The air around him was cold and bitter, little puffs of air blowing in front of him as he ran. The overcoat he had recently purchased was snug and lengthy but it didn’t do much to help him gain speed as he raced toward Central Park.

'Meet me in the park after you leave the office' Blaine’s text had said. Kurt was working late, piecing together final products for the editor of the highly acclaimed fashion magazine to look over in the morning. He didn’t want to keep Blaine waiting in the cold so he decided he had spent enough time looking over his work and he left the office in a hurry.

Now he was running because something told him that he couldn’t wait for whatever Blaine had in store for him. Kurt finally came up to the familiar scenery of Central Park and he slowed down and took a moment to admire his surroundings. Even though it was dark and in the middle of December, it was still one of the most beautiful places Kurt had ever seen. His new life in New York had brought him some amazing opportunities to travel but nothing compared to what he now called home.

He spotted Blaine a few feet away with his back turned and his hands in his pockets. Kurt smiled and made his way towards him, being careful not to tip off his approach until he was ready.

“Excuse me. I’m supposed to be meeting my cutie here after work. Have you seen him?” Blaine twirled around on his heel and beamed when he took in Kurt’s smiling face and rosy cheeks.

“I’m not sure. Maybe you could describe the cutie in question and I’ll let you know if he’s passed by.” Kurt stepped forward and walked into Blaine’s open arms.

“He’s about your height, same build and hair style. Though he probably wouldn’t be caught waiting alone in Central Park in the middle of winter.” Blaine grinned and hugged Kurt closer.

“I think I saw him about thirty minutes ago. But after waiting so long in the cold, he gave up on his lover showing up so he went on home.” Kurt pouted while burying his face in the crook of Blaine’s neck.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting so long,” Kurt mumbled. Blaine rubbed a reassuring hand down his back while pressing him closer.

“It’s okay. I haven’t been waiting long. I only just finished my hot chocolate so I’m only slightly hypothermic.” Kurt shifted beneath him, his breath sharp and quick against his skin as he let out a shaky laugh.

“But really, what are we doing out here while it’s so cold out? Wouldn’t you rather be at home in our nice warm apartment, snuggling and sipping hot cocoa?”

“The idea does sound rather appealing but I brought you out here for a reason. Kurt, there’s something I need to ask you.” Kurt knew instantly by the sound of Blaine’s voice that Blaine had something important to say. He pulled away from Blaine’s neck and held his gaze steady as he waited.

“What is it, Blaine? Is everything okay?”

“Maybe you should ask me that in about five minutes,” Blaine mumbled. He ducked his head down before sucking in a deep breath and looking at Kurt once more. “Kurt, I never imagined in my first few years of adolescence that I’d be where I am today, with an amazing career and an amazing partner by my side to support me.” Kurt smiled fondly, squeezing Blaine’s arms gently.

“I knew that when I first met you, you were something special and I know it took me a while, too long in fact, to realize that you were absolutely everything to me.” Blaine took another shuddering breath before he continued. “Five years ago, I knew that I always wanted to make you happy and to see you smile no matter what. Five years ago when we were still lovesick teenagers in high school, I knew I wanted to spend my life with you.”

Kurt’s eyes widened as Blaine’s words started to give way to something bigger, something Kurt wasn’t sure he was prepared to hear.

“I made you a promise then, Kurt. Do you remember what it was?”

“To always love me, to defend me even when you know I’m wrong. To surprise me, to always pick up my phone calls no matter what you’re doing. To bake me cookies at least twice a year and to kiss me whenever and wherever I want.”

“But most importantly, to remind you how perfectly imperfect you are,” Blaine finished, closing the distance and kissing Kurt chastely on the lips. Kurt finally pulled away after he started swimming in the feeling that was familiar and all Blaine.

“I don’t understand; why are you reminding me of all this? It’s not like I could forget that promise, Blaine.”

“I’m reminding you because there’s something I want to ask you, something else I want to promise you tonight, Kurt.” Blaine dropped his hands to rummage through his pockets and slowly descended to one knee with a tiny brown box in hand. Kurt’s breath hitched in his throat but his body was too stunned to react. He felt like everything was happening in slow motion while he watched Blaine look up at him through his long lashes.

“Kurt, five years ago, you were ready to run away to this very spot and elope with me. I would have taken your hand and never looked back, but I’m glad we’ve waited so long. You’re working so hard at a fashion magazine that’s finally admiring your talents and I’m here with you, supporting you while finally making my mark in the performing world. Five years later, we’ve come so far and we’ve done it all. Together.” Blaine took a moment to catch his breath as he opened the box to expose a little hand-made ring inside.

“Blaine is that…” Kurt’s voice trailed off, forgotten as he took in Blaine’s handiwork.

“It’s a ring made from the fabrics of your first designs. I sewed them together myself. Well, with Rachel’s help.” Kurt admired the box with misty eyes, too overcome with emotions to respond right away.

“And what,” Kurt choked out, “what are you promising now?”

“To always clean up after you, to make sure you always have dinner waiting after a long day of work. To always listen to your business plans, no matter how off the wall they sound. To bake you Christmas cookies and let you stuff the turkey during Thanksgiving. To make love to you and show you how much I need you. But most importantly, to continue reminding you how perfectly imperfect you are and to remind you that we’re equals, partners, as husband and husband. So with all that said, with those promises in mind, will you do me the tremendous honor of being my husband, Kurt Hummel?”

Kurt hadn’t realized he was crying until his vision started to swim and Blaine’s face began to run together in a blur of colors. Blinking back several tears and hoping his voice was still somewhere inside him, he licked his dry lips and held out his hands to Blaine. “Of course I will, Blaine Anderson. I said yes five years ago and I’m saying yes now. I’ll always say yes to you.” Blaine’s face blossomed and Kurt was instantly swept up in Blaine’s tight grip. They spun around, happy and completely immersed in each other. Blaine peppered Kurt’s face with adoring kisses and Kurt let out several yips of laughter as Blaine continued twirling him and kissing every inch of skin his lips could find.

Eventually they made it back home, where they stripped off their layers and donned sweats and sweaters, with mugs of hot cocoa in each hand as they took turns staring at the snow that had started to fall and kissing each other raw.