Alternate Title: Times of a Two Player Game Where People Fall In Love And Not Know It

Pairings: GamFem!Tav, DaveFem!Tav, DaveTerezi

Out of the dull lights and chattering Gamzee could only stare from across the hall, his heart lied on the other side; He was hopelessly in love with Tavros Nitram.

He had always crushed on her since elementary school, but he had succumbed to the horrible fate of being caught in the friend zone. Gamzee continued to try though, trying for any sort of movement from the dreaded zone but he was pretty much cemented into being just a friend.

He sighed and took another sip of Faygo, even now he couldn't bring himself from being nothing more than a friend to Tavros. She would always laugh at his jokes(no matter how crappy they were), and she had thoroughly enjoyed his company. He had even made sickeningly sweet cards every valentines day, but she always kissed him on the cheek and gave him a simple slip of paper with a generic message. Gamzee had gotten really close one time in middle school and tried to confess with the help of a small silver bracelet, but he shied out and she slipped from his grasp. Things changed very quickly once they got to high school. An issue came up between them, wedging himself between the two and kidnapping Tavros from him.

Said wedge was Dave Strider.

Gamzee honestly didn't know much about him, but the second the cool kid stepped onto the scene he knew he had lost. Tavros flushed and giggled, twirling lovely brown locks around a finger; Tavros was victim to cupid's arrow, pointing her right to Dave Strider.

She progressively left Gamzee behind, their sick rap battles becoming less and less till she could no longer find time to participate anymore. Gamzee had been left horribly heartbroken, sulking for months at the loss of his beloved (he'd rather be friend zoned than not be able to have her at all).

Karkat and Sollux had tried introducing him to other people but he had never found anything that felt as right as Tavros. She had left an indelible imprint on his heart, both as his first love and his best friend. He wished he could just scoop her tiny frame into his arms and run away with her, and press his fingers into her side quickly to hear her delightful giggle. Gamzee hated how he was too afraid to say anything soon enough, even as she was fading from his life he couldn't say a word. His lips were sown shut and she walked away, never turning back and running towards the blonde deejay.

He had only seen glimpses of her in between classes and in the hallways, and she had the brightest smile every time he looked.

News spread quickly; Dave was going out with Tavros.

The information made him fall back into another depression, refusing to come out and instead called for staying indoors with a blunt in hand, always.

Karkat raged and nearly flipped over the United States at finding Gamzee baked out of his mind; he began therapy sessions immediately. The short Latino beat the shit out of Gamzee before forcing him to cry it all out, and rehabilitation included watching horribly cheesy rom-coms and eating buckets of ice cream.

During Gamzee's rehabilitation he plotted. He began slowly bringing together what he needed, gathering the necessary information and staying completely discreet about it. He smiled, Operation: Get Gamzee with the love of his life was in it's beta stages.

He allowed Gamzee to explore the multiple new styles and accessories the mall could offer, making sure to keep him in the right direction. Karkat would check all of Gamzee materials and made sure they were both what Gamzee liked while flattering him. Karkat wanted Gamzee to stay true to himself, but he didn't want him to look like he could barely dress himself. They got his wardrobe checked and sorted, but Gamzee kept a few of his old clothes as keepsakes.

Once Gamzee was finally presentable to the world Karkat began phase 2: Get Gamzee to stop being such a fuckass and make him into something that made girls go wild.

This process took over a year of shenanigans and ludicrous behavior. These memories were both pleasant and embarrassingly painful, but by the end of it Gamzee had acquired himself a fanbase of willing girls to help boost his self-confidence. He had made it very clear that he held no feelings for any of them but they continued to fawn over him anyway.

Karkat cackled, he was a true genius.

Soon phase 3 was put in motion: Get Gamzee to make Tavros fall for him.

This part was difficult, Gamzee didn't even want to approach her, "I don't want to all up and motherfucking bother her! She's happy where she is, I don't want to cause any trouble. If she's really happy with Dave then-" Gamzee stopped mid sentence and froze. Karkat was about to yell and Gamzee quickly covered his mouth, hiding them both behind the wall and peering over. Karkat struggled and looked as well; Dave Strider was currently making out with Terezi.

They groped at one another, their kiss hot and obnoxious as they continued, Gamzee took out his phone and snapped a picture before walking away.

Karkat scampered behind him, waiting till they were outside before speaking, "What the fuck are you doing assbite?"

Gamzee scowled, "I'm going to ruin Dave Strider. I can't believe he would do such a thing to Tavvy! He should rot in hell!" Karkat hushed him, cautiously hugging his friend and trying to calm him down. "Take a moment and think for a second fucktart, it you show Tavros that she'll be heart broken and crushed. You need to let her know slowly. You don't wanna see her cry, right Gamzee?" he pleaded. With a sigh Gamzee relented, his shoulders slumping as he calmed down.

