Tree without blossoms - Chapter 13/20

[sunmontue]

Title: Tree without blossoms
Pairing: Kurt Hummel/David Karofsky, mention of past Kurt/Blaine, Kurt/OC and Dave/OC, Mercedes Jones/OC,
Rating: M/NC-17
Word count: ~8,000 words for this chapter
Warnings: None that I can think of as yet that aren’t already indicated by the rating.
Summary: A future!fic set in 2025 where Kurt and Dave's lives intertwine again, proving just how small the world really is, and how Fate has a twisted sense of humour. AU from end of Season 2.

CHAPTER ONE - AUGUST 2025 (part one)                  CHAPTER TWO - AUGUST 2025 (part two) 
CHAPTER THREE- AUGUST 2025 (part three)              CHAPTER FOUR - SEPTEMBER 2025
CHAPTER FIVE - OCTOBER 2025 (part one)                CHAPTER SIX - OCTOBER 2025 (part two)
CHAPTER SEVEN - OCTOBER 2025 (part three)          CHAPTER EIGHT - NOVEMBER 2025 (part one)
CHAPTER NINE - NOVEMBER 2025 (part two)             CHAPTER TEN - NOVEMBER 2025 (part three)
CHAPTER ELEVEN - DECEMBER 2025 (part one)        CHAPTER TWELVE - DECEMBER 2025 (part two)


CHAPTER THIRTEEN - DECEMBER 2025 (part three)

Ever since Karen turned up at his apartment with chicken soup to find him half naked and not looking the slightest bit sick she's been giving him shit. She'd arrived, genuinely concerned that he was at death's door and then Kurt had hammered the last nail in his coffin by walking out wearing nothing but one of Dave's shirts before yelping and running back into the bedroom when he saw Karen. All-day Friday she had sung 'bow-chicka-wow-wow' every time he'd walked into their office. His pleas telling her to 'grow the fuck up' had fallen on deaf ears. It's good natured though. She's crazy excited that he's getting laid, he's just grateful that he's left the craziness of the precinct behind him as he drives south.

His plans involve spending Chanukah with his dad tonight and tomorrow, and after seeing Kurt off at the airport only that morning and knowing he's going to be in Lima in two days as well will hopefully stave off his despair about the impending craziness he knows is coming. Jen is spending Christmas with Rob's family in Florida, which is usual when they've spent Thanksgiving with Jen's family. Pat though…Pat has invited her mom, Suzanne, to come and stay. Dave's sure that to anyone but Pat, they'd see how…unwise that decision is. He can't imagine sitting at a dinner table with his dad's first wife and current wife and the conversation not being awkward, but then there's the fact that Suzanne is homophobic to boot, and always looks at Dave like he's about to jump on the nearest table and start doing a striptease. But that's what Pat has planned. Disaster. DISASTER. And he's going to have a ring side seat.

And his dad, in his infinite lack of wisdom, (that's obviously where Pat gets it from) has invited Santana and Kate to spend Christmas with them. He's never understood his dad's blinkered view of Santana. The view that she's a nice girl. Originally he'd though that his father liked her because she had the dubious title of being his one and only girlfriend. But that's not the case; he's listened in on their conversations, they talk legal speak, economics and about being with people who have jobs which put other people's lives ahead of their relationship. And then they drink scotch together. They do actually seem to genuinely like each other. Which is weird. But his mom and Kate get on amazingly well, so he knows he'll be able to slip out of the house and feel no guilt. And at least with them there he won't be the only one receiving the evil eye for being gay, although he doubts Santana will keep quiet. So there's that possible entertainment value to look forward to.

What he's really looking forward to is seeing Kurt again. He only saw him this morning, and Kurt has asked him to pick him up from the airport on Tuesday night, so it will be just over two days. And they're planning on talking tonight, but it's a poor substitute when he's had four consecutive nights with Kurt in his life. In his bed. Skin-on-skin when they've talked, and showered, casual brushes against each other while eating breakfast at the table. Comfortable silences while Kurt worked on his tablet, feet nestled in Dave's lap while he read a book. The words are dancing on the tip of his tongue, waiting to trip and tumble out. I love you. I love you. I love you.

He's managed to keep his mouth shut on the matter though. In all the time they've just spent together Kurt hasn't made any mention of changing their non-relationship status. He knows it's a moot point for him, especially now, but he feels like he's in limbo. Waiting. Kurt's actions are screaming how he feels, but Dave doesn't think his head has caught up yet. So he's waiting. He's fairly certain that Kurt will catch up soon though.

