A/N: Thank you guys for all the favorites and follows! They really help keep me writing, even though it's been sooo hard recently.

About this chapter: The sentences in italics (at the KSA meeting) should be thought of as spoken in Korean.

Chapter 25

The talk with Shane doesn't exactly light a fire under Daryl's ass, but it gives him a lot to consider. He's looking at Glenn with new eyes now. Everything the kid does or says makes him wonder if Shane could be right. Still. Could he put the moves on Glenn? He's not sure.

Turns out he doesn't have to. The next day Glenn asks if Daryl would like to go to the Korean Student Association meeting. Some students are making kimchee chigae and since Daryl seemed to like it when his mom made it, Glenn asked if he'd be willing try it again.

Daryl tries not to think of it like a date, but he's glad to go. Glad to have something he and Glenn can do together, just the two of them. Well, just the two of them and the rest of the Korean Student Association. During the first part of the meeting people switch back and forth between speaking Korean and English. As far as Daryl can follow they discus community service projects, letters to social media outlets and the club's food booth at the upcoming World Cultures Festival. Once they get through the club business the president adjourns the meeting and a couple of students bring out giant pots of steaming liquid. Other members crowd around setting up the dishes, napkins and utensils.

Glenn gets two bowls and brings them to the back of the room where Daryl is sitting. It's served in glass bowls, not the black stone bowls Mrs. Rhee used. Remembering hers, he can tell this is not quite as good, but still pretty decent. And he's never one to turn down free food. The girls in the club fuss over him and bring him refills. At one point he notices that he is surrounded; they're chatting away around him and Glenn has moved off to the side, talking with a bunch of guys.

It's not until they're walking back to the dorm that Glenn speaks up, tries to make any conversation. "Uh. Did you- did you have an okay time?"

"Yeah. It was good. The soup your mom makes is better, but it was still good."

Glenn snorts. "Dude. I'll tell her that, but you don't have to kiss up to her any more. She already loves you."

That word again. Glenn sure uses it freely. Again, he doesn't know how to respond so he doesn't. They're walking in silence and he gets the uncomfortable feeling that he should be saying something. Fuck, why did he suck so hard at flirting?

"Maybe I could take you huntin' some time. Make you squirrel stew."

He suddenly notices Glenn is no longer walking next to him. He stops and looks back. Glenn had stopped walking and was looking at him with wide eyes. Almost looked scared. Shit. That was stupid. City kid like Glenn probably'd turn up his nose at eating squirrel.

"Or, um..." his mind scrambles for something else to invite Glenn to. "You wanna go to the Architecture school after tutoring this week? I'm taking the kids after they finish their work. Maybe yours would wanna come too?" He looks at Glenn nervously.

Glenn smiles hesitantly. "Uh, sure. Is that how you get them to finish their work so quickly?"

"I guess. They just like doin' stuff on campus. Seein' what college is like."

"Okay, that's cool." Glenn nods and his smile widens. "That sounds fun."

Daryl nods in return. They continue walking back to the dorm. He's satisfied with the pseudo 'date' he's planned. It's something they can do together, but the kids can be a buffer for any lame or awkward things he might say. Maybe eventually he can work up to asking Glenn out alone, just the two of them.

There doesn't seem to be an opportunity though. Glenn is always surrounded by people, mostly the study group. They've started studying outside, since the weather is so nice. In Atlanta there's just a short time to enjoy the mild temperatures, before the oppressive heat starts. The girls wear bikini tops and lie on beach towels with their books laid out in front of them. The guys take their shirts off and flop directly on the grass. Daryl doesn't take his shirt off, but enjoys being outdoors, and the view. Glenn has a nice tan and runs around throwing a frisbee or kicking a soccer ball during their breaks from studying.

And even if he could get Glenn alone to ask him out, it's like there wouldn't be any time to actually go out. Carol is, as usual, organizing dorm events; and on top of that the group makes plans to go to sporting events, plays, music performances, movies. Maybe they had always done this but just started inviting Daryl recently. He joins in now, goes to the things that Glenn goes to. Except it's with everyone, so not an opportunity to be alone with Glenn or anything.

