Chapter 7

You scramble through your house to find some semblance of anyone's presence, yet you find absolutely nobody. Things have been moved around, the food and drink you remember seeing on display in your kitchen is long gone, and your doors are all shut. Or, they were shut. You opened them to check in the rooms for signs of life, though your search upstairs was as futile as your search downstairs.

Your companion could not seem to care any less. She did not follow you out of the kitchen, instead choosing to remain there and satiate her hunger. You don't blame her. You're not sure how long it's been since she's last eaten.

Returning to the kitchen, you find her digging into the troll snacks Kanaya had left in your fridge. You ignore her, however, as your gaze drifts towards the countertop that once held a modest display of snacks. It now seems to be the home of a note. You wonder if Terezi tried to read it, but when you grasp the paper, it is completely dry. You silently thank her for not being curious enough to snoop.

-- Rose Lalonde [ROSE] left a note for John Egbert [JOHN] --

ROSE: Hello, John.

ROSE: Apologies for referring to you by your first name, I know you've been having difficulty with it.

ROSE: But I am currently somewhat distraught, and can't think of a better way to begin this.

ROSE: I considered simply using your last name, but this felt far too informal nor did I feel it portrayed the extent of my distress.

ROSE: Though, I'm sure the very fact I am leaving you a note in your home, which you very obviously do not currently occupy, should be a sign of just how distressed I am.

ROSE: It's been three days since you disappeared, and we're all worried about you.

ROSE: I'm not sure where you are, but I hope wherever you are, you're at least safe.

ROSE: Should you decide not to come back, I think I'd understand. The others may not, we'll all most likely be upset and mourn your departure, but I think I would understand.

ROSE: I do, however, hope you come back soon.

ROSE: I miss you. We all do.

ROSE: Please come home, John.

-- Rose Lalonde [ROSE] finished a note for John Egbert [JOHN] --

Fuck.

Three days? How did three whole days pass?

TEREZI: WH4TS TH3 NOT3 S4Y?

EGBERT: it says we were gone for three fucking days!

TEREZI: OH SH1T

TEREZI: 1 M34N 1 TOLD YOU 3GB3RT

TEREZI: T1M3 OUT 1N TH3 FURTH3ST R1NG 1S K1ND4 FUCK3D UP >:[

EGBERT: fuck i can't 8elieve i was gone for so long they're pro8a8ly so worried.

TEREZI: Y34H PROB4BLY

TEREZI: WHY 1S K4N4Y4S SH1TTY GRUB S4UC3 1N H3R3?

EGBERT: i don't know i guess she left it after the party!

TEREZI: GROSS

TEREZI: 1M GONN4 H4V3 TO G3T US SOM3 B3TT3R STUFF

EGBERT: wait what?

EGBERT: what do you mean "us"?

TEREZI: 1 M34N 1M ST4Y1NG W1TH YOU, DUMP4SS

EGBERT: wait what do you mean i never said you could st8y here?

TEREZI: WH4T DO YOU TH1NK 1 M34N, 3GB3RT

TEREZI: FOR ON3, 1 DONT 3X4CTLY H4V3 4 PL4C3 TO GO

TEREZI: UNL3SS 1 GO ST4Y W1TH D4V3 4ND K4RK4T, WH1CH

TEREZI: 4S T3MPT1NG 4S 1T WOULD B3 JUST TO FUCK W1TH K4RK4T

TEREZI: 1D R4TH3R NOT

TEREZI: B3S1D3S

TEREZI: 1V3 GOT 4 TROLL C43G4R TH4T S4YS YOU WOULD H4V3 4SK3D M3 4NYW4YS

TEREZI: B3C4US3 1 KNOW YOUR3 G4Y 4S SH1T >:]

You blush hard.

EGBERT: ok fine i might have.

EGBERT: 8ut you don't actually know that!!!!!!!!

TEREZI: DO YOU R34LLY W4NT TO CH4LL3NG3 M3 ON TH4T?

EGBERT: no........

TEREZI: 1 THOUGHT SO

TEREZI: 1F YOU 4CTU4LLY DONT W4NT M3 TO ST4Y THOUGH

TEREZI: 1 C4N PROB4BLY STOM4CH ST4Y1NG W1TH THOS3 BOYS FOR 4 B1T

EGBERT: no, seriously, it's alright.

EGBERT: i'm just messing with you, i kind of was actually planning to offer you a place to stay if you needed one.

TEREZI: S33?

