So another update to wet your palate. I really like this chapter, it makes me smile. Please review! I'll update when I get a good number of reviews for these firsttwo chapters.

A quick note for those who didn't read my other story. The 519 is the LBGT community centre in Toronto.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Are you flirting with me?

"I'm so glad that we're allowed to try out for soccer this year. It's going to be so good to play again," Marco said excitedly as he and Craig finished changing into their gym clothes. "Let's go. We have to run first."

As Craig and Marco began running, Craig playfully jabbed Marco on his side, "So Marco, I know you're a great soccer player, but are you sure you're not going to be distracted by the blonde athlete on the track oh about 20 metres in front of us?" Craig teased.

"Whu –oh." It had occurred to Marco that Dylan was likely also on the soccer team but he hadn't been sure. Whatever. He could handle it. He was a good enough player to manage a little distraction. Oh wait. Now make that shirtless distraction. Yikes. "Craig – what is up with all you guys? Just because Dylan is gay doesn't mean-"

"You're in love with him. I know that Marco. I'm not Spinner, eh? But you do have to admit that he is a pretty good looking, damn good athlete gay guy…oh, and who happens to be catching up with us right now."

"Well, Craig, even if I thought he was hot, it's nothing my soccer skills can't handle." Marco joked smiling. He loved Craig for being so well, so normal about his being gay.

"Hey Marco…Craig. Glad to see you guys are trying out." Shirtless Dylan now jogged along beside them. Marco's breathing got heavier.

Whistle – "Okay guys. Let's get started." Saved by the coach's bellow. "Now because I'm not only the coach, but your gym teacher, I have a sense of what each of your strengths and weaknesses are. I'm pleased to welcome the grade 10's to their first year of soccer. There was a lot of talent last year in grade 9 and I recruited a couple of the people here for this year. Marco Del Rossi – quick, a high scorer – we're looking at an offensive position. Craig Manning – also likely to be on offence. John Delaine…"

Marco's cheeks turned red. He hated being put on the spot and now there were expectations. Wait – were those team expectations, or Dylan's? 'I am so lame' Marco sighed to himself.

"Okay. I'm going to pair offence with defense for some drills. Manning and Smith, Delaine and French, Del Rossi and Michalchuk, O'Connor and…"

'You've got to be kidding me.' Marco looked up at the sparkling blue eyes approaching. "Hey Dylan," Marco smiled shyly. His shirt was still off.

"Quick and a high scorer, eh? Let's see what you've got," Dylan challenged as he grabbed the soccer ball.

Marco's heart raced. But then, as he dropped the ball in its place and focused on the challenge, he entered his soccer zone. Around the pylon. Kick. Towards Dylan. Kick. Through Dylan's legs. Kick.

"Not bad, Del Rossi," the coach walked by, "I think we have a starter on our hands." Marco beamed.

"Those were some great moves, Marco," Dylan smiled.

"Yeah, well, I'm Italian…it's in my blood." Marco laughed.

The rest of the practice was great. Shooting, blocking, running, chasing. Marco was on and he knew it. Dylan was panting by the time practice was finished. "You are a great player," Dylan complimented, "and I must be totally out of shape to be breathing like this." Marco looked up at him skeptically, knowing very well that Dylan was still playing hockey and was utterly and completely fit. "Or maybe it's just that the sexy new forward kept distracting me today," Dylan said under his breath, just loud enough for Marco to hear as he looked at him out of the corner of his eye, as if to ask 'did I just cross a boundary?'

Marco's heart began racing again. 'Did he just say that?...He totally did…What do I say back?...'

"Are you flirting with me?" Marco smiled up at him.

"Hope it's okay." Dylan threw the ball back to him.

Marco kicked the ball back into the ball bin. "Maybe you're just out of practice, Dylan…'cause I did okay even with the sexy, shirtless star defenseman blocking me." Marco couldn't believe he'd just said that. He just called a guy sexy to his face. He just called Dylan sexy to his face - and it was all fine. No, it was all good. There was friendship and chemistry, and he loved it.

Dylan grinned at him. "Hey Marco. I was wondering – and no pressure at all. I mean, usually I go on Tuesday evenings to the gay youth group at the 519-"

"The one Dr. Sally talked about?"

"Yeah – that one. It's pretty cool and a nice group and I'm going tonight so if you want to come with. But no worries at all if it's not your thing or you're not ready or you-"

"I may not be ready…but, well,… I want to. It's time. And I don't usually have an offer on the table for a friend to go with me. So yeah, I'd love to go with you."

"Cool. We'll shower and I'll meet you outside the changeroom in 20 minutes." Marco was extremely relieved that Dylan was changing at the other side of the changeroom and quickly ran to the shower to get ready.

"The group's pretty chill," Dylan assured as they walked into the 519 community centre and upstairs to the meeting room. Marco was distracted by the rainbow decorations, posters of gay families, men kissing, women kissing, not to mention the huge number of announcements for community events – gay dad picnic, friendship group for queers over sixty, trans support group.

