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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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[parodeity]

[ yeah whatever it was john's turn to pick or dave doesn't really care so he just shrugs assent. he...

turns off. the camera. and stows it in his sylladex, his hand dropping from john's neck to do so, and then he reaches up to take johns hand's off his shoulders, letting them fall to the piano bench twisted in his.

he opens his mouth. pauses. lets go of one of john's hands and reaches up to shove his shades up into his hair because he'd told john once that he only bothered to do this when he didn't want to be misunderstood and he's not sure it'll help but at least he can try.

then he just goes back to holding john's hands in place on the bench between them for a minute or two. ]

You're my best friend. [ ...that wasn't where he knew he was going to start since he had no fucking clue where he was starting but it seems like the most important place to start, slow and monotonous and quiet as he forces himself to actually look john in the eyes. he pulls a face for a second because it's weird and serious and hard but then his expression smooths out into neutral. ]

We've covered the reasons I might ditch [ if it was for john's own good ] but even in those, you'd still be my best friend. Full stop. Period at the end of a telegram. Paid for it extra and all just 'cause it was that important.

[ don't get on a tangent about telegrams holy shit. he barely stops himself from doing so? ]

That hasn't changed? And the whole...everything else we do. While we can stop all those things if you ever want, which has always been true, they're not...related to this. [ or they are. but like. ] They do not have to be related to this, exactly, since we would be doing them anyway? [ um. ]

I mean [ how to put this ] that regardless of whatever. This is. Or if we ever even broach the topic again. The things I've told you I want to do are still true, if you don't mind them, or if you want them too. I don't, like. Intend to stop being your best friend just because we're...whatever the hell. So.

[ so. ]

About sleeping together, or Saturdays or Tuesdays, or whatever else. You don't have to like...ask me about them again. You're still who I want to spend that time with. Okay? And we can ignore this for forever if you want, and you can have all the time in the universe. Or whatever. It's not really important; I just...am not going anywhere. You're my best friend. Okay?

[ he's not even sure if john needed to hear that so he blows out a breath but. he tried? ]

[windeity]

[Dave got the patent on the poker face which means that John's expressions are pretty wide open for interpretation. He lets Dave hold his hands in place and he stares into his eyes for a moment, making sure to memorize them and almost missing the first part of what Dave says. He starts off saying that John's his best friend and he looks crestfallen for a moment like he expects Dave to turn him down after all.

But he listens. He's quiet and his hands grip onto Dave's a little but other than that he listens before..his face relaxes. His shoulders sag a little in relief and there's a tired smile his way.

Maybe he'll realize that the things they're doing are pretty much dating anyway, but that'll be another day. One step at a time. He's been terrified of messing up and even told someone else that he was more concerned about his friendship than anything else (though no names were mentioned.) He wants Saturdays and Tuesdays and falling asleep together and trying to make Dave laugh and watching him with their kitten and...

...it sounds stupid, in retrospect. This all sounds so normal and yet he needs to decide if this is safe for them to keep doing this. It's pretty clear it's what he needed to hear though and he nods.]

I'm not going anywhere either so...everything else can be figured out later. Right? [With time. After John thinks.] You're my best friend before everything else and that is why I need time.

[parodeity]

Okay. [ which is what he said the first time john asked for time, so that hasn't, like, changed. he lets go of john's hands and his left hand hooks under john's chin to tilt his face up a little, and dave frowns. ]

You actually do need to go to sleep? I am capable of recognizing exhaustion when I see it, you know. I'll drive home?

[ because he's reasonably sure this is the face of someone very tired and that's what he's checking for, already shutting away the rest of it for later or never and sliding back into his usual position in john's life, which he hasn't been thrown out of just yet. ]

Drivin' tired is as dangerous as drivin' drunk.

[windeity]

[He automatically dips into Dave's hand, resting his chin on his fingers and looking at him with a strange mixture of adoration and also sleep-deprivation.]

It's okay. I can still drive...[And the last part is mumbled.] I want to spend more time with you.

[parodeity]

I am not getting in a car with you driving when you are this tired?

[ idiot. ]

Me driving still counts as spending time with you, and also, we are going to the same place. Do I not still rate driving privileges? [ ... ] Yo, don't repeat this little stunt for the holidays, okay? Sleep is your friend and you are not so good at goin' without it as I am, so like...don't do that. Idiot.

[ he's standing up and he lets go of john's chin but ruffles john's hair. rolls his eyes and flips his shades back down a second after. ]

Keys?

