Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

3806-22-5106

10:58PM, June 9th

3806-22-5106: scar

3806-22-5106: i know

3806-22-5106: i know i shouldnt be texting you

3806-22-5106: i blocked you first i know

3806-22-5106

11:23PM, June 9th

3806-22-5106: but i miss you

3806-22-5106: i was so wrong for breaking up with you

3806-22-5106: we can try and make it work

3806-22-5106

11:42PM, June 9th

3806-22-5106: please scar

Mumbo: Uh

3806-22-5106: scar?

Mumbo: I’d say I have a couple, but I wouldn’t say that’s my name, sorry

Mumbo: Are you okay though?

3806-22-5106: shit, im so sorry

3806-22-5106: i’m such an idiot, im so sorry

Mumbo: Hey no it’s okay, are you okay?

3806-22-5106: idk why i thought he’d text me back

3806-22-5106: im so sorry, i am so so sorry

3806-22-5106: no one should have to get a text from a random person who thinks youre his ex boyfriend

3806-22-5106: and its so late idk what i was thinking

Mumbo: It’s not as uncommon as you think

3806-22-5106: what??

Mumbo: Lots of people text their exes at night rather than the day

Mumbo: I guess it must be like

Mumbo: Some human psychology or whatever

3806-22-5106: that night time makes us more prone to stupid dumb decisions involving exes?

Mumbo: Yeah! Exactly!

3806-22-5106: theres no way thats a thing

Mumbo: I mean, think about it

Mumbo: How many times have you gone to text…

Mumbo: Scar

Mumbo: During the day?

3806-22-5106: not many

Mumbo: And the night?

3806-22-5106: a lot

3806-22-5106: im still so so sorry

3806-22-5106: i thought his number was your number

3806-22-5106: i mustve misplaced some numbers

3806-22-5106: im so sorry

3806-22-5106: forget this ever happened i’m so sorry

3806-22-5106: im literally the stupidest person ever

3806-22-5106: first i think “hey lets text my ex boyfriend on the one year anniversary of us breaking up!” and then i get the fucking number wrong

3806-22-5106: im so fucking sorry

Incoming call…

4202-06-8116

Answer — Decline

Answer.

“Hello?”

“What? Oh. Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to call you.”

“Ha.. I uh.. thought as much.”

“My phone is like… really old. It’s glitchy and does this sometimes. I am so sorry.”

“You’re okay.”

“…”

“I sound like a mess. I’m sorry if you can’t hear me.”

“It’s okay, I wasn’t expecting you to sound crystal clear. Or to even pick up. Or for me to even call you.”

“Or for me to text you.”

“Well. Yeah that too.”

“…”

”…”

“You don’t sound how I imagined you.”

“…What?”

“The way you type. And the words you said.”

“…Yeah?”

“You told me about the human psychology thing and I thought you were like.. forty-five.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah it’s weird! You sound so young and hip, and really like… I dunno. Soft.”

“I’ll have you know I’m a big strong man.”

“With a soft voice.”

“With a big strong manly voice, yes.”

“And a shitty phone.”

“And my strong manly thug phone.”

“…Sure.”

”…”

“…”

“Sorry.”

”Wh.. Why are you saying sorry? I was the one who texted the wrong number and instantly started trauma dumping.”

“Yeah but now we’re calling, and it’s late, you probably wanna be left alone, I’ll go-“

”Stay.”

”…”

“Please.”

”Oh-okay, yeah, I’ll stay.”

“Sorry. You don’t have to.”

”No no, you need someone right now. I was going to keep texting you anyway.”

”…”

“…”

“Why do you care?”

”Why wouldn’t I?”

”We’re strangers.”

“Things have a way of falling together.”

“What does that even mean?”

”Everything happens for a reason.”

“…”

”Or something.”

“…”

“Maybe it was better you didn’t text him.”

“What are you talking about?”

“…Look. I know we’ve probably only talked for about ten minutes, but I can probably guess what’s going on.”

“Yeah?”

”You said it was one year since you two had broken up, yeah?”

”Mhm.”

“So your mind immediately went to him, because one year ago today he was gone.”

”…”

”And I didn’t text you back, and you thought I was Scar, so you thought Scar hadn’t texted you back.”

“…”

“And sometimes when people who you want to text you don’t, things get out of hand, right?”

“…”

“…”

“…Are you… calling me suicidal?”

“What!? No no I just meant bad things happen I didn’t mean specifically that! Oh my gosh I jumped so many conclusions I’m so sor-“

“It’s okay! It’s okay. I’m not… that. I’m just… thinking about things I guess.”

”…”

”…”

“So.. 38, huh? That’s down a bit, right? Or left. I can’t remember.”

”What?”

“Your area code. I have a… friend with the 38 code too.”

”Oh, cool.”

“Is it nice over there?”

“I actually haven’t lived there for a while.”

“Oh!”

“It got too much for me, so I moved. Ages ago.”

“I know what that’s like.”

”…”

”…”

“My name is Grian.”

“I’m Mumbo. Nice to meet you.”

”Wow, I can’t believe I thought you were forty-five. That’s such a cool and hip youngster name.”

”See? Told you I’m a big strong man!”

”Okay, for the record I called you young, cool and hip, I never called you big or strong.”

“Call me big and strong.”

“Young and hip.”

“See that wasn’t so hard!”

“…”

“…Oh.”

Call ended

4202-06-8116

1hr , 22 mins

3806-22-5106

1:10AM , June 10th

3806-22-5106: thank you

3806-22-5106: for everything tonight

Mumbo: It really isn’t a problem, Green

Mumbo: I needed some company too

3806-22-5106: yea ur like super duper annoying

3806-22-5106: with your super annoying facts about cameras and computers and psychology

Mumbo: You have free will you know

Mumbo: You could’ve hung up on me at any point

3806-22-5106: you also have free will

3806-22-5106: you never had to text me back

Mumbo: I wanted to

Mumbo: Now, you said you were going to bed mister

Mumbo: I’ll probably check in on you in the morning, but feel free just to block me or delete my messages and forget this ever happened

Mumbo: Goodnight Green :)

3806-22-5106: gnight mumbo :)

Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

1:17AM, June 10th

Mumbo: Jimmy

Mumbo: I’m going to assume you’re asleep

Mumbo: However

Mumbo: Someone with the same area code as you lot wrong number texted me

Mumbo: Obviously I’d ask Martyn first but this guy seems like more of your vibe

Mumbo: Do you know anyone from your parts called Green? Or something?

Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

10:27AM, June 10th

Jimmy: you mean. Grian???

Jimmy: what the heck is he doing texting a 42 boy

Mumbo: And a 42 ex boyfriend at that

Jimmy: AND A 42 EX BOYFRIEND AT THAT??

Jimmy: call me

Incoming call…

4202-06-8116

Answer — Decline

Answer.

Chapter Text

Ongoing Call…

Mumbo (4202-06-8116)

10:28AM , June 10th

“Dude… what happened?”

“I got a random text. He thought I was his ex boyfriend-“

“Bro! That’s like the first rule of a break up! Never text your ex!”

“It was the one year anniversary of their break up.”

“Yeesh.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“Who do you think broke up with who?”

“Jimmy!”

“What!?”

“That’s such a weird thing to ask!”

“Not if you think you used to know the guy! You said his name was Grian or something right?”

“Oh, was it not Green?”

“No, Mumbo, it wasn’t Green.”

“Well now I feel like a spoon. I called him Green to his face.”

“Wow. You’re in trouble.”

“Yeah.”

“But yeah, I think I uh… used to know him. I think he lives over in C City or something.”

“Where the hell is C City?”

“It’s what us 57s call Craffers.”

“…Where’s Craffers?”

“You live in Craffers, mate.”

“No I live in Craff City- Oh yeah now I see why it’s called Craffers. Yeah. Very smart.”

“You’re welcome.”

“…Wait, so he lives in the same city as me? I’ve never heard him around before.”

“Yeah, that’s because you live in the city. Too many people.”

“Eh, also true.”

“I mean it kind of makes sense if he lives in the same city.”

“Huh?”

“You said he was texting a C City ex boyfriend. Maybe your numbers are similar.”

“…Huh. I didn’t think of that.”

“…”

“You there?”

“Huh? Yeah. Just uh… didn’t realise Grian was still out there. You’d think he’d come home right?”

“…Do you know him? Like… know know him?”

“I mean all the west side knows each other. It’s not a big population, Mumbo. Just not a lot of people live there any more.”

“Yeah, that’s true, sorry.”

“It’s alright.”

“…”

“…”

“Wait. What do you mean people live there ? Do you not live there? Do you actually live in Third Hill?”

“Mate, I moved ages ago. I was just from Eve-Luna. We all were.”

“I thought it was a vacation?”

“It was- Don’t you know what happened!?”

“No? Martyn and I don’t talk about that stuff. Or didn’t.”

“Huh. Weird.”

“...”

“...”

“...Do you think you knew Grian?”

“I gotta go.”

“What?!”

“I’ll talk later yeah?”

