A/N: Ooh, lookie here~! Another chapter I say. Well I guess that promise of once a week isn't true eh? Also, how do you even Sollux lisp? DX

(Kankri's POV)

"And furthermore, I really wish you would check for any phrases that might be triggering to others. It is very rude and-"

"Kankri! We're at school now, so please stop talking."

I noticed Karkat giving me a fake smile, it was one of those that he normally gave me at home. As I recall, he said it was the face that said, 'I will murder you and toss your dead body in a river with a cement block chained to you.' Honestly, he really shouldn't be so angry all the time. It'll cause him so much more stress and he already has enough of that. I looked back over to Karkat to notice him leaving me to go into the high school. I let out a sigh and began my own descent when a hand had grabbed the collar of my sweater and yanked me back. A small yelp, which I wasn't very proud of, left my mouth.

"Hey, look at little Kankri. Still short as ever I see."

Ugh, I'd know that voice anywhere. I shifted back to see if my prediction was true and it unfortunately was. Cronus had gotten a hold of me. His smirk added expression to his features, a cigarette in between his lips and a hand dipped into that leather jacket of his. I couldn't stand the way he eyed me sometimes, like I was a piece of meat to be devoured. But then again, Cronus looked at everyone that way, so it was hard to tell. He decided then to invade my personal space even more by leaning in, I scoffed and pushed his face away roughly.

"Aww come on Vantas. Don't be that way. I'm just teasin' ya."

"I hardly find invading another's space and leaning in their face as teasing Cronus."

"Man, you know you want me. It's written all over your face."

I rolled my eyes and turned to walk away when I felt myself being tugged back. I grit my teeth and glared at Cronus who just raised his hands in mock defeat. I was about to give him a piece of my mind when I felt all the tugging on me disappear. Curiously, I looked back to see Meenah holding onto Cronus by the collar.

"You know, it ain't cool to be picking on a bro like that." She said, some irritation clearly leaking through.

"Well babe I was just relaxing when Kan over here came up and started making the moves on me."

My mouth literally dropped in surprise. I was merely minding my own business when he comes over and grabs my collar. How dare he accuse me of something like that? Why that liar!

"Cronus! You know that story you're telling isn't the truth." I said, a slight growl in my tone.

"Relax guppie. I know it ain't true, like anyone would wanna get into his pants."

I actually smiled a bit in satisfaction when he glanced at Meenah with a look of hurt and shock. Ah, the sight of a shattered ego. He grumbled and kicked at the floor before slithering anyway. Yes, I said slither. He is very slimy, much like a serpent. Meenah chuckled and patted my back, following after him. With a shake of my head, I decided to get inside. Of course, another person would snag me away. I groaned, becoming somewhat annoyed with this. I shook myself from their grip, ready to deliver the speech of a lifetime when I saw who it was .

"Getting ready to lecture me now too Kanny?"

The breath I held to speak was let out noisily as I managed to relax.

"Porrim. I should've known it was you."

"Hehe, but you didn't. So what have you been up to? You know besides being you."

"Well I was nearly harassed by Cronus, does that count as something else?"

She shook her head with a laugh and took my hand, guiding me through the crowd and making our way to our lockers. She'd glare at anyone who would stare at me strangely. I always did get strange looks cause of the stark difference between my skin, hair and eyes. But Porrim was there to stand up for me and keep the teasing and insults away, much to my dismay. She is kind and very much like a mother to me more than Karkat. After we reached our destination, she decided to bombard me with the usual questions.

"So how's Karkat doing?"

"He's doing fine. A bit stubborn and hesitant to allow me to help him, but I think I'll get through to him one day."

Porrim regarded me with a worried look, "Kanny, now I know you care very much for your brother. But don't you think you could…I don't know, tone it down just a bit. You're coming off as clingy to him or annoying at least."

"And how do you know that?"

"Well since you bother him for hours and hours on end, never thinking, 'Hey, maybe I should leave him be.' I suppose that'd be a great conclusion."

