A/N: This is a sequel to Blood, Sweat, and Tears, but you don't need to read that. BST just provided a good backdrop for this story.

Growing Up

David Karofsky (or Mr. Karofsky as his students know him) is a history teacher at McKinley High. He's working on his MA, but he'll probably keep teaching until he has his doctorate. After that, he's hoping to teach at a college. Sam teases him and says he can't wait until he gets to call Dave 'Doctor.' Sam Evans is his boyfriend, and he works from home as a web designer and translator. He doesn't make much money, but neither does Dave. Most of it goes to student loans. Lately, though, Dave's money has been going towards a ring. He finally has it – a simple gold band with 'I will always love you' in Na'vi engraved on it – and now he's not sure what to do with it. Nothing seems good enough to tell Sam that Dave loves him more than anything and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with him.

He has the ring box in his pocket all day because he's afraid of what could happen to it. He can barely get through his lecture, and the students notice.

"Mr. Karofsky?" Desiree, one of his best students, asks. "Are you sick or something?"

"No, Desiree, just anxious. I'm proposing tonight."

"Awww," Mia, another student, puts in. "How are you gonna ask her?"

That's the problem, isn't it? He isn't out to his students. He needs their respect, and besides, it's best to keep your personal and private lives separate. It doesn't take much to convince himself that he's not still the scared jock that walked these halls nearly a decade ago.

"I don't know how to tell him." Half the students gasp, two squeal, a good number "awww," and at least five have ecstatic looks on their faces.

"Just get your feelings out, man! My girlfriend loves it when I do that," Sergio advises him from the back of the room. More than half the class laughs.

They spend the rest of class giving him dreamy, hormonal, high school advice. He couldn't be more grateful. He's sure this is going to be around the school by the end of the day. They shuffle out, but Aiden, a wispy boy on the soccer team, takes forever to shove everything in his backpack.

"I didn't know you were gay," he says quietly.

Dave adjusts his glasses. "Yeah. My boyfriend's bi, though."

"I-" He gulps. "I hope he says yes." He rushes to leave, but Dave stops him.

"Aiden, I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything. If you're not comfortable talking to me, I can find another adult you're comfortable with."

Aiden doesn't say anything; he just nods and leaves.

Now he can't stop thinking about how much harder it's going to be for Aiden. Ten states have legalized some form of gay marriage. Ohio is pushing one such bill through the works right now, but if it doesn't go through, Dave is willing to move across the country to do it. If Sam says yes. God, he would be devastated if Sam didn't.

When he gets home, he's thinking about the Supreme Court and how Johnson v. Florida could force states everywhere to recognize same-sex marriage.

"Hey, baby." Sam's at the computer, grinning. His hair isn't blonde anymore, just a dark brown. He has to wear reading glasses from all the computer work. Even in just jeans and a tee, he looks gorgeous. Dave still has no idea how to propose.

Sam's smile falters when he sees Dave's worried look.

"Did something happen at work?"

"I love you."

"Hey, it's okay..." Sam hugs him and rests his head on Dave's shoulder.

"No, it's not. I can't think of anything."

"For what?"

"I don't know how to tell you how much I love you."

Sam gives a soft laugh. "Don't be silly. I know you love me."

"But this is important!"

"Why?" Sam takes off his glasses and slips them over the collar of his shirt.

"Because I want you to marry me." He pulls out the ring. "I-I know it might be hard for you to read, but it says -"

"It says you'll love me forever."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Sam."

"Of course I'll marry you. You're perfect." Sam kisses him for what feels like forever., but once they stop, it feels like no time at all. "I'll get you a band, too." He kisses Dave's cheek. "Let's go out to dinner."

That night, Sam fucks him so hard he can't see straight. They're in Sam's favorite position: Dave bent over the bed,Sam pressing his cheek into the mattress. He likes it because he can just lean over and whisper to Dave if he wants.

"You like my dick, don't you?"

"Ah... Sam..."

"Answer me."

"God yes." Sam slides his hands over Dave's, and Dave could feel the ring resting on Sam's left hand.

A question occurs to Dave when they're cuddling.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?" He's tired.

"We're inviting your brother Danny, right? Your parents are gonna find out. Do you want to invite them?" Sam's mother and step-father had kicked him out their senior year of high school. Nineteen-year-old Danny reestablished full contact with his brother when he left for college, and Sam was still close with his father, but he hadn't spoken to his mother in years.

"I... I don't know. I have to think about it."

"This wedding planning thing is going to take forever."

"We should just ask Kurt to do it."

Dave laughs. "Maybe. I bet he'd have us in matching suits."

"I want a gray one. You always say I look sexy in light gray suits."

"You do. I should wear a blue pinstripe suit with red converse and a brown trench coat."

"Oh my god. Yes."

"Or I could be the Ianto to your Captain Jack. You'd look hot in World War II British period garb."

"I would cry."

"I'm probably going to cry anyways." He reaches forward to grab Sam's hand.

"I love you," Sam whispers.

"I'll love you as long as I live."