Chapter 6

They were collected very early the next morning for their first excursion and despite the early start Kurt was again excited and bubbly.

"I warn you, I didn't sleep much I was so excited," Kurt said as he nudged a quiet Blaine who was dragging his feet to the car that collected them outside the hotel.

"Oh, ok," Blaine said simply, "I'm so not a morning person, so it might be best if you don't talk to me until we get there."

"Ok sorry," Kurt said embarrassed and they got into the car. They drove through Luxor to the Nile where they got on a boat that would eventually lead them to the hot air balloon after another short ride. Kurt kept to his word and hardly spoke to Blaine unless he relayed information and Blaine spent most of the journey looking out of the window, until he heard a gasp next to him when Kurt saw a horse and cart struggling against the crowd. Blaine looked at Kurt's face so beautiful in the dim light of the morning, that he smiled and felt the moodiness of the morning fade away. He kept looking as Kurt's eyes got wider, falling more in love with the place he had dreamed of as a child and Blaine could feel his heart warm to the guy next to him even more. He wondered what magical powers this man had that he could make even an early morning so much better.

They arrived at the balloon which was ready for lift off and was brightly coloured. A group of about 8 including Kurt and Blaine were ready to board the balloon and they settled quickly. Kurt grabbed Blaine's hand as they started to rise and Blaine smiled as his hand was squeezed tightly.

"It's exciting isn't it?" Kurt said as he looked all around. Blaine only nodded and smiled, the widest smile he had shown all morning.

The view was breathtaking as they watched the sun rise, warm golden colours surrounding them as they maintained the low height. The tops of trees could be seen and then as the sun rose higher the sand seemed to glow beneath them as they wove their way through Luxor. The temples below looked so deserted, with their straight pathways and logical steps nearby and Kurt couldn't help but gasp in amazement as they hovered over the Valley of the Kings. Blaine felt lost and couldn't speak as he saw all the wonder below. The Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, looked so stern but fantastic as they passed and Kurt clutched Blaine's elbow as they rested over the basket slightly and he pointed to the sitting statues below. The waters of the Nile seemed to glow and quiver as they continued their 45 minute journey and Kurt sighed. It was just what he had hoped.

Blaine looked out at the expanse below and around him and couldn't believe he was here. He had dreaded this trip in many ways, had hoped only for an escape and up here, with Kurt he could feel his problems flying away like the specks of sand in the air below them. Kurt looked on, happy as a child at a fairground and Blaine wanted that; wanted to feel happy without any burdens, only with innocence and wonder. He looked at Kurt, who had sudden tears in his eyes at the sights below him and he kissed his cheek quickly while the other passengers were taking pictures and talking around them. Kurt looked suddenly at Blaine with wide eyes, which then settled and he smiled.

Their journey continued and they eventually settled the hot air balloon down on the ground and returned to the waiting van that would take them back. Blaine and Kurt got in and Kurt started to talk animatedly as they rode on.

"It was so fantastic Blaine; I mean that has got to be on everyone's bucket list. It was just so amazing." Blaine smiled.

"I know it really was. I was glad I saw that, I was finally glad I was here when I was up there. I could feel it, just… it was amazing." Blaine struggled to find the right words to say, didn't know how to express it to Kurt without sounding silly so he just settled. But Kurt seemed to know and he felt his hand being squeezed gently, where it rested on his knee.

They returned to the hotel eventually and found themselves travelling again to the Karnak Temple where pillars seemed to be endlessly high and majestic. The great hypostyle hall was so amazing as people gathered at one end following their tour guide, Blaine commented to Kurt that they looked like tiny ants to be observed and studied. Kurt laughed.

The ram statues all looking in one direction, the carvings of gods and pharaohs and the hieroglyphics all had Kurt amazed and he forgot to reapply the sunscreen he had applied in the morning, not really noticing his reddening face in the early afternoon sun. They decided to take their cold drinks and sit by the sacred lake at the Precinct of Amun-Re and Blaine suddenly noticed Kurt's face.

"Think you might want to reapply the sunscreen Kurt," he said, looking worried, "You're going a bit red."

