A/N: Hello! For now, I'm just going through all the prompts first. Let's see if anything will be great enough to make into a full fic. Maybe we'll vote at the end? I unfortunately can't do both at the same time. Thanks for understanding!
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Prompt: "When you're on your own and suddenly without me... will you forget about me?" (When the Sun Goes Down - In the Heights)
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HB POV
I sit on the plane waiting for it to take off. As I gaze out the horizon, where light was now giving way to the dark night with a tumultuous play of colors, it mirrored the feelings of anxiety and excitement I have on this upcoming journey.
It would be our first separation for work.
I know you understand this and it's one of the reasons why I appreciate you so much. When I told you I needed to leave to shoot abroad, you didn't bat an eyelash. Work was work and we discussed long ago how much respect for each other's projects we had. Still, a separation for this long was never easy at the best of times, especially now that there is a pandemic.
As the departure date approached, I could tell that you were starting to fret. I'd catch you researching the weather conditions in Jordan, the political environment, the number of people getting the virus, lockdown restrictions.
"The production team has a plan for all of you when you get there, right? Like a hospital you will go to just in case?" You asked.
I nodded. "Yes. We have sufficient preparations. Don't worry."
"Be sure to wear your mask and wash you hands alright?"
I nodded. You had repeated yourself a number of times that day but didn't call you out on it. I knew you were concerned about me and I was grateful.
There was one more thing that was the undercurrent of all this tension we were feeling: would we make it? It would be two months that we'd be apart. A first since we officially started us.
I've loved you for far longer. At first, it was friendship. We genuinely liked being around each other and laughing with you continues to be one of life's biggest blessings.
Then, I fell in love. I told you as much but you didn't want to believe me. You couldn't use the excuse that it had just been because of the work because we were enemies in our movie but still you kept me at bay. You've been burned before and were careful about who you gave your heart to this time. I understood. It was tough but I got it. I had a lot of work to do to earn your trust.
There were times that I could tell you loved me, too, but I wondered if you would ever admit it and let me in.
My heart stopped that day when you told me you needed to take time after our drama to sort out your feelings. It was logical so I agreed. But there were a few nights, when my phone notifications would pop up and my heart would pound in my chest wondering if you were sending a message to say that you've decided to end it.
It was tough but we tried. Tried to do things on our own. Pretended that we were busy with things other than wondering what the other was doing. Until finally, finally, you came to me.
"I'm done pretending I'm okay." You said and we hugged. I had to hold myself back that night because I was worried I would squash you from my eagerness. I just wanted you to know how precious you are to me and I am never letting go. After weeks of being apart, you were finally with me.
Would this separation lead us to miss each other that much again?
Or would being away show you another way that would take you away from me?
This was all new to me. I had been in this situation before but this insecurity was new. You could tell, I knew. You hugged me tight last night and kept whispering how much you'll miss me. I told you I'd miss you, too. What I wasn't prepared for is how much I'd yearn for you already when I had not even left.
I dial your number. I still have a few minutes before we needed to turn off our mobile phones.
"Hey," you say as you pick up. You try to mask your sniffles but I could hear them.
"You said you won't cry?" I teased lightly.
"I'm not. These are allergies. Don't be so sure of yourself," you lie and tease in return.
"Good. Don't cry okay? I might run back to you right now if you are crying," I said. We both knew it was a joke but there was an undertone of seriousness.
Silence.
Then, a resigned sigh. "Take care of yourself there. Focus on work so you can come home soonest."
"Wait for me, alright?" I ask.
"Yes. I will," you promise.
It was time to leave. I watched the window and stared until the city was no longer in sight.
Wait for me.
I'm coming back to you.
