A Royal disaster

Chapter: Eight

POV: Kankri

I ran for home and I panicked the entire way. Would my father even accept me back into the house? I don't know but we'll find out. Maybe he is preaching somewhere. Maybe Karkat is home alone. I hoped so. I had to talk to him. He would know what to do.

I wished whole heartedly that I never enrolled into that stupid school at all. Why did I have to do that in the first place? I was having an excellent education at home for that matter. Dad did all he could. I stopped dead in my tracks when I stood before the door that once held my home. I hesitated, but then knocked.

"Please, please, please be home."
My wish was fulfilled. Karkat opened the door.
"KANRKI... IS THAT REALLY YOU?"

"Yes. It is really me. Is dad h9me?"
"NO. WHY?"

"S9 I can c9me in?"
"I WOULDN'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULDN'T COME IN. DAD WANTS TO SEE YOU AGAIN AS WELL. HE MISSES YOU AND WISHES HE COULD TAKE BACK HIS WORDS."

"Really? Well, can I stay f9r a while? I just had a very em9ti9nal enc9unter with s9me9ne and I am very em9ti9nal right n9w."
"COME IN FUCKASS!"

I step through the door, and I get hit with so much emotion. I am so happy to be home. Karkat hugs me very tightly, crying and all. He is blabbering a mush of words that I don't understand when I hear the door open, very slowly.

I run upstairs, and hear my dad call out for Karkat. He sounds drunk. When did he start drinking? I hear that Karkat is trying to get away from him. I sneak downstairs, very quietly. I hide in the hall, where I see Dad raise his hand to slap Karkat. I run as quickly as I can to Karkat, to shield him from the hit. I get hit squared in the jaw.

"DAD! What in c9d's name are y9u d9ing?!"
"Kankri? Since when are y9u here?"

"I have 6een here f9r thirty minutes? When did y9u start drinking?!"

"When y9u left..."

"Shame 9n y9u. Y9u 6etter start reha6, 6ecause I am taking Karkat with me 6ecause y9u clearly d9n't kn9w h9w t9 handle y9ur rage."

"Y9u can't d9 that t9 me. Please, rec9nsider Kanni, be kind t9 me?"

"Y9u wanted t9 hit him in the jaw! Y9u were a6using him?! What else have y9u d9ne?! Y9u are aware we are mutants, 9utcasts and all that fun jazz. Have y9u f9rg9tten we can't get help when s9mething seri9us happens?! Y9u are sick and 9ut 9f y9ur fucking mind! I can't let him live with y9u!"

"Well, maybe y9u've f9rg9tten as well, but I kicked y9u 9ut 9f this h9use."

"I d9n't care if y9u kicked me 9ut 9r n9t, 6ut I d9 kn9w that I value the safety 9f Karkat m9re than y9u d9 apparently. 6ecause n9 sane parent w9uld hit their child the way y9u just hit me."

"Why d9 y9u care ab9ut Karkat s9 much anyways?"

"6ecause he is the 9nly left family mem6er that will treat me with the same respect I treat them."

"Sure, whatever y9u want. Just remember, that I will find y9u t9 get Karkat back. Mark my fucking w9rds."

"Will d9."

And just like that, I packed Karkat's stuff and walked with him to the apartment I live in. I was hoping that Cronus wasn't home yet. Karkat was still processing what just happened, and was unusually quiet for his standards. He has a lot on his mind, and I think he is also quite shocked that I took the blow for him. I would've done the same any day.

"KANKRI, WHY DID YOU FALL OUT TO DAD LIKE THAT?"

"6ecause he was g9ing t9 hurt y9u."
"DOES IT HURT? YOU ARE BLEEDING."

"I'm 6leeding?"

I felt my jaw. He was right. I was bleeding. I was bleeding like the river streams through rainforest. I had to get this stitched, but there will be no hospitals willing to take me in as a patient.

"Karkat, we're g9ing t9 my friend P9rrim's h9use."
"YOU MEAN THE MARYAM FAMILY?"
"Yes, why d9 y9u ask?"

"BECAUSE MY FRIEND KANAYA LIVES THERE AS WELL. THAT'S THE YOUNGER SISTER OF PORRIM. SHE STUDIES FASHION AND I ADORE WHAT SHE MAKES."

"That's nice t9 kn9w, because I can't leave y9u h9me al9ne with Cr9nus when I g9 sh9pping."

"WELL KANAYA DOESN'T LIKE ME TO MUCH... WE HAD A FIGHT RECENTLY. BUT I THINK WE CAN RESOLVE IT. OR AT LEAST I HOPE SO."

"Yeah, I h9pe s9 t99."

When we arrived at Porrim's house, I knocked. I hoped she herself would open the door, but unfortunately, it was Kanaya.

"Hello Friend Of Porrim. Why Have You Come Today? Is It A Thing You Want To Discuss With Porrim Or OH MY COD YOU ARE BLEEDING COME IN!"

We did as told. We didn't have a choice really, it wasn't like she going to slam the door in our faces. She brought me to her mom and she stayed with Karkat. The Dolorosa looked at me and sighed.

"What Happened, Child?"
"I t99k a hit fr9m my dad. He kicked me 9ut a few weeks 6ack, and t9day I went t9 visit Karkat and I saw him wanting t9 hit him and I did what I taught I sh9uld and I stepped in t9 pr9tect Karkat."

"Oh My. That Is Horrible. Have You Decided Not To Let Karkat Live There Anymore?"
"Karkat is n9w living with me, yes."

"Good."

She treated my wound, and gave me something to drink. She praised me for being so brave. I nodded. I didn't want to argue with anyone right now. It was already hard enough on its own. I looked over to Kanaya and Karkat. They were having fun. I was happy with that.

"Kankri, I Heard You Live With Cronus In An Apartment. How Is That?"
"I'd rather n9t answer that ma'am."
"Why Is That?"
"6ecause I feel unc9mf9rta6le with that su6ject."

"That's Alright. I'll Have You Know That Cronus Is Searching For Someone To Marry So He Can Take Over The Kingdom And So His Father Can Retire."
"What d9es that have t9 d9 with me?"
"He Comes Over A Lot And Talks About You A Lot. He Really Likes Being Around You."

"9h."

After a few more hours of fun and board games, Karkat and I left. As we left, we came face to face with Cronus, who was just as surprised as we were.