Dave found that nighttime was the best time to think. No one to bother you, nothing to distract you. He could barely sleep anyways, so it was an amazing way to pass the time.

The cool night breeze blew through his hair as he walked, the only thing lighting his path was the supposed he could just fly, but there was something grounding about the feeling of his feet hitting the ground. The constant movement of his legs reminded him that he was still real, that he was still alive. After everything that happened, he needed to feel human.

His brain shifted to the past, the day they started the game. God, they were just kids back then. If Dave went back in time and tried to tell his younger self the shit he'd have to put up with, the little shit would've laughed. Never, in Dave's wildest dreams, would he ever predict that this was how his life would turn out. So much had happened. They destroyed their planet, their home, and created a new universe. Now, they're all grown up. Dave tried his best to call this new planet home, but it still felt empty to him. In fact, he didn't see why he was the only one who felt that way. After all, the kids lost so much. Rose lost her mom, John lost his dad, Dave lost his bro.

Bro.

Thoughts of his guardian began invading his mind. Every day, Dave had to make a conscious effort not to think about him. Today the thoughts were especially persistent. Every hour or so something would remind him of the guardian, forcing him to banish the memories and shove them into that dark place in his mind even he was afraid to touch. They'd keep coming back, however. The tenacious thoughts always came back, overwhelming him and making his heart ache. Why today? Why did his brain want him to think about him today? Every flash of a smile, every pat on the head he'd ever received from his older brother, it all came back to him and remind him of the pang in his chest.

Which made him think, Why did his heart hurt? Dave tried to convince himself that the ache wasn't there, that every twinge and gnawing sensation was a fabrication in his own mind. His heart couldn't possibly hurt. He hated him. He hated him.. He hated...

"...Do I miss him...?" He finally mumbled.

"...No, that can't be it," He answered himself, "It cant be.."

After all, he tried to reason with himself, who could miss someone like that? The man made him terrified to walk around her own house. Because of him, he's terrified to fight. He's the one that made him afraid... and yet..

He sighed to himself, "It's normal, right? To miss him..?"

Who he was asking, he didn't know. However, he made himself a note to talk to rose about all of this: The missing, the pain, the flooding memories, the talking to himself. Everything. She'd know what this was about. She had a way with these types of things. However, the memories were unrelenting. They barraged him, the ache worsening with every thought. His pace quickened, as if he was trying to flee from his thoughts. Of course, he knew he couldn't, but he couldn't hurt to try. His hands went to his face, trying to refresh himself, trying to banish his brother from his brain.

"Stop thinking about it, stop thinking about it, stop thinking... stop it.. stop it!"

"Dave."

The knight froze, his eyes widening at he sound of the voice. The baritone rumbling in his throat, the authoritative manner, he knew it in an instant. However, the impossibility of the voice falling on his ears sent his mind racing. How could it be? He finally let himself breathe as he turned around.

"...Bro..?"