“Oh- Okay? Wait-”

Call ended

Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

8 mins , 45 seconds

Grian (3806-22-5106)

11:01AM , June 10th

Mumbo: I am so sorry for calling you Green

Mumbo: I must’ve misheard you or something

Mumbo: I’m such a spoon

Grian: green

Grian: you thought my name

Grian: was green

Mumbo: Yes…

Grian: and you didn’t stop to think

Grian: what kind of name is green

Mumbo: That was… not at the top of my mind at that time

Grian: what does your name sound like

Mumbo: I think it just sounds like Mumbo

Grian: mm

Grian: muh.

Grian: mumbo..

Mumbo: Yep

Grian: muh.. maroon. MAROON

Mumbo: I can guarantee you Mumbo does not sound like maroon

Grian: sure maroon

Grian: whatever you say maroon

Grian: how did you become aware of the actual saying of my name anyway

Grian: did you go back in time

Mumbo: No

Mumbo: I texted my uh friend

Grian: is your friends name blue, maroon

Mumbo: No

Grian: boring

Grian: why are you texting your uh friend about me

Grian: and also what is an uh friend

Mumbo: You guys have the same origin code

Mumbo: I know a couple of people from Eva-Luna but you give me vibes that Jimmy would’ve known you

Grian: jimmy

Grian: why is jimmy your uh friend and not a friend

Mumbo: It’s complicated

Grian: oh shit ok

Grian: jimmy is a boring name can i call him blue

Mumbo: Sure, he has no idea you will, and will continue to have no idea

Grian: nooo keep talking about meeee

Mumbo: He had to go really abruptly

Mumbo: It was weird

Grian: sounds like a hater

Mumbo: Yeah

Grian: you said you knew other people from eva luna?

Mumbo: Oh, yeah, just a handful

Grian: i might kkow some

Grian: hold on i cant ttpe properly im eaying food

Mumbo: LOL That’s fine

Grian: you talk i listen

Mumbo: That works

Mumbo: Okay Green, pull up a chair, get comfy, it’s story time

Grian: yayyy

Mumbo: So there’s a couple of people who are my friends, and two who are a little more complicated than that

Mumbo: Probably won’t get into detail about them but

Mumbo: There was Pearl, she was sweet, really tall

Mumbo: B, again, really tall, he was really like. Warm I guess? Personality wise

Mumbo: Jimmy, a bit gullible, a bit blond, a bit energetic (Sometimes a little too much)

Mumbo: And uh

Mumbo: A guy called Martyn

Grian: does marrnyn not have any defining wualities to know about

Mumbo: No no, he does

Mumbo: He’s probably the person who is the most complicated

Grian: damn

Grian: you dont have to talk about him if you dont want to

Mumbo: He’s just

Mumbo: I don’t know

Grian: that’s okay

Grian: lemme just ask one thing

Mumbo: Yeah?

Grian: did he or did he not steal several rats from the streets of london to use in a marching band

Mumbo: What?????

Baby Girl Joel (5701-05-9408)

10:38AM , June 10th

JimmySD: joel

Baby Girl Joel: yes lad

JimmySD: did i ever tell you about mumbo

Baby Girl Joel: are you cheating on me already?

JimmySD: yes bbg i am anyway

JimmySD: grian accidentally texted mumbo

Baby Girl Joel: okay sorry i genuinely cannot remember who mumbo is

JimmySD: …

Baby Girl Joel: .. :)

JimmySD: do you remember the third hill “vacation”

Baby Girl Joel: ugh yeah. when we all got stuck with you

JimmySD: ignoring your pleas for attention bc this is serious

Baby Girl Joel: thats actually cringe

Baby Girl Joel: wait is mumbo the moustache guy????

JimmySD: YES OKAY

Baby Girl Joel: how the fuck does mumbo just get in contact with a grian

JimmySD: LISTEN TO ME

JimmySD: martyn never told mumbo about the vacation and why we never left

Baby Girl Joel: okay

Baby Girl Joel: was not expecting that

Baby Girl Joel: how??? aren’t they dating now??

JimmySD: thats what i’m saying

JimmySD: mumbo texted me about it first and not martyn

Baby Girl Joel: omg this is all youve ever wanted

Baby Girl Joel: shoot your shot

JimmySD: joel. grian was trying to text an ex boyfriend

JimmySD: with mumbo’s origin code

Baby Girl Joel: what the hell????

Baby Girl Joel: grian’s gay???

JimmySD: i’m never texting you about serious things ever again

Baby Girl Joel: jim stop being homophobic

Baby Girl Joel: the hoes dont like a homophobe

JimmySD: a hoe-mophobe

Baby Girl Joel (5701-05-9408)

6:10PM , June 10th

JimmySD: that was the worst joke ever

JimmySD: i wouldve left me on read for 7 hours too

Chapter Text

bad boy (5701-05-9408)

12:01AM , June 11th

bad boy: grian are you gay

maroon (4202-06-8116)

12:02AM , June 11th

GrianS: i just got the most heartbreaking and utterly confusing notification

GrianS: and idk why but i’m insanely compelled to tell you this information

maroon: Are you okay?? What happened??

GrianS: oh you responded

GrianS: my friend asked if i was gay

GrianS: literally out of nowhere by the way i have known this guy for years

maroon: You must be breaking a lot of bisexual hearts

GrianS: ik you’re young and hip but what the hell does that mean

maroon: Are you a heartbreaker, Grian

GrianS: god forbid a guy has hobbies

maroon: Did you text him back?

GrianS: im planning on leaving him on read for as long as possible

bad boy (5701-05-9408)

12:06AM , June 11th

bad boy: grian

bad boy: grian

bad boy: grian

bad boy: grian

bad boy: blummin answer me you prick

bad boy: grian

bad boy: grian

bad boy: your such a loser i see you reading these

GrianS: you’re*

bad boy: cringe and uncalled for

bad boy: die

maroon (4202-06-8116)

12:10AM , June 11th

GrianS: it’s going well

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

12:12AM, June 11th

7 Participants

You

Baby Girl Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

Mogswamp (7702-05-4500)

Oli Pop (3602-13-1399)

Pix (3601-14-6650)

Sausage (3601-12-4801)

Scott (5701-09-2604)

Joel: guys i have the most important question ever

Martyn: what

Mogswamp: What’s up Beans?

Joel: is grian gay

Baby Girl Jimmy: joel for the lovr of the sweet lord

Mogswamp: What a question!

Pix: That’s like asking a retirement home if there’s anyone over 80 there

Pix: Maybe, most likely, but at that point why would you ask?

Joel: you and your metaphors

Joel: why i oughtta

Martyn: why are you asking this at the ass crack of a fresh new day

Baby Girl Jimmy: because grian has a craffers ex boyfriend

Martyn: wait what??

Scott: ohh mhm yeah that makes sense

Scott: see Joel the key information youre missing here is

Scott: straight guys dont have ex boyfriends.

Joel: yes i know that

Joel: but is he fully gay

Martyn: hold on hold on you’re talking to grian??? how??

Joel: bad boys bond

Baby Girl Jimmy: he texted mumbo by accident, thinking he was his ex boyfriend from craffers, so then mumbo texted me about it cuz area code

Joel: its actually the bad boys bond

Martyn: oh mumbo

Martyn: ok

Joel: bad boys bond

Joel: guys its the

Joel: bad boys bond

Baby Girl Jimmy: joel if you dont shut up

Baby Girl Jimmy: your face is gonna end up looking quite bad, boys

Joel: yikes cringe im leaving

Scott: how long has it been since anyone’s even heard from grian?

Scott: i havent heard from him since i lived in third hill

Baby Girl Jimmy: eva luna

Scott: jesus

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

8:56AM, June 11th

Oli Pop: i did i gig with him a couple weeks ago

Oli Pop: great stuff

Oli Pop: absolute legend that guy is

Scott: so oli and joel are the only ones in constant contact with this guy, but i have his number, i know jimmy has his number, martyn definitely has number

Scott: what’s going on with you guys? i thought you lot were close?

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

12:16AM, June 11th

Martyn: hey

Mumbo: Martyn!

Mumbo: It’s been so long, love

Mumbo: We haven’t talked in ages

Mumbo: How are you, darling?

Martyn: good

Martyn: heard u got a text from grian

Mumbo: Accidentally

Mumbo: He was trying to message someone else

Mumbo: Do you… know him?

Martyn: at some point yeah

Martyn: 38s are close

Mumbo: Okay

Martyn: just wanted to say hi

Martyn: gn mumbo :)

Mumbo: Goodnight, sapling

Mumbo: I love youu

Martyn: lyt

Incoming call…

maroon (4202-06-8116)

Answer — Decline

Answer.

“*sniff*”

“Maroon? Or- Sorry- Mumbo?”

“I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry, I know it’s late I-“

“No it’s okay. Are you crying? What’s wrong?”

“I- Yeah- It’s just- Do you- argh.”

“Take your time. Breathe.”

“*inhale and exhale* .. Do you remember the Eva-Luna people I told you about?”

“Yeah?”

“And how I didn’t say much about Martyn?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

“…Mumbo what happened?”

