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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]

Promises mean absolutely nothin' in the long run, darlin'. [ i.e.: prove it.

this would be easier if he could be bribed into compliance with aj but that move doesn't currently work oops ]

[windeity]

You don't believe me? [At leasts the drive's somewhat short.] I am hurt, Dave.

[parodeity]

I mean, you actually have to make it up to me. [ h o w ]

[windeity]

[A pause.]

Okay. I can do that. [Can you, John? He doesn't know exactly what Dave's thinking or anything but he's hardly fussed about it. He just plans on doing it.

Eventually though they park at the beginning of the walking tour where there's a stand selling cookies and hot cider and hot chocolate and John looks over at him again.] Ready?

[parodeity]

[ good luck john when does dave even know the specifics of what he wants usually! like he kind of does now sort of but. he sighs and nods, unbuckling and then opening the door before john can get to it just...to avoid...john leaning over him rn because too close and flustered. ]

Yep. Do we need to buy tickets or anything? I've never been on this one.

[windeity]

[He's not pouting, you're pouting. But Dave gets his own door and John lets him, smoothly sliding out of the car and heading for Dave's side.]

No. This one's free, they run solely on donations. [He nods to the concessions stand.] ...taste is still fucked, but. [He raises his eyebrows. Cider? Hot chocolate? Anything?]

[parodeity]

Are the concessions part of the donation? [ like he won't eat anything probably but a hot drink to hold in his hands would keep them warm so he'll consider that as he shuts the car door, brushing some of his bangs to the side. ]

[windeity]

Yeah. [He's already heading that way anyway.] When I came by earlier they had a bunch of stuff like brownies and little tarts and stuff, too. And coffee, I think. It's part of some neighborhood program this particular block does, it's kind of nice.

[parodeity]

You sound like you're planning to settle down here, dude. [ to get...cider, dave guesses, even tho it's bittersweet to have that... ]

[windeity]

[He shrugs and without saying anything to Dave he orders two ciders and promptly overpays to leave a few extra dollars before holding one of the cups out to Dave.]

I just like this kind of thing. That's all.

[parodeity]

Didn't you just break one of our agreements?

[ he's taking the cup anyway but ]

[windeity]

No. You locked me out of coffee, not cider. [There's a devious grin because hahaha.] Shall we?

[...he seems to be looking at Dave's hands for a minute before he tentatively holds one out? Like if Dave wants to hold his cider to warm his hands up, fine, but.]

[parodeity]

Okay, jackass, we both know it was meant to apply to all hot beverages. [ pointing at john with the hand holding his cider because YOU SUCK, EGBERT

even tho dave would have happily used the same loophole. it's not okay? in reverse?

and then john is holding out his hand and dave is once again wishing he knew what the fuck went on in john's head. like - it's easy to guess the kinds of things john likes or wants to do. a christmas light show tour was the first thing to come up with "outdoors" and "you would like it" for something taking place in the evening.

but right now he can't tell if he's being placated or not. he doesn't know how to ask.

so he stares for a minute or two before realizing he just can't know, and taking john's hand without acknowledging it in any other way. ]

[windeity]

[It's the staring that makes him uncomfortable. He's not sure what it means and he's not sure if Dave's just going along with what will make John happy or if this is even okay. Not for the first time he sort of regrets ever saying anything because...it's hard to tell. Dave had kissed him back and Dave had said he was into him, but it's hard to say if that's Dave lying to himself so he wouldn't hurt John's feelings or this is Dave who truly feels these things even if he doesn't know how to cope.

But it's the staring that's uncomfortable. The staring and not letting John open his doors like usual and the weird blatant flirting now instead of subtle and casual and it's all the more reason John said he needed time. He wants time to understand.

But his fingers wrap around Dave's hand and secures his grip, taking his drink with his free hand and laughing it off anyway.]

Not my fault you did not seal the contract all the way. The ban was on buying coffee so I'm still cleared.

[parodeity]

Just for that I am going to abuse every single loophole in every agreement we've ever made.

[ no he won't that'd be way too much effort

also he already abuses some of them? so????????????? would anything really change?????? ]

[windeity]

Okay that is bullshit? Don't you dare. [He knows Dave loops enough times that John can't even keep track, but he can't stop him. Not really. So he nods along and begins leading them down the beginning of the path. It's just dark enough that the lights are bright and the displays stand out.] Have we made a lot of other agreements that are seriously up for debate?

[parodeity]

And what if I do dare? - Shit, I actually need my hand back. [ he pauses, frowning. ] Or. Do you mind walking this twice?

[windeity]

....[He lifts an eyebrow.] ...no. But can I ask why?

[...wait. Never mind.] Pictures. [Right?]

[parodeity]

[ it earns. a sheepish grin? a flicker of one but that's new. ]

Kind of?

[ lOOK. ]

[windeity]

[It's fine he just. Laughs. And he gently bumps his shoulder against Dave's even as they're still walking.]

I do not mind doing it twice. [He's a.) prepared if Dave gets cold and b.) unwilling to let go of his hand just yet.]

[parodeity]

You better save some looks of wonderment for walk two, then.

[ apparently walk two also includes pictures of john. sorry john. ]

[windeity]

I will try to be a perfect model, okay? [He's just getting really used to this, apparently. Or...a compromise?] There are a couple of streets on this tour. I bet the ones toward the end are the best?

[So he'll let go of Dave's hand and let him take photos then seems to be the implication.]

[parodeity]

You don't have to try. I like takin' pictures of you. [ wait. ] - And everyone else. I mean. You're just...happy. [ look ] But the ones towards the end would be good?

[windeity]

[He knew that, of course, but there's still a slightly shy smile as he looks ahead toward the first house.]

It will be worth it. [They aren't even very far in the tour and already John's eyes widen a bit at the first set of colored lights and fake icicles.] ...I do not mind so much anymore. [Photos, he means.]

[parodeity]

[ ...he will make do with mental photographs for now. this is torture. ]

Did you mind before?