurt told him that Finn has a tendency to be hurtful without meaning it, but that doesn’t mean Blaine would just ignore it. “What do you mean, it was uncomfortable for you? Because he’s gay? You know, Finn, I can assure you –”

Finn tears his eyes away from the screen as well and throws his hands up in front of him, his speech becoming frantic. “Oh, no, I didn’t mean that! Well, okay, I know some of the guys were uncomfortable with him being there… But I was fine with it, really. It was just that… Beyonc� and football gear hurt, you know what I mean?”

Blaine doesn’t, and for the sake of his friendship with Finn, decides to pursue that topic at a later date. Or never.

::
The shopping trip lasts several hours, but by the end of it, all of them are happy. Kurt helps his parents choose presents for each other, finds Finn the perfect Christmas gift for Carole (Kitchen accessories? You have been giving her that all these years?), picks a gorgeous pair of boots for Blaine (What do you mean you don’t own any boots, what do you wear when it snows? … WHAT?) and all of them are stuffed with mall food that was ridiculously difficult to find due to Kurt’s worries about Burt’s diet.

Blaine waves them goodbye in the parking lot with promises to meet up with Kurt before classes on Monday in the Lima Bean. He packs his bag in the back of his car, checking he has everything, then takes his place on the driver's seat and lets out a heavy but not unsatisfied sigh of relief.

Being away from the repetitive Christmas music of the mall is so relaxing. Now he can put on some Roxy music.

::
“So, what did you get today?”

“I have a pretty perspective Secret Santa, as it turns out. Look!” Kurt holds out the large bouquet of flowers with an origami seagull attached. “They are my favorite flowers!”

Blaine tries his very best to act completely surprised. That particular info was given to him offhandedly during a magazine reviewing afternoon weeks ago.

::
Tuesday Blaine gives Kurt his origami separately from the real present, because he's scared Kurt would see it in his hand and it would give his identity away - in the morning, a lone origami dove awaits Kurt on his usual desk in History.

Later that day, Blaine strides confidently in the study area with a boombox in a hand, and invites Kurt to sing a song with him. At first he just wanted to give Kurt a CD, but this is something only they could do, and so it’s really precious and will absolutely make Kurt happy.

And that is the most important thing right now, not only for their bet, but because Kurt needs all the happy he can get.

King's Island has no Christmas Spectacular, and there is definitely no girl Blaine plans to sing with, but Kurt doesn’t need to know that until Friday. They kill it, obviously, and Blaine plays his part to the T, because that’s what he does.

As Blaine walks out and turns left on the corridor, passing a vaguely familiar man, he stops in his tracks. The boombox is still in the study room, and he needs to take it back to the AV club before they close up for the night. He turns around, and is just reaching the door when he overhears a conversation from inside:

“Someone special?”

“No, just a friend. But on the upside, I’m in love with him and he’s actually gay. I call that progress!”

The rest of it doesn’t reach Blaine. He just turns around and walks away, not even seeing where he is going.

::
Blaine feels like someone hit him over the head with something far too heavy. Love? How did he miss that? In retrospect, it’s obvious that Kurt has been feeling something… And he knows why he turned a blind eye to this shining secret: he can’t deal with love, doesn’t know how to feel it, how to really let people in and trust others after what he has been through with his family and school. Therefore he closes himself off, subconsciously ignoring his instincts to the idea that someone has romantic feelings towards him.

What's he supposed to do? There is no way he could lie to Kurt, he can’t lie to anybody, and Kurt is smart and knows him really well, he would see though him in a blink of an eye. Not to mention, Kurt doesn't deserve lies.

But he can’t go on behaving the same way he has been, he can’t look at Kurt and not have a voice screaming in his head He loves you he loves you he loves you and you don’t feel the same way why don’t you feel the same way he is perfect for you what is wrong with you

It's not the first time the thought that they would make an amazing couple crosses his mind, but he never pays it any mind. Now, it's mocking him him with renewed fervour.

He has to distance himself for a little time. There are only a couple of days left till Christmas break, that is more than enough for him to figure out what to do.

::
The plan is foolproof, except for one detail: Kurt.

“Blaine, are you avoiding me because you feel guilty about giving tips to my Secret Santa?”

