Blaine swooped in, prompted by Kurt's inviting smile and explained in fluent French what the problem was. The receptionist went to check as soon as she understood and they were left, waiting patiently for her return.

"Why did you return?" Kurt asked, quietly.

"I looked back as I was about to hail a taxi and you were there, still waiting patiently for your luggage. I couldn't help but think you might need my help or I was hoping anyway."

"You were hoping my luggage would get lost?" Kurt raised one eyebrow.

"No, of course not," Blaine stumbled on his words, "I was just hoping you would need me."

"Well I obviously did, thank you."

"It's fine."

There was an uncomfortable silence as they waited but the receptionist soon returned with a form and no luggage.

"Je suis d�sol�, monsieur..." she said trailing away, handing Kurt a lost luggage form.

"Is this what I think it is?" Kurt asked Blaine, pleading with his eyes.

"I'm sorry to say it is. Are you insured?"

"Of course, but that's not the point." Kurt raised his arms and took the form hastily, walking quickly to a nearby table. He started to fill it out, asking Blaine every so often if a question was not obvious. He was angry, writing harshly with his pen on every line, his body displaying only sharp lines. Blaine was concerned.

"I'm sorry this is happening. Do you have your details for your hotel on you?"

"Yes, everything of personal value was with me on the plane thank God but all my clothes, toiletries were in that bag," he said without looking up.

"Ok," Blaine said.

Kurt sensed the tone and finally looked up at Blaine, wrapped up against the cold with his dark blue coat and red scarf. He looked positively adorable and he knew he was being bitchy.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be a bitch I just really liked those clothes."

"Oh no don't be silly. I would totally be the same," Blaine smiled.

Kurt finished the form and handed it in to the same girl at reception, hastily getting his phone out to let his insurance company know. They informed him once it had been investigated that he would be getting his money. He turned to find Blaine still behind him, waiting patiently.

"Oh thanks for all your help," Kurt said smiling, "I wouldn't have been able to get through it all without you to be honest."

"Oh don't worry it was my pleasure," Blaine said, whilst noticing Kurt's smirk.

"Oh I mean not a pleasure exactly, as I definitely didn't want you to lose your luggage, I'm just really glad I could be there to help." Blaine shrugged in defeat which resulted in Kurt's infectious laughter ringing out in the airy airport.

"You really do worry way too much," Kurt said, "Fancy dinner?"

"Yeah that would be great," Blaine said, a bit too eagerly for his liking but he followed it with a smile again. "There are one or two places just out of the airport that are pretty good. I travel quite a bit so they know me," Blaine looked sheepish.

"Sounds great." Kurt followed him out of the airport, feeling a bit naked without his luggage and wrapping himself tightly in his winter coat, prepared for the winter chill outside.

Paris near Christmas was really a sight for very sore eyes and Kurt nearly gasped when he saw all the lights. Blaine looked at his awe struck face, his blue eyes twinkling against the lights above and smiled. He had never really had anyone to share Paris with, no one to show the city off to that hadn't already lived there for a while and he began planning all the fantastic places he could share with Kurt.

They walked quietly, Kurt taking in the hustle and bustle and Blaine leading him by the hand when it became too crowded. Kurt didn't usually like being touched but Blaine seemed warm and although he was shocked at the contact, he didn't flinch and started to take it all in his stride.

"Here we are," Blaine stopped by a cosy restaurant that was lit only by candles. With the tinsel near the windows, it looked positively Christmassy. Kurt could only smile and stand by the window, hopeful that this December might be different. Without warning, tears appeared in his eyes, glistening by the candle light and he gulped.

Blaine noticed but chose to ignore and gently led Kurt through the door instead. They were instantly hit by the warmth of the place and coats were removed and hung up on the coat pegs.

They were led over to a table in the corner by a young waitress, who smiled warmly at Blaine, surprised to find him with company. She took their drink orders and handed them menus, winking at Blaine while Kurt looked at the meals around him.

"What do you normally eat here?" asked Kurt.

"The duck is to die for but any of the meat here is good."

"Ever tried the snail or frog legs?" Kurt managed to look horrified at the same time as amused.

"Once or twice when I first moved here, to say I had the experience and all, but not really my kind of thing."

They ordered and waited patiently for their food. Kurt looked around, not quite sure why he was avoiding Blaine's eyes but feeling nerves set in again. Blaine smiled and waited patiently too.

Kurt did eventually look at Blaine, just casually as he crossed his legs but Blaine was there, still looking at him and he smiled.

