Dave Karofsky

Alistair: Hey there, handsome. You've been quiet.

I don’t know, all the quiet is kind of eery to me. Especially at night. But maybe I’ve just watched too many scary movies. Oh, definitely. Even if I missed some of the views around here. 

Hey, I feel that. I’ve only been back in classes a couple weeks, and I’m already feeling ready to quit. But, as it turns out… I don’t really have any skills besides tennis, so… I should probably think about learning something, if I want to have a future and all that. 

I can understand that I guess. I kind of grew up in the country though so it doesn’t bother me any. I mean, there was a town but it was small, definitely way more country than people from the city. Maybe you have but I don’t personally see a problem with that. You did? 

Don’t quit. I know it’s frustrating but I’m sure you’ll get through it fine. So will I. We’ll be study buddies if we have to. I’m just not used to learning in French. Spanish was enough for me to grasp. Yeah, that’s true but it also puts more pressure on you to think that way. It’s hard not to though especially the older we get. 

Heading over to the reservoir sounds like a good plan, if you don’t mind the company. Well, I guess I’m not most people. Once is enough for me, you’re a cool guy too. 

You want to come out here? I don’t mind at all, no, company would...Honestly be really cool. I haven’t been hanging out with people recently. I should probably stop that. I guess you’re not. Wow. I’ll see you when you get here. I can run to the convenience store while I wait, if you’re hungry or anything. 

Is anyone else planning for Halloween yet? I’ve been looking at costume predictions for this year on TikTok for probably about an hour now. It started when the Opera House announced they were opening up auditions for Wicked.

@getstartersforfree​

I’m not personally but that’s just because I haven’t gone out for Halloween in years. It’s cool you are though. Are you planning to audition?

I’m not too sure I’m really the country type, but I’ll keep that i mind, thanks. I did get to see a good amount of starry nights on my trip, but… that’s not really why I was on it, you know? Most of my nights were spent staring at… other things. Yeah, can’t complain, anyway. How about you? How’s football going? 

Maybe not but there’s something cleansing about being out here sometimes. You don’t think the city gets to be too much? I’m still glad you got to see some, still. Yeah? I’m sure you enjoyed that view just as much. No complaints are good, at least things aren’t bad. Things are going. Just toughing it out. Football is good yeah, it keeps me occupied. Classes are kicking my ass. 

Oh yeah? Hey, there’s no such thing as too long when it comes to that. Where are you? If you don’t mind me asking. Of course, no problem. You’re a cool guy, I’m not just gonna ghost you.

Yeah, at least in my opinion. You think so? I don’t mind, you’re alright. I’m just outside, at the bridge by the reservoir.  it’s a nice place to think. I haven’t seen anyone else out here. Well...In a while, anyway. That’s cool of you to say. You’re a cool guy too. That’s appreciated, thanks. Lots of people would, especially after only meeting once before. Are you up to anything interesting tonight?

I mean, I would, if I didn’t live in an apartment in the city. Can’t really see too much around here. But hey - enjoy them for me, will you? 

Yeah, I see where that could make it tough. You should head out to the country sometime. With all the traveling you just did though you’ve probably had enough of that kind of thing. I sure will, thanks Ander. Things going okay?

Oh yeah? I’ll have to head outside to take a look then. Thanks for having our back on this one, Dave.

Yeah, I’ve been staring at them for a while myself. Probably too long, if I’m honest. You should, it could be fun. Or relaxing. Whatever you need it to be. No problem, Alistair. Thanks for responding. 

Hearing the sound of someone else, Alistair looked up from his guitar. He wasn’t stunned or surprised, he didn’t jump either. Instead, he seemed smoothly welcoming, tipping his head up in greeting before waving at the other man. “Oh hey, no man. Go ahead and stay, you’re not bothering me at all. What are you up to? I thought I’d be the only one here.”

He ran his hands through his hair, which was messily laid across his shoulders and down his chest. He pulled it out of the way, but it fell back as soon as he reached back for his guitar and leaned into it to strum a bit more. It was quiet but fun, he was playing with the same melody he’d been using before but he was playing it differently. “My name is Alistair, by the way. I’m new here. Like super fresh meat. I probably shouldn’t announce that, but I’m sure you know either way. People know everyone in places like this, it seems.”

