You sniffle quietly, wiping your eyes as you shakily got to your feet. Your new legs were shaky on your best days, now it was a hassel to walk without falling. You walked through the halls aimlessly, not caring where you went. It was dark and the whole hive was quiet. You didn't quite remember anything past falling, and wallowing in self-pity.

What brought it on was the simple realization that you were such a pitiful excuse for a troll. You had yet to fill any quadrants, and you couldn't stand up for yourself. You were weak and vulnerable, couldn't do anything for yourself.

You start when you hear a noise, flinching back out of habit. Cowardly. Add that to the list.

Upon closer inspection, you find a door along the hall, and when you open it to peer in, you're greeted by the sight of Gamzee reclining in a pile of horns. He was chugging a Faygo.

You walk in slowly, and when Gamzee sees you, he's up in a second, putting a hand on each of your shoulders-when did you start shaking so badly?- and leaning down to look into your eyes.

"What the motherfuck is up, Tavbro?" He asks, worry in his usually-mirthful voice.

"I...I'm just...so pathetic..." You say, burying your face in his chest. "I'm a...a worthless excuse for a troll...No one loves me...You're the only one who cares...at all...if I die, you're the only one who would notice..."

Gamzee leans back to look in your eyes again, gently wiping the tears off your cheeks. "Tavbro shouldn't be up and thinking about shit like that."

"Gamzee, I feel so alone...and I...I don't want to be alone!" You clutched to his shirt, not realizing when you had grabbed a hold of it.

Gamzee gave a soft 'shh' and gently pulled you down, until he was sitting in the horn pile and you were in his lap, leaning against his chest. "Tavros," Gamzee says. You look up, and see his face as serious as you had ever seen it, though soft at the same time. "You'll never, ever be motherfucking alone. I'll always be here for you."

You feel tears in your eyes again, but they're not from sadness. You nuzzle into his chest, feeling a smile creep on your lips.

"Because..." Gamzee continued, "I love you."

You look up at his words, and your eyes must be as wide as saucers by the way he smiled, knowing he had caught you off guard.

"R-really?" You ask, wondering if it were true.

"Really."

You wrap your arms around his neck to pull his face down to yours. "I...I love you too, Gamzee."

You can feel his grin as you press your lips to his.