Tony: Sam? Is that you?

Sam: Yes, it is! Tony?

Tony: Hi! I mean.. yeah, it's me.

Sam: Hello! I'm so glad to see you on here!

Sam: thanks for IMing me.

Tony: Yeah. I signed on to look at the journals and everyone was talking about IMing... so...

Sam: I'm glad you did.  I've missed talking to you. I know we just talked, and that probably sounds odd to you, but I have.

Tony: You did?  I mean.. I missed talking to you too...

Sam: Of course I did.  So your company is sleeping?

Tony: I think so. He just went to the guest room... he may be online too.

Sam: So, you really...are happy about our talk this morning?

Tony: Yeah. I... you saw what I said in my journal... it was.. amazing.

Sam: Amazing. I think so too.

Tony: You did? I mean.. you must be used to that sort of thing...  Are you busy?

Sam: Never too busy to talk to you. And why do you think I'm used to it? I don't make new friends every day, and certainly not with someone I would like to date.

Tony: Actually... I meant what we talked about and.. you want to date me?

Sam: I thought you realised that. I..did I presume too much this morning?

Tony: Well..no..I just didn't think that you wanted that. I mean.. what did you presume this morning?

Sam: Tony, what do you think I want?

Tony: I. I don't know.

Sam: I thought you knew I was interested in seeing you.  Dating.  A relationship. Merlin, Tony, I'm sorry. I mean, I'll happily be your friend. I just misunderstood.

Tony: No! No... I mean.. you didn't misunderstand. I just... when you said you were interested...I...

Sam: Yes?

Tony: Well, I hoped that's what you meant. But. I didn't really know. And I didn't want to presume anything...

Sam: Tony, if you're ever unsure about what I mean, just ask me, okay?  I'm a bit confused myself now...about what even said. Especially since I wasn't clear.

Tony: Okay. So... what did you. I mean. Why are you confused?

Sam: Okay. Let me try this again.  Suddenly, I feel like I'm being pushy though.  I'd like to be friends.  I'd even like to be more.  I'd like to see you, whenever you'd like and date you, if you're interested.

Tony: Okay.

Sam: Okay? To what?

Tony: Um. I mean.. I'm sorry. I just... okay, I'm blushing a whole lot right now...

Sam: I didn't mean to make you blush, not this time.  You don't have to be sorry. We just had a misunderstanding.

Tony: So. Okay. So.. I'd like to see you. To...date.

Sam: I've never been so happy to read something.  Are you sure? I don't want you to feel like I"ve pushed you into this.

Tony: I'm sure. I mean... if I didn't like you... I wouldn't have really... I mean, I know I could have said no. But.. I really do like you.

Sam: I'm smiling. I like you too.

Tony: I'm really glad. But... why?

Sam: Why what?

Tony: Why do you like me? I mean... I'm just.. me... I'm boring.

Sam: Tony, I don't think you see yourself as you really are.  You're not boring at all. You're one of the most well-read, intelligent blokes I"ve ever met.  You're sweet, and innocent - I seriously doubt you have a bit of meanness in you.  And you're handsome, terribly so, and I have to admit, that drew me first.

Tony: Wow. I'm... Okay, blushing again. You know... I blush a lot. But, I blush so much more when you're around. I... thank you. for saying all those things. No one has ever said things like that about me.

Sam: You asked.  And someone should have been saying them.  I meant it, Tony.

Tony: I know you did. I... I can tell that you wouldn't just, say things like that.

Sam: Never.

Sam: Tony...I'm not trying to be pushy, but if this is just idle curiousity, let me know.  I dont' like casual relationships.

Tony: I don't understand...

Sam: Can I be blunt?

Tony: I don't really think you can be anything but blunt. I like that...

Sam: If you're just interested in...a shag and some experience, could you warn me?  I gave up casual shags a long time ago.  I'd be tempted with you, but I'd really rather not...do that anymore.

Tony: I... no... of course I'm not just interested in.. in that. I.. thought you might be....

Sam: You thought I only wanted...to shag you?

Tony: Well..no.. but maybe. I didn't know. I don't know anything about... anything, really.

Sam: I feel wretched about all of this.  I never meant to give you that impression.  I'm certainly attracted to you, but to make you think I only...I respect you, Tony. I honestly like you. I thought you felt that connection too.

