Chapter 2: Building Tension
Karkat said, holding up a DVD. "Got a good one for tonight. Something with lots of explosions and pretty girls" Karkat had a certain smugness to his delivery that usually meant he was up to something. Dave, however, was too focused on his own anxiety to notice.
They sat down on the couch, Dave fidgeting with the edge of a throw pillow, while Karkat casually slipped the DVD into the player.
"You ready for this?" Karkat asked, turning to Dave with a smirk.
"Yeah, yeah, let's get this show on the road" Dave answered, trying to keep his voice casual.
Karkat didn't miss the edge of tension in Dave's voice, but he chose not to comment on it. Instead, he simply pressed play, and the opening credits of the movie began to roll.
About an hour into the movie, Karkat was sprawled out on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table, while Dave was perched on the edge of the seat, his eyes glued to the screen.
Karkat leaned forward, squinting at Dave in the dim light of the television.
“You look uncomfortable,” he observed, his voice casual. “Like you’re sitting on a pile of thumbtacks or something.”
Dave chuckled nervously, his eyes flickering away from the screen for a moment. “Nah, I’m good. Just, uh, just really into the movie, you know?”
Karkat raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Uh-huh. Well, come on then, scoot back. You’re making me feel like I’m watching the movie alone.” He patted the cushion beside him, a playful smirk on his face.
Dave hesitated for a moment, then sighed and shifted back onto the couch, his body tense as he sat next to Karkat.
He kept his eyes on the screen, his hands clasped tightly in his lap.
Karkat noticed Dave's discomfort but said nothing, instead reaching out to pull Dave closer. Dave tensed at the contact, his breath hitching slightly as Karkat's arm wrapped around his waist.
"Relax, dude," Karkat murmured, his voice low and soothing. "Just two dudes chilling, watching a movie together, right? No biggie."
Dave nodded, but his body remained stiff and unyielding. He was hoping that Karkat would have told him what his challenge was before the movie, maybe this was it. He couldn't tell. He felt hyper aware of everything Karkat did, his warmth, how his thumb had started rubbing circles over Dave's hip bone. Maybe they were playing gay chicken. Maybe Karkat was just messing with him. Either way, Dave found himself slowly relaxing into Karkat's embrace. This is comfy as fuck, anyway, he thought, his body melting into Karkat's. He focused on the movie, trying to ignore the way Karkat's fingers were threading through his hair, tugging gently at the ends.
Karkat shifted, pulling Dave in closer so that Dave's weight was resting on him, his head nestled against Karkat's chest. Dave could feel Karkat's heartbeat, steady and strong, through his shirt. He looked up, their faces inches apart, and realized that Karkat was watching him, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"What?" Dave asked, his voice slightly breathy.
"You're relaxed now," Karkat observed, his eyes warm. "I'm glad. Maybe you're ready for your challenge. You know what would really prove that you're not gay?"
Dave raised an eyebrow, a hint of challenge in his eyes. "What's that?"
Karkat leaned in slightly, his voice low.
"Come give me a kiss. Since you're not gay, you wouldn't enjoy it right? That's a way we can prove it."
Karkat's voice was casual, but there was a glint in his eyes that made Dave hesitate.
"Kiss you?" Dave repeated, slowly unwrapping himself from Karkat's embrace. "Are you serious? That's...that's not how this works, bro."
Karkat shrugged, his smirk never wavering. "It's a simple test. If you're really not into dudes, then kissing me won't be a big deal. You won't enjoy it, and we can move on.
Unless you're scared you'll like it too much, and need to chicken out now," Karkat taunted, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Dave's blush deepened, and he shook his head, trying to laugh off the challenge. "You're crazy, man."
Dave laughed, shaking his head, but Karkat was already moving before he could protest further. "Maybe I am," Karkat said, grinning, his eyes locked onto Dave's. He tilted Dave's head up to meet him, his hand gently gripping Dave's chin. "Now come here."
Dave's breath hitched in his throat, his eyes widening as he realized what was about to happen. He should have pulled away, should have pushed Karkat off the couch and stormed out, but his body was frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. Karkat leaned in, his other hand sliding into Dave's hair, pulling him in for the kiss. It started out soft and slow, a gentle press of lips against lips, a whisper of a kiss that sent shivers down Dave's spine.
Karkat's hand in his hair was warm, his other arm wrapped tightly around Dave's waist, keeping him close. Dave felt stiff and awkward in the kiss, frozen. The movie played on in the background, but neither of them noticed, their world narrowing down to just the two of them, their breaths mingling, their hearts beating in time.
