~Signless' POV~

"How's he doing?" Dave asks. I just shake my head. "That bad?"

"It's been three days. I don't know what to do."

Three days ago, Dirk explained that there are no gold bloods left in his timeline. Since then, Psii's been so depressed he can't get out of bed. The kids and I have been taking turns checking on him. It somehow got worse when Aradia announced over the intercom that the meteor has crossed into the alpha human timeline. How have we managed this? Dave thinks it's because timelines are like physical places in Paradox Space. Navigating through Paradox Space has been easier since Dirk and Equius finished the engine, though. Roxy left us with coordinates before they woke up, so now we have a destination instead of just hurdling aimlessly through the void.

Dave sighs as he moves to sit on the floor beside me in the hall. "He's mourning a genocide. It's going to be a while before he's back to his usual self."

"I know." Taking a deep breath, I stare down at my gloved hands. "I just wish I could help him somehow."

"You are helping him. It hurts less when there's someone who actually gives a damn there to keep you from just shutting down."

A disturbingly amused laugh draws our attention down the hall. The source of the sound, Dyrrin leaning against the wall. The look in his white eyes makes my skin crawl. It's the same psychotic look he had both times he tortured me. It's the same dark amusement they held when he carved hurtful words in my arms and chest. The scars start to itch the longer this sadist stares at me.

"What do you want?" I demand as I quickly get to my feet. Something in the back of my mind is screaming for me to run and hide, probably my sense of self-preservation, but I can't seem to make my body follow the simple command.

"Why the hostility, Signless?" he inquires with a creepy attempt at a pout. I flinch when he closes the distance between us and grabs my chin. "I thought you and I could spend some time together now that you little pet is out of commission."

Shoving him away, I growl, "Don't touch me."

The hall is once again filled with his laughter as his expression shifts from amused to dangerous. "That's not how this works. I gave you a few days to get over that piss blood, now you're mine. I'm going to show you what it's like to be with a real man. You're going to be a good little freak and shut the fuck up. I'm the highblood in this situation, so I make the rules."

By now, I've backed up to the wall and he's so close I can feel his breath on my cheek. There's barely any space between us. Still, Dave manages to press his hand to Dyrrin's chest and try to move him away. I'd help, but I'm so scared I can't breathe. I know what this man is capable of and Ameera isn't here to reign him in like she did on Alternia. He hurts just to hurt. In a way, he reminds me of the few memories Kankri has shown me of his Samael. The only difference I can see in the two is that Dyrrin isn't preying on a child. He has his sights set on me and I'm terrified.

It takes Dave drawing one of his swords to get Dyrrin away from me. "Look dick face, I don't know what passes as acceptable behavior on Alternia, but where I'm from what you just did is not okay."

"Then stay out of it."

My blood goes cold when Dave captalogs his sword and shrugs. "Okay," he says as he takes a few steps away before turning dramatically back to face us. "Oh, wait a minute. I forgot that I'm personally invested in this man's safety. I'm gonna have to ask you to kindly fuck off."

"I don't take orders from a child."

"I might be a child, but I'm still more of a man than you'll ever be, and I was born female. I'm only going to say this nicely one more time. Fuck. Off."

A gentle hand on my shoulder makes me jerk away from the new arrival. Soft shooshing calms my nerves enough for me to bring myself to tear my eyes away from Dyrrin and look towards my worried mother. She gently wipes away fearful tears I hadn't previously noticed before drawing me into her protective arms.

The usually soft, comforting glow of her skin is now as harsh as her angry jade eyes, locked on the indigo a few feet away. She's doing her best to stay out of the argument between Dave and Dyrrin, but I can feel how tense she is. She's ready to fight, but she's also trying to comfort me. I'm vaguely aware of the insults and verbal blows being traded behind me. Closing my eyes, I rest my head on Dolorosa's shoulder, trying to focus on her comforting presence instead of the fear clouding my mind.

"Excuse you?!" Dolorosa snaps at something Dyrrin said.

The moron is stupid enough to attempt to repeat his previous statement. "I said-"

"Stop!" she growls. "I was giving you a chance to revise your statement." She presses a small kiss to my cheek before moving to confront Dyrrin. Any other time, the two would have been on the same level. But this woman is wearing heels and is standing with the perfect posture of the trained soldier that Dyrrin claims to be. That is to say, she's towering over him with the most intimidating expression only an angry mother could accomplish. "I like to think myself a patient woman, but I have no tolerance for bullies who choose my son as their target. If you value your safety on this meteor, I highly suggest you reconsider your attitude towards him. I might have raised a pacifist, but I by no means am one. And I am done watching you force your sadistic games onto him."

