#with jade

DAVE: tell me that at the same time as everyone else

JADE: -she's quiet as everyone else leaves, and then she knows she can't avoid this. she doesn't really want to, but...-

JADE: i... wasnt sure how anyone was going to take all this

JADE: especially you

DAVE: so im caught completely off guard

DAVE: i still dont understand what you

DAVE: i know what youre doing but why didnt you talk about it with me or

DAVE: make a decision about dove without me or

DAVE: -he bites his lip momentarily and looks away- where are we

JADE: im not making the decision without you

JADE: at least not... where you two will be

JADE: but i know i have to go

JADE: and i know here is where she can be safe

JADE: i know this is what i have to do and i didnt... want you to try to talk me out of it -glances down at the table-

DAVE: -he swallows, trying to keep his thoughts coherent- isnt that the point of this though DAVE: to be on the same page

JADE: ...im sorry dave

DAVE: so i have to choose between you and her

DAVE: its not like shes safe here

JADE: its the safest place for her right now JADE: if we can keep them from trying to make another charge at earth it can stay safe, too

JADE: alternian forces are leaving

JADE: for now we beat them, but we cant let up

JADE: we have to fight for earth but i dont want to force her into it

JADE: i dont want to force anyone into it

JADE: were finally at a place where we arent being strung along by anyone else... where we arent the villains

JADE: but we made that happen and shes not just going to let us go either

JADE: especially not me, with everything i know

DAVE: -he knows she has a point but there are aspects of this that are tearing him apart inside- what are you wanting me to do

JADE: i dont know

JADE: just... whatever you have to do

DAVE: i still dont

DAVE: is this because youre mad at me or something because we can work that out

DAVE: im a dick im a pro dick but i wont do whatever it is again

JADE: no its not—

JADE: -she squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head- its me dave

JADE: its just me

JADE: im finally figuring out what i need to do because ive been bottling it up for so long because i—

JADE: i love you and dove so much

JADE: all i wanted was to be there and take care of you

JADE: but i cant do it the way i was anymore

JADE: not when things are like this

JADE: i forgot how to fight... even against myself

JADE: but i dont want to have to keep fighting myself

DAVE: -his eyes are watering. he wishes he didn't understand, but he does. and he wants her to be able to have everything, to be able to protect herself if she needs to. who's he to talk that away from her? his voice cracks a little- i love you too

DAVE: i dont want you to have to fight yourself either

DAVE: youre always so strong you know

DAVE: i want to be on your side no matter what so

DAVE: -wipes his eye quickly- this family thing isnt really working out is it

JADE: dave...

JADE: -she stands up, circling the table just to be closer to him, to lean on him and wrap her arms around him-

JADE: its been great

JADE: as wonderful as it could be

DAVE: -he doesn't hesitate or push her back. instead, he tightly wraps his arms around her- i want you to do what

DAVE: you need to do

DAVE: im always going to support you and be friends and shit and

DAVE: jesus this is

DAVE: really hard

DAVE: but jade you changed my life

DAVE: you made me a better person

DAVE: and its time you took care of yourself and if you gave yourself even a portion of what you gave me it would be more than enough

DAVE: you deserve everything

DAVE: you deserve all of it

JADE: -she's quiet then, and the emotion cuts deep and raw and real in all his words, bouncing still off the corners of her mind and filling up the empty spaces. She's resolved, but still her eyes sting, her vision blurs and she feels... everything.-

JADE: i dont regret it

DAVE: i dont either -it's an instant response-

DAVE: harley you were always meant to do amazing shit

DAVE: and im gonna miss you like hell but theres no way im gonna

DAVE: keep you from what you know you gotta do

DAVE: just maybe consider keepin me on your booty call list

JADE: -fucking snORTS-

JADE: shut up dave

JADE: -presses a hand against his face and angles his head just to kiss him-

[07:27] GG: dave?

[07:27] TG: hey jade

[07:27] TG: are you ok

[07:27] GG: im fine!

