Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or anything. That is Hussie's
A collaborative story.
I assume you've already read the summary.
"This is fucking stupid," Karkat mutters, wearing the usual disgusted grimace. "I mean what the hell is so appealing about everyone showing off their grotesque half-naked bodies off to the world? You humans really have no shame, god damn it." With an uncomfortable sort of shift, he adjusted his trunks before folding his arms back over his chest.
"Karkat, swimming is fun." John says with a tad of persistence. He wasn't in the mood for Karkat's moodiness at the particular moment. He just wanted to swim and have fun, then perhaps go home to watch Con Air again. "Just come on. You have to at least try. I wont let you like drown or anything." he says as his bucktooth derpy grin erupts on his face.
With a cast glare, his lips purse. "Fine, just this once. Just this once." He repeated himself slowly, to make it clear. "Can't be too sure I won't drown you, though." Karkat's eyes travelled upwards, staring up at the slide. He wanted to avoid that wretched writhing monster at all costs. It made him sick just looking at it. "Where do you think you're going? No, that way, we're going this way asshole," Karkat says harshly, pulling at John's wrist.
"C'mon Karkat. Let's go on the slide. It's so cool and fun and stuff. Don't be so bluh." John tugs on his arm, wanting nothing more than to Karkat to follow him to the plastic spiral. "If you're going to do this, you can't do it halfway. The slide is sooo part of the whole thing. So just come on." The boy says persistently letting the anger and insults of the boy next to him roll past his head, his ears. His cares in a sense. For truly he just wanted to have fun. Why couldn't Karkat just go along with the notion, he'd have fun too!
"I'm going to be as damn bluh as I want!" Wrenching his arm away, he huffs. "If you want to go break yourself, be my guest! I, on the other hand, will stay away from that death trap!" Though, when he broke out into that stupid grin, Mr. Angst just couldn't help it. Despite his hesitancy, his feet moved forward. "Fine," he murmured lowly. "Only once and that's all, damnit, that's, all!"
At the words, Johns elated mood sunk lower. But he didn't bother saying anything. And he was surely glad he didn't! For if he had Karkat might have changed his mind and not have somewhat decided to go with him on the funnest slide ever. "Yay! It's really fun Karkat. Don't be so grumpy about it. You'll have fun. I know you will. Even you. Because it is that awesome. Almost as awesome as one of Nic Cage's great moves. So..so yeah. It'll be fun." John's grin widen, his lips parting into a full out cavern of derp.
"You mean those-" He's about to spew another insult, express his burning passion of hate for those movies. Watching them over and over and over! But something stops Karkat from saying anything. Those stupid lips, he gets caught on them, stumbling over his words for a moment. "Well get on with it!" he barks suddenly. "The sooner this assholery is over, the better!"
John is all too happy to agree as he drags his unwilling comrade to the best attraction ever. His excitement bubbles over, so much that he is lightly jumping up on his heels, although his feet never leave the ground. The dampened mood of his...friend...didn't affect him at all, whatsoever anymore. The exuberant John continues to drag Karkat over to the steps.
The boy with the inky hair flails his arm to be released abruptly, and lashes it out at the offending human for a moment before slinking back. With great reluctance, he pulls his feet up the steps one after another, grumbling. They reach the top, stuck behind some screeching kids and abhorrently carefree guardians. It's their turn, and Karkat steps up. "Actually, uh, ladies first, go on Egbert."
"Karkat. I am not a girl." John gives the troll an incredulous look, although he would hardly have used that word to describe the glare. "Stop being such a sissy. Or should we be calling you by a girls name now? Heh heh heh. Like...Kendra or something. You could be a Kendra." John giggles a bit, happily complying with his own form of amusement. After a few short giggles he pushes the cancer forward towards the top of the slide.