Tony: No, I did! Just... Damn it. I don't know anything. I thought that... I don't know what I thought. Really. I'm... I'm sorry.

Sam: Don't apologise. I should.

Tony: No you shouldn't. It was just me.... not understanding anything. I feel so dumb.

Sam: I should have been more clear. And I shouldn't have...touched your hair like that. I didn't even ask first, if you minded.

Tony: Gods no, I didn't mind! I mean.. that was... that was really incredible.. when you did that.

Sam: I just...I'm trying to figure out why you thought I only was interested in shagging you.

Tony: I didn't think that... for sure, you know. Just... as a possibility. And, I didn't know. Because  I knew I didn't want that. Well.. not just that... you know?

Sam: I'm smiling again. Yeah, I know.

Tony: So, um, you're not upset with me, then?

Sam: Not at all. Why would I be?

Tony: I don't know.. I just didn't want you to be.

Sam: Would you go out with me, on a date, Tony?

Tony: Um. Um... yeah. I mean, I'd really like that.

Sam: You put up some new pictures. I'm smiling again.

Tony: Oh yeah. I... do you like them?

Sam: Oh yes. They're wonderful.

Tony: I'm blushing. Of course... which one do you like?

Sam: All of them. especially 'sexy' and 'smile'

Tony: Um. The smile one is... sort of... for you. Since you said I should smile more..

Sam: You should. You have a beautiful smile.  And you play pool?

Tony: Yeah. I'm... actually pretty good.

Sam: Teach me to play?

Tony: You don't know how?

Sam: Nope. Should I be embarrassed?

Tony: No. Of course not... I'll teach you.

Sam: I'd like that.

Tony: So would I. I'm smiling now...

Sam: I wish I could see you smile.

Tony: And now I'm blushing...and laughing a little. You really.. surprise me, when you say things like that.

Sam: Is that a good thing then?

Tony: Well, yeah. I'm just not... used to it.

Sam: Get used to it.

Tony: Thank you. You... you realise that I don't know anything about dating, right? I mean... I don't know what you're expecting...

Sam: Its simple, really. We just spend time together.

Tony: Well, yeah, but we did that already. I just... I don't think you know how really... inexperienced...with everything, I am.

Sam: I think I know more than you realise.

Tony: What do you mean?

Sam: Blunt?

Tony: You don't have to ask that you know... you're not going to offend me or anything.

Sam: I'd wager that you're a virgin, that you've not even snogged anyone before, nor held hands, and that you've never dated.

Tony: Okay, so.. you do know how inexperienced I am.

Sam: I'm not rushing you into anything, but I would like to hold your hand - soon.

Tony: I think I'd be..diappointed, if you didn't. But... what if people see. I mean... that wouldn't be good for you.

Sam: What do you mean?

Tony: Well, I mean... I don't mind that I'm so much younger than you... but wouldn't they think it was, weird?

Sam: I've never been too concerned with what other people think.

Tony: Well. Okay, then.

Sam: Movie?

Tony: What?

Sam: Would you like to go to a movie?

Tony: Um. Yeah! I just... um... Kevin's here...

Sam: After he leaves?

Tony: I don't know how long he's staying... Um. I bet if I told him though, he'd be okay with leaving him ith some books for a  while.  We... talked about you today.

Sam: You told Kevin about me? I'm smiling again.

Tony: Yeah. I.. well, I was sort of smiling all day... and, he saw us talking in my journal..

Sam: And did he make you have second thoughts?

Tony: Does it..um.. seem like I have second thoughts?

Sam: No, not anymore. I worried at first.

Tony: I don't...I mean, I really really like you. It's ..  weird.

Sam: What's weird?

Tony: Well, because I've only really met you three times... and I don't really know you that well... but I feel like like..  Nevermind. It's silly.

Sam: Tell me?

Tony: Well... I feel like. Like I've known you longer, you know?

Sam: That's not weird. That's what I was talking about when I mentioned a 'connection' earlier.

Tony: Oh. Well, yeah... I feel that.

Sam: I honestly don't usually decide I want to be friends with someone after just a couple of casual meetings, much less feel an interest for more.

Tony: And when did you? I mean.. feel that interest?

Sam: If I answer that, are you going to tell me?

Tony: Um. Sure. You've played this game, then? I mean... you don't know the game... Matthew and I play it sometimes...

