Chapter 1: Introduction
In the heart of the city, where the skyscrapers kissed the sky and the noise of traffic was a constant lullaby, Dave stood on the balcony of his apartment, trying to look cool. He had his shades on, even though it was nighttime, and his hands were stuffed into the pockets of his skinny jeans. The wind whipped his blonde hair around, making him squint behind his shades.
"You look like a moron," came a voice from inside. Dave turned to see Karkat, his neighbor and supposed best bro, leaning against the doorframe.
Karkat was wearing one of his usual band t-shirts, this one featuring a faded image of some obscure punk band from the 90s. His messy black hair was pushed back from his face, and his warm eyes were fixed on Dave with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"At least I'm not trying to make a fashion statement with my hair," Dave retorted, running a hand through his blonde locks. "You look like you've been electrocuted."
Karkat rolled his eyes.
"At least I don't look like a rejected extra from a boy band. Seriously, what are you doing out here?"
Dave shrugged, turning back to the cityscape. "Just thinking. About life, the universe, and everything." He paused, then added, "And how much I hate people who say 'just thinking' to make themselves sound deep, which is so fucking gay"
Karkat snorted. "Gay, huh? More like shallow. You're trying too hard, Dave."
Dave scoffed. "And what am I trying too hard at, oh wise one?"
Karkat stepped out onto the balcony, his large form filling the small space.
He leaned against the railing, his eyes scanning the cityscape. "You're trying too hard to prove something," he said, his voice softening slightly. "And it's getting old."
Dave turned to face him, his eyes flashing behind his shades. "I don't know what you mean, bro."
Karkat sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Look, Dave, I'm going to level with you. Rose asked me to talk to you about this whole gay this, gay that, thing. Just last week you refused to eat an ice cream because "that's gay as shit". Who thinks that?"
Karkat asked, raising an eyebrow. "Ice cream is delicious, and you're being an idiot."
Dave shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Just saying. It's like, a dude shouldn't eat ice cream. It's too sweet, and they're just licking around it like it's the best shit ever. Dudes shouldn't eat it in public, or rather, sick fly dudes like me won't. " Karkat shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're ridiculous, you know that? You bring up gay stuff all the time, and it's not even funny. It's like you're trying to prove something to us, but no one's even talking about it. You know Rose keeps saying the lady doth protest too much"
Dave smirked, though clearly uncomfortable. "I'm not gay, alright? DJ Strides, with the beat, sweeping the ladies off their feet, not jonesing for a bonesing or a meat sandwich to gobble, hetero forever and you know I'll never wobble."
Karkat groaned, turning to face Dave. "Please stop rapping, you're making my ears bleed. Look, Dave, I'm not saying you have to be gay or straight or anything in between. I'm just saying, you're making a big deal out of something that doesn't need to be a big deal. It's like you're trying to convince us, and yourself, that you're not something you're not."
Dave's smirk faded, replaced by a blank expression, his eyes hidden behind his shades. "I just like women, okay? I just like boobs and curves and... stuff.
I'm not into dudes, simple as that."
Karkat studied Dave for a moment, then nodded as if making a decision. "Alright, I get it. You want people to know you're straight, so let's make a deal."
Dave raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?"
Karkat grinned, and there was a glint in his eyes that Dave didn't entirely trust. "A challenge, if you will. Prove to me that you're straight."
Dave blinked, taken aback. "How am I supposed to prove that? We all know I'm the paragon of both masculinity and heterosexuality"
Karkat shrugged, his grin never wavering. "You're always talking about how much you love women, how you're not into dudes. So, let's put that to the test." Dave crossed his arms, his smirk returning while he leaned into Karkat's space. From this angle Karkat could see Dave's eyes above his shades, expressive as ever. That's why he hid them from the world. "Alright, what's the challenge? You gonna set me up with a fine lady of the night? Examine my brain waves while watching videos of wet t-shirt contests?"
Karkat leaned in, his voice low. It was fascinating how Dave never seemed to notice that he was all over Karkat. When they watched movies together, Dave always found a reason to lean up against him, often falling asleep on him. "I'll think of something. Come back tomorrow, and we'll get started"
Karkat said, pushing off the railing and heading back inside.
Dave watched him go, a sense of unease settling in his stomach. He had a feeling he was going to regret this.