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You close your eyes and bury your face in your hands, pinching the bridge of your nose as you let out an exasperated sigh. He should've been here an hour ago... You don't even know why you try anymore. This was the third date in a row that ended in disappointment... You shake your head as you get up and shuffle up your porch and inside. Your dad smiles sadly at you and takes out a cake from the oven, "Didn't show up?"
You nod your head in the negative and sigh again.
Dad walks over to you and pulls you into a one-armed hug. "It's okay son," he says with a comforting voice. As he pulls away, he smiles at you again. "The cake's done... Want to help me decorate?"
You shake your head once more and smile back, "No thanks. I'm just gonna go upstairs."
He nods once and pats your back as you walk away. "Okay. I'll save you a slice then."
You slowly make your up to your room. Once there, you flop onto your bed and try to scream out your frustration, but all that comes out is a whimper at best. After a few minutes this way, you wipe the moisture from your eyes and reach for the laptop on your bedside. Might as well talk to someone and not let your Saturday night go to waste.
You open up pesterchum and sign in, but don't click on any of the many (seems like everyone was on tonight) colorful names just yet. But this doesn't matter, because soon, the little window is lighting up with a message from Rose.
– tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] –
TT: John, what are you doing back so early? I thought you had a date with Dave tonight.
EB: i thought so too. didn't show up though.
TT: Oh.
TT: Well, I am sorry to hear that. He seemed so excited earlier. Well, as excited as a Strider can get.
EB: i don't know...
EB: it's the third date in a row he hasn't showed up. i'm getting tired of being stood up like this.
TT: Well, considering how much it seemed like he was looking forward to your date, it seems unlikely that he would just bail on you. He probably has a good reason.
EB: i sure hope so...
You look at the screen longingly; you sure hope so.
Then the screen lights up again, but not with a message from Rose, it was a message from the least likely person to pester you.
– timeausTestified [TT] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] –
TT: Egbert.
EB: umm, hi?
TT: I was wondering if Dave happened to be with you.
EB: dave? sorry he's not.
TT: Hmm, okay. If he happens to show up, pester me.
TT: He hasn't come home since yesterday.
TT: I almost hate to admit it, but I am having un-ironic stirrings inside of me that resemble worry.
TT: He's never gone for this long before.
EB: oh.
You look guiltily at the screen, now lighting up with bright purple from Rose's messages. Dave hadn't been home? Why? Oh gog.
What if something bad happened to him?
You suddenly feel all of the anger and disappointment you had start to pool into a puddle of anxiety in your stomach.
EB: i'm sure he'll come back soon :)
– ectoBiologist [EB] ceased pestering timeausTestified [TT] –
You set your status to 'offline' on pesterchum and decide to spend the next few hours surfing through the wonders of the internet; until your head starts drooping and you can barely see straight. You shut down the computer and slip your glasses onto the side table along with said computer, and wriggle your way deeper under the covers. You would talk to Dave tomorrow.
...
You open your eyes and it is around noon. Groping around for your spectacles, you sit up and survey your room. Sunday morning. Ugh. The weekend was over and school would be back on for another dreadful week filled with homework and PE.
But at least you had at least one of your best friends in your class at all times... Then 5th period math which you all had together. That was definitely your favorite class.
You slip out of bed and stumble into the bathroom for a quick shower. You decide to quickly finish your weekend homework before you got back online once more.
...
"And... Done!" you lean back on your swively chair with a satisfied look. That took way too long. (A quick glance out the window confirmed that though- definitely late afternoon by now). But at least your homwork was done!
After a minute or two of well earned relaxation, you lean back forward and sign onto pesterchum. Almost instantly your screen lights up with orange text.
– timeausTestified [TT] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] –
TT: Is there any news from the kid yet?
TT: He still hasn't come home.
Your eyes widen at the text. Dave still hadn't come home?
The pool of anxiety in your stomach suddely pops back up and starts gnawing at your insides like a ravenous puddle of slime ghost ectoplasm.
EB: nope, nothing yet.
EB: maybe he got lost?
