A/N: I'm going to call Kankri and Karkat's father Carmine. I like that name and it's strangely a somewhat popular headcanon name for Sufferer before Kankri came along.

Regular POV

It was a few weeks later before Kankri was released from the hospital. He whined as he realized he had to be taken out by wheelchair but as soon as he reached the car, he launched out of the seat and into the vehicle with a gleeful yell.

"I can't wait to go home! Hospital food is yucky.."

Karkat and the others followed along, handing the wheelchair back to the startled nurse. Porrim and Cronus bid Kankri a final goodbye, the latter giving them tight hugs and squeezing their hands with promises of them seeing him again. It brought a brief smile to the duo's faces.

"We'll see you soon Kanny."

"Yeah, see ya around there chief."

"Haha~ Okay, bye guys! I'll see ya later!"

He waved as they walked off, a large grin on his face as he turned to Karkat and his father. They both had weak smiles on their faces but Kankri didn't seem to take much mind to it. He plopped down in the back seat of the car, watching the other two sit in the front and hear the car start up. As they drove home, he fidgeted in his seat due to the silence that established itself in the car. He grumbled a tad and moved forward as much as his seat belt would allow him as he stuck his head out between the passenger and driver seats.

"Kaaaaaarky, daaaaaddy. Why are you guys so quiet?"

They didn't provide him with an answer until they heard him speak out his dislike for the situation. Karkat took the liberty of turning around to face him. Kankri looked at him with wide eyes that were so unlike the teen they had known.

"We're just trying to get over you being hurt in the first place."

"Huh? But I'm okay now!"

"Yeah I know and that's also the other reason why we're quiet. You were there and now you're coming back home."

"Ohhhh. Okay I got ya Karky." He gave him a grin and sat back, satisfied with the reply.

Karkat released a sigh of relief and turned around once again. It was silent once more but it was accompanied by light humming as the older in the backseat regarded the passing scenery with interest only a child could have. They soon made it back home, well after they had stopped for ice cream at Kankri's asking. He had skipped to the front door, ice cream in hand. Karkat and Carmine slowly made their way to where the other was, entering the house with a sigh of content that they'd made it home.

"Whoa! The house looks so different, we got new stuff and everything's all moved around. Awesome~!"

He eagerly ran into the house, kicking off his shoes and diving onto the couch. He relaxed into it immediately, ignoring the slight ache in his arm. After lying down and not moving for a few minutes, he eventually sat up and glanced at the other two.

"Papa, you and little bro look tired."

"Ah, you could say that."

Carmine chuckled a tad at his son. He didn't hate the new him too much, he rarely hated anything. So this childish one didn't bother him. But nevertheless, he'd rather have the grown one back but what could he or any of them do other than wait and see the circumstances.

"Did you get any sleep?"

"No Kankri, I can't say that I have."

"What? Bad papa, you need to march over to your room and get some sleep now."

"But I'm not tired."

Kankri stood up and strode over to him, taking one of his father's hands with a watchful expression as he slowly guided him to his room.

"You say that now but you're gonna get really sleepy when you lie down. That happened to me and Karky a lot."

"Haha, really now?"

"Uh-huh~!"

Karkat watched their interaction from afar with crossed arms and a neutral look. They didn't seem awkward and the conversation wasn't stilted in the slightest so that was good.

"So go lie down and rest and then you'll feel better kay?"

Carmine didn't seem to be in a position or manner of arguing with him. Kankri was quite the stubborn one, child or otherwise. So he merely laughed and smiled, ruffling his hair and nodding. Kankri shut the door behind the adult and walked back to the living room where Karkat had sat down with closed eyes. He sat by him, leaning close with a tipped head as he watched him.

"Karky?"

"What?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, shoot."

"Why do you like so sad and mad at yourself?"

He was quiet for a long while before answering with a wavering sigh.

"Things happened."

"Like what? The thingy with the stairs and me falling?"

Karkat pursed his lips, eyes still closed as the other probed him for more answers.

"Yes. Some other shi- I mean, stuff happened along the way and before."

Kankri furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes, curious as to what else could have went on. He didn't remember anything before that and Karkat being so cryptic with him wasn't helping him out much. He wanted to know and he'd figure out a way to weasel the answer out of him. But Karkat probably caught on to his intentions along the way and opened an eye to look at him.

"Kankri. It's best if you just well enough alone. Everything this past week has been a mess and so much trouble and I don't want to deal with it."

"But Karkat-"

"Leave it alone."

"But I really wanna know!"

"Kankri please," his voice strained as he attempted to not yell, "just leave it alone and I promise to tell you another time when you and me are ready. Okay?"

With that, he stood up with a heavy sigh and walked to the stairs. He winced when he stared at the spot where Kankri was lying a couple days earlier. He nearly dashed up the stairs and down the hall to his room, slamming the door shut. He slid down the door with a groan, hands covering his head as he let loose a low string of curses.

Kankri remained downstairs with a blank look as he blinked, his gaze had shifted to where Karkat had run. He was worried, for his dad and his brother. He had a deep overlying feeling that something was up. He was the one to promise that he'd take care of his little brother but with what's happening, how could he even try it? But like Karkat had previously explained, he'd tell him when the time came. So for now, he'd have to grin and bear it. He smiled when his eyes caught the familiar photo frames on the wall and took in his surroundings, relaxing into the couch. Even if everyone was being secretive, he'd remain the small beacon of light and cheer everyone up.

After all, what are big brothers for?