wow sorry this chapter is so short! i hope you enjoy it nonetheless, because i certainly enjoyed writing it. c:
Sebastian's eyes lit up when he pulled into the parking lot for the aquarium. He turned the car off, and turned to Dave, a huge smile on his face, "We're here!"
"You seem to be more excited than Sophie," said Dave, jutting his head towards the backseat. Sebastian followed his movement, and noticed that Sophie was asleep.
"Aw, how cute."
"Should we wake her up?" asked Dave.
"Well, we could do that, or take advantage of the time we have alone and make out a bit," offered Sebastian with a shrug.
"Okay, I'll wake her up, then" said Dave, as he took off his seatbelt, and stepped out of the car. Sebastian followed suit, and in the back, Sophie stirred, having been awoken by the sound of the car door slamming shut.
Dave opened the door to the backseat, and worked on getting Sophie out of her child seat.
"Davey," she said weakly, rubbing her eyes, and yawning.
Dave smiled, "Hey, kid. We're here."
"Do I get ice cream now?" asked Sophie as Dave picked her up out of the car.
The football player chuckled, and kissed her on the forehead, "Yes, sweetie."
Sebastian was immediately at Dave's side; he shut the car door, and locked the vehicle. Dave placed Sophie on the ground, and the little girl stood in the middle of the boys, taking each of their hands, and leading them towards the entrance of the aquarium.
"Three passes, please. Two adults and one child," said Sebastian to the woman at the entrance as he dug in his wallet for a couple of bills.
The woman smiled at him, and took the money, handing the Warbler three wristbands, and a pamphlet, containing information about the aquarium.
Sebastian turned back to Dave and Sophie who were patiently waiting by the gate. Sebastian noticed how Dave gave him a shy little smile as he approached the boy, and he was soon experiencing that familiar warm feeling in his stomach.
"Okay, we are set," said Sebastian as he snapped a blue band on Sophie wrist. He turned to Dave, and did the same for the football player, all really being an excuse to be able to touch him, even if it was just for a moment.
"Thanks," said Dave, giving Sebastian that smile again that he absolutely adored.
"No problem," replied the Warbler, as he put on his own wristband, and grabbed the pamphlet he was given out of his pocket.
He crouched down beside Sophie, and opened up the brochure, "So Soph, where do you want to go first?"
Sophie placed her index finger on her chin as her eyes scanned the map on the paper that Sebastian was holding, "Hmm, I wanna go... There!" she exclaimed as he pointed to the building marked as "SHARKS" on the small map.
"Excellent choice, my lady," said Sebastian, folding up the pamphlet as he stood up, "Dave, we're hitting up the sharks," he said as he turned to the football player.
Dave beamed at him, "Yes! I love me some sharks."
xxx.
Before actually going to the sharks exhibit, Sebastian and Dave lead Sophie down to a little ice cream booth that was placed in the concession area - right next to the gift shop and various small restaurants.
"All right, Soph what flavor do you want?" asked Sebastian.
"Cookies and cream!"
"Got it," he turned to Dave, "And you'll have strawberry?"
A slight blush crept upon Dave's cheeks, "I - yeah," he nodded, "How'd you know I wanted strawberry?"
Sebastian shrugged, "It's your favorite flavor. You told me."
"And you remembered that?" asked Dave.
The Warbler grinned, "Of course."
Dave couldn't help but smile. Sure, all Sebastian did was remember what his favorite flavor ice cream was, but it meant so much to Dave. It showed the football player that Sebastian actually remembered Dave's likes and interests, even if it was something as insignificant as his favorite flavor of ice cream. Sophie tugged on Dave's hand, breaking him from his mental fawning over Sebastian, and led him to one of the many tables that were placed in the area, while Sebastian was busy buying the ice cream.
"A cookies and cream ice cream for the lovely Sophie!" exclaimed Sebastian as he set a small cup of ice cream in front of the little girl, "And strawberry for the equally lovely, Dave."
"Thanks," said Dave as he grabbed his cup from Sebastian.
The Warbler took a seat next to Dave - a little too close than normal - with his own ice cream in hand, and they all dug in.
"How is it, Soph?" asked Sebastian.
"Yummy!" exclaimed the little girl, taking in another spoon full of ice cream. Her eyes trailed down to the boys' hands on the table. She noticed how close their hands were, and wondered why they didn't just hold hands. They both obviously wanted to, right?
"Soph? You okay?" asked Sebastian. The little girl looked like she was spacing out.
She shook her head slightly, "Yeah. I'm okay," she added a smile, and then returned to her ice cream.
