Thirteenth Beat | The way it feels to be alive

[knightime]

Characters: Dave Strider[AU] and Dirk Strider
Format: Any
This log is: Closed
Location: Black 2-A Dorm
Summary: Dave doesn't sleep well the night after receiving the memory back of his Sis' death. Cue him trying to find somewhere to sleep that isn't his own bed that may fair better for his shitty sleeping habits. Somehow he just ends up in Dirk's bed. Oh well.
Warnings: Striders. Obnoxious levels of gross lameness. These warnings need their own warnings.

It's a blur to him. The rest of the day went well, surprisingly. He was torn about the memory, but he kind of just pushed it off like usual.

Dave ended up going to sleep forgetting that he remembered. He had linked with Jade and that was good. It's too bad he had forgotten about the dream boat pendant he was given. It was sitting on his turntables, having left it there when he was done with them for the day.

His dreams were in a blood red and it was nothing but chaotic. He can't remember much from it other than it was terrible. It probably had Sis in it. Maybe that Bro guy from whatever universe Bro was present. He really doesn't want to think too much on it. Screaming ringed in his ears as he crawled out of his bed. He left the dorm to the bathroom. Dave wasn't sure if he was going to be able to go back to sleep. He ended up on the roof for a short while but gave up and went back to the dorm, slightly weary. He just stood at the doorway, considering going back out. Maybe go to a different dorm, but ends up deciding against it when he's too insecure too go bother someone else about it.

Comments

[fracturedsoul]

Because he cares about you, Dave. You stupid moron.

He crosses his arms and waits.

[knightime]

Oh my god he doesn't want to deal with you. He just cocks his head in the direction of his table. Get away from him, holy shit.

[fracturedsoul]

Good. Dirk goes over to pick it up, and when he returns he just holds it out for Dave to take. He doesn't think this has reached the point where he needs to actually put the necklace on Dave for him. At least, he hopes not.

[knightime]

He takes it from Dirk, but he doesn't put it on yet. Jesus Christ, Dave is being a real little brat right about now.

[fracturedsoul]

Okay, good. Dirk steps back, and sits down on his own bed.

"Sweet dreams, bro."

Although he is going to stay up long enough to make sure Dave doesn't just bolt.

[knightime]

Dave doesn't lie down though. He just sits there, resting his head on his arms as they fold over his knees. He's staring out towards the window.

He really isn't going to go to sleep.

[fracturedsoul]

Dirk just watches, and when it becomes clear that Dave has no intention of going to sleep, he sighs and mimics Dave's position, feet on his bed and knees up under his chin. He wants to be able to do something. To help him somehow. But what can he do with a guy who refuses to be helped? It's not like he can make Dave go to sleep, and pushing him to talk about whatever the problem is will just make him clam up even more.

But he can't just leave him alone, either.

[knightime]

He just fiddles with the pendant. He probably should sleep. He really should, but he doesn't want to either. After waking up, Dave just kind of didn't want to sleep. He knew he should, but his foolish stubbornness was basically making it impossible.

But Dirk was staying up now too, and that wasn't fair for the other.

you can go back to sleep yknow

[fracturedsoul]

He picks his PDA back up.

Of course. Just as soon as I know you're not going to bolt.

[knightime]

im not gonna bolt
im all cozy all up here
nope
not moving
just gonna stick around
yep

Just because he's not gonna bolt doesn't mean he's gonna sleep.

[fracturedsoul]

Except he can't tell whether or not Dave is actually telling the truth.

Great, so lay down. I'll find you and give you the grand tour of Prospit.

Even though he's still learning his own way around.

Dave, this is your sister, only younger and more male. He is not going to give this up.

[knightime]

He let's out a silent sigh and puts the pendant around his neck before lying back onto the pillow.

Now if only actually falling asleep was easy to do. Maybe if he's tired enough...

[fracturedsoul]

Okay. Good.

Except Dave is still a moron. Setting his PDA down, Dirk gets to his feet to go and pull Dave's blanket over him.

[knightime]

Noooo. Just go back to sleep Dirk. He can do this himself. He doesn't need you to do this stuff for him. Sob.

This is embarrassing. So embarrassing.

[fracturedsoul]

No, let Dirk help. At least he's not ruffling your hair and reading you a bedtime story, okay?

He tucks the blanket around Dave before stepping back. "Night."

[knightime]

Oh my god. You tucked him in. He's done. Just gonna bury himself in his blankets. Jesus fuck.

[fracturedsoul]

Maybe this is what it's like to have a younger sibling. Dirk's honestly been curious ever since finding out he raised Dave in some other lifetime.

He retreats to his own bed and crawls in. Doesn't want the poor kid to be lonely when he awakens on Prospit.

[knightime]

It's probably a little while before Dave is wandering through the golden spires of Prospit. He doesn't seem to be really that invested in knowing the consorts of Prospit, just floating about in the bright gold pajamas. He's still got the aviators perch on his face and he's mostly wandering for the most part.

[fracturedsoul]

Dirk, meanwhile, floats high above the city, eyes scanning the streets and buildings below for signs of his friends.

It's a relief. He can't avoid sleeping, but now at least he's lucid, not stuck in some weird-ass hallucination all night long. He has control of his own mind again. He really owes Jade one for doing this.

When he spots Dave, he heads down to greet him. "Hey."

[knightime]

Dave honestly doesn't know which he prefers at the moment.

Dave looks up at him before waving in greeting. Surprise. Even his dream self can't talk. That's not too surprising right?

[fracturedsoul]

Dirk didn't know whether to expect him to be able to talk or not, so he's not really that surprised. A little, maybe.

"I'm still learning the ropes around here, but I can show you around a bit."

[knightime]

Dave glances around the place. He's really glad for the shades. Why is it so bright here? Who wants to be in such a bright place while dreaming?

He turns back to Dirk and nods at him.

He would grab you hand and hold it but that would be really uncool...so he doesn't.

[fracturedsoul]

Yeah that would be really dumb and silly of you, Dave.

Dirk just starts to float along down one street. He still feels kind of on edge about being so obviously and blatantly awake in full view of all these carapacians, honestly, but he does a fairly good job of hiding it.

"From what I can tell so far, I think the general layout of the planet is extremely similar to that of Derse. Which makes sense, since the two are quite deliberately just palette swaps of each other."

[knightime]

Dave follows behind Dirk, not really responding.

How...can you even respond? It's not like PDAs are standard issue on Prospit. Oh...this might be a little difficult then. It seems like Dave only really has very few ways to communicate while asleep.

But he can nod. So he does?

[fracturedsoul]

Dirk realized as soon as he noticed Dave couldn't speak that there would be some trouble here.

"Slow down, chatterbug," he teases in his usual monotonous cadence. "You just talk a mile a minute, don't you? I can't keep up." And then he glances over his shoulder. "You can sign at me. I've been reading up."

Okay, he's still a beginner. But he at least wants to try understanding.