Chapter Text
Karkat lays on the grass at recess while Nepeta runs around on all fours circling him. Karkat watches with an unimpressed expression. Or, as unimpressed as a seven year old can look.
“Meow,” Nepeta said each time she completed a full round and Karkat would meow boredly back.
Eventually, Nepeta collapses next to him and pokes his cheek. “You’re bummy today,” she stated and Karkat glared at her.
“Kankri watched a movie last night with Rufioh and Porrim.” Karkat informed and Nepeta sat up a little to look at him better, face concerned.
“Was it,” She looks around before leaning forward and whispering all conspiratorially. “A scary movie?”
“Yes!” Karkat said. “I overheard like, everything ! I don’t know how they all slept after! I kept imagining an evil hockey player coming into my room and stealing my bones, I was so scared to close my eyes.”
“They’re big kids, so things are less scary.” Nepeta stated factually.
“What if a serial killer came into the house and killed them all because they learned about him!?” Karkat said. “Now I’m worried I’m gonna get chainsawed to death.”
“I think you can only get chainsawed to death,” Nepeta mumbled and smiled brightly. “I’ll protect you though! No serial killers, real or not, will harm you anymore! I’ll even give you a safety smooch.”
She planted a fat kiss on Karkat’s cheek, causing the smaller boy to sit up and shriek loudly, frantically wiping at his cheek.
“Nepeta! Cooties!” Karkat said accusingly and Nepeta giggled before making kissy sounds and Karkat jumped to his feet and began to ran, Nepeta hot on his heels.
~~~
Nepeta was at her locker, humming to herself and putting her sweatshirt away when someone grabbed the back of her shirt, tugging her backwards and throwing her to the ground.
She yells out in pain as she hits the linoleum hard and looks up at the person.
It’s a kid she doesn’t know well, but they’re a bully and have harassed her friends before.
“Hey,” The kid said sneering down at her and he steps on her clip on racoon tail as she tries to sit up, breaking the clasp. “Why do you think you’re a cat?”
“What?” She asked and frowned at the broken tail. “I don’t think I’m a cat. I just like dressing this way!”
“Hmm, well you should stop,” The kid leans down and rips her cat headband off, inspecting it. “Really, you’re already a massive loser, this doesn't help any.”
Someone snatches the headband out of their hand and a small fist jabs at their stomach. The bully hardly reacts and turns to the new person.
Karkat stands, frowning deeply up at the bully and handing Nepeta her headband back. He points sharply up at him.
“Say sorry!” He shouted and the bully laughed and Karkat kicked his shin as hard as his little leg would let him. It’s not hard enough to do any crazy damage, but clearly hard enough to hurt as the bully brings his leg up.
“Say sorry!” Karkat yelled again, the bully frowned and pushed Karkat back some, but then retreated down the hall, leaving the duo alone. “Dang it, Kankri said that would work.”
“There is no way Kankri told you violence would work.” Nepeta said, holding her broken tail clip up to show Karkat the damage. Karkat crouches next to her and grabs the pieces, frowning at them.
“Well, no. But he said demanding an apology would work.” Karkat said and shook his head. “He’s such a liar sometimes.”
“He’s in highschool though so he’s smarter, maybe it only works on teenagers.” Nepeta said and Karkat nodded consideringly as he hooks the clips into a small thread on the tail. He shakes it a bit and smiles proudly at Nepeta, showing he fixed it. Nepeta’s face lights up and she hugs him tightly. “Thank you.”
“Anytime!” Karkat said.
~~~
Karkat’s face was buried in his arms on top of his desk, sniffling to himself as he crumples his returned test up in his hands.
The class bell rings and everyone else files out but Nepeta plops herself down next to Karkat, resting a hand on his back.
“Hey,” She said softly and Karkat sniffles pathetically.
“Hey,” He said back, lifting his head. Nepeta looks at Karkat’s test and gives him a lopsided smile.
“Told you studying would be good,” She joked lightheartedly and Karkat lightly punches her as he shoves the failed test into his bag.
“Dad... he used to help me study.” Karkat said. “It’s just- Getting too much. I thought I’d be over it by now.”
“Dude, he, like, just died.” Nepeta said, giving him a gentle frown. “It hasn’t even been half a year yet, you’re allowed time to grieve.”
“I’m not grieving, I’m mad at him.” Karkat grumbled, but his lower lip trembled and Nepeta sighed heavily, resting a hand on his shoulder.
“I think you should see a therapist.” Nepeta said, voice gentle, soft and Karkat looks at her tiredly.
“And what? Talk about my feelings? ” He asked mockingly and Nepeta just gave him an intense look. Karkat sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. “Fine, whatever. I’ll tell Kankri.”
“Good! Now come on, it’s Popcorn Friday and I brought money for both of us.” Nepeta grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
~~~
Karkat is laying on his bed, trying to get a quick nap in after a long day of shooting before he starts his homework when his phone buzzes.
He rolls over and picks it up, sitting up.
“Hey Nep, what’s up?” Karkat asked and Nepeta squealed on the other line.
“You remember how you’ve been pushing me to audition for some sort of movie or whatever?” Nepeta asked and Karkat rolled his eyes.
“Yuh duh. You run lines with me and you do really good at it,” Karkat said. “So?”
“So I just landed an audition!” Nepeta said. “I was going to wait until after but I’m just too excited and nervous.”
“Omigosh, wait, what for?” Karkat asked.
“It’s an action movie, the role I’m auditioning for is small, but still important! I can’t go into much details, obviously, but I’m on my way right now!” Nepeta said.
“Omigosh, that’s awesome!” Karkat said excitedly. “You know, if you land this role and become like, super famous, you could guest star on Home.”
“Oh totally!” Nepeta cheered. The sound of a car door shutting comes over the phone and Nepeta holds the phone out for someone else. “Say hi to Karkat!”
“Hey brother,” Gamzee greeted and Karkat grinned.
“Gamz! Did you know about this too?” Karkat asked and Gamzee chuckled.
“Yeah, who do you think got her the audition?” Gamzee said. “I know you been wanting to get her into the scene for a while. Had to pull a few strings but we’re on our way over now. You should stop by mine after, we can have a Baby’s First Audition party.”
“Totally!” Karkat exclaimed. “We can get Equius and Kanaya and everyone over and it’ll be so fun.”
“Woohoo sleepover!” Nepeta cheered happily. “Okay, we’re gonna start driving now but see you soon!”
“Break a leg!” Karkat informed and Nepeta laughed.
“It’s so weird to be on the other end for once. Byeee!”
Gamzee and Karkat sing out their byes to and when Karkat hangs up, he jumps to his feet in excitement.
This was the best day ever.
