Discord: New Message

DM: NottListening and Widogast
NottListening small world
Widogast I’m sorry?
NottListening the name threw me, but you haven’t really aged that much.
NottListening sorry, it’s Veth. we met a few years ago.
Widogast Oh?
WidogastOh!
Widogast Small world, indeed. But it is not a new name, simply my middle name that I prefer now.
NottListening fair enough. how have you been? better, I’m assuming as you’re in college?
Widogast Yes. No sense in being subtle about it, but yes. Things improved finally.
NottListening good, I’m glad. I was worried when I was transferred out of the juvenile treatment
Widogast I was released not long after. They would not give me your contact, however.
NottListening for the best, really. It was rough. but you look so well!
NottListening the long hair suits you.
Widogast Thanks. Mom hates it, but I think she has given up.
Widogast Why do you go by Nott?
NottListening I promised Yeza I’d not use my real name with new friends online. it was a joke at first but it stuck
Widogast Molly?
NottListening he’s funnier than you think once you get used to him.
Widogast I don’t mind him. He is just.
Widogast A lot.
Widogast Who is Yeza?
NottListening my husband. we got married a few years ago.
Widogast Oh, congrats I guess.
NottListening It was a shotgun wedding but it’s worked out for the best.
NottListening he helped me get over a lot so I am better for it.
Widogast Does that mean you also have a child now?
NottListening I do. he’s five.
Widogast Oh, wow.
NottListening yeah. I was barely out of the clinic when I got pregnant.
NottListening but it really was for the best in this case
Widogast Well that’s good. What’s his name?
NottListening Lucas. he goes by Luc.
Widogast I like it. Have you told the others that you know me?
NottListening no.
NottListening Jester knows about my time at the hospital, so she would infer too much. I figure that’s not my story to tell.
Widogast Thanks. I’m not embarrassed but
NottListening I know.
NottListening not something you want brought up so soon.
Widogast Exactly. Where are you now?
NottListening I moved south a bit. everyone else is not far from you if you’re still local.
Widogast Really?
NottListening well, mostly. Bryce, Jester, and Fjord’s friend Darrow are further away but everyone else is within an hour thirty minutes. I’m about three hours way.
Widogast Maybe we can catch up some time soon?
NottListening I’d really like that

Caleb smiled to himself and put his phone down for a moment to strip his work clothes off for a shower. He had not seen Veth since he was a teenager and hospitalized after his stint in the mental health facility where she had also been sent. For him, it was self-harm and a dive into a breakdown after the fact that his parents had died. It was an old wound, even then, and he had been raised by his loving grandparents whom he called mom and dad. They had passed when he was still in his single digits, after all, and that was why he had come over from Germany in the first place. But it had collided with him a few years after it had happened and after bullying from the children around him. He had been with in-patient for two months in the summer and had met Veth there, who was older by a few years. She was in for habitual crime and potential mania. They knew each other for only three weeks, but she had been the first person who had been gentle and soothing toward him in the country. When she turned 18, she was pulled to a different ward and was discharged not long after.

He had only been 15 and would start sophomore year that autumn. He would meet Eodwulf, who had also been born in Germany, and later Astrid. They would help him throughout the worst of high school and even into college. Veth, however, would be his first real friend in the country. Finding her again had a strange effect on him now. Like he could breathe knowing what happened to her finally. And she was so close. It made his tired face pull into a soft smile.

After his shower, he huffed through his nose. Surprising no one except Frumpkin, perhaps, there were messages from the chats.

DM: FjordTough and Widogast
FjordTough hey you’ve been gone all day so in case we’re muted we may do some Jackbox tonight
FjordTough also Yasha is looking for someone to watch some documentaries on Netflix with again. Something about armor?
Widogast both sound great actually

GAME HOES
MissJester I just want to stream with everyone
GreenTea The last time you streamed, Beau was almost blocked from her Xbox account because they thought you two were dating and she got reported
MissJester Yes, but I told them to stop doing that. It will be fine~!
DarkAngel I wouldn’t mind but I’d rather not have our names in your descriptions.
DarkAngel That way people don’t look for people like Beau and Fjord out of jealousy
SleevesRBS why did no one get up your ass
DarkAngel Because like a smart person, I am private on everything and have been removed from searching on all platforms.
Widogast I am almost unsure I want to know what this is even about.
MT online harassment because darling Jester is mildly popular for being too cute and friendly.
MT and whenever we stream with her, one of us gets attacked because we’re too flirty
ItsYaBoi At least none of y’all’ve been doxed.
GreenTea I am sorry that even happened
FjordTough okay, why can Bryce use a y’all term just fine but I get mocked when I do
ItsYaBoi Because I’m real southern and you’re Texan.
FjordTough whatever. If we’re streaming, I’m off call again
MissJester :( is it really that bad?
NottListening …
SleevesRBS no?

