David "Dave" Karofsky

If Dave was nervous and fidgety before his first date with Maxxie, he's pretty sure he's ready to pass out right the fuck here. Which would be disastrous with all the candles around.

Big romantic gestures aren't something he's used to, but it's Christmas Eve and he really wants to make tonight special for him and Max. So he'd gone all out, or at least with what he thought would be in their comfort zones. Dave ran all over the city for the best candles, slow burning with little drip and no smoke. Nothing super girly smelling, just clean and relaxing scents for the few that were perfumed. He's just grateful that the shadow people about are still helpful when they interact with the actual island people. Or he'd already have fucked this up. Now he's got three dozen lights burning a soft glow around Maxxie's room and he steps back, glad that this part looks good.

He also got food set up on a little impromptu picnic spread on the floor. Maybe he should have taken Maxxie to a really nice restaurant or even taken advantage of the markets and cooked something a little more advanced from the end of his cooking classes, but the simpler foods still made from gourmet organics all over the city seemed more like something they could casually enjoy. It doesn't help that it brings him back to that first date.

Reaching into his bag once that whole spread is done, Dave flushes deeply as he pulls out the last purchase for the night he has planned. Gulping as he looks at the items he bought as a precaution in one of his wanderings to Chelsea, he decides to put them in a drawer by the bed. No need to be completely presumptuous. But also no need to be unprepared.

For a final touch, he plays a bit of music, something softer from Maxxie's iHome and turned low just for ambience. Dave looks at his hard work and sighs, mentally going over his plans.

Food, check. Mood setting, check. Neat clothes and clean breath? Yeah, check. Supplies? Glancing back at that nightstand, Dave checks that off too.

Nerves? Maxxie's presence? Not check yet, but Dave is breathing deep and trying as he watches the door for his boyfriend. He expects him to be back soon, at least. Dave can't wait too much longer for what he has to say, and he feels like he left that pass after Halloween. But not anymore.

The nights are getting harder for Dave. Most of his fears showed up in broad daylight before October came around, but the nightmares are picking up until he's lucky to manage two hours of undisturbed sleep before he's chased out of his dreams. He sleeps better with another person in his bed, but Dave is afraid that its going to be too much for Maxxie when they haven't event been dating for two months still.

This time, when the Thurston hockey team actually chased him into some woods where there were looped belts hanging from each sturdy branch available, he peaked into his boyfriend's room for the first time since he started sneaking in to try to finish a night's sleep, rather than just climbing in and seeking comfort. Unsurprisingly, Maxxie seems to be sleeping steadily. Dave sighs as he pushes the curtain back closed. Maybe he can find some herbal tea in the kitchens. Or something in the infirmary he can use to knock himself out with, otherwise.

Maxxie has been amazing these past weeks, with how he's been as patient as possible with Dave's sleep issues and the stress causing then. He deserves a night of undisturbed sleep for a change.

The morning after Maxxie's birthday, Dave wakes up rather disoriented and more than a little hungover. And sore. So sore, he shuts his eyes again the moment they crack open.

But he can't help but feel great.

If memories recall right, he and Maxxie have made some super big steps in their relationship, whatever that is at this point. He can clearly recall giving the dancer his present and receiving a kiss for it. And then some. But after that, things get unclear. It was a lot more dancing and kissing, as well as all the weed and booze to be had. Maybe some more, but that could have just been a dream. One very, very nice dream.

He can faintly recall coming home to the Compound with him, but after that, it's far too fuzzy between how high and tired they were coming down from the mountain. Dave tries to stretch and open his eyes again, only to realize two things:

One is that he's nearly falling out of his bed.

Two is that the weight on his torso isn't his blankets, but Maxxie himself.

Grinning, Dave adjusts their position so he doesn't tumble off the mattress, pulling the smaller boy more securely on top of him and stroking his hair. Definitely not a dream then.

Awesome.