Voicemail

[smilestopscars]

It's Ez. You know what to do, darling.

Comments

[gavegoodface]

[from here]

"But how else am I supposed to show you my Gwanda gourd trick?"

By this point Face was actively trying to make things more confusing.

[not_a_moonie]

[From here.]

"Hi, I'm flattered you miss me and all but I didn't think we had that kind of relationship? Also, aren't you a teacher? That's so not appropriate."

[hexentotchen.livejournal.com]

[from here!]

Some amount of giggling before Hanna got herself under control. "I don't think it is illegal, just ill-advised. I could go with you to do that, if you really want to kiss one.... But who is it that's related to them?"

[spin_kick_snap]

[From here]

Kathy had...kinda had enough with people insinuating things about her today. "Fine. You're a prude and I'm a giant slut. Come over here and I'll show you the best way to stand naked in doorways, I do it all the time."

[crimson_sister]

[From here]

"Obscenity? Is that all everybody thinks about here? I won't make up for anything and I still won't take my clothes off."

That last part referred to a previous message, on a similar subject.

[good_for_six]

[From here]

I'm not sure who's been saying what, sweet thing, but I'm lewd in the mornings, not crude. It's completely different. If you and your pants come down to my ship tonight, I'll show you.

[spin_kick_snap]

[From here]

Kathy hadn't gotten many calls this year, so she figured that Anders was just messing around."You know, darling, this almost sounds like you're interested in having a threesome with your beloved roommate and Sparkle," she teased. "I'm surprised by the knife thing, though. That is not a kink we've ever talked about. How drunk do I have to get you for that to come up?!"

[spin_kick_snap]

Most of the people Kathy thought should get Valentines weren't people she could see really appreciating flowers, which was why she hadn't sent any. Instead, she'd made small gift baskets because her middle name was overachiever and handed those out instead.

So at some point in the afternoon, Ezra would find a basket with his name on it, filled with mini strawberry tarts, several varieties of condoms, and a gift card to a high end men's boutique in Boston. Happy Valentines Day, Ezra! Hope you put all of these to good use. --Kathy

[spin_kick_snap]

Hey. Just wanted to thank you for becoming a preteen life coach the other day. Which was a very light and breezy way of putting how Kathy felt, now that she was grown again and had context for their talk, but she was trying not to bombard Ezra with feelings right out of the gate. Remind me to bring cookies the next time i see you as thanks from thirteen-year-old me.

[smilestopscars]

Well, here was a text Ezra had pretty much known to expect.

Which meant he also expected her feelings on the matter weren't quite this light and simple.

No problem, darling, he sent back, flopping down onto the couch in his and Lock's living room. But I will obviously accept the cookies. They're my rightful tribute.

[spin_kick_snap]

Of course not. When was Kathy ever light and simple? She managed to complicate things without trying. But at least she was making the attempt?

See, now i'm glad you didn't say that to tiny me. I probably would have taken you at your word & tried to set up some kind of weekly tribute thing. You made quite the impression.

A pause and then she sent, Also, i have forgiven you your lack of little brothers, fyi<>

[smilestopscars]

Good. I don't think my mom is interested in having any more foxlets.

There were enough of them as it was.

Tiny you was a cute kid. Good taste, too.

[not_every_mage]

"Ezra, it's Anders. I nicked your number off Kathy's phone. I wanted to thank you for helping her the other day. Besides, I feel strange that we barely know each other, so .... maybe we could fix that before you turn up in my kitchen again? Talk to you soon, I hope."

[smilestopscars]

If asked, Ezra would say he could've guessed that something like this was coming. Or should've guessed. Or should've initiated it himself, even - he was aware that talking to Anders was probably something of a mandatory step in this whole... rehabilitation process, or whatever you wanted to call it.

He still eyed his phone warily for a long time after listening to his messages. And then went about his day, because sometimes he still had to run from things. If at least for a little while. Several hours, at the very least.

Still. Eventually, he returned the call.

[not_every_mage]

As the hours churned on, Anders had gone past waiting for a call back and well into feeling stupid for having made it at all. He was moving on to resenting Ezra for shoving away the olive branch when the phone rang.

Well. At least he could feel a bit less like an idiot.

"Hello," he said warily, and waited.

[smilestopscars]

"Hello," Ezra replied. The 'darling' was usually a reflexive addition to almost any greeting, but it felt wrong here, so he held it back. "You'd called."

His voice was smooth, on the light side but still just a tad aloof, too. He was trying to find his footing. This wasn't easy. Practically anyone else would've been a breeze to talk to, but Anders?

Well, Anders was different.

"Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner," he added. "Boston's really busy."

[spin_kick_snap]

At some point Monday afternoon, a Portalocity delivery person would be knocking on Ezra's door to hand off one interdimensional birthday present or two. The first was a multi-layer salted caramel and chocolate cake in a securely-fastened cake carrier, and the second was a much smaller, wrapped package, containing a hand-painted cribbage set.

The accompanying card simply said, Happiest of birthdays, Ezra.

[rebelseekspizza]

A single text-message, sent perfectly spelled and everything:

not this weekend but the next?

[smilestopscars]

Ezra noticed, because of course. Not that he was going to go so far as mentioning it.

Works for me, darling. Cabin or beach?

[rebelseekspizza]

im more of a beach guy

No apostrophes, though. Dante wasn't going nuts here. He also didn't realize that was going to be AU weekend because his mun was dumb.

[smilestopscars]

Wasn't the first time Fandom fucked up anyone's plans.

I sort of figured.

It was why he'd offered that up too in the first place.

I'll look for a place.

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy did, in fact, know what to do, even if she was texting, rather than getting his voicemail.

#WokeUpLikeThis was the text she sent, along with a selfie.

She didn't know if Ezra had been skipped over by the swap or not, but she hadn't.

[smilestopscars]

Ezra replied with a simple Still looking like this.

Along with a selfie of his own, yes.

[spin_kick_snap]

Is it weird I'm more thrown by the blonde than the girl? Kathy sent. How is everyone else handling it?

[spin_kick_snap]

Hey Ez. Dante and I are back on the island for a bit. Even got the old place back. If you ever wanna come visit Fandom and help me tease Dante about being a teacher, you're always welcome.