Disclaimer: Hussie owns Homestuck.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the city Karkat was still a little ball of misery. Just staring at his knuckles blankly while his fingers were curled around the sheets. It was the fourth time his phone was going off. Of course, he had no choice but to answer now, even if it was the first time that it was this particular individual. "What do you want?" The words weren't even harsh like usual.
"Hello, is this some kid, uh, what this say, Vantas?"
"Speaking."
"Yeah well, your bro didn't show up, man. Which I dunno what these assholes are sayin' but I think it's like, we're supposed to call in? Iono, just a shout out or whatever."
"Wait, what the hell are you talking about? The class or something?"
"Yeah, man."
With that the line disconnected and Karkat shot up. No. What now. What now! He hit the speed dial frantically, struggling to pull on some decent clothes while listening to the ringing on the other end.
"Fuck fuck fuck!" He wasn't picking up. Karkat would've guessed. But he was just worried, over reacting like usual. Maybe he'd just left. Boom. Like that. Away from the overemotional asshole, douche of a friend. Maybe he was staying with Dave? Karkat wouldn't be surprised, but for now, he was sure of it. So fucking sure. At this point, Karkat wasn't even thinking of where to look. He'd just pulled up the car, hopped out and rushed through the door, meeting Tavros' shocked face. "Gamzee, where's Gamzee?" He was on the verge of shouting. He hadn't meant to be so loud, honestly. But he just needed someone to ward off the tears. Just for a little bit. All he needed was a little strength- the very thing he didn't have.
Gamzee heard the shouting, arousing slowly from his sleep. "What the motherfuck?" he mumbled drowsily. He slowly rose from the bed and pulled on some boxers. He then shuffled into the living room, then the kitchen. After lightling up a stick, he walked back into the living room. "Oh hey Karkat." he grinned at the face. Even though the boy had woken up, he was cool with it. "What's all and motherfucking up bro?" he could just barely register the emotion crashing over his bro's face.
Karkat had tried to croak out some words, but they got quickly caught. No way he was explaining that all over again. Not aloud. He'd been barraging himself in the car ceaselessly already. And saying it all to someone else... Hell, the thought of coming clean with Gamzee wasn't helping stem the flow at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. So instead he found himself falling forward, holding himself up from slumping on the floor completely only by the arms hanging on Gamzee's waist.
"Woah motherfucker." capturing the drug between his lips he hoisted Karkat up and carried him to the couch. Then grabbed the pot from his mouth to speak. "Man bro, something's got you down." and although Karkat didn't do drugs, he offered him the marijuana. Even though he himself was barely even high. But he wanted Karkat to chillax a bit, tell him what was all up and wrong.
"No shit, Sherlock!" he spat, only to keep it from turning into a choking sob. At this point, he didn't even refuse the joint. He led Gamzee's hands to his mouth willingly, taking a deep inhale. Spluttering and coughing, he gasped for fresh air now, waving the smoke emitting from his mouth away. Still, there was something soothing about it. Karkat rubbed at his red eyes, looking up at Gamzee with a 'you-really-honestly-do-this-every-day?' sort of look.
Gamzee laughed a bit, the expression on Karkat's face was priceless. But he quickly stopped his laughs. This was some serious motherfucking shit. "Now. Whats got your panties in a twist?" he himself took a drag from the joint and looked at his friend, a serious expression, as serious as he could get anyway, on his face. He cared about his bro's, and Karkat had some real intense shit going on. And Gamzee planned to help him.
"Nothing," he forced out, reaching for another heavy drag, and continuing to cough violently. They subsided and now his lids felt heavy. But not like he was drowsy enough to think of going to sleep again. He also felt... Sort of lightheaded? "No way, you're just making shit up," he mumbled, scolding himself. "And my panties are just fine." What an elegant way to cover up that the scolding wasn't meant for the clown.
"I'm not making any shit up motherfucker." he watched Karkat, only mildly amused, and took another drag. Then placed the stick in Karkat's hand as he blew out a little smoke. "So fwhy are your motherfucking panties making a rope? Man, that's how knotted they are, they made a motherfucking rope. And you just gotta climb it, be above all those motherfucking knots bro. So start climbing. Tell me why."