Sam: What game? This isn't a game. I'm being serious.  And I found you attractive that first day in the bookstore, but I realised I was interested when we met in the library.  Going to Fortescue's clinched it.

Tony: No. I mean.. the question game. I was being dumb. Sorry. It's this dumb game where you just keep... asking each other questions... but both people have to answer. And... really? I really thought I was dumb in Fortescue's...

Sam: I'll play the question game with you. And I didn't think you were dumb at all. I thought you were adorable and wonderful.

Tony: You don't have to... I mean.. it's just a game to, get to know someone. And... those things I said about... eating ice cream. It's like I have this... filter, in my head, between my thoughts and my mouth... and it doesn't work when you're around...

Sam: I want to get to know you, so why wouldn't I want to play it?  And I'm glad you speak your mind with me. Don't you have to answer the first question now, about when you became interested?

Tony: When you asked me to help with your research. I mean.. I didn't do much... but. Yeah. Then.

Sam: I wanted to spend more time with you. And I knew you'd be helpful.

Tony: Okay..so.. now it's my turn..Um. Did you name your owl?  And I'll answer, since I don't have an owl, that I didn't name mine yet.

Sam: I haven't yet. I was hoping you'd help.  Since you cant' answer that, I'll amend it for you. If you named mine, what would you choose?

Tony: I'm laughing a little. You make it hard to cheat... you know. Er... probably something silly from a fantasy novel or something. But, I'd have to see the owl first...

Sam: I'm glad I made you laugh.  My turn?

Tony: I won't try to cheat anymore... Yes, your turn...

Sam: I want to ask a good one, so I can find out something about you...I"m thinking.

Tony: This game gets dangerous sometimes... because of that. You can really learn things about people...

Sam: You won't ever be in danger with me.

Tony: I... Yeah, I can sense that.

Sam: Have you ever wanted to kiss someone before?

Tony: Aside from you?

Sam: I was including myself in that. I wasn't sure you wanted to kiss me.

Tony: I... yeah, I did. I almost. But the the clock chimed..

Sam: I don't think I've ever wanted to snog someone as badly as I did this morning.

Sam: Your turn.

Tony: You wanted to...to snog me?

Sam: It wasnt obvious? I assumed that was why you thought I was only interested in shagging you.

Tony: It wasn't obvious. Though.. I guess... I wouldn't really know what someone who "wanted to snog me" looked like...

Tony: And, um, technically that was a question, so it's your turn.

Sam: You're cheating again. I"m smiling.

Tony: You're smiling because I'm cheating?

Sam: Among other things.

Tony: Cheating or no... it's your turn.

Sam: When did you realise you fancied blokes?

Tony: Well... it wasn't that I realised it one day, you know. Like I woke up and went "Wow.. I fancy blokes!" I just... I always did. You?

Sam: The same.  Though I did have a girl chase me in school, and that only validated what I already knew.  Your turn.

Tony: Did you have a lot of friends in school?

Sam: Yes. I paid more attention to my social life than my studies.  You?

Tony: I don't... I mean, I didn't have any. Before now. I'm friendly with my housemates.. but I wouldn't have called them friends. But now I have Kevin.. and you.

Sam: What kind of movies do you like?  And I hope you know I'm sincerely your friend.

Tony: I know. And... Movies? I don't like the ones where everything blows up and thousands of people die... I can read about things like that in the newspaper, you know?

Sam: I like romantic comedies, so I guess that makes me a sap.  I like science fiction too.

Tony: That doesn't make you a sap. I.. like those too. It's nice to think that things like that could happen...

Sam: I think they can happen.  And its your turn.

Tony: Um. Actually... my mum just knocked on the door. That means I'm up too late...

Tony: But... I really liked talking. To you.

Sam: I liked talking to you too. I'll owl you soon, but we can talk like this more. soon?

Tony: Yeah. I'll be on whenever I can.. and... Um. when did you want to go? To the movie, I mean...

Sam: Make sure your guest won't feel left out, but I want to go as soon as you can join me.

Tony: Okay. I'll.. I'll talk to him tomorrow. And then we can chat tomorrow, like this?

Sam: I'd love that.

Tony: Me too.

Sam: Goodnight, Tony.

Tony: Goodnight, Sam.

Sam: I'm smiling.

Tony: Me too.