vatheon | (no subject)

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Who: Karkat and Eridan
Location: Karkat and Eridan's hive.
Time: Backdated to Christmas morning.
Style: Action
Status: Closed

[The thing about being a troll in Vatheon is that sleep schedules are random as fuck. There's no sun visible down in the bubble, and even up on the island its rays are comparatively harmless next to the scorching thing that was Alternia's star. Karkat himself hardly sleeps at all, for one, but those that do don't necessarily sleep in the day, or even every day. Just because it was Christmas eve last night didn't mean he submitted to human traditions of human monkey youths curled up in their bizarre restangles. But he also isn't such a dick as to make Eridan stay awake with him that night.]

[But as morning comes, light dawning early with the summer up on the surface, he can't put off his impatience anymore. The bubble has its early morning glow outside, so who cares that it's not even 6 AM yet? Not Karkat Vantas.]

[So maybe he's eager to exchange presents. So what.]

[He leaves his room, where he's spent some of the time fussing over how exactly things are bundle in his gift(s) for his matesprit - which, for that matter, is not captchalogued in his sylladex - and heads for the door of his respiteblock.]

Eridan? Wake up, or I'm coming in there and dragging your lazy ass out of bed.

[Nevermind the time as he knocks heavily at the door. Not that he always does knock, but the noise is a good aid to his purpose.]

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[Karkat will never particularly care about the fat man in a red suit who invades homes and steals baked goods. He won't ever particularly care about earth Jesus either, nor whatever other religions of festivals laid claim to the day or season before. It's just not his thing. But the idea behind the celebration - that same thing Eridan values, the idea of giving to those you care for - is something that, even in his shyness, he can get readily behind. And being the sappy romantic that he is, there was no way he could avoid spoiling Eridan once he learned about the tradition.]

[His arms curl tighter around him, one at his waist, the other sliding up his back, holding him closer as they kiss. His lips answer back to each gesture, tender with pity, but far from lacking in depth or passion of emotion.]

[Moments like this are ones he never wants to end. The feelings and emotions shared between them, the proof and evidence that "Yes, this is a thing, Karkat DOES pity him" just makes him melt. Something as simple as a kiss is enough to just sweep him off his feet, because as simple as a kiss can be, the intent and feeling behind it is staggering in the best way possible. It helps solidify their relationship, helps show that this is real, that Eridan really does have Karkat. That he's not alone and his feelings aren't unrequited. That he's important. That he has another troll to share these intimate moments with.]

[His arms squeeze, not enough to choke Karkat, but to just keep him close, hands grasping and clutching his shirt as he prolongs this, not wanting it to end just yet. Screw breathing! He has a Karkat to kiss and cling to!]

[Call it another present on top of the rest, though this is hardly so holiday-specific as the rest. But again, the atmosphere does make it easier to go with, meaning that as Eridan wants it to last, Karkat lets it. Stolen bits of breath between the slide of mouths makes it easier, though in all realism they will have to part soon. But not quite yet.]

[As Eridan's arms slide closer about him, he answers with a soft squeeze of his own. Maybe he's similar to him in how it goes. While he has no doubts that the seadweller cares about him, to have it made so expressly clear, to drink it in and enjoy it for as long as the moment will stretch - that kind of thing is good for him, when so often he turns it away.]

[As much as the small breaths between presses of lips and the sliding of mouths helps, it's eventually not enough to keep going. He presses on, wanting to keep those lips captivated by his own, but his burning lungs remind him of what he needs and not what he merely wants--so after another firm press of lips, he breaks the lasting kiss. His breathing slightly quickened to make up for the lack of it.]

[Though the kiss might be broken, it doesn't mean Eridan's really pulled away, in fact, he's pressing his forehead against Karkat's, keeping that closeness even if it isn't their lips that are connected anymore. He wants to savor this moment, even if breathing interrupted the more passionate connectivity that was there--it hardly sours this. Merely replacing that activity with silent fond regard. His expression soft, tender, nothing the seadweller really offers to anyone but this troll in front of him.]

[When the kiss finally does end, Karkat's own breathing is not the slowest either. Eridan's forehead leans to his, and he stays like that, holding him, enjoying the moment and the almost heady feeling left after their long kiss. It's comfortable like this. To share space and be near each other so easily... it's the kind of comfort that comes from knowing he's pitied, and he loves every bit of it.]

[After a moment, though, he gives a soft, amused laugh.] Heh. I take it you liked your presents, huh.

What was your first clue?

[It's a playful response, and if the tone wasn't telling, the smile definitely is. He stays put though, just enjoying and admiring this closeness, something he's not too particularly used to, which if anything makes it mean that much more. He gives Karkat another quick kiss, still not exactly moving out of his personal space, even when he starts to talk again.]

So, do you want your gifts?

