"You little shit!"

Upon hearing Dave's shrill words, Sebastian took off running, laughing and looking behind him at the barreling, 265-pound frame of one David Karofsky chasing him.

"Wait, Dave!" Sebastian exclaimed, rounding to the left in the wide-open, empty expanse of the Allen County Fairgrounds, "We thought we were doing the right thing!"

"Bullshit, Smythe! When I get my hands on you!"

Sebastian, nearing hysterics and starting to pant a little, suddenly turned to the left with Dave in hot pursuit. An evil grin adorned Dave's face as he was ever so slowly gaining on the nimble body of one Sebastian Smythe. It was as if the summer heat wasn't effecting them. It was, of course.

"Dave! Dave!" But Sebastian couldn't finish that thought as more laughs erupted out of him. So, there they were – two teenage boys running in the barren, grassy lands of the fairgrounds, laughing and threatening and laughing some more.

At one point, Dave almost had his hands on him. But Sebastian's sly, sneaky frame barely escaped Dave's clutches as more laughter escaped from Sebastian. Growling Dave resumed his hunt.

Sebastian's hyena laughter would slow him down from time to time, much to Dave's happiness. There was no shade to speak of as Sebastian was nearly to fairgrounds' Ticket Office – Sebastian's escape routes were becoming limited.

"You had," Dave yelled, "Carolyn fake being lost just to-!"

"No, Dave! I swear!"

The chase continued. Dave snarled when his fingers lost contact with Sebastian's shirt as he made a clever, sudden turn to the right. Using the ground as a human fulcrum, Dave barreled around and, with a growl, increased his speed!

"No, Dave! Stop!"

But all Dave said in response was something incoherent. Something akin to 'I'm gonna kill you!' or 'I'm gonna get you!'

Finally, the summer heat began to really wear them down. But the pursuit still went on as Dave secretly enjoyed this hunt. He knew he'd get Sebastian in his arms at some point and make him pay for his deception. Briefly, Dave considered what he'd do to Carolyn, but Sebastian was much more of a prize.

"Dave…" The oppressive heat was finally, finally, winning. Sebastian realized wiggle room was being systematically narrowed down. Dave grinned.

"Y-yes, Se-Sebastian?!" Dave hungrily asked, in between pants.

Unexpectedly, Sebastian slowed his pace way down. Dave recognized the heat was getting to him, as it was for Dave. A confident, winning smile on his face, as Dave was nearing his beautiful, blonde target.

"Gotch-!"

Then suddenly, Sebastian took off on high speed! He laughed as his deception worked again! Dave growled in frustration and determination, using his football legs to propel him faster. But Sebastian had forgotten two things – he was running out of room, and he was not conditioned like a football player.

"Now I've gotcha!"

Sebastian felt bear-like arms clutch his waist and both boys tumbled onto the harsh, dry, slightly-browned grass, just outside the Ticket Office. Immediately on impact, Dave's conquering smile vanished as an incredible howl of pain escaped Sebastian's mouth!

Terrified, Dave looked over at Seb, curled on his side, facing away from Dave.

"Seb!" Dave cried, desperately trying to catch his breath. "Seb!"

But Sebastian wasn't responding. He too was trying to breathe normally as the sun beat down on them. He was clutching his right leg, the one lying on the ground.

"Oh Seb!" Dave said, scooting closer to him, his hand resting on Sebastian's shoulder.

Sebastian rolled further away from Dave, feeling the heavy hand roll off his shoulder.

"Please Seb!"

And that's when Sebastian smirked.

With a wicked smile on his face, Sebastian suddenly started to get right back up with a laugh! But Dave wasn't fooled this time at all. He quickly grabbed his prey and with a snarl, wrapped his bear-like arms around the laughing, blonde boy, holding him tight.

Dave won.

They sort of spooned on the hot grass as they struggled to get air into their gasping lungs. Dave easily held Sebastian with one arm while the other was on-the-ready in case Sebastian had any escape plans. But breathing and calming down was much more prevalent in their minds. Sweat rivers poured over their bodies as laughter still, from time to time, found their way out of both boys' mouths.

Dave watched the back of Sebastian's glistening head rest on the ground, loving how he now had this image to look forward to – their first 'official' fight. Dave grinned. Sebastian, defeated and slightly panting, just couldn't wipe away the smile that adorned his perfect face. From a birds'-eye view, it looked like two boys, awkwardly and innocently spooning…well, innocently if it wasn't for who they were.

