Duet: an Avi Kaplan fanfic

Midnight Conversations and Departure

At some point in the night, I roll over, effectively waking myself up. I start to go back to sleep, until I notice Avi is sitting at the foot of my bed, staring out my window.

“Avi? What’s going on?” I mumble, crawling to join him. He wraps a strong arm around me, pulling my close.

“Nothing…everything…nothing. It’s just, how can I possibly leave you now? I mean…it just feels so wrong to go away for months after that just happened.” He whispers.

“I know, but you have to. As much as I need you here with me, because I love you like nothing else, tens of thousands of other people need you to go. They are all counting on you to be there and to be the incredible guy you are. I just wish I had a way to come with you.” I tell him.

“Did you ever think that maybe I need you? That I don’t know what I’ll do for the next few months?” I don’t know what to say to that.

In the silence that follows, I breath him in, trying to save up memories of him. The way he smells, the way I feel in his arms.

“Arya, what if…you know. We didn’t use anything, so what if?” Avi asks me.

I sigh, “If that’s the case, then our baby would have a wonderful father that I absolutely adore. Avi, stop worrying; everything will be fine. I promise. Come on, let’s go back to sleep. You have a big day tomorrow and you need to sleep.”  I lay back down and hold my arms out like, are you going to join me?

Avi settles in beside me and we drift off, knowing that this won’t happen tomorrow night, or the night after that, etc., etc., etc.

In the morning, we simply get ready for his departure in relative quiet. I know he’s thinking about how this is the last day we’ll see each other for a while and I have to force myself not to cry.

When we get to where the bus is waiting for them, I wrap my arms around Avi. “You don’t get to leave. I have decided. You have to stay here with me, Avi.” I state, half smiling, still trying not to cry.

Mitch walks up, having heard me. “Um, sorry, Arya, but Avi’s coming. The queen has spoken and nobody over-rules this queen.”

Avi and I bust out laughing. “God, Mitch, you just might be the one of the greatest people to ever live.”

“Thanks babe,” says to me, grinning. I start laughing again and soon the tears are flowing. Avi squeezes me tighter.

“Arya,” Mitch says, “don’t start crying, because if yo cry, I’m going to cry and mommy is not crying today okay?”

I smile at him and, when Avi lets go of me to load up some stuff, I hug Mitch, whispering, “Thanks. Do me a favor, Mitchie?”

“Sure, girl, what?”

“Take care of him, okay? Please?” I ask, looking at Mitch.

“Avi’s a big boy, Arya. He can take care of himself. But, yes, I’ll take care of him. All of us will. I promise, okay?” he asks, smiling a little at me. I nod and give him one last squeeze.

Finally, eerything’s packed up and loaded. It’s time for them to leave and Livvie, Mel and I are not having it.  But we manage to hold it together, kinda.

One by one, I hug Kirstie, Kevin, Scott, Mitch and even Esther. I tell them all to be careful and have fun and own that fucking stage.

“Babe, I wil try to make it to a show that isn’t ridiculously far away. I will make it happen I promise. I can’t go this whole time without seeing you.” I whisper. He kisses the top of my head.

“Okay. I will be looking for you. Try not to miss me too much, and if ou need anything, let me know. I love you, Arya.”

“I love you too, Avi” I get a quick kiss and he has to leave.