"Oh my gosh," Kurt said in panic, grabbing his sunscreen from his bag, "Why didn't you say anything? I'm going to look dreadful as a lobster." He applied it liberally hoping to make up for the lack of protection this morning.

"I'm sure you'll be fine, I mean you put it on before you left the hotel this morning didn't you?"

Kurt nodded and finished applying the cream. He looked across at the water and sighed.

"It's amazing here," he whispered, almost as if he would spoil the peace, "Do you like it here? Better than Cairo?"

"Yeah I think so," Blaine said, looking out at the water, "I feel more peaceful here for some reason. This morning's trip was fantastic, I didn't want to leave."

"Yeah, it was amazing," Kurt whispered, remembering.

"Do you think people get second chances?" Blaine said after a while, his eyes trained on the water in front of him, despite Kurt looking towards him sadly.

"Yeah, definitely," Kurt said, after a while, "Everyone gets what they try for I think. I know I needed this holiday but I think you did too Blaine. When you return you'll be able to start again, build yourself a new life. It's nice to start again after such a beautiful beginning here."

Blaine nodded, sudden tears in his eyes at the thought of starting again alone; making new friends, making an effort to rekindle old friendships, filling the time alone. He knew he was better off without Liam, just the thought of being a single entity again scared him.

"What's it like? Being single I mean?" Blaine asked, then realised it was tactless and cringed, sinking his neck into his shoulders. "I'm sorry Kurt."

"No its fine," Kurt laughed, "I know what you mean and its fine. I mean it's tough at first. You get so used to being part of a couple you get lazy. You have the same friends for a while and although I maintained my friendships with my close friends, the friends I made while I was with James really were his friends and when we split they said they would see both of us but it became awkward. I mean he cheated, I hated him, was angry. They only wanted to defend him or at least not hear anything negative towards him and I couldn't have friends like that. I needed to be honest so I ended up lonely. Rachel was a god-send then if I'm honest. She was a great friend and I couldn't have gone through all that alone but there were times I struggled. I saw her getting together with Finn again after their time apart and they needed their time together so I made new friends, tried new hobbies and got myself sorted. But he was a big part of my life for three years, we lived together, did everything together. It takes time to get used to being on your own again."

"But you're so awesome Kurt, I just can't ever see myself getting to be like that again," he said sadly, looking at his hands in his lap.

"You'll be fine Blaine," Kurt said as he rested his hand on Blaine's, "You'll be fine because you won't be alone and it does get better." Blaine looked up, his eyes slightly moist and found solace in Kurt's gentle smile. He knew he wanted this guy in his life, needed his friendship and he would do anything to keep him there.

xXx

They decided they would visit the Nile on a felucca boat that evening and end the day in style. The temple had become busy as they tried to sit quietly by the sacred lake so the thought of taking a trip down the Nile and leaving it all behind was appealing.

Their felucca boatman let them stop by the so called Banana Island which was in fact just a strip of land located on the west bank of the river and he pointed out the different trees on the plantation as well as explaining how bananas are cultivated. He showed them the banana flower in more detail, with its curly brown leaves and thick stem and Kurt whispered to Blaine that he didn't know bananas could look so beautiful as flowers. Blaine only laughed that even bananas could make Kurt happy and they walked on.

Blaine noticed a cage of crocodiles nearby and the boy tending to them sprayed water on them to liven them up in the lazy heat and Kurt grimaced.

"What is he doing?" Kurt whispered to Blaine, "They just want some peace."

Blaine just shrugged but nodded in agreement as he noticed that the other tourists with them were a little more excited now at the awesome creatures as they stretched and walked quickly around their cage, showing their skill and agility, their tails glistening in the low light. They were given complementary fruit and went back on the boat to enjoy the finishing sunset from their vantage point on the Nile.

The sun was clear along the Nile but looking behind them Kurt and Blaine could see the mists over the island settling gently. The sun caused the trees to silhouette in the background, almost as if it had been painted and it was Blaine's turn to gasp as the beauty of the light flicked and bobbed over the water as it gently lapped around the boat. They sat back and enjoyed the sunset as the boat travelled slowly on and kingfishers could be seen flocking in formation, their black and white tuffs coming out from their heads if they stopped on a branch of a distance tree.

