Chapter Text
It seemed odd that you were picking up your son's friend without being asked to. It seemed even odder that, when you pulled up to the apartment building, your son's friend was already sitting outside, head down and backpack stuffed full.
He looked up at your car, found you through the passenger window, stared through his sunglasses. You got out quickly and went over to him. He was very still as he watched you approach. "Hello, David." His mouth twitched at the name; you were the only one who called him that.
"Hey, Mr. Egbert." His voice sounded hoarse, like he hadn't spoken for a long time, or had been yelling for longer. You smiled down at him, trying not to be obvious about looking him over for bruises. You didn't see any, but were you really expecting to? You never managed to unravel the mystery of David's home life, not even when you spoke to his guardian on the rare occasions that he came to pick David up from your house after a long weekend with John.
You hardly knew a thing about the Striders, but you felt a strong urge to protect the youngest one. It couldn't really be because he reminded you of your own son-- no, John and David were almost polar opposites. If you were to sit and really think about why you wanted to see young David safe and happy, the answers you'd find may be too much for you to handle. So you tucked that down and concerned yourself only with making sure David's time at your house with your son was as enjoyable as possible. You were always happy to see him enjoying the food you'd cook, from breakfast right down to dessert. Before you knew it weekends were more special than they'd ever been, with David around.
Slowly, David stood up. It was Friday, and almost dinnertime. "Can I come over tonight?" You'd have to whip up something quick. You were sure there was still some broccoli and potatoes in the refrigerator, perhaps you could pick up a chicken to roast with that. David didn't break eye contact.
"Would you like to stay for the weekend? I'm sure John would love that."
David seemed to almost sway on his feet. His head bowed, and you watched his bangs shift. You thought he was about due for a haircut, but maybe David liked his hair that length. Maybe you did too.
"If that's cool with you."
"Of course it is. You're always welcome at the Egbert house, David."
You found your hand on his shoulder, and it was almost shocking how quickly David seemed to curl into you. His skinny arms wrapped around you, barely curled around your back. You tried to ignore how warm he was, and how different it felt from hugging John. There was a hurt there, somewhere, inside David.
You didn't know why it was there, or who created it. You did know that you wanted to help heal it.
You ushered David into the car, buckled him in, smiled wryly at his chuckle. You couldn't help yourself.
Around midnight, after the boys were safely asleep in John's room (or not, boys will be boys), you sat in the den, listening to the darkness. You asked it questions, and the answers sounded like David's soft voice.