ANNOUNCEMENT: This will probably be the last update for 7-8~ish weeks while I'm studying abroad! I'll be back in late July. In the meantime, enjoy this massive cliffhanger.

It's also Memorial Day, so if you guys could just do me an absolutely massive favor and take a moment to pray or just observe a moment of silence in respect for those who are serving or have served, including my grandfather, who will probably pass away soon.

I do not own Homestuck.

Dirk shuffled on his feet. This could either go really well or be awkward as fuck. Eventually he gave in and knocked. He heard a small thump and some shuffling as Roxy approached her door. It was a little early for her to be up. She had probably been asleep on the sofa.

It was obvious she opened the door without checking first, because her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw Dirk. Without any warning she leapt up and hugged him. He hugged her back, not out of reflex, but out of a need to mend whatever damage he had done with his temper tantrum.

"Hey, Roxy. I'm so sorry."

Roxy pulled back and poked his cheek. He let her, of course, even if it was a little harder than necessary. "You don't apologize. I'm the one who's sorry. I should have told you right when Jake brought things up."

Dirk was already shaking his head before she finished. "You're Jake's friend, too. It would have been a betrayal of his trust."

"But I shouldn't've told Jane."

That comment he couldn't really argue against, but he just shrugged. Jane and Roxy were very close, so it was only natural that she knew too. The fact that Roxy didn't mention Calliope piqued his interest. How had the other girl known? Did Jake tell her too?

"Eh, come in. Do you wanna talk about it?" Dirk considered the offer as he followed Roxy to her sofa. No, he really didn't want to talk about it.

Roxy seemed to guess his answer, but he said it anyway. "I'm not really interested in talking about him right now. I just wanted to make sure that things between us were okay." As he said it, he had a flash of thought. She wouldn't misinterpret this as him trying to initiate something, would she?

His fears were disconfirmed as she smiled at him sadly. It was written all over her face; she knew she was never going to be the object of his affection.

"I'm sorry, Rox."

She shrugged in her usual flamboyant manner, trying to play off the seriousness of the situation. "Eh, I knew that when you started dating Jake. Callie said she was gonna introduce me to her handsome friends when I go to visit her anyway. Having a boyfriend already would be a bummer." She winked, and suddenly the mood truly was more lighthearted. They were both heartbroken, but they were taking the first steps in moving on.

"It's great that you're going to visit. You two have been trying to work that out for ages."

Roxy threw her arms up I the air. "I know! And it was so perfect too. I can take the flight straight from Skaia after we go see our siblings in two weeks. Or cousins for Jake and Jane." As soon as the words were out of her mouth her eyes widened and her jaw went slack.

Dirk felt his own lips part slightly as the realization hit him. "Not only do I have to spend five hours in a car with Jake there and back, but we will be hanging out the whole weekend," he deadpanned.

"Fuck," Roxy deadpanned in turn, taking up a more demure position on the sofa.

"I couldn't have said it better myself."

timaeusTestified began trolling at 2:17pm

CG: Hey.

CG: How's it going?

TT: I just realized I am taking a 4 day group trip, including a 5 hour car ride, along with my ex.

CG: Were you two living together?

TT: Well, no.

CG: Will you have to be alone with him?

TT: Again, no.

CG: Then I'm sure you won't want to kill yourself too badly.

TT: How comforting.

TT: Is that what happened with you and GC?

CG: No.

CG: I was just making the point that it could be worse. I've seen some of my friends have to deal with that shit while their ex was dating someone else. I have never been so happy about paying renter's insurance.

TT: Heh, now I actually do feel better.

CG: You're welcome, dipshit.

TT: Anyway, I probably won't be on again until after I get back. I have a lot of stuff to take care of in the next two weeks before the trip.

CG: Ugh, how will I go on without your douchebaggery?

CG: I literally cannot live without having you bury me in bullshit every god damn week. Sometimes two or three times a week. You have spoiled me with your frequent visits, and now I will have to suffer through withdrawal. I think it's already starting. Please excuse me while I hurl in the corner.

TT: You are so melodramatic. I hope that whatever school you go to has a great theatre program, because otherwise all that prima-donna flamboyantness is just going to waste.

CG: The theatre program here is a joke, and I would not waste my time with a bunch of prissy actors who need their water to be exactly 41.3 degrees or else they flip the fuck out.

TT: I am going to miss your particular brand of sunshine.

CG: Then it should please you to know I am working on a random insult generator just for you.

CG: You are welcome for that as well, ingrate.

TT: I look forward to it. I'd better get going, though.

