"Are you sure you don't want to stay over tonight?" You ask Nepeta.

"Fef, you know I would love to but…"

You feel that little monster in the pit of your soul lift its irritable little head and before you can stop it, it speaks in your voice, finishing Nepeta's sentence. "Gamzee'll worry, I know."

She looked at you with some disappointment and you felt the monster retreat into its cave again.

"Yeah…" She mutters, taking out her keys.

She steps up to her door and you want so badly to take Nep's hand and hold it until the end of time, just so she won't go inside but you know that you can't because it's wrong… so you don't. So you walk to your car and unlock it instead. You place Tavros into the back and buckle his seatbelt, almost wrapping it around his huge horns.

Nepeta unlocked the door already so you rush over to her and hug her from behind, alerting her to your presence first of course, so as not to frighten her and you thank her.

You see the corner of her mouth turn up slightly.

"Thank you," She says and that's all you needed so you release her and watch her go inside and close the door.

You feel your smile begin to fade and you look back to your car, see your new friend and feel almost better… Almost.

You get into the car and smile to him. He gazes at you with those big old eyes that seem to smile to you even though he doesn't really smile.

As you start driving home, you realize something you truly failed to grasp at any time before just now.

There is a troll. In the backseat.

"Sooo… you hungry, sweetie?"

"No…" Tavros mutters.

You look in the window. He doesn't look exactly well fed either, though.

"Did… Cal not want me anymore?"

Oh, Goodness. You suppress the urge to slam on the brakes right then and there… How do you say this delicately..?

"Oh, no, that's not it at all, Tavros. They simply, well, no not really simply, couldn't… keep you anymore."

The boy is silent for a while and you feel anxiety and sympathy for this little guy welling up inside of you.

You hear the poor kid sniff.

"They did like to draw a lot,"

"Were they good?" You ask in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Well… yeah. Really good, actually…" You see him smile and chuckle when you glance at your mirror while stopped. "We would, uh, watch a lot of Disney movies together and they drew all my favorites."

Disney! A huge smile grows on your face.

You remember watching The Little Mermaid with Meenah when it came out in theatres and giggling and staring in awe at the beautiful oceans… Wondering why everyone except Meenah and yourself were fawning over Prince Eric. You remember all too well marveling in Ursula, finally an animated woman with your body type…

You realize you meant to actually say at least some of these things aloud so you can show Tavros you have at least this in common with him but instead your mouth was just hanging open like a fish out of water.

"Sorry, I, uh, talk too much sometimes… uh-"

"Oh! No, that's not it at all! I grew up with Disney movies!" You quickly recover the conversation, praying that if the two of you bond over movies, he might like you? Not as much as Cal obviously, but… enough. "What's your favorite?"

"Peter Pan!" he replies almost immediately.

"Ooh… I haven't watched that one in a long time. Maybe we could watch it some time!

A few seconds go by and without having to even look at him, you feel him retreating into his shell again.

"Maybe," he mutters, going back to staring at the stars and you feel your heart sink.

Maybe you shouldn't have taken him in so quickly. He needed more time to process this change in family. Maybe you should just turn back now and just say, "Haha! You know what? I don't think I'm cut out for this caretaking thing. You can find someone else, right? Or, better yet, why don't you just bring him with you? You don't have to leave him, he doesn't have to leave you, problem solved." But…

No. You couldn't do that… to either of them.

In a split second's decision, you make a left onto a sideroad instead of going home.

You made that turn a lot harder than you could have ever intended to and you swore you heard a small moo-like sound from the backseat.

"Sorry, sweetheart!"

"It's… okay, I think!... Why are we going back?"

"If you're gonna live with me from now on, I want you to feel at home."

You pull up to the curb by Cal's house and offer Tavros your hand to help him down. You don't know how quickly trolls age but you assume he can walk on two legs though you haven't seen it.

His tiny gray hand hesitantly takes yours and you smile and help him down onto the ground. You make your way up to the door and ring the doorbell, Cal emerging almost immediately, appearing surprised and a bit saddened by your return.

