"What's going to happen to him?"

Dirk's voice is the first thing I hear when I start coming back around. It's strange. It sounds almost muffled... Like he's in some far off tunnel. There's a woman talking too... But I can't place her voice and I start to wake up more, the sounds of machines beeping and clicking quietly beginning to fill my ears.

"Well... Once he's back to a stable state, he'll be put in an institution."
"An institution?! What the fuck do you mean?! My brother isn't going to some damn mental institution! He's going home!"

"Mr. Strider, I'm sorry.. But we can not allow Dave to go back home. It would be endangering both him and possibly even you."
"My brother is not a danger to me! Are you even hearing yourself?!"

"Dirk... Please calm down.. It's not her fault that this is happening.." That's Jake's voice. I would know that voice anywhere. But.. He sounds different.. Maybe even scared..

And that's when I realize what's going on.

I'm in the hospital. Those machines are monitors.. taking note of every beat in my heart and every breath that travels through my lungs. I feel stinging now... In my wrist... In my arm... and in my side. I try to open my eyes, to ask what's going on... but all that comes out is a groan and a hand on my own. "D-Dave..?"

I manage to open my eyes slightly and I'm greeted with a teary eyed John, who's now crying at the sight of me waking up. "Oh my god! Dave! I was so worried! Dirk! Dirk! He's awake!"

In seconds, my brother is at John's side, a hand on my shoulder and a small smile on his face. The nurse leaves and he starts talking. "Hey bro... Good to see you're awake.." His voice is soft and I can't help but smile slightly. I never thought I'd hear him use that tone with me ever again... Yet he was now.

"As awake as a bear after hibernation.." I mutter, trying to put my normal sarcastic voice into my words. Jake just frowns though and glares at me as he comes to stand by Dirk, pushing John out of the way. "Don't you be acting like you're ok. You're lucky you're awake at all." He says this coldly and I flinch slightly. I never heard Jake talk like this... and honestly... It scared me.

"I-"
"Do you even realize what could've happened if I hadn't found you?! Really Dave.. That was so fucking stupid! Why would you even-"
"Shut up Jake." My eyes, which are now filled with tears, go wide at the sound of Dirk's voice. Did... Did he just tell Jake to shut up?
"Wh-what?" Jake's voice sounds just as surprised as I feel and I can tell he wasn't ready for that.

"You heard me Jake. I said shut up. Dave's been through a lot. He doesn't need you yelling at him."

"But Dirk! Do you realize what could've happened?! Dave could've-"
"That's enough Jake." Dirk's voice is filled with ice and he sounds pissed.

I just stare at the two of them, unsure what to say.

"Fine. If that's how you feel." Jake stands up abruptly and stares at Dirk angrily. "Call me back up when you're done with this." He then leaves, in which Dirk stands up just as abruptly.

"Dave... I'll be back. John... Please keep an eye on him for me. I'll be back in a little bit." He then heads out of the room and I can hear him yelling down the hall, "Jake, stop being an asshole and get back here!". I can guess he's escorted out.. Because he doesn't come back for some time and soon John turns away from the door to look at me, eyes puffy and red. He's been crying.. I can tell.. And I wish I hadn't been the reason he was crying.

"John.. I'm sorry. I didn't me-"
"Dave. Don't even start. I don't want to hear it. Just..." He grabs my hand and looks down at his lap, shoulders shaking a bit and I can tell he's about to cry again so I give his hand a small squeeze, even though it hurts a bit to do so. He then looks back up to me, tears streaming down his face. "Why Dave?"

And that's all it takes for me to tell him everything.

I tell him about the picture on my computer... About how I had developed feelings for Dirk... And he immediately understood everything. I was scared at first, because when I told him I loved Dirk like that... He gave me an odd look. But after a moment, he just nodded, telling me to continue. I didn't need to tell him why I started cutting... He put two and two together easily when he remembered the text I had received at school.. and soon enough he was crying and apologizing up and down for not being there for me. I of course couldn't help but laugh slightly, telling him how ridiculous he was being because he had been there. Out of everyone I knew... He had stayed by my side no matter what. It was my fault that he hadn't been there to stop what I did. I kept everything from him.. And in turn.. I closed myself off from the only friend I really had.

"John.. I don't want to die. Not anymore.." I said this as he kept his arm over me, hugging me as best as he possibly could.

"Thank god.." Was all he said, but I didn't care. All I cared about was that I was alive and John was my friend, my best bro, and I knew he'd be here for me always.

But... Then I remembered something when the nurse came back in to check on me, and I was scared.

"John.. I don't want to go to a mental institution. I can't- I won't be able to do it.. I'll lose it if I'm locked up.."
"I know you don't want to go... But Dave.. You tried to kill yourself. It's not like they have any other choice."
"I know. But I can't. John... I don't want to be alone anymore. I want to be with you and Dirk and Karkat and all our friends. I don't want to be locked up in some hospital where they'll consider me crazy. I'm not crazy.. You know I'm not.."
"I do know that Dave.. And I'll do whatever I can to keep you from going there.. But it all comes down to whether or not Dirk is able to convince the doctors to let you go home.. Ok..?"

I nod and I press the buttons on my bed to sit up a bit. It hurts a little.. But it's worth it when I finally manage to get my arms around John and hug him as tight as my weakened body allows me to. He hugs back, careful of my currently fragile body, and kisses my head several times. "I love you Dave.. You're the best best bro a guy could ask for.."
I smile a bit and nuzzle into him.

"Please.. Don't ever leave me.." and then he leans me back in my bed, tucks me in, and kisses my forehead.

"I won't. I promise."