Kurt didn't know really where he was so Blaine called a taxi and they waited, sitting on the sofas, in silence for a while.

"Any plans for tomorrow?" Blaine asked.

"Not sure really. I was thinking of seeing some of the sights – the Louvre and the parks maybe."

"Make sure to get there really early for the Louvre, there's always huge queues after 8."

"Oh thanks, will do. Are you working tomorrow?" Kurt tried to sound nonchalant but deliberately avoided Blaine's eyes for fear of rejection. Blaine laughed.

"Of course not, I'm your personal tourist guide these next two weeks if you'll let me?"

Kurt somehow managed to smile and frown at the same time, at once happy and questioning.

"Really? I thought you would be busy."

"Well I don't think I've had a whole week off since I've lived here so although the firm and my dad will be shocked, I think I'm owed some time off. Don't you?"

Blaine looked worried, like maybe he had read the situation wrongly and Kurt didn't really want his company.

"Oh of course," Kurt said hurriedly, "I just thought you would have to give them notice, explain the situation and…" His voice trailed away, his incomplete sentences betraying his worry.

Blaine looked carefully at Kurt, and then surprised him with a simple kiss on the cheek.

"I don't know how I'd explain it, to be honest. I don't know what's really happening here but I intend to have fun and enjoy this time with you. I hope you don't mind, I really don't want to come across as 'creepy stalker guy'. Just someone that wants to show you the real Paris, the one you'll fall in love with." Blaine beamed, his smile lighting up the room. The lights had never been turned fully on since they entered the apartment and the street lights and full moon outside caused a warm glow to appear in the room. Blaine looked so hopeful, Kurt felt his heart melt, his worries pouring away.

"I'd love you to help me find my way, I can't wait," Kurt said, smiling.

"Good," Blaine said, "I'll pick you up at 7.30 and we can see the Louvre together then lunch in one of the parks. Sound ok?"

"Sounds fantastic, although I don't like the sound of that early morning." Kurt grimaced, looking at his watch, just as the taxi lights appeared through the window.

"Well, you're carriage awaits sleepy-head," Blaine laughed, gesturing out the door as he took Kurt's hand gently, leading him slowly to his feet.

They walked to the door and they stood awkwardly, the passionate kissing of earlier seemed a silly memory now but their hands were still linked.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow morning, beautiful," Blaine whispered.

Kurt blushed. It had been a very long time since anyone had described him so nicely. He smiled and looked hopefully at Blaine's lips, which had begun to widen into a smile.

"Good night," Kurt whispered as their faces drew closer together. Blaine closed the gap, kissing him sweetly and sighing.

"Good night," Blaine said, "I cannot wait to see you again, I know that's ridiculous," he shrugged.

Kurt smiled and although his hand remained in Blaine's, he made to go out the door and found himself pulled in again for another kiss. This time Blaine licked Kurt's bottom lip and stroked Kurt's cheek. A sigh escaped as the taxi beeped.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Kurt said, voice wrecked and Blaine laughed musically.

"See you tomorrow."

xXx

Kurt did not feel his best the following morning, so bleary eyed and messy haired he approached the hotel door at 7.30, blinking in the light.

Blaine's smile dropped slightly when he saw Kurt although he tried to remain positive.

"Good morning?" Blaine said, questioningly.

"Good morning," Kurt whispered, almost sinking in on himself. "I didn't sleep very well and have a sore throat."

"Oh that sucks," Blaine said, kissing him on the cheek in greeting, "We'll have to find some coffee and croissants to build you up again."

"I'm sorry," Kurt said weakly.

"No don't be silly. We can go to the Louvre another day." And he linked arms with Kurt, leading him to a small caf�, not too far away from the hotel so Kurt didn't have far to walk.

As soon as they arrived, Kurt sank into a comfy sofa, huddled his coat closer to his chest and sighed.

"I'm never leaving this seat," Kurt said, closing his eyes. Blaine laughed.

"I'll just get the coffees. Non-fat mocha, right?" Blaine asked.

Kurt couldn't hide his surprise. "You remember my coffee order?"

"Of course," Blaine said simply and walked to the line.

Kurt couldn't help but watch as Blaine waited in the line. He happily chatted small talk with a kind older lady as he waited and when he ordered their coffees and pastries, the waitress was so giggly and polite that Kurt guessed Blaine was being his usual charming self. Kurt smiled to himself as he waited.

