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This Wild World

Summary:

Just as he comes to terms with himself, his sexuality, and his feelings, Dave's life is thrown into jeopardy again as the meteor passes through the biggest dream bubble they've ever experienced and he and the others become trapped in a twisted version of Earth, filled with their dead selves and painful memories. Put to the test against their worst fears, there's no time to be focusing on things like romance. Right?

Chapter 1: Beginning

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

-- turntechGodhead [TG] started pestering tentacleTherapist [TT] at ??:?? --

TG: yo

TG: rose

TG: you awake?

TT: Yes.

TT: Can I help you with something?

TG: oh yeah

TG: got a question for you

TG: its a real head scratcher

TG: if youve got the time to answer

TT: Well we seem to still be stuck on a meteor with nowhere to go for three years, so I’d say I’ve got all the time in the world.

TT: Or I suppose you do, actually, as a Knight of Time and all.

TT: What I mean is: fire away.

TG: right thanks

TG: um so maybe you dont remember but a while ago we had a whole sorta chat about some things

TG: sorta thing karkat wouldve called a feelings jam

TG: strange little guy isnt he

TG: anyway i sorta had a think about some of the stuff we were talking about in that even though i said you were talking shit at the time

TG: sorry about that by the way

TT: Forgiven.

TG: thanks

TG: anyway yeah i was sorta wondering if youd be down for like talking me through some more of this stuff cos i think weve worked out by now that im not too good at dealing with this emotion shit

TT: Ah, I take it this is to do with your recent sexuality crisis?

TG: what?

TG: sexulaity crisis?

TG: who said anything about a sexuality crisis?

TT: You.

TT: Like two weeks ago.

TT: Multiple times in an hour.

TG: alright alright got it

TG: look its not a crisis its just…

TT: Coming to terms with yourself and seeing past the heteronormativity and internalised homophobia that society and your upbringing have written into your subconscious?

TG: sounds about right yeah

TG: maybe you were right last time ya know

TG: like maybe im not

TG: you know

TG: totally straight

TT: Yes, Dave, I think we’ve established by now that you aren’t one hundred percent straight.

TT: But the fact that you’ve accepted that yourself is actually quite a step forwards.

TT: But you said you had a question.

TT: Is there anything in particular that’s bothering you?

TT: Or is it just your usual self doubt?

TG: huh

TG: both i guess

TG: but mostly…

TG: youre sorta like an expert on relationships and sexuality stuff or like the closest thing to an expert weve got on this meteor

TG: so

TG: like

TG: how do you know when like youre actually interested in dating someone and when its just… like your brain being weird and taking friendship too far

TT: Is this about Karkat?

TG: what?

TG: no

TG: shut up

TG: this was a bad idea

TT: Sorry, sorry, I shouldn’t be so nosy.

TT: Keep talking.

TG: …

TG: fine

TG: can you just

TG: okay this is gonna sound weird but could you maybe like

TG: tell me how you knew kanaya was the one

TT: That does sound a little strange.

TT: But I suppose I could do that.

TT: Okay.

TT: Kanaya is like my best friend.

TT: When I talk with her it feels comfortable and easy, but also i can spend hours with her in silence and still feel like I’m having a good time.

TT: Being around her just feels right.

TT: But more than that, it’s like every time I see her I’m excited to talk to her and just spend time on her. She’s just the best thing that ever happened to me.

TT: She’s like my best friend, but more than that too. And every time I see her I just know that things are going to be okay, and that she’ll be with me through everything.

TT: …

TT: Dave?

TG: aww

TG: that was sappy as fuck rose

TT: Wonderful, thank you for the feedback, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind next time you make me wax poetic about my girlfriend.

TG: sorry

TG: but seriously thanks for that

TT: Did that actually help?

TG: you know what

TG: yeah i think it did a bit

TG: or maybe it makes things more confusing

TT: How so?

TG: like okay so maybe i am feeling these things

TG: but now what the fuck do i do about that

TG: like genuinely rose how the fuck do you deal with having crushes

TG: how did you not spontaneously combust the second you saw kanaya

TG: or did you?

TG: did you explode the first time you saw kanaya and ive just been talking to myself this whole time?

TG: woah

TG: mind blown

TG: wait is that what the green sun was?

TG: you exploding into a billion pieces because of a cute girl?

TG: thats kinda lame rose

TT: Dave.

TG: yes

TT: I think you already know deep down what you want to do.

TG: it doesnt matter what i want to do its about whats right to do

TT: I don’t think I can decide that for you.

TT: Also, as much as I love talking about your issues, and really, I do, your brain is intriguing

TG: thanks?

TT: Vriska’s messaging everyone and I don’t think it’s a good idea to ignore her.

TG: right

TG: uh well thanks i guess

TT: No problem.

TT: Good luck with Karkat by the way.

