The stakes are high, the water's rough

[klawful]

Who: Karkat & Kyle (Closed)
What: First date shenanigans + Now including November Sleeper Farm prompt
When: Early November - Mid November
Where: Cellar Door + Sleeper Farm

Content Warnings: Mentions of substance abuse, probably consensual violence, NSFW jokes/content, canon-typical humor/crudeness/insulting language of Homestuck/South Park, torture, character death, all content warnings from event, extreme feelings of worthlessness, oppression.


(Karkat hadn't exaggerated when he said he was panicking. He was excited, but also chronically terrified of fucking up every single relationship he's ever touched. He was a mastermind of fucking up. More than that, he really did have little experience with being around so many people all at once.

He winds up filing his horns to be more pointed than rounded, something he had neglected for a while, but it felt instinctual to want to impress his kismesis/more with some more impressive-looking horns. Though the moment he's done with it, he realizes Kyle probably wouldn't even care if they were sharp or not. He throws on something simple but concealing, adding gloves. He cuts two slits in the hood for his horns and he's out the door in seconds. It's colder than he's used to and he winds up turning right the fuck around to go and get a heavier cloak to put on the rest of his outfit. Then he's traveling back through his lamp and winds up at Cellar Door.

He sits himself down on the sidewalk, huddling his legs up against his chest, and waits, watching people walk by with some degree of wariness, but hey. He wasn't outright freaking out and once Kyle showed up, he'd feel way better.)

Comments

[klawful]

(Karkat sleeps. He doesn't remember crawling into bed, but once he does, his dreamtier self immediately starts to coast throughout Trench looking for Kyle everywhere. Going into walls that Karkat could never reach while away, looking for secret tunnels or voids. He even goes out across the ocean, sinking down beneath waves to look among an impossible amount of squid, identical to another except for quick glimmers of color.

He doesn't find him. When Karkat wakes up, he works on his cave, moving mechanically and effectively. Trolls didn't see death the same way, but what bothered him now wasn't Kyle's death, but the agony of it. He was almost positive Kyle would come back given how death seemed to work among Sleepers, but that wouldn't erase what the death might have done mentally to Kyle. Dave had died so many times, and it had done something to him too, given him a strange perspective of his own mortality.

And more than that, he thinks about his own failure. Failure as a leader, as a kismesis, as a friend, as everything. Another person who had to die because he didn't move quick enough, didn't have the right plan, was too busy with his own pointless, loud emotions.

Anger is easier for him to feel than grief. He digs the rest of the arrow out of his body and smears some slime over cuts. He waits.

When his Omni chimes with Kyle's tone, he snatches it up, trembling, and that's when the grief catches up to him. The sharp relief that Kyle did come back. He reads the text a dozen times because-.

Nope, he's not even responding. He's out of his bed and sprints all the way to his lamp to teleport to Kyle's. He quite literally kicks in the door with all of the dramatics of a troll uninterested in being patient. He at least has the decency to kick the door shut behind him and strides directly over to Kyle, his heart picking up the pace the closer he got, the more he could actually smell and see him.)

THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?! (He scales up the bed and is in front of Kyle in seconds. He grabs him by the face and just looks at him, eyes darting back and forth as if he was trying to figure out if he was real or not.)

[kyley_b]

[Was Kyle expecting something like this?

Yes. Maybe not the anger, but the dramatic entrance, definitely.

Kyle's hands come up and his fingers grasp Karkat's wrists. He leans forward and kisses his cheek.]

...hi?

[klawful]

Hi?! Oh, I'm so glad you're capable of utilizing your vocal hole still because you're going to need it.

(Karkat emits a small growl at the kiss. It's too gentle. Karkat's wrists were newly scarred from being burnt by the shackles. Paler gray skin was rigged and rippled, the burn scars permanent. His hands curl weakly for a second. The slime had helped tremendously, but they were still tender.

