Dave examined his reflection critically. Sebastian had told him they were going someplace casual, so he'd chosen a pair of dark jeans instead of khakis, but the plum-colored button-down shirt he'd selected just wasn't working. He pulled it off and started rifling through his closet for something more appropriate.

"That's, like, the fourth time you've changed," observed his roommate, Matt, who was sitting with his laptop in the common area, watching with a bemused expression. "You must really like this guy."

Dave glanced at him quickly, ignoring the way his heart skipped a beat. "I just want to look nice – I'd be doing this for any date."

"Calling bullshit," grinned Matt. "Remember when you went out with that Andrew guy last year? I actually had to tell you he'd probably be upset if you didn't change out of your workout clothes."

"Maybe I've just developed a better sense of fashion," Dave mumbled, turning red.

"Whatever you want to tell yourself," his roommate teased. "Wear that aqua dress shirt you got last Christmas. It'll make your eyes pop," he advised without looking up from his computer.

"Yes!" Dave exclaimed, locating the shirt in question and quickly pulling it on. "Thanks, man!"

"Isn't the gay roommate supposed to be the one who's good at selecting date outfits?" asked Matt.

Dave shrugged. "Isn't the straight roommate supposed to be into football?"

"We're just breaking all the stereotypes!" Matt said. There was a sharp knock at the door. "That must be him," he stage whispered. "Answer it!"

"Do I look okay?" Dave asked anxiously, smoothing the bottom of his shirt.

Matt nodded. "You look great; now answer the door!"

Taking a deep breath, Dave went to let Sebastian in. The breath left him completely when he saw the other boy. "I … I thought you said casual," he stuttered.

Sebastian, who had been staring at Dave, looked concerned. "Is this not casual? Years of prep school uniforms have kind of messed with my wardrobe." Sebastian was wearing white slacks with loafers, a blue-and-white plaid shirt, and a navy jacket.

"No, you look – you look fantastic," Dave assured him. "I, on the other hand, might need to go change. Or buy new clothes. I'll get back to you."

Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you talking about? You look great!"

Dave glanced down, hiding a shy grin. "I don't know about that, but –"

"He means thank you," Matt called out, closing his laptop and standing up, walking over to the pair. "I'm Matt, by the way."

"Sebastian. Pleasure to meet you," he said, shaking Matt's hand. "Here to see Dave off?"

"Yep!" Matt chirped. "Well, mainly because I live here, but also so someone has a description to give the police if you turn out to be a serial killer."

Dave shot Matt a look, but Sebastian laughed easily. "I've been called a lot of things, but never a serial killer."

"Well then, let's keep it that way! I'd be kind of upset if you murdered my roommate. Rent's due soon," Matt quipped.

Dave rolled his eyes. "It's good to know I'd be missed," he said dryly. "So, whenever you're done … Unless the two of you would like to go on this date without me?"

"Sorry, Matt, but I'm going to have to go with Dave on this one – maybe some other time," Sebastian winked.

"Damn," Matt sighed. "Well, Dave, I guess this one's yours," he said, clapping him on the back. "Go get 'em, tiger!"

"Later, man!"

"See you around!" Sebastian smiled as they left the apartment and headed out to the street. "He seems nice."

"He is," Dave agreed. "He was my randomly assigned roommate last year, in the dorms, and it just worked out really well. I was nervous to come out to him, at first, but he was totally cool with it."

"Good," said Sebastian emphatically. "The last thing you needed was to get saddled with some douchebag roommate."

"Yeah … It's a lot better here, though, than Ohio."

Sebastian snorted. "Parts of Russia are better than Ohio."

Dave laughed. "I take it you're not feeling homesick?"

"Not even a little bit." He glanced at Dave. "Are you?"

"No," Dave admitted, shaking his head. "I mean, I miss my dad sometimes, but we talk on the phone a good bit, and … Everyone else I care about is here in New York."

"That's nice – that you and your dad are close."

