After they hung out one last time, of course.
Dave flopped onto the couch and closed his eyes, leaning back against the cushions. "Your couch is so comfortable, I'm jealous."
"It's just a couch," John smiled, sitting beside him.
"It's more comfortable than my bed, dude. I could sleep here easily."
"Well, it is Friday, so.. You could if you wanted to?" John's eyes met Dave's behind the shades, and they were hopeful.
"Are you asking me to a sleepover, Egbert?"
"If I was, would you say yes?"
Dave sat there for a minute, contemplating his choices. He could leave and never talk to the boy who was slowly taking up his thoughts, OR... he could spend the night and stop talking to him after. "Sure, why not." He shrugged, glancing at the time. "When's everyone else gettin' here?"
"Soon! Which reminds me, I have to get snacks and stuff out!"
Dave stayed where he was positioned on the couch and watched John scramble into the kitchen to prepare whatever it is that he wanted. Dave tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling, not moving an inch when the doorbell rang, even though it surprised him. His eyes closed behind his shades as he listened to people enter. He picked out Karkats voice instantly, then Roses's, Jades, and then Kanaya's. "Where's fuckface," Karkat sat with a little huff beside Dave.
"In the kitchen!" he called out, apparently hearing the potty mouth beside the blonde. "And please keep the cursing down, Dad will be home soon." John walked out, a plate in his hand. On the plate sat cookies, and Dave sniffed the air, sitting up quickly when he realised what they were.
"Gimme one," he reached towards the plate, only to have his hand smacked by John.
"No, not yet."
"Why not?" Dave grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Are you... Pouting?" Rose's laughed softly, taking up the spot beside Karkat.
"What?" Dave dropped his arms back down. "I am most definitely not pouting, Lalonde. Striders do not, I repeat, do not pout."
"Coulda fooled me," Karkat quipped, his hand now reaching for the plate.
"No." John smacked his hand as well, setting the cookies on the table. "Can't you guys wait a minute? Jeeze, it's like you're never fed or something."
Dave's stomach decided at that moment to growl, and all head turned towards him. "What?" he said innocently.
"Are you hungry?" John asked, smiling. Oh god, it was that smile. The one he couldn't get out of his head.
"No."
"You totally are."
"Am not!"
"Dave, lying isn't very nice," Rose joined in the banter, a small smile on her face.
"I'm not lying!" Dave insisted, whining maybe just a little. "I just.. want a cookie..."
John giggled, he fucking giggled, and handed one to his friend. "Okay, I'll let you have one."
"What about me?" Karkat's indignant cry echoed around them, sending everyone into a fit of laughter, and Dave cracked a small smile at their antics. Karkat huffed, "Stop laughing at me, you twats! I just want a damn cookie!" That certainly didn't help anything, it made it worse. Dave covered his mouth and snickered softly.
"Yo, Karkles—"
"Don't call me that," he hissed, glaring at Dave.
"Whatever, but just sayin', I don't think telling them to not laugh at you is workin' too well."
"No shit, Sherlock," he snapped back, grabbing a cookie. "They can all suck my—"
"Suck your what, Mr. Vantas?" John's father entered the room.
"My.. My big toe?"
"That's better! John, don't bore your guests, start the night!"
"Okay!" John listened to his father and jumped up, walking to a rack of cases. "What movie do you guys want to start with?"
"Something funny?" Rose suggested. Kanaya nodded from her perch beside the girl.
"And not one of Karkats romcoms," Kanaya put in, glancing at him apologetically. "I'm sorry, I'm just not in the mood to watch one of those as of right now."
"How about an Adam Sandler one?" John suggested.
Dave got up and made his way to beside the black haired boy, his arm wrapping around his shoulders. "You have a shitty selection, Egderp." Dave commented, "But this one is alright. Let's watch it." Dave pulled the case out, showing it to the group behind him. He noticed everyone shifted to the side, which meant Dave not only lost his spot, but he'd either be sitting highly close to the boy he may be crushing on, or said boy (or himself) would have to sit on the floor. Dave handed the case back to John and walked to the couch. He leaned against the armrest, crossing his arms across his chest. His butt was against (if not a little bit on) the armrest, and his legs were bent to make it work. John slide the movie in before turning around, pausing when he saw Dave wasn't sitting on the couch.
"You can sit, you know," he smiled, walking over to the couch.
"Nah, I'll take the floor." Dave responded. He waited until John was seated before sitting down. He sat in front of him, not entirely one purpose. Mostly on purpose, but not entirely. Halfway through the movie, Dave's attention is brought to the hand that is playing with the strands of hair near the end of his blonde locks. He glanced back at whoever was playing with them. The gentle hands belonged to John, and Dave had to force back a smile.
