A/N: There are instructions on my profile to find a playlist all the songs featured in this story, check it out if you're interested.

6pm couldn't come soon enough. Squidward raced back to Squinn's as quick as his legs would take him, and when he finally arrived at the building, he needed a minute outside to catch his breath. As he made his way into the building and up the elevator, he tried to reiterate the plan loosely strung together in his head. Okay, Squidward, you got this. You casually try to bring up relationships and coax him into spilling his sexuality, then you get him to talk about any crushes he has and if he has one, it has to be you. You make a move, you get the squid, that's it, you did it. You got this. You got this.

Squidward reached the apartment door and knocked. Squinn answered and smiled, warmly greeting and inviting Squidward inside. As always, he wheeled the bike inside and leaned it against the wall as Squidward shut the door. Surprisingly, the usual dress pattern of white collared shirt and sweater vest was broken; now the handsome squid donned the simple white shirt. His hair fell in waves, the locks held out of his eyes from the thick frames of the glasses. Squidward wished he could tell his counterpart that he looked good, but out of fear of startling his friend, he kept silent. Squinn led Squidward to the window where they often sat to eat; as promised, two cups of herbal tea sat waiting.

"How did your article go?" Squidward asked as he took a sip of tea.

"Well, it went well, as usual," Squinn nodded quickly, "thank you for coming back. I'm sorry that you didn't want to go home."

Squidward anxiously swirled his tea bag in the mug, watching the pigment from the herbs seep into the water. Squinn never dismissed his work so easily, leading Squidward to believe that discussing the article was the last thing on Squinn's mind. He couldn't understand why; Squidward's text wasn't necessarily urgent.

"It's alright, don't worry," Squidward reassured.

"What did you do today?"

"I went to another friend's house and spent time with her and a few others. I rode my bike for a while and then went home to clean myself up."

Squinn stared out the window, focusing on the fish scurrying around town. Squidward's last sentence made him smile and tilt his head quizzically. "I've never heard you talk about other friends. You have friends?"

Squidward chuckled. "I guess so. I went to her for advice. She's one of the only intelligent creatures I know, so I wanted her opinion."

Squinn coughed and quickly set his china on the table, creating the loud sound of clanging dishes that rattled in Squidward's ears. Puzzled, Squidward studied his friend as Squinn blushed and tried to avert his gaze from Squidward. An awkward moment of silence fell over them before Squinn quietly echoed "Who is she?"

"Sandy cheeks? I'm sure you're familiar with her. She's the only land creature in Bikini Bottom and a renowned scientist."

Squinn nodded, still fixated on the city below them. "Why haven't you ever brought her up before?"

"Oh," Squidward cleared his throat, "we're not very close, I don't see or speak to her often...You're my closest friend, honestly."

This comment made Squinn's eyes dart towards Squidward once more. Squidward turned his head slightly to make the reddening of his cheeks unnoticeable as Squinn spoke again.

"I am?"

Squidward chuckled and nodded. "Of course. Like you said before, you've never heard me discuss friends before. I don't have many, and the acquaintances I do have, I barely speak to."

Squinn tilted his head once more, bringing a tentacle up to his lips to almost mask his smile. He stood up, leaving his empty cup on the counter as he moved to the couch. "We should look at stars tonight...if you can stay until after sunset, that is," Squinn added hurriedly.

"I can."

Squinn smiled slyly. "Shall we watch a few more episodes of The Oarfish?"

Squidward laughed and made his way to the couch, sitting a popcorn-bowl distance away from his friend. Squinn turned the show on and Squidward, once more, felt a twinge of guilt for liking the show as much as he did. As the episodes played, Squidward studied the way Jim and Pam interacting, all the while wondering if that's the way he looked spending time with Squinn. He eagerly awaited the day the friends would finally be together and every thought he had of Jim and Pam, he translated to the dream relationship he was mentally forming with Squinn. Finally allowing himself to accept his feelings gave Squidward both the solace and curse of expression; he couldn't yet express himself outwardly, but he could allow his mind to wander and, for a split second, imagine he and his best friend holding tentacles or cuddling up to one another on the couch. The sun outside began to set, the deep orange and pink hues of the sky casting itself across the cherry wood floorboards of the apartment. Squidward snuck glances at Squinn admiring the TV, all the while analyzing how the warm light lit up his friend's face with a rosy hue. Squidward wished he possessed the boldness to just reach out and grab his friend's tentacle before kissing him, but he knew any advances required much more grace and eloquence. It wouldn't be that easy.

Towards the end of the fifth episode of the season, Squidward realized the sun finally set. As the credits rolled, Squinn paused the TV and stood from the couch, stretching his limbs. Squidward stood and did the same while Squinn fetched a blanket for both he and his friend. With a gesture towards the window, Squidward led the way to the balcony. Per usual, the city lights glowed warmly in the background of the scenery, but the main attraction was the vast amount of stars piercing the deep blue veil of sky. The scenery somehow managed to take Squidward's breath away each time he saw it and he tilted his head back to take in more stars, pulling the blanket as close to his body as possible. He sighed deeply.

