Valentine's Day
"I really need this tonight. Just food and a movie. The week was horrible", Sam moaned while he lay on Blaine's bed and talked to the boy in the bathroom. The door was left ajar and he heard water from the sink running.
"Three tests in one week is really too much", Blaine confirmed with a loud voice. The water stopped and he came out of the bathroom, rubbing his hair with a towel.
"But the worst was today. It's… I just want to forget all about it."
Sam nodded. He had never cared very much for Valentine's Day. If today the school's halls hadn't been decorated with like two billion hearts and roses and stuff he'd totally forgotten about it. And since he didn't have a girlfriend he didn't have to think about it. Blaine on the other hand was reminded of how his ex-boyfriend, well, was not his boyfriend anymore. Apparently they had done cliché romantic stuff just like any other kitsch loving couple.
"We'll be seeing a rerun of X-Men so don't worry", he commended.
"Yes. Forget all about romance and love and this shit. Actually, I want to forget it for the rest of the year. I don't need it."
"You can try." Sam puckered his lips and watched the ceiling. He wanted romance. Not because of a special day in the year, just because he loved love.
When Blaine was ready gelling half an hour later (Sam had started to throw things like tissues or pillows at him to remind Blaine they still had plans tonight) they got into his car and drove to Breadstix. They hadn't even talked about it, it was what they did on Fridays before the movie started. They had this routine and to others it might sound boring but Sam needed it. It was something steady and reassuring in this hectic life, and Blaine had never complained until now, so what.
But while going along with their routine without actually thinking about it usually worked for them tonight it turned out fatal.
As soon as they entered Blaine froze in shock and Sam, too, was surprised. But just how stupid were they? Of course today there would be red and pink confetti, hearts hanging from the ceiling and red roses on every table. Every couple from their school ever was here. Artie and Kitty sitting in a corner, then there were Jake and Brie at the window, not to mention Marley and Ryder right in the middle of the restaurant.
"Welcome! You are so lucky, just ten minutes ago a table got free!" A waitress (with a red rose in her hair) appeared in front of them.
Sam recovered from his shock and turned his head slightly to Blaine while not taking his eyes off of the big fat chocolate fountain only a few feet away.
"We can still go somewhere else", he said.
Blaine sighed. "Every restaurant will be like that. And crowded like hell, too. Oh man!" He frowned at the surroundings and then nodded at the waitress. "We'll take it."
"Dude, I… I'm sorry but…" Sam went to the chocolate fountain and took a plate. Strawberries, bananas, pine apples, figs, dates and even chocolate were spread out to be ready to be dipped in chocolate. Sam took white chocolate and dipped it in black chocolate.
"You know what, I don't think Valentine's Day is that bad", he said when Blaine stepped next to him.
"How can you still look so grumpy, look at it!" Sam took a strawberry, dipped it and held it to Blaine. "It's heaven on earth! Come on, come ooon!"
Finally a little smile appeared on Blaine's face. "Well. I guess as long as I'm here with you it's okay."
"That's the spirit!"
Blaine took the strawberry and bit into it. His mouth got all chocolaty and Sam grinned.
"Excuse me, I need to seat you know if you want to stay", the waitress said. "There are pretty many requests tonight."
Sam quickly grabbed some more fruits and then followed her. Blaine walked next to him, looking at the people who were here.
"Blaine, you should wipe your mouth."
"Shit." Blaine held both of his hands in front of it. "I need a napkin."
As soon as they sat he took the napkin lying at his place and wiped his mouth. Meanwhile Sam caught Marley's look and greeted her with a nod. She just stared and said something to Ryder, who turned around with a frown.
"And because it's a special occasion… here you go!" The waitress came back out of nothing and put a giant mug with hot chocolate on it on the table. Marshmallows drifting on it, strawberry slices on the brim and two neon red straws with puffy hearts stood in it.
"You mean it's for free?" Sam asked. "Oh, wow!"
"Uhm, but…"
"I get you the menu." The waitress smiled brightly and went away.
"Don't look gift horses into the mouth, Blaine", Sam said. "But if you don't want it I think I can handle this."
"No way I let you have all for yourself!"
Blaine took one of the straws, bowed forward and sucked on it. Sam would've grinned but he was busy doing the same so Blaine wouldn't drink all of the milk.
"Oh", Blaine said somewhat pained and vaguely waved to someone. Sam turned around and saw that Kitty and Artie both looked at them. Sam grinned and waved more enthusiastic than Blaine. After all they were there friends, right?
