For Maxxie

[reformingfury]

It's strange to be on the receiving end of flirtation after what he's done to Maxxie, but right now, Dave will take it. Even if he really does think he needs to pay the dancer back from the crap he pulled when he lost his memories. It might not have been his fault that the island made him forget the past three years, but it is his fault that, at any point in his life, Dave decided to stop being a decent person for the sake of popularity and normalcy.

He's just glad that Maxxie doesn't actually think that he deserves punishment beyond what he chooses to put on himself. Maybe. Dave isn't exactly a master at figuring out someone's intentions every time.

"So, what do you think retribution tastes like? Breakfast foods, pasta or stir fry?" he asks the other boy as he goes through what is available in the pantry. His cooking knowledge is still pretty limited, but at least he's improving with lessons. Before it was a pick between making a sandwich, frying eggs and praying they don't burn or microwave dinners.

Comments

[reformingfury]

"Just on the ice, man. Well, at least for some of us. And I'd come for you, still."

Davee takes a sip of his juice and eyes Maxxie again as he continues.

"Hell, maybe I'd even kiss it all better if I really hurt you. Maybe."

[just_dance_it]

"Maybe," Maxxie echoes, lips curving wryly and gaze latched onto Dave.

"Would I have to look really pathetic? You keep talking about kissing things better, mate, but I don't know if your kisses are that good."

[reformingfury]

His free hand clutches at his chest in mock pain.

"Woah, ouch. You sure know how to get a guy down. How do you know they aren't?"

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, Dave realizes that that could be taken as a challenge. He gulps a little nervously.

[just_dance_it]

In another set of circumstances, Maxxie would be on that. He would be smirking, leaning in, asking for proof. The temptation's there even now, but it's much easier to hold back than it should be.

Most of the guys here aren't like Maxxie. Dave isn't like Maxxie. He's had so many snogs, he can't remember half their names. On the scoreboard of experience, Maxxie's dominating Dave. He's learned from others to tread a little more carefully with that in mind. It matters, too, because Maxxie doesn't feel quite ready. A couple shots of alcohol or another joint would reassure him that he's over Marshall and Tony, but even a second of hesitance makes him doubt himself.

"I don't," he says with an easy shrug, attention dropping to his plate. "But not even my kisses can heal wounds, and they're fantastic."

[reformingfury]

Dave feels a bit of relief that Maxxie doesn't act on his comment. Not that there isn't a bit of disappointment in the mix too, but he knows that's a lot of his frustrated hormones in the mix. He just got his memories back after trying desperately to get over Kurt's rejection. Deep down, he knows he's starting to move on; the way he's acted in the past month made for a nice emotional distraction at the very least.

But he's not going to jeopardize his growing friendship with Maxxie by jumping right into kissing when things are still so uncertain. It was different with Neil. It was fully understood what that was. He doesn't think that he'd handle the aftermath of that with just a little bewilderment.

"Nah, probably not. But I'm sure you'd feel better afterwards, before getting checked on for real. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

[just_dance_it]

"Ah, there's the sweet guy I know," Maxxie replies, grinning.

"You get pads, too, don't you?" he asks, between bites of his pancakes. "'Cause it's not real sport, like rugby?"

[reformingfury]

That makes him choke on his pancakes. Oh no, he didn't. Not hockey.

"You so did not just say that."

It's an important game to Dave. One he deeply regrets not fully dedicating himself to at McKinley for a year, just so he could garner more popularity on the football team when he was figuring out his sexuality.

"But yeah, you do. Trust me, you don't want to get hit with a high puck coming at your shins, the way the other guys tend to hit them. Kinda sucks."

Come to think of it, he actually doesn't have his shin guard. And his blades needed sharpening.

"Or we could play without. Just find a bean bag or a rubber ball instead."

[just_dance_it]

"Dude," he laughs. "I'm just kidding. The only reason I even watch football is for the hot guys. I'll play with you, but only if I'm covered in pillows or something and you don't expect me to do anything."

