Dave's calculating, introverted brain couldn't figure something out.

Why is Sebastian giving me the time of day?

Dave was busy closing up the cotton candy stand. The sun was almost set and the carnival was emptying out for the night. Cloudless skies opened up to Dave's questions but he received no answers. The heat and the humidity had taken its toll on Dave's hydration levels, but years of football taught him how to rehydrate lickety-split.

But he couldn't stop thinking about the beautiful blonde boy earlier that day. As he was counting cash in his register, Dave couldn't help remembering how thoughtful Sebastian was…

.

…."No, Carolyn." Sebastian slowly, autocratically began, "You can't have any more soda." He took the Styrofoam cup out of her hands and tossed it in the trash can, missing completely with an "air ball." He chuckled and started to get up to throw it away properly, when Dave waved him back down.

Dave smiled as he got up, picked up the empty cup, and threw it in the trashcan. Returning to the bench, Sebastian looked up with those gregarious green eyes and smiled. Dave felt wanted then and badly needed that at that time in his life. Who doesn't want to be wanted?

God, Sebastian's hot, thought Dave.

Dave sat down as Carolyn whined. But it suddenly dawned on him that she was in the distance. He was still staring into Sebastian's eyes. There was no doubt there was a spark there and Sebastian was interested.

However, this was Sebastian Smythe we were talking about here. Dave quickly looked away making Sebastian slightly confused. Dave decided to approach this attraction to Sebastian head on.

"Sebastian," Dave began carefully.

"Hmm?" Sebastian replied.

Dave took a moment before he finally looked at Sebastian. Sebastian had a calm, inviting expression that appeared uncharacteristic. But Dave had to know.

"What are you doing?" Dave asked.

Sebastian looked even more confused.

"Ummm, what do you mean?" Sebastian asked, brow furrowed.

"Well…." Dave stumbled on his next words. "The only other time I ever really talked to you was that time at the jukebox at Scandals."

Sebastian winced a little, looking away.

"I remember." Sebastian quietly said.

"You weren't particularly kind…."

"I know."

Silence. Tension. A whiny girl. This was a bad combination that had to end as quickly as it began. But the awkwardness of the moment lingered. The boys hated it but weren't quite sure how to proceed.

Around them, the carnival was in full swing. It was almost 3:30 in the afternoon and the sun was rotating in the other direction, sending harsh light to their backs. Sebastian fiddled with a napkin while Dave impatiently waited for something, anything to say or do. But, he was stumped. He'd never been put in this position before.

"I'm sorry."

Dave looked up and saw Sebastian looking down at his hands. The napkin had been torn to shreds by this point, falling piece by piece to the blacktop. Dave noticed Sebastian's profile – the way Sebastian's throat seemed so small and vulnerable. He was slumped on the bench, his back resting against the table. Sebastian simply looked… defeated.

Dave looked down.

"For?" Dave asked.

Sebastian said nothing. Dave waited, but his patience was wearing thin. More silence. Annoyed, Dave suddenly got up.

"My break's over." Dave coldly announced. He took one step towards his stand when he felt a hand brush across his wrist.

Dave stopped. It was the first time any man had ever sought him out before. It was also the first time a man touched him that wasn't family or an awkward fist bump. He looked down at his wrist where Sebastian momentarily touched him as if he'd never seen his own wrist before. Then, he turned to look at Sebastian.

Devastation. That was the word that came to Dave's mind when he saw Sebastian's eyes. Instantly, sympathy won over.

"What's going on, Sebastian?" Dave exasperatedly asked.

"I….."

Dave shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable. He watched the guilt-ridden boy struggle. And, he didn't know what to think. But Dave's break was over and he had to go back to work. An idea struck him.

"Sebastian, do you want to go somewhere and…talk sometime?" Dave gingerly asked.

Several emotions passed over Sebastian's face then. Finally, surprise won out.

