Dave P.O.V.
I woke up at 9:30am to the sound of my alarm going off and groggily slapped it off my dresser. Unfortunately for me, that didn't turn it off and so the blaring beeping noise continued and started to grate my nerves. I groaned and reached off the side of the bed, picking up the damn thing and properly shutting it off. Then I ran a hand through my hair and sat up, only to find the other side of my bed was empty and the sheets were pulled back. That's when I remembered that Karkat had spent the night. Fuck.
I raced to the living room hoping he was still there so that I could explain. But when I looked around, the place was empty. Of course he left. Why wouldn't he? Anyone in their right mind waking up after a night like that would assume the worst and leave pronto. God damnit. He probably thought that I took advantage of him while he was piss drunk. If he'd stayed longer I could've told him what the hell actually happened. That is, if he would even believe me. This was just a great start to the day. Fantastic.
I took a few minutes to calm myself down. On the bright side, if Karkat didn't want to talk to me ever again then at least Dirk owed me money from the bet in the restaurant. I knew I should've just slept on the couch so he wouldn't freak the fuck out and assume shit. Or maybe he had a reason? Maybe he had work or something, right? But I drove him here so how the fuck was he going to … maybe he walked or called a friend to give him a ride? My stomach rumbled loudly and I temporarily put my thoughts to the side in favor of finding food. I usually didn't get to eat dinner on the nights I DJ-ed, so I was going on about 15 hours or so without an actual meal.
I poured myself a bowl of cereal and turned the TV on out of habit. I usually at least made an attempt to watch the news before finding something else that was mildly entertaining. Today, I skipped the news and just went straight to watching Cartoon Network. I wasn't sure what this new show was supposed to be but it seemed pretty funny so whatever.
The next time I looked at the clock, it was almost 10:30. I turned the TV off and almost instantly went back to thinking about this morning. I scanned the counters to see if maybe he left a note or something, but there wasn't even a trace that he'd been here other than the clothes I lent him still being in a pile on the floor.
I sighed and resigned myself to picking them up, since clearly they weren't going to wash themselves. After starting a load of laundry and making the bed I pulled out my sketchbook again. I tried a few small doodles of bird skulls before deciding I was going to try and draw a main focus piece. It started out as just another bird and then I decided I wanted to make it a phoenix. However I got a little stuck on some of the angles and details so I decided to go grab my phone and pull up some reference pictures for detailing.
As soon as I had my phone in hand and unlocked I checked my notifications out of habit. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when I saw the one in particular and I had to double take.
-8 new messages from CarcinoGeneticist-
Yep. That's really what that says. Holy fuck. Ok. Don't panic. Striders never panic. Keep it cool, collected, calm down man. I took a deep breath and clicked on the notification, opening the app.
CG:DAVE
CG: SORRY
CG: HAD TO RUN TO WORK
CG: NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.
CG: I BLACKED OUT
CG: HANGOVERS SUCK ASS
CG: TEXT ME LATER TO FILL ME IN ON WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED PLEASE AND HOW I WOUND UP AT YOUR PLACE
CG: ALSO SORRY FOR WHATEVER I SAID LAST NIGHT. I PROMISE I DIDN'T MEAN ANY OF THE BULLSHIT I SAID.
I checked the timestamp on the messages and facepalmed. 8:20 a.m. The dude left like a whole fucking hour before I even got up. And I didn't even notice a damn thing. On top of that, I didn't know what the fuck he thought happened. His messages were really fucking vague. I did know that at least I was right with the suspicion that he had to go to work. Well, it was like 11 now, might as well message him back since I've left him hanging. Not like he'd get it since he's at work, but it's worth a try, right? Besides, it shows that I've seen the messages, can't just leave him on 'read' and be a total dick.
TG: its cool dude
TG: work is important i hope you made it there on time
TG: as for last night
TG: its a long story bro
TG: id rather tell you when were both online
I was tempted to type more but decided to leave it at that for now. It's not like there was anything else I could really say. I also wanted to leave room so that if he had questions about something that he could stop me and ask them in a live chat. I also wanted to ask him what he remembered from the night previous so that I didn't rehash anything that might've been obvious.
I sat back down in the living room and went back to looking up reference pictures and drawing. I had a hard time sitting still though. I was, for once in my life, pretty fucking anxious about what someone else had to say. Well, actually it was probably the second time, but I am not going to dig up that crap pile of memories. That would only spike the anxiety that I was currently dealing with.