“He texted me again. I- I don’t know. I’m glad to hear from him but he was so dry. It was like texting a wall. And occasionally the wall would like… punch you in the face.”

“…”

“Was that too graphic?”

“No no, it just reminds me of someone. Keep talking.”

“O- okay… Uhm… I mean.. God, he’s supposed to be my boyfriend. I stay up so late to text him because he lives on basically the other side of the country to me. He lives in Meese, and didn’t tell me for months. I live almost on the border of Third Hill and Craff City.”

“Wow. That is far.”

“You don’t hear from the guy in three days and he finally texts you and you say you love him and all you get is an abbreviated ‘Love you too’!?”

“Jesus, that's harsh.”

“He asked me about you. Probably thinks I’m cheating on him.”

“Well… I’d rather not be in a relationship with a forty five year old psychology nerd.”

”…”

“I assume you don’t want to be alone right now.”

“That's why I called you.”

“…Was I the last person you tried?”

“First.”

“Why?”

“My reasons are complicated and intricate.”

“You do realise that intrigues me more, right? Tell meeeee.”

“Okay okayyyy. …Couldn’t call Jimmy, he’s biased about the whole Martyn thing. Couldn’t call Martyn because…”

“Well… that’s obvious why.”

“Yeah… And I know everyone else’s general time they go to bed. So you were the only person left.”

“Honestly, I thought it was the same thing that happened last night. You calling me by accident.”

“I’d say I won’t do it again but I might.”

“Ha.”

“…”

“…How uh… How did you meet him? Martyn?”

“…”

“You don’t have to a-“

“I was on a vacation to Third Hill. I go every semester during the break. That place is beautiful, really you should see it.“

“…”

“I met a bunch of people. They were on holiday from Eva-Luna, and we became friends. There were two people I got extremely close to, another not so much but closer to the rest. I ended up asking Martyn on a date, and I’d say the rest is history but I still remember it clearly.”

“...”

“I went back to Craff, told everyone to stay in touch. And we are, but just… I text Jimmy more than I text Martyn. Maybe because I just wait for Martyn to text me first. He rarely does.”

“I can see that.”

“...”

“That is… a really hard thing to be going through. You don’t deserve that, Maroon- Mumbo.”

“Thanks Green.”

“Yeah I deserved that.”

“...God. This… I can’t keep track of where everyone is. I mean- You’d think people would want to stay in their origin code right?”

“Separated nation. Despicable.”

“...”

“...”

“I go to Third Hill at the start of July. Martyn said he would come with me but… A part of me hopes he doesn’t.”

“Yeah, I can understand why.”

Call ended

Grian (3806-22-5106)

9hrs , 56 mins

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

4:18AM , June 11th

Mumbo: Still going to Third Hill in July?

Mumbo: I’d love to see you again

Mumbo: Or not

Mumbo: It’s your choice

Mumbo: Text me back when you get this

Mumbo: <3

Chapter Text

Grian (3806-22-5106)

9:42AM, June 12th

Grian: maroon

Grian: theres something deep and personal you should know about me

Grian: i need your full and undivided attention

Grian: are you listening

Mumbo: Yes, Green, what is it?

Grian: you took so long to respond idek if i want to tell you now

Mumbo: I’m in a lecture

Grian: oh wow you’re educated. intense anyway

Grian: i need you to listen very closely

Mumbo: Yeah?

Grian: my friends are going to third hill at the end of their semester too

Grian: and i need to find a way out of it

Mumbo: Why?

Grian: thats the thing mumbo

Grian: theres something so deep and personal you should know about me that i need you to know

Grian: i have connections in third hill

Grian: im trying to be spooky and mysterious and a lone wolf

Grian: its already hard enough when you have almost all of their numbers and just dont want to text them

Mumbo: So… You’re from Eva-Luna, you have friends in Third Hill and you live in Craff City

Grian: how did you know i live in craff

Mumbo: Context clues

Mumbo: And also Jimmy told me

Grian: hate that guy, he’s doxxing me

Grian: did you get a response from that guy yet? what was his name? like.

Grian: marmalade or something

Mumbo: No, Martyn probably won’t respond to me until I’m in Third Hill

Grian: asshole

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

1:09PM, June 12th

7 Participants

You

Baby Girl Joel (5701-05-9408)

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

Mogswamp (7702-05-4500)

Oli (3602-13-1399)

Pix (3601-14-6650)

Sausage (3601-12-4801)

Scott (5701-09-2604)

Pix: Hey guys! When are you coming over to Sons? Sausage and I miss you

Sausage: Yes we do yes we do! Scott I have all of the things to show you! Thing-a-mabobs and dohickeys and such!

Martyn: im going over to third hill in a couple weeks for semester’s end

Martyn: if anyone wants to come with

JimmySD: i’ll go! and pix im definitely coming back to sons, sausage prepare my room

Baby Girl Joel: sure i’ll go

Baby Girl Joel: that means scott please come please please please please please please

Scott: okay fiiiine

Oli: would love to come but i’ve got some things to wrap up over here

Oli: moving is hard

Oli: gotta be out of here by the 14th

Mogswamp: You’re moving? Away from Meese?

Martyn: nooo my neighbourrr

Scott: where are you going?

Oli: im going to aflime

Oli: its in emstone, so scott i’ll be near you sweet boy ;)

Scott: ew never try flirting again

Oli: my fault

Oli: but yeah theres a little flat in aflime that im moving to

JimmySD: oh cool!

Baby Girl Joel: wait oli that’s our old house you’re moving and you didnt think to tell me??

Oli: sorry bro

Baby Girl Joel: did you tell dad??

Oli: yeah, he said he’d move in so it stayed in our family

Baby Girl Joel: okay thats good

Baby Girl Joel: youre the worst younger brother ever

Oli: you dont mean that </3

Baby Girl Joel: youre right i dont mean it

Baby Girl Joel: we’re all going to sons

Sausage: YAYY!!!


Scott: what

JimmySD: waht

Baby Girl Joel: im buying us all train tickets for the week before the third hill trip

Baby Girl Joel: we should all be out of classes by then

JimmySD: do we have a say in this???

Baby Girl Joel: sure… but look sausage in the eyes and tell him you dont want to come visit him

JimmySD: …

Sausage: :D

Mumbo (4202-06-8116)

1:21PM, June 12th

JimmySD: apparently i’m going to sons before the third hill trip

JimmySD: you wanna come?

Mumbo: Uh no thanks

Mumbo: Where is… Sons? And what is it?

JimmySD: son of stars

JimmySD: its down south from meese and emstone and stuff

Mumbo: …

JimmySD: you dont know where meese and emstone are do you

Mumbo: ..no

Mumbo: Well I know where Meese is, not Emstone

JimmySD: emstone is west and like really long

JimmySD: meese is like the east of the east coast right? and third hill is the west of the west coast

JimmySD: emstone is like

JimmySD: south east but west of meese

Mumbo: Okay, so where is Son Of Stars?

JimmySD: down lots

JimmySD: a couple of people i know from when i went to meese know some people from sons so we’re all going down to see them

JimmySD: joel told us we were going

JimmySD: smh

Mumbo: Were you told you have to?

JimmySD: yea basically

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

1:24PM, June 12th

Baby Girl Joel: ok ive tried to keep all the arrival times relatively together and oli youre catching an emstone train bc the trip is the 16th so ur gunna be there then yea you knew that already anyway

Baby Girl Joel: @Mogswamp @Martyn you meeselings have your train on the 16th at 12pm for a 3:30 arrival

Baby Girl Joel: @Scott @Oli your emstone train is 11:30am for a 4pm arrival same day

Baby Girl Joel: and @JimmySD you and me bbg are on an overnight train on the 15th at 2:15pm for a 5:30pm arrival on the 16th

JimmySD: do i have to

Baby Girl Joel: yes

Baby Girl Joel: @Oli are you okay for that

Oli: yeah sure! scott dw i wont be annoying on the train

Scott: i think youre going to but its okay

Mumbo (4202-06-8116)

1:28PM, June 12th

JimmySD: sighs

JimmySD: sure you dont want to come?

JimmySD: im not sure how much i can take of my cousin’s jammering

Mumbo: You have a cousin???

JimmySD: . martyn really didnt tell you anything did he

Mumbo: No?? Was he supposed to??

JimmySD: idk i assume you guys talk about this stuff

Mumbo: Jimmy we barely talk at all

Mumbo: He didn’t even tell me he moved across the damn country

Mumbo: Gah, I gotta go, I really need to pay attention

JimmySD: cya mate

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

1:34PM, June 12th

JimmySD: dude what’s going on with you and mumbo

JimmySD: arent you guys dating

Martyn: yea

JimmySD: and you never told him about the third hill trip you met at??

Martyn: it never come up in conversation

JimmySD: you didn’t tell him you moved to meese either??

JimmySD: do you even know what a relationship means??

JimmySD: do you even tell him you love him??

JimmySD: do you even love him??

Martyn: can you bloody pay attention??