As breathing finally returned to normal, Dave used his strength advantage to slowly and easily turn his boyfriend on his back. Sebastian looked at Dave with his stunning green eyes as they just goofily smiled at each other. They were so ornery!

"Now," Dave announced with a firm air of authority, "it's time for your punishment."

Sebastian's smile widened even further for an instant until it transformed into a questioning look.

"And," Sebastian began, as he casually stroked a sweat bead off Dave's temple, "what would that be?"

Dave evilly grinned, a grin with way too many teeth. "This!"

Without warning, Dave scooped Sebastian up and into a standing position. And just as quickly, reached down to his boyfriend's waist and handily swung him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes!

Sebastian didn't smirk – he embarrassingly howled with laughter!

"David! Put me down!"

"Nope!"

And with that, Dave began the short trek towards the shaded Ticket Office building. Sebastian just laughed and laughed and laughed as Dave just kept grinning.

"Da-David Al-Al-Alan Ka-KarofffaahahahaHAHAHAHA!" Sebastian suddenly became illiterate as his ass hung on David's shoulder for all of Lima to see.

Dave couldn't have been happier! This was victory!

He took the last few steps until he was under the shade of the little building. Placing a still laughing Sebastian down on the ground, he waited until his boyfriend found his footing and pushed him up against the wall, pinning him there. Sebastian wasn't going anywhere. Dave barely let Sebastian get his bearings before the torture began.

"Payback!" Dave triumphantly yelled.

Dave's fingers found their way to Sebastian's ribs and laughter exploded! Sebastian tried his best to wriggle away and fight off Dave's hands, but he couldn't stop him or escape. Sebastian turned this way and that, his face becoming a poster of pure joy. He just laughed and laughed as Dave was having his tickling way with his boyfriend.

Dave grinned. Sebastian laughed. The shade tried to cool them.

Finally, Sebastian's laughter soon became intense gasps for air and Dave stopped, but restrained his boyfriend to prevent any further escape attempts. But he knew Sebastian wouldn't try anything – their heated and overexerted bodies were done. Just…done.

Sebastian slumped on his knees, one hand on the ground for support. Still smiling, Dave knelt down, one hand on Sebastian's back for his own support as well as providing strength for his struggling boyfriend.

As Sebastian regained his breath, Dave patiently waited, slowly stroking his hand along his boyfriend's back, soothing the both of them further. At least a full minute passed as they settled like this. It took longer than expected for Sebastian to recover and Dave just waited him out. Protectively, he checked on his boyfriend, making sure there were no serious issues. But there weren't. So, Dave just kept smiling. So did Sebastian.

Then, Sebastian made a move to stand and found Dave's firm hand on his bicep, guiding him up. The two just stood there looking at each other, smiling so, so much. They were so happy.

"Just wait," Dave confidently said, "until the next time I see Carolyn!"

Unexpectedly, Sebastian's smile slowly eroded from his face as he stared at his boyfriend. Dave watched this transformation and was just starting to show concern when Sebastian suddenly and passionately kissed him!

Sebastian clasped Dave's face with his thin hands holding it firmly. The kiss went on and on, much to Dave's happy surprise. It was so incredibly lingering and passionate.

And then, just as abruptly, Sebastian pulled back, hands still on Dave's face.

"Dave…Dave…"

He noticed a tear fall down Sebastian's face.

"What? What Seb?"

But Sebastian didn't say anything for a second, just loving having his strong, loyal boyfriend right in front of his face.

"I…I just…" And then, Sebastian smiled a golden, radiant, proud smile. "I've never had anyone in my life who cared for Carolyn so much. Who cared for her like she was his own-" Sebastian stopped. Dave knew what he was going to say, but didn't interrupt him. "Who cared for me as much as you do! It's…it's everything I could ever want!"

"Oh Seeeeb!"

And that's when arms locked around each other, holding on for dear life, holding on for a dear future that they both wanted. They wanted this future, the kind of future that love and passion promises to hold. They just wanted each other!

Dave guided Sebastian's hands off his face and moved to his boyfriend's side. He motioned for His Sebastian to sit down on the grass with their backs against the Ticket Office. Smiling again, they both sat down and Dave's arm automatically went around his boyfriend, his hand resting on Sebastian's forearm. In turn, Sebastian leaned a little onto Dave's chest, depositing his head on Dave's shoulder. They stretched their legs out and came to a complete stop. With the intense heat, hunt, tickling, and revelations, the boys found themselves exhausted. This respite was just what the boys needed to soothe their tired bodies.

"You know," Sebastian quietly began, "it's been a while since I've been this happy."