"Here you go! We have two Valentine's Specials today, just look at the separate menu, here." The waitress opened the menu and pointed to a paper lying in there. Sam took it and read the suggestions. Dinner For Two, Menu One: Lobster, salad and for dessert figs with vanilla sauce. Menu Two: Beef, fries and for dessert Crème Brulee.
"Dude, we're going to take Number Two, right?"
Blaine took his time studying the extra menu and the usual one. Eventually he nodded.
"I can do that. Although figs with vanilla sauce doesn't sound too bad, too."
Sam took another look. "But lobster…?"
His phone buzzed. Sam lay the menu down and read the text – from Ryder. Since when?
What? Sam frowned at the brunette boy but he didn't look.
"No, it's okay, we'll take Number Two", Blaine said. He laid down the menu and leaned back, taking a deep breath.
"You know, this isn't as bad as I had thought. Don't eat too much chocolate before the actual meal."
Sam didn't stop from eating the chocolaty banana while holding Blaine's eyes.
"You're such a dork."
"I'm cute, admit it."
Blaine laughed and let his eyes wander around again. Sam wondered what had become of Blaine's crush on him. It had been a few months since they talked about it and he had tried to get Kurt back in between but that hadn't worked.
The ordered food and drinks. Blaine couldn't drink because he was driving but Sam had decided a glass of wine would fit the occasion.
They were just talking about bunnies when Kitty and Artie passed them on their way out. Kitty had a red rose in her hair and wore a red coat, very cliché.
"I'm neither confused nor surprised but I would have appreciated if you had said something", Artie said without any greeting.
"Don't listen to him", Kitty said while she laid a hand on Artie's shoulder. "I for one think you're cute together. And that it's your business when to come out."
She winked and they went on, leaving Sam and Blaine slightly confused. Their eyes followed their friends until they were outside and then they looked at each other.
"Uhm, what?" Sam said.
Blaine held his hands in front of his face.
"Oh God, they think we're on a date!"
"Oh." Now that Sam though about it people would have any reason to think it. The mug with the two hearty straws still stood between them, the roses on the table, the fact they were here on Valentine's Day…
"Shit. We're so on a date", he mumbled to himself, staring at the table. He never had been on a date with another boy before. His heart performed a few loops before Sam could breathe normally again. Okay, Evans, okay. You can handle this.
"Does that mean you're paying?" Blaine asked.
"Huh, I, what? You're the actual gay one, you pay."
"That makes no sense whatsoever."
"Damn. It was worth a try."
Blaine laughed. Entertaining your date: check.
Their food came but Sam's appetite had somehow vanished. He ate nonetheless, not sure what to do with the sudden excitement in his guts. It was all just fun and pretend; they weren't on a real date. Why would Sam even want this? Was he that desperate for some romance in his life? Or maybe it was the atmosphere, yeah, that's gotta be it.
"Forgive me the interruption but I have to say you're so brave." An older woman came to their table. Sam looked up in confusion. He was brave?
"I always say the gays should get out more, be on the streets and not let anyone tell them different. You are such a good role model."
"Uhm… thanks?" Sam said.
"'The gays'?" Blaine frowned when she was out of ear shot.
"She meant it nice, Blaine."
"So what's worse now, that strangers think we are a couple or that our friends think it? I'd say the latter because what the hell? They should know us."
Sam shrugged. Should he comment on it or not? No. Yes? Well…
"Guess they realised who you really sang that Phil Collins song for back during Guilty Pleasure week."
"Oh. Yeah."
"So… uhm…"
Blaine stopped eating and narrowed his eyes at Sam.
"What?"
Shit, he shouldn't have started it. But he needed to know and since Blaine already suspected something Sam might as well embarrass himself now.
"I was wondering if you're still… uuuuuh."
Blaine ripped open his eyes. "You can't seriously be asking me what I think you're asking me."
"But I need to know. Do you still have a crush… on…?"
Blaine blankly stared at him for a few moments. Then he leaned forwards.
"Why?"
"God damn it, Blaine, just answer the question!"
Blaine continued his blank look, leaned back and picked up eating again.
This wasn't funny! Sam frowned at his friend, his fingers tensing around the cutlery. What was so hard about it, yes or no!? Simple, wasn't it?
"I said I won't let it come between us and I'm keeping to it", Blaine eventually muttered with his eyes on the fries on his plate.
