[Dave quiets, at least, when Karkat starts talking again, and even if what Karkat's saying is a little bit bullshit (he sees that flagrant hypocrisy, dude, he has eyes), it's comforting bullshit because at least Karkat's talking, at least it doesn't sound like he's winding himself up like a clockspring about to snap. The last bit even makes him snurfle a bit.]
...Gross.
[Gotta catch his breath, stupid hiccuping lungs, gotta turn it all down to an acceptable volume. It's mostly sniffles, now, sniffles and shakes, but talking is working, finally, Karkat's getting through.
Dave sniffs and brings one hand away only long enough for a quick swipe across his eyes, returns to folding around Karkat like origami, like a nightflower.]
Pale. S-so pale, paler than...than a, a thing. Shut up. [A soft, shuddering inhalation.] So fuckin' pale I want to g-goddamn tuck you in a burrito all safe, pale enough you can laugh at me, I want you to laugh at me so you'll be h-happy...
[It doesn't matter that sometimes, after sweeping Karkat's hair off his forehead, he thinks about what it would feel like to kiss him. Doesn't matter that he aches a little sometimes, sleeping by himself. There is nothing more powerful than how much he cares about this awful, stupid, bitey, stubborn, self-destructive beautiful asshole, how much Dave wants him to feel comfortable and safe, finally safe with him, forever.
He turns his face into the crook of Karkat's neck, just stays there and lets Karkat pet him until he's calmer, until crying is mostly just water again.]
K-Karkat, I...'M cold, gotta. [Snff.] Pants. Pants and warm. And, and peeing. Not in that order, that's a bad order. Peeing and then pants.
[But Dave doesn't really, you know, make an effort to get up or anything, or even to lift his head from Karkat's shoulder. He just kind of stays there, unwilling to move until he has to, like the moment might dissolve again if Dave so much as stirs.]
action
...Gross.
[Gotta catch his breath, stupid hiccuping lungs, gotta turn it all down to an acceptable volume. It's mostly sniffles, now, sniffles and shakes, but talking is working, finally, Karkat's getting through.
Dave sniffs and brings one hand away only long enough for a quick swipe across his eyes, returns to folding around Karkat like origami, like a nightflower.]
Pale. S-so pale, paler than...than a, a thing. Shut up. [A soft, shuddering inhalation.] So fuckin' pale I want to g-goddamn tuck you in a burrito all safe, pale enough you can laugh at me, I want you to laugh at me so you'll be h-happy...
[It doesn't matter that sometimes, after sweeping Karkat's hair off his forehead, he thinks about what it would feel like to kiss him. Doesn't matter that he aches a little sometimes, sleeping by himself. There is nothing more powerful than how much he cares about this awful, stupid, bitey, stubborn, self-destructive beautiful asshole, how much Dave wants him to feel comfortable and safe, finally safe with him, forever.
He turns his face into the crook of Karkat's neck, just stays there and lets Karkat pet him until he's calmer, until crying is mostly just water again.]
K-Karkat, I...'M cold, gotta. [Snff.] Pants. Pants and warm. And, and peeing. Not in that order, that's a bad order. Peeing and then pants.
[But Dave doesn't really, you know, make an effort to get up or anything, or even to lift his head from Karkat's shoulder. He just kind of stays there, unwilling to move until he has to, like the moment might dissolve again if Dave so much as stirs.]