Cronus

Two trolls occupied Kankri's couch. I was not happy to see either and would have probably attacked both had my arms not been occupied by such a precious bundle of bones and blood and bandages. As it were, I could only snarl out a question. "Vwhat are you doin here?" Meenah looked up at me, hurt in her eyes. Karkat was apparently surprised as he leapt almost a foot in the air and landed on the ground with a thud, letting out a sting of profanities so loud, Muelin would have flinched at the noise and Kankri at the vulgarity. Well, he would have, had he not been out cold after a suicide attempt brought on by his careless words. Standing quickly, he looked at me, then the precious bundle lying cold and pale in my arms. His eyes widened and he reached out as if to touch him.

"Kankri…" I growled, low and harsh, a warning. He held up his hands in the multiuniversal sign' for 'I surrender.' He looked sad and guilty, serves him right, but he also looked apologetic. "Cronus, please. I came to apologize to Kankri. I said something I shouldn't have last time I was here." The normally loud troll was quiet as he pleaded with me. It was so abnormal for him, I almost listened. But…

"You hurt him. You drove him over the edge and this happened."

"I didn't mean it. I swear, I didn't. I didn't think. I said the first thing I could think and I regretted it as soon as it sunk in. I was going to apologize then, but the meteor was leaving the bubble and I had to go. As soon as we got back, I was looking for him, and everyone I asked said something bad had happened but no one would tell me what. Then I got here and Meenah explained and I have never wanted anything more than to go back in time and fix this and beat up past Karkat because he's an idiot and I'm an idiot and…" Meenah stopped him.

"Shouty, calm down. It's not all your fault." The smaller Vantas (who was actually bigger at this point. Gog Kankri was too tiny, I could see his ribs while we were patching him up) was crying at this point. He looked at Meenah and nodded slightly, before returning his gaze to me.

"I'm so sorry Cronus. I'm so fucking sorry. Please, let me apologize. Let me try to make things right." He looked absolutely miserable. I knew he was telling the truth. I returned his gaze and spoke softly, letting him know I believed him.

"He's sleeping right novw, and I don't knovw vwhen he'll vwake up. You'll just havwe to vwait. The cancer nodded and I turn to Meenah. "Anything to add?"

"I don't know what to say. Sorry is clearly insufficient after everything I've done to him. I am sorry though. I shouldn't have treated him like I did. I should never have been mean or insulted him. I saw the words too, Cronus. I just… it didn't seem to bother him. He would just start another lecture like what I said had no effect on him. So I kept doing it."

"Did it never occur to you he lectured to keep it from hurting?"

"No, but that makes sense." She looked down. "I really am sorry Cronus. I'm a terrible friend, but I hope you can forgive me." She looks back up and she's on the verge of tears. Suddenly, my anger dissipates. It's not gone, but it has lessened to the point that I'll give her a chance. I'm really not one to hold a grudge for to long. If someone is sorry, truly sorry, I'm willing to give them a chance and move on. But…

"I'm not the vwone who needs to forgivwe you." She can hear my tone soften again, she knows I'm not going to hold anything against her. She nods, and Porrim speaks for the first time.

"I do not mean to interrupt, but we need that couch." Meenah is on he feet in an instant. Karkat is still standing so I settle Kankri in the now vacant couch. Porrim finds some blankets and while we get him situated, a buzzer sounds in a back room. Meenah disappears and comes back with an armful of laundry. I probably shouldn't be, after all, his clothes were missing from his room, but I am thoroughly shocked.

"You did his laundry?"

"Of course, I want to kelp." I laugh. Of all the times to be laughing, but I just can't stop. I don't know why this is so hilarious.

"Of all…the time…to be cracking fish puns…" I still can't stop. I'm doubled over, clutching my sides. Upon my semi-explanation, Porrim and Karkat join in with chuckles of their own. Meenah looks indignant, which only makes me laugh harder. I guess after all this stress, my thinkpan needed the relief, and eventually Meenah joins in. Someone beside me stirs.

This Chapter is much better. This chapter is happier. The next chapter, eh, not so much. But the next chapter is Kankri's POV so, what do you expect? Yes, Meenah is supposed to be the bad guy, but as an Aquarius, I feel I have the right to speak on his behalf and say he would be forgiving as long as they were apologetic. It's what I would do. Anyway, I'll be back later. Half day for mid-terms, YES! Then again, today is my hardest class, so I might pass out for a few hours before checking this. Until next time,

Carida^^