Chapter Text
You have never been in love and nothing’s going to change that.
You’re already starting college and you would proudly admit that you have never had a crush, liked anyone, or even been in a relationship. It just feels silly to go around kissing someone who just asked you out and then break up a few months after. Sometimes you get an overwhelming feeling that you’re lonely and joke about how you need a girlfriend or boyfriend or something of that sort but you could never bring yourself to open your heart up to people. Sure you have close friends and potential mates but when someone asked you to date them, you would say yes without thinking but then break up with them the next day.
You are motherfucking Dave Strider and you have never been in a relationship.
It is a fact that you probably won’t find anyone of interest in Seattle, Washington. You only moved up here because this college has a great photography program and they gave you a full on scholarship. There was no way you were going to passing this up.
You’re now lying on your bed, stretched out and resting after bringing in all your boxes to your single bed room. Since you paid a little more extra money, you’ve gotten the last single room in the freshman dorms and are you goddamn glad for that.
There was more room for important things like your pictures and of course, you wouldn’t leave your house without your precious turntables. Hell yeah you would pay extra bucks to live in your own dorm. The only bad side about it was that you lived on the top floor.
You sit up and debate on cleaning up a bit more or going out to explore. You decide on exploring and grab a jacket before stepping out of your dorm to make your way down to the main door.
The weather outside was warm but a little chilly, to you at least. Walking to your left, you look around and notice all the opened food places. For college kids, you guessed. You then walked past a café and entered into a pizzeria. Coffee wasn’t really your thing. You honestly did better with those five-hour energy shots than a cup of coffee anyways.
Inside the pizzeria, the floor is checkered with white and red tiles with plain red walls matching the school colors for The Jackals. There are a few pictures hanging up on the walls showing the history of this place.
You ignore them and walk up to the counter and ask for a slice of pepperoni pizza with a side of sprite. After grabbing your pizza and drink, you took a seat near the back and began to eat quietly and leisurely.
A few minutes pass and you grab your phone with your free hand after wiping the wet perspiration of the sprite on your jacket. Unlocking your iPhone, you flip to see that you have a few messages from your long-lost sister, Rose. You might or might not have arranged to come to the same college as her. You can’t help it; you honestly love her and missed her ever since your parents split.
No. You are not going to get into your stupid past right now.
Going back to check those messages, you see that Rose was asking where you were so you guys could meet up with a few friends of hers. After texting her back to say that you’re at the pizzeria next to the café, she quickly replies that she is in fact in the café next door. You text her to say that you’ll be there after you finish your pizza and lock your phone again.
After what seemed like forever, which was only about 15 minutes, you finished your pizza, cleaned your hands, threw your trash away, and took your drink with you to the café. Once inside, you’re hit with an air of coffee and god, did you hate the smell of coffee. You grimace and spot a blonde waving at you near the back. You couldn’t help but laugh since that was the same place you sat in the pizzeria. Twin senses, you guessed.
Upon walking in on her and her friends, you take note that there are two boys and two girls, not including you and Rose. You sit across from Rose and next to a guy with the darkest shade of hair but the brightest of eyes. Staring at them too long could make you sick to your stomach, and probably puke, so you turned your attention back at Rose.
“Dave. So nice of you to join us! Can we please do introductions for my dear brother, please?” Rose asks with a soft smile.
You can’t help but smile with her. Goddamn twin senses.
“I’m Jade!” A girl with long raven hair and vibrant green eyes spoke in an ecstatic tone.
“Hello, David. I’m Kanaya Maryam and I have heard much about you from Rose,” Another girl spoke. Her skin is a dark tanned brown and her short brunette hair is styled perfectly. You would like to point out that her eyes are an extreme mix shade of green and blue. Sort of like a jaded color.
The next person who spoke had a raspy voice and light brown hair. You had to look at him twice to realize that he had the same colored eyes as you, perhaps they’re even brighter. “I’m Karkat Vantas. Don’t get too comfortable around me.” You can tell that he’s going to be a good friend.
Last but not least was the boy sitting next to you with the sea blue eyes. “And I’m John! John Egbert. Nice to meet you Dave!” He reaches his hand out and you take hold of it to give him a manly shake. He smiles and puts his hand back down to his side as do you.
“Hey! That’s not fair. I didn’t know you guys had to tell Dave your last names!” Jade huffed and turned towards you with a toothy smile, “My full name is Jade Harley.” She gave a small laugh before continuing, “Sorry about that.”
“Nah, it’s cool,” you laugh lightly along with her. You can tell she’s cute and someone is definitely going to fall for her sooner or later.
The next couple of hours were spent getting to know each other’s majors and schedules. You also got pretty close to everyone and you’re so glad that Rose made such good friends.
