The boys had entered a dream bubble; damn these things came around more and more frequently. It was a little annoying, but at the same time it was interesting to see so many different versions of themselves over time. Dave had met an adult version of himself from a reality in which the game never started. He was an archeology professor, he had achieved tenure and he had a happy life. He had never met Karkat, but seemed completely unfazed by the notion of trolls. It was really interesting. Karkat had been able to meet his pre-scratch self. Surprisingly muscular, but just as shouty. They all talked and things settled into a shockingly easy rhythm each time they met.
This time though, the boys weren't met with older version of themselves. Rather, in a large field with many mechanical horses, they were met with female versions of themselves. Rose, Kanaya and a handful of other kids and trolls were feeding the horses steel apples and petting them; they had almost missed their other selves completely. However, a long haired troll with aviator shades motioned them over. Dave saw this and pulled Karkat along with him to investigate. The troll led them to a secluded area, where a girl with long blonde hair and red eyes awaited them. She wore a white record shirt, much like Dave's, but had a long, flowy red skirt instead of pants.
The four teens sat in a circle, the blonde girl was the first to speak. "So, this is pretty fucking awkward. Um, I'm Danielle and this is Karkea. I think we're technically alternate versions of you guys?"
The troll girl just looked at them through her shades "Sup"
"Sup" Dave responded.
"Why the fuck does my alternate self have your fucking shades?" Karkat asked.
"Shenanigans" Dave said.
"I agree, shenanigans." Concurred Karkea
"Question, are either of you into romcoms?" Asked Danielle.
"This guy is, his tastes are pretty shitty too."
"NO, THEY'RE NOT DAVE! I HAVE EXCELLENT TASTE IN MOVIES!"
"Dude, if I watch Twilight one more time, I'm going to puke. It's not even a romcom, why the fuck do you want to watch it so much."
"Oh my god thank you! Tell that to this one." Kankea interjected. Gesturing towards this girl next to her.
"But it's so sweet!"
"EXACTLY!"
The four teens broke up in to two groups of two. Dave and Karkea discussing the challenges of matesprits with horrendous tastes in movies. While Karkat and Danielle conversed about their favorite romantic media. It was an easy conversation for the groups; but they tired of it quickly. Instead each talking with their alternate selves.
Dave talked with Danielle about Texas and human traditions; it had been a while since he could really talk about his own culture. Not that he didn't enjoy discussing the differences with Karkat, but it was nice just to talk with someone who knew about the traditions; who had grown up with the traditions. Rose wasn't really one for talking about such things. Soon their talk shifted to personal living circumstances. Both had lived in a high-rise apartment; both had siblings with odd ways of making money; but then a shift in the conversation turned to the siblings in question.
"Yeah, Sis was awesome! She was well versed in a ton of martial arts and sword fighting. She taught me so much; but I can't believe she still insisted on using foam bats instead of actual swords! It's like, I'm thirteen I can handle it; you know?" She laughed.
Dave couldn't disagree more. Bro had never taken precautions like that; hell Dave practiced with a heavy sharpened sword since he was four. Never was his safety taken into account. Still, he smiled and did his best to laugh…"Yeah, I know what you mean." Thankfully Danielle was rather glib, Dave didn't need to do much talking at all.
Karkat and Karkea had their own discussions of being mutants from a very hostile culture. Apparently Eridan was still male…and tried to hit on his female self….Karkat wasn't sure how he felt about that. Their talk remained mostly light though; about the bullshit they put up with. Karkea was a lot quieter than Karkat, but she still had that whole attempting and failing at leadership thing going on. It ended just the same. Mid conversation the boys were forced back to their own reality. The bubble must have been small.
They woke up in bed, side-by-side. Dave cried and buried his face in Karkat's chest. It was okay to be vulnerable here. Karkat was safe. The troll just held his matesprit, what happened? He asked Dave, but the human shook his head. Like he couldn't face it. Like what he was going through was completely ineffable. So they merely stayed that way, cuddling. While Karkat rubbed his boyfriend's back offering words of comfort.
Notes: Okay, THIS! This chapter was one that I had planned for a long time. And I had gone through a few different conversation options. And I had it all planned out a week ago...then I go to write it today and I couldn't remember a damn thing. So, lesson learned. When I have something specific in mind, write it down. Even if it the story hasn't reached that point yet, write it down. Because the only thing I could remember was that I wanted Danielle to have a nice sister and Dave to have kind of a personal crisis over it...which will now be explored later, I think.
Nightjinx23:Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it! ^-^
HyruleHearts1123: AHH! Thank you! Fluff is life! But toxic in large quantities (like this fic) remember, moderation is the key. No, you know what? Forget it, Fluff is like drugs, it's addicting. Screw moderation, it will bring you back to life! What the hell am I even writing anymore?...ignore me. =P
Linda065cliva: Thank you! You are too nice ^-^! Yeah I really like steampunk stuff, and there's a steampunk band called Abney Park that lives in my area, I met the lead singer at a small convention once. HE WAS SOOOOOO NICE! It's too bad the rest of the steampunk people couldn't follow his example. I tried to talk to people (really politely, just "Hey! I like your outfit") they literally smiled and then turned their backs to me. Refused to talk to me. Happened a couple of times too. It's really too bad; kind of turned me away from the whole community. Have you read Gail Carriger's books? They are AWESOME!