A/N: I tried. Takes place after they play the game however that happened. I apologise in advance for the fact I know nothing about guitars and so I googled things.
In Which Kankri Learns To Let Go
"'And then he took her bulge and –' did WHAT?!"
Kankri jumped when Karkat began to speak, having not heard him enter his room. He then proceeded to almost fall out of the chair as the younger Vantas began to quote from the screen and he hastily minimised the window.
"Well, well, what was that all about?" Karkat asked, a grin on his face. "Reading porn are we? After all those times you've lectured me -"
Kankri blushed and turned to face the other. "While you may read, or more often watch, pornographic material for the sake of physical pleasure, I do not."
"But that was -"
Kankri cut across him. "That was a wonderful piece of fiction I have been following for some time now. It just so happens that their relationship has reached a new level and unfortunately you happened to walk in at the precise moment when things were 'hotting up' as you might say. But that is beside the point. It was rude of you to sneak up on me like that and I would appreciate it if you would knock or make your presence known before entering my room in the future. Why are you here anyway?"
"Cronus is here."
"You could have called up to me."
"Yeah, well I always hope that you want to pretend you're not in."
Kankri rolled his eyes. "He's not that bad. You could at least answer the door to my friends."
"I always answer Porrim and the others."
"And I don't see why you should treat Cronus any differently." Kankri got up and gave his hair a quick brush. He was quite glad that Karkat had interrupted him when he had. He wasn't sure that he could have kept his cool much longer that way that chapter had been going.
"Cronus is a worse version of Eridan. And – fuck. That's it." Karkat brought a hand to his face. "You stand Cronus just like I tolerate Eridan. Fucking universes and ARGH."
Kankri walked past Karkat and stopped at the top of the stairs. "You shouldn't compare people like that. We are all unique and not merely 'versions' of each other. Now if you'll excuse me, I think we've left someone waiting a little too long."
Karkat watched his dancestor disappear down the stairs and then returned to his room.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] began trolling caligulasAquarium [CA]
CG: WHY THE FUCK DOES HE ALWAYS COME OVER TO MINE?
CA: i dont knoww
CA: not like i can stop him
CG: MAYBE YOU SHOULD HINT THAT HE SHOULD INVITE KANKRI OVER TO YOURS OR SOMETHING.
CA: you gotta be fuckin joking
CA: wwhy wwould i wwanna havve him ovver here
CA: he came ovver one time and I swwear he talked for at least an hour
CG: YOU LEARN TO ZONE OUT.
CG: BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. YOUR DANCESTOR COMES OVER HERE AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK AND DOESN'T FUCKING LEAVE UNTIL THE SUN'S ALMOST UP. IT'S A WONDER HE EVEN MAKES IT BACK TO YOUR HIVE.
CA: the humans made him a twwo wwheeled motor devvice that goes pretty fast
CG: CAN'T YOU BREAK IT SO HE LEAVES EARLIER?
CA: im not breakin his shit
CA: wwe just about get along so i dont wwanna do anythin to mess up the status quo
CG: FUCK. DOES ANYONE GET ALONG WITH THEIR DANCESTOR? I CAN'T BELIEVE WE EVEN REVIVED THEM, LET ALONE LET THEM LIVE WITH US.
CA: nep an meu arent doin bad
CA: an kan an por
CA: kanaya that is
CG: LUCKY THEM. WE GOT STUCK WITH THE SHITTY ONES.
CA: wwell you alwways said past yous were fuckasses or wwhatevver you called em
CA: not gonna lie i was expectin your dancestor to be a total douche
CG: WOW THANKS A LOT ERIDAN.
CG: ANYWAY JUST TRY AND KEEP HIM OUT OF MY HIVE. BECAUSE IT IS *MY* HIVE. NOT CRONUS' OR KANKRI'S. FUCK WE SHOULD JUST MAKE THEM BUILD THEIR OWN HIVE.
carinoGeneticist [CG] ceased pestering caligulasAquarium [CA]
"Are you two matesprits or something?" Karkat asked after Cronus left. He poured some grub sauce over the meal he'd cooked.
"Honestly, Karkat, do we look flushed for each other?"
Karkat shrugged. "I don't know. I try not to look at you. Well, mainly I just don't like being around when he's here."
"Maybe you should try and get to know him better. Maybe you could start by talking online?"
Karkat shoved a forkful of food in his mouth. "No thanks."
"And perhaps he could teach you some table manners."
Karkat swallowed. "He actually has some to teach?"
Kankri rolled his eyes.
"I just want him to not be here all the fucking time."
"Language."
"You don't see Gamzee waltzing over here every other day."
"Perhaps you should invite him."
Karkat scoffed. "You mean you've been inviting him over ALL THIS TIME?"
"Of course not, I would have run that past you."
Karkat made a gesture where he slowly clenched his fists in frustration. "And yet you continue to invite him in."
"Well you haven't said no. You can say no if you want."
Fuck, why was he so nice? He shook his head.
"But if we're on the subject of things we're uncomfortable with then perhaps I could share my feelings?"
Oh lord, he was about to go off on one. Karkat got comfortable in the chair and began to enjoy his dinner in earnest.
"Now it's not that I wish for you to stop, because I know that it's something that young trolls like yourself feel the need to do, but I would appreciate it if you would refrain from being so loud, choosing your timing better or doing it less frequently. Physical pleasure is something that can diminish if one indulges too frequently, you know."
"Kankri. This isn't dinner table conversation."
"Oh." He looked a little embarrassed. "I forgot you were eating. But just know that the walls are actually quite thin."
"Well I never intended to be living with anyone else."
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling castelessGuardian [CG]
CA: hey, tell me vwhat you think of this?
CA: .