He didn't care. He yanks them away from Kyle's grip and quickly pats Kyle's body down. More importantly, his stomach, feeling for that injury. He slips a hand under his shirt to touch the skin, making sure - just making sure.)

I cannot believe your audacity to die.

[kyley_b]

Yeah. It took me a few days to remember how words work.

[Okay, definitely wasn't expecting the manhandling. The clawed fingers scrabbling over his belly make Kyle giggle in spite of himself.

The skin of Kyle's abdomen is smooth and unblemished save for his old transplant scar.

He slings his arms around Karkat's neck. ]

I'm sorry. Really. It's my fault, I fell right on that thing's stupid knife...

[He shudders, pressing his face against Karkat's neck for a moment.]

You made it out! I wanted Willzyx to stay with you until he couldn't anymore, I just wanted you to get out when I knew I wouldn't make it.

[klawful]

(He hugs Kyle back instinctively, winding up straddling his lap and tucking up against him entirely. He rests a hand against the back of Kyle's head, and for a second, he just holds him like that. Lets it sink in that Kyle was here, Kyle was safe. His guts weren't spilling out. He wasn't dead.)

That's not why it was your fault.

(He murmurs softly, squeezing Kyle harder. But then, he's slamming Kyle down back against the bed hard. He moves forward to pin Kyle's arms down with his knees and presses a clawed hand hard against Kyle's head to force it against the mattress. Then he reaches out and grabs that sickle he had made for Kyle, kept near enough by the bed that it was in easy reach, and he brings it right up against Kyle's throat.

When he speaks again, his voice is choked with emotion, red tears already starting to show up in his eyes.)

Do you know what this is? This is vulnerability. You are vulnerable.

(His voice starts to climb into a shout.)

Do you want to be my kismesis? Because this is not proving to me that you take our relationship seriously. If we die, we die together. If we survive, we survive together. There's no room for a sacrifice in what we have. You don't sacrifice yourself for your kismesis. You don't let anything but me hurt you, because I should be the only thing able to hurt you. That's the promise you made and that you need to keep!

(He was terrified and hurt and relieved and so angry, so furious that his hand was shaking where it held the sickle, but it doesn't cut, doesn't come close.)

You either trust me or don't. You respect me to stay alive long enough to see you die the way I want to see you die. Which, by the way, is when you're old and disgusting and I can barely gag through a kiss with you. Then maybe I'll smother you out of pity so you die with some dignity.

(He yanks the blade away and tosses it onto the ground. He slips off of Kyle and huddles towards the end of the bed, balling his hands up against his eyes, sniffing against them, trying to keep his tears back.)

Don't ever die for me again. Not when I could die fighting by your side. Don't dishonor me like that. I'm-

(He drops his hands, face streaked with tears, and he glares fiercely at Kyle.)

I don't care what they do to me. I can't lose you again like that. If you want a thanks from me, keep holding your fucking breath. I'm livid with you. Get your shit together.

(He takes a deep breath. Closes his eyes.)

But I...owe you a bigger apology than the one you owe me. I'm your leader. (Karkat, no one here thinks you're their fucking leader, dude! But it's clear he takes it all too seriously.) And I completely failed you. I was too busy wallowing in my own stupid fucking self-pity and I didn't have my head in the game. It's my fucking job to keep you safe. And I didn't do that.

(He moves towards the edge of the bed, hanging his legs off the side. He takes a deep breath, bowing his head low.)

That should have never happened. Ever.

[kyley_b]

[The shock Kyle feels when Karkat knocks him over is so total that at first he can barely comprehend what's going on. His partner has a weapon to his throat. His partner isn't fucking around, he's furious.

Kyle feels his own anger rise in response, but before he can point it at anyone else... he gets it.

So when Karkat climbs off of him, he just pulls himself into a seated position and watches. He feels something he wasn't expecting: shame. Because as nuts as it is, he really did let Karkat down. He failed at being his kismesis.

