closed;

[amadaman]

WHO: Dipper and Ken
WHERE: in the town of Heropa
WHEN: Christmas day
WHAT: Christmas date Christmas date
WARNINGS: this is going to be incredible amounts of dorky stupid

Come on, Dipper.

[It's not that crowded on the streets today, at least not during the day. Most people are waiting for the lights to turn on as it gets darker. The sun is starting to set but it's not too dark yet as Ken reaches over and grabs Dipper's hands, tugging him along past the several other people scattered around them.

It's Christmas, but it's Florida, so it's pretty warm. Ken's wearing the shirt Dipper gave him under his own vest and has a rather large backpack slung over his shoulder today, but there's also a smile on his face today. For all that he almost shrieked out the invitation to today's date, he's feeling a lot more confident now that they're actually on it. There are plenty of trees set up around the park, and there are booths nearby selling hot chocolate and cookies and even hot dogs (of course). It's a pretty good place to spend some time together.]

Comments

[ursawhiner]

Hey, what's the hurry?

[Dipper's laughing slightly, his cheeks faintly pink. He holds tight to Ken's hand as they weave through the crowd, though it's not strictly needed. It's just... nice. Nice to be out, nice to be with Ken, nice that it's Christmas.

He takes a moment to admire the lights as he's dragged along. Despite the Florida heat, there's still a festive, wintry atmosphere. At least Dipper's used to lit up palm trees instead of pines.]

[amadaman]

I don't wanna miss out, that's all.

[On what, he doesn't say. The honest answer is that he doesn't want to miss out on anything, least of all time he can spend with Dipper. He keeps a firm grip on Dipper's hand until they make it to the big fake pine tree in the middle of the square they were heading to. It's tall and glittering with garlands and ornaments and fake snow and there are people around them taking pictures already.]

Thanks for coming out today.

[ursawhiner]

It's no problem. I like spending time with you.

[And his cheeks are getting even pinker. He looks away for a second, embarrassed, and then up at the tree.]

...Wait, did you bring me here just to make a Pines joke?

[amadaman]

... I don't usually make puns, so no.

[He sighs a little, but his mood isn't ruined at all as he holds Dipper's hand tighter.]

It just didn't really feel like Christmas with all the palm trees.

[ursawhiner]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Even in California we usually get a big pine tree.

[Among other things. For a second, Dipper misses his parents. But it's hard to feel melancholy surrounded by the lights and holding hands with Ken.]

[amadaman]

Mm.

[That's a pretty distracted answer. Ken looks up at the tree, counting the ornaments near the top, while he adjusts his hand to link fingers with Dipper. One of Yukari's magazines once gushed about that being the way couples held hands, which would be embarrassing to explain but not a problem to put into practice. Thank goodness for senpai's girly magazines.]

... It's a strange feeling, to be standing like this with someone. But I like it.

[ursawhiner]

It's nice. I'm glad you uh, asked me out.

[And he's blushing again. Because this is a date. A real date! And it's as romantic as you can get.

He jerks his head towards a nearby stand.]

Do you want to get hot chocolate or anything? Bear claw?

[amadaman]

Sure thing. I don't think I can finish an entire bear claw, though.

[It's bigger than his face! Ken's never eaten that much food at once in his entire life, even if he probably will soon as puberty hits. But he does want hot chocolate, so he nods and starts to tug Dipper along.]

Can you?

[ursawhiner]

Probably. But I don't want to actually eat an entire bear claw. We'll save that for a special occasion.

[Someday Ken will reach puberty and understand a tween boy's need to eat everything.]

[amadaman]

[Nonah 5 is going to become where food goes to perish as all three of those boys hit their growth spurts together.]

What sort of special occasion?

[It's nice to have small talk and talks of future get-togethers with Dipper. Ken stops in front of the stand, squinting up at the menu.]

[ursawhiner]

A Tuesday? [Is he joking? We may never know.

Dipper watches Ken look up at the menu, swinging their hands idly.]

We can always get another one if this isn't enough.

[amadaman]

I guess we can come again on Tuesday. [Ken isn't joking. He doesn't notice Dipper watching, but he lets him swing their hands and eventually settles on white chocolate mocha because it sounds kind of fancy. At least today he doesn't want to make Dipper wait for him to not finish coffee for half an hour. He turns to face the date.]

Did you want to split one today, then? Have you decided what you're gonna drink?

[ursawhiner]

Any day is fine, honestly. Bear claws are great.

[He turns to frown up at the drinks menu. Coffee has been expressly forbidden ever since Mabel juice got mixed up with Ford's special coffee blend so...]

I think I'll just get an apple cider. Feels festive.

[amadaman]

[Apple cider and mocha it is. Ken's not feeling too hungry right now, so he nods and fishes into his pocket for a couple bills while walking up to the counter to order their drinks.]

There are benches by the tree if you want to sit there.

[ursawhiner]

[Dipper nods, before he catches sight of some snowflake cookies on display. Impulsively, he buys some before heading to a bench.]