Blaine could feel tears pricking at his eyes and he attempted to blink them away but then decided it was silly. Kurt looked at him only once, and seeing the emotion in his silent gaze, he only smiled happily at him and continued to marvel over the view ahead of them.

As they got back to the hotel later that evening, they decided to eat there rather than travel onwards and as they waited for their food, Kurt smiled at Blaine.

"Liking the trip a bit better now?"

"Yeah," Blaine said sheepishly, "I mean it's just beautiful here and it wouldn't be the same if…" his voice trailed away, afraid to say what he wanted to say, didn't know what it quite meant.

"If?" Kurt asked, eyebrow quirked.

"Oh just if circumstances were different." Blaine looked away, around to the faces of the other customers at the hotel restaurant, anything to avoid Kurt's questioning glance. Kurt looked at Blaine, at his warm brown eyes, his soft lips that he knew already tasted so sweet against his own. He had enjoyed his company so much over the last few days, had never been able to talk so easily to anyone before, even discussing topics like ex-boyfriends and he didn't quite know what this was between them. He knew places like this made real life sort of easy to forget, the lull of a vacation leading you to believe that life could always be this tranquil and blissful but the reality was that Blaine had just come out of a serious relationship and had had his heart broken. Kurt didn't think he could deal with someone else's pain and loneliness too.

But then there it was. They were both lonely, both here in this new place and on vacation. Normal rules didn't apply, did they?

xXx

It was bearing this in mind that they found themselves drinking later in the bar, Kurt aware that he wouldn't normally drink this much, especially not in a strange place, but the warm fuzzy feeling in his stomach after a few cocktails was appealing and he laughed and giggled with Blaine as they sat on the balcony and overlooked the city.

"This was a much better trip than I thought it would be," Kurt said laughing.

"Oh that's nice," Blaine said, pretending to be hurt, "Why did you think it would be bad?"

"Oh not bad really, just awkward, I mean I hardly know you and anything might happen," Kurt said, winking and he thought he saw a darkness flit over Blaine's eyes.

"Anything…" Blaine whispered.

xXx

It would be comical for anyone to watch how Blaine and Kurt went up to their rooms on the third floor of the hotel, later on that night. They were so determined to appear sober and display a platonic relationship, deliberately straight backed with sensible steps and a simple nod to anyone they passed in the corridors but as soon as they were out of ear shot, peals of laughter and giggles could be heard. They made it to their bedrooms, next to each other, before Blaine simply followed Kurt into his room without an invitation and leaned slowly on the closed door behind him.

"Blaine?" Kurt said, his face serious but eyes betraying his want.

"God I want you Kurt," Blaine whispered, his eyes looking carefully at Kurt as his lips twitched upwards into a smile. Kurt walked forward slightly and Blaine met him in the middle, captured his lips in a kiss that was surprisingly sweet for the want that was coursing through his veins. Blaine felt his back hit the door gently again and Kurt's tongue licked his way slowly into Blaine's mouth, causing a moan to escape from his parted lips.

"Fuck, you're so hot Kurt, so hot…" he says as he tries to press open-mouthed kisses to Kurt's neck who seems just out of reach so they walk quickly to the bed, the backs of Kurt's knees touching it gently causing him to tumble and Blaine to fall ungraciously on top of him with an oomph. They giggle as Kurt travels further up the bed, looking at Blaine with a teasing glint in his eyes as Blaine follows like a puppy.

Kurt starts to claw at Blaine's back, his strong muscles evident through his thin top and Blaine strips quickly, smiling as Kurt's gaze travels over his honey coloured chest.

"Like what you see?" Blaine says, smiling, leaning further back as he works his hands beneath Kurt's top to feel the smooth warm skin there, the top worked higher and higher.

"Oh yes, I like what I see," Kurt whispers, closes his eyes as Blaine takes his shirt off and starts to press those open-mouthed kisses along his exposed collarbone and underneath his ear.

