Kurt muffled his alarm as it went off and extricated his limbs from Blaine to return to his room before the sun rose. Checking no one was in the corridor he went to his own room next door and soon dozed off.

As Blaine awoke a few hours later, ready for breakfast and noticing the cool side of the bed, he suddenly remembered the night before, the body, the warmth, the passion. God he had never wanted someone as much as he did Kurt in that moment and he suddenly felt embarrassed that he had shown his true colours so quickly. He had never slept with someone so close to meeting them. Although he had met Liam at a bar and kissing had ensued, nothing further had happened for weeks after, yet here he was in a foreign country, throwing all caution to the wind and baring all to someone he hardly knew.

He had needed that night more than he ever thought possible. He needed to feel again, and it was only in the cool light of day that he realised. He needed to know he was alive and relevant again, that he could make an impact on someone's life, that he could touch and be touched.

Thinking back to Kurt's plaint and willing body, he hoped now that he had not over-stepped, that it would not be awkward between them; they still had a week of a vacation after all. He had thought Kurt needed it too, he had seemed more than willing but maybe they didn't want the same things and there would be this awkward conversation in the hotel lobby when they met again for breakfast. Blaine decided as he showered and dressed that he wouldn't mention last night to Kurt, almost pretend it had never happened or at least that it wasn't a big deal. That's what he was going to do.

Kurt only had big smiles when he saw Blaine descend the stairs, reminiscent of the day before as they went to walk around Cairo. Kurt had never imagined then that the day would turn out like it did and he was glad he had taken the chance and vacationed with Blaine.

They ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant and fell into pleasant chatter about how they slept and the weather. Blaine explained their plans for the day that he had booked with Liam, times of the coach and all the details and it never occurred to him, in a place where such talk would be inappropriate, that Blaine was being deliberately coy. Kurt just assumed it wasn't the time or the place, so he enjoyed the day as it unfolded.

The coach picked them up from the hotel and a few other tourists staying at the same hotel boarded too. They picked up other tourists from different hotels and stations and headed on their way to Giza. Kurt couldn't help but jiggle in his window seat as they were on their way and Blaine looked over and laughed.

"You're such a kid!" he said.

"Hey, I've looked forward to this since I was a kid, don't mock me…" Kurt pouted.

Blaine chuckled and nudged Kurt in the ribs playfully. "Only teasing, I think it's adorable."

"Adorable, huh? Well in that case…" Kurt gave a playful smile, then continued to bounce in his seat.

They arrived as a convoy of coaches, easily protected by local police and got out of the stuffy coach to see the three pyramids ahead. The sky was blue, clouds nowhere to be seen and golden sand surrounded them. Blaine and Kurt could see the biggest pyramid in the middle surrounded by the two smaller pyramids and a little row of pyramids in front. To avoid the queues of the tours ahead of them, Blaine took loads of shots with Kurt jumping in the air, legs wide so it looked like the biggest pyramid was underneath him, then Kurt took a shot where it looked like Blaine was pinching his fingers together under a small pyramid. Even though all the tourists were taking similar shots, Blaine and Kurt felt giggly as they snapped photos and nothing could dampen the grins stretching their faces.

Going through the entrance of the Grand Pyramid Blaine chuckled in delight and kept nudging Kurt. The outer stones were cut away to reveal more stones in a circular pattern and a tiny passageway was exposed under a triangular archway.

"Look we're going through Diagon Alley!" he said as Kurt only looked around him in awe.

"This is the Robber's Passage sir," a tour guide suddenly said behind them as they entered the pyramid fully. "It was dug by workmen about 1200 years ago."

They walked along the descending passage following the tour guide and the tourists eagerly taking photographs and pointing. Kurt just walked around open mouthed and Blaine found himself watching Kurt's wonder-filled face rather than the interior of the passageways around him. They got to the lower chamber which the guide said may have been the original intended burial chamber and they found themselves at the square hole in the roof which they climbed to visit the ascending passage. They saw the Queen's chamber and followed the Grand Gallery along to the King's chamber. The Grand Gallery itself was magnificent as the line carried on, walls high on either side and lights leading the way. Kurt hardly noticed anything else as he walked and Blaine slipped his hand into his as the crowd jostled them closer together.