JimmySD: sorry

Baby Girl Joel (5701-05-9408)

1:36PM, June 12th

JimmySD: martyn makes me so mad sometimes

JimmySD: he’s never told mumbo literally anything

JimmySD: theres no way hes good for him

JimmySD: he didnt even tell him he moved to meese

JimmySD: mumbo needs so much better

JimmySD: do you know what he said?? he said “jimmy we barely talk at all”

JimmySD: thats not fair, i know hes got issues

Baby Girl Joel: martyn can be a bit of a prick

Baby Girl Joel: and it sucks that he literally wont respond to anyone about it

Baby Girl Joel: do you want me to talk to him he might listen to me

JimmySD: no its fine

JimmySD: he might snap

JimmySD: also youre buying me snacks for the train or im going on the train with oli

Baby Girl Joel: JIMMY NO YOU NEED SCOTT CLOSURE I’LL BUY YOU SNACKS

Grian’s hand hovered over a past message from Mumbo.

Mumbo: I know a couple of people from Eva-Luna but you give me vibes that Jimmy would’ve known you

It was such a simple message. Innocent and pure. But to Grian, it had so much discolour that it made him sick. That Mumbo knew who Jimmy was. In an attempt to distance himself from almost everyone he knew, Mumbo had brought him back into the cycle and back into his family.

Grian’s stomach twisted. He wondered if he even still had Jimmy’s number. He opened his contacts list, scrolling through a couple pages, trying to see if anything, anything, rung a bell. Realistically, he was never going to text Jimmy. He would’ve texted Scar a million times over before he texted that man.

His eyes glanced across pictures and contact names he set for people, before he landed on a specific frozen memory. Blond hair and closed eyes in a wide smile drew him in. Grian recognised it immediately. It was a young boy, maybe about three or four at the time. He was cuddling a light blue teddy bear in one hand, his other hand wrapped around another blond, slightly less energetic boy around the same age, who was slightly cropped out of frame.

Grian didn’t even need to read the contact name to know who it was.

But he read it anyway.

“dad(’s) boy”.

Jimmy hadn’t heard Grian’s name in so long. It almost felt like a gasp of fresh air from being submerged. Crying out and flailing trying to get to the surface. And hearing his name, hearing someone knew he was alive and okay, he broke through.

He searched for his last conversation with him. Anything that could bring him back to him again. He had probably set his contact to something stupid, if he even had it saved. Jimmy wasn’t looking for his name, he knew exactly what picture he set for him.

Growing up, the two were inseparable. No one could tell them apart, apart from their almost opposite personalities. However, both of them would mask their personality to match the other one, so it got harder to distinguish.

When they were around three, or four, their mother got a picture of them together. It was probably one of the only ones the two of them liked, because you could ever so gently tell who was who. Emphasis on could. No one can tell anymore. No one even remembers the picture.

There were two little boys with blond hair, one showing the camera the teethiest grin in the world, the other smiling gently with his lips. The slightly shier boy was still visible in the picture, holding an aqua green bear tight in his arm, his other arm gently wrapped around the other blond, who was holding a light blue bear. They had matching shirts on, and so did the bears.

Jimmy knew exactly who it was.

Chapter Text

maroon (4202-06-8116)

3:21PM, June 13th

maroon: Thank god I’m out of school for the semester

maroon: I don’t know how much longer I could’ve taken learning about

maroon: Whatever it was I was learning about

maroon: Which I have to remember for next semester GAHHHHH

GrianS: loser

GrianS: uni is such an L

GrianS: what is even ur major

maroon: Ethical Psychology & Risks Of Trauma

maroon: I’m also doing an introductory course to Screen Directory & Multimedia :), but that one was over a couple of days ago

maroon: I like that one

GrianS: oookayyyy..

GrianS: and whats ethical physichologyusdfdjgbhfg or whatever

maroon: Basically how trauma and bad things affect the brain

GrianS: oh so youre like the biggest nerd ever

maroon: Yeah, me and about 10 others taking that specific course

maroon: Worse comes to worse I’ll ask X for his notes

maroon: He’s the real nerd you should be afraid of

GrianS: noted

GrianS: no pun intended

maroon: Jimmy gets out in about half an hour

maroon: Which means so will Martyn

GrianS: ew marmalade

GrianS: they’re smart too??

GrianS: what are they doing?
maroon: Well they’re both doing Moral Theory, Martyn’s also doing Environmental Observatory, and Jimmy’s doing Art

GrianS: thats so boring

GrianS: marmalade doesnt need any further qualifications he already has a masters in ghosting

maroon: Not wrong

maroon: I’m gonna take a massive cooldown when I get home, you can text me if you want, I just won’t respond at all

GrianS: please look after yourself maroon

maroon: I will, Green

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

4:34PM, June 13th

7 Participants

You

Baby Girl Joel (5701-05-9408)

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

Mogswamp (7702-05-4500)

Oli (3602-13-1399)

Pix (3601-14-6650)

Sausage (3601-12-4801)

Scott (5701-09-2604)

Martyn: hey guys

Martyn: im not going to sons

Martyn: sorry

JimmySD: scuse me??

JimmySD: why???

Martyn: i got a earlier trip to third hill

Martyn: sorry

Baby Girl Joel: MARTYN

Baby Girl Joel: I BOUGHT THOSE TICKETS

Baby Girl Joel: I NEVER ASKED FOR YOU TO PAY ME BACK

Baby Girl Joel: say swear

Baby Girl Joel: tell me your slash jay

Baby Girl Joel: your going on this bloody train trip

Martyn: m8 i’ll be halfway cross the country

Martyn: catch me if you can

Baby Girl Joel: im gonna deck you in the face so hard when we get to third hill

Martyn: ik

Mumbo (4202-06-8116)

4:37PM, June 13th

JimmySD: mumbo i have some great news for you my friend

JimmySD: martyn isnt going to sons, hes going to third hill earlier

JimmySD: maybe he’ll finally talk to you

JimmySD: anyway i know you take a massive break after the semester end so if you read these do NOT respond, look after yourself

JimmySD: was just letting you know :)

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

4:38PM, June 13th

7 Participants

You

Baby Girl Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

Mogswamp (7702-05-4500)

Oli Pop (3602-13-1399)

Pix (3601-14-6650)

Sausage (3601-12-4801)

Scott (5701-09-2604)

Pix: That’s okay Martyn! We’ll definitely send you some pictures

Pix: Enjoy Third Hill!

Martyn: <3

Joel: martyn youre refunding me for the ticket

Martyn: no im not

Joel: DICKHEAD

Oli Pop: FINALLY FREEDOM OH MY GOOD GOD

Oli Pop: i love my degree but sometimes it a little too much for a little ole me

Joel: youre never making me do a music course ever again

Oli Pop: you said, being the teacher’s favourite

Joel: SHE SAID I WAS A NATURAL AT DRUMS THERES A DIFFERENCE

Joel: this is my LAST semester of music i swear

Oli Pop: lizzie and i were thinking of picking up a composition course next year…

Joel: …

Joel: fine fine fine fine fine fine fine

Mogswamp: Joel please ask her out

Mogswamp: I can’t listen to you pine anymore

Joel: but shes so pretty

Joel: and every pretty person is gay

Joel: shes gay

Baby Girl Jimmy: joel im starting to think youre homophobic

Joel: I SAW HER KISS A GIRL, JIM

Baby Girl Jimmy: FIVE MONTHS AGO, JOEL

Oli Pop: oh yeah that’s cleo

Oli Pop: they broke up ages ago yeah

Oli Pop: ive seen the way she looks at you joel

Mogswamp: Please ask her out

Joel: actually swamp you cant talk you took so long to ask pix out

Mogswamp: And he said yes did he not?

Mogswamp: Your evidence backfires

Pix: <3

Mogswamp: <3

Joel: cringe

Baby Girl Jimmy: i CANNOT keep third wheeling over here

Oli Pop: but what about me mister solidarity

Oli Pop: you forget i am also a wheel

Oli Pop: and sausage

Oli Pop: and actually everyone else but martyn, mog and pix

Oli Pop: i swear i was more of a wheel

Joel: thats because jimmy and scott were a thing you do realise

Joel: and also everyone else in this chat is either related, past, present or sausage

Pix: Sausage is my cousin actually

Joel: what the fuck

Joel: okay so jimmy oli and i are all related, pix and sausage are related, martyn is involved with someone, mog and pix are dating, and scott and jimmy were dating that accounts for everyone yes?

Oli Pop: but maybe we are all one big family like jon toretto wanted

Mogswamp: Oh god imagine the family dinners

Joel: mog and pix making out at the table, martyn long distance calling mumbo, jimmy and scott glaring at each other awkwardly at the table, oli and sausage staring at each other like what

Baby Girl Jimmy: and what would you be doing, joel

Joel: probably whining over my inability to ask a girl out

Baby Girl Jimmy: exactly

Joel: and also oliver it is dom toretto you imbecile.

Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

11:42PM, June 13th

Mumbo: Hi sorry, finally replenished my energy

Mumbo: Martyn’s going to Third Hill early??

Mumbo: Do you know when he’s going? 

