The three years have come to an end and all the kids are united in the new session. After all the introductory stuff, John pulls Dave aside, saying that he needs to talk to him. Dave teases his best bro, saying “Gosh Egbert, we’ve been in each others presence for little over ten minutes and here you are pulling me aside. You ruffian.” And John just laughs weakly.

   When they are alone, Dave shuts the door and turns to John asking him what’s up but as soon as he turns around John launches himself at his bro and buries his face in the crook of Dave’s neck and he just starts bawling.

   Dave flips the fuck out, begging John to calm down and holding him tight and he just shooshes him over and over, running one hand up and down his back. They both collapse gently to the floor because Windy Boy can’t even stand anymore and John just can’t stop and finally Dave does get him to calm down but he’s still pretty torn up and Dave just wants to fix it.

   ”I-I couldn’t s-saaave them…” John sobs.

   Dave just pulls John against him. “Save who, dude? What are you talking about?”

   ”R-Roses mom a-and my d-…d-d-daaaad!!” he chokes out and just sobs and hiccups and good lord if this isn’t the most heart wrenching thing Dave’s ever seen, he doesn’t know what is.

   And Dave just sort of holds him. Doesn’t say a word. He knows John’s been repressing these thoughts for three whole years and he has a right to let it all out. But then John says something that really freaks Dave out.

   ”It should’ve been me, not them.”

   And Dave pulls John back by the shoulders and removes his shades because god dammit he means business and he says “John don’t you ever say that again. Ever.”

   And John just tries to protest. “But…”

   ”Dude, no. No buts. John there was nothing you could do. It was Jack Noir, bro. Even my BRO couldn’t beat him.”

   And John just hushes up. Because it kind of dawns on him that oh my god no way.

   And Dave just kind of nods like yeah. And he pulls John close to him and just says “John you ARE a hero, You saved Rose and you fought all the way here. You reached God Tier before anyone else. And Jegus, dude. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. So please… Don’t say that.”

   And John just hugs him and promises to never ever say he should’ve died ever again.