"Is that so, bear cub?" asked Sebastian, with an ornery smile.
Dave and Sebastian were at Scandals the very next Saturday. Dave's first week and Sebastian's second week of school went by normally. Dave had a few cuts and bruises from his first football game of the season the night before, but they were nothing he couldn't handle. Playing right guard always has risks of bodily injury, but minor injuries were par for the course.
Dave and Sebastian were sitting at a table near the pool table. Dave mused that this was the area he initially wanted to have his impromptu conversation with Sebastian the previous Saturday. Both boys were drinking beer and having a good time.
Dave couldn't help but take in Sebastian. He was dressed in a white, short-sleeved, button-up, linen shirt that was buttoned all the way up. Pretty conservative for him. He wore bright red cotton cargo shorts that fell just below his knee caps, giving Dave another excellent view of his tight, hairless calves. Hmmmm.
Sebastian was also checking out his bear cub. Dave was wearing a green t-shirt that fit him well. He found his eyes occasionally drifting to Dave's round and developed shoulders and bulging pecs. Oddly enough, Sebastian didn't notice what shorts or jeans Dave was wearing. Evidently, Dave's chest was just too much to ignore. Imagine that.
"Yes," Dave answered, "and I want you on your best behavior."
"Of course, Dave", said Sebastian with a little smile on his face.
Dave half-heartedly glared at Sebastian until he finally gave Dave more information to go on. Dave's "glare" insisted on more elaboration from Sebastian.
"I'm being honest!" exclaimed Sebastian.
Dave didn't hold back his little glare. Sebastian decided this was the moment to be more serious and gain trust. He liked Dave and wanted to be liked back. Who doesn't?
"OK, here's the truth", began Sebastian, "I don't hate Kurt. Of course, I really, really liked Blaine…for a while."
Sebastian looked away for a second before returning his gaze to Dave's inquiring and beautiful hazel eyes.
"I wasn't lying in my little rant last weekend."
Dave momentarily looked confused and before he could ask a question, Sebastian promptly provided more information.
"I'm tired of being hated." Sebastian simply said.
Dave watched Sebastian. Dave noticed the way the swirling colored lights at Scandals seemed to dance through and sometimes off Sebastian's green eyes. His high cheek bones accentuated his thin face and made him seem even younger than his eighteen year old self really was. Dave found he couldn't take his eyes off him as he gulped some of his beer.
Dave beckoned Sebastian to continue.
"I'm trying, Dave," Sebastian said, earnestly. "I don't want to be the old Sebastian any more than you want to be Karofsky."
Dave hated that reference but allowed it to be used. The statement made perfect, albeit awkward, sense. A gamut of emotions would've bowled Dave over in the past, but months of self-acceptance pushed him past this. Dave allowed himself to be proud of this accomplishment.
"So," started Dave, whose eyes were still glued to Sebastian's, "can I ask you a question?"
Sebastian nodded.
"Why?"
Sebastian smirked. "I'm done being a jerk. I'm done being the one to be sneered at. I'm done being a slut. It sucks. I just don't….."
And that's when stronger emotions came through for the first time that night. Sebastian's trademark smirk gradually became a frown and Dave was mildly worried. Showing concern for Sebastian was definitely new territory for Dave or really anyone. I'm beginning to really like this guy, Dave thought.
"I just don't wanna be alone anymore." Sebastian finished, quietly.
Dave was astonished but tried his best not to show it. He simply nodded, not removing his eyes from Sebastian.
"I understand. Completely." Dave compassionately responded.
The smack of a pool rack blasting apart blasted their ears all of a sudden, causing their eyes to briefly move to the sound before pulling them back to each other. It was a standard night at Scandals – dancing, flirting, pool ball games, drunks, etc. They each glanced around the bar in that moment, letting their words sink in, before their eyes met again. Something was different between them and they were definitely thinking this when Dave suddenly spoke up.
"Another beer?" asked Dave.
"Not yet. I have to pace myself, bear cub, because I have to drive an hour and a half."
Dave was perplexed. "OK, I have to ask." Dave said.
"Shoot." Sebastian responded.
"Why come all the way to Lima when there are plenty of gay bars around Westerville?" Dave asked. I hope I have the correct answer.