[07:27] GG: i want you to come here though

[07:27] GG: i have something for you

[07:27] TG: oh ok yeah

[07:28] GG: :)

[07:28] TG: ill be right there

[07:29] DAVE: -in a few minutes, he's arrived at jade's infirmary room-

[07:30] JADE:*She's a little dressed up today, and she's not hidden under covers. She's sitting on the edge of the bed with her device in her hands.*

[07:33] DAVE: -approaches her, noticing that she's...looking a little brighter than normal, which is encouraging.- hey

[07:40] JADE:hi there

[07:41] JADE:*scoots over a little to make room for him, invitingly*

[07:43] DAVE: -he sits next to her- you look pretty

[07:43] JADE:so do you

[07:44] JADE:*leans over and kisses his cheek*

[07:47] DAVE: damn im bein wooed as hell right now

[07:47] DAVE: -smiles a little-

[07:47] JADE:oh good

[07:47] JADE:that was the plan

[07:47] JADE:but not really

[07:47] JADE:i want to show you something

[07:47] JADE:and then i might woo you afterward

[07:47] JADE:*holds her device closer*

[07:49] DAVE: ok show me

[07:50] JADE:*now that Dave can see the screen, she taps it quickly so she can project the image up... and it's clearly video of an ultrasound.*

[07:51] DAVE: -watches the video- ok this one looks like even more of an alien

[07:51] DAVE: and bigger

[07:52] DAVE: i cant make out the shape

[07:52] JADE:shhh no look! listen

[07:53] DAVE: -looks and squints, taking his shades off-

[07:53] JADE:i know its hard to tell

[07:54] DAVE: the heartbeat sounds almost echoey like theres

[07:55] DAVE: -stops suddenly, looking closer- two

[07:55] JADE:*she's smiling bigger and bigger*

[08:00] DAVE: -looks up at her and then back down and then back up at her again. and he smiles so much- TWO

[08:02] JADE:i know!!!!

[08:03] DAVE: how

[08:03] DAVE: i

[08:03] DAVE: jesus

[08:03] DAVE: oh my god

[08:04] DAVE: -is he crying? he's crying. and smiling. and putting his face in his hands-

[08:04] JADE:dave....!

[08:04] JADE:oh gosh

[08:04] JADE:*She's laughing, leaning into him and wrapping her arms around him.*

[08:05] DAVE: -laughing and crying right now and holding her back- fuck this is so great

[08:05] JADE:i know

[08:05] JADE:i know

[08:05] DAVE: twins

[08:05] DAVE: wow

[08:05] DAVE: oh my god

[08:06] JADE:a two for one deal

[08:06] JADE:what a steal

[08:07] DAVE: man doves gonna have siblings

[08:07] DAVE: multiple siblings

[08:10] JADE:so many siblings

[08:10] DAVE: jade

[08:10] DAVE: i cant believe this

[08:10] JADE:you better believe it

[08:27] DAVE: i fucking love you

[08:27] JADE:i love you too

[08:29] DAVE: -holds her tighter-

[08:34] JADE:*her tail thumps the bed quietly... and she whispers*

[08:34] JADE:by the way

[08:34] JADE:dirk recorded this

[08:46] DAVE: the ultrasound

[08:46] DAVE: or

[08:46] DAVE: -looks around- god damn it

[08:51] JADE:hehe

[08:51] JADE:;p

[08:51] DAVE: how long is it going to record for

[08:55] JADE:i have no idea...

[08:55] JADE:*kisses his face*

[08:55] JADE:but once we start getting gross im sure he will stop watching

[08:56] DAVE: yeah ok dirk stop watching

[08:56] DAVE: -kisses her-

[08:56] JADE:mm...

