Kurt had got a taxi later that night back to the hotel. He had become worried that he was falling too fast, spending too much time with someone he had only just met. He couldn't explain that connection but there it was anyway and he knew his dad would be warning him, telling him to be cautious, so he returned to the hotel despite the late hour.

He didn't tell Blaine his worries, just said it would be best, his clothes were there and he could get a breakfast there in the morning. Blaine looked disappointed but agreed it was best.

They didn't set any plans for the next day and Blaine was suddenly aware that he didn't have any way to contact Kurt other than turning up at the hotel as a surprise. He felt a bit desperate all of a sudden, as if perhaps Kurt didn't feel it too, didn't want to see him, maybe wanted some time alone on holiday. He decided not to see him that day.

But as he looked around the apartment, he suddenly didn't really know what to do with himself. He worked here, he rarely did anything else and although he had lived in Paris for over a year he still didn't know many people. He came here to work; that was all.

It was approaching midday before he had decided he would go for a walk, think things through, maybe grab a coffee and read in a park. Have some time alone for once when there was a knock on the door.

He peered out of the blind to the street below to see his father, Richard standing impatiently, waiting for the door to be opened. Blaine dashed around the already clean apartment, checking it was spotless before he ran downstairs to let his father in.

"Blaine, I thought you might be out," was the greeting his father gave him, as he walked past Blaine in the doorway. Blaine followed closely behind.

As they entered the apartment, Richard looked around as if he was a real estate agent, checking for problems in the woodwork. He eventually walked to the kitchen, boiling the kettle to make a coffee for himself and sitting on the stool there by the counter.

"What can I do for you dad?" Blaine asked, as he leant in the doorway, looking worried.

"Just relax, I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I would see what you were doing."

"I'm just relaxing really; I thought it was time for a break. I haven't taken any leave for years."

"I know, your mother has been worried, I was checking."

"I'm fine." As the kettle boiled Blaine reached to make coffee before his father could take over.

As they were sipping in silence, Richard looked at him carefully.

"So what have you been doing with your time off Blaine?" He asked, aiming for nonchalance.

"Nothing much, had a few days out, went on the Seine cruise yesterday, saw Monet's paintings, sang in a piano bar. All sorts of things really."

Blaine's father raised an eyebrow. "On your own?"

"No, I met someone," Blaine said, finding confidence from somewhere.

"Oh?"

"Yes, it's quite a story really," Blaine chuckled nervously, "We met on my plane from New York a few days ago and hit it off. His name's Kurt. He lives in New York."

There was silence. Awkward silence. Richard drank his coffee quickly and made pleasant conversation about the office, how publications were going and which new authors he was excited about publishing. He started to get himself ready to leave.

"Well Blaine, now I know you're not ill I'll reassure your mother and I'll see you back at work soon, I hope."

He was approaching the door as Blaine stopped him.

"Dad, I think I love him."

Richard's back was facing the door, but he slowly turned upon hearing Blaine's voice.

"You don't know what love is Blaine, don't be silly."

"I do dad and I know its early days with Kurt but I've never felt this way, he's someone special. You can't keeping doing this, I am gay and you better get used to it because I won't hide any longer."
Richard looked shocked but was silent. He suddenly looked as if he pitied Blaine.

"You don't know what a real relationship is like Blaine. It takes patience and compromise, you have to settle for the comfortable and it's not exciting for long. You think you may love this Kurt but once the magic's gone you'll just have your job and the family. Nothing will have changed. So you can have fun this week but I expect you back after Christmas."

"I think I will have to quit then dad, because I'm not coming back and the magic will never fade with Kurt."

"You can never come back Blaine, once this decision is final. Kurt will go and you will be left here, with less money, without a job and without a place to live. Is he really worth all of that?" Richard almost laughed.

"I'm pretty sure he is but I won't wait around to find out here. I don't expect you to understand."

"I'm glad Blaine, because I really don't."

He turned to leave the apartment and Blaine didn't stop him this time. Richard was so cold towards Blaine, he finally saw him as the boss of the company rather than a relation he was supposed to love. He knew that his father expected Blaine to act in a certain way but he was not cutting him off from the family. Richard would still give Blaine an allowance though he didn't want it. Family meant tradition and appearance to Richard and Blaine knew that he would be considerably poorer but he could weather the storm. He now needed to do something for himself and he knew just the person to speak to.

xXx

Kurt had spent the morning sleeping and getting a leisurely breakfast at a nearby caf�. He could never get enough of French coffee and pastries and was just considering ringing Blaine when he realised he didn't have his number. He was walking back to his hotel, preparing to read a book in a park and have some quiet time alone, when he saw Blaine approaching his hotel from the other side of the street.

