"So what sort of errands are you running?" You ask idly as you spectate Karkat from your seat at the kitchen table.
He stuffs another mouthful of eggs and vegetables into his mouth, holding up an index finger as he chews. You wait patiently until he swallows, responding as he cuts off another chunk of egg. "Well, I need to go to the grocery store. I'm running low on a few things. Especially milk." He then pauses, tapping his chin as he thinks aloud. "Let's see... Oh! I also have to go return Kanaya's birthday present. I pointed it out to her in a store the other day and she went on for a solid ten minutes about what a disaster it was and why the colors clashed and yadda yadda yadda," he continues with a roll of his eyes. "At some point, I'm sure I'd get some lunch, too. There's a place downtown that I was told is good. Dave and I had made plans to go there once, but it ended up falling through." You wince at the sound of his name, but allow him to go on rather than voice your discomfort.
"I also wanted to go to this bookstore that opened up in the shopping plaza. I've heard that they sell books for like $5 each and I've been saving up. There's a few books I've had on my wishlist for a while, but I haven't been able to find them. The few times I have, they've been expensive as fuck. Like, why would I spend $35 on a book that I can find somewhere else for $10? It's just stupid. I like Barnes and Nobel, but God are their books expensive. Half Priced Books is also pretty good, at least when it comes to price. Their selection could use some work. I get sick of buying my books online, you know? I like to browse and then be able to read my book right after I buy it. And I know what you're thinking. Why don't I just get a Kindle, right? Because fuck Kindles. I like hardcover books, and-" he stops mid-sentence and his eyes widen in shock.He slaps a hand over his mouth as his cheeks flare a bright red, a look of sheer embarrassment on his face. "I am so sorry. I'm totally fucking rambling about books right now. I probably sounded like an idiot just a second ago. I just get excited..."
You snigger, resting your chin in your hands with your elbows propped up on the table. "I didn't stop you, did I? You're cute when you talk about the things you have a great passion for. I enjoy hearing about the things you love. I suppose I just enjoy hearing you talk in general. You have a nice voice. You're very charismatic."
This only makes his face flush a deeper shade of red as he quickly shakes his head. "No, that wasn't cute. That was pathetic. I'm sorry. I got way off topic. Basically what I meant to say was that I need to go to the grocery store, the mall, and the bookstore. If you want to go anywhere while we're out, that's fine. It's only fair if I'm going to be dragging you around with me all day," he says as he tucks a strand of hair behind his ear, looking away sheepishly.
You grin and stand from the table, the human casting you a curious sideways glance. A grin makes its way onto your face as you walk to Karkat's side, leaning down to kiss his temple. "There's one automotive shop I'd like to go check out if that's alright. Otherwise, I'm fine. I'm just going to go shower first if you don't mind." Karkat simply nods, his face beet red. You smile and nod curtly in return, leaving the kitchen and heading up the stairs.
You make your way to the bathroom and close the door behind you. You then strip and toss your clothes on the floor, turning on the cold water and stepping into the shower. The warmth does nothing for you. You can hardly feel it, so you take your time in washing your hair and body in the icy water. Once you finish, you turn off the shower and wrap yourself in a towel, stepping out into the bathroom. Clean clothes are now neatly folded on the sink, a small note card resting on top of the stack. You pick it up and read it, muttering the words aloud. "I got clothes for you. You're welcome. -Karkat." You chuckle to yourself as you set the note aside and pick up the boxers.
Then you pause, an uneasy feeling washing over you. There's an unsettling atmosphere about the room, almost as if someone is watching you. It feels as though you're not alone. You wipe the condensation from the window and look out to find no one, but the unnerving presence still persists. You turn back around, ready to shrug it off when you're met with two bright red eyes.
There Dave's translucent figure stands in all it's glory, leaning against the wall with his eyes fixed on you. Once more you compete in a staring competition, neither of you daring to move. You swallow thickly, fearful that he'll disappear if you approach him. Rather, you stand your ground and speak up in a deep, husky voice. "I know you, don't I?"
He doesn't speak. He simply smirks and shrugs, giving you a look that seems to ask, "Isn't that a given?"
You frown. "I figured as much. You're Dave Lalonde, aren't you? Karkat's dead boyfriend?"
He winces exaggeratedly, placing a hand over his chest and pretending to be wounded. Then, you hear a faint voice echoing in the recesses of your mind. "Dead is such an ugly word. Couldn't you use the word deceased? Or maybe laid to rest? I don't know. Something less vile."
You raise an eyebrow curiously. "So he speaks."
Dave seems to snigger at this. "Just as well as you, old man."
"Karkat doesn't know of your presence, does he?" You ask quietly.
This seems to take him aback for a moment before he stands up straight and slowly shakes his head, looking away as he mutters, "Not quite, no. I feel as though at this point it would just complicate things further."
Your eyebrows furrow as you question, "Why have you shown yourself to me then? Why speak to me instead of your ex-fiance?"
He flinches, shuffling his feet as he casts his gaze downward. "It's sort of a long story. I don't have time to go into detail now. He's coming up the stairs as we speak. It's partially because I can communicate with you. You know, because you're not really alive and all. You're essentially a walking corpse. It's also partially because you seem to be my new replacement in the household." There's a long pause and he looks almost as though he's thinking. When he finally looks up at you, there's a small, empty smile on his face. "But mostly? It's because you and I are family. That and the fact that you were the one who killed me on that night so long ago. Don't worry, though. We'll meet again soon. I should get going. Enjoy your afternoon, Dirk. Tell Karkat I said hello." And with that, he was gone, leaving you to stare at the wall where his figure once stood.