Karkat stepped out of the shower, rubbing his eyes again. He sighed gently as he looked into the foggy mirror, reaching out to wipe a stripe away. He blinked slowly as he did so, his head tilting a bit as he did so. His hair was plastered to his head, pushing his hand through it. He sighed as he looked at how red his eyes were, his head tilting a bit as he did so. He swallowed thickly as he reached to grab his toothbrush, putting a blob of the gross white paste that was going to clean. He sighed weakly as he started his usual post-shower work. He closed his eyes, beginning the vaguely gay task of brushing his teeth. He closed his eyes as he spit into the sink, grabbing an old cup to rinse his mouth out. He set it down, looking into the mirror again. He blinked slowly, noting the water that formed on it. The small male set the toothbrush to the edge of the counter, rubbing his face.

"Get lost, I'm not done. " Karkat called when he heard a knock on the door. He relaxed when they seemed to give up, stepping to grab a towel. He dried his hair quickly before wrapping it around his waist, tucking it in place. He gave a slow sigh before he stepped to the door, bracing himself. He opened it and quickly hopped towards his room, the air freezing against his skin. He shivered weakly as he did so, working quickly to gather his clothes. In record time he was in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, still shivering slightly. "I didn't realize that I live in fucking Antarctica. " He growled as he stepped to his desk's chair, booting up his computer. He blinked when it said he had a message, an eyebrow quirking up. Huh.

-turntechGodhead began pestering carcinoGeneticist at ?:?-!

TG: bro

TG: dude you gotta hear this shit

TG: it's like god decided to give birth to amazing news and wrap it in a chocolatey covering that drips joy

CG: WHAT DOES GOD GIVING BIRTH HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING EVER?

TG: oh sweet youre online

TG: so i was talking to bro today and he dropped the largest bomb on me ive ever seen

CG: APPARENTLY IT WASN'T LARGE ENOUGH SINCE YOU'RE ALIVE TO TALK TO ME.

TG: rude

TG: anyway so we were talking about how my school is like a pile of shit sprayed with fabreeze

TG: so he suggested that i go to a different school since were all sick of their shit

TG: and it just so happens your school is the next closest district

CG: GREAT. NOW YOU DON'T ONLY ANNOY ME CONSTANTLY ONLINE BUT NOW YOU GET TO DRAG MY NERVES THROUGH THE FOREST OF GLASS THAT IS YOUR PERSONALITY ALL DAY.

CG: EXCITING.

TG: i know right

TG: im like one of those teacup poodles that piss itself everytime it gets too excited and pisses itself

CG: THAT'S GROSS.

TG: i know

Karkat rolled his eyes as he looked at the bright red Text, wondering what in the world he had done to meet this douchelord. He sighed as he grabbed his phone, deciding to get a glass of water before he had to go to bed. He sighed gently, shifting to stand up. He glanced at his phone, watching the little bubbles bounce as Dave typed.

TG: dude we can hang out more than just once or twice a week

TG: it'll be so much fun

TG: i am so happy dude it'll be great we can fuck around all day

CG: IF YOU FUCK UP MY GRADES I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR BULLSHIT.

TG: i wont

TG: promise

Karkat smiled as he locked his phone, pouring a glass of water. He sighed as he made his way back into his room, yawning. He glanced to his phone, blinking when there were more messages than he expected.

TG: dude that reminds me

TG: kanaya told me you did that scream thingy in your sleep earlier

TG: you okay

TG: i mean i dont want to lose my best bro again

TG: it was hard enough the first time you almost lost it

Karkat sighed as he slowly processed what he said, feeling the pain in his chest start again.

CG: KANAYA NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO KEEP HER GODDAMN MOUTH SHUT.

TG: dude chill just wanted to be sure

Karkat rubbed his eyes as he shifted to look at Dave's text. He wanted to deny it all, and insist that he was indeed okay. He swallowed thickly, typing carefully.

CG: I'M FINE.

TG: youre lying

Karkat sighed before he clicked his phone off and shut his computer, flopping onto the bed. He didn't want to deal with it. He wasn't emotionally prepared for a feelings jam.

And with that he slowly drifted into a dreamless doze, the sound of his phone buzzing helping him sleep.