He almost gets a chance one week when the group has plans to go to a movie. Amy backs out because she wants to do something with a club she's joined. Carol is out with Ed celebrating his promotion at work. Jenny hit it off with Rick's friend Morgan so they're on a date. Rick is out with Lori, they're working stuff out. Daryl only knows all this because Glenn fills him in on everyone's business. He's never known so much stuff about so many people. Daryl at first thinks Glenn is letting him know why they won't be doing anything that night, but then he asks Daryl if he still wants to go.

"Uh. Yeah, so, no one else is around, but...do you still want to go to the movie?"

Daryl actually perks up at the news. He's even happy that it's a movie that he might enjoy and not some ballet or opera he'd have to sit through.

"Yeah, okay," he's answering and they both hear Glenn's phone buzz.

Glenn looks at it and glances up at Daryl. "It's Maggie, hang on." He quickly sends a text. After a few seconds it buzzes again.

He reads it and looks at Daryl, a weird look on his face.

"Her sister is visiting and they want to come to the movies, is that okay?"

Daryl nods, even though he wants to say no. Goddammit! So instead of having a night alone at the movies with Glenn, it's Glenn, Maggie, her sister Beth, and Daryl. He doesn't even get to sit next to Glenn since somehow they shuffle seats until he's between Maggie and Beth. Maggie of course is talking to Glenn. Beth asks him lots of questions and he answers them without being too gruff. She's a sweet kid. He could see, if he were interested in girls, being interested in her. She's just the type people back home, like Merle, would approve of. Maybe he could have dated her at one time. Could have made himself take an interest in her, ask her out. But...not anymore. Not now that he knows what he wants. And knows what he wants could be within his grasp.

Glenn's tutoring kids enjoy the Architecture outing, seeing the miniature models of buildings and bridges the students constructed as their final projects, and ask to go out with Daryl's group every week. Glenn agrees, even asks Daryl if it's okay for them to tag along. Glenn said 'we'. Is it okay if we tag along. That means Glenn will come too. So that's more time they'll spend together.

So, things are moving along nicely, Daryl thinks, when he gets a wake up call.

They're walking back from the service center after dropping the kids off at the van that takes them back to their neighborhood school. Just outside their dorm someone calls out.

"Hey, Glenn!" They both stop and turn around towards the voice.

"Oh, hey Jimmy!" Glenn answers.

Daryl takes a second glance and recognizes that guy that showed up with Glenn at the hospital. So this is Jimmy. He remembers Shane mentioned him as one of Glenn's "options". Daryl's stomach churns. What if Glenn likes this guy? He's good looking, tall with lean muscles. Hot even, he'd admit if he weren't so threatened by him. Jimmy walks up to Glenn and gives him a hug. Daryl can't even hear what they're talking about because there's panic or jealousy creating a buzzing in his ears, making his stomach clench. What if Glenn gets together with Jimmy because he's an idiot and can't tell him he likes him? They're talking and laughing. Daryl steps forward so his body is behind and just to the side of Glenn's. He stares at Jimmy and hopes he gets the message that Glenn is off limits. He must, because Jimmy meets Daryl's eyes and he falters at whatever he's saying. Once Jimmy leaves Daryl backs away, satisfied. Now he just needs do the same to Maggie, and whoever else is lined up to get with Glenn.

He's been enjoying himself, taking his time, but now he knows he has to step up his game. It's hard to convince himself to make a move with everything that's holding him back, but the chance of losing out on being with Glenn is enough to make him at least try.

Glenn gets a great idea to invite Daryl to the KSA meeting. They'll be serving kimchee chigae and Daryl liked it when his mom made it so... So maybe it was a lame excuse to hang out with Daryl, but who cares? During the meeting he watches Daryl out of the corner of his eye, worried he might be getting bored. Finally they start serving up the soup and Glenn gets two bowls for them. Before he can even start a conversation they're surrounded by girls asking to be introduced or introducing themselves to Daryl. He resigns himself to wait until the girls are done talking, but somehow when he gets up to refill his water bottle, his seat is taken over. It doesn't matter though because he's grabbed by a bunch of the guys.

