For Keeps

12. The Viking in me.

{Kurt}

The smell of curry spices, butter and garlic filled the dining room as Kurt took Jon's hand on one side, and Mel's on the other for Pete to say the grace. Jon's mom looked like she'd spent the day in bed; her damp hair was up in a messy greying mom-bun and her face was bare of makeup. Kurt thought she smiled as much as usual; she had laughed when he spun to show off for her, making his skirt float around him as if he were a flower as colourful as the print on the fabric.

Helping himself to butter chicken and naan bread, he passed the food and watched Jon's family take turns telling their stories from their week, keeping an eye on Jon's dad out of habit. In his experience, the man at the head of the table had the most power to turn the tone of this whole meal; at the Klassen family table Kurt and his mother had worked in tandem to keep his father pleased and jolly. Sometimes Kurt had to manage both of his high-spirited parents alone; his mother had a temper of her own.

That wasn't his job here, but he couldn't help being alert to Pete in particular. He also kept quiet; in Jon's family home, he was acutely aware that he didn't belong and was the person most likely to disturb the peace of this table.

When it was Jon's turn to share, his boyfriend slung an arm back over his chair, his hands closing loosely into fists. "My news this week is I'm taking a break from school in January."

There were noises of surprise and curiosity, and Jon smiled at his mom and dad. "You all called it last year in December--it's not worth burning out to finish my degree so quickly. I'll admit it--I'm a slow learner when it comes to my own limits."

His free hand touched Kurt's, lying on the table. "But I have a partner now, and he deserves more than the leftovers of my energy at the end of the day." Jon glanced sideways at him, his eyes smiling. "We're going to figure out something more sustainable."

Kurt smiled back; the word 'partner' in Jon's mouth soothed the ache in his heart.

"Also, if it's not obvious--" Jon lifted his chin to look at his family around the table. "Kurt and I are--" Mel gasped softly, her face lighting up, Jon paused with a rueful laugh, probably realizing what she hoped he was about to say. "Um, we're a permanent thing. I'm taking your advice, Dad, to shift my priorities to make space for that to..." Jon opened his free hand like a flower, inexplicably blushing bright pink.

Bea gave a little squeal, pressing her knuckles against her grinning mouth. Tabitha May huffed a sigh, then began to scroll on her phone under the edge of the table.

Cary said, "So when are we eating gluten-free wedding cake?"

Jon exchanged a look with Kurt.

"We're not doing that," Kurt said, while Jon bent his head and toyed with his fingers. "We would, but it puts Jon's work at risk."

Jon's dad sat back in his chair, tossing his napkin beside his plate. Kurt watched him warily, having difficulty reading his expression through his beard.

"Well I'm disappointed," Pete said. "Here I've been looking forward to putting my collar back on and blessing my son's gay marriage. You were my best hope, Kurt."

Impulsively, Kurt made his eyes wide and innocent, putting his chin in his hand. "I did wonder what you would say, Pa White, if I came asking for Jon's hand. Along with the rest of his adorable body." With everyone watching, it felt safe to make this small jab at Pete and Kurt figured he could pick up the truth of Pete's answer whatever the other man said for the family dinner table.

What he did not expect was for Jon's dad to well up, tears spilling over his eyes and running down into his beard. The table got quiet as Jon's dad thumbed the tears out of his eyes and caught his breath.