~~~
Karkat had dreamed of this for years . Waiting and wishing and praying and hoping for Nepeta to wake up, for her eyes to flutter open and for her to start talking about something random like Warrior Cats or something.
He had longed for it, waiting achingly every day for her to get better. And his grief, and pain at the loss of his childhood best friend ate away at him daily, and he suffered and he hated it. His sadness had turned into anger and he took it out on everyone .
Karkat had let himself get lost in his pain, he let it swallow him whole and spit him out, leaving him stranded during the worst times of his life. He had lashed out, he had distanced himself, he had taken it out on one of his closest friends.
He had ruined his life because of his pain, he had become bitter, and crass, and awful and an asshole and made it everyone else’s problem because he didn’t know how else to cope with losing one of his best friends, the girl he viewed as practically his sister.
Karkat was better now, clearly, he had even begun to maybe accept that Nepeta wasn’t ever going to wake up. Just finally started to be okay with that fact, and here she was, awake, alive, and okay .
Karkat wishes he could teleport. It’s a general passing thought he has sometimes, that teleporting would make his entire life so much easier, but he’s never wished it any harder than right now, stuck in the limo seat with ten more minutes to Nepeta. Nepeta, who was finally, after years awake.
Dave holds his hand, tight and Karkat holds it just as tightly back, his knee bouncing as Dave’s thumb gently and carefully caresses the back of his hand. Soothing, grounding, caring.
“You’re gonna love her,” Karkat said, breaking the tense silence that’s filled the car since he hung up the phone with Kankri and Dave gave him a lopsided grin, eyes gentle and listening through the sunglasses.
“Yeah?” He asked, voice easing its way into comfort and Karkat nodded enthusiastically.
“She does art, kind of like you but not shittily. She’s a big anime fan, and she’s like, super sweet. She loves everyone she meets, but she especially loves losers, so you’ll get along great,” Karkat said, and he’s aware he might be a bit insulting right now but he genuinely means it.
Dave doesn’t take it meanly though, just nods.
“Clearly she’s gravitated to losers if she’s your best friend,” Dave shot back and Karkat nodded with a cheesy grin plastered across his face.
“She’s my best friend, she and Equius are like, super best friends though, I think he’s probably already there. At the hospital, I mean. If you think I’m gonna be a mess, he’s gonna be an even bigger one.” Karkat informed. “Probably going to be crying a river or something, be all gross and snotty.”
Karkat used to be upset, when he was younger, when he found out Nepeta only viewed him as a best friend, not a bestest friend in the world , because that spot had been taken by Equius.
But as he grew, and he befriended Sollux, got closer to Kanaya and saw Equius and Nepeta together, he grew to accept it.
Just because Equius and Nepeta were closer didn’t diminish Karkat and Nepeta’s closeness. They loved and cared for each other like friends, while Equius and Nepeta cared for each other like platonic soulmates.
Equius had been just as distraught and destroyed about Nepeta’s accident as Karkat had been, he had thrown himself into a depression and unfortunately, unlike Karkat, Equius didn’t have a support system. Not an older brother or dad who were exceptionally close, and not really any friends or family outside of Nepeta.
He had been alone for most of his grief, and Karkat was preparing himself for the possibility of letting Equius be super clingy to Nepeta and that Karkat might not get a lot of time.
It was okay, though, Karkat decided. Equius needed it more than Karkat did.
He had missed her, they both did. But Karkat had people in his corner, a brother who did his best to help, friends who supported him, a crush who helped him become okay with it all. And Equius didn’t.
“The room is probably going to be packed, by the way,” Karkat informed, staring dead forward as he spoke but he saw Dave nod out of the corner of his eyes. “Meulin and Nepeta’s mom will be there. I think Psiioniic and Sollux will stop by since they’re already there with Mituna. Kurloz will probably pop down too to support Meulin in case she cries. Equius will definitely be there, but I don’t know if Horuss will be. Equius can’t drive so Horuss brings him places but Meulin doesn’t like him so he probably wouldn’t stay. Also maybe Aradia.”
“It’s a party, we should get cake,” Dave joked and Karkat smiled at that.
“Oh, we’ll definitely have a proper Welcome Back To The Land Of The Living party for her at some point, Nepeta doesn’t actually like cake though,” Karkat informed and Dave’s mouth dropped open.
“What? Not liking cake is criminal.” Dave said and Karkat snorted.
“Diabetes runs in her family so she’s not big on sugar anyway.” Karkat informed. “She doesn’t like bacon either.”
“Okay, that I can get behind though,” Dave said shaking his head. “I hate bacon, it’s so greasy.”
“But the taste makes up for it,” Karkat defends and Dave’s nose wrinkles up in disgust.
“No, no it doesn’t,” Dave said, and for the rest of the ride to the hospital, they argued over bacon.
Once they arrive, Karkat wastes no time unbuckling and climbing out of the car and shoving Dave out.
“Move!” Karkat shouted and Dave laughed as he jumped out of the way, letting Karkat lead him inside.
They get checked in with the nurse, who gives Karkat a bright, excitable smile, and they’re cleared to go to Nepeta’s room.
Karkat practically sprinted down the hall, fully aware he’s sort of abandoned Dave, but he figured the other won’t mind too much right now.
The room feels like it’s so far away as his feet slam against the ground, pushing his body closer and closer to the room Nepeta sits in.
He gets to the door and pushes it open, the door slamming against the wall and causing everyone in the vicinity to flinch but he does not care about that, all he cares about is Nepeta.
Nepeta, who looks over at him with a face splitting smile, her sharp canines glinting and her eyes are lit up. One hand shakingly reaches out to Karkat, making a grabby hands motion for him to come over while the other rests in Equius’ hair, who’s laying on her lap crying like a little baby.
Karkat rushed over to Nepeta’s side and pulled her into a tight hug that she quickly returned with one arm, burying her face in his shoulder.
She feels smaller than she ever has in his arms, frailer too, Nepeta was never frail. It made Karkat a little sad, but mostly happy because he got to hug her after all this time when he was just coming to terms with the fact he might not ever again hold her like this.
Karkat is crying before he knows it and Nepeta pulls back, pouting dramatically at him.
“Awww, Karkitty, are you crying over me?” She asked and Karkat immediately moved to wipe his tears away, embarrassed.
“ No ,” He insisted and the room erupted into laughter at his denial and he just grinned goofily as Nepeta giggled at him.
“I missed you,” Nepeta told him and Karkat wetly chuckled.
“How? You were in a coma, wasn’t it basically just like, I dunno, a long nap?” Karkat asked and Nepeta shrugged.
“Yes and no. I felt like I was awake sometimes, I’d have trippy dreams a lot. It felt like a really, really long nap, but still way shorter than two years,” Nepeta informed.
