Sollux hated hospitals. They were always bright and hushed and full of dying people. He sat next to an unconscious Karkat in a hospital bed, gripping his hand tightly. The doctors had patched him up and told Sollux that he would be fine, just have some hellish scars and need food and water when he woke up. Which was supposed to be any minute now. Sounded simple enough. Except it wasn't that simple. The idiot he loved nearly died because he tried to end his life. Sollux's mind tried to shy away from the thought to stop the tightness in his heart, but he couldn't ignore the pale, still troll beside him. "Goddammit Karkat.. Your life is worth more than some douche with shades.. you're so goddamn precious, why the fuck can't you see that?" He whispered to himself quietly.
A few moments later, the thick gray door swung open to reveal an out of breath and flustered Kanaya. Her gaze immediately zeroed in on Karkat's limp form and she blanched. "Oh god…"
Sollux rose to his feet and let go of Karkat's hand. "The doctors said he's going to be fine, just.. scarred." He assured, stumbling over the word.
Tears pooled in Kanaya's eyes and she rushed forward and embraced him. Sollux awkwardly patted the crying girl's back twice while she spoke; "Oh g-god Karkat..."
Kanaya released him quickly, and Sollux tried not to look too relieved as she made her way to Karkat's side. She sat in the small chair beside him and softly ran her fingers through his hair. Sollux sighed and got down on his knees by Kanaya, resting his head on the bed. "I can't believe he would do this.." she whispered.
"He was really torn up over this Dave shit.. and I'm not surprised, sounds like Dave was a fucking dick." Sollux grumbled bitterly.
Kanaya frowned and opened her mouth to respond, but Sollux cut her off. "Have you gotten ahold of Kankri at all?" He asked, his eyes flickering back to Karkat.
Kanaya sighed and dropped her head into her hands. "Yes, I spoke with him the moment you told me to come here. He should be on the next flight, Cronus paid for their tickets. He should arrive here within the next few hours. I'll be the one to pick him up." She explained, her voice clogged with emotion.
Sollux hummed in response, tearing his gaze away from the unconscious troll on the bed to meet Kanaya's red-rimmed eyes. He shifted uncomfortably and opened his mouth to ask her something else, anything to stop the slowly building tears in her eyes, when a quiet groan stopped him. Both heads turned instantly to see Karkat shifting restlessly, eyelids fluttering. After a minute or so, his eyes finally cracked open and squinted at the bright lights. All was quiet for several moments before Kanaya's gentle voice interrupted the silence. "Karkat? It's me, Kanaya.."
Karkat's head swung in her direction and he frowned slightly with unfocused eyes. "Kanaya..? What are you.." his eyes finally landed on Sollux, who was watching him with intent worry.
His face lit up with realization. "It didn't work." Karkat said flatly. He let his head drop heavily back onto the pillow behind him. "It didn't fucking work.."
A tense silence followed his words. Sollux stayed silent as a tumult of warring emotions rolled inside him. How the fuck did one respond to their suicidal love? Anger, sadness, relief? What the hell was he supposed to feel? Kanaya's voice finally broke through the soundless tension and Sollux snapped out of his panicked thoughts just as she grabbed ahold of one of Karkat's hands. "Karkat.. why didn't you try and talk to us? I would've understood and tried to help you.. Kankri and Sollux too, I don't.." she trailed off and squeezed his hand tightly, as if to confirm to herself that he really was still alive.
Karkat flinched at her soft voice and his eyes clouded over with tears. He opened his mouth to respond, but Sollux abruptly got to his feet, turned on his heel, and stormed out of the room, hot tears blurring his vision. Grief, he noted dully. That's what he should feel. Two pairs of eyes followed him as he left, one scared, the other understanding.