Blaine blinked open his eyes as the sun streamed through the window and warmed his face. He stretched on the bed as his brain caught up to where he was; staying in a remote and unheard of village in Ireland in an Inn that didnt want his money. Thinking about it like that made it seem like the beginning of a horror movie. And he had to admit it was strange, but he was young and adventurous and didnt really believe he was in a town of ax-murders. Plus, this would all make a great story later.

And there was Kurt.

Blaine smiled at the thought of him. He hadnt figured Kurt out yet, he seemed so confident and yet sometimes so reserved, it just made Blaine want to get to know him better. He rolled out of bed and dug through his neatly packed bag. He was going to need to find a way to do some laundry soon. He pulled on a pair of maroon pants, a striped black and white polo and a pair of dockers, knowing he was going to stand out like a sore thumb in his modern looking clothing.

Sam was still snoring in his bed so after Blaine got ready he nudged Sam awake.

"Hmm? What?" Sam said sitting up in bed. "Whats happening?" He always woke up a little groggy.

"Morning Sam."

Sam looked around the room and then nodded as if he was remembering where they were. "I thought maybe this place had been a dream, but its real."

"It does feel dream like here." Blaine agreed with a smile and then turned as someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Sam called. The door opened and Mercedes head poked around the corner. She looked like she must have been awake for a while, her eyes bright, curly hair framing her face and a kind smile.

"Good morning." She said. "I was told to let you know that breakfast is ready downstairs if youre hungry."

She glanced at Sam who was sitting up in bed with nothing but his boxers on and then looked away as her smile grew.

"Thank you." Blaine said. "Well be down soon."

After she left Sam hopped out of bed and got dressed. "She is so pretty." He said. "This town has a lot of cute girls. I wonder if she has a boyfriend."

Blaine rolled his eyes. "Slow down, we arent staying long."

"Whatever Casanova, I saw how you were dancing with that Kurt guy yesterday."

Blaine blushed and cleared his throat. Sam was right; he didnt have a leg to stand on. They went downstairs to find a breakfast of oatmeal with honey, some fried potatoes and sausage. It was all very tasty, but Mr. and Mrs. Jones seemed wary of them the whole time making Blaine feel like they were intruding. Mercedes on the other hand sat down and talked with them, she was nothing but friendly and open.

"You know Kurt right?" Mercedes said to Blaine and his nodded, his mouth full. "He is like a brother to me." Blaine hoped he imagined her threatening glare, "We are working the flower cart this month for the festival."

"Yeah I saw it, its lovely." Blaine said swallowing as he remembered the flower wreath Kurt had made him that was upstairs on the bedpost right now. Blaine wished he had a book or something to press it in. He wanted to keep it.

"And how exactly do you know Kurt?"

"Kurt actually helped me out the other night when I feel down a hill and bumped my head."

Mercedes lifted her eyebrows. "Oh did he? He never mentioned that to me."

"Id love to see your flower cart." Sam said smiling brightly and Blaine was happy for the change of subject, he wasnt imagining Mercedes threatening glare now.

"I think I could arrange that." Mercedes face softened and she winked at Sam and his smile grew broader.

"First though, what can we do to help around here?" Blaine asked, but when Mercedes just looked confused he continued, "To help pay for letting us stay here?"

"Oh that. Dont worry about it. We havent had guest in our inn for… well for a long time. Its just nice to have you here."

"Wow. Thanks!" Sam said, but Blaine felt uneasy.

"I… dont know… are you sure theres nothing we can do?"

Mercedes thought for a moment before shrugging. "Ill let you know."

After breakfast Mercedes was heading out to the flower cart and both Blaine and Sam asked if they could join her. Blaine tried to ignore the funny looks they got on their way. People stopped to just stare and many of them whispered behind their hands as they passed. Mercedes shoot a few young children who were gawking at them a look and they yelped and scampered away.

"People dont like us being here do they?" Blaine asked.

"Well… like I said we dont get many… outsiders."

"Outsiders." Blaine repeated thinking it was an odd word choice.

Sam was all flirty smiles and high energy, the stares of the towns people not bothering him. "Im glad we stumbled across Folaigh. Im beginning to really like it here."