Surprisingly it was only about half an hour before my phone buzzed again with a response from Karkat. The shitty thing is that because I'd been holding my phone to keep an eye on the reference pic, I got startled when it buzzed and dropped it on the carpet. Real smooth, Strider I thought. Phone retrieved, I instantly opened the message
CG: I'VE PRETTY MUCH GOT THE REST OF THE DAY IF YOU'RE FREE TO TALK.
CG: LONG STORY SHORT, SHOWING UP AN HOUR LATE FOR WORK IN THE WRONG CLOTHES GETS YOU SENT HOME FOR THE DAY.
TG: oh man
TG: im sorry about that
TG: but yeah im free for the day too
CG: IT'S ALRIGHT. IT ISN'T YOUR FAULT THAT I BLACKED THE FUCK OUT LIKE A PRE-TEEN AT A HIGH SCHOOL PARTY.
TG: i wouldnt say it was that bad
TG: you seemed pretty chill to be honest
TG: if anything you were less uptight than you were at work
TG: no offense or anything there
CG: NONE TAKEN
CG: SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED LAST NIGHT?
CG: ERIDAN FILLED ME IN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CLUB FOR THE MOST PART. HE GOT BITS OF IT ON SNAPCHAT TOO. FUCKING DOUCHE.
TG: uh yeah
TG: what all did he cover
CG: HE TOLD ME ABOUT HOW I KEPT GETTING MORE SHOTS FROM ROXY.
CG: HOW I WAS APPARENTLY BEING A NUISANCE IN THE CROWD DURING YOUR SET. (FOR WHICH I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE).
CG: HE SNAPCHATTED ME CRAWLING UP ON TO THE STAGE (AGAIN SORRY).
CG: AND HE TOLD ME THAT I THREW UP IN THE PARKING LOT. (STILL VERY FUCKING SORRY YOU HAD TO SEE ME LIKE THAT).
CG: AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I KNOW.
CG: WELL THAT AND THE FACT THAT I WOKE UP AT YOUR PLACE IN YOUR CLOTHES.
CG: WHICH REMINDS ME, HOW THE FUCK DID I GET IN YOUR CLOTHES?
CG: AND PLEASE TELL ME IT ISN'T WHAT I THINK IT IS.
TG: that depends on what you think it is
CG: WE DIDN'T . . . . . Y'KNOW . . . . DO THE DO, DID WE?
TG: do the do
TG: were both adults here
TG: you can say it karkat
TG: for fucks sake you work at a place that serves the devils dick
TG: you can say sex
TG: and no we didnt
TG: but let me explain
CG: OH THANK FUCKING GODS ALMIGHTY.
TG: ok ouch
TG: my pride
CG: IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!
CG: I JUST DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT I HAD BLACKOUT SEX. THAT'S SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO REMEMBER. SOMETHING I PREFER TO BE SOBER FOR.
CG: I'M NOT SAYING THAT I WOULDN'T DO YOU.
CG: FUCK
CG: I MEAN
CG: I'M NOT SAYING THAT I WOULD EITHER, BUT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.