“Yeah,” Meulin chimed in and startled Karkat a little because he hadn’t realised she was right next to him. She had apparently moved out of the way when he entered the room and he had barely even noticed her. “When the doctors told her the date she literally had to double check because she thought at like, max it was four months.” As she speaks, her hands move to sign as well.
“Imagine my surprise when they tell me it’s been like two years!” Nepeta said and laughed. “I didn’t even know people could be in comas that long.”
“One of the longest recorded comas was 37 years before the woman woke up,” Equius says, voice a little nasally as he sniffles pathetically at Nepeta. “But long comas aren’t very common anyway.”
“Omigod, imagine if I was in a coma for like, 50 years.” Nepeta said, light heartedly.
“Let’s not,” The room says more or less in unison, which makes all the visitors erupt into laughter.
When Nepeta comes down from her laughter, she looks up and stares strangely at something. Karkat tilts his head in confusion and follows her gaze, finding Dave awkwardly standing in the door entrance, looking at the overly crowded room.
Karkat smiled softly and reached a hand out to Dave, who shuffled over and awkwardly took it, aware of all the eyes in the room on them both.
“Nepeta,” Karkat said, smiling softly at his best friend. “This is Dave, he’s a friend.”
Nepeta looks at their hands intertwined and grins devilishly at Karkat with a knowing twinkle in her eyes before looking at Dave.
“Hi!” She greeted cheerfully. “I’m the girl back from the dead.”
“So I’ve heard,” Dave joked with her and gently bumped his shoulders with Karkat. “This one wouldn’t shut up about you.”
“Oh good,” Nepeta said, very seriously. “Need my legacy to live on for centuries, the more who know my story the better.”
“Shall I write your history on scrolls, my liege?” Dave asked and Nepeta giggled.
“Write it on the walls of caves for the real historians to find,” Nepeta said. “With cute little cat cave drawings in all the free space.”
“Okay you two, quit it,” Karkat teased, but was very delighted they clearly were getting along so quickly.
“Oh don’t be such a hater,” Dave said, squeezing Karkat’s cheek condescendingly and Karkat glared long and hard at him, which only earned him a cheesy smile in return.
“So, friend , you said?” Nepeta asked, watching them with a familiar sharp grin Karkat recognised as her brb, about to go write some fanfiction face.
“ Yes ,” Karkat said while there’s a combination of other replies in the room, including “No,” “It’s complicated,” and his least favourite, “So far.”
Karkat glares at every single other person in the room before he looks back at Nepeta who just gives him a cheesy smile that clearly reads we’ll talk later .
“So Karkitty, you’re the last to arrive, which means everyone has to fill you in,” Nepeta said and motioned to Meulin, who stared long at her mouth, lip reading, before perking up.
“She has to do a bunch of physical therapy, her legs are super weak. She also is going to have to retake her driver's test they said, because there’s a bunch of possible brain side effects from her body being shut down for so long,” Meulin explained. “She’s gonna be wheelchair bound for a while and Tavros has offered already to teach her how to pop a wheelie.”
“I couldn’t even sit up on my own when I woke up,” Nepeta said. “It’s like, my arms and head work, but everything else is still asleep.”
“She already had an MRI done before you came,” Kankri, who’s tucked away in the opposite corner standing next to Psiionic. “They cleared her for now, said there’s no major problems but that there’s a possibility stuff could begin to develop.”
“But so far she’s all fine,” Equius said, finally lifting his head from where it had rested on Nepeta’s lap. “Besides the whole body being asleep thing.”
“It gives me a perfect excuse to roleplay a demanding dictator queen, though,” Nepeta said cheerfully and then dramatically pointed at Kurloz. “Fetch me water, peasant!”
Kurloz gave Nepeta a tired look but slipped out of the room to obey orders and Nepeta clapped cheerfully as she looked at Karkat. “See?”
“Did they say how long it would take for your body to start working again?” Karkat said and Nepeta shook her head.
“The doctor said each patient is different, and that I’m the longest coma patient he’s ever personally had so he can’t be sure.” Nepeta said. “But apparently I’m gonna be doing physical therapy with Mituna, who everyone said was in a car crash? ”
“Uh, yeah,” Karkat said, awkwardly shifting his weight and pressing his shoulder against Dave’s. Dave squeezed his hand comfortingly in return. “He’s kind of.... Pretty fucked up from it.”
Sollux and Psiionic frown at the ground at this and Karkat sighed as the vibe of the room shifted in the wrong way. Nepeta frowns sadly and sighed.
“Well, on the bright side, I heard you would have also been hurt, so at least there’s that,” Nepeta said, always trying to put a positive spin on things. “I just hope my legs get with the program soon, how else am I supposed to prance around like a cat?”
“Maybe jumping around like an animal shouldn’t be your first priority,” Sollux said and Nepeta turned to him with an expression akin to guttural betrayal and deeply wounded sadness. “Or- Or it can be uh-”
Kurloz comes back in with a bottle of water for Nepeta, who takes it gratefully and downs half of it in one go. She turns back to Karkat cheerfully.
“Is Porshith and Shanen canon yet or do I need to start another petition?” She said, completely switching conversation topics in typical Nepeta fashion and it- It just feels so normal that Karkat can’t help but laugh a little.
“Not yet, but they will be this season,” Karkat informed with a wide smile. “Eridan and I actually were just acting part of the confession episode the other day.”
Nepeta excitedly claps her hand. “ Finally , god, I was beginning to worry Caliborn wouldn’t know natural chemistry if it smacked him in the face. What other crazy things have happened since my coma?”
They all spend about two hours telling Nepeta stories about things that have happened since she became comatose. She doesn’t believe them about some things, and others she cheers or boos about.
And Dave talks with them all, pitching in his own updates now and then which makes Karkat smile widely at.
Everyone in this room was family in one way or another.
Disciple and Psiionic, basically second parents to him, especially after Signless had passed away. Sollux, who was basically an estranged brother to him. Meulin is like a weird cousin that appeared cryptically with her even more cryptic boyfriend, Kurloz. Kankri, his blood brother. Even Equius, who Karkat didn’t hang out with much but had known almost all his life.
And Nepeta, practically his sister.
Who was awake, finally, after all these long ass torturous years.
She was awake.
And she was smiling, smiling so wide her eyes were practically shut as she excitedly asked questions about this and that.
Karkat was just so happy she was okay, and awake, and alive, and mostly physically okay.
Her hair was the longest it’s ever been, she’d lost some of her muscle and had lost weight overall, her nails were completely filed down like a nurse continuously kept maintenance on it, and her skin lacked its normal summer tan.
