After careful consideration, I decided to write a DirkJake with an idea I've had for a while. I know there are literally a shit ton of demonstucks out there, so if there is any semblance to those, I apologize; it's entirely unintentional. Now, let's get started!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, but once my spell is complete…

Grand Entrance

It's a little strange, he thinks, to be sitting outside such a large structure, hands wrenching together in his lap with his legs jiggling in time to a rhythm no one can hear. Even he can't hear it, not really. It's just the never ending sound of his own nervousness pounding in his ears. It's a sound he never knew in his entire life until a few months ago, but now it's steadily getting louder and louder, drowning out his own thoughts with relentless intimidation. He hates himself for being so scared of- everything. It's definitely not the way he wants to feel, not now. He needs to be strong for himself, for her. But, he supposes, pressing his hands together so hard his joints pop, it's not like she'll recall his emotions either way.

Jake English isn't one for subtitles; never really saw the use in doing anything halfway. He's always dove headfirst into everything he's set out to do, as it was the way he was raised. His grandmother was always a headstrong woman, very set in her ways. Ways she later passed to him, and though their way of life was never what one might call conventional, he's never regretted a single day spent with her. His only regret might be not telling her so, but he hopes he'll get another chance. He could march back inside and tell her now, but it wouldn't make a difference. She's spent the last few weeks thinking he was a nice stranger. He's reintroduced himself every day, been told to walk on eggshells with her. He was told not to correct her delusions, not to instigate an emotional breakdown. He'd much rather walk inside and tell her he's her grandson, and he loves her, and he wants more than anything in the world for her to remember everything true and forget the poppycock that isn't- but he can't. He's going to have to learn to be more subtle.

Despite being raised on a desolate island in the Pacific Ocean, Jake was never very lonely growing up. He had his grandmother, though she was usually working on one of her newfangled inventions, little whimsical computers with odd special functions. Her specialty was placing computers in objects that had no use in the technology. He has fond memories of her programming his bicycle helmet to function as a hands-free device, capable of translating thoughts into text, but he also has the not so fond memory of tumbling down a steep hill, hitting his head on a large boulder and cracking the godforsaken thing. Afterwards, she'd thought better of the invention, and only made him computers that wouldn't cloud his vision.

Jake found companions in movies and books. His grandmother was busy, but never too busy to read to him. His favorites were her favorites, because they were the ones she most enjoyed reading aloud. He knew she had a soft spot for adventure books because he enjoyed them so much, and they both enjoyed reading about people who broke away from society to find a more meaningful existence elsewhere. She later told him that was why they lived so far away from everyone else. She wanted him to grow up to be only himself, no corruption, no lies. She asked him once if he resented her for it, but of course he never could. He'd never wanted to be anyone but himself, either.

Despite being so far from other people, Jake made a few friends using his various computers. He began referring to them as his lifeline, because as much as he loved their island and their unconventional way of life, he also began wondering how the other half lived. It was in one of the many chatrooms he joined that he made his lifelong friends, Jane Crocker, and Roxy Lalonde.

He found Roxy first, or rather, she found him. They struck up a conversation about something trivial, and soon were talking well into the night. She'd told him his way of speaking was different, fuckin' rad were her exact words, and she'd most definitely be talking to him again. The next time was with Jane. From talking to the two ladies, he learned that almost everyone had their own way of speaking. What was incredible to him was the fact that they were all main characters in their own stories, but supporting characters to each other. Roxy later told him he was too invested in fictional universes, but she was too, so it was okay. Apparently, she liked reading just as much as he did, though he had no clue what fanfiction actually was.

Both Jane and Roxy were completely shocked when he told them he lived on a desolate island with only his grandmother for company. He had a difficult time explaining the reasoning behind it, though Roxy said it only further explained why he was the way he was. He asked what she meant by that, but she only laughed at him, waving it off and changing the subject.

Jake entertained thoughts of going to visit his two gal pals many times, especially since they had the resources to leave any time they wanted. His grandmother used to work for the government, designing programs for them, and she was an extremely wealthy woman, capable of contacting anyone at any time to fly them to the states. Of course, he had concerns with leaving her alone even for a brief amount of time, so he would always push the idea of visiting the girls back in his mind, to be thought of at a later date.

