Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/7197071.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Homestuck
  Relationship:
      John_Egbert/Dave_Strider
  Character:
      John_Egbert, Dave_Strider, Dave's_Bro, Bro_Strider
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-06-14 Chapters: 2/? Words: 1815
****** ...Thanks. ******
by Homestuck_dork_(orphan_account)
Summary
     Dave lives with his Bro, and he wants to leave. He doesn't want to
     endure the pain and humiliation of living with his Bro and being his
     punching bag. School is like a safe place for him. Especially when
     John comes along. John does his best to help Dave, and he's really
     thankful for that.
     Who knows if it'll turn out okay, though...
***** The Horrible, Horrible Beginning. *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
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~
-
Dave sighed as he walked to school in the pouring rain, shivering horribly. He
was really hungry and tired, completely worn out from the weekend. Weekends
were the absolute worst. Two entire days with his bro. Two. Entire. Whole.
Days. He didn't know how he survived it, vacations were even worse. The blonde
finally arrived at school, shuffling his feet as he walked to his classroom,
soaking wet and cold as hell. Dave felt like crying, just plain breaking down
and sobbing because everything hurt. His stomach, his back, his shoulders,
legs, arms, neck... He could barely take it. But he was in his safe place, at
school. Kids made fun of him sometimes, but nothing was worse than what he got
at home. Dave felt worthless, that was what he was told all the time. As he sat
in his seat in the classroom and took notes, he could hear people whispering
about him, saying things that he didn't want to hear. Dave was tall, pale
skinned, freckled, his hair was blonde with a tint of orange. Not exactly
"handsome". First period was okay, nothing that eventful happening.
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~
-
But second period was a different story entirely. The sound of the door opening
echoed through the classroom, all the students looking towards the source of
the sound. Dave didn't bother of course, he just stuck to his note taking.
Then, footsteps from the door to the front of the room, where the teacher's
desk was. "Everyone, We have a new student." The teacher said, her voice
ringing through the room. "Please, introduce yourself." She added, in her usual
boring way. "My name is John Egbert." A voice said. A voice that sounded so
mature, yet so nerdy and dorky at the same time. Dave's interest was piqued. He
looked up, ignoring the soreness of his neck that followed. There was a boy
standing there, he was short, and a little chubby. His skin was a beautiful
color, what he would describe as the color of coffee when you mix milk into it.
His hair was short and black, a little curly and sticking up in places. The boy
had a little overbite, his teeth stuck out and it was...really cute. Dave was
mesmerized, he'd never seen someone like that, someone so beautiful and
perfect. The teacher started to ask him questions, and he started to answer.
John was wearing a blue sweatshirt, much too big for him and a pair of light
khaki shorts that reached his knees. Dave was sure only John could pull off
that look. Dave didn't know how to describe the feeling he got when he looked
at John. The next thing he knew, John was smiling at him and walking towards
him, then he was sitting next to him. Dave glanced over, his red eyes focusing
the best they could behind his dark shades. John was like a ray of bright,
magnificent sunshine that Dave couldn't look away from. It was blinding. John
waved at him politely, with his cute smile. Dave waved a little in return, his
pale, freckled face turning a bright shade of pink. How was it even possible
for someone to be so cute?
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~
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Girls whispered about him, saying John was cute, pretty, etc. The words Dave
never heard being said about himself. Dave glanced at John's hands, he couldn't
help but notice John had painted nails. His nails were a beautiful royal blue,
his thumb adorned with a single tiny red flower. Eventually it was third
period, then lunch. Dave stood up from his seat, holding back his winces of
pain that shot through his backside, legs, and shoulders. He groggily carried
his book bag to the cafeteria, the smell of fresh baked bread, fruit, and other
foods instantly hitting him. Dave wanted to eat so badly, but he couldn't. Yes,
the school did offer free lunch to those who had low-income families, but
unfortunately for Dave, Bro made a lot of money. And Bro never gave him any for
lunch. So of course, he couldn't eat at school. Dave followed his usual routine
of walking past the tantalizingly close, delicious smelling food, and to his
seat in the corner of the large room. He sat down by himself, crossing his arms
and resting his head on the table. Maybe now he'd be able to get some sleep.
Dave let his eyes slip shut, making an attempt to sleep for at least a little.
But unfortunately, that was interrupted by the sounds of footsteps coming
closer. Dave thought about who it might be. A teacher? Nah, they don't give two
shits about the students. Guys coming to make fun of him? No...it sounded like
only one pair of footsteps.
"Um, hello! Mind if I sit here?"
There was that voice. The sweet sounding, nerdy voice that could only come from
John. Dave looked up, fixing his aviator shades and sitting up properly.