"The only tears I want are her tears of joy...I guess I'll stay quiet for now..." he groaned.

Karkat was about to speak when another Latino joined them, skipping over with her aviators and sweet smile. She smiled and waved, "Hi Gamzee, hi Karkat!" Gamzee stiffened and flushed hard, trying not to openly gawk at Tavros. Karkat whined and glanced over, she pulled out invitations to both of them, "Well Dave was gonna have a wicked party and we're inviting everyone! So I was hoping you two can make it."

She gave another sweet smile and took off her shades, revealing bright chocolate eyes and giving Gamzee another look over, "Wow Gamzee, you look so different!" she giggled behind her hand and stepped closer to him, making sure their hands brushed against one another, "I really hope you can make it, it'll be fun to catch up and get to know each other again."

Gamzee gave a shy smile, hoping that he didn't look like a bumbling idiot, "Yeah, sure! I'll go for sure hun, just, uhh..." he looked down at the address and frowned, he couldn't understand Dave's half-assed hand writing.

Tavros frowned, "Yeah that does look illegible. Uh, I don't have anymore copies so let me just write it down for you." She quickly flicked out a pen and took the invitation, writing out the information clearly and smirking, "Here, I'll give you my number too in-case anything goes awry."

She finished quickly and handed the card to Gamzee. He took it and nodded, "I'll be there for sure chica." Tavros gave Gamzee another once over, "I am so digging your piercings Gam, they are really hot. So call if you need anything, and I'll see you~"

Gamzee waved as she left, her hips swaying as she sauntered down the hall. Karkat smacked the love-dazed boy, "Put her number in your phone before you fucking lose it!" Gamzee chuckled, sighing airily and updating her contacts (no wonder he never got a response, it stung to know she didn't tell him her new number but he was glad to have it now).

Karkat scoffed, "Stop looking like the world just became coated in chocolate and hearts, now move your ass before I kick it!" Gamzee only chuckled again and ruffled Karkat's hair, "Thanks bro." Karkat frowned and gave him a curious look, "For what? I haven't done anything. Did your brain finally break?" Gamzee gave a knowing smile and hugged Karkat, "For everything Karkat. Ha ha ha..." Karkat squirmed out of his embrace and whined, "Shut up and move fuckass, I don't wanna deal with this emotional crap right now."

They quickly went home, Karkat insisted that Gamzee call Tavros today and get back to reconnecting and shit. He didn't expect to have to take care of Gamzee for the whole week from crashing into walls and poles as he texts back, his fingers flying across the keypad constantly. "Hey I need you to-" he began as he turns and finds Gamzee texting again. He groans, "Hey stop talking to Dave's girl for one minute and help me with this." Karkat tries to reach for it again and whines, gripping onto the cabinet angrily. Gamzee sighs sadly, the comment piercing right through his heart as he sends out the text, "Okay, but it's just that we have so much to talk about! Man I missed Tavvy so much, and she missed me too!" He gave a somber smile, "But she's still busy with Dave. She really likes him, but she doesn't talk much about their relationship." Gamzee goes to Karkat's side and helps him get a pop-tart from the top shelf and hands it to him, "Fuck, you gotta make her fall for you though! You still have a chance Gamzee, and anyways she's gonna be open once she finds out..."

They stayed silent, still unsure of how to go about Dave's cheating.

Gamzee frowns, "I still can't fathom how Dave could even want another girl when he has Tavvy..." He sighs again and glides over to the couch, plopping onto it and letting his eyes slide shut. He takes in the image of Tavros, her petite curvy figure making him hot and bothered, but her sweet chocolate eyes making his heart swell. He had never seen a more beautiful girl. He still remembered the dimples on her lower back and the beauty marks that littered her hips, Gamzee smiled as he continued to go through her lovely body.

Her heart was the most precious thing though, she held no ill will towards anyone despite the wrong they did. Tavros had the biggest heart, there wasn't anyone she wouldn't help. She had the cutest giggle and her imagination was admirable, the stories she had always kept him held and gripped his mind. He would even try to have some imput and she gladly incorporated it in. Gamzee was head over heels in love with her, and this only seemed to grow stronger and clearer with time.

-Game-

He returned to his locker after school, slamming the door shut and turning to find Tavros shyly waiting behind him. She was playing with her shades, and she finally took notice of Gamzee, "Oh! Uh, hi there...Gamzee?" He nodded at her, "Hey chica, what's up?" he slowly asked. He could tell something was off, her body language practically screamed uneasiness.

