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He still felt bad at the assistance and got a few candy bars from the vending machine they passed by (dessert was important, even for wet dogs like him) after asking Chel what she wanted of the bunch. The mix of cold clammy, sandy toes in his boots made him feel even more gross, but soon they'd be warm again and, who knew, maybe he'd be lucky enough to have earned a cuddle for his efforts. Without the comfort of television to turn to, though, Dawson didn't know how good for company he'd be; so far he had been flip-flopping between thinking he had this down and stumbling around like an idiot conversation-wise. Maybe the date wasn't quite as fake as he had intended.

"Uh, I-I think so!" He was eager to prove himself at any rate and led the way, shaking from the blast of AC they'd encountered at the doors. "Upstairs fer sure. Two hundred...two-thirty-somethin'..." He puzzled it out as they climbed the steps, then after a few moments added with a feigned cross look, "Hey, you st-still owe me a s-s-secret, lil' missy."

Dawson made a face, but he was nothing if not patient, tired as he was. Said face turned to mild confusion at her question. "Uh." He peered ahead. "Naw, I been with you the whole time, 'member...?"

Taped to Chel's door was a small brown paper bag, the top which was folded over and sealed by a sticker: Jack Skellington's face smiled ahead.

He passed Chel a curious look of his own and tugged at his newly regained cap, mindlessly whittling the sand off his fingers as they approached. "Halloween decoration or somethin'?"

"Ahhh, gotcha." He was pleased about the "too excited" part, but then he had to wonder: had anything really lived up her to her expectations? Did she have any at all? Well, Chel probably wouldn't have invited him in if he had screwed up, so...With a smart salute, Dawson made his way to the bathroom, setting their dessert on her counter as he passed it by.

Inside the bag was a cache of various candy (mini bars, Wonka products, MnM's, skittles, Reese's cups, double bubble gum, a generous heaping of pixy stix) and a folded index card:

As you seem overly fond of back to back shifts and haven't shown an interest in coffee, I decided
to go with the next best thing. Try not to crash from the high and remember to drink water.
xxxxxxxxxx-- Jack the Pumpkin King

"Got it warm!" Dawson announced. He peeked his head out. "Hey, uh, so d-does this mean y'wanna keep goin' with the date? 'Cause if y'do, I-I kinda need ta change, hah..." His jeans clung to him like a cold second skin. "B-But I can, uh, go make us some hot chocolate? I think there's some in the common room..."

"Heh, no offense but I don' think ya got pants that fit me," he joked, doing his best not to stare and halfway failing. Dawson inched towards the door, clearing his throat. "How's 'bout I borrow yer shower in exchange fer hot chocolate, yeah? Don't really trust the rust buckets downstairs. I'll be back before ya know it!"

And this time he wouldn't accidentally creep into her room.

"Promise," he added with a big smile, like there was any doubt, and dropped his hat onto Chel's head before heading out to get his things.

Around five minutes later:

Another ten minutes later, Dawson finally arrived and knocked. Under his arms were several thick pillows, over one shoulder was his large, thick, and most favorite blanket, over the other was his choice of pajamas (a high school shirt and cotton pants), and in his hands were two mugs taken from the common room with hot chocolate packs. There was no obvious evidence as to why he took so long.

"Hey!" he greeted her with a big smile, waddling in with his things. "I'll be in n' out, one sec." The cups went by their dessert, the pillows and blanket by her bed, and then he was off to the shower.

Keen not to waste water, Dawson's shower was quick. He popped out in his pajamas and slightly damp cap and took a moment to figure out where Chel went. "Y'look real cozy," he noted with a chuckle. "Hope there's room fer one more? Oh, uh, d'ya still want hot chocolate or the candy bars?" Because once he sat down he was probably going to be loathe to get back up again for a while.