The next few days I was on high alert for all things that looked like they could be a ring. I half didn't believe him, half wanted to know all the details about the ring. Gamzee knew I was interested to, basing it off how many times he has gotten down on one knee in front of me. A guy can only pretend to be tying his shoe so many times before I finally get the joke. He would always grin after though, in a way that almost made me feel bad for getting mad. Almost.
It was a full week before he did it for real, and he didn't even get down on his knees to do. We were just laying on the bed and he plucked up my left hand and delicately slipped the ring on. It was beautiful and I had the sinking suspicion he had stolen the ring from someone dead. Neither of us said anything for awhile after but I think I am guessing right when I say I am engaged.
It has been a month since then and not really a lot has changed. He has his good days and his bad days, ring on my finger or not. I knew it wouldn't really change anything but I was still kind of hoping he would at least change for me. I had to of known that he wouldn't though, when he couldn't even decide if he loved me or hated me. I suppose the correct assumption was that he loved and hated me.
Which seemed to fit the ring he gave me very well, it was a big chunk of diamond with alternating red and black ones encircling it. It was beautiful but it also filled me with dread, not knowing the past behind it.
It was interesting, the less I cared, the more Gamzee did. He was making an effort now to be sweet to me. He opened doors for me, he kissed me good night, he gave me massages, and bought me sweet gifts. He always told me how much he loved me and asked for very little in return. I guess that's why when Gamzee said we were getting married tomorrow I went along with it. I surely didn't owe him anything, but if I was going to stay here then it was best not to disturb him in any way at all. I asked him if I should prepare anything for tomorrow and he said he would take care of all of it and not to worry. I was especially worried now.
Which explains my current position right now. I was on the slanted roof of the very top of the castle, specifically, mine and Equius' spot. It was scary being up so high but I figured the worst thing that could happen is that I could fall.
I had a lot of anxiety about today, I thought, as I watched the clouds move and the sun shine brightly. Despite the good omen the sun projected, the rest of the earth did not reflect this. It was now close to winter and the frost bit in the cold air. The surrounding trees were dead, minus the evergreen forest that was nearby. I brought my knees up closer to me, cuddling my purple night gown closer to me.
It was scary to think that in a few hours I would be married. It was scary to think a lot of things. Would this make me the queen though? I didn't like to think of things in terms like that. Gamzee... as a king? It didn't sit right with me, though he must be. I never questioned what he did when he wasn't with me, though admittedly it was probably some royal stuff. I hated that.
Thinking of Gamzee being royal made me want to vomit. He had no right taking that throne, it wasn't his. Calm down, Calm down. Expressing myself and feeling was a horrible thing for me. Apathy was the only way not to go insane, but sometimes that wasn't true either. I should get an award for being confused. I groaned and slammed my back down on the roof, feeling dramatic.
I was an idiot, I thought as I felt myself sliding. I scrambled to find my footing but it was not destined to happen, my feet almost gripping and then sliding off at the last moment. It was a fast descent but then because of some miracle, I managed to hold on to the edge of the roof, dangling over the edge. My feet were not able to get a grip on anything and I knew if I were to drop this time there would be no surviving it. I started screaming, shrieking, and howling for someone, anyone to save me. I heard a worried shout that I couldn't make out and thumping. I gave one last pitiful shout of "Gamzee!" before I could see his head sticking out of the window. The terror in his eyes reflected in his expression, he looked horrified.
The problem was that even though he was right at the window, I had rolled some when I had fallen and I was not close enough so that I could reach out to touch it. Gamzee gave a few pitiful reaches out, he could grab me but it was up in the air if he could pull me to the window as I dropped to be caught. I was not eager to put myself in that position where my life depended on Gamzee. He was not the most trustworthy people I had known.
He seemed to recognize my trust issues, looking at me in distress. "Nepeta, you have to trust me."
I grunted as I dangled, my fingers in agony. He looked at me again, and simply said, "Please." I didn't know if it was me trusting him or my fingers giving up but I dropped. That second was terrifying and horrible but I was scooped out of the air by Gamzee who by sheer effort seemed not to fall out of the tower, though it was a close call. It had pulled his knee up. One false move and we were both tumbling down. I didn't think of that though.
I just thought of the expression on Gamzee's face. It was pure, uncensored relief. He kept gripping me as he fell to the floor, enveloping me in a hug. "I thought I was going to fucking lose you," he whispered. I remained silent, stunned. I felt liquid dropping on my head. It was odd to recognize it as crying. Gamzee was crying? I looked up at him from his shoulder and he was rubbing at his face with his other hand, but his mouth was tensed and pursed and I knew it was true. I helped him wipe his tears up though I was shaking myself and helped him stand up.