DM: FjordTough and Widogast
Widogast Is it really that bad?
FjordTough For you? Probably not.
Widogast For me?
FjordTough That came out worse than I meant it.
FjordTough Some of us actually stream on our own or used to. I doubt you do, so you’d just be a faceless voice on her channel
Widogast I see. I take it you are one of the people who used to stream
FjordTough Still do but... now if she wants to, I usually don’t speak on the call and use my secondary gamer tag
Widogast Does she always do this?
FjordTough no. I think she is just bored and misses her community. They’re mostly nice. But there are some who can be
FjordTough …. yeah
FjordTough It’s not her fault though. She’s popular because she’s so darn friendly and pretty. But she is also a bit too open about her life and it makes people get overly attached.
Widogast Ah. The real person shippers and stalkers.
FjordTough pretty much
FjordTough Molly and I were the usual suspects until she admitted she was fluid in who she was into. Then Beau got slammed. And because Yasha has been in Molly and my group jackbox stream, she was hit as well but only in chats she’s visible in
Widogast Well I suppose it is a good thing I have zero online presence
FjordTough I wasn’t going to say it but you really do
Widogast Did you really search me?
FjordTough … shit
FjordTough sorry. Molly and I argued about your accent and Yasha said just look it up because you were working
FjordTough not even an old Facebook page
FjordTough Caleb?
Widogast I’m here. Sorry, I am also attempting to cook food and not just order takeout. I don’t have much, but much like Yasha, I am off search options.
FjordTough sorry I forget not everyone is as open about their lives
Widogast Nothing to apologize for. But you could say I have a German accent.
FjordTough You’re from Germany?
Widogast I grew up there, yes. But I was born in Poland. I came over here when I was nine. The accent stayed because of my grandparents.
FjordTough so you’re fluent
Widogast Yes. And I still required a second language in high school and college.
FjordTough that’s a mood. I had to do that for Spanish. So I took German
Widogast Oh dear.
FjordTough it was painful
FjordTough why are your words so long
Widogast Lol

GAME HOES
SleevesRBS @Widogast @FjordTough the fuck boiz
SleevesRBS waiting on u
FjordTough sorry I was harassing Caleb while he was cooking
MT Fjord, we’re getting a divorce, I want Caleb now
FjordTough I COOKED FOR YOU TWO NIGHTS AGO
MT that was cooking?
FjordTough we live in a dorm. TF do you expect? sous vide?
Widogast I’m mildly impressed you spelled that correctly.
FjordTough you’re the wurst
Widogast You know, Molly, I do believe I’ll accept that proposal.
FjordTough !!
MT suck it, Tex
MT we qec
MT HE JUST THREW A PILLOW AT ME!

DM: FjordTough and Widogast
FjordTough don’t replace me :(
Widogast ;)
FjordTough :((((

Fjord and Molly got noise complains that night from their neighbors for laughing too loud that night.

GAME HOES
HeySailor anyone up
ItsYaBoi Oh shit!!!
ItsYaBoi @FjordTough
FjordTough oh shit. Darrow! Where are you?
HeySailor hypothetically speaking…
FjordTough gotcha.
HeySailor ( ͝° ͜ʖ͡°)
HeySailor im in the mediterranean
SleevesRBS why tf are you guys blowing up chat at 5am
FjordTough sorry, Darrow’s at port
FjordTough I was getting up to work out
HeySailor dude ur in the 1st civdiv, ytf r u working out at ass crack oclock
SleevesRBS because he’s fucking satan
ItsYaBoi How long do we have you? :o
HeySailor the weekend, we’re on our way home so ill be back in a few weeks
HeySailor reminds me anyone want shit from spain or france we get shore leave at both and maybe england
FjordTough nah man just pictures and stories
FjordTough are you still coming up on your post leave?
HeySailor if molls wont bitch about it
GreenTea Oh, Darrow. Good afternoon for you.
HeySailor sup cad
GreenTea You can crash here still. I thought you accepted that before you left?
HeySailor gramps if thats still on then fuck yeah. just didnt want to subject u to drunken shenanigans
GreenTea Oh. Well. You’ve met my brother.
MT Okay, one
MT R U D E
MT two? Fair
ItsYaBoi I think I can still go up for the weekend when you’re there. :D
MT Party?
HeySailor Party?
ItsYaBoi Party?
FjordTough my liver weeps…