"I always love looking at the stars," Squidward grinned, "it's truly an artistic inspiration. It's one of the most beautiful aspects of Bikini Bottom."

"I'm glad you enjoy it," Squinn replied, "but I can never help noticing that this is one of the only positive compliments you pay Bikini Bottom." Squinn leaned up against the wall, his head also tilted up to the sky. Squidward leaned back as well and turned his head to Squinn, finding that Squinn's eyes had locked to him long before.

"Bikini Bottom isn't interesting to me. There's no one here that interests or challenges me artistically, musically, intellectually. I've never found anyone who has enjoyed art, music, and literature at the same degree I do...it's isolating."

Squinn nodded. "I know you struggle working at the Krusty Krab because of that. I definitely understand that, possibly more than you realize."

The boys paused for a minute, falling silent before Squinn added, "Meeting you has changed that isolating feeling for me."

Squidward wished he could stifle the rosiness rising to his cheeks, but he hoped the darkness of the sky would help mask his embarrassment. "You really mean that?"

"Of course," Squinn declared, "like I've said before, I'm not used to having anyone around. Home feels empty without anyone else in it. Acquaintances can be hard to find if you can't find anyone who explores similar interests and passions as yourself. It's isolating, it's lonely, it's downright discouraging. I always felt trapped in here and my work. I love everything I do, but that was all I had before I made a friend."

Squidward felt himself at a loss for words, only able to close his nearly gaping mouth. His heart beat with such ferocity, he couldn't believe Squinn couldn't hear it. Squinn turned his head back towards the sky and Squidward took the cue to do the same.

Squinn laughed to himself once again. "I guess finding someone to be with romantically would also alleviate that issue. That would give someone the potential of always having a live-in friend."

This is it, Squidward's mind raced, be cool, don't let anything weird or too revealing slip out of your mouth, this could be your chance. Just relax. Be cool. "That's true," he answered simply.

"Like that'll ever happen," Squinn mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing."

They continued to study the stars speckling the vast void above them. Squidward longed for the courage and boldness it took to make a move, but the insecurities of sexuality and possibly losing a friend plagued him into staying silent. He swallowed the lump in his throat, realizing that he could lead the conversation a particular way so all he had to do was hint that someone may like Squinn.

"What did you say?" Squidward asked once more.

Squinn sighed. "Like that will ever happen," he repeated.

"Why do you say that?"

Squinn looked at Squidward with a raised eyebrow. "Look at me, Squidward, I write psychology articles for The Pacific. I teach cello. Have you noticed how thick the frames on my glasses are? I'm definitely not the most exciting or physically appealing squid in Bikini Bottom."

Squidward shrugged. "I'm sure someone out there enjoys that in a partner."

Squinn shrugged in unison and his eyes flickered across Squidward's face before he pulled the blanket closer to his body and looked down at the ground.

"I'm also not the best at analyzing social cues," Squinn added, "you may assume I am, considering I write psychology articles. I can analyze any other situation for any other fish, but when it comes to myself or romantic endeavors, signs and indicators that fish normally pick up on typically go over my head completely."

Squidward found himself nodding vigorously. "I completely understand and relate to that...if you'd like me to be perfectly honest, I have no dating experience." He took the opportunity to crack a joke, "In similar fashion to yourself, I'm bald and very absorbed in my work. I know I can be a catch, but noticing someone's interest in me is something my wide array of skills does not cover."

Both squids laughed and Squinn shifted in his spot, adjusting himself against the wall. Readjusting allowed him to scoot slightly closer to Squidward. Squinn kept his eyes down at his tentacles as he writhed them in circular motions. "I'm sure someone out there enjoys that in a partner," he echoed.

Squidward shrugged, leaning back more so he could support his body with both his arms. His suction cups stuck to the ground on either side of him. "I'm not actively searching for it. I think when that sea creature comes, I'll know. I have no dating experience, remember?"

"I have experience," Squinn recalled, "it was with a fish I met a few years ago in college. It only lasted a few months. It wasn't anything special. They weren't what I was looking for."

Squidward cleared his throat, shifting in his spot anxiously. "What are you looking for?" he asked, his voice faltering slightly.

Squinn spoke each word slowly, very aware of the way he articulated each phrase. "I'm looking for someone who shares common interests, hobbies, aspirations, humor, culture, and values. I just want someone to enjoy life with, someone who encourages me to love what I do and love others while doing it. I wouldn't say it's much criteria, but," he chuckled, "I haven't been lucky yet."

"I don't think that's too much to ask."

Their eyes locked onto one another. "I don't think so, either," Squinn said.