"We usually just introduce ourselves, our respective orientation – les, gay, bi, trans – and say something about the week. Then they have some topic for discussion and you can choose to speak or not."

A whole room of gay kids, talking about being gay. Marco laughed to himself at the thought of him finding the situation 'chill'. Though that time would not be tonight, as his heart pounded, he was ready, if nervous. He didn't want Dylan to think he had to babysit him and was prepared to chit chat with people on his own. But as they walked in Dylan immediately guided Marco over to a group in the corner, "Hey there's some people I want you to meet."

"James, Cory, this is Marco, a friend from school."

"Hey Marco – welcome welcome! We always like new blood around here," James laughed with a friendly smile. James was a graceful, thin, flamboyant black guy who Marco immediately liked.

"Hey dude. Take it easy," Dylan warned.

"Why Dylan? Have you got dibs on the new guy?" Cory teased.

Marco's face turned bright red. "What? No…I mean. We're friends. But umm-" Dylan tried to stutter his way out.

"Okay guys. Let's sit down. Bring the chairs into a circle. Today's topic is coming out stories" Kendra and Don, the coordinators interrupted.

Dylan quickly pulled up chairs for him and Marco, not even giving Marco a chance to assert his independence.

"Hi all. I'm James. I'm gay. Surprise! No really, um something from this week. Well, I aced my math test which was a huge feat for me." Murmurs of support and nods circulated the room.

"I'm Dylan. I'm gay – same as last week. Something from this week – well, actually there's a pretty cool new gay guy at school. Plays soccer, nice guy. So yeah. That was definitely a highlight of my week." Dylan smiled at Marco, as Cory and James, looked amusedly at each other.

"So I'm Marco. My first time here-" welcome Marco murmurs briefly interrupted him. "I'm gay. Actually, I'm the new gay guy at school. I play soccer. I'm a nice guy." Everyone laughed as Marco looked right back at Dylan, giving him the 'so you're trying to push me, eh? Well, I can handle it' look. "I've just started coming out. And something from this week – well, I'm here. That's no small feat for me." Marco smiled to himself as he looked around the room.

"I'm Luisa. I'm lesbian. It's also my first time here," she smiled at Marco, "and I think if I'm not mistaken given Marco's name, we are also both Italian. I'm also just coming out and man, I am so glad to be in a room where I'm not the only gay person." Lots of sympathetic murmurs.

Marco was amazed at the stories he heard that night – sad, happy, touching, empowering, and feeling the support in the room. James had come out when he was twelve – twelve! He really always knew (no kidding. He even set off Marco's gaydar). Dylan's parents had been very unhappy at first and couldn't accept that their jock son was gay. But amazingly, a few years and they had done an almost complete 180. They wouldn't stop asking him when he'd be bringing a boyfriend home for supper. How embarrassing! Luisa couldn't hide any more after she realized she had a huge crush on her straight best friend. She told her and her friend was incredibly supportive, but straight, and she decided she better meet some more gay people.

Marco felt high as he and Dylan walked towards Dylan's car. "Did you have a good time?" Dylan asked.

They stopped by his car. "Dylan, I don't know what to say. I'm so overwhelmed, in a good way. It was so amazing for me to hear all those stories that I could relate to, to meet so many gay teens. Thank you so much for inviting me."

Dylan was so drawn to that excited sparkle in Marco's deep brown eyes that seemed to be shining at him. "You don't have to thank me, Marco," Dylan sighed smiling, "I'm just glad...well,um, I'm gladthat you're happy…"Dylan gently wrapped his arms around Marco's body, giving into his urge to hug him.

Despite his nerves, Marco let himself be pulled against Dylan's athletic body, as he tentatively hugged Dylan back, resting his head on his shoulder. Marco's body tingled all over as he was acutely aware of each point of contact between them. 'I am hugging a gay guy. I am hugging this gay guy. This so does not feel like hugging my other friends. Beginners nerves, I guess.' Marco mused as they got into the car.

Marco was checking some last minute e-mails before getting into bed that night when he was surprised by a pop up text message

IDylan: Marco, you there?

Baddaboom: Dylan? Didn't I just leave your car fifteen minutes ago?

IDylan: I know, I know. I guess spending the entire afternoon and evening with the star soccer player wasn't enough... (There he goes flirting again…guilty as charged :). Really, I actually just forgot to tell you that a bunch of us from the group are going out to The Other Team on Saturday night – it's an all ages night. I wanted to make sure to remember to invite you.

Baddaboom: My first gay club, eh? Dylan, if you keep this up I'm not going to have any firsts left. Well, what the hell. I'll be honest, it's a little intimidating (picture me smiling with a cute shy smile), but I'm game.

IDylan: Great. I'm picturing you smiling with a cute shy smile. And don't worry, Marco. You'll still have lots of firsts left (picture me smiling with a flirtatious smile).