Chapter 7: Chapter 7
The cool, damp cloth against Dave's skin was a shock, but not an unwelcome one. His body was still humming with the aftershocks of their encounter, his muscles aching in the best possible way. Karkat was tending to him with a gentle care that made Dave's heart do flips, a sensation he was more than a little uncomfortable with.
He bit his lip, feeling a strange mix of contentment and vulnerability as Karkat continued to clean him up. "You're so sweet, Dave," Karkat said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I knew you'd be like this, once I got you alone."
Dave's eyes flicked up to meet Karkat's, a question lurking in their depths. Karkat just smiled, a soft, tender smile that made Dave's heart ache.
The room was quiet, save for the gentle rustle of the cloth as Karkat cleaned Dave's skin. The silence was comfortable, but it also felt heavy with unspoken words. Dave felt a strange, overwhelming urge to speak, to break the quiet with the truth that had been clawing at the back of his mind since the moment he first saw Karkat.
"Karkat...I..." Dave trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. Karkat looked up at him, his eyes soft and encouraging. He nodded, urging Dave to continue.
Dave took a deep breath and let the words tumble out. "I think I'm gay."
The words tumbled out of Dave's mouth before he could even think twice about them. He looked at Karkat, his eyes wide and scared, waiting for the reaction. Karkat snorted, a surprised chuckle escaping him. "I sure hope so, Dave," he said, his voice warm and teasing. "Because that's one hell of a good excuse for being such an insatiable bottom."
Karkat grinned, his eyes gleaming with amusement and a touch of triumph. Dave flushed, his eyes cast down, unable to meet Karkat's gaze. "But thank you for sharing that with me. I'm so proud of you." Karkat's voice was low and warm, his hand reaching up to cup Dave's cheek. Dave turned into the touch, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment before meeting Karkat's gaze once more.
"I can't believe I've been a big ol homo this whole time. Do you think people knew?" Dave laughed, wiping a tear away.
"Remember the first time we met? You got so drunk, you swore you were seeing double. And then you kissed me." Karkat's eyes softened, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I remember. And every time since, you've made a point to sit on my lap at every social gathering. People know, Dave. They see it."
Dave's flush deepened, his eyes cast down. "I know. I can't help it. I just... I just like being close to you." Karkat's heart swelled at Dave's words, an overwhelming sense of warmth and affection flooding through him. He reached up, cupping Dave's face in his hand, turning it up to meet his gaze. "I like having you close, too, Dave. You big gaylord.
Now come here," Karkat murmured, his voice gentle and teasing. He pulled Dave close, wrapping his arms around him in a warm embrace. Dave melted into him, his body still humming with the afterglow of their encounter. Karkat scooped him up easily, cradling him like a child, and carried him to the bed. He laid Dave down on his chest, his arms still wrapped around him, holding him close. Dave let out a soft sigh, his body relaxing into the warmth and comfort of Karkat's embrace. He felt safe here, protected, and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he could just let go and be himself.
The room was quiet, the only sound the soft rustle of the sheets as Karkat shifted positions, making Dave more comfortable. He could feel Karkat's heartbeat under his cheek, steady and reassuring.
Dave snuggled closer, relishing the warmth and comfort of Karkat's embrace. Suddenly, Karkat shifted slightly, and Dave felt a cold, wet sensation against his lips. He opened his eyes to find Karkat holding a water bottle to his mouth, the cool liquid dripping onto his lower lip. Dave's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly parted his lips, accepting the water. Karkat tipped the bottle up, allowing a slow trickle of water to flow into Dave's mouth. Dave swallowed, realizing how thirsty he was.
Karkat noticed too, chuckling as he held the water bottle up. "Looks like you lost more than cum, dude. Your whole body is dehydrated from all that sweating and drooling and crying" He tipped the bottle up, allowing more water to flow into Dave's mouth. Dave drank greedily, his throat raw and his lips parched.
"Jesus christ, man." Dave barks a laugh "Warn a guy before you say shit like that out loud. You'll give me heart attack." He chuckled, the sound rumbling against his chest, vibrating through Dave who was still pressed close to him. Karkat didn't stop, he just kept giving Dave water, one slow sip at a time, until Dave had drunk enough to quench his thirst.
Dave let out a sigh of contentment as he pulled back from the water bottle, his body finally feeling satiated. He snuggled back into Karkat's chest, his body feeling more relaxed than it had in ages.
Karkat stroked his hand through Dave's hair, the gentle motion lulling Dave into a sense of tranquility.
