Work Text:
Tling!
Hermann snaps awake instantly.
"If this is you, Hasi, I'm going to ... thank you," he grumbles. The glow-in-the-dark hands on the clock across his tiny bedroom show nine-ten.
He drags himself to the edge of his bed and his knee protests as he bends it to touch the floor. With a sharp breath and a curse for the latest air pressure change, he picks up his phone and taps in his pin.
Blinking at the unfamiliar American number, he reads the newest text message.
Message received [09:09 9 June 2014]
Happy birthday penpal!
Message sent [09:12 9 June 2014]
Newton Geiszler, is this your phone number?
Message received [09:12 9 June 2014]
yup
Message received [09:12 9 June 2014]
happy 25 dude
Message sent [09:14 9 June 2014]
Thank you, Newton, for taking the time to uncover my phone number and message me.
Message sent [09:14 9 June 2014]
Your birthday wishes will certainly brighten my day.
Message sent [09:15 9 June 2014]
May I humbly suggest you retire for the night before too long?
Message received [09:15 9 June 2014]
whatevs doc
Message received [09:16 9 June 2014]
sleep is for the weak
Message received [09:16 9 June 2014]
whatre you working on today
Message sent [09:17 9 June 2014]
My personal research.
Message received [09:17 9 June 2014]
ooo mysterious
Message received [09:18 9 June 2014]
wormhole model again
Message sent [09:18 9 June 2014]
Yes.
Message received [09:18 9 June 2014]
awesome good luck
Message received [09:19 9 June 2014]
looking forward ot the paper
Message sent [09:19 9 June 2014]
Thank you.
Message sent [09:20 9 June 2014]
I must be off.
Message received [09:20 9 June 2014]
yea yeah
Message received [09:21 9 June 2014]
hbd hermann xxoo
Hermann blushes.
Message sent [09:23 9 June 2014]
Thank you again, Newton. Goodnight.
Hermann moves through his morning routine and strolls the three blocks to his office, knee complaining quietly, with a wide smile and a light heart.