CG: YOU'RE NOT UNATTRACTIVE
CG: I'M JUST SAYING THAT IF WE WERE IN AN ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP THEN YEAH I'D PROBABLY BE DOWN FOR THAT BUT NOT LIKE THE FIRST FUCKING DAY THAT WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER
CG: FUCKING HELL
TG: it was a joke
TG: im not actually offended
TG: but damn that was entertaining to watch you stumble trying to fix the statement
CG: FUCK YOU
TG: im genuinely flattered here to know that im totally do-able
TG: all that aside
TG: do you want to know what actually happened last night
CG: YES
TG: then shut the hell up and let me type
TG: also feel free to ask questions cause shit gets fucking hilarious
CG: THOSE TWO STATEMENTS CONTRADICT YOU FUCKING IDIOT
TG: i am aware
TG: im also not your boss
TG: feel free to do whatever
TG: im gonna tell you a story now
CG: OK
TG: about a drunk man named kitkat who got so fucking drunk he couldnt even remember his own fucking phone password
TG: shits about to get hilarious
TG: ok so when you crawled up on stage i had no idea who the fuck you were at first and dirk called for security
TG: then when you crawled under the table i legit thought some stranger was about to give me head under the table
TG: dirk cracked up and noticed it was you before i did and when you popped up on the other side i almost died of embarrassment
TG: you embarrassed me in front of my brother
TG: security grabbed your ass
TG: i told them to let you go though and saved you like the true hero that i am
CG: OHMYGOD YOU FUCKING THOUGHT I WOULD SUCK YOU OFF UNDER THE TABLE
CG: ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY
CG: WHO THE FUCK DOES SHIT LIKE THAT
TG: ok 2 points here
TG: 1 i didnt know it was you
TG: 2 that shit happened to dirk once so it fucking happens sometimes
CG: PEOPLE ARE FUCKING DISGUSTING
TG: agreed
TG: anyway
TG: after that i let dirk have the set and walked you offstage
TG: i asked you who you were here with and you said your friends were over at some table being no fucking fun
TG: which made sense considering that you were wasted and your buddies seemed at least sober enough to walk in a straight line
TG: you were practically hanging on to me to keep yourself from stumbling
TG: i have no fucking clue why roxy didnt cut you off sooner
CG: ERIDAN SAID IT WAS BECAUSE SHE WAS ALMOST AS WASTED AS I WAS
TG: ok now that i believe
TG: but anyway i got you back to your friends who were literally fucking making out in a booth before we went over there
TG: you waved at them anyway as if they would fucking see you while sucking face
CG: FUCKING HELL I WAS WASTED. ALSO GODDAMN SOMEONE SHOULD'VE TOLD THEM TO GET A ROOM.
TG: exactly
TG: it was awkward
TG: i had to literally tap the one guys shoulder to get their attention
TG: i asked them if either of them were gonna be driving you home or if youd drove separate
TG: they told me that you drove your own ass here and were also supposed to be the pastel guys ride
TG: and you mustve misheard or some shit because you literally threw your keys at them and said something about having fun at the apartment
TG: so with all three of us staring at you wondering where the fuck your mind went i offered to take you home since i wasnt gonna make you sleep in the next room while they did whatever the fuck they were probably gonna be doing
CG: THANK YOU FOR FUCKING SAVING ME FROM THAT FATE.
TG: youre welcome
TG: anyway after that the one guy that wasnt in pastels shot back some remark and you flipped him off and sort of hugged onto me protectively
TG: so im guessing he said something about me maybe
TG: or at least you thought he had offended me in some way
TG: whatever it was it was kinda adorable and funny as shit
TG: so after that we went to check on roxy
TG: she was halfway to passing out
TG: so just as bad as you
TG: i left you with her for another three minutes to go tell the boss she should probably head home
TG: when i got back roxy had given you another shot of something golden that honestly looked like fireball but couldve been any type of whiskey
TG: before i could say anything you fucking downed it
TG: you goddamn trooper
CG: GEE THANKS
TG: yep
TG: then i told you we were gonna be heading out and you just kinda nodded and put your arms out like you wanted me to carry you
TG: im strong and all but not that strong
TG: i cant carry a drunk human adult all the way to my car in the back lot from the front of the building
TG: so i helped you up and let you lean on me instead
TG: as soon as we got through the crowd and outside you stumbled forward to an empty parking space and let it loose
TG: im gonna take a guess and say that you were mixing liquors or that you dont usually get that wasted
CG: CORRECT ON BOTH ACCOUNTS. MY FIRST SHOTS OF THE NIGHT WERE VODKA. I REMEMBER THAT MUCH.
TG: awesome
TG: so that made a mess
TG: i made sure you didn't get any on you and helped you back onto the sidewalk
TG: i had one of the bouncers come with us since the back lot is near an alley and the last thing we needed is to be fucking mugged while you were piss drunk and trying to get home.
TG: we got to the car safe and trying to get you in a fucking seat belt was impossible so i just said fuck it and drove you without it
TG: the whole car ride you fucking rambled on and on about some of the people in your life
CG: OH GOD WHO DID I MENTION?
CG: WHAT DID I TELL YOU?
TG: you said somethin about your best friend gamzee
TG: said somethin along the lines of sollux being an asshole and eridan being a dick and then switched them and laughed about it
TG: im guessing that was supposed to be some sort of joke on their relationship
TG: dunno
CG PROBABLY
TG: and then you mentioned and i quote 'that bitch terezi'
CG: OH NO
CG: PLEASE TELL ME THAT'S ALL I SAID ABOUT HER
TG: i wish i could
TG: and if its the same bitch who i think it is then you had every right to say what you did about her
TG: long story short there was a lot of bashing going on and a lot of cuss words
TG: then you started rambling about some guy you met that day and how cute he was
TG: you said he was really funny and nice and that you were so excited to hang out with him again
TG: you also mentioned something about wanting him to kiss you
TG: rambled on for a good five minutes about his lips
TG: you innocent child you
CG: WELL THAT'S MORTIFYING
CG: SOMEONE JUST KILL ME NOW
TG: im gonna take a guess that you were talking about me
CG: YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO LET ME LIVE THAT DOWN, ARE YOU?