Mumbo: Hopefully he’ll talk to me

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

11:45PM, June 13th

Mumbo: Martyn is going to Third Hill early

Mumbo: I don’t know if he’s there now or there tomorrow or there a couple days before I am

Mumbo: Or if he’s even gonna be there when I’m there

Mumbo: I mean he could be going earlier to avoid me entirely

Mumbo: I was gonna text him about it but I don’t know

Mumbo: Then he’ll know Jimmy texted me about it and it’s gonna be all bad and wrong

Mumbo: I’ll just hope he’s still there when I get there

Green (Grian): hold on hold on

Green (Grian): jimmy texted you about it first and marmalade didnt???

Mumbo: Oh yeah

Mumbo: That uh

Mumbo: Didn’t cross my mind

Green (Grian): does he even actually love you

Mumbo: I mean we have matching bracelets so

Mumbo: [Attachment]

Mumbo: This is mine

Green (Grian): its cute!

Mumbo: Mhm

Mumbo: Sorry I’m not feeling good

Green (Grian): its okay

Green (Grian): do you need someone right now?

Mumbo: No no I’m fine

Mumbo: I’ll wait for uh

Mumbo: Martyn to text me back

Green (Grian): mumbo i’m gonna call you okay?

Mumbo: Okay

Incoming call…

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

Answer — Decline

Answer.

“Hey Mumbo.”

“Hi Grian.”

“Just breathe okay? You hear my voice?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t have to talk, just listen to my voice right now.”

“…”

“Breathe in.”

“…”

“There you go. And out.”

“…”

“That was a big one. Again?”

“Mhm.”

“In.”

“…”

“Out.”

“..whoo.”

“One more?”

“Mhm.”

“In.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“And out.”

“…”

“Are you with me?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Take a moment yeah?”

“…”

“…”

“Look outside. The stars are nice tonight.”

“…Oh yeah, they are.”

“…”

“…”

“There’s a… a place. In Third Hill.”

“Yeah?”

“Away from the city. Up North. There’s minimal light pollution. It’s gorgeous.”

“I love the night sky.”

“Me too. But this place especially.”

“What makes it so special?”

“Memories. I wanted to take Martyn there to ask him out but… he was in a rush. It made me almost reconsider asking him in the first place.”

“…Wow.”

“I know Jimmy would’ve said yes.”

“…”

“…Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Calming me down.”

“Oh- no don’t say sorry, it really isn’t an issue.”

“It means a lot.”

“…Of course Mumbo.”

“…”

“I have experience with this sort of thing. Panicking over texting someone.”

“You wouldn’t have accidentally texted me otherwise. Thank god for ex boyfriends.”

“You’re such a spoon.”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

1:56AM, June 14th

Mumbo: Grian fell asleep on call with me

Mumbo: His breathing is so gentle

Mumbo: I was talking about something nerdy and he fell asleep

Mumbo: What do I do

Mumbo: He’s sleeping so polite

Mumbo: Am I stuck on call with a polite sleeping guy

Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

7:37AM, June 14th

Mumbo: Fell asleep and woke up and this guy is still asleep politely

Mumbo: I don’t know how one acquires a polite sleep demeanour but he’s gone and done it

Jimmy: yk if you were cool and awesome like me you’d hang up right

Jimmy: ahahaha…

Mumbo: You don’t have the heart either, Jim

Jimmy: i really dont

Jimmy: but you feel it dont you you feel the heart

Mumbo: Wish I could say I could bud

Jimmy: you suck

Jimmy: youre gonna be stuxk with him forever

Mumbo: Eh, doesn’t sound all bad

Chapter Text

bad boy (5701-05-9408)

11:14AM, June 14th

bad boy: grian are you excited for the trip

bad boy: because i am excited

bad boy: there are so many exciting things

bad boy: get excited grian

bad boy: grian get excited

GrianS: joel im barely gonna see you that trip

GrianS: im not planning on leaving my house

GrianS: and unless you break into my house in CRAFF CITY

GrianS: im not going

bad boy: youre so BORINGGG

bad boy: what kind of a friend doesnt want to see his friend when his friend comes over to be friends

GrianS: me

bad boy: but like

bad boy: all the other craffers are going too

bad boy: do you know etho

GrianS: no

bad boy: do you know tango

GrianS: no

bad boy: do you know scar

GrianS: i know none of these people

maroon (4202-06-8116)

11:18AM, June 14th

GrianS: [Attachment]

GrianS: ok so now i really cant go

maroon: Oh jeez

maroon: Scar’s going? Best stay away

GrianS: yeah but at the same time scarrrr

GrianS: i miss him

maroon: Grian No

maroon: You need closure

maroon: You can’t even remember his number

maroon: Who is that person texting you anyway?

GrianS: my dumbass cousin

maroon: Ohh

maroon: I know Tango! Well

maroon: I know he exists

maroon: He’s in my EPROT class

GrianS: is that your weird nerdy course again

GrianS: sighs

GrianS: you really are a 45 year old human psychology

maroon: And your name is Green

GrianS: vile

maroon: :) 

bad boy (5701-05-9408)

11:20AM, June 14th

GrianS: [Attachment]

GrianS: mumbo says he knows tango

GrianS: hes in his weird nerdy epcot class

bad boy: epcot.

GrianS: idk i wasnt listening to what he was saying

bad boy: also you didnt blur out his number im totally texting him

GrianS: it sounds like epcJOEL NO

5701-05-9408

11:21AM, June 14th

5701-05-9408: knock knock

Mumbo: Uh

Mumbo: Hello?

5701-05-9408: just play along

Mumbo: Okay…

5701-05-9408: knock knock

Mumbo: …Who’s there

5701-05-9408: grian’s friend joel

Mumbo: Grian’s friend Joel who?

5701-05-9408: grian’s friend joel who wants to talk to you

5701-05-9408: Let’s play 8-Ball!

Mumbo: How did you get my number??

5701-05-9408: were you not listening

5701-05-9408: im grians friend joel

5701-05-9408: Let’s play 8-Ball!

Mumbo: Did he give it to you??

5701-05-9408: Let’s play 8-Ball!

Mumbo: …

5701-05-9408: Let’s play 8-Ball!

Mumbo: Your turn!

5701-05-9408: oh my god it only took you five bloody years

5701-05-9408: Your turn!

Mumbo: How did you even get my number?

Mumbo: Your turn!

5701-05-9408: grian sent me a screenshot of your texts, mr maroon

Mumbo: Oh you really are Grian’s friend

Mumbo: My name isn’t Maroon

5701-05-9408: Your turn!

5701-05-9408: blummin heck

Mumbo: Pfft

Mumbo: Your turn!

5701-05-9408: so you know tango

5701-05-9408: Your turn!

Mumbo: Yeah, he’s in my class but that’s all I know about him

Mumbo: I win!

5701-05-9408: i hate you

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

7:45PM, June 14th

7 Participants

You

bb sausage heart emoji (3601-12-4801)

doc martyns (3801-07-5407)

jim jom (3801-03-6615)

jo jorl (5701-05-9408)

moggy woggy (7702-05-4500)

pix-el (3601-14-6650)

scottish scott scot man (5701-09-2604)

OliRionS: finally unpackd eberything

OliRionS: [16 attachments]

OliRionS: sum pics 4 u there ;)

jo jorl: we didnt need all the pictures lad

OliRionS: you get them anyway

pix-el: Place looks great Oli!

pix-el: I do have to ask however

pix-el: Was the several selfies of you necessary?

OliRionS: oh absolutely what are you talking about

moggy woggy: How many hours did that take you to unpack?

OliRionS: too many

OliRionS: you see

OliRionS: i have a habit of getting distracted

jo jorl: your the problem child

OliRionS: rude

scottish scott scot man: he got to emstone at 1pm and insisted on having lunch with me

scottish scott scot man: and also made me pay

jim jom: good man, oli

OliRionS: scott you OFFERED

OliRionS: you CANNOT blame me for offering

scottish scott scot man: sighs

scottish scott scot man: @everyone does anyone want him for the train ride to sons

scottish scott scot man: cant deal with him

jo jorl: imagine being his brother

jo jorl: any second away from him is paradise

moggy woggy: It’s okay Oli I’ll have you back on the Meese train :)

OliRionS: MOG YOURE MY FAV

moggy woggy: Company would be amazing, helps me do things

scottish scott scot man: wait you’re on the train alone?? oh yeah because martyn’s not going

OliRionS: WHAT my child you cannot be alone on the train

moggy woggy: Oli I am about 8 years older than you, how are you still calling me your child

scottish scott scot man (5701-09-2604)

7:58PM, June 14th

OliRionS: can we pls bring moggy on our train for realsies

scottish scott scot man: sighs

scottish scott scot man: let me grab my wallet

OliRionS: thank you scott

OliRionS: wow has anyone told you how handsome you are

OliRionS: and how strong and manly and amazing

OliRionS: and kind and generous soul you are

OliRionS: heart eyes

scottish scott scot man: weirdo…

New Group Chat:

Two Pansexuals and Scott

8:17PM, June 14th

3 Participants

You

Scott (5701-09-2604)

Oli (3602-13-1399)

Scott: hey mogggggggggggg

Mogswamp: Yesssss?

