Kale had been nervous and jittery ever since Dave had confessed his love three nights ago. He had agreed to at least try dating Dave before he gave it up as hopeless, but he had serious doubts. He had never dated anyone for as long as he had been with Ryan. None of his previous relationships had lasted more than a few weeks. With that record, he doubted ever being able to maintain a steady relationship. He feared that any attempt was only doomed to end in failure. Logically, Kale knew Dave would never hurt him. In fact, Dave had saved his life and then stayed by his bedside all night to make sure he was alright. When Dave had confessed his love, Kale had felt so warm inside. He had seen the depth of the other�s emotion in Dave�s expressive green eyes. But all these truths didn�t keep him from doubting. He had thought he was in love before, that the other loved him, only to be proven false time and time again. Kale shuddered as he remembered the feeling of Ryan�s hands squeezing the life out of him.
Laura spoke as soon as he set foot into the living room, her ice blue eyes glittering mischievously. �Aww. My little baby�s going on his first date with David. He�s growing up so fast.� She was seated next to Cheryl on the couch watching an episode of J.A.G. he had seen several times in reruns.
The cheerful tone of her voice dragged him from his depressive thoughts as he fell back into an old routine of theirs. Sticking his tongue out at her playfully, he joined Brian and Seth at the kitchen table. �You make it sound like I�ve never been on a date before.�
�Ah, but this is a date with someone who isn�t a complete asshole. You haven�t been on one of those in a while.� Laura grinned playfully to take the sting out of her reminder of his failed relationship with Ryan. �I can personally vouch that Dave will act as a complete gentleman towards you.�
�Oh?� Something in her tone and his long association with her made him curious.
�I threatened to beat him up if he so much as thought of hurting you.�
Everyone burst out laughing at Laura�s words. Despite how hectic and messed up his life seemed, it was nice to know some things never changed. �You are incorrigible, you know that?�
�Of course. How else am I supposed to get my fun?� Laura grinned widely as she spoke.
�I thought that was what Cheryl was for?� Brian commented dryly, grinning back at her.
�Hey, leave me out of this.� Cheryl glared at him in mock indignation. Her tone turned more serious as she addressed her next comment to Kale. �You look nervous.�
Smiling self-deprecatingly he agreed. �I am. I�ve never been this nervous before a date.�
Laura crossed the room to hug him around the neck from behind. �Relax. You two are perfect for each other.�
Kale smiled as he leaned into her embrace. �I wish I had your confidence.�
The doorbell interrupted their conversation. Kale pulled out of Laura�s arms to answer the door. As expected, Dave was waiting for him on the other side. Dave smiled as the door opened, his eyes taking in Kale�s appearance. �You look nice.�
Kale blushed at the comment. �Thanks.�
As he pulled the door shut behind him, he heard Laura shout a parting comment. �Have fun kiddies.�
�Oh, we will,� Dave returned cheerfully before Kale shut the door and followed the other to Dave�s car.
Dinner had been wonderful. Dave had taken him to this quaint little Italian restaurant not far from where Kale lived. Conversation had started out awkwardly, but once their food had been served Kale had started to relax. He had truly enjoyed himself, almost regretting that the night had to end so soon. They had drug out dinner, talking animatedly. The drive home had been pleasant. Stopping outside his door Kale turned to face Dave, who was smiling sweetly.
�Was that as bad as you thought it�d be?� Dave asked jokingly.
Kale smiled and shook his head. �No. I had a wonderful time. Thank you.�
Dave reached out to gently stroke Kale�s cheek with his right hand. �Would you consider doing that again?�
Eyes half-lidded from the pleasure of Dave�s touch, Kale replied with a dreamy smile on his face. �Why don�t I make you dinner Thursday night?�
�That would be wonderful. Your place or mine?�
�Yours. It�ll be more private if we don�t have my roommates hanging around.�
Kale�s words provoked a small laugh from Dave. �Fine with me. I�ll pick you up at five?�
Kale nodded as he leaned into Dave�s caress. He was barely paying attention, lost in the pleasurable feel of Dave�s hand on his face. He never knew simply touching could feel this spectacular. His eyes opened lazily as he felt Dave tilt his chin up. Emerald eyes met and held sapphire. Two strong arms circled his waist, drawing him close as lips met. Kale froze in surprise before melting into Dave�s arms, mouth opening to deepen the kiss. Fireworks exploded in his head as he let go of everything, Dave�s hold on his waist the only thing holding him upright. One hand settled on Dave�s hip while the other reached up to circle Dave�s neck, molding two bodies to each other. Kale moaned in pleasure as Dave�s tongue stroked the roof of his mouth.
The two broke apart when their need for air became too much to ignore. Gasping for breath, Kale gazed deeply into Dave�s eyes. He was overwhelmed by the depth of love and affection he saw in the other�s emerald pools. Tucking his head under Dave�s chin, he weakly leaned against the other until his breath returned. Shivers ran down his spine as Dave�s hand lazily traced a path from waist to neck. Never had kissing felt so good. Never had being with someone felt so right.
