"What happens in the new universe, stays in the universe." He says, vaguely, which is exactly what John should expect. It's true, he and Karkat had gotten pretty close, but what he has and has not done with Karkat can definitely stay back home with him.

"You're probably going to have to find the key for that padlocked little mind of yours, Egbert. You have your inhibitions all sealed up like a Mattel GirlTech password journal." He'll bridge the gap between friendly acquaintances and best goddamn friends by reaching out and giving John's noggin a soft rap with his knuckles.

"But I mean, you probably signed up for perpetual discomfort when you put on the corset." He shrugs, and he cups his hands around his drink. "This isn't a cold one at all, it's fucking warm- and.." He raises it for a sniff too, crinkling his nose. "Yeah, it smell like something Grandma thought was a good idea. But I wasted my slave wages on this trash juice so we can either muscle up and drink it or try to trade it in for some milk and cookies."

He's still going to stare down at it for a long ass time before he looks at John again. "Birthday boy honors." Which means, don't watch me choke on this trash.