Helloooooooo! We're moving so fast on this story! (which is my fault, but hey, shit happens. Last chapter had the most reviews of any chapter! Well, Gamzee VS dangerous thugs is a pretty good reason to review! With that said, I don't have much to babble about now, so we'll get onto your love! Kira- Lime Orijima, *sigh* you and your alternative universes. Yes, sexy time! (Also your questions on Tumblr are fun, but I have no clue why you go anon to post them! Kerra-Chan, right? He's so badass. Rai Rai Blue, cuddly drunk John is pretty wonderful! I imagine Gamzee to be an excellent driver. I have a friend like him who drives very well when high as hell. Glad you liked it! GodlyTsundereLeo, paps make everything better! It's just Nic Cage's face. I can't look at him. He's just too…camel-looking. And his voice makes me wanna punch him. He might be a good actor, I just can't watch him. luckycat22, they ARE cute! Gamzee is super boss, yo. Yes, hug bumps ftw! darkestlight96, ahhh, so glad you liked it! It means a ton! lovemahBF, hahaha, yay, you were happy with it! I try to install feels in people, you know. So mission accomplished! ArtsyreaderVOI, *accepts hug bump* YES. I love YOU! yueyo, I'm grateful for any review you can give me! Thank you so much! Scone, you reviewed so much! I'm glad you seem to like it! ;D Phia-chan, Oh. My. Lawdy. THANK YOU SO FUCKING MUCH! I try so hard to keep them all IC, and just, thank you! Guest, YAAAAY, THANK YOU! Shikuro-Chan, ah, that fic was accidentally stumbled upon, but I'll try to find it! I'm glad you liked it! Tsuki-shinigi09, fluff is totally necessary! I'm so glad you're having fun with it! They're so fun to write! THANK YOOOOU! X3 Now enough of my rambles! ON with the story!

Confession 10: I'm bad at these confessions.

If the Moon Fell Down Tonight

(Dear Juliet)

[Every time I see your smile, it makes my heart beat fast. And though it's much too soon to tell, I'm hoping this will last. 'Cause I just always wanna have you right here by my side. The future's near, but never certain, at least stay here for just tonight. I must've done something right to deserve you in my life. I must've done something right along the way.]

You try to be John Egbert, but quickly discover he's too busy being unconscious. So just like that, you're Dave Strider again, and you're currently hauling your best bro up to his apartment, which is easier said than done, since he's acting like a dead weight.

Gamzee had driven to his and Karkat's apartment, and carried the sleeping store manager in the very same way you're doing now for Egbert, pausing only to tell you how to get back to the main road, which would lead to John's building. You followed his directions, laughing slightly to yourself about just how focused a half-baked juggalo could be. Luckily, the drive home was short, because you're pretty fucking tired, and John's pretty fucking gone.

Once inside, you carry him to his bed, dropping him in the sheets and undressing him the same as you did the first night. You set his glasses on his bedside table, as well as his phone, which you plug in for him, before tucking him in the blankets like some kind of parental figure. It'd be something you might find humorous if you weren't currently exhausted. For whatever reason, you couldn't sleep in the car. Maybe it's because some part of you just had to make sure Egbert got home safe and sound. And now that he is, the exhaustion is crashing over you in waves.

You're tempted to crawl in the bed beside John, but think better of it. When he wakes up, he's more than likely not going to remember the adventure you had the night before, or at least not for a bit. You don't want him to start freaking out before his day's even started. He's already going to be hungover as hell, and that's going to be enough. He mumbles sleepily from the corner, and you glance over to see him nuzzling against the pillow. Could he be any more goddamn cute? No, you answer yourself. No, he couldn't.

You pull your jeans off, which land with a loud thump on the ground due to the added weight of your wallet, and take both your shirts off. You're tired, dammit, and you're going to be comfortable. Daylight is streaming through the window by his bed through the blinds, and you know you've been awake for a long time, but as soon as your back hits the couch, you find yourself unable to sleep. This happens to you sometimes, but it's always a bitch to deal with. You simply have to wait until the exhaustion takes over again, but that could take a while. Thus, you pull out your phone to pass the time, and go fuckin' figure, you have a pester.

-tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 06:47-

TT: I'm going to take a moment to be absolutely serious with you, Dave, and I hope you appreciate my innate ability to hereby abandon all sarcastic remarks and intellectually stimulating responses, that I simply adore throwing at you, in favor of telling you this.

TT: You and John are absolutely adorable in that picture.