You know that was a dumb thing to suggest.
EB: maybe he just wants time alone?
There. That's more likely.
TT: The kid never stays out this long.
TT: He sulks for a while then comes back.
TT: It's always been like that.
You nod solemnly at the screen. He's right. You both knew Dave well enough to know that Bro was right. Dave was a little off sometimes, but he was definitely smart enough not to run away.
TT: I'm seriously starting to get concerned.
TT: I have to look out for my bro, don't I?
TT: If he's not here by tomorrow I'm looking for him.
– timeausTestified [TT] ceased pestering ectoBiologist [EB] –
You take a moment to shake off the shock, before opening up your long forgotten chat with Rose dating back to last night.
TT: John?
TT: Are you still here?
– ectoBiologist [EB] is now an idle chum! –
TT: Well, you're offline now. I look forward to talking to you tomorrow.
– tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering ectoBiologist [EB] –
Clicking on her chum handle, you start up a new log.
– ectoBiologist [EB] began pestering tentacleTherapist [TT] –
EB: sorry rose i logged off without warning you!
TT: It's fine. I could tell you had a lot on your mind. My brief conversation with Bro certainly helped clear things up.
TT: Is it true that Dave hasn't contacted anybody?
EB: yeah... i'm getting worried.
TT: I would suggest calling the police and putting up posters, but that seems like an effort of futility.
EB: yeah... bro said he'd look for dave if he's not at school tomorrow.
EB: i sure hope dave's at school tomorrow.
TT: Well I guess you'll find out tomorrow. You have second period PE with him tomorrow.
EB: right.
You yawn suddenly and look at the little clock in the corner of your screen. '8:33' it says.
EB: hey rose i'm gonna eat
EB: message you later :)
– ectoBiologist [EB] ceased pestering tentacleTherapist [TT] –
And with a heavy heart, you set your status to 'away' and close your laptop, heading down for dinner. Maybe when you get back, Dave will be online!
One can only hope.
The next morning, you find yourself unwilling to get up; so what's new? You drag yourself out of bed and into the shower. By the time you're all packed and your daily piece of toast is out of the toaster, you have just enough time to bike to school.
You walk to first period history and scan the classroom. Your heart skips a beat when you see a familiar shade of platinum blonde, but then it slows back down when you remember that it was Rose who had History with you.
"Hi Rose," you mumble as you take the seat next to her
She acknowledges your presence with a nod and a, "Good morning John, how are you?"
"A little worried... No word from Bro yet."
Rose hums and puts a stiff hand on your shoulder which you didn't even notice was shaking. "Calm down John. Dave is a big boy. He'll be all right." She smiles slightly and ruffles your hair.
You let out a shaky breath as the teacher gets up and starts the lesson for the day. Maybe she's right.
...
By the beginning of second period PE though, you know that it's just a pipe dream. Dave's not there.
The period passes you by like a blur, scenarios full of death and despair plague your mind as you run around the track and play some flag football. Next thing you know you're walking right into the closed door of your third period science classroom. Luckily though, Jade is there to catch you.
"Whoa there John!" she giggles. "You were headed straight for the door!"
You stare blankly at your cousin, and her smile falls, making way for a more confused look. "John? Are you all right?" she asks as she takes your elbow and guides you off to the side of the hallway.
You shake your head and sigh. "It's Dave."
Within a split-second, she gasps and all you can feel is her arms around you, a hand threading itself through your messy hair. "Shh, it's okay," she whispers. "Dave is..." she hesitates. "Dave is... He's... Iffy."
You push her away, "Iffy?" you ask.
"Well..." she bites her lip in a manner not unlike you. She sighs and looks you straight in the eye. "He's iffy right now," you open your mouth to protest, but she shooshes you first; "but he'll be okay. You're gonna see him soon. I promise."
With that, she puts her smile back on and guides you into the room. "Calm down John, let's get to class."
You've loved science for as long as you can remember- ever since you were a little baby Egbert bouncing around haphazardly on your Slime Ghost Pogo Ride. But today (surprise surprise)... Not even science could keep your attention.
