The sky is bright pink with rivulets of red and orange, painting a beautiful sunset. Blaine is dressed immaculately, which something he knows Kurt will appreciate. He's waiting at the very edge of the South Woods, clutching the letter in his hand like a lifeline.
He sees Kurt appear over the edge of the grassy slope, and his heart gives a funny little lurch. A grin appears on his face without even knowing it. He tries to smooth out his shirt and fumbles with his hair.
When Kurt's face is clear, Blaine runs up to him and gives him a big hug.
"Hey Kurt," Blaine says softly, smiling at him.
But Kurt's eyes are red and puffy, and his skin has lost the ethereal glow that's been on him for the past few days. His hair is mussed and unkempt, and he looks like his favorite pet just died.
"What's wrong?" Blaine asks, brushing Kurt's bangs back. "You can tell me."
"D-don't do that," Kurt whispers shakily, grabbing Blaine's hand and pushing it back. "I…Blaine, I can't, I'm so sorry—"
"Whoa, what's wrong?" he asks again in an earnest voice, cradling Kurt's face. "Just tell me."
"We can't be friends anymore," Kurt says, and some unnamable force turns the beautiful sunset into a dead and black sky.
Blaine shakes his head. "What…why?"
Kurt is silently crying, and Blaine still thinks he looks beautiful. "The…I have to do something to you, and I can't do it."
"You're not being specific," Blaine presses. "Why do you have to?"
"Because…Aphrodite," Kurt whispers. "They…I have to hurt you," he whimpers, and shakes his head, tear droplets flying everywhere. "I won't. But we can't…I have to convince Gaelen that we're not friends, and then she won't make me and I won't have to break your heart—"
Blaine shushes him and Kurt is shaking with tears, and they clutch each other desperately. Blaine's crisp white shirt is feeling damp now, but it doesn't matter because those are Kurt's tears and he's going to murder the entire Aphrodite cabin for hurting Kurt like this.
"What are you doing here?" Gaelen shrieks when Blaine storms into the Aphrodite cabin and screams for everyone to get out.
"I said GET OUT!" he shouts, banging the wall, and all of them scramble outside the cabin like last year's fashion is on their heels.
"You better have a fucking good reason for this," Gaelen threatens, "because I am about this close—"
"Well I am THIS close to snapping off your pretty little curly head and giving it to the Ares cabin as a trophy," Blaine snarls, "so just shut up and listen to me."
Gaelen just glares, but sits back down in front of her vanity.
"I have no idea what sick things your cabin does, but I want to know why Kurt was in tears when we met yesterday night."
"Oh, a romantic rendezvous?" Gaelen sneers, dabbing at her makeup. "I feel like puking."
"What did you do to him?"
Gaelen snaps the makeup back shut and turns around to look at Blaine, her normally warm brown eyes flaming with suppressed anger. "I want you to listen to me now. What he has to do is a ritual, a requirement. That is the only way he's ever going to be accepted in this cabin. Now, it's none of your business about what this cabin does, or how I run it. I'm the counselor of Aphrodite, and you're a son of Apollo. This has nothing to do with you Blaine. So stop acting like a stupid kid who pokes his nose into everything he sees!"
"That's bullshit!" Blaine shouts, his face going red with anger. "This has nothing to do with whatever fucking cabin you're in! This is about Kurt and why he was so upset the other day!"
Gaelen sighs dramatically, plopping down onto the seat in front of the mirror. "You're making this too easy for him. You're too in love. It's so obvious."
Blaine's eyes go wide and he shakes his head. "I'm not in love with Kurt."
"Mm," Gaelen says nonchalantly. "Of course you aren't."
"Stop with the sarcasm!"
"I'm only doing it because you're too stubborn to admit it to yourself!" she shouts, standing up from the cushioned ottoman. "If you want to help Kurt out at all, maybe you should start by wondering why you care so much about him in the first place!"
"We're only friends!" he shouts frustratingly. "How many times do I have to say that?"
"Apparently, a million times wouldn't help you realize that maybe you are in love with Kurt," Gaelen mocks, brushing back her hair. She ties it into a loose ponytail and straightens herself, her posture stiff and towering.
"I'm done talking to you, Blaine. This conversation is over. You can either have another freak-out in Apollo cabin or listen to what I just told you. Now get the fuck out."
Gaelen's tone means business, and Blaine doesn't want to deal with an angry Aphrodite kid. The last time someone pissed off the counselor of Aphrodite cabin, they ended up ugly for at least a month. No matter how hard they tried, hair would not stay put, every single outfit looked horrible, and makeup had absolutely no effect. While Blaine isn't a snob for looks, he doesn't want to end up like that either.
Blaine leaves, shaken and frustrated. He wants to go looking for Kurt again, who's probably singing with some of the Apollo kids (he's made some new friends there). But after what Gaelen said to him, he's not sure if he can face Kurt for a while.
"Hey," Kurt whispers when Blaine walks down the slope.