Blaine returned with the coffees and Kurt attempted to sit up and flatten his hair. He didn't want to even look in the shop window to see his reflection, knowing he had crawled out of bed at the latest possible moment to meet Blaine. He hadn't been comfortable all night, tossing and turning, waking hot, then cold, never at peace. He must look a sight now and Kurt only just consciously became aware of what he must look like to Blaine, sitting opposite him with his carefully gelled hair and clear complexion.

"Don't worry about it," Blaine said, as Kurt flattened his hair hastily, "You look adorable with your hair all mussed."

Kurt laughed, then sunk down lower in the seat, huddling even closer into himself, his neck almost disappearing.

"I really don't think so, but thank you for saying. Sorry I've ruined your day."

"Don't be silly, we'll drink these and go somewhere quiet if you like."

"That'll be nice."

A lull in the conversation, while Blaine sipped his medium drip, caused Kurt's eyes to droop and forgetting where he was for a moment, he tucked his feet underneath his legs and rested his head on the sofa armrest, closing his eyes for just a moment.

"You really aren't well, are you?" Blaine asked quietly.

It took a moment for Kurt to realise where he was, then waking, he realised he was hot and took off his scarf and coat.

"No, don't worry I'm fine. I just need more coffee." Kurt made more of an effort to drink his scalding mocha and pastry, whilst mopping the bead of sweat that had embarrassingly appeared on his hair line. He smiled, trying to convince Blaine of his health, despite his pale pallor.

"Come on, let's get you home." Blaine stood, taking Kurt's hand and his coffee and leading them both to the door.

"No, really I'm fine Blaine," Kurt said, leaning on Blaine's arm for support, "I just need to take it slowly."

"Just give it up Kurt, it's fine," Blaine spoke whilst leaning into Kurt's ear and kissing it soothingly.

As soon as Kurt heard the whisper he was done for and he groaned.

"Okay, please take me home," and Kurt visibly sunk in on himself.

Blaine hailed a taxi and they got to Blaine's apartment very quickly, Blaine practically dragging Kurt's confused body to the first floor. He kept shaking every so often, then surreptitiously wiping beads of sweat off his forehead. His face was deathly pale by now.

Blaine walked him over to the sofa, removing Kurt's coat and shoes and getting him a glass of water and pills.

"Take these and sleep," Blaine said.

Kurt did as he was told, then laid out on the sofa, closing his eyes.

"I'll just sleep a little bit, then we can go out," Kurt mumbled.

"Don't worry, just sleep," Blaine said, stroking Kurt's hair away from his face.

Kurt opened his bleary eyes to see Blaine peering over him with his golden, amber eyes full of concern.

"You're beautiful, so beautiful," Kurt whispered, "I can't believe I met you on a flight, I'm so lucky, so so lucky."

Blaine chuckled softly and continued to stroke Kurt's forehead.

"And you're slightly delirious. Go to sleep, my beautiful, go to sleep."

And sleep Kurt did. He awoke a few hours later to find an empty room but a plate of cookies on the coffee table beside him and a honey and lemon drink. Propped up by the glass was a little notelet of the Eiffel Tower.

It read:

Dear Kurt,

If you read this while I'm out, I've gone to the local market to get some ingredients for chicken soup – my mum's recipe!

Help yourself to cookies and anything else you need. I won't be long.

Love Blaine x

Kurt smiled to himself and ate a cookie whilst drinking the drink Blaine had prepared. He felt so much better after the sleep and his temperature had returned to normal though his throat remained sore. He gathered the blanket around him and decided to look around the apartment from the sofa.

He hadn't really had a proper look at it the night before, too engrossed in other things but looking around now it seemed a very professional place, one designed for modern living but no real homely feel about it. The furniture matched, dark maple the main colour of the thick wooden pieces, and everything appeared put together carefully perhaps by an interior designer. There were carefully selected antiques and sculptures and appropriate art books adorned the large coffee table by Kurt's knees. Altogether the place gave off an air of superiority, which didn't match with Kurt's perception of Blaine at all.

Kurt wondered what kept Blaine tethered to his job and apartment and why it seemed such a temporary place, when Blaine entered the apartment again, bearing bags of groceries.

"Oh you're awake," Blaine said, smiling, "Did you sleep well?"

