Serendipity (Karlnapity Fantasy AU)

Chapter 13

The stars glittered unconcernedly high up in the firmament. The whole forest was asleep, resting. Now and then you could hear the soft wind, which wound through the trees, sang them a song to fall asleep.

With a quiet sigh, Karl closed the window and let his gaze wander back into the room. Not much time had passed since they had crashed. In the meantime, they had all been moved to Technoblade's cabin. He lived in a remote cabin in the forest when he wasn't helping out at the academy. But the academy was no longer secure and Technbolade's Place was the only safe place they knew. At least that's what Philza had told them because one of his crows named XxLowellDragoXx had brought a message from professor Awesamdude. According to him, the academy had been destroyed and several large groups had scattered throughout the area.

When Karl thought about the fact that he had awakened in the middle of the chaos, he felt sick. Everything felt like a dream at that moment. With crippling pain, he had forced himself onto his knees, his legs ached, his right arm was incapable of any movement and a thick liquid ran down his neck. Looking around, he didn't realize at first where he had woken up, but with one glance up the rock face in front of them, his heart sank. Now he understood why Niki, Ranboo, and Phil had gathered around Quackity. He lay there lifeless, while the three did their best to revive him.

The forest around them held its breath. Karls didn't mind not being cared for, despite his pain. Looking at Quackity, they seemed so much smaller and insignificant. Sapnap and Wilbur were a little further away. Soft sobs and hiccups escaped from Sapnap, who sat leaning against a tree, fidgeting with his fingers. Karl's heart shattered when he saw how battered and weak he looked. Wilbur crouched beside him, one wing wrapped around Sapnap in a comforting way, and even though Wilbur looked disgusted when Sapnap wiped his runny nose on it, he talked softly and soothingly to him.

Then they had noticed Karl and immediately Sapnap had made his way to him on shaky legs. He even managed to laugh a little through the tears. A hiccup escaped his lips as he fell into Karl's arms. Sapnap had giggled sadly, thanking him for waking up and spreading little salty kisses on his face, but Karl could feel the deep sadness twitching through his body. He was happy to see his boyfriend again, but something that had always been missing only hurt him more.

Karl expected the boy next to him to collapse as he pointed to Quackity with a questioning look, but Sapnap just shook his lowered head and nestled into Karl's chest. With a worried look toward Quackity, Karl stroked his boyfriend's back as he soaked his sweater with tears.

~~~

A little later, they sat in Technoblade's cabin. The sun was leaving, bathing the living room in a soft orange. Quackity, Niki, and Ranboo had disappeared into a room next to the living room and kitchen. So far, there was no word on Quackity's condition. Every minute had felt like an eternity, and although Karl's wounds had since been treated in a makeshift fashion, he would never have insisted on treatment until Quackity was in good condition. The guilt he felt was eating him alive.

Since they arrived, he had been trying to get Sapnap to sleep, but he resisted fiercely. Despite the struggle, the needily treated wounds, and the magic in his body that was completely exhausted, nothing could stop Sapnap from staying awake. The black-haired boy had tied his bandana around his wrist, his hair tousled and smelling slightly burnt, and leaned against the brunette boy. Karl leaned against the sofa they were both sitting on and put his legs up. His whole body cried out for sleep, but at that moment he acted just like Sapnap and refused to sleep. The concern for the love of the two was too great.

The house was quiet Wilbur and Technoblade were sleeping and the smell of the stew that Technoblade had prepared was still in the air. Of course, not many had made use of it. Phil had taken his bowl upstairs, his younger son had refused to eat, as had Niki and Ranboo. In fact, Karl had managed to share a bowl with Sapnap, although sharing still sounded too good to be true, because Sapnap had downed less than three spoons. In his defense, Karl had to say that the food tasted worse than at the academy.