Oliver had constructed a plan. If he was ever to do anything he wanted, he needed to change to be better with change, if that made any sense. Since he was still uncomfortable with the idea, he procrastinated and declared that he would begin the process after June, after the busy period of the many drag shows he was helping Rheanna with. When it was now July, Oliver felt a twinging pain in his stomach, unable to think up any more excuses. He considered what was causing him to fear going to new places, perhaps because he was terrible at meeting new people. He relied so much on Kara making friends for him, introducing him, that Oliver could not think of a friend he had made himself... apart from maybe Guy. Though Guy seemed to have done all the heavy lifting in the initial conversations, they had become friends without someone else's input. Oliver even made the initiative to add him on social media, which turned out to be more stressful to ask than it should have been.

The more he thought about it, Oliver agreed with Kal that being the lead tech director of music concerts was his ideal job, merging his love for safety and telling people what to do with music. The only problem was it required travelling and working with strangers all the time.

So, Oliver decided to attempt to go somewhere by himself and try a conversation with a stranger. And where was most appropriate than a bar? All he had to do was talk to a stranger for a significant amount of time to call it a meaningful conversation, which he initiated, ideally. It felt silly, but he looked up easy conversation starters online and other advice for making friends in person. Whilst he was happy with his progress from the Pride concert he worked on, he was in his element, focusing on his job and amidst others the same as him. How would he be without that support? Or the help of his friends? Being their social acolyte, following them along wherever they went to a party and attempting to join in the conversation instead of being awkwardly silent on the sidelines. How long could he tread water in the unknown depths of socialising?

Since Oliver didn't want to throw himself entirely in the deep end by going to a bar he had never been to, he chose a bar he would sometimes frequent with his ex-boyfriend Arden, hoping he wouldn't be there on this random Wednesday. Being a weekday, the place wouldn't be too crowded, though that did mean fewer people to potentially talk to. His odds would be higher, perhaps, if there were more people.

Knowing he would never do this sober, Oliver immediately went to the bar and ordered a mojito and a few shots to get him started. Once he got better at this, then he would try without alcohol. Fortunately, the music contained lyrics which Oliver could focus on instead of just mindless bass and techno noise, which combatted his nerves alongside the mint in his mojito. With liquid courage in his system, all that was left was to talk to someone.

...

Anyone

...

Just one measly conversation, and then he can call it a success

...

A step towards progress

...

Fuck

...

Whilst Oliver had the conversation starters in his head, how do you even approach someone new without seeming like a creep? Especially if you do not naturally smile and appear cheery?

Ruminating on this dilemma, Oliver wandered around the bar slowly, passing through the crowds on the dance floor. He could dance. Gravitate to someone and get into a conversation? Ask how their evening is going? Was that a good idea? Or would it be shit?

As he passed through, he accidentally bumped into a young woman in a dress with random pieces of the material cut out to create a weird silhouette.

"Ah, sorry," said Oliver, steading his drink.

She giggled, clearly a bit tipsy, then glanced up at him with hooded eyes, smirking, looking him up and down, before smiling again and leaving to join her friends, her eyes on him before snapping away.

Had she just been checking him out? When was the last time a woman had looked at him like that? It was an odd feeling. Though now it just made him think about how pent up he was, not pent up enough to sleep with a woman; of course, Oliver was still very much gay. That was another thing to consider... he had always disliked strangers touching him, so Oliver never considered ever having any one-night stands with random people; it was always with someone he had seen on dates. Having a one-night stand was strangely progress, too.

Oliver glanced around, wondering if there were any queer men here, though it was hard to tell unless they presented a rather stereotypical appearance.

Oliver was not versed in making friends in real life, but he was okay with getting dates on dating apps. Maybe it was because the intentions were spelt out immediately; he knew the other person's motive, to either date or have sex, which made any interactions simpler. From hearing about some of his friends' dating life, it seemed it was more straightforward as a gay man than being a woman or being straight. He had met all his exes on dating apps, apart from Kara, whom he had been friends with since high school.

So, tonight's alternative objective was to have a complete conversation with someone new or have a one-night stand. Both would be progress.