TT: As a matter of fact, I've never seen you so happy in a picture. I was under the impression smiling was physically impossible for you, but low and behold, you're smiling at the camera like you've done it in every picture you've ever taken. I hope you realize just how many volumes that simple photograph told me. If I was ever having doubts about this whole thing, which I was not, I would be certain to tell you now, in absolute confidence, that you are both perfect for each other.

TG: okay first of all why the fuck are you awake right now

TT: Remember that it's three hours ahead of you here, Dave, and I woke up early to drive Kanaya to work. Her car is having some issues and all I'm doing today is examining patient's charts until this afternoon.

TG: second of all i know were pretty fucking cute together

TG: lemme ask you something

TG: in all your crazy therapeutic mumbo jumbo

TG: do you think its wrong to kiss someone while theyre drunk and wont remember the next day

TT: Not always. Was it a simple kiss?

TG: very

TT: Did he kiss you back?

TG: yeah

TT: Did you use tongue?

TG: rose jesus fuck answer my goddamn question and stop fangirling

TT: No, Dave. I think you're fine. John isn't the type to get mad over things like that. Plus, something tells me he'll want a kiss or two when he's sober as well.

TG: id

TG: be pretty cool with that

TT: I'm sure. Now I'll leave you to get some sleep, as I'm sure you're exhausted, and you have a long day ahead of you.

TG: night

TT: Good luck.

-tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 07:12-

Your messages from Jade are still the old ones from last night that she sent you while you were playing. Most of them are all capitalized, and it reminds you briefly of talking with Karkat, ranging from sweet little, dave, john is wasted! to HOW COULD YOU LET HIM DRINK SO MUCH HES JUST A BABY! You can't help but laugh at that one. Harley seems to think of all of you that way. You told her you were drinking once and she started sending you pictures of diseased livers and kidneys. Poor John will be in for a lecture later.

You restlessly hold your phone in your hand as if there's something else you're supposed to do before you can sleep. Your thumb slides the screen to unlock it, and you're greeted with the picture of you and John you sent to Rose and Jade. His head on your shoulder, lips still a little swollen from the injury, hair everywhere and serene expression. And you- Rose was right- you do look happy. Even if your smile is more of a smirk than anything else, you can see it in your face, because, of course, you know yourself better than anyone knows you. It's just the way he's so comfortable with you, and you with him. And to think, that all could've ended if not for Gamzee.

No. No, you're not supposed to think of that. You had thanked him for his help as sincerely as you could, but he told you not to worry about it. Apparently it was miracles that saved you, because he just knew to turn back even before John screamed. You shouldn't thank him for a miracle, he said, because he wasn't the one responsible.

Still, you had thanked him nonetheless, because if not for him, you don't know what might've happened. And with that thought in mind, you realize exactly why you're holding your phone in your hand still. You have another crazy person to thank for your safety tonight, even if he's only going to be a dick about it.

-turntechGodhead [TG] began pestering timaeusTestified [TT] at 07:20-

TG: so look

TG: i had a crazy night like you wouldnt believe and some shit went down

TG: and after its all said and done i just have one thing to say to you and its seriously probably the only unironic and completely serious thing ill ever say to you

TG: thanks

TG: and im not gonna elaborate so dont bother asking why

TG: just thanks

TT: I wasn't going to ask why.

TT: And you're welcome, at the risk of also sounding unironic.

TG: do you ever fucking sleep

TT: I was about to ask you the same thing. You should know I'm awake right now because Jake likes to make me breakfast even though he's not very good at it.

TG: didnt he light your oven on fire last time

TT: Microwave. And yes. He put foil in it.

TG: and youre letting him try again

TG: you must be a saint

TT: No. It just makes him happy.

TG: do you actually eat it

TT: Depends on exactly how burnt it is. Now, little bro, I know you've been up all night like some teenage rebellious wild child. Don't you think it's about time to sleep?

TG: im an adult dirk

TG: i decide when to sleep

TT: Are we going to have a repeat of the Smuppet down the pants incident? Because I never got pictures last time.

TG: and this is the part where i start hating you again

TG: go eat your burnt breakfast

TG: and we never had this conversation

TT: Right.

TT: Go to sleep.

-timaeusTestified [TT] ceased pestering turntechGodhead [TG] at 07: 32-

Finally, you place your phone on the table, connecting it to your charger. One thing about Dirk you always admired was that he never really asked questions, because sometimes it's more natural not to speak.

"Dave?" a soft voice calls from the corner. You sit up to observe John facing you, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. Once his gaze settles on you, he frowns like he doesn't understand something. "Why are you over there?"

"I was gonna sleep, dude. Isn't that what you're trying to do?" you say.

