DaveJade - December First: Only a Matter of Time

The sky whistled among the hallways of dead silence.
The very air ringed against the walls as it shook in sync with the meteor, steadily yet quickly continuing its first and last course; curtains danced half-heartedly, Chalk rolled against walls and the smaller, lighter pieces of Can Town had chimed in their inevitable tumble. Steps slowly began to echo and signal morning as a large thump from the vents awoke the Slumbering Clown. Despite all the commotion, no-one left their room, it became standard for everyone to just meet up in Dream Bubbles and leave the waking hours to themselves - and whoever and whatever they enjoyed spending it with. It had been like that for around two years, it was only a matter of time.
Time, funny thing Time; it tells you the secret of Destiny, the secret of History, fact and fiction, what will be and what never was, but only at its own pace. Only if you wait.
Wait for the end of the Meteor Mile, the Window of New Beginnings, the life in a new Universe, the new Continuum, to finish what we started.
Only a Matter of Time.
Only a Matter of Waiting.
So much Waiting and so much Time, just to count it down.
Count down the days, that had gone by.

The day was December 1st, for those who managed to keep track of time.

Everything went its usual course; a few minutes of shuffling and tripping, a giddy intoxicated laughter, the scratching sound of curtains drawn; poor Rose. She had overworked herself, tried too hard, juggled too much, and now she had fallen from Grace; shadowed by who she once was, and now the image of her mother - kind, hardworking, but frequently drunk - Kanaya's hisses and sighs would be heard soon after, disgruntled but tolerating as Rose would eventually lure her out of earshot, and then, when all seems calm and silent, a quiet as possible shuffle from the vents followed by a not-so-quiet as possible round of continuous snorts and hiccups - the dirty secret that everyone knew, and no-one, not even themselves, approved of.

Dave had been awake for a few hours now, though to him it felt like days; everything had become slower, morose and repetitive, this feeling supported by how he could predict the general routine of the morning chimes. Dave lay static on his bed; listening to every ring and vibration in his room, his white hair hanging over his head as his iconic shades held them away from his forehead, his sideburns tickling the tip of the tragus on his ears and his bright red eyes exposed and fixated on the ceiling, Dave was not himself.
Despite this, nobody had the mettle to confront him  - and why should they? For all they knew this was merely a recovery phase, a way to acknowledge the sudden end to his and Terezi's relationship, but Dave could feel it, the life of him was draining away; not because of the meteor, not because of Terezi, but because of him. Dave's eyes quickly alternated to his window, the only window of the meteor, staring longingly at their destination, Only a Matter of Time he'd tell himself before he'd sigh, and hear it echo back to him in the large, cluttered room he claimed his own.
Dave slowly lifted himself up, his bones clicking as he stretched himself, his Shades neatly dropped onto his nose masking Dave's eyes from the harsh light. He stared down the towering wall in front of him, the wall shone a glowing starlight from the window, clear from the clutter of miscellaneous treasures and makeshift tools. Clean and orderly, save for the three swords Dave held closest to him; the Royal Deringer, the Caledscratch and the Unbreakable Katana that slew his brother/father. The wall beckoned Dave like a bittersweet reminder, the lines where Dave had marked down the date clear as ink to plain paper, inviting while tormenting him as it covered two thirds of the wall's area; it was his calendar; it kept him sane - but it didn't make him feel like himself. Dave stiffly climbed out of bed, smoothly walking over to the wall with a half-tired grimace as he counted the lines, his finger smoothly dragged over the ones he could reach before making a sudden halt, Dave's grimace faded as he double-checked his dates and let out a weak, painful sigh.
"December First" Dave whispered to himself, leaning his head against the wall.
Dave paused for a while, his eyes and fist clenched shut as if he were remembering a dream he was trying so hard not to forget. Dave's expressionless face slowly sank as he loosened his grasp, his now-open hand stroking itself away from the wall as Dave once again faced it. After another pause, Dave reached for his swords, his fingers cautiously dancing around the pommel of the Deringer before hesitantly retracting No. Not today. Dave quickly reached for the Katana, its Blade flashing cleanly from the starlight as Dave held it in front of him, staring at his reflection - Dave hardly used the Katana, he tended to it with the greatest care, a great, sentimental and nostalgic care, but never fought with it, that is, not yet. Dave stared at the wall once more, no longer staring it down like a foe, but a clock slowly ticking away, he placed the point of the sword against the wall, taking in a deep melancholic breath.
"Soon" Dave told himself, slowly marking the date with a soft klink, the Katana cut through the wall like it was melting butter; smooth, soft, unlike the others, it was sincere and complimentary, just how Dave wanted it to be.