CG: I am n9t amused in the slightest.
castelessGaurdian [CG] ceased trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
Kankri had quite a surprise when he clicked the link Cronus had sent him. It was a simple tromblr gif, surely it would be a cute lusus or a troll doing something amusing. His hand went straight to his mouth when the gif loaded and he was confronted with a repeating image of a troll stroking his bulge and releasing his genetic material into a pail. He watched it happen over and over…it was a rather mesmerising scene. And oh god it was doing things to him that normally he'd be able to control. He closed the tab, but the image lingered in his mind. No, he wasn't going to respond to this. He crossed his legs and stared out the window, trying to let his mind clear. But all he could think of was the fact that his bulge actually wanted attention for once. And maybe to watch that troll release a few more times – just for educational- who was he kidding, it was to satisfy his own fascination. It had been so long…Karkat was downstairs watching a film, so why not? He rubbed himself through the fabric of his trousers and reopened the gif. He undid the button and began to stroke gently. Oh god was that good. Why had he stopped doing this however long ago? Probably because he found it hard to start, but this could be a change –fuck. He had to stop thinking about the fact he was doing this and actually focus on getting it done.
ooo
Karkat switched off the TV and headed back upstairs. It was all silent as usual until he got halfway up the stairs. What was Kankri doing? Working out? Since when did he have any interest in physical fitness? Karkat continued his journey and it became quite apparent that this wasn't that kind of physical exertion. The door was slightly ajar, as it always was. Kankri had no reason to close it before, so he mustn't have thought about it. Karkat peered through the gap and his eyes widened as it was confirmed. Yep. Kankri Vantas was actually masturbating. Well this was something that Karkat never thought he'd get to see. And holy shit was that porn on his husktop? It was. Well, now he had ammo for the next lecture/argument. Karkat forgot to move on and stood watching, feeling an ache in his groin. Fuck, he wasn't supposed to get off to this, but the way Kankri was moaning was so arousing. It was like he was trying to hold back and pretend he didn't want what he was doing. Exactly how Karkat would have imagined he'd sound (not that he ever thought about that). He pushed his back against the wall next to the door and let a hand slide into his underwear. Okay, he was never going to admit to anyone how hard a few moans had made him. He bit down on the collar of his jumper as he began to pump; the last thing he wanted was for Kankri to realise he was outside. There was a rushed noise from within the room and not long after Karkat listened as a relieved sigh escaped his dancestor followed by the sound of fluid hitting metal. He was reminded that he would have need of his own pail unless he wanted to explain a mess to Kankri later, so he quietly moved into his room to finish.
ooo
Kankri looked up at the husktop to find that someone was pestering him: Cronus again. He'd never be able to tell him that he'd gotten off to that gif. Well, perhaps he could, and Cronus wouldn't believe him.
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling castelessGuardian [CG]
CA: kankri?
CA: kankri i am so sorry, you don't evwen knowv howv bad i feel right now.
CA: are you there?
CA: come on kan, talk to me.
CA: ivwe triggered you, havwent i? i cant apologise enough.
CA: vwell heres the link I meant to send you anyvway
CA: .
CG: I accept y9ur ap9l9gy.
CA: oh kan, you're back
CA: im sorry dude
CG: It's fine.
CG: Well, n9t really, 6ut let's put this 6ehind us. That's a nice jacket. Are y9u thinking 9f investing in it?
CA: yeah. i just vwanted a second opinion on it before i splashed the cash.
CG: I think it w9uld suit you well.
CA: hey, could I come ovwer tomorrowv? eridans acting vweird and I vwant to givwe him some space.
CG: Umm… C9uld y9u wait a few days? May6e y9u c9uld ask Meenah?
CA: …okay chief. sorry.
casanovasAnchor [CA] ceased trolling castelessGuardian [CG]
"Hey, Karkat."
The troll threw the cushion he was clutching and jumped up out of his seat.
"FUCK ME."
There was Cronus, face pressed into the gap where he'd left the window open. It'd been at least a week since the Aquarius had last been here, he should have been expecting it really. Must remember to thank Eridan, or Kankri, or both. He didn't bother opening the window further, just let Cronus stand there.
"Is Kankri in?"
"Yeah, he's probably upstairs screaming your name," Karkat said casually.
"WHAT?" Cronus' face looked exactly how Karkat had hoped. "What did you just say?"
"I said he's probably upstairs steaming with distain."
"Listen here, you little shit, I heard you the first time. Explain."
Karkat raised his eyebrows. "If you heard me, then why ask me to repeat myself?"
"Because you're lying."
Karkat decided to open the window so they could talk better. "Look, I don't like you and I'm sure you don't like me, but I am not a liar, fuckass. Now I am in the most amusing situation and there's nothing more I like than being a 'little shit' to Kankri. Especially right now. So let's work together on this one."
Cronus arched an eyebrow. "That was all very cryptic, but I'm listening."
"Yeah, and I'm not going to spend minutes explaining to you of all people. So let's do us both a favour and get this fucking started. I'll let you in and you just need to walk up the stairs quietly and check if the door's closed fully. If it is you win and if not then you can get the fuck out of my hive. Deal?"
Cronus thought about it. "But I want to see him either way."
"Fine. I'll let you in but you have to get the fuck out in an hour."
"Stingy, but I can do that, chief." He couldn't really argue.
It had turned out that Kankri had rediscovered masturbating like a 6 sweep old who had just realised they had a bulge. Karkat didn't say anything; he thought it was good that his dancestor was finally letting go of some of his odd ideas about bodies. Besides, he still found it quite arousing to catch the end of it - Kankri remembered to close the door, but Karkat knew that Kankri always waited until he was downstairs. But that wasn't even the best part anymore. One night he'd been quietly reading when he heard Kankri moan a name. Finally, he'd whispered to himself. But when he listened and found it was 'Cronus' he was hearing he almost yelled. Not matesprits, my ass. If it hadn't been for the fact that Cronus hadn't been round for a few days he might have burst in to see if they were actually in there together. It wasn't like Kankri tried fantasising about his other friends, just Cronus. Karkat was going to make sure that this became a thing. More importantly, he was going to make sure that it ended in Kankri breaking that stupid vow he wouldn't shut up about.
ooo
Cronus was disappointed when he found Kankri's door ajar and could see the troll sitting at his husktop doing nothing out of the ordinary.
"Hey, chief."
Kankri closed the browser before spinning round to greet Cronus.
"I didn't hear you coming. Hello." He smiled. "Wait, did Karkat let you in?"
"Uh, yeah. Unusual of him, right?"
"Very. Perhaps he took on board what I had to say last week. But anyway, how are you? And Eridan?"
"We're good. Like really good. I don't know what's happened, but suddenly we're getting along a lot better."
"I'm glad to hear it. I always knew it would only be a matter of time before we all got along."
As they talked Cronus watched the other, noting his gestures and the way he smiled. Kankri had never hinted that he was in anyway flushed for anyone, but maybe he hadn't realised until now. Or at least Cronus hoped that was the case. He personally had been waxing red for his friend for a while. But he'd kept it to himself, knowing that there was no way Kankri would reciprocate his feelings. Should he broach the subject now? No, what if Karkat was lying? Maybe it was part of his plan to make Kankri reject him and never speak to him again? He laughed internally. He was over thinking this way too much. Would the kid really be that evil? Maybe. Oh yeah, they had a deal that was probably best to keep.
