A/N: Sebastian Smythe & Dave Karofsky are two characters that I've grown to love over the years - and two characters I wish had received more screen time. Here is a bit of their story...

Time frame: Season Three - after episode 3.14 (minimal spoilers for 3.14)

Disclaimer: Written for entertainment, not for profit.

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have known and are about to step out into the darkness, faith is knowing one of two things will happen … There will be something to stand on or you will be taught how to fly."

As the light bled into darkness, the air became progressively colder until Dave Karofsky found himself shivering hard. Thumbing through his contact list on his cell phone, he tried to figure out a plan of action before his brain stopped working completely. It'd been stupid to leave the house without a jacket. Stupid, but life-saving as far as he was concerned.

He wasn't going back and he needed to figure out a place where his mother wouldn't look for him, which is why he hadn't just gone to The Lima Bean or Breadstix or one of his other hangouts. He hesitated as his thumb passed over Kurt's name – but quickly realized that his dad might look for him through Kurt. No, that wasn't a good option.

Another name popped out at him – someone who'd sought him out after his suicide attempt and said he'd like another chance to be Dave's friend. Well, Dave certainly needed a friend right now. Pressing the send button, Dave held the phone to his ear and prayed that Sebastian Smythe would pick up.

Sebastian squinted into the darkness, trying to find where Dave said he'd be waiting. During their brief phone conversation, he'd tried to convince Dave to go to a restaurant or a coffee shop to wait for him to drive out to Lima, but the other teen had steadfastly refused. Sebastian didn't know what had happened, but he had an idea that it wasn't good if Dave's best option was calling him.

Creeping through the empty parking lot of a park, Sebastian realized this was just asinine. Shoving the gear shift into park, he opened the driver's door and stood up. "David!" he shouted. "Where the hell are you?"

It took a few moments before he saw a dark figure moving towards him. Dave was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, which would have been acceptable this afternoon when temperatures were in the sixties – but now, when it was closer to forty – it was beyond dangerous. Sebastian leaned back into his BMW, snatching a Dalton blazer from the back seat. Leaving his car running, he jogged over to Dave.

"Hey," he said quietly. "You call for a taxi?"

Swallowing hard, Dave nodded dumbly.

"Well, then, your chariot awaits. Or something like that," Sebastian said lamely. He wrapped the blue blazer around Dave's shoulders. Concerned over the almost violent shaking of Dave's body, Sebastian left his arm there as he guided Dave towards his car.

"Trying to join the polar bear club?" he teased gently. "It's fucking freezing out here, Dave."

"Hadn't noticed," Dave managed to get past his chattering teeth without biting his tongue.

"Liar." Sebastian pulled Dave a little closer. When they reached the passenger door, Sebastian opened it for Dave, making sure he got in alright before shutting it and returning to the driver's seat. "Gonna crank up the heat for you, babe," Sebastian said, fiddling with the controls. "You'll feel the seat warmers kick in in a minute. Just wanted you to know – had a friend freak out thinking the car was on fire because his ass was getting toasty."

Dave stared at Sebastian for a moment before his mouth pulled up on the side in a weak attempt at a smile. "'Kay."

Putting the car back in gear, Sebastian began to pull out of the parking lot. When the GPS unit started telling him he was going the wrong direction, he shut it off with a firm snap. "So where to? Do you want to get some coffee? Something warm to drink?"

When Dave didn't answer right away, Sebastian reached over and took his hand, wincing at how cold it felt. "David?" he asked more quietly.

"I can't go home," Dave blurted, staring at their linked hands.

"Okay. So … are you coming back to Westerville with me then?"

Dave's head snapped up to stare at Sebastian's profile. "I … I don't."

Meeting Dave's gaze, Sebastian smiled at him. "Ssshhh. Look, Dave, it's Friday night. I don't have plans. I can take you wherever you need to be. But considering you're playing the part of a popsicle right now, I just thought I'd invite you back to my dorm room. Dalton's not gonna care if I have a friend over for the weekend."

He drove from memory, wending his way back towards the entrance to the freeway that would take him back to Westerville. Sebastian rubbed his thumb over Dave's knuckles and said softly, "And if you feel up to talking about what made you call me, then I just want you to know that … that I can be a decent listener. It's something I'm working on. Being a better friend."

Tugging his hand away from Sebastian's, Dave pulled the wool blazer from his shoulders, sticking his arms through the sleeves so he was wearing it backwards before settling deeper into the seat. "Can I adjust the seat?" he asked.

"Of course," Sebastian said with a wave of his hand. "On the side."

Dave found the controls and slid the seat back to give him a little more leg room and then tilted it backwards just bit. "Sebastian? Thanks. Seriously. Thank you for coming to get me."