Karkat is actually pretty fun being around. Jade is basically a grade A sniper and you know for a fact that you don’t want to get on her bad side. Kanaya is here for a fashion major thing and you took notice that her entire outfit is something that you have never seen before. A little part of you tells you that John might have a thing for Rose and your older brother instincts are kicking in. You’re going to need to take him down quickly but gently.
Since all the freshmen are required to live on campus, you, John, and Karkat walked back together to the male dormitory. Karkat had the luxury to live on the first floor which only left you and John in the elevator. You try not to make eye contact with him but you need to lay down the rules.
Giving a fake cough, you grab John’s attention and you take a moment to think about what you’re going to say.
“Look, John,” You pause for dramatic effect. “I don’t want to make any assumptions but you know that Rose and I are siblings. As the older bro, I need to protect her, y’know? So, if you have a thing for her, I just want to let you know that you’re going to need my permission if you wanna date her. Sorry for crushing your hopes and dreams and all that but an older bro’s gotta do what he’s gotta do.” You shrug and continue to look straight ahead, not sure if your words are going through to John’s head.
There was a brief silence before he breaks out with a soft giggle.
You turn your head to look at him to see why he’s laughing. He then directs his attention towards you and you nearly dart your head to look the opposite direction.
Don’t look at his eyes. You thought. Holy shit, don’t look at them.
“Dave,” He speaks and you nod your head to let him know that you heard him. “Did Rose not tell you?”
You’re facing him again and holy shit, he’s got your full attention. “What?” You ask, almost anxiously.
“Rose and Kanaya are dating. But keep it on the down low. I just thought that you would have known but I’m guessing you don’t,” He grins at you and you can almost feel the pity in his eyes.
No. You’re not about to be pitied by the likes of him.
He’s already getting under your skin and you’re not even sure why.
“Yeah, I know bro. Still, I’m just saying that if you want to date her, you gotta talk to me first.”
John laughs again and when the elevator doors finally open on his floor, he steps out and turns around to ask if you wanted to get breakfast with him and Karkat tomorrow. You thought about it and were about to reply until the doors closed between you guys. You readjusted your pointed glasses on the bridge of your nose and step out on your floor when the doors opened again.
When you enter your dorm, you kick off your shoes, flop onto your bed and take out your phone. There were no new messages and the only new number you’ve gotten was Jade’s. You sigh and decide to confront Rose about this. You began to compose a text starting out with, “Hey Rose. I know you were probs going to tell me later but I just found out that you liked girls.” You quickly delete that message and decided to text her, “Let’s have some brother sister bonding time before breakfast tomorrow.” You sent the message and lie on your stomach with your chin resting on your pillow. Even if Rose is a lesbian, you’ll accept her just as you always have. You see her as your sister, the person who shares your past with you, and that is what she will stay as; your younger and beautiful sister.
You sigh and take off your shades to fold and set on your nightstand. Rolling onto your back, you reflect on today. Rose has grown up into a great young woman. Jade and John might or might not be related. You’re going to need to talk to Karkat someday because of his eye color. Kanaya seems like a fine person. You can see why Rose has fallen for her.
A good 20 minutes have passed by and you suddenly thought about John. Why must his eyes be such a certain shade of blue?
You close your eyes and imagine the ocean back in Texas. You remember it now. You were visiting the beach with your family when it was still a whole. The sea was so open and blue and it just drew you in. You asked for permission from your father before heading for the sea. When you first stepped in, it was cold but refreshing compared to the Texas heat. You liked this feeling and wanted it to cover you so you continued to walk into the water. The tide was pulling you in and you laugh, thinking that it probably wants to play with you too. Before you know it, you were floating and tried to find some land under your feet so you could go back to your family. The sea drew you back further and further before you could process what was happening. You flailed your arms and legs. You were shouting with every last breath to get you out of the sea. Your shades have fallen from your face and your whole body is now submerged in water. Your eyes are exposed to nothing but blue.
The buzzing of your phone knocked you awake. Your heart is racing and you’re sitting in cold sweat. You try to take a moment to look around and process everything but the impatient buzzing of your phone required your attention. Answering with a ragged voice, you’re greeted with Rose on the other end. You nod and hum at her a few times then hang up before forcing yourself off your bed and sauntering to your private bathroom.
Once you were finally finished with your morning routine, there was a knock at your door and a message from an unknown number in your phone. You disregard the message as it’s most likely from Rose and go to answer your door.
“Hold on, hold on, I’m comin’,” You say before unlocking and turning the door knob. Once you open your door, you’re standing there, frozen.
You are now standing face to face with John Egbert and holy shit; you just looked at him in the eye.