Jan. 5, 2013, 1:40 a.m.
Airborne: Chapter 2
E - Words: 1,200 - Last Updated: Jan 05, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 15/15 - Created: Dec 31, 2012 - Updated: Jan 05, 2013 1,113 0 0 0 0
The conversation trailed away for a while, the nerves surrounding the two of them palpable. Neither could explain the need to replay important information to the other, but in the silence it was noticeable and the unease set in.
Surely it should not be this easy to have a conversation with another person, especially on a flight where winter clouds and darkness made it unpleasant. But in his company Kurt forgot that he was an uneasy flier and he was intrigued that this man should just appear next to him, as if by magic. The gods of love were looking kindly on him it seemed.
Kurt returned to his magazine, while Blaine resolutely stared out the tiny window, clearly thinking and answering unanswerable questions in his mind. He came to some realisation though as he turned to face Kurt again suddenly.
"Fancy watching a movie?"
"Um, yes sounds a good idea," Kurt stuttered, surprised out of his pretending-to-read-a-magazine trance.
So they found themselves, an hour into the flight sharing headphones and watching Finding Nemo. They giggled at the moments with Dory, nearly cried when Nemo first escaped, and smiled excitedly when he was safely returned. All in all it was a great movie. As the credits rolled and the headphones were removed both looked down in an attempt to extricate themselves from uncomfortable seating positions, hunched closer to one screen and inadvertently holding arms. Kurt's arm had linked with Blaine's in an attempt to share one screen. It was unlinked and moved away.
"So, um that managed to kill a few hours," Blaine said.
"Yes, flights can be boring," Kurt replied.
"It depends on who you're with of course," Blaine winked. Winked?!
"Of course," Kurt smiled.
"Where about's in Paris are you staying? If you don't mind me asking of course, I'm not a murderer, I promise!"
"I should hope not! I'm not sure exactly, the Latin quarter I think? Near the Jardin du Luxembourg."
"Oh yes I know it well, not too far from me. I can take you there if you like?"
"Oh well, I don't want to be any trouble…" Kurt was unsure. What if he was a murderer?
"Oh well, just think about it. No pressure." Blaine looked slowly out the window again and he could hear the quiet yawn next to him.
Kurt felt his cheeks tinge with pinkness but desperately wanted to appear cool. He looked again to the never-ending magazine and searched for something of interest.
His eyes began to droop in boredom and the coffee having worn off he decided to let his eyes close just for a minute.
A minute turned into an hour, and as he opened his eyes slowly he realised his head was at an angle. He looked up, reacquainting his eyes with his surroundings and turning slowly to see those eyes on his again.
"Oh I'm so sorry Blaine, I fell asleep on you." Kurt exclaimed, surreptitiously wiping at the corner of his mouth in the hope he had no drool.
"It's fine," Blaine laughed, "Adorable actually."
"So not the look I was going for this morning," Kurt replied.
Blaine smiled and looked around at the people on the flight. The nervous flier seemed to have taken some kind of sedative, he was out and his wife was calmly reading a book. The business lady was typing furiously on her phone and the lazy man was asleep. All was calm.
"They are okay, after all," he said, indicating the people around him.
"Yes, it makes me feel happy," Kurt smiled.
"Like they're our babies?" Blaine laughed, then realised what he had said.
"Oh well, I mean, like we cared for them etc, oh ground swallow me whole," he said, gesturing to the carpeted area underneath his feet.
Kurt laughed. "It's fine, I knew what you meant. They are our babies."
The flight went by without a hitch, polite conversation exchanged between the two of them every so often; knowing smiles passed by and clouds seemed to disappear as they flew higher. Both seemed to sense the plane descending way before it did and opportunities would be wasted, lives continued.
Blaine felt desperate as the flight attendant reminded the passengers to do their seat belts and prepare for descent. He looked over at Kurt, who was calmly listening to the instructions and paying no heed to Blaine. Kurt who was so beautiful and whose eyes were a piercing blue. Kurt who appeared next to him on a flight home, who would be here in Paris with him for two weeks. Kurt who would leave him as soon as he left the plane. The offer had been declined it appeared and Blaine couldn't contain the desperation anymore, he already felt he would lose out if he didn't ask, if he didn't explain.
"I'm sorry to repeat this and sound very desperate but I really would be quite happy to help you to your hotel. I know the city pretty well now and the metro can be quite confusing." He looked over at Kurt who smirked. "Oh of course, you come from New York," Blaine laughed.
"If you really want to help you can, although I'm sure I'll find my way. My French from school will come in handy too," Kurt said.
"You speak French?"
"Oui!"
"Well, I really don't mind, but I am aware that I sound like a weirdo offering my services like this."
"If you put it like that, it does sound strange!" Kurt said.
Blaine laughed. "Well the offer's there, up to you, honestly," he said, his voice trailing away uncertainly.
Kurt looked at him carefully as the plane continued to descend. Blaine was looking straight ahead, obviously not at ease with this part of the journey. He looked at his strong jaw, his clear hazel gold eyes, his gelled hair with one curl escaping in rebellion after the long flight. He couldn't help but think that no harm would come to him from this man, that he would never hurt him in any way, that he would do the opposite and that scared Kurt more. To feel again, after so long would be dangerous.
The bundle of people that had boarded the plane, now left in a bigger bundle it appeared. Anxious to end their journeys, many returning home, others starting holidays of a lifetime, they seemed to charge out of the plane. Kurt and Blaine both took their time, leisurely waiting for others to remove hand luggage and walking slowly to the doors. They parted with a shake of the hand and a smile, letting pleasantries of 'so nice to have met you', pass through their lips. They met again at the luggage handling, Blaine's being one of the first to be spotted and taken, while Kurt waited patiently. Blaine smiled his goodbye and walked slowly to the exit, presumably to get a taxi.
Kurt stood there, continually waiting, looking eagerly towards the luggage racks and seeing nothing of importance. As he was the last one and no more appeared for that flight he started to panic. He wondered to the reception, completely forgetting his French in his haste to find his precious luggage. He was pleading in very basic French and getting louder as a calm hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Do you mind if I help?"
"I have never been happier to see someone in my entire life," Kurt said.