Roxy looked at the various bottles scattered around her room, most of them either near empty or basically full. She took a deep breath. She needed to get rid of it, one little bit at a time. It had only been a week since the Halloween party, and Roxy hadn't done much drinking, but it was certainly a slipperly slope. Okay. Step one; get rid of the empty bottles. Roxy found an abandoned cardboard box in the garage, hauled it up to her room, and then filled it with the empty containers. The glass bottles clinked against each other as Roxy took the box back down the stairs. Rose turned around to see the source of the noise.
"What're you doing?" she asked.
"Quitting. Can't keep looking at this shit, Rose." Rose gave a surprised sort of smile. That was… unexpected. Roxy carried the box out to the recycling bin and dropped the entire thing inside it, brushing her hands off. "Good riddance," she muttered to herself. But she knew that was the easy part. Getting rid of bottles that still had good shit in them? That was going to be the hard part. She puttered back inside to her room, and… shit, that was still a lot of bottles. Roxy let out a sound that was a mix between a sigh and a groan and slumped against her wall. This felt hopeless. She reached for a bottle, letting her fist tighten around its neck. Was this the same grip it had on her? Ugh.
"Rose!" Roxy called. She hated that she was asking for help. "Roooooooseeeeee."
Rose's footsteps came up the stairs. "What is it, Roxy?"
Roxy looked up at Rose pathetically. "I… I need help. I can't do it." Rose leaned down, pulling Roxy up by her arm.
"Yes you can. Come on," Rose said, tugging Roxy into the bathroom. She gestured towards the sink. "Well?"
"What?"
"Get rid of it." Roxy just looked at her quizzically. "Down the sink, Roxy."
Roxy took a breath and tilted the bottle over the sink, her hand trembling the slightest bit. And then the first drop hit the ceramic bowl and suddenly, it was easier. Roxy's heart wrenched to see it roll through the sink, and down the drain, but it was also a huge weight off her chest. She felt like she could breathe properly, and down went bottle after bottle as Rose supervised, until finally there was one more, and Roxy actually couldn't do it. Her hand wavered again. "Rose… if I pour this down the drain, that's it. No more drinking. I dunno if… I can…"
Rose nodded. "Do you want me to…?" Normally she wouldn't have asked, but she was already so impressed with how Roxy had been handling her decision to quit, so if she needed help with that final step, Rose was more than willing to do so.
"Sure. Thanks, Rose." Roxy handed off the bottle, then went to go lie down in her newly-cleaned room. Rose looked at the bottle in her hand. She knew she should pour it down the drain so it could join the others, but… there had to be some reason Roxy and Mom liked that stuff so much. Would it really be so harmful to just keep it around? Rose pursed her lips. Well, occasionally partaking wouldn't be so bad, would it? The worst that happened was just a headache, right? Rose took a breath and clasped the bottle to her chest tightly. It seemed relatively harmless, and it was a waste to just throw it out anyway, so Rose, against her better judgement, decided to keep that one for herself.
timaeusTestified [TT] began pestering tipsyGnostalgic [TG]
TT: Roxy.
TG: Dirkie.
TT: Uh
TT: Jake and I broke up.
TG: oh shit
TG: oh shit dirk im so sorry
TT: No, don't be.
TT: It's for the best, but…
TT: Man, I fucked this up something collosal.
TG: :((((
TG: its not your fault dirk
TT: Yes it is.
TT: If I wasn't so-
TT: UGH.
TG: dirk nooooo
TG: do you want me to come over or something
TG: we can watch 2001 a space odyssey
TG: or my little pony
TT: No, that's okay Rox.
TT: Just wanted you to know what was up.
TG: …
TG: okay
TT: I miss him already.
TT: Damn it.
TG: are you sure you don't want me to come over
TT: Even if I said yes, I can't.
TT: Got some lawyer shit to do…
TT: In regards to Dave.
TG: right…
TG: well you know im here if you wanna talk about stuff 3
TT: Thanks.
timaeusTestified [TT] ceased pestering tipsyGnostalgic [TG]
Roxy sighed. Dirk was having such a hard time, and she hated to see him so down and so insecure and… unhappy. All she ever wanted for her friends was for them to be happy, but for the next several weeks, that was far from the situation. They were hardly speaking to each other, each dealing with their problems on their own, and as much as Roxy tried, she couldn't get them to make amends with each other.
tipsyGnostalgic [TG] began pestering uraniumUmbra [UU]
TG: callieeeeee
TG: all my friends are sad and not talking to each other
TG: and i dunno what to do
UU: Hmm.