[And that playfulness is why he doesn't mind it. For once he lets the closeness stay, glad for this quiet, daresay even happy moment between them. It's a nice change from more recent stuff, and sap that he is, he wants to enjoy it.]

Yeah. I'm curious now what you got me.

Alright.

[He says that, but he's not exactly moving, not quite. He just wants to prolong this a bit, as much as Eridan isn't exactly the king of romance, he is a sap in his own right, so this happy moment between them, filled with just warmth and admiration, he doesn't exactly want to end it so quickly. Just gonna keep holding onto Karkat, maybe even cuddle to him a bit. HE SURE DOES LOVE AFFECTION.]

[ . . . ]

[Karkat reaches over.]

[ . . . ]

[Poooke.]

So are you going to give me them or what?

What--Oh yeah.

[Have a frown at that! But it's just because he really didn't want to move, you are the comfiest, Karkat, it's you. He lets out a exaggeratedly disappointed sigh, and pulls back from Karkat, getting up and heading towards his room. When Karkat was dragging him out, he hadn't really thought about grabbing them, so whatever, he's getting them now! He comes back with a few boxes, all nicely wrapped because Eridan knows how to wrap shit. Or at least, he kept at it till he got it right! So what if he might have went through a roll or two of wrapping paper, it was worth it to get the stupid technique down!]

[He places the boxes on the coffee table in front of Karkat, offering him a coy smile as he takes his seat.]

There ya are. You can go at 'em in any order.

[Though, personally he'd probably leave the middle one for last, but either way, it works out fine enough.]

[If you're going to offer to give him his gifts, his reaction isn't unusual! Karkat rolls his eyes at Eridan's own exaggeration, and settles back against the couch seat. He is curious what his matesprit has got him, particularly after the gifts he gave, himself. Though, knowing how doting he can be, he doesn't expect anything disappointing.]

[Soon enough the boxes are brought out, all wrapped up nice and everything. Stacked together, varying size and shape, and topmost with its eye-catching bow.]

Any order?

[A glance, for confirmation, though he's already leaning forward to select the top one. He at least doesn't shake it to guess the contents, but the weight of it does make him pause, eying it curiously. And for all the fastidious care put into learning how to wrap them right, Karkat does not care to be so neat in opening them. The paper gets torn off haphazardly, balled together in a crinkly clump, and dumped to the side. Finally he removes the lid...]

[Books! He glances back to Eridan, once, then pulls them out sequentially, examining titles, scanning plot summaries. While not the reader he is, he knows a romance plot when he sees one, and it takes little time for him to gather the gist of their focus.]

Makes sense. I got you into romance movies, so I might as well give these books a try. Beats rewatching things all the time.

[He reaches over and slips his arm around him for a half-hug of gratitude.]

[Eridan watches him as he attacks the boxes like Nepeta would some helpless animal. All that hard work, just to be clawed apart--oh well. He continues to keep an eye on Karkat, watching his expression as he opens and sees the books. When he examines the titles and then speaks up, he lets out a soft breath of relief, of course Karkat would like them and be appreciative, why the hell wouldn't he? Eridan knows what he's doing, totally! But when Karkat half-hugs him, Eridan returns it, a slip of his own arm around Karkat's waist.]

I figured you might actually enjoy readin', wasn't all too sure if you'we ewer ewen tried settlin' down an' doin' it before, since you seem pretty much enamored with your mowies, but it can be upright relaxin'.

Edited 2012-01-21 03:02 (UTC)

Not really.

[He stuffs them back in, though carefully, then sets the box on the table.]

Movies seemed more accessible. You can see all the gestures and expressions along with hearing the words and everything - you see the scenes, the emotion in their eyes, and all that is deeply important for a proper understanding of the romantic arts.

But if these are about romance, they have to have something worthwhile in them. Maybe I'll learn something different from the presentation, who knows. And if they're relaxing, all the better, with all the crap that happens around here.

[He leans forward again, to take the middle box. Are you sure any order is fine, Eridan?]

Yeah, I mean, I see how that can be all rightly important, the books I usually diwe into hawe their bits a sweepin' romance an' shit, ewen if that might not be the exact focus, like those. But, they do a pretty fuckin' good job a portrayin' their fuckin' inclinations an' feelin's, ewen in them, so maybe you'll find an appreciation for them. There's nothin' quite like settlin' down in some peace an' quiet an' readin' a good book, Kar.

[But when Karkat reaches for the middle box, he fidgets a bit--before he reaches out to take that one before Karkat can. Offering a trying-to-be-sly smile, but really he just looks kinda nervous.]

Actually, changed my mind, this one is last.

I got you movies, so I'm not going to ignore the books. If there's a good romance in them I'm sure I'll like them fine.

