It's going to be a long night.

From various sources, you've begun hearing stories about your matesprit that you really don't want to hear. Gossip that he still cares about Win, tales that he still cares about all his ex-matesprits and even pines for them when he's in your arms.

You love Karkat, you really do, but you don't know how to make him understand his errors. He doesn't seem to fully just 'get' how dangerous it is to mess in the affairs of murderous trolls. Not when he's so fucking hellbent against murder, like it's the only sin in the world.

It's gotten bad. You're running out of ideas to protect him, and you're down to your last one- your failsafe plan, if you will, to keep him out of harm and away from anyone who would want to hurt him. He's just starting to climb out of your shared coon when the whole situation hits you, and you just know what has to be done.

So, while he's taking his evening ablution, you wait for him to finish right outside the chamber, taking deep breaths to calm yourself. He opens the door, not even fully dressed yet, with a towel haphazardly across his head as he dries his hair, and stops when he sees you. "Eridan..?"

You extend a hand towards him. "I was thinkin', we've been together for six perigees, haven't we? At least, if I'm correct, an' yet we never did anythin' to fuckin' celebrate. The evenin' is young an' I've got Alternian celebratory drinks for us to share." You bow as you speak, pulling his hand toward your lips to kiss the ring you gave him. "If you want to, that is." Your head is tilted down while you speak, in the ultimate posture you can think of for inferiority. It's a shame he probably doesn't realize the meaning behind it, that he's completely unaware of how