Disclaimer: I do not own The Sorcerer's Apprentice and I am not making any profit off of this fic.

Writer Ramblings: SilverEars and I were exchanging words and we suddenly got this idea. It's a Drave idea, a "what if?" route. If you're interested in wondering about this idea, go ahead and PM me about it.

13.

"A slight touch of friendly malice and amusement towards those we love keeps our affections for them from turning flat." ~Logan Pearsall Smith

At six o'clock, Drake got out of bed and sauntered into the bathroom. Dave woke up when the water started running. He yawned, checked the time, and adjusted his position in the bed. He listed the events of Saturday in his head. He'd spent the day at Drake's, but was it time to go home now? It didn't feel like it.

"What are we gonna do now?" Dave asked when Drake returned.

"What do you mean?"

"We're…kind of dating."

Drake chuckled. "We are dating, git."

Dave slipped out of the bed and started putting on his clothes. He pat his suitcase and said, "I'm spending a good amount of time with you. Especially at the penthouse."

"I can go to your place," Drake said.

"I know, but Bennet shares it with me. It'll be so awkward with the three of us."

"Well," Drake said, clucking his tongue. "Imagine that. Not being good enough for a rented apartment."

"I thought you liked being at the penthouse."

"Yeah, fine, logic. I have to start another show; today's rehearsal." Drake finished changing into his usual attire and began searching for his cell phone.

"Oh. Am I supposed to come along?" asked Dave. He sat on the bed and watched Drake look around.

"Do you want to?"

"I dunno. I guess." He shrugged his shoulders due to the lack of an answer.

Drake finally found his phone. He placed it in his pocket and started towards the kitchen. He gestured for Dave to come along. When there, Drake quickly worked on making himself a cup of coffee. Drake rejected his offer of help.

"You'd probably serve as a distraction," he pondered. "You should stay here. Connie can provide you lovely company."

"She doesn't have to change her schedule for me. And I could do stuff while you're gone."

"All right. See you hours later."

Drake checked the time on his phone, and then, with coffee in hand, he walked towards the door. Dave wondered if they should've kissed as a way of saying goodbye, but dismissed the idea. It was too hokey.

Dave left the penthouse fifteen minutes after Drake's departure. He stopped by his apartment and chatted with Bennet about Tank's health. He pet the dog's head affectionately before leaving. He wandered the streets aimlessly. Eventually Dave bought a coffee.

He ended up at Becky's radio station. He had long forgotten the girl's work hours, but here she was, with Andre and some other friends. He felt a slight wave of sadness. Dave turned away before any of them could see him. He sipped his coffee and walked to the library, pretending to be interested in books rather than Becky Barnes.

Two hours later, he was officially bored. Dave left the library and came back to the penthouse. He sat on the couch, playing with the fabric of his t-shirt. Drake arrived ten minutes later. He looked a bit disheveled, but fine nonetheless. A pleased expression was on his face.

"Did you spend all day in here?" he asked as he entered the bathroom.

"No!" Dave yelled back. "I walked all over New York!"

"I'm sure that was an adventure." The sound of water running drowned out Dave's loud snort. Dave waited for Drake to finish showering. After the blonde came back to the living room with clothes on, he asked timidly, "How was rehearsal?"

"Fine. Dull. Okay. The show is going to be in New York, thankfully. It'll be nice not to travel."

"You have performances in other places, huh?"

"Of course. You can't restrict perfection to just one country, Dave." He shook his half-dry hair. Drops of water landed on Dave's face.

"Perfection. If that's what you're calling it," Dave said. He bit down on his lip before saying what he really wanted to say. "I had nothing to do all day. I came back because I thought you might want to try something."

"College studies are certainly wonderful, but I have no interest indulging in them," Drake replied.

Dave let out a frustrated sigh. "No; I thought my tone implicated—"

"What?"

Dave locked eyes with the blonde. Drake stared back at him, baffled. Then, thankfully, finally, it clicked. Drake took a step back and muttered an understanding, "Ohhh…"

"Now he gets it."

"Yep. He gets it, and he's surprised." Seriously, he added, "Why this all of a sudden? Aren't you a prude?"

"Becky and I didn't do anything, you know. I'm…"

"I know the word."

Silence. Dave regretted even bringing out the subject. Wasn't it too soon anyways? He turned his head and was about to tell Drake to forget about it. To his surprise, Drake silently gestured for Dave to come with him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"'Kay." Dave followed Drake into his bedroom. The two slowly stripped, but with their backs turned. Dave had never had a problem with his body, but he was curious to see if Drake was fit. He stopped at his boxers and said, "I'm ready." He saw Drake toying with the waistband of his underwear.

"C'mon, Dave, really?"

"This is my first time," Dave said with bright red cheeks. "Leave me alone, okay?"

Drake chuckled. He took Dave's hand and brought him to the bed. Dave sat on it, sort of dubious. "Is this safe?" he asked.

"Sure. I don't have any diseases on me," Drake said with a smirk. "I'll tell you right away, I'm always on top."

"I assessed," he mumbled. "Even with girls?"

"Sometimes. I've met a few girls who wanted to try being top, so I let them, from time to time," he admitted. "So. Do you want to do this with lubrication or…?"

Dave winced at the word. "I can't believe this. You'd think someone dating a dude would be more confident."

Drake laughed and shook his head. "Your answer?"

"Um, what's it like with lube?"

"Same, I bet. It hurts less for the bottoms, I've been told."

"It's going to hurt?"

"Knock off the naivety," Drake said. "Of course it's gonna hurt the first time."

Dave groaned. This stuff was out of his league. He had no idea how to proceed, and was a tad grateful Drake knew much about relations. He reluctantly settled for the lubrication, then turned around on the bed. He was slightly embarrassed when Drake tugged down his boxers. He was sure the blonde was already naked.

"Is the window closed?" he hissed under his breath.

"Closed and curtained."

Those were his last words. Dave listened to Drake's light breathing before they began.

.

.

.

When Becky's session ended, she stretched like a cat. She yawned lazily; she loved the radio station, but even she had her limits. Becky couldn't wait to go home and have some hot chocolate. She said goodbye to her friends and Andre. He smiled at her warmly. Butterflies filled her stomach, but they were awfully small.

She usually thought of Dave when she was with Andre. He comforted her when the couple broke up; she didn't want sympathy. She wanted to get her romantic life in order and make sure she got Dave back. He was a sweet person. Look at what he'd done for her.

Becky informed Andre of all these great favors Dave did for her, but he struck them down. "Just because he's done you favors, doesn't mean you have to date him in return," he'd said.

Becky was torn. She liked Dave, he was a good guy. She wasn't sure if she wanted him as a boyfriend or a friend, though. It was also true that she didn't owe Dave. Becky knew that Merlineans had to do those sort of things. Andre did not provide stability.

When they went on dates, Becky compared them to hers with Dave. When Andre held her hand or hugged her, she wondered what Dave was doing. She'd seen him with a blonde young man. The two looked like close pals; Andre noticed and told her about his encounter with the pair.

Becky sort of wanted to get back together with Dave. But she was still dealing with her feelings. Also, there was the blonde guy. Not only that, she was a huge jerk for even dating Andre and thinking about breaking up with him. No doubt, Becky Barnes's romantic relationships were a mess.

It bothered her, surprised her, that Dave was doing so well. Or so it looked like.

She pushed away the thoughts while she walked home. She lived by herself and enjoyed the silence. Becky was even more grateful for the peace when she and Dave broke up. She had her hot chocolate and watched TV. Maybe tomorrow she could find the courage to face him.