Suddenly, a vibration from your pocket snaps you out of your reverie.
Sneaking the PDA out of your pocket, you open up the message.
Dirk S.: Get out of class. I'm coming to get you. Be out in 2.
You look up and around the classroom. The rest of the class is looking at the teacher, but Jade is looking at you smiling and nodding, as if she knew what the message said.
You raise your hand up tentatively and hope that the year you took Drama as an elective actually pays off.
"U-Um, Mister Nelson?" you ask in a voice much squeakier than you intended.
The man up front glances at a seating chart before answering, "Yes John?"
"M-May I be e-excused? I don't feel well.."
Fuckfuckfuck the whole class was looking at you! Maybe they weren't so easily fooled, but your teacher's nickname wasn't 'Naive Nelson' for nothing.
"Well... Fine." he signs a piece of paper and you quickly stuff your things into your bag before bolting out the door towards the office.
When you reach the entrance to the office, you head straight to the attendance lady, Miss Stephanie- a nice woman who was always to kind to you and the other students.
"M-Miss Stephanie!" you shout when you reach her desk.
"John!" she squeaks in surprise.
"M-Miss, I need to leave!"
She's quiet for a bit before sighing, "John, I'm sorry but I can't just let anyone leave school because they ask."
Your face drops and your eyes start to water, "Please.. It's an emergency! I- Dave- Bro- I- I-" soon you're stuttering so badly (hyperventilating a bit too) you can't even understand yourself.
She looks at you for a moment before putting a hand on your shoulder. "Shh John, calm down."
You groan, "That's the third time I've heard that today. No I will not calm down! I need to go! I need to..." you break down, letting out a dry sob. Gosh you were thankful that most of the staff was out to lunch right now.
She sighs once more and signs an piece of paper. "Fine. I'll let you go this once. But dear, please calm down."
You look up at her in surprise. "R-Really?"
"Yes. Now go, I think your getaway car is here."
And sure enough, the familiar sleek black motorcycle (dubbed the 'Strider Mobile' by Dave) is right outside. "Thank you so much Miss Stephanie!"
She chuckles, "Don't mention it."
You grab your fallen backpack and sprint out the door, catching a helmet that Dirk hands to you before hopping onto the back of the bike.
Throughout the ride, you bury your face into the back of his leather jacket and tighten your arms around the rock solid figure that is Dirk Strider. It's about five minutes in that you lift your head from its resting place and survey the area.
It isn't a place you see a lot, but you can just barely recognize it.
You two were heading to the hospital.
Your eyes widen as Dirk suddenly stops the vehicle near the emergency entrance and takes off his helmet, revealing a sullen expression before he flash steps away.
You look around wildly for him, and before you know it, there is a hand planted firmly on your shoulder. "Kid."
Oh. He must've flash-stepped back. "Bro!"
He doesn't respond, but motions for you to follow him, running in at a more human speed. You let him lead you into the chaotic building, filled with people of all ages being treated with various illnesses.
He takes you past them, expertly navigating the halls, various doorways and a staircase or two, until you arrive at a room with the numbers '413' printed on a little placard. Outside is a lady you don't recognize.
Dirk slows and stops to speak with the lady in a muted tone, but you can't hear a word they're saying. All you can focus on right now is the figure in the bed. You can only see the lower half of the person, and the sight just raises alarms in your mind. One leg, damaged in one way or another, is encased in a cast and raised up in a harness. Their other leg is covered with thick white blankets that show no shape or form... But you can just feel that it's your Dave under there.
You vaguely register the talking stop and Bro makes his way towards you, giving you a little nudge. You gulp and look at him with wide eyes as you step into the room.
Almost instantly you're overcome with the scent of antiseptic. You step closer to the bed, and push the curtain aside to reveal-
"D-Dave.." his name barely escapes your lips before you start tearing up. Just what happened to him?
Your eyes well up with tears as you look his blurry form up and down.
