In.
Out.
In.
Out.
You are John Egbert and you breath deeply, running blindly down the streets.
Not Earth streets, those were destroyed. New streets, ones from a totally new universe which you created. It's amazingperfectnewfreshepicawesomewrong.
Wrong.
Wrong.
Wrong.
The world isn't wrong. You are.
...
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Stop.
You look around to see yourself surrounded by towering oak trees. When you got away from the cites, there were these forests with trees like skyscrapers where the sky is obscured by branches reaching towards the heavens. Some nights you liked to fly up to the top, and imagine that you could see the whole universe, all the universes, rotating around a bright green sun. Tonight you stand under them, the sky like a dream you're unable to remember.
You pull your phone out of your jeans pocket. You'd had those on when you started running, though no shoes (having kicked them off outside your door). With the rain pouring around you, even when blocked by the great leaves of these great oaks, a numbness has consumed you, and you barely register the pain in your bare feet.
Twelve missed calls.
You don't want to hear their voices. They'd be worrying, wondering where he was. Karkat, your matesprit, will be frantic.
You press the button.
Beeeeep. First message. Dave Strider. Beeeeep.
"Egderp what the actual hell do you think you're doing? You can't just run out on us like that. I know it wasn't my gorgeous shade-adorned face that caused you to run- so what the fuck are you doing-"
Message deleted.
Second message. Jade Harley. Beeeeep.
"John? John why aren't you picking up? What happened in there?! Are you okay? John please-"
Message deleted.
Third message. Rose Lalonde. Beeeeep.
"John? I understand if you don't wish to speak with any of us at the moment, but we're worried. John-"
Message deleted.
Fourth message. Karkat Vantas. Beeeeep.
"JOHN YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING YOU GRUBFUCKER. I TAKE TIME OUT OF MY GODAMN LIFE TO SET UP THAT STUPID PARTY AND YOU-"
Message deleted.
Fifth message. Karkat Vantas. Beeeeep.
"JOHN EGBERT CALL ME THE FUCK BACK RIGHT NOW YOU ASSHOLE OR GOG HELP ME I'LL-"
Message deleted.
Sixth message. Dave Strider. Beeeeep.
"Bro, you really can't avoid us like this. The asshats are all out looking for you while Kanaya tries to calm Karkat down. It's a madhouse over here bro. It's like Insdius meets Mean Girls meets-"
Message deleted.
Seventh message. Jade Harley. Beeeeep.
"John please pick up! I'm so sorry, but we thought it'd be good to celebrate-"
Message deleted.
Eighth message. Karkat Vantas. Beeeeep.
"John. Pick up the fucking phone."
End of message.
Message deleted.
Ninth message. Karkat Vantas. Beeeeep.
"John?" Fuck he's crying. "John I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry I'm such a fuck up-"
No. No. No. You can't do this.
Message deleted.
Tenth message. Karkat Vantas. Beeeeep.
"John I'm sorry. I love you so much and please just come home okay? We can-hic. We can work this out. John please-"
Message deleted.
Eleventh message. Karkat Vantas. Beeeeep.
"John. I'm so sorry that we threw that party. I thought you might like it. When you ran out that door I just-hic. Jegus I know that you feel responsible for all that happened. After all the shit we've been through, what you've been through, I know how hard it is. But you can't run away. I'm sorry if it's my fault, I'm sorry I can't be a better matesprit but- sob. I love you John. I human love you and I just want you to come home. Please come back to me John. Please."
End of message.
Next message.
Twelfth message. Karkat Vantas. Beeeeep.
"John?-hic. Happy birthday."
End of messages.
You slide to the ground, unable to contain the sobs you've been holding in. You fumbled the phone with your- now numb fingers.
Calling, Karkat Vantas.
Beeeeep.
Beeeeep.
Beeeeep.
Click.
"John?"
"-sob. Karkitty?"
"John! Holy fuck you grubfucking asshole where the hell are you-"
"I love you Karkat." You're sobbing now, unable to stop the tears. "I love you so fucking much."
". . . . . . I love you too John. It's gonna be alright okay-hic. We are going to make it alright."
You nod, unable to do anything else. "Okay," you manage.
"John, please come home."
"Yeah. Okay."