But it was still Nepeta, still sweet, charming, sunny, loyal, over-protective Nepeta who had been by Karkat’s side ever since they role played being cats in the forest that eventful day so many years ago.
Karkat couldn’t even explain how ecstatic, excited, enthusiastic, other happy positive words that start with e, he was right now. He thinks they would have to make an entirely new word to accurately describe how thrilled he was then.
They only leave when Kankri’s alarm goes off and he sighs heavily.
“Kat,” Kankri said. “We gotta get you ready for your interview.”
“Ooooh, still fancy and famous I see,” Nepeta said with a big grin but opened her arms out for him. Karkat moves and hugs her tight, relishing in her hold because it feels like it’s been forever since he held her last. “You better stop by and visit me tomorrow.”
“Duh,” Karkat said, smiling wide. “But just so you know, I didn’t get you a present.”
“Oh that’s good,” Nepeta said, smile wide as she joked with him. “Cause I didn’t get you one either.”
They laughed, and squeeze each tightly before slowly letting go. Karkat turns to Dave, who hooks his thumb over his shoulder.
“Dirk’s here for a check up so I’ll catch a ride back with him. Have fun at your interview!” Dave said and gave him a quick hug and tender kiss to the cheek, that has a fire lighting in Karkat’s cheek as he scurries out of the room after Kankri.
Kankri gives him one of those shit eating grins as they head out to Kankri’s rental car.
“Not a word about that,” Karkat said, pointing sharply at Kankri, who ignores the weighted threat.
“You two are practically dating for real already,” Kankri said. “So what’s the hold up?”
“I told you I would ask after all of this is over!” Karkat informed. “Three more weeks and I’ll tell him how I feel.”
“But he clearly likes you, so why torment yourself with waiting?” Kankri asked and Karkat scoffed.
“Because what if you’re wrong? Or what if after everything he’s not ready for a relationship?” Karkat asked. “You don’t really know how he feels about me, you just have your assumptions.”
“A hypothesis, an educated guess.” Kankri said. “I believe there’s enough evidence that supports he feels the same.”
“Well you’ve only known him for a few months, so have I.” Karkat said. “We don’t know him enough to actually make that guess. I- Look, I just don’t want to wrongfully assume anything, you know? And if I confess before the breakup date, then everything will be super awkward if he says no.”
“You’ve already said this and I still think that he won’t say no.” Kankri said and rolled his eyes. “But fine, I’ll leave you alone about it for a while. But like, I do think I’m right about him liking you. I mena, he hasn’t taken that necklace you gave him for his birthday off since he got it.”
Karkat blinks at that and turns to Kankri.
“What? Yeah he totally has.” Karkat said, rethinking every time he’s seen Dave since the third. “I’ve literally seen him without it all the time.”
“Cause he tucks it under his shirt.” Kankri informed. “I asked him about it one day, he said he didn’t want it to get dirty or stuff like that, so he tucks it under. He loves that necklace.”
“Huh,” Karkat said, sitting back in his seat, just mulling over this new information.
Karkat had gotten the necklace custom made. He kept it as simple as possible since it had been s last minute and had chosen on two symbols he thought resembled him and Dave the best.
He’d worried at the time it was too much, too glaringly obvious that Karkat was whipped for Dave, but Dave had smiled at it, not phased but what the deeper meaning could possibly be and asked for help putting it on.
Karkat hadn’t expected him to wear it all the time, but knowing this information makes Karkat wonder if Dave treasured it as much as Karkat had when he got it made.
The thought Dave wore it so much and tried to take such good care of it made Karkat’s heart skip a beat and he felt his face flush, so he turned away from his brother.
They arrived at the location for the interview. It was one of those super cute interviews where they got all the actors for a new season to get together and answer questions while puppies ran around them. He had actually been looking forward to this one.
He stepped inside and Karkat was ushered through wardrobe, hair and makeup and then a last minute check before he joined the others on the ground, waiting for their cue.
Gamzee smiled brightly at him.
“I heard Nepeta’s awake.” Gamzee said and Karkat nodded.
Eridan blinked and Feferi and Terezi smiled wide.
“Holy shit, she’s awake?” Terezi asked. “That’s so epic!”
“She has cheesy timing,” Vriska pitched in with as much of a smile as Vriska could muster. She seemed very tired from the slumber party and was barely sitting upright. “It’s Christmas Eve.”
“A Christmas Miracle!” Feferi cheered and turned to Eridan, grabbing his hand. “Oh isn’t that wonderful?”
“It is really amazing timing.” Eridan agreed and Karkat scoffed at them all being so cheesy and nice, but couldn’t stop the smile from stretching across his lips.
“Is she okay and everything? Like physically?” Terezi asked, leaning closer. “Is she paralyzed now?”
“Not paralyzed, but she has to do a lot of physical therapy. Her body’s still slowly waking up after being like, offline for so long,” Karkat explained.
Their excited conversation is cut off as the interviewer sits in her chair behind the camera and Feferi turns dramatically.
“Guys, it’s puppy time!” She squeals and the interviewer smiles at her as the cameras begin rolling.
“Hello and welcome to News by the Sweeps! Today we’re here with the cast of Home,” The interviewer begins. “Eridan Ampora, Gamzee Makara, Karkat Vantas, Vriska Serket, Feferi Peixes and Terezi Pyrope! In celebration of the new season coming out, we’ve gathered some questions from the fans for you to answer!
“But, to make it all more exciting, we also have some other guests!” The interviewer cues the animal handler, who sets down about seven puppies that go running towards the group of actors.
Karkat immediately leans forward and tries to get them to run over to him, but the hoard of puppies tackles Feferi, licking happily at her.
“Hey! That’s not fair, she’s basically a disney princess!” Gamzee whines and Karkat nodded very seriously.
“All animals like her, can we put her in a cage or something?” Karkat asked and the interviewer laughed as Feferi tried to sit up properly with the hound of dogs on her. Eridan reached over and gently picked one up, placing the puppy in his lap. The dog happily settles down as Eridan pets them.
“Here, here, take them!” Feferi screeched happily, trying to gently nudge one down the line but she remained pinned under all the dogs.
Karkat scooted over to her and plucked one dog off her and let the dog run in circles.
“They’re so cute, I’m going to kill myself,” Vriska said in a dead panned voice as she wide eyed stares at the puppies running around.
“Let’s get to our first question,” The interviewer redirected and they all nodded as they faced her. “So, last season ended with a close moment between Porshith and Shanen after Warena’s prank. We saw the two reconcile and finally after years of fighting, become friends. Can we expect to see some friendly encounters between them moving forward?”
“Oh definitely,” Eridan answered as he calmly pet the puppy in his lap. “They had made enemies out of each other because they both didn’t understand the other. Now that they’ve talked it out, we’ll definitely see a new friendship between them.”