"Are you – not close with your parents?" Dave asked tentatively. Sebastian winced. "Sorry, I just … it's never really come up, and …"

Sebastian waved it off. "No, it's fine. They're fine. They tend to stay out of my business, so I can't complain." He grimaced. "Ugh. I definitely didn't plan on spending our first date talking about my parents and Ohio. Let's change the subject."

Dave's mind went painfully blank. "Uh … How are your classes going?"

Sebastian rolled his eyes, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. "Wow, our conversation must have been in the gutter if talking about school is an improvement."

"Could be worse," Dave pointed out. "We could be talking about … I don't know, taxes or something."

Sebastian laughed. "Are you always this charming on dates?"

Dave turned red. "Sorry. I'm not very good at this," he mumbled, eyes fixed on the ground.

"Do I make you nervous?" Sebastian teased lightly. Dave stayed silent and kept walking, staring wide eyed at the sidewalk in front of them. Sebastian stopped abruptly. "Oh. I do," he said. Dave reluctantly halted, turning back to face Sebastian, who was grinning. His expression softened when he saw the mild panic in Dave's eyes. "If it helps, Bear Cub, you make me nervous, too."

Dave let out a puff of laughter, shaking his head. "Nice try, but I don't think so," he said, starting to walk again.

Sebastian looked mildly offended as he followed. "What, you think I'm incapable of getting nervous?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Dave nodded. "And anyway, why would this make you nervous? You go out with guys all the time, don't you?"

Sebastian shook his head. "I go out, and I hook up with guys, but I rarely start the night with the guy I plan to take home. Gives me too much time to fuck it up."

"I'm way more likely to fuck this up than you are," Dave laughed nervously. He glanced at Sebastian. "Unless, of course, you decide to compare me to Liberace again."

Sebastian's face crumpled. "I won't," he said tightly.

"I know," said Dave, putting a hand on Sebastian's arm. "I was just teasing. I'm sorry." He sighed. "See, I told you I'd be the one to fuck things up."

"Nah, I guess I'm just a little oversensitive." Sebastian let out a long breath. "Okay, Bear Cub, we need to relax. If we keep this up, we'll both die from high blood pressure before we get to dessert. Which will make it extremely difficult for us to get to a second date."

"You want to go on a second date?"

"Well, yeah. When you really like a guy, you typically want to make it past date number one," Sebastian explained dryly.

Dave smiled, his steps feeling significantly lighter. "Good. So, I'm pretty sure we have the same basic goals."

"World domination by thirty through wit, charm, and a dashing sense of style?"

"What?"

"Oh, not that goal. Second date. Got it!" Sebastian winked.

Dave laughed, shaking his head. "World domination, huh?"

Sebastian smirked. "It's hot and you know it."

A smile tugged at the corners of Dave's mouth. "What can I say? Ambition is sexy."

"You know what else is sexy? Pizza!" Sebastian declared. "We're here!" he said, turning slightly to enter a ice looking pizzeria. He held the door open for Dave, then walked up to the hostess. "Good evening," he smiled. "Reservation for Smythe."

"Right this way, gentlemen," she said, leading them over to a small booth in the back corner. "Your server will be with you in a moment," she told them as she set their menus down on the table. The two slid into their seats and began looking over the menu. A few seconds later, their waitress – a slightly too enthusiastic blonde girl – bounced up to their table.

"Welcome to Villa DiAngelo's! My name's Jessie and I'll be serving you tonight. Can I start you off with any drinks or appetizers?"

Sebastian looked up. "Let's get some mozzarella sticks and a bottle of merlot for the table."

Dave glanced at him. Neither of them were 21, but the waitress didn't seem concerned. She just nodded, jotting down the order on her notepad. "Awesome!" Anything else?" They shook their heads. "Okie-dokie! I'll be right back."

"So, what are you thinking about ordering for your entrée?" Sebastian asked. "Have you been here before?"

"Nope," said Dave. "And no idea – any recommendations?"

Sebastian smiled. "Good. I was hoping I'd found someplace new!" He turned back to the menu. "Well, I'm partial to the pizza, but everything's pretty good – it's hard to go wrong." His smile slowly shifted to a smirk. "We could totally get one big plate of spaghetti. Pull a Lady and the Tramp. Meet in the middle."