[08:57] JADE:*she's going to deepen that pretty quick. and also pull him onto the bed, giggling.*

[08:58] DAVE: -doesn't take any coaxing at all. he loves her so much. he loves their family so much. so no visitors for the next bit, please.-

[09:05] JADE:*it's a funny, happy instinct that she takes one of his hands and guides it under her shirt, over her belly.*

[09:07] DAVE: -he feels the shape of her belly and grins into their kisses, and there's something so promising in the fact that there are two lives developing just under his fingertips-

[09:13] JADE:... how do you feel?

[09:28] DAVE: -kisses her neck sweetly- happy

[09:28] JADE:*damn... it feels good just to smile so much.*

[09:28] JADE:we should think about names

[09:29] DAVE: -pulls away to look at her- do we know if theyre girls or boys or a girl and a boy

[09:29] JADE:i dont know yet

[09:29] DAVE: well i guess we can pick two girl names and two boy names

[09:29] DAVE: right

[09:30] JADE:i guess so

[09:30] JADE:*nuzzles at him*

[09:41] DAVE: are there any you like

[09:48] JADE:hmm...

[09:48] JADE:...

[09:48] JADE:jamison

[09:48] DAVE: so your grandpa

[09:48] JADE:hehehe

[09:48] DAVE: im cool with that

[09:49] JADE:what about you?

[09:49] DAVE: dave

[09:51] JADE:... dave?

[09:55] DAVE: kidding

[09:55] DAVE: uhh

[09:55] DAVE: sage could work for a boy or girl

[09:58] JADE:hey!!

[09:58] JADE:...

[09:58] JADE:that is a good one though

[09:58] DAVE: could put it in the running

[10:09] JADE:put this in the running

[10:09] JADE:*SMOOCH*

[10:10] JADE:run it all the way home

GG: the engine room

TG: im coming  TG: just letting you know ahead of time

GG: oh ok GG: theyre really cute

TG: you mean dirks lab babies

GG: yes them

TG: yeah theyre adorable  TG: also im here  DAVE: -uses his badge to get in-

JADE: -!! Well. She is sitting here in the engine room, wiping tears off her face with the back of her hand while also staring at her phone and ALSO ALSO checking various gauges and meters.- JADE: hey...!

DAVE: -he does notice her wiping her face and approaches her- jade whats up

JADE: im just JADE: having a moment i guess

DAVE: seems like more than a moment but DAVE: whats going on

JADE: im just JADE: you know JADE: ... pregnant

DAVE: -he's not sure he heard that right- wait sorry what

JADE: pregnant -she says again, louder this time-

DAVE: no way  DAVE: -this is so much different from the first time- oh my god i thought it didnt work  DAVE: -he smiles at her and brings her into a hug- we actually DAVE: we did it  DAVE: i just forgot with everything going on and how busy weve been but DAVE: shit jade  DAVE: shit  DAVE: this is awesome

JADE: -she kind of laughs, but she still feels so SAD. This is stupid!!- i know JADE: we did it JADE: and im crying like JADE: a big spoil sport

DAVE: no hey youre supposed to cry  DAVE: -he's actually a little teary eyed behind his shades- how long have you known and  DAVE: man DAVE: whats making you cry in the shitty way?

JADE: i dont know... everything?? JADE: it feels like everything JADE: and i got upset when you said you were banning people JADE: and its so dumb JADE: and JADE: what else did you even ask i forgot -sniffs-

DAVE: no hey  DAVE: baby no  DAVE: i was kidding you know im a sucker for that shit  DAVE: gotta keep up my appearance and fuck with dirk at the same time DAVE: its what i was born to do  DAVE: but thats not dumb  DAVE: im just  DAVE: this is such a good thing  DAVE: a really good thing DAVE: a motherfuckin awesome thing DAVE: goddamn

JADE: yeah JADE: it is JADE: ... JADE: but im JADE: im worried

DAVE: about what

JADE: because JADE: its getting worse JADE: my... thing

DAVE: your thing

JADE: the teleporting

DAVE: since youve been pregnant or before that too

JADE: both

DAVE: is it something you can see john about DAVE: just to make sure everything is ok

JADE: i guess i have to

DAVE: it would be a good idea

JADE: of course it would...!