"Hey yourself," he replies with fake happiness, and gives Kurt a hug. He breathes in the smell of that cologne that Kurt loves to use, and it makes him smell like spring, just without the bees or the allergies.
"So where'd you go?" Kurt asks, tucking his hair behind his ear and flipping a book open. It rests on his lap. "Lyra was giving me a lecture and Eric just looked kind of lost. Jason tried to save me but, you know, Lyra is unstoppable when she gets going."
"Oh, the joys of having a sister," Blaine mutters dryly, and Kurt laughs softly. "What was she ranting about this time?"
"Well, it started off as a simple question, and then she went off into a full-fledged war about the modern music industry and how it sucks," Kurt says airily, flipping towards the bookmarked page of his book.
"Oh Lyra," Blaine sighs exaggeratedly. "What are we going to do about her?"
"We could force her to listen to Chiron's opera CD's all day long," Kurt suggests, plucking a piece of grass off the field.
Blaine laughs. "You know about those?"
"He was playing it when I walked into his office the other day asking about the armory. Oh my god, it was the most horrible torture that my ears had to endure."
"Well, at any rate, you look gorgeous today," Blaine says fondly. Kurt giggles and his cheeks flush.
"You're only saying that because you have to."
"No, I mean it."
"Lies," Kurt replies, flipping through his book. "All a bunch of lies, I tell you."
"You're absolutely amazing," Blaine says dryly.
Kurt giggles and tosses his head back. "Of course I am."
Blaine rolls his eyes. "What are you reading?" he asks, changing the subject.
"Oh, it's nothing. Nick gave this to me, you know, my brother. I was bored one day and he just let me borrow this."
"So how is it in Aphrodite cabin now?" Blaine asks sheepishly. Ever since his big shouting match with Gaelen, he's been kind of afraid to ask. He hopes that Kurt wasn't punished for his stupidity.
Kurt shrugs. "It's more or less the same. But Gaelen keeps giving me funny looks now and then. I think she's on crack or something. She's been all twitchy."
"I'm pretty sure that she's not on crack," Blaine laughs. "Well, I'm glad to hear that you're doing well."
Kurt smiles a bit sadly. "As much as I love it here, I'll have to go back someday."
Blaine sits upright. "W-why?" he stutters, not believing the words that just came out from Kurt's mouth. "Why go back? You're safe here!"
Kurt shakes his head. "I'm safe here, but I'm not complete. I have to at least tell my dad that I'm okay. As much as we argue, he's still my dad and we love each other."
It becomes really hard for Blaine to breathe. He's a year-rounder himself, and now he's hearing that Kurt's going to be gone for the majority of the year.
"And you know, since I'm a child of Aphrodite, I don't think monsters will come looking for me anyways. I'm not too dangerous."
"But you're still not safe out there," Blaine says urgently, hating the way he sounds so desperate, so whiny. "You need to be safe."
Kurt rolls his eyes. "Blaine, that's very sweet, but I'm not a glass doll. I won't break. And I need to sort stuff out, okay? Trust me, I won't forget about any of this."
"You promise?"
"Why would I? This is like my home now." Kurt sighs and tucks his knees under his shoulder, looking at the camp. "I couldn't leave forever even if I wanted to."
It's time for Capture the Flag.
Chiron had announced it on Monday's dinner. It had caused an uproar, the good kind. They haven't had a CTF game in a while. The Ares cabin had taken things a bit too far last time and the camper they injured was still in recovery.
The reason, apparently, was because of Kurt. Since they had a new camper, it was only fair that they celebrate and welcome him with a round of everyone's favorite game.
Everyone was suddenly completely thankful and in love with Kurt for bringing this back. He just looked adorably confused and smiled to everyone who was hugging him.
So Blaine takes him to the armory today before dinner to try to find him a suit and a sword that fits him. Kurt's really not the best at fighting, but he still needs a weapon just in case anyone decides to attack him. Blaine's stomach tosses and turns at the thought of Kurt being injured.
Blaine and Kurt duel with a bunch of different swords to see which one fits Kurt the best before Kurt actually disarms him on the sixth sword that they try. Kurt blushes and puts the sword down, babbling an apology when Blaine just smiles and gives Kurt a hug, handing him the sword.
They end up finding a pretty good suit of armor. It's kind of a tight fit, but Kurt looks great in it. The moment he walks though, he stumbles forward into Blaine and they crash onto the floor.
"You're heavy," Blaine groans, the metal digging into his stomach.
"I'm sorry!" Kurt squeaks, trying to get up but falling down again. His elbow jabs into Blaine's hip and he winces.
Blaine tries to smile without looking like he's in utter pain. "I-it's okay. Just, um, get off please. Roll yourself over."
Kurt grabs onto Blaine's shoulder and rolls off Blaine and onto his back.
"Oh that's better," Blaine sighs, rubbing his bruised body.
"I'm sorry," Kurt repeats shyly, brushing his bangs back. "It's hard to walk in, and I didn't know that I would fall on you."
