Kongresni trg is the place to be.

Kurt loves sitting in the grass - on a blanket, mind you, he’s not going to ruin his clothes - and breathing in the scent from the pizza place in the corner. He’s not attached to the square because of its historical value, but because he likes being here. It’s a nice green spot in the heart of the capital. It’s surrounded by gorgeous buildings and you have a stunning view of the Ljubljana Castle on top of the Castle Hill.

Kurt’s only been here for a few days, but he already loves this place as a spot to unwind. And again, the great pizza place is an added bonus.

Kurt watches a man walk towards the pizza place in a hurry, as if his life is depending on it and Kurt smiles. He understands the appeal of the place. A few minutes later the man comes outside with a huge slice. The pizza place is small, so you have more place to sit outside. It’s a cold February day, but it’s doable. That’s why Kurt is also outside.

No one has warned this guy about the birds, though.

The moment he sits down, a flock of little sparrows land on the table and they try to get some of the pizza. At first the guy seems amused, but since more birds keep arriving, the amusement changes into slight panic. He throws some crust on the floor in hopes of distracting the birds and sure, some fly down to peck at it, but this means more birds arrive. He looks distraught.

Is that guy afraid of birds?

Kurt doesn’t have the moral obligation to save a stranger’s pizza, but he gets up anyway. He quickly rolls up his blanket and walks towards the table.

“Shoo, shoo!” he shoos.

The guy shoots Kurt a grateful look.

The sparrows don’t give up so easily though.

“Begone, birdies,” Kurt says and after more overly enthusiastic movement, the flock leaves. Kurt might look absolutely ridiculous, but the guy is looking at him as if he’s God himself.

“Hvala,” the guy says, “I was- uh, wait, English?”

“Yes,” Kurt says back, “I’m American.”

“Oh, me too!” the guy sounds relieved again, “I just moved here last night and as you can see, I am kind of a mess.” He lets out a self-deprecating laugh.

“Are you afraid of birds?” Kurt asks.

The guy shakes his head.

“No, I like birds. Usually. But I am just very tired right now and I think my brain fried when those birds arrived,” he says.

“They love the pizza,” Kurt shrugs, “Every time I get a slice, they are here.”

“You live here for long?” the guy asks.

Kurt shakes his head. He is just obsessed with this pizza place, but that might be a bit too embarrassing to say. Kurt did pick up his Boni yesterday, so maybe his pizza addiction will subdue.

“I only moved here a week ago,” he answers.

“Okay. Oh. My name is Blaine, by the way,” the guy – Blaine – says. He looks very tired indeed.

“Kurt,” Kurt answers.

“Kurt, do you know where to find the nearest supermarket?” Blaine asks desperately. It catches Kurt off guard but then he laughs.

“Oh wow, you’re really going through it.”

“You can tell?” Blaine sounds frazzled.

“Trust me, I probably was just like you only a week ago.”

“Oh, great. Good to know it gets better.”

“How about this? You finish your slice, and I will walk you to the biggest supermarket in the area,” Kurt answers. Blaine once again looks at him as Kurt’s been sent from above to assist him. He must be really out of it.

“Yes, yes, thank you.”

The Maxi Mercator is literally across the street and Blaine laughs when he realises.

“I was so close!”

“Yes you were, although you probably were looking for the Mercator ten minutes that way,” Kurt says and he points in the right direction. That Mercator is easy to recognise. This Maxi one is basically underground.

Kurt didn’t have ‘go grocery shopping with a stranger’ on his to-do list, but here he is. The pizza definitely rejuvenated Blaine, so he is less frazzled and more put together.

“So, are you also a student?” Kurt asks when they’re at the vegetable area.

Blaine shakes his head.

“No, I am here for my dad’s company. You know, popping some corks with fancy respected business people and shaking hands while wearing nice suits.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, we’re expanding and I need to oversee the expansion.”

Kurt whistles.

“That is a big responsibility.”

Blaine shrugs and he reaches for some potatoes.

“It’s a job,” he says flatly and Kurt raises an eyebrow.

But Blaine didn’t see it. Instead he asks about Kurt.

“A student, you said?” he asks.

Kurt nods.

“Yes, I am here on an exchange. I follow classes at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television of the University of Ljubljana. I’ll go back to New York in the summer.”

“And you came all the way here? Alone?” Blaine sounds impressed.

Kurt nods proudly.

Now it’s Blaine’s turn to let out an impressed whistle.

Blaine finishes his groceries and Kurt assumes that’s the end of whatever wack adventure they have, but once they’re outside Blaine turns to Kurt and asks:

“I hope it’s not too much, but are you willing to give me some sort of tour of the city? I really have no idea where to start.”

“Oh-”

“It’s okay if you’re busy!” Blaine quickly adds, “You must be buried in coursework. Never mind, forget I said-”

“It’s fine!” Kurt says. Classes start next week. Like many other students, Kurt moved to Ljubljana before the semester starts in order to also get to know the city and country.

“I will drop this off at my place,” Blaine nods towards the two bags of groceries, “But we can meet at that park again?”

“Park Zvezda, at Kongresni trg,” Kurt says, “Sounds like a plan.”