Time passed. Karkat's arms healed at a rapid rate, much faster than the doctors predicted. Every single day, without fail, Kanaya came to visit him for hours at a time, usually doing her homework while in there. On weekends, she sometimes would spend the entire day there, talking with Karkat about school. After about a week, Karkat had healed enough to be able to do his homework. The pile was relatively small, as it was still in the beginning of the school year. She would often lend him her notes to copy down. He was especially grateful for this, as he quickly discovered that her notes were meticulously written and highly detailed.

Twice a week, he went to the therapist to try and recover mentally from his former life. The process was slow, but all parties agreed that he was well on the way to both mental and physical health. Eventually, after spending three weeks in the hospital, the question came up as to where he would go.

"It really isn't a question, Karkat. You are going to live with me and my mother." Kanaya was adamant on this point. "No one else really knows you, and my mother would be delighted to have you live with us."

"Are you sure, Kanaya? I don't want to be a burden."

"Karkat, my mother would probably go mad if you went anywhere else. And so would I. Besides, we've already gotten the CPS paperwork filled out."

Karkat said nothing, just smiled at her. His eyes had finally begun to lose the look of constant fear and ever-pervasive hunger, and were slowly being replaced with a sense of trust and love. He had gotten more familiar with smiling too. Kanaya still thought that there was nothing more beautiful than his smile, and it only got better. Now, his entire face lit up when he smiled. His eyes sparkled and danced, throwing the light in ruby arcs.

His smile itself was something that Karkat was still worried about. It showed off his teeth brilliantly, but the disconcerting part was the fact that his teeth were identical to his dad's. They were pure, snowy white without a single crooked or chipped tooth.

"I guess it sort of looks like my dad's." The thought alone was enough to wipe the smile off his face.

"That may be, but why is that something to be ashamed of? You aren't your father, so what's the point of complaining of perfect teeth? I had to go through years of orthodontia to get my teeth straight."

"Oh, right, sorry."

Eventually, the time came for Karkat to leave. The staff that worked on his floor threw him a small party to celebrate his recovery. His reaction to it, though, was remarkable. He walked out of his room to be confronted with a small crowd of nurses, doctors, and other patients that knew him. The area was decorated with balloons, streamers, and a large cake. The attendees were startled to see him break down in tears in front of them.

"Karkat, what's wrong?" Dr. Meenah asked.

"Oh, n-nothing," Karkat choked out, "it's just that this is the first party I've ever been to." He looked up at them, weeping honest tears of joy. "And, funny thing. Today is also my fourteenth birthday. Needless to say, it's the first one I've ever celebrated."

"That is a strange coincidence. I'm sorry we only got you one gift, but we didn't know your-" she was cut off by Karkat wrapping his arms around her.

"It's fine. It sure beats how my dad used to 'celebrate'. One slash per year, usually on my legs. I think that those scars are still there."

"Well, we don't celebrate in that… barbaric fashion here. Open the gift." The brightly wrapped box was brought forward.

Karkat carefully picked the tape off, leaving the paper intact. He opened the package and was overcome with emotion as he saw what it was. It was a collage of pictures taken from his stay at the hospital, each one a picture of him with one of the staff. They were arranged in a pattern that unmistakably spelled out 'LIVE!' He flipped it over and saw that each nurse, doctor, and assistant had written a note on the back.

"I-I don't know what to say. This is… well… the best gift I've ever received. Thank you." He beamed at the collected group.

The party was short, as all hospital parties must be, but Karkat enjoyed himself immensely. When it ended, Karkat and Kanaya walked out to the main lobby, where her mother was waiting.

"Hello, Karkat. It's great to finally meet you." Rosa stood from her seat. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to meet you sooner, but usually I have to get to work when I drop Kanaya off."

"Don't worry Ms. Maryam. I'm happy to finally meet you. Kanaya's told me a lot about you."

"Oh, please just call me Rosa. Ms. Maryam is my business name."

"Alright… Rosa."

"That's right!" Rosa beamed at him as the trio walked out of the hospital.

"So, uh, where do you live Rosa?"

"We live in a high-rise in the middle of the city. It's very nice up there. The height dampens the road noise to a very faint rumble, and to see it in the evening or the morning… it's just indescribable. You will like it there."

"It certainly sounds like it." The group arrived at Rosa's car, a high-end sedan. Karkat half instinctively headed for the trunk before realizing Rosa was looking at him strangely. "Oh, right," he mumbled, his face coloring, "I used to ride in the trunk on the few occasions that dad would drive me somewhere. It's still a habit of mine."

"That's just inhuman to treat someone that way. Until further notice, you will sit shotgun, alright?"

"Heh, sounds fine by me."

The drive to Karkat's new home was rather surreal for him. He had never seen the city from this perspective, or indeed, really ever seen it. He always walked with his head down before. "This is just so… weird! I walked along this road every day back when I went to elementary school."

Eventually, they arrived at the high-rise. They all got out, and Rosa handed the keys to a valet. Once inside, Karkat's jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw how fancy the place was. Everything from the carpet to the chandeliers caught his attention. Riding in the glass elevator, Kanaya smiled softly, seemingly amused by something.

"This is my favorite place in the late afternoon. The light from the city is golden and it's nearly silent in here. It's so peaceful."

"I feel the same way Kanaya," Rosa agreed, "there's nothing like riding these elevators in the evening. But wait until you see the view from our apartment. One entire wall is a window."

"That sound amazing."

"Oh, it is. We like to watch the city in the morning. The light is sometimes ruby red, just like your eyes… and apparently your face."

"Oh, stop it mom. Don't embarrass him!" Kanaya's tone was far from serious, though.

The elevator chimed, signaling their floor. They stepped out into the softly lit hallway, Karkat still gaping at the carpet.

"Hey, I really like this carpet."

"Oh, that? That was actually designed by a former high school student. I think his name was… Ampora. Cronus Ampora."

"Well he certainly did a good job."

"No arguments here. Although it is hard to keep clean. There's a special contractor that does it weekly. They certainly do a lucrative business here."

The triad finally approached their destination, and Karkat's heart doubled its pace. So this is it. My new life awaits me. Kanaya opened the door and Karkat looked out in wonder through the room and out the massive floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall window, offering an unparalleled view of the cityscape. This, this is my new home. I actually have a family now. He walked over the threshold with a sense of wonder, and began his new life with a smile on his face.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the rather short chapter today. I am really busy on Tuesdays, and the fact that I am pretty mother-glubbing tired doesn't help. Still, it should be a nice bridge chapter with some more character development. As always, enjoy and review (I can't get better without help). –Manic-Catastrophe