hey guys! alright so i was going to upload this chapter last night, but I was having a bit of writer's block. anyway, here's chapter three! a little DaveKat smut in this one c;

Gamzee pulls up down the street from your house; you're sitting on the curb, tracing the fading patterns on your wrist with your fingers. The stoner rolls down the window; calling to you as he comes to a stop.

"What's up, motherfucker?" He says with a dopey smile, opening up the passenger side door of the truck for you. You push yourself off the curb, then climb in. For whatever reason, Gamzee had decided not to wear his face paint, and to wear a t-shirt and shorts; of course they were still black and purple, and he still wore his purple converse, but you hadn't realized he was so tan. Or human, for that matter.

"Hey Gam." Your voice is quiet, barely audible. It isn't by choice, and you attempt to speak up after clearing your throat, but you can't. You decide that if you lose your voice it won't matter.

"Well, I guess we ain't gotta up and talk about it or nothin'; but if you want, that's cool. We could go to my place; or just drive around. Things' pretty crazy at Casa de Makara right at the motherfucking moment. But my Mom and Dad could def cheer you the motherfuck up; they're chill dudes." Gamzee rambles on, and you lay your head back against the seat. You have decided that he is definitely who you're going to be going to when you feel fucked up. He's so out there, and there's no way you'd be able to deal with someone serious trying to get you to talk to them.

"Uh, I guess we can go wherever."

"Yeah, cool bro. I can dig that; just bein a chill motherfucker with your surroundings, right?" He laughs a little, turning down the street and driving toward town. "I gotta pick me up some Faygo first though, hope you don't mind bro."

You shrug, wondering how you even fell into this.

"So, you got any interests little bro?" He asks, trying to keep conversation going. Gamzee is a very open minded person; he's never turned someone away if they were in need and always tries to help out. Everyone over looks this, though, because he's just a burnout who really really really likes clowns. You're happy you've given him a chance.

"Well...I guess I like indie films. But, like, romantic ones. And music, too. I like almost everything." You're starting to relax; you pull your legs into the seat and sit cross-legged in attempts to help you look taller as you lean against the seat.

Gamzee nods, keeping his signature grin on his face. "Cool, cool. Yeah, I up and got myself all into clowns and shit; really like entertaining people, yano? I guess it's just a family thing; we aim to please, and we're some goofy motherfuckers. I gotta get my rap on a lot, too; I ain't too good at it, but I guess that don't really matter. I have a good time with that shit."

The street lamps shine outside your window and you think of all those pictures streaming down your dash every night of towns at one in the morning. There are always so many lights; or ones bright and colorful enough to make you feel like you're dreaming. You've never really seen anything like that in your own life, but you are tonight.

"Gamzee..." You say, changing the subject. "Are you..happy here? I mean...is it easy for you or is it hard?"

"I don't know; I mean I guess to myself I'm a pretty chill dude with all just about everything. I mean, I ain't one to hold grudges, and the flow is where I go. But hell, sometimes a motherfucker just hits a rut."

You nod at this, understand what he's saying. This stoner best friend of yours is rather smart.

"So, you and Tavros been together long?"

"Since like, 8th grade." He smiles wider, and you can practically see love in his eyes.

"Wow.." Your voice is fading out again, and you're pretty sure it's because your heart is caving in. Throughout the years, you've moved constantly; struggling with your sexuality for a long time before coming out to your father about being pansexual. Of course, you were never in a place long enough to find friends you thought would accept you, so you steered clear of any chances of relationships. But it seems that sexuality isn't a big deal here; everyone is who they want to be, and their friends accept it.

"Yeah. What about you? You got anyone?"

"Nope.."

"awe, motherfucker don't worry. You're pretty fuckin' cute; there ain't no way someone ain't gonna snatch you up."

Your cheeks flush slightly at the compliment; you've never thought of yourself to be attractive.

"Thanks.."

"No prob. How about a little 'flush crush'? You like anyone?"

"I...I think so. I don't know; it's complicated. He's complicated."

"Wanna tell me who?"

"...you won't tell anyone?"

"not if you don't want me to."

"I don't. And I mean it; not even Tavros."

Gamzee nods in agreement, and you take a deep breath.

"you know Dave Strider?" you ask, looking at him. His eyes grow wide for a moment and he sighs, nodding his head.

"Look...Dave's a cool dude and stuff. But he's..." Gamzee trails off, acting like he wants to drop the subject.

"Hes straight, isn't he?"

"no, he's not, but just... wait a while before you figure out what you want to do. That motherfucker has a lot of issues."

"Yeah; that whole irony thing-"

"nah, nah bro that ain't the half of it. All I'm sayin' is, you might want to get to know him more before making a move."

