This chapter is mostly an apology for the last one. I rushed the entire dispute between them, I know, but quite honestly this fic is the last thing on my mind as of late. :v (sorry, I still love you guys though!) I drew this one out a little bit more than necessary, but it's still cute so who cares? Also the last one was short, sorry. And there's not really any Erinep in this chapter! It's really just Nepeta Equius. Sorry for the bad portrayal of Equius and every other character, I tried to stay away from ooc as much as possible. Imma shut up now so you can read what you really care about! c:
I don't know what happened to the insert line option so just deal with this for now.
Nepeta had Pounce held tightly to her chest when Equius arrived. He had a bag of fast food in his hand, and he rushed to Nepeta's side.
"Why did you not return my calls?" He asked her.
Pounce had since then been sleeping soundly, but upon hearing Equius's thundering voice he scrambled out of Nepeta's arms to hide away somewhere. He didn't care for Equius much.
Nepeta threw herself onto Equius and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh Equius! I'm so sad! I'm so sad!"
Equius held onto her tightly, and laid his head on top of hers. "Nepeta...what's wrong. Tell me." He spoke quietly, barely above a whisper.
Nepeta sniffled and they parted. She sat down on the couch and Equius sat next to her, holding her hand. "I...I don't even know what to think. Feferi visited me a few hours ago, she said some very awful things...about Eridan, and Karkat. The things she said made me very upset...and..." she sighed and leaned on his shoulder. "I'm such a mess."
"Do not insult yourself. You are a great person. Eat a little and tell me what happened afterwards." Equius said, giving her the fast food bag.
Nepeta quickly devoured the contents of the bag, barely listening to Equius complain the entire time how he wished he could have went with a healthier option, but it was too late to buy something from a healthier restaurant.
When they were both done, Equius grabbed them a blanket to share from Nepeta's bed room and sat with her. "Tell me what's going on, and what happened. I will then assess your problems however possible.
Nepeta sighed and pulled the majority of the blanket into a bundle on her lap and cuddled with it. "Well, to be honest...the majority of how I'm feeling right now it because of Eridan. You see, I didn't really like him when we were growing up, and even now still...I think I do but...I don't know. I'm just having a really hard time sorting out my feelings. I was hoping Feferi would have something encouraging to say, because she's known him forever...but it turns out to be the exact opposite. I...I still like Karkat a little, and I don't have any idea when I'll stop liking him...but Feferi said that she and Karkat...well, you know."
Nepeta blushed a little. Equius merely nodded for her to continue.
"...And as if that wasn't bad enough, she then went on to say that the same thing happened between her and Eridan...multiple times. She's my best friend...to hear her say those things...it was awful!" She started crying again. "I don't want boys to get in the way of my friendship with her, but I don't want to have to sacrifice both of the guys I like just to be friends with her either! ...And another thing, no one approves of the feelings Eridan and I share...no matter how questionable they are on my side...does that mean I should just stop liking him? What if I forget about Karkat and start investing myself in Eridan, and Karkat starts liking me? What if the same thing happens but with Eridan?!" She let out an angry yell and pounded on her head multiple times with her fists.
Equius quickly grabbed her wrists and held them to his chest. "First of all, fists are for self-defense, not self-harm. Second, you should stop crying, because all the mightiest warriors never shed a tear." He wiped away her tears while still holding on to her.
"I haven't been feeling all that mighty recently," Nepeta said solemnly, sniffling a little.
"Well I'm here now, so I can be mighty for you," Equius said, letting go of her wrists to ruffle her hair.
Nepeta playfully batted away his hands and Equius smiled.
"...but still, I'm really happy you came out here and brought me food and all, but I still don't know what to do."
"You should address whoever you feel is causing the most trouble. I will gladly use my superior strength to put Ampora in his place." Equius said.
"No, no! See that's what I mean! No one likes him but me, and I don't want to lose my friends because of a relationship..."
"Then perhaps you shouldn't become involved with him," Equius said.
"I want to become involved with him! I have never had a boyfriend! I have never known what it is like to love someone and be loved in return! I just want to call somebody mine and belong to someone in return! I'm tired of being alone!" Nepeta cried.
