"Bro, you been in that room all motherfucking day. Come on."

He could hear Gamzee outside the door, but chose to ignore him. He didn't want to move from the fetal position he was in on the floor in front of his recuperacoon. Since yesterday, Karkat was just moping around in his own self loathing, locked up in his room. For whatever reason, the Capricorn had insisted on following him home and spending the night. He just wanted to be left alone. Why did Gamzee want to stick around if he kept treating him like shit all the time anyway? Was he a masochist? Karkat was beginning to think they both were. Gamzee taking all of his shit. And he, himself, forcing his fear down to be by Gamzee's side. What the fuck was wrong with the two of them?

Karkat jumped at the sound of something being shoved under his door. He stared at the door, listening. Footsteps dragged across the floor and the front door was opened and closed. Then it was silent. Gamzee must have left. He must have gotten fed up with this shit finally. Crawling over to the door, Karkat picked up the paper and resumed his position.

Tears started rolling down the Cancer's cheeks as he looked over the paper. Why? Why did he have to be such a shit moirail? Why did Gamzee have to be such a stupid clown? Why... Why did this bring a slight smile to his face?

The paper had a drawing on it. Nothing amazingly artistic. It was simple. But it was drawn fairly well. A large diamond took up the page. Inside was a cartoonish picture of Gamzee and Karkat's faces. The word Best Friends was scribbled across the bottom with Gamzee's signature clown smiley.

It was a small gesture. But it was enough to pull at Karkat's heart strings.

What an idiot.

Karkat wiped his eyes as he rose to his feet, unlocking his bedroom door and heading towards the kitchen. He plucked a magnet from his fridge and stuck Gamzee's drawing under it. The fridge is the best place to display things like that, right? Whatever.

Gamzee sighed as he walked towards his house. He couldn't stop worrying about Karkat. Yeah, what happened yesterday upset him. But Karkat was still his moirail and they both needed to have a really long feelings jam to sort this all out. He had agreed to go visit Pam, Dr. Soule let him call her by her first name, once a month to check in. She told him to take some sort of pill once a day to keep his mood stable. He still needed to get to the pharmacy to fill out the prescription. Gamzee wasn't that excited about the idea, but if it was for Karkat, he would do anything, and he meant ANYTHING.

As he walked up to his apartment, he thought about packing a bag to go spend another night at Karkat's and make sure he was alright. His decision was made for him when he saw a white slip of paper taped to his door. An eviction notice. Great.

"Motherfuck..."

Grabbing a change of clothes and some bottled sopor, Gamzee trudged his way back to Karkat's.

Inviting himself in, he found the Cancer asleep on the couch in front of the TV. He must have been watching one of his RomComs. The little guy was so cute sometimes. But right now, that wasn't helping Gamzee cool down. He knew he missed paying his rent by a day or two, but eviction? He would have gotten the money together in a couple days. If he could find a job...

"Shit. Fuck. Fucking motherfucker, kicking me out. Wriggler of a bitch."

He threw his bag lazily on the floor beside the couch and flopped himself on top of Karkat. He needed some moirail hugs. Needless to say, Karkat jumped.

"WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK, GAMZEE?! GET THE FUCK OFF ME YOU ASSHAT! YOU-"

"Motherfucking shut up," Gamzee grumbled, "I'm not all up and in the motherfucking mood to be listening to your harsh words."

No way.

He felt Gamzee's arms tighten around his waist.

Karkat froze underneath the crushing weight of the juggalo.

No.

No. This couldn't be happening.

Gamzee can't go batshit right now.

His vascular pump was pounding in his ears.

"Just motherfucking hug me, motherfucker."

Karkat hesitated before slowly wrapping his arms around Gamzee. Quietly and rhythmically, he began shooshing him.

After a couple minutes, Karkat started to squirm under Gamzee's weight. He was heavy and his body was falling asleep. In response, Gamzee gripped Karkat tightly and rolled off the couch onto the floor, cackling like an idiot. This elicited a screech from the Cancer, who then angrily punched Gamzee's arm. Neither of them moved for awhile. This was actually much more comfortable. The silent company was relaxing and the soft buzzing of the TV was lulling Karkat to sleep. Defeated, he sighed, turning his head towards the TV. He didn't even know when he fell asleep, but he wanted to finish watching his movie. Letting his thoughts wander, his eyes started to get heavy again, becoming accustomed to the soft beating of Gamzee's vascular pump.

