You want more? Well too bad, have more! aHAHAHAH!

Anyway yeah, here. I actually kind of have time to do this, now. So take it, my love, my hatred, and ALL my feels!

All of them.

That was a shitty reference. Who the fuck is even gonna get that?

Whatever.

Karkat's symptoms have only become more cognizant. It's a good sign, and after moving him back to the closest hospital bed they could find, everyone hoping on a prayer that he'll finally open his eyes of his own will. His heart's beating at a normal rate, he still responds to people squeezing his hand, and he even shed a tear or two with the move, with activity reminding his body to start up once again.

Kankri was still chattering like no tomorrow, even though everyone was waiting for the newest test result. He'd been severely distressed by his brother's condition in the last few years. According to Cronus, he's been talking less and less, and his days of week-long sermons (or the like) seemed to be over. Cronus was fairly happy over there in the corner, watching his boyfriend light up at even the simplest heartbeat.

… Where was Eridan?

Shit he hadn't even noticed him, hasn't he? Well now he just feel like shi—oh hey, the doctor's back with the pre-lim test results. Eridan can wait.

He was such a coward.

Sol's this close to having his love back, and all Eridan could think about was the jealousy. His jealousy. It wasn't fair, really. Sure, he'd agreed for this relationship to be short-lived, and every time Sol left him to sleep alone with only a simple 'Thanks' it hurt like hell. He'd agreed to that, he'd agreed to never being number one in the book of Sollux Captor's heart...

He thought of himself as second. Somehow he thought that meant something more, considering Sol. It isn't.

So instead Eridan left the rest of the work to a close buddy and left for the nearest coffee shop to mull about everything on his own damn time. He could do that, right?

Right?

As he left, he passed by Dr. Scratch. Guy's a pretty good boss; he congratulated Eridan for taking such excellent care of Karkat, and said something about the signs pointing to not having to care for him for long. Or something. Obviously Karkat was waking up. He'd no longer have a reason to stay in THEIR flat. That hurt him even more. He just wanted to cry, but he drowned his misery in coffee instead. Stuck in the back of the café, still mulling and staring at his phone, at the pictures he'd accumulate of his sort-of boyfriend.

Didn't think he'd get a text, but half an hour later that familiar three-toned beep rang.

where are you erii?

Eri. Eri, really? Sol'd fallen back on that simple name so many times. It was comforting at best before. Now… He didn't quite know how to respond to it. Sol was with Karkat right now, why was he even taking the few seconds to text him? To worry about him? Oh fuck, now there's another text? Fuck, and now there's one from Cronus, that bastard.

Eh there, slick. you gonna be coming ovwer to see your patient wvaking up or wvhat

Simple and sweet. At least there's one thing Vantas had managed to get through with him. Still it doesn't matter much, Eridan wasn't going to respond. Hell he should just go back home and not bother them at all. Home aside from the flat, aside from Washington.

He wanted to just go back to Canada, damnit. Anywhere away from Sollux.

"Erifin?" That cheery voice wasn't what he wanted to hear either. Curly hair falling around his cousin's slender shoulders, perfectly shining eyes looking worried. "I thought you were at the hospital with Sea-lux and Crab-kat." She'd heard about it too? Well, okay maybe Cronus told her about it. Or Ara? Who knows, or cares. She has a new necklace, a choker made with maroon lace. Maroon was Megido's thing, mostly.

Knew they were together.

"I'm not in the mood Fef. Can you giwe me some time alone?" She pouted, sitting down. "Fef, plea—"

"Is this about Sollux?" She asked, crossing her arms. The table was silent for at least a few minutes before Eridan cleared his throat, preparing a good response in his head. "Eridan, I know you love him, but—"

"I do NOT!" Well there goes that attempt. Feferi barely flinched, crossing her arms. "I—look. No matter HOW I feel about that fucker I can't do fuckin' anythin' about it!" Don't cry. Don't cry, he kept telling himself. Kinda impossible to not get even a little emotional. Feferi always had that ability to break him down. To see past the front he always held strong.

Wish he had a name for how he felt about his cous' without it being so goddamn awkward.

