I want to apologize for having this out a week late. I got caught up with stuff. But, that just means two weeks in a row of updates. Yay!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Homestuck. Duh.

Chapter 6

As the final bell rang, Sollux sauntered to the side of the building and waited for Karkat and Equius so they could go home. He sat on the bricks outlining one of the big trees the school called their 'Victory tree', since all the sports teams walked passed it before loading the busses and going to their game. He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through social media for a few minutes before Karkat walked up with Equius, and they were arguing about something. Or rather, Karkat was yelling about something and Equius was nodding along, saying little.

"All I'm saying is if Gary is going to call me something like that, I am entitled to know what that word means." Karkat griped. "I mean, what the hell is a shisno anyway?!"

Equius shrugged, contemplating this question. "Well, I have heard of the term before, but I'm not really sure there is anything on earth I can make it equivalent it to."

Sollux snickered, intrigued by this conversation. "Look, if you two nerds are done arguing, can we head home now? I've gotta go and visit someone before starting my homework."

"Wow, you mean you're actually going to do something related to school for once? That's an interesting change. What's next? Are you actually going to start cleaning the apartment?" The redhead chided Sollux, smirking.

The lanky teen responded by thumping his short friend on the back of the head. "I didn't ask for your sass KK. Come on guys, lets go." The three walked to Equius' car and drove to Sollux and Karkat's apartment complex. After about 15 minutes, Equius pulled up to the front doors.

"Hey. I'll see you two tomorrow I suppose." Equius turned to the two boys in the back. "Call me if anything is suspicious. Midnight activity seems to have increased lately."

"Yeah. Will do. Thanks EQ. See ya tomorrow." Sollux and Karkat grabbed their bags and jumped out of the car, watching their friend drive off. The taller boy looked at Karkat. "You go up to the apartment, and take my stuff if you don't mind. I'm gonna go visit someone."

Karkat gave his roommate a questioning look. "Are you sure? I know what happened last time you went over there. I don't want anything to anything to go wrong again."

Sollux rolled his eyes. "Yes, I am fully aware. I will be more careful this time. Don't worry. I think she doesn't have work tonight, so I won't be alone with him. See you later." He handed his stuff to Karkat and proceeded to walk inside. He made a left and walked down to the end of the corridor, stopping at one of the doors that was all too familiar to him. Sighing, he gave the door a knock.

"Who is it? Wait, is that the pizza guy? Man I'm starving!" A female voice called from the other side of the door.

The boy with glasses chuckled. "No it's not the pizza guy, Latula. It's Sollux, open up."

The door opened and Sollux was greeted with a smiling face wearing red glasses, black lipstick and… was that paint splatters on her face? "Hi Sollux! Dude it's been awhile since you've visited. What's the occasion?"

Sollux shrugged. "Nothing really. Just thought I would come and check in with you guys. What's up with your face?"

"Oh that." Latula laughed, gently wiping some paint out of her naturally-caramel-and-dyed-teal hair. "Yeah, Tuna and I had a totally rad paint fight. We were just painting pictures originally, but things obviously got a little out of hand. Come on in. Mituna, guess who's here to see you?"

"Who? Wait I'll be there in a minute. I think I got paint in my hair. And my clothes. And my everywhere else." A child-like voice called from the other room.

The young Captor walked in, shutting the door behind him. Inside was a fun, modern styled room with a teal colored couch, yellow arm chairs, and a multicolored kitchen table with matching curtain set. I know I don't come very often, but it pains me so much to see him how he is. It makes me wish there was something I could have done to fix things.

A minute or so later, a man in his mid 20s with honey-colored hair, though currently colored with various paint blobs, walked into the living room. His hair was covering most of his eyes, but that didn't stop him from beaming at Sollux when he saw him. "SOLLUX IT'S YOU!" He ran up to the teen and squeezed him tight. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I don't exactly live far away Mituna. I just happened to actually have time today to come and visit my favorite big bro." Sollux smiled when he said that, though his heart was pained. About two years ago, Mituna was in a very bad car accident. No one thought he was going to survive. Somehow, he managed to pull through, but not without severe consequences. He was deemed mentally disabled, with no chance of recovery. After some major physical therapy, he was able to walk and talk again, but his mind would never recover. After that, his wife Latula moved in with him and started working four jobs just to keep them alive.

"Oh. Yeah I guess, but you don't visit often, so I forget sometimes. Anyway, now you're here!" Mituna giggled.

The younger brother nodded. "Yep, I am buddy. How are you doing lately? What's been up with you?"

The shaggy-haired man grinned. "Well, I've been going to these really fun art classes with a bunch of other kids. It's super fun, I love it. Mostly, I've been coloring and drawing, cause that's my favorite."

"Hey Tuna. Why don't you go and make another totally rad painting for me?" Latula asked, placing her hand on his head.

"Okay Tula. I love you!" Mituna placed a kiss on his wife's cheek then ran off into the other room.

Sollux sighed. "Any new developments with his condition?" He sat down on the pleather teal couch.

Latula sat next to him. "Unfortunately not much. His response to things he hears is getting better, but it's getting harder and harder to do anything with him." She started tearing up. "I'm really worried. Even with the money I'm making, it's getting difficult to pay for all of his medication. If his condition doesn't improve, the doctors say they're gonna put him in a permanent care facility. I can't give him up to that. I can't lose him." She put her head in her hands and started sobbing.

Used to comforting women in bad situations, Sollux calmly wrapped his arm around Latula, whispering to her that it's going to be okay and things will get better, though he didn't really believe a single word of it. He knew how much she had to give up to take care of his older brother. It's really sad knowing how much better of a life she could have had if it weren't for the accident. She puts up with so much, but I know how much she loves Mituna. "Don't worry Latula. We won't let anything happen to Mituna. He isn't going anywhere." Trying to be comforting to someone when you have a lisp as bad as mine probably doesn't work very well. But… whatever works I guess.

"Yeah. You're right." The woman sniffed, sitting up in her seat. "Thanks Sollux. Well, you should probably start on your homework. I don't want to be the reason you got in trouble on the first week."

"Pfft. Homework. Yeah right." Sollux joked, but then smiled softly. "Thanks Tula. Call me whenever you need me."

The other one smiled. "Will do, and same to you. No more getting into trouble, you hear?"

"Haha. Like that's ever going to happen." They got up and hugged each other. "See ya. Tell Tuna I said bye, and I'll see him soon." Sollux turned around, opened the door, and left, heading towards his apartment.

For those of you who may have noticed, yes, there was a Red vs Blue reference (For which I own nothing of) at the beginning of this chapter. Sorry for throwing my nerdiness at you.

Until next time.

~Jane