"There you go. Thank you!" Dave happily said.

The cute, small, African American boy took his cotton candy and walked away. Dave put the change in the register and shut it. Dave was happy.

It was his first day working at a cotton candy stand at the Annual Lima Carnival. The summer job was just what he needed to distract himself from his thoughts and people watch.

It was a happier, more content David Karofsky these summer days. He would be leaving for Ohio State University that autumn on a football scholarship. He was happy to get out of Lima and explore more of himself and the world. Being nineteen years old and gay in Lima, Ohio is a mixture that can be difficult to bear.

Dave looked around. Across from him was a whole row devoted to taking people's money in hopes of getting a trinket or a stuffed animal. On his side of the row were stands just for increasing your cholesterol and waist line on assorted carnival foods – waffles, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, cheesy fries, etc. He was grateful he always packed a lunch. Plus, he had cotton candy at his disposal for a free lunch or dessert. Dave briefly soured at the idea of eating cotton candy for lunch.

Dave was single. He briefly considered getting a boyfriend, but with his impending move in a couple of months, he dismissed the idea. He felt he was ready to explore this idea, though. When he'd shut his light off and curl up in his bed at night, he couldn't help but look over at the other side of his king-sized bed and see that nobody was there. That loneliness gets tiring. Dave sighed.

He was going to play right guard for the Ohio State University Buckeyes. He hoped he could become a starter as soon as possible, but offensive lineman usually need at least a year to gain weight and strength. Dave smiled at this thought. Gaining weight would be no problem.

But on that sunny early afternoon, Dave was brought out of his reverie by a customer.

"I'll take a bag-"

Dave looked up and was astonished to see Sebastian Smythe ordering a bag of cotton candy. Sebastian, upon recognizing Dave, smiled that Smythe-Smirk. Dave was instantly irritated. Sebastian's personality clashed with Dave and he simply didn't like the rich kid. Sebastian's cockiness drove Dave insane some nights at Scandals.

"I'll get it for you, Sebastian." Dave annoyingly said.

While Dave was reaching for a bag above his head, his shirt briefly came untucked. Sebastian caught of glimpse of a hairless belly. He couldn't help but think this was cute. After all, Dave was cute.

Embarrassed, Dave snatched the back and tucked his shirt in, looking directly at Sebastian. Dave had to admit the kid had looks – short blonde hair, a winning smile, long, long legs. He couldn't help but be a little attracted to the little, untrustworthy brat. Dave hated that Sebastian used his looks and manipulative skills to get what he wanted.

But as Dave looked Sebastian over, he was sensing something else about him. Sebastian was smiling, but it was forced. The smile seemed, well, like it was just for show and not real. In fact, Dave surmised that Sebastian was a little depressed.

"I didn't know you worked here, Dave!" Sebastian said, a little loudly.

"I can hear you just fine." Dave grumbled. "$3."

"$3?! Are you kidding me?! For this little bag of whipped, food colored sugar?!" Sebastian exclaimed.

Dave sighed. "Yes." Dave said, very clearly annoyed.

Sebastian's smile faltered just a little. He eyed Dave a little closer. Dave had bulked up the last time he saw him. And, he couldn't really take his eyes off Dave's chest. He loved the defined pecs, round shoulders, and huge biceps on Dave's body. He was so mesmerized that he didn't even notice that Dave was looking at him expectantly.

Embarrassed, Sebastian reached into his pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill, handing it to Dave.

When Dave took the money, he was careful not to touch Sebastian's beautiful, thin hand. Snatching the bill, Dave took a moment to look at Sebastian's sexy mouth and throat. Dave thought how easy it would be to get his arms completely around this boy. Dave swallowed.

The boys were frozen then. The heat of the Lima summer blazed around them, but there was an uncomfortable feeling between the two right then. They simply looked at each other, practically sizing them up.

Suddenly, it occurred to them what they were doing. Embarrassed, they looked away. Dave was finishing the cash transaction with slightly shaking hands while Sebastian momentarily looked away. Sebastian wasn't smirking.

Dave handed Sebastian's change to him. But when he did, his fingers came into contact with Sebastian's delicate fingers. Lightning could've gone through his body and not had the same effect. Dave loved how soft yet firm Sebastian's fingers were, despite the heat and humidity.

