Author's note: Hey! Welcome back! I hope you enjoy the story! Just a few things before we continue: First, thanks for the reviews! You guys are awesome! Second, I apologize for any OOC moments… I just wrote the characters the way I thought they would be. Third, the chapters will probably alternate between Sollux/Nepeta. Fourthly, there will be NO PAILING. I just won't write that kind of stuff… sorry! Fifthly, I will try to update about once a week, and I apologize for any late chapters. Sixthly, if you have questions, please post them in a review, and I will try to answer them in the next Author's note. Seventhly (I am running out of way to spell these), my review replies:
90sbaby112- thank you! I will try to update as often as I can! :D
ZanyZ- YES! Another SolNep shipper! Yay! Hmm... good idea about the accident. We shall have to wait and see what unfolds :3
Rinnykagaminevocaloid- That's actually the main reason I wrote this story. Almost NO ONE ships this, and it makes me sad. So I wrote my own story! :D
And lastly, I do not own Homestuck! All must bow to Lord Hussie for that magnificent work of art! The song 'Technicolor Phase' belongs to Owl City. Enjoy! ~aM
(I just noticed this: The random '3' in the text conversation is supposed to be a heart, but FanFiction won't post the pointy bit for some reason... oh well!)
Your name is NEPETA LEIJON, and today is going to be great! You graduated high school a few weeks ago, right before your 18th birthday, and you have just moved into your own apartment. Finally! It's pretty hard living by yourself, though. You tend to be forgetful, and have more than once forgotten to take your cell phone or house key with you when you leave your home. These incidents have earned you many a scolding from your cousin Karkat. You tend to brush his anger off, though. You know he's just doing it because he cares.
You pace excitedly around your new home, exploring every nook and cranny of the modest one-bedroom dwelling, before going into the kitchen and making yourself and your cat, Pounce de Leon, a snack. You giggle to yourself as Pounce meows and twines herself around your ankles, nearly tripping you in her quest for affection. You set her plate of sardines down on the linoleum floor and meander into your living room. You sit down on your small, worn couch, and devour your plate of sliced tomatoes, cheese, and crackers. As you finish your treat, you hear a small 'mew' from your phone. You giggle at the silly ringtone and take your cell out of your pocket to view the text message.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] began pestering arsenicCatnip [AC] at 1:12 pm.
[CG] HEY NEPETA, DO YOU WANT TO COME WITH ME AND GAMZEE TO LOOK AROUND TOWN?
You grin as you read through the message. Your cousin Karkat is so sweet, even if he is a bit of a grump sometimes. Well, most times. You know he's angry so much because he's afraid to show emotions, but deep down he really cares about his friends and family. Your thumbs fly as you respond to his query.
[AC] :33 *ac grins at the thought of hanging out with her furrvorite clawsin* Why, thank you, Karkitty!
[AC] :33 *ac crouches down and begins to bat at her prey's shoelaces and growls furrociously*
[CG] GOD DAMMIT NEPETA. DON'T CALL ME KARKITTY. IT'S FUCKING EMBARASSING.
[CG] AND ENOUGH WITH THE ROLEPLAYING. GOD DAMN.
[CG] I SWEAR, YOU ARE SO FUCKING AUTISTIC SOMETIMES.
[AC] :33 *ac looks up expectantly at Karkitty with big, pleading eyes* Purrlease, Karkitty? *ac asks cutely*
[CG] KARKAT CAN'T BELIEVE HE HAS TO SINK THIS LOW.
[CG] KARKAT PONDERS THE INFINITE MYSTERY OF HOW HE GOT STUCK ROLEPLAYING WITH HIS DUMBFUCK COUSIN AND CANNOT FIND AN ANSWER.
[AC] :33 *ac leaps onto her prey and tackles him into the ground* Yaaay! Thank you, Karkitty! So when will you purrick me up fur our fun advenpurr?
[CG] OK, THAT PUN WAS SAD, EVEN FOR YOU.