TEREZI: G4Y 4S SH1T, 3GB3RT

EGBERT: god fucking dammit.

EGBERT: ok quit 8ugging me i need to message rose and let her know we're alright!

You decide to leave the kitchen before the teal temptress steals any more of your time. You check your MOBILE DEVICE so you can open your favorite INSTANT MESSAGING CLIENT, but glancing at the date it gives you, you are filled with ANXIETY.

EGBERT: hey uhhhhhhhh, terezi?

No answer.

EGBERT: tereziiiiiiii?!

Still no answer. You decide to check on her and return to the kitchen, only to find her face buried deep into your cabinets.

TEREZI: J3GUS WHY C4NT 1 F1ND 4NYTH1NG?

TEREZI: DO YOU NOT K33P 4NY FOOD 4ROUND?

TEREZI: W41T, H4V3 1 B33N H3R3 B3FOR3?

EGBERT: terezi it's been two fucking weeks!

TEREZI: WH4T?

EGBERT: i've 8een gone for two goddamn weeks terezi!!

EGBERT: fuck every8ody's pro8a8ly

EGBERT: they pro8a8ly all think i'm dead!

TEREZI: R3L4X N3RD

TEREZI: L3TS JUST GO S1T 1N YOUR R3SP1T3BLOCK FOR 4 B1T

EGBERT: my what?

TEREZI: TH3 ROOM WH3R3 YOU SL33P, DUMP4SS

TEREZI: L3TS GO TH3R3 4ND JUST R3L4X FOR 4 S3COND

TEREZI: OK?

EGBERT: 8ut i need to tell everyone i'm not fucking dead or something!

EGBERT: 8ut i really don't want to have to deal with all of them right now 8ut i don't want anyone to worry 8ut if i message someone then they'll pro8a8ly all come running over here or so-

Terezi grabs your shoulders and gives you a little shake.

TEREZI: H3Y

TEREZI: R3L4X

TEREZI: BR34TH3

TEREZI: YOU S41D 1TS B33N TWO W33KS R1GHT?

EGBERT: yeah...

TEREZI: TH3Y H4V3 B33N WORRY1NG FOR TWO WHOL3 W33KS

TEREZI: TH4TS 4 WH1L3

TEREZI: YOU KNOW WH4TS NOT N34RLY 4S LONG?

EGBERT: what?

TEREZI: 4 F3W HOURS

TEREZI: SO WHY DONT W3

TEREZI: JUST GO H4NG OUT

TEREZI: 4ND FORG3T 4BOUT TH3M FOR JUST 4 B1T

TEREZI: TH3Y DONT 3V3N KNOW YOUR3 B4CK Y3T, R1GHT?

EGBERT: i don't think so...

EGBERT: i still haven't had a chance to tell anyone yet, so i don't know how they could...

TEREZI: OK

TEREZI: TH3N R3L4X

EGBERT: yeah 8ut what if-

TEREZI: BUT NOTH1NG, DORK

TEREZI: YOU 3V3N S41D YOU DONT W4NT TO T4LK TO TH3M Y3T

TEREZI: R1GHT?

EGBERT: yeah...

TEREZI: 4ND QU1T L34V1NG 4LL THOS3 F1N1SH CRUMBS 3V3RYWH3R3

TEREZI: L3TS H4NG OUT H3R3 TOG3TH3R 4ND NOT WORRY 4BOUT TH3M

TEREZI: 4ND TH3N WH3N YOU F33L B3TT3R

TEREZI: YOU C4N L3T SOM3ON3 KNOW YOUR3 4L1V3

TEREZI: TH4T SOUND 4LR1GHT?

You nod, and she pulls you over toward your couch.

TEREZI: B3S1D3S

TEREZI: 1 DONT KNOW 4BOUT YOU

TEREZI: BUT TH3R3S GOT TO B3 SOM3TH1NG 1 C4N C4LL YOU OTH3R TH4N 3GB3RT

TEREZI: 4ND 1 R34LLY DONT TH1NK YOU W4NT M3 TO US3 YOUR OTH3R N4M3

Oh. That's right. Your name. You should probably pick one out, shouldn't you? You hadn't thought this far ahead. Really, you hadn't thought ahead at all, to be fair.

EGBERT: uhhhhhhhh

EGBERT: fuck may8e uhhhhhhhh

TEREZI: HOW 4BOUT S3RK3T 2?

EGBERT: pfffffffft hahaha!

