A/N I will edit this tomorrow, I promise. Right now it's past midnight and I am utterly exhausted. this will be better quality tomorrow.
Editing wasn't really that hard. Nepeta crunched on her cracker thoughtfully, drowsiness pulling on her eyelids. It wasn't even ten yet, and here she was, oddly exhausted. Pounce gazed down at her from her perch on the couch as her fingers slid around her little green mouse, clicking things here and there. Not only did she need to drop off Dave's album pictures, she also had to edit Jade's flowers. Her thoughts flew back to the week before, when she had partially confronted Karkat with her opinion. His face stuck in her mind like glue, his lips pressed together in a fine line.
She knew he was gonna cry. She could see him breaking down right there.
Who else told him they had liked his natural hair color or his eyes? It wasn't easy thinking you were a freak.
Pounce playfully batted at wisps of unbrushed causing Nepeta to move her head away and peer back at Pounce, a smile on her face.
"Yeah, I know." Actually she didn't what even was she doing? Oh yeah.
She clicked through her tabs slowly, analyzing her work. "Not that bad," She told herself. They looked nice enough to go into a catalog. She'd just have to run to the printers and print all these photos out. It wouldn't really take long. It was like, what, a half hour walk? She swung her legs over the couch, carefully maneuvering her laptop over her body to set it on her coffee table. She stood and stretched, reaching high over her head. Her curtains revealed a slight drizzle of rain. Shoot. She'd need her umbrella.
"Mew!"
"It's fine. I'm just going out. I'll be back soon."
She simply slipped on some plain jeans and this sweater she got from Equius, decided she didn't need her raincoat, slipped on a pair of flats, and grabbed her flash drive. She looked around her dull room. She bit her lip and tip toed around her littered floor and tied back her curtains, letting in what little sunlight there was. She scratched the back of her head thoughtfully.
Half a week left of fall break. She shook her head with a small smile. Times flies too fast. Retrieving her messenger bag from the front of her bed, she trotted back down the stairs and pulled out her flash drive from the side of her laptop.
"I'll be back," She said, nuzzling Pounce's forehead playfully. Silently, she waltzed over to the door before looking back at Pounce. She smiled at her before shutting the door.
"This was unexpected."
"Yeah, it really was." It was. Actually, she wasn't really expecting to see her friend again. Aradia, clad in crimson and black was supporting her head on her hand, a tad bit of dirt encrusted under her fingernails.
If anything, Nepeta would have never thought to see Aradia at Folly's. She had claimed it to be a bit too drab. 'the drinks are nice, I guess,' she said, making a so so motion with her hand. Aradia sipped her chai slowly, looking at her companion in a sleepy manner.
"Monday?" Nepeta asked, tilting her head.
"Oh yeah. It's not really my day." She set her cup down and leaned back against the booth, yawning loudly. "No work. Soo, pretty much nothing at all."
"What about Sollux?"
"He's being a grump again. Something about being busy."
"DON'T BUG ME I'M PLAYING VIDEO GAMETH," Nepeta imitated, waving a fist around.
"Yeah, like that," Her companion replied, crimson lips forming a ghost of a smile. "Anyway what're you doing?"
"I was just heading over to Dave's. He asked me to help some picture of him so he could send them to a record company."
"Aaand..?"
"And I took some pictures of flowers for a flower shop owner." She pointed across the street. "That shop over there."
"I never really noticed it."
"That's a little mean…"
"How?" Aradia pinned Nepeta to her seat, gray eyes staring into her.
"… I'm not sure." She rubbed her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm just not awake right now."
"So. Did you ever get the pictures printed out?"
"Yeah. About a half hour ago. Right now I'm just killing time."
"That sounds a bit like you."
"A bit? How so?"
"It's just," The long haired girl looked around the shop, trying to piece together an explanation. "You're just so laid back. No deadlines?"
"Dave needs his pictures tomorrow."
"And the shop owner?"
"Anytime she said. I just wanted to get things done today." Aradia nodded.
"At least you have something to do."
"You could come along."
"Nah." She grinned, her crimson lipstick shining in the lamplight. "I'm gonna visit the cemetery."
"On a day like this?"
"It's perfect! I like looking at the tombstones." She clenched a fist. "Reminds me of excavation." In what way, Nepeta wasn't sure. She just played along however, nodding with a smile taking a sip of her tea. She hardly got to see Aradia, and it was best not to start an argument. Especially when it came to her hobbies.
