Sean approached the small raised platform, while Nate removed his guitar.  Nate then bent over to picked up a water bottle, asking him with a friendly smile.  "I see you're getting cozy with the cop".  Sean simply shrugged a little confused.  This wasn't exactly what he had expected when Nate called him over.  Playing innocent, Sean stated back with a curious smirk.  "Is there something wrong with that? Are you going to tell me that he's a dirty cop"?  Nate drank down some of his water, before sitting down on the edge of the platform to be at his eye level.  Adjusting his legs a bit, Nate leaned in closer to tell him in a tone that mocked innocence.  "No. Mark is as clean as you can get. You just don't seem like his type".  Sean cautiously peered at Nate through the corner of his eye.  It made him nervous to know what he was implying. 

Signe was the only person who knew he was bisexual.  He never even told Sam.  It wasn't something he shared lightly.  Nate sat back up, staring straight ahead as he told him reassuringly.  "I just guessed. You said you were in a band. A drummer"?  Nate cracked a suspicious smirk, his dark eyes shining, when he peered out of the corner of his eye to add in softly.  "I know what happens".  Sean took a quick swig of his beer, asking him in an even softer voice.  "I thought the vocalists always went for the bass players"?  Nate had to lean in again to really catch what he said, but answered with a chuckle.  "True... but I like the energy the drummers have".  Nate shot him a smile and hopped off the platform.  Sean stood still as Nate moved in closer, resting an arm on his shoulder and whispering to his ear.  "Besides, you've been staring at me with those captivating blue eyes of yours. It was hard not to notice". 

Sean let out a small chuckle and blushed a bit as he whispered back nervously.  "I guess, I'm out of practice. I normally hide my emotions much better".  Nate gave Sean a pat on the back and then took a step back.  Sean turned around to see what Nate was now looking at.  Samantha.  She was walking up to them a bit too innocently.  Which meant that she wanted something and really hoped to get it.  She flashed him her innocent baby blues and leaned in to hug him tightly, asking a little to innocently.  "Daaaaddy? I'm going to go with Tim and Barry to catch a movie. Is that alright"?  Sean felt his internal walls rise to the defensive.  Tim wanted to take his daughter away to a dark room?  Or was that some kind of new lie that she thought would work on him?  Sean removed his phone to check the time and shot her an unsettled look.  It was starting to turn twelve o'clock.

Sam bounced on her heels anxiously as she pleaded out.  "Please dad? It's a midnight showing and I really want to go. Please? I'll come home straight after, I promise"!  Sean nervously began to bite his thumb, muttering out as calmly as he could.  "Sam... You know I don't like when you put me on the spot like this".  She was old enough that she didn't really need to ask him for permission... but she usually did just to find out what he might have planned.  She didn't like to make him worry either.  They were all they had.  Sean bit harder into his thumb.  He wanted to say 'no'.  He didn't know the neighborhood that well and he didn't want to be alone in a new house with new noises.  His dad instincts also didn't want her alone with boys that he barely knew.  Sam's excited expression suddenly dropped to a neutral one.  It pulled at his heartstrings to hear her say so tenderly.  "If you don't want to be alone, you could always come with us"? 

Sean's heart twisted and he lowered his hand away from his mouth.  A little voice in his head screamed at him to let her go, but he couldn't deny that he was tempted to go.  Nate stepped in then, draping an arm across his shoulders and telling Sam in a heartwarming voice.  "Actually, I was hoping that your dad would help me with a small issue".  Sam raised a curious eyebrow as she glanced between them and Sean had raised an eyebrow of his own to look at Nate.  Nate shrugged, asking him openly.  "I have this video that I wanted to record for YouTube to help get my name out there... but my schedule is always tight during the day and none of the guys have the time at night. So, do you think you could help me out"?  Sean took a breath, but Sam was the one who burst out excitedly.  "That would be great! He'd love that"! 

Sean turned narrowed eyes on her, asking a little suspiciously.  "I would"?  Sam held up her index finger to Nate, telling him so sweetly.  "Give us just a second. Please"?  Nate nodded and backed away as Sam moved in closer to whisper to him hopefully.  "Dad, this is how you make friends. You have to put yourself out there. He needs your help".  Sean crossed his arms and muttered back dryly.  "I know how to socialize, thank you. You just want an excuse to see Nate more".  Sam blushed shooting a brief look over to Nate as she told Sean a little embarrassed.  "Ya...Well, it doesn't hurt if you make friends that I like too".  Sean rolled his eyes and she swatted his arm playfully, but sincerely asked.  "Please, Dad? I don't want to find you waiting up all night again. You need a guys night out. Let him show you his drum set! Have fun"! 

Sean sighed loudly, but nodded.  How did she always manage to talk him into stuff?  She really was too much like him.  Sam patted his shoulder with a smile, before turning to Nate to say aloud.  "He's all yours! Have fun"!  Sean playfully lunged for her to lightly kick her in the ass as she dashed off for the gate giggling.  Nate walked up beside him crossing his arms over his bare chest as he chuckled out.  "I like her. I bet she's a handful".  Sean watched her take Tim's hand and jog through the gate, when he told Nate with a smile.  "You have no idea".  While Nate gathered up his stuff, Sean finished off the last of his beer and watched Mark slowly make his way over to him.  Mark gestured to Nate, who was chatting with his band members, before telling Sean anxiously.  "He isn't giving you any trouble, is he"?  Sean shook his head and swallowed down the last of his beer to reply honestly.  "No. I'm just going to help him with a recording".

Mark's expression became a bit disappointed, when he asked curiously.  "You're not leaving now are you"?  Nate hopped down from the platform to land between them.  Sean could feel the sudden awkward tension as Nate cheerfully told Mark.  "Don't sweat it. We'll be right back. I just need to get this done really quick. It's a music thing. Which you don't have an interest in, right"?  Mark gave such a small nod that Sean barely noticed that he moved.  The two of them locked eyes for a bit, before Nate finally turned to Sean and happily asked him.  "You coming, Sean"?  Sean set his empty bottle on the platform and quickly followed after Nate nervously.  Glancing over his shoulder briefly, he noticed that Mark was still watching them leave with a weird stony look on his face.  Was there something going on between these two that he didn't know about?  To Be Continued...