He waits until Karkat stops talking, and then Kyle crawls over and punches him as hard as he can in the shoulder.]

Shut the fuck up, you're not my leader. And you're not my babysitter, either.

[He wraps his arms around Karkat's body and falls back, hauling the troll along with him. He slings a leg over him, too - half hug, half wrestling hold.]

I'm sorry I fucked up. [His voice is soft and serious.] I mean it. I panicked. I've never been in a situation like that. I wasn't trying to disrespect you. I do trust you.

I felt it was MY job to keep YOU safe, too. I couldn't let them kill you, I just couldn't. I'm sorry I gave up, but please know the only reason I did was because I knew I was already dying.

I won't do it again. Next time I'l drag you down with me, if that's what it takes to show you I care.

And don't start with your self pitying bullshit, because it wasn't your fault, and if you insist that it was I will absolutely kick your ass.

[klawful]

(The punch is enough to shock Karkat out of whatever slump of sorrow he was starting to slip into. He reaches up to hold the spot, his face still wet with tears, but it got the job done in stopping them outright.)

I am your leader. You just don't realize it yet, dipshit. (But he wasn't his babysitter, that much was true. He lets Kyle haul them back against the bed, agonizingly grateful for the physical approach. He wants to be completely trapped by this guy. His lower lip trembles for a moment, but he manages to keep himself from bawling some more.)

I can't lie and say I wouldn't have done the same. And that's on me too. We haven't fought together enough to know how each other works in a real fight. And...I should have known that about you too. That you're not familiar with that kind of violence.

(Karkat wasn't familiar with the inherently gentle nature of humanity. He forgot how soft they really could be when all of his human friends had become superpowered freaks through some bizarro game. It wasn't even fair of him to hold that bar up for Kyle.)

I know you do. I know. Shit. I was just fucking upset. We've barely started this - this thing, and I lost you immediately. (He shifts his hands up so he could touch his palm to Kyle's cheek.)

It's not about dragging each other down, necessarily, but...Give me the chance to try and fight for you, okay? Don't throw me out of the ring entirely. We're in this together. Even if I could have made your death quicker, that would have been better than...than abandoning you in that place.

(He rests his forehead against Kyle's, taking in a deep breath.)

Okay. Okay, sorry. (He hesitates a second, and then, with a surprising amount of shyness for someone who had just threatened his partner with a blade, kisses Kyle on the mouth.)

[kyley_b]

Nobody is my leader.

It's okay. We're new still, that's all. And I'm out of practice - I haven't had a lot of truly bizarre violence in my life for a few years. I'll learn to fight for real. [He refuses to think about what happened to him right now, but he is resolute in that he won't let it happen so easily ever again.

His expression softens.]

I promise to let you fight for me. With me. We'll be partners, for seriously. And thank you. It was worse than I thought it would be.

[Kyle's heart leaps at the feel of those lips. He tightens his arms around Karkat and melts against him, mouth sighing open a little.

It might seem odd to most people that he feels so safe with someone who'd been threatening him moments before, but Kyle couldn't care less.]

[klawful]

(He didn't want to think about it either. He wasn't an idiot. Where they had gone had been a cruel place. He knew Kyle hadn't died easy.

Karkat relaxes entirely at Kyle's promise. The fury from before had eased entirely out of him. Dating humans was such a stressful thing sometimes, but God, it was worth the trouble.

When Kyle's lips part just the slightest, Karkat automatically takes it as an invite. He slips his dark tongue into Kyle's mouth without a second of hesitation. He wanted to taste Kyle, because the last taste he had of that place had been that god awful slug and he wanted to eradicate that completely from his sensory memory bank and replace it with something infinitely better.)

[kyley_b]

[The manner of Kyle's death would be relived many times in dreams and the brittle moments when he's alone and unoccupied. Time enough then.