"Kan, I promised Eridan I'd cook for him today, so I should really get going."
"Oh? Well that's a lovely thing to do. I guess I'll talk to you online."
Cronus nodded and rolled off of Kankri's bed. It wasn't for sleeping on, but quite a few of the trolls had opted to have one after trying out the humans' soft rectangles. It was much more comfortable than any pile they'd ever been in.
Kankri saw his friend to the door before returning to his room and opening Trollian. He sat there staring at an open window to Porrim, but he couldn't bring himself to type anything. Would she tell anyone if he told her? He was sure she would take him seriously, but…he barely wanted to admit it to himself, let alone someone else. He closed the husktop. There was no way he was writing it down. That would make it 'official'. He sighed and bought his knees up to his chest. Maybe he didn't like Cronus the way he thought he did. Fantasies were not reality he reminded himself. But they worked so well together, anyone could tell you that. Yet if he did say anything…he was sure Cronus would say yes in an instant. Then would he expect them to function as proper matesprits? Pails and all? He wasn't ready for that, besides vows come before everything else, right? He reopened the husktop. They saw enough of each other anyway, so why did they need to change their relationship? Friends could hug, right? Not that he ever voluntarily initiated hugs, but he sometimes considered it. Was it too much to ask to be able to hold his friend close? Oh, but what if he took that for pale intentions? Quadrants sure are complicated, no wonder he'd kept out of them for so long.
"Hey, you okay?" Karkat stood in the doorway. He realised this must look quite odd – him sitting there staring at a blank screen, in a ball on his chair no less.
He smiled. "Yeah. Just thinking." His voice was soft and he cursed internally. It wasn't helping that he sounded like a wiggler who had a crush.
"Alright then." Karkat sounded amused as he left the older Vantas to it.
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]
CA: hey karkat
CG: WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK DO YOU WANT?
CA: vwell i vwas vwondering if youd help me out.
CG: AND WHY WOULD I WANT TO EVEN CONSIDER HELPING A NOOKSTAIN LIKE YOU?
CA: because you like being horrible to kan?
CG: GO ON.
CA: get me evwidence that he calls my name.
CG: WHY.
CA: because I need to be 100% sure before…before i continue.
CG: OH? SO MY WORD'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. AND WHAT IS THIS YOU'RE PLANNING?
CA: you could tell anyone vwhat you told me and they vwouldnt believwe you. this is kankri after all. not sure Im cool telling you about the plan yet. maybe you could get me that proof first.
CG: I'M ASSUMING THIS 'PROOF' WILL BE IN THE FORM OF SOME KIND OF RECORDING.
CA: that vwould be useful.
CG: AND SAY I GET THIS FOR YOU, ARE YOU GOING TO USE IT IN YOUR *PLAN* TO SHAME MY DANCESTOR IN FRONT OF EVERYONE?
CA: vwhat? no, nothing so horrible.
CG: GOOD. SO DOES IT INVOLVE HIM BREAKING A VOW?
CA: i hope that vwill be the result.
CG: I'LL GET YOU THE GODDAMN RECORDING THEN. HELL, I MIGHT EVEN HELP YOU OUT A LITTLE. BUT ONLY IF YOU DO SOMETHING FOR ME.
CA: like vwhat?
CG: I WANT THE SPECIAL EDITIONS OF MY 5 FAVOURITE FILMS.
CA: 5? thats a lot. howv about just the one?
CG: FUCK OFF.
CA: okay, 2 then.
CG: I'M PROMISING YOU AN AUDIO RECORDING OF KANKRI VANTAS GETTING OFF. IT'S GOING TO BE THE HOTTEST THING YOU'VE EVER HEARD.
CA: oh god, is it really?
CG: I DON'T GET OFF TO IT YOU SICK FUCK. BUT YOU MIGHT. OR RATHER WILL BECAUSE YOU'RE CLEARLY FLUSHED FOR HIM.
CA: okay, 3 then.
CG: MAKE IT 4. AND I'LL SEND YOU THE WHOLE THING. EVEN THE BITS WHERE HE DOESN'T SAY YOUR NAME.
CA: oh fuck. fine. this better be good.
CG: I'LL EVEN GET SOLLUX TO LEND ME HIS HIGH QUALITY RECORDING DEVICES.
CA: thanks, chief.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
Karkat started to worry that he wouldn't be able to get his promised films because Kankri had gone back to being as silent as a mouse, except for the furious mashing of keys when someone on the internet was wrong. He wasn't sure if it was because he hadn't sent anything, but Cronus wasn't around very often at all. Nor was he bugging him.
"Are you doing anything today?" Kankri asked.
"Not until later. Me and Sollux promised we'd play online fiduspawn with the Nitrams."
"Would you like to do something?"
Karkat narrowed his eyes. "What do you want me to do?"
"I didn't mean anything like that," Kankri said, a little hurt by Karkat's assumption. "I meant do something together."
"Implying that when we painted your room we weren't 'doing something together.'"
Kankri sighed. "Look, I was just trying to be nice and suggest we go out and watch a movie or something."
Karkat folded his arms. "Okay. Where has the other Vantas gone? The normal one usually doesn't do this."
"Karkat, I just think we should do more things together. It's worked out so well for Cronus and Eridan – they've taken a trip to east Alternia!"
"Ah. That's why you're here. Your source of entertainment is halfway across the planet and so it falls to me to fill the void."
The hurt was apparent on Kankri's face. "Well I'm sorry, but you didn't seem to be making any effort either."
"What if I didn't want to?"
At that Kankri turned and the sound of a door slamming followed.
"FUCK." He didn't mean to sound so horrible. But it was the truth; he wasn't terribly interested in spending more time with the troll. They already saw enough of each other indoors, at least Karkat thought so anyway.
He forced himself to get up and knock on Kankri's door.
"Go away!" he heard Kankri yell.
Karkat gave a frustrated growl. "Kankri, come on. I didn't mean for it to sound like that." He paused. "Look, I think it's a great idea. I'll even buy us some ice cream after if you want."
He heard shuffling from inside and then the door opened. It was clear that Kankri had been trying really hard not to cry. God, now he felt even worse.
"Okay," was all he said.
Karkat placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to be natural. He knew Kankri didn't like being touched, but it was a sign of trust that he didn't know how else to convey. "You can even pick the film."