"Gamzee, Gamzee, just, stop talking, oh my god, I'm going to suffocate on the stupid, the, the stupidity falling out of your fuck-ing lips." Not only was his speech much slower than he would've liked for his regular ranting pace, but wanting to cough in between every word was pacifying his words. "It's just captain lispy again, I dunno, actually, like, man, probably not. John's missing. Or some shit. I don't even know. Everything just sucks."
"Sollux, man? You got some shit going on. I don't even fucking know, but John's gone? Isn't he dating that guy or some shit? He's probably with him motherfucker. You know. Like. At his house or some shit." he said thoughtlessly, forgetting to try and spare Karkat the pain. But honestly he was the kind of guy that liked to let everything out into the wind, and let free. Because what's the point in stressing?
"Mrrphhh." With Gamzee's words Karkat buried his face in the clown boy's chest, refusing to believe he was right. "Shut up. Shut up shut up. Yeah they're dating, so what? Not like, it matters. I'm his best friend. He's never supposed to abandon his best friend for some dumb bitch. I. He should focus on just me. I'm better. I'm always there for him. I'm, I'm prettier man. I don't know what he sees but it's stupid because who gives a shit he's always going to come crying back to me anyway. God damn, Gamzee! You look, you look nice today. Did you, cut your hair or something?"
Gamzee's hand ventured to carress the other's hair. He listened to the long speech, just stroking his hair. "Hey motherfucker, calm your tits. He'll be back later. And I just woke up." he was attempting at being the supportive friend, if this is how Karkat was when he got high... Gamzee would have to m ake sure to buy a little extra for the ohter. To let him relax a bit. "Okay. Get up. C'mon. We'll go find him, doesn't his phone have a tracker or some shit?"
"I don't want to go. I. He's prolly just happy to get rid of me for a little. Iono. I just, just like. Don't know how to explain it. You know I I don't. Whoa!" Spinning his head suddenly, his eyes widened as he stared into the kitchen. "What was that. Did you hear that?" Turning his head slowly he stared up at Makara, shifting closer and wrapping his fingers around the fabric, clutching him. "What if. It's a murderer. Holy shit. Gamzee. Gamzee!"
Gamzee cocked his head at the peer. "Bro, bro its all good. Shh. Calm." taking back his thought on the pot he scooted up a bit more and stroked Karkat hair. He was trying to coax him off of the other. "There is no one in the kitchen. You have to past the lving room before you get in there. There's not one motherfucking way a murderer coulda gotten in here, without us all up and motherfucking noticing."
"It could've snuck past us..." he furrowed his eyebrows, staring. "Who the fuck are you! Get the hell out!" Tavros a little shaken at the change in volume, had been listening in, and came into the living room quickly.
"I, I'm sorry! I just couldn't help but uh, hear and... Uh. So Sollux and John are dating?" Thinking it over for a moment, he smiled. "So that's who Sollux was telling me about." While Tavros was reeling on about the nice things Captor had said, trying to make conversation, and be nice in general, Karkat was glaring, unamused.
Gamzee looked between his two bros. "Hey Tavvy~ Can you fetch me a faygo?" he cut in suddenly. He was thirsty as all get out. And Karkat looked ready to pop. A slow, lazy smile formed on his face. "Nevermind. Got it." he stood and walked into the kitchen quickly. He wanted to inspect the powder in the bag he hadn't yet touched, and Tavros couldn't reach that motherfucking high.
Tavros and Karkat were staring down intensely, a bead of sweat threatening to slip down Nitram's face as he quivered slightly under Vantas' scrutinizing gaze. Still, Tavros smiled, feeling if he moved at all, he would provoke the beast. When Gamzee returned Tavros burst out laughing, in relief of course. "Gee Karkat, ahah, you're really funny! Hahaha! I guess you win the staring contest, uh, oh well, too bad for me!" God how he wished Gamzee would've let him go instead. This was torture.
Gamzee looked between them, grinning. He laid a tiny kiss to Tavros' head then walked to the couch with his small dish with the powder, and a straw. It wasn't really a straw, it was much shorter. And would suck up the powder quicker. "Never motherfucking challenge Karkat to a stare battle. He never motherfucking loses. It's like a motherfucking miracle or some shit."
Deciding to scoff at the words, though they were completely true, Karkat watched Gamzee curiously, from the kiss that Tavros giggled upwards at to how he was getting the dust ready. Why did it seem so strangely familiar? Then it clicked and Karkat whipped out suddenly, knocking the dish to the floor. "Hell no! You're not having whatever shit Vriska gave you! Nope nope nope!"