There's only one black spot, and that's the distance between them, and he can't ignore it, but he also can't overlook the fact that he's more than willing to try and make it work with Kurt than he ever was with Greg, and he was with Greg for a hell of a lot longer than a couple of months. Maybe it's because LA is so much closer than London. Or they both have ties to Lima. Or his feelings for Kurt simply seem more intense than they ever did for Greg. He doesn't know, and it's frustrating, because he's starting to feel like he has this all figured out and then it slips a little in his mind. Doesn't change the facts though. He's in love with Kurt Hummel.

---

"Kurt. Hi."

Kurt's not impressed. In fact, he's pretty pissed off. Cassie has left him in the kitchen with Marcus while she goes to pack the rest of Jamie's things for an overnight stay. He wouldn't even usually be here, except they're having a mini-Christmas drink and nibbles evening with a whole raft of Renee's friends, most of whom Kurt has worked with at one point, so he knows it's going to feel a bit like he's at a wrap party or some other type of work function.

"Marcus," Kurt replies, smile tight.

"You're looking really good…new diet?"

Kurt doesn't hold back the eye roll, because he knows Marcus is trying to be complimentary, but it just makes his skin crawl unpleasantly.

"Actually I'm eating. And sleeping. Actually looking after myself for once, as opposed to looking after someone else."

"Oh…right. Okay…so…You're with Reese Walker now huh?"

Kurt stares at him in disbelief and then shakes his head, it's not worth the hassle.

"Yeah. Sure. Whatever."

"Well I'm glad. We want you to be happy…"

"Oh fuck off…" Kurt cuts in; he doesn't need to hear platitudes. "If you wanted me to be happy, or Cassie to be happy, then you would have thought with your head rather than your dick. I don't care that you guys are all loved-up and living the big gay American dream, but you should have had the common fucking decency to be honest and upfront and not sneak around and lie. That's what pisses me off the most. Just…fuck off," Kurt states, and he stalks out of the kitchen, weaves past a few early-arrivers who are staring at him and Marcus with curious gazes and goes to find Cassie to see if she needs any help; before he breaks his wine glass on the side of the bench and stabs Marcus in the eye and give the people around something to really stare at.

---

Dave stares out at the brightly lit airstrip and watches the tiny flakes of snow fall in the beams of light. It's quietly pretty. He shoves his hands deeper into the pockets of his jacket, because the heating in the tiny airport terminal is only just enough to stop him being able to see his breath. Kurt's flight is running late. No surprises there. He hasn't bought anything with him to occupy his time, and the shops are all closed because it's almost eleven at night. So he's staring at falling snow.

When he finally sees the tiny twelve-seater plane bump down he lets out a little sigh of relief. He watches as the small group of people bundle off the plane and he recognises Kurt even from this distance. They all hurry inside to wait for the baggage handlers to organise the luggage, and when he catches Kurt's eye through the glass he can't help but smile widely. He watches as Kurt lifts his comparatively tiny little bag from the luggage trolley and strolls out to where he's waiting, weaving arms beneath his jacket and around his waist in a gesture that warms Dave right through.

"Mmm, I've missed you," Kurt says, nose icy against the warmth of his neck.

"I…missed you too…" Dave murmurs back, surprised. He never expected Kurt to come out and say something like that. It isn't a declaration of love, but it's enough. More than enough.

"Come on, take me home…" Kurt says, and Dave really wishes that they were going home, and not to their respective parents' places, because that makes him feel far too young. Kurt is only in town for four nights, and is flying home ridiculously early on the twenty-seventh for reasons he's avoided explaining to him, and getting in so late tonight, that's he's barely here for three days as it is. Hence the airport-pick-up and drop-off, potentially the only time they will have to themselves.

As they walk to the terminal door he wants to throw an arm over Kurt's shoulders, but the choice is taken from him when Kurt loops his arm through Dave's, huddling his body close to Dave's, and Dave's pretty sure it's for protection from the swirling flakes of snow, but it doesn't stop him enjoying the sensation. He unlocks his car and puts Kurt's bag into the trunk and then Kurt's body is against his, chest against his back, arms wrapping around his waist again. He shuts the trunk and turns in the circle of arms, and then there are icy-cold lips on his and this is a proper hello.

Kurt's tongue is a hot contrast to his lips and god it feels good. He has no idea if they're going to be able to swing sex together at all in this little mini-break, but they're definitely going to managesomething, because he can't be this close to Kurt and not want. Their tongues are sliding against each other, and Dave turns their bodies, pushing Kurt against the car. This is probably the worst possible time and place, but he doesn't care, and Kurt obviously feels the same. He slides his leg between Kurt's and Kurt obliges by starting to rock against him, and Dave feels hysterical laughter bubbling up, because they can't seriously be considering doing this out in the open while it is snowing. And then he feels it. Vibrating. And then muffled ringing. And Kurt is swearing and his arms are untwining from around him and reaching for his jacket pocket.