UU: Well once finals are over, maybe you can get the whole group together.
UU: Maybe having you there as a mediator will help them.
TG: callie ur so smart
TG: i guess i will have to keep talkin up the christmas party
TG: did u wanna come too?
UU: Sadly, I cannot.
UU: My father has insisted on at least PRETENDING Caliborn and I get along.
TG: awwww
TG: well if you need an excuse to bail lemme know
UU: Will do.
TG: 3
UU: ^u^
tipsyGnostalgic [TG] ceased pestering uraniumUmbra [UU]
Well, Roxy supposed some pestering was in order. She was tempted to start with Jane—that was the BFFsies privilege, but she decided to talk to Jake first. It was his birthday, after all.
tipsyGnostalgic [TG] began pestering golgothasTerror [GT]
TG: jakeyyyyyy
TG: happy birthdayyy!
GT: Oh thanks roxy!
TG: sorry we cant do anythin special
GT: Oh thats perfectly alright
GT: I actually just opened a gift from jane which i was surprised to receive at all
TG: even if shes mad shes not gonna blow off your bday
TG: you know her better than that
GT: Youre right
GT: And i surely owe her an apology
TG: yeh probably
TG: not that im takin sides or anything
GT: I wouldnt blame you
TG: well hey I think we all need to get together
TG: you still cool with a holiday party
GT: Er
GT: I dunno
GT: Things have been a bit bumpy between me and dirk as of late
TG: yeah dude breakups aren't clean
GT: I don't think I handled things with him well
GT: I wish we could
GT: I dunno
GT: Do things the right way
TG: then talkkkkkk to hiiiiiimmmmmm
TG: that's why i think this party is important
TG: to get us all together
TG: i miss you guys /3
TG: plus it could be like a big group birthday party shindig
GT: Alright you have twisted my arm
GT: Lets do it
TG: yesssss!
TG: okay cool lemme message the others
tipsyGnostalgic [TG] ceased pestering golgothasTerror [GT]
Okay, one down, two to go.
tipsyGnostalgic [TG] began pestering gutsyGumshoe [GG]
TG: janeyy
TG: its time to stpo moping
GG: I'm not moping.
TG: dirk n jake both said u havent been talking to them or seeing them outside of school
TG: an i know you an jakey kinda got into a fight last month but
TG: rly were all ur best friends
GG: Hardly.
GG: Before the breakup, all they ever messaged me about was each other.
TG: janeyyyy
TG: come onnnn
TG: you cant stay mad at them forever
GG: I'm not angry with Dirk.
TG: good!
TG: come to the christmas party
GG: No offense, Roxy, but I don't quite care for your type of party.
Okay, Roxy couldn't lie, that stung a bit, despite the "no offense." But she decided to play it off. It wasn't worth causing even more drama.
TG: pfft
TG: it isnt that kind of party
TG: not this time
TG: i havent evn been drinkin annymore
GG: Oh?
TG: yee
TG: and this party would jus be the four of us
GG: I'm not sure whether that makes it better or worse to be completely honest.
TG: jane
TG: i am litrally BEGGIN you
TG: at least extend the friggin olive branch or something
TG: i cannot stand all of us bein so sad and apart
TG: an clearly none a you are gonna get together on ur own so CLEARLY its up to rolal
TG: friendship doctor extraordinaireee
GG: Why exactly is this so important to you?
GG: Don't you have college friends to hang out with?
TG: jane :(
TG: i miss hangin out wit you guys
TG: truth is i rly havent made many friends here
TG: jus guys tryin to get something outta me or ppl wantin to hang out at bars
TG: which i OBVI cant do
TG: im like such a bab here in college
GG: You turn 18 in literally 3 days.
TG: yeh i KNOW
TG: theres like 24year olds in my classes
TG: LITRALLY tryin to have sex with me like dude that aint even legal
GG: By the way, I sent your gift.
GG: I'm hoping it gets to you in time.
TG: janeyyy you didnt hafta do that
TG: i know its tough having me and dirk and jakeys bdays all stacked up on you, and right before christmas
GG: Well it's too late now, I've already sent it!
GG: So you may as well be happy about it :B
Why was Jane so good!
TG: fiiiiine
TG: but you don't gotta get me anything for Christmas
GG: Roxy.
TG: tell you what, comin to the party can be your gift to me.
GG: Oh!
GG: I suppose that can be arranged.
GG: I just hope things aren't still awkward between me and Jake.