She sighed and took his wrist, pulling him towards the park beside the school, and Gamzee silently followed. A small blush rose to his cheeks at the contact but he was more concerned with Tavros, his heart heavy with anticipation and a twinge of fear in his heart. As they settles into a secluded spot in the park a grim look crossed her face. Tavros gave a couple of pained whines before bursting into tears, and Gamzee instantly held her close, stroking her hair and hushing her. She buries her face into his chest, soft sobs causing tremors through her petite body. Gamzee continues to hold her for what seems like forever before she clears her throat and finally speaks, "I...He's doing it again..." She bites her lip and looks back up at Gamzee, her eyes are shiny with building tears, "Dave's...cheating on me again."

Gamzee wanted to kill Dave.

He prayed whatever higher power to please make Dave suffer a gruesome death and let his soul be tortured to the point where death would be a blessing. Gamzee sighed and rubbed her back gingerly, "You saw him?" She shook her head, "I didn't...but I just know. I can't explain it, but I am positive he's cheating on me. He's done it before... He promised he wouldn't do it again! But he's..." He sighed and scooted closer to her, wiping her tears away and giving her a solemn look.

He debated whether or not to show her.

He had all the proof, he could explain everything and expose Strider for the bastard he is, but he looked up at the girl before him, her heart was at stake. He hugged her again for reassurance, trying to get her to calm down before speaking again, "You don't know for sure. But you'll just have to be careful, huh?" he said in a low voice.

She wiped her tears, "I hate being so overly-sensitive but I know he is, I can feel it, I can see him drifting away from me..." She sighed and pulled away from Gamzee, pulling her knees up close and looking off blankly in the distance. The silence stretched on between them, Gamzee couldn't ever speak.

She sighed, "I'm sorry for putting this on you Gamzee..." He shook his head, "Naw sis, I care about you and I wanna help you through this. I'm still one of your best buds, despite being away for long." She gave him an incredulous look before smiling, "You're so sweet Gam...I wish there were more guys like you." He laughed bitterly, trying not to get too close to Tavros, "You okay?" She nodded and he got up, extending a hand to help her. She smiled again and took it, nearly falling over as Gamzee mischievously pulling her up with a lot of force.

She laughed and knocked against him, shoving him a bit before running and screaming, "Race you to the jungle gym!" She laughed and Gamzee sprinted after her, quickly catching up and they dove for the swings, still trying to beat the other. They laughed and called it a draw, sitting on the swings; Gamzee barely noticed that the sky was getting dark already. They swung for a bit and chattered about nothing in particular, sharing stories and overall enjoying each others company.

Gamzee was able to walk her home and she was grateful, giving him a big hug before kissing his cheek, "Thank you for walking me Gamzee, I really want to hang out soon again..." Gamzee nods and kisses her cheek, "Goodnight princess." She giggles and waves goodbye, Gamzee waits till she's inside before leaving, spinning on his heel and walking back to the apartment he shared with Karkat.

Karkat groans about Gamzee waking him and he just ruffles his hair before the small Latino is out again.

Gamzee slips into some comfortable boxers before finally plopping on his bed and dreaming about his sweet sweet princess.

-Game-

Gamzee spent the whole week seeing more and more of Tavros, quickly being accustomed to her presence and her affection, but his heart still fluttered at all her adorable gestures. The time that had passed did change her a bit, but nothing they couldn't accept. She still liked rap but she had more confidence now, she had grown even a bit sassy. Gamzee found himself falling even harder, he loved every little thing about Tavros.

He sighed dreamily as she walked away, totally oblivious to his feelings.

Gamzee smiled, only one more day till the party. He was pretty excited to go, especially to be able to rave with his cute little princess, he was dying to have a dance with her. Karkat would go too and he teased that John was going to ask him for a dance as well. Karkat just flushed and clawed at Gamzee while the taller boy laughed like a mad man. Gamzee jumped at the sudden noise, his phone vibrating like crazy while playing loudly, he checked and saw that Tavros was Pestering him.

He smiled and began to type back:

TC: HeY sIs, WhAt'S uP? : o)

AT: hA HA HA, hI THERE GAMZEE }:D

AT: uHHH, nOTHING MUCH REALLY,

AT: cAN I SHARE AN IDEA I,, uHHHHM, hAD?

TC: SuRe ThInG sIs : o)

AT: mAYBE I SHOULD MAKE DAVE JEALOUS?

AT: yOU KNOW, lIKE FLIRT WITH OTHER GUYS?

TC: I dOn'T tHiNk ThAt'S a GoOd IdEa PrInCeSs.

