Sorry this took so long to get out I've been busy with college. I hope you guys like it and please review if you can.
They turned into one of the nicer neighborhoods in town, the kind with the decorative brick gate walls but no gate, and Karkat almost scoffed at the uniformity. All the houses were the same; pale yellow siding, gray shingles, and white trim, the lawns were all uniformly shaped with snow and decorations in them. Sollux pulled into one of the driveways, the third from the back on the right, and Karkat looked at him shocked as he exited the driver's side.
"Are you gonna get out or jutht thit there?" Sollux asked as he started up the driveway.
Karkat was taken aback by everything here when he caught up with Sollux, "How long have they lived here?" Karkat asked as he did a one-eighty to see the whole neighborhood.
"Long enough to know when someone new visits us Kaaaarkaaaat," came a familiar woman's voice.
Karkat spun around to see an older Vriska with her hair up and obviously pregnant. She had a "bebionic" prosthetic arm that moved as close to her old arm as possible and she was holding a laundry basket effortlessly. "Vriska, damn are you ok?" Karkat said as he rushed to take the basket from her.
"Oh Karkat you're just like everyone else, meddling in my house work." She said as she lead them in the house.
Right as they rounded the corner a winded John in an apron and sweating came rushing up to his wife, "Honey, I told you to sit down you have precious cargo and I'm quite fond of you too."
John helped her sit down as she said, "We're ok John, and you worry too much."
"No I worry the right amount." John said as he backed into Karkat who stayed behind the couple the whole way into the living room. "Oh you can just put that down over there Karkat," right after John said his name it clicked, "KARKAT!" John hugged his friend and caused the laundry to hit the floor and scatter everywhere.
"Joooooooohn, I just cleaned those." came the agitated response of the mother to be.
John rushed to pick it up, "I'm sorry honey…wait you weren't even supposed to be up. The doctor said to rest."
"Doctor schmoctor, I'm perfectly capable of doing normal things and he's a quack." Vriska said as she made to get up.
John stopped her and handed her a large plastic cup of water saying, "That quack is the man that went to college for this and knows what he's talking about."
Vriska took the water, drank it, and said, "Bluh bluh bluh."
John looked like he was losing a never ending battle, "Vriska Please?" When John used his wife's name Karkat saw it struck a chord, "You're worrying me."
She reached up with both hands and held his face close, "Ok, but only for my Boy Skylark." John held her hands and giggled before kissing her forehead.
Karkat felt an empty place in his heart seeing the two lovers holding each other and it only deepened when John laid his hand on Vriska's stomach. Sollux must have noticed because he said, "Tho I thee that John'th been cooking, doeth that mean lunch ith ready?"
John and Vriska blushed, catching the not so subtle hint, as John replied, "Yeah, I made turkey and bacon paninis with spicy mayo."
"I both hate and love that Kanaya showed you that website." Vriska said as her stomach growled audibly.
John started to fret saying, "I'm sorry I should have given you some earlier. Here let's go in here so you can eat." John helped Vriska up and led everyone to the dining room where a plate of sandwiches was waiting.
Everyone started to eat and chat about Vriska's troubles getting around and John talking about how stubborn his wife was, everyone was enjoying themselves when Vriska leaned on the table and asked, "So Karkat, how has the big city been?"
Karkat was surprised by the bluntness of her question until he remembered that she was never one for subtlety. The couple was eying him when he finally found the right words, "Well I gave Eridan a couple of premier Broadway tickets for his birthday, then I had to go with him since Fef wouldn't come around."
Vriska laughed and said, "Yeah she said he's been trying ever since she and Sollux split."
"Yeah it'th kinda thad to watch." Sollux said as he adjusted his glasses.
John chuckled and said, "That doesn't stop you. Every time you visit you have something to say."
"'Every time', how often do you visit?" Karkat asked a bit surprised. Sollux used to think John was annoying, he still does, but he used to hate Vriska.
"Well since you left and I was worried I would ask him to keep us up to date." John said as he collected the dishes and walked to the connected kitchen.
"I made fun of him for it and then these two started getting in cahoots to hook you up with John's sister," Vriska said looking at John specifically, "I told them that they had no right meddling in your love life."
"I was worried, Sollux said you barely leave your apartment. Can you blame a guy for trying to help a friend move on?" John said defending himself.
"Listen fuckass I'm perfectly capable of finding my own girl." Karkat said in a half joking tone.
"Yeah, Cathanova here met a girl in the thity." John and Vriska both looked happily shocked as Sollux continued, "Yep, thared a cab all the way to the airport."
"Kaaaarkaaaat, why didn't you tell us?" Vriska said inching closer to the table to examine every part of Karkat closely.
"Yeah man, what's her name? What does she do? Come on tell us." John said sitting next to his wife.
"Hey, I don't feel comfortable talking about her. I mean we aren't even friends I don't think." Karkat said. "She needed a cab, I had one, and then she gave me her number so she could pay me back."
"You have her number and didn't menthion it to me?" Sollux asked.