Dave breathed in time with the klink of his blade, the sound that once forced him to cringe had soothed him; in spite of all the shenanigans, the time that has passed, there wasn't long to go. Dave neatly put the Katana onto his bed, he had to be careful about where he put them, he had tended to them so much that they had become so sharp, that the sight of them could cut you - such a statement proved as it effortlessly tore through Dave's bedsheets. Dave cursed, knowing that he'd have to get new ones, but he tried to focus away from it, looking to get dressed. He scowled at the upper half of his God Tier uniform, more specifically the hood, he loathed the hood - the cape grew on him, especially after it had trapped Karkat about a year ago, but the hood, it made him feel ridiculous - it was the very embodiment of the fact that he wasn't being taken seriously, never going to achieve anything, just a slot that needed to be filled. Dave quickly shook off these thoughts, intending to avoid spiralling down that road again, and quickly threw the rest of his uniform on, viciously pulling back his hood in hopes of tearing it - but to no avail, it would never avail, it's the only thing that grew with him, the only thing that fitted anymore, he'd ask Rose and Kanaya to make him some clothes but even if Rose was sober, Dave daren't think of what concoction she'd have him wearing.
Dave slowly peered out of the curtains, empty as expected he didn't like unexpected visitors, it always disturbed him, it's also why he situated his bed near the curtain - so he could see them coming - he debated going out, but remembered that Terezi wasn't entirely subtle about her outings with the Juggalo. Dave slumped back on his bed; it wasn't that he regretted breaking up with her, it was the right thing to do - she didn't trust him enough to tell him that she was having a blackrum whaddyacallit with the ever elusive Clown on the side; she was ashamed of it, ashamed of him. They also didn't do much coupley things, only a few dates here and there, Dave furrowed his brow thinking about it - it just wasn't the real deal, wasn't It, all it was were two friends there for each other, and it wasn't fair on either of them. Dave knew he had to call it; she was never going to leave the clown, she like Rose was addicted to the very substance she loathed and Dave was not the kind of guy to give out ultimatums. They both knew that they weren't as committed to each other as Rose and Kanaya, he had to call it. They ended on good terms, but Dave would rather not walk in on an awkward situation.

Things had taken its toll on the meteor; the coffee ran out, the books had all been read, every can, bullet and pebble claimed, and the very thing that kept people going now was the thought of getting off this gogforsaken rock. However, there was some good times, mainly with the Mayor - his stories were of glorious tales of valour, adventure and survival, mixed in with his encounters with the others to remind us of a simpler life - but there are only so many stories you can tell, not enough to cover three years. Dave still hung out with the Mayor, and eventually Karkat, the whole Terezi incident bowled over after everyone found out about the clown, it was odd, Dave never saw Karkat to be supportive, but after finding out about them he started to see what Terezi was talking about. Dave looked back to his clutter of makeshift weights and tools; all Dave did was train now, train to help Karkat better himself as a Knight, train to keep his fitness up and train so that he'll never be caught off-guard, not again. Kanaya was cool too, but after Rose's tumble off the wagon they didn't converse as much, a few nods here and there but nothing truly important; it was a shame - and he did feel bad about not hanging out with his sister's girlfriend much, but given the situation, neither of them blamed each other. Dave brushed his hand over his hair, evaluating his moment of reminiscence; there were ups, downs, bubbles and battles, but in the end people were on good terms with everyone else, everyone except for the Clown and the Mayor, both for polar opposite yet obvious reasons; because the Clown is a no-show git and the Mayor was unanimously awesome
And that was all that needed to be said on the matter.

Dave slowly blinked out of his trance; it was dangerous to think back, especially for him, but there wasn't much else to think about; the Dream Bubbles were gone, Rose had stopped looking for the people they needed to find - Dave hated how many times she found what they needed, John, his mother, Meenah, even the Cherub ghost sister of English, she found everyone with her Light Lucky charm!
All but one.
Why?
Dave looked down to his feet, his hands slightly shivered, he knew he had to stop thinking like this but it was easier said than done. He lied back, his spine arching as his shoulders touched the surface of his bed, he tried to forget about it, forget these critiques, and just remember
Remember h-
"Ahhh" Dave gasped, his body concaved back into a seated position.
Dave watched as blood poured from his hand, the dark scarlet oozed out like an unwanted friend as Dave scowled back at the inconveniently placed Katana.
"Just a scratch" Dave whispered to himself.
Just a Scratch
The very sound of that word struck Dave like lightning through his heart, the taste of lead and steel was nothing compared to this. A Scratch. Everything about it made his spine shudder, a Scratch was the source of everything that had gone wrong, a Scratch was a Cue Balled Puppetmaster that took them for chumps, a Scratch was the reason why they are spending 3 years on a rock, why the Juggalo's room stinks of corpse, why the people he knew back on Earth are dead, why even after two years you spend this very day wishing you were somewhere else, anyone else except a useless, slacking, fake.
