It had been a few weeks since the dance. The boys had yet to address their feelings for each other. Dave wanted to, desperately, but hesitation wouldn't leave him. He had plenty of opportunity too, they still shared a bed, they still spent most of the day together. So, the only thing truly holding him back was his own fear. The same could be said for Karkat. He also wanted to approach the subject of initiating a flushed relationship. However, much like Dave, he hesitated, better to have Dave in his pale quadrant than no quadrant at all; which is what a confession may lead to. So the boys spent several weeks skirting the issue that weighed on them both so heavily. Finally though, Dave had had enough. He wasn't a wuss, he would face the issue and stop running, first though, he needed some supplies.

He gathered fluffy blankets and pillows piling them all onto Karkat's bed, the troll loved this type of stuff. Loved the comfort of soft, plush cuddle objects. He said it was completely different from what he had on Alternia, the production of soft comfort goods wasn't exactly high in a culture that placed a supreme priority on strength and brutality. Next, ice cream, mostly because that's what Dave needed, it was the only thing he could get on this godforsaken meteor with apples in it. He wasn't sure what Karkat liked so he alchemized a variety of flavors, all Ben and Jerry's because that ice cream was the shit. Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Chunky Monkey, Cake Batter, Cherry Garcia; and Apple-y Ever After for himself. Karkat should be done with his bath any time now…

And there he is. "Dave, what the fuck is all this?" Not angry, but a little surprised.

"I need to have feelings jam with you that may be a little difficult for both of us… I'm just trying to make it as comfortable as possible." Best to be straightforward, if he was going to do this, he was going to fucking do it right. Not hold anything back, not beat around the bush. He didn't want to make Karkat uncomfortable, but he didn't want any ambiguity left about their relationship or his feelings.

"Okay, what are these?"

"Ice cream."

"What?"

"Ice cream dude, you know, the frozen delicious treat that seems to be equated with difficult emotional times."

"This is a human culture thing isn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess. Just try a few, you'll probably find something you like."

So Karkat picked up the Chocolate Fudge Brownie and a spoon from the pile Dave had left on the table; taking a bite. "Wow, this is really good! You've been holding out on me fuckass." Karkat looked like a kid in a candy store, or ice cream store, whatever. Karkat set the ice cream down for a moment, rearranged the pillows and blankets on their shared bed and made himself comfortable; he grabbed the ice cream again, digging in and said "Okay, shoot, what do you need to talk about." Karkat wasn't 100% sure what Dave was getting at, but if he was going through all of this preparation, than it must be important to him. Karkat was determined to listen intently.

"I….Karkat I…." Shit, his mouth was dry, the ice cream wasn't helping shit. He felt like he was going to cry and Karkat looked concerned and he needed to fucking say something, but words were failing him.

"Dave, it's okay, tell me." Karkat reached over, placing a hand on Dave's shoulder for reassurance. He was trying to be a good moirail, but in reality it just pained him so much to see Dave, the cool-kid hipster who guards his emotions like a fucking Swiss bank, seem so vulnerable.

The physical contact couple with his vulnerability caused something to snap in Dave, it was the final straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. The camel being his restraint. He reached over and pulled Karkat into a kiss.

The troll was caught off guard, shit he had wanted this and now he was too shocked to move. He never really expected Dave to make the first move; he had been going over this scenario a thousand times in his mind and now he couldn't even enjoy the feeling of the boy's lips against his own. He should reciprocate, he should show Dave that he felt just as strongly.

Before Karkat could return the affection though, Dave pulled away. He felt rejected, he probably just fucked everything up and …oh shit, he was going to cry, he needed to get out of here. He needed to hide, he needed…he needed….

Karkat wasn't about to let Dave get away. The blonde stood up, but Karkat caught his wrist, pulling him back down, giving him the most passionate kiss he could muster. Dave was shocked, but recovered fast, yes, this wasn't a disaster. He returned the kiss with as much fervor as Karkat had presented. Hands moved to the back of Karkat's head, deepening the kiss; his hair still wet.

Once they came up for air, Karkat pulled away, "So, does this mean…you have flushed feelings for me?" His question came out meek and unsure. He wasn't sure how humans worked out these types of events, he was afraid that he maybe misinterpreting something.

Dave let out a relieved laugh. "Yeah dude, 100% flushed or whatever for you."

Karkat smiled and Dave's heart sang. He rested his forehead on Karkat's shoulder, suddenly drained. He had to work himself up so much for this damn confession, steeling himself for rejection; now the amount of happiness that filled him was almost too much. …And he smelled apples. Was it his ice cream? No, he would have smelled it earlier. He brought his hand up, adjusting his glasses; it was his hand, why? He hadn't….

Dave quickly removed himself from Karkat, standing up and leaning over the troll, burying his nose in his fellow knight's hair. It was Karkat. Karkat used apple shampoo? Since when?

When the blonde pulled away, he saw his new matesprit blushing a violent red that removed any hue of gray from his skin. Dave smirked "You were going to try and seduce me weren't you?"

"NO I WASN'T! I JUST…I JUST….I just was trying to work up the courage to tell you myself….I kind of thought….maybe ….I don't know…..you would have a better chance of liking me or something, it was just something to help me with my confession. Something to give me confidence enough to tell you."

Well fuck, Dave couldn't tease him for that. It's too damn precious, and actually, it made him feel special. That Karkat would go to such lengths, to work himself up like that for Dave's sake. He pulled the troll in for one more chaste kiss. "You smell good."

Karkat's flushed deeper, if that was even possible and Dave smiled. Truly smiled.