So, as promised, I am continuing my story to complete before I leave next week (one of my true pet peeves about fanfiction are the ridiculous number of unfinished stories!). There are 2 or 3 more chapters. I will be writing more on Friday, but because I only got three reviews for chapter 7, I am only going to update once I get 10 reviews for this chapter. (Yes, a mild threat…it will be written and waiting for you, so let me know you're reading and what you like.)

It is actually because Guevarax5452 said that she liked Steve, that I continued with him (he was originally just going to be a pawn in the one chapter). So you can have an influence…

Chapter 8 – big happenings. Enjoy!

Chapter 8 - Trust

The summer sun was setting as Marco anxiously got ready for a night out at the Other Team. He had been away with his parents for the weekend, and his body was already missing Dylan's touch which he had quickly become accustomed to again. 'I can't believe I'm so lame…once again,' he laughed to himself, 'three days away and I feel like I'm about to go on a first date.' Marco fixed his hair as he picked up the phone to call Tim. "Hey Tim…Yeah, we got home an hour early so you wanna go now? Cool, I'll meet you in line." Dylan was already at the bar with Steve, and Tim had dinner plans so they had agreed to meet up later and head over together.

Marco and Tim made their way up the stairs into the bar, looking for the McGill hockey players. They walked into the quieter section of the club with tables, when Marco saw the characteristic blond curls seated at a table, peeking out from just behind the wall. As Marco turned the corner, about to surprise Dylan whose back was to him, he stopped in his tracks when he saw who Dylan was sitting with.

"It's great to see you too, Eric."

Marco stepped back behind the wall, his face white as he listened.

"You know we missed you at U of T this year, Dylan. The men at McGill really got lucky…" Eric flirted.

"Yeah, well, I was just on exchange. I'll be back at U of T this year." Dylan answered, ignoring the compliment.

Marco stood slightly in shock behind the wall. Tim stood uncomfortably in front of him.

"Umm…Marco, do you want to leave? I mean…"

"No Tim. Just be quiet, okay?" Marco snapped, "I need to listen to this."

"Well, you're looking as handsome as ever, blue eyes" Eric cooed.

Marco rolled his eyes at Tim, "I think I'm gonna throw up."

"You haven't changed much in a year, have you?" Dylan smiled, somewhat amused.

"And neither have you, I'm happy to say. Still playing hockey, still built, still sexy," Eric reached out his hand to touch Dylan's arm, which Dylan quickly moved away. "You know hunny, I was wondering if you might want to, you know,….dance with me," Eric purred, "and let the evening take us where it may…"

Marco was looking at the ground shaking his head. He couldn't believe this was happening. 'Maybe Dylan hadn't changed at all,... How ironic."

"Look, Eric. There's something you should know. The men at McGill didn't get lucky, as you put it…" Dylan paused, "Eric, I'm in love with Marco,…and I have been since he and I first broke up. I spent most of my year at McGill missing him, and I came back to Toronto to be with him. And now, well,…we're trying to work things out. And it's definitely me who has to do the work. But I'm willing."

Marco looked up at Tim in relieved shock, and Tim gave Marco a huge supportive smile. 'Did he just say he was in love with me?'

"So anyways, much as it's nice to see you, Eric. I belong to someone else. Even if he doesn't yet belong to me."

"That's so sweet, Dylan. I could always tell you had a soft spot for Marco…" Eric leaned into Dylan, "But that didn't stop you last time…" he flirted suggestively.

Dylan rolled his eyes, "Eric, you don't get it do you? I don't have a soft spot for Marco. I love him. And yeah, you're right. It didn't stop me last time, but it should have-"

Eric pouted interrupting, "Oh come on, blue eyes.."

"No….And don't call me that... I know this is hard for you to grasp so I'm going to spell it out for you. I don't want to fool around with you, or be with you or with anyone else for that matter. There is only one person-"

Dylan stopped abruptly as he felt warm lips kissing his neck – "What the-" His words were swiftly cut off as Marco moved to straddle his lap, forcefully kissing him with a new intensity, almost knocking over his chair. When Dylan realized who it was, shocked, he wrapped his arms protectively around Marco, holding him firmly to his body.

"Dylan…" Marco shook his head in disbelief at the situation.

"Marco…how long have you been here?" Dylan's face was flushed with guilt.

"Long enough to hear-"

"Marco, I didn't-"

"I know…," Marco's eyes were shining mischievously, "What I was going to say is, long enough to know that there is only one person I want to be with-"

"What?" Dylan looked at Marco not believing what he was hearing, especially given his now dumbfounded company sitting across the table.