"Hey dad." "Yeah, I've landed. The flight was delayed." "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry." "Yeah, he's here. We're just at the car actually." "Uh-huh." "Yes dad, I promise we'll drive safely."

Dave's listens to the one-sided conversation with mounting apprehension. He knows it's completely irrational, but Burt Hummel scares him. The thought of him just makes Dave feel like a small scared teenager all over again, and he's just realised that he's fucking the man's son. Doesn't matter that he loves him, he's just going to be the big-bad-bear whose defiling his precious baby-boy and fuck. He's sure he's about to start hyperventilating. Judging from that phone call, Burt Hummel knows who is picking Kurt up, and Dave isn't ready. He'll never be ready.

"Dave? Are you okay?" Kurt asks, and he's looking at Dave with worried eyes. Dave tries to take a deep calming breath and the air freezes his lungs, but it makes him shake off the mini panic attack.

"I'm good, I just…does your dad know that it's me picking you up?"

"Of course. What's wrong?"

"I just… I'm pretty sure your dad hates me."

"Oh. Right. Well, for one, I don't think he hates you. He hates the fact that I was bullied and he couldn't protect me way more…I don't think he made the connection between me saying my friend Dave and who you were in high school."

"Right. Okay. Well, that was an effective mood killer huh?"

"Yeah, and I'm getting all cold again now that you aren't warming me up…"

"Well, we better get going…before your dad gets even more worried."

"Yeah, he's waiting up for me…"

And there go Dave's hopes of a quick hand job or blowjob in the car. He's not going to be able to get off knowing that Burt Hummel is sitting at home waiting for Kurt. Well, he probably could, but he still doesn't want to think about it. He gets into the driver's side and Kurt reaches over and gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Dave quirks a questioning eyebrow at the gesture and Kurt just grins before sitting back in his seat and buckling himself in.

---

Kurt's relaxed. He's had a full body massage, manicure and pedicure as well as a facial. He doesn't have time or patience for them much anymore, except now he has to start taking care of his fingernails properly, and that thought makes him grin to himself.

"What are you smiling about?" Mercedes asks over her lunch, and Kurt looks up and smirks. He doesn't need to say anything more, she knows from the look on his face and she rolls her eyes and continues eating. When he'd been in Chicago last week he'd surprised her at work on Friday with lunch. Kurt had enjoyed it, being able to go from Dave's bed to having lunch with Mercedes. He'd even managed to get in a few hours of work in.

"So, you guys got plans?"

"Not really. We've both got family stuff. If we can fit something in around that then…that would be…good."

Mercedes snorts and eyes him warily, and Kurt has to bite his lip from saying anything about the proposal which he has sworn to keep secret. She has to know he's keeping something from her, he's just hoping she thinks it's something perverted and related to sex with Dave.

"So…apart from your impromptu trip to Chicago, how is your guys little work in progress?"

"It's good. Really good. But nothings really changed."

Mercedes is looking at him with a disbelieving look, and Kurt knows that he's missing something.

"Seriously Kurt? Nothing's changed? What world are you living in?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh my goodness. Kurt! You flew halfway across the country. You don't do that for just anyone."

"I'd do it for you."

Mercedes stares him down, and he freezes, because of course he'd do it for her, he loves her. Like he'd do the same for his dad, and Carol and Finn… and apparently Dave.

"Fuck."

"Oh honey…you didn't know?"

"I…fuck. I'm not ready for it. I'm just sorting myself out and getting some balance in my life and I'm really not ready to be in love and in a relationship and…oh god…" He feels like he's going to be sick.

"Kurt. Stop freaking out. For a start, you don't get to decide shit like this. Love just happens. You can't plan and organise love. Also, lucky for you Dave's going to hang around until you are ready…"

"What? What do you mean?"
"Have you not noticed the way Dave looks at you? Not only is it positively indecent, but he adores you. Loves you probably. He'll wait."

"I…he…oh crap."

"What's so bad about that?"

"I just…we live so far apart."

"No worthwhile love story ever got it easy…" Mercedes replies and Kurt pokes his tongue out at her.

"Fuck. So I might love him a little bit. I just…"

"Kurt. Stop freaking out about it. Seriously. You can't do anything to change it right now. If you guys want it, I'm sure you'll come up with a solution. You could always move to Chicago you know…"

Kurt sends her a mock glare, because they both know he needs to be in LA for work, but he'd truly enjoyed his three days in Chicago. Although he'd be the first to admit he enjoyed the four nights infinitely more.