[But he has no chance to take the box he wanted. Karkat raises an eyebrow at his boyfriend, curious and questioning, but makes no protest. He bundled his gifts to him a certain way, so there's no issue if Eridan wants to save one gift for last. Instead, he takes the third box, and settles back to open it.]

[Some torn paper and an opened lid later, clothes! Hoodies, sweaters, and--]

Edited 2012-01-21 03:30 (UTC)

Did you really have to give me a holiday themed one? I am not a pine tree and the little jingly bells are utterly unnecessary, jackass.

[He shoves it over, then returns his attention to the other garments. Black things, grey cancer symbols, and... a grey aquarius sign. He pauses over that one, fingertips pressed to the zigzags.]

... The others are fine, though.

[Eridan can't help but let out a small laugh at Karkat's reaction over the holiday one. He thought its ridiculousness was cute, ok! But when he goes to look over the others, and pauses on the Aquarius symboled one, he just smiles softly. Leaning over to offer Karkat a kiss on his cheek before pulling back.]

I thought it'd look cute on you Kar, haha. But the others, I thought you might like 'em.

[Though he sits there a moment, thumbs rubbing over the wrapping paper on the box he pilfered just a moment ago. He glances down at it before looking back to Karkat and handing it over.]

Here.

[He says it almost sharply, but maybe that was just nervousness, because however quick it was, there was a certain tenderness to his tone.]

And I stand by calling you a jackass. I know for a fact that I'm cute enough for you even without moronic jingling accoutrements.

[Don't even argue it, man. He usually doesn't take being called cute so cleanly.]

[That last gift does have his curiosity, though, and he takes it with a careful touch when it's held forth. Who knows what's inside? Particularly if he'd rather have him open the one with that hoodie before this. After a lingering look at Eridan, he drops his attention fully to the present.]

[Unlike the first two, this one he is more careful about opening, picking along the seams instead of tearing carelessly. The lid he lifts gently and holds off to the side. And while chocolates do make a good gift, one he appreciates, they don't really explain why...]

[Oh.]

[There, in the hollow where one of the rounder candies sat, is the ring. His eyes widen; his mouth parts, but no words come out. It's something he instantly recognizes as he almost reverently plucks it from its spot. Gold with the purple band around the middle, distinctly his, without the gaudiness of some.]

[He looks up.]

I...

[Then his gaze drops to the ring again. It's not a proposal, sure, and he knows it; Eridan is hardly down on bent knee to pop the question. They're too young for that, anyway. Even his someday wish with Equius is an idea, anything permanent far on the horizon. But at the same time... he's seen enough humans movies by now that the idea of a ring marks something important, particularly when, in this case, it carries Eridan's color so prominently. He fiddles with it, then, nervous, slips it onto a finger.]

[There's a nervous swallow, and then he doesn't know where to look, glancing back and forth between the band and the seadweller.]

I'm not--I'm not going to wear it all the time, continuously, but... I mean...

[He leans in then, and near-whispering by his mouth:] I love you.

[Then he kisses him, arms following up into a tight embrace.]

[Eridan watches him closely as he takes the wrapping paper off, watching Karkat's face more than anything. Wanting to gauge reaction, he wasn't sure how he'd take it, if what he had gifted him with was alright, or if Karkat flat out didn't like it. He really was hoping he'd like it. His own nervousness was on the rise as Karkat got closer to opening it, Eridan swallowing a forming lump in his throat and all. But Karkat's reaction is telling and downright relieving and he lets out that air he was holding. When Karkat looks up and speaks, Eridan can't help but smile, knowing and expecting Karkat to not wear it, that's why--well, he doesn't even get the chance to present it before Karkat leans in, whispering those words of endearment, and kissing him.]

[When Karkat's arms loop around him, holding him in that embrace, Eridan's own arms follow suit, though going around his waist. He also returns the kiss without hesitation. Pressing firmly against those lips on his, holding him tight and just showing his reciprocated sentiments with the intimate action. He'll wait to show Karkat the last part of his gifts, this is STAGGERINGLY more important.]

[This is the kind of thing he wanted. It's not about getting things on their own. For all it's nice to be given presents, what makes it really worth something is the thought behind it, the sentimentality, and the emotions packed together with the choices made. Any other ring wouldn't mean as much as something Eridan had previously owned, and even the choice of the one with the purple band around the middle is an important way of linking things more. It's a sign of himself, and beyond that, of the feelings carried for Karkat in this relationship.]

[That's why he kisses his matesprit like he does now. Not just what he feels for him, but how Eridan cares for him, and the way it all raises his own feelings. He holds it like that, arms wrapped around him, holding him close.]

[But in time, he does reluctantly break away. It's not all at once. At first he only breaks off the contact of their lips, his head leaned in close still, eyes closed, embrace lingering. Then he pulls back further, and after a hesitant moment or two, unloops his arms - only for one hand to snake down and give his a last squeeze.]

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