[CG] ME AND GAMZEE WILL BE OVER IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES. AND DON'T DRESS LIKE A FUCKING HIPPY. YOU LOOK RETARDED WHEN YOU DO THAT.
[AC] :33 *ac jumps off of her prey and runs to her cave* Ok! See you later, Karkitty! 3
[CG] UGH. WHATEVER. 3
carcinoGeneticist [CG] ceased pestering arsenicCatnip [AC] at 1:20 pm.
You check the time, and upon finding that you only have 10 minutes, race into the small kitchen, place your plate in the sink, and hightail it into your small bedroom. You only moved in yesterday, so there are still several packing boxes lying around. You try, and fail, to avoid tripping over these and end up on your butt with a box of clothing strewn across your lap and the surrounding floor. For someone who loves cats so much, you sure are clumsy! Upon seeing the contents of the box, however, a big smile lights up your face. Inside is one of your favorite skirts, a long, lightweight cotton one colored your favorite shade of olive green. It should be perfect for today's outing! You go over to your box of shirts and pull out your softest one, a black v-neck with your zodiac sign, Leo, printed on it in the same bright shade of the skirt. You pull off your tank top and cotton shorts and put on your selected outfit. After finding you blue sandals and placing them on your feet, you head into your tiny bathroom. You quickly pull your brush through your messy black bob, wincing as it yanks over the knots in your hair. When your hair is finally in some state of order, you take your blue cat ear headband and place it over your head. You love this thing, and never go anywhere without it. You smile as you recall receiving it from your best friend, Equius Zahhak. He and his girlfriend Aradia Megido had given it to you before you moved, along with something else… but you'd rather not think about that now. It's best not to dwell on the negative, after all.
You shake your head to try and clear it of the upsetting memories. You walk out of your room, grabbing an olive green scarf as you leave. You wrap it around your neck in a loop, doubling it because it is a very long scarf, especially for someone as short as you. You are almost 5'6" tall, still a couple inches shorter than your cousin. However, you, unlike Karkat, are perfectly happy with your height. You like being short; It's easier to curl up on people's laps that way. Before you head out , you make sure to take some of your pain medication. You only take one dose, since you probably won't be gone very long. You give Pounce a quick kiss on the head and walk out your door.
As you exit the apartment building, you can see Karkat, and you and Karkat's mutual best friend, Gamzee Makara, walking towards you. The town you now live in is pretty small, so neither you nor Karkat own a car. It is much simpler to walk around anyways, and the exercise is good for you! Gamzee waves, and you grin and run up to them, skipping occasionally, and tackle Gamzee onto the sidewalk, pulling Karkat down with you in a big heap. You look happily into Gamzee's half-open eyes, which reflect back at you with a mixture of happiness and regret. You flinch inwardly, try to ignore the sadness in his eyes, and greet him cheerfully.
"Hi Gamzee! I am so happy to see mew! How have you been?"
The older boy picks you up and sets you on a nearby bench. He beams at you and replies.
"Hey, Nepsis. Man, it's so motherfuckin' good to up and see you! I've missed you, kitty," he says, his gray and white clown makeup highlighting his omnipresent smile.
"I've missed you too, Gamzee! So," you say in a mock whisper, "I heard that you and Karkitty are dorm buddies at college. Is your sanity still intact?" You inquire mischievously.
"It's all up and motherfuckin' chill, sis. Karbro's really cool to hang with, even if he won't try any of my pies. I'm trying to get him to let me paint his face, but no motherfuckin' luck yet."
By this point, Karkat had managed to pick himself up of the sidewalk, and with a muttered curse, he walked over to you and Gamzee. In his usual loud voice, he exclaims,
"God dammit, Nepeta! How many times do I have to tell you? Don't fucking tackle people! It's not safe. If you fucking get hurt again, I swear to god-" You squish him into a big hug, silencing his outburst.
"Oh, Karkitty! I've missed mew! How has the college life been?"
