AN: Hi Everyone!
Thank you all so much for supporting this story! :)
It means a lot to me.
On to the story. This is the second part to the previous chapter. I won't spoil much but we are still in a flashback. :)
Songs include "You Spin Right Round" by Dead or Alive. And "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt.
With that said... Please review. Please be kind. Have a great day!-ILOVESMESOMEGLEEX3
Chapter 24
Nnnt, nnnt, nnnt, nnnt, nn-nn-nn-nnnt, nnnt, nnnt, nnnt….
The rhythmic dance beat of nearly every single gay bar in America practically made the whole place vibrate. Patrons moved to the beat and didn't even realize it. The hypnotic lights combined with alcohol made the party atmosphere alive and well, even though Dave seemed like it was giving him a headache. He could see that Sebastian was talking to somebody at the other end of the bar and he didn't care. Not really. Instead, he just focused on his warm Budweiser and considered another bottle. The swiveled barstools at Scandals needed replaced and his back hurt a little.
An attractive lesbian couple was playing pool and he found the game meagerly interesting. Quarters dotted the table though and it appeared he would, in no way, challenge them in a game of billiards. After all, he just wanted to get away from the world of Lima, Ohio and just plop into the world of his bearcubness…if that was a word.
He shrugged to himself and motioned to the bartender for another Bud. That's when a funny thought hit his head. Everyone has been on sites like YouTube at one point in their lives and he remembered the silly 'Bud…Bud…Bud…' commercials from twenty years ago. Those frogs sure knew how to market an average beer. The thought made him smile and he swiveled in his chair to his left.
That's when he noticed a certain slut was sitting beside him. His smile vanished.
"Do I qualify?" Dave asked.
Sebastian groaned. "Oh, you did NOT just quote a line from 'Cruising'…" Dave said nothing. "Dave, you know that movie isn't welcome in our little community. I mean, doesn't your status as a bearcub mean anything to you?"
Dave sighed as a fresh beer was placed before him. "What do you want, Seb?"
The brat shrugged. "Can't a guy just sit here-?"
"Not when it's you."
"I'm hurt, Dave."
"You're drunk."
"No, I'm not. I'm drinking Shirley Temples."
Dave peered at his martini glass that had a bluish-red tint to it. He reluctantly smiled and said, "Uh huh. The new Cosmopolitan type of non-alcoholic drink?"
Seb had already decided that he'd had enough of this chat chat. It was down to business.
"So, look Dave-"
"No."
"Well, I-"
"No."
"You don't even-!"
"Go away."
Sebastian truly looked appalled and didn't exactly know what to do. He glanced around the bar. A drag queen was wiping lipstick off her wine glass and the lesbian couple at the pool table was replaced by another attractive lesbian couple. The bartender Brian glanced at Sebastian and asked if he wanted a drink. When the brat declined, Dave was a little surprised. The mindless, senseless, deepless techno beats droned on and on and you'd think that Dave wasn't very impressed with the place. Or Sebastian. But when you're the town's only gay bar, monopolizing customers isn't really up for debate.
"Look, Sebastian," Dave began, "I've already turned you down two or three times before. Why do you keep coming back to me?"
Seb flashed a golden smile, making the bearcub shift in his seat. "Because you're like…all kinds of…" He looked to the ceiling, searching for the right word. And then, it hit him. "Interesting."
"Interesting, huh?"
"Yup!"
"More interesting than that guy you were talking to?"
Sebastian glanced behind him and then returned to Dave. "Oh. You mean, Mickey?"
Surprised, Dave peered around Seb's shoulder and could see the familiar face. "Oh. I guess it is Mickey." Then, Dave almost glared at him. "I thought you worked alone."
"Nah, man. I work alone. Uptown. Have fantasy will travel!"
Dave rolled his eyes. "NOW who's quoting 'Cruising'?"
Sebastian smiled and Dave was tempted to. Instead, he just clasped his beer bottle and took a healthy swig. He did his best to ignore Sebastian, but the brat was looking extra-fine that night. That's when Dave quickly looked away and stroked his beer bottle. Sebastian wasn't happy.
Abruptly, Seb got up and left! Dave was astonished and even surprised to see that Sebastian left his drink on the bar. Regardless, Dave told himself that he didn't care and that was that.