Dave couldn't help but let out a whine as Karkat pulled his hair a bit, the kissing turning into a makeout session, Karkat licking into his mouth, exploring, teasing. It was like Karkat had unlocked something within Dave, an insatiable hunger that grew with each brush of Karkat's lips, each tug of his hair.
Dave's hands, which had been balled into fists in his lap, now reached out, grabbing onto Karkat's shirt, his nails digging into the fabric. He couldn't get close enough, couldn't press himself hard enough against Karkat. He felt a warmth spreading through his body, a tingling sensation that started in his lips and spread downwards, pooling in his groin.
Karkat, sensing Dave's hunger, deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring Dave's mouth, teeth scraping against teeth, tongues tangling together in a dance that was both savage and sweet.
He gripped Dave's hair tighter, tilting his head to gain better access, his other hand sliding down to grip Dave's ass, pulling him closer. Dave gasped into the kiss, his body arching into Karkat's touch, his own hands gripping Karkat's shoulders, nails digging into the fabric of his shirt. Karkat broke away from the kiss for a moment, his eyes locked onto Dave's, his breath coming in ragged pants. "A little more" he rasped out, "We need to make sure we get good data to prove you're straight, right?" he quipped, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"You know, for science."
Dave hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest, but then he shrugged nonchalantly, as if this were no big deal. "Sure, I guess," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He tilted his head back up, waiting.
Karkat's grin widened, and he leaned in, his hand still tangled in Dave's hair, guiding his head back to meet his own. This time, the kiss was deeper, more intense. Karkat's lips parted, his tongue sliding against Dave's, hungry and demanding. Dave couldn't help but respond, his own tongue meeting Karkat's, their breaths mingling as they explored each other's mouths.
Karkat's hand in Dave's hair tightened, pulling him closer, and then, suddenly, his lips left Dave's, trailing wet, hot kisses down the side of Dave's neck. Dave gasped, his eyes fluttering shut, his head tilting to the side to give Karkat better access. He could feel Karkat's stubble against his skin, the roughness sending shivers down his spine. Karkat nipped at his jawline, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin, before soothing it with a soft suck. Dave's breath came in ragged pants, his heart pounding in his chest as Karkat's mouth moved lower, his tongue licking a path down Dave's neck.
Dave squirmed, his hips shifting restlessly against Karkat's, his body aching with a need he couldn't quite understand or control. Karkat felt a smug satisfaction at Dave's response, a warmth spreading through his chest at the knowledge that he was turning Dave on. He knew better than to push his luck, though. Instead, he pulled Dave closer, his arms wrapping around Dave's waist as he lifted him onto his lap. Dave gasped, his eyes flying open, his body tense and unsure.
"What are you doing?" he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. Karkat grinned, his eyes locked onto Dave's. "Just making sure you're comfortable, dude," he said, his voice low and soothing.
"Now, where were we?"
Karkat murmured, his voice a low growl as his hands slid up Dave's thighs, spreading them wider to better accommodate his hips. Dave bit back a moan, his eyes locked onto Karkat's, his body trembling with anticipation.
Karkat smiled, his hands gripping Dave's waist, pulling him in closer, their lips crashing together in a heated, messy kiss. Dave's breath hitched as Karkat's hands roamed over his body, exploring every inch of skin they could reach.
Dave's hands flew to Karkat's chest, gripping his shirt, his nails digging into the fabric as Karkat's hands slipped under his own, pulling their bodies closer together. Dave could feel the heat radiating off Karkat, the warmth of his body seeping into Dave's own, making him feel lightheaded.
Karkat's hands roamed over Dave's body, tracing the lines of his muscles, his touch deliberately distracting, pushing Dave's sunglasses up so he can see his eyes, pupils totally blown out. He pulled Dave closer, grinding their hips together, a low groan escaping his lips. Dave gasped, his eyes hazy as he sucked on Karkat's tongue. He was totally out of it, breath coming out in cute little gasps, face and neck flushed, the tips of his ears bright red.
" God, you're fucking adorable," Karkat murmured against Dave's mouth, his hands roaming over his body, tracing the lines of his muscles. He kissed Dave slowly and filthily, letting Dave's hips hitch and grind subconsciously on his thigh.
\\ Karkat was delighted when he could feel the hardness pressing against him through Dave's jeans. He let his hands roam over Dave's back, over his shoulders, down his chest, taking in the feel of his body. He rubbed Dave's nipple hard, fucking into his mouth with his tongue.
He pulled back, licking his lips, looking down at Dave, chest heaving, eyes glazed with lust. "You're so fucking sweet," he said, his voice a low growl. He leaned down, kissing Dave again.
