towerofanimus | As we sift through the hour glass

Entry tags:

As we sift through the hour glass

Characters: Dave Strider and Open to anyone
Setting: Around the Tower
Format: Either
Summary: It's been forty years from Dave's point of view.
Warnings: Possible mentions of death. Mention of injuries. Dave not being able to talk. Time problems. Replies being made with

rememberstime.

[Dorm Levels]
A ~~young~~ man stands in his dorm room.

Hahaha. Except he's been doing this for forty years, so it's not all that surprising. Dave was more mystified over the fact that his Ninetales looks much too young. Hell, he's pretty sure she's in the exact condition she was when he first got her when he turned fourteen. She seems rather confused too, almost not recognizing him for who he is. It's only a brief moment before she's approached Dave and is licking at his hands and headbutting him affectionately.

Dave kneel down to inspect her thoroughly. He felt the strange pause in time. Of course he did. It's impossible not to have felt it at his level. Dave has basically mastered what he can of his aspect. Like a real knight of time.

This? This makes absolutely no sense, not that time ever really did. He inspects her for a minute longer before trying to check the time on the terminals.

Welp. That was a useless endeavor.

Dave beckons her to follow him, intent on leaving the Dorm and out to the other floors. Perhaps you're in the room or perhaps you were looking for Dave right as he's about to head out.

[Floor 38: Lounge]
Dave was sprawled out on one of the beanbags letting Missy run about the room. He usually chooses this floor over floor four, being farther away and making it a little more quiet.

He's got a pad of paper at hand and he's lazily sketching things out. Mainly, Missy, although it's hard when she was all over the place. Not having a camera lead to being out of a hobby. He's picked up drawing again to make up for the inability to take photos. It was a good way to pass time and it was something he could do quietly.

[Floor 3: Library]
He's used the library a lot more since he's gotten older, burying himself in as many books as he can and reading them. Right now? He's seeing if maybe there's anyway to gather information on the current predicament. He highly doubts it, but it's also nice to touch up on things like this anyways.

Maybe he'll just read a really shitty, raunchy, romance novel while he's here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Bro watches as Missy heads over to the person he'd originally brushed off as someone unfamiliar. He arches an eyebrow when Missy stops in front of him, and that look on it's face clearly says that she expects to be rewarded. Rewarded for being completely wrong, apparently, because that's not Dave and the Pokemon is apparently stupid. Which is weird, he always thought Ninetails was intelligent. Guess he's wrong on that one. It's kinda disappointing, really.

"Dude, that's not-"

But then the person turns around, and Bro is caught off guard, because he looks really fucking familiar. And then he lifts his shades, and he gets a look at those eyes. There's no mistaking it, he's looking at Dave and he can't believe it. How? How the fuck is this actually a thing? Because last he checked, Dave was 14. Not... however the fuck old this guy is. So his first thoughts are that this is a new Dave, an alternate Dave. Not... his Dave. But why would Missy be treating him like regular Dave if he weren't?

"Are you... mine?" he finally manages to get out, his voice more hesitant than he wishes it were. The phrasing might be weird, but it's the only way he can think to ask it.

Missy seems rather impatient, seemingly not liking the fact that neither one of them are approaching. She sinks her teeth into Dave's sleeve and forces him to his feet, stumbling a bit to keep his balance. But the only sounds that are made is his shoes scuffing the floor or the sound of fabric. There's no sound of surprise or any kind of grunt as he keeps his balance.

Dave is completely silent even as he's dragged to stand in front of Bro. He's still shorter than Bro, but he's grown significantly. There's a wear in that face that far exceeds whatever age Dave is.

Dave doesn't do anything at first. Bro can watch as his eyes dart a bit, kind of taking Bro in completely. It wasn't like he was checking the other out. Just...how do you react to seeing someone who you were expecting to be in their seventies and suddenly they're younger than you. He's sure Bro was younger. It looked like Bro hasn't aged at all. Like time had frozen in place and he was still the same Bro from when he was fourteen.

But he nods. He nods at Bro's question. Because he can't really answer otherwise. Yes or no questions are nice.

Bro watches as Dave steps closer to him, and the closer he gets the more he realizes that this is definitely Dave, no doubt about it. Those eyes are Dave, the mannerisms are Dave even though he's clearly older. A lot older than Dave should be. He glances briefly at Missy as Missy leads Dave closer. It's weird how it's so eager for them to have this reunion, though that thought is brushed out of his mind when Dave finally stops in front of him.

He doesn't know what to think when Dave nods. How? How is this possibly a thing? He isn't used to the tower pulling anything like this. Usually it's just fucked up shit. So his first thoughts aren't even that the tower is the one doing this. Somehow it's... something else. Something he doesn't know about. Is it part of Dave's time powers or something? He isn't clear on those details. But why the hell would Dave age himself up if that were the case? Well, he could think of a few reasons, but not any that Dave might actually do.