Kankri nodded and they started to get ready.
ooo
They ended up seeing the latest rom-com that Karkat had wanted to see, except he'd been unwilling to go alone and Gamzee wasn't interested. He wondered if Kankri had picked it because he knew that's what he wanted to see, but then he thought about the other options and couldn't really imagine the older troll enjoying a horror or action film. Light-hearted was definitely Kankri's genre.
"I really thought she'd get with the blue blood," Kankri said as they walked back.
"What? You want to discuss rom-coms?" Karkat was taken aback. "With me? You do know what you're walking into, right?"
"Probably a long dissection of the film we just watched, lengthy enough to rival one of my own lectures on the hemospectrum?"
"Damn right." Karkat flexed his hands. "So. They wanted you to think that she would go for the blue blood because he seemed to be this perfect guy who not only looked good, but was also had a pretty decent personality. But I personally was rooting for the rust blood all the way."
"Language."
Karkat rolled his eyes. "Anyway, her best friend was clearly the better option, despite blood colour which clearly meant a lot to her and her peers. The story was all about how you forget about that and concentrate on those you truly love."
"But how do you realise when you love your best friend?"
"You just know. Just like how you would know you're flushed for someone."
"And what's that like?"
Karkat raised an eyebrow. "Since when were you so interested in the intricacies of the red quadrant?"
"It's purely research," Kankri said, hoping Karkat wouldn't see right through him. "The work of fiction I'm reading has described some emotions, but I wanted to see if they translate into real life. Some tales can be so fantastical that I wonder if such romances occur in the real world. I figured you'd have an opinion of high value on the subject."
Karkat laughed at the way Kankri was buttering him up. "Knowing you, you're probably reading fluff that would make any self respecting troll choke. But you've seriously never felt anything for anyone?"
"I never allowed myself to."
That almost made Karkat pity him; but it was his choice. "Well, you…you start to notice little things about them that you didn't before. Then you catch yourself thinking about them randomly and more often than you would if they were just your friend. Um…you'll want to spend more time with them. Some people get it really bad and just want to spend every waking moment with their crush. And then what most normal trolls progress to is fantasising about the other…you know, pailing."
Karkat made sure to turn and watch as Kankri's face flushed with a red tinge. God, it was so easy to do that.
"Are you flushed for anyone, Kanny?" Karkat asked in the most innocent voice he could muster.
"N-no. And don't call me that!"
Karkat laughed and pushed open the door to the hive. "No need to get defensive, dear dancestor. Now I have a game to play."
He disappeared upstairs and Kankri was glad to have some space to think. He grabbed a cushion and hugged it to his chest as he lay down on the sofa. It was ridiculous to deny that he wasn't having red feelings for his friend. But should he act on them? No, surely it would all pass with time. He liked how things were now and he didn't want to change them. That was what he would keep telling himself. Then things would return to normal and no one need ever know about this internal crisis he was having.
ooo
Having planned everything, Karkat was quite pleased when he returned from Gamzee's and found that Kankri had delivered. It hadn't been much trouble to hide a recording device in Kankri's room and god was it way better than anything he could have got through the wall. He listened to it more than once before he even remembered that he'd gone to all this trouble to give it to Cronus. There was a special place on his husktop for this file.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] began trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
CG: I GOT THE RECORDING.
CA: avwesome.
CG: [FILE TRANSFER: ACCEPT – DECLINE]
CG: ENJOY IT. I EVEN LEFT IN THE BIT FROM EARLIER IN THE EVENING WHERE HE WAS SINGING.
Cronus played the file as soon as it came in. Kankri singing was sweet, but he did skip ahead to the real goods. Oh. Oh wow. This really was good. Such cute little gasps… It felt so wrong to intrude on his friend like this, but he wasn't going to stop listening. He had just begun to stroke his own bulge when he heard his name called softly. Oh lord, Karkat wasn't lying and this was possibly the best thing he'd ever heard. It just got better from there. Kankri called his name louder and with more need…he could hear creaking. So he liked the comfort of the bed? He'd remember that.
CG: WELL?
CA: that was amazing.
CG: TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH TO RESPOND.
CA: vwell it vwasnt short. many thanks though.
CG: I EXPECT YOU TO UPHOLD YOUR END OF THE DEAL.
CA: doing it now.
CG: I ALSO HAVE SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW.
CA: oh?
CG: I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THIS DEAL IS FULFILLED. TRUST ME, YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE THIS IF YOU LIKED THAT.
CA: trust. haha. but you have me intrigued.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
Cronus turned up a few days later and slipped Karkat his promised films when Kankri wasn't looking. Karkat checked the bag's contents and gave the other a thumbs up before motioning that he'd tell him later.
"What's this?" Kankri asked. "You're finally able to stand in each other's presence without fighting?" He smiled at the prospect.
Karkat reacted first. "What? I was just leaving." Cronus gave him a playful shove. "What the fuck?! Touch me again and I swear -"
"Calm down, chief." Had he really upset the boy? Or was this all part of the act? He placed a hand gently on Karkat's shoulder and the Cancer pushed it away before leaving.
Kankri sighed. "I'm sure you'll get along one day."
"I do try, but he's not easy to work with. Do you two even get along?"
"Sometimes."
"So, what are you making?" Cronus said, taking a few steps closer to Kankri and the bowl he was putting things into.
"They're called cup cakes."
Cronus looked down at the unappetising gloop. "Don't look like cups to me. You really going to eat that?"
"They're not done yet, but Jane assures me that once they're baked they'll taste really good."
The Aquarius watched as Kankri spooned the mixture into small cake cases and placed them in the over. It was a long wait, or at least to Cronus, and they passed the time by discussing east Alternia. Cronus recounted his trip and assured Kankri that Damara was one of a kind; most of the people over there were actually quite likeable and not at all threatening – well, as unthreatening as random trolls could be.
"I think they were all quite fascinated to see sea dwellers so far inland."
The oven beeped and Kankri took out the cup cakes that now looked a lot more appetising.
"Well, they look good, are you going to decorate them?" Cronus asked as Kankri moved them to a cooling tray.
"I suppose I could put a little icing on them like Jane sug- ow!" Kankri pulled his hand away from the still hot tray, forgetting that it had just spent a long time in the oven.
"You okay, Kan?" He took Kankri's hand in his own, only to have the Cancer snatch it back quickly and begin to suck his thumb.
"It's fine." He ran the cold tap. "Just caught me by surprise. I'm not usually that silly, but thank you for your concern. Did you want to help with the decorating?"
"Sure thing."
Together they followed the instructions to make icing, during which Cronus refrained from telling Kankri what his too-watery icing actually reminded him of. Once they had finished topping the cakes with the red icing they finally got to tasting them.
