Karkat wasn't sure whether to feel surprised by Gamzee's reaction. He had taken the blow with no evasive maneuvers, but he hardly showed any sign it had hit. Two steps back and that was it - hardly any pain, let alone the loss of breath or doubling over he'd hoped for.

Of course, Gamzee was the strongest troll. They had all seen it in the battle against the Black King, though none had quite believed it. But Gamzee was human now, and Karkat had somehow expected that strength to die with it. But then, he was human now, too.

Before he could think it over more, though - something dangerous to do in the middle of a fight - the Capricorn spoke.

"Fuck you, you sick shit," Karkat hissed. That taunt was all he needed to put his mind back on the situation instead of its mechanics. "You know damn fucking well what's wrong. You're doing it on purpose."

The thought brought another wave of sick rage to his gut, and as Gamzee stepped forward, Karkat found himself striking out again. A pair of punches, one-two, flew out for his shoulders.

"You fucking think I'll just let you get away with it?!"