---

Dave could kiss Santana right now. She's gone all on-fire toasted-marshmallow on his arse, fiery and burning on the outside and gooey sweet inside, shoving him out the door, saying they'll keep his parents occupied with scrabble or some shit, and he's now just got to spring Kurt from his family. He has no idea what they're going to do once they're free, because they have the same problem that they did at Thanksgiving. No place to go. It's eight at night on Christmas Eve and everything is pretty much closed. He freezes and grabs his phone, and seconds later he's set, driving across town to pick up some keys and promising to return them before Boxing Day.

Keys in hand and plan forming in his mind he texts Kurt 'What are you doing right now?' and he gets a response pleasingly fast, telling him that Kurt probably isn't that tied up right now. 'Was that meant to be a lead-up to sexting? Because if so, you failed.' Dave snorts in amusement, because it's not too far from the truth, except phones are not going to be involved. 'Can you come out and play?' He waits, and then 'I definitely can. When and where?' Dave flicks back a 'On my way to pick you up now.' And with that he sets his phone down and drives across town again to Kurt's place.

When he pulls up outside he hesitates briefly, and then knows he can't just toot the horn and wait. He wants to make a good impression. Well, a better one. He gets out of his car and steps up the path to the front of the house, and if his hands are shaking slightly then he'll just blame the cold. He rings the bell and sure enough Burt Hummel comes to the door to answer it, even though he'd been secretly hoping Kurt would have beaten him to it.

"Uh, Hello Mr Hummel sir. Um. I'm here to pick up Kurt?"

"Are you? You don't sound so sure of that…" Burt replies. "You one of Kurt's friends from high school?"

"Uh, no. Not exactly. I'm Dave Karofsky."

Kurt's dad frowns at him and Dave's stomach churns, he knows how important this man is to Kurt, and if he gives the man more reason to hate him then he's screwed.

"Right. Nice to meet you," Burt says, and Dave automatically shakes the hand stretched toward him. "Kurt! Dave's here!"

"Yeah yeah…I heard the doorbell!" Kurt calls from somewhere and Dave bites his lip in amusement. When Kurt comes into the foyer Dave grins at him and Kurt looks between him and his father.

"Look. He didn't kill you…" Kurt says, and he shoots a cheeky grin at his dad, before giving Dave another little peck on the cheek. Dave's pretty sure he's blushing, and he hopes it just looks like his cheeks are red from the cold, because Kurt's just been full of surprises.

Kurt hops into Dave's car, stomach doing somersaults and he's trying to act as if everything is normal. It's easy enough to do via text and over the phone, but since his not-so-little revelation this afternoon (with Mercedes' help) he's been freaking out, despite Mercedes best efforts to distract him. And he just kissed Dave in front of his dad. It was just on the cheek, but still. His dad is going to be all about the questions next time he sees him, and that's not good, because he's pretty sure he doesn't have any of the answers. In fact, he knows he doesn't have any answers, because he wants to equal parts climb into Dave's lap, pepper him with kisses and tell him, and the other parts are screaming at him to run. Run as far away and as fast as possible. And the other part is saying act normal, he won't notice. He doubts that though. Dave seems to have a freaky level of awareness where he is concerned.

"So, where are we going?" he asks, and he's jittery with nerves. He sits on his hands, because that seems like a compromise between reaching for Dave and starting to undress him, or opening the car door and tumbling out of a moving car.
"Uh…I'm taking you ice skating."

Kurt stiffens and stares at Dave.

"What? No. Just…no. I don't need you laughing at me…"

"Kurt. Kurt. I promise I won't laugh. And the rink is closed, so no one else is there either. Just you and me…"

"What? How did you manage to swing that?"

"A man has got to keep some mystery you know…"

"And this man refuses to end up in jail for breaking and entering on Christmas Eve," Kurt states, and he's trying to think of anything that can get him out of this.

"Kurt, I'm a cop, do you seriously think…?" He flicks his eyes to Kurt and Kurt stares at him with a cocked eyebrow, because he doesn't really believe Dave would break into an ice rink, but he's not going to make this easy for him. Dave lets out a huff of indignation. "Fine, one of my old buddies from high school is the manager there now, and I asked him…it may have been a while since I've been skating, but I promise I won't let you fall okay?"
"That's a lot of promises David Karofsky…"

"Well, I mean them," Dave says, and Kurt's stomach does another flip, the intense look on Dave's face back up his words.

"Well then. Okay. Only because you have a vested interested in protecting my arse," Kurt says, trying to lighten the tone. He doesn't need an intense smouldering sexy Dave right now, he's struggling enough. Dave chuckles as he pulls into the empty parking lot outside the ice skating rink.

