Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

DIRK STRIDER, APRIL 21-23, HOUSTON, TX.

Eliminations ends with none of you getting into Einstein, so you help your team pack up your shit and drive it back to your high school. You and Roxy actually end up on the same alliance, though Jane and Jake’s teams both just missed being picked for alliance selections.

After you guys lost, Roxy hugged you tight, and said she was glad to be your alliance partner. You felt vomity. It was.. pretty ok.

You guys got pizza together, and were appalled to find out that Jake and June both like fucking pineapple on their pizza. You all order individual slices, because there’s no way in hell you’re letting anything but cheese touch your pizza’s virgin ass. Dave gets pepperoni, and Jade’s is slathered in meat.

Jane does, in fact, come over and teach you a few things about cooking. You know how to make eggs, and bacon, and you actually know the difference between different utensils and cooking styles now. Dave tells you that the eggs you made are fan-fucking-tastic. You think they’re mediocre.

You end up messaging your new friends a lot, and you think you’re actually starting to sleep in later than 5 AM, just because there’s been days you’ve ended up staying awake until 4 just chatting away.

You’re surprised to find that Equius is on the server, and even more surprised when Jane adds someone who goes by Cal. You barely hold back a grin when Cal introduces themselves as a system and Sollux adds the PluralKit bot.

Hal and Rain set up their proxies, and you find a weird new solidarity with Caliborn. He’d mostly just annoyed you before. You find out that his headmate, Callie, is also pretty sweet.

DAVE STRIDER, APRIL 22-25, HOUSTON, TX.

You and your friends do end up exploring Houston. You first hit all the classic tourist spots, which mostly make Jade happy, since it’s all zoos and museums.

They tug you into the planetarium at the Natural Science museum. You’re so, so smitten for them.

“Pretty sweet date spot,” you say, before you can stop yourself, and Rose gives you a Look.

You put on a bit of a tour guide schtick as you show your friends around Houston. You tell them all about the different historical sites, stuff you researched at night while they were all asleep so you would actually have something to talk about, even if you just dunk on them instead. You even attempt a British accent and fake audio glitches when Dirk drives you all places to mimic those bus tours they’ve got in touristy cities.

As you guys get more into your home turf, though, you start telling them about some of your favourite restaurants and the game store down the block where Dirk first bought Mad Snacks Yo, and the mall, and you even show them your school. After hours, though, because they don’t need to see you just getting excluded by basically everyone.

And you stumble, a few times, pointing out possible date spots, which June teases you relentlessly about when Jade’s not around, and Rose makes sarcastic remarks right back at you. Jade points out some places that they like, and you note them down, in case they ever do visit again.

You really, really hope that they do.

ROXY LALONDE, APRIL 25, HOUSTON, TX.

You sit down on the floor next to Jane, glancing up at the bracket that he set up. You’re going against Jane first.

The only person you’re worried about beating is Rose, but you almost always win against her anyways.

You’re ready to absolutely kick ass at Mario Kart.

You feel a bit bad for Jane when you beat her, but to be fair, you figure there’s not a lot of people she would’ve won against. She did get fifth, after all.

June and Dave play against each other next, and nag each other the entire time, but June wins by a really narrow margin and sticks out his tongue at Dave, who playfully shoves him.

Rose and Jade go up against each other, and Rose wins, which you expected. Jake looks fucking flabbergasted, and he’s even more so when he loses to Dirk.

So you go against June, and you beat him easy, and Rose wins against Dirk too.

You win, of course. Inkling girl cheers on screen, and Rose makes a face at you. You grin back at her, cat-like, and then you all move to playing Smash Bros. You and Dirk are tied in that one, but Jade’s close behind.

It’s really fun. Jane even brings some cupcakes she made at Dirk’s apartment, and they’re fucking godly.

You do have a question for Jake, though.