[windeity]

[Grumbling a little but okay, fine, he's going to grab his keys and hand them over. Fun fact, Dave might notice upon touch that John's hair is gel-free today. Still, he gets up and he doesn't yawn but he does close the lid to the piano keys.]

Winter break starts this upcoming weekend. We can sleep a lot and do whatever.

[parodeity]

It's cute how you completely forgot you have a job. [ he notices that but doesn't mention it, just ushering john out of the room so he can relock the door via dumb skills. ] And that I have a job. A few jobs. But yeah, without classes the workload'll be a little lighter.

[ watch dave try to pick up extra shifts out of sheer anxiety ]

[windeity]

[He's. Pretty sure he has a job still. He may have been slacking a little. But let's not tell Dave?]

Yeah. And we're signed up for that charity drive ReVA's doing, too, remember? So maybe it is not much of a vacation but it won't be as stressful.

[parodeity]

[ john he'll notice ur name go off the flix schedule if you lose it? ]

I remember. [ and then there's the. holiday bullshit. which he just...doesn't...address currently. back to the car to unlock it and pop john's door since dave's driving. ha. ] Are you going to start letting me help you with your damn math homework again?

[windeity]

[He's doing his best. But he follows Dave to his own car and slides into the passenger seat, grinning slightly instead.]

Next term? I am pretty done with math for this one and I think by switching majors I get to avoid a lot of it. But whatever math I do end up with I will need your help, yes.

[parodeity]

Everyone always thinks they can avoid math. They are always wrong.

[ but okay good. he buckles in and waits for john to do the same before he'll start up the car. ]

Luckily I will probably not let you flounder. [ dave you literally just expressed an exasperated desire to help john with his math homework which is

weird

but it was bothering him john kept not letting him ]

[windeity]

Music is about counting, dummy. I know I cannot avoid it forever but if I never have to see another overly elaborate equation ever again it will still be too soon. My hero. Where would I be without you? [But yeah, okay, he buckles up and leans back into the seat. The drive's short at least.]

I am still ironing out my schedule for next term but I will let you know what form of torture I end up with.

[parodeity]

We still should get one of those dry erase board calendars. Not that I can't juggle two schedules in my mind, but it would be maybe more normal.

[ than just

being the god of time or whatever ]

[windeity]

Do we have room for it with all of the Halloween decorations and art you keep bringing home? [He's teasing, clearly, but also Dave why are you this way.] I can look for one later.

[parodeity]

They like hang on doors, how much room can it take? [ but he brightens up. ] I need another frame. Duke painted me a thing. Minato, I mean.

[windeity]

Good point. We can find one. And what did he do? [He’s trying to keep up the conversation but it’s also clear he’s going to immediately fall asleep when they get home.]

[parodeity]

Sbahj watercolor painting. [ dave will nag john out of his formalwear and into pajamas at least despite the fact john let him sleep in jeans drunk. ] I got a shocking amount of artwork as gifts.

[windeity]

You know a lot of artists. Is it really that surprising? [To be fair sleeping in formalwear is probably worse than jeans but he will appreciate that. ]

[parodeity]

Artists who know the way to my heart. [ bad fanart...or good fanart of bad comics? his lips twitch. ] Though I’m pretty sure some of them are desperately trying not to give real opinions on my artwork.

[windeity]

I think I am more surprised no one gave you art lessons as a gift. But it’s cool...I’m glad today happened.

[parodeity]

Don’t want ‘em anyway. [ he’s fine sucking? his artistic talents lie elsewhere and maybe he doesn’t have to be the best. dave’s fingers drum out some invisible and unrecognizable beat on the steering wheel as he eventually pulls into the area of john’s usual parking job. ]

[windeity]

SBaHJ would lose its charm if you did. [But they’re parked and out of habit John leans over to open Dave’s door. So. The driver door this time. But he’s making an attempt.]

[parodeity]

[ john what the fuck. dave didn’t expect that since he drove and he freezes up a little more than usual but rolls his eyes and gets out of the car. ]

Are you saying you wouldn’t read it if I learned to draw? Weak friendship level.

[windeity]

[Apparently he just likes doing these things for Dave and he leans back to get out and lock up the car, holding out his hand. He might be asking for his keys or for Dave's hand, he's not saying.]

I read it now, don't I? And I definitely read it in our past life so I think that is like, mega friendship levels.

[parodeity]

Now that just sounds like an insult? [ he deposits the keys in john's hand since he figures that's what john is asking for and dave doesn't like to. assume. about handholding even if he'd clung when they'd went ice skating the second john took his hand. ] I think I am definitely offended and I'm tellin' Rose you're a cad.