Chapter Text

AT THE DOOR

1

F lakes of snow sprinkle down from the clouds above, converging into perfect lumps coating Earth C’s surface. Here on this planet, outside of canon a modern cubic house lies inside of an unsuspecting suburb. The nearby trees, lacking their once radiant green life, now dead; the ocean behind absolutely frigid; and the bubblegum pink car out front almost completely hidden by the layers of twinkling white.
    Warm festive cheer emanates from the house. A glistening array of festive colors painting the inside. Standing right behind the home’s window is a lovely pink Christmas tree from which most of the light is emitting. Sitting on the bubblegum couch in front of said tree is the young Harry Anderson Egbert.

Harry Anderson has been sitting here patiently waiting for who knows how long, for someone to arrive. His mother was very clear that nothing will be opened until their guest arrives, whoever that is. Though he knows it’s almost for sure not, somewhere deep down he still hopes it’s his father.
    Harry Anderson’s eyes study the scene in front of him, the tree and all its neatly wrapped gifts beneath, the beautiful outside world visible beyond the large glass overlooking the room, the various cat themed decor littered around the place, and lastly the various photos of him and his mother hanging on the walls. With that Harry Anderson decides to turn his attention to the kitchen where he can hear his mom humming away some familiar tune he can’t quite name as she works the coffee maker. Seems she’ll be busy for a bit longer.
    Now with Harry Anderson’s millionth once over of the area finished he decides to take out his phone. He hopes for someone to be pestering him, but opening his contacts reveals no such luck. He checks over his messages with Vriska, but seems even his girlfriend is too busy to reply, probably bearing through another overly verbose lecture from her mom or trying to sneak her way into a rebellion mission again. Before Harry Anderson can continue imagining what wild scenario Vriska might be caught up in at the moment, a knock at the door disrupts his thoughts.

    ROXY: comin!

In an instant Roxy rushes towards the door, abandoning the coffee at the machine.

    ROXY: callie! I knew u’ll make it grl
    CALLIOPE: of course!
    CALLIOPE: i woUld never miss an opportUnity to spend time with yoU.
    ROXY: awww callie ur goin to kill me here
    CALLIOPE: i sUre hope not. :U
    ROXY: grl yk what i mean
    ROXY: c’mere

Roxy practically tackles Calliope into a great big hug, lifting her into the air slightly, causing the Cherub to let out a little gasp in surprise.

    ROXY: i missed u, it’s been too long
    CALLIOPE: it's only been a day.
    ROXY: a day is too long w/o my healthy dose of cute skeleton
    CALLIOPE: yoU flatter me too mUch. ~U_U~

Roxy finally lets Calliope free from her grasp, placing her down gently on the floor.

    CALLIOPE: i do actUally have something for yoU.

Calliope pulls out a perfectly wrapped pink present, handing it to Roxy

    ROXY: omg callie, u didn’t need to trouble urself
    ROXY: yk u showin up is gud enuf for me

Calliope tries to hide her blush by turning away before replying.

    CALLIOPE: while i very mUch appreciate yoUr sentiment.
    CALLIOPE: i woUld feel qUite terrible not bringing yoU a gift of any sort.
    ROXY: bby ur so sweet

Harry Anderson is still looking over from the sofa, just letting his mom and Calliope have their moment, he doesn’t really feel like getting involved in their emotional adult talk.

    CALLIOPE: oh, right.
    CALLIOPE: i have something for harry anderson as well!

Calliope reaches for another package, this one wrapped in blue.

    ROXY: harry anderson dear, c’mere!
    ROXY: say hi to callie

Harry Anderson peels himself off the bubblegum cushions and heads to join the other two by the door.

    CALLIOPE: hello harry anderson!

The cherub gives a gentle wave at the boy who gives his own in return.

    HARRY ANDERSON: hey calliope.
    HARRY ANDERSON: um.
    HARRY ANDERSON: so how's it going?
    CALLIOPE: today has been qUite lovely, and it’s jUst getting better. ^u^
    HARRY ANDERSON: …
    CALLIOPE: ^u^
    HARRY ANDERSON: so is that for me.

Harry Anderson points to the package still in Calliope’s hands.

    CALLIOPE: right, sorry.
    CALLIOPE: i seemed to have gotten distracted.
    CALLIOPE: here yoU got harry anderson.

Calliope hands over the azure present to Harry Anderson. It’s a bit heftier than he expected, he wonders what Calliope could have possibly gifted him?

    HARRY ANDERSON: thanks calliope.
    HARRY ANDERSON: i’m sure whatever is in here will be cool.
    ROXY: it’s going to b pref
    ROXY: yk callie always gives the best gifts!
    ROXY: now how abt we move this convo to the livin room
    ROXY: i don’t think callie wants to stand in the doorway all night lmao
    CALLIOPE: that’s a wonderful idea roxy.
    ROXY: i’ll go grab my coffee, but don’t make me keep u waitin
    ROXY: go make urself at home

With that Roxy heads back to the kitchen, as Harry Anderson takes his place back on the couch with Calliope following behind.

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