"It wasn't like I was going to go up to him tomorrow morning and fucking throw myself at him." you grumble, shifting in your seat as the car pulls into a gas station.

"Calm down bro; you comin' in?"

"I guess.."

You are currently sitting in the kitchen of Gamzee Makara's mansion. Yes, mansion. He's fucking loaded; both his parents coming from rich families.

His mother, Muelin, was a vet for many years up until her accident. She's deaf now; communicating to the family through sign language. She can also read lips and speak, but she never really knows exactly how she's going to sound like to people, so she refrains from speaking as much as she can.

Gamzee's father Kurloz is an actor. Sort of. There's a theatre group downtown that puts on showings of horror themed plays. Kurloz is usually cast to play the villain, or monster. He's had a few minor roles in some small movies. His father is a movie producer, his mother an actress.

Gamzee wants to follow in his father's footsteps and act. His goal is much higher than what his father has done, but you guess he could do it. He's also a painter, and an extremely good one to your surprise. Many of his paintings hang throughout the place and you wonder why he isn't taking art with you and Nepeta. He says it's because his pictures would scare too many people.

You find that easy to believe.

At the moment, it's around two in the morning, and Gamzee and you are sitting in the kitchen with cans of Cream Soda Faygo. It's the only flavor you can stand, where as it's Gamzee's favorite out of all of them.

"so you're new to the area?" kurloz asks, pouring a drink for Muelin and himself. The two are seated on the opposite side of the table from you and Gamzee, smiling.

You nod, taking a sip of your Faygo before telling them your story. "I've been moving around since I was a kid; My mom left when I was pretty young and my Dad had a lot of trouble keeping a job. So for a few years I went to live with my uncle - my brother was in college so I didn't have anywhere else to go. But, uh over the Summer my dad found a pretty good job in the city, so I stayed at his place for a while. He was always gone on business, and he decided that he didn't want me alone there during the school year, so I'm living with my brother now. We don't really see each other; my family isn't one that really, um, likes to communicate."

Kurloz listens and Muelin manages to read your lips as you talk, and they nod as if to say they understand.

"I've been by myself since I was younger; being alone just always seems more comfortable. I didn't really have friends in my old schools, I would always move too often. And now that I'm living up here with Kankri, I guess I just feel... Different. Depressed, for whatever reason. He's really up tight about everything, too."

"Well, Karkat, if you ever need a place to stay, you can always come here. We'd be happy to have you." Kurloz says, Muelin watching him speak before nodding in agreement.

Despite Gamzee's family being more than a little out of the ordinary, you really like them.

"Thank you." you say, giving them a shy smile.

Muelin signs something and Gamzee's lips curve into a grin.

"she says you can consider yourself a part of the family."

You've never really considered yourself part of your own family before, and having someone want you in theirs is getting you a little emotional. Another shy small pulls at your lips and you nod, mouthing your thanks.

Gamzee doesn't laugh at you for letting a few tears escape; instead, he pats your back lightly and says that he'll take you home whenever you're ready.

"Well, I think we'll be going to bed now. Goodnight boys." Kurloz says, getting up from his chair. Muelin follows suit, and they make their way upstairs.

"How ya feelin'?" Gamzee asks quietly, rubbing your back. The gesture soothed you as you got a hold of yourself once more.

"Fine..I'm tired. Could you uh, take me home?"

"No problem.."

Day 5 : The Real Adventures Begin

"It's Friday, okay? Just please, please, Karkat, go. Maybe it won't be that bad? You can do whatever you want all weekend; you can go to that Makara boy's house, or that Egbert kid's house, or even the Strider's for all I care. Just please; go out and be normal for once?" Kankri pleads with you as he has all week; you're not feeling up to go to school today, especially considering you're going to have detention afterward. But, John has been pestering you about hanging out with him and Dave, and Dave has been all for it; so you figure you might as well go.

Not that you can really stand to be around the two of them together; they flirt whenever they can. You know for a fact that John isn't actually attracted to men, so you've started to worry that maybe Dave isn't either. But Gamzee had said that he wasn't straight..

"Are you even listening to me? Please, just go take a shower and get ready." Kankri gives one last attempt, then sweeps through the kitchen and out the front door.

You sigh, trying to push the thoughts of Dave out of your head.

However, that's nearly impossible; because he'd been on your mind 24/7 for a few days now. You're not sure what it is about him. He isn't any different from any other hipster douche you've encountered in your life; other than his irony thing he has going. And that whole acting-like-he-wants-to-rip-your-clothes-off-every -second bit.

