With Eyes to Hear and Hands to Speak

Chapter 21: Of Birthday Gifts and Rooftops

I'm terrible at updating, but you guys knew this already. Enjoy whatever this is.

Dave's POV

In the days before John's birthday, I slowly began to get more and more nervous. I had no idea what to get him. 'He already has Casey. I could get him a game, but that seems really impersonal. I would make him something, but I'm total shit at arts and crafts. I could make him a cake. But he hates cake doesn't he? Or was it just Betty Crocker that he hates? I should ask him. It's also Jane's birthday, isn't it? I gotta get her something too.'

Why did birthday gifts have to be so hard? Why did birthdays even matter? 'One year closer to your death, yay!' I guess it is exciting when you're a little kid and all, but when you get older, it's just weird and annoying sometimes. 'Maybe I should just ask John what he wants for his birthday. That sounds a lot easier. I'll go do that when I see him.'

"... on the board? Dave?" I looked up when I heard my name.

*What?* I asked. Ms. Chase was one of the few teachers who knew ASL.

"Could you do this problem on the board for us?" She said.

Just as she said that, the bell for lunch rang. *Sorry, maybe next time.* I said, before rushing out to get John.

I got there just as he walked out of the door. *Hey Dave.*

*Hey John. What're you up to?*

*Oh, you know, just terrorizing children.*

*Ah, so the usual?* He snickered. *Anyway, what do you want for your birthday?* I asked.

*My birthday?* He asked, looking at me, confused.

*Yeah, you know, that thing that celebrates your birth? Happens once every year? Yours is on Monday? Which is in three days?*

John bitchfaced at me before saying, *I know what a birthday is, and I know when mine is. But you don't have to get me anything.*

*Of course I need to get you something.* I said.

*But I didn't get you anything for your birthday.* he pointed out.

*Yeah, but my birthday had passed by the time you moved here.* I countered.

*That's true, but you've also given me Casey. And she's a pretty cool pet.*

*I'm gonna get you something John.*

*I'll punch you in the face if you do.*

*That's assuming you can even reach it.*

He stopped where he was and looked at me and said *Do you doubt that I can?*

*Not anymore.* I said. Honestly, I didn't want to know how he would do it, just that I didn't want him to. *So, no present, got it.*

*Thank you. But let's figure out what to get Jane.* He said.

*I thought that you'd have an idea.*

*I haven't a fucking clue.*

*Damn.*

*Maybe like, baking stuff?* John suggested.

*Or a book or something. Doesn't she like to read?* I asked.

*Yeah.* he said with a nod.

*So maybe, a recipe book?*

*That would work.*

I held up my hand for a high- five (so he could reach it, I'm not cruel).

I turned around at the sound of someone snorting. "Dorkth." Ah, yes, Sollux. Of course it was him.