Crawling Back to You

Dave's Buddies

"...and then I couldn't help but laugh. The kid didn't know what the hell he was doing!" Andre chortled as he took a large gulp from his drink.

Blaine managed a laugh and reached out to take Dave's hand. Dave squeezed his fingers affectionately around Blaine's, a content smile on his face. "That's why football is only for those who know the game by heart." Dave commented.

They were at a bar just five blocks down from Dave's apartment in Cincinnati. He had just graduated from college and from playing college football. Blaine still had another year and a half of school since he quit NYADA to be with Dave and had to start anew, working on a teaching degree.

He and Dave had been going strong for three years now. Blaine never imagined he would wind up dating his former kindergarten classmate and also former tormentor of Blaine's ex-boyfriend. Still, Blaine was enjoying Dave's company, rough background aside.

TJ drained his glass and let out a small belch. The other guys laughed and he uttered a joking apology.

Blaine again managed a laugh, but Dave sensed something was up. He turned to his boyfriend. "You alright, Blainers?"

Blaine laughed for real now. "Yeah. I'm fine! Don't know why I wouldn't be." quickly he busied himself with his drink.

Dave nodded slightly and moved his hand so that it draped over Blaine's shoulders. His fingers extended across Blaine's right shoulder blade, moving constantly and consistently, as if motor powered to do that one job. Blaine couldn't help but smile as his body relaxed.

Amy, TJ's girlfriend leaned over to kiss him on his rough-shaven cheek, playfully turning his blue baseball cap backwards. "I love you baby." she cooed to him.

TJ leaned his head on hers. "I love you too." he leaned over so his mouth touched her bejeweled ear and whispered to her. Amy laughed and playfully pushed him away.

Andre and his fiancé, Jana sat just millimeters from each other, their hands intertwined. Occasionally he would twirl her sandy brown hair and she would laugh to herself, rubbing her hands across his tan arms.

Silence flood over the table like the tide. Gradually and then abruptly. Each couple immersed themselves in their date, taking in their beauty.

A scantily-clad waitress approached them, black tray in hand. "More drinks?" she asked dryly.

Dave nodded. "It's on me." His friends smiled at his request and voiced their approval.

"Thanks mahn." TJ said to Dave, his speech beginning to slur. "I'm broke."

"Aye." Andre said. "I only got ten bucks left in my wallet."

Dave smiled, but weakly so. "You're welcome." Once everyone went back to their lovers Dave bent over to Blaine. Their lips were just inches from each other and Blaine prepared for a kiss. Instead Dave whispered, "How much dough you got on you tonight?"

Blaine shrugged nonchalantly. "I dunno. Why?"

Dave hesitated and glanced at his friends. "Well I..umm... I only have like a five left."

Blaine shook head. "Well what d'you want me to do then?"

"Can I?...Can I borrow from you to pay for more drinks?"

Thankfully Blaine was the soberest there so he did the math. They had been at the bar for an hour and a half now and TJ had four drinks, Amy had five, Andre had four, Jana had two, Dave had three and a half, and Blaine had one. That's nineteen and a half drinks. They only had enough to pay for half of the drinks, unless Blaine had the money. He dug his fingers into his pocket and took out his leather wallet. He had a credit card, debit card, an empty checkbook that needed replaced, a crumpled dollar bill, three pennies, a quarter, and two dimes. He really needed to save his credit/debit card money for more worthwhile purchases, but still, there was nothing he could do about it. Dave had already ordered the drinks.

"Dave." Blaine called. Dave had started talking to his buddies about the difference between regular pop and diet pop. Blaine had no idea how they came up with that topic. "Dave!" he called louder.

Dave turned, a cocky smile on his broad face. "Yeah, Blainers?"

"I'll pay for it." Blaine told him.

Dave's grin intensified and he flung his arms around Blaine. "Thanks, Blainers!" he said a little too joyfully. He slapped Blaine firmly on the back. "You're the best boyfriend ever." Blaine nodded, but didn't say anything. Dave frowned and then grinned again. "No, no. You're the best person ever! I love you so much!"

Blaine let Dave kiss him repeatedly, even though, in reality, Blaine just wanted to get Dave home safely and then drive to his own apartment and sleep.

But the next round of drinks came and Blaine helplessly watched his friends consume more alcohol. It would be another hour before Blaine would manage to get Dave out the door.