Minutes passed. The monotonous thump of music and in-tune lights throbbed him. The pool table was empty and two long, hard sticks were left there. He considered thrusting one of them in the blue chalk and working it with his hands. Instead, he grabbed his beer bottle and let his tongue go over the lip before he swallowed as much as he could take. The music began to die down and just before it completely vanished, a familiar, sultry voice could be heard over the speakers…
If I, I get to know your name
Well if I, could trace your private number, baby
All I know is that to me
You look like you're lots of fun
Open up your lovin' arms
I want some, want some
Dave's eyes closed and unconsciously gripped his bottle harder and harder. And when the chorus took over, his eyes snapped open! He knew that voice! Dave whirled around and shook his head with a smile.
The brat was having the time of his life! Dave watched him singing into the karaoke machine. Seb's focus was on the words. And his singing talent, of course. But when the song broke into music only, Seb snuck peeks at Dave. And the big guy couldn't help but notice. He also could easily see why Sebastian loved the spotlight. He just radiated!
And neither of them knew Mickey was watching the entire exchange.
I set my sights on you (and no one else will do)
And I, I've got to have my way now, baby
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
You spin me right round, baby
Right round like a record, baby
Right round round round
I got to be your friend now, baby
And I would like to move in just a little bit closer
The song came to its gradual conclusion. A few people clapped. Sebastian took seven bows. And Dave returned to his beer. Neither knew what Mickey did because Seb just strolled over to the big guy and slammed his pert butt in his seat beside him.
"That was for you." Sebastian said with a goofy smile.
"I'm fresh out of Grammys for you." Dave drolly replied.
Sebastian laughed and reached for his drink. But the adrenaline of the performance made his hand shake and some of it spilled on the bar. And just like a magnet, Dave's protective instincts were there. A napkin suddenly appeared in his hand and he wiped the counter. He even glanced at Sebastian to make sure he was OK, which he definitely was.
Now.
Over the course of the next hour, the bar got more crowded and the music was turned up. It was harder to hear, well, anyone and the boys found themselves scrunched a little closer to each other. Sebastian didn't mind but Dave was uncomfortable. His eyes found something, anything to take his mind off the brat hitting on him and it sort of worked. He found a poster for the Lima Community Theatre's production of 'Sunset Boulevard' and wistfully smiled. Broadway and gays…what the hell?!, Dave thought.
"What?" Seb asked
Dave's smile dropped. "Nothing."
Sebastian exhaled and scooted even closer.
"You do realize that you are just too adorable for words, right?"
Dave snorted. "If I'm supposedly so 'adorable', why are you trying to make me a notch on your bedpost?"
Sebastian folded his hands on his lap and leaned forward. Conspiratorially, he said, "Because I like you."
"Uh huh."
Seb leaned back and grabbed his Cosmo. "I mean that, Dave!" Then he placed his hand over his heart. "And I take back every single cruel thing I said…" He paused and added, "Witty as they were."
Again, Dave snorted and grabbed his beer. "Whatever. Just…leave me alone."
"Now, Dave, you KNOW I can't do that."
"And just why not?" Dave was starting to get angry. "You were a self-righteous bastard to me and I don't need to talk to you anymore. So go sucker someone else and get the clap from them. Just let me drink my beer in peace."
Sebastian didn't really have any time to react. Over Dave's shoulder, Seb could see Mickey leaning against the wall near the pool table. His hands were in his jeans pockets and he was staring at Seb. The brat just looked at him momentarily and Dave easily spotted that.
"Now, see?" Dave all but yelled. "You're already hitting on someone else!" Dave stood up.
"Wait!" Seb hollered. He even put his hand up. "Please sit, Dave. I wasn't flirting. Mickey is behind you and I think he wants to leave soon."
Dumbfounded, Dave turned and saw that Mickey was about fifteen feet behind him. Then when he turned back, he was embarrassed and slammed back in his seat. There wasn't enough fiddling with his Budweiser label to fight the battle in his head. He wound up scratching it and looked over at Seb.
My God, he's hot, Dave thought. Three beers for the evening was Dave's maximum and he didn't want to push his luck with drunk driving. But he also didn't want alcohol to sway his decisions about sex. So, he took a deep breath and was astonished to see the almost gentle look in Sebastian's eyes. That's when Dave noticed something.
In the twinkling light of the bar, Seb's eyes had a violet tint to them.
"Sebastian…" Dave began. Once again, he scratched his head and internally struggled. Meanwhile, Seb just watched but scooted closer just a little.
"Yes?"
"Sebastian, I just don't want…" He leaned forward. "I just don't want my…"
"Your…what?"
Dave leaned back. "Skip it."
"No!" Seb wailed. "No, please! Tell me."
"Why should I?"
Sebastian took a shot of courage and delicately placed the glass back on the bar. "Because I'm no longer hitting on you. I'm TALKING to you."
Dave shook his head. "It's…it's not like I haven't thought about it."
