The second time Dave Strider saw Karkat Vantas, he saw him. In a well-lit room, less than 20 feet between them, not surrounded by a hundred other people, Dave Strider finally caught a proper glimpse of Karkat Vantas, and his heart skipped a beat. Because Karkat Vantas was stunning. With his rust red halo of messy hair and his wide brown eyes drowning in emotion, he left Dave breathless... and he walked away. They were not acquaintances. They were not friends. And they most certainly were not lovers, though if Dave was being completely honest, he wouldn't mind a chance to change that.