Baby, it's Cold Outside

Baby, it's Cold Outside - December 24th, Monday

Kurt was anxiously checking the clock. He wasn't a religious person and Christmas usually didn't mean much to him; that's why at first he thought he would be fine spending the Holidays alone in New York (not like he had the money to fly home anyway). But since his dad said he would be coming to visit him, he was now really looking forward to it.

It wouldn't even be many days; his workaholic boss would be going back to work at Wednesday and, as an intern, Kurt didn't have much of a choice. He wasn't complaining; it would give his head a rest. Things with Blaine were friendly, but it still hurt a lot. Especially with all the romantic comedies that seemed to be the only thing on TV. They've talked and agreed on being friends, but it was still awkward and Kurt still dreamed almost every night of the times before Blaine confessed his cheating. Kurt wanted that Blaine back, but for now he had to settle with being friends with the new one.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Finally! He literally ran to open the door and threw himself into a hug the second he saw his father's smiley face:

"Daddy! It's so good to see you!"

Burt laughed as he held his son closer in the embrace:

"It's good to see you too, kiddo."

"Oh dad, this Christmas will be perfect. Just like the ones we had when I was little."

"Well bud, I have something to tell you, but before you start screaming I want you to know it was all my idea."

Kurt raised an eyebrow in a quizzical way. Burt went on:

"I found out that Blaine would be alone for Christmas and I invited him to have supper with us. I hope it's alright."

Kurt let out a sigh; he wasn't expecting this and didn't know how his feelings would behave having his ex-boyfriend spending Christmas with them. He raised his eyes to look at his dad:

"It's okay; nobody ought to be alone at Christmas, right?"

"Quoting me? It's good to know you still listen to your old man. I'll bring him upstairs..."

Burt went to get Blaine who apparently had insisted on checking if Kurt would be okay to see him before showing up. Blaine appeared at his doorstep and Kurt's heart did a flip-flop; but it seemed like he could hid it because Blaine just smiled awkwardly at him. Kurt pulled him to a friendly hug that didn't last long.

Burt coughed to break the compelling silence:

"Kurt, it was kind of an exhausting journey with the airport so crowded... Where can I go take a shower?"

Kurt guided him to the bathroom and gave him a towel. When he got back, Blaine hadn't move and was unease. Kurt smiled at him and he started what seemed a rehearsed speech:

"Kurt, I really wanted to have called first. My parents went to visit Cooper in L.A. and I didn't want to go because I had a row with him and my father the last time he called. You see, my dream has always been to see the ball drop at Times Square. When you father found out I would be in New York for the Holidays, he insisted I came. I didn't want to impose. I'll be checking in a hotel as soon as dinner is over. You won't need to hear from me for the rest of the week..."

Kurt interrupted him:

"Blaine, stop. We are friends, right? I'm glad my dad invited you; especially after you told you fought your family. No one should be alone at Christmas. Well, I still have some air-mattress from when Rachel and I first moved here. I know it's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but if you don't mind sleeping in my living room, you can stay."

Blaine's eyes opened wide:

"Really Kurt? It would be great! I promise I won't be on your way; you'll hardly know I'm here."

Kurt chuckled:

"Blaine, I'm not bothered by your presence. We can be friends and talk. I'll be working during the week, so I won't bother you either."

Blaine's eyes were beginning to moist and Kurt couldn't help but noticing and worrying. He uncertainly placed his hand at Blaine's shoulder:

"Something wrong?"

Blaine's tears began to drop. He looked straight into Kurt's eyes and spoke between sobs:

"Kurt, you have no idea how much this all means to me. I'm not trying anything here or anything else; it's just because it's Christmas and I need you to know the truth: I love you. I love you very much and all I want is to see you happy, no matter what. For real; no matter what. I'll be always rooting for you and I'll be always there for you whenever you need. I just... I just can't live with the idea of not having you in my life..."

Kurt was touched and pulled Blaine for a heart-felt thight hug. He was feeling his eyes moistening and hoped his voice wouldn't break:

"I'll be always there rooting for you too, Blaine. You are way too important."

Blaine's sobs became louder and more frequent:

"Oh Kurt! For some months I thought I had lost you for good. I'm so glad we can still share some moments. When you said you didn't love me anymore..."

Kurt couldn't contain his next commentary:

"But I never said that."

It wasn't meant for Blaine to hear; but as he did, he broke the embrace to look at Kurt. Looking at the boy putting himself so fragile before him, Kurt decided to go with the truth:

"Loving you was never the problem. It was quite the opposite: getting over you that really hurt."

Before Blaine could process all that and come up with an answer; Burt exited the bathroom and came to join them. The supper went by with light conversation and Burt telling Blaine some Holiday tales of the Hummels. Blaine's eyes sought Kurt's at every chance they got. Kurt tried to avoid these exchanged glances, but could only escape a few of them.

Burt announced he was going to sleep and hugged both of the boys. Blaine stayed to help Kurt clean the table and load the dishwasher. Kurt was the first to break the silence:

"Blaine, can I ask you something?"

"Anything..."

Kurt stopped what he was doing and turned to face Blaine:

"You would be in New York for the Holidays and you wouldn't call me?"

Blaine looked down and shifted his weight between his feet. After some consideration, he looked at Kurt with a smirk:

"I was trying to give you your space; but I guess I'd probably give in and called you."

Kurt smiled back at him:

"Good to know... Well, I guess I'll go to bed too. Merry Christmas, Blaine."

"Merry Christmas, Kurt. Sweet Dreams."

They both stayed awake for a long time revising the events of the past night. Kurt was fighting the feelings that had awoken inside him and Blaine using all his forces not to nourish a hope that was beginning to blossom inside of him.