[...that is so much. It's so much and for a minute he doesn't reply at all. All he does is lay beside him quietly, keeping his grip firm and sort of bracketing Dave in with his arms, hand going nearly still on his back.
It makes sense, sort of. He knows he wants to know so much, would share if someone asked, but given the fact that Dave is Dave and knowing what he knows about their universe, maybe it makes sense. And anyway, what right did he have to demand answers about anything from anyone? He wants answers, but there are other ways to get them.
He doesn't understand Dave Strider all the time and sometimes he barely understands the darker, harder parts. He knows that something like this could break a person but remembering so many timelines...how many times did Dave watch the world fracture and rebuild and lives start from ground zero?
Maybe it's overdramatic to think. His thoughts are slow and so is his breathing, but he somehow pulls him closer.]
Seven months...is a very long time. Nearly eight now, actually. [To deal with this, he means. He knows Dave's been network since February.] People do really crazy things when they want to know, but I promise not to try and cut off my own head. Or anyone's head?
Fuck, that's not what I wanted to say. That's not really the point. It's just...I want to be the person I was then and I can be the person I am here. I know there are things about me that are going to change, too, but I know those are going to be because of me. I want it to be because of me. Not because someone told me about something. I want to make my own choices since people have made a lot of choices for me.
...I already told you I will not make you tell me things you don't want to. And I want to ask you so much but I know that isn't fair. You've caused me to remember a lot, but...I don't know. Has the reverse even happened? ["Or are you tapped out already?"]
I don't flinch or pause when I remember shit these days.
[ so yes, john has made him remember some things. dave is fine with being pulled closer and holding on to someone for once but it's dark and john pulled him down and hasn't let go and he can let himself cling in those circumstances. and he wonders if there are any good changes to him or changes at all. remnants of the person he was here mixing with dave strider, knight of time.
he used to touch people more, and smile, and laugh. it's weird to be doing that less, but it would be weird to be doing it more. ]
I notice I do the pause thing way more than I should. I cannot decide if it is a good or a bad thing to get used to. [Yeah good luck, Dave. John will eventually let go when he falls asleep probably or if he gets a sense that Dave is fine but. Clinging is usually a sign one is not fine.]
If I was actually mad at you I think I would actually tell you. But yeah. I remembered something at the party and it was sort of weird but I guess past me also had a fondness for suits for some reason.
But the dream thing was okay. It's...where Showtime came from.
His hand's moving again, but this time it's up Dave's spine and into the ends of his hair on his neck to scratch at his scalp a little. Somewhere in his alcohol-laden brain, this made sense.]
[Okay but no. Dave was surrounded by cats earlier and when he was petting and scratching them they were calm, so obviously the same logic applies here? Duh.
[ i don't even know how i could possibly fucking win. dave just makes an irritated sound that is probably a capitulation, and then takes john's glasses off to fold up and put on the desk.
[Somehow he just allows this, a little shivery still since he's not actually in his bed, he's sort of tangled in a blanket and Dave at this point. But there's also a small pout.]
Why do people keep blinding me. [It's a petulant tone because this is the second time his glasses have been taken this evening what the fuck.]
I know that but I can't see without them. [No, John's just stupid. The implication here is that he can't see Dave without them, but also he can't really see because they're in the dark? Whatever, let him live.]
That sounds painful, maybe do not do that. [Also now that he's relaxed again it's a little more obviously out of it, a combination of sleepy and drunk and comfortable. It's for that reason he sort of using a hand to squish Dave's face.
[I'm glad Dave's a sucker. I can't believe this is real.]
Eleanor took my glasses earlier and I could not see shit. I'm not sure about your assessment here. [But he laughs slightly before he stops squishing Dave's face and lays back letting go of Dave briefly to rub at his eyes.
Like. One arm is still in a vice grip around him but okay.] I am pretty sure you are eventually going to regret this friendship, Strider. I have a lot of issues, too.
