Author's Note: In this AU, Jake and Jane had children, then split them up, Jake keeping John and Jane keeping Jade. Similarly, Dirk and Roxy did the same, Dirk keeping Dave and Roxy keeping Rose.

John glances down at his map as him and his dad walk through the unfamiliar city in Texas. He looks up at his dad when the man speaks for the first time in a while.

"I think we're lost, son." John sighs, nodding. This was so different from his small town in Washington. "I know! I just wanted this to be a surpise!"

"Then why don't you just ask him for his address and tell him that you want to send him a Christmas gift."

John grins, "I can't believe I didn't think of that before!" He pulls out his phone and logs into Pesterchum.

EB: dave, can i ask you something?

TG: john

TG: isnt it like

TG: really early where you are

TG: whats up

EB: oh, yeah... im just really excited because its christmas eve!

EB: i was wondering

EB: would you be willing to give me your address?

EB: i have a christmas present for you that i only just got ahold of.

TG: oh

TG: yeah sure

TG: you know what city i live in right

EB: yes.

TG: ok i live in the clockwork apartments

TG: 413 skia street

TG: in the penthouse apartment

EB: cool!

EB:oh!

EB: i have to go...

EB: dad wants me to help him bake a christmas cake

TG: ok see ya

-Ectobiologist logged off-

John puts his phone away and grins up at his dad, eyes sparkling.

"Dad, I know where we're going!"

_TIME SKIPS AWAY_

John bounces on the balls of his feet as he stands in front of the door to Dave's apartment, biting his lip. He turns back to his dad and says, "Maybe this was a bad idea... Maybe Bro won't want some strange people showing up on Christmas eve and ruining their traditions... What if Dave gets mad at me for sho-" He is cut off as his father reaches past him and rings the doorbell, placing a calming hand on his son's shoulder. When the door opens, the elder Egbert's eyes widen. "Dirk?" John looks up at his dad, surprised. "Dad, you know Mr. Strider?" His father nods slightly as Dirk tilts his head towards John for a moment. "Call me Dirk or Bro kid, never Mr. Strider." The man's eyes then slide up to John's dad, his face impassive even behind the shades. "Jake? ...It's been awhile." Jake nods. "Indeed it has, old chap... Years." Dirk crosses his arms. "Yeah. Anyways, why are you here?" John speaks up shyly. "I'm friends with Dave... I just wanted to surprise him for Christmas." Dirk nods and steps aside to let them in. "Dave has talked about you. You're Egbert, right? I'm sure Dave'll be excited. You two can wait in the living room ." He turns and walks down the hallway, gesturing to the couch as he passes it. He stops in front of door, then walks in. "Get your ass out of bed, little man. I've got an early Christmas present for you." Dave groans from where he is laying in bed with his laptop. "Come on Bro, seriously? Can it wait?" Dave pulls his headphones out of his ears as Dirk picks a pair of jeans up off the floor and throws them at him. "Yes, seriously. Get dressed and come out to the living room." Dave groans and stands, pulling the jeans on.

"Fine, fine... I'm coming! What did you get me?"

Dirk turns and walks out of the room. He moves to stand next to Jake, watching for Dave. From the couch, John cranes his neck, watching the hallway carefully. Dirk huffs lightly.

"Hurry your ass up, Dave! If you don't, I'll send it away."

Dave jogs out of his room, tugging a shirt over his head.

"Okay, okay I'm here! What did yo-" He breaks off mid sentence as he pulls the shirt completely over his head and catches sight of the Egberts.

"...John?"

John smiles and waves shyly. "Merry Christmas?"

Dave stares at him for a moment before laughing. "You got me Egderp, I wasn't expecting this!"

John grins at him and walks over. "Hehe... I'm glad! I couldn't think of anything cool enough to get you, so I asked Dad if we could come here for Christmas."

"That's pretty cool of you John, makes my gift seem pretty shitty." Dave smiles imperceptively

"Yeah... We got lost on the way here, though... That's why I had to message you."

"I'm not surprised. I only ever gave you my P.O. box."

Dirk and Jake stand next to each other, watching the children quietly. Dirk turns and nods towards the front door. Him and Jake leave, smiling back at the kids who were still standing in the hallway, chatting excitedly. The boys continue to banter back and forth for a while before John asks,

"So what were you doing before I got here?" Dave turns back towards his bedroom door and gestures for John to follow him.

"I was mixing some music." John bounces into the room and smiles.

"Will you play it for me?" Dave plops onto the bed and fiddles with his laptop, music soon streaming from the speakers. John gets quiet as he listens.

"Wow... This is really good, Dave."

Dave rubs his neck, embarrassed. "Nah, I didn't work that hard on it, it's not that great." John shakes his head on stares at Dave incredulously.

"Are you kidding?! This is really amazing, you shouldn't put yourself down like that!" Dave turns around to hide the blush on his cheeks. He pulls out an unmarked CD in a clear case and hands it to John.

"Since you're here, I'll give this to you now. I was going to mail it." John grins at Dave and takes the CD, turning it over in his hands. He is still examining it when Dave speaks again. "Your other present is already in the mail."

John glances up, surprised. "You got me two presents? What's the other one?!"

Dave smirks at him. "You'll just have to wait and see."

John groans and lays on the bed, pouting up at Dave. "Come on, Dave..." He whines

Dave will never be sure why he does what he does next, to be honest. Maybe it was because of the way John was looking at him in the moment. Maybe it was the excitement of seeing his best friend for the first time in real life. Some days, he admits to himself it was probabl because of the crush that he had formed over years of knowing John. He fell deeper for him everyday. Whatever the reason, as John lays there, pouting up at him, Dave leans down and kisses him gently. John's eyes widen and he freezes. As soon as Dave's brain catches up with his actions, he jerks back. As quick as the kiss started, it was over. Dave begins to ramble out an apology, but John cuts him off, a strangely blank look on his face.

"Dave... I- I...I think I should leave."