"Abouuuuut…what?"
The crash of pool balls on the last game of night distracted them for a second. But not long enough. Patrons began exiting the bar and the Truth Lights would come on any minute.
"I mean," Dave said, rubbing his wrist, "it's not like I haven't thought about…IT."
Sebastian blinked. And then, he got it. His eyes widened. "You mean, you've never…?"
Dave shook his head. "No."
Seb swallowed. "You've never, ever, ever…done…it?"
Again, Dave said, "No. And I don't know why I'm telling you this."
Sebastian glanced at Mickey and then around the bar. He was silent and Dave began to worry. So, he took action.
"And I just don't," Dave said, "want to do it just…DO it, ya' know?"
Still, Sebastian said nothing. Dave looked at him sideways and played with the frayed beer label. The bartender stopped by.
"Last call, guys. Anything?"
"No." Dave said. Then, he looked at the brat. "You?"
Sebastian repeated his silence. The bartender left and Dave really began to worry.
"Sebastian?" Dave asked.
As if snapping out of a trance, Seb recovered. "Oh! Oh, yes. I'm sorry, Dave. I was just thinking about art."
Dave looked at him oddly. "Art?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
Seb leaned forward and said, "Because you never having sex just brings out the artist in me!"
"I'm leaving." Dave motioned to stand up.
"No, no! I'm sorry, Dave. It was a joke. Don't…don't leave."
Dave looked at him cautiously. "This isn't a joke, Sebastian."
"I know! I know! It's just… Dave, we're teenagers. And you're a virgin. I would think…"
"Think what?"
Now, it was Sebastian's turn to look uncomfortable. "I would think someone like you would've had sex by now."
Dave was perturbed. "And why is that?"
For the first time in a while, Seb looked at him. "Because you're so good looking I just thought someone would've snatched you up by now."
Dave didn't believe him. "Oh really? Well, my Liberace eyebrows might've had something to do with that."
Seb looked down. "I'm so sorry about that, Dave." And then, he looked up. "Are you…waiting for some reason?"
"Yeah, because I don't want to just hop into bed and have sex to…" he shrugged, "you know, have sex."
The Truth Lights snapped on and Dave could finally see Sebastian. But the Truth Lights really bothered Dave. He could see how remarkably cute this brat was and didn't want to admit it. And Sebastian's eyes… They were so intense. So thoughtful. So…something. Something Dave couldn't exactly put into words. He thought about it more and more.
UNSEBASTIAN-LIKE.
Seb reached for his drink and nodded to Mickey. "I have to go." He gulped the last of it and stood up. Then, he looked down and saw Dave's massive shoulders and kind face. Seb swallowed. "Just know one thing."
"And what's that?" Dave asked.
Seb leaned forward and touched Dave's arm. "Whoever your first is, he's gonna be a very lucky guy."
Dave's jaw dropped. Who wouldn't want to believe Sebastian's words? But Dave saw an earnestness that he'd never seen before. Seb must've picked up on that because he stood back up.
"Good night, Dave. Hope you find what you're looking for."
Dave muttered something but Seb couldn't have heard it. The noise in the bar was still too much even with the Truth Lights. And when Dave cleared his throat to repeat himself, Sebastian had already left. And the bearcub was tempted. Oh, he was tempted to turn and watch Sebastian leave with Mickey. But he didn't. Instead, he stared at the beer and realized he hadn't paid his tab. Those damn frogs from twenty years ago would need to be paid and he'd have to help. So, he grabbed the bartender's attention and paid his bill.
With that, Dave stood and walked towards the exit. The door was already propped open and the nighttime breeze slammed his face. It was the dose of reality that he thought he needed. So, he waltzed down the stairs and into the parking lot, convinced that Seb was letting the alcohol do the talking. And when he reached his car, that's when it hit him.
He called Sebastian 'Seb'. He called him 'Seb'. Reluctantly, he smiled and started his car. A quick check in the mirror and he was on North Street, headed back home. He placed his cellphone on the deck and the radio kicked on.
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't
He never switched off a radio so fast in his life. The lyrics were so out of place and he just wanted to get home and forget that whole conversation. He reasoned with himself as he turned on Findlay Avenue that Seb was just saying foolish things. He had to have been flirting with him and-
Dave almost slammed the brakes near Sugar Street. Something dawned within him again and chances are, it would happen again. And again. And again…
He called him Seb. Again.
AN: Thank you all for reading. :)
So, what did you all think?
Stick around for next chapter... Its a rollercoaster full of emotions. You won't want to miss it. :)
Until then... Thank you! Have a nice day!-ILOVESMESOMEGLEEX3