"Well?" Kankri asked as he watched Cronus carefully deliberating over the cake.
"They're good. I could get used to having more human food around." It probably helped that Kankri had been the one who had made them.
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]
CA: hey. that vwhole thing earlier vwas all in jest right?
CG: IT WAS ALL AN ACT, YEAH.
CA: okay, cool. vwas vworried id annoyed you.
CG: I WAS HOPING YOU'D PLAY ALONG. CAN'T HAVE KANKRI THINKING WE'RE ACTUALLY KIND OF OKAY WITH EACH OTHER. WHICH I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I AM NOT OKAY WITH YOU YET. YOU'RE STILL FUCKING ANNOYING AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO SPEND ANY MORE TIME WITH YOU THAN NECESSARY.
CA: awv, youre hurting my feelings.
CG: FUCK YOUR FEELINGS. THIS IS PURE BUSINESS TO ME.
CA: yeah, you said youd tell me something.
CG: YEAH. YOU BETTER PREPARE YOUR THINK PAN BECAUSE I AM ABOUT TO BLOW IT.
CG: KANKRI IS FLUSHED FOR YOU.
CA: come on nowv, thats a bit far-fetched. you expect me to believwe that?
CG: DIDN'T WE ESTABLISH THAT I DON'T LIE?
CA: and didnt you tell me you enjoy being a little shit?
CG: YOU CAN CHOOSE NOT TO BELIEVE ME. BUT THAT'S NO FUN.
CA: did he actually explicitly say it?
CG: NO. BUT HE STARTED ASKING ALL THESE WEIRD QUESTIONS. LIKE 'HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND?' WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT FROM KANKRI? PRETTY OBVIOUS WHO IT'S REFERRING TO.
CG: AND THEN I ASKED HIM IF HE WAS FLUSHED FOR ANYONE. AND HE FUCKING STUTTERED. KANKRI DOESN'T STUTTER EVER. UNLESS HE'S STANDING THERE BLUSHING BECAUSE HE HAS A CRUSH ON A FUCKING AMPORA NO LESS.
CA: okay okay.
CA: i want to believwe, so let me ask you something. if I vwere to make a movwe on him, vwould you help?
CG: DEPENDS WHAT THAT ENTAILS.
CA: vwell just givwing me some inside info like you havwe been doing. vwere friends, but he really does keep some things locked avway.
CA: also he says you consider yourself quite the expert on matters of the blood pusher.
CG: I GUESS I CAN DO THAT. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO CRACK HIM.
CA: yeah, and to be honest im vworried about messing it up.
CG: NOT IF YOU LISTEN TO EVERYTHING I SAY. AND DON'T FUCK UP THE THINGS I TELL YOU TO DO.
CA: ill try my hardest, chief.
CA: so shall i just start making a movwe or do you have a plan?
CG: GIVE ME A MINUTE.
CG: OKAY. SO FIRST WE NEED TO MAKE SURE HE'S COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE WITH YOU. OTHERWISE HE MIGHT JUST SHUT YOU OUT IF HE REALISES WHAT YOU'RE UP TO.
CA: i thought he vwas pretty comfortable with me.
CG: HOW DOES HE REACT TO YOU TOUCHING HIM AND BEING CLOSE TO YOU?
CA: vwell kan doesnt like that with anyone.
CG: WRONG. HE LETS PORRIM HUG HIM. DOES HE LET YOU DO THAT? NO. I DIDN'T THINK SO.
CA: vwe…vwhen i realised he didn't like contact i made sure i kept my distance. probably one of the reasons vwe became good friends is because i knewv vwhere to drawv the line.
CG: AND BECAUSE YOU'RE ONE OF THE FEW WHO CAN STAND HIM. OH AND THE FACT THAT HE CAN STAND YOU, OF COURSE.
CA: lets cool it vwith the insults. so howv do you suppose i get kan to be ultra cool vwith me?
CG: INVADE HIS PERSONAL SPACE.
CA: but he'll hate it.
CG: TRUE. BUT YOU'VE BEEN FRIENDS LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO EITHER ACCEPT IT OR TELL YOU TO FUCK OFF.
CG: OR RATHER KINDLY REMOVE YOURSELF FROM HIS VICINITY.
CA: and vwhat if he says the latter?
CG: THEN WE'LL HAVE TO RETHINK AND PROBABLY END UP DOING SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE DRASTIC.
CA: so a bit closer, maybe touching a hand, or a hug?
CG: SLOW THE FUCK DOWN. HE'S PROBABLY ONLY JUST REALISED HIS FEELINGS AND YOU WANT TO GIVE HIM THIS RED OVERLOAD? I THINK NOT. UNLESS YOU CAN WORK STUFF INTO YOUR USUAL TIME TOGETHER THEN LEAVE IT OUT. LIKE DON'T JUST TAKE HIS HAND BECAUSE YOU WANT TO – DO IT BECAUSE YOU'RE SHOWING HIM HOW TO DO SOMETHING. AND NO HUGS UNLESS THEY'RE JUST AN ARM AROUND THE SHOULDER TYPE THING.
CA: vwoah, okay, i got it.
CG: WHAT WE WANT IS FOR HIM TO FEEL LIKE HE'S IN CONTROL AND THAT HE'S LEADING WITH THIS.
CA: yeah, i get you.
CG: GIVE IT TWO WEEKS. IF YOU HAVEN'T SCREWED IT UP IN THAT TIME THEN WE'LL MOVE ONTO PHASE 2. GOOD LUCK, NOOKSTAIN.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
A knock at the door, earlier than expected, but Karkat guessed it was better than being late as usual.
"You're ear – oh. It's you."
Cronus stood on his doorstep, rather than the Capricorn he was expecting.
"Nice to see you too."
"Kankri's popped out to pick up some things."
"Well, can I come in?"
Karkat sighed. "Yeah, I guess." If only Gamzee was here, then he wouldn't have to entertain Cronus alone. Not that he was obliged to, but he wasn't going to hide upstairs like a wiggler.
"How long do you think he'll be?"
"No idea. What are you doing here anyway? Isn't four days in a row over doing it?"
"No? I would invite him over to mine, but it's a pain with the hive being in the ocean."
"You could offer to pick him up and drive him," Karkat suggested.
"What's wrong with here?" Cronus gave a weak smile. Truth was he imagined that if he brought Kankri over too often that Eridan would kick him out without a second thought. He was surprised at how nice Karkat was to Kankri in that respect.
Karkat rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair. "So how is everything progressing? The fact you're here suggests you took my advice."