A rough rectangular sarcophagus could be seen in the King's chamber but it looked so out of place amongst Kurt's pictures of golden coffins at home that he could only brush his fingers along it slowly in awe.

As they left, hands now apart in the glaring sun, they headed to the other pyramids and the Sphinx nearby. It greeted them as they approached and Blaine giggled and pointed at the misshapen nose.

"Look what that magic carpet caused in Aladdin!" He said and Kurt laughed.

"Well what would you do if you saw a magic carpet in the sky while you were carving at quite a height?" Kurt laughed too.

They had a cold drink by the pyramids at a nearby stool and relaxed in their shorts and sandals. Kurt liberally applied more sunscreen, determined not to burn and Blaine smiled.

"Is all of that really necessary?"

"Yes," Kurt said indignantly, "I burn very easily."

"Okay, okay," Blaine held his hands up in surrender.

"It's okay for some, those that turn a lovely golden brown but I need to maintain this porcelain skin."

"Yes you do," Blaine nodded with mock solemnity and suddenly he ran off, sand kicked behind him as Kurt got to his feet and shouted "Blaine!" but had no reply.

Kurt stayed where he was until Blaine walked back, sweat dripping down his face but with such a look of achievement and satisfaction that Kurt could only laugh.

"Where did you go?"

"To get my little porcelain bird, this," he said, as he handed him what looked to be a tea towel with black and white checks.

"Oh no, no no," Kurt said, "I'm not wearing that!"

"But all the natives wear them, it's the cool thing to do and you won't burn," Blaine laughed as he mopped his brow on his wrist. "Gosh its boiling. If you're not going to wear it, I will." He grabbed it from Kurt's hand and started to tie it to his head.

"No, no, I'll wear it, it would be rude after you bought it for me," Kurt winked and laughed, tying it to his head neatly.

They joined the group of people trying to get on a camel and Blaine quickly paid to get his own.

"I'm not getting on that thing!" Kurt exclaimed as Blaine laughed from up high.

"Why not? It's great fun, although slightly uncomfortable," Blaine adjusted his shorts and pulled a face.

Kurt chuckled. "I'll just follow you around and take pictures." And he did, the camel spitting when Kurt got too close, much to the amusement of Blaine.

"You chose this camel deliberately didn't you?" Kurt said, looking warily at the animal in front of him. Blaine only laughed and patted the camel's head.

They went to the smallest of the three pyramids that had belonged to Menkaure. They found out from a tour guide all about the Pharaoh who had tried to defy the oracle he received, limiting him to six more years of life, by wandering amazing places and living only at night, lighting candles in special places.

"I think I would like to defy fate," Blaine whispered near Kurt as they wandered the pyramid, following the guide and the tourists.

"Why?" Kurt said, quirking an eyebrow.

"I don't want to become a walking clich�, a sad lonely man jilted at the altar. I want to be more."

Kurt smiled in understanding. "You can be whoever you want to be Blaine."

xXx

After they had finished touring the three pyramids, seen the cemeteries and the Sphinx and bought touristy gifts, Blaine suggested they eat an early dinner as they had reservations for a show nearby at 7.30. Blaine was coy about what it was, insisting to Kurt that it was a surprise and although Kurt pleaded, Blaine refused to give in. Their dinner was very pleasant, an Oriental restaurant called Barry's nearby and the view was stunning. Large chandeliers on different levels hung from the ceiling and they were able to snag a table outside, the view of the pyramids exquisite. The plush seats that were covered with beige silk were so comfortable, Kurt found himself leaning back and sighing.

"I don't think I've ever had such a good day," he sighed as he closed his eyes, only to open them again soon after to see the pyramids as they ordered drinks.

"Just wait until later," Blaine teased, "The show's supposed to be fantastic and it was the only thing that Liam particularly asked me to book. Apparently someone at his office went last year and recommended it."

Kurt looked carefully at Blaine as he casually mentioned Liam, searching for any hint of discomfort or hurt in mentioning his fianc�.

"You don't seem that upset when you mention Liam, is that a conscious decision," Kurt asked quietly, almost sinking in on himself in the hope he didn't offend.