Fuck. Dave clenched his wounded fist, his eyes wincing as he argued with himself; he didn't deserve to be here No he will never be a Hero Stop it all you do is make a mess, break things and fuck up like you always do Fuck! Fucking Fuck! you're nobody Shut it No-one No-one and never will be Never... and she will never love you like you do.
"NO!" Dave roared, rising to his feet as his shout thundered around the hallways; walls shook and curtains quaked as the noise travelled down without any sign of fading. Dave stopped breathing, absorbing what was going on until resuming to breathe, puffing himself through the pain as the blood pooled from his clenched fist, that started trickling down his wrist.
All he could do was stare, his huffs breaking into arrhythmic pants, shivers as he unclasped his trembling fist - it wasn't the cut that hurt; not the blood nor the blade, it was himself.
"Fuck" Dave breathed, his voice breaking as his bleeding hand faced him mockingly, wiping his eyes with his good hand before nervously dragging it over his head and grasping the back of his neck.
I can't do this
I can't
Dave could feel the air closing in, his throat swelling as he mustered the strength to drop his arm, he scanned his room for an alternative but there was never going to be one.
Dave needed out, and he needed it now.
Dave gritted his teeth as he stepped out, his sudden draw of the curtains brought him to an unexpected stop as two trolls stood concerned before him.
"WHAT'S GOING ON DAVE?" Karkat said as quietly as possible.
Dave blinked at them, in his moment of vulnerability he had forgotten to keep his ears open for unexpected visitors.
"We heard you" Kanaya continued "Everyone heard you".
Dave spent a moment looking at the two; Karkat to Kanaya, Kanaya to Karkat, never speaking or even moving his head, he slowly began to loosen his jaw; his mouth may have been open, but he would lie flagrantly through his teeth.
"It's nothing" he said cooly. Kanaya impatiently stabbing her tongue into her fangs.
"IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING" Karkat refuted "YOU DON'T SHOUT LIKE THAT".
Dave glared at Karkat, his troll friend uneasily avoiding his glance.
"Karkat, go check on Rose for me" Kanaya spoke, freeing him from Dave's stare. Dave retreated back to his room, his bleeding hand still firmly clutched as his fingers dug into the wound, Kanaya could smell the pain from his blood; the fear, the confusion, the melancholy.
"Why do you doubt yourself Dave?" she summarised, Dave refusing to face her.
Dave stared out of the window, the corner of his eyes catching glimpses of the cracks in the sky
"About a year ago, I was told that I'd kill Lord English" He said quietly "I'd kill the guy who created the entire game"
He turned to face her "This game created us; it gave us life so we could be destined to play it, and for what?" Dave leaned forward, whispering the unexpected answer "Life."
"English gave us life so we could give it to him, a neverending loop of immortality, how can I kill someone like that?"
Kanaya nodded in understanding "No-one envies your position Dave; you have to kill the thing that is impossible to kill; even the truest of heroes would second-guess themselves with that. But he made those cracks in the sky, and he will not stop there, he will kill us all for his cause"
"I know" Dave quickly responded "But why me? Why the Knight of Time"
Kanaya sighed "Because you are the Knight of Time. You are the soldier to the Lord, the one most vulnerable to him, and yet that makes you the most worthy of opponents, the most valiant of foes. The Knight must strike down his Lord and end their fear of death"
Dave gritted his teeth.
"I'm not a Soldier" he hissed "I'm not ready for this".
"Soldiers never are" Kanaya said sadly, unrelenting to Dave's stares "Like I said, no-one envies your position; you have to save us all" she snorted mid-sentence "We did not ask for any of this"
Kanaya stared back at Dave, her vampiric eyes frosty and discerning like his nightmares of Cal "We cannot hide who we are Dave, the more we run from Destiny, the more we write ourselves into it. You can only let things take its course, but you already knew that"
She nodded in farewell, leaving Dave to decide if he should be open with the group.
They would understand, but they wouldn't be able to help
Dave faced the window, his eyes fixed on the cracks that bled the matter of the universe, his hand dripping in harmony with the crevices' change of colour. Dave stared at the cracks with pain, the same pain that he felt when it happened, when he wished that it was just his shades that had broke, pain that shook the very matter of his being; a rift in spacetime.
Spacetime!
"Kanaya" Dave darted, Kanaya spookily gliding around to face him.
"The cracks?" she whispered, as if she were reading his mind "we felt it too"
"Me, Aradia, Porrim and Damara; we all felt the pain."  Kanaya nodded knowingly and bittersweet "And I am sure she did too"
Dave slowly took a breath, one of many weights suddenly felt lifted within him, only to be stopped by a massive cacophony of clangs and shatters.
