Author's note: Wow. Thanks for all the reviews. And 'death' threats. They're always fun. *wink*

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

"Hey," he mutters to Claire as he stomps past her toward the laundry. He knows he'll get hell if he doesn't put his hockey gear on to wash immediately, and with the funk he's in he really doesn't want to deal with any additional drama right now. He just wants to go to his room and sulk for a bit.

"I take it your team lost?" Claire calls out, and he really isn't in the mood to talk.

"Yep."

"You need ice for anything?" Claire asks, coming to stand in the doorway to the wash house and he lets out a long sigh. He knows she's only trying to be helpful, but he really doesn't want to talk.

"No."

"You okay?" He's not, but he really doesn't want to talk so he just shrugs, shoving the gear into the machine and turning it on. "Okay. I'll leave you to it. You know where I am if you want to talk."

He lets out a grunt and nods quickly, glad she's not going to push the issue or try and drag out of him. She turns and leaves, and he braces himself over the washing machine, wondering why exactly he feels so crap.

It's not like he suddenly expected Kurt to be interested in him, not really, and he completely gets why Terence is interested, because what guy wouldn't be interested in Kurt? And he already knew Terence thought Kurt was cute. Part of him is worried for Kurt, but he also knows Kurt is more than capable of looking after himself. Resisting the urge to kick the washing machine he clomps up the stairs and throws himself on his bed.

The idea that Kurt and Terence somehow met up yesterday for a coffee date… he really didn't see that coming when he told Kurt that Terence was gay. He doesn't even know how they got each other's numbers. Considering Terence isn't even out to his family he didn't think Kurt would ever be interested in a guy who wasn't honest about himself. But it isn't up to him who Kurt is and isn't interested in and he slumps further into his bed, wondering if it can maybe swallow him up.

Next day at school his mind is still dwelling on it, and he knows he been in a foul mood, Claire's silently raised eyebrow and significant looks exchanged with his dad over the table during breakfast had told him that he was being a bit of an ass, with even Adam and Lily's oatmeal eating not able to improve his mood. He sits in his car for a few minutes, trying to improve his mood by sheer force of will power. When he gets out and meets Nathan at their usual meeting place Nate's look of concern tells him he's failed. They talk about the game yesterday, what Nathan did in the weekend and about the up-and-coming English assignment they have due.

"Dude, what is your problem? It's like someone kicked your puppy or something."

"Nothing."

"Pfft. Fuck off, I know something's up. If you don't want to tell me that's fine."

"Just… I don't. I can't talk about it."

"Whatever man."

"No, seriously, I can't tell you without telling you stuff, and it's not my place to tell you that sort of shit."

"Right. That made no sense. Just so you know."

Dave sighs and closes his eyes, wishing he could somehow make Nate just understand everything without him having to go over it.

"Have you ever wanted something, but known you'll never have it. But you don't stop wanting it, and then you see someone else with it, and it just makes you think that you really will never have it?"

"Dude. I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Nothing. Just… don't worry about it."

"Uh, no. I think I will worry about it, because quite frankly hanging out with you when you're a sack of sad potatoes is not my idea of a good time."

"Fuck off."

"Tempting actually."

"What's tempting?" Terence asks, and he has to stop himself from actually glaring at him. Fuck, it's not his fault. He really needs to get a grip on himself.

"Leaving Mr Mopey here to his misery. For some reason he won't share he's down in the dumps."

"Oh really? Well… I think I might have a good idea why," replies Terence and this time he does shoot him a little glare, because the guy actually sounds smug.

"Did you guys have a fight? Cause I feel like I am missing something really big right now."

"Nate, I'm gay."

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Huh. I don't know how I should feel about that. Wait, did you guys have a one night stand or something?"

Terence cracks up laughing at that and even Dave has to crack a smile, although his mind is traitorously muttering ''or something alright!'
"No. I don't think I'm Dave's type exactly."

"No, he's far too fixated on Kurt."

"Yep," Terence agrees and his eyes shoot up to meet Terence and there's definitely a glitter of challenge there. Bastard. Terence knows and he's still gone out on a date with Kurt or something.

"Screw this. I'm going to class. See you guys later."

He slings his bag over his shoulder and strides toward the building, leaving Nate and Terence calling after him.

LSY

He's pretty sure Terence has taken it a little bit too far, and when he gets a text message from Terence saying pretty much exactly that he quickly sends a reply, telling him he'll sort it out. He'll go and see Dave after school today. Talk to him. Properly. The sudden flare of nerves when he considers what he'll say are hard to ignore, but he tamps them down and tries to pay attention to the material in class.

Of course the day seems to drag, but it gives him the opportunity to go over and over in his head what he needs to say. What he wants to say. He hadn't actually thought that Terence was right, that Dave liked him, but yesterday, seeing Dave's expression when he thought him and Terence where somehow together… it had convinced him, and he'd wanted to talk to him immediately. Except Terrence had held him back, told him to let Dave think about it and sleep on it.

He'd reluctantly agreed, and today he'd haltingly asked Az whether he thought Dave might like him, just to get a second opinion on the matter. Azimio had laughed in his face, which he'd immediately taken as a no. But then Az had stopped laughing, wiped his eyes and said 'of course he does.' So he's been a bit blind to it all, but he hasn't exactly been looking for someone to like him. It's kind of snuck up on him, and he has no idea if he's actually ready to go out with anyone again.

Dave is wonderful though, and he likes Kurt and Kurt likes Dave in return. He just isn't exactly sure where they can go with that exactly. He drives around to Dave's place, considering the words and possibilities in his head. Because while Dave might like him, he might not actually want to date anyone. He parks his car and hops out, wondering if he should have maybe texted Dave and warned him. Asked if they could talk. No. That would probably give him ideas and he nods his head decisively. He's done the right thing.