Sam couldn't control the hand that rushed to his mouth but at least it stopped him from making any noises. Blaine was too busy torturing his already dead beef so he didn't notice Sam staring at him. Wow, how could Blaine have kept it a secret again? They spent so much time together but he never behaved weird or especially loving. Though it wouldn't hurt him to do the latter.
Maybe the silence was too long. Blaine carefully lifted his eyes and checked Sam's reaction. He immediately frowned as he saw it.
"I'm sorry but you wanted to know."
"I'm… I know. And I'm the one who should be sorry, Blaine. It's okay."
Sam laid his fork down and extended his arm to lay his hand on Blaine's. It was warm, soft and weirdly good.
"What should you be sorry for? Being handsome?" Blaine blushed even more and looked at his plate again.
"Yes, I'm too handsome and too sexy, I know. But that's not even the problem. I'm sorry I forgot all about it."
"It's not… it doesn't matter anyway." Blaine pulled his hand back.
Sam pouted. "Why?"
"Because you're straight and will never love me back!" Blaine said with a somewhat too loud voice.
Sam leaned back in shock, while some heads turned to them. Blaine ignored them. He kept on eating aggressively until everybody looked away again. Sam picked up eating, too. He hated the heavy silence laying on them but he didn't know what to say. He didn't even know what to think. He liked that Blaine liked him, always had. It left a warm afterglow in his chest that he couldn't quite explain. If it would've been just about love he'd say sure, he loved Blaine. But it was also about sexual stuff and Sam wasn't so sure about that. Intimacy, okay. He loved to be close to Blaine. But, you know… kissing him?
Was it worth a try?
But if Sam didn't like it he'd hurt Blaine with it. He couldn't do that, he wouldn't.
Still, somehow he…
"What about a platonic Valentine's Date then?" he quietly said. He didn't know whether to comfort Blaine or something else.
"No, Sam, don't. Just… Let's just get back to our normal way of being, okay?"
Sam nodded. He pursed his lips and looked at his plate. But he wasn't hungry anymore. Stupid beef anyway. Lobster would have been better. He still had the plate with chocolate and fruits so Sam ate from that without really tasting it. Stupid Valentine's Day.
"Don't you like the beef?" Blaine asked after a few minutes. Sam shook his head.
"Do you want to order something else then?"
Sam shook his head. Blaine looked at him questioningly but Sam let his eyes wander to Ryder and Marley. Wait a minute, Ryder's text made more sense now. Sam pulled out his phone and texted back Blaine and I are not together. Just accidentally here.
He put a sad smiley at the end but erased it before hitting 'send'.
Oh, Sorry then.
Sam distorted his face. What, no insisting on how Ryder had always thought they were so in love? Sam briefly glanced at Blaine and then wrote another text. Suddenly it was the most urgent thing to text Ryder, to tell someone about what had happened because Blaine wouldn't understand anything.
I asked him to be my date u know but he didn't want to.
Sam looked at his phone until the screen lightened up with the answer.
He's still here with u isn't he?
Just because we'll go watch an action movie afterwards.
"Sam, uhm, are you mad at me now? I shouldn't have told you, right?" Blaine sighed.
"I'm just… not in a good mood. It's got nothing to do with you."
"Uh, sure."
watch a love movie then.
Sam stared at the screen. Of course. Yes. That was the solution to everything!
Sam put his phone away and cleared his throat. Could they go to the movies like now, please?
"But you'll still eat dessert, right?" Blaine asked.
"I had so much chocolate already…" Sam put a hand on his stomach. It was true, he was full.
Blaine rolled his eyes. "I told you."
Sam pulled a face. But he was glad they were talking, silence wasn't really nice.
And then finally they went to the cinema. Sam wondered how he should do it. Tell Blaine X-Men had been sold out? But they had reserved tickets, huh. And maybe he'd better ask Blaine, anyway? But what if he said no again?
"I'm going to get snacks already, okay?" Blaine pulled out his wallet. Sam had to speak now or forever be silent. Or something like that.
"Blaine, I… uhm… look."
Blaine got out twenty dollars and pressed it into Sam's hand. He closed his fingers around it and also around Blaine's hand to keep him from running off.
"I want to see another movie."
"Wait, what? Really? But X-Men…?"
"The atmosphere in the restaurant made me all… chick-flick, you know?"
"It made you chick-flick?" Blaine frowned. Sam let go of his hand since it was getting awkward and also caused strange hot rushes in his body.
"I'm in the mood for a chick-flick."
"Oh. Well… Okay? What movie then?"
"How about…" Sam glanced at the board. "Endless Love?"