Scott: soooo

Scott: oli and i were thinkinggggggg

Mogswamp: Yessssssss?

Scott: do youuu want to go on the emstone train with oli and meeee

Scott: we know you dont like being aloneeeee

Mogswamp: Are you suure?

Mogswamp: Hobby was going to come on the train with me for about half the trip

Oli: mog we will treat u so right

Oli: plsplsplsplsplspls

Mogswamp: I’m… very very touched that you invited me on the train haha

Mogswamp: So.. yes! I would love to join you :)

Scott: great! would youuuu rather come over tomorrow or day after? bit of an early train

Mogswamp: Uh.. I don’t want to intrude but would you very very much be okay if I stay the night?

Scott: yeah sure! wouldnt have said you could otherwise

Mogswamp: I can get a train to be at yours at around 4?

Scott: great!

Oli: so scott can i come over too or are you just inviting mog smh

Scott: no youre coming too

Oli: YESSSSSSS

Pix <3 (3601-14-6650)

8:56PM, June 14th

Mogswamp: Scott and Oli invited me on their train

Mogswamp: I almost started crying positively

Pix <3: Aww baby

Pix <3: You deserve it hun

Pix <3: It’s great they care

Pix <3: Even if it means I see you half an hour later

Mogswamp: I’m so excited to see you again

Mogswamp: And everyone

Mogswamp: And to hold your hand

Pix <3: I get to take you back to the City

Mogswamp: Oh I remember that placeee

Mogswamp: It’s been so longgg

Pix <3: A year right? Since you came down? Sausage and I came up in December/January

Mogswamp: I’m so excited

Mogswamp: We can go to the City on our five year anniversary

Pix <3: Perfect, my love <3

Sausage (3601-12-4801)

1:25AM, June 15th

PixLRiffs: Hey Sausage?

PixLRiffs: How good at you, would you say, are you at

PixLRiffs: Helping a guy propose?

Chapter Text

Joel (5701-05-9408)

6:32AM, June 15th

Joel: jimmy

Joel: jimmy wake up

Joel: jimmy

Joel: jimmy

Joel: jimmy

Joel: sighs it cant be that early can it

Joel: you’re coming to my house

Joel: be there at 12

Joel: or 1

Joel: so i can take u to the train station for our train

Joel: which is today

Joel: at 2:15

Joel: i think

Mumbo (4202-06-8116)

6:47AM, June 15th

JimmySD: joel is already texting me

JimmySD: save me mumbo save me

Mumbo: Oh mate you’re all on your own

Mumbo: I had to mute him because he wouldn’t stop texting me

JimmySD: since?? when did?? you have joel’s number??

Mumbo: I have no idea

Mumbo: He said something about Grian but I wasn’t listening

Mumbo: I was too busy smoking him in 8-Ball

JimmySD: im too tired to deal with him

JimmySD: im going to need double the time alone to mentally prepare myself for the time on the train with him

JimmySD: hate hate hate that man

JimmySD: it’s insane

Mumbo: Have you tried muting him?

JimmySD: you know i dont have the heart

JimmySD: besides you know my luck, he’ll find out and be mad at me

Mumbo: True

Mumbo: I’m waiting until Grian wakes up so I can annoy him

JimmySD: annoy him anyway

JimmySD: what are you doing up so early??

Mumbo: Went for a walk

Mumbo: Took some pictures

Mumbo: Started waiting to annoy Grian

Mumbo: Quite chilly out here

JimmySD: the fact youre outside

JimmySD: scares me

Mumbo: Relaxxxx

Mumbo: Early bird gets the worm

JimmySD: ew

JimmySD: worms are just earth noodles

JimmySD: disgusting

Mumbo: Wow I guess you just hate nature

JimmySD: yeah im actively drinking trees right now

Mumbo: What

JimmySD: [Attachment]

Mumbo: Oh, tea

Mumbo: What kind

JimmySD: its

JimmySD: raspberry

Mumbo: Oh what

Mumbo: Foul

JimmySD: HEY ):

Mog <3 (7702-05-4500)

9:32AM, June 15th

Mog <3: Good morning my love!

Mog <3: I’m packing for the train, is there anything you want me to bring from home?

Mog <3: Hobby made you a couple of gifts too

PixLRiffs: Aww that’s sweet of him

PixLRiffs: There’s a little box underneath my side of your bed, could you bring it for me?

PixLRiffs: Don’t open it, there’s just a bunch of stuff I forgot to take back last time I was at yours

Mog <3: Okay, darling, don’t worry, I won’t open it!

Mog <3: [Attachment]

Mog <3: This one?

PixLRiffs: That’s the one! Thank you baby

Mog <3: Of course love <3

Sausage (3601-12-4801)

10:02AM, June 15th

PixLRiffs: They’ve got the box

PixLRiffs: I’m so nervous

Sausage: It’s alright! Don’t worry

Sausage: I’ll pick you up in 20, okay?

Sausage: With my help everything will go according to plan!

PixLRiffs: I hope so

PixLRiffs: I only get one shot at this

Sausage: Who says only one?

PixLRiffs: I mean you can’t try the same thing twice right? I was thinking about proposing like this for a while but every time I want to rehearse what to say and do it all just came out in a blob

Sausage: You love them right?

PixLRiffs: I’d be crazy for asking for help to propose if I didn’t

Sausage: Then everything is going to be okay

Sausage: Everything falls into place eventually

Sausage: Do they know the password to the box?

PixLRiffs: It’s their birthday, they’ll never guess it

Sausage: Why won’t they??

PixLRiffs: They don’t think anyone cares enough

Sausage: That’s absolutely heartbreaking/gen

PixLRiffs: I know :(

maroon (4202-06-8116)

10:49AM, June 15th

maroon: [4 Attachments]

maroon: Great view from here!

GrianS: if youre going to use me as an instagram page can you not

GrianS: oh wait those actually look sick

maroon: They were my favourites

GrianS: wow youre really good at that

GrianS: is that

GrianS: the city centre?

maroon: I think so

GrianS: thats insane

GrianS: dont you live on the border or something? of third hill and craff?

maroon: A bit, yeah, not like directly on the border but I’m pretty close to Third Hill

GrianS: so the zoom is crazy then

GrianS: let me see if i can wave in that direction

maroon: Be my guest

GrianS: can you see me

maroon: Oh yeah look at you with your humanly coloured eyes and your humanly coloured hair and your humanly coloured skin

maroon: Don’t see why you’re in the nude though

GrianS: MUMBO.

maroon: Sorry!

Boarding now. This train stops at Son Of Stars. A/N: i dont fucking know how trains work.

Jimmy and Joel pulled their stuff into their carriage, casting a look at the station to check they hadn’t left anything behind. Joel had pestered Jimmy about forgetting things for the entire time it took them to leave Joel’s house and get on the train. For Jimmy to say it didn’t make him paranoid was a lie.

Joel pulled out his pillow from the clasp on top of his bag and sat it against the window, shuffling to put his feet up on his side of the seat-bed thing. Jimmy looked at him weirdly.

“Are you at least going to take your shoes off first?” He asked, his voice questioning and sounding like he had just given Joel the biggest side eye.

“No?” Joel huffed back with a smirk. “I think it’d be more unsanitary to get my dogs out on the train.” Joel pulled out his phone and opened up a mindless mobile game, sighing contently.

Jimmy shrugged. He was right about that too. While Joel lounged across his side of the sleeper, Jimmy sat compact as he unpacked his activities for the afternoon part of the train. Such activities were watercolours, coloured pencils, a book, his phone and Joel’s Nintendo Switch which he had taken a couple of months back to play Animal Crossing.

He placed the Switch on the table. Joel cast a look at him, before he realised what Jimmy had.

“Wait a second,” Joel bit, sitting up. Jimmy looked at him. “Is that my blummin’ Switch?” Joel snatched it from across the table. “It is! Jimmy! I’ve been looking for this for months!”

“I wanted to play Animal Crossing!” Jimmy laughed, reaching for it. Joel swung his hands away from Jimmy, holding the Switch out of reach.

“I never had Anima- did you buy ACNH!?” Joel’s fingers worked across the Switch, fiddling with the home screen, which indeed had a game preview on Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Joel gave him the most perplexed and distraught face. “You installed a cozy white girl game on my hardcore gaming device.” Joel tucked the Switch to his chest with a sigh as if to hold it away from Jimmy like he had made it cry. Jimmy held in laughter.

“If it makes you feel any better, I made my own account.”

Joel stared at him, because that in fact did not make him feel any better.

Two Pansexuals and Scott

4:08PM, June 15th

3 Participants

You

Scott (5701-09-2604)

Oli (3602-13-1399)

Mogswamp: I’m here!

