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.

> ==>

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.

> ==>

Chapter Text

3

H arry Anderson stands alone in his bedroom. Having just absconded from his mother and Calliope, he stays still focused on his phone. The room is full of mannequins, and various fabrics and shoes, all parts of half finished costumes for some musical. He continues to tap away on his phone, messaging the one and only Vriska Maryam-Lalonde.

    AG: Harry where the hell are you
    AG: Hey loser don’t ignore me
    AG: I can see you’re online
    AG: I S8ID D8N’T IGN8RE ME!
    TG: sorry vriska.
    TG: i was kind of in the middle of something.
    AG: Whatever it was is definitely not as important as mess8ing your m8sprit
    TG: i said i’m sorry, jeez vriska.
    TG: so what is it you want?
    AG: i want to know what cool shit you got 12th perigee's eve
    TG: oh, yeah!
    TG: i got these really amazing fabrics from Calliope.
    TG: i can’t wait to make a costume using them!
    TG: mom got me tickets to 2012 the musical, which is sick.
    AG: L8ME
    AG: That’s just 8oring nerd junk
    AG: You get anything actually cool
    TG: um.
    TG: dad gave me one of his stupid movies.
    TG: well he didn’t actually give me it.
    TG: he just used the wind to blow it to the house.
    TG: honestly it kind of just feels like he was getting rid of his trash.
    TG: he didn’t even wrap the thing!
    AG: A8GH
    AG: Yes we know all John is a dead8eat loser!
    AG: It sounds like things are pretty lame over there
    AG: How about you ditch the place and come meet me
    TG: no!
    TG: i’m not just going to run away.
    AG: And why the hell not!
    AG: You know it’ll 8e way more fun with me
    TG: what would i even say to mom to get her to let me leave right now?
    AG: N8THING
    AG: You don’t have to tell her anything, just sneak out
    TG: you wanna me to what?
    TG: just like jump out of the window and run away.
    AG: Yeah!
    TG: vriska mom would kill me!
    AG: Your so lame Harry, just do it who cares

Harry Anderson has begun pacing around his room unsure what he should do. He doesn’t want to just ditch his mom like this, but he would like to see Vriska.

    TG: ugh.
    TG: just know if i hurt myself falling out this window it’s your fault.
    AG: Whatever you say Harry
    AG: Now jump out that window!

Harry Anderson can’t believe he’s doing this, but he pops his bedroom window out and looks down. The drop isn’t that far, but it still scares him, however he told Vriska he’ll do it so here goes nothing. With that Harry Anderson goes crashing into a pile of snow on the ground, it’s only now he’s realizing that he really should have grabbed a jacket first, but it's too late now. He picks himself out of the snow and looks around, to his luck it doesn’t seem like anyone noticed him.
    He takes a look though the front window to make sure his mom and Calliope are still there. He sees his mother lean over and give Calliope a gentle kiss on the top of her head, causing the cherub to blush. Harry Anderson smiles at them before a notification brings him back to reality.

    AG: Hey Harry, are you still alive?
    AG: It would be really lame if this is how you died
    TG: yes i’m alive.
    TG: thank you for the concern.
    AG: Good now get those legs moving!

With that Harry Anderson takes one final look back before rushing off into the night.

> ==>

Chapter Text

4

R oxy Lalonde stares out of the large living room window, from this she can see her son, Harry Anderson Egbert, trying and failing to sneak away unnoticed. As he fades off into the distance, she just knows that he’s running off to meet up with Vriska.

    ROXY: sign
    ROXY: harry anderson ran away again
    ROXY: i’m startin to think vriska might be a bad influence on him
    ROXY: but i don’t want to b some lame adult stoppin young love
    ROXY: sign
    ROXY: callie what do u think?
    CALLIOPE: i think we shoUld let them have their fUn.
    CALLIOPE: i’m sUre they’ll be fine. ^u^

Roxy tries to calm down, but Calliope’s words don’t reassure her as much as she would help. She rests her head on Calliope’s shoulder.

    ROXY: do u think janey’s evil?

Calliope is taken back, jolting upright at Roxy’s words.