This time, his tongue immediately delved into Dave's mouth, seeking, claiming. He gripped Dave's thighs, spreading them wider, and ground his own hips against Dave's. Dave mewled into the kiss, his hands clutching at Karkat's shirt, his body writhing in Karkat's hold. Karkat's hands roamed, cupping Dave's ass, squeezing, and then sliding up to his waist, where he gripped him tight. He rocked against Dave, a slow, deliberate thrust that had Dave gasping and whimpering.
Karkat could feel Dave's hardness through his jeans, could see the way his hips moved, seeking more friction. He ground against him, harder, faster, his hands gripping Dave's waist like a lifeline. Dave's breath came in short, sharp gasps, his nails digging into Karkat's shoulders, his head thrown back as he rode out the pleasure. Karkat could feel the heat between them, could see the flush on Dave's face, the way his eyes were glazed with lust. He was so fucking beautiful like this, so lost in the sensation that he was almost unaware of the world around them.
Suddenly, Dave let out a strangled cry, his body convulsing as he came, his face a picture of pure ecstasy.
His lips were parted, his eyes closed tight, a fine sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. Karkat watched, mesmerized, as Dave's body shook with the force of his orgasm, his hips jerking against Karkat's with a life of their own. He could see the way Dave's muscles tensed and released, the way his chest heaved, and he knew that he was witnessing something deeply intimate, something that Dave had never shown to anyone else.
As Dave came down from the orgasm, his body shook with little aftershocks, his hips making abortive, twitching movements, and his breath came out in soft pants, like he'd just run a marathon. Karkat couldn't help but smile, a warm, contented smile that reached his eyes. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Dave's forehead, ignoring the sheen of sweat that coated his skin.
"There you go, sweetheart."
Dave's eyes shot open, panic flaring within him as he realized what had just happened. His body was still buzzing, his heart pounding, but he knew he had to get out of there, now. "Uh, thanks, man," he stammered, pushing away from Karkat, his breathing ragged. "I, uh, I gotta go. See you later." He stumbled to his feet, his legs shaking like a newborn colt's, and made a beeline for the door.
Karkat watched Dave go, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he leaned back against the couch, his arms crossed over his chest. "See you later," he called after Dave, his voice laced with amusement.
Dave ignored him, his hand already on the doorknob.
He fumbled with it for a moment, his fingers shaking, before finally managing to twist it and stumble out into the hallway. He didn't stop until he reached his own apartment, slamming the door behind him and leaning against it, breathing heavily. His heart was still racing, his body humming with the aftershocks of his orgasm. He pushed away from the door, his eyes scanning the room, as if expecting to find Karkat standing there, watching him with that knowing smirk. But the apartment was empty, the only sound the ticking of the clock on the wall.
Dave took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. That was close, he thought to himself, too close. He pushed away from the door, his hand fumbling with the hem of his shirt, only to remember that he was still wearing the same clothes from the night before. He grimaced, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a reason for his sudden exit.
There was no way Karkat had noticed what had happened. He was just overreacting, letting his imagination run wild. He was almost silent when he came, he can just tell Karkat he remembered something urgent and had to leave, that's why he froze up like that.
Yeah, that's it, Dave thought, trying to reason with himself as he paced back and forth in his apartment. He was just super sensitive, that's all. Probably from not jerking off enough, he scoffed to himself, running a hand through his hair.
He hadn’t even realized it had happened until it was too late. "Yep, still straight," he muttered under his breath, pacing around his apartment. "Didn't enjoy that at all, but I should probably jerk off more if I'm so pent up that I could blow my load in front of another dude." He grimaced, shoving his hands into his pockets, his mind racing. He needed to get his head straight, clear his thoughts, and put this whole incident behind him.
Dave marched into his bathroom, turning the shower on full blast, the water scalding hot. He stepped in, letting the water cascade over his body, trying to wash away the lingering sensation of Karkat's touch, the feel of his lips, the overwhelming heat of his body. But as he stood under the stream, his cock twitched, betraying him. He was hard again, the sight of Karkat's smirk etched into his mind, the memory of his kiss still fresh on his lips. "Damn," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "I really am pent up, gotta stop neglecting to play with Dave Jr." He reached down, his hand wrapping around his cock, eager to prove to himself that this was just a physical reaction, nothing more. He stroked himself roughly, his grip tight, his strokes fast and hard, as if punishing his traitorous body.
He tried to imagine other women, tried to picture their faces, their bodies, anything to get himself off quickly and forget about Karkat. But every time he closed his eyes, he saw Karkat's smirk, felt his touch, tasted his tongue. He pushed the thought out of his head, stripping hard at his cock, coming hard thinking of nothing at all and gritting his teeth.
There, that's better.
He fell asleep that night feeling off, antsy and hollow. He dreamt of a warm body behind him, holding him safely as he slept.