Sebastian grinned. Dave noticed the way Sebastian's ears lifted slightly when he smiled and loved Sebastian's delicate jaw line and throat. Sebastian must've noticed where Dave's eyes roamed as Sebastian's grin turned into a beautiful, knowing smile. Dave blushed.
"Oh, there are several answers to that question, bear cub", began Sebastian, "most of which center around…" Sebastian faltered. Dave looked at him, concerned.
"Well, the old me loved the attention I got here. Down in the Westerville area, there are many guys my age in gay bars. Up here, there aren't as many. It's easy to pick up a guy here in Lima."
Dave frowned.
"Don't worry, big guy," said Sebastian, "those days are over. I mean, I come up here because those old habits are hard to break, including just getting attention."
At this statement, Sebastian widened his arms as if to say "hey guys, look at me!" Dave smirked and Sebastian lowered his arms.
"The other reason," said Sebastian, with a slightly softer, fonder tone, "is that I like the present company I keep."
Thought so.
"Well, thank you, Mr. Smythe." Dave replied.
"You're very welcome, Mr. Bear Cub. Uh, er, um, I mean Mr. Karofsky." Sebastian said with a little laugh. "And, of course, it is the truth."
Dave's smiled widened, followed very quickly by Sebastian's own smile. Dave raised his beer bottle and Sebastian clinked them together. They both took gulps of their beer. Dave glanced to his left at nothing really and when he looked back at Sebastian, he found that Sebastian's eyes never left Dave's.
Shyly, Sebastian looked away. God, he's cute. Those lips….
Companionable silence filled their area. Around them, normal bar life flowed. Dancers were giggling while dancing to that silly "It's Raining Men" song, while a ridiculous video played of a 1950s housewife boxing a punching bag.
There was a general feeling of happiness and contentment between the two boys. They were fast becoming friends and they both knew it. Dave's thoughts brought him back to a lovely quote from The Lost Language of Cranes, where one of the characters wrote that his partner was "doomed to happiness." I soooo could handle that.
It was still August. There would be one more Saturday in August and then it would be September along with slightly cooler nights. Air conditioning units kept the patrons cool, unless they were dancing. Outside, the air was muggy, polluted and uncomfortable. But inside the bar, and especially at Dave and Sebastian's table, the air was warm, clean, and comfortable.
"You know," began Sebastian,"I am going to get you on that dance floor someday."
Dave chuckled but didn't respond. In truth, Dave could dance and liked it very much. But dancing in this environment didn't interest him very much. Dancing at Scandals just seemed like an assembly line of flirting to him. And it was. But, of course, if the right person came along, Dave might be talked into dancing. It all depended on the company. Dave realized that he probably would get talked into dancing with Sebastian someday, but of course he wouldn't tell him that.
"When we meet with Kurt and Blaine, let's try our best to keep it civil." Dave said. "Let's try to put the past in the past, if we all are trying to keep it back there."
"Easier said than done, Dave." Sebastian responded. "Kurt and Blaine hate me and you're just starting to tolerate me. Are you sure they still don't see you as Karofsky?"
The comfortable air whooshed away and Dave was angry. He was closer to Kurt and Blaine than Sebastian currently was and Sebastian was clearly out of line.
"Listen meerkat, I owe my survival to Kurt, and Blaine has done nothing to me. If you truly want forgiveness, I suggest you keep the past where it is and stop being a stubborn little shit!", sneered Dave.
Sebastian was speechless. That was surprise in and of itself. The snarky side of Sebastian was hard to suppress and was surprised that David Karofsky of all people had just put him in his place.
Sebastian opened his mouth to speak but found no words. He looked away for a moment before trying his hand at a response.
"Meerkat?" asked Sebastian.
"Meerkat?" asked Dave. "Out of all of that, that's what you got out of that?"
"I know what a meerkat is, but why did you call me that?"
David laughed. "Don't you remember? It was Kurt's nickname for you."
"I don't remember. Then again, I made it a point not to remember too much of anything that little brat said."
"Watch it, Sebastian", warned Dave. "Kurt's very important to me and I won't see him hurt."
Sebastian knew he was in hot water and fast. It's a difficult thing to reinvent yourself when you've had such a strong, snippy personality for most of your life. But Sebastian had to try. He just had to.
