[Karkat is at first disappointed when Eridan doesn't want to look at him, but he keeps his hold on his shoulders and doesn't cease what he's saying. Eventually he does face him, and he can see in his expression how he's thinking over what's said. He meant every word, himself. He's seen Equius get into a similar state of mind when he came back from the Veil, and while he backed off and gave him space then, that was fear and because he had Gamzee. But now, Eridan's only got him like this, and like hell he's going to let him sink into that mode of thought. Especially when it's what he said that put him there to begin with.]

[So when, at last, his matesprit sinks against him, he allows it fully. His arms curl close around his shoulders; his cheek rests against his hair and the edge of a fin. One hand reaches up to curl his fingers through that hair, rubbing soft and soothing at the scalp beneath.]

I'm sorry, too. I should have told you. Just remember that I wouldn't even be doing any of this if it felt invalid to me.