"You've come back," They glance down at Tavros. "Is something the matter?"

"Yes- well, no. I wouldn't say that something's the matter." You see relief wash over their face. "I realized on our way home that in the excitement of it all, I forgot to take Tavros' things."

"Ah, yes, I realized that as well. And, er, I realized also that I don't have a way to contact you. Do you happen to have Pesterchum?"

"But of course!" You say, taking out your phone and opening the Pesterchum app.

"Oh, how rude of me. Why don't you come inside?" They offer.

You want to deny because you already feel guilty enough coming back unexpectedly. "I don't wish to intrude…" You mutter, sounding almost as sheepish as Nepeta.

"Nonsense, love. You're my friend, not an intruder."

"Nepeta's boyfriend thinks otherwise…" You chuckle, half-joking.

"Sounds to me he's a sour man. You are a pleasure." Cal smiles and places their hand on your shoulder, guiding you inside.

"You have no idea, Cal."

"So, shall I offer you a drink? A snack? Truthfully I don't have all that much but I'm glad to host you."

"Oh, no all I want is your pesterchum ID. No need to serve me or anything."

"Ah, right. Sorry, love." Cal blushes abashedly, taking out their phone as well. "I don't get company too often."

You hand Cal your phone and they do the same.

You hear Cal laugh and look up from your phone. "Do you swim, Feferi?"

"Ah, well, I used to until I started running Crocker Corp and baking for a living."

"Sounds lovely."

"Well, I'm spending time making cakes in stead of my mother, out of love for her legacy, which also happened to be a multi-million business. It's a lot of pressure but it's fun since I get to make new recipes and… Sorry, I probably sound pretentious."

"Not at all. Even if that were so, you have the bragging rights."

"Thank you, I think… If that's something I can say thank you to, heh."

At this opportunity, you hand back each others phones and you glance down at your new chum's handle… ultramarineUniverse.

"It is, I admit quite uninspired. I do draw and that is what I'm going to University for but other than that I'm not the most creative person."

"No, Cal, I think it's very pretty and it suits you. After all," You glance around their house and see many space themed decorations just in the entryway. "You seem pretty into space… Why not go into that field?"

"Ah, no. I simply admire the aesthetic of it all."

"Well, either way you are admirable for going back to college."

"Thank you, Feferi."

You glance down at Tavros who you momentarily forgot was the reason you drove here in the first place.

"Oh, sorry, Tavros. Uh… Is there any way I can help pack?"

"Uh… not to be rude or anything but… I think I would prefer being alone with Cal… for this."

"Tavros," Cal starts, likely about to chastise him about manners but to be quite honest with yourself, you didn't expect anything else.

"No, it's fine. We've only just met and it's only fair!" You say despite your heart sinking.

You'll just wait. They may be a while… final goodbyes and everything.

This… is for the best, right? Yeah.

You take a seat in a comfy looking chair- yup it sure is.

You look down at your phone… might as well tell your friends the news.

CC: s)(ello!

CC: ive got something to tell you…

GC: YOU'R3 G4Y? :P

AA: you dyed your hair? :0

AC: SHE GOT A TROLL!

CC: nep!

AC: what? they were gonna k33p guessing incessantly

CC: you ruined the surprise!

AC: sorry! :((

AC: i just have a surprise too!

GC: dcbaeffffffg

GC: YOU H4V3 4 TROLL? S1NC3 WH3N?

CC: earlier today but…

AC: buuut?

CC: i dont think he likes me

AA: whats not to like feferi?

AA: im sure youll be a great caretaker! :D

CC: i just.

CC: feel like i stole him

GC: W3LL *D1D* YOU ST34L H1M?

CC: well no but he wasnt ready to leave his previous owners hands

CC: theyre going back to england to pursue art and they cant take him with them so they were searching around basically without him knowing for someone who would take him in

GC: TH3Y W3R3 DO1NG 1T W1THOUT TH3 K1D'S KNOW1NG?

