Author's Note:

So in this fanfic, there's several skips in time (like age five to age nine, etc.). I just thought that as the writer of this fanfic, you should know that. ALSO: I DO NOT OWN HOMESTUCK. THAT BELONGS TO THE WONDERFUL ANDREW HUSSIE. Well, since that's all done, please enjoy the fanfic.

~Age Five~

The sound of children's laughter and joy filled the playground of the preschool. All of the children laughed and giggled as they slid down the slide, swung on the swings, and chased each other around the playground.

Everyone—that is—except for Dave Strider.

Leaning against the corner, feeling his Bro's enormous sweater drag him down, Dave felt like the only person he needed and wanted to talk to was his one and only brother. So he isolated himself from everyone else. It seemed like the only correct choice by this little boy's standards.

Maybe someone will come and talk to me, Dave pondered in his mind.

Then, as if someone heard his thought, the red-eyed boy heard footsteps approach him. Dave looked up and saw a girl his age approach him, her short brown hair waved back and forth as she walked towards him. Her small mouth widened in curiosity as she said with a childish voice, "Woah, your eyes are pretty!"

That was the first and very last compliment that Dave would ever receive from someone at his school.

Smiling a bit, Dave replied with a bit more comfort. "W-why thank you… Your eyes are pretty too."

Grinning widely, the small child held out her hand to Dave. "You wanna be friends?" she asked right before the preschool bell rang, which indicated that preschool was also over as well as recess. Dave widened his eyes in amazement as he noticed that unlike everyone else, she stayed with him instead of going inside and waited patiently for him to answer her question. Maybe she did want him to be his friend.

"Yeah… I'd like that," the red-eyed boy mumbled in reply as he managed another shy smile. Then he followed the girl inside as she gave him yet another smile. Inside the building, Dave saw Bro holding his red school backpack over his shoulder. And as usual, Bro wore a plain white tee, jeans, a baseball cap, and his anime shades.

"Hey, lil'man. How was school today?" Bro greeted him and looked down in surprise as Dave rushed towards him and grabbed onto his leg. "Oh, come on, man. School isn't that bad." He gently pulled Dave off his leg and held his hand as they walked out of the building together. Once they reached the parking lot, Dave looked up and saw a group of school nurses huddled up near the exit of the school. One of the nurses looked over at Dave and Bro.

Bro tightened his grip on Dave's hand.

"That's the kid I was talking about," one of the nurses whispered as they passed them. "He has red eyes like a monster."
Confused and frightened, the five year old child looked up at his older brother and opened his mouth to ask him something. But Bro shook his head and said, "Keep walking, Dave." Still puzzled, Dave waited until they got into the car to speak.

"Am I a monster, Bro?" Dave asked. Bro paused as he buckled up his little brother into the car booster seat. Then he placed his hands on Dave's tiny shoulders.

"Dave. You're anything but a monster. You're my little brother and will always be that. Promise me that you won't listen and believe the bad things that people say about your eyes. Okay?"

Looking down at his lap, Dave nodded. "I promise."

"Good." Bro gave a small smile and kissed Dave on the forehead, then started up the car and drove back home to the apartment. It was a silent drive back until Dave spoke.

"Bro?"

"Yeah, Dave?"

"I love you." Dave whispered.

"I love you too, lil'man."