Oli: YESSS MOGGGG

Scott: let me grab the door

Oli: LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTEDDDD

Mogswamp: Thanks Scott :)

Scott: ofc

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

6:28PM, June 15th

7 Participants

You

bb sausage heart emoji (3601-12-4801)

doc martyns (3801-07-5407)

jim jom (3801-03-6615)

jo jorl (5701-05-9408)

moggy woggy (7702-05-4500)

pix-el (3601-14-6650)

scottish scott scot man (5701-09-2604)

OliRionS: mog is ours now

OliRionS: can we keep you mog i think we can keep you

OliRionS: wait bring hobby over here next time

OliRionS: mogs in the bathroom btw thought you all should know

scottish scott scot man: eat your fucking dinner oli

OliRionS: sighs ok fine mum

scottish scott scot man: oli has been in my house for a little over 6 hours and im already sick of him, someone come get him

jo jorl: our train is going pass emstone in a couple hours, i’ll swap you for jimmy

OliRionS: BIG JIM!!!!!!!

scottish scott scot man: OLI. DINNER

scottish scott scot man: what did jimmy do this time

jo jorl: he stole my switch for months and bought acnh, infesting my hardcore metaphorical sweat drenched gaming device with white girl coziness

scottish scott scot man: i think you deserve it simply for saying “metaphorical sweat drenched gaming device”

jo jorl: scott

jo jorl: i am the victim here

Xisuma (4201-02-6533)

7:22PM, June 15th

Xisuma: Burger date in 10 mins?

Mumbo: Sure, but stop calling them dates you weirdo

Xisuma: Can you blame me?

Xisuma: Burger dates with a Mumbo is the perfect thing

Mumbo: You have literally met my boyfriend

Mumbo: In whom I am in a relationship with

Xisuma: Can’t a homie take his other homie out for a burger?

Xisuma: You, Mumbo, have too much pride

Mumbo: It’s pride month, that’s the point

Mumbo: To what burger establishment are we venturing to?

Xisuma: The one

Mumbo: Oh okay

Xisuma: This is an automated message. I am currently driving with Do Not Disturb on. If this message is urgent, respond with “urgent”

Mumbo: Urgent

Mumbo: Buy me dessert and you can call these outings burger dates

Xisuma: Had to fucking pull over

Xisuma: Why wouldn’t I buy you dessert?? Cheesecake right?

Mumbo: You know me so well

“Here’s my Mumbo shrine.” Jimmy’s character spun circles around a little clearing outside of Jimmy’s house. The ground was decorated with custom patterns and decorations in Mumbo’s signature colour, red. Joel huffed.

At some point, about 20 minutes ago, Jimmy had taken the Switch back to show Joel around his island. Joel had been reluctant at first, but if he started enjoying the little haven that Jimmy had managed to make in a matter of months, no one had to know. Waterfalls and intricately woven cliffs and landscaping features scattered across the digital island, with every single place accessible. Jimmy’s character walked around, showing Joel everything he had made.

For those of you who don’t know what Animal Crossing: New Horizons is, it’s a sandbox Nintendo Switch game where you decorate a deserted island to your heart’s content. You invite a bunch of critters to live on your island, with their each uniquely styled houses, behaviours and personalities. There’s practically unlimited amount of decorations, there’s flowers, and a museum that you can complete with seasonal bugs, fish, sea creatures as well as fossils and works of art. However, this isn’t a story about Animal Crossing.

“This is Static’s area.” Jimmy addressed simply, stopping to let Joel admire the purple decorated yard. Purple hyacinths, green chrysanthemums (one of the hardest flowers to get), and a lot of other decorations that Jimmy thought his villager would like dotted around Static’s house.

“Right,” Joel looked at the cluttered decorated area, it looked so pretty. “And what does Static look like?” Jimmy had already shown Joel a couple of other villagers, so he got used to asking.

“He’s a purple squirrel. And he’s got a really cool lightning bolt pattern on his fur.” Jimmy beamed, his character pole vaulting across a river. Joel hummed. Jimmy walked past a little dog character with pink around his nose and an orange patch of fur around his eye. Joel pointed at him, motioning for Jimmy to stop.

“Who’s this little fella?” Joel asked, as Jimmy interacted with the dog. His name was Bones.

“This is Bones! He’s one of my favourites. I picked him because Mumbo and I both agreed that he was very Mumbo coded.” Jimmy smiled, pressing a trigger to emit a happy reaction to the villager, who copied it back to him. Jimmy’s character ran off again.

Joel laughed, Bones did have a lot of Mumbo energy. “I have to agree with you there.”

–

The two settled into a comfortable environment around each other as the night darkened, and by 10pm the two were on their respective sides of the sleeper, both playing a mindless mobile game. Joel was incredibly better at it, and a lot of times had to lean over to help Jimmy play it.

“How the hell do you get good at Block Blast of all things?!” Jimmy had complained at one point. Joel had shrugged.

“I’m just better than you lad.” Joel had responded.

Now, with the train humming along gently, Joel opened his messaging app. It had been a couple of hours since the Animal Crossing debacle, but the game was really encaptivating. The time synced up to real life, and the dusk sun set with the street lamps Jimmy had put around drew Joel in. Joel pulled up Mumbo’s contact.

nerd alert (4202-06-8116)

10:14PM, June 15th

Joel: jimmy has a white girl game on MY switch and you’re mentioned about six times

nerd alert: Oh is this Stardew?

Joel: no

Joel: wait wh.

Joel: THERES MORE THAN ONE?????

nerd alert: Okay so not Stardew

Joel: acnh

nerd alert: Awwh

Joel: theres a guy called bones

nerd alert: Oh yeah!

nerd alert: We were on call when he picked it

Joel: ugh thats so gay

Joel: just ask him out already

nerd alert: You are the second person tonight who has insinuated I cheat on my boyfriend

Joel: wow mr maroon

Joel: you just cant keep it in your pants can you

nerd alert: I’ll have you know “it” is perfectly in my pants thank you???

Joel: whatever you say mr maroon….

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

10:33PM, June 15th

Mumbo: Had a really good burgie tonight

Green (Grian): thanks for sharing m8

Chapter Text

Mumburg (4202-06-8116)

12:15PM, May 1st (2022)

XisumaV: Burger?

Mumburg: Hi Suma

XisumaV: Eat burger?

XisumaV: With me?

Mumburg: Ooh that sounds good actually

Mumburg: BB’s? In 15?

XisumaV: Yayyyy

The Ladies of EPROT

11:28PM, June 6th (2022)

6 Participants

You

GT (4204-16-8106)

Impulse (4203-11-7307)

Mumburg (4202-06-8116)

Skizzle (5701-44-8814)

Tango (4202-09-3110)

XisumaV: Burgs?

Impulse: are you paying?

XisumaV: Are you coming?

Impulse: sure

XisumaV: Then no, @Mumburg will pay

Impulse: oh

Impulse: so what if i dont come lmao??

XisumaV: @Mumburg still pay

Mumburg: Are we doing burgers? I’ll pay

GT: i respect using mumbo for free food !!

Mumburg: Do you wanna come too, GT?

GT: yess !!!

Tango: I’m down

Impulse: i’m dragging skib with me

XisumaV: Burgers…

Mumburg: Midnight burger run

Mumburg: But nothing else, we have class tomorrow morning

Skizzle: what is Class/silly

XisumaV: Class is burger

Skizzle: ah I see

The Ladies of EPROT

4:22PM, August 10th (2022)

6 Participants

You

GT (4204-16-8106)

Impulse (4203-11-7307)

Mumburg (4202-06-8116)

Skizzle (5701-44-8814)

Tango (4202-09-3110)

Mumburg: Anyone seen X?

Mumburg: They just walked out of Media, did they go to any of yours?

Tango: with how sick these idiots are? i’d send x to the hospital with that kind of idea

Tango: speaking of which both sickheads are knocked out

Mumburg: Good, they need rest

Mumburg: So you don’t know where X would be?

XisumaV: Burger

Mumburg: Xisuma!! Wait did

Mumburg: Did you

Mumburg: Walk out of class to get a burger, X

XisumaV: No

XisumaV: Two burgers

Mumburg: Can you get me a slice of cheesecake pretty please?

XisumaV: [Attachment]

XisumaV: Already done ;)

Mumburg (4202-06-8116)

12:26AM, December 31st (2022)

XisumaV: I have not had a burger in 1-3 days

XisumaV: My life has become so empty and cold without The Burger

XisumaV: The lord knows if I could quench my thirst for burger with anything other than burger I would

XisumaV: But it calls to me Mumbo

XisumaV: The buns they are perfectly soft and perfect for burger

XisumaV: Mayonnaise and barbecue sauce on the bottom Augh

XisumaV: Perfectly balanced piece of cheese on top of tbe sauce

XisumaV: Then beetroot all up in that hoe

XisumaV: Perfect succulent beetroot THEN LETTUCE

XisumaV: To create a flat area for the patty to rest augh yes its all coming together

XisumaV: Perhaps an extra slice of cheese if I want to make it extra cheesy

XisumaV: Top bun

XisumaV: Mmmmmm

XisumaV: Burgies…

XisumaV: I am the Burger the one who Burgs

Mumburg (4202-06-8116)

8:22AM, December 31st (2022)

Mumburg: What the fuck is wrong with you

Chapter Text

Pix <3 (3601-14-6650)

4:04PM, June 16th

Mogswamp: We’re here!

Mogswamp: Are we meeting at yours or Sausage’s?