Dave turned and kissed Sebastian's sweaty hair. "Good. You deserve it."

"And," Sebastian asked, turning his head towards Dave, "did I deserve the terrifying pursuit, the scary tackling, the frightening tickling, and the petrifying claiming by one David Karofsky?"

Dave laughed and smiled. "That was an impressive little speech, Sebastian! You could become a senator with that mouth!"

"Yeah! A Roman senator!"

The boys smiled at each other before a quick, soothing kiss just had to be placed. They detached from each other and looked straight forward into the empty area of the now-abandoned fairgrounds. It took another full second for Sebastian to realize he had just referred to his chilling nightmare from before. From before.

Sebastian somehow found his head back on Dave's shoulder. And the two just relaxed even further, loving the shield from the sun the little building provided and the love in their hearts. They further settled into each other as time went on.

He wasn't sure but he thought he heard him snoring a little.

.

"So, now what are you going to do?" Sebastian asked, kicking a little dry grass in the humid air.

"Not sure." Dave replied, just a step behind Sebastian. "Probably just wait until we go to Ohio State together."

"You mean you're not going to get a summer job?"

Dave paused, inspecting the ground near Sebastian's feet. It was still a sunny day at the Allen County Fairgrounds, although the sun had begun to dip a little. They were in an open area of the fairgrounds where the carnival was held, but now a good, recent memory.

Dave sighed. "Probably not. I need to maintain my conditioning."

Sebastian shot him a sideways glance. "Always have to be in shape, huh?"

"Uh huh."

Sebastian came to a full stop and grinned at him. "I can think of ways to do that."

Dave stopped too, loving the way Sebastian's green eyes sparkled when he was being ornery and seductive. Bashfully, Dave approached Sebastian, placing his hands on his boyfriends' hips.

"I can too…" Dave whispered, bending down for a brief, but very passionate kiss. They were completely alone. Nobody in their right mind would choose to be in an open field of a July summer. The sun hadn't worn them down yet as their kiss softly lingered. Finally, Dave separated, slowly rotating his hands on his boyfriend's hips. But then, a thought came him.

"Seb?"

"Mmm?"

Dave took a step back, indicating he had a serious question.

"What about…your dad?"

Sebastian looked down for a moment, flashbacks of his horrible nightmare penetrating him. He gently kicked the dirt as his feet and turned, strolling through the open field.

"That son of a bitch can do what he wants." Sebastian replied, almost wistfully. "I don't care. For the first time in a long time, I'm doing something that I want to do, not what he wants. And he doesn't know what to think."

Dave took two, long steps to catch up to him, slowing when he got to Sebastian's side. A gentle breeze blew by as the two strolled in silence.

"He thinks," Sebastian whispered, "he can control me with money."

All-consuming mouth. Dollar signs. Swallowing. Screaming.

Sebastian shook his head. "But he won't."

Dave smiled. "That's pretty brave of you, Seb."

"Well…" Sebastian then came to a full stop, turning to face his boyfriend. "I have you."

Dave reached for Sebastian's hand and they began aimlessly walking again. They were lost in thought for a while as minutes passed. Suddenly, Dave came to a halt.

"Here was where the cotton candy stand was."

Detaching his hand, Sebastian looked down at Dave's feet, seeing the location where they met and flourished together. A nearby car whizzed by on Route 309, a couple of birds chirped near them, and two boys found that they couldn't be happier.

"Do you," Sebastian coyly began, "want to buy some cotton candy?"

Dave laughed. "Oh God, no! If I never have to be around that sticky, overly sweet stuff again it won't be too soon!"

They laughed. They were happy. They were going to Ohio State together. Soon, they'd be kissing – again.

"We should," Dave gingerly began, "probably get out of this heat. I feel like I did at the end of my work shift." He slowly wiped his brow, looking up at the exhausting sunshine bellowing down on them. As he gazed up at the sky, hopeful thoughts of a fruitful, but relatively unknown future filtered his mind. Sebastian patiently waited as Dave came back down to Earth. Finally, he did. The boys stared at each other for a moment, little, knowing smiles on their faces.

Sebastian reached for Dave's hand and he immediately took it. Together, hand-in-hand, they strolled towards Dave's truck. Briefly, Sebastian thought of one more conversation he would need to have with his dad, and was dreading it. He would have to say his goodbye to him in a few weeks. He wasn't sure what would happen. He subtly shook his head, wiping out those bad thoughts. He was with Dave. And he was happy.

"So," Sebastian began as they left the fairgrounds towards their future, "what do you want to do tonight?"

.