“In fact in the next season, they even get into some trouble together,” Karkat teases and the interviewer grins.
“What kind of trouble?” She asked coyly.
“Well, I won’t spoil too much,” KArkat said, fully aware that Caliborn had been very strict with what teasers they could and couldn’t give in the interview.
The interview wouldn’t launch until the week right before the new season, so they were encouraged to hint at a lot, but not give away big spoilers.
“But they might end up in detention.” Karkat said.
“Oooh, Shanen rubbing off on Porshith I see.”
“A lot of their friendship involves rubbing off on each other,” Karkat explained. “Porshith will become less uptight and Shanen will stop being such a delinquent. It’s really a very beneficial friendship for them both.”
“Well I’m sure fans will be delighted about that,” The interviewer said. “At the end of last season, we also saw that Naylum had gotten some pretty terrible news. His grandmother had just passed right before his big presentation, which led to him fumbling. How will we see this affecting him next season?”
Gamzee, who had finally retrieved his own dog and was very invested in letting her lick over his face, jolts at the question. “Oh! Well, obviously it’s very distressing news for him, and as we’ve seen, he sort of got ostracised from his friend group cause of it. It’s going to take him a lot, but by the end of the season, he’s going to be in a very stable spot, and even have made a new friend.”
They continue on, answering questions and stealing puppies from each other. When the interviewer finishes, she allows them some extra time to play with the puppies, giving them a cheeky “Well it is Christmas Eve.”
“Look at him,” Karkat said, picking up a long haired dog with a nub tail and turning to Gamzee. “He’s just a baby.”
“Look at this one though,” Gamzee picked up the runt of the litter, a golden, short haired dog with the happiest tail known to man. “He’s so itty bitty.”
“I think my dog is the best,” Vriska said with a wicked grin, holding up a dog that, after leaving Feferi alone, had barked ferociously at all the others and scared them a bit. “She’s a tough cookie.”
“Oh I just want to take them all home,” Feferi said, three on her lap as she cooed at them. “They all so babies omigoshhh.”
“They’re all up for adoption,” The animal handler informed and all the actors gasped excitedly at that. “I can give you my business card and you can request these babies specifically. They seem more than happy with yall.”
Karkat turned to Feferi. “You have to adopt them all and let us come over all the time.”
Feferi nods very seriously at this, picking one dog from her lap and cradling her closely to her chest. She looked down at it. “I will be your mother,” Feferi said intensely then reached out the grab the animal handler’s card.
They all had to leave soon after, but all wished each other a merry christmas, even Vriska, who did so a little begrudgingly.
Kankri picked up Karkat and had a smile on his lips. “Okay, so Dirk and I decided that doing a Christmas dinner tonight would be a better route to go than tomorrow since you have another interview for tomorrow.”
“Yeah, sounds good,” Karkat said and thought for a moment. “Which one is tomorrows?”
“The Hot Ones interview.” Kankri said and Karkat groaned.
“Noooo, I’m gonna be so boring though,” Karkat whined. “People love watching actors suffer cause they can’t handle spice, but me and spice are best friends.”
“Maybe that will be entertaining,” Kankri said. “You know, the lack of reaction. People will call you a badass or something.”
“Or think they gave me the wrong sauce.” Karkat said and Kankri shook his head.
“We have to go pick up food for dinner cause Jake’s gonna be cooking all day. I offered to cook, but Jake insisted that since I’ve been letting everyone stay he could make up for it. So I’m gonna be hanging with Dirk for most of the time just in case he needs help at all.” Kankri explained.
“I think while we’re waiting, I’ll show Dave some more Christmas movies. Did you know he’s never seen any Christmas movie before? Like ever ?” Karkat asked and Kankri looked bewildered.
“Not even by accident?” Kankri asked and Karkat shook his head. “ How? I mean, I remember you watching Christmas movies in class before, how has he never seen one?”
“Right?! Like every school had Christmas Movie Watch Parties, even Feferi’s rich fancy private school.” Karkat said. “I think he’s exaggerating.”
“He like, has to be because there’s no way ,” Kankri said, shocked and shaking his head.
They talk to each other the rest of the car ride, joking, teasing each other, Kankri scolding Karkat for few of his jokes, Karkat rolling his eyes and just continuing on.
It was nice, comforting.
Over the years, Karkat had sort of, and he’s ashamed of it now but, begun to resent Kankri a bit. For handling their dad passing so gracefully, for being such an overachiever and doing things their father would be proud of, for having his life together.
The past few months have helped Karkat get rid of those thoughts though. Kankri hadn’t handled their dad passing gracefully , he just sucked it up so he could care for Karkat. He did what he could to help others, but would always beat himself up for not doing more . And his life was assembled together with a bunch of superglue and duct tape, he was just as much of a mess as Karkat was.
Kankri used to be hard on him, everyone knows this, until Dave came in and scolded him to give Karkat some more space. He also got Karkat to see how much Kankri did for him. It helped them both understand each other more.
And Karkat was glad, glad to have a brother he was so close with, who took care of him, that he could look up to, who he could protect and know he’d be protected back.
It was nice, that despite everything, he still had his older brother.
They get to the house after grocery shopping and get out of the car. Karkat rounds the vehicle and hugs Kankri, tightly but quickly before pulling away and grabbing some bags to bring inside.
Kankri is a moment but follows after, smiling dopily at Karkat and the actor ignores him in lieu of finding Dave.
Dave is in their room sprawled across the bed, talking out loud to Hal.
“-And basically Lanque said that the mixing was going great and he sent me a demo of what it sounds like so far. They’re almost done and the song is gonna drop on New Year’s.”
“You’re very close to fame. Going be the biggest musician since Beyonce.” Hal replied as Karkat comes in and snorts.
“I wouldn’t say that ,” Karkat teased and Dave sat up. “Maybe bigger than like Harry Styles but never Beyonce.”
“Oh I’ll be huge , maybe even bigger than Taylor Swift.” Dave said and Karkat scoffed.
“Don’t let her fans hear that, there’ll be a war.” Karkat joked as he crawled onto the bed next to Dave. “Your first album is almost done I heard?”
“Yeah, the guy who helped me record sent me what they sound like so far. They sound already very finished to me, but he said there’s still like two days worth of editing left.” Dave explained. “He also sent me his number?”
Karkat frowned at that and Dave turned his phone to show him the email.
“Oh, Lanque .” Karkat grumbled and Dave raised an eyebrow.
“You know him?” Dave asked and Karkat scoffed.
“Yeah, he was one of Kanaya’s friends. Flirts with, like, everyone. Can be nice sometimes but it’s just better to ignore him.” Karkat informed and Dave chuckled but nodded, turning his phone off and wrapping an arm around Karkat’s waist.