Mercedes just smiled at him as they approached the flower cart Kurt had shown Blaine yesterday. Kurt was already there, looking amazing in tan trousers that fit him perfectly, a dark vest and a blue shirt that brought out the color of his eyes. It looked like hed spent extra time on his appearance and though Blaine would have thought him beautiful no matter what, he hoped maybe Kurt had gotten ready with him in mind.

"Mornin Kurt." Mercedes said. "These gentlemen wanted to come along. I hope you dont mind."

Kurt smiled and his eyes met Blaines before he looked down again. "I was going to go get some more flowers from the garden actually. Keep us stocked before it gets busy again. " Kurt said as he looked back up at Blaine. "Maybe youd like to join me?"

Blaines heart leapt. "Yes! I mean… yes. Id be happy to help."

Sam gave Blaine a knowing look, which he ignored, as Kurt grabbed two baskets from under the cart and Blaine followed him away from the square.

Kurt seemed less shy today, pointing things out in the town and giving Blaine a tour as they walked together. A cobblers shop, a bakery, a butcher and other shops that looked to be independently owned and operated, they passed a little white steepled church that looked like something off a postcard, a small school with a red door, and then as they got to the residential area, a bunch a cottages that were both old-fashoined and picturesque.

The day was warm, but not too hot and the sky was blue and Blaine couldnt help feel elated at spending time with this handsome and fascinating young man. It was a good start to the day. They arrived at a little cottage on the outskirts of the town. It was small but very well kept, green curtains in the windows, bright flowers growing in boxes outside of them, a fresh coat of paint on the fence around it and what looked like a newly thatched roof.

"It this where you live?"

"Yes, with my dad. The gardens in the back." Kurt opened the little wooded gate and lead Blaine behind the house. Kurts backyard hosted a large garden divided into sections. Part a vegetable garden and part a flower garden.

"We are going to need more Pheasants-eye and blue daisies." Kurt said smiling as he glanced at Blaine and handed him a basket. "You could get the Pheasants-eye."

Blaine looked down at the empty basket and then back and Kurt, he must have looked as bemused as he felt because Kurt broke out in a laugh that made Blaines heart swell.

"Do you know what a Pheasants-eye is?"

"Um… a flower?" Blaine said and Kurt grinned.

"Very good." He winked and Blaine felt a little weak kneed.

"Ill show you." Kurt led him through the garden as bees and butterflies flitted around them. "This is Orange Foxtail and those over there are the Blue Daisies. We have some Buttercup too, like the ones I used for your flower wreath, but I dont think we need them today. The little white ones are Bell Heather, some of my favorites. And this is Pheasants-eye." Kurt said pointing to a red and black flower. "People like them in bouquets. The men buy them for their sweethearts because they smell so nice."

"How do you know so much about gardening?" Blaine asked as he knelt down and Kurt handed him a pair of shears and he started filling his basket with the bright red flowers.

"Well Folaigh is self-reliant. We dont do business outside of town so a lot of us keep vegetable gardens for food. The flowers though, that was my mom. She loved to garden."

Blaine noticed Kurts smile soften as he talked about his mother and wanted to ask what had happened to her, but also didnt want to press. He changed the subject instead. "Mercedes said something about the festival lasting a month? Is that right?"

Kurt looked up his eyes dancing. "Yes. Most of the time it only last a week, but this year it is the Centennial. So we are celebrating for a whole month. There are little things going on throughout the day, but in the evenings are the main attraction, there is a different event every night. Tonight we are having a big dinner together, everyone in town. Tables and benches will be set up in the square. And the food is delicious." He looked down at his full basket. "Do you… do you think youll still be around this evening?"

Blaine was more than eager to stay in Folaigh a little longer. Something was urging him to stay. Something like his growing attraction to Kurt. "I dont know." He said. "I mean we dont want to intrude."

Kurt looked up. "Oh you wouldnt be. You could… you could sit with me and my dad at dinner. If you wanted."

"Id really like that." He didnt care if this wasnt the plan. They could always use their plane tickets later to get back home. Blaine wanted to spend as much time with Kurt as he could.