John looked at Karkat and asked, "Why does she need to pay you back?"
"I picked up the tab because he had to run the meter while I helped with her stuff." Karkat said as he started to blush.
"Kaaaarkaaaat, are you in love?" Vriska asked.
"What? No, I only met here once."
"Yeah and you offered a ride in your cab, helped with her stuff, paid for the whole ride, and then she asked for your number to pay you back. Most people would've thanked you and ran off." Vriska said. "Have you texted her at all since?"
Karkat was shocked by the woman's guts to say all that but he said, "No, she is visiting her sister." Then Karkat's phone went off and when he pulled it out he read the name.
"Where you supposed to see anyone else today?" John asked worried they were holding them up.
"Yeah, Latula and Mituna, but they don't know it yet." Sollux said.
Vriska was looking at Karkat knowingly and said, "It's that girl isn't it?"
Karkat was stunned, she was right; the name on his phone was shining into Karkat's pupils: Nepeta. He unlocked his phone and read the message:
Nepeta
"h3y I was wond3ring if I could purrhaps g3t your adr3ss. So I can s3nd you th3 mon3y"
1:15pm
Karkat barely heard Vriska ask, "Weeeeeeeell, what did she saaaaaaay?"
Karkat was still in shock and he said, "Uh…she wants to mail it to my address."
"Thhe wantth to know what?" Sollux exclaimed.
"Send it to her." John said excitedly.
"Ok ok, but what if it's just to mail it to me?"
Vriska got up, using John as a brace, and waddled to Karkat. She gently grabbed his face and said, "Terezi put this girl in your life Karkat, don't fuck it up. Besides, worse comes to worse you get your money."
Karkat nodded and sent the message, "Ok, it's done now what?"
Sollux stood up and said, "Well we need to head out."
"Long drive to your brother's house?" John asked as he helped his wife sit down.
"Yeah, they would live at the other thide of town." Came the lisped voice as Sollux stretched.
Vriska gave her husband leave to lead them out as she drank the water he had brought her from the kitchen earlier, "Well give those two our regards ok."
Sollux nodded and said, "Of courthe, you know they love when you call though right?"
John laughed and said, "That's what I keep saying when she wants me to tell my dad she loves him."
"Damn and he's family." Karkat said as he started to laugh.
Vriska got up and started towards what Karkat guessed was her and John's room saying, "Well I'm done being the brunt of the joke," she kissed John and said, "Walk them out I'm gonna take a nap ok."
John kissed her back and said, "Of course, I'll come check on you later ok." She nodded as john led them out to their car.
"Your houthe ith jutht as eventful ath alwayth." Sollux commented as he shook John's hand and climbed into the driver's seat.
"Yeah well wait 'til the little one is here." John said as Sollux shut the door and rolled the window down.
"Yeah, well don't call me to babythit." Sollux laughed.
"Don't worry, that will go to Uncle Tavros or Aunt Jade." John chuckled.
"Probably Tavroth then." Sollux said rolling up the window.
John Laughed and walked around to where Karkat was, looking at the house with a glazed over look, "Well-"
"She would have loved this place," John looked shocked at Karkat's words, "The placement of everything and the little planter section under the window, it would've been her dream house."
John looked sympathetic and said, "I'm sorry, I guess I didn't think about it when I was being so…mooshy in there."
Karkat looked at his old friend and said, "No, that's your wife in there." John was shocked by Karkat's tone, "She's carrying your child and you two have a life worth living. I'm happy for you."
John hugged his friend and said, "You still have a future Karkat and I agree with Vriska, this girl was put here for a reason."
"Yeah, I guess it is time for me to move on. You fuckasses are probably right." Karkat said as he and John released each other.
"Watch yourself Vantas, that's my wife you're talking about." John said as Karkat got in the car.
The door shut and Karkat said, "How old do you feel saying that?"
"Old enough to know you shouldn't be such a stranger, especially if you're gonna be the godfather." John commented as they backed out.
Karkat felt honored and shocked at what he heard but before he could say anything Sollux rolled up the window, so all he could do was wave. The ride across town was filled with carols and talking about the lights through town. They pulled into the Pyrope driveway, a large house that shows what the family was worth financially. Karkat felt a pit in his gut when they pulled into the front and saw Latula in the front doorway.
Sollux parked the car and Karkat was grateful for the tinted windows. Mituna came out and seemed excited to see his brother and Karkat felt the weight grow. Sollux got out and waved, "Hey, I wath trying to thurprithe you."
Latula giggled as Mituna ran to give Sollux a hug before saying, "There are very few ways you can surprise us dude."
"Yeah, we alwayth ethpect you." Mituna said letting his brother go.
Sollux laughed as he motioned for Karkat to come out saying, "How about thith?"
Karkat looked at Latula and her face fell when she saw him, "Hey Tula."
Latula ran down the steps and stood in front of him, she punched him in the shoulder as tears started falling. Karkat started to turn around saying, "Sorry, I shouldn't have come here."
