Song: Lemon Boy by Cavetown

(With some slight adjustments to avoid so much repeating and to better suit characters)

Characters:

Karma, Kostas, Quill, Ometz, and Kyrie

Context:

Well, this is basically just a song that shows the early stages of Karma and Kostas's relationship pretty well

I will say, I decided it would be fun to throw some alternate timelines in the middle of the song since both Kostas and Karma have timelines where the other dies (which is mostly for the sake of RPs where I think only one of them will fit in well). You know, for fun :D

It's also important to note that Karma and Kostas's relationship and how it came to be very much varies from timeline to timeline, so don't be too confused if I mention something that doesn't match with the few RP's where you've seen Karma and Kostas separately, or if they're in a later RP, haha

*Note: "Lemon Boy" is typically referring to Karma, and, though "boy" isn't a word I would typically use for Karma (ya know, being non-binary with added trauma from transphobia, haha), I didn't want to have to change "boy" every time it was said, so I decided to just leave it this time and pretend, for Karma's sake, that it's more used in a slang way than a gendered way :)*

Overall though, this one's pretty wholesome, so enjoy!

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(We start when Karma and Kostas first meet, Karma's sitting under a bridge and drawing when Kostas notices them. At first, Kos doesn't intend to approach at all, but, upon seeing a few less-than-friendly-looking people heading Karma's way, he decides to step in and protect them. Karma, however, isn't necessarily the kindest person to come upon... not even after being protected. They react quickly and immediately try to push Kostas away, scared of the attachment. Kostas is unfazed and refuses to leave, insisting that he can help Karma if they'll just let him)

Kostas (14), about Karma: "There once was a bittersweet kid and they called them, "Lemon Boy.""

Karma (13), about Kostas, obviously annoyed: "He was growing in my garden and I pulled him out by his hair like a weed."

(A few days pass and Kostas continues to come back to Karma's favorite spot, offering food and to talk every time. Karma's obviously annoyed by this, but eventually gives up trying to scare Kostas away and allows him to stick around as long as he doesn't "push anything" or "get in my space" too much)

Karma (13), about Kostas: "And like weeds do he only came and grew back again, so, I figured this time I might as well let him be."

(A few weeks pass and Karma starts to actually enjoy Kostas being around. He's quiet and friendly, doesn't ask many questions, and is content to just sit and watch Karma draw without much trouble. After getting more comfortable, Karma starts ranting about random things that interest them, which Kostas finds very interesting and listens to happily. Kostas, after noticing the shift, decides it's time to tell Kyrie about his new friend)

Kostas (14), to Kyrie, about Karma: "Lemon Boy and me started to get along together, I helped them plant their seeds and we'd mow the lawn in bad weather! It's actually pretty easy being nice to a bitter kid like him, so, I got myself a citrus friend!"

(Kyrie was quick to accept Karma, offering to let them stay over any time they wanted. They were honestly just happy their little brother managed to make a friend. Ometz was a different story, however. He was quick to step in and taunt Kostas about having an "imaginary friend," or stating that, if his friend weren't imaginary, then they must be pretty freaky, because no "normal person" would ever be friends with "someone like Kostas")

Kostas (14): "But soon their bittersweet started to rub off on me, you'd think smelling like lemon zest would be pretty neat. I found out that Ometz is more of the savory type, and he's not too keen on compromising with a nice lemon pie."

Kostas (14), standing up for Karma against Ometz: "So Lemon Boy and me, we just gotta get along together! I'll help them plant their seeds and we'll mow the lawn in bad weather! It's actually pretty easy being nice to a bitter kid like him, so, I got myself a citrus friend!"

(Yay! Different timeline time! We're going back and forth between a timeline when Karma's dead and a timeline when Kostas is dead. How fun!)

Karma (16), tears running down their cheeks as they stare at Kostas's dead body in front of them: "But what if I run out of fertilizer? What if the clouds run out of rain?"

Kostas (18), glaring blankly up at the sky, completely void of emotion as he sits with Karma's dead body resting with their head in his lap: "What if Lemon Boy won't grow no longer? What if beaches dry of sugar cane? Oh well..."

Karma (16), contemplating ending everything as it sinks in that their one support system is now gone: "The whales start to beach themselves, tortoise shells tear away from their spines... It happens all the time."

Kostas (18), trying to rationalize Karma's death the only way he knows how: "It happens all the time..."

(Now back to our current timeline, hope you enjoyed that! Karma and Kostas meet Quill, who is quick to join the group. All three of them become very close, but Quill and Kostas's bond is very much strengthened by their need to protect and take care of Karma, and, soon, they end up making promises to each other and to themselves)

Quill (15), excited and full of optimism: "Lemon Boy and I, we're gonna live forever!"

Kostas (15), smiling fondly at Karma as they walk ahead of him and Quill: "Like Snufkin and Little My, we'll get around wherever."

Kostas (15), glancing to Quill and repeating their promise as well: "Lemon Boy and I, we're gonna live forever."

Quill (15), snickering and repeating Kostas's promise happily: "Like Snufkin and Little My, we'll get around wherever!"

Kostas (15) and Quill (15), reminiscing and cooing over Karma: "It's actually pretty easy being nice to a bitter kid like them!"

Quill (15), chuckling and throwing an arm around Kostas: "'Cause we're the bitterest boys in town!"

Kostas (15), smiling slightly and indulging Quill: "Yeah, we're the bitterest guys around."

Kostas (15) and Quill (15), sharing a happy look as they realize that, though life isn't really easy for them, they're happy with what they do have. Each other: "And we got ourselves a citrus friend!"