Blaine looked at him as if he thought he hadn't heard right. Sam tried to keep up a smile until Blaine eventually shrugged.
"Whatever. But snacks as usual…?"
"Yes!"
Sam had no reason to stop grinning as he went to buy the tickets.
"Do you want to buy the Valentine's Special?" the woman on the counter asked without looking up from her screen. "It's two tickets for 'Endless Love' plus two glasses of champagne, seats on a couch and pralines."
"How much is it?"
"Nineteen ninety."
"I take it!"
Now he only had to find a way to explain to Blaine why he had only ten cent drawback instead of five dollar. But he figured the couch seats justified everything.
"It was a special offer and I needed to buy it", Sam said. "With it came chocolate."
"Sam, don't you think you had enough candy for tonight? I mean… here, eat some Nachos."
When they entered the movie hall and showed their tickets to the control guy he waved them to the bar where the sales woman put two glasses of champagne on the counter, along with a hearty box of Cadbury pralines. Then the seating guy guided them to the sofa. Sam carefully sat down on it while sipping on his champagne. Blaine took a sip from his, too, and then put it into the drink holder on the site.
"You can drink one glass, can't you?" Sam asked.
"I'd rather not."
"I support your responsibility but at least charge your glass with me?"
"Yeah, that I can do." Blaine took the glass and raised it. "Here's to tonight."
"Here's to us."
Blaine smiled. Good. Ha, if he only knew this was a date.
Sam started eating the pralines when the commercials began and hoped for the cliché meeting of hands when Blaine also took some. But it didn't happen. Eventually the box was empty and the movie started. Sam felt a little sick from all those chocolates but he tried to ignore it. A few minutes in the movie he yawned, stretched his arms and laid it on the rest behind Blaine. Old tricks still were the best.
And it only took another half an hour until Blaine glided further down on the sofa. His head meet Sam's arm and he turned to glance at it. Then he glided closer and laid his head on Sam's shoulder while Sam let his arm finally rest on Blaine for real. He put his nose against Blaine's hair (he smelled super great) and drew little circles on his arm with his fingertips.
Now, okay. This was great. Blaine sure heard how fast Sam's heart was beating right now but Sam didn't care. But what was he doing, rationally speaking? Was he… coming on to Blaine? If they kissed would it taste like Blaine's scent? And how would it feel? Smooth, silky, wet…
"Do you like the movie?" Sam whispered. Blaine hummed in response.
"Me, too."
Blaine moved his head to look up at Sam.
"Is this a pity date, Sam?"
"No, dude! It's not… It certainly isn't pity what I'm feeling." Sam said the last sentence under his breath but Blaine heard it nonetheless.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Sam gulped and started at the screen. Damn, not very smooth. He should do something. He never knew how to talk about things but he could get in action, right?
Blaine still looked at him, and it was so easy to lean to him and press their mouths together. Blaine made a surprised sound while Sam couldn't believe he did this. It was stupid, it was a dumb move, it was weird. It also ended very quickly because Blaine pushed him back.
"What the hell?"
"I'm sorry."
Sam took back his arm, took some cold Nachos and ate them, all while looking at the screen again. He didn't see what was happening in the movie, though. Blood rushed through his ears and whole body and he was glad it was dark so Blaine couldn't see him blushing.
"You're… sorry? You can't just… what? Why?"
Sam preferred to not answer that. Blaine's lips on his, they still were there. It tingled like crazy. And this wasn't fun. It was serious shit. What on earth had Sam thought he was doing? It's not a game, they weren't two kids who were messing around to discover themselves. Romance was a serious business and people could get hurt easily. In fact, it was inevitable that somebody got hurt.
"Sam?"
Even if Sam had wanted to say something he couldn't break his trance of staring at the screen. The people on it were blurry and Sam blinked to clear up his view. Two little drops rolled over his cheek and he quickly wiped them away.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm not mad", Blaine whispered. He stroked over Sam's lower arm and Sam nodded. But nothing felt right. The love scenes in the movie made him look away awkwardly and he hoped Blaine didn't notice it. But the most horrible moment was when the lights went on and everybody started to walk out. Sam didn't dare to look at Blaine so he very slowly gathered his litter together. Luckily Blaine did the same with his and got up to throw it into the bin at the exit. Sam followed him, ignored the staff and hoped no one could see he had cried.
Walking out of the cinema Sam put his hands into his pockets and breathed in the fresh air. He didn't really know what was going on but he knew he wanted to cry. This evening had started as fun and now…
They didn't talk until they were on the road. Sam stared out of the front window, at all those red lights in the night.