EGBERT: come on i'm not THAT much like her.

You stop for a moment.

EGBERT: ... am i?

TEREZI: 3HHHHH

TEREZI: L1TTL3 B1T?

EGBERT: oh fuck you lol.

EGBERT: ok how about ummm,

EGBERT: emily?

EGBERT: no that sounds weird with my last name. emily eg8ert.

TEREZI: 1T SOUNDS DUMB

You both pass back a few ideas. You think most of yours are good, but hers mostly sound cooked up from some kind of name generator spitting out gibberish for "fantasy worlds". Names like Veelna, or Elmura, or even Fongik. Then it occurs to you those are probably troll names and she's probably offended by your continued insults towards her culture. You then reconsider this and wonder if perhaps she was trolling you, considering more than a few of her suggestions were jokes at your expense.

EGBERT: oh, w8, i think i've got one.

TEREZI: OH GR34T

EGBERT: shut up.

EGBERT: ok so.

EGBERT: way 8ack when we were first playing s8ur8, when vriska first messaged me

EGBERT: she did this thing.

EGBERT: you know how she draws vowels out a 8unch?

EGBERT: 8ecause of her whole "8" thing?

TEREZI: Y34H YOU M34N TH4T TH1NG YOU STOL3?

EGBERT: shut up!

EGBERT: she did that like

EGBERT: 8 times the first time she messaged me.

EGBERT: with the o in my old name.

EGBERT: like she carefully counted out 8 rows of 8.

EGBERT: i laughed at it and pronounced it in my head like a really long "june", 8ecause it was so many o's.

EGBERT: i think i wanna go with that.

She thinks about it for a moment.

TEREZI: R34LLY?

TEREZI: JUN3?

TEREZI: 1 M34N 1TS NOT TH4T 1M4G1N4T1V3

TEREZI: 1T K1ND4 SOUNDS L1K3 YOUR OLD N4M3

EGBERT: i mean, yeah, i guess.

EGBERT: 8ut it also kind of means something personal to me?

EGBERT: plus it is like a reminder of some8ody that i kind of miss.

TEREZI: 4LR1GHT

TEREZI: SO HOW DO3S 1T F33L TH3N, JUN3?

Holy shit.

JUNE: it feels incredi8le...

JUNE: holy fuck.

JUNE: it's.

JUNE: it's my name.

JUNE: can you um, can you say it again?

TEREZI: OK

TEREZI: JUN3

JUNE: fuck...

You feel so wonderful, you could cry. That is, if you weren't already crying. You're not even sure how you managed to produce so many tears today. Or, rather, over the last two weeks. That's going to take some getting used to. You've lost whole days before to memory fog but never two whole weeks, and unlike the memory fog you haven't merely forgotten: you genuinely did not experience two entire weeks of Earth C time. This is why you are the HEIR of BREATH, and not the KNIGHT of TIME, because unlike Dave you don't think you understand the nonlinearity of time very well.

TEREZI: 4LR1GHT

TEREZI: NOT TO B3 TH4T B1TCH

TEREZI: BUT 1 N33D SOM3TH1NG TO 34T

TEREZI: PR3F3R4BLY SOM3TH1NG SUBST4NT14L 1NST34D OF TH4T POWD3R STUFF YOU K33P 1N YOUR M34LBLOCK

JUNE: terezi did you...

JUNE: did you eat my sugar?

JUNE: did you eat like just plain sugar?

TEREZI: 1S TH4T TH3 SW33T STUFF?

JUNE: yes!!!!!!!!

TEREZI: TH3N Y3S

TEREZI: 1S TH4T B4D?

JUNE: i mean.

JUNE: it's not meant for eating str8 like that?

TEREZI: OH

JUNE: you'll 8e fine i'm sure.

JUNE: look let's just order pizza.

TEREZI: P1ZZ4?

Terezi hasn't heard of pizza? Is that not something trolls have? There are troll celebrities named exactly the same as your human celebrities but trolls don't have pizza? The cultural differences between you two are vast, and you're not sure you'll ever fully understand them.

JUNE: it's like a 8ig disc of 8read, covered in this red sauce and-

TEREZI: 1M SOLD

JUNE: what?

JUNE: you didn't even let me finish!

TEREZI: 1M SOLD JUN3

TEREZI: 1 W4NT TH3 R3D FL4VOR D1SC

TEREZI: L3TS G3T MOV1NG DORK, 1 4M L1T3R4LLY ST4RV1NG TO D34TH H3R3

JUNE: ok fine!!!!!!!!

