December 16, 2022

Dakota takes a seat out front, smiling. He still has that cowboy hat on, one that he didn't have before. Oleander walks out, holding his sword and a mask that looks like a giant, engraved birdskull.

"Wow, quite the gear you got there!" Dakota smiles up at him. "How you been, kid?" As if Dakota isn't only three or so years older than him.

Oleander looks to Dakota, sitting down next to him. "Okay mostly. Kind of. How about you?"

"I'm good. Gettin' used to all this stuff still, but I'm doing good. " Dakota is grinning more than usual. "I don't have to worry about Joey any more though. I've found a solution!"

"Oh? What's that?" Oleander asks, offering a smile.

"Well, Joey sent this cowboy out after me, right? But it turns out the cowboy doesn't wanna turn me in! He wants to be friends!" He decides to spare the details of how they had a fist fight turned makeout. "Or well... More than friends. " Dakota giggles, adjusting the hat on his head. "I think I'm.. queer.."

Oleander listens, nodding. "I see... well. Welcome to the club then!" He chuckles, patting Dakota’s back. "I’m glad he wants to be friends."

"Yeah. Me too. He beat the shit outta me though. " He points at his face, where it shows some scuffing on the metal. "I don't mind though. I even stole his hat, just to make sure he'd still be comin' back at some point."

"You should beat him up back," Oleander says with 100 percent seriousness.

"Don't worry, I already did! I ain't the best at it though, he totally won the fight. But we made it better." He's grinning, blushing a tiny bit. "Enough about me! Anything excitin' happen for you?"

He shrugs. "Other than accidentally causing a fight, not really."

"What happened? How'd you cause a fight?" Dakota looks concerned.

"Uh well. I went to the guest bedroom and this person I don’t really like was sleeping on my bed and laying on my plushie..." He sighs. "I know it’s stupid but it was a gift from Lock and I’ve never had one before so it means a lot to me... I tried to get them to move so i could get it but they refused and when I tried to pull it out, I accidentally ripped the arm off. I uh... went to the backyard to cool off and apparently Lock saw the plush and it reminded her of some trauma and she attacked the person and a fight ensued..." Oleander scratches the back of his neck. "Everyone’s fine now I think... but. yeah."

"Well, try not to blame yourself for anything. It ain't your fault for wanting to protect something that means a lot to you. You really like that Lock girl, don't you?" Dakota asks in that somewhat teasingly, but mostly curious older brother way, nudging Oleander with his elbow.

Oleander’s face turns bright red. "I-I mean yeah! She’s my best friend why wouldn’t I like her?" he says quickly, looking away in embarrassment.

Dakota chuckles. "Don't worry, I ain't gonna tell no one! I'm just teasin' you. "

the door now knows

Oleander puts his face in his hands. "aaaaaa…," he says quietly. "Confounded weird feelings...."

"Tell me about her! If you want to of course. " He is smiling at Oleander, even if he can't see him. "What do you like about her?"

"I just... well she’s my age and also like... is getting away from an abusive home life- I mean I've been out way longer but you get the idea- uh..." He takes a deep breath. "She’s just... funny and nice and real... like i can understand her? I don’t know how to explain really..." They say, scratching the back of their neck. "She just likes me the way I am. And i like her... as a friend…," they add on.

"Just as a friend?" Dakota raises an eyebrow, or well. his only eyebrow. 

"MHM,” he squeaks.

"Come on, I know you ain't tellin' me the truth! I'm not gonna tell anyone. I promise. " He holds out a pinky. Pinky promise. "You can be honest with me."

Oleander looks at it and hesitates. “I dunno… I’ve never felt like this before… what if it’s not a crush but like… a tumor or something!”

"A tumor?" Dakota laughs, not in a mean way, but in a like 'oh, it's cute that you think like that' way. "Well, I've had plenty of experience. And I can tell you what I know. " Dakota scooches closer, still holding out his pinky for that promise. "I think you fancy her! As more than a friend!"

Oleander squeaks and takes Dakotas pinky with him. "Fuck... okay.... what do I do now???" 

"Hm.. Lemme think. " Dakota is stroking his chin, deep in thought. "Well, I guess you gotta try to figure out if she likes you too! Once you do that, then you just gotta let date decide for you," Dakota shrugged. "Sometimes there ain't much you can do. But if you do want to be little lovers, then all you gotta do it put enough effort it!"

Oleander still bright red and nods. "Y-yeah... seems scary though... I've never dated anyone... or liked anyone romantically for that matter??? I feel like I’d mess it up-"

"It's normal to mess up, but you just have to make sure you fix it after. I've dated a few people before, and not everyone is the same, but there's usually a baseline. Just put in effort, especially into trying to fix issues and mistakes, and you'll be fine. " Dakota smiled at him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "If anything, it's good to make mistakes sometimes. Workin' through them can make a relationship even stronger. But.. If you do want to date her, don't start off your romantic journey with a fist fight."

Oleander nods, flushing with embarrassment at the last part. "Yeah... you’re really smart, Dakota..." He says with a smile.

Dakota shrugs. "Thanks, I've just had experience, yknow? Not sure if any of if can truly apply to today, but I don't think datin's changes too much since when I was around."

Oleander nods. “Sounds like timeless advice to me.” He pauses. “Do you like hunting?”

Dakota nodded. "Yeah, been awhile though. I used to go with my dad sometimes! We'd bring our findins home and my mom would cook some of the best food I've ever tasted! Used the skins from the animals to make stuff too"

Oleander nods. “Would you wanna go now? I’d probably have to ask Cole for a crossbow- A sword isn’t really meant for hunting animals.”

"Sure! And yeah, bows and guns are the way to go!" Dakota jumps up from the steps, bouncing up and down on his toes. Oleander grins and heads inside. Dakota follows him.

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