TG: what

TG: i didnt say anything about that

TT: Didn’t need to.

TT: Just… Do what you know is right.

TT: And check the memo board.

TT: Now.

TT: See you later.

-- tentacleTherapist [TT] is now an idle chum --

 

-- arachnidsGrip [AG] opened memo on board METEOR CREW at ??:?? --

AG: Hey losers.

AG: We’re a8out to pass through another dream 8u88le.

AG: And it’s a 8ig one.

AG: Might wanna prepare yourselves.

-- arachnidsGrip [AG] is offline --

CG: IS SHE SERIOUS?

CG: IS SHE NOT GIVING US ANY MORE INFORMATION THAN THAT?

CG: FUCKING SPIDER BITCH.

TG: heh

TT: I’m not sure why she felt like she needed to inform us about a dream bubble?

GA: Yes

GA: Its Not Like These Things Are Uncommon

TT: She said this one is big.

TT: Does that mean bigger than usual?

TT: And if so how much bigger?

TT: We could really do with some more information here.

CG: YEAH YOU’RE NOT GOING TO GET ANYTHING ELSE OUT OF HER.

CG: SHE THRIVES ON MYSTERY.

GA: That Is True

GA: Vriska Has Always Loved Turning Things Into A Fun little Game For Herself

TT: Wonderful.

TT: So we’re still in the dark about this?

GA: Yes.

GA: And I Suppose We Will Be Until We Reach This Bubble.

GC: W3’R3 G3TTING CLOS3 TO 1T

GC: 1 C4N S33 1T 4PPRO4CHING FROM TH3 ROOF

GA: Youre On The Roof?

GA: Why?

GC: WHY NOT?

GA: Just Come Inside

GA: You Dont Want To Be Up There When The Bubble Hits

GC: 4LR1GHT

TT: Right.

TT: So I suppose all we can do is prepare for this bubble and hope Vriska is being more dramatic than she needs to be.

CG: I’M SURE SHE IS.

TT: Either way, it’s best to be prepared.

CG: YEAH YEAH WHATEVER

CG: WE’VE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH OF THESE TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON

CG: I DON’T KNOW WHY SERKET’S BEING SO SHADY ABOUT IT BUT IT’S PROBABLY JUST HER USUAL BULLSHIT.

CG: WHO GIVES A SHIT?

CG: WE JUST PASS THROUGH THE BUBBLE, DEAL WITH SOME FUCKING GHOSTS PROBABLY, AND THEN GET BACK HERE IN A FEW HOURS.

CG: SHIT’S EASY.

TT: Right, well, thank you for the input, Karkat.

CG: JUST BEING A VOICE OF REASON AMONGST YOU IDIOTS.

CG: SEE YOU DUMBASSES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUBBLE.

-- carcinoGenetecist [CG] is offline --

TT: Wonderful.

TT: Well, I suppose there was some sort of reason in that argument.

TT: See you all later after the bubble.

TT: Or maybe in the bubble, depending on the nature of it.

-- tentacleTherapist [TT]is offline --

TG: nice

TG: peace out

-- turntechGodhead [TG] is offline --
-- grimAuxiliatrix [GA] is offline --
-- gallowsCalibrator [CG] is offline --

Dave clicks off of the meteor chat with a sigh, worry eating away at the back of his mind, along with the nagging fear that Rose knows exactly what he’s thinking at all times. And if she’s so certain she knows what he feels about Karkat, then does that mean he’s really been that obvious in his feelings? So… does Karkat know what he’s hiding? That thought sends another wave of fear crashing over Dave’s mind, and sits further back against the wall next to his bed, drawing his knees up to his chest and curling in on himself as he takes in a deep breath.

He’s sure, from everything Rose has said and everything she’s taught him, that how he feels about Karkat is more than friendly. Every time he’s around the troll he feels like he’s soaring, like he’s safe, and like he’s never been so happy before. All he wants to do is spend every second of his life with Karkat. But he knows the troll doesn’t feel for him like that, and with every day it presses further and further in on him like a dark cloud of thoughts he’s trying to block out.

His phone, still gripped into his hand, presses awkwardly into his palm, and he sighs softly as he feels it buzz, probably another message from Rose. He loosens his grip, feels it slide through his fingers and down onto the bed below. And the second it hits the soft mattress below and bounces slightly, there’s a blinding white flash of light that spreads across his vision, whiting everything out. Vaguely, he feels the back of his head hit his pillow before he’s suddenly falling through darkness.

Notes:

i'm planning for this to be less than 10 chapters, and to get it all posted within the next few weeks as most of it is already written, so if you don't like waiting ages for chapters then this fic's for you! anyway this is based on a whole idea i had listening to Warmth by Bastille (title inspo too) and i'm bored so i'm finally writing it. thanks for checking it out if you did and i hope you'll stick around for the next chapters.