Everything changed the day Jake walked in from his latest trek up the volcano to kiss his grandmother on the cheek, and she didn't know who he was. At first, he thought it was one of her jokes. She wasn't as interested in pranking as his dear friend, Jane, but she certainly had been known to plan out elaborate jokes at his expense. But the closer he looked at her, the less likely that seemed. She was genuinely afraid of him, as if he was a stranger, and for the first time in his life, that awful emotion called fear buried its way into his stomach.

He contacted Jane on the matter, assuming she would know what was going on. She informed him she wasn't a doctor or anything, but there was a disease called Alzheimer's that was known to debilitate one's memory. She didn't know whether or not there was a cure, but she did know there were places that specialized in the care for people such as his grandmother. Retirement homes, she called them. He didn't know anything about it, but she informed him there was a very nice one close to where she and Roxy lived.

GG: Maybe it's time to start venturing into the real world, Jake? You'll need help taking care of her, anyway!

In the weeks that followed, he began setting everything up to leave. His grandmother had her good days, days where she still knew who he was. He explained to her what was going on over and over again, but every time she would cry, and every time he wished he'd never said a word. Arrangements were made to pick the two of them up and fly them to the airport near Jane. He was to stay with them while he made sure his grandmother was comfortable, for however long he needed. He later learned there was no cure for the disease, but he hoped all the while a miracle would pass, and she would be herself again. As soon as he had the thought, she whispered against his shoulder on the plane ride.

"Do you think my pumpkins will be alright?"

"Yes, Gramma. I think they'll be splendid on their own."

Present day finds him outside the large building she's now living in, full of doctors and nurses. He'd stayed to help her get set up as best as he could, but he found himself in the way more often than not, too debilitated by the unfamiliar scents and sounds to assist. Everything is so new and foreign to him now. Jake finds himself jumping at every new sound he hears, which is every few seconds, it seems. Jane and Roxy are wonderful support, but he feels so alienated in his own mind half the time that he imagines he's back at home, living among the familiar flora and fauna. At home, where everything makes sense, and he's no coward.

He's sitting on a curb outside, facing the retirement home while fidgeting, too frightened to go back inside with the smell that burns his nose, but too unwilling to leave her alone. Jake remembers when she was strong, when her hand enveloped his and led him toward adventures they could share. He remembers hoping she'd never let go and leave him on his own. He wonders if she feels that way now, trapped inside her own mind. The thought causes tears to well in the corners of his eyes, and he hurriedly brushes them away to make the journey back to the girls' apartment. He's not doing any good here right now, and as much as he hates to admit it, he just wants to go inside and curl up near the television, maybe lose himself in a movie where the characters are his friends.

He's halfway through the walk home when his phone chimes, alerting him that Roxy is trying to contact him.

-tipsyGnostalgic [TG] began pestering golgothasTerror [GT] at 17:08-

TG: jakeyyyy

TG: jakey wakey eggs and bakey

GT: Hello there miss lalonde! I trust youre almost finished at work?

TG: you trust right mistur english

GT: Splendid! Shall i also assume jane and yourself are almost home?

TG: now u aint so right

TG: janes thinkin we should go out and get some preemo grubs and i think shes onto something

GT: Preemo grubs?

TG: fuckin class a food since today was such a hard day for you

GT: Im flattered but i think ive had all i can take of being around so many new things today!

TG: oh man ur like a wild animal

GT: I dont think so.

TG: no you rly are

TG: lmao ur like real life tarzen

TG: *zan

TG: hang on let me consult with the gf

GT: I daresay i have no idea what it is youre talking about roxy. And you always say im the one with the off kilter vocabulary!

TG: kk gf has spoken

TG: well come pick you up and get fast food or somethin

GT: Oh no dont let me spoil your dinner plans! I can find something to make on my own i assure you!

TG: jake

GT: Yes?

TG: jaaaaake

GT: …

TG: listen ta me

TG: r u listening?

GT: Yes?

TG: stfu

GT: Egad! Such vulgarity!

TG: were doin this and thats final so get ur fine ass ready for some dollar menu preemo grubz

GT: *shakes head* You ladies certainly spoil me.

TG: sure do :3

TG: where r u?