"You're welcome." Sebastian carefully merged on the freeway, staying in the slower lane of traffic. Seeing Dave's hand resting on his knee, Sebastian reached back over and took it, resting their intertwined fingers on the center console. "I'm … I'm surprised you called me. Happy, though."

Dave's lips pressed together as he considered his words. "I needed a friend. You said you were interested in being my friend. In a second chance." A series of images flashed through Dave's brain – the night at Scandals that Sebastian had told him he was better off in the closet; the afternoon Sebastian stopped by his hospital room, asking for forgiveness; the few times Sebastian had come over to hang out at Dave's house.

"I remember," Sebastian's voice was tight.

Squeezing Sebastian's hand softly, Dave shrugged in the darkness. "My mom doesn't know we're friends and I need to I figure some things out. Without her tracking me down." The tension Dave was feeling was palpable.

"David?"

Propping his elbow up on the window edge, Dave leaned his head into the palm of his hand. "I was leaving to go to my psych appointment. The mail was there – so I grab it and realize that … that there's this big envelope. My diploma."

"Your diploma? But it isn't even May, yet."

"Yeah. Um, the district let me take finals early. So I don't have to go back. Anyway, I went back inside to tell my mom – and she was talking on the phone to that conversion group – the one she's been pressuring me to join so they can convince me I'm not gay." Dave stopped to clear his throat. "I heard her say I'd be home in an hour and they could pick me up then. Pick me up, Sebastian." Dave tightened his hold on Sebastian's hand.

"I turn 18 in less than two weeks. She's fucking given them permission to take me away to some lock-down facility while I'm still a minor. I'm done with school. No one would know I was gone. Fuck knows what she told my dad." Swiping at the tears that were slipping down his cheeks, Dave tried his hardest to not turning into some blubbering mess.

Sebastian inhaled through his nose, unsure of exactly what to say to that. Off in the distance he saw the glowing lights of fast food restaurants beckoning to him. Signaling, he took the exit ramp and pulled into the closest drive thru, ordering coffee for himself and Dave. "I'd like a large handful of those creamers and a bunch of sugar packets, thank you."

After he'd paid and received the coffee, Sebastian pulled into a parking space at the far end of the parking lot and shut of the engine. Popping the lid off of his cup, he went about making his coffee the proper color and sweetness. Seeing Dave just staring at him, he raised an eyebrow. "How do you take your coffee?"

"I … I don't. I don't know," Dave admitted nervously.

Sebastian held his cup out to Dave. "Here. Try mine." He watched as Dave inhaled the aroma of the cheap, crappy fast food coffee he'd doctored up as best he could.

"It's … okay, I guess."

Sebastian snorted. "It's hot, anyway. Keep that one. On tomorrow's agenda – introduce David to a decent cup of coffee. Your life will never be the same. And every time your lips brush against a warm ceramic mug of dark, caffeine infused goodness – you'll think of me and smile."

Chuckling, Dave sipped at the scalding liquid, beginning to feel warmth seep through his body. "So you're sure it's not a problem for me to crash with you?"

Twisting in his seat, Sebastian rested the cup of coffee on his knee and looked directly into Dave's eyes. "David … even if I were still that drunk asshole you were flirting with at Scandals, there is no way in hell I would let you go home. Fuck, no. You're welcome to crash with me as long as you need to. Period. We'll figure this out."

Biting his lower lip, Dave felt a little better at the absolute confidence in Sebastian's voice. "Okay." Giving Sebastian a shy smile, Dave insisted, "I wasn't flirting with you."

Leaning forward, Sebastian cupped his hand around the back of Dave's neck, pulling him closer until their noses were brushing. "How do you get a guy to like you?" he whispered, parroting Dave's words from that night back at him. "You give him a second chance to earn your friendship and trust. You trust him enough to call him when you need help. You help him with his trig homework when he calls you late at night in a panic."

Dave's mouth went dry, and he began to tremble again – but not because he was cold. "Bast," he groaned, trying to tug away.

Sebastian traced Dave's lips with his index finger, then brought their foreheads together. "I get it, David. Don't pull away from me. Please. I get there's a huge leap between accepting that you're gay and acting on it. I'll be here when you're ready."

With that said, he brushed his lips against Dave's forehead and started the car back up, driving away from the bright neon lights of the fast food restaurants. Ten minutes later, after he'd long since drunk his coffee, Sebastian smiled as he felt Dave's hand brush against his. After the third 'accidental' brush of their fingers, Dave must have finally worked up enough courage – because he finally took Sebastian's hand in his own.

When Sebastian looked over, Dave's eyes were shut, his head resting against the glass window. Considering he was having a difficult time keeping the grin off his face, Sebastian thought this was just fine.