There's a bandage wrapped around his head, and without his sunglasses (probably broken somewhere), you can clearly see that he has a black eye. There's a metal thing on his nose- probably broken. His lips are chapped and split, and with his mouth slightly open, you can see that his front tooth has been chipped. You notice with a choked gasp that his neck is bruised... Like someone tried to choke him.
His arms, marred with scrapes and cuts (some bigger than others) are barely visible through the bandages that cover them. But the most prominent detail you notice are his wrists. Right where the bandages stop and before it reaches the point where he is hooked to an IV. Like his neck, they are badly bruised, and you could see a slight tinge of red around them, as if they were burned.
You're frozen, unable to take his badly injured hand in yours. You can't turn away and run out of the room. You can't even get on your knees and sob at his bedside.
But you're shocked out of your reverie by Bro, who once again puts a hand on your shoulder. "Kid."
You turn and see that he's not alone. That lady from before is with him.
"This is Melissa Jones. She's the one who... Found Dave," he says that last part with a little more force.
You turn to Melissa and take her hand, plastering the biggest smile you could on your face. It doesn't look too good. "Thank you Melissa," you say.
"Oh dear," she suddenly steps to hug you. "You poor boy I'm so sorry! I was positively shocked when I noticed someone in the alley next to my little shop."
Your eyes widen. "Alley?" Just what happened to Dave? It was at this point it occurred to you that you still don't know what happened in the first place!
"Oh..." Melissa pulls away and looks up at Bro, as if asking for permission to go on.
Bro shakes his head and steps forward, "Alley, John. Dave... Dave was beaten and raped on Saturday night. Melissa found him earlier today unconscious and just barely alive."
You can't believe the words that are coming out of Dirk's mouth. Dave? But... Aside from Bro himself, Dave was probably the person most capable of taking care of himself! "But-But that's impossible!" you stutter, trying to voice your thoughts. "Dave- Dave- he just isn't the type of person to be..."
"Caught off guard." was the only response.
Those two words hit you like one of Equius's punches. Your eyes are wide, and you tangle fingers into your hair, tugging painfully at it as you start pacing. "Off guard?" is your voice usually that squeaky?
You worry your bottom lip between under your buck teeth, and you hear ragged breathing. You find your way out and into the hall where your knees give our and you collapse against the wall. You pull your knees up against your body, as if you could just up and disappear if you curled up into a tight enough ball. Weak, dry sobs wrack through you, all the way to your very core.
This was all your fault.
Bro was there in a flash, asking you with his usual cool tone what was wrong.
"Everything," you answer. "T-This is all my fault!"
He sighs and rubs his eyes beneath his pointy shades. "Kid you know it's not."
"No Dirk, it is! I-I was so angry and disappointed in him when he di-didn't show up! I-I thought he blew me off! Jegus fuck, if I know what was happening..."
"But you didn't."
"Still!" you spit back, jumping up to your feet. "Oh gog," your legs are trembling again, and you cradle your head in your arms. "The date was all my idea..." you slowly look up at Bro, "Dave could've died."
Again, before you can react, you're up against the wall, and Bro is looking at you with the most menacing look you've ever seen. "Look here kid, you don't think I was scared? You don't think I expected to find his body lying around somewhere in a rotting heap of shit? You don't think I was expecting a call to identify a body?" His voice is getting higher and louder with each passing sentence. You're staring openmouthed at him now, unsure of how to respond. "You don't think I feel guilty too? He's- He's-"
Now you know you've fainted and this is all a dream. Striders. Don't. Stutter. Especially Dirk.
"-my brother. If anything happened to him..." he trails off, looking to the side, but quirks his head up towards the doorway to the room.
It's Melissa. She rubs her arm as she makes her way towards you two. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but you should keep it down. Dave is starting to wake up. The morphine is wearing off, and I would hate it if he woke up to you two fighting, so please."
The two of you nod and stand in silence for an unknown amount of time before you hear a quiet groan coming from inside the room. Melissa smartly steps aside before you and Bro can crash into her in your haste to get in.
You barely register her saying that she's gone to tell the nurses before you're at Dave's bedside, eyes welling up with tears once more. As you wait for him to fully awaken.