DAVE: its gonna be ok DAVE: we are gonna figure this out together ok

JADE: -she's trying not to overreact, to approach all of this logically, but something in the back of her head makes it all seem so much more difficult, something she can't even identify yet.- i know JADE: i know we will

DAVE: nothing to worry about DAVE: aight  DAVE: i got you

JADE: -something about his insistent reassurance bothers her, too. why??- JADE: i need to finish this though

DAVE: -he frowns a little- you cant take a break? -he finally releases her from that hug. something feels wrong-

JADE: you want me to?

DAVE: well DAVE: yeah

JADE: -she glances at the meters, and then she looks back at him- i guess i can

DAVE: just for a little at least  DAVE: we can just chill or whatever

JADE: ok... JADE: -she takes a breath, exhales it slow, and leans toward him.-

DAVE: -puts an arm around her- you probably need to sleep too

JADE: you think so...? JADE: when did i sleep last?

DAVE: you dont remember DAVE: jade i dont remember either thats the issue here

JADE: oh...

DAVE: yeah oh

JADE: ... -sighs- i just JADE: lost track

DAVE: easy to do when you got a lot of shit on your mind

JADE: it just happens JADE: whenever

DAVE: yeah  DAVE: where are all your engineers at  DAVE: can you divvy up the work between them

JADE: -sigh- probably... JADE: im sorry JADE: im making a mess of an important job

DAVE:  no youre not DAVE: youre trying your hardest DAVE: the job is fine im just worried about you

JADE: youre always worried about me

DAVE: not always  DAVE: ok yeah

JADE: yeah JADE: haha

DAVE:  but i still got a valid point

JADE: maybe JADE: -she wants to just relax into him, so why does it feel so difficult? She leans closer anyway, despite the funny feeling in the pit of her stomach.-

DAVE: -just hugs her tightly- wanna get out of here

JADE: yeah JADE: i do now

DAVE: -keeps an arm around her and starts to lead her out- its naptime

JADE: im not a baby JADE: youre a baby

DAVE: ok if that makes you happy sure im the baby

JADE: it does make me happy thank you JADE: baby dave JADE: dabe JADE: your mom told me thats your baby name

DAVE: what the fuck mom  DAVE: thanks a lot

JADE: its adorable

DAVE: i dont even remember that shit

JADE: well now im making up for it JADE: you were a cute baby JADE: -leans into him heavily as they walk-

DAVE: wasnt that a dirk thing -supports her as they go-

JADE: yeah JADE: his name for you

DAVE: see dirk should be gettin the brunt of this

JADE: no you for sure

DAVE: youre really fuckin biased -they reach their room and he punches in the code-

JADE: youre bi-assed JADE: two whole asses

DAVE: jesus why didnt anyone tell me

JADE: because we thought you would have looked in the mirror and figured it out by now JADE: ooo sick burn

DAVE: -he leads them inside the room- shot through the fuckin heart

JADE: -she's feeling more light headed by the time they get inside, and she blinks rapidly, sort of swaying on her feet and loosening her hold on him.-

DAVE: - looks over at her as he leads her to the bed- you ok

JADE: -she doesn't say anything this time. She's stumbling a little bit. She's going DOWN DOWN IN AN EARLIER ROUND.-

DAVE: -helps her so he can at least help lay her down. this is incredibly concerning. he wants to make sure this isn't something worse than just falling asleep, so he pats her arm- jade  DAVE: jade hey

JADE: -Jade is unavailable currently. She is fast asleep, just like old times.-

DAVE: -okay then. He's going to stay awake for a while and keep an eye on her just in case-

JADE: -a few minutes later, she finally comes out of it, waking up a little disoriented.- ... oh

DAVE: you fell asleep  DAVE: standing up

JADE: ... oh... JADE: crap

DAVE: -he frowns a little- was that the narcolepsy or something else

JADE: i guess so....