Blaine looked up quickly at Kurt's question but seeing Kurt's worried expression he softened. "No I don't think so. I just don't feel much about it all to be honest. I'm more embarrassed that I didn't pick up on it earlier. I don't want to see our friends, anyone that knows us because I don't want their pity. I guess I'm hurt that he did it but I think I know deep down that it was the right decision."

"You didn't love him?" Kurt asked, lip worried under his teeth.

"Oh yes, I definitely loved him, just want to forget."

"Ok," Kurt said simply, looking out at the pyramids again.

There was an uncomfortable silence after a waitress took their orders and Kurt continued to look out at the sand around them. Blaine had wanted to forget his wedding but now felt slightly annoyed that he had been forced to deal with it all. Last night had been an attempt to become detached, enjoy life for what it was but Kurt was here and now, not been and gone and he couldn't gloss over what had happened like he hoped.

"Will you help me forget?" Blaine asked suddenly and Kurt looked his way. Blaine was imploring with his eyes, desperate for something and Kurt could only smile slightly, although it didn't meet his eyes.

"Yes, I can help you forget Blaine," Kurt said and they ate their meals, occasionally talking about Egypt and what they wanted to do with their time here.

xXx

After their meal they wandered to the show that Blaine had booked and took their seats, a comfortable view of the now dark pyramids with screens underneath.

"What is this?" Kurt asked as the showroom darkened in preparation, watching Blaine's face light up in anticipation. He only asked him to wait and see and winked.

The show started with the pyramids changing colours as light was reflected onto them. They seemed to glow and come alive and Kurt's mouth gaped as the screen underneath started to explain the construction of the pyramids and the Sphinx. As the hour unfolded, the show narrated the history of the great kings; their secrets, legends and secrets of ancient history and Kurt found Blaine's hand in the darkness and squeezed his thanks.

Blaine looked over at Kurt as he watched, apparently completely oblivious to Blaine beside him, as a myriad of emotions flickered over his face. Blaine smiled in adoration as he watched Kurt and his heart almost swooped with the knowledge that he could fall for this guy. He suddenly felt foolish that he had let his horny desperation take him over last night and although it was great, he knew he had rushed things. Part of him wanted to take it back, wanted to explain to Kurt but he couldn't think of a way to start, didn't know what to say. If this had happened under normal circumstances he would take things slowly, take the future into account but now he felt like Menkaure – determined to avoid the oracle and defy fate. He wanted but felt constrained by the past, by Liam who he should mourn the loss of much more than he was doing. He just felt desperate to feel again.

After the show Kurt couldn't stop talking, barely noticing Blaine's reticence and silence. Kurt rambled on about all he had found out, his favourite parts and Blaine could only nod in agreement and smile affectionately.

They found a bar frequented by tourists and decided to get a drink. They luckily spotted a corner area to sit in which dulled the loud noise that surrounded them and settled quickly, Kurt still smiling with memories.

"Did you like the show?" Kurt asked suddenly aware that he hadn't stopped talking.

"Yeah it was great, exactly what I hoped."

"Was that a good thing?" Kurt asked.

"I don't know really. I expected it to be good; Liam would only book the best events."

"I see." Kurt sighed, looking almost desperate to avoid this discussion.

"Look Blaine, is there something you want to say? I mean I don't mean to push, but you're clearly not happy and maybe we should just put it out there, lay it on the line and all the other clich� phrases. Do you regret last night? We don't have to repeat it, I completely get that you're not over Liam and…" As he rambled Blaine simply placed his hand over Kurt's in the darkness of the bar and smiled, stilling Kurt's worried expression and his rambling stopped.

"Stop Kurt. I don't regret last night, I do think I was a horny idiot but I wanted last night to happen." He sat back in his chair, distancing himself from Kurt so he could explain. "Do you ever just yearn to feel, to feel alive? I suppose I needed to feel something and the wedding or lack of," he said bitterly, "Left me feeling stupid and na�ve and I needed someone to remind me that I was wanted and needed too. I'm sorry if you regret it, I really am…"

"No, I don't Blaine," Kurt said fiercely, "I just don't want it to be awkward."

"I don't either, so we'll just enjoy the vacation for what it is, a way to relax and forget. Sound good?"

"Yeah," Kurt smiled, "It does."