Cookies are way more manageable than a bear claw.

[amadaman]

[Ken's sits down next to him with his drink in hand, already taking a sip and getting whipped cream on his face as he drinks.]

It's a snowflake, huh? It's cute. Even if it doesn't snow here...

[ursawhiner]

It's seasonal! And it's better than a cookie of like, a palm tree or something.

Oh, you've got a bit of...

[Dipper impulsively reaches over and wipes a bit of whipped cream off Ken's nose, then blushes once he realises what he's done.]

[amadaman]

[It takes Ken a second longer to realize what Dipper did, but once he does he turns just as red. Oh gosh. He's seen this before! In Junpei-san's daydream talks and in girls' manga!!

He covers his face with his free hand but he's red all the way up to his ears as he nods.]

T-thanks. Did you get it?

[ursawhiner]

[Now seems like a really good time to stare at the tree. So pretty. So many lights.]

Y-yeah! You're good now!

[amadaman]

[And Ken burns his tongue on another sip of his drink and there's a few seconds of tense, embarrassed silence.

Eventually, Ken sets his cup down and musters up enough courage to nudge Dipper gently.]

I've got something for you.

[ursawhiner]

[Dipper's distracted enough replaying the whipped cream incident over and over in his head to startle when Ken nudges him.]

Oh! I kind of thought the date was the Christmas present.

[amadaman]

... Part of it.

[It was part of the plan to be away from the people who could tease them, but if Dipper's happy...

Ken picks up the bag he was carrying around and opens it, pulling out a slightly bulky wrapped gift.]

Here.

[ursawhiner]

[As soon as he grabs it, Dipper has to resist the urge to shake it.]

Should I open it now, or do you want me to wait? Because I can totally wait.

[amadaman]

You can open it now!

[Is this the proper way to do it? He doesn't know, but he's curious about Dipper's reaction.]

[ursawhiner]

Okay, okay.

[How to do this... Instead of his usual storm of wrapping paper, Dipper starts methodically peeling the paper back. Ken obviously put a lot of thought into this, so Dipper takes a bit more care.]

[amadaman]

[Dipper's carefulness, while usually appreciated, makes Ken antsy now. He tries not to fidget while waiting for him to open the present and ends up sitting on his hands to wait. He decides to let himself swing his feet in anticipation. He chews on his lower lip, eyes darting between the gift and Dipper's face over and over.

Inside, the gift isn't super extravagant, but it's nice. A messenger bag with a keychain Ken attached, both in blue, with a simple message card that reads 'Merry Christmas.']

[ursawhiner]

[Once the present is fully unwrapped, Dipper's silent for a moment. There's... surprise on his face, and he touches the messenger bag carefully. Then he breaks out into a uncertain grin.]

How did-- this is amazing! This bag looks like it can hold a ton of stuff and the keychain is so cool! Thanks, Ken!

[Ken is getting hugged fiercely whether he likes it or not.]

[amadaman]

[That is one heck of a hug! Ken is glad he put everything down before this, because his hands are free to hug Dipper back instead of spilling everything all over the face. He feels like his face is on fire how pleased he is by Dipper's reaction.]

I-- I looked around. I know you read a lot, so I wanted to get you something for that. And... the keychain is the Ursa Major.

[ursawhiner]

I... I really like it. All of it. This is perfect.

[Dipper pulls back a bit to look Ken in the eye, then hugs him again.]

[amadaman]

[What was that eye contact]

[Ken's stuck frozen and blinking even as he's tugged into the hug, because he didn't expect that. Dipper usually just blushed and mumbled and sweated and not... this, even if they were already hugging. He wasn't expecting the eye contact! So it's Ken that mumbles and nods into Dipper's shoulder, squeezing tight.]

I'm glad you like it.

[ursawhiner]

I l-love it. Really. It's one of the best gifts I've ever gotten.

[He stutters a bit, feeling a bit nervous about using the L word even for something like this. But this is serious. He needs to show Ken he means it.]

[amadaman]

[Ken's face probably feels warm from all the blushing oh god oh god he said it.]

Y-you're exaggerating. [But he's nodding again and he looks pretty pleased as he finally pulls back.]

[ursawhiner]

I'm not! This is seriously one of the coolest gifts ever.

[He looks away from to Ken to run his hands over the bag and look through the pockets.]

This is going to be perfect for holding all my books and investigation stuff.

[amadaman]

[Investigation stuff... but Ken smiles, happy that Dipper is so delighted, and he bounces up and down on his feet a couple times.]

If you like it, that's all that matters. I thought it'll be nice if you got something you could use.

[ursawhiner]

That's the best kind of gift.

[He slings the bag over his shoulder, and leans in to give Ken a one armed hug.]

This is really great. I really, really mean it.

[amadaman]

[Ken stops bouncing and stays still for the hug, smiling happily. It's his first time having friends his age to give Christmas presents to, and this really isn't so bad. It's great.]

I'm happy to hear it. Merry Christmas, again.