Chapter 2

You are now Dave Strider, the most awesome bro on the planet. As of right now, you are just going for a nice walk. Why? Because you can. You've also decide to use this to thinks over things. Or over someone. Over a certain T-human to be exact. It just so happens that you are in love with Karkat Vantas.

You've been in love with him since the last of the three years you spent on the meteor, waiting for John and Jade. You have been since.

Over the years on the meteor, you and he had become bros. Best Bros even. At first, you thought he was just some crabby asshole who could use a few hits to the face. But over time, you soon started to see another side of the guy. You like that side of him. The side that isn't constantly on guard.

You thought that bro-ship would exist here too. But, the universe decided to prove you wrong. You had been tossed all the way back to the first square with everyone else. Why? You have no idea. It must have had something to do with the life he had here.

When the new universe was created, it sent you back home, with Dirk and Bro. The others had been sent home as well, John, Jane, and Dad-Egbert, Rose, Roxy, and Mom-Lalonde, and Jade and Jake – also Bec. The trolls, on the other hand, were given knew homes, but were fairly similar to their old. Some ended up in completely opposite to their old, though.

Karkat ended up somewhere British Columbia, Canada. He was stuck living in the Rocky Mountains, of cold, cold Canada. Although, from one of your conversations you've had in the past with him, you did talk about the weather. It was summer, not extremely hot in Texas that day, when you spoke to him. You had jokingly asked him if he was having fun shovelling snow. He had replied, "Are you fucking kidding me? It's fucking hot out here, jegus. I thought Canada was supposed to cold! It's freaking hotter the LOHAC here! I'm literally melting as we speak. The air conditioning isn't doing shit either! Fuck- Jegus, Kankri outside in a fucking sweater, how the fuck." Apparently, as Rose told you later, that in the Rocky Mountains, it can get pretty hot some days.

Even though you had all been separated, you've all managed to make arrangements so, for the last month of summer you'd all go camping at Lake McDonald, Montana. It just so happens to that last month of summer. The gang was together again. Almost.

You can't help notice that some are aren't as close as they used to be. Then again, the game sure fucked people up. You notice Karkat more. He's seems to have cut himself off from everyone. Of course, you've noticed that the others were slowly cutting him off themselves; he just didn't do anything to stop it. John, Jade, Rose, Kanaya, and you were the only ones who really spoke to him when your memories were returned. But gradually, they seem to stop. First Jade, and then John, and then Rose. Kanaya stills tries, but something seems to be holding her back. You, on the other hand, continue to talk to him. He started treating almost like a bro again.

You kind of figured the reason the other trolls cut him off because he was T-human. But that was stupid. They had other friends that were T-humans other than Karkat. Maybe it was because he was a mutant? The hemospectrum doesn't really exist, but it's kind of built into the trolls and T-humans heads, though it doesn't really matter a whole lot like it did on Alternia. You've noticed that his eyes were crimson this year. Last year his eyes were a brown.

You've hear Kanaya say the even though the hemospectrum doesn't exist, it'll taken some adjusting and getting used to. There are still trolls out there that live by the spectrum, and will kill mutants or low bloods. She said that mutants tend to trigger an instinct to kill in other trolls. Maybe that's why they cut him off? Not wanting to hurt him, or get hurt if he were to be killed by a troll?

You stop that thought. You don't want to think about losing Karkat.

You are currently walking on Camas Road, you notice, nearing a bridge. You drove most of the way, parked your car, and then started walking down the road. The weather was cold and windy; well it was almost six fucking o' clock in the morning. Middle Fork Flathead River was over flowing this year, lots rainy weather.

Karkat probably would like this kind of weather, he isn't too happy with hot weather. He's had enough of the sunshine this summer. Even if he's hardly tan.

His appearance isn't the same as before, since he's T-human. He has dark auburn hair, freckles dotted across his face, and crimson eyes. His skin is white, not too white like you His nubby teeth had been replaced with human teeth, except for his eye teeth, which are fangs. He short and slim, the top of his head is only up to you chin. He's like a giant cuddly T-human, and it's extremely difficult to control yourself.

Yep, you definitely have it bad for him. But seriously, it nearly impossible to not like him, he's just so perfect. Mutant or not, adorably tsundere, and full of life. To you, he'll always be the same Karkat. He won't change in your eyes, like he has to others.

You feel a sudden flash of cold wind, not to mention a painful feeling to the gut once you see someone over the edge of the railing. Shit, don't they know how dangerous that is? They could seriously fall in to the deep river of rapids and drown. You better tell them to get back on the less dangerous part of the bridge.

As you draw nearer, you notice more of the person's appearance. Brown somewhat red hair, their wearing a thin black coat and skinny jeans from you can tell. But the coat looks familiar… Karkat's! It looks just like Karkat's.

Your chest clenches and you stomach churns, as you realize that that is Karkat's coat. That person standing on the other side of the railing is Karkat. What the hell was he doing out here at this time of day? Isn't he freezing?

He doesn't acknowledge you being on the bridge, like he's focused on something else. His grip on the railing seems to be faltering, which scares you. Strider or not, you still feel fear. You notice his face seems to be empty of emotion. Like there's no life, again, scaring you. You've seen this before, you know you have.

Back on the meteor, you remember. He once broke down to the point there was no sign of life in his eyes. Luckily, you were there to help him. However, the next day, he was back to himself. But you knew he was broken on the inside, his anger was used as a mask. The life in his eyes returned, but it was faded. You also discovered he was using cutting as a method of relief. You made sure he didn't even think of doing it again. However, that doesn't means he doesn't self-harm in this universe.

Fear grips you as you realize that he is most likely having suicidal thoughts as of this moment. And your fears are confirmed once he lets go of the railing.

You swear you practically time-jump – though your powers don't exist in this universe, they went away with the game – as you reach for him. Grabbing onto his arm with one hand and waist with the other. Pulling him back over the railing into the safety of your arms. Safe from himself.