Fighting This =LGBT= Sample

22 The Tensions Rise

Things were tense. Stefan was fiddling with his bow tie on his suit, trying his best to figure out how it was supposed to tie and failing miserably.

Deciding to leave it hanging undone around his neck. He wasn't used to wearing a suit. But apparently this charity was formal wear only. At least this party was. It was for all the high A list celebrities that pour money into random charities.

Stefan thought that the charity was a good one helping homeless people get back on their feet and find jobs or medical care and even building shelters. It all sounded good to him.

He didn't know what he could give since he was just starting out but he took out 500 from his savings that he had already made from the sale of his first album and had it ready in his pocket.

Not very smart to walk around with cash but he thought it was easier than transferring money.

The car ride to the benefit was pretty tense. Brick and Cody were quiet. Tense with each other. Stefan tried to lighten the mood by asking about the charity and their experiences with it. But all he got were clipped answers about how it was a great charity and that they had even helped construction on one of the shelters once.

When they finally got to the benefit and were walking in Brick pulled Stefan aside gently and looked down at him with a frown. "Stefan... what Cody said about us... I want you to try to forget it."

A little prick to his core made him wince. "Oh... okay." Rejection by your long time idol is never a good feeling. "Got it."

Brick frowned deeper. "You don't need someone that will pull you back into the closet. You need freedom and happiness. You deserve that Stefan." Brick pulled them deeper into the alcove they were speaking in and kissed Stefan's forehead and caressed his cheek. "The man that finally wins you... he should be brave like you." Brick whispered the last part and his eyes flick around as if he can't lock eyes with Stefan.

Stefan blinks slowly up at him and wants nothing more than to kiss him. Wants to tell him he is brave.

So as Brick looks away Stefan leans in and places a small soft kiss on the corner of Brick's lips as he caresses his fingertips across the back of Brick's hand by his side. "You're braver than you know Brick."

Brick's eyes close and a slight look of pain crosses his face as he bows his head.

Stefan watches and feels a blooming sadness in his chest. Would no one ever chose him over their own fears? Was it even right for him to want that?

He let himself imagine being with Brick for real. What would it be like going to a charity event like this and being able to hold hands or kiss or just enjoy eachother's company while in public.

What was it about him that attracted men that were still in the closet? Stefan took a little breath and put a smile on even through the sadness and gently touched Brick's shoulder. "It's okay. Let's go have fun in there. Try not to let this get you down."

Brick opened his eyes and took in Stefan and his little smile. Brick nodded with a little frown and sighed. "Yeah."

"Brick, Stefan." Cody's voice was just down the hall in a hushed whisper.

Stefan furrowed his brows as they walked down to meet him and his face looked a little worried. "Just letting you know we have a problem."

Brick tensed. "What kind of problem?"

Cody suddenly held out his smart phone and showed the video on the screen labeled "Pop Idol turns A-list Actor Gay?".

The video shows Brick and Stefan singing his single Nomad Lover.