"Very, thank you," Kurt said, continuing to sip his drink, "These cookies are amazing."

"Thanks, my mum's recipe."

"Oh yes, you mentioned that in your note. Do you cook a lot?"

"Quite a bit, I like to experiment but mum's recipes are the best. I'll just start the soup now, won't be long."

He put the television on and Kurt could hear the hustle and bustle in the kitchen as Blaine prepared the famous soup. Half an hour later, Blaine walked in with a tray laden with French bread and chicken soup.

"Here you are. You will tell me if you don't like it, won't you? There's no pressure to like it, if you don't." Blaine sat beside Kurt and placed the tray on his knees.

"Don't be silly, I'm sure I'll like…" Kurt's voice trailed off as he tried his first mouthful. Blaine needn't have worried, Kurt's face was as expressive as ever.

"Mmm, this is so delicious, Blaine. I can't believe you would think otherwise."

Kurt started to make more obscene noises as he dipped in the bread and ate the soup heartily. Blaine laughed, soft lines appearing around his eyes.

"I'm glad you like it. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes," Kurt said, between mouthfuls, "Sore throat is better and I'm a normal temperature again, I think."

"Ah that is a shame. I quite liked the delirious Kurt, he was adorable."

"Not that word again," Kurt cringed, "Did I say anything foolish?"

"Just that I was beautiful and that you were lucky."

"Lucky?"

"Lucky to know me, I think. You were in awe of the fact we had met on a plane." Blaine laughed.

"Oh no," Kurt hid his face once he had settled the tray on the coffee table, "I rambled and embarrassed myself." He shook his head sadly.

Blaine peeled his hands away from his face and shyly kissed Kurt's cheek.

"It was touching and very cute." Blaine smiled warmly, not changing the distance from Kurt's face and remaining so close that Kurt found himself lost in his eyes, all swirls of different colours.

"Thank you for looking after me. I bet you wish you'd gone into work now," Kurt laughed nervously.

"Are you joking?" Blaine laughed, "I really do hate that place."

The moment had gone and Blaine sat back on the sofa next to Kurt and sighed.

"Why?" Kurt smiled, hoping he might get some answers to the questions forming in his head earlier.

Blaine looked seriously at Kurt then. His eyes questioned him silently, deciding how far to go. He seemed to reach a conclusion, so he continued.

"I don't know where to begin really but I suppose my coming out is what started it all."

Kurt curled his legs underneath him and rested his head on his arm as he listened, smiling encouragingly at Blaine to continue.

"It's not the usual 'daddy wants me to be straight' story but quite similar I suppose. I came out to my mum first when I was 12. I didn't even know what it was then I just simply said to her that I thought a boy in my class was beautiful and she smiled politely and asked me to explain. I thought I loved him and I knew that was different. I simply asked my mum whether I was strange. She told me that other people might think I was strange and might mock me for it. I'd already heard a boy who struggled to catch a ball in gym class, being called 'gay' so I knew what she meant. She said I wasn't strange though, that she loved me and that it was fine to love whoever I wanted to. It was only as I got older that I wanted to come out to friends. No one really cared, my best friends were great."

"My dad was great too, saying he knew when I was three and asked for sensible heels for Christmas!" Kurt said, "It just wasn't an issue, he still loved me."

"I'm glad you had that, Kurt. I wish my dad was that supportive. I didn't tell him until I was 15. My mum had said there would be a better time to tell my dad, and the time I wanted to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance with another boy felt like the best time. My dad seemed supportive on the outside but when I told him he became quiet and refused to talk about it. I asked my friend Matt to the dance, the only other guy I knew that was gay. We went as friends and it was a great time while we were there but as we were waiting for my dad to pick us up, some guys from school kicked the shit out of us. It was a few stitches and bruised ribs but my dad couldn't stand it. He quietly returned us home but as soon as we entered our house he asked my mum to help me to bed and tend to my injuries. He remained downstairs. When I recovered a few days later, he came to my room for a heart-to-heart and suggested I pretend to be 'straight' so that this wouldn't happen again. He said he didn't want any more heartache or pain for me and thought it would be best. He understood I couldn't change, or at least pretended to, but he just said my life would be easier. That summer we rebuilt a 1959 Chevy and at first I thought it would be great, maybe I'd get to know my dad a little better. But we barely spoke and I know he hoped it would straighten me out."

