Karkat was silent as he strode down the road, paying no mind to the people who passed him by or anyone who asked if he was okay. Max barked to get his attention as he almost crossed the road when a car was approaching.

Sollux had someone else..

Karkat had spent all this time wondering and keeping his hopes up, even breaking a date with someone for even the slightest chance they could get back together. And he was taken, probably well on his way to getting married.

He eventually reached his destination, climbing up the steps to the house. He knocked on the door and it was soon answered by a male who was nearing his 50s, his dark hair graying at the sides and edges, a warm smile donning his face. A female stood by him, her long, fluffy hair had a silvery edge to it as well, her grin was just as warm as the other man's.

"Karkat! You're here, welcome." The man greeted.

"Hey dad."

"I'm really glad to know you're going to stick around for the Christmas dinner and party, Karkat dear. Or else we'd be two old folks having dinner alone." Meulin said as she brought around more decorations for the house. She smiled at Karkat as he sat in a chair, his dog curled up in his lap and a deep scowl on his face.

Karkat didn't return her kindness. He didn't like her at all, the woman stepping into his life when his mother had passed away two years ago. It wasn't like he blamed Meulin, but he didn't feel like inviting another woman into his life.

"Yeah, nothing like loneliness and turkey to help Christmas be wonderful." He said sarcastically.

Carmine had rounded around the wall into the living room and pat Karkat's shoulder as he stood in front of the nearby couch.

"What has you so upset son?"

"Sollux. I was ready to meet up with that idiot again and get back together or at least talk or something. Only I found out he rekindled those fires with some other girl Aradia."

"What?" Both Carmine and Meulin said as they faced Karkat. He put it off and burrowed deeper in to his blankets.

"Oh Karkat. Don't let that get to you."

"Yes. I'm sure that things will be better."

"Dad. If things were better, Mom would still be alive."

A melancholy silence appeared after the comment. Meulin pursed her own lips and left the living room. Carmine watched her leave with a small frown and knelt by the chair.

"Oh Karkat...you know, you really hurt Meulin right then."

"I'm sorry..but don't you miss mom?"

"Every day. But I love Meulin just as much."

"Well you can replace your wife all you want. But I can't replace a mom."

"Karkat. You should give her a chance. She's really nice." Karkat sighed and nodded.

"Oh. And by the way, can you tell John I'm sorry about the date?"

"Sorry dear, that ship has sailed. You can't change the past." Meulin yelled out with a small laugh from the kitchen. She seems to have recovered from earlier.

Karkat pouted, shrinking deeper into the chair if that was even possible.

~.~.~.~.

He groaned and slipped out of his clothes, dressing in his pajamas and plopping on his bed. He felt physically and mentally exhausted from all that's happened today. He'd rather just sleep it off than worry any further. Max hopped onto the bed, whimpering at Karkat. He could sense his upset and attempted to comfort him by nuzzling against his side. Karkat shifted to look at him and scratched behind his ears with a sigh.

"Why did today have to be such a fuckup?"

A bark was his reply.

Karkat rolled his eyes and pat him on the head, lying on his bed and curling up under the blankets. He stared at the clock which flashed 11:57 and shut off the T.V.

"I just want Christmas to come by so everything can leave my head ugh..."

He sunk into his pillow and closed his eyes, quickly drifting off into sleep. As he slept, the clock turned to 11:59 and the T.V. turned on again, gaining the attention of Max. He growled at the commercial that had randomly appeared.

"This wonderful gold partridge and pear tree earring set is gorgeous together. Only $75.00. But be quick to call cause when the clock strikes 12, it's over!"

And with that, the golden bird on the television began to glow and the clock nearby Karkat began to rewind quickly. Max whimpered and lowered his head onto the bed as time went backward and singing began to sound out from the dark.

~.~.~.~

"...in a pear tree~"

Karkat groaned as he shifted his head at the sound of singing. Why was his bed so hard? He swore he'd throttle whoever was playing this joke on him. He was in no mood. He opened his eyes and, much to his shock, was met with the sight of the three people he saw earlier when he passed out. They watched him with the same expressions as before.

"Sir, are you alright?"

"Strange way to spend Christmas Eve dear."

Karkat frowned in confusion and became more befuddled as the ice blue eyed woman appeared again.

"I spritzed you with the perfume and then you passed out."

He furrowed his brows, looking around. He realized he wasn't in his room, he was in the mall, on the ground again. And di the man just say Christmas Eve? It couldn't be. It was nighttime, well on its way to midnight just a while ago. The people just stared at him, leaving him with one question in mind as he stayed down.

What is going on?