After receiving the paper with the drone's raid schedule on it Karkat asked Equius to stay in the room while he went to explain everything to Sollux. There were always different lowbloods wandering in and out of the hive and if they had never met the blue blood before it could frighten them off. Therefore it was easier for him to round them up and explain before they throw a bitch fit. Or if any had already seen the blue blood not to panic further. While Gamzee's first reaction to Equius was chalked up to him not recognizing the other troll, therefore leaving them together shouldn't be too awful right?
Once Karkat had left the room Gamzee and Equius were stuck sitting side by side one another on the cushion slab. Those purple eyes would glance down at the indigo blood ever so often. Making the poor troll sweat, something he had been sure he had gotten control of with age. But of course Gamzee was bringing out all his worst habits. He did not even dare make eye contact. He could only hope this troll had forgotten their less than favorable interactions of the past. Perhaps his old sopor filled haze would aid in a lack of memory.
This was true, he did have bits and pieces that were lost to the void of his pan. But he did remember a few interactions between himself and the only troll within walking distance. Well beside Eridan, but he never seemed too keen on getting close. The history living troll had probably read tales of clowns from the past. It would be smart to be weary of even the most absent minded, seemingly peaceful, murder machine in the making. Needless to say they were never really close. But Gamzee had made attempts to reach out to Equius in the past. Everything being met with disdain and a good tongue lashing or two.
"So…" Gamzee was the first to break the silence. He was still hunched over, with those clawed finder tips pressed together between his knees. "How did the whole thing between you and Karbro start?" He asked with his eyes still staring forward.
"O-oh. Right. Me and Vantas." Equius said the words slowly. He seemed to be prolonging what he had to say. He had to think of a good way to put this. "Well… you see Highblood-"
"Don't call me that." Gamzee snapped. He didn't have his respect before and he didn't need it now.
"My apologies,- Makara?" Equius spoke his name in a questioning manner, but when he didn't get backlash he assumed it was fine. "Me and Vantas are not exactly "dating". It is simply the easiest way for us to convince other highbloods we are not suspicious in our time spent with one another." Equius' hand rubbed the back of his neck. Moving long strands of black silk hair out of the way. He had grown stronger with age, larger. Even a tad bit more confident in himself and his beliefs.
"But how me and Vantas started this little charade is rather interesting." Equius continued as he seemed to gain the purple's attention. Those pointed ears perked up and his eyes shifted to him. He even moved his body more to face Equius as he listened. "It was Karkat's idea to start this operation. Protecting trolls on the drones radar. He came rather close to being detected a few sweeps back. Nepeta jumped to help and I believe Captor followed in suit. I was… very opposed to it. It was dangerous and reckless." He stopped a moment, his eyes seemed to almost fade at the memory. "But Nepeta would not take no. I knew she wouldn't and I knew there was no way I could convince her otherwise."
"Damn I have seen Solbro but it would be nice to see Nepsis after it's been so mothetfucking long." Gamzee grinned some to the thought. He really was happy to finally see everyone again. See how they age and grown over the sweeps. There was a small tug at the corners at the corners of Equius' lips. It seemed dismal and soft. Not what Gamzee had expected.
"I am sure she would have loved to see you again Makara." He took a deep breath, his upright perfect posture slumping a moment and his tone going soft. Remorseful even. "At the start of all this I refused to aid in the harboring of illegal trolls. I refused to give any information in hopes that they would give up… it was simply selfish of me. Yet, I didn't pay the price. The drones caught wind of one of these trolls that Vantas had attempted to save and Nepeta tried to defend them. She was no match for the drones. Not even I can beat those mechanical monstrosities." His voice trailed off and his eyes shut tight. He clenched his fists until the knuckles turned a light blue. Then his hands relaxed and he let out a breath. "I learned my lesson after that."
"I'm- I'm sorry Equius." Gamzee couldn't help but mutter. He reached out slowly to take his shoulder in his hand. Giving him a gentle and reassuring squeeze. Even with all he had done in the past he realized how much damage the empire brought on trolls. How easily his moirail was taken from him. It had made the blue blood guarded and gain a sour outlook on the empire.