"So, I'm taking you home now?" Blaine asked.
Sam shrugged.
"Or do you want to come to my place and end the night with tea? I mean we could drink hot chocolate but I for one had enough chocolate for a whole month tonight."
Sam looked at his fingers. "I'd rather go home."
"Okay."
A few more moments of silence followed, then Blaine threw a side glance at Sam.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Sam inhaled deeply. Yes, he did. But with Blaine, who was the cause of everything? Then again with whom should he talk if not Blaine?
"I'm just… I don't know", Sam whispered while still looking at his fingers. "In Breadstix I thought it was a great idea if it was a date. But then you declined and everything got so…" Sam looked out of the window and gulped.
"Serious. That's why I wanted to watch a love movie. But when I… I'm still sorry, Blaine."
"Don't think about it now, just talk."
"Well, I didn't know what drove me. I couldn't express what I was thinking because I didn't know it myself. I'm just silly and thought it was worth a try but now I hurt you and I can't bear that."
"I'm not hurt."
"You don't have to lie. I can hear your heart breaking right now."
"Sam…" Blaine sighed. They arrived at Sam's house and parked at the side of the road but Sam didn't get out.
"Are you sure it's not your own heart you hear breaking?"
Sam finally looked at Blaine and frowned.
"What?"
"You said everything got serious when I didn't want it to be a date?"
"Yeah." Sam shrugged again. That had been the moment after disaster had taken its course.
"Well, why? Where you disappointed?"
Sam nodded and Blaine took a deep breath.
"Listen, Sam, I… it came out of nothing, that's why I pushed you back. It doesn't mean I don't want to kiss you."
"I hurt you."
"You surprised me."
"I'm sorry."
Blaine held Sam's eyes. "You wanna try it again?"
"Wh…" Sam left his mouth open and stared at his best friend. Somebody had switched off the time, too. And any bodily movements Sam had been able to do just a moment ago.
"Here?" he eventually croaked.
Blaine nodded. "Yes, because you can run off afterwards if you freak out."
"I wouldn't… freak out."
"Okay."
They looked at each other for what felt like three hours and Sam still couldn't move. He didn't know if he wanted it in the car. Or at all. He could just go home and hide in his bed and never come out again. That sounded reasonable, yeah.
Blaine could move, though. He slightly leaned forward, buried his fingers in Sam's jacket and gently tugged on it. Sam gave in. If he hadn't had to decide things it was easier. He put his hand on Blaine's neck and looked at his lips. While he was thinking about how and when his body now moved too much and kept leaning forward. Suddenly he tasted Blaine's lips. For a few seconds he didn't do anything, just realised the feeling of them on his mouth. Then Blaine pushed against him and Sam returned it. He had to gulp pretty hard but it worked. One thing was sure, Blaine tasted better than chocolate (although slightly like it, too).
"Now…" Blaine whispered when he leaned back, eyes still half closed. "Freak out."
"I'll freak out, alright", Sam said. He pulled Blaine to him again and repeated the whole action because it had been way too short.
A shudder went through Blaine's body, along with a moan. His fingers let go of Sam's jacket and moved to his chest, gently caressing it.
"Say stop when I'm going to far", Blaine said.
"You're talking too much."
Blaine giggled. Sam grinned, let his hand wander up and cupped Blaine's face. He dragged the end out as long as he possibly could and when they stopped, he leaned his head against the seat, let his eyes stay closed and tried to catch his breath. Wow, okay, this was what making out with Blaine felt like. He wanted more of it but there also was a side in Sam that now actually started to freak out. He would deal with it later, not now, because then Blaine would think Sam hadn't liked it.
"Okay", Blaine gasped. "Okay."
"Did I make you speechless?"
"You sure did."
Blaine carefully met Sam's eyes. A few seconds passed in that Sam didn't know anything anymore. Yes, this was his best friend. But also a cute boy who was a good kisser and made Sam's stomach perform a few loops.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Sammy."
"You, too."
It felt weird to wave goodbye after they had just kissed but it was what Sam did when he exited the car. He walked into the house and into his bedroom like in trance. Had this just happened or was he dreaming? Oh, he had forgotten to ask Blaine something so he sent him a text.
So was it a date now?
The answer came just before Sam went to bed.
You bet it was.
Yay, success. Sam grinned about it until he fell asleep, not aware that he had forgotten to freak out.
The end