The Unfortunate Circumstance Called Reincarnation (A Homestuck Earth C fanfic)

Chapter 5 - The Unfortunate Disturbance Of Past Trauma

A/N: I'm getting more attention on Ao3, so I'm good now. 'w'

Kanaya's PoV

You leaned over Rose's shoulder slightly once she beckoned you, raising an eyebrow at the message you saw. It wasn't until she placed your hand in hers that you realized you had frozen up. You frowned. Roxy had found him? So soon? It was either too good or too awful to believe. "Rose Ask Her To Send Screenshots Or Links I Need To Confirm This" You paused. "Please"

Rose, of course, didn't need a plea from you to nod in agreement. "Of course."

TT: Kanaya would like to see evidence.
TT: Not because she doubts you, but in case it's an odd coincidence.
TG: right right
TG: look up overseafixation
TT: So he's at least shed the handle?
TG: ya but it doesn't look like hes shed anything else lolll.
TG: wait how did you know the dudes handle
TT: Let's not talk about this.
TG: spill
TT: No.
TT: We would both rather pass on this subject.
TG: oh
TG: rite i gotcha
TG: hes on vriskagram btw in case it was unclear
TT: Thank you for your help. I'll be back.

-- tentacleTherapist ceased pestering tipsyGnostalgic! --

Rose glanced to the right at you, holding the stare as if silently asking permission. You nodded, your lips pursed as she opened a new tab in Typheus, clicking on the shortcut she had to Vriskagram. You let yourself reflect on memories as she briefly scrolled through her profile briefly. Roughly half of the photos were of you and her engaging in displays of affection and the rest was almost entirely the sorts of pictures one might expect to see on a cryptid conspiracy site. You could remember one vividly- the time she'd taken a picture of Karkat tangled in Dave's cape and the time she had decided to upload it years later with the title 'Our Almighty Leader'. The thought, however, was punctuated by a grim blankness on your thinkpan's part, as you unknowingly gripped what had once been the high collar of Eridan's cape.

You shook your head, letting yourself focus on what Rose was typing into the search. As expected, his profile was quick to appear. You let your claws dig slightly into the hard rim of the collar, almost piercing it if not for the restraint you kept. You had already seen his face again, already confirmed it was him. But you didn't stop her from clicking on the profile, scrolling through the pitifully short rows of pictures. It struck you that he hadn't had the time all of you had had to get everything together. He'd been left to stagnant in the bubbles until he was thrown straight back into it and it was your fault.

There was hardly anything alluding to what had happened. "Does this seem familiar?" It dully occurred to you that Rose had been waiting for feedback that you had not supplied. You forced a nod. "Yes It Does In Fact" You frowned. As much as you'd hated him, as much as you hated the memory of what had happened, you had the overpowering urge to know what he'd been doing. To see if he remembered, if nothing else. "There Isnt Much How About We Click Through The Gallery From The Start" Rose's expression was dangerously close to unamused as she clicked on the earliest image. You knew she didn't have the highest opinion of him. You didn't either, you couldn't blame her for it in the least. You almost didn't know why you were doing this. Except you did, and you knew it was because you sought closure on what had happened so long ago.

There wasn't anything too interesting for quite a time. In fact, over half of the photos weren't even captioned. You could have grown bored of it, if not for the little tidbits of information you managed to pick up where they were. As an image flashed onto the screen, you tensed up, petting Rose's wrist urgently. "Wait Stop Here"

The image itself wouldn't be too remarkable if it was anyone else. He was laying back on what you could only assume to be his bed, the frame of the photo only including part of his chest and his waist. His arm was laid across his waist, and the claws of that hand threatened to tear at his shirt right where you had begun the wound that had parted the two halves of his body. The photo was captioned simply, though it was better than not at all. "wwaists smartin real bad again if this incessant sting could hurry up an piss off already i could go about my day but no"

You hesitated. You hadn't very well explained to Rose what had happened. Neither of you had wanted to deal with it, and that was fine. You had set it aside until now. "Kanaya? You're shaking. Are you alright?" You blinked, biting at the inside of your lip and clenching your hands into fists in order to stop shaking. "We Should Have Gone Over This More" You muttered, glancing off to the side. "It Would Have Been A Lot Fucking Easier To Talk About By Now" Rose hesitated. You knew that neither of you were any good at dealing with emotional luggage. You supposed it wouldn't hurt to leave it a little longer.

"... Do you want to message him?" Though simple, what she said left you stunned. "I can do it for you, if you want." Again, you prevented yourself choking up. You knew it was fine to cry, but at present it would only get in the way. "Thank You" you mumbled, instead sliding down slightly to press the side of your face to her arm. She smiled softly, before sighing and focusing on the message at hand. "I'll tell him to meet us, alright?" You nodded slightly, letting her handle it. You were past certain at this point that any suggestion her mind, untouched by the current subject of trauma, wouldn't prevent her taking rational action.

You were thankful for her.