Blaine looks up from his lunch he is having in an out-of-the-way study room, and blinks at Kurt, forgetting his distress that kept him up half the previous night. His eyes flicker to the small box of expensive chocolate in Kurt's left hand, Kurt’s favorite kind. Blaine carved the name of the brand into his brain for occasions like this two weeks prior on one of their nights out. The crane he origami’d to go with it is nowhere to be seen; it’s probably in his bag.

“How did you find me? And what tips?”

Kurt’s eyes flicker towards the ceiling, the chocolate makes as a small circle while his stance changes as he puts his weight on one hip. “Please, Blaine, I know you more than you know yourself…”

Blaine looked back at his Chinese noodles at that and squirms. Is that true, and if it is, can Kurt help him with this?

“…It was obvious that you went out of your way to not talk to me today, and I want you to know that you don't need to do that, I know what you did." Blaine's heart suddenly jumps into his throat.

"These presents are spot on, and I don't know anyone else here who would know me that well. There is nothing to do about your dishonour, but you should know that this does not count in our bet in any shape or form. Only the presents you give to your Secret Santa counts.”

Blaine opens his mouth to say something witty as he normally would, but nothing comes out, so he closes it again. His struggles visibly change Kurt’s posture, and he puts his bag down to sit next to Blaine with a soft face, detached from what he said before. “Blaine, is everything okay? Do you want to talk about it?”

They sit in silence for another minute, and Blaine tries to gather his thoughts, to comb through all the confusion in his head and put it all into words. It doesn’t work, but he really craves help, so.

“Okay, Kurt. I-I need to confess something, and it was an accident, please don’t get mad with me about it. I didn’t mean to. But I need someone to talk to, I need someone to understand and give me advice, and I can’t think of anyone other than you.”

Kurt’s back straightens, and he’s visibly trying to make himself ready for whatever’s to come. “Okay, do you want to talk here, or should we find a more secluded place?”

Blaine nods and puts away his barely touched lunch. They head to the choir room, which is pretty much deserted when the Warblers are in class or during the lunch hour. The short walk gives Blaine more time to strengthen his determination: yes, he needs to talk to Kurt about this. He needs this.

They sit down across from each other, and Kurt says nothing, just looks at him. It's obvious that whatever Blaine decides to do, Kurt accepts it. It’s refreshing but suffocating at the same time, because why isn’t he in love with this perfect boy?

“Kurt, after… After we sang Baby, It’s Cold Outside, I didn’t leave like I wanted to. I turned around just a few steps from the door, and was about to knock on it to let you and your teacher know that I was there… But then I heard a question and your answer.”

Kurt’s face pales and his eyes widen. He leans back, away from Blaine, and it’s obvious he has not been ready to confess, but he isn’t standing up, isn’t telling him to stop talking, isn’t berating him, just sitting there, and he’s there for Blaine.

A small silence passes, and Blaine feels safe to continue. “And I just want you to know that I think you are perfect, and I want to feel the same for you, because we would be unstoppable together, but I can’t. I don’t know what is wrong with me, but I don’t know what to do”

Kurt is still looking at him, but his face is frozen and scarily white, his hands in tight fists. “Blaine… Please tell me you are not giving me the 'It’s not you, it’s me' speech. Please.”

Blaine looks at his lap because oh my god he is and how did it even turn into this?

Kurt is standing up. “I have to go.”

Blaine panics, because he was not expecting this. “Kurt, no, please,..." Kurt, please help me, I need your help, please tell me what's wrong with me!"... please don’t–"

“Blaine, just, stop. Give me time to process this. I need to leave now before I lose any dignity I have left.”

And so Blaine watches as Kurt walks out of the room, head held high, posture rigid, clutching his bag as if it were a lifeline.

::
That night, Blaine has nobody to call or turn to for help or distractions. Kurt turned off his phone, and Blaine can’t reach him any other way. He has left a couple dozen messages, though he doubts he’ll get any response.

So Blaine hates himself more and more with every passing minute, and sleep eludes him all night.

::
On Thursday, Blaine’s actually worried that Kurt won’t show up for classes. He’s always ten minutes early to their first class, History, with a fresh cup of coffee and the latest dish on everybody; now there’s three minutes left until the teacher arrives and still no Kurt.

