Chapter Text
You crouch to the floor and sit with your knees to your chest. Letting your school bag sit on the ground.
It always astonished you how students never stay long after the final bell rings to go home. The halls and corridors become insanely packed but soon right after they're empty. Enveloping the school with emptiness and silence, with the few exceptions of sports kids and library rats.
Near the back of the school, behind the music room, you sit and wade in the tranquil campus. You pull out a box of cigarettes from the small zipper in your bag. No one is ever really around, and if you are ever seen, people know best not to say anything. You pull out a cigaret and take out the matches from your pant pocket. You prefer those over lighters. You light it and look off to nowhere. You worry you might fall asleep so you hope to leave soon, yet the chilly air of late winter keeps you in place.
Your lungs fill with warmth, and you hold it in for a while before breathing out slowly. You continue to inhale until you reach close to the bud. You then drop it to the ground and crush it with your shoe. You begin your walk home, and you wish your apartment was further from school. You don’t want to go home. Or more like you want to stay out longer but there isn’t much to do. Before reaching the flat, you get an idea and pull out your phone as you dial someone.
It rings twice before the other line picks up
“What?” You’re ears are met by a cranky, sleep deprived boy. “I’m overwhelmingly busy and don't have time to chat nor play games with you, Strider. In fact, you should be ecstatic that I even bothered answering the phone at all, knowing it was you." Sass. "What do you want? And make it quick.”
You pull the phone away as you laugh silently to yourself. “Aw, you picked up even though it was me? Oh gosh Karkat you make me the happiest schoolgirl on the block. I’m blushing like a fuckin’ anime over here. Can you feel it? The blush on my face transmitting over the phone to you? Just for you. Do you feel it?”
“Oh shut the fuck up, dickspi-”
“Hey, listen, boo. Are you legit busy, or are you just trying to break my heart?” your voice lightens at the end, trying to pull heart-strings that probably arent even there.
There’s a slight silence before you hear him say, “No. I’m not entirely busy. Why?”
“Let me come over. I got nowhere to go and it’s Friday. Plus, I’m starving as hell. One can only live on cereal and cupnnoodle for so long.”
There’s another silence, and you actually think Karkat might have hung up on you. Before pulling the phone away from your ear, you hear a sigh, “Fine, whatever. But just so you know, I have work tomorrow morning and I don’t want you fucking around till late at night, got it!”
“Score! Yeah, yeah, don’t worry about it. I’ll be on my best behavior; if i get out of line you can put me in the corner all you want.”
He hangs up without saying goodbye, which is usual of him.
You still go to your apartment though. Entering quietly in case Bro’s home, but this was just a precautionary measure. He was never home around this time, and you were, for the most part, left to yourself.
The apartment is cold, much like the outside. You don't like putting the heater on. It’s only you and you don't want the large bill at the end of the month. You'd rather not have bro work even more just to pay for it. Besides, Striders don't get cold.
You walk past the small kitchen and living room, down the hall to your room. You dump your books from your school bag and start stuffing clothes, your toothbrush, video games, and.. not much else inside. You remember to grab your phone charger, in case you can't use Karkat's. You give the room a few more glances, making sure you haven't forgotten anything. Then, you’re on your way.
* * *
You knock on the red, glossy wooden door and is almost immediately swung open.
“What took you so fucking long? We already started eating.” He was obviously waiting for you at the door, and a small warmth tugs in you.
You coo, “Gomen, doll. I got sidetracked a little.” You pull out your phone from your pocket to check the time, stepping right into the house. “It’s only been 20 minutes since I called. You're just too fuckin' impatient.”
“I thought you were closer when you called. I didn't think it would take so damn long”
The door is shut behind you, and you two walk towards the kitchen. Compared to your humble abode, Karkats house is big and warm. The soft white light of the cloudy sky illuminates the house through all the open curtains. His home walls are lined with family pictures and school certificates. The air smells of pizza. Legit pizza.