"Eridan… I'm sorry, but just take their situation in mind, you know. Crab-catch would be all alone if Sol stayed with you after this!" Thanks, Fef. It's not like I won't be either. "I know how you feel, I reel-y do!" No you don't. Stop using those shitty fish puns. "Eri I love you, but Sollux needs this, too. He needs Karkat." I need him too…

As useless as this conversation was, Feferi stopped when the tears started. She went dead silent, just pulling him to her chest for a heartfelt hug, something he desperately needed from the get-go. No rants about how the guy he'd kinda fallen in love with is no doubt going to dump his ass and go back to his post-comatose boyfriend. No accusations that he's just being selfish and needs to think of them, none of that.

Just a hug. Just some comfort. That's all you need.

"Alright, medication's being whittled down as we speak. Judging by his testing, Karkat's condition should be fairly nominal for now." It was nice having Cronus there to actually pay attention. Kankri was too excited to see him brother once again, and Sollux was too keyed into his brother's heartbeat, warmth, and those glazed-over eyes. Everything.

Karkat was awake… in a sense. He'd have a lot to do before being considered fully awake. Tests and scans and exams later, Dr. what's-his-name was fairly certain of a near-full recovery in the midst. A few days and maybe Karkat would be active again. Maybe Sollux would be able to take him home for real this time.

Waiting for them to finish with secondary MRI was difficult; Eridan was still nowhere to be found. "Any word, Ampora?"

"Not a one. Ain't ev-wen getting a response from Feffie." Kankri had finally settled down, resting in his boyfriend's lap, satisfied t all the progress today. When Cronus shifted, his boyfriend pouted and curled back up against his neck. Sollux hadn't noticed how much Kankri had changed, either. His black hair meshed well with that light-blonde, over-styled mop, his height hadn't changed at all, but at the very least he seemed more relaxed, and open.

Reminded him so much of their father. Kankri looked a lot like Carmine, really. Same facial structures, nearly the same hair type, even the same eyes. He spent most of the time until Karkat was back wondering how his dad was doing. Haven't spoken to him in a year or so.

Eridan hasn't even so much as texted him back. Fucking hell with as punctual as a guy he is Sollux had at least expected a simple response. But no! No he was out somewhere doing fuck-all and not staying by to make sure KK's alright and that he'll be able to come home soon. At least, that's what the doctors predicted.

A near-full recovery was so rare in comatose patients. It's not always like the movies, patients don't wake up and immediately break into song or something stupid like that, many cases that go on for this long don't even wake up. KK had been lucky to not end up brain-dead in the last while, and hopefully he shouldn't become a vegetable, either. From what the nurse mentioned, the worst case is a return to his coma, and even that's a tiny chance. And amnesia, if he does stay awake.

… Amnesia…

Was Karkat going to remember him after this…? Oh GOD he didn't even THINK about that before!

The next day or so was hell. Well, maybe more like purgatory. Some parts were fucking amazing, while others were so unbearably terrible that he couldn't stand it. Eridan didn't come home at all, and having to leave KK at the hospital wasn't a good idea either. Instead of heading right back, Sollux walked to his old apartment, to visit the old man who'd saved him again.

They spent a few hours, just talking. Sollux took the old man shopping and helped him stock his apartment with food again, and Sollux had a few moments of relaxation. He'd been active all day, really. And the old man even gave him a ride to the hospital to visit Karkat after they brought in his food.

Clyde was his name.

Right. KK used to joke about the man having two heads or something. Called him a Cyclops with two heads when he was drunk once. Bicyclops? Ehh whatever. Clyde dropped him off by the entrance, saying he was a little too tired to come in, and there he was, walking right back up to room 413. Kankri was back today as well, but no sign on Cronus.

Karkat's secondary test results were just repeats of what they already knew. Reassurance of his recovery. He didn't say much or even try to, but when Sollux held his hand he looked right at him, past his wicked tinted frames, just barely focused enough to appear alive. He wasn't a doll anymore, and he wasn't sleeping.

"Hey KK."

There wasn't much else to say, really. Karkat didn't respond back, but he twitched and tried lifting his arm. Kankri was shocked even though he had tried earlier from what he had said. Karkat was reaching out for something, namely Sollux, and it was way more than the man could take. Sollux spent the rest of the short hour he had available holding his hand and watching his reactions, hope reinvigorated, he was happier than ever.

He didn't even think about Eridan that day.

wwoww sol wway to be a jerk

Nah, but anyway hope you enjoyed!