Hey, I know it's been forever and I'm done making you guys promises I can't keep. Lots of personal stuff has come up wince I moved including the ever present need to either get a real job (i.e. not retail part time) or go back to school. I'll post when I get stuff written down. I'm really sorry. I know you guys enjoy this and I want to continue to bring it to you. here is chapter 21. Enjoy!

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Karkat awoke with a start, trying to sit up. A sharp pain shot through his stomach and he fell back, coughing. He groaned and rolled onto his side. He hurt all over but he couldn't remember why. He saw John, passed out on the chair next to his bed and the memories came flooding back. Him being beat up, Not knowing how John was. John appeared unharmed in the chair next to him.

"John..." he wheezed out. John's eyes shot open.

"Karkat?! Are you okay?" He slid out of the chair and knelt next to Karkat's bed.

"I hurt." Karkat grumbled. "But I'll live. Are you okay?"

John nodded. He grabbed Karkat's hand.

"I was so worried."

Karkat blushed only lightly, his blood had other things to do dammit.

"Thanks fuckass. I'm fine though." he lied. He had shooting pain all over his body, but he was going live. "Thank you John... for saving me."

John smiled but it wasn't his normal smile. It was smaller, more half felt almost.

"I had to Karkat. I had to stop them." he said.

Karkat looked into his eyes something was off. He couldn't tell what was going on in that head. Why did John seem so... distant yet not at the same time. Something was throwing him off.

"Are you okay?" he asked tentatively.

"Yeah I'm fine. They didn't hurt me."

"No, I don't mean physically. Are you okay?" he asked again. John paused looking torn about something.

"I just... I don't want you to be upset with me..."

"Why would I be upset with you?"

"Because I... I don't know... you might have blamed me for what happened?"

"Why would I do that? John that's fucking stupid. Come here." John leaned down. "Closer." John leaned closer and Karkat closed the distance between them, pressing their lips together. He held it for a second then fell back to the bed, relaxing his screaming muscles. "There, now give me a real smile."

John was a bright red. He looked confused for a second before it all clicked and he beamed wide. This time, Karkat actually returned the smile with his own. John leaned down and hugged Karkat.

"OW! Whoa! Easy there. Still hurting here dumbass." John let go and grinned at him.

"Need anything to eat or drink?" John asked

"Something that doesn't require a lot of chewing."

"You got it."