bang goes my heart

"Jake, how the fuck are you so calm, look at shoe fucking scars, the kid's like twelve!" Dirk was nearly panicking "Fucking Christ!"

Achilles tried to turn and sniff Bec back.

"He's 16 and his scars are none of your business. You said you'd help me but you're not. I need a cloth for his head." Jake brushed Karkat's bangs out of his eyes.

Bec sniffed his face before licking his muzzle.

Dirk turned on his heel and rushed out of the room. He was back a minute later with a cool damp washcloth. "Here"

Achilles looked startled.

Jake took the cloth, laying it on the younger boy's forehead. "He needs to rest."

Dave whistled at the dogs from the counter. "C'mere."

Bec looked over to ear, ears perked up as he trotted over to him.

Achilles looked at Dave and wagged his tail.

"How old is he?" Dirk asked quietly.

Jake looked down at Dirk, glaring at him. "I just told you."

Dave held a sandwich in front of Bec. The dog eagerly wagged his tail as he took it. Dave picked up another, looking at Achilles.

"I know, I just" Dirk paused "I can't believe he's that old, he looks so young, and his brother treated him like he was five earlier"

Achilles stared at Dave.

Jake crossed his arms. "He's 16. The rest isn't your business."

Dave held the sandwich by his mouth. "Eat."

Dirk looked down at Karkat. "Christ. I mean, at least I know if you're defending him it means that he isn't being abused. But, just, how does a kid that small handle that much pain? He looks like he's split himself open over top of scars that never got to heal."

Achilles sniffed at it but didn't take it.

Jake continued to glare at him. "It's none of your business."

"It's alright. Eat it."

Bec was already done with his sandwich. His licked his mouth and nose before going over to the water bowl in the room.

Achilles's tail thumped on the floor.

"You're right, it isn't, but how are you not even a little bit concerned about him?" Dirk asked

"It doesn't matter. It isn't any of your business."

Dave kept it in front of him.

Dirk put his hands up placatingly "Fine. But we should cover him back up so Dave or Jo don't see. They may not accept 'its not your business' as an answer"

Achilles made no move to take the sandwich

Jake laid Karkat's hoodie over him. "He needs to cool off."

Dave ripped the sandwich in half. "This is yours." Bec had gone back over to them and was trying to sniff at the food in Dave's hands.

"I can get a light sheet from my room" Dirk replied "I completely agree, that hoodie needs to stay off, but I also know my sister would try and call cps if she caught even a glimpse."

Achilles looked up at Dave, tail still thumping

Jake nodded at Dirk. "Alright."

Dave grinned at the dog. "Eat."

Dirk vanished from the room again, this time returning with a sheet.

Achilles tilted his head.

Jake held his hand out for the sheet.

Dave sighed before going to the dishes, putting the food into the empty dish.

Dirk easily handed it over.

Achilles bounded over to his dish, practically inhaling the food.

Jake put it over Karkat, tucking it around him.

Dave giggled as he watched the pup.

"Anything else I can do?" Dirk asked softly

Achilles licked his chops.

Jake shook his head. "We should let him rest."

Dave sat at the table to eat his sandwich.

"Just... Here?" Dirk questioned "Were you still wanting to watch a movie?"

Achilles continued licking his chops

Jake shrugged, keeping an eye on Karkat.

When Dave finished his sandwich he started making three more.

Dirk sighed, looking at Karkat before looking up. He blinked. "Uh, are you okay?" he asked Jake "You're all red"

Achilles dunked his muzzle in the water dish.