[ dave freezes up when john shifts but registers an arm is still around him and tries to relax again after a minute or so. when he can actually breathe evenly he...laughs. ]
Not really. I'd rather see the universe broken than - [ these shades ] - it's impossible for me to regret friendship with you.
I have seen the universe broken. [He sounds very sure of himself, since he has no idea how to interpret anything about that so instead he's just going to stay where he's at. The other arm loosely flops over Dave again.]
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It makes sense, sort of. He knows he wants to know so much, would share if someone asked, but given the fact that Dave is Dave and knowing what he knows about their universe, maybe it makes sense. And anyway, what right did he have to demand answers about anything from anyone? He wants answers, but there are other ways to get them.
He doesn't understand Dave Strider all the time and sometimes he barely understands the darker, harder parts. He knows that something like this could break a person but remembering so many timelines...how many times did Dave watch the world fracture and rebuild and lives start from ground zero?
Maybe it's overdramatic to think. His thoughts are slow and so is his breathing, but he somehow pulls him closer.]
Seven months...is a very long time. Nearly eight now, actually. [To deal with this, he means. He knows Dave's been network since February.] People do really crazy things when they want to know, but I promise not to try and cut off my own head. Or anyone's head?
Fuck, that's not what I wanted to say. That's not really the point. It's just...I want to be the person I was then and I can be the person I am here. I know there are things about me that are going to change, too, but I know those are going to be because of me. I want it to be because of me. Not because someone told me about something. I want to make my own choices since people have made a lot of choices for me.
...I already told you I will not make you tell me things you don't want to. And I want to ask you so much but I know that isn't fair. You've caused me to remember a lot, but...I don't know. Has the reverse even happened? ["Or are you tapped out already?"]
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[ so yes, john has made him remember some things. dave is fine with being pulled closer and holding on to someone for once but it's dark and john pulled him down and hasn't let go and he can let himself cling in those circumstances. and he wonders if there are any good changes to him or changes at all. remnants of the person he was here mixing with dave strider, knight of time.
he used to touch people more, and smile, and laugh. it's weird to be doing that less, but it would be weird to be doing it more. ]
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I got stuff back in a dream before, too.
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[ dave will let go
Someday... ]
The dream thing happens sometimes. It sucks.
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But the dream thing was okay. It's...where Showtime came from.
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I'm afraid of fucking this up. [ that part is whispered. ]
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...what makes you think that you might?
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...a lot of things have fucked me up long before I came here. I think you are probably safe.
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You're too important to add to my track record?
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His hand's moving again, but this time it's up Dave's spine and into the ends of his hair on his neck to scratch at his scalp a little. Somewhere in his alcohol-laden brain, this made sense.]
Everything is going to be fine. Okay?
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dave is not drunk enough for this and yet he's not stopping it because
gestures weakly ]
A lot of people have said that, Eggs.
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...yeah they suck. Scritch scritch scritch.]
Do you trust me?
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also it unfortunately WORKS i hate this. ]
With Rose's life.
[ ............his life isn't worth much. ]
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Then trust me when I say that you are not really at the risk of fucking this up.
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look ]
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Why do people keep blinding me. [It's a petulant tone because this is the second time his glasses have been taken this evening what the fuck.]
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[ did he mess up oh my god ]
I don't want them to get broken or somethin' if you fall asleep?
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...what about yours though?
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[ thanks dave ]
...It's dark and you're drunk, what the fuck do you need to be able to see right now.
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Please end him.]
I like seeing people when I am talking to them.
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Your eyesight is not so terrible you can't see a few inches in front of your face. What the fuck are you doin', oh my god.
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Eleanor took my glasses earlier and I could not see shit. I'm not sure about your assessment here. [But he laughs slightly before he stops squishing Dave's face and lays back letting go of Dave briefly to rub at his eyes.
Like. One arm is still in a vice grip around him but okay.] I am pretty sure you are eventually going to regret this friendship, Strider. I have a lot of issues, too.
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Not really. I'd rather see the universe broken than - [ these shades ] - it's impossible for me to regret friendship with you.
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Even if things get really weird?
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