"Sorry," he whispered sheepishly, retracting his hand.
"It's fine," Dave murmured. "I like when people play with my hair." Dave actually didn't like it, he just wanted John to be touching some part of him. Dave closed his eyes again as John slowly reached forward, toying with his hair once more. He didn't really focus on the movie, it was shitty in his opinion. He merely focused on John. He knew he was getting in too deep. He needed to back out as soon as he could. He was honestly scared. He knew he would gather feelings for John, and he was terrified. He didn't want the same thing to happen like last time. He emitted a soft sigh and waited for the end credits to roll. The group managed to watch another (shitty) movie, before someone suggested to do something else.
"Like?"
"Why not Mario Cart? You know I love beating you at it." Rose said, a smirk evident in her voice.
"You might have some competition, Rose." John smiled. "Dave's really good at it."
"Really? Have you played him?"
"Well.. No..."
"Ha! Then that is still debatable!"
"Yo, Lalonde, I hate to burst your bubble, but I am pretty damn—"
"—Darn," John replaced his word.
"Pretty darn good," Dave finished.
"We'll just have to see," she smiled sweetly before getting up and putting in the game. They split into teams, and for the next few hours, they battled each other.
During one of the games he wasn't playing, Dave turned to John and whispered, "Yo, where's your bathroom?"
"Down the hall and to the left," he responded, his gaze on the television. Dave stood up and slipped away, following John's directions to find the bathroom. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, hanging his head and closing his eyes. He could feel the panic attack starting, and he knew he had to get away. His mind was racing, and his breathing was already ragged. He sank down and brought his knees to his chest. He felt like he was suffocating.
They don't like you.
John is just being nice.
Do you really think you can be their friend?
When they find out about your past they're going to hate you.
Wait they already do.
You're such a fuck up
They'll never accept you
If they find out you' sexuality they're going to wish you were dead
The words and voices started to mash together, and Dave's fingers snaked his way into his hair. His glasses fell down and a tear rolled down his cheek. He pulled on his hair, wanting the pain to distract himself from the thoughts. Nothing was working. He was drowning in the harsh reality of how right they are. He could never be one of them, he was just a fucked up kid who couldn't even off himself correctly. There was no place for him here. No place for him anywhere on this earth.
Do it again. Only this time, succeed, you dumb fucking blonde.
Dave held back a quiet sob as the tears started to come down fast. He hid his face in his knees as the tears fell, silencing himself so no one knew what was happening. A few minutes later, however, there was a quiet knock on the door.
"Dave?" John asked softly. "You okay in there? You've been in there for a while..." His tone was worried, and that soothed Dave a little.
He cleared his through before responding. "Yeah, I'm fine. Of course I'm okay, I am the definition of okay. Who's not okay? Not me, because I'm definitely okay. Perfect. Alright. Amazing. Fabulous."
"Dave, you're rambling," John said, and the smile was clear in his voice. "Well, come back out for a little, okay? Everyone is gonna leave soon anyway, it's getting late. Are you still staying the night?"
Dave hesitated before answering. "Uh, yeah, course I am. Lemme text Dirk to tell Bro though" He shimmied his phone out of his back pocket and unlocked it.
turntechGodhead [TG] began pestering timaeusTestified [TT]
TG: dude
TG: im spending the night at a friends
TG: tell bro so he doesnt freak out when i dont return home tonight
TT: Is it John's house?
TT: You're totally spending the night at his house, aren't you?
TT: Yeah I'll tell him.
TT: Be safe, lil bro.
TG: thanks dude
turntechGodhead [TG] ceased pestering timaeusTestified [TT]
Dave locked the phone and slid it back into his back pocket after standing up. He picked up his glasses and walked over to the sink, inspecting how red his eyes were. He splashed some water on his face to hopefully make the redness go away. After drying his face off gently, he put on his shades and opened the door. John was leaning against the opposite wall and he smiled when he saw Dave.
"Ready to go back out?"
Dave put the mask of indifference back on his face and nodded. "Sure thing, dude."
He followed John out into the living room, and he noticed already that Karkat was gone. "Wheres..."
"Karkat had to leave, Kankri came by and picked him up, nagging him about homework and studies and things like that," Rose supplied for Dave. Dave nodded once before taking a seat on the couch again.
"Well now we can all fit on the couch," John said happily, taking a seat beside Dave.
"So, do you want to continue playing?" Kanaya asked.
"How about we all just talk?" Jade suggested. "Get to know Dave better, and he can get to know us better?"
"That sounds like a great idea!" Kanaya jumped at the offer to know more about the boy.
"Is that okay with you?" John directed his question at Dave. Dave just nodded a little. He could handle it.
"First question!" said Kanaya, crossing her legs elegantly. "What's your full name?"
