As a White Knight on His Steed (CrissColfer)

"I'll Be Your White Knight, If You'll Be My Steed"

Chapter 36 - “I’ll be your white knight, if you’ll be my steed.”

Chapter Notes: I couldn’t resist…

Saturday, August 23, 2008 

Dinner that evening was a celebratory barbecue.  “Congratulations, everyone, on a job well done!” Ryan proclaimed, producing a couple of bottles of champagne with a flourish.  “Now, I can’t provide alcohol to minors,” (general discontented muttering) “so if you’re underage, you’ll have to pour your own drinks.”

The last part of his statement was greeted with cheers and applause.  Ryan popped the cork on the first bottle, pouring champagne for the staff members who were over 21.  He pointedly looked the other way as Jacob grabbed the second bottle and started pouring drinks for the rest.

Darren snagged two glasses, handing one to Chris.  When everyone had been served, Ryan held up his glass toward David and made a toast.  “Here’s to the successful completion of our first summer running this show.  And a world of thanks to all of you who helped to make it happen.  I hope you’ll all be back again next year.”

There was a chorus of “Here, here!” as they all raised their glasses in salute.  Chris had tasted champagne before, on New Year’s Eve, but never more than a tiny sip.  He found that it burned his tongue a little, but quickly produced a pleasantly warm, tingly feeling.  He and Darren clinked glasses, grinning at each other.

The barbecue was followed by the final campfire of the summer.  Ryan, Matthew, Mark, Chord, Jacob, and Darren took turns playing guitar.  Everyone was in a festive mood, calling out song requests and singing along loudly.  

    

As the evening wore on, the singing was interspersed with laughing conversations.  Chris turned to Darren.  “Would you play the song you sang at our first campfire?”

Darren immediately began the opening chords to Daydream Believer.  When he reached the line, “You once thought of me as a white knight on his steed,” he gave Chris a significant look.

Finishing the song to scattered applause, Darren leaned into Chris, murmuring, “I’ll be your white knight, if you’ll be my steed.”

It was apparent from Chris’s expression that he hadn’t grasped the full meaning behind his boyfriend’s words, so Darren elaborated.  “I want to ride you.”

Chris’s jaw fell open and a blush raced up his cheeks as he glanced around to see whether anyone had overheard.  Their friends were all talking and laughing amongst themselves, though, and no one seemed to have noticed that his face was suddenly on fire.  Pressing his lips to Darren’s ear, Chris whispered, “Let’s get out of here.”

Darren was up in a flash, calling out loudly to the group at large, “Well, Chris and I have had a really long day, so we’re heading to bed.  See you in the morning.”

This announcement was followed by quite a few catcalls and wolf whistles, as no one appeared to be buying the “it’s been a long day” excuse.  Darren shrugged off their friends’ reactions with a wink and a grin.  “Oh, hush.  You’re just jealous.”