CG: Tell me how it goes.

TT: I will.

timaeusTestified ceased trolling

Spending an entire Thursday morning stuck in a car with his ex-boyfriend was far from what Dirk would call ideal. Luckily, he was driving, which meant he could abstain from the conversation on the basis that he was preoccupied with the unfamiliar roads. Not that there was much conversation anyway. Roxy just kept fiddling with the radio while Jane pretended Jake didn't exist and Jake looked as oblivious as ever.

When the towers of Derse finally came into view, Dirk nearly let out an audible sigh of relief. "Hey, Roxy, get the map out. Which exit do I need to take?"

The next half hour was filled with Roxy trying to give directions and Jane eventually taking over because Roxy, sober or not, clearly couldn't handle the map. As Dirk made the final turn into the house driveway he had to admit he was impressed that Jake hadn't said something stupid to make the situation even more awkward than it had been. Perhaps the boy could occasionally read the mood after all.

The four friends filed out of Dirk's car and looked at the house. It was pretty nondescript, if a bit large. It looked like it had just been painted recently, but other than that it seemed pretty standard. There were a few moments of silence before Jane asked, "Are we in the right place?"

The moment she finished the front door flew open and John came bouncing out. "You're here!" Dirk was the first to be tackled into a hug, if only for the fact that he was closest. Jane, his cousin, was next, followed by Roxy and finally Jake.

While the rambunctious boy made his rounds, Dave walked out as well. "'Sup?" he asked, catching his bro in a one-armed hug.

Dirk had already told his brother about the breakup, so there was no need to repeat the information in front of Jake. "Not much. How about with the two of you?"

Before Dave could even take a breath John launched into a description of their latest activities. Dave didn't mind, but he led the group into the house while John rattled on. Dirk did his best to pay attention to the Egbert boy, but he was a little more interested when Dave took them to the kitchen and threw his arms around a girl standing at the sink. She turned around and gave Dirk a toothy grin. She was pretty, although the rose tinted glasses looked a little strange on her face. Although, the rest of her brightly colored clothes looked a little strange as well.

She just seemed like the type of girl who dressed how she wanted, everyone else be damned. Dirk admired that sort of confidence. "Bro, this is Terezi Pyrope. Terezi, this is Dirk," he introduced while John continued to monopolize the other three visitors.

"It's nice to finally meet you. Dave had told me so much about his cool older bro. May I sniff that absolutely delectable wine-colored hoodie you're wearing?"

So that was what Dave had been warning him about. "Sure. I don't see a reason why not."

Dave looked grateful that he was humoring the girl. She accidentally bumped her face into the older Strider when John suddenly shouted, "Oh, you have to meet our neighbors! There's Vriska and Aradia and Eridan and I guess Tavros too. And then Nepeta and Equius live on the other street…" John was already leading the other three away.

Dave sighed. "You would have met them later anyway, since they're coming to Skaia with us. I figured you should at least meet our roommates first."

"Yeah, but it's hard to rain on that kid's parade," Dirk replied, smirking a little.

"Tell me about it," Terezi added, joining in on the little joke.

Suddenly there was a string of cusses coming from the second floor staircase. A young man shuffled down the stairs. He was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up. His head was bowed as well, so as he made his way toward the kitchen Dirk couldn't get a good look at his face. All he could see was some black hair sticking out of the hood and a small ring piercing in his lower lip The guy glanced sideways briefly upon noticing a stranger in the kitchen but didn't make any comment. Dirk doubted the guy even saw him through all of that hair.

"What's got your panties in a twist this time, Vantas?" Dave asked.

"Be nice, we have a guest," Terezi scolded both the housemate and her boyfriend, though the effect was ruined by her toothy grin.

The guy, Vantas, opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of apple juice. "Your brother, right? As if we need another Strider running around." Normally, Dirk would have found the comment rather rude. It was still rude no matter how he looked at it, but somehow he didn't feel like the words were completely serious.

Vantas, still not facing the trio, started taking a drink when Dave replied. "You know, you really need to learn a better way to manage your anger. Anyway, this is Dirk."

The boy started choking on his drink, spitting out some of it and spilling a good portion of the bottle in the process. Everyone wondered if he was going to hack up a lung. After a few minutes of nothing but coughs and sputters, Terezi finally asked, "Karkat, are you alright?"

Well holy shit.

REMINDER: In case you weren't paying attention to the announcements in the last two chapters OR on my profile- Goin' abroad for school for a few weeks, will not be updating till late July. Have a nice summer guys. Kbye.