Chapter Text
Long distance relationships were never an easy thing, definitely not if one looked at the famous reality shows that aired on tv for reference. Though for Naib, it felt different. Especially since his relationship with Norton didn’t start out as long distance. Was it difficult? Yes, definitely. But it was just for two years, while Naib studied in Nepal to retouch with his roots.
It wasn’t difficult to be long distance, they didn’t fight, and they were lucky they didn’t have to worry about being catfished for money (neither of them had much to be catfished for, unless student debt was a recent turn on.) But even though they had the ‘easier’ long distance relationship, there were some days that made the distance extra hard.
Sometimes the days were long, and the nights would be lonely. The feeling of someone being close, the warm embrace and tingling touches, was often missed. Sometimes Naib would go to bed, sad to find there was no himbo laying there waiting for Naib with a book in hand, ready to welcome the nepali with open arms and let the brunette rest on top of his broad chest. When he would usually hear the slow, steady beats of Norton’s heart Naib always found himself feeling relieved. But now that beating noise was replaced with nothing but numbing silence.
It was hard. Sometimes the need to see each other was strong, and suddenly their time calling wasn’t enough. They always said they were lucky to only be 4 hours and 45 minutes apart, but luck only took them so far before Naib would wind up asleep on call. Mumbling soft words Nort couldn’t dream to make out over the crispy call audio.
It was hard at times. Sometimes, when either of them felt down, they had a knack for going silent, and keeping to themselves. Both of them knew the silence only made it worse, but who thinks rationally down in the slums? There were times where Naib left his phone to focus on his studies, feeling his energy was too drained to talk. Whether the feeling of missing Norton became too much, or his energy was too low, he had those days where his hand simply refused to reach for the telephone.
Then there were those days where Naib spent all day staring at his last sent message. Checking the clock on top of his screen. Counting the minutes, possibly hours, between his message and the time. On lucky days, he would message Norton and they could talk it out, perhaps he could help cheer up his nerd, even if they were miles apart. But then there were days where he ’was fine’, and they didn't get to talk it out.
”I’m fine” was a crime they both were guilty of.
There were some days that were harder than others, and Naib had never expected his birthday to be one of them. Unsure what he had expected, the brunette was left confused by his disappointment. It wasn’t as if Norton could do much as far away as they were- Naib didn't do much for Norton’s birthday, aside from a longer video call with a passionate end for the night.
It wasn’t as if Norton could do much, but looking down at his last message before checking the time, Naib chewed down on his nails. His head boiling for other reasons than the summer heat. The least Norton could have done was answer his message, give him the time of day, right? Impatient, Naib even tried to spam some memes and funny videos with Norton, but still there were no replies.
Nawabu: I do not look like that (2:12 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: when you eat you do (2:13 AM 21/07/2021 )
Nawabu: !!! I’m not an angry chihuahua (2:15 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: loOK I’m just saying rhat chihuahua looks at that bone like you look at cake
Northot: *that
Northot: *that (2:17 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: Wait I got it right first try (2:18 AM 21/07/2021 )
Nawabu: Dumbass (2:20 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: Rude >:((
Northot: Shouldn’t the rude chihuahua go to sleep? (2:20 AM 21/07/2021 )
Nawabu: No (2:23 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: Yes. (2:24 AM 21/07/2021 )
Nawabu: Make me (2:24 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: I’ll bring out the * * role play (2:24 AM 21/07/2021 )
Nawabu: ew, I’m going to bed (2:26 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: Night, don’t choke on bugs (2:30 AM 21/07/2021 )
Nawabu: I’ll choke you with a cockroach (2:30 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: scratch the roach and sure <33 (2:31 AM 21/07/2021 )
Northot: Oh yeah, I’m working a lot tomorrow, so don’t growl at strangers while I’m busy. (4:25 AM 21/072021)
Northot: Message you once I’m free (4:25 AM 21/072021)
Glaring at that message, Naib then left the application. Looking at the calendar this time. 23/07/2021 it read. Fucker hadn’t said shit in two days.
Tossing his phone aside, Naib stretched out like on the couch, a low growl rasping his throat and making him both sound and look like a sour cat. He felt like a sour cat as well with his current urge to strangle a human miles away.
Earlier that day Naib had already talked with his mother who stayed in England. They talked over messages since Naib had requested no phone calls, scared his voice would betray him and potentially concern his mother.
But the ignoring had reached a point where Naib messaged his Ma, asking if something had happened to Norton. Who knew, perhaps the dork fell into the McFlurry machine at work and drowned, or he ate too many hot dogs at once and spent his last moments choking to death.
When his mother confirmed nothing, as far as she had heard, had happened to Norton, Naib decided he kept his angry privileges.
Picking up the phone again, Naib made sure to check for any new notifications one last time. Just as disappointed this time as last time to see nothing. ‘How annoying’, he thought as he went to the kitchen. If nothing had happened to Norton and he still wasn’t replying then he better hold the greatest explanation known to man. Naib wanted to have faith in Norton, but right now the brunette only held faith in his own capability to down a pack of instant noodles in less than a minute- hadn’t the bloody thing taken 5 minutes to cook.
It wasn’t as if Naib expected his dumbass to reply every second of the day, devoting every hour to him. It would just be nice to not be ghosted for two days straight, especially when it was your birthday.
“I don't want anything special for my birthday” suddenly became a string of lies, and Naib for once realised just how important some silly words from certain people could be. Never had he expected to long for a simple “happy birthday” from his local dumbass.
With the noodles done, Naib went back towards the living room. Ready to forfeit the mortal possession of his ass to the sweet soft cushions of the couch. It was already late, and since it was a friday Naib knew he could drag his ass all night if he wanted to, but since someone chose to ignore him, he didn’t feel like staying up. Knowing he would only wait for Nort’s replies.
Slurping down his food, the Nepali let out an exasperated sigh. There were flowers meant to come by his door, ones his mother had ordered a delivery for. After those arrived Naib had settled he would sleep. Although looking at his clock, Naib wondered just how late those delivery services worked. It was past eleven am, surely they didn't do midnight deliveries.
While contemplating to message his mother and ask, the doorbell rang. Surprised, Naib looked towards the hall before getting up to check the door. Could it really be the delivery? Just when he thought about it too- but no, it must have been too late for those services.
Deciding not to dwell on it, Naib opened the door to answer his questions. Surprised to see a familiar face, hands clutching onto green stems with some stems, some, connecting to half cut roses and other miserable flowers. What looked worse, the flowers or the guy paler than a ghost?
“I-.. Ha-.. Happy birthday” the guy said breathlessly.
In a swift motion, Naib had thrown himself over the other. Making the taller man stumble back as he caught Naib, holding tightly around his waist. Suddenly the bouquet of stems was forgotten as it fell to the floor.
“Norton- What the hell are you doing here?”
“Haha- sorry, but that's a long story and… no chance you have a bed to spare?”
“Yeah, but you’ll have to pay for that with answers”
“Sure, if you let me rest up first, birthday boy” Leaning down, Norton gave a kiss on top of Naib’s head. Humming softly at a long lost closeness.
By morning Naib would have everything laid out, but for now? For now he cherished the sight of his idiot boyfriend.