John had come to find out that his father had a condition to his 'un-groundation' as he put it; to spend the day with him, since the two hadn't truly had some bonding time in a while. He didn't mind, as long as he could go see Dave by four, as he'd promised
The two had hit the beach again, bringing along some sandwiches and drinks. John was drenched to the bone within the first ten minutes of being there. He really loved to swim, it was probably one of the easier ways to exercise, and if his dad wanted him active, this was the way to do it.
He looked up from the water, to his dad sitting on the beach, looking deep in thought. With a smile, he started over to him. "Dad, you alright? You aren't doing one of those things where you start crying about how fast I'm growing up, right?"
"Are you and Dave dating?" He suddenly asked, his eyebrows furrowed. "You've been spending an awful long time with him." John stiffened, giving something resembling a glare, but more embarrassed, more indignant. "No! Of course not dad, we're not like that. Only friends!"
"You can tell me if you need to. I'm not gay-phobic."
"Dad, oh my God."
"I don't have to worry about you getting pregnant, either... just herpes or something else gross."
"Dad why?"
John gave an exasperated sigh, running his fingers through his hair. "No, dad, we're not dating. We haven't had sex, we haven't even told each other we like each other."
"So you do like each other?"
"No, dad!" The older man laughed, grinning. "Alright, alright son. We should head back in about an hour or so. You said you wanted to be back by three-thirty, right? Why? Were you and Dave planning on hanging out again?" John nodded, sitting down next to him. His father looked at him, trying to read what he was thinking. "John, are you lonely here?"
The younger male looked up, sighing. "Not really. I have Dave, and he's cool. He's an amazing friend, he really is." he murmured. "Then what's making you so glum? I could talk to Vriska's parents and see if she can come down and visit, or maybe the other way around..."
John only sighed at that, the other furrowing his eyebrows. "So that's why you're so down... what'd she do?" John didn't want to get into this... he really didn't. "She's just..." he remembered what Dave had said, giving a little smile. "...Just being a crappy friend." he shook his head. "I don't want that in my life. I'm gonna start my second year of high school once the summer ends, and I'm gonna make it great." he said with a grin. "I don't need her to bring me down when I'm gonna make so many new friends here." His father grinned right back, laughing and patting him on the back firmly. "That's my boy. Getting stronger each day. Let's eat lunch, I'm starving." With that, the conversation was dropped, the two getting into the sandwiches and drinks eagerly.
The day between them ended peacefully, and eventually they packed up and went home so John could catch a shower and go out to meet Dave. However, since the beach, he couldn't stop thinking about the blond. Was friendship all he felt toward Dave? He flinched as he asked himself the question, feeling the hot water run down his back as he stood in the shower. Dave was a dream, he had to be. The thought of him made his heart flutter and his body quiver. He felt like he'd die any second. Dave was like a good night's sleep- no, better- more like afterward, when you wake up and stretch and your whole body gets warm, and you can't help but moan because it feels so wonderful. That was how John felt, that was how Dave made him feel. A sigh left him at that realization, and he couldn't wait to see Dave again.
Dave had fallen asleep shortly after John had left, and woke up a little later in the day to Dirk bringing him lunch. Actual lunch, and no McDonald's. "You know... last night wasn't cool, dude." Dave looked up, his eyes stained with confusion. "Huh?"
"With John." he said, setting the plate down on his side table. "He was worried, you know. You upset him." Dave paused, glancing aside. "He said it was okay-" "Man, this ain't okay! You got careless while John was there, and he had to clean up your mess!" Dirk grunted, crossing his arms. "He won't accept any of your apologies, Dave. John's a nice kid, he doesn't want to assign blame. If you wanna make it up to him, prove it. Don't do it again." he said simply, turning and leaving the room.
Dave clenched his jaw. In a way he was right... but would John even notice if he didn't go overboard with the alcohol? Would it even matter? John was weird... a piece of work. Just the thought of him made his insides churn nervously, and in the best way. Maybe he would. John was a freaking enigma, after all.
At four 'o clock sharp, the two met up, both unsure of what to say to one another. "Uh... I'm not grounded anymore." John eventually cut in, Dave looking up in bewilderment. "Really? I'm shocked. Does he know about last night?" John simply nodded. "My dad can't stay mad for long. At anyone. He always tries to justify what people do in his head. He can't help it. He's too nice." he said with a shrug. "Also, I think he felt like he was pushing me away by grounding me like tht, and was getting a little lonely." he murmured. "Since mom left, dad hasn't really had many friends, since he was always working, and he hasn't had time to go out and start dating again. He might though now. He's gotten a new job, in one of the bakeries downtown." he explained. "He'll have Monday and Wednesday off, which means he can go out and do dad things more often."
Dave listened, nodding every once in a while to show he was listening. Eventually, John finished speaking, giving a little grin. "Things are looking u- Dave?"
"Hm?"
"You aren't wearing your shades..."
Dave knew good and well that he wasn't wearing his shades, a soft smile coming to his face. He'd done it on purpose. After all, he felt comfortable with the other seeing his eyes. "I know. I trust you won't tell anyone how hella gorgeous I am." John blinked, before giving a goofy grin. "I won't!" The grin faded away, being replaced with a thoughtful look as he looked at Dave. "What?" the blond was confused, raising a pale brow.
Suddenly, John cupped his cheeks, leaning in like he was about kiss him, only looking into Dave's ruby hues with his own sapphire ones. "They're beautiful..." John murmured to himself, Dave melting into the cool touch on his cheeks. "Yeah..." he sighed softly, having zoned out. "What?" Dave tensed up, grinning sheepishly. "Nothing." He wanted to kiss him, so badly.
Once again they waited until the sun went down, before they parted, John about to watch Dave leave before reaching out and grabbing his hand. "...Meet me in my room tomorrow night. It's getting too hot at night to be outside... so just tap on my window at four tomorrow. Maybe dad won't mind you eating dinner with us." Dave turned, giving a sweet smile. "Will do, John." he said softly, before disappearing through his window.
John went back inside as well, closing the window and climbing into bed. He wasn't used to feeling so warm, so... loved. He liked it though.