Julius was in the backyard. A few scents had invaded the Rottweiler's nostrils and he was engrossed in them. He loved the autumn scents of rodents, leaves, and grass. He had completed his biological needs and was now enjoying Dave's backyard. He would occasionally look at who and what he was protecting and then get back to business. And then, a different scent filled the air.

Julius lifted his head, looking towards Dave. Dave, who had a curious expression on his face, looked at Julius. Suddenly, Julius, a broad smile on his face, began lumbering towards Dave.

Dave smiled, loving it when Julius would come running to him. But just as Julius was approaching Dave, Julius wasn't slowing down. He ran right past Dave, much to Dave's chagrin.

Dave followed Julius as he ran past him into the waiting arms of Matt.

Dave, surprised, turned around to find Matt, nearly bowled over by all 120 pounds of Rottweiler suddenly in his arms.

Dave smiled.

.

Dave and Matt were back in Dave's basement. Julius was being petted by Matt, who was sitting on the edge of Dave's bed. Dave smiled at this. He loved that Matt and Julius loved each other, but was a little jealous too. After all, Julius was Dave's dog, but he seemed to love Matt with just as much gusto as Dave did.

Matt, seeing Dave's jealousy, decided to have a little fun.

"Awwww, Julius, I love you soooo much!" Matt cooed, rubbing Julius' ears, making kissy faces. Julius' tail, or rather, his stub, wagged so much his entire hindquarters were wobbling left and right at high speed.

Dave had had enough.

"Alright, Julius." Dave said with a smile, "Go lie down now. It's my turn to get my ears rubbed."

Matt laughed. The two off them ordered Julius to go to his dog bed. Reluctantly, Julius waddled over to his bed and flopped down with a little 'harrumph' from his mouth.

Then, Dave very slowly turned his head to look at Matt, a severe predatory look in his eye and a little, evil smile on his face.

Matt feigned fear, with just a hint of a smile on his face.

Dave, in predatory stance, began stalking towards his boyfriend. His approach was one of a tiger. Matt now appeared afraid.

Dave stalked towards Matt and with a little growl from his throat, grabbed Matt's shoulders and lifted him up and on the bed.

"David!" Matt squealed, with laughter.

"Mine." Dave growled.

Matt then was placed in the middle of the bed, with Dave owning him, now lying on top of him. Dave gazed into the blue eyes that had taken his heart.

Without even softening his features, Dave lunged at Matt's throat, kissing, biting, licking, and kissing again.

"Grizzly!" Matt protested, but only half-heartedly.

Dave growled.

"You don't talk now." Dave fiercely ordered.

Dave didn't skip a beat, biting and licking Matt's small, vulnerable throat. Dave loved how Matt's skin sounded as he let it go from his lips, with that little 'smack' sound.

Matt's breathing became haphazard, his hands desperately grasping Dave's shoulders. His fingers dug into the strong shoulders, trying to keep himself together… and failing. His shaking hands began to explore Dave's strong shoulders. Dave continued to work, suck, pull, bite, and tug on his throat. Neither boy could ignore their erections at this point.

Matt was seeing spots, his breathing becoming more and more difficult.

Dave just growled deeper along Matt's throat.

"Dave, please…" Matt pleaded. But Dave didn't hear him.

"Dave, please!" Matt pleadingly repeated.

Dave stopped.

"What's wrong?" Dave asked, panting a little.

"I just…I couldn't…." Matt struggled.

Dave pushed himself up a little, watching his boyfriend struggling with the intense passion in the room. Dave's eyes drifted towards Matt's throat and smirked.

"Oh no you didn't." Matt said.

Dave just smugly smiled.

"Uh huh." Dave said with a proud smile. "Told you you were mine."

Matt groaned. "How bad is it?"

Dave glanced at his handiwork and just smiled back at him proudly, placing a short, sweet kiss on Matt, who was still trying to regain his composure.

Dave didn't even bother to answer, letting his smile do that job.

"David Karofsky. Do you know how hard it is to hide hickeys when the weather isn't cold?!"

