Chapter Text
Dave sat outside next to Terezi, scorching sunshine peeking over the edges of his shades. There was always a big push to get kids into foster homes before the start of summer. Because, shit, housing them after school and on weekends was one thing, but having to take care of them all the time?
Fortunately, the two of them were pros at this. In the farthest corner of the yard, they were sitting on a picnic table with their feet up on the bench seat, watching the well-dressed well-meaning couples wander around the scattered groups of foster kids. Like a Farmer’s Market for kids…
Dave and Terezi had been through this dog and pony show a dozen times before. They’d gotten good enough to scare most couples away by expression alone. Most people here were looking for a good deed. Someone doe-eyed and grateful, someone quiet, who wouldn’t cause too much trouble. Someone like Nepeta. She was snatched up early, as usual. Dave just hoped it stuck this time.
Meanwhile, he and Terezi had managed to stave off any ‘buyers’ through all of June and most of July. Katkat too… But Dave wasn’t sure he was actually trying. That scowl just came glued to his face.
The ones you had to watch out for were the ones that looked like they were on a mission. Who looked more like they were at Walmart with a grocery list than browsing an outdoor market. Who knew exactly what they were looking for, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. From the moment Dave saw him, he knew. Nice hat and business suit, and looking like he’d just found out where the peanut butter was on aisle three.
Behind his shades, he had just enough time to shoot Terezi a distressed expression. He knew there’d be no talking him out of it.
"So what am I supposed to be?" Dave asked when they were in the car later, heading back to the man’s house.
"I'm sorry?" the man said, pretending to be confused. Hell, maybe he was confused. But Dave had been through this routine enough times to know it didn't matter. Across the dozens of homes he was bounced between before his brother could get him out, there was always someone they wanted you to be. Some wanted you to be a babysitter or a housekeeper, some wanted a replacement for a child who had died or recently left home, some wanted a paycheck, and some just wanted a punching bag.. So Dave didn't care if he acted dumb or not. They always wanted something.
He rephrased the question-
"What made you want a foster kid?"
"Ah! Well, I have a son," he said, as though this explained everything.
And maybe it did, he thought, when he saw the son. Buck teeth, thick glasses... a total dweeb. Was he being cast as a big brother, or a body guard? Did he want him to be his kid's best friend?
Well, too bad, Dave thought, scowling. Maybe at one point he would've played along, when he was young and naive and desperate for a parent's approval, but not today. The sight of him, the thought of it, made his blood boil. He should be at home with his Bro right now. Or at the very least back at the house with Terezi and Karkat. Not here. His hands tighten into fists. He was sick of playing someone else's son. He wanted to go home.
"What?" he said, glaring at the kid in the doorway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your dad’s been out for over an hour. You sit on the stairs waiting, like you have for the last forty minutes, but when you hear the lock start to shift on the door, you stand up so you can look like you just happened to be coming down the stairs right now.
Your dad’s been talking about fostering another kid since forever. You just hope it’s someone you can hang out with, and not, like, a three year old or something. But even though you’ve been imagining every kind of person it could possibly be, no part of you is ready for the one that walks through the door.
Pale blonde hair falling lazily over his face, eyes hidden behind a pair of pointed shades, he looks like a teen model or movie star. The kind of person you see on TV and not in real life. Your heart starts to beat quicker and you forget that you were supposed to be playing nonchalant and just stand gaping on the stairs.
And, okay, maybe you're self-aware enough to realize what you're feeling isn't really 'love at first sight' or something dumb like that. But you can't stop looking at him. He's just so.. cool. He's like every action movie hero you've ever looked up to. And right now all you want, the only thing you want, is for him to like you.
Unfortunately, you're bad at expressing your emotions.
"What's with the lameo shades?" you ask.
"John, this is Dave. He's going to be living with us for a while," your dad tells you, moving into the hall. And Dave doesn't say anything.
"Uh.. yeah! Duh! You told me that before you left already."
You glance at the cool kid, but he’s still not talking. Not even after that sick burn..
“Why don’t you show Dave to his room?” your dad suggests.
“Sure. Yeah. Cool,” you say, trying to recapture that chill you were supposed to be having.
The cool kid follows you to his room then slams the door in your face. You don’t see him again until your dad tells you to get him for dinner.
You hear his voice as you walk down the hall, and realize his door his slightly ajar. Dave is on the phone. You stop outside his door, holding your breath and listening. You know you shouldn't, but you don't want to interrupt.. And also, maybe, you're a little curious about the mysterious cool kid. But mostly it's the other thing..
"So why do you keep going back to him, Tez?" he's saying. "You know he makes you feel like shit." His voice is softer than you could have imagined. Phone to his ear, he’s leaning back in the computer chair, swinging back and forth, pushing and catching himself with one sneaker on his desk legs.
"Yeah, me too." he says regretfully. "Don't worry I'll think of something."
Spinning slowly in his chair, Dave finally notices you standing in his doorway. He swings the chair around again and lowers his voice.
"I gotta go. We can talk later. For now just.. I don't know, go listen to Beyonce or something."
"Haha. Yes, it fucking is. So take that shit to a pharmacy and get all drugged out on girl power."
"Of course. Yeah, Bye Tez."
He hangs up the phone and stares at you blankly. His expression is neutral, but his voice is aggressive, "What do you want?"
"Was that your girlfriend?" you ask.
"No." he monotones. You wait for him to elaborate, but he doesn’t.
"Dad told me to tell you that dinner's ready,” you say, finally.
"Cool."
He stands up and follows you to the door as you retreat out of his room. You get one step down the hall before you hear a door slam behind you.
"Aren't you coming to dinner?!"
"Nope!" he shouts through the wood. Then immediately cranks up his music.
"Ugh!"
You roll your eyes and leave the stupid cool kid to his stupid cool kidding.