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When half an hour turns into forty five minutes, and forty five minutes turns into an hour, Karl feels himself crumbling inside. He probably should have waited outside, instead of coming in and taking the table of two that was already booked. But it is cold outside, and through the windows, Karl can see it start to drizzle. He tries to focus on the outside, instead of his depressing reflection. He feels stupid dressed in his best shirt, and nicest belt. He even did his hair, making sure it fell in his eyes just the way he knows Sapnap likes it...
Not that it matters, because Sapnap didn't show up. He doesn't know why. They had this date planned for a long time, making sure it fit both of their schedules. They had discussed it the whole month! Karl was excited beyond belief and Sapnap seemingly was too. At least Karl thought so. But the empty seat opposite him speaks volumes, and maybe Sapnap wasn't excited. Maybe he was lying to make Karl feel better. Karl only knows Sapnap is okay because he had shared a couple of tweets and posted on his stupid Instagram story. Karl texted him several times. Sapnap read them all. He didn't reply to any of them.
The waitress comes back with another jug of water and gives him a sad smile. Her name tag reads 'Niki', and she had been his waitress for the past hour. Now one hour ten minutes. He thanks her...again, and goes back to looking out the window. He feels his phone vibrate, and he looks down, only for his heart to sink lower than it already is.
"Can't come, sorry." A message from Sapnap. It breaks Karl. It breaks Karl more than he has ever been broken before. His head falls into his hands, and tears threaten his eyes. He will not cry in front of Niki who seems like a lovely lady. His day had been going great before this moment, and he will not let a stupid thing like stupid Sapnap ruin his stupid mood.
He should probably leave. Even the cooks out the back are giving him looks of sympathy. He just can't bring himself to stand up and walk out the door. His head stays down.
He loves...loved Sapnap. It's stupid because they are both so young, but Sapnap makes him feel warm inside. A feeling that nobody has ever made him feel before. Sapnap was always there for him with open arms whenever he got too tired or stressed. His words of advice and comfort always make...made (?) Karl feel special. Karl will of course treat Sapnap the same. He loves cuddling close on the sofa after a long day, head buried in Sapnap's chest, or fingers running through his hair. He loves baking for Sapnap. Quackity recently taught him how to make pancakes, and ever since, he has been spoiling Spapnap with the breakfast/dessert.
A tear rolls down his cheek. He still doesn't look up. Even as he hears the door to the restaurant open.
"BABE. OH KARLOS BABE, I'M SO SORRY I'M LATE!" Karl's head snaps up at the loud voice he recognises all too well. At the enterance of the restraurant, wearing his best black shirt and blue beanie, is Alexis Quackity, and behind him, George and Dream, both wearing their fanciest clothes.
Karl laughs through the tears that are now pouring out of eyes and down his cheeks, but this time, it is not out of sadness; it's pure joy.
"Karl, my car, that damned car. The motherfucker never started, so I had to get George, and George doesn't know shit about cars, but Dream does..." Karl can't stop laughing at Quackity's bullshit excuse, but he appreciates it, because Niki is laughing behind the counter, and even though the other customers are mildly annoyed, Karl doesn't care.
Dream and George take their seats at the table behind them, Dream mouthing "sorry" before sitting down. But Karl isn't bothered. Quackity sits opposite him and takes Karl's hand in his.
"Dream was with George but left something at his apartment so he went back, and saw Sap was still there...I don't know if he said anything to him, but he called me, and here we are."
Karl just shakes his head. That doesn't matter anymore. What matters is, is that he is in this fancy restaurant, dressed in his best shirt and nicest belt. He is surrounded by his friends. He doesn't need apologies or excuses at the minute. He just wants to eat food and have a good laugh.
He knows the moment Niki walks up to the table with a pen and pad in hand, and smile on her face, and Quackity sitting opposite him, hand still in Karl's, that that is exactly what he is going to get.