I'm a bit wavering on inspiration on this now. It'll be a short chapter, I'll find some inspiration somewhere during the summer.

Chapter 10

Karkat was terrified of sex. Simple as that. He was just as fine with everything else under the sun, but he couldn't quiet rid himself of the prick of fear in his belly every time the both of them were on top of each other, in the heated passion of it all, and just nearly about to "complete", as Karkat could only describe this as, their relationship to another level.

Dave began to notice the little trends of Karkat escaping his grasp here and there. At first he thought Kar really did have a belly ache or was feeling light headed. But after the seventh time that month, he started to get a little concerned.

"Maybe I shouldn't have forced him into that dress..." Dave furrowed his brows in frustration. "Or start with those nicknames."

Karkat was downstairs, screaming and cussing at Egbert over some game they were versing each other in. Dave went out of his room and walked toward Rose's room. He knocked on the door once and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Can I help you?" She opened the door. Her dull, lazy purple gaze met Dave's equally dull, lazy red gaze.

"I want to talk." He answered.

"Of what?" Rose went back to her desk at the side of her room, her familiar bound notebook opened with a pen in between pages. She must've been writing again.

"Karkat." Dave stepped into his sister's room, careful not to touch anything.

"What of the greasy thing?" She clicked her tongue and gave a small twitch of a teasing smile as Dave narrowed his gaze and nearly stomped his foot in annoyance. Once he saw her grin, he gave a short breath and looked down at the floor. Now that was something Rose has never seen Dave do, look down and dodge someone's gaze as if to hide something.

"He's been, ah, how do I put this?" Dave scratched the back of his head. "Dodging me...a lot."

"Perhaps space is needed?" She suggested. "You two never seem to be apart for long."

"Neither is Sollux or Aradia but they're doing fine and fucking dandy." Strider crossed his arms. "You and Kanaya for that matter too."

"Fair enough," Rose picked up her black cat and placed it on her lap. The little thing curled itself into a tiny black furry puddle and gave a tiny purr of content. "Then explain to me what this dodging business is about."

"That's hard to explain without..." Dave gave a sigh, looked down, stuffed his hands into his pockets again and mumbled. "He gets away every time we get...you know..."

"Ah, I believe I understand now." Rose saved her brother from embarrassment. "You should speak to him of it."

"And what? Accuse him of, I don't know, denying me sex? That's bull shit, Rose." Embarrassment turned into annoyance.

"That isn't what I meant, David," She narrowed her purple eyes. It was one thing to allow anyone into her room, but to have someone insult her advice? Although...it is understandable, in Strider's position. She'd let this slide, just once. "You know him better than any of us. You must talk to him."

Before he could protest she held up a finger.

"And you know exactly what I mean by talk." Rose said low.

For a moment, the Strider boy was silent. Finally, took a breath and left the room.

"Thanks, sis." He gave a two fingered farewell and shut the door behind him. He walked downstairs and stood by Sollux's room, which was just by the first floor staircase.

Sollux was out with Aradia, which let Dave relax as he reclined his head back against the wall of his door. After shaking his head free of any bleak thoughts he started down the stairs, as casual and cool as ever.

"Egdork, you prick!" Karkat shouted loudly. "I fucking told you to go left!"

"And I told you to go right! It's an easier way!" John gave out a laugh. Dave gave a short whistle which made the both of them pause the game and turn to him. "Oh hey Dave!"

"Sup." He gave a curt nod to the both of them and looked at Karkat. "Mind if I borrow him for a bit?"

"Yeah sure, I'll just get Rose to play me." John gave his friend a grin and shot up from the couch, he raced up the stairs to get Rose.

"We were just about to beat the level, Strider." Karkat huffed, crossing his arms across his grey sweater.

"You can beat it again when we get back." Dave grabbed the house keys from the counter and grabbed a red windbreaker for himself. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Kar followed him in curiosity. "Are you going to buy me food?"

"I bought you last time," Dave opened the door for Karkat to stomp through. "You're buying."

"I don't have any money." Kar said.

Dave gave him a "you're full of shit" look and slapped his hand right against Karkat's back pocket. Karkat gave a yelp at the pain that shuddered across his rump and felt Dave forcefully grab at the wallet in his pocket.

"Twenty bucks is good enough for the both of us." Dave flashed the slightest bit of a grin.

"Asshole." Karkat swiped his wallet back into his pocket and grouchily walked his way down the street. Dave pocketed the money and pushed his arm around Karkat's.

"You know you love me." Dave grinned, slouching down a bit to press his nose against Karkat's grey skin.

"Yeah..." Karkat mumbled, seeing the teasing look in his red eyes through the sunglasses. The troll's face burned red as he looked down, leaning into Dave a little as the walked."Yeah, I do..."

"What was that?" Strider pressed further, "I don't think I heard you."

"Don't push your luck, Strider!" Karkat snapped with angry affection.

Dave let out a laugh and kissed him on the cheek, making Karkat flush even harder. "You prick."