Chapter Text
Calliope stirred on the ground below them. “I’ll take her back to her floor,” Jade offered, “and explain a bit.”
“Explain what?” John asked, happy and incredulous.
“I’ll think of something,” Jade said kneeling down besides the woman. They disappeared in a flash of green.
Dave noticed Rose glancing at Kanaya. The other girl sat examining the chest in front of her. She had illuminated herself once more for better lighting. “I’ll be right back,” Dave told Karkat before kissing him on the cheek.
“If this is about Miss Fucking Ogle Eyes over there I’m coming with you,” Karkat responded. Dave sighed and they both approached Rose.
“So…” Dave said as they walked towards Rose.
“Shut up, I know what you’re thinking,” Rose told them.
“Well,” Karkat asked, “Are we on to something or do you just have a habit of madly lusting after any old vampire you meet?”
Rose pursed her lips, looking for words. She then pulled them aside and said quietly, “In the bank… before she died… that was the first time I ever saw the future. And… I saw us. And it was beautiful…” She looked at her feet and shrugged.
“Rose,” Karkat said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Dave was suppressing laughter. Karkat looked like a concerned older brother; he had his ‘serious face’ on. “Kanaya would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend, go and talk to her instead of sending really fucking vague messages and weirdly staring.”
Rose let out a laugh, then a sigh, then a nod, and then went to go sit by the glowing girl.
John had left, floating somewhere, presumably. Vriska was going off to Terezi about tracking down Aradia and figuring out this whole ghost business. Jade was nowhere to be seen.
Dave sat on the edge of the roof and looked out over the city. Karkat sat next to him. “Hey,” Karkat said, “Look at this.” He held up a wrist and let a slow stream of blood pour out. It twirled a bit, poked Dave’s glasses, and retreated back inside Karkat’s arm.
“You figured it out.”
“Yeah, I just had to calm down a bit.”
Vriska’s voice was rising. “…I’m just saying we should check out! See what’s in store for us in Asia! Find out where that fucking chest came from! Think of it: All eight of us, on an adventure! Eight, guys! It’s meant to be! Come on!”
John flew down to meet them, Jade appearing next to him. “That sounds awesome!” John exclaimed.
“We’d have to finish school first,” Jade pointed out. She and John had been dropping through clouds in celebration. Beads of dew clung to her hair and her clothes.
Vriska groaned. “Fine, but next summer, we’re going to Asia.”
“I could do with Asia,” Terezi agreed.
“I’ll have nowhere to be,” Kanaya chimed in.
“Me neither,” Rose added.
“What do you say, Kit Kat, Asia?” Dave asked.
Karkat looked at each of them incredulously. “We are eight fucking immortal beings that haven’t even completed the hell hole we call high school. We’re sitting on a goddamn hospital roof after having just, not even twenty minutes ago mind you, defeated an angry rage monster that created us and now we’re talking about going to another fucking continent to go play ghost busters?” He paused for air whilst making vague hand motions out of pure disbelief.
“…is that a yes?” Vriska asked.
“Why the fuck not?” Karkat said before slumping onto his boyfriend’s shoulder.
“Yes!” John yelled before shooting off into the sky.
Slowly, the heroes dispersed until it was just the two of them sitting on the roof in silence. No words needed to be said. Only the city, orange and white lights painting the landscape neon before them, provided any noise.
“Dave…”
“Yeah, Karkat?”
“Thanks for spending the shit storm with me.”
“You sappy fuck, come here.” Dave leaned over and kissed him.
The night went on and so did they. Time and blood, prepared to find out the secrets of what they had become, immortal or otherwise, sat in silence. Adventures and danger and mystery awaited them, but for now, the city was enough. For now, intertwined fingers and two beating hearts made everything okay.
“Dude, you know we’re superheroes, right?”
Karkat looked at Dave. “No fuck, you idiot.” The noise of the city ceased, the cars stopped, and the wind fell still.
Karkat sighed and studied the stars peeping in between still clouds. Whatever he may be, superhero, god, or whatever else, he was happy. And he was sure, whatever shit storm may lie ahead, he had time on his side.