Hello fellow homestucks! I've decided to do a thirty day challenge in order to build myself as a writer. Right now I feel adequate, but I am by no means an excellent author. That's where you guys come in! Hopefully :3

I encourage constructive criticism, anything that will help!

I especially want to work on building things within stories. (plots and such)

Right now I'm using a random prompt generator, but I would LOVE it if you guys submitted prompts as well.

Rating is subject to change and will be at the beginning of every chapter.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Homestuck

Prompt One: Phobia

Rating T

Main Characters: Karkat and Terezi

Karkat took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He shouldn't be this terrified. It was ridiculous. Who in the world could be so terrified of-

"Karkat!" His rather blind friend called out as she hit her cane against his ankles, the sharp sting bringing him out of his panicked thinking state. He could feel sweat bead at his neck and dampen his shirt.

"What the hell Terezi! You don't have to hit me to get my attention!" he growled, trying to use his usual grumpyness to hide his terror. The shorter girl frowned. He hated when she did that, she didn't have to say a word and he already felt the guilt trying to compete with his terror.

"Well excuuuuse me. Next time answer me after the first ten times I call your name." she huffed, arms crossed over her chest. "Anyway our stop is next, and I sort of need you to pay attention and lead me so I don't get trampled. You know, since I'm blind and all." She reminded him.

Karkat could feel his growl of frustration, it built up in his chest, and trying to keep it from escaping was almost painful.

"Whatever," he grumbled as he took his friend's hand in his and led her to the doors of the subway car. Not a minute later the car slowed to a stop, jerking the pair back slightly with the harshness of it, before having to fight their way off and out of the underground.

When they finally reached the open air Karkat felt himself relax slightly, he was normally fine with crowds, but his dread made it almost unbearable. He glanced over to his friend, who held his hand firmly in hers. She looked determined. Excited. Her dark hair made her pale skin seem to glow even more. And he knew if he could see her eyes behind the red tinted lenses of her cat eye sun glasses, he would see excitement there as well, even though she couldn't see.

He pulled her to the entrance to the zoo and got in line, waiting to buy tickets.

"I don't even get why you like to be here so much, it's not like you can see any of the animals." He complained.

Another smack on the ankles caused him to grimace in pain.

"I like the smell. Duh. Plus I can hear all the noises they make! And I remember what they look like… it's something normal I like to do." She said as she began to roll the end of her cane back and forth on the ground in boredom.

Karkat rolled his eyes, deciding it would be safer to just let her have this. As they purchased their tickets and entered the Zoo, he was certain she could feel the sweat from his hands. He was also certain she could hear his breathing increase. But if she did, she made no move to point it out, and her hand still held firmly onto his.

After a while of their strolling he began to calm down. His nerves were still on edge, but he began to feel more at ease as Terezi encouraged him to trumpet like an elephant with her, or bark like a seal. She was so cute, and they were having fun. Maybe she wouldn't be interested in the exhibit that terrified him most? As he began to laugh with her, he relaxed. It seemed highly unlikely she would want to be in such a quiet exhibit anyway, not when she seemed to like all the noise.

They spent their time making their way through the park; Terezi would listen to the automated voices, or read the brail with a tip of a finger. And he would describe what the animals were doing, the odd colorations they would have, and lead her wherever she wanted to go.

He left her by a map, talking to someone who worked there while he went to grab drinks from a near by machine. He kept his eye on her the whole time, not trusting random park dude not to 'accidentally' brush against her or something stupid. Not that she wouldn't beat the guy within an inch of his life with her cane if he tried anything anyway…

"Karkat you're back!" She exclaimed happily as he brushed the water bottle against her hand for her to grab. "I have the greatest idea of where to go next! It's right near the lions." She said, her grin widening. Karkat nodded; fortunately there was a sign nearby that pointed out the lion den.

"Alright, let's go Rez," he murmured as he grabbed her hand, sure to shoot the park guy a look. Park guy rolled his eyes and turned away, probably to shovel elephant poop or something. Karkat hoped anyway.

Terezi began to giggle, "Oh Karkat… you're so cute when you're jealous…" she said with a large grin, her face turning in his direction. As bad as it sounded, it was times like this when Karkat was glad she was blind. That way she couldn't see how red his face got when she said things like that. "Whatever! I should just push you over! Or lead you to an alligator pit!"

Unfortunately for Karkat, that just made her laugh louder and his cheeks became more enflamed. "Where the hell are we going anyway?"

"Don't be such a grump," she scolded, "I told you it's near the Lion Den, actually the park guy said it's the only thing right next to it."

Karkat chose not to respond, and instead began to glance around. He had been so focused on his friend he didn't even notice that the Lion Den was only a short distance away.

His heart stopped in his chest. His feet losing function.

"What? Karkat why are we stopped? Is there a line?"

He was unable to answer, his mouth was dry and he could hear the blood roaring in his ears.

"Come on! It's the only animal I can get close to!" Terezi said as she tugged him foreword. He immediately let go of her hand.

"H-hang on…" he managed to spit out as he crouched, his hands on his bent knees. He looked up at his friend's hopeful face. He knew how much it would mean to her. He also knew they wouldn't get hurt, unless they tripped or something. In fact, there was literally no chance of any kind of dangerous interaction with this animal. Really he had no idea why he was so terrified of them. But that's what a phobia is right? An irrational fear…

"Karkat? Are you okay?" Looking into her worried face, Karkat found the strength to stand up straight and take her hand again, though he didn't trust himself to speak. He shook as he led her into the exhibit, ignoring her questions as they continued, still not able to form words. Air blasted their faces, probably to keep the little pissers in.

What he saw made his stomach recoil, and his feet root to the ground. They were everywhere, on plant life and all over people. He could feel the bile rising up, a scream trapped in his throat. He panicked, tearing himself from Terezi as he turned around and bolted back through the entrance. He collapsed outside the door, sitting with his knees up and head between them.

After what felt like forever, Karkat felt his body relax, and a wave of guilt rippled through him. He just left his blind friend alone in the beginning of an exhibit. His fingers found themselves in his hair, and he found he wanted to rip it out in frustration. Unsure of what to do, but knowing he couldn't go back in; he paced near the exit, hoping she would come out within the next few minutes. Otherwise he would be sending someone in to get her…

Moments later, his friend was at the exit, holding onto the edge of a stroller as some woman with two little kids talked with her. The relief hit him instantly as he walked up to her and took her hand. Terezi took a moment to say goodbye and thank the woman she was with before turning back to Karkat.

The two were silent as they stood facing each other. Finally Terezi moved first, her arms wrapping around his middle and squeezing him tightly. Karkat stood, shocked, fully expecting her to have hit him with her cane.

"Why didn't you tell me you were afraid of butterflies Karkat? I would never have made you go in…"

The embarrassment sank in as he hugged her back, his head resting on top of hers in an attempt to hide the tears that were forming.

They stood there like that for a while, hugging in front of the butterfly exhibit, before Karkat could manage words.

"What a stupid thing to be afraid of…" he muttered. He could feel Terezi shaking with laughter beneath him, embarrassing him further.

"You idiot, I wouldn't have cared." She said as she looked up at him, her smile as big as ever.

With a shake of his head Karkat found himself smiling back, "Whatever, just don't you dare tell anyone else!"

Terezi threw her head back in laughter. "Come on dummy, lets go get something to eat." She said as she took his hand, their fingers lacing as they walked away.

Lepidopterophobia: Fear of butterflies/moths and other similar insects.