Gamzee was grinning at the giggling boy when his dish was swatted away. "Hey man. Not cool. That shit's expensive." he sighed slightly, but was happy they had wood floors. He picked up a pinch, and before Karkat could stop him, he sniffed it up into his nose. Now normally he would have listened to his friend, but his high was ddragging and something sharp seemed to be poking him in the head.
"Gamzee stop it! No!" Like a mother scolding her child, he grabbed Gamzee's hair with both hands, jerking him back. Hair pulling seemed like an increasingly common activity that was conducted with Gamzee. Reaching out with his foot, he tried to disperse the dust, stomping on it with his grey sneaker. "Get off the floor, I won't let you inhale that shit!"
"Hey, shit. Fine. Okay." he looked up at the arm that led to the hand clutching his hair, and stood up slowly. His nose was burning from the little he had snorted, and so, wiped at his nose. He sneezed ever so slightly, however the stubborn drug didn't leave, and for that he was grateful. He looked over at Tavros and grinned.
Karkat hadn't been expecting Gamzee to take it so nicely. He might have been high, but he'd still spent a shit ton of money on whatever the hell that was. How odd. Karkat was in the mood for arguing. But for himself, he decided it'd be wise not to. Just this once, he'd go against his urges. Tavros however, had been passively examining the entire ordeal, desperately wishing he could become invisible in that moment, hoping he wouldn't get involved. But Gamzee, being Gamzee, had seemed to quench the fires of conflict, and it seemed safe to acknowledge him, returning the grin with a large, goofy smile.
Gamzee was happy at the grin returned to him. But his attention drifted back over to the other. "Now that you've ruined my motherfucking high, you're gonna drive to the other side of town, Captor's house to check if John is there. You don't have to talk or whatnot. Just make sure he's all up and motherfucking alive. And not dead."
Was Gamzee, ordering him around? Well this was new. But lucky for him, he was still feeling defiant. "I'm not going anywhere! You're always high, so it's not like you should really give a shit anyway!" Well out goes the window the being nice bullshit. It wasn't going to last very long anyway.
"A'ight motherfucker." Gamzee didn't put up much of a fight. He let out a few chuckles and lolled his head back. "But you're gonna regret it~" he said teasingly, a grin on his face. In full out teasing mode. "Man motherfucker... the light, its so spectacular. It's miraculous." He murmured, as he quickly got distracted.
"Gonna... regret it?" The words were much too ominous. "No, Gamzee, over here." Karkat snapped in front of the boy's face, distracting his attention. "What do you mean regret it? Do you know something? Is there something you're not telling me? Spill it, juggalo douchetit!" Paranoia was kicking in. This was no laughing matter, and how Gamzee was making a joke of Karkat's emotions, well, it was just, infuriating!
"Woah bro. Calm yo tits. Man. I don't know shit." he said with a grin on his face, his eyes were slightly blinded from the light and it caused Karkat to look funny. How bright and glowing he all up and was. Man, maybe Karkat was his own fucking miracle. Who motherfucking told him to all up and glow like that? Motherfuckng miracles bro.
Glaring, he watched Gamzee closely, waiting for the truth to come out. "Stop fucking squinting at me, would you? It's annoying as all hell. Gamzee!" He wasn't going to listen was he? Not at all. But anticipation was churning his gut with dread, and he gripped at his bro's hand. "C'mon, I'll drive, you inebriated fuck."
Gamzee let out a slow chuckle. "Aight. S'cool." he stood and stumbled a bit. Then turned to Tavros, "Be back sooon~" and blew a small kiss in his general direction, then turned around again. Another wave of chuckles hit him and he blinked a few times. The phosphorus going on behind closed eyes amused him. Especially when they took the shape of something he had just been looking at.
Tavros blushed, looking away before shutting the door. Karkat, however, was not in the mood for any of their lovey dovey bullshit. With a harsh tug, he grabbed the back of Gamzee's baggy shirt, dragging him to the car. He still felt a little lightheaded, but that was fine. It wouldn't interrupt with the driving skills of Mr. Vantas. In fact, it might even them out a little bit.
