"This… this place is incredible!" Karkat looked around the living space. It was designed in the latest style. The TV area was populated by a couple of low couches, evidently designed for just such a space. An equally short glass-topped coffee table served both couches at arm's reach, its surface clear except for a small, wizened bonsai tree. Karkat stood a few feet from the doorway, with his mouth doubling as a flycatcher.
"I'm glad you feel that way. We do like to keep it rather uncluttered. I always think that a physical clutter makes for a mental clutter."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Over the next few minutes, Karkat was given a brief tour of his new home, along with the rules of the roost.
"So, here's Porrim's old room. We redecorated it for you, so your room won't be pink and covered in fashion and psychology posters. In here, the laws of common sense apply. It's your room, but I do expect you to keep it reasonably clean. But you don't need to keep it spic-and-span, alright? Just… within reason."
"Okay, that sounds fair."
"Kanaya's room is across the hall, and the bathroom is down there. My room is at the other end, and my office is next to it, although I rarely use the office. I prefer to work out in the kitchen, where there's natural light."
"The office really only has the printer and some bookshelves." Kanaya explained.
"Right. This sure is a nice room. It's just so… big. I have no clue what to do with all of this space."
"I know, right?" Kanaya agreed, "I have some shelves along the walls, along with a small table and chair for reading."
"Hmm. That sounds like a pretty good idea to me."
Rosa smiled at him, then walked back out towards the kitchen. "Let's have some lunch before we go."
"Wait, where are we going?"
"Shopping, of course! You can't just go around wearing black all the time, can you?" She cut off Karkat's attempted response. "Not in my home! It bleaches the color out of your skin, makes you look like a ghost."
The sun was just beginning to set when the trio returned from their shopping trip, all three laden with bags. Karkat had gone up multiple sizes during his stay at the hospital, probably because of the consistent, hearty meals. His ribs no longer jutted out, although they still showed. His skin, especially his torso, was still a horrific mess of scars but they were beginning to heal. He would always have scars, both physically and mentally, but the love and attention from just one day had already begun to work miracles.
Karkat heaved his bags up onto his bed and emptied them, making sure to remove all of the tags before sorting them into piles for laundry. Wow. That is a lot of clothing. I do suppose that's what happens when you get an entirely new wardrobe. He went back out into the kitchen.
"Hey, where're the laundry machines?"
Rosa looked up from dicing vegetables for dinner, "They're through that door there," she pointed, "Kanaya can show you how to use it. Kanaya!"
Kanaya explained the machine, and Karkat duly got his laundry going. He was going to go back to his room, but Kanaya pulled at his hand and pointed out the window. "Look. It's a golden sunset tonight." She said, half whispering in awe.
"Wow. I've never even seen the city like this. It's so…"
"Amazing," Kanaya finished, speaking in a quieter voice still, "Sometimes, if mom is late because of work, I'll go up to the roof. You can see the entire city from there. And when it's like this… it's just majestic."
"Why don't we go up there now?"
"Sure," she turned and called to Rosa, "Hey mom? Is it alright if I show Karkat the roof?"
"Go ahead, just be back in half an hour. I'm making stir-fry."
Based off of Kanaya's anticipatory moan, Karkat was immediately assured that Rosa was an excellent cook. They walked back to the elevators in a friendly silence, and once inside, Karkat understood why Kanaya loved them. The light streamed in from the glass sides, gilding everything in its soft glow. The ride was short, as their apartment was near the top. All to soon, the chime came, signaling the end of the trip.
The roof was not empty by any means. There was a small greenhouse growing various plants as well as some benches near the edge. There were a few other people on the roof, but the atmosphere was silent. "When people come up here, they like it to be quiet. It's a popular spot to come up and watch the sunset." Kanaya whispered.
They chose a bench on the west side of the building to watch the sun slip below the horizon. Kanaya sat on a side with an armrest, and Karkat nearly sat in the middle, but instead took the other armrest. From the tension in his face, Kanaya knew something was troubling him.
