Taking Scarlet Strides Part 6 (Humanstuck Davekat)

WARNING: CHAPTER CONTAINS MILD SWEARING


“Dave?” The voice was familiar. John... Dave looked up, realizing he had been missing class. He stayed silent.

“Mr. Moore sent me to find you. What happened? I passed Karkat on the way down here--he looked kinda upset... and where are your shades?”

“John...” Dave said quietly, “I really screwed up....”

John looked down at the blonde solemnly. “What did you do, Dave.”

-------

Karkat pressed his back against the wall, hugging his knees to his chest. There was only one flickering bulb in his supply closet, and it looked ready to burn out. His thoughts wandered to those familiar scarlet eyes, and his rapid breath caught in his throat. He swallowed, closing his own eyes and pushing his face to his knees. “I’m so fucking stupid.... why did I....” he muttered quietly, trailing off as the bulb finally died out. He lifted his head and looked around anxiously, catching his lip between his teeth and letting out a tiny whimper as he waited for his eyes to adjust. “And of course, the goddamn bulb went out,” he grumbled softly. Karkat could just barely make out the silhouettes of the shelves lining the closet. Why is it so fucking dark in here? Goddamn it, I’m gonna have a panic attack or something... he thought, shifting a bit on the cold concrete floor. He squeezed his eyes shut, a whine rising in his throat. It’s so dark... but I’m not scared... Oh fuck, who am I kidding? I’m terrified. He gripped his own sleeves until his knuckles turned white, tensing in fear.

-------

“I’m not sure why you’re blaming yourself, it was Karkat who pulled you forward,” John said, crossing his arms.

“Yeah, but he wouldn’t have run off if something wasn’t wrong. I have to go find him...” Dave said, standing up. “Did you see which way he went?”

John nodded. “He was going towards the stairs; the ones with the supply closet at the bottom.”

Dave took off as soon as John had finished speaking, skidding to a stop at the stairs and looking around. "Karkles? Kitkat, where are you? Don't you fucking dare play games!" he called, turning to the closet as a quiet noise caught his attention. What was that.... he thought, reaching out and placing a hand on the door handle. He gripped it and turned the knob, pulling open the door. “Karkat...” he murmured, spotting the other boy curled in a ball in the corner.

Karkat lifted his head out of his arms, swallowing a small sob. He brushed a hand across his cheek, wiping away some of the tear trails.

Dave’s heart broke a little, and he stepped forward to kneel next to the brunette. “Karkitty... why do you have to be so fucking adorable?” he whispered, sliding his arms around the other.

Karkat leaned against Dave’s chest. “I-I’m sorry... about earlier. I shouldn’t ha--” He was cut off as Dave leaned down and kissed him. His eyes widened, and he froze.

The blonde pulled away, smiling down at the brunette. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad you did.” He raised one of his hands and cupped Karkat’s cheek, using his thumb to wipe away the rest of the tears. “Please don’t cry, Karkat. I’m not angry with you.”

Karkat let out a feeble laugh, coughing a little. “That’s not why I’m crying, idiot. I’m fucking afraid of the dark, like a damn two year old.”

Dave was quiet, then laughed. “Karkat, you... you are too fucking cute. Stop, you’re gonna give me diabetes from how sweet you are.”

“Oh fuck off, I’m not cute or sweet or adorable or, god forbid, precious,” said the brunette, pouting.

Dave smirked. “By the way, I’ll be needing these,” he said, slipping his hand into Karkat’s pocket and pulling out his shades. He grinned as the other froze for a moment. “You’re really jumpy. Y’know that?”

“Yes, asshole, I do know that. Blame my fuckass father,” Karkat growled quietly.

Dave’s smile faded, and he slowly stood up, leaving the other boy on the floor. Karkat glared up at him as he did so. “Hey, asshole, I was leaning on you,” he grumbled.

The blonde reached out a hand and pulled the brunette to his feet, then forward to whisper in his ear. “You know, I really shouldn’t have to pull you off the floor so often. Makes you look... submissive,” he breathed, smirking as he pulled back and unfolded his shades before slipping them on.

Karkat glared at the blonde, then looked away. “We should... we should probably get back to class,” he said quietly, folding his arms.

Dave frowned, but shrugged. “Alright. I’ve got calculus right now.”

“I’ve got lunch, and then a free period.”

“Yeah, I’ve got the free period too.”

“I’m pretty sure that every fucking junior has free period at the same time.”

