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9. Stereotypical Sleepover

A mere week later it's Joel's birthday. He'd had it planned for a while to go to Sweden, so Dave is alone in the flat.

Everything is eerier and darker without Joel's bright personality warming it. Dave has never felt more scared, or alone. Every shadow is a threat, every noise is frightening. Every thought is overwhelming.

After the first night Dave calls Marzia and very shyly asks her if either she can stay with him, or he with her. She's oddly delighted, and tells him he has to pack and come to hers straight away. He does, and that's how he ends up in one of the Kjellburg's spare rooms, dancing and singing with the most famous youtuber in the world's wife.

She's in a dress worthy for a luxury night out, pale pink with a black corset detail, and white converse high tops. Her pink hair flips about as she jumps around, as does Dave's. They're both grinning and laughing.

"This is so much fun! It's been ages since I've had a sleepover with anyone! Later lets go full stereotypical bullshit." Dave agrees, not entirely sure what this includes but knows he'll probably have fun.

He does. They sit, Marzia's laptop playing some sci-fi film on netflix, while they paint their nails. After a quick demonstration Dave gets the hang of it, and they sit quietly chatting.

"Oh my god." Dave snorts, and Marzia looks up at him questioningly. "These names." He explains. "Midnight romance? Lovers kiss? Sunbeam glitter?" He laughs. He'd decided on red and black nails, with gold glitter on the black ones. Marzia checks hers, which are purple and baby pink.

"Lustful gaze." She wriggles her eyebrows and Dave cackles. "Oh no- pearlescent blush. It's baby pink!" They collapse in unjustified hysterics, going through her nail varnishes and cracking themselves up, trying to guess colours based on names and making a game out of it.

Once their nails are done Marzia proposes Dave tries to do her makeup. In his defence - he really does try. However her eyeshadow is up to her eyebrows, which vary in shape, size and thickness, her eyeliner is very squint and there's a severe lack of blending everywhere. She puts on her own lashes, neither of them trusting Dave with glue that close to her eyes.

What surprises both of them is how well he does her lips.

"They're- really good. How did you know how to do that?" He shrugs.

"No clue. Never done it before." He smiles, proud of himself.

"You should wear some!" She grins, but Dave looks grossed out. "Aw come on, you can have long hair and paint your nails but your fragile masculinity can't handle a bit of lippie?" She pouts and Dave thinks it over before sighing.

"Fine. What've you got?" She squeals and gives him a reddish purple shade. He puts it on carefully, then stares at his reflection. He feels like a different person. The man in the mirror is confident, he hasn't been through all the pain he has. He half loves it, half hates it. He leaves it on though - he feels pretty, and Marzia likes it too.

Even later, around 1 or 2 AM Felix is lying on his stomach on the floor beside Dave, Marzia braiding his long hair, being careful not to hurt him. This time they're watching the frozen movies, both boys fully immersed in it, uncomfortably so. However Marzia is lost in thought, and Dave's hair.

She thinks a lot about Dave. She's so glad he's here, distracted and having fun, rather than in his flat, stuck in thoughts of his lost family and boyfriend's absence.

'He's so strong as well.' She thinks. 'He is brave enough to call when he is struggling. He was abused twice, lost his chance for a family, and has serious depression. Yet still, he carries on and acts like he's okay. He's only 32 - still far too young for all the weight on his shoulders. I want to help him as much as I can.' She vows to herself that she will be there for Dave.

She finishes his hair, quickly plaiting her own so it will be wavy tomorrow, then sits between the boys. Felix throws his arm around her, while Dave smiles awkwardly and hugs the pillow he brought (which smells of Joel.)

When said Swedish boyfriend calls him after finally escaping his parents, Dave takes his pillow and phone into the hall.

"Hey babe!" Joel's face fills the screen.

"Hello hon." He smiles shyly.

"Woah! Your lips look nice." Dave opens his mouth to thank him but Joel continues. "Would look nicer wrapped around my-"

"Shh!" Dave turns red. "Felix and Marzia are literally just through that door!" He hears their muffled giggles and scowls.

"Oops. Sorry." He grins, definitely not sorry. Seeing Dave flustered is one of his favourite things. "Home get too much for you?" He says softly.

"Yeah. Too quiet, too many memories and not enough distractions." He smiles, looking tired. "How're the parents?"

"They're good, yeah. Up to usual old people stuff." He talks about his few days, and Dave talks about his sleepover.

"Your hair looks lovely by the way. Marzia?" He nods.

"Thank you." Dave cheeks turn light pink.

"No problem baby. I miss you."

"Miss you too. I love you Joel."

"I love you too." They chat a little more before they decide to go to sleep.

Dave settles on the bed, Marzia and Felix tangled around him watching Frozen 2. Despite being the tallest and oldest there, Dave feels like a child sleeping with his parents because he had a nightmare. He falls asleep, missing Joel, but still happy.

This was kinda a filler chapter/ an establishing time chapter/ an excuse to write more Marzia!

As you can tell its early April, Joel is just turning 32, yeah.

Also please let me know if there's anything/anyone you want int the story! I'm thinking of adding Jaiden, James and Hannah, so if there's anyone else let me know!