He extracts himself from your embrace and gives you a small smile.
"Missed you too, Nep. College is alright, I guess. 'Cept for this fuckass," he motions to Gamzee, who is staring up at the sky with an amazed look on his face, "He can't seem to stop smoking fucking pot long enough for two thoughts to enter his head at the same time. Anyways, how have you been? Have you been feeling okay?" He asks worriedly, "No… complications?"
You sigh and give him a playful shove.
"Oh Karkitty, you worry too much! I'm fine! It's been almost two years since it happened, and I know how to take care of myself! Now, where are we going to go first?"
"I was thinking we could go down to the computer store. I haven't seen Sollux in a while. And then maybe we could- oh, damn it!" He breaks off mid-sentence and glares at you.
"What's wrong, Karkitty?" You ask curiously.
"I thought I fucking told you to not dress like a hippy! God dammit, I specifically said to dress like a normal human being!"
You glare playfully up at your cousin and reply,
"Listen here, Karkrab! Just because I'm not stuffed into some stupid purr of skinny jeans doesn't mean I look bad! I love these skirts, and you meow it!"
"Don't sweat it, Nepsis," Gamzee chimes in, before you and Karkat could advance into a full-scale fight, "You look like a motherfuckin' gypsy child here in the city. Pure motherfuckin' miracles."
"Aww, thanks, Gamzee! You're purrfect! Remind me again how you got stuck with Mister Grumpypaws here as a best friend?" You glance over at Karkat, amusement twinkling in your eyes.
He glares back at the two of you, his eyebrows knitting together in irritation.
"Fine, whatever. I'm sorry, Nep. It's just… I can't help but remember. It was all my fault! I'm a terrible person. I'm so stupid…" He mumbles quietly, almost to himself. You look up into his pretty maroon eyes and can see the pain and sadness overwhelming him. You murmur quietly and pull him onto the bench next to you. You wrap your arms around him, and just hold him there under the clear blue sky.
"Oh, Karkat. I know it wasn't your fault, and so do you. It was a long time ago. Please don't be upset. I'm fine, really! And besides, you were the absolute best help ever! If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened to me!" You take his face in your hands.
"Please don't beat yourself up about it. Ok?"
He straightens up and looks at you gratefully.
"Alright. Thanks, Nep."
The moment is broken, however, by a certain stoned clown, who seems to think that this is an appropriate time to squeeze his rubber horn directly into Karkat's ear. With a loud 'HONK,' the latter promptly leaps into the air and falls to the pavement below. As you see him lying sprawled on the ground, you can't help but giggle. Even worse, you try to hide it, and Karkat sees.
"Oh, sure! Take advantage of me in my moment of weakness! What the fuck, Leijon? And YOU," he snarls, turning towards his clueless friend.
"Gamzee fucking Makara, if you so much as look at that horn again, I swear to god, I will stuff it in you goddamn ear SO FAR that when your pot-riddled brain is finally donated to science, the surgeon general will shit himself out of complete and utter amazement at its appearance! Is that clear?" Karkat rants, his face becoming redder and redder with each raging word.
"Sure thing, Karbro. Motherfuckin' miracles." Gamzee smiles at Karkat and pats him on the shoulder.
"Don't fucking call me that, you stoned excuse of a roommate!"
You giggle at their silly antics, and together you three begin to make your way towards the computer store they mentioned earlier. As you make your way along the sidewalk, you spin in a circle occasionaly, enjoying the feel of your skirt against your leg… er, legs, you mentally correct yourself. You can't help but notice how Karkat and Gamzee have situated themselves between you and the street. Gamzee walks slightly behind you, his long arm resting lightly on your shoulder, while Karkat is by your side, glancing at the passing cars every so often. You sigh inwardly and shake your head. These two! You are thankful, though, that they care so much about you. The thought brings a smile to your face, and you subconsciously begin to hum the tune of your favorite song, unaware that the boys can hear you.