JUNE: 8ut it's also got cheese and these little red meat circles we call pe-

TEREZI: HOLY SH1T TH3R3 4R3 MOR3 R3D D1SCS ON TH3 R3D FL4VOR D1SC?

TEREZI: JUN3

TEREZI: 1 W4NT TH1S R3D FL4VOR D1SC

JUNE: alright jeez!!

JUNE: i'll go put in the order!!

TEREZI: 4ND G3T 3XTR4 GRUB S4UC3, 3GDORK

TEREZI: BUT NON3 OF TH4T GR33N SH1T K4N4Y4 L1K3S

---------------------------------------------------------

Before today, you would never have expected you would be combining pizza with a condiment you are told is named something like "grub sauce". If someone had told you that you would not only do this, but actually enjoy it, you would have thought they were trolling you. Especially if a troll had told you that.

Today though, you have finally ascended to womanhood, and learned the joy that is pizza with grub sauce. Maybe these vast cultural differences can be bridged. Once the two of you clean up your meal, you decide to sit together on your couch and shit talk each other. You are clearly losing.

JUNE: ok 8ut i'm not the one who disappeared without 8ringing any kind of food with me.

TEREZI: DO YOU R34LLY W4NT TO GO TH3R3, 3GB3RT?

JUNE: what do you mean?

TEREZI: YOU L1T3R4LLY D1S4PP34R3D FROM YOUR P4RTY

TEREZI: 4ND YOU D1DNT 3V3N BR1NG M3 4NY SN4CKS >:[

JUNE: ok that's

JUNE: that's fair.

JUNE: 8ut i didn't even KNOW i was going to disappear like that!

TEREZI: DO3SNT M4TT3R

JUNE: yes it does!

JUNE: you KNEW you were going to 8e gone for a long time!

JUNE: i didn't even know i was going to 8e gone at all!

TEREZI: MMMMM 1 DONT KNOW

TEREZI: 1 TH1NK YOU JUST W4NT3D TO B3 4 B1TCH

TEREZI: 4ND T34S3 M3

TEREZI: TH3 POOR BL1ND HUNGRY G1RL FLO4T1NG OUT 1N TH3 UNKNOWN

TEREZI: LOOK1NG FOR H3R D34R FR13ND >:[

JUNE: oh you KNOW that's 8ullshit come on!

TEREZI: YOU WOUND M3 W1TH YOUR WORDS, JUN3

TEREZI: YOUR P41NFULLY BLU3 T4ST1NG WORDS

TEREZI: YOUR CUT3 1NNOC3NC3 CL34RLY H1D3S YOUR 1NN3R S3RK3T

You can't help but blush.

JUNE: y-you think i'm cute?

She bursts out laughing. Fuck did you say something wrong?

TEREZI: TH4T'S WH4T YOU TOOK FROM TH4T?

TEREZI: 1 C4N C4LL YOU TH3 3QU1V4L3NT OF 4 HUG3 B1TCH

TEREZI: 4ND YOU ST1LL G3T 4LL CUT3 4ND BLUSHY?

TEREZI: YOU 4R3 SUCH 4 DORK

JUNE: h-hey!!

JUNE: you don't have to p-put it like that!!

You frown a bit, feeling a little upset that you got so anxious over her teasing. She only laughs more at your expression.

TEREZI: YOU KNOW, 1F 1 D1DN'T KNOW 4NY B3TT3R

TEREZI: 1 WOULD S4Y YOU H4D R3D F33L1NGS FOR M3 >:]

Wait what?!

JUNE: n-no i don't!!

JUNE: fuck you!!!!!!!!

TEREZI: 1S TH4T 4 R3QU3ST?

Oh for fuck's sake.

JUNE: i don't have a f8cking crush on you, terezi!

TEREZI: JUN3 1 TOLD YOU

TEREZI: 1M BL1ND

TEREZI: NOT STUP1D

JUNE: and what the f8ck is th8t supposed to me8n!!

She chuckles, her impish grin growing even wider, her menacing yet oddly adorable teeth showing. Your anxiety begins to spike again, but it doesn't feel particularly bad. You're not...

TEREZI: 3NJOY1NG TH1S?

JUNE: n-no!! what does that even m-mean!!

TEREZI: 1T M34NS

She slides closer to you on the couch. She's right up against you. Your heart keeps pounding.