Blaine had spotted him first and was waving frantically, walking quickly to catch up to Kurt.

"Hi," Blaine said breathlessly as he approached, "I was coming to meet you; I don't have your number and was hoping you hadn't gone out yet."

"I was just walking back from a caf�, we should exchange numbers now," Kurt said and swap numbers they did.

"You won't believe what I just did," Blaine exclaimed, "I quit my job! My dad came round this morning to my apartment. I told him about you and that I wanted to try out on my own, as a writer or something. I quit!" Blaine was so excited; he looked like an adorable puppy.

"Oh wow Blaine, I can't believe you did that. Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I have vacation time owing so I'll take it all now, get paid for the rest of the month and my allowance will cover the rest of my expenses I think. I might have to change apartments though. Downsize a bit, but I'm finally on my own. I'm free."

Blaine practically jumped in front of Kurt and Kurt couldn't be the sensible one to dampen his spirits, he went along with it all too.

"That's amazing. It must have taken a lot of courage."

"Well I just thought of you and what you've said all along. I can make my own future now, rather than living my father's present."

"You thought of me?" Kurt asked, blushing a cute pink.

"Yeah, is that strange? I mean I know I care way more than I should but I feel like we've known each other for years. Don't feel pressured to feel more, don't worry."

"Don't be silly Blaine, I know it's early but this week has been amazing. We should stop feeling embarrassed and just go with the flow."

They spent the day getting hot chocolate and buying chocolate-covered marshmallows at Pierre Marcolini as well as chocolate-covered Sauternes-soaked raisins. Kurt couldn't help thinking that his waist wouldn't appreciate all this chocolate but it only took glances at Blaine to remind him you only live once.

They had a late dinner and walked back to Kurt's hotel, prepared to say goodbye when Blaine pulled Kurt closer to himself for a sweet kiss.

"I've been thinking…" Dipping closer for another kiss.

"Dangerous," Kurt whispered, as he kissed him again.

"Mmm, I have," Blaine suddenly took his lips from Kurt's jaw and sighed.

"I should stop doing that while I'm trying to form coherent sentences," Blaine said, laughing. "As I was saying, I was thinking but don't worry if you don't want to, I just thought it would be a nice idea, but I wouldn't mind if you said no, I just liked the idea." Blaine finished. Kurt laughed.

"Blaine, I have no idea what your idea is."

"Oh yeah, of course," he laughed, "I just wondered if you wanted to finish your stay in Paris at my apartment? Honestly don't worry if you don't want to, or its too rushed, I completely get that…"

Kurt hugged him quickly to stop his incessant talking. "Blaine calm down, its fine. It's not like we've been spending any time apart and we're not moving in together. Of course I'll stay with you, but are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. I don't want to miss any time with you, is that crazy?"

"A little but we're both a bit mad," Kurt smiled, leaning in for a kiss to seal the deal.

Kurt's smile faded slightly he realised. "What about Christmas? Are you seeing family?"

"Oh I completely forgot about Christmas!" Blaine exclaimed, "I mean I don't have to spend it with family, what were you going to do if you hadn't met me?"

"I hadn't thought that far ahead. When I booked it I thought it might be nice to have a quiet Christmas alone but when I boarded that plane I had already thought about flying home early to see my dad. I don't mind doing that still."

"Don't be silly Kurt, we'll spend it together. I've always wanted to spend Christmas away from family – it'll be so exciting!"

"Won't your family be offended?" Kurt asked.

"Well my mum will be sad I guess but she won't mind when I explain and the house is always so crowded with family. Dad might ask questions but he'll probably expect it after our conversation today anyway."

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not," Blaine said.

They parted outside the hotel, Kurt agreeing to meet him later at his apartment.

Kurt arrived there much later than he expected, nearly midnight with all his luggage and Blaine was waiting with a glass of wine and an open book. It was only as they sat in near silence an hour later that Kurt remembered the chocolate-covered raisins and marshmallows.

They ate, feeding each other and laughing when melted chocolate started appearing on chins.

"You make it so easy for me to kiss you," whispered Blaine, as he leaned in to lick slowly at Kurt's bottom lip where chocolate was starting to drip onto his chin.

Kurt smiled. "This is crazy, isn't it? I know we keep saying that, but I know my dad will think we're mad when I tell him. You were brave to speak to your dad like that."

"My motto from now on will always be 'courage'. You're amazing Kurt and you said earlier we should go with the flow. Don't worry so much."

"You've changed your tune from yesterday," Kurt said, smiling.

"Well now I've faced my dad I feel like I could face anything."

They chatted into the night, falling into bed after four o'clock, speaking for hours on mundane things, important things, special things, all cementing the amazing relationship they could both feel blooming in this magical city of love.