His frown deepens, and he flops back in the sheets, patting them and making an agitated sound like he doesn't believe he has to do this. "Come over hereeeee."

You stay where you are for a second, wondering if he's still drunk, until his hand starts hitting the bed with more force, and inspires you to move a little faster. You shuffle over to the bed, crawling beside him, but keeping distance, testing him. You want to make sure he initiates everything this time, because you aren't sure how sober he is yet. His blue eyes observe you for a moment, before he closes them, and moves toward you, nuzzling in your chest, and you've never been more grateful to sleep shirtless as his hands rub circles in your back and his breath splays across your chest.

"John," you say quietly.

"Mmm?"

"I love you." You feel like this might be your last chance to tell him. Once the sun is all the way in the sky, and he's completely sober again, who knows what might happen? Maybe this night was all you had. And if he doesn't remember any of it, you hope he'll at least remember this part of it. Because once everything is said and done, you don't know if you'll be able to tell him again.

You feel his lips curve upwards at the corners as he kisses your neck. "Love you too."

And you finally drift into a peaceful sleep, uneasy thoughts left behind for now.

You're John Egbert, and the sun needs to fucking explode.

At first, you thought it was just a headache. But then, you uncovered your head from the blankets, and were literally punched in the face by the light streaming in your apartment. You had covered your head again as quickly as you could, and buried closer to whatever warmth it was wrapped around you. And then you realized the warmth was moving.

Uncovering your head and wincing again, you find yourself face to face with Dave Strider, who is sleeping beside you completely unfazed and natural. You blush when you realize he's only wearing boxers, and can't stop your eyes from raking down his torso. So those freckles do trail down past his face… They're not very noticeable unless he stays in the sun too much. Right now they're barely there, tempting you to trace them with your fingers and feel the soft skin underneath. And you do, feeling a bit depraved as your pointer finger brushes a line from his collarbone to his ribcage and then back up, eyes never leaving his face. He stays asleep, only twitching a bit when your fingers move past his nipple, a soft sigh breathing through his lips.

What the fuck happened last night? You remember seeing Dave play; he was amazing. You remember talking to Jade briefly before being interrupted by Gamzee and Karkat, who bought you drinks and taught you how many things could be mixed with tequila. And after that, everything is a blur that only makes your head hurt worse the more you try and remember. Things must have ended on good terms though, if Dave's sleeping half-naked in your bed. You're pretty sure nothing happened between the two of you, because you like to think some certain…parts of you would be sore if it had, or that you would at least remember something like that.

You roll over to reach for your phone, which you discover Dave plugged in for you. He mumbles as you move around, and shifts to wrap his arms around your waist, pulling your back against his chest. He's fucking spooning you. Who knew Striders were this cuddly? You idly wonder if his brother is the same way, before you discover your phone is blown up from pesters, starting around the time you blacked out last night.

-gardenGnostic [GG] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 23:20-

GG: are you really drunk? :(

GG: dave isnt answering his phone either so i hope hes watching you

GG: and what was with those honks?

GG: JOHN!

GG: at least tell me youre okay! im worried!

GG: you are in for such a lecture tomorrow.

GG: DX

-gardenGnostic [GG] ceased pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 12:05-

-tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 23:47-

TT: John, is there a particular reason Jade is blowing up my account about how much she wants to punch you and Dave in the face?

TT: She's informed me that you're drinking. It's very, very late here, and I think she forgets sometimes that I have to be awake early.

TT: I hope you're being careful at the very least. Because tomorrow you're going to be in for a Harley rant, which I have found to dread more than a Strider one.

TT: And I might join her, because this is unlike you, and it's because of you that she woke me up.

-tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 23:53-

-terminallyCarpricious [TC] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 14:04-

TC: ArE yOu Up AnD aBoUt YeT mY bRoThEr?

TC: KaRbRo WaNtS tO kNoW iF yOu WiLl OpEn ThE sToRe FoR hIm At 6.

TC: He'S sIcK aS a MoThErFuCkEr. PoOr GuY hAs No ToLeRaNcE. lEt Me KnOw!

TC: HoNk :O)

-terminallyCarpricious [TC] ceased pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 14:07-

-carcinoGeneticist [CG] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 15:53-

CG: EGBERT

CG: NEVER ARE WE HAVING A REPEAT OF LAST NIGHT.

CG: I WOKE UP AND FELT LIKE I VOMITED ALL OF MY INTERNAL ORGANS INTO THE FLOOR AND ROLLED AROUND IN THEM. LITERALLY JUST LAYED THERE AND WANTED TO DIE UNTIL GAMZEE CAME IN AND FORCED ME TO DRINK GATORADE AND TAKE PILLS. SO YOU NEED TO DO THAT IF YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY I DID BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY HELPS.