– tipsyGnostalgic [TG] started pestering golgothasTerror [GT] at 1:04 AM CDT–

TG: jaek u gotta help me with something
TG: what kind of computer does jane have
GT: I believe she has one of those macbooks!
GT: Why?
TG: nunya
TG: also tf r u doing up!!! its late!!!
GT: You messaged me first, miss lalonde! If anything you should be asleep!
TG: shhshs
TG: do u guys celebrate chrismtas
GT: Yes indeed!
TG: awesome thank uuuuuuu

– tipsyGnostalgic [TG] ceased pestering golgothasTerror [GT] at 1:11 AM CDT–

Now you just have to find out how to code a puzzle game.

ROSE LALONDE, APRIL 27, HOUSTON, TX.

You stand in the foyer of the Strider apartment with Jade and June whilst Dave’s off tidying up his room and trap-proofing the place. The foyer itself has a lot of material that can be used for analysis, and you’ve resolved to taking pictures of every room.

Dave gave you a nearly half-hour long briefing about coming into the apartment. Don’t go in Bro’s room, ignore and avoid cameras, step carefully to not trip up traps. You’re seriously concerned about him. You’re making it clear through passive aggressive remarks.

Dave comes back and gives you guys the thumbs up.

“Let’s just go straight to my room first. Then we can play some video games or go sit on the roof, up to y’all.”

You note down that he’s nervous, then follow him through the apartment.

“Gross, dude, do you actually like these puppets? They’re creepy and gross.” June flicks one, and Dave grabs his hand.

“Careful, dude. Don’t wanna invoke the wrath of the puppet gods.”

“Geez, whatever.”

June’s right, though, there’s an insane amount of puppets scattered around. You know that Dave doesn’t like them, though, and you really do see why.

He shuts the door to his room quickly, and for the first time since you entered, your sight is puppet-free.

Dave’s room is still kind of a mess. There’s dirty clothes shoved underneath the DIY cinderblock table near his bed, which is unmade, and wires cover the floor. A string hangs up above between the two walls, but there’s nothing on it. You assume Dave’s hiding his photography, as well as a myriad of other things. You immediately start taking it all in.

Jade plops themself down on Dave’s bed, whilst June pokes around a bunch and snarks at Dave about various different things in his room. Dave makes a face at him, half-complaining back.

“Your room’s really nice, Dave!” Jade says, and Dave stumbles out a response.

You’ll have to update your notebooks extensively after today.

JANE CROCKER, APRIL 29TH, SEATTLE, WA.

You get off the plane late at night, nearly 12. Most of the little shops along the way are closed, so you just go straight to the exit, where you’re ambushed by Callie.

“Oh Jane I’m so glad you’re back! How was your flight? How was Houston?”

“Cal!!”

They hug you tight, and you are suddenly very aware of just how much taller than you they are. You hug back, and stay like that for maybe 5 minutes before you pull away, gently.

“How’s everything been in my absence?”

“Good, good! Oh, darling, I’m so happy you’re back!”

“Houston was good, by the way! I made new friends, and while our team didn’t win I found the experience just grand.”

“So tell me about these friends of yours!” You both start walking after you’ve grabbed your luggage from the carousel, June and your father following. Callie’s dad is waiting by his car.

“Well, there’s this girl named Roxy–”

Callie’s face lights up in recognition.

“Her last name wouldn’t happen to be Lalonde, would it?”

JADE HARLEY, JUNE 14TH, DARWIN, NSW.

You put the finishing touch on June’s bracelet, tying it together, and call for your grandmother.

She comes into the garage and smiles at you.

“Are you sure you’re not too hot, Jade? I can get you a fan!”

“I’m ok, grandma! I was just calling for the envelopes? I’m gonna take Bec and Halley on their walk and walk these down to the post office!”

You show her the set of three. You made Dave a red string anklet, Rose a kandi cuff and June a smaller kandi with little yellow stars. It’s not that it’s any special occasion or anything, but after Houston you all have been mailing each other little things more and more often.