GC: NO WOND3R H3'S SO R3S1ST4NT. H3'S D1STR4UGHT.

CC: thats why i feel so bad!

CC: they feel guilty too but they need to leave soon so if i turned it down…

AA: he mightve gone to a shelter :(

CC: yeah!

CC: yeah..

AC: oh god i forced you into it didnt i?

AC: im sorry feferi

CC: no!

CC: no sorry nep!

CC: i wanted to have someone around! I just didnt know how to go about it

GC: D3SP1T3 YOUR COMPL3T3 L4CK OF 3XP3R13NC3 W1TH TROLLS WH4TSO3V3R?

AC: terezi! :((

AA: terezi!

GC: WH4T? JUST T3LL1NG H3R HOW 1T 1S.

CC: no shes right

AA: well

AA: parenting is an experience

AA: you learn by doing it!

AA: terezi, you had no experience before vriska correct?

GC: Y3S.

GC: BUT 1 4LR34DY *KN3W* TH1NGS 4BOUT TROLLS.

GC: L1K3 QU4DR4NTS 4ND SH1T.

CC: that doesnt mean im incapable of learning

CC: 8/.

GC: 1 KNOW

GC: 1 D1DN'T M34N 1T L1K3 TH4T, 1'M SORRY.

CC: whatever

CC: its fin

Well. That went just swimmingly. You drop your phone facedown on your lap.

You appreciate Terezi's honestly but she didn't need to be so blunt. You already felt bad, thinking everything she was saying and she just reaffirmed it all… Were Aradia and Nepeta thinking the same thing?

You take a deep breath and imagine yourself physically pushing those thoughts away.

You are calm.

You see Cal walk towards you with Tavros's things in… more or less a suitcase, their face blotchy and red.

You guess there's no turning back now and ask, "Where's Tavros?"

"He'll be out in a moment. I just wanted to thank you again for doing this."

"Yes, of course!"

Tavros walks over to you but not too close, wrapping his arms around himself.

"You ready to go, Tavros?" You ask gently.

He blinks away his bronze tears and nods without a word and you feel that pit in your stomach again.

You hold your arms out to Cal who really seemed to need a hug and they gratefully accept. They're a nice hugger despite their somewhat small frame. Not as good as Nepeta though. Nepeta gives great hugs.

"Feel free to check in whenever you wish."

"Thank you… I am wholly and eternally grateful to you." Cal pulls out of your hug and wipes a tear from their cheek. "Good night."

You feel yourself choking up now. "Good night."

You walk out of Cal's house and Tavros walks alongside you, glancing up at you for a moment.

You're pretty sure you know the way home but to be absolutely sure, you pull up Waze after getting Tavros in the car.

You pull out of Cal's driveway and your mind drifts to what Terezi was saying earlier.

It isn't too late to learn, right?

You take a deep breath and allow yourself to let go and just focus on driving. All you hear is the wind and cars rushing past and Tavros's soft and gentle breaths.

You hear a dull clunk on the backseat window and you jump, glancing back for a moment.

"Tavros, love, are you alright?"

No response.

You stop at a light and look back again. His face is smooshed against the window and he's clouding it up with his breaths. You can't help but smile.

He must have fallen asleep looking at the stars. You get the feeling he got that from Cal.

You force yourself to turn your attention back to the road and before you know it, you've pulled into your driveway.

You turn the car off and get out, now realizing just how late it is. You open the back door as softly as humanly possible, looking at Tavros's smooshed face from the window perspective and snicker.

This kid is too adorable.

You unbuckle the seatbelt and pick him up, instinctively holding him like a baby.

Okay! He's… kinda smelly. Less adorable.

You'll just have to give him a bath tomorrow. It'd be mean to wake him up now.

You close the car door with your hip and lock it after you grab his things as well.

You think you'll give Tavros your bed tonight and you'll sleep on the couch until you get everything ready and settled.

