Chapter Text
2 years later
Your name is Karkat Vantas and you’re fucking terrified of heights.
But here you are, getting ready to board a plane for 8 hours where you’ll be 35 000 feet in the air, all so that you can see your stupid boyfriend. You’ve never been on a plane before nor have you ever had a reason too. Everything you’ve ever needed was right here. On the ground. In Texas. Well everything except the love of your life. He’s in Paris.
You’ve never been so excited and nervous, it’s been about a year since you’ve seen Dave. The last time you both saw each other he came to Texas, again. The first thing he said to you, after kissing you senselessly and making a huge scene in the airport, was how the sky was so much more orange in Houston than in Paris. He’s such a weirdo, but you love him none the less. It was in that moment though that you decided you had to visit Paris. How much different could the sky be? It’s probably his shades that are tricking his eyes. Thinking about Dave keeps some of your nerves down but also brings new ones. Thinking about Dave means thinking about planes and planes are not good. You try to remember good memories with Dave.
Suddenly you remember the day Dave left, the first time that is, when his exchange program was over. It was a very cold March day, the wind was wild and it was pissing rain. It seemed like Mother Nature knew that it was gonna be a sad day and had to add to the ambiance. You drove with Ms. Maryam, Kanaya, and Dave to the airport. Kanaya sat upfront while you and Dave sat in the back. You all exchanged conversations together and it was nice but you knew the time was about to arrive. You had never thought that anyone would ever want to date you, so you never thought about long distance relationships, but now that you have one it’s making you a little nervous. What if he stops liking you? What if you stop liking him? What if he cheats on you while he’s back in France? Well you knew that he wouldn’t, he’s not that kinda person but still. What if the distance made the both of you uncomfortable? When Dave pulls you against his chest and kisses you softly on the head you feel it. You know it’s all gonna work out because it’s with Dave. When you guys had finally gotten to the airport there was a lot of fucking crying from everyone. Especially you though, you sobbed because you’d miss him and because you didn’t want him to leave. He cried too which was kinda weird to see, since he would usually try to be stoic around the Maryams but you guess that the mask comes off when you aren’t sure if you’d ever see these people again. Kanaya cried and hugged him and so did Ms.Maryam. After Dave left it was quiet in the car, the last thing you remember is passing out and then waking up in your own bed.
You feel a hand on your back and you look up to find Kanaya. Right, it’s all gonna be good, Kanaya’s coming with you. The day after you and Dave became an official couple Kanaya got the courage to ask Rose out on a virtual date. You and Dave watched out of frame as the whole scenario played out, Rose of course said yes. You and Dave gave each other a look and gave Kanaya a thumbs up before leaving. Later Dave told you that he had never seen Rose so happy, and in turn that made him extremely happy, which made you happy. It was a very happy night. All that to say that Kanaya is coming with you to Paris to surprise Rose.
You and Kanaya had become closer over the past 2 years. You both even ended up going to the same college, apparently they offered English majors and fashion majors at ALUC. You both rent a studio apartment together, its a pretty small place but its finally nice to not live with Kankri anymore. You can finally fucking watch 18+ movies in the living room without being yelled at, even though you’re fucking 20 years old. You and Kanaya had also adopted a cat, his name is Mayor and he’s a black cat with little white patches all over him. You and Kanaya love him to death and she even started making him clothes, it’s fucking adorable when he wears them. Dave also loves him, every time you guys do a video call the first thing he does is ask to talk to Mayor, or as he says ‘The Mayor’.
Dave had also moved out of his apartment with his Bro into a house with Egbert. You’ve seen pictures of it and it’s actually really fucking good for a first house, better than your old house that’s for sure. Dave always talks about getting a dog and naming it Jack. You have no idea why, but you do know that John has a big salamander named Cassie and he treats her like his actual child. It’s actually pretty endearing to watch, Dave’s recorded multiple videos of John babying Cassie and it’s fucking hilarious to see. John always gets pissed when he sees Dave recording though and that makes it even funnier.
Apparently John and Jade have picked up some English over the past two years. You were so fucking happy to hear when Dave told you, you’re relieved that you won’t have to speak French the entire time. You’ve gotten better at it but it’s still fucking exhausting to maintain conversations in it for hours. You’re excited to meet Dave’s friends too, you’d never tell them that though. You’ve talked to Rose on more then one occasion, and she’s your kind of person. You’re hoping that you’ll be able to have a conversation with her about the book she’s writing, you’re really fucking curious what genre she’s decided to write for debut book. You and John have developed somewhat of a teasing friendship. His ‘go with the flow’ attitude kinda pisses you off sometimes and your short temper annoys him but the two of you make it work. Jade was very flirtatious with you the first time you two talked, she’s nice and all and you like her but not in that way. So after making that clear the two of you became actual friends. Shes probably the only other person, other than Dave, that you talk to on a weekly basis. She’s fucking awesome, although, again you would never tell her that. Dave’s also introduced you to Dirk and Roxy who are apparently also Dave’s cousins. He didn’t mention them when he was in Texas but apparently Kanaya knew about them. They’re pretty nice too, Roxy has a bubbly personality where as Dirk is more like Dave in the sense that he’s stoic and untouchable. Dave told you about his obsession with horses though, so you figure he’s just a dork deep down.