"What's wrong, Karkat?" Kanaya asked, keeping her voice down. She nearly asked again, thinking he had not heard her, but he finally responded.
"I guess it's just a whole lot to take in at once. You and your mom… you're both so positive. It's hard to make such a paradigm shift this fast." His voice was low, but filled with emotion. Karkat gripped his knees in his hands so hard that the knuckles turned white. He looked at her, his eyes wide. "… so beautiful." he breathed, barely audible.
"What was that? I didn't hear you."
"Oh, I just said that it's so beautiful up here." You're so beautiful anywhere. "I really think I'm going to love living here." I really think I love you Kanaya. "Thanks for bringing me here."
"You're welcome. I like it up here too." I like you up here, Karkat.
They lapsed into silence again, and watched as the last fiery rays of the sun vanished below the horizon. They both jumped a little when they Karkat accidentally put his hand down on top of Kanaya's. However, neither of them made a move to break the contact. They slowly turned their heads to look in each other's eyes, Kanaya's bright emeralds meeting Karkat's deep rubies. Kanaya wore a smile on her face, while Karkat's expression was nervous. His throat jumped as he swallowed.
"Kanaya…" he whispered, almost as if saying it for the first time, "I really like being up here… with you." Karkat, don't screw this up, don't screw it up, don't screw it up!
"I do too, Karkat." As she spoke, a light blush crept onto her face, "I've never been up here with someone else. Even when mom and I come up here, we like to sit alone. It's so peaceful."
They fell silent again, still facing each other. An indeterminable amount of time passed, and they both snapped out of their trance-like state.
Kanaya checked the time on her phone, "Oh, no, Karkat. We've got to go."
The pair stood up, still holding hands and walked back to the elevators. Karkat looked rather crestfallen. One more familiar with Kanaya would have noticed she was disappointed too, but she hardly let it show. They rode the elevator in silence, but it was a different silence than before. It was friendly still, but laced with… tension.
They traversed the hallway far faster than they had earlier, nearly running back. They stopped just short of the door and finally let go of each other's hand, not realizing that they had been holding hands the whole time. Kanaya unlocked the door and they both slipped in.
"Good, you're back. I was about ready to call you."
"Sorry, mom. We uh… kinda lost track of time."
"Oh, it's fine. That happens to me sometimes when I'm up there." She gave them a knowing smile, seeing their flushed faces. "Well, dinner's ready."
"Wow, that was fantastic Rosa! It sure does beat hospital food, that's for certain."
"Thanks, Karkat. We don't really eat out a whole lot because I don't like how greasy it is. Upsets my stomach."
"Ah. I didn't really… eat… a whole lot… before…" Karkat dropped his gaze and trailed off.
"You will be eating here though. You gained at least ten pounds in the hospital, but you're still far too skinny."
They cleared the table and put the leftover stir-fry in a container. Kanaya and Rosa moved to do the dishes, but Karkat would not let Rosa. "You made dinner, we'll clean up."
"Are you sure? I usually do my own dishes…" she stopped protesting when Karkat looked at her. Okay, that's unnerving. I suppose that's what it's like to be on the receiving end of that stare.
When the dishes were clean, Karkat took care of his laundry, getting het next load going. In the meantime, Kanaya and Rosa picked out a movie to watch. Karkat saw them and groaned theatrically.
"Please don't tell me it's another crappy Rom-Com. The TV channel in my hospital room only ever showed these God-awful romantic comedies. I must have seen every single one in existence."
"No, it's not one of those movies," Kanaya rolled her eyes, "Those are the absolute worst. This is…" she glanced at the cover, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It's one of our favorites."
"I've never even heard of it. What's it about?" Karkat flopped down on the couch and watched the first real movie he had ever seen, amidst by his new family.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, I did just attempt to write some fluff-stuff. If it's bad, please forgive me. I have no experience with this type of thing. And yes, I am a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan. I thought that might be a rather funny quirk; the proper girl loving epic fantasy. Slightly non-canon, but hey, this is my story. *My Precious*. As always, enjoy and review!-Manic-Catastrophe