Blaine looked sadly at Kurt as he spoke and Kurt took this moment to cuddle closer to Blaine on the sofa, stroking his knee gently, silently asking him to continue.

"He's never been a bad father, just silent and disappointed in me. I just know he hoped for a straight son, someone he could be proud of."

"What's he like now? Has he met any of your previous boyfriends?" Kurt asked.

"No he never met them. There's only been Mark two years ago now and I never wanted to bring anyone else home. I couldn't bring myself to put Mark through it, although he met my mum for dinner once. She liked him but I suppose I always thought to myself that my dad only deserved to see the love of my life, the one I wanted to marry and Mark was never going to be that."

"Why not?"

"We met at college and it was convenient for the two years we were together but although we had loads in common, there was no real chemistry. The sex became boring and we'd rather go to the pub with all our mates than sit in and spend time alone. It just fizzled out and neither of us expected anything more from each other. I knew dad wouldn't approve. He makes the odd comment about casual relationships and flings that suggests he thinks gay people like to sleep around."

Kurt looked cross but said nothing. "So he never met Mark?"

"No, which didn't really bother me but one day I would like him to meet my someone special." There was a twinkle in Blaine's eyes as he spoke and a timid smile appeared on his lips.

"It's like our secret now at the office though, never referred to, never mentioned. No one knows and I don't feel I can mention it. Some of the girls in the office have asked me out and I never know what to say, always declining politely, always giving the impression I'm too busy. I think people are starting to get suspicious and I don't have the energy to put on an act."

"You shouldn't have to, Blaine."

"I know but I do anyway, to keep the peace. Maybe I shouldn't be working there but I know dad would be disappointed if I left."

"It sounds like he'd be disappointed in you whatever you do."

Blaine looked a bit shocked that Kurt had described his dad so bluntly although he was perfectly right.

"You didn't design this place yourself did you? Nothing here really belongs to you," Kurt said.

Blaine looked carefully at Kurt. He looked around the apartment, at his well placed furniture and his antiques and sighed. He couldn't even fool someone he had only met a few days ago.

"No, nothing here is really mine," Blaine sighed.

"Well perhaps it should be." Kurt tilted Blaine's chin up and their eyes locked. "Maybe I could help?" Kurt sounded hopeful. An interior design project was never a favour.

"Really? You would do that?" Blaine asked.

"Of course. I've decorated before, it's fun."

"Okay, well that will be our project soon then. Before you go."

"Yeah, before I go," Kurt whispered.

"But how about I take you to the park now, if you fancy a walk? I know we missed the Louvre but there'll be other days and some of the parks here are really pretty."

"Sounds lovely," Kurt said.

By the time they had got to the park, the paths clearly laid out and the lawns all well kept, the sun was beginning to set and the temperature dropped further. Kurt and Blaine were well wrapped against the elements and walked briskly, enjoying the changing colours of the sky and smiling to the couples they saw on quiet strolls. Kurt felt better as he breathed in and linked arms with Blaine, like they had been in this position countless times before. They returned to Blaine's apartment later that night.

"Thank you for a lovely day, even though I ruined it by being ill."

"Don't be silly, I got to look after you, feed you my famous recipes. I loved it."

"I promise tomorrow will be more exciting," Kurt said.

There was a pause as they stayed outside Blaine's apartment building, looking down the lonely street.

"Thank you for listening to me," Blaine whispered, Kurt pulling his gaze back to Blaine's eyes that had started to glisten in the cold air.

"I loved hearing you talk Blaine," Kurt said, as he stroked his arm, "You're something special, you should believe it sometimes."

"I do when I'm near you, I really do."

"Well I'm glad. I better let you go in, it's getting cold," as Blaine's teeth began to chatter.

"I'm glad you're better, that really was a quick cold," Blaine laughed.

"Yeah I get them sometimes, I go hot and cold, have a sore throat but they only last a day if I'm lucky. I think it's my body's way of saying slow down. I suppose I was more stressed and in need of a holiday than I thought."

"Good, then I wouldn't have met you."

"And we couldn't have let that happen," Kurt smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course, I'll plan the day, it's a surprise," Blaine chuckled mischievously.

"I'm looking forward to it already," Kurt said smiling, then he leaned in to kiss Blaine chastely and spun on his heels and walked down the street back to his hotel, leaving Blaine sighing dramatically in frustration. Kurt only smiled.