You roll your eyes at the thought; trudging into the bathroom and starting the water. In no time the mirror is steaming, and you're scrubbing your mop of dark hair with soap and conditioner.

what if something happens with Dave? what if I want it to? what if he's just doing this to make fun of me; for being the new kid or something?

The thoughts won't leave your mind, even as your rinsing and drying off.

You whip the mist from the mirror, staring at yourself. He has to be messing with me. Who would want...that?

Looking at yourself isn't going to get you anywhere, you decide, so you wrap the towel around your waist before retreating to your room.

Grey jeans and black sweater. Perfect.

- Lunch -

You've decided to sit outside today; it was rather cold and most everyone had taken up the tables in the cafeteria. John still claimed his table, but Sollux had retreated to the warmth of the cafeteria because it wasn't good enough 'gaming weather'. You have no idea what that means.

So, Aradia and Eridan followed Sollux, and Feferi followed Eridan, and Nepeta followed Feferi, and Equius followed Nepeta, and Vriska followed Equius, and Kanaya followed Vriska, and Tavros followed Kanaya, and Gamzee followed him.

You decided to stay outside. Alone.

Or, at least, you were alone, until a very familiar blond hipster decided to mess with you.

"Karkat, why don't you ever eat?" He asks, laying on the grass next to you. You had been reading a novel you found in Kankri's study - it was some weird sci-fi about Witches in the Civil War - when he walked over casually and flopped down next to you. You haven't been able to read a page sense.

"I don't like food." You deadpan him, wondering why he's insisting on bugging you when he'd have all weekend to do it.

"How does someone not like food. Like, I can understand some foods, but like, cookies. Cookies are fucking awesome. Not raisin ones, though. Alright, so maybe not all cookies."

"Will you shut the fuck up about your cookies?" You growl, turning your head to scowl at him. To your surprise, he was already looking at you from behind his shades, and was smirking as usual.

"Hey now, whose house are you sleeping at tonight?"

"Egbert's." You say with a scowl, making sure he understands you're royally pissed the fuck off at his smugness.

"Yeah, yeah; but who said I wasn't going to kidnap you and take you to my place?" That got you. You're face is burning again, as it tends to do when you talk to Dave, and he's putting an arm around you. You're so horrible in these situations; you can't think of a single thing to say, and even if you were to talk you'd be tripping over your tongue at the fact he's pulling you into him. "Come on Karkles, cuddle me."

You just continue to look at him, then do all you can think to do.

Punch him in the face.

"Ow, ow, ow, holy fuck ow, why-" you cut him off by cuddling him tightly, burying your head in his hoodie. With a low sigh, he returns the favor, cuddling you back and you can practically feel his smirk against your hair. "seriously though I'm totally going to sweep you off to my house and just have my way with you."

"...what"

"I mean if that's cool with you, bro."

You're not sure what to do. You're not sure if he's serious, or just flirting the way he does with John.

"I, uh-"

"Whoa dude come on we gotta go" Dave says, cutting you off. Before you can even ask what the hell is going on, the asshole is shoving you off him and getting to his feet. "Sorry."

"No you're not.." You glare, grabbing your book and taking his hand. He helps you up, then swiftly picks you up bridle style.

"Yes I am, babe. Come on." You don't have much of a fucking choice right now, really, because he's carrying you, and it's not like you can't go with him now. He's a lot stronger than you, and a lot bigger. So you just tighten your grip on your book and lean into him.

"Fuck you, Strider."

"There'll be enough time for that this weekend."

- Music Appreciation -

You're sitting at your desk, doodling on the handout about classical music. No one in here really gives a fuck about what's going on, especially you. In fact, you're pretty sure Gamzee just folded his into an origami swan, and Rose made hers into a paper airplane.

Dave is pounding out a beat on his desk, the teacher grading papers at his own desk. You've figured out that this class is basically a free period.

Tavros is complimenting Dave's drumming with a little beat boxing, and Gamzee is drumming right along with Dave.

"Could you guys knock it the fuck off? I'm kind of doing something that needs concentration." You say, glaring at Gamzee who just snickers.

"Don't like these sick beats?

Is that what you're sayin to me?
Kitkat,

just sit back,

relax,

watch us lay out some great rhymes,

we can help pass the time,

hell, it's only 2:55." Dave is smirking at you over his shoulder now, rapping horribly.

"awhhh shit,

that, was sick,

Dave's got the lines,

the rhymes,

and,

Gam, and I,

we got the beat,

to make ya tap your feet" Tavros takes a crack at the raps, doing even worse than Dave, and you have to wonder how you got stuck sitting by these guys.

