Karkat's POV

Another groan left me as I pushed the door open and trudged into my house, slamming the door behind me. Slowly but surely, I made my way to the living room and tossed my backpack on the couch and hissed at the pain of moving my arms. I looked around when I didn't hear the sound of footsteps and let out a sigh of relief. But as always, I was wrong and I hear a voice speaking from the top of the stairs.

"Karkat? Is that you?"

No shit, who would it be? That's what I would've replied with if I could gain the energy too. I wondered if I had the ability to hide before he came downstairs and- ah damn, there he is.

"Karkat! W-What happened to you?"

He ran up to me, worry clear in his eyes as he rested a hand on my shoulder and lifted up the bottom of my sweater to look me over. I hissed in slight pain as he turned me around and caught him biting his lip, a sign of him being nervous and angry.

"Who did this to you? I demand to know who."

I just sighed and did my best to wiggle him off because I wasn't in the mood or condition to deal with him. I tried to step around him but he got in the way again and took a hold of my wrist, dragging me to the couch and sitting me down. I opened my mouth to tell him I didn't need any help but he didn't give me the chance before he ran off to find the first aid kit.

"Ugh..why can't I get a break?" I groaned out.

Kankri eventually came back, sitting by me and politely yet hastily asking me to take off my sweater. I obliged and the minute I took it off, he was all over me. I tried to ignore him as he muttered threats and cleaned up the cuts and examined my bruises. He looked at my head to see if I had any injuries there and did some damn test to see if I had a concussion too which I know I didn't but he was a worrywart and a meddler.

"Well you seem to be alright now," he said as he finished bandaging me up, "however I am still concerned as to how you attained those injuries."

"It's nothing Kan-"

"Don't tell me it's nothing Karkat." he snapped at me.

I raised a brow and looked over at him in surprise. Well then, I wasn't expecting him to get all pissed off but I guess today is just full of rewards, isn't it?

"It was Vriska and her group okay? They beat me up after I got a little smart with them but hey, they were going to do it anyway."

Kankri was silent for a while when I said that and I looked over at him in curiosity.

Kankri's POV

I'm not one to get angry. It's not in my nature to feel any animosity or ill will towards anyone. That's my belief and how I felt I was raised. However, when Karkat had explained to me that he was assaulted by someone, be it Vriska or her gang or them both, I felt a surge of pure anger rush through me. I wanted to go out and find her and give her what for. But violence can never be solved with violence as it would only lead to fights and more struggles. But there was another emotion involved in that whirlwind of rage.

It was guilt.

I felt guilty because I had chosen to go ahead and walk home without him as it seemed to be the best way to give him space and satisfy him if only for a little. But oh, how wrong I was. Instead of returning home safely and grumpy as usual, he came home injured and dazed. I'd just love to stay by his side every day and walk home with him and watch out for that gang. But I'd come off as too overbearing and I wouldn't want that. So I allowed myself to sigh and place a small kiss to his forehead. It was a habit I did at times when I wanted to help but couldn't. He growled a little but otherwise accepted it, more than used to it by now.

"I see. If that is the case, then I simply must warn you to head straight home."

"You didn't think I was doing that, oh-wise-brother-of-mine? Of course I tried to walk home but I could feel her and her gang following me. Running would just cause more pain."

I bit my lip and looked at the floor.

"Be glad I came home at all and didn't lie on the concrete and pray to whatever entity is out there for a swift death or some shit."

I glanced back up at him, taking notice of how he already was looking at me. He could always sense when I was troubled as was the same with me and him.

"Karkat, I do not want you hurt or anything. I have no choice but to walk home with you if this should continue."

"What? No way! And give them more reasons to mock me?"

I frowned at that. I knew he was going to react in such a manner.

"But I cannot allow such an atrocity to reproach you once more. It wouldn't be fair and I'm already feeling guilty for leaving you behind.."

"Hey, it's not like any of this was your fault. If anything, I'm glad you didn't get caught in the crossfire or anything." He replied with a shrug.

I scoffed. "I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

He rolled his eyes, "Always doting on others but not wanting the same back."

We sat in a comfortable silence for a bit before Karkat rose up with a light grunt. I stood up after him, raising a hand to help but he stopped me quickly and gave me a look.

"I'm fine. I can take myself upstairs okay?"

He didn't give me a chance to protest or answer as he was already headed for the stairs. I sighed once more and plopped back on the couch just as the footsteps ascended the stairs. Staring at the ceiling, I contemplated my day, Porrim's warnings and Karkat's bullying situation.

"Oh, what am I going to do?"

Karkat had spent the rest of the day holed up in his room. No doubt he was scowling or resting, perhaps even both. I sat on the couch, cuddled up in a blanket and my pajamas watching some romance movie that I caught my eye. The door had opened again and I spared a glance to see who it was.

It was our dad, trudging slowly through the door and shutting it behind him. He allowed a mix of a sigh and a groan to escape him as he made his way to the other couch, falling into it with such exhaustion. Then again, that was the case. Our dad worked for long hours at a time, almost 19 or so before he slunk into the house while I took care of Karkat and watched over him. Neither of us hated him or bore resentment towards him because it wasn't his fault. He had to work in order for us to stay in this house even though I offered to help and he politely denied. He was a kind man who suffered for most of his time these days. His eyes were closed and he breathed quite slowly. Poor thing fell asleep on the couch, so I moved over to him to gently shake him awake. He snorted and looked blearily at me, registering who I was.

"Oh. Hello Kankri, how are you, my son?" He smiled weakly.

I gave him my own smile, patting his shoulder and nodding to his room. He seemed to comprehend and sluggishly rose up, walking to his room and offering a gentle goodnight to me as he shut his door. I looked up at the clock above our television and saw that it was quite late. With a stretch, I turned off the television and retreated to my own room. Falling onto the bed and snuggling cozily in my blankets, I gave one last thought to Karkat and his troubles before settling into a dreamless sleep.

'I will keep him safe no matter the consequence.'