"Uh huh."

.

After the hot and heavy makeout session, the boys ascended the stairs from Dave's basement bedroom to the first floor. Dave opened the door which opened into the white and big kitchen.

"Sit down, Matt." Dave gently ordered. "Want a Coke?"

"Sure." Matt replied. Matt sat down at the kitchen table, looking out the window. Dave's backyard had a few apple trees and bushes, but was a nice, lush, small yard. The wood fencing around the backyard was rough and needed some work, but it still held, which also served to keep Julius from running off.

Dave returned with two glasses filled with Coke. He sat down beside his boyfriend. As he placed a glass in front of Matt, he placed his hand on Matt's thigh, languidly stroking it. Matt took the glass and smiled at his boyfriend. Dave smiled back.

"Cheers." Dave announced. The boys clinked glasses and sipped their drinks, eyes never leaving each other.

It was a nice autumn Saturday afternoon. They were spending nearly every Saturday together now. Their congenial company was warm and inviting. They sometimes studied together, roamed the internet, played with Julius, had lunch, or just let hormones take over. Neither boy wanted to let their desires go towards making love yet, but knew that was just around the corner. They didn't talk about it much, opting for nature to take its course, so to speak.

The serene moment was interrupted by footsteps descending the staircase. Dave quickly removed his hand from Matt's thigh and scooted a little away from Matt. The boys frowned.

Paul stopped walking when he saw that Matt was there with Dave. Dave looked at his Dad, while Matt's back was to him. Matt could feel the penetrating stare from Dave's Dad and didn't like it. He promptly turned around.

"Hi Mr. Karofsky." Matt said with a friendly tone. Perhaps, it was a little too enthusiastic.

"Hello." Paul said, not too friendly. "I didn't know you were coming over."

Matt's smiling voice never left. "Yeah, Dave invited me over to hang out, do some homework…you know."

Paul peered at Matt. Dave hated it when he did that.

"Yeah, OK." Paul said, and then his gaze shifted towards his son. "Dave, a word… in private."

Dave was immediately angry with his Dad and didn't hide it.

"Matt, I'll be just a minute." Matt nodded, looking at his Coke glass, his thoughts a million miles away.

Paul waited until Dave stood up. When he did, Paul turned completely around and marched through the dining room, through the living room, and out onto the front porch, completely out of earshot of the kitchen. Dave reluctantly followed.

The front porch was small, so the two men were fairly close to one another. It was perfect if one wanted to have a quiet conversation. Or even a loud one. Dave had a bad feeling about this.

"Dave, I don't like that kid." Paul said flatly.

"Why?" David whined. "He's been coming over here for months and you're just now telling me this?!"

"There's something about that kid I don't like…"

Dave fumed but didn't say anything. He was waiting for his Dad to say something, anything, and when he didn't, he finally took the initiative.

"Matt's a great guy and a good friend. There's nothing wrong with having a good friend, is there?"

Paul eyed Dave closely before answering.

"What about Azimio?"

"What about Azimio?" Dave countered.

"Haven't seen him around lately."

"So?"

"You could hang around him more."

Dave leaned in a little closer to his father, desperately trying to hold his anger at bay.

"I hang around Azimio at practice almost every day, and I hang around him at school. I don't even see Matt that much."

Paul smirked, looking even closer at his son.

"You know, you hang around with a lot of guys."

Dave blinked, inwardly panicking. Dave was so not ready to reveal his sexuality to his father yet, but he knew his Dad was hinting at that.

"So? What's your point?"

Paul waited for only a half a second before his smirk turned into a condescending smile.

"Nothing."

Dave watched his Dad, waiting for more hate to come out of his mouth.

"So what if Matt isn't a football player or a jock! I don't care. He's a better friend than any I've come across in years. I thought you'd be happy."

Paul laughed.

"Are you sure he's a guy?" Paul sneered.

Dave finally lost it.

"What the hell are you talking about?! Matt's a better friend than Azimio will ever hope to be! Hell, he's a better man!" Dave roared. But Dave was on a roll and couldn't be stopped.