"It's going well." Cronus smiled properly. "But I think I might be being a little too careful."
"Well I'm not going to tell you not to push a little harder, but just beware that if you do you run the risk of ruining the plan."
Cronus looked troubled. "Do you really think he'd push me away?"
"I can't be certain, and you probably know him better than me, but from what I've seen and heard he'll put up walls if he thinks there's too much romantic attachment with someone. Didn't he do that with the older Pyrope?"
"He's never discussed that with me, but he seemed to…but maybe that's because she got with Mituna?"
Karkat shrugged. "Like he'd tell me." The sound of the door opening filled the room. "You're lucky he's back or I'd have kicked you out."
"Oh, you're here early, Cronus." Kankri walked in, followed by a familiar face.
"Gamzee!" Karkat jumped up and rushed to hug his moirail. "Are you okay?" he whispered, worried that Kankri would have drove him insane. Gamzee smiled and nodded. Yeah, he was mellow enough to just agree with anything Kankri had said, probably hadn't even heard half of it. The pair disappeared upstairs, leaving the older trolls.
"I've never seen Karkat so animated," Cronus noted.
Kankri shook his head with a hint of disapproval. "I don't know what he sees in that troll. He's got his head in the clouds and it sounds like he's in a dark cult."
"Kurloz isn't much different."
"I never talked to him much, not just because he couldn't contribute his ideas verbally, but because he didn't seem to want to listen."
"Did anyone want to listen?" Cronus made an incoherent sound as he tried to explain, ending up putting a finger to Kankri's lips and clearing his throat before continuing. "I didn't mean it to sound like that. I just meant that most of our 'friends' would rather not listen to your 'lectures'. I'm happy to listen all day."
Kankri moved the finger that was still pressed against his lips. "Yes, well, I was only trying to educate them. Still, I don't think that the Makara boy is doing Karkat any good."
"If they're happy together then we shouldn't interfere."
"I know, but Kanaya would have been such a great moirail for him."
Cronus shook his head. "You can't go round wishing our dancestors were in the same relationships as us. Just look at Aranea and Meenah – absolutely great. But imagine Vriska and Feferi in the same quadrant…it just wouldn't work."
"True, but the Leijons and Zahaaks work well together."
"Okay, but now imagine if we had to work based on their relationships – I'd have to let Meenah shoosh pap me and you'd be off getting down with our clown."
"No thanks." Kankri disappeared into the food block and Cronus got up and followed. "Are you hungry?" Kankri asked as he placed a few items into the cooling box.
"No, I'm good. I remembered to bring my guitar today."
"I noticed." Kankri smiled. "So, are you going to start teaching me? Or will you play me a few things?"
"I figured a bit of both." Cronus walked back into the main room and began to check the tuning. "Anything in particular you'd like me to play?"
"I'd like to hear something you like."
"Alright then. I'll play you something I've recently learned. It's from one of the films popular on Earth. And really it should be sung as a duet, but I'd like to play it anyway, because it's something I like." Cronus played a few warm up chords while Kankri sat own on the other end of the sofa, and then he launched into Summer Nights from Grease.
Kankri listened with a smile on his face. He wasn't listening to the lyrics really, he was watching Cronus. Watching the way his hand strummed the strings, the way his head bobbed to the tune. He looked so beautiful when he lost in the music. The song slowed and Kankri noticed Cronus smile at him before he continued. Oh, it was a song about two people in love…just the beginning. Had Cronus picked this song intentionally? Kankri shook his head at himself. Of course this was just something his friend liked. Yes, his friend who was just that: a friend. But maybe he could ask – no. He reminded himself that he had thought this out and that getting into a quadrant with Cronus was a bad idea. Things are better this way. Things are better this way, he repeated mentally.
"So, what did you think?"
Kankri snapped out of his internal struggle. "It was lovely. Um, but that's a bit complicated for a beginner like me."
Cronus smiled. "I was just going to start you off with actually holding a guitar and playing a few chords." He held out the instrument to the Cancer.
Kankri took the guitar and held it the same way that Cronus always did. He brushed a thumb against the strings and smiled. Cronus nodded for him to experiment and Kankri pressed down on the strings while he strummed.
A few minutes of random notes later the Cancer looked up. "So, how do I make it play pleasing music?"
Cronus slipped onto the floor and patted the space between his legs. Kankri hesitated before settling there, his back to Cronus.
"I know it's kind of awkward," Cronus began as he shifted into a better position. "But it's easier for me to teach you like this." Which was half true. He would find it easier to place his hands like this, but really it was just an excuse to get closer. "Right, so you have six strings and 12 frets and these give you 37 different notes…" Cronus continued to explain the ins and outs of the guitar and how the notes worked. Kankri tried to take it all in, but it was a lot of information to start and having Cronus so close wasn't helping. His sweater was becoming awfully warm and he could feel Cronus' breath on his neck when he spoke which made him shiver. A hand touched his and he almost flinched. Cronus moved his fingers into place and told him to strum. "That's C major." Cronus continued to show him a variety of chords, delicately moving his fingers each time. Kankri tried to remember which was which, but there were more than he was expecting and the head resting on his shoulder sure wasn't helping. Eventually Cronus announced that he would begin to teach him a song, just a simple nursery rhyme every troll heard growing up on Beforus. It was odd to think that Karkat and his friends didn't know the song. The Aquarius asked him to play three chords.
"Um… Cronus, I appreciate that you think I'm that good, but you did go through the chords rather fast."
"Oh…I'm not a very good teacher, am I?"
"No, no, you're fine. It's just that there were at least ten chords you just showed me and I can't remember which one's which."
Cronus took his hands again, whispering the name of the chord in his ear as he played the first few. Kankri smiled when he heard a recognisable tune beginning to come from the guitar. Something buzzed across the room and Cronus sighed.
"Well, this was fun, but I'd best be off or I'll get caught in the sun."
Kankri was slightly disappointed when the other got up to retrieve his jacket. He'd become quite accustomed to having Cronus so close. He got up and handed Cronus his guitar. "It was great, maybe we should continue another time."
Cronus was visibly surprised. "You really want to? Only if you're sure. I was worried I was boring you."
"It's difficult, but I imagine it could be quite a rewarding skill if I put some time into it."
Without a second thought Cronus hugged Kankri, overcome with joy at the prospect of one day playing alongside his friend. "Oh, sorry." He let go quickly. "I just – yeah – would love to hear you play. And maybe we could play together – maybe we could put together a little band and – sorry, I'm rambling."