CG: THEN AGAIN LEAVE IT TO A DRUGGED UP CLOWN TO KNOW HOW TO CURE A HANGOVER.

CG: WHAT THE HELL WERE WE THINKING LAST NIGHT. I WANT TO PUNCH PAST ME IN THE FACE. STUPID LITTLE SMUG FUCKER. WE WERE CLEARLY NOT USING OUR THINKPANS RIGHT.

CG: WE STILL HAVE TO WORK THOUGH. IT'S NON-NEGOTIABLE. SO IF YOU OPEN THE STORE FOR ME, I WILL MEET YOU THERE AS SOON AS I CAN. WE'RE STILL IN SEATTLE RIGHT NOW TO PICK UP MY CAR AND I'M AFRAID WE MIGHT NOT BE BACK IN TIME.

CG: I MIGHT LET YOU HAVE ANOTHER DAY OFF IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS FAVOR. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE DOING ANYTHING IMPORTANT ANYWAY, YOU NOOKWHIFFING SNARKSACK.

CG: MESSAGE ME BACK OR I'LL CALL YOU. AND YOU DO NOT WANT TO HEAR SCREAMING WHILE HUNG-OVER. TRUST ME.

-carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased pestering ectoBiologist [EB] at 16:07-

You groan at all the missed messages, which ended around four. It's already almost five, and you're supposed to be at the store in a little under an hour. Seriously, what the fuck happened last night? Why did they have to go back to Seattle to get Karkat's car? …Hehehe…CARKat. Wait, no, stop that, you need to drink something to help cure this hangover. Shooting Karkat a quick response saying you will open for him, you shuffle out of the bed, careful to avoid rousing Dave by quickly shoving your pillow in his grasp. He wraps around it instead, burying his face under the sheets. Your heart swells for a second, before a throbbing in your head reminds you of the task at hand. Man, you're really unorganized today.

Moving to the sink, you reach for a glass in the cabinet above and let the water fill it, before you start guzzling it down like you never have before. Jesus, you're thirsty. You can't recall the last time tap water tasted so good. And you don't even like water. Maybe you'll stop and get a Gatorade on the way to work, since Karkat said it helps. Oh, and Aspirin. Yeah, you'll definitely have to stop and get that. Ugh, you can't just sit here all day and think of what you have to do later. First things first. You need a shower. Why is the bathroom across the room? You consider crawling to it, but rethink this idea because with your luck, Dave would wake up and be witness to this. Walking is just hard right now. So is standing, for that matter.

Yeah, you decide once you're actually in the bathroom, you're sitting in the shower. Is there a rule that you have to stand in the shower? No, you don't think so. And even if there was, you'd totally break it right now because sitting down makes your head not spin as much. The hot water makes everything better, at least for a little bit. Now that you're able to think a little more clearly, you immediately revert back to trying to remember the night before.

Okay, think John, think.

You were drinking, obviously. Okay, yeah, you remember Karkat trying to drink you under the table against Gamzee's better judgment, and you remember he did beat you, because your throat was burning way too much to keep drinking tequila. You recall not liking that particular drink, no matter what girly, fruity thing they mixed it with, so Roxy had gotten you a beer instead, which didn't taste much better, but at least it didn't burn. No wonder Karkat was hungover worse than you. He drank way more than you did.

You remember Gamzee sitting in your lap to keep you on the barstool, because you wanted to dance, but couldn't stand up straight. Ugh, not your best moment, you admit. You wish that could've been something you didn't remember.

Laughing with them…messaging Jade. Oh, man, you drunk messaged Jade. You remember being proud of yourself for being able to use your Pesterchum app even though it was hard to hit the right keys. Then Gamzee had taken it from you. Well, that explains the 'honks' she was talking about. Karkat was cackling louder than you had ever him before…Gamzee was lecturing both of you on the mirthful messiahs who would grant you miracles if you believed in them, Dave came off the stage and you tackled him because you wanted to tell him you loved him-

Shit.

No, more than shit. Holy fucking shit.

Okay, okay, that's fine, calm down. Try to remember what happened after that. So you were with all of them and Gamzee wanted pie, so you left. Right, you remember walking to IHOP. Dave held your hand the whole way. You can't remember anything that happened at IHOP though. You remember pancakes, but that's about it.

Alright, so you left the restaurant…you were hanging off Dave because he was letting you…and then you were talking about him leaving soon. Your eyes widen as you recall the small kiss he placed on your lips, a heat rising in your body that's not related at all to the hot water pouring over you as you raise your fingers to your lips. You can't remember much dialogue, but you remember how his lips felt against yours. You'd had to stand on your toes to kiss him back.

