With Eyes to Hear and Hands to Speak

Chapter 18: Of Pet Shops and Salamanders

I feel awful cuz I've had writers block and this was done like last week, but I couldn't bring myself to post it and I haven't updated in like a month and this chapter is just something to post and probs not that great and I'm trying to think of stuff to happen next, it'd be great if you guys could comment suggestions for what you want to happen next or something, idk, but I am so sorry, and  will try to update again soon.

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Dave's POV

I walked into the living room at about noon the day after the date with John. Dirk was on the couch, upside down, reading something, and Bro was leaning on the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee. I squeezed past him to get some cereal from the pantry for breakfast.

After eating, I pulled on my coat and told Bro that I was going out.

"Text if you'll be out after dark or spending the night somewhere, and try not to get arrested again." He said.

*That was one time! And it wasn't even my fault.* I told him.

He scoffed and said "Sure, kid, if that's what you wanna believe."

I sighed and walked outside, making my way to the local pet store. I walked in and looked around, trying to find one specific animal. After about 10 minutes of searching, I finally found her. A yellow salamander, that was unusually large.

I walked back to the front and saw that Feferi was behind the counter. *Hey Fefs, what's up?*

"Hi Dave! Not much, I guess. What're you here for?" She asked.

*What, no fish puns?*

"Someone filed a complaint."

*That's rough. Anyway, how much is that yellow salamander near the back?* I asked, pointing with my head.

"The really big one?" She asked, walking around the counter. I nodded and walked back to where the salamander was. "Hmm, I think about $30. And the food is $7 dollars a bag and the bedding that's about $5. So, in total, it'd be almost $45 with tax."

*I'll take it.*

She shrugged and said, "Alright. Get her, will you?" I picked up the cage she was in and followed Feferi back to the front of the store. I paid the $45 and held the food and bedding along with her papers and records in a bag in one hand and the salamander in the other, and made my way to John's house.

Johns POV

This Fucking Asshole, Why Do I Love You: do you have space for a large cage

Me: ...yes. Why?

This Fucking Asshole, Why Do I Love You: no reason.

Why did Dave need to know that? What was he up to this time? I tried to ignore it and go back to writing... whatever it was that I was trying to write. I don't even know anymore. I read closer and saw that it had turned from an adventurous story to me just writing egg over and over again. Then I had started writing it in French, then Spanish. I don't even know Spanish.

After about 15 minutes of me just staring at the paper and wondering what the fuck I had done, I got another text from Dave.

This Fucking Asshole, Why Do I Love You: come to your door

Me: coming

I got up and walked downstairs and opened the front door. Dave was sitting on the steps with a bag from the pet store next to him and a cage holding a Huge salamander in his hands. I cleared my throat and he looked up at me (which, I must admit was a welcome change).

He smiled and stood up, grabbing the bag and walking inside. He handed me the cage and walked to my room with the other things he had. He set them down on my bed and we sat down.

Intook the salamander out of her cage and set her down on my lap and she crawled around on my legs. *Dave, what the hell?* I asked.

He looked sort of self-conscious and started explaining. *You were looking at her when we went into the pet shop a while a

go and you said you liked salamanders. So, I went back and bought her for you today. Along with some of the most basic necessities for taking care of her.* He gestured at the bag next to him, which had salamander food and some cage bedding.

*That's really sweet and all, but Dave, I don't know how to take care of her.* I said.

*We can always search online. Or ask Feferi.*

*Feferi?* I raised my eyebrows.

*Yeah, she works at the pet store.* He said.

*I never knew that.*

*Neither did I, until today.*

*Ok, but,* I picked up the salamander and put her back on my lap before she could fall off of the bed, *How am I going to pay for this? How much is her food? The bedding?*

*It's really not that much. $7 for the food, $5 for the bedding.* Dave said.

I thought about it. She was a really cool pet. And the stuff for her was affordable. *What about any vet visits?* I asked.

*Geez, you are determined to be pessimistic about this, aren't you?* He got a few pieces of paper out from the bag and handed them to me. I read through them. She had all of her required vet visits done already, but it was recommended to go in every 3 months for check-ups.

I set them down before saying *Alright. Fine. She's good.*

Dave pumped his fist and asked *What're you gonna name her?*

I looked at her for a little while before answering *Casey von Salamancer.*

*Interesting name. How'd you come up with it?*

*I was talking with Rose about names for a salamander, if I ever got one, and she suggested the von Salamancer part. Casey is from Con Air.*

*I see. So, you're just as big a nerd as you appear.* Dave said. I pushed him off the bed, but he ended up dragging me with him. We landed on the floor pretty hard, and probably pretty loudly. I kissed his nose and he said, *You missed.*

*No, pretty sure I was aiming for your nose. Unless that's not your nose, for whatever reason.* I then reached up and took off his shades. He reached for them, but I asked, *Can you leave them off? Just for now? Please?*

He gave in and said, *Alright.*

We cuddled and talked for a few hours and I played with Casey for a bit until Dave had to leave. I waved bye to him from my bed and sat Casey down next to me, pulling out the homework I needed to get done.