For this chapter I'm really trying to bring out Tavros's compassionate side. Most people misjudge him as a wimp and just some crippled coward. Really, if you'd pay attention to his character, he is truly one of the bravest characters. He is so compassionate and kind to others, never lashing out or showing anger when you just know he must be seething. This is why he is my favorite character in Homestuck.
Happy readings
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
Tavros lay there with his eyes closed tight, trying to forget the strange nightmare from the night before. There had been a strange beast that had killed his father then came into his room to transform into a boy to very likely do the same to him. Tavros wasn't really sure when that dream had ended, but at least it had dissolved into a much sweeter dream.
He lay still in his bed, not wanting to open his eyes and ruin that drowsily peaceful state of post-sleep. He sighed, contemplating just going back to sleep so he could keep dreaming. But his mind was quickly changed when he felt something shift in the bed next to him.
Tavros's eyes snapped open wide, revealing a scene that was much less than pleasant. He lay in a bed that was certainly not his, tucked in an alcove of a room that was not his. And when he turned to face the person that lay next to him in bed he froze.
Staring down at the boy from his nightmare last night, Tavros swallowed out of nervousness. He still lay in the bed asleep, curled up next to where Tavros had been a few moments ago. He certainly seemed like a less than happy person to Tavros, his brow furrowed and lips curled into a sorrowful frown.
Curiosity replaced the fear within Tavros. He slowly inched foreward, reaching out cautiously as he neared the boy. Tavros's hand trembled as his fingertips grazed the boy's shoulder. The boy flinched in his sleep, a minute whimper escaping his pressed lips. Tavros was taken aback as he withdrew slightly and he stared down at the boy he had been so afraid of a few minutes ago. Now that he was laying here in front of Tavros he seemed so small and lost and lonely. The boy couldn't have been much older than him and already seemed so broken. He really looked like he needed a friend. Tavros took a deep breath, deciding he would at least hear the boy's side of the story before blaming him completely. He must have had his reasons.
Tavros sat by the boy's now shaking body as the boy let out small crying noises. "Shh, it's alright. I've got you now." Tavros murmured comfortingly. He reached out again and rubbed the boy's back, humming an old tune he remembered his nurse-maid used to sing. He leaned back against the pillows on the bed, letting his eyes fall closed as he continued to hum the lighthearted tune
He opened his eyes when he had finished the song, hoping he had successfully lulled the boy back into a peaceful sleep. Instead, his gaze was met with a burning indigo stare, the very look in the boy's eyes seeming to bore straight into Tavros's soul with a plea of help. His eyes were filled with curiosity and half glazed over with some sort of guilt, but nothing could hide what was under all of it from Tavros's quick intuition. Under the emotions that crossed the boys face lay a hole in his heart, some empty void that seemed to suck the soul from him. Tavros could tell by looking deep into the boy's eyes that he felt empty and depressed.
Tavros could barely tear his eyes away, shuddering as he looked down at his lap. "Uh... hello?" he tried, the word coming out as a question. "Hello." the boy replied. He either didn't notice how Tavros fidgeted nervously under his intense stare, or maybe he just didn't care if Tavros was slightly scared of him. Either way, he stuck his hand under Tavros's downward-turned face, holding it out to shake his hand. "I'm Gamzee." he said. "Tavros Nitram." Tavros replied, gingerly placing his hand in Gamzee's grasp. His hand was easily swallowed by Gamzee's calloused fingers.
Tavros pulled back, looking up at Gamzee through his eyelashes. Gamzee let his face fall into his hands as Tavros got up and walked to stand by a pit that sported burning wood in the middle of the room. He sat on a cushion by the fire, wrapping his arms around himself as if he were trying to hold himself together.
"...look, brother, I am really very sorry." Gamzee called almost silently from where he sat, his voice quivering. Tavros paused a long moment, staring into the fire as it danced and licked at the air with curious tongues. Tavros squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw as he thought of his father. "Why did you do it?" Tavros murmured in a defeated tone. He heard Gamzee stand and move towards him, sitting on a cushion across the fire pit from Tavros."I didn't want to... oh, God, if I could take it back I would." Gamzee sighed.
"Then why did you do it?" Tavros repeated, looking up at Gamzee not with conviction or even anger, but a look of concern. "I have to follow orders whether I want to or not. I can't stop it happening once it's been ordered. My body will act on their accord." Gamzee revealed, meeting Tavros's caring eyes with his. Tavros nodded, accepting this as a perfectly valid answer. After all, what reason would he have for lying to Tavros? He had already succeeded in his mission, hadn't he? Tavros posed to threat to him.
"I am sorry. Y ou can hate me if it would make you feel better." Gamzee broke the stare at this, looking thoughtfully into the darkness behind Tavros. Tavros stood, scooping up the cushion from the floor. He walked around the fire pit to stand next to Gamzee.
Gamzee prepared himself to be hit, to be yelled at, to be able to add another person to the list of people who hated him. But instead, Tavros sat down next to him.
Tavros touched Gamzee's arm, leaning foreward to look straight at Gamzee. "I could never hate you." Tavros declined, staring pointedly. Gamzee raised an eyebrow, confused by Tavros's kindness. After a long silence between the two, Tavros spoke up again.
"You really seem like you need someone. A friend, perhaps?" Tavros pondered, dropping his gaze and pulling back to a normal sitting position. From the corner of his eye, Tavros could see Gamzee nodding his head. "That sounds about right." he confirmed and folded his hands carefully in his lap. "Let me be your friend."
Gamzee froze, disbelief contorting his face. "Really?" he said after a brief, unsure pause. "Of course. Everyone needs someone to be there for them. I'm more than willing to be your friend if you'd be mine." Tavros concluded. Gamzee's lips curled up into a grin as he nodded.
"Of course, brother. Everyone needs a friend."
"I have a feeling we're going to be close."
"We will be the best of friends."