Your body stiffens as your finger traces along a small gash in the corner of your bottom lip. It hurts a bit, and the realization of how you obtained it makes a shiver run through you. Those guys, those gay bashing thugs. You remember Dave protecting you, and you doing your best to help him. And then Gamzee, fuck, Gamzee. You're baking him a cake. A big fucking 'thank you for saving our asses' cake. You don't even care that you don't like cake. You'll bake it for him.

As you're sitting in the shower thinking about all of the overwhelming events of the night before, you find yourself cascaded with an icy feeling as the water turns cold. You've been in the shower too long, and you didn't even wash off yet, so you're forced to apply shampoo at record speed and wash yourself off in cold water. You can't help but hope that Dave is still asleep, because you have so much to talk to him about, but no time to do it in. You have to go to work.

You open the bathroom door, poking your head out. Dave is still asleep, snoring lightly in his blanket fortress. You can make out the blonde tresses folded over the pillows. Sneaking over to the bed, you unplug your phone and put it in your pocket after checking the time. You're running a bit late, but it's not like it matters as long as you're there before Karkat is. It seems rude to just leave before Dave wakes up. Somehow, after last night, even though most of it's still a blur, you feel wrong trying to sneak out. So you lean over him in the bed and shake him lightly until his crimson eyes focus on you wearily, peeking out from under the blankets.

"Sorry," you whisper quietly, mindful that he might be hungover as well. "I've gotta go to work until midnight again. Just wanted to say bye."

He blinks up at you, one of his hands moving up to brush against your face and trail along the cut in your lip.

"Still hurt?" he asks.

"Nah. Just stings a bit. How's your arm?" You uncover his arm and look at the deep cut there. "You didn't bandage it? Dave! God, you're a dweeb." You run to the bathroom again to get the gauze you keep in the medicine cabinet, since you injure yourself a lot. He keeps a steady gaze on you while you wrap his cut up, secretly thankful it didn't bleed on your sheets. Blood is a bitch to clean.

"So you remember how we got hurt, right?" he asks warily. You nod, still keeping your eyes trained on your work. "And, uh, do you remember last night?"

"Yeah," you say quietly. "My head hurts."

"Hungover?"

"Like a bitch."

"John-"

"I know, Dave," you say, finally looking into his eyes. His brows are furrowed as he observes you, but his mouth snaps shut at your admission. "I know we need to talk. But I have to go to work now and- I wanna make sure everything gets said that needs to be said. So we don't need to get into this now."

His face is unreadable, but his eyes seem to widen for a second, which you would have missed if you weren't so close to him. He looks away from you, sinking back in the covers. "Oh, that's cool. You better hurry then. I don't want you to be late because of me."

You sigh at his stubbornness, whispering "fuck it" quietly to yourself before leaning down and kissing him briefly- just a gentle touch of lips- and pulling away quickly so you can leave while he's frozen in place, staring up at you, completely wordless for once. You smile at him as you walk to the door, and laugh a little as his face breaks into a grin too- not a smirk- a real grin.

"And what am I s'posed to do while you're off peddling comic books?" he asks, his usual snarkiness back in his tone. "And it's hard to register a kiss from you without syrup all over you, doll."

"Shut up, you prick. And I guess you can sleep and not go through my things, sweetie." He grins again as you exit the apartment, secretly squealing in your hands like a fangirl at the simple exchange and grateful he can't hear it through the door.

As it turns out, Karkat was right, the Gatorade helped a ton, but you think it was the four Aspirin you swallowed that got rid of the banging in your head. Your boss and co-worker turned up about an hour after you opened the store, Karkat giving you a sour look before walking into his office, and Gamzee coming to stand beside you at the counter.

"Who punched his cat in the face?" you ask, craning your head to make sure Karkat can't see you.

"He's still all up and irritable," Gamzee says. "Dude's got road rage like you wouldn't believe, and some motherfucker cut him off on the Interstate. I was behind him and I could hear the screams from his car window."

"Damn. How come you're not hungover?"

"I'm always wasted."

"Oh. Right."

"So what's up with you and that Strider motherfucker? You seemed pretty into him last night," Gamzee grins up at you, leaning on the counter.
"Ugh, don't mention how I acted last night. I don't remember everything, but I know I was being ridiculous," you sigh.

"Nah, my brother, you were drunk. And that was my bad anyway, I shouldn't have gotten you all those motherfuckin' drinks. 'Sides, Strider didn't seem to mind all that much."