“... Oh. Fine. Jegus, let’s make fun of Dave because he didn’t know something,” Dave said, pouting.

Karkat smirked. “You’re such a... you’re like a little kid.”

“I am not a child, Karkles,” said the blonde, then stuck his tongue out at the brunette.

“Sure, sure. You can believe whatever you like, Strider,” Karkat replied, smirking.

Dave reached out and mussed the brunette’s hair. “I gotta go, KK. See you during the free period, okay?”

Karkat waved the blonde’s hands away, giving him an annoyed look. “Yeah, yeah. And stop messing with my hair! It doesn’t need any help to be a total fucking rat’s nest.”

Dave grinned, then walked away, jogging down the hallway and turning out of sight. Karkat watched him go, biting his lip. He looked down at the floor and trudged down the other hall to the cafeteria.

-----

“So you worked things out with Karkat?” John asked, his hands in his pockets as he and the taller blonde walked back to the calculus classroom.

“Yeah, I think so,” Dave said, eyes focused on the ground. “I don’t know, though. I’m kinda worried that things are gonna be weird between us now, y’know?”

“Dave,” John said, stopping and looking at the blonde. “Why would it matter if things were weird between you, exactly?”

Dave froze, eyes widening behind his shades. “I-I... um... I d--”

“HAH!” John exclaimed, a huge grin spread across his face. “You like him, don’t you? You only met him today and you like him? Ooh, this is awesome!” John was practically giddy as he dug in his pocket for his phone, which he promptly whipped out and began stabbing furiously at with his thumbs.

Dave was speechless, staring at the black-haired boy as he wildly typed. John finally paused and looked up. “There we go,” he stated, sliding his phone back into his pocket.

“W-what? What did you do?” Dave asked, his voice cracking in panic.

“Just texted a fangirl we know,” John replied slyly.

“Oh Jegus you told Nepeta,” Dave said flatly, then threw up his hands. “I’m doomed!” He began walking down the hallway again, significantly more tense.

John practically skipped after him, catching up with the largest smile on his face. Dave looked down at him. “You’re terrifying when you’re like that. Honestly, it’s really scary,” he said, smiling a little as well.

John looked up and winked. “I try, Dave. I try.”

Dave shook his head and grabbed John in a one armed hug. “You are an annoying little ass, but I have a feeling that whatever you told Nepeta is going to have a huge effect on my relationship with KK. I’m just hoping it isn’t a negative one.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Nepeta is a great matchmaker, trust me,” John replied, squirming out of Dave’s grasp and making a face. “How come you’re all happy all of a sudden? It’s creepy. And you hugged me. What the hell?”

Dave rolled his eyes. “Fine, I’ll never be happy again, Jegus. And hugging people is a normal display of affection,” he said, crossing his arms.

“For you? No it isn’t. And you can be happy... I’ll just have to get used to it,” John said, shrugging. “Now come on, we’ve only got like half an hour of class left.”

The pair continued down the hallway. Upon reaching the classroom, John opened the door and ushered Dave inside before following. Mr. Moore glared at the two boys, particularly the blonde. “Mind telling me what took so long?”

John bit his lip. “Uh... there was a, um, personal matter that had to be taken care of,” John said quietly, earning a few snickers from the rest of the class. He turned and glared at them for a moment, then looked back to the teacher.

“Yeah, nice try. That excuse only works for the ladies, and it usually doesn’t work for them either,” Mr. Moore replied. “So, what happened?”

“Uh... Mr. Moore, I don’t--” John began.

“Quiet! I’m speaking to Mr. Strider. I know where you were, Mr. Egbert! Please sit down,” the teacher hissed. John raised his hands in submission, walking back to his seat and sitting down.

“I was taking care of a personal matter, Mr. Moore,” Dave said flatly.

“And what kind of personal matter was so important that you had to miss half an hour of class?”

“Well, let’s see, I stopped a few bullies, comforted the victim, I, er... caused another event, comforted the victim again, and then came back here,” Dave said, counting things off on his fingers.

“I see. And what was this other event?” Mr. Moore asked, eyebrows raised.

“I’d rather not discuss that in front of the class. I’ll be happy to tell you later, but not right now. Those nosy bastards are not allowed to hear,” Dave said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at the class.

“Hey!” John called, “What about me?”

“Not you, idiot,” Dave said, giving John a flat look.

“Mr. Strider! Please sit down and open your book to the page on the board. You will stay after class to explain to me what happened, understood?”

