The semester had started off decently enough for a certain Eridan Ampora. Yet not even a few weeks in it seemed the new object of his little chess game was struggling in the History department. So of course Eridan is going to lend out a completely charitable hand towards the pale man known as Karkat Vantas. No ulterior motives in that at all. Not only was he failing the latest history assignment but his fucking roots were pissing the man off. Seriously, who dyes the roots of their hair white? Why?! He had already requested multiple times to just help him dye all of his hair. To which Karkat was slightly apprehensive. Like it was some bullshit touchy subject and Eridan even noticing was an issue. Whatever, he didn't care that much. It was just something he constantly noticed day in and day out.

Well it seems that Eridan had finally whittled the man down enough to agree to a study date. At least that is what Eridan is calling it. Due to the fact he lived with a clown that may gut him if he stepped a toe out of whatever fucked up invisible lines that have been laid out it would be held at his place. Eridan had full plans to impress this man. Showing him the lavished life that he and his lead. How else are you supposed to get a date with anyone? Showing off of fucking course. Eridan was slightly surprised that Karkat did agree at all, especially with their first interaction going so south.

He supposed he should just be happy that it was happening at all. He had been nothing but nice to Karkat since they started classes together. That shrimpy little shit has not changed his attitude at all. Still getting pissy over almost nothing and snapping at him- yet in that same breath he would turn and try to give Eridan advice in anything and everything. They would get into mutual ranting sessions after classes which was the only way he even knew that Karkat was struggling. Their relationship was… strange, but also at the same time functional. Hell Karkat had nothing really to get out of talking with him, unlike almost all Eridan's other relationships in life. He worked in a wide web of work and social bonds that strictly benefited himself. Even him talking with Karkat was simply just a leg up on the opposition.

Regardless of all this Eridan got all dressed up and cleaned up his house for his little study date. Karkat should be over any moment and he wanted to make sure everything was perfect looking. Hell he even looked into Cronus' and his father's schedules to make damn sure no one was about to interrupt them. He can actually just have a normal time without the risk of his older brother scaring off someone he invited over. Someone not even there to fucking see Cronus. He was such a damn embarrassment. With that lingering thought he could hear someone pulling up their driveway. Glancing out the window there was a small little VW Beetle in black now parked right outside. A pretty small car for a pretty small guy he guessed. How cheap.

But the short, very familiar man slipped out of the driver's side and slung his backpack over his shoulder. He was dressed in a simple long sleeved shirt and grey pants, nothing at all impressive. Eridan pulled back from the window and rushed over to the door, opening it before Karkat could even knock. Much to the shorter's surprise. But that shock in those grey eyes turned into a bit of an annoyed scowl. That seemed to be his resting face more often than not.

"Wwhat took ya so long Kar?" Eridan teashed slightly as he opened the door for the pale man. Watching Karkat wonder his way in and glance around. The place was huge and overly lavish, yes, but not exactly something to impress Karkat. He had never been one to care for things like that. Now if he had a collection of something he was interested in that is a completely different story.

"Yeah yeah, I brought over the history book from class and my notebook. So we should be all set, I honestly just need help with the dates of events, not that actual events themselves. Hell flashcards may be all I fucking need but having someone to talk to helps." Karkat explained as he walked through the threshold and into the main living room "Where are we doing this?"

"I wwas thinkin in my room, but no one is home so it really doesn't matter." Eridan said this but already started around towards the stairs. To which Karkat honestly didn't care either way, he felt a bit less of Eridan being a threat and more that he needed to pass his next goddamn quiz. So he just simply did not care. Eridan's room was the last room down the hall and it was almost as large as the living room in Karkat's fathers house. Who the fuck ever needs this much room for a sleeping? Hell his bed was huge. "You can sit anywwhere." Eridan said as he flopped down in his desk chair before Karkat settled on the edge of his bed. It just seems the simplest.

"Alright so I made some flash cards and I just need you to help me run through them alright? Super fucking simple right? Not even you can fuck it up." Karkat scoffed to himself as he pulled his bag around and started to unzip it. However Eridan was less focused on what he was pulling out of his bag and more on his goddamn roots. Still fucking white. What the hell is that!?

"Yeah- you knoww your hair still looks like shit right? It is just goin to fuckin bother me the entire time you are here. I have some bleach-"

"Ampora I am not bleaching my fucking hair!"

"Wwell obviously you did once."

"Wait… what?" There was a long pause between the two before Karkat crossed his arms over his chest and scrunched up his nose "You think I dyed my roots, don't you?"

"Yes? You make it pretty fuckin obvious wwith howw white you make them." Eridan spoke as if this was obvious. He did not agree with whatever shitty fashion statement he was going for.

"Oh my god" Karkat exclaimed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I did not dye my roots. That is my natural hair color. I was just too lazy to do a touch up." He explained in an almost exhausted tone. Eridan just sat there a moment taking that in and then the pale skin okay that made a lot more sense with the contacts he wore. There was just a silence as Karkat started to open his book to the appropriate pages.

"I can help wwith that too. I'm sure my dad still has some black hair dye layin around somewwhere." Eridan finally just said. Hey it still annoyed the fuck out of him and he could fix it. Karkat looked up a moment before shrugging his shoulders passively, he was fine with a free dye job.