With Eyes to Hear and Hands to Speak

Chapter 11: Of Parks and Arcades

Dave's POV

John and I didn't do much that day. Well, at least in the morning. The most exciting thing we did was watch Scrubs. After our lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup, I decided that we should do something other than sit in bed and watch Netflix all day.

*But it's so comfy.* John argued.

*Yeah, but I'm bored. I think there's a park somewhere down the street.*

He let out a high pitched whine that sounded like, "Eeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhh."

*If you don't start getting up and getting dressed for outside, then I will carry you.* I threatened, raising my eyebrows as far as I could, so as to be seen above my shades. He rolled his eyes and rolled straight out of the bed, grabbing his bag and heading towards the bathroom, while I went to my room to get ready.

I had to wait for about 10 minutes after I got dressed for John to come out of the bathroom. I guess he would have a bit more to do, y'know, binders, meds, but I didn't think it'd take that long.

When he finally opened the door, I walked in to quickly brush my teeth (as quickly as I could with my braces) and then walked back out, grabbed my phone, keys, and John's hand, and left.

It took just a bit longer than expected to get to the park, partially because I didn't exactly know where it was, and a bit because we had to make a slight detour.

I had seen Slick and his cronies, and, not quite eager to introduce them to John or have anything to do with them in general, I turned us around and we ended up taking a scenic route through a mini- forest. It was actually really peaceful. We did, eventually, get to the park, but it took about a half-hour. We got there and just sort of talked and swung on the swings.

I got bored after a while, and said, *Do you wanna go to the rec center?*

John thought about it for a bit. *I guess. What all is there to do there?*

*It's mostly exercise things. There's a gym, weight room, pool. They do have an arcade though. Complete with those retro arcade games and everything.*

He nodded. *I'm in.*

We went back to the apartment to get some money and water bottles and make sure that we weren't missing anything. After that we walked to the rec center up the hill.

I walked to the front desk and wrote down that we were going to the arcade, which ended up being $6 per person. I led John directly to the back where the oldest games are. I stopped in front of three ancient pinball machines. One was currently being used by Aradia. We nodded to each other and I turned back to John while she went back to her game.

*Do you wanna play?*

He looked at the machines, then back at me. *Don't we need, like, tokens or something?*

*No, we just need to push start. So, do you wanna play or not?*

He hummed thoughtfully. You know that 'hmm' thing that people do sometimes. *Yeah, why not.*

*You wanna bet on who can get the highest score?*

*You're on.*

*$5 to the winner?*

*Deal.*

John's POV

This was not a bet that I was going to win.

Dave had obviously been playing for a while, because his skill was kinda ridiculous. Mine was too, but not in a good way.

I tried as hard as I could to raise my score, but Dave still won with at least 5,000 more points than I had.

I reluctantly gave him the $5. *What do you wanna do now?* I asked.

*There's a Pacman machine over there.* He pointed to the corner with his chin.

*Alright.*

We spent the rest of the day walking around and playing random games. When we finally went outside it had been dark for a while.

*Shit, I can barely see anything.*

*You might be able to see better if you took off your shades.* I suggested

He looked at me weirdly and said, *Nope, not doing that.* He reached into his pocket and pulled out a mini flashlight. *Don't need to.*

*Ok then. It was just a suggestion.* He held my hand with one of his own and the flashlight with the other. When we got back to his apartment, Dirk and Jake were on the couch watching Little Monsters. They scooted to the other side of the couch and Dave and I sat down to watch. I fell asleep halfway through.

When I woke up again, I was in someone's bed. I think it was Dave's, because I saw a turntable against one of the walls. Also, a lot of the stuff in there was red. Thankfully, the walls and carpet weren't. That would've been terrifying.

I got up and put my glasses on, checking the time and seeing that it was about 12am. I walked out into the living room and saw that Dave was asleep on the couch. I went back to his room and got his blanket and pillow and covered him up.

I tried to take off his shades and put them on the table, but he grabbed my wrist. I pulled back my hand and sat down next to him as he began to sit up.

*Were you awake the whole time?* I asked.

*Nah, I woke up after you put my pillow under my head.*

*Sorry.*

*It's fine. I've always been a bit of a light sleeper. You, on the other hand, sleep like a rock.*

I told him, *Yeah yeah.* and got under the blanket with him, snuggling into his shoulder and humming.

*Dude, you're just like a cat.*

*What? No I'm not.*

*Yes, you are. You're even purring.*

*I am not purring Dave.*

*Sure you aren't.*

*I'm not!*

*Yeah. I believe you.*

I glared at him as he chuckled. *Now you're not.*

*I never was! I just hum when I'm happy sometimes.* I could feel myself blushing and looked down, crossing my arms.

Dave lifted my head up and I glared at him. He kissed me quickly and said, *You sir, are adorable. Now, I think you've been wearing your binder too long, so go take it off and then we're going to bed.*