TG: YESSSS okay two down one to go
TG: i gotta go talk to dirkie
TG: hes gonna be the tough nut to crack
GG: Figures.
TG: anyway byeee janeyyy luv yah 3
tipsyGnostalgic [TG] ceased pestering gutsyGumshoe [GG]
Roxy knew if she told Dirk everyone else was going, he would cave and agree to the party, if only because he didn't want to look like the party pooper, and that was pretty much exactly what happened, and then the party rolled around, and Roxy was glad she'd kept it somewhat lowkey. It was really refreshing to get to spend some time with just her three best friends, and they started to loosen up around each other, despite the slight remaining tension between them. Dirk seemed more himself, and Roxy figured that actually moving out of Bro's place and having Dave back with him helped, and if she didn't know better, she'd think that he and Jake were on speaking terms—possibly even on "fixing the relationship and trying again" terms—again. And because she was so proud of herself, she decided that instead of waiting for it to actually be two months since quitting, she had to say something.
"Oh! Guys! I forgot to tell you. I've been sober for almost two months!"
"ROXY!" Jane beamed at her, clearly just as proud as Roxy had hoped. "That's incredible!"
"Mmmhmmm, yeah it is! I had Rosie go through all my stuff, since I didn't think I could empty everything without emptying it into myself." She had to remember to thank Rose again, when she got back from the party at Feferi's. It was no small feat for Roxy to stop drinking, and the fact was that Rose had been a huge help, even if it seemed like a small thing to Rose.
"Nice job, cuz," Dirk said. Roxy shot him a gentle smile. Jake was the one to change the subject, while they were talking about heavy things.
"I say, Dirk, how is everything going with your brothers?"
Dirk sank in his seat a little bit. "Dave and I have our own place now. All the way across town from that fucker." His voice was harsh when speaking about Braiden, and then he immediately softened. "Can't believe Dave didn't think he could come to me. We've always strifed together, and I knew Dave struggled, but I never considered it to be abusive."
"Did you ever see any of these incidents?" Jane asked. Roxy wanted desperately to get them off the subject. It had been handled, but Dirk was clearly still beating himself up about it.
"Only the time Dave slid off the roof. Kid didn't have good footing. Man…" Dirk slumped over, and there was a moment of silence. Roxy reached across the table and put her hand on Dirk's shoulder. It was the only thing she could think to do.
"What's wrong, Dirkie?" She was trying to stay soft, and not pressure him into talking about it. There was a lot going on. Between that and his… stuff… with Jake, Dirk had been having a hard time since Halloween.
"I'm a shit older brother. I should have known this was happening. Should have done something to help."
And then something odd happened. Jake leaned onto Dirk's shoulder, gently. "You're helping now," Jake said. Dirk looked at him in surprise, and it took a moment before they looked away from each other.
Rose was surprised when she got a message from Feferi the day before the Christmas party.
cuttlefishCuller [CC] began pestering tentacleTherapist [TT]
CC: Hey Rose!
CC: I was wondering if you'd be able to come over early tomorrow and help me with some décor?
TT: For the party?
TT: Sure.
TT: I'd love to help.
CC: Thank you thank you thank you!
CC: Eridan is supposed to help too but I dunno if he'll be up to it.
TT: Why's that?
CC: He just has… moods sometimes.
CC: Anyway you're a total lifesaver!
cuttlefishCuller [CC] ceased pestering tentacleTherapist [TT]
grimAuxiliatrix [GA] began pestering tentacleTherapist [TT]
GA: So I hear you have been enlisted to help Feferi with décor tomorrow
Well that was quick. Rose supposed Feferi had been talking to both her and Kanaya at the same time.
TT: Yes, I have.
GA: As have I
TT: Well in that case I am looking forward to it even more.
GA: Oh
GA: That is kind of you to say
TT: Are you alright?
TT: Seems like there may be something on your mind.
GA: Actually I just ran into Eridan
GA: He was with his father and it incidentally revealed something about him that I was not privy to
GA: Well I thought about the possibility when he asked me to help out with an outfit for Homecoming
TT: Right.
Well, it was only a matter of time before things got pieced together by someone. Rose was actually surprised it had taken that long.
TT: I understand it can be hard to wrap your head around.
GA: It's not that
GA: I have always known him as a guy
GA: He just looked so
GA: Uncomfortable
GA: And sad
TT: Such is the situation for many people.
TT: It's unfortunate, yes, but until Eridan feels he is in a safe enough environment to come out I think all we can do is be supportive.
