It's been a week since Karkat first arrived and you've been talking to him every chance you get. Unfortunately, you've been thwarted by Dave just about every time. If it wasn't him, it was Vriska.
You and Vriska are admittedly friends with benefits. Years without human contact makes you crave it even more. Without her boyfriend, she's taken to you. It's definitely nice, but she can get a little possessive and you aren't even really her's. But Karkat? You could definitely settle down with that fine piece of ass.
Speaking of Vriska, here comes the woman herself. "Hey, Pyrope," she says as she struts her way over. Your job is laundry, so you are right in the middle of folding clothes when she interrupts your day dreaming.
"Hey," you respond without 'looking' up.
"You've been avoiding me lately," she pouts, crossing her arms over her chest.
"So?" You ask in an uninterested tone.
"So I want to know why! What have I done?" Vriska frowns.
"You haven't done anything. That's the problem." You set a stack of shirts in a cart to deliver to the cells.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She snaps, griping the edge of the cart.
Now you turn your attention to her. "You're still so hung up on Tavros and, honestly, I want more than a fuck buddy. I want Karkat. I can tell he knows how to treat a lady. He shouldn't be here. He's too sweet. I want to help him get out of here and, unlike you, I know he'd actually love me."
She furrows her eyebrows, looking crushed. "Are you trying to say we're over...?"
You purse your lips and nod. "I think so."
"Fine! I don't need you! I can find someone better than a blind loser like you!" She screams, tears threatening her eyes as she turns on her heel and runs out of the laundry room. This is one of the first times you've ever regretted your actions.

~

As you pass the library, you slow to a stop and sniff, catching a whiff of strawberry. Taking a deep breath, you push the cart into the library, sniffing around for Karkat. That's when you catch a different scent. Again you stop, sniffing at the air. Blueberry cotton candy. John's here too. You follow the scent until you can hear voices whispering on the other side of one of the bookshelves.
"I didn't even know we had all of these. Truthfully, I've never even been in here before," you can hear John confess sheepishly. You suppress a snarl. You know he's only here now because of Karkat. You've never liked John. He isn't right for Karkat anyway and you know it.
"I've already gotten through a whole stack. It's pretty slow in here, so I just kind of spend most of my time reading," Karkat responds. Your heart flutters a bit at the sound. He's the perfect combination of cute and smart.
"Y'know," John begins with a twinge of cockiness in his voice, "I read the whole Harry Potter series in two days back in junior high."
You roll your eyes and you're sure Karkat does too. "Wow. I'm swooning. Here." There's some shuffling as Karkat assumably searches through his stack of books. "This is one of my favorites. I don't want to see you back in here until you read it."
John sniggers. "What the hell is The Flower Brides?"
"Just read it!" Karkat huffs. You can hear them shuffling towards the door. You grin as Karkat shuts it behind a protesting John, then taking the opportunity to abandon your cart and sneak up behind him, rawring like a dragon as you jump on his back. With a yelp, he glances back at you and sighs in relief. "Oh. Thank god it's only you."
You climb down and grin. "Who'd you think I was? Dave? He's been keeping you on an even shorter leash than Vriska does for me."
He blushes and shrugs, looking away. "I'm my own person. Why would I be worried about him?"
You ignore the question, changing the topic with a question of your own. "So you do realize that everyone who's anyone has been eye fucking you, right?"
He seems taken aback. "What? Like who? You?"
You scoff. "I cannot eye fuck you because I don't have use of my eyes."
"Then how do you know other people do it?" He asks skeptically.
"Because I listen to how they talk to you, stupid. Everyone's so damn possessive of you. Nobody ever thinks of the poor little blind girl in need of some friends," you pout, crossing your arms.
He cracks a smile, probably only because he thinks you're not aware of it, but you can hear it in his voice. "Does anyone ever read to you?" You shake your head. You can hear him grab a book as he gently takes you by the arm and sits you on one of the few couches available. "Then I will."
With a small smile toying at your lips, you rest your head on his shoulder as he begins to read. As you listen, you notice how enthusiastic he gets, even going as far as to voice the characters. It was beautiful and peaceful until a certain pest once again ruined it all.
"Hey, Karkat! I finished that book!" John chirps happily as he enters the library, setting the book down with the others.
You inwardly growl as Karkat sets the book down on the end table, leaving your side as he stands. "You finished already?"
"Yup! It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I might even have to borrow another one," John replies with a dopey grin. You know it's dopey because that's all John is. Fucking dopey and ridiculous just like his stupid bucked teeth.
"Really?" You can tell Karkat is excited because he's speaking with the same joy he gets when he reads.
"On one condition," John counters. You can feel Karkat's energy come to an immediate halt as he continues, "You have to come sit with me during the movie going on in the rec room in like ten minutes."
Karkat's energy returns as he smiles once again, no doubt showing off his pearly white teeth. What you wouldn't give to have him use them on you. "I think I can manage." He then turns to you. "Would you like to join?"
Your heart skips a beat as you grin. "Of course!" You can sense the disappointment John surely is feeling. That's when you notice something is off. You stop, sniffing the air with a frown.
"What's wrong?" Karkat asks, concern in his voice.
"I don't smell the laundry I brought in here..." You murmur, walking behind the bookshelf to where you left the cart. As you suspected, it isn't there. Someone must've taken it, and you think you know who. You turn around and shoot a dirty look in John's direction. "Unfortunately, I have to go track this cart down or else I'm dead. Someone must've hidden it."
"Do you want me to help you look?" Karkat offers.
As much as you'd like that, you know it would be rude to deprive Karkat of the movie, considering you only get to watch them on Friday nights. So instead you force a smile, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll be fine. Thanks."
"If you're sure... If you need us, we'll be in the rec room," Karkat reminds you as John leads him out with a newly invigorated energy. You nod and offer him a wave, scowling as soon as they're out of sight. As you begin your long search for the missing laundry, you can't help but feel utterly alone. You've also never hated someone more than John fucking Egbert in all of your existence.