watch?v=kI-09zY3GPA
Play this song when you get to the point in the story where it's used...Or not, whatever floats your boat.
/oneofmymanycanonvoicesforDave- /singingwisemorelike)
Soft footsteps echoed off the walls through the empty halls of Airess High, music sheets crinkling in pale hands. He needed to fix things between them; he couldn't take the strained tension that was brought between them just because he couldn't keep his hands off of John. He knew...He knows John isn't gay, but he kept on prying desperately onto him hoping for a miracle to happen. Look where that brought things.
Karkat had miraculously managed to convince John to meet up with "a person" again, it was a wonder how John could believe him after what happened back in December. Dave had to thank Karkat later for everything he's done for him and John.
"John..." he said softly.
He thought that this wouldn't interfere with their friendship. He had hoped that it was just a fling but he's 16! A fling doesn't last 9 fucking years! His eyes widened a fraction as he saw him...What was he to John now? Definitely no friend. Not anymore.
The two stood in front of each other in silence, air stilled as they made eye contact. Well, through Dave's eyes they do, John couldn't tell where Dave was looking through those dark pointed shades he used to wear before he ever met John. When things were just starting.
"John."
"Dave."
Their voices were weak, but they refused to show their guilt and sorrow. Dave looked down at his hands, the music sheets laid out a song he wanted John to play for him; if he'd even agree to do it. His red eyes glanced up at John who was fumbling with the hem of his shirt. John always did seem to need to hold something when he was nervous. It was a cute habit he had.
"Can you...Play this?" asked Dave as he handed over the pile of crinkled papers that were clutched between his hands.
Blue eyes looked at the sheets, hands reaching out slowly to grab them. He instinctively began to read the notes sprawled on the paper. There was no song title. Maybe this is one of Dave's songs, but why would he want John to play it? Usually his songs consisted of drums and beat boxing and...And...
"S...Sure...Dave." said John.
No movement was made between them for a solid minute before Dave took a deep breath in and stepped into the empty music classroom. Empty is an understatement because there, sitting in the center of the room, stood a sleek black piano. John's eyes widened with interest as he laid sight on it; Dave remembered that John plays the piano...
Fingers trailed over the black and white keys of the instrument, a soft note sung across the stilled room as a key was pressed down. Dave fidgeted next to the piano as he watched John admire his childhood hobby. How he allowed John slip away so easily...How he allowed to let himself slip away so easily.
"How do you want me to play this?" asked John.
The once pitched voice snapped Dave out of his trance as he looked at John who was now sitting down with the music sheets in place. How did he want this to be played out?
"Moderately Slow...If-If that makes sense." replied the blond. This song wasn't an original by him though, he'd get too emotional if he had John play an original by him for him.
There was a second pause before John nodded, placing his fingers on the designated keys. He counted softly before the song began. Dave listened carefully, the pace was perfect. He slowly walked behind John, staring down at his once best bro and current crush. The soft hum of the piano rang through the air as he prepared himself to sing; he took in a deep breath.
As the song progressed, thoughts zoomed through John's train of thoughts. He thought Dave hated him. What he did to Dave is unforgivable! He broke his heart in the worst way possible and pushed him to reveal one of his biggest anxiety triggers. Guilt loomed over him, but it wasn't until the sudden voice from Dave snapped him out of it.
"I still hear your voice when you sleep next to me. I still feel your touch in my dreams..."
What...What is this? Is Dave genuinely singing!? No rapping? No rambling, no beat boxing? And this song...He was too caught up in his thoughts to even realize how different it is from Dave's usual style of music. It wasn't even an original either-
"Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why, without you it's hard to survive.
'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling, and every time we kiss, I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side."
The dark haired male's cheeks began to redden. Even after all he said and made him reveal...Dave still loves him? Is this what he's trying to say? His breaths were shaky as he tried to focus more on the instrumental, but the words...Even if they're not his they were really getting at him.
"'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static and every time we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you feel my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life."
Dave began to walk around the piano, eyes trying to avoid the figure sitting playing the instrumental for the song. He had a feeling doing this was a terrible idea, but he couldn't let go of John. 9 years of crushing and falling in love with him every waking day is not going to go to go away so quickly, and it's not going to go to waste...At least not yet.
" Your arms are my castle, your heart is my sky. They wipe away tears that I cry.
Whoa oh the good and the bad times, we've been through them all.
You make me rise when I fall."
"They're already starting!" whispered Jade as she hurried down the hall as quietly as she could. Karkat, Rose and Kanaya followed the peppy girl down to the room where the two tense lovers were in at the moment. The four had helped Dave into going through with this and John into going to meet up with Dave. Karkat was especially happy this was working out so well.