"Yeah, we're- I don't know what we're doing, really. I mean, he's my best friend, and I'm probably in love with him, but he- he lives across the country from me, Gamzee. Even if we have a long-distance thing, he'd find someone else in Texas and I'd be stuck here and…shit. I don't know. There's too much to think about."

"You're just overthinking it. Want a Faygo?"

"…Actually, yeah. Get me one. We'll slam them together if you think it'll make me feel better about all this."

"That's what I motherfuckin' wanted to hear, my brother."

You spend the rest of your shift talking to Gamzee and messaging apologies to Rose and Jade. Rose accepts immediately and begins asking about your growing relationship (?) with Dave, but Jade lectures you on the effects of alcohol on the body, and how you'd better not worry her like that again. And then she gushes about a picture of you and Dave that he apparently sent to her the night before, and you make a mental note to ask him about it as soon as you get back to the apartment. You're forced to end the conversation as Karkat comes out of the office, moving to stand beside you with a grim look on his face.

"So bad news. We're pretty much in over our fucking heads by this point," he says. "This place is hemorrhaging money like a fucking cancer. We almost can't afford to stay open."

"Shit. Is there anything we can do?" you ask. He glances over to you, a scowl on his face.

"Yes, John, you can break open your little piggybank and smash it open. Maybe your whole two dollars will make a difference." You frown at him, but don't answer. Finally, he runs a hand through his hair and slams a fist on the counter. "Shit, fuck, fuck," he says, "this is so goddamn unfair. I work twice as hard as all these fucking internet comic sites, and they get all the money. I should've known how stupid it would be to open a place like this, but what the hell, right? We tried. And now we ran it into the ground like completely fucking stupid bulge sucking shits, and-"

"Karbro," Gamzee says, putting a hand on his shoulder, "it's gonna be alright."

"Yeah," you say. "We just need to get the word out or something! I mean, the sites online have blogs and stuff to advertise. We could run a blog or something on Gamebro. They do spotlights on places sometimes."

"Gamebro fucking sucks," Karkat hisses, "but you might be onto something there, Egbert. Who knows."

"Dave has a friend who helps run his sites," you say suddenly. "Maybe he could help us out? I can ask, I mean, if you want me to."

"You do that, John. I'm going to go home and get shitfaced again because at this point, it's the only thing I can think of to do," Karkat sighs. "I know it's early, but screw it. We're closing." He walks to the office again, and you look at Gamzee with a frown.

"Is he gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, he'll be chill in a bit. I'll cheer him up somehow. 'S kinda my job, I think, so no worries. You go on home to your boy, Egbro. And take this with you," he holds out the orange flavored Faygo he gave you earlier. "Just listen for the motherfuckin' miracles, my man. 'Cause we can all use one right now."

Dave is in the kitchen when you walk in, looking over at you in alarm.

"You're home early," he says, and you can see he's looking through your instant food collection. You drop some bags on the ground that you picked up from the small grocery store on the corner, and toss him a bottle of apple juice, which he looks pretty emotional about for a second before he looks at your face. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just some bad stuff at work," you say, beginning to put the things you bought in the cabinets and fridge. Dave comes beside you to help. "Karkat says we might end up closing down for good."

"Oh, man. How's he taking it?"

"Pretty much how you'd think. He said he's probably going to get drunk again tonight, so not very well. It just sucks so hard. I know comic stores are kind of outdated, but Karkat worked so hard on that place, and it's the only way Gamzee could be employed, and- shit. Put that ramen up, by the way. I'm cooking."

Dave's eyes stay trained on you the entire time you're moving about the small space, and he jumps on the counter to watch you like last time. He listens to your rant about how unfair it all is, offering small "I know, mans" and "I feel yas".

"Don't you have that crazy tech-y guy who runs one of your sites?" you ask him, tossing mushrooms in the marinara sauce you're making. He frowns.

"Sollux?"

"Yeah. How much do you pay him to do that? I mean, the cooler a site, the more visitors it has. And I could pay him to make one for Karkat. If he was able to sell stuff to people online too, it might help his business some."

"Dude, you're not paying Sollux for that."

"Well, why not?"

"Because you can't afford it, Egbert. It's not cheap having a website to manage."

You stop stirring the sauce and look up at him. "Well I have to do something. I might not want to work there forever, but they're my friends, and I'm gonna help them however I can."

"I know, bro. You're all noble like that, and always have been. It's one reason I've associated with you for so long. We'll figure something out."

"You're gonna help me?"

"Of course. I've stuck with you through worse."