"Sure." He replied simply, wondering why John would want to sit with himself,
of all people. John set his tray of food on the table, then sat down across
from Dave. The first thing John noticed was that Dave didn't have any food in
front of him. He'd ask about that later. "So, you probably know my name
already, but incase you forgot, it's John." He said politely, a kind smile on
his face. "You're...Dave, right?" John asked curiously, tilting his head a bit
to the side like a puppy.
Dave nodded, wondering how he knew his name. "Oh, good! I would've been so
embarrassed if I didn't get your name right." John laughed sweetly. John's
laugh sounded like angels singing, it was the sweetest thing Dave had ever
heard.
"Sooo, tell me about yourself! I was thinking we could be friends, since you
seemed like a really cool guy." John said, his voice full of sincerity and
friendliness. Dave wasn't sure what to say, he was struck for words. "....What
do you wanna know?" Dave asked, trying to be as friendly and polite as
possible.
"Hmmm....Let's start with small talk, hm? What's your favorite color?" John
asked, obviously invested in the conversation. "Red, I guess. Yours is
blue...?" Dave guessed. "Yeah! Especially dark blue, but light blue is nice
too. Red is a nice color, it makes purple when you mix them together. So I
guess our official color would be purple." The ravenette rambled, a big beaming
smile on his cute face.
Dave wasn't a huge fan of purple, but he felt like that would change very soon.
Chapter End Notes
     Hey everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. It's vaguely
     mentioned here, but there will be Dave's abusive Bro in this. The
     scenes won't be very detailed, but they will be there. Beware.
     Leave me a comment and a kudos, telling me how I did!
     Thanks you guys.
     -Feather.
***** Purple. *****
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~
-
John and Dave talked for a while, slowly starting to get to know each other.
Dave sighed, nodding along to John's cute rambling. Then, John opened his
package of pasta. The food at the school was really good, that's what Dave had
heard, at least. John started eating, and it looked like he really enjoyed it.
Dave was dying inside, the smell of the pasta, the way it looked...Dave wanted
some too. Of course, it would be rude to ask for some since it was John's food.
Dave kept quiet, tracing the wooden design on the table. "Do you want this? I'm
not a huge fan of these." Dave looked up to see John holding out a small bag of
chips. He nodded and took the bag, then opened it. Dave felt like he barely had
enough strength to do such a small task. "...Thanks." He replied, eating some
chips afterwards. Dave ate all the chips, and the crumbs a little quickly. John
finished up his own food, and stood up. "Here, I'll take that for you." John
offered, holding out his hand for the empty bag.
-
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Eighth period. Great. Dave hated it. The last period before school was out, the
last hour before he had to go home. That was something Dave didn't want to do
at all. He let out a sigh as he walked in the classroom and sat down in his
seat. John happily sat down next to him, beaming his usual happy smile. Class
started, and in the middle, John slipped a note into Dave's homework textbook
for him to find later on. He could definitely sense there was something wrong
in Dave's life, and John wanted to help him through this tough time, whatever
it was.
The teacher passed out papers to the students, which they were supposed to
trade with a partner and grade each other's work. John proudly passed his paper
to Dave, and Dave sheepishly gave him his own. John hummed a sweet little tune
as he graded Dave's paper with a sparkly, blue gel pen. He drew little doodles
of flowers, smiley faces, and cute animals like owls and other birds. He even
drew a little picture of him and Dave together. John figured these little
things would make him smile, or at least make Dave feel nice. Once they traded
their papers back, Dave was speechless. All these little drawings and
doodles...Even though it wasn't much, Dave really appreciated it. He even
managed to smile, for a few wonderful moments. John smiled as well, seeing
Dave's reaction.
But Dave's smile slowly faded as he heard the bell ring for the end of class.
-
~
-
John found Dave standing in the front of the school, looking like he was deep
in thought. "Hey, are you okay?" John asked gently, his hand resting softly on
Dave's shoulder. Dave just nodded, then waved to John before muttering,
"...Thanks, John..." and leaving. John frowned, concerned for his new friend.
Dave walked down the street, back to his house. It was a little far from the
houses around it, which was unfortunate for Dave. Once he got to his house, he
unlocked the door and walked in, almost silently closing the door behind him.
The blonde looked around cautiously, not seeing anyone, or any signs of someone
being home. He breathed a sigh of relief and walked to his room, still staying
completely silent. He entered his room and closed the door behind him, then sat
down at his desk and took out his homework. Dave opened his textbook, then read
the pages, taking notes.
He kept his shades on, even though nobody was around. His half-lidded, tired
eyes followed the words the page, only temporarily distracting him from what he
knew would come later tonight. His fingers flipped the page, there he saw a
folded up piece of paper. His curiosity taking the best of him, Dave unfolded
the paper.
It was a very well drawn picture of John and Dave together, holding hands and
smiling. Dave could barely believe what he was seeing, John was so nice and
kind, but why? Why did John do all this for him when they'd first met?
Dave had never received this kind of affection, it was a new feeling that he
really liked.
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