Chapter Seven
Karkat stared out the window facing the forest. Snow was being thrown back and forth by the wind as it raged on. It had been this way for weeks and Karkat had grown restless. The storm had delayed them more than it should have, and - to add onto his frustration - it showed no signs of stopping. So to distract himself he began staring at the snow; watching as it danced. Between his stares he took to observing Gamzee; by doing this he learned the man's habits, traits, and other odd facts about him.
For example Gamzee slept the majority of the day in the same chair Karkat had slept in the first night they were there. He would never sleep in the same position, and he could never seem to get comfortable as he often moved in his sleep. At night, when he was awake and functioning, he would leave them to their slumber. Karkat often pondered this when he sat by the window, only he knew that Makara left, for he had become unable to sleep.
Other things caught Karkat's attention about their guide. He often muttered to himself when he was awake, having arguments with himself at late hours also. One time it had gotten so bad Tavros had to snap him out of this fit by tackling him to the floor; which always gave a groan as if threatening to break. After that incident Kanaya made sure he took his medication at least once a day, and calmed him down. Though at times Gamzee would pull Karkat in a bear hug that was tighter than a noose to the throat, now one, but Karkat, complained as it soothed Gamzee. So the young prince had given up any and all hope of receiving help from his grip.
Though not everything about Gamzee annoyed him; there were actually things that Karkat enjoyed, even if he never admitted it. One thing was that Gamzee had become interested in Karkat's book. It had been just another day trapped within doors. Gamzee had just woken up from his long slumber, and Karkat was again up in the little nook he had found. Gamzee had always been curious about what his miracle, as he often referred Karkat as, was up to so high up. So he decided to find out by scaling the wall then forcing his way in to where Karkat could normally lay comfortably. Gamzee could only fit partially in so part of his legs dangled out while his head rested comfortably on an irate Karkat's lap.
"What in God's beloved name are you doing," Karkat snapped even more annoyed than usual, mainly because he was brought out of his wonderland. Gamzee simply stared before giving a reply, "Wonderin' what my most miraculous brother was up to in this high placed location."
"Reading."
"What exactly?"
"Words, words, words," Karkat said sarcastically while flipping pages in the book.
"And what seems to be those words that you read?" Karkat gave a sigh. "It's just some fairy tales by the Grimm Brothers. You know the kind you read as a child. You at least read them haven't you?" Karkat questioned.
"No can't say I have, then again don't know how to read," Karkat inwardly kicked himself for not thinking clearly, "but I do remember meeting those two brothers. Man they stayed in Derse longer that you have. They asked all sorts of questions about legends from around here. Said something about writing them a book or somethin'."
"Really? You meet them," Karkat's curiosity peaked a little. Gamzee nodded slowly; obviously he had taken his medicine before sleeping, it always seemed to slow him down. "Yeah this little town sure has its stories. Lot goes down in that forest and no one really knows about it. Hey," Gamzee began suddenly, "Maybe you could read me some of those words and I'll tell you which ones are from here."
Karkat thought this proposal over before deciding that he was indeed curious. "Alright."
So Karkat read to Gamzee every night, or at least until Karkat fell asleep while reading; and every morning he would find himself tucked in Gamzee's bed. It was Gamzee's enthusiasm about the stories that Karkat could help but find cute, and his commentary also help set the feel of the majority of the stories. He would often list who had told that story and also a little history about where it had taken place. Though it had not taken too long to finish with the stories; they had finished the last one the other night.
"The end," Karkat said closing the book gently as he did every time. Gamzee looked disappointed. "What now dumb dumb," Karkat inquired.
"There's no more stories?"
"Of course! That was all the stories they could get."
"But they forgot the most important one to this village. The beast still plagues this village brother."
"What story is this?"
Gamzee remained silent in his chair thinking before he spoke, which he never did. "You know how about I tell you this piece of history tomorrow." Karkat glared at him and Gamzee smiled.
"You need to all up and get in that comfortable bed and get your sleep on."
Karkat grumbled in defeat as he felt sleep tugging at his eye lids. He had gone to bed without any fuss and fell fast asleep. The next morning he found Gamzee had left so he waited by the window to hear the missing tale. He had been waiting for hours on end and yet the familiar figure had not come back.
In order to pass more time Karkat reached for his book and began rereading it; this time with Gamzee's commentary. He found himself lost in actual legends that Gamzee had corrected wondering why such a forest could harbor such terrify tales. He was about half way through Little Red Riding Hood when he heard the familiar sound of boots coming up the steps. Karkat was excited, though he never would show it to anyone, not even Kanaya.
Karkat knew that he would have to be patient as Gamzee walked through the doorway. The snow had covered the tall man completely cover the woolly fur that Gamzee always wore out in the woods. But this was not what made Karkat stop from inquiring about the story; it was the tired look in Gamzee's eyes as he pulled down the face cover he wore to protect against the wind. Karkat decided to just wait until he was ready.
But Gamzee was more tired than Karkat thought. He actually used his own bed for the first time since the three had arrived to his home. Makara had collapsed almost instantly without even removing his clothes; Kanaya had found him kneeling by the bed, his head was the only body part that had actually made it onto the bed. He was fast asleep so even Kanaya shaking him didn't wake him. Tavros ended up having to move him onto the bed because Gamzee still slept in awkward positions.
Gamzee was still asleep when Karkat came in at night, his own eyes calling for sleep. Now that Gamzee was lying on a normal bed he no longer moved. Karkat didn't question anything and crawled in next to him.
Gamzee's eyes fluttered open and with a groan he rolled over onto Karkat. "NO YOU DO NOT DO THIS TO ME!" At the screeching his eyes shot open to find he was lying face down on a very furious miracle. He lifted himself up onto his elbows, "Good morning."
"IT'S NOT MORNING!" Karkat bellowed right in Gamzee's face. Gamzee rolled off of Karkat and laid back down on the bed sleep still slowing him down. He chuckled slightly, "Guess it's not. But I do owe you that story don't I." Karkat stilled then turned to him giving his full attention. "Yeah you do."
Gamzee pulled Karkat towards him letting Karkat's head on his shoulder. He preferred being close to Karkat and he never cared about personal space. "Well let's see. It began over a hundred years ago, before your forefathers became the new rulers of this country. There was a tyrant that ruled over this land. He was known as the Grand Highblood, for his political reach was everywhere and with his allegiance with the Condescension he had more power than anyone new. Though his allegiances were strong many sought his life; some being the pirate Mindfang and her lover Dualscar. The two always caused trouble for the Grand Highblood so when an opportunity arrived to kill one of them. He took it, and so Mindfang lost her head. Enraged Dualscar cursed the Highblood to become a monster after his wife bore his first son. It was an old Gypsies curse and those never fail. So when he transformed after the birth of his first born he killed his wife and the beast made its way to the forest. The son survived to carry on the curse and so it has been for several generations. The curse still remains and that is where the beast in the forest came from."
Gamzee finished the tale and looked over at Karkat. His eyes were closed but he mumbled, "How will the curse end."
"It'll end when the line ends," Gamzee replied closing his eyes once again.
"Gamzee, will we be able to leave soon?" Karkat asked.
Gamzee nodded, "the wolves say that the snow will be done soon." Karkat didn't register what he had said and fell into a deep sleep.
Author's Notes
So this is to make up for the last chapter and lack of content. Here's some Gamkar bonding time. But they shall be departing soon.
Tumblr: Kingholly