"I am the black in the book, the letters on the pages that you memorize.
And I am the orange in the overcast-"
"Nepeta, could you please try to go more than five minutes without being blindingly annoying? I swear, between the two of you, any normal person would have gone completely apeshit by now." Karkat gripes, yet again. You just smile and flick him on the nose. He curses and tries to get you back, but you giggle and duck behind Gamzee for protection. Gamzee laughs, his deep voice filling the air around you until you can't help but laugh too. Karkat lets out a reluctant chuckle as well. Even if it's just a small one. Oh well!
"Here we motherfuckin' are!" Gamzee exclaims as he stops in front of a small store, "Man, I can't wait to up and get my hello on. I haven't seen Solbro in motherfuckin' forever, Nepsis. Even Karbro's started to miss him."
"Who is this 'Solbro' person anyways? Do I get to meet him?" You ask curiously.
"I don't see what you're so excited about," Karkat grumbles, although to whom exactly is left unclear, "He's basically the most annoying fuck you'll ever have the misfortune of knowing."
You've grown so used to Karkat's personality that you can tell he is actually quite excited to see his friend. You wonder what this new person will be like as you enter the store behind Karkat. When you go inside, the first thing you see is a very tall, skinny boy standing behind the front counter. He turns around as the bell on the door dings, a bored expression on his face. He smiles, however, as he sees Gamzee and Karkat in the store. As they greet each other, you look at this new person closely, somewhat mesmerized by his handsome exterior.
He has on a black shirt, with a yellow Gemini sign on the front, and black-and-yellow striped long sleeves. He seems to be wearing black denim jeans, but you can't see his shoes behind the counter. As you look at his face, you can feel your heart skip a beat. Wow, Nepeta, way to be cliché. He has tousled, slightly scruffy black hair that is shorter in the front and longer in the back, and the most interesting pair of shades you have ever seen. The right lens is red, and the left one is blue. You wonder what the world looks like behind those glasses… You suddenly see him looking at you, and realize that you have been staring for quite a while. You quickly excuse yourself and all but run into the back of the store, hoping that the boy doesn't think you're too strange.
As you slow down your pace, you find an aisle near the back of the store and pause. You smile to yourself. Perfect! Looking first one way, then the other, you begin to sway back and forth, sashaying down the aisle in a (somewhat) graceful manner. You hear faint yelling from the front of the store. Silly Karkat. Inside is for inside voices. As if he could hear your thought, the front door slams open and your cousin storms outside to calm down. You giggle softly and begin to sing as you dance.
"I am the red in the rose, the flowers on the blankets on your bedroom floor.
And I am the gray in the ghost that hides with your clothes behind your closet door-"
As you turn to sway back down the aisle, you catch sight of someone out of the corner of your eye. It's the boy from the front desk! Oh no! You immediately silence yourself and cease dancing. Bad idea! Your natural clumsiness takes over, and you trip over your own feet and slam into a metal shelf lurking behind you. Suddenly, something very hard hits you on the head. A sharp pain spikes through your body, and everything goes fuzzy as you slip to the cool, hard ground. Hmm. Why would someone wear one black shoe and one white one? This is the last thought to go through your mind before you are swallowed up by darkness.
Gasp! The suspense! And they haven't even been properly introduced to each other! I wonder what will happen next… Just to clarify, Gamzee, Sollux, and Karkat have been friends since they were kids. Sollux moved here first, then Gamzee and Karkat (to go to college), and lastly, Nepeta joins them. Hmm... Coincidence? Karkat and Nepeta are cousins, Nepeta met Gamzee through Karkat and became friends with him. Any ideas as to what happened to Nepeta? Her backstory will be revealed later. I will try to resopnd to new reviews in the following chapters, i.e. Reviews for Chapter One answered in Chapter Two, Chapter Two reviews answered is Chapter Three, ect. And if I don't specifically mention your review, I promise I have still read it. They absolutley make my day! :D ~aM