Kurt stood brushing off his knees. "I think that should be all we need for now. We should get some more Cranes-Bill this afternoon. It grows in the meadow." He stopped and looked at Blaine for a moment before grinning. "Ive been meaning to tell you how nice you look today. I like the clothes. I havent really seen anything like them before"

Blaine chuckled and looked down at his pretty tame outfit; it was just slacks and a polo. "Um... thanks. Really though Sam and I are running low in the clothes department, I need to wash my stuff."

Kurt bit his lip and Blaine couldnt look away from his face.

"I can help with that. I could also help you pick out some new clothes, if you wanted. I mean… not that yours arent nice, but..." He looked away.

"But what?"

"Id love to get you in a waistcoat." He said walking up to Blaine and softly touching the collar of Blaines shirt. "Maybe something green, itd look amazing with your eyes."

Blaine let out a slow breath as Kurt stood close to him, they locked eyes for a moment and Blaine was tempted to lean forward for a kiss. The moment passed though and Kurt stepped back clearing his throat.

"I mean… if you wanted."

"Id love that. You could help me pick something out? I dont really know much about the fashion here." Honestly Blaine thought he could probably figure it out on his own if needed, but he had notice how impeccably dressed Kurt always was. Besides it would give him an excuse to spend more time with him.

"I could do that. Knowing what looks good on people is a specialty of mine." He said bouncing on his toes a little with a wide smile.

"You seem to be good at a lot of things." Blaine said and Kurt laughed even has his cheeks blushed, his musical voice ringing and making Blaines skin tingle. God, he was falling hard.

Kurt had felt giddy all day. He kept telling himself it was because of the festival and not because of Blaine. He was only spending time with Blaine because Sue had ordered him too, but as he showed Blaine his garden and spent the day with him he kept getting caught off guard by Blaines unarming smile, or kind eyes, or gorgeous laugh. Kurt had to admit to himself that he was quickly growing sweet on Blaine. He knew that couldnt end well, but he indulged himself anyway. It was more than the fact that Kurt had never know an outsider before Blaine was just… hard to resist.

After theyd gotten what they needed from the garden Kurt led them back to the cart where Sam and Mercedes were already trading flowers for other objects, ribbons, food items, candles and other useful things. They didnt use money here in Folaigh so the trading system was normal to him. He wondered if Blaine thought it was odd though.

"Why are we so busy?" Kurt said coming up to help Mercedes and looking at the line of people wanting flowers, he didnt expect a rush until that evening. Mercedes glanced at Sam and Blaine.

"I think people are curious about our guest." She said

Kurt nodded. "Ah. That makes sense." He looked at Blaine and smiled.

Blaine for his part just stayed near Kurt being as helpful as possible as Kurt continued to teach him the different flower names. They all worked at the cart until lunch time when Quinn strolled up to them with a picnic basket on her arm.

"Hello… everyone." She said eyeing Mercedes and then smiling at Sam and moving to stand between him and Mercedes. "Hello Sam." She held up a picnic basket. "I brought lunch. Enough for us all if you want to join me. We could go to the meadow." She smiled sweetly. Kurt couldnt help but think she was laying it on a little thick, but Sam seemed to be enjoying the attention.

Kurt looked at Blaine his heart skipping a little. "Do you want to go?"

Blaine readily agreed and they all closed down the cart to go have lunch, all except Mercedes who said she was busy and walked off briskly with her head in the air. Kurt watched after her feeling bad, he could tell when Mercedes was upset, but he didnt want to leave Blaine with Quinn. He might be working for Sue too, but he trusted himself more than he trusted Quinn. He would just have to make it up to Mercedes later.

Quinn led them all out of town to the meadow; pass the tree where Kurt had made Blaine the wreath yesterday. This was a good chance to pick some of the wild flowers that grew here anyway. Quinn spread out a blanket all the while talking cheerfully and complimenting Sam endlessly. Blaine smiled good-naturedly and added to the conversation when he could. They all sat down and Quinn started passing out the food. Cold chicken and buttered vegetables, and bread. After they ate Quinn bounced up and grabbed the basket Kurt had brought and the empty picnic basket.

