Chapter Text
Dave wasn't exactly sure why he made an account on a dating website, but Rose's persistent attempts to hook him up were becoming too much. He knew that Rose meant well, but it seemed that the dates she picked out were suited more to her liking, not his own.
He ended up putting a lot of time into the website, and he actually managed to get a date set up for this evening. This was probably perfectly normal for a lot of twenty-five year olds.
Just getting a date proved difficult, everyone just wanted to hook up. He was fine with hooking up, but he was looking for something different this time around.
Dave was the first to arrive at the restaurant and find their table, some place like Olive Garden. He would have gone to Olive Garden but his date had convinced him that this place was even better. He doubted that.
Unfortunately, he didn't know his date's name, just his username. Egbert. Sounded pretty stupid to him. He wouldn't be surprised if the date never showed up either. He's seen the show Catfish and he knows that anything is possible on dating websites.
The date time was seven but it was already thirty minutes past and he was ready to call it a night. He had already wasted twenty percent of his phone battery on a Magic Piano tiles game. He was about to leave when a semi-out of breath man spoke up.
"Hey?"
Dave jumped slightly in surprise at the sudden voice next to him. He hadn't noticed the other male until just now, but he couldn't have been standing there long. He looked nice, dressed in a button up shirt and jeans. His hair was a little messy but it was evident that he has at least attempted to tame it.
"Are you Egbert?" Dave had a hopeful tone to his question, worried that he was going to go home disappointed. " If not, sorry to say but my beautiful self is off limits to strangers. If that's the case, thanks anyways."
"Yes- I'm so sorry I'm late. Something came up -and I left work later than I meant to. I hope I can make it up to you." The other male spoke very fast, getting in everything he had to say before Dave could question him.
Dave forgave him instantly, it was easy when his date looked so helpless and sincere. A small smile formed on his lips before he motioned his date to the other side of the booth.
"I don't mind that you're late, really. It's okay. It's not like being late to school where they reprimand you and kick you out after the third time."
After sitting and laughing some, Egbert revealed that his name was John Egbert, which followed by many other details about himself. He was from Washington, worked one job, and was twenty four.
"And what's your name? I'd like to know a little about you too. I hate to talk about myself but I didn't want to weird you out by being a stranger still. So I thought that I could get all the introductions aside and we could be comfortable with each other." John had seemed shy at first, but he was much more comfortable with Dave now that he knew his date wasn't angry.
"Dave. Dave Strider. There's not much to reveal about myself, sorry if that disappoints you but I'm pretty dang boring." Dave didn't really want to talk about himself, he liked listening to John. He seemed a bit nerdy. Very masculine, but not at tall as Dave.
"It's alright...What's something good to talk about? Uh...." John coughed a little, he wasn't a fan of the awkward silence from the other side of the table. It seemed almost as if Dave was trying to intimidate him with how quiet he was.
The truth was that Dave was just admiring John and that he had forgotten that he should actually be trying to interact with him and talk. He hadn't been on a genuine date like this in a while. He shifted in his seat some before sitting up and resting his arms on the table.
"You look good. I forgot to tell you...How about what you want to eat? What would you recommend since you insisted we come here." Dave grinned a little in hopes of showing John that he wasn't angry but also because he just had a really bad resting bitch face.
"The Chicken Alfredo. Hands down the best you can find anywhere. Even better than Olive Garden. Except my dad. My dad is the best cook." John was clearly flushed but tried to hide it by talking about the food as if it hadn't affected him.
"...You look good too." John looked down at the table before smiling up at Dave.
Dave quirked an eyebrow before letting out a short chuckle. "Well alright. I'll get it if you get it. Gotta make sure it's not poisonous or actually really shitty."
Dave hadn't even opened his menu, he didn't feel that he needed to. The waiter came by and took their orders. John had to order a drink since Dave had gotten his as soon as he arrived at the restaurant.
