twinArmageddons [TA] started memo: aradia's birthday shenanigans
TA: okay guys so
Before even seeing Sollux's second message, Vriska knew this group chat was going to be a headache and a half. And she wanted to be nice about it, but maybe not when there were 15 other people watching her words and actions. She spent so long rebuffing others' affection and attention and building up this reputation of being a really tough, kickass, no holds barred type of girl. This whole 'turning over a new leaf' and 'being a good person' thing was really tiring, and frankly, she wasn't in the mood for it.
TA: aradia's been away from skaia high for a couple months
TA: but I thought it would be cool of us to throw her a surprise party
TA: ive already arranged things with her dad, and tavros and I are taking care of snacks and decorations
TA: all you guys have to do is show up to Prospit park at 4:30 on Friday
adiosToreador responded to memo
AT: actually, if anyone wants to help me set up, that'd be great
cuttlefishCuller [CC] responded to memo
CC: Shore! I'd love to be there for Aradia.
CC: I can't help set up, though. I have swim practice after school.
CC: Sorry, Tav.
AT: that's fine
arachnidsGrip [AG] responded to memo
AG: You mean you've actually done something helpful, toreadork?
AT: um, yeah, actually
AT: sollux told me about this on Friday
AT: we've been planning.
AG: Whatever, as if I'd go to a surprise part for ARADIA, of all people.
AG: Finally gonna ask her out, Lispy McAsshat?
TA: maybe
AG: Hahahahahahahaha!
AG: Fine, I'll show up just to watch that disaster unfold.
carcinoGeneticist [CG] responded to memo
CG: What the fuck is your problem?
ectoBiologist [EB] responded to memo
EB: wow, vriska, calm down.
Well that was just great. Honestly that was the last thing she wanted, for John to go back to thinking she was some kind of heinous bitch.
CG: Aradia has always been a good friend.
CG: I don't get why you hate her so much.
grimAuxiliatrix [GA] responded to memo
GA: Yes, Aradia has been helping me with my romantic problems, despite having her own, and despite being quite away from us.
GA: I would love to attend.
CG: Yeah, shut the fuck up, Serket.
CG: I'll go.
Yeah, because Karkat was one to talk about shutting up. He ran his mouth 24/7, usually about nothing in particular. Vriska rolled her eyes at the screen.
turntechGodhead [TG] responded to memo
TG: im in
TG: rose and jade too probably
TA: are they not in the chat?
TG: I dunno theyre not online right now
TG: but im seeing rose later so ill let her know
CG: Nepeta says she'll come too.
TA: if you hear from gz, let him know too
CG: Yeah, okay.
CG: He's been making himself scarce lately though.
TA: yeah I know
CC: Eridan wants to know if he's invited.
TA: eugh
TA: yeah I guess
TA: equius too
TA: though that might be awkward
CG: He's here too.
CG: He says he'll go.
TA: ff what the fuck is Eridan doing at your house?
CC: We're still friends, Sollux!
TA: whatever
AG: Okay, we're all fucking going, can this pointless chat end now?
TG: what about terezi
CG: Why don't YOU tell her, Strider?
TG: no need to be jealous karkles
TG: you know id never dream of anyone but you
CG: Shut the fuck up, don't call me Karkles.
TA: you two are fucking gross.
TA: see you all at the party, then.
CG: You'll see us at school tomorrow, dipshit.
AG: Hey, yeah, why couldn't this idiocy have waited for then?
TA: fuck, this just seemed easier.
TA: you don't have to get up my ass about it.
God, why was she even reading this? It was just a bunch of idiots yelling at other idiots for being idiots. Aradia didn't even like Vriska, why would she want Vriska at her party? But it seemed like Sollux was well-meaning. And honestly it would be worth it just to watch him fail to ask her out again.
EB: oh, tavros, i'll help you set up if you want!
AT: oh, yeah
AT: thanks, john
twinArmageddons [TA] closed memo: aradia's birthday shenanigans
And as if all that wasn't enough, now John and Tavros were the party prep committee. Why did John have to volunteer to help out? Not only was it a reminder that he was definitely a better person than she was and at least was trying to be selfless, but also she just knew that John and Tavros were going to talk about her, and who knows how that would affect relationships going forward? Lord, those two having a private conversation was probably the last thing she wanted. Still, what would Tavros say about her that she hadn't already at least attempted to tell John? God, having a boyfriend was honestly terrifying and exhausting. At least she'd gotten over the 'does he like me back' worry.
The week went by fairly quickly, and then it was the weekend of the party. Vriska really didn't feel like attending on Aradia's behalf, but she'd already said she'd be there and the last thing she needed to give her friends was more fuel to call her a bitch. And besides, it was an excuse to see John without explicitly telling her mother she was going to see John. When Aradia showed up at the park, there was a bit of a hullabaloo, and then everyone broke off into different party activities, but Vriska still felt displaced by everyone else. She just sat at one of the picnic tables under the gazebo until John walked over to her, an odd, sort of concerned expression on his face. When he caught her looking at him, he shot her a small smile and sat down. Vriska smiled softly at him. They sat in silence for a moment, then John spoke.
"Vriska… are we, like, a thing?"
Vriska looked inquisitively at him. "What do you mean?"
"Like… do you think of me as your boyfriend?"
"Of course I do, stupid."
John paused for a moment. "Well… I don't know, you just don't act like we're together around everyone else."
"I don't…" Vriska sighed. She didn't know how to explain it to him, how despite wanting to seem like some super-cool badass she was actually always afraid of something, afraid of losing him or pushing her friends away or her mom treating her worse than she already did, and it was easier to just act aloof and like nothing ever bothered her. John took her hand in his and ran his thumb along the outside of hers. "I don't want to look weak. I can't look weak."
"I don't understand what you mean by looking weak. These people here, they're your friends. They're not going to judge you if you're not 100% alert, guard up all the time."
"I'm not worried about judgement, I'm just… not wired to let my guard down."
"Well can you let it down for me?" John said. Vriska looked sharply up at him, struggling to find the words to answer. "If we're…" John paused for a moment. "If we're together… then I want you to know you can tell me anything. But I want to be together. Even around them. Look at Kanaya and Rose. They're cuddling 24/7. I'm not saying we have to be like that, but… I don't know, some PDA wouldn't hurt. Fuck, I didn't even know what we were until just now. I…"
"No, I understand. If I want this to work, and trust me, I do, I need to learn not to be so afraid."
"What're you afraid of?"
Vriska smiled a bit. For once, she didn't feel a need to hide the truth. "I don't know. That I'll push you away like I aways do. Or worse; you'll push me away."
"I would never."
Before Vriska could really process what was happening, John was leaning into her, and she was leaning into him, and then they kissed.
John pulled away, tilting his forehead into Vriska's. "Uh…" she muttered, laughing a bit. John was still looking down, blushing furiously. She broke away and poured a glass of root beer, then turned to the group, wondering if anybody had seen that happen. "Hey nerds! Who wants to bet I can drink this whole bottle in one go!"
"HOLY SHIT!" she heard Karkat shout from across the park. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Karkat, you FUCKER!" Sollux yelled back. "Can you not lose your shit for one day?!"
"Well excuse me, shithead. I need to go now. My dad just got shot."