Karkat might be a volatile edgelord, but he's also shockingly soppily romantic and shy. Kyle, who'd been entertaining some pretty natural thoughts all things considered, wasn't really sure how forward would be TOO forward.

Apparently he shouldn't have worried.

Kyle kisses Karkat like he's trying to prove a point, like they might be torn apart at any minute, like he's the only person on the planet who matters. His hands rub restless circles over Karkat's back and shoulders as he somehow finds a way to make even less space between them.]

[klawful]

(It would be the perfect opportunity for Karkat to hone in on his paleblood skills. Whenever he eventually thought to, anyway.

For now, he wasn't thinking about much of anything. Kyle was effectively reducing his think pan into a bubbling pile of wasted space. This was, in Karkat's personal opinion, the best way to be kissed. The sheer desperation is enough to make his body feel warm from head to toe, and he can feel that telling warmth start to sink into his stomach and head further south.

He liked to be kissed like he mattered. He wanted Kyle to feel the same way. He focuses on the slick slide of tongues until it becomes too intense. He can feel his body starting to react actively and that gets him to break the kiss. Not before carefully rubbing his teeth against Kyle's lower lip. He doesn't bite because the one time he had bit Dave's lip in some erotic rumble, it wound up pretty unsexy and bloody as fuck. Human lips were delicate.

He very carefully shuffles off of Kyle to rest beside him, curled onto his side, a hand tucked under his head. His breathing was a bit hard, and there was something bright and unhinged in his eyes. It was hard not to just go for the prize - his kind was literally primed to fuck the fear of death away. This was practically ideal conditions. But Karkat was aware of too many things all at once.

He tries to calm himself down, shifting his legs together.)

You taste good.

[kyley_b]

[A little blood between them would probably be appreciated at some point.

Kyle rolls onto his side to face Karkat, dropping one hand onto his waist. His fingers rub gently.]

Thanks. [He swallows, the sharp point of his Adam's apple bobbing.] So do you. Really good, actually.

Are you okay?

[klawful]

(Karkat practically applauds himself for resisting the urge to bite Kyle's neck. That was definitely going to happen at some point.)

Thanks. (He grins faintly.) Anything like Kool-Aid?

(Probably not, but he remembers the joke, okay. He hesitates, fully about to lie to save face, but even a white lie wasn't something they needed right now.)

Yeah, I'm fine. (A telltale blush begins to spread across his face and into his ears.) I'm just ignoring a really intense biological urge right now.

(Karkat is the only creature alive, even among trolls, who would state that they're horny in such a dorky fucking way.)

[kyley_b]

[A soft cackle.] No. No, not Kool-Aid.

[The hand on Karkat's waist settles, warm and possessive. In the low light of the apartment, Kyle's pupils are huge.]

Why ignore it?

[klawful]

Don't look at me like that.

(It's going to make him breathless! Which it already has. He shifts under Kyle's hand, wanting to feel fully possessed.)

I had a reason. Let me try to remember it. (It was a good one.)

I'm trying to be...uhhh...(BUFFERING.) Responsible. I feel like I should ease you into my body.

(Wait.)

I didn't mean to word it that way.

[kyley_b]

Like what?

[Kyle cackles shrilly.] No, no, that's the best phrasing ever! Oh, Karkat, ease me in.

[His stupid laughter tapers off and Kyle scoots in closer so he can nuzzle Karkat's neck.]

I know you have scars from when your baby legs fell off. I know you've got, uhm. Internal hentai dick or something.

I mean. I've, you know. [Now he's the one blushing.] Thought about it.

[klawful]

Oh my fucking god, Kyle! Don't call it that!

(He really is going to smother Kyle in his sleep. It was the death he truly deserved. He at least doesn't push Kyle away which is probably a good sign.

But oh. That's intriguing.)

Really? (He hesitates, finally touching back, settling a hand on his arm.)

What are we talking about here? Extensively thought about it during your happy hour or in a glancing thought on some random ass Tuesday like hmmm - wonder what it'd be like to fuck an alien?