"What was that?" Kanaya twisted, looking to the arriving and aggravated Karkat.
"IT'S NOTHING BAD" he puffed "BUT YOU'RE NOT GONNA LIKE IT"
Dave followed the trolls to the hallway, quickly stopping to the sight of Rose and Terezi tumble rolling in a giggling frenzy. My God Rose, if there was ever a definition for lower than rock bottom, it was this.
"Oh heyyy guize" Rose slurred carelessly.
Kanaya let out a trademark disgruntled sigh as she buried her face in her hand, reluctantly tolerating her girlfriend's embarrassing demeanour.
"Don't worry" Dave assured  "By tomorrow she won't even remember that she was hanging out with Terezi"
Kanaya let out a weak smile as Rose struggled to get up, tugging against Dave's trousers
"Dvae!" She squeaked "Yunow, we Awl miss yu. Yu schoood joyous wendy Mayo's tell the...uhhh, Teaze! what aer dey cooled? Books! Thatsit Books!"
Dave watched his sister perplexed as she tried to correct herself, eventually falling back on the floor. Kanaya soon picked her up and dragged her into their room, only for Terezi to jab Dave's chest with her finger
"YOU!" she loudly declared "YOU H4V3 B34N ST33L1N' M4 CHL4K".
Dave raised his eyebrow "You lent me them" he corrected tiredly "besides, it's not your precious Red"
Terezi cackled as she flailed around the floor, trying to locate her favoured red chalk. Dave and Karkat glanced at each other in knowing discontent, Dave nodding for Karkat to take the lead on this as Terezi drunkly blocked his path.
"NUNT3HL3SS" she beckoned, proudly presenting a black stick of chalk to the skies - unaware that it wasn't her Precious Red "1'D L33K T4 NO W4T UR3 DW1NG W1TH 1T?"
"None of your business" Dave sighed
"SO 1T'S 4 S3CR3T?" Terezi chirped, tilting her head in curiosity.
"So it's None of your Business" Dave snapped, proceeding to leave his ex-girlfriend to the troll who evidently cared for her more.
"WAIT HERE" Karkat softly told Terezi, as she childishly  gestured shushing herself as she nodded and wheezed in her held-laughter.
"DAVE" Karkat shouted "HEY DAVE! STRIDER! WILL YOU WAIT UP A SECOND?" Dave didn't respond.
"SLOW THE FUCK DOWN ASSHOLE" Karkat snarled, breaking Dave's trance.
"You're not gonna try and weave this out of me" Dave warned the troll, with an equally frustrated look on the Knight's faces.
"NO" Karkat said firmly, ending his scowl "LOOK, WE ALL HAVE SECRETS, STUFF WE CAN'T TELL ANYONE BECAUSE NOBODY CAN HELP, BUT I NEED TO HEAR THIS FROM YOU"
Dave raised his eyebrow in curiosity as Karkat prepared himself.
"THIS THING THAT'S BOTHERING YOU" he started "IS IT ABOUT TEREZI?"
Dave waited a moment so his answer didn't seem abrupt "No"
Karkat sighed in relief "SO IS IT ABOUT GAMZEE?"
"No"
Karkat tilted his head "REALLY? WELL I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT"
"Dude me and Terezi broke up on good terms" Dave said, almost as if he was repeating himself "In the end it was just two friends that were there for each other, it just wasn't the real deal".
Karkat nodded in acknowledgement "YEAH I KNOW BUT"
"But?"
he sighed "IF IT WAS ME, I'D BE HUNTING DOWN THAT NOOK-FACED CARNIE AND BEATING HIM TO A PURPLE STAINED PULP"
"And what would that achieve?" Dave growled at the surprised troll.
"WHAT?"
"What would beating up the clown do? God it's just" Dave grinded his teeth, blood soaking into his sleeves as it poured over the dried predecessors "I am just done with all this shit you know?"
Karkat shook his head in confusion "ACTUALLY, I DON'T. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU DAVE? YOU STRUCK ME AS THE GUY WHO WOULD KICK SOMEONE'S ASS IF THEY WRONGED HIM, BUT NOW YOU WON'T EVEN LIFT A FINGER?"
Dave's eyes narrowed, the sound of the rumbling vents above him proving no distraction to the two Knights.
"Well maybe I'm done with doing things because people expect me to do it" Dave sneered "The clown didn't wrong me Karkat, in your species that kind of black shit is fine"
"NOT IN YOUR SPECIES" Karkat reminded
"Well Terezi isn't a part of my species!" Dave vehemently shouted, causing the entire hallway to pause and stare; silence had deafened the room and even the vents had froze into place. Karkat stood absorbing his friend's outburst, immediately regretting pushing Dave as the boy tried to pick the right words to explain, continuously pointing to the ground as he constructed them.