Pulling away reluctantly once his breath returned, Kale smiled shyly. �That was magnificent.�
Dave smiled lazily. �I�m glad you liked it.�
�Thank you for a wonderful time.�
�My pleasure. I�ll see you Thursday.�
Taking his keys from his pocket, Kale unlocked the door as Dave turned to walk away. He felt like he was floating as he made his way into the apartment. The others were still awake and gathered around the kitchen table when he entered. All eyes were on him as he hung his coat by the door.
�Have a good time?� Brian asked with a smile on his face.
Kale smiled dreamily in return as he crossed the room heading for his bed. �You could say that.�
Kale slept better that night than he had in weeks, visions of David dancing in his head.
Kale juggled his bags of groceries carefully while waiting for Dave to unlock the door to his apartment. Kale had insisted on carrying the bags himself, arguing that he was making dinner for Dave therefore Dave shouldn�t be helping. Dave held the door open for Kale as he entered the room, examining the apartment as he went. Kale was impressed with the apartment. He liked it. In his mind, it suited Dave perfectly. Plants were scattered across the room. A large black sofa faced a wide-screen TV. Bookshelves lined one wall, with an assortment of nature prints hanging near the television. The opposite wall held a small bookshelf filled with photographs and ornaments. A table set with two chairs stood behind the sofa. Next to the table, a wide counter separated the kitchen from the living room.
Kale crossed the room and started setting up in the kitchen. Sending Dave to fetch him a few pots and pans, he began mixing ingredients. He worked silently, intent on the meal that was taking shape before him. He wanted to use this dinner as a thank-you for the meal Dave had bought him, and for all the support Dave had given him the past month. Moments later he felt Dave�s arms circled his waist from behind. Leaning back into the embrace, Kale continued stirring a skillet of steamed vegetables.
�What are you making?� Dave�s words were spoken softly into his ear from where Dave�s head rested on his left shoulder.
�Shrimp stir-fry.�
�Umm. Sounds good.� Dave�s hands caressed his stomach as he lightly kissed the base of Kale�s neck. �Need any help with anything?�
Laughing, Kale ducked out of the other�s embrace. �There�s time for that later. Wait until after dinner.� The sparkle in Kale�s eyes made his words a promise. �Why don�t you go set the table?�
Chuckling, Dave went off to do the other�s bidding. Kale smiled to himself at the other�s actions. He loved it when Dave held him. He felt so warm and safe in the other�s arms. He had been unsure at first, but now Kale felt that he truly was in love with Dave. Whenever he was with him, his doubts and worries seemed to melt away. It was hard to stay depressed when Dave was around. The mere presence of the other brightened his day.
Kale finished cooking minutes later. With Dave�s help, the they put the food on the table and sat down to eat. The two spoke quietly over dinner, savoring simply being in the other�s presence. Kale took pleasure in seeing how much Dave liked the food he had prepared. It was always nice to have someone who appreciated your cooking. Despite Kale�s protests, Dave insisted on washing dishes once they were finished, shooing Kale out of the kitchen when he tried to help. Kale wandered around the apartment lazily inspecting whatever caught his eye. He was having such a good time with Dave, he didn�t want the evening to end. His eyes settled on a picture of a happy family just as Dave finished drying the last of the dishes.
�This your family?�
Coming over to where Kale was standing, Dave glanced at the picture Kale was pointing to. �Yep. That�s my parents, George and Marilyn. The one in the flowered dress is my little sister Anna, and the kid in the green shirt is my brother Roger. I�m the one in the middle with the black t-shirt.�
Kale leaned against Dave, laying his head on the other�s shoulder. An arm circled his waist to draw him closer. �You look happy.�
Dave nodded as rested his head on top of Kale�s. �We were. They�re all very nice people, you�d like them.�
Kale nodded his agreement. Anyone who could produce such a wonderfully loving person as Dave had to be nice. He felt so content simply standing there with Dave, as if for one tiny moment the world was at peace.
�What�s your family like?�
�What?� Kale was surprised at Dave�s question. Pulling slightly out of the embrace he looked the other in the eye.
�You�ve never mentioned them before.� Dave looked a little confused at Kale�s reaction.
Kale shrugged. �Not much to tell. I�m an only child, and my parents threw me out of the house when they figured out I was gay. I haven�t talked to them in years.� Kale avoided meeting the other�s eye as he crossed to sit on the couch. Kale never liked talking about his parents. It always hurt to be reminded of their rejection of him just because he was a little different.
Kale felt strong arms drawing him into a tight embrace as a large weight settled itself next to him on the couch. �I didn�t realize that. I�m sorry for bringing it up.�
Kale shook his head as he leaned into the other�s embrace. �It�s alright. It happened a long time ago.�
Dave placed a kiss below Kale�s left ear. Kale could tell that Dave was frowning from his tone. �So many people have hurt you and I can�t do a thing about it.�
Turning to face the other, Kale reached up to pull Dave into a light, quick kiss. �There�s plenty you can do about it. You can love me just as I love you. That�s all I need.�
Smiling, Dave leaned forward to claim Kale�s mouth in a deep kiss. �That�s fine by me.�
Kale�s eyes sparkled as he slowly stood. Taking hold of Dave�s hand, he lead the other into the bedroom. All thoughts were forgotten as Kale pulled Dave over top of him onto the bed.
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