parodeity | recollé ic inbox 4.0;

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.]

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. ]

[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.

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?????? ]

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?

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

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

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

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

Kind of?

[ lOOK. ]

[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.]

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

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

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.]

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?

[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.]

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

Did you mind before?

Not particularly? I was not used to it at first because most people do not really do the photography thing. But I'm getting used to it.

None of us ever really did normal hobbies. [ a pause, and he clarifies: ] I mean, Dirk and the girls and me. Or I guess we do normal ones sometimes, but then we take those too far or in weird directions? It is a thing.

I don't mind, Dave. [He's keeping their pace slow and his hand curled around Dave's and even if he isn't looking at him he's talking anyway. This is fine. This is normal.] I can't say much given I spent most of my childhood playing and writing music instead of like. Doing other stuff. I think it's really cool you have something you like that much.

I have too many things I like that much. Choosing a major was a bitch and a half and I still did it last minute and I'm still all over the place. [ and he doesn't think it...matters...the universe will probably END he's been in how many that ended? also presumably john has dave's right hand in his left so they can drink their cider with their favored hands? ]

And I like that you spent most of your childhood fuckin' around with music. It's been...a huge thing both sides for me but I like to keep super busy. [ too busy to think. ]

It's why I do not like picking favorites for anything. Why can't I like multiple things and want to do a lot with multiple things? I still think you will be happiest with cinematography since it allows a lot of creative freedom. [Yes, that is how that ended up. John's observant enough to figure that out.]

It's kind of dumb. I used to come home after school and speed through my homework so that my dad would let me into the study to play. He gave up trying to teach me when I was about eight because I started teaching myself and writing really basic things. I tried to have something accomplished every Friday before he got home for work so I could show him.

[...] We used to play a lot together during the holidays for neighborhood Christmas parties and stuff. That was one of the first times I played by myself in front of people. Eventually it was just me playing but I usually ran the set list by him while he and Nanna were working in the bakery. [Why is he rambling about his dad?] You've been busy pretty much from the minute I met you. I remember the work you were putting into the timelines on the other side, too, and it's...[Well anyway.] I like that you make time for stupid bullshit like this.

[ dave has no idea why john is rambling about his dad. he just listens. ]

...I'll always have time for you. Even if I lose time travel. [ if he has to rearrange his schedule the mundane way. his fingers are cold but his grip on john's hand is firm. easy to get out of, but solidly there. his half-smile is wry. ] Avoiding you the one time kind of sucked.

[ so yeah ]

I like when you tell me shit like this.

I like when you don't avoid me. [Just casually mentioning that even as he keeps his thumb running over the back of Dave's hand to keep him warm.] And I think I will let you do the embarrassing rambling for us since I am not great at it.

[A shrug.] Even without the time travel I would always have time for you, too.

No, I mean...I like it when you tell me things.

[ the dumb family anecdotes. random thoughts. he's said it before, he thinks, but he just...likes that.

it makes it feel like they're best friends. ]

I could tell you pretty much whatever you wanted. It would just...be rambling sometimes, I think? [But he's comfortable enough to do that and he doesn't mind at all.]

It just...gives me the illusion of feeling special. It's nice. [ since john is john and makes friends as easy as breathing, and dave is perfectly well aware of that. ] And I seriously doubt I can really judge anyone for rambling. So, which is your favorite so far?

[ light displays. ]

The one with the giant polar bear. [He points toward a house with lots of lights and a huge inflatable polar bear.] And that one with the multicolored twinkling lights in the branches. It looks cool.

[But.] ...you do know that you are, don't you?

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