Kankri gave a small laugh. "It's lovely to see you so happy. I'll consider it, but you really should get going."
Cronus looked up at the sky and nodded. He slung the guitar over his back and jumped onto his motor vehicle. Kankri stood at the door and waved him off.
ooo
"Well, wasn't that cosy?" Karkat said as he came down the stairs. Cronus had just left after another guitar lesson. "Didn't think you'd let him teach you to play quite like that."
"It was the easiest way," Kankri said as he followed Karkat into the food block. They'd been playing for a few hours and he found he was actually quite hungry now.
"Yeah, sure," Karkat said as he pulled out some meat. "I'm just surprised you let him is all."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I thought being in such close proximity would be too 'triggering' for you."
"Not at all."
Karkat took two steps towards Kankri and placed an arm against the wall, trapping his dancestor between the worktop and himself.
Kankri rolled his eyes. "Stop it, Karkat."
"Triggered?"
"Not at all."
Karkat placed the pan he was holding on the side and used his now free hand to stroke Kankri's cheek.
"Now?"
"I know what you're trying to do," Kankri said with a huff. "So just stop."
Karkat let his hand trail down Kankri's body and he reached his hip before a hand wrapped around his wrist and Kankri hissed "stop".
Karkat smirked in victory. "See, you can't even do that little bit of contact with your own dancestor and yet you'll happily sit with your back to some highblood."
Kankri folded his arms across his chest. "First of all, a highblood he may be, but he is my friend before that. I know that on Alternia your highblooded friends may wish to cull you – in the sense that they would kill you, but that is not how it worked on Beforus. While I didn't wish to be culled in our nicer sense of the word, it was not something that meant I couldn't befriend those of higher blood than myself. Secondly, he is a trusted friend, so I don't mind being in close contact with him. I know he won't do me any harm."
"Oh? You don't trust me?"
Kankri was quiet for a moment before answering. "Well, you have a tendency to pull pranks, something you not doubt picked up from John, and that makes me slightly uneasy around you."
"Honestly, what do you think a bit of physical contact is going to lead to?" Karkat paused and thought of all the fun things he could do to annoy Kankri that involved touching him. "Actually, don't answer that. I guess you're right not to trust me as wholly as you do Cronus. But I still find it odd that you trust someone who's not in one of your quadrants."
"And I can't believe you find the Makara boy trustworthy enough to fill one."
"You just don't know him well enough."
"Ah, I could say the same about you and Cronus." Kankri cocked his head, waiting for Karkat to counter.
"But. You are not. In a quadrant," Karkat said disjointedly.
Kankri sighed. "I guess this is where cultural differences will keep us from agreeing. On Beforus we weren't obsessed with killing each other."
"We're not obsessed; it's just a natural desire for our species."
"It is for you, but it isn't for us. Let's agree to disagree."
Karkat picked up the pan again. "Good idea."
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]
CA: so is it time for phase 2?
CG: I GUESS.
CA: vwell?
CG: GIVE ME 10 MINUTES. I JUST GOT UP AND YOU'RE ALREADY ON MY CASE.
CG: OKAY. SO THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT KANKRI TRUSTS YOU. MORE THAN HE FUCKING TRUSTS ME.
CA: im honoured.
CG: AND I'M PISSED THAT I'M LOSING TO A BULGESUCKER LIKE YOU. BUT LOOKING BACK AT OUR RECENT INTERACTIONS I CAN SEE WHY. PAST ME IS SUCH A DICK. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO HIM TO FIND OUT WHAT HE'S THINKING, BUT EVERYTIME I TRY I FUCK IT UP AND HE WON'T TELL ME ANYTHING. I MEAN I WOULDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING EITHER. CAN'T BLAME HIM.
CA: dont beat yourself up about it. maybe you can leavwe that bit to me?
CG: LOOKS LIKE I MIGHT HAVE TO.
CA: so vwhats the plan?
CA: karkat?
CG: SORRY. KANKRI JUST WALKED IN. APPARENTLY YOUR WRIGGLING DAY IS SOON.
CA: yeah, it's in a fewv vweeks.
CG: PERFECT.
CA: vwhy is it?
CG: I JUST WANT YOU TO KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING. MAYBE TRY FOR A HUG OR SOMETHING.
CA: i thought phase 2 vwould include more. but vwhatevwer you say chief.
CA: one question.
CA: does he still call my name?
CG: NO IDEA. I'M NEVER AROUND IF HE DOES.
CA: vwhat if he's givwen up?
CG: NOT LIKELY. I'VE SEEN THE WAY HE WATCHES YOU.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
"Pass me a whisk," Kankri said.
Karkat opened the draw and handed one to him. It was the day before Cronus' wriggling day and Kankri was baking him a cake with a mix Jane had sent over seeing as the last batch had been a success. Karkat wasn't really needed to help, but he hung around the kitchen anyway, knowing he'd get to lick to bowl out at least.
"Why didn't you just get Jane to send a cake over?"
"Because it's more personal this way." Kankri picked up the bowl and began to whisk it with as much force as he could muster.
"Are you going to decorate it with a heart?"
"Why would I do that? His sign would be much more appropriate."
Karkat shrugged. "Might be a good way to show him your red feelings."
Kankri's whisking got faster. "I am not flushed for him," a note of finality in his voice. He really had convinced himself that this was not a thing. Or tried to.
"No, of course not," Karkat said and reminded himself to not be too sarcastic. "That's not why I hear you moaning his name."
Kankri's eyes widened. "I…I don't know what you…" The look on Karkat's face was one of victory, but he played it cool. "Say I was to entertain your notion that I am flushed for him, then what?"
"Well I'd suggest that you tell him. Maybe not with the cake decorating idea, but actually just tell him."
"I can't," Kankri said.
"Why not?"
"It wouldn't work…I don't want to change things."
Karkat picked up the bowl and continued to whisk while Kankri stretched his arm. "But I can see how much you want to change things every time you're together. Why not just take a chance?"
"I wouldn't make a good matesprit."
"Then you can end it whenever you like."
Kankri sighed. "But…"
"Cronus would understand. He's your friend, right?"
Kankri looked unsure and took the bowl back. "I'll think about it." He poured the mix into the tin.
"Well, what would you say if he asked you first?"
"I don't know."
Karkat laughed. "Wow. We've finally found something that you don't have an opinion on."