"Dave has some amazing vocals Rose." commented Kanaya.
"If only he'd use them more for actual singing than rapping he may be going somewhere." said Rose as they approached the door.
" 'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling and every time we kiss, I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static and every time we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you feel my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life."
John's hands were now shaking as they played the notes that are written on the papers. It was becoming too much, his heart swelled as he listened to Dave; memories spewing from the back of his mind making a movie made up of clips of the happy moments they've had together. Some moments had obvious signs of romantic interest in which he wanted to slap himself in the face for not realizing it.
Dave was pacing back and forth behind John singing still. He was ready to make a dash out of the door once he was done, but his body had other plans for him. The albino walked up behind John and took a seat next to him facing the opposite wall instead of the piano. He hesitantly took off his shades and turned to face John, placing his hand on the bench on both sides of him to keep himself grounded on the spot. He wasn't backing out.
" 'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling and every time we kiss, I swear I could fly."
A shock of surprise went through Dave as John joined him in on those two lines of the song. Did it mean something? Or was he reading too much into it?
"Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static and every time we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you feel my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life."
There was a three second pause. And during those three seconds, John turned to look at Dave, making eye contact. A hand went to gently rest on top of Dave's. This next course of action changed everything.
John, with his fingers pressing down on the keys, moved in towards Dave and pecked his cheek.
Dave's pale cheeks reddened as he stared at John with disbelief. Did he really...Did John really just kiss him on the cheek? His hand rose to caress the spot where the feeling of John's lips still tingled; John stayed quiet as he stared up at Dave.
"Dave..." said John softly, "I'm...I'm sorry for what I did...I didn't know about your eyes and it wasn't my place to even say that you were embarrassing me...It was inconsiderate of your feelings, especially since I know how things at home are for you."
"John.." trailed Dave.
"I was just so confused and I didn't understand anything. I was too embarrassed to ask my dad or anyone for the matter." continued John, "I feel so guilty for lashing out at you and...For causing this wreck in our friendship-"
"I forgive you John." interrupted Dave.
John looked up at Dave with surprise; Dave really forgives him? For what he's done. He pressed his lips together and tilted his head downwards. Dave's forgiveness was a relief, but he didn't feel like he deserved it.
Dave gently set his hand atop of John's as he cautiously leaned in to rest their foreheads together, "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable. I knew you weren't gay, and you told me repeatedly, yet I still went out of my way to show you that I love you-"
"But I was the one who never noticed!-"
"I am the one who should have never forced you into this."
The burning sensation of tears burnt behinds John's eyes as he stared up into the flames of what are Dave's eyes. Dave is taking the blame and responsibility for everything even though this is his fault entirely. John closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Dave; the blond widening his eyes as he was caught off guard.
"I want to be friends again."
Friends. The cursed word.
"We never stopped being friends dude." he said as his arms wrapped around John.
"We'll always stay friends."
A pair of red converse and black flats moved in sync together on the sidewalk; the two half siblings were walk home together in silence. Dave stared at the ground as Rose gazed at him. They had met up right after Dave and John had their moment together and parted ways, saying nothing as they immediately started their walk. Dave needed time to think; Rose needed time to analyze.
"Will you be happy as always staying friends?" asked Rose.
Dave glanced over at his sister, she always loves to get on her therapist mode when talking to him about such matters. He was kind of glad she was though, if she wasn't, he didn't know how he'd manage things on his own without being able to comfortably vent and get advice directly back. He pursed his lips as he thought back.
"Well David?"
He may never love another after John if he chose to try to get over him...There was a high chance that he'd only ever love John for as he could breath.
"Couldn't you tell?" he said with a slight pained laugh, "We'll always ironically stay friends."
Rose stared at her brother before sighing, a brief laugh escaping her lips after as she placed her hand on Dave's shoulder. This time it was she that needed to be the rock that held the bridge. She looked at the albino.
"Dave, you still have another gift to open and use," she said, "And I'm positive that will win the heart of your John if you know how to approach it."
"You sure about that?" questioned Dave, flickering his eyes over at her.
"I am...Trust me, this is something only you can do in your own way. Do it how Striders do it, yes." smiled Rose.
A small smile curled up on Dave's lips as he chuckled, his first real laugh in a very long time.
"Yeah...Striders gotta do what Striders gotta do."
(I apologize if the jump cut from last chapter to this chapter was really sudden, but I didn't want to waste any more time on extra chapters. I know you all wanted to get straight to the point ^^)