"What has you so worried?" Blaine asked.

"Oh nothing, I'm just not sure what to say, this is awkward."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's me, I get nervous unnecessarily."

"Well it is an unusual situation. We meet on a plane, start talking, I help you at the airport and here we are, having dinner in a place you don't know. I really am not a murderer though, I promise."

Kurt laughed. "I do know that, I don't know how I know, but I do."

"Well that's something."

"I suppose everything's been a bit strange this month, this may as well happen too."

"What's happened?"

"I've just gone from having friends, knowing where I am in life to knowing nothing. And instead of trying to settle myself again in New York, know who I am being on my own, I'm here on holiday, learning new things and meeting new people. It's strange."

"You said before that you prefer that. That being predictable and mundane was boring and not all it was cracked up to be."

"Well you don't want that in a relationship I suppose but when it's gone, it's gone."

"Do you miss it?"

Kurt didn't answer straight away. Did he miss Charlie?

"I'm not sure. I know that I don't miss him but I miss the relationship I suppose."

"It's been so long for me I've forgotten what it feels like to be in a relationship. It's pretty embarrassing really."

"How old are you?"

"23. You?"

"24." Kurt replied.

"I haven't seen anyone seriously for two years now, since college and that's pretty pathetic. You can leave now if you like," Blaine said, indicating the door.

Kurt laughed. "Don't be silly. May I ask why?"

"Just not met anyone worth the hassle I suppose. Work gets pretty hectic and Dad keeps me busy. I suppose with friends and long hours I don't really miss having a 'significant other'."

"Of course," Kurt said, though his smirk said a thousand words.

"Well it does get lonely but when I feel like that, I throw myself into work and I can pretend, you know?"

"Yeah I know," Kurt said. Their dinners arrived and they ate in silence, once or twice sharing glances.

"So who are the dramatic ones you mentioned earlier?" Kurt laughed, "That sounds like it should be an interesting story."

"Oh when I said I haven't been in a serious relationship for a while, I was being honest but that doesn't mean I haven't seen the odd scary one!"

"Well do tell."

"Where do I start? There was Brad, the accountant I dated two weeks ago. He seemed nice enough, met him at a bar, serious kind of guy, looked good in a suit, then as soon as I told him I was a writer he tried to palm his accountancy book off on me, telling me I needed to publish it. It was boring to say the least. Another guy Eli, a friend of a friend on Facebook, befriended me and let's just say his profile picture was not a true reflection at all. There was Liam about four months ago, who lasted a whole month before we had a big fight and he threw a couple of my plates at my wall. You see I'm a dating disaster."

Kurt couldn't help but laugh a proper belly laugh and wiped a stray tear from his eye afterwards.

"Well I'm glad to see my dating misfortune has someone laughing," Blaine said smiling.

"I'm sorry," Kurt said, still trying to compose himself, "I shouldn't laugh, it's just dating is terrible. This is why I don't try it."

"That's a shame," Blaine said simply.

Kurt smiled in return not quite sure what to say, so he started eating again.

"You should get out there, don't let Charlie win."

"Oh no, Charlie didn't do anything too terrible really, it just got boring. I've heard so many dating disasters from friends that I've never wanted to try and thankfully I've only gone out with people that I know first or have met through other people. It's safer that way."

"It sounds like you want to be spontaneous and fun but at the same time cannot bear to be anything other than safe."

Kurt looked sharply at Blaine, trying to make out his angle, not sure if he was judging him. Blaine only smiled.

"I don't know, I suppose I want both."

"Sometimes you can't have both."

"Says the guy that hates his job but can't commit to leaving and trying what he really wants to do," said Kurt simply.

"Ouch."

"Sorry, that came out harsher than I meant but I think we both need to take risks here."

The menus arrived for dessert and cakes were decided, followed by coffees. Kurt ordered perfectly in French, the waitress clearly impressed with his accent and pronunciation.

"You remembered your school French then?" Blaine smiled.

"Yes, I don't know what came over me earlier, I must have been flustered. I have sung in French before, for a cheerleading event."

"Excuse me?" Blaine laughed.

"Oh yeah I was a cheerleader as well as being in our high school's glee club. Your turn to leave now," Kurt said indicating the door.

"No I think it's great. I used to sing a lot at school but not so much now."

"That's a shame. Maybe we can find a karaoke bar later on?"

"There'll be a later on?" Blaine asked.

"Of course, now who says I don't take risks?" Kurt smirked.

"Not me of course," Blaine replied.