This story is also on Ao3, under the same user :)

It will revolve and focus on John recovering from what happened to him, and Dave helping him recover.

You sigh as you glance at the clock. It's been dark for an hour now and John still isn't back from the store. You have a slight feeling of worry, because god knows what happens when nighttime falls. But you're sure John is fine. You flop onto the couch and start watching some drama.

About an hour later, your phone starts ringing. Without looking at the caller ID screen, you pick it up, huffing, "Finally, Egderp."

"Is this Dave Strider?" An unfamiliar female voice asks, and your stomach drops.

"Yeah…."

"You are the first person listed to call in case of an emergency. John Egbert has recently been admitted into the hospital for several head injuries and broken ribs. We also highly suspect he has been taken advantage of and-"

"Are you saying he's been raped?" Your voice goes up a notch as you cradle the phone to your ear, pulling on your jacket and running to your brother's room.

"Yes, I'm afraid so." She sounds sad, and you hang up as you burst into Bro's room. He looks up from the smuppet he was stitching.

"Hey lil man, what-"

"I need to go to the hospital. Now." Normally he would have argued, but your voice is shaking and you are deathly pale, so you silently thank your brother as he gets his keys without asking any questions or making a scene. He drops you off at the front of the hospital, promising to pick you up in an hour.

"I need to see John Egbert, I called earlier." You say quickly to the girl sitting there. She recognizes your voice and tells you his room number. You rush up to the right floor, open his doors, step inside, and nearly faint.

John's lying on the bed, his eyes wide as he stares at the ceiling. Tears pour down his bruised cheeks. His head is wrapped and so is his chest, you can see, underneath the thin nightgown he's wearing. You can see marks and bandages mar his pale skin. You feel like crying, and blink hard to keep those tears back. You clear your throat and step inside, trying to sound normal.

"Hey Egderp." You voice cracks. Shit.

His head turns and upon seeing you he tries to sit up, whimpering, "D-Dave. Dave. D-D-Dave..."

Your heart breaks as you rush to his side, dropping to your knees and holding his trembling, outstretched hand. He tries to sit up but you gently psuh him back down. He's shaking as he cries, and you feel yourself closer to the verge of breaking down. He tries to sit up, and since he's connected to only one IV thingy, you carefully take that out, get onto the bed, and put him in your lap. He trembles as he cries into your chest, wetting your shirt with tears, but you could care less right now.

"Dave they-there were so many…so many…I tried to make them stop…they-they wouldn't s-stop!"

Your heart breaks again as you hold him close to your chest, whispering, "It'll be ok, sweetie, it'll be ok," as you stroke his hair with a gentle touch. He isn't flinching away from you, which is a good sign, but when Bro walks in, John gives a wail and practically melts into you, shaking. You motion for your brother to leave, which he does. John soon calms down, and you continue to gently pet his hair.

Eventually, a doctor walks in, and John sniffles, curling up in your lap like a kitten.

"Hello Mr. Strider, your brother is waiting for you outside. John, your father is here." This is a clear indication for you to leave. You don't even budge.

"You need to leave, Mr. Strider." The doctor states after ten minutes of you petting John's hair.

"No, don't go Dave, please don't leave me!" John's voice cracks as he starts to cry again. From behind your shades, you shoot the doctor a glare, holding your precious John close.

Since when do you start thinking he's yours? You give a shake of your head as Mr. Egbert walks in, eyes wide as he sees the scene. He can immediately tell that John needs you, and tells the doctor to give you three a minute. The doctor leaves the room as John carefully hugs his father, wobbling dangerously.

"Oh John...how did this happen?" He breathes out, and there's a burning tightness in your throat as you try to swallow. You know it's your fault, and you hate that you don't have the courage to tell him that right away.

"It was my fault. I sent him out to the store at night, alone." You look down, and John is in your lap again, arms around your neck as his wide blue eyes stare at your shades.

"It wasn't your fault, Dave! Don't blame yourself!" His voice is panicked, and to avoid him having a breakdown, you just nod, hugging him close.

"John, would you rather I or Dave spend the night with you?" Mr. Egbert asks, and John is silent, eyes remaining on your face. That's enough of an answer for his dad, who nods and leaves to talk with the doctor. You hold him close, kissing his head gently. You can see the unbruised parts of his face turn a light pink, and you smile. He's too cute.

Soon, the doctor comes in and tells you that you're allowed to stay, and offers you an extra bed. You shake your head, motioning to John's bed. An hour later, after you've gotten something to eat, you lay down next to John, after taking off your shades, under the comforters, and hold him close, petting his hair. He soon falls asleep, and you just watch him, feeling sleepy yourself. You find yourself drifting off in no time.

Your eyes fly open when you realize John is no longer laying next to you. You look around frantically as you sit up, and find him in a corner of the room, curled up in a ball and shaking with sobs. You flash step to him and kneel down, frowning.

"John..?"

He looks up quickly, his eyes wide and his face wet with tears. You bite your lip and reach out, pulling him close to you. At first he's hesitant, then he flings himself at you, sobbing loudly, and your heart breaks in half. You sit up, holding him to your chest protectively.

"Sh, it's ok, John. I'm here. It'll be ok." You whisper in his ear soothingly, gently kissing his head repeatedly. When he falls back asleep, you take him back to the bed, sighing softly.

As you lay there with John in your arms, you realize something. It's going to take a long time for him to recover from this, and he may never be the same.

There's the first chapter, please review!

~samx