Soon, you see his less bruised eyelid flutter open, revealing a single blood red iris. His eyes are bloodshot, you notice.
"You okay Lil' Man?" Bro asks before you can open your mouth.
Dave rolls his eyes and puts up a broken smirk with his broken lips, "You're really asking that?" he asks, with a deadpan tone. But... There was something off. His voice was too... Broken.
He slowly turns to you with a sad smile, "Sorry I couldn't make it man. I got caught up in other stuff."
It's at this point that your knees decided to give out again. The dam brakes and you're kneeling at his bedside crying your eyes out. You feel a hand lightly combing through your hair, and you lift your head up, trying to hold back your pathetic sniffling. "Dave! I'm- I'm- I'm so- I'm so sorry!" you try and try to get the words out, but they end up caught in your throat and you end up choking on your words and stuttering them out.
"What're you sorry for?" he asks with that same broken voice.
"Because!" you practically shout. He flinches, and you plan on internally lecturing yourself on keeping your voice level later. "Because.." you repeat much more quietly, taking his injured hand in between both of yours. "It... It- It was all my fault. I asked you out! If I'd just suggested maybe an hour or two earlier, this... This wouldn't have happened."
You hear Dave sigh and you look up at him. "It's not your fault," he says. "It's all those bastards' faults for doing it in the first place." he grips your hand a little tighter, though his hand is shaking now.
You look up and into his eyes, "Dave..." you lean up to kiss him, but then he quickly turns away. You blink confusedly as you pull back. "Is something wrong?"
He sighs and shakes his head, "Sorry man.. It's not you. I just... I just can't do this."
You pull back, "Of course Dave, I understand." You go back to your original position, kneeling by his bed, and holding his hand. You rub circles into the back of his palm, humming quietly. "I'm so sorry Dave..."
"I told you there's nothing to be sorry about," he says with a slightly more firm voice.
"But-"
"No John." he pulls his hand a away and lightly glares at you. "Stop apologizing and stop blaming yourself."
You pout and look up at him again, "Fine then... So how're you doing?"
His glare eases up and he leans back, stifling a wince when he probably stretches a sore spot too much. "Oh you know, just chillin'. Nothin' new."
You let out a little snort and intertwine your fingers, "Just chillin?"
"You know it man."
You beam up at him. Suddenly, you hear footsteps coming closer. You turn, and it's Bro (since when did he leave the room? You didn't even notice.) coming in your direction with Melissa and another woman in green and white scrubs.
"Why, hello there Mister Strider! It's nice to see that you're awake!" the nurse steps forward as you let go of Dave's hand and move to the side. She immediately grabs the clipboard by his feet and begins checking the many machines at his bedside, jotting things down along the way. She finishes up quickly and smiles at Dave, "How are you feeling?"
You look at Dave, and his expression is impassive. He shrugs, "Good as I'll ever be like this I guess."
She giggles and smiles, "Well Mister Strider, you seem stable enough. We'll keep you here for two more nights on account of your leg, before we discharge you. But you'll be even better if you drink your apple juice!" she gestures to the container of amber liquid on the table. You reach out and hand it to Dave, who takes it eagerly.
"Well- I guess that's it for you, if the other Mister Strider and Mrs. Jones would step outside with me? There are a few people here from the station who asked to speak with you." She turns to Bro and Melissa who nod and follow her out.
You go back to Dave, who's still sipping on the juice, reminiscent of a child. "You'll be out of here by Wednesday... Are you going to spend the rest of the week at home?"
Dave nods. "Probably, yeah."
You nod too; "Okay, I'll get your homework to you then."
Dave rolls his eyes, "Really John, homework?"
You look at him incredulously, "Dave! You can't afford to miss any more English and History homework! You told me yourself tha-"
He holds one of his bandaged hands up weakly, and chuckles, voice just a little less scratchy now. "Fine Dad, I'll take your homework. Jegus man, I was just kidding!"
You stare on at him with the same look for a moment, before it melts into one of concern. "Dave... Please..."