Dave snorted. "Tempting," he considered, "but I'll probably go with some of that sexy pizza."

"Fun," said Sebastian with a nod. "Toppings?"

"Just pepperoni's good with me," Dave shrugged.

"Perfect – pepperoni it is, then. Think we should get a large for the two of us?" He paused briefly, but not long enough for Dave to answer. "Yes. Large will be good." Looking over Dave's shoulder, he perked up. "Oh good – here comes Jumpy Jessie!"

"Are you ready to order, or should I give you a minute?" she asked, setting down the wine bottle, mozzarella sticks, and two wine glasses.

"We'll take a large pepperoni pizza on your house specialty crust," said Sebastian, handing their menus to her.

"Awesome! Anything else I can do for you?" she asked enthusiastically.

"Not a thing," said Sebastian with a wide smile that faded into a look of distaste as she walked away. "I don't get it. Is she even real?"

Dave raised a shoulder. "Maybe she had a really good day."

"Or maybe she's a Barbie Doll brought to life."

"Maybe she's trying to flirt with you."

"Maybe she's using this chipper persona to cover a dark and tragic back story."

"Or maybe she just wants a good tip."

Sebastian paused to consider. "I'm pretty sure it's the Barbie one." His eyes lit up. "When she comes back, we should ask if Ken got transformed, too, and what we can do to help her break the spell!"

Dave laughed, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Would you rather I be normal?"

"Not for one second," said Dave with a smile.

"Good," said Sebastian, reaching for the wine bottle. "If you'd said yes, I wouldn't have shared this bottle of merlot with you after all."

"You'd drink it all by yourself?" asked Dave dubiously.

"Of course not. I'd ask Preppy Barbie to join me!"

"Now that I'd like to see," Dave teased.

Sebastian smirked. "So, you get off on watching. Good to know." He laughed as Dave's cheeks flushed. "Careful, Bear Cub. Pretty soon, people will just think you're sunburned."

"How are you even allowed out in public?"

"Oh, come on. Who would want to hide away this beautiful face?" Sebastian asked, flashing a charming smile.

"It's not the face I'm worried about," said Dave wryly. "It's more what's coming out of your mouth."

"Good," Sebastian purred. "My face is pretty damn perfect. And as for the rest …" he smiled slyly, "I'm more concerned with what's coming in my mouth."

"Sebastian!" Dave whispered emphatically, glancing around to see if anyone had heard.

"What?" Sebastian blinked innocently. "I was talking about the pizza."

"Sure you were," Dave snorted, rolling his eyes.

Sebastian sighed dramatically. "No one ever believes me," he lamented, staring into the distance. He brightened. "I guess I'll just have to drown my sorrows in fine wine and pizza!" he grinned as Jessie bounced up, balancing their food in one hand and plates in another.

"Here you go, guys!" she chirped. "Enjoy!"

~.~.~.~.~.~

"I can't believe we ate all of that," Dave said.

"We had no choice. To-go boxes are tacky," Sebastian quipped. "Besides, it wouldn't have been as good left over."

"Nothing will ever be as good as that pizza was."

"I told you – it's sexy pizza," said Sebastian, looking pleased with himself.

Just then, their waitress popped up. "Can I interest you gentlemen in dessert?" she bubbled.

"Not tonight," Sebastian answered. "Just the check, please."

"Together or separate?"

Dave took a breath to say "separate," but Sebastian spoke first. "Together," he said firmly.

"Okie-dokie! I'll be back in a jiff!" Jessie said with a grin, turning to leave.

"You didn't have to do that," Dave protested quietly once she was gone. "I can pay for half."

"Nope," Sebastian said stubbornly, shaking his head. "I asked you out. That means I pay. You can pick up the tab next time."

Dave felt himself smile. Next time. "I guess I can deal with that," he conceded.

Sebastian took a breath, then froze, a thoughtful expression slowly crossing over his face.