[kyley_b]

[Truly, smothering is too good for him.]

Cheeks hot, Kyle settles back so he can see Karkat's face again.]

I mean, both? You're definitely the cutest alien I've ever met, and I've met several.

You've talked about your junk enough that I have a mental image. I know you said it was hard for you with Dave at first because you thought he might freak out, but obviously it wasn't that big a deal in the end.

So. Yeah, I've entertained some fantasies. You're my guy, I wanna be with you.

[klawful]

(Kyle's confidence in the matter is enough to make his stomach flip. Kyle's not entirely wrong, and while Dave was a total weirdo, he wasn't such a human anomaly that his acceptance of Karkat was a Dave-specific thing. Karkat knew Kanaya and Rose had no issues either. Granted, Rose was way weirder than Dave, so that might not be a fair equation there.

Still. Karkat sits up onto his knees, back rigid, and one can only tell that he's about to get into one of his speeches. Because what said sexier than a sex lesson?)

I refuse to proverbially or literally dump troll sex onto you. First off, it is extremely ingrained in me that we're about to mate. Casual sex is a difficult concept to even wrap my think pan around. Every instinct in me wants a bucket for this or else I feel like I might literally die. I am not being dramatic. I will freak the fuck out if there's not a bucket like right here the moment I pop off.

(Dave had been trying to work with him on that instinct, but it was a tough one to crack. That's what happened when someone lived under violent oppression, baby! They had gotten somewhere eventually, but that was with Dave. Karkat figured a new partner would mean having to build that sense of security all the way back up.)

Because wasting valuable genetic material is horrifying to think about even though I rationally know it's not actually going anywhere.

(He knows there's no Mother Grub here. But his body doesn't seem to know that.)

Afterwards, I will be extremely possessive of you and probably borderline violent. It's probably a good idea to keep yourself smelling neutral for like. A day after. At least until I get used to it with you.

(If they even do it.)

I'll probably be needy as fuck. This isn't exactly a pop one-off and go play hopscotch after situation. Sex with me is a commitment of time and patience. Or any troll, really.

(But he wasn't expecting Kyle to go sleep with other trolls anytime soon. He takes a deep breath, arms crossed over his chest, sulking somewhat. Less because of the situation and more because it was embarrassing having to rattle off this shit like a nature documentary. But it was only fair to let Kyle be fully aware.)

I will probably bite and scratch a lot. Not always. But it happens. And you'll probably bleed. The only real way to prevent either of those things is by binding and gagging me. Which I'm fine with for the sake of your safety. You can touch my horns if you want, but don't yank on them or I'll probably just get mad in a not-sexy way.

(What else was there. He stares off, frowning.)

I'm extremely sturdy. You can't hurt me. Your pathetic human chompers won't do much of anything. I'm also very flexible. (So. He sniffs, looking finally at Kyle again, his eyes bright.)

If you do it right, it will get really wet. It will absolutely stain clothes and bedsheets. (......Is he forgetting anything?)

If you decide you don't want me that way, it's okay. We can still have a successful relationship without sex. I'll only cry about it a little, but I'll get over myself. Any questions?

[kyley_b]

[If there is a man alive in Trench who finds speeches sexy? It's Kyle Fucking Broflovski.

He sits up too, figuring this is a Serious Discussion that warrants full attention, even if his body would rather stay sprawled on the mattress.]

Okay, that's fair. I've got a bucket, as you know. I can put it by the bed. And I mean, dude, for seriously, we don't have to have any kind of sex if it feels like it's too much for you. I'm pretty well versed in not fucking. I'm kinda easy I guess, but my last boyfriend it took forever to get his pants off. It's fine.

[To say nothing of his years of 'is this gay?' cuddling with Stan.]

Neutral as in shower and don't touch anybody else? [He can't help but sound fascinated, because this is all NEW and the only thing Kyle loves more than speeches is learning.]