DM: HeySailor and FjordTough
HeySailor my dude my guy my sweet summer dream
FjordTough I’m glad you’re okay dude I’ve been worried with how quiet you’ve been
HeySailor yeah sorry about that. I just know we get to bsing and then could risk opsec as this is a white line I’m on
FjordTough nah man, I get it. Been there.
HeySailor picked up a thing for u though. cuz u said ur cousin kept the other scarf
FjordTough thanks. Pretty sure I know where you’re at right now but I’ll stay quiet. Let me know when you leave England so I can request time off
FjordTough also congrats on picking up. Finally
HeySailor in my defense
FjordTough uh huh
HeySailor fuck the test system
FjordTough lol

GAME HOES
Widogast Was ist los?
MT ???
MT bro you good?
Widogast Ja, ich bin okay
Widogast jhnmqd ,wdjq ??
MT …
SleevesRBS …
MT hey @HeySailor I think Caleb was saying hi
ItsYaBoi Was he texting in German? So cute.
MT omg I think Caleb was sleep texting
SleevesRBS lolol
MT don’t feel abandoned, soulless wonder, saying hi to Darrow once he and Fjord start talking is pointless
MT it’d be gay if Darrow wasn’t so straight
ItsYaBoi I’ve watched them grab each others’ dicks full on. It’s fucking gay.
MT they did what now?
ItsYaBoi I think Darrow stopped doing this by now, but he used to drive a stick shift and grab the dick of whomever sat next to him if they were ignoring the conversation
FjordTough can confirm but he also has laid in a towel on my barracks room bed while I was showering in an attempt to out-gay me
MT and no pictures?!
HeySailor Fjord was too busy wheezing like a vacuum sucking up pennies
FjordTough he was in a care bear beach towel!
SleevesRBS I have so many questions
SoullessWonder Who changed my name?
HeySailor ¯\_( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯

GAME HOES
SleevesRBS yo its fucking quiet without darrow hitting on fjord
SleevesRBS when is he back
FjordTough you know he can’t tell us until he’s at port
SleevesRBS bullshit
MT can confirm but at least Fjord has been in a better mood
SoullessWonder You two seemed close.
FjordTough he was a senior when I was in. We stayed pretty close after
Widogast Oh, I was not aware of that. He appears very fond of you
FjordTough He can be
MT I feel bad for Bryce though. They’ve been doing this for how long?
ItsYaBoi Almost 8 years. You get used to it.
ItsYaBoi I grew up with him, so it feels wrong to ditch him now.

A part of Fjord realized that Caleb was slowly trying to understand who everyone was to the others without being invasive. It was awkward to say the least, but he understood. The crew had been together for almost four years in some places. Cad and Molly had known each other for a long time as brothers, obviously. Bryce and Darrow had grown up together and he had met Bryce through Darrow when he was new to the fleet. Some of the others met each other separately, such as Yasha, Jester, and Nott. But it was clear they were all close and he was the new member. He had latched to Nott, which Fjord found both fitting as she was the actual mom friend of the group and endearing as she seemed the most patient with his moods and shyness. Over the last few weeks, he seemed to have warmed to Beau and Molly, despite how much they made him uncomfortable. And, naturally, Jester was overly fond of the new friend and trying her best to get him comfortable. A part of him was glad that they were all becoming friends, but a small part also hated that he seemed to not need Fjord specifically to navigate anymore. A jealous side he was not sure how to handle.

So, he didn’t. Physical attraction was nothing and easy to ignore. He had suffered it (and suffered he did) with both Molly and Cad, but he never felt jealous for all of the attention both gave elsewhere. He tossed it up to the idea that he had been the first friend and just feared being replaced instead. After all, he barely knew Caleb and it was entirely over the phone.

“You look like you’re unsure if that was a fart or not,” Molly purred in his ear as the lankier man draped himself over Fjord’s shoulder.

They were at a bar where Fjord claimed to be watching a football game, but was actually glaring at the bottom left corner of the screen that was glowing red. He snorted at his friend’s comment and hardly shifted as Molly slid off him and into the seat next to him. He was used to the constant contact the man seemed to give naturally. Soft touches. Arms around shoulders. He couldn’t count the number of times Molly sat on his lap or stretched with his legs across his own. The first few times it had been strange, as Darrow and his shipmates were the only ones who were that close. On ship, it was the stir-crazy mentality while crammed into a floating tin can for months on end which caused the glaring disregard for personal space. For Molly, it was compulsive from being with an enormous family. Now, it was a comfort to have that constant affection that ensured he was never touch-starved.

“Just tired,” Fjord lied.

And the hum Molly gave told him the man knew it was a lie but also knew not to press it. He, instead, ordered them a round and leaned back in his chair and watched for the door. The sides of Molly’s mohawk were growing out enough to look like peach fuzz and stand out nearly black against his colorful hair. His eyes, unnaturally colored thanks to contacts, watched for Beau to join them with Yasha after their evening class together. Why did he need to be jealous? He had the best friends he could ask for, both here and somewhere in the Mediterranean on his way home. The idea made the ghost of a smile tug at his lips. The man pulled out his phone and unlock it, as he had a Discord notification. As he always seemed to.

