A/N: NO! I feel like there's OOC in this! Does it suck? Please do tell me if it does.

Karkat looked over to see another guy, tall with spiky dark hair and bright blue eyes behind glasses. He smiled cheerfully as Karkat strode over to him. He had to admit that John was quite handsome, pausing to give him another once over before taking a seat at the table with him. John took his own seat and smiled at Karkat, gesturing to the two drinks already set up there. Karkat took the offer, sipping at the drink and grimacing slightly at the taste. He set the large cup down and leaned against his seat. He wasn't fond of the silence that began to show.

"So you're the guy Meulin set me up with huh?"

"Yeah I am. Can't believe she got a hold of you though. What's your relationship to her?"

"Oh! Well my dad's the kind of guy that's friendly with everyone. He met her during his job and they chatted and she thought it'd be nice if I met you. She thought you were a bit too fixated on something, so this would help get your mind off it."John smiled cheekily.

"I am not fixated on anything."

"Not what she said~"

"Shut up." John laughed as a response, clearing any hostile air that Karkat was capable of generating. He sighed and relaxed. He just met the guy, no need to be harsh to him right now.

"So Karkat, what do you like to do?"

Karkat clucked his tongue as he went over what in this world he was actually fond of. He hummed and turned his attention back to John.

"I guess I like to give advice."

"Ooh, what kind of advice?" John questioned, leaning on the table. From his view, he found Karkat very cute. His scowl which seemed to be permanent made his cheeks puff out in the slightest. His eyes were an interesting shade of brown, almost red if he didn't look twice. He just wanted to reach out and ruffle that wild dark hair of his.

"Well, sometimes my friends come to me for advice. You know, romance and all that. I help them with their problems."

"So you're like a relationship therapist? Haha, that's so cheesy." He giggled, smile showing off hidden buck teeth. Huh, those were kinda charming on him. Karkat huffed and gave him the finger while he sipped at his drink again.

"Fine, you spectacle wearing douchewedge. What do you do?"

"Me? I'm a small-time joker, you might know me. John "The Ghosty Trickster" Egbert?" He asked. He received a shake of the head which made go 'oh' silently, but he went on. "Anyways, during this time of the year, I like to do a comedy act for the foster homes and orphanages. Light up their day."

"That's...really nice of you."

"I know, right?" John laughed, earning the smallest of chuckles from Karkat.

They would've spoken more if not for the ring from a cell phone. Karkat dug into his coat pocket and peered at the phone. His eyes widened when he saw who it was, opening the phone and paying no regards to John anymore.

"Hey...Yeah...No, I'm with this blind date Meulin set me up with...Sure, I'll be over there in a bit."

He hung up and threw a glance to John who had a face that questioned who he spoke to. Karkat mulled over the best way to tell him.

"Sorry. This was a really great date. But I have to go now."

"Why? Who was that you were talking to?"

"It's no one important."

John scoffed and reached over to grab Karkat's hand from across the table, an insulted yet sad air surrounding him.

"Well...it looks like you're breaking our date. That's a pretty good reason for me to know who that was, Karkat."

"..My ex. We're going to meet up and I guess, patch things up."

John frowned at that. He was ditching him for an ex? Really? He shook his head and lowered his eyes, waving him off.

"Go."

"What, really?" Karkat seemed amazed that he'd just let him go like that. He hadn't paid any attention to John's obvious anger at the change in plans.

"It seems like this guy's important to you, so just go."

He stood up, putting his coat on and setting a tip on the table. Karkat stood as well, putting on his own coat and tossing a thankful look at him. But John didn't look at him anymore, frown etched on his face. The shorter furrowed his brows and opened his mouth to say something but John had slipped past him already.

"Merry Christmas Karkat."

"Merry Christ- Wait, am I gonna see you at the party?"

He shifted to ask him that but he received no answer as John left. Gamzee, who had heard the ordeal, turned in his seat. His eyes went from the door to Karkat. He was about to speak up but Karkat stuck up a hand and made a noise to signal he had no interest to speak to him. He left the bar and sped down the sidewalk.

Well, the date didn't work out too well but at least he'd see Sollux again.

Karkat shifted from one foot to the other as he waited for Sollux. A large black and yellow striped package in his hand as he breathed out a puff of cold air. After a bit, he thought of heading back inside when he heard footsteps.

A voice remarked, "Is waiting in the cold really your style KK? You look like those classic girls from your shitty movies."

Karkat chuckled and turned to face Sollux, a challenging look on his face. He was happy to know that he'd come. Striding up to him, he flicked him on the forehead, earning a laugh and a half-hearted embrace.

"It's great to see you too asshole."

"You look great KK."

"Thanks." He took the gift from behind his back, "Got you a present."

"Oh cool. Didn't expect that though, you didn't have to."

"Obviously I did. You called me here for a reason, didn't you?"

"Yeah. I brought Rex back."

"Great, then the three of us can chill inside and watch..."

Footsteps sounded out from behind Sollux along with the bark of a dog. But that's not what made him fade off. It was the person that was holding the collar. A beautiful young woman dressed in a red penny coat and dark boots and pants. She had a charming smile as she waved a hello to Karkat. Karkat didn't wave, only stared back in surprise at the woman holding her dog's leash. Sollux sensed the awkwardness in the air.

"Um, Karkat. This is Aradia. Aradia, Karkat."

She smiled, letting Max run off to him. She walked over to stand next to Sollux who held her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. He pursed his lips and looked back at Sollux.

"Is she..?"

Aradia seemed to catch on and pat Sollux's arm. She whispered that she'd wait in the car and turned to leave the two alone. Karkat paid no attention to her, a saddened feeling rising in his chest. Sollux sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"So you're dating her now?"

"Yeah."

"Where'd you meet?"

"We had a high school reunion. Ran into her and we brought up some old feelings while we spoke and it just happened. We're going to go up to a cabin soon."

"Wow. That must be great." Karkat remarked somewhat bitterly.

"Don't do this KK.."

He sighed, "Do you love her?"

Sollux took a moment, more for Karkat than his himself. "Yeah I do. She means a lot to me."

Karkat smiled faintly at him and nodded, "Well I'm glad. Nice to see you're happy." Sollux nodded in agreement and moved to hand the box back but Karkat shook his head.

"You deserve it. Merry Christmas Sollux."

With that, Karkat took hold of Max's leash and waved a goodbye to Sollux, nearly sprinting off.