Kurt's all nervous energy and he doesn't need to be a genius to know something is up. He won't call Kurt on it though, because he suspects. And if he's right, then Kurt's probably freaking out and he wouldn't be doing either of them any favours by drawing attention to it. So he'll distract him, and then he'll distract him some more.

"Your arse is worth protecting. Now come one," Dave states, jingling the rink keys in his pocket and Kurt follows him reluctantly.

He opens the side door and goes to deactivate the alarm, following the instructions he's been given. He turns on the star-effect overhead-lights for the rink and turns to look at Kurt. He's standing there, arms crossed, watching him.

"You're going to make me put on hire skates aren't you…" he mutters with a dejected sigh.

He walks over to Kurt, places hands on his hips and tugs him forward so their bodies are pressed against each other. It's not as late or as cold as last night, and there's no danger of being interrupted.

"If you really don't want to I'm not going to make you…but…I think you need to give it a chance." And he's not just talking about ice skating.

Kurt slides hands around him, resting his head on Dave's chest and lets out a long breath, and Dave loves him like this, when he can literally feel Kurt relax against him, like his simple existence makes Kurt feel relaxed and he doesn't need any other excuse to just be right now. He firms his grip on Kurt's hips and presses a kiss to the side of his head.

"We could just…make out."

"We could. I'm okay with that…" Dave says, and Kurt's fingers are working at his un-tucking his t-shirt from his pants beneath his jacket, and Dave goes with it. He would really like to skate, but there's always one of the rinks in Chicago, and weighing up skating versus Kurt…well, it's no competition. Although he's pretty sure they won't be limiting themselves to just making out. Then he remembers why he chose here, and he pulls back.

"I want to show you something, then we'll get right back to this okay?"

"Okay…" Kurt agrees, although he sounds reluctant.

Dave leads him through the dark corridors, lit only by emergency lighting, Kurt's hand in his. When he pushes through the final door to the main area for the public he hears Kurt's little sharp intake of breath and smiles, suddenly feeling shy, because he's always considered this place special, especially when it's lit like this, thousands of tiny lights twinkling up on the ceiling and the rest of the rink dark and silent.

"Oh my god…this is beautiful."

His body relaxes, because Kurt's looking around in wonder, eyes reflecting the tiny sparkles of light and he looks entranced, which Dave had secretly been hoping for. He's not sure if he can admit out loud that he used to come here when he was a teenager and think about bringing a date here. In his dreams he'd made the date Kurt, and occasionally even Blaine, but he'd also kept those dreams firmly bottled, because he hadn't been out and never thought he'd bring any guy here. Except now, he's here with Kurt, and that's the most important thing.

"How long has it been like this? I don't remember it looking like this…"

"They finished it the end of our junior year. I used to come here and think. It's…relaxing."

"It's romantic. I kind of wish I could skate…it's so pretty…"

"Up to you…" Dave murmurs, taking Kurt in his arms again, and it's his turn to tug Kurt's shirt free from his pants. He peers at the buttons and buckles on Kurt's jacket and ignores them for now, fingers skating over skin and Kurt's wearing what feels like four layers under the damn jacket.

"Let's skate…just so when my dad asks what we did I can say it without lying."

"Okay," Dave breaths, and he steps back again, because now he's going to get both some skating and some Kurt, which pretty much makes this the perfect Christmas Eve. He takes Kurt behind the skate hire kiosk and they select skates in their sizes. He watches as Kurt pulls them on and laces them loosely. He does his own, then kneels at Kurt's feet, winks, and redoes his laces, making sure the boots are firm and tight and not going to slip off and end with Kurt breaking his ankle.

"You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Kurt replies, and he's actually looking a bit excited.

Dave stands easily, balancing and holding out a hand for Kurt to help him stand. He stands easily enough, and Dave knows Kurt has a natural grace and excellent sense of balance. In theory that should translate out onto the ice, but apparently not. Still, he's sure he can get Kurt to do a couple of laps holding his hand at least. He leads Kurt to the ice, and places his hands on the side rail.

"Just stay here for a few minutes okay? I'm just going to give myself a couple of laps to remind myself…" Dave states, and he steps out onto the ice and flies.

He's always loved the ice. The lack of friction beneath his feet, the speeds he can get up to, the sheer physicality of hockey. He sprints around the rink, and the ice is shiny smooth, freshly polished and it's like muscle memory, all coming back. He completes three laps before coming to a halt in front of Kurt, who is looking…aroused? He's not entirely sure, but Kurt's cheeks are slightly pink, and his eyes are a bit darker than usual, although it's hard to tell in this light…

"You ready?" Dave asks, holding out his hands, and Kurt nods, taking them firmly and stepping towards him. Dave skates backward, dragging Kurt smoothly forward.