Do I seem like the kind of guy to kick you out of bed after I sleep with you? It's okay, I know you don't really think that, I just want to emphasize that I'm ME, dude.

[Completely against his volition, Kyle feels a hot flush spread over his body at the mention of biting and scratching. He clears his throat.] I can handle blood. I... don't know if I could tie you up yet. That's. Uhm. Where I'm from that's considered kinda... I'm not ready for that right out of the gate. And why the fuck would I pull your horns, they're part of your fucking skull.

[Kyle's eyebrows lift.] You're durable and flexible and I have superb control of my gag reflex. What a combination.

[Maybe a little explicit, but he can't let Karkat just casually flex like that.]

I can get more sheets.

[He thinks, brows knit together.] So. Okay. Mechanics. We're talking about sex, but I don't think we've established what we want to, or CAN, do. Like, you probably know what humans like. Hands, mouths, uhm, penetration. Am I right in thinking any of those will result in the splash zone and biting and possessiveness?

[klawful]

(Karkat hadn't expected Kyle to up and join him, but he immediately appreciates the seriousness. They really were so compatible. He does smile slightly at Kyle.)

I know. I appreciate your consideration, but you never have to worry about me feeling pressured into sex or anything. If I don't want it, we're not having it. And this thing is a fucking fortress to get into if I'm not in the mood - (He gestures down to his lap.)

Glad we're on the same page with consent. (Which he figured they would be, but Karkat believed religiously in talking about everything first anyway.

He folds his hands together, fiddling a bit with his thumbs. He was comfortable with Kyle, but the idea of sleeping with someone new was still mildly nerve-wracking. Not in a bad way, even, just a natural way.)

Yeah. I found that out the hard way once. (He still felt kind of bad about that.

He smiles a bit more broadly and scoffs.)

No, not really. (Karkat was, by and large, the sappier of the two, but Kyle was far from cold and indifferent himself.

It's Karkat's turn to look mildly fascinated by the tying up and gagging thing, his head tilting to the side. Dave had a similar reaction when he mentioned it once after he had bit Dave especially hard. It seemed totally normal to Karkat - but then he blinks and it slowly dawns on him.)

Oh, fuck. Wait is that a fetish thing? Oh my glob. (He groans, covering his face with his hands.) Oh my god. Ignore me. Sorry. I didn't even realize.

(He drops his hands, completely red now.)

Oooh my god...So many jokes suddenly make sense to me now. (If he ever saw Dave again, he was whooping his ass. Why did he only just now get it.)

Okay, listen, humans love making jokes about like - horns being handles or whatever. In bed. It's a thing. (He reaches his hands up to lightly touch his own horns. They weren't even big enough to grab like that, but they were big enough to get a hold. He blinks slowly at Kyle's own flex, not having even thought about himself as trying to flex.)

Oh. (Oooh. He lowers his hands back down into his lap. The generalized talk was so much easier than the specifics, but Kyle's not wrong. It was better to discuss that stuff upfront.)

Yes, you're right. Even if we don't totally fuck, my body won't be able to tell the difference between foreplay and proper mating. (He tucks his hands between his legs and looks slightly awkward.) Humans uh- do a lot more than we tend to. You're much more explorative. Your ...equipment is a lot more forward. I don't think I'm very good at giving head. (He points to his mouth, opening it to showcase the obvious reason of why. Most people's ideal blowjob didn't usually involve a shark mouth.) But I don't mind doing it.

We can really do whatever you want. You're sort of the one going into the great unknown. (He pauses, tugging at his sleeves.)

We can always test the Red Sea and you can figure out if it's even something you'll want. We don't have to commit to the entire voyage the first time out. Although as a warning, I'll probably get half-retarded acting and act a little desperate no matter what we do. It's embarrassing as hell.

[kyley_b]

Okay, good. Just, you know. Consent is really fucking important to me. [He's had an awful lot done to his body against his will, although thankfully it wasn't sexual.]