"Kurt. Hi. It's not Wednesday is it? I mean, I know I'm a bit loopy at the moment but I don't think I've somehow lost two days."

"No. No, it's Monday. I was just wanting to talk to Dave. Is he home yet?"

"Sounds serious. This have anything to do with the massive sulk he's been in since he got home yesterday?"

He grins and lowers his head, murmurs a quiet 'maybe'under his breath.

"Do you want to go on up or…?"

"Uh. Yeah. I think I'll go up. Thanks."

"No problem. You staying for dinner?"

"Thanks, but I should probably go home for dinner. Carol will be expecting me."

"Okay."

He smiles and heads toward the stairs, remembering the time he took these the first time, and how comfortable he now is in this home. Dave's door is closed and he knocks, patiently waiting for an answer. After a couple of minutes of nothing he tries again, knocking a bit louder. Still nothing. He'd open the door, except he knows what dangerous territory that can be but he might not have any choice.

"Oh, you'll need to open the door. He's listening to music on his headphones. Being all mopey and emotional," Claire states as she walks past him towards the nursery.

"Oh. Okay. Thanks."

He is still hesitant, pushing the door open slowly, but he doesn't hear any word of protest. Once the door is open he can see him, eyes closed but headphones very clearly covering his ears, arms bent with his head resting on his hands and… yeah, jeans a t-shirt are a good look on him, especially with no baggy over shirt hiding everything. It's not the first time he's caught himself admiring Dave, and he knows it won't be the last.

He's unsure whether to go and prod him, alert him to his presence, so just satisfies with watching him for a few moments; the quiet sound of Dave humming along to whatever music it is he's listening to. He's not sure if Dave senses him watching, but his eyes open and then open even wider in surprise.

"Kurt. Hey. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you. Can we go for a walk?"

He wants something to do with the nervous energy in his body, and remove himself out of Dave's bedroom all in one move, and Dave is nodding and agreeing, getting up and grabbing his jacket as he heads toward his bedroom door. It's not cold when they get outside, but the breeze still holds a nippy bite of winter and he wraps his scarf around his neck slightly tighter and wonders where to start as he follows Dave's lead down the street.

"I need to talk. We need to talk," he amends.

"I. Yeah. But… I know about you and Terence. I mean. I figured it out."

He snorts in amusement and shakes his head, although he's pretty sure Dave doesn't see him with the way his head is bent, hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket.

"I imagine you figured it out the same way I figured out that you and Nathan were dating."

That gets an immediate response, eyes wide and confused look.

"What?"

"Mmm. I think we've been doing really well at not talking. I thought, wrongly I know now, that you and Nathan were a couple."

"But Nathan's straight."

"Yes. I know. Now. Terence corrected me."

"But, I told you Terence was gay…"

"No Dave, you told me one of the guys that sent me flowers was not straight. You didn't actually specify who."

"Didn't I?"

"No. Terence told me yesterday that he's gay. Saturday I mean. We bumped into each other at the mall."

"Oh."

"Mmm. We talked a lot actually. And he's not an overly talkative guy normally."

"No. He's not. Wait… so you guys didn't have a date on Saturday?"

"No. We just bumped into each other."

"Oh."

He's partly amused by Dave's apparent confusion, although he doesn't really understand why Dave was so quick to jump to the conclusion they were dating. It wasn't like he saw him and Terence almost curled up together on a sofa and there's nothing for it except to ask.

"So you just assumed that Terence and I were going out?"

"Well… yeah. I mean. He thinks you're cute."

He can't help the little thrill that Dave and Terence have talked about him like that. He wonders if Dave thinks he's cute, although he'd never ask that, he'd die of embarrassment, even if he's pretty sure he's on that path as it is.

"You need more than just thinking someone is cute to date them."

Dave shrugs, burrowing his hands deeper into his jacket pockets.

"You came and watched him play hockey."

Dave sounds almost sullen and he bites his lip to hold back a little laugh,

"Only because you were going to be there."

That announcement makes Dave actually stop walking and he turns toward him and his stomach is apparently trying out for the Cheerios, flips and somersaults on repeat. Dave just stares at him, and he doesn't know what to say. I like you. I thought you were dating Nathan and I was jealous. I want to see if we can maybe try… something. But I feel a bit screwed up still. He doesn't say any of it, just stares back at Dave, chewing his lip and smiling nervously, wondering if he needs to spell it out.

"Me?" Dave asks and Kurt nods, unable to say anything. "Really?" He nods again. "Wow…"

A slow smile breaks out, transforming Dave's worried and confused expression to that of delight, and he can't stop a similar smile taking over his own face and they both duck their heads and look away from one another. He's not sure how it has suddenly become awkward, but it has. The urge to giggle is there, but he refuses to let that win-out, instead bumping Dave's arm with his own. Dave's eyes flick up to meet his for a brief second, and he's still smiling, but also looks as shy as Kurt feels.

"So, uh, what does this, um, mean exactly?"

"I don't know exactly. Whatever we want it to mean I guess."

"Oh."

"What do you want it to mean?" Dave shrugs, and the confused look is back, although he knows Dave probably wants to leave it up to him. "I like the idea of calling you my boyfriend…"

"I… yeah. Me too. I mean –"

"I know what you mean."

They're smiling at each other again, and he knows his dad would be muttering under his breath about lovesick idiots, and he doesn't know if it's love, but he's more than ready to find out.