Saturday, July 14

Kurt felt like a weight he hadn't even realized that he was carrying had been lifted from him.  Coming out to David and Ryan about his relationship with Blaine had been such a relief.  Now, he felt like he wanted to come out to the whole world.

Once the majority of the campers had departed on Saturday, Kurt and Blaine found opportunities to talk with the rest of the staff members about their relationship.  The reactions they got ranged from Kevin's surprised “Wow - that's great - congratulations!” to Cory's “Wait – you mean that was supposed to be a secret? I thought everyone already knew.”  The bottom line, though, was that all of their friends were happy for them, and supportive of their relationship.

Kurt had written to his dad about the change in his relationship with Blaine over a week ago.  Now, Blaine wanted to come out to his own family, who had no idea he was gay, let alone that he was in love with his best friend.  

Since both boys had left their cell phones at home (all staff members, as well as campers, having been asked not to bring any electronics to the ranch) Blaine asked Ryan if he could use the landline in the camp office.  While Blaine made his call, Kurt paced nervously outside.  Blaine had assured him that his parents would be “fine with it,” but Kurt knew that people sometimes had unexpected – and negative – reactions to such news.

It was with a sigh of relief, therefore, that Kurt finally saw Blaine emerge from the office, his face wreathed in smiles.  “They think it's great!” Blaine enthused.  “And they want you to drive up to Westerville with me next weekend.  My brother Cooper is coming to visit from L.A.  Will you come?”

“Are you sure it won't be weird?”

“No – it'll be great.  Please, please, please!”

“Okay.”

“Yay!”

Every Saturday evening, the handful of boys who were staying over at camp were treated to a movie in the dining hall.  Having been separated from their video games and televisions for a week or more, the boys were understandably enthusiastic.  After a dinner of frozen pizza (since Ian and Brad had the night off) Ryan would hook up his laptop to the LCD projector while David pulled down the retractable screen on the wall.  Then the boys – along with the two counselors who were on duty that weekend, and whatever other staff members cared to join them – would settle down with bags of microwaved popcorn to watch the movie.

As kids, Kurt and Blaine had spent many a happy Saturday evening together, holding hands and leaning into one another as they watched whichever Disney film Uncle Mike had selected.  The camp had had a fairly limited collection, since Aunt Lisa had insisted that all of the movies needed to be G-rated.  Kurt and Blaine soon knew them all by heart, mouthing lines to each other, and singing along at full volume. 

This summer, Kurt and Blaine had skipped the movie nights, choosing instead to spend their Saturday evenings ensconced in their bunkhouse.  Tonight, though, Ryan had mentioned that they'd be showing Mulan, and Blaine had begged Kurt to watch it with him.  Kurt had pretended to be reluctant, just so that Blaine would turn on the puppy-dog eyes he loved so much.  Secretly, though, he wanted to see the movie again as much as his boyfriend did.

The campers always seemed to want to sit as close to the screen as possible.  Kurt and Blaine found spots on an empty bench in the back, where they could hold hands under the table with no one the wiser.  Kurt felt like they were on a first date.

It was strangely exciting to be sitting with his boyfriend in the semi-darkness, sliding their intertwined fingers apart and back together.  Blaine rubbed his thumb in slow circles on the inside of Kurt's wrist, and Kurt could feel his pulse quickening.  When Blaine began drawing their linked hands enticingly up the inside of his thigh, Kurt felt his breath begin to hitch.

Mustering his resolve, Kurt forced himself to scoot slightly away from Blaine on the bench.  “There are children present,” he whispered.  “Movie night has to stay G-rated.  Remember?”

Blaine sighed.  He slid over so that he and Kurt were once more hip-to-hip on the bench, but he did stop being such a tease.  Instead, he threw himself into whole-heartedly singing along with every song.  Relieved, Kurt joined in.

After the ending credits rolled, Jacob and Blake, who were on duty that weekend, came over to beg Blaine and Kurt to join them at the campfire.  “Bring your guitar,” Jacob urged.  “I heard you singing, and I bet you can play all of the songs from that movie.”

Blaine glanced at Kurt, silently asking for permission.

“It sounds like fun,” Kurt said.

After retrieving Blaine's guitar from the bunkhouse, the boys walked back together toward the campfire, which Jacob and Blake already had blazing.  “Are you sure you don't mind?” Blaine asked.  “I know this is our only night off together, so if you don't want to go to the campfire I can always tell them I've changed my mind, and I'm too tired to play guitar tonight.”

“No, it's fine.  I always love hearing you play.”

When they reached the campfire, they realized that word must have spread, because nearly the entire staff was gathered.  Somebody started up a chant of “Blaine! Blaine! Blaine!” and soon everyone had joined in.

Laughing, Blaine removed his guitar from its case and began to strum the opening chords of “I'll Make a Man Out of You.”  Since the song was fresh in everyone's minds, most people immediately started singing along.  When he reached the chorus, Blaine turned toward Kurt, singing directly to him.

Be a man -

You must be swift as the coursing river

With all the force of a great typhoon

With all the strength of a raging fire

Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

Kurt grinned and sang along.  He was enjoying being out in public with Blaine, knowing that all of their friends were aware of their relationship and that he didn't have to hide the lovesick look he knew he must be giving his boyfriend.

When the song ended, Blaine immediately began playing another tune from the movie – “Reflection.”  After that, he moved on to other Disney classics, including “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, and “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast.  At the line “Look, there he goes, isn't he dreamy,” Blaine gave an exaggerated sigh and winked at Kurt.

Although Kurt could feel himself blushing, he realized that he felt more pleased than embarrassed.  He'd never thought of himself as particularly attractive, but Blaine's open admiration was flattering.

If this was what being out with Blaine was like, Kurt decided he could get used to it.