"Thanks Dave." Sebastian said, almost thoughtfully.

Dave said nothing, simply starting at Sebastian. Sebastian hesitated.

"So," Sebastian carefully began, "how's your summer going?"

Dave was instantly alarmed.

"Sebastian, don't you have a bear or twink to snatch up?" Dave snapped.

Sebastian was shocked at the sudden statement. Dave instantly regretted what he said. When Sebastian said nothing, Dave relented.

"Sorry." Dave mumbled, suddenly looking at the cash register like he didn't know what one was.

"No, it's fine." Sebastian amiably said. "I suppose I deserve that."

Dave's head shot up, studying the attractive blonde.

"I shouldn't have said that." Dave softly said. Sebastian smiled. But then, a thought came to him.

"Dave," Sebastian started. Dave looked up. "If you get a break any time soon, maybe we could…."

Dave smiled a little.

"Maybe." Dave answered, noncommittally.

Sebastian, a little disappointed, looked away.

"I understand." Sebastian said, slight defeat in his voice. "Well, I'm gonna get going. My little sister wants this cotton candy. She's over by the stadium."

Sebastian absentmindedly pointed in the direction of the grandstands and Dave briefly followed his line of sight, before returning to the suddenly awkward boy in front of him. Dave's smile grew a little more.

Turning to leave, Sebastian gave a little wave and started to walk away. Dave could've drooled watching Sebastian's thin, strong logs stroll away. Dave couldn't help himself.

"Three o'clock!" Dave yelled to Sebastian. Sebastian turned, a curious expression on his face.

"That's my break time." Dave clarified, now smiling widely. He had no idea why he was telling Sebastian of all people when his break was.

"OK. I'll see if I can stop by." Sebastian said, just a little shakily.

Dave swallowed, eying the beautiful blonde up and down, unashamedly.

Sebastian turned, twirling the cotton candy bag, and left.

.

The carnival was in full swing. In the mid-afternoon heat, Dave's business increased. Many people love cotton candy, but he was also selling soda pop really fast. With a customer waiting, he excused himself to exchange the soda pop tanks. Quickly, he snatched up the heavy, metal container. Ordinarily, this would've been a difficult task, but Dave was pretty strong.

Pulling dials and twisting sockets, Dave pulled the empty Coca-Cola container and switched it with the full one. His body was twisting and turning, slightly straining with the heavy container and furious pace.

Dave had no idea he was being watched. Sebastian watched the muscles in Dave's back and legs while Dave performed his task. He loved what he was seeing. He decided to pay Dave a visit. But he wasn't alone.

Tagging along with Sebastian was his little sister, Carolyn. Carolyn was a cute, blonde, ten-year old girl, Sebastian's only sibling. Her blonde hair hung on her shoulders and her green eyes matched Sebastian's.

From behind the cotton candy stand, Sebastian's little stalking was never noticed by Dave, who was working quickly to please customers. Sebastian smiled. He definitely liked watching big, bulky men work hard. Who wouldn't?

It was almost three o'clock – Dave's break time. Sebastian took Carolyn's hand.

"Carolyn? I want to talk to my friend for a few minutes." Sebastian said.

Carolyn angrily pulled her hair back in her tiny hands.

"I'm hot." Carolyn whined.

"OK. I'll get you a Coke. See, my friend works at that cotton candy stand." Sebastian said, pointing at Dave's workstation. "We can sit in the shade, you can drink your Coke, and let Dave and me talk."

Carolyn nodded. Genuinely smiling, Sebastian and Carolyn strolled hand-in-hand towards Dave's cotton candy stand. There was a little line when they arrived. Dave immediately saw them and smiled. Sebastian's smile widened. Something passed between them, then.

Distractedly, Dave took money from a customer, barely registering the customer's existence. His gaze was sold on Sebastian. He never saw Sebastian in a kind way. Normally, Sebastian was busy working suckers at Scandals. But not now. He was beginning to see a softer, kinder side of Sebastian Smythe – in a big brother kind of way. Dave liked what he was seeing.

This should be interesting, Dave thought.

When Dave finished with the two customers ahead of Sebastian, he was greeted with Sebastian and a slightly whiney girl.

"Hi again!" Sebastian eagerly said.