"I've never been asked out before…." Sebastian quietly replied. His green eyes stared at Dave in wonder. But he was on unfamiliar territory here and didn't know how to handle this. He became instantly awkward.

"I mean, nobody's ever wanted to talk with me before. I mean, I've never been…" Sebastian stopped. Dave merely watched him, waiting. He decided to take the bull by the horns. Sebastian was clearly struggling and had more to say but couldn't – at the moment.

"Meet me" Dave confidently began, "at the Lima Bean tomorrow morning around 10AM. I start work at noon. We can…talk. Catch up, so to speak."

When Sebastian simply nodded, Dave nodded in return, turned and walked back to the cotton candy stand. Dave didn't even notice the little smile on Sebastian's face.

.

As he was nearing the carnival's exit, Sebastian patiently smiled down to Carolyn.

"Carolyn?"

Carolyn lazily looked up at her big brother. "Yeah?" she replied, tiredly.

"You can sleep in the car on the way home, but hold on to my hand tight, OK?" Sebastian said reassuredly.

"OK." Carolyn quietly replied.

The two walked through the exit and strolled through the parking lot, hand-in-hand. He couldn't help but wonder what exactly happened to him with Dave that day. He'd never felt so awkward before and didn't know why. Of course, he felt guilty about how he treated Dave over the course of last year, and welcomed the opportunity to try to make things right. He had insulted and offended Dave, with his usual, snarky attitude. But this remorse wasn't something Sebastian was used to. All too often, Sebastian Smythe was all about fulfilling his needs – how can I get a free drink?, how can I get laid tonight?, who could I get to finish my term paper?

Sebastian briefly smiled and then quickly frowned. The rich kid reached his car with Carolyn in tow. Unlocking the car, he opened the back door to get his cute little sister situated in the back seat, snapping the seat belt. As he shut the door, he thought he saw Carolyn's eyes shut.

Standing outside his car, Sebastian took a moment to breathe in the muggy summer air. Darkness had settled over the landscape, only illuminated by parking lights and a crescent moon. A handful of people, leaving the carnival, were nearby as well. Sebastian inhaled and exhaled slowly, and then closed his eyes.

He was picturing the next day. He'd meet Dave at the Lima Bean. He'd be the guy that wasn't tongue-twisted and give Dave a proper apology. He'd stay away from flirting, if he could. Dave was very attractive, but acted like he didn't know it.

Sebastian smirked.

That just makes him hotter.
Yes, Sebastian vowed to do everything proper the next day. He and Dave deserved that.

.

"Well, um…."

Dave watched Sebastian struggle, again. Sebastian wriggled a little in his seat, one hand holding a macchiato and the other fidgeting on his lap. Dave eyed him with curiosity. For now, Dave's patience was holding up.

"You know, this was all clear in my head last night when I left the carnival. And now, well, it's all…."

"Mush?" Dave supplied.

Sebastian smirked. That was an image Dave would have to get used to. It was Sebastian's go to facial expression. It would take time for Dave to fully decipher all of Sebastian's idiosyncrasies.

But this might be worth it, Dave thought.

"Yes. Mush." Sebastian mused. "But that's hardly an excuse. I just want…no, I need to say….."

Irritated, Sebastian scratched his ear and then his jaw. Dave watched Sebastian's fingers grazing along that delicate jawline, and down that smooth throat, as if Sebastian were moving in slow motion. Dave quickly looked away, gathering himself. Who wouldn't be mesmerized by Sebastian? The boy was cute.

"OK, Sebastian," Dave congenially began, "I understand that you want to talk to me about the past. And, you want to apologize. Why don't we-"

"I'm sorry!" Sebastian suddenly blurted out.

Dave stopped. Sebastian suddenly looked awful. His pale skin was paler and his eyes had an almost pleading, child-like expression. Dave cocked his head to the side a little, waiting for Sebastian to continue.

