wALK,, Chapter 8

My dad decided to drop Gamzee and me off at the mall. He said something about paper work. He'd pick us up later. Gamzee wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we walked into the mall. Chattering happily about a prank he pulled on Karkat. I couldn't help but laugh, it sounded pretty funny. I wish I had been there to see.
We walked into the first store we came across, a Walden Books. Gamzee pulled me to the back of the store and started browsing through random books that were on sale. I stood beside him and dug through the young adult section.
"Pffft-tt…"
I look up. Gamzee had his hands clasped over his mouth, and he was drastically trying to hold in what looked to be a laugh. His eyes started to water up.
"PFFFFFFT- AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
I stared at him puzzled. He pulled a book off the shelf and handed it to me, snickering. "Bro, motherfucking, pffffttsshh, look at this, ahahaha!" I grasped the little book and read the title.
"Kama sutra for the blind.." My eyes widened, then I let out a snort, then a loud laugh.
"Isn't that uh, a contradiction? How will they know?"
Gamzee laughed even harder, griping his stomach tightly. Our loud ruckus got us kicked out of the store. Gamzee flipped off the manager as I pulled him away.
We made our way to the middle of the mall and sat next to the fountain. It sputtered happily. The sound of the water was soothing. We sat in silence, just smiling at each other. Normally I couldn't stare anyone in the eye for long periods of time without feeling awkward and nervous, but Gamzee was different. All I could do was return his smiles, and feel my heart fluttering like a bird spreading its young wings for the first time. I was falling for Gamzee more and more, each time I saw him. He stretched and yawned to break the silence.
"You know Tavbro, I thought you wouldn't want to motherfuckin see me ever again.."
My eyebrows furrowed.
"W-what? Why would you think that Gamzee?"
"Because of my motherfuckin issues man."
He set his hand over mine on the table. I bit my lip a bit. Skin contact was still something I wasn't totally used to. At least the hug had clothes to block off the skin. My hand tingled under his.
"I was actually uh, wondering if we could, uh, you know. Talk about it?"
He smirked. It had a mocking air to it. He explained that he had a rough childhood. He had never met his mother. Someone told him she had committed suicide because he had been born. He believed otherwise. He had a horrible step mother as well. She was physically and mentally abusive.
"She would motherfucking strip me down, hose me down, and make me stand outside for motherfuckin HOURS man. All to learn some motherfuckin humiliation."
I grit my teeth. He explained that after a while, his mental issues started to show. He was only 6 when his first skitz break down occurred. He had to be taken to a hospital. When he had returned home, his step mother was furious and beat him to the point where he could no longer move. He lay in a heap upon the ground, bloodied and bruised. He said his uncle found him. Once more he was taken to the hospital. He told several doctors what had happened, and when he was healed a little better, he was taken to the police station for hours of questioning.
His step mom was arrested and sentenced 45 years in jail. She offed herself the first day.
"Heh.. I had never been happier to hear that motherfuckin bitch was dead." His nose was scrunched into a snarl. He was fighting the anger. "You know, she used to motherfuckin tell me that my father bought me in a business deal." He was shaking now. I gripped his hand tightly and stroked it with my thumb. He looked up at me and smiled sadly.
"Even though she was dead, I still had motherfuckin nightmares. I swear that bitch was all up and fucking haunting me man. It's what caused my illness to get fuckin worse. I saw doctor after motherfucking doctor after motherfucker shrink. None of them ever helped. Until one decided to give me weed. Cleared that shit up fast."
His thumb glided over mine. My heart skipped.
"Well, uh, I'm glad you're ok now Gamzee. If I was there, I would've protected you the best I, uh, could. You're my best bro. I'll do anything for you, really."
"Anything?" His smile turned into pure charm. "Even this motherfucker?"
He seemed to lean in, in complete slow motion. I couldn't avoid it. I couldn't move. I was frozen in place. But I didn't want to move either. His lips pressed against the corner of my mouth. I felt my head grow light. My heart was racing. My eyes fluttered shut. I couldn't stop the blush that blazed across my cheeks. His hand tightened around mine.
He pulled away, smiling in such a beautiful way. I couldn't function. How do you move? Or speak? How do I blink? I didn't know anymore.
"Thanks Tavbro. I don't know what I would do without you man."
All I could do was nod. My head turned to the side lightly. I could see a mirrored pillar. I could see myself in the reflection. I looked incredibly stupid. I had the goofiest smile on my face. I didn't know how to control it. My cheeks were bright red and burning. I almost looked high. I shook my head.
"Uhh,, you're welcome Gamzee,"
He jumped up and pulled me with him. "Let's go motherfucker, we still gotta get our shop on."