I scowled and glared at the ground. I was not that bad and if Karkat didn't say anything or at least give me a hint, then I'll assume that he's fine with it. And not listen to Porrim and her theories. She flicked me on my head when I had thought that, giving me a face that was a cross between motherly concern and anger. I sighed and gave her my attention once more.

"Kanny, I'm serious. At least hear me out when I say that I'm just looking out for you two. I don't want there to be any tension between you and Karkat. I know that you're scared to death of doing something or saying something that might make him hate you. But if you continue to coddle him like he's 7 again, you will lose him."

My angered mood went away immediately and my shoulders drooped with realization. She was right. I was treating him like he was a child too much. Darn her for making so much sense. I guess even non-mothers know best. Perhaps I should give Karkat some space later but now I want to be nice and not high and mighty anymore. I'll try it out on him as soon as I get the chance.

(Regular POV)

Kankri smiled, satisfied with his decision and strode with Porrim to their class. Meanwhile on the other side of town, Karkat was growling words to himself on the way to class. Gamzee and Sollux were on each of his sides, sparing curious glances to each other and trying to think of what exactly to say to their friend that won't unleash a rage festival on their asses.

"I can't believe he could just go on and on about how I dress and look and talk and AAAHH! I can't stand how he does that sometimes."

"But bro, I'm sure he's worried about ya'll well being yeah? Give him a chance and maybe he'll turn right the motherfuck around."

"Psh, yeah that'll happen."

"Kk, juth relax. Tho your brother ith bugging you a lot. He'th probably just being a worrywart cause of how many thupid thituationth you get into."

"Ahaha, 'thut up thollux'." Karkat bit back, mocking his lisp.

Sollux merely scowling and rolled his eyes from underneath his red and blue glasses. He and Gamzee were both very used to the temper tantrums their friend had always seemed to display. Karkat would be fine, he just needed to let out some steam and then he'd be fine. At least they hoped so, since the smaller male continued to grumble to himself. Gamzee decided to take the bull by the horns and tap his best friend on the shoulder. This received a heated glare by the crabby teen to which Gamzee gave his one of his trademark smiles.

"Come on best friend, get your motherfucking chill on."

"Why the grub stomping fuck would I want to relax? Do you not see what I'm going through?"

"I'm not too sure what I'm all up and needing to be getting my peep at."

A sigh. "Of course you don't understand. Your brain is too baked up with that poison of yours to even comprehend a single sentence I'm saying."

"Haha, yeah. But you know, you should give Kanbro a chance. I mean, he's probably in your business cause he's all wanting to be a good role model."

"A good role model? Are you serious right now?"

Gamzee grinned and patted Sollux's shoulder, signaling him to talk next.

"Yeah kk. Remember, your dad ith way too contherned with work to be around you much. So thop being thuch a tightath and let the dude do what he feelth ith right."

Karkat wanted to argue with them but he didn't know what to say anymore. In a way, he did know that his older brother did want to look out for him. He just wished that the guy wouldn't dote on him every minute of his life. He shook his head in defeat and walked off to class to continue their day.

~.~.~.~.~

"I never thought school could be so boring."

Karkat sighed as the final bell rung and he weaved his way through the crowds of kids and kept to himself when one of them would purposely bump into him. He knew he'd have to face Kankri again when he walked outside but he debated on whether it was a good idea or not. Although, he didn't have to worry much when he opened the front school doors.

It was raining quite heavily and kids were dashing through the weather to their cars or buses. As Karkat glanced around, he noticed that Kankri was nowhere to be found which struck as weird to the younger. On one hand, he could walk home and not hear the miles of speech but on the other, he could wait and see just in case. But his 'won't-take-that-shit' side managed to make him move and venture on his house. He groaned audibly when he took notice that he didn't even have an umbrella. But he pressed on and walked, blinking away the water that splashed in his eyes and shoving his hands into his pockets.

He almost let his mind wander if not for the sound of feet slapping against wet concrete. It was probably Kankri trying to catch up to him but when he turned around, he knew just how wrong he was.

Blah, another chapter is finished. I wonder what Karkat saw. Meh, you'll find out soon. Did I do Sollux's lisp okay? Is it okay to read? Ah well.