**Meteor Madness**

The dim glow of the meteor's interior illuminated the cramped space, lined with rows of flickering VHS tapes and a worn-out DVD player. Dave and Karkat lounged on a threadbare couch, surrounded by empty pizza boxes and crumpled up wrappers. The air was thick with the smell of stale popcorn and sweat. They were on a mission to watch the most epic rom-coms the 21st century had to offer, and nothing was going to get in their way. Dave leaned against Karkat, his shoulder brushing against the other's. Karkat didn't notice, or at least, he pretended not to. They'd been on this meteor for who-knew-how-long, and the close quarters had started to feel like home. The soft hum of the DVD player and the occasional burst of cheesy dialogue were comforting sounds. As they watched the on-screen antics of a pair of star-crossed lovers, Karkat snuck glances at Dave. His eyes would drift back to the screen, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was different about Dave today. Maybe it was the way the dim light danced across his features, or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. Karkat's heart skipped a beat as he realized he'd been staring. Dave, oblivious to Karkat's gaze, reached out and adjusted the DVD player. His sunglasses, a permanent fixture on his face, seemed out of place in the dimly lit space. But for once, they were off, perched on his forehead. Karkat's eyes locked onto Dave's, and his breath caught. Those piercing green eyes seemed to see right through him. Karkat's face heated up, and he quickly looked away, but not before Dave caught his gaze. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Without thinking, Karkat leaned in, his lips brushing against Dave's. The world around them melted away as Dave's lips moved, gentle and exploratory. Karkat's heart soared, and he deepened the kiss, his hands finding their way to Dave's shoulders. Dave's arms wrapped around him, pulling him closer. As they broke apart for air, Karkat's panic set in. What was he doing? He'd never meant to... He pushed the thoughts aside, too caught up in the moment. Dave's eyes sparkled with amusement, and a slow smile spread across his face. The sound of rustling fabric broke the spell, and Karkat's eyes dropped to Dave's lap. A flash of crimson caught his attention, and his heart skipped a beat. Dave was wearing lace panties, a deep, bold red that matched the color of Karkat's own hidden markings. Karkat's gaze snapped back to Dave's face, a mixture of shock and curiosity warring within him. Dave's smile grew, and he reached out, his fingers brushing against Karkat's neck. "You have gills," he whispered, his voice barely audible. Karkat's hand instinctively went to his neck, his fingers tracing the hidden slits. He'd kept them hidden for so long, afraid of what others would think. But Dave's eyes sparkled with wonder, and his touch sent shivers down Karkat's spine. The meteor, once a lonely, desolate space, had become a world of its own, filled with unspoken feelings and hidden truths. As Karkat and Dave sat there, frozen in a moment of mutual discovery, the universe around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a sea of uncertainty.