“Of course,” Dave said, giving a small, mocking bow and trudging to his seat next to John.

Mr. Moore turned back to the board, picking up in his lesson.

-------

“Now then, your homework will be problems eight through sixty on page ninety-eight. If you feel that you do not need the extra practice, all of the odd numbered problems are optional,” Mr. Moore called, and a cheer erupted from the class.

“Oh thank jegus. Fifty two of these is too many,” John said with a sigh.

“Yeah, fifty two too many,” Dave said, closing John’s textbook and handing it to him. “Thanks for sharing, John.”

“Not a problem. I did drag you back here before you could go to your locker,” John said, piling his things and tugging on his blue hoodie.

The bell rang, and John picked up his stuff. “Good luck, Dave. I’ll see you in the commons, ‘kay?”

“Yeah, see you there,” Dave said, sauntering up to the front of the room and leaning on Mr. Moore’s desk.

“Mr. Strider,” said Mr. Moore, “Please explain to me what happened to make you so tardy.”

“Well, I left the cafeteria on time, but I found... a friend... being bullied. I scared them off and made sure the kid was okay, and then... something happened that made him a little upset and he ran off. Then John found me and I explained what happened, and then went after the other kid. I found him again and comforted him, sent him off to class, and came down here,” Dave said, summarizing the events of earlier.

“And what was that something that happened?” Mr. Moore raised an eyebrow.

“I... don’t think it’s my place to say. Sir,” Dave said, looking away and biting his lip.

“You will explain to me or there will be consequences,” the teacher growled crossly, folding his arms.

“Fine.” Dave turned and looked directly at the older man through his shades. “He kissed me, sir, and was upset by his own actions and afraid that I’d be mad. Can I go now?”

Mr. Moore blinked in surprise. “I see. Yes, Mr. Strider, you may leave.”

Dave turned and walked out, turning and continuing to the commons. He quickly spotted John talking to Rose, Kanaya, Jade, and Nepeta in their own little corner. He crossed the room and joined the group. “Hey.”

Nepeta turned, her olive-green eyes widening as she gasped. With a squeal, she launched herself at Dave, throwing her arms around his neck. “I can’t believe you like Karkitty! Oh my gog you’ll be so cute together!” she cried happily.

Dave’s own eyes widened as well, though in alarm. “Shush, Nep, please!” he said, patting at her back and glancing worriedly towards where Karkat was standing. The other boy was talking to someone else with weird white face paint on. A hipster-looking boy sat against a wall near the two, talking to a boy with anaglyph glasses. A girl leaned on the wall on his other side, smiling and looking down at her phone.

John smirked, then tapped Nepeta’s shoulder. “AC, I think you're embarrassing him."

"Oh?" she said, stepping back to examine the blonde. "Kya, he's blushing! It's so cute!" Nepeta squealed, pressing her hands to her mouth and letting the green sleeves flop down.

"Oh shut it...." Dave muttered, his cheeks turning a vivid red.

Jade turned and caught sight of Dave, a grin spreading across her lips. “Oh my gog... Nepeta’s right. Dave, you are adorable when you’re embarrassed,” she said, and Dave pouted at her.

“You guys are asses. All o’ ya. Asses, I say,” he said, pointing at Jade and Nepeta.

Rose and Kanaya had turned to look at the blonde, pausing in their conversation. “Dave, I do believe someone would like to speak with you,” Kanaya said, looking over Dave’s shoulder.

Dave raised an eyebrow. “Who...?” He trailed off as he turned, finding Karkat standing behind him. “Oh, hey Karkles.”

John looked at Jade questioningly. ‘Karkles?’ he mouthed, earning a shrug from his cousin. Nepeta smiled and clasped her hands together, holding them in front of her mouth and watching the two boys intently. Rose and Kanaya also observed with quiet interest.

“Um... hi...” Karkat said quietly, a bit unnerved by the attention he was receiving from the six other kids.

“Hi. Something you need?” Dave said flatly, internally panicking. I swear to god if I’m still blushing...

Karkat looked up, his brown eyes focused on Dave’s face. “Your face is red. Are you okay?”

Fuck! Dave thought, biting his lip. “Y-yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Hi Karkat!” Nepeta said happily, bouncing up next to Dave. “What brings you over here?”

Karkat looked at the fangirl in surprise. “Um... I just... I--”

Nepeta cut him off. “You wanted to talk to Dave, right?”

The brown-eyed boy hesitated for a moment, then said quietly, “Yes. I do want to talk to Dave.”