24 : Assurance

"What are you doing here, Dave?" Steve asked looking at the small figure of a guy outside.

He watch the guy look up to see him. Though Steve barely see his face, he knew he had a sad expression on his face. It's so obvious by tone of his voice, "I want us to talk, Steve. I don't want to end this day like this. I don't want us to end this day without pointing out the unspoken argument."

Steve can't hide the smile creeping in his lips. Dave's is so mature. He's lucky he got a mature and understanding man like him. He's so lucky to have Dave.

"I'm going out. Wait for me," Steve hung up the call and run to the door of his room through the stairs up until to the gate of their house. He stop and open it and then run again to Dave. "Let's go. There's a near playground here," Steve invited.

"Are you sure?" Dave asked and examine him from head to toe. He did the same out of curiosity. He's just wearing a pair of gray pajama and long sleeve with a printed monkey holding a banana design on it. He blushed. He's too excited to be near Dave to give a damn about his appearance.

"You're cute," Dave suddenly had an urge to teased him as he saw Steve blushing.

"Stop it," Steve deter, removing the hat in his harshly. He regret not checking himself before going out. He wanted to go back inside the house yo change but it would be a waste since they start walking.

"Why remove it? You look cute with that," Dave said truthfully.

"I'm a man dude, stop it," Steve complained for the second time.

"Is there a law saying it's forbidden for a guy too look cute? If there is, I won't mind defending you," Dave shrugged as if he really won't mind defending him.

Steve wried a smile, " Don't hit on me. And since you said it's cute, you wear it. He tiptoe to reach Dave's head and wear the hat with a monkey holding a banana design on his head. The white fur ball on the tip of the triangular hat fall back reaching Dave's nape.

"Now we look like a real couple," Dave grinned. "We are matchy-matchy."

"You sound like a girl," Steve commented and then give his attention to the road.

"So mean," Dave mumbled.

Steve saw a motor coming on their way and his body move on his own. He grab Dave's hand and push him aside, changing their position. Dave complained but Steve didn't listen. He kept his mouth shut for the whole time. He's thinking about what to say or how he should ask Dave without sounding bitter or anything negative.

They arrive at the playground. There's no one there. Well it's expected, kids around this time is either sleeping or eating. The place is so quiet the only noise you can hear are from the night insect and the few engine of vehicle. Steve lead the way to the swing and Dave follow him silenty. It's dark, the only thing that lit up the playground is the dim light from the street across it and the moonlight. In far, you wouldn't notice there are two people in the swing because of it's location. The reason why Steve choose this place.

"You're not sitting? Are you planning on standing the whole time?" Steve raised his head to see Dave but he can't clearly saw it.

Dave complied to Steve and sit on the left side of him. He don't know where to start. He did a rehearsal in the way to Steve's place but now those words he memorize was nowhere to be found. His mind is blank.

"You know what, Dave." Steve started making him flinched. "I thought you change your mind about our relationship."

"Of course not!" He answered right away. His panicked hearing those words so his voice raised.

"I hope so, that's why I'm hear to listen to your explanation. And please don't shout, people will notice us," Steve's voice is calmed and it reach Dave.

When he calm down he sat back, he didn't notice he stood up until now. "I know you were shock this lunch break," he started tracing the careful words to say but before he could continue Steve spoke.

"More than shock, actually. I feel betray Dave. This sound dramatic or you could say I am overreacting but this is really what I feel. I thought after spending time with Lea, with a girl, you realize what we are now is weird and you feel disgusted. You didn't say anything, I was shock when Lea appeared and said those words. We're just fine last night and then you suddenly decided to eat with Lea without saying anything. What do you think am I suppose to think that time?" A long dead silent pass before Dave's mind understand Steve.

"I know that Steve and I'm really sorry because I made you feel that way. I should have inform you before hand. This may sound as an excuse, but I swear, I planned to tell you this morning about it but I couldn't because of my duty and when I'm about to tell you about before leaving for lunch Lea came and ruin it."