New Message
Widogast Hope your tests went well. I may be gone much of the week because of a sale we have. I already told Nott so you two don’t worry about me.
Widogast Perhaps we can go over your public speaking notes when I return?

He sighed and typed back a quick response before tucking his phone away before Molly noticed who he was messaging. He always saw too much and was too ready to comment. And Fjord was not sure he was ready for that.

GAME HOES
MT can I voice a complaint
SleevesRBS if we say no would it stop you
MT nope
SleevesRBS worth a shot
MT fuck you
MT why do people get so fucking pissed when they flirt with someone and then the person flirts back?
DarkAngel Work?
MT not even! Beer garden downtown, the bartender was clearly doing the queer bait and fishing for tips now that I look back but boy was cute and his jeans nice and tight
MT The moment I return the flirting fully he got all offended and pissed. Had to get another server to finish my order there
DarkAngel Got it. Standard het man mad when the game was repeated.
MissJester Did you still tip? :(((
MT of course I did. I’m annoyed not a heathen
SleevesRBS that’s shit dude. straight boys be whack. wtf is up with them
SleevesRBS Caleb?
MT why are you asking Caleb?
SleevesRBS straight until proven queer my guy
MT puuuuuh lease he’s too sassy to be straight, right dude?
MT we can just send the Fjord test
ItsYaBoi I’ve seen plenty of very heterosexual men make passes at Fjord during Fleet Week in his uniform. That test is not an accurate depiction
SleevesRBS No shit, just last week someone told him they’d bottom for him in tribute of Veteran’s Day
SoullessWonder That’s one way to support the troops.
MT CALEB! EITHER EXPLAIN STRAIGHT BOYS OR ADMIT IT
SoullessWonder You seem very invested in this answer. It would be a shame to ruin your excitement.
MT I’M INVASIVELY NOSY AND A GOSSIP! PLEASE!!!
SoullessWonder I have schoolwork. Good night everyone.
NottListening Night Caleb
DarkAngel Night
MT CALEB I SWEAR TO ODIN HIMSELF
MT IT’S A FRIDAY NIGHT WHO EVEN DOES HOMEWORK ON A FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!!!!!

DM: SleevesRBS and Widogast
SleevesRBS having fun
Widogast Indeed. He is easy to rile up.
Widogast And with the benefit of hiding behind a screen, I seem to be more comfortable in teasing along with the rest of you.
SleevesRBS I’ve noticed
SleevesRBS it’s been pretty dope
SleevesRBS what are you actually doing
Widogast Reading if you’d like to know. An old favorite that I always found hauntingly fascinating.
SleevesRBS oh dope, I love to read
SleevesRBS what book? I just finished some ya trash because I’m trash
Widogast Ah, Orwell’s 1984.
SleevesRBSUGH I had to read that book a year ago I think I would have liked it better if I read it willingly
Widogast It is a rather dense read. But it is also a great character study on hive mentality.
SleevesRBS oh fucking dope there is a free audiobook version may snag that
SleevesRBS can I ask and feel free to say “fuck off Beau that’s private”
Widogast Ah, yes.
Widogast I am, as you specifically would say, bi as fuck.
SleevesRBS omfg I think I read that in your voice XD
SleevesRBS I won’t tell him but this just got way more fun for me
Widogast Knowledge is a powerful gift. Use it wisely.
SleevesRBS Yes, sir.

GAME HOES
SleevesRBS :)
MT why are you smiling
SleevesRBS :))))
MT YOU KNOW?!
SleevesRBS :)
NottListening :)
DarkAngel :)
GreenTea :)
MT I HATE ALL OF YOU
>MT has left the server

Widogast That was dramatic
DarkAngel He does that here and there. It’s how he slams the door online and storms off
DarkAngel All of our chats have a pinned permanent link to the chat.
DarkAngel Give him an hour maybe.
GreenTea Can someone explain to me why I was told to just smile in chat?
SleevesRBS to fuck with your brother
GreenTea I see this.

>TeaLeaf has joined the server
SleevesRBS aaaaand he’s back. 47 minutes is a new record
MT Look.
SleevesRBS look
DarkAngel l o o k
MissJester 𝕷𝖔𝖔𝖐
NottListening ᴸᵒᵒᵏ
ItsYaBoi ʞoo˥
>MT has left the server

FjordTough …
FjordTough Anyone know why Molly is blasting Hilary Duff and drinking White Claws on the floor?