However, Oliver could not help but feel guilty and think about Cody. They were not together. They had slept together once and almost had a date. And Cody told him not to wait since he was unsure when he would be coming back. It had been nearly half a year. And then Darren said Cody would not be upset if Oliver had dalliances or dates or found someone else. In fact, it was likely Cody was doing the same thing. Oliver heard Cody used to have no-strings-attached sex regularly; what were the chances he was doing that now? So Oliver shouldn't feel ashamed or guilty about this.

Oliver continued to roam around the bar, hesitating to talk to anyone, especially as he imagined more than just talking now, and then flinched as he felt someone tap him on his shoulder. He turned and saw a familiar face.

"Hey," said Kal with a confused smile. "Didn't think you were the kind to go out on a Wednesday. Haven't you got work tomorrow?" they teased.

"I wasn't going to drink that much," answered Oliver after recovering from the surprise.

Kal glanced around. "Are the others with you?"

Oliver shook his head.

"Oh, with other friends then?"

"I'm here by myself," Oliver admitted.

"Cool, me too." Kal motioned to the bar. "I'm getting another drink; want one?"

Oliver followed Kal through the crowds to the bar, and Kal ordered both mojitos since there was a special deal on cocktails. Then they found a corner of the bar with fewer people so they could talk and hear each other over the music and the din of the drunk customers.

"So, what brings you here?" asked Kal. "Not to presume anything of your character, but you seem to dislike crowds."

"That's exactly why I'm here," replied Oliver. "To get better at that."

"Oh? Good for you."

"What about you? Why are you here by yourself?"

Kal shrugged as they took a sip of their mojito. "I like going to places by myself. Sometimes, I talk to people; sometimes, I just enjoy the vibe. Being surrounded by a sea of people and yet keeping yourself..." They shrugged. "Don't know how to explain it; just feels nice sometimes, calming."

Oliver nodded, brows furrowed.

"You don't have to pretend to understand," Kal smirked.

"Yeah, I can't really relate to it," Oliver chuckled. "Crowds are definitely not calming, the complete opposite. I need to focus on something or someone; otherwise, it is overwhelming."

"That's the normal response to crowds, yeah," said Kal. "So, how's your progress? Have you talked to someone yet?"

Oliver let a long sigh. "Well," he began, smiling at his failure. "I came here intending to talk to a stranger and be the one to initiate the conversation. And what actually happened was the only person I talked to was someone I already knew, and they were the one who initiated the conversation."

"Aw, did I ruin your plan?" Kal smirked. "Well, I wouldn't consider it a failure yet; the night is still young, and you have plenty of chances. I can even fuck off if you like, so you have no crutches."

"No, no, you don't need to do that." Oliver chewed his lip. "I don't think I was going to be able to do it anyway."

"Hey, you came here by yourself, stuck around where there's a bunch of people you don't know. That's still a success."

Oliver wrinkles his nose, believing it not to be.

"Up to you, but I think you did great just being here," said Kal. "You can stay and keep trying or pat yourself on your back because you did great trying. Was it just trying to talk to someone new? Or was there more to it?"

Oliver paused, then answered, "No, that was it."

Kal's eyes narrowed, seeing through the pause. "Uh huh..." they said with a teasing tone. "Sure."

Oliver managed to finally look at Kal directly, his face vacant, possessing no shame as he admitted, "initially, it was just to talk to someone, but I also considered finding a one-night stand. Never had one since I don't particularly like being touched by strangers."

"Wow, you don't look embarrassed at all, kind of boring. I was going to tease you about it more." Kal downed the remnants of their drink. "Though I think you're perhaps going too big to start with. One-night stands can be dangerous or awkward and weird. Also, I don't think you should push yourself so much in doing stuff outside your comfort zone."

"I know, but I want to do them, or at least try and see if I actually like it," said Oliver. "What if I've missed out on so much because I have been sticking to my comfort zone and not dared go out?"

"Is this about my job offer?"

Oliver nodded. "And so many other things that are all just related to the same problem."

Kal hummed in thought. "Instead of a complete stranger, how about you find someone you know for the one-night stand?"

"Someone I know?" Oliver thought of his options. Rheanna and Zeke often joked about it and were known to find thirds, but were they genuine offers or just trying to tease Oliver?