Into the kitchen it smells even better and you're drooling at the scent. You see Kankri, washing dishes over the sink. He turns to you and greets you, “Hello, Dave! It’s been so long since you last visited. How have you been? How’s your bro? I swear its been ages. You’ve even grown!” He puts down the half washed plate into the sink, wiping his hands on his Mom Apron, and walks over to you giving you a tight squeeze. You returning one just as embracive. Stepping back he says, “You’re practically as tall as I am! I just wish Karkat would grow a bit. I’m positive he’s been the same height since the 7th grade. I tell him to drink lots of milk and exercise but this kid just does not lis-”
He’s cut off by Karkat's hands over his mouth. “Oh please,I think that’s all I fucking do, listen to your goddamn mouth yap on and on. I swear to God, I am going to need hearing aids before glasses if I keep listening to you talk.” He withdraws his hands of Kankri’s mouth, cleaning them on the hem of his shirt. Karkat faces you, “There’s pizza on the table. Take as much as you want, we already ate. Meet me in my room when you get a plate,” and with that he walks out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
“That kid, that kid..” Kankri shakes his head with a smile.
He gets you a plate and napkins and you serve yourself a couple of slices. “Thanks!” you call before heading up to follow Karkat. His door is closed. You knock twice before turning the knob. Just in case.
You see him sitting at his chair, his computer on the desk starting up. “God, I’m exhausted.” He yawns out loudly.
Setting your bag on the ground, you sit on his bed and arrange the napkins under your plate. “And you got work tomorrow, darlin’.” You slip your shoes off as you speak.
He groans and stares into his computer screen, still starting up. The light of it shines onto his face and down his neck. He looks very tired.
The place is dimmed. The only window in the room is open, but the blinds are completely closed. They come up and down, making clanking sounds, as the wind blows them through the window screen. Your eyes drift across the walls as you notice drawings. Just like downstairs, Karkat’s walls are veiled in drawings and pictures. A lot of them are yours. Many of them actually. From middle school, when the two of you would draw pictures for each other and see who could make out the awfullest drawing possible. It would continue on and on until one day it just stopped. You aren’t too sure who was the one to draw the last drawing. Framed pictures catch your eyes. Familiar faces fill the borders: you, Karkat, his parents, and family, kids from the tech club that you've never really seen before...
“Don’t tell me you're actually looking at those?” He had been staring at you while you dazed.
You form a small smile, “Of course! Makes me feel nostalgic and shit like that.” You move the plate onto his bed making sure it doesn’t fall. You get up and drift towards the wall where your old drawings reside. “Maaan, I swear..”
“Oh don't start. Fucking please, don't.” As he speaks he stands up and moves over to your side. You snicker at that.
“These are actually pretty boss. My artistic talent was even prevalent when I was 13.” You whistle at that and Karkat just jabs you with his elbow. “We should start again, yeah?”
He looks to you and makes a disgusted face, half jokingly, he says “Fuck no.” You laugh a little too hard and he grins.
* * *
The day becomes dark. You've already texted Bro and told him not to expect you home. You've become really tired, and laying on Karkat’s bed is making it harder to keep your eyes open. It’s so warm, and incredibly to your liking.
“Hey.” Karkat nudges your arm right before you start to snooze.
You sit up and adjust your glasses on your face. “Ah, sorry.” You face him. “ I’m falling asleep,” you admit.
He stares at you, looking equally as tired, and then glances over to the clock on his desk. It’s 9 but it feels later. He lets out a sigh and gets up to turn off the lights. “Yeah, me too.” In the dark, he grabs more blankets from his closet and dumps them onto you and the bed. “Move” he orders and you comply. You notice the bed is perfect for two as he adjusts himself next to your side.
You lay back down and turn over to face him. “Hey, doll,” you whisper.
He smacks his hand on your face, and your glasses jolt on your nose. “What the hell? Take your glasses off.” He turns to face you too.
You have them on almost constantly, making it easy to forget to take them off. You do as he says though, and lightly toss them onto the nightstand. You accustom back into your spot.
Through the dark you can see him, his eyes closed and face relaxed. Really, his whole body looks relaxed. During the day, his small demeanor looks frail and fatigued. You haven't seen him like this in a while. Then again, you haven't seen him at all in a while. Other than the few pesters you guys send each other, you haven't hung out in months. Going to different schools doesn't help that either.
“Dave,” you glance back to him and you can see he's looking at you again.
“Yeah?” you ask quietly
There's a pause but he still stares at you. He closes his eyes and breathes, “Go to bed.”
He moves his body around, getting comfy. You’re about to murmur a goodnight when you feel cold hands grab at your own. Karkat’s fingers intertwine in your palm in a gentle grip. You’re surprised for a second but soften under his hold.
“Goodnight” you hum before you drift off into obscurity.