Sebastian looked down at his hand, where Sophie was staring, and moved it down to his lap. No one said a word after that as the trio devoured their frozen deserts.
xxx.
After the sharks, the boys and Sophie headed towards the general fish exhibit. Sophie was extremely impressed by the wide array of fish. She would run towards the tanks, press her face against the glass, and let out an ooh or ahh every now and again being blown away by all the different colors, shapes, and sizes of fish.
Sophie had run ahead of Dave and Sebastian, but as the boys rounded the corner, they found that the little girl was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Sophie?" asked Sebastian, placing his hand on Dave's arm.
The football player scanned the area and noticed she was gone, "Oh, shit - Sophie!"
"Sophie!" shouted Sebastian, following Dave's lead.
They ran down the long hallway lined with various tanks of sea life. They noticed there was a corner, turned it, and they were soon walking down a new hallway. Dave let out a sigh of relief as he spotted Sophie down the hall with a lady. The boys jogged towards her, and the strange woman she was with.
"There you are, Soph," said Sebastian.
"You scared us, kid," joined in Dave.
"This is Mrs. Kuder! She's a teacher," explained Sophie.
The boys noticed that the woman's t-shirt said Bush Elementary, and that she had a stack of folders in her arms. They assumed she was at the aquarium as a chaperone for students from Bush who were on a fieldtrip.
"Sophie here was just helping me pick up the papers I had dropped," she freed one of her hands, and extended it towards Sebastian, and then Dave, who shook it, "Are you her parents?"
Sebastian and Dave both glanced at each other, and then burst into nervous laughter.
"No, no. We're just her babysitters," assured Dave.
Mrs. Kuder smiled, "Is Sophie so naughty that she needs two babysitters?"
Dave shook his head, "Well, no, but-"
"Oh, don't worry, you two. I know how it is for you, especially living in Ohio."
"Holy shit she thinks we're the Berrys," muttered Dave.
"Ma'am, I don't think you understand-" Sebastian said trying to explain that he and Dave were merely friends, but Mrs. Kuder cut him off by lifting her hand.
"No worries, guys," she glanced at her watch, "Well, I gotta run. You two take care of that little angel for me, okay?" Mrs. Kuder added a wink, and said something to Sebastian in his ear before leaving, "She has your eyes."
"She thinks we're Sophie's gay dads," said Sebastian once Mrs. Kuder was out of sight.
Dave nodded, "That was super weird. God, do we really look that gay?"
Sebastian shrugged, "Oka-ay. Moving on. Sophie, you ready to go?"
"Yeah. Where are we going next?" asked the little girl, as they all walked towards the exit.
Sebastian pulled out his map, "We could go see the jellyfish?"
"Okay!" agreed Sophie.
"Sounds like a plan," said Dave.
xxx.
"That is one cool jellyfish," said Sebastian. Dave was standing beside him and they were observing the Aequorea Victoria, while Sophie was checking out the Moon Jellies - but still in sight.
"Jellyfish are cool and all, but holy fuck, some look scary as shit," said Dave.
Sebastian laughed, "Is poor wittle Davey scared of the jellyfish?"
"Shut up, Sebastian. You were pretty much flipping your shit at the sharks' exhibit," said Dave, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Because sharks have teeth, and the ability to kill people."
"So do jellyfish. Well, they don't have teeth, but they can kill people."
"But they're cute."
"Not all of them."
Sebastian rolled his eyes, and chuckled, "You're such a baby."
Dave hit Sebastian lightly on the arm, "Shut up."
The Warbler glanced down as he felt a tug on his hand, and Dave did so, as well. They found Sophie in between them, and she was joining the boys' hands together. With a proud smile, Sophie patted their hands, and turned away to go look at the Box Jellyfish.
"I think Sophie's under the impression that we're a couple," said Dave.
"Well, I don't know where she got that idea from," said the Warbler with a grin.
Sebastian shifted his hands so that he and Dave's fingers were intertwined, "You don't mind, do you?"
Dave blushed, and let out a nervous chuckle, "I guess not. Just... if we see anyone..."
Sebastian nodded, "I got it. Don't worry," he gave Dave a light peck on the cheek, and then tugged him towards the area Sophie was in.
A satisfied smile crossed Sophie's lips as she watched Dave and Sebastian approach her hand in hand.
xxx.
After a few more exhibits, Sophie was growing tired, and ready to go home. The boys took her to have a quick bite, and then stopped at the gift shop before heading home.