GT: Um. Outside a gigantic building that reads regions

TG: kk see ya in a few bb

-tipsyGnostalgic [TG] ceased pestering golgothasTerror [GT] at 17:17-

The building labeled "Regions" is ridiculously massive, seemingly stacked toward the sky. The largest structure he'd seen before was the volcano on the island, and he remembered trying to climb it when he was younger, thinking he'd be able to reach the moon if he tried hard enough. The volcano had been inviting in a way, a step toward reaching his goal. This monstrous building isn't inspiring anything aside from fear, and he hates the thought of having to wait here in front of all these cars and people. Shooting a quick message to Roxy, he journeys around the back, happy to find the cars are fewer.

Jake leans against a lamppost in front of a few cars and looks up. The sun is hidden behind the massive structure, but the sky looks the same as when he was home. The big difference comes at night when he can't see the stars for all the city lights, but during the day, he can pretend. He looks around and finds himself alone aside from a lone woman near the door, smoking a cigarette and playing on her phone. He's grateful she's far away from him so he won't have to offer idle conversation. He isn't exactly feeling sociable at the moment.

Jake's been waiting about five minutes when he hears a whooshing sound above, and his head snaps back to see where it's coming from. He barely catches a glimpse of a blurred object when it crashes down on top of the car he's standing in front of, echoing with a sickening screech of metal and the blaring sound of an alarm. Jake's ears are ringing, and his body is frozen in place despite his instincts telling him to abscond. His head whips around to the woman, but she's gone, presumably to get help. His legs are shaking so badly they're making it almost impossible to stand, but he bites his lip and urges himself to move, dammit, move. Stop being so fucking scared of everything and move!

Still trembling, he manages to push himself forward. The blurred object was actually a person, and is now mangled mass of limbs, body bent to odd angles. It's a man, he thinks, though the figure isn't facing him. His heart pounding in his ears, he moves to get a closer look at the man's face. He's never seen a person die before, but he's read about it and seen it in movies. This is a different experience entirely.

The person, definitely a man, is blond with pale skin. Triangular shaped sunglasses are perched on his face, blocking his face from Jake's sight. One of his arms is bent oddly, hanging off the side of the remains of the vehicle. Tentatively, Jake reaches out with a trembling hand to touch the man's arm, vaguely remembering he's supposed to check for a pulse, though he doubts there would be one. He's just making contact with the soft skin on the stranger's wrist when he hears footsteps running toward them.

"It's over here!" It's the woman from before, pulling a few security guards with her. Jake looks from them back to the stranger, but he's gone without a trace, the only indication of his presence being the remains of the car he landed on.

"It's certainly odd, I agree," Jane is saying as they walk back into the apartment, bag of BBQ sandwiches in hand. "I don't see how a person could walk away from such a thing unscathed."

"Coppers said there wasn't even blood on the car," Roxy says while waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Totes spooky."

Jake is uncharacteristically quiet, save for his polite laughter at his friends' antics. Jane is shooting him worried looks, but isn't pressing anything, which he's grateful for. He already feels like he's on the verge of a breakdown of some sort, and seeing a man kill himself and somehow walk away in the short time his head was turned really isn't helping matters.

"Well, the authorities will figure it out. You've already told them what you saw," Jane says, walking over to place a hand on his shoulder. "Didn't the woman see the man fall?"

"No, she was too far away. She just heard the impact," Jake says. "I'm the only one who saw."

"He probably limped to a bar, that's what I would've done," Roxy grins, only grinning wider when Jane tosses her a look of disdain. "Oh, c'mon, Janey. Don't be a tight ass."

"Nevertheless," Jane says with a pointed look, "I think after the day you've had, you might like to eat something, Jake."

"If it's alright with you ladies, I think I'd rather go to bed."

They both turn to look at him, but they don't say anything. Jane nods and lets him pass with nothing but a gentle pat on the back. He falls into bed fully clothed and exhausted, trying to think of anything but how the invisible stranger's skin felt. Jane and Roxy's hushed whispers follow him to sleep.

He wakes up to the sound of birds chirping, and for a moment, he thinks he's on his island. But he remembers when he sees the guest bedroom he's occupying, his clothes still in bags on the floor. Groaning, he rolls over to face the window, thinking he might catch a glimpse of whatever birds woke him up. Instead, he finds a man perched on the windowsill, blond hair gleaming in the sun, and triangle shades on his face.

With an undignified yelp, Jake rolls out of bed into the floor, looking up in horror at the man above him, a thousand questions running through his mind but not coming out. The stranger's mouth quirks into a grin, and then a golden eyebrow rises above the sunglasses.

"So you gonna invite me in, or what?"

Sachi: Review for love and a quicker update!