TEREZI: OUT OF 4NYWH3R3 4T 4NY T1M3 1N 4NY POSS1BL3 UN1V3RS3

TEREZI: L1T3R4LLY 1NF1N1T3 POSS1B1L1T13S

TEREZI: YOU Z4PP3D R1GHT TO WH3R3 1 W4S

TEREZI: WH3N YOU CONC31V4BLY COULD NOT H4V3 4NY 1D34 WH3R3 TH4T W4S

She pauses. Your heart is practically on fire.

TEREZI: 4ND Y3T YOU 4R3 SUCH 4 DORK YOU ST1LL C4NT 4DM1T YOU H4V3 R3D F33L1NGS FOR M3

God fucking dammit. You stammer and attempt to summon an answer, but before you can utter any coherent semblance of words, you are saved by the timely buzz coming from your pants.

JUNE: h-hold on i sh-should uhh, may8e check that.

She laughs and retreats to the end of the couch she previously occupied, seemingly satisfied with herself. You check your phone and realize Rose is attempting to reach you.

-- tentacleTherapist [TT] began pestering ectoBiologist [EB] --

TT: I'm not sure why I'm attempting to reach you again.

TT: I think I haven't quite accepted your disappearance yet.

TT: The others are growing complacent, and have all but given up hope for your return.

TT: And yet...

TT: Some part of me is convinced you're still there.

EB: rose holy shit i'm so sorry fuck.

TT: John?

TT: Is that actually you?

You nearly forgot that nobody apart from you and Terezi have any idea that your name has changed. You wish you could say something, but you're not sure this is the appropriate outlet. She also appears to have forgotten your previously stated desire to not be referred to by that name, but considering she's gone two weeks without a word from you, you try not to let it bother you too much.

EB: yeah it's me fuck i'm sorry.

EB: i thought i was only gone for a few hours, it wasn't until i got 8ack i realized how long it had 8een.

TT: Back?

TT: From, where exactly?

EB: the furthest ring.

TT: Ahh.

TT: As one does.

TT: I hope you'll forgive me for asking, as it's probably plainly obvious to anyone who would receive an answer like that, but:

TT: Why in the literal, actual fuck were you out in the Furthest Ring?

EB: oh yeah, it's uhhhhhhhh, kind of a long story?

EB: 8ut i kind of, uhh, may or may not have run into terezi?

TT: Terezi Pyrope.

TT: Really?

EB: yeah.

EB: she's actually sitting next to me on my couch right now!

EB: she says hi!

TT: Terezi Pyrope is sitting on your couch after the two of you spent two weeks in the Furthest Ring.

TT: In that case would you mind letting me know when exactly you got back?

Oh boy. This is the part you were worried about.

EB: we actually got 8ack just a little 8it ago, 8ut i didn't want to tell anyone yet.

EB: it's 8een a long day for me and i kind of don't have the energy to talk to everyone.

EB: i wanted to let you know 8ut i was worried you would tell everyone else and i'd have to deal with every8ody coming over and asking a 8illion questions and

EB: not to mention jade.

EB: fuck.

EB: i'm sorry.

TT: It's alright.

TT: I won't tell anyone else yet.

EB: thanks.

EB: actually, if you wouldn't mind coming over, i do want to actually tell you what happened.

EB: and it's ok if kanaya knows, i figure anything i tell you, you tell her anyways.

EB: is that ok or is it too l8 tonight?

She doesn't respond. Did you say something wrong? Fuck. You feel your chest constrict yet again. You're getting really tired of having constant anxiety today.

TT: No, it's not too late.

TT: Admittedly, I am a bit worried about your explanations for everything so far, seeing as you seem unusually calm about this...

TT: So I would like to see you in person in part to confirm it is actually you, and not someone pretending to be you.

TT: I hope you can understand my suspicions.

TT: Disappearing for two weeks, only to return offering shockingly relaxed mentions of not only returning from time spent in the Furthest Ring, but the return of someone who has been gone for three years

TT: In addition to the shocking increase of occurrences of the number eight in your typing

TT: Is not a particularly reassuring thing to see in my messages with my oldest friend.

EB: yeah, i get that.

EB: i'm really sorry.

EB: it honestly only felt like a few hours!

EB: i'll tell you more when you and kanaya get here.

TT: Thank you.

TT: We'll be around shortly.

TT: And John?

EB: yeah?

TT: Please be telling the truth.

-- tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased pestering ectoBiologist [EB] --

Fuck. She doesn't think you're really John.

But, you aren't, are you? John isn't real anymore. He likely never was real. It's always been you, all along. You only had to figure it out and acknowledge it.

JUNE: it was rose.

TEREZI: WH4T D1D SH3 S4Y

JUNE: she says she isn't sure she 8elieves it's me

JUNE: 8ut that her and kanaya are coming over.

JUNE: and they promised not to tell anyone yet, so that's good.

Her demeanor returns to the seriousness of before, which worries you.

JUNE: i'm kind of scared, terezi.

TEREZI: OF WH4T?

JUNE: their reaction.

JUNE: rose is my oldest friend, and kanaya's her wife, and i'm scared they're going to h8 me or think i'm some8ody else.

TEREZI: JUN3

TEREZI: 1 R34LLY DOUBT TH4T

JUNE: and what makes you think that?

TEREZI: B3C4US3 4NYON3 COULD T4K3 4 LOOK 4T YOU 4ND R34L1Z3

TEREZI: 1T 1S 1MPOSS1BL3 TO F4K3 B31NG SUCH 4 DORK

JUNE: oh for fuck's s8ke terezi knock it off!!!!!!!!

TEREZI: YOU KNOW 1 4M R1GHT

JUNE: ... i guess 8ut that's 8eside the point.

She slides closer to you again, but this time seemingly to comfort you rather than to tease you.

TEREZI: 1TLL B3 OK

TEREZI: YOU S41D 1T YOURS3LF

TEREZI: SH3 1S YOUR OLD3ST FR13ND

TEREZI: 4ND YOU HUM4NS 4R3 4LL L1TTL3 W1GGL3RS 4NYW4Y

TEREZI: DO YOU R34LLY TH1NK SH3 WOULDNT R3COGN1Z3 YOU?

That's a good point.

TEREZI: 1 KNOW 1TS 4 GOOD PO1NT

Ok how the fuck?

TEREZI: LOOK, JUST R3L4X

TEREZI: L3TS G3T B4CK TO H4V1NG FUN

TEREZI: 4ND WH3N TH3Y SHOW UP, YOULL B3 1N 4 B3TT3R MOOD

JUNE: i guess that sounds alright.

TEREZI: S33?

TEREZI: WH3N 4M 1 WRONG 4BOUT 4NYTH1NG?

TEREZI: L1T3R4LLY N3V3R

JUNE: more like all the time :P

TEREZI: N4M3 ON3 TH1NG 1 4M WRONG 4BOUT, DORK

JUNE: everything!!

JUNE: i mean, a lot of things?

JUNE: ok fine you're right a8out a lot of things, fuck you!

TEREZI: 1TS H4RD B31NG R1GHT 4BOUT 3V3RYTH1NG 4LL TH3 T1M3, JUN3

TEREZI: 1TS H4RD, 4ND NOBODY UND3RST4NDS

Before you have a moment to respond, you hear a knock on your door. That was faster than you expected. You're not sure you're ready for this. Terezi pats your shoulder and encourages you to answer the door, while continuing to tease you on your way there.

You open the door and you see her.

JUNE: hey rose, hey kanaya...

She looks at you, almost as if she's studying you. You feel your chest begin to hurt again. You tense up as if to defend yourself in case she attempts anything. Then, when you least expect it, she lunges towards you and pulls you into a hug.

JUNE: doof

ROSE: I can't believe it.

ROSE: It's really you.

ROSE: John Egbert I have been worried sick about you for days.

ROSE: You are my dearest friend and I love you but you have a lot to explain.

You think you feel tears on your jacket, and that combined with her words causes your emotions begin to overwhelm you. Somehow, despite how dry your tear ducts should have gotten by now, you manage to join her. The two of you cry into each other's shoulders, before you finally break away and invite them inside. Terezi gets up and sits on the armrest of your couch, presumably to give the three of you room.

TEREZI: H3Y M4RY4M

KANAYA: Greetings Pyrope

TEREZI: LONG T1M3 NO T4ST3 >:]

KANAYA: Are You Sure This Is An Appropriate Greeting After Disappearing For Sweeps

ROSE: Ladies, is this necessary?

JUNE: i don't know it's kind of amusing :P

TEREZI: YOUR3 ON3 TO T4LK, DORK

You and Rose sit towards the middle, with you close to Terezi who casually places a hand on your shoulder. Kanaya meanwhile sits at the other end next to Rose, who grasps her hand.