"Thanks, bro. Sorry I went and upset you. Just needed to hug a motherfucker," Gamzee spoke suddenly, "I got evicted."

"Don't worry. It happens... Wait. You what?!" Karkat propped himself up on Gamzee's chest to look him in the eyes.

The Capricorn chuckled sheepishly, "I got evicted. Missed my rent payment by two days."

"Dammit Gamzee," the smaller troll grumbled, "We'll get your shit tomorrow and I'll help you find a new place."

Gamzee hummed for a couple seconds, mulling the offer over before replying, "Actually brother, I was hoping I could all up and get some livings going on here."

Karkat let his head fall dramatically, hitting it against Gamzee's chest. Fuck no.

"Fuck Gamzee. Just. Ugh," he sighed, "We'll talk about it tomorrow. I'm too tired for this hornbeast shit."

With harmonious yawns, the two trolls fell into a deep slumber.

"I'M FUCKING AFRAID OF YOUR INSANE JUGGALO ASS! BECAUSE GOG KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO FLIP YOU OFF THE HANDLE NEXT! I'M AFRAID FOR MY PITIFUL, MEANINGLESS LIFE EVERY FUCKING DAY BECAUSE OF YOU."

Gamzee stares at you, bewilderment twisting into hurt and horror.

"YOU KILLED EQUIUS."

He visibly winces.

"YOU KILLED NEPETA."

Again, he winces, almost shrinking under your rage.

"AND I KNOW THAT WAS IN THE GAME AND THEY ARE HERE WITH US NOW. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING. THAT GAME WAS REAL FOR US ALL AND YOU KNOW IT. YOU'RE A BLOODTHIRSTY HIGH BLOOD. NONE OF US ARE SAFE AROUND YOU," you continue screaming, pointing your shaking claw in his face.

At this point, he's fallen to his knees, "Bro, I-"

"SHUT UP. DON'T YOU DARE TRY TO MAKE ANY EXCUSES FOR YOURSELF, YOU PIECE OF SHIT. I CAN'T BELIEVE I EVER CALLED YOU MY MOIRAIL. SOME MURDEROUS, CHUCKLE VOODOO WORSHIPING, JUGGALO. NO WONDER YOUR LUSUS LEFT YOU."

You could see the tears beginning to form in Gamzee's eyes, but you didn't care. This guy. He wasn't your friend. He was not your moirail. He was a monster. Best friends wouldn't try and kill each other. No baring to look at this monster's face any longer, you turn you back to him, crossing your arms over your chest.

"Best friend," he chokes.

You voice is calm, just above a whisper as you speak, "A true best friend wouldn't kill their friends. And my best friend, wouldn't try to kill me."

With that, you leave the room, leaving Gamzee sobbing on the floor.

Karkat jolted upright, breathing heavily and feeling overheated. Something moved under him, making him roll onto the floor. Gamzee. Gasping, he pushed himself away as fast he could.

After sitting there staring in silence for a minute, he started to calm down. It was ok. Gamzee was asleep. Gamzee was sober. Gamzee wasn't dangerous. Right now.

Recollecting his dream brought back memories of the previous day in Dr. Soule's office. The look on Gamzee's face. How his eyes shadowed over in a pained expression. And that pain stabbing right through the Cancer's heart. No matter how hard he tried not to let it, a small sob escaped his chest.

Gamzee stirred, his mane of hair sticking out in every direction as he strecthed him self into a sitting position.

Quickly, Karkat tried to wipe the tears off his face. Yeah, Gamzee was his moirail, but he refused to cry in front of anyone. It was a sign of weakness. He was not weak.

"Karkat?"

The Cancer didn't answer.

Scooting over to sit next to his moirail, Gamzee wrapped his arms around the smaller troll in a comforting hug.

The Capricorn didn't know what was going on with his best friend, but whatever it was, he was here to help Karkat through it.

Karkat was internally struggling with his emotions and his thoughts. But the one thing that was clear to him was, no matter how afraid he was of Gamzee, he couldn't live without the stupid clown. Gamzee was his anchor in the midst of his sea of troubles. And he never wanted Gamzee to leave him.