Karkat reacts quickly, swatting his arms suddenly. "No, I insist, go first, douchebag!" The lifeguard eyed the two carefully, she and their audience surprised by the outburst. Karkat's face flushed lightly with embarrassment and a bit of shame, and he ducked his head. "Fine," he finally spat harshly. "Since you're too much of a fucking pussy to do it, I will!" No big deal right? he thought as he turned. It's just some goddamn flailing, that's all. I can make it. Swimming is no big fucking deal. And he was off into the tunnel.
John peered over the slide, hoping Karkat would be having fun. But of course he would be having fun. It's the funnest thing ever! You step, to wait for your signal to go, and not soon enough does the lifeguard motion you forward. You gleefully comply, going through the tunnel, feeling the exhiliration. The adrenaline. It was sooo great. "Weeee~." you let out accidently. Oh well, it was fun, not like anyone would care much, right?
The feeling of everything rushing by, the world spinning around you. Generally, to most it would be a great feeling. But all Karkat wanted was it to be over. Panic was advancing on him quickly, dread gripping at his stomach, or his heart, he wasn't sure which anymore, it was all the same. And then there was that drop. He hadn't been expecting it so quickly. The water crashed into him, and there was suddenly no sound. He could barely move his limbs. All he could inhale or smell was really a watery grave. Karkat, spluttering, flailing, barely pushed himself above water, John arriving just in time to be grabbed at.
John becomes quite panicked, quite quickly after the favoite part of the slide. Because after that all he felt was a painful grip at his arm. Was it a lobster or something that was in the pool? No that made no sense. But man, did it hurt, and it wasn't any sort of pleasure pain. Just straight out pain pain. But that pain somewhat cleared his mind enough to realize who it was with the death grip at his arm. Karkat. And not a second after he realized this did a savior come unto them. In the form of a lifeguard, wearing dual colored goggles. And thank god, because at that moment he, himself was being pulled under the murderous water. In fact he had on accident inhaled some and was coughing, and of course that wasn't helping the swimming capabilities of his feet. Oh thank you god, thank you so much. The world'd been blurring, and it wasn't helping that John wasn't pulling the two of them to safety. That's what he'd been expecting. But instead, different hands tugged at the two of them (familiar hands still, but different nonetheless). Grey eyes fluttered open to meet those goggles, and through them glaring bicolored eyes. Sollux pulled him up, staring with concern. "Get away from me!" Karkat pushed his friend away sharply, rasping with the water in his lungs. With great reluctance it was he looked over at John, before looking sheepishly away. "Are you... Are you alright?"
"Of courth heth not fucking alright, dumbath!" Captor exclaimed.
"No, shut up, he's fine, fuck you!" He shoved the life guard away, turning to his room mate instead. "Fuck me for letting you convince me to go- Just fuck you, shitsponge!"
During the two angsty boy's 'debate' John was coughing up a storm. He had inhaled more water than he had intended to. Honestly, he hadn't intended any. But with being grabbed and gagged all around with his mouth wide open, John had suffered quite a blow. It wasn't that he couldn't swim. But a flailing, stronger-than-him Karkat seriously dragged down capabilities of any sort. John wasn't particular prepared for such a thing. That thing percisely, was Sullox's words. They were rather really kind..to him. "I-I'm." cough "Fine. T-" cough "hanks." John gave a sheepish smile, he wasn't the smartest person in the world and worried that a big smile might be bad. May possible induce another major coughing fit. And that was a less then pleasant experience he'd rather not experience again. God his head was throbbing and all he could was concentrate on how the beautiful sparkling chlorinated water looked dripping from the life guards hair. For it was truly magical in a miraculous sort of way. He almost found himself wanted to part the clumping locks, lean closer. Lick it off his face... Oh! That was~ Oh god, that was weird. Despite being seventeen, and having truly dealt with his homosexual tendencies, John was still iffy on the whole sexual portion of growing up and that was..but oh gosh. They did look quite delicious on the life guards skin.
With a shrug of the shoulder, Karkat had dismissed his programmer of a comrade angrily, patting John on the back hesitantly. The coughing had subsided, but John's eyes were red completely, watering. "John-" Something made Karkat stop. What was he looking at? "What...?" Something was clicking in the boy's head. Those two, locking eyes. What was even happening?
