When the group got back to camp there was still half an hour before Worship, so Kurt and Josh went back to their room to change.

Kurt's gloomy mood and his concern for Ian had almost pushed the previous day's events out of his head, but now that he was about to go to Worship he realized that there was a chance Eyes of Gold would be there. He felt excitement creeping up on him at the prospect, despite the sermon he would have to endure.

Kurt hummed “Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead” to himself as he tried to pick out the perfect outfit from the limited selections in his suitcase. He felt some regret for only packing the most boring, conventional items in his wardrobe, though it had seemed like a good idea at the time. Kurt tried to be prepared for every possible opportunity for fashion, but the occasion of “impressing a hot guy at Jesus Camp” had not even crossed his mind.

“I'm glad you're feeling better. I guess some fresh air was good for you?” Josh said, pulling on a red Camp Reflection t-shirt.

“I guess I am feeling a little bit better. I'm just trying to look on the bright side, you know?” Kurt replied, smiling dreamily as he held up a blue scarf against a button-down shirt.

“That's always been my policy. That and 'trust the Lord'... Hey, what are you doing?” Josh asked, as Kurt tied the scarf around his neck.

“What do you mean? I'm getting dressed.” Kurt responded, bewildered, “This scarf goes perfectly with this shirt, and it makes my eyes pop.”

Josh became flustered and tried to suppress the blush starting to form on his cheeks. “I just don't think Wendy would like it. I dunno.”

Kurt tugged savagely at the scarf. Somehow it didn't look quite as perfect with the shirt anymore. “It's not like there's a dress code prohibiting excess layers. What's not to like?” He untied it, shook it out and tried again.

“Never mind,” Josh said, “you look... nice. I just worry about you attracting any more attention to yourself after this morning.” The blush deepened.

Kurt huffed in response, putting his hands on his hips and tilting his head in the mirror, examining every angle of his face. The color really did bring out his eyes. Josh had a point, but the prospect of making a connection with Eyes of Gold was more important. “Josh, you haven't known me very long, but there's something I've had to learn to accept about myself: No matter what, I inevitably attract attention. I was born this way.”

* * * * *

Josh seemed pleased with Kurt's sudden enthusiasm for Worship. He practically bounced all the way to the building. As a result, they were in their seats before most of the campers had even made their way to the door. Kurt sat and crossed his legs, sitting upright in his seat with his hands around his knee. He looked around the room, eyes darting and flashing with excitement.

“I can't keep up with your moods, buddy. You must really like hiking. Or turkey sandwiches. Or diet coke.” Josh shifted uncomfortably in his seat, waiting for a response from Kurt that never came. “Kurt, are you looking for someone?”

“Hmm? Yeah, diet coke is so amazing, isn't it?” Kurt mumbled. Josh sighed and gave up, turning to face the stage.

Kurt glanced at Josh, wondering why he stopped talking so abruptly, but was quickly distracted again when the object of his affection took a seat in the section in front of him. Kurt noted a posterboard sign declaring that section to be Team Bear. But was it his imagination, or was Eyes of Gold sitting a few rows closer than he had the day before? Kurt's pulse quickened as the boy laughed with his neighbor. He had a great smile, too.

Finally, though, those eyes were back on Kurt's. Looking into them again felt like finally getting a breath of air after being underwater. It isn't fair that he has so much power over me, Kurt thought. But I'll take it. Meanwhile, the boy had stopped talking to his neighbor and was positively beaming at Kurt, their eyes locked together. Once more, it was as if they couldn't look away.

“LUST!” Both boys' eyes snapped to the stage. Kurt sat up rigidly in his seat and blinked.

“We all know it's one of the seven deadly sins,” said Josiah, holding up the microphone and standing under a spotlight, “but lust means more than just having relations or indulging in pornography. You guys are teenagers, and that means that there are opportunities to commit the sin of lust every single day. Living a Christian life means that you must constantly turn your thoughts to God. He will help you overcome temptation. Something as seemingly innocent as sharing eye contact can cause you to lust in your heart.”

Kurt giggled at the last words. Consequences be damned, he had to look at Eyes of Gold again after hearing that. Of course, the other boy was looking back at him, and his shoulders were shaking like he was laughing, too. They grinned at each other like they were in on some hilarious secret. Yep, he definitely has a beautiful smile, Kurt thought. Actually, his mouth is kind of huge. At that thought, Kurt's mind immediately went to a filthy place. Oh, gosh, maybe this Josiah guy has a point!

“Guys, I know this subject makes some of you uncomfortable, but we have to talk about it. It's normal for a guy to wanna talk to a cute girl, but stuff like that leads to lust in your heart...”

Is he trying to say that men and women can't even talk to each other? Kurt wondered. If it didn't have the potential to be so hilarious I'd stop listening to this crap entirely. Okay, okay, Josiah, I promise not to lust after any girls.

Kurt looked back towards Eyes of Gold, who was temporarily watching the stage. He noticed that his hair looked different from the day before, a little bit flatter. Kurt watched as a drop of water slipped off of a dark curl and down the boy's lightly tanned neck. He must have gone swimming. Kurt gulped as his mind went back to the filthy place, imagining the boy without a shirt, on a beach and dripping wet.

“Let's all pray together for the strength to overcome temptation and grow closer to God. Let's bow our heads.” Kurt bowed his head, but not so far that he couldn't keep his eyes trained on the back of the boy's neck. Kurt licked his lips as he watched another drop of water slip down into the collar of his shirt.