In that moment I felt like marrying Gamzee would probably be okay. And that explains where I am now, staring at myself in my dress. It was a mermaid style dress, staying close to my body, and it had a halter made of lace. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. I liked to twirl around in it, the fabric that pooled at the bottom twirled with me. My make up was simple but all the same I felt beautiful.
It was just going to be the two of us present and someone giving the ceremony so three altogether. It was very private and that's what I wanted. A knock interrupted my thoughts and I opened the door. Standing in front of me was Gamzee, wearing a suit.
He looked so, so handsome. And dangerous. His hair was just as crazy as always, though it did seem a little smoother as if he attempted to brush it then gave up on it. I wanted to laugh but I was afraid I would throw up. He told me how beautiful I looked, then bent down and kissed my hand. He picked himself up, gave me a twirl and then we left to get married.
We got married in Gamzee's private office which wasn't very romantic but I didn't mind. The man who married us was a balding, fat man with a beard but I didn't mind that either. The only thing I could stare at was Gamzee. Was this what I wanted? Did I want to marry Gamzee? Yes. The answer surprised me, I was shocked even. I jolted back a little bit, alerting Gamzee. He looked at me, but I just smiled warmly at him.
Not even his scars, physical or mental, could bother me right now. As it came time to say our vows, I repeated mine while stumbling and stuttering. Gamzee said his plainly and clearly as if not a care in the world. I was focused on the odd thumping noise I heard outside the room. And finally it came to the part where we had to kiss.
As we leaned in to each other and our lips finally touched, the lights all turned off at once and the sound of a door being pushed open was in my ears. I jerked back in fear, trying to get closer to Gamzee. I heard whispering before ultimately I felt a feminine hand grab me. I stumbled, before the hand and another pair of arms grabbed me. They pulled me to the ground and I screamed. I heard Gamzee shout, "Nepeta?" and I heard him run around the room trying to find me as the intruders dragged me around. They slammed a hand over my mouth and duct tape too, ensuring I couldn't talk anymore. It was definitely two people carrying me, and as quiet as a bunch of mice they picked me up and carried me out of the room, opening a door and running out.
Gamzee thundered after him, tripping over things I could hear, as he ran after them, but as soon as he almost made it out, another figure affixed a metal pole between the door handles. The door rattled and almost caved as he shook it, I knew it wouldn't be long until he got out. He was screaming my name the whole time, half in anger, half in agony. I still couldn't see the faces of my captors but they were both females, I could tell by their anatomy. They were running awkwardly with two of them splitting my weight and a third one in the front leading them.
It was mind numbingly horrifying. The only thing I could think in my head over and over again was I am going to die, I am going to die.
Finally they reached the entrance of the castle and they ran out. They made a line right for the junky car sitting in front of the castle. There was a driver sitting in the front, their face hidden from my view. They all piled into the back seat, with one eventually jumping into the front seat.
The driver took off, his face still obscured.
My heart froze the moment I heard a familiar laugh though, more like a cackle really. The girl next to me whipped off her mask. Vriska. "That was awesome! Can we do stuff like that more often!?"
The driver threw back an annoyed glance, "No you fucking idiot! We could have died!" My mind was blank again. Karkat? Why were they here? Why did they take me?
"Oh cheer up, Karkles! We did it!" Terezi grinned in general, she was the one who was in the front seat. My brain swirled around with so many questions, but the most important one of all was why was a blind girl leading the way?
"...What?" I asked, simply. My brain was feeling like it was moving an inch a minute, it was irritating to say the least. Kanaya was sitting next to me and gave me a sympathy pet on the shoulder delicately. The landscape blew by in a hurry and I realized I had never been in a car before. Though we lived in a time where technology like this existed the castle rarely saw it. Electricity and candles powered it but the Makara's were not the type to care about stuff like Internet. It was kind of scary to be honest.
Karkat didn't look back at me as began to speak, "I'd like to apologize Nepeta, I didn't believe you. I'm a fucking idiot and you can hate me as much as you want. I felt awful though leaving you and I thought a fucking shit ton about it. Finally I gathered up the gang, minus Sollux who is doing some stuff at the base, and we saved you. Good thing too, right before you married that scum bag."
I thought back. No, I was married. The ceremony had been completed and we had signed our marriage certificate but I didn't say anything.
"What I mean to say is that I am really fucking sorry."
"I accept your apology." If only because I am a little too stunned to do anything else. "So... where are we going?"
"The sea!" Vriska and Terezi screeched in joyful harmony.
Surprised?! I loved these guys too much to have them gone forever. :o) Plus, I couldn't imagine Karkat really just leaving her for good. Poor Gamzee, though! Just as Nepeta was coming around, too, hah. Thanks for all of the reviews, you guys are awesome. Hope you guys are having some great Thanksgiving celebrations if you're in the USA! And if you're in other countries, well I hope you just have a lovely day heh!