AN. Set between season 1 and two this was inspired by lyrics from "Red Cortina" by The Saw Doctors
It's a beautiful August evening - warm but the humidity is low. The smell of barbeque and grilling meat filled the air as families enjoyed one of the last days of summer.
At the grill in the Hummels back yard Finn Hudson is cooking hamburgers and hotdogs for his friends as they gather before their first day of school the next day. Burt and Carole are inside having dinner by themselves, content to let the teenagers enjoy themselves while supervising through the kitchen window. Seeing that the hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill are done, Finn is about to ask someone to bring him a plate when Kurt appears at his side with a serving platter.
"Thanks, dude," Finn replies easily, the time they have spent together this summer having eased the tension of their relationship.
"No, problem," Kurt replies, holding the plate as Finn transfers the burgers and hamburgers to the platter.
Placing the flipper on the grills ledge, he takes the platter from Kurt and turns to head to the picnic table while Kurt checks on the grilled vegetable stir-fry he was making. Placing the burgers and hotdogs down in the center of the table, Finn finds himself glancing back toward the grill while the others start to help themselves to the food.
Kurt is removing the vegetable basket from the grill and turning it off, seemingly completely at ease. Finn has notice a difference in Kurt over the summer. He's more at ease. Smiles come to his face more often and aren't forced. The sarcastic comments come to the surface less often. He's not as wrapped up in his appearance when they're around the house, though he still looks more put together than most teenagers. And Kurt's confidence has grown these past few months, as they had seen a week ago when the smaller teen had stood up to Puck when he had tried to cheat at volleyball.
Finn couldn't help but wonder if these changes were permanent or if they were as fleeting as the summer. Would the Kurt he had come to know this past summer stay, or would the pressures of McKinley high drive him back into hiding.
The vegetable stir-fry in hand, Kurt turns from the grill. Finn sees him hesitate slightly as their gazes lock but the other teen recovers and comes to join the group and Finn banishes the thoughts from his head. He would enjoy this time with his friends and worry about the upcoming school year when it began tomorrow.