"So didn't you used to play hockey?"

"Yeah. I gave it up though…"

"Why?"

Dave coughs, embarrassed, he's not sure why though, because Kurt will understand. He weaves them around the ice, and Kurt seems completely at ease, and he's not sure if it's because his mind isn't focussed on the skating, or whether he simply trusts Dave that much to not let him fall.

"Changing room. The showers for teams here are completely open. At least at school there were those privacy partitions…"

"Ah. Yeah. Fair enough."

"Mmm. Told the guys that my dad would only let me play one sport though. As an excuse."

"Ah. The old blame-the-parent cover-up…this is kind of nice. Much better than last time…"

"I'm glad. Think you can go to one hand?"

"Um, okay. Sure."

Dave lets go of Kurt's right hand, wanting to keep his stronger arm on Kurt, because just in case he does fall he will be able to catch him, or at least break his fall. He speeds up slightly, but only to a brisk walking pace really, and Kurt just follows. Dave doesn't think he's actually lifted his feet off the ice yet. They do a couple of laps at the slow gentle pace, and Kurt starts to relax again, humming something under his breath, a song Dave recognises but couldn't put a name to.

"So, think you want to actually try skating?" Dave asks, and Kurt grins, head shaking.

"No. I quite like gliding around and you doing all the work…it's quite relaxing. Maybe next time…"

Dave huffs and aims them back to the side gate, arm wrapping around Kurt as he propels them across the ice. He doesn't even get off the ice before Kurt has turned around and is kissing him, teetering on the blades and hands fisted in his jacket. Dave kisses back, because hell, why wouldn't he? Kurt's hands are cool and smooth on his skin, and he really doesn't think that here is the most appropriate place, but at least it's not public. He wants to push Kurt back, but he's fairly certain that would topple him over, so he stands, stationary, as Kurt's hands move under his clothes and then one goes to cup his cock through his jeans.

"Can I get off…the ice? I…Kurt…"

"Oh, right…sorry. Let's go over there and sit…"

Dave follows and Kurt nudges him to sit and then kneels between his legs and oh, he's grinning up at Dave, looking completely perfect, nose pink and hair slightly dishevelled. He runs a finger down the fly of Dave's jeans, and his cock jumps. Kurt leans forward and breaths through the denim, directly onto his cock, and the warmth seeps into his skin and makes him shiver. He's not hard yet, but it won't be long, he's not jerked off for three days, which might not seem like long, but after four days of sex nearly on tap it's felt like an eternity.

He realises then that it's pretty much exactly this time last week that they'd had sex for the first time, and it's weird, because it feels like so much longer. Kurt's easing his zipper down, slowly and carefully, his face still a bare inch or two from his crotch and that view is one he'll never get sick of. He shuts his eyes so he can focus on the hot breath and cool fingers. Then Kurt is tugging at his jeans and underwear, trying to get more manoeuvring room. Dave obliges by carefully lifting his hips so Kurt can tug his highly inconvenient clothing down slightly. It's not enough, he can't spread his legs and fuck, they haven't even taken their skates off, but Kurt is wrapping fingers around him and he doesn't care.

Kurt shuffles slightly, and then his mouth is closing around the head of Dave's cock and shit. Hot wet moist sucking. He has no leverage to thrust, and Kurt's hands are clamped, one around his cock and one on his thigh, strong, holding him in place, the one on his cock tugging in a rhythm matching his mouth and tongue. Time seems to morph into another dimension, no longer existing, because he has no idea how long Kurt's been working on him, but he's hard and aching, and it could be a minute, it could be ten, or it could be an hour.

"Think you can go to no hands?" Kurt asks, breathless, lips swollen and grinning like he's just achieved world peace.

"Oh fuck…shut up Kurt…god."

Kurt laughs and then he's doing the wonderful thing with his throat and swallowing around him and they've had plenty of practise now but he knows he'll never get bored of this. And he has got to see if Kurt can teach him. He feels Kurt's fingers dig into his thigh, pushing at denim and he lets go with a grunt, trying to muffle the sound because this place echoes. He moves almost instantly, wanting to return the favour, because he can't let something like that go in good conscience but Kurt's hands are on his thighs, strong and firm and he's shaking his head.

"No, I want you to watch…" Kurt breaths, and he moves slightly, his own pants pulled down and tight across his legs, cock hard and straining upward and fuck, yeah, he wants to watch too. Kurt sits back, arse resting on his skates and Dave has a perfect view of his body, stretched out in front of him, almost fully clothed.

"Talk to me…tell me what you like…" Dave demands, and he's probably going to walk away from this as hard as he was a few minutes ago the way his body is trying to react to the vision in front of him.

