[Gamzee's name gets another flinch, but at least Karkat's listening now. He doesn't look especially happy with what he's hearing, but since when does he ever? And since when does Davesprite get to lecture him on shoving things down and pretending he doesn't feel them? What, should he be leaving it to the experts, then? Because that's been working out so well for both of them.]

[His scathing mental commentary isn't enough to blot out Davesprite's very real concern for him, though, and while he's still somewhat irked by the tightening grip on his shoulders, it's proving very effective at grounding him. Davesprite cares. Davesprite doesn't want him to destroy himself. That's—he's deliberately ignoring how he wants to interpret that, it isn't helpful, but even taking it and everything else he's saying as part of their "personal chunk of the bro code" is...]

[Karkat closes his eyes again and takes a slow, unsteady breath.]

Fine. Neither of us gets to bullshit being okay when we're not. Even if it's stupid and counterproductive and probably going to fuck the other one over even more.

[And that... really does go for both of them, doesn't it? Because seeing Davesprite messed up by all this still hurts, but he can't stand it when he hides either. This is so fucking stupid.]

[He rubs at his eyes again, feeling just so incredibly tired for a second that collapsing right where he stands is starting to sound really appealing. When's the last time he got any real rest? Being knocked out doesn't count, so... before he started transforming? Fuck.]

I still think you shouldn't have to worry about me, but you're going to do it anyway, aren't you?