((AN: Woah sorry for the wait! My laptop's processor may or may not have been fried and I may or may not have had a computer for god knows how long. And on top of that I've just moved house and school and I'm having a hard time adjusting I'm sorry. Also I'm lazy.))

Everyone turned their heads as a boy clothed in what only the wealthiest of hipsters could afford ran up to them. Karkat had forgotten if he actually needed those glasses but seeing him without them after all these years would be stranger than the group of people Karkat called "Friends". Whether or not the glasses were just a pointless accessory, Karkat had never been so pleased to see Eridan Ampora in his life. Although that may be due to the fact that he had never been pleased to see the pretentious rich kid.

The drunken man dropped Karkat in to a puddle on the ground and took a step towards the extravagantly dressed boy. He checked out Eridan's choice of clothing and tried to fight a fit laughter, Karkat however was just pleased that Eridan no longer wore a cape.

"Hey check it out, the kid called on his fairy god wizard!" He laughed and his imbecilic friends joined in, either out of drunkenness or some sort of twisted fear and pressure.

"Oh yes you have the mind of a comedy genius, which is good for you because I doubt you could ever be called a genius when it comes to anything educational. Now, I've got a joke for you and you're going to love it! The police are on their way an," He took out his phone and snapped a picture of the dumb brute and his mates. "I have evidence that you were startin a yet another fight because of Kar still bein on the ground in the background, jesus fuckin christ, Kar have some dignity an get up."

The dazed Vantas got to his feet and brushed himself of. He was almost positive that Eridan would have gotten his ass handed to him. He opened his mouth to say something but Ampora shot him a look to silence him.

Without a second thought the group ran, or stumbled quickly if you want to be accurate, down the street presumably to another bar. The woman that was with them however stayed for just a few moments, before turning and strutting away as if nothing had happened. Karkat then realized that Eridan knew the group and that it wouldn't be their first encounter with cops if they showed up that night. After all, they didn't look like the kind of guys who would be scared off by just a warning.

"Don't worry Kar, the cops ain't really comin." Eridan said matter-of-factly as he straightened his glasses, which to Karkat or any sane human looked perfectly straight to begin with.

"I gathered that, my fabulous fairy god wizard." Karkat smirked, trying to redeem himself somewhat, as Eridan rolled his eyes.

"I'm glad we both agree I'm fabulous Kar." He drew out the "a" in fabulous, almost like Vriska did earlier. Wait, Vriska? Why was he still thinking about her? He grimaced slightly and hoped that Eridan would just pass it off as him being displeased.

Karkat groaned. "Are you sure you're heterosexual? You're a living breathing gay sterotype."

Eridan wagged his finger at his grumpy companion. "Let's not forget what happened last New Year Kar. Who was it you hooked up with again? Sol? From what I hear you weren't even the one who topped."

Karkat's face burned a bright red and his smirk disappeared. Eridan however, found a smirk of his own and wore it with pride. He wasn't going to deny the fact that Sollux and he did...something that night and he certainly wasn't going to ask how Ampora of all people, knew this information.

Karkat muttered a "fuck you" then cleared his throat, showing that he was going to change topics. "Why are you here anyway?"

"I'm here because I was visitin Cronus, well when I say visitin I mean buyin his god damn groceries. Did you know that you can get banned from shops by constantly hittin on the employees?"

"Is desperate something that runs in your family or...?"

"Is loudmouthed asshole somethin that runs in your family? Ugh anyway, instead of standin here getting soaked...want a lift?" He bent down and picked up his elder brother's groceries. Luckily Cronus wasn't a huge fan of eggs and everything had stayed intact when Eridan dropped them on the ground. He might have to deal with a little bit of soggy bread though.

"You're going to let me sit in your prized possession? Now how can I pass up that offer?"

"You can't, now get in."

They got in to Eridan's pride and joy and turned on the radio. Some shitty pop song by an artist who could barely stay in tune blared out of the speakers. They cringed and Eridan turned it down immediately. He started driving towards Cronus' house, explaining to Karkat that he'd only drop off his stuff and then take Karkat back to his place.

After 5 minutes of driving, Eridan pulled up outside his brother's house. It wasn't exactly in the nicest areas, in fact it was probably in the worst. He locked the door after getting out, despite the fact that he wasn't even going to talk to his brother he was just going to give him the groceries and leave. After he did so, he came straight back to Karkat and apologized for locking him in.

"So how come Cronus lives in this kind of area? He's an Ampora right? Rich kid with a tendency to flirt?" Karkat questioned as Eridan buckled his seat belt.

"It's a long story Kar, but if you really want to hear it-"

"No." Karkat stopped him. When someone says 'Long story' they never mean as long of a story as Eridan would tell. He could be six feet under and his ghost would still be haunting Karkat telling the same damn story, making sure every single little detail was correct. He really didn't want to be haunted by a loud-mouthed poltergeist with a story or two to tell. He really, really didn't.

"Cod what's got you grumpier than...you?" Eridan paused for a moment, waiting for Karkat to reply. "No..."

"What?" Karkat glanced at his friend's hand as he started the car. God did that boy wear too many rings. He wouldn't be surprised if each and every one of them were made from the finest gems money could buy.

"You were with Vris." Eridan stated shockingly.

"Uh, yeah? So? It's just Vriska"

"Just Vriska? Cod Kar, do you even know anythin'? Vris is a huge fuckin' bitch with the potential an mindset to chop of various body parts. Why would you be with her?" Eridan looked incredibly affronted, as if talking to Vriska was a some form of blasphemy.

"Calm down shithead, I was only there because Kanaya needed someone to mother Vriska for a bit but she didn't want to for whatever reason." He groaned "This whole day has seemed like a nonsensical plot from one of Nepeta's shitty fanfictions Eridan."

"I've had those kind a days too Kar but that doesn't mean I gotta talk too Vris of all people" Eridan sighed. "Although you can't really help it I suppose."

Karkat rolled his eyes as Eridan pulled up outside his shared apartment.

"Uh do you want to..." Karkat began.

"No." Eridan said sharply. "I'm not goin' in there."

"Jesus Christ Eridan, you're still not talking to him?"

"It's not my fault that you picked the worlds biggest asshole for a roomate." Eridan responded, causing Karkat to slap his forehead and dramatically slide his hand down his face.

"No, I avoided that situation by rooming with Sollux instead of my brother. Blah blah blah, trigger warning, I'm a huge fucking idiot." He said, mimicking the sound of Kankri's voice earning a small laugh from Eridan.

They said a quick goodbye and Karkat closed the door. He turned around and felt for his keys in his pocket. When he pulled them out, Eridan left. Karkat assumed he was waiting for him just to make sure he could actually take care of himself. Which he can.

Most of the time.