"Sometimes…I like it slow. Build the tension and anticipation up. Tease myself. Take myself to the edge and back a couple of times before finally letting myself go…" Kurt says, and his hand is moving slowly on his cock in a steady pace, thumb smearing over the top occasionally to spread the pre-come, and Dave is watching everything. The way Kurt's hips are bucking gently, how his hair has fallen across his eyes, the tongue as it slips out to wet his lips, how his eyes are on Dave and watching his reactions. Everything.

"Sometimes I like it fast. Rough. Hard and urgent. If I'm at home I'll get out a toy and use it, fuck myself with it…"

"Oh god…" Dave mutters, although he's not sure he's said it aloud, because it garners no reaction from Kurt, whose hand is now a blur, and Dave's thinking of him lying in a bed fucking himself with a dildo and he's got jerking-off material for months.

"Fuck…and sometimes…I don't know…what I want…I'll start one way and…end up…changing halfway through. Nice slow fucks…that end up hard…and fast."

"Fuck…" Dave mumbles.

Kurt comes then with a surprised gasp and a cut-off shout and he looks stunning. Dave leans down, ignoring the fact that Kurt's hand and jacket and pants are now covered in come and kisses him, hands clasped on either side of his face, urging him up and forward so Dave can run his tongue along his teeth, stroke his tongue, grip his hair in his hands, and just be.

---

His dad had been asleep when Dave had dropped him home last night, which meant he's had a reprieve from the questions. He fully inspects an interrogation this morning though, so he goes downstairs cautiously. His dad is waiting, coffee cup in hand, eyes shrewd, and Kurt recognises the 'I love you but don't you dare bullshit me' look his father has perfected over the years.

"So, my memory isn't what it used to be, but…Dave Karofsky. Isn't he the boy who used to bully you in school? The reason you transferred?"

"Operative words there being used to," Kurt replies, leaning against the wall, because he doesn't know where this is going to go and he might need the physical support. "I was bullied by a lot of people back then."

His dad looks tragically unhappy and Kurt bites his lip. He knows it tears his dad up knowing he couldn't do anything to prevent it happening in the first place, and Kurt feels bad for reminding him.

"So, he's gay then?"

"Uh, yeah," Kurt replies, and only because it's his dad does he hold back the eye roll and snarky comment.

"Huh. Okay, well, he seems to have grown up. That little kiss you gave him last night… that the same type of kiss you give Mercedes or…something more?"

He flushes bright red then, because he'd forgotten about that innocent little kiss in the wake of everything else that had happened last night, and remembering that doesn't help the heat in his face, and he'll never be comfortable having this type of conversation with his dad. Ever.

"It's more. He's…more."

"Mmm. Well, I trust that you know what you're doing." Kurt feels like laughing, because he has no idea what he's doing, or what he's going to do, but everyone around him seems to think he has all the answers. "Just…mind yourself. That boy might be carrying around quite a bit of guilt about what he did to you back then…Be careful he doesn't overcompensate in your relationship. "

"I…what? Have you been talking to Carol? Anyway, he wouldn't. Well, I don't think so. I hope he's not. I mean… we've talked, and he apologised years ago, and…it's not something we talk about. Or need to talk about. It's in the past."

"Good. I'm glad, you know yourselves best. How did you meet up with him again anyway? He in LA?"

"Uh, no. He's in Chicago. He's Mike's best friend actually," Kurt states, and he knows his dad had met Mike yesterday.

"Huh. Small world. What does he do now?"

"He's a cop," Kurt replies, and this is going far better than he'd ever imagined. Then again, his dad has always seemed to know what's best for him.

"That's good. I…good," his dad says, nodding his head firmly and Kurt smiles hesitantly, not sure if this topic is now concluded.

Carol walks in, phone pressed against her ear and she smiles widely at both of them before giving his dad a quick kiss and Kurt a hug. She's listening to someone, and Kurt's pretty sure it's Finn.

"No Finn, it's just a Thanksgiving tradition. You'll live without the extra candy you know," Carol says. Kurt bites back a laugh and exchanges an amused glance with his dad, because some things never change.

---

Christmas day is worse than he suspected. Or maybe better. He's not sure. They've ended up back at his dad's place with most of the food and most of the people they started out with less than an hour ago. So those are both positives in his book at least.

They'd arrived at Pat's and Dave had ignored the suspicious glare from his dad's first wife, and his parents had been polite, despite Suzanne barely acknowledging their arrival. Then they'd gone to all sit at the table and the drama had started. Dave is still surprised they lasted that long. He'd pulled out Kate's chair, something he knew from experience not to do for Santana, and he'd noted Suzanne's eyes on him still. When Suzanne had said 'I knew you'd find the right girl eventually', Santana had simply clasped Kate's hand in hers and then given her a kiss that as far as Dave figured, was far too passionate for a dinner table.