DAVE: do you need to go to the infirmary

JADE: i dont think so JADE: -yawns-

DAVE: ok but we are going tomorrow

JADE: -she's succumbing to the desire just to hold him now, wrapping arms around him and rolling closer to bury her face in his shoulder.-

DAVE: -lets this happen and feels good about it. if he can support her, he wants to. he kisses her head-

JADE: its going to be ok -she says, less to him and more a mumble to herself.-

DAVE: you got it

JADE: -sighs into him, that sour feeling still lurking in the back of her mind, even with the sleepy. She wishes it would go.- dave

DAVE: yeah

JADE: will you kiss me?

DAVE: -he doesn't say anything, he just moves to shift them only slightly so he can do just that-

JADE: -he's doing just that with no hesitation, so why does it still feel a little strange? She doesn't want it to. She wants to destroy every single thought that tells her any of this can't for some reason be perfect, because it should be. And her eyes are moist, and she just wants to keep kissing him and forget anything else ever even mattered.- JADE: i love you JADE: do you love me? -she doesn't know why she even asks, but it comes out before she can even think about it.-

DAVE: -it's a surprise to hear her ask that, but again, he doesn't hesitate- yeah i love you DAVE: more than anything  DAVE: -he pauses- am i  DAVE: makin you doubt that

JADE: -oh no. She's caught between this strange feeling and the fact that she doesn't want to hurt him, not at all, and she's too silent for too many moments.- its not... -she doesn't know what else to say.-

DAVE: you can keep going jade

JADE: i dont know what im saying

DAVE: do you think i dont love you

JADE: i dont...

DAVE: what -he's so confused right now-

JADE: its not JADE: like that

DAVE: can you try to talk to me about what you mean

JADE: i just JADE: wanted to know

DAVE: its never a question jade  DAVE: im always gonna love you  DAVE: i fuckin sound like im from the titanic movie but it doesnt make it any less true

JADE: ok -she says, nodding despite the tears coming out. She doesn't want him to see them. She doesn't want him to have to see any of this.-

DAVE: -this...this really hurts him to watch and feel. he just wants to make it better, but he doesn't exactly know what's wrong- you gotta sleep jade

JADE: ok -it's all she can seem to say right now, nodding into him and holding tight. she wants to feel anything but this, and if she can rest, she wants it.-

DAVE: -he's putting dove to bed when she comes in, looking up when she enters. he's got a lot of feelings about tonight and he's worried about her- hey

JADE: dave

JADE: hey

DAVE: are you doin ok

JADE: im ok

JADE: i mean that went... pretty well

DAVE: fuck yeah

DAVE: youre kind of a born meeting leader or whatever

JADE: haha

JADE: maybe

JADE: um...

JADE: but... what about you?

DAVE: am i i mean

DAVE: i can hold a security meeting fine

DAVE: def not as eloquent as you

JADE: -snorts- no not that

JADE: i mean

JADE: are you ok?

DAVE: me

DAVE: yeah

DAVE: guess you could tell huh

JADE: of course...

JADE: can we... talk about it?

DAVE: i mean im ok

DAVE: so if you wanna

DAVE: like sure

JADE: ok

JADE: so

JADE: what... was going on?

DAVE: what was going on

DAVE: i dunno

DAVE: how do i put this

DAVE: its kinda hard to explain i just started thinkin about like

DAVE: all of us and our mental states you know

DAVE: and like how that pushed him over the edge

DAVE: and i just

DAVE: i worried i guess

JADE: about... what?

DAVE: about all of us

DAVE: our family

DAVE: like what could happen to us maybe

JADE: what...?