"I should go," Nepeta said with a bit of a yawn. "Dave really needs to get these pictures. I'll see you soon?"
"Yeah sure." She waved at her. She had to remember to call her later. She HAD to. It was rude not to keep in touch with her friends! The bell jingled joyfully as she left.
It's really starting to rain, Nepeta thought, trying to squish her messenger bag closer to her side. She hefted the umbrella higher onto her shoulder, trying to shield herself from the rain. Where exactly was Dave's house anyway? Maybe I should call him. She held her phone to her ear. It rang once. Twice. Three times. Four.
"Yo you've reached dave. I most likely don't wanna listen to your shit right now so—"
"hello," croaked a groggy voice. A VERY groggy voice. Did she wake him up?
"Hey Dave! Um, I just printed out your pictures. Where is your house exactly?"
"… Lejion, do you know what time it is?"
"… It's um…. Ten forty eight?"
"Exactly. It's early as fuck. I need my beauty sleep believe it or not."
"Do you want your pictures or not?"
"You drive a hard bargain."
"You could just come get them yourself." The voice on the other side sighed.
"Alright fine." Nepeta turned, trying to pinpoint her location as Dave told her his coordinates. "Got that all?"
"I'm around fifteen minutes away. Be there in a jiffy!"
"Yeah yeah sure see you." She slipped her phone into her pocket and picked up her pace, jogging slightly.
I hope he's not that cranky. I wonder if he's worse than Karkat? No. No way. She doubted anyone could ever outrank Karkat when it came to grouchiness. Karkat or Sollux.
The park on the other side of the busy street was almost empty. The multicolored leaves of trees caught raindrops and let them fall onto the lush green grass. The stone benches were a dark grey color, clear liquid dripping from its corners. Nepeta cocked her head. Why had she never noticed this park? It was really pretty! She'd have to stop by and check it out—
No. Everything slowed down. Her pulse, her breathing, the cars speeding by her.
No! Her eyes were locked upon them. All she could she was him, as he cradled someone close to his chest. There was no mistaking it. She could hear her heart pounding, and her knees felt weak.
No, stop, you can't! Terezi leaned away from Karkat and seemed to whisper something. He in return laughed and shook his head as the feisty female shoved him playfully. He looked back at her, staring at her as if she was important, as if she was all he cared about—
He leaned forward,
And carefully placed a soft kiss upon Terezi Pyrope's lips.
Nepeta's messenger bag plummeted to the ground, along with her umbrella as she ran both hands through her hair.
No no no no no no no no no NO! why?! Am I good not enough?! I was trying hard too! She never understood you like I do! She never could! Her world shattered, her mind shattered, and her heart plummeted into depths of despair. She wanted to scream at them, to run over and push her cherished crush as hard as she could, but she couldn't, she couldn't move, couldn't think—She wanted to cry. Her throat constricted and she opened her mouth, only to have an inaudible whimper slip out. Karkat pulled away and laughed lightly as Terezi leaned forward and kissed him again, playfully, softly, lovingly—
PLEASE NO! She had to get away, why was she here watching?! She couldn't take this, she didn't wanted to believe, this was all a LIE-
I need to get out of here! She spun on her heel, reaching out for her bag.
Her gaze slowly tilted upward in a slow like fashion. Her foot twisted painfully beneath her. Her arms retracted as her mind tried to work. Fat drops of rain got in her eyes—
The screech was deafening. A flash of navy blue. And suddenly, pain.
It hurt.
IT HURTS! The side of her head felt like it was shot, pain suddenly taking hold of her entire body. The silence was deafening and her vision blurred.
And then…
There was nothing.
Her conscious caved in on itself. This pain, it hurt. She was suffering. But she couldn't feel it. Where was she?
What was this black emptiness?
It as so enticing…
Maybe I should stay for a while..
(Hey! Wake up! Hey! Come on, stay with me, oh god someone HELP!)
(what happ—LEJION!)
(Who?! Karkat what's going on?! Lejion!?)
(LEJION, OH GOD! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING, GET AN AMBULANCE!)
Who's this?
(Nepeta?! What's going on?! Karkat?!)
(STAY WITH ME! OH GOD, HURRY THE FUCK UP! Terezi, let me see your jacket!)
(I smell blood!)
(What happened?!)
Why's everyone yelling?
(Oh god, stay with me Lejion! HEY JACKASS HURRY THE HELL UP!)
(I'm trying!)
(Lejion! LEJION! NEPETA!)
Shh.
I want to sleep.