Chapter Text
John was missing. Untrue and exaggerated, that was the extreme Smitty felt by his absence. Its cruelty weighed on his heart and pushed his buttons. Isolation couldn't possibly mean anything good, especially for a depressive guy like John. There had to be something he could do to help, but you couldn't necessarily help a man who bared teeth at the idea of showing vulnerability.
And then came the camping trip.
Smitty couldn't think straight while he planned it out with the others. Of course it was Smitty who brought up that they should invite John. The idea of John being there sounded so natural, that he immediately texted him about it. It wasn't even confirmed until a few days later, yet he knew he had to tell him in that very moment. Surely he was at least reading messages if not responding.
Smitty's excuse wasn't just to give John more time to respond, but to convince him to ease out of his solitude. Being a creative artist who has a fondness for nature and all things floral, it wouldn't make sense to not be there. You'd get a sick (and paid for) vacation with your best pals in the beautiful, mountainous eastern Canada. John would probably be drawing the flowers. It's a distinctive affinity of his, to appreciate all things botany. Smitty wondered how he picks out his favorite flowers.
He had to convince John to come on the trip nonetheless—it would be good for him mentally. To get him out of his house and far away from whatever the hell was haunting that man. Socializing sometimes makes you remember you enjoy life. Maybe that's what he needed.
Smitty leaned back and stretched in his chair as his computer screen reflected bright light onto his face. He should've gone to bed hours ago, but his intuition kept him wide awake. John might text back tonight, even if he kept telling himself that every night.
The chair creaked as Smitty gently kicked off his desk and spun himself in a half circle, his head lolled back to stare at the dark at the dimly lit textured ceiling. Rereading messages is boring and practically self-humiliation. This was an echo chamber. Dry eyes locked back onto John and his Discord DMs, pathetically rereading his messages.
SMii7y 7/29/25, 11:24 PM
Fellas and I are going on a vacation in the Canadian mountains. Or planning to because we're still asking to see who can go. Shit is gonna be so fun.
SMii7y Yesterday at 1:13 AM
Hey John, if you killed yourself or something you should just stop being dead, it's cringe lmao?????hello?????John???????,!,?.?.?/$$/&:@9838
SMii7y Today at 2:04 AM
also I wanted to ask if you wanted to come on that week long camping log cabin trip thing, like the vacation in the mountain thing because I was being deadass.
It's actually confirmed now. I'm going with Matt, Puffer, and Grizzy.
We're gonna be mountain men without you have fun being dead dude :/
Kryoz Today at 2:04 AM
ok I'll go. wwhen
The notification ping sounded unreal with how quick it came. John must've watched him type that out. He had been here this entire time in what Smitty had thought was a perpetual, one-sided conversation. Smitty responded instantly, the once shy thought of John drawing flowers seemingly much more realistic now instead of being a dumb daydream. It's like he was entranced. He couldn't look away from his monitor.
SMii7y Today at 2:04 AM
Two weeks. You doing alright?
Kryoz Today at 2:06 AM
I'm ok and I'm bookingg tickets now .,where the meet up at
The corner of his lips ticked sideways in mild annoyance at the dryness and lack of detail from John. It had been out of habit now with how frequently blunt John was on his well being. Fine, whatever. He'd be seeing him in person soon anyway.
SMii7y Today at 2:06 AM
we're all meeting at Matt's place and driving up north and staying at this cabin we rented out. It's super nice, you'll like it.
Kryoz Today at 2:10 AM
Oh cool I'm gonna mother nature that bitch
SMii7y Today at 2:10 AM
I can pick you up if you want?
Kryoz Today at 2:14 AM
ur such a good boyfriend oh my glorp!! yes plz
John was always going to be incapable of taking anything seriously. Maturely. Without brushing it off. It made Smitty's stomach twist in discontent.
SMii7y Today at 2:14 AM
?? but John seriously, how have things been?
damn keep taking forever to respond dude
SMii7y Today at 2:18 AM
It's not like I'm worried for you or anything
Kryoz Today at 2:19 AM
My bad
dogshit but I'm alive so it's whatever It was just another mentla health thing
SMii7y Today at 2:19 AM
Thats understandable
I think going on this trip could help with that honestly.
Kryoz Today at 2:23 AM
Yeah probably.
Perchance typee shit
SMii7y Today at 2:23 AM
It'll be nice to see you again in real life, John.
Kryoz Today at 2:24 AM
I miss you
His heart skipped a beat as he read John's last message. Smitty's hand slid down his face, his mind fuzzy as he reread their brief conversation. He decided against a response. There was a sense of strongly needed retribution. It's not like he'd ghost John for an entire day.
Two weeks.