But instead of talking, Sebastian turned in his seat and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. Dave watched the poor boy, watching the small back muscles twitch now and then. Again, Dave waited.

"I'm so sorry, Dave….." Sebastian whispered.

Dave bolted upright, trying his best to watch Sebastian's face. A tear gently coursed down Sebastian's face, landing on quivering lips. Dave was instantly sympathetic. He slowly reached over and gently grasped Sebastian's shoulder. But Sebastian pulled away.

"I don't deserve kindness…." Sebastian quietly said.

"Yes, you do." Dave replied, emphatically. "Everybody does."

When Dave pulled his arm back into his lap, Sebastian resumed sitting up, but stayed facing away from Dave. He was on such unfamiliar territory. But even a spoiled, snarky, sophisticated brat deserves his day of comeuppance.

"I was wrong." Sebastian said, a little stronger. "I hurt you and didn't have to."

"I know." Dave quietly said.

Sebastian placed his coffee back on the table, fingers lingering on the cup. Dave watched this suddenly vulnerable boy wipe a tear from his other eye. Dave couldn't stand it any longer.

Slowly, he placed his fingers over Sebastian's. But when Sebastian tried to pull away, Dave suddenly grasped his hands with a passionate firmness. Surprised and overpowered, Sebastian turned and saw the biggest, most sympathetic pair of hazel eyes he had ever seen. After all, Dave knew a thing or two about what it takes to forgive.

Sebastian lost it. Tears came flooding out of his eyes. Using his other hand, Sebastian covered his eyes while soft sobs fell from his shaking lips. He tried to pull his hand out of Dave's grasp again, but Dave held Sebastian's hand even tighter. Neither boy noticed that Sebastian's fingertips were turning white. Sebastian didn't seem to care.

This was the first time in quite a long time that anyone had shown Sebastian tenderness. He had no idea it would be David Karofsky across from him, allowing Sebastian to be…weak? Sebastian quickly shook his head in slight disgust.

"Maybe I should go." Sebastian quietly said.

"No." Dave firmly said, tightening his grip even further.

"Dave-"

"I said no."

"But Dave-"

"No!"

"My fingers!" Sebastian suddenly cried.

Horrified, Dave removed his hand. Instantly, Sebastian placed his other hand over his stinging fingers, caressing the pain away.

"Now I'm the sorry one, Sebastian." Dave said with a little laugh.

But Sebastian wasn't laughing or smiling. He simply looked terrible. Dave's little attempt at humor did absolutely nothing to reassure the blonde, sad boy.

Suddenly, Dave knew what could help.

"Thank you, Sebastian." Dave quietly, yet firmly said. "Thank you for your apology."

Sebastian painfully, slowly looked into Dave's eyes. Tears were still there, waiting for fall. But they didn't. Instead, a little smile crept on Sebastian's face. Dave noticed it didn't take too long before the Smythe Smirk reappeared.

.

The Lima Bean was experiencing the lunch rush. The summer always brought a larger-than-normal lunch crowd. Dave and Sebastian, after having talked for another half an hour, decided it was time to leave. After all, Dave had to get to work. Together, they strode out towards their cars – Sebastian's cute little black car, and Dave's Ford Ranger.

"If you want to come to the carni-"

"I'll be there." Sebastian interrupted, with a genuine smile. Dave preferred and loved these smiles from Sebastian most of all. The boyish good looks simply radiated and Dave couldn't and wouldn't take his eyes away. Dave smiled back, noticing Sebastian's eyes drifting down to his mouth. Smiles just broadened. God, it was great to be young and in…love?

No. Neither boy was in love. But avenues had a way of being explored and the future hadn't been discussed. No. This was an apology "date", and they both knew it.

"Looking forward to it." Dave said, now grinning.

Sebastian was so happy! He took a chance.

He winked.

Dave's eyes widened. Nobody had ever done that to him before. Dave's smile was hurting his face – and he could've cared less.

Dave winked back.

.