    CALLIOPE: why do yoU ask that?
    ROXY: i mean all of our other friends seem to think so
    ROXY: hell it seems even my own son thinks so
    ROXY: he’s out there now with vriska n maybe her moms
    ROXY: it just feels like i’m the only one who still likes her
    ROXY: she’s my bffsy, i don’t know if i ever could hate her

Roxy stares down at the ground, a tear forming in her eye. Calliope reaches up and wipes it away with her claw.

    CALLIOPE: roxy.
    CALLIOPE: yoU jUst want all of Us to be friends again, what’s so bad aboUt that?
    CALLIOPE: imagine it, the whole gang back together, throwing parties, having picnics!
    CALLIOPE: oh, it woUld be so lovely!

Roxy imagines it, everyone together again, no one yelling at each other over politics, or the economy, just everyone in the same room laughing and having fun. She gives Calliope a gentle smile.

    ROXY: ur rite callie, it would be great!
    ROXY: i just want all this political nonsense over with
    ROXY: i’m sure afterwards we can all come back together
    ROXY: i know janey, she would never hurt anyone especially them
    ROXY: she’s not some heartless tyrant wanting to kill our friends
    ROXY: once they all realize that n calm down
    ROXY: we can all be friends again, like before

Calliope gives a warm smile in response.

    ROXY: callie, i don’t know what i would do w/o u
    CALLIOPE: i’m sUre yoU’ll do jUst fine.
    CALLIOPE: yoU’re great, roxy.

Roxy leans in and gives Calliope a kiss on the cheek.

    ROXY: ur too kind babe

They both now sit cuddled up together, watching the snow gently fall outside, bathing in the warmth between them.

> ==>

Chapter Text

POSTSCRIPT

C alliope sits on the cold metal floor of the spaceship. They’re in a small room with a table containing some flower pots, a bed, and many paint buckets strewn around. The walls are covered in paintings, with spilled paint all over everything else. In their hands is a thick white book, whose cover contains nothing but a single red and green swirled lollipop. They also have a pen which they seem to be using to write in said book. They read over the current page again, ink still fresh. Roxy and Calliope seem to be having some kind of heart to heart after Harry ran away again. Calliope runs their fingers over the page, feeling the paper beneath their claws. They reach and grab the last few pages of the book, ripping them out. They hold the torn pages in their hands, giving them one last read before throwing them into a pile of similarly torn pages.

    ROXY: knock, knock
    ROXY: callie u in there?
    ROXY: it’s just me don’t worry

Calliope doesn’t respond, they just stare down at the book in their hands.

    ROXY: ur not in the vents again r u?
    ROXY: …
    ROXY: well i’m comin in

The metal door creeks open to reveal Roxy wearing his heart shaped sunglasses and void style hoodie.

    ROXY: hey callie
    ROXY: u still workin on that book?
    CALLIOPE: yes.
    ROXY: and i guess i still can’t read it?
    CALLIOPE: no, not Until it’s done.
    ROXY: damn, ure rly buildin up the anticipation with this one
    ROXY: i’m sure it’ll be worth it though

Roxy pulls his glasses down slightly and flashes a smirk. Calliope turns away hiding their glowing cheeks. Roxy moves to sit on the bed, noticing the big pile of paper on the floor.

    ROXY: more cut pages i see
    CALLIOPE: yes, i…
    CALLIOPE: i don’t think those stories needed to be shared.
    CALLIOPE: they weren’t important in the grand scheme.
    ROXY: ur saying they’re filler
    ROXY: cmon every story needs some good filler
    CALLIOPE: while trUe, i think i have hit the right balance now.
    ROXY: if you say so
    ROXY: it’s ur story after all
    CALLIOPE: …

Calliope looks down at the book again.

    ROXY: how about u put the book down n c’mere babe

Roxy pats the space next to him on the bed. Calliope closes the book and joins Roxy.

    ROXY: i’m so happy u came on this trip callie

Calliope doesn’t respond, but hugs Roxy from the side. Roxy places his hand on their back, and kisses the top of their head. The two stay there for the rest of the night, together.