Gamzee stumbled a bit on the way down, but he didn't really have a say in what was happening. "Woah bro. Have you been all up and motherfucking working out? Man, you're strong." he said, completely distraacted by this new revelation. When they arrived at the car, and Karkat released him, Gamzee stumbled to the passenger side of the car, laughing silently.
Karkat glanced at his friend as he sat down beside him, glaring even more harshly than before. "What's funny? Is something funny? Is this funny to you? My misery and pain? Because you know, I could laugh all night long about how you've at this point intimidated Tavros' into whatever the hell kind of shit you've been conducting since I got here!" Why! Why was everyone happy but him? Couldn't he get just one chance to be happy?
Gamzee cocked his eyebrow at the other. "You need to chill bro." he relaxed back into the seat and looked around the car. Grinning slightly again. He had no fears of his friend driving high, he had done it enough himself. And what was a little swerving in the scheme of things, really?
"I don't need to chill, BRO." Why were Karkat's eyes getting so irritated all of the sudden. This didn't usually happen. He'd gotten used to the secondhand smoke over the years. He rubbed his eyes, returning his hands to the wheel. But they burned again, all of the sudden. This time he rubbed them harder. He couldn't even see the road properly. Blinking it away, he saw the car whizzing by them,and jostled the wheel, throwing himself to the side. "Gh, shit! This is all your fault Gamzee! Why aren't you watching the damn road!" His voice cracked during the last word, sending a fissure right through the anger he was lashing out with. Why was this happening? He was becoming the typical spluttering idiot everyone hated. He hated himself. He hated everything.
"I'm sorry motherfucker." Gamzee apologized innocently, although truthfully he wasn't to blame. "Hey man, want me to drive? You got some sparkling sadness dripping from your eyes..." he said unsurely. He cared about his motherfucking best bro, and was slgihtly worried, even through his high state. Even though the little bit of the drug he had tried was messing with the real world around him.
"No, I don't!" Karkat refuted the accusation, pulling over on the road with a harsh turn. Was this what hopelessness felt like? Karkat refused to let himself bawl. Not in front of Gamzee. Not now. Not ever. Still, he had to somehow compose himself, didn't he? Wrapping his arms over his head, Karkat pressed his forehead on the steering wheel. At first it started with his shoulders bobbing, and before he knew it, he was a snivelling moron. He shifted his head away from Gamzee. "Fuck you," he murmured, holding his breath to wipe at his cheeks with a sleeve. There. Now he looked okay, right?
Gamzee reached out a hand and softly stroked Karkat's hair. "Man, it's gonna all be motherfucking okay." he murmured softly. He would always be there for his best bro, no mattter what the cause. Even if he was sadness bottled up and overflowing like a shaken bottle of faygo. And shaken, he all up and motherfucking looked.
Smacking Gamzee's hand away, he sniffled once more, wiping at his nose now. "Nothing's okay. Don't tell me it's going to be okay, because it's not. This is shit, you're shit, I'm shit, we're just a huge collective sack of shit! Don't you get it? And all we do is fuck around mindlessly on this god damn planet, nothing important to contribute, nothing important is ever going to become of our insignificant, pathetic fucking lives! Everything is just a lie! And, I'm sorry for being such a shitty friend, I really am! I don't know why you haven't drop kicked me the fuck out of your life yet. I just, don't know, a-a-anything a-a-anym-more." Choking on your words was always elegant.
"Man, motherfucker." Gamzee reached his hand out again, to stroke the other's hair. "Man, some miracles gonna all up and swoop down and pick you up. Take you motherfucking flying. Shit's gonna happen. But you're gonna be motherfucking flying and above it all. Like, nothing can touch you up there. Then when the hail storm passes by, you'll land again. And the world will be a motherfucking wonderland."
Maybe that made sense. Maybe that was what Gamzee did? The miracles sweeping him away, well, he'd found a way to bring it upon himself. Wow, Makara was much more intelligent than he'd led people on to believe. With a gross inhale, Karkat slid his sleeve under his nose again, daring to peek at the clown, red eyes moist and puffy. "You... you mean it?" he asked, quieter than a whisper.
"Course I motherfucking mean it bro. Why wouldn't all up and motherfucking mean it? Mircales solve all the little problems, and the motherfucking huge ones as well." he gave a lazy smile and papped Karkat on the head lightly with his hand. "You should all up and motherfucking know, you get yourself into some reeeal motherfucking troubles sometimes. Just gotta let them miracles find you outta it. And don't ever try to motherfucking understand it bro."
