Short Story: [Emberfate] First Argument

Hey everyone! 

Here it is — the Patreon exclusive short story for this month! This is the first installment (Nathan's story) of a new series — can you guess what the theme for this series is? It's probably pretty obvious from the title cough cough LOL 

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this! 

---

"God, I'm so tired." You stretch your arms above your head, flopping backwards and sinking into your bed. Thanks to your movements, your phone that was resting on the mattress quickly gets lost among the entangled blankets, muffling the sound of your boyfriend's voice coming from the speakers.

"Sunshine? You there?"

Fishing around to rescue your phone from the mess, you turn off speakerphone and press it against your ear again. "Yeah, I am! Sorry, Nathan. What were you saying?" 

"Oh, um, well, I was wondering if you still wanted to watch that movie with me today? You did say tonight would be movie night, right?" 

"Movie? Wait, which movie?" 

"You don't remember what we discussed?" There's a beat of silence on the other end before Nathan continues. "You know, it's the one that's all over social media lately. Everyone and their mother seems to be watching it, and even my sister swears it actually lives up to the hype." 

"I'm sorry, that... doesn't really ring a bell." You bite back a yawn, closing your eyes in exhaustion. "Can we take a rain check on that movie night? I'm not really in the mood for it tonight." 

"Oh... Okay! Yeah, no worries! We can do it another time." He responds, the fake cheery note in his voice bringing a frown to your face.

"Nathan, are you unhappy with me?"

"No, no, of course not. It's fine. Really." 

"We both know I know you well enough by now to tell when you're not fine. Can you just be honest with me?" 

A sigh reaches your ears, soon followed by Nathan's hesitant response. "I'm just... a little disappointed, I guess. We haven't really had any quality time together for a while now, what with the timezone differences and you being busy with life lately..."

You let out a long breath, rubbing your aching temples with one hand. "I'm sorry, Nathan, I'm trying. You know a lot has been going on for me these days."

"I know, I know. I'm not trying to blame you or anything. I just... I don't know. I can't help but feel like... you're losing interest in me. That you don't want to be with me anymore." 

"Nathan. You know that's not true." A wave of exhaustion rushes over you as you fumble for the words to reassure him — again, for the third time this week — of your feelings for him. As much as you love him, you can't help but admit that this is starting to take a toll on you as well, coupled with everything going wrong for you lately. 

"Are you sure? I mean, it really doesn't feel that way —" 

You can't help but cut him off, your tone snappier than you intend for it to be in your frustration. "Yes. I am sure. Please, Nathan, can we stop doing this every single day? I'm way too tired for this. I really don't know how many times you need me to say this before you'll finally believe me."

Silence. If not for the very faint sound of Nathan's breathing on the other end of the line, you'd think he had hung up on you already. 

Your flash of annoyance disappears as quickly as it came, and regret begins sinking in as you realize what you've said. "...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

It takes a minute before Nathan replies again, his voice wobbly and betraying the fact that he's on the verge of tears. "No, no. You should have. I didn't realize I've been so annoying and needy lately. I'm so sorry. I, um, I'll stop making things worse for you now and let you rest for the night. Good night." 

Your grip on the phone tightens, as if you can keep your boyfriend from leaving that way. "Nathan, wait. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. Can we please talk things out?" 

"No, it's okay. You don't have to apologize. If anyone should be apologizing, it's me. You were right." Nathan takes an audible deep breath, his voice low and morose. "I let my insecurities get the better of me, and I've been putting even more on your plate when you're already dealing with so much in real life this week. I'm a horrible boyfriend. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay, I understand. I've not exactly been a great partner lately either... I know I haven't been spending as much time with you as I should, and I shouldn't have snapped at you like that just now too." You let out a small sigh. "I'm sorry, Nathan. I promise, I'll make it up to you as soon as life calms down a bit, okay? But please don't doubt that I love you and always will." 

"...I love you too. I-I'm sorry. I just love you a lot and am scared of losing you. I'll try to keep my insecurities in check and be more understanding and supportive from now on. I'm really sorry. Can you forgive me?" 

"Only if you forgive me as well." You smile, pressing your phone closer to your ear. Nathan hums softly in return, and for a moment, neither of you speak as you wrap your minds around the conversation that just transpired.

You finally break the quiet with a light-hearted remark. "So... was that our first argument? Does that mean our honeymoon phase is over now?" 

He laughs in amusement, and you can almost imagine him running his hands through his hair as he leans back in his chair. "I mean, I don't know if it really counted as a fight, considering it consisted of a grand total of one angry comment... But you know what? Let's say it was. Congrats to us! We've made it through a very important milestone of a relationship and none the worse for wear too!" 

"See? I told you we make a great couple. You have nothing to worry about at all." You grin as another yawn overtakes you. 

Nathan chuckles, and you can hear the smile in his voice as he answers. "Yes, yes, you're right. I'm an idiot. Now don't let this idiot keep you up any further. You should go rest — you sound like you really need it."

"Okay... I guess I really should. I'll call you tomorrow morning when I wake up, okay?" 

"Okay, I'll be waiting. Good night. I love you."