Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or settings. They belong to Andrew Hussie.
AN: Blah. I'm in love with Broadway Karkat.
Guest: I know she doesn't usually drag out her words, but she was whining. Usually when people/trolls whine, they drag out the syllables of words.
JohnKat Lover: You're welcome! :D
TheFanficReader: NUH UH! I LOVE YOU WAY MOREEEE. And no I'm not! D: You should download pesterchum. o.o
"You… became the wind?" Karkat asked as he stared at the boy with awe.
John nodded and furrowed his eyebrows.
Why would a palace just disappear…
Unless…
Someone was deliberately trying to keep them away.
Wait!
That's it!
Jack must be there!
Something didn't seem right, though.
Wouldn't Jack have taken more precautions if that was actually where he was hiding?
What if this was some sort of trap?
"John?" Jade asked, worry evident in her voice, "Are you alright?"
The raven-haired boy quickly forced a smile -not that she could tell- and answered, "Yeah. I'm fine."
Unlike Jade, Karkat was able to tell that his smile was fake.
He crossed his arms and gave his matesprit a hard look, but said nothing.
John probably didn't want to say whatever it was that was bothering him in front of Jade.
"Well this is purrfect!" Nepeta purred.
"We can head towards that mysterious palace! I'm sure it couldn't have gotten far. Oh! This is just like a game of cat and meowous."
Karkat sighed and said, "We better get a move on. Since you know the way, Egderp, you can lead the way."
All John did was nod as he got in front of everybody.
What was with the nagging feeling in his stomach?
Was something bad going to happen?
COP (CHANGE OF PERSPECTIVE):
John sure was acting strange.
Did he know something that he and the others didn't?
Karkat began rubbing his temples.
He had a serious headache and Nepeta's constant humming was making it worse.
He had to bite his tongue so he didn't start raging.
By the time the sun had set (Karkat and Nepeta were wearing specially made cloaks to protect them from the sunlight), they decided to make camp near a stream they found in a clearing.
Jade and Nepeta were currently talking animatedly about kittens, whilst John and Karkat sat by the steam, enjoying the tranquility.
At least, Karkat was.
John was still thinking about that nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"John," Karkat began breaking the silence between them.
The raven-haired teen glanced at his matesprit out of the corner of his eye and waited for him to continue.
"What's wrong? You've been really quiet."
John waiting a minute before he spoke, as he tried to conjure up the right words.
"I have this nagging feeling like something bad is going to happen and it's making me paranoid."
Karkat turned to John and made him look in his eyes.
"It's about the palace, isn't it?"
His only response was a nod.
"Don't worry – I'm not letting you go in it."
His matesprit glared at him and replied, "I'm going in whether you like it or not. This is my fight too."
"John-" Karkat tried cutting him off, but was cut off instead.
"I know you said you'd protect me because I was yours… But I'm not weak! Sure… I may be on the verge of cracking but who Gog-flipping cares! I can fight – you know that. Hell, you've seen me. I don't want to stand on the sidelines and wait. I just… want everything to go back to the way it was before Sburb happened. I mean, I don't regret meeting you trolls, or anyone else for that matter. I just – gah."
John stopped his little rant and cradled his head within his hands.
"I'm tired," he muttered.
Karkat let out a sigh and pulled the smaller boy up against his chest and rested his chin on his head.
"I flush you, John," He said softly.
He received a 'flush you' back in response.
"I just don't want to lose you again. Nobody does. I know I won't be able to convince you to go back to the hive, so I want you to promise me that when we finally make it to the palace -and figure out a way to get in it without being seen-, that you'll be careful. Alright?"
He felt the teen push back against him in attempt to steal some of his body heat.
"Okay, Karkat. I promise. You better promise me too. I don't want you going and dying on me. Oh – and Karkat… You matured a bit over the years/sweeps. It's going to take a while to get used to not hearing your swearing all the time," John chuckled softly.
That sound was so… beautiful.
Melodic.
Karkat decided he loved that sound.
He wanted to hear more of it.
"Your laugh is adorable," he whispered just loud enough for his matesprit to hear, causing a light blush to fall upon the raven-haired teen's cheeks.
"Do you have a swearing fetish that I should know about? Because I can fucking swear all the fucking time for you if you fucking want. I usually only swear if I'm pissed. But… I guess I have matured a bit. We all have. Except for Strider. And I promise. I will not die for your sake."
John let a small smile reach his lips and replied, "Nah. I don't think I have one. Dave will never mature. Did you know, he's still afraid of puppets? And good."
The troll let his eyes fall shut and said, "Nope. I'd probably be afraid of them too, if I were in his position. No one wants a bunch of puppet dongs falling on them."
He wrapped his arms around John just as the moons were beginning to rise.
How's he so brave?
How can he say that he's ready to face what remains of our dreams?
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