"Dave Strider."
"Middle name?" she inquired further.
"Yeah, y'all aren't getting that one," he replied. "Too embarrassing."
Kanaya pouted a little and let Rose take over. "So, when's your birthday?"
"December 3rd."
"Really?" Rose smiled. "Mine's a day after yours."
"Mine is April 13th," John joined in.
"And mine is December 1st," Jade put out.
Kanaya didn't say hers, but Dave didn't have time to ask her, since another question was thrown at him. "So, Dave, what's your sexuality?"
"Getting right to the good ones, aren't you Rose," he deadpanned. Everyone was looking at him, expecting an answer.
Better get this over with now, Dave. The sooner they reject you, the better.
Dave closed his eyes for a moment before responding. "I usually go with gay, considering I do find certain males attractive and females aren't my thing, but... Do you want to know better details of what I am?" Dave raised an eyebrow at Rose.
"Of course I do!"
"Well, I'm a demiromantic grey asexual."
"What's demiromantic?" John wondered out loud. Rose took the chance to use her knowledge to teach everyone.
"Demiromantic is when the person, in this case David over here," Dave didn't bother correcting her that time, "Only gains romantic interest in someone when they have a strong, emotional bond together."
"Now what's greysexual?" Jade asked, leaning forward a little. Her science brain was enjoying all these new facts.
Again, Dave let Rose do the answering. "When someone isn't completely asexual, but not completely sexual either. In fact, they can have sex willingly, out of abstract interest, and some do it to show that they love and trust the other, and want to make them happy."
"Next question?" Dave sighed quickly after. He wanted off the topic of sexuality as soon as he can, so he could stop worrying. He thought back to a little earlier. About how the voices said they were going to wish he was dead. He looked around from behind the shades and relaxes when he noticed no one seemed to have the hateful aura towards him.
"Do you like anyone?" John spoke up.
"As of right now, I don't know," Dave shrugged. "I haven't really known anyone long enough to like anyone. Next?"
The question game went on for another hour before the rest of the group dispersed.
"Well that was fun!" John smiled.
"Oh yeah, I just love when people dig into my personal life," Dave said sarcastically, draping himself across the mostly empty couch. He lifted his feet onto John's lap and crossed his arms behind his head.
"If you didn't wanna do that, you didn't have to," John said, a little frown in the place of his usual smile.
"Nah, it's fine," he replied, closing his eyes.
"Well, what do you want to do? I mean, there's really not much to do..." his voice trailed off apologetically.
"Well, I could go for some food."
"Got it! What kind?"
"Can we get chinese or somethin, my stomach is in demand of that noodley goodness."
John smiled and nodded. "Sure thing! Lemme go ask Dad real quick to call and order stuff."
"Just a heads up, I eat a lot, and basically anything, so get me whatever."
John just laughed and trotted up the stairs. Dave walked over to John's game selection and started fishing through it. He sat down and sifted through the ones that were too low, picking a few out and setting them aside with an ever growing small pile of games. John stopped at the bottom of the stairs and laughed again. "Whatchya doin, Dave?"
"Lookin' through your games. Damn, I didn't know your shitty taste carried in movies carried over to games as well."
John gasped playfully. "My movie taste is NOT bad, and neither are my games!"
"Yeah, says the one who owns... Sonic the Hedgehog? Really Egbert?" Dave tilted his head back at John, his glasses sliding with his face, but they didn't fall. Sadly, for John. He snatched the game from Dave's hands with a huff.
"It was a birthday present, you dick. And I actually enjoyed playing it!"
Dave snorted, and covered his mouth, shaking his head. "You didn't hear that."
"Did you just... Snort?"
"No."
"You totally did!"
"No, I did not. Striders don't snort."
"Dave, I heard it, you snorted, you showed more emotion that you have the entire time we've talked!"
"Which really hasn't been that long," Dave took the chance to point out and stood up, walking back to the couch. "Is your pops gettin' us some Chinese dinner?"
"Yes, yes he is," John sat cross the couch from Dave, stretching out.
"Love me some Chinese," Dave murmured, rubbing his tummy. "Tasty noodles and sauce and don't even get me started on the fortune cookies. Those things are rad as hell."
John smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Chinese is pretty good."
They lapsed into a comfortable silence. Dave took the opportunity to calm his nerves. Soon enough, the doorbell rang and Dave sat up quickly, his tummy rumbling again. "The food has arrived.
John's dad sauntered down the stairs, wallet in hand. John stood up and walked over to him. His father paid for the food and John took it from the delivery person. He set it down in front of Dave, and it took all of Dave's willpower not to start digging in the minute it was in front of him.
John smiled and handed Dave's case of food to him. "And let the sleepover commence!"