Disclaimer: Homestuck belongs to its creator, Andrew Hussie.


Your name is Karkat Vantas and you feel like you have the whole world in your hands.

Her hand is cold against the warmth of your palm. Her fingers feel so thin, yet in her gentle grip she seems so steadfast. You heart won over your mind the minute her skin came into contact with yours, and you cannot deny the overwhelming urge to swallow that lump in your throat.

You walk at a snail's pace to her respiteblock, the sound of both your footsteps echoing through the empty hallway. She is silent throughout the journey, and you can't help giving small glances backward. The view is always the same; her dragon hoodie staring back at you.

You sigh.

Upon reaching the door to her room, you halt in your footsteps and she stops a little ways behind you, hand beginning to fall limp back to her side. In the spur of the moment, you quickly grip onto her fingers; not too tight such that she can still easily pull away, but not too loose either, just enough to show her you'reright there.She jolts as she feels your fingers enclosing around hers and you almost let go.

She doesn't trust you.

Your eyes fall to your feet as you try to compose yourself. Get your fucking act together, Vantas.You push down the painful urge to start bawling at her feet and look up. Through your blurred vision, you try to make out Terezi's small frame. Your heart breaks as your eyes scan over the empty shell of the girl you once admired so much. The words begin to flow out.

"T-Terezi, I know I've said this before, and I won't blame you if you don't want to listen. But just hear me out.

"I know I fucked up with you, and I don't expect you to ever forgive me. But please, just believe me when I say this. Terezi, you are notdefined by the mistakes you have made. Whatever that fuckass Gamzee has brainwashed you into thinking, don't listen. You're not a worthless existence and I know somewhere inside of you, you don't deny that either. Fuck, I know you've given up on a lot of things, including me, but please, please,don't ever give up on yourself."

At this point, both of your hands are cupping hers. Your fingers rigid in the desire to curl themselves around her frail digits, but hesitating in fear of scaring her off. Your voice had trailed off into a choked sob, and you curse yourself for being weak in front of the girl who clearly needs you to be strong.

She stands in front of you, waiting, breathing shallow. You hear a small sniff, but you can't tell for sure who it belongs to. With a sigh, you let her hand go. She retracts her arm and wraps it around her center.

"…I've got to go," she says, and you feel dread washing over you. You nod without meeting her gaze and she retreats into her respiteblock. You watch her disappear before leaning heavily against the wall next to her door, and let yourself sink to the floor.

Your name is Karkat Vantas, and you can't help but feel your hands are as empty as your heart as you let your whole world slip through your fingers and out of your grasp.