When he speaks, though, his first thought isn't even to ask why. It's more than that, because if this is his Dave, and this is happening, then he needs to know one thing. "Are you alright?" He wants to know if it hurts somehow, if something bad happened to cause this. As long as Dave is okay, then he can figure out the rest later. Until then, his priority is making sure Dave isn't somehow hurt by this.

Missy just sits down at Dave's side, tails wagging in every which way as she watches the two Striders.

Dave, for the most part, has recovered from the initial shock. It might help that he was used to time not really running quite like it should. He's more than used too it. After all, time doesn't exactly run linear for him. They make loops and time kind of extends for him to a point. He's lived much longer than his actual age. He resigned to that awhile ago though.

And Dave just smiles when Bro asks him that. He fucking smiles because Dave can only reply with body language and facial expressions. None of this poker face bullcrap because the easier it is to get the point across, the less he has to rely on things like paper or having to jump through loops to make himself understood. He just gives Bro a thumbs up. A smile and a thumbs up. He's pretty fine. Other than shit being kind of weird right now, Dave can't think of why he isn't alright.

Sure the Tower has given him enough trauma to last him a couple of lifetimes, but right now he thinks he's ok.

Out of all of this, the thing that surprises Bro the most is the smile. Somehow, that catches him off guard more than the fact that he's suddenly aged 30+ years in the span of however long it's been since Bro last saw him. Which... hasn't been more than a day, honestly. He's never seen Dave smile like that, not that he can ever remember. Not at home, not here, not in Sburb for the brief time they were there. Just... ever.

Somehow it's enough to make him feel so much better about the situation, even though he should still feel anxious. In a way, he does. But if Dave can smile like that, then why the hell should he be too upset about it? He can't find it in him to. In fact... he smiles back. It's not even a conscious thing, his lips just move of their own accord and suddenly he's smiling right along with Dave like there's nothing at all wrong. Because if Dave's happy, then he's happy. That's what he's been trying to do this entire time that they've been in the tower; make Dave happy.

"I don't know what the fuck's going on, but that's a good look for you, bro."

Well. Happy isn't the exact word one would use. You can't really truly be happy in a place that exhausts you in so many ways. Content. Well, Dave thinks content is a good way to explain things. At least in the timespan he's been here, he has more to hold onto. There isn't that feeling of complete lost that he once felt. Content was a good word.

But the temporary paradise is not all what it seems. Because to answer Bro again, he has to finally resort to more than just body language or an upturn of the mouth. He turns the pad of paper to a new page, quickly writing before holding it out to Bro.

The writing was a little messy without having a proper surface to write on.

i dont think anyone knows other then the time in the tower is fucking wonky
you get better at dealing with this shit after 40 years of it

Yeah. Dave sure as hell is that old, Bro. Way into his fifties even.

Bro wasn't even thinking about the fact that Dave hasn't been speaking this entire time. When Dave smiled, it kinda just pushed aside the fact anything weird is going on, because it was so unexpected in such a good way. But when he sees Dave moving to the paper, he raises an eyebrow. He moves closer, trying to look, but by the time he makes it there, Dave's holding the paper out to him. He takes it with a quizzical look before looking down at it.

That's when it really hits him that Dave hasn't been speaking, and the fact that yeah... something's going on. He was stupid to get so caught up in Dave's smile as to forget that fact.

"Forty..." He can't fucking believe that. Forty years? How the hell did that even happen? Was Bro transported into the future, or was Dave just aged up? Nothing makes sense at all. But that doesn't matter so much, because now he's thinking about the fact that Dave is writing to him instead of speaking. "They took your voice?" It's the only explanation, and he's quick to assume that it's the tower that caused it to happen. There's an edge to his voice that makes it clear he could get angry very easily.

Dave rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. The smile looks a little apologetic. Like he's sorry that he had to throw that on Bro's shoulders. Forget the fact that he didn't choose this lifestyle. Still, it was a lot to swallow at the same time as being informed that Dave is forty years older suddenly. He can't help but feel like it's his responsibility though.

It's been so long ago that he's already accepted it. That it doesn't bother him anymore. Maybe because it might have helped more than it seems. It was really hard at first, losing the ability to speak while dealing with a lot more than just that. But he grew better from it.

He takes the pad of paper back and writes more underneath.

kind of i guess
it was awhile ago

It looked like he was about to write more but stops and holds out the paper again. He wanted to say he barely remembers it, but that would be lying. Dave hasn't forgotten anything that's happened to him. Maybe it's a curse for being a time aspect player, but he doesn't think he can forget anything. Maybe once in awhile, something dumb like the fact he can travel through time, but he doesn't truly forget.