"This has nothing to do with Terezi, or the clown, or anything on this Jupiter-sized rock" Dave said softly, slowly fading into a whisper "This has something to do with me, and none of you can help that. So just leave me alone, and let me deal with it. You don't know me, no-one on this meteor does".
No-one, on this Meteor does.

Dave left the commotion to settle, pacing into his room. He hated being angry, Anger is the fall of a Time Hero. Anger meant misusing his power, anger is relentless, merciless and regrettable - Anger is what separates you from Lord English. Dave sighed, he was tired of anger, tired of Time itself; using Time spoiled all the answers to the questions yet to be told, using Time was the borderline of Dominion. Using Time, told you the decisions you were forced to make, before you even made them. Time, Funny thing Time; the best way to use it, is to not use it at all - only when things really needed it could you use it. Dave knew this more than anyone, he had seen too many copies of himself, felt so many of them die in alternate loops, it felt like he was splitting his soul and eventually he'd lose track of himself. It's why he stopped time travelling, so he could keep hold of himself, he spent so much time training his body; to cover everything else, to have something to rely on when there is no Time to use; if he was going to kill Lord English, he would have to do it without depending on Time, but depending on the Knight he trained himself to be.
Dave stared at his hand, the blood still dripping from the cut, still fresh off the blade that had cut it, he carefully sat on his bed - intent to not make the same mistake again - and watched as the pseudo-immortality of his Godhood finally sealed the wound. Dave flexed his newly healed hand, ensuring that the cut wouldn't reopen, the scar glowed a warm red around the paleness of his Texan Albino skin.
But I can still feel it sting
"What have I done?" Dave whispered to himself "Why am I still alive?"
Dave flicked at parts of his God Tier uniform, refuting his worth to it; all he did was Bankrupt his planet, tag along the coattails of the others, what did he do to be Heroic? To accept death? Nothing. Dave uncomfortably danced around his room, switching from standing to sitting as he listed out the achievements of his friends.
"John; he got the Tumor, he cracked the Beat Mesa"
He's the real Hero  
"Rose heeded the cry of the Horrorterrors, and accepted a suicide mission without second thought"
She was braver than Me
"And then there's Jade..."
Jade...
Dave halted at the mention of her name, daringly letting out a small smile as he sat back down on his bed.
"Jade saved five planets, all with a freshly bred Frog holding the new Universe under her arm"
And she didn't change a bit

It was the why the calendar kept him sane, the thought of seeing her again. The very notion rushed through him like an elixir to the soul. He had known for a while now how much Jade meant to him, but he had only become certain days before ending things with Terezi. From the moment he met her, Jade had perched herself comfortably in his mind; was it any wonder that Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff were the reverse initials of Bro Strider and Jade Harley? No, that was no coincidence. The feelings grew in strength over the course of the Game; the dress she wore on LoFaF made his heart skip a beat and made his cheeks erupt into a bright red glow - only excused by the snow around them - he felt comfortable around her, at ease and worthwhile, he knew that if they were to die, he'd be glad to spend his last known days with her.
Dave's smile didn't last long, as it slowly began to dissipate
"No chance Strider" he murmured.
Jade was the kindest, sweetest person he knew, and Dave knew that he'd need a Juggalo Miracle for her to be mad enough to like him back, let alone love him. The fact was, Jade is Real Cool; no shades to hold a facade, no poker face or irony, all she could be is herself, unyielding, unforced and effortlessly cool, and that's how he felt around her, she was like a magnet; she could draw in positivity and joy - and that is the coolest thing of them all.
But even if she did like him, Dave still felt disturbed, because if she did then he would've pursued her - Davesprite. That orange, ghost-faced featherbrain was the very envy of Dave's mind, the orange graffiti on John's message still scalding his brain today; he was billions of miles and dimensions closer to her, 2 and a bit years nearest to her, he knew he'd convince her that they're the same, poison her beautiful mind. Dave grinded his teeth, scratching his head as he thought about it - he could feel a disturbance in himself beyond the pain of the cracks; Jade was hurt, and Dave feared that the sprite was the cause.
Fuck
Dave buried his head into his knees, repeatedly cursing whatever had caused this fear of Jade being hurt to be true; he'd never hurt Jade, Never! Never Ever! and it broke him feeling like this, feeling helpless and billions of miles away. It broke him to be apart from her; even seeing her in the Dream Bubbles would've sufficed, just to say hello to her, to hold her hand, to hold her tight
One more time, before he can finally reunite, and tell her how he feels.
