[A wide gulf separates acceptance and resignation, and Karkat is keenly aware of it as Dave finally begins to speak. It doesn't quite dampen his relief at making some actual fucking progress after the absolute travesty known as the conversation leading up to this point, but the knowledge is sobering enough that Karkat doesn't bother pretending to congratulate himself before turning his full attention to listening. Maybe later, once this is over... but not now.
The unending stream of words is passingly similar to what he's heard from Dave before, but that's only when he factors in their talk from his first day. For all intents and purposes beyond that, he might as well be eavesdropping on a total stranger because when the hell has Dave Strider ever sounded this vulnerable? Every pause, every break in speech is one Karkat never expected to hear, and if it weren't for how much more infinitely fucking awful the alternative would have been (he can't leave him alone to suffer like this, he can't), he wouldn't have wanted to hear it, either.
The instant Dave begins his descent to the floor, Karkat is done holding back; he's at his side and on his knees within seconds. The position is awkward, but he couldn't care less as he leans in and (slowly, carefully, giving every opportunity for escape that he can) coaxes Dave into a hug.
He doesn't shoosh him. If he did, he doesn't think he'd be able to stop. Instead, he pulls him as close as possible, gently rests their heads together, and tries saying something more appropriately human.]
no subject
The unending stream of words is passingly similar to what he's heard from Dave before, but that's only when he factors in their talk from his first day. For all intents and purposes beyond that, he might as well be eavesdropping on a total stranger because when the hell has Dave Strider ever sounded this vulnerable? Every pause, every break in speech is one Karkat never expected to hear, and if it weren't for how much more infinitely fucking awful the alternative would have been (he can't leave him alone to suffer like this, he can't), he wouldn't have wanted to hear it, either.
The instant Dave begins his descent to the floor, Karkat is done holding back; he's at his side and on his knees within seconds. The position is awkward, but he couldn't care less as he leans in and (slowly, carefully, giving every opportunity for escape that he can) coaxes Dave into a hug.
He doesn't shoosh him. If he did, he doesn't think he'd be able to stop. Instead, he pulls him as close as possible, gently rests their heads together, and tries saying something more appropriately human.]
It's okay.
[It's so far from okay.]
I'm here.
[That much, at least, is true.]