They got through dinner with plenty of small talk, answering each other's questions. Everything was perfect, almost too perfect. John was sweet, and he seemed caring. He had his own place and a job that supported him, and he was going to college. Dave liked everything about him so far despite him being different than his usual dates. He typically went for the party-people just looking for fun. This was something mature and sophisticated and Dave was honestly a little intimidated by that.
There was a sudden ringing and for a moment Dave believed it was his own phone. It was John's and Dave encouraged him to answer. He didn't mind. It seemed to be an important too. He wasn't really listening to John as he spoke because he was focused on his face, but soon the other male's lips turned down into a frown and he seemed concerned. Everything had been too perfect and now the world was going to spite him, he knew it.
John ended the phone call before looking up and sighing. He had to search for words for a moment before actually speaking.
"I really have to go, I'm sorry. My babysitter is having a hard time and I need to get home to help her out." John spoke so casually about a babysitter that Dave almost didn't realize what it meant.
"Shit, you have a kid?" Dave didn't mean to come off as rude but he was surprised once more.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just thought it would ruin my chances but I should have known that this would be impossible anyways...I get it if you don't want to talk to me again, a kid is a lot."
John seemed very distressed after that, and maybe even a little angry. Maybe he had been rejected a few times for having a kid. He started to stand from the table and pulled his wallet out.
"Wait, hold on." Dave stood and stepped towards John. "It's fine, really. Don't worry about paying either, go home. Text me later."
John visibly relaxed and smiled before shaking his head.
"I can't let you go that, but I really appreciate it....But would it be possible to get a ride? I got an uber here and I'm really not going to have time before I can get another one." John had a bit of a blush to his cheeks as he asked, he didn't like having to ask for favors. He pulled out his phone and started to look through his contacts because he expected an immediate no.
"Yeah, that's fine. Let's just pay and go. I've got you covered man." Dave figured that John didn't have a car or didn't take it here because of money reasons.
Dave really didn't mind, he had cleared his whole night for John already. He wasn't sure if he was really comprehending the whole kid part so far, but he wasn't going to leave him to someone else. He even hoped that by doing this that he could spend a bit more time with John and get to know him better.
"I'm paying for your meal, and you're not going to argue with me about it. I can't thank you enough." John paid and left a tip before following after Dave to his car.
Dave unlocked his car and opened the passenger side door for John. The other male got in and immediately buckled up. He got into the drivers side seat and started the car, buckling as he waited for an address from John.
"I live in West Corner lakes. I'll tell you where to go when we get there, thank you again..." John was growing a bit quiet but he just felt bad for asking such a favor of someone he just met. His date nonetheless.
"I've been there before, a friend of mine actually lives around there." Dave started that way and followed John's instructions once pulling into the development.
John's house seemed relatively small from outside, but Dave still thought it was nice. He parked and before he could say anything John was out of the car and hurrying towards the door. It left Dave a bit confused and unsure if he should leave or follow after the other male. He waited a few minutes before settling on the latter and getting out of his car. He headed for the door, knocking on it lightly in hope that it wouldn't bother John's kid, however old they may be.
It was quiet for roughly thirty seconds and Dave was about to head for his care before the door opened.
John stood in the doorway with a little girl no older then three In his arms. She had dark brown hair that was even messier than her fathers, and she had some sort of sauce or maybe marker on her face. She was fast asleep but she has clutched onto his shirt. She was kinda cute, and clearly a mess maker.
"I'm sorry- again. I forgot to invite you in. Come on. Make yourself at home if you'd like. Just let me lay her down?" John didn't want Dave to leave just yet, so he didn't say goodbye. He still waited though to make sure Dave was fine with it.
"Alright. Take your time. I'll be..right here." Dave motioned to his own spot before nodding and looking around. He had almost forgotten that John had mentioned a babysitter and that she was likely to be around here somewhere.
John turned and headed down the hallway, disappearing into what Dave could only assume was his daughter's room. A few moments of quiet went by before someone emerged from the hall, and it wasn't John.
"Harley?" Dave blinked a few time before smiling. Jade was the last person he expected to be here babysitting. It made sense now, she was the friend that he knew lived in this development.
