Work Text:
“Is that a new cologne?” Nolan asked and Karl tilted his head a bit at the question.
“What?” Karl asked.
“You smell different. It’s a different cologne than normal.” Nolan pointed out. “And it’s not Sapnap’s. So either it’s new or you have someone special in your life.” Nolan laughed, “and it seems like he wanted everyone to know about him.”
Karl shrugged a bit. “I don’t kiss and tell.” He walked away and took out his phone.
Kitten > Nick. Nolan could smell you all over me, that new cologne you got. If you wear it when you show up for the shoot he’ll know.
Love > I bought it just to wear it with you. That way I can make sure you smell like me but without everyone knowing it’s me since you didn’t want everyone to know
Kitten > makes sense now
Love > I’ll be there soon 🥰
Kitten > love you forever ❤️
Love > love you always ❤️
*
Sapnap and Karl got out of the challenge they were doing and sat away from everyone.
“So, I know we really don’t talk about it a lot…” Sapnap started, “but we should talk about where we are going to live while I’m here to visit.”
“Nick, you know I don’t want to move away.. my job and my life is here.” Karl said.
“And my life is in Florida. I already left my biological family- I can’t leave my brothers now too.” Sapnap said.
“They’ll want the space one day- what if they want to grow their family- and you’re a constant third wheel there.” Karl was getting more defensive now. “You can still go down to visit too. It’s not like we don’t have enough money and Dream would buy your tickets anyway.”
Sapnap ran a hand through his hair, taking his hat off. “Karl, I am not a third wheel in my own house and it kinda pisses me off that you would say that when you don’t even know. If you ever fucking came down to Florida maybe you would see that but I’m always stuck being the one who has to come to you. Literally and figuratively. I’m always the one who has to go to you .”
“What are you implying?”
“I’m sayi-“
“Sap! Wanna go get some food?” Nolan asked, running over. He had gotten out of the challenge as well.
“Sure.” Sapnap smiled and put his hat back on. “See you later, Karl.” Sapnap said and left with Nolan.
*
“It’s time to go.” Karl said. “We can’t agree on our future so you should leave.” Karl motioned to the packed suitcase on the floor. He had packed Sapnap’s belongings while he was out with Nolan.
“What about us?” Sapnap asked, reaching out to grab Karl’s hands but Karl put them in his hoodie pocket.
Karl let out a breath, “it’s over.”
“Karl-“
“Book your ticket home.” Karl said, avoiding eye contact.
“You are my home.” Sapnap said with certainty.
“Not anymore.”
“What are you talking about? Just yesterday you were talking about being together forever.”
Karl reached over and wiped a tear from Sapnap’s face, “we never stood a chance.”
“Bullshit.” Sapnap spoke softly, more tears slipping down his face. “If you’re scared then that’s okay, I understand that. But you can’t just act like we were nothing. You can’t just tell me that we’re nothing. You’re everything to me, Karl. And I’m supposed to be everything to you.” A pause, “you said I was.”
“I..” Karl closed his eyes tightly for a moment before his eyes met Sapnap’s. “I lied.” Karl held his composure as Sapnap fell apart in front of him.
*
“I know I told him to leave… but all I want is him to be here. I want him to be in the kitchen making me breakfast to wake me up to. I want him to spray the stupid cologne on my outfits of the day to show everyone that I’m his. I want him to hold me at night.” Karl admitted.
George sighed. “Karl, you told him that you lied about loving him. He can’t just forgive you for that.”
“I know- but all I want is him. Because I do love him. He’s the love of my life.” Karl said.
George waited a moment. "I have to go, we can talk later." They ended the call and George turned to face Sapnap who was in the room and who had heard everything Karl had said. George held him as he sobbed.
-
“I want him.” Sapnap said as Dream carded a hand through his hair. They were cuddled together on the couch. “But I can’t be with him.”
“Yes you can.” Dream assured him in a gentle voice.
“I know that he admitted to loving me to George. I know that he lied about not loving me. I know that if I asked, he would move here in a heartbeat and if he asked I would go there. But I can’t take him away from his home.. and I don’t want to leave mine.” Sapnap held onto Dream tighter, fighting tears.
“Nick, I love you. You’re my brother. I will always support the choices you make, it’s the promise we made to each other over a decade ago. And so if you want to leave because you cannot bring yourself to take him away then go. Go be happy. If Karl makes you happy then go. If you want to stay and just be friends with him then stay- if you guys move here to be happy then so be it. George and I will support your choices. We both love you and want what’s best for you.”
Sapnap nodded into Dream’s chest. “Ok.”
*
“I know that this isn’t how you wanted to spend your day but.. please. I need you more right now then you need me.” Sapnap hates that Karl feels like home. The whole breakup had been over arguing where they would live but Sapnap realized that Karl is his home. And Karl hardly wants him.
Sapnap hates that Karl is his safe place. He hates that Karl is such a constant in his life.
Sapnap hates that Karl is his happiness. Even when Karl makes him sad, there is always a happiness from Karl in Sapnap’s mind that makes him want to scream into a pillow and die. It’s not that Sapnap is unhappy with Dream and George. It’s not that he hates his life or anything. He is just so much happier with Karl.
Sapnap hates Karl for making him need him.
“Okay, Nick.” Karl said. “I’m here. Always.”
*
“Don’t get too excited.” Sapnap said and Karl raised a brow while beckoning Sapnap into his house. “I only packed for the weekend.”
“Oh.”
“Yup.” Sapnap popped the p.
“So you’re just gonna leave?” Karl asked and Sapnap nodded.
“You’re the one who packed all my bags and kicked me out before. I’m only here to grab the rest of my shit.”
“I was just confused and upset- you don’t have to go.” Karl stepped closer and Sapnap stepped back.
“Are you upset that leaving means I win?” A pause, “because you never change. You're life-draining and you make irrational decisions that hurt me.” Sapnap crossed his arms over his chest.
“You were never looking for a reason to stay, you were looking for an excuse to leave.” Karl tossed out and Sapnap just chuckled.
“You’ve got it wrong.” He huffed a short laugh, “you’re trying to flip the switch to make this my fault because you cannot handle losing me. You cannot handle what you did to make me want to leave. You cannot handle the truth of what you did.” A pause, “and honestly, I feel sorry for you. It must fucking suck to fight with all you have to get someone you love to love you back. I’ve lived there for 3 years. It must really fucking suck.” Sapnap turned and walked into the guest room.
“Welcome home.” Dream said with a soft smile and hugged Karl. Karl giggled and hugged him back.
“I’m excited to be here! Thank you for letting me move in. I didn’t want to impose on yours and George’s relationship or anything.” Karl stepped back and rubbed his neck awkwardly.
Dream just offered him the same soft smile. “You could never impose. We’re very happy to have you. Besides, the house is very large and we are on opposite ends.”
George ran at Karl full force and tackled him into a hug on the floor. They both laughed loud as hell as they just embraced for a few moments. Sapnap walked up and bumped shoulders with Dream. It was a silent ‘thank you’. It had taken weeks to get back to normal for Karl and Sapnap but they were grateful Dream and George had helped them so much.
Karl got up and walked over to Sapnap, grabbing his face and pulling him into a kiss. Sapnap smiled into the kiss and held Karl’s waist.
They were going to be okay forever. And they were more than content with that.