A Note From The Author:

Please be aware that this is a continuation story. You may read on if you wish, but I suggest reading my fanfic "To Heal Heartbreak" before doing so as this does take place after that story.

It was dark when I entered our apartment, the smell of alcohol sickeningly strong as I noticed the tipped over coffee table and broken lamp. It wasn't very late.. Probably about five.. Maybe six o'clock. But the whole place was dark and eerily quiet. My heart was racing as I saw the beer bottles spread upon the floor.. And when I heard the front door shut, my heart dropped.

"Well if it isn't the mutant blood." Gamzee's voice rung through me and I back into the wall. No. Not again. I don't want this. His hand was at my throat and his breath reeked of beer. "Filthy motherfucker. Shoulda' known you'd come crawlin' back."

I whimpered and he chuckled.

"Don't worry. I'll make this good for ya'."

And then I was being dragged by my hair into our once shared room, crying as he tossed me onto the bed. I knew what was going to happen next.. And as he tied me to the bed, my struggling doing little to nothing against the highblood, I cried out for help. "Dave!"

I screamed for him, and Gamzee only growled loudly. "Shut the fuck up ya' filthy mutant!" He punched me and I cried in pain. But that didn't stop me from calling my knight in shining armor. "Dave! Please!"

Another punch. Another insult. And another cry of my love's name.

"Dave!"

This time, he came bursting through the door, grabbing Gamzee by the collar and pulling him off of me. Thank goodness.

But.. Then it happened. A loud growl sounded in my ears and I watched in horror as Gamzee swung a bottle at Dave's head, effectively knocking him to the ground though he managed to stay conscious. I struggled against my restraints, whimpering and crying and just.. Begging Gamzee to stop. But he wouldn't.

He punched, kicked, and bit at the blonde and within moments he was a bloody mess on the floor, barely able to move.

"He's mine Strider!" Gamzee screamed this before I saw him grab the lamp from the bedside table, holding it over his head. He had it aimed for Dave's face and I screamed. "NO! DAVE!"

But it was too late and all I could see was red. It was on the ground, on Gamzee.. On everything. And soon I felt as though I was drowning in it.

I screamed and cried and begged for Gamzee to kill me then and there. I couldn't live without Dave. But as the room faded away to the deep red of Dave's blood, all I could see was Gamzee getting closer, that sickening grin still plastered on his face. "Now why would I do that 'bestest friend'? I killed him so we could be together. Just me and you. Always.." He got on top of me, unbuttoning my pants. My heart was racing as I cried and screamed for it to stop.

And then I woke up.

"Mmm.. Karkat.. What's wrong..?" A tired, half asleep Strider looked to me from his spot beside me on the bed, red eyes half lidded. I had tears streaming down my cheeks.. And within seconds I was burying myself in Dave's chest, crying as he held me close.

"Another bad dream..?" He asked me this, voice soft though it was a little groggy with sleep.

I sniffled, nodding as I held onto him. "G-Gamzee.. He.. He killed you. Y-you couldn't save me and-"

"Shhh.. It's ok.." He held me close, rubbing my back in a soothing manner. "It was only a dream. I'm ok. See? Still all in one piece." He kissed my head and I blushed though the tears were only just now beginning to stop.

"I-it was so r-real.." I say this quietly, clinging to him as though my life depended on it.

"I know. But it's all over now. You're safe. No one's going to hurt you ever again. I promise." He said this and as the last of my tears fell, he kissed me softly.

It had been almost three weeks since the incident with Gamzee. No one had seen or heard from him since.. And.. I was too afraid to tell the police, so I stayed with Dave in his apartment. He was kind, gentle, and most importantly he was the only person I could trust one hundred percent. Not even Kanaya or Sollux could get close without inducing a panic attack.

I closed my eyes, relaxing against Dave. "I'm sorry for waking you.." I hug him, feeling bad that I once again woke up my new matespri- Er.. Boyfriend. Gosh, these human terms were confusing. But anyway..

"It's ok. I told you.. If you have a bad dream, I'm here. It's my job to make sure you're safe.. Even if that means protecting you from nightmares.

I nod, thanking him, and before I know it he's got the TV on, cuddling me and running his hand through my hair. It feels nice.. And soon enough a small purr is leaving me.

"That's my karkitten~" He murmurs this and I blush, embarrassed by the nickname.

"Shut up.." I say this quietly and he chuckles, nuzzling me. "Ok kitkat~"

I huff at the second nickname but.. I can't help but smile. He's a lot more affectionate than Gamzee ever was. I like it.

"Hey Dave..?"

"Yeah babe?"

I blush deeper, but I continue what I was going to say. "I.. I think I'm ready to go back to school. Would you.. Mind sitting next to me in all our classes? Since we have all of them together except Chemistry..?"

"Of course."

I smile and then kiss his cheek. "Thanks.."

"Anything for you." He said this and it made butterflies take off in my stomach. I loved Dave so much. He was great. I cuddled up to him more.. And soon enough, I found myself falling asleep once again. Only this time, there were no nightmares. Just the nervousness of going back to school tomorrow.