AT: bUT HE DOESN'T PAY ATTENTION TO ME!

AT: hE IS ALWAYS HITTING ON OTHER GIRLS ANYWAYS,,,

AT: sOMETIMES I WONDER IF HE EVEN LOVES ME AT ALL,,,

TC: AwWwW, dOn'T tAlK lIkE tHaT sIs.

Gamzee frowned at the message, becoming slightly concerned with Tavros' relationship.

TC: HeY, cAlL mE aNd TeLl Me AbOuT iT.

TC: ThIs IsN't SoMeThInG tHaT sHoUlD sImPlY bE TeXtEd.

He waited for a moment, his heart twisting painfully, he could barely breathe.

AT: oKAY,,,

Soon his phone received the call and he answered, "Hello?"

"Hi..." she softly began. He smiled, "So what's this whole business about Dave?" With an audible sigh she begins to pour out her heart, apparently she had hit a lot of snags in the relationship. Sure she had gained many new friends they weren't worth going through all the trouble. Some of them even ridiculed her and bashed on her, and Gamzee frowned, "That ain't good. And don't believe a word they say Tavvy, it's all a bunch of lies." Tavros laughed and thanked Gamzee before continuing, "Well...Dave cheated on me with multiple girls but he claims that he really does love me. But...he also..."

The line went deathly quiet.

He swallowed and pressed on, almost whispering, "What happened?" She choked up a bit, "He pressured me to have sex."

Gamzee bit his lip, his heart hurting and twisting painfully, Tavros sounded so small and hurt, Gamzee wished he could hold her. She finally spoke up, "But I didn't...I told him no. And ever since he has been ignoring me again...but maybe I can get his attention back? I really do love him Gamzee." Gamzee gave a small sigh of relief, of course Tavros was smarter than that. He was proud of her, "Well it's goon that you motherfucking told him to back off. But maybe you should move on? I mean, it's kinda clear what he wants..." Her voice startled him, "Maybe I can make him love me? There was a point where it was mutual..." Gamzee frowned and the thought dawned on him, "Wait...when was that? When did he start drifting?" Tavros paused and pondered for a moment. "Well it became obvious to me maybe around May?" Gamzee shook his head, that was the month Terezi had finally settled in. She had transferred to their school mid April but by May she had begun to hang out with Strider's crowd.

Strider was in love with Terezi.

Gamzee sighed, "I don't think you can make him fall for you when he's fallen for another..." Tavros yelled, "WHAT?" Gamzee winced at her loud voice, it was filled with both rage and betrayal. "He has his eye on another girl..." Tavros stayed quiet again before soft sobs could be heard through the phone. Gamzee sighed, "Tavvy...I'm sorry honey."

"I have to try...If this doesn't work then I'll leave him..."she forced through her sobs.

He was helpless to do anything, "Tav, it'll be okay. I promise. You have lots of people that love you, one boy isn't worth this much pain..." Tavros laughs bitterly, her voice thick with remorse, "I know. But you don't understand. I love him. It's something I can't control. I'd do anything to get him to smile in my direction."

Gamzee felt his heart clench painfully, his voice instantly becoming tight with tears, "Don't tell me I don't understand, I understand perfectly!" By the end of the sentence he was yelling, and he bit his lip, I he hadn't meant to yell.

The line was dead silent.

He sighed, "I...Look I'm sorry...I didn't mean to yell..." He felt like he was suffocating, he was dying and Tavros would be the death of him.

"I'm sorry Gam. I... I wish there were more guys like you." she softly stated, he voice thick with something Gamzee couldn't quite pick up. "I just...Thanks for everything Gamzee. I'm really just..." She began to laugh, the melodic sound drifting into Gamzee's mind and soothing him, he relaxed and smiled. "Anything for you princess."

Tavros laughed harder, and Gamzee felt a blush stain his cheeks, "I'm an idiot aren't I?" Gamzee was about to comment but she spoke first, "I'll see you tomorrow at the party, okay Gam?"

"Yeah, I guess this is good bye?" he drawled.

"Ha ha ha, just for a little bit Gam. Good bye and good night." she cooed into the speaker, Gamzee felt his heart flutter at the delightful sound. "Good night princess." he replied lovingly, she was the one to give the last comment though, "Sweet dreams my prince."

Gamzee hated the sound of the phone dial ringing in his ear and he was left completely confused. He sighed and got ready for bed, the words rolling around in his brain and making his heart sing. After plopping onto his bed he continued to muse about what had just happened, trying to figure out everything. His eyes grew heavy and he slipped into his slumber, his last thought resounding through his mind.

It was amazing what one girl made him feel, Tavros was truly a miracle.