He hears the gentle bell of Dalton Academy in the noise of all his classmates talking, and at the same moment the classroom door opens and Kurt walks in, impeccable as ever, save for the slight shadows under his eyes. Figures he would know the perfect way to hide bags via make-up; Blaine would be happy to know the secret, so as not to have every Warbler who meets him ask him if he’s sick.

Kurt looks at him, tries a smile; it comes out more a grimace, and he sits down at the desk closest to the door. Every Warbler in the room raises their heads and looks at them; but thank god they don’t say anything.

Even the Warblers can see it, so why don't I feel it?

::
“Kurt.”

History class has just ended, and Blaine, having left his stuff on his desk, is standing in front of Kurt’s desk, watching as the other boy packs his book and notes away, not meeting his eyes.

“I just want you to know that I'm really sorry about yesterday, and that I’m going to give you the space you need, if you need it, but please know that I already miss you and when you’re ready, I want you back in my life again.”

He stands there for a couple of seconds, waiting in case Kurt wants to say something; as the seconds pass and the silence becomes almost too stifling, he turns to go back to his desk for his stuff.

“Blaine.”

Blaine turns back around, his face already hopeful and his eyes gleaming and his hands shaking from excitement. He misinterpreted Kurt’s tone of voice.

“Thank you. I can see you’re struggling with something, and I wish I could be there for you… But just look at what you’re doing to me. Try to forget about yourself for just one second and understand my point of view in all of this.”

For the second time, Blaine feels like a bucket of ice cold water has been thrown on his head.

::
They actively avoid each other all the rest of the day.

Blaine asks Jeff to give Kurt his last small present, a leather-bound journal for lyrics, poems and sketches that makes him think of Kurt every time he looks at it. Attached to it is a snow white raven.

::
After getting home, Blaine lies on his bed, in silence for once, and tries to make this huge mess whole again.

Kurt loves him.

He doesn’t love Kurt.

He should love Kurt.

He only tries to be open and honest, but his actions cause Kurt pain.

He doesn’t want to make Kurt hurt.

Blaine berates himself for the idea to turn to Kurt for help of all people. Of course they were best friends, Kurt knew him inside and out (so why don't you feel it?), but how could he fall so deep in self-pity that he didn't even realize what he would do to Kurt with this? If their situations had been reversed, Blaine would have probably felt like someone ripped his heart out of his chest using a spoon, then threw it away for the stray cats.

It all goes around in circles in his head, he doesn’t understand anything about himself anymore. Where did his compassion go, why does he feel so strongly about Kurt and still not in love with him?

Who made it a rule you had to fall in love, anyway?

His musings are interrupted by music from downstairs that his mother must have put on. It’s not what she would usually listen to – pop music from the past decades – and it peaks Blaine’s interest; it's not every day that his mother’s musical taste takes a new turn. Plus, the the vocal is beautiful.

Blaine leaves his room and ventures downstairs, listening to the unfamiliar song. It’s some kind of metal, but the lead isn’t a screaming grunting man, but a woman with a really wide range.

As he stands in the living room and listens, his mother enters.

“Hello, Blaine dear, what are you doing?” She's wiping her hands in a towel, she's cooking dinner then.

“I came to listen to the music. What is this?”

It turns out she got the CD from a coworker, who has just gotten back from a concert with the band and was giving away illegally copied CDs to all his coworkers – apparently, he was so enamored with the lead that he wanted to 'spread the magic'.

“You don’t hear hairy metal lovers say something like that every day, so I had to listen to this” his mother laughs.

Blaine would point out the stereotyping if it were anyone else, but he has met the guy and therefore knows that his mother is joking; he just nods and listens to the rest of the song. It's really something different; the lyrics are more complex than the music he's used to, and darker as well.

He wonders what Kurt would think of this band.

Suddenly a realization hits him: while he couldn’t get Kurt out of his head ever since the confession, these last few minutes the music took control of his thoughts and maybe in this he could find a little distance from his problems.

Turning to his still smiling mother, he asks, “Do you mind if I borrow the disk to listen to it in my room?”