"What do you want, Dad? That I'll hang out with the jocks, bang a cheerleader or two?! Will that shut you up?!"

Paul got right in Dave's face.

"You watch yourself, boy." Paul began with a quiet rage. "You don't raise your voice to me like that ever."

Dave took a breath in, held it, and shakily let it out.

"M-sorry." Dave said, and looked away.

Paul watched his son compose himself. A few seconds went by before Paul reached for the door to enter the house.

"Just don't let that queer get to you, if you know what I mean." And with that, Paul left.

Stunned, Dave couldn't say anything. His Dad knew Matt was gay. Many people did now, thanks to Facebook and Matt's proud display against Azimio in class. Dave turned, facing the driveway, trying his best to compose his thoughts.

Is there something wrong with having a gay friend?, Dave thought. He knew this would come up someday, but he didn't anticipate coming up so soon. He was a jock. He was the star quarterback. And a gay, artistic, singing (incredible, good-looking, loving, passionate, supportive) boy was rivaling Azimio as his closest friend. At least, that's how the world saw it.

The truth confused Dave. He just couldn't rationalize it.

Dave heard the door open.

"Dad, enough!"

"It's me." Dave whirled around to see Matt looking at him with hesitancy and concern in his voice.

Oh God, Dave wanted to just run into his arms and let Matt hold him. He didn't know what to do!

Instead, Dave looked at Matt with as much love in his eyes as he could.

"You Dad is in the backyard playing with Julius, I think."

"That's good." Dave quietly said. "But Dad is in the backyard?"

"Yeah."

And that was all it took. Dave rushed to Matt and held him tight. Matt quickly returned the hug. Tears were threatening to fall from Dave's face as two boys tried to face the harsh truth. Matt held Dave tightly, knowing how torn and sad his boyfriend truly was. A secret romance. A gay secret romance. A jock was desperately trying to hold onto an artist. Social status should never be in the way of love…should it?

.

Sunday was D-day to Dave. This was the day he was going to meet his boyfriend's parents. Dave gathered a nice pair of khaki pants, some nice brown dress shoes, and a cotton, long-sleeved shirt. He quickly dressed, yelled goodbye to his Dad, not even bothering to tell him where he was going, and fled his house.

As he was driving over to Matt's house, he illegally texted Matt that he was on his way. Matt immediately texted back that he shouldn't be texting and driving, but was excited to see him. Matt then sent a second text, stating that Dave should calm down. He did know his boyfriend was nervous, after all.

Dave arrived at Matt's house in record time. Dave rarely went to Matt's house for obvious reasons, but now that the cat was out of the bag about their relationship, he figured he'd be at Matt's house more often. Especially since Dave's Dad knew Matt's sexuality and Dave could lie about where he would be, whenever he wanted to visit his boyfriend.

Dave sat in his car, collecting his thoughts for at least a minute before his phone buzzed again. The text said, "Well, come in already!" Dave looked up to see Matt, smiling that radiant, golden smile of his from the garage. Dave couldn't help but feel waves of relief.

He emerged from the car.

"You look nice." Matt said.

"Thanks." Dave said numbly, eying his clothes.

"Hey. Grizzly."

Dave finally looked up to see Matt's gorgeous blue eyes staring at him with so much warmth that Dave wanted to kiss him right there.

"You'll be fine. My parents will like you. Don't worry." Matt said.

Dave haphazardly sighed, his nerves rattling him again.

Matt grabbed his arm and walked towards the house. Matt couldn't help but notice that he had to ever so slightly drag Dave along.

When they finally entered the little house, Dave was greeted by Matt's parents. They couldn't help but notice Dave's size and didn't hid their surprise. It's not often that a boy as large as Dave enters their house.

A small woman with dark blonde hair approached Dave with a warm smile on her face. In tow was a small, dark haired man with an equally warm smile on his face.

"Hello Dave. I'm Eileen Saranity. And this is Matt Sr."

Dave smiled. His nerves were calming already.

.