awash inbox

[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER | RED | #E00707
TEXT | ACTION

Comments

[parodeity]

There've been a lot of people I couldn't save. You don't ever get to be one of them.

[ muttered into maybe john's hair at this point who fucking knows. ]

[windeity]

[He'll just kind of reach over and close the laptop.]

I couldn't save any of you either, so I guess we are maybe even.

[parodeity]

[ what do you say at times like this? dave's never had to deal with the confrontation of maybe trying to kill himself so other people don't have to die. not really. he and rose had this same argument, but it hadn't really ever resolved itself.

but i don't want you to die.

it's not like he doesn't understand the sentiment. ]

I'm sorry. [ it's not a promise to never do it again. ]

[windeity]

[A haphazard shrug. He doesn't say anything for a minute.]

Can you do me a favor? It will be fast, I promise. And you can say no, but I want to ask.

[parodeity]

You can always ask me anything. Asking is a free action. I will not count any of your mp as gone for asking a question.

[windeity]

[A tick of a smile but it disappears again.]

...can I see your eyes?

[parodeity]

[ oh.

there aren't any mirrors in this household because dave didn't want to know. ]

...Didn't you see them earlier? [ it's not a no. he's just... ]

[windeity]

Yes, but I didn't trust them considering what was happening. [He kind of squeezes Dave a little harder because you fucking disappeared, you douche.] You were so...pale. It was hard.

[parodeity]

...I died, John. [ like. he has PROOF of that but he's not taking off his shirt to show that off. ] Whatever they look like.

[ it matters. he knows it matters. ]

You sure?

[windeity]

Only if you are. [Quiet but firm. He's 100% sure that's what he wants, but he's not going to force Dave to show him if Dave's really that uncomfortable with it.]

[parodeity]

[ give him a few minutes to be completely silent as he debates that. he's generally refused to take his shades off for love or money or random troll threats, so.

he has to deliberate.

eventually he shifts to let go of john and flop onto his back, reaching up to remove his shades and very, very carefully fold them.

his eyes are shut though so maybe he's still deliberating. pretty much all that is revealed is that dave's eyelashes are stupid pale still but that's more to do with being blond as hell, and his freckles are not as pale as they were before. ]

[windeity]

[He's sitting up then to get a better look, giving Dave space while he looks down at his face. He doesn't mind waiting and he patiently sits...even if his fingers drum on his own knee a little nervously. Maybe this wasn't a good idea.

Dave's eyes are closed though and the tension doubles as John continues to stare. He examines his face and his freckles and he frowns a little as he sits back.]

Only if you're sure, dude. [i.e. "I really want you to but also I cannot pry your eyelids open so take your time."]

[parodeity]

[ ironically letting go of him and moving away only makes dave more tense. even so, after another minute or so dave actually opens his eyes.

he's not sure. not at all.

but he'd do a lot of shit he's not sure about if the right people asked.

currently dave's eyes are a vivid red. ]

[windeity]

[He stares for a minute. The expression's hard to read and he's unsteady in his thoughts for a moment as he stares a little longer. It's not like he really ever saw Dave's eyes before now anyway, but rationally he could have guessed the color based on how things worked. Fonts and eye colors.

But they're red and Dave's still and unsure and John...

...starts to laugh in relief before he slips down and throws himself into a another hug because fuck off, world, his best friend's alive right now and that is all that matters.]

[parodeity]

[ is he really alive, john. there's the eyes and a heartbeat and a startled gasp even as dave automatically tries to make sure john doesn't, like, hit his head or anything or hurt himself throwing himself at dave.

there's definitely signs of impalement on his chest beneath his shirt, though. things john will probably not get to know for as long as dave can humanly keep it from him.

dave does the usual tensing up, but after a second relaxes enough to cling back, a little too tight and uncertain. ]

Egbert, respect the goods. [ muttered. ]

[windeity]

[Alive enough, as far as he's concerned. It's enough and it's hope and maybe it doesn't really truly count but he can see him breathing and his eyes aren't that scary white and it's all he can hold onto.]

Haha. Shut up. [It's almost a little too cheerful given how he's squeezing Dave's ribs but oh well.] ...they look cool.

[parodeity]

[ and yet dave isn't pushing john away. he's just doing the clingy desperate thing. ]

You're forbidden from letting Terezi know what's up with 'em.

[ he assumes, given the reaction, that maybe his eyes aren't white right now. ]

[windeity]

[Cool. Glad that's happening. But it's only when Dave says that that something occurs to him and he goes quiet.]

...about that. Terezi disappeared the same day you did.

[parodeity]

...Shadows?

[ look. he'll either notice he's being too clingy and let up in a while or john will break it off first? ]

[windeity]

[Given the conversation he doesn't even think about how this could be clingy right now. Normally he would but also this means keeping Dave put for a moment. ]

No. Like name struck through gone.

[parodeity]

...Oh. [ also look. dave is either way too tentative and careful never to touch john ever or he clings desperately like a koala there is basically no inbetween?? ] Serket still the same?

[windeity]

[Neat, a pet koala. But he nods a little miserably. ] No change so far, but at least she's still here.

[parodeity]

[ ah. ]

...I'm sorry I left you all alone, dude.

[windeity]

[A shrug. That. Sure is part of what he was flipping out about, surprise!]

You didn't know.

[parodeity]

[ he also couldn't Help it really but. ]

Did you move in while I was gone or what? [ why is there food in his kitchen. ]