"Dave?" Jade too was clearly surprised but quickly offered a friendly smile. "I didn't know you were going on a date with my cousin! I should have put two and two together when you told me you were going on a date today."
Dave is actually certain that he had heard Jade talk about her cousin before, and he was a bit surprised that of all people he ended up with Jade's cousin.
"I didn't know either, but tell me. Isn't he a little young to be a single dad?" Dave couldn't help but ask, even if it was a bit rude. He should probably ask John personally but he figured that hearing it from Jade would be fine too.
"There are younger people with kids Dave, but he takes good care of Casey. It's actually admirable how great of a father he is...I would love to stay and chat but I have to go."
Dave could tell now that Jade looked exhausted. She was usually tired but she looked even more tired than usual. It must have been a rough night or something.
Jade excused herself and left Dave by himself standing by the doorway.
A few minutes passed by before John emerged from the hallway, sleeves rolled up and hair even messier. He glanced around and out the window before sighing. "Jade left before I could pay her, she's always trying to get me to keep the money..."
Dave snorted and stepped a bit closer to John just because he seemed far away. "I didn't know she was your cousin. She's a friend of mine, and that seems like a thing she would do. She once wouldn't let me buy her a new Starbucks drink even though I had spilt her first one all over her..."
John laughed and looked back to Dave before giving an apologetic smile. "I think I heard that story from her..." He paused before going on. "I'm sorry about tonight, could I get you a drink? Anything? Do you need to leave? If not, sit in the living room instead of standing."
Dave shook his head head and started towards the living room. "A drink is fine. Whatever you have. You're fine though, your daughter is cute."
"Thank you, you should tell her that sometime." John grinned.
Dave settled down on the couch as John left for the kitchen. He was back within mere moments with two beers. He didn't usually drink but he was going to have fun night. Casey was asleep, this was his time to enjoy himself.
"Thank you." Dave accepted the beer and took a few sips before setting it down. John did the same and sat down next to John.
It felt natural and comfortable just sitting there next to each other, it wasn't awkward even though that had just met.
"When was the last time you went on a date?" Dave looked John over once more, suspecting that it had been a while since he had.
"I honestly can't remember. I'm not a prude, I'm just busy...I just wanted to have a good night." John groaned and leaned back on the couch.
"You still can. I can help, if you let me..." Dave was clearly flirting. He might be coming on too strong, and he regrets offering right after the words finished leaving his mouth.
John didn't quite understand what he meant until he really thought about it. "I don't mind. You've been more than perfect all night."
Dave wasn't sure how far it would go, but he was taking his chances just scooting closer to John.
John looked up at Dave before pressing a hand to his chest and leaning in. Dave closed the distance between their lips and captured John in a very sweet and slow kiss.
John kissed back slowly and tilted his head into it. He only let the kiss only go on for a moment before he leaned back.
"You can stay the night if you'd like. I'm off tomorrow, no school or work..." John's tone showed that he really hoped Dave would stay the night.
Dave had been worried at first that John was offended by the kiss, but he relaxed when John offered to let him stay the night.
"Sounds like a plan...but let's focus on having fun. Don't worry about me. Enjoy yourself." Immediately Dave went in for another kiss that John eagerly returned.
John moved back into a laying position on the couch and Dave managed to lay next to him. The kiss continued for a bit longer, not getting any farther than small nips here and there.
Dave had started to get closer, his hand trailing up John's side and soon under his shirt.
John pulled back, panting. "Is it alright if we stop here for tonight. I'm fine with kissing, it's been amazing...but I'm not really sure about going farther yet."
Dave slide his hand away before leaning back as well. "Of course John, I'm not here to make you uncomfortable...."
He was a little disappointed that it didn't get any farther, especially since that's what he's used to. He just laid there and before he knew it John was asleep and resting his head on Dave.
This isn't where he had expected to get, but something about it was greater than all of his other dates. There was a warm feeling in his chest and he couldn't help but smile the slightest bit as he fell asleep next to John.