Dave’s eyes followed the other man’s movements as he ran his fingers through his hair. Taking a small step back, he found himself to be pressed against the door frame, halfway preparing to go but yet remaining in the room. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to be an unwelcome audience, I know playing music can be a pretty private thing.” He laughed a bit and offered a small smile. “Me? Oh, uh, I was just down in the weights room. It’s funny you say that because I’m usually the only one here on Sundays. I heard you playing and came to investigate. Did you just come to play?” He asked, starting to relax a little.  “Good to meet you Alistair, my name is Dave. Honestly I probably wouldn’t have known, I don’t usually pay attention to stuff like that. But, welcome all the same. Have you had a chace to get settled in yet or are you, like, first day new?” He asked. 

It was a Sunday, but Alistair had quickly found that the campus was open on the weekends too; possibly for its overachieving students. Now that he had accepted the scholarship, that meant he could be here too. Wanting some alone time and knowing that he couldn’t get it in his small home, he took to the glee club room (not because he was in any clubs yet, but because it was one of the first he peeped into and it was full of nothing but instruments). He’d brought his old acoustic guitar, beat up and old as it was and chose to strum on it instead of any of the school’s newer, fancier ones. The tune he played sounded somewhere between classic rock ad indie, something he was fiddling with and making up on the spot. It was nice and before he knew it, the rest of the world melted away and he was completely wrapped up in his music.

@elitestarters​

Dave was walking through the empty halls, heading back to the parking lot when he heard the sounds of a distant guitar. Puzzled, he walked toward the noise, confused as to who else might be here on a Sunday and at this time. He’d come to use the gym, pretty much living there these days after all that had happened. He didn’t have many if any friends, really, and found himself needing to be anywhere other than his room at home. Following the music he wound up in the glee club room, watching a thin man strumming while he made his own beat. Dave listened for a moment thinking to himself how incredible the music was, before clearing his throat to announce his presence. “Ahem, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to startle you but I just wanted to say that sounds really good.” He said, nodding to the guitar. “I don’t want to bother you, so I’ll be on my way, but I thought you should know.”

Ander nodded slowly at the answer he got from Dave, pleased to see that the guy at least didn’t seem to think he was a total weirdo for knowing his plans the other night. “Yeah? Are you any good?” He finished undressing and followed Dave to the showers, keeping a bit of a distance between them. Sure, the guy seemed nice enough, but he wasn’t about to make himself seem like more of a creep than he already felt. He’d learned by now where to keep his eyes around straight guys, especially in a locker room. “I used to play tennis, but now I just coach a little. Soccer sounds more fun. Plus, the guys are usually hotter.” …Well, so much for not sounding like a creep. He’d spent so much of his early teenage years trying to hide who he was, but now, he was used to being open about it, with his less-than-straight friends. ….Most of whom he’d hooked up with at one point or another. “I uh… did a tournament in the States, once. In Chicago. It was pretty cool, but I didn’t get much time to travel or anything. What do you think about Spain?” 

Dave shrugged a little but gave a sly smile. “I don’t like to brag but it’s the scholarship that brought me here. Athletics I mean. I’d like to get an American Football team started here but I don’t know if there would be enough interest. I’m getting better at soccer I think.” He remembered when he first started after coming to Las Dalton Encinas; he’d been pretty awkward on the field but had worked hard until he’d improved enough to look like he belonged there. Dave turned on the shower and let the water get warm before stepping under the stream. “Tennis? I don’t think I’ve met someone who actually played. Why don’t you anymore? Just didn’t like it?” He asked  while focusing probably too hard on keeping his eyes straight ahead. Then Ander made the comment about hot guys, and he blanched a little before he was able to catch himself. “I wouldn’t know but to each their own my dude.” Even though he wasn’t ready to come out at LDE yet, now more than ever after what had happened when he had told someone, he didn’t want to be an asshole or make Ander feel badly, like people had made him feel back home. “I’ve never been to Chigaco even though I’m from the US, so you have one up on me there. I have been to New York City though, and it was okay.” Dave shrugged again when he was asked about Spain. “It’s okay I guess. It’s pretty here, prettier than home I think. There’s more history and architecture which I can appreciate. But I think in some ways, everywhere is kind of the same.” He pursed his lips while he tried to keep the edge out of his voice. “Have you lived here all your life?”

