The Pages Between Us (Karkat Vantas x Reader)

Chapter Seven

"Come on, cous', don't be mad." Dave said smoothly. "Karkat's coming over as my guest."

You harrumphed, crossing your arms. "It's not that. I told you not to go through my things!" Your eyebrows furrowed and your gaze at your math worksheet intensified. You were neutral when it comes to mathematics, but the precalculus homework was really bumming you out. Dave pouted and shook your elbow. Eclipse, your lively little dog, gnawed busily on his bacon-shaped chew toy.

"(Naaame), don't be maaad!" Dave whined. Eclipse howled alongside him. "See? Even Eclipse wants you to forgive meee."

"Are you going to help me with my homework or not?" You turned your glare to your cousin.

"You know math isn't my forte." Dave drummed a short rhythm on the table. "Karkat's a math wiz, though. You should ask him for help when he arrives."

"Are you and Karkat close?" You asked, suddenly curious. Dave turned away casually, but you spotted the faint blush on his cheeks.

"Well, we almost started dating back in sophomore year, but I found out that he liked someone else even more. It's okay, though. We're still friends." Dave rested his chin on his palm.

"You never told me that!" You leaned forward. "Spill the tea. I don't care if the tea is two years old."

"I was mad at the fact that Karkat wasn't being true to himself and his feelings. The girl he likes is someone really close to me." Dave looked at you meaningfully. "His dishonesty to his feelings, and his hesitation to act upon his emotions, was going to become something he regrets. If we had dated, he'll end up hurting me and y— and the girl." Dave cleared his throat. "He needed someone to make him realize that, and it's okay with me if I had to be that person. Karkat and I are still good friends, so nothing's lost."

This tender side of Dave was something you seldom see, but it was one of the reasons why you trusted him and Dirk with your emotions. You couldn't stay mad at Dave after this. It also gave you an entirely new perspective with Karkat. His rough-and-tough personality was turning out to be more like shield, and you felt compelled to get to know him better. "Thanks for sharing that with me, Dave. I didn't know you and Karkat were such softies." You laughed, poking his cheek. He ruffled your hair affectionately.

At that moment, Dave's phone lit up. "Speak of the devil— Karkat's here." The blond stood up from his seat and ran over to the front door, followed shortly by an overly-excited Eclipse. You could hear him invite Karkat in, and Eclipse greet him excitedly, thinking that he was a new playmate.

"Woah— shit, okay— nice to meet you too!" You heard Karkat trying to calm down the ball of fur and sunshine. He was answered with several energetic barks. You giggled to yourself, finding the encounter adorable. You looked at your phone to see if Carci had pestered you.

YH: Ugh. My cousins are so stupid.
CG: WHY?
CG: DID YOU JUST REALIZE THAT STUPID RUNS IN YOUR FAMILY?
YH: They called one of my classmates because they thought he was my boyfriend.
YH: Yo, stfu I ain't stoopit ;-;
CG: HAHAHA JUST KIDDING.
CG: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY CALLED? I DEMAND THAT YOU SPILL THE TEA FASTER, WOMAN. I HAVE PLACES TO BE AND PEOPLE I MUST BLESS WITH MY DIVINE PRESENCE.
YH: My cousin invited him over to watch movies and shit.
YH: I'm not even surprised by your I'm-a-god spiels anymore.
CG: DO YOU NOT LIKE THIS GUY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?
YH: Nah.
YH: I mean, not "nah" like I don't like him. I meant "nah" as in I'm cool with him but I don't like him THAT way.
YH: We're not close yet, not the way we are.
CG: OH.
CG: SO YOU LIKE ME *THAT* WAY?
CG: GOTTA GO. SOME FRIENDS INVITED ME OVER TO "WATCH MOVIES AND SHIT."
CG: TALK TO YOU LATER.
carcinoGeneticist (CG) is offline.
YH: What?
YH: Shut up.