The sheepish look makes him raise an eyebrow again, watching as Dave moves to write more. When he finally gets the answer from Dave, he isn't surprised at all. He knew the answer would be yes, and it just makes him angry. Really fucking angry, but... after a moment, he just takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, allowing the anger to dissipate. He's learned by now that being angry won't accomplish a damn thing. He can't do anything to fix it, so it's just fucking pointless to get mad. It wastes energy that can be used for other things.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs after a few seconds of silence. "Even after all this time I still haven't found a way to protect you."

You know what, Bro? You know what? That? That is Dave punching you in the arm. Hope it bruises, god. Dave just rolls his eyes and shakes his head. He jabs his finger at Bro, although that can mean a lot of things at this point. But really, Dave wasn't looking for apologies or for Bro to beat himself up for it. He wags his finger in a reprimanding manner. To somehow indicate that Bro was being dumb for feeling sorry about this. Bro didn't need to feel like he had to apologize. He was way into adulthood when it happened. Bro didn't need to protect him. He was old enough to take care of himself.

But maybe that was a bit of a knee jerk reaction. Bro was still probably used to him being younger. Not old enough to completely take care of himself. He placed both hands on either side of Bro's shoulder. He wanted Bro to look him square in the eyes. He just wanted the other to know that he didn't have to feel responsible for him or feel responsible for something that happened a long time ago.

"Ow-!" God, he hadn't been expecting that, and you know what? It fucking stung. It's probably going to bruise at this rate. Or maybe he's just being a baby, that's possible too. But screw you, that was unexpected, he's too busy being caught off guard. You took him by surprise and that's the only reason you actually managed to get a hit in the first place. He's not too upset though, because honestly Dave's reaction is a bit... amusing. It's really obvious what Dave's intent is, they've had arguments over this when he was younger.

Which... he is used to him being younger. This is a jarring change, and it's not one he can just get used to all that quickly. No matter what Dave wants, he's going to keep feeling guilty over it no matter what. But he won't turn this into a pity party, not when Dave doesn't seem upset about it. He won't make a big deal out of it for Dave's sake.

It's when Dave puts his hands on his shoulders and eye contact is basically forced between them, that it really hits Bro. Really, truly hits. He's looking at Dave. An adult Dave. Yes, he'd realized that, but now it's really hitting him. Because he's looking at Dave as an adult. That simple fact, that one concrete realization is enough to cause him to suddenly wrap his arms around Dave and pull him in for a hug as the emotion of it suddenly washes over him.

"I... I never thought I'd get to see you grow up." He's trying really hard to keep his voice steady, but god, this is such an unexpected thing for Bro. In the back of his mind he realizes he's being fucking stupid, but. He never expected to come out of Sburb alive, when it really came down to it. He'd prepared Dave the best he could for it, and that's all he could do. He never thought that he would get to see Dave actually grow up and become a man, and yet here he is. It's almost too much to handle.

Edited 2013-01-14 11:51 (UTC)

Wow, he can catch you off guard. Maybe he couldn't when he was younger, but he's gotten better with time. Sheesh, don't underestimate him, Bro. He's older than you, which is weird to admit or even think about.

Although he's taken by surprise when Bro is suddenly hugging him. He wasn't really expecting that so much. Not at all. And Bro's words his closer to home than he care to admit. Because Dave is acutely aware that in any other circumstance, Bro wouldn't get to see him grow up. Because he does die. He's already dead from his point of view. And it's still an image that he hasn't forgotten. You can't forget something like that.

Dave wraps his arms around Bro, his expression softening and maybe dropping a little. Because for all that he's content with, there's still things he worries about. Things that still scare him. But he won't voice them. He just hugs Bro back. He's glad Bro is here. Even if the place is unforgiving, he's still glad.

Some things never change, and that's Bro's ability to take people by surprise. So even though he himself just has, that doesn't mean he's not capable of doing it just the same. And it's not his fault anyway, that feelings hit him like a ton of bricks.

When Dave hugs him back, he just smiles. Because this is nice. He's starting to be really happy that he's able to meet Dave's older self, because he never expected to have the chance. For as horrible as the tower can be, he's actually hating it a little less right now, even if he probably shouldn't. Because there's still the fact that it's entirely possible little Dave won't come back. That thought is terrifying, even if he's trying not to have it.

He's also really glad that Dave can't see his face right now, because his eyes are a little watery like the stupid sap he is.

Dave buries his face against Bro silently. This was a lot nicer than he really was letting on. Because the Bro he knows has aged with him and to be here so long and to have to deal with what the Tower threw at them at these ages was harsh. It was nice to see Bro young and probably still relatively unharmed if he's guessing Bro's age right.

And maybe he's regretting not doing this more when he was younger. For taking Bro for granted for so long. He squeezes the other a bit, instinctively. He needs to chill and calm down. He didn't want to get overemotional about this. This was only temporary, he's sure.