::
He presses play and puts on his headphones, lying back on his bed and preparing to not think about Kurt.

Except, of course, now that that’s the plan, it doesn’t work.

Still, he focuses on the intro to the album, a rich, melancholic melody that reminds him of nature, particularly forests, angels and strangely, the Lord of the Rings movie he saw years ago. There is a powerful choir involved with this album, and he tries to guess the ratio of women to men in it.

Then the second song starts playing and everything intensifies with the chorus singing louder a-a-ahs and the drums picking up alongside the guitars.

Blaine continues listening to the unfamiliar but not unwelcome music, and tries to not think about how much Kurt would like this; provided he could get used to the aggressiveness of metal.

By the end of the song, he is able to concentrate on the lyrics and the melody and just lets the album take over his feelings.

::

I can see
When you stay low nothing happens
Does it feel right?
Late at night
Things I though I put behind me
Haunt my mind

::
Blaine imagines Kurt singing this song; his face would look as expressive as always, and Blaine knows that he would be thinking about his old school and Karofsky, the guy who took so much from him.

But his voice would not waver once, because no matter how deeply he feels things, he never shows others that they took what he loves from him. His face belies his anguish, but his voice stays steady and his song finishes with grace, because the show must go on.

And suddenly everything falls into place.

::

It's all around
Getting stronger, coming closer
Into my world
I can feel
That it's time for me to face it
Can I take it?

::
He’s in love with Kurt, oh god, he's absolutely in love with Kurt, he has always been in love with Kurt...

He just hasn’t been ready to face it.

He has been so clueless at first, and so terrified of anyone feeling so strongly about him – why would anyone, his parents never cared, and it’s not like he had many friends – since Tuesday, that he subconsciously closed himself off to the possibility that he might indeed be in love with Kurt. Now, though, he clearly sees Kurt’s face in front of him, hears him sing in his head, and he understands everything.

He thinks he understands why, why he has been so adamant on shoving these feelings to the deepest corners of his mind, but it doesn't change the fact that it hurt Kurt so much, and he will probably berate himself for that later, but now he has work to do.

He loves Kurt.

He’s in love with Kurt.

He’s in love with Kurt.

He turns the volume on the song down and dials Wes. Surely the Warblers can do an impromptu performance to surprise the students before their Winter Break.

::

Stand my ground, I won't give in
No more denying, I've got to face it
Won't close my eyes and hide the truth inside
If I don't make it, someone else will
Stand my ground

::
Blaine knows the prize is his when the Warblers start their number, and Kurt is standing at the front, singing Have yourself a merry little Christmas. His eyes are sparkling, his mouth is curved into a flirty little smile, and he is in full performer mode, interacting with their audience, the other Warblers or just dancing around.

When they finish the four Christmas numbers they have been rehearsing for a week, Blaine immediately grabs Kurt.

::
"Blaine, what did you think of my solo? Do you think I will get more of them from now on, maybe something for regionals?”

Kurt is chirping happily while Blaine is leading him, obviously not remembering anything that has happened this past week (It was just one week? Seemed more like a decade...) in his solo-induced-high. They arrive to the same room they had their first coffee in together, and Blaine relaxes when they find it empty; this is not something he wants others to witness. Going around looking for a more deserted place around here would be too nerve-wrecking.
Kurt falls silent when they enter the room, and is looking at Blaine with suspicion written on his face as he is led to their table.

"Blaine, what is going on?"

Blaine pushes Kurt down on a chair, and kneels in front of him. Kurt's face goes from suspicious to baffled and flushed.

“Kurt, there is a moment…”

He has been practicing this speech, and okay, so he stumbles and stutters through it, at least he can still talk and watch Kurt at the same time.

“Thinking about everything we’ve been through this week and all the things that has been said, I had that moment yesterday. About you. You move me, Kurt.”

While planning everything, he was really hoping that Kurt wouldn't throw him out for how selfish he has been; however, the sheer happiness on Kurt's face makes Blaine feel like a fusion of the Dalai Lama, Iron Man and an overactive puppy that's given a new toy. How anyone could be so glad to be loved by him, he can't wrap him mind around it.

