Kurt and Blaine found themselves wandering the streets of Paris soon after the meal ended, Blaine humming a song he had heard playing in the restaurant. It was a chilly night and hands were fiercely tugged into coats as they walked, almost as if they couldn't trust each other from reaching out.

Kurt had only started to regret encouraging Blaine to find a place to sing and suggesting karaoke, as he walked briskly to the bar. Blaine had offered to help him to the hotel and it was easier to accept as Kurt didn't really know where he was going. They had finally decided they would go to the bar to unwind a bit, have some fun then go to the hotel afterwards. If he was being honest with himself, he didn't really want to lose contact with Blaine. It was as if their parting would mean parting forever and Kurt had realised he didn't want this.

He had a hold of him already and he couldn't explain it. He had known this guy for a six hour flight, had slept on him accidentally and watched a movie; they'd had had dinner together. Their whirlwind of a day had felt like three dates rolled into one and to top it off he would be singing with him, an occurrence that only happened on special occasions and with people he had known for years. This guy had gotten in under his skin for reasons he couldn't even begin to fathom.

They walked in silence, lost in their independent thoughts and worries as they walked to a bar that Blaine had heard was a decent night out, even if he had never been there himself. They arrived a little before ten and the bar had a small queue which was always a good sign.

After depositing their coats and ordering drinks they sat at the bar, sipping nervously, watching other people singing, not yet at the stage where they were inebriated enough to have the confidence to sing to a full crowd. They laughed and joked but nerves had clearly taken over. More drinks needed to be ordered.

"You're still worried aren't you?" Blaine asked, smiling.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be. I really have all my emotions plastered on my face, don't I?"

"Yes, it's quite eerie actually."

"You don't see that often?" Kurt asked, remembering the comment earlier.

"No not really. Everyone wants to impress my dad most of the time at work, hence they want to impress me. Its quiet irritating."

Kurt smiled. He didn't really need to be that nervous around this guy, he should loosen up, he decided.

Katy Perry's Fireworks started playing softly on the piano and a timid girl, obviously encouraged by her boyfriend from the corner of the bar, approached the microphone. She didn't look like she wanted to be there but as the song started and the tempo quickened as the chorus approached, she became more confident, really belting out the notes as if she was born to sing. She belonged there.

Kurt couldn't help but notice her boyfriend cheering in the corner, waving at her and explaining to people next to him at the bar, that that girl up there was his. He looked so proud and Kurt's eyes suddenly watered. He smiled as the boyfriend glanced in his direction, his eyes then back to his girlfriend on the stage as she finished the number.

Blaine looked at Kurt, looked at the boyfriend and understood. As if compelled, he reached for Kurt's hand that was resting on his thigh and squeezed, though never taking his eyes from the girl on the stage. He smiled as Kurt looked down once, then continued looking at the stage. A new smile approaching his lips now.

The song finished and although the girl got a standing ovation from Kurt and Blaine and thunderous applause from some, she almost tiptoed off the stage, as if hoping the moment had not occurred. She earned herself a massive hug from her boyfriend and a free drink at the bar.

"This is a great place, it's just what I needed I think. Thank you Blaine," Kurt said, looking down at their hands, still on his thigh.

Blaine only smiled and their hands remained together as people played and drinks were drunk. As confidence increased and the crowd became larger, Kurt felt his spirits becoming lifted and laughter and conversation easier. He felt silly for his earlier reticence. Blaine wasn't going to hurt him and he needed to learn to live again.

Blaine downed his latest drink and yanked Kurt by the hand that was still in his.

"Let's go," he said.

"What? What do you mean?" Kurt panicked.

"We need to put our names down to sing," Blaine said, looking like an eager puppy, about to explode with excitement.

"Oh, no, no, no no, no. I don't sing until I'm very much inebriated and I am still way off that mark."

"Well you're surely merry enough now and you only live once, right?"

Blaine's eyes were so full of life, Kurt thought he might drown in their intoxicating power. He so wanted to believe again.