"Take one step away from a stranger, not quite a friend, a mild acquaintance," suggested Kal. "You will be slightly more comfortable with them than a stranger, and if you don't end up liking it, then you won't have to risk yourself with a stranger who could be a serial killer."

Oliver chuckled. "Yeah, that's a fair point. It won't exactly be throwing myself into the deep end."

"The important part of the one-night stand is that neither party has any romantic feelings; that makes it a one-night stand."

Oliver nodded, chewing on his bottom lip as he thought of other prospects, though he struggled to come up with any. How many people did he know outside of his friends? Very little. How would you even go about asking someone about that? He could try it on a dating app instead of getting to know them a bit before sleeping with them. He snapped out of his thoughts as he noticed Kal staring at him, their lips thin and brow furrowed.

"I think I'm going to have to be a bit blunt with you, aren't I, Oliver?" said Kal. "Would you like to fuck me?"

Oliver blinked.

"One-night stand with someone you vaguely know, comfortable to be touched by them, no romantic feelings, I am presuming, and I am right here so you can consider this night a success." Kal leaned their head to the side. "Well?"

Oliver swallowed, feeling his throat dry up. "You want to..."

"I'm not joking with you, Oliver," said Kal. "Though this offer does have a deadline, at least for tonight since I've got a train to catch. As a heads-up, I'll be sleeping over at yours if you say yes."

"Yes," said Oliver, firmly.

"Yes?"

"Yes."

"Great, you want a quick drink beforehand? You ring up a taxi."

Kal didn't let him reply and took his empty glass from his hands and headed to the bar.

They had another drink and a few shots; Oliver wondered if Kal did this to give him time to reconsider and ensure he wanted this.

As soon as the taxi pulled outside, they downed the rest of their drinks and shots, then got in, quiet, with Kal on their phone.

The journey up to Oliver's flat was a strange one. It wasn't like he had never invited someone to his place, that wait, the anticipation of what was to come. However, instead of that giddiness, Oliver was unsure of his feelings. He wasn't particularly attracted to Kal, though sometimes he wondered if he was demisexual, another reason to have a one-night stand, to understand his sexuality more. What if he didn't like it? Well, he supposed he could just say no, and Kal would obviously respect that since that was why they were even here, wasn't it? Maybe also because they wanted to fuck someone too.

Oliver unlocked the door, allowing Kal inside first so he could lock the door behind them. Kal took off their shoes, putting them neatly next to Oliver's, then snapped around, standing close to Oliver, looking up at him.

"It's best to get straight to it," they said. "If you try and wait for the mood, the mood generally never arrives."

Oliver agreed with that. Though he couldn't understand why he was hesitating so much. Usually, he would already be on the person, pinning him to the wall, but he supposed it was because he was being controlled by emotion, by passion, and not just horniness by itself.

"Well," Kal said slowly. "Come on then. If you want this, you can make the first move, and if you decide at any moment that you don't like it, just say the word. But I'm still sleeping on your sofa since I missed the last train."

Oliver nodded. Slowly, he stepped forward, closer, faces almost touching, and he could smell the remnants of the mint mojito on Kal's breath. Kal's eyes didn't leave him, watching as he slowly approached, his hand rising to Kal's cheek, then he leaned forward, both of their eyes closing as their lips met.

It was an odd sensation; it didn't leave him flustered or fluttering like any other kisses he had, like it was just the brushing of sensitive skin, with no romantic feelings behind it. After such a simple, almost chaste kiss, Oliver pulled back, staring down at Kal.

"You're quite gentle," teased Kal.

"I'm not," said Oliver lowly. This time, he did not act so tentatively. He pulled them by the back of their neck into his embrace, other arm wrapped around their waist as he kissed them again. And there was that fervent hunger to feel satisfied, craving another's touch. It did not have the same effect on Oliver when he kissed someone he loved or desired, but his body still heated up, demanding more.

Kal gasped as Oliver pushed them up against the wall, their feet having to be on tip-toes as Oliver pulled them upwards, closer to him, his hands clutching at their shirt, slipping underneath and feeling their warm skin.

"Would prefer to do this on a bed," said Kal, breaking out of the kiss, somewhat out of breath. "Though I can do the floor or the sofa."