Blaine laughs, holding up a hand and trying to sit up. "It's fine, really. I'm just a little bruised. I'll be set for tonight's game."
"So, we're on the same team right?" Kurt asks nervously. "I really don't know how to play this at all, especially not the sword version of this game."
Blaine nods. "Jason got Aphrodite, Athena, and Hermes on our side. That's a lot of campers. Ares cabin got all the rest, including the children of the minor gods. They're a force, but we can beat them."
"Is the Hecate cabin allowed to use their magic thingies?" Kurt asks, brushing off his armor. "I don't think that's very fair."
Blaine chuckles. "That's like saying Dionysus kids can't grow their grapes or Apollo kids can't use their archery skills. We're all given special talents, and we might as well use them. That's what the camp is for. But yeah, they're allowed to use magic, as long as it's within the rules. Chiron established them a while ago when the Hecate kids decided to just teleport the flag to where they were standing."
Kurt laughs, and the sun from the windows lights up his face. "Did they win that game?"
"We wanted a re-match, but yes, for that game, Ares cabin won."
They heard the dinner bells ringing, and Blaine stands up first, pulling Kurt along with him. "Come on. Let's go eat. After dinner, we'll play."
"Alright campers, you know the rules!" Chiron shouts, his voice seeming to amplify in the cool air of the woods. "Have a good game, and stay safe! If you want to keep this up, then make sure your friends from Ares cabin don't take it too far."
The Ares kids at least have the sense to look guilty, if not feel it.
"Now, go to your stations!"
They all cheer and march forward, the two teams walking into two different directions of the wood. Kurt stumbles alongside Blaine, trying to keep his footing.
"So, um, what do I do?" he asks nervously. Blaine looks so confident in his armor, and it sets Kurt off a little.
But then he flashes him a smile and all of the butterflies in Kurt's stomach disappear. "It's simple, really. It's kind of like the P.E. version of Capture the Flag, except it's more dangerous. So watch out for anyone who has the red feathers on top of their helmet. They're the enemy. And always have your sword ready, just in case."
"In case of what?" Kurt said, his voice getting higher and higher.
Blaine gives him a reassuring smile. "Look, it's just a precaution. Don't worry about it. I'm sure no one will injure you."
"What about you?" Kurt asks hysterically. He has to say something. Anxiety is taking over again and fear is bubbling up. "Will you get hurt?"
Grinning, Blaine throws an arm around Kurt's shoulder and pulls him into a sideways hug. "I'll be fine. It's sweet that you care." Kurt blushes and looks away. "But hey, my father won't let me stay hurt for long. He'll probably heal me as soon as I get an injury."
When they reach their destination, Jason splits everyone up into groups of four or five. Blaine is paired up with the runners and Kurt is put with two of his siblings and Eric. He waves to Blaine shyly, and he waves back.
The groups leave, one by one. Kurt follows Eric into the woods. They're walking at a fast pace, light jogging more than anything. Kurt tries to keep the twigs from scratching his face.
Eric stops at the opening of a meadow. Kurt can see their flag at the top of a grassy hill, overlooking the woods.
"Isn't that kind of an obvious place to put it?" Kurt whispers to Eric.
He shrugs in reply. "But the thing is, getting there is going to be enough of a challenge. They'll see it and think that they have an easy steal." Eric pulled out his sword. "Not so much," he adds with a grin.
Kurt mimics him and tugs his own sword out of its scabbard. He weighs it in his hand, and it feels a hundred times heavier than it was when he and Blaine first tried it out.
His siblings in the group are Nadia and Kieran, tall and beautiful and graceful. They're really, really siblings though, a year apart in age. Nadia tosses her hair back.
"What are we supposed to do?" she asks haughtily.
Eric rolls his eyes. "We are supposed to prevent the other team from reaching that hill," he says, pointing at the flag. "I have a ton of traps in this bag, and we'll be setting them around the perimeter."
"Isn't that a little cowardly?" she asks, and Kurt just wishes she would shut up.
"Well princess, unless you can think of a better way to stop the other team from reaching that hill, we'll be doing this my way."
Turning a violent shade of pink, Nadia keeps her mouth shut and refuses to look at anyone. Eric smiles and tosses a small package to each person in their group.
"These are your traps and explosives," he says, taking his own package out of his bag. "Set them around the circle of the meadow and around the base of the hill. After that, we can fight. You two, stay in the woods and go around the edge. Kurt, you come with me and we'll set up at the hill. We don't have much time. They might be here sooner than anticipated."
A/N: sorry this part took so long to write. I was really busy and swamped with so much stuff that I kind of forgot to sit down and write for a while.
So yes, the next chapter is the official exciting part of Capture the Flag. Of course, there's going to be drama and all that, but that's what makes a good story good! :D
And I'm trying really hard to improve my schoolwork and grades and everything so now updates might be a little slower. Thank you for everyone who takes the time to comment. You guys are the reason I write.