"I need help!" Karkat had decided to call his only fashion conscious friend and cousin, Kanaya, to aid him in picking out club appropriate attire, "I know I didn't give you a lot of heads up but I really need your help. I have no idea what people wear to clubs. Kakis?"
"Oh, good God, no," Kanaya sounded like she was making some overly dramatic gesture over the phone, like holding her hand to her heart, "But you really want my help? I honestly thought this day would never come. I'm kind of proud."
"Well, I kind of felt like I owed someone something and this something might require looking nicer than usual and-"
"Is it a date?"
"IT IS NOT A DATE."
"Oh my gosh. I'm so excited. You're letting me help choose your outfit for your first real date! I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Aren't you at work? You could just give me over the phone advice."
"Nonsense. I want to be around for this," Then she hung up.
Kanaya arrived an hour later with an extravagant amount of shopping bags. She wore a cream skirt and blazer and had a small red scarf tied around her neck, adding a bit of color to the ensemble. It was a color scheme that really complemented her darker skin tone. Her hair was short, dark brown, and curved into her face. Tall and beautiful, she could have easily been a model, but she preferred designing outfits more than flaunting them.
"Jesus, Kanaya. Did you bring the entire mall with you?"
"Karkat, we both know you have nothing in your closet that will suffice for the activities you have planned tonight. Now, may I come in and put all this down? By the way, who is the lucky lady who you will be gracing your presence with this afternoon?"
Karkat made room on his couch for all the bags and Kanaya, "It's a guy," He felt a bit safer talking about Dave with Kanaya. He also didn't plan on much happening tonight. He was going to stick very strictly to the premise that he was going out with Dave as a thank you and nothing more.
Kanaya's eyes widened, "Did you-? I mean, Are you-?"
"It isn't like that," Karkat blushed.
Kanaya's voice softened, "You know, your father isn't here. It's just the two of us."
Karkat flinched and lowered his volume, "His name's Dave."
"Is he attractive?" Kanaya's voice was teasing.
"Very. Are you fucking happy now?" He folded his arms in front of his chest and looked away, pouting, "Sorry for cursing, but really."
"It's fine. I was prodding a bit. I'm just interested in the guy that made you ask me for fashion advice."
"He's also kind of an asshole."
"Well aren't we all," Kanaya began to pull clothes out and lay them on the couch.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?"
"This?" Kanaya held up the offending article, "I thought it would be a nice-."
"IT'S A CROP TOP! I'M NOT GOING TO A GAY BAR, KANAYA!"
"Alright! You don't have to yell! I just thought it would show off your abdominals. You still work out right?"
"Yes, but-!"
"Also, this is Halloween weekend at a club. There's going to be many people dressing in this manner."
"Maybe girls."
"No. Men too."
Karkat groaned and ran his fingers through his hair, "You're kidding me."
"Please trust me. I'll make you look great."
"You are so lucky I already know you're good at what you do. Otherwise, I wouldn't let you near me with that shit."
Kanaya smiled deviously, "Thank you."
After struggling and bickering Kanaya managed to squeeze Karkat into a tight black crop top and a pair of black skinny jeans, "I look fucking stupid."
"Shush and put on your boots while I muss your hair up."
"My hair is mussed up."
"No. It's messed up. It needs to be mussed up. There's a difference."
Karkat pulled on and laced up the boots Kanaya had brought. They had a militarian look to them and they felt comfortable enough. Okay. Karkat was willing to admit it. He did really like the boots. They made him feel like he could crush the heads of his enemies beneath them in style. Kanaya placed his cat ears on his head and handed Karkat a choker to tie around his neck, "Sexy cat boy, take two. You are almost ready for action."
"You've been working with costume departments for movies again, haven't you?"
"As long as it pays. Look up at me. I'm going to add glitter around your eyes."
"What?!"
"No. Trust me. This is going to be great. I'm going to make you shine."
Kanaya had a crazed look in her eyes, "Only a little!" Karkat strapped his tail on.
Kanaya muttered something that sounded like, "Only as much as I say is perfect."
Kanaya pulled a leather coat around his shoulders after she was done adding the glitter, "So you aren't cold."