Suzanne's wide eyes, flared nostrils and 'I can't believe my grandchildren are being exposed to this un-naturalness. It's just wrong. Pat, you are doing your children a disservice.' Well, Santana in full bitch mode is something beautiful to behold, and it had been amusing to watch his dad's reaction as well. Before he could say anything Santana had stood, informed Suzanne there was nothing wrong with either herself, Dave or Kate (at which point Zach had piped up with an 'Or me!'), saying that they were respectable, contributing members of society, and had stood there, hands on hips and Dave knows if he were straight he'd probably have been turned on.

And then been completely turned off when Suzanne had started screaming. She'd been barely comprehendible, but the gist had been that they were all going to hell, and how dare a deviant like Santana talk to her like that, and Sara had decided to proudly declare that she was apparently a lesbian, making Suzanne purple with rage (a fact Dave doesn't believe for a second considering the boyfriend he'd had to hear all about at Thanksgiving). Pat had tried calming her mother down, which had proved completely fruitless, and now Steve is driving the old battle-axe back to Cincinnati. Poor man.

As they were leaving his dad had wrapped an arm around him and given him a squeeze, a mumbled 'I'm proud of you' under his breath, and then done the same to Santana. Dave had smiled and given his dad a brief hug back, not used to the open demonstration. Santana had looked like she was going to cry, but had quickly gotten over it. Sara and Zach are still exclaiming over how cool it all was. Best Christmas ever apparently, and Sara's taken to calling her evil-grandma, and he's tried to discourage her, but he's pretty sure telling her off while trying not to smile hasn't exactly driven the message home.

They've eaten and cleared up and now lounging around. Zach and Sara are busy talking, and he's half-listening, because he's pretty sure they're trying to either include him, or impress him. Either or. He jumps when he feels his phone vibrate. It's Mike. 'She said yes'. Dave rolls his eyes, because he's not sure what universe Mike has been living in, but Dave never had any doubt. And judging from Kurt's response, he never had any either.

---

Casual drinks at Cookies on Boxing Day have turned into an impromptu engagement party. Although Dave has promised them a real one back in Chicago. Kurt's listened with half an ear, feeling a bit left out as the three of them had made plans, Santana chipping in occasionally despite her best attempts to appear completely uninterested. Like New York it's become a bit of a mini reunion, Azimio Adams has turned up and been politeness itself, even apologising to not only him, but pretty much everyone there.

Kurt's not drinking. He has a flight tomorrow at six in the morning, and Dave is dropping him off, and Kurt's noticed he switched to water after his first beer almost two hours ago. He's bored, the music isn't any good and everyone's talking about their New Year's plans. Kurt's planning to be in LA. Except he doesn't want to be in LA, he wants to be in Chicago, attending Mercedes' engagement party, whichDave is organising.

He knows he's being petty, but he wants to throw a party. Or at least be there. He stops then, and considers it, because there's nothing stopping him going to Chicago for a few nights. He did it last week, and back in August as well. He knows he can get some work done remotely, definitely not all, but there's very little happening at the moment, studios shut down for the holidays, reduced hours if they are filming due to the lack of daylight…yeah. He can totally swing this.

"Hey, can you look after these? Just going to the bathroom…" Dave says, and he passes Kurt his phone and wallet before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before leaving the table. Noah's eyebrows have shot up, and Azimio is looking at Kurt, then after Dave, and then back at him again as if he's just put some puzzle together.

Kurt ignores them all, instead deciding to flick through Dave's phone, figuring the contacts list at least will be something he won't feel wrong for looking at. He's a bit curious to see whether Dave's snapped any photos of him, but refrains from looking. When he flicks to the contacts he frowns…instead of proper names there are… other names. A drain, Banana, Batman, BatshitCrazy, Big D, CapitalT, CapnCrunch, CaptainA, KeKe, Mercy, Princess, Potter, Rockhopper, Satan, Scary mom, Shrinker, Spiderman, Superman, Tank, Zebra. Interspersed in the odd names are normal ones: mom, dad, Jen and Pat, but the majority are definitely odd. And his name isn't there, so he's got…a code name? He's really curious now, and it's almost like a game. He has no idea which one belongs to him, so he starts a process of elimination. Some are obvious, Mercy is clearly Mercedes, Satan is Santana but the others have him stumped.

He likes this about Dave though. He's so open and honest and upfront with nearly everything, but there are small things he has, which are layered with meaning for him, which he guards carefully, and it's those layers Kurt is looking forward to peeling back and getting to know better.

TBC...