Knock-knock-
The two of you snap your gazes to the door, slowly opening to reveal Rose and Jade.
"Rose? Jade? What are you two doing here?" you ask.
"Well- I called Jakey to pick me and Rose up because we wanted to check up on you, Dave!" Jade giggles as she grabs Rose's sleeve and skips forward, plopping down on a nearby chair.
"Hello brother," Rose says. "We stopped by the store and got you some," she places the picnic basket she was holding on Dave's bed and opens up the top, "apple juice, milk, oranges, et cetera, et cetera. Things that will help you heal faster."
Dave rolls his eyes at his sibling, "Thanks sis."
Rose smiles and takes a moves the basket to her lap, taking its place on the bed. "Don't mention it."
You look at the two girls in confusion, but shake it off. Best not to ask how they knew. Jade was usually pretty good at knowing stuff she shouldn't.
The door swings open again, and Jake walks in with Bro, hands tightly twined together. Making his way to Dave, you wave hello to your cousin and step back before he knocks you down.
"Dave!" he practically shouts, stopping right at the bedside. "Dear me, oh dear me..." he pauses, before shooting off round after round of questions: "Pray tell, how are you doing? Are you feeling well? Do tell if you aren't. How are you sleeping?" He pauses again, before finishing with an air of finality, "I promise you I will have my whole squadron working all hours to make sure that the men who did this to you are brought to justice!"
You see Bro give Dave a look of apology before pulling a struggling Jake away, "I'll calm him down," you hear him mumble.
Once your cousin is out of the room, you take a seat next to Dave, and you feel him snake an arm around your waist. "Sorry Dave, you know how he gets.. Really enthusiastic when it comes to the people he loves."
He chuckles, "Yeah, yeah I do. A little too well actually."
You look at him over your shoulder with yet another confused look.
"You hear things when you share an apartment with Bro," he states simply as if you were talking about the weather.
You stare at him wide-eyed while Jade turns around with a blush on her face, and Rose stifles a laugh.
"O-Oh."
The four of you sit in comfortable silence for a while. You lean back on the pillows and Dave rests his head on your shoulder and soon falls asleep; his arms still tightly wrapped around your torso.
After an unknown amount of time, there comes a knock on the door, and Melissa comes in. "Sorry to bother you kids, but lunch is almost over, and I need to open up my store..." she walks up to you and shakes your hand, "It was nice meeting you all, even though I'm sure we all would've preferred it to be under less unfortunate circumstances..." she trails off and puts a hand on the sleeping Dave's shoulder, "I hope you get better soon Dave," she whispers. "Do keep in touch. All of you are welcome to my bookstore whenever!" she smiles at you all before turning and leaving the room.
Daring to glance at your watch, it is revealed that it is almost 1 o'clock. You've been here for over two hours.
You glance at Rose and Jade, who are slowly getting up. "Umm, I'm gonna stay here for a while longer.. Mind getting our homework?"
Jade nods and pats your head, "Remember John, if you worry too much, it's not going to do either of you any good." she straightens up and twirls around, "We'll come back later!" she calls over her shoulder.
Rose quickly follows, giving you a quick wave before disappearing behind the door too.
A/N: This is actually… The fourth Homestuck fic I've started. One is either already up, or in the process of being put up (Mah first smut!), another is in progress, one has most likely been canceled, and another is in the brainstorming stage! This is the first fic I've done completely in 2nd Person PoV/present tense, and I hope it doesn't suck too bad! If I slipped up somewhere, message or review and I'll fix it right away!
Notes about family: Dirk, Dave and Rose are siblings. Rose and Mom stayed when Daddy Strider left with Bro and Dave. Bro eventually left with Dave... Yeah. Jake is Jade and John's older cousin. So... Those three are all cousins.
So—I think it goes without saying that Dave/John is my Homestuck OTP. Followed by SolKat and DirkJake. There are a others, but if I were to list out all the pairings I support, plus the other quadrants… Yeah.
Edit 5/30: More edits- mainly spelling.