"Thanks, mom," Karkat snarked and then tried to backtrack, "Uh. I meant-."
"It's fine," Kanaya smiled warmly and pinched Karkat's cheek before gathering her things and moving towards the door, "I hope you have fun on your date."
"IT'S NOT A-," She closed the door before he could finish, "dateā¦"
Dave had to set up his DJ equipment before the club opened so Karkat had to arrive at the club by himself. When he did he was surprised at how dead on Kanaya's advice had been. Everyone was wearing clothes that revealed an excess amount of skin. The dance floor was a mass of closely knit people grinding and dancing. And there was Dave at the very back of the room, headphones on and bobbing to the music.
He was wearing his angel wings and horns again, but he was shirtless. Goddamn. He definitely worked out. Those muscles were not fair. Karkat sat down at the bar and ordered a shot. The bartender gave him the once over and passed him his drink.
It was interesting how engrossed Dave was in his work. The music was fantastic, perfectly flowing from one song to the next. It was obvious that Dave was great at what he did and that he loved his work.
After downing his shot, Karkat made his way over to the DJ booth. Dave looked up and grinned, "Hey. You came," He tilted his head, "Are you wearing glitter?"
"I-. I mean, my friend put it on me."
"Cute," Dave fiddled with his gear and then gave Karkat his full attention, "I just put on a prerecorded set so we can hang out. Do you want to put your jacket behind the booth?"
"Um. Yeah. Sure," Karkat nervously removed his coat and handed it to Dave.
Dave let the jacket slip out of his fingers, "Oh shit. Sorry," He bent down hastily to pick it up, throwing glances at Karkat, "Y-You look great."
Karkat was stunned by how flustered Dave was. He was red up to his ears and he had put a hand over his mouth to hide the break in his cool. Oh god. Karkat was so going to mess with him. Just a little wouldn't really hurt, "Dave?" Karkat stepped closer and peeked up at Dave's face, "Are you okay?"
"Fine," Dave brought his hands up, unsure what to do with them.
"Really? Because you seem to be quite tense," Karkat ran a finger down Dave's chest.
Dave made a noise that sounded like a very unmanly whimper, "You know what, Vantas? No. You don't get to be that sexy. That's not fair! I swear to god. I thought you were going to wear heelys or something in an attempt at being cool. This is- I don't even have a word for what you are right now. All I know is my pants are fucking suffocating my dick right now and it's your fault, you vixen."
"But I-"
"Incubus!" Dave dramatically called out before grabbing Karkat's hand and pulling him over to the bar. He tapped the top of the counter and the bartender slid him over a shot. He downed it and turned to Karkat, "Do you wanna dance?"
Karkat tapped the bar like Dave did and the bartender chuckled and slid over another. After the alcohol raced down his throat Karkat nodded, "Alright. I'm ready."
Dave led Karkat towards the dance floor and began to swing his hips with the beat, "I'm impressed. You got Moe to like you. Moe doesn't even like me."
"It's not that hard to dislike you," Karkat moved with the music and slid his hands onto Dave's shoulders. The alcohol was really starting to make him loosen up and maybe get a little too close to Dave.
Dave's hands went to Karkat's hips, "Do you dislike me?" He put his mouth near his ear and blew.
Karkat's heartbeat sped up, "Fuckin asshole," Dave snickered, "Oh yeah?" Karkat grinded forward and Dave gasped.
"That wasn't funny."
"I strongly disagree with your definition of funny."
They danced as the music and excitement in the air made them drunk. Karkat felt a buzzing in his head and as the night went on more and more people started to clear out of the club.
"Hey," Dave pulled him closer so that their faces were only a few inches apart, "Do you want to get out of here?"
"Yes," The word came out before Karkat could even think about it.
"Moe!" Dave called out to the baretender, "The track should keep running until it's closing time. I'll pick my stuff up in the morning," to Karkat he smiled, "Come on."
The car ride was quiet and awkward but the leftover buzz from the club still lingered. When they arrived at their floor they just stared at each other, "Um," Karkat said eloquently.
Dave opened his door, "Do you wanna come in?"
