"So what do you do other than football?"Stephen said, lowering himself down on the couch next to Sam.
He handed over one of the Coke's he'd brought from the kitchen and let his eyes wander shamelessly over Sam's muscular body.
"Well, I sing. I'm actually in New Directions, our Glee Club. We're going to nationals soon, I'm so pumped! I still can't believe we won regionals. What about you?"
"Oh, me? Well I sing too, though my old school didn't have show choir. I paint and like to write short stories. I'm sorta a nerd, addicted to sci-fi, so I mostly write about that."
For some reason Sam's whole face lit up. He almost looked like a puppy that was about to be taken for a walk.
"Dude, you think you're a nerd? I know every word of Na'vi, I own every season of Star Trek, and I once went to a Halloween party with some friends dressed as the Justice League. I try not to let my nerd side show as much any more, though. It drove my ex-girlfriend crazy."
Stephen felt his heart sink. "Oh.. but I thought you were.."
"I'm kinda bi..." Sam said, color rising in his cheeks.
"Oh! That's- that's totally cool." He tried not to seem too eager. "As for me I'm gay. Completely gay. One hundred percent." Stephen almost hit himself. Why couldn't he stop talking?
Sam just chuckled. "I know. I figured that out the first day I met you. You're not very subtle." He gave Stephen a cute sideways grin, and a wink that almost made him melt.
He slid closer to Sam, a bold move that left barely two inches between them. "Yeah well, I know what I want when I see it." Shyly, he broke eye contact and focused on trying not to blush. He couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth.
Sam leaned forward, close enough to taste. Instead of leaning in he made eye contact with Stephen and whispered, "Are you saying you want me?"
"Maybe I am." Stephen tilted his chin upwards slightly, meeting Sam's lips for the first time.
He was right about those lips. They were perfect.
One Week Later:
"Sam… Can we talk?" Karofsky said to the blonde boy rifling through his locker.
"What do you want Dave?"
"I just thought I'd tell you… I- I've been seeing someone."
Karofsky saw Sam's eyes flash- jealousy?
"What, like you're dating someone?"
"What? No!" He dropped his voice. "Like a therapist."
Sam froze. "You- what? Why?"
"For you… I'm tired of hurting people. Especially the one's I care about the most. I'm getting better ."
Karofsky cleared his throat, and the look on Sam's face told him he knew what was coming next.
"I was really hoping that we could… try again. I've missed you Sam. I don't think I've ever missed someone this much, especially since it's my fault you're gone. I am so sorry that I took it, my fear, out on you."
Sam said nothing.
"Sam, please. I need you. I'm not… I'm not afraid anymore Sam. Please." His voice was feeble, and he knew he could cry at any moment. Sam had that effect on him. "I love you."
"Dave…" Sam began, but paused like he'd changed his mind about what he was saying.
"Yes." He closed his locker and wrapped his arms around Karofsky. "Yes."
'I love you.'
Sam tried to shake Dave's voice out of his head. He never meant to say yes. He didn't MEAN to date both Dave and Stephen at the same time… it just happened. Sam wasn't the type of guy that cheated, but he just couldn't handle the look on Dave's face… and he knew that would be the same look the Stephen would give him if they broke up.
He felt trapped.
Sam lied on Stephen's bed with his head in the other boys lap. He tried not to make it obvious that something was bothering him, but he was always horrible at hiding his feelings.
"What are you thinking about?" Stephen said, running his fingers through Sam's hair.
"It's just… Dave. He told me he's going to therapy now, and that he's trying to get better. He wanted to get back together."
"What did you say?" Stephen didn't seem too worried, more curious. The way he trusted Sam just made him feel even more guilty.
"Well, I told him I was dating you of course." He lied. "He- he didn't take it too well, and I'm kinda worried. I don't want him to hurt himself… or anyone else."
"So what do you wanna do?" Sam felt Stephen's hand slip into his.
"Maybe we shouldn't be all affectionate in public? I mean… I don't want to set him off."
Stephen lifted Sam's hand to his mouth and gave it a little peck. "Sure, baby. Anything for you."
"Thanks." Well at least he'd eliminated one way of them finding out about each other. "I know it's hard but I'll make it up to you, I promise. How about… Dinner Saturday?"
"Sounds good."
"We should go somewhere cheesy and romantic," Sam said, smiling. "Like a real date."
"Whatever you say. Surprise me." Stephen's tone changed, suddenly serious. "Hey, Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."