Chapter 8; Action for Karkat

[tentacletrainer]

[[It is in the afternoon when she's finally able to get out the door to deliver the few Valentines she had made. Last minute plans had come up, causing her to be later than she had wanted, but she made due. Rose left a message for Hayate, informing him that her Pidgey, Pilcrow, would be delivering a valentine for him as well. Home made chocolates in thanks of giving her such perfect instructions.

Now, however, she's heading to a few doors in the hotel, grateful they all stayed in the same place. Jade is first, and on her door she hangs a bag of chocolates, tied with a purple ribbon - the only indication these are from her she will be giving her friends. Once it's secured, she moves on.

Because John and Dave were currently staying together and she planned on visiting John later, they would be saved for last. Instead, Karkat's door is next on her list, and receives a short knock. She saw his video earlier, and is hoping he'd be back by then.

This wasn't something she wanted to just leave and run like he did to her, gee thanks Karkat.]]

Comments

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

[He was nervous and worried she'd reject him, shut up.]

[But a knock! At a reasonable hour this time. He's in the middle of trying to slick back his hair when it comes, and so he curses a bit still as he heads over to the door, comb in one hand, hair half gelled, half messy as ever.]

[He opens it--Rose. His cheeks instantly begin to flush, and damnit what is it with people making him do that today.]

Uh.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

[[And she's going to quirk her eyebrow in curiosity.]]

You are going about that wrong if you are trying to look nice, Karkat.

...may I come in?

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

Shut up, I'm not even done with it.

[A flustered noise. But a moment later he's shuffling his feet.]

... Alright, I guess.

[He knows what he said in the card still, but nervousness prevails. He steps aside, opening the door wider to allow her inside.]

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

That may be, but there are easier ways that involve less mess.

[[Shyly slipping past him, she walks in a few feet, setting her bag down and turning back to look at him.]]

Before anything else, let me get this out of the way as I know it will likely put you in a poor mood. You really shouldn't just leave something like that on a person's door without following up.

[[Her arms are crossed, and she's just a little fidgety. Barely noticeable, but it's still there.]]

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

[Karkat closes the door, turning afterward to face her. His arms cross over his chest as well. Poor mood? Not a good omen, and so he frowns. He can't notice Rose's fidgeting when he's so fidgety himself.]

Shut up, alright? I was--it's--an awkward thing. The other two times I even tried this with anyone it went incredibly fucking shitty. It's not conducive to making me want to stay right there and see what happens.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

Yes, but it isn't exactly easy figuring something like this out on one's own sometimes.

[[Sigh. She kneels down and digs through the bag a little.]]

I suppose I am able to understand not wanting to after two previous rejections.

[[And so here Karkat. She stands up and holds out a plate covered once in plastic wrap. Underneath the wrapping is quite the collection of pale pink diamond chocolates.]]

...here.

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

Yeah well. One really awkward rejection and one instance of someone hiding in his fucking room after shrieking like a girl doesn't make me eager for whatever rejection I might have gotten this time.

[His head turns away, blush deepening as he admits all that. All kinds of awkward, man. But--what's she getting? He peers back downwards, finally turning his head entirely when she hands out the plate-]

[-covered in-]

[-pink diamonds.]

[Shaky fingers reach out to grasp the plate.]

Y-you... really mean it?

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

I would not be here if I didn't, Karkat.

[[Once she was sure he wouldn't drop it, she lets go, arms crossing again and cheeks flushing slightly on her end.]]

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

[Watch closely Rose, because you are about to see a rare thing: a small smile from Karkat. Usually only Dave can get those out of him. So he takes the plate, turning to set it down somewhere together with the comb he was holding.]

[But when he turns back, you better check outside for flying pigs, because he's pulling Rose into a hug.]

Thanks.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

[[A hug? What? What is this? The smile was one thing, it was expected. Perhaps a little hope for but who knows. But a hug?

So it takes her a moment to catch up with the situation, but once she does it's her turn for a dark blush as she returns the embrace. You can tell she doesn't give a whole lot of hugs though.]]

Why are you thanking me? There's no need for it.

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

[Flushed or not with Dave, Karkat is not exactly a hugging master himself. Let alone someone who does it out of the blue like this. But damnit, this is probably the smoothest he's ever had romance go, so he'll hug his damn moirail if he wants to.]

[But, being him, he doesn't hold it terribly long either.]

I'm just... glad, alright? Even after stuff before, I kind of expected you to just make fun of me or pull some snarky horseshit on me and make me feel terrible.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

I would be lying if I said I hadn't considered taking the opportunity to poke and prod about this.

...But I know this is important to you.

And that's why I made comment on just leaving like you had. If it were anyone else, I likely would not have taken it seriously.

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

[A frown at that.]

I hope you know I would've trolled the shit out of you if you tried it.

... And of course it's fucking important to me. It's a deep subject that I've been interested in for a long while, so if anyone knows to be serious about it, it's me.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

[[Sigh and a palm to her forehead, but she's chuckling. Silly moirail.]]

Karkat, I just admitted how I am aware of it's importance to you. There is no need to give me reasons as to why. That would be something to do if I were belittling the seriousness of the subject.

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

... God damnit.

[Palms, smacking into forehead.]

See? This is why I wanted you to be my moirail. You're good at pointing out when I'm being a doofus.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

Yes, well. When you make it as easy as you do.

[[Still amused, still chuckling. And now fingering his hair.]]

The gel is drying, Karkat. You will likely need to wash it out and try again now.

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

I do not make it easy, damnit.

[Huff!]

[And then--she's touching his hair? He freezes up a bit at that, but a frown is quick to follow.]

Fuck. Trying to do anything with this fucking hair is such a pain in the first place. Why does it have to be so fucking hard to get it to lie flat?

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

Really, you just need to know how to force it into cooperation. Would you like some assistance?

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

[Grumblegrumble.]

Yeah, since I don't know how else I'm going to get it to behave. Fucking hair anyway. It's Droog's fault I'm even bothering.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

Come with me then.

[[And here she is, taking his hand and tugging him into the bathroom. And once there, she turns on the water in the tub, checking the temperature.]]

Do you mind if your shirt gets wet? If you do, I suggest removing it.

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

[Doe she have to lead him by the hand like that? He frowns, but makes sure to snatch up the comb in passing as they head into the bathroom. And then--the tub? His shirt?]

[He coughs, blushing.]

I'm not taking off my damn shirt. I plan on wearing a suit later anyway, so it's not a problem.

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

[[Turning the shower on, she steps to the side and snatches up the shampoo.]]

Okay, come here and get your hair wet then.

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

... For the record, this is not what I expected the first thing for us to do as moirails to be.

[But with a sigh, he closes his eyes and sticks his head under the spray.]

[usedtherapy.livejournal.com]

Well, as your moirail I am suppose to help you out, right? Surely that can extend past advice and keeping you in line.

[[Once his head is under the water, she reaches forward and does her best to make sure all of his hair gets wet, scrubbing at the bits where the gel has dried to try and loosen it. Once she was satisfied, he's nudged out of the water so she's able to apply a liberal amount of shampoo.

Scrubbing, scrubbing, scrubbing. Karkat, your hair is going to be the cleanest it has ever been, ever.]]

[threshecutioner.livejournal.com]

I don't need a damn grubsitter, but I'll put up with it this time since this hair is such a fucking pain anyway.

[And so he does, letting her do what she will despite the awkwardness of the whole situation. He moves his head when nudged to do so, and lets her scrub to her heart's content.]