Sunday, August 19 – Saturday, August 25

The last week of camp was full of bittersweet experiences for Kurt and Blaine.  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, Kurt realized with a pang that this was the last time that Blaine would return from the campfire bringing him s'mores.  On Thursday, when it was his turn to attend the campfire on his own, Kurt doubled up on the chocolate and marshmallows, wanting his final little offering to Blaine to be as delicious as possible.  His boyfriend's delight with the simple gift gave Kurt'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 roundup together, the last time they tossed out the hay, the last time they led a trail ride, the last riding tests they gave.  Kurt 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, Blaine grabbed Kurt 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 Kurt's face in both hands, Blaine gave him a kiss that left him breathless.  They were surrounded by the rest of the staff, but Kurt couldn't have cared less.  He brought his hands to Blaine's waist, pulling their hips together.   

“Get a room!” Mark called out teasingly.

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

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

Blaine 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.  Kurt and Blaine 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, Blaine 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.  Kurt 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 Blaine'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,” Kurt yelled.  “First one past the oak tree at the top of the hill wins.”

“You're on,” Blaine challenged, urging his horse forward.

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

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