GA: You're right of course
GA: I suppose I was just caught off guard
GA: Though if you don't mind me asking how did you know?
TT: My sister is quite the hacker.
TT: She messed around with the school systems to ensure that teachers would call him by the proper name, but also that his father wouldn't find out.
GA: Sounds complicated
TT: I won't pretend to understand technology the way she does.
TT: But yes, when I began spending more time with your circle of friends, Eridan demanded I not tell anyone.
TT: I told him I am not in the business of outing people against their will.
GA: Odd, that's exactly what I told Feferi just now
GA: I understand not wanting to tell his father, but why would Eridan keep this a secret from us?
GA: We are his friends
TT: He probably is just afraid.
TT: Not of you guys in particular, but of society's view of that kind of thing.
TT: I can't imagine.
TT: Coming out for me was not an issue; my sister is bi, my mother is… well, not straight, I do know that much, my cousin Dirk is gay and Dave…
TT: Well, Dave is still figuring that out.
GA: Yes I can't imagine either
GA: My sister is not exactly straight either and neither are Kankri or Karkat so I suppose it is also a pretty acceptable thing in my family
GA: I suppose I just wish I'd known sooner so I could help him more
TT: Well, just being a supportive friend is helping.
TT: You made his Homecoming outfit, no?
GA: Yes
TT: I imagine that was a big help to him.
GA: I suppose so
GA: Well thank you for letting me talk your ear off about this
TT: It is the least I can do.
grimAuxiliatrix [GA] ceased pestering tentacleTherapist [TT]
And that was honestly the best advice Rose could give. It wasn't as though she knew Eridan particularly well, anyway. In any case, she was just looking forward to seeing Kanaya the next day, knowing it was quite possible that Feferi orchestrated things this way intentionally. Rose was grateful she hadn't procrastinated on gifts, because she did have something she intended to give to Kanaya, and now she had an excuse not to do it in front of everyone.
So, the next day, Rose headed over to Feferi's, and as it turned out, Kanaya was already there. And there was a small box on the kitchen table, so Rose set her bag with Kanaya's gift inside next to it, shooting the girl a soft smile. Rose, Kanaya, and Feferi went about their business decorating, and when Feferi was distracted by something else, Kanaya handed Rose the box.
"I, uh, saw this in a store the other day and thought you might like it," Kanaya explained. Good Lord, Rose was so gay for her.
"Oh, you didn't need to get me anything," Rose said as she began to unwrap the box. Inside was an ornament, a sort of hollowed-out sphere with a glittery model of the Eiffel Tower in the middle. Rose was a bit startled by the genuine thought that went into buying such a thing. "This is lovely, Kanaya. Coincidentally, I have something for you as well. Forgive my hasty packaging. I was in a bit of a rush to finish it." The scarf itself was made well, in Rose's own opinion, but she was never good at wrapping presents. Kanaya opened it and smiled.
"Christmas colors?" she asked with a laugh.
"I suppose. I noticed you wear green and red a lot." Kanaya unfurled the scarf around her neck. It really did look good on her.
"This was very kind. And unnecessary. But thank you," Kanaya said.
"Oh, I could say the same to you."
And so they went back and forth, as they typically did, continuing even as more people showed up. Rose was glad to have established such a bond, and things were only interrupted eventually by Vriska causing a scene, after which they both retreated into the room Feferi had turned into a dance floor, where Jade had been spending most of the night. Rose and Kanaya sat off to the side, watching Jade dance, and then eventually, Nepeta joined her, but truthfully, Rose was not paying much attention to that, she was just absolutely enamored by Kanaya and enthralled in how long they'd been talking and joking and flirting. Eventually, Rose heard someone call out to Nepeta.
"Hey Nepeta! I'm going home!" Rose looked up just in time to see Karkat going out the front door. And then a moment later, Dave passed through the room.
"Hey Harley, I'll be back in a little bit. Don't leave without me."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Jade answered, just as Dave was also out the front door. Well, something was certainly going on with Dave and Karkat. Rose didn't think much of it until Dave came back inside about an hour later, looking considerably forlorn. Rose furrowed a brow, shooting Kanaya an apologetic look before following Dave back into the other room.
"Dave, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Hmm? Nothin'. I just think… Karkat got the wrong idea about me and Terezi."
"Huh?"
"Look, I really can't talk about it right now. Got some shit to deal with," Dave said, and then hurried away, looking around the house as he went. Rose frowned after him. Avoidance was a poor solution.