You're blushing, you can feel it, and hurriedly turn back to retrieve a pot from the cabinet under Dave for the noodles. He watches you from behind his shades as you add oil to the water, and place it over a burner, waiting for it to boil.

"You need an apron to complete this image," he smirks. You scowl up at him.

"I have one. My dad made me take it in case I ever had the urge to start baking," you pause. "Oh, shit! I meant to get cake stuff for Gamzee! I'm making him a thank you cake for last night."

"You Egberts and your cakes. What's this alleged treat gonna say? 'Thanks for shooting a gun in the air and scaring off some assholes?'"

"No, 'thanks for saving our asses'."

"Oh, sweet. Are you gonna bake me a cake too?"

"I'm making you dinner, dork-wad." You snap the pasta strands in half and toss them in the now boiling water.

"You still need that apron so I can get a picture."

"Oh, yeah. What picture did you send to Rose and Jade? They were telling me about it, but I don't remember any picture." You're getting plates and piling the noodles and sauce on them before handing it to Dave, who takes it from you with one hand, and pulls out his phone with the other. He swipes his thumb across the screen and shows you his wallpaper, which is a picture of him grinning drunkenly at the camera, and you passed out against his shoulder. Your face heats up.

"More of your ironic selfies?"

"More like memorabilia from last night's adventure. Plus you're fucking adorable when you sleep. It had to be documented." He leads you to the couch, and clicks the TV on while you eat. "I could eat your food foreverrrrr," he drawls blissfully. "Daddy Egbert deserves a thank you cake too for teaching you how to cook."

"No way. If I baked my dad a cake, he'd think his torturous methods were instilled in me, and- just no."

Dave chuckles, and eats silently while the comedian on TV makes everyone laugh. You're only half paying attention to it, eating slowly while thinking of Karkat and Gamzee, and then mind shifting back to Dave, who's babbling about how bad this guy on TV sucks. You blink when you find the plate being lifted from your hands, and look over to see your reflection in Dave's shades.

"Is there any reason you're not eating your own awesome food, Egderp?" he asks quietly, placing the plate on the table beside his.

"J-Just thinking," you say, "about stuff."

"Mmm," he grunts understandingly. "Wanna talk about it?"

"We already did. Sort of. We- I mean, I…was thinking today, about…about us, and…"

"And?"

"We live so far apart, Dave…"

"And right now we're together. So what's your point?"

You're suddenly aware of his face in front of yours, and realize that he's shifted closer while you were looking away. With your hands shaking, from anticipation of anxiety, you aren't sure; you lift his sunglasses off his face, uncovering his piercing red gaze. Your breath hitches at the look in his eyes. He looks like he wants to eat you.

"I-I'm scared," you whisper. "If you found someone else after…after all this…I'd lose my best friend…"

He sighs before he removes your glasses too, putting them beside his on the table, and then puts his hands on either side of your face, your breaths mingling together.

"Bros before hoes, John. Even if you're the hoe in this case."

"You're a total loser, Dave," you smile. His lips twitch upwards at the corners, and then he's leaning in, covering your mouth with his.

It's different from the times before. He's more urgent, pressing against your lips with more force, and you know he's been holding back this whole time. Was he as scared as stepping over the line as you were? Maybe you being drunk off your ass was a good thing last night, if it got rid of your inhibitions and allowed him to know of your feelings for him while your subconscious took the passenger seat. His tongue brushes against your lips, and you groan quietly before opening your mouth, letting him in.

It's wet and weird, but enticing enough to wrap your tongue around his. You're sloppy in your movements, unsure of how to kiss like this. You were always a little embarrassed that you had never had any heated moments with anyone before, but maybe it was better that Dave was your first. You're more than certain that he'll appreciate more than any stranger ever would. Your tongue sloppily escapes his mouth, and ends up on his chin, lapping the trail of drool forming there. He hisses into your mouth, pushing you over and crawling over you as his mouth moves fervently against yours, eliciting a noise from your throat you never knew you were capable of. His grin shows it wasn't unnoticed by him, and he moves to suck at your neck instead, seeming determined to make more of those noises escape you.

"Dave…shit," you groan, biting your hurt lip and drawing blood as he nips behind your ear, trailing down to bite your collarbones and suck the skin. You know he's going to mark you like a fucking cheetah, but are quickly starting to not care. You'll just wear a turtleneck if you have to- fuck, he's good with his tongue…

"You gonna say more of my name, Egbert?" he whispers into your ear, breath hot and warm as it dances over your skin. "'Cause I love how hot you sound when you moan it like that."