The feeling numbs him, and he can't think. There's no process in his brain before the decision to kiss Kurt is born; it's just there, just something he feels he has to do. No alternative route is acceptable.

When their lips touch, his mind shuts down and reloads at the same time. There exists nothing outside Kurt, Kurt and his lips on his and his face under his palm. He pushes a bit, takes a breath through his nose, and is about to move away when he feels Kurt tentatively reciprocating, his lips opening up.

Whoa.

Blaine's tongue lunges between Kurt's lips and meets its partner. And, oh god, wow, just wow. Kurt is a kiss master. A kiss guru. Kurt should not be allowed to do anything from then on but kiss Blaine senseless.

As their tongues move against each other, Blaine feels Kurt's hand move to mirror his own and cradles his jaw, and Blaine thinks he might lose it. The safety that joins happiness and lust in his chest is overwhelming.

Finally, reluctantly, they part. Blaine stares at Kurt’s face for a second, and then he looks down at the floor. Wow, that really did just happen. Okay. He might need a second to collect himself; he doesn't even know if it's morning or evening. That kiss felt like days and only seconds at the same time: every second kissing Kurt felt like an hour and every second not kissing Kurt feels like weeks.

His mind finally reboots and he remembers his plans for this, and says, “I have something for you.”

Kurt is still flushed and wearing an unusually silly grin, but as he hears those words, his grin softens and his eyebrows shoot up.

Blaine goes to one of the corners of the room, picks up a box wrapped in shiny wrapping paper with an origami Warbler on top of it, and hands it to Kurt whose eyes grow as wide as dinner plates.

“I hope I made you really happy this week, Kurt Hummel, as you were my Secret Santa. I really really doubt you don't owe me a date.”

:::
:::
Kurt is standing in his room, staring at the contents of his closet, trying to find the perfect outfit for his first non-non-date with Blaine. By now, he has come to terms with his loss of the bet; he knows he would be more upset if the circumstances were different (I was so sure I would win, I mean Thad is so obviously in love with you, I just gave him great gifts with your picture on them!), but as things are, Kurt can not feel anything but happiness.

The beautiful scarf Blaine gave him the day before lies on his bed, next to the tie and the pin he would wear with it; now if he could only choose between the more classy blazer and the more stylish jacket...

I would kiss Blaine senseless if he turned up in a jacket.

...

Jacket it is.

His cheeks flush as he considers how quickly he has been turned into a typical sex-crazed teenager; but then he remembers how it felt to kiss Blaine, and he feels all his regrets evaporating.

"Hey, Kurt, what's that you're listening to?"

Kurt lets go of the clothing, catches it before it lands. He dusts it off, and then turns towards Finn, annoyance bubbling inside.

"You know, Finn, people knock on doors for a reason - so they don't scare the daylights out of others.

Finn just shrugs his shoulders, but his expression looks a little guilty. "Whatever, sorry, Kurt. So, what are you listening to? I like it."

"It's a symphonic metal band. Blaine told me to listen to it, he thinks I could pull a song or two off nicely."

"C'mon, that can't be metal. It's... Metal is Brutal legend, this is Spellborn!"

Kurt doesn't even bother to pretend he understands any of that.

"Anything else I can help you with? If not, please leave me alone, I have an outfit to put together."

"Yeah, okay, just wanted to ask you: do you wanna come over to Mr. Schue's place this afternoon? He's spending Christmas alone, and the glee club thought we should be there for him, so he knows that he's not alone."

Kurt puts the jacket down next to the scarf, and approaches Finn.

"That is amazingly thoughtful for New Directions, you guys are really growing!" He reaches Finn and puts a hand on his arm; when he doesn't flinch or even look down, just smiles at the compliment, Kurt knows that he is going to have a great Christmas with his new, extended family.

"But I can't make it; I have to make out with my boyfriend who arrives in just..." he ignores Finn's fallen jaw and saucer-sized eyes and looks at the clock on his wall "...two hours, so if you excuse me."

With that, he unceremoniously slams the door on his brother's face, and job well done, goes back to his closet.

Finn's shouts (Blaine had better not try anything funny, I know where he lives, and if he hurts you, me and the others will take him down!) are barely audible through the door as the otherworldly music flows from Kurt's speakers.