The Prince and the Heir

====== Strife, the Determined Knight

It didn't bother Dave that Dirk was gay. It didn't even bother him that John, despite his claims to the contrary, was also gay. And really, he had no problem with the two of them dating one another. What did bother him was the fact that every time he looked at Dirk, he was immediately reminded of Bro.

It was disconcerting, to say the least.

Dave knew the truth, as did everyone else – that Dirk was Bro and Bro was Dirk. But at the same time they were entirely different people. The vast differences between them served as proof of that, which only made the similarities all the more jarring. More than once Dave had walked into the living room to find Dirk sitting on the couch with a needle and thread, repairing clothing for someone.

At Rose's advice, he'd tried to get to know Dirk a little better. He attempted pleasant conversations over breakfast, prodded along by Jane and Roxy. Terezi dragged him to a movie night with Dirk and John, but with all the attention on the TV screen there wasn't much socializing to be had. John had suggested video games one day, but one look at Dirk playing the glitchy-as-all-hell Doritos game almost brought a tear or two to his eyes and he had to excuse himself to go play music for the next three hours.

Others had tried as well. Clearly Rose had been working her magic on the whole group, determined to mend what never existed between them to begin with. There was nothing to fix. There was only something to build – slowly, delicately.

Dave knew exactly where to start. He'd known from the beginning, but with everyone else intervening he had to keep pushing back his own plans. Some things took planning. Even simple things.


It began with a simple message.

turntechGodhead [TG] began pestering timaeusTestified [TT]

TG: you

TG: me

TG: strife on the roof

TT: I accept your challenge.

turntechGodhead [TG] ceased pestering timaeusTestified [TT]


If anyone found it weird that the roof of the house was flat with a slightly raised wall, Dave didn't care. In fact, he couldn't be more pleased by it. It was like having his own little piece of home. Not to mention it was the perfect space for strifes, as he'd proven to Karkat on multiple occasions.

Dave stood to one side of the roof. Facing the door. Waiting. Broken sword in hand.

He wanted Dirk to see him coming. To give him a chance to defend himself before the true onslaught could begin. It was only fair.

A few minutes passed and at last the door opened. Sunlight glinted across Dirk's pointed shades as he stepped outside, katana clutched in one hand.

Dave shifted his stance and then darted forward, giving Dirk just enough time to react – testing him.

Their swords clanged together, the sound echoing in the distance, and then they sprang apart.

Dave smirked and saw Dirk do the same. And then their fight truly began. At last they'd found their common ground.