Fuck, dirty talk too? He's pulling out all the stops, isn't he? And that goddamn accent is so prominent when he talks like that. You're quickly turning into putty, and aren't even opposed to that fact, so long as he doesn't stop.

"Dave," you comply, arching against him clumsily, your hips hitting up and knocking against his. He growls lowly, a moan escaping his throat too from the friction you just created, before his hands are prying your legs apart and he's settling between them, and he rocks against you with more force than before, creating sparks in the back of your brain that explode like a firework. "D-Dave…oh, God…"

"Fuck, John," he breaths, picking up his pace and seeking your mouth with his again, drinking in the steady mantra of his name like it's motherfucking apple juice, and all you can think of is how perfect this is, and that you would be willing to only have this every now and then with long-distance visits than to never have it at all.

He opens his eyes, hazy crimson darkened with lust, and halts his movements, leaving you panting and trying to desperately grind up against him again.

"Sit up, babe," he drawls, pulling back from you. Scrambling to do so, you quickly straddle him against the cushions, eager for more contact and unwilling to let him go for any longer than you have to. He chuckles lowly again, hands moving down to unbutton your jeans, and then his own. Your hands move with his, thumbs hooking in his belt loops to pull his pants lower, and him doing the same with yours, both your gazes locked like you've never known how to not do this. When his long fingers slip into your boxers, he halts, looking up at you with a serious expression. "You sure…this is okay with you?"

You nod, biting against your lip again, the iron taste drenching your tongue when your wound starts bleeding again. He leans up to lap at the blood, sucking your tongue into his mouth as your erection is displayed to the cool air, boxers quickly pulled down to your thighs. You gasp quietly, whimpering into his mouth when his cold fingers wrap around you and stroke lightly, almost in an experimental manner.

"Dave, Dave, please…"

"Jesus, fuck, John, could you be more of a slut-" he strokes you faster, your breath hitching as your heart hammers so loud in your head that you can barely hear anything other than the blood pounding in your ears, until you feel something velvety against your hard-on, the added heat and friction causing you to go insane with want as you look down and see Dave moving his hand against his own erection in the same hand, stroking you both together. "Make those noises, Egbert…"

Aiming to please, you do as told, opening your mouth and letting out a foreign mewling sound, the noise almost so unlike you that you can't help but wonder where the hell it came from, but Dave seems pleased with it, whispering little "holy fucks" every now and then, and prompting your hand to move down and cup his, helping him move faster.

"D-Dave…I…aahhh…"

"Just let go, baby. Shit, your voice…"

Your body arches almost as if on command by him, the tremors shaking you as your release splatters against both of your hands, and a broken whimper escaping your mouth. He follows almost immediately after you, silent in his own orgasm aside from a shuddery gasp that he muffles against your neck. Both your hands stop moving, and your forehead, now slick with sweat, flops against his, a goofy, satiated grin on your face. He smiles, calling you an idiot before claiming your mouth with his again, and kissing you until both of you are breathing somewhat normally again.

"So you gonna be my lady, or am I gonna have to sleep on the couch tonight?" he asks.

"I'm not a lady. And no, you're sleeping in my bed with me so we can cuddle. We all know you're such a fan of that."

"Fuck you, dude," he smirks, pushing you off to go get a rag from the bathroom to clean up.

"Maybe later. I'm pretty tired."

He carries you to the bed and wraps around you, helping you discard both of your pants and boxers on the floor beside the bed. You giggle to yourself because he is cuddling, and it's so cute because you never thought he'd be the type. He couldn't blame being unconscious this time.

You're still concerned about Karkat and Gamzee, but, as Dave had said, you'll figure it out. And even though he still lives in Texas, and you still live in Washington, you know you'll figure that out too. Your worries are still there, but you like to think they'll disappear soon enough, as long as you have Dave in your corner.

"You know you're mine, right?" he says in your ear, causing another shiver to run through you and a "derpy" grin to form on your face. Yeah, you know you're his, you tell him, as long as he's yours too.

You drift off knowing that somehow, everything is going to be okay.

[I just can't get you off my mind, and why would I even try? Even when I close my eyes, I dream about you all the time. 'Cause I just always wanna have you right here by my side. The future's near, but never certain, so please stay here for just a night. I must've done something right to deserve you in my life. I must've done something right along the way. And even if the moon fell down tonight, there'd be nothing to worry about at all, because you make the whole world shine. As long as you're here, everything would be alright. I must've done something right to deserve you in my life. I must've done something right along the way.]

Sachi: Next chapter is the last, my lovelies! I hope to see all of you there so we can end this fic in style, yo! Review for love, 'cause it makes me happy! I might just update faster if you do~.