Chapter 7

Kurt stayed until the early hours, locked close in Blaine's arms as they drifted asleep, Blaine breathing softly. Blaine had found it difficult to sleep since his supposed wedding day but Kurt could hear him now, sighing as he slept, an occasional whistle from his nose causing Kurt to chuckle. He loved having this strong man in his arms, feeling his chest rise and lower against him, knowing that he completely trusted him, felt relaxed in his presence. Kurt lay there thinking that this was perfect but there had to be a catch.

He knew he had trouble 'getting out there' after James, Rachel telling him he needed to move on, probably for her benefit rather than his own. Getting back together with Finn had caused her to spend less time with Kurt and she clearly felt guilty. If Kurt was mingling again she wouldn't need to make sure they had quality 'friendship time' as much as she did and he would feel less like the lonely old spinster man with a cat. It wasn't for lack of trying, but perhaps his heart wasn't in it and he was afraid. Here with Blaine in his arms he could feel as detached as he wanted. He knew Blaine would need time to get over Liam, even though he pretended he was fine and Kurt could handle that; he could accept the limits of the relationship. Having sex with Blaine the other night had been liberating, no strings, no worries or expectations. He was determined to enjoy himself here in Egypt, away from the stresses of everyday life and rules be damned. They weren't in New York where consequences and hearts had to be considered; they could set their own rules here.

As he felt Blaine's warm back with his fingers, slowly caressing the soft skin there, Kurt felt at ease and so happy. Egypt would be their place and if it didn't continue when they got back, well Kurt would have the memory of this wonderful country, shared with a most gorgeous man.

As Kurt continued to stroke his back he could feel Blaine start to stir awake and mumble something incoherently. He sounded content and Blaine burrowed closer into Kurt as he opened his eyes.

"Good morning, sleepy head," Kurt said, still stroking his skin making Blaine shiver, "I need to leave soon."

"Mmph, noooo," Blaine moaned lowly, not wanting to lose the warmth, "Don't go."

"Ok, I'll stay for a minute."

xXx

Something shifted that night. They woke apart an hour or so later and got dressed and showered but as they met again for breakfast, Kurt was greeted with a wide smile and he could feel his heart soar in his chest. They chatted happily, no one really noticing them as they ate but there was an ease between them, a few moments where nothing was said but so much made clear in their warm looks and easy smiles. They went to the Valley of the Kings – the visit Kurt had most looked forward to – and the moments continued. Looks were exchanged, hands touched briefly and the need for discretion only heightened the blushes and the cute smiles.

The wall paintings in the tombs were amazing but most of the iniquities and riches had been removed to the museum in Cairo which Kurt was happy he had seen. He looked around, still in awe of these amazing structures and the Egyptian idea that 'to speak the name of the dead is to make him live again' struck Kurt anew as he thought about how he wanted to be remembered by someone when he left this world. Blaine looked on Kurt again and again, this time knowing the beauty of this man and wanting more.

Blaine had time now to think of what he wanted as their trip continued. They ate in restaurants, spoke as if they had known each other for years, discussed topics that only his best friends knew about him. Blaine knew the beauty of Kurt and dared to show his own to someone new and he wasn't scared, wasn't afraid of letting someone in. As they walked the tombs of the dead, the Pharaohs so desperate to live on in the afterlife, Blaine whispered to Kurt in the quiet moments when they were surrounded by tourists and tour guides. Asked him quiet questions, revealed more of himself than he had dared to with Liam until after many months of a relationship. They continued to spend the nights together, one or the other leaving in the early hours of the morning, before the sun had risen. Lying together, sighing and forgetting. It was only as they boarded their flight home that Blaine suddenly felt guilty. He had enjoyed his honeymoon with another man way too much for someone that should be heartbroken and he started to think.

Liam had been in his life for over two years, they had lived together, had planned to exchange vows of love yet he had managed to 'get over' him after a week. If he was honest with himself he had hardly thought of him this week, especially in the last few days but as they flew over New York, planning to return, Blaine realised he was far more bruised and battered than he had thought in Egypt. He looked at Kurt who was watching the plane land out the window and he couldn't decipher his expression. Kurt looked a mixture of apprehensive and sad to be coming back but also resigned. Blaine stroked the hand that was resting on his thigh and Kurt looked back at Blaine, fighting to blink back his tears and feeling silly.

"It's been a really nice trip Kurt. Thanks for coming with me."

