#callioperoxy

“Good mornin’ to you too, sunshine.” Roxy plucked up a slice of toast and offered it off the side of the table, smiling when it was snatched out of her hand and vanished out of sight. “Nice entrance. The judges are decidin’ their scores and- Well, looks like it’s nine for intent, four for execution, but a whole ten for sticking that landing.”

“If Mister Crocker didn’t wax these floors so often then maybe one could get a grip on them bare-footed.”

“If Mister Crocker didn’t wax these floors so often they’d still be covered in shavin’ cream and whatever else John and Jane were throwin’ around in here last.” 

A thoughtful munching responded, before Calliope seized the table, dragging herself up with the toast hanging between her fangs like an image from one of the Animes until she pulled it out and slammed it on the table.

“Roxy,” she repeated urgently, gesturing with her claw. “Look at me! Look at me. What’s different?”

Roxy blinked, peering at her critically with the spoon that had only just returned with another orange payload drooping between her lips. Cute floral dress, check. Claws still painted and glittery from their last girls night, check. Wig that today was pink and curly and tied back in a fancy bun, check.

She pursed her lips, looking harder. Cute eyes that were an ocean, check. Cute nervous wiggles of her hands that were also an ocean, double check.

And-

Roxy’s eyes widened.

“Your spiral cheek things.”

“My spiral cheek things!” Calliope beamed, clapping her hands over them before pointing with her fingers, tapping her talons to the soft layer of skin that covered her pronounced skull. “They filled! They filled! They finally, actually filled, love!”

Roxy made grabbing motions and Calliope dutifully shuffled over in small motions so the wax didn’t claim another victory, smiling broadly as Roxy poked one cheek and then cupped her face in her hands.

“So, I’mma just goin’ by memory here, but.” Roxy whistled. “That means that asshole is definitely, certifiably, one hundred percent and counting gone for good, right?”

“Yes!” Calliope wiggled, bouncing her clenched fists up and down in front of her chest. “Yes, yes, yes!”

“And you are absolutely, forever and always, just Callie now, no limits and no terms and conditions bullshit?”

“Just me!” Calliope laughed. “Just me, just me, no more being afraid of going to sleep!”

It had been tense, the first few nights, Calliope insisting someone sit with her and be ready, just in case. She slept peacefully enough, but Roxy had known the worries never faded, not as long as there was a gap that might’ve been filled, a ghost who might’ve come to haunt them- But the gap was gone, and Calliope was smiling. No more being afraid. Roxy’s lips curved into an eager grin of her own.

“Just you.” Just Callie, and the worries were gone, one final peace for the girl who deserved it most of all. “Just Calliope.”

They’d show the others, and there’d be laughing and smiles and the sag of shoulders that had no more reason to stay tense, one last nail in the coffin of a past life and the future ahead looking bright and lime green. Until then, though, Roxy scooped Callie up and placed her in her lap, squeezing her close.

“You’re free,” she murmured, and everything was wonderful.