He's just about to pull away when he feels Dave give him a squeeze, and that makes him stop. It actually makes him squeeze a little harder himself, feeling the sudden need to put more comfort in the hug than he had been. Like maybe Dave needs it. Or maybe he himself needs it, because he sure is getting really stupidly emotional over this. Fuck him and fuck his stupid, sensitive emotions sometimes. He was better than this, wasn't he?

Apparently not when it came to Dave.

"You grew up well," he finally says after a few more seconds, squeezing Dave again. There's pride in his voice.

If Dave could make noises, that definitely would have been a snort. Actually, he's not even sure what noise he made, but it was something weird. God, even after this long, the noises he makes are weird as fuck. It's unsure whether Dave made it because he's skeptical or because he finds it kind of endearing and silly that Bro is telling him this when he's middle-aged. He's not going to explain himself.

He finally pulls away, but in a moment he's no longer in front of Bro, but standing behind him. And...he's definitely got Bro's shades in his hands and that sure is a shit eating grin if anyone ever saw one. In his fifties and he can still flashstep. Which is to say, holy shit, he got pretty good at it. He sure as hell grew up.

Also. He has your shades. Yolo, Bro. Yolo.

Bro isn't sure what that sound was, but he manages to at least get the gist of the emotion behind it and he doesn't get what could be remotely funny about any of this. He doesn't have time to question it, though, because then Dave is pulling away and suddenly he isn't there anymore, and Bro isn't seeing the world through a darkened filter, either.

When he twists around, there's confusion in his face before he sees Dave, and he doesn't even have time to be annoyed by him because he's too busy being impressed. And also realizing that his eyes are still watery and fuck, he looks away and wipes at them, trying not to let onto the fact that he'd been crying.

"You bastard..." he murmurs, though his tone isn't angry.

Dave slips the shades onto his face and tries to pop the collar of his jacket. This is a useless endeavor seeing as his collar refuses to stay standing, so he just looked really silly trying to do that. He turns to properly face Bro though. There's a bit of a nostalgic feeling about wearing these again. He hadn't worn these type of shades since he was a small kid. Before John gave him the pair he still wore.

He tilts his head slightly and moves to grab ahold of Bro's wrist. Curious. You're not that quick for him not to catch you rubbing at your face. The shades sit at the edge of his nose, enough to see his brows furrow in concern. Did he upset Bro?

It takes Bro a moment to see the quizzical look that Dave is giving him and a few seconds later to realize why he's giving it to him in the first place. Then he gets it, and he just shakes his head. "I'm alright. I promise. I'm just bein' a sap is all." He can't help but smile then, and before Dave knows it, he's flash stepping and taking Dave's aviators, sliding them on his face. Then, he lifts off his hat and puts in on Dave's head. "There, now it's legit."

You can't see Dave roll his eyes, but he's so rolling his eyes. This is so silly.

He considers being an ass and not letting Bro have his hat back for awhile. That, and he's also going to muss Bro's hair up because he is a mature adult. A mature adult that is giving Bro a bad hair day. Kind of like an older sibling teasing the other. Well, he is older. But god damn if Bro isn't still taller.

"Hey-!"

But it's too late, he doesn't stop Dave in time from messing up his hair, and he just gives him a look. It feels weird to be treated like the younger one, because it's not something he's used to at all. He's always been the one to tease Dave, but now that the tables are turned...

"I'm still taller than you though."

So suck on that one.

Dave makes a face and even makes a noise that probably has some resemblance to a scoff. He grabs Bro's hand, but it isn't to reprimand the other. He starts tracing his index finger over the palm of Bro's hand. If the other catches on quickly, he'll probably figure out that Dave is actually tracing letters into his palm.

I like my height, thank you very much. It makes it easy to fit myself between people anyways.

He's like a semi permanent entity as far as John's or Rose's bed goes.

"Between people?" Bro can't help but snort as Dave traces those words out on his palm, able to catch onto what Dave's doing pretty quickly. "That sounds dirty, man. But I can't say you're not using your height for good. It's definitely a way I would approve of, let's be honest." Mostly he's just trolling, but he can't pass up the chance to do so.

Dave scrunches up his nose a bit and continues to trace more letters. Sorry, Bro, but you're going to be severely disappointed.

Think what you want, but there's nothing dirty about being my age and still a virgin.

He doesn't seemed bother by that fact. He just never got it on. It's not like the world is ending because of that right? It just never was something he thought about in this place.

Whoa. Okay, he isn't expecting that to be a thing, and he half wonders if he understood correctly. Dave's what... 40? 50? He isn't entirely sure, but either way. He's a virgin? Holy shit. That just... is a lot to handle. And part of him feels bad for the other, because. Well. Sex is important to Bro. It makes you a man. He never had the chance to pass fully into manhood! Goddamn it.

"Well that's... unfortunate."

Dave might not be bothered by it, but Bro kind of is.

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