"Well…" Kurt wavered and Blaine took this as encouragement, leading him firmly by the hand to the piano player who had set up a list on his piano. Blaine flicked through the suggestions and pointed excitedly.

"Of course, this one is perfect, don't you think?"

"Oh I don't know, isn't it a tad depressing?"

"Of course not, go for it."

"Aren't you singing it with me?" Kurt's eyes widened with panic.

"I'll be there, sing the odd line, don't worry."

The queue lessened and Kurt found himself on the stage simply with a microphone and the lights on his face. He began the song as the piano started and although Blaine had said he would be there on stage with him, he had soon backed away. It was his song it seemed.

Someone to need you too much
Someone to know you too well
Someone to pull you up short
And put you through hell
And give you support for being alive - being alive
Make me alive, make me confused
Mock me with praise, let me be used
Vary my days, but alone is alone, not alive!

Somebody hold me too close
Somebody force me to care
Somebody make me come through
I'll always be there
As frightened as you of being alive,
Being alive, being alive!

Kurt had never felt so powerful, so alive. The song ran through him and suddenly he saw him, Blaine was watching by the bar, the biggest smile on his face. He looked so proud and Kurt felt his chest swell. It felt silly to feel that way about someone he had just met but he knew. Blaine made him feel alive with just suggesting he sing a song. He had known he had needed this. He had needed to perform again, he had forgotten. Blaine had known.

The song finished and clapping ensued. Kurt didn't notice the standing ovation or the uproarious clapping around him. He only saw Blaine and his smile. It was intoxicating.

He eventually stumbled from the stage and found his way through the crowd and their congratulatory tapping on his back, to find Blaine again, sitting at the bar.

"You left me," Kurt chided, smiling at Blaine as he approached.

"You looked like you would cope without me," Blaine said with a knowing smile.

"Perhaps," Kurt ordered another drink and sat down beside him. They continued to watch a few singers and smile, drinking in the atmosphere. They found themselves drawn to each, as they sat, edging closer without realising, until their shoulders were resting together. Kurt sighed.

"Perhaps I should head to my hotel now."

He couldn't explain but something had changed in the last hour. This place would be forever special to him and he had Blaine to thank. Something had been achieved here. He never wanted to leave but his sensible side knew he had to check in and plan finding new clothes in the Paris shops tomorrow.

"That sounds sensible," Blaine said.

They left and started the short walk to Kurt's hotel. The air had become extremely chilly and Blaine linked arms with Kurt as soon as the cold air hit his face. They huddled close as they walked to the hotel and laughed.

"Here you are," Blaine said as they approached the hotel, "Do you need me to explain anything to the concierge?"

"No I'll be fine from here, thanks." Kurt smiled and stopped outside the hotel.

Kurt was on the step above Blaine, causing the shorter man to become much shorter. Blaine's eyes looked pure honey in the lights of the street and Kurt became transfixed and almost lost his breath.

"Thank you for tonight Blaine. I don't think you will ever know what it meant to me."

"I think I do, and I'm glad," Blaine smiled.

There was a pause, then Kurt closed the gap, their lips gently touching, the softest of grazes. Eyes closed; it lasted for only a minute but when Kurt removed his lips, he breathed in harshly.

"Can I see you again?" Blaine whispered.

"Yes, that would be great," Kurt smiled nervously, "I would really like that."

"Is tomorrow too soon?" Blaine giggled and Kurt's chest swooped. How could someone be so adorable?

"Well I could definitely do with some help shopping and navigating around the city. Do you have to work tomorrow?"

"No, I don't have to. I have no meetings and anything I have coming up I can reschedule."

"Well then, how about brunch?"

"Sounds great. Meet you here at 11?"

"Perfect."

They looked sheepishly at each other as their hands parted and Kurt smiled as he waved goodbye through the window. He could get used to this.

It was only as Blaine walked away, thinking of tomorrow's brunch and shopping, that he remembered Kurt was here on vacation. He would be leaving in two weeks time. He would be gone.