They arrived at the Karofsky household to find that Sophie's parents were ready to pick her up. While Dave helped gather the little girl's things, and said goodbye to his aunt and uncle, Sebastian hung out in the football player's room.
"Sebastian, someone wants to say goodbye," said Dave as he walked into his room, causing the Warbler to flinch by his sudden appearance. Behind him emerged Sophie, and she ran to Sebastian who was waiting for her with open arms.
"Take care, Sophie," said Sebastian.
"I'll miss you," muttered the little girl, clutching onto the Warbler, and never wanting to let go.
Sebastian pulled back slightly, "Don't worry, kid. I'll see you soon, all right?"
Sophie nodded, and then pulled Sebastian back for one more hug.
After Dave had said farewell to his relatives, he rushed back to his room to meet up with Sebastian, who was sitting on his bed.
"I think my aunt likes you," he said, closing the door behind him.
Sebastian looked up from an old framed photo of Dave that he had found on the nightstand, "Why do you say that?"
Dave shrugged, "She said you seem like a nice guy, and my aunt has almost spot-on judgment."
Sebastian grinned, "Do you agree with her?"
"Eh, not really. Honestly, I think you're a self-absorbed asshole, but that's just my opinion."
"Oh, come on, that's one of the things you love about me."
Dave chuckled, and sat beside Sebastian on the edge of his bed, "What other things do I love about you?"
"Well," the Warbler smirked, "I know you love my perfect, luscious hair, and my amazing, green eyes. You also love my body and my glorious nipples-"
Dave threw his head back, and laughed, "Okay, that's enough."
However, Sebastian continued, "I'd say that you also love how great I am in bed, but of course, we haven't gotten that far yet."
"Maybe we should," said Dave, lifting his head to look at Sebastian.
"Maybe."
"Sophie really likes you, too," stated Dave.
"I like her, too."
Dave laughed quietly, "Well, she is very likeable."
"So am I."
Dave nudged Sebastian, "Yeah, right."
"What? I am."
"Okay, sure."
The Warbler grinned, and rested his head on Dave's shoulder, "You know I'm right."
"Hey, Sebastian?" asked Dave.
"Yeah?"
"What did Mrs. Kuder tell you before she left? I saw that she sort of whispered something in your ear."
Sebastian sat up, and gave an apprehensive chuckle, "Oh. That. Heh. She uh, said Sophie had my eyes."
Dave blushed, "Oh. I see. Well, you two do have really gorgeous, green eyes."
"You think my eyes are gorgeous, Dave?" asked Sebastian.
Dave smiled.
"I'll take that as a yes," said Sebastian.
The football player grabbed the frame Sebastian had in his hands, and shook his head, "I look terrible in this picture, I mean seriously, look at my hair."
Sebastian laughed, "You look fine."
"You really think so?"
"I know so," assured the Warbler with a nod.
The football player smiled, and then handed him back the frame.
"Dave, do you miss them? Your friends at McKinley?" the question escaped Sebastian's lips before he could think it through.
Dave hesitantly nodded, "Yeah. Sometimes. Mostly the people in New Directions. They were the nicest."
Sebastian frowned, and looked down at his feet, "Mostly Kurt, though. Right?"
The football player shrugged, "Well, yeah, I guess. He's the one who's actually been a real friend to me, you know?"
"Yeah, I know," Sebastian sighed, "Dave, do you like, Kurt?"
Dave furrowed his eyebrows in confusion by the sudden question, "Yeah, he's my friend."
"I know that, but do you like him? Like more than a friend."
"Sebastian, where are you getting this from?"
"I don't know. It's just… the way you look at him, I swear, your eyes just light up so bright. And last time you were on the phone with him, God, it was like you were so happy he had called you."
Dave covered the Warbler's hand with his, "Sebastian? Look at me."
He lifted his head.
"I don't like Kurt that way, okay? Yeah, sure, I did in the past, but that wasn't real. I was confused. I swear to you, my heart does not belong to Kurt Hummel."
"It's just - I wish -" Sebastian stopped himself, and then returned his eyes to the ground.
"You wish, what, Sebastian?"
The Warbler shook his head, "Nothing."
"Sebastian. Please."
Sebastian slid his hand away from Dave's and stood up, "I have to go," he grabbed his duffle bag off the ground by the nightstand, and made his way towards the door.
"Sebastian, wait!" Dave followed Sebastian, and grabbed his arm, "Don't do this again."
Sebastian sighed, and lifted his head to look Dave in the eyes, "I just wish you would look at me the way you look at him," he freed his arm from Dave's grasp, stormed out of the room, and the Karofsky house.
