Chapter Text
Dave's late. It's not a new thought, Karkat's been thinking it for the past hour. Dave was supposed to be home at six sharp so they could walk Rigel before dinner. It's their anniversary, Karkat prepared something special, and he wanted some time to enjoy the field of fragrant lilacs and citronella Dave proposed to him in. But Dave's late.
Karkat and Rigel are waiting by the window, the iridescent, dog-sized wyrm panting softly in the gentle summer heat. Karkat's petting him absently. Is Dave okay? He only went to the market to sell the scales Rigel shed last week, but could something have gone wrong? Copper fingers are nervously drumming on the windowsill.
Karkat's just about to go out and look for him, sandals on and hand hovering over the doorknob when Dave bursts in. Well, it's presumably Dave. All Karkat can see is a giant bouquet of bright red-and-white gloxinias and white carnations. When Karkat takes it, Dave's grinning so brightly at him, sunglasses pushed up on the top of his head, dark oak skin dusted with a blush as explanations rush out of his mouth.
And Karkat watches him ramble, an exited Rigel wiggling around he and Dave's legs, and his heart is just enveloped in the warmest, most adoring glow. He's sure it shows on his face because Dave looks back at him from where he'd been staring at the flowers, and his blush instantly darkens. Karkat stands on his tiptoes to kiss Dave's cheek, and he can tell, it melts Dave just like it always does. Karkat's free hand curls in the collar of Dave's shirt to pull him down rather than reaching up, and Dave's gone.
"Ready to go on our walk? Dinner will be waiting for us." Dave just nods dumbly, and Karkat laughs, kissing him again. They've even got a nice sunset to stroll to. They hold hands as they walk back outside, flowers set on the kitchen table. Rigel seems content in leading the way; the miniature wyrm has gone with them on this walk for decades, he knows the way. It gives Dave and Karkat plenty of time to admire each other, to share so many sweet kisses and starry-eyed stares, practically singing each others' praises. It's been this way for decades, almost one hundred years now, they've had this moment so many times, but each and every year, it feels so special, like this is their first. They've both got plans for their one-hundredth.
They're home almost an exact hour later, and Karkat has Dave close his eyes as he leads him back into the house. And when Dave opens his eyes, he's surprised with a whole spread of... sweets. Gods, Karkat knows him well, doesn't he? Dave's heart melts even further at Karkat's proud smile, and they share a tender kiss.
The night is spent snacking and snuggling and smooching, and it's as perfect as it always is, and as it always will be. Karkat knows he would never change a thing about this, about what they have, and he just knows Dave feels the same way. They have all of eternity to spend falling deeper and deeper in love with each other, and damn it all if they aren't going to cherish every single second they have.