"You are never alone, you have me."
"I mean...more than you, Equius. I know how lucky I am to have you by my side forever, but I just want...more...does that make me a bad person?"
Equius petted Nepeta's head, smoothing out her messy hair in the process. "No. I think we all want a little more. And that's okay. If some people leave you, then that's just the price you have to pay. I, for one, will never leave you, nor smite any relationship that forms between you two.
"Do you mean that?" Nepeta squeaked, tears of joy now flowing down her face.
Equius offered a light smile. "Would I ever lie to you in means other than protecting you?"
Nepeta laughed and tackle-hugged him, sending the two of them tumbling onto the floor. Equius blushed and pulled her off of him. "Perhaps I should add, maybe we should reduce the amount of physical contact in our relationship."
Nepeta cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Like hugs? You don't like hugs?"
"Well, if you're going to have a boyfriend, then...it will just seem suspicious...and it's obvious now who your heart truly lies...or does not lie with," Equius said, scratching the back of his neck and turning red.
Nepeta was still for a moment, before she burst into a big grin. "Oh Equius, you'll always be my best friend, you know that right?"
"Of course I do Nepeta, that's why I wish I could still have your innocence at times." Equius said, smiling wistfully at her.
"So, what do you think I should do?" Nepeta asked. "Besides using strength to do...whatever you were gonna do."
"Do whatever feels right. I think you should talk to Eridan. If anyone will know where to guide you best, it's him. It appears to me that your relationship with Karkat is in the same place it was several years ago, and won't be advancing any time soon-"
"Hey!" Nepeta said defensively. Equius raised his hand to silence her.
"-but Eridan does seem genuinely interested in you. If you just told him what you're feeling and what your thoughts are, I'm sure the two of you will work something out. But in the end, whatever you decide should be your decision. Don't let anyone else make one for you; they can assist in the process, but don't let anyone control your choices."
"I know, I know. I'll be careful, promise. Now you have to promise me you won't get invested in any crazy love triangles with Aradia. Because I couldn't deal with that." She punched him in the arm playfully.
"That won't be necessary; I don't allow myself to be controlled by my emotions as you do," Equius said, sitting himself back on the couch. He helped her up on the couch after he was seated.
"I was just messin' with ya was all." Nepeta smiled guiltily.
"It's late, is there anything else you needed me for?" Equius asked.
"Wait-you're leaving already? You just got here..." Nepeta whimpered, sticking out her bottom lip.
"Nepeta, we have to work tomorrow...it's nearly midnight..." Equius said.
"I know...but you've been gone for weeks...and...well; I missed you, Equius." Nepeta said solemnly.
Equius's expression quickly turned a little sad, but sympathetic still. "Perhaps...I can stay longer. Is it okay with you if I just sleep here?"
"Sure! It can be like a slumber party! Just like we used to! Oh I wish I had a bigger living room like yours where we made forts!" Nepeta said, excited.
"-Except, no sleeping bags. We aren't seven anymore. I'll sleep on the couch. And...no forts."
"Okay..." Nepeta said, sad but understanding.
As Equius started cleaning off the table of the fast food and tea from earlier, he discovered a book. "Is this...our freshman yearbook?"
Nepeta glanced over to the book he was motioning to. "It is! I was doing some rearranging the other day, I just kinda set it there and furgot about it."
Equius's mouth twitched into a slight smile.
Nepeta giggled. "What? What are you all smiley for?"
"You used a cat pun. I don't believe you've used one over the entirety of my visit."
Nepeta blushed. "...Really?"
Equius nodded. "Hey. Let's look at the yearbook after I'm done cleaning. Which, I shouldn't be doing, by the way. Are you keeping up on your tidying like I instructed you to?"
"Why, of course! Just don't go into my room!" Nepeta said playfully.
Equius only sighed and disposed of the trash and put away the left-overs from earlier. He then took the teacups into the kitchen. Nepeta listened to him doing the dishes while she stared out the window. She was so happy to have Equius here with her. She couldn't imagine spending this night alone. She didn't want to imagine it.