“So what’s today’s plan? Got any super Christmas-y plans?” Dave asked. “I feel like living in California really puts us at a disadvantage for the proper celebration stuff.”
“Well, we can’t make snowmen or anything, but that’s what the Montana trip was for.” Karkat said. “Jake’s making a Christmas dinner tonight since I have an interview at like 6 tomorrow and won’t be here for dinner. But until then, I was thinking I could show you more Christmas movies in the theatre room.”
“Totally.” Dave said. “Rose is out with Kanaya for a few more hours and Rox doesn’t land until 5 and Jane’ll pick her up from the airport so we have some time before everyone comes.”
“Sollux and Psiionic are going to see if they can get Mituna discharged today and Meulin is going to see if she can borrow Nepeta for dinner. Porrim always comes by even if Kankri tells her not too, and she’ll definitely come by this year after everything. Then pretty much the normal gang will be over,” Karkat explained. “Kankri said he wants a big classic Christmas dinner. He’s even cleaning out the dining room and adding seats to make sure there’s enough space for everyone.”
“Hell yeah,” Dave said. “Hey, what’s figgy pudding? There’s that song about it? And fruitcake?”
“Both are awful,” Karkat said with a deadpan expression and Dave laughed.
“Well now I have to try them,” Dave said. “We should Uber it or something. Make Rose pick it up on her way home.”
“Whatever involves me not leaving again. It may not be snowing but it’s cold out there.” Karkat said and Dave laughed harder.
“Dude, it’s only like 65 degrees outside, you should experience a Texas night, those get freezing .” Dave said and Karkat rolled his eyes and stood up, grabbing Dave’s wrists and pulling him with.
“Come on, we didn’t get time to watch, like, any christmas movies last night.” Karkat said.
“We watched like, seven last night.” Dave said and Karkat scoffed.
“Yeah, and there’s almost 150 years worth of movies to watch, seven is barely scratching the surface.” Karkat informed and Dave groaned dramatically as Karkat pulled him downstairs.
“If we’re going to be watching movies all day, can we at least get snacks?” Dave asked and Karkat redirected them, sliding his hand from Dave’s wrist to his hand and walking them to the kitchen.
Jake is in there, already getting to work cooking while Dirk and Kankri sit at the island table in the centre, shoulder to shoulder and talking to Jake.
“Hey,” Dirk greeted as the two younger men enter and he moves an arm behind Kankri to toss an apple at Dave, who quickly catches it with his free hand. “Eat up on some fruit before you stuff yourself with a bunch of junk food.”
“I’m not just gonna be raw dogging sugar packets all of break,” Dave said, but shoves the apple into his hoodie pockets. “Can we grab some snacks or are we gonna be in the way?”
“You two can skedaddle through! It’s all fine!” Jake said with a cheesy, over the top smile that Karkat has decided he hates because it seems so superficial. He’s actually decided to hate all of Jake merely for those stupid made up British words he uses. “Kankri, be a sport and help me peel these potatoes.”
Jake and Kankri move to the counter to start peeling potatoes for scalloped potatoes or some other nonsense while Karkat roots through their pantry to grab some snacks for him and Dave. Dave snags a bag of chips and a pack of cookies while Karkat grabs a plethora of different assorted goods and closes the door with his foot.
He can barely see over the armful of snacks he has that he had to release Dave’s hand to keep hold of as he turns to the three older men.
“We are going to be watching movies. Do not bother us until Rose and Roxy are back.” Karkat informed and Kankri snorted as he turned to his little brother.
“Not even when Kanaya and Sollux get here?” Kankri asked and Karkat rolled his eyes.
“Kanaya has a late fashion magazine shoot and name the last time Sollux has ever been on time somewhere.” Karkat said and Kankri grinned.
“Got me there. Have fun.” Kankri said before turning to Dirk and starting a dumbass conversation that normal adults have.
Karkat and Dave retreat to the theatre room where their pillow fort is still set up.
Dave gently sets everything down but Karkat just unceremoniously drops everything onto the ground before crawling back into the fort next to Dave. Dave snorted and grinned, wrapping an arm around Karkat as the actor grabbed the remote from underneath a pillow and began sorting through Christmas movies.
While he was searching, Dave was looking over his shoulder, back towards the direction of the kitchen, and he looked for a little too long so Karkat turned.
Dave was smiling gently and he looked...
Well, happy.
At peace, happy, calm.
He looked young .
Just this 20 year old boy, who in the grand scheme of things had barely even experienced any of his life. He didn’t look like the traumatised man Karkat had gotten to know, the man who had war scars littered along his skin.
No, he looked like a boy .
Happy, free, relieved .
Karkat smiled and gently shoulder bumped him.
“Everything okay?” Karkat asked and Dave turned back with a gentle smile.
“Roxy is flying back from an audition, Rose is out on a date with a girl, my brother and his boyfriend are back together and getting everything ready for Chrismtas with a guy who’s basically become a second brother to me, I’ve made a pretty killer new group of friends who have all wanted to make everything the best for me, uh yeah everything’s okay.” Dave said and shook his head disbelievingly. “I just- Can’t believe it, is all.”
“You deserve good things,” Karkat said and Dave smiled wider at him.
“You know what? I actually think I’m starting to believe that.” Dave said. “I mean, I still have Bro’s voice in the back of my mind, telling me I’m the worst, a waste of space and I’m making myself a burden. But now you’re in my head too. Telling me I’m worth it and I’m allowed to have something nice. So I think I believe it.”
Karkat smiles softly at him, feeling his heart do flips, tap dances, skipping beats in his chest and he throws his arms around Dave, holding him tightly.
“Oh!” Dave said when the force Karkat hugged him threw him off balance and made him fall back onto their pile of pillows. He laughed cheerfully and held onto Karkat tightly. “Thank you, man.”
Karkat scoffed with an eye roll. “Don’t thank me dumb shit,” Karkat said, resting on his forearms to put enough space between him and Dave so they could talk properly. “Being treated kindly isn’t something you’re supposed to thank about.”
“Yeah well,” Dave shrugged under Karkat, smiling up at him. When Karkat hugged him, he knocked Dave’s sunglasses off, so Dave’s eyes were wide and earnest, looking up at Karkat with so much excitement and joy. “Thank you anyway, really.”
Karkat smiles back, and he’s so overwhelmed with just the love and excitement he feels for Dave that he drops down a little lower.
Dave’s eyes light up a little and his hand moves to rest along Karkat’s side, holding him close.
“Hey bro, wanna platonically suck face?” Dave asked, voice gentle and soft and Karkat lightly smacked his shoulder.