"Oh god…" Kurt groans, this man already knowing how to make him fall apart as he travels lowers, his tongue twirling around a nipple as Kurt arches off the bed and another moan escapes his mouth. Blaine travels ever lower, still licking and kissing his soft skin and Blaine starts to undo his belt, his lips and tongue never leaving those places. As Blaine removes Kurt's shorts and underwear, moving them ever lower, slowly, he kisses along his inner thigh, teasing, lovingly. Kurt wonders where the speed and passion from the other night went, but realises this has him begging for more. More of Blaine, more of these nights, more of this. Soon Kurt is fully exposed and Blaine strokes the soft skin under his knee as it is raised on the bed and Kurt closes his eyes in slow pleasure, his skin tingling and desperate for more. Soft sighs are emitted and Blaine continues, lovingly stroking his legs, working higher and higher as he kisses gently and sucks the thin skin around his hip bone. He wraps one hand around the base of Kurt's erection and his thumb traces the head as his mouth slowly lowers, "So beautiful…" Blaine whispers finally engulfing him in wet heat, causing Kurt's hips to buck and his mouth to open silently in pleasure. Kurt finds Blaine's hair and tangles his fingers amongst the curls causing Blaine to moan and vibrate around him and Kurt can feel Blaine's still clothed erection pressed hard against his thigh, as he starts to move up and down.

Blaine knows just how to suck and lick at the head, then along the prominent vein on the underside of his almost pulsing cock and Kurt keens and bucks in pleasure, almost choking Blaine. But Blaine can take it, just hums in pleasure and the vibrations send pulses of pleasure upwards. Kurt knew he should care about the consequences, knew he should worry about this second night they share together, but he couldn't find it in himself to worry. There was just the here and now and all the rest vanished. He needed this, needed Blaine and James and Liam were inconsequential blots on their holiday, never to be thought of again.

Blaine continued to suck and lick as his eyes opened and he glanced upwards as Kurt continues to tug his hair and gasp in pleasure. Kurt opens his eyes to see Blaine's amber eyes dark with his eyelashes fanning his cheeks and he moans loudly, the knowledge that this beautiful man belongs to him, if only for a holiday, making him feel weightless and intoxicated. He feels the familiar tell-tale sign in the pit of his stomach and he warns Blaine, tugs harder on his hair and Blaine rubs himself hard against Kurt, so turned on by the sounds Kurt is making, that as Kurt shoots in his mouth he finds himself coming too, a few seconds later.

Blaine rests his head on Kurt's thigh as he comes down from the high and he can hear Kurt breathing heavily above him on the bed. He works his way upwards slowly and smiles at Kurt under his lashes, making Kurt sigh again in pleasure that this beautiful man is near him.

"Thanks," Kurt says, blushing now that the high is lessened, now that they are here in his hotel room and blood has returned to his head where he can begin to think again.

"You are very welcome," Blaine says laughing as he falls next to Kurt on his back on the bed. They lay like this for a few minutes until Blaine decides to turn on his side, his sticking come forgotten in his pants and he looks at Kurt and smiles warmly.

"You're so beautiful you know," he says, almost whispers and Kurt blushes under the praise that is unexpected in the aftermath of a great orgasm, where futures aren't considered and ex-fiancés don't matter. "I know we never really discussed this," Blaine continues, indicating whatever 'this' is between them, "But you definitely need to know you're beautiful. I see it when you look at the amazing things we've seen so far this holiday, I see it in your enthusiasm, I see it in your eyes when you see something or someone in pain. You're amazing Kurt and you make me wish I could see more of the beauty in the world too."

Kurt didn't know what to say. He had never heard such beautiful things said about him, James never one to express his love for Kurt that way. In fact if Kurt thought about it, they had the physical side and that was it, never any real love or affection. But Blaine, lying here, expressing himself so well, had Kurt hoping for more, yearning for everything with this man who was already so important to him.

"Thank you," Kurt said simply and smiled, taking the compliment for what it was.

"Will you stay?" Blaine asks timidly as he lowers his elbow down to slide his body closer to Kurt's, their chests almost touching. Kurt nods and smiles, closing the gap between them with a soft kiss.