"Fuck Fuck Fuuuuck!" Dave winced, tightening his body as his knees crushed his skull, his nails injected themselves into the back of his head and his eyes shut so tight that not even the tears could not find a way out.
Dave continued to remain still, the starlight of the window shining against him like an arctic breeze, Dave choked as his throat tried to close, denying any chance of another outburst, refusing to let his doubts beat him. The window unleashed a frosty draught that circled Dave familiarly, the sensation took Dave nostalgically back to LoFaF, the feeling that could only force him to tense up more. Dave loosened his grip against his head, slightly raising it as he stared into his scarred hand, he took a deep sigh before closing his eyes, before returning to how he was
Until he heard it
Until he felt it
"Shhhhhhhhh"
The hush resonated through Dave's ear like a symphony.
Dave gasped, slightly rising his head, his hands twitched to the faint feeling that stroked his palm; cold, faint, but like skin. The feeling returned again, the feeling of a small delicate thumb stroking his cut as the rest of the fingers cushioned the back of his hand, the thumb carefully circling as another hand gripped around his fingers. Dave gently clutched his hand, being careful not to pass through the faint essence of her hands on his; it was instinctive, it was meaningful and euphoric and Dave refused to chance it by opening his eyes.
For she's right here in front of me.
Although his eyes were shut and shrouded in darkness, Dave could see Jade as clear as if she stood before him; from her shimmering ruby shoes to the tips of her white canine ears, her dazzling Green eyes and her beautifully, innocently and dorkly bucktooth grin cutely widened for him as it caught onto the tip of her bottom lip.
Perfection.
Dave couldn't help but smile, everything else around him no longer mattered, every sound muffled out as if he was underwater, unconscious to the outside world, living blissfully in the life beyond what normal people could see.
"Harley" Dave quietly breathed, as Jade's image smiled widely, her eyes twinkled as tears welled up and she continued to bite her lip.
Dave's smile dropped, Don't Cry Jade, his free hand breezed over to her face, his knuckles tenderly stroking her skin while she closed her eyes, grateful to feel his touch as it ran down her cheek and back up under her glasses to wipe the tear away. Jade clutched his hand tightly, releasing one to grab onto the hand by her cheek, her smile still wide, her eyes still filled with relief and grace and her thumbs still autonomously stroking against Dave's palms. Jade opened her mouth, but nothing came out, their voices couldn't be heard but it didn't matter to Dave; he could easily read her lips, easily remember the sound of her voice
Hey
Dave could feel his cheeks rush with blood, and an immediate surge of heat flow through his body; they just smiled at one another; Jade firmly holding Dave's hand and Dave weaving his fingers through a lock of her hair, the moment was Timeless to Dave, unlike anything he had felt in years, he felt whole. Jade slowly began to increase her grip on Dave's hand, dragging it nearer to her chin, she hesitantly nuzzled it for a while as the feeling gave his skin goosebumps, she took another longing glance at Dave before she timidly pressed her lips against the heel of his hand, before once again nuzzling her cheek into it. The feeling of her lips lingered on Dave's hand, the surprise leaving him breathless as he smiled knowingly at the message she was sending. Jade's innocent eyes captivated him deeply into a trance, a trance he didn't want to break from; it was just the two of them together, two hearts, beating as one.
One Chance, A Chance I have to take.
He slowly gripped his hand, moulded to cradle around her cheek and the back of her neck, his thumb graciously yet teasingly brushed over the lower ridge of her glasses, making it clumsily hop against Jade's nose before his thumb tickled the tip of her ear lobe. Dave slowly pulled himself towards her, his hand following Jade as she leaned towards him too, their breaths synchronized into a small, nervous cloud of heat as Jade's eyes slowly began closing, tilting her head to the right as Dave tilted his to the left, their noses brushed gently as they felt each other's breath against their lips, their noses lifted upwards, slowly dragging towards the edges of their glasses as their lips slowly, agonisingly, perfectly closed in.
But before a connection was made, the screeching sound of drawn curtains had broken the trance.
No.

Dave opened his eyes, the light flashed like a burst bubble, noises amplified around him as mumblings and giggling could be heard from the outside. Dave shakily watched his hands remain in place to how he held her, but there was nothing there, no feeling, no presence. She was gone.
Just a second more, why not a second more?
Dave slowly clenched his hands, trying to feel her essence again, but it was all in vain, his throat flared and choked like he had swallowed a fireball, his hands numbly dropped against his knees, slightly bouncing as it fell neatly onto the side of the bed. His heart pounded like an angry neighbour against his chest, every thud as if Dave was being punched.