"Hi Sebastian."

"This is my sister, Carolyn." Sebastian announced. Dave regarded the little girl.

"Hi Carolyn. I'm Dave."

Carolyn briefly smiled at Dave before somebody walked by with a huge stuffed animal in their grasp. She just watched them enviously. Dave smiled.

"Dave, I need to buy her a Coke." Sebastian said.

"OK." Dave took one side step to grab a Styrofoam cup and began filling it with Coke. When he was finished, he stepped back to the pair and saw a couple of dollar bills in Sebastian's hand. Dave smiled even more.

"On the house." Dave quietly said.

"Thank you, Dave!" Sebastian said warmly. They just smiled at each other until they heard Carolyn sneeze.

"Bless you." Dave and Sebastian said at the same time. They laughed. Sebastian took the cup and handed it to Carolyn, who took the cup and eagerly began gulping it down.

"Slow down, Carolyn." Dave gingerly warned. "You could get a stomach ache if you drink it fast."

Carolyn ignored him, still entranced by the passerby with the huge stuffed animal. Dave chuckled.

"Sebastian, I have to shut down the register and close the stand. Give me a minute."

"OK."

Sebastian turned and walked with Carolyn to a picnic table with a white shade. The pair sat down and waited for Dave. Sebastian just watched Dave and waited. He loved watching Dave work. He seemed to like his summer job and Sebastian couldn't help but be charmed.

Exactly one minute later, Dave emerged from the stand, crossing to where Sebastian and Carolyn were sitting. Sebastian could see all of Dave then. Dave was huge! Sebastian was entranced.

Dave sat down on the bench right beside Sebastian. He looked over and smiled. Sebastian smiled back. Then, quite suddenly, a curious tension filled the air. The boys were silent. It quickly occurred to them that they didn't know what to say to each other.

The carnival blossomed around them. Families walked by, some with whiney children, others holding hands. A scream could be heard from the small roller coaster and the heat was oppressive.

So, two boys were sitting with a young girl, in complete silence. Tension was mounting and something had to be said. The boys were curious about each other, but didn't know how to start a conversation.

"So," Dave began, "how's your summer going?"

Sebastian laughed, quickly followed by Dave. Returning that question to Sebastian served to be the much needed icebreaker.

"It's good, Dave." Sebastian amiably said. "I'm just here with my sister basically to kill time."

"Kill time?" Dave asked.

"Well," Sebastian began, "yeah….."

Dave watched Sebastian struggle to complete his sentence. There was more to this story, but Dave let him have his privacy.

"I just didn't want to work at my Dad's law office." Dave said.

"Oh, my Dad's a lawyer too!" Sebastian quickly said.

"My Dad's a tax attorney. And yours?"

"Corporate." Sebastian responded.

Silence. Again, neither boy knew what to say. Finally, Dave found another icebreaker. A family walked by with a crying infant.

"Why do families bring infants to a carnival?" Dave whispered.

"I have no freakin' idea." Sebastian said with a smile.

Dave looked over at Sebastian just as Sebastian looked back. Neither boy said anything for a moment, genuinely loving this little talk.

"Normally," Dave began, his eyes glued to Sebastian, "I take my breaks alone and crash under this very same umbrella with a Coke."

Sebastian smiled. "Well, where's your Coke?"

Dave looked at his hands and then a wry smile filled his warm face.

"She took it!" Dave yelled. Carolyn's head snapped to Dave. An ornery smile adorned his face. He got up, pretending to be annoyed at Carolyn "stealing" his Coke. Carolyn squealed, got up, and ran to the other side of the table. Dave then followed her, his eyes on the cute girl, demanding with his eyes to return his Coke.

Carolyn ran around the table a few times, followed by a smiling Dave. Sebastian watched the two with a fun-loving smile on his face. He never imagined Dave to be so cute!

Finally, heat and exhaustion wore them out after chasing each other around the table after about the tenth revolution. With an exaggerated sigh, Dave sat down, just a hair closer to Sebastian. The two looked at each other, Dave slightly panting. Sebastian saw the warmth in Dave's face, partly from the heat and exertion, but also for another, yet unknown reason.

Simply put, the boys were interested in each other. Sebastian could've kissed Dave right there. Dave just smiled.