Chapter 9

"I gotta apologize for the mess…" Gamzee murmured in a disgraced tone as he and his good friend entered the Makara household. It was one of the first times he ever really hated how trashed the place always was.

Karkat really didn't mind though, and he shook his head while he voiced his own opinion, "I don't give a single fuck, Gamzee…"

The two retreated to the only place where they had complete solitude: Gamzee's bedroom.

"I haven't seen or heard from him in eight days," Gamzee murmurs off-handedly before flopping back onto his bed. He stares up at the ceiling with a twisted gaze of worry and bewilderment, yet a slight amount of contentment is hidden.

Karkat is silent as he slings his backpack off of his shoulder and throws it off to the side. "That's not normal for him, is it?"

The other shakes his head. "Nah, not at all."

"Do you miss him?"

At this question, Gamzee pauses. It takes him a moment to think of what he wants to say. When he finds out, he sits up and looks at Karkat. "You know- I actually don't. I don't miss him. And- I am so much more happy…"

Karkat gives a firm nod. "I'm glad that you're happy, Gam."

A smile crawls across Gamzee's face as he finished off what he wanted to say, "I'm so much happier with you."

Karkat's cheeks burn brightly with a vibrant blush at such words. He has to look away so the flustering in his innards will die down, or, at least, not make him explode. As per usual, his lack of reaction brought upon a certain, awkward silence. Gamzee wasn't one to allow this though.

The lanky boy sprung up, suddenly energized. "Hey- Best Friend, we should watch a movie! Slam a few faygos too- I got some chips downstairs!"

"Oh, yeah sure, I'm up for that," is what he earns for a response, to which Gamzee chirps giddily.

This was how such an odd situation cropped up. Karkat never thought that he would find himself in the most extravagant of pillow forts, snacking on half-stale chips and slightly burnt popcorn, watched the VHS version of Aladdin with the fuzzball of a kid named Gamzee Makara.

And it was awesome.

"Look- look, Ima lizard, blah…" Gamzee flicked his tongue out and lapped up a few popcorn kernels, Karkat grimacing and shoving him playfully in response. The two of them giggled childishly as they got to the scene with Jasmine and Aladdin riding the magic carpet. Their attention was dwindling.

Once the laughter died down, Karkat moved to shed his heavier sweatshirt, the warmth in their little blanket cocoon a little bit overwhelming. It didn't matter to him specifically since he wore a t-shirt underneath. Gamzee glanced at him and noticed the small band of silver around his neck.

"Best Friend… you- you're wearing your Best!" He exclaimed. Karkat, confused, wasn't sure what he meant until Gamzee was reaching for the necklace around his neck. "Thought you said you ain't ever gonna wear it!"

Karkat huffed and looked away. "Yeah, well, I was lying. It's just a necklace, gee, calm down about it…" He wouldn't admit that he put it on the day that they bought it, hell no.

Gamzee saw through him, of course, smiling widely at his friend as he pulled his own necklace out from under his shirt. "I wear mine all day- every day~ Even when I shower!"

"It's hard to believe that you shower sometimes, Gamzee…"

"Yeah! I know!"

They were silent for a moment, absorbing this calm atmosphere for just a brief time. Gamzee snuggled closer after a while, and believe it or not, Karkat snuggled back. Their attention turned back to the movie for the most part, although probably only pretending to.

"Best Friend."

"Yeah?"

"I love you. I love you so much."

Karkat smiled slightly, laughing gently as he nudged Gamzee. "Yeah? I love you too."

It wasn't confusing any more, not at all. Like an epiphany.

Let's call THIS love.