Dave suddenly remembered the curtains, his eyes sharply flew to the hallway, intent on making whoever disturbed him pay. The Black Carapace known only as the Mayor stood frightened in Dave's room, frozen like the prey of a hungered beast as he immediately regretted what he had just done; his bright white eyes widened in apology as the Knight eventually relaxed himself.
"You should've knocked" Dave said halfheartedly.
The Mayor gently nodded, regaining his grandiose composure as he tamely sat beside Dave.
"I'm sorry for the glare man" Dave said, ruffling his hair "It's a bit of a rough time for me"
The Mayor blinked, he didn't have much time for words, everything that people needed to know was already written on his face, his expression and body language, everybody liked that about him - he was the most honest of them all, and he didn't have to say a word.
"The Day's December First" Dave sighed "I just can't keep on waiting anymore, there's nothing left on this rock to do, nothing that I've done to deserve being here".
The Mayor frowned, he didn't like it when the Knight doubted himself, the Knight was one of the most valiant, strong willed creature he knew, and he could take it no more.
"Sir Knight" he spoke with a deep and British tone "What does December First mean to you?"
Dave was overcome with shock, he never expected the Mayor to speak so, Mayorly. He paused as he glanced over to the calendar, uncovering the best way to answer
"It's Jade's Birthday" He said weakly "It's the day I remember her most, the day I miss her the most, the day I wish I was with her right now, instead of here, anywhere but here"
The Mayor gazed in awe of the calendar "To Love at all is to be Vulnerable - C.S. Lewis"
Dave glanced back at the Mayor "No dude, you don't say the name as part of a quote, that's who said it".
The Mayor snorted, his small body jumping in turn "Well what do you know"
Dave smirked, the Mayor could always cheer him up; he couldn't help, but he could cheer him up.
"Nonetheless" the Mayor continued "You have locked yourself in here for about a human month now, everyone has been worried"
Dave's eyes widened "A-a Month?"
The Mayor nodded in concern
"Shit" Dave looked away in disbelief "It's really been a month?"
The Mayor continued to nod "Look, I understand that you feel like the burden is too big to bear, that you question your own place; but you were born here, you were chosen for this duty, to be the Knight of your Race, and the Hero to your people, including the kind Witch of Space".
Dave sighed again "So how many know?"
The Mayor paused, looking around to avoid Dave's interrogative glance.
"It depends on who believes your sister in her intoxicated rants" The Mayor said guiltily, nervously kicking his heels at the bottom of Dave's bed.
"Great" Dave mused sarcastically "It doesn't change things though; waiting. I've waited two and a half years for something and the closest I've got is something I'm only half sure actually happened"
The Mayor leaned in closely "Did it make you feel happy?"
Dave blinked at the Mayor, slightly intimidated and impressed by his friend's new approach
"Yeah" he breathed "For the first time in a while, it did"
"Then you must hold onto that" The Mayor reviewed "That will help you carry on. That and my stories"
Dave vulnerably snorted, keeping true to his cool smirk "But I'm not a Hero".
The Mayor narrowed his eyes "Says who?"
Dave froze, Says who?, his mind slowly processed as the Mayor decided to answer.
"I have heard many stories about you Tranquil Knight"
"Dude, it's...Dave" he interrupted, uncomfortable with the pedestal the Mayor addresses him on.
"Great tales of a child's evolution to a man" he continued, ignoring Dave's remark.
"I think you've mistaken me for someone else" Dave joked, unable to anticipate the Mayor's skeletal arm grip the scruff of his hood. The Mayor, defeated in pulling Dave to him compromised by pulling himself to Dave's face and stared through his shades with a single eye.
"Who donated his planet's money to a troll?" he hissed, staring relentlessly at Dave
"Me" Dave growled back, unable to see his point.
"That donation is what drew the trolls to you, that paid for the Fraymotifs of both Troll and Humans alike, they would all be dead if it weren't for you"
Dave was speechless, but the Mayor wasn't done.
"Who rescued the Drunken Seer from an archagent enlisted to kill?"
I did
"Who broke the chains of Derse so the Green Sun could exist?"
I did
"Who gave their life on the Land of Frost and Frogs to protect the Frog Breeder and the love of their Life?"
I...
Dave stopped, pulling the Mayor's gripped hands off of him as he stood over the Carapace.
"How do you know about that?" he said in disbelief.
The Mayor sat up straight as he adjusted himself.
"Since when does a Knight of Time become unable to dodge bullets?"

