"Egbert, this is stupid." Karkat growled, crossing his arms over his chest.

Perching on the light blue fabric of John's couch, he squirmed uncomfortably as he watched Dave wipe a needle down with alcohol. The blonde grimaced and set the sharp, silver object on the nearby table before producing an apple and dicing up the fruit.

John couldn't help but giggle as he watched Karkat's worried expression, plopping down on the sky-colored cushion beside his fellow Palhoncho.

"Oh, c'mon, Karkat, it'll be fine." He reassured, patting the troll's back and eliciting another low growl from the Cancer. Dave smirked, and Karkat simply dropped his gaze to the ground - reclining against the couch. "I'll be right here beside you through the whole thing." John grinned.

Karkat felt the corners of his mouth twitch upwards in some form of a smile, but quickly swallowed the expression down. However, not quick enough.

"That is, unless you chicken out." Dave challenged nonchalantly, catching the mutant-blood's small grin and attempting to ruin the mood.

The Cancer hissed - ears darting back and brows furrowing. "You know what Strider?" He grumbled, a few fangs poking out of his mouth. "Go ahead and do it, I'm ready." Karkat retaliated stubbornly. He pursed his lips.

John laughed, tugging his legs up onto the couch with him. "That's the spirit, Karkat!" He cheered, dorky as ever. The troll simply rolled his eyes and shifted around nervously, still unsure of his decision as Dave walked over and took his place in front of him.

An unenthusiastic air seemed to swarm around Karkat, but nevertheless the blonde squatted down and took the troll's lower lip in between his gloved fingertips. "There's no going back after this," Dave taunted. "Last chance to screw it all and go back to sulking on your husktop."

Karkat growled, the tone a lot more threatening with his mouth open. "Just do it," he muttered, glaring at his knees as he felt Dave move a bit to position the needle over his lip.

The Cancer subconsciously wrapped his hand around John's, lacing his fingers with the Heir's as he tried to distract himself. There was a small stinging sensation that ebbed from his midnight-colored lip, and Karkat fought back a tiny whimper.

"Hey, Egderp, pass me the labret." Dave commanded, grinning. A cool sensation sent shivers down Karkat's spine as a slice of the apple Dave had cut up earlier was pressed against where the pain was worse. The hurt instantly died down, and Karkat's lip began to go numb.

He felt Dave's hands move around, doing a few more things - which Karkat later assumed had something to do with putting the labret John had given him into the troll's mouth - and before he knew it, the blonde was tugging the latex gloves off of his hands and smirking. "I'm done, you can stop clinging onto your lifeline." The coolkid snickered.

Karkat felt a candy apple-colored blush light up his cheeks as he released his grip on John's hand. His claws instantly flew up to his bottom lip, feeling the new, cold ball of metal that rested against it.

"That wathn't too bad," he sneered, only to be taken aback by how his voice sounded. He pouted, causing John to chuckle silently, and glared at the Strider menacingly. "What the literal fuck," Karkat seethed, tone dripping with malice.

"Hey, calm your tits." Dave shrugged, putting his hands up in defense. "Your voice will return to normal when the swelling goes down." He let an evil smirk claw itself up his face. "Which should be in a couple of days."

The troll groaned, but stayed seated. "I thound like Thollukth..." he mumbled to himself, crossing his arms over his chest. Dave got up to leave the room, leaving the bloodied needle and apple on the couch beside Karkat and John.

"I think it's cute," John conceited, wrapping an arm around the troll. The Cancer's blush became a bit brighter, but died down a bit as he relaxed - snuggling into the position. John leaned his head on top of the Cancer's, careful to avoid his horns, and allowed his free hand to trace circles on his cheek.

"Whatever, fuckathth." Karkat snarled, although inwardly contemplating getting another piercing sometime.

After all, to snuggle with John after, paid off.