ROSE: So, J- friend.

ROSE: Sorry again for continuing to use your name, I know you mentioned it bothers you.

JUNE: actually that's kind of one of the things i want to talk a8out.

ROSE: Oh?

KANAYA: It Might First Be Prudent To Explain What The Hell Happened Wouldnt It

JUNE: oh yeah.

JUNE: i mean there's not much to tell.

ROSE: You went to the Furthest Ring for two weeks, and there's not much to tell?

JUNE: yeah! honestly!

JUNE: one minute i was arguing with jade and losing my mind

JUNE: and the next minute i was out there.

JUNE: i didn't have any memory of how it happened, i just remem8er 8eing in this 8ig void all of a sudden, 8efore i noticed the green sun way off in the distance.

JUNE: i tried to remem8er how i got there when out of nowhere terezi yells at me, which freaked me out.

JUNE: we kind of talked for a while

TEREZI: 1 Y3LL3D 4T YOU 4 B1T 4BOUT SOUND1NG L1K3 VR1SK4

JUNE: yeah that happened.

KANAYA: Why Do You Sound Like Her If I May Ask

ROSE: Yes, that was part of what was worrying about your response earlier.

ROSE: Though in hindsight, I think I remember noticing you doing it prior to your disappearance.

You shift around in your seat a bit, trying to find the answer.

JUNE: honestly? i don't know.

JUNE: i didn't even notice at first, not until she called me out.

JUNE: 8ut 8y then it was everywhere and i kind of just couldn't stop.

JUNE: it just kind of feels natural i guess?

JUNE: i don't know.

KANAYA: Serket Does Have A Habit Of Affecting Those Whose Lives She Has Impacted

KANAYA: I Wouldnt Let It Occupy Too Much Space In Your Think Pan

ROSE: I'm not sure, I think it's an interesting change that I'd like to pester and interrogate you about in due time.

ROSE: But I suppose it's not particularly of the essence tonight.

TEREZI: DONT WORRY L4LOND3

TEREZI: 1 W1LL H3LP OUT W1TH TH4T >:]

You can't help but blush, which embarrasses you in front of your friends, which causes you to blush even harder. A bitter cycle to be trapped in, for sure. Thankfully, Rose rescues you from this cycle, hopefully not sensing the cause behind your flushed face. Though, knowing Rose, she likely does.

ROSE: I appreciate the offer, but I'd like to hear more of this story.

JUNE: thanks rose.

JUNE: we talked a 8unch a8out things, and then she decided to come home with me, so i zapped us 8ack to my house, only to find out it had 8een two weeks and everyone thought i was dead.

TEREZI: YOU W4NT TO T3LL TH3M WH4T W3 T4LK3D 4BOUT?

TEREZI: OR DO YOU W4NT M3 TO DO 1T?

JUNE: no, i'll do it.

You take a breath and begin to summon the courage to tell them what you discovered about yourself, only for Kanaya of all people to interrupt with a chilling remark.

KANAYA: You Dont Happen To Be Matesprits Now Do You

KANAYA: If Thats All It Is Then Im Not Sure Why All Of The Fuss

JUNE: no!!!!!!!!

JUNE: it's not th8t!!!!!!!!

KANAYA: Oh

KANAYA: My Apologies

KANAYA: I Had Assumed Your Relationship Was More Flushed

KANAYA: But If Pyrope Is Your Kismesis Thats Quite Alright Too

Terezi cannot stop laughing, and you cannot stop blushing. Your head falls into your hands as a frustrated sigh escapes your lips. You think you hear Rose chuckling, but you're not sure you want to look up.

JUNE: no.

JUNE: that's not it either.

JUNE: it's not a8out our rel8tionship.

JUNE: it's a8out me.

JUNE: rose, you remem8er the convers8tion we had the other night?

ROSE: I do, yes.

ROSE: Regarding your name, among other things.

TEREZI: WOW 3GB3RT

TEREZI: 4ND H3R3 1 THOUGHT 1 W4S TH3 ONLY ON3

TEREZI: DO YOU FL1RT W1TH 3V3RYBODY BY T4LK1NG 4BOUT YOUR G3ND3R?

JUNE: ughhhhhhhh, can it, pyrope!

That was unusually Vriska-like of you, June. You cover your mouth after the words come out, in fear of the response, but she just continues laughing. This girl is going to drive you insane, isn't she?