"B-but I am!" Tavros protested, nails digging into his forehead desperately. "I am, and, I j-just don't, understand why y-you're even my friend!"

At Karkat's next words, the confusion made him pause for a moment, a little caught off guard. Scared him? How had he even done that? He lowers his hands from his face, and stared up at Karkat for the first time. There was so much pain and sadness in his eyes, tears leaked from the corners still, and his lip quivered. "H-how?" he said, his eyebrows furrowing.