New chapter! Thanks so much for all the reviews :*

So for this certain fanfic, my headcanon is that while John has quick reflexes from street fights and defending himself, he is also quick to flinch back or recoil at anything that seems to threaten him. Idk. That's just me.

Read on~

When John woke up he was in the bed again. He sighed and started to get to his feet as the urge to throw up overwhelmed him. He ran for the bathroom and emptied his stomach in the toilet before rinsing his mouth. He saw a note lying on the bedside table near his glasses, and put them on before reading the words.

'Egbert, I'm going out for a while. Take a damn shower. I put out some clothes for you and you can eat anything in the fridge as long as you don't make a f*cking mess. I'll be back soon, and don't burn down the damn house!'

John smiled to himself as he went into the bathroom. The last shower he had taken was at Rose's house, and that was a quick, two second shower. He gave a soft sigh as he closed the door and stripped down, turning on the nozzle. When the water was warm he stepped inside.

After he had come out from the bathroom, towel around his waist, he changed into the oversized black shirt and shorts, smiling a bit at how funny he looked in the large shirt. Humming to himself, he put his clothes in the hamper and went downstairs after fetching his glasses. He rooted around in the fridge and pantry for some time until he deiced on making a sandwich. After he ate, he realized it was getting late. He should probably leave now. He started to slip out the door and was promptly pushed back by a glaring Karkat.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" He snapped angrily, grabbed John's wrist and pulling him into the house. He muttered a curse a he dragged the boy after him, slamming the door and locking it. John swallowed hard as he looked up into angry yellow eyes.

"Sorry." He squeaked out, chewing on his bottom lip nervously. If Karkat was going to hit him or yell at him he might as well get over it instead of torturing John with the implication of it.

Karkat saw he was scaring the other, and he sighed, shoulders slumping. "Where were you going?" He asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Away. You've cared for me for almost a full day. I can't stay longer than that." John said softly. The troll's eyes narrowed.

"Yes you can and you will. You're in no shape to be running around like some homeless person."
"I am some homeless person." He shot back with a frown.

"God dammit, Egbert! Stop being so stubborn or god help me, I will chain you to the bed so you don't leave!" Karkat yelled. John winced and mumbled out a, "OK."

Immediately regretting his raised voice, Karkat pinched the bridge of his nose and responded in a much calmer tone, "Look, John. I don't mean to yell at you, but you're my responsibility until you are better. You're sick and your side is stitched up. You need proper rest, so you're staying here. Got it?" he said firmly, but not in a mean tone.

John sighed softly as he looked up at him but nodded. Karkat's lips twitched into the barest hint of a smile as he studied the oversized shirt on him. He didn't realize John was so skinny.

"So…" John hummed as he looked around.

"I'll be going out again, with my friends." The troll told him, and the ebony's face fell.

Oh god how Karkat hated seeing those sad blue eyes. His mind whirled to find a solution before finally coming up with one conclusion.
"I guess you could come with me if you wanted to." He offered with a small sigh. John nodded, a smile stretching across his face. Karkat huffed and turned away, but smiled a little anyways. The boy's smile was too contagious.

"So now what?" he questioned the troll. Karkat shrugged and went to hang his jacket up. John followed him like some lost puppy.

"Alright, Egbert, you need some medicine." He went over to the drawer and pulled out a bunch of bottles. There were a bunch of pills too, and the troll growled as he tried to sort them out.

Stifling a laugh, John walked over and helped pick out a bottle of pills for stomach problems and one for painkillers. His side really did hurt. He downed the pills along with a water glass and sighed. He'd have to wait until later for the effects to really kick in.

"So when are we leaving? Also, can I have a different shirt?" He asked Karkat. He just went over to the coat closet and pulled out a hoodie. He tossed it at the ebony.

"Just throw this on. It's cold outside anyways. And let's leave in ten minutes. Give me time." Karkat instructed. John nodded and pulled it on. The troll went upstairs, and John sat on the couch waiting for him. Once he came down, the two got into the car and Karkat starting driving.

His phone rang after a few seconds, and he told John, "Pick it up." His hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly and his nervous eyes were focused on the road.

John did as told, and a hoarse voice said, "Karbro?"

"Put it on speaker." The troll instructed, and he did as told once more.

"Gamzee, I'm f*cking driving! What the hell do you want?" He snapped angrily.

"Sorry, bro. 'M just wondering where we're meeting." Gamzee, which was the name of Karkat's friend, slurred. He then laughed and the phone call was dropped. Karkat's eye twitched before he huffed and muttered, "Stupid stoner clown."

John stifled a giggle, shrinking down in his seat with a small grin when a glare was thrown in his direction.

They were driving to the beach, the blue-eyed teen realized after a while. Once Karkat parked, both hopped out and the taller of the two led John over to a group of trolls who were either sitting or standing around a bonfire.

"Assholes, this is John." Karkat introduced loudly, and suddenly there were a dozen set of eyes on John. Not liking the attention, he gave a nervous smile and said, "Hi!"

"Thup. I'm Tholluth." A troll with blue and red glasses looked at John curiously before bumping his shoulder against Karkat's.

"He means Sollux. Idiot can't even say his name right." John's savior teased. John decided the two were close friends.

"Hi there mew friend!" A small troll with cat ears and a cattail nearly jumped on John, who quickly moved back. She hit the sand with a soft 'oof' before standing up and giggling.

"This is Nepeta. And that's Terezi." Karkat pointed to a female troll with pointy red glasses who was trying to lick the cheek of some blonde guy, human, who was standing with his back to everyone. Karkat didn't introduce the mysterious blonde, so John turned to the next person: a really strong looking and tall troll with cracked shades, who didn't bother even looking at John.

"Uh, h-hi." A shy, wheelchair-bound troll with a Mohawk smiled shyly and waved to the ebony, who smiled widely at him.

"Where's your boyfriend?" Karkat asked Sollux, who shrugged. "ED had other planth tonight."

"Oh, and this douche bag is Dave."

John froze up at the name, but it was just a coincidence, right?

He turned to stare into shades, and the very familiar face of his ex best friend.

"Su—John…" Dave's eyes widened behind shades.

John could only stare at the face of the person that had deserted him when he needed him the most.

Please review guys!

~samx