As the water bottle was placed aside, Dave felt himself drifting off, the events of the evening catching up to him. Karkat continued to play with Dave's hair, his fingers gently combing through the blonde locks. The rhythmic motion was soothing, and Dave's eyelids grew heavy, his breaths becoming deeper and more relaxed.
"You feel good, Dave," Karkat murmured softly, his lips brushing against Dave's temple. "So good just like this." Karkat continued to comb his fingers through Dave's hair, the gentle tugging and stroking sending waves of relaxation through Dave's body.
Dave hummed in response, his body melting into Karkat's touch.
The rhythmic motion of Karkat's fingers through his hair was hypnotic, lulling him into a state of deep relaxation. His eyelids grew heavy, the weight of his body increasing as drowsiness took hold. Karkat's gentle voice and the soothing touch of his hands created a perfect atmosphere for rest, and soon, Dave's breathing evened out, his body relaxing completely.
Karkat smiled as he felt Dave's body go limp in his arms, his head lolling gently against Karkat's chest. He continued to stroke Dave's hair softly, his own eyelids beginning to feel heavy as well. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of the sheets and the distant hum of the city outside.
Dave's body was heavy and warm, nestled comfortably against Karkat's chest. He was a man who prided himself on his awareness, always alert and in control. But now, in this moment, he was completely at ease, lost in the comfort of Karkat's embrace.
Suddenly, Dave's eyes flew open, his body tensing as reality came crashing back. "Oh my God. Karkat. What are we?" He bolted upright, his heart pounding in his chest. Karkat's eyes fluttered open in response, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"I'm your boyfriend, you fucking idiot. Or at least I better be, after all this."
"Oh thank god." Dave exhaled with relief, his shoulders slumping as the tension left his body. He flopped back down onto Karkat's chest, a soft laugh escaping him. "I thought you were about to say something like 'just friends' or 'let's see where this goes' and break my little heart into bits."
Karkat chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath Dave. "Please, I'm not that cliché. And besides, you're mine now. I put the work in. I've marked you, filled you. You're not going anywhere."
Dave's cheeks flushed at the reminder, but he didn't argue.
He settled back into Karkat's chest, his body still warm and relaxed from their earlier activities. "I guess I am yours," he murmured, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "As long as you're mine, too."
Karkat's arms tightened around Dave, pulling him even closer. "Duh. I've been yours for months now, you've just had your head too far up your ass to see it. I stopped bringing guys around ages ago, and we spend all of our free time together. Everyone knows I have it bad - except apparently you, somehow." Karkat smirked, a hint of playfulness in his voice. "You should have figured that out by now, dumbass. You're not exactly known for your brains, but you're easy on the eyes."
Dave's eyes widened in mock offense, and he brought his hand up to his forehead, his palm flat against his face. "Oh my god, Karkat. You're such an asshole," he groaned, his voice muffled by his hand. Karkat barked out a laugh, his chest rumbling beneath Dave. Before Dave could recover from his indignation, Karkat's hands shot out, gripping Dave's wrists and pinning them to the bed on either side of his head. "Hey!" Dave protested, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth despite his feigned outrage. "Let me go, you big jerk!" Karkat merely chuckled, his eyes gleaming with laughter and something more.
He leaned in, his face inching closer to Dave's, their noses almost touching. "You call me an asshole, but you love me anyway, don't you, Dave?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing.
Dave's breath hitched, his pulse quickening as he felt Karkat's warm breath against his lips. He tried to respond, to throw another insult Karkat's way, but the words died on his tongue as Karkat's lips brushed against his own.
"Love you.."
Karkat's words trailed off as his lips met Dave's, a soft, tender kiss that left Dave gasping for more. He couldn't help but respond, his body melting into Karkat's, eager for the connection. Karkat's hand slipped around Dave's waist, pulling him closer, possessive and demanding. Dave moaned softly, his body arching into Karkat's touch.
But then, just as suddenly, Karkat pulled away, his eyes heavy-lidded and content. "Sleepy," he murmured, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Time for bed, gaylord." He shifted, his weight pressing down on Dave, pinning him to the mattress. Dave laughed breathlessly, his chest heaving with exertion and desire.
But as Karkat's weight settled on top of him, pinning him to the bed, Dave's laughter quickly turned into a soft sigh of contentment. He could feel Karkat's heartbeat thrumming against his chest, steady and strong. Karkat's possessive hand on Dave's waist sent a shiver down his spine, a primal reminder of who he belonged to. Dave glanced up at Karkat, a lazy smile playing on his lips. They could talk more tomorrow.
For now, all that mattered was this comforting weight, this warmth, this safety. This Karkat. He was his, and he was Karkat's. The world could wait.