“I told you not to call it that.” Karkat said and Dave shrugged with a grin.
“An alternative then? Interior exorcism, attempted cannibalism, lip tango, vor-” Karkat cuts off Dave’s incessant rambling by moving forward and connecting their lips together.
They’ve kissed many times now, probably more than Karkat has ever had to do for movies or shows. Maybe more than any normal, real couple would.
Some were just gentle pecks on the cheek or forehead, some were cheeky kisses on the backs of hands, sometimes they traded a quick kiss before departing for school or work. They rarely made out though.
But Karkat thinks they should remedy that fact, because Dave’s hand is running through his hand while the other squeezes his waist and it feels really fucking good.
Karkat almost loses balance while trying to lower himself even more so he wasn’t straining his arms, one arm holding him up so he wasn’t squashing Dave while the other moved to cradle his neck.
Dave smiled a little into the kiss before deepening it by tilting his head ever so slightly and Karkat mimicked, face feeling hot as their lips moved against each other.
The world washed away as they stayed attached together. The theatre screen behind them evaporated, the floor beneath them fizzled away, the blankets and pillows surrounding them dissipated.
All the sound disappeared. The distant clatter of pans and pots moving in the kitchen pinged out to nothingness, the gentle beeping of the movie waiting to be playing beeped into silence, the humming of the heater sang a quiet lullaby.
Nothing else existed except them two. Pressed chest to chest, lip to lip, hands roaming each other’s body with fingertips scouring for more.
Karkat thinks that if he died and found out Heaven was real, he’d want his slice of Heaven to just be this, this moment, for all eternity.
He thinks he might choke on the love he has for Dave, for all the warmth that’s crawling up his throat, all the things he wants to tell Dave.
How beautiful he is, how strong he is, how funny he is, how stupid he is, how annoying he is, how kind he is, how soft he is, despite all that’s happened to him.
Despite everything , the cutting words Bro had thrown at him, the sharp blades that cut his skin, the edgy environment he was raised in. Fighting everyday for his life, to keep breathing .
Despite it all, Dave Strider is the softest person Karkat knows.
He almost starts crying about it.
Almost.
And then he remembers he’s kissing Dave and that sadness washes away as Dave’s tongue moves out to meet his and the fire in his face falls to his stomach.
Karkat’s hand moves to thumb along Dave’s jaw and Dave makes a soft sound at it, hand squeezing Karkat’s waist and pulling him closer, causing Karkat to sort of lose balance and topple on top of him fully.
Karkat made to move, to readjust so his full body weight wasn’t on Dave, but the musician just use the hand in Karkat’s hair to pull him closer and Karkat melts into him.
Their tongues and lips move against each other like it’s all they’re destined to do. Like every word spoken was just a journey to the final destination, pressed against each other in this moment and making their own language together.
Dave’s hand on Karkat’s waist moves up a little, slipping under his shirt and Dave’s fingers are burning embers along Karkat’s skin, setting fires as they trail across his skin and Karkat is ignited with a passion he’s never felt before, trying to push impossibly closer as the kiss grows more and more intense.
Dave makes that small sound again and Karkat swallows it in his throat, pressing impossibly closer.
He wants to crawl under Dave’s skin, get so close, become one with him if it meant feeling like this forever.
Dave’s fingers grip in his hair when Karkat swipes his tongue over his lips and Karkat makes a small groan in the back of his throat.
Dave’s fingers twist in his hair, gripping harder and Karkat exhales heavily, pulling back from the kiss a little as he lets his head move with Dave’s hand.
Dave presses bruising kisses to Karkat’s jaw, and this is probably way past any sort of platonic barrier they were trying to claim it was, but Karkat did not fucking care. He just wanted Dave’s mouth on him for ever and ever.
Dave’s teeth nipped at the skin along Karkat’s jaw and it takes everything in him to not fucking whine about it, his hand moving up to grip Dave’s shoulder.
He wants to say something, like point out how this is no longer platonically sucking face, they have a movie to get to, both their brothers are two rooms down, something , but he keeps his mouth shut because he knows if he speaks, all that’s going to come out is pathetic begging for Dave to keep going.
So he just trembles in Dave’s hold until the other presses his lips back to Karkat’s and the actor welcomes them hungrily.
He’s not sure how long they lay there, just pressed against each other in every way possible, only that it was long enough for the theatre screen to time out and turn off.
A bit after that, Karkat and Dave finally pull away, laughing a little as they wordlessly sit next to each other.
It’s always strange to Karkat, that after kissing when it should feel a little weird, a little awkward because they're just friends , it’s never actually weird.
They never avert their eyes, they never avoid each other or nervously flush when locking eyes. They laugh, they tease each other and go right back to what they were doing before.
Everytime.
Karkat isn’t sure if it should be awkward, like, it probably should be right? But it’s not, and he loves that it’s not, even if it’s a little strange that it’s so easy to just go back to normal after.
Karkat’s heart is racing and his entire body is hot as he settles next to Dave, who leans his head on Karkat’s shoulder and watches the screen as Karkat picks out a movie.
It’s four hours later when Roxy bursts into the theatre room with a bright smile. She’s wearing the ugliest sweater known to man, dark green tights under a red skirt, and sneakers that are falling apart. She must’ve gotten her hair done while out of state because instead of her normal afro puffs, her hair falls in soft pink goddess locs down her back.
“Ooooh, getting cuddly up in here?” she asked when she saw the two’s limbs tangled and arms clutching each other tightly. She unceremoniously plops down on Dave’s side and clings onto her brother.
“Just waiting for you and Rosie to arrive,” Dave said and Roxy smiled.
“Rose came in with me, it was funny timing. But we’re just waiting on Jakey to finish cooking which he said should only take another hour or so.” Roxy informed. “Living room is getting busy though cause Kankri’s friends are filing in if y’all wanna go out and greet them.”
“Probably better if we do, right?” Dave said and Karkat, though he wishes nothing more than to stay in this cocoon of Dave Strider, groans and sits up.
“Yeah otherwise Kankri will lecture us about proper manners and shit.” Karkat said and Roxy laughed.
“I forgot he has a stick up his ass, he’s gotten more chill lately.” Roxy said, releasing her little brother so he can sit up too.
“Call that the Dirk influence,” Dave said, rolling his eyes. “I feel like they’ve hung out more than I thought they did.”
“I mean, that’s probably good, right?” Roxy said. “For Dirk at least. ‘Sides us, Jakey and Jane, he hasn’t had much people in his life. And they kinda befriended him cause of you. He befriended Kankri all on his own.”
“It’s good for ‘Kri as well,” Karkat said. “He has good friends, but they haven’t ever been through intense shit like Kankri’s dealt with lately. Dirk has. So he can understand.”