Pix <3: Mine! Sausage is helping me with stuff so he’s already here

Mogswamp: Cool! I’ll let everyone else know

Mogswamp: Do you still need that box?

Pix <3: Yes please!

Mogswamp: Okay, I’ll bring it over, we’ll be about 20 minutes?

Mogswamp: Gosh it’s so much easier to talk through the phone

Pix <3: Yeah, technology is great when it’s used for the right purposes!

Mogswamp: Do you remember when I didn’t have my phone? Back when it was… maybe 2 years before I started my degree?

Mogswamp: And we talked through letters?

Mogswamp: It was so much of a hassle, I can’t believe you still kept in contact with me

Pix <3: I wanted to, even if I got to roleplay as an 18th century lovesick girl

Mogswamp: But stilllll

Pix <3: You didn’t have a choice, did you? Phones are pretty pricey

Pix <3: Plus, it was 2 years more that I got to talk to you

Mogswamp: You’re so sweet

Mogswamp: You were the first person I gave my number to

Mogswamp: Not even my brother

Pix <3: Wait really?? I got your number before Hobby? You two live together!

Mogswamp: Okay so I sent you the letter and THEN told Hobby, but in my heart you knew first

Pix <3: I’m honoured

Mogswamp: Make it 30 minutes, Oli wants McDonalds

Pix <3: Of course he does

Pix <3: See you then <3

Mogswamp: <3

The Meese, The Emstonians, The Sossers and The Martyn

5:42PM, June 16th

7 Participants

You

Baby Girl Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

Martyn (3801-07-5407)

Mogswamp (7702-05-4500)

Oli Pop (3602-13-1399)

Pix (3601-14-6650)

Sausage (3601-12-4801)

Scott (5701-09-2604)

Joel: @Pix @Sausage we’re here

Sausage: Yay!!!

Sausage: Meet up at Pix’s!

Joel: in like a “he doesnt know we’re coming” way or he knows we’re meeting up there

Sausage: He knows we are meeting up at his place!

Oli Pop: its true, me scott and moggy woggy are already here

Joel: okay coolio

Baby Girl Jimmy: can i sleep on the opposite end of the house to joel

Oli Pop: you can sleep with me jimmy its okay

Baby Girl Jimmy: …

Baby Girl Jimmy: can i sleep on the opposite end of the house to joel and oli

Oli Pop: what!! so homies cant cuddle no more?? outrageous

Baby Girl Jimmy: YOURE MY COUSIN.

Joel: we’ll be 20 minutes ish

Oli Pop: oh theres a mcdonalds about 5 minutes from you !!!

Joel: okay so we’re gonna be 30 minutes

Baby Girl Jimmy: sighs dramatically

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

7:03PM, June 16th

Mumbo: Have not heard from Marmalade in a while

Green (Grian): im starting to think this is a one sided relationship, maroon

Mumbo: You’re one to talk

Green (Grian): hey!!! its not one sided if you break up a year earlier!!!

Mumbo: Mm, guess that’s true

Mumbo: Sorry

Green (Grian): no no dude youre okay

Green (Grian): talk to me whats going on

Mumbo: I miss him

Green (Grian): i know mumbo

Green (Grian): shoot him a message?

Mumbo: I’ll try

Grian’s friend Joel (5701-05-9408)

7:10PM, June 16th

Mumbo: Hey love! Haven’t heard from you in a while, you doing okay? <3

Grian’s friend Joel: oh

Grian’s friend Joel: are you cheating on martyn or are you an idiot

Mumbo: Ah, you’re not Martyn

Grian’s friend Joel: can confirm i am not martyn

Grian’s friend Joel: is he not with you? i swear he wouldve met with you by now

Mumbo: What do you mean?

Grian’s friend Joel: when he got there, he’d come see you

Mumbo: Got where???

Grian’s friend Joel: to third hill?? or maybe hes not there yet

Mumbo: He’s in Third Hill??????

Grian’s friend Joel: probably

Grian’s friend Joel: idk

Grian’s friend Joel: want me to check?

Mumbo: Define checking

Grian’s friend Joel: life360

Mumbo: ..Is that a legal measure?

Grian’s friend Joel: yes dont worry. its just like a tracking app

Mumbo: Okay

Grian’s friend Joel: just checked. yeah hes in third hill

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

7:19PM, June 16th

Mumbo: He’s in Third Hill

Green (Grian): he responded to you?

Mumbo: No, I accidentally texted your friend Joel first who told me he was

Green (Grian): are we sure he isnt being a prankster

Mumbo: Apparently he checked on some app

Mumbo: And I assume Martyn didn’t leave his phone in Third Hill and go back to Meese

Green (Grian): yikes

Green (Grian): he doesnt sound very live laugh love

Mumbo: He was very live laugh love when we started dating

Green (Grian): i dont want to be nosey so unless you.. want to talk about it with me i wont pry

Mumbo: I need to get it out

Calling…

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

Accepted.

“Shit. Shit! I’m so sorry dude.”

“This is the second time you’ve butt dialed me. Maroon, you need a new phone.”

“I know. Shit. Sorry. I’ll hang up I’m so sor-“

“Hey hey no I’m not mad, I was joking I’m sorry. Don’t go.”

“…”

“You’re nice to talk to.”

“…Y-yeah. I could’ve warned you at least.”

“It’s fine! I promise, Mumbo.”

“Okay okay.”

“Are you doing okay? You sound really stressed.”

“…”

“…Is this about Martyn?”

“We’re a little over an hour apart now. That’s it. And nothing. He didn’t tell me anything.”

“How long have you two been dating?”

“Almost a year. I think? I- I don’t know I can’t remember.”

“Jesus.”

“…Sorry.”

“Wh- Oh! No not about you. You’re the last person I’d be mad at right now.”

“…”

“…”

“I’m so tired, Grian. I miss him so much.”

“I know, Mumbo. I know how it feels. I miss Scar.”

“How long were you two together?”

“I can’t remember when we became official… like a label and all that crap. We were always just… romantic with each other.”

“How gay of you.”

“Ugh, I know. Gay people are the worst.”

“Pfft.”

“…”

“…”

“Are you feeling better now?”

“What?”

“Are you feeling better? Did.. taking your mind off it help?”

“Yeah, a bit. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, I’m glad I can help.”

“…”

“I’m about to have dinner, do you want to stay on call? You can listen to me rant about my shitty reality TV show.”

“Oh shoot- I should probably eat too.”

“Let’s have a virtual dinner… outing.”

“Psh- okay, sure! So what’s for dinner, Green?”

“I’m so glad you asked, Mumbo! Whatever’s in my fridge!”

“..Okay? So what’s in your fridge?”

“...”

“...”

“Uhh..”

“…”

“The phone number for a pizza place.”

“Oh, how did it get in there?”

“I dunno but it must be fate.”

“You’re so weird.”

Jimmy (3801-03-6615)

7:55PM, June 16th

Jimmy: i cannot believe martyn is in third hill and didnt tell you

Jimmy: what the hell is wrong with him???

Jimmy: he wont answer his phone

Jimmy: hes dry all the time

Jimmy: and he doesnt say anything at all??

Jimmy: i hope youre okay mumbo

Jimmy: missing you over here

Jimmy: [4 Attachments]

Jimmy: the gang is here

Mumbo: Sorry, on call with Grian

Mumbo: I can’t say I’m not mad at Martyn for not telling me anything, but yeah

Mumbo: You guys look like you’re having fun though!

“…”

“…”

“…Maybe I shou-“

“Don’t you dare, Mumbo.”

“What?”

“If I’m not allowed to text Scar, you’re not allowed to text Marmalade.”

“Grian. Our situations are entirely different.”

“Still. Wait for him to text you first for a change. See how long it takes.”

“…”

“You’re not the only person who has to put effort into a relationship.”

“…”

“It doesn’t make you doomed by the fates if you don’t talk every hour of the day. Take time for yourself.”

“I- I know.”

“It’s okay, Mumbo. It’s okay.”

*sniff*

“I know.”

“I just- I-“

“I know. I know, Mumbo.”

“…”

“…I promised to tell you about my shitty reality TV show, didn't I?”

“Huh? O-oh. Yeah. I want to… hear.. about that.”

“Ok’y well… buckle up b’cuz it g’ts emotional.”

“You can’t say that seriously with a mouth full of garlic bread.”

“Objection: relevance?”

“Pfft. Okay okay. Tell me about your shitty reality TV show.”

Call ended

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

2 hrs , 26 mins

Green (Grian) (3806-22-5106)

10:58PM, June 16th

Mumbo: Happy one week anniversary of knowing each other you loser

Mumbo: It feels like way longer

Mumbo: Probably because I overshared to you a little too much

Mumbo: But thank you for listening

Mumbo: And not pushing me away once I started crying

Mumbo: I feel like you and Jimmy would get along

Green (Grian): of course you remember one week of knowing someone anniversaries

Green (Grian): do you understand how much of a loser you are

Mumbo: I think so

Green (Grian): no

Green (Grian): no you do not

Green (Grian): (this is all light hearted and silly by the way, thank you for also being so patient with me and stuff)

Mumbo: <3

Green (Grian): <3