Chapter 2
Are They sweet?

Karkat let out a tight yawn as he and Gamzee walked inside of the doctor's office. It was hard to tell it was a highly recommended and five star clinic due to the simple fact that it looked like the inside of a cabin you'd see at middle school camp. While it gave off a homey type vibe that usually relaxed, otherwise, anxious patients, it also had a layer of calm atmospheric tranquility. The only sign that told it was a clinic were the two women working at the front desk in their blue scrubs. However, with its homey features, Karkat still managed to feel queasy in his stomach.

"I fucking hate this place. It looks like a fucking horror scene out of a movie."
Gamzee glanced down at him, a smile placed crookedly on his face. He knew well enough Karkat's fear of hospitals. Frequently, he would visit them with his father because of his occupation, so it has to be said that the guy has seen some things. He stayed quiet, though, observing the office instead. The classroom set of chairs were placed in a square and the sickly green looking curtains were drawn back to pour sunlight in through the massive windows. It was empty except for one person with an ice bag over his mouth, but other than that, business looked slow.
They sat down in the waiting area and Karkat quickly shrugged off his jacket. "It's so fucking hot and it smells like dog shit in here. Can't they use something else other than shitty Lysol products? It's fucking killing me with this smell. Oh sweet authority from up above, I come to fucking meet thee because of this horse ass smell." He grumbled, pinching his nose. It caused another smile to spread on Gamzee's face. Karkat sure did know how to complain, but that was just one of many traits he loved about him.

He sighed and slouched in his chair, throwing his hood over his head to hide his eyes from the bright fluorescent lights. He laced his fingers over his chest and let his mind drift. It wandered aimlessly through the vast space in his head until it settled on something of two years ago…

A brown headed boy, either side of his head shaved, peered up at Gamzee. He smiled a crooked, nervous smile that made Gamzee's heart flutter. He couldn't help, but place a hand on the boy's cheek and pull him into a hug. In reply to his docile actions, the boy wrapped his arms around his broad back and nuzzled his head into his chest. This boy was none other than Tavros Nitram. Gamzee only pulled him closer in fear of losing him. That was his only fear.

Tavros squirmed in his grip and he loosened his hold, glancing down at him with a lazy smile.
"Gamzee," he said softly, "you're not going to leave, right?"
This earned a surprised gaze and he shook his head quickly and repeatedly, pulling the other back into a tight hug.
"What in the great old messiah's age would make you ask that?" He huffed, running his fingers in his hair.
He shrugged and his fingers clenched into the fabric of Gamzee's shirt. "I don't know."

Gamzee relaxed against him and chuckled, "I'd never pack my shit and hit the dusty road without you, Tavbro."

Tavros smiled weakly against the other's chest. He was extremely happy and to prove it he looked up at him and gave his cheek a tender kiss. Gamzee blushed lightly behind his paint and chuckled at the white that stained Tavros' lips. He took his thumb and ran it against them and smiled, not wanting this moment to end. Though, moments came and went.

Tavros began to go limp and the other lifted a curious brow. "Tavbro?"

No response.

Gamzee's heart began to speed up and he nudged him a little. "Tavbro, quit playing. I know you're being fake as a motherfuck."

No response.

He gripped the other by his shoulders and shook him, and his head fell limp to the side. "Tavbro, wake up!"

No response.
He panicked as the color began to leave Tavros' face and his chest falls became slower and slower. The best he knew to do was simply hold him tight to his chest and he couldn't help, but chant, "Wake up, wake up, wake up…"

He rocked his little boy back and forth as he felt the other's last breath on his neck. His eyes widened and he shook his head, tears streaming and smudging his paint.

"No, Tavbro, you have to…"

"Wake the fuck up!"

Gamzee's body jolted and his eyes opened. They were bloodshot as they darted around to familiarize his surroundings. Karkat stood over him, his usual glared on his face as he crossed his arms.
"I said wake the fuck up! I got your shitty prescriptions." He tossed the white bag over to him and turned.

He clumsily caught it as he slowly sat up and rubbed his reddened eyes, bringing his hood down.
"Wow." He blinked, eyeing the bag. "That was fast, Karbro."

Karkat was already one foot out the door as he called over his shoulder. "Hurry the fuck up! I have other errands to run."

He slowly pulled himself up and dragged his feet out the door, ruffling Karkat's hair and chuckling as he walked out. "Yeah, yeah, calm those motherfuckin erect tits before they give you high blood pressure."
The younger scoffed and raised a censored finger. "Speak for yourself, dick. That's why we're here, right? Because you have fucking problems with your anger."

As they got to the car, Karkat's eyes widened from the sudden chill running up his spine. He cursed quietly and waved at Gamzee to start the car. He went back inside the clinic and came back to his chair where his jacket lay. He grumbled even more, pulling it on and turning toward the door. Hand on the knob, one of the clerks called for him and he turned. She had short brown hair in the style of a bob and a pale complexion. She had freckles that dotted her face and dull brown eyes.

"You're the one with that big fella, right?" she asked.
He nodded and lifted a brow, taking note of her sloppy appearance. "Why?"

She became quiet suddenly. A nervous look took hold of her features as she rubbed her hands, contemplating. However, her partner stood and leaned over the desk as if to tell a secret. She had blonde hair and bright green eyes. She seemed more pulled together in appearance than the girl with freckles.

"Look, it's our first week here and we're kind of new to all this medical stuff." She shrugged, waving her hand and Freckles found her words.
"Not that we haven't already learned most about the medical field!" She said hurriedly, "But we were talking as we filled his prescription and I just wanted to ask-"
Karkat groaned in irritation and waved to hurry things up. "I don't have all fucking day. Spit it out."
Blondie sighed and nodded. "How long has that guy been on sugar pills?"

Shocked by their question, he stood wide eyed. He'd never been asked that before and the want to know made him go stiff with uncertainty of what to say. It was a secret that Gamzee wasn't supposed to know because everyone that knew him knew his anger. His wrathful, blood-thirsty, and merciless anger. The simple placebo effect had gone too far when they first tried to tell him that his pills were just sugar. He went almost crazed and it took four burly security guards and a taser to his back to save the doctor he'd ruthlessly pinned to the wall by his neck. It was the first time Karkat had ever seen him in such a way and unfortunately, it was Gamzee's true colors. So at all cost, he wanted to keep that secret hidden from him. Not because he felt Gamzee deserved the truth, which he rightfully did, but because he felt that it was better that Gamzee's anger was caged in fear of what he's capable of doing.

He sighed and shrugged his shoulders finally.

"About a year and a half now."
The ladies nodded and turned to each other to talk about it. Karkat took that moment to slip out.

When he was buckled in the car, he turned his head to the window. Gamzee glanced at him a few times before pulling out of the parking lot. Karkat sighed.

"So…Gamzee?" His tone was surprisingly softer as he spoke, anxiously rubbing his fingers.
The clown honked at him in response, one hand on the wheel and a slight glance towards him.
"Are those pills pretty gross when you down them?"
He shrugged. "That's a pretty peculiar motherfuckin question, Karbro, but nah. They're pretty good."
"Are they sweet?" He asked, his tone even softer.
Gamzee's hand tightened slightly on the wheel, his mind spitting out many curious questions that stemmed from Karkat's sudden questioning. He bobbed his head and shrugged again.

"Yeah."

Karkat sighed and propped his chin into the palm of his hand. The rest of the car ride was quiet after he'd mumbled under his breath.
"Good."