First Published: June 23rd 2017

Pairing: moxiety

Genre: fluff, human au, long-distance relationship

Word Count: 1341

Warnings: none

Summary: Ann can't sleep, but he can't exactly text his boyfriend either. Instead, he chooses to miss him.

* This has my favourite line of all time that I've ever written.

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Ann curled up on his bed, staring at his phone. It was two in the morning, but for Patton, it was only 6pm, and that meant he was sitting down at dinner with his flatmate. It was comforting, he thought as the minutes drew him closer to the next hour, knowing that his love was out there, wide awake and living.

The stars lean down to kiss you, and I lie awake and miss you.

Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere.

To distract himself, he thought of when they had first met. It took weeks of planning and promises, but soon he had managed to secure a flight to Ann. He arrived at 6am and both of them were absolutely exhausted but so happy to finally see each other. Ann drove Patton back to his flat and the first thing they did was cuddle on the bed and kiss each other senseless.

'Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly, but I'll miss your arms around me.

Of course, all good things had to come to an end eventually. All too soon, Patton was boarding a plane home, leaving Ann alone again with a whisper of "soon". Ann didn't want to wait that long, but what could he do, other than pine and hold himself together until he next saw Pat? The long-distance calls weren't the same now that he knew the smooth way he laughed without static cutting in, the scent of his cardigan and just his un-pixelated presence in general. How could Ann go back to this, when he knew of something better?

I'd send a postcard to you, dear, 'cause I wish you were here.

Ann opened his window, and tried not to remember the way they had looked out and talked about the world. Patton distracted him from his existential thoughts and in return, he didn't protest so loudly at being the little spoon that night. Now, the stars twinkled and the full moon illuminated the yard, inviting him out there to keep him company. He told himself he wasn't going to, but took one look at his unlit phone and suddenly, he was outside.

I'll watch the night turn light blue, but it's not the same without you.

Because it takes two to whisper quietly...

The birds had begun to wake up and start their day, taunting him as he just lay there uselessly, seeing Patton's favourite colour take over the dark sky. He imagined that he could hear his boyfriend point out funny looking clouds that covered the fading specks which had brought him comfort previously. If he tried hard enough, he could almost picture their breath billowing above them as the cold of the world around them worked to make it visible.

The silence isn't so bad, 'till I look at my hands and feel sad,

'Cause the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly.

He reached his hand up towards the hues of the skies and stretched his fingers apart. If Patton were here, he'd simply intertwine their fingers and press his palm to Ann's, effectively making him fall more in love. However, he thought as he wriggled each finger contemplatively, five had never seemed a lonelier number.

I'll find repose in new ways, though I haven't slept in two days,

'Cause cold nostalgia chills me to the bone.

The truth was, these stupid time zones were keeping them apart. Sure, he could hypothetically start up a call with Patton now, but he was under the impression that Ann was asleep and would be disappointed if he saw the heavy bags under his eyes. It wasn't his fault – it was hard to sleep when he tossed and turned, wondering if the silence between them was the cause of something he did or because life wanted to keep them apart. Patton had been taking more courses to become a teacher and, despite how supportive Ann was when he first heard about it, it sucked. His boyfriend could no longer afford to stay up until ridiculous times just so they could talk, and whenever Ann was awake, he was at the university.

But drenched in vanilla twilight, I'll sit on the front porch all night,

Waist deep in thought because when I think of you I don't feel so alone.

Sighing, Ann figured he should probably head back inside before the neighbours woke up and reported him for being a weirdo or something. When he entered his room, he saw his phone displaying a text notification from Patton.

I don't feel so alone. I don't feel so alone...

"Hey, Ann," the text read. "I know you're probably asleep. It is... 6am for you, right? So you probably won't get this for a while. I've been pretty busy lately, but I want you to know that I love you. You mean so much to me. I hope you realise that. I'm not very good with words, but you're the light of my life. I love you. I love you so, so much. Don't forget that. Well, I should probably stop blowing your phone up... I can be clingy sometimes. I'm a bit emotional tonight, if you couldn't tell. Alright, I'll stop now. I hope you have a good day! Xx."

As many times as I blink I'll think of you tonight.

Anxiety was typing out a reply in an instant. In his tired haze, he had to keep backspacing so his text wasn't an incomprehensible mess. Of course, Patton was surprised at his early-rising, and eventually Ann admitted that he hadn't been sleeping well. This led to apologies on both ends, and soon, they found themselves on a call together.

I'll think of you tonight...

"You should sleep," Patton whispered. Ann scoffed, but he stopped when his boyfriend shook his head. "I'm serious. You haven't been sleeping well because of me." Ann opened his mouth to interrupt again, but he was cut off. "You know it's true. Here, I'll stay on the call with you, as long as you sleep. When you wake up again, I'll be here. I promise. I don't have anything else to do tomorrow, so I can stay up all night. Just let me do this one thing for you, okay?" Ann could only nod, and under the guide of Patton's voice, he fell into a sleep entertained with thoughts of calm blue and grey.

When violet eyes get brighter, and heavy wings grow lighter,

I'll taste the sky and feel alive again.

A few months later and Ann was on a plane. He gripped the arm rest tightly as the engine roared to life, reminding himself that this was for Patton. Sure, he could very well die on his way over, but that didn't matter. He was finally going to get to cuddle him again. Maybe they'd go out and watch the stars, or perhaps they'd just stay in and curl up with cups of coffee. That would be nice...

And I'll forget the world that I knew, but I swear I won't forget you.

He waved his last goodbye to the city he had known all his life and prepared for a long flight. He couldn't exactly turn back now, but he found himself not at all wanting to. He was going to Patton, and wherever that was, he'd be happy.

Oh if my voice could reach back through the past...

A turbulent landing and a couple of security checks later, he was looking around the airport feeling the usual anxiety bubble up in his chest. He didn't know where to go, and Patton wasn't answering his phone. Then, without warning, someone behind him squealed, and he turned around just in time to see his boyfriend running towards him. They collided with a hug, and Ann felt his world right. It hadn't been like that since Patton left. Ann couldn't help but cry a little into the shirt that smelt like Patton.

I'd whisper in your ear:

"Oh darling, I wish you were here."

He was home.