"Go get thome water KK," the guard commanded. Karkat couldn't quite find the words to disagree at that moment, his gut churning. He'd caught it. He'd seen the way Sollux's hand brushed John's. Karkat might have had his back turned but he knew. He could feel it. He could almost feel Captor tenderly putting a hand on Egbert's forehead, concern in his eyes.
John easily dismissed the whole ordeal that had appear bluntly in front of his eyes. The betrayal that Karkat had felt. All of that had fled, that is as his gaze doesn't change. Not until the hand moves up towards his face. And that oh so warm comforting hand... John couldn't help but lean into the hand. To want it to touch him on his lips, his neck, his shoulders, his chest, his stomach, his...oh gosh. Really. And of course being who he is, light red tints his cheeks. A slightly embarrassed grin pushing its way past self-consciousness to be the main star on the show of his face. Slightly overbitten teeth and slightly full pouty lips, that were kneeded out tirelessly and possibly slightly over bitten at times.
Sollux didn't really understand what he felt now, but he supposed it didn't matter. All he knew was that he felt a strange urge to propel himself forward. He wasn't even in control of his body, and logic wasn't functioning. They were getting closer now, too close for comfort. A hand slid down to John's cheek and he was pulling him in. It wasn't supposed to sting, Karkat knew that, but it did. He'd had his chance, but still, he couldn't help it. With quickening rate, he rushed over to the two of them, slowing to retain his dignity. "Here," he stated bluntly, the word more hostile than he would've wanted. Part of him just wanted to throw the glass at Sollux and walk out, but something kept him from being his normal self, just for a little. The lifeguard pulled away suddenly, clearing his throat and brushing his hair out of his eyes before taking the glass. Muttering a thanks he handed it to John, telling him to drink up.
Moment shattered, John looks down sheepishly. Was he really about to kiss someone he wasn't dating..in a public place? The boy, well less boyish then boy young adult, sips the water slightly and gets to his knees. "I uh...I think Im going to sit down for a while. I feel terrible. Thanks Karkat." John delives the sarcastic jab jokingly. "If you didn't know how to swim..." he shrugs though, letting it go. Not really caring. He casts another glance at Sollux wanting that kiss that he'd probably not get to experience for a while longer. "Uh...hey Sollux wanna hang out sometime or er something?" he asks awkwardly, was he hitting on him? Did it sound like he was asking the life guard out? He hoped not, that would only strive to further embarrass him. If that was even possible, and it most likely wasn't. He look down again, god he really need to shrug off this self consciousness. He had gone through and surpassed that age and he truly had no desire to revisit them. Damn Karkat for ruining that kiss, yeah. That kiss would have made him quite confident. Then he wouldn't be a blushing virgin.
"You're welcome, assnuzzling ingrate." He bristled at the comment about swimming, clenching his fists and releasing them again. But when he was asking Sollux out on a date? In front of himself? Anger was quickly welling up in Karkat's chest.
"Yeah, that'd be cool," Sollux rushed out the words, stumbling over them. "I wath jutht gonna athk that. You doing anything..." The lifeguard cast a side glance at Karkat, scouring his brain for the boy's work schedule. "Tomorrow night?"
Vantas wasn't stupid, he knew Sollux knew he chose it specifically because he was working the call center that night. Oh ho, so he could be out of the way when mister night in shining armor and missus damsel in distress got it on. He couldn't take it. "Get a fuckin' room!" And with that he stood up harshly. "Give me the damn keys Egbert, hand them over, I'm going home."
It would be a lie to say John wasn't flustered. A mega mega lie. "Karkat calm it. One sec." John gives Sollux an apologetic look. "Yeah Im free. I only work mornings. So tomorrow night? Where at? Uh I don't think I have your number. I'll just get it from Karkat when we get home. Ill give you a call." John says with a grin as he stands. "Lets go get ressed..." John says to the angry boy, though oblivious as he was, he didn't truly fear the reaction of him commanding something. "And you're an angry driver. I'm neeeever letting you drive my car again." John teases him.