TG: probably not
TG: by the time we got there youd just finished talking and stared out at the building
TG: you asked where we were because apparently you forgot you were gonna be coming over to my place
TG: when i explained we were at my house you literally yelled 'sleepovers' and stormed out of the car, apparently fine enough walking on your own by that point
TG: i had to literally run to keep you from attempting to open my downstairs neighbors door
TG: then i had to guide you upstairs since im on the fucking second floor
TG: you giggled about it though and just shrugged with an 'oops' like it wasnt a big deal that you almost pulled a b&e while shitfaced
CG: B&E?
TG: breaking and entering
CG: FUCK. RIGHT.
TG: yeah
TG: so once in the safety of my place and before i could even close and lock the door you walked right up to the fucking fridge and pulled out my gallon of apple juice
CG: OH NO.
TG: oh yes
TG: your dumb ass straight up opened the bottle
TG: held it over your head with an impressive amount of drunken strength
TG: looked me right in the eyes and said and i quote 'im dave the hot douche and i fucking make out with apple drinks'
TG: and fucking poured half the thing all over your face and body and onto the floor
TG: choking on the majority of it because no one can chug that much juice
CG: PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE LYING
TG: i wish i could
TG: i really wish i could
TG: you wasted perfectly good aj in the name of mocking me
TG: you monster
CG: I'LL BUY YOU MORE I PROMISE
TG: you dont need to do that
TG: its cool
TG: i still have half a gallon remember
CG: I'M STILL GOING TO BUY YOU MORE
TG: we can discuss that later
TG: but back to you being drenched in juice
TG: i wrestled the bottle out of your hands and fucking capped it and put it away
TG: and you just fucking looked at me
TG: then you remembered your phone was in your pocket
TG: you panicked and threw it over the island counter and into the living room
TG: so i had to fucking chase it down and make sure it was ok and not damaged from the aj or the fact that you fucking threw it
TG: it was fine by the way
TG: as you probably know by the fact that youre on it right now
CG: DUH
TG: then when i turn around youre still just standing there in the kitchen
TG: i asked you what you were doing to which you beautifully replied 'im sticky'
TG: so i showed you where the bathroom was so you could clean up and pulled out some clothes for you to wear
TG: a tee and pj pants
TG: but you didnt want to wear pants so i had to lend you boxer shorts instead
TG: you literally almost threw a fit about not wanting to wear pants by the way
TG: it was like babysitting a child
CG: SORRY ABOUT THAT TOO. I'VE ONLY BEEN THAT SHITFACED DRUNK ONCE BEFORE AND TO BE TOTALLY HONEST I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS LIKE BECAUSE LITERALLY FUCKING NO ONE WILL TELL ME EVEN TO THIS DAY.
TG: damn
TG: well i guess now you know
TG: maybe
TG: so then you left your sticky clothes on the floor of the bathroom and declared you were tired
CG: WHAT A FUCKING SCANDAL. CLOTHES ON THE FLOOR.
TG: yeah yeah smartass whatever
TG: i try to keep my house fucking clean thanks
TG: so i told you to go ahead and sleep wherever and you hopped up on my bed
TG: i went and cleaned up the floor and then rinsed your clothes in cold water so that theyd at least be kind of clean and then laid them out to dry on the couch because im fucking nice like that
CG: THANKS
TG: then i went back to change into my own pajamas
TG: i heard you scream and literally ran back into the room shirtless only to find you laying exasperatedly with your phone in your hand
TG: you just looked at me and said 'it wont fucking open'
TG: i got confused and asked you what the fuck you were talking about
TG: you got up and shoved your phone in my face saying that it wouldnt open and that you tried everything
TG: you couldnt unlock your own fucking phone man
CG: THAT'S FUCKING HILARIOUS THOUGH.