Squidward's throat felt as if it were closing as he carefully analyzed the expression on Squinn's face. The flutter of his stomach, the tightness of his chest, the inability to produce any words rendered him practically useless. All he could do was look at Squinn's face, the soft moonlight illuminating his features. He desperately wished he could make a move, but the thought of losing a friend was too great.

Squidward realized he'd been staring at Squinn too long and began shifting positions, adjusting his blanket to cover himself once more. Squinn did the same, both squids sheepishly looking away as they made themselves comfortable. Squidward took his previous position with a tentacle on either side of him and Squinn picked a place to sit, leaning back on the wall with his head up to the sky. Squidward tried to focus on the stars once more, but his thoughts were interrupted as he felt a warm touch to his tentacle.

He looked down and realized Squinn's tentacle rested on top of his. Squinn realized what he'd done and quickly pulled it away. "Sorry, sorry," he sputtered, "I was readjusting, I didn't see your tentacle there, I'm sorry."

"I-it's okay, don't worry," Squidward reassured.

Squinn rubbed the tentacle that touched Squidward and burrowed himself deeper in his blanket, making it almost impossible to see his face. "So," he cleared his throat, "even if you found someone to call a partner, if they liked you, you don't think you would recognize their clues."

"I assume not," Squidward spoke hurriedly. He forced the words out of his throat to the best of his ability, feeling as if his throat were closing from the anxiety of trying to keep his feelings inside.

Squidward's eyes lingered on Squinn, but when Squinn did not stir from beneath the blanket, he averted his eyes to the city lights slowly dwindling beneath them. On a Sunday night, businesses closed early, contributing to the early snuff of city lights on the street. Staring at the buildings beneath them, Squidward didn't notice Squinn's tentacle slowly snaking towards his. Their tentacles gently touched one more time, but this time, Squinn's didn't pull away. Upon the touch, Squidward's heart beat so sharply, he instinctively jolted.

Squinn recoiled. "I'm sorry, that was out of line, I shouldn't have," he choked, "I'm sorry, I know I'm making you uncomfortable, I'm-"

"You're not," Squidward spoke sharply, "it caught me off guard. That's all."

Squinn finally emerged from the blanket and sighed. "Impulse took me over, I wasn't thinking."

"Impulse for what?"

The squids stared at one another, both blushing deep crimson. Squinn attempted to speak, but his closing throat caused him to only cough and clear his throat for a minute before forcing the words out to the best of his ability.

"It's just, we were talking about relationships, dating experience, not picking up on cues, I don't know...the conversation was leaning in a way that would...lead me to believe…"

His words faltered and Squidward leaned in slightly, eager to hear more. "Led you to believe…?"

"That…you were interested in...me, that's what I assumed."

The courage Squidward wished for began creeping into him. The moment he mounted up in his head had finally arrived and he knew if he just let it go, he would never have such an opportune chance again.

"Would that be a bad thing? If I were interested in you?"

"No!" Squinn exclaimed with too much excitement. He toned himself down, "no, I would be flattered."

Squidward nodded. He took a deep breath. "Are you flattered?"

They stared at one another, and as Squinn's facial expression shifted from concern to confusion to a smile, Squidward knew his line was enough to convey his feelings without having to say it. He laughed at Squinn's cute reaction and before he could say another word, he realized Squinn was leaning in.

"What-" Squidward began to speak, but his words were interrupted as Squinn's lips met his.

Squidward felt like fireworks were igniting in his chest. All the moments of confusing, pining for Squinn, never wanting to leave the comfort of the apartment, everything came to fruition as they kissed. A warmness unknown to Squidward filled his heart and never before had he experienced such ethereal excitement and happiness gush through him. Before meeting Squinn, happiness was a concept foreign to Squidward; he felt like the only star in the dismal abyss he called Bikini Bottom. All of his loneliness, frustration, misunderstanding, isolation, and every unwanted, abysmal feeling faded as he kissed his best friend, the squid he found such solace in, he couldn't believe what was happening. The flutters in his heart quickened, but the tightness and anxiety expelled from his body as he found himself experiencing one of the greatest moments of his life. Finally, after weeks and countless hours of thinking, Squidward finally kissed Squinn.

Squinn pulled away and both squids' faces flushed as they stared at one another. Squidward took charge of the situation and grabbed Squinn's tentacle, intertwining their grips as they gazed into one another's eyes. Squidward beamed, adorning a radiant smile that was never permitted to emerge. Squinn did the same and chuckled sheepishly.

"That felt good," Squinn noted, "it felt right."

"It did."

Squinn nodded and gripped Squidward tighter. Squinn asked Squidward a question, his voice low and soft as it surged with emotion.

"Shall we go back inside?"

Squidward trembled as he excitedly agreed. Both squids stood up, still intertwined as they gathered their blankets and headed into the apartment. Squidward never wanted to let go of Squinn as they entered the dark apartment, their only guiding light the moon's glow and their shy yet eager intuition.