When the sound of clattering dishes and faucet water ceased, Nepeta turned to see Equius sitting down on the couch next to her. He opened the book, and Nepeta snuggled up next to him. He cast a disapproving look down at her.
"What? ...Oh come on, this can't be too physical." Nepeta said, annoyed.
"Fine; but after today-no more. I mean it."
"Oh shut up you big dummy," Nepeta said, as she started turning the pages.
"Oh hey! I remember this! Back when Terezi and I were in drama and you were in photography!" Nepeta said, pointing to a picture of Terezi and Nepeta hugging onstage, in full costume.
"I can't believe that blind girl managed to intimidate me into putting that image in the yearbook," Equius said, looking embarassed.
"...I heard she got surgery, she can see now. But she and that Makara kid got into some sort of fight. Karkat wouldn't stop talking about it fur weeks," Nepeta said, turning a few more pages.
"Wait-go back one," Equius quickly said.
Nepeta turned back one page.
Equius pointed to a picture of Aradia and Sollux.
"Oh wow! Look how different they look!" Nepeta exclaimed.
Equius snarled a little. "It's not that. Captor and Aradia were once in a relationship. Four years ago. Why is he still seeing her? Why was he with her when she came to see me?"
"Hey, don't be like that. After all, she's dating you not him anyways. They're just really good friends is all. Like you and me!" Nepeta said, beaming at him.
Equius sighed and put an arm around her, careful not to crush her with his immense strength. "Yes. Just like you and me."
They eventually reached the section of the yearbook containing their class pictures. Nepeta went along the rows and rows of pictures making comments about each one she stumbled upon that rung a bell.
"Hey...look at how cute Karkat was! His voice still wasn't deep until the second semester of Sophomore year!"
"Nepeta..."
"Hehe! Sorry!"
"Oh my goodness! Look at how pawsitively cute you were!"
"Please, you're embarassing me."
"Oh gosh are you kidding me? I look sooo much worse! I had a baby face!"
"You have always been beautiful on the inside and out."
"Aww thanks! -Hey! Look at Tavros! He wasn't in a wheel chair back then..."
"That was most unfortunate."
"Yeah...I hope he will learn how to walk again."
"Hopes for his recovery are futile."
"Oh! Look at Feferi! We didn't even know each other back-" Nepeta stopped.
"Hm?"
"I...never mind. You know Equius, that was a crazy year. We met all of our friends that year. And honestly, I don't remember much before then."
"Not all of our friends. We knew Karkat, Terezi, a few others most likely-and each other."
"Well, yeah, but we met all of our other friends, and our new friends met our old friends and introduced us to their friends...just like it was supposed to be that way, y'know?"
"I suppose. But when was the last time you talked to Terezi? Do remember the last time all twelve of us were actually in each other's company? Everyone's moved on, it was fun while it lasted."
"Which is another thing...Feferi said I'm still living in Junior High...do you think Ihaven't moved on? Am I not mature?"
"Your body is mature. Your mind is...not as much. You have strong values and beliefs, which is excellent, but you could use a little more strengthening. I don't think you've gone through enough serious complications to have a mind that would be considered mature. Do you understand?"
"...Yeah. I suppose you're right."
"Don't think I am criticizing you, Nepeta. You are a great person, who has a lot of potential. But you have yet to fully grow up."
"Do you think you're mature?" Nepeta asked.
"Yes."
And there was silence. Equius closed the yearbook. "Get some sleep. It's late."
"I'll try."
Nepeta pulled herself off of the couch. She went into her bed room, pulled the sheet off of her bed, and grabbed her biggest pillow. She walked back out to the living room and handed them to Equius. "Here you go."
"Thank you."
"Don't worry about putting everything back when you wake up, just leave it, I'll get it cleaned up later. I'm going to take a shower-you know where everything is if you need something. My home is your home."
Equius nodded. "I am very tired. I will most likely be asleep when you are done showering. In that case, good night Nepeta."
"Good night, Equius."
She began to walk away.
"Oh, and Nepeta..." Equius said.
"Yeah?"
He was silent for a short while. "Sorry we didn't get to make a fort."
Nepeta only smiled at him.