Prompt 685 Dating Death - 1. Takes Pride

“What do you mean, you’re dating Death? I thought we agreed that option was no solution!”

“Whoa, Bart. It’s just firefighter slang meaning volunteering for Search and Rescue jobs in burning houses.”

“Stupid expression.” The wheezy voice was decidedly sulky.

“Sorry, I didn’t think.” Dean felt a bit contrite, since his best friend had good reasons to be touchy about the topic of death.

“Why are you doing dangerous stuff like that? You’ve only got another year to go before you make the grade and become a certified firefighter. And then….”

Dean sat down and stared at the fire extinguisher on the wall, trying not to roll his eyes. “And then I’m gonna come out to my family and friends, ask Hugh for a date, go to a gay bar, lose my virginity, and live happily ever after. As if. Dating Death is a lot less scary than having to tell my dad I’m gay.”

“At least you know most of the firefighters at the station are OK with having a gay colleague.”

“Just because they weren’t freaked when Hugh came out, doesn’t mean it will be easy for me.”

Hugh was popular and respected as a brave man who could be trusted to assess the dangers of a fire and make sound decisions under stress. His confidence and ability to poke fun at those who tried to insult him made it impossible for the few bigots on the crew to harass him.

Dean sighed. It was a dream come true when the red-head casually threw the fact out there several months after joining the crew. Clarence, whose girlfriend’s sister also had a thing for fire fighters, had asked Hugh if he wanted to go on a double date, and he’d shrugged with a smile.

“Sure, but only if you can set me up with a nice guy. I don’t date women.”

There was a stunned silence in the large station kitchen where they were having a meal.

“You mean you’re queer?” The sneer accompanying the word turned it into an insult.

“You mean you’re a bigoted jerk?” Hugh’s retort made Dean and several others grin. They knew the idiot had to work hard to hide his antiquated views of women and non-whites, in order to keep his job. It worked in Hugh’s favor to stand up to someone who wasn’t particularly liked, but tolerated for his ability to maneuver the fire truck and deploy the big hoses faster than anyone else.

Dean was still reeling from the shocked delight of Hugh being gay, and single, when he delivered the next surprise.

“I’m thinking about suggesting the station participates in the local Pride Parade next summer. But the Chief warned me most of you wouldn’t have the guts to brave that kind of fire.”

There was general uproar and disbelief at the idea, and Dean had a hard time believing his father would endorse the proposal. Hugh insisted straight men and women could join the parade ‘to show support’ as he put it. It might gain them a lot of goodwill both with the public and at the city hall. This angle might explain the Chief’s acceptance, since a positive image could be crucial when it came to funding the fire station.

“Hullooo, Dean. Bart to Dean, are you there?”

He was brought out of his thoughts about next month’s event and whether he should sign up to participate. He hadn’t told Bart about the Pride Parade, only about Hugh coming out. Considering Bart’s reaction to his lack of courage in going to a gay bar, Dean didn’t want to have a discussion about joining a horde of obvious guys strutting through the central part of the town.

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

“You still haven’t told me why you’re signing up for danger. If you’re not courting death, are you trying to impress someone? Your father…or perhaps a certain hunky firefighter?”

“So what if I am? I’m not gonna show off or do anything crazy. Fire is serious business.”

There was a short silence, before Bart mumbled something which sounded like ‘yeah, I know.’

“Anyway, my dad suggested it. He said he’s proud of how dedicated and fit I’ve become in the last year. I couldn’t tell him it was because you nagged me to cut down on drinking and stop smoking. That I promised you not to waste my life.”

Bart made a small choking sound. “No problem, man. I’m only doing my duty as your friend, eh?”

“Yeah, and I appreciate it, buddy.”

Dean thought Bart might have blushed, if he could. There was a short silence, and he decided to spring the surprise.

“Anyway, I need to get this dump cleaned up. Hugh will be here at six to discuss training for the SR team.”

This time the sound was more like a sputter, and Dean smirked. “Hey, watch it. No spilling of fluids on the floor. I just washed it yesterday.”

“Never mind the damn floor. You invited Hugh to visit?” Bart sounded breathless and awed.

“Uh huh. We agreed it would be more convenient than trying to find a quiet spot in the station. And if the alarm went, we’d have to join the crew even though we’re off duty.”

Dean’s father had made this rule ages ago, to stop people using the station as a convenient hang-out place and as a way to enforce the no alcohol policy. Of course, since Dean’s mother and sister ran the café across the road, they benefited from the custom of fire crews wanting to relax before and after their shifts. But no one really minded since The Fire Truck did special discounts for firefighters, the food was tasty and filling, and the service quick.

“Are you going to be discussing more than just training?”

“Maybe.”

“Do you think he suspects?”

“That I like him?”

“That too.”

“We’re friends, and I think he wouldn’t mind being more. But he’s being very discrete and most of the time we’re with a bunch of other people.”

“I’m proud of you for making an effort to socialize with the crew, and for introducing Hugh to some of your friends.”

“More like my sister’s friends, but yeah, they’re mine too, now, and they’ve been great with Hugh. Rita even told me the other day that she was proud of me for having the guts to stand up for Hugh and make sure he had support.” Dean sometimes wondered if his older sister suspected anything, but on the other hand, she liked Hugh for his wit, and he fit well into her diverse group of friends from college.

“You pushed me, but you were right. I feel like part of the crew now, and they don’t treat me any different even though I’m the son of the Chief.”

“And hopefully, they won’t treat you any different when you start dating Hugh.”

“If I’m lucky.”

“If you don’t tell him, you’ll never know. Face the fear and do your best. Just like firefighting.”

Three hours later, as he and Hugh were relaxing with a beer each, Dean decided to throw caution to the wind and do what Bart had been urging all afternoon.

“There was something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Shoot.”

“I’ve been thinking about signing up for the Parade next month, if there’s still space.”

“Cool, I’d love to have you there. But only if you really want to go. The Chief hasn’t pushed you, has he?”

“Nah, Dad would never do that. He believes a man should make up his own mind and stand up for himself.”

“I like your father. He’s a good man and a great boss.”

“Mmhmm.” Dean peeled the label off of his bottle while trying to come up with the right words.

“He never batted an eye when I told him I’m gay. So, I wondered…?” The soft question gave him the push he needed.

“No, he doesn’t know about me. I’m not out to anybody, well, except one virtual friend.” It was the best way to explain Bart.

“And me, now.”

Dean looked up to see the smile on Hugh’s face, and the look in his eyes was all he’d hoped for.

“And you, but I’ll have to tell my family soon.”

“Once you’ve done that, can we maybe go on a date?”

“I’d like that very much.”

Dean couldn’t help himself. When Hugh leaned in slowly, he grabbed him, closing the distance in a rush. The kiss they shared, their first, was hot and searing, and everything Dean had ever hoped it would be.

A loud whoosh from the kitchen made them jump apart.

“What the fuck was that?” Hugh asked.

“Don’t worry. I think it was my fire extinguisher going off, to prevent us from setting the place on fire.”

They fell back in the sofa, laughing like mad, before getting lip-locked again. Dean knew Bart would be delighted his friend’s dreams were slowly coming true.