"Hey, man. Why'd you bring the white guy?"

"So uncool. He's fucking stealing all our girls." They all look over and Glenn notices that yes, Daryl is surrounded by at least half the girls at the meeting, but also that he looks uncomfortable and isn't really talking to any of them.

But still, he didn't think of that. Shit, why did it seem like everything he invited Daryl to pushed him into the arms of some girl? First the blind date, now these girls. He just wants to get to know Daryl better, spend time with him, maybe introduce him to new experiences. Specifically, experiences of things that are important to Glenn. Lord knows Rick has eaten his share of gimbap, eomuk, and duk mandoo guk over the years just from being friends with Glenn.

On the walk home Daryl makes a weird comment - Did he really say squirrel stew? He didn't look like he was joking or anything though so maybe he genuinely wanted to make it for Glenn out of some weird reciprocity. Maybe it's a cultural or traditional thing for his family. Like what chigae is for Glenn. Glenn can't find his voice to respond.

The thing with the tutoring kids though, that he can do. More time with Daryl. That turns out to be a really fun afternoon and his kids want to do more stuff with Daryl. Glenn can't blame them.

Something else to be happy about - Amy decides she's ready to start going out. Not, like, to parties, but small events with just their friends. So Glenn and Jenny are glad to make plans. Just whatever theater performances, sporting events or movies are going on around campus. Carol brings her boyfriend Ed - apparently they were high school sweethearts. Maggie comes too. Rick brings Lori. Jim sometimes comes and brings his girlfriend.

Glenn is surprised that when they invite Daryl he agrees to come along, to almost everything. Even things he wouldn't think Daryl would be interested in. Suddenly Daryl is a joiner. Glenn doesn't understand the complete one-eighty, but he's not complaining.

One Saturday the group is going to the movies, but then everyone starts backing out. Glenn nervously explains to Daryl that everyone else has other plans, then asks if he still wants to see the movie. He's nervous but at the same time feels so proud of himself. He feels like he's just asked Daryl on a date and it essentially will be because it will be just the two of them going to a movie. His happiness is short-lived when his phone buzzes with a new text.

Maggie's sister is visiting and they'll be coming to the movies too. Aw crap.

The movie is awkward as hell. It's like a farce the way they keep shuffling around, trying to switch seats. Maggie clearly wants Daryl to sit next to Beth, but Glenn keeps trying to switch it around, trying to somehow let Daryl sit next to Beth but next to him too. Maggie looks irritated.

"Listen, maybe Daryl will be interested in Beth and he can...get his own social life that doesn't revolve around- . Anyway, you gotta let them talk!" She whispers this to him when they get settled in their seats.

"Oh. Okay." Glenn didn't realize when she texted that Maggie was intending to set them up. Beth and Daryl. He can see that. In fact, they'd make a really cute couple. Honestly, she looks like the type Daryl should go for.

Glenn realizes he's been holding out hope that Daryl is gay and he really shouldn't. They'd been spending more time together, Daryl had made him that carving, and so it was easy to pretend there was something there. But now he knows it will just hurt like hell if - when - Daryl starts dating someone. He should really try (again) to find someone who has a chance of returning his feelings.

Glenn runs into Jimmy while walking back to the dorm with Daryl. After a sort of awkward hug Jimmy asks what he's been up to, what classes he's taking. Glenn asks the same. He thinks Jimmy is about to ask him out this weekend when suddenly he seems distracted.

"Maybe we could - " Jimmy stops in mid sentence and glances over Glenn's shoulder. Glenn turns his head and is startled to see Daryl standing there. Right there. Jimmy looks back a Glenn with a weird look, eyebrows raised.

"Maybe I'll see you around. At a party again or something." Jimmy takes a few steps backwards before turning and getting on his bike. He rides off, giving a quick wave.

Huh. That was kind of abrupt and weird. It's just as well, though. He didn't really feel like making plans with Jimmy in front of Daryl. But...okay. Now Daryl is going to be going out with Beth and Glenn doesn't even have Jimmy's interest anymore. Fuck his life.