It had been a rough couple of weeks since Bro and Dave had their heart to heart, but things had gotten much more normal in the Strider Apartment since. Dave no longer felt neglected, and Bro made sure of that. Today was his birthday and this morning Dave awoke to a surprise present from his brother, obviously those sick turntables he had wanted, and then it was off to school for Dave. Bro had considered letting Dave skip school that day, just because it was his birthday and he was already so excited about getting to see John, but he decided against it and made him go anyway. A good guardian was beginning to shape himself and mold into the shape of Bro, and he liked it. He enjoyed having such a strong relationship with his little brother now.

Perhaps the best part of the entire situation though? Dave never once asked, or came looking for his little black box. In fact, Bro had since thrown it away and even he didn't know where it was. It was a thing of the past, a dirty thing, and he wanted it nowhere near his brother. Nowhere.

After school Bro had come to pick up Dave before heading off to the airport. Kids at school were beginning to treat Dave better now. Ever since Bro showed up for one of the school functions and walked around with his sword over his shoulder and his free hand on Dave's shoulder, that is. It was a bit...suspicious, but no one dared bother Bro with his fucking anime sword. Dave even made a few friends in town, but Bro wasn't going to push him socially. He was kind of a loner anyway, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He had gotten better at his raps and his comics, which Bro insisted on helping him with now whenever he wasn't working.

"...Alright Dave, this is the airport...and this is your ticket." Bro smirked, stepping out of the car to help Dave with his bags.

Dave adjusted his shades before grabbing his bags and smirking playfully at his brother, "Thanks for that Sherlock. I couldn't fucking figure that out by myself." He teased, slinging one of his bags over his shoulder.

A week or so before today and Dave wouldn't have been able to joke with Bro so easily. The comment would have come out more snarky and smart ass like. Bro and he had been in a sort of...one up war for most of Dave's life (or at least what he could remember). That had been their only source of brotherly bonding and Dave participated as much as he could.

However, being able to playfully tease without actually trying to burn one another, made Dave feel better inside. He laughed as the two started towards his gate.

"You sure you'll be good by yourself?" he asked, frowning.

"You kidding lil man? I'll be great having the place to myself for once." Bro joked right back, slinging Dave's extra bag over his shoulder and ruffling the kid's hair with his hand holding Dave's ticket. He'd miss him while was gone...

"You should just focus on John while you're gone, don't worry about me." He winked, smirking before stopping in front of one of the loading gates. "I think this is the first time we've been apart though." He chuckled sadly, not really one for heartfelt goodbyes but he definitely felt one coming.

Dave stopped in front of the boarding gate and smiled, "Bro...I'm coming back." he said, laughing a little. Even if bro was wearing his 'so sugoi' anime shades Dave could see that look in his eye. The one that he'd only gotten recently. A...fatherly look maybe? Dave couldn't really explain it.

Dave smiled, "I love you man." he said, hugging his brother tightly. He didn't care what anyone (that including his brother) thought either. This was the last time he'd be seeing him for a while and they'd become really close. Fuck, they were almost like actual brothers now and not just two strangers living in the same apartment.

Bro chuckled and bit back a snarky response. "I love you too, Dave. Be safe...I- Oh! That reminds me!" The taller Strider pulled away and reached around to the back of his jeans, setting down Dave's other bag for a moment so he could reach into his back pocket for something. "Alright, now this is a bit awkward, but you gotta hear me out, alright?"

Bro held out his hand to Dave, closed and turned fist side down holding something that was about to be dropped into the boys hands.

Dave was a little shocked that Bro had whipped out another surprise for him, like the tickets and turn tables weren't enough. He was really thankful for it though. He felt so much closer to Bro and it was partly because of this trip.

Dave eagerly held out his hands ready to take the gift. When it was dropped into his hand he stared at the object.

"Bro...what...?"

"I said hear me out-" Bro held up his hands in a mock-surrender, folding Dave's fingers around the objects before smirking only slightly. Bro knew from experience that distance was hard, and even though his Dave was only 17 today, he...felt obliged, as his guardian, to make sure he was safe. Even if that meant buying condoms for a teenager.

"It's not that I think you're going to jump right in and start humpin' the guy, Dave. It's just... I want to make sure you have these, just, you know, in case you need them." He shrugged. "Distance is hard, and maybe you two will figure that out." He smirked, hand resting on Dave's for a moment before pulling his hand away entirely, letting Dave decide how to react.

Dave suddenly felt embarrassed that he was holding them in his hand and quickly shoved the items in his pocket. His cheeks burned, "Bro...come on. Did we really have to do this now and like this?" He muttered, in a low whisper as if someone would hear or even care for that matter.

"Bro it's just a few condoms, no big deal." He chuckled. "People use them, its normal. Sorry." He couldn't help the smirk on his face even if he could see that Dave was obviously embarrassed. "I just want you to make the most out of getting to see this boy, okay? Whatever that means for you, just telling him how you feel to smashing him up against his bed board fucking him senseless." Bro shut himself and looked away. "Alright- I just want you to be safe and get the most out of it."

"Bro!" Dave said, flushing a deeper shade of fucking embarrassment. He crossed his arms and looked down, "Yeah...I'll be sure to call your or send you a post card or some shit." he laughed lightly. Fuck, this was a little awkward, but then again Dave never really had been good at goodbyes. He never had to be before. "See you soon."

Bro grinned and nodded, hiding behind his glasses as he gathered his brother back up into another hug, this one a bit tighter than the rest. "You go have fun, alright? Call me."

With that, he allowed himself to pull away and look Dave in the eye before walking away towards his car. He was so proud of his little man...

The blonde smiled, boarding the plane. He got settled in his seat and stared out the window. He was thankful that he could have his laptop to watch a movie on and his IPod. It was going to be a long flight from Texas to Washington, but he could feel it would be worth it.