DAVE: my whole family is kinda

DAVE: all of us arent the most mentally healthy people

DAVE: i was thinkin about if that was enough to put someone over the edge

DAVE: to hurt themselves or someone else

DAVE: since like none of us but dirk are actually

DAVE: doin anything

DAVE: about it

DAVE: like it doesnt got a name for any of us but mom and dirk

DAVE: and like you know shit aint right with all of us

JADE: -her brows knit as he speaks, the concern on her face just that much more apparent-

JADE: ... dave...

JADE: i dont think its like that

DAVE: yeah i know

DAVE: rose talked to me about it so im ok for now

DAVE: not gonna let myself go there you know

JADE: are you sure...?

DAVE: yeah -pauses- jade im worried about you

DAVE: not for the same reasons but

DAVE: dishin out help for other people

DAVE: just not you

JADE: wait what?

JADE: what does that mean?

DAVE: you havent really been yourself for a while like DAVE: have you noticed

JADE: -it's sort of difficult to look at him all of a sudden, her gaze moving around the room.-

JADE: i

JADE: dont know

JADE: i mean...

DAVE: -waits silently for jade to finish her sentence, not wanting to cover up anything she's trying to say- yeah?

JADE: its just......

JADE: i thought i could deal with it

DAVE: -sits on the bed and pats the space next to him- well i mean

DAVE: in terms of dealing with it

DAVE: youre dealing with it as in putting up with it

DAVE: but i can tell youre struggling

DAVE: and you shouldnt have to deal with it by yourself

JADE: -she's sort of hesitant for a second before she moves to sit next to him. Mostly, she just feels guilty.-

JADE: im sorry

DAVE: why are you apologizing

DAVE: you wouldnt want me apologizing

DAVE: -slides an arm around her-

JADE: because i...

JADE: i just dont know what im doing

JADE: what im trying to do

JADE: i feel like im supposed to be able to figure it all out but it all just feels...

JADE: i dont know

DAVE: i dont think anyones supposed to have that shit all figured out

DAVE: much less you

DAVE: youre wearin yourself out

DAVE: tryin to do god level shit

JADE: but it doesnt feel like it should be that hard

DAVE: but it is DAVE: and even harder when youre wearin yourself so thin

JADE: ... you think JADE: i need help too

DAVE: i talked to my bro about it and DAVE: hes seen similar behavior before DAVE: ... DAVE: with my mom

JADE: ... what about your mom

DAVE: -runs a hand through his hair- well uh DAVE: when her depression got bad

JADE: so you think

JADE: dave is that why you were so

DAVE: i mean DAVE: i was kinda thinkin about all of us DAVE: i guess

DAVE: but you were at the top of my mind

DAVE: i cant diagnose you or anything and even if its not that then i know youre still having a significantly hard time

DAVE: i dont think youve realized how much youve been sleeping

JADE: .... no JADE: i know JADE: i just thought... i mean i figured it was the narcolepsy and everything thats been going on

JADE: maybe some of it still is

JADE: right?

DAVE: but the narcolepsy is what you usually deal with DAVE: this is different DAVE: like i know you i know the difference

JADE: -she's quiet for a long moment, then just... sighs. it's hard to look at him, to think. to process all this. to process most things, lately.- JADE: i know

DAVE: i just -he runs a hand through his hair- i want to help you DAVE: like i dont want you to have to feel DAVE: like this

JADE: i know JADE: i know you do

JADE: im sorry

JADE: i dont... know what to do

DAVE: baby DAVE:you dont need to apologize

JADE: i feel like i should

JADE: it doesnt... JADE: i feel like JADE: im just making everything harder for everyone and its hard to keep doing it

DAVE: hey just you bein here makes things easier ok DAVE: you dont weigh anybody down DAVE: i just dont want you to do it to yourself

JADE: -she sort of curls up a little, strangely distant, unable to look at him.- JADE: i wish it didnt... feel hard just knowing you care so much JADE: i feel like im letting you down because i dont

DAVE: hey DAVE: you dont let me down DAVE: when i have my own shit do i let you down

JADE: no

DAVE: exactly DAVE: -holds her tight- i want us to get through this together ok DAVE: for dove and for you DAVE: i dont want you tryin to do this on your own

JADE: ... yeah

JADE: i...