"I would either reject him without a second thought or I'd…" Kankri hid his face; it was the cutest thing he'd ever done in Karkat's presence. "I'd tell him how much I love him." The word 'love' was said so quietly that Karkat wondered if he'd actually said it. Kankri put the cake in the oven and then absconded from the food block, a faint blush on his face. That was it. It was all out in the open now that he'd actually told someone. He fell onto the bed and wondered if he could actually pluck up the courage to say something. Maybe he should ask…no. He couldn't tell Porrim either. Was it wrong to keep something like this from your moirail? Probably. But he couldn't just tell her. But he'd just told Karkat. Oh god what was the boy going to do with that information? They'd been a bit rocky the last few weeks and Kankri had just given away his greatest secret. He just wanted to hide forever.
carcincoGeneticist [CG] began trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
CG: I JUST GOT CONFIRMATION THAT HE IS DEFINITELY STILL FLUSHED FOR YOU.
CA: really? vwhat happened?
CG: HE SAID, AND I QUOTE, 'I LOVE HIM.'
CA: i vwant to cry from happiness.
CG: GOD IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE SOPPY I'M OUT.
CA: vwas there more?
CG: I TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD TELL YOU IN PERSON.
CA: and?
CG: HE SEEMS HESITANT. WHEN HE GOES OVER TOMORROW DON'T LET HIM LEAVE UNTIL ONE OF YOU HAS SAID SOMETHING.
CG: BUT OBVIOUSLY I'M TRYING TO GET HIM TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE.
CA: okay, so let me make sure i heard you correctly.
CA: you vwant me to tell him im flushed for him by the end of tomorrowv?
CG: YES.
CA: i vwont let you dovwn.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased trolling casanovasAnchor [CA]
Eridan looked royally pissed by the time it was just Kankri and Feferi left in his hive, along with his permanent resident of course.
"Well, are you goin' yet?" Eridan asked the two older trolls.
"Yeah, we'll head off soon," Cronus said.
"Good and when you get back you can clean this fuckin' mess. We're never havin' that lot over again."
Feferi placed a hand on his cheek and began to lead him away from the sight of his trashed main room.
"I could help if you like," Kankri offered.
"Nah, it's fine. Did you want any more cake before you go?"
Kankri shook his head. "I'm good, but perhaps you could give Eridan some as a peace offering."
"I don't think pacifying him will be that easy."
"Well, we should get going then."
Cronus followed Kankri out and hopped onto the motor vehicle. It was much like a motorbike and meant that the Cancer had to hold onto him for the duration of the ride. Cronus had suggested he hold onto the back of the seat, but Kankri had been worried he'd fall off. As they rode Cronus thought about what Karkat had instructed him to do…something he hadn't yet managed. It had been too busy with all of the other trolls round earlier; there wasn't space to talk to Kankri privately. This was going to be a delicate conversation and he couldn't mess it up. He had considered saying something just before they left, but if Kankri rejected him that would have been one awkward ride across the sea. No, he'd wait until the last moment.
"Kan…" he began when the other dismounted the vehicle.
"Yes?"
"I had fun today. Thanks for the cake."
Kankri smiled. "I'm glad you liked it."
"I did. Um…" Okay, he just had to say it. Or something. God, how should he phrase it? He'd had a whole day to plan this and he hadn't thought about how he'd translate his feelings into words.
"Hmm?" Kankri looked at him expectantly. He was going to think something was up… Just say it! No, I can't.
"It's nothing. See you soon, I guess." Damn, he'd bottled it. Karkat wasn't going to be pleased. But really, confessing his love on the doorstep of his hive? Not the classiest way to go about it.
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]
CA: im sorry.
CA: i didnt say anything to him today.
CG: WHY THE FUCK NOT? I SET HIM UP YESTERDAY TO BE READY FOR THIS.
CA: there vwas nevwer a right time and vwhen it might havwe been i didnt knowv vwhat to say.
CG: YOU'RE JUST SUPPOSED TO SAY HOW YOU FEEL. IT SHOULDN'T BE HARD.
CA: vwell it is. havwe YOU evwer confessed to someone?
CG: I'M SMOOTH ABOUT THIS SHIT. I TOLD HER THAT I THOUGHT THE WORLD OF HER, BUT SHE DIDN'T TAKE THE BAIT. THINGS WERE ROUGH BACK THEN SO I DIDN'T PUSH IT.
CA: and howv should i be smooth then?
CG: BY NOT JUST SAYING 'I LOVE YOU' OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. YOU BUILD IT UP. SAY HOW YOU LOVE AN ASPECT OF THEM, HOW THEY ARE AN AMAZING PERSON AND SO ON. DON'T JUST DUMP THE BIG REVEAL ON THEM.
CA: should i come round tomorrowv and do it then?
CG: I DON'T KNOW. THIS IS YOUR THING. MAYBE YOU SHOULD ASK HIM IF HE WANTS TO SEE YOUR IRRITATING FACE AGAIN.
CA: okay.
casanovasAnchor [CA] ceased trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling castelessGuardian [CG]
CA: hey kan. vwould you mind if i came round tomorrowv?
CG: N9t at all. Any particular reas9n y9u're asking in advance?
CG: Cr9nus?
CA: sorry, eri vwas yelling at me for missing a plastic cup.
CA: i vwanted to talk to you about something.
CA: in person.
CG: 9h? Was this the thing y9u passed 9ff as 'n9thing' earlier?
CA: youre sharp.
CG: I c9uld tell y9u wanted t9 say s9mething. It's unlike y9u t9 withh9ld things fr9m me. I am quite intrigued; especially since y9u w9n't tell me 9ver Tr9llian.
CA: see you tomorrowv then.
casanovasAnchor [CA] ceased trolling castelessGuardian [CG]
Cronus sat back in his chair, hands on his head. He was so nervous, but he didn't want to let Kankri know that. He had to play it cool. But would a little vulnerability look good? No, no. That might make Kankri feel bad if he said no. The last thing he wanted was for Kankri to feel pressured into saying yes or putting him on a guilt trip. It hit him that he had just committed to telling Kankri exactly how he feels. He supposed he could always make up something else.
casanovasAnchor [CA] began trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]
CA: if i run away like a cluckbeast and say nothing tomorrowv then i givwe you permission to tell him evwerything.
CA: and you can hit me.
CG: HOW ABOUT WE JUST BET ANOTHER 2 DVDS? I'D MUCH RATHER TAKE YOUR MONEY THAN YOUR DIGNITY. AS TEMPTING AS IT IS, I DON'T THINK THERE'S MUCH LEFT TO TAKE.
CA: fine. its probably a better incentivwe anyvway.
casanovasAnchor [CA] ceased trolling carcinoGeneticist [CG]