Dave staggered back down to his seat, That Day, the Day he saw Time for what it truly was, he remembered it clearly from both perspectives; watching and trying desperately to avoid it and living it. The cold taste of lead lingers on the tip of his tongue upon memory, a taste he knew he'd always take bitterly but never regrettably. He wouldn't watch Jade die, both he and Jack knew that the monster's Becquerel side would never intentionally hurt her. Jack thought he had found the solution, played them cleverly into his hand, but Jack miscalculated something, he miscalculated Dave. Dave was never going to dodge those bullets; not because he couldn't, but because he wouldn't, Jade would be safe from Jack as long as she was alive, and all she needed was more Time - Time, Dave gladly gave to her in exchange for his life. It was a sacrifice he would repeat a thousand times if he ever was given the chance to go back; it was right, it was necessary, it was the subconscious task he needed to pass to prove his love for the Canine's master - a heroic act of Love, worthy of a God Tier.
"A Knight is more than a title David" the Mayor spoke softly "It is a chivalrous oath; an oath of Loyalty, Generosity and Perseverance, to do right for the honour of fellow knights, men and women, to fear your Lord but maintain the order of the Grand Design; the fight between Right and Wrong. And most popularly, to protect your Love from everything and anything that threatens them. And you have done that, splendidly"
Dave couldn't speak, he was still taking everything in, the Mayor leaped to his feet and attentively slammed his hand against Dave's shoulder.
"You are more of a Hero than you take credit for, but Kanaya does not lie; these things will run its course unrushed and at steady pace, but you must persevere, good things come to those who wait" The Mayor winked cheekily as he set off "Oh, and don't tell anyone that I spoke, I feel the silence adds to my mystique".
Dave chuckled under his breath, lifted by the revelation that hid before his eyes, he looked over to his Katana, his reflection smiling at him as he understood.
I, am Dave Strider. I was born in this Game, and I was born FOR this Game.
And if there's even a chance that Jade Harley could requite your feelings you are damn well going to take it!
Even if it's Once Chance, it's a Chance I have to tak!
"Do you think we have a shot" Dave smiled as he stared down the leaving Mayor.
The Mayor turned with a smile
"Space and Time Sir Knight" he winked "It is like it was written"
He leaned forward in dramatic fashion.
"But you will only find out, if you try".

The Mayor exited in tremendous fashion, the wind blew in perfect time as the curtains were drawn shut. Dave smiled, thinking about his moment before the Mayor entered.
Just because it was in my head, doesn't mean it wasn't real
Dave stood up, eventually placing his Katana back against his calendar, he stopped as he inspected the mark, stroking the dent with his finger as he walked away. Dave meekly silenced his steps, peering his head out of the curtains; the last routine was going to take place as steps shuffled and wrestled to the teleporter - ready to enter the main hall, and for the first time in weeks, listen to one of the Mayor's renowned tales of past.
This time, I'll be there.
Dave waited until everything fell silent once more
But not before I do one last thing.
Dave popped his head out of the curtains, slamming his fist against the vents to ensure no-one had stayed behind, he glided back into his room towards his bed, thankful that nobody ever questioned why he needed to make sure he knew when people were coming. He silently pulled the bed away, revealing a patch of graffitied chalk hidden from view, the patch shone like fresh steel, clear from the wear of the past couple of years and marked with a spiral of white lines, shaped like the Space logo, and small pink hearts beside it.
"One more touch" Dave hummed quietly to himself.
Dave reached into his dreaded hood, shamelessly pulling out the small, worn stick of red chalk he had hidden from Terezi ages ago, grateful that he hadn't forgotten about it. Dave leaned down to the patch, effortlessly drawing a red Time Logo around the Space one.
"December First" Dave smiled "Only a Matter of Time"
Dave sat next to the patch for a moment, intently gazing outside the window to the gateway of the new Session; it was his chance, his beacon, his moment to be the Dave she knew and loved. Dave slowly reached for his glasses, carefully letting them slide off the ridge of his nose, bright red eyes beamed at the window with new life and hope, as if he was looking at Jade through their own personal connection with a happy and knowing nod.
"Happy Birthday Harley" Dave smiled, unironically blowing a kiss to the window "I miss you".
Dave's words left him like how dandelion seeds were blown away for wishes, Dave laid back onto the wall and closed his eyes, imagining about things to come until slowly returning to another familiar halt.
Whether his mind was playing tricks on him or by some multidimensional miracle, Dave felt a faint weight fall onto his hand; he didn't look, and he didn't have to look, as it tenderly curled around his palm, holding onto his hand. Dave gently extended his elbow as the weight wrapped around it, hugging it caringly and tight, finally Dave felt it on his shoulder, her head, sweetly leaning against it. Dave took a deep breath, aware that the road would be tough, there'll be things he won't expect, things that'll throw him off this path; but he always held true to what his friends told him, held true to who he was, and even though he would never know if this experience was real or imagined
He heard her voice clearly that night.
Four words, that he needed to hear

"I miss you too".