[The smaller Gryffindor hunches his shoulders as he feels arms wrap around him before breathing a sigh of relief. Tension leaves his shoulders as he reaches up, wrapping his fingers in Gamzee's shirt since his arms have never gone all the way around the other boy's shoulders. It felt good to be hugged like this again, way more than Karkat would ever admit, and he doesn't have to ask if they're still friends like he usually does with Sollux. The best friend is all the confirmation he needs. He's quiet for a minute before he speaks.]

Seriously, if I start acting like a jackass again just slap me around the head or something. I've got no right to dictate what you do or blame someone like I did. Merlin knows I've screwed up more times than I can count so I shouldn't be one to judge.