JADE: i want to try

DAVE: try with me ok

DAVE: ill try with you

JADE: haha JADE: you always try with me

DAVE: i feel like theres another meaning to that

JADE: it means youre good

JADE: at everything

DAVE: bullshit DAVE: thats totally you

JADE: youre...

JADE: really

JADE: amazing, dave

JADE: i wish i could tell you how much

DAVE: -kisses her head- im ok DAVE: do you think maybe you could talk to someone on board DAVE: one of the therapists

JADE: ... i guess i could talk to rose

JADE: i actually havent talked to her much in a while

JADE: -admitting that just makes her feel another pang of guilt-

DAVE: yeah DAVE: shes pretty fuckin good at what she does DAVE: despite not being actually licensed or whatever

JADE: yeah... she is JADE: and i miss her

DAVE: i do too

JADE: remember when we all found each other and we got together in roses room to have a secret talk

JADE: and you tried to steal her pen

DAVE: shit DAVE: i need to go back for that pen

JADE: after all this time

JADE: you just cant let it go

DAVE: -looks at her very seriously- damn straight

JADE: -stares at him for a second and then kisses his nose-

DAVE: -STEALS A FULL KISS FROM HER-

JADE: !! ... -she can't help how she leans into him, and it's more than just an automatic response. Times like this, just knowing he cares so much, knowing she can have him no matter how she's feeling... She just wants it to stay. Him to stay.- JADE: ... i really JADE: love you

DAVE: i love you too baby DAVE: -kisses her one more time- i got you

JADE: thank you -leans into him- JADE: for everything

DAVE: -holds her tightly- yeah DAVE: i mean i wanna be there for you

JADE: youve always been good at that JADE: even when i didnt want you to be, hahaha

JADE: ... but im glad you were

DAVE: -he might laugh a little too, resting his head on hers- right back at you DAVE: the whole bein there for me and shit

JADE: our lives are just annoying each other with love forever arent they

JADE: "sorry buddy but you cant do this alone because im going to pester you about it until you do things in a healthy and productive way!!!"

DAVE: ok dont spill our secret DAVE: -glances at dove sleeping in her crib- i just had a vision of our parenting style

JADE: -snrk!- ok but you know its true JADE: shes gonna be so mad at us

DAVE: ugh what an awful life having people that give a fuck about me as parents

JADE: just the worst

DAVE: and then shes gonna do that to her friends

JADE: mom them??

JADE: dad them???

JADE: or do you just mean the give a fuck part :p

DAVE: the give a fuck part DAVE: and i mean if she ever has like DAVE: siblings or something -casual- she would do it to them too

JADE: -oh... there's a funny little flutter in her chest at that, and it's nice to feel, after so much time not feeling enough.- JADE: ... yeah

DAVE: -likes how hopeful that sounds. just one word and it gives him a tiny pang of excitement, just thinking about that concept- yeah?

JADE: yeah -she's kind of smiling, kind of warm in the face, not quite looking at him-

DAVE: -kisses her cheek- cool

JADE: things are going to get better, right? JADE: i want... to believe in that

DAVE: -nods without hesitance- oh fuck yeah DAVE: we got so much shit to look forward to jade

JADE: -she sort of laughs at that. It's just so nice to hear him so confident... Especially when she can't be. Years ago, she couldn't have imagined being in this situation, but he always came through, too. She just didn't know it then.- JADE: im holding us to that then

DAVE: good sounds like a plan DAVE: dont stop givin me shit about it either

 JADE: i dont think i could stop giving you shit JADE: trust me ive tried

DAVE: yeah me neither DAVE: please dont ever stop

JADE: no problem <3

DAVE: thanks DAVE: ill give you shit too DAVE: oh wait thats called marriage

JADE: we are already in the shit

DAVE: daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn

JADE: ... daniel