Chapter Text

2

T he three of them are sitting on the plush cushions of the pink couch. Roxy and Calliope have been going on about some random thing for the past while, Roxy taking slow sips of coffee whenever Calliope takes over the conversation. The two of them seem to just want to stay in this moment forever, the warmth of the two huddled up can be felt all throughout the air.
    Harry Anderson on the other hand hasn’t been paying any attention to what they’re saying, he’s just been staring at the present in his hand the whole time. His mind keeps wandering to the thought of his father. There is no gift from him under the tree, there isn't even any sign that he ever lived here, not any left that is. Part of him wishes his father was here, but he knows that even if he cared to show up all he would do is ruin the mood with his self pity before ditching them. He’s not upset that his mother divorced him, he doesn’t even think she hates him. It’s just that he was always barely in either of their lives despite living with them.
    Harry Anderson just wishes his dad cared enough to do as little as just spend the holidays with them, or spend any time with him. He can’t even remember the last time he saw his dad.

    HARRY ANDERSON: hey mom.
    HARRY ANDERSON: um…
    HARRY ANDERSON: i was wondering, is anyone else coming?

Roxy stops talking and finally takes a look at her son. She can tell right away what hes been thinking about.

    ROXY: no it’s just callie
    ROXY: but janey invited us to her place later
    ROXY: i think she’s going to cook up a real fancy dinner or somethin

Harry looks away and goes back to looking at the present in his hands.

    HARRY ANDERSON: cool.

Roxy begins to panic, trying to think of something else to say before she remembers something.

    ROXY: um, can u 2 wait here for a sec
    ROXY: i’m going to grab somethin from upstairs
    CALLIOPE: alright roxy.

Roxy gets up and leaves in the direction of her bedroom. Now Harry Anderson’s extremely curious about what she’s going to get.

    CALLIOPE: i hope that i am not making yoU Uncomfortable harry anderson.

Calliope’s voice snaps Harry Anderson back to reality where he sees that Calliope has backed away slightly, leaving some more space between the two of them.

    HARRY ANDERSON: no, of course not.
    HARRY ANDERSON: i promise i don’t mind you being here calliope.
    HARRY ANDERSON: why would i be?
    HARRY ANDERSON: you’re like a…

Harry Anderson trails off there, not sure himself what he was going to say, but before he can get anymore lost in his own mind he feels a hand pat his shoulder.

    CALLIOPE: i’m glad i am not.
    CALLIOPE: i was worried for a second that i might have Upset yoU.

Before either of them can say anymore they hear Roxy’s footsteps rushing towards them. Roxy arrives with something in her hand, she hands it off to Harry Anderson before returning to her spot next to Calliope.

    ROXY: sorry about that
    ROXY: i forgot to put it with the rest of the gifts
    ROXY: it just kind of flew in here through the window 1 day.

The item in question is a DVD for some movie Harry Anderson’s never heard of, but looks to be the kind of old earth crap his dad likes. On the back of the case is a label stuck on saying it’s from dad.
    Harry Anderson doesn’t know how to react. His dad gave him a gift, but couldn’t even be bothered to do so in person, just used his powers to throw it into the house. He didn’t even wrap it, and worse than that it’s clearly just something he grabbed from his own collection, something of his own tastes. His father never really understood him did he.
    Harry Anderson slumps down into the couch, Roxy can see the disappointment in her son’s face. Wanting to hopefully make things better she bumps Calliope gently with her elbow, which it seems she understands the meaning of.

    CALLIOPE: since yoU opened one present, how aboUt yoU take a look at the others?
    ROXY: ya harry anderson go ahead!
    HARRY ANDERSON: oh, sure.

Harry Anderson puts the DVD down and picks up Calliope’s lovingly wrapped gift again. He carefully opens the present, not wanting to ruin Calliope’s work any more than needed.
    Inside the box are multiple folded up pieces of very expensive looking fabrics, Harry Anderson neatly pulls one out to inspect it farther. He runs his fingers over the fabric, the texture is the smoothest he has never felt, and the quality is impeccable.

    CALLIOPE: i hope yoU like it. ^u^
    HARRY ANDERSON: are you kidding?
    HARRY ANDERSON: this is the best fabric i have ever held.
    CALLIOPE: well i’m glad you think so-

Calliope is cut off by Harry Anderson crashing into her in a hug, it startles her at first but then she leans into it.

    ROXY: i can't wait to see what u make with it bby
    HARRY ANDERSON: i’ll be sure to put together something real crazy with all this.
    ROXY: oh i believe it

Roxy gives Harry Anderson a pat on the head. Harry Anderson still hasn’t let go of Calliope, he just takes everything in for a moment, looking back to the photos. The largest one has all 3 of them together, he looks up to see mother looking at them sweetly.
    Harry Anderson moves his eyes back to the DVD he left behind, and then to the box of fabrics. He thinks again about Calliope, she was always there, always in his life, picnics, walks, birthdays, even now. It was always the three of them, dad was always somewhere else or keeping his distance. In that moment Harry Anderson realizes that Calliope is more of a parent to him then his father ever was. He finally lets Calliope free, returning back to his spot on the sofa.

    HARRY ANDERSON: thank you calliope.
    CALLIOPE: it’s no problem really.
    ROXY: yk there r still more presents left
    ROXY: how abt u go get another!
    HARRY ANDERSON: oh, right.

Harry Anderson gets up from the sofa and heads to the glistening tree in front of them. There are still quite a few gifts under the tree, all of which are from his mother, but one catches his eye. It’s an envelope instead of a box, with his curiosity piqued he picks it up.
    While walking back Harry Anderson steals a quick glance over to his mother and Calliope. They have moved even closer together, and he sees his mom place her hand over top of Calliope’s, their fingers interlocking. Harry Anderson always assumed his mom and Calliope were moirails, though he never asked. Sometimes however he questions if that’s truly the case, especially since the divorce.
    Harry Anderson has now taken his place back on the sofa, and begins tearing the top of the envelope open. When he sees inside his eyes go wide.

    HARRY ANDERSON: omg, is-is this-
    ROXY: hell yeah it is!
    ROXY: 3 tickets to 2012 the musical
    ROXY: they’re for this weekend, i thought the 3 of us could go

Calliope clasps her claws together in excitement at that.

    CALLIOPE: oh, that sounds lovely roxy!
    CALLIOPE: i would love to go with you both, if you’ll have me.
    ROXY: what do u think Harry Anderson, u ok with Callie joinin us?
    HARRY ANDERSON: of course!
    CALLIOPE: oh, this is going to be so fun!

Roxy lets out a little giggle, now resting her head on Calliope’s shoulder.

    ROXY: look at u 2 nerds, all excited
    ROXY: totally adorbs

Calliope’s cheeks start glowing as she turns away. It looks like Roxy is about to continue, but the sound of a notification going off stops everyone. Harry Anderson pulls out his phone and realizes it’s coming from him, when he sees the name he immediately jumps off the sofa.

    HARRY ANDERSON: um, sorry.
    HARRY ANDERSON: i gotta go take this real quick.

With that Harry ascends up to his bedroom, leaving the other two behind.

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