As a White Knight on His Steed (CrissColfer)

"Get a Room!"

Chapter 35 – “Get a room!”

Sunday, August 17 – Saturday, August 23, 2008

The last week of camp was full of bittersweet experiences for Chris and Darren.  On Sunday afternoon they met their final crop of new campers.  With each lesson they taught, they found themselves counting down the days until the end of summer with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation.

On Tuesday evening, Chris realized with a pang that this was the last time that Darren would return from the campfire bringing him s’mores.  On Thursday, when it was his turn to attend the campfire on his own, Chris doubled up on the chocolate and marshmallows, wanting his final little offering to Darren to be as delicious as possible.  His boyfriend’s delight with the simple gift gave Chris’s heart a strange sort of ache.

Everything they did that week seemed to be imbued with a special significance – the last time they went on a round up together, the last time they tossed out the hay, the last time they led a trail ride, the last riding tests they gave.  Chris found himself feeling vaguely sad, without really knowing why.

At noon on Saturday, as the cars carrying the final campers pulled out of the parking lot and disappeared down the driveway, Darren grabbed Chris in a tight hug, spinning him around.  “At last!” he cried.  “I’ve got a whole summer’s worth of resisting my PDA urges to make up for.”

Cupping Chris’s face in both hands, Darren gave him a kiss that left him breathless.  They were surrounded by the rest of the staff, but Chris couldn’t have cared less.  He brought his hands to Darren’s waist, pulling their hips together.   

“Get a room!” Mark called out teasingly.

“We’ve had a room all summer,” Darren retorted.  “What we haven’t had is the opportunity to make out in public.  So deal with it!”

There were a few whistles as Darren dove back in for another kiss.  Chris finally pulled away, feeling a little dizzy.  “Slow down, cowboy,” he told his boyfriend.

Darren laughed, taking his hand and pulling him toward the dining hall.  “Come on.  I heard we’re having pizza for lunch.”

After lunch, the entire staff changed into their swimsuits and headed out on the horses, bareback, toward the pond.  They spent the afternoon goofing around in the water – letting loose and roughhousing in a way that they hadn’t been able to do while they were responsible for the campers. 

Brad and Ian excused themselves early so that they could go back and get started on the barbecue for dinner.  Chris and Darren stayed with the rest of their friends, alternately reminiscing about the summer, discussing future plans, and daring each other to do crazier and crazier stunts as they leaped off the high bank above the pond into the water.   

Around four o’clock, David suggested that they head back to the main camp, so that they’d have time to shower and change into dry clothes before dinner.  Once everyone was mounted up, Darren called out, “Race you!” and took off at a gallop.

Most of the staff held their horses back, not comfortable riding at full tilt bareback.  Chris had no hesitation, though.  He wrapped his fingers in Tucker’s mane, loosened the reins, leaned forward, and nudged the gelding with his bare heels.  Tucker took off like a shot, quickly catching Darren’s horse.  They pounded along, neck in neck, the boys clinging to their backs, breathless with exhilaration.  

“I don’t want to go crashing through the gate,” Chris yelled.  “First one past the oak tree at the top of the hill wins.”

“You’re on,” Darren challenged, urging his horse forward.

Tucker needed no encouragement.  He streaked along, Chris lying almost flat against his neck as they crested the hill a length ahead of Darren’s horse.  “Beat you!” Chris crowed triumphantly, sitting up and bringing Tucker to a walk.

Catching up, Darren grinned over at him.  “Yeah, well, I got a nice view of your ass at the end, there, so I think I won.”

End Notes:  As always, votes and reviews make me smile.  :D