You walk up the driveway and to your door, clumsily unlock it because you are literally just one person holding a child with huge horns that could blind you with just one wrong move… You suddenly have a strong desire to put him down.

You close the door and make a mental note to feed the fishies before you retire for the night. You place Tavros's things on the floor and walk upstairs to your bedroom, put Tavros on the bed and tuck him in, kiss him on the forehead.

You get undressed and pull on a night gown and put your clothes in the To Clean pile and finally turn off the lights and leave the door open a crack because you don't know him that well and don't want him to feel scared in the dark, if he is.

You walk back downstairs, hearing nothing but your feet patting the floor. Then you hear your phone vibrate on the table by your fish.

You shake the food flakes into the tank and pick your phone up.

AC: hey fef

AC: you mind coming over tomorrow?

AC: ive got something to tell you and i want you to be the first to know

CC: oh shore!

CC: is everything alright nep?

AC: oh yeah sorry!

AC: its good news i purromise

CC: would you mind if i brought tavros along?

AC: oh no thats perfect!

AC: he can talk with equius and karkat!

CC: is tomorrow morning fine?

CC: ill let you know before i come in this time lol

AC: sounds good! night! 3

CC: 3

In the morning, you wake up on the couch… oh, right you have Tavros now.

You open your eyes and Tavros is sleeping next to you..

You sit up and caress his cheek and say his name. You see him stir and open his eyes.

"Morning Tavros," you say.

Tavros jumps back and blushes. "Uh… sorry, I don't think I'm comfortable with that."

You pull your hand back. "Oh."

You… don't know what you did wrong but… okay?

"Sorry… I was just being motherly, I guess."

"So… you weren't making pale advancements?"

"What advancements?"

"Er… Pale."

"What?"

"Oh… See, uh… trolls, like me, have four quadrants, four different kinds of uh… relations I think is the word. Moirailegiance, which is real close platonic love, we have evolutionarily to uh… keep each other sane basically."

"And you thought I was trying to… moray… you?"

"M.. Moirail, and yeah."

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

"Sorry! I don't… really know much about troll culture."

"Well, I uh… could teach you!" Tavros smiles, seeming a bit unsure of himself and you smile ear to ear. It's almost like he read your mind!... Can he do that? You don't think trolls his color can do that… right?

"Thank you, Tavros! That's very sweet of you."

You feel your hunger pangs kick in and remember that neither of you ate dinner last night. "You hungry?" Tavros looks up and nods. "Like pancakes?" He nods enthusiastically. "Alright! Banana and almond pancakes coming up lickety split!"

While the pancakes cook, you get Tavros in a bath and allow him privacy to get all squeaky clean, leaving his clothes and a towel on the toilet.

You take a quick shower and get dressed and flip the pancakes, humming to yourself. Mmm…

You go back up the stairs to check on Tavros, knocking on the door.

"Uh… Feferi?"

"Yes?" You open the door, worried that something was wrong and you see Tavros with his arms splayed in the air and shirt wrapped around his horns. "Help."

With a bit of trouble and some worrying cloth ripping sounds, you get his shirt on and dry his hair.

You hold out your hand for him to hold and he, slightly less hesitantly than last time, takes it.

"Let's eat some breakfast! You remember the girl that came with me when I got you? Nepeta?"

"Uh… yeah?"

"We're gonna go visit her if you don't mind coming along. She has some trolls too!"

"Uh… really? Oh… What do I say?"

"Just be yourself, hon. They're a little mean looking but they're really sweet."

He smiles and nods. "Okay."

After letting Nepeta know, you drove to her apartment with Tavros in tow.

You walk in and she hugs you tightly.

"So, what's up?" You glance at Gamzee, who's leaning against the wall, hands in his hoodie pockets.

Nepeta grins and Gamzee takes one of his gross hands out and holds Nepeta's delicate and fragile hand.

"We're engaged!" She laughs and you feel the world melting away rapidly but before it does completely, you see Gamzee smirking at you maliciously and you know he's won.