"What?" questioned Dave.

"I've never been on a second date before."

Dave's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly masked it. "Then I'll just have to make sure it's the best second date anyone's ever been on."

"Of course it'll be the best," Sebastian scoffed. "Both of us will be there. What could be better?"

"We are pretty awesome," Dave agreed happily.

A moment later, their waitress returned with the check. "Here you go!"

Sebastian handed it back to her almost immediately with a large bill. "Keep the change," he told her, flashing a smile.

"Thank you!" Jessie said. She paused for a second, clearly on the verge of adding something else. Finally, she burst. "Also, I just wanted to tell you that you two make a very handsome couple," she gushed.

Sebastian got a glint in his eye and gave Dave a quick, subtle wink. "Couple?" he said, feigning disgust. "We're brothers."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, mortified. "I – I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to assume, I just thought –"

"Did you?" Sebastian asked, eyebrows raised.

"Again, so sorry," Jessie apologized. Her eyes darted, looking to escape. "Well," she clapped her hands, "have a nice night!"

She darted off; Dave and Sebastian stood and walked out of the restaurant. Dave waited until they were outside to start laughing. "Seb, you probably traumatized the poor girl," he chastised halfheartedly.

Sebastian shrugged, looking smug. "The size of the tip I left her makes up for it. Besides, she's not traumatized, just embarrassed. She'll be traumatized when we come back here and make Cersei and Jamie Lannister look estranged."

~.~.~.~.~.~

The easy conversation continued through the walk back to Dave's apartment – which seemed much closer than it had been earlier. Neither was quite ready to part for the evening; they wordlessly agreed that Sebastian should follow Dave all the way up to his front door rather than parting at the entrance of the building. As they reached his front door, Dave found himself wishing he lived just a little farther away from the front – maybe just one more flight of stairs.

"Well," said Dave reluctantly, turning to face Sebastian, "I guess this is goodnight."

"It does seem to be the end of the line," Sebastian nodded, smiling ruefully. He looked up at Dave. "Thank you for making this such a lovely evening."

"I should be thanking you," Dave protested. "You're the one who put this together, you paid for dinner –"

"And you made me want to do all that crap," Sebastian interrupted with a smirk.

"Oh. Well, in that case, you're welcome."

Sebastian laughed softly, gazing at Dave with a sort of tentative curiosity. "Would it be all right if I kissed you?"

Dave's heart leapt through his ribcage. He tried to push it back down into his chest. "I – I'd like that."

Sebastian stepped forward, carefully looping one arm around Dave's waist and putting the other hand on his head. Eyes closed, he pulled him close and gently brought their lips together. Dave felt a sudden warmth, a jolt of passion and intimacy and softness – and then it was over, but the closeness persisted, even once Sebastian had slowly backed away and let go.

"Goodnight, Bear Cub," Sebastian grinned. Before Dave had truly regained his composure, the younger boy was down the stairs and out of sight. Sighing happily, Dave went inside his apartment. Matt was still up, sitting on the couch.

"So, how'd it go?" asked Matt, eyes bright with anticipation.

"Really well," said Dave.

Matt looked at him expectantly. "And? Come on, it's hard to live vicariously through you if you withhold information."

Dave laughed easily and launched into a recap of the evening. Matt was a good listener, reacting appropriately in all the right places. He hooted when Dave got to the kiss. "Aw, yes! Get some, Karofsky!"

Dave turned red, but he was grinning. "Yeah, it was a pretty successful first date."

"So I take it there will be a second date?" asked Matt, wiggling his eyebrows.

Dave nodded. "Mhmm. There definitely will be," he affirmed with confidence.

Matt gave him a high five. "Sweet. Now I can go to bed happy."

"Glad to hear it," Dave laughed. "Goodnight, man!"

"'Night!"

Dave wandered into his room, still floating from the evening's events. He glanced at his phone and noticed a new message – from Sebastian.

Hey, Bear Cub – had a great time tonight. Can't wait to do it again! –xx

Smiling widely, Dave read the text again. He couldn't wait, either.