CG: LIKE WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS WRONG WITH ME
TG: you were drunk out of your mind
TG: and yes it was hilarious
TG: i just rolled my eyes at you and told you that your phone was tired and wanted to sleep just like you
TG: and you fucking believed me
TG: then i started walking back to the living room because i was going to sleep out there like a fucking gentleman and gracious host
CG: I THINK I KNOW WHERE THAT'S GOING
CG: FUCK
TG: yeah
TG: probably
TG: you fucking called out for me
TG: stopping me
TG: you demanded that i sleep in my own bed
TG: said that you wouldnt mind and that since its my house i should sleep there
TG: i was just tired enough to say fuck it and not argue with you about it
TG: so thats how you wound up at my place in my clothes and in bed with me
TG: do you believe me now when i say we didnt do the do
CG: OK YES
CG: I FUCKING BELIEVE YOU
CG: BUT ALSO WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU EVEN WANT TO SPEAK TO ME AFTER ALL THAT?
CG: LIKE WHAT THE FUCK?
CG: HAVE I NOT SHOWN YOU HOW FUCKING TERRIBLE I AM YET?
CG: WAS THAT NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVINCE A MAN THAT I'M LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH?
TG: dude chill
TG: everyone is impossible when theyre shitfaced
TG: its fucking fine
TG: you werent even that bad
CG: YOU SAID IT WAS LIKE BABYSITTING A CHILD
TG: yeah
TG: kids are easy to take care of though
TG: you just have to play along with their shit until they go to sleep
TG: its not that bad
CG: ARE YOU SURE?
TG: karkat its fucking fine
TG: im still talking to you arent i
TG: that should tell you that i want to be
TG: i dont waste my time on shit that i dont want to fucking do unless im getting paid for it
TG: and im not paid to talk to you
TG: i promise you that
CG: OK FINE.
CG: I BELIEVE YOU.
CG: I DON'T GET IT.
CG: BUT I'LL BELIEVE YOU.
CG: ALSO A QUICK QUESTION . . . .
TG: anything
CG: ARE WE STILL ON FOR FRIDAY?
TG: if you still wanna go then yeah
CG: AND IF I EMBARRASS MYSELF AGAIN? THEN WHAT?
TG: then we laugh it off dude
TG: its just coffee
TG: whats the worst that could happen
TG: you hate the drink and i have to drink it for you
TG: you spill it on yourself
TG: whatever happens im sure itll be fine
TG: dont freak about it
CG: ALRIGHT. I GUESS THAT'S TRUE. WITHOUT ALCOHOL INVOLVED IT SHOULD BE PRETTY SAFE.
TG: thats the spirit
CG: THANKS DAVE
CG: FOR, YOU KNOW, NOT TOTALLY GIVING UP ON ME AFTER I EMBARRASSED THE SHIT OUT OF MYSELF.
TG: id be an asshole if i didn't at least give you a second chance
TG: besides
TG: if this does develop into a relationship ill have already seen you at your worst
TG: and if thats the worst youve got then youre far from being a handful
CG: STILL, THANKS.
TG: no problem
CG: I'LL LET YOU GET BACK TO WHATEVER IT WAS YOU WERE DOING BEFORE I GOT ON HERE AND BOTHERED YOU
TG: you didnt bother me
TG: but if youve got stuff to do then its cool
CG: ALRIGHT, UM. SEE YOU FRIDAY.
TG: yea see you friday
TG: and dont be a stranger
TG: feel free to message me whenever even if you just wanna chat
CG: WILL DO.
And with that we mutually left each other to our own shit. I could've probably spent the whole day talking to him if he wanted, but at the same time I'd probably run out of shit to say very quickly. Regardless it was nice to have all of that out and to know that if anything he thinks he's the one that fucked up instead of me being the douche that practically kidnapped him and fucking slept next to him, making him think shit happened. I decided to try and put that whole thing behind me and focus on what the hell I was going to do about Friday. What do you suggest to someone who hates coffee in order to get them to maybe not hate coffee so much? I'll probably just ask Rose about it later.
I checked the time again and noticed that it was almost 1pm now. I resolved myself to putting away my sketchbook and getting ready to go out. I was gonna go ahead and drop by Dirk's place to work on our next set since I knew for a fact he was gonna be home all day today. I had a song stuck in my head that i really wanted to work into a new beat and all our equipment was at his place.
"I'm losing and this is my real life. I'm half asleep and I am wide awake. This habit is always so hard to break. I don't wanna be the bad guy. Been blaming myself and I think you know why."