"Whoa kk, calm your tit-th there," Sollux managed with a chuckle, not thinking straight enough to acknowledge the anger in his friend's eyes.
"No, fuck you both, I'm driving!"
"Alright, I'm free tomorrow tho I gueth it workth out, hah. Yeah, definitely gimme a buzz. Or I might have to peth-ter you." He wouldn't deny it, he was blushing a bit at the idea of treating John to a night out. "I'll juth-t thwing by to pick you up, if that-th alright with you. Talk to you tonight then, I should get back to work. Bye babe." Sollux forced the last words out suddenly and quickly, turning away to walk away.
"God damn, you're hopeless, it'll never work John, just give it a rest," he muttered, grabbing the keys. "Let's just go home, I'm sick of having to look at your ugly mug."
John blushed slightly as Sollux's last words were spoken, however as Karkat speaks Jhon abruptly turns to face him. "Give me back the keys and lets go." He says completely ignoring the scornful words. "And 'sides it's not my fault you didn't tell me that your couldn't swim and instead went of a slide plunging you into the water. Dipshit." he says with a self satisfied smirk. Feeling he got a jab in and was happy with it, leaned down to grab the shorter young adults hand, well sort-of; the keys, and snatched them way up high. High as he could, it wasn't super high, but it was taller than Karkat and that would suffice for his purposes.
"Sweet fuck, John stop it, gimme the damn things!" Leaping up, he pulls at John's clothes, his hair, everything. "Stop being a douchebag!" People were starting to give them odd looks, and Karkat caught from the corner of his eye the glint of goggles, but he didn't care. With a harsh push, he shoved at John's chest, storming off angrily. "I fucking hate you, my room mate's an asshole, fuck me," he spat to himself, kicking at the ground before pulling at the handle of the locked car. It didn't really matter to him, he was going to jostle it all day unless John hurried the hell up and unlocked it.
And yet again, John was severely flustered. And lost for breath as a matter of fact, as the kid had pushed on his diapraghm. After several, among several breaths, well gasps really John follows Karkat out. "Dammit Karkat. Just stop. Jesus. Fine. I don't want to drive. Have your fucking keys." John says oddly out of his normality, considering he was still breathless and not the strongest person ever... Basically the shove had hurt like hell. And John never wanted to go to hell. "And stop throwing a temper tantrum. Especially in public places." John sighs rubbing his temples.
"I'll throw my temper tantrums all I motherfucking want," he hissed back, snatching the keys out of the air and stomping to the other side. Sliding into the car, he shut the door behind him none too gently. It was looking like John had a headache. That was good, Karkat'd blast the music, or be more obnoxious than usual. Before John had even had the chance to close his entrance, Karkat slammed his foot on the reverse, pulling the car out quickly, he started on the street, advancing instead of slowing at the speed bumps before he exited onto the main road.
When the rush of movement started, John had scrambled to shut his door completely. As well as secure his seatbelt. His eyes widen as his hands grips at whatever thay can, on be Karkats shoulder. "Oh my god. Oh my god. Karkat. Karkat. P-please slow down. I don't want to die. Oh my fucking god. Karkat. Stop. Now. You do not get to drive anymore. Stop!" he rambled on and on hurriedly, most likely out of fear for his life. Karkat couldn't drive rationally. And if other cars...got mad at them or honked or something. Oh god oh god. Please. Oh jesus fuck.
"Calm the fuck down, cuntlicker, I'm driving just fine!" He forced through gritted teeth, shoving John's hand away. Sure, he'd admit, he was being a little aggressive, but nothing too bad. Until, "Did you see that asshole! Did you see that? Fucker just cut me off! Fucker, just cut me, the fuck, off!" He shouted it to John, venting his anger. The boy revved the engine before transferring to the other lane and picking up speed. "You do not, cut me off,"
John quickly finds something else to grip onto. "Karkat. Slow down. Please?" he asks, his voice a lot softer. More reproachful. God, this kid brought on the worst headaches. And right now he couldn't even try to mediate it away. No, his hands hardly wanted to leave the stronghold. If he stopped, perhaps he would fly out of the car and die. There would be no ease in stress at this exact moment...especially not with five o'clock rolling around. Oh god. No.