"Thank you Blaine. It was just what I needed I think, I'm a little sad to be back if I'm honest. It was nice to escape for a bit."

"Yeah," Blaine whispered, "It was."

They let the silence sit between them, they barely moved as the plane finally landed but Blaine's hand remained on Kurt's. Nothing was mentioned as they got their luggage and as they stood waiting for Blaine's mum outside the airport.

"I'll just get the subway Blaine, don't worry," Kurt said as he started to wander outside.

"No don't be silly Kurt, she'd like to give you a lift and you're welcome to come round for a coffee or something," Blaine looked nervous, as if he was a teenager inviting a friend round his parents' house.

"Oh I don't want to be any trouble," Kurt said muttering, struggling with his suitcase that had turned sideways in his haste to move away. Blaine straightened it for him and took his hand.

"I think we might need a coffee now," Blaine said smiling, "Why don't we take one here and I'll let my mum know we've arrived. She'll be an hour or so anyway."

Kurt just nodded and followed Blaine to a coffee shop in the airport. He settled his suitcase at a table as Blaine bought their coffees and sat down next to him.

"So are you returning to work on Monday?" Blaine asked politely, suddenly realising he had barely spoken to Kurt about normal things in the last week. They only seemed to discuss big topics, life changing debates and questions and it had thrilled him. The return of the mundane dialogue of work and normal life seemed to jar with Blaine.

"Yeah, someone's been covering me this week, and the shop closes on Sundays." Kurt looked at his coffee, sipped it, said nothing else.

"Gosh this is awkward," Blaine said suddenly and Kurt looked up and laughed at the abrupt change of topic.

"I know," Kurt said, still chuckling, "But I really did enjoy the trip Blaine and we can still hang out right? As friends I mean, I know that…."

"Yeah, I'd really like that," Blaine said smiling, "I mean I have a few things to think about I guess, get my head sorted. And my apartment…" Blaine's mind went to that place he had shared with another guy for a year and the thought of having to sort out his life and where to live, made his stomach sink. He might even have to live with his parents for a while. "Where are you going to live?" Kurt asked.

"Well probably with my parents until I find a place." Blaine turned on his phone, the first time since the start of his trip and it suddenly buzzed repeatedly with messages and missed calls. Kurt laughed.

"I guess I'd better do the same, it was nice to be phone free for a while," Kurt said, turning on his own phone which buzzed a couple of times, "Anything interesting?"

"Not really," Blaine said, staring at the phone screen, "A couple of missed calls from friends, a few messages and…" He looked perplexed at a particular message and Kurt asked what it was.

"Liam…. He said he's moved out, got himself another place while I've been away so I could still live there…" Blaine was surprised at the kindness. "Wow, he's always loved that place, it's near work and he really wanted to live in that neighbourhood when he became a partner. I guess I'm really surprised he'd give that up for me."

"Yeah that is nice," Kurt said, his voice even, betraying nothing.

"That makes things easier," Blaine said looking up and smiling, "Anyway, my mum will be here soon, let's go."

They chatted pleasantly in the car on the way home, Blaine's mother asking polite questions and Kurt came alive again as he relived all that he had seen. Blaine smiled, letting Kurt take over and was glad that Kurt would at least have some good memories of their time away. Kurt was invited in for coffee when they arrived at Blaine's parents' house but he declined saying he had better get back and sort himself before he had to return to work the following week. Blaine's mum made herself scarce as Blaine walked Kurt and his stuff to his parked car where it had stayed during the trip and the awkwardness remained as they were about to say goodbye.

"Well thanks for a fabulous holiday Blaine," Kurt said, a wide smile on his face, "It was the best vacation and I can't believe I got to go there, so thanks…" Blaine hugged him warmly then parted from him as if he wanted to look at him carefully before he said what he wanted.

"Thanks Kurt," he whispered, "I couldn't have gone through all of that without you, I just… I mean you… you're really important to me now, don't lose touch?" Blaine looked worried, like that was a distinct possibility now the moment had passed, now Egypt was becoming a faded memory.

"No, never," Kurt said smiling shyly, "You contact first though? Let me know when you're sorted and we can grab a coffee or something."

"Yeah, good, sounds good." Blaine nodded, knowing why the ball was in his court. He wondered, as he walked up his parents' drive, why that moment had felt like goodbye and it was only as he sat on the sofa in his parents' living room, awaiting his mum's coffee, that he realised he knew nothing about Kurt's life here in New York and had no way of contacting him.