“Just an odd pair at a first glance,” Dave joked. “Wouldn’t really peg either of them as friends.”
Roxy begins to giggle haplessly and Karkat gives her a strange look while Dave gently elbows her.
“You said peg.” Roxy giggled and Dave elbowed her less gently before he stood up.
“C’mon, let’s go show face.” Dave said and helped Karkat up to his feet as the actor groaned.
In the largest living room, Psiionic was talking to Disciple, Meulin was on the floor signing to Kurloz, and Sollux was hovering his brother, who sat on the couch. Karkat left Dave’s side to go over to Mituna.
“Is he doing okay?” Karkat asked and Sollux gave Karkat a saddened expression he’s never really seen on the other before.
“He’s slowly doing better. He still can’t form proper sentences and his limbs move all awkward. I can’t really tell, but I think it’s frustrating him.” Sollux said and Karkat huffed, sitting next to Mituna while Dave sat next to Sollux.
“I mean, if all my sentences came out wrong and my limbs didn’t listen to me, I’d be pretty frustrated too.” Karkat said and Mituna pointed at Karkat with a glare at Sollux.
“Fuh gots it!” Mituna shouted, looking pissed and Sollux rolled his eyes.
“I never said that wasn’t what was happening!” Sollux shouted and then pinched the bridge of his nose. “I get too easily angered to deal with him like this.”
“I get that, I mean, it’s kind of a Captor thing to get upset easily. Hence why Mituna’s pissed too.” Karkat shot back and Sollux reached over Mituna to punch Karkat.
“I mean, give him a break,” Dave said. “I don’t think anyone ever would be happy about having brain damage.”
Mituna reached behind Sollux to put his hand on Dave’s shoulder and pointed at him very seriously.
“Orr mer favorite.” Mituna said, very matter of factly and Dave’s face brighten and he grinned sharply at Karkat and Sollux.
“Did you guys hear that? I’m Mituna’s favorite.” Dave said and Sollux rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, after Kurloz and Latula.” Sollux stated and Dave waved a hand.
“Well fucking duh.” Dave said and then grinned sharply. “Bet I can kick your ass at Mario Kart.”
“I’m better at it than Mituna was.” Sollux warned and Karkat scoffed.
“That is definitely not true. Gaming talent in your family goes from oldest to youngest. You suck ass in comparison to your dad and brother.” Karkat informed and Sollux punched him again.
“Well you suck worse than I do so what does that make you?” Sollux said. “I can still beat Dave though.”
“Willing to challenge that?”
So that’s how Karkat finds himself for the next hour. Sollux squeezed between him and Dave as they play Mario Kart on the living room television that everyone keeps walking in front of.
At some point, Mituna demands he be given a remote, and everyone’s a little hesitant for a moment. Worried that Mituna wouldn’t have enough fine motor control to do well, and if he realised he couldn’t play video games anymore, that would only frustrate him even further than he was already.
Thankfully for the sake of Mituna, while he was nowhere near the level he was at before, he was still better than both Karkat and Dave, and that was truly all that mattered in the moment.
Right as Mituna starts shouting incomprehensible words at Dave and Karkat (possibly a taunt? Or insults? Neither can tell for sure), Jake comes in to inform everyone that the feast is ready and that Dirk and Kankri already set everything up in the big living room for them.
The mass of them all file into the living room, arguing over seats and Karkat is separated from Dave, his siblings pulling him to the other side of the table.
As much as Karkat would’ve loved to spend a nice Christmas dinner next to Dave, he understands how much it means to not just Dave, but the entire Strider/LaLonde family to have a nice , trauma-free Christmas dinner together.
So Karkat is willing to let his Fake-Boyfriend-He-Has-Entirely-Real-Feelings-For go.
He sits next to his own brother, who smiles happily at him, practically shaking with energy as he lets everyone serve themselves.
When Karkat was younger, every Christmas Eve dinner, they said grace together. Now, they weren’t going to force it on their guests, but as Kankri holds his hand out to Karkat, the other knows tradition will not be broken.
For reasons completely different to Dave, Karkat hasn’t had a nice, real Christmas Eve dinner in ages.
Not since his father passed. It brought about too much heart break the first years after, and then Karkat or his friends were too busy, and then Nepeta had her accident.
But his friends are all free today, Nepeta sits on a video call on Meulin’s tablet, yapping away to anyone who can hear her, and his father may not be here, but Kankri is, holding his hand tightly and taking care of him.
It’s nice.
After- After everything that’s happened in the last few months, years, the last decade , to smile now. To laugh and tease friends. To look at the dining room table that’s actually two tables pushed together, mismatching chairs scattered around to make sure everyone gets a seat.
Disciple and Psiionic whisper to each other, laughing now and then sombre looks flickering across their expressions other times. Kanaya and Rose are holding hands under the table as they talk to June and Dave. Dave escapes Dirk’s attempt to feed him while Jake tries to get Dirk to settle down lest he rip his stitches.
Roxy is laughing joyously as she loudly talks to Porrim, oblivious to Porrim’s clear attempt to flirt with her while she talks. Mituna shouts now and then, dropping his fork and getting mad. Kurloz sits next to him, patient and letting Mituna handle things for himself, but stepping in when he sees Mituna is close to tears.
Dolorosa sits at one end of the table, the other end the seat Signless would’ve sat, and she gives it a sad look, but chimes into conversations around her with a smile.
There’s a few people who were too busy, unable to pop in for a quick dinner. Gamzee had a film session, Jade apparently had work (not that it bothered Karkat, but Dave had been a little upset about it), Latula unfortunately is also on the clock hosting a photoshoot, but she had promised Mituna tons of kisses the next time she was free.
But the point is they had wanted to be here, and were alive and well to be here.
Karkat and Kankri mumble the prayer under their breath before digging in, content and happy, and Karkat can almost-
Well, it’s strange but,
He swears, as he looks around the table before eating, looking at his friends, Dave’s family, Psiionic, Dolorosa, Disciple, the Maryam family in whole, the Captors, his brother...
He swears when he looks at the head of the table, at the empty chair, that he can see his father.
And Signless smiles, at Karkat, at Kankri, at everyone.
Karkat blinks and he’s gone, not sure he was ever there to begin with, but a comforting warmth floods through Karkat as he begins to eat.
His father wasn’t alive, and he hadn’t been for some time. But Karkat knows, somehow, that he’s here . Maybe not literally, or in some religious mumbo-jumbo sort of way. But in their memories, in their hearts.
Karkat feels safe, warm and loved.
And he looks up to see Dave smiling in between his siblings, laughing loudly and eating without a thought in his mind.
And he knows Dave feels it too.