"No, shut the hell up, I have to kick this guy's ass." It was a showdown, a challenge had been initiated and the one thing he didn't know how to do was back down. Accelerating, he pulled into the first lane. His opponent's eyes went wide and she hit the brakes. Karkat tactfully stuck his favorite sign language out the window, but while he did so, he caught John's expression. He eased the vehicle only a tad bit. "Hey you ok- Fuck!" It was Karkat's turn to push the brakes abruptly, and be thrown forward. Soft curses of relief were murmured as the entire intersection stopped, and everyone was alive.
John's breath had hitched, and he could almost see his life flashing before his eyes. This was so terrible. His breath slowly returns to him. "Karkat...please. Dont ever do that again." he said softly, he would have said it much harsher and more dangerous like. Had he not lost his breath yet again. For the like fourth time. Being friends with Karkat was a hazardous occupation. "Welp...er...looks like traffic. No more speeding..." John says chirpily, yet reproachfully at the same time. How could anyone not be, when around Karkat that is? Why was he even friends with him? Well...a multitude of reason...he guesses.
All Karkat was really do was growl, averting John's gaze with furrowed eyebrows. The rest of the car ride was actually relatively quiet, he avoided acknowledging the boy in the passenger's seat at all. He removed the keys from the ignition and threw it to John, and left him behind, not wanting much to do with him at all at the moment. Climbing the stairs, Karkat felt rage climbing at the same time. How could Sollux even think about that? Was it some sort of sick revenge? Why did he even care, Karkat wondered, hating himself for it. It was all John's fault anyway. Why did that asshole have to meddle, all the fucking time? He always fucked everything up! Everything!
John watches the boy walking upstairs. He hadn't meant to upset him so much, he didn't even know what he really did. But nonetheless the raven haired boy felt like an ass. A major ass at that and he wished he knew what he had. Maybe he could apologize, or try to fix it. Then again...would he really? Perhaps he was friends with him for truly sadistic reasons. Maybe... maybe. So many maybes'. But honestly, the boy did act like how his dad had after he ecame a drunk. Leading up to that fateful night that had landed John in his current situation. Was he a masochist? Surrounding himself with people that reminded him of that... he probably was. Maybe just a little. Well, another maybe. Great. Some stability might be of comfort at the moment. Especially with karkats unesplainable rages. Well, unexplainable to him in the least. With a heavy breath, he starts up the stairs. Towards the apartment that he shared with Karkat. Despite John being only sixteen he was able to somewhat strive in life, probably thanks to Karkat. Perhaps that was why he was friends with Karkat, for convience. John really felt like an ass as he stepped into the apartment. Not even trying to aplogize to Vantas, just going staight to the kitchen to look for something to nibble on. God.
Karkat had splayed on the couch, turned the tv on. He wasn't working tomorrow morning afterall, he could stay up late if he wanted. Still, the idea of tomorrow made his gut clench. So many images were flying through his head, none of them were right. Shutting his eyes tight, he tried to drown his thoughts with the background music. It didn't help, the images just grew more vivid. He'd been trying so hard to repress it, but the solid facts were there. It really was painful, but Karkat was selfish and he knew it. That's why he disgusted himself. He deserved it. After all, he'd been the one to hurt his best friend, and now Sollux'd finally moved on. But that's not the way it was supposed to go! He was supposed to be in love with Karkat forever, everyone was supposed to!
He heard John shuffling in the kitchen, he couldn't take it. "I'm going to bed," he told the boy monotonously, pulling the door behind him shut with a bang. "Sorry." The words were quiet as he climbed under the duvet.