Snow

"Get out the snow, you little idiot!" Slick sighed angrily, stamping through the new snow towards Karkat, "I've been looking for you for ages, fucking stupid shit."

Karkat just stayed where he was, eyes cast down and small fingers prodding at the snow with a small red chalk he'd left up there before the winter.

Slick came to a stop next to him and knelt down slowly in the cold, "Karkat, what's wrong." His voice was rough, not used to talking softly or nicely, "Karkat." He raised his voice, still sounding angry but trying not to.
With another sigh, Slick hooked his hands under the small boy's knees and around his back, lifting him up.
Supporting Karkat with one hand, he brushed the snow that had landed on top of his head and arms.

"Stupid kid. You know how easily you catch colds..."

Without a word, he took the boy back inside, to the semi-warmth of the household. Well, it was better than outside.

--

When they had settled and Karkat was holding a hot mug of honey and lemon, Slick grabbed his own mug and sat him down on his lap. Karkat's expression hadn't changed at all since he'd taken him back inside and it began to annoy Slick.
Little kids annoy Slick anyways.

"Karkat-" Slick began, sounding slightly irritated but was cut off.

"What if you don't come back..."

Slick looked at the boy, surprised, "What do you mean?"

Karkat paused slightly, "The kids at school... They said that you could get killed anytime..." He then repeated, "What if you don't come back..?"

"Look, Karkat, you know what I do a work, I track down The Felt and-"

"NO YOU DON'T!" Karkat was now turned and facing Slick. His face contorted with scared, confused rage.

He had to admit, he was pretty surprised at the outburst but didn't show it anyhow. Just angrier.

"Oh, and how do you know then, you stupid fuck?"

Karkat's face scrunched up like he was going to cry, but instead he lunged forward, headbutting Slick in the face and taking off out the room. Probably upstairs to his room.

Slick on the other hand had a nice amount of hot drink poured down himself and the couch, swearing like a madman.

"Karkat, what the fuck?!" He stood instantly to assess the damage, "Jesus fucking Christ..." Putting the cup down on the table, he sighed, calming himself down a little, "Ok, fine."

Patting at his clothes he continued when he heard the little feet hit the top of the stairs and stop, "Fine. You know what? I'm a sort of gangster in a way. If there's trouble, it's most likely me. I kill people." He growled, "You happy now? You happy that your 'daddy' is a killer?"

There was silence from the stairs, so Slick took it as a invitation to grab his coat and leave the house. Kid's gonna be scared now, huh... Slick thought to himself, Big fucking mistake right there, what the hell was I thinking...?

Pushing open the rickety door, Slick took his leave for the night. no point in staying where you're not wanted.

--

As he entered the small street path under the lamp light, he heard the crunching of snow behind him. Swiveling around quickly, he was met with a small, red looking face.

Karkat looked painfully angry and cold, both adding to the tinge of his face, "Where are you going now." He demanded in his feeble voice that barely compared to his rage-fit vocals.

"No where." Slick replied, looking about him at the wasteland part of the city they lived in.

"Then come home." Karkat still looked pissed, but less so and very upset.

"Why? You'll only avoid me-"

"Because I want to stay with you. I don't want to you to ever leave. I don't want you to go."

A small smile appeared on Slick's face as he took in the little boy's attempts of getting his father figure back to the house. He was only little, but he knew the concept of death and didn't want to experience it.
The kid was growing up too fast. Probably my fault there...

Leaning over, he picked up the child from under his arms and pulled him close. Karkat buried his head in his shoulder upon contact and began a quiet sob.

Frowning, Slick said, "Not on the suit you wimpy fuck.." It was half-hearted and earned him a small fist to the face and continued sobbing. Letting out a small chuckle, Slick began walking back to the house.

He must be doing something right...?

Right?