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[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER | RED | #E00707
TEXT | ACTION

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[parodeity]

Sorry. [ there's a huff of air before he flops onto his back. ] I know you don't deserve me bein' weird.

[windeity]

I kind of figured it came with the price of being your best bro. You know. Like a package deal? One Too-Cool kid, comes with sweet shades and weird mood swings. And anyway you've been weird on me a few times since we got here, I would have left by now if it actually bugged me.

[Also, he's had a long chat with Vriska about the state of death so. He gets that final death changes people. He turns his head to look at Dave though now that they're both flat on their backs.] You are my version of you, and I'm not abandoning you. Okay?

[parodeity]

[ dave just kind of looks over and swallows, trying to figure out...words to say. it feels more quiet in the blanket fort and he's still tense but he's at least trying. ]

It's not abandoning. I don't want you to like...I am so fucking thankful you get to live. You know that, right?

[windeity]

[There's a small nod.] I know you are, but...dude, I already thought I lost you once because of the Tumor. Then you and Rose were alive and we were all godtier and it was awesome. But then we were separated for three years and we never got the chance to really be together. So thankful or not, it still blows. I know it's not abandoning but it also kind of is.

[parodeity]

It's not your fault I... [ died.

dave's quiet for a minute and then he tentatively shifts closer and onto his side, reaching out for john's...sleeve. he's not making progress. ]

I made stupid plans for if we all ever got out.

[windeity]

[Hm. Well. Dave reaches for his sleeve and John shifts enough to turn and give Dave his entire arm for the time being. Give him a second to narrow his eyes and think this through before he shifts to loop that arm around Dave's back in a half-hug. He's giving him a questioning look, more or less asking for confirmation that's what he wanted before he focuses on the statement.]

How come I never got to hear these stupid plans?

[parodeity]

[ oh. okay. there's the usual pause before he leans into it, shifting closer and not bothering to pretend he doesn't need the comfort. mostly. ]

We'd have jam sessions, obviously? Maybe go to the movies. Beach day for you and Jade.

[windeity]

[Well okay, that works then. He tightens his grip without saying anything about it and instead he grins at the idea of a beach day.]

While you and Rose sat under umbrellas reading and stuff? [Teasing.] I always planned for jam sessions, too. Live ones instead of waiting across timezones to mix everything together. I always thought about celebrating holidays and birthdays together in person. That sounded cool. Actual birthday parties. [Never mind the ones on the ship.]

[parodeity]

You refused to let me do anything for your birthday. [ at least the tension is slowly ebbing away as john tightens his grip. ]

[windeity]

[Dumb cat...that's good though. John doesn't bother releasing him and doesn't plan on it any time soon.]

That's different. You don't get to do stuff for my birthday if I don't get to do stuff for yours.

[parodeity]

It wasn't my birthday. And I will not tell you when my birthday hits as retaliation?

[windeity]

Do you even know what month it is right now? Or are we counting and pretending the day we got here was my birthday?

[parodeity]

I'm counting chronologically from your birthday. Which means I know when my birthday will be but you are not allowed?

[windeity]

Why not? [Dave what the fuck :|]

[parodeity]

Please review where you didn't let me do shit for yours????

[windeity]

Oh my god, fine. If I let you do something for my birthday will you tell me when it's yours?

[parodeity]

An actual celebration. It can be just us if you absolutely want but I am fully willing to plan a party.

[windeity]

Why are you so determined? [He sounds amused but he's curious.]

[parodeity]

Because it's the first time I've ever been around on your birthday in person and we squandered it?

[windeity]

[He rolls his eyes.] Fine...what do you want to do for my birthday then? Besides a party, I got that part.

[parodeity]

Do you want a party? [ he's genuinely asking. they both kind of liked the family dinner but it had been a relief when it had ended, also. ]

[windeity]

[It. Sure was. It's why he doesn't reply immediately.] ...it would be fun, I guess, but my last couple of birthdays have just been me and Jade playing video games or watching movies while Nannasprite baked a bunch of cake. So a party might be a bit much?

[Also John's come to find he likes planning parties but isn't sure how to feel about people throwing him parties, especially in this place.]

[parodeity]

Is there more to it than that? [ he's not arguing he's just. trying to understand genuinely, because he's curious. he knows why he might not be down for a big party dedicated to him, but he wants to know the whys of john egbert, too. ] Or just acclimation?

[windeity]

Acclimation. [That's almost immediate instead.] We're still in kind of a weird situation. I don't mind the idea but we already have a lot happening here.

[parodeity]

I keep trying to do more and more stuff so I don't have to pause. [ mildly. ] So...what would you want to do for your birthday?