I haven't seen him go this pale since Darkleer threatened him back on Alternia.

~Equius' POV~

I've been avoiding sleep for the past few days. I didn't want to risk having a day terror and pulling Signless' attention away from Psiioniic. Now, I'm regretting my decision. Aradia and Nepeta finally convinced me to take a nap. Three days with no sleep, and now I can't sleep.

My attention is dragged from staring at the ceiling to the husktop on my desk. Someone's trying to contact me. I levitate the computer over to the small table beside my bed. The sudden brightness when I press answer hurts my eyes. My annoyance melts away when I'm finally able to focus on the face staring back at me.

"Hey, Dirk," I greet, rubbing my eyes.

"Hey. Did I wake you up? I'm sorry."

Shaking my head, I say, "No, it's okay. I was already awake. What's up? Is Arquius okay?"

"Yeah." He moves the camera to show the red sprite. He's sound asleep curled up against Dirk's side, head rested on his chest. "Sleeping like a baby. Are you sure I didn't wake you up? You look exhausted."

I can't help but chuckle. "Yeah. I'm sure."

"Hard time sleeping?" I nod. "You wanna talk about it?" I shake my head. "Wanna hear what Hal called you the other day?"

"I can only imagine."

"He asked if you were going to be his second dad. Apparently Fefeta made a shipping chart."

"And she shipped us?" He nods. "She's too much like Nepeta."

"I just wish she'd explain how she came to the conclusion that we'd make a good couple. We barely know each other."

"True." There's a moment of silence before I ask, "What would you like to know about someone before considering sharing a quadrant with them?"

He laughs, a beautiful sound that's only slightly distorted by the technology. "You trying to flirt with me, Blue?" I feel a blush creep across my face which I quickly hide behind my hoof-beast plush. "Aw. Did I embarrass you? I'm sorry. I was just teasing." I playfully glare at him over the white felt toy. "I'd want to know as much as I can learn. Your favorite movie. Favorite food. Hobbies. What brings that pretty smile to your face. Everything."

"My smile isn't pretty."

"Okay. Handsome, then."

"I hate my smile. I don't see how anyone could find something so broken appealing in any way."

Concern overtakes his orange eyes. "Equius, broken doesn't mean unappealing or ugly. Is that how you see yourself?" My only response is silently looking away from the screen. I feel tears start to form and I don't want him to see me cry. "Blue, look at me." I shake my head and again hide my face against my hoof-beast plush. "Okay, don't look at me. Just listen. I don't care how broken you might be or how unappealing you think you are. I think you're beautiful and smart and kind. You're good with Hal. Everything that I adore about Arquius are aspects he got from you. I don't know what love feels like, but every time I'm around you my heart races and I just want to hold you. Anyone would be lucky to have you as a partner. If you don't mind, I'd like the chance to be that person."

I finally look up at his sincere expression. "You're being serious and not just getting my hopes up to crush them later. Right?"

"Who would do that?"

"Vriska."

"Isn't she the one Dave calls 'Spider Bitch' and you stabbed in the eye with a pen?" I nod. "Yeah, no. She's a bully. We don't do bullies in this apartment. I'm as serious as a heart attack."

"Okay."

"Is that a yes?" Hope shines in his beautiful eyes as I nod a silent confirmation.

~Karkat's POV~

"Did he say yes?" I whisper. Dave and I were in the middle of planning ways to make Dyrrin's life a living hell when we heard Dirk and Equius' conversation through the vent connecting my room to his. Now, Dave's half in the vent trying to hear them better. I'm, unfortunately, stuck waiting on a pillow pile for him to tell me what's going on. Instead of an update, I get shooshed. "If you're not going to tell me what's happening, get the fuck out of the vent so I can see for myself."

I get a light kick to the shoulder for that comment. A moment later, he crawls out of the vent wearing the biggest, dorkiest grin I've ever seen. "He said yes."

"Finally!" I exclaim. "Maybe Nepeta will finally stop blowing up my gog damned inbox about it."

"I thought you and Nepeta were cool."