"Why?" Steve looked to his left where Dave sitting waiting for an answer.

"Because I thought posting a picture with Lea wouldn't be enough, so I came up with a plan eating in the cafeteria with her where everyone is looking would be more realistic. You hate crowd place, it makes you uncomfortable so I decided to go with it in my own," Dave answered and look at Steve for any reaction.

Steve nodded and look straight infront of him where the seesaws are placed, " I expect that much. I know you'll come up with an idea in your own whatever the situation is, that's what make you a great leader. You are always like that. " Steve stop for a minute before he continued, " You always find solution to everything on your own. But Dave, this fight isn't meant for you alone. I'm involve with this, too. Just like what I told you before, you're not alone. I know you're independent and that's what makes you more attractive but Dave it's fine to lean on someone sometimes. I'm not a girl you need to protect, okay? If you'll fight, I will too. We're together with this, yeah?"

Dave was stunned. Steve is so mature. He's lucky to have an understanding man. He's lucky to have Steve. He don't know what possess him, he only find himself standing, walk a few step to be infront of Steve, and grab his wrist for a hug. He embraced him desperately, as if he break the hug someone will snatch Steve away from him. He can't afford that to happen. Steve became his light.

"I'm sorry, Steve. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Dave mumbled repeatedly.

Steve hug his man back and tap it to soothe him, " It's okay, Dave. I'm not mad."

They stay in that position for 5 minutes, Steve guessed. When Dave finally calm down, he break the hug and face Steve with courage and fire in his eyes. " I promise. Tommorow I'll confront Lea so we can go back to normal like we use to."

A genuine smile escape Steve's lips, "Okay. Let's go, now. It's getting late. Your mom might be looking for you, you know?"

"Mom's not home. My sister is in her best friend, so I'm basically alone," Dave explained and start walking too.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Steve said uninterested.

"You know you can pretend you care, meanie," Dave suggested.

"Yeah, yeah," Steve with his uninterested voice.

Dave walked Steve home. Steve declined but Dave insisted. On their way home, Steve was push aside by Dave.

"It's dangerous," Dave explained.

"But—

"No more buts. When you did this to me I didn't complain, so you don't have the right to complain to," Dave blurted out before he could finish his sentence.

Steve sighed and let him do what he want. He knew the lad won't give in no matter what he said. After a minute of walking in silent, they arrive infront of his house.

"You can go now Dave," Steve said.

"Aren't you going to let me inside and offer a drink?" Dave asked hopefully.

"Stop it, Perv."

Dave scoffed, "I'm not a perv I'm just asking, how is that pervert?"

"I'm a man too, of course I know," Steve crossed his arm.

"So you are a pervert too?" Dave asked suspiciously.

"H-hell no, as if! I'm not like you," he denied and curse himself for stuttering. He sounds like lying.

"You're being too offensive for your own good. Anyway, even if you're a pervert I'll still accept you," Dave winked.

"Go away!" Steve pushed Dave away.

Dave look around and when he confirm there's no one he close the gap between him and Steve. He lean forward and kiss Steve on the lips, their lips touched, no tongue involved, just a sweet and innocent one.

Steve was stunned and an imaginary puff of steam escape his face for burning red. It's their second kiss, and it's outside.

"S-stupid! What if someone saw us," Steve block his lips with a back of his right hand and look around to check their surrounding. Luckily, there's no one.

"I check if there's people around us before I kiss you. Don't worry, it's just the two of us," Dave reassured and lean forward for the second time. This time, his lips touch Steve's temple. "Good night, Steve. I'm glad we made up before this day end."

"Me too, I'm happy. Good night, Dave. Take care, stupid," Steve smiled and wave his hand.

Dave wave back and walk toward the station. When, Steve is sure Dave's gone he went inside their house with a content smile.

Contrary to what the two lad thought, there's someone close by who saw them being all lovey-dovey.

"T-they're dating," the person mumbled with disbelief.