Unspoken Attraction

Dave took a seat on the edge of his bed, sipping his water and watching the troll twitch. He was a lot cuter when he was sleeping.

Karkat rolled over and his twitching evolved into tossing and turning with soft noises of distress.

Dave continued watching Karkat, uncertain on whether or not he should intervene.

Karkat sat up suddenly with a noise that nearly resembled a shriek. He looked around in a complete panic.

Dave set his glass aside and hurried over to Karkat's side. "Hey, you alright there?"

Bro was in the doorway seconds later. "What the fuck was that?" he practically demanded.

Karkat shrunk back from Dave, baring his teeth.

Dave glanced at Bro, hoping he wasn't going to get pinned as the one responsible for Karkat's midnight shrieking. "Bad dream."

Bro crossed the room to crouch by Dave. He scooped the troll into his arms, and held him close to his chest, mumbling soothing things to him.

Karkat struggled for a moment before going lax and then clinging to him.

"Y'need something to drink?" Dave offered to Karkat, wanting to help.

Karkat didn't answer him, too busy hiding his face in Bro's bicep.

"Go ahead and get him a glass of water" Bro stated.

Dave hurried out of the room, coming back in with a tall glass of water with a straw in it. He held it out for Karkat or Bro to reach.

Bro took it with his free hand. "Thanks" he mumbled to Dave. He was rocking the troll in a sort of bouncing motion that seemed to calming him. "Pretty sure this was one of those night terrors Eggs was talkin about"

"Did he say whether they happen often or not?" Dave asked, watching the troll closely.

"He didn't specify how often, just that there was a good chance he'd have a few while he was with us." Bro replied "So I'm goin out on a limb here and sayin often enough" He grunted as he shifted the troll in his arms. "Hey, I need ya ta drink some water for me, kay? I need ya to drink it so ya don't get all dehydrated and shit." He nudged Karkat's head with the glass.

Karkat lifted his head slowly before taking the glass and sipping at the straw.

Dave smiled a little when he saw Karkat finally drink something.

"There we go" Bro praised softly. "Drink up, then you can go back to bed"

Karkat let out a soft chirp when the straw came out of his mouth.

Bro pat his head, gently rubbing the hair between his horns.

Karkat closed his eyes and purred softly.

"Man, you gotta be the troll whisperer or something. He's done nothing but glare and hiss at me when you were gone."

"What did you do?" Bro asked, glancing up at him.

Dave shrugged. "Watched some tv with him. That's about it."

"I can't see why he would hiss at you unless you made him feel threatened" Bro shrugged.

"I guess he freaked out over waking up in nothing but a robe. Maybe he thinks I was being creepy or something."

Bro shrugged again. "did you tell him what happened? He did seem real out of it when he got sick"

Dave shook his head. "He never asked."

Bro gave him a look of confusion. "How would he ask?" he questioned. "You know he's mute right? I thought everyone had just forgotten to tell me"

Now that would explain a lot.

"I didn't know."