As he was walking away she pulled him into a hug and said, "Why did you leave this family?"
Karkat was startled but turned around and hugged her back, "I'm sorry Latula."
She punched him again and said, "I'm your sister, I always have been and it would be by law if it wasn't for that motherf-"
"Tula, we're thupoththed to forgive." Mituna said, resting his hand on her shoulder.
She sighed and said, "Right, sorry Babe just a lot of memories."
"Well thinthe that'th over why don't we go in, I'm gonna catch a cold out here." Sollux said as he walked up the steps.
Karkat looked at Sollux with a glint of anger when Latula wiped her eyes and said, "Yeah, well I'm tempted to leave you out here."
"Yay, Tholluth hath to thtay outthide." Mituna yelled as he a Sollux raced inside.
Karkat walked next to Latula and said, "He's gotten better."
"Yeah, walking and basic functions were easy; talking, now that was hard." She said as they made it to the top of the steps.
"How has everything been?" Karkat asked.
Latula relaxed showing that she felt older than she was, "We've been doing good, just picking up the pieces."
"How's your mom?" Karkat asked as he closed the door.
Latula stopped and turned around looking at Karkat confused, "Sollux didn't tell you?"
Then, as if on cue the brothers round the corner, "I didn't tell him what?"
Latula looked at Sollux with anger and said, "Solluxander Captor, I told you to tell him about mom."
Sollux looked like he was getting yelled at by his mom, "I didn't have the heart Latula. It was…hard to take in myself."
Karkat looked at them and said, "Hey, what don't I know?"
Latula walked him into the living room and said, "You're gonna want to sit down." Karkat did and Latula continued, "Mom died about a year after Terezi."
Karkat stood up in shock and startled Mituna, "What happened, she was in perfect health as far as I remember."
Latula sat him down and said, "She collapsed one day and they found a clot in her brain. That was…"
"Three monthth after Terezi." Sollux said as Mituna held up three fingers
"Right, well we took her to the doctor and she was given six months to live but she was stubborn and the clot didn't take her until two months after." Latula said as Karkat let it sink in. "The only thing that kept me sane was knowing that she was with Terezi," then Mituna cleared his throat, "and having Babe over there."
Karkat looked at her and was almost crying, "I'm so sorry Latula. I shouldn't have left like I did."
She hugged him and said, "Karkat, I knew you'd come back when you were ready, I just wish it hadn't had taken five years. Now how have you been?" Karkat told her everything he had been through in the city and about his shock with John and Vriska and then Latula asked, "Have you found any girls you're interested in?"
Karkat was taken aback but he said, "A few but none that I was in a relationship with."
"What about that girl you thared that cab with?" Sollux said.
"I still don't know yet, a relationship isn't the next step in the process." Karkat said. "I'm on a list from Rose of what to do; I still haven't gotten rid of Terezi's clothes." Saying her name felt foreign and like he was uttering an ancient language.
"Fuck the litht." Everyone looked at Mituna in shock as he spastically said, "TZ thaved me and Kurloth while bleeding out, thhe would not want you to throw your life away for her," as he spoke Karkat saw that he started to get a head ache, "thhe would want you to live for her, like me and Kurloth do."
Everyone was staring and when and Mituna realized he started to panic. Latula went to help him and when he was calm she said, "I think I should get started on dinner. Why don't we walk you out?" They walked to the door and everyone hugged and said their good-byes for the evening. Karkat apologized for getting Mituna worked up but Latula brushed him off saying it was normal. Karkat and Sollux pulled out onto the road and started to head back to the cabin.
Karkat noticed Sollux was upset about something when they cleared view of the house, "Hey, asshole, I know you enough to know when something is up."
Sollux looked in the rearview mirror, collected himself, and said, "It'th jutht…thometimeth he'th like he uthed to be and then, like a thwitch, he hath a panic attack that doeth that. I withh that I could fix it like when he'd help with the bipolar thhit. I wanted the drunk driver to die but…when hecoded down the hall I hated mythelf."
Karkat looked at his friend as all his emotions were reflected in his blue and green eyes. Karkat watched the terrain zip by as they headed to the cabin. They rode in silence for a bit until Karkat said, "It's not your fault."
"What?" Sollux was shocked.
"It isn't your fault he's like this." Karkat repeated
"I wath thuppoththed to go with Kurloth, we were both meththed up the wortht but Mituna felt he thhould go firtht to protect thothe two, turnth out he needed it too." Sollux said as he started to tear up.
"I was supposed to pick ya'll up Sollux and instead it was her, we can't blame ourselves." Karkat realized what he said and started to think about it. "We should move on from this ok, it's been five years. The difference between us is you didn't leave everyone."
Sollux wiped the tear before they could fall and sniffed away the sobs that Karkat knew he was hiding before saying, "Yeah, I guethth I am pretty great." The friends laughed and talked the rest of the way to the cabin.
I'm really happy with this one and I hope you guys did too. I'm hoping to get the next one out soon so look for it.