"You don't get it do you?" Marco mimicked, "So I guess I'll have to spell it out for you. I wanna dance with you, and fool around with you, and make love to you… These last few weeks have been awesome, but I was still holding back. So I guess I need to thank, well,… Eric, actually" Marco paused, looking sideways at Eric with a pitying but not entirely unfriendly look, before turning back to Dylan. "Dylan, you asked for a second chance that day at school. So…you've got one." Marco leaned down and kissed Dylan softly on the mouth. "Now come on blue eyes," Marco whispered in his ear, "let's dance. Marco got up from Dylan's lap and gently pulled Dylan up.

"Alright hunny. I get it now." Eric said half to himself, entirely embarrassed, somewhat moved, and somewhat amazed by what had just happened.

Dylan looked back at him, and calmly nodded, "Good."

Dylan grabbed Marco's hand as Marco led him to the dance floor.

Dylan wrapped his arms around Marco. "Did you really hear all that?...Wait…What are you doing here anyways. I didn't expect you for at least another half hour."

"I know. We got home early so we decided to meet early and surprise you…Well, I guess I was the one who was surprised... And yeah, I really heard it…And despite the two minutes of torture – seriously Dylan, if he called you blue eyes one more time, I honestly thought I was going to throw up - I'm really glad I did hear… You blew me away," Marco blushed in a moment of vulnerability.

"Well,…I meant it." Dylan looked into Marco's eyes.

Marco took a deep breath. "I love you too…Dylan," Marco whispered in his ear, as he put his head down on Dylan's shoulder and closed his eyes, feeling the dance.

The music picked up as the four boys danced together, casually flirting in a way particular to a group of gay friends.

"You know Marco, I can't believe this is me here," Tim confessed, "at a gay bar, with gay friends, and with a guy I'm at least making out with somewhat routinely."

Marco smiled, "I'm so proud of you Tim…really. I don't mean that in a patronizing way. I mean, it's so great to see you with Steve. You seem confident, open,.. totally cute," Marco flirted playfully.

"Really?...I mean, the first time he kissed me at Dylan's barbecue, Marco…I didn't feel so confident. I honestly thought I was going to faint."

Marco laughed, "But you didn't-"

"No. And then I just got into and…wow." Tim sighed.

"Ahem…are you flirting with my current crush?" Steve interrupted, "'cause Marco, I think after what just happened, you better make Dylan's turning Eric down worth it."

"He's all yours, Steve," Marco stepped back as Steve took Tim's hands, "And by the way," Marco added, "I guarantee you hunny, I am definitely worth it."

Marco and Dylan began to dance again, as they watched as Steve began kissing Tim's neck. "Who would have thought, eh?" said Dylan, "Tim is getting some action…"

"Yeah. I think Steve is just what Tim needs – uninhibited, unapologetically gay, willing to make the first move," Marco laughed, "because I think Tim is more than willing to follow the lead."

Dylan and Marco went to get a drink and made their way to the 'chill out' couch room beside the dance floor. "Oh hey, I know that guy from a few years ago," Dylan looked up, "Dave, hey – what's going on? Nice to see you, man."

"Hey Dylan. Long time no see…Oh this is Matt," he introduced the guy holding on to his arm, "Matt, this is Dylan Michalchuk. We met years ago at the 519 youth group."

"Hey Matt. Yeah, and this is," Dylan looked at Marco, "my boyfriend, Marco."

Marco smiled widely at Dave and Matt before they walked away, laughing at himself, 'they must really think I'm abnormally happy to meet them.'

As Dylan put his arm around Marco, Marco relaxed back into Dylan's chest. With his lips so close to Dylan, he unconsciously leaned in and began kissing his neck. As Dylan started getting aroused, he pushed Marco down on the couch, climbing on top of him, and gently began kissing his mouth, "I love you, Marco," he breathed, deepening their kiss with his soft tongue.

The unrestrained sexuality of a gay bar let anyone inside engage in entirely inappropriate displays of affection, so entirely appropriate in the situation. There was another couple making out on the couch beside them, and a couple of shirtless men kissing in the corner, as people walked in and out, and the music blared. Dylan's hands began roaming over Marco's body, he could feel his chest, his legs, his butt through his clothes. Dylan could feel Marco get hard as they clawed at each other. When they paused for a breath, Marco opened his eyes and looked up at the humour of the scene of the public displays surrounding them, of which they were apart. "You know what, Dylan?" Marco breathed contentedly, "I love being gay."