Thunderstorm ((Chapter 11))

He broke as soon as the door shut behind her, falling to his knees with a dull thud. The wooden floors were harsh when his knees collided with it and Karkat knew he most likely bruised his knees upon impact. Yet he didn't care, he didn't feel it, he hardly even registered that he had even fallen in the first place. Yet there he was on the ground, he set back and brought his knees to his chest quickly, hugging them close. What was he to do, he couldn't hurt either Strider, he was red for Dave and Dirk was one of the nicest humans he had ever met. Neither one of them treated him less than or spit on him. Karkat buried his face in his knees, shaking slightly. He was scared and alone once more. He couldn't tell them, then others that don't deserve to die will.

There was a sudden creek of the door behind him, the closet door, as it began to open slowly. The old hinges made small noises of dismay as they were pushed at. Karkat's head shot up to see who it was, completely forgetting about Kankri all the while that the "discussion" was taking place. He looked up at his brother, realizing that he had heard everything and then down again at the hardwood. He didn't want to speak; he didn't want to be seen. Kankri walked up slowly and then set next to him, looking at him in a slight desperation. He wanted his brother to speak to him. Even if it is only one word, he wanted him to talk.

"Karkat… it's okay… how is she to know if you tell the Striders? " Kankri spoke softly and rubbed Karkat's back gently, causing him to relax into the touch, his face still buried in his knees. Karkat shook his head and kept his mouth shut for a few moments more before speaking.

"I-I'm not sure… she always says she had eyes everywhere…" Karkat said softly, his voice still muffled in his knees. Kankri snaked his arms around Karkat and pulled him closer quickly. He leaned into his older brother and hugged him close for comfort. Knowing that Kankri was the only one that would know about this "job", at least until he knew it was safe to speak about it with the Strider's. He was just relieved that he did not have a set time that he had to … be rid of the Striders.

Kankri nodded and pulled his arms tighter around his younger sibling. A soft hum from his throat, it seemed melodic in a sense. It also seemed more of a soft hum of a lullaby made by a mother than anything. It was nice enough to ease his frantic nerves. After a good ten minutes of this there was a knock on the door. It was the Ampora brothers; they knew that if she were to come back there stunt would not uphold another scare. Kankri knew this as well and slowly let go of Karkat before getting to his feet.

"I should be going…" Kankri's voice seemed to trail, at this Karkat nodded with a dismal motion. His eyes more directed towards the ground. He took in a deep breath and looked up at his older brother; he had a soft warmth about him. Karkat was no longer alone; he had a brother, a matesprit and a Moirail.

"Can… Can we hang out some time, I mean I would like to get to know my brother." Karkat said and Kankri about had a heart attack. He was not expecting Karkat to except that he was his brother, let alone ask to see him again. The older of the two nodded with a soft smile.

"Yeah, I'll schedule a time with the Strider's since they are your primary care takers." Kankri spoke with a slight vindictive tone, he was not too happy that he couldn't take Karkat to come and live with him. If he did the Empress might grow suspicious and investigate. That could have no possibility of a favorable outcome. "See you soon… Karkat" He felt strange speaking his little brother's name. Though at the same time it filled him with hope and happiness; and with that he was gone out the door. The trio left with a swift motion, though as they moved out the door Karkat couldn't help but to note that Kankri's hand was intertwined with Cronus's. He was a bit shocked to think that the troll he thought of as an older brother was in a matespritship with his blood brother.

Dave walked in a few minutes later, his shades off and his crimson orbs looking back at Karkat in concern. Karkat sighed and shook his head, trying to wave off the other's concern. He had high hopes of locking himself in his room and going on with his thoughts. Maybe he could think of a way out of this situation. Though it seemed near an impossible task. The taller blond walked up to him slowly, placing a hand on his shoulder. His eyes trailed him to look for any visible wounds. To that there were none.

"Are you okay Karkat? She didn't hurt you right?" He asked, his eyes still like those of hawks, watching his every reaction. The small troll shook his head and did something that Shocked Dave; he wrapped his arms around his matesprit, as if for the last time. As if he would never feel his comforting touch again. The blond didn't understand why he did this, but did not want to push it, so he simply hugged him back.

"So… What is the plan for today Dave?" Karkat asked as he looked up at the blond. Hoping that they could go out, do something to escape the events that had just taken place. Dave had the same revelation as he waited for the Empress to leave.

"Kitkat, have you ever been to a mall before?" Dave asked as he released the smaller troll. Karkat shook his head his head a bit. The only place he used to be permitted to go once in town were small food shops. Dave smiled and nodded. "Well then I guess that is what we are doing today."