Shit. Where was he? There was Eridan, Aradia, Feferi, Sollux, Equius-

Holy crap, was that Karkat and Nepeta? Oh yeah! So called it! Vriska thought proudly. But then what the hell did Terezi think? She said KK liked-

"Hey," a shy voice said. A very familiar shy voice, belonging to one John Egderp.

Confident. Confident. Remember what Kanaya told you.

"Hi." God, this was grrrrrrrreat. Conversation was really flowing now, huh? She looked down at her feet, not looking him in the eye.

"I...I..." she stuttered. Crap, crap, CRAP! Say SOMETHING!

Don't break his heart. That's what Dave said.

You know, I think it might be the other way around.

Try your hardest, said Kanaya.

I'm not sure how hard I want to try! How hard can I try? Will it matter if I try my hardest? Will any of it matter?!

Go for it! Terezi told her.

You know what? I'll keep my promises. I'll share my advice. I'll plunge into unknown territory.

For you.

She inhaled deeply and met John's eyes. She wasn't afraid anymore.

"I love you," she said.

Randomly, she giggled. Vriska felt free.

"Huh?" John's eyes were wide with disbelief.

"I love you!" She let a grin escape her and reached for his hand. "John, I really love you! You're the only person I can tell everything to! You're a sanctuary in a world that hates me. But you know what? Even if you don't love me, even if you don't want me, I'm not alone! I'll always love you, because I'll always have love to give!"

In a fit of impulsiveness, she kissed him and all her troubles floated away.

Even if he didn't love her, she wasn't alone in the world anymore. She had said that, and it was true. John Egbert had reawakened her emotions and brought them to life. She felt and cared. She would always love him, simply because she did. She pulled back, opening her eyes.

"You're wrong." He said quietly.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Even if you don't love me..." he repeated. "That's wrong. Vriska, I do love you. Even when all I knew of you were the cryptic messages you were sending me on Pesterchum, I knew you were special. I love you too." He returned her grin. "So you don't have to worry about me not loving you! I don't think i could stop if I tried."

Vriska realized dimly that the blurring in the room was tears. Her eyes were welling with blue. John wrapped his arms around her gently and she breathed in pure love.

"I won't let you be alone."