I sigh in exacerbation, moving to flop in the bed. "We are, but all she talks about when Equius isn't in the room is his love life. Or lack there of until now." Dave moves to lay on his side beside me. "Honestly, I'm pretty sure she's more invested in finding him a matesprit than he is."

"That would be annoying. Wanna talk about it?"

"Not really. I'd much rather talk about what we're going to do to Dyrrin."

The next few hours are full of ruling out ways to hurt the former guard. Signless wouldn't approve of us physically hurting him. It's impossible to have one of the two of us watching over him at all times to protect him from Dyrrin. Feferi hasn't picked up on anymore dream bubbles between us and LOCAH, so we can't just drop him off. We've resorted to coming up with ways to destroy him mentally.

For that, we've recruited Rose and Kanaya. If anyone can mess with your head, it's going to be a therapist. Luckily, we have two. Since they were busy diffusing a situation with a few of the dancestors, Dave and I are stuck waiting again. I'd almost dozed off by the time they finally arrive.

I don't miss Dave wince as he sits up, and neither does his sister.

"Are you alright?" she asks.

With a forced laugh he waves off her concern. "I must've been laying weird or something."

"Dave," Kanaya calls. "Be a dear and sit up straight for me."

He does as he's told before wincing and returning to his preferred slouching position.

"How long have you been binding?" Rose inquires, a knowing look in her purple eyes.

His attempted casual demeanor instantly shifts to defensive. "We didn't call you here to talk about my binder!" he snaps. "If you're not going to help us deal with Dyrrin, then leave! I don't need you two criticizing my choices." Judging by this level of defensiveness, I'd say he's been binding for at least a full day. He does this all the time. He'll wear his binder until he can't breathe and then fights us on taking it off. He's explained to me that he feels physically ill when he doesn't bind. Usually, he curls up in a blanket and hides in his room.

"We will help," Kanaya assures. "But you need to remove that binder first. It's not healthy to wear it for prolonged periods of time."

"No."

"David Elizabeth Strider, you are going to crack a rib again."

"You're not my mom!"

"Would you like me to call Mom? I'm sure Roxy would love to hear how her alternate timeline son is refusing to take care of himself in favor of having a flat chest. You're crushing d cups. You are going to get hurt if you're not careful. Take it off. Now." He goes silent at his sister's short rant. "If it helps, we'll turn around while you change. Then we can talk about how to absolutely mind-fuck Dyrrin."

"Fine," he finally grumbles.

~Signless' POV~

I have no idea how long I've been sitting here, in front of the door to me and Psii's room. When Dolorosa scared off Dyrrin, I couldn't get out of the hall fast enough. I vaguely remember making some excuse about checking on Psii before running off. Luckily, he was still asleep when I arrived. I don't want him to have to worry about me on top of everything he's going through.

The fear gripping my heart didn't leave with Dyrrin like it usually did. It stayed and spread like ice through my veins. I can't stop my body from trembling, anticipating the pain that usually followed that man's presence like a shadow. With every other shaky breath comes a quiet sob, muffled by the hand I have clapped tightly over my mouth. My scars burn as the memory of the knife that carved them plays over and over and over in my mind.

"Signless?"

I barely recognize Psii's voice calling me. Everything sounds so far away behind a wall of ringing and sadistic laughter. I don't register him moving until he's kneeling in front of me. When he reaches towards me to wipe away my tears, I flinch so violently from his touch that I hit my head against the door.

"It's just me," he assures, carefully holding my free hand. "What's wrong, Honey?"

My vision is blurry and tinted red from the tears, but I can clearly see the concern in his eyes. Shaking my head, I move to cling to him. I want to tell him what happened with Dyrrin, but I can't produce any sound aside from the muffled sobs.

Instead of pressing for answers, he wraps his arms tightly around me. I can hear him saying something, but I can't force my mind to process what he's saying. I feel him trace random patterns against the back of my shoulder, gentle static trailing behind his light touch. It's a familiar sensation that drags pleasant memories to the front of my mind. He usually does this when he's bored and can't think of anything to talk about. Sometimes he just does it to show affection. Every now and then the random patterns will turn into one of the kids names then back to patterns.

When I've calmed down, he asks, "It was Dyrrin, wasn't it?" I nod. "Do you want me to deal with him?"

"Dolorosa already did," I mumble.

"Are you okay?"

I don't answer. I don't know if I'm okay or if I'm just numb. Again, he doesn't press for an answer. We just sit in silence.