New chapter! Thank you to all my reveiwers and followers and favoriters. I'm going to work on the story as much as I can before I start college. I should be able to still update, but you never know. No matter what happens this story will be continued til the end.


Chapter 9: Missed oppurtunities

The next morning the teens had gathered around the living room to eat breakfast. Everyone was trying to get a good idea of what to do since it was a nice day.

"Hey you guys are new to L.A., right?" Sollux asked Karkat and Gamzee. Both boys nodded.

"We should take you guys into town so you can see the sights." Sollux suggested.

After chatting about it for a few more minutes the teens decided that they would start with Hollywood. With a quick message to Porrim and Horuss the kids got into their cars and started their adventure.

The teens decided to visit Madame Tussauds Hollywood. They quickly realized that seeing wax figures with Gamzee and Karkat was hilarious. Gamzee kept standing next to the statues that had the most serious expressions and putting his finger to their wax noses. He was thoroughly surprised to see that they actually had nasal cavities and Karkat had to take his hand away before an employee saw. After a few hours of rather inappropriate posing and trying to evade getting kicked out for said inappropriate shenanigans the teens decided to head back to the house.

On their way back to the cars they were approached by a blonde boy wearing a red and white t-shirt that had a scratched record on it, black skinny jeans, and dark aviators carrying a guitar. This was Dave Strider the coolest kid in school, guys wanted to be him and girls wanted to date him. He was also one of the people that were at the top of Tavros' avoid-at-all-costs list. There was a time when he and Dave were good friends, but after the incident Dave was one of the first to turn on him.

"Hey Dave, how's it going?" John asked as he went to give Dave a bro-hug.

"Sup Egbert? Haven't seen you in a while, I've just been sitting around making sick beats in the room, coming out here for gigs and making a name for myself out here in the city of dreams." Dave said. He turned his head to look at Tavros who was finding more interest in the concrete, Gamzee noticing he was uncomfortable placed a hand to his shoulder eyes not leaving Dave.

"So, Nitram I heard you were talking again, is that true?" Dave said still looking at Tavros. Even though he couldn't see his eyes he was sure Dave was staring daggers at him. Tavros looked up at Dave giving a shrug.

"Yeah, it's up and motherfucking true. Why do you care motherfucker?" Gamzee replied as Tav went back to staring at the concrete.

Dave raised an eyebrow and looked at the clown who still had his hand on Tavros' shoulder.

"Didn't say I did, but I want to know if I'll actually have competition in this year's Spring Showcase." Dave answered as he and Gamzee had a stare down.

Aradia spoke up. "The showcase isn't a competition, if anything it's a big talent show."

"Yeah, but talent scouts always show up. Of course Tavros knows all about that, right Tav?" Tavros looked up and gave Dave the scariest death glare in the history of paradox space. Everyone flinched, even Dave's stoic expression faltered for a second.

"Dave, shut the fuck up." Tavros said with venom in his voice. He did not want to be reminded about that, and this asshole knew it.

"So, your voice is back, well now that that's been confirmed. I guess I'll just have to keep perfecting my craft and see what happens. Later." With a wave Dave walked around the group on his way to… who the hell cares?

Gamzee looked down at Tavros who was clutching forehead, his face flush. He was trying to control his breathing.

"Whoa, are you okay?" he asked as Tavros took deep breaths.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just get back to the house." Tavros answered as he wheeled to where Equius' SUV was. The ride back to the house was quiet and uncomfortable. When they got back to the house Gamzee immediately carried Tavros up the stairs bridal style, much to Tavros' surprise. Once inside Tavros' room Gamzee plopped him down on his bed.

"Gamzee, what the hell?" Tavros asked as he watched his boyfriend close his door. Gamzee turned from the door and walked over to sit next to Tavros.

"What was that back there? You looked like you wanted to rip that motherfuckers face off." Gamzee said looking into Tavros' eyes. Tavros looked like he was thinking about what to say. With a deep breath he settled more on his bed.

"Last semester before the incident, the school put on the annual Fall Showcase. Every year the theater, music, and dance students perform pieces that have to do with whatever the theme was that year. Dave and I were the only individual singers. At the end of the show I was approached by talent scouts not Dave. They offered me a chance to record a song they were planning to use for a big budget movie, and I accepted. The meeting was scheduled for winter break, but then…" Tavros trailed off before he brought his knees to his chest and bent his head trying to prevent himself from breaking down.

Gamzee scooted closer to Tavros and scooped him up and sat him in his lap wrapping his arms around Tavros' waist. Tavros was keeping his head down and Gamzee kissed him on his cheek. Tavros put his arms around Gamzee's neck and kissed him full on the lips, sweet and slow. Once they broke apart Tavros nuzzled his head into the crook of Gamzee neck. Gamzee rubbed comforting circles in his boyfriend's back.

"You know, this motherfucker would love to hear you sing sometime." Gamzee whispered into Tavros' ear causing him to shudder.

"I'll think about, I promise. I just need more time. Besides I would love to see you act." Gamzee smiled a little wider at Tav's words.

"So you've heard? I'm not surprised. Those motherfuckers in my theater class almost flipped their shit when I did a scene from Macbeth." He smirked at the memory of his classmates making fun of him. How impressive could one clown wearing freak be? Jaws dropped when he recited his lines word for word not even looking at the script.

"Alright Tavbro, I'll make you a deal you sing for the Spring Showcase, and I act for the Spring Showcase. After that we abscond the fuck out of the school, and go on a date." Gamzee said wriggling his eyebrows.

"Fine it's a deal." Tavros held out his hand for Gamzee to shake, but the clown had better ideas. He grabbed Tavros' hand and pulled him in to a long passionate kiss. When he pulled away Tavros looked at him with a dazed expression. "Wha-"

"We sealed this deal with a motherfucking kiss."

Tavros blushed slightly. "Okay, come on. There are still people here and this is how rumors started." He said teasingly, and Gamzee got off the bed and turned around to let Tavros hop on his back.

"Giddy-up noble steed." Tavros said and Gamzee dashed through the door.