"Chill brother,

don't sweat it motherfucker,

we ain't got time,

to listen to you complain about our rhymes;

hell, don't you like this better,

than walkin' in shitty weather?
Or my wack lines,

about clowns all the time?" Gamzee is up next, and you can't believe you're saying this but he was a lot better than the first two.

You groan, slamming your head on your desk. 3:00 can't get here fast enough. You've decided to skip detention; you don't have time for it. However, you forgot to have Kankri write you a note to let you ride home with John on the bus, so you're stuck with bumming a ride off Dave.

The beats cease and you slowly lift your head again. "Thank you."

"No problem, babe. Anything for you." Dave says, turning in his seat so he can look at you. Once again, your face is red, and you're trying to hide it behind your mess of hair. He smirks, then looks at the clock. "Come on, we got a minute left."

You collect your things, getting up and following him to the door. The bell rings and you're scooped up by Gamzee, who puts you on his shoulders as he tends to do in the hallway.

"You guys are hella weird." Dave snorts, walking beside the two of you.

You shrug, keeping hold of Gamzee in fear that you'll fall off of him. "Shut the hell up, Strider. At least I don't flirt with everything I see."

"Awe, babe, are you jealous? You should know I only have eyes for you."

Gamzee sets you down; your locker coming into view. "Later bro."

"Bye Gam.." You say, hurrying over to your locker. You open it, throwing in your books and grabbing your bag. Dave leans against the locker next to you, watching.

"John won't be home for like an hour and a half; so we'll probably have to chill at my house for a while."

Great. Alone time with Dave.

"..Fine."

- Strider's -

The Strider household is a complete mess. There are plush puppets everywhere; all looking creepier than the last. Dave's bro, Dirk, introduces himself before disappearing into his room, and you're awestruck at the resemblance. He could easily be what Dave would look like in a few years.

"Don't mind the mess.." Dave says, stepping over the piles of puppets. You follow suit, making sure not to trip and make a fool of yourself.

"What do you want to do?" He asks, opening the door to his room. You walk in, and he closes the door behind the two of you.

"Um.." You shrug, looking around. There are no puppets; just turntables and a few giant stacks of CD's. His room is seemingly clean; other than a few sweaters tossed on the floor.

"How about I put some music on or something?" He asks, walking over to the CD's. You awkwardly place your bag on the ground, then sit on the edge of his bed. Some indie song starts to play.

"This is a good song." You say, trying to keep yourself from tripping over your words. He walks over to you, sitting close and nodding in response.

"Yeah..." He says, placing his hand on your hip.

"Dave, what are you..." Your voice trails off as he leans in, and before you can finish your sentence, his lips are on yours. So he had liked you, after all.

You kiss him back, bringing your hand up to tangle into his hair and pull him closer. His tongue runs across your bottom lip, asking for entry; you oblige, letting him slip inside and achieve dominance. The two of you stay this way for a moment, enjoying the gentle kiss. But before long, the two of you need air, so the kiss breaks.

He smirks as he watches you pant, trying to catch your breath. Dave slowly pushes you back on the bed, crawling on top of you and hooking your legs around his waist. His hand plays with the hem of your shirt as his mouth latches onto your neck; slowly trailing kisses down to the collarbone and biting down. You let out a whimper as your hands grab at his back, trying to pull him closer. He sucks lightly on the place he had just bitten, working on marking you.

Your hips lightly grind against his crotch, and he lets out a low groan. You can hardly believe this is happening, and part of you wants it to stop before you get hurt.

His hand snakes up your shirt, lightly ghosting over your chest and ribs. You're suddenly scared; panicking that he'll be disgusted by your body if he sees it. "Purr for me, karkitty.." He whispers against your neck, and the warmth of his breath sends a shiver down your spin. Your writhe underneath his touch, trying not to let yourself get carried away.

A low rumble rises in your chest.

Fuck. I'm actually purring.

Dave laughs a little, kissing his way up your jawline and licking the shell of your ear.

"D-Dave.." You let out small moans, trying to keep yourself under control.

The hand rubbing your chest begins to venture further down, curling around to your back and down to your ass. He gives it a firm squeeze, then latches his hand onto your hip and begins grinding against you.

"F-fuck, Dave, I-"

"You guys ready?" Dirk calls from the next room over, cutting you off. Dave grinds into you one last time, rougher than before and your hips buck against him. His lips latch onto yours quickly, muffling the sounds of pleasure dripping from your mouth, and before you know it, he's pulling away.

"Yeah, bro." Dave calls back, kissing your forehead then climbing off the bed.

What the hell just happened?

You sit up, preparing to ask him what the fuck that even was, but he's already grabbing your bag and heading out the door.