"Sam would you like to go collect flowers for me. Kurt needs some for his cart."

"I can do that Quinn." Kurt said wondering what Quinn was up to.

"Of course, but Id like the chance to stretch my legs." She reached for Sams hand pulling him to his feet, leaving Blaine and Kurt behind as they wandered off.

"Quinn is nice." Blaine said. "Very friendly."

"Uh huh. Something like that." Kurt said watching Sam and Quinn from a distance. He liked Quinn, theyd know each other since childhood, but he knew she had to be spending time with Sam under Sues instructions, there was no way her parents would allow it otherwise. Of course, the same could be said about Kurt.

Kurt broke himself from his thoughts and turned back to Blaine who seemed to be watching him intently. Blaine smiled and turned his head away when he was caught staring, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Kurt really wanted to like Blaine, he did like Blaine, but he had to remember that Blaine was an outsider and that was dangerous. It probably would have been better if Sue just let Blaine and Sam leave town.

"What money did you steal?" Kurt asked suddenly wanting at least to clear that up.

Blaine looked back at him with wide eyes. "I didnt steal any money." He said quickly. "I havent even seen anyone use money since I arrived here."

"No. The night you fell down the hill. You apologized for taking someones money." Kurt looked down tracing the patches of the quilt he was sitting on with his fingertip. "You arent some kind of thief or… or confidenceman are you?"

Blaine shook his head adamantly. "No! No. Im not. I promise. Sam and I we just…" He sighed and Kurt looked up again."We bet some money and lost. We were going to pay it though, until we found out someone had pick-pocketed us and we had nothing to pay with. We should have stayed and tried to work things out, but I guess we just panicked and ran off. It was dumb. Thats how we ended up in the forest and I feel down that hill."

Kurt felt relieved. Of course Blaine could be lying, but Kurt didnt feel like he was. "You dont make a habit of stealing from people then?" Kurt said holding back a smile.

"No. No never. Please believe me." Blaine face was so earnest and his voice shook.

Kurt couldnt hold back his smile any longer, he watched as Blaines face relaxed.

"You believe me." Blaine said with a relieved smile.

"I do. You dont seem like the thieving type."

Blaine scooted a little closer to Kurt on the blanket, "What were you doing out here that night?" Blaine asked and Kurt wondered if Blaine realized how close they were sitting to each other. It was like they were unconsciously drawn to one another.

"I was going to do some stargazing." Kurt answered lying back on the blanket, Blaine hesitated for a moment before following suite stretching out next to him."This is the perfect place to see the stars. I like to pick out constellations." Kurt said looking up at the clouds.

"I dont really know much about all that." Blaine said turning his face to look at Kurt. Kurt turned his head too and his breath caught in his throat as how close their faces were to each other.

"Maybe if you stay long enough Ill show you sometime." Kurt said breathlessly.

A bright smile slowly spread over Blaines face and his eyes seemed to sparkle as Kurts heart skipped a beat. He shouldnt let himself feel this way about Blaine, but his heart wouldnt be reined in. They stayed laid out on the blanket talking until Quinn and Sam got back with their baskets of flowers. They gathered everything up and went back to town.

"Im going to go wash up before this evening." Kurt said. "Find my dad and me later at dinner?"

"Of course." Blaine said as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and then followed Sam down the road towards the Jones.

"Kurt, I know Sue wants us to keep an eye on them," Quinn said once Blaine and Sam were out of earshot. "But hold back a little wont you?"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean you dont have to act completely smitten all the time."

Kurt blushed. He wasnt acting smitten all the time! He just… oh god, he really was smitten and he hated that Quinn had noticed anything.

"Youre one to talk, flirting with Sam all afternoon."

Quinn shrugged, "Thats different, I get the impression that Sam flirts with anything pretty that smile at him. Blaine though… just be careful, we want to keep an eye on them and then they need to leave."

"I know."

"Then dont make him want to stay."

Quinn started walking away before Kurt could come up with a reply. He sighed and rubbed his forehead, Quinn was right; he needed to restrain himself a little. If not for Blaines sake, for his own because he was falling and falling fast.