"OK. I'm sorry Dave." Sebastian said peacefully. "I shouldn't have said those things about Kurt and Blaine. And, I will be on my best behavior next Saturday."
One of Dave's eyebrows rose in response.
"Honestly, Dave." Sebastian said pleasantly. "I'm trying to be a better person and it's, well…rough going. But I'm trying."
Dave regarded him for the time being. He knew all too well how easy it was to falter when trying to become a different, better person.
"Forgive me, bear cub?" Sebastian asked.
Dave's eyebrow returned to its normal place and he simply stared at Sebastian, reading his eyes and facial expression for any clues about The New Sebastian. He wasn't getting very much information, but reasoned that Sebastian is probably telling the truth, if he's going this far to apologize.
"OK." Dave said simply.
"Great! I knew I couldn't have my bear cub angry at me for too long. You're cuter when you're smili-" And that's when Sebastian cut himself off.
Dave, embarrassed, smiled and looked down at his folded hands.
Silence.
Sebastian looked anywhere but at Dave.
"I have to go." Sebastian said suddenly.
"What?" asked Dave incredulously.
"Um, yeah, it's a long drive to Westervi-"
"But it's only eleven o'clock!" Dave argued.
Sebastian fiddled with his beer bottle, left leg bouncing up and down nervously. He hated seeming weak and vulnerable, and this new territory was unnerving. He tried to look back at Dave but found his new-found, allegedly weaker self way too much to deal with.
"Stay." Dave softly said. He placed a hand over Sebastian's fingers that were fiddling with his beer bottle. Sebastian immediately stopped and calmed his body. He got the courage to look at Dave and was astonished at the open and sweet expression on Dave's face.
"O-OK, Dave." Sebastian said quietly.
Dave's hand remained in place for a few more seconds until he removed his hand, gently sliding along Sebastian's fingers all the way past the tips.
Sebastian watched the motion, eyes lingering on Dave's fingertips as they returned below the table and out of his sight, back on Dave's lap. His eyes again went back to Dave's eyes.
Oh the compassion in their eyes at that moment! No amount of lighting or alcohol could've properly illuminated the passion that exuded between them. They stared at and through each other's eyes. Gradually, they smiled at each other and sat comfortably in silence.
Easy silence and soft, short, and casual conversations flowed for a while. Patrons walked by, drunks bounded around, dancers wiggled their hips…and two boys found a new appreciation for each other, in honesty and passion. It couldn't have been a better night.
As the clock neared midnight, Dave knew Sebastian would have to go. And he was right.
"I have to leave, bear cub." Sebastian announced, a little sadly.
"I know." Dave replied simply.
They both got up at the same time and left Scandals and all their idiotic, drunken, flirty patrons. Exiting the bar, the muggy nighttime air invaded their lungs and as expected, Sebastian sneezed, followed by a quiet 'God bless you' from Dave. Both boys laughed at this, as this happened the previous weekend. And, as expected, they reached Sebastian's cute little black car first.
"Again," began Sebastian, "another wonderful night…with you."
"Ended too soon." Dave said numbly.
"I'll text you or call you soon and see you next Saturday?"
"OK."
And that's when they couldn't take their eyes off each other. The subtle awkwardness of the previous weekend was replaced by a ferocious tension. Eyes locked, searching for words and only finding unkissed lips.
It was Sebastian who moved first.
"Good night, bear cub." Sebastian said. Immediately after, he stepped up to Dave on his tip toes and placed a quick, soft, one-second kiss on Dave's lips. He pulled back, smiled a little, and turned to open his car door.
As soon as his car door was open, Dave stopped the door from shutting, by grabbing Sebastian's arm, turning him around, placing his big, beefy hands on either side of Sebastian's face and gently and firmly kissed him. The kiss lingered and was passionate.
Oh these lips. Oh Sebastian.
Dave slowly pulled back first.
"Good night, Seb." Dave whispered.
Sebastian smiled. He placed his hands over Dave's, gently removing them from his face. With a final wink, Sebastian turned, got in his car, pulled out of the parking lot and left for Westerville.
Dave watched the car leave the parking lot, leave North Street, leave Lima…..leave him. This time, Dave heaved a heavy, shuddery sigh and headed towards his truck.
Good night, Seb.