Karkat spent the night that night and the day after. Jake and Dirk didn't question it much, just asked if Karkat had eaten dinner yet. As much as the kid wanted to eat, he still said no. All he wanted now was a shower and a nap. You handed him a pair of your pajamas and went out to the kitchen to help feed the little ones. and watch tv with them. And get them ready for bed. And tuck them in.

By now, Karkat had been in the bathroom for nearly two hours. You got up and knocked on the door,

"Karkat, you okay?"

No answer.

"Karkat?" You try again.

Still, nothing.

"Karkat, I'm-"

"Don't come in here!"

"You best not be trying to kill yourself in my bathroom." You lean against the door. You hear a small huff, which adds a smirk to your face.

"What's it to ya, anyway?"

"Karkat, I will knock this door down if I so much as think you're going to hurt yourself in there."

"Just leave me alone, I'll be out in a minute."

"You've been in there for two hours."

"Just let me drown in the shower!"

"Is that even possible!?" There's a pause, then a faint bit of laughter, "Karkat?"

"Heh, no, I guess it isn't possible." He giggles, which almost terrifies you. There's more giggling as the lock of the door clicks and Karkat steps out, a bloodied towel on the floor, but a crisp white bathroom behind him. The clothes you gave him are obviously oversized, but he doesn't seem to mind.

It occurs to you now that it looks as though Karkat hasn't slept in days. He suffered from insomnia and you guess the stress just makes it worse. You lead him to your room, saying you'll take the couch for the night.

You are about to leave when Karkat stands.

"You're not going to go drown in the bathroom." You try to get him to sit back down, but he stays standing.

"Can you, um...can you stay...here, tonight?" he's staring at his toes. He looks so freakin' cute like th- wa-wa-wait! What the hell are you saying!?

You smirk a bit, "Sure thing, Kitkat."

"What did you just call me?" He growls.

"Kitkat."

"Never call me that again."

"And why not, Kitkat?"

"Kitkats suck and that nickname is lame."

"Who just said kitkats suck?" Dirk entered the room.

"Pops, get out, we're making out!" You try to push him out of the room.

"Not under this roof!" Jake calls from down the hall.

"Don't worry, dad, we know about mono." You roll your eyes before turning back to Karkat, who aims a pillow for your head.

You easily dodge it, catching it in midair. You aim it back at him, just in time for him to throw another pillow. The pillows collided, sending them both sideways and into a lamp.

You both cringed as it crashed to the floor, breaking the second it hit.

"What was that?" Jake calls.

"Nothing, dad, just passionate sleeping."

"Teenagers." Jake sighes, you turn to Karkat, who can hardly contain his laugher.

"Come on, let's head to bed." You pick up a pillow and toss it to him before laying on the floor.

"Um, Dave..."

"Hm?"

"Can you, um...sleep up here with me..."

Shrugging you climb onto the bed, learning on thing that night.

Jegus, did Karkat like to cuddle.