[Ryuji's got a hell of a knack for blazing new trails out here, a trend that's been observable since literally day one and an initiated thumb war — and honestly, it's a dynamic that's kind of out of the realm of Dave's usual style. it's easy enough to look like you're in charge or leading the way to somewhere important when you're capable, via way of time travel, of being literally several steps ahead of everybody else. it's even easier to be cool and calculated when you're living in a world where a strong barrier to hide behind is the only option you've got.]
[but he's done with time travel. and the more time they spend together, the more Ryuji tears his mental walls down, demanding a chance to take care of him, the more Dave realizes how badly he'd like to be done with acting like he's untouchable, too. just lay all of those flaws and inward misgivings he has about himself out bare, stop trying to hide how vulnerable he really is, because he's got the confidence that Ryuji will keep that part of him safe. because he's already seen it, and he already does — and Dave's already promised to do the same in return.]
[knights are supposed to be the ones doing the protecting. that's how all the stories go, right? but maybe it's okay if a knight has something that needs protecting, too.]
[and that's not to say that Dave can't keep up with Ryuji here. it's more that, instead of trying to act cool about it, instead of trying to match or outmatch him, to move at a frenetic pace and rile the both of them up way too fast, when Ryuji goes and makes an already bold move even more intimate, Dave consciously puts his heart out there and shows that vulnerability by really letting him take the lead. lets him explore a little, and in return, he chases after every little movement or sensation that sets off fireworks in his head and threatens to shut down any cogent thoughts he may have been having, hoping he's able to ignite the same reaction. lets him know, albeit unconsciously, that he's into it by the way he grips at Ryuji's arms, gathering the fabric of his shirt in his fists.]
[he's not perfect by any means. it probably takes a few tries to get to a good point where he remembers through a heated haze to not be greedy and give Ryuji, who is pretty much actually leaving him ding dong dead, a bit of tongue in return.]
[it's also kinda tough to french a guy when he keeps smiling through it like an idiot.]
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[but he's done with time travel. and the more time they spend together, the more Ryuji tears his mental walls down, demanding a chance to take care of him, the more Dave realizes how badly he'd like to be done with acting like he's untouchable, too. just lay all of those flaws and inward misgivings he has about himself out bare, stop trying to hide how vulnerable he really is, because he's got the confidence that Ryuji will keep that part of him safe. because he's already seen it, and he already does — and Dave's already promised to do the same in return.]
[knights are supposed to be the ones doing the protecting. that's how all the stories go, right? but maybe it's okay if a knight has something that needs protecting, too.]
[and that's not to say that Dave can't keep up with Ryuji here. it's more that, instead of trying to act cool about it, instead of trying to match or outmatch him, to move at a frenetic pace and rile the both of them up way too fast, when Ryuji goes and makes an already bold move even more intimate, Dave consciously puts his heart out there and shows that vulnerability by really letting him take the lead. lets him explore a little, and in return, he chases after every little movement or sensation that sets off fireworks in his head and threatens to shut down any cogent thoughts he may have been having, hoping he's able to ignite the same reaction. lets him know, albeit unconsciously, that he's into it by the way he grips at Ryuji's arms, gathering the fabric of his shirt in his fists.]
[he's not perfect by any means. it probably takes a few tries to get to a good point where he remembers through a heated haze to not be greedy and give Ryuji, who is pretty much actually leaving him ding dong dead, a bit of tongue in return.]
[it's also kinda tough to french a guy when he keeps smiling through it like an idiot.]