[reformingfury]

"O-oh. Right." Well, he feels dumb. "I'm just used to hearing some people say that about football because of rugby. American, I mean."

Dave drinks a bit more, resisting the urge to chuckle at the mental image of Maxxie strapped down with a bunch of pillows.

"How about we just skate a bit when it happens and see how you feel about it later?"

[just_dance_it]

Maxxie nods with a little shrug. It's a common tease, and one he likes to make because it rarely fails to get a reaction.

"That sounds good to me," he says. His look shifting to teasing again, he asks, "I don't suppose you know any figure skating moves?"

[reformingfury]

Dave barks out a laugh and gestures at himself.

"Even if I can dance ok, figure skating is a whole other animal. Nah, I just have my hockey skates anyhow. Why, do you?"

[just_dance_it]

"Nah," Maxxie says, shaking his head. "I was hoping I could learn something useful if I'm going to be on ice anyway."

[reformingfury]

"Maybe someone else can teach you? But if not, just skating with me would be really appreciated." He smiles warmly at him. Dave really wants this to happen now, and hates how far off winter still is.

[just_dance_it]

Maxxie laughs softly and shakes his head.

"Gives me something to look forward to," he says. "I don't like winter. Hate the cold. Christmas is great, and the island turned into old London, so it was like wearing fancy dress every day. But I'd rather be on the beach wearing as little as possible."

[reformingfury]

Dave scrunches his nose a little.

"I kinda got the opposite issue. Summer is good for a few months, but I'm usually dying for it to get cooler, what with my bulk. Plus, my favorite sports are in the fall and winter, and there's Christmas and Chanukah to look forward to."

And school, but that's not an issue on the island, nor one he knows Maxxie cares for.

[just_dance_it]

"Dude, just live in the water," he says with a smile. "Fuck sport. Sun bathing is my favorite sport. And summer has my birthday," he points out gleefully. "That's better than any other holiday. In my opinion."

[reformingfury]

"Well, I was born in the winter, so I obviously..."

Dave's head shoots up when he processes the rest of Maxxie's statement.

"Wait, what? I didn't miss it, did I?"

[just_dance_it]

"Nope," Maxxie assures him with a big grin. "August 23rd. You still got weeks to get an awesome present sorted."

He gives Dave a very serious, somber look that's absolute rubbish. "You will be judged on quality."

[reformingfury]

He can't help laughing at him. The severity of that look doesn't at all suit Maxxie, and pair with the silly demand, it's hilarious.

"I'll keep that in mind. But you're gonna have to give me a hint, here. I'm complete shit at getting presents."

[just_dance_it]

"Let's see..." He sets down his silverware, links his hands behind his head and leans back in his chair.

"I like things about me. I like art. I like clothes. I like alcohol and drugs. I like music. And I like people having fun at my parties. So if all else fails, you can just promise me a dance."

[reformingfury]

He contemplates what he can do. The dance, obviously, but Dave always hated just doing one little thing. He preferred trying to give something, even if it's a card with a cute, corny saying on it with some clip art.

Remembering something nice that he's gotten his hands on a few months back, a slow grin grows on Dave's face when he realizes that he'll be able to actually give his friend something more than a mug of cider or a bouquet or a dance.

"Yeah. I think I can handle that."

[just_dance_it]

He should be pleased with that smile, because logically it means that Maxxie's going to get an actual thing for his birthday, and quite possibly a good thing. But the island isn't known for its brilliant shopping so he's curious, too.

"What are you planning?"

[reformingfury]

Dave shrugs and turns his attention back to his pancakes.

"Just have some ideas, that's all. Have to pull favors, but if they fall through, I'll be sure to dance more than once with you."

He's terrible at hiding his smile as he comes up with ideas and makes a mental not to check up with certain chemical properties with one of his teachers.

[just_dance_it]

Mollified by the promise, Maxxie gets back to his pancakes as well, but he's still got his eye on Dave.

"Do I get a hint?"

He really is terrible at secrets.

[reformingfury]

"Maybe," he says, but doesn't elaborate, knowing it'll irritate Maxxie.