Spring break is almost here! I'm hoping to put up at least two more updates over vacation, but it depends on whether or not I finish all of the extra work my professors assigned T_T Why do teachers not understand the concept of spring "BREAK"?
I want to thank all of my followers and the people who fav'ed and reviewed this story. Even though it's now completed, I want to encourage more reviews so I can improve my stories in the future. I'm kind of proud of this one, but I want to know what you readers liked/didn't like so I can tweak my style/technique/otherfancywords.
I do not own Homestuck. I think Kankri picked up an arachnid disciple and it sort of scares me.
"Aww, do you have to leave?"
The Signless chuckled and clapped a hand on John's shoulder. "I'm afraid I must. I have enjoyed the time I have spent with all of you immensely, but it is time for all of us to move on."
Dave couldn't help but smirk as John made puppy-dog eyes in an attempt to change the troll's mind. It wouldn't work though, but Dave wasn't going to tell him.
Gamzee and, predictably, Karkat, weren't around to say their final farewells to the Ancestor. Everyone else was standing around the living room. Dave was leaning up against the sofa, a little away from the others as the farewells started. Everyone looked disappointed, save for the younger Strider. Actually, John looked to be on the verge of stage tears he was so determined to convince the troll to stay. He only got a hug for his efforts. This, for John, was in all reality one of the most awesome rewards ever.
"Thank you for sharing your stories. Kanaya and I will do our best to make sure they stay preserved," Rose said, stepping forward to do her own goodbye. No one was really sure how it had suddenly turned into a one-on-one thing while everyone else waited their turn, but it seemed to be pretty effective.
Rose, Jade, and Kanaya all said their goodbyes while Dave zoned out a little bit. It had been a week since he and the Sufferer had last spoken privately, and the Knight was still trying to settle into the idea that he didn't need to put so much pressure on himself, and that maybe he hadn't disappointed his Bro or failed his friends as badly as he had made himself believe. It was a lot for him to accept when he had spent a good portion of his life stewing in his own emotions, and he knew that those negative feelings would never fade entirely, but maybe once he processed everything that had happened he would be able to at least function on a more normal level. He would have taken the time it took everyone else to say their goodbyes in order to process it further, if Terezi had not recaptured his attention by asking the Signless, "Would it be weird if I asked to lick you?"
Two weeks ago she wouldn't have asked for all of the dirt covering him, but it hadn't escaped anyone's notice that the older troll was decidedly much cleaner, though they didn't ask and the Sufferer and Knight didn't tell. Dave was pleased to note his attempt at first aid seemed to be holding up against the chafe of the shackle.
The Signless looked extremely awkward at the bizarre request, but gave his permission anyway. It was an effort for Dave not to laugh at the expression on the ghost's face as Terezi's tongue slid up his cheek. The Knight was feeling slightly more lighthearted, at least, and he figured that, given enough time, he could really take the Sufferer's words to heart.
Some of the relaxed feelings fled as Dave caught sight of Karkat. The troll was looking from behind the door again, and was out of everyone else's line of view. He spotted Dave looking at him, but didn't run. It was yet another staring contest between the two, though this one lacked a lot of the usual heat. They were just watching and waiting to see what the other one would do.
For once, Dave broke eye contact first. It was his turn to say his official goodbye to the Signless.
He moved to stand in front of the troll with his arms crossed. Neither said anything, just stared, and Dave briefly wondered why he had traded one troll/human staring match for another. He stuck out his hand, ignoring everyone else's blatant confusion. The Signless reached out and grasped the hand.
Before Dave could begin pumping there was a brief moment where he was falling forward and in severe danger of humiliating himself by face planting on the floor. At least, until the unfairly strong troll caught him into a one-handed bro hug. Duly impressed at the troll's clever ploy, Dave gave in and returned the gesture, not even blushing a little bit when he heard Jade giggle behind him.
The embrace lasted just slightly longer than was strictly necessary for super-casual acquaintances, but since the Ancestor had become a sort of guardian for the Knight, he didn't mind all that much, even if his friends were going to give him the third degree about it later.
When they finally separated, Dave turned to look at Karkat. The Strider had to resist the urge to ask Vantas if he was trying to catch flies in his open trap, but didn't say anything for fear the troll would close his mouth so fast he'd bite his tongue off. No one noticed the brief glance, considering Dave had only slightly twisted his head and no one but the Sufferer seemed to be able to make and hold eye contact through the sunglasses.
Surprisingly, there were still no comments when Karkat managed to gather up all of his usual bluster and snap, "Good riddance." Everyone else in the room flinched in surprise at the sudden announcement of the young troll's presence.
The troll stepped out hesitantly and made his way to his Ancestor. At least, Dave could tell he was hesitating, all of their friends just thought he was being hostile. The Signless, loving as ever, and also a lot faster than Dave would have thought for someone his size, quickly snatched up the Cancer into a bear hug before his Descendant saw it coming. The younger Strider wished he had a camera so he could make the absolutely shocked and mortified look on Karkat's face his wallpaper. And screensaver. And Gristmas card. And t-shirt. And bedspread, if he could somehow manage it. It would be totally worth the effort to watch Karkat implode from embarrassment.
Before Dave could decide to swipe a laptop and use the camera to snap the priceless photo, the Signless let him go. The Cancer crossed his arms and made a lot of disgruntled noises that sounded vaguely like cussing while the others laughed at the faint blush forming on his cheeks.
Dave watched, feeling a little forlorn as the Sufferer said one final goodbye and disappeared along with the dream bubble. Maybe someday when Dave was a ghost himself they would meet up again. But, for now, he had more pressing concerns.
Everyone else not-Vantas seemed to be feeling the loss as well, even though they had only known him for a short time. They drifted out of the living room one by one until it was just Dave and Karkat.
"You should have given him a chance," Dave said.
Karkat's face just scrunched up even further. "Like you're one to lecture me on being nice to people. You are the single biggest nookwhiffer I've had the misfortune of meeting. Of all of the fuckasses in all of the timelines I could have been stuck with, it just had to be you." Disdain dripped off of the words.
Dave smirked. "Is it already that time of the month again for the fourth time this month?" It was always fun to watch the troll to struggle to comprehend Earth lingo.
"That's the fifth time you said that. What the fuck does it even mean?" the troll huffed.
Dave smirked wider, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "You keep track of what I say and how many times I say it? I'm so flattered, I didn't think you were interested in me like that," he said sarcastically. He half expected Karkat to go on a full blown rant complete with some of the most, Dave had to admit, highly creative insults he had ever heard.
Instead, he got a blush and a 'go to hell, Strider,' before the troll stomped out of the room, leaving Dave alone. Well, it had been a fifty-fifty shot after all. The Knight's smirk spread into a small, but genuine, smile.
Things often got worse before they got better. But for once Dave felt somewhat confident that the second part didn't need to be proceeded by 'if.'