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[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER

consider this your warning about stairs. itll just keep happening bro. im telling you man

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[windeity]

[His hands are dropped and they rest in his lap as he stares at the steering wheel before looking at Dave again.]

I know. That's probably the part that bugs me the most. [There's a closed lip smile before he releases the brakes and starts driving again.] But...I can do that. If you'll stick around, I will, too.

[parodeity]

...Why does it bug you? [ he makes zero promises on sticking around or not, but focuses on that part instead. ]

[windeity]

Let's say something was really bothering me. I don't know, something really, really bad that I could not process on my own. What would you do?

[parodeity]

Anything you asked of me.

[windeity]

Cool. What about if I didn't ask and you thought it was something I needed anyway? What would you do?

[parodeity]

...It'd depend on what it was, and how you reacted. [ to be honest. ] I'd do anything for you, but you don't always want that from me.

[windeity]

[There's a nod.]

So how come you would do anything for me, but you don't think I could or should do anything for you? I am just wondering.

[parodeity]

I don't see how you can magically make things better here, breezy.

[windeity]

I didn't say it'd be right away, douche. But I can try, can't I?

[parodeity]

No deal if you mean you want to stick around through the aftermath.

[ dave leans against the door. ]

...But if you want to try to find some mythical third option that keeps everyone sorted, sure. You can try.

[windeity]

I'm going to. That's the best way. [He's still unhappy but this is the best compromise he can come up with and he shakes his head again.]

You don't think I can?

[parodeity]

Not really, if we're talking about somethin' where I don't man up and deal. But you're you. Maybe you'll be able to shit a rainbow out of all this somehow.

[windeity]

[Silence. He thinks about some things and he stays quiet even as they approach the training grounds.]

...you know I love you, don't you?

[parodeity]

[ his breath catches, and there's a laugh. ]

I love you, too. [ that part is almost easy. ] John, it's okay if there isn't a solution. Or if the solution is just me learning to adapt. This isn't on you. Okay?

[windeity]

[No, not okay. But he's well aware that's the answer Dave wants so he nods even as he parks in front of their destination finally.]

Yeah, okay. [He's going to figure something out though. He has to. But instead he glances out the window, blue eyes bright again as he gives a slow smile.] Does this make us early?

[parodeity]

Not really. You forgot about lunch.

[ dryly, and in a moment he'll reach for his door since he's fallen out of the habit of waiting for john to do it for him, but right now he stares again instead, wavering. ]

[windeity]

[...he'll reach over and lightly punch the door to open it instead.]

Yeah. Oops. [There's a small laugh.] Cool with lunch after? We can probably take a break during training, too.

[parodeity]

[ cool dave does the thing where he just pauses and stares wordlessly at john? ]

[windeity]

[Why are we back to staring holy shit. He just. Keeps grinning? Because he's unsure?? But he's opening the door for Dave at least so there's that.]

[parodeity]

[ is he still leaning over dave while the staring occurs. awkward. ]

Is this one of those things?

[windeity]

[Probably.]

What things?

[parodeity]

[ okay, cool, guess dave is just super close as he turns slightly to face john and ask: ]

The ones that make you happy.

[windeity]

[Haha. Fuck. He doesn't quite answer, but there's a tentative nod.]

Yeah. I guess you could say that.

[parodeity]

[ he rolls his eyes, the mockingly (mockingly?) copies john and reaches out with his left hand to grip john's chin. ]

Not "I guess". Yes or no?

[windeity]

[At least he's capable of keeping a straight face while Dave grabs his chin and he tilts his head up to meet his eyes.]

Yes. [Since Dave seems to be looking for an answer and John doesn't know how to explain it, but yes, it's something he's used to and something he likes doing. Why? Great question. Everything is kind of confusing right now.]