Okay. Neutral scent after we do it. I would shower anyway, for the record.

[Kyle somehow gets redder.] Yeah. It's a fetish thing. And it's okay! I'm not opposed. Just... might have to work up to that. [Because has he thought about it? Yes. Has he ever admitted it? God, no.]

I won't tug on your horns. You can, on the other hand, pull my hair. Like, not OUT, but yeah. [Just committing to being bright red forever.

He smiles and leans forward to kiss Karkat's cheek gently.]

That's okay, it's not a prerequisite. We'll find stuff we both like, and it doesn't have to be all the same stuff.

Hey. C'mere. [He gestures for Karkat to lean in so he can hug him.]

If your body and brain are going to say "this is mating" then we're gonna treat it with respect because that's a big deal. For what it's worth, I consider it a pretty serious step myself. Like... I don't have the genetic imperative making things more dire, but emotionally if we did it and then things fell apart I'd be a fucking mess.

So. I guess, like. I want you to know I'm not taking it lightly.

[klawful]

So do I. That's why I wanted to kind of let you know everything in graphic detail. Can't exactly make an informed consensual decision without realizing what you're even agreeing to. (Or something.)

Me too. I mean I get disgusting, so. (He juts his tongue out in a typical 'ew' face. It's great in the moment, but after a while, it just became gross to lay there.)

It was just a safety precaution on my end. We can explore whatever you want whenever, if ever, you want. I'm probably really naive to all that shit, admittedly. So. (He shrugs. It's barely like he was waiting to explore the realm of kink.)

You can pull my hair too. You can try to pull it out but that shit's dense.

(Karkat feels a dim flutter in his gut at the kiss. Here they were talking about rawing each other, and he's busy getting butterflies over a kiss on the cheek and Kyle's basic human decency. God, he was so attracted to him.

Oh god. He's really attracted to him. He crawls forward to sit directly in Kyle's lap so he could hug him with his arms as much as his legs, wrapping entirely around him. He slips a hand into Kyle's hair and just holds him for a moment before responding.)

Luckily for you, I'm a goddamn leech and have zero intention of falling apart from you. But I know what you mean. (He exhales slowly, feeling some tension from the nerves ease out of him.)

Thank you, Kyle.

[kyley_b]

Yeah, and I appreciate it.

[Kyle smiles shyly.] We, uhm. Could shower together. That would be something I'd be into. If you are.

Oh, dude. I've never done anything like that. I'm, like. Not very experienced, honestly. I've slept with like, six people my whole life and aside from one they were hookups so it's not like I did anything that required a lot of trust in the person. By human standards.

[Kyle wraps his arms around Karkat, pleased - if a little flustered - to have him on his lap.]

Thank you right back. I'm. Uhm. I'm really not used to being wanted, that way. I'm a good friend but not really the guy people want as a sexual partner. So this is new, but cool.

You're fucking hot, dude.

[klawful]

Yeah, we can shower together. (That actually sounded so nice. Karkat was the biggest bitch for full-on aftercare.)

I've only really slept with one person, so we can be the blind leading the blind and figure it out. Or you know, not explore anything except the basics. (He was completely content with an entirely vanilla sex life. Karkat wasn't sexually-based enough to put sex at the heart of his relationships to begin with. Even if it was a nice way to feel close with his partner.

He laughs loudly at the compliment, feeling flustered by actually being called "hot." It's not the first time - Dave was obnoxious with that shit, but it never failed to get a reaction from Karkat. He withdraws from Kyle, keeping his arms around his shoulders so he could grin down at him.)

Well, thank fuck for that. We're covering the bases of attraction here. It would be a serious buzzkill if we found each other to be nasty hobgoblins.

(He kisses Kyle's cheek and then his mouth again, lightly.)

You're really hot too. And I definitely want you. It's actually a little ridiculous. I think I want you as every kind of partner I can get you as.