"Don't try to understand..." he repeated in a murmur. Letting the courage muster up, he finally peeled away from the steering wheel, wiping away at the tears furiously before slamming his hands back down at ten and two. "Well that's it! I just gotta follow my gut, right? Or something like that! Gut instincts are miracles! No regrets! No turning back! So that means I just! I..." A confused look crossed over his face and he turned back to look to Makara for guidance. "Should I... go to Sollux's or... go home because... I... What? I don't feel like... Miracles are at work here..."
"Man motherfucker, you're not letting it all up and flow. It needs to flow, like the wind." and he made a slight wriggling wave gestures with his arms for emphasis. "Like that motherfucker, don't second guess decisions you've all up and motherfucking made. No, don't make decision's at all. Just let it all motherfucking like bam. There it goes. All up and motherfucking happening in here!" he said in a play shout, ending in chuckles.
A half-smile crept its way onto Karkat's face. He was sure to angle the smile portion away from Gamzee. Still, there was no holding back the laugh that made its way from Vantas, laughing in a disgustingly sweet and genuine way at his friend's reaction. "But I don't know what to do!" Karkat cried out in a giggle, feigning despair. "You're my miracle, asshole, now guide me!" He reached out to his right to shove Gamzee's cheek with his palm, tsking.
Gamzee chuckled and ginned at his best bro. "Man motherfucking. Someone all high up in the motherfucking giggles plane. Sure, I'll be your motherfucking miracle. Errr... down this road. Onward~" he said with a lopsided grin, taking care to gently wrap his hand around the others wrist, and lead it to stroke Karkat's hair, petting really.
"Goddamn it, shut up, so I giggled on accident!" Ever since the two were young, Vantas had been working on that damn giggle. How it always snuck back up. He found it annoying as all hell, but Gamzee seemed to like it... Which still made Karkat smile a little. "What, are you doing?" he inquired, side glancing with grey eyes while hitting the gas in the direction Gamzee'd pointed. Just looking onward made him cringe. Captor again. But this time he had his best bro to help him through it! "And you've always been my miracle, dipshit. It's never been consensual." Ghhh, ew ew ew, sentimentalities, grossss.
Gamzee grinned and chuckled again."Well motherfucker. Just making my Karkitty pet himself. Y'know. In motherfucking reward, or celebration of some shit." he murmured and took his hand away. He then relaxed in his seat, he watched the blurred colors outside the window with a grin. "Man. You drive like a motherfucking train. Like just mixing them colors all up in here. Making a fucking mosaic or some shit."
"Are you trying to tell me I'm a bad driver? At least tell it to me straight, Makara." Trying not to understand why he'd wanted Karkat to celebrate at all, Vantas preoccupied himself with the route he was travelling now, remembering the way almost instinctively. However, around the final 30 or so yards, he'd slowed considerably. "This a better pace?" That house. Again. He was dreading having to see it, but really, he didn't have a choice anymore. Well, actually. He could drive right past it! Gamzee would never know, right? Inching past, and not connecting his eyes to the humble abode. He wouldn't dare give it away at this point.
"Naw man. Love your motherfucking driving. Man, isn't that Captor's pad? Haven't seen it in motherfucking forever. Like...when the hell was I here last? Probably with my motherfucking best friend right here. Man." he looked at the house with slight amazement, 'who knew houses could be so motherfucking big? 'nough space for like shit ton of motherfucking miracles.'
"Auuuuugh... Yeah, that must be his place..." With great reluctance, he stopped the car entirely, lingering inside to watch the looming task ahead. "Yeah. Last time we were here was his stupid... Uhm, halloween costume party horseshit or whatever." Okay, Karkat wasn't going to lie. He'd gotten wasted, and sort of, maybe, kind of had a good time. Sollux was acting extremely nice though, which was infuriating. But now, Karkat wanted it back. Nice Sollux would never have stolen John away.
"Maaan. I fucking remember that! Barely, but it was motherfucking great. All fizzy and shit. It was like a fucking faygo. It was a Faygo fucking party. Man." he said, yet again rambling about shit no one really cared about. Then climbed out of the parked car and went around to the other side, and like a gentleman opened the other's door. "C'mon man."