CLOSED STARTER FOR: @davekarofskylde​​

Normally, Ander wasn’t one to strike up a conversation, but for some reason, the locker room felt a little too quiet for comfort that afternoon. There was only one other guy in there with him - probably another scholarship student, who had been utilizing the school’s gym equipment. Ander did the same thing himself fairly often, though today he’d been focusing on running laps around the track, while the weather was still nice enough to do so. Something he’d realized he should take advantage of while responding to an online post- oh. It was then that he realized where he’d recognized the guy from. He’d looked vaguely familiar, but Ander had just chalked it up to seeing him around the school before. “Hey. You’re Dave, right? How was your run the other night?” After the words came out of his mouth, he realized how creepy they sounded, and with a small wince, he shook his head, before correcting himself, simultaneously stripping out of his shirt as he began undressing for the shower he was about to take. “Sorry. Not a stalker, I swear. I just saw your post about it, and I just finished one, and… my brain put the two together, I guess. You’re an athlete?” 

Dave had come to the gym to try to get out of his own head. After everything that had happened with Patrick a lot of feelings and memories that he just wasn’t prepared to deal with had been brought up to the surface, and in true Dave fashion his method of dealing with them was to ignore them. If he’d had headphones he would have brought them, but he hadn’t been able to buy a new pair since he accidentally washed his a couple of weeks ago. When the voice echoed through the otherwise empty locker room he jumped a little, but still managed to smile while he nodded. “Yeah, that’s me. It’s okay, I guessed that was the case. It was alright. Maybe not as relaxing as I hoped but it was a run.” Closing his locker he laid a clean towel over his arm. “Yes I am. I’ve played American Football for years, and I’ve been getting into soccer since my dad and I moved here. What about you?” He asked while walking towards the shower himself. 

You too, eh? I’ve got a private gym. Come over if you want, I’ll text you the address. 

Guess so, depending on what you’re talking about. Alright, I guess. Thanks. I appreciate it. 

Patrick: You don't get it, it's not that easy. I know you saw me talking to Ander. We used to fuck back when I was ruining his relationship with Omar. But I thought he wanted me and what he really wanted was the experience. If you saw enough to be hurt, you saw enough to see him say quite plainly that I was just a fuck. Multiple times, in various ways. I saw what they had and I wanted it, so I tried to get in the middle of it and I ended up getting left behind. By both of them. They always get back together, I've asked around. I don't have enough morals to feel bad or guilty about anything, I guess, but I am not the angel you think I am. Clearly. I have history with a lot of people, I fuck around a lot. Running into previous flings is just a part of my life.

Patrick: I figured you'd say that. Alright. You too, Dave.

Dave: Maybe I don't. I probably don't. I guess I don't get a lot of things.

Dave: I'm sorry that stuff happened. I'm sorry you got hurt, I can see you saying that you did. That's a shitty feeling, and I don't want that for you. But, I can't just not protect myself, either. And maybe that's selfish. It probably is. But you're not the only one who has gone through shit. I've got a history to think about too. And I'm getting too attached. I'm getting too attached for me to be okay seeing you throwing yourself at other guys in public, part of your past or not. And that's not a dig at you either. Don't mistake that, I'm not trying to guilt you or make you feel bad. I'm just stating the obvious, what's there in black and white. And that's fine. We're not together officially, no matter what things might have...Anyway, my point is there's nothing for you to feel bad about. You're more than free to do whatever you want to do, I can't fault you for being an independent person. But that means you can't fault me for protecting myself. Because I can't...I'm not in a position to take a lot of stuff right now. That's my fault, and I'm sorry for that. You can't say I didn't care, or that I don't, or that I'm being reactionary. Or maybe you can. But if that's who you are, if that's what makes you happy, you should go for it. You deserve happy. I'm a non-factor. And that's...Fine.

Patrick: I should have warned you that I'm no good for someone as good as you. All I wanted was to be loved, I've made so many things so much more complicated than they need to be.

Dave: You are. It's alright, I get it. You'll be loved, there's no doubt. Don't blame yourself.