An announcement plays on the speakers in the airport that snaps you out of your thoughts.
‘Flight 612 to Paris, France is now boarding.’
You push a lump down in your throat and get up out of your seat in the waiting room and walk towards a booth where people are boarding. Kanaya is leaning against you and you know she’s doing that to keep you grounded. Which you really appreciate because you are very close to snapping. Fucking anxiety. Kanaya grabs your hand and leads you onto the plane. She’s so patient it’s incredible, well except when it comes to technology, you’ve seen her flip her shit more than once while trying to use her computer. Once you’re both seated, you take out the melatonin you brought with you. There’s no way you’re gonna be able to sleep on the plane with your insomnia and all the anxiety you have right now without a little help. You’re really hoping the pills will kick in so that you can sleep the whole time. Which is the ideal plan, you don’t wanna be awake if there’s any turbulence because you might fucking lose it. Kanaya tells you to wait a little before falling asleep, which you do, the flight attendants make some announcements that you aren’t really paying attention too, although you really should be. When Kanaya gives you the okay you take as many pills as you can, which is one unfortunately, and wait till it kicks in. It takes about an hour, and you’re a wreck for that entire time, you distracted yourself with a book that Tavros bought for you. It’s another shitty one, god this guy sucks at picking out books that aren’t misogynistic. When you get to sleep you don’t wake up till Kanaya is shaking you, she’s frantically telling you that it’s time to leave.
You feel very sluggish but all the anxiety you had about the plane is turning into anxiety about seeing Dave. But it’s not a bad feeling you’re getting, it’s a good one! It’s 5 in the morning when you finally get off the plane. The airport is almost deserted except for the people who just got off the flight you were just on. You go to collect your baggage and Kanaya does the same. She seems very anxious as well.
“You okay Kanaya?”you ask, cause you feel like you don’t ask enough.
“I am nervous Karkat, but other than that I’m very excited. What about you?” She asks in a sleepy voice, she must have just woken up as well.
“Same.” You say with a smile.
The two of you walk towards the main part of the airport where Dave is supposed to meet the two of you. Since it’s still rather early Kanaya had asked Dave to not bring Rose. She wanted to make her breakfast in bed, which you thought was the sweetest thing ever holy shit. Romance expert of the day goes to Kanaya Maryam.
You and Kanaya are making idle chatter when you notice something red in your peripheral vision. When you turn he’s standing there.
Dave.
Your suitcase is long forgotten with Kanaya as you run to him and jump in his arms. Good thing he’s fucking strong. He spins the two of you around in circles for what feel like an eternity, the feeling of being in his arms again is surreal. When he finally stops you take of his shades and you kiss him passionately on the lips. You try to make up for all the kisses you’ve missed over the past year in one kiss but obviously it’s not enough. Eventually you both pull away.
«Fuck I can’t believe you’re actually here Crabcakes!» he says, he sounds way too energetic considering it’s 5 in the morning.
“I told you not to fucking call me that.” You say in a playful tone. You kiss him once again.
«I love you.» He kisses the top of your nose. It’s been about a year and a half since the first time you both said your I love you’s but it still sends shivers down your spine when Dave says it to you.
“I love you too.” You say kissing him again. You remember that Kanaya is standing behind you, she probably would also like to say hi to Dave. You shimmy out of Dave’s death grip, he whines but when he sees Kanaya he runs towards her and gives her a hug and a kiss in the cheek. Kanaya told you that Dave was apparently never affectionate before his exchange program. It’s good that he learnt that it’s okay to let his guard down around people he trusts. The two of them have almost become like siblings and the distance makes their friendship even stronger. It’s great that your housemate and boyfriend get along.
Dave grabs your hand and looks and you and Kanaya.
«Com’n we’re gonna go jump on Rose’s bed and scare the shit out of her!» Kanaya flashes a mischievous smile to both of you as you exit the airport.
Right before you get in Dave’s old pickup truck you grab him by the waist and whisper in his ear.
“Je t’aime avec tous mon cœur, mon chum.”
He turns to you and looks surprised. He smiles and grabs you by your cheeks and kisses you hard.
You know he loves you back.