“Oh! I’ll get those for you, dear. Do you want me or Jake to come with you?”

“I think I’ll be ok! What’s Jake doing, anyways?”

“He’s tending to his little pumpkins again. Don’t tell him I said this, but I really do think he’s ought to just up and admit that he’s good at something for once, you know?”

You do know, and you nod at your grandmother. He chuckles good-naturedly, then walks back inside. You follow them, bracelets in hand, and call for your dogs.

Becquerel comes running towards you and you beam, laughing as he jumps up onto you and licks your face.

“Down, boy! Where’s Halley? Hm?”

Bec goes down and leads you over to the doggy bed. Sometimes you DO think that this dog is weirdly smart. Halley lays sleeping, and you sigh. He’s getting old.

Your grandma comes with the envelopes and you package your gifts, adding in everything you’ve accumulated over the past month to send because shipping is expensive overseas. You put in your notes to them, too, then slap the labels on.

Bec waits for you at the door and you decide to let Halley rest, so you get yourself and Bec ready to go, before opening the door.

“Back in 30 minutes!” You call, then you’re on your way.

JUNE EGBERT, AUGUST 2ND, MAPLE VALLEY, WASHINGTON.

“Jane?”

You stand in the doorway of Jane’s room. She’s on her computer, but looks up when you speak. You go in and sit on her bed.

“So… How much time do you do robotics for?”

“Oh!” He looks surprised. “Well, I’m on drive team, or, I suppose was, so it’s a very heavy commitment for me. And I do leadership too. But most people just go after school on some days and do weekends during build season! Why?”

“I was sorta thinking about joining again. I still want to do theater, though, so what days is it on?”

“Mondays and Wednesdays from three to five. Build season’s that, plus weekends and Fridays.”

“And I’d be able to make it to tech week?”

“You should, yes!”

“Great. Ok! I might join. Maybe.”

– ectoBiologist [EB] started pestering carcinoGeneticist [CG] at 4:13 PM PST –

EB: guess who’s about to be a better programmer and stage tech than you.
EB: his name starts with j and ends with une, and he’s messaging you right now.
EB: robotics is only three days a week at most and i can still make hell week.
EB: so ill be buffing up my coding while you’re just doing stage tech!
CG: JUNE. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A FAMILY DINNER. WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT.
EB: hi karkat!
EB: nothing. just telling you about how awesome i am!
CG: IS THIS BECAUSE I TOLD YOU I GET TO BE STAGE MANAGEMENT NEXT YEAR? JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, IT’S NOT A COMPETITION.
CG: I TOLD YOU, I’M NOT INTERESTED PITCH WAYS.
EB: could you be interested in any other ways? interesting phrasing there, mr. vantas.
CG: OH, FUCK YOU.

– carcinoGeneticist [CG] blocked ectoBiologist [EB]. –

EB: geez!

JAKE HARLEY, NOVEMBER 11TH, DARWIN, NSW.

Instead of going to his homecoming, Dirk is calling you. This is because he does not have a date, and because he’s not really a dance person anyways, in his words.

He’s joked about you being his at-home, mail-order hoco date, and you’ve told him that you would certainly try your best.

Despite your previous failures, you’re actually getting along quite well with all your new friends. It turned out Aradia and Tavros were also in your little sibling’s server, and you don’t talk much in it, but it’s fun to see people talk!

Roxy’s been messaging you a lot about her progress on Jane’s secret game, and Dirk and you have both probably messed up your sleep schedules a whole bunch just by staying up to chat with each other. That being said, his homecoming is at 10:30 am.

You thank your lucky stars that you had the day off today.

He’s telling you about this movie called Brokeback Mountain, and you’re only half listening, because at some point you decided to lock eyes with his shades that are just reflecting the orange sunset outside his room. He looks like a photograph.

He trails off, seemingly noticing that you’re zoned out, and you apologise quickly. He gives you the tiniest bit of a smile, the kind of thing you’ve learned to pick up on, and you beam back.